A new friendship group, made up of mostly single people who like to socialise together, has been set up in Downham Market.

As well as enjoying each others company members can take part in activities such as….

• Quiz nights
• Discos
• Days out

These are only a few of the social activities they do together as well as much more. They would like to invite anyone who is a like minded person, prepared to meet new people and have fun. There is no need to worry about subscriptions or fees as the group is a no profit organisation with only the community in mind.

This group is ideal for single people of all ages who want to meet new like minded friends in the community and expand their social group. It is also a chance to experience new things and take part in activities where everyone is looking for the same thing.

Although this group contains a lot of single people it is also welcoming of those who are in a couple who feel isolated and would like to get out more and make new friends.

To find out more visit there facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872196216364470/

New micro-pub, The Blackstone Engine Bar at Denver Windmill, opened its doors to the public on Thursday 8th June.

A joint venture between Ian Pinches (formerly of the award-winning Railway Arms at Downham Market Station) and John Nash (Two Rivers Brewery), the bar will sell real ales, including the full range of Two Rivers beers as well as ciders from the Downham Cider company, and a wide range of East Anglian spirits.

Opening hours are currently listed as:

Monday & Tuesday: closed
Wednesday & Thursday: 12 noon – 8pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 12 noon – 10.30pm

Denver Windmill
Sluice Road
Denver Village

Residents are being invited to have their say on a new Public Spaces Protection Order which will restrict alcohol consumption in areas of Downham Market.

The new Public Space Protection Orders will replace the current Designated Public Space Order which is due to expire on 20 October 2017 following the introduction of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Police Act 2014.

The Public Space Protection Order for Downham Market contains minor amendments to the previous provisions to allow for new housing developments and to enable easier identification of boundaries. The proposal for the King’s Lynn PSPO extends the order to areas where alcohol-related disorder is known to take place.

Cllr Ian Devereux, borough council cabinet member for Environment, said: “With the new legislation coming into force, we had an option to let the existing Dedicated Public Place Order lapse or to replace it with the Public Space Protection Orders. We feel that alcohol-related activity can have a detrimental effect on the quality of people’s lives in areas where it takes place. As such we wanted to make sure we kept in place some mechanism that means people who are drinking and causing alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in those areas could be asked to stop drinking or surrender their drinks.

“We have made some amendments to the existing arrangements and are seeking people’s views on these changes.”

The order can be viewed online at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/haveyoursay where comments can also be submitted.

The consultation period closes on 4 July 2017.

Once in place, the new order will be reviewed every three years.

West Norfolk Recycling Rewards encourages householders to recycle more and waste less, and awards residents with individual and community rewards for better recycling practises.

Last month Downham Market emerged as one of the top three performing communities for this round of donations.

The communities that earn the most Green Points every six months win the biggest donations for the local charity most popular among their residents. Members of the scheme voted for their favourite local charities from a shortlist to receive the biggest share of the £3,000 donation fund. Norfolk Hospice won the top prize of £1,500 and the two runners up, West Norfolk Mind and Scotty’s Little Soldiers were both awarded £750 each.

Councillor Ian Devereux, borough council cabinet member for Environment, presented the winning charities with their cheques. He commented “It’s fantastic that the West Norfolk Recycling Rewards scheme is motivating residents to recycle more, and provides support for local charities in the community at the same time. With over 3,700 households signed up, it’s great to see our residents really getting behind it.”

Left-Right: Almaz Gaere (West Norfolk Recycling Rewards), David Shaw (West Norfolk Mind), Debbie Crown (Scotty’s Little Soldiers), Jessica Walker (The Norfolk Hospice), Councillor Ian Devereux (BCKLWN cabinet member for Environment)

All residents living in King’s Lynn & West Norfolk can sign up to Recycling Rewards for free at www.westnorfolk.localgreenpoints.com. The scheme is operated by the award-winning company, Local Green Points, on behalf of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk.

Parliament has just approved a snap election in seven weeks time!

Elections are normally once every five years but this general election has been called early, and as usual all MPs seats in parliament are up for grabs once again. Approximately 750,000 young people across the country will be old enough to vote for the first time in their lives on 8th June. However, no matter if you’re 18 or 78, to have your say you’ll need to be registered to vote.

To be registered in time you will have to have completed the process before 22nd May, but it only takes about 5 minutes so why not get it out of the way now. You may need your National Insurance number and/or your passport, that’s it.

Voting is a simple and powerful way of having your say on how to country is being run. Your MP represents you and the local area in parliament, make sure you’re ready to support someone who will share your concerns and values.

Register to vote: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

West Norfolk Community Event of the Year The Downham Games is in its 6th year and is to be held on the 11th June 2017 at the Memorial Fields in Downham Market.

As June is ‘This Girl Can’ month in Norfolk, event organiser Frances Rayner saw an opportunity to introduce the theme to this year’s event. The ‘This Girl Can’ initiative is a Sport England funded national scheme to increase female participation in physical activity.

The Downham Games is still for everyone – however organisers really want to encourage as many women and girls to come along and try as many activities as they can. The special ‘This Girl Can’ feature will be supported by Downham Jazzercise and will include two half-hour fitness sessions at 10.30am and 1pm.

“We hope the great music and moves put on by Hilary Mayes and her team will really rock the Memorial fields and show the community that in Downham Market ‘This Girl Can’.” said Frances.

Other sports and activities at the Games will include archery, cycling, tennis, cricket, football, nerf gun wars and the traditional athletics competition to name a few.

More activities are being organised and we encourage anyone who wants to find out more to ‘like’ ‘The Downham Games’ Facebook page where information is being updated regularly.

The athletics events will include the 100m, 400m, shot putt, javelin, standing high jump and standing long jump. Competition is open to anyone 8 years and over. Meanwhile mini athletes (7 yrs and under) will have the opportunity to participate in all six activities.

Trophies this year will be presented on the day to all winners. There is a small charge of £1 per child and £2 per adult to take part in the Athletics Competition and everyone gets a participation medal.

Organisers wanted to particularly express their thanks to West Norfolk Community Sports, Alive Sports Development, Downham Market Town Council, Arbuckles and Downham Tandoori who have all been very generous in their support this year.

Get involved in the Great British Spring Clean

Cllr Ian Devereux and two BCKLWN staff members urge anyone who is interested to contact us for a free supply of Great British Spring Clean rubbish bags

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk is backing a campaign to get half a million people out and about cleaning up their local communities in March 2017.

The brand new Great British Spring Clean will roll out for the first time in 2017, with a view to it becoming an annual event helping to bring people together and clean up the country.

TV wildlife presenter and children’s favourite Steve Backshall is lending his support to the campaign, which is backed by the key anti-litter charities including Keep Britain Tidy, Keep Wales Tidy, Keep Scotland Beautiful , Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage.

Many other organisations will also be supporting the clean up including the Women’s Institute, the National Trust and the RSPCA, as well as a range of businesses.

The borough council will be encouraging and supporting groups and individuals who want to ‘do their bit’ here in west Norfolk to help clear up the litter that blights our streets, parks and beaches.

Cllr Ian Devereux, borough council cabinet member for Environment, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Great British Spring Clean and we encourage as many groups, individuals and organisations as possible to take part.

“We’re acting as a distribution point for the special Great British Spring Clean rubbish sacks, so if you’d like to organise a litter pick, contact us. We can provide your community group with a supply of the sacks, free of charge. But supplies are limited, so act quickly!”

Contact the borough council on 0800 258 2687 to arrange to collect a supply of Great British Spring Clean rubbish sacks.

We’re pleased to introduce downhamweb’s latest online feature – live, local traffic information for Downham Market and the surrounding area.

Visit our Live Traffic page, any time day or night, to see up-to-the-minute road conditions on our interactive traffic map.