Silverdale couple celebrate 58ft Chorley narrowboat launch after pandemic delay

Mike and Sandra Moon, from Silverdale, celebrated their golden wedding in May, and were looking forward to sailing on Calopteryx, which was due to be completed in July.

Work on the £100,000 boat started last October at Forton boat fitters in Wheelton, Chorley, but materials were hard to source during lockdown, delaying the launch.

Finally their dream was realised as the 58 foot boat was hoisted into the Leeds Liverpool Canal by crane.

Mike said: “ It was a relief, it was a heart in the mouth moment when a 17 tonne boat is hoisted in the air.”

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal, completed in 1816, is the longest canal in Britain built as a single waterway, linking the east and west of England and passing through important limestone and coal mining areas.

Unlike boats of yesteryear that would have used it, the Moons' barge has all the mod cons, from solar panels to a composting toilet and a washing machine.

The couple, who have two daughters and four grandchildren, are in their 70s but describe themselves as very active, still working as opticians, and boating and cycling in their spare time.

Sandra, from Accrington, met Mike, from Somerset, when they lived in London. They were bitten by the boating bug after seeing an advert in Timeout magazine for someone to take a share in a 72ft barge.

They fell in love with the relaxing nature and history of the canals, as well as the architecture and the wildlife.

The couple explored middle England’s canals on hireboats but stopped boating for a while when they had children, opting for other holidays.

Mike recalls: “ There was a statement my wife made on holiday on the Llangollen canal, when we stopped off at a place called Crick for provisions. As we walked back she said that nothing beats the contentment of a canal.”

Mike and Sandra christened their boat Calopteryx - after a blue damselfly - and its colour scheme reflects the fly’s colours.

They hope to set sail after work has been done to correct the ballast, which keeps the boat even.