Photos of 2010

Images of Old Buckenham in 2010
At this time of the year, most of the newspapers fill their pages with various reviews of the past year.
So here are six pictures of my personal favourite photographs taken in the village during the year. There is snow, mist, fete, fair, tractors and a notice board.
Just click on the images if you want to see them in more detail.

Singing by candlelight

Carols at Christmas

There was standing room only at the ever popular candlelit service of Lessons and Carols held at All Saints Church, Old Buckenham, on Christmas Eve. The congregation were welcomed by the Revd Alistair Monkhouse and the service was led by Revd David Hill, Rector of the Quidenham group of parishes.
Readings were given by members of village organisations and other churches. Pupils from the Primary School read a Christmas poem and Lisa Cullins sang “Silent Night”. The choir from the High School sang the Star Carol by John Rutter and Howard Marshall sang a folk carol. Instrumental Christmas music was provided by Annett Winters, accompanied by the organist, Tom Hilton. The 1st Old Buckenham Scout Group sang the Millennium setting of the Lord’s Prayer.
Prayers were led by Dr and Mrs R Lindner and the Christmas message was delivered by Steve Eggleton. The offertory of £810 was given for the work of the St Martin’s Housing Trust (Norwich Night Shelter).

A new year starts

The January newsletter is here
You can collect your copy from the village shop, the two pubs, All Saints church or the Clinic on the Green.

Greetings to all our readers

Bearing gifts
Throughout Christmas Eve, the people of Old Buckenham and the surrounding area have been dropping off the gifts of non-perishable foodstuff to the Church Rooms. They will be taken on to the St Martins Housing Trust charity in Norwich to be used to help feed the homeless of Norfolk.
Just a tin of soup can mean an awful lot to someone who has very little in the way of possessions and no permanent roof over their head. As usual the local people have been very generous.
The money from the collection at the candlelit carol service held on Chrismas Eve will be going to the same charity.

A happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to all our readers where ever you may be in the world.

Carols by candlelight

Christmas Eve in Old Buckenham
The candlelit carol service on Christmas Eve in All Saints Church is something that people all over Norfolk travel to attend. It is always packed so make sure you get there in plenty of time.

Lighting up time

Evening stars
It may be getting dark but Old Buckenham is still bright and active. A full moon shines down, houses are decorated and the village shop stays open late for those last minute purchases.

Managing the Green

Picnic tables

The chairman of the Green Rights Proprietors has provided the following information.
The Old Buckenham Green Rights Proprietors’ appeal against the earlier decision in their claim against the Ox & Plough Limited for £160 unpaid levy on the picnic table area on the Green was heard by His Honour Judge Darroch on Friday 17 December. The Judge upheld the appeal and ordered the Ox & Plough Limited to pay £160 plus a £25 court fee.
The Judge stated that he found that the Proprietors had shown they had the right to manage the Green and collect reasonable rents, wayleaves, etc, from those using the Green in order to finance the upkeep and maintenance of the Green.
The Proprietors were represented by their solicitor Peter Rollin. Alison Frank and Mike Read were present as were Mark and Sally Bishop together with several other Old Buckenham residents. Terry Cracknell, as Lord of the Manor, asked if he might make a statement and answer any questions and the Judge thanked him for the information he was able to give to the Court.

Repairs to windmill

Windmill status
The windmill at Old Buckenham has not been open to the public for some time and is in need of two repair projects. The first is to repair and replace the sails as these were found to be decayed when inspected in 2010. The second is less apparent and relates to repairs to the timber ribs forming the roof structure.

This second project is a higher priority due to the need to retain structural integrity of the roof and prevent water penetration. It is anticipated that the roof repair will be undertaken in 2011 although no timescale is yet in place. The work to the sails to restore the full magnificence of the windmill silhouette is unlikely to be completed in 2011 due to the understandably tight financial conditions under which Norfolk Windmills Trust is operating.
The windmill committee will be discussing whether it is feasible to restart public opening sessions with the building in its current condition. They will, as ever, keep the public informed through the village newsletter and this blog.

Effective recycling

More textiles collected
The textiles collection in Old Buckenham in October was important for two reasons. The clothing, shoes and other materials collected will be sent out to the Third World where they will be much appreciated by those that receive them. Also the money raised from recycling credits (for stopping the material going to landfill) was £170.87 and this has been donated to Old Buckenham High School.

The school cooperates with these collections and the Village Environment and Recycling Group is grateful for the school's continuing support in allowing temporary storage of the textiles in its cycle sheds.

Be inspired in 2011

Old Buckenham Women's Institute

November was the month of Old Buckenham WI's annual meeting and this gave members the opportunity to look back on the previous year and to review the coming year. 2010 was a very busy year, with members taking part in darts and Scrabble tournaments, competing in the annual Cator Cup competition, supporting village events, running the popular village produce show and organising a day craft school in the village hall.
The new committee was approved at the November meeting and the President, Susan Hunter, was re-elected for 2011.
The WI's rich history is underpinned by an inspiring campaigning legacy and it is at this time of the year members are given the opportunity to decide which resolutions should be considered at the national Annual Meeting in June. Next year's short list includes campaigning against mega-farming, the closure of local libraries and urging the government to support the funding of research and development into the cost effective production of natural galamanatine for the treatment of Alzheimer's type dementia.
At local level, the 2011 programme has a wide ranging series of talks. The monthly meeting takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. New members are most welcome. The full programme for 2011:
Thursday 27 January         EPIC - The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (open meeting )
Thursday 24 February     A journey in time - Old Buckenham and Attleborough
Thursday 24 March         Spring propagation - a talk and demonstration to get you gardening
Thursday 28 April           Canals and waterways
Thursday 26 May            Resolution meeting
Thursday 23 June            From vicar's son to BBC producer
Thursday 28 July             Three Victorian gentlemen
Thursday 25 August         Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
Thursday 22 September   Saffire Chocolates (demonstration of chocolate making)
Thursday 27 October       Birthday party
Thursday 24 November    Annual meeting
December                        Christmas lunch (on a date to be fixed)

Our local panto

Old Buckenham Players will be presenting their annual patomime in January 2011. This time it will be

ALADDIN

by Norman Robbins.

The story of Aladdin and his magic lamp will be performed in time-honoured pantomime fashion with all the well-loved characters, like Widow Twankey, the Princess, Wishee Washee and Aladdin himself. And, of course, the hated Abanazar, the evil magician who provides plenty of opportunity for boos and hisses from the audience. Come along to Old Buckenham Village Hall for some post-Christmas fun!
Licensed bar.
Performances on Thursday 20, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 January at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Village Hall – with a special matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 22 January.
Tickets will cost £6 (£4 for the under 14s) and are available from Old Buckenham Post Office, Nuts ‘n’ Bolts in Attleborough or by calling 01603 810373.

What the councillors said

Latest Parish Council thinking
These notes of the parish council meetings are prepared by the editor of the blog from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended later at the next month's meeting.

Eight members of the public went along to the December parish council meeting and all the parish councillors attended.
The minutes of the November Parish Council meeting were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting and there were no matters arising.
Allotments. Adrian Joel said the first meeting of the Allotment Holders Liaison Group had been held in November and the next meeting was scheduled for February 2011. On-site parking could be a difficulty and he proposed that £386 plus vat be spent on some matting that could cure the problem. It was agreed unanimously that the funds come from Parish Council Contingency Fund. He then raised the matter of funding for fencing and water installation and said a grant application had been sent to Breckland Council for £1,000. The water installation would be installed labour free by a resident and that a grant of £900 had been given by Old Buckenham 2000 Trust towards the project.
War memorial. Gerald Norton said cleaning of the memorial had been done and had cost approximately £500. There were now no further funds available for future cleaning and he said that grant applications would be made to the Parish Council for future maintenance of the memorial. Various ideas were discussed regarding the memorial but it was considered the grant application route was the best way for the future maintenance.
Rubbish bins. Derek Smalley raised the matter of the litter bin situated on the Green next to a bench that was being used by those depositing dog waste. This was causing a problem and he asked if it could be moved away from the bench. Norman Cawston agreed to arrange this and Tim Ing also agreed to do an inventory of all litter bins and dog bins for the purpose of the asset register of the Parish Council and to give the information to the Parish Clerk.
Amenity area. Adrian Joel raised the matter of an amenity area opposite the village shop and a possible picnic area. He suggested that the Parish Council look at the original application to Breckland Council and possibly resubmit it. Adrian Joel will contact Breckland Council to obtain a copy of the original application and Carol Marshall said she would check to see if she had a copy of the application. The Parish Council will review the matter when the documents are available.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that Breckland’s Attleborough & Snetterton action plan consultation meeting was held in the Village Hall on Saturday 20 November and about forty residents had attended the meeting where they could ask Breckland Council questions on the whole matter. All residents have received a questionnaire in the post, these must be returned by Friday 28 January 2011. An in-depth Attleborough Transport Study had been completed by Breckland at a cost of £100,000. The Local Development Framework (LDF) specific development plan documents will be considered by the LDF Task & Finish Group for further clarification to take place on the proposed settlement boundaries prior to being sent back by the Cabinet before going out to public consultation for a six week consultation period. He then advised that a new Animal Warden Service was available from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to midday on Saturday and Sunday. Finders of dogs outside these hours should contact the Animal Warden Service to register the find and be informed of how it will be collected. The telephone number for the service is 01362 858500. This number should also be used for the reporting of lost dogs. If people believe their dog has been stolen then they should contact the police on 0845 456 4567.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Adrian Joel said that the road at Puddledock Corner had not yet been done and Mike Craven-Romain said he was waiting on a phone call from the Highways engineer as he had previously spoken to him on the matter. Carol Marshall said that the Recreation Area meeting had not yet taken place and she was hoping to arrange a meeting for the new year. She also raised the matter of grit bins in the village hall car park which she thought had been like an ice rink and dangerous. Derek Smalley raised the matter of the welcome pack which had been the subject of an article in the village newsletter. He now had a comprehensive list of information for the contents of the welcome packs. Tom Johnson said the safety message from Norfolk Fire Service had been inserted in the newsletter. He then raised the matter of grit bins in the village and the spreading of grit by volunteers. The Parish Clerk will contact NALC on the matter. Tim Ing asked if any member of The Parish Council would do a reading at the church Christmas candlelit service and Norman Cawston agreed to do it. Tim Ing raised the matter of gritting some roads not on the current schedule gritting routes and the Parish Clerk will contact the county councillor to see if he can assist.
Parish Clerk’s report. Mike Bartlett had reported that he will be organising a door-to-door calling to obtain views of residents regarding the Attleborough expansion plans to pass on to Parish Council who in turn can make a submission to Breckland Council. The Parish Clerk read through the notes of a meeting held on Saturday 14 August which listed some of the main issues including some points relating to the Parish Clerk. These included some which were repudiated by him and explanations were given as to what he considered were total inaccuracies in the alleged instances. Tim Ing thanked the Parish Clerk for the work he had done on behalf of the Parish Council since he took over the role in difficult circumstances. The meeting notes to be put on the January meeting agenda for further discussion.
The Green. Tim Ing said he had contacted the Green Right’s Proprietors asking for an up-to-date list of all proprietors. He was referred to Legal Services at County Hall as the Green Right Proprietors did not have an up-to-date list. They had sent him an email containing information that would be printed off and made available as soon as possible to the Parish Council. The meeting was also informed that bat boxes had been purchased for the Green and hopefully would soon be installed.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 January in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Tea and table arrangments

Flower and Garden Club
The December meeting of Breckland Flower and Garden Club in Old Buckenham village hall involved both tea and table arrangements. Members and guests had an enjoyable afternoon making colourful table arrangements with candles, ribbons and foliage and flowers. Joy Tunmore demonstrated in easy stages to ensure everyone present made a lovely display that they could take home. A cup of tea and a variety of goodies to eat rounded off this Christmas meeting.

The monthly competition was for a Christmas table arrangement on a cake stand. The New Hands winner was Susan Thurlow and for the Old Hands, Ursula Jackson and Shirley Penfold shared first place. The table show for three stems of foliage was won by Sylvia Briggs.
The first meeting in 2011 will take place on the Thursday 13 January at 2pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall when there will be an illustrated talk. The competition will be for an arrangement to incorporate a photo frame and using dried and/or preserved plant material. The table show will be for three stems of winter colour from the garden
Further information is available from Pat on 01953 457305 or Sally on 01953 788712

Party time

Social evening
Tonight it was the turn of the Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle to have a little 'party' for their end of season meeting. There were some light hearted quizzes, charades and even a little bingo to help the evening along. A fish and chip supper for everyone was much appreciated by all those attending as was a large raffle to conclude the evening's entertainment.

Even more snow images

Not much happening
There is little other village news today so here are some more sombre snow pictures. No sun here in Old Buckenham so almost all black and white images.
There is the Ox & Plough before opening time, some unused benches making interesting patterns and even the village hall has a different charm when the snow is around.

Ice cold

Rod Alley pond is rather frozen