Patrick Byrne
BBC News

To encourage cycling, a bike share scheme operator in Norwich is offering 200 free cycling minutes to the first 1,000 residents to download its app.

Norfolk County Council, external has set up a share scheme with operator Beryl to encourage more cycling, which has increased in popularity since the Covid-19 lockdown began.

To access the local #BetterByBike promotion residents need to download the free Beryl App, external from relevant smart phone stores and follow the messages.

Image source, Beryl

Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: "With government restrictions now easing and more bike bay locations on the way, we hope more people will be able to get out and give them a try, benefiting both the environment and the economy."

Beryl chief executive Philip Ellis said: "68% of car journeys in the UK are under five miles. A quarter are under one mile.

"Cycling isn’t the option for all trips - but by making the switch for short journeys, people can free up valuable space on public transport, reduce congestion on our roads and make streets safer."

Image source, Malcolm Jarvis

Norfolk and Norwich Art Circle is putting on a virtual exhibition to showcase new work which they are unable to put on public display during the coronavirus lockdown.

The group, which has more than 200 members, is marking its 135th year, having been established in 1885.

Submissions can be made on the organisation’s new website, external ahead of the online exhibition which will take place between 1-30 September 2020.

One of the downsides of the steady easing of the coronavirus lockdown measures has been the increase of litter in parks and beauty spots as people are allowed to travel again.

Image source, Essex and Suffolk Water

Image source, Essex and Suffolk Water

Essex and Suffolk Water has posted pictures on its Facebook page, external showing the effect on its sites.

The post said: "We were devastated to find the state some people have left one of our sites."

The pictures were taken at the Lound Lakes nature reserve in between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

"Makes my blood boil" is a typical reply to the post.

"Perhaps it needs to close again until people find some manners," is another.

The site is managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, external.

Image source, Essex and Suffolk Water

Image source, Essex and Suffolk Water

A woman who made 220 bags for health workers to wash their scrubs in without contaminating their other clothes has been praised.

On social media, Broadland Council thanked Tracey Cooper, from Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk, for making the 'scrub bags' and delivering them to staff.

Do you know someone going above and beyond in your area? Email us and share what they're up to.

Norwich artist Ruth Knapp paints a Black Lives Matter graffiti for the third time.

Experts analysing a 1,000-year-old piece of treasure are unable to work out what it was used for.

One of Britain's biggest independent stores is facing a "huge challenge" as it prepares to reopen.

Jarrold, a five-floor department store in the centre of Norwich, is celebrating 250 years of trade this year.

The historic department store has been shut for 12 weeks, since the start of the UK lockdown. All 390 staff were furloughed.

"Lockdown has certainly been a huge challenge and now we face the new challenge of trading in a very different environment," said Minnie Moll, chief executive of Jarrold Retail.

Some 30 staff are currently preparing the store to allow for social distancing measures, with 100 staff expected to be working when it reopens on 15 June.

Despite an upturn in online trade, Ms Moll said a trading recovery would be "long and slow".

"There's no room for complacency," she added.

The victim, aged in his 20s, suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jarrold has a department store in the centre of Norwich and celebrates 250 years of trade this year.

The musicians have practising together after moving into a country house before lockdown.

The artwork supporting the anti-racism movement was covered with black paint following a complaint.

The RSPCA is caring for the gannet and suspects it was "blown off course".

Two of Norwich's theatres, closed during the coronavirus lockdown, are facing an "perilous" future.

The Theatre Royal (pictured) and the Playhouse, external are run under one umbrella and since they closed on 16 March they have lost 96% of their income, managers said.

If social distancing were to be maintained at the Theatre Royal it would only be able to seat 106 people instead of the usual 1,300.

Chief executive Stephen Crocker said: "We are already losing substantial amounts of money every month and my concern would be trying to open up with social distancing and, with those economics not backing up, it just adds to those losses and further risks our future.

"The theatre sector is among those hardest hit across the whole of the economic landscape.

"We were the first to close down and it's very, very clear to me that we're going to be among the last to get back to full scale operation."

The 18-part series will be recorded from the fictional Norwich-based broadcaster's shed.

Darren Huckerby says he is hurt by his son's actions, "which go against everything we stand for".

A country estate and popular tourist attraction is appealing for people to leave portable barbecues at home.

Visitors have been travelling to Holkham Hall's beach, gardens and woodland in north Norfolk, but the estate has been experiencing problems with fires starting due to the recent dry weather.

Jake Fiennes, from the estate, said: "We want protect and preserve [the estate] for future generations, so please don't bring your disposable barbecues out to the coast.

"It's a tinder box out there. We've had no significant rain for 10 weeks, so please just bring sandwiches and please don't cook your lunch on the beach or in the dunes or in woodland."

Image source, Holkham

Work to help homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic needs to continue, according to a council leader.

During the pandemic, councils have intervened to keep rough sleepers off the streets, for their health and to stop the spread of the virus by placing them in shelters with the help of homelessness charities.

Alan Waters, leader of Labour-controlled Norwich City Council, external, said: "Having found people accommodation and having worked with groups of people to make sure that they can have a positive change of direction in life, we wouldn't want that work in anyway hindered."

Image source, PA Media

The musician posted on Instagram describing the abuse she suffered because of her Filipino heritage.

Image source, British Vogue

The University of East Anglia has publicly thanked one of its former students who has appeared on the cover of the July edition of British Vogue.

The Norwich university thanked midwife Rachel Millar, who graduated in 2018, for "her continued work on the front line".

She is one of the key workers whose portrait is featured on three versions of the cover of the latest edition, which is out this week.

The mystery window cleaner posts a note to say he has been - but does not want to be paid.