Breckland Council

01/06/2026

📣 Open Farm Sunday comes to Breckland on Sunday 7 June

This year, the only farm opening its gates in Breckland for Open Farm Sunday is John Carrick’s Castle Farm in Swanton Morley.

Castle Farm is a 450 acre business combining arable, livestock and various hospitality enterprises. The farm runs alongside the River Wensum, one of the UK’s most important chalk watercourses , designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

Visitors will have the chance to see the farm’s pedigree herd of registered Lincoln Red suckler cows and calves, which graze the river’s flood plains throughout the Summer.

There will also be stalls and demonstrations covering many aspects of farming, including wellbeing, health and safety, precision farming, drones, diversification and forage making.

The day will include tractor and trailer rides, a butchery demonstration, competitions, children’s games, guess the weight of the bull, name the calf, a bar and refreshments.

This is brilliant opportunity to learn more about farming, food production, rural businesses and the countryside on our doorstep – and all are welcome!

One week to go!
This time next Sunday, farms across the UK will be opening their gates for Open Farm Sunday’s 20th anniversary.
It is your chance to meet farmers, discover where your food comes from, explore the countryside and learn how farming works with nature.
Pop it in the diary, check the details for your local event and get ready for a brilliant day outdoors.

31/05/2026

📣 Would you like a job where what you do makes a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in your community?

We're recruiting a Housing Grants Assistant. 🏡💰

Flick through the graphics to find out more, and to apply, click here 👉 https://loom.ly/4XDmjBg

This role closes Wednesday, 3 June at 9am.

31/05/2026

📣 We're hiring two ARP Council Tax Compliance Officers 📣

If you have knowledge of case law relating to Council Tax and are looking to take the next step in your career, this could be the role for you!

Flick through the graphics to find out more, and click here to apply 👉 https://loom.ly/FGEVTHY.

🗓️ Applications for this role close 9am, Monday 1 June.

31/05/2026

📣 Are you looking for space to host a new or existing business in Breckland? Or perhaps you're eager to showcase your business at a local market day?

💰 Breckland Council is offering grants of up to £8,000 through the Reopen Scheme – A Meanwhile Enterprise Grant to help launch, grow, or bring your business to our high streets.

There are two types of grants available:
🏬 Vacant High Street Shop Grant
🛍️ Market Town Stall Grant

Our Meanwhile Programme has already helped a number of businesses breathe new life into previously vacant properties – and yours could be next.
🔗 To find out more and apply, click here 👉 https://loom.ly/QSwIxOg

30/05/2026

📣 Community Alcohol Partnership launches in Dereham! 📣

Yesterday, Breckland Council joined partners at the official launch of the new Dereham Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) at Elizabeth House, our Dereham office.

The CAP brings together local organisations – including Norfolk Police, Public Health, Trading Standards, schools, retailers, and the wider community – to address underage drinking and encourage healthier lifestyle choices for children and young people.

Through collaborative working, we aim to educate and support young people about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and anti-social behaviour, helping to build a safer, healthier, and more supportive community for all.

30/05/2026

£3.9m of government funding is available for insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels and more.

To qualify for the funding, you must own your home, have an energy performance certificate (EPC) between D-G and meet one of the below criteria:

💷 Gross household income of £36,000 or less.
👤 A person living in the property receives an eligible benefit.
🏡 Your home falls under an auto-eligible postcode.

Check your eligibility and enquire at https://loom.ly/QB5CeHQ.

30/05/2026

We're looking for an Accommodation Officer! 🏡

If you want a job that makes the most of your interpersonal skills and your empathy while challenging you to be creative and resourceful, this could be the role for you!

Flick through the graphics to find out more and to apply, click here 👉 https://loom.ly/NVLgkXY

🗓️ Applications for this role close 9am, Monday 15 June.

29/05/2026

Kids Business take over Swaffham! 📣

Over the last two weekends, a group of local children aged four to eleven opened their own business at The White Hart, a disused pub in Swaffham, transforming it into the Kidz Arms. 🍺

The event was a huge success – and they received hundreds of customers excited to try their imaginative creations, such as Coco Pop Cocktails!

🎬 Watch the video to see how the kids got on – and hear from Breckland's Cllr Paul Claussen about what made this event so special!

This project is part of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival and Swaffham – A Historic Market Town programme.

29/05/2026

A memorial stone has been placed at the Queen Mother's Garden in Dereham to honour a local soldier who was killed while on active duty in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in July 2007 after an explosion struck his vehicle while returning to a patrol base in Helmand province. He was 22 years old. Two other soldiers were also injured in the incident.

The memorial was dedicated at a ceremony held last night (28 May), organised jointly by Royal Anglian Regiment Association and Breckland Council. The event was attended by Alex's parents, wider family and friends, alongside the Officer Commanding of Alex's company in Helmand, members of the Royal Anglian Regiment Association, and the Leader of Breckland Council. Other attendees included Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk The Lady Dannatt, MBE and General Lord Dannatt, and Rev Canon Theakston representing the Bishop of Norwich.

To read more, go to https://loom.ly/yt8LDBg.