Got something to say? Want to respond to a letter? Don't forget to mention the title of the article
Click Here


Planning application at 31 School Road

Monday, January 8, 2018 - 18:07

Re the recent letter concerning the planning application for building a convenience store at 31 School Road, Reepham (“Local business community should not dictate to silent majority”, Your Letters, 20 December 2017).

Planning matters are the responsibility of Broadland District Council and the final decision on this, and all other planning applications, will be made by the District Council.

As part of the planning process, comments on every application are invited from members of the public and from bodies such as town and parish councils.

At the recent Town Council meeting various members of the public made their views known and these views were taken into account when councillors considered the application.

After consideration, councillors unanimously agreed to object to the application because of concerns regarding parking and access for large vehicles at this particular location and because of the potentially deleterious effect the development would have on existing retailers in the town centre.

No doubt Broadland District Council would take these views, and those of others who have made comments on this application, into account when making its decision, but in this particular instance the applicant has since withdrawn the planning application.

I would like to remind all residents that Town Council meetings are open to all members of the public where everybody is entitled, and cordially invited, to make representations to the Council on any topic that is of concern to them individually or to the community as a whole.

I would also like to remind everybody that we still have vacancies for councillors, so if anybody wishes to take a more active role in shaping the future of our town by becoming a councillor, please do not hesitate to contact any councillor or the town clerk who will be happy to help you.

Les Paterson, Chairman, Reepham Town Council

Local business community should not dictate to silent majority

Wednesday, December 20, 2017 - 09:06

I have read with utter amusement the reports of the last Town Council meeting during which the proposed new store on School Road was rejected by the council following a debate.

From reading between the lines (unfortunately I was not able to attend), the local business community were against the proposal for one reason only – their concerns for their own profits.

I have lived under the impression that we live in a free-market society, where you can set up a business to sell what you want so long as it is lawful. I served in the navy to uphold this very principle.

So how is it that the local business community (which I happen to belong to as a self-employed consultant) can now dictate what facilities we have in this beautiful town of ours?

No one objected when champagne glasses were offered for sale.

What thought has been given to the people in Reepham that cannot easily travel to the larger supermarkets to buy their groceries or any of the other articles that may be offered for sale?

The Spar shop provides a service to the community, but it is overpriced and does not stock a range of goods worthy of such an organisation.

Comments have been made regarding the traffic chaos that would ensue should a shop be located on School Road. But has no one noticed the chaos that occurs when an articulated lorry delivers goods to the Spar?

(I made comment a few months ago regarding the unsightly stack of waste that is allowed to accumulate on the pavement outside this shop as there is no other suitable location for it.)

I challenge the Town Council to hold a referendum for the people that actually live in Reepham so that the silent majority can have the freedom to choose where they shop.

Let us be fair on this important issue; let us get a true feel for the wishes of the town and not be persuaded by the short-sighted, profit-driven lobby that the minority have put forward.

This town is expanding against my wishes, but that is progress. (With a smaller population there were once four food shops in Reepham.)

We therefore have to cater for the demographic mix that we enjoy and not be blinkered by the few.

Phillip Leeder, Cawston Road, Reepham

Thank you for such a caring community

Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 10:06

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the love and support my family and I have received from all of our friends in and around Reepham after the sad death of my husband Clive on 13 October 2017; it has meant a great deal to us all.

Clive loved the great community that makes Reepham so special and he had no wish to live anywhere else.

To see so many of you at his funeral was incredible and discovering how greatly he was respected and how well he was liked has been a huge comfort to us.

The donations given at the funeral amounted to an amazing £1,300, which will be divided between Cancer Research UK, the Dilham Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and other charities that were significant to Clive during his life.

Although this has been a very sad time for me, I count myself extremely fortunate to be living in such a caring community.

Thank you all.

Margaret Brooks, Mill Road, Reepham

Axing of PCSOs will lead to more crime and anti-social behaviour

Monday, December 4, 2017 - 18:15

It is sad to hear that our PCSO, Stephen Bridges, is going to be made redundant at the end of March 2018, after being a regular, reassuring and welcome face in Reepham.

It is short-sighted of Norfolk Constabulary to dismiss all local PCSOs in this way.

Stephen has been in post for more than 10 years. He knows many local people and is well known by many.

His presence helps to make people aware that there is a police presence and any potential wrong-doers are probably well known to him

 Once he has gone, I cannot see that the newly appointed police officer will be able to cover the same ground in the same, informed way as Stephen.

He will be thinly spread over the local area and, however willing and dedicated he may be, it will take a long time for him to be as aware and knowledgeable as Stephen.

His dismissal can only lead to more crime and anti-social behaviour, with no-one on the spot to do anything about it.

Brenda R Palmer, Chapel Close, Reepham

Thanks for clean public toilets

Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 15:46

As a frequent visitor to Reepham, I must congratulate the town on the state of cleanliness of the public toilets in Pudding Pie Alley.

Thanks in particular to the person who cleans these toilets, who I see has been doing this for 25 years (George celebrates 25 years of bog cleaning).

In fact, free public conveniences are a rarity these days. Frequently they are locked or dirty – if they exist at all – and many of us, both young and old, are forced to sneak into cafés, shops or pubs, trying to spend a penny without spending a pound.

In the 21st century the lack of clean and accessible public toilets in many towns and cities across the UK is a disgrace. Are we becoming a third world country?

The need for a toilet is a basic human need.

K. Boustead, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich

Tesco elevations?

Thursday, November 16, 2017 - 13:46

Re “Plans for convenience store on School Road garage site” (posted 15 November 2017), I wonder if we’re getting a Tesco?

A news story published in the Blackpool Gazette (1 March 2013) combined with the proposed elevations makes me think it might be the case. Read this story HERE

Dean Orchard, Reepham

French drumming

Thursday, November 2, 2017 - 09:39

It was a joy to see my letter published about my ancestor William Dove (Your Letters, 11 October 2017).

We do enjoy getting the Reepham Life newsletter as it keeps us in touch with a place we enjoyed visiting.

Regarding the rhythmic drumming (Your Letters, 20 June 2017), it could be our son who is a professional improvising percussionist – although he lives in France!

Best wishes to all in Reepham from down under.

James and Felicity Guthrie, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

Reepham has 4G

Tuesday, October 31, 2017 - 21:01

Reepham appears to have 4G, at last. On Vodafone, anyway. On Station Road, at least

Sam Higenbottam, Reepham

Bedroom privacy

Tuesday, October 31, 2017 - 21:00

Does anyone know why so many older houses in East Anglia have their bedroom ceiling light fittings placed close to the window?

Were we such a bunch of prudes that we didn’t want our silhouette to be seen from the window to avoid casting a shadow on the curtains when undressing?

Or was it so a woman’s dressing table could be placed in front of the window with the light shining directly above in dull weather or during the hours of darkness?

Or was it supposed to replicate daylight coming in from the window?

Or did the original lightbulbs tend to explode over the bed?

It would be more logical to put the light fitting in the centre of the room – having them near the window certainly looks odd.

Any retired electricians out there?

C Anderson, Norwich

Searching for information on ancestor

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 09:08

I am searching for information on my great-great-grandfather William Hudson, who was born in 1838 in Swanton Morley and died on 19 November 1905 in Hackford next Reepham.

As a child William was sent to live in Gressenhall Workhouse. He grew up and was educated, becoming a solicitor’s clerk and accountant.

I am assuming these are small towns and there must be some local historians that may know something.

Any more information would be appreciated greatly.

Heidi Bird, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

  • If you can provide any further information on the life of William Hudson, please contact Reepham Life HERE

 

Pages