Wheelyboat Pops its Cork !

The Maughan Lass ( previously known as the Wheelyboat project) was launched to great ceremony and beautiful June sunshine at Overwater Marina yesterday.

The ceremony began with Rodney Cottrell, Chairman of the Wheelyboat Project, thanking everyone who had contributed to the success of the project. He particularly wished to mention John and Ruth Kemble, Ableworld, Border Marquees, his wife Christine for such encouragement ,and AudlemOnline for publicity.

But absolutely key to the project was the £25,500 funding which was provided by key grants from:
Ableworld
Cheshire East Council
Comic Relief
Cheshire Foundation
Lottery Awards for All

and in addition the large number of business and personal contributions which were received.

At about that point the Champagne which had been placed on a table ready for the naming ceremony popped its cork in the heat to much hilarity !

Andy Beardsley, Director of the Wheelyboat Trust, explained how pleased he was to see the project achieving success in such a short time ( six months since conception) and what a tribute it was to Rodney and Janet Maughan and family.

Andy explained that the Trust was started in 1984 with a flat bottomed boat similar to a to punt to enable disabled anglers to go fishing. Since then they had provided 166 boats and were well on their way to providing 200 with a variety of boats for canals and powerboats !

He described this project as a first class project for disabled people.

Janet Maughan, Director of Overwater Marina, then described how she was approached by Rodney and Mike Harthern who claimed they had just heard a great idea. Sceptical at first (having heard several of Rodney's ideas in the past) she quickly realised what a great project it could be and gave it the Marina's full support.

Following a blessing by Reverend Helen Chantry, Angus launched the boat with what was left of the champagne and named her the "Maughan Lass'

The guests were then entertained by our much loved Cheshire Constabulary Core of Drums and the boat was launched for its first trip.

It was also great to see our local MP, Antoinette Sandbach, who had held a surgery in Audlem in the morning at this event.

What a great afternoon.!

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