Tuesday 31 December 2019

Ready to walk in Old Buckenham?

Be ready in the morning
Begin the new decade with a village walk starting from the Church Rooms on Wednesday 1 January 2020 after the big photograph at 10.30am. Hot soup and rolls for you when you finish.

Starting off at the beginning of 2019


Monday 30 December 2019

2020 events in Old Buckenham

Diary dates for January

Wednesday 1    Village photograph, Church Rooms, 10am

Wednesday 1    Village New Year Walk, starts at Church Rooms, 10am

Monday 6    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Tuesday 7    Coffee and Chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am onwards

Wednesday 8    Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Wednesday 8    Chapel Friendship Group, Methodist Church, 2.30pm

Thursday 9    Breckland Flower and Garden Club, 2pm

Thursday 9    Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.30pm

Thursday 9    Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 11    Village Meeting, Village Hall, 10am

Sunday 12    Methodist Church, Covenant Service, 10.45am

Thursday 16    Camelot pantomime, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Friday 17    Visits from Mobile Library during morning

Friday 17    Camelot pantomime, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 18    Camelot pantomime, Village Hall, 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Monday 20    Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm

Wednesday 22      Fusion Cafe, Chapel Green School

Wednesday 22      Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

Thursday 23    Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm

Saturday 28 December 2019

First Old Buckenham newsletter of 2020

Latest village news



Many copies are now around the village so you should be able to find out what to do  and where to go in January.

Tuesday 24 December 2019

Weather radar in Old Buckenham

Planning application now submitted


The Met Office have now completed their remaining assessments and surveys relating to the proposed plan to erect a weather radar at Old Buckenham and have submitted a planning application to Breckland District Council. The application reference number is 3PL/2019/1555/F and the submission and documentation can be viewed on the Breckland District Council website. All assessments and surveys are available to the public as part of the planning application documentation.
The concerns and feedback raised at the public consultation meeting, by the Parish Council, Old Buckenham Airfield and people living close to the proposed site were all essential to the framing of the assessments and amending the proposed plan accordingly.
The Met Office say they are confident that the extensive assessment period has been used to fully investigate the potential impacts of these plans on the parish of Old Buckenham and the surrounding parishes of New Buckenham and Carleton Rode and that they have addressed the majority of concerns. These extensive studies have investigated the potential impacts of the plan and will be made available with the planning application.

Friday 20 December 2019

Old Buckenham latest parish council meeting

Plenty to discuss 
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is amended at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 5 December in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were councillors Gemma Frost (chair), Adrian Joel, Mike Farrington and Ben Devlin. Also attending were three members of the public as well as Rachel Noyes (clerk)and Donna Oakley (RFO).
Apologies for absence had been received from Jonn Hicks, Steve Milner, Andy Nicholls and Terry Cook. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7 November were approved (3 in favour, 1 abstain). The only matter arising from the minutes was to point out that work to deal with flooding on Hargham Road was funded for by Stephen Askew from his councillor’s budget.
Declarations of interests. Ben Devlin will abstain from vote on one planning application due to conflict of interest.
Financial matters. The Community account balance now stands at £33,781.18. Income received was £60 from allotment rents and an £800 donation towards the SAM2 sign equipment. Thank you to the parishioner who donated towards the new SAM2 sign. Payments approved totalled £741.95 (4 in favour) and included £117.45 to the community car drivers and £135 for the bin installation in the playground.
Approval was also sought for gifts to the volunteers who worked on the bus shelter and phone box, to increase the clerk’s monthly salary to £200 and to change bank accounts to Lloyds TSB. These items were approved (4 in favour).
Precept. It was agreed to postpone some decisions until the January meeting because of the low numbers of councillors present and the importance of the decisions. Grants that were agreed were £100 for the Monday Mardle, £450 for the Women’s Institute and the village Produce Show, £350 to the Friends of Chapel Green School and £300 to the Luncheon Club. A decision on a request from the Village Hall for £4779 to £8463 for new doors was postponed until the January meeting (4 in favour).
Public participation. New street lights by the crossing are still reflecting off the pond in to nearby properties. The Clerk is to contact councillor Stephen Askew about this.
Planning. (All planning applications are available for viewing on the Breckland District Council planning portal – www.breckland.gov.uk/article/2933/Search-Planning-Applications - Parish Councillors have been asked by the chairman to view the new applications in advance of the meeting).
New planning applications. Downmore Farm, Banham Road. Prior approval for change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling, Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q. (3PN/2019/0055/UC). A proposal to support was approved (4 in favour).
Land South of March Field Way. Residential development of 9 dwellings and associated external works (3PL/2019/1401/F). Second phase of the social housing planned for Old Buckenham. Adrian Joel explained that as Breckland’s Local Plan has just been approved, this would now place this development within the southern boundary of the parish and therefore count towards our quota. Several councillors questioned the need for these houses in Old Buckenham. It was also highlighted that the first phase of the development has created a few problems within the village such as lack of parking for the residents which is creating problems elsewhere, roads which are too small to cope with the levels of traffic and drainage problems. A proposal to object was approved (3 in favour, 1 abstain).
Land to north of Fen Street. Erection of four detached dwellings following outline permission (3PL/2019/1359/D). The Parish Council previously supported the PIP on this land by Stephen Askew. Some houses are now smaller than initially proposed. A proposal to support was approved (3 in favour, 1 abstain).
Land to the north-west of 29 Fen Street. Permission in Principle for the erection of one dwelling (Town and Country Planning) Permission in Principle (Amendment) Order 2019 (3PL/2019/1405/PIP).This application was previously supported by the Parish Council but rejected by Breckland due to lack of passing space. A proposal to support was approved (3 in favour, 1 abstain).
Planning decisions by Breckland Council. Downmoor Farm House, Banham Road. Change of use of outbuilding to office for financial services (A2)(3PL/2019/1020/CU).
Manor Corner, The Green. Two-storey side extension (3PL/2019/1259/HOU).
Old Buckenham Airfield, Abbey Road. Various enhancements and improvements to the Airfield including permanent placement of a decommissioned Rockwell Twin Aero Commander for use as Emergency Response training (no hot fire excercises), placement of up to two static caravans for use by key members of staff during events, creation of a small 'Memorial Park' at the centre of which will be a ground level scale depiction of the wartime airfield and addition of earth bund and fencing (3PL/2019/1231/F).
Land to the west of 22 Fen Street. Permission in principle for the erection of 4 dwellings (Town & Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017 (3PL/2019/1257/PIP).
Land between Willow Cottage and Priest Hill Cottage, Fen Street. Permission in principle for the erection of one detached dwelling (Town & Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017 (3PL/2019/1258/PIP).
All the above applications have now been considered and the applications have been approved by Breckland Council.
Policies review. Removal the requirement for a bank account in the Grants policy as many smaller groups don’t always have one and would be unfair to miss out on funding for this reason was approved (4 in favour). It was also agreed to delay any changes to the Health and Safety Policy until Jonn Hicks was present due to his knowledge of the subject.
Chairman’s report. This was provided in written form and is reproduced at the end of these notes.
Village Green Working Party. Fresh quotes and relevant certificates to carry out work on trees on the Green have been received from three companies. Proposal to give the job to the company giving the cheapest quote was approved (4 in favour).
Play Area. This will need to close until February 2020 for vital repairs and improvements ahead of an annual inspection.
Councillors’ reports. Mike Farrington was pleased to inform the council members that there have been no accidents at Puddledock in the last month.
Items for next agenda. These would include the Precept grants, having a paperless Parish Council and the Action Log.

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 9 January at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall. Please note this is the second Thursday of the month. 

Chairman’s report. Good evening everyone, this year has been a busy year and I think we can all agree the Green is looking good. The area around Ottomer Pond has regrown and the lilies on the pond looked fabulous this summer. The telephone box has been refurbished with new windows installed and has been freshly painted. A big thank you to Colin Brown and Phil Little for all their help and time helping myself do this work. The Parish Council has been working hard to make our little village a beautiful place to live and raise a family and we thank everyone who helps with the various projects that happen throughout the year. We have purchased two more defibrillators and are awaiting installation of the cabinets.
You will all notice that the memorial bench for Alex Byrne has been installed, there are two more to be installed in the new year once families in question have purchased them. The play area is currently undergoing a few upgrades. You will see that the rope bridge on the climber has been replaced, a new concrete footpath has been laid and three new litter bins have been installed. The wood chip around the high climber is being removed and replaced with rubber balls that are safer for your children in case of a fall. The toddler swing seats will be replaced and new bearings for all the swings and roundabout. Also, the grass surface has been worn away under some of the equipment and needs replacing. Therefore it will require the play area to remain closed until the beginning of February. Some will question the need for this. It’s because we are due our yearly RoSPA safety inspection and many of these points were flagged up in last year’s report so we need these jobs done to enable us to get a first class pass certificate.
I have enjoyed being your Chairman this past year and would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
With thanks.
Jonn Hicks

Tuesday 17 December 2019

Celebrations in Old Buckenham


A busy morning
Marilyn and Adrian Joel had their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Friday 6 December and this morning planted an Evergreen Oak on the Green in celebration. Thank you to the photographer who recorded the scene.
The blog editor could not be there for this event as he was busy, along with Mr Cool, presenting certificates of achievement to pupils at Chapel Green School during their morning assembly. 



Sunday 15 December 2019

Switch-on in Old Buckenham

Tree is all lit up
The ceremonial switching on of the lights on the Christmas tree alongside Ottomer pond on the village Green took place at 4pm today.





Grant for Old Buckenham church

Christmas funding boost


All Saints church in Old Buckenham is to receive a £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grantshare from a £523,000 funding payout from the National Churches Trust. This grant will help fund roof repairs at the Grade I listed All Saints church to make the church watertight andto preserve its historic fabric. The church is currently on the Historic England ‘At Risk Register’.
At the moment the main roof of the church is covered with scaffolding and a protective covering while re-thatching the building with local Norfolk reed is taking place.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, has said that the UK's historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage. To survive, many need to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities but the cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves. This work on the roof repairs will help secure the future of this historic building for future generations and help to remove it from the Historic England ‘At Risk Register’.

Thursday 12 December 2019

Recycling in Old Buckenham

The bins are back
There is now a full set of recycling bins in the village hall car park. Bring along your newspaper and magazines, your clothing and textiles, your glass bottles and jars. Money raised through this recycling helps to support your village hall.



Tuesday 10 December 2019

More from Old Buckenham Women's Institute

A busy year
The latest meeting of Old Buckenham WI was their annual meeting with reports on various aspects of the past year.
Secretary Betty Stacey reviewed the interesting speakers enjoyed during the year and the special events attended by members during this centenary year of the Norfolk Federation of WIs. The final event was be a Service of Thanksgiving in King's Lynn to be attended by some Old Buckenham members.
President Kate Lloyd reflected on the sadness this year brought with the death of some members and of some members' relatives. She looked forward to a fulfilling year in 2020. The committee was re-elected en bloc with one member having stood down and Kate was re-elected President. Mary Nicholls thanked Kate and the committee for their hard work during the year.
Alison Frank told members about her recent course at WI's Denman College learning about Kew Gardens including a visit there where she even managed the tree top walk. Susan Hunter reported on three quizzes entered by Old Buckenham WI in October and November. The team won the Village quiz, they came close in the next one but were let down by not knowing enough manufacturers of the 60 models of cars listed! Back in form they won the county WI Adviser's Quiz and were especially pleased to be the first winners of the Advisers' Centenary Rose Bowl.
Rosemary Pratt gave members details of the visit to Norfolk Cathedral's Broderers' Guild workshop where among other wonderful examples of needlework, they were working on altering the Birkbeck Cope to fit the new Bishop. They were also able to view the 'house' made of hand-knitted scarves, each one representing a homeless person. This had been put up by St Martins Trust in the Cathedral and to which some of our members had contributed.
Doris Monkhouse reviewed an evening visit by several members to Hotter's Shoe Shop in Norwich. Plied with drinks and nice refreshments, a short history of Hotter and a fashion show by staff, members were then let loose to browse and select shoes, etc. Most bought more than one item at a special reduction for the evening. Susan even found a pair of shoes which exactly matched her dress.
The next meeting of Old Buckenham is on Thursday 23 January starting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall when the speaker will be Gavin Binkerton-Jones talking about 'Norfolk wildlife through the lens'.

Thursday 5 December 2019

Undercover work in Old Buckenham

All Saints church roof
With all the old thatch removed, the builders are now checking over the state of the roof timbers so that work can start on putting on the new reed thatching.
Pictures kindly taken by Bill Rout