• FELIXSTOWE WEEKENDER

• (2012)

Community • Expertise • Heritage • Place

The Felixstowe Weekender took place in September 2011 as part of the making of On Landguard Point. A playful programme of events unfolded across the town, including a Three Minute Expert Trail, an old-fashioned Tea Dance for seniors and young people, a 12-hour Flags Flying durational performance event raising 205 embroidered flags on Landguard Point itself, the launch of an alternative Landguard Fort audio guide by sound artist Mark Peter Wright, and the world premiere of the On Landguard Point soundtrack, composed and performed by Michael Nyman and his band.

The Three Minute Expert Trail brought together 20 local people, each sharing their particular knowledge and expertise with groups of audiences who travelled across Felixstowe on foot and by bus to discover them at secret locations. The experts included members of Felixstowe International Women speaking of their experiences; a wild sea swimmer arriving on the shore to surprised audiences before starting their talk; the producer of a specially commissioned On Landguard Point ice cream flavour, discussing their dairy herd; a ghost hunter at Landguard Fort; a trail setter; and a tattooist and piercer revealing stories of intimately pierced members of the Royal family.

The trail also featured a world expert on biscuits and their evolution through travel and trade, alongside a surprise drumming performance staged outside the local amusement park.

Councillor Doreen Savage, then Mayor of Felixstowe, said:

“On Landguard Point’s Weekender was an utterly magical experience. The long weekend of events and performances introduced Felixstowe residents to a whole new gamut of arts events, particularly the Michael Nyman concert with which the World Premiere of the On Landguard Point soundtrack took place.  And if that wasn’t enough the Tea Dance at Landguard Fort was perfectly charming – a wonderful afternoon in the sunshine with tea, cakes, sandwiches, and lots of dancing.  I am so thrilled local residents, and indeed those travelling to Felixstowe from afar, took the opportunity to be part of this project which is working hard to engage the East of England.”