Stuart Hobday is leading an initiative to establish a new Norwich History Festival for the summer. With the launch of a Crowdfunder, Stuart explains why the city’s culture and heritage need celebrating
When did you first have the idea for a Norwich History Festival and what is the thinking behind it? This isn’t the first festival in the city you have initiated?
Yes, 10 years ago I initiated the Norwich Science Festival working with The Forum and that has proved to be very successful and a year ago in conversation with a few other people we agreed that a history festival could be really good for Norwich. I think the city centre economy benefits from these types of initiatives as well as hopefully supporting a lot of independent heritage businesses.
What are your connections to Norwich and what do you love most about the city?
My parents moved to Norwich from Birmingham when I was 8yrs old and I spent my formative years here. I moved to London for a few years but like a lot of people I came back, and I became Director of the Arts Centre for 9 years until 2013. I’ve written two books about Harriet Martineau who was a 19th Century radical who came from Norwich and through her I became more aware of some of the hidden stories in Norwich history particularly the radical writing and a unique history of women demanding to be heard. This year’s festival will have the theme of ‘Rebels and Radicals’ and that has seemed very appropriate.
When and where will the Norwich History Festival take place and what can people expect?
It will take place across 9 days between July 17th and 25th and will include talks, walks, films and theatre. This first year will be a pilot and I’m hopeful it will become bigger in 2026.
You recently set up Curiosity Events CIC – will it be the first of many events celebrating the city?
I’ve set up the company with the view of supporting people developing science and history shows but the History Festival will be the focus initially.
Where can people find more about what’s happening/how to get involved?
There is a website norwichhistoryfestival.co.uk and we’re also currently running a Crowdfunder which will help the festival establish itself as an annual fixture so we’d be very grateful for any contributions no matter how small. This can be found at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/norwich-history-festival
The Norwich History Festival is planned for July 17-25, 2025 and there are already 25 events planned on the theme of ‘Rebels and Radicals’. The festival will be aimed at engaging people who aren’t already engaged with history and hopefully support the existing heritage businesses and venues in Norwich city centre. Events and updates will be uploaded in April onto the website. In the meantime there is a Crowdfunder – any donations will help establish the event this year.
Featured image of Stuart Hobday supplied
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