This article was published in a recent "Private Eye" Magazine.
The Forestry Commission, if its public statements are to be believed, exists to preserve sustainable woodlands in Britain. But what it says and what it does are not always the same.
"We want to see more trees being planted," said the F C's director-general Tim Rollinson last year as he launched the "most comprehensive survey ever of woodland sites" in Britain. "There's no doubt that woodland can be a substantial help with climate change."
The government says it wants 10,000 hectares of new woods planted annually to store carbon as part of its "low carbon transition plan" - the aim of which is to cut UK emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
Last year campaigners who had fought a long battle to save Bintree Woods in Norfolk from a Forestry Commission plan to turn it into Europe's largest gravel pit and landfill site cracked open the bubbly after the FC's planning application was turned down. That should have been the end of the matter, as the FC had promised it would accept the county council's decision as final. But the commission has now gone back on its word.
Despite claiming its aim is to "protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment," the FC has hired Wardell Armstrong to make the case that the woods should be destroyed after all.
Wardell Armstrong has a track record of getting mineral sites developed for clients and claims on its website that "we know the best ways to secure planning permission". A fresh application has been submitted. If approved, it will have the same consequences for the environment as the planning application already rejected. So much for sustainability!
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How sorry everyone must be feeling on hearing that the bakery is closing.
This bakery has been in business for just over 100 years - before that it was a forge - in our archives we have a picture of it when it was a working forge. A family by the name of Anderson started the bakery in the early 1900's. Then Mr Ron Howlett bought the business and lastly Mr Norman Olley and his wife Marion acquired the premises.
This has always been a traditional bakery using only the best natural ingredients. The tins that were still being used for baking bread are probably getting on for 100 years old.
How sad it is that another business has gone from the village. Bakeries have always figured largely in community life and sadly this is a slice of social history that will be gone forever.
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It was interesting to read about the Green Man talk at Elmham WI, in January's Elmham News, also it was nice to hear that there are two Green Men in St Mary's Church.
Another good place to see Green Men is Norwich Cathedral, and especially in the cloisters, also the Cathedral shop has some nice Green Man plaques and books on sale. The Green Man pub name is one of the oldest pub names and there are still about six left in Norfolk and thirty in London.
In the gothic churches and cathedrals of Europe and England the Green Man outnumbers images of Christ by twelve to one. The Green Man can be found in most countries of the world including China, Mexico, and India, his foliate head is sometimes called by other names.
The Green Man has been linked with many old English customs, myths and legends, Morris dancing, Robin Hood, the Green Knight from the Arthurian tradition, Herne the Hunter, the Wild Man, and Jack-in-the-Green.
The Green Man is still celebrated on May eve (30th April) in the woods of Norfolk. Even today a person, male or female, will dress up in greenery and hide in the woods and others will have to try and find the Green Man or lady.
So the Green Man is still out there, not just in churches, he is the symbol of continuity, the Green Man is the spirit of the trees.
RC
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North Elmham Cricket Club will be holding its AGM on Sunday 31st January at 2.30 pm at TRACKS at the Railway Tavern.
All are welcome. We had a successful season in 2009 and won promotion and are keen to maintain the momentum. We are always looking for new players and have a wider Sunday match programme planned for this coming season, so that everybody gets a chance.
Nets begin the following Thursday (6pm - 8pm) at Taverham School, again all are welcome.
Kind regards
Colin King
PS the new website at www.northelmhamcc.co.uk is developing nicely, still things to do like the gallery of last years pictures but they should be finished soon. |
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New Year greetings were exchanged at the beginning of the meeting at which Bill Borrett, County and District Councillor was in attendance together with one parishioner. Mrs. Caroline Payne was in the Chair. There was no pre- meeting business.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK:
The Chairman asked councillors how they wished to respond to the boundary areas document which seemed to indicate some changes. The contentious areas on the rather small scale map were pointed out to Mr. Borrett. He said it was his expectation was that the boundary will go into the consultation as originally planned but he would endeavour to get a document listing all the minor changes. It was agreed that this new document should be viewed before any signing took place. Mr. Borrett was asked to clarify the rules governing infill buildings on garden plots and restoration projects on farm buildings, as planning permission seemed to be very arbitrary.
SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL:
A response had been received from Norfolk Property Services following the Parish Council's enquiries about the possible purchase of the Village Green. Of the many questions asked by NPS, several related to a proposed parking area which would be linked to the safe route to school path which crosses the Green. Councillors agreed that as well as responding to the listed questions, a map of the whole site should be included, pinpointing the specific areas in question. Mr. Borrett said that the proposals would have to go through several committees at County Hall and he would certainly lend his support wherever possible. Asked if he had any thoughts on how the County Council would value the land, he said that it would no doubt seek to make money from the transaction, but that it would be of help if a definite community benefit could be demonstrated.
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At the time of writing we are looking forward to our first meeting of 2010, which is on 27th January at 12.30pm. It's an opportunity for a get together to chat over a wine and cheese lunch and pay our membership subs. for the year. You are very welcome to come along to meet everyone, see what goes on and check our programme of speakers for the year.
Our February meeting on 24th at 7.30pm will be a chance to be time travellers without the Tardis, when Christine Humpheries tells us about 'Life in a Norfolk village in the 1900's'. Will we be envious by life then, supposedly taken at a slower and gentler pace than today, or horrified by the hard work and toil of the life of countrywomen then? I think I know which it will be!
KW
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