BARNHAM ACTION GROUP COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER JULY 2010

Welcome…. from Tim Lovejoy, Chairman of Barnham Action Group…

Sometimes it is easy to be distracted into only thinking about the big things that are going on, the big projects or changes, but in the case of the local community, little things also make a real difference.

When the Barnham Action Group meets each month, there is always time for each person to bring up their concerns. These are often what we might think of as small things – an overgrown hedge, some fly tipping in a hidden part of the estate, anti-social behaviour or a light that is out etc etc, but it is vital that these concerns are passed on and that we then do something about them.

I am really pleased that there are about 15 local people who live in different parts of the estate who regularly pass on this information. What these people have in common is that they care enough about their small corner of the estate and the whole estate to want it to be in as good a condition as possible and they are bothered when there is a lack of consideration for others or that the estate looks neglected. Once they have passed on their news, in the days following the meeting, we try to make sure that the relevant agency is then contacted about taking action on these matters. If you have a local concern, do not forget that before each Barnham Cross meeting (from 6.30-7pm) there is an opportunity to pass on your concerns to Councillors, Peddars Way and the Police. In addition, the Healthy Thetford trainers are around for you to chat to about improved and healthier life styles, as well.

May I encourage you to take good care of your corner of the estate and to look out for others – if we all do these simple small things, then the overall effect on the whole estate will be very significant. Remember, you can view copies of the notes from our monthly residents meetings by visiting www.fulmerston.co.uk/bag

I really hope you all have a terrific summer

Tim Lovejoy (Chair of Barnham Action Group)

THANK-YOU!! We are grateful to Norfolk Foundation for helping to subsidise our Community Newsletters in 2010

And we would like to thank all of the people that have paid for an advert in this newsletter – it would not be possible without them! If you contact an organization, person or business as a result of something you

have seen in this newsletter, please make sure you tell them where you heard about them.

EDITORIAL TEAM: Bob Waple and Terry Jermy Newsletter delivered by Barnham Action Group Members

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 13th July 2010 At Fulmerston Church, Community drop-in from 6.30pm – 7pm Barnham Action Group, starting at 7pm

Nuns Bridges

Captain Mainwaring statue unveiled! The Friends of Dad’s Army Museum have worked tirelessly in their pursuit of the bronze statue of Captain Mainwaring recently unveiled in the town. Since opening its doors in December 2007, the museum has gone from strength to strength, bringing new visitors to the town and boosting the local economy. However, in order to open more regularly to the public they need more volunteers. Can you spare 2 hours a month? That’s all they need – you don’t need to be an expert on Dad’s Army. The Friends have great fun and our volunteers have found great benefits from working with us. If you like to meet and talk with people that would be a benefit but there are many ‘behind the scenes’ jobs that you could get involved with – it’s not just working in the museum. If you would like to try it out then give Mick Whitman a call on 07510 260266.

Visit the website:

www.dadsarmythetford.org.uk

ADVERTISE HERE!! This community magazine relies on the support of local people, organisations and businesses and it is important that we have paying adverts to help cover printing costs. Prices are very competitive, please

contact 07742157967 or email; barnham.cross@btinternet.com

Update from Charles Burrell Humanities School….

It is difficult to believe that yet another school year has come to an end but it does give us an opportunity to review what has happened. It has been another big year in the life of this Thetford school and there is much to celebrate, things to reflect upon and a lot to look forward to.

Young people have worked very hard preparing for their final examinations and we look forward to hearing good news when the results come out in August. Our year eleven students are now busily preparing for their Prom on Friday 25th June. This is always a wonderfully colourful event. We were all delighted with the positive news from the Police that youth crime, that is between the ages of 11 and 19, continues to fall in Thetford as a result of many of the joint initiatives in the town. Our Safer School’s Police Partnership works hard to build positive relationships between young people and the police and their community. The school also runs a school based health service called Space2Talk. This is proving to be very successful as young people are able to talk to the school nurse, the Connexions advisers, youth workers and other specialist people about any issues and problems they might be having or if they simply need some information.

Obviously our big news is the pending closure of the school this summer to be replaced by the Thetford Academy for all secondary aged young people in Thetford. Whilst many of you may have questions about this, it is a superb opportunity for our town to create the best possible educational experience for our students. If you have any concerns about this development, please contact the school so that we can put your minds at ease. Over the next few years secondary education will be transformed which is good because our young people deserve the best possible start in life. We shall, of course, be marking the end of the life of the school and are hoping to mount an exhibition of the highlights of Charles Burrell, the Staniforth, and Thetford Secondary Modern Schools. These are the former names of the building which will be 50 years next year. During that time there has been lots achieved and it would be good to recognise these things. If you have anything to contribute then please contact the school. Miss Jane Holland is co-ordinating this event and would be delighted to hear from members of the community.

Finally, I would like to say thank you for the friendship and support that I have personally had from so many of you who have attended the school or supported the many events that the school has put on as I shall be leaving the school this summer after 32.5 years. It does not seem possible that the years have gone by but it is a good time for me to move on. I shall be taking up the post of Vice Principal at a new Academy in King’s Lynn. I wish you all well in the future and simply ask that continue to support the future Thetford Academy in September.

Best wishes, Robert G Ogden

Thank you!

I believe that I can speak on behalf of The Barnham Cross Community, if not the whole town, when I would

like to extend my thanks to Robert Ogden, for his dedicated support and input of the young people of this

area. As you will see from this newsletter, after 32.5 years,

Robert is leaving Charles Burrell to take up the post of Vice Principal of the King’s Lynn Academy. Robert’s

dedication and enthusiasm to Thetford and making it a better place for everyone and especially for the Young People has been second to none. I hope that everyone will join me in wishing him the greatest of successes in his new position, and a heartfelt thank you for all he has

done. Best wishes, Bob Waple

Barnham Cross Estate Regeneration Update Flagship Peddars Way and Breckland Council are continuing to work with the Barnham Cross Action Group to bring forward regeneration projects across the estate. Building works have started on two, 2-bed bungalows on the redundant garage site off Mingay Road. Brooks & Wood have again been appointed as the contractors, who are aiming to complete the project towards the end of this year. A local family have been nominated for the wheelchair compliant bungalow to ensure the home accommodates their needs as far as possible.

At long last, the parking at Beech Close is nearing delivery. Local residents will receive a letter to confirm when the works for the 24 new parking spaces will be starting and Brooks & Wood hope to complete the works in a matter of weeks, minimising disruption to residents. Residents’ cooperation and understanding during this would be very much appreciated.

Funding has been secured from Moving Thetford Forward for smaller community-based projects, including car parking, green spaces, landscaping, planting and so on in the Ash Close area, further to the garage site redevelopment. The project team are working on ensuring the funding delivers as much as possible, including working with the Pride in Breckland team and your local councillors. Further information on these projects will be available soon.

With the change in Government, the Homes and Communities Agency are unable to make funding allocations at present. This means Flagship Peddars Way’s bid to fund the Sweyn Close and Fulmerston Road

redevelopment is on hold. However, as the scheme has secured planning approval (subject to conditions) we are hopeful for a positive outcome.

In the meantime, the homes will be made safe and secured to discourage further vandalism and entry to the unoccupied homes. If anybody spots anybody accessing the site and they are not authorised to do so, please contact the non-emergency police phone number on 0845 456 4567. Flagship Peddars Way have also issued tenders to four contractors so that should funding be available, a contractor can be appointed and works can start in the Autumn.

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THETFORD LABOUR

PARTY

Why not join?

We meet on the first Thursday of every month at the Thetford Sports and Social Club on Bury Road. We are a friendly group that meet to talk and campaign

about local matters affecting our town plus wider political issues nationally and internationally.

Members that join before the 8th September 2010 will also be able to vote in the election for the new

Leader of the Labour Party. For more information, please contact our Thetford

Branch Chairman, Dennis Sully on 01842 751750 or visit the website www.southwestnorfolklabour.org.uk

Did you know that Thetford has a

Health Trainer service? Health Trainer services have been popping up across the country for the last couple of years and we now have a very own one in Thetford! The Thetford health trainer service is funded by NHS Norfolk and has been up and running since February this year.

Health Trainers are here to help people make healthy lifestyle changes, stop smoking reduce alcohol intake, increase exercise and make healthier food choices. Health trainers can come out to your community and meet you in a venue close to your home; they can also see you at weekends and in the evening. Health trainers will meet with you over a period of time to help motivate you and keep you on track even when it is hard to stick to you health change. If you’re not sure if a Health trainer is right for you a Health trainer can give you a lifestyle assessment to see if you need to make any changes, they can also get you in touch with other services if needed. Health trainers can see you if you

are 16 or over, want to make a change to improve your health. Thetford Health Trainer service is based in the Town at 32 Bridge Street, if you would like to see a Health Trainer please contact Sarah Lynam on 01842 757341 or sarah.lynam@norfolk-pct.nhs.uk

Pantomine Time! Thetford Players are holding auditions for the

Pantomine ‘Dick Whittington’ on Thursday 23rd September, 7.00pm in the Guildhall. If you are

interested in being involved with this production, please come along. The actual performances are planned for 13th, 14th & 15th (Matinee & Evening)

January Oh yes it is!!!

Got a suggestion for a future story or an idea about what you would like to see?

Contact the editorial team on 07742157967 or email; barnham.cross@btinternet.com

Wembley beckons for football enthusiasts…

A group of young people from Thetford will soon be travelling down to London and having a 90 minute guided tour of Wembley Stadium as part of a community football coaching project that takes place at the Thetford Community Ballpark each week.

The trip and the coaching project is organized by the Thetford Community Association – a small but dedicated group of volunteers that raise the necessary money each year to keep the Ballpark open. Football coaching takes place every Monday and Thursday

evening from 6pm – 8pm at the Ballpark. If anyone else is interested in supporting the project, either as a paid coach, or as a volunteer, please get in touch with Terry Jermy on 07742157967, access to training is available. We are grateful for a £100 donation from Thetford Town Council towards the cost of the Wembley Trip. The football coaching project is supported by:

Go-karting fun for youngsters…

The ‘Little Yoof’ group is a popular club held for young people aged between 10 –14 years old on Wednesday evenings between 6.45pm - 8.15pm, it takes place at Fulmerston Church. The young people enjoy a variety of activities which include Table Tennis, creating models from Lego & K-nex, colouring and craft activities, board games and listening to music. Youth workers are on hand to ensure they have fun in a safe environment and will try to put on activities which the young people request for their club.

The clubs are co-ordinated by the Fulmerston Family and Community Project and the Thetford Community Association. Separate funding is also sought to pay for trips that the young people want to go on, and they are encouraged to become involved in the process of organising the trips. Entrance fee for both clubs is 50p per evening and every young people must complete a membership form before attending.

Both clubs need extra support in terms of adult volunteers so if anybody would like to get involved then please get in touch. There may be the opportunity for some paid youth work as well. For more info please contact Jean Ridley on 07986652639. Recently, the young people that attend the older aged group, ‘Big Yoof’ – went to Red Lodge Karting Centre for their reward trip. It was a great day enjoyed by all. Young people from the Little Yoof group recently went to the cinema at Bury St Edmunds and will soon be going to 2 Mile Bottom to take part in a variety of activities including archery and canoeing.

Working Party – can you help? We are looking for a group of people who are willing to give a few hours every few months to help improve our community. We are aiming to put together a list of people who may be interested in coming together, once every couple of months to form a working party for making our community a better place to live in. Whether it is coming together to do a few hours tidying up a community garden area, planting spring bulbs around the Barnham Cross welcome signs, planting plants in the planters by the shops, or any small project that may come to light that may benefit our community.

If you are interested please let us know by either emailing us at Barnham.cross@btinternet.com, drop a note into the Fulmerston Road Church, or pop in to the next BAG meeting during the surgery time and speak to us. If we get a good group of us together these little projects will brighten our community and as they say ‘Many hands make light work’. So the more people, the less work.

Sunflower Competition: There is still time to enter the

Sunflower Competition, so if you have any growing, it is free to enter, so why not try your luck. The qualification time for measuring the tallest sunflowers will be any time from the 1st July through to the end of September, and at the end of that time we will award the prizes to the three tallest sunflowers grown by under 16’s and three tallest sunflowers grown by 16 & over’s. The prizes include, family swimming passes, One month Gym Membership, Tesco voucher, Sainsbury voucher, Centre Parcs Day pass, and the list is growing. If you are interested in entering this competition then please either fill out the entry form that can either be downloaded from the Barnham Action Group web-site or pick up a form from Fulmerston Road Church, the details of where to send these are on the form. Entry to this competition is open to everyone right up to the 30th September 2010 when the final heights will be compared. All you have to do is: Register your interest on an entry form. Then when your Sunflower is at its highest, take a picture of you next to it, and let us know (so we can verify it). Wait till we announce the results!

LOCAL COUNCIL NEWS

Each edition we give your local councillors the opportunity to share information relating to the council which they represent us on, whether it be Norfolk County, Breckland District or Thetford Town. In this edition, we receive an update from Sam Chapman Allen (District Councillor) and Stuart Wright (Town Councillor) Breckland Council news, by Sam Chapman-Allen, Breckland Councillor for Saxon Ward “Thetford really feels like it is moving forward at a pace. Earlier this month Breckland Council took possession of the keys to John Room House, the new £1.3m state-of the-art facility which will cater for single homeless people between the ages of 18 and 70. Meanwhile, through Moving Thetford Forward, the council is working to formulate strategic housing plans for the estates of Abbey, Redcastle Furze, Barnham Cross and Ladies Estate. Recent work on the Barnham Cross Estate has already made a notable difference. This includes the conversion of vacant garage and parking areas on Ash Close and Fir Walk into eight new affordable rented homes with additional parking spaces and garages. I am pleased to report that all of the homes have all been occupied by existing Thetford residents. Moving Thetford Forward has funded £100.000 of ‘Green Grant Projects’ including enhanced gardens for residents in sheltered housing. The Academy has been approved to go forward by Norfolk County Council enabling the closure of Charles Burrell and Rosemary Musker schools and their re-opening as the Thetford Academy in September offering the best possible education facilities for our young students. The archaeological dig at the Anchor site is halfway through and a Viking clay floor has been discovered!! The new bus station plans are nearly finalised with work due to start in 2011. The Haling path alongside the river is due to undergo substantial renovations with funding from Moving Thetford Forward. Breckland Councils new CCTV room in Breckland House has officially opened with the one of the most advanced digital CCTV systems in the country”. Contact Breckland Council on 01362 656870 or visit www.breckland.gov.uk Thetford Town Council news, by Stuart Wright, Thetford Town Councillor for Saxon Ward “One of the issues that has caused concern in the Barnham Cross area recently has been the incursions onto Barnham Common. The Town Council asked Breckland Council to apply for a court order for possession of the common and the right to move the individuals on. In addition to the travellers there have been incidents of people camping on the common. The court order obtained, should allow these matters to be dealt with as well. The Town Council is committed to having open access to the common but not allowing it to be used for activities that interfere with the enjoyment of the general public. The legal process does take time to progress and is seen as a last resort if individuals cannot be persuaded to move on voluntarily. Please report any matters of concern regarding the common to the Town Council in the first instance. The closure of Charles Burrell School and its reopening as part of the Thetford Academy will happen in September. Final plans for the redevelopment of the site have not yet been agreed but the Town Council has expressed concern to Norfolk County Council about the loss of the School’s pool with no replacement. I for one will continue to press for a pool facility within a rebuilt school as I appreciate the need for such facilities”. You can contact the Town Council on 01842 754247 or visit the Town Council website; www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Yours local councillors for the Barnham Cross area:

Norfolk County Council 1. Mike Brindle (Liberal Democrat), Thetford-West Division, (including the Barnham Cross area), 6 Nunnery

Drive Thetford IP24 3EN Tel: 01842 753566 email: mikebrindle@talktalk.net

Breckland District Councillors; Saxon Ward (3 councillors) 1. Marion Chapman-Allen (Conservative) Travellers Rest, 3 Campion Road, Thetford, IP24 2XT

Tel: 01842 750700 email: marion.chapman-allen@breckland.gov.uk) 2. Sam Chapman-Allen (Conservative) Travellers Rest, 3 Campion Road, Thetford, IP24 2XT

Tel: 01842 750700 email: sam.chapman-allen@breckland.gov.uk 3. Pat Balaam, (Labour) 18 Oak Close, Thetford, IP24 3EZ Tel: 01842 753417 email:

pat.balaam@breckland.gov.uk

Thetford Town Councillors; Saxon Ward (5 councillors) 1) Marion Chapman-Allen 2) Sam Chapman-Allen 3) Pat Balaam (Details as above) 4) Terry Jermy (Labour) 15 Newtown, Thetford IP24 3AS Tel: 01842 750722 email:

terry.jermy@googlemail.com 5) Stuart Wright (Independent) 79 Churchill Road, Thetford IP24 2JZ Tel: 01842 754166 email:

wright@79cr.freeserve.co.uk

COMING SOON! THETFORD COMMUNITY BANK

A BRANCH OF NORFOLK CREDIT UNION At the Meet Up Café, Redcastle Community Centre Thetford. Telephone: 01842 820871

NOT GOT A BANK ACCOUNT? The Credit Union Current Account is now available for you. Save money by paying bills by Direct Debit. NEED A SMALL LOAN? The Credit Union has among the best rates available. Immediate loans can be arranged. WANT TO SAVE FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION? Use our Lock in Savings Account with simple cash payments by Paypoint at the post office or shops with the Paypoint sign. WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO GET THE SAVING HABIT? Sign them up for our Young Savers Account. UNEMPLOYED? Sign up for our free Money Magic event and get a free lunch and a £10 voucher when you finish.

B r e c k l a n d L e i s u r e C e n t r e

C r o x t o n R o a d

T h e t f o r d

N o r f o l k

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w w w . l e i s u r e - c e n t r e . c o m

A 55-station state of the art gym, fitness classes to suit you, 25 meter competition pool, learner pool and leisure pool (including waves and rapids) water flume, Jacuzzi, indoor squash courts, main and small halls to hold different activities (inc badminton and 5-a-side football), indoor bowls green, MUGA and outdoor pitches, bar/function room and cafe.

MEET UP CAFÉ; NEWS UPDATE The Meet Up Café is based in the former Redcastle Community Centre. It is run by the Benjamin Foundation, a charity that works across Norfolk supporting young people and their families. We are open every day of the week for young people to drop-in. Following consultation, it was decided the Meet Up Café would change it’s hours so that we are open later in the summer. We’ve managed to strike up a partnership with Adult Education which benefits the young people. Adult Ed are now using the Meet Up Café hall to teach classes and have relocated nine computers into the hall for the classes. It means the young people have access to the computers during the youth café hours. For more information, pop in the Café or telephone 01842 820871 Check out our website! www.meetupcafe.co.uk

MEET UP CAFÉ; NEW OPENING TIMES AND DAYS MONDAY Youth Café 3.30pm – 7.30pm TUESDAY Community Café 10am – 2pm Youth Café 3.30pm – 5.30pm WEDNESDAY Youth Café 3.30pm – 7.30pm THURSDAY Community Café 10am – 2pm Youth Café 3.30pm – 5.30pm FRIDAY Youth Café 3.30pm – 7.30pm SATURDAY Community Café 10am – 2pm

Youth Café is for those aged 10 -16 years only. Community Café is for any member of the community. There will also be other activities taking place which will be advertised separately at the Café.

MEET UP CAFÉ MENU All Day Breakfast Meal Deals

Meet Up Breakfast! 2 x Sausage Bacon, 1 Egg & Chips £1.30 Egg, Toast & Beans or Tomatoes all for £2.80 Pizza & Chips £1.75 2 Waffles, 1 Egg & Beans £1.20 Ham & Chips £1.30 Sausage & Chips £1.30 Beef Burger & Chips £1.75 2 x Egg on Toast £1.00 Chicken Burger & Chips £1.75 Breakfast Extras; E.g. Mushrooms 30p each Scampi, Chips & Peas £3.50 Breakfast Bap £1.50 Veggie Burger & Chips £1.75 Beans on Toast £0.80 Fish Fingers & Chips £1.75 All served with Salad or Beans Sandwiches Jacket Potatoes Cheese – 80p, Ham – 80p, Tuna Mayo – 80p Jacket Potato & Butter £1.00 Bacon - £1, Sausage - £1 Cheese & Beans £1.40

Tuna Mayo £1.50 Pasta Salads Cheese Pasta Salad - £1.00 Toasted Sandwich Tuna Pasta Salad - £1.20, Side Salad 30p Cheese - £1.20, Ham & Cheese - £1.30

Snacks Drinks Cone of chips, 50p Bowl of chips, 80p Cups of Tea & Coffee 50p 2 Waffles, 1 Egg and Beans £1.20 Hot Chocolate 60p Cheesy chips £1.00 All cans of drink 60p Chicken burger in a bap £1.00 Big Bottles of drink (e.g. Coke) 80p Beef burger in a bap £1.00 Small Bottles of drink 35p - With cheese £1.20 Tip Tops 15p Cheese and Tomato Pizza £1.00 Cartons of juice, Apple & Orange 35p - Extra topping 25p Glass of orange juice 25p

Building available for hire!!!