CONGLETON people have the chance to see one of the town's most important pieces of history for the first time with the opening of a new museum.
The Astbury Log Boat was discovered by a farmer digging on his land in 1923.
It has been stored ever since in the basement at the Manchester Museum, from where it has been brought to Congleton.
The boat is almost 13 feet long, and was transported to the museum from Manchester in a lorry loaned by Dane Housing.
Members of Congleton Boys Brigade helped Dane Housing staff carry the crate containing the boat into its new home.
The log boat dates from between the Bronze Age and early AD, and was found by farmer Charles Ball in a stream at Ciss Green Farm near Astbury.
The boat will be one of the major exhibits at the Congleton museum, which is due to open on June 29.
"At the moment the boat rests in the museum foyer while the display is being prepared for it," said Chris Bradley from Congleton Museum Trust.
"The crate has been opened so that the boat can be seen in Congleton for the first time since its discovery almost 80 years ago."
Relief models showing the appearance of Congleton at several periods in its history are almost complete, and will occupy the centre of the main room of the museum, along with interactive visual displays."
The museum has a team of volunteers, although more helpers are always welcome.
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