Press Releases

At its meeting on 14 June, the Town Council made six awards totalling £3,000 to local organistaions. The successful applications are listed below: -

Each year Holt Town Council sets aside a small amount of money to support local projects and organisations. The money, paid out as a donation, can be applied for by any organisation in Holt which will benefit the community of Holt.

Applications for 2010 are now closed. To find out more about how to apply, in future, for funding please click onto the Finance and Funding Green button and follow the link.

Councillor Andy Turner and riding companions Bryan "Ozzie" Owen and Micky Smith left the Holt War Memorial on 3 May, when most of us were still to have our breakfasts! They were determined to get to both Cromer and Sheringham War memorials despite the strong wind. In fact such was their determination they were back in Holt by midday and with £1,000, raised in sponsorship monies for the Holt War Memorial Fund.

Jan, Andy’s wife and Bob drove ahead of the wind battling team, as outriders. After the ride Andy paid tribute to his friends for their support and warmly thanked all the generous people who had sponsored him for the event.

Thanks to the efforts of the cyclists the Fund total, with pledges, has now reached nearly £3,000.

Efforts are still being made for the Fund, as the possibility of a grant from the War Memorials Trust remains unsure. A total of £5,000 is needed for the refurbishment to the memorial without the costs needed for improvements to the surrounds.

THE HOLT HONOURS – THE SECOND YEAR!

On Monday 29 March, Chairman Bryan Payne presented three awards at the Annual Towns meeting.

As Chairperson of the Holt Christmas Lights for the past three years Esme Bagnall-Oakeley has delivered a first rate community event by taking the lead and by encouraging community participation. Under her leadership the Holt Christmas Lights Switch-On has become a major event in the Holt calendar and one which thousands of people turn out to see.

To organise this event involves much work and efforts through out the year and Esme has raised the bar. This is her final and fourth year as Chairman. Esme has devoted an enormous amount of her time to this most successful event.

The second Award went to Freda Davey, who is the Administrator for Holt Community Centre. Freda is happy to turn her hand to anything and can often be found behind the bar. Her nomination was captured in the poem below:

"Freda is a Treasure - She gives a lot to Holt Holt - Her time and skills and friendliness friendliness - Makes coming here a pleasure.

She is the one to call and see - Just knock on her door and enter - She’ll work with you to plan your “do” - At Holt Community Centre.

Come sun or shower she’ll be right there -To make your day feel special -As you come to Holt to sell your wares - At the market, sales and Antique Fairs.

Where would we be without her - To help each plan succeed - To honour her this way this year - Is an easy choice for you indeed".

Val Moss was the third recipient of the Holt Honours scheme 2009 that evening. She has worked incredibly hard to build the 1^st Holt Scout Group, and they are all proud of her.

Not only has she been responsible for securing funds for their new Headquarters, but has also been on the front line during all fund raising events, including their latest, which was outside Budgens with the young people “Pedalling for Pounds”. Last year a group of parents and Leaders and Val laid turf over a number of days, so that the children could enjoy a safe place to play. Val gets considerable pleasure from seeing the children take part in activities that perhaps they would not otherwise do.

The main cemetery gate is now opened on Sundays. Those requiring vehicular access at other times should contact the Council office. Pedestrian access is available at all times through the side gate on Cley Road.

Holt Town Council and the Holt Branch of The Royal British Legion have joined forces to raise funds for the restoration of the Holt War Memorial. The Royal British Legion, national custodians of Remembrance, has set up a fund for the Holt War Memorial Appeal.

The Town Council is the custodian of the Holt War Memorial and under the War Memorials (Local Authorities) Act of 1923 the Council may incur reasonable expenditure in the maintenance, repair and protection of a war memorial. This Act was later extended with the Local Authorities Act 1948. The Royal British Legion, while not custodians of the memorial, can help with this task although their funds cannot be used in such projects, as this would contravene Charity Law. Legion funds are primarily for the aid of former services personnel.

The majority of war memorials in our country were created by public subscription through committees formed for their commissioning, and usually dissolved after their completion. The Holt War Memorial was erected in 1920 in Holt Market Place. We have a photograph of the Holt peace celebration service held on July 19^th 1919 in the Market Place around the Jubilee column. The Queen Victoria 1887 Jubilee Column - the lantern referred to as “Blind Sam” (so often it did not work) - was moved to Obelisk Plain to make room for the memorial. Such was the importance of the War Memorial. The War Memorial was designed by the Architect Mr J Page from Langham near Blakeney in 1919 and erected in 1920. It is a magnificent 20 foot high spire erected on a square plinth. The spire is engraved with four crests. On its west face at the base of the spire is the inscription “THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVER MORE”. On its east face are the dates of the wars 1914 - 18, and 1939 – 45. It is made of Clipsham Stone. Names of the 63 men who died in the Great War are inscribed on the upper course of each face of the plinth. On the middle course are engraved the names of the 32 men who died in World War II. Later additions, on the west side, are those who fell in Korea in 1952 and Northern Ireland 1991. The carved lettering on the War Memorial is a raised pattern. The War Memorial was re-dedicated in January 1995.

Our War Memorial has developed a build up of dirt and algae. There is also significant weathering over two of the carved letter panels, and further areas showing signs of distress. Some of this can be attributed to natural weathering and erosion, possibly also some inappropriate intervention in the past. We are pleased to say that there are no structural issues from weak foundations or fixings.

Repair with traditional materials, using the same type of stone to undertake the indent repairs

While we would like to have this project completed by October 2010 we are equally keen to ensure that the work is done to the required standard. We hope to apply to the War Memorials Trust for a small grant. Further monies will come from the Town Council Reserve Fund for the War Memorial and local fundraising.

It is a massive challenge for everyone. There are many local people who have family members and friends who joined our armed services to serve their country. This is an opportunity for us all to be involved in showing the support the people of Holt have for our Armed Forces - past, present and future.

Individuals can support the campaign in a variety of ways. Some may wish to organise or participate in a fund raising event, whilst others may choose to simply donate towards the fund.

Cheques should be made payable to “The Royal British Legion Holt Branch (War Memorial Fund)” and send them to the Town Council.

A fundraising fun cycle ride or relay between war memorials around Holt and the surrounding villages will take place in May, with participants selecting whether to complete the whole course or part of the course. At each location information on the local memorial will be available to participants as proof of their visit to a particular memorial.

For those who want to organize a fundraising event, the local branch of The Royal British Legion has sponsorship forms for your event. Please contact Colin Kemp, the Royal British Legion Holt Branch Chairman on 01263 715818 during the day, by email candjk.kelling@virgin.net or c/o High Kelling Post office, Old Cromer Road, High Kelling NR25 6AJ for further information.

Thank you for all those who helped with the Litter Pick around Holt on Monday 22 March 2010. Various areas were spruced up for the summer and hopefully, this will encourage the public to use the litter bins in future. Your time and help is much appreciated by the community.

The town has won this year's EDP Pride in Norfolk under 5000 population Community Award.

The presentation for the awards took place at County Hall on Thursday evening. A welcome was given by Cllr Gurney, the Chairman of Norfolk County Council. The Community Awards aim to recognize and highlight the hard work and achievements of so many people in the County. Sponsored by the EDP and organized by Norfolk County Council the event was compered by Anna Hill BBC Radio 4 Presenter. Bryan Payne, the Chairman of the Council was presented with a brass plaque and a cheque. The picture below shows members of the Holt Youth Project with their leader Julie Alford, Cllr Bryan Payne and Town Clerk Di Dann at County Hall for the presentation. The nomination which came from the Town Council described the vibrant business centre of the Town and a very active and dedicated community in Holt. Special mention was made by the judges of the Primary School and the Holt Youth Project.

Community Project for Church Street Toilet Site Press Release : Issued 1 April 2009

After a series of discussions Holt Town Council is pleased to announce that it has been able to reach an agreement with North Norfolk District Council to purchase the site and therefore bring an end to the long-running saga of Church Street toilets. The District Council, which owned the site, closed the toilets in September 2005 owing to lack of use and evidence of anti-social behaviour.

More recently Holt Town Council and Chamber of Trade, with the strong support of local residents, asked the District Council to reverse its decision, which it was unwilling to do. Subsequently the Town Council asked to be given the opportunity to purchase the site under a private treaty arrangement.

Following the production of a feasibility study and creation of a business plan the Town Council has been able to reach an agreement with the District Council to purchase the site and secure its future for the benefit of the local community and visitors. The Town Council intends to re-open the toilet block.

“We are doing what the people of Holt asked us to do in July 2008 when we conducted the feasibility study. We will re-open the toilets and see how things go” said Council Chairman Bryan Payne.

Virginia Gay, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, said, “We are very pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement with Holt Town Council. This has been a long and difficult issue at times, but it has now been concluded to everyone’s satisfaction.”

The Town Council sees the site as being a significant asset for the people of Holt. Any proposals to extend the community use of the site, which is in the historic heart of the small Georgian town, will be a matter for further community consultation.

On Monday 30 March 2009, the Chairman of Holt Town Council presented two awards to the first recipients of the Holt Honours scheme.

Ernest Lawrence is well known around the town as he is our local street cleaner! He works whatever the weather and as a result Holt is probably the cleanest and tidiest town in North Norfolk. "A most dedicated person who works with pride, is always cheerful and our town is always spotless" was just one of the submitted comments.

The second award went to the Holt Area Caring Society. Formed in 1980 the Society promotes the welfare of the elderly, handicapped and other persons who live within the area covered by the Holt Group Surgery. A team of volunteers (70) give up their time to transport those with transport difficulties to medical appointments. Over 2,000 journeys are undertaken each year.