Surlingham

And… the most special time of the year is upon us! As usual we are working hard to bring you the very best experience!

What will happen down here this weekend? We will be open as usual 10 to 4 for our usual yumminess and also for take away cakes and desserts. We will have loads of display on both days in case you haven’t ordered. Also it’s the last couple of days to find that great Portuguese wine with us (there is still plenty around here) or to get that last minute hamper!

As usual we will be open on Boxing Day for that very much needed coffee!

Well… whatever you end up doing, make us a favor: be happy and have a great joyful Christmas!

PS – Soon we will let you know what we’ve got planned for New Year’s Eve!

Incredibly high water today so we’ve had to close. Don’t attempt to drive down!

A short service and interment of ashes will be held at St Mary’s Church at 10:30am on Wednesday 20th December for the late Christopher Wakefield who grew up in Surlingham.

Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.

Pictures from the Christmas carol service today at St Mary’s Church, Surlingham

HURRY UP, ORDERS FOR OUR YULE LOGS AND CHRISTMAS COOKIES CLOSE TONIGHT AT 8PM! More details below….

MENU:

THE COOKIES:

• White forest (sour cherries, woodland spices, white choc chips)
• Caramel gingerbread (gingerbread dough stuffed with homemade caramel)
• Chocolate orange (zesty orange dough, studded with chocolate chips)
• Hot chocolate (malted cookie dough, white and dark choc chips)

PRICES:

• Yummy Yule log (serves 6-8) – £18
• Scrummy Selection cookies (12 cookies) – £15

COLLECTION / DELIVERY

1. Collection 23rd afternoon/ 24th morning/ 31st morning.          
2. Local delivery, 23rd afternoon within 7 mile radius Norwich, Norfolk + £2 delivery charge (free delivery to Surlingham/Rockland)

Order anytime, via email eatscrumptious@yahoo.com or via facebook messenger or instagram.

All treats are Vegan friendly!

ALLERGENS: all bakes contain GLUTEN & SOYA, ‘hazelnut dream‘ and ‘white forest’ also contain NUTS. Please see our allergen disclaimer before ordering.

Please find attached the minutes and PowerPoint presentation slides for September’s stakeholder meeting. A progress update below:

Hardley Flood

· We are on track to submit the planning application for Phase 1 (Chedgrave Common up to the Bird Hide) by 22 December 2023. We expect the Broads Authority to make a decision on the planning application within 4 to 6 weeks.

· We will email the stakeholder group once the application is live on the planning portal, so that everyone can view the submission and provide comments/letters of support should they wish

· We are developing the Environment Agency Flood Risk Activity Permit (FRAP) in parallel to the planning application. This is a separate document.

· We are currently drafting an Invitation To Tender (ITT) document for technical drawings and construction works. We will complete this by 22 December, ready for release in early January. We will collate and score responses to the ITT w/c 29 January. Upon appointing a contractor, we will then be able to develop and provide a detailed works programme and timetable, which we will share with the stakeholder group.

· The next stakeholder meeting will be rescheduled until after the Broads Authority have responded to the planning application and a contractor has been appointed. Until these two actions are complete, we will have very little to update the group on, and are keen to make best use of time and resource.

· We have contacted Natural England for their Discretionary Advice Service (DAS) for Phase 2 works. We require their input and ecological mitigation advice in order to plan works as part of Phase 2 and develop an accurate costings model.

· We recommend complete replacement of the bird hide, which is in very poor condition. This would fall under permitted development and should be fairly straight forward to action. We have approached the Parish Council to offer our support in sourcing funding and delivering a full replacement. We believe this could be achieved through FiPL funding, at little or no cost to the Parish Council. We are currently waiting for their response.

· The Broads Authority are planning to reprofile (level and shape the banks from the dried dredged material) all the way up to the bird hide as part of Phase 1. This will begin in May 2024. NCC will sow grass seed on the PRoW as soon as this work is complete.

· We expect all Phase 1 works to be completed by July-August 2024.

Bramerton FP5

• The planning application is currently being drafted. NCC to submit to Broads Authority by 22 December 2023. A decision is expected within 4 to 6 weeks.
• We are currently drafting a 3-way agreement between BA, NCC and the landowner, as the landowner will need to agree to ongoing maintenance for the river bank.
• Tree works are scheduled for January ahead of bird nesting season and the start of construction
• We expect works to start in March-April 2024.

Well well well… why are fully stocked with our range of Christmas cakes, homemade biscuits (Scottish shortbread and Hungarian biscuits), mix and match hampers, produce from Portugal, wine, liquors and much much more!

This Wednesday 20th we are doing our last Wine Evening Tasting and due to a last minute cancellation we’ve got 5 tickets left – so if you want to join us, please ring us on 01508538892 or send Ana a message.

if you still haven’t placed your order you can do so until the 20th of December – remember: there is only one Joaquim in the kitchen.

Also we are open as usual 10 to 4 including Christmas Eve! So all as normal.

And so is the Farmshop fully stocked – including beef – for your special celebration!

See you all soon!

Time to hunt out your Christmas jumpers and don’t forget to bring your singing voices to this year’s Carol Service.

The spectacular Stars Of Wonder display is now in St Mary’s Church and the east window is adorned with stars made by the school children.

See what can be done with recycled plastic bottles, wool, card and a window flyscreen etc. How many stars can you count?