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Meantime
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Posts posted by Meantime
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18 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said:
Regretfully the expectations of the present owners have ensured the demise of viability.
The present owners have a lot to answer for. They were also the landlords of Dereck and Sue another good publican couple who leased the Kings Head in Loddon about 15 or so years back. He saw them off as well!
I remember going in The Kings Head with a friend about 8pm for a pint and some food. Dereck told us the kitchen was backed up with orders and they probably couldn't do us food. No problem we'll have a pint and go over to The Dilraj. A couple of pints later and we head to The Dilraj only to find it rammed and fully booked. So we head back to the pub about 9:30 for a few more pints. Dereck was surprised to see us back so soon and we explained there was no space. How do you fancy a steak and kidney pie with chips and veg and I think the other was a Salmon fillet with veg. That's all I can do for you. It was gratefully received and it was only later on at the bar chatting to Dereck and buying him a drink for feeding us, that it was mentioned that we had eaten his and Sue's dinner reserved for later on.
Unfortunately them, Chris, John and Tracy and Colin of The Locks are a dying breed.
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3 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:
In the twenty odd years we have been on the Broads I have never had the inclination to visit this location it is too remote, the tides are an issue and there were always more inviting places to stop at. The place is not viable for any purpose.
We're all entitled to our opinions, but I could not disagree with this post more.
I've had some really good nights and very good memories of The Berney Arms from when Chris Shepherd was landlord and whilst John and Tracy were there. For a while it became a "local" for us away from home.
The regulars were a good crowd and many a good night was spent in their company. John and Tracy even used to arrange an end of season beano for the regulars.
Back in Chris's day he used to keep two menu's one for the visitors and one for the regulars. He used to collect Bullaces over the course of the year and brew various brew's in demi johns over the Winter. Off course he couldn't sell it, but at the end of the evening as a regular he would come round with a demi john and pour you something to try.
The good ole days of The Berney were something not to miss, from the ambience to the crowd who used to get in there.
I remember one foul night we even went out and rescued a hire boat off the mud on Breydon. The family were so grateful.
I remember many a time mooring up at The Berney to see Chris outside the pub just taking it all in. He absolutely loved the place and would have done anything to stay there. He loved the remoteness and lived for it. The memorial bench outside on the quayside was paid for out of the contributions from the regulars after he passed on. That was arranged by John and Tracy who were good friends of Chris and helped him in his final season and then took over from him.
They would probably still be there today if it wasn't for a greedy ignorant arrogant landlord. They had the same empathy for the place as Chris had. They didn't want to make a fortune, they just wanted to make enough to stay there.
The place is still be viable for anyone with a similar motive and love of the area.
As for the tides, tie your ropes properly and be prepared to step off your boat, or back onto the cabin roof and its not a problem. Many a time I've moored there single handed, the tide is your friend if you know how to use it well.
A lifejacket is a must though and I will say that no matter how proficient we appeared to be, Tracy would always see us back to our boat when we left the pub in the small hours.
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40 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:
That was always my understanding. I wouldn't be suprised if, going back many years, beer could have even been delivered via the river.
There used to be a small swing arm near the quayside directly outside the pub which I assumed was for lifting barrels or similar from boats.
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I believe this is the North Access track. Note the white private road no access without permission sign on the post. It leads straight through farm buildings once across the level crossing.
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22 minutes ago, marshman said:
I think the primary access used to be from the north side - the brewery lorries clearly made it! I believe it was across the level crossing. Are the cottages not occupied at all now - its not that long ago that people were driving the access!
That however is not for poncy people - something fishy goin' on!!!!!
I think the route your describing is through Britannia Farm which is basically through their farm yard. Again it's all about the permissions.
I once arranged to meet a friend who drove out to The Berney Arms and stayed on the boat for the night. I asked John if it would be ok for them to drive out to The Berney, and his reply was that he couldn't give my friend permission to use the track, but at the same time he couldn't stop him trying. He said if he made it to The Berney he was more than welcome to park next to his Transit. He made it but wasn't impressed by the hassle of all the gates and the bumpy ride, although a good night was spent in the pub.
Edited to add that John used to collect all his beer from Humpty Dumpty and food and other bits and pieces from the wholesaler hence having a transit. There is also no rubbish collection so it has to be burnt or carted to the tip. I believe post has to be collected as well.
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After a nine mile walk I decided to skip the rather uninviting looking pub in Halvergate and head somewhere with a view. An easy one to guess!
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The footpath and the track to the right towards Berney along the edge of Breydon.
The auction notice for the land and moorings downstream of the Berney, not sure if that actually sold or not.
The track between the mill and the railway station.
Even more deserted than normal, there had been no trains for months.
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Part of the repair work done to the track by the EA or Network Rail, not sure which.
The level crossing near Breydon Water. The trains hadn't been running for months as you can tell by the rusty rails.
The Edge of Breydon.
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On the other hand it is a sheer delight to be there on a warm August weekend when the sun is shining.
Part of the track
It was August bank holiday and I didn't see a single soul, just these creatures.
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Below is the route of the 9 mile circular walk I did back in August 2019. From Halvergate going clockwise is the route of one of the tracks to The Berney if you have the right permissions. For the return from The Berney Arms I followed The Weavers Way and this is only a footpath through fields often containing cattle and with drainage ditches criss crossing all over the place. The track from Halvergate to the Berney is about 5 miles long. The second map below shows the sheer number of drainage ditches in the area. It is not an area to be in on foot in the dark.
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The map below will give you some idea of the issues. The Blue lines are where Google streetview cars have travelled. They show the limit of the general public access. The short section of Blue line off The Acle straight ends at a level crossing. The other side of this is a farm yard which is gated and you need to drive right through the farm yard and out the other side to get to another of the tracks out to The Berney.
The pictures below shows the start of the track from the end of the Blue line on the left in the picture above. Note it is not tarmac, single track and with drainage ditches both sides and no lighting. In the foreground you can see the Red sign saying it is a private road and in the background in the distance is The Berney Arms Mill. The track actually zig zags way out to the left before finally reaching the edge of Breydon Water near another level crossing and a pumping station. You then run along the edge of Breydon Water back along a track to The Berney Arms.
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7 minutes ago, jeffbroadslover said:
I wonder how the emergency services would get to the development in a hurry if they needed to bearing in mind you could have 4 residences at risk in the case of fire.
Jeff
Simple answer is they wouldn't. When Chris Shepherd was there before John and Tracy he was sadly ill with cancer and in the end spent much of his time in bed out the back of the pub in part of the restaurant. A couple of times he was taken ill and they had to call the lifeboat out to him. That must have been at least 10 years ago now. The journey if you know where you are going, and have someone with you to assist with the gates and level crossings is a good 10 mins to the Acle straight. It often depends on where the cattle are as to which gates are left open or closed. For obvious reasons the level crossing gates are always closed. So if travelling alone you have to pull up, check then open two sets of gates. Then drive across and then close both sets of gates. I believe there is another way out towards Halvergate, but not sure on the access permissions.
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The biggest problem is always going to be one of access. John and Tracy had permission to use the track. Presumably so has Mr Hollocks, but I doubt that extends to all and sundry visiting the property which is why there was never vehicle access for customers to the pub.
The issue of services and delivery of building materials could be overcome, but who is going to buy a house there with no guaranteed vehicle access? I believe one of the land owners who John and Tracy had permission from to use part of the track was the RSPB. Need I say more when it comes to trying to negotiate a permanent legal right of way that would be transferrable to future owners of the properties.
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21 minutes ago, stumpy said:
We'll be up as soon as we're allowed, the first couple of days will be spent cleaning and praying the mighty throbbing BMC will lurch into life, then away but probably victualling on board.
The above sounded just like something MauriceMynah would say, ALMOST
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Just now, JennyMorgan said:
I can't agree that none are special, Surlingham, Rockland and St Olaves all have excellent boozers. Just at the moment I can only dream of walking through the door of a waterside pub, a cheery welcome from mine host, and ordering a well kept pint of Adnams or whatever. As for expensive, I would willingly pay a tenner a pint at the moment! Mind you, I wouldn't welcome the inevitable crowds!
Reading in the paper today that staycations are selling out fast and that in some places prices are nearly doubling. It's going to be a very busy year for anywhere near the sea or a beauty spot once restrictions are eased. The way the EU is managing their vaccination program I think most EU holidays are off the cards for this year.
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5 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:
Hmmmmmm, very interesting and not suprising, I did wonder. Mr H doesn't like parting with his assets. I wouldn't be suprised if he has aspirations in that direction for the Beauchamp too.
A quick search on companies house has just confirmed this along with William Alfred Hollocks who I assume is Ray's son.
There seems to be a fascination with trees!!!! A previous company was called Orangetree Properties.
It's interesting that one of the properties of wood is it's ability to go up in smoke!
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I received an email last night from Chris Crowther to say that his latest book in the Jack Fellows series, book number 7, has just been published. It seems to have been quite some time since his last one was finished.
Anyway for those who are interested in books and stories that feature Broadland then this is possibly one for you.
It is £6.95 + £2 P+P from www.chriscrowther.co.uk The £2 P+P is a flat rate per order no matter how many books you buy. There is a section in the form during the checkout process where you can request Chris to write a dedication in the book. I don't believe this book is available on Amazon yet, but would expect to see it pop up in the usual places on the Broads.
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4 minutes ago, Cal said:
Judging by how the previous lockdowns have been unwound it is a mute point either way as hospitality, holiday accommodation and pubs and restaurants have all opened at the same time each time. There is little to suggest that this time will be any different.
It has been suggested that self catered holiday accommodation, visits to second homes and boats etc would be allowed before hospitality reopens, possibly even as early as Easter. Lets hope so, much as I like a visit to a good pub, any easing of restrictions is better than none.
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8 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:
One of our members accompanied John on one of these trips and it involved a lot of gates and travel over unmade tracks.
It was an interesting journey to say the least. I took a walk out there way in 2019 and a lot of money has been spent on improving the crossings whilst the line was shut for new signalllng work. Also a lot of the tracks had been much improved possibly by the EA and also by Railtrack gaining access to the crossings.
3 hours ago, grendel said:how would they get building materials to site, and the more crucial point, services such as electricity, water etc. I have looked at the plans and the electricity supply is one (small by todays standards)cable fed at LV (240V) from the A47-
Not sure that's the case regarding the electric supply. When John and Tracy were there a lot of the catering equipment was electric catering equipment. Electric fryers in both the pub and cafe, electric hotplates etc. There was electric run along the pubs moorings to supply lights on the moorings as well as 2 16a shore power points directly outside the pub. John's background was something to do with electrical testing and he would often do electrical jobs in the area to help make the pub pay.
Water is a different matter, drawn from a well that needs a lot of work done to bring it up to standard. One of the reasons the pub only used bottled water for drinking.
8 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:It does make you wonder if these developers have really looked into it properly before making these proposals. I assume Mr H still owns the freehold so is he prepared to sell or is he involved in the background?
I seem to remember from some time back that Olive Court Properties is owned by Ray H. Dave Tarry who is also quoted also helped with the license application for the bistro and also runs the marina at Loddon, so it's all the usual suspects involved.
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22 hours ago, Paul said:
which would be all well and good were there not already a number of replies on the thread, which belies that comment somewhat and reinforces Islander's opinion of different levels of equality.
I believe you will find that all members are equal and then you have the Mods! A lot of the mods do not appear on the surface to be mods and therefore it is up to the astute amongst us to look for the hidden clues, such as those who can reply to read only posts, or magically change the title of threads. They have even been known to wave their magic wand and merge threads from time to time. It appears there are more of the underclass (mods) amongst us than ever before!
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26 minutes ago, Paul said:
Thanks Smoggy, all becomes clear. I shall leave that debate to the in crowd and return my attention to those threads available to the plebeian class.
The following at the top of the public information board section probably explains it
Public Information Board
Public Information Posts - Read Only
This is for General non Broads specific announcements.
If you need to post a general public information post please contact one of the team.
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Looking at the way the R number is now lower in Kent and Essex than it is in Norfolk it makes you wonder who would want to chance a holiday in Norfolk when they run the risk of taking the virus back home with them?
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13 minutes ago, Hylander said:
Small price to pay for something that is going to safe your life.
That is certainly the plan but worth remembering that no vaccine is 100% efficient. Caution is still needed.
I would prefer to see it as something that has the potential to save your life, by giving a higher degree of protection and a better chance of survival.
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46 minutes ago, trambo said:
If it is the competition I think you are referring to it was organised by the old NBO forum.
Fred
If it is the awards, rather than a competition, it was first started by the NBN, then following a fracture of the forum with some going their separate way to form the NBO, they carried on with the awards. With the NBO having a smaller membership the merit of the awards was very diminished.
The awards idea was with good intent, but always rather subjective and a good source of divisions within the forum, so probably left consigned to history.
I think The Bridge Acle and possibly The Dog Ludham still sport a fair numbers on their walls if people want to reminisce.
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Berney Arms Update
in Broads Chat
Posted
Yes he moved them on from The Kings Head to The Surlingham Ferry which was really struggling at the time. He sublet it on unfavorable terms. They tried their best but couldn't make it pay and left. He then sublet to Sonia and tried the same with her. I'm not sure of the exact details and how it happened but she managed to have him removed as the middle man and get a direct lease and the rest is history as they say.