Thursday 31 October 2013

Busy month in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for November

Friday 1    Crib, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 2    WI Craft Day, Village Hall, 10am

Sunday 3    Wargames Club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Monday 4    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Tuesday 5    Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

Wednesday 6    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 6    Women's Fellowship, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 7    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 9    Talk on Titanic survivor, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Sunday 10    Remembrance service, OB Airfield, 11am

Monday 11    Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Thursday 14    Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 14    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm

Friday 15    Quiz and chips, Village Hall, 7.30pm


Monday 18    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Wednesday 20    Luncheon Club outing

Wednesday 20   Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Friday 22    High School Christmas Market, 7pm to 9pm

Saturday 23    Clearing up in All Saints churchyard from 9am

Thursday 28    Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 29    Christmas Fair, Primary School, 6pm to 8pm

Saturday 30    Bingo, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Old Buckenham quiz time

Poster says it all
Full details of the Quiz and Chips evening are on the poster below. Just click on the image to enlarge it.
There is also an entry form which you should be able to copy, paste and print so that you can fill it in and return it to the Village Shop by the closing date of Saturday 9 November along with entry fees.


Tuesday 29 October 2013

November issue around in Old Buckenham

More to read
The November issue of the Old Buckenham village newsletter has now been taken round to the regular distribution points so you should be able to pick up a copy at All Saints Church, both the pubs, the Village Shop and the Clinic on the Green.
Don't delay as they usually disappear quite quickly.

Monday 28 October 2013

Birthday celebrations in Old Buckenham

Party time
Everyone enjoys a good party and on Thursday 24 October members, friends and visitors enjoyed food, wine and entertainment at Old Buckenham WI’s 46th anniversary.
The President, Susan Hunter, welcomed everyone and with business swiftly dealt with so that all could visit the buffet tables laden with savouries donated by members. Later everyone indulged in desserts (and seconds) provided by the members of the Committee. All this was washed down with a glass or two of wine or soft drink.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by the trio, Two Plus One, who sang a selection of songs from well-loved musicals. Extracts from My Fair Lady, the Sound of Music, Cats and South Pacific were a few of the shows covered on their programme.
As tradition dictates there is always a specially commissioned birthday cake, provided by one of the members, and a glass of sherry to toast Old Buckenham WI.
This was not the end of the celebrations though as the President had a significant birthday as well. Members presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a cake of her own to take home.
Next month is the Annual Meeting on Thursday 28 November with short reports and an election of a new committee to steer the WI into 2014.

 








Sunday 27 October 2013

Owl on Old Buckenham Green

Getting the bird
There have been rumours going around the village (and even a comment posted on this blog) about an owl that has been seen around on Old Buckenham Green, over in the corner near the Grange.
So the blog editor armed himself with his trusty camera and went out on a search of the area to see what he could find.
Suddenly there it was and in the middle of the day as well. It didn't seem worried by the proximity of a human being with a camera either, there was not really any need to use the zoom lens to get a close up picture. So a few quick snaps were taken for the record and the bird left to sit there in peace.

Friday 25 October 2013

A Fake Thackray in Old Buckenham

Bringing Jake back to life
Most of the audience in the Old Buckenham Village Hall tonight were of a certain age and would have memories of Jake Thackray appearing on their (probably black and white) televisions. These memories were brought to life by John Watterson's tribute as he performed many of Jake's satirical, witty, sentimental and usually hilarious songs.
If you cannot remember  back to those days then you'll find all the details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Thackray
This was a great evening's entertainment given by a most professional musician and it is a shame that more of Old Buckenham's residents didn't get along to see and listen to the performance. Put on jointly by the Village Hall committee and the Old Buckenham Players, the evening raised money towards putting a more permanent sound system into the village hall.
James Lazell, a young local musician, also took to the stage at the beginning of the evening and during the interval to provide more entertainment to all those sixty people who supported the event.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

First discussions on possible school move to Old Buckenham

Initial public meeting on Chapel Road School
Tonight was the opportunity for Old Buckenham residents to meet with those involved in the potential move of Chapel Road School from Attleborough to a site adjacent to the existing primary and high school buildings (see details on the blog post for Friday 11 October).
Around a hundred people turned up at the primary school hall from mid-afternoon until early evening. They had a chance to look at the location plans and to discuss them with people from the County Council education department, the property services and architects' departments as well as teachers from the schools involved.
The general feeling on the possibilities seemed to be very positive with most of the discussion being on the road access to the new site and some of the ways that this could be achieved.
You can still give your views by emailing schoolsitesreview@norfolk.gov.uk , by writing to the Freepost address School Sites Review, Freepost, IH2076, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2BR or by telephoning 0344 800 8020.


Saturday 19 October 2013

Nepalese talk in Old Buckenham

From Old Buckenham to Phortse and back
The October meeting of the Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle was a presentation by two of the members – Sheila Freake and David Hannah. In April this year, they went with a small party to Nepal to make their way in the Himalayas to Phortse. This was the village where Sheila’s husband, Tony, had helped with many improvement projects over two decades involving the building of a school and a medical centre, providing clean drinking water and improving the power supply. After Tony’s death, Sheila had taken some of his ashes to Phortse where they had been laid in a memorial fronted by a small bust of Tony, who had been known locally as “Papa Tony”. The voyage to Phortse from Kathmandu airport was mainly on foot, climbing to almost 6000 metres over 10 days. David had not made the whole of the journey to Phortse as he had been a victim – not uncommonly – of altitude sickness. It was a very interesting and illustrated talk from both David and Sheila, who explained that “Phortse is a lovely place, but there’s just no air!”
The next meeting will be Thursday 14 November when a representative of Anglian Water will come along to say where our water comes from and where it goes to. This should be extremely interesting and informative and, as always, the meeting is open to anyone who wishes to come along to the Church Rooms at 7.45pm.

Thursday 17 October 2013

Coming attractions in Old Buckenham

Some posters posted
All can be enlarged by just clicking on the image


 
 
 
  

Monday 14 October 2013

Fungi in Old Buckenham

Growing on our patch
Yesterday was National Fungi Day so here are half a dozen images of what is growing on Old Buckenham Green and and in All Saints churchyard.




 

 

Sunday 13 October 2013

Harvest festival at Old Buckenham

Decorating for harvest festival
There was plenty of activity yesterday as All Saints Church in Old Buckenham was being decorated for today's harvest festival service. Flowers, vegetables and other items were displayed all around the building.




 
After today's service people gathered in the Church Rooms for
a harvest lunch. This was a 'bring and share' event and there was certainly plenty of food brought along for all to share.
 

 
 

Friday 11 October 2013

Chapel Road School to move to Old Buckenham?

Possible new school for village
Today Norfolk County Council has published a proposal to relocate and expand Chapel Road Complex Needs School, at present in Attleborough, to a site in Old Buckenham. They would like to hear the early views on the proposal from the people of Old Buckenham.
(just click on plan to enlarge it)
Chapel Road Complex Needs School in Attleborough presently provides 60 places for children and young people aged three to 19. It has been consistently judged outstanding by Ofsted. The school buildings need modernising and it needs a larger site. The school therefore needs to be rebuilt if it is to meet the future needs of its pupils who have a range of complex needs.
The Council have been working alongside the governing body and headteacher for a number of years to try to make the new school a reality. A key requirement has always been to locate the new building close to a high school and if possible a primary school so it can develop as part of a wider educational campus. This would offer the opportunity to share resources and for students and staff to work alongside different groups of learners.
A good location has emerged in Old Buckenham. The County Council have identified a large piece of land close to the primary school and opposite the high school and are currently in informal negotiations with the owner of the site.
A new school would not fully open until 2016 but, if it were to be built in Old Buckenham, now is a good time to consider how the facilities might benefit the whole community as well as the three schools.
The first of a series of drop-in sessions has been arranged so people can come and discuss the proposed way forward with representatives from Norfolk County Council, the three schools and NPS Property Consultants Ltd. It will be held in the hall of Old Buckenham Community Primary School on Tuesday 22 October between 3pm and 7.30pm
There will be displays of how the site might be used and the opportunity to hear ideas of how the proposed new school could integrate in the village and discuss the opportunities it could present.
For those unable to come along, they can express their views by emailing
schoolsitesreview@norfoIk.gov.uk

or write using the Freepost address School Sites Review, Freepost, IH2076, County Hail, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2BR
or by telephoning on 0344 800 8020.
The next stage will be for NPS Property Consultants Ltd to develop a design for the building and the wider site and for negotiations on the acquisition of the site to continue. The County Council plan to hold another event sometime in January/February 2014 to share their ideas and get local views before submitting a planning application.

Breckland Flower and Garden Club in Old Buckenham

Getting a bargain at Flower Club

Jenni Baker demonstrated at the Club's October meeting in Old Buckenham village hall when her title was 'It's a Bargain.' Being a Yorkshire lass she always has her eyes open for a bargain and all her containers were bought for next to nothing. They included a rather stylish stand with a previous life as a stool, a wicker basket decorated with grapes and leaves, a wooden stand made by her husband and a Grecian urn acquired very cheaply. Her designs were different shapes and she used a wide variety of foliage - mostly from her own garden - some of which was manipulated. The flowers she used included lysianthus, alstroemerias, roses, carnations and gerberas. Her colours ranged from white through to bright orange, and all shades of pink arranged in the basket. A very entertaing afternoon.
In the club competitions Christine Hewson and Shirley Penfold gained equal points in the Old Hands class. Alison Walker won the New Hands class as well as the monthly trophy. Alison Vivian's container of three stems of autumn colour came first in the table show.
The November meeting will take place on Thursday 14 November at 2pm. Brenda Tubb will be demonstrating 'In the Mood'. The competition will be for a 'Welcome ring' (to be hung) and the table show for a collection of dried and/or preserved material.
The club has organised a coach trip outing to the Emcy garden centre and the town of Holt on Tuesday 3 December (cost £10) leaving Old Buckenham Village Hall at 9.30am. If anyone would like to join us please contact Sally on 01953 788712.
Visitors are always welcome. Further details from Sally.

Monday 7 October 2013

Parish Council in October

Latest parish council activity
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
One member of the public attended the October meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council. Four council members (Carol Marshall, Sarah Dye, Paul Boggia and Akis Chrisovelides) were unable to attend and had sent their apologies.
The meeting was suspended for a short while to allow the member of the public to ask questions.
The minutes of the September Parish Council meeting were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting, this was agreed unanimously. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
Attleborough Development Plan. The Parish Clerk said he had received six written requests from parish councillors to overturn the vote allowing the land at Old Buckenham airfield and south of Bunn’s Bank to be included in the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan. It was proposed by Adrian Joel and seconded by Tom Johnson that the vote be overturned but that Old Buckenham Parish Council would remain on the steering group. This was agreed with 5 for, 1 against and 1 abstaining.
Planning Applications. 45 Fen Street. Demolish existing porch and replace with proposed single storey extension. No objections from the Parish Council, this was agreed with 6 for and Steve Milner abstaining.
Land off Folly Lane. Erection of agricultural livestock building and associated hardstanding and feed bin. No objections but suggested that access from the site would be from Carlton Rode, this was agreed unanimously.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Westward, The Green. Demolish existing games room/store extension and replace with single storey extension and conservatory. Permission granted.
Old Field Barn, Abbey Road. Alteration to garage previously approved by rotation of 90 degrees and increase size to accommodate biomass boiler store and music room. Permission granted.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing said he hoped to have moved into his new house but until this happened he had very restricted phone and internet access. He also raised concerns about lorries being directed down to Stacksford by their satnav systems where they were ending up lost and causing damage to tree and hedgerows.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said an interim Chief Executive has been installed at Breckland and he will be shared with South Holland District Council. With effect from the beginning of October, all scrap metal dealers and collectors have to be licenced and display the licence on their vehicles. Norfolk District Councils have a responsibility to ensure they recycle as many materials as they can and in a way that is convenient to them. An opportunity has been taken through the re-tendering of the materials reclamation facility contract to increase the range of materials collected across Norfolk. The new scheme should save money as well as reap significant environmental benefits through increased recycling. Breckland residents will be able to recycle more materials through the black bin collection and amongst the additional materials able to be recycled will be glass. The new service is expected to be started in 2014/15. The community recycling bank scheme will continue to operate in 2014/15 on the same basis as now. In addition, for 2014/15 only, compensatory payments, in lieu of the potential reduction in tonnages collected through the banks, will be made. The new Electoral Roll forms will shortly be issued to all residents and they are asked to return them to Breckland as it is an offence not to do so.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson said he attended a recent Village Hall committee meeting and they had received some complaints about noise levels at a recent event at the hall. They are now looking to have a noise level indicator installed to prevent it happening again. They are hoping to run a first aid course soon and the cost will £165 per person. They are seeking funding to pay for the updating of the hall sound system which will cost £2,216 and asked if Adrian Joel could assist them getting match funding. Adrian Joel said he would support the application. A Bingo evening would be held at the hall in early October. Jonathan Kemp said the goal nets at the Recreation Area need to be swapped over as the supplier had sent the wrong size nets and they will be replaced as soon as possible. Steve Milner reported he attended the recent meeting on broadband where the aim is to get 89% of the Norfolk population on high speed broadband by 2018, they hope to have Old Buckenham connected by 2015. He addressed the issue of the noise complaints at the village hall where a party was held. He attended the village hall when the complaints were made and asked for the music to be turned down. They agreed to do this but never did so the police were contacted and eventually they attended the event and the music was turned down. The event closed on time at midnight and the Village Hall would be looking at ways to prevent such incidents happening again. The Village Hall fete this year raised £1,650 and next year’s fete will be held on Saturday 19 July. The Jake Thackray show will be at the Village Hall on Friday 25 October and tickets are still available. The outdoor cinema night was a great evening that came to an early end due to a mechanical fault. He then raised the matter of getting 20mph speed restrictions in the village and suggested getting our County Councillor involved. The item is to be put on the November agenda and the County Councillor invited to attend. Adrian Joel raised matter of the pothole outside the village shop and suggested the Parish Council should repair it. The meeting was informed that the Parish Council was not responsible for the repair as it is not on land owned by Parish Council. He also said that All Saints church had been awarded a grant of £5000 by Breckland Council for work on the church. The matter of possible shortages of grave plots was raised and John Frost said there were approximately seven years of spaces left. Tim Ing said he went to Old Buckenham Airfield at weekend for the event held to celebrate the life of the late Ken Wallis and had a great time there. A letter to be sent to Matt Wilkins thanking him for putting on the event.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Parish Clerk said that he hoped to be in his new house by Friday 25 October and have everything back to normal by the end of the month. He then gave details of the new implications of the setting of precepts and said there may be a shortfall in what is needed and what the Parish Council could set.
Highways. On the north side of Bunn’s Banks on B1077 a manhole cover was collapsing inwards. There were potholes in Church Lane opposite Church House and also a further eight potholes in Doe Lane. The Parish Clerk to speak to Highways on the matter.
The Green. Tom Johnson said the edges of the Green need cutting to bring them into line with the rest of the Green. The next meeting of the Green Rights Proprietors will be on Tuesday 22 October.
The next meetings of Old Buckenham Parish Council will be the Precept meeting on Thursday 17 October and the normal Parish Council meeting on Thursday 7 November. Both meetings will be in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Friday 4 October 2013

Cotman site in Old Buckenham

More earth has moved
It's now four weeks on at the Cotman Housing site in Old Buckenham and there is plenty of activity. Here are the latest photos and you can compare them with those shown on the blog post on Friday 6 September.
 
 
(just click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Wednesday 2 October 2013

September meeting of Old Buckenham WI

Learning about EACH
The members of Old Buckenham WI welcomed Mark Loades at their September meeting. He came to tell them about the work of the East Anglian Children’s Hospice. EACH is very proud to have the Duchess of Cambridge as their patron and they provide care and support to life-threatened children and their families throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.
A range of services are provided including overnight short breaks, day care, specialist play, music therapy, hydrotherapy, parent and sibling groups, symptom management, support and care at end of life, and bereavement support for all family members. Care referrals can be made by anyone – family or care professionals.
EACH relies on volunteers to keep their services going and aim to raise almost £6 million this year from public donations. This amounts to £16,000 a day, every day of the year.
In October Old Buckenham WI have their Birthday celebration when friends join them for supper and entertainment.