Norwich: Membership dwindling at Eaton Park-based boat club

Norwich Model Boat Club was established at Eaton Park in 1925 but its committee is feeling the effect of new parking charges introduced at the green space last month.

Although their facilities include one of the largest model sailing ponds in the UK - which was built at Eaton Park in 1922 - the 100-member-strong club has expressed concerns the parking charges are detrimental to the club, driving away members to other facilities across the county.

Open sailing day at Eaton Park boating lake - members from the Norwich Boat Club and Gorleston Boat Club Models on display. (Image: James Bass)

READ MORE: Eaton Park neighbours speak up on parking charges

Mark Green, the club's public relations officer, said that with a significant chunk of its membership over 80 or disabled, the introduction is "hitting members hard".

"We're going to end up with a really dwindling membership," he said.

Mark Green, public relations officer at Norwich Model Boat Club at Eaton Park (Image: Mark Green)

"You can get a season pass to park, but that doesn't guarantee you space."

Mr Green, 43, who is registered disabled, added although a season pass means people can park cheaper, it still costs more than membership to the club itself.

A season pass costs £70 entitling people to park for up to four hours - which Mr Green says is not long enough - where their membership is £35 annually, a chunk of which goes back to the council as the club are tenants of the park.

Eaton Park boating lake (Image: Richard Steer)

And with a limited amount of blue badge spaces free for disabled people, he fears those unable to secure space will have to pay unnecessarily.

"This is adding further to people's concerns," he added. "Some of our members are looking to withdraw their membership.

"We're coming up to our 100th year. We were hoping they wouldn't have a detrimental impact.

Beautiful day in Eaton Park. Kevin Carter enjoying the boating lake (Image: Brittany Woodman)

"People are already stretched on their budgets.

"For a lot of our membership the club is their only form of social interaction.

"A number of us feel very angry.

Harford Manor School's Blue Class enjoyed racing their new speed boats on the boating lake at Eaton Park (Image: Harford Manor School)

"This is detrimental to the whole park. We're an attraction and people's enjoyment is at stake."

It is the first park in the city to charge, with Norwich City Council using it as a way to raise £50,000 and help plug its £6.2m budget gap.

Richard Thurston's nine feet model of HMS Ocean aircraft carrier sails across Eaton Park boating lake © Archant Photographic 2009 (Image: Denise Bradley)