Community Notice Board

Pantomime 2012 - Robin Hood (Norfolk Style)
Coming to Barton Bendish, Wereham and Beachamwell Village Halls
Wereham Saturday 4th February - Two performances
Beachamwell Saturday 11th February - Two performances
Tickets will be on sale from December 2011. Be sure to book early to get your seats
Enquiries: Frank Reid 01366 500743

Incinerator Update — An Open Letter
Dear Parish Clerk / web site administrator,
I am pleased to see that your web site covers the incineration debate. I am an environmental management consultant and support those campaigning for democracy and a better informed waste solution than the current incineration proposal. Whilst it is good to see that you publish views of those both for and against, I must write to disagree with Lowri Coulten’s letter which accuses campaigners of being ‘ill informed’ NIMBYs. It may interest you to know that I gave a presentation on this topic to directors of the UK waste industry in October and they too agreed that this project is flawed. They urged legal action against Norfolk County Council. The campaign is not ‘ill informed.’ The environmental and health arguments are based upon recent scientific articles from reputable journals, and a proper application of the ‘waste hierarchy’ which requires the maximisation of reduction, reuse, recycling and composting, prior to energy-from-waste. Neither are campaigners NIMBYs. Many live throughout Norfolk, and all are campaigning for an alternative solution rather than incineration in another location. Lowri Coulten also refers to waste incineration plants ‘working fine’ in Scandinavia. However, a peer-reviewed scientific report of the Swedish Boras incinerator shows that it emits a very high proportion of the particulate pollutants found in the town. It is all too easy to assume that Norfolk County Council is correct just because it is a County Council. However, they have disseminated much false information, ignored evidence, sought to halt debate, and have actively sought to mislead the public. Those who attended debates in 2010/2011 heard both sides put their best arguments forward and 99.8% of over 1000 people voted against the proposal. When you look at the hard evidence it is compelling – this proposal is flawed on economic, environmental and democratic grounds.
Richard Burton, Managing Director, Burton Environmental Consulting Limited
Tel: 07761 256231, E-mail: richard@burtonenvironmental.co.uk , Web: www.burtonenvironmental.co.uk

Great British Fish and Chip Supper, Friday 18th May 2012
Want to do something different? Want to raise money where you live or work? Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity? Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 18th May 2012 whilst raising awareness of spinal cord injury and supporting SIA’s information and support services.

You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre.

SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. By inviting 7 friends and asking them to donate an additional £5.00 means you will raise at least £35.00 from your supper but we will also give you additional fundraising ideas to raise even more money for SIA. Last year we had over 100 suppers taking part in England and Wales and we raised £6,000. In the three years we have been running the event we have raised £20,000 to support spinal cord injured people.

The money raised from the suppers will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives.

Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone. Community Fundraising Officer, Elizabeth Wright, says, “The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity for a great evening with friends and family. We are also encouraging people who work to hold a Fish and Chip Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds. You may be even a local community group wanting to run a fun evening with your group.

Be a part of something special and make a real difference to help spinal cord injured people gain access to the information and support they need to enable them to live full and independent lives.”

For more information or request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350 or email fishandchips@spinal.co.uk or visit www.spinal.co.uk/fishandchips

Broadband
By now, I am sure you will be aware of the ‘Say Yes to Better Broadband’ campaign which the EDP is running in partnership with Norfolk County Council [who won £15m from national government to improve speeds and access to broadband countywide from 2015.] This has received extensive coverage in the EDP’s newspapers and websites in the last week [W/B January 9th]. The project aims to bring superfast 30Mbps broadband to 90% of the county, and a minimum 2Mbps for everyone. At a stroke, it could overturn one of the biggest obstacles facing many of our isolated communities and companies.

This will only happen with the right amount of private investment. Throughout the EDP’s coverage they’ve been asking people to register their interest in this project in order to convince the telecoms industry that there is enough demand here in Norfolk for them to invest in it.

We’re asking everyone to register their interest in seeing this new network provided. This will take no more than two minutes of your time and will commit you to absolutely nothing. The process collects basic information for statistical purposes, and you can tick the opt-out box at the end if you would prefer this data not to be shared with ISPs.

Here is where you do it: www.norfolk.gov.uk/sayyesnorfolk Once you’ve done that, please email or tweet all your contacts, friends and families asking them if they could do the same. We need to generate a truly impressive number of registrations in order for this campaign to succeed, and this viral “chain letter” approach could kick-start a huge growth in the sign-up figures.

Please do not ignore this message. All we’re asking is for everyone to make a tiny individual effort which could multiply into a huge cumulative benefit for our entire county. Even if you are lucky enough to have decent broadband at the moment, we still need you to sign up to help those who are less fortunate.

Many thanks for your help.
Lisa Green, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer
Breckland Council Office: 01362 656870, DDI: 01362 656330, Mobile: 07557795414
e:mail lisa.green@breckland.gov.uk
Web: www.breckland.gov.uk

Join in the Festival of Breckland
Breckland Council has an exciting programme of events and activities lined up to celebrate the sixty year reign of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 and London 2012.

A programme of events has been carefully selected to provide something for everyone and offers family entertainment, sport, art and a host of community projects to get involved in. You can celebrate the Jubilee by lighting a beacon, having a street party or in a way that leaves a lasting legacy by planting a free pack of trees from the Woodland Trust. There really is something for everyone! Cllr Lynda Turner, Executive Member for Localism, Communities and Environmental Awareness said; "The aim of the festival is to celebrate everything that’s great about Britain. By enlisting the help of our communities we are able to offer a huge amount of fun free activities, including nature walks and workshops, street parties and much more."

Pop into the Breckland Council offices at Dereham or Thetford or one of the Customer Service Centres for your Festival of Breckland programme. For further information or to find out how to get involved please look on the Breckland Council website, www.breckland.gov.uk or call the Communities team on 01362 656870.

Share your Jubilee Memories
The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee with a massive party in her back garden with pop stars galore and a spectacular firework display. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee at St Paul's Cathedral with 2,700 specially selected guests. Across Great Britain people put flags out and celebrated the day. but how was the Jubilee for you? Did it go with a bang and a massive street party? Or did you have a quiet one watching the celebrations on the TV? Breckland Council are encouraging residents to share their memories and be part of the Breckland memories festival.

Cllr Lynda Turner, Executive member for Localism, Communities and Environmental Awareness said; “The festival will involve people of all ages by looking at memorabilia and stories from the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 up to and including her Diamond Jubilee next year. We are hoping to create an archive to pass on to future generations and we need your help to build an exhibition of memories, stories, pictures, songs from the past 60 years.” If you are a community group, school, or individual of any age who would like to take part in the council workshops and events, or if you have any memorabilia that the Council could borrow or copy please contact Laura Apps Green on 01362 656870.

Enquiries please contact:Lisa Green 01362 656330 or Pam Sayle 01362 656813

Swaffham Arts - Ivan Garford Jazz Quartet and Vocalist Jo Ringer
Sunday February 26th 3.00.pm
Swaffham Assembly Rooms
£7.00 for members, £10 non-members
Accompanied children free
Tickets from Green Parrot 01760 724704, Ceres Bookshop 01760 722504
Enquiries: Eileen Powell 01366 328648

Coro Stellante Ladies Choir
Michael Kibblewhite Music Director, John Byron Piano
A Concert of Contrasts including Old Favourites, Sacred Classics and Contemporary
Sunday February 5th 7.00pm
Downham Market Methodist Church PE38 9JE
Tickets £10 or £8 concessions from tickets@corostellante.org.uk , Tel: 01553 810116 or on the door.

Fincham Coffee Morning
St Martin’s Church, Wednesday February 8th, 10 -12 noon
Enquiries May Pinches 01366 347228

Fincham History Group
Fincham Memorial Hall, Wednesday February 22nd 7.30pm
‘Farming in Fincham’ - An illustrated talk by Stewart Waterston
£1 entry
Enquiries: Janet Lynskey 01366 347694

The Maggini Quartet Beethoven op. 18 No. 2, Mendelssohn op. 80
Swaffham Assembly Rooms, Sunday February 12th, 3.00pm
Tickets £20 Concessions £15
Available from Shirley Matthews 01760 723205
Ceres Bookshop 01760 722504
Maggini Festival Box Office 0207 262 4473
St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Swaffham Window Restoration & Development Appeal 2010 - 2012

Nar Valley Ornithological Society (NarVOS) - An illustrated talk by David Cromack “Asia’s Teardrop- Birding in Sri Lanka”
Tuesday 28th February 2012, 7.30pm at the Barn Theatre, Sacred Heart Convent School, Mangate Street, Swaffham
Visitors (£2) and new members will be most welcome
Come along to find out about our monthly outdoor bird-watching trips and other events
Refreshments available
NarVOS 2010 Annual Reports are now available from Philip Parker 01553 630842 or at the meetings, price £5.

Fincham Coffee Morning
St Martin’s Church, Wednesday March 14th, 10 -12 noon
Enquiries May Pinches 01366 347228

Swaffham Arts - ‘Duos with a Difference’ Steve Bingham [violin] and Brenda Stewart [viola] will play a selection of music in an innovative way
Sunday March 25th 3.00.pm
Swaffham Assembly Rooms
£7.00 for members, £10 non-members
Accompanied children free
Tickets from Green Parrot 01760 724704, Ceres Bookshop 01760 722504
Enquiries: Eileen Powell 01366 328648

‘Magginis in Breckland’ - New Chamber Music
May 25th, 26th & 27th
Further Information www.maggini.net , Eileen Powell 01366 328648

Useful Information

Adult Education Skills & Qualifications Brochure
Norfolk County Council Adult Education Skills & Qualifications Brochure and Learning for Live Brochure are available now.  Courses are held at venues across Norfolk.  Find out what is going on in your area by calling 0844 800 8002 for your FREE copy, or visit our website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/adulteducation

Norfolk RCC - What Do You Want Your Community To Be Like?
Our communities are what we make them. Whether you want a better village hall, more affordable housing, a community shop or simply more community activities, often it’s down to local people to make these things happen. However, developing and maintaining projects such as these can seem a daunting task but it is possible and importantly it doesn’t have to be done alone. Norfolk RCC is currently working with a wide number of community groups, charitable organisations and community enterprises helping them to overcome many of these challenges and more.

I’m the Norfolk RCC development officer for your area and my role is to support your community - from finding out what the issues are all the way through to bringing your projects to reality.

Whether that’s helping with funding, sorting out business plans, providing specialist expertise or just being a friendly ear, please get in touch.
Janice Howell: Norfolk RCC, Signpost House, Ambassador Way, Greens Road, Dereham, NR20 3TL. Tel: 01362 698216
Janice@notfolkrcc.org.uk , website: www.norfolkrcc.org.uk

Adult Education Skills & Qualifications Brochure
Norfolk County Council Adult Education Skills & Qualifications Brochure and Learning for Live Brochure are available now.  Courses are held at venues across Norfolk.  Find out what is going on in your area by calling 0844 800 8002 for your FREE copy, or visit our website at www.norfolk.gov.uk/adulteducation

Rural Projects Fund grants Scheme
Norfolk Rural Community Council has revised its Rural Projects Fund. Grants are now available for a maximum of £1,500 to cover up to 75% of total project costs.

Applications are welcome from community and voluntary groups whose projects benefit their local community. Groups need to demonstrate that local consultation has taken place and 25% Match Funding is required.

Types of projects that the fund has supported are:
Play Areas and Play Equipment
Leaflets to promote local walks
Information Boards and Signs for Wildlife and Recreational Areas
Village Notice Boards
Village Signs
Creating and improving Wildlife Areas
Bus Shelters
Information/Welcome packs for newcomers to the village
Art Exhibitions and Family History Groups

For more information and an application form please contact
Pauline High at Norfolk Rural Community Council on:- 01362 698216 or e:mail pauline@norfolkrcc.org.uk

The Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT)
This Group was set up to deliver the National Drugs Strategy 1998 at a local level in Norfolk.

There are four key aims:
To reduce the harm that drugs cause to society, communities, individuals and their families.
To enable people with drug problems to access treatment and support.
To reduce the availability of drugs on our streets.
To prevent young people becoming problematic drug users.

How to contact the treatment agencies:
Try the DAAT website – www.nordat.org.uk . It lists all of the drug and alcohol treatment agencies in Norfolk. Alternatively, pick up a leaflet locally (GP, Pharmacy, council offices) or try the phone book.

If you have any queries about drug and/or alcohol related issues that you, as a member of the public, would like to raise with the Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team then please get in touch.

Further information:
The Norfolk DAAT website – www.nordat.org.uk - provides on line access to:
Information on the work of the Norfolk DAAT Partnership.
Directory of substance misuse treatment services in Norfolk.
Drug and Alcohol Information.
Training calendar for DAAT courses.

Useful contacts: Remember - always call 999 in an emergency.
NHS Direct– 0845 4647 (confidential nurse advice and help line)
Matthew Project– 0800 764 754 (local 24-hour drug and alcohol help line)
FRANK – 0800 77 66 00 (national 24-hour drug and alcohol help line)
Victim Support– 01603 629 577 (confidential support and information)
CrimeStoppers– 0800 555 111 (call anonymously about crime)
Police – 0845 456 4567 (non-emergency)

Daniel Harry, Partnership Liaison Officer, Norfolk DAAT

Age Concern Norfolk
Active Together has been running for over six months and is appealing for volunteers to ensure that this vital service continues. The service involves supporting older people with simple everyday tasks such as shopping and cooking.
If you are interested please contact Terenia Morrison; Active Together Co-ordinator 01603 785228. Email: terenia.morrison@acnorfolk.org.uk

Websites
Two interesting websites which we have been asked to bring to your attention
For those of you interested in walking www.walkinginnorfolk.co.uk
Freecycle http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleBreckland/ . It's a yahoo group that you have to join, and then you get a regular email listing of things people are offering, or want. Everything is exchanged free of charge.

Swaffham Twinning Association
If you would like to find out more about this group please contact
Primrose Barnes 01760 7248