Joan, touring the canals of the Midlands

I think I could say I'm passionately involved with this historic working boat, Swift! It's one of a collection of four boats that the Heritage Working Boats Group maintains on behalf of the Canal & River Trust, and I'm part of the group of volunteers.

I think what brought me into this volunteering is a love for canals, the boats and the people you meet on the canals. I've been lucky enough to meet several of the old working boatmen and the families who lived on the boats.

I first got interested in canals when I my husband and I did a lot of hireboat holidays, but then I found myself on my own and I couldn't crew a boat solo, so went on a hotel boat holiday. Then one day I picked up a leaflet which led me to the Heritage Working Boats Group - that was 2002 and I'm still here! I love it.

Joan, touring the canals of the Midlands on Swift