Broads photograph wins national competition

A photo of the Broads has beaten hundreds of others from across UK national parks to clinch top prize in a competition judged by adventurer Ben Fogle.

The picture of a young woman canoeing through Surlingham Broad at sunrise was shot by Tasmanian amateur photogapher Fraser Johnston who was inspired to take up the hobby while exploring the Broads only five years ago.

It was the only Broads entry to the Actively Yours contest sponsored by Merrell and wowed television star Ben, who chose the “breathtakingly beautiful” photo from a field of 334 entries from both amateur and professional photographers.

"Johnston's photo is evocative and moving," he said. "It's a beautiful winter's scene that makes you want to dive into the image. I find it surprisingly moving and breathtakingly beautiful. Canoeing is accessible to everyone; it requires no expertise. Just like the National Parks, it's for everyone."

Judges wanted to see people being active in one of the 15 members of the National Park family, emphasising that Britain’s breathing spaces belong to everybody.

The Actively Yours theme is supported by outdoor footwear specialists Merrell, who will be providing Fraser with his choice of outdoor or active footwear from their spring/summer 2013 collection.

Fraser moved to Norwich in 2007 after meeting his Norfolk girlfriend in Tasmania while she was on holiday.

“At the time I didn't even know that Norfolk existed,” he said. “It's much different to Tasmania where there is barely a flat piece of ground anywhere. However I learned to love the landscape especially after we bought an old hand made canoe. About this time I took up photography and we started exploring the Broads, putting a tent and some warm clothes in our leaky old canoe and setting off from Norwich, headed down river for the weekend.

“The photograph is a beautiful memory of a beautiful winter's morning setting off in the canoe after camping the night before. The position the shot is taken from puts the viewer right in the action, taking the stern position in the canoe."

The competition was launched on 18 March this year and ran until 26 April.  Kathryn Cook, UK Director of the UK Association of National Park Authorities, said the short-listing process was “an incredibly difficult one.”

"We were really taken with the quality of this year's entries," she said.  "There were some lively discussions amongst the judges about who should go through. Each of the photos so wonderfully represented what is special about the UK's National Parks - that they are free and open to all of us. We're certainly grateful to Ben for taking on the challenge of picking a final winner -- it can't have been easy."

To see the winning photo, as well as the other entries visit: www.nationalparks.gov.uk/photo-competition

The annual photography competition is one of the major events leading up to National Parks Week, which takes place this year from 29 July to 4 August. As with the photography competition, the theme for National Parks Week 2013 is Actively Yours. It is part of an effort to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the incredible diversity of landscapes and activities to be found within the UK's National Parks family.

To learn more about National Parks Week, including finding information on events taking place near you, visit: www.nationalparks.gov.uk/2013nationalparksweek

Sealine SC35 sportscruiser

The Yacht Broker Norfolk Yacht Agency bringing her into the dock ready for lifting - Tiff adusting the fenders...

Very beamy!

You’ll either love this boat or hate it…. Bit like Marmite! Personally I really loved it because you can't fail to fall for the interior volume endowed by its brave upright form.

From the large owner's cabin more alike to a 38 footer through to the separate shower stall, large saloon and three berth aft cabin, this boat is big. Google her and they all complain about lack of stowage, but the 6ft 3ins headroom and airy contemporary styling shine through. Loved the draw that opens to the side in the front cabin because the door is in the way!

It's the same story on deck. Those angular lines bring a crisp clean contemporary flavour to the cockpit and it doesn't lose any practicality in the process.

Gorgeous helm, level deck and generous seating make the day space a trendy fun place to be. Crowning it all, Sealines huge hardtop, complete with massive folding canvas centre section bring a welcome end to traditional end of day canopy fight. Reminds me of a moderan version of the Broom Skipper!, slide the roof closed, fit the aft canopy and you're done.

Surveyors comment: Has to be the most exciting look on the sportscruiser market! Some quality equipment onboard. The engine rooms impressive with huge fuel tanks almost enough room to walk around!

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

Broom 41

I visited Broom Boats in Brundall this morning to Survey this Motor Yacht for a client. A member of the offshore range, the 41 was based on an extended version of the John Bennet designed Broom 39 hull, and was one of the first models to feature the full width aft deck with seating incorporated into the dodgers, giving a very large outside living area on one level. The 41 also broke with tradition by dispensing with the internal helm position, relying on the sheltered cockpit for an all-weather steering position.

Interior space is maximised on this model by keeping the walkways between cabins to one side. The original layout had a large galley and a breakfast bar, but in 1997 the option of the galley level dinette was introduced and this layout proved to be more popular. Both versions feature a large master cabin aft and a guest cabin forward, which on later models was often a second double.

Engine configurations could be twin Perkins, Volvo, Iveco or Caterpillars upward of 300HP each. This one had the 370 Volvos fitted.
Visit the members-only pages on the Broom Owners Site to download a Manual for this model.

Surveyors comments: The quality of joiner work of the older Brooms has become the benchmark for this class of yacht and, although often copied, quite frankly the quality is seldom matched by competitors. Good, solid built boat.

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

Your Boat Builder Needs You

… if you are the owner of one of the following Broom models. 9/70, Broom Navigator, Broom Robb, 31, 32, 365, Ocean 37, 450, 530. Brooms have currently got over 30 boats confirmed to take part in thier Anniversary Pageant to celebrate thier 115th anniversary, but they say it would be lovely to fill the gaps and make it a complete line up of all the boats still in existence.

If you are the owner of one of the models listed above and can be in Brundall with the boat on Saturday 27th July then please contact Louise to register your interest or find out more.

The day will comprise a sail past of our pageant fleet, plus the chance to view some of the different boats, as well as take part in a factory tours, browse stalls from thier selected partners and try out a hire boat or step aboard a selection of pre-loved Broom boats for sale.

The day will be rounded off in style by a hog roast party with dancing to live music from a local band.

Broads Authority's public open day

The Broads Authority will be throwing open the doors to its state-of-the-art new dockyard and workshop when it holds its annual public open day there on the last Saturday in June.

A free ferry to the Thorpe facility will be provided from Whitlingham Country Park for members of the public who will be able to take part in a range of fun activities as well as find out what the authority has achieved in protecting and maintaining the special qualities of the Broads and the interests of its users over the past year.

Visitors will also be able to go on a tour of the dockyard and see two of the Authority’s new vessels, the Spirit of Breydon, a rescue launch which is being used on Breydon Water, and the new mud wherry Iona, as well as witness a boat being worked on.

The event, which will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday June 28, will incorporate the annual opportunity to ask members of the Authority about its work and plans for the future with question and answer sessions.

There is limited car parking at the dockyard so please park at Whitlingham Country Park where the free boat will run to the site.