Embedded Files
Bringing New Life to Old Wooden Boats
The Wooden Canal Boat Society (WCBS) was set up in 1996 to take over the work of the earlier Wooden Canal Craft Trust. It is a registered charity and a company Limited by guarantee.
The society looks after 6 historic wooden narrow boats and is committed to restoring them all to good working condition and putting them to work on community projects.
The boats are based at Portland Basin Museum, Ashton under Lyne OL7 0QA at the junction of the Ashton and Peak Forest canals.
The WCBS runs the biggest and most diverse charity shop in Ashton at 173 Stamford St, OL6 7PS
A Heritage Boatyard in Stalybridge is a crucial resource for restoring and maintaining the boats and for preserving traditional boat building skills.
The society is run by volunteers carrying out a wide range of interesting tasks, from running the charity shop to restoring and operating the boats.
The main boating project at the moment is the “Hazel” wellbeing boat project. Built originally in 1913 to carry salt, derelict “Hazel” was rejuvenated at Stalybridge and now provides trips and holidays for people in need of a boost to their mental wellbeing.
This is what its all about, taking "Forget Me Not" and "Hazel - The Wellbeing Boat" on a weekend trip, in glorious weather. Working the boats together with trained crew and people who have never been on a Narrowboat before. Sharing the experience of over 200 years of collective narrowboat and navigation heritage.
Page updated
Report abuse