Latest news with #KingsLynn
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Historic King's Lynn theatre to get £30.5m refurbishment
A £30.5m project to redevelop the UK's oldest working theatre into an international visitor attraction has been stage at St George's Guildhall in King's Lynn is thought to have once hosted Shakespeare Norfolk councillors voted by 35 votes to 12 to approve plans to preserve the venue and develop surrounding medieval buildings and opponents were worried the authority may have to fill a £16.8m funding shortfall, with one describing the project as "high risk". The plans, which include a museum and educational space, were voted on by West Norfolk Council's cabinet leader Simon Ring, a member of the Independent Partnership group, said the project was "about the soul of our town".He said: "The Guildhall is not a project. It is a responsibility." His speech was peppered with quotes from Shakespeare's plays and was applauded by members of the public. Independent councillor Alun Ryves criticised the "callous way" the scheme was being presented. He said: "It fails to offer value for money. It is very, very high risk plan."Ryves said he had calculated the project would cost each resident in the borough £ councillor Richard Coates said he voted against the project because of the funding gap. Coates added: "I've never heard of a major capital project which hasn't ballooned in terms of time and costs. "There is no reason to think this one will be different." Labour councillor Deborah Hennigan said she had struggled to make a decision. "I have huge concerns about the level of spending. "This represents the biggest spending decision this council will ever take."But she said, on balance, she would vote for the scheme. Green Party councillor Michael de Whalley voted for the said the process to get to this point had been "tortuous", but he praised the green credentials of the new building, which will include a heat pump and solar panels. Reform group leader Julian Kirk said he too was worried about the cost and voted against the project. Sharon Fox runs King's Lynn Young Players, who are already involved with the Guildhall renovation project. She said: "We're already reaping the rewards of working closely with the project to provide us with space and opportunities, so for me it is really a light in the future of King's Lynn." Leslie Judd, trustee of the King's Lynn Players, said he went to the council meeting to show his support for the renovation. "We are so thrilled that the result is how we would want it to be because we work with the children and the children are the future of theatre," he said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Village which lost its post office set to get another one
A Norfolk village which lost its post office earlier this year is set to get another one. The new branch will be opening in Dersingham, near King's Lynn, on September 24, inside Dersingham News, a shop on Hunstanton Road. Dersingham's previous post office before it closed (Image: Google) It will be open from 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Access will be via the existing door into the shop and there is on-street parking outside. The village's previous post office, on Post Office Road, closed in March. Previous postmaster Fraser Lindsay and his wife Maria (Image: Fraser Lindsay) It came after the Royal Mail announced plans to relocate sorting office workers to its main depot in King's Lynn. Postmaster Fraser Lindsay said the move would cut his income by 45pc and leave his business no longer viable.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
West Lynn and King's Lynn Ferry to reopen 'during school holidays'
A small passenger ferry which runs across the River Great Ouse is set to reopen during the school holidays, a councillor service was previously closed in January after the stairs to the boat, at West Lynn and King's Lynn in Norfolk, were damaged, and fears about passenger safety were raised. Norfolk County Council and West Norfolk Council funded repairs at a cost of £100,000. West Norfolk Borough Councillor Michael De Whalley confirmed the ferry would be back up and running "during the school holidays", with most schools in the county breaking up on 22 July. There has been a ferry service across the river for 600 years, the council said. Ben Ellis, who runs the West Lynn Ferry, said he had struggled to support himself financially since the closure in January. After taking the ferry out on a practice run across the Great Ouse, he said: "You've got the tide and the wind that wants to push me in the mud on the West Lynn side."I thought I'd have to have several attempts to get back on the west Lynn steps and the King's Lynn steps, but it's just like riding a bike".Mr Ellis was keen to get back to transporting passengers as soon as possible but admitted the early alarms were going to be a challenge. "I'm down here for about half five, quarter to six," he added."Just to get all the boats ready, fuelled up and get them all set". De Whalley thanked ferry users for their patience while the work took place and said he was excited to see it return. "The main issue has been safety," he said."We've had to review root and branch safety measures for the ferry operation at both landing stages. It's been complicated by working on a 190-year-old jetty". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Star Wars devotee brings collection to Lynn Museum
An avid enthusiast's beloved collection of Star Wars memorabilia is to go on show in a than 300 figurines, posters and toys from the original Star Wars trilogy will make up the "May the Toys be with You" exhibition at Lynn Museum, in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on 15 Matt Fox said he believed his collection could be worth £150,000."Back in the 1970s and 80s movie posters were painted just like a traditional artwork - and I really think they are as valuable as any artworks that we might enjoy at a museum or gallery space," he said. He told the BBC it was wonderful to be able to share his collection with fans old and new. Mr Fox said the first Star Wars toy he ever owned would remain very special to him. "I would say my favourite is Darth Vader, the Dark Lord himself. I know he is a baddie and I shouldn't really say that - but he is," he said."There is an old saying that collecting is a sickness and sharing it is the only cure." Posters from the original trilogy are also on display. Dayna Woolbright, the curator at Lynn Museum, said she believed many Star Wars toys held as much value as the fine art works and ancient items they usually have on display."There's something for everyone here at Lynn Museum," she said."We try and have a very varied programme and have had many more traditional exhibitions. "This is a chance to attract a different group of people who may not have been in to see us before." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
