Wednesday 31 March 2010

It's out there now


Pick up your copy and have a good read

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Just time to read

Parish Council in March
With the next parish council meeting on Thursday 1 April, there is just time to read about their discussions in March. Then you can decide whether to go along to the meeting and see what has progressed.
These notes of the parish council meetings are prepared by the editor of the newsletter from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended later at the next month's meeting.
If you wish to read the full, unedited minutes, then they are posted on the notice board outside the village shop prior to the next parish council meeting.


Four members of the public were present and apologies for absence were received from Adrian Joel.
The minutes of the February Parish Council meeting were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Norman Cawston said he had visited the resident in Hargham Road regarding the stones and she undertook to keep on top of the problem.
Planning applications. Peacehaven, 29 Fen Street. Change of use of land to paddock for horses and erection of stable. No objections from the Parish Council, this was agreed unanimously. Old Crown Gate Bakery. Replacement of old conservatory with a new one. No objections from the Parish Council, this was agreed unanimously.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. 12 Hargham Road. Demolish shed and erect detached two-storey dwelling with double garage. This application had previously been suspended but now the application being progressed.
Hunters House, Crown Road. Side extension to existing dwelling and new garage. Planning permission given.
Firfields, Fen Street. Replace old Acorn building with two-bedroom holiday let. Permission granted.
Village website. The Parish Clerk informed meeting that he had spoken to Ron Brewer about the matter and Mr Brewer said it would require someone who could keep the website information up to date. Stephen Thorley agreed to do the job and the Parish Clerk will inform Ron Brewer on the matter.
Village Emergency Plan. Trevor Crook said that he had circulated the plan to all councillors and he was awaiting feedback on a couple of the points. It was hoped that it would be ready for the April meeting and the Parish Clerk will arrange for it to be on the agenda.
Trell & Co. The Parish Clerk informed meeting that he had received documented proof from Terry Cracknell which showed an error by the court in processing his claim and that no delay was caused by Mr Cracknell. The Clerk informed the meeting of the advice he had received on the matter and that the solution was for Parish Council to accept responsibility. Norman Cawston proposed that the Parish Council accept financial responsibility for the amount of £2019.41 for the extra drainage work carried out on the footpath across the Green. This was seconded by Tim Ing and the motion was carried with 7 for and 1 against.
Approval of accounts payable. The items approved included £2019.41 to Trell & Co for drainage work to Green, £13,395.00 to Playdale Ltd for play equipment, £1000 to Old Buckenham Village Hall towards the kitchen refurbishment costs and £167.50 to Breckland Council for a planning application on behalf of Old Buckenham Players.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Stephen Thorley raised the matter of funding. Lucinda Leonard had been circulating details of the funding available but some was at very short notice. Grants from Breckland up to a maximum of £1,000 were available but only until Monday 8 March and other grants of up to £20,000 were available. He suggested someone should be responsible for coordinating all fund raising activities. He also had a copy of an LDF report showing growth of housing stock and job creations for the Attleborough area. He will circulate the report to all councillors.
Liz Taylor said the Recreation Area working party had not been able to meet recently. She has two quotes for grass cutting and would get another. She also asked for the councillors’ views on having a football pitch marked out on the ground. No decision was made on this. Kerry Talbot said she had toured the village with Richard Deller of NCC Highways department and the Parish Clerk showing him the pothole damage throughout the village. Mr Deller would look into the lay by and hopefully repair the holes but at the moment priority was being given to A roads and then B roads in the county. There were also budget restrictions that may apply. Kerry Talbot raised the matter of Scouts doing the litter picking on the Green and the fact that syringes had been found. The Parish Clerk gave advice that the work should stop immediately and a full risk assessment should be carried out by the Parish Council on the matter. The Parish Clerk would write to the Green Rights Proprietors about this. Norman Cawston will go and inspect the Green to see what he finds.
Kerry Talbot said progress had been made at the Play Area, the turf was now laid and seeding and rolling will soon take place depending on weather. They are currently reviewing all grants so that they can apply for the first instalments. The group has been asked to do presentations to delegates of groups starting out on the road of applying for grants. Gerald Norton said there had been a Village Hall meeting and that the official opening of the kitchen extension would take place on Friday 19 March and that Christopher Fraser MP would open it. Also that archive films were being shown on Saturday 14 March at a cost of £5 and refreshments would be provided.
Clerk’s report. The Clerk said he had received correspondence from Ron Brewer stressing his disappointment at the Parish Council had missed out on the chance to have a Community Speedwatch team in the Village. Trevor Crook informed the meeting that the Parish Council had made the application and had followed it up with numerous phone calls to Norfolk Police on the matter. Unfortunately the person who was handling the matter was transferred to other duties and somehow the application was overlooked. The Parish Clerk to write to Ron Brewer on the matter.
Highways. Gerald Norton raised the matter of flooding in Abbey Road because of a blocked culvert. The Clerk is to contact Highways. It was also reported that a blocked drain just past the bus shelter in Abbey Road needed looking at, the Parish Clerk is to report it to Anglia Water.
The Green. Tim Ing said that the Green Rights Proprietors AGM had been held and that no chairman had been elected. Rosemary West would continue as treasurer and secretary and Colin Phillips would be vice-chairman. He informed the meeting that bushes and bulbs are not allowed on the Green but bat boxes could be placed there. The money the council had received last year from the county village competition would be used to purchase them. He also informed the meeting that the Parish Council are to place four benches on the Green. Also the Probation Service have done a great job in tidying up the Green and this would be ongoing. It was suggested that all trimmings and leaves be left on the Green and used as a bonfire and a village get-together for the occasion. A tractor run is having a stop-over on the Green over the Easter weekend. Tim Ing also said he had informed the Green Rights Proprietors that the Parish Council were willing to accept the responsibility of maintaining the shop lay-by surface if Norfolk County Council do not repair it. It had been agreed by the Green Rights Proprietors that Mr Davey will continue to have the hay for next year in recognition of the good job he has done.
Standing order review. The Clerk informed the meeting that a review of Council’s standing orders was needed as the existing ones were based on a 2002 model. Since then there had been changes in legislation and practices that needed updating. He recommended that a working party be set up and he would obtain a model set of standing orders in the meantime for councillors to look at. It was suggested that all councillors join the Working Party and review the standing orders in a single meeting. The matter is to be put on the June agenda.
Governance and accountability. The Parish Clerk said he had produced a set of financial regulations for the councillors and asked that over the next month they have a look at them and give him any feedback or suggested alterations. These were necessary as the Council have to sign the Annual Return to government auditors under the Governance and Accountability section of the return. The item is to be put on the April agenda for adoption.
Any other business. Tim Ing asked if the parish council would allow him to order the benches that had been agreed on at a previous council meeting. The council agreed to the four benches being ordered. Gerald Norton raised the matter of blocked toilets in the Village Hall and said it would cost approximately £1,000 to fix the problem. He asked if the Parish Council could make a donation if asked to by the Village Hall committee.
The next parish council meeting will be on Thursday 1 April in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Monday 29 March 2010

Recycling award for enterprise


Old Buckenham organisation second in its category

Thursday 25 March 2010

Vintage tractors coming

Over 400 tractors
The National Vintage Tractor Road Run 2010 is going to have its lunch stop on Old Buckenham Green on Sunday 4 April (Easter Sunday). This year the event is being hosted by Tivetshall Old Ram Tractor Club and will be based at Norfolk Gliding Club, Tibenham Airfield.
Over four hundred tractors are scheduled to leave Tibenham for their run on the Sunday morning and to take their lunch stop on the Green between 12 noon and 1.30pm before moving on.
Why not visit the Green at lunchtime on Easter Sunday and view all these marvellous old machines? An opportunity like this is not likely to occur again in our lifetime.

Monday 22 March 2010

School seeks designers


Logo competition
A competition has been launched to design the new logo for Old Buckenham High School and it is open to all. The existing logo is illustrated above.
The winning design will be chosen by a panel of staff, pupils, parents, governors and Steve Downes, the Education Correspondent of the EDP. The winner will be invited to the launch and receive a framed copy of their original design. The design will be displayed on school correspondence, the website and the uniform. It should exemplify the School's values of 'Achieving excellence together', 'High expectations' and 'Meeting our personal best'.
To enter please send your designs, together with your name and contact details to Mrs Collins, Old Buckenham High School, Abbey Road, Old Buckenham, Norfolk, NR17 1RL by 12 noon on Tuesday 30 March.

Sunday 21 March 2010

Party time




Christmas comes later
The “Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party” in Old Buckenham has taken place in March this year. The refurbished village hall kitchen was officially opened on the previous day. Catering for the over eighty people gathered together in the village hall yesterday to eat and drink provided a useful test for all the new facilities.
This was the chance for many of the older village residents to sit down together for a most enjoyable afternoon, to be entertained and, of course, talk.
There were a couple of quiz sheets on the ready-laid tables to keep everyone busy before the meal started. Then a full roast beef dinner was served up to everyone. Each table was also provided with wine, soft drinks, crackers and mints and there was a selection of sweets followed by cheese and biscuits.
The after-dinner entertainment was provided by two members of the Timescape group from Dereham who sang their way through a wide variety of songs from the nineteen forties. Audience participation was encouraged and before long everyone was being persuaded to sing along and even wave small union flags in time with the music.
There were a couple of cards of bingo (with cash prizes) before tea and hot mince pies were served. There was also a large free raffle with lots of prizes and the tables getting most marks in the quizzes were able to take away yet more prizes.
Eileen Oliver, who has taken on the responsibility for this annual event, took the opportunity to thank all those who had helped to make the event possible. There were those who had run events such as cream teas and bingo sessions to raise funds during 2009 and the village OB2000 Trust who had again provided a substantial grant towards the cost. Thanks were also due to all the helpers, both young and old, who had prepared vegetables, cooked the food, served food and drink to the tables, cleared it away and then washed up. In particular she mentioned her husband Brian and Julie, the cook, for their support throughout.
In reply Harold Yates spoke up for the participants and said how much the afternoon was enjoyed by all those attending and how much they appreciated all the effort that Eilleen had put in to make it such a success.

Friday 19 March 2010

Official opening





Cutting the ribbon

The upgraded and refurbished village hall kitchen was officially opened today by our local MP Christopher Fraser. There were plenty of villagers there to enjoy refreshments prepared by members of Old Buckenham WI and the Luncheon Club.

After a short speech the ribbon was ceremoniously cut and this was followed by the inevitable mardling over cups of tea and coffee.

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Archive evening brings back memories







Looking back
A successful Archive Evening was held on Saturday 13 March at the village hall in Old Buckenham. The local rector David Hill was the compere for the event. There were two main attractions for the evening which resulted in nearly a hundred people turning up. The East Anglian Film Archive was there to show a specially selected program of local films ranging from an early 1926 commercial for Coleman’s starch to the 1970s when someone in Old Buckenham was featured making sculptures from scrap iron. Morecombe and Wise were seen wise-cracking in a TV interview promoting their summer show, a wartime special showed how a hard-working Norfolk farmer was using all the ‘latest’ techniques to provide the country with corn and other crops while another newsreel item recorded customers in Old Buckenham’s “Sun” pub in Ragmere Road on their last evening before it closed down.
Many people and local organisations had also brought along memorabilia for others to see. They were mainly photographs showing how Old Buckenham used to be – collections of local postcards, the log books of Old Buckenham Women’s Institute, reports of village shows pictures of the children’s playground and some of the official parish records of births and deaths. Further support showing local people and places was provided by the Attleborough Heritage Group and material from the New Buckenham archive.
There was also a short prize-giving when the winners in the recent competition for the best photos of the village’s specially-designed cloth shopping bags in use were presented by the editor of the village newsletter.
With the help of a large raffle and some tasty refreshments this was a most enjoyable and educational evening that has raised useful funds of around £400 to be shared between the upkeep of the village hall and All Saints Church.

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Spring flowers


Breckland Flower and Garden Club
The Annual General Meeting was held in March when Pat Wells was re-elected chairman and eleven members voted onto the committee plus one co-opted member. The chairman thanked everyone for all their help during a busy twelve months including two charity events which raised a total of £2500. The out-going president Marion Beasley thanked the committee for all their hard work and passed the president's badge to Joyce Woodward.
Winners trophies for the year were presented to Margaret Smith (New Hands) and Ursula Jackson (Old Hands) and the President's cup for most points gained during the year went to Margaret Smith.
After the AGM Christine Hewson gave a demonstration using spring flowers - daffodils, tulips and hyacinths - light, fresh designs suitable for any home. During tea members took part in a light-hearted quiz.
The March competition winners were Janet Skidmore (New Hands) and Ursula Jackson (Old Hands).
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 8 April at 2pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall when 'The Flower Girls' will be demonstrating. The competition will be for a modern arrangement using three flowers and foliage.
Visitors are always welcome. Further details can be obtained from Pat on 01953 457305 or Sally on 01953 788712.

Monday 15 March 2010

Around the coast


Trip to the seaside
John Lee returned to the Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle in March to give another of his wide-ranging talks. This time the subject was “Seaside architecture” and the audience in the Church Rooms were treated to trip around the Norfolk and Suffolk coast. Using many slides he showed structures such as the piers at Cromer, Yarmouth and Southwold, the custom houses at Kings Lynn and Ipswich, the boating lake at Sheringham and Sizewell power station near Leiston. There were fact and figures to go with all these buildings which encouraged those listening to feel that they all ought to go and look in more detail for themselves.
At the next meeting on 8 April Christine Herbert will be coming to talk on herbal medicines. All are welcome to come along to the Old Buckenham Church Rooms at 7.45pm that evening.

Saturday 13 March 2010

Getting the right number

Crib and Numbers Club news
At the March crib drive in the village hall the prizewinners were Doris Monkhouse, Adam Picksley, Iris Lancaster and Bev McAnulty.
The Numbers club winners were drawn at the crib drive and the lucky people were Eileen Oliver and Peggy Eke who each won £10 with the £5 prizes going to Monty Evison, Peter Hambling, Richard Cockrill, Peggy Bertram and Mike Read.

Thursday 11 March 2010

Turning the corner




Why does this happen?

Is the corner too tight?

Are the vehicles too big?

Are the drivers lacking skill or too lazy to do it properly?

Does it look such a mess that no one bothers any more?


All comments welcomed...

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Nearing fruition




Kitchen latest
More views of the work that has been going on in the village hall kitchen.

Thursday 4 March 2010

Late dates

Diary dates for March

Thursday 4 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 5 Crib Drive, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday 6 Roadside textiles collection from 9am
Sunday 7 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm
Monday 8 Textile collection in Village Hall car park, 8.30am to 9am
Monday 8 Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm
Thursday 11 Breckland Flower and Garden Club, Village Hall, 2pm
Thursday 11 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm
Friday 12 Mobile Police Station outside village shop, 9am to 10.30am
Friday 12 Netgamers, Village Hall, 7pm to 9pm
Saturday 13 Archive Night, Village Hall, open at 7pm, films from 7.30pm
Monday 15 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Wednesday 17 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 17 Request Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm
Friday 19 Official opening of refurbished Village Hall kitchen, 2pm
Saturday 20 Senior Citizens' lunch, Village Hall, 1pm for 1.30pm
Sunday 21 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm
Thursday 25 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 26 Annual Parish Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Monday 29 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Wednesday 31 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Chapelfield history


WI in the gardens
On a cold, dark evening in February, Old Buckenham WI were transported to a much known and now much loved city centre park – Chapelfield Gardens in Norwich. Sheree Leeds, of the Chapelfield Gardens Society, gave an illustrated talk of the garden’s history. It has been described as “a place full of washerwomen and rude boys” and “a united nation of trees.”
These are two contrasting views of the Gardens and, as you can guess, several centuries apart. Originally the field was attached to St Mary’s Chapel and had a fairly undistinguished and notorious reputation until the Victorian city councillors took charge. In 1880 the Gardens were set out very much as they are today. Avenues of trees and flower-beds were planted, all well tended by an army of gardeners. The bandstand was erected and a famous clock built. Alas times change and the Monday evening dances ceased, the gardeners disappeared and the clock was removed to a safer venue. The Gardens were neglected and became one of the less desirable venues of the city once again.
By 1999 the City Council were drawing up plans to turn the Gardens into a skateboard park. Not surprisingly, a pressure group of interested and alarmed citizens was formed to convince the Council that, with their support, the Gardens could be renovated and rejuvenated into a Garden fit for the twenty-first century. The collection of rare trees are, once again, well managed. New plantings of beds have taken place and artists have been invited to provide sculptures. A petanque court is in daily use and the children’s nursery functions at the heart of the Gardens. The House of Fraser, in the new shopping mall, now overlooks Chapelfield. Once again, the Gardens provide a managed open space for Norwich residents and visitors. So, when tired of shopping, rest a while in Chapelfield Gardens. Enjoy the snowdrops and watch the world pass by in this peaceful oasis in the centre of our vibrant city.
From parks to charity, Old Buckenham learnt that members had once again risen to the annual challenge of collecting money for the St Martin’s Housing Trust. During the dreary months of November and December, several WI members manned the doors of south Norfolk supermarkets to help raise funds for the homeless of Norwich. On Saturday 20 February, the Old Buckenham WI President handed over a cheque for nearly £8000 to representatives of the charity. A further £7000 from other collections brought the total handed over to a grand £15000.
At the next meeting on Thusday 25 March the speaker will be Lt Col Chris Taylor who will be giving a talk about the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Monday 1 March 2010

Time Marches on


Time for a read

The March issue is now out there. Another five thousand words for you to read.