Singing in Old Buckenham

Women's Institute singing for well-being

The WI started their meeting on Thursday 28 March with Stephen Amer by singing an aboriginal lullaby! Then Stephen explained about his work with the non profit making charity ‘Voice Cloud’ where they promote the role of music for well-being and health with different groups of people in areas such as palliative care, dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke and mental health. He spoke of a project in Beccles working with young people and Heritage Projects that he had been involved in including one in Lowestoft with Suffolk Archives looking into the fishing history of the town in 2016 which involved music such as sea shanties. They sang more songs in between his talk and he did comment at the end that they had done really well. They ended the evening with breathing exercises to wind down.

They had definitely earned their tea/coffee and home-made cake. The Flower of the Month competition was really popular and Stephen judged the hand-made bookmark for a musician competition. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all. 

Author at Old Buckenham bookshop

 A literary evening with the ‘Real Duke of Norfolk’

A Thursday evening in March saw bestselling author Louis de Bernières, who dubs himself the ‘Real Duke of Norfolk’, visit Old Buckenham to discuss his recent novel. Light Over Liskeard is an apocalyptic novel set in our, perhaps not too distant, future where AI has taken such a level of control over day to day lives, that humanity itself is at risk.

Some 40 guests gathered in All Saints Church and the Old School Bookshop to hear Louis talking about his book, writing and career. The audience was treated to humorous tales and also some poetry readings from the author on what was World Poetry Day. Then everyone had a chance to meet and chat with Louis as he signed their books. Feedback from the event was really positive and there are plans to invite Louis back for further events including a music evening and also arrange other author events in the future. A limited number of copies of ‘Light Over Liskeard’ can be obtained from the Old School Bookshop. Owner of the Old School Bookshop, Lucie, expressed thanks to the local community - residents and readers - for their ongoing support and for sharing a magical evening. 

Singing in Old Buckenham

Go along for a song

Old Buckenham Women's Institute have Stephen Amer coming to their next meeting on Thursday 28 March. He will be giving them a session on 'Singing for Wellbeing'. Meeting starts at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The monthly competition is for a ‘Handmade Bookmark for a Musician’. There will be the usual Flower of the Month Competition, a raffle and home-made cake with refreshments. It sounds like good fun so please go along and see them. Visitors are welcome.

Latest thoughts from Old Buckenham

March Parish Council minutes

These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may include information that is changed at a later date.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 7 March at Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Lesley Evison, Pete Twissell, Stan Burton, Steve Gowers, David Taylor and Doug Irons. Also attending were Jonn Hicks (Clerk) and ten members of the public. Apologies for absence had been received from Ali McWilliam. The minutes of the meeting held in February were approved (6 in favour).

Financial matters. The Community Account Balance now stands at £21,427.68. Payments for £2366.55 were approved (6 in favour) and included £146.75 to the community car drivers, £149.99 for a water pump, £540 to Glebe Farm Services and £177 to West Norfolk Web Design. 

Two Wheel Tuesday. David Tranmer of the Ox and Plough was formally invited to this month's meeting so as to produce new rental agreement and check his Public Liability Insurance Certificate which he did supply. Naomi Bailey asked a question regarding repairs to the Green which should have been undertaken after last year's events. David Tranmer reported that this was not possible due to the weather during this last winter and more recently. He gave his undertaking that all repairs will be carried out after this seasons' events. Naomi Bailey also asked if it was possible for the stewards at this this year's events to politely ask car drivers who visit not to park outside people's dwellings and to refrain from parking outside the play area. This causes an obstruction of view from the playground gates and could lead to an accident. Steve Gowers and Doug Irons have suggested the Parish Council invest in some signs advising drivers not to park in certain areas and direct them to park at village hall so the Council will investigate this option. The Clerk asked David Taylor to speak with village hall to ask for their approval. The Parish Council have also approved the siting of picnic benches on the Green by David Tranmer again this year . The Clerk to send a contract for these.  The Parish Council also agreed to leave the rates the same as charged for 2023 season for both Two Wheel Tuesday and the benches.

Councillors' reports. Pete Twissell had attended the Village Hall Management Committee in March. Direction markers in the car park have eroded away and they ask for permission from the Parish Council to erect directional signs on post at the edge of the recreation ground. All six councillors in favour so this can go ahead. Also the Committee are keen to reinstate the meetings between them and the Parish Council. The Clerk suggest they send a couple of their committee to the Parish Council Surgery to be held each month to keep the dialogue flowing. Steve Gowers reported that the Community Speedwatch had their first day in the village and also that it is still looking for more volunteers. He also passed on a letter of thanks from the Almshouses Trust for last year’s precept grant.

Doug Irons sent out the draft of the new website to all members and is awaiting feed back from everyone involved. He is also looking into the Neighbourhood plan to investigate what grants are available and to see if we can get enough volunteers to help with this.

Naomi Bailey has emailed Darren at Highways to ask for the yellow lines outside the High School to be re painted as they have eroded away and are barely visible. The Chair and the Clerk also confirmed that the Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Saturday 22 June 2024 with a start time of 11am at Old Buckenham Village Hall with refreshments available.

The Clerk reported that he had spoken spoken to Jim Trice from the Met Office who informed him that the build went out for tender but no one was successful so it has gone out for tender again. He has also made contact with the company Pace Energy and spoken to Alex Ross about the solar panel site. He says that the plan is still ongoing and they are trying to rectify issues with the national grid with reference to connection before the first phase of building works can commence. He has agreed to keep us up to date with a monthly email.

The first Parish Council 'Surgery' was held on Saturday 24 February. It was well attended by parishioners and Steve Askew was also in attendance. There was lots of talk regarding flooding around the village and it was agreed to send out a survey via the newsletter to establish who and where there are issues with water and to gather information on where ditches are located.

On Sunday 18 February a team manned the pump at Ottomer pond after another heavy rainfall. Thanks go out to Richard, Karen and Monty for helping the Clerk and Chair in setting up the pump and manning it for the day. On Sunday 25 February the pump was used to clear the ditch and roadway leading to the primary school to ensure the school could reopen after the half term break. Thanks again go out to Richard, Karen and Monty for their help. Then on Sunday 3 March the pump was run again at the primary school to ensure the road and pathway were clear for Monday morning. 

Action Log updates. Doug Irons and Steve Gowers gave all members a new copy of the Action Log which will be in electronic form.

Planning applications. Roughlands Farm, Grove Road. Prior approval for proposed change of use of an agricultural building to 1 no small dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) and for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion. The Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) -Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q (UseClass)V3PN/2024/0004/UC. Proposed building is outside the Settlement Boundary and not supported by the Parish Council (6 in favour).

Other business. Naomi Bailey reported that the first Saturday Surgery went well and she is keen for this to keep going. Thanks to Steve Askew for his attendance and she hopes to see him at further surgeries. 

Sapienta Trust have undertaken to clear the debris from the ditch behind the High School to aid the flow of water. Lesley Iverson said that she has been in contact with the relevant authorities regarding the flooding and running water on Fen Street. She was keen to point out that the Fen was totally water logged and if nothing is done this vital wetland will become a danger to all the wildlife that call it home. A member of the public pointed out that the hedges on Hargham Road are over grown and causing an issue to vehicles. The Clerk to write to those residents who own the said hedges and ask them to be cut back.

Next agenda. This should include a flooding update, news of suggested new Burial Ground and progress on a Local Plan.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 11 April at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Methodist Chapel.

Old Buckenham walks

 Women Walk the World

Why not join the walk with 'The Friends of Old Buckenham WI' on Saturday 27 April to celebrate Women Walk the World Day and hopefully raise some funds for projects carried out by ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World).

The walk start at 10am from the Children's Playground by All Saints Church. There will be a range of possible walks ranging from 1 mile to about 5 miles along roads and footpaths in the Hargham Road, Fen Street, Fen Road, Leys Lane and Barker's Lane area. There will be points along the route where it will be possible to do a shorter walk than the full 5 miles but all will take in Ragg's Lane. Some maps will be available on the day.

If you want a walk of about 1 mile you can join us at the footpath starting between 36 and 38 Hargham Road at 10.15am or soon after. Limited parking will be available at the Methodist Chapel in Hargham Road if necessary.

The organisers ask for a Voluntary donation (£2 is suggested but any amount would be welcome) for ACWW. Donations will be collected at the start of the walk - Children's playground or footpath at Hargham Road.

Everybody is welcome to join us, particularly men and boys and  well behaved dogs on leads. If you need any more information contact Sheila Freake 01953 860156 or sheilafreake@btinternet.com

Flowering in Old Buckenham

Indoor gardening

The rugby all happened yesterday and the weather forecast predicts it will be too wet to garden this afternoon. So get along to Old Buckenham Village Hall at 2.30pm today with a ten pound note in your hand and enjoy some hollyhock gardening in the dry. 

Radar tower in Old Buckenham

Progress so far 

Jim Trice of the Met Office has been in touch to provide an update on the East Anglia Radar Project. There has been a lot of behind the scenes work on the project but it has yet to reach any significant milestones yet. As mentioned in the last update, the project suffered a delay in tendering for the main contractor to build the radar tower and associated cabin.  Their intention is to re-issue the tender this month which would lead on to appointing a main contractor in the early summer of this year.  Based on that they would anticipate construction work starting on site in the autumn or winter and finishing in the spring of 2025.  There will be a testing and commissioning phase following on from that, with much of that work being controlled and monitored remotely from their HQ in Exeter. As they approach the construction phase of the project, they expect that there will be much more interest from local residents and businesses. They will be to providing more regular updates during that time. 

This information has also been sent by the Met Office to both Old Buckenham and Carleton Rode Parish Councils to keep them informed about the project.

Playing in Old Buckenham

What are you doing on St Patrick's Day?

Well why not do something different and come to the Village Hall in the afternoon for a theatrical performance for a mere £10.

This is a show about people in love but it’s also a show about story-telling; the magic of sitting down in a darkened room and listening to a story. Starring Owen Evans (The Nimmo Twins/Canada Boys) and Dawn Finnerty (The Canada Boys/Rosa Mendoza) fEAST Theatre promises that ‘these darkly funny tales of loneliness and lust are guaranteed to warm the coldest winter evening.’

Avoid disappointment by reserving some seats for you and your friends by contacting bookings.obvh@gmail.com or phoning 07880660444 or 01953 861336.

Last Saturdays in Old Buckenham

Meet your councillors 

A Saturday Morning Surgery will be held on Saturday 30 March from 10am till 12 noon in the Memorial Room at the Village Hall. This is an ideal opportunity for those that can not attend meetings on a Thursday evening to come and chat to some members of our Parish Council about concerns and issues they may have in the village.

In future these will be held throughout the year on the last Saturday of every month.

Old Buckenham Parish Council meeting in April

Later than usual

The next Parish Council meeting will not be until Thursday 11 April and will be held in the Methodist Chapel rather than the Village Hall.

New hedging in Old Buckenham

 Planting for the future

Last year, the Parish Council agreed to plant a hedge to replace the fence which used to divide the recreation ground from the Village Hall car park. The Woodland Trust kindly donated 210 saplings in a variety of species. Councillor Pete Twissell  enlisted the help of groups from the High School, the Primary School and Chapel Green School to plant the saplings in November of last year. He later became aware that no space had been left for the tractor to access the recreation ground for grass cutting so some of the saplings will be moved in the coming weeks. Thanks to all those who helped with the planting.

There will be more hedging needed to be planted along the side of the recreation ground adjacent to the footpath that leads to Chapel Green School. Again the schools will be invited to take part.

If you are part of a local group and would like to get involved, please contact Pete Twissell at pc99twissell@gmail.com

Electrical item collections in Old Buckenham

 Put out for collection

Small electrical items and batteries can't be placed in your normal recycle bin but Breckland Council can still recycle them for you. Over the last year they have been collecting small electrical waste items and batteries, including toasters, irons and laptops, as part of their kerbside collection service.

Simply place your small electrical items inside a loosely-tied bag and leave it on top of your normal bin on collection day. There is limited space on the collection vehicles so they may not be able to collect all items the first time they are put out. To find out how to benefit from this free service visit www.breckland.gov.uk/rubbish/electrical-waste