News has reached us that the current occupants of the Rathskeller in Lynn have relinquished their lease and new tenants are expected next month.

We have also been informed that those who are currently running Nelson in Burnham Market will be leaving on the 31st March.

On a more positive note, news has also come through that the Chequers at Wimbotsham is open again after a winter break.

Thanks to those who informed us that The Foldgate in Stradsett has been under new management since December last year.

The Blue Lion at North Pickenham, which has been closed for several years, is subject to a change of use application.

The new team at the White Horse at Holme-next-the -Sea are carrying out a major refurbishment with a date in May scheduled for the reopening. This the ninth pub to join the Anglia Country Inns group which also includes the White Horse and Jolly Sailors in Brancaster as well as the Lytton Arms at Old Knebworth.

The latest from the Crown and Anchor at St Germans.is that the steering committee have currently suspended all activity due to a potential third party purchasing the pub subject to survey. It is understood that the third party are local and wish to run the pub for the community. The Pub is still open as usual and should a purchase take place, this can take a number of months to conclude.

Plans have been lodged to begin the development of The House on the Green in North Wootton seven years after it closed. They include converting the first floor bedrooms into seating areas and a ground floor extension.

The Lynn News report that the Wildfowler in Lynn is to change its name to the Queen Elizabeth and that Star Pubs and Bars (Heineken) are to invest £100,000 into the outside areas.

Most of the recent news concerns pubs reopening after the barren month of January. Some, such as the Angel at Watlington and the Crown and Mitre in Lynn have taken the opportunity to redecorate and refurbish.

The Dabbling Duck in Massingham wants to increase the parking available by using a close by field.

The café at Denver Mill has reopened, but check the opening times if you want lunch with your pint from the Blackstone Engine Bar next door.

News has reached us that the Crown and Anchor at St.Germans reopened Christmas Eve and has evening opening hours over the next few days.

The Save the Windmill Group, are working on raising funds to buy the Windmill at Necton.

There is a degree of confusion about the situation with the Crown and Anchor at St German's . The Save our Pub group have reported that it will not be re-opening on the 11th December and the freehold remains for sale. They are continuing to work to raise funds to buy and refurbish the pub and have arranged a social evening on at the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday the 14th December 2023. .

The causeway bridge at Stowbridge is reopen, so access to the Heron from the east is once again possible.

Progress is being made in the campaign to save the Crown and Anchor in St Germans. They have held another successful meeting and are now in a position to begin fundraising for initial costs, which will lead on to the long-term fundraising to potentially purchase the pub. There will be a village social evening on Thursday 14th December at Wiggenhall St Germans village hall, which will be the start of the fundraising journey and hopefully a number of events will follow leading into next year.’

Reports have been received that the Waterside Bar, Hunstanton is closing and will re-open again in the Spring.

There are also reports that the Mundford Cricket Club is an up-and-coming place, rapidly becoming the village pub as well.

There has been an application lodged for an extension to the Golden Lion in Hunstanton, a glass and timber conservatory in the west facing garden. The 27-bedroom hotel is part of the group that also owns the Lodge in Old Hunstanton and Briarfields Hotel further along the coast.

The campaign to save the Windmill at Necton is progressing. They have received a lot of advice and help from the Plunkett Foundation, a charity that helps communities set up to help local enterprises, and have had positive feedback from a questionnaire sent to local residents. The next step is to set up a Community Benefit Society and sell shares to raise money to assist with buying the pub. The group are also obtaining information about the building to assist with a possible purchase. Timescales are short and they have a target of making an offer for the Windmill by 4thJanuary.

The group looking to save the Crown and Anchor at St.Germans are also pushing forward and are canvassing the village about the future of the pub.

Reports have been received that there has been activity at the Swan in Downham with a skip spotted outside, while refurbishment seems to be taking place at Upwell Globe. Also being refurbished is the Winch at West Winch as is the White Hart in Lynn which should be open on Saturday.

A report in the Lynn News suggests that Narborough Social Club is on the up. Narborough Sports and Social Club was just days away from closing earlier this year but has since managed to turn its situation around. The club had been struggling financially due to lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis, which led to it becoming less and less popular. However, a new committee has been elected, custom has increased and there are lots of events taking place. We have used to use the club for some of our meetings, and wish them every success.