DEVELOPERS at Stourport Canal Basins are the first to jump aboard our Bramble Appeal by donating £1,100 to get the boat looking ship shape.

Clive Fletcher Developments will be transforming the gateway to the 1934 working boat’s home with new residential and retail units at the former Lloyd’s Garage in Bridge Street.

The company wanted to help preserve some of the basins’ history to tie in with the future project.

During discussions with local organisations, Clive Fletcher met members of Stourport Forward and heard more about historic canal boat Bramble, which needs £7,000 of materials to restore it as a heritage treasure.

Following The Shuttle’s appeal, he floated the idea back to his project team.

Eight staff donated £100 each and Mr Fletcher added a further £300.

The money was presented to Liz Sheerin, of Stourport Forward, when she attended a project meeting on Monday.

As a part of the new building, which could see a heritage/ visitor centre or museum at Bridge Street, Mr Fletcher said he would be keen to see the refurbished Bramble moored next to the finished development.

He added: “I am delighted that we have been able to set the Bramble project off to a flying start.

“We have chosen to call our proposed development ‘James Brindley Wharf’ to reflect the history and heritage of the location and the refurbishment of Bramble continues our theme.

We wish them well in the project and look forward to seeing the completed boat moored in the basin alongside our completed development.”

Partners in the scheme, Thomas Vale Construction, are also looking at the possibility of donating construction materials to help Bramble build a place in children’s education for generations to come.

Pauline Annis, chairman of Stourport Forward, said: “We have been overwhelmed by such a generous donation from Clive Fletcher Developments and his partners in the Bridge Street basin project.

“We are looking forward with real excitement to the James Brindley Wharf development and are particularly excited to be talking with Clive and his partners about the possibility of mooring Bramble adjacent to the new development once complete.

“We have been really heartened by the positive response to this appeal during the first week and would like to thank The Shuttle and everyone who has responded to the Bramble Appeal so far.

“We still have a long way to go but this has been a really fantastic launch.”

Ways to jump aboard our Bramble Appeal:

•If you or your school or group can organise a fund-raising event, contact The Shuttle and we will help publicise it by featuring it in our weekly coverage of the appeal.

• If you wish to send a donation, make cheques payable to Stourport Forward Limited and send them to Jennifer Meierhans, at The Shuttle, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY10 2DY.

Please include your contact details as Stourport Forward would like to respond with letters of thanks to all those supporting the appeal.

• If you can help with materials for Bramble’s refurbishment, contact Jennifer Meierhans on 01562 633346.

For more details, contact Shuttle editor Clive Joyce on 01384 358282.