13th May 2021

Norfolk covid levels below national average but concerns raised about variants

• The Covid-19 infection rate in Norwich fell by 16% to 18.5 cases per 100,000 people in the 7 days to 7th May – which is now below the national average of 21.8 

• County-wide there was a slight increase in the case rate, although that’s also below the national average at 19.8 cases per 100,000 people 

• Health officials have warned though that despite the easing of restrictions on Monday, people should still observe the hands, face space rules as there’s increasing concern over the Indian variant of the virus becoming more prevalent in the UK 

Council service workers set for bank holiday strike action in pay dispute

• Norwich street cleaners, park staff & grave diggers are set to take 5 days of strike action after attempts to resolve a pay dispute, failed

• After workers employed by a new company set up by Norwich City Council voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, about 160 staff will go on strike over their new pay and conditions 

• The strike will begin on 26th May but both the unions & the city council have agreed to meet the conciliation service ACAS for talks  

Diversity officer leaves racism-hit private school after less than a year

• A leading private school in the city where pupils raised allegations of widespread racist abuse, is looking to replace a member of staff overseeing diversity, after appointing her less than a year ago 

• The Norwich School employed an equality, diversity & inclusion officer last September as part of its?response to former & current students reporting a string of racist incidents, but it’s now looking for someone new to take on the role 

• The school says it’s seeking an “inspiring individual” with a track record in “making a culture of inclusion a reality” 

Man charged after cannabis factory and 300 plants found above pizza takeaway

• A man has been charged after a cannabis factory was found in a flat above a pizza takeaway on Plumstead Road 

• Police officers battered down the door of the flat above Papa John’s pizza takeaway on Tuesday morning where they found 300 cannabis plants & hydroponic equipment 

• Astrit Kallmeti, aged 50 & of no fixed address, has since been charged with the production of cannabis & remanded in custody  

Norwich pub embraces 'yoga for people who like a beer

• Yoga has really taken off during the lockdown & it seems that a new class is always cropping up on our What’s on Guide 

• Well here’s a new twist on it – pub yoga or 'Pose & Pint' yoga sessions at the Rivergarden pub on Yarmouth Road 

• It’s officially known as?Vinyasa Yoga, and a beer, wine or coffee in the pub’s garden is included in the session 

• t’s run by Tori Daugherty of Waveney Flow Yoga & the idea is to make Yoga accessible & fun for people of all abilities – sounds tempting! 

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