December activities in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for December

Thursday 1         WI Christmas lunch

Thursday 1         Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 3          Christmas Bingo, Village Hall, 7.30pm

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

Tuesday 6           Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am onwards

Wednesday 7      Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

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, 7.30pm for 7.45pm

Saturday 10        Film 'Our kind of traitor', Village Hall, 7.30pm

Monday 12         Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Friday 16            Carols on the Green, by Church Rooms, 6pm for 6.15pm

Wednesday 21   Carols at Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Friday 23            Visits from mobile library during morning

Saturday 24        Church Rooms open during day for food donations

  Saturday 24       Candlelit carol service, All Saints Church, 7pm

Old Buckenham newsletter for December

Available now
Copies have been placed around in the shop, church, pub and airfield so if you don't get one delivered then pick one up in time for the start of a new month.

Dementia talk for Old Buckenham Scouts

Learning about dementia

As part of the Scout Association's Million Hands initiative, the 1st Old Buckenham Scouts were visited by Gill Wells who came to Old Buckenham Village Hall to talk about the issues of dementia and Dementia Friends.

Gill explained to the scouts, and some of their parents, that dementia is caused by diseases which affect the brain, the most common of which is Alzheimer's. In addition to the physical issues caused by this, Gill also explained about the emotional effects that these have both on the sufferer and their loved ones supporting them.
Dementia Friends is all about understanding the issues facing people who suffer from dementia and the little things to help and support them. At the end of the evening the scouts and their parents present became Dementia Friends. If you would like to learn more about Dementia Friends you can visit their website - www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Pressing ahead…..

Since the last update, works have progressed well on the Chapel Green project (despite some poor weather conditions). There is now an entrance into the site off of Attleborough Road, which was actually completed four days ahead of schedule in order to minimise the traffic disruption. The topsoil has been stripped along the length of the road, followed by the installation of surface water drainage. Works are now pressing on to install the road sub-base and kerbs in preparation for Tarmac finishing.

(Looking toward the main school site)

(Looking toward Attleborough Road)

On the main school site, works have commenced stripping the topsoil and reducing the levels down to the correct formation to install the building foundations. Following this the contractors Morgan Sindall will then begin the installation of the ground source heat pumps – underground coils of pipework used to heat the building naturally and therefore improving the carbon footprint of the building over its lifetime.

(Some earthmoving has taken place, click on the picture to enlarge it)

Installation has started on permanent fencing along the access road and also temporary fencing to the site perimeter to ensure everyone is kept safe, both inside and outside of the site area.

(Where the public footpath to Bunns Bank crosses the new road)

There have been several visits from the children of Chapel Road School and it is clear that they are all very excited to see works have started. Morgan Sindall have also been in contact with several local residents who have taken an interest in the project since work started and continue to welcome people to come and have a look what is happening – there is a safe viewing area from the village hall car park. 
Finally, thank you from Morgan Sindall to everyone for their patience and understanding during these first few weeks of starting work on site.

Old Buckenham Precept 2017

Parish Council Precept meeting
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Wednesday 16 November, primarily to agree the Precept for the next financial year. As part of the process the Parish Council considered the proposals put forward by the Precept Grants Working Party in relation to the grant applications that the Council has received.
The following grants were agreed for the next financial year starting on Saturday 1 April 2017:
Buckenham Pre-school - £120.60 (empathy dolls)
Old Buckenham Village Hall Fete Committee - £250 (fee for entertainer)
Monday Mardle Group - £100 (refreshments and outings)
Almshouses Charity - £200 (contribution to expenses)
Old Buckenham Village Hall - £250 (CCTV)
All Saints Church - £1,500 (roof alarm)
New Buckenham Football Club - £640 (mobile lighting)
Age Concern Norfolk - £120 (contribution to Advice Line)
Total £3,180.60
The Clerk will be contacting all these organisations to advise them about their awards and what arrangement will be made next year to distribute the grants.
The Parish Council also agreed to include a sum of £2,500 in the budget for the future purchase and siting of a defibrillator in the village.
At the meeting, the Council heard from John Fernihough and Sarah Dye about the position of the Green Rights Holders in relation to their request to the Parish Council to consider taking over the maintenance of the Green. The Parish Council agreed to enter into discussions with the Green Rights Proprietors to take over the maintenance of the Green; it was agreed that the Clerk and the Chair would start the negotiations as well as take legal advice from Norfolk ALC. The Council is setting aside £2,000 in the 2017/18 Budget for expenses incurred with those negotiations. When considering how to proceed in this matter the Parish Council will be considering many things including the results of the Village Survey, the costs and the legal implications before any firm arrangements are entered into.
The annual Contingency Fund of £2,000 was allocated as a fund for minor village maintenance expenses.
A further sum of £808.25 is being allocated in 2017/18 for the Neighbourhood Plan expenses to bring the reserve up to £1,000 again.
Taking the above changes into account the Parish Council agreed to request a Precept from Breckland Council of £21,400 which represents an increase of just under 7.5% compared to 2016/17. The effect of this increase is that the Parish Council’s share of the Council Tax will increase by on average of about £3 per property for the next financial year.
Following a request from the New Buckenham Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan Working Party, Old Buckenham Parish Council agreed to allow the inclusion of a small area of land containing the castle (which is situated in Old Buckenham) in the New Buckenham Neighbourhood Plan.
The Road Safety Working Party wishes to have a professional road traffic survey carried out in the village in advance of a meeting with George Freeman MP. The Parish Council endorsed this suggestion and agreed to set aside a budget of £600 for the survey.

Dark running in Old Buckenham

Part of a worldwide run
As darkness fell last Wednesday 16 November, and as most people were settling down in front of their televisions, the runners of Old Buckenham were putting on their running shoes and heading for the door. They were taking part in the "Run In The Dark" charity event - a global community of runners who are supporting the effort to find a cure for paralysis due to spinal cord injury and to reduce the impact paralysis has on people's lives.

The Run In The Dark is a global event that happens in November every year and consists of a 5 or 10 km run in the dark. This year there were over 25,000 runners around the world taking part in the event from Brisbane, Dubai, Moscow, Belfast, New York, Los Angeles and of course Old Buckenham. 

The event is in aid of a charity set up by Mark Pollock to fund research into finding a cure for paralysis due to spinal cord injury. Mark Pollock was born with an eye disorder but that did not stop him from enjoying life to the full. An avid rower, he won bronze and silver medals for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002. At the age of 22 he lost his sight completely. He became an adventure athlete and motivational speaker. He was the first blind person to ever to walk to the South Pole. But a second tragedy struck in 2010 when he fell from a 2nd storey window and broke his back and was left paralysed. Mark is now fighting through life, deciding how to overcome this second tragic turn of events. He is a pioneer of medical science, exploring the frontiers of spinal cord injury recovery through aggressive physical therapy and robotic technology.
The event was organised in the village by Chris Clarke, who is an old school friend of Mark Pollock. Chris wanted to support his friend and his charity 'The Mark Pollock Trust', in support of the cause of finding a cure for paralysis. Chris organised the event in Old Buckenham last year and on each occasion there have been about 45 participants. The run started at the Ox and Plough pub and proceeded along a route past the windmill, through Stacksford, along Fen Street and then back to the pub. This year was a great success with over £900 raised for the Mark Pollock trust (which matches the amount that was raised last year). Chris hopes that the event will become an annual one in the village and is aiming for over 50 runners next year.
You can find out more about Mark Pollock here https://www.markpollocktrust.org/ or if you're interested in taking part next year please join the Old Buckenham Run In the Dark Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RunInTheDarkOldBuck/
Chris Clarke would like to say thank you to Ben Devlin at the Ox and Plough for allowing his pub to be used as as the start and finish, to Roger Peacock and David Hannah for being safety marshals, and to Anna and Rebecca Bennett for helping with the organisation on the night.

Wish list in Old Buckenham

Breckland Flower and Garden Club
Old Buckenham Village Hall was once again full of enthusiastic flower arrangers and gardeners for the November meeting. With the weather growing increasingly colder a warm welcome was given to Adele Kent as she made a return visit to the Club to present her demonstration titled “I Have a Little List”. She said many people make lists – shopping lists, to do lists, do not forget lists. Adele has a wish list and using foliage and flowers she created her wish list – the first arrangement a meadow using grasses and gerberas, the second a kitchen garden using a wooden trellis, apples and beautiful red roses, the third a herbaceous border, with tall blooms at the back and shorter at the front (as they should be but often aren’t) followed by a classical design, a Hogarth curve and a tropical garden. Whilst delighting everyone with her flower arranging she also shared family memories and the new love in her life, her granddaughter. Once again several members went home with beautiful arrangements as raffle prizes.
Winner of the competition for November titled “Autumn Glory” was Jean Carnwell.
The next meeting will be at Old Buckenham Village Hall on Thursday 8 December at 2pm (this is a members only Christmas meeting).
If you would like further details contact Christine on 01953 454528 or Sally on 01953 788712.

Birthday celebrations in Old Buckenham

Old Buckenham Women's Institute
Members of Old Buckenham WI welcomed friends and guests from neighbouring WIs to their Birthday Party on Thursday 27 October.

 After a bring and share supper and a glass of wine, they were entertained by Rachel Duffield, who told her audience about the life and times of Matilda Wood, professionally known as Marie Lloyd, who was born in London in 1870. She made her professional debut in 1884 as Bella Delmere and changed her name to Marie Lloyd the following year. 

She frequently topped the bill in London’s West End theatres. By the mid 1890’s she was in frequent dispute with Britain’s theatre censors due to the risqué contents of her songs. Marie Lloyd had a turbulent private life that was often the subject of press attention – she was married three times, divorced twice and frequently found herself giving court testimony against two of her husbands who had physically abused her. Privately, she suffered from bouts of ill-health and became alcohol-dependent. In 1922 she gave her final performance at the Alhambra Theatre, London, during which she became ill on stage. She died a few days later at the age of 52.
In addition to highlighting Marie Lloyd’s career, Rachel interspersed her talk with the songs that are always associated with Marie Lloyd.

After the entertainment the birthday cake, made by Jean Wade, was cut and sherry served and Mike Bartlett toasted the WI. He said that Old Buckenham WI had achieved a lot in their 49 years and there was much to look forward to in their 50th year.

Old Buckenham remembers

On the Green today
Villagers of all ages gathered at the war memorial for the wreath laying ceremony before going back for a service in All Saints Church.

Unusual parking in Old Buckenham

Been ditched?
Stephen recorded this intriguing picture along Cuffer Lane earlier today.

Remembrance services in Old Buckenham

Remembrance Sunday

Services for Remembrance on Sunday 13 November at All Saints Church are a Remembrance Eucharist at 9.30am commencing with commendation and two minutes silence. At 2.30 pm there will be the laying of wreaths at the war memorial on the Green followed by a service in All Saints Church.
Also a traditional Service of Remembrance will be held at Old Buckenham airfield around their war memorial, starting just prior to 11am. The 453rd Bombardment Group Museum will be open all day. This is an important day in the Airfields’ calendar and they are expecting to be honoured with the presence of veterans and relatives of those who fought and died while at the airfield during World War 2.

A light lunch in Old Buckenham

November market
Come along to the Church Rooms on Saturday 12 November and enjoy the traditional annual November Market. It will run from 11am to 2pm with stalls including Fairtrade, bric-a-brac, tombola, books and a raffle. Light lunches of soups and rolls are served from 12 noon providing a good chance to sit and enjoy talking to others from the village.

Old Buckenham history

The history of our local market town
A chance to learn about Attleborough over the years and how this has affected the local villages such as Old Buckenham. Also a look into what the future might bring.
Come along to this talk on Saturday 12 November in Old Buckenham Village Hall by members of the Attleborough Heritage Group.

(click on the image to enlarge it)