Name Redshank

REDSHANK NB 62070 was built in 1976 by Hancock and Lane for Willow Wren Leisure Cruisers, Rugby.  This company was formed from the existing Willow Wren Company. She served as a pleasure cruiser for hire until 1995 when she came in to private ownership. 

Willow Wren always named their boats after birds and had owned the previous iteration of REDSHANK, now owned by the Bristol Packet Boat Company. Willow Wren then became a Hire Boat Company and launched REDSHANK 62070 in 1976. No changes have been made to the original engine and hull other than maintenance. Overall REDSHANK 62070 is a fundamental part of Canal heritage and and has a direct link in name and lineage to the working boats of the past which allowed the leisure industry as we now know it to be so successful. During her long service with Willow Wren, she carried many families throughout England on adventure holidays allowing children and adults to see England from a very different perspective and a slower pace at least for a week or two.

In 2016, she was bought by her current owner her in a dilapidated state.  Whilst they continued to cruise her they also had the engine completely rebuilt and made repairs to the superstructure together with returning her to her original Willow Wren Hire Cruisers livery. The superstructure is largely intact, being of timber construction.

REDSHANK is now (2026) undergoing a complete internal renovation, ready to become a live aboard in a couple of years. A hull survey carried out in 2025 found that she had lost much of her steel from the base plate and had serious pitting on the hull in general. Remedial works are underway to restore the hull by over plating the sides and bottom plate. Once complete a full renovation internally can commence.