These others appropriately will be the feature of this year's show, to celebrate the recent restorations of two of Braunston's most important historic narrowboats, Nutfield and Raymond , which had Samuel Barlows and Blue Line connections.

The rally will again be formally opened by former Casualty star Zita Sattar - greatgreat grand daughter of the first captain James Woodfield of President - the last surviving steam narrowboat from the working days of the canals.

Our picture shows Zita Sattar with Friends of President chairman, David Powell, steaming up to open last year's Braunston Marina FMC Rally.

All historic Braunston and Grand Union narrowboats will be moored in the old Oxford Arm in the marina, where last year's FMC boats were moored.

Other historic narrowboats "under canvas" will be moored out on the mainline, thanks to the support of British Waterways.

All historic narrowboats will participate in the twice-daily parades. At the moment, the event is open to all historic narrowboats, so book now to avoid disappointment, say the organisers.

Last year, 29 historic working narrowboats and 3,000 enthusiastic spectators rallied at Braunston Marina for that weekend. The popularity of the event suggests that these numbers will be greatly exceeded.

"The success of this FMC Rally has inspired us to hold an annual historic narrowboat rally at Braunston Marina in the last weekend in June, " said Tim Coghlan, MD of Braunston Marina. "And NO! we are NOT bringing back the Braunston Boat Show, just the bit that doesn't click at Crick - that gathering and parade of historic narrowboats, with all the atmosphere and interest it created."