Project Updates
Project Updates
Update on the progress of Upcher projects and Partnership
last update January 2010
Credit union
Volunteers have now been trained and the Upcher Community Bank was launched on the 22nd October. As yet the number of applications for savings accounts has been disappointing and we have only received one application for a loan. A new drive to promote the advantages of the Credit Union was started in December with leaflets being distributed to all households in the Upcher area. Appointments will be available for anyone interested in opening a savings account or applying for a loan on a Tuesday 10.00am-12.00 noon or Thursday 2.00pm-4.00pm. We would like more volunteers to come forward for training at a later date. Volunteers would be called on approximately twice a month.
Art and Literary Festival
This is a joint project set up betwwen the two town councils Cromer and Sheringham as well as Poppyland Partnership and Upcher. This will take place over the half term week in October 2010 and will include all types of art and the written word. There have been many semi-professional artist's putting themselves forward but we would like to hear from local community amature artists who could have an input either in an exhibition or with ideas of an event. We would like to utilise all the event venues in the area including churches and village halls. The local school will also be included. The opening day 23rd October will start with a performance from the City of London Symphonia at St Peters Church in Sheringham, and will finish with a concert on the 31st October by the North Norfolk Orchestral Society with a possible 'Last Night of the Proms' at Upper Sheringham Church.
Walk in the Countryside
We are hoping to produce a leaflet of local walks that are not necessarily well known, but would be put together by using peoples own favourite walks around where they live and not just coastal walks. The leaflets would be printed sheets of A4 showing the route with car parks, refreshment stops, places of interest, including heritage, fauna and flora. We would like to concentrate on the local walks known over generations, so that the real beauty of North Norfolk can be enjoyed from the normal coastal routes.
Sustainable Communities Group
A new working group, chaired by Audrey Brayne is looking at ways that our communities can become more self sustainable based on the transition town ideas. The group have been lucky in securing help and advice from the Energy Savings Trust who will supply support and advice to the group in the best way forward in encouraging the community to be more resilient. The group organised 2 Road Shows which were a success with many residents finding out information on energy saving techniques and renewable energy, many making appointments with the exhibitors for follow up home visits. Upcher still have water cistern hippos and energy saving lightbulbs to give away from the shop in Station Road. The next project for the group will be a presentation from a representative of the Colney Green Burial Site, watch out for details. If anyone wishes for more information or to be involved in the project please contact the shop.
Website www.upchercp.co.uk
The site is now up and running and contains information about the Partnership and area as a whole, including project updates and events in the area. If any one whishes to place an entry please contact Janet, again on 01263 825952
Visitor Survey
We have published a small visitor survey, mainly centred on Sheringham, but it does ask the question appplicable to the whole area. This will be used as a basis to see how we can expand 'Experience Sheringham' leaflets and website www.experiencesheringham.com to encompass the Partnership area. Any Parish or group wishing to p[ublicise an event or happening or to advertise on the site if you are a B&B or similar please contact Jason on 01263 825952. The responses have now all been analysed and a new working group will be formed in the very near future.The condition of the toilets in Sheringham was raised in the replies and it was suggested to apply pressure on the NNDC who are responsible for the upkeep. This has resulted in a meeting taking place with NNDC and other interested parties to review the toilets in Sheringham and look at ways of improving the state of the buildings and cleaning regime.
Heritage Art and Sculpture Trail
We are acting as a partner with the Environment working group who are anxious to extend the trail on Sheringham sea front and are applying for funding for this purpose. We understand that the Anglia In Bloom judges commented very favourably on what has been acheived so far. Unfortunately we have recently been informed that our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund was unsuccessful and we are at present looking for other sources of funding. The group have been sucessful in securing a Community Chest Grant to enable new information plaques for the summer season.
Sheringham Community Small Holding Group
Upcher is working with several partners on this project which has been suggested by Sheringham High School pupils and will explore all aspects of small Holding activities from vegatables to meat preparation. They are at present awaiting responses from a funding application.
Speed Watch
Much discussion took place as to the usefulness of this activity. Gresham do have a team but volunteer numbers have fallen, but when they are out and in action speeds do drop. The members group felt that this was not something to pursue. John Perry-Warnes County Councillor, did report that central government were considering the reduction of the 60 mph limit to 50mph on many rural roads and that this may well come in to force in our area.
Publicity for Parish Events
The Upcher Community Shop has a large notice board where groups, organisations or individuals can advertise events, we can also input the details on to the Upcher website and 'Experience Sheringham' and also put on a link if required.
Community Chest
This is now up and running and applications have been received. The maximum amount we can pay out on this scheme is £250 and this must be match funded by the applicants this can be by way of volunteer hours. The first applications were considered by the Appraisal Board in September 2009 and 2 applications were successful. In the second round of applications only one project was successful. The last round of applications were appraised and 5 were successful. A new Community Chest will be announced shortly.
Crab and Lobster Festival
The Crab and Lobster Festival was launched on Tuesday 13th October 2009 and the Upcher shop has had a 6ft Lobster on exhibition outside during half term week in Otober and a 3ft Lobster in the office. The Lobster and Crab sculptures were available to buy £200 for the small one and £400 for the large. They come in whicte and then individuals would paint them in their own design from January and then put on display around the two towns and surrounding area from Easter and then they will be auctioned for charity on the 23rd May 2010, 'RNLI and Help for Heroes'. There has been orders in excess of 40 firm orders for the sculptures, ranging from local organisations and groups to businesses.The launch of the festival will be on Friday 9th April and the Crabs and Lobsters will be available to view on the Crustacean Trail from Monday 12th in and around the two towns of Cromer Sheringham.
Empty Shop Project
The Partnership is currently looking to promote an Open Door Community Art Project. A group of local artists are willing to give their time voluntarily to provide workshops for all members of the community. We hope to be applying for an Awards 4 All grant to move this forward. The group held a Community Art Auction and sale on 27th/28th November and raised in excess of £260 for the project. Unfortunately we are finding it difficult to locate appropriate premises to house the project in the Sheringham Town. We have the full support of NNDC and hope within the next few months we will see this innovative project move forward.
Jobs Information
During January Upcher will be taking to the Cromer Job Centre, looking towards having a jobs vacant board in the shop. Many find it difficult especially form the villages to go to Cromer to look on the website in the Job Centre. There are still several people who have no access to the internet in their own homes. This would enable the unemployed to come into the shop to look at the vancancies and if necessary also talk to the Advice, Information and Guidance team who use the shop as an outreach centre to continue their education or to join training courses.
Tourist Information Point
The Upcher shop has taken over a limited role form the Tourist Information Centre which closes during the winter months. We now have all the bus and public transport timetables and information of all the events and attractions open during October to Easter. This is enabling the Partnership to become a 'one stop shop' in the centre of the town for all the residents and visitors.
Way Forward
The way forward fo the Upcher Partnership in the next 12 months is to continue building relationships between the town and parish councils and open consultations on the needs of our community, to continue talking and consulting with statutory bodies and attending workshops to take an active part in the decision making of those organisations.
To continue to increase the Partnership membership and to identify the requirements of the community and explore funding avenues to support those needs. To encourage the community to get behind projects and become involved in the community in which they live and talk to the partnership in ways for which we can move forward.
To continue to follow the action plan and satisfy the requirements of our funders NNCP but to drive the partnership forward in the direction that our community wishes backed by the support of the partnership directors and members.
Updated April 2010
Upcher are pleased to announce a series of escorted walks through the summer season, led by local residents and local historians. The topics will include Heritage, local family historys, history of the lifeboats, boats and shed, Architecture, Coastal paths, flora and fauna, plus walks outside of Sheringham numbers allowing. For further details, look on the events section of this website or contact the Upcher office on 01263 825952 or contact Jason on email jason@upchercp.co.uk.
