Latest news with #Guildhall
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
The £75million renovation set to transform historic UK city with huge outdoor market and new central fountains
THE historic city of Cambridge is set to undergo major upgrades, including the restoration of an ancient fountain. Known as the Civic Quarter project, the council is planning on upgrading the Cambridge Market, Corn Exchange and Guildhall at an estimated cost of £75million. Advertisement 5 The Cambridge market will get permanent stalls if the plans go ahead Credit: Engage Cambridge 5 The market has been a focal point of the city for years Credit: Alamy The Cambridge City Council has revealed plans for upgrades for the city, which is known for its top university, beautiful buildings and punting along the River Cam. Locals have been invited to give feedback on the more detailed plans in preparation for a planning application which will be submitted in 2025. The scheme, which would begin in October 2026 at the earliest, will see three areas of Cambridge upgraded. The Advertisement Read More on Cambridge It also added that the project will enhance heritage sites as well as reduce water use and carbon emissions. The Cambridge Market is a huge part of the city, having begun operating in the Middle Ages. It is currently open Monday to Saturday with around 100 stalls selling all sorts, from food to flowers, locally made clothes and accessories. As part of the project, the market will open seven days a week and will have new permanent stalls alongside the temporary fixtures. Advertisement Most read in City breaks Exclusive For passers-by there will be a new covered seating area and the size of the existing canopy will be reduced. The historic fountain in the centre will be retained and restored to its former glory too. Punting chauffeur reveals affordable way top explore city 5 The fountain dates back to the 1600s but hasn't been used in years Credit: Alamy 5 The Corn Exchange will have new bars and concessions Credit: Engage Cambridge Advertisement The fountain is a long-standing feature of the city having been built in 1614 to give clean drinking water to the people of Cambridge. It hasn't had running water for a long time and is often used as seating by the public. The Corn Exchange is a Grade II listed building which is used as an events and concert space and is also set to undergo some changes. As it is listed not many changes can be made, but the venue will be improved with energy-saving features , like solar panels. Advertisement There will also be the addition of a sound and audio system to improve the overall experience at the venue. The capacity for attendees will be able to increase, and there will be more concessions and bar areas. The Guildhall, which is a civic building, is used for events like weddings, craft workshops and exhibitions. Improvements made will be to reduce energy use and install a customer service centre, public cafe and work spaces. Advertisement One She adds that one particularly busy tourist hot spot is Sophie also has advice on punting, and the times to avoid because every amateur punter takes to the water. Plus, here are more Advertisement 5 The Civic Quarter project is set to cost around £75million Credit: Engage Cambridge
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
King's Lynn Guildhall boss 'amazed' to show off Shakespeare stage
A theatre director was "amazed" to show people a stage where William Shakespeare may have once historical flooring was unveiled at St George's Guildhall in King's Lynn, Norfolk, on Tuesday after it was discovered in bones and smashed bottles of wine discarded by audiences of the past were also found during renovations of the 600-year-old director Tim FitzHigham said: "The information this contains is rewriting the textbooks about Guild history, theatre history and what we know about early social history." Guests have been invited to view the historical flooring, perhaps once trodden by the Bard himself, until 31 showed Shakespeare acted at the venue in 1592 or 1593, according to the theatre.A doorway that may have led to the playwright's dressing room was also discovered at the King Street location in 2024. Only about 1m (3.2ft) of the stage could initially be exposed, but work meant the rest could be on display from May."You can see how vast it is, how massive it is," Mr FitzHigham said."We've found all sorts of stuff that tells us so much about theatre audiences coming here to watch shows in the last 600 years."These are the very boards on which we think Shakespeare's company performed, so it's just incredible to see and be around." The £20m renovation of the Guildhall is being led by West Norfolk Council, which hoped it would create jobs and low-cost tickets for was expected to fully reopen in January FitzHigham added: "We're putting a theatre back in a way that will flex its past, finally. "When you open the doors you have no idea who's going to turn up, but it's amazing that an incredible enthusiasm has spread to people." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
FF News
19-05-2025
- Business
- FF News
How many times have you been to IFGS?
How many times have you been to IFGS? The fintech crowd reveals their stats Here at FF News, we love to engage with the people that make the fintech world go round, and there is better place than IFGS 2025 to do that. We ran around the floors of the Guildhall in London and asked attendees one simple question: 'How many IFGS have you been to?' The answers revealed an interesting mix of first-timers and seasoned veterans: 'This is my first IFGS event — I have been so impressed with the people and conversations I've had.' 'I've been to all eleven!' 'This is my fourth one.' 'First one today – I'm loving it.' Whether it's your first or your tenth, the experience is the same: IFGS delivers – meaningful conversations, unexpected networking opportunities and the scaling excitement of genuine fintech innovation. It is clear: IFGS is more than an event. It is a community. A community within which, newcomers quite naturally feel at home, and where veterans wish to return to.
The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
The medieval English seaside town overlooked by its famous neighbours with seal colonies and fantastic restaurant scene
IT was just as the boat turned south out of the River Stour estuary that we got our first glimpse of them. On the sandbanks of the salt channels were dozens of gluttonous seals stretching out in the spring sun, many of the females showing off their pregnant bellies. Advertisement 4 Have fun on the Kent river Credit: Alamy 4 A plush room at The Dog At Wingham Credit: Supplied We'd joined the River Runner seal cruise from the Quay in There's loads of fun to be had, with herons, little egrets, kingfishers and oystercatchers to spot with binoculars on the journey down the channel. It was just one of the highlights from our weekend in Sandwich, which is the most complete medieval town in Britain. Just over an hour from London by train, this quaint coastal settlement is a hidden gem between the more popular tourist destinations of Margate and Advertisement Read More on Travel Steeped in rich history, it was one of the five historic Cinque Ports. Alongside Hastings, New Romney, Hythe and Dover, these formed an alliance before the We stopped by the Guildhall museum in the town centre, which is free to enter and is home to some of the town's most prized possessions, including the 'Sandwich gold silks' from the Coronation of King George II in 1727. The 16th-century building tells the story of the town to the present day and highly informed tour guides from the Sandwich Local History Society can guide you through viewings of the Sandwich Magna Carta from 1300AD and other treasures dating back to the Stepping outside the museum you'll find yourself in the market square where there are stalls selling freshly baked goods and local arts and crafts. Advertisement Most read in Beach holidays From here you can wander down through a street of independent boutique shops selling clothes and homewares, to St Peter's Church, which is home to a bric-a-brac market full of pre-loved local books, ornaments and toys. To get a higher view over the town, you can climb the church tower for a £5 donation (£4 for children) or just relax with coffee-and-walnut cake in the courtyard and listen to the bells ring. I'm a foodie and you've been making a bacon sandwich all wrong There's an abundance of activities to enjoy in the town itself, too. We visited the Cat's Eye Carving on Market Street where we had a go at stone-carving with Jurassic limestone. Advertisement An class — hosted in the shop — involves a demonstration using traditional stonemasonry tools, before creating your own sculpture to take home. Just outside the town you'll find Wingham Wildlife Park, which is Kent's fastest-growing zoo. As well as seeing everything from red pandas to moon bears, you can enjoy one-on-one experiences with animals including giraffes, tigers and tortoises for an extra charge. Seaside ambience The village of Wingham, just six miles from Sandwich, was also where we stayed — at much-loved gastro pub The Dog At Wingham. Advertisement The eight bedrooms are all individually designed, with exposed brickwork and beams as well as all the modern comforts. We tried the pub's new a-la- carte menu for spring, with dishes such as devilled crab sourdough, £14, salt-cod and potato fondant, £25, and Kentish lamb, £30. The pub is very popular so it's recommended to book a spot for dinner. The breakfasts were great, too, with huge portions to set you up for the day. Advertisement And the food in town was equally impressive. We enjoyed smoked salmon and cream-cheese sandwiches in The Waiting Room cafe, a lovely spot in the centre of town. 4 A chillled ot seal on the beach Credit: Alamy 4 Jess Wilson on board a boat for a ride Credit: Supplied Advertisement But the highlight of the weekend was without a doubt dinner at The Toll Bridge Restaurant on The Quay. This was the best restaurant in town, with a lovely seaside ambience and laidback vibe, while the food was Michelin-star quality. We tried a selection of dishes on the menu including local Kentish mussels cooked in cream and white wine, scallops and homemade fish and chips. The warm bread and whipped butter with whole roasted garlic bulb was also a highlight, as was the frozen hazelnut parfait with white chocolate wafer. Advertisement Top tip — turn up hungry. GO: SANDWICH STAYING THERE: The Dog At Wingham has dinner, bed and breakfast stays from £100pp, per night. See OUT & ABOUT: River Runner boat trips from £25pp, under-threes free ( Stone-carving session, £45pp. See Wingham Wildlife Park entry from £20pp. See
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
IN PICTURES: Helston decorates for Flora Day
It's Flora Eve in Helston and the excitement is palpable as the town prepares for its big day tomorrow. With Flora Day 2025 less than 24 hours away, businesses and residents of the town are getting ready to show off Helston at its best. Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the town tomorrow (Thursday, May 8), to see the dancing and Hal-an-Tow. Whirlwind Sports gets busy with bluebells (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) In preparation for the festivities, the streets, shops and houses are being decorated with greenery and flowers, which was collected yesterday and again this morning. ADVERTISEMENT A team of helpers, made up of dancers, stewards and supporters, were at Tehidy and St Martin last night to cut down greenery with the permission of the landowners. This was then taken back to Helston for collection by those decorating, with a further batch of greenery dropped this morning. With the sun shining over Helston, the mood in town is high – and this year there are even more ways that people can share in the excitement, even if they are unable to attend in person tomorrow. Don't Forget the Hamper and Cloud Nine Creations have a balloon arch ready for your Flora Day selfies (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) The Packet will be bringing our usual live coverage of the start of each of the dances and Hal-an-Tow this year, on the Packet Newspapers Facebook page, with an article running throughout the day online at with pictures and updates. But this year that's not all, as the Flora Day livestream is returning this year, with three cameras set up opposite the Guildhall at the top of Coinagehall Street, in Meneage Street and facing the Grylls Monument at the bottom of Coinagehall Street. ADVERTISEMENT Installed by the team at Primary PC Solutions in Helston, with support from the Helston Flora Day Association, the livestream will be available to view from 6.30am on Flora Day via the following YouTube link: Ann Pascoe and her family decorate Manor Fashions (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) Dance details The first dance of the day is the Morning Dance, which will leave the Guildhall at approximately 7am. However, before the dance proceeds, Helston Town Band will pause to play two refrains of the Flora Dance tune in memory of former bandmate Mark Williams, who sadly passed away. This year, Ben Head, Natalie Bunt, Ben Autie, and Caroline Spencer are leading the Morning Dance this year. Mel King decorates around the Fishermen's Mission joint Flora and VE Day window display (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) After the Morning Dance finishes, the Hal-An-Tow will perform at several locations around the town, including St John's Bridge, St John's Road, Monument Road, Cross Street, and Meneage Street, before culminating outside the Guildhall. ADVERTISEMENT Next is the Children's Dance, led this year by Nansloe Academy students Demi, Charlie, Eloise, and Henry. This year,the Children's Dance will resume its traditional 10am start time instead of the recent 9.50am. These two ladies from Rowe's have 30 years of working Flora Days between them (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) Following the Children's Dance is the Midday Dance, which usually sees the largest crowds of the day. Leading this year are Shane Orchard, Sarah Benney, John Barnett, and Leisa Songhurst. The dance will start slightly later at 12.02pm from the Guildhall, preceded by a two-minute silence at midday to honour VE Day and remember those who lost their lives in conflicts worldwide. The council team decorate Helston Guildhall (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) The Evening Dance begins at 5pm from the Guildhall, led by the same four dancers from the Morning Dance. The route for the Evening Dance is similar to the Midday Dance and includes dancing through several shops in the town, such as J C Williams and Tech Revive on Meneage Street. All hands on deck to decorate Tech Revive (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) Steve and Kim decorate Fatty's Barbershop (Image: Emma Ferguson/Helston Packet) See coverage of all the events on the day online at where we will also bring you photo galleries afterwards and a 16-page photo supplement in next Wednesday's print edition of the Packet.
