Search
Recent Posts
Blog Archive
-
►
2011
(1006)
- Dec 2011 (62)
- Nov 2011 (89)
- Oct 2011 (88)
- Sep 2011 (96)
- Aug 2011 (80)
- Jul 2011 (73)
- Jun 2011 (91)
- May 2011 (77)
- Apr 2011 (96)
- Mar 2011 (89)
- Feb 2011 (89)
- Jan 2011 (76)
-
►
2010
(1099)
- Dec 2010 (50)
- Nov 2010 (103)
- Oct 2010 (88)
- Sep 2010 (99)
- Aug 2010 (79)
- Jul 2010 (105)
- Jun 2010 (92)
- May 2010 (91)
- Apr 2010 (96)
- Mar 2010 (106)
- Feb 2010 (102)
- Jan 2010 (88)
-
►
2009
(1137)
- Dec 2009 (81)
- Nov 2009 (96)
- Oct 2009 (104)
- Sep 2009 (113)
- Aug 2009 (103)
- Jul 2009 (112)
- Jun 2009 (85)
- May 2009 (100)
- Apr 2009 (99)
- Mar 2009 (107)
- Feb 2009 (74)
- Jan 2009 (63)
Rare Photo Alert!Local Barn Owl and Kestrel having a bit of a fall out!!!
Wintry Norfolk
Courtesy Andy:
Rare Bird Alert - Juvenile Spotted SandpiperTittesworth Reservoir, Staffordshire - image courtesy Lee Evans
uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com
Rare Bird Alert - Red-breasted FlycatcherLeagrave Marsh, North Luton - image courtesy Lee Evans
© Andy Whitney 2008
uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com
Sea Eagles could be reintroduced to Norfolk
Conservationists are planning to bring the sea eagle, the UK's largest bird of prey, back to the skies above England.
The bird, known as "flying barn doors" because of its size, could be reintroduced into Norfolk next summer if the scheme gets the go-ahead. The government's conservation agency Natural England, the RSPB and Anglian Water hope to bring back the species.
It was driven out of England more than 200 years ago and had disappeared from the UK by 1918. The plans come after the sea eagle, also known as the white-tailed eagle, was brought back to west Scotland in a project that began in 1975. There are now more than 40 breeding pairs in the area, with 34 chicks produced last year, and another scheme has begun in east Scotland.
Natural England's chief scientist, Tom Tew, said returning the sea eagle to East Anglia would boost the local economy, put a top predator back in its natural place in the ecosystem and be "inspirational" for people.
On the Isle of Mull it has been estimated that the reintroduction of the birds bring in an extra £1.5m a year to the local economy.
Dr Tew said: "They are a magnificent bird and the UK's rarest bird. Bringing them back would be inspirational to people and a boost for the local economy brought by eco-tourism. They are also the missing piece in the jigsaw, the top predator which should be in a wetland ecosystem."
He said Norfolk had been assessed as the best place in England for releasing sea eagles, because it contained large areas of wetland habitat. And with only about 7,000 pairs of the eagle in the world, establishing a population in England could also help global efforts to conserve the species, Dr Tew added.
Rob Lucking, RSPB area manager for The Wash and North Norfolk, said: "The sight of birds of prey like the white-tailed eagle is a sure sign of a strong and healthy environment. Without them our ecosystem is disfigured, our natural and cultural heritage diminished and we are all the poorer. A re-introduction must be done properly and with due regard to the people and wildlife nearby but, if it can be done, then the sight of eagles soaring over Norfolk would give a huge lift to people's spirits and to the local economy."
Natural England and the RSPB are now keen to consult local people and landowners before deciding whether to attempt to reintroduce them elsewhere.
Woodton Christmas FairSaturday 6 December
2–4 pm
Woodton Village Hall
Stalls include:
Raffle (including Christmas hamper), Cakes, Tombola,
Tin Stall, Children's Corner (games), etc.,
and of course a visit from
Father Christmas
bringing a sack full of presents!
8th Dec 2008
the Harleston Apollo*
Film Starts 8pm
Members £3 Non-Members £4 Students £2 (under 21)
SMART PEOPLE (15)
Origin: USA
Year: 2008
Running Time: 96 mins
Director: Noam MurroCast: Ellen Page, Thomas Haden Church, Dennis Quaid
Commercial director Noam Murro makes the leap to feature films with this comedy drama concerning an aging professor-turned-bitter eccentric due to the death of his longtime wife. Ever since his wife passed away, Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) has become overly acerbic and self-absorbed. He's alienated his son (Ashton Holmes) and transformed his daughter (Ellen Page) into a friendless overachiever.
Now, at the precise moment Lawrence thought he had finally figured it all out, his life comes crashing down all around him as he falls for a former student (Sarah Jessica Parker) and his shiftless adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church) comes knocking on the door in search of a place to stay. Though Lawrence always relied on his intelligence to get him out of life's little jams in the past, it's going to take quite a bit more than intellectual thinking to move past this sticky stage in his suddenly chaotic life.
* * * * * *
What's On in Diss? visit
for a list of Diss Events* * * * * *
Special thanks go to Polly's Place and Four Seasons who supplied the outfits for the fashion show, the ladies who done a fantastic job of the hair and make-up, the photographer, the staff for being such good sports being the models and finally everyone who came along and joined us for a great evening.
We raised a massive £1054.90. Thank you.
Regards
Annie Podmore
On behalf of the Friends of Harleston Primary
5th Annual Christmas Tree Extravaganza Dickleburgh ChurchThe fifth annual South Norfolk Christmas Tree extravaganza, 50 Christmas Trees in a Church, is set to take place in Dickleburgh Church from Sunday, November 30 to Sunday, December 7.
The Right Reverend Graham James, Lord Bishop of Norwich will officially open the Christmas celebration on Saturday, November 29, following a Service of Light at 4.30pm (closes 7pm).
The festival features up to 60 individually decorated trees created by local organisations. The event has a competitive edge, as each organisation has the chance to win cash prizes in the public vote.
This year’s artist in residence is Nick Arnull, a woodturner from Horsford near Norwich, who will be displaying decorative handmade wooden items in the church.
The event will open 10am to 7pm daily from Sunday, November 30 to Sunday, December 7 (close 5pm on December 7). Admission is adult £3.50, senior citizens and concessions £3, pre-booked groups £2.75, children free.
All money raised will be shared between the East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH), The Matthew Trust in Norwich, which assists the homeless and the parish churches of Dickleburgh, Pulham Market, Pulham St Mary, Rushall, Starston, Thelveton, Shimpling and Frenze. Morning coffee, light lunches and teas will be served all day in Dickleburgh Church Rooms (next to the church).Event organiser, Rev. Norman Steer said: "We are really looking forward to our annual Christmas Tree Festival. It is a wonderful way to bring people together in the run up to Christmas. We always see so many smiling faces looking at our glorious trees"
For group bookings and further information Tel. 01379 854245
www.50christmastrees.co.uk
Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War ISpotlight Musical Theatre Group
Oh What A Lovely War
2nd to 6th December 2008
at the
Public Hall, Beccles
Click above image for larger poster'Oh What A Lovely War'
is a humorous theatrical chronicle of the First World War, told through the songs and documents of the period.
In keeping with the military aspect of this show, Spotlight have chosen to donate the raffle monies, for the Saturdays Matinee and Evening Show, to SSAFA Forces Help, who provide support for the serving men and women in today's Armed Forces and for those that have served - even if it was only for a single day. www.ssafa.org.uk
Norfolk Christmas 2008, Exciting Festive EventsCromer Pier Pavilion Theatre’s, Christmas Seaside Special launches on Friday, December 5 followed by Great Yarmouth Hippodrome Theatre’s 8th Christmas Spectacular, featuring its unique water show, on Saturday, December 13.
Norwich will be bursting with Christmas spirit during the Norwichristmas Festival, which runs from Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 14. Not to be missed is the fabulous ice sculpture trail in the city centre on Sunday, December 21.
Santa Specials on the county’s heritage railways, Christmas Tree Festivals, historic Christmas markets and traditional pantomimes all add to Norfolk’s special seasonal mix.
Santa's Magical Journey, Thursford near Fakenham, Saturday, November 15 to Tuesday, December 23, www.thursford.com tel. 01328 878477
Sandringham Christmas Craft Show, Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30, 10am to 6pm www.craft-show.co.uk
The Forum Ice Rink, Norwich, Saturday November 29 to Friday January 2, www.theforumnorwich.co.uk, box office tel. 01603 630000.
Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham, Santa Specials, Saturday, November 29 to Wednesday, December 24, www.bvrw.co.uk, tel. 01263 733858
North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham, Santa Specials, Saturday, November 29 to Wednesday, December 24, www.nnrailway.co.uk, tel. 01263 820800
50 Christmas Trees in a Church, Dickleburgh Church, Dickleburgh, Sunday, November 30 to Sunday, December 7, www.50christmastrees.co.uk, tel. 01379 854245.
Norwichristmas, The city's annual celebration of the festive season, Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 14, www.norwichristmas.co.uk, tel. 01603 727927.
8th Christmas Tree Festival, Fakenham Parish Church, Thursday, December 4 to Thursday, December 11, www.fakenhamparishchurch.org.uk, tel. 01328 862268.
Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre, Christmas Seaside Special, A mix of music, comedy, song and dance with a seasonal twist, Friday, December 5 to Saturday, December 27, www.cromer-pier.com tel. 01263 512495.
Sheringham Little Theatre Pantomime – Peter Pan, Saturday, December 6 to Saturday, January 3, www.northnorfolk.org/littletheatre, tel. 01263 822347.
Medieval Christmas Market, Dragon Hall, Norwich, Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, seasonal medieval market, www.dragonhall.org, tel. 01603 663922.
Mid Norfolk Railway Santa Specials, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December, www.mnr.org.uk, tel. 01362 851723. Join the train at Wymondham or Dereham, for a round trip with reserved seats.
Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, Nigel 'Boy' Syer & Friends All New Christmas Show 2008, Tuesday, December 9 to Sunday, December 13, www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk tel. 01493 662832
The Princess Theatre, Hunstanton Pantomime – Aladdin, Wednesday December 10 to Sunday January 4, www.princesstheatrehunstanton.co.uk, tel. 01485 532252.
Historic Christmas Fayre, Norwich Cathedral, Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 14 with stalls selling historical items and replica artefacts from the last 2000 years in the cathedral's cloisters, www.cathedral.org.uk, tel. 01603 218308.
Great Yarmouth Hippodrome 8th Christmas Spectacular, More than 60 performers and featuring the unique water show, Saturday, December 13 to Sunday, January 4 www.hippodromecircus.co.uk tel. 01493 844172.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, Father Christmas, Sunday, December 14, 4pm to 6pm, visit Father Christmas in his magical woodland grotto and meet his reindeer, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, tel. 01603 270449.
King's Lynn Arts Centre, Smile It's Christmas – Nigel 'Boy' Syer and friends, Sunday, December 14 at 7.30pm, www.kingslynnarts.co.uk, tel. 01553 764864.
Gorleston Pavilion Theatre Pantomime – Aladdin, Monday, December 15 to Sunday, January 18, www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk tel. 01493 662832
Theatre Royal, Norwich Pantomime – Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Tuesday, December 16 to Sunday, January 18 www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk, tel. 01603 630000.
Norwich City Centre Ice Sculpture Trail, Sunday, December 21 between 9.30am and 5pm walk around this beautiful and magical trail of life size hand carved ice sculptures, www.norwich.gov.uk, tel. 01603 727927.
For information on hundreds of other events and activities and accommodation see www.visitnorfolk.co.uk
Norfolk Tourism is the county's established public and private industry partnership. Funded by its 45 partner organisations and EEDA, the partnership is designed to act as a forum for all Norfolk's tourism businesses and local authorities.
We don't just do plays, Music and people off the telly here at the Fisher Theatre this weekend we stick our toe into the world of writing, in fact with this line up we are plonking our whole foot into the Literary pond.Saturday 29th November
Writers Talking 2008
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
From 2pm on Saturday we have several notable writers at the Fisher theatre
discussing their work and live as authors in conversation with broadcaster Paul Blezard.
2pm Popular crime-writing husband and wife team who write as NICCI FRENCH
3.30pm TERENCE BLACKER, columnist, novelist and award-winning writer for children, talks about writing for a living.
5.00pm Nature writer, MARK COCKER, author of 'Crow Country' and co-author of 'Birds Britannica'.
6.30pm Eminent biographer RICHARD HOLMES talks about his new book'The Age of Wonder' (Recently BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week)
The writers' books will be available for purchase and signing after each session.
Tickets £8 per session or £20 for day tickets
Under 16's: Session £3, Day £8
www.fishertheatre.org
Suffolk Artlink, Stitching TimeThe needles are out for an art and craft project offering people a chance to sit and stitch in one of Suffolk’s best known historic houses.
Stitching Time is a partnership project between Suffolk Artlink’s Culture Club and Colchester and Ipswich Museums. Free artist-led sessions are being held in the Wolsey Gallery at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, where members of the public are invited to come along and share traditional knitting, stitching and sewing skills.
The sessions are taking place once a month from now until January and are open to anybody who enjoys creative textiles or would like to try. As well as the opportunity to work with professional artists, the sessions provide a chance to chat over tea and cake.
Inspired by ideas from the past and by the Museums’ collections, the group will craft a new piece of artwork from old materials. Additional outreach sessions are also taking place with groups of mostly older people at other venues in Ipswich and Colchester. The aim is to have the project all sewn up in time to link to a forthcoming exhibition of needlecraft at Hollytrees Museum in Colchester next March.
The next Stitching Time open sessions will be held at Christchurch Mansion on Friday 12th December and Friday 23rd January, 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Culture Club works with delivery partners to provide creative activities for older people in Suffolk.For more details please contact
Ruth Gillan, Colchester and Ipswich Museums: 01206 506936
ruth.gillan@colchester.gov.uk
or Gabby Cox, Suffolk Artlink: 01986 873955
gabby@suffolkartlink.org.uk.
suffolkartlink.org.uk
RoughCast Theatre CompanyAutumn 2008 programme: King Lear by William Shakespeare
Following the success of their highly-regarded production of Hamlet in 2005, RoughCast return to Shakespeare with a fast-paced and dynamic production of arguably his greatest play – King Lear. Pride, vanity and complacency are confronted by loyalty, wisdom and truth as Lear is forced to see the reality of his roles as king and father. King Lear thinks he can retain the status and perks of kingship while giving all the power and responsibility for the kingdom to his daughters Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. Once he loses his power, he sees its true value. His misjudgement of his daughters sends him mad and his country follows into civil war. Family conflict, political backstabbing, war, madness, murder, dauntless heroes, humour, pathos, sibling rivalry, not to mention extreme weather events – King Lear has them all, and remains as relevant as ever.
"I am a man more sinned against than sinning." (Act III, Scene II)
Tickets £8 and £6 concessions.
Available in advance (see individual locations), and at the door.
Performances start at 7.30pm
* * * *
Fisher Theatre, Bungay,
Friday 14th, Saturday 15th November 01986 897 130
"When we are born, we cry that we are come To this great stage of fools." (Act IV, Scene VI)
Dragon Hall, King Street, Norwich
Thursday 20th November 01603 663922
"Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest, lend less than thou owest." (Act I, Scene IV)
The Cut, Halesworth,
Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd November 0845 6732123
"Nothing will come of nothing." (Act I, Scene I)
Hartismere High School, Castleton Way, Eye,
Thursday 27th November 01379 586745 (Pat Parris)
"Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest, lend less than thou owest." (Act I, Scene IV)
St Edmunds Hall, Hoxne
Friday 28th, Saturday 29th November 01379 586745 (Pat Parris)
* * * *
www.roughcast.co.uk
For further information :
Rachel Kellett (rachelkellett@gmail.com - 01986 872 776)