THE SALTISFORD Canal Trust is in a buoyant mood.
The Trust has received a grant of £9,880 from the Severn Trent Community Fund for the conversion of a canal boat into a community meeting space.
The charity was established 40 years ago to restore the historic Saltisford canal arm, which dates back to 1799 and was the original terminus of the Warwick and Birmingham Canal. The site is now home to a number of residential narrowboats, a visitor centre and shop, meeting spaces and a contemplation area.
The Trust will use the funds to convert a former trip boat into a land-based community meeting and education space. The boat will be refitted to host community, education, volunteer and specialist groups and promote the safe use and enjoyment of the inland waterways and their natural spaces.
Simon Brittain from Saltisford Canal Trust said: “We are genuinely delighted to have received this funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund, which will enable us to transform this boat into what we believe will be a fantastic, one-of-its-kind meeting space for our community.
“Our visitors rely on the appropriate use and management of our national water resources, and our visitors on foot enjoy all the benefits of being by the water. We are committed to the promotion of safe by water messages, our heritage and wildlife and habitat conservation, all of which will be made more possible through this dedicated community space.”
Sue Heyes, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, added: “We are really pleased that our independent awards panel selected Saltisford Canal Trust to receive grant funding through the community fund. This is a fantastic organisation that is doing some wonderful work and we really loved the way they’ve reused their decommissioned tour boat for this unique community space.
“We are always looking for more local projects in the regions in which we work which would benefit from grant funding and would encourage anyone who may be applicable to get in touch.”
For more information on the Severn Trent Community Fund visit stwater.co.uk
