Another newsletter to read

Get your copy

The November issue is out and about now. You should be able to pick up a copy from the village shop, the two village pubs, All Saints Church and the Clinic on the Green.

And two of these locations can be seen in the photo on the front cover...

Preparing the ground

Digging for victory?

It has been a case of clearing the surface of the play area so that it can be prepared ready for grass seed to be sown this autumn. Volunteers have been hard at work these last few days.

Now in the store cupboard

Primary School Harvest Festival
The members of Old Buckenham Luncheon Club would like to say a sincere thank you to the pupils, parents and staff of the Primary School for their generous contribution of the items received at the school's recent Harvest Festival service. This gesture is very much appreciated by the members and the goods have been put in the Club's store cupboard for use in the coming months.

Looking at our past

About the archive evening
On Saturday 13 March 2010 a speaker from the East Anglian Film Archive has been booked for an event at the Village Hall. It is proposed to combine this with exhibitions in the Memorial Room at the Hall of photos and memorabilia of Old Buckenham and the surrounding area. If you or your village organisation would like to exhibit photos or papers then please contact Alison on 860692.
The proceeds from the evening will be divided between All Saints Church and the Village Hall.

And the results were...

Quiz comes alive again
There was plenty of friendly rivalry at the Village Hall on Friday 16 October when the village quiz was well supported with thirteen teams taking part. The Wobblers had won the right to provide the questions and the organisation on the night by being the winners of the last quiz.
There were eight rounds, each of ten questions, on a variety of subjects ranging from sport, the arts and, of course, pot luck. At half time the team from the village Social and Wine Circle (appropriately known as the “Winos”) had a narrow lead but had used their joker in the first round. The interval was spent working out cryptic clues to the names of various birds and then it was back to the quiz proper for four more rounds.
While the prizes were distributed from a rather large raffle, the organisers were working out the final scores. In the bird quiz the Winos were third, Maggie’s Mob were second and the team from All Saints Church won the small prizes awarded for this part of the evening’s entertainment.
The results were very close in the main quiz when the results were announced. A team with the name “Bowled Over” collected the booby prize but at the top only two points separated the top four teams. The Winos and the Harling Bucks had 62 points, POPPs were second with 63 points and the Women’s Institute team (Doris Monkhouse, Barbara Stone, Barbara Frost and Mary Nicholls) won with 64 points. This was an 'under-strength' WI team who managed to disobey their president’s instructions by winning the cup and also the privilege of running the next quiz in 2010.
There were a satisfying number of teams taking part (nearly twice as many as at the last village quiz) which made this a very pleasant evening and which hopefully also raised some useful funds for the Village Hall.

Conservation in the churchyard

Churchyard clearing and tidying
In 2008, Norfolk Wildlife Trust launched a scheme in partnership with the Norfolk Probation Service to provide free, practical help in churchyards. The aim of this scheme is to encourage churches to maintain and develop areas which are actively managed for conservation, and help to benefit wildlife.
Following a successful application, the Probation Service sent a number of workers who spent three weekends working in Old Buckenham churchyard. The work included clearing neglected areas, scrub and hedge cutting and removal of ivy from some of the tombs.
It is hoped that this work will now make access more approachable and easier for the many visitors to the church in tracing past relatives.

Visiting gardens

Breckland Flower and Garden Club

John and Ann Bridge brought their colourful slides to the October meeting of the Breckland Flower and Garden Club in Old Buckenham Village Hall. These had been taken at some of the many gardens they have visited, showing plants in bloom throughout the year. Ann also gave helpful flower arranging tips for competition work.
The October competition results were: New hands Janet Skidmore and Margaret Smith were placed equal first and Pat Barton won the Old Hands class and was also awarded the Barbara Fisher Trophy for the best modern exhibit.
The next meeting will be held at Old Buckenham Village Hall on Thursday 12 November starting at 2pm when Alan Smith will be getting members into the Christmas spirit with his demonstration 'Christmas Crackers'.
The competition is for a table ring using fresh flowers and foliage - additional decorations are optional.

Claimed by the sea

Our lost coastline
An insight into the erosion of the Norfolk coastline was given to the audience at the Old Buckenham Social and Wine Circle meeting in October. The speaker, Chris Weston, had entitled his talk “Claimed by the sea” and he started by pointing out that over the last 700 years some two miles of land has been lost all around the Norfolk coast. During certain tidal conditions it is still possible to see tree stumps and the remains of buildings that were once situated on the Norfolk mainland.
He took his audience around the coast from Hopton northwards to Blakeney pointing out where whole villages had disappeared into the sea. In particular he used slides to show the continuing situation at Happisburgh [see photo] where various houses had ended up falling on to the beach as the cliffs crumbled away. He also pointed out that there was no compensation if your property was lost to the sea and that you may even end up having to pay the local council to have the wreckage cleared up.
The subject and speaker for the next meeting on Thursday 12 November have changed. John Lee will be coming to talk about Marilyn Monroe, a subject that may persuade a few more villagers to come along and perhaps even get to the Church Rooms by 7.15pm to participate in the short AGM that will precede the talk.

Playground progress

Things are happening at the playground site.

An evening with...

A night of music and theatre

Old Buckenham Players produced a satisfying evening’s entertainment in September by performing two short one-act plays with a portion of music in between. It was all relatively light-hearted and seemed enjoyed by all – the actors, the technicians, front of house staff and, of course, the audience.
When Alan Ayckbourn writes about a council official visiting an illusionist’s house to find out why the council tax has not been paid, the play is sure to be full of black humour and have an ‘unexpected’ ending. ‘A Cut in the Rates’ was twenty-five enjoyable minutes of typical Ayckbourn twists and turns
The audience was then treated to two short sessions from “The Old Tossers” with the raffle sandwiched inbetween. The music, which ranged from the Scaffold to Neil Innes and on to Chas and Dave, was interspersed with what was called “hilarious piffle” by the three performers.
There was a longer play to finish off the evening. ‘The Virtuous Burglar’ by Dario Fo showed what can happen when a wife insists on ringing her husband when he is at work. As his work involved stealing from other peoples houses, the phone calls caused chaos when the house owner arrived home with his lover, other people arrive and everyone tries to lie their way out of the misunderstandings.
The Players will now be looking forward to doing something much more serious, their infamous pantomime is set to take place on Thursday 21, Friday 22 and Saturday23 January 2010.

More winners

Crib and numbers

The October Crib Drive in Old Buckenham village hall saw only three tables because several people were away on holiday. Nevertheless a great evening of intense friendly rivalry resulted in Harold Yates, Mary Parker and Jill Emms being the winners.
The numbers club draw for October also took place during the evening at the drive and the winners were Olive Fuller, Muriel Large, Barbara Gilmour, Monty Evison and P Large who all won £5 each while the £10 winners were the Carpet Bowls Club and Eddie McAnulty.

The things to do this month

Diary dates for October

Thursday 1 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 2 Flu day at Attleborough Surgeries
Friday 2 Crib Drive, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday 3 Roadside textile collection from 9am
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 and Garden Club, Village Hall, 2pm
Thursday 8 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.45pm
Friday 9 Netgamers, Village Hall, 7pm to 9pm
Saturday 10 Bingo, Church Rooms, 2.30pm
Monday 12 Whist drive, Church Rooms, 2pm
Wednesday 14 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 14 Request Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm
Friday 16 Village Quiz, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Sunday 18 Wargames club, Village Hall, 2.30pm to 6pm
Monday 19 Monday Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Thursday 22 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 23 Mobile Police Station outside village shop, 9am to 10.30am
Wednesday 28 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm

What's under the covers?

You can pick up the October issue of the newsletter now...

What the parish council has been talking about

September Parish Council report

These notes of the parish council meetings are prepared by the editor of the newsletter from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is corrected later at the next month's meeting.
There was no meeting in August so this report is rather longer than normal.
If you wish to read the full, unedited minutes, then they are posted on the notice board outside the village shop prior to the next parish council meeting.

Norman Cawston chaired the meeting and there were three members of the public present.
Matters arising from the minutes. Adrian Joel raised the matter of benches on the Green and asked if things had moved forward on a decision on the types to be used. He was informed the matter would be raised later during meeting. He also raised the question of the co- opting of a new parish councillor to fill the current vacancy. He was informed all procedures had been carried out but no person had come forward to offer themselves as a parish councillor. He also asked if our county councillor had been invited to this meeting. He suggested a copy of agenda be sent to him each month, the parish clerk is to arrange.
The Green. The meeting was informed that no decision had been taken on the type of benches to be installed and where they will be sited. After discussion it was proposed by Norman Cawston that a bench with no arms and no back be used. This was agreed with 8 for and 1 abstention. Tim Ing is to arrange to obtain a quote.
Planning applications. Alteration to caretaker’s works area, Old Buckenham High School. No objections from parish council, agreed unanimously.
Erection of single storey, single stable and tack room for Primrose Farm, Fen Road. No objections from parish council, agreed unanimously.
Proposed double bay of cricket nets, Old Buckenham Cricket Club. No objections from parish council, agreed unanimously.
Demolition of single storey extension and erection of two- storey extension, Fig Tree Cottage, Stacksford. No objections from parish council, agreed unanimously.
Demolition of existing garage, proposed rear extension, replacement of front porch and conversion of outbuilding to garden store, 13 Oaklands. No objections from parish council, agreed unanimously.
Planning decisions. Adrian Joel said he had been asked about the mobile home at Willow Farm which was being used as a home. He had spoken to Breckland’s Enforcement Officer on the matter and they had visited and found no one there. Carol Marshall raised the matter of the fence at the property and was informed the fence had been moved back two metres. Adrian Joel is to raise the matter again with the Breckland Enforcement Officer. Approval of accounts. An invoice from Norfolk County Council would not be paid until was clarified what the payment was for. The Parish Clerk will enquire.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian Joel had attended a meeting on the recent Air Show which had raised £4,500. The Bank Holiday Balloon Festival, which included twelve hot air balloons, is expected to be repeated next year. He informed the meeting that the Parachute Club was leaving the airfield at the end of the year to move to Beccles. Between February and July there were five complaints regarding the airfield which is way down on previous complaint levels. Breckland Council is trying to encourage grants to village self help projects. He asked for suggestions that councillors may have for improving the village. Breckland are also launching Cinema Paradise which will tour selected villages to show the latest films. Ten villages will be selected. Breckland is looking to go greener and quieter on recycling. Trials are underway on new collection bins. Stephen Thorley asked if any studies had been done on the impact on the local economy if the Parachute Club left the airfield. He thought the figure could be as high as £20,000 per year. Trevor Crook said discussions are still taking place between the club and the airfield.
Councillors’ reports. Carol Marshall asked what the situation was with the Trell account. The chairman said the Parish Council had paid all monies that it owed, any balance outstanding is understood to be due for payment by the Lord of The Manor. Gerald Norton asked if the entire grant had been spent, he was informed that it had been. Tim Ing gave a breakdown of the costs and also confirmed that the Parish Council was not liable for any additional costs. He asked for the matter be put on next month’s agenda following the meeting with the contractor. Adrian Joel said a resident had stated that the grass along the pathway needs cutting and asked if extra litter bins could be sited on the Green. Adrian Joel said he had sent an email on the grass cutting and he would resend a copy to Norman Cawston.
Liz Taylor said fencing had been erected on three sides of the recreation area and the cost of erecting a fourth side would be £696 (inclusive of vat). Liz Taylor also queried if the insurance covered the recreation area, the Parish Clerk will check. She also asked if the Parish Clerk could write to the study group volunteers thanking them for their interest and saying that the Parish Council would be contacting them very soon. An item will be put in the village newsletter giving details of the feedback received. Liz Taylor also asked that the sum of £290.64 which was raised specifically for the recreational area should be transferred from general reserves to Recreation Reserve account. Liz Taylor told the meeting that she had to resign from the Parish Council’s planning working party as she could not devote the time necessary.
Gerald Norton said that at a meeting in September the Village Hall Management Committee said it had problems with people leaving the hall in an unsatisfactory state. Now a check list was in place and the last person out on every let had to sign the list to say they had checked everything.
Tim Ing raised the matter of the cost of hiring the village hall and that the Church Rooms were less. Councillors agreed that they should continue to use the village hall and support them. Mike Romain-Craven is now the Community Car Scheme coordinator. Kerry Talbot said £10,141 had been raised for play area which would now be closed till spring of 2010. They are still awaiting funding decisions for phase 2 but the Parish Council agreed that phase 1 work could commence now. Tim Ing informed the meeting that he and Chairman were attending the Pride of Norfolk awards ceremony at County Hall on Thursday 10 September as Old Buckenham had come second in the competition. He also enquired if an official opening ceremony could be arranged for the footpath beside the B1077. Norman Cawston said he would invite Mike Read to do the opening. Tim Ing asked about the Community Speedwatch programme. The parish clerk gave an update on the situation and Gerald Norton suggested inviting Norfolk Constabulary to a meeting, the parish clerk to arrange. Norman Cawston said that Robert and Denise Ziman had left the village and that a small reception had been held for them to thank them for their hard work, especially in connection with the Community Car Scheme.
Clerk’s Report. The clerk informed the meeting that the Parish Council had to adopt by law the Freedom of Information Act Model Publication Scheme at the next meeting. He would draw up a scheme for Old Buckenham Parish Council. He also said that very soon councillors would have to draw up a Health & Safety Policy plus carry out a Governance and Accountability Revue of its financial aspects and audit procedures. He said that a precept meeting would have to be arranged (later fixed for Wednesday 14 October) to set the budget and precept for year 2010/11. He then went on to give details of a new councillors' circulation folder scheme he would introduce with immediate effect.
Highways. There is a water leak in Crown Road from a leaking valve - the parish clerk to contact Anglia Water on the matter. A road sign was down at the junction of Crown Road and the B1077, the sign is in the roadside grass. Also there are pot holes in the road down to the Ox & Plough on the east side of the Green. Parish clerk to contact Highways.
Financial Accounts. The parish clerk said there were some errors in balances brought forward and some discrepancies in reconciliation in the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2009. He suggested sending the accounts to an outside firm of accountants to have them checked. This was agreed unanimously and the parish clerk will arrange.

The next meeting parish council meeting will be on Thursday 1 October at 7.30pm in Old Buckenham Village Hall.

Discovering a garden

Women's Institute
Old Buckenham WI took a step back in time at their September meeting, when Sheila Adams came to give a talk entitled ‘The Plantation Garden’. This could have been called ‘The Secret Garden of Norwich’, as so few of our members had visited it. The Garden is a restored Victorian Garden which Sheila likened to the Lost Gardens of Heligon. Although not on the same scale as that found in Cornwall, the Norwich garden had its conception and development at the same time, during the middle of the nineteenth century.
We have Henry Trevor to thank for the Garden. Henry worked for a prominent Baptist and furniture retailer in Norwich. He married the boss’s daughter, a widow called Mary Page. They begin married life living over the shop in Exchange Street but as they prospered Henry bought some land in the suburbs of Earlham Road. Here he built a family house, which displayed his modest middle class status. Not long after Henry decided to turn the adjoining land, up till then a quarry for the brick making business, into a garden. With a hired gardener, Henry developed is ideas and created a garden on the outskirts of Norwich. In its heyday it had formal flower-beds, an impressive fountain and a splendid palm house. A bridge was built in the rustic style and viewpoints installed. The garden provided a quiet retreat for a busy businessman and his family. Henry died in 1897 and his wife just five years later.

During most of the twentieth century the house was used for various functions including a small maternity hospital. The garden fell into complete disrepair through total neglect. In 1980 a group of enthusiasts formed the Plantation Garden Preservation Society. The Society took the dismal garden under their guardianship and started to fund raise to restore the Plantation Garden to its former glory.
Sheila showed slides of the Garden totally overgrown and wild, then the restored Garden today. Only the Palm House has not been replaced as this was deemed too costly to maintain. The Garden is open daily to the public and is manned by volunteers on a Sunday. A donation of £2 is asked of those who visit to help with the upkeep of this treasure in the heart of Norwich.

So, if you have time on your hands and wish to spend it quietly revelling in a restored Victorian garden, find the entrance on Earlham Road close to the Roman Catholic Cathedral and just enjoy.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 22 October at 7.30pm in the village hall when Barbara Miller’s talk is entitled ‘Step by step’ and will be a history of the Norwich shoe trade. For the monthly competition members can bring along a pair of shoes with sentimental value to them and indicate the reason for this.

Busy, busy, busy

Looking for bargains at the garage sales

The weather was beautiful and there were were lots of visitors carrying stuff away.

Thousands of bargains

Thirty individual garage sales in one small village...

There must be something you need so come along to Old Buckenham on Sunday and have a good look around.

Half hour landscape

Painting in the Church Rooms
There was an excellent turnout at the September meeting of Old Buckenham Social and Wine Club for a presentation by Dr Robin MacDonald, the Chairman of the Suffolk Art Group. In a witty and informative manner Robin demonstrated that by mixing a few basic colours from his palette box he was able to produce a creditable landscape painting in about 30 minutes whilst explaining the basic perspective rules in an understandable way.
Robin’s painting teacher also taught Prince Charles and therefore their styles are very similar. Robin’s paintings are now much sought after, he teaches art to various groups and is currently producing painting DVDs.
Until his retirement he was a partner in a large Essex medical centre and was the medical adviser to the Trisha Show on Anglia Television.
On Thursday 8 October, Chris Weston will be explaining about the changing shape of the Norfolk coastline in his talk entitled “Claimed by the sea”. All are welcome at the Church Rooms for the meeting which starts at 7.45pm.

All sparkles and bangs

Fireworks

The 1st Old Buckenham Scout Group will be holding their fireworks display on Saturday 31 October at the site in Doe Lane - see the posters and notices around the village for further details or check out www.banhamandthebucks.co.uk

(If 31st October is 'rained off', the event will be held the following weekend on Saturday 7 November)

Recreational requests

Survey results

In the recent survey, all the households in the village were asked about what facilities people would like for the new recreation area This is what they said.

[Just click on the diagrams to see them at a larger scale]