Press Releases
Cllr. Len Elston Re-elected as Town Mayor
15 May 2008
Len Elston has been unanimously re-elected as Chairman of Wymondham Town Council and Town Mayor for a second term.
Mr Elston said “I am looking forward to serving the community in Wymondham for a further 12 months. Wymondham is a vibrant town and a great place to live and I will do all I can to encourage and maintain the town’s community spirit”.
Cllr. Elston is a well known face in the town, assisting in the organisation of the popular Dickensian Christmas celebrations and helping to run the town’s popular monthly farmer’s market. He has also been a member of Wymondham Lions for the past 37 years.
Over the past year Cllr. Elston has overseen the Town Council involvement in installing Skateboard and BMX facilities at Browick Road recreation ground, the opening of 60 new allotments at Chapel Lane and the unveiling of a new town sign. He is a stalwart supporter of the work of Brighter Wymondham and the group was thrilled when more than 130 volunteers turned up for a litter pick in the town in April, collecting over 780 kg of rubbish.
Cllr. Elston said “It will inevitably be a busy year ahead. The town council has been in receipt of a proposed planning application for 3,000 new homes in the south of the town. It was very encouraging to see so many residents turn up at an extraordinary parish meeting held at Central hall to discuss this planning application. I will be working closely with South Norfolk Council on the continued formulation of the Local Development Framework and with the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel, of which I am Chair to ensure that Wymondham is a safe and friendly place to live. I am also looking forward to the completion and opening of the new library located next to Central hall and the development of a new doctors surgery in the town”.
Councillor Les Daws was also re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Town Council and Deputy Mayor. He is known in the town for his work in the freight industry and for being a member of the Wymondham Lions.
Mayor’s Charity
29 April 2008
Each year the Town Mayor of Wymondham adopts a charity, and this year Cllr Len Elston adopted the Wymondham Youth Café as his charity of choice.
Cllr. Len Elston “Young people need a safe place to meet and enjoy themselves and this is a badly needed facility”
The idea of a Youth Café was the result of an extensive survey carried out amongst Wymondham High School pupils, to find out what they would like in the way of a safe meeting place for young people in the town.
Wymondham Youth Venue Action Group has been set up to manage the project with representatives from the Town Council, Wymondham High School (including pupils), Police, and Norfolk County Council Youth Workers.
This year the Mayor’s charity has raised £1,000 for the Youth Café. A further £500 has been kindly donated by the Wymondham branch of Barclay’s Bank. Cllr Len Elston and Barclays Business Manager John Rowe took the opportunity to present a cheque for £1,500 to Wymondham High School pupils Aga Tkack (Head Girl), James Hadley (Head Boy) and project co-ordinator Jane Bartram at Wymondham’s Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 29th April.
L to R - Barclays Business Manager John Rowe, Cllr Len Elston, Jane Bartram, James Hadley (Head Boy at Wymonham High School), Aga Tkack (Head Girl at Wymonham High School)
CIVIC AWARD
Adrian & Anne Hoare
Adrian & Anne Hoare, both historians, joined Wymondham Heritage Society in 1984 and quickly became involved in it's museum work with Adrian being elected as the chairman of the Wymondham Heritage Museum committee in 2000, a post he still holds today. Each year Adrian & Anne support each other in arranging a new and varied display at the museum including The Kett exhibition in 1999, the Americans around Wymondham, the Damgate story and History along the Tiffey to mane but a few.
The museum with Adrian & Anne as the driving force ably supported by an enthusiastic band of volunteers had their efforts recognised by winning the Berry Savory Tourism Award in 2001 and they have put in a huge amount of time developing the museum into one of Wymondham and South Norfolks Touristism must visit places.
When presenting the award Town Mayor, Cllr. Len Elston, praised the couple for their dedication and added that "in recognition of their commitment to making the museum a success and their contribution to community life the Town Council were pleased to confer this prestigious award"
Adrian & Anne Hoare receiving their Civic Award from Mayor Cllr. Len Elston at the recent launch of the Museums 2008 displays.
Possible new Homes for Wymondham
7th April 2008
*Wymondham Town Council are disappointed to note that developers Barton Wilmore have submitted a planning application to South Norfolk Council to build approx. 3,000 new homes on land situated in the Silfield area of the Town. Whilst the full details have not yet been received Mayor, Cllr. Len Elston commented " We have been aware for some time that Barton Wilmore were working on this project, and would have preferred them to wait for the outcome of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership joint core strategy for future housing development in Norwich and the surrounding area, which includes Wymondham. As a council we know that the Town is a key location because it is situated on the A11 and has good rail links to Cambridge. South Norfolk have been working hard developing a Local Development Framework which will identify suitable land for future housing needs. It seems to me that Barton Wilmore are pre-empting this process by submitting proposals for land which is presently outside the development boundary. We await the full details from South Norfolk before calling a public meeting to determine residents feelings before formally replying".
Farmers Market
10th December 2007
*Wymondhams Farmers Market will be held twice in December. The usual gathering on the 15th December will be followed by a second market on Saturday 22nd December to satisfy popular demand for fresh vegetables and, of course, it allows customers who have ordered turkeys and poultry to collect them as near to Christmas as possible.
Residents are warned that a road closure order will be in place on both days from 6.00am to 2.00pm and cars should followed the displayed notices and not park in the spaces covered by the orders, which are those outside the parade of shops at the top of the Market Place. A raffle to win a hamper donated by traders will be held in aid of the Town Mayors charity fund this Saturday.
Allotments Officially opened
3rd December 2007
On any fine day now, when you head out of town across the Chapel Lane bridge, you are likely to notice people at work on the tidy plots set out in the field on the right. It’s not a return to medieval agriculture, but enthusiastic allotment holders getting to grips with their new plots.
Over the last few years there has been an increase in demand for allotments. The Town Council set out to find suitable land, and in 2006 the site off Chapel Lane became available. After intense negotiations with the owners Anglian Water Services a long term lease was finally secured. Work then had to be done to clear the land, open up ditches and tidy up trees, and to lay out parking areas. Sixty new allotments, a mixture of full and half sized plots, were then laid out and residents on the extensive waiting list were contacted and offered plots.
With interest in allotments growing, more residents are putting their name forward and a waiting list of nearly 30 applications is still held. Three of the smaller half sized allotments have been retained for community use by local groups and schools and a fourth plot has been designated for disabled users. The Council would be pleased to hear from any interested parties.
Town Mayor Councillor Len Elston commented: “This has been a major project for the Town Council and for various reasons it has not progressed as quickly as we would have like: However the plots have now been allocated and tenants are working hard to prepare the ground for planting. As a council we have been well aware of the need for this new facility and it has been an important element of our 'Brighter Wymondham' strategy. As a new site there is an opportunity for it to develop in a controlled and sustained way and we will in due course be talking to the users to see if they wish to form an allotment association”.
Ends
Photos show Town Mayor Cllr. Len Elston officially opening new allotments
Farmers Market - Jute Bags
22nd November 2007
*Wymondham Town Council and Fakenham Town Council joined forces to purchase 1,000 environmentally friendly reusable jute bags to support their respective Farmers Market.The bags will be on sale for £1 and can be purchased at the award winning Wymondham Market which takes place on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Now boasting over 20 stalls selling locally produced beef, pork, lamb and poulty together with fish, fruit, vegetables, chutneys, cakes and eggs on a regular basis. There will be an additional pre christmas market on Saturday 22nd December.
Picture shows Market Co-ordinators Len Elston, Tony Vale & David Fletcher with new bags
Mayors Charity Donation
19th November 2007
*Wymondham Mayor, Cllr. Len Elston attended the Ex-Servicemans club to receive a cheque for £200 towards his nominated charity this year being 'Wymondham Action for Youth' who are currently working on a project to set up a youth cafe in the Town. The Funds were raised by club members through a quiz night and Cllr. Elston commented 'Recent consultative work has highlighted the need for a youth club and this kind donation will be added to funds already raised. The Ex -Servicemans club has a tradition of raising funds for local charities and good causes and I am pleased that they have supported this group'.
French Market
3rd September 2007
*Back by popular demand a French Market returns to Wymondham Market Place for the 3rd year on Sunday 16th September from 9.00am to 4.00pm
Town Clerk Trevor Gurney has organised the event in aid of the Mayor's Charity Fund and is delighted by the positive response from traders who have greeted it enthusiastically with a number of cafe owners indicating that they will especially open on the day. 'We want to use the Market place much more, given its central location and build on thepositive feedback we received from the visits in 2005 & 2006 ' he said.
There will be a variety of stalls selling all sorts of wonderful foods and crafts, transforming the Market Place in front of the historic Grage 1 listed Market Cross building.
You will be able to try and buy cheese, sausages, olives, cakes and pastries not forgetting the wonderful strings of onions, shallots and garlic.
Bruno Giradeau, organiser of the market said 'We are looking forward to returning to Wymondham where we always receive a warm welcome from residents and visitors, who clearly enjoy us bringing the authentic tastes and crafts of France to the town.
Town Mayor, Cllr. Len Elston, commented 'The Council looks forward each year to hosting this popular market as it brings life and visitors to the Town centre increasing business for the local cafes, restaurants and public houses. This is an opportunity to experience a taste of France here in Wymondham'.
The roads around the Market place will be closed 7.00am to 5.00pm on the day and traffic diversions will be put in place.
CANARIES FOR THE COMMUNITY
10th July 2007
Over twenty 'Canaries' for the Community' volunteers were at Wymondham's Priory Gardens last weekend, weeding,tidying and staining the seats and fences. Canaries for the Community is an initiative from Norwich City Football Club, sponsored by Norwich Union and each year the volunteers undertake two projects in different parts of Norfolk.
Town Mayor, Len Elston, was presented with a plaque by Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of Norwich City Football Club. Mr Elston said 'The volunteers have done a magnificent job and the new plants complement the informal feel of Priory Gardens beautifully. We are very grateful to the volunteers, especially the organiser Duncan MacInnes, and to Norwich Union.
The volunteers also planted new shrubs and perennials, including two Wymondham Abbey rose bushes that were donated by Peter Beales Roses.
NEW MAYOR ELECTED
23rd May 2007
At its recent Annual General Meeting the newly elected Town Council was pleased to install Cllr. Len Elston as its leader and Mayor for the coming year. Cllr. Elston, together with his wife Violet and daughter Jane, moved to Wymondham in 1967 when his employer, Lotus Cars, relocated to Hethel.
"After the frenetic pace of life in North London, I was pleased to move to such a quiet and picturesque Market Town in the heart of Norfolk. We quickly adapted to our new surroundings, and after living here for 40 years wouldn't want to live anywhere else," he commented.
Upon leaving Lotus I started up a successful haulage business until my retirement in 1985. For the past 36 years I have been a member of Wymondham Lions International and have served in various posts within the organisation, the highlight of which is being involved in the organisation of the Dickensian Evening which takes place in the town every Christmas. I have also been involved in the Farmers Market over the last five years.
Community service **is very important** to me, and I was proud and honoured to be chosen to serve the residents of Wymondham by being elected to the Council in 2003 and again a few weeks ago. This is an exciting period for the town and I look forward to the completion of the new skateboard / BMX track facilities, the building of a new library which is due to commence in late Autumn and the opening of the long awaited new allotments.
It is important that we maintain the character and charm of the town and I will be working closely with South Norfolk Council on the Local Development Framework which will outline Wymondham's future. Wymondham is a vibrant Town and a great place to live I will do all I can to encourage the continued development of community spirit.
Finally I would like to pay tribute to Cllr. Joe Mooney for his excellent work as Mayor last year, especially the Brighter Wymondham project which continues to flourish with the support of residents and businesses.
Photo - Cllr. Elston
FAIRTRADE
WYMONDHAM GAINS FAIRTRADE STATUS
Wymondham is celebrating on becoming a Fairtrade town - the first Norfolk market town to achieve this internationally recognised status.
In April 2006 Wymondham Community Partnership and Wymondham Town Council came together to set up a steering group to achieve Fairtrade status for the town. Fairtrade is a worldwide scheme ensuring that producers receive a fair price for their products, which can be identified by the distinctive logo on their packing.
Wymondham can proudly promote itself as the first Fairtrade market town in the County. Nine months of hard work on the project have included persuading several local shops to stock Fairtrade products, and getting public bodies to use Faitrade products wherever possible.
Steering group Chair Doug Underwood commented 'This is brilliant news for Wymondham - but it is only the first step. We now have to increase the number of businesses in the Town that stock Fairtrade products. In order to encourage this we intend to publish a directory of all local stockists and will continue to promote items produced all over the world, including our own local producers such as farmers. We have a very successful Farmers Market and it is equally important that we promote fair prices for their products'.
Mayor Cllr. Joe Mooney was delighted that Wymondham is the first Norfolk market town to be awarded this prestigious status and would encourage all other towns to follow Wymondham's example. His sentiments were endorsed by Ann Roberts, Chair of Wymondham Community Partnership.Ann said: 'We should all look out for the Fairtrade label on products when we go shopping. And if you have a cup of coffee at a Community Partnership or Town Council event, you can now expect it to be a Fairtrade product!
Photo shows members of the Steering group celebrating their success
Mayor's Charity Fund
18/12/06
Wymondham Mayor Cllr. Joe Mooney attended the usual December Farmers Market held last Saturday, accompanied by his wife Katherine, to extend the season's greetings to shoppers. Whilst there he took the opportunity to present a further £500 to the Council's chosen charity for this year - the East Anglian Childrens Hospice at Quidenham. Fund raising continues and the next event will be a raffle organised by traders at an additional Christmas Farmers Market which will be held on Saturday 23rd December 9.00am -1.00pm
Mayor Cllr. Joe Mooney with his wife Katherine (right) together with market co-ordinator Cllr. David Fletcher and EACH shop manager Becky Cooke
Market Cross
12/12/06
Residents of Wymondham have seen the historic Market Cross shrouded in scaffolding over the last month in anticipation of contractors commencing renovation work to include a complete re-roofing with hand made tiles. Work was due to commence on the 30th October by has been delayed as the specialist Tiler found that work on a Church roof he is currently undertaking has taken longer than expected due to rotten timbers being found. The Council's project managers have been pressing for work to commence and it is anticipated that residents will see contractors on site commencing on the 8th January, they have also advised that additional scaffolding costs will be absorbed by the company undertaking the work. Mayor Cllr. Joe Mooney commented 'I would apologise for the dealy due to unforseen circumstances that have been beyond our control, the work is very specalised and has to be approved by English Heritage as the Market Cross is a grade 1 listed building. The Council is committed to the preservation of this important focal point in the Town centre'. In due course the leadwork on the building wil be replaced and the walls limewashed to preserve them.
Save Our Beds
12/11/09
Wymondham Town Council has passed a resolution backing the EDPs Save Our Beds campaign.
Town Mayor, Joe Mooney briefed the November meeting of the council on the PCTs review of its intermediate care beds service. The PCT is currently looking at ways to reduce its deficit and the intermediate care beds at Ogden Court, Wymondham are under threat.
Mr Mooney said: 'I am absolutely delighted that Wymondham Town Council decided to back the EDPs Save our Beds campaign. The council was outraged to learn the PCT is planning to spend £500,000 on employing management consultants.
The council felt that this kind of money should be spent on Saving our Beds. The people of Wymondham and now the town council are saying loud and clear to the PCT Hands off our Beds. We hope they will listen to our plea and keep the beds at Ogden Court and in our community hospitals at their existing levels.'
The resolution also calls on the PCT to hold a public meeting in Wymondham to discuss the issue. A copy of the resolution is to be sent to the PCT and the MP for South Norfolk, Mr Richard Bacon.
French Market
26/09/06
On Sunday the centre of Wymondham came alive with the return visit of a French Market following last year's successful event. The Gallic aroma of fresh baguettes, garlic, onions and cheese filled the air. Basking in warm sunshine, these continental delicacies attracted lots of visitors and £250 was raised in support of the Quidenham Childrens Hospice, which is this years chosen Mayor's charity. Mayor Joe Mooney was delighted with the day and commented ' It was a successful event that the Council organised and the Town centre has been buzzing. Visitors have asked that we stage it again next year and I would like it to become a regular feature'. Local cafe owners were delighted and most entered into the spirit of the day offering menus based on French dishes. There were 25 stalls selling a variety of bread, cheesses, pates, handbags, clothing, biscuits, dried fruit and spices. Most of the stallholfers came from Normandy.
