July  2005 Newsletter

This latest newsletter is linked to my website www.johnfuller.org.uk, which gives a huge amount of information about Bergh Apton, Brooke, Howe, Kirstead, Mundham & Seething.  If this is the first time you have received one of my newsletters, Welcome!  You can see previous copies at www.johnfuller.org.uk/news/newsletters

In this Issue

How lucky we are to live in such a vibrant community.  As you will read in this month's newsletter we have a wealth of cultural and leisure activities right on our doorstep.  From the recent success of the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail, to the forthcoming Brooke Open Gardens, The Seething "AirField" Arts Event, The Jazz Concert in Seething, there's so much going on and to be thankful for and no excuse to be bored at all.

WWII Plane Crash Remains Uncovered Found in Brooke

Some of you may have read in the Eastern Daily Press about the aircraft ammunition recently found in a garden in Burgess Way Brooke.  This find was reported to the Council & Police and an impressive chain of events started which has uncovered the remarkable facts behind the crash of a Lancaster Bomber on July 18th 1944.

The plane had been returning from a raid in France and was damaged by anti-aircraft fire.  Flying officer Clark tried to land the plane at Seething, near Loddon, twice making a circuit of the airfield, but while the crew bailed out and were later picked up in the meadow behind Bergh Apton Church, Mr Clark stayed at the controls.  He was lost in the crash.

There is a remarkable story behind these events and I am indebted to Jim Turner and Pat Everson of Seething who have comprehensive archives of all the history of Seething Airfield and personnel who served there.  I have collected the pieces of the story together and you can follow this link to read it.

Remember that Seething Airfield is home to Seething Control Tower Museum. The museum is based in the control tower and is open to the public the first Sunday of the month from May to October from 10am to 5pm. The airfield is also home to a memorial to the 448th Bomb Group.  Entry is free.

Alcohol Licencing Affects You

By August this year all premises that sell alcohol need to re-apply for their liquor licences to the District Council, which is taking over this responsibility from the Magistrates.  This doesn't just apply to pubs.  All sorts of other organisations now need to apply for licences if they are not to fall foul of the new law. 

Amazingly, only about 4% of the premises that need to apply have done so...and the deadline for applications is only a few weeks away on 6th August.  The Government, which rushed through this law, says the deadline will not be extended.

So, if you know

• A Village Shop that sells a few bottles,
• A Village Hall with a bar [even if the village hall committee rents-out the bar to others],
• A Restaurant [incl fast-food]

it's important that they clarify the situation with the friendly Council Licencing Team 01508 533633 or they could risk being closed down.

The Brooke Open Gardens

On Sunday 19th June once again the Friends of St Peters Church Brooke are organising the Brooke Open Gardens.  This year a massive 19 gardens will be open to the public throughout Brooke.  The village of Brooke will be "On Show".

But this year, it isn't just about walking around gardens there are other events too like a Tombola, Steam Train Rides in a garden at the end of High Green.

Entry costs £4 for adult and £3 for children with all proceeds going towards the repair and maintenance of St Peter Church, our magnificent round-tower church.  The village roads will be thronging with people so please leave your car at home and get around on bikes or on foot.

Brooke Cricket Club

Brooke Cricket Club is enjoying a run of successes and the first team is at the top of the league.  Remember that social membership is available at £10 per family, which allows you to watch the cricket for the whole season and benefit from the liquid refreshment from the bar.  See the Fixture List here

Once again, Brooke Cricket Club has started the summer training for youngsters aged 6-16.  More than 70 boys and girls regularly attend the Friday evening sessions from 6.30pm onwards.  This year, the coaches adhere to the latest Child Protection standards to further ensure the safety of the children.  The evenings are such a success that there is now a waiting list and these training sessions have not only allowed the Club to develop an enthusiastic group of young players but also to have a supportive and encouraging group of parents and friends.  

Was it something I said?

Amazingly eight houses in The Street, Brooke are currently up For Sale or have just been sold including four of them in a row.  The surprising thing is that about 8% of the electoral roll changes every year, which means that the whole population of Brooke Ward completely turns-over every 12 years [on average] but nevertheless it's unusual to have so many houses in one road on the market at the same time.

Submit Your Planning Application Online

By September, it will be possible to see the details of new planning applications & plans online from the comfort of your own home by Internet instead of going to Long Stratton or asking the Clerk.  This will make it easier for interested neighbours to more fully participate in the decision making process.

Testing is currently underway to computer-scan all applications as they are received.  A limited number of historical ones will also be captured in this way.  The whole system has cost £125,000 but will revolutionise the way that the officials and public can access the detailed planning information.  I am sure that the service will be speedier now that old plans will not have to be pulled from the archives.

In a separate development, South Norfolk now has a 'Planning Portal', where an applicant can make a fresh planning application online... the system even sorts out the detailed site map for you.

Historic Seething Airfield to Host Adventurous Arts Project

In July, an Seething airfield will play host to Air Field, a major arts project featuring new commissions and performances by visual artists Dominique Rey and Stephanie Douet, composer Janes Wells and poet Rupert Mallin.

’Air Field’ will be open to the public from midday to 5pm daily on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July and on Thursday 14 to Sunday 17th July.  Evening performances will take place on Saturdays 9 and 16 July at 8.30pm.  Entry to the airfield, exhibition and evening performances is free.

The airfield at Seething formed a crucial part of Britain’s military air defences during the Second World War. It was a base for B24 Liberator Bombers and around 3000 Americans of the 448th Bomb Group. This atmospheric and historic setting inspired Dominique Rey to bring together the 4 artists, all of whom live and work in Norfolk, to work on Air Field.

Over several months of collaboration the artists have devised a number of works that recall and pay homage to the site’s history and the courageous acts it was witness to. During the day, visitors will be able to see several new artworks sited around the airfield. During the two evening performances, video, light works, live music incorporating the sound of Liberator bombers and a poetry performance will come together to create a powerful and memorable experience.   Click Here for More Details

On Your Bike!

South Norfolk Council have produced a series of leaflets with recommended cycle routes throughout South Norfolk, avoiding main 'A' and 'B' roads and taking in places of interest.  The routes are ideal for a half day ride with stops.  There are nine local half-day rides and one larger ride around the whole district which may take a whole weekend.

The local ride takes in Brooke, Seething & Hardwick ex-WWII Airfields, Hempnall & Shotesham and is available for download here.  Alternatively, I can send you a printed leaflet if you contact me.

So, if you're stuck for something to do and don't want to spend a lot of money... Get On Your Bike!  Learn more online at http://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/south-norfolk/leisure.nsf/pages/bikeit_intro.html

South Norfolk also publishes other leaflets of things to do locally

• The Visitors Guide to South Norfolk
• "Chasing Churches" (tour guides)
• USAAF Airfields in South Norfolk (a guide to seven former WWII bases)
• Footpath leaflets

All are available from South Norfolk Council's Tourism Officer Tel: 01508 533815:

Bergh Apton Scultpture Trail Update

The successful Sculpture Trail broke all records this year despite the rain that spoiled the last Sunday, which meant that many people, who had saved-up to go, eventually stayed at home.  Last time in 2002, on the first weekend, there were 1500 visitors, this time the number was 4000!  That pattern was repeated on subsequent weekends this year with the car parks full at some stages.  The Begh Apton Website has a Sculpture Trail MiniSite if you want to learn more.

I would like to add my congratulations to the many others that have been given to BACAT, the Community Arts Trust that organises the festival.  The Sculpture Trail involved everyone who lived in the village, whether it be those who 'showed' their gardens or made 'Little Bergher' sculptures of themselves.  All money raised will be distributed to the Church Fabric Fund, the Village Hall Fund and other village charities & organisations.

The White Lion Pub

The White Lion Pub in Brooke Street has changed hands.

Seething & Mundham Fundraiser Jazz Fundraiser - Red Beans & Rice

On Sunday July 10th at 2pm a New Orleans Jazz Band will be performing "Red Beans 'n' Rice' in aid of Seething & Mundham School & Churches.  This event costs £5 for Adults and £1 for Children and will last all afternoon.  A marquee is promised whatever the weather.

FreeCycle

How often have you had to dispose of something that wasn't completely rubbish and could have been used by someone else... if only you could find that person.  Nowadays ebay seems to be a common way of selling goods [particularly popular in Norfolk] but what if you were happy simply to give the item away to someone who needed it for free?

The Norfolk Freecycle Network is a network for people wanting to let go of items (or who may be looking for something in particular) to pass on to other people. Anyone can join the group and the only constraint is that all items must be free.  There are over 500 people in Norfolk participating in this initiative and you could join.  Not only will this make you feel good but you'll be avoiding putting usable stuff into land-fill.... the main reason for the group's existence.  Learn more online at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/norfolkukfreecycle.

Remember, I'm here to help

My job is to help you and this month I've helped people with their planning problems, housing & water bills so if you have a problem that you think I can help you with, give me a call.

Contact Me

Do you know anyone else who might like to receive this letter?  Please feel free to print this and give it to them or you can ask them to register their email address with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will add them to my distribution list.

Cllr John Fuller
The Old Hall Coach House, The Street, Brooke, NR15 1LB
01508 558280 telephone; 01508 558301 fax  07860 101335 mobile
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; www http://www.johnfuller.org.uk

The legal bit - Promoted & Published by John Fuller The Old Hall Coach House, The Street, Brooke, NR15 1LB