DITCHINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Response to the article by Mr Woods (September’s “Parishioner”)

Thank you to Mr Woods for raising this issue. He is not alone having concerns about the upkeep of the cemetery as other parishioners have also contacted the Council. Councillors share these concerns, care about the cemetery and have taken actions in the past.

The Council employs a contractor to carry out the maintenance of all the open spaces for which it is responsible – the Thwaite Road Play Area, The Dip, Chicken Roundabout and the cemetery. The contractor operates to a schedule of work provided by us. The work costs a considerable amount of money and there is a balance to be struck between that cost, borne by parishioners through the community charge, and the standards of maintenance we should all like to achieve. The schedule of work is intended to keep the open spaces in good order through the seasons of the year and to be mindful of environmental impact.

Regarding the cemetery, the current schedule requires the contractor to mow the main paths to the grave area and the paths between the rows six times a year. The whole cemetery is cut, and the arisings removed, in October. To frequently cut round individual graves would, almost certainly, be too expensive to be acceptable. The weather in the Summer of 2024 has made for rapid plant growth and we paid for an extra cut at the cemetery.

At the 16th September Parish Council meeting Councillors decided to put extra funding into additional work at the cemetery in the coming years. Since the present contract has some time to run we will make appropriate changes to the schedule of work. The Council budget is set at the November meeting; we think we may be able fund the changes by using some reserves.

Mr. Woods also suggested the involvement of volunteers. If any readers would like to help to supplement the work of the contractors by offering their services please contact the parish clerk. Inevitably, there will be some health and safety issues to overcome and, for their security, the Council will need to ensure that they are covered by its insurance.

I hope this article answers the points made by Mr Woods (and others) and gives villagers an assurance that Ditchingham Parish Council does its best to keep costs reasonable at the same time as maintaining the standards we all want.

Keith Weston

Chair Ditchingham Parish Council

Q & A from DITCHINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Q. Why have the grit bins been moved from the Hollow Hill Rd/Norwich Road junction and from the crossroads near The Dip?
A. These areas are on bus routes so they are gritted by Norfolk County Council. The bins have been moved to new sites which are not on bus routes.

Q. Why are the two new streetlamps reinstalled at Beevors Gardens and Green Lane still not working?
A. We are waiting for UK Power Networks to commission the lamps. We have asked several times.

Q. How often are safety check carried out on the play equipment and the trees for which the PC is responsible?
A. We employ a member of staff who does litter-picking. The same person carries out a visual inspection of the two play areas, and completes a checklist, at least fortnightly. There is a professional inspection annually. Our trees are professionally inspected annually too.

Q. Who moves the Speed Awareness Machine to its various locations?
A. The litter picker.

Q. What other assets is the PC responsible for?
A. Litter bins; dog waste bins; two bus shelters, the cemetery and its lychgate; the village sign; noticeboard; defibrillator; sundry benches; the Community Orchard.

Q. Many towns and villages have war memorials; why doesn’t Ditchingham?
A. There is one in the parish church (St. Mary’s). The feasibility of a more central memorial to the fallen is currently being looked at by the Council. If it goes ahead it would be funded by grant aid.

Q. Paying for the provision and maintenance of all these assets must be costly. How is it funded?
A. When you receive your annual Community Charge bill you will see on it an item called the precept. It’s not a huge amount per household but it is this money that covers the Council’s outgoings. As well as covering recurring costs such as grass cutting some is kept in reserves. A recommended general reserve lets us pay for the unforeseen. Other reserves are earmarked for specific purposes. For example, there is a Play Area reserve. Some of this was used last year to pay for the renovation of the roundabout and the repair of the toddlers’ climbing tower at the Thwaite Road play area. Without reserves we would not be able to pay for the big-ticket items or the precept would have to “yo-yo” with expensive and less expensive years.

As you can see, the Council fulfils a vital role for the village. Ours is a Council of nine Councillors but we, currently, have only six. If you would like to join please contact our Clerk, Sally Chapman, clerkdpc@aol.co.uk

Keith Weston
Chair

Community Orchard

As the picture shows, the oak notice board has been fitted to the gate to the orchard. The white notice, with
rules and regs., has also been fitted. Most of the wildflowers we planted appear to be quite well established. The apple trees are also good but we have lost a few of the oaks.

Street Lamps
Following approaches from parishioners, and a decision reached at the last meeting, one lamp has been replaced in Beevors Gardens and one in Green Lane. We listen to parishioners.

Green Lane (GL)
A meeting we pledged to convene, to deal with residents’ issues, proved difficult to arrange but was, eventually, held on 9^th October. It was not an official PC meeting but it arose from representations at the public part of a recent meeting. We listen to parishioners.
I chaired it and our clerk minuted it.  Gary Overland, Cllr Bernard and two residents attended. Unfortunately, due to a diary error, Ditchingham Estates (DE) was not represented.
Previously held positions were restated and the residents’ issues were briefly raised. The PC doesn’t have any responsibility for GL.
The two main outcomes were firstly, that the residents would write to DE to ask for a fence between the two parts of GL – the BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic) and the rest of the lane.
Secondly, the residents will be asking NCC to investigate redesignating GL as a footpath.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Plaque

The Commission has now installed a plaque on the Lychgate near St. Mary’s Church at Ditchingham to let the public know there are 3 war graves situated there.

Speed Awareness Machine
Two new sites have been set up – an additional one in Pirnough Street and one near the primary school.

Councillor Vacancies
If you have a small amount of time available and want to help your community please consider becoming a Councillor. Our clerk can give you more information.

My fellow Councillors and I wish all our villagers a very Happy Christmas. We hope 2024 goes well for you.

Keith Weston

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN

Chiefly because parts of the village have, in the past, been subject to flooding the council is preparing a Community Emergency Plan. The intention is the be better prepared to help villagers in the event of future flooding (or other difficulties). The plan would be available to potential or actual victims of emergencies and to agencies which help them.

The draft CEP is being compiled by Cllr Keith Weston and already contains a lot of useful information such as important contact numbers. The Primary School is a designated Rest Centre which can be used by folk forced to leave their homes. The Council’s CEP would compliment the Rest Centre’s Evacuation Plan.

What the CEP now needs is volunteers who have agreed to be standing by to support in the following ways: collect and deliver sandbags, help people prepare their at risk homes; in the worst cases help with evacuation and clearing up; help at the Rest Centre – the list goes on. The list of volunteers would be ‘refreshed’ annually.

If this is something you would like to do please contact Keith by Email keithweston@gmail.com or by writing to 10 Hollow Hill Rd Ditchingham, Bungay Nr35 2QZ. He will send you a brief form to complete and your details will be retained by the council

THANK YOU

November 2021

G’day One and All,

Many off you will know me from Broome village hall events and also Broome Parish Council and now I find myself Chair of your parish council here in Ditchingham, I must be crazy!

I am very lucky to have such a wealth of council experience around me and together we have a strong team to take us into the future.
Councillor Bernard, ex councillor Mully and myself laid a poppy wreath at the foot of the Ditchingham Village sign in Hollow Hill to mark Armistice day on the 11th day of November. Two minute silence was observed.

We do this not only to remember the Fallen but also to mark the time “When the guns fell silent”, what a pity that they were not silent for very long.

The council is working to resolve the issues regarding Chicken Roundabout and keep it under our control; I will keep you informed as things progress.

I am sure that you will be aware that there is a nationwide plan to plant a million trees, wether they be in private gardens or public places. We are keen to take part in this programme and will be working with our newly appointed Tree Warden Beryl and County Councillor Barry Stone. Hopefully we will have more success than last time when drought was against us.

The Queens Platinum Anniversary celebration plans are moving along nicely and it looks like we will have a really good day for all the family.

By the time that the Parishioner drops through your letter box I expect Christmas will not be too far out of your minds, so I wish you all A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

Fred
Chair

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September 2021

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLAN

It has been a very difficult time for all of us, not entirely attributable to the effects of COVID-19.

As with many challenging environments it seems to bring out the best in people and we have seen much support and help from our local businesses and the Bungay volunteers.

Many of our friends and neighbours were badly affected in the Xmas floods and the Parish Council is to set up a working group to create a Community Resilience Plan for our Village.

The plan will cover all possible emergencies whether due to severe weather or man made disasters. As a parish councillor I have agreed to put the plan together with help from the South Norfolk Emergency Planning Team and local volunteers if you would like to be involved please get in touch.

During lockdown we were able to meet by Zoom keeping essential business going. We have four vacancies on the Parish Council following the resignation of three councillors and there seems to be a general apathy among residents and unwillingness to take an active role in village affairs.  Do please get in touch if you would like to know more about what we do or come along to our meetings and meet us you will receive a very warm welcome.

Looking forward the Parish Council is soon to start its programme of replacing the streetlight lanterns with special LED’s suitable for a rural parish not only to save money but also to be more environmentally friendly. All the lights will be retained and will dim by 50% from midnight.

The recent NCC road works in and around the village which have caused so much disruption are winding down now. Details of planned and emergency works are as far as we can keep up are posted in the notice board opposite the village shop and on the website.  Full details can also be found in the EDP every Friday.

TREE WARDEN

Ditchingham is looking for a volunteer Tree Warden.  We are fortunate to have many lovely trees and we need someone to be the eyes , ears and voice for the trees in the Parish.  We still have room for more.

We also hope to take part in the 1 Million Trees for Norfolk project (more than 1 tree per resident) over the next 4 years.

We really want this to be a community effort, perhaps planting one or 2 trees in private gardens or hedges and copses in wider areas.

Chair

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June 2021

Streetlight Update

In June 2019, Ditchingham Parish Council adopted 88 streetlights from South Norfolk Council, with the aim of preserving these assets for the benefit of the community. Included within the transfer from South Norfolk Council, was a sum of money, which after recent repairs totals £77,800 remains. This money was given to Ditchingham Parish Council for the maintenance and repair of these lights going forward. These funds are held in a reserve in the Parish Council budget.

Previously, the Council had considered decommissioning a proportion of these streetlights, but having now consulted street lighting contractors, the cost for decommissioning these parish assets would be the same as keeping them in operation. As DPC has established that there would be limited financial benefits to the village, but considerable social disadvantages with the loss of these streetlights, it has been agreed to use the reserves to improve them for the benefit of the residents of Ditchingham.

The Council agreed at the March 2021 meeting to use approximately £12,000 (15%) of the reserved funds, to change the streetlights to LED lanterns. These low lumen LED lights are more energy efficient, and the light will be projected on to the footway only, therefore reducing light pollution. The lights will also dim to 50% between the hours of midnight and 5.30am to keep the community safe throughout the night but limit light pollution. In addition, there will be an estimated savings of up to 80% on the current annual electricity supply costs (approx. £2,700 p.a). Coupled with the reduced energy consumption, there are other environmental benefits of LED lighting.

The Parish Council has received three competitive quotes (for small LED lanterns that are suitable for a rural parish) from local competent and reputable streetlighting contractors, to achieve best value for the village. It is expected that the LED lantern replacement scheme will take place later this year. Should you have any questions about the replacement lamps, please feel free to contact Ms Sally Chapman, DPC Clerk.

Ditchingham Parish Council

September 2020

Our September meeting was held by “Zoom” for the first time. Despite some technical issues the meeting was completed in time. Minutes will be published on the web-site in the usual way. At this meeting 2 residents were co-opted onto the Council and we are grateful for their support. Their details will be available on the web-site and the Parish Notice Board shortly.

We have purchased a new Notice Board and the stand and surround have been re-painted as well as the bench at the crossroads which has been re-varnished. My thanks to Cllrs. Skippen and Taylor for their work.

We are having on-going discussions with Highways regarding the possibility of a footpath to link Alma Bridge and the grass path in the Maltings meadow. We await further developments.

The swings on the Dip will be replaced when the Contractor is available.

Other Parish Council work has continued during this period, where restrictions have allowed. Streetlamps have been maintained when needed, and our Contractors have managed to keep our grass areas tidy.

My best wishes continue to go to all residents. It looks as if this Virus will continue for some time, although we appear to be at relatively low risk, at present, compared with some other areas of the country.

Please keep safe and stay well over the coming months.

Alan Larkin
Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council

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May 2020

Shortly after the meeting in March we were in lockdown, due to the Corona virus, with residents in quarantine or self-isolating on their own or with family. We have all been maintain social distancing whilst out of our homes.

The Church has been closed for services and the Village Hall has also been closed and all user groups suspended until further notice.

The play areas have been closed.

The Big Litter Pick and the VE day celebration event were cancelled. Use of the Community Notice Board is presently suspended.

The April edition of the Parishioner was unable to be delivered and future issues have been suspended until further notice.

Ground maintenance has been reduced although some work has continued when our Contractor can use a lone worker.

The checking of streetlamps has reduced although some maintenance has been done where required.

The Annual Parish meeting has been cancelled for 2020. It is not possible for Cllrs and Clerk to meet virtually through Skype, Zoom etc but we have been advised that it is possible to call bi-monthly meetings by e-mail to minute Agenda items. However, any decisions made will need to be ratified when we can next meet face-to-face. The Annual General meeting will be postponed until that time.

Some Cllrs have managed to undertake duties where self-isolation and social distancing has permitted. I am grateful to all Cllrs for their continued work during this difficult time.

I am particularly thankful to Sally, our Clerk, who has spent many hours talking to NALC, SNC, NCC and others, seeking advice and guidance when needed, as well as preparing the work required for the Financial End of Year Accounts and Audit which have gone ahead as usual.

Alan Larkin
Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council

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March 2020

All Hallows Hospital

On the 27^th February I was invited to and attended a meeting with others (Liaison Group) to meet the new Leaseholders and have a tour of the building

The new company is Oaklea, owned by Care Tech. They will be providing 29 beds for neuro-rehab, male and female, to include 4 transitional self-contained flats for patients almost ready to move on

Both the company and the local CCGs for NCC, SCC and the NHS feel there will be sufficient demand for beds in the local Counties although some may be offered to those living in other nearby areas such as Essex and Cambridgeshire

No external work is needed although some internal refurbishment is required. They expect to complete such work with a view to opening in June.

They expect to recruit staff locally.

They wish to become involved with the local community but in what way is yet to be decided. They have been made aware of the facilities presently available in the nearby villages and the town of Bungay and so there should be wide scope of how integration can be made possible.

St Anne’s House

As far as I am aware this remains empty, and does not form part of the Hospital, although it is being refurbished.

A R Larkin, Chair,
Ditchingham Parish Council

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January 2020

All Hallows Hospital Trust

As previously reported, the All Hallows Liaison Group was disbanded in November. No communication was received from the All Hallows Hospital Trustees or the County/NHS Commissioners. All I can report is that, as far as I am aware, the AHHT is negotiating with a potential unknown buyer, and we hope that the hospital will be taken over as soon as possible. It is still not clear what type of service any such buyer will be providing.

St Anne’s House

This is situated opposite Lamberts Way, off Station Road, and is part of the Hospital complex. It was previously a hostel for the Homeless, operated originally by St Matthews Housing and latterly by Genesis Housing, who left in 2019. Contractors are presently in the building, cleaning and tidying the area to make it fit for re-use. At present, it is not known as to its future use, but I will continue to make enquiries.

Emmaus

On the 11th December I attended the AGM. We continue to maintain a relationship with Emmaus and will explore ways in which their Companions can be more involved with the local community.

Alan Larkin
Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council

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October 2019

Ditchingham Community Notice Board At the request of residents a Community Notice Board has been placed in the bus shelter outside the Village Hall. This will display information about what’s going on near you, including news about events and activities. The aim of the new Community Notice Board is to inform local people about what is going on in their area providing information on activities run by local communities and organisations.

To help you make the best use of this facility, guidelines have been placed in the bus shelter and will help you understand the types of notices that may be displayed  and how this can be achieved.

In Summary:-

• These are for charities and not-for-profit organisations
• For locally based organisations benefitting local residents
• For an individual event taking place in the Parish of Ditchingham
• A diary of ongoing events
• Posters should preferably be A5 but no larger than A4
• Names and contact details must be included on the front of the poster
• Posters can be displayed no earlier than 28 days before an event

Place your poster in an envelope addressed “Community Notice Board” through the letterbox in the Village Hall

I hope that this new facility will prove to be of benefit. My thanks to the Village Hall Committee for their co-operation. I am grateful to a local resident and others who have agreed to take on the responsibility for its management, on behalf of the Community.

Alan Larkin
Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council

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August 2019

Street Lamps

As previously advised in this Magazine and Minutes of Meetings over many months, we have, after a bit of a technical delay, taken over responsibility for 86 streetlamps, previously maintained by South Norfolk District Council.

The roads affected are:- Ditchingham Dam, Loddon Road, Station Road, Black Horse Lane, Green Lane, Waveney Road, Lewis Close, Hamilton Way, Rider Haggard Way, Turner Close, Thwaite Road, Windmill Green, Hollow Hill Road, The Loke, Beevors Gardens, and Drapers Lane.

In our initial discussions, SNDC identified 10 lamps which they thought were “needed”. We asked for a further 10 to be considered, and after further thought we decided to take on full responsibility for all the lamps, so as to be in control.

Our Policy is to continue to maintain those 20 lamps considered “essential” (subject to any future change in circumstances) but to decommission the other 66 lamps over a period of time (again, subject to potential changes of circumstances) and with local resident consultation)

The lamps thought (at the present time) to be “essential” are Station Road (opp. St Anne’s House) (4), Loddon Road X roads (2), Loddon Road bus stop and footpath end (2), Rider Haggard Way post box and school entrance (2), Beevors Gardens car park (1), Hollow Hill Road bus shelter, opp Thwaite Road, opp Scudamore Place (3), Thwaite Road by Scudamore Place (2), Black Horse Lane (1), Green Lane (1), The Loke (1), and Drapers Lane (1)

To begin the consultation, I am asking for residents for their views, which will be most welcome.

Do you wish to retain your lamps? If so, why?

Are you happy to lose lamps outside your property? Many residents complain of light pollution.

Points to consider. Many County Councils are switching lamps off (to save money?). Other nearby Parishes have no lamps at all (Broome, for example). New developments are unlikely to have streetlamps as a matter of course.

Other lamps in the Parish continue to be maintained by Norfolk County Council or Housing Associations. Any defects or problems with any streetlamps should be reported to the Parish Clerk and we will act in accordance with our Policy or pass information as appropriate.

 Alan Larkin
Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council

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June 2019

Your Councillors were elected without contest in May. Although we are eligible to have 9 Councillors only 6 volunteers put their names forward. Despite a shortfall in numbers, we hope to give good service, as best as possible, to all residents in the Community.

Details of Councillors and future meetings can be found on the Parish notice board, opposite the Village shop and Post Office, and on our web-site: Ditchingham Parish Council

As well as undertaking our statutory and community duties we are also engaged in the following:-

• Speed awareness – we are liaising with interested residents in the formation of a group to monitor speeding throughout the village. This will be done alongside the SAM2 machines currently placed at random sites and software monitored.

• Community notice board – we are investigating the possibility, with cooperation from residents, to provide a  board for Community posters, funded by external sources.

• Streetlamps – Despite a delay, we have taken over responsibility for 86 streetlamps, previously undertaken by SNDC. There is still much work to do, and a further report will be issued later in the year.

It is with regret that I have to report some minor nuisance with play area equipment in Thwaite Road. Although easily resolved by the Council, usage of this equipment was delayed for a number of days. Also, a bench appears to have been rocked off its base and is now unusable and needs major repair, at a cost to the Council, which is unbudgeted.

The play areas are of great benefit, not only to our younger residents, but also to parents and others. The Council has a duty to maintain them and undertake repairs or replacement  when required. However, our Budget is based on natural wear and tear and such misuse incurs an additional cost to our finances.

On a positive note, there have been many favourable comments on Social Media, regarding the wildflowers on the Chicken roundabout. Our thanks go to Clinks Care Farm for looking after them for us.

Finally, If you have any concerns regarding issues in the village, please contact our Clerk (email: clerkdpc@aol.co.uk ) or any Councillor. We may not have the power to deal with everything but are able to forward concerns to Local or County Council departments and other Agencies, where relevant.

Alan Larkin
Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council

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Wildflowers on Chicken Roundabout

DPC is pleased to hear of some many positives comments regarding the wildflowers planted on the Chicken Roundabout. They were planted by Clink’s Care Farm and maintained by them and we hope they will be there for many years to come.

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March 2019

Speed Limits
You will be aware that the 30mph speed limit on Loddon Road ends at Waveney Road and starts again just before Sun Road, in Broome. The speed limit between these two points is therefore unrestricted. In conjunction with Broome Parish Council, we have asked the Highways Department to consider making the whole stretch 30 mph. We have been advised that this does not conform with their policy, and the present system is considered to be reasonable. We have also asked our County Councillor for her help.

This area is used by vehicles, cycles, runners and pedestrians, and is a parking space for those using the Heath. We urge all users to take care, particularly in hours of darkness, as the road is not lit.

Parish Council Elections
Your Council is due to be re-elected in May. At the present time, we are 2 short of the required number. It is also possible that a further 2 experienced Councillors will not be standing again. We are therefore looking for more residents to put their names forward. More details will appear, both in this magazine, on Public Notice Boards and our web-site. If you need further information, please contact our Clerk.

Big Litter Pick
This year the Litter Pick will be held on Sunday 12th May, at 10.00am. We ask residents, once again, to support this event, which has proved to be very worthwhile in the past. Further details will be available shortly.

Alan Larkin (Vice Chair, Ditchingham Parish Council)