Broadland Holiday 1965

Family holiday on the Norfolk Broads in June 1965, kindly sent to the Broadland Memories archive by Bill Wittkopp, who is seen in the film with his sister Joan and parents Bill and Amy. Fabulous footage of both the Northern & Southern rivers, filmed largely by Bill's cousin Bill Ward who joined the family on the holiday with his wife Muriel. It was later projected onto a screen at home and filmed with a camcorder to transfer it to VHS and only recently digitized from that VHS copy and sent to me on DVD. Despite this convoluted method, the resulting film is very watchable. Please note that copyright of this lies with the Wittkopp family, but I have kindly been given permission to upload it to the Broadland Memories YouTube channel.

The film begins with footage of the family preparing to set off on holiday, and part of the car journey to Stalham Yachting Station where they pick up their home afloat for the holiday, the motor cruiser "Fiesta". We follow the family as they pass Ludham Bridge, cruise through Horning and Wroxham and on to Coltishall. There are some wonderful shots of the boat's interior and its mod cons! Back through Belaugh, and past St Benets Abbey, the family then head for Potter Heigham where we ghet some fantastiic panoramic views of the riverside area. The Bridge Hotel, Herbert Woods and Lathams all feature. The next day sees the family passing Acle Bridge Inn as they make their way to Breydon Water, through Reedham and up to Norwich. Once again, there is some fabulous film of the Yacht Station there and also the city centre including London Street before it was pedestrianised.

Heading back down the Yare, the family stopped at Brundall and Tidecraft's riverside shop. Reedham Ferry is filmed as is the new Haddiscoe road bridge in the New Cut and Burgh St Peter Church as they head to Beccles. It's on to Oulton Broad next with some great footage of powerboat racing. Heading back to the northern rivers, the family pass through St Olaves and stop at Burgh Castle Yacht Station before crossing Breydon once more with a stopover at Thurne Dyke. The last day is spent traveling back to Stalham, with film of Ludham Bridge, How Hill and Irstead. Lovely shots of wooden cruisers once they reach Stalham.

The film includes the original animations and captions added by Bill Ward.

My thanks to Bill Wittkopp.