Required: A 'Courtier' Stove for Heather

Heather is in the process of being conserved and restored in an effort to complete the authentic appearance of the houseboat. An important feature of the cabin was a multi~fuel stove.

We have been searching endlessly for a 1920's ~ 1940's example of the original enamel glazed 'Courtier' stove, made by Mitchell Russell & Co in Bonnybridge, Scotland.

Has anyone knowledge of where we can obtain a free~standing version of a Courtier stove, preferably finished in white glazed enamel? This version was designed to stand in a centre of a room, instead of being set into a fireplace. There are four enamelled sides as opposed to a cast iron rear section.

Please contact us.

Heather under wraps

The Houseboat at Christmas

The houseboat is now usually wrapped in her awning. The large vinyl and polyester awning shields the superstructure of the boat from the ravages of winter and the increasing number of gulls and pigeons fouling on the roof. We endeavour to clean the awning every few weeks. The paintwork on the hull is lightly cleaned with a wax wash at the same time.

Inside, most of Heather's belongings including the library of books, pictures, ornaments and drapery are stored in boxes to prevent damage caused during the damp winter season. Lockers and doors are opened, carpets removed and some flooring is lifted to thoroughly air the boat. 

Over the coming months we will continue the restoration focusing on the forecastle, saloon, heads (lavatory), adjoining vestibule and the newly re~opened after well.

Follow the on board renovation from January 2012.

The UK Small Boat Register ~ a voice for historic small craft

In many respects the UK lags behind other countries in terms of protecting and enhancing floating maritime heritage, strange for an island nation dependent on the seas for her very being.

Smaller but no less significant boats were often left 'high and dry' in Britain's substantial maritime heritage world. A special database has been set up in recent years to help prevent this sad decay by recording historic small boats under 33 foot long and worthy of preservation. Larger craft are catered for on the well established National Register of Historic Vessels.

The award winning National Maritime Museum Cornwall is the headquarters of the National Small Boat Register. The museum also displays a range of small craft. The database is growing, although only represents a fraction of the boats which should be included. If you know of an historic boat that can be saved for the nation then contact the NSBR by following the link below.

Examples might include sailing or motor boats, pulling dinghies, cabin yachts or hovercraft. These may be locally built boats or a famous example of a well~known class. In fact any traditional boat which has been on the water for over 50 years would be a candidate. They can be individually owned or cared for by organisations like trusts and museums. Heather joined the Small Boat Register in 2008.

For further information please visit the National Small Boat Register: 

www.nmmc.co.uk/index.php?/collections/content/national_small_boat_register


Or by post to: NSBR, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Discovery Quay, Falmouth TR11 3QY

A picture can tell a thousand words

On hire at Turner's Boatyard, Horning in the 'swinging sixties'

Picture courtesy of Blakes Boating Holidays

Heather and the Broads holiday boom

This caption is from Blakes (Norfolk Broads Holidays) Agency brochure of 1967. The small photograph is one of the very few images of the boat prior to 1984. After she was rescued by John & Simone Royal, the houseboat left Turner's Boatyard at Horning and embarked on a new era of preservation and rejuvenation.

The photograph depicts Dennis George, sat on the folding deck chair outside Heather's after cabin. In the early 1950's, Mr George purchased the long established Alfred Turner's boatyard in Horning. The boat was brought up the river from her mooring in the dyke at Eastick's Yacht Station, Acle. The possibly renamed 'Heather' was added to the already diverse Turner's hire fleet.

In the great boom of the Broads holiday boating industry in the 1950's, 60's and 70's, every conceivable vessel and land based hostelry was advertised to let. The Blakes massive publicity machine, helmed from a smart head office in central London, placed the Broads firmly on the tourist destination map. A 'holiday afloat' offered a largely war weary and rationed public a unique 'getaway' to the wilds of the Broads. People from all walks of life took to the water with gusto. 

Modernisation 

Despite Heather already being quite elderly and old fashioned, she was radically adapted for service as holiday accommodation. Heather took on a new role as a hire boat. Both open wells were enclosed; a galley with egg blue 'Formica' type surface worktops forward and the stateroom with two single bunks and a wash basin in the after part of the boat were fitted. Presumably baths and showers were provided ashore. Curiously, the fine iroko hardwood curved sides of the after cabin or stateroom were set with four incongruous steel~framed 'Crittall' type windows. The forward well was instead panelled in spruce with neat sliding teak windows and a pair of teak grilles on her bows. This made the distinctive bluff forward end of Heather. 

Blue was the colour of choice for most of the interior panelling. Deep blue vinyl covered upholstery of 1960's vintage, made by Jeckell's of Wroxham, was used in the Saloon. It is still very comfortable and has TURNER'S written in pen on the reverse side. Heather was fitted throughout with electricity and plumbing was installed. The electric cable can be seen trailing into the forward port side window on the photograph. Fortunately these modifications were on the whole sympathetic and changed little of her Ernest L Woods style (following conversion in the 1920's).

The additional conversion, with four berths, immediately turned Heather into a premium earner. As with many vintage boats like wherries, the hiring of Heather secured her survival in the post war era; albeit in stark contrast to her original incarnation as a mere industrial work pontoon. 

The delightfully simple plan under the photograph illustrates the boat layout, complete with an electric cooker and 'Courtier' multi~fuel stove. A rowing boat was surely an essential extra to explore the rivers, outside of Heather's secluded berth in Turner's basin.

With a stout built and sea worthy hull as opposed to raft pontoons, Heather is today one of the sole surviving traditional houseboats. Some town planners & locals disapprove of houseboats within the Broads landscape, although it is debatable how the Broads area would appear, without the colourful variety of houseboats dotted around the waterways (providing they were legally maintained and moored in appropriate places).

Sadly, no sign of Turner's yard exists today, except for the rough outline of the basin and the famous landmark next door ~ the Ferry Mill. All of the individual character of the yard, its camaraderie and pride disappeared. Urban brick development of the 1990's replaced the typical Broads wooden and corrugated metal boathouses. Happily Heather and some more graceful examples of Turner's fleet sail on, bearing names of flowers taken from world war two ocean greyhounds...

Thanks to the Broadland Memories archive and John Royal Esq.

IF YOU STAYED ON BOARD HEATHER OR HAVE ANY MEMORIES OF TURNER'S BOATYARD AT HORNING, WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.