Wymondham Road – vehicle speed data

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Thankfully the recent rat-run created by the diversion of traffic away from the B1135 near to Hethel Engineering is now over. The works which might have continued for four weeks had been completed in two. The NCC engineer arranged for closure of Hethel Road within a couple of days following sustained requests from parishioners and the Parish Council. That helped but soon the diverted traffic re-routed via Wymondham Road.

We had the SAM2 device positioned on Wymondham Road near the old railway bridge to monitor vehicle speeds. It can not differentiate between types of vehicle; it just counts them. So we cannot comment on the “quality” (size, type, etc.) of the vehicles passing by. Nevertheless, I thought it might be interesting to share the data it collected between 15th and 25th October 2025. The downloaded data was analysed using the  manufacturer’s software. The analysis is presented below and is quite comprehensive. (Remember this is all one way – heading towards the bridge.) Page 1 provides a summary for the period. Page 39 contains a histogram showing the distribution of speeds over the period i.e from total vehicles (2511) 312 (12.43%) are recorded as speeding over 30mph:

  • 31-35mph: 281
  • 36-40mph: 14
  • 41-45mph: 12
  • 45-50mph: 4
  • 50-55mph: 1
251015 to 251025 Wymondham Road speed analysisDownload

Bonfire Advice

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Bonfires (and your neighbours!)

It is perfectly legal to have a bonfire and there are no restrictions as to when you can have it. However, you must comply with the Environmental Protection Act.
Following a complaint to the Parish Council and in the interest of good neighbourliness, the following might be useful:

  • Timing – Choose a good time for you and your neighbours. Avoid weekends and bank holidays!
  • Frequency – Try to have as few bonfires as possible.
  • Management – Never leave a bonfire unattended.
  • Materials – Avoid wet or green materials as they will produce excess smoke. Do not burn anything likely to produce excessive, pungent and toxic smoke, e.g. rubber and plastic.
  • Weather – Wind can blow smoke towards the neighbours; stronger winds could impact neighbours further away.
  • Brown Bins – For low levels of garden waste you may wish to consider the brown bin service from South Norfolk Council.

Wren Brook

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In the last edition of the Mardle you were told about “The stream with no name” i.e. the watercourse which flows from Wymondham Road through Wreningham and Top Row and on into the River Tas. We outlined our intention to find a name for it. So having created a very long list of possibles (based on geography, local history, local names, and local folklore), it was weeded to a medium list and then reviewed into a shortlist. This was presented for public vote at the Community event in the Village Hall on 30th August.

Yesterday by 4pm, in the Hall, 52 votes were cast to select a name for the nameless watercourse. The voters were asked to pick one option which came in two parts:

  • the name: “Wren-chase”, “Wren”, “Mill” and “Drown’d Horse”, and
  • the watercourse type: “Sike”, “Beck”, “Rill” and “Brook”

The results were, from 46 valid votes:

  • 11 for Wren Brook
  • 9 for Wren Beck
  • 6 for Mill Beck
  • 5 for Wren-chase Beck
  • 4 for Drown’d Horse Brook
  • 2 for Drown’d Horse Beck
  • 2 for Mill Rill
  • 2 for Wren Sike
  • 2 for Wren-chase Brook
  • 1 for Wren Rill
  • 1 for Wren-chase Rill
  • 1 for Wren-chase Sike

5 invalid votes: 3 with 2 choices; 1 with 4 choices; 1 no selection (alternative name suggested)

The next step is to contact the authorities about the chosen name and request that it be formally adopted for the watercourse.

My thanks to all the voters for their interest and votes, and, to the two vote count overseers, who ensured all the votes were accounted for.

Your say on Local Government Reorganisation

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LGR Survey – A4 PosterDownload

One reason that we did not have local elections in May was that a local government reorganisation is under way directly affecting Norfolk and Suffolk at Council and District Council levels. There are likely to be implications for Ward and Parish levels too. A number of options are being considered, but whatever happens decisions must be made to enable local authority elections to happen in May 2026.

SNC is running a public survey as an opportunity for residents, businesses and anyone else interested in giving their views about this Local Government Reorganisation.

You can find a link to the survey here: Your Voice, Your Future

For more information please contact Sinead Carey, Strategic Advisor & Deputy Monitoring Officer, South Norfolk Council

01508533661 sinead.carey@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk

WPC Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)

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Wreningham Parish Council (WPC) is making certain financial records available for inspection by any person from 3rd June to 14th July. These records include a statement of accounts prepared by WPC (i.e. the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) Form 2), the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents.

You should to contact the Clerk to view these documents. The Clerk’s contact details are:

Mrs Tina Higlett
Crofton House, Norwich Road, Long Stratton, Norwich NR15 2PG
Tel: 01508 530733; E-mail: clerk.wpc@gmail.com

This document explains the general process:


Making-provision-for-the-exercise-of-public-rights-2024-25-exempt-authoritiesDownload

The following documents are also published during this period:

Annual Governance Statement 2024-25Download
Accounting Statements 2024-25Download
Annual Internal Audit Report 2024-25Download
Internal Auditor report Wreningham 2024-25 (2)Download

Bank Reconciliation 2024-25Download
Explanation of Variances 2024-25Download

Litter pickers help to tidy up Wreningham

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More than 20 enthusiastic volunteer litter pickers helped to tidy-up Wreningham, Top Row and Penny Green as part of the Big South Norfolk Litter Pick on Sunday March 17.

The volunteers spread out from the Village Hall to clean verges, paths, playing fields and other public locations across the Wreningham Parish Council area.

The effort was part of the annual Big South Norfolk Litter Pick, organised by South Norfolk Council, who lent equipment for the event.

Organiser, Keith Morris, said: “There was a real community spirit about the day with volunteers young and older joining in to help tidy up our beautiful village.”

Afterwards, volunteers enjoyed cakes and a free drink courtesy of the Witch & Wren Social Club.

If you would like to litter pick in Wreningham, equipment can be loaned at any time from members of Wreningham Parish Council.

Please contact Cllr Keith Morris at keith.morris@networknorwich.co.uk for details or ring 01508 488318.

Pictured above are some of the volunteer litter pickers outside Wreningham Village Hall.

Christmas Tree 2024

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For the fourth year in a row we have had a Christmas tree decorated and lit for the festive season at the Reading Room. Feedback has been positive and many are pleased to see Wreningham’s Christmas Tree return for another year: “Looking the best this year. Simply lovely.”

50 people of all ages gathered at the Reading Room for the great switch-on, singing of carols and meeting Father Christmas. It was a grand, highly spirited occasion as everyone joined in with gusto and kept in tune despite my lead singing efforts.

The Parish Council has sponsored each tree and remains hugely proud and pleased with those who work hard to prepare for the great day. It is a team effort, our thanks go to:

  • All the Mums, Dads, Children and everyone else for being there and joining in
  • Nick, Keith, Davis and Mason selected the tree and brought it back
  • Andrew trimmed the tree and positioned it in the ground
  • Andrea and Hughie added the baubles and strings of lights
  • Several children finished off the decorating with their own touches and more baubles
  • Father Christmas – easily the main attraction (besides the tree!)
  • Noel looked after lights.