3 April

TRY CANAL BOATING AT AND

On Sunday 15 April 2018, the Canal & River Trust and Drifters Waterway Holidays are offering people the chance to try canal boating for free at 19 locations across and Wales, including Tardebigge and Alvechurch on the Worcester & Canal.

The taster sessions will include free short trips on skippered narrowboats, as well as boat tours and holiday discounts. People of all ages are encouraged to take part and no advanced booking is required.

The locations are:

• ABC Boat Hire, Alvechurch Marina, Scarfield Wharf, , B48 7SQ. 11am-4pm • Anglo Welsh, Tardebigge Wharf, , Worcestershire, B60 1 LR. 11am-4pm

Gareth Stephens, National Boating Business Manager at the Canal & River Trust, says: “We believe that waterways have the power to make a real difference to people’s lives and that spending time by water makes us all healthier and happier.

“Thousands of people already enjoy boating holidays on our beautiful 2,000-mile network of inland waterways, and these free canal boat taster sessions are a great way to know that this sort of holiday is for you, before committing to a weekend or longer break.”

Tim Parker, chairman of Drifters Waterway Holidays, explains: “Travelling at just 4mph through peaceful countryside, sleepy villages and vibrant waterside towns and cities, canal boat holidays are often described as ‘the fastest way to slow down’.

“Close to 400,000 people go canal boating each year, almost double the number 10 years ago* and there are now more canal boats on our waterways than at the height of the Industrial Revolution. “Last year, over 3,800 people got afloat at our one of our open day events and we look forward to welcoming thousands more visitors this year, to discover why canal boat holidays are so special.”

Further details about the open day events can be found at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/trycanalboating

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more press information contact: [email protected] 020 3204 4410

For Drifters press enquiries & images, contact: Debbie Walker on 01628 318069 mb 077486 40577 [email protected]

*Source: British Marine’s ‘Watersports Participation Survey 2015’

Drifters Waterway Holidays is made up of a consortium of 11 hire boat companies: ABC Boat Hire, Anglo Welsh, Black Prince, Countrywide Cruisers, Foxhangers, Kate Boats, Rose Narrowboats, Napton Narrowboats, Shire Cruisers, Valley Cruises and Union Canal Carriers. Between them they offer over 590 boats for hire, operating from 47 bases across England, Scotland and Wales. 2018 hire prices start at £445 for a short break, £675 for a week. Narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people. www.drifters.co.uk Tel 0344 984 0322 @drifters6

The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales, caring for the nation’s third largest collection of listed structures, as well as museums, archives, and hundreds of important wildlife sites.

We believe that living waterways transform places and enrich lives and our role is to make sure there is always a place on your doorstep where you can escape the pressures of everyday life, stretch your legs and simply feel closer to nature. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk @CanalRiverTrust @crtcomms