Ian and his mates bought the wooden boat Spey in 1971. They have managed, for a fraction of the cost museums seem to think it takes, to maintain her in a usable state ever since. They are having to augment the members and replace timbers they originally replaced back in the early '70s. Spey won the Keay Award for most improved wooden boat in 2019 in recognition of its owners continuous work in keeping the boat up to standard over many years.
Ian has been an active canal volunteer for most of his life, firstly with the Peak Forest CS, then WRG NW and lately with Canal & River Trust.
Ian has been elected as volunteer appointee to the Council of the Trust for two terms, and is a member of the Navigation Advisory Group and sits on the stoppage and dredging sub committees.
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