Maritime Festival 2019

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2019.  Picture: James Bass Photography

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2019. Picture: James Bass Photography

Last weekend the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival returned to Southquay for its 20th anniversary. This year featured some very special last minute guests with the Royal Navy’s HMS Bangor arriving on Friday Afternoon, and Turner Iceni wind farm vessels arriving Saturday morning to join the tall ship Minerva, the steam ship George Stephenson, Seafolk Arts Marie (complete with stage and performances), Broads beat, Norfolk lowland rescue and Great Yarmouth’s very own Lydia Eva with the Great Yarmouth & Gorleston RNLI arriving on Sunday morning. The Minerva made several sailing trips with HMS Bangor, George Stephenson, Lydia Eva and all the Turner Iceni boat allowing visitors on board. At its peak there were twelve vessels moored along the quayside for the event.

A wide variety of sea shanty and folk music played across different venues throughout the weekend, with newcomer the Marie stage boat proving very popular.

The large crowds were kept entertained by several unusual acts including the beach patrol lifeguards, Lobster a la cart, Inner State Theatre Company, Captain Jack and of course the events own Horatio Herring. Makendooo Workshop and Miraiker’s Punch and Judy were also on hand to keep the children entertained.

The East Norfolk Militia provided re-enactment demonstrations during the day, with the heritage quarter retelling the history of Great Yarmouth.  The Town hall also complemented the event by allowing public access to areas not generally open to the public. The event had a wide range of stalls, charity organisations and catering outlets, many of which had a maritime theme to complement the event.

Chairman of GYTABIA Lyndon Bevan said “The Maritime Festival is a fantastic event for Greater Yarmouth and we will ensure that the legacy will continue and go from strength to strength.  We would like to thank everyone who took part in making it a success and thank the generosity of our sponsors, Seajacks, E.ON, Equinor, Gardline and Cavalier Chalets and also to thank Turner Iceni for bringing their vessels in from their berth in Lowestoft to enhance and support the festival

GYTABIA Company Secretary Matt Smith said “Having the Minerva to take the public out for sailings and working with the Royal Navy has been absolutely fantastic.  We are looking forward to planning ahead for next year to make it bigger and better.

The event is organised by Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area (GYTABIA) www.gyta.com

For more information about Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival go to www.maritime-festival.co.uk or on social media www.facebook.com/maritimefestival

Media contact

Issued by Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area

Contact Asa Morrison at GYTABIA on 01493 331532 or info@gyta.com