Princess Anne made waves in Tameside after attending the 30th anniversary of a community boating project, part funded by the Jigsaw Foundation.
The Princess Royal attended the East Manchester Community Boat Project at Portland Basin in Ashton-under-Lyne to take a look at ‘Community Spirit 2’, a local electrically propelled narrow boat in shipshape condition designed with disabled people in mind.
The project, which has been smooth sailing since 1994, received £5,000 over two years in funding from the Jigsaw Foundation, and the boat recently reached a landmark 50,000 passengers.
Ivan Wright, Jigsaw’s Operations Director of Neighbourhoods, had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne and even discussed social housing at the event, which was also attended by The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and the Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Tafheen Sharif.
This project will be completed at the end of summer and is already well used by Jigsaw’s residents, especially in the Over 55’s schemes.
All Jigsaw residents in Ashton can use Community Spirit and the project will enable 500 people to become lifelong members and assist the boat as crew or book various trips out over a two-year period. No previous experience or skills are necessary.
Training events take place on the boat with qualified trainers every Monday throughout the year and leisure trips also operate from Tuesday to Sunday.
The project is a national accredited award-winning training centre and members can even receive skill related certificates to build confidence, enhance wellbeing and upskill.
