JennyMorgan

For the record Nick Barrett had not been drinking whilst helming his boat, he had in fact been drinking in the local yacht club, it being 'regatta week', not that that's an excuse. Nick and his family are still together. Nick's reported manner is not the Nick that I know so that was something of a surprise.

A navigable Broad is just as much a 'natural resource' as an unmanaged carr. If we take any of the major nature reserves on the Broads then we find that all are managed, even SSSI's.

Re Marsh's comment about dredging all Broads, the 1988 Broads Act was worded in such a way as to right the wrongs of the past, wrongs that had allowed open waters to be lost for all time. I didn't write that Act but taken literally it clearly requires that the Broads are not allowed to deteriorate to the point of being lost as has happened to Sutton for example. All I'm asking of the Authority is that they at least meet their legislative requirements rather than their fannying around with matters outside of that legislation or the Authority's executive area. Not too much to expect, is it?

I'm always being misunderstood so join the club!

The 'navigable channel' may not have changed much, but the area of navigable water certainly has. Thanks for illustrating the point.

I think that that is quite true, in many instances. However, on the Broads there is very clearly a driving force determined to recreate the Broads as something it probably never has been, and certainly not as people remember it. Thorpe Island and Jenner's Basin is a prime example.

Trouble is that moderation on AN Other Forum went way beyond that forum itself into matters that were of no concern whatsoever of the moderators. We are just so very lucky with the team that we have on NBN. With regard to Kingfisher's Time's original post I did read it and I did read it as being critical of the work practices of a certain boatyard. The comments were obviously honest & relevant so if were a mod, which thank the lord I'm not sir, then I would be in two minds as what to do. I do agree with those that have suggested that a quick e-mail of explanation would not have gone amiss though. In the meantime in having a thread moderated, badge of honour don't you know!

One thing that we must be acutely aware of is the thin edge of the wedge syndrome, only we are not so slowly working our way towards the thick end!

In particular we need to know exactly what Dr Packman wishes to conserve. We also need to know exactly why he wishes the Broads to be a national park. In neither case do we need 'spin', just the truth. The Broads Act is specific in mentioning heritage and for many of us that heritage goes back generations and inevitably includes boating and fishing. In both cases not just in defined channels or approved places.

It is widely accepted that much of Hickling's environmental problem stems from a lack of flow hence the acceptance of strategic dredging. Duck Broad only went ahead when the associated dredging allowed for the recreation of that Broad. Re the marked channel, that apparently stems from commercial interests, e.g. this way to the boatyards, staithe and pub. Perfectly reasonable. Don't know when, sorry. No, they are not doing their job properly, Catfield Dyke for example. What do I mean by legally defined channel, well, in this case a defined channel that has to be dredged rather than the wider water body that is being ignored. Even now the Authority has to be dragged kicking and screaming into dredging or weed cutting on Hickling. If the Authority was doing its job properly then I, and others, wouldn't be complaining. We have had a dredger parked on Oulton Broad for a month now, hardly getting on with it.

I'm sorry, John, but it is entirely fair. There is no legally defined channel for one thing, the Broad itself, under the terms of the Broads Act is navigable. That aside one has to wonder what the true motive is for the piecemeal dredging that has taken place, perhaps it only takes place when that dredging also has conservation value, navigation being a secondary consideration. If that is the case then I have no problems but navigation has to be the primary driver, as required by the Act. Of course the Authority has to dredge outside the channel, both for navigation and conservation. However, don't forget, the toll pays for the dredging.

I don't know but perhaps it was derogatory to a justifiably popular member who is also a forum sponsor. If so then I regard that as regrettable but also understandable. However that is only a guess and if it has been deleted then I would have expected you to have received an e-mail of explanation.

That is also my understanding of the situation. Unfortunately, and specifically above Potter Ham Bridge, the Authority gleefully grasps at every and any possible opportunity to avoid its duty of 'protecting the interests of navigation'. In my opinion the Authority has once again firmly nailed its colours to its mast over this issue.

It is but that can become tedious, especially for those who race. Yes or no, not the issue, the BA is obliged,, by Act of Parliament, to maintain all navigable waters as were navigable in 1986. Marsh, was it not the NRA back in the 1960's/70's? They didn't manage to close Hickling to boating, but then I doubt that was ever their intention.

Once again we need to remind ourselves that the Broads is NOT legally a national park, a fact acknowledged by the Broads Authority itself. We also need to remind ourselves that the Authority is the navigation authority, that boaters pay for over half the Authority's overheads, that the Authority is legally obliged to maintain the navigable waterways. The so called navigation channel was created so that visitors would not get lost, that they would be able to find the village, not as a legally binding channel. Once again the Authority is clearly showing its real intent, conservation by exclusion.

At one time Jimmy Hosesaon insisted that owners spent at least two days and nights aboard their own, new boats. Staff too were expected to take boats out in the off season.

I was at the boatyard next to St Olave's bridge the other day. Top of the tide and a hire boat approached the bridge at a fair old lick, with three children on the roof. There is a notice on the bridge telling folk to lower canopies and windscreens and to ensure that no one is on the cabin roof. I suspect that they had easily gone under the bridge at a lower state of the tide and expected to be able to do the same on this occasion. Much screaming as the children threw themselves flat on the cabin roof. I really do not think that there were many inches between the heads and backs of the children and the bridge. Anything, including shaming, that alerts people to the hazards of bridges, especially in tidal waters, surely is justifiable.

I doubt very much that said companies are doing it for anything other than their bank balances!

Oi, what's wrong with the Jenny Brigade!?

According to Charlie Griffin aboard the good ship BA there is a type that you've omitted, that is the inconsiderate husband of Mrs Head, Richard, previously known as Dick, he wot runs his engine before seven o'clock let alone eight in the morning and wakes up all and sundry. Perhaps he and his kind should be referred to as the DH Brigade, or should it be the DH navy? Just a thought, The Stalham Navy has a classy ring about it!

The dreaded yellow tops, complete with a trail of Bud or Stella cans astern!

I was tempted to take a photograph of the bar staff but the pain in your feet showed in your faces! Not drinking, surely not. (Actually the lighting under the awning was crap so no snap!) Great day, congratulations to all of the team, hope that you made loads of dosh.

Herrings available here: http://www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/maritime-festival/

Took my wife out for lunch today, fried herring and an icecream at Hemsby, all in aid of the lifeboat. What a perfect day, the sun shone, the breeze was balmy & the herring cooked to perfection. Those lads and lasses have some serious kit when it comes to rescuing those of us who need help and it costs money to maintain! Beyond that folk were clearly enjoying themselves. Not long now until the Gt Yarmouth Maritime Festival, good job that my wife & I enjoy herrings as I suspect that the Hemsby L/B crew will be there too.

It does but consider that they might be dodging the tide and a little consideration would be appreciated.