Councillors and the street scenes teams from the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk have been taking the Anglia in Bloom judges on a tour of West Norfolk.
King’s Lynn was the first to be seen on Thursday 18 July. Borough councillor Elizabeth Nockolds took the judges on a tour of the town.
In Tower Gardens Julie Williams and Jo Reynolds from Soroptimist’s King’s Lynn explained the planting they had done in the gardens, alongside Rachel Williams and David Taylor who worked with local school children on projects in the Tommy Garden, including creating the little Tommy soldiers. President of the Rotary Club of King’s Lynn, Steve Roberts, pointed out their work. John Hayes from the Gaywood Valley Conservation Group and Phillip Pole also discussed the work they have done in the borough.
On Friday 19 July it was the turn of Hunstanton and Downham Market to be seen
Borough councillor Carol Bower showed the judges why she thought the town deserved another gold award, while town councillor Adrian Winnington pointed out the planting that had taken place to increase insects, including bees, into the town and the community orchard work. The Hunstanton Heritage Garden Friends and adopt a bedders joined the judges in Esplanade Gardens too.
In Downham Market, Borough Councillor Colin Sampson was joined by Deputy Mayor Jenny Groom and other town councillors and In Bloom committee members. The judges were particularly interested in the community orchard and the development of the allotments. After touring areas including the railway station, The Willows Nature Reserve, memorial garden and orchard they were serenaded by a musician at the Town Hall.
On Monday 22 July Bircham was judged. This is the first time they have entered Anglia in Bloom.
We find out the results from the judging at an awards ceremony held in St Ives, Cambridgeshire on 10 September.
Today sees the launch of Explore-a-book, a brand-new book bench trail, in West Norfolk.
The book bench trail has been funded by the Norfolk Strategic Fund, specifically to encourage people back into town centre areas and to help support those businesses adversely affected by the impact of Covid-19.
The trail has been organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk in partnership with Stories of Lynn and Kick the Dust.
Duncan Hall, Assistant Director, said: "We are working hard to encourage people back into town once it is safe to do so. This trail has been launched to coincide with the first lifting of restrictions, encouraging people to come out, and walk around King's Lynn, Downham and Hunstanton, to discover the benches and to learn a bit more about each area. Then as we move towards the next trigger for lifting restrictions we hope more people will come to see the benches and visit shops and other businesses while they do."
In the latest in our series finding out a little bit more about what it is like running a local independent business in Norfolk we caught up with the team behind The Hemporium Shops, one of our newest business members.
What is the History of The Hemporium Shops?
We opened our first Hemporium in Hunstanton in August 2019 followed by the second in Wells next the Sea in the first easing of the pandemic lockdown in June 2020. The third was in Holt in August 2020 with the fourth in September 2020 in Norwich just before the November lockdown. Finally shop number 5 was due to open on 5th November in Burnham Market but stalled due to the November lockdown being imposed but then opened briefly in the December prior to Tier 4 imposition for Xmas and then the January 5th 2021 lockdown! So the next stage of easing in April could see all 5 shops open for the first time ever!
The Government asked all local authorities to find suitable accommodation for homeless people in shelters and hostels to enable them to self isolate properly. All those identified have now been relocated to alternative accommodation where they have their own room and are able to follow social distancing guidance. They are also being provided with welfare support, 3 meals a day, toiletries and will soon be provided with clothing bundles.
This was no mean feat and would not have been achieved without the support of partners in west Norfolk providing assistance.
Cllr Adrian Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “I would like to thank all of those involved for their efforts in ensuring the safety and protection of the homeless in our area. While we know this is a time of concern for many, our top priority needs to be the most vulnerable in our community. This has been a mammoth task in such a short timeframe and I’m pleased to see that yet again the council has pulled together with community partners including the Purfleet Trust Day Centre, the Winter Night Shelter and Alive West Norfolk to ensure some of our most vulnerable members of the community are protected. Broadland Housing Association also stepped forward with providing accommodation. We wouldn't have achieved this without their support" .
This February, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk will once again be celebrating all its apprentices, during National Apprenticeship week, 3-9 February 2020.
The council has run a successful apprenticeship scheme for 8 years, supporting employees by offering a broad spectrum of apprenticeships across a variety of fields. At the moment, there are 30 apprentices working towards qualifications.
As part of the week-long celebration, a fresh campaign will be launched highlighting the apprentices, their successes and experiences while earning and learning at the council.
All apprentices are being asked to take part in the campaign. In addition, Stephanie Glasser (Accountancy) and Holly Attlesey (Waste & Recycling) have participated in the East of England Apprentice Challenge, competing to be the Local Government Apprentice of Year.
A much-loved and historic venue in King’s Lynn will give people an extra reason to visit when major refurbishment and renovation work is completed. Live shows return to the Alive Corn Exchange in March and, in the summer, a new two screen cinema will open at the site in the Tuesday Market Place.
As well as hosting regular live theatre, comedy and music in the main auditorium, visitors will be able to enjoy big screen releases in the upstairs cinema. There will be special screenings for parent and babies, parent and toddlers, Silver Screenings (for over 60 year olds) and family screenings at the weekend.
Comprehensive work is already taking place inside and outside the building. The glazed roof is being replaced with acoustically sealed zinc panels. Repairs are being made to the Grade II listed stonework façade, gutters and flashings.
A new floor will be put in the main foyer, with cladding of the box office and bar counters. The ground floor toilets will be refurbished, with additional female toilets.