Calling Old Buckenham photographers

Show off your photographs

The ninth BUCKS PHOTOSHOW will take place in New Buckenham Village Hall from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 May this year. They are calling all photographers in New Buckenham, Old Buckenham and the surrounding villages and towns. This is your chance to put your work on public show.

The Photoshow will be widely advertised and hopefully you will get a lot of visitors seeing your work. It’s all very simple: for just £18 you rent an 8ft by 4ft display board and on it you arrange however many of your pictures you wish - it’s your space.  If you can’t fill a board, why not arrange to share with another photographer?  You put up your pictures yourself before the show opens on the Friday evening and take them down after the show closes on the Sunday lunchtime.  It’s up to you whether you offer your work for sale.

Please email your application to Charles Oxley with contact details to photoshow@newbuckenham.net and you will need to send your payment of £18 to arrive not later than Tuesday 14 May (but preferably earlier).

Who's coming to Old Buckenham?

Into the unknown

Note the dates now, more details coming later.

Lilies in Old Buckenham Church

Flowers to admire

Around 150 white lilies have been used to decorate the inside of All Saints Church. They are there to celebrate the departed members of many local families and their friends. The church is open every day so why not pop in and admire them?

Paddy fields in Old Buckenham

 Opening up today

Why not go along to the special openings of the new paddy fields along Hargham Road in Old Buckenham. Local farmer Steve has found that his normal crops do not like all the rain and the subsequent flooding of the fields. He will be there to answer your questions up until noon today.

After much research and consultations with the John Innes Institute he has deliberately made sure that some fields are kept flooded and these have now been planted with a suitable type of rice (variety Pool Flair) that should be able to cope with the British summer weather.

This has the added advantage that the paddy fields will store water which could have been causing flooding problems elsewhere. It's a win/win solution for everyone.

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

Old Buckenham newsletter awaiting delivery

 Boxes of delight

Over 600 printed copies of the March newsletter have been sitting in the editor's house for two days now awaiting an insert from the Parish Council. Once the documents arrive they will have to be inserted and then distribution can begin.

Showing and telling in Old Buckenham

 Sharing their talents

It was “Show & Tell” at Old Buckenham WI following their annual meeting last Thursday. Six members revealed their passions outside the WI and they could not have been more wide-ranging. From the diversity of eggs from her smallholding, to the tradition of crocheting a beautiful blanket for grandchildren, a revised version of a knitted blanket created for a son and now a grandson, some of the 456 gardening books, beautiful applique on clothing, extraordinary patchwork and the newly discovered talent for sewing, it showcased the talent in our village Woman's Institute.

A new committee has been voted in, The new appointments are President Christine Long, Treasurer Lesley Passfield and Secretary Betty Stacey. They look forward to another year of activities, demos, talks and competitions and outings and of course those lovely home-made cakes and biscuits!

More Theatre in Old Buckenham

The Hollyhock Trilogy

Old Buckenham Village Hall is delighted to welcome back fEAST Theatre one of the region’s leading touring theatre companies with a brand-new show called The Hollyhock Trilogy. fEAST is touring to lots of venues across Norfolk this spring and luckily they will be stopping off in Old Buckenham on Sunday 17 March for a matinee performance.

Written by Rob John (The Canada Boys/Rosa Mendoza) The Hollyhock Trilogy presents three strange but poignant love stories. A woman reveals an unrequited passion for her postman, an aging trapeze artist dreams of the beautiful woman who dropped him and a chance remark about hollyhocks changes the lives of two strangers for ever.

Author Rob says he wants to take the audience on three separate but connected journeys while John feels it 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 lonelinessand lust are guaranteed to warm the coldest winter evening.’

Sunday 17 March at 2.30pm and tickets are £10, paid in cash at the door on the night please. So avoid disappointment by reserving your place in the audience by contacting bookings.obvh@gmail.com or ringing either 07880660444 or 01953 861336.

Latest from Old Buckenham Parish Council

Parish Council February minutes

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

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 1 February at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Pete Twissell, Stan Burton, Steve Gowers, Lesley Evison, David Taylor and Doug Irons. Ali McWilliam had sent her apologies for not being able to attend. Also present were Clerk Jonn Hicks and fifteen members of the public. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 January were approved (6 in favour).

Financial matters. The Community account balance now stands at £22674.54. Payments for approval (6 in favour) were £1246.86 which included £106.75 to the community car drivers, allotment rent of £450, stationary and postage £43.50, Clerk and RFO salary £510.34, hire of Methodist Chapel £15 and purchase of St George flag £115.27.

Councillors’ reports. Stan Burton said that he has the Christmas tree lights stored in his barn and they can remain there for the year. Steve Gower reported that the Speed Watch training will be in the Methodist Chapel on Friday 16 February. Doug Irons said that he has sent content to the web designers and was awaiting their reply.

Naomi Bailey reported that she and the Clerk attended a meeting in January regarding this year’s maintenance of the footpath between the Primary School and Chapel Green School. It was agreed that the Parish Council will cut the grass, Primary School will cut and maintain the hedge and Chapel Green School will maintain the footpath surface.

Green Report. The Chair, Stan Burton, Lesley Evison and the Clerk attended a meeting in the Methodist Church in January with members of the Green Working Party John Fernihough and Sarah Dye. Naomi Bailey set out the rules of a working party to all and it was agreed by everyone to re-start this with everyone aware of how the working party should work and who is permitted to attend. It was agreed by all that Suggitt Farm Services will continue to cut the Green three times a year at the cost of £500 per cut, Stuart Barker to remain as the village handyman at the same price as last year. Any other works that need performing will only proceed once a job card has been issued by the Clerk and approved by the Parish Council to avoid any confusion. It was also pointed out that any work carried out on or around the Green are subject to insurance and risk assessment being provided to the Parish Council as well as a method statement before any works commence.

Action Log updates. Doug Irons and Steve Gowers to look at rebooting the action log with a different format.

Planning. To consider planning applications and to receive Breckland District Council’s decisions made on any planning applications received before the meeting. All planning applications are available for viewing on the Breckland District Council planning portal and all Parish Councillors have been asked by the chair to view the new applications in advance of the meeting.

New planning applications. Westward, The Green, NR17 1RR. Proposed change of use of existing barn and outbuildings to a single residential dwelling (3PL/2023/1204/F). Proposal to support was approved (5 in favour, 1 abstain).

Crown House, Stacksford, NR17 1PD. Demolition of outbuilding. Erection of 2no. single storey extensions and a cart shed with storage above (3PL/2024/0060/HOU). Proposal to support was approved (6 in favour). Chestnuts, Mill Road, NR17 1SG. Horse Chestnut trees, target prune the trees to clear the overhead utilities and bracing from the telegraph pole. T3 Scots Pine tree, Prune back the upper laterals overhanging the roof line and functioning chimney of the dwelling "Chestnuts2” by no more than 2.0m (TRE/2024/0018/TCA). Proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).

Planning decisions by Breckland. Grange Road from Stacksford Lane to Hargham Road, Stacksford  (3PL/2023/1025/EU). Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use (CLUED) for the use of the dwelling known as Stacksford Grange in breach of the agricultural occupation condition attached to planning permission 3PL/1988/1300/O.

Traffic issues. Numerous members of the public attended the meeting to voice their concerns with traffic issues around the village. It was accepted that this needs addressing so a meeting has been called at the Memorial Room on Saturday 24 February at 10am. The clerk will invite the NCC Highways officer and Steve Askew to attend to try and answer questions from the public.

Concerns were raised by public around the large amount of flooding in the village in recent weeks. Clerk to speak with Highways regarding ditches that need cleaning and Ron Brewer has put a piece in the village newsletter asking residents to ensure drains and any ditches on their property are kept clear

Public participation. Adrian Joel reported that a former Parish Council member Derek Smalley has died. He also reported that the community car scheme is looking for new drivers.

Items for next agenda. These will include updates on Solar Farm and flooding update

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 7 March at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.

Looking at April in Old Buckenham

 Doing different

Have a fun quiz evening in April

From Old Buckenham Almshouses

From the Trustees of the Almshouses

The Robert Cocks Almshouses Charity donation tin in the village shop was recently counted and a lovely £52 was donated this time. All money raised is being saved to go towards their re-roofing project. Thank you to everyone that contributed and to Krishna for allowing the tin to be there. A new donation tin has taken its place!

 

 

Beetles in Old Buckenham

 Enjoyable evening

The Women's Institute meeting on Thursday 25 January was fun and games as they played a Beetle Drive and had a Quiz. They were lucky to have three new visitors as well who enjoyed themselves and are now going to join our village WI. The monthly competition was for “A Pretty Plate” with some beautiful entries and our Flower of the Month included a hellebore and catkins. Next month is their Annual Meeting where they will be voting in a new committee for the year so it would be nice if as many members as possible attend. They look forward to seeing you on Thursday 22 February.

Another Old Buckenham newsletter

 Looking ahead to February

Official copy was rather short for the latest newsletter which has now started being delivered around the village. As a result it has other content such as a Wordsearch on village surnames and a poetry corner hidden inside for you to enjoy.

Driving for Old Buckenham

How you can help others

Do you have your own car, enjoy driving and meeting people?  Have you got some spare time - but don't want to be 'tied' to a particular weekly time commitment?  The Old Buckenham Community Car scheme needs more volunteer drivers.  Supported by Breckland Council, the scheme is open to residents of Old Buckenham who do not have access to their own transport and cannot easily use public transport - for travelling to appointments at hospital, local GP surgeries or dentists/opticians etc.  Those requesting a community car are asked to phone the drivers direct and even between them, not every request can be met. We need more drivers!

The cost of each journey is calculated on a set amount per mile (currently 45p). Passengers pay the driver 50% of the total, and the balance is met by the Parish Council (funded by a grant from Breckland) - so the driver is not out of pocket (although be prepared for some trips to be time consuming).  If you'd like more information about what is involved please call one of the current drivers (their details are in the village magazine on page 32) or Adrian Joel who is the link person with Breckland Council and the Parish Council.  

First time in Old Buckenham

 Book Club meets at Old School Bookshop

January saw the launch of the bookshop’s book club. Nine members met across a daytime and an evening meeting to discuss the beautifully lyrical book Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. It was a popular choice and members commented on the beauty of the writing and discussed themes which emerged from the challenging topic of the Magdalene Laundries in 1980s Ireland. The group really enjoyed making new friends and discussing literature with like- minded people.

The book club are now reading Arthur & George by Julian Barnes which follows the true story of the Great Wyrley Outrages ready for a discussion on Thursday 8 February. New members very welcome – find out more by visiting the bookshop or at www.oldschoolbookshop.co.uk/book-club

Write for Old Buckenham village newsletter

 

Words wanted

Because of the short length of the parish council minutes and there being no village hall management meeting in January, there will be plenty of room in the February village newsletter for you to try your skills at writing an article or two.

Perhaps we could have something on how the overflowing pond was overcome or someone from Chapel Green School could give more details on what volunteers they want on 5th, 6th and 7th of February.

Just send your contributions, no matter how old you are, to obnewspostbox@aol.com by Saturday 20 January. Or even send some real writing on paper...

Any queries email crockslea@aol.com Thank you.

Latest Old Buckenham Parish Council notes

Parish Council in January

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

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 4 January in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Pete Twissell, Stan Burton, Steve Gowers, Lesley Evison, David Taylor, Doug Irons and Ali McWilliam. Also attending were Jonn Hicks (Clerk) and nine members of the public. The District and County Councilor Steve Askew also attended for a short while. There were no apologies for absence.

The minutes of the meeting held Thursday 7 December 2023 were approved (4 in favour, 4 abstain).

Financial matters. The Community account balance was £25106.41. Payments for approval totalled £2358.07. These were approved (8 in favour) and covered Suggitt Farm Services £1800, hire of Village Hall £16.25, salary of Clerk and RFO £541.82 and John Frost for community car journeys £73.80.

Councillors’ reports. Steve Gower said the SAM speed sign has been relocated to Hargham Road. He was going to place it on Attleborough Road but the hedges there are over grown and need cutting back. He will speak to the contractor renting the land to ask for it to be cut. Future Community Speedwatch members are awaiting training later in January and then it will be up and running.

Doug Irons reported that the content has been sent to web designer and awaiting reply. He has also asked Parish Council about the renewing of policies but the Clerk has moved this to a February due to having to finalise the precept for the coming year. Also asked that the Parish Council should prepare earlier for the Remembrance Sunday service earlier this year as no road closure was put in place last time. The clerk has been reimbursed by Norfolk Police for road closure that did not happen. Stan Burton has a PA system he will lend for this year’s service.

Naomi Bailey said the Christmas tree light switch on was a success and thanks Stan Burton for the PA system and the switch. She has responded to correspondence with resident regarding the benches around the Ottomer Pond.

Steve Askew reported that there is flooding in all areas of the village with drains and ditches being overwhelmed due to the large amount of rainfall this month. NCC Highways have the road drains in the village on their schedule but we must be patient because, due to the severity of the weather, they are extremely busy. The pothole issue on Grove Road will be rectified once the weather dries up.

Green Report. Both Naomi Bailey and Steve Gowers were contacted by numerous residents on Christmas Eve regarding the flooding situation of Ottomer Pond. Sandbags were delivered and an appeal was posted on social media asking for residents to help fill them and place around the pond to try to contain it. They were very disappointed with the response of the village to help those in need. Thanks go to David Keable (our village postman who lives in Attleborough) for his help and Mark Ward for supplying the sand bags. It was also reported that there was an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and how we could prevent the problem in the future. A submersible pump has been borrowed and will be running for a week to try to reduce the level in the pond. It was also discussed about locating the overflow pipe from the pond which has been unsuccessful in the past and replacing this with a new pipe running from the pond across the Green into the ditch by the High School. This suggestion was then put to the Parish Council and was agreed. All voted in favour of investigating further. The clerk is to speak with contractors to gain a price for the works and then to seek funding from NCC and Breckland. If it is needed to borrow the monies this will have an effect on the precept for the following year.

Planning applications. Westward, The Green. Proposed change of use of existing barn and outbuildings to single residential use (3PL/2023/1204/F). The Clerk to ask for an extension of time to comment as details of application had only just arrived. This was agreed (8 in favour).There were no amended applications, planning decisions by Breckland Council or planning appeals.

Precept. The Clerk presented the figures and the Parish Council voted to keep the precept the same as year 2023 (8 in favour). The Clerk is to fill in request and submit the forms to Breckland before the end of January.

Public participation. This was not on the agenda due to the Parish Council having to discuss the 2024 precept and the issues of flooding within the village.

Items for next agenda. These would include final precept figures, flooding, policies, the Solar Farm, Green issues update and the footpath from the Village Hall to Chapel Green School.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 1 February starting at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall. 

Old Buckenham pond in a new light

Looks better in the sunshine

Ottomer pond is still full up but looks much better with the sun shining on the many protective sandbags and the ducks enjoying themselves.

Get back a bit of Old Buckenham

Enliven your Sunday mornings

Do you miss listening to 'Treasure Quest' that was on Radio Norfolk every Sunday morning for many years. It visited the village lots of times. Well two of the participants from that programme are now producing a podcast about the Norfolk countryside that can appear on your computer each Sunday morning. Even better, if you don't have a computer you can get sent a CD version of the talks for free.

Look up and listen to Chris Skinner's Country Side podcast to get a bit of Sunday back...

Walking around Old Buckenham

Pleasant way to start the year

At least eighty people of various ages and several dogs gathered at the Village Hall this morning to enjoy their New Year's Day Walk. The weather was crisp and bright so ideal for the walkers and at least one young cyclist to explore Old Buckenham. Then back to the hall for soups and rolls, plenty of chatting with other villagers, while raising some funds for St Martins.

Collecting up outside the hall

Getting instructions before starting

Setting off

Through the gate

Homemade rolls out ready

Tables laid ready for walker to return

The homemade soup menu

Some of the first walkers back...

...and some more.

Time for a chat and to check your phone

Choosing your soup

Hall full of diners...

...and some more

Someone had to wash up!