CanalScape-BCN Society formed

In 2007, Challenger Syndicateships acquired a lease on the ex Grand
Union motor boat "Barnet". The intention was to restore the boat for
use on the Northern BCN and adjoining waterways. Challenger went into
administration in December 2007 and in the intervening months,
negotiations by persons with an input into the boats' restoration
have taken place with British Waterways. Formation of CanalScape-BCN
Society has now led to the acquisition of the craft on a new lease
with its purposes mirroring those intended previously. A considerable
amount of capital has already been spent on the project with grants
and donations actively being sought to finish the boat to a good
standard to sustain the operation in the coming years.
Inherent in this new venture will be an opportunity for wider
operational participation through a membership scheme.
Agreed with British Waterways is an intention to use the boat to
demonstrate that the Northern BCN is not only navigable but also
could be used in a wider fashion. The boat will carry the name of the
Society which is affiliated to the CanalScape-BCN online community
and will be promoted at forthcoming events.

Further details of the society will be announced shortly.
Contact 01902 602180 for further information.

For the boat enthusiast here is some background information.
· Built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co by Harland and
Wolff at the Woolwich yard.
· GU type "D" "Town" class boat, commonly known as a "Large
Woolwich".
· Launched September 1936, fleet No 109, registered for public
health at Rickmansworth No181.
· Length 71ft 6 ins, beam 7ft ½ inch, draught 3 ft.
· Max load tonnage 27 tons
· Transferred to British Transport Waterways on nationalisation
working as a single motor until transfer to maintenance fleet.
Restored in 1998 at Bradley for private use, returned to BW in 2003.