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Legendary music mogul Pete Waterman will officially open this year’s Braunston Marina Rally & Canal Festival at the helm of narrowboat President.
THE 1980s pop icon and prolific steam enthusiast will return to the marina on June 27 and 28 for the famous rally, back for its 22nd year. Sponsored by Towpath Talk, it is one of the UK’s best-loved events in the canal calendar, with dozens of beautifully restored boats on show in Northamptonshire for the thousands of visitors who attend from around the country.
President, with its butty Kildare, at the 2005 rally. DAVID CARE
Pete will travel aboard re-restored steam narrowboat President, accompanied by its butty, Kildare. Built in 1909 at a cost of £600 by Fellows, Morton and Clayton (FMC), the largest and best-known canal transportation company in England for much of the early 20th century, President is the only FMC steamer to be restored to its original condition and is part of the National Historic Fleet.
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The vessel has been a part of canal history for more than 100 years as both a working boat and a restored steamer. After changes of ownership, it was advertised for sale as a derelict hull in 1973 and purchased for restoration to its original appearance by Nicholas Bostock and Malcolm Braine.
Pete Waterman with Tim Coghlan (right) during filming in October 2019 of an episode of Celebrity Britain By Barge at Braunston Marina. TIM COGHLAN COLLECTION
From 1978, the President Steamer Company operated the boat as a museum piece and in 1983 it was bought by the Black Country Living Museum. Friends of President was formed the following year to support its operation and maintenance and continues to do so today. In 1990, it received a new boiler, and during 2001 to 2003, President underwent a major refit which included a new steam engine.
President’s new boiler. FRIENDS OF PRESIDENT
But in 2018, President’s boiler failed an inspection and was deemed to be beyond economical repair – forcing it out of action. In 2020, Braunston Marina donated £20,000 to fund a new boiler, which has since been manufactured, and work is now ongoing to get President back in steam during the first half of 2026.
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Its scheduled appearance at this summer’s Braunston Historic Boat Rally, accompanied by Pete Waterman at the helm, has been hailed by marina managing director Tim Coghlan as a “great joy.” He said: “Last year’s event brought together canal enthusiasts, boat owners, and heritage lovers for an unforgettable weekend at Braunston Marina. It is a celebration of working boats, waterways, and the communities that keep this living heritage alive.”
President out of the water at Alvecote in January, ready for the final preparations on the engine room for the boiler to go in. FRIENDS OF PRESIDENT
On-site parking will be available, subject to weather and space, and admission is by payment on the gate. All proceeds support the upkeep and preservation of historic boats and canal heritage.
For more information about President, visit nb-president.org.uk
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Braunston Canal Festival, Braunston Historic Boat Rally, Braunston Marina Rally, canal festival Braunston Marina, canal heritage event Northamptonshire, Fellows Morton and Clayton narrowboat, historic narrowboats UK, Kildare butty boat, narrowboat President, National Historic Fleet narrowboat, pete waterman, steam narrowboat President, Towpath Talk Braunston Rally
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