Chamberlins at 100

This year Landamores boat company celebrates a century in Hoveton and Wroxham. The family began quite simply in a shed with moorings at Granary Staithe, the square piece of land located right next to Wroxham Bridge.

1923 also saw the beginning of the Wroxham Newspaper Supply Service and Visitors Enquiry Bureau. This landmark business soon became known as the snappier "Chamberlins Newsagents", being founded by the indomitable Mr Cecil Chamberlin (pictured leaning on the fence post, left of the cabin) ~ one of the great characters of the village and indeed Norfolk. The original square cabin was sited by the roadside leading up to the bridge and backing onto the staithe. When first opened, the only other primary retail gift store was Roy's. 

Cecil Chamberlin was a marvellous community focused gentleman. He served on the council and acted as secretary of the Advancement Association, amongst many other things. An imaginative wordsmith, Cecil became an Eastern Daily Press correspondent and created the first proper guide book for the village ~ a publication which today is a very rare and fascinating piece of ephemera.

Chamberlins has had a profound influence on Heather's waterside booths. We are pleased to share our admiration for Chamberlins enterprise and the people involved during the golden era of Broadland...

Photo: Courtesy of Rita Massingham née Chamberlin

Chris, Andrew