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A quintessentially rural canal, the 33 mile long Grantham traverses three shire counties

 

Restoration Society Awarded Christopher Power Prize


The Grantham Canal Restoration Society are the delighted recipients of one of the IWA's prestigious restoration awards. The Christopher Power Prize, a cash sum of approximately £750, is awarded to the person, society or trust that has made the most significant contribution to the restoration of an amenity waterway.

Mike Palmer, chairman of the Waterway Recovery Group said "The Society has actively sought out best practice and encouraged training and working with other groups to improve standards. Its members have pulled together to give the restoration efforts a vastly improved public profile. We now have volunteers clamouring to lead camps there!"

The award presentation took place at South Kesteven District Council Offices on Monday 18th July 2005.


IWA's John Bayliss presents the cheque to Bill Whalley, GCRS

The society has used the Prize money (together with matched funding from Tony Wilkinson and associates) to buy a new workboat for use on the canal.


GCP Chairman, Tony Wilkinson and GCRS Chairman, Bill Whalley

The 10 ft aluminium high tech, flat bottomed workboat is environmentally friendly, has no paint on the hull, and is powered by electric motor, the battery of which is recharged by solar cell. The boat was supplied by SeaStrike of Aldridge, West Midlands.


Bow - Fred Marsh (GCRS) , Nancy Johnson (IWA), Richard Williams (GCRS)
Stern - Ian Wakefield (GCRS), Tony Pitman (GCRS), David Johnson (IWA)

The boat was named by GCRS Chairman, Bill Whalley at the presentation - Restorer 2

Photographs by Stan Bown