Largest ever fen survey reveals importance of managing the Broads

The largest fen survey ever to have been undertaken in the UK has reinforced the importance of the Broads as a haven for rare wildlife and the need to protect and manage it carefully in the future. A total of 450 types of plants were recorded, some of which are unique to the Broads. This has prompted a rewrite of national plant classification to take account of Broadland’s newly found distinctiveness. The survey also unveiled 850 species of invertebrate, a remarkable number considering only certain groups were targeted. The vegetation survey covered 8,000 sample points within 1750 hectares across the five Broads river valleys. This is the nation’s biggest area of lowland fen or ‘wetland’. It was undertaken over three years by environmental consultants and managed by the Broads Authority. It was co-funded by the Broads Authority and Natural England with a contribution from Essex and Suffolk Water. The survey revealed that some of the most species rich fen had been restored and managed by the Broads Authority, Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. The richest areas were found in turf ponds, where shallow open water areas had been dug in open fen. These ponds were once dug for peat fuel but now these new cuttings provide home to the rarest species and remain wetter for longer in periods of drought. The work of the Authority, partners and reed cutters has been vital to keep the fens free of scrub. In areas where scrub has not been cut back the rare plant species and insects have been lost or changed.  The Ant Valley was found to be the richest area for both plants and invertebrates. The presence or absence of certain plants indicated that some fens are possibly becoming more saline and some areas being taken over by reed are losing rare wetland plants.
Sue Stephenson, the Environment Officer who managed the project at the Broads Authority, said: “This has been a colossal piece of work, which has been incredibly exciting and challenging to work on and which has provided an important picture of the condition of fens in the Broads. There is a lot of information to come out of it which will steer the management of the Broads for years to come, particularly in the light of climate change. The results prove our management efforts have been effective but more is still needed.” The survey also assessed how cutting vegetation would affect the mobility of invertebrates. Andrea Kelly, Senior Ecologist, said “The Broads fens contain unique invertebrate communities of aquatic and terrestrial beetles, spiders, two winged flies and hoppers that you wouldn’t normally notice.  We need to know more about the importance of annual fluctuations and seasonal variations in hydrology and tolerance of these species to change.” “The fen survey demonstrates that conservation management in the fens is essential to stop them becoming woodland and to retain their biodiversity. Worryingly, it shows that some areas are being neglected and incursions of saline water are an increasing risk. Further investment is required as well as a need to understand the options for improving water quality.” The Broads Authority is working with its partners to press for funding for more fen management, improving the water environment, connecting wetlands to improve wildlife chances to adapt to future change, and identifying how to adapt the fens and wetlands to rapid climate change.

Broads Cruiser For Sale

I came across this Motor Cruiser on my travels yesterday. She’s apparently an old Herbert Woods ‘Highlight Class’ Broads Cruiser. The hull has been rebuilt in what appears to be Teak! ( very durable). The inside requires refitting. A Perkins P3 diesel provides the propulsion.
Contact the owner Mr. Len Harvey on 01603 898837 he’s ready to let her go, and is open to any reasonable offers around £2500. ….or drop him an email at jharvey111@aol.com

This is what she probably looked like

She has got some rot in the hog, which reflects in the asking price

Great winter project!

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Aquafibre 31 Sedan in Horning

Today’s assignment was at Horning on this Aquafibre Motor Cruiser.

Sedan models are a kind of cross between the dual steer and aft-cockpit models. The superstructure is usually quite high, with a large saloon opening out onto the aft cockpit area through patio doors. The helm position is in the saloon, and there is usually ample seating in the aft cockpit. In some cases, there is a flybridge on top of the saloon roof, giving excellent visibility but very high airdaft.



Launched in the mid '90's, a sleek sedan style cruiser found in smaller numbers on hire and is very successful with private owners, often featuring high quality interiors.

 Aquafibre History

Aquafibre was founded at Neatishead, Norfolk in the 1960's by a consortium of local boat-builders. The majority shareholders were Robert Richardson and John Linford, who had 30% equity each. The remainder was divided between Martin Broom (Broom Boats - 15%), Vicktor Bell (Bell Boats - 10%), David Millbank (Jenners of Thorpe 10%) and Dawncraft of Wroxham (5%). Dawncraft soon sold their share to David Millbank. John Linford was tragically killed in a light aircraft crash and his share was sold to Martin Broom. Robert Richardson felt that he was the main customer of the business and so sold his share to Martin Broom around 1975 to embark on his own operation. It is not known (by us, at least) what the current shareholding is, however Aquafibre is often identified as being Broom's 'sister' company and almost all of their boats have been moulded at Wendover Road. Aquafibre also provide mould development and consultancy services for many other major boatbuilders as well as producing their extensive range of models from the current Rackheath facility. Sadly, in May 2009 the vast Wendover Road site at Rackheath closed its doors for the very last time. Production of sister company Broom's mouldings moved entirely to their Brundall site, with key Aquafibre customer Haines doing the same for their models built at Catfield.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:


steventruss1@aol.com

London children's first visit to the Broads

Inner London children had their first taste of the country when they visited the Broads from June 20 to 24.

The 31 children from Havelock Primary School, Southall, most of whom have never left London or their families, have been staying at Hautbois House Residential and Activity Centre in Coltishall in the heart of the Broads.

On Wednesday Broads Authority rangers hosted a special day of activities at Hoveton Riverside Park including trips aboard the Broads Authority’s Edwardian style launch, Liana, and a ranger’s launch, hay raking, mini beast hunting and a Broads discovery trail.

This is one of five educational visits to the Broads being organised by the Country Trust this year. Two of the visits have been subsidised by a £5,400 grant from the Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

During the boat trips the children had sightings of an otter with a fish in its mouth, great crested grebes with chicks riding on their backs and feeding them fish, dragonflies, swans and geese.

Broads Authority Education Officer Nick Sanderson, who ran the event said: “This was an opportunity for us to give London children a completely new and unique experience which will widen their horizons. It will be something they will never forget.”

It was clear they had succeeded from comments from the children.

“I love the fresh air,” remarked 10 year old Nadra.

Zohura from Woolmore Primary School, in Tower Hamlets, who came to the Broads on a similar visit in May said: “I have never had so much fun in my life. The best thing was when my group was on the boat and we saw a rare duck. I never thought I would see anything rare in my life. Thank you for making the day so special.”

Imma, also from Woolmore School, commented: ”My class mates and I enjoyed the boat trip especially when I saw the feathery ducks and the green lilypads. It was a great experience. I hope we visit again!”

Another pupil, Fariha, said:” We enjoyed the boat trip because we got to see lovely ducks and massive trees that looked like they were going up to the sky. The river dipping was interesting because we found lots of different insects.”

Bina Murray, Regional Manager for East Anglia at The Country Trust, said: “This was an amazing experience for the children. Some of them have never  been out of the estates they live on. Our aim is to raise their awareness of the countryside, their aspirations and visions for the future and extend their horizons beyond London. They  learn to look after each other, work together, rely on and respect each other.”

At Hautbois House, run by Girlguiding Anglia, the children are orienteering, raft building and taking part in team building initiative tests.

The Broads Authority has introduced children from many local schools to the Broads over the last few years, but these are the first residential visits from London to be run in collaboration with the Country Trust and other partners.

The Country Trust has been bridging the gap between urban and rural communities through showing the working countryside to inner city children, their teachers and parents for 30 years

Broom 10/70 in Brundall Norfolk

Mark and Trace taking down the canopy to get her in the shed ready for lifting

Excellent facilities at Broadband Boat Centre

Today’s assignment was to carry out a Pre-Purchase Survey on this Motor Cruiser, to include a River Trial on completion.

The 10/70 is the successor to the Broom European and similarly intended for the continental market, the 10/70 has a solid keel which keeps it in a straight line even at a crawling pace, making it ideal for the inland waterways.

Inside the layout is similar to the European, with the galley forward to starboard. The sliding doors from the saloon to the side decks have been deleted allowing for a U-shaped sofa. In the master cabin the twin berths are replaced by a centreline double.

Most boats were fitted with twin Volvo's, ranging from 105HP to 220HP, although a typical configuration was twin Volvo TMD41A (150HP each). Offshore, boat trim was improved by fixed or adjustable trim tabs. This one has two new Nanni 200HP diesels.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com