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What have we been up to lately?
To see a visual record of what we have been getting up to recently follow us on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/groups/2904633@N24/
Winter 2019/20
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The Friends of Kett's Heights were delighted to receive a commendation in the Community category of the Norfolk Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2019. We were runners up to award-winning social housing, Goldsmith Street, so it was a bit of a David and Goliath situation, and Goliath won on this occasion - and deservedly so.
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Autumn 2019
Successful grant bid
As many residents will be aware the gas holders on Gas Hill have been undergoing demolition over the past year. That work is nearing completion but from the outset National Grid made it clear that they wanted to work with the community to minimise disruption and provide reassurances regarding safety. As a community based group we learned that National Grid also made grants available in areas where their work took place and we were encouraged to apply. This seemed like a good opportunity, and we put together a bid for £5000 to cover the cost of tree work at Kett’s Heights. This work will focus on trees that are causing structural damage to the Victorian terrace walls at many points across the site. In addition we have also identified a small number of trees that are reducing the panoramic visibility at the view-point. The majority of trees that are to be cut down are Sycamore and dead or dying Elm.
Monthly tours
Our final tour of the year was a complete wash-out. So far, no tour had been rained off since we started in 2016 so it had to happen one day. Paddy, Mike and Vanessa dutifully turned up at 2.30 in case any foolhardy folk wanted to experience Kett’s Heights in the rain but, thankfully, no-one did and we could scuttle home at 2.31.
Herb Garden
The herb garden within the walls of St Michael’s Chapel/19th century greenhouses is looking really lovely thanks to Jane and Kath. David is also creating an attractive seat as a means of using up all the loose bricks that are lying around. Otherwise they tend to be used as missiles by energetic youths.
Repairing the panorama panel
Unfortunately, our panorama information panel was damaged by inappropriate use of loose bricks, but this has now been repaired and re-installed by Norman and David.
As many residents will be aware the gas holders on Gas Hill have been undergoing demolition over the past year. That work is nearing completion but from the outset National Grid made it clear that they wanted to work with the community to minimise disruption and provide reassurances regarding safety. As a community based group we learned that National Grid also made grants available in areas where their work took place and we were encouraged to apply. This seemed like a good opportunity, and we put together a bid for £5000 to cover the cost of tree work at Kett’s Heights. This work will focus on trees that are causing structural damage to the Victorian terrace walls at many points across the site. In addition we have also identified a small number of trees that are reducing the panoramic visibility at the view-point. The majority of trees that are to be cut down are Sycamore and dead or dying Elm.
Monthly tours
Our final tour of the year was a complete wash-out. So far, no tour had been rained off since we started in 2016 so it had to happen one day. Paddy, Mike and Vanessa dutifully turned up at 2.30 in case any foolhardy folk wanted to experience Kett’s Heights in the rain but, thankfully, no-one did and we could scuttle home at 2.31.
Herb Garden
The herb garden within the walls of St Michael’s Chapel/19th century greenhouses is looking really lovely thanks to Jane and Kath. David is also creating an attractive seat as a means of using up all the loose bricks that are lying around. Otherwise they tend to be used as missiles by energetic youths.
Repairing the panorama panel
Unfortunately, our panorama information panel was damaged by inappropriate use of loose bricks, but this has now been repaired and re-installed by Norman and David.
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HODS Event (Sept 14th, 18th & 22nd)
We did really well with our new Heritage Open Day event, helped by lovely weather throughout. We had 112 visitors in total. Thanks also to Bridgid and the St Matthew’s church team for hosting and providing such lovey refreshments. And thanks, of course, to all of you who came along to the event! See gallery page for photos. Birds & Butterflies - One of our members recently conducted a survey of the birds & butterflies to be seen on Kett's Heights. Here are her results:-
"Altogether I counted 18 species of bird, which for a city site is good I think. I imagine there will be other species over the winter. I recorded: chaffinch, goldfinch, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, robin, wren, blackcap, chiff-chaff, dunnock, blackbird, song thrush, jay, magpie, collared dove, wood pigeon, great spotted woodpecker, kestrel. There may be others you can add. There were 12 species of butterfly: large white, small white, green veined white, orange tip, holly blue, ringlet, meadow brown, gatekeeper, comma, red admiral, peacock, painted lady. Again, maybe you have seen others. We also have dragonflies & damselflies of course but I didn't get round to actually recording them, so they'll have to wait till next year!" If you visit and see other species not mentioned above then please let us know via our contact page and we'll add them to the list! Thanks. |
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Summer 2019
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Friday 30th August - Several volunteers from Norwich Fringe Project spent 4½ hours today doing brushcutting. They cut all the areas around the fruit trees they planted last year and also cleared an area further along the terrace, below the bend in the fence, and a similar area below the middle path which we had asked them to do following discussions we had about possible locations for more bluebell planting later this year. They raked up almost all the material they had cut and moved a lot of it off to the compost heap or other areas. They also raked the cuttings off the upper green, as Norse had been round yesterday to cut the grass, and did some strimming at the edges of the paths. Our thanks, once again, to the Norwich Fringe Project for their help.
Tuesday 20th Aug - Tree surgeons were working on a dangerous tree on the lower path. Unfortunately, this was found to have roots in the proximity of the high pressure gas pipe that runs adjacent. Work was been suspended whilst this problem was resolved and the site was closed until Wed 28th August
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We recently suffered some vandalism to the notice board at the entrance to Kett's Height and to the hand rails on the steps leading up from the lower path. We repaired the notice boards (thanks Peter!) and Norwich City Council made an excellent job of repairing the railings.
We had 24 people attend the free guided tour on Sunday August 4th. A good turn out and a lovely day. |
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July 2019
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Mobiles, Movement and Motion
We had a lovely time on Sunday 21st making mobiles from found materials on Kett’s Heights. Participants flexed their creative muscles and then had a sociable picnic lunch. Many thanks to Cavan and Gaye for their preparation and inspiration. Lots more pictures in our Gallery https://www.kettsheights.co.uk/gallery.html |
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The usual first Sunday of the month's tour took place and, whilst a smaller group than usual, a lot of interest was shown and we all enjoyed ourselves in the afternoon sunshine!
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May 2019
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Work continued on site during our practical days every other Wednesday and a small herb garden is under construction next to St. Michael's Chapel wall. The usual fist Sunday of the month's tour took place and was well attended. We also held our Annual Plant sale in Beatrice Road courtesy of Tony Quickended and raised a healthy amount of money for Kett's Heights.
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April 2019
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Local artist Mike McEwan has designed a Christmas card which he hopes will be sold by Norwich cathedral later in the year. This is based on a photograph of the cathedral taken from the viewpoint on Kett's heights. We'll let you know when/if it becomes available.
click on image to enlarge The first free guided tour of 2019 took place on Sunday 7th April. It poured with rain in the morning but, fortunately, dried up a bit in the afternoon allowing the tour to go ahead. Twenty one brave souls turned up and enjoyed (we hope!) the tour. The view wasn't too great as it was very misty. Hopefully, it will be better weather for the next tour on Sunday May 5th!
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February 2019
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We held our Annual General Meeting in St. Matthew's Church on Thursday 21st February. Many thanks to those who came along and 'welcome' to all the new members who joined up. January & February has seen the practical work team continue the tidying up of the site in preparation of the new year's events.
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December 2018
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We have planted a lot of daffodil bulbs which should give a lovely display next Spring. In addition a lot of tidying up and burning of old wood has been carried out on our practical work days. The old gasometer visible from the viewpoint has started to be demolished, we shall miss it!
See more photos on our Gallery page. |
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November 2018
Thanks again to the Norwich Fringe Project who came and cleared some trees at the top of the entrance path to allow more light into that area.
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October 2018
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Sunday October 7th saw Jan act as leader for the first time on the final free tour & short history of Kett's Heights of the 2018 season. She said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and, hopefully, so did the group of more than 20 people who turned up on a lovely, sunny Autumnal day.
Remember Groups can book a free tour at any time - contact us via our contact page. The next scheduled free tour will be on Sunday April 7th 2019 |
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September 2018
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Once again we took part in the national Heritage Open Days event (HODS) and both on Saturday 8th & Sunday 16th of September we gave an illustrated talk about the history of Kett's Heights followed by a guided tour of the site, Bothe events were well attended and, judging from the comments, people seemed to enjoy themselves. Our thanks to those who visited.
We've also ordered 2000 more snowdrop bulbs & 2000 English bluebells for planting next month! |
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August 2018
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In addition to our normal, 1st Sunday of the month tour which took place on August 5th we ran a special tour for the Norwich Women's Institute on Wednesday 8th. If you have a group that would like to arrange a special tour for your members please contact us via the form on our Contact Page.
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July 2018
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We have been awarded "Highly Recommended Group" by the Norfolk Biodiversity Project this year. You can find out more about this worthwhile project by visiting their website at www.norfolkbiodiversity.org/about/projects.aspx
Here's a photo of some of us celebrating the certificate whilst working up on the Heights on one of the hottest days of the year! More on our Gallery page. |
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Sunday 15th, one of the hottest days of the year saw a performance of Crude Apache's 'At the Turning of the Tide'. A tale of the Norfolk folk who worked the Wherry boats.
A lovely show much appreciated by the audience on Kett's Heights. |
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The new fence leading to the viewpoint is complete. Many thanks to Norwich Fringe Project for all their hard work! It looks great! We've been wanting to get the fence renewed for a long time and now that it's done the whole place looks a lot smarter!
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June 2018
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Saturday 23rd June turned out to be a lovely sunny day, just perfect for our Creative Creatures Day. A lot of weird creatures & other wonderful things were crafted from natural elements found in Kett's Heights. The weather was perfect for the picnics too!
See all the photos in our Gallery page
Saturday 9th of June we were visited by Nicola & David Kett, directs descendants from Thomas Kett the father of William & Robert Kett. Nicola & David live in Scotland and flew down especially to visit Kett's Heights!
June 3rd
The third guided tour this year. Hot again! Thanks to all those who participated. |
The winning entry!
Nicola & David Kett
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May 2018
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Wednesday May 23rd saw another visit to Kett's Heights by some of the pupils from Bignold School accompanied by some of their teachers. Thanks to Helen King & Jane Chittenden for hosting the tour and giving the children an insight into local history.
Sunday May 6th
The second free tour of the season. A smaller group than usual but perfect weather and we all enjoyed the outing. |
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April 2018
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The free tours of Kett's Heights resumed after the Winter break on Easter Sunday, April 1st and we had just over a dozen visitors who came and enjoyed the experience. From now until the end of October free tours will take place on the first Sunday of each month. (except September when they will be part of the Heritage Open Days)
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March 2018
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Thanks to Matt Davies and the Norwich Fringe Project whose volunteers came to Kett's Heights this morning to clear some of the terraces and plant up to 20 new apple, plum and cherry trees.
see photos on our Gallery page |
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February 2018
Practical Work - Wed. Feb. 21st
In association with NCC and their chain saw and brush cutter, we cleared the terrace between the two greens and cleared up the mess. A nice bonfire kept us warm on a chilly, miserable morning. Plans are afoot to plant about 20 new fruit trees next month!
In association with NCC and their chain saw and brush cutter, we cleared the terrace between the two greens and cleared up the mess. A nice bonfire kept us warm on a chilly, miserable morning. Plans are afoot to plant about 20 new fruit trees next month!
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New committee for 2018
At the Friends of Kett’s Heights AGM on 6th February a new Executive Committee was elected. New events programme for 2018 Do let us know if there are any events or activities you would like to see on Kett’s Heights. We are aiming to repeat the free monthly tours and organise a get Creative Creatures Day, possibly combined with a community picnic. Have a look at our Annual Review for 2017 on our home page to see the full account of what we have done in the past. We would love to host more theatrical performances but this depends on theatre groups being willing to visit us. You can also check out the site Management Plan currently in preparation with the City Council. |
Executive Committee
Mike Button (Hon. Treasurer) Jane Chapman Jane Chittenden Peter Jennings (Hon. Secretary) Helen King (Hon. Vice Chair) Cavan Stewart (Hon. Chair) John Trevelyan John Williams |
October 2017
Sunday 15th October saw various artists visit Kett's Heights as part of PAINT OUT NORWICH and paint the view from the beacon. http://www.paintoutnorwich.org/
Here's just a few of the results:-
Here's just a few of the results:-
Sunday 8th October saw the start of our Winter Litter Patrol schedule. This means that from now until the end of March 2018 we only patrol for litter every other day instead of every day. Generally, there is a lot less litter in the Winter months but it still accumulates. Please remember to use the bins or take your rubbish home. If you exercise your dog on the Heights then please clear up after it. Many thanks.
Wednesday 4th October saw us planting another 1500 snowdrops either side of the pathway leading up to the heights and 150 crocus bulbs under the apple tree on the lower green. Hopefully, we'll see some results next Spring! It'll be a few years before they look as good as the pictures below but we live in hope!
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The last free guided tour of the 2017 season took place on Sunday October 1st and was well attended. No more free tours now until April 2018.
September 2017
The Friends of Kett’s Heights ran tours on all the Heritage Open Days – 7th-10th Sept – and attracted over 145 people. Others came under their own steam and we were visited by another Flintspiration Church Run, so Kett’s Heights was very busy. Visitors really appreciated the work that the Friends have done and spent some time admiring the view and encouraging us to lower the tree canopy even further so they could see all the way round. This will require the Council to provide specialist tree surgeons but we are hopeful more work will be done. www.kettsheights.co.uk/gallery.html
Family trail
We created a Family Trail round Kett’s Heights for Heritage Open Days and this will shortly be available to download on the website.
Family trail
We created a Family Trail round Kett’s Heights for Heritage Open Days and this will shortly be available to download on the website.
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Wednesday 6th September saw us planting 1500 snowdrops either side of the pathway leading up to the heights. We will also shortly be planting a mixture of early flowering crocus under the apple tree on the lower green. This is just the start of a programme of bulb planting over the next few years that will also see the introduction of bluebells and aconites. We want to make Kett's Heights the "go to" place for Spring flowering bulbs in Norwich. Hopefully, in a few year's time, it will look like the photo opposite!
See our Gallery page for photos of 'people at work'! |
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July 2017
Saturday 1st July The Common Lot performed Come Yew In on the Heights at 2.30 & 7.30pm. A great success!
Here's a link to a u-tube video of their opening song:- https://youtu.be/DLS6EPrnr9M
There was an enthusiastic response to the Common Lot’s performance of Come Yew In on 1st July with over 400 people attending.
Here's a link to a u-tube video of their opening song:- https://youtu.be/DLS6EPrnr9M
There was an enthusiastic response to the Common Lot’s performance of Come Yew In on 1st July with over 400 people attending.
Sunday 2nd July saw the usual monthly guided tour take place led by Alan Browning and supported by Jan Carter. There was a good attendance (23 visitors) and excellent weather helped make a very enjoyable afternoon.
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June 2017
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On 26th June a group of Norwich Society members toured Kett’s Heights to learn more about this historic site and to appreciate one of the three protected views overlooking Norwich that need to be taken into account when developments in Norwich are planned. See Gallery page for photos
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Brian Ayers led a fascinating tour for the Friends on Wednesday 14th June on a perfect summer’s evening. He took us round the sites and features that Robert Kett and his men would have seen when contemplating their attack on Norwich in 1549. We started at Bishop Bridge and looked at the remains of the 14th century gatehouse before moving to the Cow Tower. Both these defences were targeted and overrun by Kett’s followers. A pleasant stroll along the river looking at other medieval sites brought us to St Martin-at-Palace which features the oldest church wall in Norfolk. We ended up at the great Hospital where aged inmates could look through the east window at Kett’s Heights. See Gallery page for photos
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May 2017
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Tuesday May 2nd we had a visit by pupils & staff from Bignold Primary school. Approx 60 children visited, in two groups, accompanied by teachers and TAs. They are learning about Kett's Rebellion at school at the moment, so were very interested to be at the location of Kett's headquarters. The view was well received, and the second group spent a bit of time sketching it. There's an idea that the children will be creating a Kett's Heights tour brochure, as a follow-up project, and they will share good examples of work with us, which we can upload to the website. See more photos on our gallery page
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April 2017
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April 29th & 30th The Friends of Kett’s Heights were pleased to welcome runners doing the Flintspiration church run and help them identify the 18 churches that you can spot from the panorama. Look in our downloads page for your own checklist. See Gallery page for photos
On 20th April a small group of keen birdwatchers gathered at 6.00am for a tour of Kett’s Heights led by amateur ornithologist, Chris Ash. Up to 19 species of birds were spotted or heard, including a rare mistle thrush. We even managed to catch a glimpse of one of the peregrines on the cathedral spire. See Gallery page for photos
Sunday April 9th saw the hottest day of the year so far 22C and it happily coincided with our Get Creative day which this year had the theme of NESTS. A great time was had by all involved and some very creative 'nests' were produced. There was also an amazing Pinata for the kids who had a great time bashing it to bits and eating the contents!
See our gallery page for more photos! |
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March 2017
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March saw a lot of work carried out by the Friends and Norwich Council in clearing the trees blown down by Storm Doris in February and general making good any repairs to the damage caused by the wind.
February 2017
The Kett's Heights Annual General Meeting took place in St. Matthews Church on February 7th where the attendees were treated to a review of the work carried out during 2016. All the members of the Executive Committee were re-elected to their posts. The evening ended with refreshments and a book/DVD & CD sale. On the morning of Wednesday 8th more practical work carried out on the Heights despite the very cold weather. The bonfire helped to keep us warm! More removal of ivy from some of the trees and all the paths and steps on site were swept. |
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January 2017
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John and Vanessa Trevelyan receiving a Community Champions award on behalf of the Friends of Kett’s Heights from Clive Lewis MP. This is in recognition of the work done over the past year to make Kett’s Heights a more welcoming space at the heart of the Thorpe Hamlet community. |
Castle fireworks, 4th November
Around 100 people came up to Kett’s Heights to watch the annual firework display from Norwich Castle. It was great to see so many people up there, including lots of teenagers and families with young children. The view was even better thanks to the work of Will Stewart and the Practical Works Group who had removed more of the encroaching foliage from the viewpoint. The litter picker on duty the next day reported that there was very little litter, which is very heartening. Let’s hope this becomes a popular annual event.
October 2016
Mustard TV
Wednesday October 26th saw a unit from the local Mustard TV channel up on the Heights discussing the Kett's Heights project with John Trevelyan & Norman Lister. The result will be broadcast in the near future so watch this space to find out when!
See the photos on our gallery page.
New nesting boxes
Thanks to a very generous donation of 4 x RSPB nesting boxes we now have some extra shelter for over-wintering birds and a place to rear their young in the Spring. Quite a challenge to install them going up a shaky ladder on a windy & rainy morning! See the installation work on our gallery page.
Railings!
Work on painting the lower path railings continues apace!
Mustard TV
Wednesday October 26th saw a unit from the local Mustard TV channel up on the Heights discussing the Kett's Heights project with John Trevelyan & Norman Lister. The result will be broadcast in the near future so watch this space to find out when!
See the photos on our gallery page.
New nesting boxes
Thanks to a very generous donation of 4 x RSPB nesting boxes we now have some extra shelter for over-wintering birds and a place to rear their young in the Spring. Quite a challenge to install them going up a shaky ladder on a windy & rainy morning! See the installation work on our gallery page.
Railings!
Work on painting the lower path railings continues apace!
September 2016
Magnificent success of Heritage Open Days, 8th – 11th September
The Friends of Kett’s Heights welcomed nearly 350 members of the public on our tours over Heritage Open Days, with people coming from all across Norfolk. We also had some people from Sheffield and Newcastle but we suspect they were visiting anyway!! We started and ended the tours at St Matthews Church, which provided a warm welcome and refreshments. Members of the Thorpe Hamlet History Group were also available to provide additional insights into the history of Thorpe Hamlet, and there were three PowerPoint presentations on Kett’s Heights, Thorpe Hamlet Then and Now, and Religion in Thorpe Hamlet. The event was hard work but more than fulfilled our aim to make Kett’s Heights better known and better used. See our Gallery for photos. http://www.kettsheights.co.uk/gallery.html
The Viewpoint sign installed
The new 'panorama' sign at the viewpoint was installed in early September and certainly enhances the site. The sketch of the view (drawn by a KH member) was transferred to computer after which the descriptive wording & QR barcode were added and then sent as a .jpg image to Admiralty signs for manufacture. A member of the practical group carried out the installation. See photos in the gallery page.
August 2016
Friends’ noticeboard installed
A noticeboard to promote Friends activities and events has now been installed at the entrance to Kett’s Heights. It looks really smart and will hopefully attract people who have walked up and down Kett’s Hill for years and never known what Kett’s Heights was.
Friends’ noticeboard installed
A noticeboard to promote Friends activities and events has now been installed at the entrance to Kett’s Heights. It looks really smart and will hopefully attract people who have walked up and down Kett’s Hill for years and never known what Kett’s Heights was.
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July 2016
Kett’s Rebellion play took place on Kett’s Heights, Saturday July 9 A capacity crowd of 600 people over two performances were entranced by the Common Lot performances of 1549: Kett’s Rebellion. The lower green made a natural amphitheatre, although somewhat dark for the evening performance. However, that was forgotten when the beacon was lit for the first time since its inauguration in 1988. Check out our Gallery for photos and a video of the beacon lighting. Volunteers from the Friends of Kett’s Heights put in a lot of work to make the site as suitable as possible for a public performance and collected £187.55 in donations. It was good to be able to introduce so many new people to Kett’s Heights and see how well it operated as a performance space. |
lighting the beacon in July 2016!
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New entrance sign
A new permanent sign, designed by the Friends and provided by Norwich City Council, has been installed by the Friends next to the entrance gates. A Friends noticeboard is on order to be installed nearby.
A new permanent sign, designed by the Friends and provided by Norwich City Council, has been installed by the Friends next to the entrance gates. A Friends noticeboard is on order to be installed nearby.
June 2016
A rota has been set up to ensure that the site is monitored daily for litter and anti-social activity. The railings at the main Viewpoint have now had a coat of primer paint applied in preparation for the final black topcoat. See our gallery page for the pictures! Another free guided tour of the site took place on Sunday 5th June.
A rota has been set up to ensure that the site is monitored daily for litter and anti-social activity. The railings at the main Viewpoint have now had a coat of primer paint applied in preparation for the final black topcoat. See our gallery page for the pictures! Another free guided tour of the site took place on Sunday 5th June.
April/May 2016
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Practical work : sweeping of paths, clearing of litter, repair of walls, cutting down dead trees in orchard, removing crossing branches from trees that have begun to sprout new growth, storing of wood for possible use in beacon lighting
We have been involved in discussions about: lighting the beacon (for possibly only the second time in its history) at the end of the Common Lot evening performance on 9th July; working with other organisations locally to arrange a varied programme of events and displays for Heritage Open Days in Thorpe Hamlet (8th to 11th September 2016). Welcoming people to Kett’s Heights : we have run tours on the first Sunday of April and May, and also staged a ‘Get Creative’ Day. In total over 150 people came along. |
Lighting the beacon in 1988!
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The clearing of Kett's Heights viewpoint
The first major project took place on January 21st and involved The Friends who, working in partnership with Norwich City Council, spent the day vastly improving the vista from the main viewpoint. Four sacks of cans and bottles and a sack of other rubbish were also collected and removed from the slope .
February saw the Friends & personnel from the Community Payback scheme clearing all the site's pathways, emptying & clearing the pond, stripping ivy from trees, pruning and generally tidying up.
February saw the Friends & personnel from the Community Payback scheme clearing all the site's pathways, emptying & clearing the pond, stripping ivy from trees, pruning and generally tidying up.
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Practical work undertaken on Kett’s Heights by Friends of Kett’s Heights and community payback teams : January - May 2016
General / site-wide
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The vista from the viewpoint after clearance.
