Bawdeswell Matters

About Bawdeswell and because it DOES MATTER by David Cockburn – please call me on 688749 if you have some Bawdeswell news (preferably good news).

 

I said in the last issue that I wanted some good news for these pages. My first item this month is refreshingly good news.

 

Graffiti at the Village Hall on Valentine’s Day

In the last issue of the Reeve’s Tale I told you about the Graffiti attack on the Village Hall and Children’s Playground and that those responsible had been identified. I would like to publicly thank the fathers of the artists in the village for their very responsible attitude to this and for making sure that those who did it played a significant part in cleaning it off. At their last meeting, the Parish Council also praised the positive response of the parents. I would also like to thank the Police at Dereham for their prompt response to this incident and for those in the village who assisted in quickly identifying those responsible.

 

FREE LUNCH - VILLAGE HALL PAINTATHON – 6^th & 7^th MAY

Well, it’s not really free as you will be expected to work for it, but in a good cause. On Saturday and Sunday 6^th & 7^th May we are organising a Paintathon at the village hall. The objective is to give the hall a bit of a facelift inside. There will be a FREE Barbeque style lunch provided each day plus refreshments throughout. If you can help on one or both days either with the painting or catering, please contact me on 688749.

 

BAWDESWELL GROUNDFORCE

With the approach of spring the Bawdeswell Groundforce Group are going to be planning more good works in the Village. We need more helpers. Sessions are usually only 2-3 hours and can be any day of the week or weekend to suit. Please call me if you can help. Projects in mind at the moment are clearing up ‘Adams Pit’ and helping the Heritage Group with Tree planting. Any suggestions for other small projects are welcome.

 

 

HALL ROAD AND BELL CLOSE SEWERS

Just to emphasize the request in the Parish Council Minutes. If you live in Hall Road number 22 or higher or Bell Close, could you have a look at the paperwork from when you purchased the house to see if anything is mentioned about the sewers or surface water drains. Any information to the Parish Clerk at 6 Hall Road please.

 

FOLLAND COURT DEVELOPMENT

The current plans for replacing the sheltered accommodation at Folland Court are for 1 bungalow and 8 houses. A campaign is in progress to try and persuade Peddars Way Housing Association to build all bungalows. If you want or need an ‘affordable’ bungalow in Bawdeswell the Parish Council would like to know. Please contact the Parish Clerk at 6 Hall Road.

 

HIGH COST OF “LOCAL RATE” TELEPHONE CALLS

There is an increasing use of 0845 and 0870 numbers by companies and Government departments. Sometimes these are misleadingly advertised as “Local” or “National” Rate numbers. I think that it’s a scam and we are all paying extra for it. Many of us now have all inclusive call packages covering 01 and 02 numbers but pay a premium for the 0845 & 0870 numbers. Depending on your phone company you may pay around 3.5p to 4p per minute for a 0845 number and around 8p per minute for a 0870 number. Frequently you may be put “On Hold” for several minutes in a queue whilst the call charges rack up.  I took this up with our MP in particular about HM Revenue & Customs (Tax Office) and the reply was that they use these numbers so that they can route the calls to the least busy call centre. An example is a Tax Office number starting 0845 91????? can be  dialled using 0191 22?????

 

Ofcom, the Telephone Watchdog organization is looking at changes to the system but there is an alternative; an internet site http://www.saynoto0870.com/ where you can find many geographical numbers. You type in the name of the company/department or number that you have been given and it will usually give you a 01 or 02 number or even a free-phone 0800 or 0500 number. If you have to use 0845 or 0870 numbers a lot and don’t have an internet connection give me (David) a call on 688749 and I’ll have a look for you. If I’m not in leave me a message with your (landline) phone number and I’ll get back to you.

 

HOUSE NAMES AND NUMBERS

Walking in the village recently I was surprised by the number of houses that don’t show a number or name or don’t show it clearly. In the case of an emergency this could delay an ambulance, doctor, police etc. finding your house. It is in your own interests to clearly sign your house.