Coombeswood Canal Trust announces return of popular open weekend (From Halesowen News)

Coombeswood Canal Trust announces return of popular open weekend

1:16pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News

THE Coombeswood Canal Trust has announced the return of its popular open weekend in Halesowen.

Thousands of people flocked to Hawne canal basin over two days when the event was held in 2011 and the organisers have promised this year’s open weekend will be bigger and better.

The Coombeswood Canal Trust will transform Hawne basin on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 into a family friendly attraction.

Trust publicity officer Jon Jones said: “We are pleased that the open weekend is returning in 2013 year after an absence in 2012.

“The event is free to the public and provides an opportunity to visit Hawne Basin and learn more about the work of the trust in promoting the use, improvement and retention of the Dudley No 2 Canal.”

He added: “Over the weekend a real ale bar and refreshments will be available as well as craft stalls, Waterways Society displays, various activities and games as well as a trip boat running trips up to an in to Gosty Hill tunnel.“ On the Saturday a troupe of Appalachian dancers will be performing their unique brand of Kentucky style clogging throughout the day as well as other entertainment.

Mr Jones said: “We really want this open weekend to be a great event for all the family and as well as the entertainment we will be staging lots of games and getting people to participate.

“We want people to learn about Hawne basin and all the work that the trust does and if we get thousands visiting like 2011 then we will be delighted.”

He added: “There is still time for stallholders to get in touch and be part of the weekend.”

Hawne Basin was an interchange for the Great Western Railway and was used for the shipment of tubes from the Coombeswood works of Stewarts and Lloyds/BSC until the railway closed in 1967.

For more information about the Coombeswood Canal Trust visit www.hawnebasin.org or email coombeswood@btconnect.com.