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.

A plethora of Roadworks! – See below for a roadworks notification for dressing / repairs to 29 different Norfolk roads between May and August this year, perhaps even filling in some of the notorious potholes that has seen me have no less than 5 punters / new tyres over the last 16 months!!! 
Warning, this isn’t a list for the faint-hearted, but to be fair, there aren’t any specifically in Shotesham, but there are a few in neighbouring places (Poringland, Hempnall, Woodton, Brooke etc) which may affect your daily commute or travel around South Norfolk, and are very likely to lead to more traffic through Shotesham from speeding rat runners (other types of passers trough are available).
Anyway, if you’ve got a spare hour, have a glance through and see if any are going to directly affect you and you may be able to stay out of their way! 
Surface Dressing – South Area STRO14449 – PT
This isn’t a joke btw, sorry

The DIARY – Click here

Shotesham’s Warm Welcome meeting weekly on Thursdays from 2-4pm in the Trinity Hall. Open to everyone, monthly info in Contact. 

Walking Group has a formal walk once a month on the first Sunday, next outing will be on 3rd May, meeting at 10.15am at The Trinity. There is a What’sApp contact group which can be accessed by contacting Ken Munro by WhatsApp on 07880801674  

TABLE TENNIS – Thursday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.00pm, through December and January. The club welcomes members of all ages and abilities, both male and female. If you are interested please come along to The Trinity Hall on 2nd October at 6.30pm, or for more information please call David Howes 01508 558458 or 07775 698799

Shotesham yoga –  yoga continues on a weekly basis from 18.30 – 19.30 on Wednesdays during school term time which can be found here – www.norfolk.gov/schooltermdates . Next block Jan 14th – Feb 4th, followed by Feb 25th for another 4 weeks. Enquiries via our very own Shotesham Yoga teacher, Kendra –kendracollier0@gmail.com or 07748009411

Shotesham Screen – The Marching Band will be shown on Friday May 8th.
“Thibaut is an internationally renowned conductor who travels the world. When he learns he was adopted, he discovers the existence of a younger brother, Jimmy, who works in a school cafeteria and plays the trombone in a small marching band. Everything seems to set them apart, except their love of music. Sensing his brother’s exceptional talent, Thibaut decides to remedy the injustice of fate. Jimmy begins to dream of a different life….”
“Emmanuel Courcol’s Gallic charmer is a film we need right now: a story in which people learn to be their best selves; that pays respect to working communities torn apart by the global economy; a story, moreover, centred on a brass band. Because who can resist an oompah-ing trombone, after all? They exist to make us smile”
As always, the showing is at Trinity at 7:30pm. Tickets £5, all welcome, and bookable via Lindsay on 07702832033 or lindsayheywood3@gmail.com 

Shotesham Village Association. The Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 25th March at the Trinity. It was well attended with approximately 35 people turning out on a chilly evening.
The existing members of the committee have agreed to continue. They are: Judie Olivier (chairperson), David Howes (treasurer), Katie Murphy and Kendra Collier (joint secretary), Tom Higgin, Simon Nisbett, Jo Nisbett, Cat Garner and Lesley Munro. We are also delighted to welcome back Ken Munro on to the committee, and new member Kate O’Grady.
Many thanks to Katie, Nick and Bernie for putting together a really enjoyable short slide show celebrating 25 years of the SVA. None of us have changed at all!!! Hoping to have the slide show on the site for viewing soon.
The SVA exists to organise and promote activities and events across the year for the whole community. We rely not only on the support of the whole village, but also other contributions, particularly through the annual subscriptions, which at £3/person is a still a bargain. 

Other Info

East Pye Updates – 

The Block East Pye Group are asking anyone who would wish to do so, to place an objection to the Planning Application, see message below.

 

I went to the drop-in session at Saxlingham today – there was quite a lot of interest. Lots of people were confused as they felt they had already registered, done a personal impact statement etc – so it is worth clarifying that this registering is directly to the Inspectorate rather than East Pye-

 

You MUST register if you wish to object or have your views considered.

Please note: any previous objections or comments you may have submitted do NOT count! Registration is required for your voice to be heard at this stage.

 

Everyone in every household can register, even children! The on-line form is pretty self-explanatory, but please contact me if you want any support. Also we are doing a drop-in session at  Grove Farmhouse on 28th May 2.00pm to 7.00pm, or you can attend either of the other BEPS sessions.

 

On the BEPS website (https://www.blockeastpyesolar.co.uk) there will be a tab created which will give you access to all the site documents, plus a bullet point of objections which are site specific, i.e. Site 8. I can send copies of these on if you need one. It is important not to cut and paste, but to make your objections specific to your concerns as well as the identified ones in the documents.

Paper copies are not as simple as it should be – BEPS seemed to think you still had to register on line even if you wished to complete a hard copy – they were seeking clarification. If you want any further clarification please get in contact with me directly.

Thanks, Judie

Link to video played at CPRE exhibition on 20/11/25…a depressing watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHT5bsVHj18

A number of protest gatherings and walks are being held, here’s some photos and news reports – 

Shotesham hits the BBC….https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clynjek4pdzo

And for those who subscribe, here’s an EDP report….. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/25013035.100-people-protest-east-pye-solar-farm/

Shotesham Ford will continue to be closed until at least August 2026, click here Shotesham STRO11106 DfT Extension Notice_for notice and alternative routes. 

…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’ –

Message from South Norfolk Council on 2 Unitary Norfolk
Dear All, we wanted to share an important update regarding the submission of South Norfolk Council’s Unitary Proposal, at Full Council on 24 September it was agreed to submit to government the case for a 2 Unitary Norfolk. You can find all the relevant details and information by clicking on the link below – or see here 
 Agenda for South Norfolk Council on Wednesday, 24th September, 2025, 7.00 pm – South Norfolk and Broadland

Emma Hodds
Chief of Staff & Monitoring Officer
t  01508 533791 e emma.hodds@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk

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.

• 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 local police officers are – Beat Manager,  PC Tom Goodrum and Engagement Officer, Arvi Bhogal, They can be contacted by dialling 111 and asking for Poringland Police Station

Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)