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.
Important for Bus Users – We have been notified that there is to be a change of ownership of our bus service- click here for EDP. It is a time when they are asking for your input on the future of all our bus services If you would like to put forward your thoughts then contact the Clerk shoteshampc.clerk@outlook.com or 01508 550358
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.
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 – New movie for May coming soon, watch this space.
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 latest Planning Application, see message below.
URGENT – Please email your objections to planning@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk regarding NEW proposals by Field for the Battery Energy Storage System Market Lane/Carr Lane at Gt Moulton- quote planning application number 2025/1689. Time is short, Statutory Consultation closes 25th January. We can stop this but need to work together.
It should be noted that the cable route, although not yet decided, will probably follow the road network from Long Stratton towards Gt Moulton as it is intended to connect to the proposed new East Pye Substation. This will affect everyone in the surrounding villages and communities.
I am asking all Shotesham residents to comment on this planning application. It is at local planning level so we can have our say, and make a difference. Maybe you think this doesn’t affect you but if passed it will give further credence to East Pye’s planning application. It will also open the gateway for other projects in the area. We can STOP this project if we work together.
So I am asking you all – email planning and object please. Please ensure you give your name, address and email address. I have attached a suggested format that you may wish to use to voice your objection. You can of course write independently or adapt the letter to fit your local concerns.
Thanks, Judie.
Resident Objection Letter – Jan 2026
Link to video played at CPRE exhibition on 20/11/25…a depressing watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHT5bsVHj18
Many of you will be aware of a second Targeted Consultation from East Pye Solar that is now open until 25th November if you wish to comment or give feedback.
Note the proposed changes to Brooke Road, Heath Road and Market Lane planned in order to give access for the heavy loads and lorries that will be needed, particularly in the construction stage.
The details are below-
The Information Change Note is attached to this email and can be found on the website on the Documents page: https://www.eastpyesolar.co.uk/documents
The links below are available on the Documents page:
The Shotesham action group are hoping to gather numbers of people who walk, cycle, and ride the lanes and footpaths that are likely to be impacted by the proposed solar development. The numbers will be used as part of the landscape impact assessment, to show that the land is of high communal importance, not only locally but also for the wider community. Personal data will not be shared, and this questionnaire is not asking for statements of opposition or otherwise to the proposal. All responses will be collated automatically to show overall useage.
Please download and complete the form and share with friends, family, cycle or walking groups who may have used these lanes and paths. The more responses we get, the more useful it will be.
If you have any questions, please contact me directly.
Thanks, Judie
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.
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….
Courtesy of Tom Higgin
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)