Funding will also go to the provision of special white cloths - with the dual purpose of being a traditional fitting on cheese fly-boats and will also provide wet weather shelter for school visits. Part of the money will also be used for the future plans by SUFBRS for more horse boating and go towards the cost of Saturn’s planned maintenance.

Speaking about the grant, The Waterways Trust chief executive Roger Hanbury said – “We are delighted to be able to provide this support to Saturn. This project helps open up the story of our waterways, keeping alive the traditions and culture of the canals for future generations to enjoy and learn from. This grant has been made possible due to the generous support of Tony Hales CBE.”
SUFBRS chairman Sue Cawson said - “The Saturn Project would like to say a very big thank you to Tony Hales and The Waterways Trust for this grant. It will make a real difference to our work with schools to improve the activities we provide. It is a real delight spending time with all our visitors young and old passing on our knowledge of the canals and boats of the past especially Saturn”.

The overhaul of Saturn on Ellesmere Dock has just been completed and SUFBRS would like the thank Craftmaster Paints for again providing the paint and our partners BW North Wales & Borders Waterways for the use of the dock. Boatbuilder Adrian Polglase and the Project’s boat manager, artist Tony Lewery, worked with and guided and directed the volunteers.

Despite the lack of schools’ funding the Saturn Project has had another successful year and is planning what looks to be a very interesting programme for 2012.

Image above shows Shropshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society volunteers repainting Saturn on Ellesmere dry dock. (Courtesy of Waterway Images)