A new community-led archives facility is set to be officially launched next month.
With the strapline of 'Keeping local history local' the Lowestoft & District Independent Archive (LADIA) organisation is set to be unveiled on the first day of Heritage Open Days this year.
LADIA - incorporating the Save Our Record Office group, who campaigned against Suffolk County Council's decision to move historic archives from Lowestoft Record Office to Ipswich - will launch the new community-led archives facility in Lowestoft at noon on Friday, September 8.
A spokesman said: "The Lowestoft & District Independent Archive (LADIA) is a charitable trust formed and governed by six local history enthusiasts to preserve the local history of north east Suffolk within the area to which it relates, with the help and support of many others."
LADIA will launch at its new base - the Grit Arts and Heritage Centre on Old Nelson Street in Lowestoft - next month.
The spokesman added: "This is the official public launch of an exciting and brand new community-led archives facility, with an exhibition featuring local archives and history material supplied by the group trustees and the Jack Rose Old Lowestoft Society.
"Meet the creators and trustees of this brand new community-based local independent archives facility and sample an exhibition showcasing the importance of localism and retention of documents in the area they have most relevance to."
With Suffolk County Council removing all original strongroom archives from their Lowestoft Record Office branch to the £20m The Hold in Ipswich in April 2021, there was widespread anger, sadness and disappointment at the move - which the county council said was necessary for the long-term preservation of historic archives.
The LADIA spokesman added: "LADIA aims to provide a safe and secure repository for any future local records from the Lowestoft area, keeping them accessible to local people."
Visitors to the launch events are invited to meet the team and tour the Archive Room, which must be booked beforehand, with further details online.
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