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© Broadland Memories 2006-2026
1980s History
1980s Memories
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The following photos were taken by Neil Lambton during holidays taken on the Broads in the 1980s. You can see more of Neil’s photographs in the 1990s Gallery.
The chocolate box view of Hunsett Mill on the River Ant near Stalham that many will remember - taken in the 1980s. The old mill house has been the subject of a rather controversial restoration in recent years and now bears little resemblance to this idyllic scene.
Approaching “Wiluna” at Horning - also dating from the late 1980s.
Acle Bridge c1989. On the right you can see Alan Johnson’s boatyard - the hire fleet were sold to the Richardson's/ New Horizon group at the end of the 1992 season. The bridge was built in 1931 and had replaced the original, three arched stone structure - this itself was replaced by a new road bridge c1996.
U858 “Moon Light” from Belaugh Boats, pictured passing Alan Johnson’s yard at Acle in 1989.
Neil indulging in a spot of angling at Coltishall Anchor moorings in 1988. Behind him is N694 “Kingfisher” which was hired from Maffett Cruisers of Loddon - the cost of hiring this Alphacraft DC30 in 1988 was between £156 and £260 per week.
Another photograph of “Kingfisher” seen moored at Aston Boats yard at Beccles in 1988.
The Wherry Hotel at Oulton Broad pictured in the late 1980s with every mooring spot occupied!
Another view of the Locks Inn at Geldeston, taken by Neil in 1986.
Another of Maffett Cruiser’s fleet, a Broom DC30 “Nightingale” registration number D192, moored alongside the sugar beet factory at Cantley in 1988.
Maffett’s “Harlequin” S592 pictured in 1989. Harlequin was a Freeman 30 which began life as “Ambassador 3” with the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company.
A wonderful photograph of a reed cutter at work stacking bundles of reeds on the riverbank - believed to have been taken on the River Yare c1989.
D700 “Mandarin” moored at Norwich Yacht Station in 1989. Another of Maffett Cruisers hire fleet, Mandarin was one of the sister ships to Nightingale which is pictured further above. The cost of a weeks hire for these boats in 1989 was between £186 and £310.
A view of St. James Mill in Norwich which was taken from Whitefriars Bridge in 1989. Built in 1836 by the Norwich Yarn Company on the site of a former Carmelite (White Friars) monastery, this grade 2 listed building is now owned by Jarrold and Sons and houses their head office and training centre.
Another batch of photographs from the Aylott Family Collection, this time dating from 1985 when Rob Aylott holidayed with school friends on Juliette 2 from the Martham Boat Development Company boatyard. More photographs from the family can be found in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s galleries, links to which can be found on the main photo index page.
A671 “Judith 1”, from the Martham Boat Development Company, pictured upstream of Wroxham Bridge in 1985.
Another photograph of “Judith I” at Wroxham in 1985.
On board A872 “Juliette II” in 1985.
The galley in the bow of “Juliette II”
Cruising on the Norfolk Broads in 1985 on board Juliette II.
The crew of Juliette II, pictured at Horning alongside Ellis-Frost Marine, just upstream of The Ferry Inn. (Thanks to John Ritchie for identifying the location.)
The Potter Heigham bridge pilot is seen at the helm on the approach to the medieval bridge.
Tight fit! The last of Rob’s photographs from 1985 is a wonderful illustration of just how good the bridge pilots at Potter Heigham are, as Juliette II enters the central arch.
Another small collection from Mick Middleton who has been visiting the Norfolk Broads since 1958. A selection of Mick’s photographs from the 1950s to 1970s can be found in the relevant gallery sections of the website and are linked to on the main photo index page.
The ex-Admiralty Fairmile B ML-162 “Golden Galleon” passenger boat passes the Middleton family as they cross Breydon Water in August 1980.
Setting the crew to work cleaning the family Freeman 22 at Salhouse in the early 1980s.
The “Broads Floating Food Market” provisions boat, pictured at Salhouse Broad in the 1980s. The boat itself began life as T344 “Fulmar 12” which had been built by R. Richardson Pleasure Craft at Stalham, renamed “Pacesetter 5” in 1969, it left their hire fleet at some point in the 1980s
The Middleton family, pictured at Oulton Broad in July 1981, celebrating the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
The last of Mick’s photographs was also taken at Oulton Broad and shows the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh inside the royal car during a visit in 1985.
Mick’s photograph of the Queen’s visit to Oulton Broad in 1985 reminded me that I had two photographs taken during the same royal visit by Oulton Broad resident Brian Powell. Above, the crowds have gathered in Nicholas Everitt Park to greet her Majesty and Prince Philip.
Another photograph of the Queen’s visit to Oulton Broad in 1985, taken by Brian Powell.
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