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Aylsham Navigation Project (2012)

Introduction by Stuart Wilson - 8th December 2010

The next meeting of the Aylsham Navigation Project 2012 will take place at Burgh Reading Room, Burgh-next-Aylsham, Norfolk, at 7.30pm on 30th June 2011.

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief update on what is happening in lieu of the meeting on 30th November although fuller reports will be given on January 18th 2011.

This article is based on those facts that I am aware of and will not therefore be a comprehensive list. It is designed to allow participating groups and individuals to have some kind of overview of the project to date. If your particular aspect has been missed from this list I apologise in advance but it can be picked up at the re-arranged meeting.

Updates

History

The historical research hopefully leading to a publication will be done under the auspices of ALHS mentored by the UEA and assisted by third year students. It will take place throughout 2011 with a view to having the publication ready in time for the centenary. Meetings have taken place and funds should well be available to ensure that this part of the project starts on time.

The possibility of doing some underwater archaeology associated with this research is still being considered.

Wildlife

Very little to report but Aylsham Wildlife Society have reported that they are keen to assist with this aspect. This is an area we still need volunteers for and it is fair to say that it is not as advanced as the historical side although there is time yet..

Celebration Event

The Norfolk Wherry Trust have confirmed that they can bring Albion up to Coltishall in 2012 subject to water height and tide state as getting under Wroxham Bridge is tight for them. They have found a Brewery to sponsor this journey and the wherry will be carrying a cargo of beer to deliver to a Coltishall pub along with a token cargo for onward delivery to Aylsham.

A waterways theatre group have been in contact and offered to perform their play about working boats in association with this project. My view is that this could be done on the Green at Coltishall in conjunction with the Albion? visit.

A canoeist of very considerable experience on the Upper Bure has been in touch and I am hopeful that he will assist with the celebratory event.

Community Involvement

Walks the first walk has been submitted and is now on the website. A meeting was held with Buxton Parish Council who supported this walk and also its waymarking although the support fell short of offering to pay for it. I am aware of at least two other walks in preparation.
Trail See Logo below.

Parishes Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall have been positive and supportive. All have published details of the project in their own different ways. There has been no interest from Burgh or Horstead although individuals from these place are on board.

Youth Engagement Contact has finally been made with Aylsham High School and there are some teachers there very keen to assist in a variety of ways. No approaches have yet been made to Broadland High.

Logo

If the project is going to produce a trail and walks it will need a logo on way markers and information boards. The logo could also be used on the website and in publications associated with the project. It is suggested that a competition be run for young people in our high schools to design this. Bruce Rushin, a teacher and contributor of the first walk to the project has agreed to co-ordinate this.

Other – A possibility of doing a piece of drama around the story of the navigation or the flood is being looked. One of the teachers has also suggested a formal dinner at the High School at the conclusion of the event with the food all cooked by young people.

Website

As you may know I took the opportunity to set-up a website which is interactive and permanently being updated. I hope I was not being presumptive by doing this. The site statistics to date are (as of 7th December 2010) -: 465 unique visitors since the site was set-up in October with a total of just over 8,000 pages viewed.

Please remember to pass the address on and to register. Also various useful documents (including this report) can be found in the Our Files page on the website. Frankly, the more contributors to the website the better.

The site is updated several times a week so it is constantly changing and being added to.

Landowners / Riparian Rights

Apart from a couple of landowners who have contacted us with very positive interest no further work has been done to date. This is a must for early 2011.