96kTaklBack sent several of its Community Reporters on a sunny coach tour, yesterday (Thursday), to visit council owned properties residents and other locals living in in the Community Website's northern suburbs of Great Yarmouth.
It was organised so that those living in Winterton, Martham, Repps, Thurne, Fleggburgh and Caister could simply step out from their homes to speak with an informed assortment of service providers and have their questions answered and concerns raised in order to make their lives easier in future.
I am one of the Community Reporters on the tour, and thoroughly enjoyed the trip around the countryside meeting the locals. We travelled in a distinguished looking 1959 coach restored to its former stylish condition - easily noticed - and we arrived in Winterton in glorious sunshine at 10am to set up tables and stands with our display material and literature. Residents ventured out despite the cold wind and spoke to those gathered around.
A fleet of vehicles including Community Police and other officals folowed the coach and parked around the col de sac creating a hubbub of activity that livened up the quiet street, and half an hour later we departed for the next place. And so it went on from one village to the next.
Martham looked lovely in the sunshine with flowers bursting into life beside the pond where we parked. Ducks came to welcome us too! The new buds on the weeping willows whipped the fresh air in the breeze, whilst I ventured off around the shops with 96kTalkBack leaflets.
We are seeking Community Reporters all over the Yarmouth region and our leaflets explain what we do, what the website's for and how to get involved and make a useful contribution with whartever time you have to spare.
Our lunch stop was spent in Thurne, home to the windmills, dyke (with its new boat launching ramp), and the Lion Inn where the landlord welcomed us all.
It's a lovely place to stop all year around, of course, but was particularly appreciated then as it offered us some warmth after so much time in the cold March wind that day.
Peter Kirkpatrick, Chairman Rural North Tenants and Residents Association said
"Day 1 of the Rural North's Tenants and Residents Associations 'Reaching Out' bus tour saw the 1959 Bedford coach visiting Winterton, Martham, Repps, Fleggburgh and Caister. Cold and blustery conditions kept visitor numbers low, but those who braved the elements managed to discuss their concerns with one of the many partner organisations available to offer help,advice and support.
Day 2 of the tour will see us visiting Caister, Ormesby St Margaret, Hemsby, Mautby, Stokesby and Filby. With a wide ranging group of experts available to offer help and support, why not join us on Thursday 17th March. Please call me on 01493 733578 or email rural.north@virgin.net for further details".
Time tables are on display in many of the shops and pubs on the route, so keep a look out for them and our cream coach, and come and say hello, whether you live there or not!
Thursday 17th March
Caister Charles Close 9.30 - 10am
Ormesby St Marg Pippin Cl 10.15 - 10.45am
Hemsby St Mary’s Close 11 - 11.45am
Mautby The Bungalows 12 - 12.30pm
Stokesby Village Green 12.45 - 1.30pm
Filby Post Office 1.45 - 2.15pm
Filby Pound Lane 2.30 - 3pm
Charles Shelbourne
Community Reporter
