Problem to solve
About three weeks ago, the tallest tree in the church yard at All Saints fell to the ground. It somehow managed to miss all the nearby gravestones. It has been gradually dismantled by volunteers happy to get some future firewood for their wood-burning stoves. Much timber now taken away.
But what next? The remaining tree is supported by one massive bough. How do they cut the rest down without some very heavy trunks falling on the nearby gravestones?
Well done Phin
Fen Street has the winner in this EDP Business Awards event.
Still plenty to read
There is more about our Methodist Church, future events at the Old School Bookshop, a review of Horse Play, the High School allotment project and, of course, notes on the last Parish Council meeting. Even a Christmas Word Search for you to solve. It should soon be dropping through letterboxes all over Old Buckenham (or you may well have had it already).
It looks like this:
Opens to villagers today
There was a preview of the new Old School Bookshop late yesterday afternoon when a few guests were invited inside to have a look around.The old Church Rooms are getting a thorough makeover and the shop is open for villagers for a short while today, Sunday 26 November, so that more people can see the transformation that has taken place.
Come and see inside between 1pm and 3pm.
Here are a few photos to whet your appetite.
Another chance to visit Chapel Green School
Lots of stalls and other activities for you to enjoy. Book the date now and then go along and explore.
One member of the audience who was at the Village Hall last Friday has provided this review of Horse Play which was performed at the hall that evening.
What a surprising performance this was! I don’t think the audience expected a working television screen to appear on the back of the set or for part of it to open for a horse to poke his long brown head out and then proceed to speak! The play, written by Katie-Anna Whiting and performed by her and fellow actor Florence Wright, continued to surprise as we watched their portrayal of different characters, their accents and turns of phrase as they unfolded the story of Sprowston Boy. We knew of course that Sprowie would win at Royal Ascot but we were led to his glorious achievement through an outline of man’s long relationship to the horse, into the vagaries of race course betting, including a lesson on what to look for in a good steed and how the going of the track helps or hinders the racers.
The set proved a most ingenious means of framing the action, with its TV screen, its use of press cuttings, its multiple openings and use of race track rails. The lighting and sounds were slickly co-ordinated to showcase the action on stage, a tribute to Tom, the technical controller. Katie and Florence carried the action on stage with confidence in their various roles and the appropriate language of race commentators, trainers, punters, patronising fellow jockeys, all with understated humour. Most touching of all was Katie’s portrayal of Geoff, her grandfather, a wise and kindly figure brought to life.
This was no feminist vehicle but all the more powerful for highlighting the poor treatment female riders were subjected to in a male-dominated business. Gay won her race but decades had to pass before another female proved victorious. The appeal of the tale drew much power from its closeness to our region and to the writer’s grandfather who part-owned Sprowston Boy. A proud moment for her to celebrate a remarkable man who visited his mount every day, long after his Ascot triumph.
'Horse Play' continues its tour of East Anglian venues, supported by the Arts Council and Norfolk Arts Awards. Produced by Katie-anna Whiting and with original music by Skinny Boy Tunes, directed Daniel Burgess and designed by Fern Blevins.
Favourite to win on Friday
Horse Play will arrive in our village hall on Friday night. It has had great reviews on its way around Norfolk this month and this will be the chance for those in and around Old Buckenham to see it for themselves. Remember that doors open at 6.45pm on Friday so you can come and chat and drink before the start at 7.30pm. Come prepared with a few tissues and see if it lives up to the earlier reviews.
If you haven't reserved a place yet, you can still email bookings.obvh@gmail.com or ring 07880 660444. Or even risk turning up with your £10 note in your hand prior to the start.
Latest set of minutes
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 2 November at Old Buckenham Methodist Church. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Ali McWilliam, Doug Irons, Pete Twissell, Paul Phillips, Stan Burton and Steve Gowers. Apologies for non attendance had been received from Lesley Evison and David Taylor. Also attending were Jonn Hicks (Clerk) and four members of the public.
The
minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5 October were approved (6 in favour, 1
abstain).
Financial matters. The Community account balance now stands at £28,264.44. Payments totalling £1408.25 were approved (7 in favour). These included grass cutting, work on the flagpole and hire of the village hall for meetings.
Reports from councillors. Stan Burton has collected the trailer and has it stored in his grain store awaiting its sale. Looking for a minimum of £800. Pete Twissell has spoken with all schools regarding hedge planting around the recreation ground. All schools are willing to take part and he is awaiting delivery from the Woodland Trust and will then liaise with all parties. Ali McWilliam has had two more allotment applications and the Clerk to send invoices. Doug Irons is awaiting update for the new website. Steve Gowers has moved the SAM sign to Cake Street and is still looking for volunteers for the Community Speedwatch. He will contact Westcot regarding training for the SAM sign to enable the downloading of the information stored on it to recommence.
Green
report. Ali McWinter attended the Green meeting. Green Right holders to
contribute £1000 towards the tree maintenance work that needs to be undertaken
before the spring. The final cut of the Green has been postponed due to the wet
weather. The area behind the bus shelter needs tidying and Matt Harrowven from
the coffee shop has offered his help. The grass around the trees by the Hovis
House needs cutting but will need a small tractor and a flail machine due to
the brambles, Naomi Bailey to speak to one of her clients to see if we can
borrow a machine. Pot holes in the drive way by the Gamekeeper need urgent
attention. Next Green meeting will be on Wednesday 24 January 2024.
New
planning applications. Cricket Field, Old Buckenham Cricket Club. Internal
changes to pavilion (larger bar area) and re-siting of traditional clock within
a new dormer area (front elevation) (3PL/2023/1023/F). Approved (6 in favour, 1
abstain).
Planning
decision by Breckland Council. The following application has been considered
and has been approved. Stacksford House Farm, Stacksford. Proposed single
storey side and link extensions (3PL/2023/0910/HOU).
The
following application has been withdrawn: Cricket Field, Old Buckenham Cricket
Club. Internal changes to pavilion (larger bar area) and re-siting of
traditional clock within a new dormer area (front elevation) (3PL/2023/0960/LU).
Open
Spaces Society. Agreed to not take part as of no obvious benefit to the village.
Christmas
tree on Green. The Christmas tree lights ‘switch on’ will be Sunday 10 December
with the tree being erected on Saturday 2 December. Agreed to ask Richard Bunn
to provide new cables and sockets with £500 allocated for task. Will place a
bucket in the village shop for parents to put children’s names in and a name
picked from the bucket on the day will perform the switch on.
Parish
Partnership Scheme. Steve Askew to chase the Parish Partnership regarding
flooding issues within the village.
Remembrance
Day. The Clerk will lay the wreath on behalf of the Parish Council and Ali McWilliam
to perform the roll call of the fallen.
Parish
Council representatives. Doug Irons has the key to the new flagpole and will
look after its use.
Public
participation. Nothing from the public.
Items
for next agenda. These will include the Precept, playground repairs, Green cutting,
Green issues update and footpath from Village Hall to Chapel Green School.
The
next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 7 December at 7.30pm in Old
Buckenham Village Hall.
The annual remembrance service
There was a large crowd from the very young to the much, much older who all gathered around the war memorial this morning. The blog editor was there as usual with his camera, took lots of pictures and then found that many were not usable because the camera is too clever for the editor.
Some were recovered and are shown below.
Nice piece on BBC Look East
There was an item on Look East evening news on Friday 3 November prior to the opening night of Horse Play at the Garage in Norwich. This is what the playwright has said about the first night:
"It went down an absolute treat. Think Old Buckenham are going to really enjoy it!"
Book your place at Old Buckenham Village Hall now so that you can see it on Friday 17 November. Go to bookings.obvh@gmail.com or ring 07880 660444.
