This summer, Time to Change, England’s biggest anti-stigma programme, led by charities Mind and Rethink, is touring the streets and festivals of England with a series of fun, colourful roadshows that address the fear and awkwardness people feel in talking about mental health problems.

The ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change' roadshow is hitting the streets of Norwich on Saturday 9th July and inviting local residents to come along to Chapelfield to help get the country talking about mental health.

The Time to Change roadshow gives the people of Norwich a chance to find out more about mental health by talking to someone with personal experience.

And, Time to Change needs your help! If you have experience of living with mental ill health and are can spare three hours on Saturday 9th July please get in touch.

A training session, run by Time to Change for those wishing to volunteer will be taking place at Hellesdon Hospital on Thursday 7th July.

If you would like any further information regarding volunteering at the road show and timings please contact Laura Scholefield on 01603 421494 (ext 6494).

The Mid-Norfolk Railway will be making 2011 the year that really launched steam at the line with several major headline events.

Firstly, newly-restored GWR King 6023 King Edward II has been in service at the MNR since the beginning of June, having successfully run over 1000 miles on the line between Dereham and Wymondham. In addition, another visitor in the form of the RVP Beavertail observation car has been a popular addition to the rolling stock.

Saturday 9th sees the arrival of MNR regular GWR Pannier 9466 which has been outshopped in early British Rail black livery and will haul services throughout the summer. The weekend of Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th will see 9466 and 6023 in service together in a build up to what is a must-attend event of the year.

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th will see the MNR’s first ever steam gala with three engines in steam over the two days. Alongside 9466 and 6023 will star the Great Central Railway’s LMS 3F Jinty 47406. An intensive service will be operating over 3 days, being launched with a steam-hauled evening fish and chip train on the Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday will see regular services with all engines as well as a demonstration ballast train. Hauling the last train on Saturday evening will be 9466 and 6023 double heading another evening meal train.

Beavertail coach E1719 has been an extremely popular addition for the steam season, regularly selling out. On-board catering and a dedicated Beavertail attendant and assistant has ensured customers are well-fed and watered and the 1940s atmosphere has been enhanced with period music.

In order to maintain the momentum that the additional steam running will bring the MNR, two heavyweight appointments have been made to the operating and maintenance departments. We are extremely proud to announce that Dennis Howells MBE, recently in charge of the King Edward II restoration project, has agreed to take on the role of Traction Inspector – Steam. Dennis brings a long career of mainline and preservation experience and will ensure that the MNR is at the forefront of recruitment and training of steam crews for years to come.

In addition to Dennis, Bruce Murray will be taking up the role of Chief Mechanical Engineer – Steam. Bruce also brings a wealth of experience, being involved in the mainline running of Pannier 9466. Bruce and Dennis have been involved in the Mid-Norfolk Railway for several years and they have enabled it to develop from what was previously known as a diesel-only railway. 2011 is the year that firmly put the MNR on the map as a steam railway.

Further details of the MNR may be found on our website www.mnr.org.uk.

It is four years tomorrow, July 1, since smoking was banned in enclosed public places across England.

The new figures show that between April 2010 and March 2011, a total of 5,033 people in NHS Norfolk's area gave up smoking.

This is the highest number of quitters ever recorded and an increase of 13.5% compared to the previous financial year (2009/2010) when 4,434 people were helped to quit smoking.

The vast majority of people were helped to quit with support from Smokefree Norfolk, the stop smoking service delivered by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C). Smokefree Norfolk’s stop smoking experts help people to find the best method of quitting, including offering group sessions, one-to-one support, and drop-in meetings. The service also trains stop smoking advisors who are based within GP practices and pharmacies.

Clive Slater, NHS Norfolk’s Tobacco Control Adviser, said: “These figures are very encouraging and we are delighted that so many people have been helped to give up smoking.


"We have been working with Smokefree Norfolk, NHS Norfolk health trainers, community pharmacies, GPs and a number of other providers with whom we have contracted to make access to stop smoking support as flexible and easy as possible. These figures suggest our strategy is working well."

Katie McGoldrick, Team Leader for NCH&C’s Smokefree Norfolk, said: “In the last year we have relaunched our stop smoking service under the name Smokefree Norfolk and have undergone significant restructuring to further improve the service we offer to local people. This has included the recruitment of even more expert stop smoking advisors and the introduction of additional stop smoking sessions at weekends and in the evenings.


“I am delighted that we have helped so many people to give up the habit, as smoking can lead to a number of very serious conditions, such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. With NHS support, smokers can be up to four times more likely to give up for good so I encourage any smokers who are keen to quit to contact Smokefree Norfolk to discuss how we can help you achieve your goal.”

For NHS help to stop smoking, call Smokefree Norfolk on 0800 0854 113, visit the website at: www.smokefreenorfolk.nhs.uk or speak to your GP or pharmacist.

You can also contact your local NHS Health Trainer Service. If you live in the King's Lynn area, call 01553 782629. People living near Norwich can call 01603 625093 and in Thetford call 01842 757341.

There is more information at www.norfolk.nhs.uk (then click on "Your Services").

DSA's chief executive Rosemary Thew said:

“Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we cannot be sure that they will not turn up for work. We therefore want candidates to attend so that practical tests can be delivered if possible. Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.


“Candidates who turn up but are unable to take their tests because of industrial action will not have to contact DSA to re-book. They should hear from us with a new date within five to ten working days. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers."

If no examiner is available for a test, a new date will be rebooked automatically by DSA and the candidate will be sent details of the new test. If candidates fail to attend they will not be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses if their tests are cancelled and they will need to rebook their own tests.

DSA’s customer service centre for practical tests might also be affected by the strike action. Customers who wish to book a practical test will still be able to use DSA's internet booking service at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.

Details about claiming out-of-pocket expenses can be found at direct.gov.uk/drivingtestexpenses.

As Carers Week draws to a close, staff at Norfolk’s mental health trust are now officially ‘in the know’ about the needs of carers.

Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Trust have been holding special information events for its staff to discuss the role of carers in healthcare.

Roz Brooks, Director of Governance and Nursing, said: “The Trust is dedicated to listening to the views of carers as well as its service users.


“When a patient leaves our services it is their carers – their family, friends and loved ones – who will continue that vital and much needed support. Carers therefore provide an invaluable source of information about the patient’s emotional and physical needs.


“One of the important things the Trust wants to highlight during Carers Week, which began on Monday is for staff to recognise the needs that carers themselves have.”

Staff are encouraged to offer Carers' Assessments to ensure that family, friends and others caring for service users are having their needs considered and addressed.

Roz added: “There have been meetings with different teams around the Trust to introduce them to the strategy that we have produced. Question and answer sessions allowed staff to get to the crux of carer issues.”

The Carers Strategy will set out objectives for the Trust such as designing a carers information sharing scheme, creating a carer’s Information Pack about their loved one’s clinical care and involving them in patient assessments.

Other key concerns include supporting carers’ mental and physical wellbeing, and enabling carers to realise their educational and employment potential.

The strategy will be officially launched at the Trust’s Annual General Meeting in September 2011.

Following continued requests to join the long since Fully Booked Steam Hauled Fish'n'Chip Train on Saturday, July 16th, the Mid Norfolk Railway will now be running an additional Fish'n'Chip train on FRIDAY, July 15th at 1900 hours.

This will NOT be double headed, but will be steam hauled.

Normal Steam Fish'n'Chip Fares apply [£16 Adult and £9 Children], includes first
drink.

Booking Forms are now in the Ticket Office and on the Special Event page of the
website.

Saturday night’s Fish & Chip Train hauled by King Edward II was so very well
received that a Party from Norwich has written an “Ode to King Fish&Chips”, to be
found overleaf. Photo overleaf by Fred Chapman, copyright given by Fred

Under the new Continuous Insurance Enforcement law it's an offence to be the keeper of an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive when uninsured.

From today, registered keepers identified as having an uninsured vehicle will be sent a letter telling them that their vehicle appears to be uninsured, and warning them of the consequences if they fail to take action. Those who don't act on this warning - either by taking out insurance or declaring their vehicle off the road - will receive a £100 fine and could have their vehicle clamped, seized and destroyed. They may also face a court prosecution.

All drivers can check their vehicle is recorded correctly for free at askMID.com

Under the new system:


For more details, visit direct.gov.uk/stayinsured

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham is staging its 12th annual Green Festival on Sunday, June 26, 10am to 4pm. An action-packed day of entertainment and fun environmental activities is on offer in this beautiful Broadland garden. Normal admission charges: adult £5.50, concessions £5 and child £3.

Special events include: 11am & 2pm Bumblebee Walk; 11.30am &2.30pm Alpaca Amble; 12noon Nutmeg Puppet Theatre; 1.30pm children’s fancy dress bug parade – prize for best-dressed bug; 2pm-4pm live music from The He Hews. Other activities: Morris Dancing, circus skills, face painting, children’s crafts, clay play, fairy den building, insect box making, have-a-go felt making, sailing taster.

Demonstrations and stalls: Norfolk Countryside Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, Burnt fen Alpacas, pole lathe turning, hurdle making, British Dragonfly Society, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, master composter, BTCV, Norwich Bat Group, Wing and a Prayer, Nancy Oldfield Trust Electric Boat, Blofield and District Conservation group, EA Unearthed – outdoor activities specialists, soapmaker, crochet knitter and other craft stalls.

Boat trips on the Fairhaven Private Broad and South Walsham Broad on the ‘Primrose’ will be available all day (additional charge).

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, tel. 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.

There is wheelchair access to most of the garden, including the Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance. Mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), also open until 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday until the end of August. There is a tearoom, gift shop and plant sales.

This video has the sound of a Nightjar calling. This clip was taken along side one of my photographic projects at, Kelling Heath, Norfolk, England, recorded during July 2009.

For a high res image go to: www.wildaboutimages.co.uk
© Paul Bunyard