Wednesday 30 September 2015

Old Buckenham events in October

Diary dates for October

Thursday 1    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Sunday 4    Wargames Club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Monday 5    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Tuesday 6    Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

Wednesday 7    Women's Fellowship, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 8    Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 8    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm

Friday 9    Attleborough Surgery flu clinic, 8am to 6pm

Sunday 11    Thanksgiving service, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Monday 12    Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Wednesday 14    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 14    Beetle Drive, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Friday 16    Village cinema, 'A little chaos', Village Hall, 8pm

Monday 19    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Wednesday 21    Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Thursday 22    Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 24    Village quiz, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Wednesday 28    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Friday 30    Spooky Halloween walk, Ox and Plough, 6pm

Saturday 31    Fancy dress party, Ox and Plough, 8pm onwards

Tuesday 29 September 2015

October's Old Buckenham newsletter

Read the words on paper
More news about our village is now there for you to read in the October issue of the Old Buckenham village newsletter. Copies have been taken round to 'selected venues' this morning so why not pick up a copy to read (unless you are one of those lucky people who have one put through their letterbox).



Saturday 26 September 2015

Old Buckenham Balloon Festival 2015

Fire breathing 'machines' take to the air
Large multi-coloured shapes were rising from Old Buckenham Airfield this evening, growing forever larger, taking to the air and then disappearing off into the sunset. This weekend the weather has been very kind to the balloonists, nice clear skies and very little wind.
There were flights this morning and another session at around 6pm. Once the balloons were inflated, they all drifted off westward and the spectators drifted off home. By then the support crews were moving off to follow across the countryside to pick everything up and bring it back for more possible flights on Sunday morning. According to the Old Buckenham Airfield website, you'll need to be on site around 8am to watch this spectacle yourself.










Tuesday 22 September 2015

Old Buckenham help for homeless

Music can help

The Liquorice Allsorts Clarinet Quartet, championed by Pauline Dixon of Puddledock, together with the New Buckenham Silver Band are providing a concert entitled 'Music from around the World'. This event is to raise much needed funding for St Martins Charity, whose aim is to eradicate sleeping on the streets of Norfolk by providing emergency temporary accommodation, including the only Night Shelter within Norfolk. Funding is paramount at the present time to furnish the recently acquired property at Lakenfields, primarily for homeless persons with mental disorders, and two units to accommodate disabled people. Regretfully in excess of fifty persons found sleeping on the streets of Norfolk last year suffer some form on mental problem.
Old Buckenham has a history of supporting the St Martins charity. 
Please try to support this concert, perhaps villagers could get together and a few car loads can be organised. Tickets available from Mike on 01953 860462 cost just £10, which include a glass of wine and a “bite".  All costs have been sponsored and each ticket sold will provide the full £10 for the charity. 

Sunday 20 September 2015

Old Buckenham Village Cinema

A little chaos and Cinderella
Two films showings have been organised in Old Buckenham Village Hall to see out the year.
On Friday 16 October at 8pm there will be 'A Little Chaos'.
Alan Rickman directs Academy award winner Kate Winslet in a romantic drama set in 1682. Sabine De Barra, a strong-willed and talented landscape designer, fulfils her chosen vocation in the gardens and countryside of France and one day receives an unexpected invitation for an assignment at the court of King Louis XIV.  Eventually Sabine is chosen to build one of the main gardens at The Sun King's new Palace of Versailles and forges a surprising connection with the King himself. 
On Saturday 5 December there will be a showing of the new Disney version of 'Cinderella'. The time of the show (or shows) times is yet to be finalised as consultations are taking place to decide on the best time(s) to suit a family audience.
In case you missed it when it was shown in Old Buckenham this summer there is another chance to see 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' on Saturday 3 October at 7.30pm in New Buckenham village hall. Doors open at 7pm. There will be a bar and refreshments. Ticket cost £4 from Kings Stores in New Buckenham or £5 on the door.





Friday 18 September 2015

Old Buckenham Methodist Church

Activities and events
The Harvest Festival was held on Sunday 13 September. It was a very special service with a large congregation and enjoyed by all. There was a plentiful supply of harvest gifts given as well as music from a talented organist, a cello player, a singing trio and a guitarist with his son on a bongo drum. The following evening was the sell-off of all the gifts plus more given that day. It took the form of an auction and the auctioneer was Les Large. A really happy evening was enjoyed by all who attended, with much laughter and amusement. A sum of £343 was raised towards the the building of a house in Zimbabwe, housing someone who can make sure that their piece of land, where they grow vegetables, raise a few chickens and a cow or two, is kept secure. This enables single mums make a living for themselves and their children.
Future events include 
a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 11 October at 2.30pm for the lives of Peter Bloom, Muriel Large and Diane Packham.
Then on Wednesday 14 October there will be an occasional social evening, this time a Beetle Drive. Please ring either 01953 861207 or 01953 609106 if you would like to join in, there is no charge and there will be light refreshments.
On Wednesday 21 October at 7.30pm there will be the regular Songs of Praise evening. This is held every month on the third Wednesday of the month when everyone can choose a favourite song or hymn.

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Centenary celebrations in Old Buckenham

One hundred years ago today
The first WI meeting in the UK was held in Llanfairpwll on Anglesey, Wales, on 16 September 1915.  Since then, the organisation has grown to become the largest women's voluntary organisations in the UK with over 212,000 members in 6,600 WIs. 
To celebrate this occasion, Old Buckenham Women's Institute has had various events during the year and today several members gathered at All Saints Church to ring the church bells in a centenary celebration. 
Rather random notes were rung and a new 'skill' was experienced by those who took part.

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Old Buckenham keeps producing

Colourful displays make an enjoyable afternoon
Last Sunday was was an opportunity for those in Old Buckenham and the surrounding area to compete amongst each other and show their skills in growing flowers and vegetables, making cakes and jams, painting pictures and taking photographs as well as other craft items.
There were many trophies to be won with the tables and display boards well covered before the judges arrived to try to sort out the best. 
The public arrived in the afternoon to look around all the exhibits in the village hall and to see how well their own entries had done against the 'opposition'.
There was the chance of tea and home-made cakes before the prize giving took place (a rare occasion where the blog editor found himself being photographed rather than taking the pictures himself). This was followed by an auction of much of the produce and a raffle so that most people ended up going home with some reminders of a most enjoyable afternoon that had been so well organised by Old Buckeham Women's Institute.







(Note: the blog editor was the 'celebrity' given the job of presenting the prizes, not the person winning the art shield trophy and certificate)

Winners of the various categories were:
Flower arrangements - Barbara Colby
Preserves - Barbara Frost
Cookery - Anita Bounds
Eggs - Fincham and Phoenix
Flowers - John Frost
Pot plants - Barbara Colby
Children (7 and under) - Thomas Hills
Handicrafts - Pauline Bartlett
Art - Patricia Shearing
Vegetables and fruit - Roy Dickinson
Overall winner - John Frost

Saturday 12 September 2015

Old Buckenham's wonderful day of cycling

Pedalling at all levels
Lots of people rode through Old Buckenham today.
First there was a ride around the village for all the family. They gathered undercover by the Ox and Plough as there were heavy showers of rain. This had nearly stopped by the time they set off at 10am - a wonderful collection of cyclists of all ages.
More decorated bikes had appeared by the roadside overnight and the joint Women's Institute/All Saints Church refreshment tent was soon doing a roaring trade.
Before noon people were booking their spaces along the roadside awaiting the arrival of the very speedy peloton of Tour of Britain riders. A breakaway group of three rider flashed through followed several minutes later by the main pack who in turn were followed by loads of support vehicles loaded with spare cycles.
Blink and you missed it all but the afternoon was filled by a series of  'crit' races round and round the village Green at breathtaking speeds. There were races at various levels and a chance for everyone to try out the circuit at the end.













 (just click on the images to enlarge them)



Friday 11 September 2015

Latest parish council discussions in Old Buckenham

Parish Council in September
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.
All councillors (apart from Mike Farrington who had sent his apologies) attended along with four members of the public and Stephen Askew, Norfolk County Councillor.
Public recess for items on the agenda. Problems in Harlingwood Lane and Puddledock Corner along with lack of other footpaths in village. What was the role of Green Right Proprietors? The question of HGVs coming through the village and ignoring weight limits, Tom Johnson had already raised this matter with the police at a SNAT meeting earlier in the day.
Minutes of the July Parish Council meeting. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Adrian Joel raised the matter of the suspension of standing orders at the last meeting. The clerk informed the meeting that it was done in a proper manner.
Parish Council website. The meeting was informed that the Parish Council would have a legal requirement to have its own website in the near future. Terry Cracknell had suggested involving the local high school in creating and maintaining the site through its pupils. NALC would act as server host and the Clerk to contact school to discuss the matter.
Neighbourhood Plan. Jonathan Kemp, Sarah Hornbrook and Adrian Joel gave a brief presentation to the meeting of possibly producing a neighbourhood plan, what would be required to bring it to fruition and the benefits accruing to village if it had such a plan. The chairman asked for councillors’ input and various councillors expressed their view on the matter. Following the discussions Steve Milner proposed that the Parish Council proceed with a Neighbourhood Plan. This was agreed and Jonathan Kemp would be chairperson of the project.
Use of Breckland Council Outdoor Sports funds. Adrian Joel informed the meeting that there were funds available for outdoor sports facilities and that the Parish Council should look to secure some of this for the Recreation and Play Areas He also thanked Mike Bartlett for obtaining grant funding of £250 from Six Villages newsletter.
Co-option of new councillor. Two candidates had put their names forward for consideration for the vacancy. Graham Hart, who was at the meeting, answered questions in support of his nomination. Unfortunately the other candidate was unable to attend the meeting. Following a vote a majority of the councillors present voted for Graham Hart who was duly co-opted to the Parish Council and, having signed the acceptance of office form, took his place. (Graham Hart’s contact details are given at the end of these notes on this parish council meeting.)
Four year ideas plan. Adrian Joel asked the other councillors for ideas to include in the plan. Subjects put forward included footpaths to be created in other parts of the village, encouragement of younger people to be involved with the Parish Council, better use of internet and social media by the Parish Council, closer ties between the Green Right Proprietors and the Parish Council, use of the BT telephone kiosk, more use of the Green as a recreation facility, new noticeboard, expansion of the recreation area, alternative travel methods within village, possible music festival on the Green, free wifi within the village boundary, welcoming signs be erected at entrances of village and that a bandstand be erected. It was suggested that a working party be set up to develop the plan. The item to be put on October agenda.
Breckland housing needs survey. Adrian Joel gave details of the survey of affordable housing needs in the village compiled by Breckland in August 2015. There followed a discussion by councillors and then Adrian Joel proposed that the Parish Council supports the building of ten to twelve houses in Marsh Field Way under the local selection scheme. This was agreed. Adrian Joel informed the meeting that Breckland Council had given a grant of £500 for local events to support the Tour of Britain.
Discussion of second public recess at Parish Council meetings. Steve Milner sought the views of parish councillors on the subject and following this discussion Steve Milner suggested a trial period of two or three meetings having a second recess and then to review the matter after this trial period.
Planning applications. Cherry Tree Cottage, Loss Wroo. Replacement of workshop, storage, garden machinery building by garage for mobile motor home, workshop, store and hobbies building plus construct new summer house. No objections from parish council subject to removal of upper windows and roof lights on east elevation. This was agreed with 7 for and 3 abstentions.
Former Builders’ Yard, Hargham Road. Proposed new dwelling. No objections from parish council but with recommendation that house is tied to business and some concerns over the siting of the new house. This was agreed with 9 for and 1 abstention.
The Chalet, Harlingwood Lane. Extensions and associated alterations. No objections from parish council, this was agreed with 8 for and 2 abstentions.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Redroof, Cake Street. Single storey extension to front of bungalow, changes to internal layout and provision of first floor attic bedrooms. Permission granted. 
Rustics, Mill Road. Alteration to rear extension. Permission granted.
Chairman’s report. Steve Milner had recently attend a chairman training course run by NALC and found the course helpful and informative. Other villages seemed to have similar problems to Old Buckenham. He gave a brief overview of the course and what problems other villages faced. One Speedwatch team had recently recorded a vehicle travelling at 52mph in a 30mph zone and they had reported the facts to police. He also urged drivers to be more cautious now school has started again and said they should give way to people going to and from the school with children.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel read out changes to the NPPF regarding provision of affordable housing which had greatly reduced the level that developers had to provide. Following a legal challenge, the previous levels were re-instated. Details were given regarding the requirement by parish and town councils for the provision and upgrade of open space and play space. Details of any project need to be given to Breckland Council so that they can consider whether developers on housing schemes can be required to make payments for them. Breckland have compiled a timetable for completion of the Local Plan with draft publication in April 2016 and submission to the Planning Inspectorate in July 2016 with examination in October 2016. After approval Breckland will have a five year land supply which should stop developers buying up land outside settlement boundaries. Breckland will be asking parish councils for any land they would like included in the Preferred Options Document.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Terry Cracknell had attended the Village Hall management committee meeting as an observer. He requested that he no longer be the parish councillor representative for the organisation because of other commitments. He then raised the matter of keeping the village tidy and using volunteers and possibly paid people. Rona Boggia raised the matter of Harlingwood Lane and the overgrown hedge. Ben Devlin said he will donate a bench for the Green and asked if the recent grant given to Parish Council could be used for other purposes - Parish Clerk to arrange. Adrian Joel asked for a meeting of the Personnel Committee and suggested a substitute member if a quorum could not be arranged. Carol Marshall raised the question of a ROSPA inspection of the Play and Recreation areas. Also one Almshouse is unoccupied and available for a suitable applicant. The refurbishment of window and doors continues along with replacing the water mains to the properties. Tom Johnson attended the Village Hall management committee meeting and they hope to soon be able to resurface half of the car park. There will be a quiz night at the Village Hall on Saturday 24 October and film nights in December. On Saturday 21 November there will be a live show of the Mikado. He also attended the SNAT meeting earlier today and raised the matter of the 52mph speeding incident in the village. He was also horrified to find there was only one CSPO for a very large area. The subject of thefts from allotments was also raised along with the new diversion of traffic after closing part of the B1077 and problems relating to this. He raised the matter of the pond at Manor Corner which he felt was very unsafe, it is so close to the highway and someone could easily fall in and find it difficult to get out. The Parish Clerk will contact Highways on the matter.
Parish Clerk’s report. The clerk informed the meeting that the government auditors had signed the accounts for 2014/15 with no questions or amendments. He then read out an email from trustees of the Old Buckenham Charities asking for confirmation of continued serving of the trustees. He also gave details of an email from the of Highways’ district engineer covering local highway matters.
Highways. Adrian Joel reported unauthorised signs on the 30 mph repeater signs on the B1077. Reflector signs along Post Office Terrace need looking at and the Parish Clerk will contact Highways.
The next parish council meeting will be on Thursday 1 October in Old Buckenham Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Contact details for newly co-opted member of Old Buckenham Parish Council.
Graham Hart, Keele Cottage, The Green, Old Buckenham, NR17 1RG.
Telephone 07909 844885. Email graham.hart11@gmail.com

Parking in Old Buckenham on Saturday

Car park maps on display
Not easy to photograph but the are some large maps on the notice board outside the village shop that give details of the 'out of village' car park sites that will be in operation during the Tour of Britain celebrations on Saturday 12 September.




Wednesday 9 September 2015

After the big day in Old Buckenham

Plenty to do the day after
The bikes will have rushed through the day before but there will still be plenty to do in Old Buckenham on Sunday 13 September.
Why not go along to the Village Hall between 9.30am and 11am to enter all your entries in the Old Buckenham Open Produce and Handicraft Show. Schedules available by ringing 01953 861322.
You can go to the Harvest Festival service at the Methodist Chapel in Hargham Road. That will begin at 10.45am.
At 2pm the Old Buckenham windmill will be open to visitors to look around until 5pm. This will be the last Sunday opening until May 2016.
The Produce and Handicraft show opens its doors to the public at 2.30pm so you can check on what classes you have won (or looked at the classes you might well have won if you had gone to the effort of entering). Turn up at 4pm to see the presentation of all the prizes and have the chance to  pick up some great bargains when many of the entries will be auctioned off at amazing prices.

Monday 7 September 2015

Top flight evenings in Old Buckenham

Take to the skies with Old Buckenham Players
Old Buckenham Players invite you to come on board this month with an evening comprising of not one, but two plays. Given the village's proud and long-standing affiliation with aviation, the Players have an in-flight entertainment programme consisting of 'Papa Charlie' by their very own award-winning Richard Crawley and 'November Echo' by Pamela Sykes. Each is cleverly linked to the other to create a complete evening of a drama. Just sit back, fasten your seatbelts and prepare to take off on a voyage of discovery not only of the skies, but also of personalities, relationships and emotions in these engaging of plays.
This is a chartered flight for two nights only so make sure to get your boarding passes in good time.
Performances start at 7.30pm on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 of September at Old Buckenham Village Hall. There'll be a raffle and a very reasonably priced bar serving a range of soft and alcoholic drinks. Tickets are on sale now and cost just £8 and can be purchased by calling 01953 861336 or in person from Old Buckenham Stores or Nuts 'n' Bolts in Attleborough.




Want to find out more about Old Buckenham Players? To get in touch, find out what they do, how they do it and to keep up to date on their forthcoming shows you can go to their website http://www.oldbuckenhamplayers.co.uk
or twitter https://twitter.com/OldBuckPlayers
or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OldBuckenhamPlayers

Sunday 6 September 2015

Having a break in Old Buckenham

Sorry but even more cyclists
Today many have taken the opportunity to ride along part of next Saturday's Tour of Britain route. All started at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in a fund raising event. Those doing the 40 mile route had the opportunity of stopping outside the Ox and Plough in Old Buckenham to recharge at the feed station before cycling another 20 miles back to the hospital. There was also the chance to take the team photo. 
Those doing the longer 100 mile route probably pushed on a bit further as they had eighty miles still to go...




Thursday 3 September 2015

More cyclists coming through Old Buckenham

Cycling six days earlier
You may well see plenty of keen cyclists around in Old Buckenham on Sunday 6 September. The NNUH Tour Sportive is running on the Tour of Britain stage 7 route that day and Old Buckenham will be the first feed station for the 40 and 100 mile riders. There are 20, 40 and 100 mile options for routes leaving the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and coming in this direction. All this in aid of charity and perhaps some of the keen village cyclists will be giving it a go and riding part of the Tour of Britain route themselves a week before the professionals.

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Old Buckenham criterium details

Those cycle races round the Green
As well as all the excitement when the Tour of Britain rushes through Old Buckenham on Saturday 12 September, there will be a series of races on a closed circuit around the Green.
These bike races are known as a criterium (or crit) and are held on a short course (usually less than 1 mile).
Here are the details of our local races:
Race 1 of 40 minutes duration plus one lap. British Cycling 3rd and 4th Category Race Licence holders only (4th Category is entry level to the sport with a Race Licence. Elite and 1st Category are riders in the Tour of Britain). All riders start together and first over the line wins. Points are awarded to usually the first 10 places so when a rider has sufficient points they move up a category. Race may seem short but this type of racing is extremely hard due to the number of times you have to slow down for and then accelerate out of each corner
Race 2 of 20 minutes plus one lap. British Cycling 4th Category and any non BC member who wanting to give racing a try. All riders start together.
Race 3 of 10 minutes plus one lap. British Cycling members under 12 and under 10 plus any rider in this age group who want to give racing a try. All riders start together.
Race 4 of 20 minutes plus one lap. British Cycling members under 16 and under 14 plus any rider in this age group who want to give racing a try. All riders start together. Cycles must conform to BC Rules and Regulations. No disc brakes. Freewheel and drop handlebars required.
Race 5 - One lap. Dash Time Trial. For any rider of any age on any road legal cycle plus crash helmet. No membership of British Cycling required. Riders start individually at 30 or 60 second intervals. Fastest time for one lap wins. There will be prizes for age groups, etc.
So this should be great for spectators with all the sharp corners to negotiate and even a chance in Race 5 to try it yourself and find out just how hard it is...