Colourful sight as floating market returns to the water in Shropshire
People out and about enjoying the lovely bank holiday weekend weather were treated to the sight of a floating market.
Traders who live and work on their narrowboats moored up on the canalside at Market Drayton, with crafts, food and other products for sale.
The event was organised by the Roving Canal Traders Association – and over the weekend visitors enjoyed browsing the wares and listening to live music performances.
One of those taking part was Wendy Baughan, of Wendy B's, who sells her paintings and hand-painted glassware. She and her husband took early retirement to live on their boat with their dog, Henry.
They have a mooring at Shebdon, near Newport, but travel from show to show selling Wendy's art.
"We are all licensed traders with the Canal and River Trust," she said.
"We have all been tied to the canal bank during lockdown – and, of course, as we are artists we have all be carrying on our work and now have lots to sell.
"I started doing glassware for fun and my gin glasses have been selling very well during lockdown."
Wendy said that after the Market Drayton floating market their boat would be moving on to Penkridge and then to Coventry to take part in a city of culture event in the Coventry basin.
The traders, including Wendy, return to the area between July 16 and 18 with a floating market in Gnosall, near Newport.
She said: "Many of the canal festivals have been cancelled this year so this weekend it is lovely to meet up with customers and with the other traders."
The Roving Canal Traders Association has been in existence for many years and in 2013 held its first ever floating market in Birmingham. Its success fuelled thoughts of making regular floating markets a major feature of the organisations work.
