My e-magazine Hethersett Herald has entered its seventh year. I'm not sure when I launched it that I would be able to sustain it that long. But now it's pretty ingrained into my existence.
I have to say that I have never had such a newsy edition as the one I'm working on at the moment. There seems to be news, features and issues at every turn.
Home development, Hallowe'en, Christmas, a controversial MP, Remembrance events and so much more. And whilst I'm writing, it feels like something of an out of body experience. My body is sitting with a laptop but my mind is with the stories which are unfolding a mile or so away.
I can't remember a time when so many things were unfolding and happening at once. I only hope that by reporting on them I am doing them justice.
One story I have been particularly interested in is the sale of the Church Hall in Henstead Road and its conversion into a dwelling. Occasionally I come across/get involved in something where I can see both sides of the equation or story. Such is the case here.
This is a very historic building that started life as a school in the 19th century. But the building is crumbling and now owned by the parish church. The church needs to sell it to raise money for repairs in its main building and also to improve that building's community facilities. So far so good. But then you have to factor in the point that the hall is home to the Stella School of Dance who hire it for more than 20 hours every week from Monday to Friday.
I listened with interest to the debate that took place at a meeting of the planning committee of South Norfolk Council (it's available on You Tube if you can't sleep). Council officers seemed to be of the opinion that there are six buildings that can be hired in close proximity and these can be hired by the dance school. But of these six buildings, two are schools which cannot by their very nature be hired during the day, one still has to be built (the new pavilion on the Memorial Playing Field) and the others cannot provide free space for over 20 hours a week, every week. So that puts a different gloss on the situation.
I am still hoping that a decent solution can be found for the dance school so that 1/ it can continue and 2/ it can continue in our village without having to move elsewhere.
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As a family we have numerous season tickets to Carrow Road to watch Norwich City. Usually three of us sit together and before each game we pop into a traditional sweet shop in Norwich City centre so that Elliot can chose some munchies for the match.
Usually we go for bon bons (lemon or raspberry). This week Elliot wanted a change and chose mega sour rhubarb and custard. In all my years of eating sweets i have never tasted anything quite as disgusting. I find it difficult to put into words how horrible these sweets are. I had to chuck mine away and they genuinely made me feel physically sick and the taste lingered for quite a few hours. I cannot imagine how anyone can enjoy these sweets.
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I see they are strengthening the law with regard to the use of mobile phones whilst driving. Only a total idiot would think that they can text, answer a phone (without hands free) or play games whilst driving.
But apparently there are certain things you can still do whilst driving that aren't illegal. Get this - you can still technically take photos and videos and play games. You can't make calls or text. I fail to see the difference. All are ridiculously dangerous and thankfully a loophole in the system will soon be closed and I for one hope that anyone stupid enough to use a mobile whilst driving is caught.