"ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly"
are the words on everybody's
lips in 2009 and both words
apply in abundance to the
Ecotech Centre at Swaffham.
If you care about your envi-
ronment and would like to
climb to the top of a real work-
ing wind turbine, then a visit to
the Ecotech Centre is a `must'.
The unique environmentally-
friendly visitor attraction set in
the heart of the beautiful
Norfolk countryside has much
to offer all ages.
The energetic among you
may like to book a guided tour
to climb the stairs to the view-
ing tower at the top of the wind
turbine, giving you breathtaking
views over the countryside.
Nestling in the shadow of
the turbine is the Ecotech
Garden. This has many differ-
ent facets which include a
wildlife pond, heritage orchard,
living willow structures and the
organic garden area itself.
After a relaxing stroll around
the grounds, a welcome cup of
freshly-brewed coffee and cake
selection can be purchased
from the caf�, specialising in
locally produced, fairly traded
or organic food wherever pos-
sible.
The local community is
important to the centre and
Ecotech boasts a rural cinema.
(Please check the website for
details).
Superb conferencing facili-
ties for the environmentally-
aware business user can be
found at Ecotech, including a
purpose-built lecture theatre
and several differently-sized
rooms.
Couple this with great park-
ing facilities, free admission to
the centre and being situated
just off the main A47 road and
Ecotech have a winning formu-
la (for details please call 01760
726736).
Education is a large part of
the centre's ethos and educa-
tional visits are welcome from
all age groups and organisa-
tions. Please see the website
for details
www.ecotech.org.uk
Throughout the year
special events take
place, so keep watch-
ing the website and we
look forward to seeing
you.
THE fourth consecutive RAF Marham ten mile
road race and fun run will take place on Sunday,
July 12, at Marham village.
Both the RAF Marham ten and the one mile
fun run are organised by members of RAF
Marham, in aid of the charity Out and About and
as part of the Marham Village Fun Day.
The one mile fun run includes all ages and if
you have always wanted to experience a mass
participation event while raising money for chari-
ty, then this one mile fun run is for you.
However, if you are a touch more ambitious
and feel there is a budding Brendan Foster or
Paula Radcliffe in you, then try the ten miler
which includes a lap of the RAF Marham airfield.
This is a fast course that offers potential for
achieving your PB.
The Marham Village Fun Day will include a
number of traditional children's rides, side-shows
for the young at heart, children's quad bikes,
food stalls, beer tent, car boot sale, demonstra-
tions by the RAF Marham bomb disposal team
(including specialist vehicles) and a display by
the RAF's Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing.
One mile runners can enter on the day, 10 mile
runners need to enter by July 10, 2009. Service
personnel and MOD civilians can enter the ten
mile road race on the day subject to availability
and upon providing their ID cards, paying �1
extra for late registration.
Entry details on the event website at
www.oaa.co.uk
WITH 2009 marking the 500th anniversary of
Henry VIII's succession to the throne, Oxburgh
Hall at Oxborough will be celebrating its many
links to the king.
A number of events will include The Merry
Wives of Henry VIII, a comedy by the
Distraction Theatre Company on Friday, July
17.
The portrait of Lady Mary Arundell of
Wardour will also be on display in the house
for the first time since 1951.
A SPARKLING summer season, rich in variety
and quality, awaits you at Westacre Theatre.
It begins with May Days, on Friday and
Saturday, May 1-2, a celebration of life and love
in words and music, especially devised to launch
the Westacre Summer Season, by Eileanora Ni
Charthaig, Tap Robinson, Issy Huckle, Andy
Naylor and friends.
This is followed by Just Between Ourselves,
by Alan Ayckbourn, a funny, poignant bittersweet
comedy about love and not listening. It runs on
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, May 21,22
and 23; May 28, 29 and 30; and June 4, 5 and 6.
A delightful, life-affirming romp that has
entranced audiences for 200 years, She Stoops
to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, will be playing
on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, July 2, 3
and 4, July 9, 10 and 11, and July 16, 17 and 18.
It has been adapted for the summer theatre
and directed by Andy Naylor.
Bouncers Re-mixed, by John Godber, fea-
tures a grotesque gallery of characters on a night
out in a northern city. It will be playing Westacre
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 23, 24
and 25, and Thursday and Friday, August 6-7.
Another of award-winning playwright Godber's
popular comedies, Shakers Re-stirred, set in a
cocktail bar, will be showing on Thursday and
Friday July 30-31; Saturdays August 1 and 8,
and Wednesday August 5.
Following its off-Broadway success, West
Moon Street, a Wilde comedy, will be playing
Westacre Theatre on Wednesdays to Saturdays,
August 19-22 and 26-29. It is directed and pro-
duced by Nina Jacques and Joseph Smith.
Jazz Sundays will take place at Westacre on
Sundays July 5 and August 9.
SUMMER WORKSHOPS
For young people, Summer Adventures in
Drama provide great opportunities for ages six
to 21 years. No previous experience is needed
for any of the workshops, just loads of enthusi-
asm and a packed lunch.
Beginners Please!, for ages six to eight years,
is Tuesday-Thursday, May 26-28.
Double Act, for ages 12 to 21, is on Tuesdays,
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and July 7.
Midsummer Mayhem, for ages 12 to 15, runs
from Sunday, August 2, to Saturday, August 8
inclusive.
Dramalive!, for ages 9-11 years, is Mon-Thurs,
August 10-13.
Sparkling summerRoad race and fun run
Henry's Oxburgh links
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
MUCH FOR HISTORIANS TO SAVOUR HERE
WITH a ruined castle
at one end of the vil-
lage and the sprawling
remains of a priory at
the other end, Castle
Acre is a natural
attraction for anyone
who loves delving into
the history of Norfolk.
And the centre of
the village at Stocks
Green, a leafy rectan-
gle surrounded by
attractive shops and
cottages, is just the
place if you are looking
for gift ideas, or some-
where for a good meal,
or maybe just a bite.
Castle Acre was
once a fortified town
with a ditch and gate-
ways to guard the
entrance. The surviving
so-called Bailey Gate
was once the north
gateway to the town.
When first estab-
lished, Castle Acre was
one of the finest exam-
ples of Norman town
planning in the country
and much of this can
still be seen.
The castle was founded by William
de Warenne as his most important
estate in Norfolk. He fought at the
Battle of Hastings alongside William the
Conqueror in 1066, and was richly
rewarded for his services. The castle
was of motte and bailey construction,
and its remains and massive earth-
works, with spectacular views across
the Nar Valley, are well worth exploring.
Access to the castle site is free.
The priory at Castle Acre may be in
ruins as a result of the efforts of Henry
VIII in 1537, but the parts that are left
still make a powerful statement about
the efforts of those who built it in the
first place.
There is much to see on the exten-
sive site of the priory, particularly the
splendid prior's lodgings, which is more
like a manor house than a building for
monks.
Castle Acre is in excellent walking
country.
The Peddar's Way long distance foot-
path passes through the village on its
way from Suffolk up to the coast at
Hunstanton, while there are numerous
local walks around the pretty valley of
the River Nar.
Cyclists are also regular visitors at
the hostelries in the village.
The pretty village green at Castle Acre.
The market square at Swaffham.
THE BEDINGFELD ARMS
OXBOROUGH, NR SWAFFHAM
Beautifully situated next to Oxburgh Hall
Lounge Bar Beer Garden Restaurant
Traditional and Vegetarian Menus Bar Snacks
Fish 'n' chip lunch - Thurs only
(includes peas, bread + butter, cup of tea) �5.95
B & B Accommodation available
`Functions catered for - Marquee available'
Families welcome � Car Parking � Restaurant
Telephone: 01366 328300
OPENING TIMES: 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday
(excluding Bank Holidays) all year.
Plus last Sunday in the month from May to September
ADMISSION TO THE CENTRE IS FREE
Booking for Turbine Tours is recommended
Charges and health and safety rules apply to turbine activity
TELEPHONE: 01760 726100
www.ecotech.org.uk
VISIT THE ECOTECH CENTRE SWAFFHAM
Climbable Wind Turbine
Organic Garden, Caf� and Shop

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