With the Norbury Canal Festival returning this May Bank Holiday following a Covid-imposed break of two years, the Shrewsbury and Newport Canals Trust (SNCT) is delighted to announce a special event guaranteed to bring an extra dimension to the Festival.
Visitors can take a trip in the world's first submarine canal cruise between Saturday 30 April and Monday 2 May 2022. HMS April, the first of her kind, arrived at Norbury Junction this week and has been undergoing canal trials in preparation for a trip that you'd be a fool to ignore.
With a specially adapted ultra-shallow base, you will be able to lie back and relax in style as you cruise incognito to Gnosall and back. Looking out of the rectangular portholes you will get a close up view of some of the finest engineering of the Victorian era - from below! Expect to see pike, carp and perhaps even a settee.
This remarkable opportunity has been made possible by Phil Tarrant, a retired sea captain who previously served on HMS April. Built at Liverpool dock in the 1960s, she was originally seen as a bit of a joke due to the bright colour of her hull. However, she has now been painted a murky grey colour that renders her completely invisible to the naked eye. She runs almost silent in the water using specially designed engines that run on April Fuel.
Phil, who now runs the Norbury Canal Festival, said:
"This is just one of the many attractions taking place at the Festival which runs from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May 2022. Boats moored along a kilometre of the Shropshire Union Canal will be selling artisan food, gifts, arts, crafts and more. There will be live music, fairground rides, a bouncy castle, face painting and displays about the work to restore the Shrewsbury & Newport canals.
“It will be a great family day out and you will be helping to restore our local canal network all the way from Norbury Junction to Shrewsbury. And we’ll be giving April the first outing in years – and that’s no joke."
For the first time history buffs can step aboard Bainton & Berkhampstead, two vintage boats that are undergoing restoration, and meet the volunteers that are doing this important work.
The Junction Inn and Norbury Wharf Ltd will once again be supporting the event with plenty to eat and drink, trips on the 42-seat Shropshire Star and live music through Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings.
Car parking is free and adjacent to the canal.
