If you come that way a lot then you’ll know there’s a new roundabout being constructed on the A146 outside Loddon.
Through March and April the A146 at Loddon will be completely closed at 4 separate times (dates below) for new road markings and roadsigns to be put up.
According to the official notice it looks like the works will be from the roundabout westwards for about 2km.
From the official notice:
…. new roundabout surfacing, new road markings and installation of road signs are required at the A146 Loddon Bypass from its junction with C395 High Bungay Road for 1700m north-westwards in the PARISH OF LODDON…
…that in consequence traffic over the said road should be prohibited with effect from:
1) 20:00 on 18th March to 05:00 on 21st March 2022;
2) 20:00 on 25th March to 05:00 on 28th March 2022;
3) 20:00 on 1st April to 05:00 on 4th April 2022;
4) 20:00 on 8th April to 05:00 on 11th April 2022 (weekends only)
We are all aware of the benefits and importance of getting a COVID jab to protect ourselves, our families and friends and our communities.
Some people though may be struggling to get to their nearest Jab Centre.
To help remove the barrier for many that live in more rural areas Norfolk and Waveney CCG, in collaboration with health and care partners, are funding a Jab Cab service until 31 March 2022.
This service offers everyone in Norfolk and Waveney a free taxicab return journey to a vaccination site to receive a COVID-19 jab. This can be arranged from school, home, or your place of work, so it’s easy and convenient.
The service is eligible for people who are having a first, second, or booster jab, and you can attend any vaccination site or walk-in clinic that’s convenient to you.
We are looking for two people who wish to contribute to the wellbeing of their local communities and welcome the opportunity to develop their own skills and experience.
No formal qualifications are required and we welcome Trustees from a wide range of backgrounds. We are particularly interested in strengthening our skills in fund raising, property management and organisational governance but appreciate other skills and sector experience.
or email w.richardson@ncab.org.uk for an application pack or call 01603 273114
If you wish to have an informal chat with our Chair of the Trustee Board, David Browne, please email Wendy Richardson w.richardson@ncab.org.uk to arrange a meeting.
Volunteer Recruitment
Norfolk Citizens Advice are recruiting volunteers!
We are looking for volunteers in various roles – Face to Face Advisers, Telephone Advisers, Email Advisers, Webchat Advisers, Research and Campaigns Volunteers, Social Media Volunteers, Volunteer Referrals Administrators and a Volunteer Copywriter.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your local community, gain new skills and meet new people. It is highly rewarding whatever your personal circumstances. If you are looking to get into work or fancy a change of career, volunteering with us can help to give you an extra edge and experience with us is highly regarded by employers.
Take a look at our role specs for more perks of volunteering with us!
For more information on these roles and how to apply please see our website www.ncab.org.uk/i-want-tovolunteer or email v.recruitment@ncab.org.uk for an application pack or call Emma on 01603 273116.
If you didn’t already know, the community coffee shop is now open at Poringland Community Centre. It’s open Monday to Friday 9:00am – 2:00pm, serving hot & cold drinks and snacks for eat in or takeaway.
From UK Power Networks, advice on the incoming storms Dudley and Eunice, including what to do in a power cut, and how to access the priority help register:
I am writing regarding our preparations for Storms Dudley and Eunice, which will arrive consecutively in the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 16th February).
As you may be aware, UK Power Networks manages the local power lines and substations which distribute electricity to over 8.3m homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.
Storm Dudley will arrive tomorrow and is forecast to have a minimal impact on our network. However, Storm Eunice is expected to arrive on Friday 18th and is expected to bring stronger winds and unsettled weather.
Our electricity network is built to be resilient but strong winds and heavy rain can bring down branches and trees, damaging overhead power lines. Where this happens we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
We have organised for additional staff in our contact centre and more engineers on the ground, particularly for Storm Eunice, to be available to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather.
Both you and your residents will be able to find regular updates and information about individual power cuts on our website http://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk . We will also be posting general updates on @UKPowerNetworks .
We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.
We provide extra help to customers on our Priority Service Register during a power cut. Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register. You can find out more information about our Priority Service on our website: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority .
After such an incredibly unseasonably mild end to December and start to 2022, we could be forgiven for thinking that Spring was just around the corner! Sadly, I fear this is not the case and our real Winter has yet to arrive.
The upside of this is that we still have those bitterly cold days to look forward to, staying warm by the logburner or fire, while planning the projects in our garden for this year.
Protecting
Many plants are likely to need protection and maintenance at this time of year. Brush any snow from evergreens and conifers to stop the branches from being weighed down and breaking. If wet weather has made ornamental grasses fall flat, start cutting these back to give them a fresh start. Check any fleece or straw is still in place covering tender plants such as tree ferns.
Stop ponds and bird baths freezing over by leaving a tennis ball to float on the water.
Clearing, Weeding & Mulching
Remove any remaining dead top foliage from non-shrubby plants, fork over the soil between plants, burying any weeds. If feasible, continue digging heavy soils to be broken down by Winter frosts. After plenty of rain, start mulching beds and borders with leaf mould, manure, compost or shredded bark – a layer 5-10cm deep is ideal.
Pruning
Thin out all dead and diseased branches from established trees and shrubs. Winter prune Wisteria by cutting back all young shoots not required to within 3inches of the old wood. This will encourage new growth and increase the size of your plant.
Feeding
Feed new plantings in late January with slow-release fertiliser such as Blood, Fish and Bone, but leave the application of faster-acting fertilisers such as Growmore until early March when the soil starts to warm up.
Your garden birds will really benefit from your help at this time of year, so ensure you put out a variety of foods and water to give them a great start to their nesting season.
Tidying up
January is also an appropriate time for tidying your garden for Spring and maintaining or repairing your garden furniture and decking.
Tidy up the garden shed, cleaning, sharpening and oiling your gardening tools ready for action.
Recycle cut trees by shredding them for mulch or compost. Repair and stain or paint fences, pergolas and wooden furniture if weather conditions permit.
Scrub slippery garden decking and paving with hot soapy water, or apply path and patio cleaner. On dry sunny days ventilate greenhouses and conservatories and wash the greenhouse glass to let in more light.
Alpington and Yelverton 