A sailing barge originally launched from Milton Regis could be coming to its home berth for restoration after a fundraising campaign brought in more than £18,000.

The Raybel Thames sailing barge is the subject of a project which could see the original boat returned to where it was launched.

A group has been working to have the vessel, dating back to 1920 and used to carry cargo until the 1960s, to be returned to its former glory.

A grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund of £39,300 was given to Raybel Charters Community Interest Company to raise awareness of the crowd funder.

Now it has shown there is an interest in the ship’s restoration, the firm hopes to get another grant of £650,000 to move the craft from Heybridge, Essex, for the restoration work.

Half of the money will be used to replace the rigging and hull.

It will then be brought back to Lloyd Wharf, at the head of Milton Creek, where the renovations will be carried out. Money will also be used for events to get the community involved and archiving the barge’s history.

"Although work to the hull is needed... we intend to continue paying careful attention to originality and detail" - Gareth Maeer

It is hoped it will be ready to sail again by next year so it can mark its centenary, of transporting goods such as chocolate and coffee to Essex and London.

Gareth Maeer who is a director of the project along with Rob Sargeant and Matthew Houston, said: “The restoration work will finish in 2020 - in time to mark the barge’s centenary.

“Raybel Charters is also planning lots of community activities including finding out more about the barge’s history and the families involved in her story.”

There are plans to give it a makeover, restoring it with complete hull and rigging as close to its original form as possible.

Mr Maeer added: “Although work to the hull is needed... we intend to continue paying careful attention to originality and detail.”

If you can help volunteer with the project see raybelcharters.com for more information.

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