RNR 2009 Rally

The 2009 rally took place from Thursday 12th to Sunday 14th June at Shackerstone on the Ashby Canal.

The venue was Wharf Farm, adjacent to the canal north of Turn Bridge 52. Thanks to farmer David Grimmer for making this available at short notice. Also thanks to the regular moorers at Wharf Farm for accomodating the influx of visting boats.

As the site was well away from any building, the power for the rally marquee was provided by an Combined Heat and Power unit run by an RN D2 engine.

Forty six motor boats and two butty boats belonging to RNR members attended.

Rally activities included:

Tatting with Rosemarie Peel
RN Cylinder Head workshop - lead by former RN apprentice Jamie Mason
How to rebuild a 1940 vintage DM3, in situ - Kevin McNiff expalined what can be done without taking a boat apart!
Bob May presented some of his collection of historic canal photographs
Open Forum discussion with RN Diesels
Decorative Knots and Ropework with Ken Nelson of the International Guild of Knot Tyers - tying a Turk's head this time
Boat Electrics for Ladies with Paul Le Blique

Extra-mural activities, that is away from the rally site, included a trip on the Battlefield Railway to Shenton for a visit to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and a church service at St. Peter's Church. The boating theme of the sermon was appreciated by the worshipers from the rally.

Rally site at Wharf Farm, taken from the remains of the Norman Motte and Bailey defensive mound.

Looking north from Turn Bridge (52), rally boats on right, main rally site on left.

Photo: Rally boats were moored south of bridge 52.

Most rally boats were moored in the attractive seaction south of bridge 52...

... opposite the track leading to Shackerstone station...

... where the canal is wide enough for three abreast mooring.

The southern end of the rally mooring was by the aqueduct over the River Sence.

Two DM2 powered boats almost make a mirror image.

Photo: Rally bar featuring local real ales from Battlefield, Church End and Tunnel breweries, plus cider from Alan Hogan.

The rally bar featured local real ales from Battlefield, Church End and Tunnel breweries, plus cider from Alan Hogan.

Photo: A well attended workshop session.

A well attended workshop session - this was for ladies only, Paul LeBlique explains engine electrics.

Photo: RNR Rally part awaiting return train at Shenton station on the Battlefield Railway, after a visit to the Bosworth Battlefield centre.

RNR Rally part awaiting return train at Shenton station on the Battlefield Railway, after a visit to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.

Photo: Battlefield Railway train, loco Mayflower with a face, it was a Thomas weekend too!

Not Henry the green engine, but LNER B1 class (6)1306 Mayflower. The rally weekend coincided with a Thomas event on the railway.

240volt electic power for the rally marquee came from a combined heat and power (CHP) unit ...

... powered by an new RN D2 engine.

Sunset reflected in the lake at Wharf Farm. A very tranquil spot on a summer evening.

2010 Rally | 2008 Rally