The Rose is a 55′ wide beam boat, owned by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, that offers private charters and regular public trips along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Hungerford Wharf. The Rose carries over 6,000 passengers a year and contributes about £40,000 to the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. The boat is entirely run by fully trained volunteers who do it because they thoroughly enjoy it. Every penny raised by The Rose goes directly to the Trust.
December 2021 Update
Christmas fun has begun on The Rose with both private charters and public trips.
The Rose is decked out in her Christmas costume, ready to give all her passengers some fabulous festive fun during the forthcoming Father Christmas trips and the crew look forward to welcoming our passengers onboard (not to mention Father Christmas and his elves).
In light of the current covid situation, and our commitment to keep everyone as safe as possible, we will be following guidelines and ask that all adults wear face coverings when boarding, disembarking and moving about the boat. At this stage, this does not
apply to children.
Extra trips have been added to the programme to accommodate the very gratifying demand and there are still a few seats available. Many thanks to everyone for their support. Tickets are £10 and include refreshments and gifts for children. Please see available dates here rose.katrust.org.uk/trips and book your seats on 01380 721279 or pop into Fare Wise Travel in Hungerford High Street (under the railway bridge).
Happy Christmas from all of us on The Rose and we wish you a very happy, safe and healthy 2022.
November 2021 Update
The 2021 season came to a close at the end of last month. All the accounts and figures show that it was a bumper year despite the recent difficulties and restrictions and over 3,000 passengers were welcomed onboard. This is due to two factors.
Firstly big thanks must go to all our supporters, friends and passengers for booking to come onboard and enjoy the boat and the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is always gratifying to see so many returning passengers, demonstrating that we must be doing something right, but equally rewarding are new passengers who have heard about The Rose and have been inspired to come and see what we have to offer. We thank all of them for their support.
The second round of applause must go to our team of hard working and loyal volunteers, who so willingly give their time and talents to running and crewing the boat. It is not just the crewing, but the extra effort and cheerful atmosphere they create on the boat that makes it so enjoyable for passengers and crew alike.
The boat now has a busy few weeks during which she will undergo her MCA heel test and get ready for the Father Christmas trips in December. The former involves transporting 152 empty 25kg water containers to the boat, filling them up ready for the test using 3 full containers to represent one person. The containers are then emptied, unloaded and transported back to where they came from.
The Rose will be back with the ever-popular Father Christmas trips in December. Further information can be found on social media sites and the website, rose.katrust.org.uk/trips.
October 2021 Update
We now running our October programme which means just one trip, rather than two, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. This will be a 1½ hour trip leaving Hungerford Wharf at 2.30pm and returning around 4pm. Tickets cost £8 (adult), £4 (child) and under 3s are free. A £2 discount is offered for bookings of 2 adults and 2 children. As usual, information can be found and bookings made online at rose.katrust.org.uk or you can pop in to Fare Wise Travel in Hungerford High Street and book tickets there. Private charters are also still taking place.
Our season ends at the end of this month but we will be back with the ever-popular Father Christmas trips in December. Booking for these is now open and all details are on rose.katrust.org.uk.
Despite all the problems and restrictions in recent months, we carried a staggering 2,688 passengers from 22 May – 30 September this year! This is an impressive achievement and reflects the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. Congratulations to them all.
Trips
On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until the end of September there will be two trips a day; a 1.5 hour trip at 11.30am and a 2.5 hour trip at 2.30pm. During October, there will be just one trip a day; a 1.5 hour trip at 2.30pm, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays as before.
As well as the booking methods below, you can also buy tickets at the boat just before the trip if there is space available.
Ticket Prices
1.5 hour trip – Adult £8, Child £4 (under 3s free)
2.5 hour trip – Adult £9, Child £5 (under 3s free)
£2 discount for bookings of 2 adults & 2 children.
Trips vary in length and give passengers the chance to enjoy a slow and relaxing view of the canal, and all it has to offer; bridges, locks, wildlife and spectacular scenery. The Rose has a galley and licensed bar and can offer hot and cold drinks and snacks; charter trips can be catered or self-catered. The boat has an electric wheelchair lift and facilities on board.
Would you like to volunteer?
The Rose is currently recruiting new volunteers so now’s your chance if you’re interested in joining the crew. No experience is necessary as full training is provided for the various roles. If you are over 16 (essential as there is a licensed bar on board), enjoy working as part of a team and being outdoors this could be for you. It is clear to see that the crew have a great time and enjoy being on The Rose, on the Kennet and Avon Canal and looking after their passengers.
During lockdown The Rose passed all her various inspections with flying colours, both in and out of the water, and the volunteers painted the boat and cleaned and blacked the hull, as well as numerous other ‘behind the scenes’ tasks. The skippers and crew all did their Essential Safety Training and are delighted to be back on the water and welcoming passengers on board.
If you would like more information about what is involved and would like to go out on a trip to see if you enjoy it you can email rose.volunteer@katrust.org.uk.
Any general enquiries about The Rose of Hungerford can be emailed to rose@katrust.org.uk.
Further information and photographs are on all major social media sites and The Rose’s website rose.katrust.org.uk
Author: Penny Post
Penny Post is a community notice board serving West Berkshire, Wantage, Swindon, Marlborough and surrounding areas so there
