Over 100 boats have now booked to join in this year's IWA Campaign Rally at Brookwood during the late Bank Holiday weekend (26th-29th May). The commemorative boat plaque has now been designed. The design incorporates two important anniversaries in 2006. The diamond shape alludes to the Inland Waterways Association's Diamond Jubilee and the Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society (SHCS) logo celebrates their 40th anniversary. SHCS are hosts for the rally on the Basingstoke Canal.

Rodney Wardlaw, harbourmaster for the boat festival, says "we are overwhelmed, but delighted, at the number of boat entries". A new jetty is being built at the site to accommodate the number of boats and visitors to the event.

The events in the countryside park area (open to the public with free entry and car parking) will be on the Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 11am onwards. The entertainment team on the organising committee have booked live musicians to entertain visitors as well as craft stalls, food stalls and a supporting cast from local canal and community societies. Most of the organising committee are veterans of the popular Bridge Barn boat rally held every year in Woking, so there is a wealth of experience to draw on for this very special event in 2006 on the Basingstoke Canal.

Sally Schupke of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust on behalf of the IWA Campaign Rally 2006 organising committee.