Dudley's Festival returns

THE popular Parkhead Canal Festival at Dudley, though biennial, had to be cancelled in 2010 owing to water shortage. but returns this year.

The cancellation was caused by the main canal feeder, the Chasewater Reservoir being out of action due to repairs, but now they are finished, the festival will be back this year the 29th and 30th September, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Not lost its appeal

This means that it is four years since the festival was last held, and it is hoped it has not lost its appeal, and that the normal 10,000 to 12,000 visitors will attend.

The event is being organised by Dudley Canal Trust and Worcester & Birmingham and Droitwich Canal Society, with boats moored between Dudley Tunnel and Blowers Green Pumphouse.

Attractions

Attractions will include vintage vehicles, steam engines, stationary engines, fairground organs, model boats, trade and craft stalls. There will be a beer tent and catering.

Boat trips will be arranged and there will be various demonstrations, including the Great Dudley Duck Race that will be started by the Mayor of Dudley, Melvyn Mottram, at 3pm on 30th September.