And now plans to transform the site into a car park by Easter have been scuppered – not by the vandalism – that is just a notable nuisance, but by inadequate foul water drainage to the back of the site.

The problem has moved Anglian Water to refuse permission for work to start until further testing of the site for soakaways etc has been done. The good news is that although this news may well have dampened and delayed the town council's plans to provide us with 70 more car parking spaces, it has not stopped them. Other aspects of the transformation appear to be going well, including the recent agreement of paying £9,700 for the installation of nine lights on the site.

Meanwhile, the town hall car park will soon be undergoing some renovation works that may cause slight disruption. EDF will be re-laying a cable and envisage works to take up to four days. As yet the exact start date and extent of parking area that will be temporarily unavailable is unknown so . . . watch this space. And then prepare to rally drive yourselves to find one.

• You may have noticed a difference about our town clock. It now lights up, and much brighter than before, on all sides again. Thanks go to Charlie Pyatt, of C & J Electrical, who replaced all the tubes and re-sorted the wiring without so much as a helping leg up let alone a cost to us. Official inspectors are being contacted to help address another problem, internal rusting caused by damp. Although this may well require some heating to be put in, it is believed earlier renovations to the clock are still under warranty.

• After years of debating its real usefulness and necessity, things certainly seem to be moving regarding the installation of CCTV. The town council is presently awaiting electrical inspections of various sites in and around Downham, after which comes applications for planning permissions. Meanwhile, final costing figures are being pulled together.

• A warm hello this week to Mike Edwards, elected as Downham and District Chamber of Trade's new president; also a fond farewell to Ros Turner who this week officially stepped down from secretarial duties of the organisation but who remains on the committee; and a warm hello to Karen Everitt who takes her administrative place.

• The second annual Mayor's Award for Young People takes place tonight, at the town hall. This year a staggering 150 local young people have been nominated and will all receive certificates for various deeds well done. As well as being announced into the hall by a town crier and greeted by a blinged-up civic party, those attending will be able to enjoy a buffet and refreshments, and entertainment. Congratulations to all of them, and long may this event, instigated by last year's mayor, Mick Ford, continue.

• Here's notice of a craft fair which will be held at the Sovereign Centre, Sovereign Way, on the Trafalgar Industrial Estate, Downham, tomorrow from 10am-2pm. Admission is free.

• And finally, our local Ryston Runners tell me that former Olympic athlete Paul Evans will be on hand to offer tips to youngsters at a sportshall athletics taster session at Lynnsport tomorrow from10.30am to noon. This is the third of four such events for children aged eight and over, and the cost is just £2.