Pre 1900

1845

The Great Yarmouth Suspension Bridge Disaster - Transcript of the original Norwich Mercury newspaper report on the tragic events of May 2nd 1845 when the suspension bridge collapsed with the loss of 79 lives.  (PDF 985 kb)

1886

On The “Broads” Great Yarmouth - Transcript of an article on visiting the Broads from the 1886 edition of “Holiday Notes in East Anglia” published by the Great Eastern Railway Company. Originally published in the Daily Telegraph in 1883.  (PDF 389 kb)

1895

A Cruise On The Norfolk Broads by Anna Bowman Dodd - Published in Century Magazine Vol 1 No:6 in October 1895. A 23 page account of a cruise on the Broads in the 1890s by an American authoress with illustrations by Joseph Pennell.  (PDF - 5.86 Mb)

1898

Sad Drowning At Oulton - Transcript from the Lowestoft Journal 2nd July 1898 on the drowning of wherryman Wallace Solomon (PDF - 339 KB)

1920s

1921

A Holiday on the Broads - How to spend an enjoyable summer fortnight by L. Warren Riimer. Illustrated article from the Boys Own Paper, published in June 1921. (PDF - 1.89 Mb)

1922

Sailing on the Broads - How to spend an enjoyable summer holiday by L. Warren Rimmer. Illustrated follow up article in the Boys Own Paper from July 1922 giving instruction on how to sail. (PDF - 3.6 Mb)

1940s

1940

Whitlingham Church Tower Falls (Report of the tower of St Andrew's Church collapsing on the 8th February 1940)

1947

Broadland Holiday - article by Leslie Sansom published in Motor Cycling Magazine in August 1947 of a two part trip by motor cycle trip around the Norfolk Broads

1948

We Clean The Rivers - Magazine article on the dredging which began on the Broads after WW2 (PDF 7.81 Mb)

1948

Wherries and Wherrymen - Country Life article written by J. Wentworth Day (PDF 2.63 Mb)

1948

Norfolk's First Railway - 9 page Norfolk Magazine article about the Norwich to Gt Yarmouth line (PDF  7.7 Mb)

1948

A Study In Neglect - by John Arrow - 8 page Norfolk Magazine articleabout the neglect of the waterways & loss of amenities by  the secretary of the Broadlands Protection Society (PDF 7.01 Mb)

1949

Broads-Built Diesel Cruiser (Article on the brand new Knave of Hearts built by Hearts Cruisers at Thorpe 25-05-49)

1949

"Tiny" Talks of Wherries - 1949 East Anglian Magazine interview with wherryman Tiny Moore, then living aboard the wherry Gipsy. (PDF 1.85 Mb)

1949

The Last of the Norfolk Horse Ferries - September 1949 Country Life article about Reedham Ferry by J. Wentworth Day. (PDF 2.09 Mb)

1950s

1950

A Broads Cruiser Goes To Sea - by G. Aikens - 6 page Norfolk Magazine article about the river cruiser 'Forester' which made the journey from Lowestoft to Burnham-on-Crouch by sea in August 1949 (PDF 3.97 Mb)

1950

In A Lonely Land - October 1950 Country Life magazine article about Berney Arms & The Hewitt family written by J. Wentworth Day (PDF 1.21 Mb)

1950

The Old Norfolk Wherry - May 1950 East Anglian magazine article by Roger Finch. (PDF 1.85 Mb)

1952

Reedsmen of the Norfolk Broads - 1952 magazine article (PDF 2936 kb)

1960s

1964

The Wherry Albion - 2 page article from The East Anglian Magazine January 1964 (PDF 985 kb)

1964

The North Walsham & Dilham Canal - 2 page article from East Anglian magazine March 1964 (PDF 1.36Mb)

1964

A Broads Yacht Crosses The Atlantic - July 1950 East Anglian magazine article by George Levine & James Forsythe on the Ernest Collins yacht 'America' being found overseas in Martinique. (PDF 860 Kb)

1965

Repairs go ahead to badly damaged Reedham Bridge (Coaster Ellen M swerves to avoid the Four of Hearts yacht)

1967

Is there a future for the North Walsham & Dilham Canal? - 2 page article from East Anglian magazine Feb 1967 (PDF 1.29Mb)

1967

Berney Arms Mill - 2 page article from East Anglian magazine Feb 1967 (PDF 1.27Mb)

1967

Sandersons “Sanderling”  (Article on their 2 berth cruiser)

1967

Jenners buy out Hearts Cruisers (11-11-67)

1968

The Norfolk Wherries - Article by Stuart Mitchell from the East Anglian Magazine published in July 1968 (PDF 2.87 Mb)

1968

The Bitterns of Norfolk's Broadland - Article by Alan Savoury from the East Anglian Magazine published in July 1968 (PDF 2.99 Mb)

1970s

1970

Jenners boatyard to shut down (Article on closure of Jenners yard & the future of Thorpe Island marina 28-09-70)

1970

The Great Recovery  (Article with details of dredging the Broads between 1954 and 1970 - amount of silt removed and costs etc.)

1970

Memories of Steam on The Broads - article from East Anglian Magazine by G.A. Tullett about the M&GN rail line and steam trains around the Broads in the 1950s.

1970

Straunge haps and mishaps at Bongay - article from East Anglian magazine by R. Lacey Webb about an account of the "Black Shuck" visitation at Bungay in 1577 as recorded by Reverand Abraham Fleming  

1971

Launch Of Newsons “Amethyst”  (newson’s launch new 45 foot cruiser - April 1971)

1970s

Speed Limits On Yare (5mph speed limits introduced on sections of the River Yare)

1970s

From Bricks To Boats (Article on F.B.Wilds and the Caribbean cruisers)

1970s

Blakes Return To Broads After 61 Years  (Blakes move their HQ from London back to Wroxham)

1970s

Extending the Broads  (plans to re-open the navigation on the upper Waveney beyond Geledeston)

1970s

Missing Cruiser Found At Brighlingsea (The cruiser Santa Caterina from Harvey Eastwood’s is stolen and turns up in Essex!)

1972

The Wherries of Norfolk (Magazine article by G.A. Tullett - PDF 2.24 MB)

1972

New Boats on the Broads (Waterways World article on the new Caralina class from Porter & Haylett and H. Woods Dancing Light)

1973

Susan's Pub - 3 page article about Susan Ellis and Geldeston Locks Inn from Norfolk Fair Magazine August 1973 (PDF 1.7 Mb)

1973

Easier Than A Mortgage If You Can Find Moorings - Article about the pleasure wherry Olive May being used as a houseboat on the Thames from The Daily Telegraph in September 1973

1973

Etching shows link with yard closure (Etching by Harold S. Percival (father of H.T.) c1900 of wherry being built at Allen’s boatyard)

1973

SS Resolute A Veteran Broads Steamer - July 1973 East Anglian magazine article by Patrick Taylor about the passenger steamer Resolute. (PDF 1.83 Mb)

1974

Will Sailing Cruisers Receive Special Treatment?  (The exemption of sailing cruisers from the new byelaws on sewage discharge)

1975

Paradise Dying  (May - pollution of The Broads and agricultural issues)

1976

Wherry Albion On Fundraising Tour  (July - Albion on tour to raise funds for ongoing restoration)

1976

Coaster KO’s Reedham Ferry (July - coaster collides with Reedham ferry and three cruisers, sinking one)

1976

New Belle Will replace The Old  (Norwich Belle passenger boat to be replaced with a new one)

1976

Queen Opens Broads Conservation Centre  (November - Queen opens new conservation centre at Ranworth)

1976

Water-skiers Upset By Yare Speed Limit Proposals  (Waterskiers protest at new 7mph speed limits on Yare

1976

Bid Launched To Cut Down Speeding  (October - how the river inspectors were enforcing the new speed limits on the Broads)

1977

Broads National Park Idea Opposed  (January - Yarmouth Councils opposition to the Broads becoming a National Park))

1977

Broads Park Plan Backed (January - Norfolk County Council back proposals for the Broads to become a National Park)

1977

Broads Authority Agreed  (Formation of the Broads Authority is announced)

1977

New Queen Of  The Broads Launched  (The new 65ft Queen Of The Broads passenger boat is launched)

1977

Perseverance To Cut River Delays Pays Off (Reedham swing bridge new signals installed)

1977

New Marina Planned At Waveney Inn Site   (New marina is dug out at Burgh St. Peter as the Waveney Inn expands operations)

1977

French Beaver Fleet Sold For 1.25 Million  (The Rank Organisation buy out of  the Beaver Fleet at St. Olaves)

1978

Tide Blamed As Barge Hits Reedham Bridge  (Coastal barge Roina hits Reedham  swing bridge en route to Norwich)

1978

TV Cameras To help Breydon Water Rescues  (Breydon may be covered by TV camera in a bid to aid rescues from the mud flats)

1978

Commissioners Investigate Ways To Stop Speeding  (Investigation into means of stopping speeding on The Broads)

1978

Cruisers Crushed As Ship Swings (The coaster Tower Duchess collides with two cruisers, inc. Aston Penguin, at Reedham)

1978

Boat Firm Tops Holiday Targets (Hoseasons announce selling over 260, 000 boating holidays)

1978

Luxury Cruiser Launched  (Aston Aquarius, their most luxurious cruiser ever, is launched)

1978-79

 River Closed As Old Mine Is Detonated  (40 year old mine found in River Waveney at Burgh St Peter)

1979

Attack On ‘Dishonest’ Broads Film  (Attack on Anglia TV’s No Lullaby For Broadland documentary)

1979

Steamer Trip Marks Hotel Plan  (Southern Comfort moves to Horning and plans for £70k refurbishment of The Swan Inn)

1979

Pleasure Cruise Turned Into Fogbound Ordeal (Queen Of Broads stuck on Breydon for 10 hours with 100 passengers onboard)

1979

Broads Speed Traps ‘Not Successful’  (Experiment with radar speed traps on the Broads is unsuccessful)

1979

Chairman Slams ‘No Cruisers On Hickling’ Idea (Proposals by North Norfolk council to ban motor cruisers from Hickling/Horsey)

1979

Battle to save steamer hotting up (The steam passenger cruiser Resolute may be lost if urgent restoration is not done - July)

1979

Rusting Resolute  (July - colour picture of the steamer Resolute in addition to the article above)

1979

New footbridge over Waveney at St. Olaves  (New footbridge added to road bridge at St. Olaves)

1979

Warning over Broads Future  (More concern about the damage being done to rivers by boating and agriculture)

1979

Danger Broads may become un-navigable (October-danger of Broads silting up due to levels of nitrates and phosphates in rivers)

1979-80

Big yacht marina at Yarmouth ‘long overdue’  (port & Haven Comissioners feel that a new large Marina is needed)

1979-80

Booming Broads firm plans for 80s (Blakes plans for the 1980s)

1980s

1980

Hard times for Broads (April - James Hoseason announces that bookings are down by 20%)

1980

Boat season hopes fade (April - poor bookings for Broadland boatyards)

1980

Norfolk Broads boat publicity ‘misleading’  (Blakes claim that anti-boating publicity is misleading)

1980

Wherries idea for the Broads  (May - appeal launched to build permanent base for Albion and Lord Roberts at Womack)

1980

Family buys remote inn  (Walter Coe buys Geldeston Locks)

1980

Boat show debut for new cruiser  (Westward 38 heads to the London Boat Show)

1980

Safeguard for Bure loop  (June - plans for marina, caravan park and industrial estate at Yarmouth)

1980

Attempt to limit fleets of cruisers  (Proposals to limit number of cruisers being hires to youths through Butlins Broads Ventures)

1980

Reedham quay ‘traffic warden’  (July - Reedham Quay attendant Jack Carter)

1980

Cash grant to aid threatened Ranworth centre  (July - Norfolk Naturalists need cash grant to stabilise Ranworth Broad)

1980

Drinking water tanks need cleaning  (Sept - boat hire firms could be forced to sterilise drinking water tanks)

1980

Leisure plan for Beccles  (planned improvements to the Yacht Station)

1980

Holiday flow steadies  (Beccles quay has steady flow of boats after a poor start to the season)

1980

Broads end of season boost  (Oct - an Indian summer salvages a poor year for Broadland boatyards)

1980

Plans to expand boatyard  (Oct - Mistral at Loddon plans new moorings, a spray shop and store)

1980

Troubles over, Bridge Broad water open  (Oct - Bridge Broad at Wroxham is dredged and re-opened to boats)

1980

3000 miles for Broadland crew  (Nov - 3000 miles clocked up by 3 holidaymakers since 1964)

1981-83

£3000 to repair windpump  (Work begins on repairs to Stracey Arms Mill by the Norfolk Windmills Trust)

1981-83

Limit boats to save Chet plea  (BA councillor requests a cap on the number of boats allowed to be based on the Chet)

1981-83

New life for “old lady of the Broads”  (sailing cruiser “Brit” built by G.Hart in 1908 is restored at Worsley Craft in Loddon)

1981-83

“Terrier” rises from the ashes  (Ernest Woods built half decker “Terrier” is restored after almost being destroyed in a fire)

1981-83

 Weeds clog up Thurne  (report of weed growth becoming a problem on the River Thurne)

1981

Boatyards feel pinch  (boatyards on the Chet have a mixed season as the boating downturn continues)

1981

Extra fuel tax idea for Broads  (Broads Authority look at charging extra tax on desiel for boats in an effort to combat erosion)

1981

Late season boost for holiday trade  (peak season trade down in the Waveney valley, but a boost in autumn bookings)

1981

No change on Broads status  (Broads Authority turns down idea of seeking conservation area status for the entire Broads)

1981

Resolute towed to a new life  (the pleasure steamer Resolute is towed off for restoration in Essex)

1981

Thurne Mill opens to the public  (Thurne Mill to open to public for the first time following it’s restoration)

1981

Time on the Locks?  (Walter Coe places an advert with the intention of selling Geldeston Locks Inn)

1981

Eastick's Yacht Station (Brief history of the yard published in Norfolk Fair Magazine Sept 1981)

1981

The Harvey Eastwood Story (Interview with manager Simon Harvey published in Norfolk Fair Sept 1981)

1981

Landamore's And The Broads First Water Bus (Article about the early passenger launches built by Landamores in the 1920s)

1981

When Rowan Craft Raised The Wherry Olive May (Brief history of the yard published in Norfolk Fair Sept 1981)

1981

Tales Of Royall Smuggling (A brief history of the Royall family's long association with the Broads and Royall's boatyard written by Alan Royall & published in Norfolk Fair Sept 1981)

1981

How The Sandersons Lived On A Boat For 28 Years (A brief history of Sandersons boatyard at Reedham published in Norfolk Fair Sept 1981)

1981

How John Williams Got Back In To Boats (Article published in Norfolk Fair Sept 1981)

1981

Yarmouth's Vanishing Pleasure Craft (4 page illustrated article about the passenger steamers which operated at Great Yarmouth over the years published in Norfolk Fair Sept 1981)  PDF 3.03 Mb

1982

Ludham home for the Albion  (Norfolk Wherry Trust recieve £500 from Shell UK towards their new Ludham base)

1982

Bookings need a boost  (long term bookings for the season are looking poor)

1982

Bridging the gap  (the final section of the new Beccles road bridge is swung into place as work continues on new bypass)

1982

Hire industry given a boost  (the new cruiser “Treasure Huntress” is launched by Hippersons at Beccles)

1982

Boat hirers hit out  (Broads hire boat federation hit back at the “What Future for Broadland” report’s plan to limit boats on the Broads)

1982

New canal proposed to link rivers  (plans to create a link from Tunstall Dyke on the Bure to the river Yare)

1982

Yacht Station work begins  (work begins to extend the mooring facilities at Beccles quay)

1982-83

Locks Inn plan gets go-ahead  (the new owners of Geldeston Locks Inn are granted planning permission to extend the pub)

1982-83

Preparing new Reedham ferry for first trip (Newson’s boatyard put the finishing touches on the new ferry at Oulton Broad)

1982-83

New Reedham ferry doubles capacity  (the new, larger ferry begins work at Reedham)

1983

75 years ... And still they’re going strong  (Blakes celebrate 75th anniversary at Wroxham with the wherry Olive)

1983

Fury on the riverside  (uproar at the Broads Authority plan to remove chalets from the Thurne at Martham & Potter Heigham)

1983

River chalets move not necessary  (River Thurne Tenants Association produce 18 page reply to proposals to remove chalets)

1983

Broads body hits back on river plan  (Broads Authority answers criticism over plan to remove chalets on River Thurne)

1983

Consortium in rescue bid  (consortium of conservation bodies may step in to buy How Hill as council decides to sell)

1983

How Hill price tag may be £125,000  (Jan - negotiations continue over the purchase of How Hill)

1983

Plan to by How Hill estate  (more on the sale of How Hill)

1983

Homeless after boat blaze  (historic Brookes vessel “The Doris” is engulfed by fire at Beccles Quay)

1983

More Broads style?  (Martham Ferry boatyard builds new wooden sailing cruiser “Crestadonna”)

1983

Smaller fleet a Broads factor  (smaller hire fleet, better marketing and good weather give Blakes a better season)

1983

Broads traffic jam caused by bomb  (July - bomb dredged up on Breydon Water causes traffic jam as the water is closed)

1983

Wherry bid halted  (plans to rescue the Lord Roberts are halted as the operation runs in to trouble)

1983

Roberts returns-but a long haul ahead for Maud  (The wherry Lord Roberts is refloated and taken to Wroxham and news on the progress of the wherry Maud’s restoration)

1983-84

Speedo laws for Broads cruisers mooted  (news of a possible byelaw to make speed indicators compulsory on cruisers)

1984

High tide puts Beccles Quay under water  (January - high tides cause flooding at Beccles)

1984

Pubs blazing start to New Year  (Jan - the Wherry Inn at Langley suffers a major fire on New Years day)

1984

New bid to clear the murky waters  (the work to improve the water quality at Barton Broad)

1984

Boost for boatyards  (bookings for the 1984 season are up for the Chet boatyards)  

1984

Broads profits too low  (Blakes claim that the Broads can no longer sustain a fleet of 2000 holiday cruisers)

1984

Business booms at boat firm  (Mistral craft’s revolutionary new paint spraying technique brings in more customers)

1984

Quay “calling card” to resort  (plans to create new riverside leisure area at the site of old Smiths crisps factory at Yarmouth)

1984

Holiday Debut  (news of the creation of the Herbert Woods Group)

1984

Broads boat hire firm goes public  (Herbert Woods goes public in an attempt to raise over £1 million to fund expansion)

1984

Restored Broads thoroughbred will race again  (Maidie is bought and taken to Sandersons for the start of her restoration)

1984

Broads navigation control wrangle  (debates over who should control navigation on the Broads)

1984

Firm gives up its holiday hire trade  (Poolcraft at Beccles sell off their fleet of hire cruisers)

1984

Salvaged wherry offered as exhibit  (the Lord Roberts if offered to Broads Authority museum)

1984

Wherry yacht Olive to visit pub at Langley  (Olive is guest of honour at the re-opening of the Wherry Inn at Langley)

1984

Supercharged control body proposed  (extended powers recommended for the Broads Authority)

1984

Chaos fear of villagers  (Broads Authority plans a 6 month experimental closure of Potter Heigham bridge)

1984

Potter “Vegas” fears  (protests over planned bridge closure and proposals for a large marina/holiday complex)

1984

No plain sailing for Potter plan  (more on the controversial plans for a £4 million holiday complex at Broadshaven)

1984-85

Broad closure plan pressure  (GY Port & Haven Commissioners come under increasing pressure to close parts of Hickling Broad)

1985

It’s finished - but we can’t use it until March  (The new Breydon road bridge is completed)

1985

Navigation proposal backed  (more on plans to hand over control of navigation to the Broads Authority)

1985

How Hill’s future is settled  (Broads study centre now has a secure future)

1985

Boating holiday firm launched  (The Herbert Woods Group announce the launch of Pennant Holidays)

1985

Ghosts part of mills heritage   (Nov - Loddon watermill opens as a museum - the owner tells of the ghostly sightings in the building)

1985-86

Hull design wash tests  (Hull wash tests are carried out at Salhouse in a bid to cut erosion)

1985-86

Hull redesign bid to cut bank erosion   (more on the hull design tests)

1985-86

Broads marina up for sale  (Harvey Eastwoods yard and fleet at Brundall on the market for £750k)

1986

He’s ambitious ... Broadly speaking  (Jan - Profile on Laurence Dale and Pennant Holidays)

1986

Broads cottage to be a museum  (Jan - Toad Hall at How Hill is to become a museum)

1986

Heading for How Hill target  (The appeal is on course to raise funds for improvements to How Hill study centre)

1986

Broads holidays boom forecast  (Bookings are up for the 1986 season)

1986

Filter water for Broads cruisers  (Water filters to be fitted to many hireboats after Environmental Health recommendations)

1986

Luxury cruiser a high flyer  (The 27ft Crown Carousel built at Loddon is off to the Dusseldorf boat show)

1986

Pioneering Broads craft is launched  (Martham boatbuilding & Dev. Co. Launch new fibreglass half decker)

1986

Speed still a Broads headache  (Speeding on the Broads is still a concern for many)

1986

Wherry refit underway  (Albion’s winter refit at Ludham)

1986

Broadland boat agency best results since 1979  (Blakes announce their best year on the Broads since 1979 with fast early bookings)

1986

More marshes for protection  (Plans to protect more of the Norfolk Broads are unveiled)

1986

£405,000 chalets deal at Potter  (River Thurne Tennants close a deal with Anglian Water to ensure chalets future)

1986

Bill boat-built at Southgates yards  (Profile on boatbuilder who worked for Southgates at Sutton Staithe since 1926)

1986

Broads bill will have stronger powers  (News on the Broads bill which will see the new Broads Authority having greater powers)