Uplifting Boat Trip Is Just The Ticket For Cheshire Care Home Residents

Four residents from Elm House, the CLS-run care home in Nantwich, Cheshire, took to the water to enjoy an educational trip to the Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich. Once aboard, residents were treated to a history of the boat lift and surrounding area, while voyaging between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey canal.

Dorothy Knowles (93), Marjorie Basford (86), Barbara Jones (85), and Marion Fleet (78) cruised down the River Weaver before riding on the Anderton Boat Lift inside a fully-accessible glass-top barge, specially designed to allow passengers to view the lift’s extraordinary Victorian engineering.

During their journey, the residents learnt more about the 50-ft lift and Northwich’s history as one of Cheshire’s famous ‘salt towns’. Once they had ascended to the Trent & Mersey canal, residents toured an interactive exhibition focusing on the lives of those who designed, built and worked alongside this mighty structure.

Elm House resident Barbara Jones, who last visited the lift when her sons were in the scouts, commented on the trip: “I enjoyed getting out on the water and having the chance to go back to the boat lift after such a long time. It was very interesting to see how everything worked from the boat and learning more about how the lift was used.”

Steve Maddock, Home Manager at Elm House, added: “We always endeavour to offer residents at Elm House engaging activities and days out, and the trip to the Anderton Boat Lift was no exception. It was fantastic to see everyone in high spirits after the trip and talking about it for days after.”