Wereham News - April

FIT TOGETHER – FREE GUIDED WALKS IN WEST NORFOLK

If you find it difficult to get active, why not start walking? It's really easy to get started, you don't need any special equipment - and best of all it counts towards your recommended amount of physical activity.

Walking can improve your health, your happiness and, if you join one of our groups, it will give you the chance to explore the outdoors, get to know your local area and meet new people.

Walking can help to keep your mind and your social life healthy too, so why not make a start and find a walk near you today. We're a friendly bunch and we'd love you to join us.

Walking is a normal, everyday activity – and that’s partly why we forget it’s actually exercise at all. It’s good for us. It can help us stay healthy and watch our weight. And it gives us energy (which makes us feel great). There’s really no other exercise like it!

If you have a health condition, walking is a great way for you to relieve some of your symptoms, get back on the road to recovery and feel great again. But it isn't just about getting better. Walking can help prevent illnesses from developing in the first place. Walking will improve the flexibility and strength of your joints, muscles and bones too - and it'll reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Walking at any pace will help you to manage your weight, reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes and reduce the risk of some cancers (inactive people are more likely to develop colon, breast and lung cancer than those who exercise).

So if you want to get started, why not find your local health walk and join today?

The Fit Together walks range from a Grade 1 beginners’ walk through to a Grade 3 for those looking for something more challenging.  All walks are free.  Participants are asked to complete a short health questionnaire before the start of the walk and should arrive 15 minutes early.

Walk programmes are available from libraries, council offices and doctors’ surgeries.  They are also available to download at www.activenorfolk.org/fittogether

Jackie Squires West Norfolk Partnership Rural Projects Officer

May Miscellany with the Fincham chorus and guests

at St Margaret's Church Wereham  Saturday May 23rd 7pm-8.45pm

St Margaret's Church proudly presents and May Miscellany Come and enjoy an evening of music, poetry and prose. Start the evening with a glass of sparkling wine or soft drink (Served from 6:30 PM) Enjoy the singing of the Fincham Chorus, listen to the readings and singing from our experienced performers many of whom took part in the First World War evening in November. Interval refreshments and nibbles will be provided along with the opportunity to win some wonderful raffle prizes. Come and enjoy the material carefully selected for a spring evening in the beautiful surroundings of our parish church Tickets available from Tom Golden, Debbie and Ian Rye £6 each Proceeds to St Margaret's Church Wereham.

For more information please tel: Ian or Debbie Rye 01366502083 or Tom Golden on 01366500052

1. MARGARET’S FESTIVAL

Stallholders, organizers and any interested members of the public are invited

to a meeting in St. Margaret’s Church, Wereham on Monday 11th May at 7. 00 pm.

We need to make arrangements for the annual St. Margaret’s Festival to be held on Sunday 19th July.

WEREHAM OPEN GARDENS

.....it’s not too late to say I’ll open my garden on June 20th & 21st or just one of the days.  Do we have any new gardens in the village?  Visitors would be interested to watch your garden evolve over the years.  Please think about opening, this is our 13th year and it would be great to add some new gardens to the day.  The day is a major fund raiser for the church and helps to keep the church running. If gardens aren’t your thing, why not just come and have lunch or afternoon tea at the village hall one of the days?  If you would like to know more please don’t hesitate to contact me, Lizzie 500233.

As always donations of cakes and bakes, plants, rooted cuttings, garden bits and pieces, and any help you would like to give on or before the day are always appreciated too.

Thanks

Lizzie

WEREHAM PARISH COUNCIL met on 10th March. Draft minutes of the meeting can be requested from the Clerk as below.

Once again a reminder for all to use the dog waste bins and clear up after their pets. There are three dog waste bins in Wereham, one on the playing field by the Village Hall, the second at the Flegg Green end of Lammas Meadow Lane and the third along Cavenham Road, please pass by one of these and use it to dispose of any dog waste responsibly at all times;

When visiting the Village Hall by car please avoid parking on the playing field where possible. The grass gets churned up and damaged in bad weather, please look after the field to avoid the need for costly repairs.

The remaining Wereham Parish Council meetings scheduled for 2015 are:

Tuesday 12th May                     7:00pm Annual Parish Meeting and

7:30pm Annual Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 14th July           7:30pm Ordinary Meeting

Tuesday 8th September   7:30pm Ordinary Meeting

Tuesday 10th November 7:30pm Ordinary Meeting

All will be held at Wereham Village Hall.

The Agendas for the meetings are always published on the Wereham Village Notice Board three clear days before the meeting and also on the Wereham Parish Council Facebook page. If you have any items that you wish to be discussed by the Parish Council please always ensure that these are with the Clerk, Mrs N Cooper at werehampc@gmail.com or Clavering House, Stoke Road, Wereham PE33 9AT or 01366 500527 by the end of the month before the meeting to ensure that they are included on the agenda.

WANT TO BE A PARISH COUNCILLOR?

The 2015 Elections are fast approaching. Now is your chance to stand as a candidate for Wereham Parish Council.

Parish Councillors need no specific qualifications experience, just a passion for doing the best for your local community.

Don't feel you can't do it - there is always help and guidance available. Help to make a difference!

Don’t delay, submit a nomination pack for your chance to get involved!

To request a nomination pack and get further guidance / questions answered please contact the Parish Clerk on werehampc@gmail.com or 01366 500527 between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Nomination packs must be returned to the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk by 4pm on 9th April to qualify.

March Update from Wereham Village Hall Committee

The Quiz night at the beginning of March proved another success with more than 50 people filling the hall.  The hot supper was appreciated by all and the grand total raised on the evening was £294.33.

Thanks to everyone who helped and especially to Angela, Diane, Doreen, Lynda, Liz and John.

Update from the New Build Project Team

It has taken us two and a half years of hard work, preparation, planning and evidencing but we're thrilled to confirm that we have submitted Stage 1 of the Lottery Application!!!!

'We're Wereham, We're Together!' is our project name.

The purpose of our project has been to clarify what Wereham and the surrounding neighbourhood needs. We have found that -

- Older and Young people want an opportunity to socialise and join in group activities

- All ages would like a village cinema

- All ages would like opportunities for physical activities

- Adults would like opportunities to learn new skills.

Unfortunately, the existing village hall is unable to meet these needs due to the age of the building and restrictions on its use. To meet these needs, we need to build a new community hub for Wereham and the surrounding neighbourhood.

The Lottery expect to respond within 10 weeks to advise if we've been successful, then we'll be invited to submit a Stage 2 application.

Please join us in keeping your fingers and toes crossed!

In the meantime, the project team will be busy investigating other sources of funding to fund the balance of the project.

To enable us to meet the needs of our community, we have created the following mini-projects to deliver activities in the new community hub -

1 - Youth Club - managed by Trustee Nikki Loake

2 - Older Person Social Group - volunteer required

3 - Village Cinema - managed by volunteer Cliff Goddon

4 - Learning New Skills - managed by volunteer Sue Smith

5 - Physical Activities for all ages - managed by volunteer Liz Howard

Supported by the Project Team, these 4 mini-project managers will be vital to delivering services in the new community hub. I hope, as the project progresses and they hold focus groups or open days that you will give your support to ensure you get what you need.

If you would be interested in creating an Older Persons Social Group and would like to find out more, please contact Victoria Gray on 501277 or darren.gray@tesco.net.

If you would like to be one of the first people to know if the Lottery say YES! click the 'Follow' link on www.facebook.com/werehamvillagehall

With best wishes from the project team - Victoria Gray, Helen Richardson, Rachel Barron and John Eastgate.

Wereham Village Hall Bonus Ball Club

The lucky winners in February were Teresa Walldridge and Janet Rich – congratulations to you both!

We still have four numbers available: 1, 7, 13 and 33 so please do get in touch with Helen Richardson ASAP if you would like to become a member of the bonus ball club with the chance each month to win £50 (as well as helping to raise vital funds for the Village Hall).

Helen Richardson, Secretary (07795006811 or helenar82@outlook.com)

Ink Cartridges - collection boxes for ink cartridges are on the piano in the hall, open 10-12 Fridays. Or alternatively, leave them in a bag at the door of the village hall.

Events list

Bingo - Wereham Village Hall "Cash Prize" Bingo every Wednesday, doors open 6.45 eyes down 7.30pm (under new management). Teas/coffees available with complimentary biscuits. For enquiries please contact Doreen on 01366 500218.

Pop up Café – first Tuesday of the month, 10.30-12.  Next dates are Tuesday 7th April and Tuesday 5th May. Join Jacqueline and friends for a slice of homemade cake & a hot drink for just £1.  Join us for a natter and a read of the daily papers. Cake donations/queries to Jacqueline 500880.

Indoor/Outdoor Car Boot – last Sunday of the month, 9am-1pm.  Next dates Sunday 26th April and Sunday 31st May. Café with bacon rolls, bric-a-brac and book stall. £5 pitch or, if you have earned time credits, there are two tables available at a cost of 4 time credits each. To book call Nikki/Chris on 01366 501111.

Family Easter Prize Bingo – Wednesday 1st April, doors open 6.45pm, eyes down 7.30pm. Prizes for all ages – all welcome! For more details contact Doreen on 01366 500218.

Yard Sale – Sunday 3rd May, 9am start. More details to follow.

For all the pictures and feedback from our events, log onto www.facebook.com/werehamvillagehall. By clicking on the ‘Like’ option, you will be kept up to date on events, pictures and the progress towards a new village hall.

If you have any queries with regards to the plans for funding a new village hall, or anything we’re doing, please contact  Victoria Gray, Chair, Wereham Village Hall Committee Home: 501277 Mobile: 07725513583 Email: darren.gray@tesco.net or via www.facebook.com/werehamvillagehall

PRAISE FOR VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE AND A LOOK AHEAD TO JUNE

Congratulations to the Wereham Village Hall Committee in reaching the first milestone, submitting the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.  The Committee, especially the Trustees, have all worked tirelessly over the last 2 and a half years.  Three of the four Trustees are mums with small children, who have been juggling home, family and work commitments to progress to this stage – not a straightforward task, and yet have done so with passion and enthusiasm.  Thank you to their families for the support they have given in making this possible.

The outcome of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s decision on Stage One is still weeks away, but in the meantime, work goes on looking further ahead with a positive mind-set.  The door to door community survey completed in July 2013, and subsequent meetings, identified a number of factors which resulted in residents feeling bored, lonely and isolated, and offered suggestions for overcoming them.  Now 4 Mini Project Managers have been appointed to look into ways of addressing the main areas, and I have taken on the role of managing the Adult Education (Learning New Skills) Project.  Targets in this area include creating opportunities in the village to enable residents to learn new skills, meet other people, and for self-improvement, particularly in the areas of cookery and IT skills.  In order to establish the specifics of those needs in more detail, and with a view to tailoring future courses to current requirements, a Focus Group session will take place in the Village Hall on Thursday 25th June.  At this stage it is too early for a detailed run down of what the session will involve, but it is likely to include a Cookery Demonstration, refreshments and discussion groups.  Please mark this date in your diaries and tell your friends and neighbours – non Wereham residents are equally welcome.  More details will follow in the coming months.

Sue Smith

Wereham says No to further housing Development at The Springs, Flegg Green

The Borough Council have put forward recommendations to extend Wereham's parish boundary to build 8 more houses on the plot of land called the Springs along Flegg Green.  The local Internal Drainage Board have stressed that this land has a groundwater problem and is not a good choice for housing.  The builders who developed the existing Springs Court have stated that the land is unsafe for further development.  Many residents along Flegg Green have objected strongly to the Borough's recommendation because they feel it is high risk and threatens greenfield land and a woodland wildlife habitat.  We are raising a local petition to submit to a forthcoming Inspector's enquiry in an attempt to get this unsound recommendation quashed.  Please support us and protect Wereham from invasive building developments by signing our petition.  Further details to be posted on the community notice boards.