Spruced-up boat afloat again in time for Christmas
A canal boat which has been given a fresh lick of paint has been lowered back on to a canal on the Shropshire border just in time for its annual Santa Cruises.
The George Watson Buck is a 15-year-old vessel which takes visitors on trips from the Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre in the village near Oswestry.
Recently it was taken out of the canal so workers could put a new coat of waterproof paint on it.
A grant of £700 was given to the Duchess Countess Trust from the Local Joint Committee to do the work. It also received £700 from the Inland Waterways Association.
Now it is back in the canal ready for Christmas activities.
Chris Backshall, chair of the Duchess Countess Trust, said: "The George Watson Buck has to have special waterproof paint. It only takes three or four days if the weather is good but the weather has been so bad we couldn't do it.
"We needed it back to run our Santa Cruises in the run up to Christmas."
The cruises start on December 15 at 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm and 3.45pm. They also take place on December 16, 22 and 23.
Booking is essential. Call on (01691) 830506 or e-mail caehaidd@f2s.com
