The Wheelyboat Trust

The Wheelyboat Trust is a small national charity dedicated to providing disabled people with hassle-free access to waterborne activities such as angling, pleasure boating and nature watching.  Formed in 1985 as The Handicapped Anglers Trust, it has so far supplied 125 specially designed wheelchair accessible Wheelyboats to fisheries, water parks and other venues open to the public all over the UK.

The Trust’s principal role is to promote and provide Wheelyboats to fisheries and other venues enabling them to accommodate the needs of their disabled visitors.  We can help these venues acquire their own Wheelyboat by fundraising to discount its cost.

The features that make Wheelyboats ideal for angling also make them ideal for pleasure boating and nature watching and, consequently, the Trust is keen to meet the demand for Wheelyboats wherever it exists.  Nowadays, 50% of the Wheelyboats we supply are used for activities other than fishing and as a consequence we are making a bigger impact and benefiting larger numbers of disabled people.

The Trust’s most versatile Wheelyboat to date is the Mk III.  Its design is very straightforward and has many of the features found in its two predecessors, the most notable being the hinged bow which lowers to form a ramp.  Its shallow draught means it can be driven ashore for boarding and disembarking directly from the bank or a slipway.  The flat deck ensures its disabled users can reach all corners of the boat enabling them to helm the boat independently without having to rely on help from others.  In standard boats, wheelchair users need lifting in and out and once on board are completely reliant on a boat partner.  In a Wheelyboat, however, disabled people can do everything for themselves and are thus provided with a measure of dignity and independence not available from other craft.  

The Trust supplies three models at present with more on the drawing board.  We are developing a portfolio of craft suited to different activities.  Our latest models are two specialist angling boats developed in conjunction with JM Coulam Boatbuilders.  The Coulam 15 Wheelyboat is a purpose-built river fishing boat and was designed for large game rivers like the Tweed.  The Coulam 16 Wheelyboat is a larger version of the 15 and is ideal for fishing on large stillwaters where the handling, looks and performance of the standard fishing boat it is based on are important to its disabled users.  This model won the CLA Game Fair’s Most Innovative Product Award.

The South West is the busiest region in the UK for the Trust and new Wheelyboats are being launched all the time.  For the latest list of venues and for more information on the work of the Trust, visit the website or contact the Director.  The Wheelyboat Trust is a registered charity and relies upon the generosity of charitable organisations, companies and individuals to enable it to continue providing this important service on behalf of disabled people.  Donations can be made via the Trust’s website:
www.wheelyboats.org

Wheelyboats are hired like any other angling boat except that venues tend to prefer at least 24 hours notice for a booking.
THE WHEELYBOAT TRUST
Reg charity 292216

Andy Beadsley, Director
North Lodge, Burton Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0JT,
Tel/fax: 01798 342222,
e-mail [email protected]
www.wheelyboats.org

Rex Harpham, SW Regional Coordinator
22 Chollacott Close, Whitchurch Road, Tavistock, PL19 9BW
Tel: 01822 615953

Wheelyboat venues in the region...
Avon
Blagdon Lake, Blagdon 01275 332339        Trout fishing    www.bristol-water.co.uk
Chew Valley Lake, Chew Magna 01275 332339    Trout fishing    www.bristol-water.co.uk
Cornwall
Siblyback Reservoir, Liskeard 01209 860301        Trout fishing, nature watching    www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Stithians Reservoir, Redruth 01209 860301        Trout fishing, nature watching    www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Devon
Roadford Lake, Okehampton 01409 211507        Trout fishing, nature watching    www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Wistlandpound Reservoir, Barnstaple 01598 763221    Trout fishing, nature watching    www.swlakestrust.org.uk
Dorset
River Frome, Wareham 01929 550688    Coarse fishing, pleasure boating        www.warehamboathire.co.uk
Gloucs
Bushyleaze Trout Fishery, Lechlade 01367 253266    Trout fishing    www.lechladetrout.co.uk
Somerset
Clatworthy Reservoir, Taunton 01984 624658        Trout fishing    www.wessexwater.co.uk
Sutton Bingham Reservoir, Yeovil 01935 872389    Trout fishing, nature watching    www.wessexwater.co.uk
Wimbleball Reservoir, Brompton Regis 01398 371372    Trout fishing, nature watching    www.swlakestrust.org.uk