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Current News and Events
Father and Son Aim for African Summit to Improve Disabled Access to the River Tay - News Release 12th October 2009
A former Royal Navy officer and his son embark for Central Africa later this month to raise funds for an ambitious project that will revolutionise access for disabled anglers and others to the Tay, one of Scotland's greatest rivers and its tributaries. Jim and David McDonald aim to raise at least £5,000 by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent's highest peak at 19,360 ft. The monies raised will boost the River Tay Wheelyboat Appeal, being launched to provide specialist boats for the disabled to enjoy fishing and other activities such as nature watching on the river.
Jim McDonald, who lives at Scone and now works as a part-time ghillie on the Rivers Tay and Earn, explained: “During almost four decades in the Navy, salmon angling trips during periods of leave were always something to look forward to. However, as a serviceman one was always intensely aware of colleagues and friends suffering permanent injuries and thus becoming disabled. There is absolutely no reason why they and indeed so many other disabled people from all walks of life should not also be able to enjoy the great pleasure of spending time fishing or indulging in other pastimes on the Tay. Wheelyboats, with their unique design, make such access possible”.
Lieutenant McDonald added: “Over the past few weeks my son and I have been training intensively for the tough challenge ahead by tackling many of Perthshire's peaks including Ben Lawers, Ben Vorlich, Ben Chonzie and Ben Vrackie”.
Lorna Bromley-Martin, Development Manager for the Tay Foundation which is running the Wheelyboat Appeal, commented: “Jim and David's initiative looks set to kickstart this particularly worthwhile project, which will transform access for the less able-bodied to the River Tay and its tributaries. We wish them all good fortune with their adventure and hope that as many individuals and organisations as possible will give them the financial support that they deserve”.
The Appeal has a target of at least £50,000 - not only to purchase Coulam 16 Wheelyboats for disabled people but also to endow a fund for the ongoing servicing and running costs of the project and the provision of specially designated supervisory staff.
Jim and David McDonald depart on October 24. Further details of the Kilimanjaro climb, for which six days have been allocated, are available at www.tayfoundation.org. Online donations may be made on the Tay Foundation Page of “Justgiving.com” - www.justgiving.com/rivertayfoundation.
Moc Morgan launches Llandegfedd Reservoir Mk III
Welsh angling legend Moc Morgan launched Llandegfedd Reservoir's new Mk III Wheelyboat on March 25th. Designed to provide disabled people with hassle-free and independent access to the water, it joins the fleet of angling boats and is the 125th Wheelyboat to be supplied by The Wheelyboat Trust.
Llandegfedd is owned by Welsh Water and run by United Utilities Operational Services and is the largest trout fishery in south Wales. It is close to the conurbations of Newport and Cardiff and only 15 minutes from the M4. Its 430 acres offer excellent fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout, is home to an abundance of wildlife and has been classified a SSSI for overwintering wildfowl.
The new Wheelyboat has been funded by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. It replaces the original Mk I Wheelyboat situated at Llandegfedd for many years and now at the end of its useful life.
(l to r) Andy Beadsley (Director, Wheelyboat Trust), Richard Poole and Wendy Hamer-Harries (Welsh Water), Moc Morgan (Welsh S&TA)
Bernard Cribbins becomes a Patron of the Trust
Well-loved character actor of cinema, stage, TV and radio, musical comedian and passionate angler, Bernard Cribbins, has joined the Trust's illustrious list of Patrons. Bernard's connection with the charity goes right back to its beginning – he was present at the launch with HRH Prince Charles at Fishmongers' Hall in 1985. In more recent years Bernard has been presenting the Alan Faulkner Memorial Award at the CLA Game Fair and helped raise funds for the Wheelyboat at Bushyleaze Trout Fishery.
Andy Beadsley, Director, said ‘This excellent news is long overdue. Bernard has been a loyal supporter from the outset and the Trust is honoured to have him on board as its newest Patron.’
Bernard presenting this year's Alan Faulkner Memorial Award
Fiona Armstrong launches Castle Loch Mk III
Scotland's newest wheelchair accessible Wheelyboat “Willan Ahoy” was launched on Castle Loch, Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire on 30th October by TV's Fiona Armstrong, ably assisted by Martin Mitchell, Fishery Manager and John Hood, Field Officer for the Wheelyboat Trust. Also in attendance were Shona Warwick and Donald Paterson from Barony College, Mark Alton and John Rae from the Professional Anglers Association and Ross Gemmell from Annandale and Eskdale Ranger Service. Fiona also did a short news item on the boat and its use, which was aired on Border TV's evening news.
Castle Loch, Scotland's Premier coarse fishery, with many Scottish records, is an ideal venue for the new Mk III Wheelyboat. Its primary use will be for fishing but there have already been enquiries from other sectors wishing to use the boat for nature watching and boat trips. Martin Mitchell is keen to get the boat used by as many different groups as often as possible and will be promoting its use at shows and fairs throughout the Dumfries and Galloway area and further afield. As well as Fishery Manager at Castle Loch, Martin runs courses at Barony College and the boat will be used by its disabled students as an educational resource providing them with access to the loch and other local waters.
Funding for the purchase of the Mk III was generously donated by Peter Willan through the Willan Charitable Trust. Mr Willan, who regularly supports causes for disabled people, was delighted to help with this project. He is a keen angler and hopes the new Wheelyboat will encourage more disabled people to take up the activity.
The Wheelyboat Trust's Mk III Wheelyboat, with its bow door that lowers to form a ramp, is a multi purpose boat that can be used by individuals or groups of up to five adult wheelchair users, for fishing, pleasure boating or nature watching. The boat is also well suited as a trip boat or small ferry, benefiting a broader spectrum of disabled people across a wide range of waters. Its open level deck provides access to all corners of the boat and enables disabled people to helm the boat themselves if they wish. The Wheelyboat solves the problem of access faced by many disabled people on and around water – it is simplicity itself to board, provides a safe and stable platform and enables disabled people to participate in waterborne activities alongside and on equal terms with their able bodied counterparts.
(l to r) Martin Mitchell, anonymous camera man, John Hood, John Rae, Fiona Armstrong, Shona Warwick, Don Paterson, Mark Alton
Trust wins Most Innovative Product Award at the CLA Game Fair
A new award for the Most Innovative Product on show at the CLA Game Fair (Blenheim Palace, July 25th to 27th) has been won by The Wheelyboat Trust for its latest Wheelyboat model – the Coulam 16 Wheelyboat.
Jointly developed by The Wheelyboat Trust and JM Coulam Boatbuilders, the Coulam 16 Wheelyboat is a purpose-built fishing boat that provides disabled anglers with step-free access on board via bank or pontoon. The design is based on Jim Coulam's standard 16' reservoir fishing boat with some ingenious modifications incorporated during construction. For the first time, disabled anglers have the use of an accessible boat that looks and performs like all the other boats in the fleet. Indeed, even though it has been modified to provide hassle-free wheelchair access, it is a boat that anyone can use with no diminution in performance compared to standard boats in the fleet. It is a genuinely dual-purpose craft – a boat that can be used on exactly the same terms by any angler, disabled or not.
The first production model was purchased by Anglian Water plc for use on Rutland Water. The Trust is delighted to have won the award. Andy Beadsley, Director, said ‘This new Wheelyboat ticks all the boxes in terms of accessibility, looks and performance. Disabled anglers have long been waiting for a boat that competes on equal terms with those their able bodied counterparts use. We must thank Jim Coulam for his expertise and enthusiasm which was fundamental in turning the design from idea into reality’.
Vincent Hedley Lewis (left), Chairman of the CLA Game Fair Committee, and Jonny Beardsall (right) present Andy Beadsley, Director of The Wheelyboat Trust, with the CLA Game Fair's Most Innovative Product award.
HRH Prince Philip visits Wheelyboat Trust stand at CLA Game Fair
The Trust was honoured to receive a visit from Prince Philip who admired the two Wheelyboats on show including the award winning Coulam 16 Wheelyboat.
Prince Philip inspects the award winning Wheelyboat with Andy Beadsley and Vincent Hedley Lewis.
Coulam 16 Wheelyboat launched on Rutland Water
The first production model of the Coulam 16 Wheelyboat has been purchased by Anglian Water and was officially launched at Rutland Water on 4th April. A crowd of well wishers had gathered and heard Jake Williams and Jon Marshall of Anglian Water and Andy Beadsley of The Wheelyboat Trust thank all those concerned for their help bringing the project to fruition. Particular praise went to the CLA Charitable Trust for funding the boat's development from concept to prototype and to Jim Coulam for his enthusiasm and dedication to the project. Andy Beadsley said that it had always been a goal of his since becoming Director of the Trust to develop a portfolio of different craft that met particular needs and requirements rather than being limited to a one-size-fits-all solution. This new boat was a significant step towards that aim and he hoped it would be the first of many on waters across the UK.
Ray Prince (Trustee, Wheelyboat Trust), Jim Coulam (boat's builder), Danny Peet (Trustee, Wheelyboat Trust), John Seaton (Rutland Water Ranger), Jake Williams (Anglian Water), Jon Marshall (Anglian Water), Andy Beadsley (Director, Wheelyboat Trust).
Danny Peet and Jon Marshall discuss the merits of the boat's boarding arrangement.
The boat will provide access to the reservoir's excellent trout fishing. It means that disabled anglers finally have hassle-free use of a boat that looks and performs like all the other boats in the angling fleet. They can truly fish on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts. While the Mk II Wheelyboat has been available on Rutland since 2005, some anglers feel conspicuous and at a disadvantage using it. This new boat not only means and end to the undignified manhandling of disabled anglers in and out of standard boats, but also brings relief to the fishery staff and their bad backs!
For more info on the Coulam 16 Wheelyboat click here.
Please take time to look at our earlier news and events and the current and past editions of the Waterwheels newsletter.