Maud’s Story – the Life of a Norfolk Trading Wherry

The trustees of Wherry Maud Trust are keen to speak to interested groups in order to:

  • increase public awareness of the part Norfolk wherries played in the transport history of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads
  • show how people can get involved in preserving and sailing these boats today

The talk uses up to 50 good quality slides (mostly colour) and lasts approx. 1 hour + time for questions. We will always endeavour to tailor the talk to the interests of our audience on the day.

We can bring a set of information boards with photos illustrating the life of the boat. Those interested can look at the photos at their leisure during the interval or after the talk.

Themes covered by the talk are:

  • Introduction – a brief history of the Norfolk Wherry
  • Maud’s working life and her owners and skippers
  • The rescue of Maud from her watery grave in Ranworth Broad
  • Restoration of the boat – it took 18 years to get her sailing again – materials and methods
  • Use of the boat post restoration and before the Trust was formed
  • Wherry Maud Trust formed in 2015. How it operates + current and future events

In February 2025, two kind messages were received after a talk to a local Rotary Club:
“It was great to meet you at the rotary dinner last week. The talk was excellent.”
“Thanks for a brilliant presentation on Tuesday, our president was very impressed and he’s sorry we didn’t have more people in attendance.”

Further information can be found on the National Historic Ships website and on Facebook.

Upcoming talks

Date Time Group Name Venue Address (in Norfolk/Suffolk unless otherwise stated) Speaker
10 Apr 20257pmLowestoft Archaeological & Local History SocietySouth Lowestoft Methodist Church, London Road South, Lowestoft, NR33 0DYLinda Pargeter
30 May 20257:30pmThorpe History GroupSt. Andrews Centre, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St. Andrew, NorwichLinda Pargeter

Details correct as at 1st Feb 2025

Non members of the groups listed may be able to attend for a small fee. We suggest contacting the group if you  or your friends wish to come along.