Shelfanger Parish Council

NEWS

JUNE 2025

Information About Works - Road closure on B1077 Winfarthing Road, Mill Road and The Street for Surface Dressing Works from 17 June 2025

Road closure on B1077 Winfarthing Road, Mill Road and The Street for Surface Dressing Works

Work is due to start on Tuesday 17 June 2025 to surface dress a section of B1077 in the parishes of Winfarthing and Shelfanger. To allow the work to be carried out safely and swiftly it will be necessary to close the road to through traffic on a number of dates when the surface dressing work is underway, line painting is being carried out, and cat’s eyes (road studs) are being renewed. Access to properties will be maintained at all times.

The work, which is weather dependant will be carried out in phases. Road closures will only be in place for a few hours at a time on the following dates:

17 June (road stud removal) evening / overnight works 7pm - 5am Road Closure
26 June (first surface dressing) evening / overnight works 7pm - 5am Road Closure
11 July (lining/road stud replacement) evening / overnight works 7pm - 5am Road Closure.

A fully signed diversion route will be in operation for the duration of the works. The County Council thanks people for their patience while this essential road maintenance work is carried out.

The work is expected to cost approximately £44,000 and will be carried out by Norfolk County Council’s Infrastructure Department and their contractors Tarmac and Keir Highway Services.

MAY 2025

Norfolk County Council proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (the “Order”) (STRO12758) affecting the B1077 Diss Road from its junction with C348 Herywood Road for 1200m southwards (the “Road”) in the Parish of Winfarthing to facilitate patching works, the Road will be temporarily closed (except for pedestrian access) for the duration of the works/period the closure is necessary which is anticipated to be from 26th to 30th May 2025, but may continue to be closed/restricted until the 11th July 2025 where the closure is still required beyond the anticipated dates.

Norfolk County Council proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (the “Order”) (STRO12722) affecting the B1077 Shelfanger Road from its junction with U76012 Factory Lane to its junction with U76013 Louies Lane (the “Road”) in the Town of Diss to facilitate surface dressing preparation works, the Road will be temporarily closed (except for pedestrian access) for the duration of the works/period the closure is necessary which is anticipated to be between 18:00 on 12th May and 06:00 on 13th May 2025, but may continue to be closed/restricted until the 24th June 2025 where the closure is still required beyond the anticipated dates.

APRIL 2025

Survey for Resident input on the new structure of the councils in Norfolk:

Please see the link to a survey (see link below) so that residents can have some input into the council’s thinking, and get their views taken into account in working out the new structure of councils for Norfolk?

The survey is available online here: Share your thoughts and shape the future of local government in Norfolk - Norfolk County Council - Citizen Space. It will be open for responses until 20 May.

Councillor Dr Catherine Rowett

County Councillor for West Depwade Division

Response from Adrian Ramsay MP re. the flooding on Church Road

Following on from the meeting that Adrian Ramsay MP had with the Chairperson and Councillor from Shelfanger Parish Council, we have now received an update from Norfolk County Council regarding the above matter and it reads as follows:

’Thank you for your correspondence regarding the ongoing flooding issues on Church Road, Shelfanger, and your recent meeting with representatives from Shelfanger Parish Council.

We can confirm that this issue has been an ongoing matter of concern, and our highway engineer has previously been involved in efforts to help alleviate the situation. This has included arranging for a tanker to remove contaminated water from the roadside ditch and commissioning a camera investigation to better understand the underlying causes. They have also engaged with local residents throughout this process.

Please be advised our colleagues at South Norfolk District Council as the Flood and Water Management Officers, has taken the lead on this matter. I understand they have has been working diligently to pursue further action, particularly in relation to responsibilities held by a private landowner whose land is contributing to the problem.

Response from Adrian Ramsay MP re. the Environment Agency Flood Work

Following on from Adrian Ramsay MP’s meeting with Councillor Marian Paines and Councillor Pamela Ross, he wrote to the Environment Agency for an update on their work in Shelfanger. Adrian has now received a response and it reads as follows:

Thank you for your email of 20 March 2025 regarding our flood risk work in Shelfanger.
We are currently investigating ways of managing the flood risk to the community in Shelfanger. Firstly, we are updating our modelling of the Frenze Beck and Winfarthing watercourses to improve our understanding of the flood risk, ensuring it reflects the observed flood history in the village. We have collected topographic survey data of the channel and structures, and the modelling is currently being updated. The outputs of this updated modelling are expected in six months and will ensure that any options to help manage the local flood risk can be represented as accurately as possible.

The modelling will focus on the capacity of the channel and whether the culverts are large enough to carry high flows through the village. We will use the modelling to establish if there is a viable and affordable way of reducing the flood risk at a community level, or if Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures to individual properties, such as flood doors and barriers, could be more appropriate. The findings will be used to inform a future business case to support funding applications. We are also working with the local community to install temporary water level monitoring equipment so we can gain a greater understanding of inflows of water to the village during times of heavy rainfall. This will be at three locations in and around the village, subject to landowner support.

We want to understand if high water levels upstream of the village could reliably provide early indication, with sufficient lead time, of incoming flooding to the community. To be useful this would need to give residents sufficient time to take action to reduce the impacts of potential flooding, e.g. by moving cars or installing barriers. If the trial shows that upstream water level monitoring would provide sufficient time to act, a community-owned scheme for the village could be investigated further. I hope you have found this response helpful.

FEBRUARY 2025

A survey is being conducted on behalf of Diss Heritage Trust looking at aspects of development in the town. The survey link to click on is https://bit.ly/4aUTfsl

The leaflet also has a QR code that will take people to the survey.

Proposed road closure:

Road Closure Lodge Lane, Shelfanger – Lodge Lane Culvert TM18313 - Lodge Lane, Shelfanger will be closed for culvert repairs from 24 February to 27 February 2025 inclusive, for 4 days, re-opening late afternoon / early evening on the 27 February

Inland Flood & Drought Summit Recording - January 2025

JANUARY 2025

Another proposed road closure:

Norfolk County Council proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (the “Order”) (STRO11692) affecting the B1134 Long Row from its junction with C349 Pristow Green Lane for 500m eastwards (the “Road”) in the Parish of Tibenham to facilitate Anglian Water works for a new water connection, the Road will be temporarily closed (except for pedestrian access) for the duration of the works/period the closure is necessary which is anticipated to be from 20th to 22nd January 2025, but may continue to be closed/restricted until the 5th March 2025 where the closure is still required beyond the anticipated dates.

POLICE - the Police have issued a Community Update as seen here and are holding a public meeting details as below:

Our next in person street surgeries will be as follows:

18th January 2025 - 09:00 – 10:30 – Diss – Mere’s Mouth

11:00 – 12:30 – Long Stratton – Swan Lane, outside the shops

14:00 – 15:30 – Harleston – Market Place

15th February 2025 - 09:00 – 10:30 –Thorpe Abbots, Mill Road junction with The Street

11:00 – 12:30 – Wortwell, High Road, on the Village Car Park

14:00 – 15:30 – Aslacton, Church Road by the Church

UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURES - as below:

Norfolk County Council proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (the “Order”) (STRO11916) affecting the C205 The Heywood from its junction with C205 Back Heywood Road for 240m southwards (the “Road”) in the Parish of Heywood to facilitate Anglian Water trench repairs, the Road will be temporarily closed (except for pedestrian access) for the duration of the works/period the closure is necessary which is anticipated to be from 9th to 10th January 2025, but may continue to be closed/restricted until the 21st February 2025 where the closure is still required beyond the anticipated dates.
Norfolk County Council proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (the “Order”) (STRO11678) affecting the B1077 Mill Road from its junction with C348 Heywood Road for 193m northwards (the “Road”) in the Parish of Winfarthing to facilitate installation of a new connection, the Road will be temporarily closed (except for pedestrian access) for the duration of the works/period the closure is necessary which is anticipated to be from 14th to 16th January 2025, but may continue to be closed/restricted until the 27th February 2025 where the closure is still required beyond the anticipated dates.
Lodge Lane Culvert - We are in the process of planning works on the above structure. Due to the nature of the works a road closure will need to be applied for, the dates will be from 24 March to 27 March 2025, for 4 days. Approximately two weeks prior to the works being carried out a Public Information Notice will be sent to you, and a signed diversion route will be put in place whilst the works are being carried out.

NOVEMBER 2024

POLICE - the Police have issued a Community Update as seen here and are holding a public meeting details as below:

Our next in-person Street Surgeries will be coming up at the following locations:

Saturday 16th November 2024:

09:00 – 10:30 – Pulham St Mary – Station Road, by the Pennoyer Centre.

11:00 – 12:30 – Tacolneston – West Way by Recreation Ground.

14:00 – 15:30 – Fersfield – The Street, by the Village Field.

Please do come and see us if there is anything you would like to raise or discuss or even if just to come and say hello.

Andy Baker - Police Constable 1039

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY SURVEY FEEDBACK - Following the surveys over the summer from the EA, their feedback is shown here

UNAUTHORISED ENCAMPMENT DOCUMENT - received from the Council is shown here

PRESS RELEASE - 25 October 2024

Major Norfolk airfields Fersfield and Pulham to be honoured with the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust's latest memorials

As a result of long planning and co-operation between the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT) - the world’s first national airfield charity - and various more local elements, and following very successful similar unveilings across Norfolk in more recent times, two further memorials will be unveiled during Friday and Saturday 8-9 November 2024 to commemorate Fersfield and Pulham Airfields.

Fersfield opened during the second half of World War Two in April 1944 designed as a bomber airfield. It became best known for its participation in Operation Aphrodite, whereby Boeing B-17s filled with high explosives were converted into radio-controlled flying bombs. This was an extremely dangerous duty, and one casualty was Joseph Kennedy, brother of future US President John F. Kennedy, who died during a mission. After the Americans left, Fersfield switched to Royal Air Force control and continued to give excellent assistance in primarily support and training roles, notably stepping in to assist famous Norfolk airfield Swanton Morley which ABCT honoured with a similar memorial in August 2023. Closed during March 1946, and subsequently for a brief period in the early 1950s used as a motor racing circuit, some parts of Fersfield survive today amid a mixture of agriculture and industry.

Pulham remains one of Britain’s most famous airship stations. First opened in February 1916, airships initially carried out operational maritime patrols before experimental work predominated for well over the next decade. One famous episode in Pulham’s history was the arrival of airship R.34 on its pioneering return leg flight from the USA to Britain in July 1919. The R.101 disaster of October 1930 to all intents most unfortunately ended all airship development in Britain but Pulham managed to survive in other RAF capacities, notably being employed for ammunition storage, until eventual closure in February 1958. Not much now survives of this airfield but one of the two main airship sheds still stands at Cardington in Bedfordshire after being transferred there in the late 1920s. The Pennoyer Centre in nearby Pulham St Mary village also remembers to very good effect what is still frequently referred to locally as Pulham Air Station.

Both memorials are of the main full-sized standardised design already widely utilised by ABCT https://www.abct.org.uk/airfield-markers/marker-programme/. The charity’s objective in this regard is to eventually commemorate each known major airfield in the United Kingdom with one of two forms of standardised granite memorial. Well over 200 have already been unveiled - following huge national public demand for them - to clearly major effect, with hundreds more being planned.

Event details as follows:

Fersfield Airfield

https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/fersfield-winfarthing/

Friday 8 November 2024, 10.30 am, on SW side of airfield alongside Airfield Road, NW of Diss and NE of Fersfield village

Postcode (nearest) IP22 2FF, What3Words: grew.lease.upholding

Pulham Airfield

https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/pulham/

Saturday 9 November 2024, 10.30 am, alongside The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, NE of Diss

Postcode IP21 4QT, What3Words: handbags.originals.surfaces

Also see ABCT's extremely popular 3,500 pages website https://www.abct.org.uk and associated social media pages for further details.

N.B. It would be appreciated if anyone wishing to attend one and/or both events could let ABCT know in advance, in order to further organise each memorial unveiling.

Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT)

SEPTEMBER 2024

Vacancy for a Councillor on the Shelfanger Parish Council - please see attached

Stephen Groom - steps down as Chair of the Parish Council after three years of tireless work for the village. We would like to thank him for his endless energy and wish him well as he goes on to pasture new. Cllr Marion Paines is taking up the Chair's role for the foreseeable future.

AUGUST 2024

Planning - Details attached of a planning application for 21 houses in Winfarthing - planning No: 2024/2476

Maisie has been found

Local Plan

JUNE 2024

Rural Dial-A-Bus

MAY 2024

May Parish Council Meeting - The Environment Agency will be doing a presentation regarding the possibility of monitoring cameras and level/gauge boards on various sections of the watercourses around Shelfanger. The aim is to have these in place (for approximately 1-2 years) to show whether there is potential for a community-run flood warning system in the village. Please come along to hear about these future possibilities.

MARCH 2024

Boyland Common - Wildflower Walk led by our local Wildflower expert, Stella Taylor.

Sunday 26th May, meeting at Boyland Common at 3.00pm. The walk is expected to last around one hour. This event is free - do come along.

FEBRUARY 2024

Dog Walkers - Please can dog walkers keep their dogs on leads, and keep to the official footpaths. Various land is now under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and a bird conservation area - thank you.

Latest update from the Environment Agency re. Flooding

Initial Flood Report received from the Environment Agency and Capital Project Document

January newsletter re. Pylons

Casual Vacancy in the Office of Parish Councillor

JANUARY 2024

Road Closure - NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (STRO10232) affecting the B1077 Short Green from its junction with the U76497 High London Lane for 50m north westwards in the PARISH OF WINFARTHING to facilitate Anglian Water works to connect a new supply. The road will be temporarily closed (except for access) with effect from 15th to 17th January 2024 for the duration of the works expected to be about 3 days within the period.

NOVEMBER 2023

Wood Chippings - If anyone is felling/chopping up a tree, and looking for a home for the chippings, please contact the Clerk at the above email address as there are a number of paths where chippings could be spread.

Time Team

There are three YouTube videos of the crowd funded ‘Time Team’ exploration of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery discovered between Shelfanger and Winfarthing.

The whole project is now complete, and really rather exciting.

Check out YouTube by searching for "Anglo-Saxon Cemetery" - it seems to be a very important find!

Environment Agency - Drop in Session - The Environment Agency, alongside Norfolk County Council and Natural England are holding a drop-in session to talk through various flood risk management topics in and around the village on Thursday 23rd November between 17:30-19:00 at the village hall - please click here to see their poster.

AUGUST 2023

Bank Holiday Bin Collections - South Norfolk Council Waste Team have confirmed there will be no delayed collections of any materials w/c 28 August 2023, due to the bank holiday we WILL be collecting Garden Waste bins for those scheduled Monday 28 August and all other collections days will remain the same. To keep up to date with bin collections please download the South Norfolk Bin Collections app: http://ow.ly/u83j50Nw2cX. Alternatively, you can find bin collections dates at: http://ow.ly/riFs50Nw2cY

New FLEXIBUS - As from 3rd September 2023, there is a new Flexibus service from Shelfanger Bus shelter to Diss and back, running on a Monday, Wednesday & Friday - see the details in the bus shelter.

MAY 2023

There will be a wildflower walk on Sunday 21st May, led by Stella Taylor. 3.00pm on Boyland Common

APRIL 2023

Bank Holiday Bin Collections

There will be no delayed collections of any materials next week, due to the King’s Coronation bank holiday we WILL be collecting Garden Waste bins for those scheduled Monday 1 May and all other collections days will remain the same.

Week commencing Monday 8 May we will revert back to normal service, Garden Waste collections will be delayed by one day. Rubbish and Recycling will remain on their normal collection days Tuesday to Friday and not effect by the bank holiday Monday.

To keep up to date with bin collections please download the South Norfolk Bin Collections app: http://ow.ly/u83j50Nw2cX

Alternatively, you can find bin collections dates at: http://ow.ly/riFs50Nw2cY

MARCH 2023

We're looking for a new clerk

Shelfanger Parish Council is looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to fill the role of Clerk to the Parish Council and Responsible Financial Officer. The post is for 6 hours a week and is based from home, with bi-monthly meetings taking place in the Village Church. For an informal chat please contact the Parish Council Chair Stephen Groom on 07871313126 or to apply please contact Lois Easter – current Parish Clerk at shelfangerpc@gmail.com Closing date for applications is 30 April 2023.

What we've achieved in the last year

Shelfanger Parish Council has effectively made improvements in the village over the past year. An independent flood survey was commissioned which galvanised several flood agencies and Riparian owners to clear ditches and waterways. This approach must be maintained to ensure further flooding is avoided.

The speed awareness sign has been moved nearer the Allotments to slow traffic before it reaches the village.

Two new dog litter bins have been purchased so thank you to those responsible dog owners who are using them.

Further financial responsibilities of the Parish council include the maintenance of the Church’s memorial clock, the village sign, the upkeep of permissive footpaths, the bus shelter, the village pump and the noticeboard. Also a new website has been designed and can now be accessed at www.shelfangerpc.info where you will find up to date information, PC documents and news.

Shelfanger and surrounding Parish Councils have been tirelessly campaigning about the proposed AD plant in Bressingham and now await an Enforcement Order for its removal to be served on the applicant. Were it to become operational, the plant will have a devastating impact on the surrounding unsuitable approach roads, nearby Boyland Common a site of special scientific importance, and another of the Parish Council’s responsibilities.

Norfolk Lieutenancy Newsletter

This second edition of the newsletter contains information concerning celebratory and community events that will take place over the Coronation Weekend between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May 2023. The aim of this newsletter is to update on the sequence of events that have been announced as part of a weekend of celebrations, and to help signpost further information, for the benefit of local and community leaders, and event organisers in Norfolk.

The Lady Dannatt MBE, HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, has said: ‘Let us come together to celebrate, help others and honour the unsung heroes who have gone the extra mile for their communities’.

Bonfires

Bonfires are allowed in your garden as long as it’s not causing a problem for your neighbours. Please speak to your neighbour if their bonfire is affecting you but if the problem persists, contact the Environment team at South Norfolk Council.

An abatement notice can be served for persistent offenders. When lighting a bonfire, please follow these sensible procedures:

only burn dry wood - wet wood gives off more smoke.
never burn household rubbish or rubber tyres, or use oil to light the fire.
check to make sure your neighbours haven't hung washing outside.
avoid lighting a bonfire on damp days - smoke is more likely to hang in the air.
be careful of wind direction - make sure smoke isn’t blowing over other

people’s property.
avoid having a bonfire on a weekend or bank holiday when people want to

enjoy their gardens.
never leave a fire unattended or leave it to smoulder - douse it with water if

necessary.

JANUARY 2023

Time to get walking again!

With Spring on its way we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?

Walking in Norfolk www.walkinginengland.co.uk/norfolk has loads of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John Harris (who maintains the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Norfolk (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy. So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

Community Oil-buying Scheme

'Thinking fuel' is Community Action Norfolk's (CAN's) community oil-buying scheme. To be part of this scheme, register for free online at www.communityactionnorfolk.org.uk

County Broadband

You may have noticed that County Broadband has been in the village to lay cables, but this has been attempted without any communication with residents, or the Parish Council, so look out for any activity of this nature.

Thank You to dog owners

Thank you to those dog owners who have been using either of the two newly purchased dog litter bins; at the top of Druid's Lane and Heywood Road.

New Parish Council Website

The Parish Council has now had the Shelfanger Parish Council website rebuilt as the previous one was no longer fit for purpose. Therefore, more information about the work of the Parish Council, and the village, can be accessed.

May 2023 Local Elections

In May local elections will take place so if you would like to become a Parish Councillor please contact the Clerk for more information.

Developing a Household Emergency Plan

https://www.norfolkprepared.gov.uk › uploads › 2020/03

The Cock Crow

The Parish Council provides articles every couple of months for the newsletter of the county parishes of the Diss Team Ministry called 'The Cock Crow'. These are also made available here on the Council's website.