Was the Lowestoft Town Hall Riot really a 'riot'? 1930s Lowestoft and the Great Depression

This talk reprises and builds upon the talk in 2023 that commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Lowestoft Town Hall (so-called) 'Riot' of 1933 when 100 unemployed men and their supporters marched on Lowestoft Town Hall in protest of the withdrawal of coal-relief payments. Waiting for them inside were a number of policemen who arrested 24 of the marchers and took them to Norwich prison. The events of that day and the aftermath will be explored.

The talk is being held again this year to mark the centenary of the General Strike of 1926 and the General Depression of the 1920s and 30s that followed. It is an example of how unemployment and poverty affected all working-class communities across Britain, including those in Lowestoft. By highlighting this one event and its consequences on ordinary people's lives at that time the talk will demonstrate how our own local community helped shape social and labour history.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

2pm - 3:30pm

Location & directions

The Mayfly Cafe and Arts Centre, 72 High Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1XN

Directions:

The event will be held at the Mayfly Cafe and Arts Centre (so open for drinks but not the general public at this time).

Contact on day:

Susan Steward

Telephone number:

+447952044358

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

In person in the Mayfly (during the week before) or by contacting [email protected] stating subject as 'Town Hall Riot Talk'

Booking contact name:

Susan Steward

Booking telephone number:

+441502589626

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

07 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

13 Sep 2026 12:00 PM

Accessibility details

This event will be held in a cafe that has toilets, however the toilets are downstairs and so not fully accessible.

Additional information

cafe and Arts Centre

Max number of people:

20

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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