Welcome to That Was The Year That Was, a review of an eventful 2015, as compiled by MICK HOWES and MARK BOGGIS. In the 11th part, we look back at some of the stories making the headlines in The Journal last November.

Lowestoft Journal: Peter Aldous at the Offshore Wind Works conference.Peter Aldous at the Offshore Wind Works conference. (Image: RobHowarthPhotography00447768285551)

Parkrun launched – Exactly 200 runners of all ages limbered up as the first ever Lowestoft Parkrun along the seafront was launched.

The non-competitive event was hailed a success although it was not in a park setting. Starting on the seafront, close to the Hotel Hatfield, runners made their way along the promenade and slalomed around a three mile (5km) course.

Fire Service cutbacks – Wrentham fire station could close, and Lowestoft fire station would lose one appliance – if proposals from Suffolk County Council were accepted later this year.

Firefighters have pledged to fight the move, and their union leader has branded the proposal as 'ridiculous and absurd.' A final decision is set to be made in April or May this year.

Major windfarm deal – Lowestoft was set to be the centre of a 'renewable energy revolution' after Scottish Power Renewables announced that it was to invest millions of pounds into the port to create a construction and long-term maintenance base for the East Anglia ONE windfarm, off the Suffolk coast.

This follows the announcement that the Galloper windfarm would also have its construction base in Lowestoft. Both projects will bring thousands of short-term jobs to the town – but, crucially, East Anglia ONE will also bring longer-term, highly skilled engineering jobs for a generation.

Remembrance Day – Services of remembrance were held in many local towns and villages. A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at the war memorial on Royal Plain in Lowestoft to pay their respects to fallen servicemen and women – with veterans, their families and members of the public in attendance.

Old Cannons restored – For hundreds of years, the 2.5 tonne cannons of Gun Hill have stood proudly on Southwold cliffs. They are now set to stand for another hundred years, after the rotting timber and wheel shafts of their carriages were replaced with new oak ones. Meanwhile in Lowestoft the three historic cannon in Belle Vue Park were also restored to their former glory thanks to some painstaking renovation work.

Seasonal cheer – The festive season kicked off in style when the Christmas lights were switched on. Girl band NW10 performed in Lowestoft before the Beach Radio team turned on the lights.