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Broads chaplaincy team celebrates growth
Broads chaplaincy team celebrates growth
The waterways chaplaincy team for the Norfolk Broads have been welcoming new members to join them in their work
The Norfolk Broads Waterways Chaplaincy held a special meeting recently, to license Katy Prentice at the end of her training and mentoring, and also welcome new team member Brian Clark as a probationary chaplain. They were joined online by the lead chaplain for the south of England, Rev Mark Macaulay
Brian, from Hoveton, will now begin training whilst also starting his work on the Broads. He will join senior chaplain Mike Cadman, Pete Gillett and Katy Prentice on the team. Katy’s licensing follows her probationary time with the team, having felt called to the role whilst researching getting married on a boat. You can read more about her journey here
The Waterways Chaplaincy team work to support and help those who live on and around the waterways. Writing in 2021 about the role, Mike Cadman said “Our duties involve everything from directing holiday makers and helping cruiser hirers to moor up to taking the water hose to their boats, directing people to the shops, and listening to the bereaved. Outboard motors have been taken for repair, bus passes and letters delivered, and some good chats have happened over the odd cup of coffee taken to the boat
“We get to know the fisherman especially in the quiet season when they are out enjoying the fresh air and hopefully catching fish, but also meet those with real concerns for which we can provide a listening ear and sometimes information as to how to get a problem resolved”
Mike reports that more recently “there is an increasing number of liveaboards on the Broads and a lot of our time is spent helping them. Everything from paperwork, advice after boats sink due to fire, getting food from the food bank and often just being friendly and have a listening ear
“The work is very interesting, varied in what is required, helps those in need at every level from marriage guidance to where is the nearest fish and chip shop, or can I moor here, or please help me to moor. It is a joy and yet spent out on the beautiful rivers of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads”
The Waterways Chaplaincy have good communications with the Broads Authority and Broads Beat Police, who act as referrers when appropriate
For Christians interested in becoming a chaplain, please contact Mike Cadman on 07885282465 or mcjpbds@btinternet.com or visit the Waterways Chaplaincy website www.waterwayschaplaincy.org.uk
Photo of Pete Gillett, Katy Prentice, Brian Clark and Mike Cadman, courtesy of Mike Cadman
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Anna Heydon, 26/04/2025
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