Shefarers: Platforming untold stories of Suffolk’s women maritime workers

Photograph of two women holding up a flag while standing on a boat.

National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £3,000 to £10,000

Date awarded
Location
Alexandra
Local Authority
Ipswich
Applicant
SPILL FESTIVAL LTD
Award Given
£10000
Women of the Seven Seas aims to transform a historic sailing barge into a participatory research hub, where ‘Shefarers’ contribute stories of living and working on the water.

The project will record, catalogue and distribute oral histories, diverse portraits, and maritime testimonies to address a significant gap in the provision of maritime heritage in and near Ipswich, once a major port town in the medieval Hanseatic network.

A photograph of a group of women in conversation while sitting around at a large table
Ipswich Shefarers meeting

The elements funded by National Lottery players are:

  • activating and managing the research hub which will also act as an ongoing meeting space
  • creating and disseminating a tide calendar which will profile individual stories
  • supporting evaluation, marketing and access costs

Ipswich’s rich maritime history has had a huge impact on the town’s cultural identity and diversity.

The Shefarers of Ipswich will highlight untold stories of women working at sea in a region with an incredibly rich maritime heritage. We are delighted The National Lottery Heritage Fund have helped bring this project to life.

Robin Deacon, Artistic Director of SPILL Festival

Photograph of two smiling women dressed in white on a boat
Artists aboard Sailing Barge Victor(ia), Ipswich

Initiated by German art collective secret agency (geheimagentur), building a connected and resilient network of Shefarers will inspire more opportunities for women, from access to private female changing for staff on vessels to maximising community impact.

Robin Deacon, Artistic Director of SPILL Festival said: “It is wonderful to connect the Women of the Seven Seas project with our local maritime communities as part of SPILL Festival this year. The Shefarers of Ipswich will highlight untold stories of women working at sea in a region with an incredibly rich maritime heritage. We are delighted The National Lottery Heritage Fund have helped bring this project to life.”

Will you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences on using our website?

Take part in the survey