Clearing Old Buckenham churchyard

 It's that time of year again

Churchyard Tidy Up is on Saturday 14 September from 9am until midday. Could you possibly spare some time to help tidy up the Churchyard, even if just for an hour or two? As well as helping it's also a great way to make new friends. 

It would be great to see you. If you can, please bring tools, ie strimmer, rake, shears, loppers, wheelbarrow. Some spare tools will be available. Cups of tea and coffee will be supplied. Please let David Hannah know if you are able to come. Thank you.

Old Buckenham residents ask questions

Useful surgery

Two members of the Parish Council held the Saturday surgery at the Village Hall Memorial Room on Saturday 31 August. They were kept occupied for the whole period of the surgery. Four members of the public and District and County councillor Steve Askew came along. 

A resident pointed out to us that brambles are starting to take over some areas of the woodland at the south west side of the green and enquired about general upkeep of the trees around the Green. It was suggested that the council should investigate grant funding for upkeep of the woodland areas. The same resident offered some further information regarding drainage pointing out that there is a pipe running from the small pond (Green Pond) opposite the shop, passing under the main road and emerging between the road and Ottomer pond. Foliage around Green Pond is at risk of blocking that drain.

The current village newsletter editor pointed out that he will not be able to run the newsletter for ever and that there is a need for someone to take over in the future. He also supplied the Council with a details of the paper which will be needed for the magazine in 2025.

A resident from Chattergate noted that double yellow lines on Abbey Road potentially preclude delivery vehicles unloading to their back gate. While the council cannot advise on highway matters, it was pointed out that the HMG published guidelines indicate that brief stops for loading and unloading are permitted. 

Another resident enquired about progress with applications for sections of Raggs Lane and Barkers Lane to be designated as public footpaths. Steve Askew will ask for a progress report from Norfolk County Council and report back to the Parish Council.

Meet Old Buckenham councillors

Come and have a chat

Saturday 31 August sees the return of the monthly Saturday Surgery. This will take place in the Memorial Room at the Village Hall. Two councillors will be available from 10am till 12 noon for you to speak to about any issues/questions you may have.

Old Buckenham goes abroad

Some beautiful places...

The Women's Institute went travelling around the world at our their meeting on Thursday 22 August thanks to one of our members telling us about her backpacking experiences. Julia talked about India and South America and some fantastic places that she has seen. The rest of the world is to come at future meetings. She brought some photo albums for them to look at as well which were really interesting.

Nice thinking on Old Buckenham

Paul's thoughts

You lucky people…

Early one recent morning I was on the Green as the sun came up, along with a few hot air balloons gliding gently across the village. And I thought; aren’t we so lucky to live in a place like this.

Just think about what this small community offers – in no particular order and doubtless not everything. Schools and societies, pubs and clubs, a post office and shop, a coffee venture, a bookshop, a thriving country park, an airshow on our doorstep. The open space, an abundance of history. The sense of community. Ask for help on the Old Buckenham Facebook group, for example, and it will quickly be offered.

Of course, not everything about this village is perfect and it wouldn’t pretend to be.

But look at the bigger picture. It’s what I did that morning and felt inspired to write this. If it comes across as sentimental and twee then so be it. 

In the past few weeks there’s been a slew of controversy in the village, some of it voiced loudly and - arguably - unfairly on social media.

I’m sure those with grievances, (imagined or not) will continue to bellow through their keyboards. Go ahead, if you must, but perhaps just remember that, on balance, you are very lucky people.

 

 

Latest Old Buckenham news

 

Old Buckenham and the Green

 Parish Council news

The Old Buckenham Parish Council issued this statement late yesterday and it will be included in the September village newsletter for all those without computers or those who 'do not do Facebook'.

You can now also read it here.

Reason for the formalisation of Business use on the green.

Old Buckenham Parish Council (OBPC) Insurance company has stipulated that OBPC must ensure that any business using the Green would need Event insurance that covers Personal and public liability and to provide a risk assessments based on the activities taking place.

Previously OBPC councillors would have been liable for any problems/accidents with any incident on the Green caused by a business operating from it. The OBPC insurance policy would not cover any business operating on it, any additional cost would need to be covered from the Precept or the Business operating from the Green.

The OBPC and the Green rights holders are responsible for following the terms within the 20 year lease (up until 29 March 2042). These are rules/regulations and statutes within the Enclosure Act 1857, Commons Act 2006 and guidance of ‘Common land and town or village Greens’ from the department for the environment, food & rural affairs.

Village businesses do not own any of the Green and will need permission and prior agreement from the OBPC and Green rights holders to use the Green.

There is now the correct insurance for the OBPC councillors and Businesses that use the Green, there are Risk assessments carried out for any use of the Green as part of the signed agreement.

This change now gives

1) Insurance / Protection for the Businesses and Staff operating on the Green.

2) The OBPC councillors are not personally liable for any incident/accident on the Green.

3) The Public is kept safe, as reasonably practicable by ensuring that any event is controlled, risk assessed and reviewed annually, to make sure it aligns with current legislation.

Two wheel Tuesday

There has been an agreement between Two Wheel Tuesday (TWT) and the Old Buckenham Parish Council (OBPC) for 8 years plus regarding monies due. This is not a new thing. Except now the use of the Green conforms to current legislation.

No OBPC member is against using the Green for legitimate local business, but OBPC/Green right holders are here to protect the Green for today and the future, but the main responsibility is the safety of the public today.

There is a signed agreement between both parties. With terms and conditions.

Each TWT event is charged £25, for up to 30 events between April and October, this money is ring fenced in the OBPC accounts, it is spent only on the upkeep of the Green.

If the event does not take place No Charge will be made. So far this year OBPC are going to charge TWT for 5 events due to poor weather restricting access to the Green for that event.

The amount charged has not increased for the last 3 years, despite the cost-of-living crisis, even though OBPC have to accept increased maintenance costs themselves during these hard times.

The insurance provided by TWT was for 1000 people to attend but when this attendance limit was exceeded, TWT immediately changed their insurance to 1500 people. This process is working, it ensured everyone including you, and your families are protected and covered.

OBPC have remained flexible and accommodating. Even when the terms we not fully adhered to:

1) Applications not submitted on time.

2) Late on agreed payment terms.

3) Not repairing the damage to the Green.

4) Using areas of the Green for Catering that are outside of the agreed boundaries of use.

The Benches on the Green provided by Mr Tranmer

There is a signed agreement between both parties. With terms and conditions.

The benches are located on the Green, in an agreed defined area, which a risk assessment has been carried out and adequate insurance is provided by Mr Tranmer.

Mr Tranmer is charged £1.17 per day between April and October, this money is ring fenced in the OBPC accounts, it is spent only on the upkeep of the Green.

The amount charged has not increased for the last 3 years, despite the cost-of-living crisis, even though OBPC have to accept increased maintenance costs themselves during these hard times.

The Green needs time to recover over winter and spring to maintain the Green to the required Standards.

There are benches that remain outside the Public house during the winter period, so seating is available, In a period where the actual demand for benches is reduced during the winter months.

OBPC have remained flexible and accommodating. Even when the terms were not fully adhered to:

1) Applications not submitted on time.

2) Applications not submitted for 2024

3) Late on agreed payment terms.

Old Buckenham Parish Council (OBPC)

We are a strong team from a great range of backgrounds and ages, all with a keen interest in helping maintain Old Buckenham Village.

A Parish Council is the ‘grass roots’ level of local government, and as such, plays a vital role as a connection between the local community and government authorities. It is non-political and non-sectarian.

The Councillors’ are a team of individual volunteers, from wide and varied backgrounds/age groups who live or work, in and around the Old Buckenham area. We give our time freely to maintain and improve the environment, services, and facilities for the residents of the local community.

All members of the Council are personally involved in these activities, giving their time and effort far beyond the monthly meetings.

OBPC holds monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Village hall Abbey Road, Old Buckenham, NR17 1RH. Residents are welcome to attend any meetings.

OBPC are only responsible for

• Street furniture.

• Allotments.

• Public buildings.

• Open spaces.

• Community transport.

• Statutory Consultee (planning).

• Cemetries.

There are also various sub committees, which perform specific functions throughout the Parish and meet every few months. Currently we have:

• Speed Watch.

• Allotments.

• The Green working Party for Maintenance and Preservation of the green.

• Application for to use the Green.

• Playground.

• Recreation Ground.

• Prince Harrys wood.

If you are interested in learning more about the parish council or would like to get involved with some of its activities, please contact the clerk via email on oldbuckenhampc@live.co.uk

Everyone is welcome. The more councillors we have the more we can achieve.

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Lively meeting in Old Buckenham

 Active Parish Council

Last night's Parish Council was rather unusual. The car park of the Methodist Chapel was overflowing, all the parish councillors were there and the number of the public in the audience was just over thirty (there are usually only two or three). The subject of interest was Two Wheel Tuesday which happens outside of one of Old Buckenham's pubs during the summer months and attracts hundreds of motor cyclists and their machines to park on the village Green.

The subject of TWT as it is known had aroused a lot of comment on the Old Buckenham Facebook page during the last week. These comments ranged from how good TWT was for the village and the pub, the problems caused by the parked cars of those coming to see the bikes and  the speeding and noise of some bikers going through neighbouring villages.

We will have to wait for the minutes of this parish council meeting to see whether anything was resolved...

Old Buckenham's railway carriage

Trains of thought

This article written by Tom Walshe tracks a railway carriage journey through this description of more local history: Old Buckenham is not an obvious place to find a railway carriage. So you may be surprised to learn the story of a coach that began its journey on the commuter lines of Victorian London and now lies derelict in woodland at Old Buckenham Hall.

It came to its current resting place in the late 1980s following an intriguing contribution to local history - first as a unusual family home and then as an unlikely addition to the village sporting scene. 

Built by the Great Eastern Railway at its Stratford Works around 130 years ago, the carriage was one of many redundant vehicles sold off by the railway companies in the 1920s and 30s for domestic use. When and why it first came to Old Buckenham is unclear but, from the 1940s, it was situated on a large piece of land beside Hargham Road. It was lived in by Mr Horace Hilton, his second wife Florence and their young son David, born in 1948. 

Horace was the brother of Herbert Hilton and an uncle of Clifton who farmed at Mill Farm. He and his first wife had a cottage on the opposite side of Hargham Road (or Old Mill Road as it was then known). But after her death in 1939 and his marriage to Florence the following year, the newlyweds moved into the carriage, granting occupancy of the house to his daughter Ella and her husband Fred Lancaster.

As I remember the carriage in the 1960s, it had only basic amenities with a bedroom and kitchen extension on the side - as with most living accommodation in the village at that time - an outdoor plank-and-pail toilet. Other features included a solid-fuel stove, a harmonium (on which David honed his considerable skills as an organist) and Mr Hilton's trusty Windsor chair.

To some degree, young David adopted the quirkiness of the living arrangements. If the actual accommodation was a little inhibiting, the extensive piece of land it occupied widened his horizons. And both helped inspire his interest in railways and gardening. He even set out an imaginary train line via garden paths, complete with semaphore signals connected by string to wooden levers. Friends on their bicycles would ride along the “track” obeying the signals that David operated. Later in life he realised his boyhood dream to become a signalman and worked the box at Attleborough station (see below) for a decade before going on to supervise signalling on the North Yorkshire Moors heritage line.

Back in the early 1970s, after his parents had died, David and his sister Ella decided to sell the land for development. But what to do with the railway carriage? Old Buckenham Cricket Club needed somewhere as an equipment store and part-time pavilion and he generously gifted the carriage to the club, a crane and low-loader being hired to relocate it to the Hall grounds. 

It served its purpose well for around fifteen seasons until the present brick clubhouse was built, after which it was moved to the edge of a nearby meadow and used as a hay store for horses. There it remains, rather sad but still recognisable, among the trees that frame its resting place.

The fate of the carriage has only become known to the family following David’s death late last year. His son Tom, who taught music at the High School for a number of years, says: "Following Dad's passing, it has been fascinating to learn the full story of the Hilton railway carriage. Having had a lifelong association with Old Buckenham - attending the Primary School, teaching at the High School, and playing the organ at All Saints' Church - I am proud of my ancestors' small but unique contribution to village history."

Old Buckenham's future local parking

Future parking in Attleborough

Breckland District Council is proposing to start charging for all the car parks that it owns in the market towns in about twelve months time. The proposals were prepared for them by outside consultants and were approved by the council in July and will soon go out for public comment. The editor of this blog has been reading through the consultants’ report and even watched the proceedings of the Breckland Council’s meeting when these proposals were passed by members. 

The following is his attempt to summarise what he thinks it all means.

The towns involved are Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford, Watton and Attleborough. Breckland Council reckons that it owns thirty car parks and that three of them are in Atteborough. It also says that running all these car parks costs it around £450,000 to maintain them. The proposal is that in future each market town will have one car park offering the first hour's parking for free, with tariffs between 50p and £1 for the first chargeable hour across the district. 

For Attleborough the suggested prices are a charging period 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday with Sunday parking charged at a fixed rate (suitable to each town). No evening charges (after 6pm). Cost for Attleborough would be one hour 60p, two hours £1, three hours £1.40, four hours £1.80 and all day £3. For all day on Sunday and Bank Holidays there would be a fixed rate of £1. These charges would apply to all Blue Badge holders and also to those charging their electric cars in the car park. The paying method suggested would be contactless at new on-site solar-powered terminals. Local retail outlets with Pay Point systems can also accept cash payments for parking services for those who rely on cash to pay for goods and services. At present Attleborough has a very popular car park in Queen’s Road where people can stay for up to three hours (and no longer) without payment. Exceed three hours and you are fined. This allows time to go round the shops or visit one of the cafes. An hour of free parking is hardly enough to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

At the moment we don’t know various other factors. How much were the consultants paid to produce their report? How expensive will it be to fit the new solar-powered payment machines to the car park? What does Attleborough Town Council think about their present scheme being abandoned? How happy are the local shops with the idea? Will it always be possible to find a parking space in Queens Square or will lots of people pay their £3 and then get a bus off to Norwich or Thetford? Only time will tell.

Old Buckenham event in 2025

 Famous people next year

Unfortunately it has been necessary to cancel this year’s Flower Festival which normally takes place in the Methodist Chapel during the August Bank holiday weekend. Apologies to those who have already put in lots of work into your proposed displays but they will be keeping the same title “Famous British People” for next year. There shouldn’t be the same problems in 2025 so please put that August Bank holiday weekend in your diary.

Latest Old Buckenham minutes

Parish Council deliberations in July

The following notes were written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later date.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met at 7.30pm on Thursday 4 July at Old Buckenham Methodist Chapel. Those present were councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Lesley Evison, Pete Twissell, Stan Burton and Ali McWilliam. David Taylor arrived at 9.30pm. Apologies had been received from Doug Irons and Steve Gowers. Also in attendance were Jonn Hicks (Clerk) and four members of the public. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 June were approved (5 in favour 2 abstain). 

Financial matters. The Community account balance now stands at £21,388.39. Payments of £528.45 were approved (5 in favour) which consisted of Community car drivers £153,30, grass cutting £150 and Parish Clerk salary £225.15.

Councillors’ reports. Naomi Bailey reported that she had numerous complaints from various residents because of the volume of cars parked around the Green during the recent TWT event. David Tranmer of the Ox and Plough was invited to attend this meeting but sent message to say he was unable to attend but also asked for payment for the event to be held off for a couple of weeks due to the recent poor weather. This was rejected by the Parish Council and so the Clerk will speak to him and insist on payment. Clerk reported that he has delivery coming for the cones and barriers and will erect them on the next TWT if the weather is ok for the event to go ahead.

The Clerk also has taken delivery of the new batteries for the SAM sign and will deliver them to Steve Gowers. Pete Twissell told the Parish Council that the damage on the Green caused by TWT has begun but thinks this should be put on hold until this year’s events have ceased. The Parish Council all agreed but insisted that this must be done in November.

Naomi Bailey said that she had a phone call from a resident asking to fell a tree on his land. The Clerk informed her that she must tell the resident to speak to the Breckland Tree officer as this tree will have a Tree Protection Order attached and therefore requires permission from them before any works can be carried out.

Ali McWilliam had called an allotment holders meeting but only three turned up so will try again. Also reports that there is a small parking issue at the allotments but holders will strim and cut grass to relieve problem. Lesley Evison said that a couple of branches will be removed from tree by the High School due to them blocking the footpath and a couple of residents having problems using it on mobility scooters. Stan Burton has looked at Ottomer Pond for the overflow pipe again but the water level is still too high to find it

Action Log update. None 

Planning updates. 48 Fen Street. Proposed removal of rear conservatory, rear single storey extension & porch. Conversion of attached garage. Proposed rear extension, and re-building porch (3PL/2024/0525/HOU). There were no objections from the Parish Council (5 in favour),

The Kenyons, The Green. Front Garden Wall (3PL/2024/0499/LU). There was a lack of information on this application and it was not supported (4 in favour, 1 abstain). It now appears to have been withdrawn.

Saturday Surgery. A couple of residents attended and pointed out the footpath on Raggs Lane was very overgrown. Lesley Evison will walk it and inspect and then report to the Clerk. The Clerk will then speak to Breckland to find out when the Rangers are next in village and will ask them to tidy.

Other business. Naomi Bailey said that a few residents had complained on social media that the Annual Parish Meeting was not advertised. The Clerk pointed out that it was in the village newsletter editorial and was also included in the diary dates. Ali McWilliam pointed out that all personnel must be aware of what is posted on social media and to think before posting or commenting on posts. The Clerk said that the post she refers to was on a personal page and that if it is copied and pasted to another page it's often taken out of context. 

The next Parish Council meeting will on Thursday 8 August at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.

Meeting venue now changed to Methodist Chapel

Activity at Old Buckenham church

 All Saints this weekend

The last couple of days have provided plenty of action at All Saints.

John down on his knees to keep the graveyard looking colourful, a quick glance at the comments in the visitors' book and a service for dogs and their owners.

Al fresco in Old Buckenham

 Social Circle eats out

Old Buckenham's Social Circle has for many years spent its July meeting in the garden of John and Barbara Frost. Usually they enjoy all the colours of the garden and have a good chat before partaking of a tasty meal of fish and chips cooked just outside the garden.

This evening's meeting was a little different with everyone sitting around under cover and wearing their warm coats. The talking took place as usual, the hot meal was appreciated and some went home with a raffle prize. Perhaps the sun will come out in July next year.

Americans in Old Buckenham

Friendly Invasion

Coming to Old Buckenham Village Hall  on Wednesday 24 July at 7.30pm

Tickets £12 online www.harlestonplayer.co.uk

Oversexed, overpaid and over here...in July!

Summer, 1942. The US.has entered World War II, and the first American aircrews arrive in the east of England. Along with their heavy bombers, the GIs bring cola and chewing gum, jukeboxes, jazz and the jitterbug. East Anglia will never be the same again.

80 years on, a reunion weekend at one of the airfields brings together a group of visitors, whose memories of a local girl and an American airman recreate their bitter-sweet wartime romance.

Harleston Players are teaming up with Metfield-based singing group, Station 366, plus swing dancers from the Red Feather Club at Horham airbase museum, to create Friendly Invasion -  a show about the arrival of the USAAF to this area and the ways in which the presence of thousands of Americans influenced life in the region.

Bookshop news from Old Buckenham

 

Old School Bookshop break Lucie from the Old School Bookshop wants to give you some advance notice that she will be having a very short break this month. This will allow her some time to rest and recover as well as progressing work on the tea rooms. The bookshop will be closed from Friday 12 to Friday 19 July. It will reopen again on Saturday 20 July. The online shop bookbubble.co.uk continues to operate 24/7 while they are closed. The Book Clubs are unaffected by the break and will still be taking place on Thursday 11 July as normal.

Wild flowers on Old Buckenhan Green

 A different coloured patch

A couple of years ago John Fernihaugh and Richard Lindner tried to plant some wild flower seeds on a small patch of the Green. They were limited in how much preparation to the soil that they could do and their spreading of the seed mix was followed by a very dry spell of weather. The birds, rooks and jackdaws in particular, spent much of their time pecking away to see what they could find. 

The Green is home to many, many wild flowers but one little area is now showing one result of their experiment as many white daisies have appeared. It seems that the birds didn't eat everything.

Old Buckenham newsletter for July

 The cover looks like this

Copies were here just in time for the first of the month and you may have had your copy by now. All sorts of interesting news like the church service where you are invited to take your dog with you, why part of the village isn't it still called Staxford and the number of people who attended the meeting to show an interest in a possible youth club.

Now all you have to do is read it all.