A selection of news and other articles with 'no particular place to go'!

Screenshot from Tasway Solar Home Page
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Stop Tasway Solar

Written by Stop Tasway Campaign.

By now, most villagers will be aware of the Tasway Energy Park proposals, a scheme to cover significant areas of The Forncetts with solar arrays, battery storage units and transformer stations.  Most residents will consider this to be an unwelcome proposal, coming as it does hard on the heels of the much-despised Norwich to Tilbury (N2T) pylon plans from National Grid. The initial mapping, somewhat limited in detail, shows that the company concerned has designs on fields that encircle the entire community of The Forncetts, essentially seeking to turn our rural landscape into an industrial park.

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Areas being proposed for solar development: Tasway Solar Energy Park

Local opposition to the proposals has been mobilized, and a new campaign group opposing the scheme has been formed. Clearly this will be a sensitive issue to handle. Forncett is a farming
community, and most villagers will know our farmers and indeed count them as friends. The campaign is not intended to upset those relationships. No one can blame the farmers for considering generous financial offers when they are being pressured by hostile governmental agriculture policy and the inheritance tax debacle. Instead we should be respectful of the pressures on them, and work together with them to try
to find alternatives that can suit everyone.

The new group is being led by Myles Jeeves, ably supported by Nigel Youngman and a number of concerned Forncett residents. The group has met with our local MP, Ben Goldsborough, who has recently publicly
stated his opposition to the plans. We are talking to land agents and other consultants both to offer viable alternatives and to prepare to critique any planning application. A website for the campaign has been registered at www.stoptaswaysolar.co.uk , but this is currently only a placeholder as we are in desperate need of a web designer. If anyone has skills in this area and would be willing to help, please do get in touch by email at . We don’t need anything flash, just something legible.

In the meantime, the main outlet for the group will be their Facebook page, found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1087634686133436

 

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Himalayan Balsam - an invasive plant

Written by Brian Frith.

Himalayan Balsam - a special request from the 'Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative'

This article is taken from the recent Norfolk Association of Local Councils update, via Forncett Clerk Anne Rayner

In Norfolk there are several Invasive Non-Native Species which pose a threat to our unique ecosystems and wildlife. One of the main “culprits” is Himalayan Balsam. This plant, which is native to India was introduced to the UK in 1839. It spreads through exploding seed pods and as it grows to more than 3 metres tall, it shades out most native plants where it is growing. The plant usually grows along watercourses and as it dies back in the winter, this leaves bare soil which is then vulnerable to erosion, causing bankside instability and adding sediment to the water. This can have a knock on effect on aquatic plants and may prevent some fish from being able to breed successfully. Studies have also shown that bees prefer this plant and when it is growing in an area, native plants may not be pollinated as a result of bees ignoring them to favour the Himalayan balsam.

The plant can be identified from its pink to white flowers, tall stalks with red stemmed leaves and cocoon shaped seed pods.

At Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative we are trying to map the plants spread across the county, as once we know where it currently is, we are going to take action to stop it in its tracks with the aim of eventually eradicating it. This is the best time of year to spot the plant, when it is at its tallest and flowing. If you think you have seen it growing in your area, please take a photograph (if it is safe to do so) and send this along with the location to 

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Coronation Tree Planting Event

Written by Brian Frith.

On Sunday May 7th 2023, an event was organised to mark the Coronation of King Charles III. 

With the help of a grant from South Norfolk Council, a tree was bought and planted on 'Jubilee Green' at the Village Hall, followed by 'tea and cakes' in the Hall.  About 60 people attended.  Thanks to Tree Warden, Robert Hosea, for sourcing and preliminary planting of the tree, to Bev and Keith Humphreys for 'doing the honours' and 'Friends of St Peters' for supplying the majority of the cakes (including the celebration 'Coronation Cake' - and all others who helped in any way. 

Photos taken by Phil Whiscombe (unless otherwise indicated) and reproduced here with his permission

If you have photos of other events and would like them added to the slideshow, please contact me at 

Click the image below for the slideshow

This seems to work best on a desktop / laptop

The plaque commemorating the event
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Electricity Pylons are coming through Forncett unless we say ‘NO’

Written by Martin Starkie, Ally Rae.

National Grid is planning to put elecricity pylons 50m high through Forncett as it links off-shore power generation to London.

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You can stop them:

  • Share, share, share!
    • Put up banners or posters - get them here
    • Make a noise on social media
  • Write to your MP:
    • Email:
    • Postal address: Pretoria House
      Ipswich Road
      LONG STRATTON
      Norfolk NR15 2TA

 

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Forncett Platinum Jubilee Celebrations June 2022

Written by Brian Frith.

 A selection of images from HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Forncett - June 2022 

Most photos taken by Phil Whiscombe and reproduced here with his permission

Apologies that it has taken so long to get the photos together and work out how put them into the 'slideshow' format!

Much has happened since early June - we were worried about rain (in fact many local celebrations scheduled for Sunday 5th June were called off).  Little did we know how the summer would turn out with its record breaking high temperatures and drought conditions.

Queen Elizabeth II was able to play some part in her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, but sadly she died on 8th September, and was succeeded by her son King Charles III.  Hopefuly this collection of images from Forncett will bring back happy memories of a joyful time of celebration of a long reign and a life devoted to service to our Country and the Commonwealth.

If you have photos of other events and would like them added to the slideshow, please contact me at 

Click the image below for the slideshow: Photos, with thanks, by Phil Whiscombe, unless otherwise indicated  

This seems to work best on a desktop / laptop

 

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