Sculptor, which is normally moored outside the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, has spent the past year away from home being carefully restored back to her best.
A brief history
The historic boat is owned by us and is a popular attraction for visitors of all ages to the museum and also for people enjoying the towpath. A dedicated group of volunteers, including a number from local charity The Friends of the Canal Museum, help to care for her and bring her story to life for people visiting the area.
Built in 1935, Sculptor is one of a small number of working boats that still navigates on the canal. Originally owned by the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company, she was used to transport a variety of cargo such as cotton and coal from London to the Midlands. During WWII Sculptor was called into action to help with firefighting duties in London, helping to pump water from the city's canals to extinguish fires caused by bombing.
After the war she was used as a canal maintenance boat on the Shropshire Union Canal before being taken out of service in 1985.
The restotation project
The first phase of the restoration works saw Sculptor taken to Northwich where specialist boat painter Bob Hegenbarth stripped all paintwork back to bare metal and wood, prepared the surfaces with primer and undercoats before repainting and varnishing.
In February she was taken to Northwich Dry Dock where her hull was pressure-washed before being painted with epoxy paint and ‘blacked' with bitumen.
Volunteers then took Sculptor to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port where they serviced the engine, including an oil change, cleaning filters and installing a new battery. They also thoroughly cleaned the engine room and cabin as well as carrying out extensive repairs within the boat hold.
Welcoming Sculptor back home
Emily Thorpe, our visitor services manager, said: “The Canal & River Trust is the charity that protects and preserves 2,000 miles of nation's historic waterways. This includes hundreds of locks, tunnels bridges and aqueducts, but we're also proud to look after historic narrowboat Sculptor. She tells an important story about the history of the waterways and is popular with visitors to the Canal Museum. We're really excited to welcome her back to her permanent home here at Stoke Bruerne, as she has been missed.
“We're so grateful to all the volunteers that have helped to move her and restored her back to her former glory. Thanks to their efforts, and those of the local volunteers here at Stoke Bruerne, visitors will be able to enjoy seeing her for many years to come.”
Lynda Payton, Chair of The Friends of the Canal Museum, said: “The Friends of The Canal Museum have been pleased to support Sculptor for more than fifteen years through volunteering and grant funding and we are delighted to see her back outside the Museum where she belongs and where she can continue to delight our visitors.”
