Covered Clods

Keith Evans/Geograph

Farmers have for some time covered their fields in shiny man made materials to harvest the most from the prevailing weather conditions. Thankfully plastic mulching is not too prevalent in this part of Norfolk, the materials being not only unsightly but rather unenvironmentally friendly too.

Mike Page

Following last weeks news of an anaerobic digester plant being planned off the A1065 north of Swaffham, another farmer has covered a field with a 30 acre 'sun farm' assembled near North Walsham. The 18,000, 3 meter high photovotaic cells can produce enough energy to feed 1,500 homes. Expected to last 25 years, some of the maintenance is to be provided by grass trimming sheep to keep the 35 degree tilted panels producing their solar powered produce.
Update: These could be the last solar farms for some time as the government has slashed the subsidises, known as FiTs or Feed in Tariffs, for new developments.

Finally succumbing to autumn, albeit unseasonably fine

The morning fog lifted smartly, the windless day welcomingly warm.

All © J Reed 2011

A fair wind for bio digester?

This part of Norfolk either embraces alternative methods of energy production, such as the turbines at North Pickenham and Swaffham, undecided, such as the proposed turbine in nearby Shipdham, or opposed like the electrical sub station, for the Dudgeon off shore wind farm, in Little Dunham.

Renewable Energy Association

Reports today that Dutch business man Teun Smits and Bury St Edmunds based Qualiflex Biproduct Solutions Limited are set to show plans of a recycling and anaerobic digester plant, to be based at West Lexham, at an exhibition to be held at Castle Acre Village Hall, in Pye’s Lane, from 4pm to 7pm on November 10th. The general principle of the plant is that waste organic matter goes in one end and biogas fuel and farm friendly fertiliser comes out the other. Only time will tell whether locals welcome the idea, with 30 direct long term jobs promised, on the positive side, and environmental aromas and increased heavy transport on the other.

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.

Roast Dinners at School

Press reports of nutritious roast dinners, made from very local produce, being served to pupils and staff at St Andrew's School including vegetables from their very own garden.

Lynn News

News of how locals can join in these feasts can be found in November's issue of the Pickenhams' Periodical or by contacting the school direct.

A11 Bat Bridges

Part of the planning permission appeasements, bat bridges are to be built spanning stretches stopping squashing some soaring scavengers. The theory being that the bat's sonar senses the netting as it would the top of hedgerows, guiding the mammals over the dualled danger zone.

MikeCalder/Wikimedia

£500,000 have been earmarked to protect the six species known to inhabit the vicinity, which seems rather a lot for some posts and a bit of netting. The Highways Agency point out that this is a road safety issue too. As well as an unwelcome coming together with a hurtling motor vehicle for the bat, like the reasons steps are taken to divert deer off dual carriageways, they can be a dangerous distraction for the driver too.

Bradenham Housing

The previously mentioned Hale Road development by local builder cum developer cum RIBA Chartered Practice architects firm Clayland seems to have started with initial groundworkings.
The revised plans from the original 12 homes, including 6 affordable units, are for 6 'open market homes' and 5 'local needs homes', including 1 special needs home, in what looks like the usual well designed, sympathetically landscaped Clayland style.

Clayland

The adjacent Lord Nelson pub still looks rather forlorn and not open for trade, the former landlord/land owner and prospective publicans submitting representations in support of the development with most objections coming from residents on the opposite side of Hale Road.