Community Projects

2011 Barge Report - 11th June to 8th July

A group of guests on board Hannah

The 2011 Barge Trips were a huge success, judging by the happy faces and many thanks we received. Our guests found they could get fully involved, steering the barge or working the locks and swing bridges which many found both challenging and rewarding. Others simply relaxed and enjoyed the slow pace of the day in beautiful countryside.

From 11th June to 8th July we gave 285 people the opportunity to experience something different. We invited 28 different groups from 18 different organisations with a maximum of 12 in each group. Our guest groups ranged from profoundly disabled children to disadvantaged children through to elderly disabled, with their Carers, helpers, family members or friends. The Barge is crewed by Rotarians and friends, which requires commitment for 112 crew days (4 per day) - no small effort from a small club such as ours.

A group of guests at a lock

We were onboard the Hannah, which is owned by The Bruce Trust. It is fully equipped for wheelchair users and is fitted with a “joy stick” steering facility, which our Rotary Club financed a few years ago, to enable those who are not strong enough to use the tiller to steer the Barge.

Our Rotary Club has also purchased inflatable Life Jackets to ensure those using the barge are both comfortable and safe.

Operating a lock

Despite experiencing the full range of English Summer weather the fun and enjoyment was there for all to see and enjoy, steering, good and bad (by captains and guests), opening locks and sluices, again both good and bad (by guests and crew).

Operating a lock

In all we opened about 1,000 lock gates and bridges in the 233 miles we travelled (that assumes we went in the centre of the canal all the time!)

Some of the comments in the daily log make you realise how much they both enjoy and gain from the time spent on the barge. I do not just mean the active or disabled, but also the parents and carers who accompanied those less fortunate than we are.

A group of guests on board Hannah

Thank you

These trips started 13 years ago when Andrew Bartholomew, Paddy O’Hanlon, and Pete Winfrey rented the boat for 3 days and then involved the whole club.

We could not have achieved all this without the assistance of everyone at the club, and friends, who helped raise money at our Annual Dragon Boat Races in May and other fundraising events throughout the year. We must also give a really big thank you to our “friends” who spent so much time crewing, without whom we could not invite so many groups, and of course our sponsors:

  • BrookStreet des Roches LLP
  • Joe Hughes
  • NPower

Extracts from a few of the many letters we received

South & Vale Assisted Living

“All had a wonderful time and haven't stopped talking about it. They loved the fact that they had a chance to drive the barge and of course the only lady on board was delighted to be the best driver!!!!(So it's true us girls are the best!!!)

Please thank the crew who helped make it a fantastic day for all.

Hopefully you'll be in touch next year for another enjoyable day. ”

Abingdon Family Centre

“ She and her family had a really lovely day out, everyone was so friendly and helpful especially with the children. Her older daughter is very shy but since the barge trip has been very chatty with her key workers at pre-school who previously she would barely mutter a word to.

He apparently felt the most relaxed he has felt in a long time and all his family very much enjoyed their day out!

So thanks again for thinking of us and we look forward to hearing from you again soon. ”

Mulberry Bush

“ Just a short note to say thank you once again for inviting the school to the barge trip. Yet again the children and the adults really enjoyed it. ”

Barnardos – “Stuff”

“ I am emailing to thank you all very much for giving eight of our children a great trip out on 25th June 2011.

They all – including the staff - thoroughly enjoyed themselves; and they all, if they had the opportunity to do it again – they would! ”

John Masefield Day Centre

“ I would like you to pass on our thanks to the crew on the barge trip yesterday, once again we all had a really great day.

The crew always make us so welcome & make sure we have a good time. Brian enjoyed steering the barge.

The weather was lovely.

Thank you for arranging the trip We always have a good time. ”

Headway

“ Thanks for giving everyone such a lovely experience again. I’ve received really positive feedback from all the staff. ”

Groups benefiting from the 2011 Barge Trips

  • Abingdon Kingfisher School (3)
  • Abingdon / Sutton Courtney Family Centre
  • Abingdon Disabled Work Group
  • Abingdon PHAB
  • Abingdon Stroke Club
  • Buddies 2
  • Douglas House (2)
  • Headway Oxford
  • Helen House (2)
  • Home Farm Trust (2)
  • Mabel Prichard School (2)
  • Mulbery Bush Organisation
  • Pegasus School (2)
  • Priors Court School (3)
  • South & Vale Supported Living
  • South & Vale Carers (2)
  • John Masefield Day Centre
  • John Masefield Residential

And Finally...