River Thurne Tenants Association

Welcome to the River Thurne Tenants Association (RTTA) website.

The RTTA was founded in 1948 to protect and to enhance the interests of those with property on the banks of the River Thurne in the parishes of Martham, Repps-with-Bastwick, Potter Heigham and Ludham, part of the Norfolk Broads.

The RTTA belongs exclusively to its members and through its committee works for and on behalf of them - This site is frequently updated to keep members in touch with the Association's work. Any ideas or comments about the website would be gratefully received through Committee members please.

What RTTA do

During this last year we have been successful in helping a number of bungalow owners reduce their Council tax from 200% (second home tax):

• Saving three members £122 a month

• Getting one member’s Council tax reduced from £255 a month to £82 a month plus a rebate of 33% dating back to 2020.

• Getting one member’s council tax reduced from 200% to 100% (plus 33% discount), saving them approximately £170 a month.

• Still chasing the Council tax for three members.

We have also:

• contacted The Broads Authority and local boatyards about speeding boats

• managed to get reeds cut back from the River Thurne above the bridges.

• written to the Environment Agency about their Statement Environment Agency Position Statement: Disposing of Freehold Land along the River Thurne near Potter Heigham, Norfolk.

• attended a planning meeting with the BA and EA to produce guidelines for members when lifting their bungalows and quay heading their plots.

• attended the Flooding Meeting organised by the Local MP and firmly had our say for bungalow and plot owners. (even being mentioned in the House of Commons - Norfolk's flooding woes to be debated in parliament | North Norfolk News)

• attended (virtually) the Summit held on Flooding and Drought convened by Henry Cator The First Norfolk Flood And Drought Summit, Friday 31 January 2025.

• contacted Anglian Water regarding their plans for the new sewerage system along the South Bank of the Thurne (plus some North bank properties)

• sought information from Tom Hunter, Water Management Alliance, regarding members’ concerns about pumping in light of new pumps being installed at Highs Mill, Martham and Repps – also regarding the continual pumping of marshes during spells of High Tides,

• written to TBMC about the many changes this year in their organisation, accounts, AGM minutes and various shareholder concerns.

• held a Litter Pick in and around the old bridge.

• placed adder warning signs and dog fouling signs along the riverbanks behind bungalows.

• addressed queries from bungalow owners on rubbish collection/ waste removal/ bungalow insurances and more.

• invested in a new website with more information for members.

Founded in 1948 to protect and enhance the interests of those with property on the banks of the River Thurne in the parishes of Martham, Repps-with-Bastwick, Potter Heigham and Ludham, the RTTA is a non-political organisation. We do not have a lawful status but work to help and provide information for Thurne property owners. We did however succeed in getting 99-year leases for most bungalows in 1985 and saved many from demolition. This group has been in existence nearly 80 years. We charge no subscription and all with property along the Thurne are members.

• The RTTA elects a committee of up to twelve members at its Annual General Meeting

• The RTTA monitors all developments locally and nationally that may affect members' interests.

• The RTTA maintains a constant dialogue with local Members of Parliament, County, District, Borough and Parish Councils, the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.

• The RTTA takes any actions deemed necessary to enhance, further and protect members' interests.

• The committee meets regularly and all members are welcome to attend its meetings to ask questions or to contribute to discussion

• The RTTA liases closely with its sister organisation, the Thurne Bungalow Management Company (TBMC), who manage a headlease of riverside plots and the 184 underleases derived from it. TBMC also manage the refuse collection and cesspit emptying.

• The RTTA organises an autumn dinner so that members can meet and socialise.

The River Thurne Tenants Association Activities and Achievements 2024-25

RTTA Notices

There are now defibrillators at Pug Staithe and Cess Staithe (Martham Boat Yard), thanks to money raised by Joan Shaw.

Riverside Defibrillators

RTTA Meetings

The next RTTA committee meeting will be held 10.30am at Neatishead New Victory Hall, 88 Street Hill, Norwich, NR12 8AD, Tuesday 7th October 2025. All members are welcome to attend.

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the River Thurne Tenant's Association will be held on Saturday, 25th October 11am in Martham Parish Council Community Centre, 10 Playing Fields Lane, Martham, Great Yarmouth NR29 4SN.

Pump out and waste rota

Pump outs are available Mondays and Thursdays through out the summer season and Thursdays in the winter. Refuse is collected on Thursdays throughout the year. Click here for more details.

Facebook

Riverbank tenants can request membership of our Facebook group for day to day information, notices and events. It is a private group open to anyone who owns a riverside property on the Thurne.

Property files

Bungalow owners may be interested to know that the files that Aldred's held on individual properties are now held by the Norfolk Record Office. Due to data protection laws there is a restricted access of twenty years until these files can be viewed without permission. They will be available for open access from 2039. Anyone wishing to see their bungalow information file should contact the Norfolk Record Office.