A title page with a border of blue, with the writing of “Hi!” in light blue and below that “Mind the Gap” and an arrow in white, and then below that a rectangular boarder with a zig zag line at the top with full of white and the following partners and their logos listed: Historical England, East Suffolk Council, Voice cLoud, and Suffolk Archives Lowestoft.
A full colour postcard with two ladies, one on the left wearing a green dress and green shorts and light brown tights and the other one, on the right, wearing a blue dress and shorts and light brown tights. They are both standing as close to as possible a lifesaving rubber ring which has the following text at the top “Greetings from Lowestoft”. Inside the ring is a view of south pier, Lowestoft with the words “The Pier”. The pier has a brown wooden decking, fence, and main pier house visible. To the left of the pier is the main esplanade visible. There are two people on the pier which are standing together, in conversation. One is wearing white top and black trousers and the other is wearing an all-black dress. Behind them is a man looking out who is wearing a black suit and behind that is another person who looks to be wearing an all-black outfit.

c. 1930’s postcard from Lowestoft , with a view of the South Pier (1300/72/36/81)

A full colour postcard with two ladies, one on the left wearing a green dress and green shorts and light brown tights and the other one, on the right, wearing a blue dress and shorts and light brown tights. They are both standing as close to as possible a lifesaving rubber ring which has the following text at the top “Greetings from Lowestoft”. Inside the ring is a view of south pier, Lowestoft with the words “The Pier”. The pier has a brown wooden decking, fence, and main pier house visible. To the left of the pier is the main esplanade visible. There are two people on the pier which are standing together, in conversation. One is wearing white top and black trousers and the other is wearing an all-black dress. Behind them is a man looking out who is wearing a black suit and behind that is another person who looks to be wearing an all-black outfit.

c. 1930’s postcard from Lowestoft , with a view of the South Pier (1300/72/36/81)

Welcome!

‘Mind the Gap’ is a Lowestoft based cultural arts research project funded by Historic England through the London Road, Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone. This project is a collaboration between Suffolk Archives, Voice cLoud and the local community. Local volunteers have studied archival material to create this exhibition which offers people the chance to learn about and celebrate the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the of the town’s railway station on 1st July 1847. The research has also enabled Voice cLoud to work with professional actors and the local community to create a performance piece about the impact of the coming of the railway to Lowestoft and influence of Samuel Morton Peto on the town. Now, this exhibition has been transformed into an online display for all to enjoy

Samuel Morton Peto

Known as the Father of modern Lowestoft, Samuel Morton Peto was a pioneering railway entrepreneur and a MP. Before the arrival of the railway, Lowestoft was a fishing village on the cliff s to the north with the ‘Beach Village’ on the ‘Denes’ beach below.

1844 was a pivotal year for Samuel Morton Peto and the fortunes of Lowestoft. He purchased the Somerleyton Hall Estate and continued to drive the expansion of the railway network in East Anglia. His pioneering vision for Lowestoft included the development of Lowestoft as a prosperous fishing port, a principal trading port with northern Europe and an opulent holiday resort.

A black and white portrait of Sir Samuel Morton Peto taken in 1889. He is wearing a black outer coat and black waistcoat which is buttoned up, and the collar is neatly done. Behind the waistcoat is a bow and behind that is a white shirt with the collar going round the circumference of the neck of Sir Samuel Morton Peto. He has little facial hair but has light grey hair and his eye are staring out into the distance. His mouth is horizontal and gives away no emotions, or thoughts. His head is slightly turned to the left of the position where the person is taking his portrait is standing.

Portrait of Sir Samuel Morton Peto taken in 1889 (1300/103/23)

Portrait of Sir Samuel Morton Peto taken in 1889 (1300/103/23)

A black and white photo of several fisherman who have caught hundreds of fish in nets are standing on a wooden decking. They are proudly showing off their catch to the camera. Each fisherman is wearing their fisherman gear: an outer coat which is dark grey with dark grey waterproof trouser and then black shoes. There are a few onlookers including two wearing an all-black suit with black shoes and another is wearing a dark brown suit. Others are present but are heavily blurred.

An image taken in about 1900 showing Scottish fisherman at Lowestoft (1300/72/19/4)

A black and white photo of several fisherman who have caught hundreds of fish in nets are standing on a wooden decking. They are proudly showing off their catch to the camera. Each fisherman is wearing their fisherman gear: an outer coat which is dark grey with dark grey waterproof trouser and then black shoes. There are a few onlookers including two wearing an all-black suit with black shoes and another is wearing a dark brown suit. Others are present but are heavily blurred.

An image taken in about 1900 showing Scottish fisherman at Lowestoft (1300/72/19/4)

Peto promised to build a railway so fresh fish from the Lowestoft boats could be delivered fresh to Manchester on the same day, for local High Tea.

A train sign with the words "Lowestoft Time" written inside it. A dark purple boarder surrounds it.

Before the railways became established, it didn’t matter if places at different longitudes kept their local time by the sun. There was no means of transport—or communication over distance—faster than a horse. A few minutes one way or the other between London and Lowestoft was no problem.

A railway network, however, whose trains could cross the country within a day, needed standard time to ensure that passengers departed on schedule and, importantly, avoided collisions.

Lowestoft time tended to run about 10 minutes ahead of London time so was brought into line with national time keeping.

A drawing of Lowestoft Transport Railway Station created on the 7th of May 1855. The building has three raised towers – one on the right, one just of centre at the front of the building, and one on the far-left hand side of the building. There are multiple arches present on the walls of the building, although they appear to be there for decorative purposes only. They go up to about two thirds of the height of the building (not counting the roof and towers). To the left-hand side of the building, at the front, there are multiple arched shaped windows which are placed in the middle of the building, height wise. Above the arched windows is an awning which stretches quite far out. Whilst there is a roof covering the entirety of the building, from the front to the centre, the roof is flat but from the centre to the back, the roof is diagonally raised (like on most house roofs). Outside the station, there are many people congregated in front of the building going in most directions. There are also horse and carts, some with people on, some waiting for people to get on at the station as well as people pulling carts with cargo loaded on. To the right-hand side of the sketch is a path which leads to the station front.

Lowestoft Transport Railway Station drawn on 7th May 1855 (1300/72/47/2)

A greyscale photograph captured by Peter Calvert, Oulton Broad of a steam train, engine number 65478, in the Mill Road Cutting, Lowestoft. Date taken is unknown. In the foreground of the image is a grass verge. Beyond that are two tracks, on which the steam train, numbered 65478, is on the foreground most one and is approaching the camera. It has a tender followed by several goods wagons which stretch all the way into the background of the image. On the other side of the track, is a low loader goods wagon which looks to be filled on beams. A verge, made up of grass and shrubs is also present on the other side of the track from where the image was taken.

A photograph taken by Peter Calvert, Oulton Broad of a steam train, engine number 65478, in the Mill Road Cutting, Lowestoft. Date taken is unknown. (1176/2/2/20/107).

A drawing of Lowestoft Transport Railway Station created on the 7th of May 1855. The building has three raised towers – one on the right, one just of centre at the front of the building, and one on the far-left hand side of the building. There are multiple arches present on the walls of the building, although they appear to be there for decorative purposes only. They go up to about two thirds of the height of the building (not counting the roof and towers). To the left-hand side of the building, at the front, there are multiple arched shaped windows which are placed in the middle of the building, height wise. Above the arched windows is an awning which stretches quite far out. Whilst there is a roof covering the entirety of the building, from the front to the centre, the roof is flat but from the centre to the back, the roof is diagonally raised (like on most house roofs). Outside the station, there are many people congregated in front of the building going in most directions. There are also horse and carts, some with people on, some waiting for people to get on at the station as well as people pulling carts with cargo loaded on. To the right-hand side of the sketch is a path which leads to the station front.

Lowestoft Transport Railway Station drawn on 7th May 1855 (1300/72/47/2)

A greyscale photograph captured by Peter Calvert, Oulton Broad of a steam train, engine number 65478, in the Mill Road Cutting, Lowestoft. Date taken is unknown. In the foreground of the image is a grass verge. Beyond that are two tracks, on which the steam train, numbered 65478, is on the foreground most one and is approaching the camera. It has a tender followed by several goods wagons which stretch all the way into the background of the image. On the other side of the track, is a low loader goods wagon which looks to be filled on beams. A verge, made up of grass and shrubs is also present on the other side of the track from where the image was taken.

A photograph taken by Peter Calvert, Oulton Broad of a steam train, engine number 65478, in the Mill Road Cutting, Lowestoft. Date taken is unknown. (1176/2/2/20/107).

Arrival of the Railway

In 1845, the Lowestoft Railway & Harbour Company was established to build a harbour and dock railway in Lowestoft. Peto’s plan was to construct an 11-mile line from Lowestoft to the Reedham Junction on the Yarmouth & Norwich Line. The line was opened to passengers on 1 July 1847. In 1855, the new Italianate style railway station was built by the Lucas brothers, who also designed the Royal Albert Hall and Liverpool Street Station.

With the arrival of the railway, Lowestoft ’s population doubled in 16 years to reach 10,000 and by the end of the century it had increased to 36,000.

A photograph of the fish market at Lowestoft captured during 1899. In the foreground is barrels of fish with various letters inscribed into them including “W”, “LAW”, “LAWR”, “AW”, “E AW” and “N”. To the right of the three barrels that are front most to the camera, is a line of fish crates and behind them is a lamppost. To the left of the lamppost and moving towards the centre to the left of the image, is many more barrels of fish, with many fisherman gathered around including one black dog which is just right of centre in the photograph. The barrels stretch all the way into the distance, and behind the man, and barrels are a number of fishing vessels. Some of the men are using the barrels to lean upon and are facing the camera, others are standing and other are oblivious and are just walking away from the camera. The men are wearing all sorts of cloths: some are wearing suits, some are wearing fishing gear, some are white food coats, some are wearing jumpers and trousers, and some are wearing waistcoats. The colours of each outfit are equally varied with some being brown, some being white, some white and brown, some brown, and some a mix of all the above.

Fish Market captured in 1899 (LRO 412).

A photograph of the fish market at Lowestoft captured during 1899. In the foreground is barrels of fish with various letters inscribed into them including “W”, “LAW”, “LAWR”, “AW”, “E AW” and “N”. To the right of the three barrels that are front most to the camera, is a line of fish crates and behind them is a lamppost. To the left of the lamppost and moving towards the centre to the left of the image, is many more barrels of fish, with many fisherman gathered around including one black dog which is just right of centre in the photograph. The barrels stretch all the way into the distance, and behind the man, and barrels are a number of fishing vessels. Some of the men are using the barrels to lean upon and are facing the camera, others are standing and other are oblivious and are just walking away from the camera. The men are wearing all sorts of cloths: some are wearing suits, some are wearing fishing gear, some are white food coats, some are wearing jumpers and trousers, and some are wearing waistcoats. The colours of each outfit are equally varied with some being brown, some being white, some white and brown, some brown, and some a mix of all the above.

Fish Market captured in 1899 (LRO 412).

Fishing Trade

In 1848, Peto turned his attention to construction of the outer harbour. In April 1852, Lowestoft was awarded Port status and independence from Great Yarmouth’s fishing restrictions. The railway company took over the harbour and drove expansion of the outer harbour which accommodated over 700 vessels. The Fish Market was erected in 1856.

A black and white photo of a fisherman hanging fish up during the curing process in 1960. He is wearing a flat cap hat and his head is turned to the left of the camera position. He is wearing a black top, with a white apron, and his left arm is outstretched handing fish onto the curing line. There are about 50 to 60 fish present on lines hanging from top to bottom of the image.

A photograph showing Fish curing in 1960 (1300/72/20/20)

A photograph showing Fish curing in 1960 (1300/72/20/20)

The rise in prosperity of the fishing industry in Lowestoft also saw a rise in fishing related industries such as:

1. Vast amounts of salt was imported for packing fish

2. In 1844 there were 17 separate rope makers

3. Workshops made clothing for workers and fishermen such as oil skin smocks and ‘barmskins’

4. Braiders made nets and Beetsters repaired them.

5. The period saw over 30 smokehouses, using oak shavings to smoke the fish such as the ‘Bloater’

A photograph of the Lowestoft herring market taken in the 1900s. in the foreground, there are thousands of fish piled up to the equivalent height of a barrel. Behind them, are hundreds of barrels but no fish are sitting atop of the barrels. Behind the barrels are several fishermen all looking towards the camera – they are surrounding all visible sides. Behind them, are many fishing boats.

Card taken in 1900s featuring photographs of the Harbour, Lowestoft and Lowestoft Herring Market (1300/149/30/5)

A photograph of the Lowestoft herring market taken in the 1900s. in the foreground, there are thousands of fish piled up to the equivalent height of a barrel. Behind them, are hundreds of barrels but no fish are sitting atop of the barrels. Behind the barrels are several fishermen all looking towards the camera – they are surrounding all visible sides. Behind them, are many fishing boats.

Card taken in 1900s featuring photographs of the Harbour, Lowestoft and Lowestoft Herring Market (1300/149/30/5)

At its peak, in 1913, the herring industry landed 400 million herring in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft in one season

A print of a sailing vessel owned by North of Europe Steam Navigation Company created between 1854 to 1883. Looking from left to right, there are two rigs, followed by a funnel with steam flowing out of it, and then another rig. To each side of the vessel is a paddle wheel. The ship is surrounded by sea, and in front of the main ship, is a small sailing boat, tiny in comparison, and is in the centre of the print.

A print of a North of Europe Steam Navigation Company ship created between 1854-1883 (1300/72/42/395).

A print of a North of Europe Steam Navigation Company ship created between 1854-1883 (1300/72/42/395).

Port Trade

Peto’s North of Europe Steam Navigation Company was established in 1852 to facilitate import and exports of goods with Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Norway and Sweden. Steam packets were built to transport live cattle from Europe. In 1853 alone, 14,998 oxen, 10,866 sheep, 89 horses, 63 pigs and 1,370 casks of butter were imported. This route enabled Peto’s railway expansion into Denmark and access to markets in London through Lowestoft.

A receipt issued from the Lowestoft Coaling Company Limited, Ship Owners and Coal Merchants of Commercial Road, Lowestoft to Mr Holland of 7 St Margarets Road, Lowestoft on the 8th of March 1921. (1894/1/23). It details the price in pounds, pence and shillings, and the amount of coal delivered in CWT.

A receipt issued from the Lowestoft Coaling Company Limited, Ship Owners and Coal Merchants of Commercial Road, Lowestoft to Mr Holland of 7 St Margarets Road, Lowestoft on the 8th of March 1921. (1894/1/23).

A receipt issued from the Lowestoft Coaling Company Limited, Ship Owners and Coal Merchants of Commercial Road, Lowestoft to Mr Holland of 7 St Margarets Road, Lowestoft on the 8th of March 1921. (1894/1/23).

Coal from North and South Shields became Lowestoft’s most important imported commodity increasing fivefold. Coal was distributed locally to domestic and commercial businesses and was cooked in coal ovens to create creosote which coated timbers from Denmark to create railway sleepers for railway companies.

A greyscale image showing the harbour village of Lowestoft. The harbour is a hive of activity with ships moored in the background of the image (some powered by steam, others by wind). Moving inwards, approximately 100 people can be seen completing various activities including loading and unloading cargo onto a horse and trailer; stacking fishing crates onto various piles in the harbour; offloading the vessels using their hands; and others are either chatting or walking briskly to their next task. A large warehouse facility appears on the right back corner of the photograph and it is made up of pillars with two triangular roofs and a forward part on the second half of the warehouse that has a flat roof. Gutters on the roof are viewable.

Postcard showing Lowestoft Herring Market

A greyscale image showing the harbour village of Lowestoft. The harbour is a hive of activity with ships moored in the background of the image (some powered by steam, others by wind). Moving inwards, approximately 100 people can be seen completing various activities including loading and unloading cargo onto a horse and trailer; stacking fishing crates onto various piles in the harbour; offloading the vessels using their hands; and others are either chatting or walking briskly to their next task. A large warehouse facility appears on the right back corner of the photograph and it is made up of pillars with two triangular roofs and a forward part on the second half of the warehouse that has a flat roof. Gutters on the roof are viewable.

Postcard showing Lowestoft Herring Market

The Inner Harbour and Harbour Village

A postcard which shows Lowestoft’s harbour. In the foreground many small sailing vessels are moored with a wall protecting them from the water. To the right, is a small pier with some people standing on it are awaiting a boat to dock which has nearly approached the pier. A horse and cart are also waiting for the vessel arrival. On the opposite side of the vessel, another 4 vessels – all powered by steam – are moored and are being unloaded on the opposite jetty. Beyond that, there is another sea wall and then a house and the outer sea wall. In the sea, various boats, of many kinds, are present.

Postcard showing Lowestoft Harbour

Postcard showing Lowestoft Harbour

The Inner harbour developed as an industrial site.

The dock walls and landings were constructed by Peto using timber driven into the bed with steam hammers. He had an array of furnices, boilers and coke ovens which supplied a constant flow of piped steam to various locations on site.

In addition to the large sleeper depot, timber merchants and shipbuilding also developed around the harbour.

A black and white image of the exterior of the Lowestoft curing house, taken in 1878. The angle that the photographer has used is such that the front and some of the side of the house is captured. The house is made from bricks and has an industrial look about it. It has three points in its roofs, and between each point, the roof goes up and down creating a zig zag roof pattern. There are few windows in the house but two loading bays, which are shut, which have roller doors that go up and down are present.

A photograph of Lowestoft Fish Curing House taken in 1978 (1300/72/20/21)

A photograph of Lowestoft Fish Curing House taken in 1978 (1300/72/20/21)

The South side of the harbour developed around the arrival of the branch railway junction to Kirkley and this allowed the growth of canning factories.

A scan of a label created in c. 1900 for Morton. The label reads “prize medals for excellence of preserved provisions kipper past prepared by C. & E. Morton, limited London, England Factories at Millwall, Lowestoft and Aberdeen. On each side of the label are images of the front and back of a coin: on the top left corner is the coin for London in 1862; in the top right is the coin for Oporto in 1865; on the bottom left is the coin for Paris, 1867 and in the bottom right is the coin for Havre in 1868. There is a blue boarder with little white dots in the middle of the boarder surrounding the writing in the label; however the pictures of the coins protrude into the blue boarders. The writing is written in blue ink except for “Kipper paste” which is written in white ink and has a blue filled scroll, with two white stipes at the top and bottom of the scroll.

Mortons label created in c.1900 (963/1/18)

Mortons label created in c.1900 (963/1/18)

Canning Factories such as Mortons and Maconochie’s which employed over 1000 people in 1889 and was considered one of the largest food production complexes in Europe for many years

A coloured postcard showing south beach, Lowestoft. The sea is present in the foreground, with various 4 wheeled wagons, each with white and blue stripped beach huts on them. These wagons are sitting on shingles or where the sea is breaking and the single divides where the sea breaks with more water that has managed to overcome the shingle barrier. There are children playing in this set of water. Beyond that are groups of families and adults alike, some on beach chairs, others not, all playing or chatting and just generally enjoying the beach life. Beyond that is more sand, and then a sea wall followed by the closest street to the sea.

Postcard showing south beach, Lowestoft

Postcard showing south beach, Lowestoft

A harbour village was designed by John Lough Clemence, seen in the photograph, and created workers’ housing with gardens at Selby St, Stevens St and Clemence Street off Denmark Road. An influx of workers from all around the country can be seen in census recording living and working there

A coloured image of Lowestoft regatta taken in 1855. From right to left: the sea is visible with a number of small sailing yachts present as well as canoes. In the background, a sea wall is viewable and the rigs of larger sailing vessels are viewable over the sea wall. Moving inwards from the sea, hundreds of people are standing on the sand watching the regatta take place – they all are wearing different colours cloths; green, blue, yellows, white, purple and reds. Some are also chatting. They are congregated densely where the sea meets the beach but several are also gathered up to the top of the beach (where the beach ends, and the buildings start). Beyond where the beach ends, are a number of buildings.

Lowestoft regatta taken in 1855 (1300/72/38/2)

A full colour postcard of the esplanade and beach of Lowestoft. In the foreground is the sea, with the yellow-coloured sand further back. The beach has hundreds of people on it, all wearing different outfits and all doing different activities. Some of them are playing in the sea, others are chatting, others are children talking to parents and others are sitting on the beach. Some even have their deck chairs out. Behind the people are a row of houses, with all of them having brown brickwork and multiple chimneys. Separating the beach and houses is a sea wall which stretches into the distance.

A postcard showing the esplanade and beach, courtesy of a privite collection

A greyscale illustration showing what the Royal Hotel may have looked like in the 1850’s. In the foreground of the illustration, are a number of small sailing vessels and canoes all coming into the shore from the choppy sea. Beyond that is the sea wall. Beyond that is the Royal Hotel. This is made up of a grand, two-story outer entrance, with a shallowed angled roof. Looking beyond that, is the main hotel which is very grand: the main building is rectangular in shape, and has four floors and multiple chimneys. The most forward-facing part in the illustration is completely straight and has rows of windows of 7 long; with a shallow angled roof in the middle and two triangular shaped roofs sections at each end of this section. To the right of the front section of the hotel, is a slightly rounded tower which transitions into one of the side sections of the hotel. The features of this side section are much harder to identify than that of the forward section.

An illustration showing what the Royal hotel may have looked like in the 1850's (1300/72/25/7)

A coloured image of Lowestoft regatta taken in 1855. From right to left: the sea is visible with a number of small sailing yachts present as well as canoes. In the background, a sea wall is viewable and the rigs of larger sailing vessels are viewable over the sea wall. Moving inwards from the sea, hundreds of people are standing on the sand watching the regatta take place – they all are wearing different colours cloths; green, blue, yellows, white, purple and reds. Some are also chatting. They are congregated densely where the sea meets the beach but several are also gathered up to the top of the beach (where the beach ends, and the buildings start). Beyond where the beach ends, are a number of buildings.

Lowestoft regatta taken in 1855 (1300/72/38/2)

A full colour postcard of the esplanade and beach of Lowestoft. In the foreground is the sea, with the yellow-coloured sand further back. The beach has hundreds of people on it, all wearing different outfits and all doing different activities. Some of them are playing in the sea, others are chatting, others are children talking to parents and others are sitting on the beach. Some even have their deck chairs out. Behind the people are a row of houses, with all of them having brown brickwork and multiple chimneys. Separating the beach and houses is a sea wall which stretches into the distance.

A postcard showing the esplanade and beach, courtesy of a privite collection

A greyscale illustration showing what the Royal Hotel may have looked like in the 1850’s. In the foreground of the illustration, are a number of small sailing vessels and canoes all coming into the shore from the choppy sea. Beyond that is the sea wall. Beyond that is the Royal Hotel. This is made up of a grand, two-story outer entrance, with a shallowed angled roof. Looking beyond that, is the main hotel which is very grand: the main building is rectangular in shape, and has four floors and multiple chimneys. The most forward-facing part in the illustration is completely straight and has rows of windows of 7 long; with a shallow angled roof in the middle and two triangular shaped roofs sections at each end of this section. To the right of the front section of the hotel, is a slightly rounded tower which transitions into one of the side sections of the hotel. The features of this side section are much harder to identify than that of the forward section.

An illustration showing what the Royal hotel may have looked like in the 1850's (1300/72/25/7)

Premier Victorian Holiday Destination

Peto’s vision was to create a high class resort for discerning travellers and visitors from the continent. He wanted Lowestoft to be the gateway to the British Isles from the Baltic, Scandinavia and Holland. Labelled the ‘Queen of the East Coast Watering Places’, Lowestoft became the most fashionable resort in East Anglia and a premier location for well to do families. The Illustrated London News would announce the celebrated families that would stay in the resort, families from the colonies would spent the summers here, gentlefolk would bring their servants with them and call on each other as the etiquette of the age would oblige.

The jewel in Peto’s resort crown was the salubrious Royal Hotel, constructed in 1846, with 4 storeys, 80 bedrooms, bathrooms with hot and cold piped water, billiards and dining rooms.

Kirkley Cliff Terrace was the final phase of the South Lowestoft development project of Peto and his architect John Louth Clemence and was completed in 1870

Clemence had already been responsible for the design of The Esplanade, Marine Parade, Victoria Terrace and Wellington Esplanade as well as a number of individual buildings in the town including the Town Hall, St. John’s Church and Lowestoft Hospital, as shown in the below gallery.

Click on each image to view it full screen.

A yellowish coloured portrait of John Louth Clemence taken in 1886. He is bald, except for tow tufts of hair on either side of the head. His head is slightly turned to the right of centre and his eyes are open. He has a well grown beard which starts at the ears and covers the whole of the upper chin, as well as the rest of the bottom of the face to a give beard rounded in nature starting and ending at the ears. He is wearing his mayoral robes and underneath that is wearing a white shirt and black bow tie.

John Louth Clemence portrait taken in 1886.

John Louth Clemence portrait taken in 1886.

A yellowish coloured postcard showing Marine parade, Marine esplanade, and beach in 1850. In the foreground is the sea with numerous children having fun on the foreshore. Beyond that is the beach, made of sand exclusively, and has hundreds of people having fun: some are sitting in beach chairs, others are playing, others are chatting, and others are building sandcastles. Beyond that is the sea wall and beyond that is Marine parade and its various buildings.

Postcard showing what the Marine Parade, Marine Esplanade and beach looked like in the 1850's, courtesy of a private collection

Postcard showing what the Marine Parade, Marine Esplanade and beach looked like in the 1850's, courtesy of a private collection

A coloured postcard showing Wellington Gardens. To the left of the image is the sea pier and moving towards the right is the main raised path that runs parallel to the sea and beach, followed by Wellington gardens. Each side of the garden is made up of a small hedge and small boarder followed by a path dividing each side with the middle section. The middle section is made up of a much larger garden and other features including, prominently showed in the image, a garden set lower in the ground with 4 small borders at each corner. All the borders are filled with grass except those set lower in the ground. Beyond the gardens, is the main street of buildings and road closest to the sea. Cars are seen driving along this road.

Postcard showing the Wellington Gardens, courtesy of a private collection.

Postcard showing the Wellington Gardens, courtesy of a private collection.

A greyscale image showing the New Town Hall, in 1859. On the right hand side of the image, the grand town hall is visible. This is made up of two floors, and a main clock tower with clocks on all four sides. The ground floor is made up of multiple windows that are rectangular in nature. On the first floor, the windows have an arch at the top of them. The roof of the building is made up of several different shapes: some of it is flat, others it is angled, and others it is curved with a clock in the centre of the curved roof. The building is made out of bricks. There are a few people walking in the street, about 5 are present. Between the street that the Town Hall is on, and the next street, there are tram lines and overhead cables for the trams. On the opposite street, a couple of carts are present, as well as a bike. The buildings of the street and the curvature of the street is also viewable.

New Town Hall, 1859 (1300/72/6/27)

New Town Hall, 1859 (1300/72/6/27)

An illustration of St John’s Church, drawn in 1853. The church has one long central section with a large spire like tower at one end. The tower can be split into half: the first half is made up of a square bottom section and the second half is made up of a a spire. Starting from the back of the church, and moving to the front, a large arched shaped, window is present. Moving on, an arched side entrance way is present, and beyond that is another arched window and then and slightly set forward section with another arch window. People are viewable outside of the church, mainly talking, and mainly gathered in groups. In the far background, is a large, sailing vessel.

St John's Church, 1853 (1300/72/11/3)

St John's Church, 1853 (1300/72/11/3)

A yellowish coloured, greyscale image of Lowestoft Hospital taken in 1890. In the foreground, a junction of a road is present, and two men are standing, chatting, next to a lamppost on the opposite corner of the junction to where the photographer is standing. Beyond the men, is a large, brick built, wall, about a quarter of the height of the actual hospital. Beyond that is a much higher fence. Three trees, one at each corner of the image, are then present, followed by the main hospital. This is made up two floors and the building is rectangular in nature. The majority of the windows are rectangular although some at the top are arched shaped. The roof is angled, and multiple chimneys are present.

Lowestoft hospital, taken in 1890 (1300/72/24/12)

Lowestoft hospital, taken in 1890 (1300/72/24/12)

An image of Lowestoft Infirmary, St Margaret’s Plain, 1868. This illustration shows the main building, which is two stories high and has a front outer entrance which is set forward to the rest of the building. The windows are all rectangular in nature and there is triangular shaped window for the front most section, followed by an angled roof which covers the entirety of the rest of the building. There are also multiply chimneys present: one for each side of the building. In front of the building is a fence, with a gate though which someone is walking through. Beyond that is a field with people, adults and children alike, walking towards the Infirmary. There is one person who has no right leg and is hobbling, with walking sticks, towards the Infirmary as well as a women and child. Horses, with people on them are also heading towards the Infirmary. On the far right of the image, three trees, in full leave, are present. Underneath the main image is a description of the image which reads “Lowestoft Infirmary, St Margaret’s Plain, 1868. JLC (John Louth Clemence) was responsible for enlarging the old infirmary which was erected in 1832. It later become St Margaret’s National School, later still it was used by the St John’s Ambulance and the Air Training Corps. It was demolished in the 1960’s”. Finally, both the caption and main image, are mounted on turquoise coloured card.
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A yellowish coloured postcard showing Marine parade, Marine esplanade, and beach in 1850. In the foreground is the sea with numerous children having fun on the foreshore. Beyond that is the beach, made of sand exclusively, and has hundreds of people having fun: some are sitting in beach chairs, others are playing, others are chatting, and others are building sandcastles. Beyond that is the sea wall and beyond that is Marine parade and its various buildings.

Postcard showing what the Marine Parade, Marine Esplanade and beach looked like in the 1850's, courtesy of a private collection

Postcard showing what the Marine Parade, Marine Esplanade and beach looked like in the 1850's, courtesy of a private collection

A coloured postcard showing Wellington Gardens. To the left of the image is the sea pier and moving towards the right is the main raised path that runs parallel to the sea and beach, followed by Wellington gardens. Each side of the garden is made up of a small hedge and small boarder followed by a path dividing each side with the middle section. The middle section is made up of a much larger garden and other features including, prominently showed in the image, a garden set lower in the ground with 4 small borders at each corner. All the borders are filled with grass except those set lower in the ground. Beyond the gardens, is the main street of buildings and road closest to the sea. Cars are seen driving along this road.

Postcard showing the Wellington Gardens, courtesy of a private collection.

Postcard showing the Wellington Gardens, courtesy of a private collection.

A greyscale image showing the New Town Hall, in 1859. On the right hand side of the image, the grand town hall is visible. This is made up of two floors, and a main clock tower with clocks on all four sides. The ground floor is made up of multiple windows that are rectangular in nature. On the first floor, the windows have an arch at the top of them. The roof of the building is made up of several different shapes: some of it is flat, others it is angled, and others it is curved with a clock in the centre of the curved roof. The building is made out of bricks. There are a few people walking in the street, about 5 are present. Between the street that the Town Hall is on, and the next street, there are tram lines and overhead cables for the trams. On the opposite street, a couple of carts are present, as well as a bike. The buildings of the street and the curvature of the street is also viewable.

New Town Hall, 1859 (1300/72/6/27)

New Town Hall, 1859 (1300/72/6/27)

An illustration of St John’s Church, drawn in 1853. The church has one long central section with a large spire like tower at one end. The tower can be split into half: the first half is made up of a square bottom section and the second half is made up of a a spire. Starting from the back of the church, and moving to the front, a large arched shaped, window is present. Moving on, an arched side entrance way is present, and beyond that is another arched window and then and slightly set forward section with another arch window. People are viewable outside of the church, mainly talking, and mainly gathered in groups. In the far background, is a large, sailing vessel.

St John's Church, 1853 (1300/72/11/3)

St John's Church, 1853 (1300/72/11/3)

A yellowish coloured, greyscale image of Lowestoft Hospital taken in 1890. In the foreground, a junction of a road is present, and two men are standing, chatting, next to a lamppost on the opposite corner of the junction to where the photographer is standing. Beyond the men, is a large, brick built, wall, about a quarter of the height of the actual hospital. Beyond that is a much higher fence. Three trees, one at each corner of the image, are then present, followed by the main hospital. This is made up two floors and the building is rectangular in nature. The majority of the windows are rectangular although some at the top are arched shaped. The roof is angled, and multiple chimneys are present.

Lowestoft hospital, taken in 1890 (1300/72/24/12)

Lowestoft hospital, taken in 1890 (1300/72/24/12)

An image of Lowestoft Infirmary, St Margaret’s Plain, 1868. This illustration shows the main building, which is two stories high and has a front outer entrance which is set forward to the rest of the building. The windows are all rectangular in nature and there is triangular shaped window for the front most section, followed by an angled roof which covers the entirety of the rest of the building. There are also multiply chimneys present: one for each side of the building. In front of the building is a fence, with a gate though which someone is walking through. Beyond that is a field with people, adults and children alike, walking towards the Infirmary. There is one person who has no right leg and is hobbling, with walking sticks, towards the Infirmary as well as a women and child. Horses, with people on them are also heading towards the Infirmary. On the far right of the image, three trees, in full leave, are present. Underneath the main image is a description of the image which reads “Lowestoft Infirmary, St Margaret’s Plain, 1868. JLC (John Louth Clemence) was responsible for enlarging the old infirmary which was erected in 1832. It later become St Margaret’s National School, later still it was used by the St John’s Ambulance and the Air Training Corps. It was demolished in the 1960’s”. Finally, both the caption and main image, are mounted on turquoise coloured card.
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