Lecture planned as work on historic Great Yarmouth shrimper continues

A historic Great Yarmouth shrimper called the Horace & Hannah YH321 was rescued by the Lowestoft-based Excelsior Trust several years ago.

And now, as the restoration of the century-old vessel continues, a special lecture is planned to shed light on its fascinating background.

The Excelsior Trust chairman Jamie Campbell is delivering a lecture on Friday, February 24 at the University of East Anglia on Great Yarmouth Shrimpers. Picture: The Excelsior Trust (Image: The Excelsior Trust)

Jamie Campbell, the trust's chairman, will highlight the importance of the "unique" shrimper class at the University of East Anglia.  

It comes as the restoration of Horace & Hannah gathers pace.

Built in 1906 by famous Great Yarmouth lifeboat builders, the Beeching Brothers, the vessel is 18ft 8in long.

Horace Gedge - original owner of the Yarmouth shrimper Horace and Hannah. Picture: Newsquest (Image: Bill Darnell)

Fisherman Horace Gedge commissioned the Beeching Bros. yard to build him a shrimper after his parents - Horace and Hannah Gedge - died the previous year.

Pink shrimp became a Great Yarmouth speciality in the 19th Century. At its peak there were up to 100 shrimpers operating out of the port.

Horace & Hannah worked the offshore sandbanks off Yarmouth until the late 1950s, when she was sold to Essex and restored to original sailing condition in 1987.

Restoration of YH321. Picture: The Excelsior Trust (Image: The Excelsior Trust)

But after encountering numerous problems over the years - including sinking and having to be recovered more than once - the Excelsior Trust took on the project of rebuilding the boat.

A trust spokesman said: "She is about to start a new stage of her life helping young people go to sea.

"The Excelsior Trust has worked with young people for over 30 years and we look forward to having our Yarmouth shrimper in use.

Restoration of Horace & Hannah. Picture: The Excelsior Trust (Image: The Excelsior Trust)

"She's a truly significant piece of local maritime heritage."

The lecture will be hosted by the Centre for East Anglian Studies.

It will take place on Friday, February 24 at 7pm. Tickets are £10 including a glass of wine available from the Excelsior Trust website or by calling 07821 281 950.