Old Buckenham High School celebrates

Seventy-five years young
This evening was a chance for many local people to go back and relive their youth, a chance for previous staff to go back and see what had changed and a chance for the blog editor (who went to school over a hundred miles away) to wander around the village High School.
Old Buckenham High School opened 75 years ago so a celebration evening was arranged and all were invited. The school band played to entertain everyone, the original school cane was brought out of retirement so that the present headmaster, Peter Whear, could play his part for the photographer from the local newspaper and people scoured the old school photos to try to find the one that they were in.
And most of those attending found plenty of people to talk to about those 'good old days'.

75 Years of Us

Written by Georgina Dunkinson, OBHS Poet Laureate 2012/2013

Old Buck High
There's so much to it
I could put it together
Slowly, bit by bit
But if you hadn't been there
It would mean nothing
To be true to you
It has to mean something

If you hadn't…

Burst through the school gates
Hoping you're not late
Forgot some schoolbooks too
To your mum, hadn't mentioned
You got a detention
Thinking, why is it always you?

If you hadn't...

Tried your best
On that really hard test
And finally got top marks
Or done something noble
Just to be helpful
And in your tummy, felt that spark

If you hadn't...

Won the game on a whole
Because you scored the goal
And soared up to cloud nine
Or made anew friend
Your best in the end
And everything was just fine

If you hadn't…

Seen that play
At the end of the day
That seemed to finish so fast
Cooked that cake
When you just couldn't bake
And got that grade at last

Because if you didn't
Or hadn't, you wouldn't
Know all the fun we've had
Big, bright and bold
75 years old
And today we're feeling glad

 

Flower Club meeting in Old Buckenham

Flower Club March meeting
The Breckland Flower and Garden Club’s March meeting in Old Buckenham Village Hall started with the AGM. The Chairman welcomed members and visitors to the meeting and the secretary then gave her annual report saying it had been a very successful year with speakers, demonstrations and garden visits all enjoyed.
The accounts were then presented with an acknowledgment from the members that there would need to be an increase in fees for the coming year because of increases in the cost of speakers and travel/flower costs.
The Chairman thanked the competition winners for the year and presented the trophies. The advanced winner was Sylvia Briggs and the novice winner was Alyson Walker. The overall winner with most points was also Sylvia Briggs who was presented with the Presidents’ cup. Christine Hewson was presented with the show cup, for most points in the year in the table show classes.
Pat Wells, the outgoing president, thanked the club for allowing her the honour of holding the position for the past year and then passed on the badge of office to the new incoming president Hazel Dingle.
The afternoon then proceeded with a 'Show and Tell' with members bringing along their handicrafts and hobbies to share with the club members. Joy Tunmore and Sally Westrup showed their large selection of quilts and quilting items. Melissa Sheldrake and Joy Tunmore then shared their City & Guilds embroidery pieces with superb fine stitching. Sheila Bullen shared some lovely spring flower arranging items, Jean Wade had brought along some fine bead work of baubles and decorations, Pat Barton had a selection of jewellery, necklaces and earrings while Christine Hewson showed some Easter vine rings with chocolate chicks and eggs.
This was followed by tea and cakes supplied by the committee and a raffle of Easter eggs donated by members.
The Breckland club meets at Old Buckenham village hall on the second Thursday in the month. The next meeting will be on Thursday 11 April starting at 2pm when Dr Ian Bedford of the John Innes Institute will be talking on 'Garden Bugs'. Visitors are welcome, call Christine on 01953 454528 for more information.

Old Buckenham has a rumble in the jumble

Heaps of bargains
There hasn't been a real jumble sale in Old Buckenham for ages. But, despite the snow showers outside, plenty of people came along to the Church Rooms today to search through the heaps of clothing piled up on the tables. They may have been looking for themselves, their children or grandchildren but they seemed to be finding lots of potential bargains. And with virtually everything priced at just 20p an item there were certainly bargains to be found.
The jumble sale had been organised as a fundraiser by the Buckenham Pre-school Group. As well as the clothing there was bric-a-brac, toys, books, CDs, homemade cakes, drinks and a tombola to persuade the visitors to part with a little more money.
First indications are that the Pre-school funds will benefit to the tune of around £280.
One further benefit of the event was that all the clothing that was left over was going to the charity UK2Rom [uk2rom.webs.com] and would soon be on its way to one of the poorest parts of Romania to be given to people in great need of such 'luxuries'.

Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle

A computerised future?
At the March meeting of the Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle, Steve Hammond gave a talk entitled “Computers Today”. Steve approached the subject not from the perspective of how to use a computer but outlined the impact of IT technology on various aspects of life at the moment and, more importantly, in the future. For instance, currently workers at the National Grid predict that, when a popular TV programme ends many kettles are switched on, so there may be the need to arrange for extra power to be brought in from elsewhere. In the future, devices installed in our homes will communicate automatically with the National Grid to determine the best and most efficient way of using power to ensure electricity will not ‘run out’ meaning that no human intervention will be necessary. Steve told how last year he worked at the Olympic Games ensuring that the London Games were the ‘most connected’ Games ever. It has to be said that if there were any glitches over the period, none of those watching the TV at home – or those lucky enough to be at the Games – was aware of it.
The next meeting of the Social and Wine Circle will be in the Church Rooms on Thursday 11 April for a talk about the Automobile Association. As always, a welcome is extended to all and the cost is merely a small donation of £1 per person from all who attend.

From Old Buckenham to Nepal

Aiming high

 

Well, it’s not long until David Hannah sets off on his sponsored trek in the Everest region of Nepal. He would like to say a big Thank You to those of you who have kindly sponsored him so far and for your words of encouragement. Please see previous blog entry on Thursday 24 January to find out more information about what he is  doing but basically he is hoping to summit a peak of 5357 metres known as Gokyo Ri.
He is raising funds for St Martins Housing Trust who provide outstanding help for the homeless people of Norfolk. If you would like to sponsor him or know more about his reasons for going on this trek, please see the fund-raising webpage www.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidHannah1. 
In return David aims to give feed back on his experiences (for better or for worse!). This will probably take the form of a Nepal Evening at Old Buckenham village hall later in the year.

Church windows at Old Buckenham

A thousand years of local history
It was an unusual way to spend a Saturday evening - sitting in a rather chilly church lit just by candles and watching a PowerPoint presentation on a screen in front of the pulpit.
Alison Hannah gave a talk on the history of All Saints, Old Buckenham, pointing out that there has probably been a church on this site for over a thousand years and went through the changes that have taken place during that period. She explained how the building had expanded over the years, how the octagonal tower may once have been circular and that the tower was once surmounted by a spire that later collapsed.
Of particular interest was the development of the stained glass windows that adorn the building. Some very old glass remains and is now in need of specialist restoration. Other windows have been installed over the years by various renowned stained glass producers.
Fund raising is in progress to ensure that vital repairs can be carried out to ensure the historical glass is conserved so that it will be available for people to see for hundreds of more years.
For more information on the individual stained glass windows in All Saints, go to http://www.norfolkstainedglass.co.uk/Old_Buckenham/home.shtm After the talk everyone collected for drinks and refreshments in the nearby Church Rooms. A collection was made to help fund the restoration of the stained glass windows and raised £222.71 which was a worthwhile reward for all the effort that had been put into evening's event.

Brains at work in Old Buckenham

Villagers gather for quiz
There were fourteen teams enjoying a social evening at Old Buckenham village hall last night trying to answer questions on a wide range subjects from entertainment to British geography. Susan Hunter and her team from Old Buckenham Women's Institute were responsible for the questions and for all the marking with the latest scores being regularly being updated on the 'large' video screen.
At half time the Winos, the team from the village Social and Wine Circle, were in the lead but Maggie's Mob from Attleborough steadily overtook them and were five points ahead by the time the quiz finished. Maggie's Mob also won the table round but only after making the best guess at a tie break question on the area of Africa in square miles...
There was a well supported raffle and the event was an enjoyable way to raise some money for village hall funds.

(click on this score sheet to make it more readable)

Buckets in Old Buckenham

Sorting out the great crested newts
Cotman Housing are still hoping to start soon on the building of the affordable housing in St Andrews Close, Old Buckenham. Site clearance has started and the area is enclosed in low 'newt-proof' barriers. Buckets have been set into the ground around the edge and the aim is to collect up any great crested newts that are inside the barriers and can be persuaded to enter the buckets during the night. They will then be collected up each morning and placed outside the barriers on their new purpose-built homes in Prince Harry's Wood.

Roadside decorations in Old Buckenham

And icicles hang by the hedge...
The combination of poorly drained roads, speeding motorists and constantly low temperatures has led to some beautiful decorations growing on these hedges in Cake Street, Old Buckenham.

To embiggen these pictures just click on the image

Old Buckenham WI antiques talk

Looking at antiques
Because of heavy snow the WI meeting in January had been cancelled and it was nice to be back together for the February meeting.
Colin Lucy, from Freya Antiques, gave a very amusing and interesting talk starting with his visits (in school uniform) to the local auction house with his father where he bought boxes of books for about 2/6d and later made a profit selling them to his classmates. He left school and went to Cambridge, trained to be an architect, worked in the City of London, made a living as a professional gambler and eventually, in his forties, went back to dealing in books and antiques. Members had brought their own antiques and Colin told members something about each one, his favourite being a piece of Moorcroft pottery.
The monthly competition results for 2012 were announced – Barbara Frost won ‘Flower of the month’ and Kathy Fleckney was the monthly competition winner. They both received an ‘M&S’ token as their prize.
Old Buckenham WI is holding a Coffee Morning with various stalls, homemade cakes, etc, in the Church Rooms on Saturday 6 April. Do come and see what is on offer.

Deliberations of Old Buckenham Parish Council

Parish Council March meeting
These notes have been produced by the blog editor using the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
There was one member of the public at the March meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council. Apologies had been received from three parish councillors who were unable to attend (Paul Boggia, Jonathan Kemp and Sarah Dye).
There was a short public recess where the meeting was suspended to allow the member of the public to ask questions.
Minutes of February Parish Council meeting. There were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Tom Johnson said that Mike Bartlett of the Village Hall had contacted the Charity Commission and was informed that the Parish Council are custodian trustees, not management trustees, of the Village Hall. Three trustees are required by the village hall and they should be residents of the village.
Shrublands development. Tim Ing said a public enquiry was being held regarding the proposed development and it would take place in Attleborough Town Hall on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 March following an appeal against Breckland Council by the developer. Tim Ing will attend on one of the days and Adrian Joel will attend as a District Councillor.
Planning applications. The Hermitage, Abbey Road. External and internal alterations. There were no objections from the parish council subject to a satisfactory archaeological survey.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Abbey Farm, Abbey Road. Convert outbuildings to residential use. Permission granted.
Accounts payable. Steve Milner sought information on the four cheques payable to the play area and Adrian Joel sought clarification on the Parish Clerk’s salary. It was agreed unanimously that all the invoices due for payment on the cheque list be paid.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing raised the matter of litter being left on the new BMX track and suggested that a litter bin should be provided on the Recreation Area. Also part of the fence on the area was down. A resident had raised the matter of the condition of the track in front of their house on Hargham Road down to the shop which was part of the safer route to school. Norfolk County Council have stated this is not their responsibility. Nor is it that of the Parish Council so the resident said they will deal with the problem. Tim Ing said draft minutes would be displayed along with last month’s minutes on the notice board. On the subject of village groups being asked to make reports at Annual Parish Meeting, it was agreed that parish councillors would supply contact names and telephone numbers to the Parish Clerk so they can be invited to give a report.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel reported that Breckland Council have agreed an increase of £4.98 per year on Band D properties, the first increase in four years. This would take a band D property to £69.03 per year. Breckland’s ‘switch and save’ campaign was launched at the beginning of March. Residents who were interested need to register their interest by Monday 8 April. Registration can be done via Breckland Council’s website or by telephoning 01352 656870. A Road Show describing the scheme will be held at Attleborough Library on Friday 15 March between 1pm and 5pm. The Breckland District Wide plan starts with a working party this month. Land owners who submitted an interest in developing land in the previous LDF will be written to and information regarding any additional application will be in the new Voice magazine.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson said the Village Hall would like to thank the Parish Council for extending car parking facilities at the Recreation Area. The question of the precept was also raised by them and they wanted the Parish Council to precept for a contingency fund for the Village Hall each year. The Parish Clerk said that this was not possible as the Village Hall would have to submit a grant application each year before the end of September for consideration for the following financial year. Also there would be changes to the precept setting in the financial year 2014/15 following changes by the government in funding for district councils. The Communities Minister had been quoted as saying he may introduce capping on precept increase levels. Tom Johnson then said that Village Hall was holding a quiz night on Friday 15 March. National Express coaches were no longer stopping at Attleborough and he suggested Breckland Council should make representation to the company to prevent this happening. It was reported that the swing in the play area needs the top bracket replacing and also the springs on both gates need mending. Carol Marshall reported that construction of the car park at Recreation Area was completed. The new BMX trail was being created by the youngsters. The Recreation Area has had an annual safety inspection carried out. The grant application to Norfolk Foundation had hit a last minute snag over possible planning permission but this had now been sorted and the grant application for £20,000 would be considered later this month and hopefully a decision will be available for the next Parish Council meeting. The Almshouses had been given a full survey and a priority list had been drawn up for houses number 1 to 6 for renovation work to be carried out. The whole project will take 4 years. Also the Fire Officer had paid a visit to all the properties. He gave residents advice on fire safety and checked fire alarms. An electrical inspection has also been done and appropriate work carried out. The driveway has had some repairs and is now in good condition. Two new trustees have been appointed, both of whom have worked in the field of property for many years and have knowledge of listed buildings. Tim Ing thanked both Carol Marshall and Jonathan Kemp for their work on the Recreation Area project. Derek Smalley had distributed the slow down speed signs for wheelie bins and has some spares. He also asked if anyone knew of new residents in village who would require a welcome pack. Derek Smalley will continue as Parish Council representative for the Attleborough Expansion. The Oil scheme runs out at the end of this month and needs a total of at least 15 people paying £1 each to renew it. The village newsletter is no longer being distributed with the national newspaper deliveries so maybe the Parish Council can help to ensure all residents receive a copy. John Frost reported that the Six Villages church newsletter needs new committee members. Akis Chrisovelides and Tim Ing arrived early before the meeting to be available to talk to young people about a possible youth council. Unfortunately no one turned up. More notices will be displayed in the village in the hope that interest will be generated and youngsters will come to a meeting. Adrian Joel said he was contacted by the owner of the village shop regarding people parking outside the shop and then walking their children to school. The Parish Council were unable to do anything as there are no parking restrictions in force there. Steve Milner said Speedwatch is continuing and a number of drivers have been reported for speeding. John Frost said that on Saturday 16 March a presentation would be made on the history of All Saints church. Villagers are welcome to attend the meeting at the church and refreshments will be available afterwards.
The Green. Parking on the Green is becoming a serious problem. Traffic is mounting the kerb outside the High School and damaging the soil surface. A replacement tree soon will be planted to make up for the one taken down when the play area was constructed. A tree by the War Memorial has been reported as dead and Tim Ing will deal with the matter. The bales of grass on the Green will be removed soon by the new contractor.
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 20 March and the next Parish Council meeting on Thursday 4 April. Both meetings start at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

A future for Old Buckenham Village Hall

A way forward

Seventy members of the community of Old Buckenham attended a meeting at the village hall today, Saturday 2 March, to establish the way forward in management of the building, the facilities and its financing.
The parish councillor, Tom Johnson addressed those present, explaining the time had come for a number of trustees to stand down. He explained the legal situation, as it stands with the Charity Commission. It is felt that, at a minimum, the new committee requires volunteers to act as secretary, a treasurer, chairperson and booking clerk. However Tom Johnson indicated the present booking clerk was willing to continue.
It was emphasised that attendance at the forthcoming AGM on Wednesday 3 April was essential as that is the opportunity to vote new trustees to the committee.
The meeting was in agreement on two points. Firstly the constitution should be revised, increasing the number of elected representatives (this can only be carried out in conjunction with the Charity Commission). Secondly the parish should contribute financially to the running of the building through the annual precept.

Busy month ahead in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for March

Friday 1    Crib, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 2    Meeting on future of Village Hall, 11am

Sunday 3    Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Monday 4    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Tuesday 5    Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

Tuesday 5    Village Fete planning meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Wednesday 6    Women's Fellowship, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm

Thursday 7    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 9    Roadside collection of textiles from 9am

Monday 11    Textile collection, Village Hall car park, 8.30am to 9am

Monday 11    Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Wednesday 13    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 14    Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 14    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm

Friday 15    Village quiz, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 16    Talk on history of All Saints Church, in Church at 7.30pm

Sunday 17    LAA and homebuilt aircraft Fly in at the Airfield

Monday 18    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Wednesday 20   Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Wednesday 20   Annual Parish Meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 23    Jumble sale, Church Rooms, from 10am

Wednesday 27    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 27   High School 75th anniversary celebrations from 5pm

Thursday 28    Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

March newsletter all around Old Buckenham

News of all the March events

The printed copies of the March issue of the Old Buckenham newsletter have been left at various locations around the village. Two extra locations where you may now find some are inside the Village  Hall and in the Church Rooms.
The main supply point is, of course, the village shop.

More on Senior Citizens' Lunch in Old Buckenham

What was on offer

A full roast dinner with plenty of vegetables was provided for everyone. Then there was the choice of sweets and a plateful of mixed cheeses to eat your way through, all washed down with glasses of wine or fruit juice.
Everyone had been given a free raffle ticket on arrival so the raffle was drawn next while the entertainer got ready on the stage. Country and Western songs were then sung for an hour or so to let all the meal be digested and give some people the opportunity to join in with the lyrics of songs remembered from many years ago. A couple of cards of cash bingo were played before more food arrived in the form of homemade mince pies, tea and coffee.
The afternoon finished with a big thank you to all the organisers and volunteers with the main cook being called out from hiding to receive a large bouquet of flowers.
Soon everyone was drifting out of the hall while some volunteers were still washing up in the kitchen...

Benefit of being old in Old Buckenham

Senior Citizens' Lunch
Over eighty people who have reached 'retirement' age and live in Old Buckenham were treated to a slap-up lunch in the village hall yesterday. Money had been raised at various events in the village over the last twelve months and so, with the help of many volunteers on the day, the diners had nothing to do but sit down and enjoy themselves.
Work had started by setting out and decorating the tables on the evening before. Then food had been prepared and cooked during the morning ready for the guests to arrive just before 1pm.
Looking around on arrival you could collect your glass of sherry, see a table full of raffle prizes, another table loaded with lots of homemade sweets and, hidden away in the kitchen, plates of various cheeses being assembled for later consumption.
There was the opportunity to have your photo taken and to attempt  to work out some answers to the quiz sheet that had been left on each table. Then it was time for grace to be said and everyone got down to eating and drinking.

More photographs will be posted tomorrow.

You can click on these ones if you would like to enlarge them.

Old Buckenham hears about Victorian asylums

Social and Wine Circle
The talk for February’s meeting was entitled “Life in a Victorian Asylum”. A dry subject you might think but, after Alison Hannah’s talk about a similar subject last year, she was invited back to give more interesting information about asylums, especially the Norfolk Lunatic Asylum (NLA). This was built in 1814, shortly after the passing of the County Asylums Act in 1808 and, when it closed finally in 1998, was the third oldest asylum in the country. In its first year, the NLA had 62 patients, the majority of which were male and who had been transferred from workhouses which until then had been the main unit for housing such individuals. Some thirty years later, there were more than 550 patients in the NLA, recognition that mentally ill persons needed to be looked after rather than abandoned. The patients were expected to work, this being therapeutic as well as practical. The men looked after the gardens where food produce for the inmates was grown (the amount available to feed inmates was 4s 9d per person per week, approx 24p) while the women cleaned and cooked. All inmates were expected to look after themselves to a degree, there being very few staff to do this. Treatments were many and varied. Opium, cannabis and nicotine were some of the drugs used whilst purgatives ‘helped to calm or distract’ some patients. Alison had researched the subject bringing a wealth of information with her, helped as she advised us by the fact that the Victorians recorded everything in great detail.
Next month’s talk, on Thursday 14 March, will be “Computers today” to be given by Steve Hammond.

The stained glass of All Saints Old Buckenham

Looking at windows

 

 

Have you ever thought about the history of the oldest building in Old Buckenham? You may walk or drive past it every day, you may regularly attend worship there – but maybe you have only been inside occasionally, for a wedding or funeral perhaps. It’s just possible you’ve never visited at all! To launch a major heritage project in relation to the restoration of the medieval windows, there will be an illustrated talk  entitled 'All Saints Windows - Throwing light on 1000 years of a village Church’ in All Saints Church on Saturday 16 March at 7.30pm.
The talk will be about the 1000 year history of this building, focusing particularly on the stained and painted glass. After the talk there will be refreshments in the Church Rooms with an opportunity to learn more and to find out how to get involved in supporting the continuous work of preserving this wonderful building for the future. Donations for the restoration project will be most welcome. For more information please contact Alison on 01953 861261.

Valentine's day in Old Buckenham

Romantic flowers

 

The members and visitors at Breckland Flower and Garden Club’s February meeting enjoyed a talk and flower arranging demonstration entitled 'Cupids Arrow' by club member Christine Hewson.
The first design consisted of all white flowers for ‘innocence’, freesia and eustoma in baskets. This was followed by a lovely romantic table arrangement with red candles with red/pink rose buds and spray carnations arranged on a metal candelabram. Also included was a heart-shaped foam base with rose buds, alstromeria, carnations, a selection of foliage and also ribbon and phormium leaves woven around the heart. A hand-tied gift bag of a dozen red roses for love, a cuddly bear, balloon and a large Valentine card were added.
This was followed by three designs arranged in floral foam in pots to resemble hand-tied bouquets. First was a design of cornus twigs with red and pink tulips (perfect love), then one of red anemones (unfading love) and a third of blue hyacinth (constancy).
A design of Cupid’s arrow followed, palm leaves with zantedeschia lilies (beauty) and cymbidium orchid (virility). Also a wire heart constructed by Christine with coloured wire, sisal and beads, with orchid heads and zantedeschia lilies woven in.
The last design was of three tall metal pots including stargazer lilies (wealth and prosperity), pink roses (love and gratitude) and included a candle. These were copied from the designs Christine had at her wedding as she was celebrating her wedding anniversary on Valentines day.
All the arrangements were raffled. Christine's knowledge of her plant material and tips were warmly welcomed, also her flower meanings, the history of Valentine and the customs of the day.
The monthly competition was for an arrangement depicting 'Romance is in the Air'. The Christine Hewson trophy was awarded for the best exhibit and it went to novice class winner Alyson Walker with the runner-up being Sylvia Briggs.
The Breckland Flower and Garden Club meet at Old Buckenham Village Hall, Abbey Road, on the second Thursday of the month. Their next meeting is on Thursday 14 March starting at 2pm and it will be the club’s AGM followed by a talk and demonstration entitled 'Quilts and flowers'.
All visitors are welcome (£4) and for more information call Christine on 01953 454528.

Old Buckenham Parish Council

Parish Council in February

These notes of the parish council meetings are prepared by the editor of this blog from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended later at the next month's meeting.
Two councillors, Derek Smalley and Paul Boggia, had sent their apologies for not being able to attend the February meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council. There were four members of the public present.
There was the usual public recess when the meeting was suspended for a short while to allow members of the public to ask questions.
Minutes of January meeting. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. Chairman Tim Ing thanked Kerry Talbot who had done the minutes in the absence of the Parish Clerk.
Matters arising from the minutes. The Parish Clerk said that under Chairman’s report it was stated that a rebate of £983.50 will be paid to the Council. The Clerk explained that this was not a rebate but, because of a new means of fixing precepts, Breckland Council has a smaller tax base from which the precept was allocated and in year 2013/14 it meant there was a shortfall in the precept of this amount. Central government was funding this shortfall and Breckland was paying it in the form of a grant to make up the precept shortfall.
BMX trail and car parking at recreation area. Jonathan Kemp said that three quotes had been received for the works and he then gave details of the ground works involved. This would increase car parking spaces by up to 17 cars. Carol Marshall has had a meeting with the young people in the village showing them what the track would look like. They were very enthusiastic about the project and would put forward ideas as to how the final layout could look. Councillors then asked questions relating to the project. Jonathan Kemp and Carol Marshall would liaise with the village hall on start dates for the project. The quotes received were for £5,610, £3,666 and £3,040 (all were plus VAT). Jonathan Kemp proposed that the quote of £3,040 be accepted as the person had done previous work in the village, this was seconded by Carol Marshall and agreed unanimously. Tim Ing thanked them both for their hard work on the project. The Parish Clerk is to send letters to the two unsuccessful firms who quoted.
Village Emergency Plan. It was proposed by Carol Marshall and seconded by Jonathan Kemp that the village emergency planned produced by Steve Milner be adopted, this was agreed unanimously.
Planning applications. None
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Crown House, Stacksford. Erection of front porch. Permission granted.
Alice Cottage, Ragmere Road. Convert integral garage into bedroom and bathroom and side extension to form car port. Permission granted.
Abbey Farm, Abbey, Road. Convert outbuilding to residential annexe. Permission granted.
43 Fen Street. Demolish existing rear storage room and erection of conservatory. Permission granted.
The Finches, Cake Street. Front and rear extensions, raise roof to create rooms in roof including Juliette balcony. Permission granted.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing had received an email regarding overhanging trees on Hargham Road. He said that they were the responsibility of the landowners and the problem was not too severe at the present time. He then said the play area parking work was done and was proving successful. He had also been informed that the promised contributions to fund the work would now not be paid as they disagreed with how the work was done. School parking during the recent snowy weather had been a problem as the Village Hall car park was not accessible because of the snow. He also said that congestion at the school is growing as more people are dropping off children. Tim Ing said he had received comments regarding proposed street lights in the village and most of them were against the idea of having them. The matter will be discussed at the Annual Parish meeting being held on Wednesday 20 March at 7.30pm. He also reported that he had some words with farmers’ wives regarding farm traffic in Hargham Road and the damaged being caused to grass verges. The Shrublands planning application would be discussed at a public enquiry on Tuesday 12 March at Attleborough Town Hall, this matter is to be put on March agenda for full discussion.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said a licence had been given to move the great crested newts from St Andrews Close to the newly constructed ‘piles’ in the adjoining woods. This would enable Cotman Housing Association to start building the 14 new properties in early summer 2013. Breckland Council had a deficit a year ago of £3.5 million and they had to find this over the next five years. This deficiency had already been reduced to £2.6 million with efficiency savings and better use of their assets. Breckland had decided after their consultation programme to keep free parking in the five market towns. Breckland are proposing a council tax increase of £4.98 per year on Band D properties which would be the first increase in four years and would take a band D property to £69 per year. District Councils are getting together a scheme to save residents money on their gas and electricity bills. A ‘power switch’ scheme will be announced shortly and residents will be asked to register their interest and full details would be available later this month.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Steve Milner said that slow down speed signs have now been distributed and are appearing on wheelie bins in the village. John Frost said the church tower has been awarded a grant and it is hoped to start work in 2014. A bat survey had been carried out at the church and none were found, only some droppings. Another survey would be carried out later this year. Akis Chrisovelides has prepared a draft notice regarding the youth council and would be putting them up in the village and see what response there is. Adrian Joel said a resident has thanked the Parish Council for providing new grit bins. There were suggestions that another one was needed and he would raise the matter in November to see if any funds were available to get another one. Tom Johnson said he attended a Village Hall committee meeting and they raised the matter of flooding in the car park which they thought was Parish Council responsibility. Jonathan Kemp said the responsibility actually rested with the school. Norfolk County Council have said they will deal with problem. Tom Johnson said there was a quiz night at the village hall on Friday 15 March and hoped the Parish Council would enter a team. A public meeting at the Village Hall would be held on Saturday 2 March regarding the future of the Village Hall. They urgently need three new nominated trustees. There has been a lot of correspondence between the Charity Commission and the Village Hall regarding the existing committee and, if no new volunteers are forthcoming, then the hall could close and the Parish Council would have to take up Custodian Trustee status. Tom Johnson asked if Parish Council would attend the public meeting and support the existing committee. Wednesday 3 April would be the date for the AGM of the village hall and Wednesday 10 April would be the first committee meeting. Jonathan Kemp has applied for a grant of £20,000 for the recreation area from Norfolk Community Foundation and would be in the March round of applications.
Highways. Pot holes were reported in Abbey Road on the left approaching the school. Also in Grove Road and the junction of Hargham Road. More were reported in Hargham Road from number 46 down towards Fen Street. The footpath up to the shop in Hargham Road needs attention. John Frost reported another recent accident at the junction of Grove Road and Mill Road. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways on these matters.
The Green. Sarah Dye said the AGM of the Green Right Proprietors would be held at the end of February. Tom Johnson said the duck house on the pond at the Gamekeeper needed repairs and Sarah Dye said it would be dealt with in near future. Akis Chrisovelides asked if the Green Right Proprietors had regular funding streams for the Green. Sarah Dye said that there was not and that the income received paid for the insurance but no extra money was available.
The next parish council meeting will be on Thursday 7 March in the Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm.

Once lived in Old Buckenham

Neave, Lovett and Harper

One blog reader, Alec Cooper of Harleston, saw the blog entry on 9th January 2013 entitled “Behind the mantelpiece”and was prompted to share details of his maternal grandmother’s story with the readers. This is information that formed a small part of his family tree research. A move brought Alec to Wymondham in 1968 and then later he retired to Harleston, often travelling through Old Buckenham without knowing it was home for some of his ancestors.
The lady’s maiden name was Edith Neave and she was born in 1878. The 1881 census shows that she and her sister Sarah Elizabeth lived with Robert and Lydia Lovett’s family in Attleborough Road, Old Buckenham. Lydia’s maiden name was also Neave and she was born in 1824 and married in 1848.

Edith’s photograph was taken when she was about 20, just before the time she got married to a Hussar. She met him in Old Buckenham and the story goes that the horse he was exercising entered their cottage doorway to get the apple that she was eating. He convinced her that the horse would not leave without the apple!

 

The other photograph is of Alec’s grandfather, Harry Harper, in his 7th Hussar’s uniform and taken about the same time as Edith’s.
If any readers can add anything to this information then they can leave a comment below or contact Alec direct on

alec586@btinternet.com

 

New homes in Old Buckenham

If you go down in the woods today...

Several large heaps of earth, sticks and rubble have appeared recently beside the pond at Manor Corner and in amongst the trees in nearby Prince Harry's Wood. It turns out that these have been built to provide suitable accommodation for the great crested newts that are living in the locality.
The proximity of these protected newts has delayed building on the nearby Cotman Housing site and it appears that the aim is to persuade the newts to establish themselves outside the area approved for the new houses.

World record attempt in Old Buckenham

Guinness World Record attempt 

 

 

To celebrate National Libraries Day, which is on Saturday 9 February, Old Buckenham High School students today took part in an attempt to smash the world record for the most people writing a story at multiple venues. The current record is held by 953 people at five venues.
Top-selling author Matt Haig had written the first page of a story called 'My Family and Other Aliens' and the aim has been to get as many students as possible to write one sentence each to continue the story during Wednesday 6 February.
At break and lunchtime students were having to read the story so far and, in turn, add their own sentences. The ever-growing text was continually updated on the school website http://www.obhs.co.uk/?p=school.library
Over a hundred schools were simultaneously taking part in this attempt and as Old Buckenham managed to get 32 people to help write the story it seems likely that the existing record will be well and truly beaten.

Old Buckenham's help for homeless

Handing over the cheques

Representatives of the St Martins Housing Trust came along to the Church Rooms at Old Buckenham this morning. St Martins is a registered charity for single homeless people in Norwich and Norfolk. Each year they are invited to come along and collect cheques for the money that has been raised by various groups within Old Buckenham to support their continual work for the local homeless people.
The four cheques handed over today were for money raised from

• the collection at the Christmas Eve carol service at All Saints Church,
• from fund raising organised  by the Sainsburys store in Attleborough,
• more fundraising by the Old Buckenham 2000 Trust
• and money given at the many 'bucket collections' made at several local supermarkets over the Christmas period.

The total sum raised came to £18,090.74, an amount that St Martins Housing Trust are most grateful for and which will be put to very good use in helping to finance their activities in the coming months.