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The Lead up to the Open Day. Since the Steering Group formed on 18 April, the main priority has been to develop the 6 working groups and to put together a comprehensive display for the Open Day. In addition, enough funding was secured hopefully, to see the process through.

Contact was established with a large number of community providers, village groups and individuals and this will provide the base for the next stage. As the Open Day approached, the emphasis was placed solely on the event.

Open Day. We were absolutely delighted with the level of support on Saturday 8 July. Nearly every area of the village was well represented, by a range of age groups, and some 252 villagers visited the Jubilee Hall to view a comprehensive set of displays and to discuss with the Steering Group their thoughts and concerns about the village. Many popped in for a short while and found themselves there more than an hour later, still talking and reading, while enjoying refreshments distributed by the ladies of the WI, to whom we are most grateful for their excellent support.

An early assessment of suggestions, comment and notes taken, shows that much of the concern centred on the following topics; traffic speed and volume, pavements and footpaths, development, street lighting, playgrounds for the children, provision for the elderly and the youth of the village.

This undoubtedly was the main concern. Lower Street, Mill Road/ Bell Lane, Norwich Road, Station Road/Muck Lane, Cheyney Avenue and Thieves Lane all featured heavily. Speeding, the anomaly of the different speed limits, the need to extend them further out of the village or to lower them even further, and the requirement for some form of traffic calming were the main aspects. Many felt that the lack of discipline and of enforcement of existing limits contributed greatly to the problem and the ever increasing presence of HGVs passing through on village roads was unacceptable. The idea of street narrowing and flashing speed signs was also popular. Speed bumps were much less popular.

The lack of pavements, together with the condition of the existing ones, which hampered mothers and children going safely to school or playgroup, or the elderly, was a big issue. Other villagers also felt this was a problem. Norwich Road was the main area for concern, as were parts of Lower Street and Station Road. The latter produced a mix of views, a few residents were adamant that there was no traffic problem and no need for pavements; most disagreed. The need for a good path link between the two halves of the village, namely between Station Road and Mill Road, featured prominently. Better cycle paths and a traffic light pedestrian crossing on Mill Road would give some children the ability to get to school more safely; it could also reduce traffic speed.

There was a general view that a small pocket of development might be acceptable in the village, if found to be justified. No one wanted green belt infringement but infill, provided it was not the splitting up of gardens, was felt by some to be a reasonable option. Others expressed preference for housing for the elderly. Most who commented were not in favour of any development centred on the ‘second home’ principle. In all cases, it was felt that any small development still had to be sustainable.

With a few exceptions, the overwhelming view was that there was no need for street lighting anywhere in the village.

The need to improve the existing playground received good support, as did the need for a similar facility on Station Road. Some were unhappy with any proposal to provide a skate park.

The lack of facilities for the elderly raised a number of suggestions including luncheon clubs, communal groups to assist with gardens and DIY, games meetings and even sheltered housing.

Concern was expressed at the lack of adequate facilities for teenagers. A youth club was a popular suggestion together with sports field amenities such as basketball hoops, rugby posts, a football wall and a tennis court.

The Next Step.  A large number of other issues were raised during the Day, many of which were also extremely important. All of the issues will appear on the Web site in due course, under the Parish Plan pages, and will assist us in formulating the questionnaire which will drop in your door in November. They will also assist the Working Groups as they move forward in their consultation process and in their research phase.

We extend our thanks to all those who took the trouble to attend the Open Day and become involved in the Parish Plan process. Thank you for expressing your appreciation of the quality of the displays and of the organisation. If you wish to become more involved in the process as a member of a Working Group, contact me.

Pat Gallanders   Chairperson

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