Partners in Town: Dragonfly Gallery in Watton opens for new season

On Saturday artists, authors, illustrators, volunteers and friends came together for the launch of the new season in the Dragonfly Gallery and the start of our first literature event, Once Upon a Time, which coincided with the launch by MP George Freeman of Get Norfolk Reading.

This is an initiative to help young children experience reading which we support - but we also hope to bring adults back to reading.

Once we have left school, our busy working and family lives can mean we lose the habit of reading and we want to demonstrate the fun and the satisfaction of reading and writing.

So, over the next two weeks we have a number of 'meet the author' sessions with local writers, a story teller, a calligraphy demonstration, an exhibition of writing and illustration, competitions, a raffle and three workshops - the first of which took place on Saturday and was much enjoyed by the participants.

There are still places on the poetry/creative writing session on March 4 and the How to Draw Heroes (and Villains)' workshop on March 11.

We have also set up a book swap so that people can exchange books they no longer need with one they have not read. Some lovely books have been donated to get it started and it will continue after the event finishes on March 11.

The Dementia Café Team held a table top sale on a miserable, wet and chilly February morning and raised more than £300 to help pay for their room hire, outings, extend classes and equipment.

Our next main event is the jobs fair at the Queen's Hall on March 28. This is again being well-supported by those recruiting staff – all the spaces were taken within days.

This fair is for young people beginning to look for their first job or an apprenticeship, for people who are workless or who are seeking to return after a break. There will be plenty of information and support. Contact us at Wayland House for more information.