Love the Broads recruits new Ambassadors

The inspirational visitor giving scheme, Love the Broads, has been so successful that 12 volunteer Ambassadors across the Broads have been recruited to help to support this exciting scheme. Set up by the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads Charitable Trust and the Broads Authority in 2012, the aim of the scheme is to raise money to give to projects that protect, preserve and enhance the Broads to benefit local communities and visitors.

The scheme works by recruiting tourism businesses who will ask their customers for a small voluntary donation on top of their bill.  All donations collected are then available for local environmental and wildlife projects.  The scheme was trialled and modelled on a project in the Lake District which has seen more than £2M raised there and with more than 280 businesses involved.

So far, over 70 businesses in the Broads have signed up, all of which are collecting donations from visitors.  This can be by adding a small voluntary contribution to accommodation, bike or canoe hire, or cup of tea or coffee or just by displaying a box of books and badges.

The 12 new Ambassadors include tourism businesses already involved in collecting donations, Trustees of the Broads Trust and local people keen to put a little something back. Their role will be to liaise with businesses within their local area to collect donations, restock badge and book boxes and provide general support and guidance about the scheme.

At a recent training event  at How Hill  each Ambassador received information and support to help them with their new role as well as a toolbox kitted out with everything they will need.

Jane Nash, owner of self-catering holiday cottage, Spring Cottage at Horning said “We are passionate about the Broads and we have been involved with Love the Broads for some time.  We are delighted that so many other businesses are now collecting donations for this special scheme.  We work closely with our neighbouring tourism businesses and jumped at the chance of helping to take the scheme forward by being the local Ambassador.”

Nick Barne, Chairman of the Broads Trust said “This is an exciting time for Love the Broads.  Whilst we have grown the scheme with over 70 businesses involved, this also gives us challenges in keeping in touch with them, collecting donations and providing more merchandise.  We are delighted that we have been able to recruit 12 excellent Ambassadors to work closely with our Development Officer to help us to overcome these challenges. We are most grateful to them”

Last year, over £4,000 was donated by visitors to the Broads to projects which benefitted wildlife and the visitor experience. These included 17 new barn owl boxes, cycle route signage and improved access on an all-weather circular footpath at Carlton and Oulton Marshes Nature Reserve. Two pairs of barn owls have already moved in to their new boxes on the River Yare.

Love the Broads is now welcoming new funding applications  and plans to make a total of around £10,000 available for small projects. The application process is straight forward and advice is available for completing the necessary forms which can be found at:  www.lovethebroads.org.uk . 100% funding can be available but projects that include an element of matched funding will be welcomed. The deadline for submission of applications for this round of grants is 31st May.

Love the Broads scheme was set up by the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads Charitable Trust and the Broads Authority with the aim of raising money for projects which protect, preserve and enhance the Broads and which will have a positive impact on local communities and visitors.

The Broads Trust currently has vacancies for Trustees and welcomes applicants. For an informal discussion contact Peter Howe on 01603 783096 or visit:
http://www.broadscharitabletrust.org.uk

The project has received money from the European Regional Development Fund through the STEP project which promotes sustainable tourism in estuary parks and is also supported by a grant from the Norfolk Coast and Broads Rural Development Programme which is funded by Defra and the EU.

Follow them on Twitter: @LovetheBroads         Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovethebroads
For information on Love the Broads, to donate to this exciting initiative or for business sign up go to: www.lovethebroads.org.uk          

Windboat Classic Broads Cruiser

I had a trip out to Moonfleet Marine near Stalham on the Northern Broads yesterday to carry out this Insurance Survey on this 1955 Broads Cruiser. Designed by the famous Graham Bunn back in the 50's and built in Wroxham. She is a product of the era of the tall sided majestic looking wooden Broadland Motor Cruisers designed specifically for inland water ways use.

I think she was one of the last built. The owner has been slowly refitting her over the last 8 years to a very high standard. Even the 2.5 BMC diesel engine was rebuilt... every nut and bolt. 

Surveyors comments: I've noticed that Wooden Classics are increasing in value if they have been refitted to a very high standard, especially where the mix of 'old and new' have been cleverly included in the design. If im correct a Broom Admiral fetched £90,000 last month... bought by Jamie Oliver (The Chef). And Snowgoose - the Landamores Cruiser in last months Classic Boat is insured for a similar sum. The maximum price for a really good Broads Cruiser a few years ago was around £40,000, so it shows how things have changed. 

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 34

I had the day at Barnes of Brinkcraft Boatyard in Wroxham on Friday Surveying this Broom Motor Cruiser. Introduced as the Broom Ocean 34, the boat was later rebadged as the Broom 34 to strengthen the Broom branding. Designed as a combined inland and coastal cruiser, the Ocean 34 features the wide decks and folding windscreens typical of the range. However some models, built without a radar arch and with a folding mast for the navigation lights on the coachroof, were clearly not intended for extended offshore passages.

With the same interior layout as the 35CL, the 34 could be fitted either with a forward V berth (like this one) or dinette, in addition to the well specified aft master cabin and deck saloon. A sliding door from the saloon gave access to the side decks on the port side.

34s were typically fitted with single engines such as the Perkins 135HP for river use, but could also house twin Volvo 130HP or Yanmar 140HP for coastal cruising. 

LOA:	34ft 0in / 10.4m
Beam:	12ft 4in / 3.8m
Draught:	3ft 2in / 0.90m
Min. Air Draught:	9ft 3in / 2.82m
Hull/Deck:	GRP
Hull Form:	Semi-displacement
Cruise Speed:	6 knots
Max. Speed:	14 knots
Fuel Capacity:	90 gals / 410 ltr
Water Capacity:	80 gals / 364 ltr
Build Period:	1996-1999
Number Built:	29
Previous Model:	?
Successor Model:	35 CL
Market Value:	£100,000

Maurice Griffiths Yacht

I didn't have to go very far today….the boat I was inspecting was next to my office at Bell Boats Ltd. The yard is run by John Bell, and is an established family run boatyard (for over 60 years), and offers a wide range of services for the boat owner. 

 

Today’s Survey was for insurance purpose on this Maurice Griffiths design Yacht. Among the most popular Griffiths designs that appeared in 'Yachting Monthly' Magazine during the late 1950's.

 

John has a large German built crane onsite that can lift all sorts of vessels including my Grand Banks 42, which is well over 20 tons.  

This example was built by the owner in 1997. Constructed from Iroko hardwoods, a very durable timber…… she should last for years with very little repair maintenance, just the 'Bright Work' to look after.

  

Food and Beer launch Broads Authority’s 25th anniversary

A must have guide for any Broads visitor wanting a fine dining experience or simply fish and chips was launched at the Fur and Feather pub at Woodbastwick on Tuesday 8^th April at 11.30am. And to coincide with the eating out experience, Woodforde’s brewery launched a speciality beer, Flagondry, to celebrate the Broads Authority’s 25^th anniversary.

Eating Out in the Broads, sponsored by the Broads’ largest operator, Richardson’s Boating Holidays of Stalham, guides the visitor to the best eateries the Broads has to offer. It features traditional pubs, speciality seafood restaurants and cosy riverside tea rooms which all serve local ingredients and have been quality checked by independent assessors and awarded either gold, silver or bronze. The guide indicates the price range and whether there is a mooring nearby. The brochure also includes other places to eat which have not been assessed as well as bike and canoe hire outlets, boat trips, visitor centres, yacht stations and a very handy map.

Greg Munford, Chief Executive of Richardsons, said: “The experience every Richardson’s customer has on holiday is heavily dependent, not only on ourselves, but on the quality and range of other attractions and importantly restaurants and eateries. “When the opportunity arose to sponsor the Eating Out guide we jumped at it! This is a great publication produced by the Broads Authority which helps anyone holidaying or visiting the Broads to choose where to go when they fancy a meal on shore or even a takeaway fish and chips!  We hope the wide distribution of this guide will promote the establishments included and reward those who have committed to the grading. We want people to enjoy the Broads by experiencing the magic that both the Broads and its tourism businesses have to offer.”

The Fur and Feather Inn at Woodbastwick is one of the eateries featuring in the guide and offers the new Woodforde’s beer, Flagondry - brewed exclusively to celebrate the Broads Authority’s 25^th anniversary.
Flagondry, which is inspired by the dragonflies that are commonly seen in the Broads, is a golden, zesty ale using Norfolk’s finest ingredients including Maris Otter and honey.

Woodforde’s managing director, Rupert Farquharson said: “Our brewery is close to Salhouse, considered the heart of the Norfolk Broads, so we are delighted to brew this beer to mark a special occasion.

“The pubs around the Broads play a key role in our region’s tourism industry and we hope visitors to this beautiful part of the world will enjoy a refreshing pint of Flagondry - a true taste of Norfolk.”