Islington mayor Rosaline Onguro arriving on a narrowboat

THE Angel Canal Festival celebrated its ruby anniversary with a celebration in the sunshine.

The festival, organised by Sasha Keir and Marcus Ellenby, has now been running for 40 years and was opened by the Mayor of Islington Councillor Rosaline Onguro.

Cllr Ogunro arrived by narrowboat and delivered a speech on the towpath next to the waterway.

Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed entertainment from three performance zones, including a knees-up led by the Ten Bells Rag Band and an ever-beloved show of Punch and Judy.

The festival was first organised as a back garden party in Noel Road in 1986, by prolific local campaigner Crystal Hale, who was trying to fund the protection of the City Road Basin. The event has evolved into the popular annual community festival enjoyed today.
With the exception of the Covid pandemic years, it has run continuously since 1986.

Support for the festival is given by both Islington Council and the Canal & River Trust, by the Cripplegate Foundation and from private donations.

Organiser Sasha Keir (left) with Islington mayor Councillor Rosaline Onguro and, below, visitors enjoying the day: