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Old Buckenham airfield

Local stop for coach tour
At lunchtime today Old Buckenham Airfield was swarming with men in hi-vis jackets. It turned out that they were aviation enthusiasts (aircraft spotters) who had dropped in as part of their coach trip up from Hampshire and they were going round looking at some of the many airfields in the area.
Jimmy's cafe was doing a roaring trade in sausage sandwiches and the registration details of all the aircraft were being dutifully recorded in the little pocket notebooks.
Tonight's overnight stay was going to be at Norwich Airport where the planes will perhaps be a little larger than in Old Buckenham.

Jubilee timetable

Our village events

(click on image to enlarge it)

Potential achieved

Old Buckenham Players perform Ayckbourn
When Alan Ayckbourn writes a play set in the future and about robot actors, you wonder whether even he can manage to do it. Add in some romantic interest and some thoughtful messages on how the media behaves and the possibility of success seems even further away.
But of course he does get away with it. To work it needs some strong acting performances and these were well supplied by members of the Old Buckenham Players when they performed the play 'Comic Potential' in Old Buckenham Village Hall during mid-May. 
A most entertaining evening out and a pity more village people didn't make the effort to come along and see it.

Old Buckenham Produce Show 2012

All the schedule details
If you want to get working on your entries, all the details are here on the schedule.
(just click on the images to read the small print)

Enjoy a flower festival

Breckland Flower and Garden Club, 1982 to 2012
The Breckland Flower and Garden Club was formed around the kitchen table with a cup of coffee by the founder chairman Joan Barrie and nine ladies in 1982. The club, now in its anniversary year and with over fifty members, will be celebrating 30 years of flowers and gardens in April 2012.
One special event will be a flower festival from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June at All Saints Church, Old Buckenham, entitled ‘Year of Celebrations’. It will be open between 10am and 5pm on the Friday and Saturday and 11am to 5pm on the Sunday with Songs of Praise at 6.30pm. All are welcome, there will be refreshments in the Church Rooms, a raffle and any money raised will go to a local charity and the All Saints Old Buckenham fabric fund.
At the regular club meetings they have flower arranging demonstrations and garden talks. Also at the meetings they run a sales table with flower arranging accessories, plant stall, raffles, bring and buy, etc. There are well supported monthly competitions with a cup presented each month for the best overall arrangement with some cups in memory of past members. There are also table competitions for the gardeners amongst the members.
Fund raising for the Club is enjoyable with garden parties, afternoon teas or lunches and sometimes 'themed' garden suppers and visits. With some very good cooks in the Club these fund raising times together are most enjoyable.
Members have taken part in many flower festivals, raising money for local churches and chapels. They also enter competitions both in the area and at the Chelsea Flower Show as well as having arranged flowers for Royal visits and special occasions in Norwich.
The Club has a workshop about twice a year for members and also a Christmas workshop for non members. This activity brings in new members.
One special event in 2010 was a visit for twenty members to Highgrove, home of HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Now everyone is ready to celebrate 30 special years in 2012 and looking forward to many more years to come.
Further details can be found at www.brecklandflowerandgarden.clubbz.com, on the Club’s Facebook page or for general flower arranging information go to www.nafas.org.uk

Breckland Flower and Garden Club

Elements of flower arranging
Pat Barton was certainly 'In Her Element' at May's meeting of the Breckland Flower and Garden Club. Her flowers included wonderful roses, gerbera and deep maroon carnations with anthurims also being featured. Her arrangements depicted her visit to the wholesalers, the Olympic Games and the Queen's Jubilee.
The competition called 'Down the Garden Path' produced a very colourful table. The New Hands class was won by Margaret Haycroft and the Old Hands was a tie between Joy Tunmore and Shirley Penfold. Shirley also won the cup for the best use of foliage.
The June meeting will be held on Thursday 14 June starting at 2pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall when Frank Lambert will talk on ‘Growing Fuchsias My Way’. The competition title is 'Celebrating the Queen's Jubilee' and the table show is for the 'First Rose of Summer'.
Visitors are always welcome at these meetings. Further information from Sally on 788712.

Old Buckenham swings

In memory of the owner of Old Buckenham Hall
Lionel Robinson died in 1922 and this brass plaque is all that remains of the children's swings from some ninety years' ago.

Old Buckenham Parish Council minutes

Parish Council in May
These notes are written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later meeting.

The May Parish Council meeting took place after their AGM on Thursday 3 May. Three members of the public were present and all the parish councillors except for Carol Marshall and Paul Boggia who had sent their apologies.
Minutes of the April Parish Council meeting. With an amendment to the stated date of the present meeting, these minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. The Parish Clerk said he had received an email from Tim Bornett stating that at no time did he say that he had advice from the Association of Local Councils that the Parish Council could fund maintenance of the Green. Tom Johnson raised the issue of HGVs using Hargham Road in spite of signs showing restrictions. It was agreed that the Parish Council would look at signs and report back at the next meeting. Derek Smalley said the police had not responded to the speeding problem on Hargham Road. Contact had been made with Norfolk County Councillor William Nunn who said he would try to assist in the matter. Adrian Joel raised matter of budgetary controls and the Parish Clerk said this information would be available at next meeting as figures would be compiled on a quarterly basis. Tim Ing raised the matter of the footpath on the Green alongside the B1077 and said it was a Parish Council responsibility as they had received grant money for its maintenance. He also raised the matter of pig lorries appearing to speed through the village. He had contacted the owners who said speed governors were fitted to all their lorries and tachometer readings could identify any speeding vehicles.
Adoption of accounts. The accounts for the year ending March 2012 were agreed unanimously.
Annual Governance statement. The Parish Clerk explained what this related to in conjunction with the year end accounts and what was required by government auditors. The statement was signed, agreed unanimously.
Loan to Village Hall. The Parish Clerk said he had received a request from the Village Hall for a loan of £1,500 which would become repayable in April 2013. It was proposed that the loan be granted, this was agreed unanimously.
Neighbourhood Plan. Sarah Dye said although she favoured a plan she said that, having looked deeper into the matter along with the Parish Clerk, she felt that at this time it would not be beneficial for the Parish Council to do one. She explained that it would be extremely time-consuming, need some expertise in planning matters and could cost over £20,000 to compile. The Parish Clerk gave details of Cringleford Parish Council who were doing a plan as a trial and, after six months of hard work, they had only reached the preliminary stage and would need another 18 months plus to finish the project. They had three members on the working party that had planning experience and they still found the whole process difficult. Tim Ing said the matter would be discussed again at the September meeting.
Parish Council Insurance. The Parish Clerk said he had discussions with the insurance providers to try to get savings in the annual premiums made by the Parish Council. The Insurers had offered a fixed term and fixed price agreement covering either one year, three year or five year rates. The Clerk explained the one year rate was £1,343.36, two year rate was £1,277.53 and five year rate was £1,211.65. It was proposed that the five year price be accepted and this was agreed unanimously.
Planning applications. 35 Hargham Road. Erect double garage, convert existing garage to hobbies room with additional vehicular access. No objections from the Parish Council, agreed unanimously.
Old Buckenham Priory, Abbey Road. Alterations and improvements. No objections from the Parish Council, agreed unanimously.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Land at St Andrews Close. Change of use to amenity land and installation of soakways for adjacent residential dwelling. Permission granted.
4 Chattergate. Bay window and porch, two additional windows, replace existing conservatory with ground floor extension. Permission granted.
Old Buckenham Airfield. Continued use of land for clubhouse for use in connection of the airfield. Permission granted.
High Bank Farm, Fen Street. Erection of single storey timber framed conservatory. Permission granted.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that William Nunn had been re-elected as leader of Breckland Council with Michael Wassell elected as deputy leader. Breckland Council have been working alongside some of the housing associations looking at Breckland’s policy on social housing and their homelessness and tenancy strategy. Discussions have taken place with regard to new home developers being required to supply wheeled bins on all future new developments. This could save Breckland Council about £30,000 per year.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing informed the meeting that a cycle race would take place on Sunday 10 June and it would pass through the village with about 100 riders taking part. Old Buckenham Village Hall had asked if they could use the Recreation Area for the yearly fete as they wished to use it for the dog show. This was agreed by councillors as long as the area was cleaned up after the event. He read out a letter from Terry Cracknell which expressed concerns about future development in the Attleborough area which would impact on Old Buckenham. Concern was also expressed in the letter that there was not sufficient proportionate or economically sustainable infrastructure services being provided in advance of any development. Tim Ing said he and Adrian Joel had attended a meeting with Breckland Council planning department which he thought was very useful. Tim Ing said that some of the allotments are not being kept up to an acceptable level of maintenance and the Parish Clerk is to write to the Old Buckenham Allotment Society on the matter. The litter picking event held on the Green the previous Sunday was successful but he was disappointed with the turn out of volunteers. The Parish Clerk to write to Ron Brewer Mr Goode, and Colin Phillips thanking them for their work in the litter clearing.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson said that he had attended a meeting of the Village Hall committee and they had obtained costs for repairing the car park. To fully tarmac the area would cost £17,000 and to mend the current surface would cost £9,600. Also concerns were expressed regarding the parking of cars facing the Recreation Area. It was said that people do not use it as it is too slippery and perhaps gravel could be mixed into the grass to attempt to give grip to tyres. Tim Ing said the Parish Council was not responsible for the car parking area concerned. He then asked if a new committee had yet been formed by the Village Hall. Tom Johnson said none had been formed. Sarah Dye said that John Hicks had repaired the damaged parts at the play area quickly and at no charge. The Parish Clerk to send a letter thanking him for his work. Derek Smalley said he had contacted the police and they would provide extra patrols around the play area. He could not attend the last meeting of ACT to which our MP George Freeman was in attendance and the proposed link road looked like the preferred route. Steve Milner said the final working party meeting for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations was being held on Saturday 5 May. They are having a stall on the Green outside the village shop that day to sell raffle tickets, barn dance tickets and give out information on the celebrations. The Village Hall had received a grant of £165 for the celebrations. Jonathan Kemp said that a grant of £2,800 had been received for the Recreation Area from Breckland Council. They are looking at eight further streams of funding and would advise the Parish Council of the results. Adrian Joel said that he had received a letter from the Old Buckenham Allotment Society stating the shed that was due to be painted to a conforming colour would be done in the next few weeks. It had not been done yet because of the weather and the health of the allotment holder. He also said there was a leak on the first stand pipe and Tim Ing said he had looked at it and would get the required part to stop the drip. Adrian Joel said the entrance to the allotments needs some attention. Tim Ing is to look at the parking problems at the school and village hall car park as there was no improvement in the situation. Adrian Joel is to arrange another meeting with the school and the matter will be discussed at the June meeting.
Highways. Steve Milner said the Grove Road/Mill Road junction needs improvement. Tim Ing said some work had been done by the landowner to improve visibility and the Parish Council is to write a letter thanking him for his co operation and assistance in the matter. The Parish Clerk is to contact the Highways department about potholes in Stacksford near Prosperous Road and he also informed Derek Smalley that Highways have the matter of the missing markers in Cake Street in hand.
The Green. Tim Ing said he had received an email from Sally Bishop saying that she thought the two councillors who held shares as Green Right Proprietors may influence decisions of the council and that the responsibility for maintaining the Green was the Green Right Proprietors’ and not the Parish Council. The Parish Clerk said he had replied to Sally Bishop’s comments saying that the two parish councillors, having declared an interest in the matter, could not vote on these matters. Steve Milner pointed out that no request for funding had ever been received from the Green Right Proprietors. Tim Ing said a digger would be at the Green in early May to carry out work to assist with parking around the play area. A quote had been received by the Green Right Proprietors for roping off an area near the play area. The next meeting of the Green Right Proprietors was scheduled for Tuesday 19 June.

The next meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council will be on Thursday 7 June in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Taking on responsibilities

Annual General Meeting of Parish Council
The AGM of Old Buckenham Parish Council was held on Thursday 3 May at the Village Hall.
All councillors were present except for Carol Marshall and Paul Boggia who had sent their apologies.
Tim Ing was unanimously re-elected as Chairman.
Adrian Joel was re-elected as Vice Chairman.
It was agreed that those councillors currently serving on working parties would remain as at present with exception of Carol Marshall who would continue to serve on the Recreation Area working party but would stand down from the Allotments Liaison Group and be replaced by Paul Boggia.
Those carrying out policy document reviews would be:
Freedom of Information Publication Scheme, Steve Milner.
Parish Council Standing Orders, Tim Ing with the assistance of all councillors.
Financial Regulations, Akis Chrisovelides.
Governance and Accountability Policy, Tim Ing.
Equal Opportunities Policy,Carol Marshall.
Village Emergency Plan, Steve Milner.
Health and Safety Policy, Tom Johnson.
Both the Chairman and the Parish Clerk gave their annual reports which were virtually the same as those given at the Annual Parish Meeting held in March (posted on this blog on Thursday 19 April).

Win a plane flight for just £1

Jubilee attraction and fundraiser
Between now and the Old Buckenham Jubilee celebrations on the village Green on Tuesday 5 June you can choose one or more squares on the board (just £1 a square) and have the chance of winning a flight from Old Buckenham Airfield in a WW2 Boeing Stearman biplane. There is a second prize of £50 and a third prize of £25 should you miss out on the flight.
The draw will be made on the Green during the afternoon of Tuesday 5 June.

Gardening in the rain

Gardening Event at Old Buckenham
Despite the less than ideal weather conditions (it rained quite a bit last Saturday), the Gardening Event at Old Buckenham Village Hall event was well supported. The outside stalls included colourful displays of plants for sale from local garden centres which brightened the morning and the wood turner’s demonstrations were interesting and informative. There were more stalls inside the Village Hall including the Old Buckenham Allotment Society now in its second year of existence. Visitors and stall holders alike warmed up with bacon rolls and cups of tea.
The entries for the photo competition were displayed in the Memorial Room at the Hall. There were 42 entries altogether, many from people outside Old Buckenham. The youngest entrant, Kimberley Hipperson aged 13, also entered three of the adult categories and won the ‘Visitors’ Favourite’ prize for her flowering plant photo.

Free books and Chinese pagodas

WI April meeting
Old Buckenham WI’s April meeting started with a surprise visit from Amanda Cockburn (reception teacher at the village Primary School) who presented a copy of The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger to each WI member. The book was a gift and was one of a million given as part of World Book Night 2012 to spread the joy and love of reading.
The evening’s speaker, Alan Durand, took members on a journey through Yunnan and Sichuan, two provinces of South West China. His slides illustrated life in these rural provinces. Yunnan is the most south western province of China and shares borders with Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Tibet. The eastern half of the province is a limestone plateau with unnavigable rivers flowing through deep mountain gorges and the western half is characterised by mountain ranges and rivers including the Salween and Mekong rivers. The rugged vertical terrain produces a wide range of flora. The province includes the famous Burma Road which was a vital transportation route for wartime supplies to the Chinese government from Rangoon. The Burma Road’s importance diminished after World War II but it has remained a link in a 3,400 km road system from Yangoon, Burma to Chongqing. The province of Sichuan lies to the north of Yunnan and Alan showed slides of important pagodas in the region. The Yangtze River and its tributaries flow through the mountains of western Sichuan. One of these ranges, Daxue Shan, includes the highest point of the province – Gongga Shan, 7,556 metres in height.
Sheila Freake presented her report on the County Annual Meeting which she and three other members had attended in March. Speakers included Sue Spoerer from the National Pharmacy Association, who urged members to make more use of their local pharmacist, and the Deputy Chief Constable of Norfolk, Simon Bailey. He gave members an insight into the world of policing in Norfolk and the encouraging statistics which show that Norfolk is a very safe place to live. The afternoon speaker was Carol Bundock, a BBC presenter and newsreader. Carol enthralled her audience by sharing with them her personal experiences with the BBC and her appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk.
Old Buckenham WI are of course sending a congratulatory card to HM Queen on her Jubilee and the card, based on the wall hanging in the village hall, was on display for members to see.
Some of the keen Scrabble players took part in the WI county competition in April and members were pleased to congratulate Susan Hunter and Gill Freitag on coming third out of 20-odd teams.
Old Buckenham WI gives an annual bursary of £150 to a member attending a course at Denman College (the WI’s own college in Oxfordshire) and the evening concluded with a draw for this year’s recipient who is Pat Shearing who can use this money towards a course any time in 2013.