Oulton Broad’s Powerboating season is one of the highlights of the year, and with long range weather forecasts promising calm waters expectations are high that this year’s fixtures will be among the best ever.

With boats coming from all over the world to take advantage of Oulton Broad’s unique racing environment, the sport is growing in popularity, and a weekly Thursday night Powerboat class at Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motorboat Club has begun, which lets enthusiasts get behind the wheel for themselves.

Powerboat fans will also want to take the opportunity to check out the legendary Rooster, which has been lovingly restored and is now on permanent display at Pleasurewood Hills. The unique boat was created by local businessman Toby Sutton, who combined a US made twin propeller and Wayne Chevrolet engine with a specially designed hull by Albatross Marine of St Olaves.

The Rooster was the fastest boat on the broads for decades until a fuel leak led to a fireball which damaged the boat but left Mr Sutton mercifully uninjured. The Rooster was restored in 1979 by Peter Rix, a local powerboat enthusiast and founder of the weekly class at the Motor Boat Club.

So if you’re looking forward to seeing some incredible racing action this year, why not have a go for yourself at the Thursday night club, or pay your respects to a local legend at Pleasurewood Hills.

After the success of the last Oulton Broad Squib Race, which saw the biggest fleet in a century assemble to battle it out in several race classes

This weekend saw a truly magnificent performance as local sailor Ben Falat won his Fast Handicap division race with a mammoth two and a half minute lead.

Regular favourite Richard Fryer took an early lead, but in a series of bold manoeuvres, Falat swept past, despite his Phantom squib being slower than the RS designs which usually dominate the leaderboards.

In the second Fast Handicap race, Falat once again demonstrated his superiority, taking the lead at the beginning and refusing to give it up, leaving him with an impressive double victory and making a great start to his racing year.

If you want to go along and watch members of the Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club compete in this fast paced sailing race, why not head down to Oulton Broad Marina at 10am on any Sunday, where you’ll get to see some of the region’s best competitive sailing.

With his trademark red jumper and matching yellow-checked trousers and scarf, Rupert the bear has been delighting readers of all ages with his charming adventures for 90 years

And now a rare first edition of his debut appearance has been discovered in Oulton Broad.

Alan and Heather Shorten found the highly sought-after edition of The Adventures of Rupert the Little Lost Bear in the home of Alan’s cousin, Edna Balls, who sadly passed away last year. The book has been in the Shorten family for generations, and has been valued at between £800 and £1000.

Alan, an 80-year-old retired Council foreman, told the EDP: “I don’t think my cousin realised how valuable the book was. She kept it because it was given to her by her mum.

“My mum and dad brought me a Rupert annual every year, and if it wasn’t them, then an aunt of mine would get me one for Christmas. I think my age group like to have the Rupert annuals so we can pass them on to the next generation.”

The Adventures of Rupert the Little Lost Bear was published in 1921 and collects Rupert’s earliest appearances in comic strips published in the Daily Express. For collectors of Rupert memorabilia, it is a highly prized artifact, but it won’t be seen in an auction house any time soon, as Alan says: “We wouldn’t sell the book. We don’t want money at our age. The book has a sentimental value to us.”

Plans have been announced for a spectacular seven-mile long flotilla designed to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by celebrating Britain’s maritime heritage.

Among the vessels taking part will be Motor Torpedo Boat 102, which is currently moored at Oulton Broad. The boat was part of the Dunkirk evacuations during the Second World War, and has been lovingly restored to reflect its historical importance.

Marine Engineer Richard Bassey, who along with a group of fellow enthusiasts, has kept MTB 102 afloat for more than 15 years told the Easter Daily Press: “We’re absolutely delighted, we’re honoured to be chosen to take part in the pageant. We were involved with the MTB when she was just another old boat but over the past 15 years things have changed considerably and she’s quite a celebrity now.”

The torpedo boat has a notable history: Winston Churchill and American President Dwight D Eisenhower personally inspected the boat in 1944 as part of preparations for the D-Day landings.

Many other Oulton Broad and Lowestoft boats will join MTB 102 in the jubilee flotilla, with dragon boats, barges and leisure vessels set to show off Oulton Broad’s proud ocean-going history.

More and more people are deciding to move to the seaside and Oulton Broad and surrounding areas is their destination.

Estate Agents have seen a recent upsurge in the demand for homes on the Suffolk coast and have had to improve their service to cope with this. Estate Agency Software is a great help to estate agents in the local area. Oulton Broad is a brilliant village for people looking to move to the Suffolk area, and a helping hand when selling homes is always welcomed from estate agents.

The estate agent software helps agents automatically generate sales and marketing materials, portfolios as well as full communication integration to save potential buyers time and money.

Small companies all over Suffolk are looking at easier ways to run their business. Having a full software package is the perfect way to do this, as Estate Agents are already beginning to take advantage.

With New Year’s hangovers receding, it’s time to start thinking about the year ahead, which is why we’re taking a look at what 2012 has in store for Oulton Broad.

If you’re looking for some family fun, why not drop in to Oulton Broad Library’s Weekly Kids Craft Session, which takes place every Sunday at 11:45? With free materials and kids from 3-12 catered for, this could be a real treat.

Oulton Broad’s annual Dragon Race has become a community favourite, with over 40 teams competing to raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice.

If you’re on a budget after an expensive Christmas, why not take advantage of Nicholas Everitt Park, which sees regular performances at its fully equipped bandstand as well as some great sports facilities, including tennis and bowls.

So make sure you take full advantage of all Outlon Broad has to offer in 2012. We’ll be reporting on upcoming events as they are announced, so watch this space!

Check Out the Official Oulton Broad Powerboat Racing Fixtures For 2012

Below you will find the Oulton Broad Powerboat Racing Fixtures For 2012. This powerboat season is certainly one not to miss. With some great powerboat racers going into battle there is sure to be lots of excitement in store at Oulton Broad in 2012

Here are the Oulton Broad Powerboat Racing Fixtures for 2012

Thursday 26 April 6.00pm
Thursday 3 May 6.00pm
Sunday 6 May 12.00 noon
Monday 7 May 12.00 noon
Thursday 17 May 6.00pm
Thursday 24 May 6.00pm
Thursday 31 May 6.00pm
Monday 4 June 12.00 noon
Thursday 14 June 6.00pm
Thursday 21 June 6.00pm
Thursday 28 June 6.00pm
Thursday 5 July 6.00pm
Thursday 12 July 6.00pm
Thursday 19 July 6.00pm
Thursday 26 July 6.00pm
Thursday 2 August 5.45pm
Thursday 9 August 5.30pm
Thursday 16 August 5.30pm
Monday 27 August 2.30pm
Sunday 9 September 12.00 noon

It can be hard to decide what to do at New Year’s, especially with so many options, so we’ve taken a look around and come up with the best of what’s on in Oulton Broad on New Year’s Eve.

If you’re looking for a New Year’s Party in Oulton Broad, there are a lot of options. With the Wherry, Bridge’s and the Wine Lodge all offering a great night out, it’s worth having a look around and seeing which best suits you.

The newly reopened Commodore has a lot to prove, so the Commodore New Year’s Party could be the one to watch this year. Time’s running out, so if you’re still deciding which Oulton Broad New Year’s Eve is for you, you’d better hurry!

Thanks to its close proximity to Lowestoft, Oulton Broad has always had a thriving rental industry, but with national online agencies taking business away from smaller, local letting agents, many fear that the personal touch may be lost.

Thankfully, the introduction of new Property Management Software from CFP Software, the playing field has been significantly levelled, with even single-agent firms able to take advantage of cutting edge online marketing techniques, including social media, web-based portfolios and even iPhone and Android-based smartphone apps.

By combining the personal touch of a local firm with the facilities of a national corporation, CFP’s amazing new software might be the decisive tool in the race to succeed in today’s volatile rental market.

Since closing on New Year’s Eve 2008, one of Oulton Broad’s most popular live music venues has lain empty and silent.

The Brewery Tap, formerly run by local sound engineer Stuart Perry, was for many years one of the liveliest spots in town, hosting a hugely popular annual battle of the bands contest, as well as many successful charity events, including the Halloween on Fire fancy dress parties, which raised money for Addenbrookes hospital.

Sadly, Perry declined to renew the lease in 2009, and since his departure the Brewery has remained closed. Many locals mourn the loss of the Brewery Tap, and though other Oulton Broad pubs have put on successful live music nights, none match its atmosphere and authenticity.

We at Oulton-Broad.com would love to see the Oulton Broad Brewery Tap reopen and resume its championing of the local music scene, which has been sadly deprived of one of its most vital supporters.