Active Fakenham and Fakenham Community Centre are bidding to bring new events and opportunities to Fakenham town centre. Richard Crook Chair of Active Fakenham and a Trustee at the Community Centre, who is coordinating two funding bids for the organisations said, “when I moved to Fakenham there were two swimming pools and five banks, now there are no pools and two banks and there is obvious decline that needs to be addressed. Fakenham is a great town, but it needs some help and support, these funding bids are aimed at bringing a small amount of help at a time when we should all be pulling together.” Active Fakenham is bidding to the National Lottery to create a new walking/jogging map from the town centre and along the river Wensum and for support to increase cycling opportunities as well as to support the annual cardboard raft and duck races and the Get Active in Fakenham Week which involves as many as fifty events in August. The Fakenham Community Centre is bidding for some funding managed by the North Norfolk District Council to improve the Community Centre by creating a special walled garden area for community use, improving the acoustics to allow better use of the rooms and increasing storage. In addition the Centre is bidding for a mobile stage that will be flexible enough to use in the Community Centre, outside in the garden or in other areas in the town such as the Fakenham Market Place. The ideas have been well received across the community, The local theatre group FADLOS said this, “sounds absolutely fabulous! I really do hope you are successful.” EP Youth said, “We are so pleased and excited to hear about your plans .. we are fully supportive of your ideas and hope that we can be a part of developing this area for use by families in Fakenham for a long time to come. … Yes! Genius.” Fakenham First Focus said, “strongly support the proposal and believe that Fakenham and the community as a whole, would benefit greatly from this project.“ Fakenham Infant School said “That sounds an amazing idea, we as a school would be very interested. We always look forward to Active Fakenham events and being involved, the children get so much enjoyment as do the adults, thank you Fakenham Junior school said, “We strongly support the grant application and in particular the focus on low income, younger and the older population” Richard Crook added, “a lot of work has gone into these ideas and, if the bids are successful, the majority of the work will be carried out by local companies who have also been helping with the bids. The activities will be aimed at local people, and we expect to increase visitor numbers which should help our economy a little I am often told that Fakenham sometimes feels neglected in the District and County, but these ideas will not cost the Councils anything and will obviously bring benefits to our communities. These projects will be fully accessible, low cost and will increase resources available to the whole community.”

On the day places available for all distances

Fakenham Riverside Festival, duck and cardboard raft races another great success

Fakenham Riverside Festival, Duck and Raft Races 18 June 2023

Fakenham Junior School Theatre Visit

Ride North Norfolk 2023 ✿ ☀ ♫

The Easter Sunday Funday includes our 5K and 1K runs , our Toddle’n’Trike event and our Criterium races We will be taking entries on the day if the races are not full. We currently have spaces for all races See a video of our Easter event HERE People of all ages and abilities join for a fun day of being active. Many of our participants dress up for the event; you never know who may make an appearance. This family-friendly event has competitive and non-competitive events for all. We hope to see you all there! REVISED TIMETABLE - We have had to cancel the youth races due to insufficient entries. This is now the timetable for 9th April 2023 8.00am Road Closure (set up) 10.30am Running Race 5k (UK Athletics) 11.30am Town Easter Fun Run 1k (UK Athletics) Fancy dress optional 12.15pm Toddle’n’Trike (under 5s) 1pm Circuit open for riders’ warm up 1.30pm Criterium Senior (16+ ) Cat 4 Regional C+ Cat 3 (40 mins). 2.30pm Criterium Women’s E/1/2/3/4 (45 mins) 3.30pm Criterium Senior (16+) E/1/2/3 National B, (50 mins) 7.00pm Roads reopen. Both runs and rides are official UK Athletics and British Cycling events and are run under their rules. ✿ ☀ ♫

Letter to entrants This letter gives you instructions for the day Our 5K and 1K runs are another part of our Easter Sunday Funday festivities. Runners/walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to come out and join us. These lap races are on a circuit through the town centre. Everyone will receive a medal, and children will receive an Easter goodie bag. We will be taking entries on the day if there are spaces and until the races are full. You can enter online until the entry limit is reached. There may be some places available on the day for both the 5K and the 1K fun run. You should sign up for the Toddle’n’Trike on the day in the market place. All children must have a responsible adult. The Facebook event is HERE ✿ ☀ ♫

2023 Race Results View race results by clicking buttons below

Following our successful Dr Bike sessions in the summer we are offering some new opportunities. These include cycle safety checks and mini service, workshops and guided rides. They are all free to attend but you need to book.

Since 2013 Active Fakenham has been organising activities and events in the town. As a small celebration we are organising an exhibition and get-together with snacks and drinks. We especially would like to invite anyone who has helped or supported us in the past or who may be interested in helping or supporting Active Fakenham in the future.

Event Date: 20th to 28th August 2022 Active Fakenham We ek celebrates everything that our small town has to offer. Click below to view the full programme.

Join us for the Giant Duck Race Active Fakenham, in partnership the Fakenham and District Rotary Club, is thrilled to be putting on this event. Join us to watch these ducks. Why your business should join in We hope your business decides to support this community project. We will aim to make the event as much fun as possible and encourage participation and attendance. We will also help promote your duck (and therefore your business). Any money raised will go towards community events in Fakenham and a contribution is also being made to Fakenham First Focus. We will aim to do this by: • listing entries on our website • posting on social media (we do Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) • distributing press and media releases • the event will be photographed and filmed (tbc) and these will be available to you as well as shared on social media and websites - we will arrange a photo shoot at the Bridge in Goggs Mill Road at Goggs Mill Bridge prior to the event. This will go in the local paper. Winners prizes include 1. First Prize TBC 2. A bottle of Champagne For more information and to download the entry form as a PDF HERE or as a WORD Doc HERE Active Fakenham would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring a duck in the 2022 Corporate Duck Race. Any funds raised will go to local events and local charities Aldiss Butcher Andrews Solicitors Carben Construction Dempsey Heating Des Cooper Hairdressers Eastern Daily Press Fakenham & District Rotary Club Fakenham and Wells Times Fakenham Garden Centre Fakenham Infant School Fakenham Junior School First Focus GJL animal feeds Grove Veterinary hospital and clinics H Banham Ltd Hayes and Storr Larking Gowan M D Williamson Carpets Ltd Nod Butcher and Son Original Factory Shop Ploegor UK Soil Fertility Services? Sports & Fitness Centre Stephenson Smart ✿ ☀ ♫

Our cardboard raft race is a fun family event. We are looking for some exciting and colourful boats, so why not give it a go? You must pre-book for this event. It is run in partnership with Wensum Ospreys canoe club., you can learn more about them by clicking here . Free to enter We have limited spaces so please book early. The course is about 50 metres in total. Entry form as PDF HERE or as WORD Doc HERE Rules and guidence HERE Prizes and categories 1. 1st, 2nd,3rd fastest to complete the course 2 . Most spectacular sinking 3. Best fancy dress –raft and crew ✿ ☀ ♫

The Great Fakenham Duck Race is a free event open to the public. The race and picnic will be held at Goggs Mill from 10.30. It is part of the Fakenham Riverside Community Festival that runs from 10.00 until 2.30. Once you buy a duck, it is entered in the duck race (you do not get to keep the duck). See if your duck is the lucky winner; there are super prizes to win and lots of fun to be had. Buy a Duck - Great Fakenham Duck Race £1 per ticket Buy a duck in advance in town -Tickets can also be bought from The Larder in Norwich Street Fakenham NR21 9AE Buy a duck on the day - Ducks can be bought on the day ✿ ☀ ♫

Fakenham Riverside Community Day Sunday 19th June 2022 Goggs Mill Road (in the field by the bridge) Music and picnic area will be open from 10.00 to 2.30 Bring a chair or blanket and a picnic or visit our food stalls. Listen to the live Music 10.00 Rafts on display field for viewing 10.30 Rafts assembled on land for judging “best dressed raft” 11.00 Raft Races 12.30 Local business sponsored, Giant Corporate Duck Race 1.00 Great Fakenham Duck Race 1.30 Music, stalls and food by the river 2.30 Close Please note there is no parking or toilets on the site. Parking in Olivet Way (10 min walk) . There is some disabled parking Through the day/morning Food and stalls Hog Roast Cakes, Tea and Food Bouncy Castles + “grab a duck” Fakenham Country markets homemade cakes and sandwiches etc. Amma's Kitchen - Sri Lankan street food Fakenham Osprey Canoe Club Rotary Club of Fakenham & District Simply Just Coffee Solar Scoops Locally made Norfolk ice cream served the environmentally friendly way Stalls First Aid More information Cardboard RAFT RACE CORPORATE DUCK RACE Great Fakenham Duck Race Active Fakenham is supporting Fakenham First Focus with this event

Ride North Norfolk 2022, Ride cancelled I am very sorry to say that we have had to cancel this year’s ride , which was due to take place on the 25th August 2022. We have had a very poor sign-up this year and although we often get people registering over the last two weeks and on the day, it is too risky for us, as a small voluntary organisation, to risk the money and resources needed to put on the event. In line with our ethos of being inclusive we keep prices very low and only just cover our costs. We will, of course, ensure that everyone who has signed up will receive a full refund, although this may take a few days as it will be processed through British Cycling. This will be a payment to the card that you used to make the initial sign-up payment. If this is an issue please contact me directly at richard@activefakenham.org.uk There were some particular difficulties this year as well as the obvious ones around COVID etc. Members of the team had health issues early in the year which meant we started the organisation and publicity late. These have been satisfactorily overcome so we are planning to make a special effort with next year’s ride which will be on Sunday 27th August 2023. We hope you will join us next year. This is the first time we have had to cancel the Ride North Norfolk and we expect it to be an exceptional incident. I am very sorry we have had to take this action. Richard Crook Organiser Active Fakenham 28 August 2022 We take photos and videos throughout the event. When you sign up you agree to these being uploaded to our media channels for you to download and also for us to use for publicity. We will remove any photos you do not want us to use if you inform us. 2021 - Ride North Norfolk photos HERE 2019 – Ride North Norfolk HQ post race photos HERE 2019 – Ride North Norfolk professional photos HERE ✿ ☀ ♫

2022 Results Active Fakenham Easter Sunday 2022 Criterium The results from the Active Fakenham Easter 2022 5k Criterium race are available at this LINK Letter to entrants This letter tells you wnat to do on the day All races will be on closed roads round the picturesque North Norfolk town centre. The circuit is approximately 1km. Active Fakenham is able to host this event with the assistance of our local East Coast riders club and others from around Norfolk. The town centre will be closed to traffic for the day. Events include British Cycling and licensed cycle races for various ages and abilities. Local organisations will be running food stalls with plenty of food and activities. This is a great spectacle to watch with pubs and cafes fronting directly onto the course. ✿ ☀ ♫

Thanks to Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival Campaign we are delivering a series of FREE community Dr Bike events on the following dates. If you have a bike that needs a check over and some minor repairs then bring it along. No booking required. Just come along to Fakenham Thursday Market, on 28th October 4th,11th,18th November. At one of our pop up Dr Bike events our friendly mechanic will undertake FREE safety checks and minor repairs to ensure that bikes are safe and working effectively. Examples of minor repairs that we can undertake include: • Pump up tyres • Adjust brakes • Replace gear/brake cables • Adjust gears • Make sure seat is at the correct height • Fix puncture Anything that we can’t fix on site, we will let you know exactly what you need to do and suggest some local bike shops/mechanics who may be able to help Trevor Brown, from 13three Neutral Service will be carrying out some of the work and leading some of the rides. Trevor said, “ we see a lot of bikes which could be dangerous or just set up better. This is a chance to get your bike checked. Maybe people will be buying bikes for Christmas and need advice on how to put them together. We are not selling bikes, but we may be able to lend one for the rides or it may be a chance to have a go on a different bike as we have some we can loan”. Social Rides On your bike with Active Fakenham and Cycle UK An exciting opportunity for new cyclists and those wanting to get back on their bikes is coming to Fakenham. Active Fakenham have teamed up with Cycle UK and are organising a series of short, guided rides to local cafés/pubs. There will be coffee or tea provided and riders will have a chance to socialise as well as practising their cycling under expert guidance. The first ride will be to Sculthorpe Mill, leaving Fakenham at 10.00am on Sunday 31st October and we expect to return by 12.30. The rides will be led by an experienced cyclist and each rider will be provided with a safety check of their bike, a cycling “starter pack” and a free hot drink. .. Richard Crook from Active Fakenham, said, “these rides are not onerous, and are aimed at people with little experience of cycling that would like to have a go, maybe build some confidence and have a couple of hours in the fresh air getting some healthy exercise. There is a limit to the number of riders on each ride and we will keep to quiet roads.” At your workplace or local venue We may be able to bring our team along to your workplace of venue to offer free services, safety checks or cycle maintenance training. This will be free, just get in touch to see if we can help. About the project The project is aimed at adults, and you must book a place. If you are interested in finding out more or booking please contact Richard at richard@activefakenham.org.uk or 07887 803091 or see the Active Fakenham website www.activefakenham.org.uk ✿ ☀ ♫

I am writing to inform you that we have decided to postpone the Riverside event until Sunday September 19th. The times will remain the same. This has been a very difficult decision, not helped by the constantly changing (and sometimes contradictory) weather predictions. Our key consideration was that everyone should be safe and then we looked at what would be needed for an enjoyable day. I have consulted with many people and organisations that are involved in putting on the event and we have to err on the side of caution. Currently, the weather forecasts are showing the possibility of thunder and lightning in the night with the best forecast predicting rain through the day. They also say it will rain most of Saturday. As I say these have been changing almost hourly and for three days predictions were for storms on the Sunday. As well as potentially spoiling the fun this will make the low lying field we are using very wet and boggy. As you are aware it has been a very difficult period for organising events, but I hope we will be able to go ahead on Sunday 19th September. We did look at the possibility of holding a shortened event, maybe one evening in the week but we thought it would be a shame not to try to have the full “festival” and so we opted for rearranging it. If you have bought ducks (which are still on sale through our website or at The Larder in Norwich St., Fakenham) these will automatically be entered in to the race when we hold it. If you have a raft please let me know if this causes any problems we may be able to help with. I hope you will still be ok for September 19th. I hope you will bear with us, and I look forward to seeing you in September. Obviously everyone involved is very sorry for any inconvenience and disappointment this has caused. Best wishes Richard Richard Crook Active Fakenham richard@activefakenham.org.uk 07887 803091

Our cardboard raft race is a fun family event. We are looking for some exciting and colourful boats, so why not give it a go? You must pre-book for this event. It is run in partnership with Wensum Ospreys canoe club., you can learn more about them by clicking here . Free to enter We have limited spaces so please book early. The course is about 50 metres in total. Prizes and categories 1. 1st, 2nd,3rd fastest to complete the course 2 . Most spectacular sinking 3. Best fancy dress –raft and crew ✿ ☀ ♫

Join us for the Giant Duck Race Active Fakenham, in partnership the Fakenham and District Rotary Club, is thrilled to be putting on this event. Join us to watch these ducks. Why your business should join in We hope your business decides to support this community project. We will aim to make the event as much fun as possible and encourage participation and attendance. We will also help promote your duck (and therefore your business). Any money raised will go towards community events in Fakenham and a contribution is also being made to Fakenham First Focus. We will aim to do this by: • listing entries on our website • posting on social media (we do Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) • distributing press and media releases • the event will be photographed and filmed (tbc) and these will be available to you as well as shared on social media and websites - we have arranged a photo shoot at the Bridge in Goggs Mill Road on Thursday 12th August at 5pm at Goggs Mill Bridge. This will go in the local paper. Winners prizes include 1. Two annual passes to Fakenham Racecourse https://www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk/ 2. A bottle of Champagne For more information and to download the entry details HERE Active Fakenham would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring a Giant Duck and supporting our town Aldiss of Fakenham Archant BC&R Car & Van Centre Butcher Andrews Solicitors Carben Construction David Williamson Carpets Dempsey Heating Des Cooper Hairdressers Fakenham & District Rotary Club Fakenham Garden Centre First Focus Gallow Sports Centre Grocott & Murfitt Hayes and Store Keith Osborn Photography Larking Gowan Paper Klip Soil Fertility Services Sowerby's Stephenson Smart Taylor Care of Norfolk Wensum Pools ✿ ☀ ♫

The Great Fakenham Duck Race is a free event open to the public. The race and picnic will be held at Goggs Mill from 10.30. It is part of the Fakenham Riverside Community Festival that runs from 10.30 until 2.30. Once you buy a duck, it is entered in the duck race (you do not get to keep the duck). See if your duck is the lucky winner; there are super prizes to win and lots of fun to be had. Buy a Duck - Great Fakenham Duck Race £1 per ticket Buy online, in a shop or on the day • Online - Collect your tickets on the day or add £2.00 for postage (if you buy before 15th August) - Either way your ducks will be in the race even if you do not have your physical ticket. • In Town -Tickets can also be bought from The Larder in Norwich Street Fakenham NR21 9AE • On the Day - Ducks can also be bought on the day ✿ ☀ ♫

Event Date: 21st to 29th August 2021 Active Fakenham Week celebrates everything that our small town has to offer. Full programme Coming Soon... I f you would like to run an event or activity during the Active Fakenham Week download the Word Doc form HERE or PDF HERE and email it to richard@activefakenham.org.uk We are looking to promote local organisations and offer something to locals and visitors. If you are interested in taking part by organising an event, please complete this form. We hope you will offer something different, free, low cost, interesting and fun. We already have several events booked and will try to coordinate so the programme fits well. We are hoping to have the Great Fakenham Duck Race and music festival Saturday 21stth August and the Ride North Norfolk on the Sunday 29th so please avoid these dates or discuss with me first. ✿ ☀ ♫ j

Fakenham virtual Christmas lights switch on Thursday 26th November. 4.00m to 6.30pm This event will be broadcast live on YouTube, social media and websites. Our YouTube channel is HERE Following the cancellation of the Christmas lights switch on event Active Fakenham has arranged a virtual event involving local people, schools, community groups, clubs and businesses. The programme includes music and seasonal messages, as well as a look at Fakenham events. It includes a countdown to the town’s Christmas lights switch on.

Event Date: 7 March 2020 Cancelled for 2020 join us next year - please see letter below which was sent to those who had pre-registered I am writing to let you know that, unfortunately, we have had to cancel the Fakenham Festival of Ideas on Saturday 7th March 2020. This is due to poor early ticket sales and no indication that there will be enough people attending on the day. We felt it would be unfair to ask speakers to come from London or to prepare presentations if we could not ensure a reasonably sized audience. Speakers were attending in their own time and for no fee. We did everything we could to promote the event and are very sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. It is possible that we will restructure the events and organise something for later in the year. This would probably be a series of single talks on the issues, but we will need to consult with relevant partners and discuss the possibilities. I will be arranging a full refund including the booking fee and hope you will support some of the other Active Fakenham events we have planned. If you have comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me. Kind regards Richard Richard Crook Chairperson, Active Fakenham 07887 803091 richard@activefakenham.org.uk From 2pm to 5.30pm Fakenham Academy Field Lane Fakenham NR21 9QT

Event Date: 25 August 2019 Please note that we take photos and videos throughout the event. When you sign up you agree to these being uploaded to our media channels for you to download and also for us to use for publicity. We will remove any photos you do not want us to use if you inform us. 2019 – Ride North Norfolk HQ post race photos HERE 2019 – Ride North Norfolk professional photos HERE ✿ ☀ ♫

Active Fakenham Week celebrates everything that our little town has to offer. The week’s festivities are kicked off with a free music festival in the market place, with new events and activities continuing throughout the week. This year, some of our featured events include the Hempton Fun Dog Show, Little Shop of Horrors musical theatre workshop, family yoga taster sessions, walking rugby games and much, much more. The festivities conclude with our Ride North Norfolk cycling event. Our goal is to have Fakenham families get up and get active, whether that be physically or mentally. There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy and you may even learn about something new during the week. Activities and events have been designed with all ages in mind. To view schedule, please view our 2019 programme below. ✿ ☀ ♫

The Great Fakenham Duck Race is a free event open to the public. The race and picnic will be held at Goggs Mill at 10.30. Ducks go on sale for £1.00 starting on the Easter Sunday Funday just before the race. Once you buy a duck, it is entered in the duck race (you do not get to keep the duck). See if your duck is the lucky winner; there are super prizes to win and lots of fun to be had. Our raft race is a fun family event. We are looking for some exciting and colourful boats, so why not give it a go? You must pre-book for this event. This event is possible through partnership with Wensum Ospreys. You can learn more about this organization by clicking here . ✿ ☀ ♫

Our 5K and 1K runs are another part of our Easter Sunday Funday festivities. Runners/walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to come out and join us. These lap races are on circuits through the town centre. Everyone will be receiving a medal, and all children will receive an Easter goodie bag. We will be taking entries on the day of until the race is full. You can enter online until the pre entry limit is reached. There will be some places available on the day for both the 5K and the 1K fun run. ✿ ☀ ♫

The Easter Sunday Funday includes our 5K and 1K runs , our Toddle’n’Trike event and our Criterium races . People of all ages and abilities join for a fun day of being active. Many of our participants dress up for the event; you never know who may make an appearance. This family-friendly event has competitive and non-competitive events for all. We hope to see you all there! This year’s timetable is as follows: 8.00 Road Closure (set up) 10.30 Running Race 5K (UK Athletics) 11.30 Town Easter Fun Run 1k (UK Athletics) 12.15 Toddle’n’Trike (under 5s) 12.45 Circuit open for rider’s warm up/familiarisation 1.00 Criterium Race Youth A (U16), Youth B (U14) girls & boys (30 min) 2.00 Criterium Senior (16+) Cat 4 Regional C+ Cat 3 (40 mins). Priority entry will be given to Cat 4 riders 3.00 Criterium Women’s E/1/2/3/4 (45 mins) 4.00 Criterium Senior (16+) E/1/2/3 National B, (50 mins) 7.00pm Roads reopen Sunset 20.06 pm approx. Both runs and rides are official UK Athletics and British Cycling events and are run under their rules. ✿ ☀ ♫