Moonraker of Middleton looks blooming lovely

Moonraker of Middleton

A new narrowboat feature has been installed at Slattocks by Middleton in Bloom.

Aptly named by the residents of Middleton, ‘Moonraker’ has been moored at The Ship Inn with rich and vivid floral displays to match her brightly coloured exterior.

The name ‘Moonraker’ was chosen as a popular nickname given to Middletonians.

Legend has it that two drunks were walking home after a heavy drinking session in a Middleton pub one night to see the moon's reflection in the river. Thinking it was a piece of cheese, the drunks attempted to retrieve it from the water, armed with a couple of rakes they had found nearby.

The narrowboat was built and painted by Lee O’Mara with artwork from Ros Liddle, and was funded by the Middleton Rotary Club.

A representative of Middleton in Bloom said: “The team have been at Slattocks as part of the Narrowboat’s Maiden Voyage. The narrowboat has been given her name chosen by the residents of Middleton. The team would like to say a massive thank you to the rotary club of Middleton for funding this, the Landlord and Lady of The Ship Inn for allowing the team to give the narrowboat a mooring, Rochdale Environmental Department, Highways and Councillor June West for assisting with this project at the planning stages.

“The team would also like to thank Lee O’Mara for building and painting the boat, and Ros Liddle for the artwork. Thank you to all the volunteers that came to help move, plant and water.”