Sea Eagles could be reintroduced to Norfolk

Conservationists are planning to bring the sea eagle, the UK's largest bird of prey, back to the skies above England.

The bird, known as "flying barn doors" because of its size, could be reintroduced into Norfolk next summer if the scheme gets the go-ahead. The government's conservation agency Natural England, the RSPB and Anglian Water hope to bring back the species.

It was driven out of England more than 200 years ago and had disappeared from the UK by 1918. The plans come after the sea eagle, also known as the white-tailed eagle, was brought back to west Scotland in a project that began in 1975. There are now more than 40 breeding pairs in the area, with 34 chicks produced last year, and another scheme has begun in east Scotland.

Natural England's chief scientist, Tom Tew, said returning the sea eagle to East Anglia would boost the local economy, put a top predator back in its natural place in the ecosystem and be "inspirational" for people.
On the Isle of Mull it has been estimated that the reintroduction of the birds bring in an extra £1.5m a year to the local economy.

Dr Tew said: "They are a magnificent bird and the UK's rarest bird. Bringing them back would be inspirational to people and a boost for the local economy brought by eco-tourism. They are also the missing piece in the jigsaw, the top predator which should be in a wetland ecosystem."

He said Norfolk had been assessed as the best place in England for releasing sea eagles, because it contained large areas of wetland habitat. And with only about 7,000 pairs of the eagle in the world, establishing a population in England could also help global efforts to conserve the species, Dr Tew added.

Rob Lucking, RSPB area manager for The Wash and North Norfolk, said: "The sight of birds of prey like the white-tailed eagle is a sure sign of a strong and healthy environment. Without them our ecosystem is disfigured, our natural and cultural heritage diminished and we are all the poorer. A re-introduction must be done properly and with due regard to the people and wildlife nearby but, if it can be done, then the sight of eagles soaring over Norfolk would give a huge lift to people's spirits and to the local economy."

Natural England and the RSPB are now keen to consult local people and landowners before deciding whether to attempt to reintroduce them elsewhere.

Friends of Harleston Primary School would like to say a HUGE Thank You to all involved in making our Ladies Fashion and Pamper Evening a huge success.

Special thanks go to Polly's Place and Four Seasons who supplied the outfits for the fashion show, the ladies who done a fantastic job of the hair and make-up, the photographer, the staff for being such good sports being the models and finally everyone who came along and joined us for a great evening.

We raised a massive £1054.90. Thank you.

Regards
Annie Podmore
On behalf of the Friends of Harleston Primary

Santa's Magical Journey, Thursford near Fakenham, Saturday, November 15 to Tuesday, December 23, www.thursford.com tel. 01328 878477

Sandringham Christmas Craft Show, Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30, 10am to 6pm www.craft-show.co.uk

The Forum Ice Rink, Norwich, Saturday November 29 to Friday January 2, www.theforumnorwich.co.uk, box office tel. 01603 630000.

Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham, Santa Specials, Saturday, November 29 to Wednesday, December 24, www.bvrw.co.uk, tel. 01263 733858

North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham, Santa Specials, Saturday, November 29 to Wednesday, December 24, www.nnrailway.co.uk, tel. 01263 820800

50 Christmas Trees in a Church, Dickleburgh Church, Dickleburgh, Sunday, November 30 to Sunday, December 7, www.50christmastrees.co.uk, tel. 01379 854245.

Norwichristmas, The city's annual celebration of the festive season, Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 14, www.norwichristmas.co.uk, tel. 01603 727927.

8^th Christmas Tree Festival, Fakenham Parish Church, Thursday, December 4 to Thursday, December 11, www.fakenhamparishchurch.org.uk, tel. 01328 862268.

Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre, Christmas Seaside Special, A mix of music, comedy, song and dance with a seasonal twist, Friday, December 5 to Saturday, December 27, www.cromer-pier.com tel. 01263 512495.

Sheringham Little Theatre Pantomime – Peter Pan, Saturday, December 6 to Saturday, January 3, www.northnorfolk.org/littletheatre, tel. 01263 822347.

Medieval Christmas Market, Dragon Hall, Norwich, Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, seasonal medieval market, www.dragonhall.org, tel. 01603 663922.

Mid Norfolk Railway Santa Specials, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December, www.mnr.org.uk, tel. 01362 851723. Join the train at Wymondham or Dereham, for a round trip with reserved seats.

Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, Nigel 'Boy' Syer & Friends All New Christmas Show 2008, Tuesday, December 9 to Sunday, December 13, www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk tel. 01493 662832

Historic Christmas Fayre, Norwich Cathedral, Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 14 with stalls selling historical items and replica artefacts from the last 2000 years in the cathedral's cloisters, www.cathedral.org.uk, tel. 01603 218308.

Great Yarmouth Hippodrome 8^th Christmas Spectacular, More than 60 performers and featuring the unique water show, Saturday, December 13 to Sunday, January 4 www.hippodromecircus.co.uk tel. 01493 844172.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, Father Christmas, Sunday, December 14, 4pm to 6pm, visit Father Christmas in his magical woodland grotto and meet his reindeer, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, tel. 01603 270449.

King's Lynn Arts Centre, Smile It's Christmas – Nigel 'Boy' Syer and friends, Sunday, December 14 at 7.30pm, www.kingslynnarts.co.uk, tel. 01553 764864.

Gorleston Pavilion Theatre Pantomime – Aladdin, Monday, December 15 to Sunday, January 18, www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk tel. 01493 662832

Theatre Royal, Norwich Pantomime – Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Tuesday, December 16 to Sunday, January 18 www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk, tel. 01603 630000.

Norwich City Centre Ice Sculpture Trail, Sunday, December 21 between 9.30am and 5pm walk around this beautiful and magical trail of life size hand carved ice sculptures, www.norwich.gov.uk, tel. 01603 727927.

For information on hundreds of other events and activities and accommodation see www.visitnorfolk.co.uk

www.visitnorfolk.co.uk

Tel 01603 222846

The definition of 'rush hour' in London grows woollier as the years pass: at its worst it seems to stretch demonically from 6am to 9pm.

Journey back over a century to July 1896, though, and this tantalising half-minute of footage reveals our Victorian counterparts making their way to work across the Thames by tram, horse-drawn carriage and, for the health-conscious (or the poor), good old Shanks' pony. More or less business as usual then, although compared to the daily human onslaught we face in 21st century London, the commuters caught by R.W. Paul's static camera proceed at an enviably elegant pace. (Simon McCallum)

For more information about film maker R.W. Paul see
www.screenonline.org.uk/people...

On 8 – 15 November 2009 I will be taking part in the Grand Canyon Trek, an epic fund-raising challenge on behalf of Scope, the charity for people with cerebral palsy. It is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and the one place I long to visit and to do it this way for such a worthwhile cause is perfect.

I have pledged to raise £2,800 and to do this I have donated all the profit from my adult art classes and workshops.

A scheme I have is to sell a gift voucher for one of my images for a suggested donation of £10 [see example below] I have made a selection of some of my small paintings, drawings, monotype prints and limited edition photographs and put them in a browser for people to come and choose.

If you were to support me in this venture your donation of £10 would bring me closer to achieving my goal, help Scope and help you with your Christmas shopping.

Hope you think this is a good idea, best wishes Jacqui

Please contact me 01379 674 309, via my website www.jacquipetrie.co.uk, email petrie@blackmilllane.fsnet.co.uk or post 2 Black Mill Lane, Geat Moulton, NR15 2DZ

www.scope.org.uk