Record revenue predicted for 2009 canal festivals

The festivals market is enjoying an annual increase.  Many UK towns are turning to their waterways to participate in this trend. Jamie Stuttard investigates.

Canalside festivals are an emerging money-making opportunity across the UK, with several British Waterways regional boards reporting increased applications to host the events. Many begin as small-scale local activities and expand to become widely popular events, which local trade relies on.

The two-day canal festival at Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, generated £380,000 last year. Since starting in 2000 it has become a regular addition to the Scottish canal calendar.

David Gear, manager of the festival, said: "It brings a lot of money into the local economy. It's also a great way of introducing people to the region. Soon after the event, tourism remains above average.

"In 2006, the festival attracted 9,000 people. We made a growth plan for the event and within two years it trebled in size. Last year, an estimated 27,000 people attended the event."

Kirkintilloch Canal Festival's popularity has led Edinburgh to consider hosting a similar event. British Waterways Scotland has provisionally set this June as the date for the first Edinburgh Canal Festival. It is looking at the example of the capitals arts celebrations, which can bring an extra 1.5 million visitors to the city.

The Banbury canalside Folk Festival, in Oxfordshire, also expects to generate increased tourism this year. Ann Sewell, events manager for Banbury Town Council, said: "We've had more interest this year than we have in the past. I think the recession has made people look inwards. Instead of traveling miles for a day out, they look closer to home.

"It is the biggest day of the year for trade. It's a good celebration for locals, and a way to attract new people to the area."

The Linslade Canal Festival in Bedfordshire enjoys similar success. The town, which has a population of 12,000 is expecting approximately 5,000 non-local visitors this summer.

Donna Hughes, the town council's leisure and promotions manager, said: "To many people in the surrounding area, the canal festival really puts Linslade on the map. Local shops can see their profits go through the roof. Many of our arts and crafts shops rely on the event."

The Crick Boat Show in Northamptonshire aims to attract families and industry insiders. Last year exhibitors made around £1m from show-generated sales, and a further £2m from sales leads.

Chris Stanley, communications manager at South East Waterways, said: "Much of the local accommodation is booked far in advance of the event, and shops, pubs and restaurants enjoy increased trade." The show has expanded in recent years to allow for more visitors and boat moorings.

The increase in canalside events runs parallel to the booming UK festivals market. In 2008, there were more than 50 new festivals, and over 500 in total. This year, the UK festival industry will be worth £900m.

Website eFestivals has added the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival, Cheshire, to its line-up, and this year has listed the canal festival in Kirkintilloch alongside events such as Glastonbury and Bestival.  

As canal festivals become better known and more widespread, they will undoubtedly obtain a bigger presence. 

Review: Lily Allen @ Koko

Lily Allen has been in a lot of trouble lately. First, she made some rather risqué comments regarding cocaine. Second, she recorded a cover of Womanizer, which spread through the blogosphere like wildfire.

It can be assumed that her record company liked the former, and disliked the latter. According to her Myspace, Lily got a strict telling-off for recording the Britney track. The cocaine though, had her on the front pages of newspapers and magazines, and lead to her discussion on numerous chat shows. With a sophomore album on the way, publicity is key.

Tonight is Lily’s first London gig in almost two years, and the audience feel like she has something to prove. Is she still relevant after the influx of similar artists? Is her new material, from It’s Not Me, It’s You, worth the wait? Most importantly though, does she still want to be a pop star? 

With her first album Alright Still, Lily paved the way for young, feisty females to conquer the charts and keep a chic, indie cool. Since her breakthrough hit Smile, we know more about her love life than our best friends; we know more about her family and dog than we have ever wanted to. But now she has returned, and she’s on fire.

She arrives on stage and giggles. It won’t be the first fit of laughter of the night, as she seems to do so after almost every song. Perhaps it’s nervousness - she is, after all, only 23 and facing a worldwide spotlight.

The audience can’t help but fall for her chuckling. We gain an immediate closeness with here, as if sharing a joke with our neighbour.

She loosens up after the third song, Little Things from Alright Still, as the front row of photographers leave and she takes her shoes off. Lily finally looks comfortable centre stage and launches into several new tracks.

Immediate standouts include the Take That sampling early-romance tale of Who’d Have Known, which could be the most beautiful song of 2009, the George Bush hating Fuck You and Not Fair, which Lily describes as “stupid country music”. A couple more familiar songs wouldn’t have been unwelcome, but with new tracks sounding instantly like old favourites, we didn’t really need them.

Now this being Lily Allen, celebrity fodder, a couple of familiar faces are in the vicinity. Producer Mark Ronson gets a dedication, Lady Gaga welcomes a mention halfway through, and Jaime Winstone dances with Lily’s actor brother, Alfie.

It’s a shame really. Her recent number one single, The Fear, is a (perfectly formed) song about celebrity culture. “Life’s about film stars and less about mothers, it’s all about fast cars and cussing each other”, she sings ironically. Shouting out greetings to Kate Moss, with no mention of her parents, seems somewhat contradictory.

The encore is a revelation though, and it certifies what a brilliant pop star we have on our hands. Tonight confirms her as a brilliant songwriter and endearing performer. She giggles again as she launches into her final song, Britney’s Womanizer.

Take your mum to... Camden market

Introduction

Camden is a brilliant and exciting place to take your mum. But first, we must get over a few presumptions.

Say the word Camden to your mum and she will do one of two things. She will either shudder and picture a tattoed youth overtaking the nation. Or she will rant at you to stay off drugs.

The reality of Camden is much different.  Instead of gothic haunts and drug-ridden alleyways, it offers an excellent selection of shops, restaurants and places to grab a coffee.

The market is second-to-none in the UK, offering jewellery, gifts and artwork simply not seen elsewhere. You can see visitors’ eyes opening to things they never knew existed. Ethically-produced handbags, 

computer chip earrings, tenth century Thai trinket boxes and mango sunrise tea are just a few from the eclectic range you’ll find.

If your mum is into neon club wear, great. If not, there is plenty more to see and do.

Why she’ll love it

Mum will love Camden because she can brag about it at her next dinner party. Imagine the street cred she will get from admitting her new designer purse is from here. 

Despite its reputation, Camden is full of one-of-a-kind goods and gift-shops that mums just can’t resist.

Plus, she might get to spot Amy Winehouse.

When she wants a coffee

Brew time. Head to Yumchaa for a wide selection of teas. At just £2 a mug and with a selection ranging from enchanted forest and Egyptian nights to traditional English breakfast, you will be spoiled for choice.

Yumchaa also offers the best brownies in southern England. They’re quite large to eat so you may need a doggie bag!

Café Crema, in West Yard, offers fair trade coffee with organic milk for your environmentally conscious mum. Add a dash of whisky, amaretto, Baileys or cognac into your Irish coffee (£4.50) for an extra £2.80.

Where to go for lunch

Gilgamesh is the main draw for many hungry visitors. It not only offers a birds-eye perspective from its position above the Stables Market but also a large menu. The Asian-fusion 200 seater restaurant offers small dishes at reasonable prices. Baby ribs are £5.40, crispy squid is £7. For larger appetites, Gilgamesh serves Thai curry (vegetarian or chicken) for £10.

Gilgamesh is a thing of wonder. The scale of it’s interior compared to the tightly packed market is breathtaking. The 50-foot carved wooden wall would look lovely in your mum’s dining room.

The Lockside Lounge rests beside the canal. Sit either indoors or on the balcony for a lunch with a modern twist. Soup of the day is just £3.75, while Lockside salad (asparagus, roast pepper, rocket, watercress and cherry tomatoes) is £7.50. Make it a chicken salad for an extra £1.95.

If you and your mum have similar tastes (and you’re not worried she will steal all the food!) why not opt for a Spanish platter? It has jamon, serano, chorizo, manchengo, pickles, olives, aiou and bread. To share at £14, it’s a good deal.

For desert, treat your mum to a mouth-watering chocolate orange and cointreau truffle (£4).

Give lunch a liquid edge with the Locks Lounger at £6. The cocktail is made from lime juice, raspberry puree, brown sugar, Cointreau and 42° Below Feijoa vodka, topped with apple juice with crushed ice. Have one, mum will be smiling. Have three, she’ll be raving in neon club wear.

The Horses Market Stables offers bites to eat from around the globe. Sample Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese or Spanish food from about £5. Grab a large slice of pizza for £1.50.

Shopping

Treat yourself

Pamper your mum with beauty products by NevO Spa and LeNas. NevO Spa’s key ingredient in their wide range of products is salt from the Dead Sea. I is the saltiest and most mineral-laden water in the world, so open up your mum to its natural benefits. NevO Spa body scrub is £21 and hair conditioner is £14.

LeNas (upper floor, Lock Market) offers small gift-packaged soaps. The soaps are decorated with artificial flowers and would make a lovely addition to any bathroom. A set of four handmade and hand-wrapped soaps is £10.

For a more practical solution to the beautifying process, Bohemia Collections (upper floor, Camden Market) sell designer nail files. The unique crystal-coloured nail file will make a welcome supplement to any makeup bag. Aside from their splendid appearance, the files also claim to create stronger and firmer nails. They cost between £5 to £12, and come with a lifelong guarantee.

To stop your mum complaining about her cold hands, buy her a Heat in a Click (Stables Market) pad. At the click of a button, the Heat in a Click pad will reach 54C and warm up the surrounding area. Put the pad in boiling water and it can be reused over and over again. (A hand-shaped warmer is £7.) Buy your mum a Heat in a Click foot warmer (£15) to ease her tootsies after a long day in Camden.

Fashion

Penny Burdett (upstairs, Lock Market) may be for the ‘mumsy’ mum, but the quality of the products on display is top quality. Burdett herself designs the pricey knitwear and sells it in the delightful shop. A knitted rose cardigan is £40, while an elegant embroided cushion is £60.

For ecologically approved clothing, visit Stella (upstairs, Lock Market). Although eco-clothes may conjure ideas of Glastonbury hippies to your mum, Stella puts this stereotype to an end. The United heels with a three-inch wedge (£45) could be sold in designer stores. Stella also features the latest designs from Matt & Nat, an eco-design double act. Large leather-look purses cost from £40.

Enjoy, relax and heal

The Chinese Medical Centre offers homeopathic and holistic remedies to treat numerous ailments. Practitioners offer help with everything from asthma to weight loss. Massages start at £6 and consultations are free. 

Rainbow Visions is an arts centre where your mum can discover inner peace. It offers three-hour meditation classes, channelling, and crystal and Reiki healings at £30 each.

Rainbow Visions healer, who goes by the professional name of White Dove, will happily show your mum the “unconditional way of love” and improve her satisfaction with life. White Dove then proceeded to (accidentally) show this writer he was not wearing any underwear under his white Jesus-esque gown.

After a hard day discovering the delights of Camden (and the potential trauma of the aforementioned experience), why not treat your mum to a professional massage? Hands On is open Wednesday to Saturday. The owners claim a 20 minute deep treatment (£20) will calm the nervous system and ease shoulder and back pain. You do not need an appointment and prices start from £10.

Gifts

Finally, head upstairs to Aroma Candle Sand to discover an interesting proposition. The stall offers bags of wax in small beads (like sand) to create your own candle. Numerous suggestions will be offered on the stall with the most inventive so far being a scraped-out pineapple.

Flatter your mum with the orange-scented wax, described as being, “Like a mother: relaxing and warming”.