Norfolkcounty

Mark Ayres, 71, and his wife Marion, 70, were caught with £46,000 worth of cannabis when police raided their remote rural home near Attleborough in May last year. Mark began growing cannabis at a former gym in the house after his cancer returned in 2023, having researched the drug's medicinal benefits following a 2018 diagnosis. Both admitted drug offences. Mark was jailed for three-and-a-half years for possession with intent to supply and production of cannabis. Marion received a nine-month sentence suspended for 12 months, as the court found she played a lesser role.

Two 1980s and 1990s pop stars are headlining an open-air concert at Norfolk Showground on 14 May next year. Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow and M People singer Heather Small will perform a night of classic hits. The concert, presented by Live Republic, runs from 6.30pm to 10pm and tickets go on sale on 13 November.

Norfolk's historic 17th-century Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe, near Wells, has reopened after closing in August. Norwich-based gin distillery Gyre & Gimble has taken over the venue, which is named after Admiral Nelson and features a settle where the naval hero would sit during visits. The company plans to run it similarly to its first pub, the Walpole Arms at Itteringham.

Bread Source is opening the Stock Room, a new shop and wine room next to its bakery in Norwich's Upper St Giles Street. Footage of the refurbished space has generated customer excitement on social media. The shop will stock bakery ingredients, pantry items, coffee and wine, with a wine room at the rear offering a self-serve tasting system, charcuterie, artisan cheeses and ready meals.

A new rough sleeper camp has appeared beside Norwich Theatre Royal in full view of theatre-goers and shoppers. Multiple encampments have recently emerged across Norwich's city centre, including alongside Riverside Walk, beneath the Magdalen Street flyover, in St Stephens underpass, Chapelfield Gardens and near the city walls. People living and working in the city have expressed frustration, with concerns raised about anti-social behaviour and the impact on visitor numbers and the local economy. Nick Taylor, chairman of Reform UK Norwich, said the camps were 'not a good look' for the city. Norwich City Council said more than 400 bed spaces are available across housing and emergency accommodation, with outreach teams regularly offering support to rough sleepers, though not everyone accepts the help.

Bartlomiej Kuczynski, 45, was found dead at his Costessey home on 19 January 2024 alongside his daughters Jasmin, 12, and Natasha, 8, and their aunt Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36. All four had suffered stab wounds to the neck. The deaths of the girls and their aunt are being treated as murder. Kuczynski had been spotted pitching a tent beside a road in Little Fransham, about 20 miles from his home, on 13 December 2023, weeks before the deaths. A bloodstained knife and blanket found nearby were reported to police three days before the killings but only recovered afterwards.

A fire crew from Carrow was called to St Stephens Street in Norwich around 2pm on Thursday after a person became trapped in a lift inside a shop. The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that firefighters manually assisted the trapped person. The incident was resolved by 2.08pm.

Broom Boats, a famous Norfolk boatbuilder based in Brundall, has unveiled the exterior design of its latest hand-built motor cruiser, the Broom 350. The vessel, now available to order, represents a major step in the company's return to new-boat manufacturing. It will be offered in both inland and coastal configurations, with engine options ranging from a single 57-horsepower engine to twin 170hp units.

Burglars smashed their way into Machine Mart, a tools and machinery retailer on Heigham Street in Norwich, at 2.36am on Wednesday and stole a generator along with other items. Police forensic teams are investigating at the scene, which has been sealed off. Witnesses or anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage are asked to contact police quoting crime reference 20 of November 5.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Lauren Oakley will make her musical theatre debut as Roxie Hart in the award-winning musical Chicago, coming to Norwich Theatre Royal between 9 and 14 August 2027 as part of a UK and Ireland tour. Adam Garcia will play criminal lawyer Billy Flynn, with chart-topping singer Mica Paris as Mama Morton, Charlotte Gooch as Velma Kelly and Jonathan Dryden Taylor as Amos Hart. The 1920s-set show, the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history since opening in New York in 1996, has won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy.

Norfolk police are searching for 22-year-old Ethan Hood, who also goes by the names Liam Green and Ethan Hawkes, after he breached the terms of his licence. He is wanted on recall to prison. Hood is described as 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build, with black hair and brown eyes, and has links to the Norwich area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference 36/65205/26.

FW Properties has applied to build 238 homes on farmland between Tunstead Road and Stalham Road on the edge of Hoveton. The proposal includes a pumping station, substation and associated infrastructure. Over 110 objections have been lodged with local councils and elected representatives citing traffic, infrastructure and environmental concerns. Tunstead Parish Council said the development would cause 'severe impacts', whilst Hoveton Community Council and Ashmanhaugh Parish Council also objected. Councillor Nigel Dixon raised concerns about traffic congestion on the A1151 and questioned whether local water recycling facilities would have adequate capacity.

Norfolk County Council's cycle lanes in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, which cost almost £4m, have faced criticism over their impact on traffic. Councillors have been warned that making changes could see the government withhold future funding. Traffic monitoring showed motor vehicles increased while pedestrian movements dropped, though cycling trips rose 16 per cent.

A chemical spill near City Academy in Norwich prompted an emergency response during the school rush on Bluebell Road at 8.20am. Fire crews from Sprowston, Earlham and Wymondham attended and made the scene safe by 9am. The spill is believed to be related to a swimming pool near the school. No evacuation was necessary and the school continued operating normally.

Police were called to a house on Coast Road, Hopton-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, on Wednesday morning after a man made threats when eviction attempts were made. According to Norfolk Police, the man refused to leave and said he had containers of petrol he would ignite if anyone entered. A nearby primary school and other properties were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

A 19-year-old has been charged after police seized more than £65,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis following a stop and search in Norwich on October 31. Markelian Lugja, 19, of no fixed address, was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs and possession of criminal property. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on November 30, 2026.

Eastern Daily Press reports that a bonfire and fireworks event at Hautbois Activity Centre in Coltishall, due to take place on Friday, has been cancelled after an oil spill on Station Road caused extended road closures. The cooking oil spill stretched approximately 100m across the full width of the carriageway. Organisers said they were only made aware the day before that access would be affected. All ticket holders will receive full refunds.

Reagit, an engineering training and apprenticeship provider based in Norwich, is hosting an awards event at the Nest on Friday, November 6. The event will be hosted by the High Sheriff of Norfolk and will celebrate last year's scholars and apprentices who have qualified through Reagit this year. More than 30 students will receive awards or certificates, with over 150 people expected to attend.

Eight-year-old crossbreed Mona was rescued from the streets of Romania and spent five years hiding under a bed due to severe trauma. She was initially rehomed in Scotland but was too frightened to leave the house or go on a lead. After over a year of rehabilitation in Norfolk, she is still being fostered in Taverham near Norwich and looking for a permanent home.

Finalists for the 2027 Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards have been revealed, with major Norfolk venues and hospitality businesses shortlisted for their contributions to the tourism industry. The shortlist includes Blickling Estate, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, and Sandringham Estate in the attractions category, alongside businesses competing for hotel, B&B, pub and dining awards. The ceremony will take place on 11 March at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich.

Twins Maddison and Maverick Beck, both 18, were left without pay after Snug Hospitality pulled out of running the Queens Head in Thurlton, Norfolk. The new landlord, Dean Harrison, launched a fundraiser to support them, raising over £1,000 towards the £800 owed. The siblings had been the final two staff members, responsible for opening, closing and day-to-day operations during the pub's final weeks of trading.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging people to attend organised Bonfire Night displays rather than lighting fireworks at home due to safety concerns. The service said organised displays are the safest way to celebrate. Multiple events are scheduled throughout Norfolk on November 5, 6, 7 and 13.

A man in his 30s died when his Vauxhall Corsa collided with a Scania lorry on the A1067 near Fakenham, Norfolk on Wednesday at 15:00. The crash happened near the junction with Little Snoring Road. The A1067 was closed for more than 13 hours and reopened at 04:50 the following day. Norfolk Police is appealing for witnesses.

Sowerbys has taken over the lettings management portfolio of Birds Estate Agents, which has operated from Hunstanton's high street since 1988. Paula Bingley, who worked at Birds for 22 years, has joined Sowerbys' Hunstanton office as part of the transition. Ed Tyman, lettings and operations director at Sowerbys, said the move would ensure continuity of service for landlords and tenants.

A man in his 30s died after a crash between a silver Vauxhall Corsa and a blue Scania lorry on the A1067 at Kettlestone, near Fakenham, at 3pm on Wednesday. The driver of the Corsa died at the scene. The road was closed while emergency services, including the air ambulance, attended.

Wendy's pulled out of a planned Hall Road restaurant in Norwich but has hinted that its second proposed site at Broadland Enterprise Park near Norwich Airport could still go ahead. In an Instagram exchange, the chain told a content creator it was still 'trying' to open in Norwich and would 'never forget' about the city. The Broadland Enterprise Park site remains an empty shell with Wendy's branding on signage, but the company has not confirmed whether it will proceed.

A rare 1983 Ford Sierra Base, described as the only surviving example of its kind, will be shown for the first time at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show in Birmingham. The car is owned by Ian Brown from Fakenham, who acquired it through a raffle in December 2025 and has completed extensive restoration work including new sills, doors and a full repaint. The vehicle will be on display at the NEC in Birmingham from 13 to 15 November.

Novelist Zadie Smith appeared at a sold-out UEA Live event in Norwich to discuss her new essay collection Dead and Alive, alongside writing, artificial intelligence and life online. In conversation with UEA academic Nathan Ashman, she reflected on her relationship with essay writing and her fascination with other people's perspectives. She described writing as therapeutic, particularly when processing difficult experiences.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been approved to temporarily relocate its emergency department to a modular building in Car Park I during a one-year refurbishment of the existing facility. The move will result in the loss of 42 parking spaces. The 250 square metre building, made up of four modules, will include a reception area, assessment areas, trolley bays and toilets, with windows and ventilation designed to meet NHS standards. The hospital plans to begin installing the modules this month.

The Cafe Club in King Street, Norwich, is closing on Friday after ten years in operation as it prepares to change management. The coffee and sandwich bar announced the closure on social media, with the current team thanking customers for their support. A new owner will take over the site, with the cafe taking a short break while they prepare to reopen.

Andrew Marriott, a former Household Cavalry soldier with a background in agricultural management, has been appointed as Norfolk county adviser for the National Farmers' Union. He joined the NFU East team on 12 October, succeeding Flora Archer. Mr Marriott said he is keen to support members on issues including water availability, rural crime and the future of Norwich Livestock Market.