Sleaford Water Weekend Archive
The River Slea is the waterway that links the town of Sleaford
to the River Witham and thence to Boston and Lincoln. The River
Slea was absolutely vital to the economy of the area from 1794
when the canal opened for full use but sadly it fell into disuse
and then disrepair in the mid 1800s when the railway arrived bringing
faster, easier transport. The navigation was finally abandoned
in 1878.
The Sleaford Navigation Trust was
legally established in 1997, but had been working for around 20
years before that towards the restoration of the Slea into a navigable
waterway. One by one the seven locks are being restored but it's
a long term project and fundraising is a continual issue.For more
details of the project visit the Trust's website
www.sleafordnavigation.co.uk
The first water event was held at South Kyme
in 1994 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the
Navigation. South Kyme is a fenland village on the Slea
about 8 miles by river (10 miles by road) from the town
of Sleaford and at the time was the furthest navigable point on
the Slea from the Witham. 47 narrowboats arrived to the delight
of the organisers and the amazement of the residents of the village.
The event was repeated in 1996 starting a regular Rally in the
village for boaters and villagers alike
In 1997 it was decided to hold a
similar event in Sleaford itself.
By this time, Sleaford was in the throes of Slefaord
Pride, the regeneration project, sponsored by local partnerships
and government funding. Members of the Sleaford Fun Shopping Days
committee worked with the Sleaford Navigation Trust to stage the
first Sleaford Water Weekend
.
With support from North Kesteven District Council
(lead partners in the Sleaford Pride Project) the event took place
on Eastgate car park with the very first Sleaford Water Weekend
Raft Race at the top of the agenda for visitors and participants.
The Raft Race continued to be a regular feature with so many crews
enter that, for safety, the races had to be split into different
categories over the 3 days! Each year there was a full programme
of entertainment, something to suit everybody - mostly provided
by local entertainers who give freely of their time, energies
and talents towards the event. Refreshments and Licensed bars
were provided by local busiensses at Cogglesford and Eastgate
The Mill at Cogglesford itself was open
as usual during the event and milling at regular intervals over
the weekend. Whilst at Cogglesford, visitors were encouraged to
spend a while reflecting on the William Pye sculpture generously
financed by the Arts Council of England, commissioned by North
Kesteven District Council and unveiled at the 1999 Water Weekend.
e-mail debbie_scott@btopenworld.com
If you are planning a trip to Sleaford for
any other reason, the Sleaford TIC has full details of accommodation
- hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering, camping - whatever
you prefer - contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01529 414294
- also call for details of other local events and attractions.
