Spark of Light B53
Spark of Light was built by Herbert Woods himself in 1927 in a boatshed just upstream from Potter Heigham bridge. The hull is Siberian redwood below the waterline and Russian Archangel pine above, on oak frames with mahogany used above the deck on the wheelhouse and cabins.
At some point before April 1934 the boat’s name was changed. There may have been a small fire in the galley and Herbert Woods, believing the name Spark of Light to be tempting fate, decided to change it to Spot of Light.
During World War Two, Spot of Light, along with the rest of the Herbert Woods fleet was moored on Hickling Broad, rafted together and covered with a tarpaulin to prevent German flying boats from landing. By the end of the war the fleet was in a sorry state, with many of the boats riddled with bullet holes where they had been attacked by fighter planes. Herbert Woods began a programme of rebuilding the fleet, and during this time Spot of Light had a new transom fitted of beautifully figured Cuban mahogany.
The boat underwent a further name change in 1947, this time to Shimmer of Light. It is assumed that this occurred when the boat was recommissioned post war as this is how she features in the 1947 Blake’s holiday brochure. In 1951 Shimmer of Light was fitted with Herbert Woods newly patented 'Broads Haven' retractable wheelhouse. This became a unique feature of all the Herbert Woods ‘Light Cruisers’.
In 1954 Herbert Woods died and Lindsay Cutler took over as chairman of the Herbert Woods company. Taking a liking to Shimmer of Light, Cutler removed her from the fleet and registered her as his own private boat in 1955. Under his ownership Spark of Light underwent significant refurbishment. She was painted overall in white, had a new diesel engine fitted, the wheelhouse was fixed so it was no longer retractable, two auxiliary fuel tanks were added to increase her range, davits were fitted to the aft deck so that she could take an outboard dinghy and a Dolphin ship-to-shore radio that was installed in the saloon. Internally the boat was refitted with new galley appliances, including a fridge. The saloon berths were made to fold up against the sides of the hull and individual armchairs put aboard. Items like the gate leg table were replaced with a new mahogany one. The purpose of the refit was so that the boat would be suitable for going out to sea. Indeed, whilst the boat was kept in one of the wet sheds at Herbert Woods yard for most of the year, he took regular summer trips in her as far as the Isle of Wight.
When Lindsay Cutler died Spark of Light, now known as Cherrie, was sold in 1971, via C. J. Broom Ltd., to John Whitaker. Cherrie was used extensively by the Whitaker family for 28 years. Once she was taken briefly out to sea from Gt. Yarmouth, but even in a relatively calm sea she rolled uncomfortably, and deciding this was not an experience to be repeated, all the sea going equipment was removed, except for the tall mahogany mast on the forward coach roof, the equally tall flagpole on the aft deck and the dodgers, thereby retaining the distinctive look which Lindsay Cutler had created for his craft.
In 1999 Cherrie was listed for sale with Norfolk Yacht Agency. She was sold to Andy Edwards who moved her to Brundall Bay Marina. Unfortunately, not long after a storm caused a tree to fall across her front deck, causing extensive damage. Cherrie was relocated to South Walsham for repair and modifications at Russell Marine.
Cherrie was not seen afloat again until 2005, renamed Shimmer of Light she had been modified externally to a point part way between how she would have looked in 1955 and how she looked in 1971. The windscreens and wheelhouse had been stripped back to mahogany and revarnished and the patented mechanism to make the wheelhouse fully retractable had been restored. Shimmer of Light was relocated to Broads Edge Marina in Stalham, it was here in 2011 that she was noticed by Waterside Marine Sales, later part of Herbert Woods. It was clear that she was not being regularly used and, realising the unique opportunity of acquiring the oldest Herbert Woods hire boat afloat, the boatyard set out to acquire her. An offer was made which was accepted and the boat was returned to Herbert Woods. The boat was immediately renamed Spark of Light and a programme of restoration began.
Since 2011 Spark of Light was used as a promotional tool for the company and has featured in numerous magazines including Practical Boat Owner and Classic Boat Magazine. In 2014, she was showcased at Herbert Woods’ Heritage Day attended by HRH Princess Anne. Spark of Light was also the star attraction at the Herbert Woods 90th. Anniversary Fete and Water Frolic in 2016.
Over the winter of 2016/17 the interior of the boat was extensively renovated, including a full rewire, new headlining and upholstery. Every effort has been made to preserve or replicate the interior in its original style. Modern features such as warm air heating, electric fridge and 240 volt shore power were also added to make her more comfortable. Spark of Light was primarily used for PR and showcasing the Broads heritage at local events and regattas.
After restorations costing over £100,000, Herbert Woods sold Spark of Light for £112,000.
Name: Spark Of Light
Broads registration number: B53
Length: 11 m
Beam: 2.9 m
Berths: 4
Engine: 1 x Perkins P4 diesel
Builder: Herbert Woods
Year built: 1927
Construction: Wood
Spark of Light B53
Spark of Light was built by Herbert Woods himself in 1927 in a boatshed just upstream from Potter Heigham bridge. The hull is Siberian redwood below the waterline and Russian Archangel pine above, on oak frames with mahogany used above the deck on the wheelhouse and cabins.
At some point before April 1934 the boat’s name was changed. There may have been a small fire in the galley and Herbert Woods, believing the name Spark of Light to be tempting fate, decided to change it to Spot of Light.
During World War Two, Spot of Light, along with the rest of the Herbert Woods fleet was moored on Hickling Broad, rafted together and covered with a tarpaulin to prevent German flying boats from landing. By the end of the war the fleet was in a sorry state, with many of the boats riddled with bullet holes where they had been attacked by fighter planes. Herbert Woods began a programme of rebuilding the fleet, and during this time Spot of Light had a new transom fitted of beautifully figured Cuban mahogany.
The boat underwent a further name change in 1947, this time to Shimmer of Light. It is assumed that this occurred when the boat was recommissioned post war as this is how she features in the 1947 Blake’s holiday brochure. In 1951 Shimmer of Light was fitted with Herbert Woods newly patented 'Broads Haven' retractable wheelhouse. This became a unique feature of all the Herbert Woods ‘Light Cruisers’.
In 1954 Herbert Woods died and Lindsay Cutler took over as chairman of the Herbert Woods company. Taking a liking to Shimmer of Light, Cutler removed her from the fleet and registered her as his own private boat in 1955. Under his ownership Spark of Light underwent significant refurbishment. She was painted overall in white, had a new diesel engine fitted, the wheelhouse was fixed so it was no longer retractable, two auxiliary fuel tanks were added to increase her range, davits were fitted to the aft deck so that she could take an outboard dinghy and a Dolphin ship-to-shore radio that was installed in the saloon. Internally the boat was refitted with new galley appliances, including a fridge. The saloon berths were made to fold up against the sides of the hull and individual armchairs put aboard. Items like the gate leg table were replaced with a new mahogany one. The purpose of the refit was so that the boat would be suitable for going out to sea. Indeed, whilst the boat was kept in one of the wet sheds at Herbert Woods yard for most of the year, he took regular summer trips in her as far as the Isle of Wight.
When Lindsay Cutler died Spark of Light, now known as Cherrie, was sold in 1971, via C. J. Broom Ltd., to John Whitaker. Cherrie was used extensively by the Whitaker family for 28 years. Once she was taken briefly out to sea from Gt. Yarmouth, but even in a relatively calm sea she rolled uncomfortably, and deciding this was not an experience to be repeated, all the sea going equipment was removed, except for the tall mahogany mast on the forward coach roof, the equally tall flagpole on the aft deck and the dodgers, thereby retaining the distinctive look which Lindsay Cutler had created for his craft.
In 1999 Cherrie was listed for sale with Norfolk Yacht Agency. She was sold to Andy Edwards who moved her to Brundall Bay Marina. Unfortunately, not long after a storm caused a tree to fall across her front deck, causing extensive damage. Cherrie was relocated to South Walsham for repair and modifications at Russell Marine.
Cherrie was not seen afloat again until 2005, renamed Shimmer of Light she had been modified externally to a point part way between how she would have looked in 1955 and how she looked in 1971. The windscreens and wheelhouse had been stripped back to mahogany and revarnished and the patented mechanism to make the wheelhouse fully retractable had been restored. Shimmer of Light was relocated to Broads Edge Marina in Stalham, it was here in 2011 that she was noticed by Waterside Marine Sales, later part of Herbert Woods. It was clear that she was not being regularly used and, realising the unique opportunity of acquiring the oldest Herbert Woods hire boat afloat, the boatyard set out to acquire her. An offer was made which was accepted and the boat was returned to Herbert Woods. The boat was immediately renamed Spark of Light and a programme of restoration began.
Since 2011 Spark of Light was used as a promotional tool for the company and has featured in numerous magazines including Practical Boat Owner and Classic Boat Magazine. In 2014, she was showcased at Herbert Woods’ Heritage Day attended by HRH Princess Anne. Spark of Light was also the star attraction at the Herbert Woods 90th. Anniversary Fete and Water Frolic in 2016.
Over the winter of 2016/17 the interior of the boat was extensively renovated, including a full rewire, new headlining and upholstery. Every effort has been made to preserve or replicate the interior in its original style. Modern features such as warm air heating, electric fridge and 240 volt shore power were also added to make her more comfortable. Spark of Light was primarily used for PR and showcasing the Broads heritage at local events and regattas.
After restorations costing over £100,000, Herbert Woods sold Spark of Light for £112,000.
Name: Spark Of Light
Broads registration number: B53
Length: 11 m
Beam: 2.9 m
Berths: 4
Engine: 1 x Perkins P4 diesel
Builder: Herbert Woods
Year built: 1927
Construction: Wood