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.”
Nick Daubney, Chair of King’s Lynn Hanse Group, added: “Everybody I met enjoyed themselves thoroughly and we’ve done King’s Lynn proud. It was important to celebrate our friendship and links with towns and cities all over Northern Europe. King’s Lynn has an amazing history with the Hanseatic League and we were the first English member of the new Hanse back in 2005. I thank everyone who made the event a success once again.”
Summer events continue in King’s Lynn this weekend with the launch of King’s Lynn Festival on Sunday 17 June. Find their calendar of events online kingslynnfestival.org.uk/
At the end of June it’s the return of Festival Too. Organised by the Festival Too committee, it’s a free, unticketed event held in King’s Lynn over three weekends. Read more about whose performing and when at festivaltoo.co.uk/
In July Folk in the Town is back and there will be soulful tunes in the Tuesday Market Place too. August sees the return of motorboats on the river, scooters and motorbikes in the Tuesday Market Place as the Hanseatic Festival of Watersports and Mods and Rockers return.
Read about the borough council programme and supported events at west-norfolk.gov.uk/events.
The Hanseatic League – then and now
The Hanseatic League was a historic and powerful trading alliance which began in Germany in the 13th century and dominated Baltic and North Sea trade for three centuries. The alliance brought wealth and prosperity to King’s Lynn, as it became one of the league’s main UK ports. Merchants thronged the Great Ouse waterfront. The Hanseatic warehouse was built by German merchants, and Lynners built fine homes, guildhalls and churches alongside the busy river. The legacy of these great merchants can still be seen today.
The new Hanseatic League was created in 1980, its purpose was to keep the spirit of the original league alive in terms of a social and cultural alliance. The new Hanse consists of 192 cities across 16 countries. In July 2005, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk became the first English city to become a member of the new Hanse. Cllr Nick Daubney represents England on the International Commission for the league and sits alongside representatives from each of the other member countries.
It is hoped that membership of the Hanse (which is free) will help with international networking, raising awareness of King’s Lynn across the member countries and increase overall recognition, both locally and further afield, of this important facet of King’s Lynn’s rich heritage.
Summer of Play, the initiative between the borough council and Alive West Norfolk, is returning to west Norfolk for the third year in a row. Children and young people in the area can take advantage of several free and low-cost activities through the summer holidays.
More funding has been allocated by the borough council this year to fund an extensive programme of activities from general swimming in Downham Market to soft play in Hunstanton and much more.
The following activities have been reduced to as little as 50p with an Alive Concession card or £1 with an Alive Card* and are available to all west Norfolk residents:
The borough council has joined forces with Radio West Norfolk to organise a West Norfolk Battle of the Bands competition. The winner will get to perform on stage at next year’s Festival Too.
Entries are now open, bands have until 14 August to register online at west-norfolk.gov.uk/
Roger Partridge, Events Coordinator for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, explains: “We have a strong local music scene in west Norfolk and there are many fantastic groups in the area. This competition will give bands a platform to highlight their music to an enthusiastic audience on the Green in Hunstanton, with the ultimate prize of performing on stage in front of thousands of people at next year’s Festival Too.
On 24 February it will be a year since President Putin began his illegal invasion of Ukraine, an act that has had global consequences.
A national moment of reflection is planned on Friday morning at 11 o’clock, which King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council will be observing. The council will be flying the Ukraine flag and the Corn Exchange and the Custom House will be lit up in the colours of the flag in the evening.
Locally around 400 refugees have been helped by the borough council and its partners during the past year, after escaping the violent destruction of their homes and lives.
Our councillors have been reflecting on what the war has meant for the people who have sought refuge here, the UK generally and our borough itself.
Coinciding with Valentine's Day and the opening of the historic King's Lynn Mart in the town's Tuesday Market Place, Love West Norfolk Day provided people with an opportunity to celebrate what they love about this beautiful borough.
The theme this year was again Green Love West Norfolk, encouraging people to really think about and celebrate their environment, from beautiful beaches, to rolling countryside, nature reserves and areas of outstanding natural beauty, and of course the big skies that are so popular with star gazers.
People started posting images with the hashtag #lovewestnorfolk ahead of the day itself, showcasing the things they love about the area, and lots of groups have requested Love West Norfolk litter-picking kits, to help make their local environment even more beautiful.
Local architectural excellence and craftsmanship was celebrated last night. The Mayor’s Design Awards winners were announced at a special ceremony held at King’s Lynn Town Hall.
An initial 72 entries and 52 site visits were shortlisted down to 35 nominated schemes for awards in ten categories.
Mayor of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Lesley Bambridge, said: "The awards ceremony was a great evening, a celebration of our push for better design and innovation and construction standards across our borough. We've worked closely with architects, contractors, developers, and their clients to achieve this aim, and we are glad to reward buildings and schemes that illustrate this focus on quality and innovation.