The W3 committee is delighted to announce that a funding arrangement means that all boat rides at this year's event will be free.

There are three hire boats, two doing the short trips from the canal basin to the Bugsworth junction. The third - the Heritage Trip - goes all the way to Bugsworth Basin and includes a recorded commentary.

British Waterways has negotiated the funding from East Midland Development Agency. Passengers making the free trips will be consulted about a possible future waterbus service.

This year, W3 plays host to the final part of the public consultation about the future of the large building at the canal basin, the transhipment warehouse.

A £50,000 feasibility study into the future of the large, Grade II* listed building and canal basin has been undertaken this summer by Heritage Works, a Manchester-based preservation trust. Its director is Kate Dickson, brought up in Whaley Bridge - her parents were the late Francis and Enid Dickson - and now living in Buxton.

The weekend's events start on Friday evening with a talk by a local expert and walker on the history and significance of the canalside transhipment warehouse. Free admission.

Throughout the weekend there will be music and dancing, including a new band Crucial Feedback, formed from pupils at Chapel High School, who will be playing on both days.

Also performing on Saturday will be Goyt Valley Brass and morris dancing group Boggart's Breakfast. On Sunday it will be the turn of New Mills Co-op Band, and Heage Windmillers morris dancing group.

There will be fairground rides on Tom Brad's Croft car park, free children's activities including Nature in Focus and a Petting Zoo (Saturday only) and Punch and Judy on both days.

Children's author Liz Kessler, who once lived on a canal boat, will be talking to children in Whaley Bridge Library from 11am on Saturday
Whaley Bridge Welldressing preparations start at W3 and continue all week with special mini boards for youngsters to try their skills. The Blessing is on Sunday June 29.

A real steam roller which has been carefully restored during the past year by local company, Portobello Engineering of Chapel-en-le-Frith, will also visit.