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Literary festivals generally have to work hard to cover their costs. Sea Fever is no exception – and indeed is run on an entirely voluntary basis to do more than avoid debt. The outgoings are considerable. Venue hire, publicity, paying speakers and accountancy are the main ones. Hitherto we have just about covered our costs. This is through the generosity of private individuals and through the loyal support of the North and West Norfolk solicitors Hayes & Storr. 

 

 

Now we’d like to put the festival on a firmer financial footing. Not least to enable Sea Fever to – ah – spread its wings. This year are repeating our 2019 experiment of having a small maritime festival in the autumn, and we already have the bones of a hugely exciting programme for 2023. 

 

We are doing this by putting the existing arrangement on a more formal basis by launching Sea Fever Friends.

 

 

 

Sea Fever Friends 

 

The Friends of Sea Fever are enthusiasts for the arts who want to make a contribution to their local community. Some of them live permanently in Wells-next-the Sea, the Burnhams, and the other villages further east, west and south of Wells Maltings, the festival’s home. Others are visitors. All of them want to make a difference by encouraging the arts – writing and writers in particular - on the North Norfolk coast. Their support helps us continue to deliver an exciting and diverse programme of literary, artistic and cultural events. They become part of the festival family. 

 

There are three categories of membership:

 

Wells Friend. £10 a year for an individual, couple or household.

 

This is aimed at those who live locally, in particular Wells and the surrounding villages. As a Wells Friend, you will enjoy:

 

• An advance copy of the Festival programme and notifications of forthcoming events

• Priority advance booking: One week ahead of general public sales;

• Invitations to exclusive events as well as pop up events;

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Friend. £25 a year for an individual, couple or household.

 

 

You will enjoy all Wells Friend benefits, plus:

 

• Acknowledgement of support in Festival programme

• Quarterly newsletters

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Chair’s Circle. £250 a year for an individual, couple or household.

 

 

You will enjoy all Friend benefits, plus:

 

•          The ability to direct your exceptional support towards any aspect of our programme

•          Two complimentary tickets to the Opening Night of the Festival plus invitations to drinks receptions.  

 

Membership runs from the date when membership is taken to 31 January each year. 

However, as a special launch offer, we are extending the first period of membership to 31 January 2024.

 

 

You can hear more about our Friends of Sea Fever scheme from any of the members of our Advisory Board (Jeremy Brettingham, Sophie Butler, Rosalind English, Clare Lewis, Vicky RangeleyWilson), our Festival Chair Ian Scott or myself. Or email Sophie (our Friends Co-ordinator) at info@seafeverliteraryfestival.com. 

 

To join our Friends scheme, email Sophie at info@seafeverliteraryfestival.com 

 

She will be pleased to send a short form to complete and ask you either: • Send a cheque made out to Sea Fever Literary Festival Ltd, Rainbow Cottage, New Road, Burnham Overy Staithe, Kings Lynn PE31 8JD. • Or transfer by BACS to the Sea Fever Literary Festival account: sort code is 52-41-29; account number 44565011 (adding in your surname/Friend as a reference). 

 

 

I do very much hope this is something you will consider. We also very much hope that – with your help – we will be able to take the festival on to a major new phase in its existence. 

 

 

Jim Ring, Sea Fever Festival Director