The idea started in the pub as so many do!

In 1982 Ian Russell sat looking over Estate Agents’ details for Dairy Farm, Tunstead Road in Hoveton with boatbuilders Rupert Latham and Jack Chippendale and after a few pints they came up with the idea to build boats and let the public see the craftsmen at work. Problem was – the site was 20 minutes from the nearest water! Not to be deterred, Ian pulled together £40,000 funding for the possible project and sought out the advice of the English Tourist Board to find out more about the potential in attracting visitors. He was offered a research report on what holidaymakers liked to do way back in 1981 and the number one activity was cited as ‘shopping’ – hmmm- interesting!