Festival of the Rivers 2011

The Bonding Warehouse Landing was transformed by the arrival of the Arts Barge with a stonking line-up of events for the whole of July. Who’d have thought you could fit so much in a boat! A rolling exhibition of local artists’ work provided the changing backdrop to creative workshops and children’s story sessions during the day while Glorious Tea Parties kept visitors well fed and watered with, amongst other legendary offerings, the unsurpassed Guinness Cake. The licensed bar provided a range of  York Brewery beers for punters in need of something a bit stronger, and we became an instant ‘local’ for everyone who hooked up with the barge for its short stay. And there was plenty to draw punters in – cabaret, comedy, folk music, jazz, salsa, theatre, open mic – you name it and we did it. If proof were needed that there’s demand for a unique community arts venue like this in York, then the barge provided it in boat-fuls!

“The Arts Barge at Skeldergate…a raging success and a breath of fresh air” (The York Press, Jazz Notes, Ron Burnett 2011)

Special thanks to Brian Clarke, York Boat, for the free use of Skeldergate Mooring during July as well as his team who sorted our gangplank and moorings. Thanks also to City of York Council and Goole Waterways Museum for providing the barge and permissions. And to Andy Stones for doing all those other jobs which made the whole thing that much easier.

Festival of The Rivers Photo Album

 
Festival of The Rivers Visitors Book