WHALEY WATER WEEKEND ASSOCIATION/11-12-13 JUNE 2010

Press release

New team takes

W3 helm with bright ideas for 2010

AFTER months of uncertainty about the 2010 Whaley Water Weekend (W3), the future of the town’s biggest community event has now been secured. A new team will be in charge for the event on 11, 12 and 13 June, taking W3 into its second decade..

New officers and a committee were appointed at the annual general meeting:

the chairman is Stuart Qualtrough;
the secretary Barry Rudd; and
the treasurer Eveline Hughes.

Stuart, a 37 year old journalist, said: “We are delighted to have the chance to take over such a successful event. Building on ten years of Water Weekends, we are now working hard to make sure that the 2010 event will be the most successful ever.”

All the regular attractions – boat trips, music, dancing, craft stalls, sideshows, Punch and Judy, classic cars and a fairground – will be back, plus a few ‘bright ideas’ the new committee is mulling over.

Secretary Barry and treasurer Eveline even went down to inspect the canal basin site days after the annual meeting. On an icy, January day, it was hard to imagine all the colour and warmth of a Water Weekend in June. But now the event is certain. “Decade No 2, here we come”, said Barry.

Stuart Qualtrough is married to Rebekkah They have two young sons. Stuart comes from a media family – his father was a Fleet Street news editor and now edits a regional morning paper. At 29, Stuart was Northern news editor of the Mirror group. He is interested in local brass bands – his sons Jack and James play in the Goyt Valley Brass, whose conductor Charles Woodward is a former member if the Water Weekend committee. Another interest is sailing. Stuart runs a newsagency, specialising in environmental news for national media.
Barry Rudd is an ex-professional soldier and former resident of Whaley Bridge. His car electronics business is based in Whaley Bridge. He has always supported local events and his particular interest is live music. He said: “I’ve always been a fan of the Water Weekend – which I see as the foremost community event which helps foster and maintain the unique village feel of the town”
Eveline Hughes, W3’s new treasurer, is a former member of Goyt Valley Ladies’ Circle, the female counterpart of the Round Table. A mother of two sons, she was a member of the PTAs at Whaley Bridge primary school, Taxal and Fernilee primary school and Chapel High School. She is also a member of Whaley Bridge parish Mothers’ Union.

Outgoing chairman of W3, Barrie Walker, will still be organising the boat trips (last year 800 people took to the water.) He said: “We wish the new committee every success. With the support that Whaley Bridge gives to the event, I’m sure it will continue to grow,”

Contacts:

chairman Stuart Qualtrough 07903 022 201 or stuart.qualtrough@gmail.com

secretary Barry Rudd 01663 733003 or barry@mobelec.co.uk