A boatbuilders which served the Norfolk Broads for more than 50 years is set to close following the death of its founder.

Kingsley Farrington boat yard, based in Trowse, opened in 1972, and over the years has produced thousands of vessels, ranging from small wooden crafts to yachts and motor cruisers.

Eastern Daily Press: The hull of the Farrington 25 at Acle Station yard in 1981. Kingsley Farrington is in the foreground measuring the upturned hull (Image: Andrew Wolstenholme)The hull of the Farrington 25 at Acle Station yard in 1981. Kingsley Farrington is in the foreground measuring the upturned hull (Image: Andrew Wolstenholme) (Image: Andrew Wolstenholme)

Its founder Kingsley Farrington was a keen sailor who grew the business from a small operation to a major player in Norfolk’s boating scene.

Over the years he worked with naval architect Andrew Wolstenholme on the development of the Farrington 25 and 30 Broads Sailing Cruisers. 

But following his death in June, his widow Janet Farrington said the family had decided to close the business and that they would be handing the site back to the landlords this month. 

Eastern Daily Press: Kingsley Farrington helming the Jubilee Dinghy on Wroxham Broad in 2019. He will be remember like this as being at home on the water helming his own-built boats (Image: Supplied by family) Kingsley Farrington helming the Jubilee Dinghy on Wroxham Broad in 2019. He will be remember like this as being at home on the water helming his own-built boats (Image: Supplied by family) (Image: Submitted)

Mrs Farrington said: “[Mr Farrington] was a gentle, kind, polite and patient man with a great sense of humour, especially when it came to other peoples’ boating misfortunes on the water.

“With regret it falls upon me to wind up the boatyard and make three skilled men redundant following a lifetime of work by a unique man.”