Local theatre to join training programme with England's largest festival of history and culture

Heritage Open Days (HODs) is a national festival which celebrates England's culture and history. During the festival, visitors get free access to properties that are usually closed to the public among other special events. This year, the event takes place from September 8-17 and will include more than 7,000 properties across England. The theme for 2023 is Creativity Unwrapped.

New Wave, is an annual training and development programme delivered by Heritage Open Days, and takes participants through a structured programme focused around working with young adults to develop new, innovative Heritage Open Days events.

Each year, those taking part receive guidance and support from guest speakers including Decision House, Imperial War Museums, The Tate, The Audience Agency, Y Heritage Leicester YMCA, and Chloé Nelkin Consulting. From this, new connections and partnerships can be formed to help create the final events.

Alex Youngs, from Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, said: "We absolutely love taking part in the annual Heritage Open Days festival as it gives us a chance to really showcase what a beautiful and important building the Gorleston Pavilion is and to talk about our exciting plans for the future. 

"This year we are particularly thrilled to have been accepted in the HODs New Wave programme. Its funding and expertise will help us to put together new and exciting creative events for young adults which we can run alongside our existing backstage tours to hopefully inspire a new generation of people to learn about and enjoy the fantastic heritage we have in our town."

Heritage Open Days is coordinated by the National Trust with support from players of People's Postcode Lottery. Locally, events and openings are coordinated by Great Yarmouth Borough Councils' marketing and events officer to support organisations and volunteers who share a passion for places, history and culture. Every Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission.

Event registration opens on March 1. Venues wanting to get involved with Heritage Open Days can contact Ruth Cockrill via ruth.cockrill@great-yarmouth.gov.uk .