PIRATES, shanty-singing sailors and Mermaid Aurora drop anchor at Ellesmere Port’s National Waterways Museum over the weekend of May 17-19, to launch the attraction’s summer events programme.
Hosted by the Canal & River Trust, the Mutiny at the Port Pirate Weekender kicks off at 7pm on the Friday, with live music from the Old Time Sailors. The group, who are a support act for Madness later this summer, promise an evening of riotous shanty songs, dancing and foot-stomping folk music.
On the Saturday, Conwy Pirates swing into action for two days of thrilling high seas shenanigans, including cannon and pistol firing, treasure hunts, boat trips, pirate costume parades – and of course, rum will be served in the Toll House tavern!
Over May school half term, there will be a chance to examine underwater wildlife, with What Lies Beneath on Wednesday May 29 and the following day look upwards at moths and water birds in What Flies Above.
Chris Done, visitor services manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “The 2024 summer events programme is our best-ever. We’re delighted to be staging a packed programme of fantastic fun activities and attractions for the whole family. From wartime re-enactments and traction engines to medicine and horse boating, they offer a brilliant education opportunity for young people as well as appealing to adult enthusiasts.
“On many special Sundays through the season, we give visitors an extra exciting, themed attraction on top of their museum visit. All these special days are included in our annual pass, but we also offer day tickets for one-off visits.”
British history and the fascinating development of the local port are at the heart of many of the special events this summer. Located at the junction of the Manchester Ship Canal and the Shropshire Union Canal, the museum is home to working steam engines in the Power Hall and an incredible array of historic boats.
At Medical Marvels on Sunday June 2, the British Army Medical Living History Group will set up wartime dressing stations, operating theatres, and a chance to climb aboard a jeep ambulance. A heritage gardener will demonstrate how to create herbal remedies and visitors can try taster sessions in reiki and crystal therapy.
Also in June, the museum will host a Football Retrospective (June 9), World War Two event (June 16), Art on the Cut ( June 23) and a Vintage Vehicle Weekend (June 29-30).
In July, visitors can enjoy historic Canal Town and Chocolate Day (July 7), Homefront at Play (July 14), Traditional Village Fete and Dog Show (July 21) and World War One (July 28). This is followed in August with a Viking Day (August 4), Canal Town and Horse Boating (August 11), Yarn Fest (18 August 18) and a Bank Holiday Beer Festival (August 24-26).
Adult tickets cost £12.95, with discounts for children, seniors and families. The museum is open six days a week (closed Monday) until July 14, and then every day during the school summer holidays until September 1. The Canal & River Trust would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in volunteering at the museum.
For more information, visit the museum website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/national-waterways-museum.
