The specially designed former passenger boat was jointly funded
by Seagull Trust Cruises and The Wooden Spoon Society, a
charity established in 1983 to work with the UK rugby community to
help disadvantaged and disabled children and young people across
Britain.
Her Royal Highness is Royal Patron of both Seagull Trust Cruises
and The Wooden Spoon Society.
Following words of welcome from Charlie Bryden, Chairman of the
Scottish National Committee of The Wooden Spoon Society, and after
listening to a short service, The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque
officially launching the new floating classroom boat, the Wooden
Spoon Seagull.
The Wooden Spoon Seagull, which will operate across the Scottish
canals, can accommodate 36 passengers and a crew of two, and is the
tenth vessel in the Seagull Trust's fleet. It is fully heated
and equipped with modern teaching aids and a full audio system to
help ensure visiting schools have a stimulating educational
experience.
In good weather, the central section of the cabin can also be
opened turning the vessel into an open air classroom.
Disabled schoolchildren will also be able to visit the wheelhouse
under supervision by using a special lift at the helm of the
boat.
Seagull Trust Cruises, which was founded in 1978, provides free
cruises for around 25,000 passengers with special needs each
year.
At the launch, Ronnie Rusack MBE, Chairman of Seagull
Trust Cruises, said:
"This is a wonderful day for Seagull Trust Cruises and indeed
myself. I have long held an ambition to build a floating classroom
which would help get children out of the classroom and into the
environment, particularly onto the Scottish canals.
"The canals are such a fantastic learning environment. Over two
hundred years old, they are rich with heritage, full of wildlife
and the locks, bridges and, of course, the magnificent Falkirk
Wheel, are great examples of science and technology in
action.
"Teachers have been increasingly interested in using the Scottish
canals as a learning resource and we have already had a great deal
of interest in the new floating classroom. It is a really exciting
and innovative educational opportunity which can also be coupled
with some of the other excellent educational programmes already on
offer across the canals such as those at The Falkirk Wheel and on
the Caledonian Canal."
Charlie Bryden, Chairman of the Scottish National
Committee of Wooden Spoon, added:
"Four years ago Ronnie Rusack first made contact with us to
inquire whether or not we could help fund this project. It
wasn't a difficult decision for us to make, because in addition to
ticking all of our criteria boxes in regard to the support of
disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, it was also
pleasing to be able to help progress the great work and enterprise
of recent decades that has gone into enriching lives through the
restoration of the country's waterways.
"Over that period of time much has been done to encourage
involvement with local canals and waterways through programmes
relating to outdoor activity, local history, community arts and the
natural environment.
"The fact that a significant number of disabled and disadvantaged
young people will also participate and benefit from these
programmes as a result of Wooden Spoon's contribution of £50,000 is
heartening."
The Wooden Spoon Seagull, which is Marine Coastguard Agency
licensed, will be available for educational trips on the Lowland
canals, the Forth & Clyde and Union, and the Caledonian
Canal in the Highlands.
For further information, contact woodenspoon@seagulltrustcruises.org.uk
-ends-