Urgent appeal launched to save The Heulwen Trust

An urgent appeal has been launched to ensure the survival of the Heulwen Trust - a charity offering less abled people free trips along the Welshpool canal.

The appeal follows news of the retirement of the trust’s long-standing chairman, its captain and other officers.

Having successfully re-staged its annual Country and Western Music Festival following the two-year pandemic shut down its chairman David Corfield is standing down. Mr Corfield has not only lead the trust but been seen as its driving force for many years, personally ensuring its existence and the continuity of its boat trips.

The skipper Robin Smith is also set for retirement, leaving the trust desperately short of volunteers.
“As it will be impossible to find any single person to replace the chairman the trust is appealing to everyone with an interest in canal trips for the less abled and time well spent in operating our boats to offer their services as volunteers,” said a spokesman.
“Due to other retirements there are also roles available for secretary, treasurer, recruitment officer, co-ordinator, boat drivers and crew to assist the skipper and volunteers with engineering skills.

“Only by sharing David’s past role between sufficient numbers of volunteers can we  ensure both the future of the trust and each other’s satisfaction when contributing to its work for the less abled.
“In the period prior to Robin’s departure he and others will be on hand to assist in any necessary boat handling and daily maintenance training and arrangements will be made for the licencing of new skippers,” added the spokesman.
“Fortunately Heulwen Trust has a sound financial basis and in consequence we are minded to replace our present boats at an early opportunity with more modern, attractive craft better able to cope with local canal conditions They will be easier and more convenient to operate, requiring less maintenance and more suited to improving the on-board experience of our passengers.

“Our new volunteers will be expected to participate in all such future decisions.”

Anyone interested is invited to attend a meeting at 7-30pm on Tuesday, September 13 at the home of Heulwen Trust trustees Pat and Ryta Ward at Highfield Grange, Rhallt Lane, Welshpool, SY21 9HS.

More information is also available by calling 07802 622699.