16/01/2012 - Developers on board for canal boat appeal

DEVELOPERS at Stourport Canal Basins are the first to jump aboard the The Shuttle's Bramble Appeal by donating £1,100 to get the boat looking ship shape. 

 
Clive Fletcher Developments will be transforming the gateway to the 1934 working boat’s home with new residential and retail units at the former Lloyd’s Garage in Bridge Street. The company wanted to help preserve some of the basins’ history to tie in with the future project. During discussions with local organisations, Clive Fletcher met members of Stourport Forward and heard more about historic canal boat Bramble, which needs £7,000 of materials to restore it as a heritage treasure.
 
Following The Shuttle’s appeal, he floated the idea back to his project team. Eight staff donated £100 each and Mr Fletcher added a further £300. The money was presented to Liz Sheerin, of Stourport Forward, when she attended a project meeting on Monday. As a part of the new building, which could see a heritage/ visitor centre or museum at Bridge Street, Mr Fletcher said he would be keen to see the refurbished Bramble moored next to the finished development.
 
He added: “I am delighted that we have been able to set the Bramble project off to a flying start. We have chosen to call our proposed development ‘James Brindley Wharf’ to reflect the history and heritage of the location and the refurbishment of Bramble continues our theme. We wish them well in the project and look forward to seeing the completed boat moored in the basin alongside our completed development.”
 
Partners in the scheme, Thomas Vale Construction, are also looking at the possibility of donating construction materials to help Bramble build a place in children’s education for generations to come.
 
Pauline Annis, chairman of Stourport Forward, said: “We have been overwhelmed by such a generous donation from Clive Fletcher Developments and his partners in the Bridge Street basin project.
 
“We are looking forward with real excitement to the James Brindley Wharf development and are particularly excited to be talking with Clive and his partners about the possibility of mooring Bramble adjacent to the new development once complete.
 
“We still have a long way to go but this has been a really fantastic launch.”