SHOULDHAM NEWS Volume 12. No.3 Spring 2014
Wheels meet again Shouldham’s annual community bike ride is almost upon us again, and this year we have plenty of community spirit to celebrate, with the re-opening of the King’s Arms not too far off. The ride will take place on Sunday May 4th. We’ll gather on the Green at 11am and merrily peddle up Fincham Hill on the way to our first stop, the Berney Arms at Barton Bendish. Further stops for refreshment will be at the Bedingfeld Arms, Oxborough, and the Swan at Gooderstone, where we shall be treated to a barbecue lunch, cooked by our heroic band of regulars. Afterwards we’ll make our way to the Twenty Churchwardens at Cockley Cley, before the return trip via the Great Dane at Beachamwell and another stop-off at the Berney Arms. In the unlikely event of bad weather, the ride will be postponed until Sunday May 25th. All welcome (the pace is easy, and the ride is suitable for adults and older children); entrance £2 per person, £5 per family, payable on the day. The King’s Arms is hoping to run a ‘pop-up pub on the Green to greet our return. In past years, upwards of 70 cyclists have taken part in this grand day out, and once again it promises to be an excellent chance to meet your neighbours and chat about village news. The main news of the past year, of course, has been our purchase of the King’s Arms, and, as you will see, the refurbishment work continues apace. Progress has been slower than we first envisaged, so we’re now hoping that our community pub will open its doors in the summer: welcoming to all – old and young, families and friends, villagers and those from further afield, diners and those simply wanting a chat and a drink in the bar. See inside for further details about the pub and our recent successful quiz night. As has often been said, Shouldham’s community spirit is the envy of all in the locality, and has famously been demonstrated in our campaign to buy the pub, but there are ample other opportunities to rally round the village. Buying provisions in our village shop at the Chalk & Cheese will not only allow it to continue serving those who don’t have access to a car, it will also save you pounds in petrol. Supporting the Bowls Club by becoming a member (only £10 a year per family for non-players) will help keep this valuable amenity open – and there’s nothing better than watching a game on a fine summer’s evening. Our church too needs your support, to help with its vast repair bills; and our village hall, our outstanding school and our renowned football club all welcome volunteers to help. What has become apparent in the past year is that no challenge is too big for Shouldham!
www.shouldham.info
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Advertising in Shouldham News Shouldham News is now accepting advertising. Sadly, we’ve had to put up our rates to cover our costs. The new rates are: Classified (up to three lines): £1 Quarter page: £10 Half page: £20 Full page: £40 For further details, or to place an ad in the Summer edition (deadline Sunday 22nd June), please contact John Dovey (347802/ jdovey@btinternet.com). Shouldham News is published four times a year by volunteers, and distributed free of charge to all households in Shouldham and Shouldham Thorpe.
Advertise for the whole year (4 issues) and get 25% off
Open Gardens and Village Yard Sale Major village events come thick and fast as we enter the summer season, so a month after the bike ride there’s our Open Gardens and Yard Sale, which will take place on Sunday 8th June, from midday onwards. If you want to book a place to sell your unwanted treasures (£5 per pitch), or open your garden for the viewing populace, simply contact Emma (emma.gibson@shouldham.info/01366 348199). Individuals participating in the Yard Sale are more than welcome to sell any homemade products, such as cakes, juice and garden products. The Village Green will be used as the centre point for the event, run by the Lady Birds, who will provide refreshments, maps pin-pointing the gardens on show, and forms so that you can vote for the best gardens. They shall also be running a raffle.
Marham Village PrePre-School Marham Village Pre-School is a small, friendly group offering places for children from two years old. We are registered to provide free places for all three year olds and we also have places for two-year-olds funding. We are open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9am until 2.30pm and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am until 1pm. For more information call us on 07950 753877 in pre-school Ban.tick@hotmail.com or hours or email juliewalkey@hotmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook.
West Norfolk Village Games Does anyone want to enter a Shouldham team into these games, which will be held on Sunday 29th June? Entry forms are now available online at http://www.intervillagegames.co.uk The closing date for entries is May 30th. www.shouldham.info
King’s Arms news Events at our now-famous pub have progressed swiftly and positively since the Winter edition of Shouldham News. The King’s Arms became the property of Shouldham Community Enterprises (SCE) on Friday 10th January, and just a week later, on Saturday 18th January, we held our first ‘community work day’. The response from the village and our supporters was fantastic, with around 40 volunteers coming to clear out the pub ready for refurbishment. Everything we might want to keep has now been safely stored, while the rubbish has been taken to a skip. Many thanks to all who turned up on the day, and especial thanks to Shouldham’s WI (now the Lady Birds) who provided refreshments, bacon sandwiches, mulled cider and cakes for the volunteers. Work then continued on the garden, with Gavin Straffon’s team doing an admirable job in clearing the land and cutting back shrubs. Meanwhile, inside, Colin West and Dave Bevan were chipping away at the plaster to reveal beautiful old brick and stonework. The old bar has also been removed by James Gibson, and Andy Everett has tidied up the electrics, to simplify the task of the builders. Our second community work day involved the unglamorous task of weeding the car park, but this was soon done and the grounds are now looking a great deal better. At around this time, the SCE committee was busy appointing a manager, and a builder to carry out the refurbishments. More than 20 candidates applied for the position of manager and the quality was very high. After two days of informal meetings then formal interviews, we chose Ian Skinner for the post. We believe that Ian (who currently lives in Stow Bardolph) will do a marvellous job at making our pub a convivial place, welcoming to all. Many of you will already have met Ian and his partner Abbie Panks, as they carried out the heroic task of running our beer festival last summer. We wish them both every success in this exciting endeavour. Before we open, though, much building work needs to be done. After deliberating on four tenders for the work, the SCE committee has decided to appoint Steven Seals Ltd, a family-run business based at Salters Lode, to carry out the refurbishment. As you read this, the work will already be underway. Cont page 5
Cont from page 4 Once it is completed, we’ll need your help to scrub and decorate the pub then restock it. With luck, by the next edition of Shouldham News we’ll have a more definite date for the official reopening – an event that we hope shall go down in the annals of Shouldham’s history! We have been most fortunate in the grants we have received to help us buy and redecorate the pub. As well as the quite magnificent grant from the Department of Communities & Local Government to enable us to purchase the King’s Arms, we have just been awarded a small sum from Pub is the Hub (a not-for-profit organisation set up by HRH the Prince of Wales) that will help us equip the proposed café, and enable the kitchen to perform its community role – especially concerning joint projects with St Martin at Shouldham School. However, money is still going to be tight, so the fundraising continues. Our recent major event was a reprise of autumn’s highly successful ‘pub quiz’. This spring event, held on March 6th in the school hall (by kind permission of St Martin at Shouldham School), was again hosted by EDP Editor Nigel Pickover, with questions set by the EDP’s Community Editor, Andrew Papworth. And once again it attracted a sell-out crowd for a friendly yet fiercely contested evening. With a bar run by Ian Skinner, Abbie Panks and Jim Ross, and food (fish & chips or delicious New Orleans gumbo) kindly provided by the Chalk & Cheese, the evening was a tremendous success. Monies raised will be put towards children’s play equipment and garden furniture at the pub. Many thanks to everyone who made it possible. Jenny Malby’s team were the eventual winners and the night culminated in Nigel Pickover announcing that, for the first time in its 144-year history, the EDP was going to publish a special edition to celebrate the re-opening of the King’s Arms. Roll on that happy day!
Your village needs you! Whether you have a working allotment, blooming garden or just a few shrubs, it deserves to be shown. Let’s show the world how fantastic Shouldham is, and open your garden on Sunday 8th June 2014. Contact Emma Gibson 01366 348199 / emma.gibson@shouldham.info
www.shouldham.info
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Zumba Gold Low-impact zumba suitable for all ages from 17 to 70. Every Wednesday in Shouldham Village Hall 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Please ring Dominique on 07769 341680 for information, or just turn up.
ALL SAINTS’, SHOULDHAM Spring Quiz This year’s Spring Quiz will take place on Saturday 17th May, from 7pm, at Shouldham Village Hall. Entrance is £4 per person, with tables of up to six contestants. Bring your own refreshments. To book, please contact Ann Hullah (347814 or annhullah@btinternet.com) as soon as possible. New tables are very welcome; profits to church funds. Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting This took place on the afternoon of Monday, 10th March, in Shouldham School, chaired by Rev Barbara Burton. At the preceding Vestry Meeting, Ann and Brian Hullah were again re-elected to serve as Churchwardens until April 2015. The principal item at the following AGM was the presentation of the 2013 Accounts by Treasurer, Shirley Jones. She was greatly encouraged because, not only had we paid our way, but the takings at collections were significantly up on 2012. As before, Shirley emphasised the vital savings made by volunteers cutting the new churchyard, as well as the important fundraising items of two quizzes, the August Flower Festival and the Harvest Supper. She was thanked for her hard work, as was Jenny Carman, our Independent Examiner. The Church Wardens then reported on the condition of the church and its possessions. The continued movement of a large crack in the north-eastern corner of the chancel is being regularly measured by structural engineers, who will report their findings after June. It was also remarkable that the chancel roof had survived the winter gales, despite the perished conditions of many slates. On a brighter note, we had just received the generous donation of a powerful electronic organ from Sheila Price, widow of Frank, whose instrument it had been. Frank’s grandfather, Henry Courtnay Price, was vicar of this parish from 1906 to 1931, so the organ has found an honourable home. Barbara Burton then suggested that the PCC might consider selling the old pipe organ (which requires periodic tuning) – a future agenda item. The Vicar thanked all those who worked hard to maintain All Saints’ Church . Finally, the officers and members of the PCC were elected en bloc. These personnel are listed on a notice fixed to the church door, which will remain there until Easter. Ann and Brian Hullah
www.shouldham.info
Photographs and Stories needed As people will have seen shouldham.info needs updating. I am happy to spend some time doing this, but I need things to fill it with. If you have any photos from 2013/14 events that have happened in the village, any stories, facts or information, Please contact me. Emma 01366 348199 / emma.gibson@shouldham.info
The Magpie Centre A great opportunity beckons for the Magpie Centre, home of West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled. We have been invited to participate in the Giant Coffee Morning Raffle, to be drawn on Friday April 4th, in the Town Hall, Downham Market. Top prize is £250. The Coffee Morning runs from 9am to noon; all are welcome. Organised by Downham Market Rotary, this event is partnered by NSPCC, West Norfolk RDA, Norfolk Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support. All of these causes must be close to our hearts, and proceeds of the raffle, and the coffee morning, will be divided equally between the charities. The nominated charities will have a stall in Downham Market Town Hall, and West Norfolk RDA is planning a brilliant tombola. If you would like to sell books of raffle tickets (£1 each, five to a book), please email me on c_dudley1@hotmail.com (there is an underscore between the c and the d) or call me on 01553 828935 and I can get tickets to you within 48 hrs. Caroline Dudley - Publicity Officer West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled
Soup Lunch
Shouldham Village Hall
Saturday 5th April 12 - 2pm
Two courses & tea or coffee £4
All proceeds go toward a new kitchen in Shouldham Village Hall For information contact Emma 348199
All change at Watlington Medical Centre Dr Hambling moved from Watlington Medical Centre in the early spring, and Candice, our pharmacist, started a new job in February. We will all miss them both. Dr Hambling joined the Medical Centre in 1999 and over the last 15 years has cared for her patients in the very best way, always keeping up to date with the latest medical advances and always very mindful and compassionate towards the patient sitting in front of her, treating them as a real person with real concerns and worries. Dr Hambling will be missed greatly not only by her patients but also by the staff and doctors here. She has played a vital role in getting particular areas of
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Cont page 10
care organised in the practice and she is also very highly regarded throughout Norfolk, and beyond, for her high-level skills particularly in the field of diabetes care. We will all miss her very much and wish her the very best of luck in her new role in Downham Market – they are very lucky to be welcoming her there! We have recruited Dr Priya Ghosh. She currently works in King’s Lynn and will be joining us at the beginning of May. Dr Buckland
Message from Dr C Hambling I am sure that many of you will know that, as well as being a busy General Practitioner, I have specialist interest areas in both diabetes and research. My role as the Chair of the West Norfolk Diabetes Network keeps me very actively involved with other specialist colleagues across Norfolk and even further afield, working on a number of projects in relation to the care of people living with diabetes. I have fairly recently also taken on a role as a GP Research Lead, promoting research in primary care. Both of these are areas of ever-increasing importance, aiming to ensure that the services and treatments that patients receive are the very best that the NHS can provide. After almost 25 years in clinical practice, I remain very passionate about what I do, both as a GP and with my interests in diabetes and research. Over recent years, I have found myself getting busier and busier, which makes finding time to do everything that I want to do very difficult. Because of this, I have decided to move to a more part-time job-sharing post at Bridge Street Surgery in Downham Market. This will offer me a very different way of working, with more time to commit to my roles in diabetes and research. Although I will be changing practices, I will remain very active within the local medical community and I am looking forward to some new opportunities and projects that may arise. I have very much enjoyed the past 15 years as a GP at Watlington Medical Centre. It has been a pleasure working with my colleagues and a privilege to be able to provide care for you, the local population. I thank you for all your good wishes.
Candice van der Merwe It is with great sadness that we bid a fond farewell to our pharmacist, Candice van der Merwe, who is going to be pursuing a more academic pharmacy career in Cambridgeshire. Candice has been an invaluable member of our Integrated Medicine Provider team for almost four years and has helped steer the pharmacy ship through some difficult times, with increasing demand, increasing medication complexity, and an ageing population. She and her team have raised the quality standards in the pharmacy, ensuring that we have received glowing reports from the Regulator. Candice’s skills and knowledge have been extremely valuable in helping the practice to sort out medication for some of our most vulnerable patients. Whilst wishing her well in her future career path, we know that she will be greatly missed by the doctors, staff and patients. We will be actively recruiting a replacement, and hope that we will be lucky enough to get someone of Candice’s calibre. Dr Philip Koopowitz
Chalk and Cheese – Spring into Summer We are taking bookings for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday lunches. We are delighted that the community has achieved the renewal of the King’s Arms, congratulate the very hard working committee and look forward to buying our first pint there! The shop (like the pub) needs your ongoing support, so please come by and use us. The shop is open every day. There is plenty of new stock, including an expanded range of greetings cards and gift wrap. Fresh bread can be ordered and reserved Opening hours are: Monday 9am-1pm Tuesday 9am-1pm Wednesday to Friday 9am-5pm Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm Do come and have a browse, with no obligation. For an extra incentive during April we will provide a free coffee or tea and biscuits or chocolates for your first visit of the month on production of this article. We now have another two rooms available for bed and breakfast, so let us know if we can help when your house is creaking at the seams when family and friends come to visit! In the pipeline are a Midsummer Jazz Supper Party, a Christmas Crafts and Antiques event, and a relaunch of the Gallery – more information in the next edition of Shouldham News. For further details, or to make a booking for accommodation or the restaurant or any special occasions, please call Andrew on 01366 348039 or email us on andrew.chalkandcheese@gmail.com Happy Easter to you all!
Bridget and Andrew Archibald PS We are officially in charge of a smashing time at the Village Day on 12th July! Please save any chipped or cracked china and bring it to us for the china-smashing stall. We will put it to good use and hopefully raise a good sum towards the village www.shouldham.info funds!
Permaculture Design Course The West Norfolk Permaculture Design Course has been running for four years. The course website is http://norfolkpermaculture.wordpress.com/ There are two parts to the course: the introduction to permaculture weekend and then five more weekends. The intro weekend is an effective standalone course which covers the ethics and principles of permaculture as well as techniques like zoning, group working and observation. It’s also a great way to meet a whole load of diverse people who share similar aims. The next Introduction to Permaculture weekend will be on the 12th and 13th of April, near Swaffham. People are welcome to attend the intro and then decide if they wish to continue with the full course. The course is taught by Hannah Thorogood who is a highly qualified, skilled and respected tutor. In the course you will learn about such things as recycling waste water, compost loos, no-dig method of gardening, alternative economics, sustainable agriculture and green building techniques etc. It will also show you how to design aspects of your own life/garden/projects/ business, land etc using permaculture design and philosophy. The course venues are the wonderful homes of people involved in transition and permaculture in the West Norfolk area, and so the course is an excellent opportunity to see permaculture in action. The suggested cost of the course is £60 for the introduction weekend and then £250 for the rest of the course. We try to encourage people to pay what they feel they can afford, so they can choose to pay more than the suggested amount if they wish and it will then support somebody who might find it less affordable. Anyone who is interested in the course is welcome to email me at westnorfolkpdc@gmail.com for more information. John Knock, Course Convenor
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137 Shelagh King
May
52 Mrs D Matthews
Jun
115 Mr P Silverman
Jul
87 Pippa Bennett
Aug
78 David Heley
Sep
42 Ant Hobbs
Oct
92 Stephen Beardmore
Nov
129 Jodie Caley
Dec
131 Phil Harriss (£100)
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135 Andrew Archibald (£50) 96 Richards Marks (£25 Jan
125 Mrs R Edwards
Feb
28 Gill Saxon
Mar
48 Maggie Garner
ONLY 100 Tickets available
For tickets contact Emma 01366 348199 / emma.gibson@shouldham.info www.shouldham.info
Ocobo Boarding Kennels Est: 1986 Hill House, Lynn Rd, Shouldham Thorpe, Kings Lynn, PE33 0EB 01366 347303 ** 07787390082 ** www.mystylebulldogs.com
Fully Licensed, Family Run Kennels Set in 6 acres for use of the dogs only Short or Long Term Boarding All Breeds Catered for Regular Exercise, Loose & Lead Single, or Large Family Heated Kennels Fully Trained Staff Pick up and return service (£5 each way) £1 per day Military Discount All dogs £9 a day inclusive of food and bedding Petlog Microchipping available – 1 dog £15, 2 dogs £25 Recommended by the Retired Greyhound Trust Viewings Welcome
Dates for your diaries Friday April 4th, 9am-noon, Downham Market Town Hall: THE GIANT COFFEE MORNING RAFFLE. First prize £250. Saturday 5th April, 12-2pm. Shouldham Village Hall: SOUP LUNCH. Contact Emma Gibson 01366 348199 / emma.gibson@shouldham.info Saturday 12th April, Shouldham Bowls Club: LLOYD E MOON. Tickets £10 including food (bangers and mash and assorted desserts). Contact Elsie 347636. Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th April, near Swaffham: INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE WEEKEND. For details, see http:// norfolkpermaculture.wordpress.com or email John Knock at westnorfolkpdc@gmail.com Monday 14th April, 7.30pm, Shouldham Village Hall: ANNUAL PARISH OPEN MEETING. All are most welcome to attend. Sunday 20th April, Shouldham Bowls Club: GREEN RE-OPENING. Learners welcome. Contact Elsie 347636. Tuesday 29th April, 8pm, Shouldham Village Hall: LADYBIRDS MEETING. For more details, contact Emma 01366 348199 / shouldhamladybirds@gmail.com Sunday 4th May, 11am, The Green: ANNUAL BIKE RIDE. A gentle pedal along the byways of West Norfolk, avoiding major roads but encountering the occasional hostelry. All welcome: entrance £2 per person, £5 per family, payable on the day. Sunday 4th May, The Green: BAR & FOOD. Organised by the King’s Arms Shouldham. More details to follow. Saturday 10th May, noon-2pm, Shouldham Village Hall: SOUP LUNCH (Ploughman’s). Contact Emma Gibson 01366 348199 / emma.gibson@shouldham.info Saturday 17th May, 7pm, Shouldham Village Hall: SPRING QUIZ. Entrance £4 per person, tables up to six contestants. Bring your own refreshments. Please contact Ann Hullah (347814 or annhullah@btinternet.com) asap to book. New tables very welcome; profits to church funds.
www.shouldham.info
Dates for your diaries Tuesday 20th May, 8pm, Shouldham Village Hall: LADYBIRDS. For more details contact Emma 01366 348199 / shouldhamladybirds@gmail.com Sunday June 8th, from midday, all around Shouldham: OPEN GARDENS AND VILLAGE YARD SALE. £5 for a pitch at the Yard Sale, contact Emma Gibson for details of both events (emma.gibson@shouldham.info/01366 348199). Sunday 22nd June, SHOULDHAM NEWS DEADLINE. The final date for copy for the Summer edition. If you have any news, views or details of forthcoming events, please contact Phil Harriss (01366 347244 or 01844 238868/ philharriss@icloud.com note change of email address). Or pop a note through the door of ‘Dunromin’ on the Green. Electronic, colour copies of the newsletter can be found on www.shouldham.info and on the Shouldham Parish Council website: http://shouldhampc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/category/newsletters/ Tuesday 22nd June, 8pm, Shouldham Village Hall: LADYBIRDS MEETING. For more details contact Emma 01366 348199 / shouldhamladybirds@gmail.com Saturday 12th July, VILLAGE WEEKEND FETE AND EVENING ‘DO’. Shouldham’s major annual celebration will kick off at noon, with a village fete on the Green. The festivities will continue in the evening (7.30pm) at Colt’s Hall barn, with live music, a disco and a hog roast. More details in the next edition of Shouldham News. Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th July, King George V playing field. Village Cricket Weekend. For more information contact Nigel seebnige@live.co.uk
Marie Curie A big thank you to neighbours in Woodward Close for the excellent £60 donated in the recent collection for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Thank you very much. Jennifer Malby
Ever wondered about home swapping? Val Negus forwarded Shouldham News this request from the BBC. We are looking for people who want to try out a home swap holiday in Britain for a new BBC TV series. Enjoy a unique holiday experience in a stunning part of Britain… Do you live in an interesting home you’d be happy to swap with someone elsewhere in the UK for a short break? Would you like the chance to have a new experience and discover local cuisine, sight-seeing that goes beyond the guide book, and an authentic place to stay? Do you: Live in an interesting property such as a converted barn, a charming cottage, a super-modern apartment, a historic building, a period house or a unique space? Want a UK two-day break and the chance to discover a new area? Like the idea of a house swap holiday, but have never tried it? If so then get in touch now! For an application form or an initial chat please email Kieran.mccarthy@bbc.co.uk with your contact details. JDC PLUMBING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Jamie Cloudesley FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING AND HOME MAINTENANCE NEEDS FROM BLOCKED DRAINS AND LEAK REPAIRS TO FULL BATHROOM AND KITCHEN INSTALLATIONS
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www.shouldham.info
Shouldham Ladybirds
Fun Village Cricket Weekend
Meets every 4th Tuesday of the
26th - 27th July 2014
month 8pm Shouldham Village Hall All ladies welcome £3.50 per meeting or £30 for 12 months For more information contact shouldhamladybirds@gmail.com
Join your team now •
Shouldham Bowls Club
•
Shouldham Football Club
•
Chalk and Cheese
•
The King’s Arms
For more information seebnige@live.co.uk
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Digital communications Here today – for some maybe, but compulsory for all in the future. When did you last write a letter? Many people just use an email instead. Government is heading for a world of online returns, and business for orders and shopping. Now security and alarm messages are often text messages. Whether it is an individual or a company, the preference seems to be to communicate digitally. Then there are mobile phones; some people are lost without one permanently clutched in their hand. But these two services are really the same thing marketed differently. You can converse with anyone, anywhere online (eg ‘Skype’) via telephone cabling or answer an email and surf the net from a smart phone. That is to be expected these days. When we moved to Shouldham we knew these services were possible. The previous owner of our house used to have meetings with work colleagues from home. We thought our mobile phones were not well supported by our supplier, so we moved to another with a better reputation for Norfolk. But this was all an illusion. The mobile service did not improve and more recently the internet access seems to be getting worse. What can you do if you are one of the deprived members of modern society? The government project to spread broadband access into rural areas has been progressing, but not really at the pace wanted. If you see a second green cabinet being installed next to the one in front of the King’s Arms, then it is the sign of fibre cabling reaching into Shouldham. This should speed up broadband services but will depend upon how long the copper cable from the original green cabinet is before it reaches you. Much over 1km and speed and capacity will not be very good. You could of course pay for a dedicated fibre link to your home or office, but this is presumed as being underground as fibre links on poles are not yet available. This ‘super speed’ broadband service may happen in the next two to three years, but it depends upon Norfolk County Council agreeing with ‘Open Reach’ where and when to make the investment. It could improve current internet access by a factor of ten. But 5-10% of the rural population will not get this access to ‘super speed’ broadband under the current scheme and Shouldham, or parts of it, could be in that category. But don’t give up hope completely. If you can’t wait for fibre optics or it isn’t coming to you, you have some other options for improved internet access. Cont on page 20
www.shouldham.info
Most other options are to use a wireless system. These will not usually be as quick as the best ‘super speed’ broadband but can be much quicker than the existing land line service and could be provided relatively quickly. The wireless services are not quite the same as mobile phones, although most rely on a line -of-sight communication from a terrestrial aerial. One supplier uses satellites, which generally overcomes the need for wireless masts (Rural Broadband). Another says they are totally independent of ‘Open Reach’ – ‘Redrawinternet’. Another supplier (Thinkingwisp) has put a transmitter at Gayton to serve West Norfolk, but it appears this does not give ‘line of sight’ to many Shouldham properties. But they may be interested in setting up a local mast (a repeater/ amplifier) such as on the playing field. A third company (Wispire) is a cooperative effort using predominately church spires to locate a local transmitter, but again may be persuaded to use another mast arrangement. (NB this selection is not exhaustive.) All the terrestrial-based service options will need to take technical matters into consideration, such as Shouldham getting a fibre cable link and of course the potential demand (eg Wispire would want about 25 customers). In contrast, the satellite service provider seems quite expensive but a receiver could be almost anywhere – such as on a grain silo or a ‘dongle’ for a mobile computer, and they quote three days for delivery. All the specialist suppliers will arrange tailored services (at a cost) if required for businesses or schools, whereas the government broadband project is structured to serve the most people within the budget available but is independent of any business justification. The alternatives to ‘super speed’ broadband do not all provide an improved mobile phone coverage. At least two of the big four mobile service companies can provide internet-based local repeaters, which have a range of about 50m – though these will need a reasonable broadband line service for this to work. So unless these mobile telecom suppliers improve their services, you will still find places with ‘no signal’, now called ‘not spots’. While the copper cable system has been around for about 100 years, fibreoptic cables are relatively new but could last as long. However, technology is moving capabilities forward and service-delivery capacity is expected to keep increasing independent of the existence of the cable network. Maybe you already have a working solution to digital communication for today and tomorrow, if so please tell us all about it. These notes were prepared following a meeting I attended in Newmarket on 21st March arranged by the MP for Mid Norfolk to stimulate pressure on suppliers to improve internet and mobile telecoms services in East Anglia – contact george@georgefreeman.co.uk for more details. Cont on page 21
Cont from page 20 Contact List: NCC ‘Better Broadband for Norfolk’ programme director: Karen o’Kane, k a r e n . o k a n e @ n o r f o l k . g o v . u k ‘ThinkingWisp’ – Norfolk RCC, In Touch systems and Affinity (Anglian Farmers) w w w . t h i n k i n g w i s p . c o . u k , 0 1 6 0 3 5 5 8 0 0 1 ‘Wispire’ – ‘Diocese of Norwich’ and Freeclix www.wispire.co.uk 0845 1800 026 (needs around 25 customers in a new area) ‘Rural Broadband’ (Heacham) info@ruralbroadband.co.uk 01485 572253 ‘Redrawinternet.com’, an independent company: 0845 8620 919 Alan Austin, Westgate Street.
Classified ads Man’s bicycle for sale £30 ono. Phone 01366 347833.
Organisations, clubs and services Please contact Shouldham News if any of the details below change. All Saints’ Church Vicar: Revd Barbara Burton, New Rectory, High Street, Fincham, King’s Lynn PE33 9EL (01366 348079/barbaraburton@btinternet.com). Church wardens: Brian and Ann Hullah (347814/annhullah@btinternet.com/ bbhullah@btinternet.com). Bell ringing: practice night Thursday 7-8.30pm; contact Brian Hullah (347814). Bowls Club New Clubhouse, Fairstead Grove, Shouldham (01366 347550). Whist drives on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. Bus services Shouldham has a bus service (Monday to Saturday) to Marham and King’s Lynn, run by Norfolk Green buses (www.norfolkgreen.co.uk/01553 776980). There are also occasional bus services (the No.51) run to Norwich and Downham Market by Eagle Coaches (01760 755641/www.eaglescoaches.co.uk).
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Organisations, clubs and services Good Companions A social club for the village’s older residents, meeting on the third Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm in the Village Hall. Contact: Jennie Thorley (01366 347261/thorley_j@sky.com). Scouting 2nd Runcton Holme & Watlington beavers & cubs. Meet at Runcton Holme Scout Hut next to the school in Runcton Holme. Contact: Bob Keens (01553 810855/scout.keens@btinternet.com). Beavers meet on Tuesday 5.30-7pm, cubs on Wednesday 6.30-8pm. Rainbows. For girls aged five to seven. Meet at Runcton Holme Scout Hut 4.305.30pm Thursdays. Contact: Poppy (Jane Rose-Land; 01366 347452/ jsroseland@gmail.com). Brownies. Meet at Runcton Holme Scout Hut 6-7.15pm Thursdays. Contact: Brown Owl (Mandy Randle; 01366 388554/mark.randle@tesco.net). Guides. Meet at Runcton Holme Scout Hut 7.30-9pm Thursdays. Contact: Guide Leader (Sarah Mac; 01366 501942/sarahjmack@hotmail.co.uk). Shouldham Football Club Website: www.shouldhamfc.co.uk Chairman: Keith Matthews; vice-chair: Nigel Nixon (01366 347288); treasurer: Tim Owen (01366 347926); welfare officer: Nicola Smith (07867 523896/ nicolasmith@piersjacabltd.com); secretary: Anne Goodenough (07443 046104/ annegoodenough@hotmail.com). Shouldham Parish Council Contact: Val Negus, parish clerk (01366 347495/Shouldham@talktalk.net). Website: http://shouldhampc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk Shouldham Post Office Westgate Street, Shouldham (01366 347789). Shouldham Thorpe Allotment Society Contact: John Cowin, treasurer, 43 Westgate Street, Shouldham (01366 347526/orrycowin @aol.com) or Jim Ross (07960350128/ mudlarkin@gmail.com).
Organisations, clubs and services Toddler Group Contact: Angela (angelacaley77@googlemail.com). Village Hall Contact: Ann (01366 347669). Village Weekend Committee Contact: Emma (01366 348199/ emma.gibson@shouldham.info). Shouldham Ladybirds Contact: Emma (01366 348199/shouldhamladybirds@gmail.com). Businesses If you would like your Shouldham-based business included in this directory, please contact Shouldham News. Chalk & Cheese Contact Andrew & Bridget Archibald, 1 Eastgate Street, Shouldham (01366 348039/info@chalkandcheesenorfolk.co.uk). Keith Matthews Accountancy Contact 01366 347848/ keithjmatthews@aol.com). King’s Arms www.kingsarmsshouldham.co.uk Now owned by Shouldham Community Enterprises (SCE), which plans to reopen the pub in Summer 2014. SCE and Support Our King’s Arms (SOKA) can be contacted by emailing info@kingsarmsshouldham.co.uk or by leaving a message on 01366 308092. Poppi Interiors Warren Lodge, Fairstead Drove, Shouldham (01366 348033/07708506359/ poppiinteriors@aol.co.uk).
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Shouldham Parish Council: Annual Report 2013/14 Shouldham Parish Council will be holding the Annual Parish Open Meeting in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on 14th April 2014. You are most welcome to attend.
Chairman’s Report How does your Parish Council work? Shouldham Parish Council meets on the second Monday each month through the year. There are eight Parish Councillors including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Responsible Financial Officer. The Parish Clerk oversees the running of proceedings, dealing with all the administration. Elections to the Parish Council happen every four years. All Councillors are guided by a Code of Conduct and Standing Orders. Shouldham Parish Council represents your local community here and works to maintain the quality of life in the village. The best way to find out what happens at a Parish Council Meeting is to come to one. Members of the public are welcome. Contact details, agendas and minutes can be found on the notice board at the Post Office on Westgate Street and on the notice board on the Village Green. Copies of the agendas, minutes and a schedule of meetings can also be found on the Parish Council website shouldhampc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk or requested from the Parish Clerk Val Negus shouldhampc@talktalk.net telephone 347495. Where does the money come from? Each year a sum of money, the precept, is collected through your Council Tax. This money is used by the Parish Council to maintain and improve local facilities and services. The Parish Council can also apply for grants and can receive money from rents if it owns any land or property. At the Parish Council Open Meeting the Financial Officer will be presenting his report. Councillor vacancy The Parish Council has unfortunately lost one of its Councillors due to family commitments. As soon as authorisation is received from the Borough Council Returning Officer, a new Councillor can be co-opted on to the Parish Council. If anyone is interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, would they please contact either the Chairman or the Clerk in writing. Contact details can be obtained by email shouldhampc@talktalk.net or by phoning the clerk on 01366 347495.
Some of the issues considered at Shouldham Parish Council Meetings during 2013/14 Installation of a ‘trod’ on the Green and proposals for walkways in different parts of the village. Planning applications in the village. Arranging future training update for parish councillors on planning issues and processes. Liaison over provision of improved bus stop on Lynn Road. Future development in the village. Ongoing discussions on residents’ concerns about speeding vehicles and parking – seeking affordable solutions and liaising with highways authority and police to resolve these issues and keep them on their agendas. Maintenance of the old churchyard at Shouldham All Saints’. Installation of roadside ‘gates’ on Lynn Road and Norwich Road to highlight speed limits. Drainage matters. Actively supporting the village initiative to raise funds and purchase the King’s Arms. Routine upkeep of playing fields and community facilities including the repair of the playing field toilet block, repair of equipment, seating, fencing, village sign and other necessary maintenance . Liaison with other local elected members – Borough Council, County Council and MPs on local issues. Liaison with other agencies and statutory bodies. Appropriate training for members of the Parish Council. Financial matters and routine correspondence. Ongoing monitoring and discussions on the topic of the proposed waste incinerator at Saddlebow. Changes to Borough Council collection and recycling of waste to reduce landfill. Improving access to recycling facilities for local people. The successful pressing for both sides of Fincham Hill to be gritted, and monitoring the gritting and repairs to road surfaces within and around the village.
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‘Hormone Supporting’ Menu for The Ladies Spring Evening at Chalk & Cheese, 23rd April 23rd (7pm) Choose from: (2 courses) Main Course Minty Hummus - served with warm pitta bread and a selection of fresh, seasonal vegetable sticks Spicy Chickpea Pilaf – served with local fresh broccoli Almond Crusted Salmon – served with local fresh spring greens Dessert Coconut Chocolate Mousse Berry topped cheesecake
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M.M.A. BOOK-KEEPING AND ACCOUNTANCY Chartered Management Accountant • • • • • • •
Tax Returns VAT Returns Self Build VAT Claims Monthly Management Accounts Preparation Sage, Excel and Manual Systems Advice Computerisation of Records Home/On Site Visits Available Call Keith Matthews (ACMA) 01366 347848 07818 438066
BIKES For Sale 2 Astra mountain bikes (1 male, 1 female). Good condition – Hardly used since new £50 each o.n.o.
Westgate Street Phone 01366 347433