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© Broadland Memories 2006-2026

Page  11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19

1950s Photo Gallery

More images from the two albums of photographs featuring holidays taken aboard motor cruisers hired from Herbert Woods Broads Haven yard at Potter Heigham during the 1950s.

The final two holidays featured in the photograph albums were family trips – mum, dad and two young girls. In 1956, they hired B56 “Shaft of Light” from Herbert Woods boatyard which was one of the 36ft, 6 berth “Ring of Light” class once again.

The two girls, who look to be twins, on board “Shaft of Light” in 1956. This appears to be reasonably early in the season where a week’s hire would have been around £31, rising to £55 during the peak summer season.

Cruising on the Broads in 1956, unknown location.

The Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling, which was a popular destination for the couple over the years, still under the ownership of the Norwich based Bullards Brewery at this time.

This was taken outside the Pleasure Boat Inn where mum is seen enjoying some liquid refreshment.

Thurne Dyke Mill which had been bought and restored by Bob Morse in 1949. The little houseboat seen on the right also features in several photographs within the Charles Hannaford Collection.

The family sailing in the dinghy which was included within the hire cost of “Shaft of Light”. This looks like it was taken at Salhouse Broad.

Cruising on the Upper Bure with St Peter’s Church at Belaugh seen in the background. I think the chap on the left is the fifth member of the crew rather than the father of the family who, I presume, is taking most of the photographs.

The family on board “Shaft of Light” – this was probably taken on the same day as the previous photograph.

Another shot taken whilst underway.

One of the twins takes the helm whilst the other watches on. This looks as though they could possibly be leaving the moorings at Geldeston Lock, although there are no other images which I can definitively place on the southern rivers.

Mum posing in front of “Shaft of Light”, cigarette in hand.

Taken at the same location as the previous image, mum and the girls with the boat.

Mum dressed smartly, having arrived or being about to depart at the end of their holiday. People tended to dress up a lot more in those days, especially when travelling, as has been documented in many of the photographic collections on Broadland Memories. She is, of course, posing in front of Potter Heigham Bridge in this, the last photograph from 1956.

On to 1957 when the family group hired B54 “Glitter of Light” which was one of Woods 36ft, 4 berth “Glimmer” class. This appears to have been a cruise in company with friends or other family members who hired B61 “Glow of Light” which was seen in earlier photographs from these albums. Here, the family are seen aboard “Glitter” with another young companion.

Another shot of “Glitter” from 1957. These spacious cruisers had a twin berth cabin aft with a separate toilet on one side and wardrobe and sideboard space opposite, with steps which led up to the wheelhouse. From the wheelhouse further steps led down to the saloon with it’s foldable table and another two berths. A door led through to a companionway with a second toilet and washbasin on one side and further storage opposite, and the galley was to the fore.

What makes this particular set of photographs so interesting is that they include several interior shots of “Glitter of Light.” This was taken from the aft cabin, looking forward through the wheelhouse.

The galley at the front of the boat – compact, but equipped with everything you needed.

Looking forward from the wheelhouse into the saloon, with the galley seen beyond.

Making up the berths in the aft cabin – look at the shining varnish on the lockers beneath!