Venetian Waterways

We used to come to Yarmouth to Norwich once a year in September to 'see the lights'. My grandfather would take us to the funfair where we would be allowed to choose one or two rides from a small selection that were considered suitable. The big wheel, the carousel and the small roundabouts were allowed but not the roller coaster! We always walked down to the Venetian waterways for an exciting trip in the dark.

We too visited the Waterways Gardens on our annual Sunday school outing from Pakefield church. The lighting system was such that it led us to believe that the illuminated animals were really hopping through the grass. It was magical experience for us young children.

The construction of the Waterways was started on the 2nd of January 1928 and completed on the 30th June. It was hoped to open the attraction to the public in July but owing to difficulties obtaining the charging apparatus for the boats this had to be delayed until the 2nd August (1928).

With the exception of a few key men, the Waterways were laid out as a 'relief scheme' by the unemployed who received one shilling per hour for their labours. They dug out the channels by hand using just shovels and wheelbarrows. Over 6000 tons of soil was brought over from Caister to construct the ornamental gardens.

There were five boats specially built by J.W. Brooke & Co. of Lowestoft to ply the Waterways in 1928 and each was named after a Broadland River. They were called the Yare, Ant, Bure, Waveney and Thurne. Each boat had its own designated boatman who was supplied with a Jersey bearing the name of the boat. The boatmen earned £3 per week and the money-taker (Mr S.L. Gough of York Road) earned 30 shillings. The man in overall charge when the Waterways first opened was Mr E. Harlock of Alderson Road.

So enjoyed looking at photos of waterways, we used to come in the 1950s.  We used to stay in caravan at Northdenes, used to play in sand dunes all day.  Remember my little cousin nearly falling in water one year, trying to get into boat; many happy memories.  Still try to come back most summers, but bring grandchildren now.