News from Local Businesses - All Things Norfolk
News from Local Businesses (97)
Wednesday, 05 September 2018 00:00
Conservationists hopeful for breeding flamingos in Norfolk
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
It is hoped that the breeding fortunes are on the up for a group of Greater Flamingos at Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham in Norfolk, which has welcomed 20 new birds to join its resident flock of 29. The new birds, which have come from Slimbridge Wetland Centre, near Gloucester, take the Pensthorpe flock beyond the ‘magic number 40’ which, according to experts, can help to boost breeding rates amongst the birds. Flamingos are notoriously social birds that enjoy living in colonies of sometimes over 100. The larger the flock, the more likely the birds are to mate. The new birds, which are in excellent condition, range from two to 30 years old, and have settled well into their new surroundings at the Norfolk nature reserve. 12 of the new…
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham is in Garden News magazine's Best 100 Gardens in the UK 2018. Gardens News readers voted for their favourite garden in a poll throughout the summer. Louise Rout, Fairhaven Garden's manager said: "We are thrilled to feature in Garden News Magazine's, Best 100 Gardens. Thank you so much to all the magazine's readers who voted for us." The garden is open daily all year from 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day). Entry charge is £6.85 adult, £6.60 concessions, £3.95 child (under 5 free). Free entry to tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.
Wednesday, 15 August 2018 00:00
Meet the latest recruits helping to shape the future of Pensthorpe
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, has unveiled the team of young nature-lovers who have been selected to help the reserve motivate the next generation to connect with nature and look after the environment. The 12-strong group, aged between nine and 11, are the latest recruits for Pensthorpe’s Junior Board, an initiative which has been in place since 2015 to offer passionate young people an opportunity to help influence ways in which the Norfolk attraction can better engage with young people. The latest intake, which will be in place until June 2020, has been selected from a host of entries submitted by budding nature lovers from across the county.
Thursday, 19 July 2018 00:00
New Wetland Discovery Area launches at Pensthorpe Natural Park
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
A Norfolk visitor attraction is doing its bit to help save wetland habitats by launching a new Wetland Discovery Area for visitors. On Thursday 19 July 2018, Pensthorpe Natural Park, in Fakenham, opened the doors to its latest new attraction, the Wetland Discovery Area, which is intended to educate visitors about the importance and fragility of wetland habitats and to inspire them to help protect them. The new £70,000 educational area demonstrates the different wetland habitats around the world such as lakes, rivers and garden ponds, and has been part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Monday, 09 July 2018 00:00
Pensthorpe Toasts 30 Years of Nature Conservation
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
Pensthorpe Natural Park, in Fakenham, is celebrating three decades of nature conservation as the reserve toasts its 30th anniversary on 11 July 2018. Opened in 1988 as a waterfowl and wetland park, the 700-acre estate has grown to become one of Norfolk’s largest visitor attractions, having welcomed over 3million visitors through its doors. Founded by Bill Makins, one of Europe’s leading waterfowl breeders, who transformed the site following a multi-million tonne sand and gravel extraction, Pensthorpe has, since 2002, been under the care of Bill and Deb Jordan, Bill being the founder of Jordans Cereals.
Wednesday, 16 May 2018 00:00
Young Nature Enthusiasts Wanted for Role on Junior Board
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
One of Norfolk’s largest attractions is on the hunt for budding David Attenborough’s to join its Junior Board. Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham, is searching for young nature enthusiasts aged between eight and 11 to help shape the development of the reserve. The Pensthorpe Junior Board, which launched in 2015, aims to offer passionate young people an opportunity to develop their learning and gain some practical experience about running a modern nature reserve.
Tuesday, 15 May 2018 00:00
Fairhaven's New 'Essential Essentials' Provisions Shop
Written by Paul Dickson
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, at South Walsham, has opened a small provisions shop in its tearoom to provide 'essential essentials' for local residents and visitors on boating and self-catering holidays in the area. Louise Rout, Fairhaven Garden Manager explained: “We were very sad when our village shop closed last September. Some villagers asked us if we were going to run a shop, but we don't have enough room. However when visitors on boating holidays came up from South Walsham Broad at Easter and asked if we sold bread or milk, we decided that we would experiment with a small range of 'essential essentials' for visitors on holiday and also our local residents. If demand grows, we can always expand the range and bring in items like cut ham."
Wednesday, 25 April 2018 00:00
Maids Head Hotel Norwich Achieves AA Four Star Silver Award
Written by Paul Dickson
The Maids Head Hotel in Tombland, Norwich, has achieved a Four Star Silver Award, for the first time, in its 2018 AA overnight inspection. The hotel's Wine Press Restaurant has retained its Two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. The Maids Head is the only hotel in the City of Norwich with a Four Star Silver Award. The Maids Head's Silver Award was secured thanks to an increase in the AA merit score to 83% and acknowledges the quality of the hotel's physical attributes. The Silver Award is given to highly recommended hotels and was introduced in 2015.
Six members of staff at the Maids Head Hotel in Norwich have had babies in recent months. The new arrivals, parents and siblings were invited to the hotel for a special afternoon tea celebration on April 12, hosted by General Manager, Christine Malcolm. Christine Malcolm explained: “In my 10 years at the Maids Head, we have never had such a large group of new arrivals. So we decided to bring them all together and mark the births with a celebration afternoon tea. To add to the togetherness, Rose our Events Co-ordinator gave birth to her daughter, Mia, on the same day that Malgorzata, wife of Head Chef 'Magic', gave birth to her son, Miesko.”
Wednesday, 14 March 2018 00:00
TV Naturalist to Headline ‘Wild About the Wensum’
Written by Rachael Shakespeare
TV presenter, author and naturalist, Nick Baker, is set to open The Pensthorpe Conservation Trust’s* annual community event Wild About the Wensum on Saturday 12th May 2018. Intrepid explorer and natural history expert Nick, who has famously presented Weird Creatures (C5), The Really Wild Show (BBC One) and Springwatch Unsprung (BBC Two), will officially open the event, meet members of the public and even host a bug hunt for kids! Wild About the Wensum, now in its twelfth year, is a special one-day event held by the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust with the sole focus on encouraging people of all ages, especially families who often don’t get the chance to be outdoors, to enjoy the beautiful Wensum Valley, within which Pensthorpe Natural Park is located.
