I was delighted to join Polwarth Parish Church and People Know How for the launch of their All Aboard canal boat. This has been a ten year project to transform the canal side into a garden, mooring and now canal boat.

After People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church announced their partnership in 2019, they ran a pilot of consultations, events and activities on canal boats, including projects and events for young people and the community. The pilot demonstrated the importance of providing a space for wellbeing and community cohesion. In February of this year, they finalised the purchase of their own custom-built canal boat, and in June that boat was craned into the Union Canal.

The two partners are offering their boat freely to any body, group or congregation, across the City, who are already working towards similar aims in their own locations, as well as the Church’s community garden which sits along side the pontoon. I cannot wait to see how this brilliant community facility is used in the months and years to come.