AN ANTIQUE single skulling boat has been found in Barking Park s boating shed. The wooden one seater was discovered while the shed was being cleared ready for the park s �3.2 million refurbishment. Experts from the National Rowing Museum in Henley think p

AN ANTIQUE single skulling boat has been found in Barking Park's boating shed.

The wooden one seater was discovered while the shed was being cleared ready for the park's �3.2 million refurbishment.

Experts from the National Rowing Museum in Henley think perhaps the boat could be linked to the opening of the park in 1898, and confirmed by Thames lighterman and former senior oarsman for a number of rowing clubs, Jack Faram. He said: "I would guess the boat is somewhere round the turn of the century just by looking at its construction."

Jack and his wife, Annette both rowed on Barking Park in the annual regattas.

"My wife was a member and a regular rower, whereas I used to row Poplar and Blackwall Rowing Club.

"To me it looks like one of the original boats when the club opened."

Staff at the borough's historical studies centre are looking through archives and rowing clubs.

The renovation of Barking Park will include improvements such as a new caf�, skate park, public toilets and facility for pleasure boating on the lake.

The POST and the council would like to hear from anyone who may be able to determine the boat's history.