![\"NWM](\"https:\/\/www.canaljunction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/02\/nwm_grant3.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nA wooden ‘short boat’ is to be restored back to full working condition to act as a floating learning centre on the Leeds & Liverpool canal thanks to a\u00a0HLF grant to the National Waterways Museum.<\/p>\n
\u00a3790,300 has been granted from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) – plus match funding of over \u00a350,000 from the Wolfson Foundation \u2013 to projects at the Canal & River Trust (CRT) National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.<\/p>\n
It will fund three key initiatives getting underway early in 2015 as part of the museum\u2019s \u2018Window on the World\u2019 project.<\/p>\n
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The first strand will see new exhibitions and interactive displays created, including hands on activities for visitors of all ages, on the currently derelict historic slipway which occupies a unique position overlooking the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal.<\/p>\n
The other elements of the project will see the restoration of two of the most nationally important boats in the museum\u2019s collection \u2013 Mossdale<\/em> and George<\/em>.<\/p>\n Mossdale<\/em> is one of the last remaining all-wooden Mersey Flats, given to the museum by one of its founders, the late hotel boat operator Peter Froud. It will be preserved, displayed and interpreted at the museum.<\/p>\n George is<\/em> a rare-surviving horse-drawn Leeds & Liverpool Canal \u2018short boat\u2019. It will be restored back to full working condition and used to offer a varied programme of activities and unique learning opportunities as part of a community outreach and education project on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and at the Museum during the winter months.<\/p>\n Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: \u201cThanks to money raised by National Lottery players we\u2019ve been able to fund a number of projects exploring the North West\u2019s waterways. We\u2019re delighted to help secure the future of two of Ellesmere Port\u2019s nationally important historic vessels and provide a fascinating gateway into their heritage and importance to the region\u2019s rich industrial history.\u201d<\/p>\n CRT chief executive Richard Parry, said: “I am delighted that our partners at HLF continue to recognise the importance and historic significance of the UK\u2019s canal network.\u00a0 This grant will see over \u00a32.6m HLF committed investment into our waterway network\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This grant is the third made by HLF to CRT projects in recent weeks following those for the Gloucester Waterways Museum (\u00a3994,000) and the Grantham Canal restoration (\u00a3830,500).<\/p>\n