Heritage Open Days 2014 brochure launched

226 free events to discover Norfolk’s amazing heritage

Heritage Open Days is back in September, offering the chance to delve into Norwich and Norfolk’s fascinating and sometimes hidden heritage once again. This year’s festival runs 11^th to 14^th September with events celebrating the county’s fantastic heritage for everyone to enjoy. Co-ordinated by Norwich’s Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART), the bumper brochure launches today (4^th August), with 226 free events including open buildings, guided tours and walks, heritage literary events, exhibitions and performances – across Norwich, Thetford, South Norfolk, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk and further afield. The brochure was launched by HEART staff and representatives from around the county at RAF Coltishall, a new venue for this year’s Heritage Open Days.

Click image to download the Heritage Open Days brochure:

This year marks the 20^th anniversary nationwide of the Heritage Open Days scheme, and the 10^th run in Norwich by HEART – so look out for new and exciting events to mark the anniversaries. New event highlights include:

• The Guildhall Literary Day – talks on Norwich Murders, the Pettus family, the history of Bracondale, Robert Toppes, Julian of Norwich and more
• Norfolk in the First World War at Norfolk Record Office
• Kid’s Takeover Day at The Guildhall – the ‘Heritage Heroes’ will be your guides for the day – discover the fate of William Tuck in a Victorian trial re-enactment and make your own stained glass window
• Join the East Anglian Pilgrimage Network on two heritage walks – on the life of St Walstan, and William of Norwich
• Blitz Street – a life-size street scene transporting the visitor back to the 1940s to experience wartime life
• RAF Coltishall – a special tour around this 600-acre important WWII and Cold War site
• Meet the medieval moneyer to see how coins were made, at Thetford’s Great Information Centre
• Explore Barford’s history with a WWI weekend where the village pub is transported back to the early war years, and see WWI exhibitions and farm machinery
• See inside the Grade II listed Cromer Signal Box

HEART has co-ordinated Heritage Open Days in Norwich since 2004 and it is now one of the largest free heritage events in England and Wales outside London. The brochure is this year produced in partnership with Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, South Norfolk Council, Thetford Town Council and Visit North Norfolk. Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of HEART, said: “HEART took over the co-ordination and promotion of Heritage Open Days locally 10 years ago.

The year before we took over there were 12 events in Norwich attracting 5,000 visits, and this year we have an amazing 226 events in the brochure and more late additions on the website. This massive array is due principally to the enormous number of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who give their time to make the area’s ‘hidden heritage’ available to everyone.

So come and have a great time discovering the secret past of Norwich and Norfolk and let’s hope that this year we have an even greater impact on the local economy than the £800,000 of benefit we generated last year.” The Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Economic Development Sub-Committee, Councillor Beverley Spratt, welcomed this year’s Heritage Open Days programme: “We are pleased to include former RAF Coltishall as a new place for people to visit and to learn about the site’s important Second World War and Cold War heritage.

We are working with the Spirit of Coltishall Association on this, and I’m sure their expert guides will have some very interesting stories to tell”. Councillor Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich City Council said: “Heritage Open Days is a fantastic opportunity to really get to know some of our stunning heritage buildings. There are all sorts of fun and imaginative events going on so I would encourage everyone to get involved and enjoy this celebration of the wonderful history on our doorstep.” Cllr John Bracey, Broadland District Council Vice Chairman, said: “This has grown into a fantastic event with so many people and organisations opening their doors to visitors – some for the first time.

It’s thanks to the efforts of a vast number of volunteers, we have the chance to share so much of Norfolk’s fascinating history. “As an ex-RAF man, I’m also delighted that the launch is taking place at former RAF Coltishall – a site partly in Broadland which offers an insight into both WWII and cold war history.” Martin Wilby, Deputy Leader, South Norfolk Council said: “I would like to thank the building owners and guides for supporting the biggest free celebration of England’s architecture, history and culture.

This is an opportunity to discover ‘hidden’ buildings and to find out what is behind their front doors.” Cllr Michael Jeal, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Business, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “Heritage is a subject that is very close to my heart, and I’m delighted that the borough of Great Yarmouth is participating in Heritage Open Days again this year. Our area has an amazing maritime history and some beautiful architecture and buildings which I encourage people to get out and explore.” Corinne Fulford, Thetford Town Councillor said: “As they count down to Thetford’s Great Festival, which runs from 22nd August to 7th September, Thetford is busy preparing for Heritage Open Days this year.

For the first time ‘Michael the Moneyer’ will be making an appearance, so you can find out how coins were made in medieval times and maybe even take one away! There will be the chance to see much loved toys and games of past generations at Ancient House Museum, together with their WWI kitchen and new displays as part of Thetford Remembers 1914-1918 and the Mayor will be present to talk to people about the Town’s Regalia, which will also be on show.” Lucy Downing, Brand Manager, Visit North Norfolk said “Visit North Norfolk is delighted to be working with HEART in promoting Heritage Open Days.

Norfolk is rich in heritage and culture, and HODs is a great opportunity for everyone to explore the vast number of heritage sites for free. Use these days to experience heritage and you’ll discover that history is far from dull!” Some Heritage Open Day events require pre-booking and, due to their popularity and relatively limited capacity, it is recommended this is done as soon as possible.

However, for over half of the events no pre-booking is required and visitors can just drop in on the day.

The Heritage Open Days events brochure for Norwich and Norfolk is out now and available across Norfolk or to download from www.heritagecity.org/hods, where you can also request tickets for many pre-book events.

For more information visit www.heritagecity.org/hods or follow @norwichheart, #NorwichHODS and #NorfolkHODs on Twitter and Norwich HEART on Facebook.

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