Proposed Youth Club in Old Buckenham

 

Youth Club?

Are you aged between 10 and 18 years old?

Would you like to have a Youth Club in the village?

Would you like to have your say on what you’d want it to offer?

The Parish Council is looking into supporting the starting up of a Youth Club, possibly in September this year, but we want to give the young people of the opportunity to have their input into what it could be like and what activities, events and resources it could include.

We have a potential venue, the Methodist Chapel on Hargham Road, and we have the idea of running it on Friday evenings during term time.

So if you are a young person aged 10-18, a parent or someone interested in giving a helping hand please come along to our ‘ideas event’ to be held on:

Friday 21 June, 6.30pm-7.30pm at the Methodist Chapel, Hargham Road.

Refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions please contact obyouthclub@gmail.com 

Reporting back in Old Buckenham

Important Parish meeting

The Parish of Old Buckenham Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Saturday 22 June at 11am in the Village Hall. This is your chance to hear what the Parish Council and other village organisations have been up to during the last year. Also your opportunity to give your views on what you feel should be happening. The agenda has yet to be finalised but expect to hear reports from the Chair of the Parish Council, our District and County councillor and possibly our Lord of the Manor.

Book opportunities in Old Buckenham

Open more hours

Lucie from the Old School Bookshop is delighted to say that from the beginning of June they will be open an extra day each week. The Bookshop will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays - 10am to 4pm on each day. This should offer you more flexibility to visit the shop.

Don't forget they are also open 24/7 online @bookbubbleshop with postal, local delivery and collection options.

Old Buckenham Parish Council

 May Parish Council minutes

This report has been written by the newsletter and blog editor from the draft minutes and may contain information that is amended at a later date.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 2 May at Old Buckenham Methodist Chapel. Those present were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Leslie Evison, Pete Twissell, Stan Burton, David Taylor and Ali McWilliam. Apologies for non-attendance had been received from Doug Irons and Steve Gowers. Also attending were Jonn Hicks (Clerk) and two members of the public. The minutes of the meeting held Thursday 11 April were approved (6 in favour).

Financial matters. The Community Account Balance now stands at £26,422.95. Payments of £610.11 were approved (6 in favour). These covered payments to three community car drivers, grass cutting and the Parish Clerk’s salary.

Two Wheel Tuesday. Naomi Bailey reported that a few complaints were received regarding parking on the Green. The Parish Council is to observe for the next couple of weeks to gather evidence and will then will invite David Tranmer to the next meeting to discuss. Ali McWilliam also suggested purchasing a couple of signs to be erected on a Tuesday advising motorist bikers of their responsibility toward parking. Stan Burton also suggested buying some cones from Highways and placing them around the affected areas of the Green to try to prevent anti-social parking whilst TWT is taking place. The Clerk to investigate the prices of signs and cones and will confirm these at the next meeting. He will also formally invite David Tranmer to attend the next Parish Council meeting.

Councillors’ reports. Ali McWilliam reported that the allotments are beginning to come to life and looking very tidy. She has formally asked if it is possible to erect some gates at the entrance to the allotments to aid with security of the site due to the fact that last year saw lots of vandalism to people’s crops and property. The Clerk asked her to investigate the costs and report back to next meeting. He will also speak to the landowner as his permission would be required before anything could be erected.

Naomi Bailey is attending a meeting with Steve Askew, George Freeman, Anglian Water and representatives from Banham Parish Council to discuss local flooding issues and will report back at the next meeting.

Pete Twissell confirmed that representatives from the Village Hall Management Committee will meet with Parish Council members on Saturday 25 May at 9.30am in the Memorial Hall before the Parish Council monthly Surgery. Naomi Bailey also confirmed that the our MP George Freeman will also attend the Parish Council surgery on Saturday 29 June.

Stan Burton and Naomi Burton said that there was no damage caused to the benches or concrete pads around the Ottomer Pond after the recent flooding. The concerned families have been informed.

Planning application. Grange Road from Stacksford Lane to Hargham Road, Stacksford. Change of use of summerhouse to beauty studio (retrospective) (3PL/2024/0367/F). There were no objections (6 in favour) but it was noted that the applicant could have come to the Parish Council with their intentions before they commenced work rather than go about this in the way that they have done.

Other business. Leslie Iveson was elected as new trustee for Eleemosynary Trust.

Next agenda. Items to be discussed to include a car boot sale on the Recreation Ground, the Allotments and progress on Burial Ground.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 June at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.

Missed the Bucks Photoshow

 Not back for another two years

The 2024 Bucks Photoshow closed at lunchtime today. Many of those people who have been exhibiting their pictures were at New Buckenham Village Hall soon after 8am for a complimentary breakfast and then went round their displays with professional photographer Duncan Kerridge. He gave them some comments and useful tips on the photos that they had on display. Most worthwhile.

At 1pm all the 260ish photos were taken down and the heavy gang came in to remove all the display boards. If you didn't manage to come this time you missed a good show and you'll have to wait for 2026 for another one.

Old Buckenham showing in New

Visit the Bucks Photoshow this weekend

Local photographers will be hard at work putting up their displays before the Photoshow opens in New Buckenham Village Hall at 7.30pm this evening. Come along for the special event tonight or visit on Saturday 18 May between 10am and 5pm. Also open on Sunday 19 May from 10am to 1pm. See the hundreds of photos on display, talk to some of the photographers who will be around and enjoy the coffee and refreshments.

On Saturday you should be able to see the original photo albums of Prince  Freddie Duleep Singh and marvel at the many local pictures he took over one hundred years ago. Entrance is free all weekend.

WI meeting in Old Buckenham

Living in Blickling Hall

 The speaker at the Woman's Institute meeting on Thursday 25 April was Elizabeth Scott, in character as Kath the scullery maid, explaining the living history of Blickling Hall. She explained what it was like for Kath working at the house in the 1930’s interacting with the audience. Lord Aster made an appearance as well. Then Elizabeth explained the history of the house with a slide show. How the original building was associated with Ann Boleyn’s parents and the current building was built in 1616 in Jacobean style by Sir Henry Hobart. The National Trust took it over in 1940 and they now have demonstrations of how the kitchen was run in the 1930s with the food of that time. It was a very enjoyable evening and lots of fun and laughter.

More about Old Buckenham mill

Billy the Miller

This is a slightly shortened version of an item by Tom Walshe that recently appeared on the Old Buckenham Facebook page and is reproduced here for those many people are not on Facebook.

There’s been a lot said and written about Old Buckenham windmill over its 206 year history. And in its heyday a lot of well-known owners and industrious millers came and went. But one man’s name has stood the test of time and links the mill of old with the present-day showpiece still in the throes of restoration.

Billy Goodrum, the final miller, is he. You won’t find too much about him online but there are a few things that have got people talking about Billy again since the mill reopened to visitors on some summer Sundays. You can see one of them on quiet display at the mill. It’s a quirky old sack barrow with just a single handle, made (or adapted) for Billy after he lost an arm to the mill machinery in 1921. Bruce Coverley was fascinated to see it on a recent visit and took the attached photo.

Another is a poem that links Billy with the man whose family firm almost certainly fashioned the barrow for him. The poem was penned by John Loveday, whose writings and recollections from his own 98 years of life have revealed so much about the history and characters of the village in which he grew up. John’s father, Tom Loveday, knew Billy and his father, Jonathan Goodrum, well.  And the Goodrums would have done business with the Lovedays’ foundry and threshing machine operation across the Green. Tom and Billy both died in 1970 and are buried close to each other, which prompted John to write the verse titled “Under the Yew Tree”…

The man who threshed the corn,

The man who milled it,

Lie close here.

The Yew tree shadows both,

Is old:

 

Its roots will not disturb 

The man who threshed the corn,

My father, Tom,

Or Billy with one arm,

The man who milled it. 

Fete in Old Buckenham

Keep this date free 

On Saturday 29 June  Old Buckenham Primary School  will be holding a fete from 11am till 3pm. Among the attractions that have so far been arranged are Lotus cars, pony petting, teacher as goalie, face painting, many craft stalls, raffles, tombola, cakes and refreshments.

There is no poster available yet but make sure you put the date in your diaries and on your calendars so that you don't miss lots of fun and games for all.

Calling Old Buckenham photographers

Bucks Photoshow

As usual there will be wide range of photographic styles, some by experienced photographers and others by complete beginners. On the Friday opening night there's a bar. On the Saturday we hope to have an unique collection of original photographic prints of the area taken by Prince Duleep Singh which will be of special interest to local historians.

Had you thought of showing your own photos? It's not too late to enter; please phone or email Charles as soon as possible and all help and encouragement will be given.

Charles Oxley for New Buckenham Arts

01953 860708

photoshow@newbuckenham.net

Latest Old Buckenham newsletter

 Starting to be distributed

The May newsletter has been printed and is starting its journey around to all the letterboxes in the village. In it you can read the latest exploits of young spy hunter TonyPetley, the get-together of many members of the Loveday family, the latest play being performed by the Old Buckenham Players and how to get a tour of the windmill.

There is also the latest news from the Parish Council, the Village Hall and a list of events going on in our village during May. Read and enjoy.

Olden times in Old Buckenham

Celebrating village life

Sharon Brunsden's (John's daughter, third from right) with Richard Styles, Caroline Lindenmayer, John Houchin, Don Cronshore, Tom and Cynthia Walshe. 

Links with Old Buckenham dating back more than 100 years were celebrated recently when members of one of the village’s best known families made a sentimental journey back in time. Focus of the gathering was “the Boy from Rod Alley”, John Loveday, whose book of that title has stirred the imaginations of villagers present and past. 

Descendants of some of those mentioned in his memoir about growing up in Old Buckenham in the 1930s were among those who met at the Gamekeeper for a celebration of family and friendship. The pub - called The White Horse in John’s day - is just yards away from where their parents and grandparents lived and worked in a very different era of local trade, employment and education. 

John is now 98 and was unable to make the journey himself from his care home near Basingstoke but was instrumental in promoting the visit. His daughter Sharon Brunsden drove up from Berkshire accompanied by her uncle, John Houchin - originally from Attleborough - and Don Cronshaw, the son-in-law who grew to love the village after his marriage to Marina, John Loveday’s late daughter.

Sharon and her cousins Caroline Lindenmayer, Vivienne Robinson and Kelly Loveday - all grandchildren of Tom and Kathleen Loveday, who lived at 4 Rod Alley Row - were also joined at the Gamekeeper by John’s sister Barbara Robinson.  

Others with roots in the village attended as well; some had never met the Loveday family members before but have been corresponding regularly about their shared links with village history. They included Tom and Cynthia Walshe. Tom’s mother, Marjorie and grandfather, Wiggy Westfield, were mentioned in the book, Marjorie having been born in the same year as John. Richard Styles also attended. His sister, Betty, knew John well and their father, Charlie, was one of the village’s longest lived residents, reaching the age of 101 before his death in 2009. Newsletter and blog editor Ron Brewer was also present to record the occasion for village interest. 

Conversation was lively and amusing with many interesting historical facts arising. Sharon said that she had wanted to meet those who had been so interested in her father’s book and keeping in touch with him. She added that John Loveday’s love for, and interest in, Old Buckenham village life remains as strong as ever. 

Young John in cowboy outfit made by his grandmother st Sunnyside.

Older John in National Service uniform (with Education Corps just after WW2).

John's painting used for cover of his book.

John's sister Barbara who also grew up in village in 1930s.

Generations of the Loveday family (with other guests).

Opportunity in Old Buckenham

School governors needed

Chapel Green School is a complex needs school located on the outskirts of Old Buckenham and is looking for individuals to join our Governing Body. If you are a driven professional with expertise in one of the following fields we would love to hear from you:

• ·         Finance & Accounting

• ·         Business & Marketing

• ·         Leading in the Education sector

• ·         HR

• ·         Medical

Our leadership team upholds the highest standards for teaching and learning and are driven by an ambition for their pupils; celebrating the significant positive impact the school has on each and every one of its students. The whole school community carries an established vision of aspiration, resilience and compassion: supporting pupils from the age of 3½ to 19.

 

If you are a professional, with a passion for education, we invite you to consider joining our Governing body, to help shape the future of a unique and truly child-centred school. Governors are concerned with the strategic aims and objectives of the school; helping to set and monitor the progress towards these aims. Governors also shape and review school policies, ensuring relevant compliance. Finally, governors help to monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards its aims through providing effective support and challenge to the Headteacher. In order to achieve this, school governors are equipped with interpersonal skills of tact and diplomacy, able to uphold confidentiality and self-evaluate. A governor does not need to be an expert in all areas of governance but will take responsibility for a key area of professional expertise. Relevant training will be provided which all governors are required to attend in addition to attending at least 6 FGB meetings per academic year and any occasional committees if required. The governor role is not paid, however, agreed expenses such as travel are reimbursed.

If you would like more information about the role, please contact the school office on 01953 453116 or email: Joanne Cox, jcox@chapelgreenschool.org.uk  

Old Buckenham April minutes

 Old Buckenham Parish Council

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

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 11 April at Old Buckenham Methodist Chapel. Councillors present were Naomi Bailey(Chair), Leslie Evison, Pete Twissell, Stan Burton, Steve Gowers, David Taylor, Doug Irons and Ali McWilliam. Also attending were Jonn Hicks (Clerk) and six members of the public.

The minutes of the meeting held Thursday 7 March were approved (7 in favour 1 abstain).

Financial matters. The Precept payment from Breckland was £11,420.50 which brought the Community Account balance to £30,481.66. Payments of £4093.71 were approved (8 in favour). These included £201.65 to the community car drivers, £100 for grass cutting and £311.61 for membership of the National Association of Local Councils.

Also included were the Precept Grants that had been paid:

Old Buckenham Village Hall £1000

Old Buckenham Primary School Family Association £250

Old Buckenham Primary School Family Association Preloved £200

Monday Mardle £125

Almshouse Trust £500

Fawns £250

R.O.B.S (?) £250

Windmill Trust £500

Two Wheel Tuesday. David Tranmer has acquired the materials to make good the areas of the Green which were damaged during last year’s events.

Councillor reports. Ali McWilliam reported that the allotments are beginning to come to life and looking very tidy. She said the drainage ditch inside the perimeter needs clearing and the Clerk is to write to the land owner to request this is undertaken sooner rather than later.

Pete Twissell has removed a section of the new hedging on the Recreation Area to allow access for a tractor and has replanted the removed saplings on the footpath side of the field. He also reported that the Village Hall committee would like to meet with the Parish Council during May. He had also spoken to the Village Hall Committee regarding the use of their car park when Two Wheel Tuesday is taking place. Their committee was not opposed but will need to check that the hall is not in use on those nights so that is no conflict of use. The Clerk to suggest to David Tranmer that he makes a donation to the hall at the end of each season as a goodwill gesture.

Steve Gower reported that he has gained another two volunteers for the community Speedwatch group. Also that the batteries for the SAM Sign need replacing and that they available from Westcote at £86 each. The Clerk to investigate if can get them for a better price through his employer.

David Taylor asked about overgrown footpath from the Country Park to New Buckenham. The Clerk advised that this was not a Parish Council issue but it was the responsibility of the land owners who have a duty to ensure they are accessible to walkers.

Naomi Bailey has had correspondence with the ‘owners’ of the bench that has been flooded by the waters in Ottomer Pond and the bench base concerns which will be reviewed when it is safe to do so. Following a meeting with Highways she now has written correspondence that Highways are not responsible for the ditch, roadway or pathway leading up to the Primary school. Should anybody wish to clear a ditch on their property and they have been told by Highways they are not allowed to, this is wrong. They are in fact allowed to. Highways do not have the budget to clear every ditch in Norfolk and are grateful for the help from residents. Also Naomi Bailey reported that she, Leslie Evison and the Clerk had a meeting with the Highways Engineer at NCC who has ensured everyone that Old Buckenham is on the list for drainage and ditch clearing as well as pot hole repairs but also pointed out that due to the severe weather this winter they are rather busy but he will chase contactors. They also pointed out that the new steps they fitted at Manor Corner were rather a poor effort considering the cost of the project. The Clerk informed him that the Parish Council felt let down with the quality of the steps and the work involved.

The Clerk will attend a meeting at County Hall with the Planning Inspectorate regarding the flooding situation caused by the infilling of the ditch at West View Farm.

The Chair and the Clerk received a letter from MP George Freeman asking to attend a meeting for which he has been formally invited (the monthly surgery in May).

Action Log updates. Doug Irons and Steve Gowers gave all members a run through of the electronic version of the action log and also asked all members to keep this updated so that the Parish Council can report to the village each month what has been done and what is still needed.

Planning applications. Access from the west on to Buckenham Road. Widening and enhancements to the existing agricultural access to create a temporary construction access onto Buckenham Road (3PL/2024/0285/F). Supported by the Parish Council (8 in favour).

Development Plot at Poplar Farm, Fen Road NR17 1NP. Demolition of existing building (with extant permission to convert to a dwelling) and the erection of New Single Dwelling and Cartlodge, and Change of Use of Agricultural Land to Domestic Curtilage (Revised Scheme) 3PL/2020/1009/F. Supported by the Parish Council (8 in favour).

Other business. Stan Burton and Pete Twissell reported that only two members of the public attended the Surgery on Saturday 30 March but this was a bank holiday weekend so perhaps people had other plans.

(Steve Gowers departed the meeting)

Items for next agenda. These will include flooding update, the burial ground, allotment security and the Local Plan.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 2 May starting at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Methodist Chapel.

Next opening of Old Buckenham Mill

Tours of Mill and food available too

The first official opening of the new season took place last Sunday afternoon when the new refreshment 'shed' was put through its paces. Visitors gathered to try the drinks and cakes with many of them also going on a guided tour of the historic building too.

The next Open Day will be on Sunday 5 May when you can come along between 1pm and 4pm for your tour and/or homemade cake feast. It is amazing how many people have lived in Old Buckenham for years and not looked inside and climbed up the various stairs inside. Why not spend this coming Bank Holiday Sunday scaling the heights and trying the tasty baking?

Old Buckenham's own surgery

Come along and discuss

The next Saturday Surgery will be held on Saturday 27 April from 10am till 12 noon in the Memorial Room at the Village Hall. This is an opportunity for all parishioners, especially those that cannot easily attend the normal Old Buckenham Parish Council meetings that are held in the evening. Two or more of our councillors will be on hand to help address any issues that may concern you.

Old Buckenham Hall auction

Sale of Kitchen Gardens and Downmore Farm

In August 1937 a sale took place of 173 acres of land including the Hall's Kitchen Gardens and Downmore Farm. These scans of pages from the booklet produced at the time give a description on what was on offer.

Old Buckenham history

When local things were sold

Here are scans of a couple of sample pages from an auction that took place in 1937 when areas of Old Buckenham Hall went on the market. More pages are being scanned...

Preparing Old Buckenham windmill

Getting ready for new season of Open Days

There was plenty of action today at the Old Buckenham mill when volunteers gathered to put up the new shed (aka the posh refreshment servery with opening hatch).  It  turn out to be 'fun' handling the large metal panels in the gusty winds.  Elsewhere the official sign in the car park was being cleaned and the inside of the mill was also being sorted out. Hard work but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Sign cleaning

Bottoms up

   

Many hands hold walls up

Job finished and new outside seating 

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).