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Bircham Road footpath handrail and dog fouling along path

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - 19:53

It is an excellent idea (Your Council Matters, 17 November 2020) to install a handrail on this slope [on the footpath between Bircham Road and Ollands Road, Reepham], which can be very slippery through leaves during the autumn and snow/ice during the winter.

If Norfolk County Council won’t do it, then I suggest that maybe a group of local people could get together and install one. It would only take a few hours and cost peanuts.

Also as important is lighting the footpath: on dark nights it is so easy to walk into the fences on the bends in the path.

To help this, the lamp mounted on the post at the Bircham end could be turned 90 degrees on the top of the post so it partly illuminates the path.

And now that solar-powered lights are readily available and cheap, perhaps one could be installed by the corners on the path, mounted on the fence posts.

We have also recently noticed that some local dog owners are letting their dogs foul the path without clearing up after them.

This is not restricted to the Ollands Road/Bircham Road footpaths – it happens all over Reepham.

In addition, there seems to be a growing occurrence of dog owners clearing up after their dogs, only to then throw the bag in the verge or hang it from a tree.

We have noticed this along Marriott’s Way and Bar Lane, and on Booton Common.

Bryan Gostling, Bircham Road, Reepham

Recreation ground turning into a public toilet for dogs

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - 18:01

It is such a shame that there are thoughtless, inconsiderate dog owners who allow their pets to go to the toilet on the area of Stimpson’s Piece allocated for football.

This is somewhere that we walk regularly, on our way to Marriott’s Way or Wood Dalling Road, and we often find (luckily we spot it before stepping in it) a pile of dog mess in the area where football is to be played.

We often see people exercising their dogs on these areas with no regard for the children who are likely to be playing there.

We have experienced completely unruly and quite aggressive dogs on occasions, whose owners seem to have little control over their pets.

There is a specified area for dogs to be exercised at the far end between the trees.

Perhaps a more obvious notice needs to be displayed, pointing dog owners to the allocated exercise area and making it obvious that any dog fouling on the play areas is not allowed.

I’m sure there are dog owners who would hate their children or grandchildren to arrive home with dog mess on their clothes or shoes.

We are so privileged to have such a pleasant green space that, even at this time of year, is enjoyable to walk across, but we don’t want to end up with that space becoming a dogs’ lavatory.

A little more consideration and control is needed and would be much appreciated.

Brenda R Palmer, Chapel Close, Reepham

Still mobile ‘not-spots’ in Reepham

Monday, November 23, 2020 - 18:28

The centre of Reepham in particular appears to be out of range for adequate mobile signal coverage, as the map [for Vodafone coverage] below shows.

If you were to walk up to the Stony Lane area you would automatically achieve a 4G signal – in central Reepham we are fortunate if we get one bar.

The majority of traders in the Market Place are also experiencing the same problem.

This really is unacceptable to those of us in the centre of Reepham, who are also part of the community.

There is a tower behind the fire station at the now-relocated police station, which could be an ideal position for Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three to share and install suitable equipment.

Considering many of us are now working from or based at home, it is essential that we all have sufficient coverage, particularly during these changing and challenging times.

I have also met people who have fallen over and who have had no mobile signal to call the NHS.

The doctor’s surgery in Reepham is also finding this problematic for their patients with the lack of a mobile signal that is necessary for SMS messages.

A landline is totally unsuitable as some people believe, as it does not cover text messages, which are important for online banking, scanning, QR codes, etc.

It is now time for those affected to approach Broadland District Council to change this to make Reepham a more sustainable community with improved communications for all.

If you are affected by an inadequate mobile signal, please email so we can change this situation as soon as possible.

Valérie Harfield-Simpson, Church Street, Reepham

Co-op store landscaping leaves much to be desired

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 - 20:54

Co-op store landscaping leaves much to be desired

Although I do not object in any way to the construction of the new Co-op store in Reepham, I do have a serious problem with the landscape proposals – or lack of them.

The design consists of a single line of small shrubs along Station Road and Stoney Lane, supported by a few trees in a sea of bark mulch.

Since when does the planting of lavender fit in with indigenous planting?

Surely to specify planting that reflects the indigenous species found all around this site would have been the correct approach – and to fill the planting areas.

The residents who have had to endure these building works deserve better.

Was there a landscape condition attached to the planning approval notice?

Dennis Pitt, The Dial, Reepham

Amazing support from friends in and near Reepham

Monday, October 26, 2020 - 20:13

Early last year I had a catastrophic fall; as a result I am now paraplegic.

All through my recovery at the N&N and rehabilitation in Sheffield I had a constant stream of visitors. It was an enormous help, keeping me happy and very motivated; my room was covered with cards.

That wasn’t the end to your generosity: the Rotary Club tamed our garden and the WI provided many delicious and ingenious gifts.

When I returned home, our neighbour, Sarah Townend, a marathon runner, ran several half-marathons, joined for the final one by my family.

They, together with a donation from a small charity, raised enough money to buy an outside all-terrain wheelchair to enable me to enjoy all the local walks that I love.

A big thank you to everyone and I look forward to seeing you out and about when Covid is under control.

Manesty Forster, Blackwater Lane, Great Witchingham

Left: Manesty Forster gathering apples in her new wheelchair. Right: the runners at the start of the last half-marathon.

Faith in human nature restored over lost keys found in Reepham

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 22:38

On Tuesday last I lost my house and car keys during a circular walk around Reepham; despite my wife and I retracing our steps we couldn’t find them.

We revisited the town today with a view to placing notices asking people to contact me if found, but thanks to some kind people we were reunited with the keys.

We would like to thank the postman, who went out of his way to point us in the right direction, and the female employee in Johnson’s of Reepham, who had the details of the person who found them, rang him and arranged for us to collect them.

Mostly to Dudley, who found the keys and informed Johnson’s.

We were strangers to these people, but they went out of their way to help us.

It gives you faith in human nature, especially in these difficult times.

Thank you once again.

Mike Gaskell, Taverham Road, Felthorpe

Thanks for a thankless task

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 - 12:51

As a resident of Reepham, I have attended many town council meetings and have seen the hard work the councillors undertake – all on a voluntary basis.

I have also witnessed the rudeness the council is faced with when residents are personally affected by certain issues; it’s a thankless, unpaid job.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the councillors for all they do for the town. Les, Anne and Jools – you will be sorely missed!

Judy Holland, Cawston Road, Reepham

Return the Market Place to its former glory?

Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 11:58

Glad to see that Hugh Ivins wants to keep the Market Place as an open space (Letters, 23 September).

Perhaps he is looking back to the proposal made some years ago to pedestrianise the Market Place and return it to its former glory.

Open-air dining outside the King’s Arms and the Dial House, perhaps the odd busker or street entertainer.

Now that would make Reepham a tourist destination.

Les Paterson, Ollands Road, Reepham

Market Place should remain an open area

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 10:32

I was pleased to note that, following our petition, Reepham Town Council has voted for the removal of the planters from the Market Place within two weeks.

However, it is understood the council intends to consult with businesses “to see if a better place could not be found for them, without compromising parking and safety,  as these were resident’s main concerns”.

On the basis of that decision, it is intended to approach the town centre businesses concerned and to continue with the online petition to ensure the planters are removed completely from the Market Place.

I note the town council consider there is a long-term need to make the Market Place a more attractive feature and not just function as a car park.

This is a misconception as the Market Place has many attributes and uses that seem not to have been recognised.

Whatever has happened to the 2013 Reepham Economic Strategy published by Ingham Pinnock Associates and adopted by the town and district councils?

The Market Place functions particularly well as it is at present for its regular market day and annual events such as the food festival, music festival and classic car festival.

Reepham Market Place is unique in having an enclosed “open” area not found anywhere else in the county and it should stay that way for the benefit of the town.

The strategic use of trees, plants, benches, pedestrian areas and a one-way traffic system would be the end of the Market Place as we know it.

I also refer to Broadland District Council’s officially adopted Reepham Conservation Area Appraisal of May 2008, which states that the Market Place is of “townscape importance”.

Any proposals by Broadland or the town council that compromise that assessment would be contrary to the adopted policy.

While continuing with the current petition for the complete removal of the planters, we trust another will not be necessary.

Hugh Ivins, Whitwell, Reepham

Petition for removal of Market Place planters

Monday, August 31, 2020 - 10:55

A number of residents, shopkeepers and businesses in the Market Place have expressed significant concerns regarding the recent installation of two groups of planters within the parking areas of the market square.

There has been a lack of consultation with owners of business premises around the Market Place, as well as with local residents, and it has had an unnecessary detrimental effect on businesses and parking availability for residents and visitors.

An online petition has been set up remove the planters from the Market Place. We currently have more than 300 signatories, and will present the results to the town council at its next meeting on 17 September.

Typical reasons for signing the petition include:

  • “These are unnecessary and detrimental to important and well-established businesses.”
  • “We have managed to adhere to social distancing before these monstrosities appeared. All they do is reduce the already limited parking in the town.”
  • “Why does this sort of decision and expense happen with little or no consultation with the actual residents and businesses of the town it is effecting?”
  • "There is absolutely no need to restrict parking in the Market Place 24/7.”
  • “Maybe the council will sit up and take notice when someone injures themselves on these monstrosities of a trip hazard as not everyone has 20/20 vision day or night.”
  • “Where the planters have been placed restricts parking for people like me with limited mobility.”
  • “This is completely unnecessary and a waste of public money.”
     

The latest government guidance COVID-19 Secure: Safer Public Places – Urban Centres and Green Spaces concerning social distancing in market places does not advocate using planters in existing parking areas.

We look forward to your added support on this petition.

Hugh Ivins, Whitwell, Reepham

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