Stewart Robinson

Yes summer 2011 has gone. Many of you will say, what summer? We had no real summer, however, I’m also sure many of you will be pleased that summer has gone because along with that, so have the holidaymakers so we can get around out town a little easier.

Once the evenings start drawing in and colder we know that winter is well on its way which is a good time to consider having your mobility scooters serviced. As doctors would say, prevention is better than cure. Last winte...
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Lynn Hallifax

The Lavender Lacemakers again made an appearance at the Town Hall in Hunstanton on 10th September, when we were celebrating National Lacemakers Day. The Town Hall itself was holding one of their craft fairs and they kindly asked us to join them.

We were on the stage area and we put on a display of lace items to show the public a variety of lace items made in lace such as wedding garters, horse shoes, tray coasters, bookmarks and many more. We also provided a ‘have a go pillo...
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John Maiden

The media has a lot to answer for, because to become a 'celebrity' is now the chosen career of an alarming number of young people in this country; and it is not difficult to find evidence of the talentless role models who have given rise to this phenomenon.

It is, therefore, very refreshing to meet a real celebrity, who has bags of talent, yet is far from being young in the accepted sense of the word. At the age of ninety-five, Wing Commander Ken Wallis is one such c...
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Peter Mills

Autumn officially started on September 23^rd giving us time to reflect on the summer we have had. Among other things we started with our new “Lions International Golf Day”, continued with the open air presentation of “Pride & Prejudice” in conjunction with Glebe School and ended with the “Indoor Bowls Competition”. We’re pleased to say that all three of these events are to become permanent fixtures in our annual calendar. Of course it won’t be the same play, bu...
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Joy Webb

Half a dozen of us from Hunstanton Methodist Church joined the local 7 mile section of the “CoastAlong” sponsored walk to raise money for WaterAid.

TV presenter Matt Baker had promised us “an unforgettable day out walking along our spectacular coastline, and you’ll be helping WaterAid change lives by providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene education for people living in poverty.”

It was a beautiful September morning with the sun shining brightly over Brancaster chu...
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Meet the Producer: Simon Owen, Gamekeeper on the Walsingham Estate

There are currently about 3000 full time gamekeepers in the UK and a similar number who do the job part time. At the start of the last century, the last gasp of the Edwardian era when labour was cheap, and shooting was at the height of its popularity just before the First World War, there were over 10,000 gamekeepers in Britain.

We should all be eating more game, as it is extremely delicious, but also inexpensive and healthy...
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Rules for Play-Writing competition 2011/12

You are invited to write a short play that can compete for the ‘Best Original Script’ prize at next year’s Drama Festival.

It can be on any subject, modern or historical, comedy or tragedy. The script must be your own original work and not previously produced anywhere. The play should consist of one act and when produced it must run for no less than twenty minutes and no more than forty-five. There should be no fewer than three speaking parts...
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Sandra Hohol

‘Ooh, Heaven is a Place on Earth’ by Belinda Carlisle was one of the songs from the 1980’s medley which the Lavender Hill Mob youngsters sang at their latest show at the beginning of September and the Corn Exchange was certainly that!

From the nightmare of manoeuvring sixty children and adults on and off stage at various times for two hours in ‘cosy’ dressing rooms, green room and rear stage of the Princess Theatre, to the dream of a vast amount of comfortable open sp...
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Roy Evans

Once again it is coming to that time of the year when we all remember those Heroes who have served our country in the past and present.

As I am sure that most people know that the Royal British Legion is the leading charitable organisation supporting our Hero’s both serving and ex-service and their families. Remembrancetide is the time of year when the Legion is allowed to fund raise though the Poppy Appeal. Remembrance Period runs this year from the 29th October to the 13h Nove...
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Hand Thirteen at a recent Club night at the H.B.C.. Unlucky for some! Most pairs stopped in a conservative 4H and made 13 tricks, perhaps because S agreed H, not showing their powerful Spade suit at the 2 level indicating 16+ pts when N has 15 pts.

N

S.    -------

H.  AKJ83

D.    AJ98

C.   Q943

W                                                                  E

S. JI084                       �...
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We have been meaning to write to the people of Hunstanton since we opened our guest house in August 2006.   We being Anna and Jane, both local people, Jane born and bred in Heacham and Anna in Hunstanton.  We decided it was time to share our success with the rest of Hunstanton, as recently we had our annual inspection from Visit Britain and for the 4th year in a row have achieved 5stars with a Gold award; we are the only one in Hunstanton and indeed in West Norfolk.

We first opened on Aug...
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John Marrow

The support that RNLI has received from the Residents of Hunstanton and West Norfolk and Visitors to the area has been absolutely wonderful, and I have much pleasure in reporting that we are on track for Record Year! RNLI’s debt of gratitude is tremendous and I have to admit I’m lost for words, Anyway very special thank you’s to all who have contributed in what ever way.

Saturday 27^th Aug was our Annual Flag Day at which crew members and guild volunteers spent the day in t...
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Geoff Needham

The school holidays are over, what normally would have been our busy period, never looked like getting started, good news for all the visitors to our coast, at least our sea safety message seems to be working, however we must not become complacent, the sea has a nasty habit of giving one a severe reminder if you drop your guard, stay safe, always be aware of what the tide is doing, and take note of the weather forecast, enjoy the rest of the season.

Life at the station still...
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Last year was a very exciting year in school. It started with the draining of the school field. A stream had been made down one side of the field enclosed by a fence. The improvement to the field had a big impact on the school, as the children can now play on the field all year round.

Later in the Autumn term our older children enjoyed a very practical visit to the Kings Lynn Arts Centre. Here they took part in drama and role play acting out the story of Pocahontas, used silk screen printing ...
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Gill Tanner (co-leader The Way C F)

Recently Hunstanton shop windows were full of wedding dresses from past brides as part of our celebrations for William and Kate’s big day. It reminded me that there is a wedding feast that God wants everyone to attend. It is pictured in scripture as the wedding of the bridegroom, Jesus, and his bride, the church, celebrating coming together at the end of the ages.

Jesus tells a story of many people invited to the wedding banquet. Everything was lavishly...
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Veronica Welham

It is time again to plan and work towards the Christmas Shoe Boxes we send from Hunstanton and the surrounding area to Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Last year we sent over 800 boxes from this corner of Norfolk and 1.1 million from the UK. Our shoe boxes went to Serbia, Belarus and Swaziland.

It is now 21 years since the first shoe boxes were sent to orphanages in Romania, following the overthrow of Ceausescu. That simple idea of sending ‘love in a box’ has grown into...
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Dave Barnett

As you maybe aware the old lads of St Christophers started to regroup if you like in 2004 and have over the past years had a few gatherings in Hunstanton .

The lads range in age from eighties down to fifties which is a good thing because this has enabled lads from all age groups to listen to stories from other lads and this in turn has helped all of them come to terms with why they were in the home and answer some questions that they have carried with them throughout the whole...
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A story says that the devil once announced that he was going out of business and would offer all tools for sale to whoever would pay the price. On the night of the sale, the tools were all attractively displayed, and a bad looking lot they were; malice, hatred, envy jealousy, sensuality, and deceit. Each was marked with its price. Some way apart from the rest lay a harmless looking wedge-shaped tool, much worn, and higher priced than any of them. Someone asked the devil what it was. “That’

Minister of Union Church

The summer is now well past and the crowds cueing in their cars and coaches to get into Hunstanton have somewhat abated! It is true to say that we are privileged to live in a very pleasant corner of England. Holiday Makers and Day Trippers love what Hunstanton has to offer.

The only unrest that I knew about over the summer was one case of road rage but as we look at the world around us many nations are in turmoil.  How does one irate driver compare with the recent...
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Dear friends,

I am reading a most interesting book at the moment, entitled ‘The Rage against God’. Written by Peter Hitchens, it was published last year. When he was 15 in 1967, he turned his back on Christianity and all forms of religion and burned his Bible in front of some of his school friends. He has now returned to an active faith. This work seems partly written to counter the arguments given by his still atheistic brother in his published book.

It is written in a very readable ...
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Imagine walking into your ideal kitchen every morning and finding that your dream of the perfect place to cook, chat and socialise really has come true. It’s even better when you relaxed the night before in your specially designed media room, had a refreshing night’s sleep in a sumptuous bedroom, have prepared yourself for the day in a sleek bathroom or dressing room, and can look forward to spending time in your precision-made home office or study. Sounds like something from a movie?

No,...
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Julie Goddard, Slimming World Consultant

This month sees Heacham group bigger than ever with lots of new members having joined since the summer holidays. Weight losses are going through the roof.

Now is the time to get trim in time for Christmas and we have lots of inspiration for members in the form of competitions, recipes and ideas.

If you would like to come along and see what we do on a Tuesday evening you will be very welcome. Every prospective new member is given the opportunity of a...
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Ben Colson

Thank you to everyone who to came to visit us.   We know that attendance over the three days was down on 2009 (itself a bumper year anyway) almost exclusively on the Saturday and because of the poor weather that day.   We are now finalising the banking of the donations and that too will be down, but only slightly, meaning that the spend per person is almost certainly up on 2009.   So, given the general squeeze on household budgets along with the weather, it is an outcome wit

Unlucky start for Canaries in the top flight

John Maiden

It is often said that poor refereeing decisions will even themselves out during the course of a season. If there is any truth in this saying the Canaries must already be overdue for half a dozen decisions in their favour, because at the time of writing I am still fuming about referee Mark Halsey's failure to spot the foul committed by Gabriel Tamas on James Vaughan, which saw the Norwich debutante needing hospital treatment on his mou

John Maiden

In a previous life I used to play for Hunstanton FC and even have a winner's medal for a 'Jimmy Norton Cup' match to prove it, At about the same time it was my pleasure - I think that's the word - to teach English to a teenage lad by the name of Kevan Fleming.

Now - a lifetime later - it gives me even greater pleasure to report that thanks to his generosity, as the proprietor of Legge's Menswear, Hunstanton football cub has a very smart new strip, The shirt logo is "Cafe Leg...
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Since 1939, Legges has had a presence in Hunstanton, offering quality clothing and footwear. Four years ago the family business diversified with the latest generation opening Cafe Legge.

Starting with just twenty seats outside the store making use of a converted garage area and a raised terrace, this new business quickly gained the reputation for excellent coffees, snacks, cakes and ice creams. With some confidence stage two of the business plan was executed and the cafe expanded into what wa...
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Kit Kat site

While awaiting decisions about its future the Kit Kat site has proven to be a haven for weeds, among which are to be found Fat Hen (Chenopodium album) and Wild Mignonette (Reseda lutea).

Philip Harvey

Incinerator update

The incinerator planning consultation produced in excess of 2,500 objections, many were well researched and based upon strong evidence.

On 5th December a Judge in the High Court will consider whether Norfolk County Council should be subject to a Judicial ...
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West Norfolk’s open spaces were recognised on 13th September at the annual Anglia in Bloom awards held at Charter Hall, Colchester.

Hunstanton was named coastal category winner and achieved a Silver Gilt Award, beating Felixstowe, Great Yarmouth, Heacham, Lowestoft and Sheringham.

And the medal success continued with Heacham gaining a Silver Gilt and Ringstead a Silver and the award for most improved entrant.

This year’s highlights include the completion of a heritage trail celebrating ...
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Cllr Carol Bower

The remnants of Hurricane Katia are blustering outside as I write, dog-walkers have taken possession of the beach once more and the Town seems empty of children; all of these are clear signals that the summer holidays are over. I’d like to wish all our youngsters a happy new school year. With them in mind we’re hoping to get the Undercroft at the Town Hall up and running as a youth facility in the next couple of months

Even with the unpredictable weather this summer, bi...
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Nicola Swann, Volunteer Visitor and Publicity Assistant

On Sunday 16th October, BBC Springwatch/Autumnwatch presenter and RSPB Vice-President Chris Packham will be visiting Titchwell Marsh and leading two guided walks for the public.

The much-loved ‘wildlife expert, photographer and author’ will be paying Titchwell Marsh a visit in order to thank funders of the newly completed Coastal Change Project, which finally reaches its end this Autumn. The project, funded by the EU Life + Nature ...
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Margaret Taylor

Partner at Hayes + Storr, King’s Lynn

Many people do not like the thought of making a Will, believing that they are immortal (death happens to others, not them) and that if they do make a Will, they are tempting providence.  Anyway, it will all go to my spouse/partner/whomever, won’t it?  Not necessarily.

If the deceased has not made a Will, what are known as the Intestacy Rules apply.  The law sets out who gets what, based on the value of assets left by the deceased ...
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Barry Eastwood

The Tuesday Day Centre is back in action after a long summer break. We are looking for a few new members to keep our numbers up.  If you enjoy meeting new friends and spending a few hours together every Tuesday then this could be for you?

We meet at the Hunstanton Community Centre every Tuesday from 10-30am till around 3pm.  [it’s not a luncheon club ]  It’s been going for many years. We are mostly in the 60’s to 90+ bracket but there's no hard and fast rule.  So ...
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David Wood

Joe most certainly was NOT impressed. “You’ll be fed up with it all before you know it. He said, almost bullishly. “The ocean, the sea, the Wash; however you dress them up it all amounts to one thing, just countless gallons of salt water.”

That was November 2009 and one month later my wife and I had sold our bungalow in rural Northamptonshire and moved to within 1 mile of the Wash at Heacham, Norfolk. We suffered the coldest winter for fifty years and The Green at nearby...
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The shelters

Norman Whye

One day, as I was waiting in the queue at the local supermarket, I overheard one of the staff mention that there was a function being held at the shelters. This seemingly innocent remark brought back a few memories, and among the foremost of these were the shelters under the pier, at the bottom of the Green, which protected visiting ladies and gentlemen from the sea spray and cold winds, whilst on a stroll along the promenade, in those sedate Edwardian days. By the

Jim Welham

John William Beeton was the proprietor, editor, publisher, engraver and artist of the ‘Hunstanton Telephone,’ a weekly newspaper costing one penny, first published on 28^th June 1878. The newspaper was printed on one large folded sheet displaying local advertisements on the front, and local news on the back, with national and international news on the two inner pages.

There were problems meeting the deadline on the first edition. An engraving of the cliffs, lighthouse and pie...
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– HunnyBus

Andrew Murray

This service, supported by the Town Council and Civic Society, started on Thursday 18^th. August. West Norfolk Community Transport (WNCT) is supplying the minibus and driver at a subsidised rate for a trial period of 3 months.

A leaflet with description of the route and a map of the central area of town was posted through all letterboxes in Hunstanton and is available at the Tourist Information Centre, Witley’s newsagents in the High Street and is on the web p...
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Calling all members, friends and supporters!

Martin Chown (Committee member)

Quite often in this column we try to give a jolly and jaunty slant to what the Civic Society tries to do to support Hunstanton, its residents and visitors.

But the fact remains that many of the current committee have served far longer than they would ever have expected to do, and so a number will be standing down in December. It’s wonderful on Talks evenings to see people arriving early, enjoying the Talk and ...
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Played at Searles, the KO Cup was a close fought final with Old Town coming out on top by a mere 6 shots over the Albert Victor bowls club from Dersingham. It was tight all the way through the game which made it impossible to predict right up to the last bowls being delivered.

The league was again very tight at the top with Old Town winning by only two points from, again, the Albert Victor. This is the first time Old Town have won the Countryside League and tops off a very enjoyable and succ...
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A community celebration with barbecue and live music was the order of the day on 27th August when the restored village beauty spot known as Ringstead Chalk Pit was officially opened by Leslie Sleight.

The area had been neglected until Louise Howell and Star Brock formed the Ringstead Woodland Garden and Walks Group to renovate the area. Since early in the year the group of six volunteers assisted by local specialists, have transformed the space, clearing away dead and diseased trees, undergro...
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September Meeting

Angela Green, Membership Officer

Well another month another meeting, I must say a big thank you to the 12 people that attended, but I am still disappointed that after listening to your feedback about moving the meeting to a day time and including a social event afterwards that this is still not bringing more members to the meetings.

We need to think about moving the branch forward we are still looking after 2 years for a secretary could this be you? Can you spare 5 hours ...
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Tuesday 4th. 7pm. Illustrated talk by Mr. David Pelling ‘The Birdlife of the Greek Island of Lesbos’. £2 Friends, £5 non-Friends. Please book.

Tuesday 11th. 10am-4pm. ‘Trees and Textures: Traditional Pen and Ink with Watercolour’ course with artist Bob Larking. Working in pen and ink with watercolour wash, the trees and textures of this lovely nature reserve will be the theme of the day. £40. Please book through Chris Chalk. www.chalkies.org.uk or telephone 01328 854695.

Sunday 23...
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Kevin Green, Poppy Appeal Organiser 2011/2012

Well that time has come around again when we need to prepare for this year’s Poppy Appeal. We had a fantastic amount collected last year and put Hunstanton well and truly on the map so a huge well done to all that collected.

On the 4^th October from 5pm-9pm I am holding a collectors night for anyone that is interested in being a collector this year, the event is to be held at the Town Hall in Hunstanton. There will be chance for you to put you...
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Neen Riseborough

Stretch marks (Striae Distensae) often occur after rapid weight loss or gain, this rapid growth, we are most familiar with as a result of pregnancy.

Stretch marks are a common problem experienced by both men and women, they can occur on anywhere on the body and whilst pose no health risk, can often cause embarrassment, loss of confidence and anxiety.

Thank fully there is a simple non-invasive and highly effective solution. In a treatment known as CARBOXYTHERAPY

What is ...
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Do you know someone who is, or are you Blind or Visually Impaired, and mad about books?

Do you enjoy talking to friendly people about reading, comparing authors and stories, likes and dislikes? Perhaps light refreshments might also enter the equation?

Well, help may soon be at hand. Efforts are being made to form a talking book group here in Hunstanton.

The idea would be to meet once a month, discuss the latest book, and catch up with news, views and friends reviews.

Through the magic of ...
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Rita Caldicott

Firstly as a Carnival Committee we would like to thank once again everyone who took part on the day as well as all those who helped plan, prepare and worked behind the scenes on the day to enable Carnival to happen again. There are far too many to mention here, it would take up the whole article, but you know who you are!! I'm sure most of you will agree that this year's Carnival was the best so far with another beautiful day. The weather has been booked again for next year!!

...
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Ken Arnott

P.G.Wodehouse , the writer of many novels featuring the memorable Bertie Wooster and his butler Jeeves, was a frequent visitor to Hunstanton Hall during his life time and even had a road named after him.

He first stayed in 1926, writing to a friend, “I spend most of my time on a moat, which is really a sizeable lake. I’m writing this in the punt with my typewriter on a bed-table wobbling on one of the seats.”

He was a popular visitor and there are reports that he produced ...
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Sue Wood MNAEA

Everyone knows that selling houses is like shelling peas. Right? Estate agents have it easy. They just put up a board – that advertises themselves - and the property is as good as gone at its ambitious asking price. And estate agents charge a fortune. Right?

Wrong!

What about selling property at a time when not so many are interested in buying? When buyers are strapped for cash; when the lenders aren’t lending much; when the country is in the grip of a harsh austerity per...
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Jane Hodson

The spirit of ‘Genevieve’ came to West Norfolk this summer when the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain visited for their Mid-East Section Summer Event.

The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain was founded in 1930. It exists to serve all who have an enthusiasm for Veteran and Edwardian motor cars. Veteran motor cars are those manufactured before 1905  – these are the cars that take part in the annual London to Brighton car run - and Edwardian motor cars were manufactured betw...
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David Woolley

Body language is a powerful communication. No surprises there. In any sport it is important to communicate to your opponent that you are unflappable. You need them to think that you are in charge, that everything that happened was part of your plan and that it is inevitable that you will win and they will lose. That’s not the most important bit however…….

What most people forget is that body language is also a communication to ourselves. Without sounding too Zen Buddhist...
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Glasses were raised and the sun shone at a summer Reception to celebrate the opening of the Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Company’s new premises in Harpley. North West Norfolk MP, Henry Bellingham, joined customers and friends at the new Showroom and enjoyed canapés prepared by ‘The Rose & Crown’ - the recently reopened village inn. Mr Bellingham officially ‘cut the ribbon’ and wished further success to this family business which employs skilled, local craftsmen to design and cre...
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Captain Kirk

For the first time, Smartphones are now outselling their ordinary counterparts in the UK, so in the run up to Christmas, some readers might like to take a look at a recent BBC survey on the quality (or lack of it) of mobile phone signals in this area ...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14574816

If you tap in your postcode, you may find that your house is poorly served by 3G, the optimum signal, as is the surrounding area - not much use for accessing high speed internet on the move...
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Joanna

Early September and it feels more like mad March. The strong westerly winds seem to have blown away summer and whisked us straight into autumn. It’s been a funny month since I last wrote, some hot days, some rain, a lot of cloud and for the holidaymakers some high tides eating the beaches at the wrong time of the day! Today 8th September is a little quieter than it has been and there is some warmth out there, however it seems that next week we could be having strong to gale force wi

Keith Twaites

The summer holiday period has as usual proved to be quite a busy time for the Hunstanton Coastguard team. Our “Shouts” have been a mixed bag including windsurfers and kitesurfers in difficulty, assisting in the search for lost children and medivac rescues from the beach. In between these we have been keeping up to date with our training. At present we are concentrating on Water Rescue. Our most recent training took place at Wells, in the sea and involved a range of rescue t

Dick Melton

Well, here I am again with my second article for the new ‘HUNSTANTON TOWN and AROUND.’

There has been a Bowls Club at the end of the Esplanade Gardens since about 1914 when the tennis courts were taken away and the bowling green was laid. When the club was first formed it was called ‘The Victoria Bowls Club’, as it was in the road known as Victoria Parade, having first been called Beaconsfield Parade. Then, when the first tarmac was laid on what was then just a chalk roa...
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The winner of the stage, Lithuanian rider Gediminas Bagdonas is pictured at the head of the field coming into the last bend before the finish on Saturday 17th September at Sandringham.

Hello and welcome to the October issue which is crammed full of news, views and information about what's going on in and around Hunstanton. My thanks to all the contributors who have made this such a varied and interesting read.

Thanks also to the people who came forward after last month’s appeal for help with deliveries; you have joined a great team.

Stalwarts Margaret and Vivien have also done their stuff again this month so thanks to them too.

We have a number of new advertisers plus e...
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