It will be all aboard for a special 'coronation' launch celebration along the canal at Portland Basin this Bank Holiday Monday (8 May).

The unique event will mark the official launch of the refitted East Manchester Community Boat Project passenger narrowboat Community Spirit 2, plus mark a moorings swap.

Gone is the former diesel engine from ‘CS2’, having been replaced with an environmentally-friendly method of propulsion, battery power via an electric motor.

However, the refit necessitated the installation of a charging point at Portland Basin, which was not possible where CS2 was moored.

Requiring a charging point closer to the museum, East Manchester Community Boat Project asked Sanctuary Housing for permission to install a charging point at the wharf entrance to the museum.

The only stumbling block however was that Tameside Canal Boat Trust’s passenger narrowboat Stillwaters was currently moored where the new charging point needed to go, so East Manchester Community Boat Project asked it they could swap moorings, which, after careful consideration TCBT Trustees agreed to.

Monday’s celebration will mark the official swapping of moorings and launch of the newly converted ‘CS2’ as well being a thank you to all involved in making it happen.

Dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and Civic Mayor of Tameside are due to attend the ‘launch’ ceremony at around 11.30am with everyone welcome to watch.

Monday will also mark the ‘Big Help Out’ in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III, with all volunteers who would like to get involved with EMCB welcome along on the day.

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