socrates

Yes, some of us remember the early morning crossing in fog a couple of years back when we were going to the wooden boat show. Half way across the flotilla was enveloped in an east coast pea soup. Not an experience I would want to repeat anytime soon.

Perhaps the Chair of the Parish Council might want to put up some signage in order to clarify the rules apply on both sides, this might prevent future confusion.

I notice that the Cross Key at Dilham is currently up for sale.

Hope so. I assume it will be under new management, and trust the new landlord will be as hospitable as Terry was.

It also appears that the New Inn at Rockland has now closed. White Horse Upton hanging on by a thread and may well have to close. As Terry, the former landlord of the New Inn said, "It is a long hard winter for a pub on the Broads." As well as rising costs of utilities and the financial climate not being good for most people, there is a huge issue surrounding recruitment and retention of staff in the hospitality sector.

We enjoyed a good few in there that Saturday.

I hope I am not falling foul of the group rules by saying this. The Reedcutters is a much overlooked Broads pub which a lot of people appear to cruise by. Good beer, good pub food, and good hospitality. The moorings are often less crowded than the like of Reedham, and the views of the river can be spectacular. We love the place

Phone signal in Loddon has been a bit hit and miss for years, good to see that progress is being made. Plans are also afoot to introduce an alcohol ban at the Staithe with the intention to eliminate antisocial behaviour. I am not sure if the alcohol ban will apply to those of us who enjoy a glass or three on our boats whilst moored there.

Broadland Grebe will overnight at Ranworth on Friday, having departed wetshed early Friday am with crew. No doubt the crew will avail themselves of the delights of the Maltsters Friday night, but will be ready to sail on Saturday am as required for CinC. We will be keep listening watch on PMR channel 4 from 0900 Saturday.

The TV piece was very heavily edited, a fraction of what was actually said. It was discussed in great detail at the BRAG committee meeting last night.

As a committee member of the Broads Reform Action Group I can categorically say that there is no intention whatsoever to try to campaign on, or appeal for funds from this esteemed forum. You can rest assured that it will not happen during the tenure of the current committee. Secondly, whilst we would value support from anyone who happens to be on this forum,, we will not engage in debates or conversations relating to the matters pertaining to BRAG on here. This is in order to respect the wishes of forum members and avoid falling foul of the rules. If anyone wants to know more about the Broads Reform Action Group and our activities, I am happy to answer questions privately and outside the forum pages and messaging system. There are several members who have my details and I am happy for these people to contact me in relation to BRAG matters. It is counterproductive and unfair for people to speculate and make assumptions about what BRAG are doing, and what we will or will not achieve. The committee is made up of a number of Broads stakeholders with a range of skills and experience, we are certainly not a bunch of random Facebook moaners and trouble makers. The names and brief details of committee members are being posted on the FB page over the next week or so. There is a lot being done by BRAG, and things are moving in a positive direction at a rapid pace. Regular updates are posted on FB by the committee, it is up to members of this forum and the moderators to determine if such information is promulagated on this forum. We are by no means a secret society, and are happy to answer questions via FB or personal contact. Minutes of BRAG fortnightly meetings are posted on the FB page, and can be shared to other forums if anyone wishes to do so. As an aside, BRAG had nothing whatsoever to do with the recent activities related to the appearance of stickers placed on signage on the Broads.

It might be best for people not to speculate or debate this topic on this or other forums. We don't know the full facts, and can only speculate. Spare a thought for the families, and all those involved in the aftermath of the event. Maybe wait until the full report from the coroner is made public.

As a clergy husband, I know only too well the state of our churches with regards to clergy. We are looking at moving to Norfolk in the next year or so, most of the clergy vacancies are for parishes with at least 3 churches. The last one Madam Reverend looked at had 9 churches spread along the Norfolk coast which is unsustainable as far as doing a decent job is concerned. Ranworth is part of a team of churches which also incudes South Walsham, and several others. It has been vacant since late last summer.

My memories of Andrew are happy, full of laughter, and somewhat protracted conversations. A short hop from Oulton Broad to the Wet Shed on Broadland Grebe, which took 3 of us 3 days. Introducing Andrew to the Broadland Grebe Mince and Tatties, and him introducing me to the delights of a decent red wine. His enthusiasm for the Circus Head project knew no bounds, and he became a firm favourite with the ambulance staff who met him. As someone in the funeral business, I encounter death every day of my working life, Andrew's death has put me on the other side of my work desk. There are few words, but this poem comes to mind, because Andrew really does leave an afterglow of smiles. Fair winds and following seas to the man who was, is and always will be Andrew. I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

The original letters written by BRAG to MP's etc were reviewed by several people (including a solicitor, former teacher, and trade union activist) before they were sent. The post may have contained errors which as a result of haste to disseminate the news. I can assure you these communications were appropriate and fit for purpose.