Village News

Diamond Jubilee Coronation Exhibition

On the weekend of 26th/27th May 2012 we will be holding an exhibition of Coronation Memorabilia in Baconsthorpe Church.

If you have anything from this event 60 years ago which you would be prepared to lend for exhibition we would be most grateful.

Please contact the PCC Secretary, Corinne Youngs on 01263 577263.

Hempstead 200 Club

£25 Betty Hart;

£10 B Nutley;

£5 David Durst, Linda West and Imran Tyabji

Hempstead Celebration Trees

There are at present, five trees in the village which have been planted at a significant time, starting with the oldest, that is the Church Tree, a sycamore, in front of the Church gate. About this I know nothing apart from the fact that it has been there all my life! Does anyone know I wonder? Then there is the Pink Chestnut outside the Village Hall which was planted to commemorate the Coronation of our Queen in 1953. The Acer on the little parking space was planted in 1974 to commemorate my Mother's life. She was incredibly keen on trees and had Tree Preservation Orders put on all the trees she could!

The Acer on Court Green was planted by Molly Mack in 1977 on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of our Queen. That tree was given to the village by Mr and Mrs Malcolm Power. The youngest tree, a Walnut, was given and planted by William Mack on the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Baconsthorpe Congratulations

Donna-Louise is a former editor of our Village Newsletter and has since progressed to greater things, now working as a journalist with Archant (North Norfolk News & Eastern Daily Press), based at the Cromer office.

We wish them every happiness as they begin this new chapter of their lives.

Hempstead - Reprieve for Pond Hills?

The story so far: Having started-off with over 100 sites put-forward for mineral extraction, the final list has been reduced to about 26 considered by the planners to be suitable in principle and allocated as mineral sites. Although such sites are said to need planning permission, it is a foregone conclusion that permission will be granted, subject to conditions for carrying-out works to mitigate the disturbance which will inevitably be caused for many years.

Despite the fact that Pond Hills is an exceptionally lovely area at every season, well-known and well-loved, with very many people objecting in principle to the idea of it being desecrated by turning it into an industrial site, at the last round of the 'Consultation' late last year the planners gave it as their opinion that Pond Hills was suitable in principle to become a gravel works but that it was not needed this time around. They said that it is possible for Pond Hills to retain its attractiveness at the same time as becoming a mineral site. Many people pointed out that this idea was unrealistic and the thinking behind it unreasonable, but the planners have not budged from that assessment. What that means is that in 15 years, when the next Mineral Plan comes to be drawn-up, Pond Hills will again be in the firing line, the only question being whether the half-million tons of gravel estimated to lie under the 40 acre field at the highest point of Pond Hills will be needed to make up the 28 million or so tons likely to be in demand by then.
The 'Consultation' now being launched is to test whether the Plan is 'legal and compliant'. The only sites contained in the Mineral Sites Allocations document are those considered both suitable in principle and proposed to be allocated. So Pond Hills does not appear in that document. To that extent it looks as though the area has escaped destruction for the time being. People will be able to enjoy walking the circuit for a few more years. Whether their children will be able to is another matter.

That is not to say that the people who objected to the proposal to turn this tranquil area into an industrial site wasted their time and energy Far from it. Among the sites now allocated are areas inside the North Norfolk Area of natural Beauty itself. Pond Hills has had a narrow escape.

AT

Matlaske Telephone Exchange

This shed is none other than the telephone exchange for all 01263 577 numbers.

About a year ago a BT Open Reach engineer at the hut said that, although it might appear to be just an old wooden hut, all the equipment in it is up to the latest technology standard. He said that if it wasn't we would not be getting any broadband cover at present, so perhaps that's something to be grateful for.

Police - Road Users

Officers from North Norfolk have carried out a high-profile multi-agency day on the district's roads this month. Responding to residents' concerns about speeding in the Holt neighbourhood, officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team joined up with various partner agencies for the day on Wednesday 9 May. PCSOs and a beat manager for the area were joined by patrol teams, traffic officers, special constables, VOSA and the safety camera partnership van. They targeted 15 locations across the area during the day including Holt, Melton Constable, Briston, High Kelling, Thornage, Bodham, Bale, Hunworth, Corpusty/Saxthorpe, Edgefield, Baconsthorpe, Gunthorpe and Letheringsett. They used laser and radar speed guns to monitor motorists' speed in the locations. Five drivers were given fixed penalty notices for speeding, 25 drivers were given words of advice about their speed and seven were sent on speed awareness courses. Various other vehicles were given notices for vehicle defects, no MOT, expired tax or the driver not wearing a seatbelt.

Baconsthorpe Good Wishes

To Alfie Blake following recent hip replacement surgery. He is now back home and progressing well. We hope that he and Margaret will soon be able to resume their daily walks around the village.

George Grimwood who has had a recurrence of a previous foot injury, leaving him somewhat incapacitated. These good people live in The Pyghtle... What is happening up there? To them both, and any others not brought to our attention: we trust you will soon be restored to full health and mobility. 

Baconsthorpe Congratulations

Congratulations to 19-year old Lauren Goodall, who along with six other young people from the local area, completed a challenge set by Holt Youth Project and Victory Housing, to cycle the rugged 80-mile route of Hadrian's Wall. The challenge was set to encourage young people to become fit and active.

After weeks of training to build fitness and stamina on practice runs on Marriott's and Peddars Ways and a tough training ride through Thetford Forest, the group successfully completed the challenge over three days at the end of April. Well done indeed all of you! Candidates for September's Annual Church Cycle Ride maybe?

Plumstead PC Minutes

At the AGM of the Plumstead Parish Council on 14 May Roy Keasley was elected as Chairnan and Dave Chilvers as Vice-Chairman.

From the Chairman:

Having been Chairman for a very short time, my report is brief. 

First, I would like to thank the retiring Chairman David Ramsbotham for his efforts over the majority of the last year, which include the on-going work on the village nature area and pond, the erection of the village flagpole and the renovation and conversion of the village phone box to an information centre. I also thank all of those people who had a hand in making these things happen, and to all the members of the Parish Council and our auditor, for their support.

Looking to the future: a bench seat has been purchased with the help of the Plumstead 2000 fund and is due to be installed near to the flagpole in the next two or three days; new village signs have been negotiated with the Highway Authority and will hopefully be erected this summer.

Finally I would like to welcome members of the public to the meeting; the Parish Council is there for your benefit and welcomes your thoughts and suggestions.