Phoebe Ozanne

Root Café owners Em Whiting and Isobel Banks are opening a second location at SunFyr Barns in Framlingham Pigot, near Norwich, less than a year after launching their first café. The new venue will share the original menu, including smoothie bowls, pancakes, bakes and scones, while continuing Root Café’s emphasis on community and collaboration with local suppliers. The café is scheduled to open on August 17.

Abi-Mae Obey, owner of Abi’s Beauty Lounge in Great Ellingham, has been shortlisted in three categories at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards: Nail Technician of the Year, Best Gel Nails, and the HBA Rising Star Award. Obey, who has four years of experience, credited her clients and the hard work behind her salon’s growth. The awards ceremony is scheduled for August 15.

More than £3,500 was raised in under 24 hours for Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary Academy in Shipdham after an accidental fire damaged three classrooms and the school roof on August 13. Friends of Shipdham School launched the appeal to support the school’s recovery, while the school awaits an insurance inspection and develops reopening plans.

Norwich baker Terry Pegler apologised after customers waited months for orders and contacted Trading Standards over the delays. He said Terry Bakes would stop taking pre-orders, resume selling cakes made in advance through next-day delivery, and use the income to pay bills and gradually fulfil outstanding orders, even for customers who had received chargebacks. Trading Standards is reviewing complaints submitted through Citizens Advice.

Cromer Carnival organisers cancelled the August 20 firework display after the government issued a severe national wildfire-risk alert advising against activities, including fireworks, that could start fires. The decision followed weeks of fires in Norfolk, including a major blaze at Mousehold Heath in Norwich, and criticism from community members who had questioned why the display was initially expected to proceed. Organisers said they had been monitoring weather and ground conditions and that the latest government guidance prompted the change, while stressing that safety came first. The carnival continued through August 21.

Dante or Die’s immersive production Driving Home will run outside The Forum in Norwich from September 13 to 19 as part of Norwich Theatre Beyond. Audiences of three will sit inside a black cab for a free 20-minute cinematic experience combining documentary storytelling, spatial audio, animation and projected visuals. The film features five taxi drivers from across the UK discussing migration, community, identity and the meaning of home. The production includes an original score by Mercury Prize-nominated artist Dr Obaro Ejimiwe, known as Ghostpoet, and will be accompanied by creative workshops for local migrant and refugee communities.

Two young brothers were rescued from fast-moving water off Hunstanton after being caught by the tide. Members of the public helped bring them ashore before Hunstanton RNLI and HM Coastguard teams arrived, providing oxygen and medical care. Both boys were exhausted and had swallowed seawater but remained conscious and responsive. Rescue officials praised the public’s assistance and emphasized the dangers of strong tides and currents.

Norfolk offers several family-friendly crabbing locations, including Wells Quay, Blakeney Quay, Cromer Pier, Brancaster Staithe and Hunstanton. Wells and Blakeney provide sheltered tidal waters and nearby amenities, Cromer hosts an annual crab-catching competition, Brancaster offers a quieter National Trust-managed setting, and Hunstanton is best suited to younger children exploring rock pools at low tide.

The annual Pentney Lakes Car Show and Fun Day will move to Little Abbey Farm near King's Lynn after organizers Julie and Nick Sawyer said disputes and restrictions at the previous site forced the relocation. The new venue offers more space, improved transport links and parking, with classic cars, motorbikes, entertainment, food, children's activities, a dog show and a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast planned. The event will raise money for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, which the organizers have supported through repeated trips and charity contacts since March 2022.

A large fire broke out in open land on Holgate Hill in Kelling near Holt, prompting multiple calls and a response from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters from Holt, Cromer, Sheringham and Mundesley attended with additional specialist vehicles. The fire was brought under control by around 2:45 p.m., but crews remained to damp down the area, and residents were asked to avoid the scene because of ongoing smoke and firefighting operations.

Live music events at Cromer Pier have resumed after a July 31 scuffle led to a Sunset Session ending early and the arrest of a woman who later faced no further action. Sunset and Sunday Chillout Sessions will return with capacity limits, bag checks, restrictions on alcohol brought into the venue, additional security, and adult accompaniment required for under-18s.

Wildcraft Brewery in Smallburgh will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a two-day festival on August 14 and 15 featuring live music, street food, children’s entertainment, camping and an anniversary beer. Owner Mike Deal described the milestone as a major achievement made possible by customer, staff and community support. The brewery will also raise money for Hamlet Charity, which supports disabled children and young people across Norfolk, with tickets priced between £10 and £40.

Four Norfolk fish and chip businesses have received national recognition in 2026. No.1 Fish and Chips in Cromer and French's in Wells appeared in The Times' list of the UK's best fish and chip shops, while French's and Lucy's Chips on Norwich Market were also highlighted by The i Paper. My Plaice Fish & Chips in Gorleston was ranked among the country's 50 best takeaway restaurants at The Fry Awards after an unannounced review.

Six people have been arrested or charged following several nights of violence and disorder in Thetford linked to protests over asylum seekers housed on a local estate. Incidents included rocks and eggs being thrown at properties, damage to doors and windows, and an alleged assault on a female police officer. Arrests involved allegations including inciting racial hatred, drug possession, public order offences, assaulting an emergency worker and being drunk and disorderly. Norfolk Police, supported by officers from three neighbouring constabularies, issued dispersal orders and retained enhanced powers to remove people from the area and require face coverings to be removed.

A man in his 20s died after a black Kia Rio left Setch Road near Setchey at about 3am on August 7 and overturned. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Norfolk Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage of the vehicle before the collision.

Kelling Heath Holiday Park in North Norfolk will host its second Wild Sky Weekend from September 25 to 27, offering guided stargazing, bat walks, a glow-in-the-dark woodland trail, astronomy activities and nocturnal nature experiences. The event is aimed at visitors of all ages and will make use of the park’s dark-sky viewing platform and activity packs. Most activities are free for guests, and the park is offering a three-for-two-night touring-stay promotion.

Cromer Pier has cancelled this week’s Friday Sunset Session and Sunday Chillout Session after a scuffle at the previous event led to police attendance and the arrest of a woman in her 20s, who was released without further action. Organisers say the pause is intended to review arrangements amid rising attendance, including stewarding, event management, capacity limits and possibly introducing tickets.

Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in and around Norwich, will permanently close on August 22 after chef and director Mark Poynton resigned to focus on his Cambridge restaurant, Ancient Shepherds. The team said it could not continue without him after changes at Caistor Hall. Guests with bookings after the closure date will be contacted, while voucher holders will be offered options. The closure follows the sale of Caistor Hall to Quadmark Group and the liquidation of former operator Brasted’s, which owed nearly £4.7 million.

The Slime Studio has opened in Feathers Yard, Holt, offering visitors the chance to create personalised slime by choosing bases, colours, scents, decorations and charms. Founder Lara Doughty developed the permanent studio after a successful pop-up shop inspired by a family experience abroad. The business plans to offer workshops, birthday parties and seasonal events, with opening hours extended during school holidays and private events available year-round.

Woodforde’s Brewery in Woodbastwick, Norfolk, won three awards at the Great Taste Awards for its Nog dark ale, Hazy IPA and low-alcohol Woodforde’s 0.5. Brewing manager Bruce Ash said the recognition reflects the brewery’s range of traditional, craft and low-alcohol beers, all of which are available through the company’s website.

Firefighters are battling a field fire on School Road in Bressingham, near Diss. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has urged residents to keep their windows and doors closed, avoid the area, and allow emergency crews to work safely.