THE Friends of Dawn Rose, are allowing organisations to take part in a sponsored pull of the 70ft narrowboat to enable them to arrange a 'pull a canal boat' to raise funds for their organisations.
The Friends are organising a Sponsored Boat Pull all the way from Shireoaks to West Stockwith and back along the Chesterfield Canal, setting out on 4th June and finishing on 18th June. But don't worry, we are told your organisation will not have to pull it all the way, but along one of the 20 sections it is being split into.
One to four miles
Each section will vary from one mile to four miles and no locks to eight locks, depending on the team and its number. Sections and times can be chosen to suit. The system is that you pay £50 towards the Friends of Dawn Rose and everything else that you raise goes to your chosen good cause. In the picture are Cynthia Cooper and Barbara Lower easily pulling Dawn Rose.
Pulling a ten ton wooden boat might sound impossible, but in fact it is surprisingly easy, as all narrowboat owners are aware. The Friends will supply harnesses with which two people can pull Dawn Rose very comfortably, with members of the teams taking it in turns to pull, with the Friends steering.
Walking pace
As the pull will be going at walking pace, friends and family to share in a great day out along the attractive waterway.
To find out more, go to the Chesterfield Canal Trust website, email
Chesterfield Canal boats were built to a unique design dating back to the 1770s. They scarcely changed in 150 years. All the old ones have rotted away, so Dawn Rose is the only one in existence. It is 70' long with no engine and was built over the course of four years by volunteers from the Chesterfield Canal Trust to the traditional design, using hand tools only, and was launched last year.