Harwich Town Council’s honorary archivists, Ray Plummer and Anne Kemp-Luck, create an annual exhibition for National Heritage Week and it will be on display in Harwich’s Guildhall on Saturday 8th September and Sunday 9th September from 2.30PM – 4.30PM.

This year’s exhibition, free of charge to the public, marks three anniversaries as 2018 sees the centenary of the U Boat surrender in Harwich Harbour at the end of World War I, the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport and the 65th anniversary of the 1953 floods.

Ray Plummer says

“With three very significant anniversaries we couldn’t possibly choose between them so Anne and I decided to focus on all three. The link that gives the exhibition its theme is that we have personal, written accounts from ordinary people who experienced these historic events and they are included to offer the human side of Harwich’s history.”

In addition to the exhibition in the council chamber the Harwich Society’s vice chairman, David Whittle, will be giving his latest illustrated talk in the Mayor’s Parlour on the history of Harwich’s lighthouses.

David Whittle says

“This year marks the 200th anniversary of the building of Harwich’s High and Low lighthouses so it seemed a fitting time to create a talk on the history of Harwich’s lighthouses through the centuries. Although these magnificent structures date from King George III they were certainly not the first lighthouses to guide ships into harwich Harbour.”

The Guildhall itself is a fascinating historic building and visitors will be able to visit its famous jail and see the wooden walls which contain carvings from Napoleonic times.

Chair of Harwich Town Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee, Cllr Pam Morrison, says

“We are very grateful to Ray, Anne and David for creating such fascinating exhibitions that provide so much information and interest. However, it should not be forgotten that they are bringing Historic Harwich’s history to life every week of the year and their dedication and knowledge is incredibly valuable to our town.”

For further information please contact:

Ray Plummer on 01255 886249
David Whittle on 01255 506183