Josie Ratcliffe
josie-ratcliffe.bsky.social
Josie Ratcliffe
@josie-ratcliffe.bsky.social
She/her. Liberal Democrat borough councillor (East Downham ward) and Parliamentary Candidate for South West Norfolk 2024.

Promoted by the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PN
I'm absolutely delighted that at tonight's West Norfolk Full Council meeting, we voted to underwrite our internationally-significant cultural heritage project to relaunch St George's Guildhall in King's Lynn as the UK’s oldest working theatre. This venue has tantalising links to Shakespeare!
July 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Lovely day to enjoy brunch at the new Fork Handles 😉 tea room at Stow Hall Gardens, followed by a cuppa in the shade watching Downham Stow 3rd XI in the Norfolk Cricket Alliance league 🏏
July 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
My arrival at today's council meeting was hailed by the bell-ringers at St. Margaret's Church (King's Lynn Minster) which faces the Trinity Guildhall (King's Lynn Town Hall) across the Saturday Market Place 🔔
July 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Leaving via the less ornate, but nicely planted, rear courtyard of King's Lynn Town Hall (in the Trinity Guildhall, second pic, taken last week) after today's 'Environment & Communities' panel at the Borough Council.
July 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Today I joined productive meetings in very different civic buildings in King's Lynn.

Firstly in the modern Kings Court council office building.

Then we debated plans for the Guildhall of St George, a 600-year-old theatre with links to Shakespeare, in the Trinity Guildhall (King's Lynn Town Hall).
July 1, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Today I enjoyed a tour of local pumping stations (yes, really 😊) with fellow board members on Stoke Ferry IDB.

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) carry out essential work reducing flood risk to people and property, and managing water levels for agricultural and environmental needs.
June 19, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Very impressed with the Borough Council's plans for restoring St. George's Guildhall in King's Lynn, with new lifts to improve accessibility to this incredible 600-year-old theatre space! And I've been assured there will be gender-neutral toilets - and a Changing Places as well - fantastic news 👏
June 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Hey everyone, be safe and ask your doctor for tests if you notice any changes - like needing to pee more frequently, often during the night. Luckily Graham asked, and got a PSA test and scans, and finally a diagnosis of prostate cancer 😢 But he's getting excellent treatment from our wonderful NHS ❤️
June 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
End-of-the-week treat 🍷 ☕ at Downham Cafe 🙂 We're lucky to have a great choice of food venues in Downham Market 😋
May 16, 2025 at 5:26 PM
This evening, I enjoyed taking part in our Annual Council meeting, which is when the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor are appointed. They represent the Borough Council at events - and continue a civic tradition in King's Lynn that dates back 800 years!
May 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Date night with Graham at Arbuckles, Downham Market ❤️

Excellent local restaurant with American classics, breakfasts to burgers, ribs to fajitas and a great mix of everything! 100,000 check-ins on Facebook(!) tells you everything 😋
May 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Today, I attended West Norfolk Borough Council's 'Regeneration & Development' panel in historic King's Lynn Town Hall.

However, we discussed very modern projects including the emerging "Norfolk Whole System Energy Plan", for decarbonisation and energy security including Community Energy projects.
May 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Across the country this week, Councillors are taking part in meetings to debate local government reorganisation. I spoke at West Norfolk to emphasise that we must find the best solution for our residents. Struggling families, the vulnerable and elderly deserve better than current creaking services.
March 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This evening I spoke at the Regeneration and Development committee of the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, where we were scrutinising the new Local Plan.

Downham Market is being allocated more Housing, which adds pressure to services, but also new Employment sites, which I welcomed.
March 12, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Flippin' squirrels - feeding the pheasant with my best bird seed!
February 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
This time of year, Councils debate and agree their annual budgets - usually, the result of extensive work by officers and councillors.

I am impressed that West Norfolk Council has now corrected unstable finances left by the previous Conservative administration.
February 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I'm excited to be visiting my new occasional workplace!

I'm now working for a Liberal Democrat MP 🔶️

I'll be based in Cambridgeshire, with trips to Parliament 🙂
February 12, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Enjoying a lovely decaff latte at Downham Cafe and Restaurant ☕️ 😋
February 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Proud to attend Borough 'Full Council' meeting tonight, next door to the historic Stone Hall - the Hall of the Trinity Guild.

One of King’s Lynn’s two guildhalls, the Trinity Guildhall was built in the early 1420s 😲 Its impressive stone floor and exposed beams are lit by the great south window ❤️
January 30, 2025 at 11:13 PM