‘Enjoy yourselves safely’ plea ahead of big weekend in West Norfolk

With the stage set for a bumper weekend of sport and entertainment, police chiefs have pleaded with revellers in Lynn to enjoy themselves safely.

Thousands of music fans are set to descend on the Tuesday Market Place tonight and tomorrow as this year’s Festival Too music extravaganza continues.

And football fever is also sweeping the area ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden tomorrow afternoon.

Although police have said no incidents were reported following the dramatic penalty shootout win over Colombia on Tuesday night, extra officers will be on patrol in Lynn and other towns to deal with any potential disorder this weekend.

Chief Inspector Kris Barnard, of Norfolk Police, said yesterday: “Officers will deal robustly with any issues, but we hope there will not be a need to do so.

“People need to take responsibility for themselves and their friends.”

The timing of the big game in Russia, which kicks off at 3pm, is also a potential headache for the organisers of many community events taking place around West Norfolk on Saturday.

But organisers of the A Bit of a Do event taking place at All Saints’ Church in Roydon between 1 and 4pm tomorrow say they will be carrying on regardless of events in Samara.

Vicar, the Rev Judith Pollard, said: “We’re hoping the people who want to see the football will come a little earlier and those who aren’t interested will come anyway.

“It’s a lovely, traditional village fete. We can be the antidote to football fever.”

But excitement over what Gareth Southgate’s team could achieve has even entered local politics, after Swaffham town councillors voted to bring forward their meeting next week by 24 hours.

Full council meetings there are traditionally held on the second Wednesday of each month.

But, this month, the authority will meet on Tuesday at 6.30pm, instead of Wednesday, in order to avoid a potential clash with a semi-final.

Town clerk Richard Bishop said the decision to change dates was made during a special meeting, which had been called to discuss a planning issue, on Wednesday morning.

Alternative options of a Wednesday afternoon or Thursday evening slot were also considered.

He said they could not delay a decision until after the weekend’s game, because of the requirement for officers to issue a formal summons to members to attend the meeting.

He added: “I think it’s sensible planning. Some people may have a bit of a cynical view but these things do not come around very often."

And if football isn’t your thing, then here are a few ideas for events you can enjoy around West Norfolk while England are playing Sweden in the World Cup tomorrow.

Mintlyn Crematorium near Lynn has an open day (which ends at 3pm as the kick off take place).

Army vehicles will be on display on The Green, Hunstanton, on both Saturday and Sunday, between 9am to 5pm. The event is raising money for local heroes and veterans.

Oxburgh Hall is also offering an alternative option as they celebrate National Meadows Day, from 2pm to 4pm.

An spokesman from Oxburgh Hall said: “Celebrate National Meadows Day with the hall’s outdoor team, taking a stroll through a meadow, hunting for mini-beasts, discovering wildlife and counting and recording insects for the hall’s records.”

If you’re into something quieter, Lynn Library is running a games time session, including Trivial Pursuit, Mexican Train and Dobble, from 2pm to 4pm.

And Hunstanton Library and Gaywood Library are hosting their chess club until midday, so why not stay a few more hours and lose yourself in a book while others shout at the TV.