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The second weekend of May 2008 saw the 22^nd annual Upper Severn Canoe Rally take place, organised by Drummond Outdoor and supported by crews of over 60 open canoes, from as far a field as Southampton and Scotland.

Starting at Pool Quay, the head of the Severn Navigation, paddlers embarked upon the 35 mile journey to the market town of Shrewsbury, in good spirits and good weather (in contrast to 2007’s damper experience!).

Wildlife including kingfishers and a rare glimpse of otters, graced the scene during the early stages of the journey. Slightly higher water levels and debris from floods earlier in the year also provided an exciting start to the day; a number of obstacles needed to be negotiated, including Abbey Weir and Stoney Rapid further down stream.

Lunch was generally taken either afloat down stream of Stoney Rapid, or on one of the numerous shingle beaches that accompany the meandering river and provide ideal picnic locations.

The afternoons’ trip took the form of a gentle paddle through Llandrinio and down stream towards the Royal at Edgerley. The meandering course of the river provided extensive and varied views of the Brydon Hills and Rodney’s Pillar.

Once off the water, food and drink were at the fore front of most peoples minds and a barbeque on the river bank or a meal at the pub, followed by one or two cleansing ales soon refuelled paddlers for the next day of paddling.

Sunday was another hot dry day with paddlers starting the second half of the journey in their own time and in a leisurely manner. Montford Bridge was a popular destination for a lunch time stop, but few crews managed to reach the target without an encounter of some sort with the infamous swan at Shrawardine.

The last leg of the journey took paddlers around “the Isle”, a five mile meandering loop passing through rural Shropshire, extensive woodlands and the grandeur of Berwick House and its grounds.

With perfect weather and ideal paddling conditions those crews paddling the entire route reached Frankwell in Shrewsbury in good time, and in continued good spirits.

Drummond Outdoor would like to thank all participants for their support at this years Rally, and very much look forward to seeing everyone at the same time (2^nd weekend (8^th – 10^th)of May) and the same place (Pool Quay to Shrewsbury) in 2009.

All the best, Drummond Outdoor

The 21st Upper Severn Canoe Rally 2007

Rain, rain, rain and even more rain. Just no other way to describe the weather for this years annual Upper Severn Canoe Rally. No one could believe the amount of rain that fell on Sunday for hour after hour and especially as it followed more than a month of unseasonably warm and dry weather.

In spite of the rain 75 individuals (including 14 children) paddled over the weekend with 23 of them finishing at Frankwell on Sunday. The remainder either finished at Royal Hill on Saturday or pulled out at Montford Bridge the half way point on Sunday. Spirits were lifted by the increase in the amount of bird life spotted – they put on a good show for their rather wet audience. Also spotted, otter on the upper reaches, lots of swans but a rather fierce one strutting his stuff, a couple of black swans that seem to have taken up residence at Royal Hill and the most stunning rainbow on Saturday pm – the full arc and spectrum of colours – magnificent.

Thank you to everyone who made the journey to Shropshire despite the lousy weather forecast to support the Rally. We look forward to seeing old friends and new and hope that you will join us again next year on 10^th and 11^th May, 2008.

Footnote: The river rose swiftly after all the rainfall over the weekend and although Monday was a beautiful day the river would have been too high for many of the paddlers. On the river around Shrewsbury a pair of nestling swans with 2 or 3 newly hatched cygnets had to be rescued together with their nest and 7 eggs. All have now hatched and are doing well.

Latest Update: 28^th May, 2007 Parents and 8 cygnets now returned to the Severn in Shrewsbury and all doing well.

The Upper Severn Canoe Rally 2006

Fine weather, ideal water levels and good company!

Well over 50 open canoes took to the water for both days making this the biggest turnout post foot and mouth. Canoeists from all over the country took part in the paddle down the River Severn from Pool Quay to Shrewsbury.

Rally Report 2006

Friday 5th of May 2006 saw the start of the 20th Upper Severn Canoe Rally with a large number of paddlers registering for the event based at the Royal Hill pub and campsite on the banks of the Severn at Edgerley on the border of Shropshire with Wales. The Rally attracted canoeists from across the country with many familiar faces as well as those taking part for the first time.

The Rally is a fun, social paddle, suitable for families and novices as well as the more experienced canoeist, journeying down a 34 mile stretch of the River Severn over two days.

The initial leg, starting on Saturday morning, covers the stretch of river from Pool Quay, near Welshpool, (the head of the Severn navigation) to the Royal Hill approximately 15 miles down stream. With good weather and little wind a pleasant paddle was anticipated and proved to be the case. "Stony Rapid" a few miles into the trip took a little bit of negotiating with slightly lower water levels and over hanging willows causing one or two paddlers to take an unintended dip!

Continuing down stream towards Llandrinio the meandering nature of the river gives rise to ample shingle beaches and opportunities for picnic stops with the picturesque view of the Breiddon Hills and the conspicuous monument of Rodney's Pillar.

Downstream of Llandrinio the wider straighter course of the Severn provides a fairly fast afternoon paddle back to Edgerley and with the good weather and pleasant paddling conditions it was almost a shame to step off the river! However, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere continued on the banks of the Severn with paddlers and supporters enjoying a barbeque or good pub food whilst quenching a hard earned thirst at the Royal Hill pub.

On Sunday morning campers and caravaners emerged to another bight and sunny start to the day and, following suitably hearty breakfast, paddlers were soon back on the river heading ultimately for Frankwell Quay in Shrewsbury. Whilst the river on this stretch is fairly wide and provides few technical obstacles the wildlife gave paddlers something to look out for especially a particularly territorial swan making itself well known to several canoes paddling their way down to the lunch time stop at Montford Bridge! With the continued good weather picnic lunches were enjoyed by many with some taking advantage of the carvery served up at The Old Swan pub.

The option of leaving the Rally at Montford Bridge was taken up by some families with young children or those with a long journey home. However, the final leg to Frankwell, remained well supported: the five miles around the Isle eased by the suberb wooded estates on this stretch and so on down to Shrewsbury.

In summary an excellent weekend of paddling was enjoyed by all in good weather and good company. Drummond Outdoor would like to thank all those who attended the 20th Upper Severn Canoe Rally and the landowners for their support. We very much look forward to seeing you all again next year and to welcoming yet more new faces to the Rally.

21st Upper Severn Canoe Rally, on the 11th 12th 13th of May 2007!

THE RAFFLE

This years raffle raised £72 for The Severn Hopsice.

This was added to Roger's total following his London Marathon success.

Thank you for your support.

Click to enlarge

The second Upper Severn Canoe Rally 1988