A FERRY linking Newnham with Arlingham could run again next year – but only for a couple of days!

"It would be lovely to think a full ferry service could be reinstated but it is probably not realistic," said Sue Dubois, a member of Passage 2000, a group established to celebrate the millennium by joining the two communities together for a weekend early next summer.

She explained: "We hope that by running the ferry we can reunited the two communities with a sharing and exchange of activities and displays."

Already the parish councils of Newnham and Arlingham have talked about the prospect of "twinning" while the Passage 2000 group is concentrating on creating links between community organisations and clubs.

"The response so far has been very positive. We would be looking at riverside activities involving both communities and as many exchanges as possible, such as changing vicars for a day," said Sue.

The ferry boat will be the vital link for the weekend – probably based on Newnham's old fair day in June – and the Passage 2000 group is carrying out research before acquiring a suitable boat.

"People can rest assured the ferry boat will adhere to all health and safety criteria and the challenge of the mud and tides will be overcome," said Sue.

The Royal Marines could even be helping out.

"We have already talked to them and they seem very interested. We have had lots of other help but we are very keen to speak to people who have a thorough knowledge of boating conditions and tides on this stretch of the Severn," she added.

It is hoped Lottery funding may be available to help with the project.