Chesterfield Canal Trust receives funding boost from two local grants
Two tripboats have received funding to support their ongoing maintenance and the visitor experience along the canal. Nottinghamshire County Councillor Bert Bingham has donated from his Councillor’s Divisional Fund to support Hugh Henshall and Dawn Rose, a replica Cuckoo Boat built entirely by hand by Trust volunteers. Both boats are both based at Shireoaks Marina, and are used regularly to welcome visitors onto the canal.
While sections of the canal are currently navigable outside the town, significant restoration work is ongoing to reconnect the canal through to Chesterfield, supported by the Staveley Town Deal and the Chesterfield Canal Partnership.
Nottinghamshire County Councillor Bert Bingham, representing Worksop West, has donated from his Councillor’s Divisional Fund. The funding will support the maintenance of the Trust’s tripboat, Hugh Henshall and Dawn Rose, a replica Cuckoo Boat built entirely by hand by Trust volunteers.
Cllr Bingham said:
“I have long admired the work of the Chesterfield Canal Trust. On behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, I wanted to demonstrate this by supporting the maintenance of these two boats, which bring people from near and far to Shireoaks to enjoy the waterway. Long may this continue.”
Peter Hardy, Chair of the Trust, received a ceremonial cheque from Cllr Bingham at the Stret Lock Open Day.
Peter said:
“We are very grateful to Cllr Bingham for this grant. Hugh Henshall carries hundreds of passengers every year and Dawn Rose demonstrates horse boating during the summer months to sizeable crowds. It costs a surprising amount of money to maintain boats, so this donation is very welcome.”
The Trust has also received additional support from Mansfield Building Society through its Community Support Scheme. The funding will be used to purchase a new bench at Hollingwood Hub.
Laura Beth Harding of Mansfield Building Society presented the cheque to Simon Cork. Laura said:
“We are proud to support many local schemes that improve the everyday lives of people living in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Hollingwood Hub is a delightful oasis of calm and a new bench will offer many years of enjoyment for those visiting or using the canal.”
Simon Cork, a volunteer with the Trust’s gardening team, said:
“We try to keep the Hub as pleasant and attractive as possible for everyone, which is why we have received a Green Flag for nine years in a row. This grant will help us to maintain good outdoor seating for the public to relax.”
For information on the Chesterfield Canal Restoration, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/staveley/staveley-town-deal-projects/chesterfield-canal-restoration/
The Chesterfield Canal Trust is one of over 200 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.
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