JennyMorgan

Dave, how long do the owners need to sort things out? It's gone on for years! Next time you drive over the Haddiscoe Bridge slow down and look down at the marina, not a pretty sight, or site come to that. I agree that the marina provides good moorings, ideally placed, but other businesses have managed, more successfully, to tidy things up. Lack of pride possibly? It could be a jewel, with a little bit of effort.

All white in Oulton Broad right now.

Trust that the coasters stuck to the rule of overtaking boat staying clear .

Polly, we live within yards of two care-homes, we meet hard working people struggling on the minimum wage, it does make one think.

Lot of people in the Broads area would like something like £24,000! National average is one thing, minimum wage is another.

In my opinion the owners of St Olaves Marina could do themselves, and us, a huge favour by tidying up and landscaping their premises. I appreciate that boats, especially when high and dry, are not the tidiest of things but my general impression of the Marina is that it is something of an eyesore.

Without wishing to enter into yet another ping-pong game of words I think it worth mentioning that whilst very few e-petitions gain sufficient votes, and nor do the originators expect them to, these polls do provide a guide to public opinion and can be used to back up complaints to MP's for example. I don't see them as valueless, rather that they can be a useful tool, if only to prove public concern. All to easy to be negative about these polls by trying to devalue them but they do allow people to support issues that concern them, such as The Broads. Strow, at this particular point in time a predictable topic on your part.

Andy suggests that the BA, like many local authorities, has too little money. Well, I'm not surprised! I see that the BA is advertising for a Ranger, on up to £24,000.00 per year for a 37hr week. Hardly mega bucks but if it's an indication of what's being paid to staff then no wonder they are cash strapped. Of course it doesn't end there, prestige office block, planning department, well, I could go on, probably predictably so but I doubt very much that the Authority could be accused of offering value for money. As for the Broads facilities being excellent, I agree with Andy, things are not too rosey. However it all has to be paid for and there lies the problem. Perhaps more opportunity for commercial enterprise might be an option but how far should that be allowed to go? Do we really want or need plush marina style moorings, suitably expensive, at every turn?

Fair do! I was dragged kicking and screaming around the Chapelfields shopping mall in Norwich the other day, also used to work at Lakeside at Thurrock, just can't see the appeal of such places.

This: http://www.harveynichols.com/store/leeds/ or this: Is there really a contest?!!

Nice one, Strow! Cream teas anyone?

I would leave Leeds, full stop, decision made!

Fair point, Clive, but I bet more photographs are taken of wherries than your house!

Clive, wouldn't you accept that wherries, like windmills and swallowtail butterflies, are part of the wonderful attraction that brings people to the Broads, that brings customers to your boats?

I suspect that as most of the wherries help pay their way by chartering there might be an argument that they should be treated as hire craft and pay their full whack. Like Polly I see them as an attraction/asset but how far should a toll dispensation go? Broads boats over a hundred, the Hunter Fleet, where should it end? A classic example of 'no easy answer'.

You are having a laugh, surely! Okay, so you're not but for heavens sakes what is wrong with that term? I make no apologies for insulting folk because I do not believe that I have.

It struck me this morning that whilst supporting, or not, this petition it is a fact that by ignoring it people would effectively be supporting a flawed system and a corrupted Authority. Whilst I firmly believe that there is much that is good within the Authority I passionately believe that it is in need of an immediate review, Not for my sake but for the Broads as a whole. I respectfully ask that doubting Thomases review their thoughts on this one, do you really want to support an executive that rides rough shod over Parliament?

Spot on Strow, absolutely right. It's neither up to you nor I, it's up to the individual, on that I'm sure we are agreed. Personally I do what I passionately believe is right for The Broads.

BA bashing? No, Strowager, most definitely not. Far more to it than just 'bashing', I have absolutely no desire to pointscore or argue but this petition is a long overdue effort to get the best deal for the Broads and an Authority that is entirely fit for purpose. The CEO has clearly nailed his colours to the mast, this petition is a chance to do something about it. Sue has posted the petition, a thoroughly decent woman who deserves our enthusiastic support rather than criticism. The Broads is so much more important than any argument. This anonymous Petition represents an opportunity for all Broads users to object and one that they really shouldn't pass up.

Bitingly cold this evening, what with the windchill. Here's a snap from the Wherry webcam at Oulton Broad this evening: http://www.norfolklive.org/media/archive/10/2015/01/29/170631-large.jpg

Marsh, do you really and honestly believe that? It has been forced upon those of us lucky enough to live in this wonderful corner of Britain by an unelected, unaccountable quango after a wholly laughable and very limited consultation! The Authority has little or no meaningful mandate from those of us that live and work in Broadland. Democracy has had no input in this 're-branding', that can't be right.

Mat, hardly worth an argument but what the heck else is it other than a government department?

I suppose it was predictable that some folk would object to the wording of this petition. Fair enough but surely something is better than nothing? Surely we should be able to trust a public body, government department, call it what you will, to respect Parliament and stand by their ruling? Not only that, we should be able to trust them to be truthful and transparent. Okay, so you are prepared to accept this deplorable situation, that's your right, just as it's the right of those of us who are fed up with the existing situation to express our dissatisfaction via this petition.

No? What are they then? Granted that it is a quango, unelected and unaccountable, but it is answerable to and financially dependent on DEFRA, another government department.

You little tinker!!