Some weekends just have a bit of magic about them — and the 2026 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally was clearly one of them. To cap it off, the team at Braunston Marina has generously donated £200 to the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT), the charity whose volunteers are working to bring the Lichfield Canal back to life.
Held over the traditional last weekend in June, the rally shrugged off warnings of extreme heat to draw its biggest gathering of historic boats in several years — 90 narrowboats arriving from across the waterways. Actor and canal enthusiast Sam West stepped in at short notice to open the event, unveiling a plaque to his parents, Tim and Pru West, in celebration of their support for canal restoration.
Braunston Marina chose to back the Trust’s restoration work as part of its long-standing commitment to canal heritage. LHCRT’s Finance and Funding Trustee, Colin Booker, said the marina sits at the heart of the canal world and that its support helps the vital work continue. Marina Managing Director Tim Coghlan added a warm note that the Trust’s Bob Williams has never missed a single one of the 22 rallies staged so far.
With plans already under way for the 2027 rally, it’s a lovely reminder of how the wider canal family pulls together. A big thank-you to Braunston Marina — every gift helps move the restoration forward.
Read the Trust’s full story: Braunston Marina donates £200 at a record-setting rally weekend.
