Pictures and video: Narrowboat takes a trip on to dry land

Heulwen II, belonging to the Heulwen Trust in Welshpool, was craned out of the water yesterday so that it could undergo maintenance and repairs.

The 70ft steel narrowboat was lifted clear of the canal at Heulwen Wharf and put into dry dock, where volunteers immediately got to work to clean off the parts of the hull which are usually below the water line.

Pat Ward, who is overseeing the repairs for the Trust, said: "The boat has been lifted out for its first hull survey since it was built. As soon as possible after the lift out the hull will be scraped by Trust volunteers and pressure washed in advance of a professional survey.

"One that had been carried out we will know the worst - any steelwork repairs likely to be needed, together with a probable engine replacement or major overhaul."

Heulwen II was built by Cammel Laird in 1993 and has been carrying passengers along the Montgomery Canal since then.

Mr Ward said the work being done is the first major work to be carried out on the boat in 22 years, since it was built, and that it is likely to cost £10,000.

"It costs many thousands of pounds per year to run the two boats, including wages and maintenance," he said.

"It is getting increasingly hard to meet annual running costs, and this year we have the extra cost of the maintenance work, and so we're particularly grateful to anyone who donates."

The charity was set up in 1975 when a 70ft canal boat - Heulwen - was commissioned and designed to carry disabled children, thought to be the first if its kind in the world. The Trust was formed in 1985 and has been going from strength to strength since then with Heulwen II taking to the water in 1993. A third boat, Heulwen III Silver Lady, which was built locally at Maesbury, replaced the original boat in 2009.

Over the past 30 years the boats have provided scenic trips for more than 63,000 people with disabilities through some of Wales' most beautiful countryside.

While individual donations are greatly appreciated, the main source of income is the Trust's annual Country and Western Musical Festival held in July in Welshpool each year.

Donations and volunteers are always welcome, and the Trust is happy to hear from groups or individuals with disabilities or special needs who are interested in the boat trips. For more information contact Trust secretary and treasurer Jenny Maddox on (01938) 554810.