That was the year that was: A review of 2022 in Lowestoft

It was also the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and a change in the monarchy with the death of her majesty and the appointment of King Charles III.

Here is the final part of our two part-review reflecting on the past 12 months, featuring stories that hit the headlines in The Journal between July and December 2022.

July

Gorleston chairman Jamie Humphries and Lowestoft Town FC chairman Gary Keyzor shake hands on the groundshare agreement. (Image: Lowestoft Town FC)

A historic 12-month ground share agreement was sealed at Crown Meadow between Lowestoft Town FC and Gorleston FC with alternate home games to be played on Saturdays and in midweek.

Dignitaries at the official opening of Eastern Edge - 72 contemporary beach huts on Lowestoft seafront. (Image: Newsquest)

A £2.6m scheme to install 72 contemporary new beach huts on Jubilee Terrace was celebrated at an unveiling ceremony. Named ‘Eastern Edge’, the huts have a £30,000 purchase price tag.

Lowestoft firefighters tackling a fire in the open at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve. (Image: Andy Lloyd)

As a heatwave struck with the hottest day on record, firefighters were called to an unprecedented number of fires many of which were in the open.

August

The international Smack Race and Vessels Festival was successfully held in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

A fleet of historic sailing smacks and Old Gaffers took part in an International Smack Race off Lowestoft, which also featured a Vessels Festival near to the Heritage Quay.

A CGI produced for the Lowestoft Masterplan for what the Station Quarter area could look like. Picture: EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL (Image: East Suffolk Council)

Government approval was given together with £24.9m funding for a wave of regeneration projects in Lowestoft. The five schemes focus on Station Quarter, the Culture Quarter, the Historic Quarter, the Seafront Vision and the Port Gateway.

September

Union Flags were out waving for the Queen as she made her way through Lowestoft in 1985. Picture: JOHN KERR (Image: John Kerr)

Heartfelt tributes were paid across Waveney after the death of The Queen. Lowestoft mourned the news with books of condolence and floral tributes.

A large crowd gathered at South Pier in Lowestoft for the reading of the accession. (Image: Mick Howes)

Hundreds of people gathered at Royal Plain to hear the proclamation of the accession of King Charles III read out by the Mayor of Lowestoft, Alan Green.

Taco Bell in Lowestoft ahead of the opening. Picture: MICK HOWES (Image: Mick Howes)

The Mexican inspired fast food giant - Taco Bell - opened its first restaurant in Lowestoft on London Road North.

October

Lowestoft's Gull Wing bridge NAV 1 installation. (Image: CHPV Offshore Film & Photography)

A major milestone in the £126m Lowestoft Third Crossing project was passed with the first giant span gently put in place. The 55ft long bridge section called Nav 1 was placed over the railway lines.

Former England international and Lowestoft Ladies' FA Cup winner Vicky Johnson, now Sartain, at Wembley. PICTURE: The FA) (Image: 2022 The FA)

Some of the Lowestoft Ladies FA Cup winning squad - The Waves - were presented to the Wembley crowd at half time during the Lionesses clash with the USA.

November

Ed Sheeran filming a music video on north Lowestoft beach. Picture: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

Singer song writer Ed Sheeran surprised local people on Gunton Cliff when he and his production crew turned up to shoot a music video on North Beach, Lowestoft.

The unveiling of Colin Law Way in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

A new access road to the Riverside Business Park, ‘Colin Law Way’ was formally officially opened in a poignant ceremony by Mr Law’s widow Deanna.

December

Bob Green at the World Cup in Qatar. (Image: Bob Green)

Football fan Bob Green put Suffolk on the map by displaying a Lowestoft flag at football World Cup in Qatar.

Craig Harrison and Debbie Piper with the winning cheque. (Image: The National Lottery)

A lucky couple, Craig Harrison and Debbie Piper won £100,000 a month for a year on a scratchcard from the National Lottery after buying it from the Co-op in Pinewood Avenue.