TV vote campaign shifts up a gear

Hundreds of staff at South Norfolk Council are getting ready to hit the phones and vote to save a 600-year-old school.

On Friday (August 11) at 9pm, BBC 2's popular Restoration programme, presented by Griff Rhys Jones, features Pennoyer's school at the heart of Pulham St Mary.

And on Sunday from 11am to 5pm, the BBC Restoration Roadshow comes to Pulham St Mary. The school will be open for viewing, there will be vintage tractors, craft stalls, children's entertainment, demonstrations of traditional building skills and much more.

Cllr John Halliday, whose children were pupils at the school, is passionate about saving it and has appealed direct to the more than 400 staff to vote for it when the phone poll lines open from midnight on Thursday.

John, who represents Beck Vale, which includes Pulham St Mary and Pulham Market, said:

"400 votes would be a fantastic boost, but we need more if we are to win. I appeal to everyone in Norfolk, and the rest of East Anglia to join in.

"Just call the Restoration Village telephone number 09013 600500. The line opens at midnight on Thursday 10 August and closes on Wednesday 16 August. It only costs £1, at least 77p of that will go to the Restoration Fund."

He added:

“The future for Pennoyer’s could be as a village hall and meeting place for businesses and other organisations, a hi-tech centre for life-long learning and further education and much more. These votes count and could make the difference.

“Pennoyer's is the only East Anglian project in the series, so it is vital that we get as many people from Norfolk, East Anglia and beyond to register their support.”

To contact the team or to find out more about the Pennoyer’s project, go to www.pennoyers.org.uk.

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