Welcome to the second edition of The Community Connection , our new Active Fakenham e-newsletter. In this issue, we share an overview of our exciting 2026 programme, along with profiles of two more of our valued community partners — Runners-next-the-Sea and one of our important business sponsors, Grocott & Murfit — whose support helps make so many of our activities and events possible.  We hope you find this edition interesting and inspiring, and that you’ll feel encouraged to get involved, whether by taking part in an event, volunteering, or simply spreading the word. We always welcome your feedback and ideas. Whether you’ve been part of Active Fakenham from the very beginning or are just discovering us, this is your invitation to stay connected and be part of something positive in our town. Thank you for being part of our growing community and for helping to make Fakenham a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.

Welcome to the very first issue of the new Community Connection, the e-newsletter from Active Fakenham. I’m delighted to introduce this new e-newsletter from Active Fakenham — a space to celebrate everything that makes our town and the surrounding area such a vibrant, creative, and welcoming place to live and visit.

Easter Sunday 5 April 2026 Enter here E ntries are now open for all races If there are spaces there will entries on the day 5k until 10.00am at Fakenham Community Centre Oak St, Fakenham NR21 9SR 1K and under 5s in the marketplace from 9.30 Download your letter Letter to entrants (coming soon) This letter gives you instructions for the day 🌟 Active Fakenham Town Centre 5K & Fun Runs Easter Sunday • 05 April 2026 • Fakenham Town Centre Get ready for one of Fakenham’s biggest and most exciting Easter traditions! Our Town Centre 5K, 1K Fun Run, and adorable Toddle’n’Trike for under-fives bring the whole community together for a morning of movement, celebration and fun. Whether you’re chasing a new PB, taking on your first-ever race, or simply enjoying a lively walk with friends and family—everyone is welcome on our vibrant town-centre circuit. 🎉 What to Expect ✨ A fast, closed-road 1K circuit through the heart of Fakenham ✨ Amazing support from spectators, cafés, pubs, and stalls along the route ✨ A medal for every finisher ✨ Children’s drawstring Easter goodie bags, fruit, and chocolate treats ✨ A buzzing, family-friendly atmosphere as part of our Easter Sunday Funday And new for 2026 — each 5K runner will receive individual lap times, along with an overall finishing time! There will be FREE Facepainting in the market place Free parking 🔗 Enter Now 5K Affiliated runners £14, unaffiliated £16 (includes admin fee) 1k Fun Run £5 plus £1.10 admin fee (Children must have a responsible adult) Toddle’n’Trike £5 on the day Online entry is open until the limit is reached. Sign up for the 1K and under 5s in the marketplace from 9.00 On-the-day entries will only be available if spaces remain—so secure your place early! Entries are non-refundable and cannot be deferred. You can transfer your place to another runner until midnight on 31/03/2026. 🏅 Race Categories – 2026 Active Fakenham 5K Awards will be presented to the top finisher in every category. Female • Open • Under 18 • 40–49 • 50-59 • 60–69 • 70+ Male Open • Under 18 • 40–49 • 50-59 • 60–69 • 70+ Sign up for the 1K and under 5s in the marketplace from 9.30 UKA rules say we can’t give out prizes for the fun runs, but every child will still receive a medal and a goodie bag to celebrate taking part! There will be stalls in the town centre and viewing, food and drinks around the course See a video of our 2025 Easter event HERE See a video of our 2021 Easter event HERE TIMETABLE 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) Times may vary slightly The runs are official UK Athletics events and are run under their rules. ✿ ☀ ♫

Easter Sunday 5 April 2026 Enter here E ntries are now open for all races If there are spaces there will entries on the day 5k until 10.00am at Fakenham Community Centre Oak St, Fakenham NR21 9SR 1K and under 5s in the marketplace from 9.30 Download your letter Letter to entrants (coming soon) This letter gives you instructions for the day 🌟 Active Fakenham Town Centre 5K & Fun Runs Easter Sunday • 05 April 2026 • Fakenham Town Centre Get ready for one of Fakenham’s biggest and most exciting Easter traditions! Our Town Centre 5K, 1K Fun Run, and adorable Toddle’n’Trike for under-fives bring the whole community together for a morning of movement, celebration and fun. Whether you’re chasing a new PB, taking on your first-ever race, or simply enjoying a lively walk with friends and family—everyone is welcome on our vibrant town-centre circuit. 🎉 What to Expect ✨ A fast, closed-road 1K circuit through the heart of Fakenham ✨ Amazing support from spectators, cafés, pubs, and stalls along the route ✨ A medal for every finisher ✨ Children’s drawstring Easter goodie bags, fruit, and chocolate treats ✨ A buzzing, family-friendly atmosphere as part of our Easter Sunday Funday And new for 2026 — each 5K runner will receive individual lap times, along with an overall finishing time! There will be FREE Facepainting in the market place Free parking 🔗 Enter Now 5K Affiliated runners £14, unaffiliated £16 (includes admin fee) 1k Fun Run £5 plus £1.10 admin fee (Children must have a responsible adult) Toddle’n’Trike £5 on the day Online entry is open until the limit is reached. Sign up for the 1K and under 5s in the marketplace from 9.00 On-the-day entries will only be available if spaces remain—so secure your place early! Entries are non-refundable and cannot be deferred. You can transfer your place to another runner until midnight on 31/03/2026. 🏅 Race Categories – 2026 Active Fakenham 5K Awards will be presented to the top finisher in every category. Female • Open • Under 18 • 40–44 • 45–49 • 50–54 • 55–59 • 60–64 • 65–69 • 70+ Male • Open • Under 18 • 40–44 • 45–49 • 50–54 • 55–59 • 60–64 • 65–69 • 70+ Sign up for the 1K and under 5s in the marketplace from 9.30 UKA rules say we can’t give out prizes for the fun runs, but every child will still receive a medal and a goodie bag to celebrate taking part! There will be stalls in the town centre and viewing, food and drinks around the course See a video of our 2025 Easter event HERE See a video of our 2021 Easter event HERE TIMETABLE 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) Times may vary slightly The runs are official UK Athletics events and are run under their rules. ✿ ☀ ♫

Celebrating community, creativity, and wellbeing through inclusive, volunteer-led events across Fakenham and beyond.

Fakenham’s inaugural International Film Festival Competition was a resounding success, with Norfolk filmmakers taking to the red carpet to celebrate their creativity and achievements.

Fakenham’s much-anticipated second Film Festival opens on 23 September , bringing three weeks of film, community, and creativity to the heart of the town. Each evening of the Festival promises a rich mix of cinematic experiences – from blockbuster feature films with local connections to rarely seen archive footage and unique glimpses of Fakenham life on the big screen. Festival Highlights Feature films made in Norfolk – opening night kicks off with the magical fantasy adventure Stardust. Over the following weeks, audiences can enjoy classics such as Shakespeare in Love, Yesterday, and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa – spotting familiar Norfolk landmarks along the way. Historic local footage – specially selected from the archives. Fakenham on film – events and stories from the town, starring local people. Independent film showcase – with live discussions and Q&As with filmmakers. Film competition & Red-Carpet Awards Night – an exciting new addition this year, featuring films with a Norfolk connection. The glamorous awards ceremony is open to everyone.

Town Centre festivals reimagined

The film, S.I. Superficial Intelligence , was made by pupils at Burnham Market primary school and premiered at Central Fakenham cinema on the 25 th March this year. The film has now won a prestigious national award at a star-studded ceremony in London. The ceremony was hosted by Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE and the trophy was presented by the actor James Norton. Active Fakenham organised the red-carpet event in Fakenham in March with idea the film would be such a success. Richard Crook, from Active Fakenham said, “the film oozed quality and was very engaging. We are thrilled for the young people who made the film and received this thoroughly deserved award. The film will be shown again in September at the Fakenham Film Festival which is being overseen by Ashley Williams who spearheaded the Burnham Market production.” Andy Lawson, the Central Cinema Fakenham manager, said, “The cinema was packed and we had to put on an additional performance. It is great news for the school, the pupils and the area. We are pleased to be showcasing local talent” More information can be found at the official Into Film website: https://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/into-film-awards-2025-best-film-5-11-superficial-intelligence