Left to right – Nick Bailey, Park Director; Councillor Graham Pask, Chairman of West Berkshire Council and his wife Mrs Hilary Pask, and Richard Howard, Chairman of the Park’s Trustees

A visitor tries his hand at aqua zorbing

Exhibitors take to the lake

The Beale Park Boat Show 2010, has been hailed a great success, despite the recession!

Wednesday 9th June 2010

The Beale Park Boat Show 2010, has been hailed a great success, despite the recession!

Organisers of the Beale Park Boat Show are celebrating another successful year as the three day event attracted more than 7500 visitors - despite the recession!

The event basked in glorious sunshine for most of the weekend, welcoming exhibitors and visitors from as far afield as Holland, Germany and Switzerland, as boating enthusiasts enjoyed a weekend of waterborne activity, on both inland and seagoing vessels including: motor cruisers, sailing boats, steam and electric, solar, canoes and coracles.

Show Organiser, Gillie Jackson, said "We were delighted to see so many people for what was a glorious weekend on the banks of the River Thames."

Gillie continued, "Despite the recession, we increased our exhibitor numbers and welcomed several new attractions, such as: The Eyemouth International Sailing Craft Association (EISCA) from Scotland, the Historical Maritime Society with a naval re-enactment on a 23 foot replica of a frigate's launch and aqua zorbing with the Water Buoyz – so there really was something for everyone!"

The Boat Show was officially opened by Councillor Graham Pask, Chairman of West Berkshire Council and his wife Mrs Hilary Pask, who joined Nick Bailey, Park Director and Richard Howard, Show Director, to welcome visitors. 

Other distinguished guests included two vessels - "Chumley" and the "Devon Belle" which have just returned from the 70^th anniversary Dunkirk celebrations.

Supported by the Environment Agency, the show is designed to introduce and encourage people to take to the water with free boat trips on the "Devon Belle", which operated at full capacity throughout the weekend. 

Visitors also had the chance to win a boating holiday with Le Boat, Europe's number one boating holiday company; while The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse Restaurant, Henley Sales & Charter and Beale Park joined forces to stage a prize draw to win a day trip on the River Thames.