King's Lynn Web Log

10k Road Race 2010

2010-04-28T12:41:00.003+01:00

1500 runners will be winding their way through historic King's Lynn on Sunday for the Grand East Anglia Run 2010.

The race starts and finishes in the town centre's Tuesday Market Place, is suitable for wheelchairs and is an excellent venue for spectators with a wonderful atmosphere that only a town centre race can create.

www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk

Lemar to top bill at Festival Too 2010

2010-04-10T12:27:00.003+01:00

SINGING sensation Lemar is to top the bill at this year's Festival Too which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Here's the full line-up:

Saturday, June 26 - Abba tribute band Abba Revival kick off the festival, followed by the festival's famous fireworks display.

Friday, July 2 - Kafkadiva will be followed by Guns 'n' Roses tribute band Guns 4 Hire.

Saturday, July 3 - Local bands Under the Influence and Bunny Outfit will perform. Top of the bill will be 70s Ska pioneers The Beat.

Friday, July 9 - Local band Jimmy Rockit, and hillbilly band Hayseed Dixie.

Saturday, July 10 - Take That tribute band Take That 2, the winners of this year's KLFM battle of the bands competition, with top R&B singer Lemar topping the bill.

Festival Too started in 1985 with the aim of providing free entertainment to the people and visitors of West Norfolk. The event has definitely come a long way in the past 25 years - it is now one of Europe's biggest free festivals!

Book your ticket to Mongolia!

2010-04-06T09:06:00.003+01:00

Community Xchange is on the look out for 15 enthusiastic, skilled Youth/Community Workers from West Norfolk area to work and live alongside 15 counterparts from Mongolia, on a reciprocal 6-week exchange between May and July 2010 that will bring hands on voluntary service and expertise to the local community.

The innovative programme is a Professional Development opportunity for youth workers and those whose work impacts upon young people, to promote youth participation and cross cultural dialogue in communities around the world and experience life in Mongolia. The Xchange requires a time commitment of 35 days per participant and draws on those in employment with established community projects already running in the Kings Lynn area.

Gaby Wood, Global Xchange Programme Supervisor, said: �this is an outstanding opportunity for personal, professional and community development; I am looking for passionate people who will be committed to sharing their learning and experiences with the wider community and the young people they work with�.

Community Xchange participants from Kings Lynn are expected to have the full support of their local employer when applying and are supported to share their learning and experiences with their organisation and community. The programme will see accepted volunteers travel to Mongolia for 3 weeks and then host their Mongolian counterpart in West Norfolk for 3 weeks.

Participants are also encouraged to host their partner participant from Mongolia in their home if possible, to have first hand experience of living with someone from a different culture and understand more about Mongolia. Community Xchange offers a financial incentive of �50 per participant, to cover living costs.

If you are interested in a place on Community Xchange, or would like more information about Community Xchange, contact Gaby Wood, Programme Supervisor on 07833 391024 or email gaby.wood@vso.org.uk

www.globalxchange.org.uk

Easter Events in King's Lynn

2010-03-26T14:59:00.010Z

Local events over the Easter Weekend:

Saturday
Easter Fun Day in The Walks
Easter Trail at Oxburgh Hall Garden & Estate

Sunday
Open Day at RAF Bircham Newton
The Easter Opening of Lynnsport Miniature Railway

Monday
Morris Dancing in Snettisham, Heacham & Thornham

Following Week
Various events for children at Trues Yard Museum

More details of all these events are in our Whats On Section and don't forget to check out our Entertainment , Places to Visit and Places to Visit Nearby sections.

Local students on air

2010-03-23T12:19:00.000Z

Local students are broadcasting from the studios of Hospital Radio Norwich from March 23rd to March 25th. You can tune in to their broadcasts at www.exchangeradio.co.uk

Do you know Judy?

2010-03-20T08:08:00.005Z

Judy Tombelson emigrated to El Paso, Texas about 50 years ago with a US Airforce enlisted man. The couple are pictured here, possibly in Chicago.

It's believed she returned to her family, who ran an old mill in this area, after about a year.

If you know anything of her, please contact us.

Miniature Railway rides at Easter

2010-03-19T17:31:00.006Z

The Lynnsport Miniature Railway will be open again this season, starting on Easter Sunday at 12noon. The Easter Opening will be more of a big event this year, with a display tent containing models (not just trains), and being Easter there will be chocolate eggs for the first 100 children on the day. Fares will still be the same at 50p a ride, with money donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance at the end of the year.

The King's Lynn Town Mayor and his Deputy will be paying a visit to the railway at 1.30pm and may go for a ride on one of the trains.

June 8th will be Fun Run day at the Railway with special guest Paul Middleton from Ride on Railways, Romford, Essex. Ride On Railways is a supplier and manufacturer of 5" gauge equipment and he will bring some items along for demonstration.

www.kldsme.org.uk

Southgates Plans Revealed

2010-02-19T15:42:00.004Z

The plans for the latest redevelopment of the Southgates roundabout have been revealed by KL.FM.
These are still officially a 'design proposal' but show the basic ideas that the Highways team want to introduce.
Click here to see how the Southgates in King's Lynn are changing...
Click here to see a larger image of picture on left.

A new Sainsbury's for King's Lynn

2010-02-19T14:42:00.005Z

Sainsbury's is planning to build a new flagship superstore at Hardwick Roundabout, providing over 300 new full-time and part-time jobs.

In addition to the store, Sainsbury�s and Morston Assets have planned a new Link road between Scania Way and Queen Elizabeth Way. This will help improve access to this part of King�s Lynn, facilitating the expansion of the Hardwick Industrial Estate and helping attract new businesses and jobs. The development will also provide funds for neighbouring employer, Pinguin Foods, to invest in its adjacent site.

In summary, the proposals will provide:

A new Sainsbury�s superstore of approximately 70,000 sq ft sales area, offering a wider range of products and services for our customers in King�s Lynn
Sainsbury�s To You online delivery service
A new petrol station
A new link road to improve access to the area and facilitate the expansion of the Hardwick Industrial Estate
Over 300 new jobs created at the Sainsbury�s store
Funding to enable Pinguin Foods to invest in new buildings and facilities, ensuring the firm�s long-term future in King�s Lynn

An estimated 1,000+ people visited the public exhibition in the St Dominic�s Square store on 16-17 January. 154 questionnaires were returned, with the main results as follows:

86% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the Sainsbury�s/Morston Assets proposals
88% supported the proposed multi-million-pound link road
73% said they wanted a town centre Sainsbury�s to remain

You can read more about the proposals at www.sainsburys-kingslynn.co.uk

Faster Broadband for Lynn

2010-02-02T11:05:00.007Z

West Norfolk Borough Council have launched a campaign to bring super-fast broadband to the area.

The council say they need local broadband users to register their interest so that they can show service providers that there is a ready market for this service here in West Norfolk.

If the campaign is successful, we could look forward to:
* receiving broadband speeds of up to 40 Megabits per second. The majority of people would benefit from speeds of at least 15 Megabits per second.
* upload speeds of around 10 Megabits per second
* a more reliable and consistent connection

Imagine � a broadband service which enables music albums to be downloaded in 30 seconds or being able to upload photos to your social media networks in an instant.

Or enjoying that latest online game without the action freezing just as you�re about to destroy the enemy, or watching your favourite on-demand TV programme - uninterrupted.

These are just some of the benefits that super-fast broadband could bring.

Visit fasterfuture website to join the campaign.

King's Lynn Mart 2010

2010-02-01T17:31:00.002Z

Showmen from around the country will gather in King's Lynn for the ceremonial opening of the Mart on Saturday, February 13th, at 12 noon.

The Mayor's guests for the opening, including civic dignitaries and showmen, will join him at the Town Hall prior to the ceremony, walking in procession to the Tuesday Market Place.

Children�s Day at the Mart is Monday February 15th when rides on the dodgems will cost �2.00 a time and the other rides will all cost �1.00.

The mart will open at noon on February 13th, 15th, 16th, 20th, and 27th, and at 6.00pm the rest of the time. The Mart does not open on Sundays.

Read more about the History of the Mart
More Events

Primark opening in Lynn

2010-01-19T16:17:00.007Z

Arcadia Group has confirmed that the King's Lynn branch of BHS (British home stores) will be closed and sold to fashion retailer Primark.

A spokesperson from Arcadia Group stated: �Primark has indicated that they will be undertaking an extensive refurbishment of the store premises, and would expect to re-open at least six months after the closure.�

Hammering the Ivories in Old Hunstanton

2009-12-04T11:01:00.004Z

Strapping young Russian pianist Eduard Kunz will be performing in Old Hunstanton on Saturday 12th December.

28-year-old Eduard Kunz has been nominated one of the top ten most promising pianists by BBC Music Magazine and is already the winner of 10 International Piano Competitions.

The pianist has performed and broadcast with many of the United Kingdom's major orchestras including the BBC Symphony and BBC Concert Orchestras.

The Piano Recital, in aid of The Tapping House Hospice, will take place at St Mary's Church Hunstanton at 6pm on Saturday, 12th December, 2009.

The Programme will include music by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Bach-Busoni, and Rachmaninov, with wine and mince pies served in the interval.

Tickets are �15, obtainable from Tapping House Fundraising Office. Telephone 01485 542891 or email Zena.Penty@norfolkhospice.org.uk

Late night shopping in King's Lynn

2009-11-28T11:15:00.004Z

Stores in Lynn will be open late on Thursday 3, 10 and 17 December enabling shoppers to seek out the best gifts for their loved ones.

Santa's grotto will be open from 10am until 4pm at weekends and every Thursday between 4pm and 8pm right up 'til Christmas eve - just before he embarks on his busiest night of the year.

The Eco-Ice skating rink will be open from 10am 'til 6m at the weekends and from 4pm until 8pm on late night Thursdays. From Saturday, 19 December until Monday, 4 January the rink will be open daily to coincide with the school holidays.

Lights switch-on pictures

2009-11-27T19:48:00.010Z

X Factor's Rachel Adedeji brought an extra sparkle to King's Lynn on Friday.

The 17-year-old X Factor finalist belted out the tune of Robbie William's "Let me Entertain You" to a cheering crowd, before helping to switch-on the Christmas lights.

She then told the audience her favourite moment on the show was meeting Whitney Houston, and she wanted Joe McElderry to win this year's X-Factor!

Also appearing on stage were Borough Mayor Michael Pitcher, this year's West Norfolk Has Even More Talent winner Stephen Yates, and two snowmen!

After the switch-on Rachel signed autographs for fans.

Friday night was also the launch of late night shopping, the Eco-ice skating rink near the Westgate shopping centre, and the opening of Santa's grotto on New Conduit Street.

X Factor Star at lights switch-on

2009-11-20T22:38:00.007Z

X Factor's Rachel Adedeji will bring an extra sparkle to the King's Lynn lights switch-on.

Borough Mayor, Cllr Michael Pitcher, will be joined by 2009 X Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji for the switch-on of the Christmas lights on Friday, 27 November.

Preparations for the big night will begin early next week when Santa's little helpers at the Borough Council set to work creating a festive winter wonderland and grotto in readiness for his visit to the town. The grotto will be located at the top end of New Conduit Street. At the other end of New Conduit Street, the Eco-Ice skating rink will be set up between Westgate and Argos.

Both attractions will open at 4pm on switch-on day, with the grotto being formally opened by the Mayor.

Santa's reindeers will be in the Vancouver Quarter from 1pm receiving visitors, before they head off the Town Hall to join the procession.

Between 5pm and 7pm the Tuesday Market Place will be a hive of activity. There will be fun fair rides for the little ones and lots of entertainment live on stage featuring KLFM who will be playing some Christmas classics to get people into the festive spirit. Snow is guaranteed as snow-making machines will once again be creating a seasonal flurry.

The procession, led by the Mayor, with help from Santa and his reindeer, will leave the Town Hall at 6pm making its way through the town before heading to the Tuesday Market Place for the big event of the evening: the switch on at around 6.30pm. The Mayor will be assisted by one of this year's X Factor finalists - Rachel Adedeji.

Stores will be open late on the evening of the big switch-on as well as on Thursday 3, 10 and 17 December enabling shoppers to seek out the best gifts for their loved ones.

Santa's grotto will be open from 10am until 4pm at weekends and every Thursday between 4pm and 8pm right up 'til Christmas eve - just before he embarks on his busiest night of the year.

The Eco-Ice skating rink will be open from 4pm until 8pm on 27 November. Then from 10am 'til 6m at the weekends and from 4pm until 8pm on late night Thursdays. From Saturday, 19 December until Monday, 4 January the rink will be open daily to coincide with the school holidays.

Watch video of Rachel Adedeji

Celebrate a greener Halloween

2009-10-29T22:48:00.003Z

Norfolk County Council is encouraging residents preparing for Halloween fun to think green and get more from their pumpkins. More than one million pumpkins are now sold in the UK each year and carved into lanterns. After next Sasturday's (October 31) festivities, most of these will go straight in the bin and end up being sent to landfill.

With a bit of effort, pumpkins can be used to create some extra treats both before and after Halloween. Pumpkins are surprisingly versatile and with some creative cookery can be transformed into soup, cakes, pies and even lasagne. Even the seeds can be roasted. After the event, the inedible parts (the shell) can be transformed into compost to give your garden a treat next year. Adding a few autumn leaves, can help give your bin the right mix.

Ian Monson, Cabinet member for Environment and Waste, Norfolk County Council, said: "When pumpkins are sent to landfill, they break down without any oxygen and create methane - a potent greenhouse gas. By having a go at using the pumpkin for cooking, much of the waste is avoided. Composting the rest of the pumpkin at home as well is more good news for the environment, as it creates a useful compost to feed your garden."

Reduced price compost bins are available, with prices starting at just £8 including home delivery. Call 0845 077 0757 to order a bin.

For pumpkin recipe ideas and more information on how to get composting visit: www.recyclenow.org.uk/compost

Halloween Trick-or-Treat Event

2009-10-29T17:34:00.002Z

Ghoulish ghouls, wicked witches and devilish devils return to Kings Lynn this Halloween!

The Vancouver Quarter shopping centre and King's Lynn Town Centre will be hosting the unique USA-style trick-or-treat event again this year following the success of last years event. Shoppers are invited to participate in the free event which takes place on Saturday 31st October.

The spooktacular family-friendly event includes performances from a group of parkour free runners from 2pm onwards - parkour also known as the art of movement is an extreme sport where individuals free run using street furniture and buildings. As well as entertaining shoppers with their athletic stunts the group will also be raising money for the charity ActionAid. There will also be performances from Alison's street dance.

The thrilling trick-or-treat event will be taking place from 4pm-6pm with the majority of shops in the Vancouver Quarter and Town centre handing out sweets and chocolate goodies to trick-or-treaters. Children and their mums and dads are invited to come along to the event in costume and take part in the fancy dress competition for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Fawkes in The Walks

2009-10-16T18:38:00.011+01:00

There's firework fun to brighten a dark winter night, on Bonfire Night, Thursday 5 November.

Whirling Catherine Wheels, shooting rockets and sparkling firework fountains will streak the night sky at a special free family firework display in The Walks.

The Borough Council and the King's Lynn Lions Club have joined forces to organise the event being held on the main recreation ground adjacent to Tennyson Road.

The fun begins at 6.30 pm and includes a blazing bonfire, charity stalls, and spectacular firework display at 8.00 pm.

People are invited to come dressed as the fateful Mr. Fawkes and enter the fancy dress competition to be in with a chance of winning some great prizes, including tickets to see this year's Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, at the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton (8 December - 3 January). There are three categories, under 10s, under 17s and 'Old Guys' (18s and over). Winners will be announced by Borough Mayor Cllr. Michael Pitcher after the firework display.

After exploring the stalls and being wowed by the pyrotechnics, visitors can enjoy hot and cold refreshments from the Cafe in the Park.

Cllr. Elizabeth Nockolds, Cabinet Member for Sports, Arts and Open Spaces, said, "Bonfire Night is a traditional family favourite and a great way to celebrate the change in season. Since its restoration, The Walks provides the ideal place for an organised display such as this and means that families can enjoy all the excitement of the fireworks in safety. We hope lots of people come along to join in the fun."

Craig Campbell, Local Risk Manager, Norfolk Fire & Rescue said, "Bonfire Night is a notoriously busy night of the year for the Fire & Rescue Service. Unfortunately the evening doesn't always pass off without incident, with damage being caused, not only to property, but also to people.

People are advised not to bring pets to the park during the evening on the 5 November. Vehicular access to The Walks will be restricted on 4 November to enable preparation work to take place.

First Ordination for 1,000 years

2009-10-16T08:07:00.003+01:00

The Reverend Fr. Paul James Norwood has been ordained a Priest in the ancient Parish Church of All Saints', King' Lynn.

As far as the records show, Fr. Paul James is probably the only person ever to have been ordained there in the thousand year history of the Church.

The Service of ordination, conducted by the Right Reverend Father in God, Keith Newton, the Bishop of Richborough, was attended by over 150 people, and about twenty Priests who assisted the Bishop with the 'laying on of hands'.

The photograph shows Bishop Keith 'laying on hands' with the Rector, Fr. Paul and the other Priests present (courtesy of Daniel Gibbins at churchwebsitedesign)

Local film maker wins top award

2009-09-29T11:58:00.004+01:00

Rosalind Peters from King's Lynn has made it to the top 12 in a national film competition.

Rosalind's film, called Many Hands, was one of many submitted to The Life Channel Young Filmmakers' Competition, in association with the Daily Mirror's Stop Knives Save Lives campaign.

The winning films, with bright messages and ideas about tackling knife crime, will be shown nationwide on The Life Channel - a television network launched by Tony Blair in schools, and also found in surgeries and other community venues across the country.

The top 12 entrants all won Flip Ultra digital camcorders, and were judged by a high profile panel including king of the I'm a Celebrity jungle Joe Swash, Hollywood star Ray Winstone, actor Ashley Walters, Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland and Phil Austin, Chief Executive of The Life Channel.

You can see all the winning films, including Rosalind's, at www.thelifechannel.com

Borough's blooms impress judges

2009-09-18T18:34:00.000+01:00

Months of hard work were recognised this week at the Anglia in Bloom awards ceremony at Gorleston where all three of the borough's towns and a clutch of West Norfolk villages picked up awards.

Hunstanton was named overall winner in the coastal category and scooped the coveted Gold Award for which it has strived, whilst King's Lynn and Downham Market celebrated receiving Silver Gilt awards.

Heritage Open Day 2009

2009-08-22T11:06:00.008+01:00

This year's Heritage Open Day takes place on Sunday 13th September.

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore King's Lynn's historic buildings. The town is in for a real treat with over 30 places of interest to see during the day, expect a bumper day of history and heritage!

King's Lynn Civic Society working with English Heritage, the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, the King's Lynn Preservation Trust, the King's Lynn Town Guides and Friends groups have arranged a jam packed programme of open buildings some of which not normally open to the public.

Special events on the day will include talks and exhibitions including "Poetry in Stitches" at All Saints Church. Meet Charles Darwin and Roger Lestrange! A civil war re-enactment will take place at Greenland Fishery and cannons will be fired from the Purfleet Quay at 11:30am and 2:30pm. Loud!

FREE veteran bus will be stopping around the town at various heritage sites. So if some places seem too far to walk, then hop on the bus. A timetable can be found on the back of the programme.

A guaranteed day of fun for all the family plus the chance to have a sneak peak at buildings not normally open to the public.

The 2009 programme has been launched; pick up your copy from the Tourist Information Centre in the Custom House.

Join our new Discount Club

2009-08-10T15:00:00.002+01:00

Would you like to save up to £800 a year on your utility bills? We have just become an Authorised Distributor for a fantastic service that offers unbeatable value!

The Utility Warehouse Discount Club is already saving money for over a quarter of a million households and businesses throughout the UK on their home phone, mobile phone, broadband, gas and electricity. It's part of Telecom Plus PLC. a major UK company listed on the London Stock Exchange.

You may not have heard of them before, as they don't advertise. Instead, they rely on people like us to spread the word about the great value and fantastic customer service they provide.

And they're so confident you'll love what they can do for you, they won't tie you into a minimum term contract for most of their services. So you can try them out risk free!

Interested? Then call Jane on 01553 763122, or visit our new website GoPurple.co.uk

New Business Directory

2009-08-10T14:20:00.006+01:00

Our new interactive Business Directory went live today.

We are still working on listings, and experimenting with new features. If you would like to see how it's going then check out our New Business Directory.

If you would like a free entry in our Business Directory, please contact us with your details.