EDP Page 2 on Monday 14th September 2009

EDP mistake... oak?

Apparently we are erecting an oak obelisk! Burrell memorial obelisk plan approved 09 September 2009 A three sided oak obelisk dedicated to Thetford steam engine builder Charles Burrell will provide the centre piece for a new community garden in the town. Planning permission for the sculpture, which has already been commissioned and will be paid for using lottery money, was granted by Breckland Council's Development Control Committee. When finished the 1.8m memorial will sit in the new Charles Burrell Garden on land next to 54 Staniforth Road. The derelict site, which is near to the Charles Burrell High School, is currently being transformed into a community garden by the Keystone Development Trust. When finished it is hoped it will provide a tranquil place for townsfolk to go and be a haven for wildlife. Along with the famous author Thomas Paine, and Britain's first black mayor, Dr Allan Glaisyer Minns, Charles Burrell is one of Thetford's most prominent historical figures. From 1740 to 1930 Burrell and Sons produced custom made steam engines and at one point the company was Thetford's largest employer with an international reputation for manufacturing traction engines and road locomotives. Charles Burrell was also a Thetford town councillor for 55 consecutive years and held the office of town mayor on seven separate occasions.

Charles Burrell Coverage in EDP

Excellent article, very pleased with this.

That August feeling....

Everything seems to be moving at a very slow pace at the moment. Not a lot happens in the political and community work world in August. Although there is some news to note; I got into hot water for my recent criticisms of different agencies regarding Redcastle Community Centre. I was quoted in the press articles at saying Peddars Way Housing Association had under-invested in West Thetford. This is not the case, and they took exception to my comments, but are hopefully now aware that they were not my views anyway. Some fairly major news - a funding bid which I supported and assisted with has been approved, £400,000! I will post the press article seperately but it is a major piece of good news for the Saxon and Abbey Wards. We had an interesting Town Council planning committee meeting last night, 12th August. Approximately 20 residents turned up to complain about an application to fill-in and build over a rather nice pond area along Nightingale Way. I had already been alerted that this was being proposed so I was aware of the implications so put my points across at the meeting. We cannot keep allowing developers to cram in housing into every nook and cranny in this town, particularly building on attractive green areas, when so many brown-field, disused eyesores, and unused buildings remain in this town. The planning application for the Charles Burrell sculpture also came up for discussion last night and thankfully, my fellow town councillors rather liked it so I gather.

Charles Burrell Sculpture Project, Page 3, Thetford and Brandon 22 10 08