Felixstowe News

23/10/2024

21/10/2024

19/10/2024

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14/10/2024

Skye Vincent, a local from Felixstowe, is currently fundraising for the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs for young people who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or conditions such as alopecia.

On Thursday, 17th October, Skye will be cutting off 16 inches of her hair to donate to the charity. She has been growing her hair for nearly five years and had long considered donating it. After researching the charity, she learned that while donated hair is essential, it still costs £500 to make a wig and an additional £200 to have it styled.

This inspired Skye to not only donate her hair but also raise money to help cover the costs of wig production. She recognises what a difference this can make to young people who have lost their hair and how difficult it must be for their self-esteem.

Skye is raising funds through JustGiving, and you can support her efforts by visiting her fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/skye-vincent-1727816786880?utm_term=BbajM388N&fbclid=IwY2xjawFp46hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHUUt-qc7AuQBZ1SMHcNI95cOZjp9IyLNbL-pBo8aYZxcq47dCeS0dAWang_aem_I4Mz9dV7MIop0D-NnkbsHw.

The Little Princess Trust was set up in 2005 in memory of Hannah Tarplee, who lost her hair during treatment for a Wilms Tumour. The charity has since provided thousands of real-hair wigs, free of charge, to young people up to the age of 24 who have lost their hair due to cancer or other illnesses.

Each wig costs £700 to produce, and the charity relies on donations to continue its work. Alongside providing wigs, The Little Princess Trust also funds vital research into more effective and kinder treatments for childhood cancers.

Every year, more than 2,000 wigs are given to young people, helping to restore their confidence and sense of identity during a challenging time.

11/10/2024

Tuesday Tunes is presenting a one off session on 29 October at Felixstowe Methodist Church @ Trinity, 26 Hamilton Rd, Felixstowe IP11 7AN. The church will be open from 11:00 and the music will start at 11:30.

‘Papy Ian and Friends’ will be a veritable musical feast of tunes and songs featuring guitars, piano, hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, fiddles, accordions, melodicas and recorder.

Come and join us on 29 October. Free refreshments, good company and fellowship.

The theme of the session is ‘Love’.

Donations for Lilypad (http://www.lilypad.fr/index-en.html) will be most welcome.

Tuesday Tunes 2025 will start on 7 January 2025.

10/10/2024

What are your thoughts on the proposed North Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood? Do you think it'll bring in needed investment in the town & help with the affordable housing crisis for young people? We'd love to know your thoughts. . .

10/10/2024

🎶🎨 Get Ready for WAMFest Felixstowe 2024! 🎨🎶

Over the next few days, Felixstowe is set to come alive with the incredible WAMfest Felixstowe 2024, a celebration of Women in Art and Music! Expect a weekend packed with concerts, workshops, literary events, and hands-on creative experiences all over town.

Friday, October 11th:
The festival kicks off in style at The Alex Brasserie with an evening of live music. Look forward to Bollywood sensation Nazneen Molu, accompanied by Jo Clements on piano. The line-up also includes the talents of Hannah Hammond, Jazz ensemble Birdland, and rockers Flair—plus, more exciting acts to be announced!

Saturday, October 12th:
The beautiful Harvest House hosts a day of literature, performance, and music in the Conservatory, with interactive author sessions, poetry, and live performances. Over in the Palm Court, enjoy music and multicultural dance performances, ranging from Moldovian and Indian to salsa, flamenco, and djembe drumming! Don’t miss the return of the Art Bazaar, offering stunning hand-crafted pieces—perfect for early Christmas shopping.

On Saturday night, the energy shifts to The Grosvenor for a live music party. Expect great vibes and an unforgettable night of female-led acts.

Sunday, October 13th:
Head to the Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley for a day of workshops, where you can try everything from creative writing and gong baths to group singing and stone carving. Fancy something different? There's even a burlesque workshop! The day wraps up with a relaxing session by My Therapy Solutions.

Throughout the festival, you can also enjoy a week-long exhibition at 142 Gallery on Hamilton Road, starting October 10th, showcasing incredible visual art by women.

Organiser Laura Locke and her team have curated a fantastic line-up, with a strong focus on multiculturalism and inclusivity. WAMFest offers a platform for emerging talents alongside established stars of the local scene, promising something for everyone.

🎟 Tickets available now on Ticket Source!
Full day tickets for Harvest House and Two Sisters are available for £15 or £30, so book early to avoid missing out on this fabulous weekend.

For more info, visit our website: www.wamfestfelixstowe.art

Let’s make this WAMFest the best one yet!

10/10/2024

The 2024 nesting season resulted in 11 detected Ringed Plover clutches with chicks being observed in June. Additionally, a greater number of birds were recorded feeding on the shoreline and a reduction of wildlife disturbing activities and beach litter was noted
Landguard Nature Reserve

10/10/2024

Su Pollard - Still Fully Charged! Live at the Spa Pavilion Felixstowe

Oh ‘eck! It’s been 50 years... and Su Pollard is still going strong!

Join Su Pollard, live on stage at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, for a night of side-splitting laughter, fabulous songs, and unforgettable stories as she celebrates her 50 remarkable years in show business.

From her first appearance on Opportunity Knocks (where she famously lost to a singing dog), to her beloved role as chalet maid Peggy in Hi-de-Hi!, to starring in hit West End shows like Godspell, Annie, and Little Shop of Horrors, Su has been a staple of British entertainment. More recently, she’s continued to steal scenes on TV in Celebrity Masterchef, Gimme Gimme Gimme, and Would I Lie To You? And now, Su is back on the road with her new one-woman show, Still Fully Charged.

Get ready for an evening of hilarious anecdotes, songs from her favourite shows, behind-the-scenes tales from her diaries, and maybe even the return of a familiar character or two! With her musical director Steven Edis by her side, Su will have you laughing, singing, and reminiscing throughout this fun-filled evening.

Don't miss this chance to see a true national treasure in action – Su Pollard is still fully charged and ready for anything!

Saturday 16th November 2024 – 7:30pm
Spa Pavilion Theatre, Felixstowe
Tickets: £30.50
https://thelittleboxoffice.com/spapavilion/event/view/200656

04/10/2024

We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Trevor Lockwood, co-founder of Felixstowe Radio and a great supporter of Felixstowe News.

Trevor’s influence on local radio and his commitment to the community will be remembered for years to come. His legacy will live on through the work he started and the connections he made. Rest in peace, Trevor.

Portrait by Lois Cordelia

04/10/2024

On 24 August 1941, the British steamship SS Skagerak, travelling from the Tyne to Ipswich with a cargo of coke, tragically struck a sea mine in the River Orwell. This was one of many areas along the Suffolk coast where tens of thousands of mines were laid during the Second World War.

Sea mines, often recognised by their spherical shape covered with horns, typically contained 100 to 500 pounds of explosives. Both British and German forces used these mines during the war. Britain deployed them defensively to protect its shipping lanes, while Germany attempted to disrupt those same routes by laying offensive mines at the entrances to ports and key channels.

Unlike depth charges, which are deployed to target specific vessels, sea mines are passive devices. They are placed in the water and left to wait until triggered by the proximity or contact of a ship. Clearing these mines was a long and hazardous task, with remnants still being neutralised well into the late 1950s. Today, they occasionally reappear, posing ongoing risks for offshore wind farm developers and dredging operations.

Seventeen of the 24 crew members aboard the SS Skagerak, along with the ship’s pilot, tragically lost their lives in the explosion on 24 August 1941. Below are the names of some of those who perished:

1. Erik Cordsen – Fireman & Trimmer, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

2. Helge Stephan Enjolfsson (24) – Steward, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

3. Frederick France (27) – Able Seaman (C/JX 265699), Royal Navy, †24/08/1941, Son of Arthur and Annie France; husband of Hilda France, Sheffield, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

4. Kristen Hansen (41) – First Mate, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Ipswich Crematorium

5. Georg Johan Jensen (58) – Steward, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Harwich Cemetery

6. Erland August Johanssen (47) – Second Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

7. Alfred Haagenlund Jorgensen (36) – Fireman & Trimmer, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Son of Kai A. Jorgensen, Aalborg, Denmark, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

8. Niels Peter Kanstrup (47) – First Engineer, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Son of Soren Peter and Karoline Jensigne Kanstrup; husband of Meri Anna Kanstrup, Snekkersten, Denmark, Memorial: Shotley (St. Mary) Churchyard

9. Egdine Knudsen (18) – Ordinary Seaman, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

10. Holger Viktor Norring (35) – Second Officer, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Son of N. P. and Karen Norring; husband of Esther Norring, Aalborg, Denmark, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

11. Saren M. Sandberg (49) – Donkeyman, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

12. Robert Dominic Selby (39) – Fireman & Trimmer, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, (served as Rex Re*****on), husband of Mary Selby, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

13. Heine Sorensen (20) – Cook, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941, Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial

14. Christen Thejsen (45) – Master, Merchant Navy, †24/08/1941,
Memorial: Ipswich Crematorium

02/10/2024

🎉 Win 2 Tickets to See Swan Lake – The Greatest of All Romantic Ballets at Spa Pavilion Felixstowe! 🩰

‼️ Please read important notice below, about scammers, as these posts do often get targeted

We’re giving away 2 tickets to experience Swan Lake, performed live by the renowned Crown Ballet® at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe on Thursday, 17th October 2024, at 7:30 PM!

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness one of the most famous ballets of all time. After last year’s hugely successful tour, Crown Ballet® is back to captivate audiences once more with this breath-taking production of Swan Lake.

Featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score and stunning performances, it’s a ballet filled with beauty, romance, and mystery. The story follows Odette, a princess cursed to live as a swan, and Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with her.

Alongside this tragic love story is Odile, Odette’s mysterious double. Will the prince's love be strong enough to break the spell?

How to Enter: To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question and email your response to [email protected]:

Quiz Question: Who composed the music for Swan Lake?
A) Ludwig van Beethoven
B) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
C) Frédéric Chopin

Be sure to include your full name and contact details in your email. For more information on the event, visit:

https://thelittleboxoffice.com/spapavilion/event/view/102695

Deadline to enter: 12th October 2024

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE ⚠️

The official Felixstowe News page will NEVER ask for personal details or payment information via Facebook to enter any competition.

Please stay alert for suspicious links, especially those posted in the comments by fake profiles posing as Felixstowe News.

Once we’ve selected a winner, we will update this post to say 'COMPETITION NOW CLOSED' to confirm that a legitimate member of our team has made the change.

Please note, there is no cash alternative for this prize. The winner will receive 2 free tickets (worth £64) to see Swan Lake on Thursday, 17th October 2024, at 7:30 PM (one night only).

27/09/2024

Tickets still available

23/09/2024

22/09/2024

Photos taken at the Art exhibition ‘JETSAM’- a collaborative exhibition of marine and coastal inspired artwork by Rachel Shohet & Barrie White.
Open until 25th September at the 142 gallery on Hamilton Road; 10am-4pm

📷: Thank you to Gillian Atacocugu for the photos ❤️

21/09/2024

Come and join us for an evening of Folk Music at the Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club and help raise funds for Coastwatch.

This is our sixth Live at the Ferry and, so far, they’ve all been sell outs!

tickets (£10). The bar opens at 18:45. All profits go to Coastwatch.