A transformation is taking place under the timeless thatched roof of a long-running Broads education centre.
Bedrooms at How Hill, which have been a temporary home to thousands of children staying at the landmark environmental study centre since the 1960s, are being given modern en-suite facilities.
It is the first major change in the “dorms” for decades and is a watershed moment for the centre as it seeks to improve facilities – and attract more adult overnight visitors to boost its finances for the future.
The £180,000 project has been carried out during the final months of Covid restrictions which have stopped residential school visits since March 2020.
Centre director Simon Partridge said: “It has been a tough time during Covid, but the future is bright.
“Lockdown gave us problems, as it did many other organisations, but it also provided the ideal time to do these improvements while the house was quiet. They will enable How Hill to meet the changed expectations of people staying overnight – and they will put us in as strong a place as we have ever been.”
Schools are returning from March 14 and the centre is fully booked for the rest of the academic year.
But How Hill is also re-energising its residential adult courses – ranging from tours and talks on birds, plants, gardens, Broads heritage and even the chance to sail a wherry.
Simon said: “These courses really make the difference out of term time and should enable us to run in the black by the end of 2022, making us financially sustainable going forward.“
The project is backed by grants and partly funded by money left to the trust in 2017 by Mulbarton schoolteacher Diane Robinson, who used to regularly bring children to How Hill and was a big supporter of environmental matters.
Her gift to the Trust charity which runs the centre had been put aside for a re-thatch of the roof in 20 years’ time. But trustees agreed to spend it on the bedrooms instead to grab a one-off opportunity to get the work done, while the building was quiet, said Mr Partridge.
Workmen, from contractors Soter SMS from Hemsby, have uncovered one or two surprises along the way dating back to when the house was the home of well-known architect Edward Boardman, who built it in 1905. They include some original William Morris style wallpaper, and some 1910s underfloor insulation made from American eel-grass which was way ahead of its time.
Find out more about the work, courses, history and walks at How Hill at howhilltrust.org.uk
Adult Courses
The expanded programme of residential adult courses is:
- Spring birds – May 27-30 – a chance to see summer migrants, marsh harriers, Chetty’s Warblers and hobbies.
- Gardens of East Norfolk – June 1-4 – visits to gardens rarely open to the public, plus evening speakers.
- Swallowtail weekend – June 17-19 – the prime time to see and learn about the stunning butterfly in its habitat.
- Broadland Heritage – August 1-4 – explore the heritage of the houses, gardens, estate and sail on a wherry
- Introduction to Broadland plants – August 8-10 and September 9-11 – find out about the Broads’ amazing botany
- Wherry Experience – September 5-9 – a rare chance for three days of sailing on a pleasure wherry and wherry yacht, crewing or relaxing.
- Autumn Birds – September 16-18 – spot and learn about migrant birds and maybe see an osprey
- Walking in Broadland – October 14-16 – 5-6mile walks, including to St Benet’s Abbey, boat trips and evening talks
- For booking and information call 01692 678555 or email secretary@howhilltrust.org.uk
