Welcome to the Vintage Wooden Boat Association
Founded to promote the use, maintenance and restoration of wooden boats
Open to all wooden boats of any age
Since the launch of the website, members will have seen details of VWBA activities that have been organised by the Norfolk Broads social sections.
These events are made possible by the formation of sections organised by a small group of VWBA enthusiasts in each area.
The VWBA would welcome the formation of local sections anywhere and if you are interested in starting such a group, would be very happy to give you as much help, advice and information as possible to assist the project. Please get in touch with the Hon. Secretary, David Clark, if you are keen to take this further.
EVENTS 2008/09
Norfolk Broads Social Section: Southern Rivers For more information about any of the events listed, | ||
2008 | ||
| 6 December | Christmas Party | Probably at Reedcutter, Cantley. Will try to tie it in with Tosh playing. |
2009 | ||
| 10 January | Post Christmas Lunch | The Priory, St.Olaves |
| 7 February | Natter Night | Reedcutters, Cantley If you require feeding, please book direct. |
| 7 March | BBQ | Somerleyton |
| 10-13 April | Easter | Beccles |
| 2 May | May Bank Holiday BBQ | Rockland |
| 18 July | Meal | Berney Arms |
| August | National Rally | Beccles date to be confirmed |
| 29 August | August Bank Holiday | Langley Dyke |
| 26 September | BBQ | Rockland |
| 24 October | BBQ | Burgh Castle |
| 7 November | Fireworks | To be confirmed |
| 12 December | Christmas Party | TBC (Reedcutters) |
Some venues are subject to change, as some of the moorings are small and taken up on arrival, or not in a very good state of repair when we get there, so if you would like to attend, it may be best to check with Sue before, tel. 07775 938460
Reviews of Recent Events
2008 Events from The Southern Rivers section
Another year has flown past, and without much of a summer this year. We did however, have some good times as well as wet ones.
Our post Christmas meal was again a success, with this years awards being handed out, Simon on Caroni won the challenge for the Croc wrestling we held in August 2007 and Danny (Queenie) won the “Best (Well most) Painted Boat award for 2007, a new set of paintbrushes. The Shield for most attendance in 2007 came to us on Nan Tuck. Thanks to Martin & Chris for organising this event each year.
We then had another very nice evening at The Reedcutters for our natter night.
But the most memorable was Easter, we had every sort of weather, frost, rain, and ending up with a heavy fall of snow and a very white journey home. As you probably have guessed even us really hardy souls didn’t BBQ this time and resorted to a Curry Night at Martin and Christine’s home, rather than freezing outside. We also had problems with high tides and had to stay on the 24 hour moorings at Beccles as the whole of the yacht station was flooded for most of the weekend.
In April we stopped at St Olaves nice little 24 hour mooring, now with electricity, and had a superb meal at The Priory. Our early May bank holiday week was spent at Rockland Broad, but this was also a cold weekend so no croc racing this time. For the late May Bank holiday we were invited to Carrow Yacht Club, for a BBQ and social evening. During the afternoon several of us had ventured up to the Trowse Mill, along the narrow channel beside the Yacht Club, by dinghy. And being the brave souls went under the mill as far as possible, Simon and Amanda, from Caroni went first and came out OK, then Paul and I followed, but managed to get stuck on the ridge under the mill and got absolutely soaked and had to be pulled out by Simon. We ended up sitting in an inflatable full of water like a paddling pool, we were laughing so much we couldn’t do anything. We then had to start bailing out with our shoes, as I had Crocs in it took a while. Just glad it was one of the warmer and sunnier days of the year. We had a lovely evening with the member of CYC, the weather being kind for once. However the following morning the wind and rain forced even the hardiest of us back to home bases, without hardly stepping off the deck.
Unfortunately no-one was about in June so the event was cancelled.
July saw a change of venue and we all went to a lovely weekend at Beccles for the Carnival, with music each night, a funfair and fireworks to end it all of nicely. Nan Tuck and Caroni then stayed out afloat for a week ending our holidays “Sea Side” at Lowestoft for the Air Show. We moored in Hamilton Docks at the new facilities there, which were very impressive and gave us all a good view of the flights going past.
August was the National Rally, attended by fewer but a good time had by all and the weather wasn’t too bad really.
August Bank Holiday saw us at Bramerton for BBQ and celebrations for our Silver Wedding Anniversary, the weather was the best we had all summer and our attendance was also the highest for a while. We also had a Benjy and Danny hunt in the woods, but that’s a long story. Thanks to everyone who came.
September saw another cancelled event due to few people being about and our October BBQ at Langley Dyke only saw two boats again but with other visitors by car.
By the time this hits the presses I expect we will have passed our November event, we are attending fireworks at the Reedcutters Cantley.
This is mainly for safety reasons as it was getting a bit dodgy letting off fireworks on the river bank. Also its warmer in the Pub and Tosh will be playing as well.
For December and our Christmas Party, as usual everyone is welcome, we will most likely be at Cantley again as Tosh is again playing on 6 December.
Thanks for everyone who regularly comes to our event and the others who turn up occasionally. We really want everyone to try and come to all next years planned events to make it more fun. We may even have another themed event at one of the Bank Holidays in 2009. As soon as we have decided this we will let everyone know, or if anyone has any suggestions, you can always e mail me on nantucktoo@hotmail.co.uk or Tel 07775 938460.
Susan (Nan Tuck III)
The Southerners Rocking at Rockland (25-27 August 2007)
The Southern Section of the VWBA had a wonderful weekend on 25th.to 27th.August 2007 at Rockland Broad with lots of fun, feasting and frolics to keep everybody happy. There was even the odd glass of punch. Both alcoholic and the other type. By the time everybody concerned had added a bottle of whatever they had available topped up with fruit from the infamous Hugh Hugh Barney Magrew (who shall remain nameless) the drinks cabinet was quite depleted. Fortunately a few people also took some beers and wines for afters.
The tipplers were Sue and Paul on Nantuck,Danny and his mate Jim on Queenie,Martin and Chris on Fairstar and Hugh Sistern on La Tormenta and Simon on Caroni.
The theme for the weekend was Caribbean Beach Party and all concerned made the effort to dress accordingly. (See pictures attached) Passers by were very amused and they had several callers who joined in the fun and sat under the Palm Trees, made, delivered, erected, and subsequently raised to the ground by Sue of Nantuck.
The food was Bar B Q style with a few extras such as pineapples and the remains of the fruit from the punch followed by ample proportions of Cheese and biscuits helped down with copious glasses of port.
The main event revolved around a challenge set whilst several of the party were in France earlier in the year following part of the route down the Canal de Midi as seen on Rick Steines programme "A French Odysy". Whilst over there Sue spied a rather interesting looking blow up(wait for it)crocodile. Simon not being compass mentas at the time suggested that if she bought it he would take it round Rockland Broad on the next meet there. No sooner said than done. The only upsetting thing for Sue was that having bought the jolly thing for what she thought was a reasonable price and carted it almost 1000 miles back home the next time she was in her local supermarket the self same thing was about half the price. Never mind, it provided lots of laughs as both Simon and Martin had some fun with it off the back of one of the powered dinghys.
For information on future events contact either Sue or Danny. It doesn't matter if you are from the South or the North as there are no barriers. All we want is people who enjoy their boating and want to have a bit of fun. We don't even mind what your boat is made of so long as you have an interest in the aims and objects of the VWBA.
Have fun. See you soon.
Martin("Fairstar")
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BBQ (11 March 2006)
The BBQ went down well. In attendance were five boats (Badger, Nantuck 3, Starlight, Queenie and Silver Emblem), three cars (Martin and Chris, Roger and Carol, Hugh) and one camper (Ben and Marilyn). Hugh brought his brazier and some wood, so we kept warm. The evening ended on Nantuck.
SOCIAL MEET (14 January 2006)
The social meet at The Waveney, Oulton Broad was a superb night. The food was really lovely and there was plenty of it! Martin and Chris will organise this venue for 13 January 2007, so put it in your diary.
SHIV-ER-UE (December 2005)
The shiv-er-ue went down well and was quite well attended. The sun shone at lunchtime but it was cold - hot mulled wine went down a treat. The Xmas table looked stunning adorned in Carol's beautiful red Xmas tablecloth (thank you Carol). Unfortunately, Santa couldn't make it this time, so he sent two of his pensioned off helpers who arrived with gifts for us all! They had made an effort and looked quite pretty for their years. A good weekend was had by all.
BOATHOUSE HILL BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND (27-30 May 2005)
There was a very good attendance at this rally and the weather was superb - very very hot. We all got moored up to everyone's satisfaction and started off with a chat on the riverbank. The barby was good and an array of food put onto 'The Table' - thank you for that. A lot of tenders set out on Sunday morning for the trek up to Geldeston - in the first 20 minutes two engines overheated, one ran out of petrol and a toilet stop was required for the crew! It took them an hour to get there and after a couple of pints in the pub, everyone sat down on their blankets for the picnic. A most enjoyable day out. Queenie went for backup, so all ok. Thank you Danny. Unfortunately on the Friday night Roger from Tantalus slipped and hurt his ankle. After a sleepless night, it was decided that Edie should take him to hospital. Poor Rog - he had broken a bone and is now in plaster. Our best wishes go to him and also our commiserations because they've had to cancel their holiday to Lanzarote.
Boats attending were:
| Fairstar | Wombat | Bonny Ann | La Tormenta |
| Queenie | Nantuck | Starlight | Silver Emblem |
| Badger | Magdalena | Farina | Tantalus |
with Anglian visiting on Magdalena.
VWBA FIREWORKS NIGHT 2004
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VWBA NATIONAL RALLY 2004 HELD 21/22 AUGUST IN BECCLES, SUFFOLK.
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If you would like to submit a review of a recent event, please e-mail it to the webmaster.
Website last updated May 2008