The Crab and Lobster Festival is holding its annual art trail…this year the theme is portholes. One of our lovely volunteers, Barbara Swarbrick, has designed and painted this beautiful porthole.
Barbara studied art & design in the 1960s, went to Australia in the early 1970s and made her living from ceramic art and design for over 30 years. Her starting point for this work is the glamour, style and opulence of the Liners sailing the world in the years 1920 – 1950. There are also references to the North Lodge Park Tea Rooms where she works as a volunteer.
Our lovely new porthole sits alongside the beach hut which was the entry for last year.

Sculpture complements Rose Garden restoration

The plinth in North Lodge Park gets a new occupant

For over 18 months volunteers from the Friends of North Lodge Park have been restoring the Rose Garden in the Park, working around the empty plinth which once supported a sun dial. When local sculptor Bob Catchpole heard the Friends were looking for a sculpture for the empty plinth he donated one. “I have worked with old garden tools for many years, giving them a new role and purpose,” Bob said. “So when I heard about the work of the volunteers in the Park I thought that my use of recycled tools to produce art really fitted with their aspirations and wanted to contribute to the restoration.”
“Thanks to Bob’s work you may never look at your garden forks and spades in quite the same way again. But that’s the whole point,” said Barry Meadows from the Friends of North Lodge Park. “We’re really interested in bringing works of art to the Park and Bob’s really generous offer gives us a flying start. If we get a positive response from the public we’ll look for more ways to bring more art to the Park.”

Cllr John Lee and Bob Catchpole

“It’s amazing what the volunteers have achieved in the gardens”, said Councillor John Lee, Chairman of the District Council who unveiled the sculpture on the 4th April. “Installing this sculpture on the empty plinth is a real achievement and I’m proud to be part of the project supporting the Friends.”
For many years, Bob has been using agricultural and garden tools in his sculptural works, something which is a surreal and wonderful sight at the same time. After attending both Norwich School and Norwich Art School, he studied Fine Art at Newcastle University before going on to a post-graduate degree at the world-renowned Slade School of Fine Art in London. He has spent a large part of his professional life teaching sculpture, latterly being head of sculpture at Eton College, Windsor for almost 30 years. He established his first studio in North Walsham, Norfolk in 1985 and has lived there ever since.

Thank to all of you who came to this year’s AGM.  Technical problems on the night meant that we couldn’t show the presentation, so here it is: agm presentation

Thanks to almost 2000 of you who enjoyed the skating week in North Lodge Park in February, and to over 100 of you who responded to give us feedback,

Was the event worthwhile?

Over 91% of respondents thought the event was worthwhile

Was the event good value for money?

No respondents thought the event was too expensive.

Would you pay £15 for a real ice rink?

50% of respondents would pay £15 for real ice, most with the caveat that hour long sessions would be needed.

What did you particularly enjoy?

A few of the many comments from you

“Being able to afford to do a lovely activity close by”
“Fun atmosphere. Didn’t need to be an expert. Other family members could watch. Enjoyed tea and cake in the cafe afterwards”
“There was a real buzz of happiness about the place, and in our book that’s success!”
“That my children got to try out ice skating for the first time in a very friendly safe environment and had loads of fun!”
“Seeing the park the focus of Cromer activity”
“It being outside by the sea. Music playing. Everyone being friendly. A different activity to do.”
“The happy atmosphere of all who attended both the participants and the people watching. It captured my boys imagination and his joy at being able to shuffle along with his mum was priceless.”
“Hearing the kids happy and outside and doing something.”
“Fun for young families to try skating, and a great atmosphere within the park.”
“Having fun & lots of laughs.”
“Family time without having to travel to far”
“I loved the fact that the whole event brought people and in particular families out doing an event together and having outdoor fun. it had a real sense of community spirit”
“It was fun for all the family”
“I was there on the rainy day and everyone carried on oblivious to the weather”
“The sound of laughter and people’s smiling faces as they came off the ice.”
“That at last the park was being used for family fun!”
“Family fun.”

Through the Easter School holidays families can explore North Lodge Park in rhyme

Saturday 1^st April to Easter Sunday 16^th April inclusive

This Easter, families can explore North Lodge Park with the help of a special Treasure Hunt. Carefully prepared by a trainee Bard, the rhyming couplets will encourage children to look around them and find the answers to the simple clues around the Park. On completion of the Treasure Hunt, the use of the magic word in the cafe will release an Easter Egg for successful children. Come and see what wonders there are in North Lodge Park.

The treasure hunt (and Easter Eggs!) will be available during cafe hours (10am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday)

Nominal Entry cost: 50p each

Date for your diary

Don’t forget our annual public meeting is on Wednesday 22nd March at 7.30 in the Community hall on Garden Street. Come and meet other supporters of North Lodge Park and discuss the Park and what you want to see over the coming year.

As a registered charity we’re entering a new phase in the life of the Friends. As well as needing volunteers for the day to day running of the group (and helping in the cafe and gardens) we’re looking for trustees who are specialists in their field – such as fundraisers, planners, and administrators – to help us take the charity forward. If you are interested and would like to give time and expertise to the charity please let us know.

The weather was kind to us, and even the one wet morning didn’t dampen the spirits.

The Park was buzzing all week with happy families.  A huge thank-you must go out to all of you who helped: the volunteers who helped with the organisation and in the cafe, and to the (almost) 2000 of you who came to see whether you could be the next Torvill or Dean.

Thanks to over 100 of you who completed the survey; you can see the results in the news.

The end of the beginning

At this morning’s NNDC Development Committee (Thursday 15th December) the planning application for developing part of North Lodge Park to provide a car park and new toilet facilities was refused, by 8 votes to 2, because it contravened several of the council’s core policies.

The decision was rather a surprise for us, but not unwelcome, and we must thank those councillors who spoke out against the proposals, and proved that a strong, evidence based argument is worth putting effort into.

We are pleased that councillors listened to arguments from the community, and think that a small celebration is allowed. It’s only a small celebration, because if the council had engaged with the community before submitting the application we could today be celebrating a bright future for the Park.

So the hard work starts now, to build bridges to avoid this new unexpected twist causing a lull in the future developments for the Park. We believe that if the park is invested in people will be attracted to it with the positive knock-on effect to the economy of the Town

Our ideas for a community trust are well advanced, and we hope to discuss these with NNDC early in the new year. If we can, and we believe we can, create a working proposal we’ll be able to have a proper celebration. We’ll then need your help to make the plans happen. The Park will not run itself and we’ll need many more of you to step up to the tasks.

But this evening it is time to relax, have a small celebratory drink, and lubricate the vocal chords for….

Carols in the Park

There is more reason to sing out at this weekend’s carol singing in the Park (2pm on Saturday) – hope to see many of you there.