A historic boat will be broken up and recycled to help with the restoration of a sailing barge steeped in history.

Raybel Charters Community Interest Company was set up when a £680,000 grant was awarded to volunteers.

The Heritage Lottery Fund money allowed the Raybel barge to be brought back to Lloyd Wharf, off Milton, where it was first launched in 1920. It is also home to the newly refurbished Dolphin Sailing Barge Museum.

Raybel is thought to be have once shipped coffee and chocolate from London to Essex.

Project manager Mark Allinson said: “The dry dock, which contained the remains of the Westmoreland [boat] was refloated by the Raybel team with the help of Hart Marine Services and towed into Halstow Dock from Lower Halstow.”

The dry dock, along with the remains for the Westmoreland built in 1900, is being repaired in preparation for her next tow from Halstow Dock to Lloyd Wharf, where the Raybel currently is.

Mr Allinson added: “Once there, Westmoreland will be cut up. Team Raybel will be working with local groups to recycle as much of Westmoreland as possible.

“Then Raybel will enter the dry dock to have her major works completed.”

During the restoration project, there will be opportunities for young people to take part in work experience and join with a team of volunteers.

A new member of the team is also in place to help delve into historic archives and chart Raybel’s untold story.

Faye Thorley will teach other volunteers how to read and interpret historical documents and information in order to create a dossier charting the life of the barge since it was launched.

A series of open events are also planned to help drive interest for the project and get people involved.

One of its first outings will be in the July at the 1920s Weekend festival in Sittingbourne.

Visit www.raybelcharters.com for more information.

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