Busy May in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for May 

Plenty for you to choose from in the month of May
Wednesday 1    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 2    Breckland councillor election, Village Hall, 7am to 10pm

Tuesday 7    Coffee and Chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am onwards

Wednesday 8    Chapel Friendship Group, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 9    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Thursday 9    Breckland Flower and Garden Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 9    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.30pm

Friday 10    Visits from Mobile Library during morning

Saturday 11    Litter Pick, meet at Church Rooms, 10am

Wednesday 15    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 15    Songs of praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Thursday 16    Community Cafe, Chapel Green School, 9.30am to 11.30am

Thursday 16    Dial M for Murder, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 17    Dial M for Murder, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 18    Bingo, Church Rooms, 2pm

Saturday 18    Dial M for Murder, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Sunday 19    Christian Aid cake stall, Church Rooms, 10.30am

Monday 20    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Thursday 23    Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Wednesday 29    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 30    NB Silver Band, Methodist Church, 7.30pm

Friday 31    Annual Parish Meeting, Village Hall, 7pm

Calling Old Buckenham photographers

Display your pictures
Calling all photographers in Old and New Buckenham and the surrounding villages. Here is a chance to put your work on public show.
The seventh BUCKS PHOTOSHOW takes place in New Buckenham Village Hall from
Friday 24 to Sunday 26 May. It will be widely advertised and hopefully you will get a lot of visitors seeing your work.
It’s all very simple. For just £16 you rent an 8 x 4 ft display board and on it you arrange however many of your pictures you wish - it’s your space. If you can’t fill a board, why not arrange to share with another photographer? You put up your pictures yourself before the show opens on the Friday evening and take them down after the show closes on the Sunday lunchtime. It’s up to you whether you offer your work for sale.
Applications (together with a cheque for £16 payable to New Buckenham Village Hall Trust) should be sent to Charles Oxley, Old Vicarage, Castle Hill Road, New Buckenham, NR16 2AG not later than Saturday 18 May but preferably earlier. If the event is oversubscribed, display boards will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis, giving priority to exhibitors who live in Old and New Buckenham and the immediately surrounding villages. If you have any queries before you apply, please phone Charles or (preferably) send an email (charlesoxley@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 01953 860708). He would be pleased to hear from any photographers in the area who have not previously exhibited but who may be interested. 

   

More lilies in Old Buckenham

Easter lilies in All Saints church
Some people who have helped to sponsor the flower arrangements of lilies, each one in memory of departed relatives or friends, are unable to come and see them in person, so these photos are posted on the blog for them to see.
You can just click on the individual pictures to see them at a larger size.

Lilies in Old Buckenham church

Come and see the flower displays
Several people were busy in All Saints Church yesterday using around 200 lilies to produce displays around the church. Why not pop in to see them on Easter Monday or later in the week?
Photos of some of the arrangements will appear on this blog over the next day or two.

Old Buckenham Women's Institute

March meeting report 

At the March meeting of Old Buckenham Women’s Institute, members were treated to the fascinating story of Laura Eke and the Fisherman who painted in wool, John Craske. Christine Humphries, a distant descendant of Laura, told the story. Laura was born in Dereham in 1882, the daughter of a railway worker. After school she worked as a nanny in London and on her weekends off would return home and always visit Dereham market where she took a liking to a tall handsome young man singing with the Salvation Army – John Craske. John was born in Sheringham in 1881 to a family of deep sea fishermen who moved to Dereham to run a wet fish shop. John and Laura were married in 1908 and John worked on a fish round. In 1917 at the third attempt John joined the army but collapsed with the flu which left him with an abscess on the brain and diabetes. For the next 25 years Laura nursed him through poor health, often in and out of comas, while also running the shop. With periods in Dereham and various places near the sea where his health improved, John took up painting. All of his pictures were of the sea and ships. While living at Hemsby he made model boats which sold well and which led to his paintings being recognised and displayed in a London gallery. As his health and eyesight deteriorated he took up needlework, creating amazing depictions of his favourite themes. His artworks can be seen in Aldeburgh, Norwich and Sheringham museums and a nine foot long tapestry of the north Norfolk coast is on display in Glandford Shell Museum. John died in 1943 and Laura died 14 years later from “hard work”. 

After a break for refreshments President Kate Lloyd gave a report on the Norfolk Federation of WIs’ Centenary Annual Meeting at the Theatre Royal which was enjoyed immensely by the members who attended. Apart from the business of the meeting the main speakers were Peter Wilson, former Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal and Pam Ayres who had the audience laughing uproariously.
The next meeting is on Thursday 25 April when Simon White will be talking about Peter Beales and the romance of the rose. Then on Thursday 23 May  members will discuss and vote on the Resolutions for campaigning on this year.

Old Buckenham parish council minutes

What was discussed in April

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 4 April 2019 in the Village Hall. Those present were councillors Jonn Hicks (Chair), Gemma Frost, Steve Milner, Andy Nicholls, Donna Oakley, Ben Devlin and Adrian Joel along with Rachel Noyes (Parish Clerk) and ten members of the public. There were no apologies for absence.
The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7 March were approved (5 in favour, 2 abstained). It was requested that the Action Log be added to every agenda.
Public participation. A resident of Fen Street wished to highlight that the Parish Council had discussed a planning application for Fen Street at the last meeting that had not been on the original agenda. The last time this application was submitted, there was a large turnout at the PC meeting, which demonstrated the strong feelings of residents. He also felt that developers could time the submission their applications in order to avoid them being fully discussed at parish council meetings. He asked how the council can claim to represent the residents’ views if they didn’t have anyone in attendance to give their views. There was also a concern that it was opening the floodgates to other developers to build on Fen Street. Andy Nicholls and Adrian Joel explained briefly how the process works and that every consultee has three weeks to register their views. While this particular application was submitted and passed for review the same day, it has previously taken longer, so would be difficult for a developer to carefully time their submissions. It was explained by Jonn Hicks that the application only came through on the day of the meeting and, with three weeks to log the PC views, the deadline would have passed before the next parish council meeting. While councils can apply for an extension, it is not guaranteed and therefore, if it had been declined, then the opportunity to have a say would have passed. Andy Nicholls highlighted that Old Buckenham Parish Council are only one consultee and that the residents will have more influence on this decision. Therefore he encouraged residents to either email or write to Breckland Council with their opinion, whether in favour or against. Steve Milner explained that Breckland aren’t meeting their five-year housing quota so would be looking for opportunities to boost their numbers. Andy Nicholls explained that Old Buckenham also has a quota of 25 houses over the next 20 years so need to find space for them. Jonn Hicks explained that to accommodate the views of some residents of Fen Street who were present at the last meeting, a letter had been submitted raising those concerns and how to use the potential development to improve several factors on Fen Street. (A copy of this letter is printed at the end of this report.) He also explained that the application did not meet the criteria for refusal on the checklist used to analyse planning applications. He encouraged residents of Old Buckenham, and in Fen Street in particular, to write and email to Breckland Council.
The Recreation Area is seeing some use by children but villagers are asked to encourage more use over the Easter Holidays. An additional request was made as some Bee Orchids had been found in one corner of the field previously. It was hoped that this area can be sectioned off to protect them from being cut down.
The Council were asked to choose the wording carefully in the minutes to record their views on planning applications as they cannot approve them but only support applications. Also a policeman was positioned on Cake Street recently (as a result of the Speedwatch team’s observations) and recorded several speeding motorists.
Financial matters. The balance in the community account is £48,479.94 (this includes the Precept money received of £10,634.99) and the balance in premium account is £2,877.49. Payments of £1338.05 were approved (7 in favour) which included £90 for cutting the recreation area, £70 for strimming around Rod Alley pond, £450 for allotment rent and £180 to the community car drivers.
Planning applications. (All planning applications are available for viewing on the Breckland District Council planning portal www.breckland.gov.uk/article/2933/Search-Planning-Applications. Parish councillors have been asked by the chairman to view the new applications in advance of the meeting).
New planning applications. College Barn, Cake Street. Variation of condition no 2 on 3pl/2017/0927/F for the roof to be increased by 500mm as the existing headroom was too low once insulation has been introduced (3PL/2019/0282/VAR). This application was originally not supported by the Parish Council and therefore it was felt that the Council should show consistency and stand by their original comments. The proposal not to support the variation was agreed (6 for and 1 abstention).
Downmore Farm, Banham Road. An open sided turkey shed (3PL/2019/0278/F). Adrian Joel and Andy Nicholls explained that farmers are permitted to build a barn on their land and only have to provide “Notice to Build”. However this was a full application and Ben Devlin questioned why they were building a new barn – was it to increase the number of turkeys? Steve Milner found there were no environmental objections and Andy Nicholls felt it was important to support local businesses. Proposal was supported (6 for and 1 abstension).
Orchard House, Hargham Road, Loss Wroo. Removal of two extensions and conservatory and construction of two-storey extension and new fencing (3PL/2019/0237/F). It was explained that approval had already been granted for an additional house there. The work proposed would be replacing and improving existing extensions that had been built. The parish council supported the application (6 for and one abstention).
Planning decision by Breckland Council. Willow House, Mill Road. Construction of a single storey rear extension along with extending and converting a loft space over an existing garage to form addition bedroom accommodation and erection of a two-bay cart lodge with non-habitable space over (3PL/2019/0080/HOU). This application has been approved.
Chairman’s report. The Annual Parish Meeting will be on Friday 31 May starting at 7pm.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that he was not standing for re-election as District Councillor after 24 years. He wished to thank the Parish Council and residents for their support and challenges he has received over the years. Breckland Council have received six nominations for the Parish Council therefore there will be no election necessary. The Parish Council will be able to co-opt five councillors to make the full quota of 11.
The public consultation on Main Modifications MM18, MM119 and MM148 of the Breckland Local Plan have been extended to Wednesday 15 May. Work has started on the 12 Cotman Housing Association Social Houses in March Field Way and these should be completed by the end of January 2020.
Play Area. Waiting on quotes from Playdale and another recommended company for bearings and seats of swings as this was picked up on the safety report. The report also highlighted lots of bare ground around play equipment which was leaving plastic matting showing through in places such as the bottom of the slide and under swings. Could either re-seed, which would result in closing play ground while it grew, or remove matting and fill in with sand. The easiest and cheapest option would be to fill in with sand. However it was questioned whether this was best option long term and it would just end up everywhere as children played. Rope bridge is still waiting for new rope as they have sent wrong part three times now. Also looking at getting a quote for replacing whole bridge as it is wearing in places.
Councillors’ reports. Ben Devlin had received an email from the parishioner who had installed, and later removed, wooden posts around play area. In the email, he wanted to explain that he understands the Parish Council decision but was disappointed. However, there were no hard feelings and he looked forward to continuing to be part of the village community. He also explained that he hadn’t submitted an invoice before for previous work and was asked to send in the invoice for this particular work. Ben Devlin also wanted to again highlight how grateful the Parish Council and the village were for all his hard work and contributions over the years. Gemma Frost explained that as the Parish Council and the Green Working Party hadn’t approved the works, they felt there was little option. Jonn Hicks also informed that he had had a personal meeting with the parishioner in which they discussed the situation. The Parish Council were also informed that someone had complained about the posts to Highways (as they are responsible for the verges next to roads) and they had ordered their removal.
Steve Milner reported that the stolen speed check sign had been replaced. There had been another response from Highways regarding Fen Street speed limits in which they rejected the idea of extending the 30mph zone. One resident is particularly keen to pursue and help. The loaned electronic speed sign on Hargham Road has been quite effective. Thanks to Steve Burling for placing at the end of their property. He noted that generally, people did slow down when their speed was displayed.
Steve Milner, along with Adrian Joel, had attended the meeting about the Attleborough SUE. A parcel of land that had been included was actually part of Old Buckenham parish. The developers explained that this was a mistake and would not be built on. The SUE is quite large and there will be a bus route to the edge. Adrian Joel and Steve Milner suggested that it be extended to include Old Buckenham in its route. Concerns were also raised about the already strained doctors’ surgery would cope with extra residents from 4,000 new homes. There were also concerns about how the drainage system would cope. Lastly, it appeared that the construction traffic was planning on reaching the A11 through Old Buckenham, down Hargham Rd. There is a weight limit on this road, so will need to find alternative route. Hopefully, this will be monitored and enforced during construction.
Gemma Frost reported on a successful litter pick by village residents. The next one will be on Saturday 11 May. Meet at 10am outside the Church Rooms. Several members of the Parish Council noted that they felt less litter was being dropped and so the Green was looking good, especially with all the spring flowers blooming. With the extra care and attention the Green was getting, people were respecting it more. The Green Working Party explained that they were looking at suitable flowers to plant in particular around Ottomer pond which people were also highlighting as looking good.
Adrian Joel has the paint for the phone box and is just waiting for good weather and time to complete.
Items for next agenda. None were listed because of the election being before the next meeting.

The next Parish Council meeting to be held on Thursday 9 May 2019 at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.

This is the text of the letter sent by Old Buckenham Parish Council to Breckland Council about the proposed dwellings in Fen Street.

Dear Sir/Madam

RE: Planning Application 3PL/2019/0231/O

On behalf of Old Buckenham Parish Council, I am writing to you regarding the planned construction of the 4 dwellings in the above application. While the Parish Council has no objections to the location in principle, there are some concerns about whether the area can cope with additional housing.

Fen Street is a very small and narrow road which already suffers with some issues. Firstly, the speeding of vehicles is a large problem as well as the weight of traffic. Both the Parish Council and Fen St residents have questioned its ability to cope with more vehicles, including large construction lorries. The dangerous nature of this road is not helped by the difficult junctions in which visibility can be poor. This in turn makes it a very hazardous road for all road users including drivers, cyclists and walkers, including children making their way to/from school.

Secondly, some utilities in the area struggle with the current number of dwellings, specifically water and sewerage. This can be frustrating for residents and there is concern about whether these problems will become exaggerated with the construction of 4 additional dwellings.

However, if these issues can be addressed by Breckland Council and the Applicants, then we do feel we could support the application. Specifically, we would like to see the 30mph zone extended to cover the entirety of Fen St and visibility at junctions improved where possible with the aim of improving safety for all road users. Additionally, we would like clarification on how the utilities will be improved for existing residents and whether they will be able to cope with an increase in population.

We look forward to hearing how the application develops.

Regards

Rachel Noyes

Clerk to Old Buckenham Parish Council

Alternative Old Buckenham quiz

‘And Now For Something Completely Different…’
The Old Buckenham Alternative Quiz Night will be on Saturday 27 April starting at 7pm in Old Buckenham Methodist Church.
There will be range of rounds including music, film, TV and other interactive quizzes plus traditional questions and answers.
Cost is £4 per person including refreshments and food with proceeds to be donated to the St Martins Housing Trust.
Bookings available for teams of 4 to 6 people (individuals also welcome to join or make up teams).There will be a raffle on the evening
To book a place either email oldbuckenham.methodist@aol.co.uk or phone 01953 861207.
Note that due to the size of the building they can only accept a maximum number of 50 participants so book your place now.

Election details for Old Buckenham

Who you can vote for

The local elections take place on Thursday 2 May. In the election of councillors to Breckland Council, the three candidates (in alphabetical order) are:
Stephen Askew, Conservative Party
Chrissie Nebbett, Labour Party
Jan Prior, Green Party

There were insufficient candidates to make an election necessary for the Old Buckenham Parish Council. The following people are therefore elected as parish councillors and will be able to co-opt further members should they so wish.
Gemma Frost
Jonn Hicks
Adrian Joel
Stephen Milner
Andy Nicholls
Donna Oakley

Murder mystery in Old Buckenham

Dial M for Murder

Old Buckenham Players are privileged to present the classic thriller, Dial M for Murder by Frederick Knott. The availability of this play for amateur performance is rare so the Players jumped at the opportunity to perform it. Such is the quality of the writing that the play was transferred to the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock having barely changed the script or setting.
It is a play full of intrigue and murder with a well-crafted plot, so whether you have fond memories of Hitchcock’s masterpiece or have never seen this classic, this is a production not to be missed!
Tickets are £8 and available from Old Buckenham Village Stores, Nuts ’n’ Bolts in Attleborough or by telephoning 01953 861336

Loss of an Old Buckenham character

Rosemary West

Many of you will know Rosemary West who was born in Old Buckenham and lived in the village for 86 years. Sadly Rosemary passed away peacefully in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on Thursday 21 March and her funeral is at All Saints Church on Thursday 11 April at 2pm.
Everyone welcome.

Rosemary loved her home and was passionate about the Green. Her strong views were sometimes at variance to the majority but always with the desire for the best for a unique and special piece of the countryside.

A country woman at heart with a love for music, gardening, dogs, donkeys, knitting ...... her life was full. The last of her generation for the family and the loss of a character for Old Buckenham.

Local walk in Old Buckenham

Walking the world
On Friday 26 April, Old Buckenham Women's Institute are holding a "Women Walk the World" event to raise money for Associated Countrywomen Worldwide (ACWW). Starting from Old Buckenham Village Hall there will be two walks. One will start at 10.30am and will cover 6.5 miles with another starting an hour later at 11.30am and be just 2.5 miles long. Entry for each walk cost £2.
Both walks will end up at the village hall where a lunch of homemade soups and desserts (for £5) will be waiting at 12.30pm.
Everyone is welcome to join in, there are no age limits and you don't have to be a member of the WI.

Let's hope the weather is better than it was last year...

Gamekeeper in Old Buckenham

Moving on
As you will probably know if you read this blog and the Old Buckenham village newsletter  you be aware that Jen and Tony are coming out of The Gamekeeper on Monday 15 April. 

This post is to bring you up to date with things.
Firstly, the last food service will be this coming Sunday 7 April and for all that weekend (the previous Friday and Saturday evenings and the Sunday lunch) they are offering starters with the offer of buy one and get the second half price and the same deal will apply with desserts while stocks last.
Secondly, from Thursday 11 April at 6pm until they close on Sunday 14 April, all drinks will be half price while stocks last...
This is because Ei (Enterprise Inns) have not yet found a tenant to replace Jen and Tony so it looks at the moment that The Gamekeeper will close for the time being. 
And as Ei don't buy the existing stock, all must go....
Will you go along and help to drink the place dry?  
The pub will be serving drinks only from next Tuesday 9 April and will not be opening until 3pm from the Tuesday to the Friday and at 12 noon on the Saturday and Sunday.

Old Buckenham events in April

Diary dates for April

Monday 1    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Tuesday 2    Coffee and Chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am onwards

Wednesday 3    Luncheon Club outing

Wednesday 3    Village Hall AGM, Memorial Hall

Thursday 4    Community Cafe, Chapel Green School, 9.30am to 11.30am

Thursday 4    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Wednesday 10    Chapel Friendship Group, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 11    Breckland Flower and Garden Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 11    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.30pm

Friday 12    Visits from Mobile Library during morning

Saturday 13    Classic Film 'The Graduate', Village Hall, 7.30pm

Monday 15    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Wednesday 17    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 17    Songs of praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Thursday 25     Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 26    WI village walks, 10.30am and 11.30 am from Village Hall

Saturday 27    Alternative Village Quiz, Methodist Church, 7pm