Organisers of Ellesmere Festival dealt a double blow
A festival which brings thousands of people to a market town in Shropshire has received a double blow after two of the event's main attractions were axed.
The boat rally held on the Shropshire Union Canal as part of Ellesmere Festival will not be held this year after organisers said they did not have enough volunteers to run the event. And there will also be no fireworks at this year's festival, which is due to be held for the 30th time from September 13 to 15.
The news has been greeted with disappointment by civic leaders in the town – but festival organisers have vowed to carry on with the three-day event.
The town's model railway exhibition has been added to the festival bill in a bid to attract more people. One of the key attractions will now be a realistic scale model of the former Ellesmere railway and there could also be a small outdoor working steam railway for children to ride on.
The boat rally was organised each year by officials at Shropshire Union Canal Society, and last year about 50 colourful, decorated and illuminated narrow boats were moored along the canal all weekend.
Councillor Alan Clarke, mayor of Ellesmere, said: "There are some concerns because the canal society will not be involved this year. The boat rally and fireworks display attracted people down to the Wharf but we'll have to find something to supplement it.
"The festival has played an important part in the town. This is disappointing but we'll find other ways to attract people."
David Saunders, chairman of the Group of Ellesmere Modellers (GEM), said he felt both events can work together to make it a great success.
Last year, about 350 people attended the model show on just one day.
