Much loved Di Skilbeck MBE was a leading light among many amazing volunteers at the National Waterway Museum in Ellesmere Port. Now, her legacy will help to secure its future.
Di Skilbeck and her faithful dog Josh
A wonderful gift from Di's legacy will now be used to help protect heritage boats in our museum collection, along with thousands of other artefacts from thimbles to pocket watches to Roses & Castles water cans.
In her memory, the museum volunteers have also renamed our soon-to-be renovated trip boat the 'Diana Margaret'. The trip boat meant a lot to Di as it allowed museum visitors to get on the water, often for the first time. "She devoted her life to creating a living museum, giving visitors the experience of canals as they used to be," remembers Chris Kay, one of her fellow volunteers.
It all began in 1974 when Di became involved in the restoration effort while still working as a teacher. In Di's own words: "I was horrified by the dilapidated state of the site. Desperate to do something, I enlisted my students in the massive and muddy project."
Restoration volunteers dig out the basin at Ellesmere Port in the early '70s.
"We pulled so much from the mud in the upper basin – a scooter, car doors, tyres, cans of oil – the site had become a dumping ground. Fortunately, we didn't find anything gruesome – surprising, given the proximity to the town mortuary, although we did once find a tombstone! The parents were very understanding. They had been warned that the girls' clothes might be beyond washing!"
As the museum grew and developed over the years, Di took on more and more responsibility, acting as chair, trustee and even president of the museum in its various different guises.
In the 2012 Queen's Birthday honours, Di was awarded the MBE for Services to Heritage, and in 2015, an Honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of Chester for her outstanding contribution to education. The following year, Di received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Canal & River Trust.
It's clear that Di was always hands-on. Her friends describe her as kind, caring and loyal, with a passion for children and education. She led from the front, tenaciously committing to every project as a great team leader. Di was also famous for giving out walnut whips every Christmas as a small but important thank you for the support of volunteers throughout the year.
Di cared passionately about inspiring children to love canals and their history. She created awe and wonder, shared funny stories and celebrated amazing objects with infectious enthusiasm. Our team and the museum will not be the same without her.
Helen Evans, learning and skills co-ordinator
One of her big passions was the heritage boat, Gifford, which she fought to restore, maintain and share with the public. Visitors would often find Di aboard, ready to tell its story, with her faithful dog Josh beside her. Even today, Josh still returns to visit the museum as he was adopted by one of Di's fellow volunteers.
The time, effort and pure passion Di put into Gifford was repaid at her funeral when this same boat carried her along the canal, with her friends and Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry following down the towpath.
The last words about Di go to His Majesty King Charles III. In recognition of her 50-year contribution, HM King Charles sent a letter of condolence from Buckingham Palace describing the example she set as an early volunteer at the Boat Museum as "so inspirational". Her legacy will live on into the future at the Ellesmere Port National Waterways Museum.
Last Edited: 27 August 2024
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