Latest news with #FirstLightFestival
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
First Light Festival to return to Lowestoft beach for fifth year
Thousands of people are expected to attend the UK's only free beach festival this Light Festival will take place on South Beach in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on Saturday and Sunday for its fifth year.A range of musical acts and dance performances are scheduled across the two days while there will also be a community catwalk for the second year temperatures are expected to near 25C over the weekend, the NHS is urging people to stay safe in the sun. What is First Light Festival? This year marks the fifth instalment of the is organised by First Light Festival Community Interest Company (CIC), a not-for-profit organisation based in charity said on its website it aims to "shine a spotlight on our incredible part of the world".The festival itself has a partnership with the borough and county councils and Arts Council England and it is held on the weekend closest to the summer is completely free to attend and a ticket is not required unless you plan to attend one of the Sundown events on Saturday night in the town following the end of the beach programme. What can I do at the event? Each year the festival enjoys an opening parade, with this year's kicking off from East Point Pavilion at 11:00 here visitors can enjoy a range of musical acts across the festival's there is much more than can be enjoyed including yoga sessions, line dancing, comedy shows for children, talks, poetry and even cloudspotting for beginnersA full schedule of events is available on the festival's website. What are the timings? From 12:00 to 21:30 on Saturday, the beach will be filled with activities as well as Kensington Gardens just off the 22:00 to 02:00 the festival moves into the venues around the town for the ticketed Sundown Sunday, people will gather from 03:30 to 05:00 to watch the sunrise as part of the summer solstice. From 10:00 until 16:00 the rest of the events kick off on the beach again. How can I get there? Festival organisers are keen to encourage visitors to make use of public transport where possible or walk/cycle to the are cycle routes to the festival side and there is free bicycle operator Greater Anglia will run an additional late train from Lowestoft to Ipswich on Saturday to help people get additional service will depart Lowestoft at 23:05 and arrive at Ipswich at 00: those travelling onwards to Stowmarket and Diss, a train from Ipswich will depart at 00: services are also available with the nearest stop being Claremont those who have to travel by car, there is a park and walk site located at Kirkley & Pakefield Football Club which costs £5 for the day of £8 for both days. What about the hot weather? Forecasts suggest Lowestoft will see plenty of sunshine over the festival with highs or 22C on Saturday and 24C on James Mapstone, a consultant in public health at West Suffolk Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds, has five tips people should follow during the hot weather:Drink plenty of water to stay hydratedKeep homes and buildings cool by keeping blinds and curtains shut during the dayAvoid the sun between 11:00 and 15:00Wear loose, light clothingConsider the vulnerable including children, the elderly and those with conditions What else is happening? As well as First Light Festival, there are a number of other big events taking place over the That's Gary Barlow will be performing at High Lodge, Thetford Forest on the Suffolk/Norfolk border on on Saturday, St Elizabeth Hospice kicks off its Hop to it! art trail in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Beccles and Sunday, Ipswich's Cornhill will play host to the Suffolk Windrush Celebration where there will be music, market and food stalls and an exhibition from Suffolk Windrush and the Suffolk Black Community Organisation. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Caswell: 'Confidence holds so many women back'
The Suffolk singer-songwriter Caswell was one of the local acts who supported Ed Sheeran on his Divide tour in Chantry Park in 2019 - and has since been developing her own unique has a busy summer schedule - a new single, an album on the way and festival performances starting with First Light in Lowestoft on 21 in her own words, she talks about her creative voice, empowering others - and staying out of her comfort zone. I tend to work with a fusion of genres, but what connects it altogether is my top line (which is what we call the melody and lyrics in the music industry).My voice is quite ethereal, it's quite high, so I feel like it's got a signature sound but I honestly was so nervous for such a long time. I had quite low self-esteem as a young musician and that is something that I've really built; doing open mics around Suffolk and doing all of the small gigs and putting myself out there continuously... so now it's like my stage presence is one of my strongest more I have grown and developed, the more I want to use my creative voice to express some of those things that I feel are most important to me; women's rights and self expression.I work with lots of different community groups but one thing I'm most passionate about is empowering young women and girls to have that confidence to follow their aspirations. 'Integrity' Confidence holds so many women back, so many people back. And if that is something we can help build and give people that self-belief that they deserve to have their voice heard - that is what is really important to me because I can kind of see myself in those young people that lack that confidence. I try to have integrity throughout everything I do, rather than just the public facing side of things and honestly, every day, I have to work against the negative voices in my head, that tell me to be smaller, 'don't come in to do the radio interview, don't go and talk to those young people you've got got nothing to offer them'.I put myself out of my comfort zone all the time because I believe that really matters. And by constantly pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone, I know that I'm going to be growing, rather than staying within my limits.I did a recent fundraiser for Future Female Society, a grass roots women's charity based in Ipswich. I have worked with them as an artist facilitator, so it is really important to me to support local charities like that because you see directly the work that they do. You meet the people they are positively affecting, hearing some of the stories of the changes in people's lives is incredible. Playing First Light feels fantastic because I went there last year and the weather was is set up so well with a real community vibe. I love that it's free and it is accessible for all, and the main stage is very impressive. I'm really privileged to be able to perform with my band and I've never performed in Lowestoft. I guess First Light is giving opportunities to Lowestoft for performers to come through because previously I don't know that I would have had many opportunities to perform there. I'm also playing Rock and Roll Circus in Norwich and McFly are headlining. I was so excited when I got asked because it's like my childhood dreams.I've also got an album coming out later this year, so I have a couple of really big shows around that which I have not announced yet. It's my first ever album and it's got funding from PRS And Help Musicians, so it has been very independently done and I'm really excited to finally share it. The First Light Festival runs 21-22 June on Lowestoft beach. The main event is free and open to all, some evening shows are ticketed. Final Call was released on 13 June. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Banksy, Britten and The Darkness inspire youngsters
Composer Benjamin Britten, The Darkness and Banksy are being cited as positive influences for young people in an English seaside town. Six students from three different high schools in Lowestoft have used the inspirations to help them write the 2025 Suffolk Day proclamation. Their words, focusing on a "brighter future" for Britain's most easterly town, have been read at the Houses of Parliament ahead of a ceremony in Lowestoft on Suffolk Day - which is taking place on Saturday 21 June. Suffolk Day, inspired by Yorkshire Day, was started in 2017 and is celebrated on the summer solstice, as Ness Point is the first to see the sunrise. Lily-Rose and Tilly from Benjamin Britten Academy, Beth and Ella from Ormiston Denes Academy, and Willow and Naomi from East Point Academy each wrote parts of the proclamation. It starts with: "We want to tell you about the bright future that awaits Lowestoft. A place where creativity and community thrive." Beth, 15, included references to Suffolk councils declaring a climate crisis in 2019, and pledging action. She said: "It does provide our area with hope, because we can see the impact it has had on our local area." The proclamation continues: "Art and culture are the bright future of Lowestoft. "We are the birthplace of Benjamin Britten and his inspirational music that transcended the globe. "We are the canvas for Banksy's spraycation. We are home to three flourishing theatres. "Moreover, Lowestoft was the maiden voyage for the award-winning band The Darkness." Lily-Rose said: "There's a lot of art around the town. They've done lots to incorporate arts and culture where we live." The proclamation continues: "As we look ahead, Lowestoft stands tall as a beacon of progress and pride - a town where the spirit of innovation meets the warmth of tradition. "From our historic roots to our forward-thinking future, we are a community united by purpose and place." The Suffolk Day ceremony includes presenting medals to celebrate community achievements, and moves to a different host town each year. This year events in Lowestoft coincide with the annual First Light Festival, which takes place on the beach on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. The Darkness squash Latitude 'bugbear' Benjamin Britten statue will be put up next summer 'Wow moment' as work begins on offshore wind farm A guide to Banksy's 'Great British Spraycation' Suffolk Day First Light Festival
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Seaside town named among UK's most affordable places to live set for huge £6million waterfront revamp
Rising costs and delays rule out opening of restaurant and cafe complex in time for Victorian town's world famous summer solstice festival MAJOR REVAMP Seaside town named among UK's most affordable places to live set for huge £6million waterfront revamp Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SEASIDE town named as one of the most affordable places to live in the UK is set to get a brand new £6m waterfront revamp. The beachside project is set to include a two-storey restaurant and cafe area. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Lowestoft is home to the popular First Lights Festival, a 24-hour beach arts event, which celebrates the UK's first sunrise Credit: Alamy Jubilee Parade will also include three new leisure concession units, public toilets and changing facilities. A new lift will also be installed to improve access to the seafront for beach-goers with mobility issues and pushchairs. It comes as a recent report by property portal Zoopla highlighted Lowestoft, in Suffolk, as one of the most affordable places to live in the UK. Zoopla found that 80% of towns in the south of England now have average prices more than four times household income. 6 An artist's impression of the new seafront cafe and restaurant complex in Lowestoft Wisbech in Cambridgeshire is the only town in the south of England with prices below three times income while Lowestoft, Wisbeth, Great Yarmouth and Peterborough were among the most affordable towns. The £6 million waterfront revamp is expected to make the town even more attractive to homebuyers – though it's been a lengthy process with completion of the project now expected 'later this year' following delays in the tendering process. The delays also mean the project will not be completed in time for the popular First Light Festival in the town, which celebrates the summer solstice in June. The quaint seaside town holds an interesting claim to fame as it's the first place in the UK to see sunrise each morning. 6 Ness Point in Lowestoft is the most easterly point in the UK Credit: Alamy The beach town is home to Ness Point, the UK's most easterly point. Overlooking the sea, Ness Point is marked by a large metal plate on the ground. Deck chairs are often spotted along the promenade, with visitors travelling throughout the night during the summer solstice to watch the sunrise. The redevelopment of facilities comes after East Suffolk Council was awarded £4.3 million through the Government's Levelling Up Fund in March 2023. A further £600,000 investment from East Suffolk Council's capital programme pushed the total cost of the project to just below £5 million. 6 The seaside town is home to all the usual seaside attractions such as a Victorian-style pavilion and several beaches Credit: Alamy With planning permission granted early last year, the project - which forms the third phase of the Jubilee Parade vision, with the development to complement the Eastern Edge beach huts next to it - started in April last year. It saw the existing 1930s structures on Jubilee Parade demolished, with the promenade extended onto the beach, as Sunrise at Zak's relocated to a temporary building nearby and temporary toilets were installed. This first phase of works was completed last summer. 6 Lowestoft's South Pier and Triton statue are popular with locals and tourists The second phase of the project - involving the construction of the main building - was initially expected to start in June last year, and expected to be completed by Spring 2025. But with delays in the tendering process for the second phase and increased costs - which has seen the total cost of the overall scheme now reach £6 million - work started around three months later in September. This has now pushed the overall timeframe for completion of the second phase back. This week the council said that while "funding for the entire project has been secured," and it "remains scheduled for completion later this year," it will not however be complete by the time the First Light Festival opens in June. The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches A council spokesman said: "The first phase of construction was completed last summer, with some beach huts moved to create space for temporary toilets and cafe to be installed. "The existing structures were demolished, and the promenade extended onto the beach. "After a pause for the summer season, the second phase of construction began in the autumn last year and remains scheduled for completion later this year. "So far, the second phase of work has focused on engineering works to secure the site, including foundations and piling. "These works are progressing well." 6 Attractions in Lowestoft include this seafront train that runs near the Pavilion Credit: Alamy The council said the lift will connect the Upper Esplanade with the Lower Promenade, providing access to the restaurant space and first floor Eastern Edge beach huts. The council spokesman added: "Work on the structure of the building will begin upon completion of the ground works. "The new complex will greatly improve the facilities on offer at this part of the seafront and will also increase seafront access for everyone, and we are looking forward to its completion later this year. "We have seen increased costs however funding is secured for the entire £6m project. "In August last year, the council took the decision to reallocate funding from the railway station project to provide further support for key Lowestoft regeneration projects, including Jubilee Parade. "The construction will not be complete by the time of the First Light Festival, but will be completed later in the year."
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Seaside town named among UK's most affordable places to live set for huge £6million waterfront revamp
A SEASIDE town named as one of the most affordable places to live in the UK is set to get a brand new £6m waterfront revamp. The beachside project is set to include a two-storey restaurant and cafe area. 6 Lowestoft is home to the popular First Lights Festival, a 24-hour beach arts event, which celebrates the UK's first sunrise Credit: Alamy A new lift will also be installed to improve access to the seafront for beach-goers with mobility issues and pushchairs. It comes as a recent report by property portal Zoopla highlighted Lowestoft, in Suffolk, as one of the most affordable places to live in the UK. Zoopla found that 80% of towns in the south of England now have average prices more than four times household income. 6 An artist's impression of the new seafront cafe and restaurant complex in Lowestoft Wisbech in Cambridgeshire is the only town in the south of England with prices below three times income while Lowestoft, Wisbeth, Great Yarmouth and Peterborough were among the most affordable towns. The £6 million waterfront revamp is expected to make the town even more attractive to homebuyers – though it's been a lengthy process with completion of the project now expected 'later this year' following delays in the tendering process. The delays also mean the project will not be completed in time for the popular First Light Festival in the town, which celebrates the summer solstice in June. The quaint seaside town holds an interesting claim to fame as it's the first place in the UK Most read in The Sun 6 Ness Point in Lowestoft is the most easterly point in the UK Credit: Alamy The beach town is home to Ness Point, the UK's most easterly point. Overlooking the sea, Ness Point is marked by a large metal plate on the ground. Deck chairs are often spotted along the promenade, with visitors travelling throughout the night during the summer solstice to watch the sunrise. The redevelopment of facilities comes after East Suffolk Council was awarded £4.3 million through the Government's Levelling Up Fund in March 2023. A further £600,000 investment from East Suffolk Council's capital programme pushed the total cost of the project to just below £5 million. 6 The seaside town is home to all the usual seaside attractions such as a Victorian-style pavilion and several beaches Credit: Alamy With planning permission granted early last year, the project - which forms the third phase of the Jubilee Parade vision, with the development to complement the Eastern Edge beach huts next to it - started in April last year. It saw the existing 1930s structures on Jubilee Parade demolished, with the promenade extended onto the beach, as Sunrise at Zak's relocated to a temporary building nearby and temporary toilets were installed. This first phase of works was completed last summer. 6 Lowestoft's South Pier and Triton statue are popular with locals and tourists The second phase of the project - involving the construction of the main building - was initially expected to start in June last year, and expected to be completed by Spring 2025. But with delays in the tendering process for the second phase and increased costs - which has seen the total cost of the overall scheme now reach £6 million - work started around three months later in September. This has now pushed the overall timeframe for completion of the second phase back. This week the council said that while "funding for the entire project has been secured," and it "remains scheduled for completion later this year," it will not however be complete by the time the First Light Festival opens in June. The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches A council spokesman said: "The first phase of construction was completed last summer, with some beach huts moved to create space for temporary toilets and cafe to be installed. "The existing structures were demolished, and the promenade extended onto the beach. "After a pause for the summer season, the second phase of construction began in the autumn last year and remains scheduled for completion later this year. "So far, the second phase of work has focused on engineering works to secure the site, including foundations and piling. "These works are progressing well." 6 Attractions in Lowestoft include this seafront train that runs near the Pavilion Credit: Alamy The council said the lift will connect the Upper Esplanade with the Lower Promenade, providing access to the restaurant space and first floor Eastern Edge beach huts. The council spokesman added: "Work on the structure of the building will begin upon completion of the ground works. "The new complex will greatly improve the facilities on offer at this part of the seafront and will also increase seafront access for everyone, and we are looking forward to its completion later this year. "We have seen increased costs however funding is secured for the entire £6m project. Read more on the Irish Sun "In August last year, the council took the decision to reallocate funding from the railway station project to provide further support for key Lowestoft regeneration projects, including Jubilee Parade. "The construction will not be complete by the time of the First Light Festival, but will be completed later in the year."
