Our Trust is dedicated to providing the best experience for our visitors.

We have a small team of staff, working throughout the year fundraising, maintaining the boats and carrying out the administration of bookings for our trips.  We are also governed by our board of Trustees:

Trustees

Paul Donert (Chair)

Rev Clare Le Marchant-Connell (Founder)

Serena Richards

Charles Moore

Tom Hanmer

Janie Martin DL

Russell Price

Patron

H.R.H. Princess of Hanover (formerly H.S.H. Princess Caroline of Monaco)

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Our Team

Tim Marren - Chief Executive Officer

I started in the post as the CEO in September 2017, after 30 years of working in the public and charitable sectors on customer services, corporate policy development and performance management. I am married, with a grown son and daughter and am also an experienced Shared Lives and Foster Carer.

I am passionate about working in the charitable sector and want to build on and grow the invaluable work of the Trust and to make a difference to the lives of disabled and seriously ill people.

Denise Adamson – Administrator

I have worked for the Trust since March 2018 as their part-time administrator. The role is so varied, one minute I can be booking a day trip, then the next making sure the boats have enough biscuits on board. What I love most about my job is that I get to meet so many different people throughout the year, from our own volunteers to the various groups that come along for a day on the canal. 

I have been married for over 30 years to Gary who runs his own flooring company. We have two grown up children, Samuel and Rebecca.  They are both teachers in Nottingham and we are extremely proud of them. We love nothing better than to go for long walks, which is a good thing as we have three mad chocolate Labradors to wear out each day. 

Chris Morton - Skipper and Operations

Since 2007 I've been the full time skipper of Serenade and Operational Manager for the Trust. Most of the summer I'm out on day trips or holidays, so I don't really need to tell you how much I enjoy my job. I have two sons, Mitchell and Josh. Mitchell has severe epilepsy and Josh has dyspraxia. They have grown up together and take care of each other. They continually make me proud.

In my spare time I have been mastering stained glass making and glass fusion. Outside I'm building an aquaponics system for my poly tunnel, which I grow organic vegetables in throughout the year. My philosophy for life is 'needs and wants'. I want lots of things in my life, but need a lot less!

Melissa Hemmings – Development Officer

 I joined the Trust in 2019 and love all things creative!

Over the years I have set up and run several businesses and have been fortunate enough to have illustrated and ghost written several books. Most recently, having written a couple of my own novels, I owned an art and media business. I'm enjoying using my creativity and marketing experience to help raise vital funds and to broaden the outreach of our charity and the services we provide. 

When I’m not at the Trust I can be found in my studio sketching or looking after our ever-expanding menagerie!

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