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New ‘Pennine Queen’ Wheelyboat launched at Hollingworth Lake

27 November 2025

News

Rochdale Civic Mayor cuts a red ribbon to officially launch the new wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat named ‘Pennine Queen’ at Hollingworth Lake. Standing beside the Mayor is Your Trust CEO Estelle Rowe. The boat is visible on the water in the background, with the scenic Pennine hills beyond.

We’ve officially launched our brand-new wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat at Hollingworth Lake, making water-based activities more inclusive for local people and visitors for the very first time.

The boat, which has been named Pennine Queen, was formally unveiled by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, who cut the ribbon before taking the new boat’s first official on-water trip.

Its launch marks a significant milestone for Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre, which has never previously had a fully accessible boat available for public use. 

The Pennine Queen will allow wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments to enjoy pleasure cruises, group activities and the opportunity to undertake powerboat training and gain recognised qualifications. 

Participants from one of the Centre’s disability support groups also joined the event and were given an early chance to experience the new boat in action.

A group of passengers on the newly launched wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat at Hollingworth Lake. One passenger is seated in a powered wheelchair near the steering console, while others stand on the boat wearing life jackets. The boat is docked beside the lake with the scenic Pennine hills in the background.
Participants enjoying a first ride on the newly launched wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat named ‘Pennine Queen’ at Hollingworth Lake. The boat is on the water with several people seated and wearing life jackets, and a building is visible on the shoreline in the background.
Two people stand inside the wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat at Hollingworth Lake, with one assisting the other near the seating area. On the dock, another person is preparing a red wheelchair for boarding. The boat’s steering console is visible on the right, and the lake with Pennine hills forms the scenic background.
A person seated in a wheelchair on the newly launched Wheelyboat named ‘Pennine Queen’ at Hollingworth Lake, wearing a bright orange jacket and secured with a safety belt. Two other individuals stand nearby on the boat, which is docked close to the shore with buildings and water in the background.
The newly launched wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat named ‘Pennine Queen’ floating on Hollingworth Lake. A member of the Hollingworth Lake team who will drive the boat stands on the boat near the steering console, and the surrounding landscape features calm water, grassy hills, and a white building in the background.

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Our CEO, Estelle Rowe, said: “We are incredibly proud to launch the Pennine Queen – the first fully accessible Wheelyboat at Hollingworth Lake. 

“We believe this boat will transform access to water-based activities for people across our community, particularly those living with disabilities or mobility impairments. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do at Your Trust and the Pennine Queen has been designed to provide independence, flexibility and safety for everyone who uses it.

“We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our funders for making this possible – their support has enabled us to open up the Lake to more people than ever before. We’re excited to see the boat take plenty of people on voyages in the months and years to come.” 

The Pennine Queen has been jointly funded by Your Trust, The Wheelyboat Trust, the ALA Green Charitable Trust, the Alpkit Foundation, the Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust, the Greenhall Foundation, the Harold and Alice Bridges Charity, the Lennox Hannay Charitable Trust, the Manson Family Charitable Trust, the Middlesex Sports Foundation and the WO Street Charitable Foundation.

The name Pennine Queen was chosen to celebrate Hollingworth Lake’s rich heritage and its long-standing links to the surrounding community. A passenger boat bearing the same name operated on the Lake during the 1950s, and the title also reflects the Lake’s location within the Pennine Township. 

Councillor Susan Smith, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Cooperation, said: “We’re thrilled to introduce this new accessible Wheelyboat to our borough. Access to outdoor activities like boating isn’t just about leisure – it has a proven impact on physical health, mental wellbeing and emotional resilience. 

“For residents living with disabilities, the Pennine Queen opens up new opportunities to enjoy nature, community and recreation on the water. It’s a fantastic addition to Hollingworth Lake and a real step forward for inclusive activity in Rochdale.”

Trips on the Pennine Queen will officially start next Spring. We’ll share more details nearer the time.
For more information about the Pennine Queen, please contact the Hollingworth Lake team on 01706 370499 or email holwac@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk