Over 500 people aged 50 and over in Swansea will benefit from free River Tawe cruises this summer.
The sailings aboard the Copper Jack vessel run by the Swansea Community Boat Trust are being funded by Swansea Council through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. They also form part of the council’s ageing well initiative.
Each trip – which lasts 90 minutes – goes from Swansea Marina and along the River Tawe to the area of the Bascule Bridge and back.
Fourteen free trips each carrying 40 people are taking place for over 50s until the end of September. Those who benefit also get a free cup of tea, a coffee or a soft drink on board, as well as an illustrated talk about Swansea’s rich industrial history.
All August places are booked and places on September trips are filling-up fast.
The Swansea Community Boat Trust is a registered charity run by volunteers.
Chairman Mark Whalley said: “We’ve operated our highly successful cuppa and a chat sailings for a number of years, and the funding from the council means we’re able to put on 14 free sailings for the over 50s this summer.
“The trips are a great opportunity for people to socialise, find out about Swansea’s industrial heritage and see our city from a different perspective along the River Tawe.
“I’d urge anyone over 50 who’s interested in joining us on one of our September sailings to book a place as soon as possible because the trips are extremely popular.”
Head to www.scbt.org.uk for more information and the chance to explore availability.
The Swansea Community Boat Trust also now has a licence to use a new pontoon that’s been put in place at the River Tawe, close to the historic Hafod Morfa Copperworks site.
Final safety works are now taking place there to enable the Copper Jack to soon use the pontoon.
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The River Tawe has been at the heart of Swansea life for centuries, and we’re doing all we can to bring it back into use for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the city.
“The Swansea Community Boat Trust should be applauded for their work and we’re delighted that the grant we’ve awarded has enabled them to put on so many free river trips for people aged 50 and over this summer.
“When the final pontoon works are finished, they’ll also mean Copper Jack passengers will be able to explore the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks as part of their river trips.
“This will be a further boost for a site where a huge amount of preservation has taken place in recent years, which is part of our commitment to celebrate and conserve Swansea’s rich history.”
