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John Prescott visits Boat Museum

22nd Aug 2006

The Waterways Trust was delighted to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Prescott MP on a recent visit to The Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port.

The Deputy Prime Minister was given a tour of the museum, which has recently undergone a £2 million refurbishment programme on friday 18 August.

During the visit, John Prescott was shown the two new galleries at the museum – How to Build a Boat and Life in the Cut.

In a speech, the Deputy Prime Minister, who has championed the use of waterways for urban and rural regeneration for the past decade, recognised the importance of the museum in bringing the past, present and future story of the waterways to life. He noted the potential for further development of education and learning and the contribution the museum makes to the local economy.

Mr Prescott welcomed the modernisation of the museum and the Trust’s continuing efforts to bring the history of the waterways to new audiences.

He also highlighted the significant role which the museum plays in the overall picture of waterway regeneration and the local regeneration that is taking place around the museum at Ellesmere Port.

Roger Hanbury, Chief Executive of The Waterways Trust, said: "We were delighted that the Deputy Prime Minister was able to visit our museum in Ellesmere Port. Government support for the waterways museums is vital as we continue to press for new funding. We are very pleased with the enthusiasm and interest shown by John Prescott for both the museum and our work.

"We are very clear that the Waterways Museums should be on a similar footing to museums for rail, maritime and coal, all of which have Government support, and thus offer free entry. We will continue to press government for new funding.

"We believe that modern, vibrant waterways museums, attractive to general and specialist audiences, provide the best context for conservation of the national waterways collection which we hold for the nation.

"Through its three museums, the Trust can make a significant contribution to government priorities in areas such as education and learning and regeneration and we are delighted with the Deputy Prime Minister’s endorsement of our efforts."

The museum is situated in a 200-year old historic dock complex on the south bank of the River Mersey, close to the Port of Liverpool. Following a £2 million redevelopment programme, the museum today successfully merges the old with the new. The historic port buildings are complemented by modern new exhibitions which feature computer based exhibits and interactive displays.

The refurbishment of the Museum was made possible due to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, North West Regional Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council and Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN).

The Boat Museum is one of three waterways museums operated by The Waterways Trust. The other two are the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester and the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne, Northants.

Last updated: 22/10/2008