More than £10,000 is needed to help restore a historic wooden narrow boat moored in Rickmansworth.

The Roger is one of the last wooden canal boats left in working order, and is kept in Batchworth Lock.

It is owned by Rickmansworth Waterways Trust and visited by groups of children as part of the trust's award winning educational program “Learning at the Lock”.

The boat, which is included in the National Register of Historic Vessels, is a popular feature at the Rickmansworth Canal Festival, and is used to train boat captains of all ages.

However, a total of £30,000 worth of restoration work is needed to bring the boat back to its former glory, although £18,000 has already been pledged.

Brian Morgan, from the RWT, said: “Maintenance of an old wooden boat is a problem and despite our rebuild eleven years ago the stern and bow of the boat need major work.

“Special timber has to be bought and the dry dock of Jem Bates at Bulbourne has been reserved for six weeks in January and February.

“The cost of the work will be £30,000. We are confident that we can attract £18,000 from two different sources but we still need £12,000.

“We are asking the Heritage Lottery Fund for this but would also like to encourage donations from well-wishers and interested people.

“We hope to increase the range of uses to which this important historic boat can be put to the benefit of young and old.”

Roger was built by Bushell Brothers of Tring in 1936, for the Aylesbury coal merchant and carrier Harvey–Taylor.

Roger carried the last load of coal from Baddesley Colliery on the Coventry Canal to Dickinson’s Croxley paper mill, in April 1955. It was the last wooden motorboat trading on the canal.

On leaving carrying service in 1968, Roger was converted for residential use, but by 1986, it was in very poor repair.

The Rickmansworth Waterways Trust rescued Roger in 1993, and after fundraising and a grant from Heritage Lottery Funding the boat was rebuilt to the original design by local craftsmen.

It was relaunched in May 2000 for final fitting out, and painted in the original livery at Troy Wharf. The engine is a 1936 Leicester JP to diesel.

It is used by school children for the ‘Learning at the Lock’ program, and 15 to 19-year-olds can learn boat management in the ‘Under the Bridge’ scheme.

Can you help? Telephone the Batchworth Lock Canal Centre on 01923778382 or visit the related link below.

The National Register of Historic Vessels looks after a long list of historically significant boats and ships.

Among them are the Cutty Sark, HMS Belfast and Victory, SS Great Britain.

Some of the lesser known entries include...

Blue Peter - One of a small number of high-speed boats named after famous Epsom Derby winners.

Lightship 2000 – A sea-going lighthouse who beam could be seen from 25 miles away, and warned sailors of the Helwick Swatch, a treacherous sand bank.

Excellent - Now the oldest over 12 metre British fishing vessel that is still fishing and registered by DEFRA.

Almighty - A work boat for a wooden boat builder in Bulls Bridge Friendship - An unconverted horse drawn boat.

Mis'Behavin - A general rescue boat for the Royal Army Service Corps.

The Saucy Mrs Flobster - Built as a Birmingham Canal Navigation day-boat for the carriage of coal and converted to a houseboat, and finally altered for cruising.