Commemorate cruise

IT WAS 100 years ago that Gem carried a cargo over the Cotswolds from Saul near Gloucester to Lechlade on the Thames, the last boat to do so before the waterway was closed.

To commemorate that historic canal voyage, the Cotswold Canals Trust is organising two cruises 'the long way round', for unlike the 36 miles of that particular trip the choice is a southern route of 201 miles braving the Severn Estuary or a northern one via the canals and the Thames of 174 miles.

Starts in August

Both the cruises will start on Friday 12th August and finish on Sunday 4th September, with the southern route, via Bristol which means taking a pilot on board and braving the Severn Estuary then along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Reading then up the Thames to Lechlade.

Alternatively the northern route involves travelling up the Severn to Tewkesbury then the Avon to Stratford, up the Stratford Canal then the Grand Union Canal to the Oxford Canal and eventually to Lechlade.

Re-enactment

A number of enthusiastic boat owners are planning the re-enactment of this journey using both of these alternative routes to raise awareness and to raise funds for the continuation of work being carried out to restore the original route.

The boats will be given a civic send off with the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in attendance, from Saul Heritage centre on the  Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, and there will be a further civic reception when they arrive at Lechlade on Sunday, with a Family Fun Day planned.

Boaters interested in taking part in this cruise should Contact Wendy Beaumont who is Trip Leader on the northern route on  07503219417 or 01235 764 172.

Those interested in the southern route should contact Trip Leader Martin Turner on  07860521876 or 01291 650 605.