Saints Alive, February 2025
Parish Council
The Parish Council meeting last week was a long one, but, as it involved setting the budget for the coming year, also very productive.
You can find the detailed minutes of the meeting on the Parish Council website, but I wanted to let you know a little more background on some of the issues raised.
First, the precept will be increased in line with rising costs. This is the amount of money raised through council tax which is earmarked specifically for the benefit of the parish and is administered by the Parish Council. Amongst other things, it covers maintenance costs of village assets, such as cutting the playing field grass, maintenance of the play equipment, and provision and emptying of dog bins. As the cost of living inevitably increases so the Parish Council must ensure the village’s income matches the expenditure and leaves enough of a buffer against any emergency or unexpected spending requirements. The budget proposals were agreed by the councillors and details will be available once submitted to the Borough.
The project to install trods/footpaths along Bircham Road is slowly edging forward. We are in the process of applying for finance for the project from Norfolk County Council’s CIL funding – the community infrastructure levy which is paid by developers of new homes and other building projects. The CIL application must be in by the end of January and will be determined soon afterwards. A quote for the installation of the first part of the trod from the Highways Department of the council will form part of the application as will letters of support from residents, businesses and county and borough councillors. In the recent Stanhoe Village Survey there was significant support from the residents for improved safety on all the village roads, including this initiative, all of which will be very helpful in our bid.
Another item of expenditure which was agreed in principle at the meeting is the funding by the Parish Council of broadband in the village hall. A proposal has been made that the Parish Council will pay for the broadband initially, on behalf of the village, which will be reviewed after the first year. It is unknown currently how much this will be used, other than by the Parish Council in the course of their work on behalf of the community. We hope it will support the MEHM trust in their objectives to attract more events to the village hall and remain the thriving village asset it undoubtedly is.
On the subject of technology, progress is being made on the renewal of the village website, Stanhoe.org. As you will have read in previous reports the current website was created by Charles Butcher in 2008 and he has expertly maintained it ever since. Charles has done an amazing job and we do thank him sincerely for all his hard work. As you can imagine, technology has moved on considerably since 2008 and it is now a much simpler process to develop a website, and, importantly, much easier to maintain. Charles has kindly agreed to keep the existing website going until we are able to make the transfer. The first stage of the process, which is already complete, has been to transfer ownership of the website to the Parish Council. Work has now started to build a new website and when it is ready it will take over the stanhoe.org domain completely, hopefully by the spring. We will be in touch individually with all those who currently use the website for communicating their events so that the transfer will be seamless. The archive is an important village asset and we will be ensuring that it will remain secure and accessible.
I touched on the Stanhoe Village Survey earlier – we were very glad to have 42 responses which is a good percentage and will prove very helpful in a number of ways. We will be discussing this further at the next Parish Council Meeting, looking at the subjects arising in more detail and we will communicate the findings to everyone. Thank you so much to all for your valued input.
The next meeting has been arranged for Thursday 6th March 2025 at 6:00pm. As always you are very welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you there.
Mike Wilson – Chair
January 2025
Stanhoe Village Screen
are pleased to announce our second film for this Spring season.
WIDOW CLIQUOT (15) (DRAMA) on Monday 24th FEBRUARY at 7:30pm
After the death of her beloved but somewhat mentally troubled, husband François, widow Barbe-Nicole Clicquot fights for the right, in a male dominated field, to run his vineyard and produce his last vintage from the last vines he planted. She is faced with opposition from her father-in-law, staff and the Napoleonic Laws on succession as a woman. Based on true story, this is a must watch film, whether you are a lover of period dramas, fine wines or merely a champagne connoisseur.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOFBDabjZt0
Upcoming Film
CONCLAVE (12A) (DRAMA/THRILLER) on MONDAY 17TH MARCH at 7:30pm
Based on Robert Harris’s best-selling novel about a papal election. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake – secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church. This is a brilliant gripping drama, not to be missed!
Watch the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX9jasdi3ic
VENUE: Stanhoe Reading Room and Village Hall, Cross Lane, PE31 8PS
Tickets: £5 (cash only) on the door to include a complimentary drink. Doors open 7:00pm
For further information visit the Stanhoe website
Beat the February Chill
with Stanhoe Village Hall Chilli Night by Local Caterer Hannah Bingley ‘Freckles of Hannah’
Saturday 15th February 6:30pm
Starter/Main/Pudding – £22.50 per head
To book please email laurajpocock@yahoo.co.uk
New Football Team
‘STANHOE SAINTS’ SPONSORSHIP LAUNCH
Friday 7th February at BAR NIGHT 6-9pm, Stanhoe Village Hall
Can you help by sponsoring this new and enthusiastic team of young people?
Whether it’s just agreeing to pay for a football or a larger amount towards equipment or pitch maintenance,
You could help to get this team up and running for the coming Season.
COME ALONG AND FIND OUT MORE!!
or email laurajpocock@yahoo.co.uk for more details
