Projects we support. On this page you will find brief descriptions of the projects which have received support from funds from the Love the Broads donations since 2013.
Love the Broads has given nearly £100,000 of grants to 54 amazing projects over the past 9 years thanks to donations from visitors to the Broads, local residents, tourism businesses and Love the Broads’ Members – thank you all so much.
You will find details of these and all other projects below.
For further details on the types of Love the Broads grants available and guidelines for making an application (see above announcement regarding Covid-19), please download our Guidance notes for applicants.
For an application form, which will enable you to make an application for either our Business Sponsorship or our Small Grants scheme, please download this Application Form. It can be filled in on your computer and sent in to us electronically.
For more detailed guidance on how to complete the Application Form and the sorts of information the Trust will need in order to reach a decision on your application, please download our How to complete an Application Form notes.
For information about the terms and conditions which are likely to be attached to any of the Love the Broads grants we make, please download this document.
All Project Applications should be sent by email as well as by post, along with supporting documentation to:
Mrs. Alex Howe, Hon. Secretary
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Charitable Trust
2 Littlewood Lane, Hoveton, Norfolk NR12 8DZ
Email: info@broadstrust.org.uk
Telephone: 01603 783096
For further queries contact us through the link on the “contact us” page.
Buoyancy aids and education resources for children to experience wetlands by boat at NWT’s Hickling and Ranworth Broads
Exploring nature on the water allows children to experience wetland habitats from a unique perspective by boat on both Hickling and Ranworth Broads, both of which are teeming with wildlife. This project will help children of both primary and secondary age connect with this unique landscape in the Broads National Park using new equipment of binoculars and in a safe environment with the help of buoyancy aids.
Total Grant amount: £1,200
Applicant: Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Sponsor: Herbert Woods (Exclusive Sponsor)
Image courtesy of Richard Osbourne
Replacement of a footbridge at Rockland St Mary Staithe car park
A new footbridge was required to replace the existing one which was not fit for purpose. The bridge connects Rockland St Mary car park, the Staithe and the Wherryman’s Way. The new bridge will enable access for all users including disabled visitors.
Total grant amount: £680
Applicant: Rockland St Mary Poor’s Trust
Information board at Coltishall Lock
Barbara Greasley, Norfolk Broads Direct (right) with Trustees of Bure Navigation Conservation Trust and Broads Trust
Love the Broads has funded one of six information boards between Coltishall Lock and Aylsham. Each board contains the history of the navigation and local places of interest together with local footpaths and pictures of fauna and flora along the route.
Total grant amount: £1,100
Grant Applicant: Bure Navigation Conservation Trust
Sponsor:Norfolk Broads Direct
(exclusive sponsor)
The board will be of a similar design to the image to the right.
All terrain wheelchair
Many visitors to Hall Farm cottages have mobility challenges. Situated at the heart of the Broads National Park and close to Horning, Hall Farm has access to many paths, communities and to unspoilt beaches. However, normal wheelchairs are not able to access some of these areas due to their terrain. To offer all visitors access to all areas and to ensure an enjoyable experience for the less able as well as their carers, family and friends, an all-terrain wheelchair has been purchased. This will also be hired to other local accommodation providers, when available.
Total grant amount: £550
Grant applicant: Hall Farm cottages
Generator for independent electricity supply for Norfolk Wherry Maud
The Wherry Maud has only limited access to mains electricity at her base at Forsythe Wherry Yard and this is often insufficient for using power tools and as a mobile base for educational activities. This portable new generator will enable the attachment of tools and increase its ability to provide educational presentations and visits.
Total grant amount: £250
Grant applicant: Wherry Maud Trust
Taking less able Broads’ heritage visitors afloat
A popular part of a visit to the Museum of the Broads is a boat trip to Barton Broad which is only accessible by water. A new electric boat is to be purchased but to ensure that all boat trips are accessible to all, a wheelchair is essential to benefit from the scissors lift to make boats accessible. This grant will enable the purchase of a wheelchair.
Total grant amount:£192
Grant applicant: Museum of the Broads
Sponsor: Norfolk Broads Direct (exclusive sponsor)
Augmented Reality Sandbox (ARSB)
There is a need to educate and engage local communities about the environmental issues that affect the Broads’ landscape. The ARSB is a flexible educational tool to explore themes of geography, hydrology, erosion and environment in the Broads and wider catchment. The ARSB is a portable tool which will visit communities and schools and be showcased at special events to raise awareness and understanding of water and how it affects people’s daily lives.
Total grant amount: £1,500
Grant applicant: Broads Authority
Nicholas Everitt Park – planting of native plants around wildlife pond
There was an identified need to encourage wildlife and to increase biodiversity around the existing pond at Nicholas Everitt Park located at Oulton Broad, a popular leisure and recreational location for both residents and visitors to the Broads.
The grant will enable native species to be planted on the bank and margins around the wildlife pond.
Total grant amount: £213.84
Grant applicant: Friends of Nicholas Everitt Park
Equipment for sail training for young people
The Norfolk Schools Sailing Association (NSSA) provides young people in Norfolk with the opportunity to learn to sail. They provide an education-based programme that not only teaches and develops sailing skills and abilities but nurtures a love of nature through a greater knowledge and understanding of the Broads National Park. The grant will enable NSSA to purchase additional buoyancy aids which are essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people.
Total Grant amount: £1,154.40
Grant applicant: The Norfolk Schools Sailing
Association (NSSA)
Broads by Bike
The project will benefit visitors and local cyclists touring the Broads area by bicycle by ensuring easier navigation along the various Broads by Bike routes. www.thebroadsbybike.org.uk
Small signs will be erected which are self-adhesive stickers placed on appropriate highway signs at junctions and turnings.
It should also benefit tourism businesses and attractions located along the routes by ensuring visitors are more easily able to keep to the designated routes and to pass and stop at the various points of interest, attractions, and refreshment stops along the way.
The grant will fund the design and printing of the signage which will be put in place by volunteers.
Grant amount £750
Application: Broads Bike Hire Association
For more info: Broads by Bike
