Our Story

The Beginning

In the early 1980s, Charles Hogg, then Chief Executive of Clwyd Voluntary Services Council, shared a vision with local organisations: to create a charitable trust that would give disabled and disadvantaged people the opportunity to enjoy day trips and leisure breaks aboard a specially adapted narrowboat along the canals of Llangollen.

That vision became reality in March 1983, when twelve founding members established the charity, The Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust.

Around the same time, the Rainbow Trust, founded by Charles Quant in partnership with Cammell Laird Shipbuilders, offered our charity a unique opportunity. Apprentices at the shipyard would build our narrowboat as part of their final-year training, meaning we only needed to cover the cost of materials, with no labour expenses.

Fundraising began to meet the £17,000 required, and in May 1985 the Trust’s first boat, Myfanwy, was launched by Harry Secombe at the Bryn Howel Hotel. Designed as a holiday/day trip boat.

Growing the Fleet

As demand grew, particularly for day trips, plans for a second boat quickly followed. The Trustees learned of a suitable narrowboat for sale in Coventry, originally priced at £15,000. After negotiations, it was secured for £5,000, with the Coventry group receiving three one-week trips per year on Myfanwy for five years as part of the agreement.

The boat was brought back to Trevor Basin via a remarkable four-day journey along the canals, travelling day and night. Renamed Glas y Dorlan, the Welsh for Kingfisher, she was officially launched by Welsh singer Aled Jones.

In 1999, following a £130,000 grant from BBC Children in Need, the Trust commissioned a new vessel to replace Myfanwy. The steel hull was built in Barrow-in-Furness and fitted out locally at Maestermyn Marine near Whittington, the new boat, Millie, named for the Millennium, was launched in September 1999 by Les Dennis.

In later years, as resources became more limited and Millie was underused, she was sold. The proceeds funded a major refit of Glas y Dorlan in 2010.

Lady Winifred and Today

By 2018, Glas y Dorlan was again showing signs of age. A generous bequest from Mrs Winifred Hood made it possible to commission a brand-new, purpose-built boat, designed to meet the Trust’s evolving needs and constructed by Stoke Boats.

Named Lady Winifred in honour of her benefactor, the vessel was officially launched by Sir Terry Waite KCMG CBE on 30 June 2019.

Today, Lady Winifred operates seven days a week from April to October, crewed entirely by our own trained volunteers, continuing a mission that began over 40 years ago: creating unforgettable, inclusive experiences on the water.