Barbara and Richard Bradburn bought Silsden Boats in 1995 as a retirement project, after Richard took early retirement from the Local Architects department on the Wirral. Barbara retired as a secretary to the Chairman of a local Health Authority and they moved to Silsden. Both had been boating for many years since the early 1960’s.
They built the business up over the years having started with five sponsored boats, and now to over 20 boats, some of them still sponsored. Barbara and Richard were joined by their daughter Jenny as Financial Director in 2001.
All of the boats are named after family members including daughters, grandchildren and Barbara’s parents. There is the odd exception for Barbara’s father from whom the Drum logo originated, which you still see today, this was called Drum Beat.
Widebeam boats were introduced to the fleet in 2000 and they have been popular ever since. There are now six for hire for short break or weekly hire, with more room in the lounge area and two en-suite bedrooms.
In loving memory of Richard Bradburn, who sadly passed away in 2020.
ENTER OUR 2022 PHOTO COMPETITION!
We would love to share memories of your holidays through an online gallery of Silsden Boats holiday photos. There are some stunning locations on the waterways in this part of the country, so why not enter our competition and send us your best snaps.
The winner will receive a £50 voucher!
How to enter the competition
Please send your photo(s) to info@silsdenboats.co.uk with a caption for each, giving us as much information as you can, including your name and other information if you can remember, such as where the photo was taken, which year and the name of the boat.
Please put ‘Photo gallery’ in the subject heading. You can also enter the competition by posting on our social media channels and tagging us @SilsdenBoats on Twitter and Facebook. Links to our social media channels can be found on our homepage www.silsdenboats.co.uk
Up to three images per entrant are permitted.
The competition is open to entries from 1 April 2022.
Entries must be submitted by 30 April 2022.
The winner will be announced, and voucher issued on 13 May 2022.