The Broads Green Boat Show 2009 The fourth Broads Green Boat Show took place on Salhouse Broad on Sunday 13th September 2009. In previous years the show has been blessed with fine, warm weather and hopes were high when weather on the Saturday before the show was perfect, with clear blue skies and hot autumn sunshine.
Once again an electric water taxi ran from Granary Staithe in Hoveton to ferry visitors to the show and ample car parking for visitors and exhibitors was provided in fields adjacent to the Broad. New exhibitors this year included Broads Spirituality, Cossey’s Yard Ceramics and The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust.
The Broad House Hotel and The Salhouse Bell provided refreshments and edibles and a bicycle-powered smoothie-maker gave an opportunity for visitors to work up an appetite while blending their own drink.
The Electric Boat Association’s stand outside was constantly busy, dispensing advice and information on all aspects of electric propulsion systems. The Climax Jazz band, despite being blown about, complemented the show with some beautiful playing, drawing the crowds up to the marquee. Gentle wafts of sound could be heard from the car parks, exciting the visitors on their walk up to the show.
Helen of Ranworth ran every hour taking people across the Bure to Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail while the Charles Collier was moored up on display as were White Admiral (Nancy Oldfield Trust), Brunette (Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust) and several other electric powered boats. More trips out were available on Sundew (Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust), Lily (River Bank Boats) and Firefly (French Marine). John Arnold was exhibiting Torqeedo electric outboard motors on a small rib and sit-on kayak.
Many thanks to the Broads Authority, with a particular mention to Dan Hoare and Rachael Evitt, for supporting the event, to Salhouse Broad for hosting it and to Peter Howe for unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to the Green Boat Show - a Silent Sensation. Our gratitude as always goes, to Mr Henry Cator for his kind permission to use the land for this important Broadland show. Tobi Baker  Exhibitors at The Broads Green Boat Show
Bank Boats |
However, Sunday dawned cloudy and grey with a cold north wind and through the day there were brief spells of drizzle. Undaunted, the exhibitors arrived early and set up stands and displays ready for the opening at 10.00am.
The Nutmeg Puppet Company and The Broads Authority set up several stands for children’s entertainment: badge making and a puppet workshop, both of which were very popular (not only with children, but some adults too!). 
Free samples and advice from the Broads Authority were available in the marquee along with informative stands from Birmingham University, EnviroBoat Developments Ltd, The Three Rivers Association, RSPB and Broadland Cycle Hire. Chris Crowther, author of the recently released Stillwaters, was signing copies of his works. 
Several free boat trips were available to all those wishing to try out ‘greener water transportation methods’. The Broads Canoe Hire Association was present with canoes and full kit to be sampled in a free 30 minute paddle around the Broad. 
At 12pm a relaxed parade of Green Boats took place around the Broad, which displayed them wonderfully. Peter Howe led the procession in style, wrapped up in his jacket against the buffeting wind and impending drizzle blasts, in the George Thetford. This yacht is fitted with an inboard electric auxiliary and she was followed by a canoe borrowed from the Canoe Hire Association stand and all the other show boats. The column of boats weaved quietly around Salhouse Broad completing the circuit where they started, back at the moorings.
Although attendance was down because of the poor weather, there were over 500 visitors to the show this year, a third of whom arrived by boat. With thirty exhibitors over the whole area, displaying boats, technology, local produce and food, there was plenty to see, try and do. GBS09 was a great success despite the questionable weather and we shall look forward to September 2010 for more Green Boating. You can see a full list of exhibitors for 2009 below.