Stills from the BBC presentation Coot Club, 1983 1) Opening ident, 2) Rowdy Hullabaloos, 3) Horning Town Quay from the downstream end, 4) Wroxham life ring shot.
In 1934 Arthur Ransome published his second book Coot Club in the Swallows and Amazons series ~ adventure stories loved by young and old alike for nearly a hundred years.
The story centres on conservation of bird life ~ specifically coots (quite an unusual idea at the time) and the mastering of sailing skills. Colourful Coot Club 'native' characters included Jim Wooddall, Skipper of the SIR GARNET, a "business wherry", Harry Bangate, Eel Man and Police Constable Tedder. Most of the action revolves around Horning, a few miles down the River Bure from Hoveton.
Behind the traditional boating jinks lays a thread of skullduggery and justice amidst enchanting marshes. Negative affects of tourism are highlighted with the crew of the luxury motor cruiser MARGOLETTA. Ransome cleverly called the raucous party "Hullabaloos" meaning a noisey confused commotion. Coot Club is still in print, along with other Ransome books and widely available...
Chris
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