Festival to celebrate Broads Life comes to Beccles

A new one-day festival celebrating everything that is special about the Broads National Park is coming to Beccles Quay this summer.

man kayaking on the river waveney at beccles

The ‘Broads Life’ Festival, taking place on Saturday 11 June from 10am – 6pm, aims to attract people from around Norfolk and Suffolk to enjoy the Broads and discover the many things it has to offer.

Hosted by the Broads Authority as part of the National Lottery Heritage-funded Water, Mills and Marshes Scheme, the festival offers free activities, performances and workshops for families, all celebrating life in the National Park.

The day will feature various performances by local theatre companies, family activities, storytelling and workshops. Visitors are invited to explore the local countryside and River Waveney by day boat, ferry or on guided heritage walks.

Local businesses are also offering free taster sessions to try canoeing and sailing and other water activities.

Water and walking activities

Performances

  • Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina by Norwich Puppet Theatre, 10.30am and 12.30pm.
  • Booming Voices by Eastern Angles, 2.30pm and 7.30pm (ticketed event, see website). 
    Inspired by the wildlife, nature and people of the Broads, Booming Voices is a new play telling the unheard story of this magical landscape - a fusion of real voices, music and science.
  • The Miracle Egg by The Flying Shop of Imagination, 2pm. The Miracle Egg is an environmental fable for children and families about nature, birds and humans.
  • Pre-booking is not required for performances, except Booming Voices, which is a ticketed event. Book here: https://easternangles.co.uk/event/booming-voices

a photograph of the booming voices cast from eastern angles theatre company

More workshops and activities will take place throughout the day, run by the Broads Authority, RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the International Boat Building College, Broads Hidden Heritage and the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership.

Broads Authority Project Officer and Festival Organiser, Anna Collingbourne said:

“This festival will celebrate the Broads and will be a great day out for people of all ages.”

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for local people to enjoy their National Park, to cherish it, to learn more about it and to experience the river and marshes for themselves.”

The Broads Life Festival takes place on Saturday 11 June, 10am – 6pm, at Beccles Quay, Fen Lane, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9BB.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive by public transport, planning their journey at Traveline Info: https://www.traveline.info/

There are no available moorings for boats not already booked for the day at Beccles Quay, however there may be spaces at nearby Broads Authority 24-hour moorings.

Regular buses run between Norwich and Beccles and Beccles is connected by train to Lowestoft and Ipswich. Limited parking is available.

The Broads Life Festival is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Tuesday 3 May 2022

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