Slightly later than usual.
It is only just starting being delivered around the village by all the volunteers that pop it through your letter box. You can read more about the cover story, the village's forthcoming bookshop, how to apply for a precept grant from the Parish Council, Father Christmas coming to the Mill in December, the results of the village quiz and the regular notes on the latest Parish Council meeting. Read and enjoy!
Helping those with Alzeimers
A special Brunch and Cake sale was held today at Scales Farm. It was organised by Steve Askew with the support of many family members to help the charity that had helped them when Steve's father John suffered during his last few years.
The house soon filled up with many visitors and there was coffee, tea and bacon rolls available to quench their appetites. A large raffle with at least thirty prizes attracted a lot of interest and also a table full of all sorts of cakes, sausage rolls, scones and pickles.
Everyone seemed happy to sit and talk with new-found friends until the lengthy raffle draw took place. Then it was time to go home, well fed and clutching their raffle winnings knowing that they had raised lots of money for a very deserving cause.
The sum raised just today including the raffle was £746.95p. On line donations currently stand at £975 so it's been well worth the effort.
Lots of strimmers strimming
The wet weather caused the postponement for a week but there was plenty of action in the All Saints churchyard today. Here are a few photos of the action, when they stopped for coffee and then a group photo before getting back to work again.The grass was still wet and many wheelbarrows were needed to ferry it all away.
Notes on October Parish Council meeting
These notes are written by the blog editor from the draft minutes so may contain information that is changed at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on
Thursday 5 October at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Methodist Church.
Those present were Councillors Naomi
Bailey Chair, Ali McWilliam, Doug Irons, Lesley Evison, Pete Twissell, Paul
Phillips and Stan Burton. Apologies had been received from Steve Gowers and David
Taylor. Also attending were Rachel Noyes Clerk) and three members of the public.
Proposal to approve Stan Burton as a new
Parish Councillor was approved (6 in favour). The minutes of the meeting held
on Thursday 7 September were approved (5 in favour, 2 abstain). There were no
declarations of interests not already recorded in the current Members’ Register
of Interests and Stan Burton to complete necessary paperwork before next
meeting.
Financial matters. The Community
account balance now stands at £30,356.11. Received VAT refund of £1,044.09 and
Precept instalment of £11,365.50. David Tranmer has paid up to date.
Payments totalling £2,136.87 were
approved (7 in favour). These included £69.54 for defibrillator pads and £806.40
for newsletter paper.
Councillors’ reports. Pete Twissell
had contacted the schools regarding hedge planting. Has had a positive reply from
High School and Chapel Green but awaiting response from Primary School. Will
continue to liaise about dates for planting.
Ali McWilliam said the allotment open
day was quite successful with 2½ plots taken up which was more than target.
Will continue to publicise them, including further afield.
Lesley Evison wanted to thank Councillor
Steve Askew who had paid his contractors to cut the overgrown hedges on Barkers
Lane. She also asked which bins around the Green are suitable for dog waste as
saw some being deposited in bus shelter bin. The Clerk explained that many of
the bins around the Green are for both dog waste and litter. She would check to
confirm this includes one by bus shelter.
Doug Irons reported that 50% of new
website has now been paid. A working copy will be provided in next couple of
weeks. A working document is complete for analysing issues around the Green
which will be discussed with the Green Working Party at their next meeting.
The Chair, Naomi Bailey, had attended
the recent Breckland Local Plan meeting. Met many other local councillors. This
plan is being reviewed for the next 23 years but Breckland will review it every
five years. Many attendees stated that while they were not objecting to
development, they were not for it either, as villages want to ensure they do
not become towns. Additionally, there were strong feelings that infrastructure
should be prioritised first. Many attendees also expressed a desire for local
councils to be listened to more, as they know the local areas best of all.
Councillors agreed these claims by explaining that half of the new houses in
Attleborough will be built before new road (Bunns Bank to A11) and additional
facilities are constructed. Ali McWilliam highlighted that most meetings were
held during the day and so is unable to attend them because of work and so is
having too travel far to attend. Recently conducted interviews for new Parish
Clerk and RFO. Jonn Hicks will be taking over the roles from the start of
November.
The Clerk reported on many things. The
Breckland Mobile Food Van will be at the Village Hall car park every Friday
between 1.15pm and 2.15pm. It will offer discounted food for a small initial
joining fee. A replacement Tulip Tree purchased and planted for the Queen’s
Jubilee Trees. Had received email from the Open Spaces Society offering their
help and advice. Ali McWinter to research the cost and what is offered. Pads had
been changed at Village Hall defibrillator. She is in the process of arranging
road closure and wreath for Remembrance Sunday.
The Clerk is to order Christmas tree
for the Green. Ali McWinter to liaise with David Tranmer about possibility of
supplying electricity. Parish Council to make donation to pay for electricity. A
resident has received offer of new free/discounted lights for the village
Christmas Tree and will enquire further.
Green Report. No report as next
meeting is on Monday 9 October. The Chair unable to attend but Stan Burton and
Ali McWinter to attend instead.
Action Log updates. Skip at allotments
filled with rubbish and now removed. The flagpole has been delivered and exact
location confirmed. Handyman to install. Trailer inspected.
New planning applications. Stacksford
House Farm, Stacksford. Proposed single storey side and link extensions (3PL/2023/0910/HOU).
No objections. Very little information on application which makes it difficult
to comment. Proposal to support was approved (6 in favour, 1 abstain).
Planning decisions by Breckland
Council. The following applications have been considered and have been approved:
The Old School/Church Rooms, Crown
Road. Three Non Illuminated Fascia Signs (3PL/2023/0399/A).
The Old School/Church Rooms, Crown
Road. Proposed use of Church Rooms to include Class E (bookshop / cafe and sale
of related merchandise)(3PL/2023/0398/F).
Land at 32 Fen Street. Erection of
detached house and garage (3PL/2023/0414/F).
Arenal, New Buckenham Road. Change of use of site for storage, cutting and timber log distribution business, including extension to existing building for tractor/log storage and additional hard-standing area (retrospective) (3PL/2022/0433/F).
Planning Appeals. The following
appeal has been dismissed: Hammonds Farm, Stacksford, Old Buckenham NR17 1PD. Appeal
reference APP/F2605/W/23/3315976.
Trailer and equipment. Pete Twissel had inspected the trailer and equipment. Only slight signs of use on trailer and it is generally in good condition. Mower is in good condition and is stored in dry barn, rather than in trailer. Multipower tool (chainsaw/strimmer) is also in good condition and there are a few small accessories (petrol can, etc). Mower is still used at playground by Handyman. Have received offer to purchase trailer but feel it is worth a little more. The Clerk has enquired with insurance company about whether residents can use it. If selling the trailer, would need an alternative venue to store. Stan Burton offered a secure area to keep equipment. Proposal to sell the trailer for £1000 was approved (7 in favour). Will offer to local residents initially.
Precept Grants. Budget needs to be
approved and submitted by end of January. Last year’s Precept grants were
£4106. Naomi Bailey had comments from a few parishioners that felt the Precept
Grants were a high total. Doug Irons and Paul Phillips felt that supporting
local community groups should continue to be a priority of the Parish Council.
Paul Phillips suggested writing an article for the newsletter explaining how
the Precept works and how residents’ council tax is impacted by the Precept. Precept
Grants will again be available from the Parish Council. Local community groups
can apply for grants, which will be payable from the start of the next
financial year. Grant application deadline is Thursday 30 November.
Insurance for events. Document from
insurance company explains that, provided several conditions are met, that
fetes are covered by their insurance. This will allow a resident to organise a
village fete without seeking additional insurance. Resident will need to ensure
these conditions are met and liaise with the Parish Council about the
organisation of the event. Insurance Company will also be notified of the
event.
Public participation. Paper has been
delivered for printing next year of newsletters. Could Councillors please
ensure they speak loudly and clearly in meetings for those villager who attend?
Items for next agenda. These will
include Remembrance arrangements confirmation, Christmas Tree and switching on
arrangements and any ideas for Parish Partnership Scheme.
The next Parish Council meeting will
be on Thursday 2 November at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Village Hall.
Here is the story in pictures.
Testing the brains
Last night was time for the village quiz. About a hundred people gathered in the Village Hall for this annual event.
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| Hall all prepared and ready to contestants |
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| Getting ready to start |
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| Time to eat |
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| It was fish and chips for supper |
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| Time for the results |
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| Presenting the cup to the winners |
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| How well did you do? |
Counting visitors
The blog editor has suddenly realised that the number of times the Old Buckenham blog has been looked at has quietly passed the 150,000 mark. This is tiny compared with many blogs and the counting is not really that accurate. Still it started in December 2008 so has been going for nearly 15 years.
It is one way to keep up with the latest village news and see photos of the latest activities by regularly looking at http:oldbuckenham.blogspot.com rather than waiting for the next village newsletter to appear. Perhaps you are a regular visitor and can persuade other people to put this blog on their 'favourites' list,
Preliminary work started
Digging the hole that will soon house the base for the new flagpole near the war memorial.
Newcomer to Village Hall car park
Today was the first visit of the Breckland Mobile Food Store to Old Buckenham. It will be stationed in the Village Hall car park every Friday from now on between 1.15pm and 2.15pm. It is like a small village shop with a wide variety of products that you can buy at reduced prices.
The newsletter and blog editor was there to investigate and was the first person to join and buy something. The rules are that you have to pay a £3 joining fee which will last a lifetime. You get given a simple membership card and fill in a simple form to record your details. Then you can go along and buy what you want or what takes your fancy any or every Friday lunchtime. You can by at reduced prices and can pay by cash or credit card.
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| Ready for action |
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| Some of the shelves of goods |
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| Just a little shopping It is not a food bank and there are no restrictions on who can use it. |
Another date for your diaries
Pop along to Chapel Green School on Thursday 19 October and see what's in store for you.
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