Areas > East Coast > Events 

We are indebted to East Coast members Martin and Julie Hills who have chartered the Albion for the weekend of 5th to 7th September, for the exclusive use of EC OGA members!  Martin is chairman of the Norfolk Wherry Trust  Norfolk Wherry Trust 

This is an event for small boat trailer sailors centred at Bureside campsite on the Thurne which has its own slipway.   With the Albion as a 'mothership' we can expand the event to include EC members even without a small boat and/or a campervan or tent.  The Albion has an open plan bunk arrangement for up to 12 passengers (no cabins!).  Even those bringing their own boat can have a sail on Albion - however there won't be more than 12 passengers on board at any one time. There's a toilet and a cooker but no shower or fridge. Pets are not allowed. 

At the moment we're not sure whether Albion can be at the campsite on Friday evening however anyone interested in a bunk could go on board at the Wherry base in Ludham on Friday night and sail down to the campsite on Saturday morning.

From Bureside campsite boats can set off in three different directions.  The campsite is less than a mile from the Lion pub in Thurne, and 3 miles from the Bridge Inn at Acle.

We're planning to moor Albion at the campsite , subject to appropriate permissions, but otherwise it will be  moored close by.

The campsite has pitches for tents and motorhomes, with or without hook up - more information to follow shortly. We intend to arrive on Friday afternoon/evening, staying two nights.  We'll launch Friday evening or Saturday morning, sail on Saturday returning to the campsite, sail on Sunday, returning and recovering boats onto trailers at the campsite.

When booking opens, we will ask you to express an interest, confirm all the usual checks if you are bringing your own boat, and to whether you'd like a bunk and/or a sail on the wherry. We'll pass your details to Martin and Julie.    It will be down to you to contact the campsite where we have reserved some pitches for the OGA. 

For those bringing their own boat, a Short Visit Broads permit will be required - you can buy them over the phone on 01603 756080 and have the stickers posted to you (so leave plenty of time).  You'll be asked your boat length, name, type, whether or not you're bringing an outboard (we recommend you do though it will cost slightly more) and your own details.   There are also outlets which sell them listed here. 

In the meantime, here are some links to whet your appetite, the local magazine  Broadcaster, which includes a boating map of the rivers and broads network.

 The Albion is one of only 2 remaining commercial wherries and is the only one available for hire.  She is 125 years old - a real Old Gaffer!  BBC Countryfile Magazine named Albion as one of the Top 10 Boat Trips in the UK so we are truly blessed!

We will charge a nominal £5 fee for this event but we encourage entrants to make a donation to the Norfolk Wherry Trust.

Photo: Norfolk Wherry Trust