New ark for Barton Broad

The Nancy Oldfield Trust, which provides Broads therapeutic and fun holidays for people who are disadvantaged or have disabilities, is celebrating the opening of a new floating base on Barton Broad today, 21 May.

Dr John Packman, chief executive of the Broads Authority, which provided £10,000 from its Sustainable Development Fund towards the project, will be opening the Ark at 11.30 a.m.

The £25,000 wooden Ark provides a galley, fully accessible toilet, sheltered seating, and storage room and acts as a floating base for all-day sailing activities on the broad. It is fitted with a hydraulic hoist, and is also used as a mooring for the Trust's boats.

Built locally by Cox's boatyard at Barton Turf, the Ark is moored on the corner of Barton Broad and the Neatishead Arm, and replaces the old Ark, which was a houseboat. Nancy Oldfield Trust, a registered charity, offers water activities - sailing, canoeing, motor boating, fishing and bird-watching for people of all ages who are disadvantaged in any way or have a disability, be it physical, mental or emotional, permanent or temporary.

The Trust owns eight sailing craft - a Yeoman, a Randmeer (a Dutch halfdecker), a Yare and Bure One Design, two Falmouth Bass Boats, two Illusions, and a traditional four berth gaff-rigged Broads yacht. It also owns canoes, two large motor boats with berths, and two rescue boats. At the centre ashore a disabled-friendly bungalow sleeps ten. Visitors, with their carers, can come for the day, half day, weekend or week. They are supervised by the Trust's fully RYA qualified permanent staff assisted by some 20 volunteers, also RYA qualified. Robin Slatter, Trust Warden said: 'It takes us an hour to get out on the broad from the land base, so having the Ark means our visitors can stay out all day and make the most of their time here.