Celebrating Black Horse Broad in Hoveton

Pencil drawing by Nigel Royall, who descends from a long line of Broadland wherry and keelmen.

Please join us in Hoveton for the rescheduled celebration of Black Horse Broad on Sunday 28th April. A symbolic flotilla of boats are going to the broad, embarking at 11.00am. Anybody can join in their personal, or rental boats (available from Broadland boat companies). At Wroxham Hotel from 1.00pm, an exhibition will show rediscovered information and maritime music performed on the riverside terrace.

Over 2019, Heather is involved in celebrating the liberation of Black Horse Broad, a rather hidden water space on the fringe of the village. The quirky story of the broad reopening is not only important in its own right, but also for the holistic concept of conservation and liberties on waterways near and far. In 1949, the country was drained following world war 2. However, an era of austerity didn't deter a group of watermen, boat owners and others from rallying behind Herbert Woods and placing principles before profit.

Many more broads ~ linked directly to the main rivers, had been free for navigable passage when blackened sail trading boats dominated the skyline. After commerce shifted to rails and roads, some ungenerous riparian landowners tried to reclaim waters for their exclusive use. In the face of threatened closures, some stalwart Broadsmen like in the 1890s when Charlie Gibbs sat tight on his houseboat ~ laying on the middle of Surlingham Broad and prevented the landowner from terminating access. Similarly, Salhouse Broad was very nearly closed off. Thankfully, later post~war conservationists ensured Black Horse Broad was repatriated for everyone.

Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood.

From Lady Clara Vere de Vere, Alfred Tennyson, 1842
Also adapted as the title for the 1949 Ealing Studios film Kind Hearts and Coronets.

With grateful thanks to Broadsman and Master Mariner Dereck Gibbs of Ludham and Fyfe Robertson, author of the Picture Post magazine article, 26 March 1949.

Chris