Bring "Hazel" Back up to Scratch.

"Hazel" the Wellbeing Boat is a 109 year old wooden narrow boat that now serves as a wellbeing boat, lifting the spirits of her guests. She's been in service now for 7 years, since she was completely rejuvenated. She's just completed a 'Thank You' project providing trips for NHS and care workers who saw us through the pandemic, as well as her usual clientele of people needing a wellbeing boost. "Hazel" also suffered through the Covid crisis as a lack of volunteers meant a lack of maintenance, crucial for a wooden boat. Consequently, to be able to continue serving, she needs some serious refurbishment. This will include renewal of cabin sides, repairs to back cabin and hatches, extra insulation, more solar panels, interior improvements, renewal of ice plating and a complete repaint, including signwriting and traditional painting. In order to get this job done in a reasonable period of time we'll need to employ 2 people to work with volunteers. We plan to do the work in February and March 2023 and expect it to cost at least £10,000.

More information about The Wooden Canal Boat Society: A volunteer run charity saving and restoring historic wooden canal boats, which engage the community in a variety of activities such as, boat recycling trips, running a charity shop; boat restoration, boat crewing, repairs and maintenance; the boats offer time afloat on our wonderful waterways for people in need of having their spirits raised. Preserving the traditional boat building and operating skills as well as the history of these boats is also a crucial part of the work.