| Repository |
Suffolk Record Office
|
| Address |
The Library, Clapham Road South, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1DR
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| Title |
Sparrows Nest Park and Theatre, Whapload Road, Lowestoft
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| Ref No |
1176/2/2/19/367
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| Level |
Item
|
| Date |
1963-1995
|
| Description |
Lowestoft Journal presscutting file with accompanying photographs and papers
Includes presscutting re:
- decision by Waveney District Council to drop its proposal to rename the Sparrows Nest Theatre the Highlight Theatre, nd [c1978]
- proposal by the Libraries Committee to use some vacant rooms to establish a small museum, 21 Jun 1963
- objection by the Parks Committee to the establishment of a museum in park, 22 Nov 1963
- rejection by the Borough Council of a proposal from professional wrestling promoters to hold bouts at the theatre, 14 Feb 1964
- announcement of the cast of the summer show, Starlight Rendezvous, at the theatre, 6 May 1966
cast includes Len Howe, Audrey Maye, Fank Wilson, Patricia Baker, Douglas Quarterman, Larry Marsh, Ronnie Chance and the Eight Starlettes
- request to the Town Council to spend up to £15,000 on the summer show of 1967, 3 & 10 Jun 1966
- announcement of Sunday night concerts at the theatre, 24 Jun 1966
cast includes the Beverley Sisters, Margo Henderson, Derek Franklin Trio, Jack Beckett, Don Gordon, Peter Kaye, Peter Kavanagh, Pat and Olivia Carroll and Frank Blanch
[also announcing the return of Norman Fields as resident pianist at the Top of the Town]
- approval of the engagement of a new summer show, Bunny Baron's Starnite Spectacular with Bob and Alf Pearson, 3 Oct 1966
- financial accounts, 25 Nov 1966
- possible changes to tickets sales for Council run events to encourage sales, 24 May 1968
- need for a review of all summer and sports facilites in the borough, 26 Jul 1968
- announcing the summer show to be staged in 1969 with the possibility of leasing it to a private concern after that date, 16 Aug 1968
- objections of the Lords Day Observance Society Inc to a Sunday charity pop concert to raise money for Lowestoft Hospital and the local branch of the Samaritans, 25 Apr 1969
- response to national advertisements placed by the council to rent out the theatre, 27 Jun 1969
- estimated loss of £3,244 for the summer season at the theatre, 26 Sep 1969
- financial accounts for the theatre, 10 Oct 1969
- announcing Bunny Baron to present the theatre summer show of 1970, 7 Nov 1969
- proposal to lease out the Sparrows Nest Theatre and North Denes caravan site as a joint concern, 6 Mar 1970
[includes details of improvements to be carried out to the caravan site], 6 Mar 1970
- A J Jackson hit be a piece of concrete falling from the beams of the park bandstand, 31 Jul 1970
- need for a decision as to whether the Town Council will continue to subsidise summer shows at the theatre, 31 Jul 1970
- decision by the Town Council to have a summer show despite losses, 11 Sep 1970
- calls for an investigation into the viability of the theatre and the need for a 5 year policy for the building, 2 & 26 Oct 1970
- decision by the Town Council to retain the Sparrows Nest Theatre as a theatre, conference hall and entertainments centre and the reaction to the decision, 13 & 21 May 1971
- reopening after redecoration of the theatre bar, 2 Jun 1972
- opinions of Peter Ramm on the future of the theatre, 20 Oct 1972
- concerns of councillors over the money spent on the upkeep of the theatre, 12 Jan 1973
- announcing the Da Silva Puppet Company to stage Pinocchio's Puppet Show at the theatre in June, 2& 9 Mar 1973
- details of the staging of the Da Silva Puppet Company production entitled Pinocchio's Puppet Show, 15 Juhn 1973
- illuminated bar sign to be placed at the Whapload Road entrance to the park, 6 Jul 1973
- house record set for 2nd week in a row for ticket sales at the theatre, 27 Jul 1973
- proposal to abolish admission charges to afternoon concerts in the park, 14 Jun 1974
- free admission to the park but introduction of charges for seats, 14 Feb 1975
- entrance charges to be reintroduced for the summer season, 23 Jan 1976
- death of Charles 'Robbie' Robinson organists at the park 1961-1972, 10 Dec 1976
- World War Two relics found by the Lowestoft Players in the theatre when enlarging the orchestra pit, 3 Jun 1977
- £1,000 of advance bookings for the theatre, 12 May 1978
- need for a new piano for the theatre orchestra, 27 Jul 1979
- introduction of non smoking during performances, 21 Sep 1979
- need for a new sound and lighting system at the theatre, 31 Oct 1980
- announcement of the council to continue to run the theatre for a further season, 31 Oct 1980
- Waveney District Council to spend £1,000 improving the lighting and amplification system at the theatre, 6 Feb 1981
- dedication of a park bench in memory of Jude Ellis, a former park keeper, and his wife Elsie Ellis who died within 3 days of each other in March 1982, 18 Jun 1982
- leaking theatre roof, 10 Dec 1982
- attempts by the Lowestoft Players to save the theatre from closure, 4 Jan 1984
- announcing the summer line up at the theatre, 17 May 1985
cast includes: The Three Degrees, Hinge and Bracket, Andy Stewart and the White Heather Show, the Black and White Minstrel Show, Barron Knights, Forever Elvis, The Flying Pickets, Alvin Stardust, Lowestoft Players 'Summer Nights' and the Quaysiders production 'No Time for Figleaves'
- use of the theatre as a cinema, 28 Jun & 18 Oct 1985
- cancellation of organ concerts in the park for 1986, 8 Nov 1985
- bandstand destroyed by fire, 15 Nov 1985
- suggestions for the future of the park, 3 Jan 1986
- demolition of the bandstand, 7 Feb 1986
- projector bulb exploding during the showing of the film Absolute Beginners, 13 Jun 1986
- formation of a panel to consider the future of the theatre, 11 Jul 1986
- results of a survey of the residents of Gunton on the use of the park, 5 Sep 1986
- Michael Creasey (age 34) of Kimberley Road, Lowestoft and manager of the theatre found guilty of drink driving, 10 Oct 1986
- increase in attendance figures at the theatre, 24 Oct 1986
- search for commercially viable uses for the theatre once it becomes redundant with the opening of the Marina, 24 Oct 1986
- proposal by Peter Waller and Martin South both of Romany Road, Oulton Broad to convert the theatre into an arts and craft centre, 15 Jan 1988
- search for ideas from the private sector for the future use of the theatre and the North Denes caravan and camping sites, 27 May 1988
- final performance at the theatre, 9 Sep 1988
- request for a small open air dance area in the park, 17 Feb 1989
- schemes for the redundant theatre and the North Denes caravan and camping sites, 24 Feb 1989
including a working museum on Lowestoft life, drive in cinema, monorail to link it to Gunton Hall and Pleasurewood Hills, dry ski slope, motel, water flume park etc
- proposal by Terry Hepworth to found an organ museum in the theatre, 7 Apr 1989
- proposal to demolish the theatre, 27 Oct 1989
- campaign by Jack Rose of Lowestoft to save the theatre, 3 Nov 1989
- demolition deferrred for 3 months, 24 Nov 1989
- general condition of the theatre, 1 Dec 1989
- weekend phone in to test public opinion on a plan to build a new hall on the site of the theatre, 1 & 8 Dec 1989
- demolition date set for early 1990, 15 Dec 1989
- request for an extension on the lease of the park cafe, 2 Feb 1990
- proposal by Terry Muff of Carlton Road, Lowestoft, agent for a local businessman, for the conversion of the theatre to provide facilities similar to those demolished on the South Pier, 2 Mar 1990
- proposal by Christopher Iredale to convert the theatre into a centre for discos and bands, 9 Mar 1990
- fight of Terry Muff and Christopher Iredale to save the theatre, 16 Mar 1990
- demolition deferred by Waveney District Council, 6 Apr 1990
- decision by Waveney District Council to demolition the theatre as structurally unsafe, 8 Mar 1991
- John Kerr (age 69) of Elmhurst Avenue, Oulton Broad a former member of the Royal Naval Patrol Service spending 1 night in the theatre, 22 Mar 1991
- memories of Jimmy Brown of Aberdeen of life at the Sparrows Nest during World War Two whilst serving with the Royal Naval Patrol Service, 12 Apr 1991
- memories of Alf Beckett (age 80) of Gunton Church Lane, Lowestoft the town's first entertainments and publicity manager, 12 Apr 1991
- opinions of members of Waveney District Council on the demolition of the theatre, 12 Apr 1991
- memories of the theatre, 19 Apr 1991
- appeal by the Royal Naval Patrol Service Association for the theatre bar to be converted into an old fashioned pub, 26 Apr 1991
- planting a tree in the park in memory of Peter Gill (age 32) of Yarmouth Road, Lowestoft who was found dead on South Beach on 26 November, 27 Mar 1992
- memories of Jimmy Brown of Aberdeen of life at the Sparrows Nest during World War Two whilst serving with the Royal Naval Patrol Service,3 Apr 1992
- the park in springtime, 24 Apr 1992
- folk music and morris dancing in the park, 26 Jun 1992
- Haydn Welch (age 2) in the daffodils in the park, 26 Mar 1993
- fun day for children in the park, 30 Apr & 7 May 1993
- decision to build a new bandstand in the park, 4 Mar 1994
- possibility of adding a croquet lawn to the facilities in the park, 27 May 1994
- official opening of the bandstand, 10 Jun 1994
- East Coast Music Explosion held in the park, 21 Jul 1995
Includes photograph of:
- Sparrows Nest as seen from the vicinity of Arnold Walk prior to the construction of the Sparrows Nest Theatre, nd [pre 1913]
Photographer: Jenkins
- interior of a theatre looking towards an empty the stage, nd [post 1913]
probably the Sparrows Nest Theatre
- workmen laying out an ornamental pond in Sparrows Nest
show the Sparrows Nest Theatre
Handwritten date: 9 Mar 1917
- Sparrows Nest as seen from the vicinity of Arnold Walk, nd [c1920s]
shows the Sparrows Nest Theatre
Photographer: Boughtons, Lowestoft
- bowls match at Sparrows Nest, nd [c1950s]
- gardener tending rose beds in the Sparrows Nest, nd [c1950-1960s]
- daffodils in full bloom in Sparrows Nest, nd [c1950-1960s]
- St John Ambulance men and women lined up for inspection in the Sparrows Nest, nd [post 1955]
show the Sparrows Nest Theatre in the background
Photographer: Lovett [Alfred Lovett]
- 2 gardeners tending flower beds in front of the Maritime Museum, Sparrows Nest, nd
Picture Reference: LT 1980 - 13a
- cast of a pantomime, in costume and on the theatre stage, nd [pre 9 Sep 1988]
possibly Babes in the Wood performed by the Lowestoft Players December 1987-January 1988
[colour photograph]
- people sitting around in the park listening to music, nd
[possibly taken at the East Coast Music Explosion held in July 1995]
Photographer: D K [Daniel Kennedy]
[colour photograph]
- Sparrows Nest Theatre
in the foreground is a fish pond
Photographer: Ron Bagley, Carlton Colville
Stamped: 4 Jan 1984 [should be 1985] & 24 May 1985
Handwritten date: 18 Dec1984
[2 copies]
- bowling greens and the Maritime Museum as seen from the footpath on the hillside
Photographer: N L [Nolan Lincoln]
Stamped: 30 May 1986
Handwritten date: 12 Sep 1985
- Frank Cooper park keeper for Belle Vue Park and Sparrows Nest
shows the park keepers cottage in Belle Vue Park
Stamped: 7 Apr 1988
Typed date: 6 Apr 1988
[2 photographs]
- exterior of the Sparrows Nest Theatre
Stamped: 2 Dec 1988 & 9 Apr 1991
- Alf Beckett standing in the park front of the theatre
Photographer: N L [Nolan Lincoln]
Stamped: 12 Apr 1991
Handwritten date: 8 Apr 1991
- Bob Rix of CDC Demolition inside the partly demolished theatre
Stamped: 19 Apr 1991
- site of the Sparrows Nest Theatre following demolition
Photographer: B D [Bill Darnell]
Stamped: 28 Jun 1991
Handwritten date: 24 Jun 1991
- Brian Brown, Robert Wilson, John Neale and Jim Read planting a tree in memory of Peter Gill
Stamped: 27 Mar 1992
- Kate Skipper (age 1) and Joe Skipper (age 4) both of Stradbroke Road, Lowestoft walking amongst the daffodils in the park
Photographer: N L [Nolan Lincoln]
Stamped: 15 Apr 1992
[colour photograph]
- squirrel in the park
Photographer: N L [Nolan Lincoln]
Stamped: 15 Apr 1992
[colour photograph]
- the lighthouse as seen from the park
Photographer: N L [Nolan Lincoln]
Stamped: 10 Apr 1992 & 15 Apr 1992
[2 colour photographs]
- Fanackapan performing in the park
Stamped: 26 Jun 1992
- Ron Berry presenting a cheque to Stella Bostock on the site of the new bandstand
Eastern Counties Newspapers Limited
Stamped: 4 Mar 1994
Handwritten date: 28 Feb 1994
- bandstand under construction
Stamped: 27 May 1994
- Luke Graves (age 4) of the Sea Cadets on parade at the official opening of the bandstand
Stamped: 10 Jun 1994
[colour photograph]
- former servicemen attending the service at the official opening of the bandstand
Stamped: 10 Jun 1994
[colour photograph]
- honour guard of standards at the official opening of the bandstand
Stamped: 10 Jun 1994
[colour photograph]
- James Moore playing guitar at East Coast Music Explosion held in the park
Eastern Counties Newspapers Limited
Photographer: D Kennedy [Daniel Kennedy]
Handwritten date: 15 Jul 1995
[colour photograph]
Also includes:
- logo for the Sparrows Nest Theatre, nd
- flier for theSummer Spectacular presented by Bunny Baron, 14 Jun-6 Sep ny [c1978]
cast includes Ken Roberts 'kindly leave the stage', Betty Morton, BillY regan, Ken Joy, Gerry King, Jean Barry, Pam BUrn, Simon Barratt, The Glam Twins, Robbie, Vincent Crowley, Ray East and Alan Beale
printed by A F Edwards (Printers) Limited of 6 The Prairie, Lowestoft
|
| Access Status |
Open
|
| Extent |
133 items
|
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