A CENTURY-old rowing boat has visited Swindon to promote the Wilts and Berks Canal restoration project.
The boat, called Emily, is a 20ft skiff built at the turn of the last century. It has been restored and arrived with restoration project officer Chaloner Chute at the helm.
He addressed Swindon dignitaries, including deputy mayor Coun Derek Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) at Beavan's Bridge, near Kingshill, and said: "This canal is the missing link in the Wessex region. All our volunteers are working hard to connect the canal. We really want to bring the canal right into the town centre."
Coun Benfield said: "I remember coming here as a child and it is amazing what the volunteers have achieved."
Emily's journey began in Bradford-on-Avon on Saturday and is making its way along three canals and the River Thames. The crew expects to be in Westminster by Tuesday.
When work on the Wilts and Berks is complete it will provide a continuous link from the West Country through the Cotswolds, the Thames and to the Midlands.
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