Treasure Quest around in Old Buckenham

Finding a clue in Puddledock
Puddledock is in the parish of Old Buckenham although near the northern boundary. Clue 3 on today's edition of the BBC Radio Norfolk Treasure Quest programme led to Puddledock and the road sign that points out that it is not served by any buses. The search for this sign proved a little entertaining with the radio car whizzing past within a couple of yards before doing a tour of country lanes involving both Attleborough and central Old Buckenham.
Eventually the clue was found and the car was off on its way again around Norfolk. And despite the time taken getting to the location at Puddledock, the final treasure was found in Watton just before noon with a mere thirty seconds left.

Latest events in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for December

Tuesday 1    Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

Wednesday 2    Women's Fellowship, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 3    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Thursday 3    Women's Institute Christmas lunch

Friday 4    High School Christmas Fayre, 7pm to 9pm

Saturday 5    Cinderella film, Village Hall, 3pm and 7pm

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

Wednesday 9    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 10    Breckland Flower and Garden Club, Village Hall, from 12 noon

Thursday 10    Social and Wine Circle party and AGM, Church Rooms, 7.15pm

Thursday 10    Christmas entertainment, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Sunday 13    Coffee and cake morning, All Saints, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Sunday 13    Father Christmas at Windmill, 11am onwards

Monday 14    Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Wednesday 16    Christmas Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Friday 18    Carol singing on Green, Church Rooms, 6pm for 6.30pm

Thursday 24    Church Rooms open for food donations, all day

Thursday 24    Christmas Eve carol concert, All Saints, 7pm

Friday 25    Christmas Day service, Methodist Chapel, 10.30am

Friday 25    Christmas Day Parish Eucharist, All Saints, 9.30am

Last Old Buckenham newsletter of year

December newsletter now available
Copies of this latest issue have been distributed around the village today and also passed on to those delivering the Six Villages newsletter to much of the village. 

Opera in Old Buckenham

Livewire Opera Company performance
Steve and Lynn have provided a review of last night's entertainment at the village hall:

Old Buckenham folks that braved the appalling weather were rewarded with a rare musical treat as the Live Wire Opera Company performed Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado. We were not sure what to expect but on entry to the village hall we were all pleasantly surprised, the heating was working (thanks Mike), a small orchestra were tuning up in the corner and a super Japanese set was on the stage.
We all sat back to enjoy the impressive cast sing their hearts out especially when Yum Yum, Pitti Sing and Peep Bo broke into the well known "three little maids", and the plot developed. Costumes and makeup were fantastic especially Katisha (daughter in law elect) whose threatening presence was established with face make up that had the audience quaking. As we reached the end, another great song as Ko Ko wooed Katisha with "willow, tit willow" and we were treated to some rousing choruses with the voice of Yum Yum carrying above the troupe with a power and clarity that had me fearing for the glass as she hit the high notes. The entire company put their hearts and souls into the performance, for which, Lynn and myself, and all I spoke with are very, very grateful.
Fingers crossed that the troupe may be able to visit us again next year. Three cheers.

Old Buckenham precept for 2016/17

Decisions on funding
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that could be amended at a later date.
The Parish Council Precept meeting was held on Wednesday 18 November. There were two members of the public present and two parish councillors (Terry Cracknell and Rona Boggia) had sent their apologies for not being able to attend.
Declaration of interest in items on the agenda. Carol Marshall declared an interest in the Almhouses, the Over 60s annual party and the Monday Mardle Group while Adrian Joel also declared an interest in the Monday Mardle Group.
Public recess. The matter of how grants were given last year was raised. Also charities outside Old Buckenham were applying for grants and it was suggested that some guidance for future grant applications be introduced. One resident raised the matter of due diligence on grant applications and also raised points on the proposed budget for the next financial year. Both the parish clerk and the chairman responded on some of the points raised.
Budget proposals for financial year 2016/17. The Parish Clerk, in his role as Responsible Finance Officer, put forward a suggested budget which showed a small decrease in expenditure over the current financial year’s budget and asked for the councillors’ views. Councillors then went through each individual overhead and after detailed discussion proposed the following amendments.

• Community Car Scheme be reduced by £50 to £1,300 for the year. 
• Maintenance of Recreation Area be reduced by £50 to £600 
• Contingency Fund be reduced by £500 to £2,000. 
• Play Area and Recreation Area repairs be increased by £250 to £1,000. 

This gave a total overhead expenditure of £17,068 for the financial year.
Grant applications. The parish councillors discussed all grant applications and many varied views were expressed. The following applications for grants were considered.

• Almshouse Trustees: it was proposed, seconded and agreed with 7 for and 1 abstention to give a grant of £1,415 for new locks. 
• Old Buckenham team for Norfolk Village Games: it was proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously to give a grant of £150 for team T shirts for next year’s village games. 
• Over 60s Annual Party: it was proposed, seconded and agreed with 7 for and 1 abstention to give a grant of £500 towards the annual party. 
• Buckenham Pre-school and Nursery: it was proposed, seconded and agreed with 7 for and 1 abstention to give a grant of £220 to buy two gazebos for the children. 
• Monday Mardle Group: it was proposed, seconded and agreed with 6 for and 2 abstentions to award a grant of £100 for future activities. 
• New Buckenham Football Club: it was proposed, seconded and agreed by 6 for, 1 abstention and 1 against to give a grant of £257 for football related equipment. 
• East Anglian Air Ambulance: it was proposed, seconded and agreed by 7 for and 1 abstention to give a grant of £100. 
• East Anglia Children’s Hospice: it was proposed, seconded and agreed by 3 for and 5 abstentions to give a grant of £100. 
• The total of the grants awarded was £2,842.

It was the proposed, seconded and agreed unanimously that the total Precept for the financial year 2016/17 be set at £19,910. The Parish Clerk is to submit a Precept application to Breckland Council for this amount.

Bingo in Old Buckenham

Two chances next weekend
Buckenham  Pre-school Group are hosting a bingo night on behalf of Bucks Just Play to raise money to help with the refurbishment of the Old Buckenham children's Play Area. It will be held at the Pre-school on Friday 20 November, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
It will cost £5 for all the evening's play. There will also be a raffle if you wish to spend more money for this good cause.
Please park cars in the Primary School grounds, bring along your own refreshments (disposable crockery provided) and, as the event is in the Pre-school, you might like to bring along your own adult size chair.
Sorry but this is not an event for children.
On the following day, Saturday 21 November, there will also be an afternoon of prize bingo in the Church Rooms starting at 2pm. There will be refreshments and a raffle, the event being held to raise funds for All Saints Church. All welcome.

Old Buckenham village calendar now available

Pick yours up from the village shop
This year's calendar is illustrated with pictures of many of the village organisations ranging through the Women's Institute, the Scouts, the Carpet Bowls Club, the Old Buckenham Players and many more.
The calendars cost £5 each and can be bought from the village shop.
They have been produced by the Old Buckenham 2000 Trust and any money raised goes back into the community where local groups within the village can apply for grants from the Trust.

November market in Old Buckenham

A light lunch?
This coming Saturday why not come along to the November Market in the Church Rooms, Old Buckenham? It will be a pleasant way to help raise some funds for All Saints Church while picking up a bargain or two from the stalls and having the chance to win something on the tombola or raffle.
Many people come along to enjoy a light lunch with tasty home-made soups, made all the better by being able to chat with other friends and villagers.

Old Buckenham remembers

At the Airfield and on the Green
There were plenty of people at Old Buckenham Airfield yesterday to take part on the Remembrance Service at the 453rd War Memorial Garden.

Following the service there was the official opening of the new 453rd Bombardment Museum in the recently-built Nissan Hut style building which soon filled up with visitors. Many made a point of signing the visitor's book and leaving their comments.

In the afternoon a crowd gathered by the village war memorial on the Green for a short service and to lay wreaths in memory of those villagers who lost their lives in the two world wars.

Old Buckenham Parish Council's November meeting

Parish Council in November
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.
There were seven members of the public at the November meeting and Stephen Askew (Norfolk County Councillor) along with all the members of the Parish Council apart from Jonathan Kemp who had sent his apologies. Terry Cracknell and Graham Hart both declared an interest in individual planning applications.
There were no items raised in the public recess.
Minutes of the October Parish Council Meeting. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting, this was agreed unanimously.
Matters arising from minutes. Carol Marshall said SNAT are now known as SNT. The phone box in the village has a broken pane of glass, the Parish Clerk to report this to BT. Adrian Joel raised the matter of pointing out voting intent of the Parish Council on planning applications. Terry Cracknell raised the matter of issues raised, but not voted on, being forgotten and they should be followed up. Steve Milner agreed to do a ‘to do’ list on such matters. The Remembrance Day Parade was raised and the meeting informed that the police would not be available to close the road alongside the memorial. Volunteers were sought from the Parish Council to control traffic whilst the service in progress.
Minutes of Personnel Committee meeting. It was proposed and seconded that they be signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting and this was agreed unanimously by the three councillors who attended the meeting.
Approval of staff appraisal. Steve Milner gave an overview of how the appraisal was carried out in terms of performance standards and objectives of the Parish Clerk. He also said that a new objective had been set in regard to maintaining a new Parish Council website. It was agreed unanimously that the appraisal of the Parish Clerk be approved. 
Planning applications. Keele Cottage, The Green. Erection of two semi-detached dwellings and partial demolition of existing cottage. Graham Hart gave a brief explanation of modifications to the planning application and then left the room. After a discussion it was proposed and seconded to continue to oppose the application due to over-development. Although the application had been modified, the original concerns had not been overcome. This was agreed with eight for and two abstentions.
Asparagus Field, Cake Street. Erection of four dwellings and garages. This application has been withdrawn.
The Clinic, The Green. Change of use from dwelling/residential to consultation rooms. No objections from the parish council, this was agreed with nine for and one abstention. 
64 Fen Street. Change of use of curtilage land to residential and erection of garage with office over. No objections from the parish council but with stipulation that change of use of land is restricted to proposed garage which is for storage and office use only and that it is kept within ownership of the dwelling. This was agreed with eight for and two abstentions.
The Granary, Cake Street. Proposed installation of set of French windows and roof light to rear elevation. No objections from the parish council, this was agreed with nine for and one abstention.
Cherry Tree Cottage, Loss Wroo. Construction of summer house. No objections from the parish council, this was agreed with nine for and one abstention.
Poplar Pigs, Doe Lane. Change of use to D2 Leisure and erection of five holiday cabins. Terry Cracknell answered questions on this and then left the room. Discussion by councillors followed. This application was then agreed with eight for and two abstentions.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Stone Cottage, 56 Fen Street. Erection of garage block and bedroom over. Application approved with Parish Council’s conditions included.
Adrian Joel informed the meeting that the Shrublands development is coming up again in the next two months and Parish Council should be aware.
Grant to Primary School. No discussion, item to be put on the December agenda.
Four year plan. Adrian Joel circulated a list of suggestions and asked councillors to look at them and then prioritise them for discussion at the December meeting.
Play Area fencing. Adrian Joel gave details of cost of the repairs to the play area equipment (£2,143.13 plus vat) following an inspection report from Playdale Ltd. This will be funded from grants from the Six Villages magazine, Breckland Council and the Play Area reserve. Adrian Joel thanked Graham Hart for carrying out repairs to the gate. It was proposed and seconded that the repairs to the equipment be carried out and this was agreed unanimously. Regarding the play area fence, Adrian Joel had obtained three quotes for repairs and a full discussion took place. It was agreed that further investigations be carried out and to get three quotes for double sided fencing with bolts and the matter to be put on the December agenda.
Parish Council website. Steve Milner said the cost of having a website hosted to a ‘gold standard’ would be approximately £30 per year. It was agreed unanimously to proceed with this.
Business Directory. Terry Cracknell suggested that the Parish Council should have a business directory at an approximate cost of £1 per copy. The Parish Council should invite other local Parish Councils to take part in producing such a directory.
Footpath safety. Steve Milner reported that he had contacted an organisation who advised on the possibility of putting in advisory cycle lanes in the village. NCC Highways had advised it would not be possible to have them on the B1077. Adrian Joel gave information of a possible new footpath across the Green at a total cost of £8000 which would be 50% funded by NCC under the Town and Parish Partnership Scheme. Other councillors expressed views on the subject and it was proposed and seconded that the Parish Council make an application for grant funding under the scheme for the new footpath, this was agreed unanimously.
Chairman’s report. Steve Milner reported that the Play Area has been plagued with vandalism and he had written to the school on the subject. He recently attended a Speedwatch meeting and that the scheme is having an effect of speeding through villages. The number of incidents is reducing. Old Buckenham are to get the use of SAM2 signs on a regular basis. Broadband in the village is still a problem and he has written to the County Council, Breckland Council and our MP to try to get improvements in the village. All Saints Church is looking at the WiSpire scheme for a possible solution to broadband issues. The Parish Council has been approached by architects for possible development in village and they have suggested attending a Parish Council meeting to put forward their ideas. The Parish Clerk to invite them to the December meeting. Steve Milner had received comments regarding the chairmanship of meetings and sought the views of other councillors on the matter. It was agreed that the Chairman continue to filter issues but would seek councillors’ views before responding. It was reported that Joan Jenkins, who was a past clerk to the Parish Council and was also active in other village organisations, had recently died. The Parish Clerk is to send a letter of condolence to the family.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel reported that the public consultation on the Local Development Plan had been pushed forward to a six week period during January/February 2016 with anticipated adoption in December 2016. The local Council Tax Support Scheme to Breckland Council from central government is being reduced every year and Breckland will be reducing the Local Council Tax Support Grant in line with the reduced funding from central government. There will be a Parish and Town Meeting on 2 December at the Green Britain Centre in Swaffham starting at 6.15pm. It is hoped that Old Buckenham will be represented.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson had recently attended a meeting of the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and it was revealed their Neighbourhood Plan would cost around £55,000 and he wondered how much the Old Buckenham Plan would cost. Four thousand houses are being planned and are likely to acquire land south of the A11. He had also attended a meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee. They have resurfaced half of the village hall car park. The cost was £10,440 and one third of the cost was met from revenue of the parking permits scheme and the balance from Village Hall reserves. On Saturday 21 November they are having a live show of the Mikado and on Saturday 5 December there will be a film night showing ‘Cinderella’ with an afternoon showing at 3pm and an evening showing at 7.30pm. Tickets were still available. He also raised the matter of the outstanding road works at St Andrews Close. Terry Cracknell said the Attleborough Neighbourhood Plan needed a wider level of consultation and 1,500 of the 4,000 new homes have already been built and feels the development could impact on Old Buckenham. Graham Hart reported that the CCTV suggestion is awaiting a report from the police. Adrian Joel said grants for a Neighbourhood Plan are available and up to £16,000 was available from central government and Breckland Council. Mike Farrington asked that those living on the outer limits of Old Buckenham are not forgotten when developing the Neighbourhood Plan in terms of road safety. Carol Marshall said that there has been no recent incidents of damage in the play area but the recreation area has been subjected to some vandalism. The RoSPA report on the Recreation Area is due in November. Sarah Hornbrook said the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party will have another meeting on Monday 9 November and will be looking to create a village survey for consultation with villagers. Ben Devlin reported that the Green Right Proprietors had recently had a meeting and various issues were discussed. Another meeting was due in November and they could pull out of DEFRA but will consult with others before a decision is made. There is a blocked drain at Manor Corner opposite Manor Pond. Reflector posts are required at Rod Alley Pond and Manor Pond. The Parish Clerk is to contact NCC Highways on the matter. The Green Right Proprietors will allow parking outside pub and along the path once shingle has been laid, this work will hopefully be carried out in the next few weeks. He asked about some of the grant from the Hockey Club being used once a new seat has been provided.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Clerk read out an email from Highways on the matter of a hedge causing problems and they will be writing to the owner of property. He also gave details of the cost of a proposed new path across the Green.

The next meetings of Old Buckenham Parish Council will be the Precept meeting on Wednesday 18 November and the normal monthly Parish Council meeting on Thursday 3 December. Both meetings will be held at the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Sky high in Old Buckenham

Ignoring the dampness
It has been a rather wet day with heavy rain at times. But it brightened up a bit in time for the evening's firework display on the sports field of Old Buckenham High School. There was a bit of mizzle when the sparks started flying and it had become drizzle when the spectators were wending their way home when the display was over.
Members of the Old Buckenham 2000 Trust were hard at work selling burgers and hotdogs to eat as well as lots of light sticks to keep the youngsters amused before the display started. Then things went with a bang (well, lots of bangs) and the crowd applauded as the final fireworks were let off.

Mikado comes to Old Buckenham

Coming to the Village Hall

There is a chance to see Livewire Opera in their 2015 production of The Mikado in Old Buckenham Village Hall on Saturday 21 November. 
Tickets are available from 01953 851734, or 01953 851543, or through their online box office www.ticketsource.co.uk/livewire
Livewire Opera Company is a friendly group of all ages dedicated to performing local shows and concerts. It was formed in February 2001 by a group of six friends, under the musical directorship of Susan Booth.
Livewire have always felt that there is a need locally for a group to take music and shows to the ‘people’ in a local venue rather than expecting them to travel some distance to see them.
The productions and concerts are as professional as it is possible for an amateur group to make them.

Remembrance services in Old Buckenham

Two services on Sunday

The traditional Service of Remembrance will be held at Old Buckenham Airfield around the War Memorial, starting just prior to 11am, on Sunday 8 November. The occasion is expected to be honoured with the presence of veterans and relatives of those who fought and died here at the airfield during World War 2. Entry to the airfield is open to all.

There is also a Remembrance Day at the Old Buckenham war memorial on the Green on Sunday at 2.30pm (with a few Royal British Legion members, the Scouts and others present) leading into a short service in All Saint's Church afterwards. Come along to remember those people from the village who died during the two World Wars.