Afternoon all,

Here we are two days after the event and no comments or complaints!  We held a three day event, played live amplified music until 10 pm outside.  Caused traffic jams. Thousands of people descended on one end of the town spending money, overloading the cafes, pubs and infrastructure.  Off licences sold out of cans.  But then we had no:

Litter, vandalism, crime, accidents or incidents at all.  The youth behaved impeccably and no one had to be asked to leave the site. 

What a nice relaxed atmosphere there was throughout- sshhhh, best not shout too loud or everyone will want to live in Whaley.

We are all still packing away and will make a statement of thanks when we have had some sleep.

There are now hundreds of photos on the Water Weekend Facebook page and a short Video on the Buxton Advertiser website

Cheers

Barry

Edited by user 14 June 2011 20:33:32(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Sooper Dooper young Bazooka.Great weekend pity it slashed it down on sunday.I hear all the shops on canal street did a roaring trade,and elsewhere I presume.

Hi

The success of this event is down to more than the organisers.

I feel that the town has a unique village feel but has often lacked the community spirit I see in other places.

We have all now seen just what can be achieved if we can motivate and harness people power.  In the past few weeks we have had people tidying up the canal basin area.  This year we have been supplied goods and services either free or at cost price by local businesses.  Everyone is working in harmony and all sectors of society are included.  I decided to push the boundaries this year by extending the "opening hours".  It is now up to the Townsfolk to decide if that is what they want to happen next year for this is your event.

Stall holders and performers now all want to come to Whaley and the visitors book was full of complimentary comments about the unique friendly atmosphere and setting we have.

You should all be proud, now let's keep it up.  A dog is not just for Christmas.

Cheers

Barry

Edited by user 14 June 2011 21:05:58(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

It was a great event, yet again and the 2011 innovations were a really good step forward. It was good to see the influx of new stewards on the day to supplement the band of 'old' faithfulls.
A "Well done" to the Whaley Fringe, you added a large splash of colour.
Being now the boat organiser and no longer the chairman I must emphasise the success of the boats at the 2011 event.
We are in a great position at the end of the Peak Forest Canal and with the space provded by the Whaley Wharf, around our much sought after Transhipment Warehouse - it truly is UNIQUE.
The event makes full use of this situation but would be a mere shadow without the boats and I would like to thank British Waterways in general, their Manchester and Pennine Regional Manager - David Baldacchino and his staff in particular and all those who gave freely of their time.
Firstly my wife, Liz, who spent the whole weekend, with only very short comfort breaks, from 9am until 5pm BOTH days on ticket allocation, buggie parking and crowd control AND
Secondly the experienced drivers and their crew who brought boats from Bollington (6 hours), did at least a three hour session non-stop and on Sunday braved the rain for several hours to give 1100 people, young and old, some never having been in a boat, before a special experience at our W3/2011. This number is only 42 less than 2010 and was achieved again without an accident. WELL DONE ALL!
The continuation of W3 is also due to the sterling work done, to a large extent by others. Barry Rudd of course and his committee. Jim Middlleton, who seeks sponsorship and produces the 'Guide and Local Business Directory' that goes into EVERY house in Furness and Whaley and his local business supporters. PLEASE refer to it before going outside the town for your jobs and services.
There has been a Town Council grant to W3 since independance in 2005, without which W3 would 'sink' and this has brought both business to and pleasure for Whaley Bridge shops and residents.Long may that continue. It is essential! W.B.T.C. please note!
It is still our proud boast that a family can spend at least half a day at W3 without the need to spend a penny. Long may that be an objective for W3.
 

Edited by user 16 June 2011 10:45:43(UTC)  | Reason: typos and spelling again

Hi Barry,

On behalf of Whaley Bridge Town Council, I'd like to thank you, the committee and all your volunteers for the outstanding work and effort you have all put in over the last weekend and over the months preceeding in order to  put the Whaley Water Weekend together and make it the success it was. Noone can control the weather, not even you, but Sunday saw a very good turn out despite it,  after the major crowds on sunny Saturday and the undoubted success of the music on Friday night.. This year I believe you had more volunteers than ever, and I think it is huge credit to the way you are growing the event and trying out new things which involve different groups of people. The BMX group for example was a great hit, and gets younger people involved in community events. That can only be good for the future. 

Once again, a big thankyou to yourself and fellow organizers, and to all the volunteers without whoom the event could not go ahead. And of course thanks also to all those who attended and helped to make it a success, and to all the local businesses who played a part and gave time and money to turn it into the true community event that it was.

Cheers

Jon.