• Message from Top Farm

    I am just writing a short summary of what I said at the Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 13th July in response to numerous rumours circulating around the village at present.

    Firstly, the rumour that when we restock Top Farm and Lower Farm, we will be changing to intensive farming is not true. The legal definition of intensive farming is birds more than 25kg per square metre (as is stated on the GB poultry register), we currently stock at 9 birds per square metre, with the birds weighing 1.8kg. When we restock in February, we will again stock at 9 birds per square metre on the same flat deck system as before, the only difference is the chickens will not have access to the range. When a vaccine for Bird Flu becomes available, we will revert back to Free Range, our decision to change temporarily barn egg production is solely for welfare reasons. At Lower Farm we will no longer keep ducks, so the mobiles on the field will be removed and the muck carted away after 12th November when our restrictions are lifted. We will keep our quail in one of the buildings at 6.2 kg per square metre, both a long way from being intensive!!!

    Secondly, the sheds at Top Farm have not been mucked out, this will not happen until after 12th November, and the muck removed from the village, we are currently removing equipment in preparation to mucking out and washing.

    Whilst I understand the logic behind the idea of no flies with no chickens, means that the chickens are the sole cause of the flies. I have two comments about this as the fly survey shows we are not a truly fly free village, also in May 2018 we had a visit from environmental health because of large fly numbers in the village, and we were empty!!!

    If you are in any doubt about my sincerity I suggest you listen to my interview on Radio 4’s Farming Today on Tuesday 4th July, available on BBC sounds , or feel free to contact me by email [email protected], due to current biosecurity restrictions we are unable to offer any visits around the poultry, if and when restrictions are eased we will be happy to show people around.

    David Perowne

     

     

     

  • Message from UK Power Networks

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I am writing regarding our preparations for Storms Dudley and Eunice, which will arrive consecutively in the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 16th February).

    As you may be aware, UK Power Networks manages the local power lines and substations which distribute electricity to over 8.3m homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

    Storm Dudley will arrive tomorrow and is forecast to have a minimal impact on our network. However, Storm Eunice is expected to arrive on Friday 18th and is expected to bring stronger winds and unsettled weather.

    Our electricity network is built to be resilient but strong winds and heavy rain can bring down branches and trees, damaging overhead power lines. Where this happens we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

    We have organised for additional staff in our contact centre and more engineers on the ground, particularly for Storm Eunice, to be available to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather.

    Both you and your residents will be able to find regular updates and information about individual power cuts on our website www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk . We will also be posting general updates on @UKPowerNetworks .

    Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

    • Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map, with details of individual power cuts
    • Call 105 free of charge to speak to our customer service team, report a power cut or damage to the electricity network
    • Tweet @UKPowerNetworks to report a power cut or to receive updates
    • Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

    We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

    We provide extra help to customers on our Priority Service Register during a power cut.  Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register.  You can find out more information about our Priority Service on our website: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority .

    If you would like to share information with your constituents about preparing for the storm or registering for the Priority Service Register, you might like to share the following on Twitter or to your local Facebook pages:

    As a result of #StormEunice, heavy rain and high winds are due to arrive on Fri 18th Feb. @UKPowerNetworks has extra field engineers and call centre staff on hand to support any customers affected. Call 105 to report a powercut or visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut #ukpnnews

    Do you, or someone you know, need extra support during a power cut? @UKPowerNetworks provides free services to customers in vulnerable circumstances during a power cut. Visit ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority for more information. #StormEunice #ukpnnews

    If you have any questions, or if I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Yours faithfully,

    Michael

    Michael Horwood

    Public Affairs Manager

    UK Power Networks, Newington House, 237 Southwark Bridge Road, London   SE1 6NP

    Email: [email protected]

  • Chances: 1-to-1 coaching

    Chances is a county-wide employability project that offers 1-to-1 coaching supporting people to move into or closer to work. You can find more information on our website here .

    Chances is an ESF funded project that can take anyone who is unemployed and 18+ years old in Norfolk. 

    A5 Chances Leaflet_NorthNorfolk-page-001
    A5 Chances Leaflet_NorthNorfolk-page-002

  • Call for more Foster Carers from Norfolk County Council

    Throughout the pandemic we have still seen people come forward and apply to become foster carers. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t stop for children who need to be looked after and come into our care. Over the past year we have been unable to attend events, so advertising in local magazines and online has been important for our awareness raising efforts.

    Please use the following link to view Fostering Parish Council Advert.

    We actively promote Norfolk families for Norfolk children and provide local support and training. It’s better for the children, the families, and for the community as a whole.

    We take great pride in the fact that 97% of our Fosters Carers would recommend us. We’d be equally delighted to have your backing, and we sincerely hope you can help support our service now and into the future.

    Thank you for your time.

    Kind regards,

    Councillor John Fisher

    Councillor John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Woodside Division

    Email:  [email protected]

    Tel: 07714781479

  • Wells Division Statement of Persons Nominated 2021

    Please follow the link to view the statement of persons nominated for the County Council Elections on 6 May 2021: Wells Division Statement of Persons Nominated 2021.

  • Postal Voting

    Press release from North Norfolk District Council

    Postal Voting in 2021 Elections On Thursday 6 May 2021 elections will be taking place in North Norfolk with electors voting in the Norfolk County Council elections and the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Election. There are also several Parish Council by-elections also scheduled to be held on this day. Given the ongoing situation with the Covid-19 pandemic we want to give electors as much time as possible to change voting arrangements if voting in a Polling Station during the pandemic is not desired.

    Contact details

    If you wish to vote by post contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01263 516046 and we will send you a form.

    Quote from Returning Officer

    Local Returning Officer and Chief Executive Steve Blatch said: “Whilst we are making arrangements for the safe delivery of elections at Polling Stations within North Norfolk at the forthcoming elections we are aware that a higher number of our electorate may wish to conduct their vote by post on this occasion, given the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The North Norfolk district has the oldest average age demographic in the UK, so by nature we will be seeing a larger number of our residents having a higher level of vulnerability from the virus, so applying for a Postal Vote is an effective way for our local electors to still have their say on Thursday 6 May”.

    Information about applying for a postal vote

    Please note that any application for a postal vote must be completed by hand using ‘wet ink’ and we are unable to accept any digitally signed applications. In order to apply for a postal vote, you must be a registered elector within North Norfolk  (see below for how to register to vote).

    Completed applications can either be returned by email to [email protected] or posted to Electoral Services, North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9EN.

    Given the anticipated high volume of applications for postal votes we advise you to make your applications as soon as possible.

    How to register to vote

    If you need to register the easiest way to do so is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote but again alternatively you can contact us by phone on 01263 516046 to do so.

     

  • Allotments

    Tired of bendy carrots?

    Has the pandemic made you want to be more self-sufficient?

    Want a bit more exercise out in the fresh air?

    Then why not think about renting an allotment?

    We have some vacant at the moment but hurry or they’ll be done.

    Contact the Parish Clerk: email [email protected] or telephone 01328 822366.

  • Coronavirus testing for keyworkers

    Community coronavirus testing in Norfolk and Waveney now available to “key workers” (and/or household members with symptoms).

    The NHS in Norfolk and Waveney is offering local coronavirus tests to key workers* such as teachers or food industry staff, to help them remain in work and continue to support their communities. This also applies to members of their household who may have coronavirus symptoms causing the key worker to self-isolate.

    Testing will take place at three locations in Norfolk and Waveney:

    • The Centrum centre, close to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH)
    • The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn (QEHKL)
    • The James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) in Gorleston.

    (See below if you would rather be tested at Ipswich, Stansted or Peterborough)

     To book using the Norfolk and Waveney service:

    People on the government key workers* list who need to be tested should ask their employer or line manager to register their organisation by emailing [email protected] with their (employer) name, job title and contact number. The registration team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will then contact the employer to register their organisation so they their key workers can then book an appointment. The employer will be given a unique reference number and further instructions.

    All applications will be checked to make sure people are well enough to attend a testing centre, and eligible for a test in line with Public Health England guidance.

    People will receive their test results within 48 hours or less, either directly or via their employer’s occupational health service, together with initial advice about to what to do next.

    Appointments at Ipswich, Stansted and Peterborough or other centres

    If you wish to be tested at any of the national drive-through testing centres, such as Ipswich, Stansted, Peterborough and elsewhere, then you must use the national booking service. For self-referrals, this is via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk.

    Who are key workers?

    * Key workers include many people working in education, transport, many public services, energy, power and water/sewerage workers, and those working to provide, distribute or sell food. The precise definition is available on this government web page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested#key-workers.

  • Watch out for SCAMS

    Be aware of telephone and internet scams

    Sadly, there are individuals at large taking advantage of others.  If you think you’ve been scammed or become aware of any such incidents, report them to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or Norfolk Trading Standards by calling 0800 223 1133.  If you need advice, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 and if you are in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.

    Below is a list of COVID-19 related scams compiled by Norfolk Trading Standards, you can sign up to receive scam alerts here.

    • Be aware of people offering miracle cures or vaccines for coronavirus – there is no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19).  Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms until you recover.
    • People impersonating healthcare workers, claiming to be offering ‘home-testing’ for coronavirus – this is a scam and these kits are not currently available to buy.
    • Emails saying that you can get a refund on taxes, utilities or similar are usually bogus and they are just after your personal and bank details.
    • There are lots of fake products available to buy online that say they can protect you or cure coronavirus. These will not help and are designed to take your money.
    • There are new mobile phone applications that claim to give you updates on the virus but instead, they lock your phone and demand a ransom.
    • Your bank or the police will never ask for your bank details over the phone.
    • People offering to do your shopping or collecting medication and asking for money upfront and then disappearing.

    To learn more about different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others, visit www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk and complete the free online training.

    Information provided by Community Action Norfolk

  • Can you Help?

     

    poster asking for helpers
    Coronavirus – Can you Help?

    Can You Help?

    Hopefully we will all remain well in the next few months but it is looking increasingly likely there will be a need for some to self-isolate to keep themselves and others safe.

    We know that many of you already help others with shopping and collecting medication. It would however be very beneficial if the Parish Council could publish a list of people who would be able to help those finding themselves confined to their homes and needing to get the necessities of life.

    If you are able to offer support please contact Vanessa 01328 821187 or email the Parish Clerk on [email protected]

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