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Happy New Year and wishing everyone a healthy and peaceful 2026    Important Notice for bus users

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

The snow came back!
  Anna & Ben are now settled into The Globe and are definitely adding their own ‘flavour’ to things, an enjoyable festive period was had by them and all their visitors!  Sausage rolls and pizzas are on the menu whenever the pub is open and don’t forget the excellent  Sunday Lunch.
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 8th February, 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 – First film of 2026 will be The Ballad of Wallis Island on Friday 9th January. The film follows Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favourite musicians back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig. A highly recommended 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. As always, the showing is at Trinity at 7:30pm. Tickets £5, all welcome, and bookable via Lindsay on 07702832033 or lindsayheywood3@gmail.com

We can look forward to Babs’s Bonkers Bingo Bash on Friday January 30th 2026 at Trinity Hall 7.30pm.  A night of bingo unlike any other. Drag MP for East and West Suffolk, Babs Romance, comes to Shotesham with her Bonkers British Bingo Bash. Expect satirical comedy, parody pop songs, the most hideous wigs you have ever seen and the most outrageous  bingo calls you have ever heard as Babs trades the ballot box for the bingo card. Put on your glad rags and grab your dabbers for a night to remember. This is sure to blow away the post Christmas blues. £5/adult pay on the door, but book a place via Jo on jomaccall71@gmail.com Still a few tickets left – but be quick!

Sunday February 22nd 10.00 – 12.00am brings the return of the Shotesham Big Breakfast at the Trinity. Come along and share tea, coffee and a breakfast roll with friends , neighbours and fellow villagers. Suggested donations of £5/adult, under 12s free. Money raised will be shared equally between SVA funds and Priscilla Bacon Lodge.

 Wednesday March 25th – Shotesham Village Association AGM at 7.00pm at the Trinity Please come along to this important meeting to decide the future of the SVA. We need new committee members with energy and ideas to continue the really valuable work of the SVA and continue to make Shotesham the vibrant and special community that we all enjoy. Wine and nibbles will be provided.

To celebrate 25 years of the SVA we are planning on making a slideshow of photos over the years. So if you have any that you would like to share please can you let Katie Murphy know (katiemurphy6@icloud.com). Alternatively they can be dropped off at Myrtle Cottage, The Street. Please label them with dates if possible. Katie is happy to scan them to add to the slideshow and  we will return them if named. We are hoping we might be able to use the slideshow to make a small booklet for every household in the village.

Seasonal Christmas Events

Some excellent events this year with Carols at St Mary’s and, of course, around the tree at All Saints. Also a couple of events at the Globe.   The Old Year’s Day Fun Run on Wednesday 31st, brought an entry of 35 runners, supported by a number of spectators. This year’s overall winner was Jasper Copping in 38.08, followed closely by the first lady home, Stephanie Laurence less than 30secs  behind, 38.36. Fastest senior was Steve Blomfield in 44.50, just ahead of the fastest junior, Zach Lloyd in 44.52, and fastest young lady, Bella Muntingh in 44.58 (only 2 secs in front of her pal (and Zach’s sister) Georgia. Last mention goes to Liz Blakie as first (and only) senior lady in a very respectable 54.50. No new records this year but a few personal bests, and prizes for all the category winners. Well done everyone who turned out and thanks mutely as always to our marshalls. 

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.
From Block East Pye Solar steering group- 
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. 
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 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 Government will be receiving submissions from all councils on the Priority Programme, and at the next Tow & Parish Forum we will provide you with an update on next steps.  Best wishes, Emma | 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. 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 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)