Lowestoft Town Council
On Remembrance Sunday (Sunday 12November) the annual Remembrance Parade and Service, organised by Lowestoft Town Council, will be taking place at the War Memorial on Royal Plain, starting shortly before 11am.
The Parade, led by soldiers of F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery Royal Horse Artillery, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, will begin from Claremont Pier and enter Royal Plain shortly before the service begins.
The two-minutes silence at 11am will then be marked by the sound of gun fire from the 105mm (L118) Light Gun from F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery Royal Horse Artillery, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. Members of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets 469 (Lowestoft) Squadron will call the order of wreath laying at the War Memorial, led by the Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston.
Music for the service will be provided by East Coast Sinfonietta with readings provided by pupils from local schools.
All are welcome to attend the service. The service sheet is available to download for people wishing to attend.
East Suffolk Council have arranged for free parking to take place between 8am and 1pm on Sunday 13 November in Royal Green, Claremont Pier, Kirkley Cliff, Clifton Road, Belvedere Road and Britten Centre car parks.
Lowestoft Town Council have also organised three opportunities for people to mark Armistice Day on Saturday 11 November. The services, taking place at the War Memorial on Royal Plain, Lowestoft Cemetery and at Belle Vue Park, will each take place shortly before 11am. All are welcome to attend these short services which will include the two-minutes silence.
Friday 3rd November saw a packed-out awards ceremony for this year’s Black History Month Creative Writing and Visual Arts Competition.
This year’s competition was the biggest yet in the three years that Lowestoft Town Council have marked Black History Month with over 740 submissions from young people in Lowestoft which celebrated people who were inspiring and made them proud.
The creative writing competition saw a range of poetry, diary entries, short stories and songs celebrating the likes of Marcus Rashford, Rosa Parks and Mae Jemison. The visual arts competition included collages, scratch art and clay sculptures depicting the likes of Muhammed Ali, Ruby Bridges and Beyonce and inspired by the creative styles of Ruth Asawa and Augusta Savage.
The judges were delighted with the high number of entries and the quality of all the submissions with the judges agreeing to award the winner and two runners-up in the “Years 3-6” and “Years 2 and Under” age categories for both competitions.
In the Visual Arts Years 2 and Under category, the winner and runners-up were Jessica (Gunton Primary), Dallas (Dell Primary) and Dolcie (Roman Hill), with the Years 3-6 winners and runners-up being Isabella (Dell Primary), Lola-Mae (Phoenix St Peter) and Ayla (Pakefield Primary).
In the Creative Writing Years 2 and Under category, the winner and runners-up were Brody (Dell Primary), Blossom (Roman Hill) and Jasmine (Roman Hill), with the Years 3-6 winners and runners-up being Savannah (Dell Primary), Sophia (Roman Hill) and Maggie (Oulton Broad Primary).
The judges also awarded prizes in each competition to schools who demonstrated a particular dedication to supporting Black History Month. The creative writing shield was awarded to Dell Primary School for the second year in a row whilst the new visual arts shield was awarded to Phoenix St Peter’s for the wide range of art styles submitted and for their whole school display.
Speaking at the awards, Cllr Sonia Barker, Mayor of Lowestoft, said “It was wonderful to have such a great response to our Black History Month competition this year and such a high quality of entries. We had a tough time judging the competition with the number of entries received! Thank you to everyone who took part, from the students to the teachers and parents, and made this year’s competition the best yet and congratulations to all the winners.”
Mr Glen Joyce, Assistant Headteacher for Dell Primary said “It is an honour to once again receive the school prize for Creative Writing. I would like to thank all our students who took part and displayed their writing talents as part of this year’s competition. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition!”
On collecting the Visual Arts Award, Mrs Terri Freeman, Deputy Head of Pheonix St Peter’s, said “We are thrilled to receive the first ever Visual Arts School Award on behalf of the remarkable artists at Phoenix St Peter Academy. This acknowledgment extends beyond artistic talent—it reflects the values embedded in our school and resonates across our academy trust. During Black History Month, and throughout the year we contemplate the diverse tapestry of cultures, histories, and 
contributions shaping our world. At Phoenix St Peter, our commitment to inclusion and diversity is a living principle helped by our shared definition: 'realizing the greatness in our differences.'”
The awards ceremony included a chance to view all the entries, a live music performance from Anna Mudeka and a video thank you message from Olympian Boxer Anthony Ogogo.
A selection of the winning entries can be viewed via this link.
Read more on Lowestoft Town Council's Black History Month Competition 2023 Celebrated
Lowestoft Town Council are launching a public consultation on proposals to take out a Public Works Loan (PWL) of £4million to part-fund the Town Hall regeneration project. The consultation will run from Friday 3rd November – Sunday 19th November with the survey and supporting information available to complete and read online or by attending drop-in events.
Members of the public are encouraged to complete a short survey on the proposals which include details of the Town Hall’s proposed designs and the supporting funding plans.
As part of the consultation period, two drop-in sessions have been organised with members of the Town Hall Project Team and Design Team available to answer any questions. The first session is on Friday 3rd November, 2pm-5pm at The Kirkley Centre, with a second session organised for Thursday 9th November, 3pm-6:30pm at 3 St Peter’s Street (on the Triangle Market). Following the drop-in sessions, a window display will remain at the Triangle Market site until the conclusion of the consultation.
This loan will add to the already secured funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council for delivery of the project. The cost of paying back the loan will not in itself trigger a rise in the council tax amount paid to the Town Council by the electorate within the parish of Lowestoft.
More details on the Town Hall Project can also be found on our website.
Read more on Public Consultation on Public Works Loan Proposals
A six-week public consultation on the Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan is being launched today (Monday 30th October 2023).
Following the previous consultation period that took place in early 2023, new policies have been added to the Neighbourhood Development Plan, alongside some further amendments to the existing policies. Amongst the three new policies are two covering South Lowestoft, particularly the London Road South area and the South Lowestoft Conservation Area. For this round of consultation, the Neighbourhood Development Plan Working Group are particularly interested in hearing from residents and businesses within the Kirkley area on these new policies.
These new policies were influenced by comments made by local people and stakeholders, with over 200 individual comments and suggestions reviewed after the consultation had ended. The changes reflect the continued importance that local residents, businesses and stakeholders have had on the development of this Plan.
Neighbourhood Development Plans are a powerful tool which is backed and informed by local debate and support. The plan aims to shape the future development and growth of Lowestoft by making a direct contribution to the planning decision-making process whilst also striving to protect our unique heritage and green spaces.
This public consultation, known as the Regulation 14 Consultation, is part of the process of developing the plan before it comes forward for a public referendum. Residents are encouraged to read the plan and submit any comments on the proposed policies into the Town Council by the 11th December 2023. The comment submission form is available to download from the Town Council website, with hard copies available on request by contacting the Town Council offices by calling 0330 053 6019 or by writing to the Town Council at Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan (LNDP), c/o Lowestoft Town Council, Hamilton House, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE.
Draft Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan
Supporting Documents:
Read more on Lowestoft Neighbourhood Development Plan Consultation
Lowestoft Town Council are pleased to be launching a new bulky waste trial scheme, working in partnership with Ace Clearance.
Starting on 1st November, the scheme is designed to help households within the Parish of Lowestoft, improve our environment and reduce fly-tipping by offering a free-to-access collection service on bulky waste items.
The service will run Monday to Friday every week with phone lines open 8:30am-4:30pm and an answerphone service in place for out-of-hours messages.
To organise collection, Lowestoft residents should contact our appointed contractor Ace Clearance by phone (01502 802123) or email (info.aceclearance@gmail.com).
Ace Clearance may recycle some of the items collected, without collecting profit, with suitable items donated to local charity shops.
Please note that this service is only available to residents living in the parish of Lowestoft. A map of Lowestoft Town Council parish area and wards can be found on our website.
Read more on New Bulky Waste Collection scheme aims to reduce fly-tipping
Lowestoft Town Council are once again organising the annual commemorations of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday in Lowestoft.
Armistice Day is on Saturday 11th November and will be marked at the War Memorial on Royal Plain, Lowestoft Cemetery, and Belle Vue Park. These short ceremonies will begin shortly before 11am.
The annual service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday will take place on Sunday 12th November at the War Memorial on Royal Plain. This ceremony will begin shortly before 11am, following the parade from Claremont Pier. As with previous years, representatives from organisations and businesses will be welcome to lay wreaths at the War Memorial. If you would like to take part in the wreath laying and/or parade, please complete the booking form and return to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk
All are welcome to attend these services as we gather as a community to pay tribute to the brave service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Read more on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday to be marked in Lowestoft
Lowestoft Town Council secures support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for developing the Town Hall.
Lowestoft Town Council is delighted to announce that the Town Hall regeneration project has successfully secured second stage funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The award, worth £3,257,512, will play a pivotal role in revitalising the iconic Town Hall, with The National Lottery Heritage Fund panel recognising the project, led by Lowestoft Town Council, and its aim to make a “significant cultural, community, and economic contribution to Lowestoft”.
Extensive consultation, including the opportunity to comment on the architectural designs, has demonstrated that the Town Hall is still very important to local people who overwhelmingly support its being brought back into community use and as an operational Town Hall.
This funding, alongside additional funding from Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, and Towns Fund, will assist the Town Council to progress its plans to renovate the Town Hall with provision for a compelling and innovative heritage hub, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space. The Town Hall will also become the home for the Town Council with Council meetings and staff offices.
Cllr Sonia Barker, Mayor of Lowestoft said “This is the news we have all been waiting and hoping for. The awarding of this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, will enable us to bring this iconic building back into community use. On behalf of Lowestoft Town Council, I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to this project by responding to consultations, engaging with our heritage events and through bringing their expertise and passion.”
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to provide significant support to this project, which will revitalise and preserve the UK’s remarkable built heritage. Saving heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing Lowestoft Town Council delivering a transformational project for the Town Hall. National Lottery funding will help to ensure this heritage space will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future.”
Cllr Toby Hammond, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport said: “As a partner in the Town Hall project, we are delighted that this significant funding has been secured. East Suffolk Council is committed to improving Lowestoft and the refurbishment of the Town Hall is one of five transformational regeneration projects which received a share of the £24.9 million Towns Fund last year..”
Tony Calladine, Historic England Regional Director, said: “This is fantastic news. It’s wonderful to see the vision for Lowestoft Town Hall being realised. This important local landmark has played a pivotal role in local life for so many years and thanks to such a collaborative effort, and the enthusiasm of local people, it will once again be at the vibrant heart of the community.”
With this funding now in place, work on the building is set to begin in March 2024 with the Town Hall reopening in late Summer 2025.
The Lowestoft Town Hall Project is a Lowestoft Town Council initiative supported National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Other significant funders for the regeneration include Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, Towns Fund, and East Suffolk Council.
Read more on Lowestoft Town Hall receives National Lottery Heritage Fund award
The hugely popular Lowestoft Heritage Open Days Festival returns this Friday, 8 September with ten days of free to enjoy activities celebrating our towns rich history and culture.
Once again, Lowestoft joins the nationwide celebration with a host of events specially curated for the festival with talks, walks, exhibitions, recitals, and rare opportunities to view behind the scenes at some of the area’s most iconic buildings. The opening of this years festival coincides with the opening of a new independent archive facility for the town, housed in the Grit Arts Centre on Old Nelson Street, with public tours available from Saturday.
On Saturday, 9 September, a free Heritage Bus Service will connect activities across Lowestoft and Oulton Broad calling at locations including Lowestoft Railway Station, Nicholas Everett Park in Oulton Broad, Whapload Road, Gordon Road and London Road South operated by the East Anglia Transport Museum in Carlton Colville which, with its working trams, trains and trolleybuses will also be opening free of charge to all for the day.
Other activities during the opening weekend include an 1880s Festival in the High Street / Triangle Market, Seafest 23 – a showcase of fish and seafood with live music and stalls at Sam’s Cold Store on Haddenham Rd, an exhibition featuring the former Lowestoft to Yarmouth Railway and tours of the historic swing bridge at Somerleyton.
As part of the festival several churches are opening their doors to visitors including the 500year old Parish church of St Margarets, Pakefield Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Gordon Road which will enable the public to climb its tower and enjoy some spectacular views, North Lowestoft United Reform Church, St Nicholas Church and Christ Church, once at the very heart of the Beach Village which has served the town since 1869.
The festival brings a host of free to enjoy activities including opportunities to see artists at work, learn more about the towns famous composers, authors and artists, the manufacture of Lowestoft Porcelain, visit several of the town’s museums, a pop-up art gallery and five free music recitals.
The St John Ambulance Heritage Centre on Oxford Road will open its doors on Sat 9 and throughout the festival, a host of Old Lowestoft photographs from the Bert Collyer collection will be available to view at the Lowestoft Museum. Amateur Dramatic Society, the Lowestoft Players are opening their theatre housed within the former Sailors and Fisherman’s Bethel on Sept 16 and the neighbouring Marina Theatre are hosting tours and workshops on Sat 17.
Walks and talks include a tour of the nearby village of Corton with acclaimed historian David Butcher, the towns former Hanging Garden’s near the High Street, a chance to see and hear how the railway station narrowly survived destruction during two world wars, an update from the Lowestoft Central Project on their efforts to rejuvenate Lowestoft station, a workshop on tracing family histories and a fascinating tour giving a rare insight into the history and current operations of the Port of Lowestoft.
Exhibitions include railway photography, Corton and its connections to Colman’s Mustard, the history of some of Kirkley’s streets, famous local authors, composers and artists, fishermen’s Ganseys and the town’s maritime heritage.
Once again, the Lowestoft Festival is presenting more events than any town in Suffolk and the Festival Information Hub will be open throughout at the Tourist information Office at the railway station.
Martin Halliday, newly appointed Chair of the Lowestoft Heritage Open Days Festival steering group said; “We are thrilled to be launching this year’s festival, a unique celebration of our town’s heritage with all events free for the public to enjoy. We are hugely grateful to the many organisations and individuals that are enabling access to some of the town’s most iconic buildings or sharing some unique elements of our history including Network Rail for their Somerleyton Swing Bridge tours, the Lowestoft Central Project and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership for their sponsorship and hosting of the Festival Information Hub, many of the town’s historians and museums, especially the East Anglia Transport Museum who are operating the free Heritage Bus Service on Sat 9, connecting many of the festival locations and activities as well as opening their museum free of charge on the same day.”
To view all the free activities taking place as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days Festival, please go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk and search Lowestoft. For those unable to access online information, a free twelve-page printed listing guide has been produced and is available to collect from the Festival Information Hub at the railway station.
One of the UK's most well known charities is the Poppy Appeal.
So, if you can spare a little time to help - contact Phil Turner, who is the Lowestoft Poppy Appeal Organiser on 07715 673920
