Hanse Festival in King's Lynn

Celebrating the town's rich Hanseatic heritage.

6 year old Carolina, dressed up as a pirate, is dancing along to shanties being sung in King’s Staithe Square. She says it’s ‘cool’ being a pirate “I made my outfit up” she tells me, “I’ve got normal clothes and then I’ve used some accessories - belt, necklace, a hat and an eye patch”. And a parrot puppet I remind her, which is hanging off the belt.

6 year old Carolina in her outfit

And along with her sister and family they’re making the most of this year’s Hanse festival. On stage are an all female shanty group based in Snettisham - Sirens at the Helm. It’s the first time they’ve performed at the event and founding member Rachel Parker says they feel honoured to be invited and are absolutely loving the atmosphere.

Shanty group Sirens at the Helm

As their set comes to an end we can hear the flag parade, making its way from the town centre. At the front musicians play medieval music and one of them, Lizzie Gutteridge, says it’s brilliant fun to be leading the parade. She adds “The high street is great to play in because the sound bounces off the buildings and you surprise people who didn’t know they were going to see a parade. And it’s taking music to people rather than them being stuck in a concert hall, which we love”.

The musicians leading the parade (The new Cambridge Waits) - Lizzie is second from the left

My one year old sees there’re some children’s activities - pirate boat making so we’re off. We meet 2 year old Aiden who successfully launches his into a water trough. Lizzie Grimwood is standing watching with her 5 week old “It’s really nice that there’s lots to see and do and that it’s all free as well, we’re really fortunate, every year we come”.

Aiden launching his boat

The Square is now full of people and there are costumes everywhere you turn - Carolina has some competition. I spot Tim FitzHigham, Cultural Officer for Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, who’s in a shakespearean style outfit (woollen trousers, which he says will be fun as the day gets hotter). “It’s brilliant isn’t it to see so many people, lots of young people as well, and the different nationalities represented in the parade.”

Lithuanian dancers

This event is to celebrate the town’s membership in the Hanseatic League dating back to the 13th century, a powerful trading network stretching from the east of England to the Baltic and North Sea. And as we leave the Square Lithuanian dancers have taken to the stage. On our way across the historic quayside to Hanse House Courtyard we bump into Sir Thomas, a knight from a medieval reenactment society in Lincolnshire. “I heard a few kids on the parade saying ‘wow’ which was nice”.

Sir Thomas and The Knights of Skirbeck - Medieval reenactment society

I think for a moment how it might feel to get that reaction, but then he tells me how warm it is inside the armour - 10 degrees hotter - so decide I’m better in shorts and a t-shirt.

When we arrive at the courtyard there’s more music and more outfits to marvel at. Over the weekend the town has been full of celebrations, the festival going strong in its 20th year. There have been exhibitions, markets, plays and even a children’s pirate outfit competition, which sadly we missed but I had my fingers crossed for Carolina.

All images and video credit: Dani Crawshaw T&A