Fleece to fibre

Spinning around

Pauline Bott came to the Social and Wine Circle meeting in February to talk about “From fleece to fibre and beyond”. The Church Rooms in Old Buckenham were festooned with items varying from alpaca fleeces to finished clothes, rugs and wall hangings. Pauline explained that her hobby of spinning (and making things from what she had spun) was something that she had just ‘picked up’. It had come in useful in the days when she worked as a coach driver as she could get out her spinning wheel to keep her occupied while waiting to pick up passengers for their return journey.
It was a therapeutic hobby, first ‘carding’ the fibres from a fleece and then turning this wool into thread. She estimated that it took her around three hours to make an ounce of woollen thread so producing a jumper that took some 26 ounces of wool was quite an undertaking. She sometimes dyed her own fleeces using natural materials such as onions, walnuts and broad beans to get the colours.
Members of the Social and Wine Circle were invited to have a go at hand carding and at using a spinning wheel to produce some thread – with varying levels of success. Then it was a chance to ask questions and to handle some of the exhibits including fleeces from llama and several breeds of sheep, wool of various colours as well as the items made from them.

Why not become a parish councillor?

May elections

With elections for members of Old Buckenham Parish Council taking place early in May, readers may be interested to know that Breckland District Council is holding a course at Dereham on Wednesday 2 March for prospective candidates. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor and wish to attend this course then you need to contact Breckland on 01362 656870.

Another book sale

Any unwanted books?

The Village Environment and Recycling Group (VERG) is planning to have another book stall at the Old Buckenham village fete this year. Last year £100 went to church repairs but it has not yet been decided which village project should be supported this year. This is an early confirmation to answer all those queries about whether books should be saved. Ring 452716 any time you need to get rid of books urgently, though if you can keep them in store for a bit longer it would be appreciated. Boxes will be provided for contributions nearer the time, as usual.

Future of village hall

Younger people needed

Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of the Old Buckenham Village Hall will take place on Wednesday 6 April starting at 7.30pm. Your attendance, if over 18 years of age, is important to ensure the future of the largest village asset. The existing committee are fully aware that, because of their average age, decisions are probably made that are not always in the best interest for the future of the hall or its users. Please make a note of the date now and ensure that you attend the AGM if at all possible and add some new ideas.

Cricket in Old Buckenham

Digging out the 'facts'
A recent comment on something posted on this blog a couple of years ago queried the often quoted fact that the soil for the Old Buckenham cricket pitch came all the way from Australia.
The following is taken from an article on village cricket in the 'Sporting life' booklet in a series on the history of Old Buckenham. But of course if you know better...


The first record of cricket being played at Old Buckenham is in 1817 when the local newspaper reported that several persons who had long resisted the threats and entreaties of the inhabitants were convicted before a magistrate at Larlingford and fined for playing cricket on Sunday October 2nd on Old Buckenham Green. Odd references to cricket appear in the press in the following years but the earliest recorded match is that against Attleborough in 1865 which Old Buckenham won.
In 1906, however, cricket in Old Buckenham became of great importance for in this year a Lionel Robinson, an immensely wealthy Australian stockbroker from Melbourne who had offices in London, bought the Old Buckenham Hall estate from Prince Frederick Duleep Singh (whose guardian in this country was none other than Queen Victoria). This was a factor which must have brought Lionel Robinson to the notice of the top social circles to which he aspired. He had a passion for cricket and in addition to rebuilding Buckenham Hall in an extravagant style, he erected splendid stables for a racing stud and sought to create a first class•cricket ground in the middle of his shooting estates.
Robinson‘s cricket ground was specially and scientifically constructed with clay from a lake on the estate. The clay was bound together with chickenwire netting and covered with fine turf specially imported from Australia. He aimed to create a cricket square as fast as those common in Australia and to stage first class cricket matches upon it. He employed a Archie MacIaren, a famous county gentleman cricketer and former English captain before the First World War, as his cricketing manager and provided him with a house on the estate. Archie was also a well known cricket correspondent for the press and particularly in the specialist 'Cricketer' magazine. At Old Buckenham he set about the task of developing cricket of the highest order.

Easter lilies

Remembering...
On Easter Day each year, All Saints, Old Buckenham commemorates the lives of loved ones who have died and they will be continuing the tradition this year. Flower arrangements in the church at Easter will comprise of lilies, each in memory of departed relatives or friends. If you would like to contribute to this event could you please let Revd Alistair Monkhouse have your donation before Sunday 10 April together with the name of the person to be remembered. In the event that you have not subscribed before then Alistair will also need to know the year of birth and date of death of that person.

It is estimated that each lily will cost in the region of £3. Any additional monies received will go towards a lasting memorial.
Anyone wishing to contribute should please send their cheque, made out to Old Buckenham PCC, with details of the deceased to Revd Alistair Monkhouse, ‘Wildwood', Mill Road, Old Buckenham, Norfolk, NRI7 ISG.

Luncheon Club say thank you

Meal for helpers
The first Luncheon Club meeting in February was a chance to thank all those other people who help to make the running of this service possible, particularly by providing transport each fortnight to get the members along to the village hall for their meal.
Over forty people sat down in Old Buckenham Village Hall for a beautifully cooked roast beef dinner. Organiser Bridget Burton took the opportunity after the meal to mention all the different people who had helped throughout the last year. There were those who had raised funds for the Club, those drivers who pick up the diners each time, all the cooks and the other helpers who put out the tables and chairs, serve the meals and wash up afterwards. In return Barbara Parker thanked everybody on behalf of the club members and Mike Bartlett said how much the guests had appreciated being invited to take part.

Growing up in the wrong place

Going, going, gone
When the churchwarden at All Saints Church, Old Buckenham, asked the District Council's tree officer for advice on pollarding a very large poplar tree that was rather near the church building, he was advised that it would be better to remove the tree completely.
So over the last couple of days the professional tree surgeons have been at work. The blog editor has been around with his camera and has managed to record the final moments of this arboreal giant.

All about Epic

Open to all
Old Buckenham WI opened their January meeting to anyone in the village who was interested or had participated in the study by the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC). The EPIC survey was started in 1993 to examine the relationship between dietary intake and the incident of cancer and other diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks, strokes and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Stephanie Moore, a Senior Research Assistant on the investigation, aided by Elliott Grigg, came to tell us particularly about EPIC-Norfolk. Norfolk was chosen as the ideal county for the survey being a good mix of towns and rural areas and therefore many different occupations, with lots of older people and also a stable population. Attleborough Surgery was approached and many of our audience participated in the study. They have been contributing information about their diet, lifestyle and health through questionnaires and through health checks carried out by EPIC nurses since 1997.
EPIC-Norfolk, with over 30,000 participants in the county when it started, is just one part of a Europe-wide study looking at the connection between diet and cancer.
On a less serious note members said how much they had enjoyed their Christmas lunch at the Stag and also how they had recently visited the Theatre Royal in Norwich to see Fiddler on the Roof. A surprise interval drink and nibbles provided by Terry Cracknel to celebrate his birthday made the evening even more enjoyable.

More to do in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for February


Tuesday 1 Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

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

Thursday 3 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 4 Crib drive, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Sunday 6 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Monday 7 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Thursday 10 Breckland Flower and Garden Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 10 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm

Saturday 12 Warm clothes collection, Church Rooms, all day

Sunday 13 Warm clothes collection, Church Rooms, all day

Monday 14 Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Wednesday 16 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 16 Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Friday 18 'One Stop Bus' outside Village Shop, 10am to 12 noon

Sunday 20 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Monday 21 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Thursday 24 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

More to read

Another printed version available
Pick up a copy from the village shop now.

Ruby and her horses

Not to be missed

An interesting event to raise money for Old Buckenham village hall improvements.
Just click on the images to read all the details.

Still helping others

Money raised for homeless

Various cheques were handed over to the representatives of the St Martins Housing Trust in the Church Rooms on Saturday 22 January. It is understood that the total raised was in the region of £19,200 (more details later). Well done Old Buckenham.

What's the answer?

Time to start thinking
The next Village Hall quiz will be on Saturday 26 March starting at 7.30pm.
Teams of four welcome, at a cost of just £4 each team.
There will be a raffle and the Village Hall would be very grateful if every team could provide a raffle prize.

More details in the blog nearer the time but put the date in your diary now.

Flower and Garden Club

Ladies meeting

At the first meeting of the New Year, Malcolm Howes introduced members to some of the famous ladies who had connections with Norwich. There was Julian who was an anchoress of the 14th Century and lived in a cell at St Julian's Church; Amelia Opie a writer poet and composer of the 18th century; Sarah Siddons actress and inventor of the tonic sol-fa system; Harriet Martineau and Elizabeth Fry who were both social reformers.
The results of the flower arranging competition were Old Hands won by Sylvia Briggs and New Hands won by Susan Thurlow.
In the table show Shirley Penfold was first, Ann Dent second and Sally Westrup third.
The February meeting will take place on Thursday 10 February at Old Buckenham Village Hall starting at 2pm when Judy Barham will demonstrate her arrangements to the title 'Childhood'. For the flower arranging competition the subject will be a child's book (with a title card) and the table show will be for any houseplant.
If you require any further information please contact Pat on 01953 457305 or Sally on 01953 788712.

Worthwhile spring cleaning

Textiles and clothing collection
If you are starting on an early spring clean you might like to note that the next collection of textiles and clothing in Old Buckenham for the Third World will be on Tuesday 8 March. Please leave your contributions at the roadside for 9am that morning (note it is a Tuesday and not the usual Saturday morning). Bags for your to use are available from the Village Shop but any container or bag is acceptable. More details will be given later.

A village farewell

Saying goodbye
There will be days like today sometime in most villages. There are cars parked everywhere, virtually every seat in the Church is taken, the service is moving but with a touch of laughter.
Thank you, Julian, for all you have done for Old Buckenham

Latest deliberations

January parish council minutes

These reports of parish council meetings are prepared by the editor of the village newsletter and blog from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at the next month's meeting.
Five members of the public were at the January meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council and all the parish councillors were in attendance apart from Tim Ing who had sent his apologies.
The minutes of the December Parish Council meeting were considered and Stephen Thorley said under “planning applications” it should read that the planning application for two bungalows in Harlingwood Lane should be decided by the full council meeting and not to put in the Parish Council’s decision within Breckland’s published time frame. With this amendment the minutes were unanimously agreed and signed as a true and accurate record of the December meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Adrian Joel said that he had a copy of the original planning application for the amenity area near the village shop. He said the whole project needed to be considered by a working party that could come back to the Parish Council with recommendations. The item is to be put on the agenda for the February meeting.
Allotments. Adrian Joel said Tim Ing had spoken to the owner of the land and it has been discovered that the land provided is 1½ acres and not the one acre as originally agreed. The owner therefore wished to increase the rent to £900 per year. Adrian Joel said that there were three options open on which they would seek the views of the allotment holders to resolve the issue. The grant application, now with Breckland Council, is due to be discussed next week and he is hopeful that it will be approved. A mat for the parking areas has arrived and it is hoped that it will be laid soon.
Doe Lane meeting notes. Tom Johnson expressed his concerns that no parish councillor had been invited to the meeting and that only thirty people from a population of approximately 1200 had attended. Adrian Joel said the notes were valid even though there were some inaccuracies in them. Norman Cawston suggested displaying these minutes and seeing what response there was to them. Stephen Thorley proposed that the Parish Clerk send a letter to Terry Cracknell thanking him and saying that the Parish Council will take onboard the views expressed and will implement those proposals that can be acted on. This proposal was seconded by Adrian Joel and agreed unanimously.
Grit bins. Tom Johnson said he had been approached by some residents and asked if they could be provided with a grit bin. He then said we should precept for them at this year’s precept, ready for purchase in year 2012/13. He also raised the matter of Hargham Road being like an ice rink during the recent snow conditions and asked if the road could be gritted. He was informed by Norman Cawston that the Parish Council had tried in the past to get the road gritted but with no success. Adrian Joel will speak to the County Councillor William Nunn on the matter of gritting in School Road.
Planning working party. Adrian Joel suggested all plans should be displayed at each Parish Council meeting. Mike Craven-Romain agreed it was a good idea to display all plans once the working party had visited the site and made their recommendations to the Parish Council. All plans will be displayed from the February meeting onwards.
Attleborough and Snetterton Heath Area Action Plan. Derek Smalley raised the matter of the large questionnaire sent to the Parish Council which had 60 points that required a response from the Parish Council and asked what the Parish Council would do with the questionnaire. Various councillors expressed views on the matter after Adrian Joel had shown a large map of the plans. Carol Marshall said all residents have an opportunity to express their views on the Attleborough Development through the questionnaire sent out by Breckland Council. Stephen Thorley said that the Parish Council would find it hard to respond as a body as they have not had enough time to discuss the matter with residents to get their opinions and that the residents themselves have been canvassed directly.
Planning application. Stephen Thorley said that the application for two bungalows in Harlingwood Lane should be discussed by the full council. There was a lot of public feeling on the matter and there appeared to be a ground swell of opinion supporting the application. Carol Marshall expressed the view that the development is suitable for the area and would tidy up the site and thought there was no real problem with access. Gerald Norton thought that additional housing in Harlingwood Lane would increase the risk of an accident at the junction with the B1077. Derek Smalley suggested that the hedge could be cut to improve visibility. Tom Johnson said the current site is an eyesore and should be developed although he did have some concern over access to the road. Jonathan Kemp thought the site would improve if the development took place. It was proposed by Norman Cawston and seconded by Carol Marshall to inform Breckland that the Parish Council had reversed its previous decision on the application and they now had no objection. This was agreed with six councillors for, two abstentions and one against. The Parish Clerk will contact Liz Starling of Breckland Planning on the matter.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said the Breckland Council and Creative Arts East will be launching the Winter Arts Festival 2011 at the Gamekeeper in Old Buckenham on Thursday 27 January with a production of Alan Bennett’s play A Lady of Letters. He then said that Breckland Council is continuing to look at cost savings and they are currently looking to share management teams with Holland District Council which could offer considerable cost savings. Adrian Joel also said the Local Development Framework Site Specific Policies and Proposal document 2001-2026 is due to go to a special full council meeting in mid-January and, if approved, will go out for a six week consultation period before going to the Secretary of State for an examination in public.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Stephen Thorley said that he had spoken to some residents about the high cost of fuel oil. He wondered if the Parish Council could organise a buying consortium or would the residents have to do it privately. Derek Smalley is to put an item in the village newsletter to see if there is any interest in the scheme. Adrian Joel raised the matter of the Royal Wedding in April and asked if the Parish Council would be doing anything to mark the event. Derek Smalley will put a further item in the newsletter to see what level of interest there is to arrange such an event. Adrian Joel said that he will approach Breckland Council for a grant of £250 for the event if one should go ahead. Carol Marshall said she will have a meeting with the High School on the Recreation Area and a working party meeting during January. It is hoped that she will have a business plan for the Recreation Area ready by the next Parish Council meeting. Gerald Norton raised the matter of the proposed change of regulations altering the status of schools and village halls to commercial classification for the purpose of waste collection. The proposed changes would involve village halls and schools being charged for the collection of their waste and the loss of recycling credits on all the waste that is kept out of landfill. The Parish Clerk is to express the Parish Council’s view that there should be no change in respect of the classification of schools and village halls. Mike Craven-Romain said that he had spoken to our local Highways engineer and that no sign will be allowed in Ragmere Road. Also that the road surface at Puddledock is due to be done at some time in the future. He informed the meeting that the gentleman who currently cuts the grass for free in the play area is leaving the village and asked if there was anyone else willing to do the job. Derek Smalley is to put an item in the village newsletter to see if anyone will volunteer.
Parish Clerk’s report. The headteacher of the High School had asked if the Parish Council would contribute one third of the cost towards a grit bin for use outside the school. He said the cost would be £45 to the Parish Council and asked if anyone objected. The Parish Clerk is to contact the school and the county highways department on the matter.
Highways. Problems reported were a blocked culvert at the bottom of Fen Street past the black barn and Hargham Road, also a large pot hole outside number 42 Fen Street. The Parish Clerk is to contact NCC Highways on these matters.
The Green. The Parish Clerk read out a letter from the Old Buckenham Green Right Proprietors’ solicitors regarding the recent appeal. The Clerk then read out the agenda for the next Green Right Proprietors’ meeting due to be held on Tuesday 18 January. Norman Cawston said that he and Tim Ing should meet with the Green Right Proprietors to discuss a way forward on the management of the Green and report back to the Parish Council on the matter.
Items for next agenda. The Amenity Area was to be included on the February agenda.
Other matters. Adrian Joel said the village had recently lost a past member of the Parish Council, Julian Goodey, who had died on Christmas Eve. He was also a former teacher at the High School and chairman of the Village Hall committee for many years. The Parish Clerk would arrange for a letter of condolence to be sent to his widow Joyce Goodey.

The next meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council will be held on Thursday 3 February in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Full of ideas?

Think fete, think now

It is time to be thinking about this year’s village fete. The first fete planning meeting will be on Monday 21 March in the Memorial Room of the Village Hall.
So start thinking about what you would like to do and put the date in your nice new diary now.

A quiet month to start the year

Diary dates for January
Wednesday 5        Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Thursday 6           Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 7                Crib drive, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Monday 10           Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm
Tuesday 11           Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon
Thursday 13          Breckland Flower and Garden Club, Village Hall, 2pm
Thursday 13          Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm
Friday 14             'One Stop Bus' outside Village Shop, 10am to 12 noon
Tuesday 18           OBAS meeting, Church Rooms, 7.30pm
Wednesday 19      Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 19      Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm
Thursday 20        Aladdin, OB Players pantomime, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 21            Aladdin, OB Players pantomime, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday 22        Aladdin, OB Players pantomime, Village Hall, 2.30pm
Saturday 22        Aladdin, OB Players pantomime, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Thursday 27         Women's Institute open meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Both the Wargames Club and the Monday Mardles are 'resting' during this month and will start up again in February

Photos of 2010

Images of Old Buckenham in 2010
At this time of the year, most of the newspapers fill their pages with various reviews of the past year.
So here are six pictures of my personal favourite photographs taken in the village during the year. There is snow, mist, fete, fair, tractors and a notice board.
Just click on the images if you want to see them in more detail.

Singing by candlelight

Carols at Christmas

There was standing room only at the ever popular candlelit service of Lessons and Carols held at All Saints Church, Old Buckenham, on Christmas Eve. The congregation were welcomed by the Revd Alistair Monkhouse and the service was led by Revd David Hill, Rector of the Quidenham group of parishes.
Readings were given by members of village organisations and other churches. Pupils from the Primary School read a Christmas poem and Lisa Cullins sang “Silent Night”. The choir from the High School sang the Star Carol by John Rutter and Howard Marshall sang a folk carol. Instrumental Christmas music was provided by Annett Winters, accompanied by the organist, Tom Hilton. The 1st Old Buckenham Scout Group sang the Millennium setting of the Lord’s Prayer.
Prayers were led by Dr and Mrs R Lindner and the Christmas message was delivered by Steve Eggleton. The offertory of £810 was given for the work of the St Martin’s Housing Trust (Norwich Night Shelter).

A new year starts

The January newsletter is here
You can collect your copy from the village shop, the two pubs, All Saints church or the Clinic on the Green.

Greetings to all our readers

Bearing gifts
Throughout Christmas Eve, the people of Old Buckenham and the surrounding area have been dropping off the gifts of non-perishable foodstuff to the Church Rooms. They will be taken on to the St Martins Housing Trust charity in Norwich to be used to help feed the homeless of Norfolk.
Just a tin of soup can mean an awful lot to someone who has very little in the way of possessions and no permanent roof over their head. As usual the local people have been very generous.
The money from the collection at the candlelit carol service held on Chrismas Eve will be going to the same charity.

A happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to all our readers where ever you may be in the world.

Carols by candlelight

Christmas Eve in Old Buckenham
The candlelit carol service on Christmas Eve in All Saints Church is something that people all over Norfolk travel to attend. It is always packed so make sure you get there in plenty of time.

Lighting up time

Evening stars
It may be getting dark but Old Buckenham is still bright and active. A full moon shines down, houses are decorated and the village shop stays open late for those last minute purchases.

Managing the Green

Picnic tables

The chairman of the Green Rights Proprietors has provided the following information.
The Old Buckenham Green Rights Proprietors’ appeal against the earlier decision in their claim against the Ox & Plough Limited for £160 unpaid levy on the picnic table area on the Green was heard by His Honour Judge Darroch on Friday 17 December. The Judge upheld the appeal and ordered the Ox & Plough Limited to pay £160 plus a £25 court fee.
The Judge stated that he found that the Proprietors had shown they had the right to manage the Green and collect reasonable rents, wayleaves, etc, from those using the Green in order to finance the upkeep and maintenance of the Green.
The Proprietors were represented by their solicitor Peter Rollin. Alison Frank and Mike Read were present as were Mark and Sally Bishop together with several other Old Buckenham residents. Terry Cracknell, as Lord of the Manor, asked if he might make a statement and answer any questions and the Judge thanked him for the information he was able to give to the Court.

Repairs to windmill

Windmill status
The windmill at Old Buckenham has not been open to the public for some time and is in need of two repair projects. The first is to repair and replace the sails as these were found to be decayed when inspected in 2010. The second is less apparent and relates to repairs to the timber ribs forming the roof structure.

This second project is a higher priority due to the need to retain structural integrity of the roof and prevent water penetration. It is anticipated that the roof repair will be undertaken in 2011 although no timescale is yet in place. The work to the sails to restore the full magnificence of the windmill silhouette is unlikely to be completed in 2011 due to the understandably tight financial conditions under which Norfolk Windmills Trust is operating.
The windmill committee will be discussing whether it is feasible to restart public opening sessions with the building in its current condition. They will, as ever, keep the public informed through the village newsletter and this blog.

Effective recycling

More textiles collected
The textiles collection in Old Buckenham in October was important for two reasons. The clothing, shoes and other materials collected will be sent out to the Third World where they will be much appreciated by those that receive them. Also the money raised from recycling credits (for stopping the material going to landfill) was £170.87 and this has been donated to Old Buckenham High School.

The school cooperates with these collections and the Village Environment and Recycling Group is grateful for the school's continuing support in allowing temporary storage of the textiles in its cycle sheds.

Be inspired in 2011

Old Buckenham Women's Institute

November was the month of Old Buckenham WI's annual meeting and this gave members the opportunity to look back on the previous year and to review the coming year. 2010 was a very busy year, with members taking part in darts and Scrabble tournaments, competing in the annual Cator Cup competition, supporting village events, running the popular village produce show and organising a day craft school in the village hall.
The new committee was approved at the November meeting and the President, Susan Hunter, was re-elected for 2011.
The WI's rich history is underpinned by an inspiring campaigning legacy and it is at this time of the year members are given the opportunity to decide which resolutions should be considered at the national Annual Meeting in June. Next year's short list includes campaigning against mega-farming, the closure of local libraries and urging the government to support the funding of research and development into the cost effective production of natural galamanatine for the treatment of Alzheimer's type dementia.
At local level, the 2011 programme has a wide ranging series of talks. The monthly meeting takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. New members are most welcome. The full programme for 2011:
Thursday 27 January         EPIC - The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (open meeting )
Thursday 24 February     A journey in time - Old Buckenham and Attleborough
Thursday 24 March         Spring propagation - a talk and demonstration to get you gardening
Thursday 28 April           Canals and waterways
Thursday 26 May            Resolution meeting
Thursday 23 June            From vicar's son to BBC producer
Thursday 28 July             Three Victorian gentlemen
Thursday 25 August         Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
Thursday 22 September   Saffire Chocolates (demonstration of chocolate making)
Thursday 27 October       Birthday party
Thursday 24 November    Annual meeting
December                        Christmas lunch (on a date to be fixed)

Our local panto

Old Buckenham Players will be presenting their annual patomime in January 2011. This time it will be

ALADDIN

by Norman Robbins.

The story of Aladdin and his magic lamp will be performed in time-honoured pantomime fashion with all the well-loved characters, like Widow Twankey, the Princess, Wishee Washee and Aladdin himself. And, of course, the hated Abanazar, the evil magician who provides plenty of opportunity for boos and hisses from the audience. Come along to Old Buckenham Village Hall for some post-Christmas fun!
Licensed bar.
Performances on Thursday 20, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 January at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Village Hall – with a special matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 22 January.
Tickets will cost £6 (£4 for the under 14s) and are available from Old Buckenham Post Office, Nuts ‘n’ Bolts in Attleborough or by calling 01603 810373.

What the councillors said

Latest Parish Council thinking
These notes of the parish council meetings are prepared by the editor of the blog from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended later at the next month's meeting.

Eight members of the public went along to the December parish council meeting and all the parish councillors attended.
The minutes of the November Parish Council meeting were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting and there were no matters arising.
Allotments. Adrian Joel said the first meeting of the Allotment Holders Liaison Group had been held in November and the next meeting was scheduled for February 2011. On-site parking could be a difficulty and he proposed that £386 plus vat be spent on some matting that could cure the problem. It was agreed unanimously that the funds come from Parish Council Contingency Fund. He then raised the matter of funding for fencing and water installation and said a grant application had been sent to Breckland Council for £1,000. The water installation would be installed labour free by a resident and that a grant of £900 had been given by Old Buckenham 2000 Trust towards the project.
War memorial. Gerald Norton said cleaning of the memorial had been done and had cost approximately £500. There were now no further funds available for future cleaning and he said that grant applications would be made to the Parish Council for future maintenance of the memorial. Various ideas were discussed regarding the memorial but it was considered the grant application route was the best way for the future maintenance.
Rubbish bins. Derek Smalley raised the matter of the litter bin situated on the Green next to a bench that was being used by those depositing dog waste. This was causing a problem and he asked if it could be moved away from the bench. Norman Cawston agreed to arrange this and Tim Ing also agreed to do an inventory of all litter bins and dog bins for the purpose of the asset register of the Parish Council and to give the information to the Parish Clerk.
Amenity area. Adrian Joel raised the matter of an amenity area opposite the village shop and a possible picnic area. He suggested that the Parish Council look at the original application to Breckland Council and possibly resubmit it. Adrian Joel will contact Breckland Council to obtain a copy of the original application and Carol Marshall said she would check to see if she had a copy of the application. The Parish Council will review the matter when the documents are available.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that Breckland’s Attleborough & Snetterton action plan consultation meeting was held in the Village Hall on Saturday 20 November and about forty residents had attended the meeting where they could ask Breckland Council questions on the whole matter. All residents have received a questionnaire in the post, these must be returned by Friday 28 January 2011. An in-depth Attleborough Transport Study had been completed by Breckland at a cost of £100,000. The Local Development Framework (LDF) specific development plan documents will be considered by the LDF Task & Finish Group for further clarification to take place on the proposed settlement boundaries prior to being sent back by the Cabinet before going out to public consultation for a six week consultation period. He then advised that a new Animal Warden Service was available from 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to midday on Saturday and Sunday. Finders of dogs outside these hours should contact the Animal Warden Service to register the find and be informed of how it will be collected. The telephone number for the service is 01362 858500. This number should also be used for the reporting of lost dogs. If people believe their dog has been stolen then they should contact the police on 0845 456 4567.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Adrian Joel said that the road at Puddledock Corner had not yet been done and Mike Craven-Romain said he was waiting on a phone call from the Highways engineer as he had previously spoken to him on the matter. Carol Marshall said that the Recreation Area meeting had not yet taken place and she was hoping to arrange a meeting for the new year. She also raised the matter of grit bins in the village hall car park which she thought had been like an ice rink and dangerous. Derek Smalley raised the matter of the welcome pack which had been the subject of an article in the village newsletter. He now had a comprehensive list of information for the contents of the welcome packs. Tom Johnson said the safety message from Norfolk Fire Service had been inserted in the newsletter. He then raised the matter of grit bins in the village and the spreading of grit by volunteers. The Parish Clerk will contact NALC on the matter. Tim Ing asked if any member of The Parish Council would do a reading at the church Christmas candlelit service and Norman Cawston agreed to do it. Tim Ing raised the matter of gritting some roads not on the current schedule gritting routes and the Parish Clerk will contact the county councillor to see if he can assist.
Parish Clerk’s report. Mike Bartlett had reported that he will be organising a door-to-door calling to obtain views of residents regarding the Attleborough expansion plans to pass on to Parish Council who in turn can make a submission to Breckland Council. The Parish Clerk read through the notes of a meeting held on Saturday 14 August which listed some of the main issues including some points relating to the Parish Clerk. These included some which were repudiated by him and explanations were given as to what he considered were total inaccuracies in the alleged instances. Tim Ing thanked the Parish Clerk for the work he had done on behalf of the Parish Council since he took over the role in difficult circumstances. The meeting notes to be put on the January meeting agenda for further discussion.
The Green. Tim Ing said he had contacted the Green Right’s Proprietors asking for an up-to-date list of all proprietors. He was referred to Legal Services at County Hall as the Green Right Proprietors did not have an up-to-date list. They had sent him an email containing information that would be printed off and made available as soon as possible to the Parish Council. The meeting was also informed that bat boxes had been purchased for the Green and hopefully would soon be installed.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 January in the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Tea and table arrangments

Flower and Garden Club
The December meeting of Breckland Flower and Garden Club in Old Buckenham village hall involved both tea and table arrangements. Members and guests had an enjoyable afternoon making colourful table arrangements with candles, ribbons and foliage and flowers. Joy Tunmore demonstrated in easy stages to ensure everyone present made a lovely display that they could take home. A cup of tea and a variety of goodies to eat rounded off this Christmas meeting.

The monthly competition was for a Christmas table arrangement on a cake stand. The New Hands winner was Susan Thurlow and for the Old Hands, Ursula Jackson and Shirley Penfold shared first place. The table show for three stems of foliage was won by Sylvia Briggs.
The first meeting in 2011 will take place on the Thursday 13 January at 2pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall when there will be an illustrated talk. The competition will be for an arrangement to incorporate a photo frame and using dried and/or preserved plant material. The table show will be for three stems of winter colour from the garden
Further information is available from Pat on 01953 457305 or Sally on 01953 788712

Party time

Social evening
Tonight it was the turn of the Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle to have a little 'party' for their end of season meeting. There were some light hearted quizzes, charades and even a little bingo to help the evening along. A fish and chip supper for everyone was much appreciated by all those attending as was a large raffle to conclude the evening's entertainment.

Even more snow images

Not much happening
There is little other village news today so here are some more sombre snow pictures. No sun here in Old Buckenham so almost all black and white images.
There is the Ox & Plough before opening time, some unused benches making interesting patterns and even the village hall has a different charm when the snow is around.

Ice cold

Rod Alley pond is rather frozen