Reepham Life

Anyone walking the path below the high school towards Whitwell Station may have noticed the large number of dog poo bags that have been thrown in the hedge. I counted about 50 on a short stretch.

It looks as if someone gets round the corner and then just throws them, full of excrement, onto the bank.

Whoever does this I would like to politely ask them to STOP.

It’s really disgusting to have dog poo piling up in one place, plus the plastic doesn’t degrade and they will be there for years and years unless someone clears them away.

Let’s try and keep our lovely countryside free of litter and plastic waste so we can enjoy the spring.

Helen Lindsay, Hackford Vale, Reepham

Photo: submitted

I should like to add my personal thanks to Stuart Lane’s piece (29 October 2021) and what I’m sure are the very many thanks and good wishes to Ann Middlemas on the news that she is stepping down as the Reepham Archive volunteer administrator.

Ann has given tirelessly to the life of Reepham over many years through many activities, including as a member of the town council and as a key member of the Reepham Society committee when it combined with the Bircham Centre to create the Reepham Archive.

I was one of those fortunate enough to work with Ann and to benefit from her constant energy, willingness and generosity in developing the Archive and realising its aim of discovering, preserving and sharing Reepham’s communal history and sense of identity. Thank you, Ann.

Mike Cowdrey, Lappeenranta, Finland

In response to the letter by Martin Sullivan (23 September), I was glad to hear from someone who drives on the unclassified county road system, colloquially known as green lanes.

I would be happy to discuss the use of Broomhill Lane and Back Lane with anyone – except the vehicles that drive at speed past my house, do not stop and when they do are extremely rude.

However, I don’t agree that this is a new issue: I was contacted by the son of the previous owner of my house who said it had been a problem for more than 40 years.

It is also clear that the Green Lane Association’s Code of Conduct is not adhered to for this path; for example, members should:

• Avoid damage to trees, hedgerows and boundaries. Some roads carry vehicular rights but are physically too narrow for 4x4s.

• Travel at a quiet and unobtrusive pace and as slowly as practicable; we recommend a maximum of 12 mph when in a 4x4 and on an Unsurfaced Right of Way.

I do find it impolite to be blamed for “overgrown fences” when it is clearly (as evidenced in the photographs in a previous news story) the vehicles that are running over the line of the fence and causing damage to the posts along the path. This section of track is not overgrown at fence level.

The other side of this particular track runs along the lower edge of the school playing field which belongs to a local farmer.

Even if this was cut back (and I am glad that this historic pathway isn’t cut back hard because it would further damage the habitat) it would still not provide enough space for the sort of vehicles that are using it.

Rather than attempting to blame others it would be more useful for anyone engaged in driving these paths to come to a meeting, put their point of view in person and maybe even accept that the green lane vehicles are causing damage to property and the track.

Helen Lindsay, Broomhill, Reepham

I read with interest Hugh Ivins “I told you so” letter regarding the benches in the Market Place (Your Letters, 14 September 2021).

It is also interesting to note that, on seeing the situation shown in the picture, Mr Ivins, in a blinkered “car centric” way, immediately decided to criticise the town council for placing the bench in the Market Place rather than, as he should have done, criticise the inconsiderate driver who parked so close to the bench that no one could use it.

The Market Place is for all the people of Reepham, including pedestrians and cyclists.

The benches were placed in the Market Place following requests from elderly residents who needed somewhere to rest after walking to the shops. Surely their needs should be considered too.

The town council is very aware of the need for parking in the Market Place to support businesses, but it’s a sad day when drivers are unwilling to sacrifice one space, which is only large enough for a mini, to enable the elderly to have somewhere to it down.

I have been told by a shopkeeper that the benches are used frequently so there is clearly a need for them.

The benches are black to fit in with the conservation area. The litter bins and the posts on the islands are also black, but I am not aware of pedestrians colliding with them at night.

Paul Mitchell, Chair, Reepham Town Council