Local News Stories (Suffolk & Norfolk) from 2019 to date

[boatbuilder]

Latest post of the previous page:

Building firm wins battle with O2 over £10k fraud

The owners of a small building firm said they were left worried for the future after a fraudster racked up a £10,000 bill using the company’s name.

A scammer took out four mobile phone contracts with network provider, O2 claiming to be from Palmer’s Building Services, based near Norwich.

Business owner Lisa Palmer said she had “cried down the phone” to O2 when trying to tell the firm the contracts had nothing to do with them.

O2 said it had since closed the fraudulent account, wiped the debt and amended the victim’s credit files.

Mrs Palmer said the experience had left her feeling "sick to the bottom of her stomach" and "really emotional".

Before taking out the contracts with O2, the fraudster had attempted something similar with the network providers Vodafone and Three.

Both companies closed down the accounts due to suspicious activity.

The scammer also attempted to sign up to a John Lewis store card.

But Mrs Palmer said that O2 remained convinced that the four contracts had been taken out by her family business.

She claimed that every time she tried to communicate with O2’s customer services team over the phone, she was unable to pass the security steps as she did not know the passwords set up by the fraudster.

Mrs Palmer and her husband Liam were later contacted by debt collectors who threatened to take action.

An O2 spokesperson said: “This account was opened by sophisticated fraudsters using a substantial amount of the victims’ personal data and identity documents which allowed them to successfully pass security and credit checks in one of our stores.”

According to the National Crime Agency, £2.46bn was lost by businesses and individuals, external to fraud in 2021/22.

It said that all cases of fraud should be reported to Action Fraud, external, the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre.

The O2 spokesperson added: “We regularly evolve our processes to keep consumer safe from fraud, and last year alone we prevented £70m of fraudulent activity.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cev7ldgpr2jo

[muzzy]

Vision for 'landmark' town hall hailed by heritage leaders

Heritage leaders have hailed the vision that will see a prominent "landmark" building in Lowestoft revitalised. With the Lowestoft Town Hall project given a major boost this week with the award of £3.4m in National Lottery Heritage Funding, it means a scheme to bring the empty building back into public use is now closer to reality. As plans to revitalise the Town Hall in Lowestoft were lodged with East Suffolk Council in May and are currently "awaiting decision", this funding boost will benefit the "restoration and extension" of the historic town hall site.

Having been vacant and unoccupied since spring 2015, the landmark building has been owned by Lowestoft Town Council (LTC) since 2017. After securing second stage funding support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for developing the Town Hall, the town council said it will "play a pivotal role in revitalising the iconic building." In recognising the project, led by Lowestoft Town Council, and its aim to make a "significant cultural, community, and economic contribution to Lowestoft", this latest funding, alongside additional funding from Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, and Towns Fund, will "assist the town council to progress its plans to renovate the Town Hall."

This will include provision for an innovative heritage hub, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space. The Town Hall will also become the home for the town council, with council meetings and staff offices. With this funding now in place, work on the building is set to begin in March 2024 with the Town Hall reopening in late Summer 2025.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... e-leaders/

[boatbuilder]

Suffolk: Police appeal for witnesses after Lowestoft hit-and-run



Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was knocked from his bike by a car.

The car drove on to a footpath in Westwood Avenue, Lowestoft, but failed to stop after hitting the bike.

The cyclist suffered grazes to his hands and legs after being knocked to the ground in the incident, which happened between 17:45 and 18:14 BST on 26 September, Suffolk Police said.

Anyone who saw the incident or has any information is asked to contact police.

They should quote crime reference 37/56797/23.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-66985295

[muzzy]

St Peters Court block of flats in Lowestoft to be demolished

Lowestoft's only tower block is to be torn down after a council said it would cost £23m to maintain the building. Residents of the 16-storey St Peters Court are set to be rehoused over the next 12 months ahead of the building being demolished. It follows East Suffolk Council having taken "the difficult decision" to demolish the town's only high-rise block of flats. Dating back to the 1960s St Peters Court dominates the Lowestoft skyline. But after a survey recently revealed significant repairs are needed, the council has been considering the future of the demolition-threatened tower block.

Tenants were invited to attend drop-in sessions with council officers and councillors at the tower block last month. Here residents learnt more about the issues and gave their views on proposals - including undertaking the necessary works. An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "More residents expressed a preference for demolition and, overall, two-thirds either supported this approach or would be content whatever decision was taken."

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... emolished/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-67010133

[boatbuilder]

I wonder how they will demolish it? I watched a program a few years ago about the demolition of a tower block from that same era (1960s) in the part of Liverpool where I lived. In fact my best friend lived in that particular block back then. It was set to be demolished by explosives, but failed.
There is a clip here on YouTube. I just hope they have better luck with the local one if they try to bring it down the same way.

[muzzy]

Impact of Lowestoft people upon Polish author Joseph Conrad

He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language - yet he did not speak English fluently until his 20s. Polish author Joseph Conrad, famous for Heart of Darkness, arrived in Lowestoft in June 1878, not speaking a word of English. And now a "really exciting" new project is set to shine the focus on Conrad's "uncelebrated" links with Lowestoft.

Assessing the impact of people in Lowestoft upon the Polish author, 'Joseph Conrad – the life of a Lowestoft immigrant' is a new arts and heritage development project by the Voice cLoud launching in the autumn. A spokesman for the Voice Cloud - which is a creative arts organisation committed to promoting the role and positive impact of the creative arts and music across society - said: "It focuses on Polish author Joseph Conrad's association with Lowestoft fishermen and his, largely uncelebrated, connection with the town. The project explores Conrad's arrival, in June 1878, at Lowestoft - his first British landfall. "Through interactions with the fishermen, his command of English developed, enabling him to go on to become one of the greatest English language writers."

As part of the project, creative arts workshops will run for local people and Polish/eastern European communities between winter 2023 and April 2024.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... ph-conrad/

From memory, I'm pretty sure his surname was actually 'Konrad', and it was merely anglicised later on. But then, why let a simple thing like the truth get in the way of a good story?

[muzzy]

Movie time! Lowestoft prepares for independent film takeover

The credits will soon be rolling as numerous independent films take centre stage across community venues in a coastal town once more. Lowestoft Film Festival is set to bring the work of independent filmmakers from across the UK to the east coast as it returns from Friday, October 20 to Friday, October 27. Film lovers are set to be in for a treat once more as more than 130 short films will showcase emerging talent and champion filmmaking.

The festival has now launched a box office, which is now operating at 118 Bevan Street East in Lowestoft at Sunrise Studio’s facility, or you can now also call the team on 07599 789407 to book any passes or tickets over the phone. A new ‘Top Picks Filter’ now features online to help take you to the film’s most highly regarded and reviewed during the judging and selection process this year. And on the last day of the festival on Friday, October 27, locals can attend the ‘Winners’ Closing Screening’ for back-to-back screenings of the eight main category winners announced earlier during the festival.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... -takeover/

[muzzy]

Cultural hub and restaurant vision for Lowestoft showcased

Detailed designs have been showcased as part of a programme of works to reinvigorate a coastal town centre. Proposed designs for improvements in the Marina area, which will introduce new facilities introduced into Lowestoft town centre, have been revealed as part of an "exciting" regeneration project.

The conceptual designs for the Cultural Quarter project - which will see the redevelopment of East Suffolk Council’s current Customer Services Centre and the former Battery Green multi-storey car park - were displayed at an event on Wednesday. With the development earmarked to provide a new cultural and community hub with studio space for creative businesses together with a competitive leisure complex and restaurant, designs were showcased at the Marina Customer Services Centre ahead of the submission of a planning application.


Image: Chaplin Farrant.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... showcased/

Image linked by admin.

[boatbuilder]

Let's hope it comes to fruition without too much of a wait.

[muzzy]

Lowestoft Sanyo factory site to be cleared for 350 homes

A council has been awarded £4.2m in government funding to help transform brownfield land into space for 350 homes. East Suffolk Council (ESC) wants to develop the site of the former Sanyo television factory on the south side of Lake Lothing in Lowestoft. The plot has been empty since 2009. David Beavan, cabinet member for housing, said "Lowestoft's industrial past" could now be "transformed" to help address "record homelessness". "This is good news," he added. "We just need funding for the tidal barrier now to allow this project to go full steam ahead."

The government grant is part of the second phase of a £180m Brownfield Land Release Fund from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - to help transform empty land across the UK into 6,000 homes. The funding for Lowestoft would be used for site clearance, demolition and removing tanks, below ground services, asbestos and hydrocarbons, ESC said. The site, in School Road in the Kirkley waterfront area, would be advertised to developers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-67110481

[muzzy]

Cliff protection works under way on beach at Corton

A scheme of maintenance work and repairs is being carried out all this week on a stretch of beach near a coastal town. Work is being carried out at Corton, near Lowestoft with repairs and maintenance "of coastal protection assets" under way. With Coastal Partnership East – which brings together the coastal management resources and expertise from North Norfolk District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and East Suffolk Council (ESC) – responsible for coastal management, they have appointed the East Suffolk Water Management Board (ESWMB) to "complete repairs and maintenance of coastal protection assets along the Suffolk coast," which are owned or managed by ESC.

With ESWMB completing works at Corton, according to Coastal Partnership East, repair and maintenance work is due to take place from October 17 to October 19 "with site set up - including delivery of materials - on Monday, October 16."

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... ch-corton/

[muzzy]

Seawall repairs continue along stretch of beach in Lowestoft

A scheme of maintenance work and repairs is continuing along a stretch of beach in a coastal town. Work is being carried out for three weeks in Lowestoft with repairs and maintenance "of coastal protection assets" under way. With the work being "spread across the coastal defences" between Ness Point and Links Road in Lowestoft, seawall repairs started last Monday, October 9. As restrictions remain in place over the next two weeks as seawall maintenance is completed, the repairs will be carried out "across the Silver Rail and North Denes frontage" in Lowestoft.

Coastal Partnership East – which brings together the coastal management resources and expertise from North Norfolk District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and East Suffolk Council – has appointed the East Suffolk Water Management Board (ESWMB) to carry out "repairs and maintenance work at Silver Rail and North Denes."

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... lowestoft/

[boatbuilder]

Man charged with Norwich murder two years after body found

A 41-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a man found dead two years ago.

The body of Leslie Smith, 63, was discovered inside his flat at Suffolk Square, Norwich, on 17 October 2021.

His death was treated as unexplained until a post-mortem examination revealed Mr Smith could have suffered an injury.

Further tests revealed his death was consistent with receiving a fatal wound to his neck.

Theodore Lynch, 41, has been charged with Mr Smith's murder and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Detectives from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team have been working to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Smith's death.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-67167478

[muzzy]

Roads to reopen in Lowestoft after seven month closure

A new road layout is set to be unveiled tomorrow (Friday) marking "another significant milestone" towards the construction of the £126.75m Gull Wing bridge in Lowestoft. Motorists had faced delays ever since parts of three busy roads had been temporarily closed in March amid the continuing third crossing works.

With work taking place on sections of three roads on the northern side of Lake Lothing, it has seen works carried out on Denmark Road, Peto Way and the southern end of Rotterdam Road since March 1. As the work has been carried out "between the Wickes roundabout and 268 Denmark Road" to allow "for the building of a new northern roundabout and road alignment for new bridge construction," the project was due to be completed by August 31. But with highway construction taking longer than expected, leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans Construction - which is overseeing work on the £126.75m Gull Wing bridge on behalf of Suffolk County Council - applied to extend the closure of Denmark Road until October 31 following the set back.

It means the long-awaited third crossing is now due to be opened next year. A Gull Wing bridge spokesman said: "The current road closure on Denmark Road/Peto Way/Rotterdam Road in Lowestoft is due be lifted on Friday, October 20 at 11am.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news ... h-closure/

I still don't know what is going to happen to the former road, newly laid with soil. A lovely flowerbed?

[boatbuilder]

I still don't know what is going to happen to the former road, newly laid with soil. A lovely flowerbed?

I very much doubt it. More likely just grass - easier and less-costlier to maintain than flowerbeds.

[boatbuilder]

Runner becomes 50 millionth UK Parkrun finisher

A runner who received an email to say she had become the UK’s 50 millionth Parkrun finisher said she originally "thought it was spam".

Heidi Pearson, 35, from Brundall, Norfolk, ran the Lowestoft Parkrun, external in Suffolk on Saturday.

On Monday afternoon she received an email from Parkrun's head office in London to say they had been "crunching some numbers" and that Ms Pearson had reached the "amazing" milestone.

Parkrun started in Bushy Park in London in 2004, external as a "free-for-all" weekly, timed 5km (3-mile) event and has since spread around the world.

"These sort of things don’t happen to me normally but I feel pretty special now," Ms Pearson told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"I didn't actually believe it at first. I thought someone was trying to wind me up."

It was Ms Pearson's 105th Parkrun and she completed it in 24 minutes 57 seconds.

As well as the 812 weekly Parkruns in the UK, events are also held in 21 other countries around the world, external - including Malaysia, New Zealand and Namibia.

Earlier this month Lowestoft featured in a BBC Countryfile article as having one of the most beautiful Parkrun routes in the UK[linked]

The course was celebrated for having "vast views out over the North Sea".

Ms Pearson, who did her first Parkrun five years ago, said: “Lowestoft is a lovely, fast route and everyone is really friendly down there, so it’s nice that it [milestone run] happened there."

"I'm training for a marathon next year and Parkrun will definitely be part of my journey."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6pk76xyv2vo