Teenager Transforms Old And Rusty Canal Boat Into Luxury Holiday Home For His Mother And Sister
A young carpenter bought a run-down canal boat for only £5,000. He then turned it into a fancy vacation home for his mom and sister, who is 11 years old.
In just eight weeks, Billy Walden from Bentham, Lancaster, turned the unlivable boat into a stunning work of art.
The 18-year-old started learning how to be a carpenter when he was only 14. He chose to take on a bigger project after fixing up a Volkswagen camper by himself and doing it well.
His 47-year-old mother, Jayne Walden, bought the old boat for £5,000 so that Billy could fix it up last summer.
Billy said, “I really enjoyed refurbishing the canal boat – it was great to be able create a holiday home for me, my mum, Jayne and sister, Matilda, 11”
Billy Walden from Bentham, Lancaster, turned a run-down canal boat into a beautiful vacation home for his mom Jayne and sister Matilda in just eight weeks.
The 18-year-old started learning how to be a carpenter when he was only 14. He chose to take on a bigger project after fixing up a Volkswagen camper by himself and doing it well.
“It took a lot of hard work as it needed completely restructuring; it should have actually cost more around £12,000 but because it didn’t pass all the survey tests, we were able to get it a bit cheaper.
“We then spent around £2,800 renovating it to how we wanted it to look – there’s rooms for both Matilda and I, a bath, open plan glass doors that lead on to the deck and even car seats from an Audi I bought from a local scrap yard.
After I’d previously renovated a camper van, I wanted to do something bigger and better and my mum just happened to come across the boat.”
Billy said, “I’m a bit of an introvert and I’ve never been into video games and stuff like many lads my age – my idea of fun is spending time in the workshop near my home.”
“So far we’ve travelled the whole down canal from Tewitfield to Preston, we all love being on it together and the boat is even named after my sister and mum as it’s called Matilda Jayne.”
The young man who wanted to be a builder started college when he was only 14. He went to Lancaster and Morecombe College for three years to study joinery and carpentry.
Billy got his Level 1 AIM award in just one year. During that time, he learned plumbing, woodworking, hand carpentry skills, bricklaying, and how to help in a brickwork workshop. AIM awards are standards set by employers in certain fields, like carpentry.
Because he was so ahead, Billy skipped a school year and began his Level 2 in woodworking and joinery when he was 15.
“People have called me a carpentry genius but I don’t think I am – I’m just me. I really enjoy doing my work and I often spend up to 15 hours a day in my workshop because I lose track of time.
I’m working on quite a few things at the moment such as another VW camper van and Volkswagen LT Beer mobile conversion.”
In a few weeks, Billy’s college is putting on the biggest woodworking competition in the country. If he does well, he could reach his goal of becoming a “master carpenter,” which is the highest level you can reach.
“Billy doesn’t realise how good he is, his tutor from college said he was “exceptional” at what he does!” his proud mother, Mrs. Walden, said.
The Institute of Carpenters gave him a Licentiate, which is the same level as a degree, after he won a tournament in the past.
“He also was awarded a separate outstanding achievement award in carpentry and joinery from his college. I’m so unbelievably proud of Billy and what he’s achieved, and what he’s going to achieve in his life.
‘We’ve already enjoyed a few trips together on the boat, Matilda loves it.”
