Diary dates for November
Thursday 1 Children's games afternoon, Village Hall, 1pm
Thursday 1 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 2 Bonfire and fireworks, Doe Lane, gates open 6pm
Friday 2 Crib, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Sunday 4 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm
Monday 5 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Tuesday 6 Coffee and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am to 12 noon
Wednesday 7 Women's Fellowship, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm
Thursday 8 Breckland Flower Club workshop, Village Hall, 12.30pm
Thursday 8 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.15pm for AGM
Saturday 10 November Market, Church Rooms, 11am to 2pm
Sunday 11 Remembrance service, Old Buckenham Airfield, 11am
Sunday 11 Remembrance service, war memorial on Green, 2.45pm
Monday 12 Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm
Wednesday 14 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Thursday 15 Police Commissioner elections, Village Hall, 7am to 10pm
Wednesday 21 Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm
Monday 19 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Thursday 22 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Wednesday 28 Luncheon Club outing
Friday 30 Christmas Market, High School, 7pm to 9pm
Wednesday 31 October 2012
Monday 29 October 2012
Old Buckenham bonfire 2012
Get your bargain bonfire tickets now
Tickets for the bonfire night on Friday 2 November are available now from the Old Buckenham village shop/post office or any OB2000 Trust member. Tickets bought in advance can be a real bargain - adults £4, children£2 - rather than the £6 and £3 that it will cost you at the gate on the night.
Tickets for the bonfire night on Friday 2 November are available now from the Old Buckenham village shop/post office or any OB2000 Trust member. Tickets bought in advance can be a real bargain - adults £4, children£2 - rather than the £6 and £3 that it will cost you at the gate on the night.
(you can enlarge this image by just clicking on it)
Sunday 28 October 2012
Look out for the November newsletter
November issue of Old Buckenham newsletter
The newsletter has been distributed around the village. Look through this to read reports on things that happened in Old Buckenham during October and to find out what is scheduled to go on during November.
Friday 26 October 2012
Old Buckenham precept 2013/14
What the parish council will be spending
This information has been taken from the draft minutes of this meeting and is therefore liable to be amended at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Wednesday 24 October to determine the parish precept for 2013/14. Three parish councillors, John Frost, Tom Johnson and Akis Chrisovelides, were unable to attend and had sent their apologies.
Grant applications. Old Buckenham Village Hall had asked for £1,500 for solar panels for the Village Hall. This was agreed unanimously.
Old Buckenham Village Hall had also asked for £400 as a contribution towards resurfacing of their car park. It was agreed unanimously that no grant be awarded from the precept but that the money would be paid from Parish Council funds in the financial year 2012/13.
Monday Mardle. A sum of £100 was agreed unanimously.
Old Buckenham Parochial Church Council had asked for a grant of £1,000 towards church maintenance. After discussion by councillors it was agreed (with 4 for, 1 against and Sarah Dye abstaining) that a reduced grant of £750 be awarded.
Yare Valley Citizens' Advice Bureau. A sum of £75 was agreed unanimously.
Budget proposal. The Parish Clerk gave a detailed breakdown of his budget proposal of £13,416.65 for the financial year 2013/14. This amount excluded the above grants awarded in the amount of £2,425. A detailed explanation was given by the Parish Clerk for the amount allocated to each overhead amount. The Parish Clerk then sought the views of Parish Councillors and it was agreed that a reserve for a proposed BMX track be created with an initial £500 being put into the reserve. This brought the total expenditure (excluding grants) up to £13,916.65. It was agreed unanimously that the total precept for the financial year 2013/14 be set at £16,341.65.
This information has been taken from the draft minutes of this meeting and is therefore liable to be amended at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Wednesday 24 October to determine the parish precept for 2013/14. Three parish councillors, John Frost, Tom Johnson and Akis Chrisovelides, were unable to attend and had sent their apologies.
Grant applications. Old Buckenham Village Hall had asked for £1,500 for solar panels for the Village Hall. This was agreed unanimously.
Old Buckenham Village Hall had also asked for £400 as a contribution towards resurfacing of their car park. It was agreed unanimously that no grant be awarded from the precept but that the money would be paid from Parish Council funds in the financial year 2012/13.
Monday Mardle. A sum of £100 was agreed unanimously.
Old Buckenham Parochial Church Council had asked for a grant of £1,000 towards church maintenance. After discussion by councillors it was agreed (with 4 for, 1 against and Sarah Dye abstaining) that a reduced grant of £750 be awarded.
Yare Valley Citizens' Advice Bureau. A sum of £75 was agreed unanimously.
Budget proposal. The Parish Clerk gave a detailed breakdown of his budget proposal of £13,416.65 for the financial year 2013/14. This amount excluded the above grants awarded in the amount of £2,425. A detailed explanation was given by the Parish Clerk for the amount allocated to each overhead amount. The Parish Clerk then sought the views of Parish Councillors and it was agreed that a reserve for a proposed BMX track be created with an initial £500 being put into the reserve. This brought the total expenditure (excluding grants) up to £13,916.65. It was agreed unanimously that the total precept for the financial year 2013/14 be set at £16,341.65.
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Christmas Eve service at Old Buckenham
Two months to go
Here is some early information on the plans for the Christmas Eve Service at All Saints, Old Buckenham. It will start at 7pm and the Christmas message will be given by the new Archdeacon of Norfolk, the Venerable Steven Betts.
Each year the congregation for this candlelit service gets larger and larger with people travelling from all over Norfolk. It is expected that even more will come this year and so the service will again be relayed by video to the Church Rooms.
Here is some early information on the plans for the Christmas Eve Service at All Saints, Old Buckenham. It will start at 7pm and the Christmas message will be given by the new Archdeacon of Norfolk, the Venerable Steven Betts.
Each year the congregation for this candlelit service gets larger and larger with people travelling from all over Norfolk. It is expected that even more will come this year and so the service will again be relayed by video to the Church Rooms.
Saturday 20 October 2012
Thursday 18 October 2012
Interesting talks in Old Buckenham
Social and Wine Circle
The Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle continues to hold its regular monthly meetings. In September it was a members’ evening with several individual items. Kathy Fleckney gave an illustrated talk on the holiday that she and her husband had in Iceland. Ron Brewer then read some children’s poetry by A A Milne and followed it with some ‘grown up’ versions written since for sixty-year old readers. John Frost gave yet another of his highly amusing “local” readings in the Norfolk dialect. To complete the evening David Sallnow gave an illustrated talk on ten items from his collection of both ancient and even more ancient objects, passing them round the audience to examination.
October’s talk was given by Cliff Amos of the Attleborough Heritage Group on various local Jubilee celebrations. Cliff’s informative and interesting talk started with the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in1897 when the Pump in Queen’s Square, Attleborough was erected and 30,000 children were each given a commemorative mug in Hyde Park. Photographs from early in the last century covered the visit of Edward VII to Attleborough in 1909 (not so much a visit as a drive through en route to Norwich), the coronation of George V in 1911 and then his silver jubilee in 1935, the heralded coronation of Edward VIII in 1936 followed by his abdication and then the coronation of George VI in May 1937. Further photographs covered the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 and then the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. The talk ended with photos of the recent 2012 Diamond Jubilee and of locals enjoying the wet weather around the time of the Jubilee Bank Holiday.
Next month’s meeting on Friday 10 November will commence at 7.15pm for a short AGM when the accounts will be presented and the committee will be elected for the coming year. If anyone wishes to stand for the committee please do come along on that night. After the AGM, Richard Lindner will talk about “Going Green” – a subject of interest to many.
Everyone is welcome to come along to these monthly talks. There is no membership fee, merely a £1 donation on the night, and the monthly raffle always yields interesting plants, cakes, bottles or lovely smellies for the lucky winners.
Looking ahead to 2013, the programme will be:
Thursday 10 January. New Buckenham Silver Band by Pauline Bott.
Thursday 14 February. Life in a Victorian asylum by Alison Hannah.
Thursday 14 March. Computers today/computers and the Olympics by S Hammond.
Thursday 11 April. The AA by Andrew Hall.
Thursday 9 May. War Games, Iceni/Romans by Chris Cope.
Thursday 13 June. Catering the royal way, part 6 by Patrick Thompson.
Thursday 11 July. Al fresco at the home of John and Barbara Frost.
There is no meeting in August.
Thursday 12 September. Protecting your money by Chris Kerry.
Thursday 10 October. Nepal by Sheila Freake and David Hannah.
Thursday 14 November. Where does your water come from and go to by a speaker from Anglian Water.
Thursday 12 December. Party time.
The Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle continues to hold its regular monthly meetings. In September it was a members’ evening with several individual items. Kathy Fleckney gave an illustrated talk on the holiday that she and her husband had in Iceland. Ron Brewer then read some children’s poetry by A A Milne and followed it with some ‘grown up’ versions written since for sixty-year old readers. John Frost gave yet another of his highly amusing “local” readings in the Norfolk dialect. To complete the evening David Sallnow gave an illustrated talk on ten items from his collection of both ancient and even more ancient objects, passing them round the audience to examination.
October’s talk was given by Cliff Amos of the Attleborough Heritage Group on various local Jubilee celebrations. Cliff’s informative and interesting talk started with the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in1897 when the Pump in Queen’s Square, Attleborough was erected and 30,000 children were each given a commemorative mug in Hyde Park. Photographs from early in the last century covered the visit of Edward VII to Attleborough in 1909 (not so much a visit as a drive through en route to Norwich), the coronation of George V in 1911 and then his silver jubilee in 1935, the heralded coronation of Edward VIII in 1936 followed by his abdication and then the coronation of George VI in May 1937. Further photographs covered the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 and then the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. The talk ended with photos of the recent 2012 Diamond Jubilee and of locals enjoying the wet weather around the time of the Jubilee Bank Holiday.
Next month’s meeting on Friday 10 November will commence at 7.15pm for a short AGM when the accounts will be presented and the committee will be elected for the coming year. If anyone wishes to stand for the committee please do come along on that night. After the AGM, Richard Lindner will talk about “Going Green” – a subject of interest to many.
Everyone is welcome to come along to these monthly talks. There is no membership fee, merely a £1 donation on the night, and the monthly raffle always yields interesting plants, cakes, bottles or lovely smellies for the lucky winners.
Looking ahead to 2013, the programme will be:
Thursday 10 January. New Buckenham Silver Band by Pauline Bott.
Thursday 14 February. Life in a Victorian asylum by Alison Hannah.
Thursday 14 March. Computers today/computers and the Olympics by S Hammond.
Thursday 11 April. The AA by Andrew Hall.
Thursday 9 May. War Games, Iceni/Romans by Chris Cope.
Thursday 13 June. Catering the royal way, part 6 by Patrick Thompson.
Thursday 11 July. Al fresco at the home of John and Barbara Frost.
There is no meeting in August.
Thursday 12 September. Protecting your money by Chris Kerry.
Thursday 10 October. Nepal by Sheila Freake and David Hannah.
Thursday 14 November. Where does your water come from and go to by a speaker from Anglian Water.
Thursday 12 December. Party time.
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Breckland Flower and Garden Club
Autumn colour
Barry Gayton visited the Club for the October meeting. His talk and slide show of autumn colour for the garden left most members wishing they had more room for all the shrubs and trees which give so many autumnal tints at this time of the year. As well as foliage he showed an array of orange, white and red berried plants which, of course, bring in the birds as well as being decorative.
The winner of the new hands competition and the monthly trophy was Alison Vivian, and the old hands class winner was Sylvia Briggs. Christine Hewson's photograph was first in the table show.
Next month's meeting will be on Thursday 8 November at Old Buckenham Village Hall starting at 12.30pm for a bangers and mash lunch to be followed by a Christmas workshop. For further details of what to bring with you, please contact Christine on 01953 454528. The competition title is 'Foliage and flames' - a foliage exhibit to include a candle - and the table show is for a collection of dried and/or preserved garden plant material.
Further details from Sally on 01953 788712.
The winner of the new hands competition and the monthly trophy was Alison Vivian, and the old hands class winner was Sylvia Briggs. Christine Hewson's photograph was first in the table show.
Next month's meeting will be on Thursday 8 November at Old Buckenham Village Hall starting at 12.30pm for a bangers and mash lunch to be followed by a Christmas workshop. For further details of what to bring with you, please contact Christine on 01953 454528. The competition title is 'Foliage and flames' - a foliage exhibit to include a candle - and the table show is for a collection of dried and/or preserved garden plant material.
Further details from Sally on 01953 788712.
Sunday 14 October 2012
Harvest festival time
Decorating All Saints, Old Buckenham
The church of All Saints in Old Buckenham held its harvest festival service today. There were flower arrangements and displays of autumnal produce on the window ledges. Some were more complicated than others with the younger members of the congregation joining in with their contributions.
And after the service there was a harvest lunch in the Church Rooms for all to enjoy.
The church of All Saints in Old Buckenham held its harvest festival service today. There were flower arrangements and displays of autumnal produce on the window ledges. Some were more complicated than others with the younger members of the congregation joining in with their contributions.
And after the service there was a harvest lunch in the Church Rooms for all to enjoy.
Saturday 13 October 2012
Old Buckenham barn dance
Dancing the night away
Well over 200 people gathered at Old Buckenham Airfield tonight to have a barn dance in one of the hangars.A similar dance held as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations earlier in the year was very successful and so it was decided to run another one while the enthusiasm was there.
Soon everyone was having a go at learning (or re-learning) the various dances to the music of the band and the excellent calling that reminded them of what to do next. It was a cool clear evening but things soon warmed up inside the hangar. There were straw bales to sit on and a real Tiger Moth in the corner of the building. Many participants had come dressed for the event and there were cowboy hats everywhere.
Outside you could get food from the barbecue or freshly cooked doughnuts if you preferred. And there was full bar operating in the clubhouse.
Any money raised by this event will be given to the Old Buckenham 2000 Trust, a charity which distributes money to some of the many village organisations that can apply each year.
Well over 200 people gathered at Old Buckenham Airfield tonight to have a barn dance in one of the hangars.A similar dance held as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations earlier in the year was very successful and so it was decided to run another one while the enthusiasm was there.
Soon everyone was having a go at learning (or re-learning) the various dances to the music of the band and the excellent calling that reminded them of what to do next. It was a cool clear evening but things soon warmed up inside the hangar. There were straw bales to sit on and a real Tiger Moth in the corner of the building. Many participants had come dressed for the event and there were cowboy hats everywhere.
Outside you could get food from the barbecue or freshly cooked doughnuts if you preferred. And there was full bar operating in the clubhouse.
Any money raised by this event will be given to the Old Buckenham 2000 Trust, a charity which distributes money to some of the many village organisations that can apply each year.
Friday 12 October 2012
Old Buckenham bonfire is back
Fireworks spectacular
The Old Buckenham 2000 Trust is running a fireworks display on Friday 2 November with all profits going to the Trust. The bonfire and fireworks will be on a site at Doe Lane, Old Buckenham, and the fireworks are being displayed by Gala fireworks. There is free parking and a barbecue, bar, kids’ stall and much more. Tickets will be sold in advance and are available from the Old Buckenham village shop or from Trust members.
Tickets are £4 for an adult and £2 for a child (under 4s are free) when bought in advance but on the gate will be £6 per adult and £3 per child. No sparklers should be brought along and children need to be accompanied.
The Old Buckenham 2000 Trust is running a fireworks display on Friday 2 November with all profits going to the Trust. The bonfire and fireworks will be on a site at Doe Lane, Old Buckenham, and the fireworks are being displayed by Gala fireworks. There is free parking and a barbecue, bar, kids’ stall and much more. Tickets will be sold in advance and are available from the Old Buckenham village shop or from Trust members.
Tickets are £4 for an adult and £2 for a child (under 4s are free) when bought in advance but on the gate will be £6 per adult and £3 per child. No sparklers should be brought along and children need to be accompanied.
(just click on the image to enlarge it)
Monday 8 October 2012
October Parish Council Meeting
What Old Buckenham discussed in October
The following notes of the meeting have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is subsequently changed at the next parish council meeting.
There was just one member of the public at the October Parish Council meeting. All the councillors (except Sarah Dye who had sent her apologies) were present.
The meeting was suspended to allow the public to ask questions before the meeting then resumed.
Minutes of the September meeting. Various amendments were made to these minutes. Under ‘Parish councillors’ reports’ it should read grant applications are being made and not have been made. Also under ‘District councillor’s report’ it should read that as part of the Localism Act 2012 there will be changes to council tax benefits from April 2013, with these being paid by Breckland Council and not central government. It is expected that the amount received from central government will be about 10% less than 2012. Breckland Council will be consulting with residents as to how to fill the gap. Old age pensioners and vulnerable people will not be affected. The text from ‘The Localism local council tax’ to end of the paragraph was deleted. With these amendments the minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Adrian Joel raised the matter of money not received from Jubilee mugs ordered by residents and not yet paid for. Tim Ing said any unclaimed mugs would be sold. The Shrubland planning application will go before Breckland Planning Committee on Monday 29 October.
Speeding signs. Derek Smalley said that there are stick-on signs available regarding speeding in villages which can be fixed to wheelie bins. He suggested that the Parish Council buy 50 at a cost of £50 and the new Speedwatch group would distribute them through the village. It was agreed to buy the signs with 9 for and 1 against.
Review of Financial Regulations. Akis Chrisovelides said that this review had been completed and they now needed to be reviewed by the Parish Clerk so the matter was deferred to the November meeting.
Village Hall car park. Tom Johnson said the car park surface is due to be resurfaced during the School half term holiday. It was suggested the grass parking surface facing the Recreation Area could be dug up, incorporated into the resurfacing work and the top soil taken away and used towards creating a BMX track by the Recreation Area.
Planning applications. None.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. None.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing said that two grit bins were ready for installation, one for the corner of Crown Road and Mill Road and the other on Cake Street at Prince Harry’s Wood. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways to arrange filling. Tim Ing had checked the water meter reading at the allotments to get a final bill for the year-end of the lease agreements. An accident had occurred in Hargham Road involving a young girl on a scooter. It was reported that Stuart Barker will be doing the grass cutting on the Recreation Area at a cost of £50 per cut. Tim Ing would also be attending the Planning Committee meeting being held on Monday 29 October where the Shrublands development would be considered by Breckland Council.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that Breckland Council had held five meetings throughout the district to consult on the change to the Council Tax Support Scheme. This would involve changes to Council Tax benefits but full consultation is being undertaken with residents. The annual canvas of households started at the end of June 2012 and the new register of electors will be available after Tuesday 16 October. The Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on Thursday 15 November. The Local Government Boundary Commission will shortly be reviewing the Breckland ward boundaries from February 2013. This will aim to make each ward more equal in numbers of residents as at present some wards have up to 30% less than average. There will be a parade through Dereham on Wednesday 5 December for the troops returning from Afghanistan to Swanton Morley.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson said road surfaces are resurfaced very quickly but they are slow to re-paint the road markings. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways on the matter. Paul Boggia said the drain on the B1077 at the War Memorial was overflowing. Jonathan Kemp said they are still looking at funding streams for the Recreation Area including funding from Norfolk County Council. The Working Party are still looking at creating a BMX track and seeing what needs to be done to construct one. The grant application to Tesco was unsuccessful. Derek Smalley said speeding in Cake Street had been raised with him by residents and the verge there is very worn and there is no footpath. Vegetation around the village pond near the Gamekeeper is causing visibility problems. The speed checks in Hargham Road involved 673 vehicles being checked. Forty-nine were speeding in Hargham Road (five endorsable fixed penalty notices were issued, eight speeders elected to attend speed awareness courses and 50 warning letters were sent out). Carol Marshall attended the recent Almhouse Charity meeting, the driveway at the houses had lots of potholes. She reminded everyone to donate old textiles for recycling credits so the Recreation Area can generate extra funds. The matter of the missing grant application email sent by Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch was raised. The Parish Clerk said he had no record of receiving it but would try to put a trace on it through MSN. John Frost said a representative from the Lottery Fund had recently visited the church and a decision on their grant application would be made in December. A bat inspection had been carried out at the church. No bats were found, only some small amounts of bat droppings. Steve Milner said a Road Safety group had been formed and they have twelve volunteers. They are setting up a Community Speedwatch group as police have given them the go ahead and are currently awaiting training on using the equipment. Steve Milner would be putting together a presentation on speeding above 30mph and its effect on injury levels to people. Old Buckenham 2000 Trust has now new trustees and a barn dance has been arranged for Saturday 13 October. Around 120 tickets have been sold but there are still some available. Steve Milner also thanked Ron Brewer for all his efforts over the past two years to get a Community Speedwatch scheme for the village. Adrian Joel had attended a Town and Parish Forum Meeting in October which covered changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme. The St Andrews Close house building has been put back for a year because of great crested newts being found in a pond on the site. A further survey of them has to be carried out next summer and building cannot go ahead until this is completed. The Allotment Liaison Group meeting had produced a revised tenancy agreement which was approved by the Parish Council. Adrian Joel along with John Frost had visited the allotments to look at the effects of putting a hedge on the allotments. Both councillors thought a hedge would not be appropriate as there is not enough space to plant one and any hedge would block the sun to some of the allotments. Tim Ing suggested that councillors visit the site to look further at the matter.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Clerk informed the meeting that as from the next election, all parish council elections would have to be paid for by the parish council. If other elections were taking place at the time then the cost would be shared. The Old Buckenham Parish Council would now have to precept for all future meetings. The cost in 2012 is estimated at £900 and if no other elections are taking place when Parish Council elections are held, then the estimated cost would be £2800.
Highways. The lines on roadways have not yet been done following resurfacing. A footpath is desired on Hargham Road at the entrance from Hargham for the first 150 yards. A crossing person is required for the B1077 and Hargham Road at school opening and closing times. Inspection covers in Mill Road near Mill Cottages have been covered over during re-surfacing. The drain near the Old School House, The Green, is blocked and overflowing. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways on these matters.
The Green. The Green Right Proprietors are holding a meeting at the Church Rooms on Tuesday 23 October.
The next meetings of Old Buckenham Parish Council are the Precept meeting on Wednesday 24 October and the normal monthly council meeting on Thursday 1 November. Both meetings commence at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The following notes of the meeting have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is subsequently changed at the next parish council meeting.
There was just one member of the public at the October Parish Council meeting. All the councillors (except Sarah Dye who had sent her apologies) were present.
The meeting was suspended to allow the public to ask questions before the meeting then resumed.
Minutes of the September meeting. Various amendments were made to these minutes. Under ‘Parish councillors’ reports’ it should read grant applications are being made and not have been made. Also under ‘District councillor’s report’ it should read that as part of the Localism Act 2012 there will be changes to council tax benefits from April 2013, with these being paid by Breckland Council and not central government. It is expected that the amount received from central government will be about 10% less than 2012. Breckland Council will be consulting with residents as to how to fill the gap. Old age pensioners and vulnerable people will not be affected. The text from ‘The Localism local council tax’ to end of the paragraph was deleted. With these amendments the minutes were signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Matters arising from the minutes. Adrian Joel raised the matter of money not received from Jubilee mugs ordered by residents and not yet paid for. Tim Ing said any unclaimed mugs would be sold. The Shrubland planning application will go before Breckland Planning Committee on Monday 29 October.
Speeding signs. Derek Smalley said that there are stick-on signs available regarding speeding in villages which can be fixed to wheelie bins. He suggested that the Parish Council buy 50 at a cost of £50 and the new Speedwatch group would distribute them through the village. It was agreed to buy the signs with 9 for and 1 against.
Review of Financial Regulations. Akis Chrisovelides said that this review had been completed and they now needed to be reviewed by the Parish Clerk so the matter was deferred to the November meeting.
Village Hall car park. Tom Johnson said the car park surface is due to be resurfaced during the School half term holiday. It was suggested the grass parking surface facing the Recreation Area could be dug up, incorporated into the resurfacing work and the top soil taken away and used towards creating a BMX track by the Recreation Area.
Planning applications. None.
Planning decisions received from Breckland. None.
Chairman’s report. Tim Ing said that two grit bins were ready for installation, one for the corner of Crown Road and Mill Road and the other on Cake Street at Prince Harry’s Wood. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways to arrange filling. Tim Ing had checked the water meter reading at the allotments to get a final bill for the year-end of the lease agreements. An accident had occurred in Hargham Road involving a young girl on a scooter. It was reported that Stuart Barker will be doing the grass cutting on the Recreation Area at a cost of £50 per cut. Tim Ing would also be attending the Planning Committee meeting being held on Monday 29 October where the Shrublands development would be considered by Breckland Council.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel said that Breckland Council had held five meetings throughout the district to consult on the change to the Council Tax Support Scheme. This would involve changes to Council Tax benefits but full consultation is being undertaken with residents. The annual canvas of households started at the end of June 2012 and the new register of electors will be available after Tuesday 16 October. The Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on Thursday 15 November. The Local Government Boundary Commission will shortly be reviewing the Breckland ward boundaries from February 2013. This will aim to make each ward more equal in numbers of residents as at present some wards have up to 30% less than average. There will be a parade through Dereham on Wednesday 5 December for the troops returning from Afghanistan to Swanton Morley.
Parish Councillors’ reports. Tom Johnson said road surfaces are resurfaced very quickly but they are slow to re-paint the road markings. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways on the matter. Paul Boggia said the drain on the B1077 at the War Memorial was overflowing. Jonathan Kemp said they are still looking at funding streams for the Recreation Area including funding from Norfolk County Council. The Working Party are still looking at creating a BMX track and seeing what needs to be done to construct one. The grant application to Tesco was unsuccessful. Derek Smalley said speeding in Cake Street had been raised with him by residents and the verge there is very worn and there is no footpath. Vegetation around the village pond near the Gamekeeper is causing visibility problems. The speed checks in Hargham Road involved 673 vehicles being checked. Forty-nine were speeding in Hargham Road (five endorsable fixed penalty notices were issued, eight speeders elected to attend speed awareness courses and 50 warning letters were sent out). Carol Marshall attended the recent Almhouse Charity meeting, the driveway at the houses had lots of potholes. She reminded everyone to donate old textiles for recycling credits so the Recreation Area can generate extra funds. The matter of the missing grant application email sent by Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch was raised. The Parish Clerk said he had no record of receiving it but would try to put a trace on it through MSN. John Frost said a representative from the Lottery Fund had recently visited the church and a decision on their grant application would be made in December. A bat inspection had been carried out at the church. No bats were found, only some small amounts of bat droppings. Steve Milner said a Road Safety group had been formed and they have twelve volunteers. They are setting up a Community Speedwatch group as police have given them the go ahead and are currently awaiting training on using the equipment. Steve Milner would be putting together a presentation on speeding above 30mph and its effect on injury levels to people. Old Buckenham 2000 Trust has now new trustees and a barn dance has been arranged for Saturday 13 October. Around 120 tickets have been sold but there are still some available. Steve Milner also thanked Ron Brewer for all his efforts over the past two years to get a Community Speedwatch scheme for the village. Adrian Joel had attended a Town and Parish Forum Meeting in October which covered changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme. The St Andrews Close house building has been put back for a year because of great crested newts being found in a pond on the site. A further survey of them has to be carried out next summer and building cannot go ahead until this is completed. The Allotment Liaison Group meeting had produced a revised tenancy agreement which was approved by the Parish Council. Adrian Joel along with John Frost had visited the allotments to look at the effects of putting a hedge on the allotments. Both councillors thought a hedge would not be appropriate as there is not enough space to plant one and any hedge would block the sun to some of the allotments. Tim Ing suggested that councillors visit the site to look further at the matter.
Parish Clerk’s report. The Clerk informed the meeting that as from the next election, all parish council elections would have to be paid for by the parish council. If other elections were taking place at the time then the cost would be shared. The Old Buckenham Parish Council would now have to precept for all future meetings. The cost in 2012 is estimated at £900 and if no other elections are taking place when Parish Council elections are held, then the estimated cost would be £2800.
Highways. The lines on roadways have not yet been done following resurfacing. A footpath is desired on Hargham Road at the entrance from Hargham for the first 150 yards. A crossing person is required for the B1077 and Hargham Road at school opening and closing times. Inspection covers in Mill Road near Mill Cottages have been covered over during re-surfacing. The drain near the Old School House, The Green, is blocked and overflowing. The Parish Clerk is to contact Highways on these matters.
The Green. The Green Right Proprietors are holding a meeting at the Church Rooms on Tuesday 23 October.
The next meetings of Old Buckenham Parish Council are the Precept meeting on Wednesday 24 October and the normal monthly council meeting on Thursday 1 November. Both meetings commence at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Friday 5 October 2012
Old Buckenham Women's Institute
Making corn dollies
September is the time for harvest and appropriately Ellen Howe came to the Old Buckenham WI to remind them of all the uses of straw and particularly to show and demonstrate the making of corn dollies.
Corn dollies are a form of straw work made as part of harvest customs before the combine harvester came into use. In pagan times it was believed that the spirit of the corn lived amongst the crop and that harvest made it homeless. Therefore hollow shapes were fashioned from the straw so that the corn spirit could spend the winter in the ‘corn dolly’ which was ploughed into the first furrow of the new season.
Ellen had many splendid examples for members to admire. Then they were all given eight stalks of wheat and shown how to make a simple corn dolly decorated with symbolic coloured ribbon. It was surprising successful and most people went home with a very nice corn dolly that they had made themselves.
David Whiteley from BBC East Television came to the Group meeting earlier in September and this was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening. Members learnt some of the secrets behind the tv programmes and it was quite remarkable how much the presenter contributes to the making of the show.
The next meeting of Old Buckenham WI will be their birthday meeting, now 45 years young. So on Thursday 25 October they look forward to a glass of wine and a piece of cake as well as hearing from Roger Canwell who will telling of his experiences when taking part in both ‘Mastermind’ and ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’.
September is the time for harvest and appropriately Ellen Howe came to the Old Buckenham WI to remind them of all the uses of straw and particularly to show and demonstrate the making of corn dollies.
Corn dollies are a form of straw work made as part of harvest customs before the combine harvester came into use. In pagan times it was believed that the spirit of the corn lived amongst the crop and that harvest made it homeless. Therefore hollow shapes were fashioned from the straw so that the corn spirit could spend the winter in the ‘corn dolly’ which was ploughed into the first furrow of the new season.
Ellen had many splendid examples for members to admire. Then they were all given eight stalks of wheat and shown how to make a simple corn dolly decorated with symbolic coloured ribbon. It was surprising successful and most people went home with a very nice corn dolly that they had made themselves.
David Whiteley from BBC East Television came to the Group meeting earlier in September and this was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening. Members learnt some of the secrets behind the tv programmes and it was quite remarkable how much the presenter contributes to the making of the show.
The next meeting of Old Buckenham WI will be their birthday meeting, now 45 years young. So on Thursday 25 October they look forward to a glass of wine and a piece of cake as well as hearing from Roger Canwell who will telling of his experiences when taking part in both ‘Mastermind’ and ‘Who wants to be a millionaire’.
Wednesday 3 October 2012
Old Buckenham Luncheon Club
Busy day as Luncheon Club picks up award
Today started as a normal one for Old Buckenham Luncheon Club with the volunteers arriving at the village hall to start preparing the food and laying up the tables ready for the members to arrive.
Soon after noon the members were sitting down to their meat pie and four veg main meal followed by bread pudding and custard for afters.
All the volunteers, whether picking up people from home to bring them to the hall, preparing vegetables, laying tables, cooking, clearing tables or washing up, put in an awful amount of work for these fortnightly lunches.
But occasionally their hard work is rewarded. Four representatives - the organiser, the treasurer, a cook and a user - were invited to the Almary Green Awards Presentation Evening held tonight at the Hostry of Norwich Cathedral. A cheque was handed over that will go towards some more kitchen equipment that should make their job a little easier.
Nearly sixty organisation had applied for some funding under this scheme run by Almary Green Investments of Norwich and Old Buckenham Luncheon Club was one of fifteen who were successful in their application. So it turned out to be a long day for some people but hopefully they will think it was worth it.
Today started as a normal one for Old Buckenham Luncheon Club with the volunteers arriving at the village hall to start preparing the food and laying up the tables ready for the members to arrive.
Soon after noon the members were sitting down to their meat pie and four veg main meal followed by bread pudding and custard for afters.
All the volunteers, whether picking up people from home to bring them to the hall, preparing vegetables, laying tables, cooking, clearing tables or washing up, put in an awful amount of work for these fortnightly lunches.
But occasionally their hard work is rewarded. Four representatives - the organiser, the treasurer, a cook and a user - were invited to the Almary Green Awards Presentation Evening held tonight at the Hostry of Norwich Cathedral. A cheque was handed over that will go towards some more kitchen equipment that should make their job a little easier.
Nearly sixty organisation had applied for some funding under this scheme run by Almary Green Investments of Norwich and Old Buckenham Luncheon Club was one of fifteen who were successful in their application. So it turned out to be a long day for some people but hopefully they will think it was worth it.
Monday 1 October 2012
Treasure hunt in Old Buckenham
All around the village Green
Old Buckenham Windmill Committee organised a treasure hunt during the afternoon of Sunday 30 September. It was lighthearted and good fun while raising some funds to help with the maintenance of the Mill at the same time.
There were around 36 adults and many young children searching all around the edge of Old Buckenham Green trying to solve the short clues and so identify various houses or other objects. There were also some anagrams to solve and all the seats on the Green to be counted. After an hour or two the participants got back to the Mill where they could enjoy a hot dog and a drink.
The question setters, Jean and Gerry Norton, marked all the answer sheets and presented some prizes to those with the highest scores. First were John and Barbara Frost who had 42 correct answers closely followed by Ron Brewer with 41.
And look who is visiting the Mill later in the year...
Old Buckenham Windmill Committee organised a treasure hunt during the afternoon of Sunday 30 September. It was lighthearted and good fun while raising some funds to help with the maintenance of the Mill at the same time.
There were around 36 adults and many young children searching all around the edge of Old Buckenham Green trying to solve the short clues and so identify various houses or other objects. There were also some anagrams to solve and all the seats on the Green to be counted. After an hour or two the participants got back to the Mill where they could enjoy a hot dog and a drink.
The question setters, Jean and Gerry Norton, marked all the answer sheets and presented some prizes to those with the highest scores. First were John and Barbara Frost who had 42 correct answers closely followed by Ron Brewer with 41.
And look who is visiting the Mill later in the year...
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