‘We Love West Norfolk’ is the message coming loud and clear from West Norfolk people and businesses.
Organisers behind Love West Norfolk, which was launched in January to celebrate everything West Norfolk has to offer, say that they have been ‘overwhelmed’ with love for the area since the campaign launched.
Councillor Brian Long, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and one of the partners behind the campaign said: “The response to this campaign has been astonishing. It has been great capturing people’s positive thoughts and comments and makes a change to the usual grumbles we hear and see. This area has so much going for it, and clearly the people who live and work here know and appreciate what they have right on their doorstep. It makes me feel very proud to be a west Norfolk resident.”
The campaign, easily identifiable by the distinctive heart logo, began in January with a launch supported by local MPs Sir Henry Bellingham and Elizabeth Truss. Since then, many people have got involved, including Stephen Fry who shared a quote which was turned into artwork by ‘grime artist’ Ruddy Muddy.
Other well known faces getting behind Love West Norfolk have included the former High Sheriff of Norfolk James Bagge, Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, Tim Bentinck aka David Archer of The Archers, The Bishop of Lynn, The Rt Revd. Jonathan Meyrick, Robin Brundle and Buster Chapman.
Campaign organisers are also hugely grateful for the support from local media who have backed Love West Norfolk from the very beginning.
Other highlights of the campaign have included the community events in Downham Market, Hunstanton and King’s Lynn, which were supported by Downham Market and Hunstanton town councils, and the Vancouver Quarter. During the events, local people and businesses shared what makes West Norfolk so special to them.
A schools’ event also took place, in partnership with 7 Billion Ideas, an internationally known ideas company. During the inspiring and engaging day, year six, seven and eight students came up with world-changing ideas for West Norfolk.
The ‘selfie’ sign has become synonymous with the campaign, and many local organisations have shared what they love about West Norfolk via the signs. This has included Bespak, Adrian Flux, Goldings, the Bank House, the Duke’s Head, and West Norfolk libraries who have all lent their support to the campaign.
And, West Norfolk got to celebrate the very first #lovewestnorfolk day, when individuals and businesses took to social media to celebrate West Norfolk. During the day, people shared why they love West Norfolk and the campaign reached as far as Wales and the Midlands!
Tony Hall, Chief Executive of Freebridge said: “The response for Love West Norfolk online and in the media has been overwhelmingly positive, hearing the experiences, reading the stories and seeing the photos from people in West Norfolk, and beyond, has done so much to reinforce our own view of this special corner of the world.
“We have ambitious plans for the future of this campaign and for our region. Thanks to the support we have received we can now take our findings forward.”
Throughout the campaign, a number of themes came out about why people Love West Norfolk. These were:
- Big skies, open spaces, views;
- Opportunity, potential, ambition, spirit, passion;
- Beaches, countryside, towns;
- The people;
- Independent shops and markets.
These themes will now inform the next phase of the campaign which will continue to celebrate West Norfolk and promote the area regionally and nationally. Further details of how people and businesses can get involved in the next phase of Love West Norfolk will be announced soon.
To find out more or get involved, visit Twitter: @LoveWestNorfolk, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveWestNorfolk/ Instagram: love_west_norfolk or the campaign website www.lovewestnorfolk.co.uk
Why We Love West Norfolk: some of the reasons people shared
“If Norfolk is the secret jewel of England, then West Norfolk is the secret jewel of Norfolk. Beauty, hills, character, glorious towns, villages and countryside, hills! country pubs, funny, fabulous people, hills! seaside, lavender, hills! Ok, I lied about the hills. But there are slopes and rises to the ground that almost amount to hills. Truly. – Stephen Fry
“‘Born, bred and brought up in West Norfolk. Love the accent, love the people, love the life in West Norfolk. Where else do you have better skies? Where else do the trees so adorn the horizon? Why else would my family have stayed for 800 years or more?!’” – James Bagge, former High Sheriff of Norfolk, currently Walking for Norfolk.
“West Norfolk is such a fantastic place to live. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be” – Sara Stephen.
“You can’t beat going down to Hunstanton on a summers day, it’s such a lovely seaside town, with the funky striped cliffs and friendly atmosphere, I always feel lucky to live so close!” – Livvi Hodges