Category: News

Please see the below from UK Power Networks:

Storms Dudley and Eunice, which will arrive consecutively in the UK from tomorrow (Wednesday 16^th February 2022).

As you may be aware, UK Power Networks manages the local power lines and substations which distribute electricity to over 8.3m homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

Storm Dudley will arrive tomorrow and is forecast to have a minimal impact on our network. However, Storm Eunice is expected to arrive on Friday 18^th and is expected to bring stronger winds and unsettled weather.

Our electricity network is built to be resilient but strong winds and heavy rain can bring down branches and trees, damaging overhead power lines. Where this happens we work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

We have organised for additional staff in our contact centre and more engineers on the ground, particularly for Storm Eunice, to be available to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather.

You will be able to find regular updates and information about individual power cuts on our website www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk . We will also be posting general updates on @UKPowerNetworks .

Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map, with details of individual power cuts
• Call 105 free of charge to speak to our customer service team, report a power cut or damage to the electricity network
• Tweet @UKPowerNetworks to report a power cut or to receive updates
• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates

We advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If they see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public they should call 999.

We provide extra help to customers on our Priority Service Register during a power cut.  Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register.  You can find out more information about our Priority Service on our website: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority .

Join the Citizens Advice for a free online session giving practical tips to manage your energy costs.

Tuesday 22nd Feb 11am

They’ll explain:
Grants and support
Energy saving tips
Finding help if you are struggling

To book a free place:
email energyadvice@cadat.org.uk
or visit
eventbrite.co.uk/e/256792953637

The Norfolk Local Access Forum is comprised of up to 22 people covering a range of interests in countryside access in Norfolk, including: walking; cycling; horse riding; landowners; conservation; other interests (including tourism, business, heritage, education). The Forum provides independent advice to a number of organisations including Norfolk County Council on improving access to the countryside in Norfolk.

NLAF are looking for enthusiastic and proactive people with a passion for the outdoors with good communication skills to fill 14 volunteer vacancies on the Forum.   These members will represent a range of interest areas and full details can be found online, along with the recruitment form here:   https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/policy-performance-and-partnerships/partnerships/local-access-forum

(the recruitment form is under the ‘membership’ tab here).

If you have any queries, please email nlaf@norfolk.gov.uk  or contact 0344 800 8020.

The closing date for applications is 25^th March 2022

Police Engagement Event

Friday 18th February 11am – 1pm

Bradwell Parish Council Office

Leo Coles Pavilion, Green Lane, Bradwell

The MONUMENT team at Norfolk County Council are thrilled to be able to offer new 2022 dates for their ‘Pathways into Nature’ training sessions for professionals.

This is FREE informal training delivered by the experienced team at Dementia Adventure.

Pathways into Nature

A diagnosis of dementia needn’t mean less adventure.

There is undeniable evidence that access to nature, the outdoors and gentle exercise has amazing benefits for all. Whether you’re walking, gardening, or watching wildlife research shows that time spent in nature can aid your physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health.

“I do like to be near wildlife and countryside …if there was some place where we would be able to walk or sit or enjoy” – (carer quote)

Guided by the experts at Dementia Adventure, MONUMENT’s ‘Pathways into Nature’ training session encourages professionals to:

• Explore the health and wellbeing benefits of nature.
• Increase your knowledge of dementia and what matters most to carers.
• Offer practical guidance to plan successful outings.
• Identify the mental and physical barriers to accessing the outdoors.
• Provide resources to help improve access nature and the great outdoors.
• Share stories, experiences and strategies.

Would you like to improve your awareness of how to support carers and people with dementia?

We have seven Pathways into Nature sessions available for organisations and leisure-providers looking to develop or enhance dementia-friendly provision.

These online sessions are being held on:

Thursday 10 March @ 09:30 – 12:30

Monday 28 March @ 13:00 – 16:00

Tuesday 19  April @ 13:00 – 16:00

Wednesday 27 April @ 09:30 – 12:30

Thursday 03 May @ 13:00 – 16:00

Thursday 12 May @ 09:30 – 12:30

Wednesday 25 May @ 09:30 – 12:30

Find out more and book here.

Sessions are FREE, but booking is essential.

book online now: Book tickets for MONUMENT’s: Pathways into Nature

Or book by phone on: 01245 237548

If you want to know more email us at: monument@norfolk.gov.uk

Community Action Norfolk (CAN) are offering FREE online energy advice and awareness sessions:

Rapidly rising energy costs, combined with the coldest months of winter, are a major worry for almost everyone. Factoring in the continuing COVID pandemic, with many people still needing to isolate at home, means that energy usage is also high.

If you or your beneficiaries are worried about energy bills, why not come along to one of their FREE online energy advice and awareness sessions?

The content covers:

• how and where to get help and support with energy bills
• how to save on energy use in the home
• understanding fuel poverty
• switching energy supplier (updated advice in light of the present volatile market)

Sessions currently planned:

• Tuesday 1 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Monday 7 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Tuesday 8 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Monday 14 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Thursday 17 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Monday 21 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Tuesday 22 February from 1-2pm (West Norfolk residents and organisations)
• Wednesday 23 February from 12 noon-1pm
• Monday 28 February from 12 noon-1pm

Email office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk to register and you’ll receive a Teams or Zoom link a few days before.

Other information on sources of help for people in need include:

Sources of fuel and Energy Support

Priority Services Register for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

Auriga Help with Water and Energy booklet

Green Light Trust are running a FREE taster session for unpaid carers, family and friends of people living with Dementia. Relax, laugh and try a new skill. All on the beautiful grounds of Strumpshaw Fen.

Friday 11th or 18th March 2022

Low Road, Strumpshaw, NR13 4HS
10am-3pm including lunch ( flexibility to leave earlier if session is too long)

• Practical woodland skills
• Coppicing
• Green wordwork
• Fire lighting
• Campfire lunch
• Learn about the woodlands, animals and plants

Dress comfortably for the weather

Book now at:
monument@norfolk.gov.uk
or call: 01603 303378 or 01603 223146

Over the past weekend the Government has issued their response to the Glover Report on English National Parks which includes “The Broads”.

There is a fairly straight forward online Consultation but it is necessary to read the report first.  The Consultation closes on Saturday 9^th April.    The main link is below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landscapes-review-national-parks-and-aonbs-government-response/landscapes-review-national-parks-and-aonbs-government-response

For those who would like a taster this is the official Press Release:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ambitious-proposals-to-strengthen-our-protected-landscapes-announced?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=7bf33e5b-e2bb-4fc7-b346-7184cf6fa5c1&utm_content=daily

The Broads Society, a registered Charity who for the past 50 years has worked endlessly to preserve all aspects of the Broads for the future, would very much appreciate input from individuals to submit their thoughts to the Consultation.

Ahead of the next milestone within the development of ambitious plans for a new hospital, the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (JPUH) is asking for the views of patients and local communities on what is important to them.

You can support the development of the James Paget’s plans by completing a short survey. JPUH are keen to gather the views about the opportunities a new hospital would provide for the communities that the James Paget serves, which will have an impact on their planning at an early stage.

Further information about the Paget’s New Hospital development and progress to date can be found here: https://www.jpaget.nhs.uk/about-us/strategies-policies/our-new-hospital/

Access the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/hVTJcErZYS