The canoe hire session at Coed Gwilym Park was in one way routine, and in another way, very special.

The weather was a bit overcast, but Mike F, Alan T, Gill and Gareth, had a steady stream of paddlers of all ages and skill levels (and a small dog with no experience!) take to the water. The novices in particular had a great time and promised to come back and do it all again. One gentleman managed to capsize his kayak at least three times (that we saw!) but he laughed it off, carried on and still had a fun time with his family!

Ronnie F joined us later for a special moment. Gill and Gareth have been Society members for longer than they’d care to admit, and for years they ran the canoe hire operation, putting in many hours both directly and indirectly, to ensure this great attraction was always available for the public. In the last two years they’ve stepped back a bit, but still played an important role in Sunday hires.

Sadly after all that time today was their last rostered ‘shift’. To mark the occasion Ronnie presented them both with a wonderful bouquet of flowers, a card, a bottle of wine and a chocolate cake, and expressed the greatest thanks of both the Canoe Hire Team and the whole Swansea Canal Society, for their dedicated service over such a long period.

We know they won’t be able to resist calling by for a chat on future Sundays, but we wish them the very best in their ‘canoe retirement’. Thanks both and enjoy the rest!