Apr'07
DEREHAM NEWS
‘The Duck & Deer’
APRIL 2007
HAPPY EASTER & WISHING YOU ALL A VERY ENJOYABLE SPRING!
This time of year brings new hope and happiness to a lot of people and here at the Council we are preparing for a number of changes that will hopefully give the Town a new spring in it’s step. With the Elections looming and a new Mayor coming into fruition in May, there will hopefully be lots of new ideas for the Town and it’s people. (Remember to make your vote count next month!)
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We now have one of the best Leisure Centres in the County opening this month. Only positive things can come from this, not only will it bring extra revenue, jobs and tourists to Dereham, it will also give the people in the community more things to do in their spare time, which in return, may reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour that has gradually been increasing in the last few years, especially at the Recreation Ground.
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As from the 11th April, road works will begin on the A47 and the slip roads around Dereham. This work will be going on for approximately 14 weeks and there will be road diversion and closures in place during this time.
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The Community Rangers Scheme
What is the scheme? - The Community Rangers Project is currently recruiting volunteers who are passionate about their community and who wish to make a difference in their local environment.
Each volunteer will be supplied with an A-Z handbook of issues which they may wish to report and the appropriate contact details as to who to report them to. The issues may be: a full litter bin, a broken street light, flooding, a fly tip etc and the organisations could be Breckland Council, Anglian Water, Norfolk County Council, Environment Agency etc.
Rangers can, if they wish, organise a litter pick in their community on land which Breckland Council wouldn’t normally clear. They can help with setting up insurance to cover the activity and help you to approach private land owners if theirs is the land you wish to pick. Equipment is available for litter picking and is stored in each of the towns in the district.
Through the scheme we hope to enhance a sense of community in the area and the local environment will therefore stay looking at its best. Rangers can be proud to know they helped out through aiding the organisation contacted to respond efficiently to deal with problems.If you are interested in becoming a Community ranger please contact Street Scene on 01362 656878 for more information or e-mail us at;- streetscene@breckland.gov.uk or write to Street Scene, Breckland District Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham. NR19 1EE.
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Composting Advice from Breckland
Having trouble composting? Hopefully some of the useful hints below will help. Too much grass?If you have lots of grass cuttings, mix them with a dry brown material such as shredded paper or cardboard. This will help the material to break down more quickly and reduce excess moisture.
Composting too slowly? Speed up the composting process by adding more grass cuttings (but not too many), Comfrey or nettles, which are all rich in nitrogen. You could also try adding some soil or finished compost to your bin.
Small, black fruit flies are completely harmless, but if you find some in your compost bin then you can control them by leaving the bin lid off for a while. This will allow predatory beetles to feast on them.
Compost should have a sweet, earthy smell but if your compost is a bit smelly then it just needs some more air. Fork it over or mix in some hollow stems or cardboard to create air pockets.
For more helpful tips go to www.recyclenow.com/compost or call the Street Scene helpline on 01362 656878.
For your chance to win some gardening goodies including a compost bin, just answer the following question…..
You can easily speed up the composting process by adding:a) Rubble b) Plastic bags c) Grass cuttings
Send your answer with your name, address and e-mail address to ;- Street Scene, Breckland Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1EE.
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RURAL PROJECTS FUND GRANTS SCHEME
GRANTS OF UP TO £1500 ARE AVAILABLE FOR
SMALL COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN YOUR AREA
Norfolk Rural Community Council has revised its Rural Projects Fund. Grants are now available for a maximum of £1500 to cover up to 75% of total project costs.
Applications are welcome from community and voluntary groups whose projects benefit their local community. Groups need to demonstrate that local consultation has taken place and 25% Match Funding is required.
Types of projects that the fund has supported are:
Play Areas and Play Equipment
Parish Plans
Leaflets to promote local walks
Information Boards and Signs for Wildlife and Recreational Areas
Village Notice Boards
Village Signs
Creating and improving Wildlife Areas
Bus Shelters
Information/Welcome packs for newcomers to the village
Art Exhibitions and Local History Groups
For more information and an application form please contact Pauline High at Norfolk Rural Community Council on 01362 698216 or email Pauline@norfolkrcc.org.uk
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HIGHWAY MAINTENCE WORK
QUIETER SURFACING FOR THE A47 DEREHAM BYPASS
The Highways Agency has been awarded the contract to strengthen and resurface Dereham Bypass, which is due to start on the 11th April 2007. The works between Ascot Gardens and Etling Green are expected to last until July 07. The benefits to local residents will be a quieter surfacing to the new strengthened carriageway and no works other than occasional resurfacing for the next 40 years.
Initially there will be three weeks of lane closures with a temporary 50mph speed limit. Eastbound works lasting around 22 days will require closure of the eastbound carriageway with a 1+1 contraflow on the westbound carriageway. A temporary 50mph speed limit will be in force. The eastbound slip roads will be closed with clearly signed diversions in place. Westbound works also lasting around 22 days will require closure of the westbound carriageway with a 1+1 contraflow on the eastbound carriageway. A temporary 50mph speed limit will be in force. The westbound slip roads will be closed with clearly signed diversions in place. Lane closures will be required in the last two weeks.
Traffic flows through the works will be monitored and speeds controlled by safety cameras. Free recovery is being provided to avoid any congestion. All closures will be well publicised in advance.___________________________
NEW DEREHAM LEISURE CENTRE OPENING
Work began in November 2005 on the new Leisure Centre and after 17 months Breckland Council have announced that the doors will be opened this month. To celebrate this, a variety of events are going to be held over a period of two weeks to showcase the various parts of the centre. Events will include a swimming gala, a bowls competition, an inter-schools sports competition, taster sessions and demonstrations, etc. The venue will also be used to display a variety of art forms and an art competition has been organised to coincide with the opening. The Leisure Centre also hopes to display some sculptures by local artist, Neal French, as public art. Music will form part of the opening ceremonies as well, with a range of groups being involved, including jazz and local bands.
These are the new facilities;
6 lane main pool – 25 metres Teaching pool with a 150 spectator seating area
Sports Hall & Fitness Centre Aerobics and dance studio Changing facilities
4 rink indoor bowls hall Car Parking for 150 cars Catering Facilities, bar and a café
A new Leisure Card is being launched to coincide with the opening of Dereham and this will enable the Council to target certain groups for reduced rates for admission at all the centres. It is also proposed to widen the scope of the card at a later stage to include a wider range of benefits, including admission into local attractions and events, at reduced rates.
For more information please call Dereham Leisure Centre on tel; 01362 693419
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DOG FOULING IN TOWN
£50 on the spot fine if you are caught not cleaning up after your dog!
At Dereham Town Council we are receiving numerous complaints concerning the amount of people allowing their dogs to foul the pavements in Dereham without cleaning it up, especially outside schools. This can seriously affect the health of children, as they are specifically susceptible to diseases carried in dogs or cats faeces.For Health & Safety reasons please clear up after your dogs. Fines are being enforced within the town for anybody caught leaving dogs mess on the ground. Breckland District Council provide free dog poop scoop bags especially for this purpose. Breckland is a designated Poop Scoop area, so please help to keep Dereham a clean, safe environment for you and your family.
For information or to report an offender contact the Dog Warden at Breckland Council on 01362 656340 . If it is a repeat offender Breckland will get photographic evidence to catch and prosecute them.
