August is traditionally a quiet month for newsworthy stories to come to light but there was lots going on in the town during the summer month – much to the delight for us here at Downhamweb. The biggest event was the water festival which saw thousands of people flock to the town to watch and/or take part in the annual event and was yet again hailed as a huge success by organisers. A team from British Sugar, Bristar Kings 2, took the honours on the day while teams from King’s Lynn’s Tulip took second and third place – with the managers coming in slightly ahead of the manufacturers. To read the full story from the day and see a gallery of pictures click here. The Fenman bike rally was also a positive story for Downham with thousands of people flocking to a village just outside the town on Bank Holiday Monday. There were Triumphs and Nortons, BSAs and Harleys all on display at the annual event which was held on the playing fields at Wimbotsham Primary School. Moving on there was the curious tale of lottery winner Michael Carroll being rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn with a neck wound and then there was also the sad story about a man suffering sulphuric acid burns to his neck, chest and hands in an incident at the Wissington sugar beet factory near Downham Market. On a lighter note villagers from Boughton and nearby Barton Bendish came together to find the most attractive bucket – strange I know but it is a must read! I will finish with two urgent pleas from the Downham Market Choral Society and the town council. The choral society is desperate for new members – particularly tenors. The choir, which has 30 mixed voices, meets on Tuesday evenings in the Methodist Church Hall, in Paradise Road, from 7.15pm to 9pm during term times. Members rehearse for four concerts which are held locally every year and for more information call Rita Stacey on 01366 386982. The town council wants organisations in the town wanting to attract new members to sign up for a community fair which will held at the Town Hall in October. The event has been running for five years and organisers say this year is expected to be the biggest yet. Last year more than 500 people went to the event to have a look around the 38 stalls at the Town Hall. Kerry Heffernan, the town council’s events co-ordinator, told Downhamweb: “This completely free event is an ideal opportunity for local voluntary organisations to fundraise, raise awareness, attract new volunteers and simply meet other like-minded people.” For further information or to book your free stall, contact Mrs Heffernan at the town council on 01366 387770 or e-mail [email protected].
