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   This article appeared in The Diss Express on 13 February 2009

Development can boost number of visitors

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon brings Diss Express readers up to date with some of his recent work in the community
  

 

The plans for a new waterfront restaurant to replace the King's Head Yard car park at Diss Mere look terrific.

I hope this new development will help revitalise the town centre and boost visitor numbers.

I was pleased to read in the Diss Express about the campaign by Diss Publishing Bookshop director, Birgitte Mager, urging other Diss businesses to highlight what the town has to offer. Her message “ I can get it all in Diss – bring a friend” is spot on.

Birgitte's own shop and café are an excellent example of how sympathetic design, coupled with high-quality merchandise can enhance an area. There are lots of other good shops in Diss too. Along with the planned restaurant, they offer a good basis for rejuvenation.

Charities
 

Last Saturday I dropped into the Valentine Coffee Morning at Pulham Market Memorial Hall in aid of two worthwhile causes: Action Duchenne and Hall School in Norwich.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a muscle-wasting disease that affects boys. A number of constituents have drawn my attention to this issue.
 

 Richard Bacon MP joins organisers Debbie Mapes (back row, left) and Diana Cook (back row right) at the Valentine Coffee Morning, Pulham Market.

Richard Bacon MP joins organisers Debbie Mapes (back row, left) and Diana Cook (back row right) at the Valentine Coffee Morning, Pulham Market.
Action Duchenne raises awareness of the condition and also raises urgently needed money towards research into the causes and possible cures. I know from visiting Hall School, a Community Special School, that it achieves some wonderful results with boys and girls aged three to 19 with severe learning difficulties.

Coffee morning organisers Diana Cook and Debbie Mapes worked hard to create a pink hearts theme to the various stalls, including wonderful handmade Valentine's presents, and the event attracted a steady stream of visitors.

To support Action Duchenne call Diana, 01379 608998, and to support Hall School call Debbie, 01379 676759.

Firefighters
From left: Chief Fire Officer Richard Elliott, Richard Bacon MP and Leading Firefighter Kevin Kiddell.

Did you know that we rely on part-time or ‘retained’ firefighters to staff 35 of Norfolk's 41 fire stations, including Diss, Harleston and Long Stratton?

Retained firefighters have all the skills of full-time firefighters but, on a visit to Norfolk Fire Brigade's HQ, I was told that it is getting harder to recruit new retained firefighters because fewer people live and work close to their local fire station.

From left: Chief Fire Officer Richard Elliott, Richard Bacon MP and Leading Firefighter Kevin Kiddell.


This in turn can make fire engines temporarily unavailable. During my visit, one town's fire engine was unavailable because not all of its crew could turn out.

I urge people who want to find out more about becoming retained firefighters to contact their local fire station for details.

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© Richard Bacon 2010