Ken Munro is the news editor. Please let him know about village news and events via Contact Us on the main menu or on 07880801674.
NB – PC Mtg advertised for Thursday 10th July is postponed until 17th,
updated agenda posted as normal above.
Shotesham Ford – Norfolk Council have given notice that Mill Lane either side of the Ford will continue to be closed until further notice, click here for notice and alternative routes.
Naidens Lane – looks like we’re slowly being closed in! After a walk through Naidens Lane, NCC have decided to close this road(?) / bridleway / footpath until further notice. As there is no repair plan as yet, there is no estimate on when it will re-open.
Works to replace bridge on Shotesham Common
Many of you will be familiar with the small old bridge on the Common near the
Rogers Lane end which provides vehicle access from the Street across the
Common to Brookfields. The bridge’s old foundations are weak and its surface
is unstable, and so will soon be replaced. The new plans have been developed
with the Trustees of the Common, and all works approved by South Norfolk
Council, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
The installation of the new bridge is scheduled to begin in May.
This will require shutting down access down the track leading to the bridge and
use of the area around the bridge for approximately 2-3 weeks. This closure of
the space is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety, as there will be large
machinery on site to manoeuvre the parts of the bridge into place.
Should you have any questions relating to the above you can email us on
caitlinwallis@ymail.com or Ed Howard chair of Commons Trustees
07900 246930
Caitlin and Malcolm Wallis (Brookfields)
A Shotesham Warm Welcome – has its first summer meeting on Thursday 27th June in the garden at Grove Farm (Heather’s House), all welcome!
Shotesham yoga – yoga continues on a weekly basis from 18.30 – 19.30 on Wednesdays. Enquiries via our very own Shotesham Yoga teacher, Kendra –kendracollier0@gmail.com or 07748009411
And Pilates Class now active at Shotesham Park…NEW CLASS Pilates Sculpt
Walking in Shotesham – The first Sunday in every month will now become the regular walk day, There is a WhatsApp group which will be organising other impromptu walks, for info or to join contact Ken via WhatsApp on 07880801674.
A windy walk in Feb below, cya in June!
Can one of you twolegs make your minds up!
Roll up, roll up to the Shotesham Midsummer Gala Day – Midsummer Gala will take place on Saturday 6th July on the playing field. Events start at 2:00 p.m. and finish around 4: 30 p.m. before the evening’s musical offerings run from 6:30 until late. Don’t miss it!
See poster below for some details. 
Shotesham Screen….new season starts in September.
Shotesham Bowls Club – The club is on Brooke road. We welcome new members both seasoned players or beginners. We play competitively in a number of leagues and have a friendly “roll up” every Saturday afternoon during the summer when beginners can learn the game. Do come along, we look forward to seeing you.
For more info.call John on 499541 or Sheila on 498876
Moonshine on the Globe early in the year, but now we’re into sunny pizza Fridays ☀️
Shotesham DuckRace was a great success in spite of the weather. The rain went off at 11.50 and those of us who got damp (and I got two boots full) were in or around the Beck! 177 ducks entered the water, and were cheered and driven and pushed and willed on by a good crowd, all with eyes on, not the winners prize, but who might fall in the Beck. Luckily no-one did and, after a minor hitch under a bush, the winners were led him by Mike Knight’s, 2nd – Cody Bayliss & 3rd – Pete Stevens. Well done them, and thanks to all who turned out!
22nd June Tickets £5 and under 16s free. Cash only please. Tea, coffee and cake.
No dogs except guide dogs. In aid of St Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate,
and the Alzheimer’s Society. Further details: 07939 504896 Anne
And, talking of invasive plants, there is another important and very recent problem with the arrival of significant areas of Hemlock. This appeared in abundance last year along the roadside to Stoke, on the common near the horse chestnut tree and a little on church hill (and in the editor’s garden!!) amongst other places. This as its name suggests is a highly poisonous plant, especially its seeds and remains so even when it is dry. It is potentially dangerous to cattle and perhaps to children who could be tempted to use the hollow stems as peashooters.Only a little was cut last year even though we tried to make people aware of it and this year it seems stronger, both of these plants should be taken seriously. Click here for photos, and Norfolk Wildlife Trust will give advice on clearing this in sensitive areas.
Shotesham Common – The Trustees of Shotesham Common have been given permission by Natural England and will be continuing to carry out some work on the common over the following months. Just to explain what we are doing and why:
We will be manually cutting back sections of the banks of the beck on an annual basis, where Willow Herb has dominated, to enable birds and mammals to have access to the water.
We will be manually cutting Alder saplings and trees. Over the years these have changed the open landscape and caused drying out of the wetland meadows, which is contrary to the management agreement we have with Natural England.
If you would like any further information, contact either Ed Howard edhoward54@gmail.com or myself floracot@btinternet.com.
Bernie Fenn, for Trustees of Shotesham Common
Wildlife in Shotesham – who knew we had so many different wildlife species on our doorstep?! Village resident, Andy Musgrove is busy collecting and collating them all and, whilst in his own words he hasn’t got them all yet, click here for a few to be getting on with. Careful though, it could make your hair stand on end!!
…And in Joys Loke….
St Martins Church looking good – also see video at St Martin’s Church sub menu via Churches and the PCC heading above – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMfP1tx642g (copy and paste link)
Despite all the apparent awareness, people are still looking to take advantage of any weaknesses. As always, please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, DO NOT give out any private or secure info over the telephone, and remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101.
SCAM AWARE! – A number of new scams have been notified by Norfolk Association of Local Councils, some of which I certainly haven’t heard of before and are well worth checking out – click on this link for details – https://mailchi.mp/52e6f8561225/scams-dont-get-fooled-again?e=7f9e357c98
Community information….
Hints and Tips for correct recycling – click here What goes in your recycling bin. 2023
Anglian Water’s Priority Services Register is in place to help lots of people with different needs and is completely free, click here for more info
Local Council ‘stuff’ –
Norfolk Citizens Advice have launched a new initiative to assist individuals in need – Grants for Individuals in need database. The database is funded as part of the Coordinated Community Support Programme and is open access on the Norfolk Citizens Advice website. The database contains largely small local grant giving organisations that operate in Norfolk.
The webpage contains:
- Brief information on how to use the database
- A short video demonstration
- A tips document on maximising successful applications with hints and tips from grant organisation trustees
- A feedback link to report out of date information, suggest organisations to include, or just give feedback on your experience of using the database
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital’s ‘Settle in Services’ are looking for dedicated volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community. Volunteers meet patients on their day of discharge from hospital to help settle them back in to their own environment. Click here for more information
For assistance with power cuts, please click this link from UK Power Networks
Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.
Our new local police officer is PC Tom Goodrum who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, Tom can be contacted at Thomas.goodrum1@norfolk.police.uk
Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)