News archive
21 September 2023
Memorial renewed
Stanhoe’s war memorial gets some TLC.
Rain is no deterrent to work on Stanhoe’s war memorial
The Parish Council is pleased to be able to support the cleaning and repainting of our historic war memorial. As many know, it is unusual in that it lists the names of all the residents who served in the wars, not just those who sadly passed away. Please do go and view the restoration that is taking place.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 21 September 2023
16 September 2023
Site refurb completed
stanhoe.org is running as usual again.
Update 20 September: The behind-the-scenes site revamp has gone very well and we are open again for news updates. If you’re viewing this on a large screen you should see few changes. If you’re using a mobile phone, the site should now be considerably easier to view and navigate.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be continuing to tweak the layout and make other, less visible, changes needed to keep the site running into the future.
Many thanks to our developer Matt Hornsby for his excellent work and very reasonable charges. The work was funded by Stanhoe Archive.
Originally posted on 16 September
Life is change, as Buddhists and IT folk know. stanhoe.org has been running since 2008, and technology has moved on quite a bit since then. If this website were a house, we’d be needing a new roof.
So to keep us watertight for the next few years, stanhoe.org will shortly see some significant updates. And as part of that, we expect to “freeze” the site for several days. You will still be able to view it, but we won’t be adding any new content until the updates are complete.
Once we resume normal service it’s unlikely that you will notice much difference. The site will work better on mobile phones and other small screens, but most of the other changes will be behind the scenes.*
At a later time, one significant change is likely to result from the Parish Council’s decision to set up its own website (see the Chair’s September update). While stanhoe.org will continue to carry Parish Council news, important documents such as minutes and policies will move to the new site. As well as giving councillors more autonomy and hopefully reducing the workload of Parish Clerk Nicola Smith, this will simplify compliance with government standards for the accessibility of public-sector websites.
Thank you for your patience during the upgrades.
* For anyone remotely interested, PHP 8 is the keyword here – and we’re hoping the site will be faster as a result. At the same time we will create a fully responsive layout, and continue the move from Google Maps to Leaflet.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 16 September 2023
16 September 2023
Parish Council news
September update from the Chair of Stanhoe Parish Council.
Please do take a look at the draft minutes of our Parish Council meeting of 6 September. Here are just a few things you may be interested in hearing more about.
Road safety
Following the discussion concerning the lack of footpaths in the village, we had heard from the Highways team at the Borough Council with proposals and estimated costs of providing a Trod along part of the Bircham Road. The costs are significant but there are possible funding options which our local councillor, Sam Sandell, was happy to explain to us. One of these is CIL funding (Community Infrastructure Levy) – the next round of applications starts in January 2024 – and another is the Parish Partnership Fund. The next step will be to investigate exactly what is required and how much it will cost. The PC working group will report back at the next meeting. The working group will also have a look at other solutions such as permissive paths. We would be glad to hear your thoughts and ideas so please do get in touch.
We were very glad to hear that the white lines at the Bircham crossroads had been repainted and that new Give Way signs are due to be installed this month.
Playing field and playground
In my last update I mentioned that the Parish Council and the MEHM trust had a meeting in August to talk about ways of working together on village projects.
This has been followed up with discussions at both the Parish Council and MEHM meetings and it has been agreed that we will form a working group with representatives from both parties to start to formulate ideas and options for the use and maintenance of the playground and playing field. We will be launching a village-wide consultation so that everyone can have their say before decisions are made. We will, of course, keep you up to date with our progress.
Incidentally the damaged climbing frame in the play area is scheduled to be removed on the weekend of 23rd September.
Village appearance
Many thanks to our trusty volunteers who have been hard at work tidying up around the pond, cleaning the village sign and removing the broken bench at the War Memorial. It is looking so much neater. We are also considering replacing the notice boards and the litter bins which are quite scruffy. Work has started on the professional cleaning and repainting of the War Memorial and is due to be finished by the end of this month.
Parish council website
For reasons of legal compliance we need to look at having a separate website for the Parish Council, which would mean detaching it from the main village website at stanhoe.org. However, I do want to reassure everyone that stanhoe.org will remain firmly in place as a reliable source of village news, events and information. The only difference you may see is that the Parish Council pages will be reached via a link to the new website. stanhoe.org is a very valuable village asset and thanks must go to Charles Butcher who has skilfully maintained it for some years.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday 9th November at 6pm at the Village Hall.
As you know members of the public are very welcome to attend. It is always interesting to hear from our neighbours and it makes the job of the Parish Council so much easier if we know what our community wants from us. For the last two meetings we have been lucky enough to have our local borough councillor, Sam Sandell, with us and she has been able to contribute much to our discussions that we may not have been aware of. Sam has told me she is glad to be able to attend and how welcome she has been made to feel. I believe we can achieve so much for Stanhoe by working together. Please do join us if you can.
If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Parish Clerk at stanhoe.council@gmail.com.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 16 September 2023
15 September 2023
September film
The Day of the Jackal (PG) (thriller) is showing in Stanhoe on Thursday 28 September.
Stanhoe Village Screen starts the autumn season with The Day of the Jackal (PG) (thriller) on Thursday 28 September at 7.30 pm.
Celebrating the 50th birthday of this classic thriller, based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel. It’s 1962 and Algeria has gained its independence from France. A group of disgruntled army officers have banded together and formed an organisation called the OAS, with the aim of killing President Charles de Gaulle. After several failed attempts and the trial and execution of some of their leaders, the OAS hire an assassin (Edward Fox) in a final attempt to complete the task. He is The Jackal.
Tickets: £5 (cash only) on the door to include a complimentary drink
Date: Thursday 28 September
Time: 7.30 pm, doors open 7.00 pm
Place: Village Hall & Reading Room, Cross Lane, Stanhoe PE31 8PS
More info: Jane and Peter Coates (tel: 01485 518191)
Next film: Oppenheimer (15) (history/drama) on Monday 30th October at 7.30pm (TBC)
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 15 September 2023
14 September 2023
PC meeting minutes
Minutes of the Stanhoe Parish Council meeting on 6 September 2023.
The draft minutes from the Parish Council meeting on 6th September are now available in the Parish Council minutes section.
Posted by: Nicola
Posted on: 14 September 2023
12 September 2023
Police funding
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner launches police budget consultation.
Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner has today launched his public consultation into the proposed budget for policing. Norfolk residents are being asked whether the PCC should increase the police precept of council tax for the coming year.The PCC has a statutory duty to set the police budget and, with this responsibility, make the decision on how much residents of Norfolk should pay towards the policing element of their council tax.
PCC Giles Orpen-Smellie will be engaging with the public over a twelve-week consultation period that will run until 5pm, Friday 24 November. Engagement events across the county will take place to give Giles the opportunity to hear from residents about which areas of policing and services should be a priority for his spending plans over the next financial year.
Following discussions with Norfolk’s Chief Constable, Paul Sanford, it has become clear that additional funding is needed to maintain the quality of policing being delivered.
To help inform Giles’ spending proposals, the consultation will ask Norfolk residents two questions which are based on the six pillars outlined in the PCC’s Police, Crime and Community Safety Plan for Norfolk. The first asks residents to rank their priorities in order of importance.
The second question asks residents whether they would be prepared to pay more to ensure their police force continues to tackle these priorities in the future.
The consultation will run until 5pm on Friday 24 November. More information and the consultation survey can be found here:
www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk
Printed copies of the survey and consultation documents are also available for those who need them.
Posted by: Nicola
Posted on: 12 September 2023
12 September 2023
Stopping suicide
Here are some links for people in need.
The 10th September was world suicide prevention day and below are support services available to those living in Norfolk. It may be of use to you or someone you know.
The Samaritans have a webpage on what we say matters, how to have a conversation, what to say, when and wording to use.
Call for free: 116 123 (24 hours a day) or email: jo@samaritans.org
Shout UK’s free 24/7 crisis text line – text NORFOLK to 85258 if you feel unable to talk
Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)
Posted by: Nicola
Posted on: 12 September 2023
8 September 2023
The craft of silver
A jewellery maker enthrals Stanhoe WI members.
It was a beautiful, warm, sunny afternoon when Stanhoe and Barwick WI members gathered in their summer clothes for their September meeting to see Claire Howard show her sparkling silver jewellery, and hear about the processes involved in its creation.
photo: Rosemary Brown
Claire Howard, maker of fine silver jewellery
Claire grew up in a “crafty” family, but only came to silversmithing just before her son was born, when she was given a jewellery kit to keep her busy. Soon she was hooked on making jewellery and began to learn silversmithing techniques from an elderly craftsman, making as her first real piece of silver work a pair of cuff links for her husband.
As her skills have increased she has created necklaces (many based on natural objects such as shells), bangles, and earrings, some on commission and some for sale at craft fairs. She explained the basic methods of silversmithing and polishing items, and we watched a demonstration of making a tiny earring with amazing dexterity.
The examples of her work on show were very special. Claire says she is a perfectionist. Properly so!
The vote of thanks from a member, Penelope, was something else! It included a funny ditty about a nervous lady acquiring ear rings for pierced ears. It had the members and the speaker laughing, and made a happy ending to the proceedings.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 8 September 2023
7 September 2023
Council Tax questions
Borough Council seeks opinions on Council Tax support.
The consultation for the 2024/25 Council Tax Support Scheme is now open and can be found at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/ctsconsultation.
The Borough Council want to make their scheme more generous so that they can give, not only more help, but also extend its range so that more people will be eligible.
In offering to help more households with 100% tax support they wish to ensure they take all opinions on board. To this end it would help the Borough Council if residents could read the details and complete the survey.
Posted by: Nicola
Posted on: 7 September 2023
3 September 2023
Breathe in!
Harvest brings a tight squeeze on Stanhoe’s roads.
Heavy rain recently has added urgency to this year’s harvest – and agricultural vehicles are not getting any smaller, as this photo from 21 August shows. Take care on the roads around Stanhoe, and elsewhere in rural Norfolk.
photo: Pamela Austin
Not a lot of room: a car navigates cautiously between two large farm vehicles.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 3 September 2023