Saturday 30 June 2012

Fund raising for All Saints, Old Buckenham

Beautiful garden, beautiful weather




The showers went away and the evening sun shone down on the Garden Party to raise funds for All Saints Church. John and Barbara had worked hard to ensure that the garden looked beautiful and the 'nibbles' on the tables were homemade and tasty.
There was wine to drink, a well supported tombola stall and a generous table of raffle prizes. Over a hundred people came along, not only from Old Buckenham but from the surrounding area too. As a result people had a most enjoyable evening in the shadow of Old Buckenham Mill and several hundred pounds were raised for the church funds.

Friday 29 June 2012

Women's Institute and drinking places

Old Buckenham WI on tour of Norwich pubs




It sounds an interesting way to spend this evening in Norwich, just going from pub to pub. It wasn't quite as bad as it might sound as most of the pubs, inns and other drinking places were no longer there.
Members of Old Buckenham Women's Institute (and some husbands and friends) were on a proper 'blue badge' guided tour  of the city learning about various of the pubs that have existed, what they were called and what they are now. It was all very educational and much was learnt about the history and architecture of this 'Fine City'.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Latest Old Buckenham village newsletter

July edition now available

The copies of the July edition have now been spread around the village for all to pick up. It has not been possible this month to distribute as many as usual with the morning newspaper deliveries but you should be able to find copies in the village shop, at both the pubs, in All Saints church, at the Clinic on the Green and at Old Buckenham Airfield.

Monday 25 June 2012

More on Old Buckenham Airshow

More attractions than just planes
The secret of this year's airshow was to make sure there were lots of other attractions to entertain the crowds. There were hundreds of classic cars, military displays, food outlets of all sorts and a fairground.
Maestro Matt (the airfield manager) found time to give an interview to the press, a youngster enjoyed his paddling, a Daimler car nestled with a brightly painted plane, a man with an ice cream examines a steam car and Old Buckenham School provides music while sheltered in the Blister Hangar.
All this and more was enjoyed by thousands of visitors and raised lots of money for charity.




Sunday 24 June 2012

Old Buckenham Airshow

Full steam ahead, despite the weather
This morning has been wet and windy but up at Old Buckenham Airfield preparations have gone ahead for the biggest show ever.
The roads leading to the airfield were generously coned, the entry charges were prominently displayed, the car parks got a little muddy, the flying display started and cameras were everywhere.
Photographing fast moving planes is not the blog editors strong point so you'll have to put up with these more domestic shots (with more to come tomorrow).




Friday 22 June 2012

Flower festival in All Saints, Old Buckenham

Year of celebrations
Breckland Flower and Garden Club is celebrating its thirtieth birthday by putting on a flower festival in Old Buckenham. With a theme of 'Year of celebrations' there are some thirty arrangements depicting, for example, the coronation, the diamond jubilee and many Olympic sports.
It is open to the public tomorrow Saturday from 10am to 5pm and again on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free.
Here are a few photographs to tempt you to come along (and there are refreshments with homemade cakes as well as a display of 'flowery' paintings in the adjoining Church Rooms).




Wednesday 20 June 2012

Flowers and flights in Old Buckenham

Busy weekend ahead




While those at Old Buckenham Airfield are busy scanning the weather forecast for their Airshow on Sunday 24 June, the flower arranging ladies are already starting work in All Saints Church. The Breckland Flower and Garden Club are celebrating their thirtieth birthday with a flower festival on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 June.
Two events not to be missed.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Breckland Flower and Garden Club


Facts about fuchsias
In spite of sunny gardening weather, many members attended June's meeting in Old Buckenham Village Hall to hear how Frank Lambert grows his fuchsias. From taking cuttings - which strike easily and no hormone rooting medium required - to preparing enormous shrubs for the show bench. He showed how to prepare a good growing compost and recommended means of combating pest and diseases. He also brought along samples of different types of fuchsias from bonsai through to standard and explained the best methods for achieving plants for the show bench as well as the garden. He finished by showing slides which included some of the many prizes he has won - at true enthusiast.
In the flower arranging competitions the Old Hands category was won by Ursula Jackson with the New Hands class and trophy for best use of colour going to Margaret Haycroft. Jean Shave's lovely red rose, Glad Tidings, won the table show.
Next month's meeting will be held on Thursday 12 July starting at 2pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall when ‘The Blooming Hopefuls' will be demonstrating. The competition title is 'Olympiad', an exhibit depicting an Olympic event, and the table show will be for a planted summer container.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Old Buckenham Diamond Jubilee tree

Plaque has been planted too


Thursday 14 June 2012

Old Buckenham almshouses

The artist McLaughlin
A competent and framed pencil drawing of the Old Buckenham almshouses has recently been rediscovered. It was originally found many years ago in the shed behind number 1 The Almshouses when the mother of Peter, the present village hall caretaker, was living there.
The picture is signed “A McLaughlin” and shows someone at the door of number 1. There is no indication of when the drawing was originally done and it is quite likely that the small trees in front of the building are a case of the artist using a suitable amount of ‘artistic licence’ as the present row of trees must have been there for many years. But there is no sign of the many houses now built along Hargham Road.
Any information on the artist or when the drawing was done will be much appreciated. You can leave a comment on the blog or on
oldbuckhistory@aol.com


(You can enlarge this image by clicking on it. The original shows more of the building to the right)

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Upper Octave to return to Old Buckenham


From Bizet to Broadway
By popular request Norfolk's most popular and talented vocal ensemble 'The Upper Octave' are returning to Old Buckenham in July. They will present their new two-hour concept show 'Bizet to Broadway' at Old Buckenham All Saints Church. The show combines the best of classic musical theatre with everyone’s favourite operatic arias. This creates an eclectic mix which leaves audiences wanting more, it bursts with energy and flair has wowed discerning music and concert lovers alike. The performance will take place, on Saturday 14 July at 7.30pm . Tickets £10, including wine and nibbles, are available by calling 01953 860845.

Monday 11 June 2012

Minutes for June Parish Council meeting

Latest from Old Buckenham Parish Council
The following notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later meeting.
All councillors were present and also three members of the public.
At the beginning of the meeting Akis Chrisovelides made a presentation of flowers to Steve Milner for all the hard work that he and his wife undertook for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Public Recess. The meeting was suspended to allow members of the public to ask questions. A resident raised the matter of an accident that occurred recently at The Chestnuts, 1 Chattergate on Abbey Road where two lorries had problems and one lorry knocked down a tree and the telephone lines on her property. Damage has also been caused to her hedge in the past and the verges on Abbey road have also been damaged. The Parish Clerk is to write to NCC Highways on the matter. The meeting then resumed.
Minutes of the AGM. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting and there were no matters arising.
Minutes of the May Parish Council meeting. These were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Tom Johnson raised the matter of HGVs using Hargham Road saying that he understood that HGVs can go up Hargham Road but had to turn right before the bridge as there was a weight restriction on the bridge. Derek Smalley read out an email from NCC Highways which said there was no weight restriction on the bridge. Highways are looking into the existing traffic order on the Hargham Road. The restrictions were put into place to stop HGVs using the Hargham Road as access to the A11.
Parking at the school. Adrian Joel said there had been another meeting with the school regarding this problem. The Village Hall has a meeting with Norfolk County Council on Thursday 21 June to discuss the matter. Tim Ing is also to attend this meeting with NCC. A letter had been received by the Village Hall on the resurfacing of the car park. The school has sent out a questionnaire to parents regarding parking at Village Hall. Mike Bartlett of the Village Hall had received a quotation to repair the surface at a cost of approximately £1,900 and was hoping for a contribution from the Parish Council and Norfolk County Council towards the costs.
Planning applications. Bracken House, Sandy Lane. Removal of agricultural occupancy conditions. It was proposed by Derek Smalley and seconded by Steve Milner that it be objected to as it appeared the house had not been properly marketed for the required 12 months.
East View, Attleborough Road. Decking area (retrospective). It was proposed by Akis Chrisovelides and seconded by Derek Smalley that it be objected to as the decking was too high and still overlooked the adjoining property. This was agreed with 8 for, 2 against and 1 abstention.
53 Fen Street. Change of use from agricultural land to garden with fencing. There were no objections from the Parish Council.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. Land off Hargham Road. Erection of 5 new dwellings. Permission refused.
Land off Fen Street, Erection of 5 dwellings. Permission refused.
The Granary, Mill Street. Install wood burning stove to first floor. Permission granted.
Allotments. Adrian Joel said they are going very well and there was going to be a liaison meeting at the end of June. One allotment holder had to give up his allotment due to injury and an existing plot holder requested permission to take it over, this was agreed to. A water charge of £10.23 had been received and the Parish Council will absorb this cost. Adrian Joel had attended a meeting with the school who had agreed to start work on their allotment by the end of the summer term. He would also see if any residents wish to join a waiting list for any future allotment vacancies.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing said bushes and trees at Dam Bridge Junction have been cut back. Also the tap at the allotments had been fixed and no longer dripped. A book signed by James Stewart on East Anglian US Airfields had been given to the Village Hall. The Jubilee celebrations went extremely well considering the fact that six months ago the whole project was a blank sheet of paper. With the efforts of councillors, volunteers and especially Steve Milner, who had worked extremely hard on the project, it had turned out an excellent event. Forty-four tables were at the picnic on the Green and an estimated 350 people turned out on the day. Letters are to be sent to volunteers who made the event such a success.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that a start on the St Andrews Close for 14 affordable houses is expected to commence very soon. The houses will help ensure families in rural parts of Norfolk can remain as part of a community rather than having to move to find suitable affordable housing. The properties will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom properties. Work is expected to be finished by September 2013 and all the properties will be for affordable rent. The houses will come under the ‘Local Connections’ scheme and available to people with local connections to Old Buckenham who are currently on Breckland Council’s housing list. Details on how to bid for the properties will be advised later in the year.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Steve Milner said that initial accounts for the Jubilee Celebrations were now available and total revenue was £1202 with expenditure of £744. The profits would go to the Village Hall, more money is expected back from the Jubilee mugs. He then suggested a review meeting of the celebrations should be held to look at what went right and what lessons could be learnt. He said the success of the celebrations was also due to the participation of the residents who, despite the weather, turned out in large numbers to support it. John Frost said there would be money-raising events for the All Saints church tower coming up soon and all monies raised would be spent only on the church. There would be a Garden Party on Saturday 30 June with tickets available now at a cost of £5. There would be a flower show in the church from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June and also a church concert on Saturday 14 July. Carol Marshall said the mowing of the Recreation Area had been carried out but they were still trying to arrange a maintenance contract and were in the process of obtaining quotes. Grant applications were going to be completed for Sport England and Breckland Council. Adrian Joel said he had visited the Recreation Area on Monday and revisited on Wednesday and saw the Keep Fit club were using the area and he suggested to them they write to Parish Council to seek their permission to use the area and Parish Council not charge them for its use. Tom Johnson said the grass around the fence and under the picnic tables need cutting and Paul Boggia agreed to cut these areas. Tom Johnson also said that, at a recent meeting of the Village Hall, concern was expressed at a recent accident in the Village Hall car park and the Village Hall were looking to obtain grants to carry out repairs. A quote of £17,000 had been received to totally resurface the car park but this was considered too expensive an option. Tim Ing raised the matter of the Village Hall granting the Parish Council a lease on the Recreation Area which took two years and cost the Parish Council approximately £8,000 and felt this money could have been better spent. Tim Ing suggested the Village Hall look at possible grant funding avenues for the repair of the car park. Paul Boggia thanked all the helpers who cleared up after the Jubilee picnic on the Green. Sarah Dye said the Play Area was being maintained by John Hicks and he was doing a fantastic job but expressed concerns over the large amount of time he was devoting to it as it was solely on a voluntary basis. The Parish Council to look further into this.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Parish Clerk reminded all councillors that they should, if possible, complete their reviews of Council’s policy documents ready for the July meeting. If they were suggesting some changes could they please speak to him on the matter first so he could make the changes to the original file copies.
Highways. The drain at the corner of Crown Road and the B1077 was blocked and there was a large pot hole outside Hills Farm in Leys Lane. The Parish Clerk is to contact NCC Highways on these. An email from Highways Department said that they would be carrying out extra work which had been noted on a recent inspection in the village. Steve Milner raised the matter of the junction at Grove Road and Mill Road and Tim Ing said it was not a matter of the hedges but the height of the bank which would cost too much to reduce in height.
The Green. Tom Johnson said that he had received two complaints from residents saying that the bench outside the Hovis House could not be used as grass around it was too high. John Frost said he would look at all the benches and deal with the problem. The Old Buckenham Green Right Proprietors would be holding a meeting on Tuesday 19 June and asked if any issues needed to be raised. Tim Ing raised the matter of the overflow car parking facilities at the play area. This had now been completed and the area between the play area and the pub seemed to be working well.
The next meeting of the Old Buckenham Parish Council would be held on Thursday 5 July at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Saturday 9 June 2012

Old Buckenham WI resolution

Campaign for more midwives
At the Old Buckenham WI meeting held in May the resolution to urge the government to employ more midwives was discussed in detail with Mary Nichols competently taking members through the facts and figures. Members had no hesitation in voting unanimously for ‘Employment of More Midwives’ and the resolution was to be debated and Old Buckenham’s vote registered at the WI Annual General Meeting being held in the Royal Albert Hall at the end of May.
The Old Buckenham WI President, Susan Hunter, then reported on forthcoming events which would include the Jubilee quiz, the annual progressive supper and the Group meeting in September when the BBC’s David Whitely will be the speaker.
To end the meeting members joined in a game of 'Royal Beetle', an appropriate variation of the normal Beetle. This was enjoyed by all and won by Gill Freitag.
The next meeting is on Thursday 28 June when the speaker will be Jonathan (Jacko) Jackson who will be speaking on the work of World Horse Welfare.

Friday 8 June 2012

After the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are over

Did Old Buckenham have a good time?

Here is a message for all villagers from the Diamond Jubilee supremo Steve:
Well, what a weekend it was. I hope that everybody enjoyed themselves and have collected a number of great memories to take forward. On behalf of the Parish Council and the organising group we would like to thank you all, as it was your participation that made all the events such a success. 
Numerous people have come up to me and said how much they had enjoyed themselves and it is great to receive positive feedback.
One frequent comment was "can we maintain the momentum without the Diamond Jubilee driving us forward?" I think the answer to this is yes. However, the first thing to do is to find out what we did well and, just as importantly, what we could do better.
First thing will be to have a meeting of residents and those involved with the organisation to review the weekend. This meeting will be held over the coming weeks so keep an eye on the blog for the date. Secondly we  will survey residents, again to get feedback, so watch for something coming through the door. Please just take a few minutes to fill it in and return it.
Thank you.

 

Thursday 7 June 2012

Old Buckenham Diamond Jubilee reminder

Something to help remember the Diamond Jubilee
During the rest of the activities on Tuesday 5 June, a commemorative tree was planted on Old Buckenham Green. The tree was a quercus robar, a red oak, and it was ceremonially planted by Paul Boggia. A suitable plaque will be installed later.
Very little appears to have been done in Old Buckenham for the Queen's Golden Jubilee ten years ago but newspaper reports state that a tree was planted on the Green for the Silver Jubilee in 1977. So far no one has been able to point out where this thirty-five year old tree was planted. Perhaps someone can get in touch and solve this mystery.


Diamond Jubilee giveaways

Commemorative mugs and exciting prizes
One thing decided early on in the arrangements for Old Buckenham's Diamond Jubilee celebrations was that commemorative mugs would be given free to all the children living in the village. A house-to-house survey was done to see how many children there were and sufficient mugs were bought along with some extras for other villagers who might want to buy them.
The mugs were presented to the children by one of the village's older inhabitants, Muriel Large, as the street party on the Green was coming to an end. Such was the demand that all the remaining mugs were sold as well.
To raise money to finance some of the activities over the Jubilee weekend, a five hundred square draw with a top prize of a flight in a WWII biplane from Old Buckenham Airfield had been organised.
Over the last couple of months people have been signing up for one or more of the squares. There were cash prizes for second and third places so there was much anticipation when the the draw for the winning numbers was made to finish off the day's proceedings.
The £25 prize went to Sue Blackett, £50 to "Steve" and the plane flight to our parish and district councillor Adrian Joel.





Wednesday 6 June 2012

More on the Old Buckenham street party

Post-prandial participation
After the picnic the entertainment continued with some reasonably light-hearted sporting events on a recently cut piece of the Green.
In the 'beat the goalie' competition some of the youngsters showed how skillful they were in scoring goals. They were financially astute too, realising that by often scoring with all their three attempts they could win back their entry fee which meant they could have more goes and make a profit.
The rounders was both hilarious and competitive with a wide range of ages taking part. Occasional rounders seemed to be scored but we may never know if there was a winning team.
The wellie throwing was taken serious by some although it could be dangerous to stand too close as you were never too sure in which direction the boot might travel. There were prizes to be won and the best lady thrower seemed very happy to collect her prize.





Old Buckenham street party

The proper picnic
There were people of all ages, both young and old, converging on the picnic site at one o'clock on Tuesday 5 June. Some were in pushchairs while others used wheelchairs and the picnics even arrived in wheelbarrows.
Many had taken the opportunity to dress in the appropriate colours of red, white and blue, and someone had brought along the inevitable candelabra. The row of tables down the centre of the road soon filled up and groups sat together on the grass alongside the road.
The weather was kind with even some sunshine at times. The crowd grew to an estimated 350 people, all having a great time and enjoying themselves.
This was an event that really brought all the village together...







Tuesday 5 June 2012

Old Buckenham Diamond Jubilee

Open air service
Just before midday, the bells of All Saints Old Buckenham were being 'pulled' to call people to the open air service on the village Green. They began to arrive on foot, by bike or by car and soon a sizeable congregation was gathered around the village sign for the service taken by the local rector.
There may not have been any organ accompaniment but the hymn singing was tuneful and enthusiastic. The passing cars even slowed down to see what was going on.




Old Buckenham Diamond Jubilee street party

Final preparations take place
By 11am this morning much of the preparation had been done. Tables had been collected from the Village Hall and Church Rooms, transported to the chosen piece of road and laid out in one long line. Union flags were being taped to the table tops as the wind was quite strong while the band members were setting up their equipment,
There was a final briefing of all the 'staff' to make sure nothing had been forgotten. This was the calm before the storm, not literally as the weather behaved itself and kept dry until early evening.




The blog editor took lots and lots of photographs during the day so the reports will be spread out over several posts in the next day or two...
Remember that you can click on any of the images to enlarge them.