Interested in Making a Difference in Your Community?

Become a Parish Councillor

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Your Parish Council is looking for passionate and committed individuals to join as co-opted members.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in local decision-making and help shape the future of

your community.

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What Is Co-Option?

Co-option is the process by which a Parish Council can appoint a new councillor to fill a vacant seat

when an election is not required. If you're interested in local issues and want to have a say in how

your village or parish is run, this could be your chance to get involved.

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What Does a Parish Councillor Do?

Parish Councillors are the closest level of government to the community, and they play an important

role in representing the views of local residents. Duties include:

• Attending and participating in council meetings

• Helping to set the local precept (part of the council tax)

• Making decisions on local services and facilities

• Working with other community groups and authorities

• Supporting local initiatives and events

 

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a British citizen or a qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen

• Live in, or within 3 miles of, the parish—or work or own property in the area

You do not need any previous experience. Enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a desire to serve

your community are the most important qualities.

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Why Should You Join?

• Make a positive impact where you live

• Help shape local services like parks, community centres, and footpaths

• Meet new people and build relationships in your area

• Gain experience in local government, project management, and leadership

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How to Apply

If you're interested in being co-opted onto the Parish Council, please complete the application form or contact the Parish Council for more information. You may be invited to attend a meeting and briefly explain why you'd like to join.

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Don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard and help make a real difference in your community.

 

Bleed Kit Now Available in Village Defibrillator Cabinet

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Syderstone Parish Council is pleased to announce the installation of a bleed control kit alongside the village’s existing defibrillator. This important addition is now located inside the defibrillator cabinet and is available for public use in the event of a traumatic injury involving severe bleeding.

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Just like a defibrillator can save lives during a cardiac arrest, a bleed control kit is essential for treating catastrophic bleeding, where immediate action can prevent a fatal outcome. The kit includes:

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• A tourniquet

• Trauma dressings

• Haemostatic gauze

• Gloves and scissors

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These items are designed to help members of the public respond quickly and effectively in an emergency—particularly before ambulance crews can arrive.

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With regards to how to use it, please always bear in mind that it is a public bleed kit, designed for use by untrained individuals, much like the public defibrillators. When you dial 999 due to a critical bleed, the call handler should be able to provide clear instructions over the phone to guide you through using the kit.

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For extra confidence, free online training videos are also available at: www.controlthebleed.org.uk

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These short videos walk you through how to recognise severe bleeding and how to use the contents of the kit step-by-step. No medical experience is needed—just a willingness to help.

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By providing this kit, Syderstone Parish Council is taking proactive steps to improve emergency preparedness in the community. Everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes to watch the training videos so you’ll be ready if you're ever faced with a critical situation.

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Remember: your knowledge and quick action could help save a life.

 

RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre 

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Would you be interested in volunteering?

RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre is looking for volunteers to assist as curators at the centre.  No military or other training is necessary, just an interest in military or local history.  The requirement is for a few hours on occasional Sundays between Easter and November.

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We are also creating an archive of the activities of the 50+ squadrons who were at the base between 1918 and 1962, and developing the national archive of the RAF Administrative Apprentices between 1925 and 1973.  If you would be interested in more information or giving up some of your time for these exciting projects, please contact us.

 

Ian Jacklin 01485 528286

ianjacklin50@btinternet.com

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Open Days 2025

Sunday, April 20th Easter Sunday (First open day), Sunday, May 4th Sunday, May 18th

Sunday, June 1st Sunday, June 15th Sunday, June 29th Sunday July 13th Sunday, July 27th

Sunday, August 10th Sunday, August 24th Monday, August 25th (Bank Holiday Monday)

Sunday, September 7th Sunday, September 21st Sunday, October 12th Sunday, October 26th

Sunday, November 9th (Remembrance Sunday – Final open day)

 

For more information regarding open days and stories about the former RAF Station please visit our Facebook page, simply search RAF Bircham Newton Heritage Centre.

 

If you need to contact the Heritage Centre team, please call Chairman of Trustees, Jamie Heffer: 07807098348 or email at: jamie_heffer@hotmail.co.uk

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Digital Switch over 2025 in Syderstone – yes it affects YOU

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Traditional landline phone systems will soon be a thing of the past. December 2025 is the end of the road for this Victorian-age technology. Many people think the switchover is not happening until 2027. However it is already happening - some people in West Norfolk have already been switched

over.

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So, what is the 2025 digital switchover and what does it mean for you?

How is UK’s telephone network is changing?

Between now and the end of 2025 most telephone providers will be switching their customers from old analogue (copper-based) landlines to new upgraded services using digital technology. You may see updates in the media about ‘Digital Switchover’ or ‘Digital Voice’. The digital switchover applies to all phone lines no matter who your telephone provider is (BT, Virgin, Sky, Talk Talk etc).

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When will the Digital Switchover happen?

The BT digital switchover is planned to be completed by the end of 2025. Your communications provider will let you know when your digital switchover is happening, and you won’t need to do anything about your phone service until then. From the date of the switchover, landline telephones will no longer work via the socket on the wall. Instead, they will need to be connected to a broadband router or digital adapter.

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What do I need to do?

For most households that already have broadband the change will be straightforward or may have already happened. The change will be something as simple as plugging your phone into your broadband router instead of the wall socket. Your telephone company will send you instructions on how to connect your phone to the router and may also include an adapter to do this. Depending on your current router, your telephone provider may have to send you an upgraded one at no extra cost. Note: If you are unsure if you are going to be affected by the digital switchover, call your telephone provider to see if you need to do anything extra.

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I don’t have broadband – just a phone line….

If you have a traditional landline phone and don’t have broadband, then it is likely you have a copper-based phone line and you will be affected by this change. When the time comes, you will be supplied with a small adapter that you will plug your phone into so you can receive digital phone services.

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What will it cost?

For most customers, it is a simple and completely free transition to digital with no home installation work required. And you can keep your current phone number.

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Can I opt out of the digital switchover?

No – you cannot opt out of the digital switchover, but you could receive additional help to ensure you are not left without vital services.

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What help can I get?

It’s important to let your phone provider know if you are vulnerable in any way e.g. over 75, have disabilities or health conditions, are a telecare user, unpaid carer, living in a village with poor mobile phone signal etc. If you fall into any of these categories, do call your phone provider to ensure they have your circumstances on record. This will make things easier for you when it comes to switchover time