Project Bawdeswell

enhancing our community

At the meeting on 4^th June a new “Mission Statement” for the project was agreed –

“To establish the recreational and social needs of our community and seek ways to create multifunctional facilities with the flexibility to allow for growth and development.”

What does this mean? - It certainly required a lot of discussion and various drafts before it was agreed. It is a one-sentence summary of the project. The key words are ‘establish’, ‘create’, ‘facilities’, ‘growth’ and ‘development’. We will survey the WHOLE community and find out what is needed and also what is desired. Realistically there will have to be priorities. From the results of the survey and the Village Appraisal we will produce a village development plan and designs and apply for funding and any required planning permissions. It will also be necessary to raise some funding within the community. Facilities include anything that anyone can use - community centre, village school, shops, pub, post office, playing field, children’s playground, village streets and footpaths, open spaces etc. Whatever facilities are provided, peoples needs and desires change, sometimes very quickly, and we must try and ensure that they are designed so that they can be easily adapted, expanded or altered to suit.

The proposed village survey was discussed and will take place in the autumn following a survey at Bawdeswell School in September. The survey will target specific issues raised by the Village Appraisal. It is essential that everyone in the village is included.

Gillian Horner, Head Teacher at the School, gave us news about changes at Norfolk County Council with the creation of the Children’s Services department which has amalgamated the education, social services and other departments to ensure better communication and the exciting new ‘Extended Schools’ scheme which is about opening up schools to the whole community and enhancing school facilities. The school has had its ‘travel plan’ approved and is awaiting further information. It is clear that the school is going to be a significant part of Project Bawdeswell.

The web site for Project Bawdeswell is being redesigned and the new version will be on line shortly. It carries full details of our progress, minutes of the meetings etc. You can link to this site from the Reeves Tale Home Page. If you have any queries or wish to offer help, advice or donate professional services to the project please write to “The Secretary, Project Bawdeswell, c/o High Windows, Meadow Loke, Bawdeswell, NR20 4TG” or Email to PBawdeswell@aol.com

The next meeting of the Project Bawdeswell Steering Group, which is open to all residents of Bawdeswell, is in the Village Hall on July 23^rd at 10am.