Diss Matters Winter 2019

Have your say on the future of Diss Matters!

Christmas Events for your diaries

Tis the season to be jolly!

We’ve been reflecting on highlights from 2019 and what a year it’s been! Diss has seen a great

variety of events this year and the good news is... there’s still more to come as we edge nearer

to Christmas! Keep an eye out for local Christmas Lights Switch-On events, Diss St Nicholas Christmas Fayre, the Diss Mistletoe Market, Carol concerts and other festive celebrations.

Check out our ‘Events’ page (pages 8-9) for more info.

This issue, visit our Council News page for useful updates about ongoing projects in the town.

Hear from the Mayor of Diss, Cllr Sonia Browne as she reviews her Mayoral year so far on page

9. If you’re looking to buy a loved one a unique present in time for Christmas, why not buy a

fantastic ‘Trip Back In Time’ charity calendar, created by Dennis Cross, featuring Diss and

surrounding villages. Thinking of a New Year’s Resolution? How about joining a new art & craft group in Burston... read more on page 7.

So, whether you’re cosying up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate or looking for some light bed time reading, what better way to relax than with the Winter edition of Diss Matters... Enjoy!

5 7

Contents

Council News

New art group in Burston / Diss Town Guide 2020

8-9 Christmas Events, or A message from the Town May

rity Diss Calendar on sale for cha 11 13

reading / Volunteers needed for school s Nominate your favourite busines for an award!

Merry Christmas from Diss Town Council!

We need your feedback on the future of Diss Matters!

Diss Matters is currently delivered to all Diss households (4,500) with copies also available to collect from the Town Council Offices, Diss Library and The Corn Hall. An e-version can also be viewed on our website and social media.

We need you, as our readers, to take part in a feedback

questionnaire to help us to review our readership levels, establish favoured articles, find out the most used format for reading Diss Matters and ultimately, how successful the

magazine is to readers in its current format. Your feedback is important, and we will consider all suggestions.

Please visit www.diss.gov.uk to complete our quick questionnaire online or pop into the Town Council Offices to collect one.

It’s time for a great night’s sleep.

With over 90 years of experience and expertise in feather products and home comforts, we are now delighted to be launching our first ever online store.

Shop our range of best-selling pillows and duvets made from the highest quality ethically sourced materials - designed to give you a great night’s sleep. Free Delivery.

www.norfolk-feather.co.uk 01379 643187 . sales@norfolkfeathercompany.co.uk

Diss Matters . Winter 2019 5

Improved play facilities for Diss & surrounding area The Town Council is delighted with the works undertaken to improve the play area in Diss Park and the Skateboard Park on Shelfanger Road in Roydon. Older children will soon be able to explore a range of new play equipment including a 3-metre high slide, an accessible trampoline and a sitting and standing swing.

The Skateboard Park facility is being upgraded with a new volcano ramp and skatalite surfacing. Both projects received support from the community during the consultation.

Diss Park is heavily used by residents from the town and surrounding area and some of the older equipment was being decommissioned on safety grounds. The Park upgrade has been made possible through Section 106 monies, which are developer contributions from the Longmeadow estate.

The funds must be spent on the ‘improvement of physical recreational facilities or equipment for older children within the parishes of Roydon and Diss’.

The Town Council has also earmarked an allocation of its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds to Roydon Parish Council in lieu of S106 funds to enable it to consider potential projects within their parish. These CIL funds can be put towards general infrastructure improvements and don’t have to be spent until December 2020.

Look out for the grand opening coming soon to a park near you! In addition to Diss Park, there are 13 other local play areas to explore.

Managed by South Norfolk Council, find out where they are located here :

reas-open-spaces-and-public-assets https://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/residents/communities/play-a

Councillor vacancies Diss Carnival 2020 theme revealed!

The Diss Carnival committee has revealed the theme for Carnival 2020 as ‘Space InvaDiss!’ Think aliens and space, Star Trek and Star Wars, Rockets and Robots, Planets and Astronauts and lots of Extra Terrestrials! Save the date; Sunday 14th June and following this year’s success, many of you are already asking how to get involved! Keep an eye out on the Diss Carnival Facebook page and website for further updates.

Our new Town Councillors seem to be enjoying their voluntary roles and are getting involved in a variety of different projects. If you’re passionate about Diss and meet the eligibility criteria, we’d love to hear from you. Vacancies will be filled by co-option.

Visit www.diss.gov.uk/roleofacouncillor to find out more.

As always we encourage you to get in touch – visit our website at www.diss.gov.uk, email towncouncil@diss.gov.uk or call 01379 643848, 9.30am – 3pm, Mon – Fri or visit the Council Offices at 11-12 Market Hill, Mon – Fri 9.30am-1.30pm. Find us on Facebook: @DissTC Twitter: @DissTownCouncil and Instagram: disstowncouncil

BRESSINGHAM

Merry Christmas and a Happy Prosperous New Year 2020!

We would like to wish all our clients and readers of Diss Matters Magazine, a wonderful Happy Christmas and New Year 2020.

Thank you for all your amazing support to our beautiful, independent salon this year!

We are CLOSED for whole of Christmas and New Year period! We will be back OPEN business as normal on the 7th January 2010 with January offers.

Thank you.

Joanne Hearle Salon Owner - ITEC Beauty & Massage Therapist

Visit our website: www.bressinghambeautysalon.co.uk

Our Gift Certificates Is The Perfect Gift Of Giving!

That’s Christmas Sorted Out, But Hurry As Opened For Limited Time In December!!

(1st – 15th) T: 01379 687542 Joanne Hearle ITEC Qualified & Insured.

(Full member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology)

Diss Matters . Winter 2019 7

Calling all arty and crafty people! t group A new friendly art and craf ton on Burs is coming to The Space, 7th. uary Tuesday mornings from Jan ple peo ther The group aims to bring toge ing, knitt t; who enjoy any art or craf g, felting, drawing, embroidery, colourin e will Ther crocheting...whatever you like. who e thos be a still-life table set up for g alon g brin want to draw or paint – just ls. your own choice of materia

r own And for crafters, bring along you ect. proj oing on-g an materials or t, cha of ning mor xing Enjoy a rela new l utifu bea the in ts coffee and craf studio at The Space, Burston.

Space, Every Tuesday 10am-12pm, The ton Sterling House, Mill Road, Burs 7th) (first session Tuesday January

or you p in sessions are £5 per session All abilities very welcome. Dro le. ilab ava s ent hm res ance for £20. Ref can book five sessions in adv e on 01379 742704 For more details contact Juli ium@gmail.com or email the.peacock.empor

Diss Town Guide 2020 The Diss Town

Guide committee is collating

information for the next edition, which is due out late January 2020.

If you are a new club, society or group, please let us have your details by 30th November by sending to:

sarah@falconpublications.co.uk or Tel: 01379 773348

Any businesses who would like to advertise within the Guide, please contact:

gary@falconpublications.co.uk or Tel: 01379 773347

Thank you!

8 Diss Matters . Winter 2019

Mistletoe Market Diss Methodist Church will be holding their

Silver Dollar Country Music Club

annual Mistletoe Market on Saturday 7th

8th Dec, 7pm

opened by Diss Town Mayor, Cllr Sonia Browne.

The Park Hotel, Diss

December 10am – 2pm. The event will be

Budgie Coleman Band Club Xmas Party

Mid-morning, coffee/tea and mince pies will

For further information please feel free

We have a variety of stalls with some lovely

Committee Members on 01603 433918.

enjoy. Come and enjoy the lovely atmosphere

Christmas Family Fun Day

be on offer; there will also be lunches available.

to

contact

John

and

Teresa

Stannard,

items for sale and there will be lots of games to of this event!

For more info, contact Myra Stannard

01379 644 401 or email myra.s@uwclub.net All proceeds will go to Goodwill Children’s Village in India and Action for Children.

22nd Dec, 3pm-6pm

The Bell Inn, Rickinghall

Join us for Christmas festivities with a visit

from Santa and his reindeers, live music from Vicki, crafts & activities and festive nibbles.

Live Music - Slide (Christmas Extravaganza!)

Get down to the Cock Inn (Fair Green) on 14th

December for the SLIDE Christmas Extravaganza and your favourite party tunes! With everything

from The Killers to Foo Fighters, Kenny Loggins to Cyndi Lauper and Cher to The 1975!

From 9pm til late.

Diss Matters . Winter 2019 9

Panto - Robin Hood From 20th Dec - 30th Dec. 2hrs including interval.

Don’t miss this feast of fun, fair maidens,

fabulous panto magic and the usual madness and mayhem everybody has come to expect at the Corn Hall at Christmas! This will be the funniest, biggest and boldest panto yet, Oh yes it is!

Book tickets via the Box Office 01379 652241 or online: www.thecornhall.co.uk

New Years Eve Casino, Music & Black Tie 31st Dec, 7.30pm-1am, The Thatcher’s Needle, Diss.

Come and celebrate NYE with us! £20 per person, includes free casino with real prizes, buffet and music from Park Radio. Help us see in the New Year in style!

My mayoral year so far!

The first six months of my mayoral year have been busy and seem to have flown by. Being the Mayor of Diss has been a humbling experience, promoting our town and its attributes.

I have received many invitations and attended wonderful events including the civic services of various Mayors in East Anglia, Suffolk Pride parade, the opening of various businesses in Diss, and becoming the Patron of Diss, Thetford & District Citizens Advice whilst attending their AGM. I continue to support the work of the Diss Carnival committee, Christmas Lights Switch on committee, and Diss Youth Town Council.

It has been great welcoming our new councillors Mark Gingell, Doreen Collins, Sue Kiddie and Dave Poulter. We started with the magnificent seven, now we are the magnificent eleven!

My civic service was held at St Marys Church in August, which was an overwhelming experience. It was great to see so many people attend, most of whom play an important part in our town, as well as friends, family and dignitaries.

I also attended the Remembrance Sunday event and laid a wreath, remembering all those who have fallen serving our country.

Future events I am excited to be switching on the town’s Christmas lights on the 23rd November and taking part in the celebrations. My mayoral carol concert takes place on 3rd December, with singers from local schools, the Salvation Army and some surprises. Looking into the new year, I have begun preparations for my mayoral celebration party. Further news in the up and coming weeks!

All funds raised from my Mayoral events will go to my chosen charities; Papyrus and Norfolk’s Big C. I look forward to continuing to be an ambassador for Diss and serving our community.

Cllr Sonia Browne Mayor of Diss Diss Town Council

Get 10% Off Xmas Lights & Decorations with Any Tree Purchased Applies to 7th & 8th December only

Diss Matters . Winter 2019 11

Be inspired, go online @bathroomshowroom

10% off with this advert*

Free 3D Design | Complete Bathrooms | Quality Guaranteed | Tile Sampling

Your perfect bathroom is closer than you think.

With leading bathroom brands to suit every project, style and budget, you can get what is right for you.

We also offer a FREE 3D design and planning service, so you can see your new bathroom before it’s fitted.

Unit V17, Vinces Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4HG Tel: 01379 651303 Monday-Friday: 7:30am - 5pm, Saturday: 8am - 12pm

Bathrooms.com

*Terms and Conditions: Discount applies to orders placed with The Bathroom Showroom Diss inclusive. This offer ends on 31/01/2020 inclusive. Discount only applies to products selected from the current Bathroom Brochure and Tile Brochure from The Bathroom Showroom Diss. Discount may only be used at point of purchase in the Bathroom Showroom at the City Plumbing Supplies Diss. One per customer. The Bathroom Showroom accepts no obligation of stock availability. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, voucher, discount or promotion. Imagery used is for representation purposes only. This offer can only be redeemed by showing this advert at the Bathroom Showroom located at Diss, Unit V17, Vinces Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4HG. Discount is not available for online or telephone orders. All sales are subject to the Bathroom Showroom sale terms.

Diss Matters . Winter 2019 13

BROADLAND & SOUTH NORFOLK

Business Awards2020 Nominate your business or favourite retailer

Nom

inate by 30 December 201 south-norfolk.gov.uk/businessa 9 at wards Headline sponsor

Media partner

“We are deeply grateful for the kindness and compassion you extended to our family during this difficult time.

You have touched our hearts.”

– from a family we have cared for at Rosedale

Victoria Rd, Diss 01379 640810 www.rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk

We are a family business and promise to provide exceptional care and a truly personal 24 hour service, when you need it most.