From Flowerpot to Rowing Dinghy
22 June 2012
We acquired an old row boat here at the Trust which for a year we used as a planter for herbs and nectar rich plants in our wildlife garden. Last summer we decided that we wanted more space in the garden and so the boat needed a new home. In June it was taken on by Eva and Bernard Batchelor who have lovingly restored it to seaworthiness.
In Bernard's own words:
“I undertook the refurbishment of the dinghy as a winter project in my garage. I cleaned and recycled as much of the original woodwork as possible including the oars. Everywhere else I used second-hand timber emulating in my small way the ideals of the Olympic Boat Project at Emsworth. All the paint came from left over tins which I had lying around in the garage, the biggest problem I had was to get rid of the residue dirt and soil left over after its life as a flowerpot. The only changes I made were to build in extra buoyancy under the stern seat otherwise it is the same as it always was. She now needs a new name to reflect her regained status in life back on the water.”
If you can think of a good name for this little boat then please let us know. You can do so either through our facebook page or by emailing stephw@hwt.org.uk.
