WHITE ROSE 43 - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

SAFE ANCHOR LADYTAKES TO THECANALS IN STYLE . . .A MAJOR grant of £25,000 from the PGM’sFund, has allowed the award-winning SafeAnchor Trust to complete the fitting out ofits new canal boat Safe Anchor Lady.Whereas the other three passengerboats of the Trust’s fleet have beenobtained second hand and modified, SafeAnchor Lady (or SAL as she isaffectionately known), is a new build,designed by the Trust’s boat committee, toaccommodate its special-needspassenger groups.Built at Tyler Wilson in Sheffield as a “sailaway” ie. covered hull with engine, SAL hasnow been fitted out to the higheststandards by the Trust’s volunteertradesmen and is berthed on the Calderand Hebble canal at Shepley BridgeMarina in Mirfield.Using Safe Anchor volunteers, around£60,000 has been saved in constructionfrom the total cost of £175,000. Les Moss,chair of the Trustees, said: “The fundingprovided by The Freemasons of WestYorkshire was invaluable in helping us toachieve our goal of providing safe accessto our waterways for special needs groups,which may otherwise have beenunattainable.”SAL is a broad beam canal boat, withcomfortable seating for 12 passengers andhas a fully fitted galley, disabled toilet andshower room and an electric lift to handlethe largest wheelchairs.The Safe Anchor Trust has 104 unpaidvolunteers, which enables 100% offundraising to go into the service itprovides.The Trust’s emphasis is on providingaccess to the waterways for special needsgroups, those with health and mobilityproblems and socially disadvantagedgroups, in order to maintain or improve thehealth of their users.Volunteer crews work in shifts, sevendays a week during the season March toOctober and the three boats can be outfrom 9.00am to dusk with several cruises aday. In 2010, cruises were provided for 248different groups, totalling 16,113passengers. Since The Safe Anchor Trust’sinception some 15 years ago, over 100,000passengers have been carried, illustratingthe continuing need for this worthwhilecharity.This is a community activity for whichthere is no charge, but donations arewelcome and generally freely given byvisiting groups. The Trust’s work has beenrecognised as one of only five charities inWest Yorkshire to be awarded the Duke ofYork’s Community Initiative and Queen’sJubilee Award.Forthcoming Open Days are on 4/5 Juneat Shepley Bridge Marina, Mirfield, WF179HR, when short free trips will be availablefor visitors. Free trips are also available atthe WW2 Festival at Thwaites Mill, Leedson 19 June. Brethren and their families aremost welcome.Tel: 0113 2567021Fax: 0113 2566600www.active-workwear.com22