Summary

  • Updates for Norfolk

  1. '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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  2. 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?"

  3. 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.

  4. 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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  5. 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
  6. 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."

  7. 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.

  8. 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
  9. '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.

    Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on Facebook
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    Do you know someone going above and beyond in your area? Email us and share what they're up to.

  10. 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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  11. Anglo-Saxon treasure has 'no direct parallel'published at 01:04 British Summer Time 8 June 2020

    Experts analysing a 1,000-year-old piece of treasure are unable to work out what it was used for.

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  12. 'Challenge ahead' as department store prepares to reopenpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 6 June 2020

    Jarrold department store, in Norwich

    One of Britain's biggest independent stores is facing a "huge challenge" as it prepares to reopen.

    Jarrold, a five-floor department store in the centre of Norwich, is celebrating 250 years of trade this year.

    The historic department store has been shut for 12 weeks, since the start of the UK lockdown. All 390 staff were furloughed.

    "Lockdown has certainly been a huge challenge and now we face the new challenge of trading in a very different environment," said Minnie Moll, chief executive of Jarrold Retail.

    Some 30 staff are currently preparing the store to allow for social distancing measures, with 100 staff expected to be working when it reopens on 15 June.

    Despite an upturn in online trade, Ms Moll said a trading recovery would be "long and slow".

    "There's no room for complacency," she added.

  13. Woman held after man's tower block death fallpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 6 June 2020

    The victim, aged in his 20s, suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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  14. The challenge of reopening an independent storepublished at 07:59 British Summer Time 6 June 2020

    Jarrold has a department store in the centre of Norwich and celebrates 250 years of trade this year.

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  15. New band plays through lockdown in country housepublished at 00:15 British Summer Time 6 June 2020

    The musicians have practising together after moving into a country house before lockdown.

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  16. Council removes Black Lives Matter graffitipublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 5 June 2020

    The artwork supporting the anti-racism movement was covered with black paint following a complaint.

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  17. North Atlantic seabird found on Norfolk trampolinepublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 5 June 2020

    The RSPCA is caring for the gannet and suspects it was "blown off course".

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  18. Theatres at peril because of virus social distancingpublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 5 June 2020

    Two of Norwich's theatres, closed during the coronavirus lockdown, are facing an "perilous" future.

    The Theatre Royal (pictured) and the Playhouse, external are run under one umbrella and since they closed on 16 March they have lost 96% of their income, managers said.

    Theatre Royal, Norwich

    If social distancing were to be maintained at the Theatre Royal it would only be able to seat 106 people instead of the usual 1,300.

    Chief executive Stephen Crocker said: "We are already losing substantial amounts of money every month and my concern would be trying to open up with social distancing and, with those economics not backing up, it just adds to those losses and further risks our future.

    "The theatre sector is among those hardest hit across the whole of the economic landscape.

    "We were the first to close down and it's very, very clear to me that we're going to be among the last to get back to full scale operation."

  19. Alan Partridge set to return with podcastpublished at 02:24 British Summer Time 5 June 2020

    The 18-part series will be recorded from the fictional Norwich-based broadcaster's shed.

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  20. Ex-Premier League star's shame at robber sonpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 4 June 2020

    Darren Huckerby says he is hurt by his son's actions, "which go against everything we stand for".

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