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.

Roadworks …Markshall Road, Caister St Edmunds, closed from 12th October.

And Shotesham Ford closure extended til February 2027…and here’s the proof! 
Shotesham STRO11106 DfT Extension Notice
Please find attached above a link to the notice advertised in the EDP on Friday 24^th July 2026 which sets out that the Secretary of State for Transport has approved the continuing in the Order prohibiting the use by vehicles of C194 Mill Lane from its junction with A140 Ipswich Road for 1275 metres eastwards in the Parish of Shotesham to the 1^st February 2027. 

Full details on the closure are available at https://one.network. Any enquiries that cannot be answered on the one.network website should be directed to the South Area Streetworks (Infrastructure Department) contactable by telephone at 0344 800 8020 or email at streetworks@norfolk.gov.uk 

But, to cheer you up a bit…

Not in Shotesham but, in obviously a similarly gorgeous village in Derbyshire – Stoney Middleton, where one of our residents’ son lives, they have a custom of ‘dressing’ their wells (some well dressed wells you could say!), and here’s a photo of a lovely one, whose central figure particularly is close to Shotesham hearts. 

Not only is it extremely pretty, but I’m assured that it’s all done with flower petals! Unfortunately I was unable to save a bigger version to put here so if, as I did, you have difficulty reading the lines, a double click on the photo should give you a separate image which can then be enlarged (tho’ not saved, well not by me anyway ). Lovely! k

The DIARY – Click here

Shotesham’s Warm Welcome monthly meeting goes back indoors for the winter in October. 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 2nd November, 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 advertised soon. Enquiries via our very own Shotesham Yoga teacher, Kendra –kendracollier0@gmail.com or 07748009411

Shotesham Screen – Friday October 9th
The Love That Remains – Anna, an artist, and Magnús, a fisherman, live with their three children and charismatic sheepdog in the quiet grandeur of the Icelandic countryside. As the fractures in their marriage come to the surface, the couple try to hold onto the afterimages of a life together and make sense of a deep and lingering devotion. Filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason brings surprising humour and emotional weight to this gorgeous, intimate, and brilliantly expansive scenes from a marriage, amidst the majestic backdrop of the changing seasons. Trinity Hall at 7:30pm. Tickets £5. All are welcome. Booking via Lindsay on 07702832033 orlindsayheywood3@gmail.com

Shotesham Village Association – The End of the Summer Party was a great success – up to 100 people attended. A special thanks to all the SVA committee who worked so hard to make it a memorable evening, and the many folks who turned up to help with the marquees, both putting up and taking down, and decorating them with wonderful lights and flowers. It was truly a village effort – so thank you. Also thanks to Mike, Ed and Alan for giving us such great music to dance too! Lovely to see families and friends having so much fun. We also raised £60 in donations, which will go towards covering the costs – thank you for your generosity.

Coming events
Friday October 16th. 7.30 at the Trinity. A talk by Jim Clarke about local surgeons Benjamin Gooch and Astley Cooper – their life and times, who in different ways, significantly impacted modern medicine.

Saturday November 21st 7.30 at the Trinity. The popular Village Quiz Night hosted by Damian. Tables of 6 people, £1 per person payable on the night.
Numbers are restricted so please contact Jo Nisbett to book a place on jomccall71@gmail.com or 07904072977.

And thinking ahead to Christmas!!  we are planning to have the ever-popular handbells at this year’s Carols on the Hill. If you or any of your children are interested please contact Tom Higgin at tomm.higgin@gmail.com or 07495 417887.

Latest East Pye Update – 

The Planning Inspectorate are now going through the Examination Phase, all parties who have declared an interest will have been sent a letter with details of the timing, which basically goes on until Tuesday 23rd February 2027. Details here for interest or at blockeastpyesolar

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/

…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 – or click here. 

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)