Whaley Bridge’s Judith Mary II boat no longer for sale as vaccine brings ‘light’

The owners of Whaley Bridge’s famous tourist canal boat Judith Mary II have removed her from sale after the vaccine announcement gave them light at the end of a ‘very dark tunnel’.
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In October Suzy Kelsall, 50, who has worked on the business with dad Allen Kelsall since she was 13, put the boat on the market.

She told how, having not sailed since March 17, and unable to accommodate pensioner canal trips - their main source of income – under social-distancing they had decided to call it a day.

However with a vaccine roll-out beginning within weeks Suzy, 50, says the family 'have to carry on now’.

Suzy Kelsall, second left, onboard the Judith Mary II in 2013 - with Pete Croucher, left, Joy Goodwin, and Allen Kelsall, rightSuzy Kelsall, second left, onboard the Judith Mary II in 2013 - with Pete Croucher, left, Joy Goodwin, and Allen Kelsall, right
Suzy Kelsall, second left, onboard the Judith Mary II in 2013 - with Pete Croucher, left, Joy Goodwin, and Allen Kelsall, right

She said: “Before there was just no hope but when the news of the vaccine came we thought maybe we can just sit it out - it was a little chink of light that maybe we could survive this.”

The Judith Mary Restaurant Boat has been taking coachloads of pensioners and other tourists on trips along the Peak Forest Canal since 1982 from its moorings at the Whaley Bridge basin.

However the business failed to qualify for most of the Government’s Covid-19 support packages - apart from a £5,000 discretionary grant and lost 200 coach bookings this year.

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Whaley Bridge’s Judith Mary Restaurant Boat calls it a day after 38 years
The Judith Mary IIThe Judith Mary II
The Judith Mary II

But ‘optimistic’ Suzie described how - since the vaccine announcement - she had already taken 50-60 bookings from coach companies.

She hopes to be able to keep the boat afloat until she can sail again in the late spring or summer by offering takeaways at the canal basin - where visitors can enjoy a bacon butty in the fresh air.

She said: “Unfortunately a lot of other canal boats have gone out of business so we’re lucky to have all our past customers.

“I think if can keep going through January and February enough to pay the bills then things will get better in March when the weather picks up and people can come to the basin for takeaways.”

Judith Mary Restaurant Boat plan to reopen for takeaways at the basin for three weekends in December - starting on December 5 and 6.

They are also planning a festive Christmas Eve opening - serving mulled wine, mince pies and other Christmas specialities.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.