Golden Jubilee Rally

The title for this year's annual BCS boat rally at Cosgrove Lock rather suggested itself. The rally was held over the weekend of 20th to 21st July and eleven boats attended.

As usual Saturday's events included a treasure hunt and a quiz during the day. The winner of both the treasure hunt and quiz was Vernon Draper of NB "Reflections" who received a rather nice china pot full of Thornton Toffee for the treasure hunt and a nearly as nice tin also full of Thornton Toffee for the quiz - the planners did not expect the same person to win both prizes!

This year the weather was good to us (on both days) and on Saturday evening there was a real ale bar and musical entertainment by Chris Allen & friends.

Over both days, Athina Beckett set up her bric-a-brac stall and there was also a lock ransom which kept Jonathan Brown and his helpers busy. The Society's information stand was also set up by the lockside.

On Sunday, Athina led the towpath walk which was open to the general public and this was also well attended.

The Chairman of IWA Milton Keynes Branch, Roy Cleverly very kindly presented our Chairman Steve Miles with a cheque for £34 on the Saturday evening.

The weekend was well worthwhile and everyone enjoyed themselves. Our furthest travelling participant was new member Steve Dennison (NB "Andrew N") who had come from Stockton. Thanks should be expressed to the arranging team which included John Burgess, Chris Symmonds (earlier on) and a special thanks to Peter Breen & Tony Collins for standing in at the eleventh hour and helping me with erecting the dreaded tent frame. Thanks also to Richard Hyde for his smooth running of the bar and to our two young helpers Diana & Susan Munton who always seem to get good results with the lock ransom bucket, and to June Stevenson whose cups of tea and cakes were most welcome during the daytime.