Hundreds enjoy steam day at Norfolk’s Museum of the Broads
Steam day at the Museum of the Broads in Stalham with a flotilla of steam powered boats leaving the museum for a tour of the Broads. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE
It was full steam ahead at the Museum of the Broads this weekend despite the drizzle.
Steam day at the Museum of the Broads in Stalham with a flotilla of steam powered boats leaving the museum for a tour of the Broads. John Child with his model of a Column Beam Pumping Engine.Picture: MARK BULLIMORE
More than 400 people turned out to the charity's annual steam day to marvel at a collection of 16 steam boats, three steam cars, a bus and a whole host of fairground attractions.
And while the sun did a disappearing act on Sunday this did not stop the crowds who soaked up the atmosphere.
Trevor Bone, who volunteers at the museum on the Staithe in Stalham, said: 'They enjoyed all of it and, dare I say it, they even enjoyed the rain.
'They just ducked under cover then carried on.
Steam day at the Museum of the Broads in Stalham with a flotilla of steam powered boats leaving the museum for a tour of the Broads. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE
'It was a very successful day.'
He said the event, which is one of the biggest in the museum's calendar, was an important source of funding.
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And people were fascinated by the steam vehicles as they were relatively uncommon.
'Steam boating was always a minority occupation,' said Mr Bone. 'In the earlier days it was all sails and the odd maverick had a steam boat, then petrol came along and changed the situation.'
The museum, which boasts a scenic riverside setting, takes visitors from Roman times through medieval peat digging to the holidaymakers, sailors and environmentalists of today.
It also shows people the boats of the Broads and how people's working lives shaped the landscape.
The next event at the museum will be a jazz and beer evening on July 9.
The museum is open from 10am to 4.30pm during the summer.
For more information, visit www.museumofthebroads.org.uk
