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A new Lotus Cars taskforce is being created to support the 550 employees affected by confirmed redundancies at the company’s Hethel headquarters. Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk Council announced the initiative in response to what they described as a major blow for the local economy, with the aim of ensuring that the skills of the workforce are not lost to the county.

The taskforce will be chaired by Councillor Fabian Eagle, Norfolk’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, alongside South Norfolk Council Leader Daniel Elmer. Both leaders emphasised that their priority is to support those losing their jobs and to keep valuable engineering and manufacturing expertise within Norfolk. Cllr Eagle said: “These job losses are a huge blow, but rest assured we will do absolutely everything we can to ensure as many people as possible are supported into new employment and their skills are not lost to Norfolk’s economy.” Cllr Elmer added: “This is a very difficult time, and our priority must be the people who are losing their jobs. Working together, we will do everything we can to provide the support they need.”

The Lotus Cars taskforce will bring together organisations such as NAAME, the New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering group, and the New Anglia Growth Hub, alongside the Department for Work and Pensions. Support will include tailored job search and CV workshops, benefits advice, and direct connections to vacancies across Norfolk’s engineering sector. Apprentices affected by the cuts will receive dedicated help from Apprenticeships Norfolk, while staff interested in entrepreneurship will be guided through start-up programmes delivered by Norfolk Libraries, MENTA and Hethel Innovation. There will also be opportunities for small businesses to take up space at Hethel Innovation Centre and Scottow Enterprise Park, while hardship support will be made available through South Norfolk Council’s Help Hub.

The announcement of the taskforce follows confirmation from Lotus Cars that it will cut 42% of its 1,300-strong UK workforce as part of a restructuring plan. The sportscar maker, owned by Chinese automotive group Geely, said the move was necessary to “secure a sustainable future” in a challenging market environment shaped by falling sales, cash shortages and uncertainty from global trade disputes. The factory at Hethel has not built any cars since May, having paused production to manage inventories and deal with tariffs imposed on British-made vehicles by the United States. Production is due to resume in early September after a new trade agreement reduced tariffs from 27.5% to 10% for up to 100,000 cars a year.

Lotus stressed that despite the job cuts, it remains committed to the UK and to Norfolk, where it will continue to manufacture cars and base its sportscar, motorsports and engineering consulting operations. It is also exploring ways to diversify its business, including opportunities for third-party manufacturing. The company described the restructuring as “vital” for competitiveness and said it would also involve greater resource-sharing across the wider Geely group.

The cuts are a significant moment for a brand with deep roots in British automotive history. Founded in 1948 by engineer Colin Chapman, Lotus became synonymous with lightweight, high-performance sportscars that earned global recognition on and off the track. Geely acquired a majority stake in 2017, joining a portfolio of investments that includes Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and the London Electric Vehicle Company.

The establishment of the Lotus Cars taskforce by these institutions and council members reflects an attempt to soften the impact of the restructuring on Norfolk’s economy while giving affected employees practical pathways into new work. By combining local councils, business networks and training providers, the initiative seeks to retain specialist skills in the county, support new ventures and help individuals and families through a difficult period of transition.

Police have arrested a man in connection with a video showing St George’s crosses being painted on homes in Basildon, Essex, which also captured racist language.

The footage depicts two shirtless men applying red crosses to the white walls of flats above a row of shops. A third person records the incident while a young girl watches. As a woman wearing a headscarf passes with her child, racial slurs can be heard.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council, expressed support for residents displaying England flags across the borough but warned that vandalism is not acceptable. He said, “Racism has no place in Basildon.”

The affected row of shops along Whitmore Way includes a convenience store, a pharmacy, and several eateries, such as an Indian restaurant, a Chinese takeaway, and a burger bar.

Essex Police confirmed that a 33-year-old man from Basildon was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. The arrest followed multiple public reports of the video showing St George’s cross vandalism in Basildon.

After being questioned, he was released on bail while investigations continue.

Ch Insp Paul Hogben said, “Regardless of anyone’s thoughts or views, causing damage by applying paint to people’s properties is clearly a criminal offence.

“Aside from that simple fact, some of the language directed towards a member of the public in this incident was disgraceful.

“I’m confident the vast majority of people in Essex share the view this language has no place in our county.

“We’ve received numerous reports in relation to this matter and it’s only right that we acted upon them.

“We always work to ensure the safety and security of everyone in Essex.”

Basildon is one of several towns where St George’s flags have appeared in recent days. The flags have also been displayed at protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers.

Council leader Gavin Callaghan issued a statement on Saturday, noting the trend.

“This week we’ve seen a large number of England and British flags put up across our borough,” he said.

“I think it’s fantastic to see our flag flying proudly. It shows the pride that so many people feel in our country and our community.

“I have been clear with officers at Basildon Council that we will not be taking down any flags.

“The majority have been fixed to streetlamps, which are Essex County Council’s responsibility, and it will be for them to decide if they stay up or not. Personally, I hope they do.

“But I want to be clear as well: there is a big difference between flying a flag and vandalism. Painting on people’s shops or council buildings isn’t patriotism, it’s criminal damage.

“That isn’t the way to show love for your country. You’re not honouring England by vandalising Basildon. You’re not protecting your child’s future by racially abusing a passer-by.

“Racism has no place in Basildon.”

Callaghan also addressed the specific video, saying, “The video circulating of men painting a St George’s flag on the shops on Whitmore Way wasn’t just about a flag, it was laced with vile racist abuse aimed at a mum and her young child. That is totally wrong and must be called out.”

The quiet streets of Bedford were anything but ordinary on Saturday when a hot air balloon came drifting low over rooftops, before touching down in the tight confines of Bower Street. The Bedford hot air balloon, a green and grey craft that had been flying near Russell Park, descended into a packed residential area filled with cars, telegraph poles, chimneys, and wires. Despite the dangers, the landing was carried out without incident, earning the pilot warm praise from onlookers who described his skill as “excellent” and his calm judgement as the key to preventing disaster.

Emma Firman, who witnessed the descent and filmed the dramatic arrival, said the pilot deserved nothing but credit. “He did an excellent job,” she said. “I made sure I congratulated him on his efforts, as no damage was caused.” Firman added that she could tell it “wasn’t his first rodeo,” noting how smoothly he managed to settle the balloon despite the hazards in front of him.

The British Balloon & Airship Club later confirmed that the Bedford hot air balloon had “landed without incident” and assured residents that everyone on board was safe. In what could have been a nerve-wracking emergency, the calm professionalism of the crew meant the event quickly turned into something of a local spectacle rather than a crisis.

Other residents, out walking or enjoying the late summer day, were stunned by what they saw. Sian King, who lives in the Castle Road area, recalled the moment she first spotted the balloon. “I was shocked and surprised at how low it was,” she said. “I saw loads of people gathering towards Bower Street; it was almost on top of the roofs.”

She and her partner, Sam Coldham, joined with other helpers to assist in the final stages of the landing. Coldham described how he and others grabbed hold of the guide rope to steady the balloon as it made its way down. “I thought it was going to land in my friend’s garden,” King admitted. “It could have been a lot worse; it was just crazy to see it in such a built-up area; it narrowly missed the cables and the chimney stacks.”

The images captured by residents underline just how precarious the situation was. Video footage showed the Bedford hot air balloon hovering between rows of terraced homes, passing only a few feet above parked cars and rooftops. Wires and solar panels lined its path, yet the balloon managed to weave safely between them before settling to the ground.

Coldham later said he believed the balloon had simply run out of wind before reaching its intended landing site in Russell Park. “No injuries, no damage, no nothing, just a great pilot,” he said. His words echoed the relief felt by the gathered residents, many of whom admitted they had feared the descent would end in damage or worse.

Hot air ballooning is a familiar sight over Bedford, which hosts the world-renowned biennial Balloon Fiesta, attracting pilots and enthusiasts from across the globe. The sport, though generally safe, depends heavily on weather conditions, particularly wind. Balloons have no engines and cannot be steered in the traditional sense. Instead, pilots rely on different air currents at varying altitudes to guide their course. This makes precision landings in built-up areas extremely difficult, and in rare cases balloons must come down in unexpected places if wind conditions change.

In this case, the Bedford hot air balloon’s pilot showed both courage and skill, managing to turn what could have been a dangerous incident into an almost celebratory moment for those who watched. For residents, it was a reminder of the risks that come with such flights, but also of the extraordinary training and expertise that balloon pilots bring to their craft.

As the balloon basket was pulled safely to the ground and those inside stepped out unharmed, the relief was clear across Bower Street. There were smiles, laughter, and applause. A potentially hazardous descent had become a story that residents would tell for years: the day a Bedford hot air balloon floated over their rooftops and landed in the middle of their street, without so much as a scratched car or broken tile.

Two East Anglian councils, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council have marked Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations by raising the Ukrainian flag at their headquarters, joining communities across the world in a show of solidarity.

The event on 24 August honours Ukraine’s independence, first declared in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and later confirmed by a national referendum. Since the Russian invasion of February 2022, the day has taken on renewed significance as a moment of resilience and defiance against aggression.

Broadland District Council’s Chairwoman, Cllr Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou, said: “We raise the Ukrainian flag today, not only in remembrance but in solidarity. Four years ago the lives of millions were upended by a war that continues to test the resilience, courage and unity of the Ukrainian people.

“This flag is more than a symbol of a nation, it is a beacon of hope, of freedom and of unwavering strength. Let this act of raising our flag be a message that we stand with Ukraine, that we believe in peace, in justice and the right of every nation to live free from fear and oppression. Slava Ukraine.”

South Norfolk Council’s Vice-Chair, Cllr Kathryn Cross, added: “The raising of the Ukrainian flag is a symbol of the Councils’ continued commitment to the Ukrainian people, who are bravely defending their freedom and democratic values. This gesture serves as a reminder of the global community’s responsibility to stand with those fighting for their independence and a just peace.

“We are proud to raise this flag as a testament to our ongoing support for their fight for freedom.”

Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations are a long-standing tradition. Initially observed on 16 July 1991 to mark the anniversary of Ukraine’s Declaration of State Sovereignty, the holiday was later moved to 24 August after the declaration of independence that year. Since then, it has been a central moment in Ukraine’s modern history.

While the holiday was once one of the less popular national observances, its importance has grown sharply. A 2024 survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed that 64% of Ukrainians now see Independence Day as one of their most important national holidays, almost doubling in popularity since before the war.

Traditionally, the occasion has been marked with parades in Kyiv and across Ukraine, though since the full-scale invasion by Russia, celebrations have often taken different forms. In 2023, for example, destroyed Russian tanks and armoured vehicles were displayed in central Kyiv as a reminder of Ukraine’s ongoing resistance. Abroad, large-scale Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations have taken place in cities across Europe and North America, uniting the diaspora and international supporters.

By raising the flag, Broadland and South Norfolk Councils joined those global commemorations. The act symbolises not just remembrance of Ukraine’s independence, but also a clear message of continued support for its people as the war enters its fourth year.

The Sibson Aerodrome solar farm dispute is intensifying after councillors and aviation groups warned that a proposed renewable energy project could create safety hazards for parachutists and pilots.

Wessex Solar Energy has applied to build a 25-hectare (62-acre) solar farm near Haddon, just five miles north of Sibson Aerodrome. The plans involve installing 40,000 panels, capable of generating electricity for around 7,600 homes.

The site is close to Sibson Aerodrome, home to Peterborough Flying School and the UK Parachuting and Skydiving Centre. Concerns have been raised that the development could create risks for those carrying out emergency landings and parachute jumps.

Independent councillor Steve McAdam, a member of Huntingdonshire District Council and a former parachutist, told colleagues that landing in the middle of a solar farm would be “terrifying” and could result in serious injury. He explained that parachutists descend at about 15 feet per second and require open ground for safe landings.

East Anglia Gazette understands that the Peterborough Flying School has also submitted an objection, citing the possibility of glint and glare affecting pilots and the impact on emergency landings in cases of engine failure.

This latest application follows an earlier plan for 65,000 panels which was rejected by the Planning Inspectorate in November 2023. Inspectors concluded that the previous proposal had not sufficiently demonstrated that aviation safety would not be affected.

In its latest submission, Wessex Solar Energy said “full consideration” had been given to aviation safety and confirmed that glint and glare assessments had been carried out. The company added that the scheme would make “a significant contribution to the fight against the emission of greenhouse gases”.

Huntingdonshire District Council’s planning committee has voted unanimously to oppose the application. The final decision will now be taken by the Planning Inspectorate.

Sibson Aerodrome, also known as Peterborough/Sibson Airfield, is an unlicensed airfield located six miles west of Peterborough. It is used for flight training and skydiving, with UK Parachuting regularly operating jumps from a Cessna 208 aircraft.

The Sibson Aerodrome solar farm dispute therefore centres on whether the renewable energy benefits outweigh the aviation risks. The Planning Inspectorate is expected to issue a ruling after reviewing the objections and technical assessments.