Opportunity to tidy up our 'scruffy' town
There's an opportunity coming up for all of us to do something positive about the scruffy state of the town.
The untidiness on our streets was highlighted during the recent annual town meeting and various suggestions made to improve the situation.
Of course it's not just a local problem. The countryside is blighted by so-called fly-tippers who cast their unwanted rubbish in laybys or fields or out-of-the-way corners.
Just take a look at the old Holt Road for starters. It may be difficult for ordinary citizens to do much about this, but when it comes to the community in which they live, surely there's no excuse.
Everyone has a responsibility to "keep Fakenham tidy" and support the agencies which endeavour to do likewise.
I have readily criticised the various branches of local government for the paucity of their attention devoted to clean-up operations across the town, but to rely solely on the parish and district councils to carry the can is unreasonable.
We all have to do our bit. For starters there's a motivational challenge during the first days of June.
The Campaign for Rural England is flying the flag as part of National Volunteers Week for people to get out there and generally do some litter-picking wherever they happen to be.
I know members of the Kick Start Fakenham group plan to organise some work parties and it would be good to see other community organisations doing likewise. Anything which strikes at the litter-bug mentality and influences its conscience must be a step in the right direction.
One of those things we perhaps take for granted in town is the church clock. I invariably glance up at it when in the market square and it's always pleasing to hear the chimes ringing out.
These were apparently added in 1948 in memory of those local men who fought in the Second World War and whose names are inscribed on our war memorial. A recent visit from clock restorers Smiths of Derby has identified urgent work on the clock to ensure its continued good health.
This may cost in the region of 1500. Some grants are available but they will not cover the full cost. The church would be delighted to receive any donations, however small, towards the project.
The simplest way would be by cheque, payable to Fakenham PCC and sent to the Parish Office in Gladstone Road. Rector Adrian Bell has promised to give all donors a private tour of the clock – presumably from the inside.
l The musical Annie produced by our local operatic society was terrific – everything from the set to the sound system, the quality of the acting and singing, the playing of the orchestra and, of course, the exuberance of the youngsters who played the orphans.
I can't have been the only one, however, to have been disappointed by the turn-out on opening night at the community centre.
The place was barely half full when it should have been packed for such a show, given the reputation of Fadlos.
The company has always had a professional approach to the musicals, pantos and youth productions it stages and has more than earned its stripes down the years.
It encourages stacks of youngsters to have a go at real, live theatre and for many the experience can be the start of a long lasting association.
Without half decent audiences, of course, Fadlos cannot continue to thrive. It’s been going for over forty years now and has deservedly won a place in the hearts of its many supporters.
Surely we can’t blame the current situation for all those empty seats. More like apathy to me.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -7 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Mist
Temperature: 0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
