The English Whisky Company at Roudham near Thetford have just released their first single malt whisky, a non-peated version called “Chapter 6″ - the first to be distilled in England for more than 100 years. The distillery was set up in 2006, but only now can their spirit be oficially called whisky, after being stored in oak barrels for 3 years.

They sell other whiskies and their own Norfolk liqueurs too. I ordered a bottle of their malt spirit last Christmas as a present for somebody and they were very helpful with the purchase, shipping my pretty-late order up to Lancashire safely and in time for the holiday with no fuss.

There – that’s another idea for a Norfolk Christmas present sorted for you!

It was looking pretty busy in the town centre this morning, with more visitors being planned for later. The Farmers’ Market seemed like it was thriving, with lots of people buying stuff. The Craft Fair in the parish church was in full swing too – lots of stalls and a good stream of customers as well.

Later this afternoon, the market place will host more stalls, rides and performers in the lead-up to the Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm. I’m informed Santa’s grotto will be there as well. It’s all go, isn’t it?

Edit: This post took all of three minutes to appear in a Google search!!!

Parking, that is. There will be free parking for up to two hours in all NNDC’s paying car parks every Saturday during the run-up to Christmas. Starting this Saturday - so you’ll be able to pop into town for the Fakenham Christmas lights switch-on, buy some goodies in town and off home again without shelling out a bean to park the chariot.

By the way, the lights are being switched on at 5pm, with the event running from around 2.30 to 5.30. The centre will be closed off from noon to 6pm, as there will be fairground rides, entertainment, performances, stalls and other interesting stuff going on.

EDIT:
SIX MINUTES. It’s a bit of a speed record for me. It may have been quicker, but I didn’t think to look until then. Maybe it’ll happen even faster next time – I’ll make sure I’m timing it. If you’re wondering, it’s the amount of time it took for this blog post to get listed on a Google search!

I spotted a new shop today – in Bridge Street where the Computer Shop used to be (next door to Blockbuster). It’s called ‘Fakenham Florist’ – and very nice it looks too.

Are things taking another turn for the better in our favourite Norfolk market town? Well, good luck to the owners!

Fakenham’s Christmas lights get switched on next Saturday, 28th November. The lights have been extended onto Norwich Street and Bridge Street this year and new regulations mean that energy-saving LED lighting is now being used.

In the photo, you can see Kings and Barnhams‘ Peter Hamilton at work installing lights across Norwich Street last Thursday afternoon. The Fakenham electrical company install and then maintain the lights right through the festive period.

It’s official then. Christmas is coming – feeling excited yet?

Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited is keen to hear the views of the local community about the onshore elements of this project and has arranged three public exhibitions where members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and to learn about the Dudgeon project in more detail. Exhibitions are planned as follows:

 • Tuesday 17th November 2009, Fakenham Parish Church, 1pm – 8pm
• Wednesday 18th Nov. 2009, Necton Rural Community Centre (Village Hall), 12am – 7pm
• Thursday 19th November 2009, Holt Community Centre, 1pm – 8pm

 The exhibitions will be manned by key members of the project team and will include displays providing detail on the Dudgeon project and the associated engineering and environmental studies being undertaken for the development.

Having watched BBC’s iPlayer coverage of yesterday’s Lord Mayor’s Show in London, I thought it might be fun to post some video captures of PMC’s pea harvester in the procession – just to prove they were there! I’m sure lots of Fakenham people who work there (and previously at FMC) would be interested.

A crew of hardy volunteers turned up at Fakenham Market Square at 10 this morning, in inclement weather, for Kickstart Fakenham’s second Tidy Up day. Fewer attendees than in the summer (were the gale force winds last night to blame?) but lots of rubbish collected none the less.

First prize for strangest item bagged was awarded to Sean Mears’ wasp nest. Largest bag bagged was by Dave Grahame (who doesn’t even live in the county!!!). A useful and fun morning’s work by all.

Thanks to Stephen Jacklin of Kickstart for arranging everything - from bringing the pickers & high-viz jackets to filling in everybody’s favourite bit of paperwork, The Risk Assessment.

Local pea and bean harvester manufacturers PMC have been chosen to represent the UK farming industry at London’s Lord mayor’s Show tomorrow. The Fakenham company will be proudly displaying one of their £350,000 pea harvesters in the parade, promoting the ‘Yes Peas’ campaign on behalf of The Worshipful Company of Farmers. Well done to PMC in Holt Road, putting Fakenham firmly on the UK agricultural map!

Did you know that 20% of pea production in the UK comes from Norfolk? Also, did you realise that although the pea season only lasts around 7 weeks, one of PMC’s harvesters could fill 3,000,000 packs of peas in that time? Oh… and PMC’s Engineering Manager goes by the name of Robert Plant – if that doesn’t rock, what does?

There’s a story running on the BBC about one of Fakenham’s takeaway restaurants. Spice Heaven had been painted in bright Norwich FC -like colours and officials from North Norfolk District Council think that “the whole elevation in this yellow colour is a little too much“.  Owner Raj Khan had wanted it to “stand out a bit” and I reckon he succeeded, albeit with a bit of a backfire.

I’m reminded of the old Chinese curse: “May you come to the attention of those in authority.”

In my opinion, it’s a tad bright but not too bad really. My office is in Norwich Street too, so I pass it twice a day – and it didn’t take long for me to get used to it. Nice bit of PR for the owner though – well done Raj. At least something good has come out of the fuss!

I wonder how the aforementioned NNDC official would view “THAT PINK HOUSE” in Lenwade.  It’s one of my personal favourites (for all the wrong reasons) and I reckon it puts this little dispute in perspective!

I can’t wait for Christmas and the outstanding display of naff house decorations we tend to get these days. I’ll try to snap some of the finest examples for this site!