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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.

Labels: community, news

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 
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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.”

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

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.

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'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

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

Labels: recycling

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.

Labels: events, ghosts

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.

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)

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