At the last meeting of the Reepham Town Team in early June, Richard and James Ellis of The Original Cottage Company (TOCC) briefed team members on their intention to further develop their organisation in Reepham.

Basically, the holiday cottage company has outgrown its existing accommodation in the town centre and needs more office space.

Having sought advice from the town, district and county councils, TOCC now plans to build a new office complex, complete with on-site car parking, on land off Dereham Road, behind the doctors’ surgery.

The proposed development includes a two-storey office block of traditional construction and a car park with access from Dereham Road, allowing space for future extension to the surgery.

The proposal was welcomed by members of the Town Team, but it was suggested a consultation exercise with local residents be carried out before final plans are drawn up; we understand this will be carried out over summer.

Town councillors were briefed on the proposal by Reepham Town Council chairman Les Paterson at its meeting on 12 June. Councillors broadly welcomed the proposal, and look forward to the consultation exercise and discussing the issue in more depth when the planning application is dealt with in due course.

Climate change and tree planting

At the town council meeting in May, a member of the public raised the issue of climate change and global warming, and asked the council to consider a tree planting programme in Reepham.

It had been intended to discuss the matter at the June Town Team meeting, but owing to time constraints, this was not possible, so the suggestion will be raised at the next meeting.

In the meantime, we would like comments from residents, particularly suggestions for possible public spaces where additional trees might be planted.

If you have any suggestions, or would like take part in organising a tree planting programme, please contact any of our councillors or the town clerk, Jo Boxall.

Family Fun Day at Stimpson’s Piece

Following last year’s summer family event on Stimpson’s Piece, another free family fun day will be held on the field on Saturday 20 July from 12 noon – 6 pm, which will include family entertainment, refreshments and a hog roast.

Please keep an eye out for posters on local noticeboards around the town and in the local free press for details.

Reepham Food Festival

I am sure everybody would like to join us in congratulating the organisers of this year’s food festival for another successful event, despite a period of rain later in the day.

By all reports a good time was had by all, and members of the public had the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of food and drink products available to eat or purchase.

It gave the town council great pleasure to be able to support the event with grant funding and arranging for the Market Place to be closed.

New town councillor

Becky Comer was welcomed to our ranks as a town councillor when she was co-opted at the last meeting in June. No doubt it will take Becky a little while to find out what and where everything we are responsible for is, but I am sure she will make an excellent councillor.

Future events

• Wednesday 3 July: Town Hall Management Committee meeting
• Wednesday 10 July: Reepham Town Council meeting, followed by Stimpson’s Piece Trustee meeting

All meetings are held in the Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham, starting at 7.30 pm unless otherwise advertised.

Local residents, businesses and organisations and members of the general public are welcome to attend to raise issues and make their views known to councillors at the beginning of every meeting.

Contact: Reepham Town Council, Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham, Norfolk NR10 4JW. Tel: 01603 873355. Email