FOR the first time in 65 years a private narrowboat can cruise the Stroudwater, that is part of the Cotswold Canals restoration.
Polly and Neil Forthergill's 42 narroboat Intrigue was lowered into the five miles of the restored canal to join the Cotswold Canal Trust workboats, the first narrowboat since it was closed to navigation 65 years ago, Alan Tilbury reports.
New era
It was brought to the restored section by lorry then lowered in by crane with the help of members of the Trust, marking a new era in the restoration.
The Stroudwater together with the Thames & Severn Canal made up the original waterway link between the Thames at Lechlade and the Severn, but with the start of the restoration was renamed the Cotswold Canals.
Member
Polly has been a member and a director of the Trust since its inception and says she is passionate about the restoration and is hoping that before too long more work will be done to connect the Stroudwater with the Severn, so their boat can then cruise the network.
In the meantime it will be moored either at Stonehouse or Ebley, becoming an unusual sight for people using the towpath.