At long, long last we're underway
With our
winter trips by the day
The winter weather caused some grief
With
frozen pipes and chattering teeth
But finally we can bring some joy
To
many a girl and a boy.
We finally set off on this epic voyage on 27 January - only
3 weeks late! Things went quite well - until the drinking water became rather
cloudy, we had a burst under the galley sink, the generator started playing up,
we had no hot water, the batteries went flat, the hot water pressure valve blew
off, the fresh water pump threw a wobbly, the engine room bilge pump packed up
- and so on - have a laugh one day and read the saga in the Log Book!
Finally just as journeys end was in sight we hit a big mud bank on the
River Don near Meadowhall and had good practice at running aground - several
times. Eventually we had to turn around and leave Ethel at Ickles Lock in
Rotherham for about a week. B W managed to blow a passage through and we
finally made it to Tinsley on 7th February!
Most have now been fixed, except for the bilge pump - so beware there may be a bit of water in the engine room!
Rear Lift - the electric motor for this is totally knackered. A complete replacement motor and hydraulic pump has been sourced, but we are awaiting a hopeful grant to cover the cost of both this and the front one. In the meantime the aft lift is not working.
Welcome to Malcolm Bratley who trained up the Competent Crew Certificate on the trip up to Sheffield. Malc is an old friend of mine from my Scouting days - and also a retired Lift Engineer - guess how I got him interested!!
This is a chance for some of our regular users to visit Ethel and tell us what they think and to say if we can make any improvements for their particular needs. Potential new users are also welcome to come along and have a look around. You are also welcome to come and have natter - meet other members of the Trust and enjoy a bit of a buffet. 12 noon is the kick off time -please let me know if you're coming for catering arrangements.
Once again many thanks to all who participated - and this
was how it was done -
As you will all be aware a major project utilising
Ethel took place in December, when Santa visited the boat on each Saturday and
Sunday throughout the month leading up to Christmas.
The hard work in organising this event started in August and continued through to January, and was on the whole organised and arranged by Lee Davies from her home in Lancashire, although much help was also given on this side of the Pennines by Ian Meadows, and a small number of other volunteers.
The preliminary work involved a mail shot to selected stores and businesses in an effort to raise sponsorship and awareness of the project. In some instances this was followed up by a personal visit and indeed many donations were forthcoming, in the form of cash, vouchers, gifts and refreshments, both from businesses around, Thorne, Goole, Scunthorpe and Selby, as well as many in Liverpool and Lancashire.
Publicity for the events was circulated and booking began to come in. Presents were purchased, and it was all set for the Sleigh Bells to ring.
In total over 200 children and adults enjoyed the experience including refreshments, colouring, hat making, letter writing, games and a visit from Santa.
Feedback was excellent, and I'm sure all who helped in any way enjoyed the experience.
On the last weekend a fantastic effort was made for the event to go ahead, from Lee on her sick bed with Flu, Ian aboard doing activities and a midnight dash over the Pennines by Lee and her friend Ray to deliver presents.
So a big thank you to all who contributed in any way for a very successful outcome to the entire programme.
Will they go ahead next year? I'm not sure as Lee has left the Trust both as a Trustee and Skipper to take up a position with the N C B A.
I'm sure you'll join me in thanking her for her involvement with the Trust and wishing her well in her new role.
Best wishes
Phil