Harwich Visitor Information Centre

14/08/2026

🚨You may have received the UK Government’s emergency alert warning about the increased risk of wildfires.

We absolutely want you to take it seriously - but we also need your help to keep our 999 Control Room lines available for emergencies.

Please call 999 if you see a fire that is spreading, out of control or putting people or property at risk.

If you see someone having a BBQ or a bonfire, please don’t call 999 simply to report it.

If you’re concerned about a fire, assess the situation from a safe distance. If there is an immediate risk to life or property, or a fire is spreading, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service.

12/08/2026

The Harwich Society Quiz Team will be putting music fans to the test when it hosts a special Music Quiz Night at The Royal Oak, Harwich, on Monday 24 August, starting at 8pm.

The evening will feature 100 pieces of popular music spanning more than six decades, from the 1960s right through to the present day. The challenge is simple – listen to each track and name the artist!

Teams can consist of up to eight people, with entry costing just £2 per person. There is no need to reserve a table, with places available on a first come, first served basis, so teams are encouraged to arrive in good time.

James Smith will be on the mic to keep the evening moving and put everyone’s musical knowledge to the test.

The evening is being held in aid of MIND and in memory of Jacob Kelly, with proceeds supporting the mental health charity. A raffle will also be held during the evening, and donations of raffle prizes would be very much appreciated.

Whether your musical knowledge stretches back to the swinging sixties or you know all the latest chart hits, gather your friends, form a team and come along for an entertaining evening while supporting a very worthwhile cause.

Music Quiz Night
Monday 24 August 2026 – 8pm
The Royal Oak, Harwich, CO12 3PL
Teams of up to 8 – £2 per person

For further information, please contact:
Garry Calver on 01255 551940



https://www.harwich-society.co.uk/music-quiz-night-in-aid-of-mind/

04/08/2026

🔦🌊 Step into the fascinating world of lighthouses! 🌊🔦

The Lighthouse Explorers Travelling Pharology Archive Pop-Up is coming to Harwich! ⚓

Discover the history, heritage and stories behind some of Britain's most iconic lighthouses through this unique travelling archive. Whether you're a lighthouse enthusiast, local history lover or simply looking for something different, there's something for everyone to enjoy! 🏛️📚

📍 Location: Entrance to the Harwich Maritime Museum, Harwich CO12 3NL
📅 Saturday 15 August & Sunday 16 August 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Free to visit

Come along, browse the archive, chat with fellow enthusiasts and uncover the rich maritime history that has guided generations of seafarers. ⚓💡

😊



https://www.harwich-society.co.uk/travelling-pharology-archive/

23/07/2026

📣 PRESS RELEASE: High Lighthouse to be illuminated for RNLI’s open day

Harwich Town Council will be illuminating the iconic Harwich High Lighthouse to celebrate Harwich RNLI’s open day on Saturday 1st August.

Working in conjunction with Tendring District Council (TDC) and the Harwich Society, Harwich Town Council has installed lighting equipment to illuminate the High Lighthouse and has a licence from TDC to light up the historic structure on up to 12 occasions each year.

The council has drawn up a diary of occasions that it believes should be celebrated or commemorated and, after five such illuminations so far this year, is very pleased by the positive reaction of the local community.

Cllr. Garry Calver, who was the council’s lead member on the project to illuminate the lighthouse, says, “The Harwich lifeboat is at the very heart of our local community and Harwich RNLI is holding its open day on Saturday 1st August. Harwich Town Council is delighted that, on behalf of the entire community, we can show our thanks, respect and appreciation to everyone who is, or has been, part of Harwich RNLI.”

The High Lighthouse will be illuminated yellow in honour of Harwich RNLI.

For further information please contact:
Lucy Ballard, clerk to the council, on 01255 507211

RNLI Harwich Lifeboat Station The Harwich Society
https://www.harwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/noticeboard/harwich-rnli-open-day/

19/07/2026

📣 PRESS RELEASE: Flags to fly at half-mast for ‘Fryatt Day’

Monday 27th July will be the 110th anniversary of the ex*****on of Captain Fryatt in 1916 and the flags flown at Harwich Society visitor attractions will all fly at half-mast in commemoration.

Captain Fryatt was the master of the SS Brussels which escaped from a German U boat in 1915 by attempting to ram it. Captain Fryatt and his crew were later taken prisoner by German forces and, in breach of international law and in spite of being a civilian, Captain Fryatt was court martialled and executed by firing squad.

In conjunction with the Harwich Society, Harwich Town Council has declared July 27th each year to be ‘Fryatt Day’ in his memory and it is requested that any local building flying a flag flies it at half-mast on that date.

Chairman of the Harwich Society, Andy Schooler, says, “The memory of Captain Fryatt remains very important to the people of Harwich and I know that the fact that we recognise the day locally means a lot to the Fryatt family.”

At the end of World War I there were only three sets of remains repatriated to the UK. These were the Unknown Soldier who rests in Westminster Abbey, nurse Edith Cavell who rests in Norwich Cathedral and Captain Charles Fryatt who rests in All Saints churchyard in Dovercourt. Captain Fryatt was afforded a state funeral in Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Harwich’s hospital bears his name.

“Captain Fryatt was a national hero and it is important that his memory is commemorated,” continued Andy Schooler. “The Harwich Society and Harwich Town Council fly all flags at half-mast on this day and we ask that any buildings flying flags join us in this small act of remembrance.”

For further information please contact:
Press Officer, Garry Calver on 01255 551940

19/07/2026

Can you help? 🤔 👇

The Harwich High Lighthouse is a popular Harwich Society visitor attraction. Visitors are drawn to the iconic lighthouse for its spectacular views, the history of the structure and its social...

13/06/2026

THIS weekend's photo from the Archive!
🎯🕰️ Unknown (Harwich) Darts Team – 1950s? 🕰️🎯
Unfortunately, we don't know who the players are!

👀 Do you recognise anyone in the picture?
🏆 Were you, a family member, or a friend involved in local darts during this era?
📖 We'd love to hear any memories, names, or information you can share.

Please post comments below if you can help identify the team and preserve a piece of Harwich sporting history.

🙏 Thank you for helping us uncover the story behind this photograph!

🎯📸

04/06/2026

🎉 Happy Volunteers' Week! 🎉
We're celebrating the incredible volunteers who help bring Harwich's history and heritage to life.
From supporting events and welcoming visitors to sharing skills, knowledge and expertise - every contribution makes a huge difference!
Interested in getting involved? There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with The Harwich Society, whether you can spare a few hours occasionally or would like to take on a more regular role.
To find out more, visit our website
or email 👉 [email protected].
Thank you to everyone who helps make our work possible 💙

14/04/2026

We love being part of a community that depends on (and cares about!) the Haven as much as we do 💙

⚓ From supporting safe navigation to investing in local initiatives and protecting our environment, we’re always looking at how we can do more for the people who use and enjoy our waters.

That’s why we’ve launched our Stakeholder Survey 2026 - and we’d really like to hear from you.

💬 Whether you’re out on the water, part of a local business, or simply interested in the Haven, your views matter.

⏱️ It only takes a few minutes to complete
👉 Take the survey here: https://re-url.uk/WH3E

12/04/2026

Harwich Society member, Betty Holbrook MBE, sadly passed away this afternoon. Betty, was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthdays Honours in 2019 for a lifetime of work dedicated to Harwich, she will be sadly missed by all.
Our thoughts are with Betty's family at this sad time.