Britten as a Boy

A community project to celebrate Benjamin Britten, as a boy, with a statue looking out over the sea that inspired him in his birth town of Lowestoft.

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

To celebrate Benjamin Britten’s 112th birthday today, this wonderful drone photography of Lowestoft’s new @brittenasaboy statue, sculpted by @RankBroadley, was filmed by Jamie Garbutt.

https://t.co/EGhZ56yrMF

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

This is my favourite photo of @johnmrutter from Monday’s unveiling of Lowestoft’s @BrittenAsABoy statue. A look of pure joy, undefeated by the rain. We are so grateful to Sir John for generously supporting this special day for the town.
📷 by @ClassicFM listener Graham Gosling

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

The historic and proud moment yesterday afternoon when Lowestoft greeted its @brittenasaboy statue unveiled by @johnmrutter before a promenade full of townsfolk splendidly singing their hearts out, undefeated by the North Sea squall. It was all perfectly Peter Grimes.

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

One week to go!
https://t.co/xZpgBqwUW7

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

An early train to Lowestoft this morning to witness the historic installation of the @BrittenAsABoy statue which will be unveiled by @johnmrutter on Monday 10th November at 2pm

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

The song ‘What Bliss is Home’ composed by @benparrymusic that will be sung by local schoolchildren at the unveiling of the BRITTEN AS A BOY statue | Download the words and music free from our website (link in biog) and join in on Mon 10th Nov at 2pm 🎶 https://t.co/qI4zv47lfn

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

We are thrilled to announce that @johnmrutter will unveil Lowestoft’s BRITTEN AS A BOY statue on Monday 10th November!
https://t.co/Badrmze3Mf

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

Our latest news update 👉🏻 GROUNDWORKS TO BEGIN https://t.co/H5B9nsUEp0

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

We are beyond thrilled to announce that the Britten as a Boy statue has been UNANIMOUSLY passed by this afternoon’s @EastSuffolk Council Planning Committee North. Young Benjamin will be gazing out to sea very soon. Thank you to everyone who has supported the project 🙏 ❤️

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

We paid a final visit to @RankBroadley studio on Saturday to sign-off the clay statue of @BrittenAsABoy. Today it will be moulded, then cast in bronze at the foundry. When the figure is attached to its base (see next photo) it will stand an impressive 12ft high.

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

Turns out the best way to view a sculpture in progress is to lie on the floor! Ruth and Zeb visiting @RankBroadley to inspect @BrittenAsABoy

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

BBC News 👇
https://t.co/cd7EDOQJAU

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

Todays East Anglian Daily Times @EADT24 👇 https://t.co/lYDHISzQec

[Jess Asato MP @Jess4Lowestoft]

What absolutely brilliant news!! Congratulations to @BrittenAsABoy and everyone who has supported this wonderful project. Cannot wait to see the final sculpture!

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

Members of East Suffolk Council, Lowestoft Town Council and the Kirkley People's Forum came together yesterday to celebrate the exciting news that we have reached our fundraising target! Read the story here 👇https://t.co/sK8qrZ7akg

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

On Britten’s birthday today we have a very exciting announcement!!

[Britten as a Boy @BrittenAsABoy]

Own Britten and Pear’s signatures on this little piece of history, being auctioned at @twgazeauctions to support the @BrittenAsABoy statue next Thursday at 10 am 🔨 Register to bid online 👇🏻 https://t.co/GByfsLvESm

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

BBC NEWS on the sale of Britten’s birthplace. Fingers crossed now for a sympathetic and imaginative buyer … https://t.co/j21ln3YcVf

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

A wonderful afternoon, showing @Paul_Edmondson around Benjamin Britten’s childhood haunts in Lowestoft; starting at the proposed site of our @BrittenAsABoy statue, opposite Britten’s birthplace (now for sale) and ending at the church organ his mother and the young Britten played.

[Zeb Soanes @zebsoanes]

Further to my post yesterday about Benjamin Britten’s Lowestoft birthplace being up for sale, we met with lovely Ann the current owner today, who would be delighted to talk to any philanthropic individuals/organisations who can see its historic and cultural value/potential.