Society launches slipway appeal
GRANTHAM Canal Society has launched an appeal for funding to reinstate a former slipway at its Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir depot.
It was lost in the 1990s when British Waterways restored the buildings but with an increasing number of essential craft comes the responsibility for maintenance, including below the waterline.
Society chairman Mike Stone said: “Reinstating the slipway at Woolsthorpe Depot will make an immediate impact on the wellbeing of our watercraft. It will cost £20,000 in materials and our own voluntary labour will carry out the work.
“This project will save the society significantly over the coming years as craning boats in and out is not a sustainable solution. But we do need your generosity to support us, especially as our funding resource is very low at present.”
Plans have been drawn up and approved by the Canal & River Trust for the work to be carried out. The original cast iron winch has been discovered and is being restored by GCS volunteers. This project, once completed, will enable numerous individuals to gain the benefit of boat maintenance skills and provide a future training resource to the wider community.
The current constraints caused by the pandemic have lost the society thousands of pounds in revenue this year, owing to the cancellation of events, cruises and talks. GCS is appealing for support at this time to enable a start to be made on this very necessary project.
Full details can be found on http://www.granthamcanal.org/ woolsthorpe-slipway/