In 1974 Chris Leah was a student at Chester College, living on boats to save money. He bought a full length wooden narrow boat called "Lilith" for one hundred pounds. The boat needed repairs and Chris set about doing them. Repairs to Lilith 74-2004 Right.. Lilith at Portland Basin

Before long Chris had aquired a second boat "Sarah", later renamed "Forget me Not".
In May 1987 the Wooden Canal Craft Trust was formed. Initially this was a small group of friends who wanted to build a future for "Lilith" and "Sarah".

The 1989 British Waterways Bill threatened to introduce new regulations that would make the work of the Wooden Canal Craft Trust virtually impossible and force most owners of historic wooden craft to destroy them. The Trust petitioned against it. The Trust's case against the Bill was put at the Lords Committee stage and several witnesses called. This, and negotiations over the next two years, resulted in substantial changes in the legislation together with the beginnings of a recognition of the importance of the floating heritage by British Waterways.

By the Spring of 1995 The Wooden Canal Craft Trust owned six boats,
Elton, Forget me Not, Hazel, Lilith, Southam and Queen.

In 1996 the Wooden Canal Boat Society Ltd was registered as a non profit making
co-operative company limited by guarantee. The Wooden Canal Craft Trust was wound up
on March 31st 1997, and it's assets handed over to the Wooden Canal Boat Society.

In October 1996 our first boat moved to the Portland Basin Museum in Ashton.
We really needed a proper boatyard and in 1999 Tameside Council provided a site
at Knowl St in Stalybridge.
As well as creating a fully functional Heritage boatyard we are now involved in a range of activities aimed at preserving and using wooden narrow boats.

What we do

Read a full history