Whaley Bridge resident James Dunlop, who chairs the committee running the charity canal narrowboat New Horizons, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

James Dunlop MBE with committee member Sue Woodgate on the New Horizons

New Horizons, which provides canal trips for disabled people, is a frequent visitor to the canal basin at Whaley Bridge. It visits the Water Weekend every June, raising substantial amounts of money that go towards the boat’s running costs.

Ulster-born Mr Dunlop has been a trustee and chair of the Stockport Canal Boat Trust since 1998. He is a former factory director at the McVitie biscuit works in Stockport.

The 70ft long narrowboat, a familiar sight on the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals, was commissioned by Prince Charles 33 years ago with his famous words: “A canal boat trip is the nearest a disabled person can come to a walk in the countryside.”

New Horizons is a regular visitor to Whaley Bridge, seen here during the Water Weekend