About Us
Albion is a very fortunate boat to have come into the care of the Norfolk Wherry Trust. Since 1949 when the charitable trust to rescue a Norfolk Wherry was formed, a dedicated band of volunteers has kept her in work, either carrying cargo, or latterly, carrying passengers. It is vital that she earns her living as it is the income from chartering, coupled with the generosity of our membership and supporters, which pays for her expensive and never ending upkeep.
The Trust has always been longsighted over the care of Albion and having found land for use as a mooring at Ludham they purchased it and constructed a roof over the mooring, following this with building a large workshop from which to maintain her. Now the Trust is planning a slip so that even more work can be carried out ‘in house’. The vast majority of the works have been and still are carried out by our skilled and knowledgeable volunteers with professional involvement when necessary.
There is no question that all of this time, effort and expense are worth it. There are only two black sailed traders left, from over 300 at their peak, and Albion is the only one available for public charter. To see her majestic sail over the reeds as she sails the Broads is truly magical but it is because she encapsulates so much of the social and maritime history of the Broads that she has such a special place in the hearts of so many people.
The Trust has always been longsighted over the care of Albion and having found land for use as a mooring at Ludham they purchased it and constructed a roof over the mooring, following this with building a large workshop from which to maintain her. Now the Trust is planning a slip so that even more work can be carried out ‘in house’. The vast majority of the works have been and still are carried out by our skilled and knowledgeable volunteers with professional involvement when necessary.
There is no question that all of this time, effort and expense are worth it. There are only two black sailed traders left, from over 300 at their peak, and Albion is the only one available for public charter. To see her majestic sail over the reeds as she sails the Broads is truly magical but it is because she encapsulates so much of the social and maritime history of the Broads that she has such a special place in the hearts of so many people.
