Village News Archive

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THE parish council is to investigate whether a no public drinking zone can be imposed following reports of antisocial behaviour at the bus shelter.

Members heard individuals were gathering at the stop on the village green, drinking alcohol and in some cases relieving themselves behind the shelter. There had also been reports of drug use.

Deputy chairman Nigel Coe said a number of residents had approached him about it and he had spoken to the people involved, who didn’t seem to think they were doing anything wrong. But he added: “They can be quite intimidating for people who are queueing for a bus.”

The issue had been raised with the police who had carried out patrols and talked to the group. “The question is how far do we take it and what control have we got?”

Chairman Mark Bobby believed the best way of dealing with the problem in the short term was to report it through official channels because the more it was reported the more likely it was something would be done.

Cllr John Smithson asked borough councillor James Bensly about the possibility of bringing in a rule to prevent drinking in public and was told the authority could apply for a licence banning drinking in certain areas. “We have antisocial behaviour in pockets of Gt Yarmouth and these are particularly effective,” he explained.

Councils have access to a range of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, including public spaces protection orders. Great Yarmouth brought in its first, aimed at alcohol-related problems, in June 2016 and it covered the whole district. It runs out this year and the borough is currently deciding whether to renew it.

While it isn’t a ban on drinking in public areas, it allows police and council officers to confiscate alcohol or issue an £80 fixed penalty notice if it isn’t handed over.

ATTEMPTS to introduce more wildflowers into the village had a bit of a set back when weedkiller was sprayed around the base of trees at the play area.

But the parish council heard at its full meeting on March 30 that it was likely to be the result of a mistake rather than malice.

Cllr Norman Parcell said the weedkiller had been put down near the entrance to the play area, down the footpath and around the parking area as well as at the base of two small trees where wildflower plugs had just been planted.

“At first I thought it was malicious but now I think it was part of someone’s job,” he told his colleagues.

NATURAL England has asked the parish council about the possibility of installing dog poo bins on the dunes nature reserve.

Cllr Emma Punchard told last week’s full meeting that as a minimum it would like one to be installed near the fishermen’s huts.

Cllr Nigel Coe said the council had been asked many times about putting in poo bins but the issue was getting them emptied regularly and borough councillor James Bensly explained because the waste was a biohazard it was much more expensive.

Chairman Mark Bobby said he believed it was probably a mistake and an investigation into how it happened was in hand.

The council heard wildflowers were starting to appear in other areas being managed by the environment and ecology group.

A RISE in the theft of heating oil triggered by rocketing prices has prompted Norfolk Police to urge householders to make their tanks as secure as possible.

“Thieves can syphon fuel from tanks within minutes and tanks that are not properly protected are very easy targets,” said the force in a statement.

It is advising people to make sure their tanks are in well-overlooked positions and covered by security lighting. It says “Low-level ‘dusk ‘til dawn’ lights positioned close to the tank should provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity.”

An approved alarm is recommended, as are close shackle padlocks because they give better resistance to bolt croppers.

The security advice includes enclosing the tank in a ventilated building if possible, keeping gates shut and locked while away from home, ensuring perimeter fences are in good condition and not easy to climb and checking the gauges regularly.

Anyone who sees something suspicious can report it by dialling 101.

IF you live in a property with a council tax rating from A to D you are likely to be given a £150 rebate from the Government as a result of recent energy price hikes.

It won’t have to be repaid and if you pay by direct debit the money will go directly into your bank account. Who can get it?

Householders in tax bands A-D if the property is their sole or main home, or if they are in one of the exemption classes. It is expected payments will start in April.

Full details from the borough council’s website here https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/energy-rebate

MORE than £140 was raised on March 1 when a team of volunteers dished up dozens of tasty pancakes at the Church Room to residents and passing visitors. The cash was destined for the Bishop's Fund.

The Lenten lunch raised £90 and the sale of Mother's Day flowers raised £194 towards church funds.

THE RSPB wants to install a temporary welfare and visitor building near the little terns nesting site to help protect it between May and August every year.

In its application, which was due to be decided on April 5 as the newsletter went to press, it said the structure would be a 5.5m diameter geodome fixed to a wooden base and anchored into the beach, or a rented Portakabin the same size or smaller.

MEMBERS of the public can have their say on policing priorities for the area at the next Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel meeting in May.

Current priorities for the Flegg area rural villages include more visible policing on foot.

Anyone who wants to join the session – held via Microsoft Teams or at a venue to be confirmed – should email GtYarmouth-OperationalPartnership@norfolk.pnn.police.uk

The aim was to provide base for the organisation’s little tern public engagement and conservation work at Winterton.

“It will ensure a warm welcome for visitors, house informative interpretation and provide a focal point in which to view the birds without disturbing them,” it explained.

“It will also provide staff and volunteers with a high quality weatherproof welfare space that will be helpful in maintaining team morale during 24-hour, seven-day-a-week protection and encouraging additional volunteers from the local community to join the team.”

The organisation said a geodome was chosen because it would be sympathetic to the beach and not detract from the landscape, it was strong and durable and would be easy to put up and take down. It would have white walls and a sand-coloured roof to

blend in with the scenery. If a portable building had to be used it would be in light grey. Lighting would be by battery-powered camping lights.

Funding was coming from the RSPB itself, along with Natural England and Gt Yarmouth Borough Council’s mitigation fund.

Previous planning permission for a geodome at the site ran out in 2021.  

The current plans can be seen online on the borough council planning portal.

THE church tower is set to open to the public this year for the first time since before the Covid pandemic hit.

More than 130ft tall and with 147 steps, it offers far-reaching views over the sea and surrounding countryside and before Covid a popular attraction for visitors. It last opened in 2019.

Since the closure, storm-damaged louvres on the side of the building, which had collapsed and allowed birds to get in and roost, have been repaired.

Church warden Philip Laker-Jones said: “We claimed on the insurance but they wouldn’t pay for the bird droppings. Firstly the damage had to be repaired which simply took ages, then the birds had to go.

“The bird droppings took two days to remove, but when we looked at the photos before and after we could see what a good job had been done.”

The tower will be opened up to visitors during weekends from June through the summer to October and the church team is looking to recruit some volunteers who can help out for a couple of hours on Saturdays at the top.

“When you’re on the tower roof the view on a clear day is amazing.  

The tip of Norwich Cathedral can be seen, Happisburgh lighthouse is visible as well as Caister Castle,” Philip said.

Volunteers need to be over 18 and able to talk to visitors about the village and the surrounding areas. A guidebook will be provided.

If you can help staff the tower please call Philip on 01493 393215.

To read more about the history of the building click here.

FATHER John Bloomfield is preparing for a quieter life of contemplation when he retires at the end of the month after 35 years as a parish priest – the last three in charge at Winterton.

He had just got to know a few people when the first Covid lockdown arrived a year after he moved to the village. Advised by the NHS to isolate, he found himself suddenly doing most of his work remotely.

More in the newsletter: www.wintertonnewsletter.co.uk/archived-newsletter-archived-vol-3-issue.html

THREE decades ago Mark and Debbie Cox faced a brand new challenge when they took over the fish bar.

Now a new couple have picked up the baton and run with it. And just like Debbie and Mark were all those years ago, they are newbies when it comes to running a chip shop.

Adrian and Lynne Collins were wowed when they visited the village last year in their search for a business to take on. The fish bar marks a major change in direction for both of them – and an exciting opportunity as they hope to extend the opening hours.

See the double page feature in this month's newsletter: https://www.wintertonnewsletter.co.uk/archived-newsletter-archived-vol-3-issue.html

TO commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Terry Byrne will be planting a Queen Elizabeth Rose on behalf of the In Bloom team at 10.30am on the village green next Tuesday (April 26). Everyone is welcome to attend.

The programme for the Queen's Jubilee party on the village green (June 5) will be published in next month's Winterton Newsletter.

Any donations to the fundraising stalls (cakes and plants) are most welcome and can be delivered to

13 Winmer Avenue any time after May 29. Alternatively they can be collected by contacting 01493 393843 with your address and preferred date and time of collection. Finally you can deliver to the village green on June 5 before 1200hrs.