Hillington Square, King’s Lynn, West Norfolk Council, Palace of Westminster, Star Wars actor David Prowse: Lynn News nostalgia
Here’s the paper’s nostalgia column, Tuesday, July 11
The Green Cross Code man zoomed into Lynn in July 1989 to visit Rosebery Avenue, Howard and Highgate infant schools to talk to youngsters about road safety. His talk was particularly appreciated at the Howard School (pictured) where two youngsters had been involved in accidents in the past year.
The big green giant, alias actor David Prowse who was well known through his part as Darth Vader in the Star Wars films and also the Green Cross Code adverts since the 1970s, immediately struck up a great rapport with the children – and even got them all singing the Green Cross Code song. Photo: MLNF-895923
On this week: July 9-15, 2006
Lynn’s Campbell’s factory has new owners, as Premier Foods announced a £460 million takeover of the UK and Ireland operations. It marks the end of an era for the town, as the world-famous brand which arrived in 1959 has been a landmark ever since. There were local concerns over the future of the factory when the US-owned Campbell’s announced it was looking to offload the division, which had not grown as quickly as expected. North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham said it was “two cheers out of three” at the news, but he wanted to hear Premier’s long-term commitment to Lynn before adding the final hurrah.
After a £160,000 facelift and months of work, Terrington St John’s Methodist church is set to officially open. The former Sunday School hall in Ely Row has been totally transformed and after the extensive work is now the church’s new home. As well as the new worship space, the building boasts a small meeting room, fully-equipped kitchen, and is wheelchair-friendly throughout.
Problems with vehicles being driven onto The Common and tearing up the grass have continued, members of Stoke Ferry Parish Council heard. A “No Motorised Vehicles sign” had even been pulled out. Cars and mini-motorbikes were being driven round and round, churning up the grass and generally causing a nuisance it was claimed. Villagers are being asked to report any occurrence to the police, with registration numbers if possible.
West Norfolk celebrated two medallists at the 76th English Schools Athletics Championships held at Gateshead International Stadium. James Thompson won bronze in the Inter boys 400m hurdles and Megan Boon was also third when competing in the Senior girls hammer event. Both are members of the Ryston Runners club.
Veteran soldier Richard Fitzmaurice (74) of Heacham, who says he’d rather go to jail than pay his council tax, remained defiant when Lynn magistrates ordered him to pay up. He is refusing to pay a penny, despite being given just 14 days to pay the council tax in full – just under £1,300. He has refused to pay since the last increase in April, and although he can afford it, he decided to take a stand because of its “blatant abuse” of pensioners.
Leukaemia sufferer Paul Morrison (46) of Hillington Square, Lynn, who risked his life to save a woman from a blazing flat on the estate, has been chosen for a top bravery award. His heroic actions in running into the burning building to rescue Charlotte Cooper from inside have now been awarded with the Royal Humane Society testimonial, and the Royal approval of society president Princess Alexandra. Mr Morrison’s 14-year-old nephew Kyle Morrison will receive a special commendation after he spotted the fire and raised the alarm.
West Norfolk Council member Charles Joyce has launched a second bid to get free leisure activities for students this summer holiday, after being told there was not enough time to introduce the scheme. He had asked the council to give students under 19 free entry to its leisure facilities to reduce anti-social behaviour and promote health and fitness for young people. Mr Joyce believes it is only red tape getting in the way of the scheme and will make his second attempt to bring in the changes later this month, demanding free entry for students with immediate effect – a proposal which will either have to be accepted or thrown out.
Returning to Lynn has given the new curate at St Margaret’s Church quite a buzz. The Rev Christopher Wood was ordained at Norwich Cathedral on July 1, his 46th birthday, and the next day was welcomed to St Margaret’s by the vicar, the Rev Chris Ivory and the congregation. During the 1990s, the Rev Wood lived in Nelson Street while commuting to work in London and at that time was a keen member of the Lynn and District Beekeepers’ Association – a group he plans to re-join.
A coach party from Ten Mile Bank, including children from the village school, headed for London at the personal invitation of South West Norfolk MP Christopher Fowler. He arranged for a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Hall, having been impressed by the work of the village committee fundraising to restore St Mark’s Church to its former glory.
