Friday 29th July 1990

We found the festival site easily enough (follow the signs for Etruria Industrial Museum ) which will bring you to the BW Etruria Yard (towpath side) of the Caldon - a very good place from which to see James Brindley. However, finding the temporary official way in was mind-bogglingly difficult, so we purloined a bandswoman - you can't beat local knowledge after all - and still got lost!. So, having confronted a female version of jobsworth (and won) we were soon in action; greeting all and sundry and plonking labels on Mayors as instructed. It was particularly pleasing to greet a happy looking elderly couple, who turned out to be the Chairman's parents, over from Sheffield. They imparted the vital message that the Official Flotilla had left Longton 30 min's behind schedule. The Hartley Stoke Brass Band took a break and retreated from the relentless sun; all the guests had finally arrived and were well mingled when nb-Beatrice, (a handicapped adventure boat) hove quietly into view with some of the Official Guests on board. 'President' followed with Officials on board: Lord Hesketh (who was to perform the unveiling), the Mayor of Stoke on Trent another local Mayor and everyone's favourite, Vera Rowley from the Brindley Trust.

It is embarrassing to have to report that the boats could not moor close enough to the bank to let their guests disembark. A further delay while the two principal boats manoeuvred and finally gave up and reversed and sidled up to already moored boats. It remained a good humoured occasion and the Official Ceremony was soon underway - albeit 1 hour adrift on schedule.

Lord Hesketh - Minister for the Environment - duly unveiled the statue and the heavy red sateen shroud revealed James Brindley, now on on 8 ft plinth and looking wonderfully at home; calm, dignified, peaceful and purposeful.

The delightful ceremony continued with a speech from the sculptor Colin Melbourne who gave due credit to the students who had actually done the sculpting. There was a special mention of Charlie whose legs had been used as a model - there being no record of James' legs available; Commemorative plaques were presented to Lord Hesketh, the Mayor of Stoke on Trent, Colin Melbourne, the Area Manager of BW, and to 'President'. There followed an innovative item - a peroration from one Josiah Wedgwood (he of the Wedgwood Pottery), and a friend eternally grateful to James as boats could carry more pots with less breakages than the pack-horse system which was the only delivery option available.

A local school then gave a tabloid, period presentation of the life and times of James Brindley before everyone, including the residents of the Sheltered Accommodation, who now have James safely ensconced in their garden, adjourned to lunch.

Enter the souvenir sellers with baskets of spoons and biro's and yes, we sold out in 45 minutes, without recourse to the boaters as even the Chairman of the IWA bought a spoon!

Jennifer Thomas

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