Mark Piper, Pennant 791b

Great Yarmouth has been many things for me,                                                it’s ebbed and flowed into my life like its sea.                                                I remember it so clear, hope it will return to that clarity                                                or was it an enhanced old memory.

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Feeling the sand between my toes for the first time, on the beach behind my Nan and Grandad’s caravan. Getting refreshments in the Winter Gardens, my other Nan had told me about seeing  the Crystal Palace. I thought this is what it must have looked like, as the sun was gleaming through the magnificently framed glass.

Later the Pleasure Beach Giant comes to mind swinging his club in front of the wooden rollercoaster, riding through the mountains. Then trying not to get splashed by the water ride.

As a teenager I had my first unaccompanied holiday with my friends & girlfriends.  Radio 1 roadshow, Janice Long. Chas & Dave played in the new Marina Centre; we listened from outside.

A year later I successfully applied for the Great Yarmouth Art College, I loved the building.

Fate decided that I wouldn’t get to Yarmouth yet.

After several years I moved to Stalham , Yarmouth again came into my life, party nights, Friends’ tattoos.

Later I came back to visit our grandchildren who had been born here. First walk and kick of a ball at St. Georges Park, taking a grandson to the Winter Gardens where my grandad had taken me. Our grandchildren’s faces would light up with every new discovery of wonderment at the sight, lights & sounds of this magical town. They’ve grown up here, going to the local schools, Yarmouth has been their life.

My wife and I moved to Great Yarmouth to be near them, and when, I needed the help of the wonderful angels at the local hospital. I have them to thank for saving my life. They treated me before and after I had my stomach removed for cancer. The same month my treatment ended the Covid lockdown began. During this time, I saw true community spirit as people came together to help the vulnerable. I had lovely volunteers shopping and delivering food and medication to me. checking on my welfare.

After those turbulent years we moved to the centre of town back near the Art College and park which had played important parts in my life. We were ready to start living again with renewed vigour, when my world was turned upside down. My wife of 30 years was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. After her passing I found great comfort from some newfound friends. Firstly, a local D.J. Whose generosity & kindness had helped me through some tough times. He introduced me to the amazing community radio station Harbour Radio. There I was

welcomed into their family and allowed the space to start rebuilding my life. All of the local arts groups have welcomed and helped me, enabling me to smile, laugh and dare I say, enjoy living again.

The great festivals and events abundant in Great Yarmouth lift my spirits and raise my smiles. The writing, poetry and art groups have given me the freedom to create my way through depression.

So, I find myself at the end of this journey down memory lane. where I came as a child, where I lived my youth, where my grandchildren were born, where my life was saved, where my wife’s life was lost. Where I was broken, where I was mended.

Throughout it all I have found that the people, the community, the heart of Great Yarmouth has been an integral part of mine and family’s life. The friendships I have here are true friendships, people who genuinely care for each other. You could say Great Yarmouth is in my D.N.A. and I love it for all of its differences to everywhere else. The people and the heart are what make Yarmouth Great.

                                        ----------------------------------------------------------                                                           Great Yarmouth has ebbed & flowed                                                  in & out of my life like its sea.                                                  I love many things about it, most of all                                                  it’s tolerant, caring community.