The Wizard gets a spruce-up

WARRINGTON Disability Partnership’s (WDP) special vessel – ‘The Wizard’ – has been given a magical spring spruce-up.
The charity’s fully accessible narrow boat has been repainted for a new season of enchanting days out along Bridgewater Canal.
Brun Munslow, WDP’s Partnerships Manager, said: “To get ‘The Wizard’ looking as good as it does has required a great team effort. I would like to especially thank the Cheshire Foundation Trust for the funding we required to repaint the boat and revitalise the artwork and logos. I hope that we have many years of happy sailing and many happy visitors ahead of us.”
Volunteer crew members got stuck in to get rid of the build-up of dust, dirt and grime – as well as sanding the old paintwork for a fresh lick; cleaning the interior and putting back all the equipment that has to be removed for damp winters.
The first job was to call in to Thorn Marine near the London Bridge Pub in Stockton Heath to fill the water tank – which is emptied for winter due to frost – so that things could be washed and cleaned.
The finishing touch was to hang new curtains in ‘The Wizard’.
Phil Aikman, a Volunteer Support Worker on ‘The Wizard’, said: “‘The Wizard’ is back into its routine and I’m really pleased to see it out on the canal with passengers looking so smart.”
The boat is popular with groups from nursing homes; sheltered accommodation; carers’ groups; pensioners’ clubs and families with disabled young people.
“A variety of trips on the Bridgewater Canal are available and can include stops where you can tuck into a pub lunch or fish and chips, but we also offer ‘bring a picnic’ trips,” said Phil.
Trips start from Thorn Marine and can be tailored to a group’s needs.
Itineraries include the picturesque village of Lymm; a visit to The Barn Owl Pub at Oughtrington or a visit to the medieval ruins at Norton Priory Museum and Gardens.
The boat can accommodate up to 10 people dependent on the number of wheelchair passengers (a wheelchair counts as two places unless the user transfers to a seat and it is stored on the roof) and the hire criteria is that there must be a person on board who is disabled or has access problems.
‘The Wizard’ is generally used from March to October and people often book the boat for more than one trip so they can see the changing seasons. Many people return each year for a trip on ‘The Wizard’ with other boats. Please book early forsummer trips.
For booking availability and pricing information for ‘The Wizard’, please call 01925 240064.