Birthday celebrations

Worth a special mardle
Although not a regular meeting day, a special meeting of the Monday Mardle Club was organised for Violet Botwright (centre) on Thursday 29 December to celebrate her 90th birthday. Her friends gathered at the Church Rooms to mark this event for Violet who was born on 28 December 1921. She can also claim to have lived most of her married life in the village of Old Buckenham.

Diary dates for January

First events of 2012 in Old Buckenham

Monday 2 Fly in at OB Airfield, all day from 9.30am

Tuesday 3 Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon

Thursday 5 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 6 Crib drive, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 7 Church Rooms open for clothing donations, all day

Saturday 7 Queen's Jubilee celebrations meeting, Village Hall, 10am

Sunday 8 Church Rooms open for clothing donations, all day

Sunday 8 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm

Monday 9 Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm

Wednesday 11 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 12 Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm

Thursday 12 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm

Friday 13 Yogacise restarts at Village Hall

Saturday 14 Debating Society, Church Rooms, 10.15am

Monday 16 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms

Wednesday 18 Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm

Thursday 19 Beauty and the Beast, OB Players, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 20 Beauty and the Beast, OB Players, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 21 Beauty and the Beast, OB Players, Village Hall, 2.30pm

Saturday 21 Beauty and the Beast, OB Players, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Wednesday 25 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 26 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Another voice from Old Buckenham

Friendly Americans
Here is another short recording made at the Village Fete. You can hear one of the villagers remembering the Americans at Old Buckenham Airfield during wartime. We hope you enjoy listening and, if you have any problems, let the editor know in the comments.
Friendly Americans by Old Buckenham

Overflowing candlelit service

Carols and lessons
The candlelit service of Carols and Lessons on Christmas Eve at Old Buckenham turned out to be very popular again. So popular in fact that around a hundred people needed to view the service by a video link to the nearby Church Rooms.
This was the first time that this had been tried so people were nervous about how successful the video link would be. Thanks to the kind donation of time and equipment by various people it all seemed to work.
Not only was it important that the technology should work but effort was put in to ensure that the Church Rooms should be as atmospheric as possible so, like the church, they were candlelit and decorated with holly, etc.
At first some people were understandably hesitant and disappointed about going having to go into the Church Rooms rather than the church itself. But people were given Orders of Service, joined in enthusiastically with the singing and even clapped after the solo performances. After the service many were very complimentary, saying that they had enjoyed the experience, they could hear and see better and were in the warm.
Even so some lessons have been learnt that it is hoped can make the experience even more meaningful next year.

Boxing Day in Old Buckenham

Walking weather
The sun has been shining and people have been out and about (usually walking their dogs) in temperatures of around 12 C.
It has been nice enough for the editor to go out walking himself and take a few photos of life in Old Buckenham on the day after Christmas.

Season's greetings

Best wishes for

Christmas and the

New Year

from

the editor of the

Old Buckenham blog

What ever the weather

Grit bins
Two grit bins have been positioned in Old Buckenham. They have been purchased by the parish council and put there for your safety during hard weather.
One is at St Andrews Close and the other on Hargham Road near the Almshouses.
They should have by now been filled by Norfolk County Council and can be used by any member of the public to grit the nearby paths, (take your own shovel, none provided). They are not for gritting private house driveways or paths.
If you live nearby please report any problems, including damage or vandalism, to any of the parish councillors.

Looking forward to June 2012

Diamond Jubilee celebrations

Next year there will be a meeting on Saturday 7 January starting at 10am in the Village Hall to discuss what the village would like to happen for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Many people have a day off work or school to celebrate the bank holiday on Tuesday 5 June. Moreover, the late May bank holiday will be moved to Monday 4 June giving a four-day long weekend.
Please come along to this meeting with your ideas. The Parish Council, together with other local organisations, have pledged some money and grants have been applied for.
Some ideas to start you off:
A street party?
A party on the Green?
An evening dance?
Events in and around the Village Hall?
Football match or sports on the Recreation Area?
Old Buckenham Airfield event?
All villagers are welcome to come along, those with offers of help will be particularly welcome. Let’s make this event a special time for Old Buckenham, one that will be remembered for years afterwards.

A time for thinking of others

Worthwhile giving
Don't forget that you can bring non-perishable food items along to the Church Rooms in Old Buckenham all day on Christmas Eve. These will be made available through the St Martins charity for the homeless in Norwich and Norfolk.
The Church Rooms will be also open throughout the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January to receive contributions of warm clothing and toiletries, also for the homeless.
Time to look around in the larder and the wardrobe and see what you can bring along on these days for this worthwhile cause.

A busy year ahead

Our inspired women
November was the month of Old Buckenham Women’s Institute’s annual meeting which gives members the opportunity to look back on the previous year and to review the coming year. In 2011 it was a busy year, with members taking part in darts and Scrabble tournaments, competing in the Cator Cup competition which takes place annually on the Norfolk Showground, supporting village events and organising the village Produce Show. They also held a Spring Fair which was well supported by the villagers. At this year’s birthday party (celebrating their 44th anniversary) they were pleased to welcome the Old Buckenham Players to entertain members and friends. The new committee was approved at the meeting and the President, Susan Hunter, was elected for 2012.
Members also heard a report from Nancy Hunt who was a member of the WI group which went on a three day trip to London. They called in at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge especially to see the Vermeer exhibition. Their trip to London also included one day spent at the Olympic site (including a visit to Woolwich Arsenal where the contact sports will be staged). Their third day was spent seeing the newly refurbished Albert Memorial and an in-depth tour of the Albert Hall where they were privileged to be able to sit the the ”Royal Box”. Barbara Stone also gave a report on a recent trip to Van Dal shoe factory in Norwich when twenty members enjoyed a tour of the factory plus of course the opportunity to make some purchases in the shop.
Everything the WI does is about empowering women. Their campaigns give every member the chance to highlight the issues that matter to her and bring some of the weight of the whole WI movement to bear on efforts to achieve lasting change in policy and practice.
Six resolutions have been short listed for next year and members will have a chance to choose the resolutions which they want to take forward at the annual general meeting in June 2012. This year’s short list includes airborne litter, reducing fuel poverty and the employment of more midwives.
The full programme of meetings for 2012 is listed below and new members are most welcome to come along. They take place in Old Buckenham Village Hall on the fourth Thursday of each month and start at 7.30pm.

Thursday 26 January Life and fashion in the 1940s
Thursday 23 February History and etiquette of toastmastering
Thursday 22 March Being a nun in the 21st Century
Thursday 26 April China – amazing flowers in Yunnan and Sichuan
Thursday 26 May Resolution meeting
Thursday 28 June World Horse Welfare
Thursday 26 July Norfolk Island – South Pacific
Thursday 23 August Conchology – the world of shells
Thursday 27 September Corn dollies and straw crafts
Thursday 28 October Mastermind and Who wants to be a Millionaire
Thursday 22 November Annual meeting
Friday 6 December Christmas party

Councillors' thoughts in December

December Parish Council meeting
These notes were prepared by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may change later.
There were five members of the public at the December parish council meeting and apologies for non attendance were received from Akis Chrisovelides and Jonathan Kemp.
The minutes of the November Parish Council meeting were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Adrian Joel said a resident had phoned him thanking the Parish Council for providing a new grit bin.
Co-opting of new councillor. There were two candidates to wishing to fill the vacancy on the parish council. Councillors were given the opportunity to ask questions of both candidates and then they completed voting slips. The majority of the votes went to Steve Milner who was then co opted as the new councillor and who, after signeding the Acceptance of Office form, joined the meeting.
Recreation Area. Carol Marshall said they were waiting for news on their grant applications and hoped to have some news in January.
New developments in Old Buckenham. Tim Ing asked the councillors how they wanted to take the matter forward. Adrian Joel circulated copies of the village settlement boundary and then referred to the Localism Act which could allow developments outside the settlement boundary. Under the bill Parish Councils would have more say in planning matters. The Parish Clerk then explained how the Localism Act would affect the Parish Council and planning matters. Derek Smalley suggested that Parish Clerk collate the councillors’ returns on future development in the village and circulate them to all other councillors. Sandra Dye suggested that the Parish Clerk try obtain more detailed demographics of the village through Breckland Council and Norfolk County Council.
Bribery Act 2010. Discussion on this topic was deferred to the January meeting.
Planning applications. Barkers Cottage, Ragmere Road. Detached garage and storage. It was proposed that this be objected to on the grounds the proposed development was too large for the site. This was agreed with 8 for and 1 abstention.
Queen’s Jubilee. Tim Ing said that the village would be holding a celebration next year to mark this event and could parish councillors please contact all organisations in the village to seek their views and suggestions. This was agreed by all councillors and a meeting would be arranged for Saturday 7 January at 10am in the village hall where residents could also put forward suggestions.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing referred to the fallen trees in Hargham Road and he said, having spoken to the landowners, the trees were removed within two days. He then said the school governors had expressed concern over parking outside the primary school. The Parish Clerk to contact the police, Norfolk County Council Highways and both schools on the matter. Additional car parking signs had been erected by the Recreation Area. He also informed the meeting that a load of pig muck would be delivered to the allotments very soon. The village had again won the Pride of Breckland Award for 2011 and the £500 prize would be given to the village hall. The plaque for the award would be mounted with the previous awards on the plinth of the village sign. White lines at Dam Brigg Crossroads had been done.
District Councillor’s report. Breckland Council are due to go through a public consultation period before setting the Breckland share of the council tax at a meeting of the full council on Thursday 23 February. All Saints Church had received £100 from the ‘Breckland 12 Days of Christmas’ grant towards the Christmas Eve service. Breckland Council will also be collecting Christmas trees with the brown bins in January. Breckland are trying to reduce their housing list which stands at about 4,000. Private Sector Housing have launched a new financial scheme to get empty dwellings back into use - called “Restore” a maximum grant of up to £5000 can be given to bring the property up to a let able standard. The grant covers everything from repairs, to replacing kitchens, bathrooms and central heating systems through to decorating and supplying new carpets. The dwelling must have been empty for at least six months and cannot be used for owner occupation. Once up to standard the property must be let at an affordable rent for a minimum of twelve months to an applicant on the housing list.
Parish Clerk’s report. He informed meeting that due to new legislation the Council needed to order a first aid kit compliant with BS 8599-1 and could he go ahead with this, permission was granted.
Highways. Derek Smalley said there was a manhole cover in the centre of Ragmere Road opposite the allotments that was loose. He also reported that the water leak at Shrublands had now been repaired. It was also reported that the junction of Grove Road and Mill Road on the approach from Old Buckenham was dangerous and Parish Clerk was asked to contact Highways to see if mirrors could be fitted. Tim Ing said he was waiting to hear from Highways as to when the grit bins were going to be filled. He confirmed that residents could only use them for pathways and they could not be used for private property.
The Green. The meeting was informed that no meeting date had been set by the Green Right Proprietors and the next meeting would likely be their AGM. There was also no money available to deal with parking problems on the Green.

The next meeting of Old Buckenham Parish Council would be on Thursday 5 January at the Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

Christmas events

A busy week of celebrating
It has been the week when the clubs and societies in Old Buckenham decide to get their Christmas meetings over so that all their members can get started on their cooking, card writing and shopping.
Monday was the time for the Monday Mardle to have their Christmas lunch.
On Tuesday the Coffee and Chat did their bit.
Wednesday was the last Luncheon Club meeting of the year and the participants were treated to a roast chicken dinner with the usual trimmings.
Thursday the Breckland Flower and Garden Club  had a workshop to demonstrate how to make your Christmas table decorations (see the blog post for yesterday). And in the evening the Social and Wine Circle had their Christmas party with quizzes, some bingo and a fish and chips supper (see pictures above).
Only a fortnight to go...

Christmas workshop

Breckland Flower and Garden Club
Members and guests gathered at Old Buckenham village hall in December for their Christmas workshop. Sisal, twigs, leaves, roses, cones, etc, soon became lovely table decorations under Joy's instructions. A wonderful selection of sandwiches and cakes were then enjoyed together with a well-earned cuppa.
Alison Walker won the Novice trophy and Margaret Smith the Advanced trophy in the flower arranging competition entitled 'The Christmas Story' and Sally Westrup's seasonal foliage won the table show.
The next meeting takes place on Thursday 12 January when 'The Girls' demonstrate from 'What's in the box'.The competition title is 'Winter box of delights' and the table show will be for any type of houseplant from your home.

What a difference a year makes

Village in the sun
This time in 2010 the village of Old Buckenham was white with snow (look back at the photographs in the archive of posts in December 2010). Today it has been bathed in sunshine as can be seen in the photos of the almshouses, the Methodist chapel and the rooks flying over the village Greeen.

The Keppels of Old Buckenham

Golden wedding in 1914
The pictures above appeared in the magazine of the Keppel Association and one of them was used on the front cover of the December edition of the Old Buckenham village newsletter. These pictures and the following description are reproduced by kind permission of the Keppel Association secretary Miranda Villiers.
“The pages pictured are from the book presented to Major and Mrs William George Keppel of the Grange, Old Buckenham on the occasion of their Golden Wedding on 6 December 1914. The illuminations are beautifully done, as befits a presentation to a man who was a considerable craftsman himself. Major William George was the eldest son of the Rev Thomas Robert Keppel, the Rector of North Creake, and was a more than usually skilful amateur carver in wood; samples of his work can be seen on the organ case at Quidenham church and on the pulpit and lectern at Old Buckenham. The historian Brian Turner writes: "It is perhaps disappointing that Pevsner makes no mention of the pulpit, for .... it is a piece of superb craftsmanship". It was carved by Major William George Keppel who, with his wife, worshipped in the church for sixty years. Each panel is signed on the reverse with the stamp 'W G Keppel 1900' and shows a different type of vegetation. The central panel of the cross is adorned with a profusion of twining passion flowers. "The panel showing cereal crops is unusual in that maize takes a prominent place beside the more traditional wheat, oats and barley .... the lectern, bearing a motif of grapes and vine leaves, is also by this talented amateur craftsman".
The book was presented to the Keppel Association in 2008 by Olive Schickle.
The War Memorial at Old Buckenham records the names of thirty-seven residents who lost their lives in the First World War, and it is a sad thought that many of those recorded in this book were lost in the conflict, which in December 1914 had just broken out.”
These last comments are particularly apposite following the recent Remembrance Sunday service at the war memorial. And you may wish to pop into All Saints church (it is open every day) to see this wonderful wood carving at close quarters.

[just click on the images to see them in their full glory]