Bird saviours and dead whale demise

Famed for loving our animals, it is sometimes odd how much attention we pay to those who are or have been in distress.

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But how many fire fighting vehicles does it take to free a 'distressed' gull from a tree? Three, it seems. One to assess the situation and order a table-ladder appliance and a third to 'assist' the staff of the big steps. Well I'm sure that is all very well justified.

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A sad end to the whiffy whale who didn't have the good fortune to be washed back out offshore to swim with Davey Jones. Instead the watery mammal has been dissected with a chain saw and sent to landfill. Police say there is no action to be taken against the youth who misguidedly tried to make a small sum from selling thieved teeth taken from the temporary tourist attraction.

Bus Stop Burn Shock

The quaintly thatched bus stop in South Pickenham has been purposefully set alight, so the fire brigade believes. The suspected arson of the picturesque shelter, believed to have been erected by the South Pickenham Estate, happened around 8pm on Tuesday 20th September, 2011. Any suspicious behaviour should be reported to local police (0845 456 4567).

Pyrotechnics and Personable Pupils

A vanity bonfire was lit by devlish arsonists in North Pickenham, well just outside in the slightly over stated 'industrial area' a mile out of town between the two Pickenhams, on Wednesday using lucifers in a derelict building. Not sure whether it was at what is locally called the Old Firework Factory, a half built unit left up for sale some years back, or other buildings closer to the old airfield. 

Robert Gilbertson/Geograph

A couple of fire tending units from Swaffham and Watton put out the small malicious furnace.

St Andrew's School

News of a positive review from OFSTED at North Pickenham's school was reported today in the Lynn News. A thriving school, pub and church help to keep a village alive.

Beet, Berney, Burning and Build Ban

With the mild and dry weather set to continue, the annual sugar beet harvest race has started in Norfolk. Rude awakenings for the next month or so as the huge lorries thunder around the rural highways with or without their sweet load.

A new Norfolk forum, the Norfolk Mardler (that's Norfolk Gossiper to outsiders), led me to what must be the smallest railway station in the country.

Berney Arms railway station is 3.5 miles from the nearest road and is the most remote station in Norfolk. It is only accessible by rail, boat, on foot or on horseback and is 5 miles west of Great Yarmouth. Trains will only stop on request for you to visit the English Heritage windmill or the RSPB nature reserve.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service had another busy day, so did the reporter who posted this riveting story.

Good news for the nearby Dunhams with a planning reprieve for the huge sub station next to this small settlement, that I reported on in March, to connect the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm to the National Grid. Warwick Energy may well appeal, the associated cable laying was given approval.