During a recent holiday in Suffolk, Cumbrian birdwatcher, Peter Heather, photographed a nightingale that has been singing outside the Minsmere wardens’ office. On returning home he noticed that the bird was ringed and informed Minsmere staff. They, in turn, were able to confirm that this remarkable bird had been ringed almost exactly a year earlier, as an adult, during a ringing demonstration by the Waveney Bird Club.

Waveney Bird Club Secretary, Chris McIntyre, said: “Our ringing demonstrations at Minsmere are always very popular as they offer visitors a rare chance to see wild birds at very close quarters. But ringing is also an incredibly important conservation tool as it allows us to learn so much about the lives of birds. 

“We ring thousands of birds each year, and it’s great to hear about sightings of birds that we’ve ringed previously. This nightingale was an adult when ringed on 6 May last year, so it’s already defied the odds by completing at least two journeys to Africa and back. Let’s hope it breeds successfully this year.”

RSPB spokesman, Ian Barthorpe said, “Nightingales are among the most popular birds at Minsmere. We’re lucky to hear them just outside the office every day during the spring, so we were amazed to see Peter’s photo showing that one of them was ringed.”

There’s another chance to meet the Waveney Bird Club and watch their ringing demonstration at Minsmere’s Springwatch event on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June 2012. This event is free, and there is no need to book, although normal reserve entry fees apply.

Ian Barthorpe continued: “RSPB wardens and volunteers will be out and about at Minsmere during the event, showing visitors some of the wildlife highlights, including stone-curlews, bitterns, dragonflies and swallows. There will also be a chance for families to do some pond dipping and explore the new Wild Zone and Wild Wood Adventure.”

Modulator ESP was created by Jez Creek in the early 1990s as an outlet to produce improvised electronic music using synthesisers, sequencers and samplers with the emphasis on sound design.

Fast forward 20 years and this enduring project is pretty much a staple part of the UK em scene. Jez is personally into a wide range of music, from ambient electronica to thrash metal via all points between, particularly if its weird or progressive. But for his own music, Jez says that it takes him away from the humdrum reality of everyday life and into new worlds of imagination that he can create himself, and his expertly crafted improvised music is testimony to his success at achieving that.

Influences includes such diverse acts as Air Sculpture, Dream Theater, IQ, Jean Michel Jarre, Radio Massacre International, Redshift, Tangerine Dream and Yes.

Michael Shipway has been making music since the late 1970's, playing guitar in a series of punk and pop/rock bands. By the end of the 1980's Mike had discovered synthesisers and created his first album of instrumental electronic music.

The early 1990's saw his first three solo albums released by John Dyson’s 'Surreal to Real' label and a performance at the 'UK Electronica' festival in Sheffield, followed by a series of annual concerts until 1996.

In 1998 as a complete change from the structured arrangements he had previously composed or covered, he decided to try recording lengthy Electronic Music (EM) pieces, improvised with Steve Smith, a long time musical collaborator. These sessions went so well that they formed the duo VoLt and the Dutch based Groove label has so far released their first five albums.

Recently, Mike has completed a new solo album ‘Voyage To Venus’ as well as ‘The Three Towers’, a collaboration with guitarist Garth Jones.

Glenn Main is the Norwegian electronic music composer whose music has been likened to Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis. His first three albums have been critically well received and his 4th "Ripples" is released by AD Music at the 2012 Bungay Bash.

Glenn has carved a niche for himself by creating well produced, melodic electronic music that clearly mirrors his influences, yet strikingly retains a totally unique style. Glenn is a prolific live performer in Norway, winning critical acclaim from fans and media alike for his concerts. Glenn will premiere his new album "Ripples" which is released at the event.

David Wright is the keyboard player and composer of space music and electronic music who founded the AD Music label in 1989 and co-founded the electronic/prog rock band Code Indigo, the electronic music duo Callisto and the new age project Trinity.

David has developed his own unique sound and style and his music is melodic, atmospheric and emotive with emphasis on mood and feel, that for reference purposes, can been likened to Kitaro, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, Jean Michel Jarre and Mike Oldfield. His gently rhythmic style combines piano, synths and multi layered sounds and sometimes incorporate electric and acoustic guitars, violin, percussion, samples and male & female voice textures.

During a 23 years musical journey, David has become an established live performer on the em scene and his music has featured on film and TV. His large cannon of work includes many critically acclaimed albums (Dreams and Distant Moonlight, Schallwelle Awards (Gr) Best International CD of 2008 - Momentum - NAR (USA) nominated Best Ambient album 2007 and numerous other award nomination between 1995 and 2012. Guitarist Lee Morant and vocalist Carys will be performing with David for this event.

Great Yarmouth’s residents and visitors are set for a fun-filled weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee from Saturday 2 June to Tuesday 5 June at the start of the Whitsun half term holiday.

On Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June, red, white and blue bunting and Union Jack flags will decorate St. George’s Park in the centre of Great Yarmouth where a quintessentially British village fête and food fair will take place, with lots of activities for everyone to enjoy.

Donkey rides, traditional maypole dancing, Punch ‘n’ Judy, welly-wanging and a special sheep shearing show along with face painting and a pig race are all confirmed activities.

A number of other traditional stalls such as hoopla and ball in the bucket will also be run with the assistance of Great Yarmouth Lions.

Time honoured tradition of seaside brass band performances will be marked with musical entertainment from Great Yarmouth Brass on Saturday and Wrentham Brass Band on Sunday.

Children will be able to make kites in the colours of Commonwealth nations in a special children’s craft marquee hosted by SeaChange Arts.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a mini-food festival featuring all sorts of local food producers from Borough and immediate area including Norfolk Sausage, Hemsby Herring, The Little Fudge Stall, Bradwell Butchery, Blackfriar’s Brewery, Norfolk Preserves, Mojo Sauce, Coast Café, Dabs ‘n’ crabs and Ronaldo’s ice cream.

The village fête will be open from 10.30am until 4pm on Saturday and from 10.30am at 3.30pm on Sunday. The event is being run by Greater Yarmouth Tourism on behalf of Borough Council. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to give a donation of £1. Any surplus will go to the Mayor’s charities.

Anchor Gardens on the seafront will host Bank Holiday Monday’s Jubilee festivities with the lighting of the beacon and a special Jubilee Firework show courtesy of Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority.

The HEART road show will be on site at Anchor Plaza overlooking the gardens from 8pm with entertainment, bands and music.

A parade led by Winterton TS Fearless Marine Cadets marching band will leave Maritime House Tourist Information Centre at 9.30pm and will process along the slow lane towards Anchor Gardens before Her Worship the Mayor Cllr Colleen Walker lights the beacon at 10.15pm.

On Tuesday 5 June, the official Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday, a special Civic service will take place in Great Yarmouth Minster to mark the occasion at 2pm to which everyone is invited.

A parade led by Winterton TS Fearless Marine Cadets marching band will leave the Town Hall at 1.40pm and process to the church.

Great Yarmouth Racecourse will host the special family fun Diamond Racing day so that residents and visitors can really make the most of the extra long Bank Holiday weekend.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney is urging patients who need regular medication to order it early, to ensure they have enough for the forthcoming bank holidays.

With Spring Bank Holiday on June 4 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee on June 5 2012, it is particularly important that patients order their medication in good time.

Ian Small, of NHS Norfolk and Waveney's prescribing and medicines management team, said: "Making sure that you have the right medicines makes all the difference when it comes to keeping well over weekends and bank holidays.  

"People who have long term health conditions and require regular medication should take stock now of their supplies and ensure they have enough to see them through the bank holiday period."

Everyone needing medical attention for minor ailments is also being encouraged to "Choose Well", and contact their local pharmacy. Community pharmacists can give prompt and professional advice, and may supply over-the-counter medicines to help various conditions.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney's "Choose Well" initiative aims to help people find the most appropriate care for their condition.

A thermometer logo signposts the way:

* The first option is self care - many minor illnesses can be treated with rest and a well-stocked medicines cabinet at home. Make sure you have your regular medicines, plasters, medicines for colds, re-hydration sachets etc. If you have any concerns you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

* Pharmacists will be able to offer you some advice about over-the-counter medicines - such as coughs and colds.

* If you have a minor injury or illness that needs treatment you should call your GP. Remember to book any appointments in good time so you can see your GP before the holiday period. The Out of Hours service is for urgent problems only, can it wait until morning?

* If you need to be seen immediately but you do not have a serious illness or injury, you can access the Timber Hill Health Centre in Castle Mall, Norwich (7am-9pm) or the Minor Injuries Unit at Cromer from 8am-8pm. Both are open 365 days a year.

* 999 and A&E are only for serious and life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

In Great Yarmouth and Waveney the following services are available:

* NHS Greyfriars walk-in centre, Phoenix House, Howard Street South, Great Yarmouth. Open daily from 8am to 8pm. Appointments aren’t necessary. Call 01493 335340.

* Beccles MIU, Beccles Hospital, St Mary’s Road. Open daily from 8am to 8pm. Call 01502 719820. 

* Southwold MIU, Southwold Surgery, York Road. Open from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Call 01502 722326. 

* Halesworth MIU, Patrick Stead Hospital, Bungay Road. Open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Call 01986 872124.

Ian added: "We want everyone to have an enjoyable bank holiday weekend, and so we advise anyone needing medical care to follow the Choose Well message. Selecting the right service for your needs may reduce the time you wait for appropriate treatment. 

"If you know you will need to see a GP before the bank holiday, it is advisable to book an appointment as soon as possible, to ensure that you have appropriate advice and medication, if applicable, before the weekend.

"We encourage everyone to make their pharmacist their first port of call for minor ailments, rather than their GP."

There are 174 community pharmacies across NHS Norfolk and Waveney's area. 


Pharmacy opening times can be found at www.norfolk.nhs.uk and at www.gywpct.nhs.uk or you can call NHS Direct for details of pharmacy services available in your area on 0845 46 47.