Membership Matters - Sales Stall

We have completed the last of the events for this season and thankfully the weather, apart from early August, has been kind to us. While the Classic Vehicle Show in the garden of the Ferry Tavern at Fidlers Ferry drew the short straw, it also had one advantage. Superbly sited overlooking the River Mersey, we were able to watch the yachts from Fidlers Ferry Sailing Club racing while we sheltered from the rain. It was also heartening to note the number of local people who came to voice their dissatisfaction at the fencing along the Sankey Canal in Warrington. Dave, Peter and Andy, cast adrift after their guided walk had been called off, also joined us.

The next two weeks were spent preparing for the National Festival at St Ives. We make this festival visit a long one, from Wednesday to Tuesday and this year it certainly paid off. The early birds missed the queues to get sales stock on site! The town was small, very interesting and a short picturesque walk away from the showground. The locals were friendly and easily identified visitors by their wellies and wristbands. We were amazed during the festival at the number of people who came and introduced themselves as being from Warrington and were pleased to see stalls from the northwest. Colin has written more about the festival elsewhere.

In September we attended the Rural Craft Fair at Siding Lane, always a busy, enjoyable day and we were complimented on the quality of the stock! I must say it always sells well at Rainford and it's all thanks to you, members and friends for your donations. Our final event was in Widnes for the Fair Organ and Vintage Rally, a thoroughly good weekend, very busy and musical - albeit numerous tunes at once. Thank you to everyone who has helped out this year with goods, carrier bags and time; you've been a great help.

Whilst we were at the Fairground Organ Rally in Victoria Park, Widnes, in September, a member of Runcorn & District Model Boat Club gave this photograph to Colin. It was taken in 1942 showing the motor packet "NORMAN BURTON" with a dumb barge behind. Both are under tow to the "CHARLES H. BURTON" bound for Liverpool out of Widnes, presumably returning unladen from the Sankey Sugar Works at Earlestown.

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