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New film A Surge of Memories to show how 1953 North Sea floods affected Suffolk as Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Ipswich plan events




It was described as one of the worst peace-time disasters in the UK, and a new film will show how it devastated the East of England.

Titled A Surge of Memories, the picture takes accounts from survivors, family members, or people who managed to capture memories of those lost in the 1953 North Sea floods.

The disaster battered coastal towns, including Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Southwold, with Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex being among the worst-hit.

A new film will depict the 1953 floods and how they affected the East of England. Picture: East Suffolk Council (62100476)
A new film will depict the 1953 floods and how they affected the East of England. Picture: East Suffolk Council (62100476)

Created by the Coastal Partnership East, made up of East Suffolk Council, North Norfolk District Council and East Suffolk Council, in partnership with the Anglian Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, the film was made to commemorate the storm surge’s 70th anniversary.

It is estimated that about 307 people died in England during the evening of January 31 to February 1, 1953.

This includes 41 in Felixstowe and five in Southwold.

Felixstowe during the flood. Picture: Suffolk Archives
Felixstowe during the flood. Picture: Suffolk Archives

The floods affected Scotland, England, Belgium and The Netherlands.

It was the worst storm surge disaster for 60 years.

The film also reflects on the 2013 floods that swept the region.

Richard Powell, chairman of the Anglian Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, said the authority was aware that communities would come together to remember the disaster, and wanted to create something to mark the occasion.

He noted the floods led to a major rethinking of coastal defences, weather forecasting and warning systems.

Mr Powell added: “On this 70th anniversary of the great floods of 1953, we hope that the film will help more people to learn about the stories of people along our Norfolk and Suffolk coast, some sadly no longer with us.

"We would like this film to be their voice so that they will be heard and remembered.”

The partnership said the film finished by looking at future challenges coastal communities could face, especially with regards to climate change and how that could affect weather patterns.

41 people in Felixstowe died in the floods. Picture: Suffolk Archives
41 people in Felixstowe died in the floods. Picture: Suffolk Archives

The floods left a lasting impact on the places they affected.

As a result, many places will mark the occasion with a list of events.

Felixstowe will host a series of events and services, headlined by the release of a new book on the harrowing floods, including tales from survivors and a list of those from the town who died.

This includes a procession of lights starting from Langer Road school, which was flooded and in an area that was among the worst affected.

It took weeks for all the water to be drained. Picture: Suffolk Archives
It took weeks for all the water to be drained. Picture: Suffolk Archives

Lowestoft will also host a series of events.

Three exhibitions will take place at the Lowestoft Centre for the Arts and Heritage in Old Nelson Road, organised by the Jack Rose Old Lowestoft Society.

These are the ‘Wall of Water’ picture exhibit by Lowestoft Museum, a display detailing the loss of the trawler Guava by the town’s port research society, and ‘A Night to Remember’ by the Jack Rose society.

In addition, Lowestoft Town Council has commissioned a plaque to pay respects to the crew-members lost when the Guava sank.

A spokesperson for the authority, said: “It is often reported that nobody perished in the flood in Lowesoft.

"However, these 11 lives – with nine being from the down – were lost that night.”

The plaque is set to be unveiled on January 31 at 10am at South Pier.

Suffolk Archives and the University of Suffolk will also be hosting talks about the event at The Hold in Fore Street, Ipswich.

These will take place on Saturday, February 4, and will focus on the impact the floods had on the county.

Speakers include Dr John Greenacre, Dr Harvey Osborne and Denise Parkinson from the University of Suffolk, Dr Christopher Hilton from Britten Pears Arts and Peter Langford from the Suffolk Resilience Forum.

Topics up for discussion will include why the floods were so deadly, what the implications were for the county's coastlines, how effective the emergency response was, and whether Suffolk is prepared for similar disasters in the future.

A Surge of Memories is available for download from the Coastal Partnership East website.

Alternatively, a USB with the film on it can be requested by emailing the council.

Karen Thomas, head of the partnership, said: “It is important that we remember the events of 1953 and of 2013, those that were affected and the lessons that we learnt from such devastating times.

“Today, we are facing the challenges of a changing climate, rising sea-levels and increased storminess.

"Our coast is one of the fastest eroding coasts in north-western Europe and the next five years are crucial in creating the tools needed to help vulnerable communities on our coast to develop, adapt and be sustainable for generations to come.”



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