Village News Archive

NO BOOZE ZONE: The parish council is to investigate whether a no public drinking zone can be imposed following reports of antisocial behaviour at the bus shelter.

Members heard individuals were gathering at the stop on the village green, drinking alcohol and in some cases relieving themselves behind the shelter. There had also been reports of drug use.

Deputy chairman Nigel Coe said a number of residents had approached him about it and he had spoken to the people involved, who didn’t seem to think they were doing anything wrong. But he added: “They can be quite intimidating for people who are queueing for a bus.”

The issue had been raised with the police who had carried out patrols and talked to the group. “The question is how far do we take it and what control have we got?”

Chairman Mark Bobby believed the best way of dealing with the problem in the short term was to report it through official channels because the more it was reported the more likely it was something would be done.

Cllr John Smithson asked borough councillor James Bensly about the possibility of bringing in a rule to prevent drinking in public and was told the authority could apply for a licence banning drinking in certain areas. “We have antisocial behaviour in pockets of Gt Yarmouth and these are particularly effective,” he explained.

Councils have access to a range of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, including public spaces protection orders. Great Yarmouth brought in its first, aimed at alcohol-related problems, in June 2016 and it covered the whole district. It runs out this year and the borough is currently deciding whether to renew it.

While it isn’t a ban on drinking in public areas, it allows police and council officers to confiscate alcohol or issue an £80 fixed penalty notice if it isn’t handed over.

WILDFLOWERS KILLED: Attempts to introduce more wildflowers into the village had a bit of a set back when weedkiller was sprayed around the base of trees at the play area.

But the parish council heard at its full meeting on March 30 that it was likely to be the result of a mistake rather than malice.

Cllr Norman Parcell said the weedkiller had been put down near the entrance to the play area, down the footpath and around the parking area as well as at the base of two small trees where wildflower plugs had just been planted.

“At first I thought it was malicious but now I think it was part of someone’s job,” he told his colleagues.

DUNES BINS: Natural England has asked the parish council about the possibility of installing dog poo bins on the dunes nature reserve.

Cllr Emma Punchard told last week’s full meeting that as a minimum it would like one to be installed near the fishermen’s huts.

Cllr Nigel Coe said the council had been asked many times about putting in poo bins but the issue was getting them emptied regularly and borough councillor James Bensly explained because the waste was a biohazard it was much more expensive.

Chairman Mark Bobby said he believed it was probably a mistake and an investigation into how it happened was in hand.

The council heard wildflowers were starting to appear in other areas being managed by the environment and ecology group.

Coast Watch volunteers Roger Rolph (right) and Brian Thompson at the beach car park as the tower is removed because of coastal erosion

The crane arrives at the beach car park

Coast Watch volunteer Brian Thompson helps load the container

The tower leaves the village

The top section is hooked up ready to be lifted

901 TROOP marine cadets at Winterton chippy with Debbie and Mark after they served the troop lunch following their 10 mile sponsored walk. The cadets wanted to congratulate the couple on their 30th anniversary at the Fish Bar and thank them for the years of support.

BBC Radio Norfolk's Treasure Quest presenters Julie Reinger and Sam Burton meet the Winterton In Bloom team Claire Thompson, Cheryl Knight and Elaine Hillier on the village green, where they broadcast from this morning.

We would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate our final day of frying and marking the occasion with a group photo.

A big thanks to the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group who lined up to support us and the band Twisted Keys who played us out and kept us entertained all day.

We were overwhelmed with everyone’s support. It was a fantastic emotional day and will stay with us forever.

Thank you all xxx.

ENGINEERS have been on the beach today bringing ashore a new fibre-optic cable linking the UK with the Netherlands.

The sight of a large ship close to the coastline and diggers on the beach below the diamond sign caused a good deal of interest among local people and visitors out to enjoy the warm sunshine and blue skies.

As reported in the newsletter, BT applied to the borough council for planning permission to land the Iceni telecoms cable and dig trenching from the low water mark to the existing duct, which has been excavated.

A PROLIFIC thief who targeted homes in Winterton, Scratby and Hemsby has been sentenced to two years and four months in a young offender institution.

Marcus Stewart, 20, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court. But he asked for nine more to be taken into consideration.

After the hearing on March 24 Det Cons Barry Simpson said: "Stewart was visited while on remand in prison because it was clear there were numerous investigations in Norfolk and Suffolk that matched the circumstances of the offences for which he had been charged. He made voluntary admissions to further offences.

Stewart, of Middlegate, Gt Yarmouth, admitted breaking into two properties in Wrentham, Suffolk, on January 13 and two more in Hemsby and Scratby on January 17, where cash and jewellery was stolen.

Police said he was identified as a suspect after CCTV was viewed and was arrested on January 20, questioned by detectives in Gt Yarmouth and later charged.

Suffolk Police’s Operation Convertor TIC Unit dealt with him and he went on to admit nine more burglaries in Southwold, Reydon, Bungay, Kessingland and Winterton. These were taken into consideration by the court.

One of the homes Stewart he burgled in Wrentham belonged to an 88-year-old woman who was at home celebrating her birthday. Stewart got in through an open window and stole a large amount of jewellery from her bedroom.

He broke into another home on the same road by forcing a back door, stealing cash and a large amount of jewellery, much of it holding sentimental value for the victim.

Five days later he broke into a house in The Glebe, Hemsby and California Avenue, Scratby where more jewellery and cash was stolen.

Det Cons Marley Jay-Symonds said: “Burglary is an intrusive crime, and we never underestimate the impact it can have on victims, which was evident in this series with large amount of jewellery stolen, some of which held great sentimental value to the victims.

“I’m pleased that through our investigations, we were able to secure Stewart’s sentencing and return a large amount of stolen property to the rightful owners.”

Operation Converter is intended to encourage offenders to admit their crimes. It means police are able to give victims some peace of mind that an offender has been caught. And the offender has a chance to clear their slate so they can have a fresh start on release from prison.

They have to give enough detail for officers to be sure they have committed the crime. The offences can then be taken into consideration at sentencing.

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