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Revitalising the Pleasure Boat Inn: Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Bold Move

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Miles
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Revitalising the Pleasure Boat Inn: Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Bold Move

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A New Chapter for a Waterfront Pub
In an ambitious move, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust has acquired the Pleasure Boat Inn, a waterfront pub on the Broads that had been closed for several months. This strategic acquisition aligns with the trust's mission to revive not just a pub but also the surrounding area's appeal.

The Vision: A Wilder Hickling Broad
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust plans to reopen the Pleasure Boat Inn, situated at Hickling Staithe, after a comprehensive refurbishment project. This marks a significant milestone for the trust, representing its first foray into such endeavors. The primary goal is to leverage the site to boost visitor numbers in an area already home to one of Norfolk's largest nature reserves.

Addressing Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
The pub faced challenges in recent years, attributed in part to a decline in boat visits to Hickling Broad. The broad's thick weeds deterred boaters, causing engine problems, and larger vessels struggled with the low bridge at Potter Heigham.

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust, already a custodian of extensive property in the region, aims to turn this situation around. The purchase includes not only the pub but also the surrounding buildings, a car park, public toilets, and moorings on the staithe. The trust is no stranger to the area, already owning the adjacent Whispering Reeds boatyard and the Hickling Broad Sailing Club.

A CEO's Vision
Eliot Lyne, CEO of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, expressed his delight, stating, "We are delighted to get a step closer to our vision of creating a wilder Hickling Broad for our local communities and visitors to the area." He emphasised the dual focus on preserving the unique landscape for wildlife and providing new opportunities through enhanced facilities.

"Investing in a popular local pub will allow us to create new ways to introduce people to the nature, landscape, and wildlife of Hickling. We want to create a business that will serve the local community, as well as attract new visitors to the area."

The Path Forward
The project is poised to undergo "significant building works," set to commence soon, with updates anticipated in 2024. This signals a commitment to transforming not just a pub but the entire experience of Hickling Broad.

Unveiling a Royal Connection
The Pleasure Boat Inn, dating back to the 1700s, holds not just historical significance but also a royal connection. In 1959, a young King Charles, as part of a royal party on a shoot at Hickling Broad, found himself in an unexpected situation—a rowdy pillow fight.

Despite having planned to stay at Whiteslea Lodge on the other side of the Broad, flooding necessitated a switch to Plan B: The Pleasure Boat Inn. Landlady Gwen Amis and her husband Alfred kept the royal visit a secret, but the night's events, including the infamous pillow fight, have since become a part of local lore.

Graham Turner, Mrs. Amis's nephew, reminisced about the night, stating, "The three boys were in one bedroom directly above the bar, and there was quite a lot of commotion. Philip instructed my aunt to sort them out, and they were squarely put in their place."

Years later, the then prince, now King Charles, wrote to Mrs. Amis on her 90th birthday, expressing fond memories of the stay at the Pleasure Boat Inn. He remarked, "I have particularly fond memories of the time we stayed at the Pleasure Boat Inn all those years ago, and I have certainly never forgotten the famous landlady."
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