Sophie Skyring

The Norwich Evening News reports nine recent death notices and funeral announcements from Norwich families. The notices remember Gwendoline “Gwen” Mary Rye, Jane Ellen Burton, Barbara Kett, Myrtle Isabel Tarring, Donna Steven, Brenda Georgina Grigglestone, Paul Gunther, Douglas Davison and James Edward Charles Huggins, while providing limited details about their families, places of death and upcoming funeral services.

North Wymondham Community Centre will launch the Artist Tree project during its Community Garage Sale on August 31. The event will feature tree-themed paintings, artwork by local groups and schoolchildren, information about Greening Wymondham’s Tree Trail, handmade designs, poetry and a performance of Tony Vale’s play “Comment Tree.” Organisers expect around 100 garage-sale stalls and are encouraging residents and visitors to attend.

The Norwich Evening News presents four recent death notices and funeral announcements for Clifford James Mann, Valerie Eleanor Bell, Veronica “Ronnie” Fordham and John Arnold Lobel. The notices provide details about their ages, deaths, families and, in Lobel’s case, his long service at Norfolk County Library, while directing readers to the full online tributes.

Shoxbikes is launching a not-for-profit community cycle workshop at Unit 57, St Saviour’s Yard, Norwich. The workshop will provide bike repairs and refurbishment, while offering Velotech-accredited mechanic training and employment pathways for people from marginalised backgrounds, including those affected by homelessness, addiction or the criminal justice system. Its launch event will showcase the facilities, services and project team, alongside efforts to build partnerships with local organisations and employers.

Thirteen-year-old Daniel Rozstrusnyy of Euston Park Bowmen twice struck the central flagpole during a 75-metre clout archery round at Fakenham Racecourse, an exceptionally rare achievement believed to be unprecedented for an archer his age. The Norfolk Clout League, the UK’s only annual county-level clout league, aims to expand participation in the traditional discipline, particularly among juniors.

Norwich Evening News publishes a death notice for Elizabeth “Betty” Riches, who died aged 94. She is remembered as a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and readers are directed to her full notice and condolence page.

Clinical hypnotherapist James Brittain will give a public talk at The Forum in Norwich on September 1 at 6:30 p.m. Titled “Why We Get Stuck and How to Break Free,” the session will examine how habits and unhelpful thought patterns develop, why willpower can fail, and practical ways to achieve lasting change. The event will include audience participation and insights drawn from Brittain’s more than 40 years of experience.

Violet Webb, a 103-year-old resident of St Mary's Care Home, returned to Caister Lifeboat Station more than 30 years after retiring in the area with her late husband, Stewart. Organized by activities coordinator Lauren Nield-Keeley, the visit included tea at the station café, a meeting with joint coxswain Owen Nutt and a visit to the memorial of former coxswain Roland 'Benny' Read. Webb and her husband had supported the lifeboat crew during their years in Caister; she later moved away to be closer to family before returning to Norfolk in 2019.

Guide dog Maci is retiring after a decade of helping Norwich fundraiser Annette Smart live with greater independence and confidence. An Afternoon Tea Paw-ty at Norwich’s Assembly House on October 10 will celebrate Maci, raise awareness and funds for Guide Dogs, and mark the charity’s nearly 100-year history. The event will include music from Gary and Kelly Winter, an auction, a tombola and attendance by the Lord Mayor of Norwich and consort.

Norwich City Council has launched a consultation on its draft Norwich Energy Plan, which sets a vision for a cleaner, healthier and more affordable city by 2045. The plan proposes benefits including warmer homes, lower energy bills, cleaner air and greener neighbourhoods, while supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. Residents, businesses and organizations are invited to comment on priorities, required support and areas of focus.

The Norwich Evening News presents four recent death notices and funeral announcements for Elizabeth “Betty” Alice Stringer, Hedley Bramwell Burton, Leah Victoria Alice Catchpole and Rosemary Deakins. The notices include brief details about their deaths, ages where provided, family relationships and tributes, and direct readers to the full notices and condolence pages.

The University of East Anglia has opened a state-of-the-art anatomy suite in the Edith Cavell Building at Norwich Research Park to expand teaching, research and professional development in medicine, dentistry and clinical sciences. The facility includes 17 dissection tables, audiovisual equipment, iPads and anatomical models, giving students and healthcare professionals greater access to hands-on training. UEA also plans to add a robotic surgery teaching suite and is bidding to host further regional training programmes.

Norwich Theatre will host a free family singalong outside Norwich Theatre Royal on August 4 as part of its Family Festival. Led by vocal coach and musical director Jodie Moore, the event will feature musical-theatre songs including selections from The Lion King, Matilda the Musical, Grease and The Rocky Horror Show, with lyrics displayed on a screen. The festival will also offer puppet-making and theatre-set art workshops, requires no booking, and is supported by several charitable trusts.

City College Norwich has secured £4.9 million from the Department for Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund to build a teaching block at its Ipswich Road campus. The 12-classroom facility will accommodate 148 additional students and support courses in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, digital studies, business and health, responding to rising demand for further education and skilled workers.

ILOVEUKE CIC has launched the Three Chord Club in Norwich with support from the Love Norfolk Fund, offering beginner ukulele lessons designed to help people make music, build confidence and reduce isolation. A free taster session at the Phoenix Centre in Mile Cross will lead into a six-week course, after which participants can join a weekly club. No prior musical experience is required, and ukuleles will be available to borrow.

Norwich author and art teacher Carol Baxendale is releasing her debut novel, White Space, through Cinnamon Press on August 12. Drawing on her experiences teaching art and studying in Norway, the psychological drama follows Anglo-Norwegian photographer Karen and mature student Steven as they confront unresolved family conflict during an art-school exchange in Oslo.

Swardeston Day Centre celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 27. Formerly known as the Edith Cavell Day Centre, it opened in March 1986 with 14 members after local clergy and volunteers responded to concerns about isolation. The centre moved from Swardeston Village Hall to Lakenham and Hewitt Rugby Club as demand grew, and is now supported by numerous volunteers, including one who has served since its founding, alongside an employed cook. Members, families, and current and former volunteers attended the anniversary celebration.

Castle Quarter in Norwich is running a month-long programme of affordable family activities, including youth sessions and creative workshops for young children, while partnering with local charities to provide practical support such as a pre-loved school uniform pop-up.

A Norfolk resident and 9/11 survivor, Janice Brooks, will give a public talk recounting her escape from the 84th floor of Two World Trade Center, where many of her colleagues died in the attack. Her presentation, scheduled for September 25 at Christ Church Eaton, follows her return from New York, where she will participate in the 25th anniversary memorial ceremony. The talk will cover her descent from the tower, her journey to safety in Queens, and the people who helped her along the way.