March 16, 2012
Invasive Shrimp comes to Broads
Boaters have been asked to take extra precautions following the discovery of an invasive, non-native species of shrimp in an area of Barton Broad. The shrimp – Dikerogammarus Villosus – has become widespread in Western Europe and it could threaten native species. There is no risk to public health or pets.
Water users, particularly those bringing boats into the area, are asked to follow the Check/Clean/Dry routine:
- Check boats and fishing kit coming into and leaving the Broads for shrimp.
- Clean and wash off all equipment (e.g. nets, spray decks and footwear) and boats (including canoes) to make sure you are not taking any organism to other rivers within or outside the Broads. Remove and destroy any shrimps found.
- Dry all equipment, clothing and pump out bilges – shrimp can live in damp conditions for many days. If drying is impossible, at least wash down equipment before travelling between rivers or coming into and leaving the Broads for other river systems.
Invasive Shrimp
The Environment Agency, Broads Authority and Natural England are working together to investigate the presence of the shrimp in the Broads, including the current population and distribution over Broads as a whole.
January 9, 2012
First Presentation of Whelpton Trophy for Young Achievement at AGM
Ann Whelpton presents the Tim Whelpton Trophy to Georgina Povall at NSBA AGM
Georgina Povall, just 17, recalls that is only a few seasons since she entered the NSBA’s Broadland Youth Regatta as her first major event. By last Autumn, as rescue helicopters scoured the skies searching for a sinking ship, she was squad training in gale force winds off the North Welsh coast. The transformation from rookie to serious competitive sailor has seen Georgina rise through the ranks of Britain’s top female Laser sailors. Her progress was recognised by the NSBA at its AGM (November) when it awarded her the Tim Whelpton Trophy for young sailing achievement at national or international level.
The one-off trophy, a silver representation of the proa Crossbow at speed, was donated to the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association by Ann Whelpton, Tim’s Widow. Tim built Crossbow and sailed her with Sir Timothy Colman when she took the world speed sailing record, and was the first sailing boat to be timed at over 30 miles per hour.
Georgina Povall’s schedule for the last 12 months illustrates the height of her achievement. During that period she has been transitioning from the smaller Laser 4.7 rig to the ladies’ Olympic class, the Laser Radial, having already progressed through the Topper and Laser 4.7 National Junior Squads. She competed in the Radial at national qualification events in the spring of 2011 and was selected for the RYA GBR National youth squad, ranked third girl overall in the UK.
At the RYA Youth National Championships at Hayling Island in March this year, Georgina was third youth girl and posted a top five finish in the last race.
In July she took bronze at the Laser 4.7 European Championships at Workum in the Netherlands. In the senior and even more competitive Laser Radial fleet, she was placed sixth overall, third youth and first GBR sailor in the Europa Cup at Warnemunde in Germany.
Georgina Povall in heavy seas
Following that, she attended her first Radial Youth Worlds at La Rochelle, France. Still finder her feet there, she exceeded expectations, both qualifying for the gold fleet and posting top ten results. The summer season finale was an invitation to train with the Olympic development squad at Weymouth.
Georgina still enjoys sailing in Norfolk, particularly her home club, Hickling Broad SC, which she describes as the best in the county. This autumn she sailed again in the NSBA’s Broadland Youth Regatta, held there. Sailing a double-handed RS Feva with fellow club member Rebecca Sheldrake, they together won the trophy for top helm and crew.
As well as the Tim Whelpton Trophy, Georgina has been nominated for the RYA Sports Aid, Lloyds TSB ‘Local Heroes’ scheme. But in case anybody thinks Georgina’s life is one track, this summer she studied hard to gain 9 GCSEs, seven of them A or A*. She also found time to earn a dinghy instructor qualification.
Also at the AGM, Mark Wells presented Mollie Howes with Life Membership of the Association, in recognition of her long service on the General Purposes Committee. For most of that period she was the organiser of the Association’s Inter-Club Championship, the Ramuz Trophy.
Mark Wells presents retiring committee member Mollie Howes with NSBA Life Membership
Prof. Richard Card was elected the NSBA’s new Chairman. He takes over from Mark Wells, standing down after three years in the post.
November 3, 2011
NSBA’s Broadland Youth Regatta contested by 101 young sailors
One hundred and one young sailors from seven member clubs competed this year’s Broadland Youth Regatta on Hickling Broad on September 3rd. The sun shone, the breeze was fresh, southerly and warm. Four races were sailed on a championship course.
With skill levels from near novice to Broadland elite – sailors up to 18 who have risen through RYA Zone Squads, Youth Class Open meetings and National Championships – competition was fierce but fair, umpired by International Sailing Judge Peter Fitt from West Mersea.
As well as racing for the honours in each of four Classes -Toppers, Optimists, Fast and Slow Handicap – six teams raced for honour of Top Club: The Centenary Salver going to Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, with the host Club Hickling Broad second and Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club third, Beccles Amateur Sailing Club fourth, Norfolk Punt Club fifth and Horning Sailing Club sixth.
The Fast Handicap start of 19 entries was won by Michael Cullum from the host’s HBSC sailing a Laser, Jamie freeman from WOBYC was second also in a Laser, and Toby Percival (HBSC) was 3rd sailing a Laser 4.7.
The Slow Handicap start of 19 entries was won by WOBYC’s George Catchpole sailing an RS Tera Pro, 2nd was the all girl team of Georgina Povall and Rebecca Sheldrake sailing one of HBSC’s Broads Authority sponsored RS Fevas and 3rd was James Dennis (HBSC) in another RS Tera Pro.
Out of the largest fleet of 38 Toppers, NBYC’s Emily King took top place, Hugh Braidwood (Beccles ASC) was 2nd and WOBYC’s Jemma Smalls was 3rd. Finally, in the 13 strong Optimist fleet, NBYC swept the field with 1st 2nd, 3rd 4th and 6th places, led by Billy “Whizz” Johnson, Mack Mackay and William Pank.
Popular recipient of the Lady Mayhew Trophy for Endeavour, to the sailor demonstrating great determination in adversity, perseverance and “true grit”, was young James How from BASC, who despite capsizing his Optimist Dinghy and filling up, righted and carried on, baling furiously while beating to the finishing line in race 3. In this his first year racing, James completed all four races.
Waiting for the gun
The Whelpton Trophy, presented by Ann Whelpton in memory of late husband Tim, was awarded to top two handed dinghy pairing Georgina Povall and Rebecca Sheldrake from HBSC. The trophies were presented by Stephen Johnson, Chairman of the Broads Authority, who said he was delighted to take part in such a fabulous event show casing the best of Broadland youth and junior sailing. Mark Wells, Chairman of the NSBA, thanked HBSC Club Commodore Trish Hudson and her team for competently hosting this, the largest youth event in the region, and sponsors Boats ‘n Bits, MBS trophies and Samuels Shirts.
Broadland Youth Regatta fields fleet of 101 on breezy Hickling Broad
(Video supplied by Holly Hancock. Used with Permission)
November 3, 2011
The NSBA Inter-Club Championship: WOBYC Host and Win the Ramuz
WOBYC Winners pass the Club House.
Ten clubs took part on a sunny afternoon with a reasonable breeze. The 303s were a challenge for some of the region’s top sailors.In the first heat WOBYC sailors Richard Smith and Bethany Freeman were first with Michael Cullum and Chris Barker representing HBSC second, and Beccles sailors Jonanthan and Edward Blankley taking the third position. Waveney Sailabilty representive Alan Harmer and Vic Pennell were a close fourth.
In Heat 2 Great Yarmouth & Gorleston sailors Phillip Highfield and Tamsin Butcher finished ahead of the fleet with Snowflakes sailors Richard Dugdale and James Patience in second and Tony and Oliver Knights, representing the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk YC, third.
The six teams battled it out in the final. WOBYC’s Richard & Bethany sailed clear to take first place ahead of Snowflakes and Beccles. The Ramuz Trophy was presented by RYA East Chairman Fiona Wylie and commemorative glasses were presented to all finalists.
November 3, 2011
Government Response to Consultation on Running of the Broads
Defra Consultation on the Governance Arrangements for the National Parks and the Broads
The outcome of the consultation was published in September. The Government does not propose any change in the size of the Broads Authority. This accords with NSBA’s representations to Defra.
Unfortunately, the Government has decided not to change the composition of the Authority, despite the NSBA’s submission that there should be some seats on the Authority reserved for representatives of tollpayers. At present there is no guarantee that a single tollpayer is a member of the Broads Authority. This seems indefensible when tollpayers contribute so much to the Authority’s budget. By 2014/15 tollpayers will provide 48% of the Authority’s income, the proportion of toll income being used to fund overhead costs rising from 21.5% to 43% in that time. NSBA will continue to press for tollpayer representation.
The Government has agreed with the Broads Authority’s wish to carry out a formal review of the Authority’s consultative structure, including the Navigation Committee. The NSBA regards the role of that Committee as of fundamental importance and would not wish to see it diluted in any way. NSBA will be active in seeking to ensure that this does not happen.
October 25, 2011
NSBA Reply to DEFRA Consultation
HEAVY-HANDED LEGISLATION COULD RUIN THE BROADS
Insensitive application of statutory powers could damage the whole social and economic fabric of the Broads, says the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association (NSBA), in a submission to the Department of Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) on its consultation on the future management of National Parks and the Broads.
NSBA, which represents private boat owners and toll-payers on the Broads, says a reduction in the number of those using the Broads would impact on the infrastructure and lead to a reduction in the potential income to both the Broads Authority (BA) and the local economy from visiting boat-hirers and owners.
Defra is seeking to update Government policy on dealing with climate change, conservation and enhance of the landscape and natural heritage, securing maximum value for money from funding and, fostering biodiversity, within National Parks and the Broads. Public bodies would be seen as acting unreasonably if they ignored it and/or acted differently without good reasons for doing so.
NSBA vice-Chairman Richard Card said: “The economic infrastructure of the Broads is not a matter simply of local concern because it (particularly boat building and repair) supports a significant turnover of work for other areas of the UK and for the export industry. It is therefore an added responsibility for the Broads Authority to safeguard this in the interests of the national economy as a whole.”
Without adequate income the BA would not be able to maintain the navigation area, to the consequent detriment of the Broads system.
“Without the essential dredging work, for example, the system would gradually become unusable for navigation; the income derived from it by local businesses would dramatically shrink and the wildlife associated with the waterways would reduce in variety and number,” he said.
The Broads are a fragile eco-system. Even a temporary incursion of flooding by the sea would affect their biodiversity for years. Difficult, radical decisions had to be made, and the necessary funding secured to protect the future. Other national waterways receive considerable grant funding from central government, and toll payers should not foot the entire bill.
“We welcome the statement that Defra will discuss with the BA whether some additional funding should be incorporated in the Authority’s grant baseline for future years, but we would urge that the question is not ‘should it’ but ‘how much’ and ask ‘will it be ring-fenced for use in respect of the navigable waters?”
He also called for the restoration of public staithes, something that the Broads Authority had sadly neglected.
October 25, 2011
Consultation on the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 200X
In the summer, the Department of Transport published a consultation paper proposing that the definition of ‘ship’ in five pieces of merchant shipping legislation dealing with registration as a British ship, safety of vessels, conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals and ‘drink/drive laws on the water’ should be extended to every description of watercraft which are not currently classified as ‘ships’. The proposals were motivated by problems caused by irresponsible drivers of personal watercraft (eg jet-skis) in coastal waters, but they would also bring within the extended legislation: sailing dinghies, rowing boats, sailboards, canoes, rowing eights, fours etc and speedboats, for example.
The NSBA responded to the consultation. The response is on the NSBA website. The NSBA stated that, while there might be a need for the proposed extension of the legislation to those waters where there is currently no legislative regime in order to deal with the unsafe navigation, or the unsafe condition, of vessels, or the effect of alcohol or drugs, the navigation area of the Broads is already subject to an adequate legislative regime in these respects in respect of vessels of the types listed above. The NSBA stated that there is no need for further legislation relating to safety as far as the Broads are concerned. To introduce it would lead to unnecessary duplication with the risk of inconsistency between the two regimes.
The outcome of this consultation is not yet known.
