Harwich Haven: Surrender & Sanctuary is a heritage lottery funded project, holding a festival of activities to commemorate the centenary of the surrender of over 168 U Boats in 1918, and the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the first Kindertransport in 1938. The programme consists of two themed weekends (17th/18th November and 1st/2nd December) with activities such as exhibitions, themed walks, art sessions and talks.

On Saturday 18th November at 3.30pm a parade of flags representing each of the 168 U-Boats that surrendered off the coast of Harwich in 1918 will be walked through the town and installed on a large willow U-Boat sculpture on the beach. The flags have been created by local people and groups and everyone is invited to take part in this free commemoration event. Join invited visitors and project partners including guests from Germany who have helped research this project and enjoy an afternoon of music and themed food in the Harwich Sailing Club.

As well as the themed weekends, from the 19th November there will be a week exhibition of U Boat surrender watercolours from the Imperial War Museum at The Pier Hotel, never before displayed in Harwich, and a complimentary art session on the 24th November calling on local artists to be inspired ready for an exhibition in May 2019.

 

Find the full programme of events here.