Hundreds of visitors flocked to Audlem Wharf as the popular Gathering of Historic Boats returned to the Shropshire Union Canal. The free three-day event showcased more than 25 preserved historic narrow boats, celebrating Britain’s rich canal heritage and attracting visitors from across the region. Organised by the Historic Narrow Boat Club, the annual gathering highlighted the role the nation’s inland waterways once played in transporting goods around the country. Founded in 1966, the not-for-profit organisation is dedicated to preserving historic working boats and keeping alive the stories of the waterways and the people who worked on them. Trips gave passengers the chance to experience the historic canal from the water and raised valuable funds for the RNLI.