DESPITE rain and gale force winds, over 300 people attended the Grantham Canal Society's Discovery Day which raised £1,000, with the society rating it the most successful event it has organised to date.
Discovery Day was designed to inform, inspire and involve says the Society's events and marketing organiser Rosemary Gibson, adding:
Celebrate volunteers
"We have the most amazing group of volunteers, so in addition to putting on a wide range of activities, our objective was also to celebrate their vital role. Our volunteers all work incredibly hard and setting up such a big event took a great deal of work. Team spirit on the day was just a joy to see and experience."
Shown in the photograph is Grantham Canal Society's Events and Marketing Organiser Rosemary Gibson in traditional canal boat woman's dress and volunteer Tony Jackson who sold 150 duck race tickets.
Grantham Canal Society chairman Mike Stone enthused:
"This was our most successful event to date, thanks to all the amazing work done by Rosemary and her volunteers. In all we took £1,000 on the day - our highest total yet for a single event. Whilst we do have a very loyal band of supporters and businesses who donate to us, events are an extremely important part of our overall fund raising effort. All donations are most gratefully received and make a crucial contribution towards funding the essential work we do in the restoration and maintenance of the 33 mile stretch of the canal."
Activities
The society organised a range of activities for all the family including boat trips, displays of heritage, a duck race, art, craft and photographic displays, mini-beast identification, hands on science activities, a model boat competition and a range of stalls. The duck race proved to be the most popular activity with over 150 tickets being sold.
The donations received will be used to assist in the replacement of the top gates at Lock 18. The new gates should last for more than 30 years. This donation will be there for people to enjoy for many years, and will hold back four miles of water all the way to the A1.