Saints Alive: Stanhoe and Barwick Newsletter

July 2009

Dates for your Diary or Calendar

2nd July

W.I. Garden meeting to be held in the garden of Chris Drysdale – 2.30pm.

18th July

Bingo in the Village Hall. Eyes down 7.30pm.

Open Gardens

The luck which allowed the clouds to roll away at last year’s Open Gardens was reversed this time, and rain pretty well stopped play. Fortunately a few indoor events such as Geraldine’s pottery displays, the art exhibition in the Church followed by an Entertainment that fitted it, and Old Rectory teas gave visitors shelter and interest, and the whole event raised over £1,250 for the Church Fabric Fund. Warmest thanks to all who helped, at stalls and otherwise, and supported the event.

Why the WI?

Everyone has some idea about the WI, but most people nowadays are pleasantly surprised to find that there is life beyond “Jam & Jerusalem”, neither of which are features of Stanhoe & Barwick WI – nor are nude calendars! The WI movement was set up to improve the education and knowledge of women in rural communities. In our rural community, we have a programme of talks and demonstrations, along with a thriving social life, including “tea and chat” time at monthly meetings; the advertised walks and cycle rides; at least once a month we organise one outing to somewhere of interest (sharing transport, and including the statutory tea and cake!); and we have a members’ lunch twice a year. Regular readers will be aware that we also organise fund raising and charity events – but primarily we enjoy ourselves.

Each year, one of our “first Thursday of the month” meetings is open to everyone in the village, male and female, and this year on 1st October, the subject will be “Eel catching – a fenland tradition”. Ladies of any age are always welcome to come to a meeting, and non members will be met on arrival, accompanied during the meeting, and introduced to members. If you would like to attend a meeting, just turn up about 10 minutes before the advertised start time, or if you prefer, phone Mary-Anne in advance on 518099, so that she can look out for you.

Parish Council

At the last Parish Council meeting on 28th May, Pamela Austin stood down as Chairman, having served in that position for two years. She feels that everyone benefits from changes of chairman, as it avoids complacency, and encourages others to consider standing. The position has been taken on for the next year by Terry Austin. Formal contact with the Parish Council should still, in the first instance, be made via the Parish Clerk on 518099.

Internet access a step closer

An encouraging number of people in the village have shown interest in the idea of having a computer available in the Reading Room for residents to use. Two representatives from King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council have visited us, and are prepared to assist, provided that there is sufficient interest. They would provide a telephone line, and the broadband internet connection, a desk or trolley, a computer with anti-virus protection and a printer, and will also provide publicity materials. In order to establish the level of interest, a short questionnaire will drop through letterboxes; it is hoped that second home owners will also find the facility useful if they need internet access during their time in Stanhoe.

We would probably have the equipment available for a couple of hours each week, and if anyone with computer skills would volunteer for an occasional session to assist potential users it would be helpful, rather than for one or two people to have a heavy commitment. One session may be on a Friday evening when the social club is using the hall, with another perhaps on a weekday morning. At Syderstone, computer usage is combined with a social coffee morning – would anyone come for a chat, and help by making drinks?

Please let us know: Pamela on 518033 or Charles on 518025.

Wind farm update

Residents of Stanhoe, Fring, Docking, Bircham and Syderstone attended the Planning Control Board meeting at King’s Lynn on 15th June to register their protest at the application for an 80 m (262 foot) high anemometer mast proposed for the area close to the Docking water tower and the Fring road. The matter was postponed to accommodate a site visit, as a result of representations made in objection to the planning application.

Saints Alive supplement! Stop press: wind farms update

There are currently three proposals which are of concern to some village residents.

A planning application for an anemometer mast at Chiplow last year was successful, subject to some conditions imposed by the Borough Council.

An application for a further anemometer mast applied for at Fring was turned down this week by the Borough Council on the grounds of intrusion in “an area of important landscape quality”, although it is likely that the developer will appeal against the decision.

An anemometer has been in use for several years at South Creake, and planning permission is soon likely to be sought for a wind farm of approximately 30 turbines.

This application will not be decided by the (apparently newly sympathetic) Borough Council because of its size – it will be decided by the Secretary of State.

A meeting to discuss local opposition to this will be held at North Creake village hall on Thursday 2nd July at 8 pm. This is not a public meeting; it is by invitation to those who have already expressed agreement with the objections, but who may also bring along friends and neighbours who share their views. A full scale open public meeting may be arranged at a later date: these proposals will affect all the surrounding parishes.

Please come with any ideas and suggestions you have, for discussion.

---