Bicentennial Rally

Bill Upton

The Society celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of the opening of the Buckingham Arm by holding a boat rally at Cosgrove on the weekend of the 18th -19th of August 2001 (the official opening of the arm took place on 1st May 1801).

Twenty two boats had booked in.

Saturday's events included a treasure hunt and a quiz during the day. In the evening there was a real ale bar and planned musical entertainment by Sam & Buz Collins. Unfortunately there was a heavy downpour, which curtailed the music somewhat.

Over both days there was the BCS bric-a-bac stall set up by Athina Beckett and a lock ransom which kept Chris Symonds and his team of helpers very busy as hire boats were going north on Saturday and lots of boats were going south to the National Waterways Festival at Milton Keynes on both days. Thanks go to BW who greased the lock mechanism on Saturday morning, which made lock operating much easier.

The society's information stand was also set up by the lock side.

On Sunday Steve Morley led the towpath walk, there was a short service for the boaters and Sam & Buz Collins played throughout the day.

Press photographers came from the Buckingham Advertiser on Saturday and the MK Citizen on Sunday.

The weekend was well worthwhile and everyone enjoyed themselves, in spite of the Saturday evening rain. We also recruited some new members and the press coverage should increase awareness of the Society's aims.

Thanks should be expressed to the arranging team, which included Steve Miles, Steve and Mandy Morley and Glen Peckett. Thanks also to Richard Hyde and to two very young helpers Diane and Susan Munton who wielded the lock ransom bucket to good affect.

Photographs and a write up were in the Buckingham Advertiser Wednesday August 22nd and the MK Citizen Sunday August 26th.