From pre-historic to present day – North Norfolk Visitor Centre celebrates official opening and introduction of fun new 'Discover Zone' 

The North Norfolk Visitor Centre was officially opened on Monday 10 February, with an exciting reveal of the brand new look for the tourist information hub. As well as the traditional visitor information service the centre now also includes a “Discovery Zone,” a fantastic new resource which forms part of North Norfolk District Council’s “Deep History Coast” initiative.

Council members, project partners, staff and business Ambassadors gathered for the celebration, which included a screening of the new DHC film and representatives on-hand to discuss the key project elements from fossil hunting to the upcoming mammoth Marathon.

North Norfolk District Council’s Chairman has invited Norfolk Wildlife Trust to be his Charity of the Year, with money raised supporting conservation grazing and family learning.

Dr Clive Stockton has a personal life-long association with nature and wished to support a charity that specifically works to conserve the fragile habitats of Norfolk and raise awareness of the importance of wildlife.

Funds raised by NNDC will be used in two key areas of NWT’s work across Norfolk: to support conservation grazing with rare native breeds and to extend engagement with young children in Sure Start centres.

Conservation grazing with native breed cattle, sheep and ponies protects important areas for wildlife. Without regular grazing, many of our rare and fragile habitats and the species they support would be at risk of being overwhelmed by more dominant plants. NNDC has already shown its own commitment to conservation grazing through the establishment of its Bagot goat herd, 15 of which are on long-term loan to NWT in the Brecks.

The number of kids born as part of North Norfolk District Council’s Bagot goat-breeding programme has hit a final tally of 12.

The dozen baby animals are all doing well and are enjoying life with their new friends as the herd prepares for another busy summer of habitat management.

The goats have also become a tourist attraction, and the 12 baby Bagots are sure to prove a hit with the public when they head to Cromer later this year.

The latest additions to the popular herd were a bit wobbly on their feet to start with but the adorable kids are now settling well into Norfolk life, and they will be the stars of a forthcoming slot on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme. 

Partners in the multi-million pound Bacton to Walcott Coastal Management (Sandscaping) Scheme gathered in Cromer yesterday, February 19th, for the signing of the construction contract.

The construction contractor for the project – Team Van Oord – was resolved at a Full Council meeting in December.

Yesterday representatives from Team Van Oord visited North Norfolk District Council to formally sign the contract.

The significant project milestones include the decommissioning of existing outfalls and building of a new outfall during May and June; and the placing of approximately 1.8 million cubic metres of sand on the beach off Bacton Gas Terminal, Bacton village and Walcott village in July and August.

Some of the famous North Norfolk Bagot goats have headed south to continue their valuable conservation and habitat-management work. 

The 15 billies have been sent on a long-term loan to heathland near Thetford, on land looked after by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. 

The loan follows the sale of a group of billies to Suffolk Wildlife Trust last year.

Cllr Sarah Butikofer, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, said: “We’re delighted that the wildlife trusts see the same potential benefits as we do.

The goats are a cost-effective way of managing vegetation and vulnerable habitats, and they act as a draw for tourists, too.”

All Things Norfolk business member Joe Lenton of Original Art Photography focusses on Overstrand in the latest edition of his popular series to help inspire you and learn how to take that perfect image to encapsulate Norfolk. 

Overstrand is just along the coast from Cromer heading East. You can even see Cromer Pier from Overstrand beach.

The lines of the sea defences can be used as effective leading lines, drawing the eye through the image to the focal point of the pier or sunset, for example. You can either work at ground level or photograph from the promenade for a slightly elevated viewpoint.

All Things Norfolk business member Joe Lenton of Original Art Photography focusses on Cromer in the latest of his series of features for All Things Norfolk.

Joe has over 50 international awards to his name and All Things Norfolk are delighted to bring you another edition of his popular series to help inspire you and learn how to take that perfect image to encapsulate Norfolk

As we move through Autumn and Winter, the weather changes and the hours of daylight decrease. So, often many photographers seem to go into hibernation unsure of what to do until Spring. This month, I'd like to encourage you to make the most of the unique conditions of the cooler seasons. One particular phenomenon that you are likely to see more of is fog.

The latest set of figures detailing how important the tourism sector is to North Norfolk has painted a clear picture of many more overnight stays and a £10m boost to the economy year on year.

The Economic Impact of Tourism report for 2017, published this week, has revealed the following:

• ·The total number of trips (day & staying) to North Norfolk was 8,827,700.
• ·Of these, 8,207,000 were day trips (up 5.8% from a 2016 total of 7,755,000).
• ·And 620,700 were ‘staying’ or overnight trips (up 12.1% from a 2016 total of 553,500).
• ·This gives a total tourism value of £505m (up 3% from a 2016 total of £495m).
• ·In 2017 there were 11,352 actual tourism jobs (or 8,184 full time equivalent jobs). This is an increase of 3% compared to 2016.

The 2017 figures also compare well with overall growth in England – the 12.1% increase in the number of overnight trips to North Norfolk is against a background of a 3% increase in the same statistic across England as a whole.

Bradfield Cricket Club had a special guest last Saturday (August 18 2018) before their league match against Horsford; North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) Leader, Councillor John Lee, was on hand to present the Club with a plaque celebrating the Council’s £15,000 grant from its Big Society Fund.

This was the first serious fixture at the ground since Bradfield opened their refurbished clubhouse on August 4; part of a £120,000 project to secure cricket at one of the best grounds in Norfolk.

The new clubhouse, on the edge of the pitch which Bradfield have played on since 1845 now boasts new changing facilities, toilets, kitchen, bar and social area, which together will provide better facilities, especially for children’s cricket at the Club.

North Norfolk District Council has run the Big Society Fund for six years now and it has benefitted many community groups across the District, with over £1.6m being handed out to 219 community projects in that time.