Broad Horizons 2008 sailing meeting

All AYRS members and friends welcome.

   Barton Turf Adventure Centre (BTAC) is a 7-acre campsite and sailing school originally established for Hertfordshire schools’ use. Now managed by Sheila & Simon Fishwick, it is open to everybody, but especially schools and youth groups, who are accommodated in tents and have access to a range of adventurous (chiefly watersports) and environmental activities using Barton Broad and the 14-acre private nature reserve. The Centre has its own slipway into an arm of Barton Broad, and can launch and recover boats of up to about 6m in length, 2m beam, 0.5m draught (keels up). Wider boats will have to be manhandled over the side of the quay, or launched through Cox's Boatyard (for a fee). Boats may be moored overnight.

   Barton Broad is the second largest of the Norfolk Broads and arguably the best for sailing. It has been subject to substantial improvement project recently undertaken by the Broads Authority aimed at restoring the silting broad to clear water. The project on the whole has been a success and Barton Broad is once again a real boating paradise. The Broad is home to numerous wildlife, including many species of birds, fish and even otters who have returned to the Broad. The edges of the Broad are all nature reserve, and much of them are fenced off to provide fishfree areas where microlife can breed without being eaten. The Broad lies across the River Ant, and there is a certain amount of pleasureboat traffic moving through it. This should not be a problem in April. The Broad is about 2m deep at most. Power boats are subject to a 5mph speed limit.
   BTAC will provide a rescue boat, and will, if necessary, tow boats between the slipway and the open broad.