An informal link with the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has led to the commissioning of a non-polluting, silent, electric boat for the restored section of the Canal.

There was much to celebrate on Sunday 4th November, when the Wiggonholt Association and the Wey & Arun Canal Trust finalised an agreement for the endowment of a new canal boat. The boat will hold 45 to 50 passengers and it is hoped to have facilities for the disabled. It will run on electricity, making it a green and sustainable vessel promoting the aims of both organizations to protect rural life and to encourage biodiversity and ecology, in this case of the Canal surroundings.

The boat will be named "Wiggonholt", and will carry information about the activities of the Wiggonholt Association. It should be on the Canal by the end of 2008. The boat is being sponsored by the Wiggonholt Association, including a donation from a private benefactor who is also a member, who much admires the Canal initiative and wishes at the same time to give a benefit to the Wiggonholt Association.

Peter Foulger, Chairman of the Canal Trust, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be able to commission a new "green" boat, which will not only protect the environment, but also substantially increase revenue for our charitable work. A 45-seater boat will take a full coach load, something we can't do at present because our other boats are too small."

"It is opportune that our Conservation Officer, Michael Joseph, is also a member of the Wiggonholt Association, and we will co-operate on ecological, educational and public amenity initiatives."

Dusty Miller, Chairman of Wey & Arun Enterprises Limited, the trading arm of the Canal Trust, said he was also delighted at the outcome. "We had thought of extending an existing boat, the Zachariah Keppel. When we were asked by the Wiggonholt Association if the diesel engine could be replaced by an electric one it became clear that this was impractical, hence the birth of the new boat, thanks to the Association's generous support."

Peter Flatter, Chairman of the Wiggonholt Association, noted that its committee only recently became aware of the extent of the Canal project. "There is great admiration for what has been achieved and we are pleased to be able to give our support. We hope to widen support for our own work to protect the Sussex countryside through our contacts with the Canal Trust. We also need new, younger blood to continue our fight against harmful development which has been continuous since 1996. We are passionate about our own aims and we think that many Canal Trust members will share that passion."

Further information and a picture of the signing can be obtained from the Wey & Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): email: pr@weyandarun.co.uk

For general information on the work of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, please telephone the Trust office on 01403 752403.

For information and contacts for the Wiggonholt Association, please see www.wiggonholt.org