Download your copy of the Moira Canal Festival Poster 2013 (488 Kb)
Download your copy of the Moira Canal Festival Leaflet 2013 (462 Kb)
Leicestershire County Council established the Ashby Canal restoration in the early 1990s. The County Council is a member of the Ashby Canal Trust which was formed in 2000 and has since then hosted the Moira Canal Festival on the newly restored Ashby Canal at Moira. In 2000 there was only a short length open, but over the years the canal has been extended and now has a lock, a swing bridge and a road bridge and extends from Donisthorpe Woodland Park to Conkers Waterside. The event is normally held at Moira Furnace, a Napoleonic blast furnace, and one of the best-preserved blast furnaces in Europe. All at the Heart of the National Forest.
The organisers have always aimed for variety, with something for everybody. Most years there has been a historic re-enactment, including the Sealed Knot, Redcoats. Victorian Marines, Open Rope, and Tommy Atkins, (World War 2). Their display worked particularly well as it was timed to coincide with the fly-past of a Spitfire and Dakota, with a low level fly-past on the final day by the Red Arrows.
Read all about the Moira Canal Festival then see the Moira Festival Video 2013
The 2013 festival is again at the historic Moira Furnace, on the restored length of the Ashby Canal. Over the weekend of 18th - 19th May 2013, there will be a wide range of entertainment for all.
Previous years have seen The Vikings of Middle England rampaging round the site, as well as the usual entertainment, with a jolly jazz duo, Mr Juggler, Emmas crafty Kids for the children, and more. Have a look at the short video of highlights from previous festivals if you haven´t already done so, See the see the Moira Festival Video 2013. We have had mountain bikes attempting to jump the canal, Tommy Atkins, WW 2 re-enactors have performed with their armoury and firepower, ready for their turn at capturing the Ashby Canal bridge. We have had swing band, jazz bands, folk bands, and featured a wide range of styles of Morris dancing over the years.
This year, along with the major entertainment, Emma's Crafty Kids will keep the children amused, Mr Juggler returns to baffle and bemuse with his tricks and dexterity and Morris dancers will entertain round the site. Live steam, classic cars and maypole dancing will all add to the fun. Boats and a bar will be there of course as well as a wide choice of refreshments
We want you all to have a good time, and all proceeds will go towards maintaining this length of the Ashby Canal, and contributing to the restoration which is continuing at Snarestone.
Come to the festival, bring the family, and remember all proceeds are ploughed back into the restoration of the Ashby Canal and maintenance of the restored length. (Proceeds from the last 2 festivals have in part gone towards restoring a short length at Snarestone. The photo shows the new slipway being opened in September 2010, and the opening of the swing bridge marking the junction between the existing Ashby Canal and the restored length. The swing bridge was funded largely by a contribution from Audrey Boston, chairman of the Ashby Canal Association.