Summary

  • Updates on Friday, 21 April, 2017

  • Father raises petition to ban speeding drivers who kill

  • Man faces sentencing over unlawfully holding gun

  • Green Party face tough election

  • Care home 'failing' according to health watchdog

  • Private woods to open to public

  1. Norwich City 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albionpublished at 22:03 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Goalkeeper David Stockdale scores two own goals as Brighton lose at Norwich to miss out on sealing the Championship title.

    Read More
  2. Our local coverage across the daypublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    We're drawing to a close with our live coverage of what's been happening around Norfolk for today and this week.

    You can find out what's been going on by scrolling back, the whole week's news coverage is there for you to peruse too. 

    If you're looking for something to do outdoors this weekend you might want to take a walk among the bluebells in one of Norfolk's most ancient woods. 

    Have a peaceful weekend. The team are back on Monday. 

  3. Weather: Cloudy with bright spells and much coolerpublished at 17:23 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    BBC Weather

    A largely cloudy night with some patchy light rain pushing down from the north. The winds becoming light and variable and lowest temperatures around 6C (43F). 

    Weather graphicImage source, BBC weather

    Once the last of any overnight rain has cleared, Saturday will be relatively cloudy with odd showers feeding southwards. There should be some bright or sunny spells and a top temperature of 13C (55F).

    A cold start to Sunday with a touch of frost in places, it’ll then be largely dry with some brightness and sunshine at times and the small chance of a shower. Temperatures again reaching around 13C (55F) at best.

    BBC Weather, external has more local forecasts.

  4. Local writer in running for top fiction prizepublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Cath Saunt
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    A Norwich writer has been nominated for a £30,000 literature prize. 

    Richard Lambert is one of six people selected for the Sunday Times EEG Short Story Award for The Hazel Twig and Olive Tree. 

    He's the only Brit - an Irish author's also been shortlisted and the other four runners are American.

    Mr Lambert says he's been writing since he was a child but began properly at the age of 30. 

    He says the competition has really helped boost his confidence. 

    "I think they got over a thousand entries from published writers. I was on the long list first and about a month ago I got to that shortlist which is really amazing."

    Mr Lambert moved to Norwich to study at the University of East Anglia on its Creative Writing Course which has a long list of internationally famous alumni. 

  5. MPs on the forthcoming general electionpublished at 16:41 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    Back to election news now and Chloe Smith, the current MP for North Norwich, says Brexit will be a keen issue for voters: 

    "What I've been hearing from consitituents are those meaty concerns about getting the best deal for Britain and the area from Brexit.

    "That is actually a local issue as much as a national and international one because it comes down to people's jobs," said Ms Smith.

    Chloe Smith Consevative MP, Norwich North

    Meanwhile UKIP is urging voters to vote tactically for the Conservative Party to remove the present incumbent for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb, who supported 'Remain' in the Brexit referendum.

    Mr Lamb says he's never taken any election for granted. 

    "I've been very clear all the way through that I accept the outcome of the referendum. 

    "It's terribly important we negotiate a deal that protects the economy that ensures our exporters can trade across the single market that protects jobs that ensures that we have the money to fund our public services. 

    "And I think people will see that we don't want a one party state, particularly when we also have critical issues like the state of our NHS," says Mr Lamb. 

    Norman Lamb, Lib Dem MP for North NorfolkImage source, PA
  6. Former boss looks to win Championship at Carrow Roadpublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Jay Lawrence
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Norwich City supporters will have to decide whether to applaud former manager Chris Hughton this evening.

    Brighton boss Chris HughtonImage source, Getty Images

    He brings his Brighton team to Carrow Road having clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League. The Seagulls need one more win to guarantee the Championship title. 

    Hughton was sacked as City manager three years ago with the team on the brink of relegation from the top flight. He says Brighton have all the motivation needed to win tonight.

    "We've achieved what we wanted to achieve and that [promotion] of course has been by far the biggest thing we wanted to achieve this season. 

    "But we're in the business of competition - and competition means trying to win what you can - so the next big challenge has got to be winning it now."

  7. Have you ever wondered how you can become a candidate in the election?published at 16:24 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Philippa Taylor
    BBC Local Live

    If Theresa May's recent announcement of a snap election in June has made you yearn to be an MP, here are a few guidelines, external for you to consider.

    You can't stand if you're:

    • Under 18
    • A member of the police forces
    • A member of the armed forces
    • A civil servant, a judge or a peer
    • You're subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or a debt relief restrictions order
    House of Commons

    If none of those conditions preclude you, and you're either a British citizen, a citizen of the  Republic of Ireland or a commonwealth country (with certain provisos) then you're over the first hurdle, and will need to consider these regulations:

    • You need a completed set of nomination forms and a deposit of £500 
    • You also need an election agent
    • You probably want to plan and run a campaign

    There - it's almost as simple as that. So what's stopping you? I'm off now to see how much money is in my piggy bank.

  8. Taxi firm fears being targetted after arson attackspublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    Operators of a taxi firm in Gorleston think they are being targeted after a series of suspected arson attacks. 

    Lesley Martin and Roly Kitchen

    Ocean Cabs on Riverside Road has lost two taxis and three cars belonging to customers over the past week. 

    The owners say as a result they could be forced out of business.

    One of them is Lesley Martin. She doesn't think the attacks are random.

    "Because it's us all of the time it does look like we're being targetted. You try not to think like that but it's difficult not to at times."

    Norfolk Police says it's investigating two separate, but linked arson incidents, which happened in March, resulting in five vehicles being damaged. 

  9. 'Take the leg away, and he will run another marathon'published at 15:16 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    #Get Inspired

    Seven inspiring runners taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday

    Those were the words of Denise Arthey to doctors after she and her husband Chris were involved in a road accident while on holiday.

    Chris and Denise are just some of the thousands of inspiring runners who will be taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday. 

    Read more about there story here and follow the live text commentary on this website from 08:25-16:00 BST on the day.

    If you're taking part in the race - or know someone who is - let us know by using the #GetInspired on social media and we could feature your message!

  10. Denmark: Swardeston aiming highpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Jay Lawrence
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Swardeston's Lewis Denmark says the team's priority this summer is to go one better in a national competition.

    The East Anglian Premier League (EAPL) Champions were losing finalists in the ECB 45 over tournament. They were successful elsewhere, however, as they managed to win the National T20 title in a memorable day at Derbyshire's County Ground.

    Swardeston celebrate winning the Club Twenty20 FinalImage source, Getty Images

    Tomorrow Denmark and his teammates begin their quest to win a sixth consecutive EAPL title at home to Horsford.

    "We're really looking forward to an exciting season. Obviously last year we had a really successful season, but this year we're looking to do one better.

    "Obviously we lost out in the big national 45 over final, so this year that's our main target, along with trying to retain the EAPL for the sixth year in a row"

  11. Green Party faces a tough electionpublished at 13:47 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Andrew Sinclair
    BBC Look East political correspondent

    Earlier we told you the Green Party leadership were in the county to launch their local and general election bids.

    Green Party deputy leader, Amelia Womack (centre) with local contenders

    The party knows that this year's local and general elections will be the toughest they've had to face for some time, despite them becoming a a major feature of political life in Norfolk over the past 15 years. 

    They are the main opposition on Norwich City Council and were part of the so-called "rainbow alliance" which ran the county council for four years. 

    But in recent years it's started to become a struggle. Austerity has taken attention away from Green issues while Labour's move to the left, first under Ed Miliband and now Jeremy Corbyn, has appealed to some of its supporters.

    The Greens have started losing seats to Labour on the City Council and earlier this year one of its county councillors defected to the Conservatives. 

    This year's general election will probably be all about Brexit. The Greens will need to shout loud to make their voice heard. 

  12. Are you running in London this weekend?published at 13:26 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    #GetInspired

    Meet Fran - she's just one of the many thousands who will be taking on the London Marathon this weekend.....

    Media caption,

    London Marathon 2017: Beating the bullies, Fran's inspiring story

    If you're taking part in the race - or know someone who is - let us know about it using the #GetInspired hashtag on social media and we could feature you in our live text commentary or messages on the TV coverage during the day. 

  13. Father raises petition to ban speeding drivers who killpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    A father whose daughter was killed by a speeding driver is calling for a lifetime ban for motorists convicted of death by dangerous driving.

    Rebecca McManusImage source, West Midlands Police

    Rebecca McManus, 21, had just graduated from the University of East Anglia when she was killed by a motorist in 2014 while waiting at a bus stop in Birmingham. 

    The car was racing another and was being driven at more than 100 miles per hour. 

    Sukvinder Mannan was jailed for eight years and disqualified from driving for ten years at Wolverhampton Crown Court in 2015. 

    Rebecca's father Gerard McManus is asking people to sign a petition to ensure anyone convicted of death by dangerous driving is banned from the roads for life. 

    The online petition, external has a quarter of the 10,000 signatures needed for a government response.

  14. Weather prospects for Sunday's marathonpublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

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  15. Care home 'regrets' poor report by watchdogpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    A care home which has been rated as requiring improvement overall by the health watchdog says it "regrets" falling below standards. 

    Courtenay House in King's Lynn was identified by the Care Quality Commission as having problems after an unannounced inspection in February.

    In a statement, bosses at the home said:

    "We regret the home is below the standards that we expect all of our homes to provide and we are carrying out an improvement programme. 

    "We are also supporting staff with refresher training in our policies, procedures and practices to ensure good quality personalised care, as well as closer management oversight."

    Inspectors also made positive, external comments about the home including the fact that people there felt safe.

  16. Private woods to open to publicpublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    The owners of an ancient private woodland are granting the public access to the hidden five-acre site to raise money for charity.

    Norfolk bluebell woodImage source, NBWBP

    Located at Hainford, the 'Old Lady's Wood' has been marked on Norfolk maps since 1792.

    For centuries it's been producing a carpet of bluebells, but was hidden from public view because of being landlocked by farm fields. 

    The current owners, Andrew and Caroline Morton, who established a natural burial park in the woods last year, are opening it up to the public on a series of free open days beginning this weekend. 

    Park warden Matthew Greaves said: “The bluebells look likely to bloom slightly earlier this year – the mild weather has pushed them on a little bit. The trees are very, very old but fortunately all but one survived February’s gales.”

    Four distinct woodland and wildflower meadow habitats have been created at the 18-acre burial park, where almost 5000 saplings have been planted. 

    The Mortons say they hope to increase the biodiversity of the site with the creation of three wildlife ponds.

  17. Man faces sentencing over unlawfully holding a gunpublished at 10:24 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Paul Moseley
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    A man from West Norfolk is to be sentenced for illegally having a gun and military grade bullets. 

    At the end of last year, Donald Hurrell, 71, from Wretton near Downham Market admitted four firearms charges. 

    They included having a rifle without a licence, along with expanding bullets, usually used by the military. 

    According to court papers he shot a van with an air rifle, threatened to smash windows with a pick-axe and made vexatious phone calls.   

    In March this year he was found guilty of harassing his neighbour by throwing tea bags at his house.

    Hurrell will appear before King's Lynn magistrates.

  18. Green Party deputy leader to launch county council campaignpublished at 09:46 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Mariam Issimdar
    BBC News

    The Green Party's deputy leader Amelia Womack (pictured) will be in Norwich later to launch their local election campaign. 

    Amelia Womack, Green Party

    The Greens are opposing a new four-lane road through the Wensum river valley, west of Norwich, and want to see the money spent on public transport instead. 

    The party’s local manifesto also pledges action on air pollution, which has blighted Norwich in particular, and the introduction of low-emission buses. 

  19. Darts: Wright bounces back in Belfastpublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Brenner Woolley
    BBC Radio Suffolk sport

    Suffolk's UK Open darts champion Peter Wright returned to winning ways on the 12th night of the Premier League, external.

    Peter WrightImage source, Getty Images

    The 46-year-old from Mendham beat James Wade 7-3 to remain two points behind leader Michael van Gerwen, who saw off fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld 7-2. 

    There were also victories for Phil Taylor and Dave Chisnall, who won twice.

  20. Parking charges 'kill off business' claimpublished at 09:01 British Summer Time 21 April 2017

    Paul Moseley
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Traders at a popular shopping precinct in Norwich say new parking charges could kill off their businesses.

    The Earlham House Shopping Centre is home to a Co-Op supermarket and several independent shops. 

    Right now, the car park is free. But the owners say they'll start charging people from June. 

    Paul Mundy runs a Bed and Carpet shop there and says it's been a shock. 

    Traders

    A lawyer representing the owners of the car park - Bellgold Properties - declined to comment or confirm what the charges are likely to be.