Historic England announces High Street Histories, a series exploring Lowestoft’s High Street

History buffs should mark their calendars as a new 10-part web series will offer a glimpse into the rich past of Lowestoft’s High Street.

From today, and on every Wednesday for the next 10 weeks, High Street Histories will be published to YouTube.

The series, made as part of a collaboration between Historic England’s Heritage Schools programme, the North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone, Poetry People and historian Ivan Bunn, seeks to explore the past of the town’s heart, and will feature conversations between Mr Bunn and writer Dean Parking.

Mr Bunn said: “I have studied local history in the Lowestoft district for more than half a century, and working in many local schools, I’ve come to realise how important it is to share my knowledge and discoveries with local young people.

“I didn’t hesitate to give my full support to this welcome and timely project which I very much hope will go some way to introducing youngsters to the rich history on their doorstep.”

Historic England said the episodes could be enjoyed with everyone, and all episodes will have an accompanying worksheet for schoolchildren aged 5 to 11.

For example, the first episode features the ‘Top End of the Street’ and will look into Arnold House, tales of the surrounding buildings and the effects of wartime bombing, before rediscovering a row of long-lost houses and shops from 1897.

The episodes will contain illustrated conversations as the presenters travel back in time to explore the town’s historic street and its buildings, past and present.

They will also show off rare images from The Jack Rose Collection, The Bert Collyer Collection and from Mr Bunn, alongside contemporary shots of High Street.

Dean Parkin said: “It’s been great to have the chance to work with Ivan and ask him questions about the High Street, a part of Lowestoft I feel especially connected with, having worked in the bookshop there in the 1990s.

“It’s been an opportunity to dig deep into the wonderful old archive photographs from the collections of Jack Rose and Bert Collyer, and with Ivan as our expert time-travelling guide, create something special about the town's history that I hope will appeal to young and old alike, and for years to come.”

Kate Argyle, local education heritage manager for Historic England’s Heritage Schools programme said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to find out more about the stories behind Lowestoft’s historic high street and to look at the buildings they see, every day, with fresh eyes.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how children enjoy the films and the thoughts and questions they have about what they discover.”