Here’s a link to The Wooden Canal Boat Society Flickr account:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40839614@N05/

Chris says that Hazel is looking good and floating well.  All the little leaks (which you would expect) have ‘taken up’ as the wood absorbs water and swells.  Martin Lowe has been working very hard (weather permitting) to complete the roof of the conversion.  

We now need more volunteers with 12 volt electrical wiring and plumbing skills, as well as those with wood working skills to help get the boat fitted out.

Stuart Hughes will be returning to Britain on Monday 20th May 2013 to take charge of this work.

If you want to volunteer phone Chris 07931 952 037 or email:   theboatman@mail.com

Here’s another film of Hazel’s launch  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7c7hKLBYBE

Members of The Wooden Canal Boat Society, prospective members, Hazel sponsors  and/or those who would like to take an active part in our activities in the future are invited to:

A General Meeting – on Wednesday 12th June 2013 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm at the WCBS charity shop, 173 Stamford Street Central, Ashton under Lyne.  

Come and meet everyone and see how you can help.   

The WCBS will have a Tombola stall at the Middlewich Boat and Folk Festival on 15th and 16th June 2013.

http://www.midfest.org.uk/index.html

We need new or almost new items for the Tombola.  If you have anything you can donate please call 0777 348 4382 to make arrangements to drop off or for us to pick up!  If we’re collecting must be near Ashton under Lyne!  Thank you!

(Please note this is NOT the charity shop number.  The charity shop number is 0161 330 8422.)

On 3rd May 2013 ‘Hazel’ was successfully launched into the canal!  In attendance were The Mayor of Tameside, Ian Marchant (patron), and Colin Scrivener who did the honours and smashed a bottle of beer across the stem iron.  She slid into the canal gracefully to the joy of all there.  See video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rdCaAVGTSsM

Many thanks to all involved.

In the evening we all trouped up to the Hurst Community Centre for the celebration Ceilidh.    Tom Kitching and his friends played some excellent music and ‘Your Dad’ provided some unforgettable comedy.   Thanks to everyone who made this happen and to all who attended and supported this event.   We’ll let everyone know how much money we raised soon after we’ve recovered.  Was a busy few days!

P.S.  The Ceilidh raised £657.  The money will be used towards the re-fit of Hazel’s cabin. Thanks again to everyone who helped and supported the event.

I’d like to offer a big thank you to The Safety Group especially Stuart Beaumont for the time and effort spent in sending us Risk Assessment paperwork for all of the tools and conditions we encounter in the Boatyard these will help us make sure everyone works safely and responsibly for the foreseeable future.

Information about the company and the work they do can be found on their website

www.thesafetygroup.co.uk