Great Yarmouth’s Lydia Eva, the world’s last surviving steam drifter, has made a remarkable appearance in the box office hit, Wonka. The 93-year-old vessel plays a pivotal role in the film, which depicts the life of Willy Wonka before the events of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Warner Bros scouts recognized the potential of the Lydia Eva and had the boat towed to Lyme Regis in Dorset for filming in 2021. The vessel was transformed with fake snow and ice to create captivating scenes in the movie.
Paul Mitchell, chairman of the Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Trust, expressed his surprise when Warner Bros approached them, stating, When I first got a call from Warner Bros, I thought it was somebody winding me up. I wondered what they’d want with a 93-year-old boat. Mitchell hopes that the boat’s appearance on the silver screen will help secure its future.
The Lydia Eva, currently moored at Great Yarmouth’s South Quay as a floating museum, opened specially last weekend to commemorate its cinematic debut. Mitchell is optimistic that the increased visibility from the film will attract more visitors, stating, I’d like to think that on the back of this, we might see increased footfall… We’re hoping young kids who saw the Lydia Eva in Wonka will ask their parents if they can come have a look at her.
The Norfolk connection to Wonka does not end with the Lydia Eva. Norwich-born Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman stars in the film, alongside Tim FitzHigham from King’s Lynn.
Built in King’s Lynn in 1930, the Lydia Eva was originally launched by owner Harry Eastick, who named the boat after his daughter. However, due to the declining herring stocks, its fishing career off the Norfolk coast was relatively short-lived, lasting only eight years. It was subsequently purchased by the armed forces and served for approximately 30 years before being restored as a floating museum in Great Yarmouth in the 1970s.
The Lydia Eva’s appearance in Wonka not only adds to its rich history but also serves as a reminder of the vessel’s significance. The cost of maintaining the boat’s certification ranges from £15,000 to £30,000 per year, and it was heavily affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mitchell hopes that the exposure from the film will attract more visitors to support the preservation of this historic vessel.
As Wonka takes the box office by storm, the presence of the Lydia Eva has captured the attention of audiences and Willy Wonka fans alike. The boat’s role in the film further cements its place in maritime history and offers a unique connection between the fictional world of Roald Dahl and the charming reality of Great Yarmouth’s floating museum.
