History

The Grit is an ambitious new centre for the arts and heritage just getting under way. Art and sculpture, arts events, evening performance, cinema, and community activities, and Heritage Centre.

Craft Fair Lowestoft

SUN JUN 12 2022 AT 11am TO 4pm  

The Grit: Lowestoft Centre for the Arts & Heritage | Lowestoft

John Reay was an excellent artist who lived for many years in Lowestoft, recording its life and landscapes. Visitors to the exhibition at Another Angle Studios on Battery Green Road will spot many local places, especially on the seafront. He worked mostly in pastels, screenprints and oils.

https://www.anotheranglestudio.co.uk/reay-of-light---exhibition-of-the-…

Lowestoft's Vessel Festival got under way this morning. A multitude of old sailing vessels raced each other just off the harbour mouth. There were stalls and music and a bar! A wonderful event we should be proud of, and thank all those who worked so hard to make it happen - in particular John Wilson of the Excelsior Trust - and the many volunteers who participated. A big up to all of you from Lowestoft Old and Now. 

I was luck enough to get a place on a RIB and we drove round many of the boats as they sailed the tricky roads just off Lowestoft.  

John E

Following from the success of High Street stroll project (kindly supported by Lowestoft Town Council) we are considering a broader project. 

email to be kept informed

What is it?

We will be working with ten teams of people from the local community to explore and research the history of their street. We will be providing a how to research pack, run regular workshops and give access to the finest local historians.

What is it?

We will be working with ten teams of people from the local community to explore and research the history of their street. We will be providing a how to research pack, run regular workshops and give access to the finest local historians.

At the end of the six month project each team will have created a chapter to go in a printed book of the project and also have added to an online resource featuring information and old photographs of many of the properties in their street.

The Triangle Market area is graced by an infamously iconic architectural landmark we know as The Triangle Sails.

Immediately in front of them are some trees, planted around 30 years ago.

About five days ago temporary fences were erected in around the trees and the area below the sails.

Immediately, rumours started to circulate that the Town Council were about to chop down the trees.

On 27th September Lowestoft Town Council had voted to remove the sails, and work out ways to “...make it more visually appealing.” (LTC Minutes,27 Sept 2022 Full Council Meeting).

Many streets suffered heavy losses during the two World Wars but one of the most affected was the High Street itself. Class meant nothing so we lost sons and daughters of solicitors and butchers. Book (free) for our launch event 13/4 2pm 

You go beneath some scaffolding, through a couple of doors, turn left and suddenly there's a different vista in front of you. Fairy lights, huge Desmond Baldry local landscapes, there's Books and Prints, an array of tables. Even a real piano. A counter. And quite likely, a smiling Piers. It all draws you in.

The Grit is an inviting place, which is odd as it's housed inside a brutal fortress County Court constructed in 1989, then closed twenty seven years later.

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.