Greetings from Lowestoft
Celebrating Lowestoft’s heritage as a popular seaside resort
“Greetings from Lowestoft” Postcard Competition
The picturesque town of Lowestoft, England’s, most easterly gem, recently played host to the “Greetings from Lowestoft” postcard competition, a celebration that brought together people of all ages and abilities. Over 150 wonderfully creative and colourful postcards were submitted, showcasing the love and enjoyment participants experienced while crafting their unique cards.
“We had such a good time making them,” expressed one participant, capturing the sentiment of the competition.
From Friday 15th December, through to 19th December 2023, all the captivating postcards were proudly displayed at the East Point Pavilion. The awards ceremony on Friday, December 15th at 5 pm, was an exciting highlight, with Suffolk poet Dean Parkin doing the honours.
The launch event was part of @firstlightlowestoft’s Christmas celebration, offering a festive atmosphere with choirs, performers, stalls, and delectable treats from the local traders at East Point Pavilion.
While everyone who entered is considered a winner, a panel of esteemed judges faced the challenging task of selecting six winning postcards. These selected pieces were reproduced and made available for free, allowing everyone to share their greetings from Lowestoft. Starting December 15th, these postcards can be obtained from various locations, including Lowestoft Library, the Windsor Art Gallery, The Kirkley Centre, and London Road South.
The distinguished panel of judges, consisting of Dean Parkin, Suffolk writer and poet; Kareena Chapman, Premises Manager Community Action Suffolk; Rebecca Styles, Heritage Action Zone and PSiCA Project Manager, East Suffolk Council; and the artist Sally Payne, evaluated the entries based on creativity and expression, innovation and originality, composition, and impact.
Our six, wonderful, winning postcards are featured on the image slider below.
Greetings from Lowestoft is funded through and delivered as part of the Lowestoft Heritage Action Zones (HAZ) run by East Suffolk Council in partnership with Historic England. These are heritage-led regeneration schemes which seek to enhance the appearance of the area through funding improvements to buildings; provide opportunities for more cultural activities; celebrate the town’s rich history and encourage communities to come together.
David Mottram 'Gil the Gull'
George Cunningham 'Lowestoft'
Jane Foreman, 'Lowestoft Britain's most Easterly Point'
K. Lay, 'Old Lowestoft'
Richard Sullivan, 'Lowestoft Town'
Sofia Stewart, 'Wake up in wonderful Lowestoft'
What inspired this project?
It was in 1847 that Samuel Morton Peto brought the railway to Lowestoft.
Although primarily intended to transport fresh fish out to cities such as Manchester and London, the trains also brought holiday visitors in to Peto’s new town resort, built in the rural parish of Kirkley, south of the harbour and along the south beach.
He constructed the first promenade, as well as a number of first rate villas and hotels, all of which attracted holiday makers to the town and Lowestoft quickly became a popular and successful seaside resort.
It is this rich heritage, along with the vibrancy of First Light Festival and the ambitions for the future embodied in the South Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone plan that inspired the Greetings from Lowestoft project.
I didn't realise the Parade was happening along London Road South - I will definitely get my family to come now and will use this postcard invitation to invite them along.
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Brave Artists send Greetings from Lowestoft
A collection of wonderful postcards of Lowestoft, created by our Brave Artists
Find out moreProject contact
Fran Speight, Project Officer (she/her)
Suffolk Artlink
Units 13 & 14
Malt Store Annex
The Cut, 8 New Cut
Halesworth
IP19 8BY
Telephone 07517 426707
Email fran@suffolkartlink.org.uk
Project partners, funders and supporters
This project was delivered through the Lowestoft Heritage Action Zones (HAZ), funded by East Suffolk Council and Historic England. The HAZs are heritage-led regeneration schemes which seek to enhance the appearance of the area through funding improvements to buildings, as well as provide opportunities for more cultural activities, celebrate the town’s rich history and encourage communities to come together.
