An account of events since the last time.

March: new life, new season, new shoots, new ducklings, new new. The boats were due to appear in their droves, scattering hordes of children around Salhouse Broad just in time for Easter. Except it snowed. People were restricted by high water, muddy paths and unsociable weather conditions. Compared to last years Easter, later as it was, Easter holidays at Salhouse Broad yielded little in March 2008. The Easter Egg Hunt drew in 125 children over two days, the Saturday was postponed to be combined with the Spring Activity Day. Despite high winds and impending snow, Easter Friday was awash with intrepid explorers seeking out their clues to win Easter themed prizes. My thanks go to those determined volunteers who made this event happen- an 8 o’ clock call to say yay or nay and we were off putting up gazebos which provided our only, if somewhat lacking shelter. Nevertheless, EEH08 was a success and we are now looking forward to the Halloween Horror Hunt in October.

The last event of the month had to be cancelled due to complete cloud coverage. However, there will be another Star Walk taking place on the 30^th August. For the Spring Activity Day children came to the play area at the Broad to learn more about bird life in their own gardens as well as birds that can be found at Salhouse Broad. Bird Feeders were made, as well as a lot of mess, out of fat balls, milk cartons, bird seed and pine cones. In some cases, many of the parents were having just as much (if not more) fun than the children! At 10am on Saturday 26^th April, we met in the car park for the Wild Flower and Herbal Medicine Walk. Su Rayner guided us superbly around Salhouse Broad as we learnt more about the flowers, trees and other often overlooked plants, discovering more about their uses and functions.

The month of May brought two fantastic events; kicking off with an early starter, the ever popular Bird Song Walk. We began at 5am with coffee to wake us and bacon butties to sustain us. We saw and heard a variety of birds including the Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Song Thrush and Coot. At about 6am we were interrupted by the relentless squawking of an Egyptian Goose, which not only woke up the holiday makers on their boats, but prevented us from hearing any other birds whilst we remained at the beach. Ne’er mind. On the 24^th Ian Roofe visited us giving a knowledgeable tree tour of the Broad. Look out for the Mountain Ash! We are holding an Autumn Colours Tree I.D. Walk on November 15^th if you would like to learn more about the trees at Salhouse Broad in their autumnal and leafless state.

In June we had a mixture of events. The FOSB Quarterly Meeting hosted Rick Southwood who gave us a delightful talk on Natural England at Work. The next Quarterly Meeting will be held at 8pm on the 5^th September at the Jubilee Hall. Peter Howe will be giving us a talk on Green Boating as a forerunner to the Green Boat Show, this year held on 21^st September at Salhouse Broad. Our Himalayan Balsam event on the 21^st proved to be more of a chore than anticipated. Attempts to eradicate the balsam partially succeeded:

Broad Balsam Bash

A humid day spent pulling balm
A cheerful gang of half a score
Despite the nettles causing harm
Many plants pulled, there will be more!

Although damp, stung by nettles high
Boots and Jake engulfed in mud
Wild flowers unheeded now reach the sky
Salhouse Broad balsam will not bud. - We hope!

Anon.

The following day we had the first in our trio of Broadside Services at Salhouse Broad. Please note the amended start time is 3pm. With the Salvation Army playing, the sun shining and wind blowing, it was a very enjoyable service. The next service will be held on 27^th July, with the third and final instalment on 24^th August.

As I write this, I await this evening’s Woodforde’s Brewery Tour which I am sure will be a great success. If you have missed out on this but would like to go on a tour of the Brewery, the next opportunity will be on August 12^th.

Up and coming events:

July 26^th: The Nutmeg Puppet Company are presenting their show The Rubbish Monster at 1.30pm, followed by a workshop. The show is taking place on the hill. It is a fun and educational show for children and adults alike. There is no charge for entry, but donations will be kindly received to put towards the FOSB and their work at Salhouse Broad.

July 27^th: Broadside Service, 3pm.

August 2^nd&23^rd: Moth Evening, 9pm & 8.30pm, £5 per person. Please book in advance.

August 10^th: Summer Craft Day, 10am-2pm, £3 per child.

August 12^th: Woodforde’s Brewery Tour, 6.30pm £20 includes tour and meal. Please book in advance.

August 16^th: Bracken Pulling, a necessary conservation event 10am-4pm.

August 24^th : Broadside Service, 3pm.

August 30^th: Star Walk 8.30pm, £3 per person. Please book in advance.

September 5^th: FOSB Quarterly Meeting. Guest speaker Peter Howe talking about Green Boating. 8pm Salhouse Jubilee Hall.

September 6^th: Horning Carnival- Flotilla of fancily dressed up boats arrive at Salhouse Broad approx. 2.15pm. All monies raised go to Quidenham Children’s Hospice.

September 11^th: Litter Pick- joyous fun clearing up other people’s rubbish. I thank you all for your input. 6pm start at Salhouse Broad car park.

September 21^st: Green Boat Show 11am-4pm. £3 entrance fee.

October 26^th:Seed Gathering 10am- 2pm. £3 per person.

October 31^st: Halloween Horror Hunt. 11am- 4pm. £3 per child, £5 for two.

Available at Salhouse Broad this summer:

Canoe Hire: 1hr £10, 3hrs £20, 6hrs £30. Open every day (weather permitting)

Water Taxi to Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail: £2.50 Adult, £1 Child. Sunday and Thursday Timetable: 10am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm, 4pm. Monday- Wednesday advanced booking only.

Pedalo Hire: ½ hr £10, 1hr £15. Open every day (weather permitting)