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Help save our historic boats

18th Aug 2009

The National Waterways Museum has joined forces with publishers Waterways World to launch a new Supporters Scheme for its national collection of historic boats at Ellesmere Port.

As well as helping to fund vitally important restoration work on the Museum’s 80-strong fleet of historic boats, in return for an annual £39 gift, National Waterways Museum Supporters will receive:

· free entry to the National Waterways Museums at Ellesmere Port, Gloucester Docks and Stoke Bruerne (worth up to £5.50 per visit)
· a subscription to NarrowBoat magazine, published every three months (worth £17.80)
· twice-yearly updates on the boat restoration work;
· 10% discount on all books published by Waterways World Ltd
· 10% discount on all National Waterways Museum shops and cafes.

From a 1000-year old log boat to a concrete barge and from a coracle to a grab dredger, the National Waterways Museum’s collection illustrates the many different types of vessels which have carried cargoes and people on our canals and rivers over the centuries.

At Ellesmere Port, a dedicated team of museum staff and volunteers is working together to improve the condition of these historic boats. Over the past few months, great progress has been made: Bantam has been returned to running condition; Bacup has had a new floor and Merak, Scorpio and Gwendoline have been refloated.

To continue this important work, the team need help. This year the National Waterways Museum plans to employ a second skilled member of staff to help train more volunteers to do more work, and also requires money for materials and engine parts.

Over the next few years, regular donations by Museum Supporters will help the National Waterways Museum to re-establish a fully working boatyard at Ellesmere Port, allowing it to restore and maintain our historic boats as well as to put more boats back on display at the museum and out on the waterway network. It will also go towards helping to train others, particularly young people, in traditional boat building and repair skills.

"Save Britain's historic inland waterway fleet"

Joanne Darlington, Development Director for The Waterways Trust, explains: "We are delighted to have teamed up with Waterways World to launch the National Waterways Museum Supporters’ Scheme, which offers people the chance to be a part of an exciting new initiative to save Britain’s historic inland waterways fleet and to receive some great benefits.

"By pledging a regular gift of £39* waterways and heritage enthusiasts can help save some of the nation’s most remarkable boats and ensure that more boats can be rescued and returned to their former glory to tell the story of Britain’s canals and rivers. They will also be supporting the Museum’s exciting new volunteer programme which aims to teach practical skills and ignite the enthusiasm of a whole new generation of waterways enthusiasts."

To find out more call Waterways World on 01283 742970 or visit www.nwm.org.uk/supporters.

Last updated: 20/08/2009