Pyrotechnics and Personable Pupils

A vanity bonfire was lit by devlish arsonists in North Pickenham, well just outside in the slightly over stated 'industrial area' a mile out of town between the two Pickenhams, on Wednesday using lucifers in a derelict building. Not sure whether it was at what is locally called the Old Firework Factory, a half built unit left up for sale some years back, or other buildings closer to the old airfield. 

Robert Gilbertson/Geograph

A couple of fire tending units from Swaffham and Watton put out the small malicious furnace.

St Andrew's School

News of a positive review from OFSTED at North Pickenham's school was reported today in the Lynn News. A thriving school, pub and church help to keep a village alive.

Toddlers throwing toys? Tantrum thugs.

Aidrian S Pye/Geograph

Swaffham is well known, to locals anyway, for its waddling ducks around the ponds on New Sporle Road but it appears the youth are the main issue in crimes against duckmanity and not inconsiderate road users for not slowing down - so says the BBC today.

Persistent Planning Permission Petition Part 2

Buck passed to ministers with opposing portfolio loyalties, so the appointed planning inspector announced  at today's meeting. Like the Marham RAF Tornado base decision, expect some horse trading with local interest not necessarily to the forefront from centralised government.

Bill Smith/EDP

Persistent Planning Permission Petition

Residents don't want it, local councilors don't want it but today the fate of a peaceful Breckland village lies in the hands of a government appointed planning inspector.

EDP

The substation planned for Little Dunham, including four 70m high by 25m wide and 15m high converter buildings, will connect the offshore Dudgeon wind farm to the nation grid. Previous blog entries here.

Birds Block Build, Demonic Dog & Dodgy Driving

EDP

A new North Walsham hospital is being delayed because of nesting birds. Despite the use of a tame hawk to discourage birds from establishing nests in early spring, blackbirds and dunnocks have decided to raise their families in trees that need to be felled for building to commence. Experts say that the birds may not leave until September and the planning permission won't allow for the lumberjacks to start their work until the birds depart.

EDP

Bob the demonic dog from Downham Market needs a new home. Caveat emptor, however, as behind that smiling face is a cantankerous canine who could be accurately twinned with Bulgakov's cat Behemoth. After ten years pig farmer Tem Sosa has had enough: 

“He looks older than his years, has wonky teeth, bad breath and a bad attitude. He is terrified of cats, snaps at horses’ heels and nips pigs. He should not be left unsupervised indoors as he steals food off the side, licks the cooker and pees at terrier height so as not to get the blame”.

BBC

Dangerous driving in Dereham this week when an older than average driver mistook the accelerator for the brake and mounted a Swedish model in Homebase's car park. The Saab was unoccupied, the female of the French fourwheeler found in flagrante was shaken but not stirred.

Parched Earth

Even with some free water distributed from a day long gushing stand pipe, due to some emergency water works, the rain forecast for this evening will be most welcome.

© J Reed

With the poppies in full bloom and the arables, those that have grown at all, ripening fast, it is easy to forget that it is only the start of June.