Tax cuts for Pensioners
Millions of pensioners will have their council tax bills slashed by half following a Conservatives win at the forthcoming general election.  Michael Howard has promised that once restored to power his Party's first Budget will herald changes in the law to ensure that people aged 65 and over will benefit from savings in council tax payments - up to a maximum of £500 a year.  Experts calculate that 3.8 million household will qualify from the discounts - which will not be means tested.  The Conservative Leader's announcement is the first of the party's package of targeted tax cuts, benefiting more than five million older people, and to be funded by central government at an annual cost of £1.3 billion. The money would be found from £4 billion worth of efficiency savings already earmarked by Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin.  Launching the latest policy initiative at a press conference in central London, Mr Howard said: "People will face a clear choice at the election: Conservatives who will give pensioners dignity, security and respect by increasing the state pension and cutting their Council Tax or Mr Blair, who will forget them and raise their Council Tax."  Iain Dale

Lib Dems call for higher pensions, extra police and smaller classes.
Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich South has welcomed the release of the Liberal Democrat alternate budget.  The budget focuses on fairness in taxation. Andrew commented “No one wants to pay tax, but we all generally accept that it is necessary. We are calling for the tax system to be fairer, whereby it is related more directly to your ability to pay. Making a bitter pill easier to swallow.”  “The Lib Dem budget provides higher pensions, extra police, smaller classes and the abolition of university tuition fees. All contained within a fully costed programme.  This compares markedly to the Conservative budget which is unrealistic – demonstrating again that the Tories have given up as a serious opposition to the Labour Government.” Concluded Andrew.

Paston College to host launch of Nelson Bi-centenary celebrations
North Norfolk District Council and Paston College have been successful in attracting a major national figure to launch their Nelson Bicentenary celebrations on April 1st – yes honest !!!!   The launch will take the form of a reception, lunch and lecture in the Library at Paston College. The lecture, entitled “Victory on the Nile”, will be given by Dr Colin White, one of Britain’s leading Nelson scholars and national Director of “Trafalgar 200”, the official Nelson commemorations committee, tasked with co-ordinating The Trafalgar Festival 2005. Council leader, Simon Partridge, explained, “The 200th anniversary of Trafalgar is important for us. It will be marked by celebrations in communities across the District and will undoubtedly have a positive impact on tourism. Nelson was born just outside the District, at Burnham Thorpe in 1758. He learned to sail on Barton Broad and was educated at Paston School, North Walsham, both in the district.” Peter Mayne, principal of Paston College, said “It is symbolic and fitting that Paston College should be the venue for the launch of the celebrations. I am looking forward very much to hosting this important event at the school where he was educated from 1768 to 1771, immediately before joining the Royal Navy.

Those attending the launch will have an opportunity to view the school room where Nelson studied. The building which had only just been completed when the young Horatio came to Paston Nelson, is not usually open to visitors.” Dr White will go on from Paston to County Hall for a reception with representatives of the County Council and Norwich City Council and in the evening will give a lecture at Blackfriars Hall. Further details and tickets are available from Reception at Paston College, 01692 402334 priced £6-50

COFFEE MORNING ON SATURDAY, 26TH MARCH
10.00-12.00 o'clock at the Morley Club Sheringham.

BRING AND BUY, BRIC AND BRAC, BOOKS, GAME AND RAFFLE

ALL WELCOME

FRIENDS of KELLING SCHOOL
A fund raising QUIZ NIGHT
Presented by Jon and Thea Rowling at High Kelling Village Hall on Saturday 19th March.
Doors open at 7pm- Quiz starts at 7.30pm
Tickets £2.00 each- Max 4 per team.  (Sorry no Children)
Tickets include tea andcoffee. Please BYO for something stronger!  Prizes and Raffle
Tickets available from Kelling School, Jon Rowling or Sally Middleton (01263 588334 ) Book early as numbers are limited,Come and enjoy a night of fun and Questions!

PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENCE SHERINGHAM CARNIVAL 2005.

I, John Ashton of 22a Common Lane, Sheringham, hereby give notice that I have applied to the North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, for an occasional entertainment licence in respect of the Sheringham Carnival events in Sheringham and surrounding villages from Saturday 30th July to Sunday 7th August 2005 Any person wishing to object to the application must do so in writing within one week from the date of this notice, stating the reason for the objection and forwarding it to the Licensing Co-ordinator at the above mentioned address.
14th February 2005.

Chassis available for use as float in this year's procession.