Ten lucky runners have the chance to join Team EACH and represent East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices at a popular 10k run in Norfolk. The Recipharm Grand East Anglia Run (GEAR 10k) is taking place in King’s Lynn on Sunday, 1st May.
EACH has been allocated ten spaces and is keen to hear from anyone, whether a novice or seasoned runner, who fancies joining them and helping raise money to support its work across East Anglia.
Tim Jenkins, EACH Community Fundraiser for Norfolk, said: “This is a perfect opportunity for anyone after a fun fitness challenge this Spring. It takes place in the picturesque setting of a historic market town and the scenic course is flat and suitable for all. It’s an enormously popular event and has sold out in recent years, so anyone wanting to get a fantastic event in their running diary should make contact and book their place now.”
The GEAR 10k, which was staged in August, rather than May, last year, attracts around 3,000 runners and takes in the town centre, River Ouse pathway and The Walks. Runners also pass famous landmarks including the Custom House, Red Mount and Greyfriars Tower.
The lucky ten are asked to pay a £10 registration fee and the suggested sponsorship amount is £100. “All you need to do is register your interest by heading to our website,” added Tim. We’ll then get back to you. In addition, we’d also love to hear from anyone who already has a place and would like to raise money for us. Just fill in the same form and we’ll get in touch with fundraising tips and support.”
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, as well as Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. It has three hospices – The Nook, near Norwich, Milton, near Cambridge, and The Treehouse, in Ipswich.
To register your interest, head here or go to www.each.org.uk/support-us/events/kings-lynn-gear-10k
For more information, contact Tim via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01508 500894. Tim would also love to hear from anyone willing to volunteer and be a marshal on the day.
Flags were waved, boats walked down the high street, there was dancing and sea-shanties sung in King’s Staithe Square, along with a festival regatta on the river as part of the 12th King’s Lynn Hanse Festival.
Cllr Graham Middleton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Business, Culture and Heritage at the borough council, said: “The sun was shining and the crowd flocked to see the parade of flags through town and the entertainment on stage in King’s Staithe Square.
“I would like to thank King’s Lynn Hanse Group, Wells and King’s Lynn Coastal Rowing Club, Stories of Lynn, King’s Lynn Town Guides, the teams at the Minster, Hanse House, Marriott’s Warehouse, Clifton House Tower and The Place for making this a great event again and for encouraging people to visit King’s Lynn and enjoy what the town has to offer.”
Music maestro Barry Holden has admitted feeling “incredibly happy and proud” after raising just over £10,000 from the last of his hugely popular Norfolk festivals.
The 77-year-old has raised thousands of pounds for charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) by staging a series of Live Aid-style concerts in North Walsham.
The first was in 1986, inspired by Sir Bob Geldof’s global fundraiser, and another took place in January 2005, in the aftermath of the devastating Boxing Day tsunami. Barry’s gigs have since taken place every year bar two, because of Covid, but it was the end of an era when the last one was held at North Walsham Community Centre on Saturday, 28th May.
It was in aid of EACH and Addenbrooke's Teenagers Cancer Trust and both charities will receive £5,100.
A floral display has been created in King’s Lynn to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.
Created by Jason Wells with help from Sam Martin, who work for the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, a specially created badge bed in Tower Gardens marks the occasion with flowers. There are a mixture of plants such as Begonias, Pelargoniums, Marigolds, Dahlias and some Cannas as centre pieces.
Cllr Brian Long, Cabinet member for Corporate Services, said: “The message in the Tower Gardens display is to mark the historic occasion of the Queen’s 70 years of service and I’m pleased that everyone in the borough can visit and see it. These plants add a nice splash of colour to our green spaces. It looks stunning and should be in place for people to come and see until early November.”
Children from St Martha’s Catholic Primary School in King’s Lynn have been learning about the town’s history through a fun activity to recreate some of its buildings using recycled materials.
Developed as part of the five-year Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project, the lessons aim to inspire today’s young people to learn about and protect their historic environment.
Speaking after a visit to see the children working on their buildings, Cllr Richard Blunt, the borough council’s cabinet member for development and regeneration and chair of the HAZ project board, said: “King’s Lynn has a rich and varied history that is important to preserve, from its associations with King John to its strategic importance as a medieval trading port. This project is helping to educate future generations about our local heritage and learn why it is important to conserve it, and I have been amazed to hear how much they know. These are also living buildings that remain part of our culture and they are still used: I was talking to one boy about the town hall and explained to him, ‘that’s my office!’”
Over 6,000 new trees have been planted near Lynnsport in King’s Lynn. A further 500 trees have been replanted in King’s Reach.
Cllr Paul Kunes, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “This is the first large-scale planting programme as part of the borough council’s strategy to tackle climate change and offset carbon dioxide emissions.
“We started the year by planting a small number of whips in The Walks, followed by more than 400 trees being planted in Sedgeford. It’s a great way of helping our environment, through planting native species, and will help towards being net carbon zero by 2030."