We have had a very busy autumn and winter, as can be seen from this photo of our workshop. Our new facilities have certainly been put to extremely good use!
Apprentice of the Year Nomination – We are extremely proud that Damon Rushmer, one of our apprentices, has been nominated for the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Award at Great Yarmouth College. Damon is on a two-year apprenticeship and attends an electrical and engineering course on a day-release basis. We will find out on 15th March if he has won, but the fact that he has even been nominated demonstrates how hard he has been working, both at the boatyard and in his studies. Well done Damon.
Dinghy Park – This is gaining in popularity every year and last summer it was full. Even during the winter months, there were some Saturday mornings when we had a queue for fishermen waiting to launch. This year we are re-numbering the spaces and moving some of the craft around to create more spaces.
Showers & Codes – Shower tokens are available from the office, or if this is not open, try the workshop.
Car Parking – PLEASE do not park in front of, or near, the sliding doors of the workshop as we are always moving boats during the week and on Saturdays.
Launching – We will be working to launch all boats on the dates that customers supplied to us on our winter maintenance forms. Easter is on a sensible date in April this year! If you are unsure of your launch date, please contact the office, and if you would like any extra work completed on your craft, or are unsure what work is due to be completed, please contact me.
70th Anniversary – One of our customers has now been mooring at Cox’s Boatyard for 70 years this year! His first mooring was in 1947 and at that time there were no dykes, just a bank. The first dyke was dug by hand one winter, and the next two were dug several years later by machine. The cost of a summer mooring in 1947 was just £4 10s for a 20-foot sailing craft! We think 70 years might be a record for a berth holder, but would love to know if there are any even longer-standing Cox’s customers than this out there?
Parish Bins – Last year Barton Turf Parish Council lost its funding from NNDC for its waste bins, so it must now pay for them itself. We renegotiated our contract and passed on the £250 savings we made to the Parish Council. Please put your waste glass in the recycling bin on the Staithe as the Parish still receives money for glass, whereas we do not for our recycling bin in the yard.
Neatishead Village Shop and Pub – The village’s community shop is now supplying many locally sourced goods and has a great selection of snacks and other food. The White Horse Inn is expanding quickly with good food and beer, and it also now brews its own tasty beer on site at the Neatishead Brewing Co.
Love The Broads – We have been asked to tell you about ‘Love the Broads’, a new charity that has been set up by the Broads Charitable Trust to help care for the Broads. Each year the money it raises is granted to small projects that help conservation, wildlife and education across the Broads National Park. A full list of projects that have been funded can be found at www.lovethebroads.org.uk
Norfolk Wildlife Trust – Norfolk Wildlife Trust is trying to raise funds to buy the rest of Hickling Broad, which came up for sale late last year. The Trust plays a big part in the Norfolk Broads and surrounding areas, so any help would be gratefully received. See www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk for further details.
Customer Feedback Forms – Your completed forms are invaluable and we very much appreciate your replies. Please keep sending us your comments, whether positive or negative, as this helps us improve the service we offer.
Thank you for your continuing support. We hope you enjoy being out on the water over the coming months, no matter what the weather!
Eric Bishop, Manager, Cox’s Boatyard Ltd.