Festival will celebrate and promote River Nene

The 250th anniversary of the River Nene becoming fully navigable from The Wash is to celebrated later this year.
The river serves many of the towns and villages in South Northamptonshire.
And between April 29 and May 2, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) will hold the 2011 National Campaign Festival on the waterfront. The aim of the festival is to encourage greater recreational use of the river and to celebrate the opening of the Environment Agency’s new 82–berth marina in Becket’s Park, Northampton.
The event is backed by Northampton Borough Council, the Environment Agency, British Waterways and the Association of Nene River Clubs.
It is one of a series of events being held in 2011 to highlight the Nene and its importance to the area.
The festival also incorporates the annual Gathering of Boats organised by the IWA Northampton Branch, where boaters’ events will be centred on the lock island at Becket’s Park.
In the adjacent park, alongside the river, trade stands and special activities to attract the public are being organised, as well as the spectacle of at least 100 canal and river craft, including several historic narrowboats moored between South Bridge and Town Lock.
Festival chairman John Pomfret said: "The Nene is widely recognised as being one of England’s loveliest rivers, but sadly it is underused.
"We hope this National Festival will focus attention on the undoubted attractions of this waterway while also spotlighting the benefits of a busy waterfront so conveniently near to the town centre."