Thanks to Big Lottery funding, the Cambridge’s play boat was launched this week.  According to the city council, the boat is the first of its kind in the country and offers a unique experience for children and young people, schools, community groups and families to play on the River Cam.

“The play boat is a custom-designed, 60-feet-long, 10-feet-wide narrowboat.  A group of children – the Vikings – have been heavily involved in the development of the project, meeting regularly and working hard to help with design and activity ideas and develop their confidence in and around water.

“The play boat’s internal space is open plan to enable lots of space for play. Sessions running from the boat will include open access drop in sessions and closed group work, involving activities such as environmental art, river dipping, cooking and fishing projects,” the city council website said.

The boat will also be available for trips and overnight residentials, where there will be an opportunity to work the locks and steer the boat.

Mayor Sheila Stuart officially opened the community play boat on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 March 2011. There will be a boat party on 9 April that will be open to all children, young people and families across Cambridge.

For more information about the Chypps community play boat, please email Karl Wilks at karl.wilks@cambridge.gov.uk or telephone 01223 457873.