One of the frequent statements you hear when it comes to Spalding is that it doesn’t make enough of the River Welland – but the Celebrate the River Day is starting to put that right.
After its inaugural year in 2025, this year’s event was even bigger with around 150 people on a vast array of crafts on Sunday, July 5.
It all started at Welland Yacht Club which was helping showcase the opportunities it can offer to help people get into water-based sports.
At 12pm the flotilla of crafts travelled up the river to The Moorings pub where a celebration was held.
The return journey followed later on, while there were attractions for all the family at both ends.
One of the chief organisers was Coun James Le Sage.
“What a fantastic day,” he said.
“The sight of 148 canoes and kayaks all behind Water Taxi number one was amazing and I’d like to thank all of those participants who took part on the river.
“The day was a huge success with lots of smiling faces and positive comments.
“The event shows that when waterways are busy people migrate to the area to see what’s going on and there were lots of people on bridges and on the sidewalks cheering us all on.
“We simply must make more of the river, better access, more art installations, better stopping/resting points along the way.
“It certainly is a jewel in our crown.
“I would like to thank everyone who made the day possible.
“It is a team event and wouldn’t happen without lots of meetings etc but special thanks have to go to Sarah Prior and her team at WYC, Anthony Grunwell of Spalding Water Taxi, Aaron Spencer and his team from Sedge Estate Agents, Keir Moore at the Moorings, the RNLI who handled registrations and SHDC councillors who contributed from their ward budgets.
“Here’s to the 2027 event the planning of which will start again soon.”
Pictures by Wild One Photography and Jan Whitbourne.
