About Michael Hill

Wreningham Parish Council Chair

Queen’s Jubilee – 2-5 June 2022

by

1 March update

The Safety Advisory Group has met and some information from their discussion is provided below.

Grants – A few of these have extremely tight deadlines so please take a look ASAP

Details of Parish Council grants have been emailed directly from our Communities Team – see here

Member Ward Funding

Sport England

Arts Council Funding

Policing – Inspector Robert Wicks provided a link for your local beat managers.  Given the bank holiday and staffing resources beat managers unfortunately will not be able to provide a presence at events but they would appreciate knowledge on what is being offered in their parishes, particularly if an event may have a detrimental impact. 

Highways – Mr Harvey Woodyatt provided a link for road closure applications which will incur a cost of £22.

Mr Jack Askew provided details on CSAS accredited marshalls – The use of non-accredited marshals to stop and /or direct traffic can only be carried out under a Road Closure Order and the marshals must be positioned behind the closure point for safety. You must also ensure they are wearing a full fluorescent jacket. Any high visibility garments issued must conform to all relevant performance standards (BS EN 471, European Standard for High Visibility Clothing), and are worn and maintained correctly. Where the event is likely to affect residents gaining access to their property, leaving during the event or extraordinary traffic noise, publicise the event (perhaps as a leaflet/letter drop residents in advance).

If you are uncertain about a road closure, or stewards, or CSAS marshalls, please contact Harvey, Martin or Jack for advice. 

Fire – Mr Brett Hopcroft gave advice regarding the use of beacons in celebrations.  It is important to appreciate the risks associated given the possible tinder conditions in June.  There is a link to the national beacons factsheet as well as our local advice in the jubilee toolkit on the SAG website.

If you are considering a bonfire, again please assess the risk from the ground and surrounding area’s conditions at that time of the year.  Note that residents may consider a community bonfire an opportunity to dispose of their unwanted items.

Health & Safety – Mrs Gemma Faircloth provided guidance links when considering the use of sparklers and fireworks.  It is important to notify local residents (particularly those that are vulnerable and those with livestock) of the timings for fireworks.

If your event includes inflatables, given the heart-breaking incidents which have occurred in recent times, please read through the HSE advice.

Food – If you intend to have food traders at your event, we would recommend only using those with a 4 or 5* rating.  Please consult the Food Standards Agency.

Insurance – As a Local Authority we are unable to recommend any companies and therefore direct you to the Jubilee Beacons guidance and the Street Party website for further information.

Contacts –

SAG ChairAmanda Coxsag@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
SAG Vice ChairMartina Wilsonsag@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Police Events PlanningSue Hayeseventsplanningunit@norfolk.police.uk
Police Traffic ManagementJack Askewtmonorfolk@norfolk.police.uk
Norfolk Fire & RescueBrett Hopcroftbrett.hopcroft@norfolk.gov.uk
Communities (Grants)Julie Ringer & Matt AllenCommunities@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
SNC LicensingRosie Setford, Amanda Cox & Martina Wilsonlicensing.snc@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk  
BDC LicensingClaire Norman & Sarah Harrislicensing.bdc@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Environmental HealthGemma Fairclothfoodandsafety@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
Community ProtectionAdrian Nicholascpandeq@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
NCC HighwaysHarvey Woodyatt & Martin Dixonharvey.woodyatt@norfolk.gov.uk & martin.dixon@norfolk.gov.uk

Please advise the SAG if you plan to include a beacon, bonfire or fireworks in your event.  Particularly if you are incorporating a beacon, it would be useful to know the type. 

Questions about any event(s) planned or on the above contact:

Amanda Cox
Licensing & Enforcement Officer/SAG Chair
t  01508533621 e amanda.cox@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk  

Earlier posting:

South Norfolk’s Amanda Cox (Licensing & Enforcement Officer/SAG Chair) wrote about the Queen’s Jubilee. It contains a useful reminder of the official plans for the event plus a few items to consider if you are planning a public event of your own.

“On 6th February this year Her Majesty, The Queen, will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place throughout the year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. The bank holiday will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate the historic milestone.

The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.

Thursday 2nd June – The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) & Platinum Jubilee Beacons

Friday 3rd June – Service of Thanksgiving

Saturday 4th June – The Derby at Epsom Downs & Platinum Party at the Palace

Sunday 5th June – The Big Jubilee Lunch & The Platinum Jubilee Pageant

In addition, initiatives including The Queen’s Green Canopy and the Platinum Pudding competition will create a lasting reminder of The Queen’s Jubilee, while The Queen’s private estates will also join in with special Jubilee themed events offering more opportunities for members of the public to celebrate the historic milestone.

There are a number of websites detailing the festivities (included as links above) and (attached) literature I have been asked to share from PRS/PPL and NCC Highways.  We are also in the process of drafting event management plan and risk assessment templates as well as advice sheets from members of our Safety Advisory Group (SAG). “

“… Please may I ask that if you are proposing a beacon that you contact us so we may liaise with NCC Highways, Police and the Fire Service accordingly.

Amanda Cox, Licensing & Enforcement Officer/SAG Chair
t  01508533621 e amanda.cox@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk“

Application-for-a-road-closure-for-a-Queens-Jubilee-event-on-the-highwayDownload
Queens-Jubilee-Discretionary-Charging-PoliciesDownload

Donald Whiterod (1935-2021)

by

Donald Whiterod, 86, died at his home, High Common Farm, on 30 December 2021.

Who was Donald Whiterod (always Donald and never “Don” or “Donny”)?

Many people in the village will know him as the elderly gent who drove very slowly, in a large car through the village, loved dogs and for most of his time at High Common Farm he had at least one dog for company – often an Alsatian – and his favourite tipple was a good whisky. Those who regularly supported Wreningham Social Club would have known that nobody sat on “Donald’s” stool, and the bar staff knew better than to put his drink in anything other than “Donald’s glass”.

However, there was much more to Donald Whiterod than this.

His family took on High Common farm in 1969. Once the farmhouse had been renovated, they moved in, and there Donald lived for the rest of his life. He soon became active within the village. He served on the Parish Council for many years. He is one of the few Parish Council members in living memory who was elected into office, as he was pleased to inform people, especially his fellow councillors.

He served on the Village Hall Management Committee and at one time helped to run the junior discos. He was a member of Ashwren Players and opened his home for rehearsals. He helped in the fundraising for the playing field and the building of the present village hall. In fact, he was elected the first chairman of Wreningham Social Club. Although he did not hold this position for long, he continued to be an active member.

He supported the local church, not least by providing the hoggin for the entrance to the car park. He was a gate steward for the “Wreningham Trotting” which took place at The Poplars grass raceway. He served on the Millennium committee and it was he who suggested that the memorial to the year 2000 should be a village clock which eventually was installed on the tower of All Saints church.

Donald’s charitable activities included raising funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH). In 2006, he and his brother, Maurice, invited traditional farming enthusiasts to harvest a wheat crop that was threshed with a Fowler steam engine. This raised over £1200 for EACH. There were several of these events over the years – the image below was taken in 2009 and is believed to be a Fowler thresher at the farm as mentioned above.

Immediate family and invited close friends attended the private interment at Wymondham Cemetery on 20 January 2022.

Fowler Thresher. Photograph: D Kirk, 2009

Two Years On

by

Christine Minns, Church warden writes:

The third week in March will see the 2nd anniversary of the first lockdown due to Covid-19. For many who did not experience a “world war” the past 2 years will be the nearest we have come to one.

People dying without family with them, and no chance to say a final farewell to loved ones – just as the families of soldiers would have experienced during a war.

Scientists working day and night – not to produce a new bomb or other items of war but to produce a vaccine.

The medical teams rushed off their feet in hospitals and providing, not field hospitals, but overspill facilities.

The “Land Girls” and “Bevan Boys” not going to mine coal or plant food but they manned the vaccine units.

I could fill a page of similar examples from evacuees similar to home schooling and so on.

There is no “war memorial” to remind people of the experience of the past 2 years. The sadness and the good things which have come out of the pandemic, but for those of you who would like to remember, mourn a loss and/or celebrate the survival of so many, we invite you to join us on Sunday 20th March. The Service of Remembrance will be at 10.30 am at Wreningham All Saints and will give thanks for the good things – all the support we received and remember all who have suffered. This will be followed by the dedication of an Oak Tree planted in the graveyard as a reminder of the pandemic.

If you feel the time is right for you, to reflect on the past 2 years, do come and join us.

NCC Highways and SNC

by

I reported the very poor condition of High Road, Top Row. The road surface is disintegrating along a 10+ metre stretch and is becoming a danger to road users. Also, a corner at Mill Lane/B1113 is degrading into a series of potholes that are joining up.

NCC Highways have responded to these reports: “We have inspected and are going to resolve the problem – After investigation we have confirmed action is required. Defects are scheduled for repair depending on the nature of the defect and work needed but on average can take approximately 6 weeks.”

South Norfolk have received my report of fly-tipping – a concrete fencing post and a mattress – on Wymondham Road (not far from the turkey sheds). This report was made via their flytipping page. Their reply was that they’d remove the items in due course.

Free course about Returning to work

by

A free course for South Norfolk residents at Wymondham Leisure Centre on 18th January. It is designed to assist unemployed residents back to work and is aimed at those who need a bit more support and would benefit from face-to-face training. They may have been out of work for some time, lost confidence, or are looking for a change and do not know where to start.

See the poster below for more details.

This is free to South Norfolk residents.

For further information, contact Jane Bagley, Economic Development Officer: Monday to Wednesday on
01603 430535 or jane.bagley@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk.

Choices_A4_South-NorfolkDownload

Planning application – Church View, Hethel Road

by

Reference: 2021/2662
Applicant: Mrs Sarah Liddiard
Location: Church View Cottage Hethel Road Wreningham NR16 1BB
Proposal: Replace existing conservatory with rear extension and alterations. Conversion of double garage to self-contained annex.
Application Type: Full Planning Permission

Please return comments to South Norfolk Council by 28 January 2022.

email: planning@s-norfolk.gov.uk
post: SNC, South Norfolk House, Cygnet Court, Long Stratton NR15 2XE