About The Heulwen Trust
It began in 1975 when the Prince of Wales Committee, in partnership with The Variety Club of Great Britain, arranged for the apprentices of Cammell Laird to build a 70ft canal boat specially designed to carry disabled children. It is thought to be a world first. It was named HEULWEN, which is Welsh for ‘Sunshine’ and was launched by HRH the Prince of Wales. The scheme was set up to last ten years, after which local people would assume responsibility to continue the good work.
The Heulwen Trust was formed in 1985 to take on this task under the Chairmanship of Claude Millington (sadly he died in 2004). It continues to be enthusiastically run by a team of volunteers. Our main source of day-to-day funding is from our annual Country and Western Music Festival held in Welshpool. If you are interested in our festival please see the separate Festival website http://www.countrywestern.org.uk/. In addition, we have been lucky enough to have received legacies funding from the estates of a number of enthusiastic supporters of our work.
In 1993 we took delivery of a second 70ft narrowboat which was launched and named Heulwen II by Prince Charles in May of that year.
In 2008 Heulwen-I was more than thirty years old and becoming more and more difficult to maintain. We decided to commission a new boat and took delivery of Heulwen III, “Silver Lady”, in June 2009 (and said goodbye to Heulwen-I after 34 years of service). I wonder if any of the Cammell Laird apprentices ever realised how much pleasure their efforts had given to so many.
Contact Details
General Enquiries
INFO@HEULWENTRUST.CO.UK
Comments & Concerns
CHAIRMAN@HEULWENTRUST.CO.UK
Emergency Contact
07737 826 504
(Boats & Services Manager)
Acting Chairman
Peter Edwards
Boats & Services Manager
Gerard Linthwaite
Registered Office Address
Cadwallader & Co,
Eagle House, 25 Severn Street,
Welshpool, Powys, Wales, SY21 7AD
Charity Number
Reg: 1010813