Gateway to the Broads Whitlingham Country Park receives prestigious Green Flag Award

Whitlingham Country Park on the doorstep of Norwich is one of the best in the country – and that’s official!

For the fifth consecutive year it has received the Green Flag Award, a sign to visitors that the park is a high quality green space which is well-maintained and managed, with excellent facilities. 

Whitlingham Country Park, which offers a breathing space to city dwellers, is one of a record number of 1,288 parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award this year.

Chairman of Whitlingham Country Park Charitable Trust, Martin Shaw, said. "The Trust is delighted that the Park has been successful in obtaining the Green Flag award again this year, since it sets a national benchmark of excellence in recreation management. Against a background of ever increasing numbers of visitors to Whitlingham the award recognises the high environmental standards achieved in the Park.  It is a tribute to the hard work of many volunteers as well as the expertise of Broads Authority rangers.who maintain the country park."

The 280 acre Country Park has been an outstanding success story. Created from gravel workings in the 1990s it now has two broads, one with an Outdoor Education Centre offering sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and other activities, woodlands, meadows, easy access footpaths, and a flint barn housing a visitor centre and café which this year will be open all year round.

It offers easy access to the countryside for city residents and attracts some 500,000 visitors a year. A fifth public car park is shortly to open to accommodate the increasing numbers. The park lies on the Wherryman’s Way long distance walking route to Gt Yarmouth.

The country park is owned by the Whitlingham Charitable Trust and managed in partnership with the Broads Authority, Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council.

Phil Barton, Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman said: “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners, who have worked hard throughout the year to keep their parks and green spaces at a high standard and ensure they are pleasant and enjoyable spaces for the whole community.

“The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up the standards of our parks and green spaces. In these challenging financial times it is heartening that the number of Green Flag Awards continue to grow.”

All award-winning sites now have the chance to receive a further award from the Green Flag Plus Partnership, the People’s Choice Award.  This is voted for by the public, so if you want to see your local park receive a national accolade as the people’s choice, then visit the Green Flag Award website at www.greenflagaward.org.uk now to register your vote.

Half Decker ( Percy Hunter) Norfolk Broads

I Surveyed this gorgeous little Half Decker today. Built before the war (1930) by the famous Percy Hunter at Ludham. She is a real survivor, and of great charm and character. A very rare boat......

Eric Bishop at Coxes Boat Yard at Barton Broad lifting her out for Survey

Even the old 1930's bailer!

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

Ocean 30

I was back down at Horning today inspecting this Motor Cruiser. Aquafibre moulded the hull and the superstructure of the Ocean 30 for other yards to fit out. This round bilge displacement cruiser was in production from 1966 to 1979... This example is one of the first. Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham were the predominant fitters-out until 1975. Ra Nunn after that. Between 1968 and 1970 Bell Buxton produced the Moonraker 30 based on the Ocean hull. Over 1000 ocean 30’s were built. Most can be found on rivers but the boats are quite cable of seagoing, at least in the twin engine version.

Each boat features one of three accommodation lay outs. Some just have four berths and a large aft cockpit like this one. Some have an additional aft cabin on the starboard side, and some have a double aft cabin, but these are rare, ive probably only seen one with the double aft cabin.

Roger at Woods Dyke scrapping off the mussels!

The helm position is basically open backed, though many have a hard top to give some shelter from the elements.

Power is provided by a single Perkins. Twin engine versions were often fitted with Mercedes diesels giving speeds of 9 to 11 knots respectively

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

Princess 45 1990 for sale in Norfolk

I dont know how it happens........... but im working on Saturday again!

Todays assignment was on this Princess 45 Motor Cruiser at 'Ting Dine Marina' in Brundall Norfolk.

The Princess 45 Fly bridge Cruiser was designed for very comfortable cruising with a top speed of over 30 Knots....she achieves this with considerable ease, and always with impeccable seakeeping and handling.

She has smooth, graceful and unruffled lines and has the highly refined deep v hull. Large fuel tanks give the 45 Flybridge a substantial cruising range, bringing distant cruising grounds comfortably within reach. This one will be kept on the Norfolk Broads.

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358HP Volvo diesels

The 45 is a boat that is suited to relaxed getaways, convivial entertaining and the excitement of cruising.

The Broads Authority has been awarded the prestigious European Charter for tourism

The Broads Authority has been awarded the prestigious European Charter for Sustainable Tourism for the second time.

The Authority was the first member of the family of English national parks to receive the Charter five years ago and a great deal of work has gone into assuring its renewal, culminating in a two day visit by a Europarc assessor.

The Authority came in for special praise for its work in sustainable tourism, for its communication including promoting the new brand for the Broads – Britain’s Magical Waterland - and for providing opportunities and facilities for disabled people.

In April an assessor visited a selection of Broads businesses and visitor attractions which have demonstrated green credentials as well as interviewing Broads Authority staff about the work that has been carried out to implement a sustainable tourism strategy and action plan.

The assessor concluded that “the successful combination of attractive water-based activities and wildlife experiences with safeguarding the high conservation value can still be seen as an exceptional strength of the area.”

She said that major progress over the last five years had been made in  developing a strong partnership with Broads Tourism – the local organisation for  tourism businesses. She was also impressed with the work achieved to build the new Broads brand, and the new tourism website, http://www.enjoythebroads.com/.

Main strengths listed were the Green Tourism Business Scheme, including a new pilot scheme for assessing environmentally friendly hire boats, the Broads Quality Charter for restaurants and pubs, quality development of moorings, access for disabled people, conservation management, a cycle and canoe hire network, training in traditional crafts and the Broads Authority’s methods of communicating.

The Broads Authority’s provision for disabled people and information on this came in for special praise.

The report says: “With its water-based opportunities for disabled people, including sailing, it is still outstanding and can serve as an example of good practice. The issue is actively promoted and is presented prominently on the new website as an issue on its own.”

The Authority’s work with the MOSAIC PROJECT which creates links between minority groups and national parks by providing targeted events comes in for special mention.

Bruce Hanson of the Broads Authority said: “We are delighted to receive this brilliant accolade once more. Our work in partnership with the business community is really bearing fruit now and it is to everyone’s advantage – the businesses know that they profit from operating in an environment that is really well cared for and valued by us all. The Broads is yet again acknowledged to be demonstrating best practice at an international level.”