BCN Society and Coombeswood Canal Trust welcome new heritage working boats

The canal societies, based in the heart of the BCN, will lease the boats from British Waterways with the aim of using them for the future promotion of the waterways.

The two boats formed part of the British Waterways led ‘Heritage Working Boats Project’, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project, which dates back to 1999, began with a fleet of 10 boats that were sensitively restored back to their former glory using photographic evidence and actual oral accounts.

Since then the project has continued with the dedicated support of heritage working boat volunteers, who give up their spare time to ensure their conservation and promote the use and education of the historic working boats.

More recently a decision was made to rationalise the fleet of boats, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to ensure the project’s future sustainability. Both Atlas and Malus were offered to waterway-related organisations who would continue to care and use the boats in the same way as the heritage working boat volunteers. This way their historic role on our waterways would continue to be understood, cherished and valued by communities for generations to come.

The BCNS and CCT will keep both the engine powered Atlas and the butty boat Malus moored at Hawne Basin, Halesowen, returning both the boats back onto part of their old working ground on the BCN.

The boats will be maintained in full working order as fine examples of traditional working boats, and will be used to promote the aims of both organisations at exhibitions and rallies. As well as this the boats will be used as educational aids to raise awareness of canals amongst young people and the general public, and to keep alive the traditions and skills of the working boatmen for future generations. Both boats will be on display at CCT’s annual open weekend at Hawne Basin next year (16 - 17 May 2009).

Graham Whorton, chairman of BCNS said: “Both the BCNS and CCT are honoured to be able to care for Atlas and Malus. Our application to lease the boats was followed by a rigorous examination of the financial status, charitable aims and accomplishments, facilities and expertise of both organisations, and we are pleased that we have been able to satisfy British Waterways that we are able to look after and use them in a proper manner.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the heritage working boat volunteers who have maintained and operated the boats with great skill and dedication and I extend all good wishes to them for the future. I hope that they will be able to give us the benefit of their advice and experience as we care for and operate the boats.”

Richard Woodward, chairman of CCT said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to combine the facilities of CCT at Hawne Basin, with the knowledge and expertise contained within the membership of the BCNS. Whilst this is not the first time our organisations have worked together it is our largest joint project to date and we too look forward to working more closely with the heritage working boat volunteers. We really are thrilled that we’ve had the opportunity to secure the future of these vessels on the West Midland Waterways.”

British Waterways West Midlands general manager, Tony Harvey said: “Both Atlas and Malus have played an important role in the Heritage Working Boats Project over the last 10 years. This is why it’s so important that the boats have been leased to the BCNS and CCT, as we know they will share in British Waterways' aim of allowing access to the working boats, to help people recognise the important role they’ve played in our waterways heritage.”