The Great Yarmouth Minster recently hosted its first Festival of the Sea, a week-long celebration of the town’s maritime heritage. The festival was inspired by Rev. Liz Dawes, who collaborated with artist Sam Ruddock to bring the art installation ‘Deception Island’ – a replica Antarctic hut – to the Minster. The festival featured a variety of events, including film showings, science shows, drama workshops, and a screening of ‘The Sea is a Hungry Dog’ by Sophie Utting. The highlight of the festival was a performance by the Rogue Shanty Buoys, attended by 150 people. The Reprezent team also led community workshops to create a stunning textile and crochet mural, which now hangs in St. Andrew’s Chapel.
The community came together to create the mural, which features intricate details such as crocheted fish, coral, and seaweed. The Lydia Eva, a famous local fishing vessel, is depicted in the mural as it moves across the waves. The festival ended with Heritage Open Days, where visitors had the opportunity to climb up to the ringing chamber and watch the bell ringers in action. A maritime history exhibition was also on display in the Minster. Funding from Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the Diocese of Norwich, and Great Yarmouth Rotary helped make the events possible. Rev. Liz Dawes described the festival as a wonderful week celebrating the sea and Great Yarmouth’s deep connection to it.
The Festival of the Sea featured a diverse range of activities, from art installations to sea shanty performances, highlighting the town’s rich maritime history. The collaboration between Rev. Liz Dawes, artist Sam Ruddock, and the community resulted in the creation of a beautiful textile and crochet mural, which now adorns St. Andrew’s Chapel. The festival also provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about coastal erosion on the Norfolk Coast through the screening of ‘The Sea is a Hungry Dog’ by Sophie Utting. The event was well-received by the local community and drew in a large crowd of participants and spectators.
Overall, the Festival of the Sea at Great Yarmouth Minster was a successful and enjoyable celebration of the town’s maritime heritage. From the replica Antarctic hut to the sea shanty performances, the festival offered a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages. The collaborative efforts of Rev. Liz Dawes, Sam Ruddock, and the community resulted in the creation of a stunning textile mural that now serves as a lasting reminder of the festival. With support from various organizations, the festival was able to showcase Great Yarmouth’s enduring relationship with the sea and provide an immersive experience for all who attended.
