AS The Bramble Appeal sails closer to the half way line in its fund-raising target, the 1934 working canal boat has moved into a dry dock for the start of her restoration.

The Shuttle’s appeal to get Bramble looking ship shape has so far raised £1,820 in cash and another £1,000 in materials, bringing us nearer to half of our £7,000 target.

Jim Amos is leading a group of volunteers which has set to work on the underneath of the boat at Stourport Canal Basins.

It has been pressure washed before being blacked with bitumen paint.

The rudder has been restored and after Bramble leaves the dry dock next week, volunteers will start rebuilding the cabin with materials donated by Thomas Vale Construction.

Then a new prop shaft will be installed.Bramble will be on show at the Stourport Basins Heritage Weekend on May 5 and 6, where visitors can talk to those involved in the project.

There will also be an opportunity to explore the tiny living quarters of Scorpio, a British Waterways historic working boat, which will also be on site for the Heritage Weekend.

It will give an indication of how Bramble would have looked in times past.

“We have been so encouraged by the support that we have received from local businesses and local people,” said Pauline Annis, chairman of Stourport Forward, which owns Bramble.

“This week, thanks to this support, we have been able to begin the work of restoring Bramble to her former glory. So far we have received or been promised £1,820 in addition to the offer of materials worth around £1,000 by Thomas Vale and we have also been offered other in kind support from many people and businesses. We would like to wholeheartedly thank The Shuttle and all their readers for their fantastic generosity.”

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.n If you can help with materials for Bramble’s refurbishment, contact Jennifer Meierhans on 01562 633346. For more details of the appeal, contact Shuttle editor Clive Joyce on 01384 358282.