OUT & ABOUT
Cruising around Rutland Water is a labour of love for skipper Matt
For more than 30 years, the Rutland Belle has carried passengers on leisure trips around Rutland Water. The business behind the boat is a real family affair. Nick Rennie took a trip on the vessel to find out more about the people behind it
M
ATT Broadhead was five when his parents brought him to Rutland Water for a family day out. As they strolled around the reservoir, dad Trevor and mum Joan realised that the one thing missing was a trip boat. Remarkably, they saw a newspaper advert the next day inviting tenders to provide Rutland Belle – skipper just that. They were already running a hire and trip boat Matt Broadhead steering business on the River Soar, near Leicester, and decided to apply. Their bid was accepted and they commissioned the witty comments with some of the passengers and his two fellow crew building of the Rutland Belle, which was launched in November 1985. members. “We’re like a little family working on here,” said Matt, as Thirty-one years later the couple are semi-retired and it is their son Matt who now skippers the passenger boat on trips around Rutland Water. he steered the boat between various yachts and fishing boats also being enjoyed on the reservoir. “You don’t know who you are going to He said: “I love it. It’s not like going to work, for me. You just can’t beat the meet from one trip to the next, which is part of the fun for me. It’s the view from my office window every day. There is always something to see passengers who make it all so enjoyable and worthwhile.” out there on the water.” Back in 1985, the Rutland Belle had arrived at Rutland Water under Rutland Water Cruises remains a family-run business, with Matt’s wife police escort. At 15-and-a-half-foot wide, it was quite a task delivering it Sarah (36) playing the equally important role of looking after bookings from the Nottinghamshire boatyard where it was made. Matt was a little and administration issues. boy at the time but remembers the boat’s arrival: “Mum was working in The main income comes from multiple daily passenger tours from the fishing lodge and came out looking for me. She found me on the knee Good Friday through to October. But the Rutland Belle also puts on of the crane driver who was lowering the Rutland Belle onto the water.” popular 90-minute Osprey Cruises through the company’s partnership The boat seats a maximum of 110, although average trips are made with with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust and the annual British around 30 passengers. It is powered by 69-year-old Gardner 5LW 7 Litre Birdwatching Fair. There are also bookings from wedding parties where 72hp generators, which were previously used on King George VI’s royal guests are ferried across the lake to Normanton Church and back again, often with live music entertaining guests along the way. “It’s changed a lot train. They were bought from a yard in Melton Mowbray, restored and adapted for maritime use. since mum and dad first started trips across the reservoir,” said Matt (35). During the winter months, the boat is completely repainted and “Back then it was more of a walk-up service but now we have a proper renovations are carried out to ensure it is in tip-top condition for the new timetable and the other cruises for weddings and birdwatching.” season. Taking a trip on the Rutland Belle on an overcast, chilly Wednesday Matt and Sarah have two daughters, Amie-May (5) and four-year-old afternoon, we started out from Whitwell Harbour before turning towards Lily, and there is a possibility they might one day be running passenger the dam. Passengers are given an informative recorded commentary en boat trips around Rutland Water, just like their parents and grandparents route with gems of information about the reservoir and how it was built in 1976. Drinks are served from a bar and Sarah’s homemade cream teas can have done. And it could happen with the same boat. Matt added: “The Rutland Belle is in great condition and it will see me be pre-ordered. out. If the girls want to take her over then it will probably see them out The boat moves quietly and sedately along the south shore, giving too.” great views of the stunning historic Normanton Church and Rutland • For more details about Rutland Water Cruises and sailing timetables Sailing Club before heading back to Whitwell. The journey lasts 45 for the Rutland Belle, go online at www.rutlandwatercruises.com minutes. Occasionally, Matt comes out from his cabin to exchange
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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JULY 2016
22/06/2016 14:25