I first became introduced to the
Merlot via an e-mail I received, which had been sent to all NCBA members. A
lady called Maeve wanted to loan her boat to a community boat project.
Intrigued I sent an e-mail to the address in the message, expressing an
interest. It transpired that Maeve used to live on the canal in her boat and it
was a wonderful life. She had now moved to America and was unable to use it.
She didn’t want to sell it in case her 1 yr old son wanted to use it when he
grew up.
A trip to Hayling Island revealed
Merlot a 45’ narrow. It had been taken out of the water, was totally out of
place, crammed between sea going craft and perched precariously on top of empty
oil drums. Enquires of a ‘neighbour’ revealed it had been there for 9 years,
the engine was full of water and you could not get inside for debris of gas
bottles, paint tins etc.
No time for a survey I took a risk
and told her that we would look after it for her. Arrangements were made and it
was brought by low loader to Dewsbury to get it ready for her new role. She was
lowered into the water at Dewsbury Basin in order to go across the cut to use
the slipway. Would she sink? She certainly would not start! – No problem – on
the slip way the work started.
On entering the cabin it was like
stepping into a time capsule. Everything was as Maeve had left it all that time
ago. Clothes had been ruined by damp but it was obvious that she had been
involved in the creative industry in some way.
Brought back to life by a team of
enthusiastic volunteers she was ready to move onto Shipley Wharf where her
‘rehabilitation’ continued.
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| Image courtesy of Yvonne Roberts, Artist in Residence |
