Local Lynx No.151 August/September 2023

More documents

Info

LOOKING AFTER LOCAL LYNX Local Lynx is a not-for-profit community paper covering the villages of Bale, Binham, Cockthorpe, Field Dalling, Gunthorpe, Langham, Morston, Saxlingham, Sharrington and Stiffkey. Published every other month, it contains community news as well as news and articles from each of the villages together with details of church services and news from the local school in Langham. Currently distributed to over 1,100 households it has an estimated readership of over 2,000 as well as over 800 readers on-line at www.locallynx.co.uk. The paper is produced entirely by volunteers with the editor supported by village reps who collate the stories, distributors who pop the paper through each letterbox, proof readers who try to catch the typos, a designer who can add style and of course those that write the interesting articles and news. Financially the paper is supported by the parish councils and parochial church councils of the villages concerned and by the wonderful local businesses who place their adverts with us. We also have great support from our readers. If you like what you read and would like to make a contribution to the running costs of the paper then these can be made by contacting the editor at lynxeditor@pobox.com or by direct bank transfer to: Local Paper a/c 65004288 sort code 09-01-54. Lynx Internet Banking and Standing Orders Account Name: Local Paper Account number: 6500 4288 Sort code: 09-01-54 And please don’t forget…. Lynx 151 and all back issues are permanently available on our website at www.locallynx.co.uk. The website now has an Ads Directory, an ‘In More Detail’ page and a ‘Local Charities’ page to cover relevant articles in greater depth. (Paper copies of website articles are always available from Roberta on 01263 740188.) 4 COMMUNITY nEWS INTRODUCING A NEW LINK FOR LOCAL LYNX Pinpoint Info We are trying a new way to share helpful information on local services and support in our area. Over the next few issues we will be highlighting what is already out there to help with things like door to door transport to surgeries or meeting with a real person at your bank hub. Further ideas might look at how Assistance Allowance works, help with hearing tests, how does a volunteer first responder work and also tackling harder questions such as who could I first talk to if I am worried about something or someone. If you have an idea for a good bit of pinpoint information, please let us know. Contact your rep or send an email directly to lynxeditor @pobox.com. You can also ring me on 01263 740188. Please note all information received will remain confidential. We will also be creating a permanent page on our website to list (and update) all information gathered. RH (ed.) L151 PINPOINT INFO Fakenham Age Concern Community Minibus Service Need assistance getting to supermarkets, appointments or banks in Fakenham? Well, here’s where you can find help. Fakenham Age Concern area minibus provides a number of regular door-to-door services to Fakenham from villages covered by the Local Lynx for people over 55. These routes are flexible and can divert to take in visits to health centres, dentists, banks and other vital destinations. They charge £6 for collection and return from surrounding villages into Fakenham. Wheelchairs and walking frames can be taken onboard, and a lift is available if you require assistance in entering the bus. Their drivers and helpers, all volunteers, are wonderfully flexible and will look after you and your shopping and assist you on your return home. To book your weekly return trip, or to find out more about this invaluable community service, contact Adrian Hill on 0799 002 6839. MC COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ NOTES …from Steffan Aquarone Bank Hubs and Doctors' Surgeries Rural services are in dire decline, and I am deeply worried about the lack of dentists, doctors’ appointments, and mental health services available in our area - none more so than the proposed closure of Blakeney GP surgery. Surgeries can't just open and close as they wish - they're contracted as part of an overall plan, managed by Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, for meeting the health needs of the people in our area. The initial request for closure put forward by Holt Medical Practice is, however, a worrying thing for our area as it could mean losing local surgery provision.
At the time of writing, Holt Medical Practice are in the process of finalising the consultation that they will run. It's vital everyone in Blakeney and the surrounding villages gets a chance to have their views heard. I have corresponded with both Holt Medical Practice and Dame Patricia Hewitt, who is chair of the ICB, and will do my best to promote it once it's open. In regards to bank closures, the closing of Lloyds branches in Cromer and North Walsham, and Barclays in Holt, are blows to our rural communities. I have already submitted a community request to Link (better known as the cash machine people) for one of their Bank Hubs for Holt. Following the Holt submission, I'll be putting together proposals for our other towns in due course and see if we can secure a better, long-term solution than managed decline. County Councillors’ contact details: Michael Dalby: County Councillor Wells Division - Glaven, Priory and Walsingham Parishes (incl. Binham & Cockthorpe, Brinton & Sharrington, Field Dalling & Saxlingham, Langham, Morston, Stiffkey) michaeljdblues@outlook.com Steffan Aquarone: County Councillor Melton Constable Division ( incl. Bale and Gunthorpe Parishes) steffanaquarone@gmail.com or 07879 451608 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT …from Victoria Holliday Planning We’re expecting the processing of planning applications held up by Nutrient Neutrality to be starting late summer. Blakeney Neighbourhood Plan referendum will be held on September 14th. The representations on the Glaven Valley Conservation Area appraisal will be reviewed at the July Planning Policy and Built Heritage Working Party. Benefits The Household Support Fund, round four, totalling £196k, runs until the end of the year. NNDC will be proactively targeting households. Discretionary housing payments are available to support tenancies, prevent homelessness and enable people to stay in the community. It’s proposed that NNDC gives Citizens Advice a grant of £66k to provide advice and advocacy services, including a specialised debt advisor based at NNDC one day a week. We are keeping the invaluable Community Connectors through the end of April 2024. You might be interested to hear their weekly Poppyland radio show. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be referred for any benefits. Housing Through a government grant of £1.2 million, NNDC has purchased 11 homes for refugee households. Long term, these will be available to households on the housing list and the homeless. These are much needed as we have three homeless Ukrainian families, two in temporary accommodation and one family being asked to leave by their hosts. NNDC anticipates completion of 70 affordable houses in 23-24 with 350 in the next few years. These are also much needed as there were 2,537 households on the housing list as of 31st May, with 64 households in temporary accommodation. NNDC is proposing a loan of £110k to Homes for Wells to help purchase of two affordable homes and support their 5 work. Eligibility criteria for warm homes grants have been simplified and more residents are eligible for energy efficiency works. The Integrated Housing Adaptations Team is busy with contacts up 20% from last year. It is proposed that the Disabled Facilities Discretionary grant scope is broadened to allow more homes to be adapted. It’s expected this will cost £240k and be funded by the Better Care Fund. Environment Approximately 3.5 tonnes of small electrical equipment and batteries have been collected in the first few months of the scheme. Bin collections continue to be an issue. Please contact me with problems. Finance The provisional outturn position for 22/23 is a £0.782m overspend. I continue to wholeheartedly support the campaign against the closure of Blakeney Surgery. There will be a Public Meeting on Tuesday August 1st at 5pm in the Village Hall, for you to hear the reasons this is proposed and share your views. Do come along. District Councillors’ Contact Details: Sarah Butikofer e:sarah.butikofer@north-norfolk.gov.uk (Binham/Cockthorpe, Field Dalling/Saxlingham, Gunthorpe/ Bale, Langham ) Andrew Brown e:andrew.brown@north-norfolk.gov.uk (Sharrington) 07970 298695 Victoria Holliday:(Morston & Stiffkey) victoria.holliday@north-norfolk.gov.uk N. NORFOLK WHEELYBOAT ‘POPPY’ Wheelchair Accessible Boat Admin and Bookings Helper Needed We are on the lookout for help with our bookings and general administration for the boat. Full training will be provided, and roles can be shared or on a part-time basis. This includes answering the phone and discussing requirements with passengers, confirming bookings, managing cancellations and ensuring there is good communication with our crew ahead of a trip. For more information on what we do, visit www.wheelyboat poppy.org. Please email info@wheelyboatpoppy.org if you would like further details or might be able to help. Thank you in advance, North Norfolk Wheelyboat Team WHAT’S ON AT HOLT LIBRARY www.facebook.com/HolyLibraryNorfolk Special Events: Shake it up dice game activity - Friday 4th August 2.30pm. Free event. Ages 5+. Drop in and make your own activity dice game. Stop Motion Sports Day - Wednesday 23rd August 2pm. Free event. Book in to create a stop motion video – with a race as the theme! Ideal for ages 7+ Design your own Football Shirt / Sporty Crafts - Friday 25th August 2.30pm. Free event. Drop in. Regular events: Ready Set Move/Bounce and Rhyme - Tuesdays 1/8, 8/8, 15/8, 22/8, 29,8, 5/9 at 11am. Free event. Drop in. Ages Under 5s. Lego Sports Day/Lego Club - Saturdays 29/7, 5/8, 12/8, 19/8, 25/8, 2/9 2pm. Free event. Drop in for some Lego fun.
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 151 August - September 2023 I
Page 3: Church Services for Bale and Stiffk
Page 7 and 8: position but, as some of you may kn
Page 9 and 10: BALE 100 CLUB Join Bale 100 Club an
Page 11 and 12: labours. Some concern was expressed
Page 13 and 14: Jude Robson £5 Beverley Lawrence
Page 15 and 16: oomy and has sides to it, we can be
Page 17 and 18: out of operation for over a year. I
Page 19 and 20: MORSTON REGATTA PARTY The Morston R
Page 21 and 22: in the loft, but then in June 2022,
Page 23 and 24: NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST BIKE RIDE Th
Page 25 and 26: a good indicator of clean water, as
Page 27 and 28: Wednesday 23 rd August from 5pm unt

Local Lynx No.151 August/September 2023

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?