Music festival raises thousands for charity

Folk on the Water was staged over ten days and as well as wowing audience, it also helped raise around £3,000 for injured soldiers and a babies’ hospice.

The festival saw musicians on a narrow boat travel on part of the Warwickshire Ring canal network between Rugby and Leamington, and venues included the Assembly, the Grand Union and Newbold Comyn Arms in Leamington, the Two Boats in Long Itchington and the Bridge at Napton.

Co-organiser Hayley Hindle said: “We had some memorable late-night impromptu jamming sessions with the bands on board the boat and there was a fantastic atmosphere at the gigs.

“We had musicians from around the country and the US. It looks like it’s going to grow because there are so many who want to take part.

“So, there’s talk of covering a different part of the Warwickshire Ring and branching out further.”

The festival was staged earlier this month and raised money for the charities Fallen Fusiliers and Zoe’s Place, which has recently opened a babies’ hospice in Exhall, near Coventry.

People who want to help with the festival and musicians who want to take part should email [email protected] or log onto www.folkonthewater.com.