Summary

  • Updates for Norfolk

  1. Stories of Basque child refugees revealedpublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 12 June 2020

    Nearly 4,000 children escaped the Spanish Civil War and many found refuge in Cambridge and Norfolk.

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  2. Forest to remove dog mess poo bins after 'misuse'published at 17:27 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Dog mess bins in a forest are to be removed due to "misuse".

    Theftord Forest, run by Forestry England, is asking visitors to Shouldham Woods to take their litter home with them after bins were left overflowing.

    Overflowing dog binImage source, Thetford Forest
  3. Ex-NHS boss charged with corruption in Australiapublished at 09:57 British Summer Time 11 June 2020

    Malcolm Stamp is accused of arranging a job with a hospital contractor for his daughter.

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  4. Young people's mental health summit taking place in Norfolkpublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 10 June 2020

    Norman LambImage source, PA

    The wellbeing and mental health of young people in Norfolk during the pandemic has been the focus of a summit today

    The virtual event is being led by the former North Norfolk MP and mental health campaigner, Norman Lamb (pictured), and Norfolk Community Foundation.

    Community Foundation chief executive, Claire Cullens, said mental health is becoming an increasingly high profile issue among young people during the coronavirus outbreak.

    She said: "We are working with Norman to understand and talk to some of the front-line charities about how that feels and the sorts of things young people are experiencing."

  5. What will happen when zoos reopen?published at 14:07 British Summer Time 10 June 2020

    Social distancing "won't be a problem" for open-air sites, but other limitations may prove trickier.

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  6. Paramotor pilot captures city airport from the airpublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 10 June 2020

    He captured the unique view while the coronavirus lockdown caused planes to be grounded.

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  7. School won't have to close despite positive coronavirus testpublished at 10:48 British Summer Time 10 June 2020

    A school has been told by Public Health England it doesn't have to shut completely after a teacher tested positive for coronavirus.

    The teacher at Heacham Junior School, external in west Norfolk had been in a socially distanced meeting with three other staff before falling ill. All involved are now self isolating, although the school said they were not showing any Covid-19 symptoms.

    Heacham Primary SchoolImage source, Google

    A statement, external on the school's website said: "Public Health England does not believe we need to close the school at this stage.

    "We have, however, made the decision to keep the Albatross and Avocet bubbles closed for the remainder of this week. This is not a decision we've taken lightly, but we believe it is in the best interest of our staff and children. Our aim is to reopen these bubbles on Monday, 15 June."

  8. 'Nothing's open - it's heartbreaking'published at 03:58 British Summer Time 10 June 2020

    Will the effects of the coronavirus lockdown tip seaside towns into a terminal decline?

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  9. Financial adviser jailed for £300k fraudpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 9 June 2020

    Luke Durrant was about to be made a director by a family firm before they uncovered his crime.

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  10. School strike rally cancelled for the first time in 36-year historypublished at 17:06 British Summer Time 9 June 2020

    Pete Cooper
    BBC News

    The Burston Strike School Rally in Norfolk has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

    The event was due to be held on 6 September and marks the longest industrial strike in British history.

    It is the first time since the rally started in 1984 at the village near Diss that the event has not been held.

    Inscribed stones on the Burston Strike SchoolImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Inscribed stones on the Burston Strike School which is now a museum

    Miles Hubbard, one of the organisers from the union Unite, said: "It would be unwise to go ahead."

    He said the event, external would return "just as vibrant" next year.

    The Burston Strike School was established as a result of the sacking of two teachers, Tom and Kitty Higdon, in 1914.

    Children and parents then refused to attend the local Church of England school and instead an alternative school was set up on the village green, which remained open until 1939.

    Past speakers at the rally have included Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Benn and Diane Abbott.

  11. 'Cynical' Monty Python email PR boss leaves trustpublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 9 June 2020

    The Norfolk and Suffolk health trust communications manager said it was 'saved' from scrutiny.

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  12. Boat builder turns sewer in lockdownpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 9 June 2020

    BBC Look East

    A former boat builder, who was furloughed from his job, has turned his hand to sewing and is now making face masks.

    Mickey Sykes, from Stalham in Norfolk, has sold more than 2,500 and is employing two other people.

    Mickey Sykes and his sewing machine

    Materials like elastic have doubled in price, and once the cost of postage is factored in too, profit margins are very small, he said.

    "People are losing their jobs and struggling for money. Who wants to pay for an £8 mask when £3.50 is reasonable, affordable and realistic in the situation?"

  13. Sundown postponed but tickets for 2021 honouredpublished at 08:42 British Summer Time 9 June 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    A dance music festival that usually attracts about 20,000 fans on each of its three days in September has been postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Festival sceneImage source, Sundown Festival

    The Sundown, external event at the Norfolk Showground, featuring drum & bass, electronic, garage, house and pop artists, had been planned as one "one of our most epic parties to date", the festival website said.

    Acts due to play this year included Loyle Carner, Sean Paul, Fredo, Becky Hill, Wilkinson and Example.

    "The continued impact of this unprecedented situation will limit our ability to deliver the festival experience that you guys expect, and most importantly to deliver it in a way which protects you, the artists, our team and the local community," it added.

    Tickets will be valid for the next Sundown on 3-5 September 2021.

    "Look after each other, big up the NHS and all those working hard to enable us to come together again soon," the website added.

  14. Veteran marks 100th birthday with 100 cardspublished at 19:23 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Eddie Hunn turned 100 on Sunday but could not see family or friends nearby because of social distancing.

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  15. What the papers are saying in Norfolkpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    • The Eastern Daily Press, external is reporting that the landlord of a Norwich pub says it may not be financially viable to reopen until social distancing guidelines are relaxed
    • The Lynn News, external highlights dentistry which continues to be disrupted by the coronavirus with health officials warning of a "skeleton service" as some practices reopen for emergency procedures
    • The Great Yarmouth Mercury, external reports that the James Paget Hospital has teamed up with an "international bid" to assess the impact on behaviour and wellbeing of the Covid-19 lockdown
  16. Bike share firm's promotion offers free cycling minutespublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    To encourage cycling, a bike share scheme operator in Norwich is offering 200 free cycling minutes to the first 1,000 residents to download its app.

    Norfolk County Council, external has set up a share scheme with operator Beryl to encourage more cycling, which has increased in popularity since the Covid-19 lockdown began.

    To access the local #BetterByBike promotion residents need to download the free Beryl App, external from relevant smart phone stores and follow the messages.

    Cycles for hireImage source, Beryl

    Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: "With government restrictions now easing and more bike bay locations on the way, we hope more people will be able to get out and give them a try, benefiting both the environment and the economy."

    Beryl chief executive Philip Ellis said: "68% of car journeys in the UK are under five miles. A quarter are under one mile.

    "Cycling isn’t the option for all trips - but by making the switch for short journeys, people can free up valuable space on public transport, reduce congestion on our roads and make streets safer."

  17. Art Circle to put on virtual exhibitionpublished at 13:29 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    The Beauty That Passers-by Don't See by Malcolm JarvisImage source, Malcolm Jarvis
    Image caption,

    The Beauty That Passers-by Don't See by Malcolm Jarvis

    Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle is putting on a virtual exhibition to showcase new work which they are unable to put on public display during the coronavirus lockdown.

    The group, which has more than 200 members, is marking its 135th year, having been established in 1885.

    Submissions can be made on the organisation’s new website, external ahead of the online exhibition which will take place between 1-30 September 2020.

  18. Litter blights waterside beauty spotpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    One of the downsides of the steady easing of the coronavirus lockdown measures has been the increase of litter in parks and beauty spots as people are allowed to travel again.

    Litter at Lound LakesImage source, Essex and Suffolk Water
    Litter at Lound LakesImage source, Essex and Suffolk Water

    Essex and Suffolk Water has posted pictures on its Facebook page, external showing the effect on its sites.

    The post said: "We were devastated to find the state some people have left one of our sites."

    The pictures were taken at the Lound Lakes nature reserve in between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

    "Makes my blood boil" is a typical reply to the post.

    "Perhaps it needs to close again until people find some manners," is another.

    The site is managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, external.

    Damage to Lound Lakes nature reserveImage source, Essex and Suffolk Water
    Damage to Lound Lakes nature reserveImage source, Essex and Suffolk Water
  19. 'You are a star!'published at 11:09 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    A woman who made 220 bags for health workers to wash their scrubs in without contaminating their other clothes has been praised.

    On social media, Broadland Council thanked Tracey Cooper, from Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk, for making the 'scrub bags' and delivering them to staff.

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  20. Black Lives Matter mural repainted for third timepublished at 08:27 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Norwich artist Ruth Knapp paints a Black Lives Matter graffiti for the third time.

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