It’s the countdown to the biggest ever Broads Outdoors Festival which is being launched on Saturday May 5th at Whitlingham Country Park, on the outskirts of Norwich, with a lively day of music, activities and family fun.
At 11 am renowned naturalist and author Richard Mabey will fire the opening shots by starting a race between the EDP’s Broads Correspondent, Stephen Pullinger, dressed as Billy Bluelight, and the Tri-Anglia Triathlon runners against the Wherry White Moth in a revival of the historic races between Billy Bluelight and wherries in the 1920s. White Moth will be welcomed back by an escort of boats and canoes and will be on public view for the rest of the day.
Billy’s great-great nephew, Andy Cullum, now a Broads Authority ranger, will attend the event.
During the day, from 10am to 4.30 pm there will be opportunities to try six different water sports on the Great Broad as well as Nordic Walking, archery, wall climbing and guided walks. Nutmeg Puppets will be performing from 2.30 -3.15pm.Food and crafts produced in Norfolk will be on sale and there will be a chance to get up close to the alpacas from Burnt Fen. Groups Tamalin, specialising in music, song and dance from West Africa, and Hard Rain, will provide entertainment throughout the day.
The launch heralds two weeks of outdoors fun with 100 events demonstrating all the Broads has to offer. It culminates in the Broads Green Boat and Tourism Show on May 20th at Salhouse Broad.
On Thursday May 3rd and Friday May 4th a preview of what is on offer will be held outside the Forum in Norwich City Centre from 9am to 5pm. There will be displays including Tarka, the world’s oldest operating canoe at 150 years old, boats, a windsurfing simulator, bushcraft demos, angling and pond dipping demos, a mountain bike-mobility scooter, and a Broads Authority 4X4 and RIB. A human sized dragonfly, ladybird, kingfisher and butterfly will be handing out free festival programmes.
The public have the chance to get in the festival spirit by travelling in Edwardian style aboard the wherry White Moth both before and after the festival. They are invited to book paid passages from Wroxham to Upton on Wednesday May 2nd, Upton to Cantley on Thursday May 3rd, Cantley to Whitlingham on Friday May 4th, and from Whitlingham back to Reedham on Sunday May 6th, Reedham to Yarmouth on Monday May 7th, Yarmouth to Ranworth on Tuesday May 8th and Ranworth to Wroxham on Wednesday May 9th.
To make a booking get in touch with Pauline Simpson, Charter Manager for Wherry Yacht Charter on 01692 630674. Income from the sailings is vital for the future of the wherries supported by Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust.
For all festival events visit www.outdoorsfestival.co.uk
At 11 am renowned naturalist and author Richard Mabey will fire the opening shots by starting a race between the EDP’s Broads Correspondent, Stephen Pullinger, dressed as Billy Bluelight, and the Tri-Anglia Triathlon runners against the Wherry White Moth in a revival of the historic races between Billy Bluelight and wherries in the 1920s. White Moth will be welcomed back by an escort of boats and canoes and will be on public view for the rest of the day.
Billy’s great-great nephew, Andy Cullum, now a Broads Authority ranger, will attend the event.
During the day, from 10am to 4.30 pm there will be opportunities to try six different water sports on the Great Broad as well as Nordic Walking, archery, wall climbing and guided walks. Nutmeg Puppets will be performing from 2.30 -3.15pm.Food and crafts produced in Norfolk will be on sale and there will be a chance to get up close to the alpacas from Burnt Fen. Groups Tamalin, specialising in music, song and dance from West Africa, and Hard Rain, will provide entertainment throughout the day.
The launch heralds two weeks of outdoors fun with 100 events demonstrating all the Broads has to offer. It culminates in the Broads Green Boat and Tourism Show on May 20th at Salhouse Broad.
On Thursday May 3rd and Friday May 4th a preview of what is on offer will be held outside the Forum in Norwich City Centre from 9am to 5pm. There will be displays including Tarka, the world’s oldest operating canoe at 150 years old, boats, a windsurfing simulator, bushcraft demos, angling and pond dipping demos, a mountain bike-mobility scooter, and a Broads Authority 4X4 and RIB. A human sized dragonfly, ladybird, kingfisher and butterfly will be handing out free festival programmes.
The public have the chance to get in the festival spirit by travelling in Edwardian style aboard the wherry White Moth both before and after the festival. They are invited to book paid passages from Wroxham to Upton on Wednesday May 2nd, Upton to Cantley on Thursday May 3rd, Cantley to Whitlingham on Friday May 4th, and from Whitlingham back to Reedham on Sunday May 6th, Reedham to Yarmouth on Monday May 7th, Yarmouth to Ranworth on Tuesday May 8th and Ranworth to Wroxham on Wednesday May 9th.
To make a booking get in touch with Pauline Simpson, Charter Manager for Wherry Yacht Charter on 01692 630674. Income from the sailings is vital for the future of the wherries supported by Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust.
For all festival events visit www.outdoorsfestival.co.uk
