Lowestoft Town Council
LOWESTOFT TOWN HALL, SUFFOLK, NR32 1HS
TENDER – DESIGN TEAM
Suitably qualified and experienced professionals are invited to submit fee tenders for a Design Team to redevelop the Grade II listed Lowestoft Town Hall, through development and delivery phases (pending funding), a project which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic England and Towns Fund.
The design team will have at least the following expertise; Lead Consultant, Conservation Architect, Civil Engineering (including services and drainage), Mechanical and Electrical Engineering consultancy (including specialist lighting consultants and energy modelling), Structural Engineering and Principal Designer/CDM.
Full details may be obtained from Lowestoft Town Council admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk 0330 053 6019
All bids to be received by Monday 24 April at 12 noon.
Read more on Notice Of Election - Harbour and Normanston Parish Ward
LOWESTOFT TOWN HALL, SUFFOLK, NR32 1HS
TENDER – HERITAGE PROJECT MANAGER
Suitably qualified and experienced professionals are invited to submit fee tenders for managing the audience, activity and interpretation elements of the development phase and delivery phase (pending funding) for this Grade II building and complying with requirements of National Lottery Heritage Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund.
Full details may be obtained from Lowestoft Town Council admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk 0330 053 6019.
All bids to be received by Monday 4 April at 12 noon.
This June, Her Majesty The Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee with celebrations taking place throughout the country with an extended holiday from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June inclusive.
SAVE THE DATE!
PERFORMANCES FOR THE PEOPLE in Sparrows Nest Park.
Thursday 2 June 2022.
More details to follow but the free event will include live music culminating in the lighting of the Beacon.
It is very much hoped that Lowestoft will make the most of the holiday and organise community activities. The extended bank holiday gives communities and people the opportunity to come together and celebrate with their neighbours. If you are looking to organise a street party as a group of residents you can view more information here https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/PlatinumJubileeEvent
If you wish to make an application for a road closure it must be received before 11pm on Sunday 27 March 2022 BY SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL. For full details, including street party event criteria, information on insurance and licences, please ensure you visit the above link.
Read more on Platinum celebrations getting underway at Lowestoft Town Council
Read more on Election of Uncontested Town Councillor for St Margarets announced
Today, Friday 11th March 2022 has been chosen to plant trees for The Queen’s Green Canopy project, as it is the 70th day of the year in which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth marks the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne.
The Queens Canopy Tree Planting is a UK wide initiative and I am delighted that we are able to plant trees here today and at Gunton Community Park. These Oak trees and plaques have been kindly been supplied by East Suffolk Council as part of their Treebilee scheme. Our thanks to East Suffolk Council and to East Suffolk Norse for their assistance with this project and Eco- Warriors of Grove Primary School who were fantastic.
These trees will be amazing. These complicated, wonderful lifeforms have been on our planet for thousands of years and are integral to our survival. Planting more trees makes a big difference to tackling climate and nature crises and is a fitting legacy to honour The Queen’s leadership of the Nation and one which will benefit future generations.”
Read more on Queens Green Canopy Project arrives at Rosedale Park and Gunton Community Park
At yesterday’s Finance and Governance Committee meeting, the Town Council agreed to donate £10,000 to the Disaster Emergency Committee Ukrainian Aid appeal which will be match funded by central Government. DEC charities and their local partners are in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance.
The Council agreed the donation on behalf of the people of Lowestoft to support what people in the town felt was such an important issue. This is not an exclusive grant and if there was a requirement to support refugees coming into Suffolk, the Council will again consider both the international and local situation.
Ukrainian Flag flying over at the Town Hall as a symbol of support of the people of Ukraine in this difficult time.
Lowestoft Town Council would like to thank the Contractor that placed the Flag free of charge at the Town Hall.
International Women's Day (IWD) on 8th March is a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. Whilst the Town Council acknowledges and applauds contributions from all sectors of society, today we are taking time to focus on the achievements of women from our town or women who have played a part in making a difference for the people of Lowestoft. Lowestoft Town Council has commissioned a video to celebrate IWD 2022
The theme for this year’s day of recognition is #BreakTheBias. IWD has offered the following campaigning words that the Town Council are pleased to share with you:
Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women's equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
Women from Lowestoft’s History:
Dorothy Dallimer British Empire Medal:
Dorothy was born in Lowestoft on 1st December 1889. She was honoured with a rare British Empire Medal, for her efforts and dedicated service in the town during the Second World War air raids of 1941.
Her vital civilian work as a telephone supervisor at Lowestoft Post Office, Indeed, she was awarded the British Empire Medal in October 1941, for her bravery in maintaining an efficient telephone service during periods of constant danger – this while raids were targeting the port and the naval establishments.
Dorothy Oretta Boggis MBE:
Born in Lowestoft Dorothy Boggis a wartime evacuee aged 12 in June 1940 was for more than 25 years the driving force and chairperson of the Lowestoft Neighbourhood watch Association from 1986-2013 and awarded the MBE for her dedication to fighting crime.
Vera Brittain:
Vera’s link to Lowestoft is evident in her autobiography - the bestselling book `Testament of Youth` published in 1933. Vera gives a vivid and passionate record of the years 1900-25 in which she conveyed an entire generation’s common experience of the First World War (1914-18). Vera writes of her visit to Lowestoft in 1915 to meet her boyfriend Roland, who was an Army Officer. A pacifist, prolific speaker, lecturer, journalist and writer, Vera devoted most of her energies to the causes of peace and feminism. She also wrote `Testament of Experience` published in 1957 which covered the period 1925-1950.
Gwen Baker MBE:
Gwendolyn Ethel Baker was appointed a Member of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire for her services to Lowestoft Hospital League of Friends. She served as senior office-holder of the Committee of the Friends of Lowestoft from 1948. She was instrumental in the formation of NSHEBA (North Suffolk Hospital and Equipment Building Appeal) in 1966 and remained chairperson of the organisation until 2000, when she took on the role of President. In recognition of over 50 years voluntary service, a ward in Lowestoft hospital was named after her. She also served as a Magistrate for 29 years and spent years as a volunteer organiser of the Lowestoft Carnival. The award of the MBE was in recognition of her tireless commitment, valuable contribution and proud record of unpaid civic service, doing so much for the community of Lowestoft.
Geertruida (Truus) Wijsmuller- Meijer:
Image from Pamela Sturhoofd
Geertruida was Dutch and in the late 1930s, she was active in the German and Austrian refugee movement in the 1930s. In December 1938 Geertruida courageously flew to Nazi-occupied Austria, was arrested, and used her arrest to secure a meeting with Adolf Eichmann with with whom she then personally negotiated for the release of 600 mainly Jewish children who left Vienna on the second Kindertransport five days later. Geertruida and her Dutch colleagues also organised entry permits from the British Government, reception and care in the Netherlands, and onward journey to Britain, for these and thousands of other Kindertransport children. The 529 Kindertransport children who arrived in Lowestoft on 12 December 1938 and who spent their first few weeks of safety here, as traumatised refugees. They owe their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren, to this remarkable and formidable woman.
Modern Day courageous women:
Paige Shorten:
Image sourced from ITFC.co.uk
Paige began her football-playing career with Kirkley and Pakefield F.C as a 9 year old. Now an UEFA A and FA Youth Award Coach who specialises in coaching outfield female football players by understanding, supporting and developing the person to get the best out of the player. Currently Paige is Ipswich Town F.C women’s first team coach
Elizabeth Talbot:
Image sourced from Elizabeth Talbot
Lowestoft resident, Elizabeth was the youngest female auctioneer/antique expert who later became President of the Lowestoft Archaeology Society 2019. She regular contributes to antiques shows on daytime TV.
Sue Barnard:
Represented the Gunton Ward when Lowestoft Town Council was formed in 2017. Sue served on many of the Town Council’s committees and had a particular interest in open spaces and the local historical environment. Her love and knowledge of gardening and plants was beneficial to the Council including the many voluntary hours she spent planting bulbs in Sparrows Nest and Arnold’s Bequest.
Outside of the Town Council, Sue was an active member of Gunton Residents’ Association, the Lowestoft branch of Suffolk Family History Society and helped to establish the Friends of Dip Farm Group.
Groups of Women that serve the Town:
Waveney Football Club:
Image sourced from Mike Pearce
One of the largest Female football providers in the country we currently have 15 teams starting at u8 right through to a Ladies team.
In addition to our teams Waveney Football Club also run a highly successful wildcats Centre, usually starting at Easter, and running for 16 weeks the aim of the wildcats Centre is to give girls 5 to 11 years old an introduction to Football through fun based football activities. At the end of the 16-week program, we look to find a team for all of the girls to play within the club.
In 1982 (the 40th Anniversary) Lowestoft Ladies won the most prestigious cup competition in English football the Women's FA Cup. "When you see the FA Cup now and you see them withthe trophy, you think 'our names on that Little old Lowestoft' said Rita Fossey, Lowestoft's FA Cup winning goalkeeper.
Breaking the Bias: Ordinary Lowestoft Mums who have done extraordinary things.
The theme of International Women’s Day for 2022 is “Breaking the Bias”. Quite rightly, therefore, we need to be very careful not to reinforce existing stereotypes and bias (“a woman’s place is in the home”, idealising the institution of motherhood, and so on). We also need to be careful to ensure that we do not fall into the trap of assuming that women who become mothers (and, indeed, women who do not become mothers) always do so through personal choice. However, equally, we also need to ensure that in the process of “Breaking the Bias”, we do not inadvertently create new stereotypes and bias by fostering the perception those mothers cannot be capable of remarkable achievements deserving of recognition. In the past year, some of our Town Councillors have met local women who have struggled tirelessly and for the most part anonymously on behalf of their children: shielding and protecting them from abuse, trying to access specialist healthcare or educational support, and so on. To some of these children, for months and sometimes years Mum has been the only person who had their backs and fought their corner, often at cost to herself. In celebrating individuals, we should at the same time take care not to forget the unsung heroes: truly at times, the ordinary can be extraordinary.
Lowestoft Town Council would like to thank everyone that has contributed to IWD 2022-They include Lowestoft Civic Society, Another Angle Studio, Lowestoft Town Football Club,Elizabeth Talbot, Ipswich Town Football Club and Pamela Sturhoofd.
