Roadside verges could be used to grow vegetables
As the waiting list for an allotment in Norwich tops five hundred, the city council is drawing up a strategy to meet demand. Among the suggestions; growing vegetables on roadside verges or on unused patches of land. Green spaces near flats and brownfield sites could also become informal vegetable patches.
Binmen tackle rubbish backlog
Extra rubbish trucks are being laid on after last week’s icy conditions stopped many of the regular rounds. City Care has begun working on the backlog, starting with general household waste, before moving on to recycling and garden waste. Any collections scheduled for this week will go ahead as usual, and the system should be running normally by the weekend.
Academy reaches out to community
South Norwich’s only academy school is extending its reach out to the local community – this time by offering access to its high tech gym. Perfect if you’ve put on a few pounds over Christmas.
In November, City Academy Norwich (formerly Earlham High School) invited the community to access its “Future Zone”, offering support on anything, from digital photography to surfing the net. The more parents the school gets through its doors, the more likely they are to take an interest in their own child’s education. Hundreds have already taken the school up on their offer. Read More…
Crime rates at UEA down 40%
Crime at the University of East Anglia has almost halved since term started in September. Figures released by police show a reduction of 40%, compared to the same period last year. Inspector Russell Watkins, who’s in charge of neighbourhood policing for the area, puts the success down to ”Operation Campus.” Read More…
Lights to go out across south Norwich
Hundreds of street lights could soon be switched off across south Norwich, from midnight to five am. It could save Norfolk County Council £200 thousand each year and reduce CO2 emissions. Their own research shows the move is likely to make people feel less safe.
Earlham Road’s hidden amphitheatre
Local people have won thousands of pounds to transform an area of wooded land next to the Black Horse Pub on Earlham Road. Among the ideas – turning the dell into a performance arena.
Dragon’s Hall used to use the woodland for medieval re-enactments. With it’s naturally steep sides, the project organisers are considering turning it into an amphitheatre with seating along the banks. Read More…
Backing for blanket speed limit of 20 mph
Long-awaited advice on speed limits has been issued by the Government. Today councils were told they can introduce 20 mph speed limits, without the need for costly traffic calming measures.
This will be welcome news to Norwich City Council, who’ve been considering introducing the limit on all residential roads, but faced a bill of £350,000 to pay for speed bumps. Read More…
Urban garden vision for Grapes Hill
A design has been drawn up for a strip of urban wasteland. The group behind Grapes Hill Community Garden are canvassing local opinion to unlock the next pot of lottery funding.
Gateway to a digital age
South Norwich’s first academy is opening its doors to the local community. Hundreds have tested out the school’s ”Future Zone”, trying anything from wii fit to social networking. In the classrooms, there’s also evidence of change. One pupil has been excluded this term, compared to over thirty last year.
Eaton Park’s “untapped potential”
Underused sports facilities in Eaton Park – such as tennis courts and bowling – are facing the axe. But one local group claims the key is to publicise what’s on offer.
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