The eleventh Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally, to be held on 29th – 30th June, will be officially opened by guests of honour, the celbratory actors and canal enthusiasts Timothy West, recently Eric in Coronation Street and his wife Prunella Scales – Sibyl of Fawlty Towers fame. For the occasion, they will wear traditional boatmen clothing. Timothy West quipped, ‘We are thrilled to be coming at last. We usually charge to dress up. But to support this unique and wonderful canal event, we will waive our fee in this case!’ In the now well established tradition, at 11.00 am on the Saturday of the Rally, Timothy West will steer President into the marina, towing its butty boat Kildare steered by Prunella Scales. Their entry will be fanfared to the sound of Braunston’s church bells and music on the quayside from the Bedford Salvation Army band – to acknowledge the Sallies great works in times past in serving the poor working boatmen. (They are needed equally today in looking after the destitute living rough on the canals, and they will be a beneficiary from the Rally.)