What is the Saturn Project?   
Me neither.  Coming back from Chester last week on the narrowboat we met several boats heading towards the big 'meet' in Chester, including a lady with a collecting box who told me all about this worthwhile project:


Saturn is a unique canal narroboat.  She is the last horse-drawn Shropshire Union Canal Fly-boat in the world - originally built to travel non-stop, day andnight, carrying perishable goods.  Built in 1906, she has bee fully restored to her former glory; not only to preserve her for posterity but to educate present and future generations about our waterways, narrowboats and horse-boating.


The Saturn Project is a partnership between the Shoprshire Union Fly-boat Restoration Society - a voluntary charitable group - and British Waterways Wales & Border Counties Waterways (see: http://www.saturnflyboat.org.uk/, 
http://hnbc.org.uk/boats/saturn and 
http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/2038/saturn).

Here's a photo of Saturn in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je7HLnLgDW4



Incidentally there's now the new Canal & River Trust (http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/).  Our 2,000 miles of canals and rivers are a national treasure - a key part of our heritage and a haven for people and wildlife.  The Trust is embarking on 50 projects across England and Wales - transforming towpaths, replanting river banks and restoring precious habitat so wildlife can thrive.  These projects will revitalise the canals and rivers and protect them for generations to come.

Becoming a Friend (from £3) enables you to get

• 'Cool Canals' guidebook
• Friends card, giving discounts at many museums and attractions
• Enamel pin badge
• Regular magazine
• Email updates
• The chance to get involved in fundraising and/or to volunteer

A Family Friend (from £5)also gets Exciting kitds' pack, including stickers, a sketch book and a compass.