Necton Co-Op Closure Confirmed

The end has come after reports at the end of last year that the local store in Necton would close.

Chris Downer/Geograph

The popular resource, including the adjoined Post Office, will aparently close on Saturday 10th March. The competitive pricing, local welcoming staff and conveniently lengthy opening hours will be much missed but the Co-Operative refused to countenance a 30% rent increase when the lease came up for renewal.

Necton Co-Op Closure

Reports in the papers today say that the Necton convenience store is to close with the Co-Operative unwilling to resign a lease with a 30% rent increase. The ever busy 7 day opening store will, no doubt, be sorely missed.

Co-Operative Stores

The nearby Post Office will also close leaving the near 2000 Nectonians and surrounding villagers no option but to travel to Swaffham for even the simplest of supplies and services.

Bazaar Bag Ban

Swaffham's historic Saturday market is to stop the handing out of plastic bags with your purchases, in an initiative from Breckland Council and Advance Swafham, from May 29th 2010. 

Norfolk Tourism

The next step would be to ape Modbury in Devon, the first plastic bag free town, and Aylsham in Norfolk who went plastic free in 2008. Most plastic bags take decades to degrade in land fill sites, although Co-op degradable bags disappear in 3 years, with the supermarkets as keen to save money on free disposable bags as saving the planet.

Contrite Communiqué to the Co-op Checkout Cashier Couple

On a quick dash to the Necton Co-op before its 5pm Sunday closing hour, I mistakenly offered consolation to the staff that the sunshine was to last and the temperate climate look set to stay. On my return home, Bertie took me and my camera for a walk.

All was set fair to the south, with warm T-shirt wearing sunshine and light winds. To the north the rain clouds gathered, however.

Beautiful contrast of light and shade.

Chased by the looming rain clouds we raced towards Houghton on the Hill, looking back down towards Houghton Ponds in the Wissey valley.

The sunshine highlights the large amount rapeseed being grown in East Anglia this year, much to the annoyance of hay fever sufferers.

Then a sudden chill as the weather front ushered a cold steady breeze, the darkness from the clouds progressing purposely across the Houghton plateau.

All photos © J Reed

The downhill return to Pickenham was dark and bracing, to say the least. So apologies to the shop staff, I promise to keep my mouth shut next time so as not to put the kibosh on your evening sun worship.