Dereham parkrun moving towards reality says councillor

Alison Webb, a Breckland district councillor, has provided an update on bringing the popular community running event to Dereham after the town's football club agreed to play host.

Mrs Webb is now preparing to meet people who run parkrun in Swaffham and Thetford to learn from their experiences.

Breckland district councillor, Alison Webb (Image: Alison Webb)“Following my next meeting we will be reviewing the feedback, which was an amazing response, lots of the community really want this to happen for Dereham,” Mrs Webb said.

“I am then meeting on November 4 to walk around potential trails around the Neatherd to map out any areas which may need work to make it viable.”

Earlier this month, the councillor asked for feedback about the idea, which she described as “overwhelmingly in favour”, as plans take a step forward.

The councillor has already met with Norfolk County Council and Dereham Town Council regarding some of the surfaces which will need some work.

She added: “I have also become aware that a doctor who is representing five surgeries is also very keen to see the parkrun succeed.

"I will be meeting him for a walk around potential routes with the town council, the county council and other councillors.

“Then it will be where the funding is coming from.”

Runners at parkrun in Norwich (Image: Archant)Mrs Webb raised the idea at a town council meeting on October 10.

There are 17 parkruns in Norfolk, including at the village hall in Lingwood, Nicholas Hammond Academy in Swaffham, Loch Neaton in Watton and at the UEA playing fields in Colney Lane, Norwich.

There are several others in the city as well as events in Thetford, King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth, making Dereham the largest place in the county not to have one.