A HISTORIC working narrow boat has been launched in Stourport today (Thursday, March 26) after it was restored with help from The Shuttle.

Bramble has been launched at a special event this afternoon and will now become the latest attraction in the Stourport Forward group’s initiatives to celebrate the history of the canals.

The Canal & River Trust Chief Executive Richard Parry and Stourport Town Mayor Cliff Brewer launched the restored Bramble, alongside Pauline Annis, chair of Stourport Forward, by opening a bottle of Black Country Ale at the bow.

Volunteers spent two years lovingly restoring the boat, which dates back to the 1930s, after it was purchased from the Canal & River Trust for just £1 in 2013.

The Bramble Appeal was launched by the Shuttle to raise £7,000 needed to bring it back to its former glory.

Amongst the work carried out on the boat includes the re-construction of the traditional cabin, restoring the engine and adapting the hold to form a dry learning space.

Further work will be carried out on the engine in the coming months to get it running fully again.

She said: “The volunteers have done a fantastic job. Led by Stourport Forward’s Tim Ellis and Jim Amos, volunteers have put in over 350 hours work.

“We’re hoping that the boat will join Stourport Carnival’s Boat Parade for the first time this year as well as being available free to lots of school groups during the year for storytelling, school projects and even ghost stories.”

Richard Parry added: “I first saw Bramble when I visited Stourport last Easter Monday, when she was at her mooring. It’s great to see her restored and ready to be part of Stourport Forward’s Educational offer for the first time.”

Children will be amongst the first visitors to step aboard Bramble when Stourport Forward’s education volunteers run free school days in partnership with the Canal & River Trust.

Bramble will be back in the basins for Easter Sunday, when sponsors of the restoration and visitors to the basins will be invited to step aboard to see what their donations have achieved.

Visitors will also be welcomed into the Old Ticket Office on York Street and the Stable in the basins, to find out about life on local waterways in years gone by.