Mid Norfolk Train Crash

How fast was the Mid Norfolk Railway train travelling at the Dereham gateless crossing crash?

Evelyn Simak/Geograph

Slowly, of course.

Birds Block Build, Demonic Dog & Dodgy Driving

EDP

A new North Walsham hospital is being delayed because of nesting birds. Despite the use of a tame hawk to discourage birds from establishing nests in early spring, blackbirds and dunnocks have decided to raise their families in trees that need to be felled for building to commence. Experts say that the birds may not leave until September and the planning permission won't allow for the lumberjacks to start their work until the birds depart.

EDP

Bob the demonic dog from Downham Market needs a new home. Caveat emptor, however, as behind that smiling face is a cantankerous canine who could be accurately twinned with Bulgakov's cat Behemoth. After ten years pig farmer Tem Sosa has had enough: 

“He looks older than his years, has wonky teeth, bad breath and a bad attitude. He is terrified of cats, snaps at horses’ heels and nips pigs. He should not be left unsupervised indoors as he steals food off the side, licks the cooker and pees at terrier height so as not to get the blame”.

BBC

Dangerous driving in Dereham this week when an older than average driver mistook the accelerator for the brake and mounted a Swedish model in Homebase's car park. The Saab was unoccupied, the female of the French fourwheeler found in flagrante was shaken but not stirred.

Police Pounce on Prostitutes, Smoke Without Fire and Lotus Powered Black Cabs

No not a security sex scandal but a clamp down on a massage parlour in Wisbech where extras were thought to be doled for duplicate dosh. Apart from the paid for personal services, officials are perhaps more concerned with the associated people trafficking and working bondage (excuse the pun).  But what's the first line in the EDP report '...illegal brothel...', has Gordon slipped in a new cash raising measure I've missed? 'Slipped in', sorry I've punned again.

Dereham fire fighters put out the expression 'no smoke without fire' when the smell of smoke closed the High Street for about an hour. No fire and a professional sparks couldn't find fault, 'better safe than sorry' still applies then.

 www.tonysteelemorgan.co.uk

'Taxi, to the Olympic Stadium and don't hold the horses!'. Sports car performing Black Cabs for 2012? No, pollution free hydrogen cars for London with fuel cells from Intelligent Energy, with a base in Loughborough, fitted to cabs by Hethel based Lotus Engineering, first class NFN.

Winter wonderland

Pickenham gained a new resident today, a stout fellow who has set up home on the outskirts on the way to Houghton on the Hill. Not sure if he'll stay long but he seems to fit in well with his surroundings. Today was one of life's rareties, perfection. A mix of fluffy snow, startling sunshine and breathless wind. I followed the deer around the field edges eventually wading through two foot drifts to the peaceful haven of St Mary's, just lovely.

The gritted sections of the roads towards the A47 were slushy and passable but why was Swaffham still in such a mess? It did take a couple of attempts to get back up my slightly inclined driveway, with the compressed snow now doubling as an ice hockey pitch, the roads will be tricky tomorrow.

All photos © J Reed

It's all very festive, as is the generosity of most of our neighbours in East Dereham. Some scrooge scallywags had felled the market place Christmas tree. Within the day well wishers have donated, planned and organised a replacement to be erected. Well done, truly the Christmas spirit (which probably had something to do with the evil deed in the first place).