Julz

looks like The Granary at Ranworth is also up for sale, although I am not really surprised Being a Post Office it is probably another business that just cannot make ends meet now the government favour automated payments into bank accounts instead of over the counter for which the postmaster was paid a handling fee. Ranworth is obviously bustling during the summer months, but having called in a few times during last winter, it was either closed or the place so deserted I doubt the takings would cover the cost of the energy bills incured to open. Julz

Its sad to see a lot of the smaller village shops closing down, a few years ago many had a local Co-op or village store that sold a good range of basic groceries, some also being an off licence which stayed open till around 10pm. A fine example of this is Horning. Although the newsagents sell a few groceries and theres the Deli and Butchers open during the day, after 5pm it becomes a place of pubs and restaurants only, not much good if you need fresh milk or nappies and babyfood for a young child after a day out on the river. Like a lot of other UK Post Offices, the future of the one at Horning also hangs in the balance for closure next year, as the government aim to close down another 2500 of them nationwide. Many of these also served as small convienience shops, selling just a few basic items of food, toiletries and cleaning products. The chances are that many more around the Broads villages will suffer a similar fate. Julz

Having recently lived virtually on the Bridge for a week at Wroxham, we were shocked at the amount of near misses we spotted caused by heavy goods lorries approaching the summit of the bridge at considerable speed. The vibration from these shook the windows and doors of our appartment greatly. Many were of the type used for supermarket deliveries, some were megga ton carriers such as car transporters, and at one point a very large and wide mobile crane. Surely there is a weight and width restriction in force on this little bridge, and alternative routes to avoid Wroxham? A few years ago a single file traffic system was in force (traffic light opperated), which judging by what we have seen recently would probably be a safer option right now, before a really serious accident occurs. I am also surprised that a stronger crash barrier has not been fitted over the river section, similar to those fitted along the roadside over railway bridges following the Selby disaster. Julz

The 'Heronby' name of this house (according to an entusiasts site i read today) was given after Beryl Formby's death, and probably by a new owner, as she insisted in using her 'trademark' name of Beryldene for all her places of residence Julz

I have spent a couple of hours surfing the net for more Info on George, and im finding out that his real self was just about as colourful as his songs and Jokes! Beryl was the one who had 'worn the trousers' in their relationship and was indeed his manager in all his business and entertainment life, and she was quite distant and sparing when it came to the intimate part of their marriage, causing George to look elsewhere to forefil his male needs. Indeed he had planned to marry one of his long term mistresses, and had arranged a wedding which was to have taken place two days after the date he died, the following year after Beryl had passed away They had several large houses around the UK, and each and every one of them she insisted was called Beryldene, including the smallest property they owned at Wroxham. This insistance obviously carried on when it came to naming their boats, with several Lady Beryls! After Beryl died he felt relieved at his new found freedom, and publically announced that he was glad to see the back of her :x They both enjoyed lavish and extravagent lifestyles, and Beryl spent the last couple of years of her life living in a drunken stupor Julz

Thanks Perry, that sure is an intresting newspaper artical, even I am getting to learn a lot here, and George was quite a bit before my time! I was enthusiastic at playing at being Mary Poppins around that era, which was the lastest cinema fad for kids I ruined dozens of umbrellas trying to fly! Julz

Thanks Guys, im just about wetting myself laughing here! Dads memory is not as sharp as it used to be so indeed it could have been the 'Lady Beryl' Im Just wondering if it was eventually totally scrapped or if its around slowly rotting in a Boat graveyard somewhere? I would have thought if it had have been still around and restored there would have been some referance to it on the George Formby Enthusiasts site,or advertised as a visitor attraction in the Norfolk guides, but I cannot find anything. He did have a second home in Blackpool, but as far as i know all the memorabilia from his heyday is in the hands of private collectors, many of whom are members of his apprieciation society. Julz Thanks Barry for that info, I didnt realise there had been several boats in George's collection over the years, I will print off this page if you dont mind so I can show the Pic to Dad when I next see him. Im sure he will be very Pleased to add it to his collection of 'Formby' Bits and Bobs (mostly newspaper cuttings) he owns

I was chating to my elderly Dad yesterday, and he was telling me of his times out on the Broads during the 60's and how he once moored alongside a Boat at Horning called 'Beryl' which once belonged to, and was named after George Formby's Wife. This would probably have been just after George's death in 1961, but as Beryl had already died about a year previously and they had not had any children, the chances were that it was in a new owners hands when spotted. dad did say the crew were very nice people, and didnt mind him double mooring with them one bit, which was a regular occurance during the busy tourist heydays of the Broads. Does anyone know what happened to this Boat please and if its still around today? My Dad Is a big George Formby fan, and we are planning to bring him down to landlub at Wroxham for a few days next year so he can see George's old house again. I am wondering if its ever open to the public, and if so when? Thanks Julz

Spotted a boat moored in the marina at Beccles called 'PMT Lady' I wonder who decided on that one and why?

Looking at the first two, can I please apply for the job of sites Cook and Baker Whens the site's cyber coffee shop opening Brian? I rather like pic of the boaty type lads chatting myself Julz