The Historic Narrow Boat Club also presented its annual Ken Keay award to Dave Linney representing the trainees and volunteers at the Heritage Boat Yard, based at the National Waterways Museum, for their restoration of the historic wooden Box Boat 337 – a rare surviving unpowered wooden narrow beam craft built for the National Coal Board.
Totally authentic restoration
Phil Prettyman comments: "The donation is for the Trust's flood appeal, but it is also in recognition of the excellent working relationship that we now have in partnership with the Trust, including the positive attitude and helpfulness of the Wales & Border Counties team to take action at Hurleston to sort out problems with the lock width.
“Each year the Historic Narrow Boat Club presents the Ken Keay award to the wooden boat which has been most improved during the year. The level of improvement and its totally authentic restoration make it the rightful recipient. In addition we hope the award will be further encouragement to the apprentices and young people who have done such an excellent job. Richard Parry also presented the HNBC's Hemelryk award, for iron or steel boats, to the young owner and restorer of Pinner.”
Support and acknowledgement
Richard Parry comments: “I was delighted to accept the donation to our National Flood Appeal from the Historic Narrow Boat Club. Their support and acknowledgement of the hard work that goes into looking after the canals, and indeed, restoring historic craft such as the Box Boat, is testament to the commitment of the Trust's staff and volunteers. I thank the Club for their continued assistance.”
Mike Turpin, member of the Heritage Boat Yard, comments: “We are delighted to receive this award which showcases heritage boat restoration skills kept alive through the work of the trainees alongside the volunteers, the boat yard staff and also the Hairy Bikers who got involved during recent filming. We are very proud of everyone involved.”
