Fakenham and Wells News

Meet Matthew - the rough sleeper who has stolen the hearts of a Norfolk market town

09:31 Abigail Nicholson

Matthew, who appeared in Fakenham about two weeks ago, originally became homeless two years ago after falling on hard times. Picture: Archant

A homeless man whose future has been publicly debated by two councils has told the shocking story of how he came to be sleeping in a tent in a Norfolk town.

Two kittens rescued from industrial estate

The RSPCA East Norfolk is looking for a home for Captain Manby and Grayling. Photo: RSPCA East Norfolk

Village pub is thriving following tireless community campaign

The Beeston Ploughshare is up and running after a tireless community campaign to re-open the pub. Picture: Norfolk Community Foundation

Norfolk MP has pacemaker fitted, but says he's not 'done' yet

North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, who has had a pacemaker fitted. Picture: Jamie Honeywood

Person hospitalised after medical emergency in town centre

Emergency services were called to Fakenham following reports of a person suffering a seizure. Picture: Michaela Squance

Norfolk could be 'left behind' in transition to electric cars, MP warns

Electric vehicle charging stations installed by South Norfolk Council. Picture: South Norfolk Council

Biker badly hurt in crash

The crash happened at the junction of the A148 and B1440, near Hillington Picture: Google

Warning to parents and pet owners after toxic algae found in Norfolk

Blue Green algae now hits Whitlingham Broad on the southern edge of Norwich - Sept 2011

Children as young as 12 making threats with knives in schools

Children as young as 12 have used knives to make threats in Norfolk schools. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Literary festival returns to coastal town to celebrate Lord Nelson

Sea Fever Literary Festival. left to right: Gail Pirkis and Hazel Wood both editors of Slightly Foxed; Kevin Crossley-Holland of local, national and international fame; poet Elaine Ewart; Festival Co-director Jim Ring; poet Sally Festing. Picture: Jessica Ring

'It could encourage him to stay in the area' - council officer warns against helping homeless man

North Norfolk District Council's housing options manager, Lisa Grice. Picture: ARCHANT.

Campaign for memorial to soldiers massacred by Nazis takes step forward

Dennis O'Callaghan with a statue of Private William O'Callaghan carrying Private Albert Pooley from the massacre site at Le Paradis. Picture: Ian Burt

Meet the man whose job it is to paint giant dinosaurs

Scenic artist Will Adams at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure, based in Lenwade. Picture: ROARR!

When do the clocks go back in 2019?

The clock tower at Norwich City Hall.
Picture: Antony Kelly

Dates revealed for popular Norfolk festival

Hamilton Loomis performs at Dereham Blues Festival 2019. Picture: Colin Collis/DBF

Will town's post office be saved?

Martin's, the Miller's Walk newagents and post office set to close PICTURE: Matthew Farmer

9 things you need to know about this year's Deepdale Christmas Market

A north Norfolk Christmas market has raised more than £10,000 for charity in its 10th year. Photo: Deepdale Christmas Market

Norfolk artist to appear on new Sky TV series

Walsingham-based artist Keith Tutt is set to appear on Sky Arts Landscape Artist Of The Year. Pictured are presenters Stephen Mangan and Joan Bakewell. Picture: Steve Peskett

Joy for six Norfolk restaurants as new AA guide list announced

Hannah Springham and Andrew Jones at the Dial House, Reepham. Picture: Jamie Honeywood

'Everyone is enjoying the legacy of his hard work' - Tributes pour in for Norfolk's 'goose man'

Burnham Deepdale Backpackers. Pictured is Alister Borthwick outside some of the teepee's at Burnham Deepdale Backpackers. PHOTO: IAN BURT

England fan in Bulgaria: 'I've never known racism so bad'

England fan Ian Odgers, from Dereham, has condemned the racist abuse he witnessed in Bulgaria. Picture: Ian Odgers

'Our dreams have become a reality' - Seafood restaurant named best in region

Kelly and Scott Dougal celebrate after their restaurant the Wells Crab House is named the best in the east at The Food Awards England 2019 Credit: Wells Crab House

Why this pub deserved to be named Norfolk's best

The Brisley Bell which has won Pub of the Year 2019 at the Eat Norfolk Food And Drink Awards. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Stunning drone pictures show stately home as you've never seen it before

A 70,000 square feet temporary artwork named 'Estate' by artist Richard Woods was installed in the grounds of Houghton Hall in Norfolk. Picture: Norwich University of the Arts

Former Royal Mail boss appointed chair of region's ambulance trust

Nicola Scrivings has been appointed chair of the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. Picture: EEAST

Crime

Children as young as 12 making threats with knives in schools

Thu, 09:00 Dominic Gilbert

Children as young as 12 are using knives to threaten people in schools as officers target year eight and nine pupils to try to intervene.

'Don't be tricked': Elderly woman loses £5,000 in flu jab scam

Senior Woman Giving Credit Card Details On The Phone / cold call / pension fraud scam fraudster rip-off

Drama of officers saving life of man as he bled out revealed at Norfolk Police awards

The winners of the Chief Constable's Bravery Award, from second left, PC Andy Randall, PC Ash Shah, and Sgt Steve Smith, with Chief Constable Simon Bailey, at the NOSCAs (Norfolk Safer Community Awards). Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Broken down scooter stolen from roadside in broad daylight

A red motorbike was stolen from the A148 towards Fakenham on Monday. Picture: Submitted

Police stop man in possession of drugs and cash

A man was found to be in possession of drugs and cash after being stopped on Waples Way, Dereham. Picture: Archant

Fox found at animal sanctuary with head and tail cut off

Police are investigating after a fox was found at the Hingham-based PACT animal sanctuary with its head and tail removed. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Warning over Amazon cold call scam

Norfolk County Councils trading standards team have recieved reports of cold calls claiming to be from Amazon. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Updated Man charged with driving offences after police stop

Police are appealing for witnesses after rascist graffiti was reported in Norwich Photo: PA

North Norfolk police warn of fake 'Currys PC World' email scam

Police in north Norfolk are warning residents to be aware of email scams from Currys PC World. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Health

Norfolk MP has pacemaker fitted, but says he's not 'done' yet

Yesterday, 16:55 David Bale

Long-serving North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb has had a pacemaker fitted - but says it won't stop the work that he does.

Warning to parents and pet owners after toxic algae found in Norfolk

Former Royal Mail boss appointed chair of region's ambulance trust

People with mental health problems to get more help into work

A generic image of workplace colleagues talking at a water cooler. Picture: Time to change/Newscast Online

'It is distressing' - Mental health patients still being sent for out of county care

Professor Jonathan Warren, new chief executive of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Picture: NSFT

Woman who lost sister to brain tumour joins walk to raise awareness

Despite the heavy rain, loyal supporters of Astro Brain Tumour Fund took part in the thirteenth Norfolk Family Walk at Holkham Hall. Katie Phillips, whose sister Gemma from Wacton died in 2010 from a brain tumour, is pictured with her is husband Andy and daughter Willow. Picture: Astro Brain Tumour Fund

Racegoer who nearly died at edge of track to thank those who saved his life

Critical care paramedic Neil Flowers (left) who attended Bob Burford at Fakenham Racecourse in March. Picture: EAAA

Woman who lost more than 8 stone braves exercise 'nightmare' with fellow slimmers

Mandy Wick (pictured before her weight loss) recently took part in a challenge with members of the Fakenham and Briston Slimming World group, together raising more than £1,300 for Cancer Research UK. Picture: SUPPLIED BY HOLLIE WEBB

Five sick days in 52 years - meet the dedicated support worker retiring after half a century

Sandra Adcock is retiring after over 50 years as a reablement support worker, she's pictured with her last clients on her final round Reginald and Evelyn Ramuz. Byline: Sonya Duncan
Copyright: Archant 2019

Education

Headteacher: School 'moving in right direction' following controversy

Saturday, October 12, 2019 Thomas Chapman

Mark Woodhouse has made a host of changes since taking over in 2018 as principal at Nicholas Hamond Academy in Swaffham. Picture: Archant

"I want more and our young people deserve more."

Support for Norfolk's vulnerable children to get share of £84m government boost

Vulnerable children in Norfolk are set to benefit from a share of £84m of government funding. Photo: Nigel Barklie/Rex Features

Gallery Pupils head outdoors as school opens new classroom - in a beach hut

The grand opening of the new outdoor woodland learning facility at Burnham Market Primary School. Picture: Jamie Honeywood

Trash Girl has fresh start as 'uphill battle' to save the planet rolls on

Trash Girl (Nadia Sparkes) at Reepham High school Photo: Brittany Woodman

Record Year 7 intake at high school

The Year 7 intake at Alderman Peel High School PICTURE: Alderman Peel High School

Parents in Norfolk more likely to face fines for poor parking on school run

Concerns were raised over parking on the school run at Sheringham Primary earlier this year.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL.

Updated Wait finally over as mid Norfolk students collect 'exceptional' GCSE results

Reepham High School and College students celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Reepham High School and College

Video GCSE results 2019: All of the results from Norfolk and Waveney

Dereham Neatherd High School students celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Dereham Neatherd High School

Updated Mixed set of GCSE results across north Norfolk

Pupils at Aylsham High School recieving their GCSE results. Picture: Archant

Business

Will town's post office be saved?

Wed, 12:31 Donna-Louise Bishop

The future of a busy market town's post office is looking brighter after representatives confirmed that they have an "interested party" looking to take it over.

Joy for six Norfolk restaurants as new AA guide list announced

Four hotels in Norfolk named among best in country

Owners of the Brisley Bell, Amelia Nicholson and Marcus Seaman. It has been named one of the best hotels in the country by The Sunday Times. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Opinion Is Hays offering false hope to East Anglia's Thomas Cook staff?

Hays Travel has saved Norfolk and Suffolk's Thomas Cook's branches but can they really survive?
Pic: PA

New Indian restaurant set to spice up Fakenham Racecourse menu

Indian restaurant Punjabi Cuisine is set to open at Fakenham Racecourse ready for the new season. Picture: Ian Burt

You can grow your business with free marketing sessions at sport centre

Jamie Brown speaking at a previous Digital Decoded masterclass. PICTURE: Antony Kelly

Video Thomas Cook shops to reopen across Norfolk thanks to rescue deal

The Thomas Cook branch in Norwich is one of many hoped to reopen

Special Report How does this popular resort town cope over winter?

An iconic view of the quayside in Wells. Picture: Stuart Anderson

Lord Nelson's old pub to be 'extended and re-opened'

The Lord Nelson Pub in Burnham Thorpe is to reopen after three years. Picture: The Holkham Estate

Meet Matthew - the rough sleeper who has stolen the hearts of a Norfolk market town

09:31 Abigail Nicholson

A homeless man whose future has been publicly debated by two councils has told the shocking story of how he came to be sleeping in a tent in a Norfolk town.

Person hospitalised after medical emergency in town centre

Yesterday, 14:25

Emergency services were pressed into action following reports of a medical incident.

Biker badly hurt in crash

Yesterday, 10:24 CHRIS BISHOP

A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries when he was involved in a collision with a car.

King's Lynn

Two kittens rescued from industrial estate

08:00 Rosanna Elliott

The RSPCA East Norfolk is hoping to rehome two kittens who were found running around on an industrial estate.

'It could encourage him to stay in the area' - council officer warns against helping homeless man

Wed, 18:01 Abigail Nicholson

A council officer has discouraged people from supporting a homeless man in Fakenham, but said temporary accommodation will be offered in extreme weather.