Page 6, At Sheringham paper, Norfolk UK

Food themed quiz

Slow Food Aylsham has quite a name in North Norfolk for organising food related events that appeal to everyone. From the Aylsham Food Festival to a 'Slow Pudding' evening, the group seeks to promote local food, its producers and retailers. The latest in its events for 2009 will be a Slow Quiz evening on Saturday 25 April when quizmaster and Slow Food member Roger Willis will be posing questions on a theme of - yes, you've guessed it - food! That's not to say, though, that you need to be Michelin-starred or a mastermind to take part. According to Roger, the food connected questions will cover a pretty wide range. "While you might get a question on, say, asparagus," he says, "there's just as likely to be one on Jasper Carrot!"

The quiz, billed as "fun for all the family" will include a couple of music rounds - remember the 1960s hit Green Onions by Booker T and the MG's? Well that won't feature but there will be at least 20 music posers out of a total of 100 questions, all with that food link.

Slow Food Aylsham

The Slow Quiz, with tables of up to six people, will be at Aylsham's Town Hall, starting at 7.30pm and tickets at just £3 per person can be bought from the Salad Days fruit and veg stall in Aylsham Town Square on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The ticket price includes light refreshments, provided by Slow Food Aylsham members. For more information, see Slow Food Aylsham's website at www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk

10,000 FLOCK TO GIANT STEAM GALA

The Poppy Line carried 10,000 passengers over the three days (Feb 27th - March 1st) of the giant steam gala to mark 50 years since the closure of most of the old Midland & Great Northern railway (nicknamed the "Muddle & Get Nowhere") through Norfolk. The gala will run for two final days next weekend, March 7th and 8th.

For many visitors, the star of the eight steam engines deployed over the weekend was "Mayflower", resplendent in the apple-green livery of the London & North Eastern Railway and with polished brasswork glinting in the sun.

Launched in service for the first time since restoration was a 100-year-old M&GN wooden carriage, forming a complete wooden train with the historic rake of Quad-Art coaches.

Joining in the celebrations was bus company Norfolk Green, which has painted two of its modern low-floor buses in the livery worn by M&GN steam engines. They'll be running on the X6 and other Norfolk Green routes throughout the year, but over the weekend supplemented vintage ex-Eastern Counties buses on "railway replacement" services.

The gala was formally opened on the Friday by Dick Hardy, 85, who joined the railway 68 years ago and is the doyen of steam power in East Anglia. He was joined by a group of M&GN veterans for a good old mardle.

North Norfolk Railway managing director Hugh Harkett, himself the son of a railwayman, said: "Fantastic! It was the biggest gala we've ever staged. And it was the best!"

Flower Festival in Northrepps Church

2nd and 3rd May from 10am to 4pm.
This year the theme is Weddings and Wedding Anniveraries.
Entry is free.
Refreshements are available.
There will be a short Church service on the 3rd at 11am.