Web News
The Friars' Community Group is reviewing the content of the web site.
Redundant material is being replaced with more contemporary news. Suggestions
and contributions are invited. We are grateful for support from the Norfolk
Community Foundation and our webserf Dave for assistance with this.
And now for the GOOD news
The Editor welcomes comments good or bad about the newsletter, and the last newsletter attracted more than the usual number of compliments, so we must be writing something that touches a nerve somewhere. However, one resident of the Friars remarked that the last newsletter seemed to contain more than the usual quantity of gloom and requested that we write something for this edition that is less gloomy. Quite so. It is the season of goodwill and so forth, so you may expect in this edition to read a slant that aims towards good news, even if it isn't.
The VERY BEST AND MOST TREMENDOUS BIT OF NEWS THIS TIME IS THAT THE THREATENED MARINA IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN for the foreseeable future!!!
Throughout the Summer, the public have made their voice known and their
opinion felt, that the threatened Marina is in their eyes a complete waste
of ratepayers money and will do nothing for the town except burden it with
debt. The Audit Commission also weren't too impressed. Despite overwhelming
public opposition to this folly, the much derided and reviled project is
dead in the water, for the moment, with huge expenditure on consultants and
nothing to show for it. The sad thing, apart from the waste of money already
spent that the Council are keeping quiet about, is that the reason why it's
dead is because of the economy and not for the reason that the Council
listened to the public and took notice of its own Economic Impact Assessment
Study, which said that it wouldn't work unless linked to the inland waterway
system.
Keep your eyes and ears open about this. It isn't dead, just
sleeping!
Lost Propert Department
Good news! The Post Office have found their tin of red paint and, after the relevant Health and Safety course on how to wield a brush without being a public danger, have painted the Post Box off Bridge St that the Friars' Community Group have been banging on about for months. Readers may wish to know that under an agreement with English Heritage, the Post Office have an obligation to repaint their post boxes every three years. There are many more boxes that have been ignored for longer than that and moves are afoot to get those painted too. It just gets better and better!
Nottingham Knockers
More good news! A potential vagabond has been deterred from his activities. A grubby youth was in the Friars' area recently. (Distinctive because the usual youth is immaculately dressed and impeccably polite). Short blond hair, grey shell suit, about 5’6“, carrying a large black holdall, he was going around the neighbourhood knocking on doors on behalf of someone called “Jez”, ostensibly selling dusters etc, with nothing more than a screwed up piece of yellowing cardboard as identification. Police were called and last seen scouring the area. These lads are called the Nottingham Knockers because they are part of a group of people who come from Nottingham to tout their wares. They are of special interest to the police and householders are advised to avoid doing business with them and to ring the police with as much information as possible as soon as they shut the door on them. (Or if you spot them approaching, don't open the door in the first place).
Omnibus
It will come as no surprise that the proposed road beside Harding's Pits was approved, however it was approved by a rather unorthodox method. At the Development Control Board, against all guidance and regulations, the Development Control Board were almost threatened by a Council officer that if they didn't approve the road there would be serious consequences. The pressure to hold a balanced debate was therefore skewed and it was a foregone conclusion at the outset. As a result of the unorthodox extra contribution by this Council officer the decision may not in fact be lawful. However, as things stand, the road will commence as planned early next year. Fine tuning of the design has yet to be worked out and the Friars Community Group has been promised a place at these discussions. Anyone with an opinion on the matter wishing to have this expressed at discussions is invited to contact us via the usual route, although if the legality of the decision is questioned sufficiently there may be a delay on this.Medical Report
Good news reaches us that The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health provide further evidence of the need for Harding's Pits. The JECH article reports that people living close to green spaces, (that's us that is; we who live in the Friars and also those in South Lynn), suffer less depression and illnesses such as heart disease, than those who live in built up areas. The better air quality and opportunity to relax is more likely to cut stress and boost exercise. Sadly, the Burghers at the Council wish to condemn us all to a live of more stress and depression and heart disease with the destruction of Harding's Pits.Are We Tense?
Good news continues. The police have invited the Friars' Community Group to be a part of the Community Tension Panel. This is a new initiative and will doubtless change in time to be a working forum that has real value in creating cohesion and diffusing tensions. The thinking behind it is simple; Tensions exist because people, quite naturally, regard with suspicion those who are different from themselves as being a potential or actual threat. This is exacerbated when the environment in which people live, makes tensions easier to fester. Apart from people coming from different ends of the age, faith, gender, ethnic, sexuality, gender and disability spectrum, people live in houses where the walls are often are too thin, where they can't park close to where they live, where tribes exist, (school bullies, the old North Lynn - South Lynn hostility), where people are inconsiderate in the volume of music they play and the time they hold their parties. Basically, wherever people fail to consider other people around them in what they do there is the potential for conflict. The Community Tension Panel aims to pool knowledge so things that could potentially snowball into a crime is resolved before it gets that far. This is a welcome initiative; others have dipped their toes in this particular water but this scheme might actually produce results. Membership isn't closed as far as we are aware, and if you have something to contribute that could identify potential trouble the Community Tension panel would be glad to hear from you. Either contact the Friars' Community Group or P.C. Pat Kavanagh 665023. The next meeting is 18th January 2010.
Following on from these discussions, P.C. Kavanagh gave a talk to the Friars' Community Group on November 19th. He explained that part of his role is to build bridges between groups where conflict exists or has the potential to exist. After a brief introduction he opened up the meeting to points and questions.
Among the points raised was the observation that there seems some discriminatory behaviour amongst children in the playground. It is worrying that some children see themselves as having seniority over others because of their ethnic origin. Some children have been bullied off the area, and have been threatened. I won't take the risk of inflaming the matter by identifying here which group is the aggressor, it is enough to report that this happens, and there are a multitude of reasons why this happens and even more why it is unacceptable. People are also reluctant to confront unacceptable behaviour even when it is witnessed, partly because children can at times have no respect for adults, and partly because when people do confront unacceptable behaviour they themselves end up with a police caution at times. Many parents aren't aware of their children's behaviour, which is quite sad. Of the schools in the area that have the best record of promoting integration, Park High is hard to beat.
Another point raised was, why was it some foreign nationals living here don't report all the crime and discrimination they experience? It transpires that those who interpret for them, although trustworthy, are nevertheless seen as a reason to be sensitive about disclosing private matters. The police abroad do not have always an impeccable record regarding corruptibility, and it is a hard task to instil trust in newcomers that our police are not tainted by the corruption experienced abroad.
The discussion then went on to discuss domestic abuse when a husband beats up his wife, or a wife beats up her husband. Common perceptions on this is that the police only respond to complaints made by those being abused, but this is false. The police welcome third parties informing them, either directly or through Crimestoppers, when it is believed that domestic abuse is taking place.
The issue of street drinking was raised, and this led onto clarification of the law regarding drink driving; anyone being observed drinking whilst driving is committing an offence so serious as to warrant a 999 call.
Returning to the matter of hate crime, clarification was given as to what exactly it is. It extends beyond just ethnicity to include vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the disabled. The definition of a hate crime, briefly, is defined by the perception of the 'victim' or an observer. If someone perceives they are being abused or maltreated because they belong to a vulnerable group, then that is a hate crime. Hate crime however, has lessened in recent years, although this may be a result of the way statistics have been recorded under recent managements.
There has been an increase in recent years of properties with more than one family where the occupants are unrelated following changes in legislation favouring landlords. These are classed as houses of multiple occupation (HMO) for which a licence is required. The council do not necessarily know every HMO in the area, and residents are invited to contact the council with information if they think one exists. A licence is required because of the need to ensure the property complies with the necessary regulations, eg fire doors to prevent fire spreading to adjoining properties should it break out.
Letters to the Editor
A letter arrives from our regular correspondent, Mrs Trellis of North Wales;
Dear Editor, I often see shoes suspended from a telephone wire. How do these unfortunate people manage to lose their shoes in such a way?
Mrs Trellis, North Wales. P.s. Is this good news for cobblers?
The Editor replies:
Dear Mrs Trellis, shoes suspended in this manner do appear to be the result of
high jinks of a local scallywag, but are in fact territorial indicators of a
nearby drug dealer. They are the human equivalent of dogs leaving a small brown
pile by a lamp post to prevent others moving onto their territory. This may seem
cobblers, but it isn't necessarily good news.
Good News For Parents and Children Alike
Earlier on in the year the question was asked, what is there for children to do? As time has passed by, it has become apparent there is a huge amount laid on for children and the younger adult. As well as the Discovery Centre in North Lynn, (the location doesn't matter, they will collect and deliver even as far as the Terringtons), and the Providence St Centre, and the Midnight Football, there is a new initiative starting. Called KICKS, it is supported by Norwich Football Club who supply the coaches. It is for 12-15 year olds from 5-6pm, and for 16-19 year olds from 6-7pm at Kingsway Multi Use Games Area near the fire station on Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Contact the police Safer Neighbourhood Team for further details.
Bean Soup
Good news about beans. Amongst the plaudits received from the last newsletter was the observation that five beans are not made up of a bean, a bean, a bean and a half, half a bean a bean, but something quite different. This learned Sage is supported by Sybil Marshall, in her “Strip the Willow”, (Marshall, S. 1997, p.177, “Strip the Willow”, Penguin), by saying five beans are made up of “two beans and a bean and a bean and a half and half a bean”. Further contributions are invited, indeed, ex-employees of Anglia Canners particularly may have knowledge they may wish to share.
On The Buses
In these straitened times there is good news to be had for travellers. A Friars' Community Group member recently attended a meeting where the bus companies explained the extent of their service. Did you know, for example, that from a bus stop on the edge of the Friars, you can travel not only to the hospital, but to the outer reaches of the coast (via the bus station)? There are two main companies operating locally, Norfolk Green, which has been awarded prizes for various aspects of their service, and First Direct. Other Community operators also exist and eligibility for these services is distinct. But what many may not realise is the coverage they offer, and the affordable fares. We have no reason to be giving free advertising other than to share what is a brilliant way of getting around town and Norfolk. Credit where credit's due...and speaking of such...
" 'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello "
Good news from the Dept. of Bouquets and Brickbats. Recent experience of the much maligned Police 0845 number shows that the complaints received have produced benefits. The irritating delays previously experienced are but a memory. Many thanks to the police for listening and for improving the service. Further good news is that people wishing to check up on the levels of reported crime in their area may examine a new Police web site: http://maps.police.uk
Highways
(Difficult to find a Good News slant on this one but read on if you dare). One of the difficult spots that has emerged in recent times is the parking that takes place on the bend of Valingers Rd and Friars St. Vehicles often park here causing traffic approaching Friars St to veer into the face of oncoming traffic. Regarding the case for a double yellow line on the Valingers Rd bend; Yes the case is clear but if the police won’t enforce it there is no point in putting a double yellow lines down. They are getting a lot of grief from the council and the public about people ignoring traffic restrictions and if the police don’t enforce the rules that are there, there is no point the Highways Agency putting down more rules for the public to ignore especially as to do so will eat into their budget. This will cost £2k to put in because it involves going to court, making the case, and putting out legal notices in the press and on the adjacent area and so forth.
Traffic Wardens are getting it in the neck when they issue tickets which are overturned in court because there is a problem with a line being broken, a ‘T’ bar missing at one end, or a sign not placed properly within the allocated number of feet of the line. There was a time when an inspector could go to work, inspect a list of problems, put in orders for repair and these orders would be carried out; work done. Now, because budgets are being squeezed, a list of problems have to be prioritised, inspected, the work allocated an order for priority, and the work is budgeted, and then done or not done. A senior Norfolk County Council Highways employee wrote to explain their problem:
“There is in place an 8am to 6pm parking restriction on South Lynn Plain. However if residents are parking on the bend this constitutes an obstruction which should be enforced by the Police.
As we discussed I am aware that the Police are under as much pressure resource and budget wise as we are, but unfortunately they are the enforcers we only implement the traffic regulation orders. For the Police to request double yellows would not be cost affective nor spending public money wisely, if they do not have the resource to enforce an obstruction issue, then it would suggest the same to enforce a double yellow line ?
To implement a double yellow restriction would require a legal process which would cost up to £2000 and take up to 18 months to implement. It would firstly however be placed on our traffic management programme for 2011/12 to be prioritised for that financial years funding. However with more budget cuts each year this would suggest the programme will get smaller.
Therefore to clarify I am afraid we would not progress a double yellow line restriction due to the points raised”.
It seems a vicious circle; the police don't have the resources to enforce highways regs, the highways don't have the resources to do anything but the bare emergency minimum as their fat is being trimmed so much, one of the reasons their fat is being trimmed so much is that there isn't the revenue stream coming in from fines because fines are not being handed out. It seems that one way to break the circle is for the police to start handing out tickets, this will generate fines and this will pay for highways and the police to have the resources. However, obvious as this seems, I don't think inviting fines to be issued would prove popular.
You Couldn't Make It Up Could You?
Last year when the snow and ice came, people were sliding and struggling to cross the swathe of the Urals that was once the entrance to Hillington Square. For almost a week I crossed this and wondered why someone hadn't cut a path down through the ice to where safe ground was. Eventually I learned from Freebridge Housing Association that it couldn't be done in case someone fell. I nearly fell down when he said that.
The Pot Calling The Kettle Black
Good News! It isn't often that the Friars Community Group leads the way with Spin Doctoring, but what we have been illuminating as one of the principal reasons why the decisions of the council have endangered public confidence in them, has been repeated by the Leader of the Council when complaining about the decision of the Boundaries Commission to proceed with Unitary Authority for the area.
He is quoted as saying, “We believe the Boundary Committee have behaved inappropriately and have not undertaken the consultation they should have. They cannot keep blindly ignoring what local opinion says – and would know what that is if they bothered to consult....”.
Which is exactly what the Friars' Community Group has been saying about the council for months concerning their threats to divert the Nar and build a marina and housing in the locality. Now you know what it is like ye Council, reflect and learn.
Don't Believe Everything You Read
Good news for sceptics of spin doctors. Not that readers of this august journal
will need further convincing of the way public bodies spin stories to deceive
the public, but on 27th Oct 2009 at 2pm a member of the FCG was watching Sky
news in a public building as a story appeared live that a NASA rocket was
delayed from launching because the tiny cover held in place against the elements
from which a piece of equipment was to emerge, was blocked by a piece of string
that held it in place. By the time Teletext got hold of the story later that
evening NASA had spun it that bad weather caused the delay.
Could it be that the
same spin doctors working for NASA are the ones employed to spin the line that
the marina and NORA are success stories in waiting?
Lapland Matters
Good news for the unemployment figures! Employment prospects for working girls have soared in the Friars area with the approval by the council of an application to change the former bed shop on Southgates roundabout to a pub with the aim of providing adult entertainment from 10am to 2.30pm. Attendance at the Development Control Board meetings is an eye opener and is a good argument for, if not Unitary Authority status to be imposed, then perhaps an invasion by the Argentine Government. There is very little consistency in the decision making. For example, one application before the meeting was to make a single property into two separate properties. The wide driveway opened onto a side road in a tiny village yet this was turned down for road safety reasons. The application for the Southgates pub is on a busy junction, both entrances of which appear on a four lane highway. No consideration or mention was made of public order issues. No consideration was given to neighbourhood disturbance. No objection was noted of the fact that there would be an establishment of dubious notoriety appearing on the main entrance of the town and yet the application was passed. The salutary fact is that the previous pub died a death for a reason. The bed shop similarly couldn't attract sufficient trade for it to survive. The entrepreneur in this case may soon doubt his rash purchase as few can see such a brave venture being profitable.
We Are Not Alone
It must be good news that we do not suffer the blight of anti-social behaviour alone. It would be difficult not to have noticed that there has been rather a lot of problems with the play area. It seems that all the play areas in King's Lynn suffer from similar problems. Press coverage of the anti-social behaviour in the Woottons, Fairstead, and N. Lynn play areas have been thrown up in sharp relief. I'm sure that this is common throughout the country. The deeper question is this; 'How is it that if there is ample evidence that play areas produce anti-social behaviour, vandalism and alcohol abuse, why those who commission, design and pay for these play areas never seem to learn from the evidence and incorporate a strategy to defeat the incontinent, libidinous, sodden, violent and aggressive elements that attract them?' If you know you could get burgled while away, you lock your doors. If you know you could get electrocuted, you disconnect the power before changing a light fitting. If you see a speed camera, you slow down. If you plan to install a play area you would therefore naturally guard it against anti-social behaviour etc. Why, (especially as it's so expensive to fix after the event), doesn't the council do this at installation stage?
Buy Your Wellies Now
Good news for forward planners. Looking over the horizon and planning ahead is a skill that government departments are oft criticised for either getting wrong or not doing at all. Credit is due therefore to the Environment Agency, who, with the Borough Council, invite people to express their opinion of what they should be doing now for how flood risk will be managed for the next 100 years. There are a limited number of options available and each carry their own consequence, but rather than push ahead with a plan, sensitive to the implications of these consequences to residents and their children, you are being asked to give your views on the options are and understand what these will actually mean. The draft Wash Shoreline Management Plan covers a wide area, but locals to King's Lynn are being consulted on the part of The Wash between Wolferton Creek and Old Hunstanton. Closing date for people to send their views is 15th January 2010. The proposals and plans can be seen in the usual municipal buildings, or by going to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/105014.aspx. We are being told by the pundits that flooding and disaster will happen, (rather than might), and this is our chance to speak for those who follow us. There's no guarantee we'll get it right of course, but at least nobody can say we never tried.
The Green (Re)Movement
Good news AGAIN!! Greenland Fishery isn't as green as it was. The Environmental Audit noted the Ivy encroaching upon the Greenland Fishery and threatening its integrity. We report success! The ivy covered walls have been attended to and the glorious brick is once more exposed. Ivy, as most of you know, is a particularly destructive plant (although beautiful in the right place) and Greenland Fishery is a particularly valuable building for our heritage. Following representation to the relevant department, we have effected its removal. Congratulations to Matthew Henry and his team at the council. Another point the Audit highlighted was the churchyard hedge. As reported in the last newsletter, this repository for litter, half drunk beer and the incontinent was long overdue for a prudent pruning, and this has now been done. A word to the wise however; the path beside it is befouled with mud and leaf slime, and you are advised to exercise caution should you walk there. We look forward to the happy day when the path is attended to. Festive thanks to all concerned.
Tar and Feathering Awards 2010
Good news for fans of public entertainment. Nominations have been flooding in for the 2010 Tar and Feathering Awards. Sourcing the feathers remains a challenge as the RSPB remain intransigent on the matter. However, we have been referred to Bernard Mathews as there is an unaccountable surplus of feathers from his turkey farms at this time of year. There have been several suggestions that we plan a Hanging and Flogging Award to follow in 2011. Regular readers will know what an august and serious academic journal this is, and will understand therefore if we reject the suggestion on the grounds it is , in the mind of the committee, unnecessarily frivolous.
It is too early to disclose the nominations, but there are three names that have repeatedly cropped up. It is an exciting time. I'm excited. Are you?
White Elephant News
A member of The Friars' Community Group alerts us to the good news that we may be the guardians of a new White Elephant. There are some interesting questions arising from the alterations in town funded by the Community Infrastructure Fund. To refresh; this is a pot of money from the public purse to fast-track projects (mainly transport related) that would 'benefit communities' with an emphasis on projects that encouraged walking, cycling and public transport use (in that order) over car-based schemes. The design stage proposed at the changed junctions an area where cyclists could safely stop in advance of cars, but when the work was done this safe area had mysteriously disappeared. Regarding the road proposed beside Hardings Pits, incredulity remains that this road costing a fortune is for the benefit of 30 vehicles/hour, especially that Norfolk County Council (NCC) at the Development Control Board meeting didn't sound confident that the junction by the library wouldn't be without problems. There are rumours that NCC didn't follow the legal procedures required and there was insufficient data gathered about how the public currently use the route. The Cycling fraternity in particular have grave reservations. We look forward to continuing, with other local organisations, a fruitful dialogue with NCC.
It would be SUCH a pity if they spent a huge sum of money on a very expensive project that didn't deliver what they promised it would deliver. It would make them look too much like the Borough Council, and public confidence of the Borough Council couldn't get lower....or could it?
And Finally
As the coffee cup of time is drained of dregs, and the soggy Ginger Nut of fate drops unnoticed onto the carpet for the last time in 2009, it is time to wish you all a Happy Christmas. May you find a parking slot when you return home. May your journey past the playground be viewed only by the children for whom it was intended. May rain flow unhindered into your gutters and your Boxing Day walk across Harding's Pits be a reminder of what the countryside used to look like. May your neighbours wish kindly your commemoration of Christmas whatever form it takes. We are grateful to all our membership for their continuing support, especially those who turn out on dark nights to distribute the newsletter. We are grateful to the Norfolk Community Foundation without whom we couldn't fund this newsletter and undertake our research activities. To Norfolk County Council and the Police who went further than any other agencies to negotiate with the people of the Friars we raise our glass of Stones Ginger Wine. We are grateful to Minuteman Press who have gone the extra mile in helping us. We are grateful to Dave our “webserf”, Margaret our Treasurer and Martin our Chairman. We are grateful to all our speakers and Whitefriars School who hosts our meetings. Thanks are due to Jane, who attends so many meetings that feed and inform the work of the Friars' Community Group and which provides the food for the newsletter. We are grateful to you for reading this newsletter, and if we have upset anybody in any organisation in our journey this year then tough; you should have done your job properly in the first place then we wouldn't have to.