This EDP article look interesting. I think it marries up with the plans for walking and cycling routes around the town which were published in the Council’s Local Development Framework document.

I reckon it’s a great long-term idea which would enhance the area and prove to be an attraction for tourism. Here’s the article link:

Wensum Valley Trust  Bid to create long distance riverside path in Norfolk – Norfolk News – EDP24.

Appeal after Fakenham theft – News – Lynn News

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OK, you didn’t get the last one (you’re a right useless bunch!) so where was this photo taken? You want a clue? Oh alright… it’s near the other one!

OK, I’ve been out with the ol’ camera again. Do you recognise these hosses? Who can tell me where the photo was taken?  Before you ask, no – it’s not that I’m getting so old that I can’t remember last week. I’m just seeing if anybody else knows!

I took my camera out yesterday to snap a new pic for the Chamber of Trade site. I’m still getting used to it – it’s a Lumix bridge camera and it’s only the third time it’s been used in earnest (apart from the odd foodie photo for Lindsey’s blog). I thought I’d have a play with the resulting images -  this one is ‘all arty’ as it has been dragged though a couple of filters in Paintshop Pro…

 The second one was taken from The Oak Inn in Oak Street. Different filters, different paint effect.

Yes, I know – I’ll keep trying!

£10,000 has been provided by the Priorities Challenge Fund (Museums Libraries & Archives) to employ a project officer on a five-month contract at the Fakenham Museum of Gas & Local History. Frances Collinson is considering a name change for the musum and is asking for suggestions. Read the story at the EDP’s website.  

Boost for Fakenham gas museum – Norfolk News – EDP24.

It’s poll time again. The last one was all about your Fakenham shopping experience.  It was pretty split (see the graphic on the right) , with the only agreement seeming to be that it has definitely changed -  whether that’s for the better or worse isn’t totally clear!

Right, as it’s poll time and it’s nearly poll time (if you see what I mean) I thought I’d ask you which way you’d be voting in the general election. Your votes here are only tallied – I don’t take a record of who you are - so it’s an anonymous headcount. Please feel free to add your comments to this post, whether you’re afilliated to a political party or just a plain vanilla citizen like me.

Have the Yellows kept you mellow? Are you starting to see Red? Feeling Blue? See the new poll in the right menu…

There’s a story on The Register website about Lord Oxburgh, the Peer charged with leading the investigation of the UEA ‘Climategate’ controversy. It seems he has failed to declare his interest in an organisation called ‘GLOBE’ – a wealthy influence group which funds eco-meetings for politicians. One insider called the situation, “like putting Dracula in charge of the Blood Bank”.

This follows on from the post I made yesterday about the skewed way our information is provided, with commenter Chris pointing out the way that people and groups with a vested interest try to influence our views and government policy by presenting ‘facts’ that suit their purpose.

Add to that the recent Channel 4 exposé, “Politicians for Hire” where MPs rent their services to lobby groups and companies and we’re starting to build up the beginnings of the complete picture.

Our elected representatives and appointed public servants (including local ones) should not be allowed to hold outside interests. They should not be permitted to work for any external organisation, company or group. They should not be entitled to hold a religious, educational, legal or medical post until after their political term is over. If we pay them a decent wage for the job, they have no excuses for trying to line their own nests (and we’d get better service and value from them in the long term).

Also, we need to make the penalties for transgression severe. That’ll get their noses out of the trough and stop them putting their own interests (and those of the companies paying them) before those of the people they purport to represent.

There’s a tendency these days for organized groups to try to get things banned which they don’t like or agree with - Britain’s enviable past reputation for tolerance has taking a severe battering. Often, the reasons given for the need for a ban are spurious and illogical.  Bonnets have their bees duly installed, with the result being an over-the-top call for the outlawing of certain practices, items or ideas.

Example: Today’s BBC News story about smoking in cars. “Ban smoking in all vehicles, doctors demand“.  It’s The Royal College of Physicians who are promoting this one and they cite the risks to young people travelling in cars with smokers. Trouble is, they want to ban it in cars without youngsters too. It’s an illogical argument and an attack on individual liberty (I don’t smoke, by the way).

Also, how the Sam Hill do they expect a law like this to be policed? People already flout seatbelt laws and use mobile phones whilst driving. Totally dumb. There are some people you’d expect better from.

A new web poll for all you people who shop in Fakenham… Is it good, bad or just OK to shop here? Is it improving or getting worse? I’ve seen a few posts on Twitter which imply that Fakenham’s shops are dying because of Tesco. I don’t believe that’s true, but would like your opinion too.

Please vote using the Poll section of the menu on the right of the page. If you have a comment to make after your vote, please add it to a comment on this post. If you actually run a shop in town, please tell us about your experience.

The previous poll on here (pictured right) found that most readers of the site who responded are from the Fakenham area. That’s a start!