Wroxham and Hoveton Advancement Association minute book and John Loynes photograph courtesy of Chamberlin archives
The minutes of the Association are short and succinct and deal with major issues that are still relevant today. One page reveals forgotten stories, including a prime project ~ creation of the Free Moorings, a little distance upstream of Wroxham Bridge in Hoveton St John.
October 25 1932: To aid their work Mr Thrower (point 2) suggested that the group join the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpath Preservation Society. Mr Thrower ran a well known boat company beside Wroxham Bridge ~ where the Bridge Restaurant now stands. Point 3 discusses the overgrown channel from Barton Broad to Neatishead ~ and what benefits would stem from the reopening of the watercourse.
Access rights to Hoveton Great Broad were noted (points 2 and 5) as the group agreed to forward a prepared letter to Mr Blofeld of Hoveton House.
Proposals were raised about the foundation of a permanent sailing club in the vicinity by Commander Elliott (6). The Norfolk Broads Yacht Club came to fruition in 1938 on Wroxham Broad and replaced a big touring houseboat which previously served as a temporary base for a collective of several clubs.
Regattas or water frolics have long been fun, cultural and sporting occasions especially in Broadland. Hoveton and Wroxham had an annual 'village' carnival where all comers were welcome (7).
The most amusing part of the meeting is point 3, where the President, silver bearded Mr John Loynes candidly laid out "his method of dealing with these things (the activities of the Association and the like) was so that a little fun be put into a serious question, and that we should not sit there like a lot of blockheads".
This fascinating statement, incorporating an old nautical term 'blockhead' says a great deal about the character of the grand old man of Broadland yachting. John Loynes had pioneered inland leisure cruising seven decades earlier by expanding his small boat charter enterprise from Norwich to Hoveton~Wroxham. A consumate craftsman and entrepeneur with a deep rooted Christian approach to life, he was still sailing and essentially camping under canvas on board traditional sail boats well into his nineties.
Chris, Jason
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