Coronation Champion

Liz Whitcher leads the Watton & Saham Flood Action Group and has been recognised for her hard work by being crowned a Coronation Champion. This follows a call out to the nation to nominate their volunteer heroes. Almost 5000 entries were received, with nominations made for individuals aged 14 up to 103.

Liz impressed judges with her dedication to bring agencies together around one table to ensure Watton is recognised and helped to alleviate the concerns of many of its residents who have been affected by flooding. The enthusiasm, professionalism, knowledge and drive shown by Liz creates inspiration in others from which results are evident. Watton has been included as part of a £6m project “Reclaim the Rain”.

With the support of Her Majesty The Queen Consort, a passionate advocate of volunteering and President of Royal Voluntary Service, the Coronation Champions Awards were launched to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the country at this momentous point in history. Across the UK, 500 Champions dazzled the judging panel with the impact of their work, their inspirational stories and unwavering commitment to volunteering.

Commenting on becoming a Coronation Champion, Liz has said “I am deeply touched and very honoured by the award and very proud of what we have achieved as a result of the work of the Flood Action Group. For me, the award is recognition and appreciation of what can be done by committed people in small rural communities”

The Coronation Champions Awards invited people across the UK to nominate their local volunteering heroes who are going the extra mile. Nominations were made across eight award categories; supporting older people; supporting young people and children; crisis and welfare; community; sports, culture, and heritage; health and care; sustainability and the environment; and animal welfare.

 

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service said: “We were completely blown away by the response to the Community Champions Awards and the huge volume of amazing nominees put forward. Our judges had a tough job selecting just 500 Champions from an array of thousands of inspirational individuals, who all deserve to be recognised and commended. “

 

“Each of our Coronation Champions displayed a commitment and contribution that far exceeds any expectation and we’re overjoyed to honour and thank them during this exciting point in history.”

 

Royal Voluntary Service is immensely grateful for the generous support of brand partners Simplyhealth, for supporting the Health and Care category, Sky through its Sky Cares programme, for supporting the Community category and Petplan, for supporting the Animal Welfare category.

Those feeling inspired to try volunteering themselves are encouraged to take part in The Big Help Out on Monday 8th May. The Big Help Out is another official Coronation project, aiming to encourage newcomers to volunteering, bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with volunteers supporting the NHS and thousands of vulnerable people in the community. The charity delivers the NHS Volunteer Responders programme for NHS England, enabled by the GoodSAM app, with volunteers responding to over 2.5 million requests for help to support approximately 220,000 people, and completing over 363,000 shifts at vaccination sites. The charity also works in local communities running home libraries, companionship support, home from hospital services and patient transport. Its Virtual Village Hall provides online activities and classes to promote wellbeing and keep people active.

Wayland Hall Works

Wayland Hall Works

Works in the Council Chamber to create an area which will be shared with the MuseumforWatton are very near completion. It is exciting that this joint venture will allow the Museum to display more of the history of the town as well as providing an improved space for Town Council meetings. The coffee bar is now open and we are all looking forward to the final completion of the work.

https://www.museumforwatton.org.uk/

Town Clock

Town Clock

Unfortunately the Town Clock is currently broken and a report is being compiled regarding suggested works needed to get it working again. The 5 year building inspection has also been conducted and necessary works to the clock tower have been identified. It is hoped a project manager will be engaged to help commission and oversee the repairs.

Reclaim The Rain

Reclaim The Rain

Watton & Merton are part of this exciting new project to create some really innovative new strategies for storing and using rain water. The project is led by Norfolk County Council who will be working closely with the Watton Town Council and the Watton & Saham Flood Action Group. Lots more information to come or follow the links below for more details or to make your own suggestions.
You can view a webinar giving information about the Local Flood Authority: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZA35IaeZeijMbs_M65uSpQ

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Emergency Plan

Emergency Plan

Why have a Plan?

As the Emergency Services may be having to respond to larger issues in the surrounding area, the Town Council is working on an Emergency Plan to be able to support our more vulnerable residents. This requires the active involvement of members of the community, as local residents know their community as no outsider can. The outcome will be an Emergency Group consisting of Councillors and members of the public. Town Councillors Jane Fountain, Charlotte Greenough and Stan Hebborn will be on the Emergency Group.

What is Community Resilience?

Community Resilience is the ability to keep functioning during an emergency, being collectively prepared to respond and recover, and being able to provide assistance to its vulnerable residents.

What emergencies will be covered?

Severe weather – floods, heavy snow, heatwaves, high winds. The Emergency Group will take the lead working with the emergency services and the District and County Councils.

Major Fire – The Emergency Group will work under the direction of the emergency services.

Civil unrest – Cllr Stan Hebborn will work with the police.

Hostilities (war/invasion) – Cllr Jane Fountain will work with the relevant authorities.

Loss of power/water/heating – utility companies and Anglian Water will help vulnerable residents who are registered with them. Contact them if you have special needs. The Emergency Group will work with the companies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.

Infectious Disease/Pandemic – The Emergency Group will support the Public Health agencies as directed by them. Individuals should follow NHS and Government advice and regulations.

Loss of a child/vulnerable adult – The Emergency Group will support the police and emergency services under their direction.

What interested residents can do – complete the form about assistance wanted and offered by completing the below form

Community Emergency Plan – Assistance Offered and Wanted Form

Please deliver or email completed  form to the Town Council, Wayland Hall, Middle Street, Watton or [email protected]

All information that you supply will be treated as confidential. It will be kept securely, and it will only be used in an emergency to assist the community emergency response, the Councils’ Emergency Planners and the emergency services. Details will be reviewed annually.

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