The Newark Crusader charity runs boat trips on the River Trent for elderly, educational and disadvantaged groups

A charity group providing boat trips to community groups is offering residents the chance to experience wildlife and see Newark from a whole new perspective.

Completely operated by volunteers, The Newark Crusader specialises in taking elderly, disabled and disadvantaged groups on cruises along the River Trent from Newark Marina.

The trips offer something for everyone, from getting up close and personal with wildlife to learning about the history of the town on the waterways.

As we set off volunteer, Ross Haddow, spoke about the purpose of the Crusader, saying: “The boat was originally built for St John's Ambulance in the nineties, who ran it until they couldn’t operate it anymore.

“Provided they kept it going they offered the boat to James Wilkinson, the manager of Newark Marina, who set up the charity about ten years ago with John Coles, who we have sadly now lost.

“We’re here to provide a service, not to make a profit and so we try to make it as affordable as possible.

“It’s about £100 for us to operate a trip, which goes into maintenance, insurance and fuel.

“We had a day care group not long ago and seeing a young lad have a go up on the wheel, wearing the skipper’s hat, having fun and getting off with a smile on their face, it’s something they remember and that’s what it’s all about.”

The boat cuts through the water alongside ducks and geese fly overhead as we wind our way along the river towards Farndon, taking in the sites and sounds of rural Nottinghamshire.

Even the monolithic sight of Staythorpe Power Station becomes quite tranquil with a cormorant perched atop a pole, scanning for fish.

Then turning back towards Newark, the boat provides the opportunity to see some of the town’s most historic buildings from an entirely unique angle.

Passing through Newark locks in the shadow of Newark Castle it’s easy to imagine what traders in the early 1800s might have felt when shipping goods under Trent Bridge.

But the volunteers are the highlight of the experience, greeting every guest as if they are a friend and ready with a smile and an answer to any question.

Almost 30 men and women, of roughly retirement age, give up their spare time to keep the service running, each with their own strengths and experience.

From a skipper whose last job involved piloting oil tankers from the Middle East, to former businessmen who are just as happy chatting to guests as they are tying ropes.

The Newark Crusader also provides for private functions as well as care homes, special needs, community and educational groups.

One such group was the East Bridgford care group, who made the trip up the A46 so that its users could enjoy a new experience.

The group’s chairman, Angie Adams, said: “We organised it because these are mainly elderly people who aren’t as mobile, to give them a day out in the fresh air and something they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do on their own.

“It’s been fantastic and it’s great to see our users enjoying themselves because so many of them don’t get out of their houses.

“I didn’t know that this boat existed until recently — that it is here to serve the community and I think it is a brilliant idea.

“Newark has a very interesting history. Combine that with seeing the wildlife in a safe, relaxed environment with attentive and friendly staff on a nice sunny day — it’s great.”

A member of the group, Mr D G Barnsdale, said: “I’ve been to the town before but this is my first time on the river.

“This was very kindly organised for us and it has been very nice and peaceful.

“The volunteers are very knowledgeable and I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Above all else, the service offers a chance to get away from the hectic distractions of everyday life, to stop and slow down for a while.

The calming ripple of the waters, the gentle hum of the engine and the fluttering on the flag on the bow all combine to create a soothing, stress free soundscape.

And as Ross rightly points out, “rivers are corridors” used by more than just generations of people moving goods from town to town.

Cormorants, geese, swans, ducks, herons and even kingfishers are regularly sighted and every now and then an otter will appear.

To organise a trip of your own, visit newarkcrusader.com for details on booking information and times.

The boat is wheelchair accessible and is capable of taking groups of up to 12, with a charge of £100 or roughly £6 per person.