Accessible Boating Association

The Accessible Boating Association is a waterway society and a registered charity number 295034 in Hampshire, England.[2]

Accessible Boating Association
FoundedJuly 1985 (1985-07)
FounderMildred Stocks
TypeCharity
295034
Location
  • Odiham, Hampshire
Area served
Basingstoke Canal
Key people
  • President: Mildred Stocks
  • Chairman: John Ranson
  • Honorary Secretary: Ann Paine
  • Treasurer: Annette Keith
  • Bookings Manager: Lynne Gregg
  • Crew Manager and Training: Steve Lavender
  • Webmaster: David Jackson

[1]

The Association aims to provide boating opportunities on the Basingstoke Canal for disabled people with access difficulties. The Association was founded in 1985 and was formerly known as "Boats for the Handicapped".[3] It is a member of the National Community Boats Association.[4]

The Association's boats have been specially designed to provide facilities for disabled passengers:

There are different options available for day trips.[5] A day trip on Dawn from Odiham allows a peaceful cruise to a picnic lunch and a leisurely return through picturesque country stretches of the Basingstoke Canal, said by many to be one of the prettiest canals in the UK.

They offer two choices of day trip on Dawn: hiring the whole boat for 4 hours or more; or reserving seats on public trips that last around 2½ hours.

There are two choices of out and return route:

  • West to King John's (Odiham) Castle near Greywell through the North Warnborough lift bridge to moor close to the castle just short of the limit of navigation and the adjacent winding (turning) hole. Note that this option may not be available when water levels are low.
  • A longer distance East to Winchfield passing the picturesque Old Thatch Cottage before reaching Barley Mow wharf and the winding hole just beyond.

The season runs from April to October.

See also

Other charities providing boating opportunities for disabled people

References
  2. "Accessible Boating Association Home". Accessible Boating Association. Accessible Boating Association. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  3. "History of the ABA formerly Boats for the Handicapped Association". Accessible Boating Association. Accessible Boating Association. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  4. "NCBA Accessible Boating Profile". National Community Boating Association. National Community Boating Association. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  5. "Day Trips". www.accessibleboating.org.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
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