Boat pull to raise funds
THE Friends of Dawn Rose' of the Chesterfield Canal Trust are again organising a sponsored pull of the narrowboat.
The Friends are organising the pull of the 70ft, hand-built, wooden narrowboat along the Chesterfield Canal all the way from Shireoaks to West Stockwith and back, for its fourth year, starting on the 25th April 25th and finishing on the 12th May. But don’t worry, we are told no one will have to pull it all the way!
Different sections
The journey has been split up into 21 sections which vary from less than one mile to four miles and no locks to nine locks. You can choose which section suits you on which day and at what time of day—morning, afternoon or evening.
The fee is £50 that goes to the Friends of Dawn Rose and everything else that you raise goes to your chosen good cause.
Surprisingly easy
Pulling a ten ton boat might sound impossible. In fact it is surprisingly easy. The Friends will supply harnesses with which two people can pull Dawn Rose very comfortably, and a team can take it in turns.
The Friends will steer and manage the boat. As you will be going at walking pace, you can bring friends and family to share in a great day out along the waterway.
Dozens of groups have taken part in the Boat Pull over the last three years, with hundreds of pullers. Many thousands of pounds have been raised.
Information
To find out more, go to the Chesterfield Canal Trust website, email
Chesterfield Canal boats were built to a unique design dating back to the 1770s. They scarcely changed in 150 years. All the old ones have rotted away, so Dawn Rose is the only one in existence.
Built by volunteers
It is 70ft long with no engine and was built over the course of four years by volunteers from the Chesterfield Canal Trust to the traditional design, using hand tools only, and was launched in 2015.