Aspirations key at new Downham Market community organisation's launch

Youngsters learned all about planes and robots as part of the soft launch of a new community organisation in Downham this week.

The Clackclose Hundred Community Benefit Society, a non-political, not-for-profit organisation, opened its doors for two events with support from RAF Marham to encourage children’s aspirations.

The events, ‘Step into Flight’ and ‘Step into Robots’, held on Monday and Tuesday respectively, were the first in a series of ‘Inspiring our Future - Learning and Skills of the Future’ sessions organised by the group and held at its base in the Priory Centre above the town’s library.

A spokesman for the group said, although the attendance was not huge, those who participated were “really interested” in the sessions.

He said: “The RAF did some amazing stuff, we were so impressed.

“It’s all about inspiring them,” he added.

“If we can change the aspirations of the region through this centre, then that’s what we aim to do.”

The organisation, which hopes to work with rural and coastal economies in the region, will hold events at its ESTEAM Centre – based on the STEM disciplines, science, technology, engineering and maths, but also incorporating enterprise and arts.

The spokesman said they aim to link schools, parents, trustees, companies and pupils to create a “pipeline of aspiration”.

A ‘hard launch’ event is currently being planned for the middle of May, he added.