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What's been happening

A day at the Olympics
It was a nice sunny day for the first ever Old Buckenham Village Olympics. The day was a great success and there was a wonderful response and very positive feedback. There were over a hundred registrations on the day entering numerous events and approximately £450 was raised towards the All Saints Church refurbishment.


Events included tug-of-war, wheel barrow race, toss the caber, wellie wanging, sack race, six-a-side football, three-legged race, sugar beet bunging, blindfold race, brick lifting , limbo dancing, Darby and Joan, table tennis, nearest the pin and high/long jumping. The day finished with a round-the-Green fun run followed by certificate presentations and the awards for the winners of each category.

The category winners were:

  • Oscar Matsell, 7 and under
  • Edward Gilford, boys under 13
  • Esther Darrah, girls under 13
  • Elaine Mayes, women
  • Paul Berryman, men
  • John Frost, over 60s.

The big jump
Nathan and Lavanya from Old Buckenham Stores and Post Office are still collecting money for the parachute jump that they are going to do.
The jump will take place, weather permitting, on Sunday 17 September at 4.30pm at Old Buckenham airfield.
They will be raising money for the All Saints Church Restoration Fund so come along to the airfield that day to watch them do the jump. It seems that many people in the village have never ventured down the roadway to the airfield, now is your chance to visit and show your support for this worthwhile fund-raising venture.

Shop improvements and extras
New items keep arriving at the village shop. There is a cash machine there now and the PayPoint facility allows payment of all sorts of bills and the renewing of your tv licence.
There are machines for photocopying, laminating, sending fax messages and even a dedicated rack for those free publications such as this village newsletter. Check out for yourselves how things have changed behind the front door.

Open for a short while
Yes, All Saints Church is open again, but only for a few weeks. The work in the nave has been completed, although delayed by some two weeks because of various unforeseen problems (mainly a previous application of limewash containing excess tallow) while some laths required replacement.
The fact that the proprietor of the company carrying out the work has been in hospital for the last three weeks has not helped the situation. However his family and staff have worked wonders.
It is hoped to close the building again following a couple of weddings and the Country Fayre. The time for re-closure is planned to be following the service on Tuesday 12 September. Work will be carried out in the chancel and it is hoped that this will take only two/three weeks. For further information telephone Mike on 860462.

What's going on

Country Fayre
The countdown to the Country Fayre on Saturday 2 September has begun and everything is in place for a superb day of entertainment.
There is a full programme planned for all the family, starting on the Green at 11am and lasting until 11pm.
In the main arena Rockin' Horse Productions will be performing their stunt horse riding show, which promises to be a real crowd pleaser. In addition there will be a falconry demonstration, a parachute jump onto the Green, chainsaw carving, a vintage tractor and vehicle parade and a historical display by the 13th Alabama Historical Society. They will be recreating a Confederate encampment from the American Civil War, including firing their muskets and simulating the amputation of a wounded soldier's leg!
There will be plenty of other attractions; funfair, beer tent and refreshments, a full range of trade and craft stalls, Punch and Judy, Morris dancing, ferret racing and a dog agility display and show to name but a few.
Bring along your own dog to take part in the dog show. Competition categories are prettiest/most handsome dog, best condition, best rescue dog, waggiest tail and the dog the judge would most like to take home. The more entries the better.
The organisers are also pleased to welcome the East Coast Truckers with their display rig who will explain the work that they do for charity.
The daytime events will draw to a conclusion with the ever popular firework display at last light. The tradition of live music at intervals during the day and throughout the evening will continue.
So do come along and support the Fayre. The aim is to have a great village day and raise money for the Old Buckenham Trust 2000, which benefits all ages and sections of our community.

Prepare for produce show
One final reminder that the Old Buckenham Open Produce and Handicraft Show is back again this year. It will be held at the Village Hall on Sunday 10 September. Entries have to be brought to the hall by 11am and the show is open to the public from 2.30pm. Presentation of the prizes starts at 4pm followed by the infamous auction of produce at 4.15pm.
For those parents wondering what will keep the children occupied at the end of the summer holidays, why not get them involved in preparing some entries.
The children's classes are free to enter and judged in three sections, 7 years and under, 8 to 11, and 12 and over. Prizes are given for those doing best in each age group and there is a trophy to be won for the “best in show” in these children’s classes.
The subjects include a decorated hard-boiled egg, a poster on an A4 sheet advertising a village produce show, four decorated biscuits, one gingerbread man, a handmade card to celebrate the Queen‘s 80th birthday, a ‘bug’ made from fruit and/or vegetables, a miniature garden in a seed tray, a vehicle made from Lego and a poem (not less than 8 lines) on ‘?Holidays’.
All exhibits should be brought to the Village Hall on the day of the show between 9.30am and 11am.
Keen photographers of all ages might like to enter the classes for a snapshot of a scene within the parish of Old Buckenham or “Sunset or sunrise”, (6" x 8" maximum size print).
Copies of the full schedule can be obtained from Doris on 861322

Twenty-ninth night
The South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band will present their 29th “?Last Night of The Proms” at St Andrews Hall on Saturday 16 September.
The Band was recently awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Service, which recognises and rewards excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. Over 100 musicians from the Band and its friends will come together to turn St Andrews Hall red, white and blue.
The concert commencing at 7.30pm will include a range of popular music in the first half followed by a second half which will include well-known favourites including Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Rule Britannia, Pomp and Circumstance, 1812 and Auld Lang Syne. The programme is supported by David Ivory on the organ and builds to a finale with special effects.
This event shows young musicians at their best and gives them the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience and at a superb venue.
The band has over 100 members and continues to have strong links with military bands. Over the last few years it has worked with the Band of The Army Air Corps, the Band of the Dragoon Guards, the Band of the Parachute Regiment and the Training Band of Her Majesties Royal Marines.
This concert, involving professional and amateur musicians, is an event not to be missed. The event will be colourful and the music played will bridge all age gaps.
Tickets are available from Mandy Carter on 01379 854600, Gibson Music in Maddermarket, Norwich or from the Diss Tourist Information Centre and cost £9, £6 or £4.
You are advised to book in advance, however tickets will be available on the door if seats are still available. For further information on the South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band please contact Jane Trippett-Jones on 01379 652352 or visit www.snysb.org.uk

Prize bingo evening
Come along and play bingo on Tuesday 12 September at the Church Rooms, Old Buckenham. Doors open at 6.45pm so that you can get ready for the 7.30pm start. There will also be a raffle and refreshments will be available. You can have an enjoyable evening, hopefully win some prizes and raise money for the All Saints Church Restoration Fund at the same time.

Get your brains in gear
The Autumn Quiz is here again. It will be held at the Village Hall on Friday 15 September starting at 7.30pm. The entry fee is £4 for a team of four people.
If you wish to enter then you can get more details by contacting Jill Emms on 860551. This quiz is open to everyone in the village, be they groups of friends, families or organisations and you may enter as many teams as you like. So take the plunge, put in a team and enjoy a good night out.

Antiques Talks
I have been running my popular lunch time group, the “Jane Bradstreet Antiques Talks Group”, for over seven years. With our recent move to the Old Buckenham Gamekeeper we have welcomed some new faces. We would be very pleased if more locals came along to enjoy a talk about antiques and have some good food, in the warm atmosphere of a traditional old English local pub. The group appeals to people who like meeting friendly people, want to keep their brain cells a bit active and have an interest in antiques and related history subjects.
I want to emphasise not to be nervous as no previous knowledge is needed and everyone is given a warm welcome.
Our meetings are mainly monthly, on Tuesdays, 11.45am until 3pm throughout the year, consisting of talks with speakers, outings and a Christmas lunch. Having a light lunch covers the cost of the venue. A fee for the year covers attendance at talks but meals and outings are extra. New members are always made welcome and non-members welcomed at guest rates of £5.
Some coming events are:
Tuesday 5 September - a visit to Yarmouth's Time and Tide Museum and Row Houses.
Tuesday 3 October - a talk on antique maps.
Tuesday7 November - a talk on Georgian drinking glasses.
More talks have been arranged in 2007 and reminders will appear in the Diary listings at the back of this newsletter.
If you would like to try one of the events it is essential, for catering purposes, to book your place beforehand so please ring me on 01953 453915 or email jane@janebradstreet.co.uk

Community news

Your community needs you
If you care about your town or village and would like others to respect it too, why not become a Breckland Community Ranger?
Breckland Council is looking for people to volunteer to be the eyes and ears of their area. If you’re interested, come along to an informal induction session where volunteers (individuals or households) will be equipped with all the information they need to be able to report neighbourhood problems to the correct authorities. Anti-social behaviour? Over-flowing litter bin? Suspected abandoned vehicle? All could be reported quickly using the information we will provide.
We hope that this will make a marked improvement in the quality of your local environment. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference!
To express an interest or find out more details please contact:
the Street Scene helpline,
telephone 01362 656878
or email streetscene@breckland.gov.uk
or fax 01362 699096
or write to Breckland Council, Street Scene, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk.

New man on the beat
The name of our new community police officer is PC 298 David Sayer who is based at Attleborough. However, any police matter should first be routed thorough Norfolk Police on 0845 456 4567.

Two lots of police
As there are five Fridays in September there will be two visits from the mobile police station. It will be situated outside the village shop on Friday 1 September and Friday 29 September from 9am to 10.30am.
Go along with your queries, this is one facility we are lucky to have stop here and it needs to be used to the full.


Fighting fly-tipping
In the last twelve months Breckland Council’?s Street Scene removed around 600 incidents of fly-tipping within 24 hours of them being reported. The most common types of fly-tipped waste were items like fridges, cookers and mattresses which can all be taken free of charge to your local Norfolk County Council recycling centre. Please ring 0844 800 8004 for more details.
Alternatively, you can phone Street Scene and arrange for them to be collected from outside your house. They charge £20 for this but that includes up to three items and it saves you having to take them to the site yourself.
New laws mean that you are now responsible for the disposal of your waste so make sure any private waste removal company that you use is authorised. Otherwise if your waste ends up on the side of the road then you could be liable for the fine. You can call the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 if you need to check.
The Street Scene Helpline can be contacted by telephone (01362 656878), fax (01362 699096) or email: streetscene@breckland.gov.uk
You can write to Breckland Council, Street Scene, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1EE and information is also available on their website www.breckland.gov.uk

Cheaper heating oil
Further to the article in last month’s newsletter, the opportunity still exists for residents of Old Buckenham to register an interest in obtaining cheaper heating oil.
Thanks to all those who have already responded but there must be many more people out there who would like to save some money. All that is needed at the moment are details of your annual heating oil consumption and oil tank capacity. Hopefully, with a few more participants, this project can move forward.
Please contact Jeremy Walker on 452625 or email OB2000T@aol.com


Irresponsible dog owners:
One of the biggest complaints received by Breckland Council each year is that of ‘dog fouling’ - owners allowing their dogs to foul the public highway and public areas and failing to clean up the mess.
Breckland have designated land as a ‘poop scoop’ area under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. This applies to any land which is open to the air and which the public has access to. If a dog fouls on this land and the person in charge of the dog doesn‘t clear it up then they are guilty of an offence. Breckland can give a fixed penalty notice (£50) to anyone who commits this offence and if they don’t pay this fixed penalty notice within 14 days of receipt they could be prosecuted and receive a maximum fine of £1000.
If you know anyone who is committing an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, please contact the Breckland Dog Warden on 01362 656299. All information received will be treated as confidential.
Any requests to have dog mess cleared away should be forwarded to Street Scene.
If you would like to make contact about any of the above, please don’t hesitate to ring, write or email on:

Annual canvass opportunities
Breckland Council are recruiting staff for Canvass Officer duties later this year.
The Council are looking to recruit a number of people with knowledge of this local area to carry out canvassing duties for approximately four weeks during September and October. This will involve personal visits to a number of properties to obtain voter information. Please note that you will be required to attend a training session (for which you will be paid) prior to carrying out Canvass Officer duties.
If you are interested in becoming a canvass officer please contact Breckland Council, Electoral Services on 01362 656875 or 656271 for further information and an application form.

Homewatch update
Here is the latest information from Breckland Homewatch (up to the middle of May).
People from English Heritage are photographing listed buildings for their ‘Images of England’ project. These are genuine callers but beware of a person purporting to be from MORI pollsters asking on the doorstep about bank details. If you have any doubts you should report such incidents to the Trading Standards Office on 0800 3286471.
There have been domestic burglaries at New Buckenham and Great Hockham. A shrub, garden ornaments and a bicycle were taken in separate incidents in the Attleborough area and two bay trees in pots taken from New Buckenham.
Be aware, take care.
And remember that the mobile police station will be outside the village shop on Friday 9 June between 9am and 10.30am. They will be pleased to see you and give you helpful advice.

Close your doors and windows - Are you inviting a walk-in burglar in to steal from your home?
Most burglars are opportunists and, in three out of ten burglaries, access to the property is gained through an open door or window. With the warmer weather householders are leaving their doors and windows open. Burglars love it when you make their job easier for them.
To reduce the chances of becoming a burglary statistic take note of the following advice:

Village History and Nature watch

Mat Gedge, Tampa, Florida, USA has made contact with the banhamandthebucks.co.uk website to find out more about his relatives that lived in this area. He says:
I have a question that you or someone might be able to help me with. One of the reasons I came to Old Buck was to research my ancestors that lived there from the 1700s to present. I recently came across some information about the property they owned and was wondering if someone could tell me where it may have been. I can't find it on any maps anywhere so it was probably renamed.
The letter reads:
Deeds of two enclosures on Wraggs or Dragg Way, one of Greengate Way (also called Further West Crofts, Great West Crofts and Bramble Field, near Broom Hill Field Lane.
If it is possible to publicise this information or forward it to someone that knows the history of the area it would be a great help to me. I'd love to be able to come back and actually know where the property was. We all had quite an enjoyable time! Thank you.

I did find some additional information that I'm not sure would help but I do know that the property in question was sold to Edward Palmer, who mortgaged it in 1871, then the mortgage was assigned to Bertha Elizabeth Clowes in 1885. Hope this might give a clearer understanding of where it may be. I'm sure the more information the better.

You can pass on any information via the editor at Crockslea, Cake Street or by email to obnewspostbox@aol.com
or direct to Mathew Gedge at mgedge@earthlink.net