ALONG with high teas, village fêtes, and Morris dancing, steam rallies feature high-up on lists of all things quintessential English.
That said, there could be no more suitable place to celebrate the upcoming coronation of King Charles III than at the newly-reopened Anderton Boat Lift’s bank holiday Steam Festival and street party.
As newly anointed King Charles and Queen Camilla parade down the Mall in a vintage gold coach, the Canal & River Trust charity will be staging its own royal party of historic vehicles featuring the Danny steamship, plus several other steam ships and traction engines.
The event will be staged each day of the bank holiday weekend from 10am to 4pm, and visitors anxious not to miss the coronation service in Westminster Abbey on Saturday can enjoy watching the momentous ceremony on a large TV screen in the marquee at the bottom of the lift.
Full details of everything going on over the weekend can be found on the Anderton Boat Lift visitors centre website.
Anderton visitor centre manager, Phil Gibson, said: “As the nation celebrates the coronation of our new monarch, what better way to join in the national festivities than with a fantastic, giant street party at Anderton Boat Lift, the Cathedral of the Canals.
“We will be serving a special barbecue on Saturday and Sunday, as well as lots of other activities and treats for all the family.
"The Danny steamship will also be hosting a real ale bar.
“All the vintage ships and engines will be operated and demonstrated by volunteer enthusiasts, offering a fantastic behind-the-scenes peek into their mechanical history and heritage.”
The Edwin Clark trip boat will be offering short cruises up and down the lift and along the River Weaver Navigation, giving visitors a unique view of the stunning 1875 Victorian structure, the world’s first major commercial boat lift.
For more information about the coronation Steam Festival, call the Canal and River Trust on 01606 786777, or visit their website.
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