The New Year is the time to decide what great events we don’t want to miss in 2015. Angi Kennedy takes a look into the Norfolk diary to suggest some highlights across the county for the year ahead.
January
The Norfolk year begins with fireworks on the pier watched by thousands of people at Cromer on New Year’s Day. Along the coast at Hopton, Potters Resort becomes the focus for the World Indoor Bowls Championship from January 9 to 25. Make a date in your diary for January 31, the opening of the brilliant new Homage to Manet exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.
Getting out . . .
Old Buckenham Airfield is celebrating the start of 2015 with a New Year’s Fly In (if the weather allows) on January 4. Classic cars and motorbikes will be on display, and Jimmy’s Cafe will be serving winter warmers during the 10am-4pm event at the airfield, near Attleborough.
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Enjoy a giggle with some of the brightest new comics on the UK circuit, at the East Coast New Acts Showcase at St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth on January 8. Tickets are £6 with all profits to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.
February
With spring in the air and new life beginning, with lambing on the farms, this is the month for enjoying Norfolk’s snowdrop gardens, such as those at Walsingham and Brinton Hall in aid of St John Ambulance.
Out . . .
It’s always lovely to see those first flowers peeping through the ground as the new season begins. Take a Signs of Spring walk at the award-winning Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, near Acle, between February 14 and 22, 10am to 4pm.
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The King’s Lynn engineer Fred Savage created wonderful, colourful fairground rides, and his legacy in the town is celebrated with a Carousels and Candyfloss Museums’ Fun Day at Lynn Museum on February 17, from 11am to 2pm.
March
Norwich Fashion Week is getting bigger and better each year, providing a real style focus to the city as it highlights the creativity of local designers, the brilliant array of shops, and the dynamic fashion hub that is Norwich.
Out . . .
A lovely tradition at Norfolk Showground is The Spring Fling, which is a fun-filled educational day for children and families during the Easter holidays, this year on March 31. The many activities and displays are a great chance to learn more about food, farming and the countryside.
. . . And about
Norfolk County Music Festival is aiming to mark its 90th anniversary with music of all genres, worthy of its founder Arthur Shorten. The festival, from March 2 to 14, is a showcase for children and some adults in everything from jazz to songwriting.
April
Easter time means Norfolk opens up for business, with the county’s tourism attractions really getting started and so many events taking place to entice holidaymakers and residents alike.
Out . . .
The East Anglian Game and Country Fair takes over the Norfolk Showground for two action-packed days this month – April 25/26 this year – with everything from gun dog displays to ferret racing, heavy horses to Bernese Mountain Dogs to keep the crowds entertained.
. . . And about
Always a lovely spring day out, the Langley Daffodil Day Craft and Country Fair is due to take place on April 26 in the 100 acres of the school at Loddon.
May
This is the month of culture and expression across the county with the Norfolk and Norwich Festival from May 8 to 24 bringing together inspiring and innovative performances from around the world. Tickets are already on sale (01603 766400) for some of the highlights, including the world premiere of WildWorks’ Wolf’s Child at Felbrigg Hall.
Getting out . . .
For 20 years Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios has given hundreds of artists the chance to open their doors to the public to exhibit, sell and talk about their work. Take a look at the website www.nnopenstudios.org.uk to find out about Open Studios events between May 23 and June 7.
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Norwich City of Ale’s 10-day festival is from May 21 to 31 this year, with brewery tours, tutored tastings, meet the brewer sessions and much more as the city’s pubs, local breweries and real ale are celebrated.
June
The perfect month for visiting some of the county’s most gorgeous gardens when they open their gates to the public for various good causes. Look out for the Yellow Book guide from the National Gardens Scheme for those in Norfolk opening for the NGS.
Getting out . . .
The Peter Beales Rose Festival on June 20 and 21 at the renowned Attleborough nursery will be hailing the romance of the rose with advice, demonstrations and competitions.
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In its 10th year, the Swanton Morley Tractor and Bygones Rally is also on the weekend of June 20 and 21, with classic and vintage tractors, steam engines, stationary engines and dog displays.
July
The month begins with the glorious Royal Norfolk Show on July 1 and 2, which is such a highpoint of the Norfolk calendar and brings thousands of people from across the county and beyond to the Norfolk Showground at Costessey to celebrate the country’s biggest two-day agricultural show.
Getting out . . .
For a wonderfully traditional day on the Royal estate, Sandringham Flower Show on July 29 cannot be beaten. This will be the 134th show and it remains a delightful celebration of gardening and country life.
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The award-winning Holt Festival will be bringing its eclectic mix of music, drama, art, literature, comedy and more to the town from July 19 to 26. Previous appearances have included Alan Bennett, Michael Palin and 10CC, so expect good things from the line-up which will be announced soon.
August
Norfolk in the height of summer means days out by the coast, trips to our area’s many and varied attractions from Pensthorpe Natural Park to Pleasurewood Hills, and so many opportunities to enjoy our beautiful county.
Getting out . . .
If you love the thrill of motor sports, get along to the Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit for the Dunlop MSA Touring Car Championship on August 8 and 9, when the UK’s biggest car racing series promises plenty of excitement.
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Wells Carnival is a fortnight-long feast of fun by the sea, and includes a includes a madcap, marvellous Carnival Day procession of floats and fancy dress through the town on August 8.
September
A month of festivals and fun, September is by no means the end of the holiday season in Norfolk. The tourists may be heading home, but we’re enjoying the best of the county!
Getting out . . .
The Out There International Festival of Circus and Street Arts transforms Great Yarmouth’s St George’s Park and Market Place on September 18 to 20 with 50-plus acts and about 150 performances by entertainers from across the globe and around the corner.
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It’s one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular – the North Norfolk Railway 1940s Weekend at Sheringham on September 19 and 20 brings thousands of people to the town, many dressed in uniform or 1940s civilian dress for a trip back in time to the golden age of steam, with wartime music, memories, food and dancing.
October
What a lovely month to celebrate Norfolk’s natural harvest, with events like the Apple Day at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, near Dereham, and the annual herring supper and blessing of the nets at Great Yarmouth Minster.
Getting out . . .
Watch the Barton Charter Yacht Regatta from the side of Barton Broad - or, if you are an experienced sailor, book yourself into the race which takes place in hired yachts during the week of October 10 to 17.
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Learn about fascinating fungus at an afternoon workshop on October 4 at the Ted Ellis Nature Reserve at Wheatfen Broad, Surlingham.
November
As the autumn mists come down and the mornings become ever more crispy, get out into the countryside to enjoy this special season in Norfolk. The arrival of the tens of thousands of pinkfooted geese makes an amazing spectacle at this time of the year. Take a Fabulous Wildlife walk at
Getting out . . .
Why not join the thousands taking part in the Larking Gowen City of Norwich Half Marathon on November 22? Get training now and you can enjoy the thrill of being part of this sporting event that raises thousands of pounds for charity each year.
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Enjoy an afternoon of powerful and passionate music from the Doric String Quartet as part of the Marble Hall Concert series at Holkham Hall on November 15, with a pre-concert talk and refreshments in the Saloon.
December
Christmas comes to Norfolk with a host of festive light switch-ons such as the famous white lights that set Holt twinkling, carol concerts like the EDP Festival of Carols in St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich, and that much-loved family trip to the panto.
Getting out . . .
Join the crowds at Sandringham to see the Royal Family on their way to attend the Christmas morning service at church on the estate - what a special way to start your Christmas Day.
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Book early to ensure you have a seat at next year’s Thursford Christmas Spectacular – this Norfolk tradition is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit with its all-singing, all-dancing show.
