Bressingham & Fersfield Parish Plan 2011

A Plan for the 21st Century Contents

4 & 5. Introduction 6 & 7. History of the Villages 8. Our Households 9. Our Community - A joint community or separate villages? 10. Our Community - Community Information 11. Our Community - Parish Council, Recreation Ground / Playing Fields 12. Our Community - The Churches, the School and Village Hall 13. Traffic & Travel - Travel & Travel Problems 14. Traffic & Travel - Quiet Lanes 15. Planning 16. Footpaths, Country & Environment - Footpaths, Permissive Routes & Countryside 17. Footpaths, Country & Environment - Environment 18. Footpaths, Country & Environment and Local Businesses 19. Healthcare and Young Children 20. Activities and Safety 21. Young People 22. What Characteristics of the Parish do you want to see 23 - 25. Maintained? 26. Action Plan and recommendations for action groups 27. Acknowledgements

3 Introduction All in all, it’s been incredibly hard work to get to this stage in the process, and yet this is just the start!! Now we’re armed with all this important information we need to put it to use to move forward into the future. For change to happen, we need to make it happen! To help, we’ve taken the information from all your questionnaires, listened to what you want and have come up with some action plans to get things started.

Your Parish Plan has finally arrived! BUT WE

After two and a half years, a dream has become Community Council. STILL NEED reality thanks to the hard work of a dedicated number of local people, not to mention all of Numerous meetings later, we’re still speaking your invaluable input. to each other (just!) Among the heated YOUR discussions, we’ve had some great laughs and Back in 2008, here in the Parish of now know what a ‘she wee’ is! Babies have Bressingham and Fersfield, we formed a Parish been born and older children have left home. HELP! Plan Steering Committee to find out exactly The pub has burned down, been rebuilt and is what we – as villagers – think of our villages. almost ready to open as we go to print. But it wasn’t just as easy as asking you. Instead we’ve fought a long, hard slog to There has also been a change of Government We will be setting up action groups to take your Parish Plan to the next phase. get where we are today. We applied for since this all began. Anyone who’s heard of However little or how much time you have, please volunteer to help our community grow. grants, developed, distributed and collected The Big Society and the Localism Bill going In the meantime, all that’s left to say is a big thank you to all the members of the Committee both a questionnaire, organised public events, through parliament at the moment, will see past and present who have given up so much of their valuable time in order to get the work done. recruited more people onto the committee and just how current and important our Parish The Parish of Bressingham and Fersfield is already a fantastic place to live – together let’s make it all the while, tried to keep people informed of Plan really is, because evidence from it really even better! the process. Thankfully we’ve been helped does influence decision makers – such as the along the way by Peter Smith, our Community town, borough and county councils – about a Bressingham and Ferfield Parish Plan Committee Development Officer at Norfolk Rural community's aspirations for the future.

4 5 History of the Villages Bressingham fared better. The is still the major employer in negotiated the purchase of the school took on the Fersfield the village. There are also playing field. Bressingham and Fersfield pupils and still survives and still seven farmers living and have existed for a very long thrives today. The Post Office working in Bressingham, What has changed since then? time. The first recorded went but the shop is still although most of them also Statistically, not much. In 1978 mention of them was in 963 trading. The mill was sold to have other sources of income. there were thought to be 737 but they had probably been residents, compared with 827 around for some time before in 1931 and 777 today, in 2011. that. For the rest of the next The villages have clearly not nine hundred years they were grown in population down owned by feudal landlords, the years, mainly because of mostly the Dukes of Norfolk, planning restrictions on new and, by and large, nothing developments. What has much happened or changed. changed is the way those 777 residents live compared with In 1894 the Local Government their predecessors. Act established the Parish the residents of Fersfield we had 194, giving a combined Councils. Bressingham do not know. Interestingly, the total of 827. All the people The majority of those living and Fersfield each had Bressingham Council minutes living in the villages at that time in both villages now have to their own, but in 1935 the of that year make no mention also worked there, mostly on find work outside the villages County of Norfolk transferred of their new companions. the land. until they retire. When their the Fersfield Council to work moves they often have Bressingham, presumably for At this time both villages Then things began to change, to move with it. Work therefore administrative convenience, were fully self-contained especially for Fersfield. First is no longer what binds the although there was an communities, each with a the school went (in 1935), community together. Nor are historical precedent from 1799 church and its rectory with their then the village hall was sold people likely to be so rooted when the church parishes of own rector, their pubs (three in in 1961. The mill and the in a community where they Bressingham and Fersfield Bressingham, two in Fersfield), forge had already stopped spend their nights rather than were combined by the village shop and post office, a working, then the shop closed an outside business but is still In 1981 the Parish Council their working days. This means Bressingham and Fersfield mill and a forge, a village hall along with the pubs. Later the there. In the 1950s George commissioned a Village that the social groupings have Enclosure Act. Whether this and school. Bressingham had church and parish became Aves, a local farmer, donated Appraisal, the forerunner of to be responsible for most of later 1935 amalgamation was 633 people living there in the part of the enlarged benefice his old threshing barn to the this Parish Plan. Two major the ties that bond us. Without made with the agreement of 1931 census while Fersfield of Bressingham, Fersfield and village, to use as the village complaints were the lack of such bonds the villages can the Lophams. The rectory hall. It was repaired by local a pub and of a playing field. become, in the words of one was sold and the rector gone. volunteers. As a result a campaign was long-term resident, more like There are still working farms in launched to resurrect the henhouses than communities. Fersfield. The three pubs went, however, Chequers pub which had been although the Chequers was converted into a residential That is the challenge which Fersfield later became known later reconverted as a pub dwelling, and the Council this Plan seeks to address. for its airfield which was the and will, one trusts, soon be base for the secret project in operation again. The old codenamed Aphrodite in rectory was sold and a new 1944. This project attempted more modern one purchased, to launch robot planes against so the group rector still lives enemy targets in Europe in in Bressingham but now response to the V1 rockets. It looks after five parishes. In was not a success and, sadly, 1946 Alan Bloom bought one doomed flight resulted in Bressingham Hall and went the death over Walberswick on to make it and its gardens of the pilot Joe Kennedy, the into Blooms of Bressingham, elder brother of President John a successful business which Kennedy. 6 7 Our Households Our Community

A joint community or separate villages?

Currently, there seems to be a divide between the two villages with only 33% of respondents viewing Bressingham and Fersfield as one community. Looking in more detail, 29% of Fersfield residents and 35% of Bressingham residents agreed they were one community.

When asked whether the two villages should be separate communities there was a split in opinion with 28% opting for separation and 29% believing they should stay as one community. Interestingly, 42% In total 304 households Of these, 21% are over-65, with a large number of of Fersfield residents showed a responded to the questionnaire 45% are aged 31-65, 10% are bungalows, semi-detached and preference to keeping the two with 55 coming from Fersfield aged 19-30, 9% are 13-18, 9% detached houses. villages separate, compared and 249 from Bressingham. are aged 5-12 and 7% are 0-4. In terms of fuel, 67% of with 24% of Bressingham More than 70% of people households use oil in their residents. Following on from In terms of occupancy, there questioned currently own their homes, while 40% use wood were 375 males and 402 property while 22% are renting. and 20% use coal. Bottled gas this, it became obvious feelings females included on the is used in 13% of homes while run high on this issue. respondents’ questionnaires – There is a good mix of types of ground source is used by 4% Survey Quotes: a total of 777 people. property in both villages and solar panels by 3%. TWO VILLAGES IN Some suggested the two villages are too far apart to When asked about internet THEIR OWN RIGHT. THE be seen as one, with others access, 63% of households DISTANCE BETWEEN IS wanting to make their own have broadband while a TOO GREAT TO BE ONE decisions for their particular further 12% have a dial-up village. connection. Overall, it was COMMUNITY.” felt the quality of connection On the flip side, others believe was variable and could be “WE HAVE ALWAYS the partnership to be mutually improved. “ beneficial. As both villages are BEEN ONE COMMUNITY relatively small, it was felt it In terms of mobile phone AND THERE IS NO made sense to share resources reception, just 18% of people NEED TO CHANGE. and amenities. Some feared felt their quality of reception that Fersfield in particular, was good, 39% described it as BRESSINGHAM NEEDS would be too small to exist on bad and a further 33% found it FERSFIELD AND VICE its own in the current climate. variable. VERSA. 8 ” 9 Our Community Our Community

When asked whether Fersfield better use of existing facilities the playing field to include would benefit from its own such as the Church and a small building with basic Parish Council community meeting facility, Church meadows. facilities such as toilets and a 26% agreed with the figure kitchen for light refreshments. Overall, people are happy that Bressingham and Fersfield rising to 40% amongst Another idea was to develop Parish Council fully represents the needs of their community. Fersfield residents. It was felt the villages needed This did however include a slightly higher percentage of to be brought together, Bressingham residents (36%) than Fersfield residents (29%). Some felt it would be nice for with 30% keen to see more People were asked whether they felt Fersfield should have Fersfield to have somewhere Survey Quote: joint community events. its own Parish Council. 35% of respondents from Fersfield to host things themselves Suggestions included a FOR PEOPLE WITH NO agreed with this idea, compared to 26% from Bressingham. instead of feeling they have to Christmas Fayre, Easter Egg go to Bressingham all the time. TRANSPORT, IT COULD Hunt, Social Club, Church Speaking generally, overall 67% of people felt they BE QUITE BENEFICIAL. open day with fund-raising tea understood the role of the Parish Council. Encouragingly, But this threw up other worries or BBQ, Quiz Night, Car Boot IT’S QUITE A WALK TO 13% of respondents expressed an interest in considering a about whether it would be Sales, Dances and Inter-village role as a Parish Councillor. Others mentioned the need to financially viable and whether BRESSINGHAM. sports events such as a cricket get younger people involved in the Parish Council. the size of the village warrants match. one. “ Suggestions included making Recreation Ground / Playing Fields Community Survey Quotes: Moving on to other village facilities and Information amenities, 18% of respondents claimed to ” PERHAPS BETTER UPKEEP OF WHAT’S use the play equipment at Bressingham THERE WOULD BE BETTER THAN Recreation Ground regularly. 13% of Although the majority of people also expressed an interest in using people (58%) were satisfied INTRODUCING MORE EQUIPMENT.” the planned play facilities at Fersfield when with the communication of they become available. community information, others “IT WOULD BE AN ASSET FOR THE felt there was a need to find A large number of people were also new means of informing VILLAGE IF FACILITIES AND GAMES keen to see more facilities on the village people. BUILDINGS COULD BE PROVIDED. playing fields including keep fit equipment, a bowling green, resurfacing of the One popular suggestion “ Bressingham tennis court, a fenced-off was to re-start the Parish toddler play area and changing rooms. Newsletter with others keen to Others suggested providing somewhere set up a Parish plan website. for young children to learn to cycle in the absence of pavements in the villages. Having said that, 83% still felt the best way to find out what There was a sense that better facilities is happening in their village would increase use of the playing field with was via the Cock Crow. ” some suggesting that improving current equipment and maintaining it regularly would have the same effect.

10 11 Our Community Traffic & Travel The Churches Survey Quote: It’s clear that people see the A SATISFACTORY BUS SERVICE WOULD BE churches and chapel of the HELPFUL.” two villages as important with 75% of respondents citing their importance to community life. “WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TRANSPORT However, only 22% claim to use IN FERSFIELD, YOU HAVE TO GET A TAXI. IT COSTS them regularly. £10 EACH WAY TO DISS. Following on from this, 50% of people felt the buildings could be used for things “ other than religious services Overall, there is a sense that bus to Diss for shoppers and and only 3% had heard of and occasions. Suggestions Bressingham and Fersfield are teenagers to benefit from. Wheels In Motion for young included concerts, social events, poorly serviced when it comes people. People were more flower shows, a Christmas Tree Survey Quote: to public transport. People rely Interestingly, one Fersfield aware of the other services festival, art exhibitions, yoga EVENTS THAT DO heavily on their car with 94% resident noted that after a available including the and fitness classes, coffee claiming to use one. But when village appraisal back in 1981, Borderhoppa (50%), Flexi Bus NOT DAMAGE ” mornings, parent and toddler groups and fundraising events. asked whether lift-sharing one of the most important (44%) and the scheduled bus THE DIGNITY OF would be of interest, only 11% findings was the luck of service (51%). It was noted that people need to bear in mind the limits of the THE CHURCH AND expressed an interest. public transport to and from buildings and that it would be necessary to provide heating for the village. In the resident’s these things to happen successfully. WHAT IT STANDS People seem keen to use words: ‘Fersfield had no buses Traffic & Travel FOR. public transport but there then – it still has none.’ Of “ is either no convenient those who have bus passes, Problems service or they are lacking 55% fail to use it regularly any information about what mostly due to a lack of Road maintenance appears The School and Village Hall is available. Improvements services. to be the most pressing include a more frequent concern for the majority of scheduled bus service to Diss, It has become clear that many residents with 64% claiming Thetford and Norwich with services operating from the it’s a problem. Concerns focus Three-quarters of respondents considered the timetable more widely Parish are not widely known primarily on two things – the the school to be a resource for the circulated, perhaps delivered about and have been greatly number of potholes in various community. with the Cock Crow. One reduced. Only 4% are aware locations in the parish and a ” suggestion was a Saturday of the Voluntary Car Service lack of gritting in icy weather. Bressingham Village Hall appears to be well-visited with 45% of respondents attending events and a further 19% using it Survey Quote: for private hire. The idea of a social club at ROAD the hall was well-received and is perhaps something to pursue in the future. It was MAINTENANCE mentioned that perhaps Bressingham could IS A MAJOR benefit from a new village hall that would be PROBLEM WITH better equipped to accommodate weddings or social dances. POT HOLES AND BAD SURFACES ALL OVER THE PARISH. 12 “ ”13 Traffic & Travel Planning Speeding is also a major 30% of people also identified school. On the other hand, concern with 58% of parking as an area of concern, some people felt the roads in It is clear that the majority of respondents identifying it as particularly outside the school. the Parish were generally quiet respondents (72%) believe a problem. Various locations Numerous respondents felt enough to be safe for cyclists that people should have including the A1066, Common parents were often forced although there was some every opportunity to live in Road and High Road were to park in an unsafe or concern about the HGVs. the village they were born in repeatedly mentioned. When disrespectful manner when if that is their choice. This asked whether we should picking up or dropping Where pedestrians are led on to a discussion of the consider implementing a Road off their children. One concerned, 42% felt there type of additional housing and Safety Speed Watch Scheme, recommendation is to build a should be more pavements in development that people would 44% agreed it was a good car park at the school to ease the two villages. In particular, be happy to see in the next ten idea, although only 15% would this problem. respondents want to see years. be willing to volunteer to help. pavements on Common Road, Other concerns include High Road, School Road, and The most popular type There was also a great deal of pedestrian safety (34%), from Common Road to the of housing was family bad feeling towards HGVs and cycling safety (23%), shop. accommodation, with 47% just 9% would support the farm vehicles travelling through congestion (22%), traffic noise happy to see this developed building of executive homes. the villages. Overall, people (13%) traffic accidents (10%) Other traffic recommendations in the Parish. 35% were keen There were, however, 22% of felt the roads weren’t wide and road layout (9%). include a 20mph speed to see more affordable rental respondents who’d wish to see enough to accommodate these limit on High, Common and housing, with 32% supporting no further development in the Survey Quotes: vehicles, that they were noisy With regards to cycling it was School Roads, speed bumps affordable part-purchase Parish at all. and damaged the verges. felt there was a need for more on Common Road and the housing such as starter homes. FERSFIELD COULD Suggestions included a ban provision for safe cycling, need to clear ditches and for HAPPILY TAKE A As an aside, people were on HGVs except for access or including more cycle paths. In hedgerows and trees to be Acknowledging the large asked whether they’d found DEVELOPMENT, BUT upgrading the roads to more particular, people would like kept trimmed. retirement population in the commenting on planning adequately deal with them. to see a cycle path enabling two villages, 27% support the NOT AN ESTATE. THIS issues to South Norfolk District children to ride their bikes to development of retirement WOULD ENABLE A Council a straight-forward homes or bungalows and 22% THRIVING COMMUNITY would like to see new sheltered process. The vast majority “ housing. A further 22% were agreed it had been an easy WHICH COULD LEAD TO happy for more housing for process. THE VILLAGE SHOP AND Quiet Lanes single people to be built and PUB RETURNING. IT WOULD ALSO ENABLE Survey Quote: Overall most people claim OUR CHILDREN TO STAY WE DON’T NEED to be knowledgeable of the IN THE VILLAGE.” quiet lanes in the Parish A SIGN TO TELL with 63% saying they knew US IT’S A QUIET how to use them. But “SHOULD FURTHER LANE. THOSE WHO many were unhappy with DEVELOPMENT BE the way in which the lanes DON’T USE IT AS A NECESSARY, THERE are used. Complaints QUIET LANE WOULD include speeding, playing “ ARE PLENTY OF SITES IGNORE THE SIGNS loud music and tooting TO IN-FILL WITHOUT horns. Others thought ANYWAY! putting signs on the lanes STRETCHING THE was a waste of money. VILLAGES. 14 ” ”15 Footpaths, Countryside Footpaths, Countryside & Environment & Environment Countryside Footpaths Concerns included the use of insecticides Both Bressingham and Fersfield have an and pesticides, shooting of wildlife, farm extensive network of public footpaths and vehicles being driven too fast, mud on bridleways. They seem to be well-used with the roads, bird scarers going off regularly 34% of people claiming to use the public and early in the morning, too much footpaths more than once a week. The crop-spraying and a lack of designated footpath network is used for a variety of gateways onto fields, resulting in damage past-times including leisure walking (41%), to verges. On the other hand, others noted dog-walking (28%), cycling (13%) and that people should be tolerant if they’ve Survey Quote: riding (7%). Overall, opinion is divided on chosen to live in a farming community. THE SIGNAGE IS OK BUT ON SOME how well these footpaths are maintained PATHS THERE IS LITTLE TO SHOW THE and signposted with 37% happy and 25% unhappy with the current state of affairs. Environment ACTUAL ROUTE – ESPECIALLY ACROSS Generally speaking, the main problem ARABLE FIELDS. appears to be a lack of clear signage In terms of the environment, although a few respondents commented on opinion again seems to be the lack of maintenance. mixed on the best ways to It was widely felt that the Parish would move things forward. Nearly benefit from a detailed updated footpath a third (28%) would be Permissive Routes guide. happy to support setting up a working group to consider “At present, the Parish includes a number of ways of reducing the village’s permissive routes – agreements allowing carbon footprint. Moving access across farmland for which the Countryside onto alternative energy landowner is paid – to benefit foot, horse or Overall, people are satisfied that verges supplies, 35% felt this should cycle travellers. ” and hedges are being maintained to be encouraged within the encourage bio-diversity in both villages. Parish. Suggestions included It was felt that the villages would benefit from There was some concern however that wind turbines, solar panels more of these routes for walking, cycling and hedgerows are being removed for the and mains gas. It was felt horse-riding. Suggestions include a route convenience of farming. People are also by some that a community through to Diss for cyclists, a route between compost facility being made village hall car park, and the concerned about the presence of litter in wind turbine would benefit Bressingham and Fersfield and a route from available within the Parish, A1066 laybys. many verges and ditches and would like both the environment and Pillar Box Corner for children walking to school with 32% in favour. Interest in to see the area cleaned up. the community if it was the use of allotments as well Some residents (33%) also or to the high school bus pick-up point. Horse- geographically suitable. There riders also felt that they were currently often as the formation of a group to feel that dog fouling is a As Bressingham and Fersfield are could be a potential financial restricted to riding on the lanes and would swap and share produce were problem in various locations situated within a large farming community, gain with excess profits prefer more off-road opportunities. much less popular ideas. around the villages and would 68% of people felt it was important to ploughed back into the Parish. like to see the introduction of Survey Quote: understand farming methods and the way It became clear that a lot of dog waste bins. When asked With money in mind, 61% MUCH MORE OFF-ROAD RIDING IS farming can shape our way of life. residents are concerned about what additional communal Having said that, opinion was strongly of respondents showed an litter and fly-tipping in the facilities they’d like to see in NEEDED THROUGH THE VILLAGE divided on whether there were aspects interest in bulk purchasing of Parish particularly in locations the villages, people suggested WHERE PRACTICAL AND WHERE of farming that caused concern with 36% fuel such as oil, logs or coal to such as Darrow Lane, Lodge more bottle banks, skips for reduce costs. There was also LANDOWNERS WOULD ALLOW THIS. having worries. Lane, Fersfield Road, Fersfield garden rubbish, more general a lot of interest in a communal Airfield, the playing field, the bins and a produce market. 16“ ” 17 Footpaths, Countryside Healthcare

& Environment Survey Quotes: At present, 57% of respondents use the glass Whilst most people had no IT’S DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE DOCTOR’S OR recycling facilities available in the Parish. difficulty accessing healthcare THE HOSPITAL.” That said, people feel there should be a much services there were others wider range of facilities available to include a who found it difficult. Problems garden waste facility and somewhere to recycle included the fact that it’s hard “THE PROVISION OF LOCAL DENTISTRY IS clothes and newspapers. It was felt this more to rely on public transport to AWFUL. DISS HEALTH CENTRE ALSO SEEMS TO get to the doctor, a lack of A & comprehensive recycling area would be ideally RATION APPOINTMENTS SO BY THE TIME YOU located at the back of the village hall. There E nearby, difficulties in getting was also some concern that the current facilities an appointment and unsuitable GET ONE, YOU ARE BETTER. opening times. “ are not emptied often enough. In particular the one at the shop is often full since there’s no longer one at the pub. In terms of the South Norfolk household an aside, some people seem unhappy with a Young Children recycling collection, 65% of respondents were fortnightly black bin collection – particularly in happy. Improvements suggested include the summer months – and feel this should be collection of a wider range of items such as addressed. A free ‘Stay and Play’ for pre-school children was tetra paks and for glass to be collected too. As Survey Quote: felt to be of benefit to the community” with 28% WHEN WE MOVED HERE THE supporting the idea. Other popular ideas were an after-school club (19%) a holiday club (17%) YEAR GROUP WAS FULL – a playgroup (16%) and a toddler club (11%). Local Businesses WE WAITED A YEAR TO BE ADMITTED. I BELIEVE THIS When it came to Bressingham primary school, It’s clear that people see the of newspapers and magazines. they wouldn’t use it. 20 respondents had had problems getting their Bressingham village shop YEAR’S RECEPTION CLASS HAS child or children into the school. There is some as an essential amenity That said, a suggestion to Interestingly, 14% of VERY FEW VILLAGE FAMILIES bad feeling that places are perhaps going to with 84% claiming it to be create a social area with respondents use home delivery ATTENDING. families from outside the village. One family important to the community. refreshments available inside for their food shopping. “ waited a year for their child to be admitted, It’s used widely to purchase the shop met with a mixed Services offered include a another waited 8 months. specific items of shopping, to response. 23% of people milkman, fishmonger, Ringtons supplement the residents’ main showed an interest in using tea delivery, organic fruit and shopping and for the purchase this, yet a further 39% claimed veg and local supermarket delivery

In terms of other business in the Parish, 45 respondents run their own business locally. ” Of these, 29 felt it would be useful for them if Bressingham & Fersfield maintained a local business directory. Other suggestions to maintain and develop their businesses included a better broadband connection and improved mobile phone coverage.

18 19 Activities Young People the most widely recognised with 38% of people Overall, the level of response useful. While 26% of young mentioned pedestrian and having heard of each one respectively. Next to the youth questionnaire was people said they’d used the cycling safety, the speed and came the Ladies Club (37%), the Drama Group disappointing although the village hall, perhaps more amount of traffic and potholes. (34%) and Bell-Ringing (27%). 21% had heard comments that did come in things to appeal to youths There was also mention of of the Gardening Club, followed by the Church were very useful. In total, 31 would increase this figure? some anti-social behaviour and Choir (17%), Youth Club (16%), Book Club people responded made up of The churches and chapel were a lack of things for teenagers (11%), Art Club (5%) and Young Mothers Group 15 boys and 16 girls. only used by 2 out of the 31 to do in both villages. (5%). respondents. The idea of a place for young When asked how they people to meet and gather When asked whether they’d be interested in spend their spare time in Improvements suggested to was met with enthusiasm with joining any of these groups or starting a new Bressingham and Fersfield, increase use of the above support from 61% of those interest group, 21% appeared keen. 65% spend it with their friends. facilities include better park responding. 32% use the Recreation and sports facilities on the Many people expressed an interest in more Ground in Bressingham, 10% playing field, resurfacing the In terms of feeling lonely and village Social Activities taking place with use Church vulnerable, only concerts, festivals and carnivals all getting a Meadows in 4 out of 31 said very positive response. Other suggestions Fersfield, 39% yes. One made Bressingham & Fersfield offer a range of groups included a village fete, a Benefice Festival, go cycling, 13% the point that and societies for people to join. That said, it Film Shows, a Street Market, Car Boot / Table go horse-riding, she only felt appears some of them are not widely know Top Sales, talks on interesting subjects, Keep 26% do sport lonely because about. Fit, BBQs, and adult football team and Tai Chi and 39% play she couldn’t lessons – plenty of scope for development in PC games. get to see her The Flower Show and the Football Club were the future! Other past- friends in Diss. times mentioned include walking The suggestion the dog and off- of the addition Safety roading. of skate board ramps on the There was a recreation The vast majority of people Panels). Just over a third (36%) general sense ground met (73%) find Bressingham and of households said they’d be that more is with a mixed Fersfield a very safe area to live prepared to participate in the needed in both villages to tennis court, tidying up the response with 26% in favour in. Those who didn’t feel quite so Homewatch Scheme. keep young people amused. playing field and a wider range and 23% against. It was felt by secure cited the lack of police, Suggestions include a of stock in the shop. some that the facility wouldn’t the dark streets, speeding cars One respondent queried whether swimming pool, an after-school be widely used whereas others and petty crimes such as arson there is a PCO or Neighbourhood club, a basketball court, an When asked whether they’d thought it was a great idea on hedges as worrying factors. Watch Co-Ordinator for the off-road course, a skate park, be interested in joining a that would stop them having to villages? In relation to council a youth club, badminton court, young person’s council to travel into Diss to skateboard. Concentrating on local policing, tax, 30% felt they received value a tennis club, more equipment support future development 43% felt satisfied with the service for money whilst 45% disagreed. on the playing field, a of services for young people Finally, a number of young they receive with 37% confident community centre and a social in Bressingham and Fersfield, people said they were that they knew where to go for The South Norfolk Community club. 23% said yes with 45% saying concerned about the advice or help on anti-social Strategy supports those who are no. 16% said they would like environment. Local concerns behaviour. On the flip side, elderly, vulnerable and carers Current village facilities are more information about youth seem to centre around the 30% of people did not know of those groups. Of those well-used by the young people councils. problem of litter in the villages, the best route to get help on who felt they belonged to one with a vast majority using both the need for more hedgerows anti-social behaviour and 58% of these groups, most did not the shop and the playing field. Village concerns among young and the suggestion of a had never heard of SNAPS feel disadvantaged by living in It was noted that a village shop people focus mainly on roads fenced-off area just for nature (Safe Neighbourhood Action Bressingham or Fersfield. in Fersfield would be very and traffic. In particular, they and wildlife. 20 21 What Characteristics of the Parish do you want to see Action Plan Our Households - Recommendations Maintained?

Our Community - Recommendations

There seems to be an overriding desire to maintain Bressingham and Fersfield as tranquil Survey Quotes: villages, complete with a real community spirit. In WE LIKE THE RURAL FEEL, DESPITE practical terms people want to see the village hall, THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO DISS.” the shop, the school and the church maintained and for the pub to be up and running again as soon as possible. There were many mentions “BRESSINGHAM IS A LOVELY of the ‘sense of community’ that the villages VILLAGE WITH A GOOD MIX OF have and the need to preserve rural life and PRIVATE, RENTED AND COUNCIL neighbourliness. PROPERTY THAT SEEMS TO WORK With all this in mind, people were keen to keep “ VERY WELL… a close eye on housing development in order to preserve the identity of the villages.

One quote sums up what a lot of people seem to Traffic & Travel - Recommendations believe… ” PEACEFUL, OPEN ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE “AND A FRIENDLY AND CARING ETHOS OF THE RESIDENTS. 22 ” 23 Business - Recommendations

Young Children - Recommendations Planning - Recommendations

Actitivities - Recommendations Footpaths, Countryside & Environment - Recommendations

Young People - Recommendations

General - Recommendations

24 25 What Next? Acknowledgements

All the recommendations, aims and resulting actions shown overleaf, have Current Committee: come from the information you have given Debbie Gosman - Chair us in the questionnaires and from the Michelle Lanchester – Treasurer comments you have made. Sue Craggs – Secretary Pam Dowling – Funding Organiser We have been stunned by your response, Leo Pearce and the number of comments people have made on the questionnaires has been Liz Handy quite amazing! We cannot include them all Megan Lantsbury here due to lack of room but hope to put Adam Pankhurst them and other information about current parish activities on the new website which Past committee members: is being developed for both villages at the Angela Child moment. www.Bressingham.org.uk Sue Hudson www.Fersfield.org.uk William Hudson Information willl also be posted on the two David England village notice boards (located at Fersfield Brenda Oates meadow and outside the Bressingham & Margaret Harris Fersfield Village Hall opposite the shop). Roger Aves It will also be posted in the Bressingham Village Shop window. Graham Harris

You have shown us how passionate you Special thanks to: are about the parish. Now we need you to Bressingham and Fersfield Parish Council help us make the action plan a reality. Bressingham Town Lands Charity Parish Plan Award from South Norfolk Council How can you get involved? ITV Community Planning Grant Norfolk RCC Community Led Planning Grant We really want to hear about what you think about the Parish Plan and which part of the action plan you can us help with. Every contribution counts, however small! For example, can you help us produce a footpath guide or do you have ideas about options for a community facility in Fersfield? Data Analyst: Sarah Veness Design by: Circuit Publications, Diss, 01379 642044 We have set up an email address [email protected] so you can contact us, and we Photographs by Elizabeth Handy www.lizhandy.net will respond to everyone - we promise. You can also write to us – the Parish Plan - via the shop, (Except picture on page 19 by Simon Ransome) and Ray has very kindly agreed to act as a postmaster. And huge thanks go to the long suffering families of the committee members. We are also holding a Cream Tea and Music Afternoon and photography exhibition of parish life on the 18th June from 2 - 5pm at Fersfield Church and we invite you all to come along and talk to us about how you can help, and make the parish even better than it is now.

Once we have received all your comments and have a better idea of how the action groups will work, we will let everyone know

We look forward to hearing all your views! Bressingham and Fersfield Parish Plan Committee

26 27 www.Bressingham.org.uk www.Fersfield.org.uk