Name Forget Me Not

Built in 1927 at Lees & Atkins Boatyard in Polesworth, Staffordshire, FORGET ME NOT was a horse drawn barge, fitted with a Bolinder semi diesel engine in 1929. This was replaced with a four cylinder petrol/paraffin engine in 1959. Her hull is of wooden carvel construction Her original owner, Henry Grantham, worked her from Coventry to the works of John Dickinson in Hemel Hempstead carrying coal until 1938, when he lost the contract to the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company. The firm of Samuel Barlow bought her in 1941 and renamed her SARAH. In 1959 she was sold to Dick Evans who converted her to a live aboard vessel and she was based at Burghfield on the River Kennet until 1971. There was a gap in her history until 1977 when she was to be found at David Jones Boatyard in Chester. She was eventually bought in 1987 by the Wooden Canal Craft Trust to be rebuilt to her original design. On Friday 23 November 2006, FORGET ME NOT and LILITH participated in the Bugsworth protest rally against British Waterways funding cuts held over the weekend of 24 - 25 November. In the same year, gunwales were fitted to the back end of the hold, and one of the top bends was due for renewal. New cloths of good quality cotton tarpaulin were donated. The back bulkhead of the cabin was tidied up, sanded down and primed, ready for painting a new mosque when the weather improved. The cabin paintwork was also smartened up. FORGET ME NOT'S back cabin was no longer used as a brew hut and she was put on public view.