A look back at local events from January 8-14, 1981, in various towns.
Downham Market: So, let’s take a stroll down memory lane to January 1981. It was quite a week in the area, with some interesting happenings.
The Queen stepped in to help out 12 jobless youngsters at Sandringham Estate. They got temporary jobs through a government scheme, working on public areas of the estate. They were doing things like clearing and landscaping, and even building picnic tables. The pay? A cool £23.50 a week. But not everyone was thrilled. A local union guy thought it was a bit off to use government funds on a royal estate that seemed to be doing just fine.
Meanwhile, in Downham, there was a big debate about school entry ages. Most schools weren’t keen on mixing 11-plus and 12-plus entries for the new high school. It looks like they might go back to the old 11-plus system or stick with the First and Middle School setup. The head teachers had their say, and now the council is mulling over the feedback.
Over in Clenchwarton, the Methodist Entertainment Group put on a quirky show called the Owl and the Pussycat. It was a fun twist where the famous duo won a dating contest and ended up shipwrecked on a desert island. Tickets were flying off the shelves at just £2 for adults!
Berol Ltd, a local company, was making waves too. They invested £500,000 to expand their warehouse, hoping to bounce back from the recession. They’ve been growing fast, tripling their space and doubling their workforce in just ten years. Quite the success story!
On the education front, there was a push to keep school meals in primary schools. The National Union of Public Employees was gathering signatures to fight against cuts approved by the Conservative members of the Norfolk Education Committee. They were facing some serious backlash for being seen as uncaring about kids’ welfare.
In Wolferton, the local railway station museum got the green light to open permanently. The owners were over the moon, and the planning committee didn’t have any objections. They just want to keep the place running and preserve its history.
North West Norfolk MP Christopher Fowler was in hot water too. Some Conservatives were ready to throw him under the bus for criticizing Margaret Thatcher. But Fowler stood his ground, saying he’d fight for his seat, with or without their backing.
Lastly, over 200 folks were needed for the 1981 national census. They’d be delivering forms and making sure everyone filled them out. For 11 days of work, they’d earn £124 plus expenses. Not a bad gig!
And there you have it! A little snapshot of life in the area back in January 1981. It’s always fun to look back and see how things have changed.
