The Wendover Arm Trust regrets to announce that there will be no Tring Canal Festival this year. The event is usually held over the late May Bank Holiday every year.

The Trust has been holding the Festival for 20 years on the same site adjacent to the Wendover Arm but has been unable to obtain permission to use the field by the land owners for unexplained reasons, despite repeated requests.

The Festival is a popular local event, attracting many visitors to Tring from both the local area and from as far away as Yorkshire and Wales. The event produces a typical income of some £40,000 all of which goes towards restoring the Arm.

The loss of the Festival will have a serious effect on long term funding for the restoration work of this important and attractive local amenity, since it has been the primary source of revenue for the Wendover Arm Trust. The cancellation is particularly disappointing since the Trust is celebrating its 21st year this year.

An active search is underway for an alternative site for 2011 and the Trust is appealing for anyone with a suitable venue to get in contact via its website www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk or telephone Graeme Lockhart on 07801 280426.

The Wendover Arm Trust wishes to thank all the regular supporters and visitors to past Festivals, and hopes to see them in 2011 at a new location. Any supporters who would like to assist the Trust with fund raising at waterway and other events during 2010 please telephone Bob Wheal on 01525 381614.

The successful BLOCKAID fund raising venture will now become of even greater importance, and anyone wanting to contribute or to find out more can check the Trust’s BLOCKAID website at www.blockaid.org.uk