Highlights of each day at the show were the two parades of boats. This year there were so many boats participating that it was difficult to say when the morning parade ended and the afternoon’s started. The general theme of this year’s rally was the boats of major historic carrying company Fellows, Morton & Clayton.

All profits are, as always, donated to canal causes by Braunston Marina’s owner Tim Coghlan. This year’s main recipient was Friends of President, which received £2,000 towards the ongoing maintenance of the unique steam-powered narrowboat President.

Coghlan described the increase in the number of boats attending the event - since the 28 at the first rally five years ago - as astonishing. Next year’s rally will be on June 28–29 2008.