What's on during December in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for December

Saturday 1    Help put up decorations, Village Hall, 10am

Sunday 2    Table top sale, Village Hall, 10am to 1pm

Sunday 2    Father Christmas at Old Buckenham Mill, 11am to 5pm

Sunday 2    Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Tuesday 4    Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

Wednesday 5    Women's Fellowship, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 6    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Thursday 6    Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 7    Crib, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Monday 10    Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Wednesday 12    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 13    Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 13    Christmas music, NB Silver Band, Methodist Chapel 7.30pm
Thursday 13    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm

Wednesday 19   Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Sunday 23    Crib service, All Saints Church, 3pm

Monday 24    Church Rooms open for food donations, all day

Monday 24    Candle-lit carol service, All Saints Church, 7pm

Tuesday 25    Christmas service, Methodist Chapel, 10.30am

Old Buckenham December newsletter available

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Community Speedwatch training in Old Buckenham

Learning to slow down the traffic

This morning  most of the members of the new Community Speedwatch team had their official training at the Village Hall (their classroom) and then had some practical lessons beside the village Green.
The official equipment has been passed over to the members and they will now be organising some regular sessions at various sites around the village. It was obvious during training that the sight of some hi-viz jackets and a radar speed gun works wonders when it comes to slowing down the passing traffic.

A year's activity for Women's Institute

A busy year for Old Buckenham WI

November was the time for Old Buckenham Women’s Institute to hold their Annual Meeting so that a new committee could be elected to hold office in 2013.
The President and outgoing committee were thanked for all their hard work during the year and secretary Patricia Shearing outlined some of highlights for Old Buckenham WI during 2012.
Looking back over the year it has been a very busy time.
A successful Craft Day was held in March with WI members from around Norfolk joining in to enjoy learning a new craft and chatting over lunch. A ‘Quiz and Chips‘evening was organised for the village Queen’s Jubilee weekend. A hand-made card was sent from Old Buckenham WI to congratulate Her Majesty on her Jubilee and they were delighted to receive a thank you letter from the Palace.
Also fitted into the year were a trip to Wells-next-the-Sea with lunch and a guided walk, the annual Progressive Supper,the get-together with New Costessey WI, the cake stall and dog show at the Village Fete and then the Produce Show which is always the highlight of the year. Add in the scrabble, quizzes, country rambles with pub lunch, darts matches and trips to the theatre, Old Buckenham are a busy group.
The new committee was elected and Susan Hunter agreed to be the President for another year.
After the official business was completed, Nancy Hunt told of her trip to Denman College and showed some of her beautiful silk dyeing work. Several members brought along things they had made at the recent craft day organised by Pulham and District WI and Jean Wade showed a lovely Christmas decoration made at a class she held at the WI County Office in Norwich.
The meeting finished with tea, cakes and a chat.
Members are now looking forward to their Christmas Party being held on Thursday 6 December which they will share with some of their friends and supporters.

Old Buckenham Airfield events in 2013

Next year at the Airfield
A programme of events at Old Buckenham Airfield during 2013 has now been announced. Here is a summary with dates so that you can put them in your new diary now.
Sunday 6 January
The Winter Fly In. Open to all aircraft and classic cars. Last year the Winter Fly In made Old Buck one of the busiest airfields in the country.
Sunday 17 February
The Valentines Fly In. Once again the air will be thick with romance and avgas.
Sunday 17 March
The LAA and Homebuilt Spring Extravaganza. Over 100 aircraft are expected for this celebration of home built engineering.
Sunday 21 April
American Taildraggers. Celebrating the airfields status as a USAAF base, honouring the taildraggers that were used in WWII, along with the iconic machines that came afterwards.
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May
The Vintage Weekend. A celebration of everything vintage, special displays of pre-1965 vehicles, aircraft and stalls. Saturday night will see a WWII themed hangar dance.
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June
The Old Buckenham Airshow 2013. www.oldbuckenhamairshow.co.uk
Sunday 21 July
The American Fly In. Honouring the airfield’s first occupants, the USA, with a celebration of American machinery.
Sunday 18 August
The Military Fly In. Military aircraft of all eras are welcome, with the vehicles of the East England Military Museum on the ground.
Sunday 8 September
The LAA & Homebuilt Autumn Fly In. Another chance to celebrate homebuilt wonders.
Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October
Military Revival. For more information see www.militaryrevival.com
Sunday 10 November
Remembrance Sunday – Wings and Wheels. The now traditional Remembrance Service around the 453rd Bomb Group Memorial punctuates this day of classic cars, military vehicles and aircraft of all types.
Sunday 15 December
The Christmas Fly In. Finishing the year by having an open event for all aircraft, with a good mix of classic cars to boot.

Old Buckenham Players pantomime

Advance news of village panto
The New Year sees a first for the East of England, with Old Buckenham Players' production of Sleeping Beauty by John Bartlett. This 2009 adaptation of the classic fairytale has never been performed in East Anglia before.
The story of Sleeping Beauty is well known but this production, set 100 years after the fateful prick on the finger, gives a slightly different perspective of the story. With a combination of shadow puppetry and spells cast by the Good and Bad Fairies, the audience (and characters) are transported back and forth through the 100-year time span, putting together pieces of the puzzle in order to foil evil Carabosse's plan.
Audiences can expect 'laugh a second' scenes (including a rather messy one), not one but two dames, a gorilla, a horse and music with a blend of classic and modern chart hits. Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Old Buckenham Village Hall where there is a licensed bar, an interval raffle, choc ices and, most importantly, there is a chance for members of the audience to become a star for the night. The production dates are Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 January at 7.30pm with a matinee performance on Saturday 19 January at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced at £7 (and £4 for under 14s) and are available from Nuts and Bolts in Attleborough, Old Buckenham Post Office Stores or by calling 01603 810373.

 

Old Buckenham poppy collection

Money in the boxes

John and Chris have now cashed up the various poppy boxes and can confirm that Old Buckenham donated a total of £964.92. This is slightly less than last year but, in these austere times when money is short, it is a fantastic effort.
Many thanks to the collectors (they know who they are) who do a super job, particularly on wet, cold, rainy days. Without them this collection would not be able to operate.
Thank you also to the village shop, the two pubs, the schools and Old Buckenham Airfield for their support.
Thanks again, the collectors will be round again next year, all being well.

Start collecting now

Food for homeless in Norfolk

The Church Rooms in Old Buckenham will be open throughout Christmas Eve to receive donations of non-perishable food. This is then taken to the St Martins charity in Norwich who are now accommodating over 140 people each night who otherwise would be homeless within Norfolk.
Perhaps you could start collecting things up now, from the back of the larder or when you are going around doing that Christmas food shopping. It will all be put to good use.

 

Remembrance in the village

Around the Old Buckenham war memorial
Villagers gathered on the edge of Old Buckenham Green on the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday and the police stood by to close the road while the service took place. The procession of representatives from many organisations had formed up by All Saints church and marched into position in front of the war memorial. Wreaths were laid and the last post sounded as autumn leaves floated down from the nearby trees. Many stood around afterwards to reminisce and to think about why they were there.

Remembrance at Old Buckenham Airfield

Around the memorial
There were classic cars and military vehicles in abundance at Old Buckenham Airfield on Remembrance Sunday. The existing memorial to those 366 aircrew from the 453rd who lost their lives between December 1943 and May 1945 had been re-installed with a new garden and many people gathered there at 11am for the short service.
The last post was sounded and wreaths were laid. The sun continued to shine as two WWII aircraft took to the air and flew around nearby. It was a strange mixture of celebration and solemnity.

Old Buckenham remembers

Wreaths are laid
The sun has been shining for the two remembrance services in Old Buckenham today, one at Old Buckenham Airfield in the morning and the other on Old Buckenham Green in the afternoon.
More pictures will be posted later, maybe tomorrow, but here are a couple to give some idea of what has been going on.

 

All Saints fundraiser

November Market in Old Buckenham raises money

Saturday 10 November was the time for the now well-established November Market to take place in the Old Buckenham Church Rooms. It is a reasonably low key affair but the regular bric-a-brac stall, tombola, homemade cakes, secondhand books and raffle enticed those coming along to spend their money. Many people also made a point of coming along for a light lunch of the various homemade soups that were available from midday.
The event raised the sum of £570 which will be a useful contribution to the funds needed for the maintenance of All Saints Church.

Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle

Time for the AGM before talk
A review of the last year's activities from chairman David Sallnow started off the AGM on Thursday 8 November. He reported that it had been an active twelve months with many good speakers. Overall the club had made a small profit and it was suggested that the equally small charge of £1 per meeting  would continue for the next year. All the existing officers were re-elected en bloc. There was some discussion on how to increase the membership during 2013 as an attractive series of talks had been arranged.
The AGM was completed within half an hour and was followed by a talk on 'Going green' by local resident Richard Lindner. As Richard has installed many energy-producing pieces of equipment around his house and garden he could speak from the actual experience of their performance. Amongst other items he has two wind turbines, an array of photovoltatic panels and a ground source heat pump as well as being the driver of an electric car. During a question and answer session the audience asked about their efficiency and were interested to hear how this compared with the predicted performance.

The next meeting would be 'party time' on Thursday 13 December including the now traditional fish and chip supper. The evening will start at 7.45pm in the Old Buckenham Church Rooms. 

Remembrance services in Old Buckenham

Two events to remember on Sunday 11 November

Work has been done to revamp the war memorial at Old Buckenham airfield. The memorial will be re-dedicated at a special service on Remembrance Sunday 11 November taking place at 11am. This service will form part of a Wings and Wheels event at the airfield at which classic car owners and pilots are being encouraged to visit.
In the afternoon there will be the usual wreath-laying at 2.45pm at the war memorial on Old Buckenham Green followed by a service in All Saints church starting at about 3pm.

Old Buckenham Women's Institute

Speaker in the hot seat
Who wants to be a millionaire? Most people would answer ‘yes’ to that question. The speaker at Old Buckenham Women’s Institute‘s October meeting was quiz contestant Roger Canwell who appeared on the iconic programme two years ago and gave the audience an insight into the experience. Roger applied by telephone to the programme and had to answer a range of questions in seven seconds, so no time to confer. When Roger appeared he was fortunate enough to reach the ‘hot seat’, face and manage to win some money (but not that elusive million).
Roger confessed that as a schoolboy he enjoyed taking exams and when he retired took a history degree. Encouraged by his first quiz show success, Roger applied to enter the contest for ‘Mastermind’. The final was reached but not the coveted trophy. His specialist subjects have been quite diverse – Britain during the inter-war years, the history of Norwich FC and the films of Norman Wisdom. Fortunately for a quiz addict like Roger, contestants can appear on Mastermind more than once. If you tune into the programme this autumn you should be able to see Roger in the famous chair once more. His advice for all budding Masterminds is to keep calm and not panic. Also to remember that it is the taking part that counts, not the winning.
Old Buckenham WI have had a hectic October with a theatre visit, Scrabble, walks, running a promotional stand at New Buckenham Village Hall, a visit to Lincoln and, of course, taking part in quizzes.

Latest Old Buckenham PC minutes

Parish Council November meeting
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at a later date.
There was just one member of the public at the November meeting of the Old Buckenham Parish Council. Two councillors, Tom Johnson and Jonathan Kemp, had sent apologies for not being able to attend.
The meeting was suspended to allow the member of the public to ask questions and then resumed afterwards.
Minutes of last meeting. The minutes of the October Parish Council meeting were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
Precept meeting minutes. The minutes of the Precept meeting held on Wednesday 24 October were also signed as a true and accurate record of that meeting..
Matters arising from the minutes. Carol Marshall said that Mike Bartlett of the Village Hall had raised the question of why the Parish Council had not precepted for a contingency amount for future resurfacing of the village hall car park. The Parish Clerk said that it would be wrong for the Parish Council to precept for something that was not their responsibility. If the Village Hall wanted assistance with present and future resurfacing costs they would have to make a grant application on that basis. Adrian Joel asked why All Saints Church did not get the full amount of the grant that they requested. Tim Ing replied that not all people got what they wanted and the Parish Council had to be mindful of what they spent each year through the precept.
Allotments. Adrian Joel said that the Old Buckenham Allotment Society (OBAS) had held its AGM and elected a new Chairman, Steve Hicks. Adrian Joel had a meeting with him the day after he was elected and thought it was a good positive meeting. He then circulated photographs of the allotments from different views. Derek Smalley said he thought that hedges were not required as the view of the allotments is acceptable. Adrian Joel also agreed that there should be no shrubs or hedge planted along the path alongside the allotments. The Parish Clerk is to contact OBAS informing them of the decision.
Review of Financial Regulations. It was proposed by Akis Chrisovelides and seconded by Carol Marshall that the new amended Financial Regulations be adopted by the Parish Council. This was agreed unanimously.
Neighbourhood Plan. The Parish Clerk gave details of an email received regarding a Neighbourhood Plan for the village. The Parish Clerk then read out a letter from David Spencer of Breckland Council giving details of his thoughts on the idea and promoting an alternative way forward. Adrian Joel felt that Breckland’s Local Plan would be a better way forward than a Neighbourhood Plan and that David Spencer should be invited to the Annual Parish Meeting when the idea could be discussed in more detail. The Parish Clerk is to write to Tim Bornett on the matter.
Planning applications. College Barn, Cake Street. Extension to provide new family room. It was agreed there were no objections, (8 for and 1 abstention).
Roughlands, Grove Road. Proposed extension to existing stables to accommodate six new stables, tack room and tea room. The Parish Council had no objections as long as it is for personal use and not any kind of business use (agreed with 4 for and 5 abstaining).
Roughlands, Grove Road. Erection of manege and horse walker. No objections from the Parish Council but no lighting to be installed, must only be used for personal use and no kind of business purpose. It must also be located precisely as shown on the application with additional screening between the applicants’ premises and Woods End at the western end of applicant’s property. This was agreed with 5 for and 4 abstentions.
43 Fen Street. Erection of conservatory. No objections, agreed with 6 for and 3 abstentions.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. None
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing had attended a meeting of the Breckland Planning Committee with Adrian Joel regarding the proposed development at Shrublands. The District Valuer had looked at the proposal to see if the development was viable in its present form. Breckland Council passed it with a vote of 6 for and 5 against even after Tim Ing had spoken against it. The application was now going to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration as the application was out of normal planning time limits. There was a section 106 payment of £248,000 and a recreational payment of £19,000. If the Inspector says it was out of time then a new application would have to be submitted. Grit bins have been installed alongside the B1077 near Prince Harry’s Wood and also one at Oaklands. The water at the allotments had been turned off for the winter months. The Play Area parking space would have sand put down by Tim Ing and if this proved unsuccessful then matting would have to be considered.
District Councillor’s report. Breckland Council had recently held meetings throughout the area to seek residents’ priorities in terms of the services they value the most as Breckland looks to save money. Results showed that community safety and CCTV along with clean streets was top of the list whilst bottom came arts, sport development and the Breckland Council magazine Breckland Voice. Views were also asked regarding the possible raising of council tax. Most people wanted an increase to the maximum, currently 3.2%, whilst the least people wanted to see was council tax staying the same. Charging for car parking in the district was also covered - 51% wanted to keep parking free whilst 41% wanted charges introduced with the first 1 or 2 hours free. Breckland are also looking to join up with South Holland Council to bulk purchase power. Both councils will provide a list of residents who are interested and prepared to switch their supplier if a lower price can be obtained. More details on the scheme will be on Breckland Council’s website and in the Breckland Voice magazine.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Paul Boggia asked that the question of street lights in the village be put on the December agenda. Carol Marshall said the Village Environment and Recycling Group are having a table sale on Sunday 2 December at the Village Hall starting at 10am. The Recreation Area working party is trying to get three quotes for the car parking and BMX track. Derek Smalley said the oil buying group will continue until March 2013 and its future will be decided then. He also attended a SNAT meeting in October. He gave details of accidents reported to police in Old Buckenham in last five years which totalled 21. Derek Smalley will be ordering bin speeding signs for the village with any surplus being sold to other villages. Steve Milner said the Community Speedwatch Group will have their training on Tuesday 27 November and then speed checks will start operating in the village soon after this. The Village Emergency Plan will come before the Parish Council in December for adoption. Adrian Joel said that Breckland Council have emergency packs available for the Parish Council, designed for elderly people in emergencies. He will obtain some for the Parish Council. Akis Chrisovelides said that he would write to interested youngsters informing them they could meet with parish councillors before any Parish Council Meeting.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Clerk said that the Localism Act and the new Code of Conduct had thrown up a problem with councillors being able to vote on precept matters if they lived in the village. The Clerk had raised the matter with NALC to seek their approval of a course of action that he intended taking to remedy the situation - the Clerk to give dispensation to all councillors after receiving a written request for dispensation. This matter is to be discussed at the December meeting. The Parish Clerk reported he would not be available to attend the January parish council meeting.
Highways. Adrian Joel said that the 30mph signs on the B1077 coming into the village from Attleborough needed to be moved further towards Attleborough. The Parish Clerk to contact Highways on the matter. It was also reported that road signs had been left in village following the resurfacing work and Parish Clerk is to arrange for their removal.
The Green. Nothing to report.
The next meeting Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 December in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Village fireworks go with a bang

Old Buckenham celebrates
The Old Buckenham 2000 Trust decided to bring back the annual fireworks display. The villagers, as usual, left buying tickets to the last minute but in the end hundreds of families gathered last night on the fields alongside of Doe Lane. It was a crisp dry evening, the bonfire was blazing and the stalls selling food and drink did a roaring trade.
A nearly full moon was rising when the display started. There were bangs, flashes and very colourful showers as the fireworks shot up into the sky. This was a very professional show and much appreciated by the large audience. Taking photographs of such displays does not show how impressive it was but does sometimes produce some strange flower-like images.

Fungi on Old Buckenham Green

Good year for fungi
They have been sprouting up all over Old Buckenham Green this autumn.