Belong Atherton takes to the waterways

A group of residents from Belong Atherton have proved you’re never too old to try something new, taking their first canal cruise, on The Rose of Parbold, a specially designed accessible barge.
The group, who have a combined age of 745 years, took a trip together up the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, starting in Parbold, Wigan and stopping off for a picnic in the sun by the lock. Most of the party, who live at Belong Atherton, had never been on a barge before, but all agreed that it was a very enjoyable experience and one that they'd love to do again.
Emily Galloway, who lives in Belong Atherton, said of the trip: "We couldn't have asked for better weather on the day. It was lovely getting out and seeing the countryside."
Designed to meet the needs of people with mobility restrictions, the barge is operated by the Rose of Parbold Association charity, with entry by ramp and wheelchair access throughout.
Nicola Beaver, Experience Coordinator at Belong Atherton, said: "We do everything we can to ensure that people living in Belong Atherton get to pursue new interests. Because so many people in the village have grown up near canals, we talked about taking a barge trip. The Rose of Parbold was exactly what we needed to have a fabulous day out."

Emily Galloway is pictured on The Rose of Parbold, with Assistant Support Worker, Jordan Keegan, from Belong Atherton.