Sunday 2nd August 2026 - Going Up in Smoke, August Events and Car Park Rumour

When Overstrand Parish Council first started organising fireworks in the village, it was on the basis; whatever was raised in the bucket collection would be spent on the following years fireworks, with the addition of any donations from village businesses etc.  On this basis the amount spent on fireworks for 2026 would be the amount collected in 2025 (£984.09 net of VAT), plus donations.  However, it would appear, this is no longer the case.  According to the draft minutes for July’s Council meeting, Councillors have agreed to spend up to £2,500 (the amount set aside in the annual expenditure budget) on fireworks.  This means village residents are paying, through their Council Tax, just over £1,500 towards the display.  Not a lot, you may say, per head, but personally I object to this amount of money going up in smoke, when it should be used for the good of the village and not as entertainment for anyone in the area who cares to come along. 

Villagers have never been given the opportunity to say whether they want fireworks on this scale, or at all, or if they will be attending the display, or been able to voice their objections.  If by saying this, I make myself unpopular then so be it.  Why the policy for funding has changed, I don’t know.  Why do the Parish Councillors feel it is perfectly okay to spend our money this way, again I don’t know.  I find this unacceptable, especially given the Parish Councillors are all unelected.  

You may say, if you don’t like it Janet then ask to be co-opted onto the Council or stand at the next election.  We used to regularly attend the Parish Council meetings so I can say categorically, there is no way I could be a Councillor.  I appreciate procedures have to be followed but it does seem to take an extended amount of time to get things done, something I could not work with and would find totally frustrating.  As examples of time spans - the old phone box on Mundesley Road was purchased years ago for just £1 with the original intention of using it as a fishing information point near or on the fishermen’s green, the box remains in situ and in dilapidation – a biodiversity questionnaire was set up in 2024 with an intended report from the findings to be published in October, nothing has ever been published but then of course it was not stipulated which October – we’ve never seen a Neighbourhood Development Plan, the first meeting to set this up was in March 2018, does it really take over eight years to produce this?  Anyway, enough of this, time to change the subject.

Following on from last Sunday’s fair, there are three more summer events in the village.  On Friday 7^th August, PGL Overstrand Hall are opening their gates between 10.00 and 14.00, to visitors. For a £5 charity donation, there will be an opportunity to go on the high ropes and try archery and frisbee golf, plus there will be tours of the hall and refreshments.  We did the house tour a couple of years ago and can definitely recommend this.  Next on Saturday 8^th August, between 14.30 and 16.30, Glendon House are having their annual fete where entertainment will be provided by Cliff as If, along with refreshments, tombola, games and stalls etc.  This will be followed on Wednesday 12^th August, when The Strand Club are organising a coffee morning, between 10.00 and 13.00, in the Sports Pavilion to raise money for Break Charity.

In my blog for 29^th July, I noted, the camping field had been sold, prior to auction.  There is a rumour, the District Council are purchasing the land with the intention of using it as a car park.  Also, in our District Councillor Angie Fitch-Tillet’s report, attached to the end of the Parish Council’s July draft minutes, it states ‘The Forest Park Footpath Application came before The Development Committee on 18th June. A decision was deferred with a request that the applicant explores an alternative route to the eastern section that adjoins the properties of Bracken Avenue, Overstrand.’  We wait to see what alternative, the landowner puts forward.

Today’s photo is copyright of PGL Overstrand Hall and shows the high ropes with the Lutyens designed Hall in the background.

Copyright PGL Overstrand