South Oby Dyke

Sea, Estuary, Creek in Norfolk Great Yarmouth

England

South Oby Dyke

Thurne wind pump Seen on the left is the staithe and Thurne Dyke and on the right a drainage channel with the River Thurne running horizontally beyond the pump.
The following snippet is from the excellent Norfolk Mills website &quot;Thurne dyke drainage mill was built beside the River Thurne at the mouth of Thurne Dyke in 1820 by the millwrights England &amp; Co. of Ludham. The tower was originally only two storeys high but a third storey without a batter was added in 1835, starting at the steel band set around the tower. The mill was built with common sails to power its scoop wheel and these were uprated to the longer patent sails in 1835 after the additional storey was built.&quot; — Thurne wind pump Credit: Adrian S Pye

South Oby Dyke is a small waterway located in Norfolk, England. It is a tributary of the River Bure and is primarily known for its significance as a sea, estuary, and creek. The dyke is situated in the eastern part of the county, near the village of Acle.

As a sea, South Oby Dyke provides a direct connection to the North Sea. It serves as a gateway for vessels to access the river system and navigate inland. The estuary section of the dyke is characterized by its wide and open expanse, where the river meets the sea. This area is subject to tidal influences, resulting in fluctuating water levels.

Moving upstream, the dyke gradually transforms into a creek. The creek section of South Oby Dyke is narrower and meandering, with dense vegetation lining its banks. This part of the waterway is known for its serene and picturesque surroundings, attracting nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

South Oby Dyke plays a vital role in the local ecosystem, supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna. It provides a habitat for various bird species, including waders, ducks, and geese. The surrounding marshes and reed beds are home to numerous aquatic plants, such as reeds and water lilies, which thrive in the brackish water conditions.

In addition to its ecological importance, South Oby Dyke also serves as a recreational area. Visitors can enjoy activities like boating, fishing, and walking along the dyke's banks, taking in the scenic beauty and tranquility of the area.

Overall, South Oby Dyke offers a unique blend of coastal, estuarine, and creek environments, making it a significant and cherished feature of Norfolk's waterways.

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South Oby Dyke Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.672249/1.5601263 or Grid Reference TG4014. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Thurne wind pump

Seen on the left is the staithe and Thurne Dyke and on the right a drainage channel with the River Thurne running horizontally beyond the pump. The following snippet is from the excellent Norfolk Mills website "Thurne dyke drainage mill was built beside the River Thurne at the mouth of Thurne Dyke in 1820 by the millwrights England & Co. of Ludham. The tower was originally only two storeys high but a third storey without a batter was added in 1835, starting at the steel band set around the tower. The mill was built with common sails to power its scoop wheel and these were uprated to the longer patent sails in 1835 after the additional storey was built."

Adrian S Pye

Clippersby Drainage Mill near Upton Green

Tom Page

Sunset at Thurne Mill

View of moorings on Thurne Dyke of sunset

Michael Westley

Thurne Dyke Windpump

In 1820 Thurne Mill was built by local millwrights England & Co. of Ludham. Its job in life was to drain the marshes for the farmers to make good use of this valuable land. The mill would originally have been as tall as the black band shown in this photograph and would have driven a scoop wheel with cloth covered sails known as common sails. In 1885 the mill was raised or ‘hained’ as it is called in Norfolk. This haining was required in order to fit the new style patent sails which had much more power and could be operated by standing on the ground and pulling on the chain in order to open or close the shutters. The fantail was put on at this time too and this enabled the mill to turn automatically into the wind. In 1936 the mill ceased working due to the mechanism called the striking rod breaking in half. The striking rod ran through the entire mill and was responsible for opening and closing the sails. By 1948 the mill was in a poor way, no interior floors, windows or doors, but thankfully all the machinery stayed intact. After the war lots of mills fell foul to demolition as the ironwork and rubble was far more valuable than the unused building. In 1949, thankfully, Mr Ronald Dorian Morse (Bob) brought it from the Internal Drainage Board. By 1950 Bob and Albert Smith transformed the mill to its former glory and this year his legacy lives on as a 200-year-old historical building that is still working………A lucky mill indeed. info from Link

Link

Brian Deegan

St Edmund The King Martyr Thatched Church, Thurne

Parish church. Late C13 west tower, nave and chancel. Partly refenestrated C15. Restored 1853 ... Thatched roofs.

Brian Deegan

Thurne Wind Pump

One of the wind pumps at Thurne. This was taken mid morning with a very bleak sky and slight drizzle.

stephen gascoigne