HRH The Duke of Gloucester unveiled a commemorative plaque at Bude on Friday to mark the completion of the £5 million Canal Regener­ation Project.

As part of the project, which had its origins back in 1995, the Bude Canal has undergone a £5 million facelift.

Charlie David, North Cornwall District Council Public Space Manager, explained: "The project has restored the first two miles of the canal from the sea lock in Bude, to Helebridge near Marham­church.

"The works included towpath improvements, dredging, lock gate restoration, the creation of a canal interpretation centre, workshops, office space and much more."

As well as the royal visit on Friday, there were many events going on throughout the weekend to celebrate the completion including den building, canoeing on the canal and much more.

On Friday morning, as if on cue, the rain began to clear as HRH The Duke of Gloucester's helicopter flew over the marquee erected in the Crescent car park.

Awaiting his arrival were the Mayor and Mayoress of Bude and Stratton, Peter and Clare La Broy, along with several town, district and county councillors and officers, including chair Graham Facks-Martin, vice chair Janey Comber and Neil Burden, Chair of the NCDC Regeneration Committee and the Bude Canal Partnership. Also attending the celebration was MP for North Cornwall Dan Rogerson and the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Lady Mary Holborow.

HRH's first port of call was the recently revamped Tourist Information Centre where he was introduced to staff members including manager Birgit Dell.

Once outside, HRH took time to enjoy the wonderful singing of Bude Infants who sang the words "welcome to our town." He then moved into the marquee where musicians from Budehaven School had been entertaining those waiting.

Taking to the microphone first was Cllr Neil Burden who thanked His Royal Highness for "helping us celebrate this most special of weekends in the history of the Bude Barge Canal."

Cllr Burden added: "Today's celebration, the completion of this challenging adventure managed by North Cornwall District Council, is ironically the most poignant of occasions. We are in the final days of this district authority who have served this district well for 35 years.

"By coincidence at this 11th hour we have something we can all truly celebrate, when we can all unashamedly take some pride in the part each has played in a restored canal and its environs, bringing life back to a historic waterway which for some 80 years was allowed to decline and go into ­disrepair.

"There were the difficult times. We, that is inclusive, had to persevere under unforeseen natural and human pressures, yes at times too tight for comfort, taking us through the pain barriers of frustration including the vicious storm of March 10, 2008 when we had to grit our teeth, have faith and hang in there.

"On such days frequently drawing on others for new energy and support, being the local builders, boatmen, fishermen, members of the Bude Canal and Harbour Society, the Bude Canal Trust and not least my vice chair, Cllr Val Newman. Your generous support has kept us afloat, thanks again.

"We, that is Charlie David, who has overseen the whole project and Ian Manders our civil engineer, and myself had empathy with those first entrepreneurs who planned this visionary engineering waterway to transport sand through the Cornish and Devon countryside to improve the fertility of the soil and pay tribute to those Victorians who I guess had far more resolve to deliver than we mustered."

Cllr Burden thanked the funders, without whom "it would not have been ­possible" and he made ­special mention of the steering group "who stuck by us day in day out, generous with time, knowledge and enthusiasm."

Finally, he said: "Today we hand back to the people, visitors and locals alike, a regenerated waterway and wildlife sanctuary where batteries are recharged and where a whole plethora of activities from fishing, canoeing, boating, walking, running to a leisurely stroll can be enjoyed every day of the year.

"So the year 2009 will be an indelible date in the history of Bude and its canal. Thank you 'Onen Hag oll' — for one and all."

David Seeker from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which awarded the project a grant of £1,597,000, congratulated those involved in the canal project. "It is for us to celebrate and enjoy and for future generations to continue to enjoy," he said.

HRH the Duke of Gloucester, who had previously visited the town to officially unveil the Bude Light, said the restoration of the canal was "a rather splendid achievement."

He commented: "Once all this has been completed you'll wonder how you ever considered allowing it to rot."

Unveiling the plaque, HRH said: "It's with great pleasure that I declare the official reopening of the splendid Bude Canal." He added: "Congratulations, I hope it brings pleasure to very many people."

Cllr Graham Facks-Martin, chair of NCDC, thanked HRH for attending the official opening. He said the canal project was unique, and added: "Yes it may be modest but it's important to Bude."

Cllr Facks-Martin believed tourism was changing and that a lot more people were visiting Cornwall for its heritage, wildlife and nature, all things the Bude Canal ­project combined.

He paid tribute to Cllr Neil Burden who had enjoyed leading the project before saying: "Thank you to everybody who helped fund it. I hope everyone will enjoy it."

HRH was then presented with a basket by Lucille Opie which contained Whalesborough cheeses and Cheristow Lavender products.

Before leaving the marquee HRH took time to wander around the displays created by different organisations including the Bude Canal and Harbour Society, Bude Ramblers, the RNLI and the Old Cornwall Society.

Once outside, the Duke was taken along the canal where groups of Budehaven students were performing dance routines. He visited local businesses on the Wharf including 'Bleujen Florist' run by Erica Tippett who presented HRH with a calla lily buttonhole. She also gave a spring bouquet to Lady Mary Holborow.

At the lock gates HRH was able to ask harbour master Kevin Benson about the operations of the gate.

After an enjoyable lunch, HRH continued his tour of the project, during which time he met with members of the Bude Pilot Gig Club before being invited on board their gig 'Bede­haven' where he sat in the coxes seat (see back page).

Following the Duke's visit, the Mayor of Bude and Stratton Cllr Peter La Broy said: "The renovation work to the canal and wharf area has made a dramatic and welcome improvement to Bude. I'd like to offer my thanks and recognition of all the hard work given by Neil Burden, along with all of the volunteers of the ­steering group, staff of NCDC and independent contractors.

"The visit from His Royal Highness, Duke of Gloucester to officially open the canal was the icing on the cake, giving the project the ultimate seal of approval."

The celebrations were continued over the weekend when free events were held including tours of the canal, canoeing and boat trips, den building with the Eden Project, NCDC Play Rangers and activities and Dew Vardh (Kernow's leading performance poets).

Andrea Vaillancourt-Alder Bude Canal Regeneration Community Programme Manager at NCDC said the events were held to celebrate the local community's involvement in the project: "The local community have played a key part in the regeneration programme. Many participants also learnt new skills and gained qualifications whilst learning about their historic waterway.

"People of every age made valued contributions and I cannot thank everyone enough for all their hard work and assistance in helping us achieve something we can all be proud of."