On this week in Dersingham, Downham Market, East Winch, King’s Lynn and West Winch: November 12-18, 2001

Published: 06:00, 12 November 2023

We look back through the pages on the Lynn News from November 12-18, 2001.

News that the Regis Rooms in Lynn could be sold by the borough council has left users disappointed and searching for alternative venues. Members of West Norfolk Council’s cabinet decided that the venue was not being used enough to warrant the running costs and the expense of future repair work. The full council will make the final decision in December. Regular bookings and one-off events generate around £19,000 a year, but the running costs of the rooms are £47,650. A survey of the building has also revealed that £120,000 would need to be spent on repairs in the future.

An email from bored West Winch teenagers asking for skateboard ramps in the village may result in a £20,000 scheme. The request was sent to Norfolk County Council, then forwarded to West Norfolk Council before being sent on to the parish council which has said it wants to help the youngsters. A new youth club, Winch Grove YC – is also set to swing into operation in West Winch following the success of a rural youth bus which entertained young people during the school holidays.

Here are seven of the contestants who had entered for the Miss Chamber of Trade contest which was held at Lynn’s Duke’s Head Hotel in November 1980. From left are Mandy Flatt, Joy Boldero, Jane Curl, Heather Foreman, Katherene Mason, Jacqueline Bussens and Joy Chamberlain. A romantic weekend for two in Paris was the tempting first prize for the winner of the prestigious title. In the competition, the entrants were required to parade before the judging panel in day and evening wear.

A baby seal separated from its mother in Jersey has been airlifted to the RSPCA hospital at East Winch. Deputy manager Alison Charles said: “He was found on a Jersey beach and treated for 24 hours after being taken in by Jersey SPCA. We think he is about three weeks old and he would have died if he had not been found. He is really thin and emaciated and weighs only 10 kilograms when he should be 30k.”

Lynn’s new multi-million pound Morrisons supermarket is taking shape and is on track to open next summer. The store, situated near Lynn Railway Station, will create around 350 jobs and, at 73,000sq ft, it will be the largest supermarket in West Norfolk. Work has also started on a new 33,285sq ft Matalan store which is being relocated as part of the project and will create an extra 15 jobs. The current Matalan store is being demolished to make way for a petrol station and parking area.

Adrian Flux Insurance, one of Lynn’s biggest financial services employers, is finding it cannot recruit enough staff. The company, which moved its entire operation from three separate locations in Lynn to the impressive East Winch Hall last December, employs 220 staff and has more than 75,000 clients. It now hopes to recruit another 50 personnel in sales, administration and servicing, but bosses have been surprised at the shortage of job applications.

Proposed increases in parking charges in Lynn have infuriated workers throughout the area – and one Dersingham woman has organised a petition objecting to the proposals. If the council agrees to increase long-term parking charges those who pay for an annual season ticket will see the cost rocket from £180 to £250. Kelly Fox, who has already collected around 1,250 signatures, said: “I think it is disgusting that we will have to pay that much to park, especially when the majority of people in the council don’t pay themselves. It would be a completely different story if they had to.”

A 20mph speed limit could be introduced in the busy streets of Downham. That is one of the proposals put forward by urban designers Sheils Flynn in a whole range of environmental improvements for the town. The suggestion of a 20mph limit, particularly in Bridge Street and High Street, has been welcomed by members of Downham Regeneration Partnership. Traffic calming has been one of the main themes of the town centre enhancement programme which will start in 2002.

Lynn Knights speedway skipper Jason Crump has joined Belle Vue Aces on loan with immediate effect. The world number two Australian, who joined Lynn from Peterborough at the start of 2000 for a world record fee, had failed to agree terms with promoter Nigel Wagstaff. “I’ve got a strict budget and I aim to provide value for money over the next three years,” said Wagstaff.

The Lynn News collected 41 awards – including newspaper of the year – at a presentation night involving all titles in Johnston Anglia Newspapers, the Lynn News’ parent company. The event was held at Center Parcs, Elveden, and there was more success for the newspaper with the award for the best campaign (the Macmillan Appeal).

Nostalgia Chris Hornby