Wednesday, 31 October 2018
November events in Old Buckenham
Diary
dates for November
Thursday 1 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday
3 Re-dedication of Memorial
Hall, Village Hall, 2pm
Monday 5 Monday
Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Tuesday 6 Coffee
and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am onwards
Wednesday 7 Pop-Up Library, Village Hall, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Thursday 8 Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm
Thursday 8 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.30pm
Thursday 8 Precept meeting, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday 10 November Market, Church Rooms, 11am to 2pm
Saturday 10 Village Cinema, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Sunday 11 Remembrance
service at All Saints Church, 10am
Sunday 11 Ceremony
at War Memorial on Green, 11am
Sunday 11 Remembrance
service at OB Airfield, 11am
Wednesday 14 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 17 Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm
Monday 19 Monday
Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Wednesday 21 Chapel Friendship Group, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm
Thursday 22 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 23 Visits
from Mobile Library during morning
Wednesday 28 Luncheon Club
outing
Sunday, 28 October 2018
Old Buckenham birthday party
Happy returns to the WI
Last Thursday Old Buckenham Women's Institute celebrated their fifty-first birthday with a party for members, their wives, partners and friends in the Village Hall. The evening started with musical entertainment from mezzo-soprano Susie Turner and pianist Annettee Jude who performed a wide range of songs from the shows.
Then it was time for supper - starting with a very varied buffet which was then followed by the famous collection of sweets prepared by the committee. There was a large raffle to be drawn and then it was time for the birthday cake to be cut with a toast made for many happy birthdays to come in the future.
Last Thursday Old Buckenham Women's Institute celebrated their fifty-first birthday with a party for members, their wives, partners and friends in the Village Hall. The evening started with musical entertainment from mezzo-soprano Susie Turner and pianist Annettee Jude who performed a wide range of songs from the shows.
Then it was time for supper - starting with a very varied buffet which was then followed by the famous collection of sweets prepared by the committee. There was a large raffle to be drawn and then it was time for the birthday cake to be cut with a toast made for many happy birthdays to come in the future.
Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Pop-Up library in Old Buckenham
Did you pop in?
People of all ages did pop in, returned some books, took out some others and suggested what books could be on show next time.
You can pop along to the Memorial Hall at Old Buckenham Village Hall on the next two Wednesdays (31 October and 7 November) and take advantage of this trial facility. Use it and it may become a regular reality.
(You can try the new tables and chairs as well)
People of all ages did pop in, returned some books, took out some others and suggested what books could be on show next time.
You can pop along to the Memorial Hall at Old Buckenham Village Hall on the next two Wednesdays (31 October and 7 November) and take advantage of this trial facility. Use it and it may become a regular reality.
(You can try the new tables and chairs as well)
Friday, 19 October 2018
Tuesday, 16 October 2018
Clerk needed for Old Buckenham
Vacancy to be filled
A
vacancy has arisen for a Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to the Old
Buckenham Parish Council.
The
position is home-based working nine hours per week.
Salary
to be agreed, depending on qualifications and experience, within national
guidelines.
The
main duties include:
To
arrange and attend all Parish Council meetings and the Annual Parish Meeting.
The Parish Council meetings are held normally on the first Thursday in January,
February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November and
December. The Precept meeting is held in November and the Annual Parish Meeting
is held March or April.
Preparation
of agendas and minutes.
Dealing
with all financial matters including the production of financial statements for
audit.
Submitting
an annual VAT return.
Preparing
records for PAYE.
Dealing
with Parish Council insurance policies.
Ensuring
planning applications are dealt with and comments submitted to the Local
Planning Authority by return deadlines.
Attendance
at training events.
Receive/deal
with correspondence and bring to the attention of the Council. Carry out
instructions of the Council.
Applicants
will be expected to have good IT skills, have access to broadband and be able to
maintain a web site.
Relevant
qualifications would be an advantage and/or experience.
Please
contact Jon Hicks by email jonnathanhicks1970@gmail.com or telephone 01953 861414 as soon as possible.
Monday, 15 October 2018
More work around Old Buckenham pond
Tree stumps coming out
For the next couple of days there will be some big machinery working around Ottomer pond. Now that many of the overhanging trees have been removed, work can start on removing the tree stumps as well as clearing out the pond as well.
The blog writer hopes to take more photos of the progress and to post them here.
For the next couple of days there will be some big machinery working around Ottomer pond. Now that many of the overhanging trees have been removed, work can start on removing the tree stumps as well as clearing out the pond as well.
The blog writer hopes to take more photos of the progress and to post them here.
This and next picture taken 24 hours later
Latest Old Buckenham parish council minutes
October 2018 minutes
These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at a later date. The full version of the draft minutes can be seen on the noticeboard outside the village shop.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 4 October in the Village Hall. Those present were Jon Hicks (Vice-chairman who was in the chair), Debbie Callaghan, Gemma Frost, Adrian Joel, Steve Milner and Andy Nichols along with Andy Emms (Parish Clerk) and six members of the public. Apologies for absence were received from Phil Little (Chairman), Paul Philips and Ben Devlin.
Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 4 October in the Village Hall. Those present were Jon Hicks (Vice-chairman who was in the chair), Debbie Callaghan, Gemma Frost, Adrian Joel, Steve Milner and Andy Nichols along with Andy Emms (Parish Clerk) and six members of the public. Apologies for absence were received from Phil Little (Chairman), Paul Philips and Ben Devlin.
The minutes of the meeting held
on Thursday 6 September were approved subject to being amended to refer to
offering Precept Grants in 2019/20, that the planning decision by Breckland
District Council concerning the extension to The Manor House was to refuse and
the reference to 15 hectares of land in the parish being amended to read 15
acres.
Matters arising from these
minutes of the meeting. Adrian Joel said that a parishioner had queried whether
land off Hargham Road that Norfolk County Council intended to sell was in the
parish. He said it was not. He added that since the last
meeting he had been informed that the earlier advice he had received from
Cotman Housing that three of the properties in the March Field Way development
would be available for shared ownership was incorrect. All twelve new properties
would be for rent.
Public participation relating to
agenda items. A parishioner said that the minutes of the last parish council
meeting referred to a meeting to be arranged regarding school parking and
suggested that local residents be invited as well as the parish council,
schools and the village hall committee. Councillors acknowledged that this
would be sensible and would liaise with the parishioner for two local residents
to attend.
A parishioner said that the
Memorial Room in which the meeting was being held had been refurbished. An
official opening would be held on Saturday 3 November at 2pm and it was hoped
representatives of the USAF and family representatives would attend.
A parishioner expressed concern
at large lorries, including Banham Poultry vehicles, using Hargham Road.
A parishioner said that
councillors had been contacted regarding a project for Remembrance Day
involving poppies being made by the scouts to be placed in the grounds of the
war memorial and she hoped this would be an impressive display which
councillors would support.
A parishioner referred to email
exchanges regarding work on the Green in which the chairman had queried why the
parishioner had been included on the distribution list. He said that he
represented the Lord of the Manor who was a member of the Village Green
Management Committee. He queried whether, as per his suggestion at the last
meeting, the head of the new school had been invited onto the road safety
committee. He was informed that no discussions on amending the membership had
been held and no changes made. He also highlighted that the Highways Officer’s
report on the pelican crossing had not yet been published. The parish clerk
said he would obtain a copy and pass it to Steve Milner to publish on the website.
In reply to a question from the parishioner, Steve Milner said that if a new
SAM2 car speed display was obtained this would be portable and could be used in
many locations, including Hargham Road. This equipment could also record data
which could be passed onto the police.
Record of declarations of
interests. Jon Hicks said he had changed his employment and would complete a
new Declarations of Interest form.
Financial matters. The external
auditor had approved the Annual Governance Accountability Review forms for
2017/18.
The bank balances at the end of
September 2018 were £48435.18 in the current account and £2876.06 in the premium
account. Income received included the second precept instalment of £10080.28
from Breckland District Council and £123 second grant instalment, also from
Breckland.
The parish clerk reported that
following the last meeting Ray Bayfield had returned the cheque for £120 for
clearance of Green pond and kindly donated this, together with the additional
£120 approved for work he had arranged to be carried out on Manor and Rod Alley
ponds. Ray Bayfield was thanks for this generous donation of £240.
Planning applications. 6
Oaklands. Convert garage into play room and add utility room (3/PL/2018/010/HOU).
Gemma Frost declared a pecuniary interest in this item and took no part in the
discussion or vote. It was resolved, with 4 voting in favour and 2 abstentions,
to support the application.
Shrublands Farmhouse,
Attleborough Road. Two-storey rear extension and erection of three-bay cart
lodge with room over (3/PL/2018/1072/HOU). It was resolved, with 5 voting in
favour and 1 abstention, to support the application.
Asparagus Field, Cake Street.
Variation of conditions on 3PL/2018/0387/F (3/PL/2018/1014/VAR). It was resolved,
with 5 voting in favour and 1 abstention, to support the application.
Planning decisions by Breckland
District Council. Asparagus Field, Cake Street. Discharge of conditions 3 and 6
on 3PL/2018/0387/F (3/PL/2018//0184/DOC). Discharge complete.
14 Fen Street. Extension to side
and back and erection of garage: revised plan/design 3/PL/2018/0851/HOU).
Approved
Erection of two dwellings,
Attleborough Road. Discharge of conditions 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10 on 3PL/2016/0889/F
(3/PL/2018/0119/DOC). Discharge complete.
Chairman’s report. Jon Hicks said
the parish clerk vacancy had been advertised on the Norfolk Association of
Local Council’s (NALC) website and he would arrange for it to be in the parish
newsletter.
District Councillor’s report. Adrian
Joel said that he had written an article for the October parish newsletter to
advise residents to put their names on the Breckland Council housing register
if they wanted to be eligible for one of the new March Field Way properties. He
said that the village shop was an important village asset and asked the council
to consider if it wanted to be added to the “right to bid” list if the shop became
up for sale in the future. The government scheme offering subsidy for those
that cannot access broadband speeds of at least 2 megabits per second may end
in December so Breckland Council had decided to write to 1800 properties who
may be eligible to apply.
Play Area. Jon Hicks said he had
painted the tractor. Playdale had sent the incorrect rope to replace the
damaged rope reported at the last meeting and he was waiting for the correct
one to arrive. Playdale had indicated that the equipment was still safe to use.
Councillors’ reports. Andy
Nichols reported that, together with Gemma Frost, he had attended the second
planning course run by the Local Council’s public Advisory Service (LCPAS). As
well as useful planning advice, important information was given on availability
of funding which meant that lack of funding need not be a barrier to the
council considering bold schemes in the future. In reply to a question
regarding the availability of the Chapel Green School’s multi use games area
for public use, Jon Hicks said that he would speak to the head of the school.
It was suggested that he invite her to the next meeting.
In reply to a question from Debbie
Callaghan regarding speeding traffic, Steve Milner said that a proposal would
be prepared to bid for funds to provide a new portable SAM2 car speed display
which would enable data logging that could provide valuable information to the
police. This needed to be on the agenda for the next meeting to consider making
a Parish Partnership Bid and to include half of the cost in the 2019/20 budget.
Adrian Joel said that Banham Parish Council had obtained similar equipment and
might be able to help with information for the bid.
Gemma Frost said that she had
made progress on preparing a welcome pack for new residents with the help of a
very able and enthusiastic high school student volunteer. She also had some
ideas on how the Green could be utilised more for the benefit of the village
and would bring these to the council for consideration in due course.
Adrian Joel said that the new
councillors’ names and contact details needed to be included in the next parish
newsletter.
Village Green Management
Committee. Sarah Dye referred to the September report of the Village Green Management
Committee (VGMC) which had been published with the agenda for this meeting and
said that an additional quote of £560 had been received for the work on the
“high risk” trees. The Norfolk Wildlife Trust had inspected the Ottomer Pond
for newts and none were present. Its formal report would be received soon but
this meant that no licence was required to carry out further work. However,
timing was important and the brash needed to be removed as soon as possible. Andy
Nichols said he had obtained a quote to remove the brash at the same time as re-grading
was carried out on the bunds opposite the shop and opposite Diary Farm. The
opportunity cost of doing both tasks together whilst equipment was available
would be £750.
The VGMC had circulated emails
asking the parish council to accept an offer to remove the remaining stumps
from around Ottomer pond, grade the edges and dig out the pond for a cost of
£900. It was suggested that this was a very generous quote for using heavy
equipment at a considerably discounted rate. The VCMC had been asked to obtain
other quotes for comparison and one more had been obtained for £1598. The VGMC
chairman had also highlighted that quotes for similar work on the much smaller
Green pond undertaken earlier had been £1830, £1935 and £1955 which showed how
generous the £900 quote was. Steve Milner commented on how difficult if was to
ensure value for money if requests for funding did not have sufficient
information. Others commented on the need to take advantage of offers of help
when timescales were short. Sarah Dye said that a generous offer of £1000 had
been received from a parishioner to sponsor the development of a long-term
strategy for the Green. Landscape Partnership was a consultancy with a proven
track record and the total cost of engaging it to create a vision for the green
with a workable strategy with reasonable costed projects, would be £1800. She
hoped the parish council would recognise this as worthwhile and consider
funding the remaining £800.
It was agreed, unanimously, to
accept the quote of £480 for the work required on the “high risk” trees, to
accept the quote of £750 to remove the brash from Ottomer Pond and to regrade
the bunds opposite the shop and Diary Farm, to accept the quote of £900 for the
removal of stumps around Ottomer pond as well as grading of edges and digging
out the pond. The Council would write to Mervyn Lambert thanking him for the
generous quote. It was also agreed to invite Landscape Partnership to attend
the next meeting and then to consider whether to support the commissioning of a
report on a future strategy for the Green.
Attleborough Strategic Urban
Development (ASUE). Adrian Joel said that he and the chairman had met with
Simon Wood, the Regional Planning and Building Control Officer of Urban Vision
Partnership Ltd to express the parish’s concern that 15 acres of parish land
was being used for the ASUE. He said that the land would not be used for
residential in the future as it was required for the recreation element and an
attenuation pond for the ASUE. Adrian Joel said that although the land would be
developed to support the ASUE it would still be within the boundary of Old
Buckenham as the ASUE could not change that. No satisfactory answer was given
to the question of who would be responsible for maintaining the area. It was
pointed out to Mr Wood that the parish land was being used for the benefit of
Attleborough residents but he said that it would also be available for use by
village residents.
Adrian Joel said that he
intended to ‘stand down’ as member of the Breckland Council Planning Committee
when the ASUE application was considered so that he could speak and vote
against this element of it. Andy Nichols reiterated his view
expressed at the last meeting that the designation of this land in the Local
Plan was crucial as if it was identified for development then opposing ASUE
would be a waste of time but if not then there was a strong case against
including it in the ASUE. Jon Hicks said that he would visit Breckland DC
offices to clarify this. It was agreed to wait for the outcome of the
chairman’s discussions with the CEO of LCPAS and clarification of the Local
Plan designation before deciding what representations to make when the ASUE
planning application is considered by Breckland Council.
Consideration of a Neighbourhood
Plan. When considering the ASUE at the last meeting it was highlighted that if
the council had produced a Neighbourhood Plan this would give it a big
advantage in opposing the ASUE use of parish land. Adrian Joel said that the
council had undertaken some work on the development of a neighbourhood plan in
the past, including undertaking a survey. This work stopped when the councillor
with planning expertise had been unable to carry on taking a lead. He said that
a considerable amount of work was involved and a lead councillor and a team of
other councillors and residents would be required. New Buckenham started the
process 18 months ago and still had not completed it. However, if the council
wanted to move forward, Breckland Council had an officer who could offer
support and match funding was available. Debbie Callaghan offered to lead on
this and Adrian Joel, Steve Milner and Andy Nichols offered their support and
it was resolved, in principle, to support the development of a Neighbourhood
Plan.
Allotment rents. It was agreed to
keep allotment rents for 2018/19 at the current levels of £40 a year for a full
plot for parishioners and £50 a year for a full plot for others. Half plots
would be charged at £20 and £25 respectively.
Communications/social media. Paul
Philips had circulated a discussion paper to councillors via email which had
been well received. As Paul Philips had been unable to attend the meeting it
was decided to defer consideration of this matter to the next meeting.
Defibrillator. The chairman had
taken a lead on this and as he had been unable to attend the meeting it was also
decided to defer consideration of this matter to the next meeting.
Agenda items for the next meeting.
Items identified included the Village Shop and the “Right to bid” list, an invitation
to the Head of Chapel Green School to attend, an invitation to Landscape
Partnership consultancy to attend, a Parish Partnership Bid for SAM2 car speed
display, ASUE, communications/use of social media and the defibrillator.
Sunday, 14 October 2018
Old Buckenham on Norfolk stage
Behind the scenes at the Theatre Royal
In a recent trip organised by Old Buckenham Women's Institute, there was the opportunity to stand on the stage of the Theatre Royal in Norwich and to explore backstage. The guide also explained how the theatre was financed, how the productions were chosen and what an expensive place it was to run.
The tour was followed by an attractive buffet lunch in the theatre's Kemp's Restaurant.
A most informative and enjoyable visit.
In a recent trip organised by Old Buckenham Women's Institute, there was the opportunity to stand on the stage of the Theatre Royal in Norwich and to explore backstage. The guide also explained how the theatre was financed, how the productions were chosen and what an expensive place it was to run.
The tour was followed by an attractive buffet lunch in the theatre's Kemp's Restaurant.
A most informative and enjoyable visit.
Friday, 12 October 2018
Village Quiz in Old Buckenham
Is fish good for the brain?
On Saturday 6 October there were fourteen teams in the Village Hall, all trying their hardest to answer a very wide range of questions in the annual Village Quiz.
The highlight for many was the fish and chip supper, cooked in the Paul's Plaice van right outside the hall entrance door.
The quizmaster and scorer could occasionally relax while the contestants were thinking.
The eventual winners were delighted to hold the cup up high and the runners-up looked pleased with themselves too.
The top six teams were:
Linda's lot 65.5 points
Women's Institute 66
International Rescue 66.5
PCC 67.5
The Cricketers 70 and
Adrian's Lot 73
On Saturday 6 October there were fourteen teams in the Village Hall, all trying their hardest to answer a very wide range of questions in the annual Village Quiz.
The highlight for many was the fish and chip supper, cooked in the Paul's Plaice van right outside the hall entrance door.
The quizmaster and scorer could occasionally relax while the contestants were thinking.
The eventual winners were delighted to hold the cup up high and the runners-up looked pleased with themselves too.
The top six teams were:
Linda's lot 65.5 points
Women's Institute 66
International Rescue 66.5
PCC 67.5
The Cricketers 70 and
Adrian's Lot 73
Old Buckenham pond clearing
Opening up even further
On Wednesday 10 October, UK Power Networks paid what is probably their last visit to clear the trees that are near the power cables that pass over Ottomer pond. The area is now much more open and the Green Management Committee have plans to make the area more attractive for villagers to walk around the pond.
The spare timber has been available for villagers to remove as long as they could carry it away without having to cut or saw it into smaller pieces.
On Wednesday 10 October, UK Power Networks paid what is probably their last visit to clear the trees that are near the power cables that pass over Ottomer pond. The area is now much more open and the Green Management Committee have plans to make the area more attractive for villagers to walk around the pond.
The spare timber has been available for villagers to remove as long as they could carry it away without having to cut or saw it into smaller pieces.
Thursday, 4 October 2018
Monday, 1 October 2018
What's on in Old Buckenham in October
Diary
dates for October
Monday 1 Monday
Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Tuesday 2 Coffee
and chat, Church Rooms, 10.30am onwards
Wednesday 3 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Thursday 4 Parish Council, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Saturday 6 Village Quiz with fish and chips, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Thursday 11 Breckland Flower Club, Village Hall, 2pm
Thursday 11 Social and Wine Circle, Church Rooms, 7.30pm
Saturday 13 Bingo, Church Rooms, 2pm
Monday 15 Monday
Mardle, Church Rooms, 2.15pm to 4.15pm
Wednesday 17 Songs of Praise, Methodist Chapel, 7.30pm
Wednesday 17 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Saturday 20 Bingo and auction, Methodist Chapel, 2pm
Saturday 20 Village Cinema, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Wednesday 24 Pop-Up Library, Village Hall, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday 24 Chapel Friendship Group, Methodist Chapel, 2.30pm
Thursday 25 Women's Institute, Village Hall, 7.30pm
Friday 26 Visits
from Mobile Library during morning
Wednesday 31 Luncheon Club, Village Hall, 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 31 Pop-Up Library, Village Hall, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday 31 Pop-Up Library, Village Hall, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)