CROWDS flocked to the Trent and Mersey Canal side over the weekend to cheer on teams competing in the annual Middlewich Boat Pull.

The Boat Pull competition, which is usually held over one day, was made into a full three-day weekend event by Middlewich Narrowboats this year with live music from Middlewich Music and crowds gathered to experience the event despite heavy rain.

Teams from Middlewich were determined to regain the title from last year’s winners Sandbach tyres, but the team from the neighbouring town proved too strong for their opposition and even came close to a record pull. 

Greg Williams, from Middlewich Narrowboats, said: “It was a good weekend and the boat pull itself went down really well. 

“The music was fantastic. There were some really special local bands with some impressive quality. We might do it again next year as a full weekend event with the music entertainment and everything but we haven’t quite decided yet. 

“The gauntlet was down for Middlewich to win the title back again but Sandbach Tyres were just too good and they retained it.

“They went into the last pull having already won it and they decided to go all out and try and go for the record attempt which is one minute and eight seconds, but they missed out by one second.” 

Money raised from the competition will go towards the Middlewich mayor’s charities and the mayor, Cllr Ken Kingston was delighted with new-feel boat pull event. 

Ken Kingston said: “It went very well, I thought there were a lot more people there than last year and that’s probably due to it being made more of a full weekend event this year. 

“The weather wasn’t nice. As soon as the first teams started pulling the boat the heavens opened but it didn’t seem to stop people from coming. Maybe there would have been even more there if it was nice weather. 

“The money from the boat pull goes to the mayor’s charities which are the poppy appeal and St Luke’s Hospice and all monies are very gratefully received. I’d like to thank everybody who was involved in the event.”