FOR the second year in a row a community project has been giving children living on an Oxford estate the chance to see the county’s waterways. Oxford Mail reporter Rhianne Pope joined them on one of their trips to speak to some of the lucky children involved.

Children from Blackbird Leys have been taking to the water and getting close to nature this summer.

The Dovecote Afloat project takes children from the estate on to a narrowboat, Biddy’s Dream, where they spend days travelling Oxfordshire’s waterways.

This is the second year the project has taken place, after £50,000 was raised to buy the boat last year.

One of the boys enjoying his first week out on Biddy’s Dream was Jay Plummer, nine, from Greater Leys.

“He said: “The boat is awesome. When we’re inside we do colouring, we sit on the sofas, make things and play games.

“It is really fun.

“I had never been on a boat before yesterday but I got to steer it on my first time.

“I loved it.”

The boat was purchased by the Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee and more than 50 children have travelled on it this summer.

The 70ft narrowboat is moored in Kidlington, with groups going on day trips for a week at a time.

Lewis Plaisted, nine, from Greater Leys, said: “It is amazing.

“The best bit is the front where you can sit when it goes along.

“It is just so nice being on the boat waving to people and them waving back.

“I feel so lucky that my mum let me come and experience this.”

Manager Carol Richards said: “The majority of children who come out have never been on a boat before, and many of the adults haven’t either.

“The children just love it. We had a Gurkha last year who came and taught them how to look for bombs and had them running round.

“It’s nice for them to be able to explore, climb trees and do everything kids should do, without their parents having to worry about them leaving the estate.”

Nine-year-old Libby Wilkins said: “I came on the boat last year too and it was really fun.

“I had never been on a boat before. We play games, lots of board games and each get to steer the boat.”

Biddy’s Dream was part-funded by Oxfordshire County Council ’s Aiming High for Disabled Children and Young People, with added donations from Blackbird Leys Parish Council, Oxford Round Table and the Oxford Citizens’ Housing Association.

Other groups are also able to use the boat. To register an interest, email leysdvpc@hotmail.com