May  2005 Newsletter - Election Special

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

Postal Vote Update
Adrian Gunson & Richard Bacon
Other Local News
Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail
Blood Bank Visits Brooke on 17th May
Bergh Apton Book [nearly] Published
Spurgeons Application
Village Walks
Playpark for Kirstead?
Broadband Update
Planning Online System
New Policeman in Mundham/Seething & Kirstead
Brooke Playpark Appeal
Major Local Employer Fendercare Changes Hands
Bergh Apton Carpet Bowls Club Appeal
Junior Cricket Club
Wheeled Bins
Garden Waste Disposal Charges
High Hedges Legislation

Election Update

The General Election and County Council Elections will both take place on Thursday 5th May, only 6 days away!  There are three polling stations in our villages, in Brooke, Seething and Bergh Apton.

At Brooke, the polling station is at the Methodist Hall on the Bungay Road and not  the Parish Hall as in previous elections.  All the polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm.

Postal Vote Update

This year, there are over 10,000 postal votes in South Norfolk, about 12% of the total.  If you've had a postal vote and you've forgotten to post it, remember you can still arrange for it to be 'posted' in the ballot box at the polling station on election day.  So, you can vote in person or by 'ballot-box post' until 10pm on Thursday.

Adrian Gunson & Richard Bacon

I know both the Conservative Candidates for the election very well.  They work exceptionally hard on your behalf and I hope that you will be able to support them both at the ballot box.  I know from personal experience how much election literature has landed on your doorstep over the last few weeks so I won't add to it here by extolling their virtues!

 

Other Local News

Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail

The internationally recognised Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail takes place within a few weeks.  You can learn more at www.berghapton.org.uk/sculpturetrail.  Over three weekends many sculptures will be displayed in gardens throughout Bergh Apton.  There will be a tractor-and-trailer shuttle-bus but most people will get about using bicycles.  You really should not miss this amazing event taking place on Saturday 21st May 2005 & Sunday 22nd May 2005; Saturday 28th May 2005 & Sunday 29th May 2005 and  Saturday 4th June 2005 & Sunday 5th June 2005.

Blood Bank Visits Brooke on 17th May

Rebecca Graham from the National Blood Service writes "We are holding a blood donation session on Tuesday 17th May at Brooke Parish Hall, Norwich Road between 1.30-3.40 & 5.00-7.15. Appointments are recommended for the session. Please call 0845 7 711 711 to make an appointment."

Bergh Apton Book [nearly] Published

After many years hard work, the Book of Bergh Apton is nearly ready.  The book is the story of the village from the earliest traces of habitation right through to the present day and includes 300 photographs and illustrations that bring the story to life.

The Book of Bergh Apton is written by professional historian Geoffrey Kelly, who has strong links with the village.  His own research for the book is supported and augmented with contributions from Bergh Apton people and others from all over the world with Bergh Apton ancestors.  The book has been professionally printed in hardback and is lavishly illustrated at a cost of about £20.  About 300 copies have been pre-sold across the world.

“The Book of Bergh Apton - A Rural Ride in Norfolk” will be published in May to coincide with the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail.  For more information, please call John Ling Water Meadows, Bussey Bridge, Bergh Apton, Norwich 01508 480439

Spurgeons Application

For those of you who have been following the Spurgeons Developments at Park Farm and High Green Farm, the date of the Main Planning Committee that will finally determine it is Tuesday 10th March.

Village Walks

Kirstead

in late March, the EDP featured Kirstead on its popular village walks page.  The route can be found on the internet at http://www.edp24.co.uk/Content/Leisure/Walks/2005/asp/Kirstead.asp   The story wrote "Charles and Joy Boldero enjoy the peace and quiet around the Kirstead Green area. This was a very pleasant 10-mile walk, mainly along tree-lined tracks and a short way along very quiet country lanes. We parked at the end of the ‘old’ road in Kirstead Green which is situated off the B1332, eight miles south-east of Norwich."

Bergh Apton

For those of you who like Country Walks there are ten walking routes in Bergh Apton, each devised by Richard & Stephanie Crome.  These have been published in the Bergh Apton newsletter, available online at http://www.berghapton.org.uk/newsletter/index.htm .  The most recent one from the March 2005 newsletter is about 5 miles, starts at the Alpington Wheel of Fortune and finishes as the Brooke White Lion and lasts 2-3 hours "excluding stops for refreshment".

Playpark for Kirstead?

The Kirstead Parish Meeting is actively investigating whether it will be possible to establish a play and recreational area kindly offered by a local farmer between the old road and the new bypass.  A sub-committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Mr Hunt to make quick progress and to see whether grants may be available for more substantial long term improvements.

Broadband Update

I'm still getting a number of enquiries about broadband.  Recently I have been able to help people in Mundham and Seething get online to the LinkNorfolk wireless broadband network, where the BT broadband network is unavailable.  Everyone in our villages is now able to get broadband so if you are not connected yet, I can help you.

Planning Online System

I receive more letters about planning permissions than anything else.  Sometimes it is difficult to comment as promptly as I would like because I do not have a copy of the plans.  However, within a few months all plans will be available for everyone to see without going to Long Stratton.  About £125,000 is being spent on a system to scan plans as they are received and then published on the Council's website.  This should also assist planning committees and make it easier for anyone to investigate when it appears that a building is not being built according to plans.... the subject of many other letters I receive!

New Policeman in Mundham/Seething & Kirstead

The villages of Kirstead, Mundham, Seething & Woodton now have a new dedicated beat officer.  PC 107 Mason replaces PC Peters, who has been promoted.  He is based at Loddon Police Station.

The future of Loddon Police Station is uncertain because the civilian clerk, Colin Gould, who runs the station for 20 hours per week, is shortly retiring and there are plans to replace him with volunteers.  Hardly surprising, there have been difficulties in recruiting enough volunteers so Adrian Gunson and myself have made representations to the Police Authority to ensure that this facility is maintained.

Brooke Playpark Appeal

The Brooke Playpark behind the village hall is appealing for funds for refurbishment and the provision of some new equipment for younger users.  A leaflet has been sent to all houses in Brooke and it's hoped that £5 contribution from enough houses in the village will enable this valuable facility to be improved.

Major Local Employer Fendercare Changes Hands

65 local people work at Fendercare in Seething, one of the most successful businesses of its type in the world.  FenderCare's main business is selling new and second-hand marine fenders which act to prevent boats and ships from being damaged if they collide.  The EDP reported on 24 March 2005 that "the business has been sold in a £12m deal.  The deal will net bumper windfalls for brother and sister team Yvonne Mason and Eric Plane, who founded the business in 1988."  Mrs Mason told the EDP "When we started, we had nine staff in Norfolk; we now have 65 and we are looking to carry on growing."   Congratulations to them and all the staff.

Bergh Apton Carpet Bowls Club Appeal

An appeal has been launched for new members for the Bergh Apton Carpet Bowls Club.  The club meets weekly throughout the year and plays matches against other local clubs.  Recently, it has been difficult to make-up teams so if you're a bowls player and you'd like to know more, please call Fred Littlewood, Seven Bells, Threadneedle Street,  Bergh Apton, Norwich 01508 480574.

Junior Cricket Club

The amazing success of the Brooke Cricket Club junior section is to be repeated again this year.  Meeting on Friday evenings from 6pm, children from 6 - 16 years old are introduced to cricket and ball-skills at the beautiful ground on the Bungay Road.  A BBQ will be introduced this year so that food will be available as well as drinks from the bar.  Membership is limited.  If you would like further information about the junior section or would like to sponsor equipment or events, please contact: Jon Williams: Tel: 01508 494923, E Mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wheeled Bins

Although it will not be news to residents of Brooke, the roll-out of the wheelie bins to outlying villages has nearly been completed.  The bin-rounds in the villages seem to be changing on a weekly basis at the moment whilst the new system beds-in.

I have received a number of enquiries about the size of the bin lorries, which have been damaging verges, with residents wondering what has happened to the old transit van.  A new smaller lorry has just been delivered and can be scheduled to visit your property if the large bin lorry is causing damage.  You'll need to ask me about this if you're concerned.

Garden Waste Disposal Charges

On April 1st, new charges came into force for the disposal of garden clippings.  Previously, pensioners and those on limited incomes had been able to dispose of clippings free-of-charge in a black sack by  affixing a special "garden label" to the bag.  Now the labels will cost 90p each.... over £40 per year for someone with a bag per week.

I am pleased to say that pressure by myself and other colleagues has forced the system to be revisited in a few months.  It's important that we reduce the amount of bulky waste like clippings that goes into landfill but we need to be more aware of the effect of new charges for those on fixed incomes.

A Brown Wheelie bin for clippings will shortly be available to those who want it , which will be collected fortnightly and the garden waste contents shredded and sent for composting.

High Hedges Legislation

Powers are being introduced under Part 8 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 for local authorities to deal with high hedges. These powers will apply from 1 June 2005.

Before a formal complaint regarding a hedge can be made to this Council, the "complainant" must have tried to resolve the matter with the other party. This initial stage can take various forms, from a simple exchange of letters through to mediation. Only after these opportunities have been exhausted, can a formal complaint can be made to the Council. Once registered, the complaint will be investigated and a solution proposed. There will be rights of appeal and enforcement powers. A fee will be charged for dealing with the complaint.

Robin Taylor, SNC's Landscape Officer told me "We will get the system working as soon as possible"  If you have a high-hedge problem it makes sense to attempt to resolve the dispute now because the Council can't get involved unless you try to fix the problem yourself first.

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