More... history

May 1535 - Muster Roll of Lothingland Half-hundred, dated 23rd of the month, listed and named 292 able-bodied men for its defence. Lowestoft provided 130 of these (46%), with three widows included for their late husbands’ weapons. Armaments consisted mainly of bills (a hatchet-like metal attachment on the end of a pole) and bows and arrows, with a minority of the men also possessing helmets and body armour. No firearms are recorded.  

Produced to assist with the building’s regeneration and future uses

1. The Lowestoft community relocated itself (onto what is now the High Street area of a much expanded town) from what was probably its original location about a mile to the south-west, in an area now occupied by a large municipal cemetery between Normanston Drive and Rotterdam Road.

Introduction

The Church of England, as it stands today, is an organisation which originated in the need for a Tudor monarch (Henry VIII) to produce a male heir and secure his family’s tenure of the Crown and which then became part of a North European, Protestant, theological revolution. It is currently undergoing one of its periodic phases of change.

Recorded on Suffolk Heritage Explorer (Internet) as Monument record LWT 368.

Centring on OS 1:25000 Series Map reference TM59 539939.   

Here is a great example of how working together we can achieve a lot, what I like to call the 'Hive Mind'. I spotted an FB post about a 'lost street' called Prairie asking for any information. I went to https://ourfallen.lowestoftoldandnow.org/search and got 7 hits, ELSIE PETHERICK, FREDERICK HAVERS, LESLIE REEVE, GEORGE SHIPLEE, GORDON SHIPLEE, FREDERICK BARNES and ALBERT FISHER which I passed on.

To begin we need to go back to 1905 when a fishing smack called the G & E was launched. The G & E had registration LT 649 and was a normal trawler until 1915 when it was taken over by the Admiralty for a short time, before being released back to civilian service. In January 1916 the Admiralty again requisitioned the G & E. This time they fitted it with a 3 pounder gun (some sources say 13 pounder), as it was to be used as a decoy ship.

Lowestoft, 1550-1750: Development and Change in a Suffolk Coastal Town by David Butcher

A detailed history of the town of Lowestoft, its society, economy, and topography. `A superbly researched study.... An excellent addition not only to the history of Suffolk but of early modern society and economy more generally.' Professor RICHARD SMITH, University of Cambridge.

Coastal erosion (South beach, Lowestoft) 1906-2023 approx 200m!   Measuring from the current cliff-top edge to the east of All Saints Church (as was) to the low-water mark on a OS 25-inch map, revised in 1903 and published in 1905.   The lines in red are the old roads and buildings. 

See also Dave Burt FB

by Susan Steward and Harry Grainger

George Glover (1812–1890) was a British architect who made significant contributions to the architectural landscape of Lowestoft. Born in York, he was the brother-in-law of Joseph Aloysius Hansom, the inventor of the Hansom cab. Glover’s early career included working for Norwich architect John Brown. 

ACHIEVEMENTS: Ensured that vital wartime communications remained operational. Dorothy Ann Daphne Dallimer, born on December 1, 1889, in Lowestoft, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) during World War II. As an Assistant Supervisor, Class II, at the Lowestoft Post Office, she displayed remarkable bravery and unwavering dedication by ensuring efficient telephone services despite the perilous air raids of 1941. Her courageous actions ensured that vital communications remained operational during these critical times.   

A fitting tribute to Henry Browne, Clifford Brewster, and the other Lowestoft men who lost their lives serving with tank units in both world wars.

.. but definitely nerdy lol

It would be great when providing an online primary source if you could link directly to the relevant phrase/sentence within a long external page. Well it seems you CAN!

Syntax

[URL]#:~:text=[RELEVANT%20PHRASE]

So instead of 

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/25852/25852-h/25852-h.htm  > then telling people to scroll down 300 paragraphs and you will find relevant section. You can do this…

1867 A completely new Lowestoft Low Light, made of wrought iron. It was designed to be moveable.

It is hard to make sense of the lost buildings at the top of High Street when all that is left is a long stretch of grass. So we started with an 1893 map that had TWO buildings that are STILL here today Arnold House (4) and The Flint House (now called The Royal Falcon (26)). 

This is an exhibition of a printed monthly community newspaper, which was produced for more than eleven years in various back rooms, first issued in 1973. Some front covers are on display, but more importantly, you can browse original copies. Soon there will be a book, reflecting on its history and its relevance for today.

novel published, Silver Harvest, which is based on Lowestoft's history 1826-1956. The launch is at Waterstone's, Lowestoft, on Thursday, 5th September, 6.30 for 7.00

Plans are afoot to try and sensitively recreate this 100 year old wall advert. It will reflect and celebrate the restoration and revitalisation going on currently throughout Lowestoft but particularly on the historic High Street. 

 The property owner is supportive of the project so work is now underway to raise the £8,000 the project will require. 

 Any info about 'Football Tea' gratefully received, especially if it's historical evidence.

Two elderly Lowestoft women, Rose Cullender and Amy Denny, were tried for witchcraft at Bury St Edmunds Assizes, having been accused by their neighbours. Found guilty, they were sentenced to death by judge Sir Matthew Hale and hanged at Bury St. Edmunds on March 17th.

The Black Death arrived in Lowestoft devastating the population.The national accepted average for deaths in England is somewhere around 60%. Info on Lowestoft is very limited. 

Special thanks to PlantGrow for generously supporting this transformation 

As a way of sharing how the project goes, getting feedback and also documenting this year long National Archives Suffolk initiative

A Millenium Heritage project from 1999 has been restored and saved by LO&N. It can be viewed here and even has its audio files updated to a current (playable) mp3 format as can be seen/heard here  

https://22villages.manystories.org/

The hill on which Lowestoft was destined to rise in after ages, was probably often visited by the Roman soldiers as they passed to and fro between their fortress at Burgh and their camp in the interior, but no relics have as yet been discovered bearing testimony to either Roman or British occupation of the site of our town, though Roman coins have been found at Kirkley, and Carlton and other places in our neighbourhood.

In an effort to make local history images more accessible whilst also respecting the owners of the images wish not to have them copied everywhere, we came up with an interesting idea..

qr_image allows you to combine story and image to create a peice of intriguing artwork. Simply upload the image and type in the url containing the story. See a video of the result here

CREDIT: Hugh Chen

An exploration of experimental porcelain from the 18th century, it's a grand title but as you will hopefully read further this was a very small window in the history of ceramics, and relatively short lived, but one of intrigue, espionage and sabotage, fuelled by the need for a nice cup of tea and something fancy to drink it from.
In order to understano Lowestofts contribution to soft paste porcelain we need to look at the history of porcelain as a whole and explore how this material and this new industry first came to Britain and then to the east coast.

Lowestoft’s worst raid of world war II 80 years ago today on 23 January 1942, while convoys of lorries were still trucking the wreckage and rubble from the scene of devastation that became known as "The Waller's raid" in London Road North, Lowestoft, another deadly raid occurred. An alert had been sounded at 8.41 am, probably caused by German bombers seeking a convoy in the North Sea. Barely a minute had elapsed after the warning when a lone bomber, variously identified as as a Do 217 or Ju 88 emerged from the snow clouds overhead and dived towards the railway station from the NE.

Author: Francis D. Longe, transcribed from the [1899] edition by David Price 

The attached file contain lectures read before the members of St. Margaret’s Institute, at Lowestoft, with additions introduced to render the story somewhat more complete.

 This book provides the reader with a concise history of the East Anglian town of Lowestoft. It includes detailed accounts of the growth and development of its fishing industry and of the events of the church. 

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/51654/51654-h/51654-h.htm

Huge storm. On the coast between Yarmouth and Southwold thirty ships and 200 lives were lost. Eighteen vessels washed up on Lowestoft beaches.

1778 A 'spangle light' was tested for one night on Lowestoft Low Light by several Trinity Elders sailing out to sea. The design was never permanently used. A many-signed letter said the new light was 'constant, certain and regular', and seen from a greater distance than the coalfired light. In February 1779 a 'small reflector was ordered to be fixed to a triangle or beacon'. In September 1779 '...a Mr Smith was paid £6.5.o for a plated reflector, lamp and fountain'.

1796 High Light fitted with "eleven Argand burners set in the focus of silvered reflectors" (p102 Lights of East Anglia by Neville Long, 1983)

Lowestoft Porcelain Factory, between 1757 and 1802, was in production for longer than any English soft-paste porcelain manufacturer other than Royal Worcester and Royal Crown Derby, producing domestic ware such as pots, teapots and jugs. Site roughly where Crown Brushes is now in Crown Street.

WHERE: Martins Score - off High St NR32 1JA 

WHAT: Spray paint / Stencil Art 

ARTIST: Joe Thompson

The Banksy Spraycation street art gave Lowestoft a real boost at a difficult time and added to a sense of pride. 

I'm sure you are aware this was short lived, when landlords went to extraordinary lengths to literally rip out this new sense of community and auction to the highest bidder in America.    

1685 A sea survey by Greenville Collins showed the Standford Channel just off-shore (the name eventually contracted to the Stanford Channel). 

The Street That Saved hit the airwaves tonight. The project is all about not wasting food, and saving money. Check out the video, featuring Lowestoft residents joining the effort to help us use it all. Keep track here and on Facebook.

On Saturday 3rd June 2023 disaster hit Lowestoft's High Street, but all is not doom and gloom.  

145, High Street suffered a crippling fire. At least two people were rescued by firefighters. Nine fire appliances of various types attended. Electricity was turned off for part of the High Street for a few hours. Not only did the flat-dwellers lose their homes, but High Street Furnishings lost their shop and store.  

The fire destroyed the top floor, and severe water damage affected the rest of the building. 

extract from Lowestoft Journal - Saturday 04 October 1913

Designed by John Louth Clemence

the Editor of Ths LANCET.

But of course there are many persons who cannot afford to pay a guinea; for them the provident dispensary affords

SIR, -Through the kindness of J. L. Clemence Esq.,

a means of securing duly qualified and skilled obstetric architect, I am enabled to send you an elevation, plan, &c., assistance on the one hand, and of enabling patients to contribute according to their means, and to cultivate habits

T. E. THIRTLE, GENERAL AND FURNISHING IRON-MONGER, AND BELLHANGER,45, HIGH STREET, LOWESTOFT. 

The 620 ft (189 metres) Zeppelin L5, captained by Alois Boecker, was heard near Dunwich on the night of 15 to 16 April.

It dropped its bombs on Suffolk including at Henham Hall and the railway station at Southwold, before attacking Lowestoft at 01:15 BST.

Houses in Denmark Road were hit, and what we know, perhaps, as the Menzies building by the signal box in Denmark Road, was also damaged. This building was stables for GER. 

“Lowestoft has of late assumed so prominent a status, not merely among the new watering-places which have acquired more or less popularity within the last few years, chiefly owing to the extension of facilities for railway travelling, but as the entrepôt of the important traffic now being developed between Northern Europe and this country, that a " Guide" to it should be prefaced with something a little more discursive than a purely local introduc-With this view.

Workmen are busy taking down the roof of the Triangle Sails, and have started to saw down the metal framework.

So far, the trees are still standing.

Lowestoft Town Council intends to improve the area by removing the sails, the structure, and two of the trees. They intend to replace the trees with other, smaller trees.

Thanks to Marion Hayes for an excellent photo from early 1900’s showing building work on the Town Hall. We had been struggling to find ANY front on old images for this historic building. Now it is pride of place on our stroll 

1930 The Corporation saw the spark was failing, and decided to abandon the tram system