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July

22nd July - Attleborough Festival

Attleborough Festival

Attleborough Festival will be taking place on the 18th and 19th September. This is primarily a family fun weekend.

There will be a variety of activities during the weekend which this year has a 1940's / 50's theme. We have Morris dancers performing on the Saturday on Queen's Square from 10am onwards and on Sunday there will be some local youth bands performing on Queen's Square with a fantastic art display by local artists in the Town Hall over both days.

There will also be a display from the Town's archives in the Town Hall on both days. At Connaught Hall there will be a mixture of activities inside and out we have some vintage vehicles and cars from the Old Timers Club along with some old world War 2 vehicles.

On the green behind Connaught Hall we shall have some swing boats and hopefully a helta-skelta with the help of Larry Grays fun Fair. Refreshments will be available in Connaught Hall and there will also be refreshment available at St Mary's Church Hall as they will having a coffee and chat during the day.

Thanks to Rosedale Funeral Home the Eastern Transport Collection will be supplying some vintage buses to transfer people from Connaught Hall to the Town Centre these buses will be operating during the day at regular intervals. The heritage society have been very busy and are having a fantastic display inside Connaught Hall over the weekend.

We would like to thank Rory J Holbrook, Attleborough Pizza and Kebab & R J Bartram & Son for sponsoring this event.

Submited by: Lucy.

Contact number: 01953 456789

19th July - Attleborough Amateur Boxing Club

Twelve members of Attleborough Amateur Boxing Club have recently been successfully assessed and passed their ABA Preliminary Boxing Award.

Following 8 weeks of hard work under the careful eye of Paul Goulding, who is the National Awards Coach @ the Club, Levi Dennis, Dane Dennis, Chelsea Bolton, Matthew Croxall, Joseph Kerrison, Douglas Stratton, Ben Daynes, Molly Daynes, Emma Dolan, Rhys Dolan, Marc Riley and Cameron Coe were assessed for their Award.

“ All twelve club members have blazed ahead with their awards said Paul “ They have done all the sessions required and their attitude and effort has been tremendous. I had a few butterflies for them just before the assessment but was quietly confident that they would all successfully pass.”

The presentation of certificates and medals to each club member was made by Jon Dennis ( Head Coach) and Richard Caston ( Club President )

These were the 1st group of members to take and achieve these National Awards for the Club and they will now go on to their Standard and Bronze Awards. Once they have hopefully collected all three awards this will give them a tremendous grounding into the sport and they can eventually go on into the competition squad.

For budding members who would like to take part in this awards programme training takes place on Monday and Thursday evenings at the Attleborough Amateur Boxing Club Gym in Attleborough and for further details contact the club on 01953 457329

Submited by: Jeremy Burton .

Contact number: 01953 457329

June

25th June - ATTLEBOROUGH DEMENTIA CARERS GROUP

ATTLEBOROUGH DEMENTIA CARERS GROUP

As a carer for my wife who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's some five and a half years ago, I have been feeling that I had learned things the hard way. Eventually when I made contact with my fellow peers, through the Alzheimer's society, I found they were saying very similar things.

The National Dementia Strategy talks a lot about carers and peer groups, but getting others to actually listen to them and act, seems to take more than just one person.

I see the gaps in the service, viewed from the inside, the carer's side, but when the professionals look from the outside, they do not seem to see the same as myself. I ask myself is it just me, and I answer no! If I were part of a group making the same points, I feel that this could make a difference and enable the hard learnt lessons to benefit those about to embark on this difficult task.

I have been looking for a group where I can discuss some of these shortfalls, to create action plans that can be proposed to local or even national authorities, but I haven’t managed to find one. On this basis I thought that I should set up my own group.

So who would like to be part of this group? I live in Attleborough and have a large conservatory where we could meet, perhaps once a month, to review and discuss any ideas, a chance to bounce them around and plan how to move something forward, to counterbalance the continence moves that are going in the other direction

I am not really a continence stirrer; I just want things to be different for those about to embark on this journey.

If you are of the same mind, and would like to be a part of this group please contact me on 01953-457573 or email john.peachey38@tiscali.co.uk

Submited by: John Peachey.

Contact number: 01953 457573

25th June - Attleborough Blooms Again

Once again Attleborough Town Council is very grateful to the businesses and individuals who have sponsored Attleborough In Bloom 2010. The project has been organised slightly differently this year with the Junior School adopting and planting the three large tubs in Surrogate Street, Milbank’s Estate Agents sponsoring the three tubs on Connaught Plain with their “house” colours, M & A (Martin & Acock) sponsoring a tub by the war memorial and the London Tavern sponsoring the tub by the Queens Square bus shelter.

This year we have an extra tub in Queens Square kindly donated by Mr & Mrs Turner in Bank Cottage.

Other sponsors include Attleborough Scaffold Hire, Martin Christopher Opticians Ltd, Robert Kemp Cars, Zuari, Bingham Hall Associates, T E Dye Motor Engineers, Ashley Care Group, Attleborough Surgeries, Breckland Industrial, Cecil Amey, Codair, Cutz Hair Shop, Dingles Motors, The Flower Box, Donna Kissinger Estate Agents, Marrison Electrical, Nuts N Bolts, Randell NFM, Rosedale Funeral Homes, She Fashion, Stagheath Ltd (DJ's Bar), Stuart Group Ltd, St Luke's Group (Mild Professional Homes) and Tony Perkin Butcher’s.

By the second town sign at Empire Terrace in London Road the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship (CSRF) have paid for bulbs to be planted which will increase year on year, bringing colour to the road into town each springtime. Of course we must not forget the efforts of Peter Beales Roses who look after the rose garden in St Mary’s churchyard, as well as donating to the AIB Project, and who promote Attleborough far and wide with their wonderful creations, including awards year on year at the Chelsea Flower Show.

PB Plants have supplied the blooms and they are watered by the Council’s caretaker.

A very big “thank you” to everyone who has supported this year’s project, especially during these difficult times. Attleborough is renowned for its Christmas lights and is also becoming known for its flowers in summer. What a wonderful attraction!

Submited by: lucy.

Contact number: 01953 456789

25th June - Attleborough Blooms Again

This year we have an extra tub in Queens Square kindly donated by Mr & Mrs Turner in Bank Cottage.

PB Plants have supplied the blooms and they are watered by the Council’s caretaker.

Submited by: Lucy.

Contact number: 01953 456789

25th June - Keeping Abreast Coffee and Chat Drop In Session

Wednesday 14th July 2010 – 2–4pm at the Francis Room, Connaught Hall, Station Road, Attleborough just 4 minutes from the train station, car parking available. Support group Keeping Abreast is a friendly support group for ladies who have had or who need breast re-construction due to cancer or any breast illness.

Volunteers who have had breast reconstructions will be on hand to offer support, provide information and chat about breast reconstruction in and informal and relaxed atmosphere. For any more information please contact Maria on 01953 606667 or call 07796126506.

Submited by: Maria.

Contact number: 01953 606667

25th June - New youth club launched - Attleborough

Youngsters in Attleborough have given the thumbs up to a new youth club.

A number of young people in Attleborough took advantage of a new youth facility in the town when it opened its doors.

The youth facility has been implemented thanks to close partnership working between parents, volunteers, Attleborough Youth Project Committee and the local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

The youth club was set up as a direct response to young people feeling there was a lack of activities in the town and surrounding area for the younger generation.

Youngsters between the ages of 11 to16 are being encouraged to come along and have fun at the new club where they can make friends, play games, listen to music or just chill out with a drink and something from the tuck shop.

The club has a range of equipment for young people to enjoy including:

• Wii.

• Sound system and a range of music.

• Pool table.

• PlayStation 2.

• Bean bags.

The youth club opens every Friday evening between 6pm-9pm at the Attleborough Community and Enterprise Centre, Church Street, Attleborough and is run by local trained volunteers. Entry fee is 50p.

Attleborough PCSO Gary Szabo said: “It is great to see this much needed youth facility up and running for young people in Attleborough and the surrounding parishes. Youngsters are encouraged to come along to find out what it's about, make friends and have a say in what the club should offer them."

Alison Taylor, Attleborough Youth Project chairperson said: “We have all been working hard on this project to get it up and running, and we now owe a big thanks to Jane Bartram, Manager of the centre for allowing us to have a Friday night slot. We want the youngsters to tell us what equipment they would like to use and also if there are any other activities they would like us to do. We want their involvement so this facility can evolve into somewhere they want to spend time in. We are a friendly bunch of people who are open to suggestions.”

Ellie Peyrebrune, Attleborough Youth Project committee member said: “We have been working together for the past 18-months to provide a youth facility in the town. We hope the club will tackle issues of boredom and provide a positive weekly activity for young people in the Attleborough area. We have raised money for equipment by arranging a number of fundraising events. Any suggestions for funding or sponsorship would be much appreciated.”

For further information about the new youth club or to make a donation please email attleboroughyouthproject@yahoo.com.

Youngsters are being encouraged to become a fan of Attleborough Youth Project on Facebook. You can also become a fan of Norfolk Police Youth Panel by visiting www.facebook.com/norfolkpyp.

Submited by: Ellie Peyrebrune.

Contact number: 01953 456789

25th June - Attleborough Town Council Notice Board

Attleborough Town Council Notice Board – July 2010

Former Mayor steps down on a High: During her three years as Town Mayor, Councillor Vera Dale raised large sums of money for equipment for the young people of the town. In addition to a ball wall she persuaded the Town Council to expand the Recreation Ground play area, and her youth fund along with some extra funds from the Town Council has provided an exciting new climbing structure in Attleborough. In future, as funds allow, the Council hopes to fill the expanded space with new pieces to create a modern play space. Cllr Dale enthused, “The recreation play area was in desperate need of updating and we have provided a new climbing cube in the extension which is the first stage in that process”.

Cemetery Land Search: The Town Council began the long process of searching for new cemetery land many years ago. Unfortunately the Council has not been successful to date and is hoping to be able to extend the cemetery into the disused Dell play area. These days, in addition to planning permission, there are several environmental studies which need to be produced and approved by the Environment Agency before land can be used for burials. All this is very costly and money will have to be borrowed to fund a new cemetery with the interest being paid from a small increase in burial fees and a rise in the Precept.

Donations: Every year the Council budgets to give grants to good causes. In addition to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, the Town Council supports the First Responders, the Community Car Scheme and prize-giving at the High School. The CAB is supported with a rent reduction and the Friends & Neighbours Charity has use of a room in the Town Hall. Each year different charities and community groups are given grants. This year £100 was given to the Town Twinning Association and £125 to EACH, the East Anglian Children’s Hospices. In previous years donations have been given to Nelson’s Journey (a local charity which helps bereaved children), the Normandy Veterans’ Association, St Mary’s Church, the Morley & Attleborough Methodist Youth Club, the Attleborough Youth Football Club, the Reaction Youth Group, the Attleborough Youth Orchestra, the Dereham & District Boxing Club and the Lighthouse Sparklers Group.

Welcome: to Mr Richard Caddy, the new Town Hall Caretaker, who has taken over from Mr Les Hopkins who has retired. Richard lives locally and we are sure his practical gifts will be of use in the Town Hall and around Attleborough.

Submited by: Mr Richard Caddy.

Contact number: 01953 456789

May

20th May - Attleborough Library

Dear all,

I have recently been appointed as the new Community Librarian for Attleborough. Based at the library, I will be out and about in the community talking people about reading and the Library Service and welcoming the community into the library to take part in events and activities tailored to the communities needs and interests.

We have a wide range of activities coming up including CV and Interview Skills coaching, Astronomy, Elizabeth I, Meet a Magistrate and much more. I will also be going out and visiting local schools to promote the Summer Reading Challenge which this year is themed "Space Hop".

My first few weeks have flown past. I have met some fantastic people and have been made to feel really welcome. I have also been reminded that the library does a lot more than you think: We can help you get online with free internet access and taster sessions to get you surfing, our Council@YourLibrary point gives free access to local services, regular Baby Bounce and Rhyme, Story-time and DS game sessions keep the children busy and our wide range of extra events mean there is always something happening for you. We visit schools and groups in the area and invite you in to visit us...

Below is just a taste of what's happening this month:

Tuesday 1st June 10-11:30 a.m. Bring the children along for some free football themed fun with our World Cup Crafts

Saturday 5th 2:15-3:30pm Bring your DS console and try the games before you borrow them

Monday 7th 10a.m. - 1p.m. Come and join our coffee morning, relax and listen to a book to celebrate Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight.

Tuesday 15th 7p.m. As part of Crime Week, Author Jim Kelly will be talking about his latest book and the life of a crime writer.

Saturday 26th 2:15-3:30 Story and Craft for younger children

Pop in for more details on these or any other Library events or call: 01953 452 319

You can also find us on Facebook.

See you soon - Emily

Submited by: Emily.

Contact number: 01953 452319

19th May - Attleborough Town Council Noticeboard

Annual Town Council Meeting: -

Attleborough’s new Mayor is chosen: On 10 May the Town Council chose Cllr Geoff Farrow to be the new Town Mayor and agreed the new committees and representatives on outside bodies. Geoff lives locally on the “Lochs” estate, has two daughters and a grandchild and is self-employed. He is keen to see the implementation of the Council’s four-year plan, much of which has been done or is in progress. In his acceptance speech Geoff outlined the need to work together to achieve benefits for the town, including consultation about the LDF matters and the future shape of our town, identifying land for use as a new cemetery and continued improvements to play areas, “I am sure we will all continue to work together as a team for the benefit of the residents of Attleborough”, he enthused.

Outgoing Town Mayor, Cllr Vera Dale, said that she “had not expected to be the outgoing Mayor three years later”. She had learnt a great deal and Council had dealt with some difficult and “burning” issues. The LDF was an emotive subject; building would not happen overnight and the Council and community should work together to find the best solutions for the town; litter continued to cause problems; there was a general lack of facilities in comparison with other towns and lack of money often prevented improvements. She thanked Breckland Council for their hard work to solve the parking issues in town; the cemetery was a priority, and she hoped Breckland would be able to help with that under the LDF; a part-time member of staff had been employed and the office workload had increased. “I have really enjoyed going round the community meeting some real characters and have found that Attleborough is lucky to have so many people working hard for the community in clubs and societies”, she said.

The new Deputy Mayor is Cllr Karen Pettitt. Karen is well known around the town for her work on the Carnival and Christmas Carnival committees. She is currently working hard with Geoff Farrow and others on the plans for the Attleborough Festival which will take place in September.

New play equipment: Cllr Vera Dale has worked hard during her time as Mayor to raise funds to provide play facilities for youngsters in town. In addition to a ballwall she has raised enough money for a climbing block for 8-13 year olds. The Council has agreed to expand the play area on the Recreation Ground as part of an on-going project to increase and update the equipment there. The climbing block is the first piece of equipment to be installed in the expanded space with new fencing; other pieces will follow as funds allow.

Church Clock: Unfortunately due to the difficulties in climbing up to wind the mechanism for the Church Clock the groundsmen have had to stop doing this for the time being. The Council has asked the church to look at improving safety for people climbing up to the clock.

Elections: A Town Councillor was asked why her name wasn’t on the ballot paper in May. Elections for the Town Council are in 2011, so if you are interested in joining the Town Council you have a year to find out what goes on in the “First Tier”, or most local level of government. Town Councillors are volunteers and give their time generously for the benefit of Attleborough.

Submited by: Lucy.

Contact number: 01953 456789

April

27th April - Attleborough Poppy Appeal

Volunteers are urgently needed in order that the Attleborough and District Poppy appeal can continue as before.

This is not an appeal for collectors. People are needed to help with the distribution of wreaths, poppy trays with collecting boxes and the placing of the small area for remembrance crosses.

Volunteers should contact Mr R.J.A Aubrey-Cound on 01953 452790.

Submited by: Mr R J A Aubrey-Cound.

Contact number: 01953 452790

March

4th March - Notice of vacancy in the office of Town Councillor

Notice is hereby given of a vacancy that exists for ONE Town Councillor for Attleborough Queens Ward to serve on the Town Council. The vacancy is caused by the resignation of Councillor Denise Francis.

Unless within 14 days of the date of this notice, ten electors for Attleborough Queens Ward (named on the Electoral Register) have requested to hold an election, the Town Council will fill the vacancy by co option as soon as practicable within a period of 60 days of the date of this notice.

All requests (in writing) for an election to fill the vacancy should be sent to:

The Returning Officer

Breckland Council

Elizabeth House

Walpole Loke

Dereham

Norfolk NR19 1EE

Date:…3 March 2010

Signed:….Hilary Elias Clerk to Parish Council

Address:….Town Hall, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AF

Note: In computing the 14 (and 60) day periods, Saturday, Sundays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday and bank holidays are disregarded.

Printed and published by the Returning Officer,

Breckland Council, Dereham, NR19 1EE

Submited by: Town Clerk.

Contact number: 01953 456194

January

21st January - Local resident in training for Virgin London Marathon 2010.

Local resident, Minette Capper of Attleborough is embarking on a challenge of a lifetime, to run the Virgin London Marathon on 25th April 2010. Minette is doing this to raise vital funds for people with mental health problems.

Minette is now starting to get fit and ready for the challenge and has raised nearly a quarter of her fundraising target to date. She plans to raise over £2000 for Mind, so fundraising will be a significant part of the challenge. Over the coming months, Minette will be out and about in Attleborough raising funds. She has already delivered letters (in the snow) to most companies in the Attleborough and surrounding areas and so far she has received generous donations from Crowshall Veterinary Surgery, Nuts 'n' Bolts and also Barnard Sports. She hopes that by the time the next Attleborough Dispatch is due for printing, she would’ve heard from many more companies. For the company who sponsors her the most money (or alternative support), she has pledged to overprint their Company logo onto the back of her Mind running shirt, which she will be wearing to run the actual race in London on 25th April.

As her main fundraising event, Minette is organising a “Night at the Races” at the Connaught Hall in Attleborough on 13th February 2010 at 19:00. Tickets are £4 per adult and £2 per child and can be obtained through Minette herself or from the Flower Box in Attleborough. You can sponsor a race for £30 (only 8 available) and name the race after yourself, or any other wacky name you’d like to come up with. You can also buy a horse for £5 and win £20 if your horse wins, or be a jockey for £2 and win £8 if you are the winning jockey. These are especially good for the kids, as they love being the jockey. There are 8 chances of being a winning horse or jockey. There will also be a raffle on the night, with lots of exiting prizes to win. It’s promising to be a fun night out for all, so please bring the whole family for some good times with friends and feel good by supporting a very worthy cause at the same time.

There will also be a Craft Fair during the day on 13th February from 10:00 until 15:00. Tables are available at £10 for any crafters who would like to display at the Fair. Entrance to the public is FREE. There will be tea, coffee and snacks available for sale. ALL proceeds will go towards Minette’s charity, Mind. For further details please contact Minette on 01953 452487 or mcapper@btopenworld.com.

Minette will also be holding a few car boot sales at Banham Zoo and have so far received lots of items from friends and family which she will sell at the car boot sales. She’s also selling coffee, tea and soup at her son’s football matches, and she’s hoping that with all of these fundraising ideas, she might reach her target by the time the marathon is due.

Funds raised by Minette will help the leading mental health charity Mind continue it’s vital work with the 1 in 4 people who experience mental health problems. The MindinfoLine is a lifeline to thousands of people, offering free confidential support to people in crisis, who might otherwise have nowhere else to turn.

Minette is raising money for Mind because she herself needed their support during the past year when she was diagnosed with severe depression. She was booked off work for about 6 months, before her financial situation forced her to return to work, against the wishes of her GP. At the time, she was still receiving huge support from her GP and mental health carers (including Mind). Upon returning to work, she was subsequently made redundant from her job which was devastating news. This could’ve set her back months, but with the help of charities like Mind, she decided to do something drastic which would put new meaning into her life. She decided to run the Virgin London Marathon on 25th April 2010 – just in time for her 40th birthday in May. This has changed her life around, as not only is she losing a lot of weight (which was partly the reason for her deep depression), but she found something she could focus on and would also be a huge challenge. She needed to prove to herself that “She is good enough” – and when she was accepted to run for Mind, she knew that this was the one thing that would finally get her on the road to recovery.

If you would like to sponsor or support Minette in any way, please contact her on 01953 452487 (mcapper@btopenworld.com) or donate online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MinetteCapper. Alternatively, if you would like information about Mind events please telephone 0870 872 1144, email mindevents@btconnect.com or visit www.mind.org.uk.

Submited by: Minette.

Contact number: 01953 452487

21st January - HISTORY MAGPIE

As a “history magpie” Cllr Barbara A Waters, Attleborough’s Honorary Archivist, was supported by the Council in setting up the Archive in the Town Hall; this was officially opened by the Mayor Cllr Mike Harper in 2001. On behalf of the Town’s people Cllr Waters collects anything and everything dealing with Attleborough and the surrounding district in the way of records, documents, pictures, photographs, indentures, letters, receipts, books, pamphlets, funeral service sheets, maps, drawings, shopping lists and curiosities in print, from any period in the Town’s history – past or present. It holds details of the young men whose names are on the Attleborough and Besthorpe war memorials for the 1914-1918 War, and some family history, photographs, theatres of war and awards of these servicemen.

The Archive contains a considerable amount of information which is indexed and documented for easy retrieval. It is open to the public on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month 9am-12noon, when an enthusiastic group of amateur historians share their knowledge of Attleborough’s history and delve into the treasures of the archives.

As custodian of the town’s records, Mrs Waters also gives talks to interested groups, young or old, from schools, clubs and residential homes and she is delighted at the amount of extra material this produces to be kept safely in the Archive. The Archive holds a great deal of information so it could be the first port of call for anyone wishing to trace their family history along with the burial records held in the Council office.

The Archive is expanding rapidly and is fast outgrowing the second floor room at the Town Hall, so the Council are looking at the possibility of extending the Archive into a purpose-built office behind the Town Hall.

If you are interested in the Archive assistance is required with filing and computer skills one day a week plus cover for Mrs Waters during holidays. Please contact her at Attleborough Town Archives, Town Hall, Queens Square, Attleborough, NR17 2AF or Tel: 01953 456549, or e-mail: archive@attleboroughtc.co.uk

Submited by: Mrs Waters .

Contact number: 01953 456549

21st January - ATTLEBOROUGH W.I.

We celebrated our final meeting of 2009 on December 16th with a Christmas Social. The Pearlies, dressed in seasonal costumes, entertained us with carols & sketches which created the perfect atmosphere for the enjoyable evening which followed.

The raffle & two quizzes kept everyone busy & the prize for the best homemade Christmas Cracker was 1. Betty Jenness. 2. Betty Stacey.

Everyone enjoyed the extensive buffet supplied by members.

Betty Stacey, our President, thanked everyone for their support throughout the year, which had been a very busy one with our monthly meetings, a good variety of programmes, visits & events. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 27th at the Connaught Hall at 7.30.p.m. when a member of the local constabulary will talk about “Safer Neighbourhoods.” The competition will be a drawing of the Norfolk County badge.

Submited by: Lucy.

Contact number: 01953 456789

21st January - Your Scouts need you!!

1st Attleborough St Mary’s Scouts urgently needs your help. In order for the scouts to run they must have in place a management committee, ours meets once per month, and it deals with the running and maintenance of the scout hall, general fund raising and liaising with the scout leaders, and anyone else who uses the hall.

From the end of March we are losing our treasurer, therefore we urgently need to find a replacement, if we cannot find anyone it may have a major impact on the running of the cubs/scouts and anyone who uses the hall.

In addition many of our other committee members have been on the committee since their children were Cubs/Scouts, unfortunately they have now long since grown up and therefore would also be looking to leave the committee this year.

We really do need your help, if you have any experience as a treasurer, or would like to be involved in the committee we really would love to hear from you.

Please contact Paul Auber on 01953 453096 for more information.

Submited by: Paul Auber.

Contact number: 01953 453096