Almost 30 people came to the ABA breakfast at Aldeburgh Yacht Club on Wednesday 4 September. Apart from the excellent breakfast and lovely views of the river (only partly obscured by the rain!) we exchanged news and heard from a number of speakers.
Drama...
The High Tide Festival comes to Aldeburgh 10-15 September. The town is fortunate to be home to one of the UK’s leading producers of new plays and the only professional theatre company focused on the production of new playwrights. Festival producer Elizabeth Downey gave us an overview while its artistic director, Suba Das, explained the festival's commitment to 'Pride of Place', an opportunity for playwrights to celebrate Suffolk to the rest of the world. Suba also stressed the festival's mission to engage young, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the performing arts.
Drawing...
Claire Bruce Clayton told us about planned events at Jubilee Hall, particularly The Big Draw on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September. This is a chance for residents and visitors to help create a piece of artwork for the hall. Participants will design a tile which will form part of a giant artwork be be displayed at the hall in the future. Businesses are encouraged to take part and pay a small amount to sponsor a tile.
And shopping...
Dr. Chris Hilton, Head of Archive at the Britten-Pears Foundation based at The Red House, revealed a fascinating project relating to all the receipts that Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears saved. Some of the paperwork is from premises that have since changed hands but much of it relates to businesses that remain in the town. Everyone with an interest is encouraged to delve into these archives and discover stories of Aldeburgh dating from the 1940s to the 1970s. Put in a particular shop name to do the search but don't be too specific as subtle differences make it hard for the search engine to throw up all the correct results. More details can be found here.
We also heard from Fiona Lewington from Aldeburgh Museum about plans for a Dickens themed Christmas on Saturday 7 December 1-4pm. All businesses are encouraged to take part in the Dickens theme as a bus will be transporting people throughout the town and it will be Small Business Saturday. We are already looking forward to a tea party at Garrett House, a festive skating rink at Jubilee Hall and Santa arriving by coach and horses! Let us know your plans so that Fiona can include them in the publicity.
