Wickham Skeith Newsletter February 2021
Small points of white light shine beneath the hornbeam like stars at night-time
No Dates in the Diary – try this: Get ready for The Countryside Charity CPRE’s Star Count: 6-14 February 2021 by looking up at the constellation of Orion and letting them know how many stars you can spot. Looking south into the night sky, find the Orion constellation (picture back page) with its four corners and ‘belt’ of three bright stars, then count the number of stars you can see within the rectangle formed by the four corner stars. More info and sign up here: https://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-care-about/natureand-landscapes/dark-skies/
~VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE ~
Village Hall News The Village Hall remains closed due to the current national situation. With no sign of release the Committee haven't made any plans for 2021. We live in hope though that we will be able to have some of our usual events later in the year and perhaps introduce some new ones. Any ideas more than welcome! The accounts show that we spent ÂŁ400 in November and ÂŁ100 in Decemberapproximately-as there are still expenses which have to be paid. Electrics, licences, newsletter production and various other costs during specific months throughout the year. We await news of the election confirmation which will bring in some income-if it goes ahead! And of course thanks to Jeanne Mason who continues with the Lottery Lucky Number which brings in a regular amount each month. One hundred years ago, in February, the Village Hall-or Memorial Hall as in the report and perhaps more correctly- recorded this presentation:
It will be good to return to the Village Hall to meet up with friends and neighbours but until then stay safe everybody.
OIL SYNDICATE The next deadline for oil syndicate orders is 31 January 2021. Please ring Jerry on 765908 or email jerrybassett@icloud.com by this date to be added in.
Wickham Skeith Floods. 1. Floods in the Street 1912. It looks like it is summer time because the trees are in full leaf. Pete Davidson has done some research and apparently there were floods in Suffolk on Aug 28th 1912. The road bridge over the River Dove was not built until 1938; it was just a ford for vehicles with a footbridge which you can see in the background.
2. Floods in the Street 2020. A photo taken from the same spot, Christmas Eve 2020. It looks as though the water level reached a similar height, but it was far too cold to paddle this time!
History Notes : Wickham Skeith Field-Names 200 years ago there were around 400 fields in the parish of Wickham Skeith & each had its own name. Over the years, farming has changed with fields being integrated to enable the use of large machinery. Field-names have changed, or in many cases disappeared, and it’s a subject I’ve been interested in for a long time. Many of these names are easy to explain. Ten Acres, Great Field & Little Field refer to their size. Some describe location e.g. Church Field, Chancel Field, Thwaite Pightle etc. (Pightle means a small field.) Others describe some feature of the field which may be long gone: Mole Hill Close, Thistle Field, Wet Close etc. Here are a few of particular interest:
Peace Field I was told a long time ago that this field, to the left of the track to Birdshedge Wood, was where a peace treaty had been signed – in the Civil War or between the Saxons & the Vikings. Sadly the true origin is much more mundane. In 1829 it was called Pease Field – land where peas were grown. Nunns This is another local story I must challenge. No it’s not named after the nuns (there weren’t any) at the Abbey (there wasn’t one). Nunn is a common Suffolk surname & fields were often named after their owner or tenant. Sometimes these names don’t survive so the field opposite the Chicken Farm is now called Daisy Green Field but used to be Upper Martins. Hulver Tree Field Hulver is an old Suffolk word for Holly so this field must have had a holly tree. Hoggetts (Upper & Lower) There are two possible reasons for this one. Hoggett was a common Suffolk surname but also a hogget is a lamb between 1 & 2 years old. Dabsheds/Dabshot Some names go back a long way. This field just up Cotton Lane, now part of a much larger field, was Dabsheds in 1829 & the similar Dabshot in 1564. Possibly it has something to do with clay daub used for the walls of buildings. Sand Field This is a field with an even longer history. It has been Sand Field for at least 250 years & goes back even further. In 1564 it was Sondefeild & in 1310 it was Sond lond. Unsurprisingly it’s a sandy field. Bird Skye This is a strange one – it’s the field behind Brookside on the Street. If you trace the name back it has nothing to do with birds, the sky & certainly not the isle of Skye. In 1829 it’s Bird Skie. In 1613 it was Buttskeyth & in 1530 it was Buckeskeyth. The skeyth part is straightforward. As I explained in the October newsletter, Skeith refers to the area around the Street & skeyth appears in a number of early field-names around there. As for the Bucke, perhaps it refers to deer. Names like this presumably change because they were mainly used in spoken communication & only written down when the ownership or tenancy changed. With the Suffolk tendency to stress the 1 st syllable of a word, such an evolution makes sense. There are many other interesting field-names in the parish including an extremely vulgar one that I can’t put in a family publication! Pete Davidson pjdavidson42@gmail.com
~NOTICES ~
Lunch Club It now seems a very long time since we last met at Lunch Club. Those friendly, welcoming lunches are now a warm memory and I hope that those memories will keep our members going until we can meet again. Life seems to be in a flexible hold at the moment and it is almost impossible to even try to predict when it will be safe for us to meet again. It was so sad to miss our usual celebration Christmas dinner. So to make contact with everyone in the club and to bring a bit of winter cheer we decided to deliver a Christmas basket to each member. Everyone received a variety of items from chocolates, mince pies, a Christmas card, shortbread, decorations and candles. My thanks to Liz Davidson for making by hand all the Christmas cards and to Peter Davidson for helping me deliver all the parcels. It was really good to see so many friendly faces as we delivered to front doors, staying socially distanced of course! My thanks also go to all those who sent messages of thanks and appreciation. It was very sad to lose another much loved member of our club recently when Brian Bloor passed away. He was such a well loved and respected gentleman who will be much missed. We send many warm wishes to Margaret, his wife. Happy New year to you all and may 2021 be an improvement on 2020!
Parish Precept Dear Parishioners, At the last (virtual) meeting of the Parish Council, we discussed the Precept for the coming year. It was agreed unanimously that the precept would remain unchanged, at £3,500, due to the unprecedented difficulties for many residents over the last year, and probably into next. Because the tax-base has gone down this year, this means an increase in the Parish Council part of council tax for a Band D household of 34p for the year, from £25.46 to £25.80, or an increase of 1.32%. I feel I must warn you, however, that for the Parish Council to maintain the current level of management for Wickham Skeith, there will have to be a larger increase next year. Tim Thorogood Parish Council Chairman
~ W I C K HAM S K E I T H PAR I S H C O U N C I L ~ MINUTES of PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held MONDAY, 11 JANUARY 2021 by videoconference Present: Cllrs T Thorogood (Chair), K Knights, T Rowe, Cllr Stringer (SCC), H Roberts (Clerk) and 2 members of the public. Apologies received and accepted: Cllr R Palmer. 1
11/01/21: Chair’s Welcome: The Chair opened the meeting, welcoming those in attendance. 1.1 11/01/21: The meeting noted the resignation of Cllr Freeman in December. On behalf of everyone, the Chair voiced his gratitude to Cllr Freeman for her work on the Council over the years.
2 11/01/21: Declarations of Interest and dispensations: none. 3 11/01/21: Minutes of Meeting: Minutes of Meeting held 9 th November 2020 were approved. It was agreed the Chair’s signing of the minutes would be done outside of the meeting. 4 11/01/21: Village Forum A member of the public raised two issues: Thanks were expressed to Suffolk Highways for their quick response to a resident who had suffered in the recent floods. Damage done to verges due to the recent temporary diversion of the A140 diversion. It was agreed the member if the public would send the details to the Clerk. The Chair also mentioned a flooded road, and it was agreed the Clerk would report the flooding to Suffolk Highways and give the details to Cllr Stringer. 5 11/01/21: Reports from County and District Councillors, Police, Parish Clerk and Parish Councillors 5.1 11/01/21: SCC: Cllr Stringer’s report for January is available on the parish council’s website. Main points: Biodiversity strategy adopted. Resisting the decision to reclaim local highways budgets. Preparing budget amendments for 2021-22 budget Consultation on the Street Guide Cllr Rowe mentioned a footbridge that has been lifted by the recent flooding. It was agreed the Clerk would report this to Suffolk Highways once provided with the location details. 5.2 11/01/21: MSDC: Cllr Warboys’ report – not received. 5.3 11/01/21: Suffolk Police. Report provided by Clerk based on Suffolk Police newsletter. No crime was reported in the area in Sept-Nov 2020. 5.4 11/01/21: Parish Clerk Website: accessibility statement uploaded. Previously approved policies and procedures uploaded. Casual Vacancies: notification of two councillor vacancies publicized on the website and village newsletter. Cllr Rowe’s acceptance of office received, and register of interests sent to MSDC. Other actions were discussed under other agenda items. 5.5 11/01/21: Parish Councillors 5.5.1
11/01/21: Community Speed Watch. The Clerk reported that the Speed Indicator Device (SID) data had been sent to Cllr Stringer, and that the SID was recharged and re-positioned. A member of the public now has the battery and software. Feedback from the member of the public was that the SID is working well.
5.5.2
11/01/21: General Data Protection Regulation. Cllr Palmer has suggested the Council adopt a Data Protection policy document and a Personal Data Audit questionnaire. The Clerk agreed to draft these.
5.5.3
11/01/21: Community Emergency Plan, including Covid-19 emergency. The Emergency Plan is still active; the Council will review whether to close the Plan as covid restrictions are lifted.
5.5.4
11/01/21: Defibrillator. It was agreed the Clerk would check paperwork to see when the defibrillator needs servicing.
~ W I C K HAM S K E I T H PAR I S H C O U N C I L ~ 6
11/01/21: Correspondence Received CIL rates consultation. Circulated to Cllrs 2nd December 2020. It was agreed the Clerk would review planning applications for CIL eligibility. Joint Local Plan consultation and video link. Details circulated to Cllrs 2nd December 2020. Notes forwarded on 24th December. The Sicon Foundation - Tree planting initiative. Circulated to Cllrs 2nd December 2020 for consideration. Suffolk Cloud – Councillors listing page offer. Circulated to Cllrs 2nd December 2020 for consideration. Good Neighbour scheme. Circulated to village volunteer group 2nd December 2020. ACRE guidance on village hall opening. Circulated to village hall group 2nd December 2020. SALC member’s survey. Circulated to Cllrs and village newsletter 2nd December 2020. Responded to by the Clerk. Parish infrastructure plan support from Rachell Leggett. Forwarded to Cllrs on 9th December. Anglian Regional Flood and Coastal Committee survey. Forwarded to Cllrs on 14th December. SALC Area Forum notes. Circulated to Cllrs on 23rd December. SCC Housing Survey. Forwarded to Cllrs on 23rd December. Sunica Energy Farm consultation. Forwarded to Cllrs 23rd December. Notification of break-in in the area by members of the public, advice to secure outhouses and sheds. Forwarded to Cllrs 23rd December.
7 11/01/21: Finance 7.1 11/01/21: The financial position as of 31st December 2020 was presented by the RFO and approved by the Council. It was agreed the Chair’s approval signature would be obtained outside of the meeting. 7.2 11/01/21: The RFO presented the 2021/2022 budget for consideration, which was approved unanimously. Cllr Knight said that he Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 would need to be considered. It was agreed that this would be considered in the next budget (2022/23). It was agreed that the Clerk would provide an extrapolated forecast of spend for the current financial year based on current best estimates, following a request from Cllr Knight. 7.3 11/01/21: The precept for the next financial year was discussed. It was agreed unanimously that the precept would remain unchanged at £3,500, due to the unprecedented difficulties for many residents over the last year, and probably into next. Because the tax-base has gone down this year, this means an increase in the Parish Council part of council tax for a Band D household of 34p for the year, from £25.46 to £25.80, or an increase of 1.32%. It was agreed a statement would be included in the parish newsletter to explain to the residents that the precept is likely to increase more in the following year (2022/23). 7.3 11/01/21: Invoices for Approval. The Council approved the payment of £50.00 to re-imburse Cllr Thorogood for vouchers he obtained for the grass cutter. It was agreed this cheque would be signed outside of the meeting. 8 11/01/21: Planning Matters 8.1 11/01/21: The planning decision DC/20/03215 was noted. Erection of two storey rear extension, location: 4 Grange Road, Wickham Skeith, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8NE. 8.2 11/01/21: The planning application DC/20/03609 was noted: application for outline planning permission erection of 1No dwelling, location: The Orchard , Kitchen Close, Wickham Skeith, IP23 8LZ. (Comments deadline was 31st December 2020.) 9 11/01/21: Working Parties 9.1 11/01/21: Village Green. Cllr Knight reported that it is unlikely work will be done this winter due to covid restrictions, and proposed postponing any planning until later in the year. Regarding a proposed bench in memory of some local residents, the Chair agreed ask the residents if an additional plaque on an existing bench would be acceptable. Cllr Knight suggested an octagonal bench around the oak on the green would give an opportunity for up to eight plaques. The Clerk confirmed that the green is registered as such with Suffolk County Council. Cllr Rowe raised the issue of litter. Cllrs and residents cannot get together for litter picks at the moment. Cllrs offered to pick up any litter they see if they are out in the village, and encourage residents to do the same, within current covid restrictions. 9.2 11/01/21: Grimmer Fishing. The Clerk reported that investigations were ongoing into issues of ownership, rights and obligations. Next Meeting: Monday, 8th March 2021.
~ C O M M U N I TY PAG E ~
Looking for something to do? The brightly lit neonatal baby unit in Norwich are using quilts to cover the incubators and make them darker at night. They also need blankets made with a close knit stitch to wrap the babies in. Any donations of both these items would be very welcome. For measurements and further details ring Sue on 766222.
THANK YOU The family of John would like to thank everyone for their kind messages and cards. We would also like to thank everyone who stood by the roadside to pay their respects on the day of his funeral; this gave the family great comfort, knowing how much he was thought of.
THANK YOU Ron and Sheila Wright wish to thank all those many generous and sympathetic neighbours who rushed to help us when we were flooded out of our cosy barn home on Christmas Eve. Gifts of cakes and firewood were greatly appreciated, also loan of sandbags and de-humidifiers, and help with carrying stuff out of the barn and into our farmhouse, all made the experience less devastating. We spent a comfortable few days over Christmas in the house, and were able to return to the barn after a few days of clearing up, back to our ‘normal’ life of hibernation and non-events. And now we’ve had the vaccine we feel truly blessed and this will be a Christmas to remember and hopefully never repeat! PS – does anyone have a double bed we could purchase please? Not stylish or smart, just sturdy and serviceable will do – Tel.768644. Ron Wright had a lovely 90th birthday and we would like to thank you so much for all the cards and gifts received.
~ C O M M U N I TY PAG E ~
Garden Waste collections No garden waste collections (brown bin) until further notice. Your annual subscription will be extended.
Suffolk Libraries Mobile Library Service suspended until further notice and all branches closed. All loans extended until 1 March 2021 and overdue charges are also suspended.
Parish Councillor Vacancy
The Parish Council has a vacancy for a
Parish Councillor and we would invite those interested in representing the community to contact the Clerk Huw Roberts on wickhamskeithpc@hotmail.com or 0777 180 8677. Your village really does NEED YOU and we would welcome interest from anyone currently living within Wickham Skeith
~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H
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Church of England, Wickham Skeith Facebook: @bactonbenefice Rector: The Revd Carl Melville, The Rectory, Bacton, IP14 4LJ 01449 781650, email: carlmelville@hotmail.com Wardens: Liz Davidson 766622 and Margaret Jones-Evans 767121
For all enquiries about baptisms and weddings, please contact the Rector. Services in February 2021
At the moment, all indoor church services are suspended in our Benefice. You are welcome to join us for our ‘Drive In’ services, Sundays at 10.30am at Redhouse Farm, Bacton. IP14 4LE or for the online Communion service at 6pm on Sundays. Thursday Services are 10.30am Online Communion and 9.00pm Night Prayers (Compline) online. News and Notices Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Christmas Star Trail, there were a lot of stars in evidence to brighten the village and the benefice. Thank you too to all our windowsill decorators who made great efforts to include stars for Christmas. It’s a great shame that there were so few opportunities for everyone to appreciate the windowsills. The Carol Service on the Green was well supported and the collection raised £140.70 for Shelter. Thank you all for your generosity and support. If you would like to make a donation to the church in these days of no collection plate at services please contact Liz for the church account details or look online for A Church Near You, find the entry for Wickham Skeith St Andrew and go to the donation page. There is also a QR code for the purpose in the notice board outside the village hall. Thank you. At the drive-in service last August there was a very generous bucket collection and the benefice decision was taken to purchase an apple tree for each village and split the rest of the money equally between us to benefit our funds. The Wickham Skeith tree, a Honey Pippin, arrived in January and has been added to the community orchard. Many thanks to Nigel Merriam for planting it. Ash Wednesday – 17th February: Services will be held to mark the start of Lent. Please check our Facebook page for venues. Confirmations 2021: The Bishop will be visiting the Benefice after Easter to conduct Confirmations. If you’re interested in being Confirmed, please speak to Revd Carl or Elaine Miller. B.O.B Foodbank – our benefice foodbank has helped over 40 households with food parcels and small grants. If you or someone you know needs some additional help during these difficult times, please contact Revd Carl or Bridget (677422). It might be for help with school uniforms, bus fees, hospital transport, food, unexpected bills. All contact with us is confidential. Weekly Email and News – if you’d like to sign up to receive our weekly news email, please contact a Warden or the Rector.
~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H ~
Rector’s Ramblings I guess no one had any idea that an unknown deadly virus spreading through China would still be plaguing us over one year on. As I write, the UK daily death toll stands at nearly 1,000. It is so easy to become numb to these numbers and stats. Those daily figures are lives – mothers, fathers, grandparents, children. We must try hard to stop and remember those who have died, and those dying, of this virus. One of the things Jesus taught us was to live each day with thanksgiving, joy and love – even in the face of death. Hearing those numbers every day should make us want to change the way we live so that our lives will impact the world for the good. Jesus said ‘I have come to help you live life to the full’. Ash Wednesday and Lent is a good chance to reassess and take stock of our mortality, our lives and all the blessings we so often take for granted – our friends and family, our very breath. Why not use these days as a chance to stop and give thanks for all you have around you. Come and journey with us. Revd Carl
If you were expecting a new flower and cleaning rota but haven't received yours yet please let Liz Davidson know (eadavidson42@gmail.com, 766622). While there are no indoor services those on the rota for these weeks are spared the task in the cold!
BOB Food Bank Thank you very much to those of you who are contributing to the food bank again. Our Rector, the Revd. Carl Melville, says that the need for help for families has increased again. Yellow collecting boxes are on Sue Merriam's and my porches. Margaret Jones-Evans - 1, Broadway - 01449 767121
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
Rose Cottage Flowers Offering safe, doorstep deliveries of fresh flowers. Whatever the occasion . Posies, arrangements, bouquets etc. Please email or phone to discuss your requirements and place your orders. Now taking wedding commissions for 21/22 (with fingers crossed again!) Always available for funeral work. Contact rosecottageflowers@hotmail.co.uk 01449 767708
***** GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP ***** We provide a safe, warm, friendly and caring setting for children aged 2-5 years, in a brand new purpose built building on the same site as Gislingham CEVCP School, with whom we work closely to provide an excellent education. The Playgroup is following government guidelines so please check with us for opening arrangements. Please visit our website www.gislinghamplaygroup.com or phone us on 01379 788934
Found - Car Parcel Shelf Have you lost the parcel shelf from your car? I have one that was found on the side of Daisy Green Lane on Christmas Eve. Pete Davidson 766622
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
Thornham Walks Unlike the first lockdown, Thornham Walks is remaining open subject to the following: the play area will be closed from Wednesday 6 th January, until further notice. The Forge Café will be open from Thursday 7 th January, and serving take-away food and drinks. There will be no seating area outside the café, although benches are still available elsewhere on site. A one-way system will be in place. Please follow the signs and stay 2m apart. The main eco-toilets at the entrance to the surfaced footpath will remain open and are cleaned daily.
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~ Ed Batram GARDEN SERVICES Clearance, design, planting, aftercare for your garden… Trees, hedging, fencing, log splitting & chainsaw work… Ground clearance, paths, patios, brickwork and paving… All aspects of conservation work undertaken. FREE ESTIMATES Tel: 01379 898203, mob: 07950 923696 Email: edwardbatram@icloud.com
TREE SERVICES AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
BASED IN WORTHAM, WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE PROVISION OF EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR CRAFT. ALL OF OUR STAFF ARE FULLY TRAINED AND INSURED, RELIABLE AND PROFESSIONAL. ALL WORK IS CARRIED OUT RESPECTFULLY AND TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD.
CROWN LIFTING, TREE FELLING, DISMANTLING, REDUCTIONS, PRUNING, THINNING, STUMP GRINDING, HEDGE TRIMMING, FIREWOOD FOR A FREE ESTIMATE PLEASE CALL LEE GARWOOD
Tel: 01379 890617 / 07880 528142 GARWOODSOFSUFFOLK@YAHOO.COM
LAND NEEDED 2 - 3 acres of rough grazing land needed (to buy) for native ponies. Finningham, Wickham Skeith, Thornham, Bacton, Old Newton area. Anything considered. Immediate payment. Please contact C. Irving, Finningham catherine.helen@outlook.com
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
High welfare, Free Range, Slow raised Rare Breed Pork
THE FOLLOWING ARE READILY AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND Belly pork Slices £8kg Pork Mince £8.60 kg, Tenderloin £9.60kg, Ribs £5kg Sausages plain £8.60 kg - packs of 8, Gluten free Cumberland £9.40 kg, Sausage Meat £8.60kg Gourmet sausages in packs of 8 £9.40kg Toulouse, Red onion marmalade & Mature Cheddar, Port & Stilton BACK BACON UNSMOKED in 8 rasher packs £16.50kg, BLACK BACK BACON £19.87kg SMOKED STREAKY BACON £14.50 kg ORGANIC GRASS FED FREE RANGE HALF LAMB BOXES 4-5kg Fresh Frozen Vacuum packed and labelled £15kg HOGGITT & MUTTON LEG, SHOULDER, CHOPS & TENDERLOIN £15kg MINCE £8kg CONTACTLESS FREE DOORSTEP DELIVERY AVAILABLE #STAY-SAFE Sam at TAS Animal Care & Poultry at Knoll Farm, Wickham Skeith Mobile: 077424 50908 Landline: 01449 768620 www.tasanimalandpoultry.co.uk
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This newsletter is produced by Wickham Skeith Village Hall Committee
Business Adverts Adverts are £5.00 per month, £25 for 6 months and £50 for one year. Cash or cheque (payable to “Wickham Skeith Village Hall”) to Melinda Appleby at Haymead House, The Street, in advance of the advert being placed please.
And finally... Please send all your village news and adverts for next month’s newsletter to Melinda: mappleby@tiscali.co.uk or call 01449 766879 By 25th February 2021
Newsletter printed by CopyDiss, 42a Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AG Tel: 01379 644567 www.copydiss.co.uk