Outdoor Activities

First Light Festival is a free 24-hour multi arts festival in a beautiful coastal setting. Celebrating one cycle of midsummer sun setting and rising over the beach in Britain’s most easterly town.

An excellent night out, for its time the film even had some special effects! Stephen’s live soundtrack added to the mood. The headphones provided gave an immersive experience and the film story kept us on the edge of our deckchair (no spoilers!)

I would encourage everyone to check out the next Screen on the sands.

For this unique beach cinema experience on the eve of 2022’s Festival, pianist Stephen Horne provides a live, improvised soundtrack to the 1926 silent masterpiece, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans. 

Explore the art of wildlife photography, with award-winning photographer Kevin Sawford, in the beautiful surroundings of the Trust’s Carlton Marshes nature reserve then enjoy a light meal and exclusive use of the new café & terrace, where you can capture views over the marshes in the late afternoon/early evening once the centre has closed to the public.

First Light happened! Rain, a thunderstorm, premature burning, stunning kites, magic music, tear-making moments, delicious oysters, some excellent rants, and a beautiful Sunday morning.

I only managed to experience a smidgeon of what was on offer in the 24 hours, but those moments were worthwhile indeed.

Andy Sheppard's evening jazz set, the Shanties, the Coronation Kings (who movingly celebrated Father's day and Lowestoft's amazing musical heritage), and Group A were my particular highlights.

a flotilla of 25 historic vessels will sail out of the harbour for a race not held in the town for decades. Explore the Vessels Festival on the quayside, too, with live music, food and art stalls. 

This will be the 25th anniversary race, organised by Waveney Valley Athletic Club, taking in the historic scores in Lowestoft. Starting and finishing in the upper high street, competitors can be assured of a great atmosphere and plenty of spectators.

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

This outdoor fitness area for adults is now open also one at Fen Park

North Lowestoft Men's Shed has finally begun turning a dream into reality. Not quite the reality we expected, but nevertheless a huge stride towards our final goal.

Within a couple of months, we hope to be staring out from the door of a container at a piece of land we can transform into a community garden or wildlife garden, wondering how we're going to do it!

The area is the piece of scrubland betwixt Lowestoft Station car park and our ultimate goal, the building next to the signal box in Denmark Road.

[First published around January 2023, edited for historical accuracy of photo 12/11/2023]

We're still in mid-stride!

The three surveys of the building in Denmark Road that we have been waiting for have been given the OK to go ahead. So let's hope they are done nice and quickly, as the results – asbestos, electrical, structural – will decide whether we will be able to continue our journey.