Kildare on view

A TRADITIONAL horse drawn working boat will be on view to the public at various parts of the system throughout June.

The horse drawn Kildare is embarking on its journey to celebrate its centenary, leaving its home at the Black Country Living Museum on 12th June, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Bombed

It has had a checkered career, being bombed and sunk at New Warwick Wharf in Birmingham during the war.

Kildare was built in 1913 by Braithwaite & Kirk of West Bromwich for Fellows Morton & Clayton at a cost of £190. It first worked as a horse drawn boat, then towed by steamers and finally by diesel powered boats.

The boat will embark on its eight days journey to the Stoke Bruerne Gala Weekend before taking part in a traditional horse drawn boat pull along the Grand Union Canal from 12th to 14th June.