On Friday 19th May, Simon Baynes, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, joined the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust for a trip across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to celebrate the Trust’s 40th anniversary. The Trust, which currently provides day trips for disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages, runs solely through donations and the hard work of volunteers, including its twenty-one Skippers who have all been trained by the Trust itself.
Every year the Trust hosts over one hundred boat trips on its latest boat the Lady Winifred. The Trusts first boat was built by the Cammel Lairds apprentices in Birkenhead as part of the Rainbow Trust and launched in 1985 by Sir Harry Secombe. The boats have a hydraulic lift to enable wheelchair users to board. The Lady Winifred also has wheelchair friendly toilet facilities and plenty of space within the boat to move about and enjoy the panoramic views of the Dee Valley.
During the visit, Mr Baynes met with the President of the Trust, Colin Burman, and the Chairman, Tom Lewis, the only remaining founders of the Trust, as well as other volunteers and supporters and discussed the importance of the Trust’s work in ensuring access to Llangollen’s waterways and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Mr Baynes also had the opportunity to meet a disabled wheelchair user and their carer who demonstrated the hydraulic lift that is used to allow people in wheelchairs to board the Trust’s specially built boat, the Lady Winifred, before journeying with them across the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
Through its focus on providing day trip opportunities to experience Llangollen’s beautiful waterways, picturesque countryside, and canal heritage for those who might otherwise not be able to access them, the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust provides a valuable service to our community.
For more information about the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust, please visit their website: https://canalboattrust.org.uk/
Speaking about their work, Colin Burman said:
“It has been a pleasure to see so many disabled and disadvantaged people over the years enjoy a day trip on the Llangollen Canal, they can relax and enjoy the view from our specially built and designed narrowboat, and after boarding they can unwind as they go over the World Heritage site the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and travel on the beautiful Llangollen Canal as part of their day trip on `Lady Winifred`.”
Following his visit, Simon Baynes MP commented:
“It was a great pleasure to visit the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust during its 40th anniversary year and to learn about the fantastic work they have been doing for forty-years to allow disabled and disadvantaged people to enjoy Llangollen’s canal.
“The Trust enables those who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access our waterways to enjoy them in safety and comfort whilst also showcasing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the beautiful Dee Valley. I look forward to following their continued work and wish them all the best for the next forty years!”
