The ‘Hannah’ cruised into and moored at the quay in Great Bedwyn at teatime on a gloriously sunny Friday afternoon. Everybody disembarked for yet more photographs, the group Home Farm Trust (one of the five new groups we took this year), thanked us profusely for a brilliant day, requested to be invited again next year then departed.

And so apart from the final clearing up and cleaning ended our annual three week excursions down and up the Kennet & Avon Canal, taking us from a sleepy Wiltshire villages to very near the outskirts of Reading.

Sincere thanks were echoed by all of the groups we have taken this year, if not by ‘phone or thank you letters then entries into the ‘Ships Log’ for all successive cruisers to read for years to come.

· ‘We had the most fantastic time’ (Home Farm Trust)

· ‘We thoroughly enjoyed it’ (M.S. Group)

· ‘A fantastic time was had by all’ (Abingdon Open Door)

· ‘…a wonderful day..’ (Didcot Centre)

· ‘Once again a big thank you…’ (Cheshire Home)

20 different groups, over 200 disadvantaged people aged 3 to 70+ along with their carers, helpers, family or friends enjoying a relaxing day out or getting involved by steering the barge for 170+miles, opening 750 lock gates and swing bridges or just washing up – a first for some!

They were all full of praise for the captains and crew… · ‘…especially ‘Captain’ David, Terry, Louise and George (the crew) and Bertie, the dog, who gave their time and effort into making the day special.’

· ‘…you Terry and Ken were so kind.’

· ‘…our thanks to our worthy captain Tim and his crew…’

The Club’s members, their family and friends contributed over 1,000 man and women hours to ensure the safe and friendly passage of the barge. If they weren’t the ‘fortunate’ few who are retired many took part of their annual leave or gave up their week-ends to help out. But such is the joy that we get out of it, the wise ones plan and volunteer early to combine the service with the pleasure of the trip with friends and family.

Next year…

• ‘Hope that we will be invited again next year.’

• ‘Really hope we can come again!!!.’

• ‘… hope to be asked again… ’

• ‘They all enjoyed themselves so much & have asked to come again next year.’

. . . . is already provisionally booked – June 19th to July 9th when the "Bruce Trust’s" flag ship ‘Diana’ will be our craft.

Thanks to the generosity of a guest/crew member who has sponsored 1 week and the donation from one of our ‘Dragon Boat’ teams, we already have £900.00 towards the £2,400.00 costs. We would welcome other sponsors: only £125.00/day, £800.00/week. We can assure them that they will give much pleasure and satisfaction to many disadvantaged and/or severely disabled people. 

‘… it was one of the best days ever’ ( Riding for the Disabled guest)

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