Calendar of our 2024 events
April 2024
Events at our Maritime Heritage Centre in Stiffkey aim to connect our community through engaging with our local maritime environment and heritage.
Every Sunday from the 7th April until the 27th October at 1:30pm we will be hosting a mingle with complimentary hot drinks and biscuits until 2pm.
Most Sundays during our 2024 season from 2pm we will be hosting an event that will celebrate, and explore our maritime environment.
Our Maritime Mingle events programme has been made possible due to the support of the National Lottery Community Fund.
May 2024
3rd May 7pm at Wells Maltings
Double bill at the Maltings, Wells-next-the-Sea on Thursday March 14 at 7pm. Tickets £10. Proceeds for local charities Rescue Wooden Boats and The Norfolk Churches’ Trust. Details of films and booking tickets here
Lucy Lavers - Return to Dunkirk (63') documents Lucy Lavers, following her restoration by Rescue Wooden Boats, as she joins other Dunkirk Little Ships to commemorate, 75 years on, her very first operation back in 1940 when she took part in the ‘miracle of Dunkirk’, rescuing the surrounded British Army. This film includes interviews with Dunkirk veterans and footage of the 2015 crossing to Dunkirk.
Still Life (37') tells the story of the troubled life of the Victorian benefactor whose generosity helped restore many North Norfolk Churches and who gave us the cabinet of curiosities that is the Glandford Shell Museum: Sir Alfred Jodrell. Using contemporary newspaper accounts and personal letters as well as the ledger of Jodrell’s Bayfield Estate, the film evokes his life around the turn of the 20th century through the changing landscapes of his beloved North Norfolk.
Chris Bell
Sunday 12th May 1:30pm for 2pm start
Chris Bell, storm chaser - "What weather will be cast?” Examining weather
forecasting."
£5
Maritime Mingle Event
Chris Bell, storm chaser, "What weather will be cast? Examining weather forecasting."
Sunday 12th May 2pm, Tickets £5
Chris Bell originates from Houston, Texas, and now calls Foxley in Norfolk his home. He is the Chief Communications Officer and Forecaster at Weatherquest Ltd, a commercial weather forecasting company, a Lecturer in Meteorology at the University of East Anglia, a part-time weather presenter for BBC Look East and a public speaker for Meteorology and Climate related topics. In his spare time he is a storm chaser and weather photographer.
We all want to know what the weather is going to be like. It is the most talked about ice-breaker, conversation maker that there is. Chris will be casting his spell over us all, giving us a unique insight into modern weather forecasting. If you’re planning a trip on your boat, a walk with the dog, or to leave your home at all, we all could do with a Chris to help us navigate the impending weather.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
Tim Jickells OBE
Sunday 19th May 1:30pm for 2pm start
Tim Jickells, OBE, "Examining the ebb and flow of the North Norfolk intertidal saltmarshes, how this complex system supports itself and the habitat that surrounds it"
£5
Maritime Mingle Event
Tim Jickells, OBE, "Examining the ebb and flow of the North Norfolk intertidal saltmarshes, how this complex system supports itself and the habitat that surrounds it"
Sunday 19th May 2pm, Tickets £5
Tim Jickells is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at UEA, retiring in 2018 after more than 40 years of teaching and research work all connected to the natural environment. He has published many scientific papers on wetlands and oceanography. He now lives in Wells-next-the-sea enjoying walking and cycling and is also a member of the Broads Authority and a trustee of How Hill.
Do you ever think of the North Norfolk coast being a complex series of interconnected environmental systems linked by the movement of water and sediment? The are represents a globally important wetland ecosystem where the flow of sediments and key nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, sustain the saltmarshes, providing flood protection, vital habitat and carbon storage. What is currently known about these processes? How have they evolved over time and may change in the future, depending on both the decisions we make about the management of the coast, and the impact of climate change? All these questions will be discussed at my talk.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
June 2024
Dr John Davies & Dr David Waterhouse
Sunday 16th June 1:30pm for 2pm start
Dr John Davies & Dr David Waterhouse, "Exploring our Deep History Coast, and what it tells us "
£5
Maritime Mingle Event
Dr John Davies and Dr David Waterhouse, "Exploring our Deep History Coast, what stories does it tell."
Sunday 16th June 2pm, Tickets £5
Join authors and experts Dr John A Davies and Dr David Waterhouse to discuss the topic of their book Exploring Norfolk's Deep History Coast, sharing their knowledge of the area's deep historical geology, landscape and creatures that once roamed here.
John was chief curator and keeper of archaeology for Norfolk Museums Service and in charge of the project to restore Norwich’s castle keep to its Norman heyday before he retired. David is a palaeontologist and evolutionary biologist. He was senior curator of natural history and geology for Norfolk Museums Service and is now curator of the Polar Museum at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge. He is also an artist and created illustrations for the book and its front cover.
Scientist and television presenter Prof. Alice Roberts, said: ‘This book takes you on a trip to the seaside and back into the depths of the Ice Age, walking in the steps of our distant ancestors.’
Be prepared to walk in the footsteps of your distant ancestors at the talk at the Maritime Heritage Centre, Stiffkey, at 2pm on 16th June. Tickets are £5 and there is an opportunity to purchase a signed booked from the authors too, £15 cash.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
Tasting & Masterclass: Dark & Stormy, the history of rum & gin
Sunday 30th June 1:30pm for 2pm start
Tasting & Masterclass: Dark & Stormy, the history of rum & gin
£12.50
Maritime Mingle Event
Tasting and Masterclass: "Dark & Stormy, the history of rum and gin and how the seas have shaped them. Followed by a masterclass and tasting with Black Shuck."
Sunday 30th June 2pm, Tickets £12.50
Do you know the history of Rum and Gin? They have both been shaped by our maritime evolution. Be prepared for things to get Dark and Stormy when we present you with the historical drink. We will guide you through the story of Rum and Gin, and then seamlessly roll onto the mini masterclass and tasting by the owners of the Black Shuck, Patrick and Sarah Saunders. Long supporters of our charity, they have created a gin especially for the Lucy Lavers. Black Shuck is named after the legendary Black Shuck, a ghostly black dog said to have roamed East Anglia. Their talk and masterclass will focus on the legend, the business and distillation of spirits. Booking essential.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
July 2024
Tasting & Talk: The history of wine shaped by rivers & oceans - includes wines
Sunday 14th July 1:30pm for 2pm start
Sophia Williams, Tasting & Talks: The history of wine shaped by rivers & oceans- includes wines. £13
Maritime Mingle Event
Sophia Williams, Wine educator, Tasting & Talk: "The history of wine shaped by rivers & oceans - includes wines.
Sunday 14th July 2pm, Tickets £13
Take your senses on a journey as we explore the history of wine in the context of how it has been shaped by its maritime heritage.
Tastes wines as they would have done in Ancient Greece. See what influence the Romans, Portuguese, the Gauls, English and French had on wine. All the wine styles that we have today have been heavily influenced by the oceans and by the rivers. It will be an historical wine tasting. A unique event.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm. Included wine will be on offer during the event.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
Event - Gansey Knitting
28th July - 1:30pm for 2pm start
Gansey knitting - drop in to chat & see the ancient craft of knitting Ganseys
£5
Maritime Mingle Event
Gansey knitting - drop in and chat to see the historic craft of knitting fishermen's Gansays.
Sunday 28th July 2pm, Tickets £5
Come and see the historic craft of knitting fishermen's Ganseys being demonstrated by the East Anglian Gansey Group.
A unique event where you can absorb and relish in this historic knit being kept alive by the enthusiasm of the East Anglian Gansey Group.
The Sheringham Gansey is probably the finest example of knitting in the world. The thinner the needles the denser the gansey, the warmer and more waterproof it was.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will have seating available to them.
August 2024
Maritime Heritage Festival and Flotilla, Tugboat Yard, East Quay Wells-next-the-Sea
3rd & 4th August 2024 Flotilla 5pm on Saturday
About our Maritime Heritage Festival
The Maritime Heritage Festival is the essence of what our charity aims to do - bringing together the historic local working boats afloat, together with the families who built and worked them, and tell their stories.
Come and see history in action afloat:
- Display of beautiful wooden 20th century fishing boats afloat - unique to this coast - and their stories
- A spectacular Flotilla (5pm Saturday) when all the boats process to the harbour mouth and back watched by many hundreds of people
- Onshore maritime themed entertainment, 2 bands each day, food, drink, stalls, demonstrations and activities for children
Detailed programme to come.
Last year there were 21 boats, close to the maximum of these boats remaining afloat. This year we hope for a few more. The two oldest boats are nearly ninety years old.
September 2024
Nigel Redman
1st September - 1:30pm for 2pm start
International bird guide, and author, Nigel Redman –“Coastal birds of the world, both near and far”
£5
Maritime Mingle Event
Nigel Redman, international bird tour leader and author hosting a talk on, "The birds we can engage with on the coastlines of the world both near and far."
Sunday 1st September 2pm, Tickets £5
Nigel is a lifelong birder and an experienced tour leader and bird guide. Over nearly four decades, he has led approximately 150 bird tours and has travelled to some ninety countries on all seven continents.In between these extensive travels, Nigel worked for twenty years as a leading publisher of bird books, retiring as the head of natural history for Bloomsbury Publishing in the UK. He is also the author of numerous articles and three books, including the acclaimed field guide, Birds of the Horn of Africa. His books “Where to watch British Birds” has emphatic reviews, "There could be no better guide than this book" Chris Packham. "Highly recommended...the best guide of its kind" RSPB Birds
During this talk he we will discuss the birds we can engage with on the coastlines of the world, both near and far.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
Folk art boat creation in wet felt - includes all materials, take your boat home.
Sunday 29th September 1:30pm for 2pm start
Connie Flynn, Workshop: Folk art boat creation in wet felt - includes all materials, take your boat home.
£35
Maritime Mingle Event
Connie Flynn, critically acclaimed artist, Workshop: Folk art boat creation in wet felt - includes all materials, take your boat home.
Sunday 29th Sept 2pm, Tickets £35
This experimental wet felt making workshop will be an opportunity to explore your own choice of wool fleece fibres to create a 2D decorative boat images in felt. You will begin by looking at images of folk art as a reference to develop your own inspirational ideas. Connie will bring a variety of colourful blended fleece for you to use. She will demonstrate the process and support you with your ideas throughout the workshop as and when needed. This workshop will give you an understanding of the wet felt making process, leading to endless possibilities for a handmade felted fabric outcome.
Complimentary hot drinks will be on offer before the talk begins at 2pm.
Limited tickets are available, all guests will be seated.
Our Maritime Mingle events programme has been made possible due to the support of the National Lottery Community Fund.
