The first move to make use of the local broads for recreational purposes was made by the Ormesby Society, which existed to improve the amenities of the village.
Arthur Marfleet proposed that an attempt should be made to obtain permission to establish a sailing club on Ormesby Broad. This suggestion was accepted and the preliminary exploratory work taken on by Ray Green, who reported to the Ormesby Society on 20 September 1971.
This report was discussed by the Parish Council of Ormesby with Scratby in the following month.
There was an oral tradition that a public staithe existed on Ormesby Broad but it had long been disused The Broad was a reservoir of drinking water used and owned by the East Anglian Water Company, who did not accept that there was any right of public access. The legal position about who, if anybody, in addition to the Water Company had a right to use the Broad was, and still remains, obscure.
On 19 November 1971 the interested parties, Ray Green from the Ormesby Society, Edgar Tennant from the Parish Council and Jack Boon, the Managing Director of the Water Company met in the Water Company’s Offices. They reached an agreement that it would be a good thing to allow sailing on one of the local broads.
