April 2022 issue now available
Five thousand words and details of lots of local firms and services are there for you to read through. A printed copy may already have come through your letter box or will be with you soon.
Read all about lily displays in All Saints Church, the search for a treasurer, arrangements for Jubilee celebrations, the need for bunting and the Parish Council's deliberations on planning applications. And a lot more...
Experiment has started
You may have noticed that a small area of the Green alongside the B1077 had recently been roughly harrowed. This area, about half an acre, has been chosen for an experimental wild flower 'meadow'. On the morning of Friday 25 March this patch was sown with commercially obtained wild flower seed that was 'spun' from the back of a moving truck to give good dispersal across the area. A little more of the harrowing and the use of a roller has hopefully secured the seed in the soil and it is now a case of 'wait and see' what happens over the next few months.
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| Setting up |
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| Filling up |
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| Testing spinner speed |
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| Starting first run |
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| On return journey |
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| All seeds have been spun |
Flying the flags
Many of you will remember the fantastic street party for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and we would like the Platinum Jubilee to be even better! A big part of creating the party atmosphere is getting Old Buckenham to be as brightly decorated as possible. We’re sure that many people will be decorating their homes, but there are many communal areas that will need decorating too. This is where we need your help. We need lots of bunting to hang around the village, especially for the Street Party on Crown Rd (by the War Memorial). Bunting is a great beginners project for sewers and so we have some instructions for anyone wishing to have a go (thanks to Freckles and Co). If you would like to download the full-sized instructions, then they are also available from the Platinum Jubilee folder of the Parish Council website. Hopefully it goes without saying that Red, White and Blue are the colours of choice for the occasion! Any finished bunting can be given to either Terri Hammond or Rachel Noyes (Parish Clerk). Thank you!
What and where are the commemorative trees?
One of the expected activities to celebrate the Queen’s platinum anniversary is the planting of some more trees on the village Green later in 2022 when new trees will have a better chance of surviving. There are several commemorative trees with a royal connection that have been planted over the years and the newsletter editor would like to make a record of them.
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| Ten years ago |
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| Same tree today... |
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| ...and its plaque |
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| Is this one, much pruned? |
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| This is one but when planted? |
Safety concerns
Today, Sunday 20 March, the Old Buckenham Airfield has had a report of a drone operating near Fen Street, halfway between the village and Puddledock. This activity is a criminal offence. The person(s) flying it are in breach of the Air Navigation Order and liable to prosecution. Whilst the fines are of the order of £1,000 and confiscation of the drone where a license is required, within the Flight Restriction Zone around an Aerodrome penalties are higher and can include imprisonment. Whoever is flying this device is endangering an aircraft and therefore lives. We do have means to detect and trace the owners and will deploy them, alerting the Police in the process. Matt Wilkins, Aerodrome Manager, is empowered by the CAA to issue permissions for drone operations on a 'one-off or good ‘til cancelled' basis; please email airfield@oldbuck.com. No permission has, or will be issued in the location where reports have been made this afternoon which is recklessly stupid.
An authorised drone owner in Old Buckenham, Steve Milner, has added the following: I would like to add my voice to the situation. Drone flying must always follow the drone code and the operator must pass the CAA test and display the operator number on the craft. The test is not difficult and is not expensive so there is no excuse for none compliance. Like it or not, flying in the Old Buckenham area is even more restrictive due to the air field activity and quite rightly so. Drones do not carry passengers unlike the flights going to and from the airfield but endangering life by irresponsible drone flying is completely unacceptable. Matt, manager at the Airfield, has been very accommodating so if you want to fly contact the airfield and ask for permission, giving when and where you want to fly and give your operators' number. Even if you have permission you must ALWAYS BRING THE DRONE DOWN IF YOU HEAR AN AIRCRAFT. Flying as described will only have one result and that will be a total ban on flying, spoiling the pleasure of responsible flyers in the Old Buckenham.
Have you met the present Queen?
For the exhibition in the Village Hall during the
Jubilee celebrations at the start of June, the organisers are hoping to collect up
information about villagers who have met Elizabeth II at some time in their
life. You may have seen her when you have been to Sandringham or even attended
a Royal Garden Party or perhaps been a youngster presenting some flowers at an
official visit. If you can provide a few words describing the occasion, ideally along with a photo or a newspaper cutting, the village newsletter editor is happy to collect
them up to make a display at the exhibition and even produce them as a small
booklet if there is enough material.
If you are willing to provide your reminiscences
please contact the newsletter editor on obnewspostbox@aol.com and he will aim to do the rest. Thank you.
Reading the signs
Have you stopped to read these boards outside the Gamekeeper? There has been a reduction in the hours that food is served on Monday to Friday afternoons and a special deal available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
March Parish Council report
The following notes have been written by the
newsletter editor from the draft minutes so may contain information that is
amended at a later date.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 3
March at 7.30pm at Old Buckenham Village Hall. Those present were Councillors Steve
Milner (Chair), Adrian Joel, Naomi Bailey, Doug Irons, Terry Cook and Mike
Farrington. Apologies had been received from Andy Nicholls for not being able
to attend and from Naomi Bailey who would be arriving late. Also in attendance
were Rachel Noyes (Clerk) and three members of the public. The minutes of the February
meeting were approved (3 in favour, 2 abstain).
Financial matters. The Community account balance now stood at £29,877.36 including £40 received for allotment rent. Allotment 8A has been handed back due to being water logged. Payments approved totalled £1,006.94 (5 in favour). These included the installation of the defibrillator, a new dog bin and a training course for a councillor.
Reports from councillors. (Naomi Bailey arrived) Steve Milner said that the footpath on Hargham Road has been completed and will
now provide a safe route for residents to walk in to the village. Should
hopefully set a precedent for future developers to consider and provide
pedestrian access. The Jubilee meeting was well attended by parishioners. More
volunteers are needed to help organise events. Anyone interested please contact
the Parish Clerk. A resident has queried whether Cotman Trust own part of
Prince Harry’s Wood as residents currently pay a small fee to get grass cut. The
Clerk is to raise this query with Breckland Council. Questions were raised
about changing the name of the wood which could be part of the Jubilee
celebrations. A recent inspection of allotments showed that while most were in
good condition, two are quite boggy. So he will consult with landowner about
improving drainage. Also there is the issue of weeds spreading from vacant
plots to maintained ones. Intend to purchase a membrane to cover vacant plots
and prevent weeds from growing.
The Clerk said that an empty house on Post Office
Terrace had been reported. The owner has made contact with the Parish Council
and will have full correspondence soon to discuss any concerns. The Green Lease
Renewal has been signed by Executors, Green Rights Proprietors and the Parish
Council. Need to now amend Use of the Green Policy. The dog bin on Hargham Road
now replaced after previous one was damaged and removed. The Church graveyard is
running out of space. The Clerk is currently conducting research about what
this means for the Parish Council and the rules regarding burial sites. She
will compile information and raise at next month’s meeting.
Minor repair jobs at the Children’s Playground have
been completed (U-bolts on swings, bumper repaired on large swing, bolts
tightened. The ‘Spring chicken’ will be moved away from near the fence. The Roundabout
repair by Playdale had been booked for Monday 14 March.
The Clerk had spoken to Tracey Allan at Good
Neighbours Network in response to request to look at formation of Village
Volunteer Group. It is a lottery-funded scheme that is free to sign up to and
will cover DBS checks, insurance and training for volunteers. If anyone in the
village wishes to run this scheme in Old Buckenham, please contact the Clerk.
A further defibrillator box installed at the Ox and
Plough. Defibrillator will be added to the box and registered for use this
month. Village Hall defibrillator was required, but then not used recently.
While the Hall conduct their own weekly and monthly checks, regular maintenance
checks are also required so a checklist has been set up.
Adrian Joel had recently inspected Prince Harry’s
Wood. It is a surprisingly large area with some fallen trees needing to be
removed. Also require a clear detailed plan of the area including ownership of
ditches, footpath, etc. Could also contact Norfolk Wildlife Trust for some
advice on habitats. Serco currently cut the small grass areas within St Andrews
Close/March Field Way so would need to consider this maintenance as well. Attended
Attcare seminar which was very useful. Copy of slides given at the meeting have
been sent out to Councillors .
Now that Green Lease and Use of Green Policy have been sorted, the rents for the two pubs need to be agreed, including maintenance responsibilities. Steve Milner, Terry Cook and Doug Irons to meet with landlords of both pubs to discuss this. It was confirmed that the Green will be cut in May ready for the Jubilee celebrations.
Terry Cook reminded that the Parish Council only
advise on issues of Rights of Way (RoW). A parishioner has stopped the
application process for a recently closed permissive path. Originally, a deadline
of 2026 meant County Councils have been inundated with applications for RoW.
That has now been rescinded and the Act of 2020 has been amended but poorly
publicised. DEFRA will issue a streamlined package of measures with no cut-off
date. He also said that the treasurer for the Village Hall Management Committee
has resigned. Please contact the Village Hall if you are willing to take up the
role. Thanks to the Clerk for finding information regarding trustees for Village
Hall. Clarified that Parish Council are custodian trustee and Village Hall
committee are Managing trustees, and therefore liable for any issues. Currently
the Village Hall is an Unincorporated company but looking at possibility of becoming
Incorporated which would allow the Village Hall Committee to get its own
insurance, although this could be costly.
Mike Farrington reported that the Almshouses Trust
had a meeting recently in which they said goodbye to the Chair, Canon Steve Wright.
No immediate replacement so they will be rotating the Chair in the mean time.
Also have concerns regarding personal and public liability for members and will
be looking in to options. There is lots of Ash dieback in the Puddledock area
which may require many trees to be removed over the next few years. Some of the
maintenance work on Puddledock corner has been completed by Highways. Residents
felt that all of their suggestions for improvements were dismissed by Highways
and that residents’ safety was not being considered. Another car has gone
through a fence recently.
Naomi Bailey is still awaiting contact from the High
School about getting the school more involved in the community. She had contacted
District and County Councillor Steve Askew regarding Abbey Rd traffic during
school hours as cars are parking closer and closer to junction with Abbey Road,
including the Mobile Library. Many staff from the High School are parking along
the road as there is not enough parking within the school and therefore less
space for parents to park on the road. Steve Askew has raised it with Highways.
Pot holes have been reported to Highways at the
junction by the Garden House, a large bump and pothole on nearby corner and
potholes on Hargham Road. Vans and cars are being parked on the new footpath on
Hargham Road causing a lot of issues for drivers. Steve Milner to raise the issue
with the site manager. Nationally parking laws are currently under consideration
for any vehicle that parks on a pavement. The Parish Council will need to be
aware if any changes are made that will affect parking in the village in the
future.
Public Participation relating to agenda items. In Prince
Harry’s Wood there is still litter that was reported two years ago and it is in
a bit of a mess. It should be in perfect condition before being handed over.
The Parish Council needs a full breakdown of costs involved, including legal
fees.
If parking on pavements rules are changed in the
future (see item above), will residents on Attleborough Road be asked to park
elsewhere?
One resident said it was disappointing to see so
few residents attending the Parish Council meetings. Another resident commented
that the Recreation Ground is getting in a poor state at the moment. Gets quite
boggy and drainage needs to be addressed. As the villagers are unable to use
the two school MUGAs (multi-use games areas) it would be good if the Recreation
Ground was managed better. Feasibility study needed to look at suitable options
for Recreation Ground.
New planning applications. Ash Tree Cottage, The Green. Single Storey Rear Extension and New Carport (3PL/2022/0181/HOU). No objections. Proposal to support approved (5 in favour, 1 abstain).
The Old Crown Gate Bakery, The Green. Change
existing garden room roof from polycarbonate to tapco tiled roof (3PL/2022/0224/HOU
and 3PL/2022/0225/LB). No objections. Proposal to support approved (5 in
favour, 1 abstain)
Planning decisions by Breckland Council. There were
none announced since the last meeting.
Village Jubilee Meeting feedback. Had a successful
village meeting to discuss ideas and plans for Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.
Many thanks to all those who attended and contributed. A rough schedule for the
weekend has been drafted:
Thursday 2 June: Decorating homes and around the
village, beacon lighting at the Airfield.
Friday 3 June: Village Walk, Landrovers at the Ox and Plough.
Saturday 4 June: Picnic at Country Park, Live band
at the Ox and Plough.
Sunday 5 June: Joint Church Service, The Big Lunch
Street Party.
All weekend: Exhibition about the Queen in Village
Hall, activities for children such as treasure trail/scarecrow trail, crown making
and designing commemorative plaques. Purchase a commemorative gift for children
of the village.
Autumn: Planting of trees for Queen’s Green Canopy.
Suggestion of seven different trees, one for each decade.
Need more volunteers to help organise activities and events. Please
contact the Clerk if you are able to help out. A second Village Meeting has
been booked for Saturday 23 April to monitor progress of plans. The Parish
Council have £500 set aside already and there will be grants of £500 available
from Breckland (more information will be available at start of April). Steve Milner
will look at fundraising more money. Rachel Noyes to estimate cost of events.
Shop to phone box track. No apparent easement document for adjoining properties.
Cars have caused damage to the track but it is a well used route for walkers,
including school children. There is a concrete base and services underneath.
Need to arrange a meeting between some Parish Council members and residents to
discuss possible options.
Neighbourhood Plan. Doug Irons had attended a course about Neighbourhood
Plan which was very useful. Still no guarantee whether funding will continue
but will know after end of April. If extended, there are grants for £10,000,
with Breckland paying an extra £5000. There is another £8,000 available but
only if you meet certain criteria. Will have to use that £15,000 in the year,
otherwise will have to pay back any remaining money and reapply. Have been in
contact with Sue Heinrich (Neighbourhood Plan Officer at Breckland Council) and
she has confirmed that there is no formal plan of the area, but will be easy to
arrange. Doug Irons queried why the previous attempt at Neighbourhood Plan stopped,
as he only wants to start the process if it will be seen through to completion.
Previously, the councillor leading the project stepped down and nobody took
over to complete it. No clear idea of costs but has been assured that they are
in line with Grants. If a consultant is used, then would need one suited to our
needs and fill in any gap in skills/knowledge. Will need to keep Sue Heinrich
informed along the way. Looking for seven to ten residents to work on a Neighbourhood
Plan. Going to create a leaflet for distribution to all residents, highlighting
some of the skills and knowledge that would be needed. Clerk and Responsible
Finance Officer (RFO) would potentially need to be involved and would require
extra work for them. Will enquire if would they be able to commit and would
need to budget for their pay.
June Parish Council meeting. Date clashes with Platinum Jubilee
celebrations as beacon will be lit on Airfield that evening. Several councillors
will also be away at the time and a proposal to cancel the June Parish Council
meeting was approved (5 in favour).
Solar Farm Community Grant. Expected to get £3,600 a year for 10 years.
Need to clarify if money comes from the site or the company. Councillors to
consider options previously discussed and will compile proposals for the next
meeting.
Items for next agenda. These will include Solar
Farm Community grant, signatures for cheques and the graveyard.
Date of next Parish Council meeting will be Thursday 7 April and it will be held at Old Buckenham Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.
Will your number appear?
Double doses of Bingo are coming, starting again in the Church Rooms on Saturday 19 March at 2pm sharp with raffle and refreshments. There will be a second Bingo session on Saturday 30 April with the same details. Both in aid of Church funds. Any prizes or help offered please contact Alison 860692 or email andrew.frank@btinternet.com
