Ambassadors Newsletter - Borough Council of King's Lynn & West ...
Ambassadors Newsletter - Borough Council of King's Lynn & West ...
Ambassadors Newsletter - Borough Council of King's Lynn & West ...
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<strong>Ambassadors</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />
Free Guided Walks<br />
for <strong>Ambassadors</strong><br />
A special opportunity -<br />
Book Now!<br />
Following information learned on the<br />
course, <strong>West</strong> Norfolk <strong>Ambassadors</strong> are<br />
being <strong>of</strong>fered a fantastic opportunity to<br />
explore the history <strong>of</strong> King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> on foot<br />
with one <strong>of</strong> the King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Town Guides for<br />
free! This is a chance to discover some <strong>of</strong><br />
the hidden gems <strong>of</strong> King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> and hear<br />
the stories <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lynn</strong>’s historic past as it is<br />
brought to life by your guide.<br />
<strong>Ambassadors</strong> can attend the walk free<br />
<strong>of</strong> charge, but spaces must be booked in<br />
advance. One free walk per ambassador.<br />
Guests are welcome on a walk but there is<br />
a charge <strong>of</strong> £2.50 per guest. Choose from<br />
the following dates;<br />
Wednesday 10th June<br />
Wednesday 1st July<br />
Both walks will start at 7pm at Tales <strong>of</strong> The<br />
Old Gaol House.<br />
To book your space, contact Bev Howell<br />
on 01553 616639 or by email<br />
beverley.howell@west-norfolk.gov.uk<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong><br />
Festival Town<br />
As well as <strong>of</strong>fering a<br />
superb programme <strong>of</strong><br />
arts and entertainment at<br />
the town’s arts venues,<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> is proud <strong>of</strong><br />
being recognised as<br />
a ‘festival town’. The<br />
renowned King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Festival, now in its<br />
59th year continues to be a high pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
event in the town along with Festival<br />
Too. This year King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> celebrates its<br />
Hanseatic connections with the King’s <strong>Lynn</strong><br />
Hanse Festival. Also look out for the town’s<br />
annual fiction and poetry festivals.<br />
Festival Too<br />
Festival Too kicks <strong>of</strong>f on 27 June with live<br />
entertainment and a fireworks display<br />
from the banks <strong>of</strong> the River Great Ouse.<br />
Four live music events then take place in<br />
Tuesday Market Place on 3, 4, 10 & 11 July.<br />
This year’s headlining acts include Beverley<br />
Knight, S Club 3 and Eric Faulkners Bay<br />
City Rollers. Still one <strong>of</strong> Europe’s largest<br />
free music festivals, this is not to be missed!<br />
Visit<br />
www.festivaltoo.co.uk<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Festival<br />
12 - 25 July<br />
The 59th King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Festival will continue<br />
its tradition <strong>of</strong> bringing world-famous<br />
musicians to the town for a two-week feast<br />
<strong>of</strong> music and the arts.<br />
The festival has earned international<br />
renown for the quality <strong>of</strong> performances<br />
by major orchestras, ensembles and<br />
soloists from the classical music world plus<br />
personalities associated with literature and<br />
entertainment.<br />
A wide variety <strong>of</strong> events to suit every taste<br />
will include a performance by King’s <strong>Lynn</strong><br />
Festival Chorus teaming up with a leading<br />
orchestra, morning c<strong>of</strong>fee concerts by<br />
rising stars <strong>of</strong> the classical music world, a<br />
literary dinner featuring renowned authors,<br />
jazz and contemporary music plus an art<br />
exhibition.<br />
Call 01553 767557 or visit<br />
www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong><br />
Hanse Festival<br />
30 July – 2 August<br />
Get ready to marvel at the magnificent<br />
Lisa von Lubeck,<br />
sea shanties and<br />
quayside merriment<br />
as preparations are<br />
almost complete for<br />
this year’s landmark<br />
Hanse Festival. The<br />
Spring 2009 Issue Five<br />
programme <strong>of</strong> events, which is available<br />
from Tourist Information Centres, ranges<br />
from business and history forums to street<br />
theatre, classical concerts, fireworks,<br />
lively continental markets and traditional<br />
fairground rides, meaning there’s<br />
something for everyone.<br />
The Hanse Festival celebrates King’s<br />
<strong>Lynn</strong>’s role in the powerful German-led<br />
14th century trading guild, the Hanseatic<br />
League, and its significance as the only<br />
English town in the modern league. The<br />
celebrations start in style with the arrival <strong>of</strong><br />
the reconstructed 15th century caravel Lisa<br />
Von Lübeck on Thursday 30 July. Special<br />
lunch events are being held by local waterfront<br />
restaurateurs so people can relax,<br />
enjoy lunch and watch the ship sail up the<br />
River Great Ouse.<br />
Over the weekend there will also be plenty<br />
<strong>of</strong> opportunities to discover what it means<br />
to be a Hanse town. The Hanse exhibition<br />
at the Custom House, “Trading as” art<br />
exhibition at King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Arts Centre,<br />
the Comings and Goings exhibition at<br />
<strong>Lynn</strong> Museum focusing on the strategic<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> the port, along with guided<br />
Hanse walks and a raft <strong>of</strong> other activities<br />
illustrate the importance <strong>of</strong> the league.<br />
For more information visit<br />
www.kingslynnhansefestival.com<br />
Make a date<br />
in your diary!<br />
24 - 31 May Downham Market Festival<br />
17 - 20 Jun Hunstanton Drama Festival<br />
20 - 28 Jun Hunstanton & District Festival <strong>of</strong> Arts<br />
28 Jun Hunstanton Carnival<br />
27 Jun Festival Too Opening Night<br />
3,4,10 & 11 Jul Festival Too Live music events<br />
10 - 11 Jul Hunstanton Lifestyles Festival<br />
12 - 25 Jul King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Festival<br />
29 Jul Sandringham Flower Show<br />
30 Jul - 2 Aug King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Hanse Festival<br />
9 Aug Downham Market Water Festival<br />
23 Aug Hunstanton Kite Festival<br />
4 - 13 Sept North Norfolk Music Festival<br />
Find out more at www.visitwestnorfolk.com
Red Mount Chapel<br />
& South Gate<br />
Special Open Days<br />
2009 sees the opening <strong>of</strong> Red Mount<br />
Chapel, the unique 15th century chapel in<br />
the heart <strong>of</strong> The Walks, King’s <strong>Lynn</strong>. Red<br />
Mount will be open along with the iconic<br />
South Gate, an impressive 15th century<br />
gateway, the last major piece <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lynn</strong>’s<br />
fortifications. Explore the fascinating<br />
history <strong>of</strong> these scheduled ancient<br />
monuments, both Grade I listed. Not to<br />
be missed!<br />
Both venues will be open every<br />
Wednesday and Saturday from Saturday<br />
23rd May through to Saturday 12th September 11am – 3pm.<br />
A joint ticket for just £1 per adult will cover<br />
entry to both sites.<br />
Children go free but must be<br />
accompanied by an adult.<br />
Tickets are available on the door.<br />
Further information from<br />
Tales <strong>of</strong> the Old Gaol House<br />
Tel: 01553 774297 or<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Tourist Information Centre<br />
Tel: 01553 763044<br />
The Walks Restoration<br />
Project<br />
A £4.3 million joint <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
and Heritage Lottery Funded restoration<br />
has returned The Walks, a 17 hectare<br />
18 th century park to its former glory. The<br />
addition <strong>of</strong> modern amenities make it the<br />
perfect place to enjoy a relaxing stroll,<br />
explore the history <strong>of</strong> the area or get the<br />
blood pumping with some invigorating<br />
exercise in the open spaces. Boasting<br />
a unique 15 th century chapel and<br />
only surviving example <strong>of</strong> a complete<br />
Georgian walk in Norfolk, as well as<br />
beautiful landscaping, a children’s<br />
play area and a café. The park is<br />
conveniently located at the heart <strong>of</strong> the<br />
town. For more information and events<br />
in the Walks visit<br />
www.west-norfolk.gov.uk<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Waterfront Regeneration<br />
This is the <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s flagship<br />
regeneration project and is a key priority<br />
in the growth plans for King’s <strong>Lynn</strong>. Once<br />
completed, the area which has been<br />
branded as ‘the Quays,’ will put King’s<br />
<strong>Lynn</strong> on the map as an attractive place<br />
to live, work and visit and will have a<br />
considerable positive economic impact on<br />
the town.<br />
The 2007 masterplan for the area<br />
included proposals for a 250 berth<br />
Marina, housing, hotel, café/restaurants<br />
and boating facilities for the area at Boal<br />
Quay, King’s <strong>Lynn</strong>. Over the past year,<br />
significant behind the scenes work has<br />
taken place including land acquisitions,<br />
ground and utility provision investigations<br />
and flood risk assessments. As a result<br />
<strong>of</strong> this investigative work, a revised<br />
masterplan was published in January<br />
2009.<br />
Downham Market<br />
Mini Guide<br />
The <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> & <strong>West</strong><br />
Norfolk’s tourism<br />
team has produced<br />
a new tourist guide<br />
for Downham Market<br />
and the surrounding<br />
area.<br />
The ‘Downham<br />
Market Mini Guide’<br />
showcases the<br />
town as a base for<br />
exploring the best<br />
<strong>of</strong> rural Norfolk and<br />
promotes many<br />
local attractions as well as<br />
activities such as bird watching, fishing,<br />
boating and walking.<br />
The guide is available from the Tourist<br />
Information Centre, located in the<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Information Centre in the Priory<br />
Centre <strong>of</strong>f Priory Road. A friendly<br />
welcome is guaranteed from the team<br />
and the centre is stocked with new<br />
souvenirs, maps, leaflets and guide<br />
books <strong>of</strong> <strong>West</strong> Norfolk as well as holiday<br />
brochures for other areas <strong>of</strong> the UK.<br />
The Downham Market Mini Guide<br />
compliments the Hunstanton Mini Guide<br />
and Discover King’s <strong>Lynn</strong>, also available<br />
from Tourist Information Centres.<br />
Downham Market<br />
Tourist Information Centre<br />
Tel: 01366 383287<br />
E-mail: downham-market.tic<br />
@west-norfolk.gov.uk<br />
www.visitwestnorfolk.com<br />
In addition, a bid was submitted by<br />
Norfolk County <strong>Council</strong> in partnership<br />
with the <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> to the<br />
Community Infrastructure Fund for<br />
funding worth £5.3m. The bid is part <strong>of</strong><br />
a package <strong>of</strong> transport measures for<br />
the whole town which includes a public<br />
transport route through the Waterfront<br />
site. It was announced in March 2009 that<br />
the bid was successful which will mean<br />
construction <strong>of</strong> the public transport road<br />
can begin in 2010.<br />
Subject to other funding being approved,<br />
applications for planning permission<br />
and statutory consents for the diversion<br />
<strong>of</strong> the River Nar, landscaping and the<br />
public transport road is anticipated to be<br />
submitted Summer 2009.<br />
For further information visit<br />
www.west-norfolk.gov.uk
Hunstanton Town Centre and Southern<br />
Seafront - Sea Change for the Promenade?<br />
An application is to be made to the<br />
last round <strong>of</strong> the Government’s ‘Sea<br />
Change’ programme for regenerating<br />
coastal towns. The programme is<br />
about regeneration though culture. The<br />
opportunity for Hunstanton Promenade<br />
is to develop a project which celebrates<br />
the special environmental and cultural<br />
qualities <strong>of</strong> Hunstanton, which can be<br />
enjoyed from the promenade. The aim<br />
would be for the project to be a ‘kick start’<br />
to regeneration projects extending along<br />
the promenade.<br />
The Promenade Audit Walks in<br />
October and November, and an<br />
intensive ‘Spaceshaper’ workshop in<br />
November involving 16 residents and<br />
representatives <strong>of</strong> local businesses and<br />
organisations, have provided a wealth <strong>of</strong><br />
information on what people want to retain,<br />
remove or improve about the Promenade.<br />
Together with the feedback from the<br />
‘We Love Hunstanton Promenade’<br />
competitions, they provide a sound basis<br />
News from NORA<br />
A planning application has been<br />
submitted by Morston Assets for a<br />
31,000 sq ft Enterprise Centre, to include<br />
managed workspace, a medical centre to<br />
be operated by the Southgates Medical<br />
Practice, a pharmacy, child care facilities,<br />
meeting rooms, a community cafe,<br />
private gym and 8 live work units. This<br />
development will hopefully start on site<br />
late 2009 and be completed mid 2010.<br />
The construction <strong>of</strong> the new St Michaels<br />
Primary School is progressing well.<br />
Work on the Central park is coming to an<br />
end. The <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> will be taking<br />
over the maintenance once all work has<br />
been completed satisfactorily. A bedding<br />
in period will then commence with the<br />
opening expected early/mid 2010.<br />
Road improvement works have begun<br />
around South <strong>Lynn</strong> with Southgates<br />
round-about, Nar Ouse Way and the<br />
Nar link Road benefiting from the recent<br />
for a consultant to work from.<br />
The Sea Change open grant scheme is<br />
competitive: only a few schemes from<br />
around the country will be successful -<br />
but if we are not among the lucky ones,<br />
other funding will be researched to make<br />
the scheme happen - even if it is over a<br />
longer period <strong>of</strong> time.<br />
Regeneration News<br />
Other key projects around Hunstanton<br />
include the shop-front design guide and<br />
grant scheme, a youth facility in the Town<br />
Hall basement and a new-look Oasis<br />
for the summer season. Hunstanton<br />
regeneration funds are also supporting<br />
the sailing club to identify and apply for<br />
funding for the new club building: as<br />
a result, the sailing club has recently<br />
appointed a consultant with considerable<br />
experience in sports-related funding.<br />
To keep updated on Hunstanton<br />
regeneration news visit<br />
www.west-norfolk.gov.uk<br />
successful Community Infrastructure<br />
Fund (CIF). It is estimated these works<br />
will last around 2 years in total. Some<br />
road closures will be implemented to<br />
ensure the work is carried out effectively<br />
and efficiently.<br />
Work is also commencing on increasing<br />
the NORA utilities infrastructure.<br />
This will ensure that there is enough<br />
capacity in the networks to enable future<br />
development <strong>of</strong> the site.<br />
The road closures associated with this<br />
work are being combined with the CIF<br />
work above to minimise disruption to<br />
traffic in and around the town.<br />
True’s Yard Museum<br />
Extension Project<br />
2009 is an exciting year for True’s Yard<br />
Fishing Heritage Museum, heralding the<br />
start <strong>of</strong> a Heritage Lottery Fund project<br />
to extend the Museum into the adjacent<br />
historic shop and cottages. This will<br />
not only provide badly needed space to<br />
improve facilities, but will also smarten<br />
up the façade <strong>of</strong> the old tattoo parlour,<br />
enhancing St Ann’s street for visitors and<br />
residents alike. New facilities will include<br />
an education room, an extended study<br />
centre for students and family history<br />
researchers as well as an improved<br />
library and archive. However, the most<br />
exciting aspect <strong>of</strong> this extension will be<br />
the inclusion <strong>of</strong> a sound archive, allowing<br />
people both to record their own oral<br />
testimony, and research the growing<br />
collection <strong>of</strong> fascinating tapes.<br />
The project took on further significance<br />
when it was revealed that the old<br />
cottages behind the shop facade actually<br />
contained the North End’s last surviving<br />
smoke house, fortunately relatively well<br />
preserved, which will form a working<br />
exhibition. It is anticipated that building<br />
work will begin by the end <strong>of</strong> June, and<br />
it is hoped the new extension to the<br />
museum will be ready to open in early<br />
2010.<br />
For information on True’s Yard<br />
please contact 01553 770479 or email<br />
info@truesyard.co.uk<br />
www.truesyard.co.uk<br />
Custom House<br />
10th Anniversary<br />
Celebration Day<br />
On 24 March the award winning tourism<br />
team at the Custom House was joined<br />
by the Mayor, Cllr David Johnson, the<br />
Mayoress and guests from the tourism<br />
industry to mark the day 10 years ago<br />
when the Prince <strong>of</strong> Wales opened the<br />
Tourist Information Centre and Maritime<br />
Exhibition in the Grade I listed Custom<br />
House. During this period in excess <strong>of</strong><br />
850,000 people have visited the centre.<br />
This iconic building in King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> houses<br />
a wealth <strong>of</strong> tourist information. Call in<br />
to get updated on all that is planned for<br />
2009 or visit www.visitwestnorfolk.com
Oasis Leisure Centre<br />
Refurbishment<br />
Following £600,000<br />
worth <strong>of</strong> investment<br />
by the <strong>Borough</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> to the<br />
Oasis Sports &<br />
Leisure Centre<br />
in Hunstanton,<br />
the Centre which<br />
celebrates its 25th<br />
birthday this summer, will be marking the<br />
completion <strong>of</strong> the works at the end <strong>of</strong> this<br />
month with the grand opening <strong>of</strong> the Fun<br />
Castle indoor adventure play area.<br />
The building works which took place<br />
throughout the winter included a<br />
complete overhaul <strong>of</strong> the building’s front<br />
window panels, a new easy-access<br />
promenade entrance, a modified<br />
Surfside Cafeteria and 32,000 cubic feet<br />
<strong>of</strong> s<strong>of</strong>t adventure play area, due to open<br />
on Monday 25th May.<br />
With a 450° spiral slide, ball cannon<br />
arena, scramble nets and ball boggler for<br />
the little ones, the Fun Castle is the ideal<br />
place for children to let <strong>of</strong>f steam and<br />
learn new skills. Parents can sit back<br />
and enjoy a tasty snack from the Café<br />
on the new terrace seating area with its<br />
panoramic views <strong>of</strong> The Wash.<br />
For more information visit<br />
www.oasisleisurecentre.com or<br />
telephone 01485 534227<br />
500 <strong>Ambassadors</strong> in<br />
<strong>West</strong> Norfolk<br />
The course held on 19th March 2009<br />
marked the 500th Ambassador through<br />
this popular programme. Special guests<br />
were invited and the Mayoress cut the<br />
celebration cake. The next available<br />
<strong>Ambassadors</strong> Course is Thursday 18th<br />
June.<br />
If you have any colleagues who are<br />
interested in the course please contact<br />
Bev Howell on 01553 616639 or e-mail<br />
beverley.howell@west-norfolk.gov.uk<br />
Published by: The <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> <strong>of</strong> King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> & <strong>West</strong> Norfolk, Regeneration, King’s Court,<br />
Chapel Street, King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> PE30 1EX Telephone: 01553 616639 Fax: 01553 775726<br />
E-mail: beverley.howell@west-norfolk.gov.uk<br />
© <strong>Borough</strong> <strong>Council</strong> <strong>of</strong> King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> & <strong>West</strong> Norfolk 2009<br />
All the information published is believed to be correct at the time <strong>of</strong> going to press,<br />
however the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors.<br />
If you no longer wish to be on the mailing list, please use contact details above.<br />
If you would like a copy <strong>of</strong> this newsletter in large print, please call us on 01553 616639<br />
Norfolk Lavender -<br />
An Exciting Future<br />
Following the financial problems<br />
caused by a large bad debt, a major<br />
investment has been made by a<br />
local company to secure the future<br />
<strong>of</strong> Norfolk Lavender, an iconic brand<br />
for Norfolk. This investment brings<br />
stability so that Norfolk Lavender<br />
can now move forward to embrace<br />
the challenges <strong>of</strong> the forthcoming<br />
season. With this investment there<br />
are ambitious plans to develop the<br />
gardens and site at Heacham and<br />
generate more year round business.<br />
Also, to cope with growing demand<br />
for the company’s famous products,<br />
further acreage <strong>of</strong> the unique varieties<br />
<strong>of</strong> English Lavender that were raised<br />
by the company will be planted.<br />
Exciting new features are planned<br />
for the gardens. These include:<br />
• Norfolk’s largest spider - a living<br />
willow sculpture.<br />
• Woodland dell walks giving all year<br />
colour.<br />
• Construction <strong>of</strong> a bridge to the island<br />
in the lake so that visitors can enjoy<br />
an exciting elevated view across the<br />
gardens.<br />
• Extension to the orchard <strong>of</strong> rare<br />
apples and pears.<br />
• Organic vegetable garden.<br />
Visit www.norfolk-lavender.co.uk<br />
for more information.<br />
What’s On in 2009<br />
Events are very important to the <strong>West</strong><br />
Norfolk tourism industry. Events will<br />
encourage first time and repeat visitors<br />
to your establishment and may give you<br />
the edge over the competition. Visitors<br />
must know about your events, so take<br />
advantage <strong>of</strong> some free publicity!<br />
Post your event details onto the <strong>West</strong><br />
Norfolk visitor website:<br />
www.visitwestnorfolk.com<br />
Click on Entertainment & What’s On<br />
then ‘submit an event’.<br />
Top Equestrian Action<br />
Organisers have yet again prepared<br />
top equestrian action at the Subaru<br />
International Horse Trials 21 – 24<br />
May. Set in the stunning grounds <strong>of</strong><br />
Houghton Hall, the event attracts many<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world’s leading riders. The event<br />
promises to be a great country day<br />
out providing four days <strong>of</strong> world class<br />
competition and fun for all the family.<br />
Tel: 08456 209961 or visit<br />
www.houghtoninternational.co.uk<br />
Also look out for more action at the The<br />
Veranda Resort Burnham Market Horse<br />
Trials on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th<br />
September. Tel: 08456 209961 or visit<br />
www.musketeer.co.uk<br />
Food Fortnight 2009<br />
The Around the World in 80 Dishes is the<br />
only part <strong>of</strong> Food Fortnight that will run<br />
in 2009 and will be organised as a stand<br />
alone event. It is hoped the full festival<br />
will return in 2010. The organisers are<br />
confident that a year’s break will give<br />
participants plenty <strong>of</strong> time to come up<br />
with ideas for another full and creative<br />
menu to make Food Fortnight 2010 the<br />
most impressive yet. For more details<br />
visit www.foodfortnight.co.uk<br />
King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Town<br />
Guides launch Three<br />
new walks for 2009<br />
The King’s <strong>Lynn</strong> Town Guides<br />
have an exciting programme<br />
<strong>of</strong> walks this year with three<br />
new walks being introduced<br />
in addition to the regular<br />
programme <strong>of</strong> afternoon<br />
and evening walks.<br />
The new walks titled<br />
‘Greyfriars to Red Mount’,<br />
‘Turbus Town’ and ‘Docklands Walk’ all<br />
feature in the guides 2009 programme<br />
leaflet which can be obtained from King’s<br />
<strong>Lynn</strong> Tourist Information Centre on 01553<br />
763044 or can be downloaded from<br />
www.visitwestnorfolk.com<br />
Also look out for special Hanse walks<br />
during the Hanse festival weekend<br />
(see page one). Tickets will be available<br />
from Tales <strong>of</strong> the Old Gaol House.<br />
Tel: 01553 774297