Canal Life Reads: celebrating Shakespeare with canal communities

Warwickshire Libraries and Saltisford Canal Trust have teamed up to create a free canal family festival to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio, as well as the 40th year since the Saltisford Canal Arm restoration project brought this historic Warwickshire waterway back to life.

The Saltisford Canal Arm sits in the heart of Warwickshire close to the Warwick town centre and less than 10 miles away from Stratford-upon-Avon. After years of decline, the Saltisford Canal Trust launched an ambitious restoration of the Arm in 1982. Thanks to thousands of volunteer hours, grant funding and community support, the waterway was officially re-opened in 1983. Today the lush, tranquil canal is a cherished community green space and popular visitor attraction.

On the afternoon of September 30th, the arm will be opening up to visitors and working with Warwickshire Libraries to put on a free family festival. The Warwickshire Libraries’ Mobile Library will be parked up and ready for visitors to explore, borrow books and share tales of their favourite Shakespearian characters, stories and poetry.

Come and celebrate the greatest work of literature in the English language with the wonderful canal community of Warwick. Hear Tudor music played on actual historical instruments, see actors in historical dress perform scenes from your favourite plays including Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing, and even have a go at some stage combat! With lots of crafts and entertainment for the whole family, come and join us for an afternoon of Shakespeare in celebration of the vibrant canal communities of Warwickshire, all set against the magnificent, heritage-rich backdrop of Saltisford Canal Arm.

Food and drink will be available to purchase on the day. Parking, access and taking part are all free. The event is on Saturday 30th September between 12-4pm.

For more information, you can download the poster here: