Lowestoft

St Edmund's Day is on the 20th November but what are the origins of the Suffolk flag?The design is the flag of the arms of Saint Edmund, Suffolk’s very own patron saint. The arrows symbolise how he met his unfortunate end, shot with Viking arrows, and the crown indicates that he was King of East Anglia. These symbols on a blue background have been used as the St. Edmund’s arms for hundreds of years and are a common sight throughout our county. A precursor to the Suffolk flag was believed to have been on display in the mid-1950’s during a visit by Princess Margaret to the Suffolk Regiment. The flag came from the estate of a Suffolk Regiment soldier. Taff Gillingham, chairman of Friends of Suffolk Regiment, has had it in his possession for around twenty years. He is also a renowned military historian and military history advisor for film, television and theatre. An early version of our county flag was raised by Suffolk County Council on the very first Suffolk Day on June 21 st 2017.This started a request by 21 county organisations to have it registered as the Suffolk flag which it was in 2018! One of those organsiations, the Felixstowe History and Museum Society, proudly flies the flag outside its museum today. It was proudly flown with the other UK county flags outside the Houses of Parliament on the 24 th -26 th July 2019. Like all the registered county flags you can see here, the design is distinct and has symbolism unique to each county. The flag of Leicestershire is only a proposal at this moment in time. Although this proposal was promoted in 2006, as you can see, it is almost identical to the flag of East Anglia, a flag which first appeared in 1902 and has been around for over a century. The flag of East Anglia A proposal to be the Suffolk flag The flag of East Anglia continues to be flown across the region. With the East Anglia junior Above Norwich Castle Outside the Ipswich and Suffolk orienteering team Club, Ipswich The East Anglian flag can also be seen on memorials, buildings, souvenirs and products from the early 20th century onwards. On a stained glass window at the On a commemorative tea towel from On the former Essex and Suffolk former East Suffolk Council Bury St. Edmunds, 1959 Fire Service building, Colchester County Hall, Ipswich, The East Anglian flag even has its own anthem! Secondly, the proposal sadly included the cross of Saint George, who is found to lack a direct link to Suffolk. In fact, St. George replaced St.Edmund as the patron saint of England in the 14 th Century. As you’ve already seen, other county flags solely have symbols unique to their county. So unfortunately, it wouldn’t have been able to be registered as the county flag. Despite concerns being made about these unfortunate flaws, and the registration of the Suffolk flag, supported by 21 county organisations, a few local media services have continued to push for the unregistered proposal. This flag is the one for Suffolk County Council and flying the flag of a local authority is unlawful except on its own premises. Of course, this is not strictly enforced, and a few members of the public have flown the flag. On the other hand, registered county flags are free for the public to fly without prior permission needed. Some registered county flags are based on a local authority flag, usually with some alternations, and their registration has been supported by the local authority itself. This is cost-free and at no cost at all to the council or taxpayers. Want to know more? Then look no further than the following websites for more detailed information on the Suffolk flag: British County Flags: https://britishcountyflags.com/2017/09/11/suffolk-flag/Flags of the world: https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-e-suf.htmlThe Flag Institute: https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/flags/suffolk/

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Website: https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/flags/suffolk/

The Rural Coffee Caravan aims to create social spaces in our rural places. Knowing what’s going on in our own communities isn’t always easy. It is especially difficult if access to transport is limited, or the village shop or pub or post office has gone or you live in one of Suffolk’s very scattered parishes. Rural Coffee Caravan exists to help rurally isolated people in the county access services and information to improve their lives, health and wellbeing, and to bring people together, empowering and strengthening rural communities. We work to alleviate loneliness and social isolation by providing occasions that engender conversations, leading to people feeling more a part of their community. The service is free and accessible to everyone and details can be found on their website

Phone Number: 01379 855338

Address: The Old Shop, Harleston Road, Weybread , Diss, IP21 5TU

Website: http://ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk

The Co-op is working to support local causes and community organisations. Areas of support helps build stronger and more resilient communities including: fairer access to food, mental wellbeing services and education & employment for young people.

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Address: None, Lowestoft, -

Website: https://www.coop.co.uk/communities

Swell Music focuses on the rewarding powers of music to bring about positive change in people's wellbeing. By using music, the organisation's purpose is to enable members of our community to participate in high quality, fun activities in a supportive, safe and social environment.Swell Music works on a number of ways to help with peoples health and wellbeing, these projects include: Singing for Lung Health, Dementia, Sing to Beat Parkinson's and Neurodivergency.

Phone Number: 07917 799456

Address: -, East Suffolk, -

Website: https://swellmusic.org.uk/

The Broad-Way Players perform at The Seagull Theatre, Pakefield, Lowestoft and is an award-winning community-based theatre group with family values at its heart. They believe everyone who has a passion for the arts and theatre should have the opportunity to perform, no matter what their ability. The group encourage all their members to grow through experience and they do our best to accommodate everyone's interests. All it takes is dedication, supporting each other, and most importantly, having fun along the way. Involvement also includes community projects and events and they have worked closely with the Citizens Advice Bureau and regularly team up with the amazing charity Brainwave Independence Group, based in Lowestoft. So if you have always wanted to get involved with amateur theatre, but are not too sure where to start, get in touch on the website

Phone Number: 07476 010 490

Address: The Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft, NR33 0JH

Website: https://www.broad-wayplayers.co.uk/

Lowestoft's 'Our Fallen' project is a tribute to those people from the town and surrounding areas, who died because of two World Wars. It is probably the most complete record and includes photos, dates, places and memories. 'Our Fallen' gives details of people from Lowestoft and surrounding villages lost in the two world wars - honouring and remembering their sacrifice. As well as Lowestoft, other neighbouring areas included are: Barnby, Blundeston, Carlton Colville, Corton, Flixton, Lothingland Flixton, The Saints Gisleham, Kessingland, Lound, Mutford, Oulton, Oulton Broad, Rushmere, Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet. The inspiration for the our fallen project came from a Felixstowe project “Felixstowe Remembers” where as you can see they identified where people had lived and added posters to the relevant streets. To me this bought history to life and made me wonder if we could do something similar for Lowestoft? Special thanks to Darren Aitchison and his team.

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Website: https://ourfallen.lowestoftoldandnow.org/

Founded in 1967 and with many award-winning productions to their name, The Lowestoft Players are one of East Anglia's premier amateur theatre groups. For over 50 years the society has been performing pantomimes, musicals, plays and revues to packed audiences from across the region.The society usually performs two musicals, one play/revue and one pantomime per year. These productions are performed at 'The Marina Theatre' - or at the intimate 200 seater theatre 'The Players Theatre' which also doubles up as a rehearsal and social venue. The society currently has over 100 active members who all contribute in their own way, either on the stage, behind the scenes or helping with social activities. The group has members from all across the local area and we always welcome new members aged 16 and above. In pantomimes and some musicals, junior members are required. Separate auditions are held for junior members. For details about upcoming auditons and performances, head to The Lowestoft Players website - email them at: info@lowestoftplayers.co.uk - or phone them on 01502 563614

Phone Number: 01502 563614

Address: Players Theatre, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE

Website: https://www.lowestoftplayers.co.uk/

The Seagull is a small not for profit community theatre in Pakefield, Lowestoft - and plays host to a regular stream of local talent, regional and national touring theatre companies and a vibrant selection of classes and community events. The theatre is run by volunteers, supported by three permanent staff members. Just get in touch with them at anytime and our dedicated team of volunteers will endeavour to assist you with any queries and ideas that you may have. The Seagull is a community venue working with and for you, to ensure this vital resource continues to thrive and contribute quality programming, facilities and opportunities to the area.. If you wish to volunteer at the theatre, please contact them using the form on their website or pop in for a chat. They offer opportunities across the whole business from technical operations and administration through to set building or front of house.

Phone Number: 01502 589726

Address: 19-75 Morton Rd, Pakefield, Lowestoft , NR33 0JH

Website: https://theseagull.co.uk/

East Suffolk Council and its partners are incredibly excited about the future of Suffolk's second biggest town and the opportunities to maximise its huge potential. With this in mind, they have begun to develop the ‘Lowestoft Story’ which will focus our energies and intends to explain and map out what makes Lowestoft special, competitive and different to other places. A story which every organisation and individual across the area can share and be part of.

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Website: http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk

TOPCATS is a charity that supports children and young people with additional needs based in Pakefield For more information about the group just go to: topcats.org.uk

Phone Number: 01502 531897

Address: Morton Rd, Lowestoft, NR33 0JH

Website: http://topcats.org.uk