It's been a busy couple of weeks in Norwich, with plenty of stories and developments to catch up on. From local business news to community events and initiatives, we've got the lowdown on what's been happening in our vibrant city over the past fortnight. Whether you're a long-time resident or just visiting, there's always something new to discover in this beautiful corner of Norfolk.
In the Norfolk news
The past fortnight in Norwich has been marked by a mix of serious incidents and lighter moments. On the more sombre side, a local man will stand trial next year for allegedly carrying out multiple sexual assaults against a woman on the same day, while another disturbing case saw a mother-of-four's throat repeatedly cut during a brutal murder. In other news, Dipple and Conway opticians in Castle Street was forced to close early due to a police incident, and train services between Norwich and Lowestoft were disrupted after a boat collided with the historic Somerleyton swing bridge. However, it seems some individuals are making headlines for more positive reasons - pro-Palestinian activist Martha Goddard has been found guilty of causing criminal damage in a series of high street attacks, while Illiyin Morrison, this year's Bake Off contestant from Norwich, is now selling sweet treats at Nothing Fancy cafe. It's also worth noting that Norfolk County Council has revealed the most parking tickets are issued every year on Colegate, leading to calls for changes to be made. Meanwhile, a local author's debut novel will soon be hitting shelves, and British actor Simon Greenall, who stars alongside Alan Partridge, paid a visit to Bridgestones cafe in Thorpe St Andrew over the weekend.
- Man accused of multiple sex assaults on woman all on the same day — Eastern Daily Press
- Opticians forced to close after ‘aggressive’ incident sparks police response — Eastern Daily Press
- Boat crashes into historic swing bridge — Eastern Daily Press
- ‘High risk’ offender who fled Norfolk over arson attack arrested on Isle of Wight — Eastern Daily Press
- Plans for five flats above city coffee shop get council's approval — Eastern Daily Press
- REVEALED: The street where the most parking tickets have been issued — Norwich Evening News
- Call for changes to be made on the city street where most parking fines are issued — Eastern Daily Press
- Bake Off star selling sweet treats at city centre cafe — Eastern Daily Press
- Murdered mother-of-four found 'lying in pool of blood' had throat 'repeatedly cut' — Eastern Daily Press
- Alan Partridge star pops by at a city cafe — Eastern Daily Press
- Norwich author's debut novel set to hit shelves — Norwich Evening News
- Pro-Palestinian guilty of criminal damage after series of high street attacks — Eastern Daily Press
What's on: upcoming events
July has been a thrilling month in Norwich, with a range of exciting events and activities to enjoy. For bookworms and families alike, the Norwich City of Stories Summer Trail on July 18th is a must-visit attraction, offering a unique chance to explore the city's literary heritage. The Castle Quarter in Norwich has been buzzing with activity, hosting an interactive play station for kids on July 20th, as well as Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing and Chill on the Hill activities on July 30th. These events are perfect for families or individuals looking for a fun day out. For those seeking adventure, Jungle Mania Norwich takes over the city on July 31st. In addition to these events, August promises to be just as vibrant. On August 1st, Castle Quarter hosts its Life's A Beach event, while Old Lakenham invites visitors to an Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path. The following day, Norwich summer sessions bring live music to the city centre, and for those seeking a more low-key experience, Get Me Out The Four Walls weekly activities continue at Castle Quarter. Norwich's sports scene is also in full swing, with Mania U18: Norwich + Chad Harrison taking place on July 29th at Thorpe Hamlet. Meanwhile, singles can look forward to meeting new people through Unified Dating - Meet Singles in Norwich on July 31st.
- Norwich City of Stories Summer Trail — Sat 18 Jul, Norwich
- Kids Kingdom interactive play station - Castle Quarter, Norwich — Mon 20 Jul, Norwich
- Mania U18: Norwich + Chad Harrison — Wed 29 Jul, Thorpe Hamlet
- Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing - Castle Quarter, Norwich — Thu 30 Jul, Norwich
- Chill on the Hill activities - Castle Quarter, Norwich — Thu 30 Jul, Norwich
- Unified Dating - Meet Singles in Norwich — Fri 31 Jul, Norwich
- Jungle Mania Norwich — Fri 31 Jul, Norwich
- Life's A Beach event - Castle Quarter, Norwich — Sat 1 Aug, Norwich
- Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path — Sat 1 Aug, Old Lakenham
- An Afternoon of Indie: NORWICH - Over 30s Summer Party — Sat 1 Aug, Norwich
- Norwich summer sessions - city centre — Sun 2 Aug, Norwich
- Get Me Out The Four Walls weekly activities - Castle Quarter, Norwich — Mon 3 Aug, Norwich
Here's a possible closing paragraph: It's been great to reflect on the latest goings-on in and around Norwich, highlighting some of the key stories that have made headlines over the past fortnight. If you'd like to stay up-to-date with what's happening in our region, be sure to keep an eye on this blog for more regular updates - we'll be sharing news and insights from across Norfolk soon!