Supporters scheme launched to help save historic boats
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; and
• 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. 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
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Debbie Walker, Communications Manager, The Waterways Trust
0774386 40577 email: debbie.walker@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk Notes for Editors: 1. The Waterways Trust is a national charity which works in partnership with individuals, communities and organisations to conserve, restore, improve and interpret all aspects of the UK’s inland waterways. www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk
2. *With each annual payment of £39, at least £20 will be passed on to the museum to help restore the historic boats. The Museum Supporters scheme is being administered by Waterways World.
3. The Quarterly NarrowBoat magazine, published by Waterways World, is aimed at people interested in the history and heritage of Britain’s fascinating inland waterways. It includes articles on famous fleets, preservation, waterways art and genealogy and aims to bring the past of the inland waterways alive once more with glorious images and irresistible tales of times gone by.
4. Waterways World is the monthly magazine for all aspects of the inland waterways and has been the world’s best selling inland waterways magazine ever since it was first published in 1972.
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