Everyone at RCR just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved and attending our 25th Anniversary Celebrations. The day wouldn’t have been the same without any of you!
Only a few weeks to go until River Canal Rescue’s 25th anniversary celebration! The free family-friendly party is from 1-7pm on Sunday 8 June, at the Stafford Riverway Link Grounds, Baswich, Stafford, ST17 4FR. Near RCR HQ (br 101 on the Staffs &Worcs canal).
Bringing together the local community, boaters, past and current RCR members, staff and families, everyone is welcome to this fun day out.
There’s live music from traditional and Dixieland jazz quartet, the Bill Bailey band; country/folk and Irish traditional songs from Kevin O’Regan; country & western and rock n roll covers from Johnny Flinton; a high-octane rock/indie performance from Blitz, and pop/rock/country /indie sessions from the Oss Road band (their name is the black country/Birmingham slang for the canal towpath – the Oss Road/Horse Road).
Food & drink options include: Indian and Caribbean, bbq, pizza, crepes, toasties, donuts, candyfloss and ice-cream, plus cocktails, real ale/cider, wine, iced/bubble tea and frappes.
Crafts, wood carving, art, books, antiques, confectionary, raffles, prize draws, tombolas, holistic head spas & facials and honey tasting are on offer courtesy of roving traders and stalls. Children’s activities include: fairground games, a bouncy castle/slide, face painting and a chance to meet the local police.
Keen sponge throwers have an opportunity to give some RCR engineers a soaking while they’re in the stocks and RCR’s Key Diesels team will be providing short engine familiarisation courses. Look out for the ABC marinas, Penkridge chandlery, Canal & River Trust, River Canal Rescue, Fund Britain’s Waterways and Stafford Riverway Link stands.
All proceeds from the day will go to the Stafford Riverway Link – a charity working to connect the Staffs & Worcs Canal with the rivers Penk/Sow, enabling navigation onto Stafford town centre. The SRL is running a buy a brick campaign, to help pay for a towpath and farm traffic bridge over what will eventually be the connection between the Staffs & Worcs Canal and Baswich mooring basin.
The winner and runners-up of RCR’s national story-telling competition will also be announced. Deadline the end of May, first prize is £700 towards a CRT licence, runner-up £300 in chandlery vouchers and third-place £200.
Mooring is available on the Staffs & Worcs Canal and parking at RCR’s Baswich HQ.
Sunday 8 June 2025 marked a major milestone in the journey of River Canal Rescue (RCR): our 25th Anniversary Celebration. What began in 2000 as a vision to provide boaters with dependable rescue services has grown into a nationwide support network trusted by thousands across the UK’s inland waterways. To mark this incredible achievement, we hosted a free public event at the Stafford Riverway Link site — and what a celebration it turned out to be!
Sunshine, Showers & Staffordshire Spirit
The weather might have thrown us the odd rain shower, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of those who came out in force. From 1pm to 7pm, the site buzzed with the energy of canal lovers, boat owners, families, and members of the local community — all joining us to celebrate a quarter-century of keeping Britain’s waterways moving.
Live music filled the air thanks to brilliant performances from The Oss Road, Blitž, and Sammy & The Coconuts. With a mix of rock, pop, and indie, they brought the banks of the canal to life and created a festival atmosphere (umbrellas and all).
Family Fun & Community Connection
This was more than a celebration — it was a proper community get-together. Kids were entertained with games and activities while parents browsed local food and craft stalls or enjoyed a hot drink and great conversation with fellow boaters.
One of the most valued moments for many attendees was getting to meet the people behind the rescue — the engineers, the team, and the friendly faces that keep RCR running 24/7. These one-to-one conversations meant a lot to us and gave visitors a real sense of who we are and why we do what we do.
25 Years of Service — And We’re Just Getting Started
Since launching in 2000, River Canal Rescue has responded to thousands of breakdowns, helped boaters get safely back on the move, and built a trusted brand known across the UK. From emergency call-outs and tow-ins to diesel bug treatment and preventative maintenance, we’ve kept the waterways safer and more accessible.
The 25th anniversary gave us the chance to reflect — on our growth, our challenges, and our community. But just as importantly, it inspired us to look ahead. We’re expanding our services, embracing smarter systems, and staying focused on delivering fast, friendly, and expert support where it matters most.
A Huge Thank You
To everyone who joined us in Stafford — thank you. Your enthusiasm, your smiles (even in the rain), and your continued support made this event so special. And to all those who’ve supported RCR over the last 25 years, whether you’ve called us out once or many times — we’re grateful for every journey we’ve shared.
Huge thanks also to the volunteers, vendors, musicians, and organisers who helped make the day possible. You helped showcase exactly what makes this community one of a kind.
Share Your Favourite Moments
Got some photos from the day? We’d love to see them! Whether it’s your family enjoying the festivities, a snapshot of your favourite band, or a scenic canal moment — tag us on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #RCR25.
What’s Next?
The anniversary may be over, but our journey continues. RCR remains dedicated to helping boaters across the UK navigate life on the water with confidence, support, and the occasional rescue mission.
Whether you’re a new boater or a long-time member, we’re here for you. And if you’re not yet part of the RCR family, there’s no better time to join.
Ready to Join the RCR Family?
With 24/7 breakdown assistance, expert support, and a team who care about your journey, RCR membership offers more than peace of mind — it’s a lifeline when you need it most.
A story about two boaters who sold their home for a life afloat and the mishaps they encountered during their first summer adventure has won River Canal Rescue’s national story-telling competition.
Clair Peache won £700 towards a CRT licence after sharing her tale of engine issues, loose wires and fan belts, over-zealous rope untying and a broken shower pump on a four-week journey on nb The Plot. With partner Chris, they’re currently cruising the Kennet and Avon canal, near Reading, and will spend winter at the Saltisford canal arm, Warwick.
“This light-hearted story ‘It comes in threes’ will resonate with many; it captured the very essence of life on the cut for new boat owners and relayed the frustration when parts break down and how a single, well-meaning action can easily lead to a loss of control,” comments RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton.
“It also made me laugh – Clair’s words conjured up some great images of their time on the River Trent and showed how there can be highs and lows in a single day.”
“I’m absolutely delighted and shocked to win first prize,” says Clair. “I’m currently in Jersey celebrating the launch of my mystery novel, One Step Ahead, and my 50th birthday, so this news could not have come at a better time. Thank you so much for choosing my story.”
The tale also reminded Stephanie of adventures with partner and RCR ceo, Trevor Forman, and their boat Boxer on the River Trent. It was after they bought her, Trevor dreamt about launching RCR.
Runner-up and winner of £300 in chandlery vouchers is Paul Heath from London on nb Tralfamadore, who explained how after befriending and trusting a fellow boater, he lost out financially, only to be repaid by wealthy people from ‘another world’. The story touched upon the vulnerability of life on the cut and how boaters continue to help each other, something Paul was grateful for after being mugged at knifepoint.
“This was a raw, yet heart-warming tale, reflecting on the kindness of strangers, from two different worlds,” says Stephanie.
“I’m beyond thrilled my story was chosen,” says Paul. “My belief in the community spirit on the waterways is deeply felt and it was great to have an opportunity to put it into words. I plan to use the vouchers for some new fire extinguishers, and some gifts for other boaters who have helped me.”
Third place was hotly contested between Lydia Longman and her recounting of having a baby onboard, Kathy Lee’s entertaining tale of a gentleman being rescued from the cut after his invalid scooter ended up in the water, and Mandy McDermott relaying her attempts to moor on an unsafe pontoon.
After much debate, liveaboards Mandy and Chris, moored at South Oxford canal, Claydon, on nb Lucy was awarded third prize of £200 in chandlery vouchers. “Her story of a dodgy pontoon, losing the rope and battling to save the boat while stuck in hawthorn trees warns against complacency and underestimating the power of rivers,” explains Stephanie.
“I’m delighted and humbled to have won third prize”, says Mandy. “We look forward to a shopping spree in the chandlery and just hope our ‘story’ doesn’t become someone else’s reality.”
