Comedian Jo Brand will take part in this year's Crafty Craft race on the K&A Canal

Jo Brand

Picture by Andrew Moreton

Jo Brand will be taking part in the Crafty Craft race from Hungerford to Newbury on Monday 2nd May as part of a series about Britain's obsession with water called 'Jo's Big Splash' that is due to be broadcast on TV Channel 'Dave' in September.

Jo insists that she won't be taking part saying, "One thing I won’t be doing is heading off on some stupid challenge that could be more accurately titled ‘How Long Before Jo Drowns?’” 

But Marcus Franks, one of the event organisers, is sure she will set off from Hungerford as part of an all women crew … he is just not sure how far she will go.

This is the 37th running of the race and the paddlers will set off from below Dunmill Lock, Hungerford at 8.30am heading for  Victoria Park in Newbury — with teams arriving from about 10.30am.

Teams from Newbury Scouts and Boys Brigade battle 
it out as they head for the finish line.

Picture by Bob Naylor©

The 8-mile event, with 10 locks to carry the craft round, often has more than 50 entries. The record for the fastest time is held by Hungerford Mongrels who completed the course in one hour and 40 minutes in 2009.

This year the event takes the Royal Wedding as its theme and the mottley assortment of vessels will have to be  'Right Royal Crafty Craft’. 

There will be festivities in Victoria Park on the day, with a fun fair and live music.
This year the proceeds go Newbury and District Scouts and Guides. 


Find out more about the event at: www.craftycraft.com