Sunshine for service
This Sunday was the 150th year anniversary of the building of the Methodist Church in Hargham Road. To celebrate this occasion an open air service was held followed by the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
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| Original foundation stone |
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| Sitting in the welcome sunshine |
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| Uncovering the new plaque |
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| Myrtle Bloom and Jonn Hicks complete the task |
Something interesting to read
Learn about the planning decision on the proposed weather radar, grass cutting on the Green, the tractor in the children's Play Area and cricket pavilions over the last 100 years. All in the June issue that may have already come though your letter box. Read and enjoy.
Outdoor celebrations
On Sunday 30 May the Methodist Church building will be exactly 150 years old. To celebrate the event they are planning to hold a special church service which they hope to be held outside, weather permitting, so that they will be able to have social distancing and be allowed to sing.
It well start at the usual time of 10.45am and all are invited to attend and join in the celebrations.
New booklet gives the history
Now available to pick up from in the church, this booklet gives descriptions of all you may find both inside and outside of the building. Illustrated with many photographs and drawings.
Drop in and get a copy.
And on the way to the church door admire the flower bed. How it has changed from February to May. Thank you John
Meeting in the Hall
At the AGM held on Wednesday 19 May, members of the management committee reported back on a very eventful year. Held socially distanced in the Village Hall the following officers were elected:
Chairperson - Eileen Oliver, Treasurer - Graham Dye and Secretary - Linda Foulger.
At the end of the meeting a hanging basket was presented to Sheila Freake as a thank you for her work on the committee. Rosemary Pratt will be taking her place.
May Parish Council minutes
The following notes were written by the newsletter editor from the draft minutes so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
A meeting of the Old Buckenham Parish
Council was held on Thursday 6 May at 7.30pm via Zoom. Those present were councillors
Jonn Hicks, Steve Milner, Adrian Joel, Terry Cook, Andy Nicholls and Naomi
Bailey. Also attending were Rachel Noyes (Clerk), District and County
councillor Steve Askew and three members of the public.
A minute’s silence was held in memory of
ex-Parish Councillor Terry Cracknell who recently passed away.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair. Jonn Hicks
was elected as Chair (5 in favour, 1 abstain) and Steve Milner elected Vice
Chair (5 in favour, 1 abstain).
Apologies for absence. Mike Farington had
sent his apologies. Ben Devlin was absent.
Minutes. The minutes of the meeting held on
Thursday 1 April were approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain). Steve Milner lost internet
connection and was unable to vote. There were no matters arising.
Financial matters. The bank balance now
stands at £40,191.69 (this includes monies received from Breckland District Council
of £11,155 and a VAT claim of £1,095.99).
Payments of £1162.70 were approved (5 in
favour) including £554.32 for insurance and £165.55 to community car drivers.
Planning. 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. Coal Storage
Yard, Road from Stacksford Lane to Hargham Road. Outline Planning Application
for 5no Dwellings (3PL/2021/0500/O). Councillors highlighted that the proposed
plot is situated on a single track road with difficult and dangerous junctions
at either end. It is also outside the settlement boundary and has the potential
to result in the loss of a large amount of hedgerow. The proposed dwellings are
mainly bungalows and would provide greater variety to the demographic of
properties being built in the village. The main concern was that of road safety
and how increasing the number of vehicles on this road could potentially result
in an increase in accidents. Highways have not yet submitted their comments but
councillors were keen to see their opinion and whether any improvements would
be suggested in order to make junctions safer. A proposal to ask for an
extension in order to see Highways comments and any potential improvements was approved
(5 in favour).
Land at Poplar Farm, Fen Road. Permission
in Principle for a New Self Build Single Storey Residential dwelling for a
disabled person (Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Town and Country Planning
(Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017).(3PL/2021/0544/PIP). Previous
applications have been rejected by both Old Buckenham Parish Council and
Breckland District Council. It is on a narrow single track lane and is situated
on a corner. A proposal to object on the grounds of road safety was approved (5
in favour).
Westward, The Green. To convert Clay Lump
Barn to residential dwelling (3PL/2021/0570/F). Councillors had no objections
with the proposed plans. A proposal to support was approved (4 in favour, 1
abstain) on the condition that guidance on historic buildings is adhered to.
Planning decisions by Breckland Council. The
following applications have now been considered and the applications have been approved.
22 Oaklands. Proposed garage extension to
rear to provide workshop area (3PL/2021/0271/HOU).
The Gamekeeper Public House, The Green. Replacement
of structurally damaged roof timbers (including removal, storage and reuse of
roof tiles) and associated repair works where necessary (3PL/2021/0272/LB).
Downmore Farm House, Banham Road. Creation
of first floor addition to existing single-storey annexe which is part of main
dwelling (3PL/2021/0327/HOU).
The following applications have now been
considered and the applications have been refused. Roughlands Farm, Grove Road.
Prior Approval for Change of use of Agricultural Building to a Dwelling
(permitted development), The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q. (3PN/2021/0013/UC).
Part of Anglian Water Drilling Unit site, Abbey Road. Erection of a 24.46m high radar tower and associated comms cabin (3PL/2021/0091/F). Thanks are due to Councillor Steve Askew, Andy Nicholls and resident Alison Gilmore who spoke at Breckland Planning Committee regarding the Radar Tower application. The facts were supported with passion and from the heart from everyone. The Parish Council agreed that it was also a great example of a community making a stand and working together, from the residents up to the local MP.
Working Parties. The members were decided.
Personnel Committee: Steve Milner, Ben
Devlin, Mike Farrington
Play Area Working Party: Jonn Hicks, Naomi
Bailey, Kerry Talbot (resident).
Recreation Area Working Party: Jonn Hicks,
Andy Nicholls.
SNAP: Steve Milner.
Old Buckenham Village Hall: Terry Cook.
Allotments: Adrian Joel.
OBPC website: Steve Milner, Rachel Noyes.
Old Buckenham Green Rights: Andy Nicholls.
Almshouses Trust: Ben Devlin.
Village Green Working Party: Andy Nicholls,
Adrian Joel, Sarah Dye (Green Right Proprietor), Allison Frank (Green Right
Proprietor), Lord of the Manor, John Fernihough (resident).
Eleemonosynary Trust: Jonn Hicks.
Neighbourhood Plan: Steve Milner, Ben Devlin,
John Hicks, Adrian Joel, Mike Farrington, Terry Cook, Andy Nicholls, Naomi
Bailey.
Public Rights of Way (PROW): Steve Milner,
Terry Cook.
School Liaison Officer: Naomi Bailey.
Tree work on Green. Green Working Party
members met with the Breckland Tree Officer to conduct a survey of all trees on
the Green and any potential work required. Report was submitted to the Parish Council
asking what work the Parish Council wanted them to do. Councillors struggled to
make a decision as there were no detailed quotes comparing the price of
completing all work now versus spread out over a time period. The Parish Council
also wanted a clear proposal, detailing what work was to be completed and when.
The Parish Council were also aware that they have spent a significant amount of
money in the last few years on tree maintenance and wanted to understand how
much of the Green Working Party budget remained. The Clerk is to request
detailed quotes and proposals from Green Working Party and a balance sheet
update for their 5 year budget plan. A proposal to set aside £1000 in the budget
for the Parish Council to use for emergency tree work was approved (5 in
favour).
Playground. The playground tractor is in a
poor state of repair and, despite being repaired many times, now needs
replacing. Quote from Playdale for new tractor and tunnel trailer is £5,205 + VAT.
This includes delivery, removal and disposal of rubbish and installation.
Grants may be available but it could take a long time to get and tractor needs
replacing urgently as it could cause potential failure of an Inspection. Proposal
to order the tractor and enquire about delaying inspection until after tractor
is replaced was approved (4 in favour, 1 abstain).
Due to the high maintenance costs of the
playground, the Parish Council have decided to look at fundraising ideas for
the replacement of the tractor and any future maintenance. Naomi Bailey
suggested the idea of a scarecrow trail around the village, which villagers
could pay to enter and to sell maps, with a prize for the winner. Suggestion was
made of having an Olympics theme and holding between Friday 23 July and Sunday
8 August (during Olympics). Naomi Bailey agreed to organise.
Clerk’s report. A resident had contacted PC
with concerns regarding traffic on Hargham Road during SUE construction. The
Clerk has emailed Breckland for confirmation that road will not be used and
they have replied that a Traffic Management Plan is currently being drawn up
for Phase 1 for approval and which the Parish Council will be consulted on.
Green Working Party (GWP). The GWP have
sent a report providing summary of the current situation with the Green and
annual maintenance. This report is reproduced at the end of these notes.
Road Safety. The SAM sign has been moved to
Attleborough Road. Steve Milner is still having IT issues when analysing the
recorded data but working on it. He will look at setting up the Community Speed
Watch groups soon.
Play Area. All playground bins to be
emptied by Serco. There was some confusion about how many they were supposed to
empty but this is now clarified. The toddler swings have been replaced and some
concrete ground down after being notified by resident as a potential trip
hazard.
Recreation Area. The existing wooden fence
to be removed so that it is safe. Donation of 300 laurel plants offered from
Besthorpe Garden Centre. Looking to plant them in September.
Councillors’ reports. Steve Askew said that work to improve crossing by the school entrances was on track for work to be completed during summer holidays. Pot holes filled in on Grove Road and Mill Road to Hargham Road, one may have been missed but he will chase up.
Andy Nicholls thought that the Parish
Council should highlight the work involved and success of preventing the
Weather Radar tower from being built in the village. Rachel Noyes is to write an
article for inclusion in the village newsletter.
Items for next agenda. These would include
the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) forms.
The next Parish Council meeting will be
held on Thursday 3 June starting at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.
Information regarding attendance in a Covid-safe manner is to follow.
The village Green and the Green Working Party (GWP).
The Green covers a total of 42 acres, seven being woodland and 39 rough grassland, ponds and tracks. It is leased by the Parish Council for about 25 years from The Lord of the Manor and the Green Rights Proprietors. In accordance with the provisions of the lease the committee comprises two Green Rights Proprietors, representative of the Lord of the Manor, two members of the Parish Council and two parishioners.
The only income from the Green is about
£500 from wayleaves (for electricity poles), £550 payment from Ox and Plough for
Green usage, and a further payment (amount to be agreed) from The Gamekeeper
for usage of the forecourt of the business. At present this totals just over
£1000 a year.
The GWP has an allocation of £3000 per year
from the Parish Council to spend on maintenance such a mowing and tree work,
with any proposed spending over £200 to be agreed by the Parish Council.
The Green is mown twice yearly and the grass under the trees annually. The grass has no value, due to the poor quality, weed burden, etc and contamination with soil from the multiple mole hills. There is also some rubbish contamination. The cut grass is left to dry out, due to the cost of removing and disposing of it, as it is valueless.
Every year the GWP look at the
environmental issues. There are those who do not want the Green mown at all,
some want it mown once, in July, and others who would like to see it mown
monthly. The GWP take a pragmatic view and normally mow it twice a year. This
year they are to leave a large central part of the main Green unmown until the
autumn (mown once to encourage wild flower growth, etc) but will undertake to
mow footpaths through the long grass for the community to use. The cost of the
mowing will be £1000, covered by the Green income, as mentioned earlier.
Tree management has been an expensive item
but the GWG seem to be on top of it now, no trees blew over in this winter’s
gales. The Group have just completed a tree survey, with the Breckland Council
Tree Officer, to identify any trees at risk and will now propose a management
plan for the next few years. Eighty “new” trees were planted last autumn at no
cost to the Parish Council.
All the paths and ponds that fall within
the Green are in reasonable order, no spending envisaged. Because of the pandemic
the Group has not had a meeting since last August but the management continues
at a distance. The organised village litter picks to remove rubbish, etc, from
the Green have been difficult at the present time.
Start designing now
Riding for fun
Francis Darrah and his son Hugh have been in training since the start of this year for a challenge later this month. They have covered about 600 miles cycling around Norfolk before travelling the 160 miles from Morecombe to near Whitby (their own version of The Coast to Coast) over four days. They will be staying in bed and breakfasts along the way and are hoping for a westerly wind and just the right amount of sun.
