Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Then & Now / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk September 21, 2013
Norwich and Norfolk opened its doors for free last weekend in the latest successful Heritage Open Days (HODs) festival. Held over four days, there were over 200 free events across Norwich, Broadland, Greater Yarmouth, South Norfolk, Thetford and further afield, enjoyed by thousands of heritage lovers.
Norwich’s Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART), who co-ordinate the Norwich events and organise the brochure for Norfolk, has received great feedback so far about the festival, with visitors saying “great event, eagerly looked forward to each year”, that Heritage Open Days is a “jewel in the crown of Norwich… basically good to be free in the current climate”, and that “the co-ordination involved in arranging such a large event was excellent”.
Early indications on visitor numbers look promising, with St. George’s Church at Shimpling reporting a quarter more heritage explorers this year, and both Diss Museum and St Peter Mancroft’s ringing chamber receiving double the number of Heritage Open Days visitors than last year. In 2012, Heritage Open Days in Norwich and Norfolk generated £755,725 for the local economy and were enjoyed by more than 43,000 visitors making over 150,000 visits.
The events give people a chance to look inside the county’s historic buildings, and explore houses, venues and shop areas normally closed to the public. Heritage lovers can enjoy more of the same with HEART’s new Supporter Scheme – designed for people who love heritage and want to help HEART to promote the city’s history, improve access and continue to provide great heritage events for the county. Supporters benefit from two exclusive annual events, such as talks on Norwich’s rich heritage and tours of buildings not normally open to the public, plus the award-winning Norwich 12 guidebook, discounts at Colman’s Mustard Shop & Museum, money-off vouchers for Norwich’s attractions and more. Full details and benefits of the scheme can be found at www.heritagecity.org.
Michael Loveday, Chief Executive of HEART said: “I wandered around a wide range of venues over the 4 days and was delighted to see hundreds of people discovering heritage gems for the first time. The only complaints I got were ‘all the best stuff was full before I booked’ and ‘you should do HODs more often’. Well we’re sort of addressing this through our new supporter scheme where people who sign up will get a chance to visit some of the most popular venues throughout the year as well early access to talks, publications and other offers. Next year is the 10th anniversary of us co-ordinating the event so we’d like it to be huge and our supporters can help us to make it so.”
HEART would love to hear visitors’ feedback on Heritage Open Days 2013 – please return any survey forms to HEART, The Guildhall, Gaol Hill, Norwich, NR2 1JS, or simply fill in the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HODs2013. You can also share your ‘best of’ HODs stories and photos on Twitter (@NorwichHEART) using #NorwichHODs and #NorfolkHODs or via the Facebook page Norwich HEART.
Norfolk’s Heritage Open Days is part of a national festival which is co-ordinated in partnership by The National Trust, the Heritage Alliance and Civic Voice.
HEART has co-ordinated HODs for the last nine years and is now one of the largest free heritage events in England and Wales outside London. The brochure is produced in partnership with Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, South Norfolk Council and Thetford Town Council which are responsible for organising events in their respective areas.
About Norwich HEART
Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) is a private, charitable trust set up to act as an umbrella organisation for all of the heritage on offer in Norwich. We strategically plan, regenerate, manage and promote Norwich’s heritage and act as a best practice model internationally for developing heritage as a social and economic regeneration vehicle. HEART receives support from bodies including the University of East Anglia and Norwich City Council and has received project funding from a variety of sources including European Union, HM Treasury, the East of England Development Agency and Norfolk County Council.
About Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days was established in 1994 as England’s contribution to European Heritage Days (EHD), The Council of Europe created European Heritage Days to bring people closer to their cultural heritage by throwing open the doors to historic monuments and buildings – preferably those which are usually either closed or are only partly accessible to the general public.
To ensure that no-one is excluded from enjoying the benefits of the event, the Council of Europe made it a key requirement that access to all properties taking part in EHD should be offered free of charge. European Heritage Days are held annually in September in 50 countries.
The UK is represented by The Heritage Open Days National Partnership, Open House London, Doors Open Days in Scotland, Open Doors Days in Wales and European Heritage Days in Northern Ireland.
About Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Tourism Division is pleased to facilitate the Borough’s Heritage Open Days events together with the Conservation Team. Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Conservation Department has an excellent reputation nationally for conservation-led regeneration and the repair and sustainable re-use of vacant and neglected historic buildings. Great Yarmouth is a top 10 UK seaside resort with heritage viewed as an important part of the area’s tourism offer. www.great-yarmouth.co.uk
About Broadland District Council
About South Norfolk Council
About Thetford Town Council
www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
About Moving Thetford Forward
Monarch Catering Services, Norfolk, Suffolk
