GREAT MASSINGHAM 
PARISH COUNCIL

Short Story Competition

Calling all Young Writers Aged 5–11!

Children aged 5–11 who live in or attend school in Great Massingham are invited to enter our

Short Story Competition.

 

Prizes: £25 Amazon Gift Voucher + publication in The Mallard

Word limit: Up to 500 words

Deadline: Friday 19th December 2025

Winners announced: 28th February 2026

 

Send your entry and consent form by 19th December 2025 either:

• Online via the official entry form: https://tally.so/r/mKbK9K 

• By email: themallardeditor@gmail.com

• By post: 6 Abbeyfields, Abbey Road, Great Massingham, PE32 2JE

 

Stories must be original and written by the child. One entry per child.

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Short Story Competition Terms & Conditions

Short Story Competition Parental Consent Form

 

Play Area Progress Update

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The application to FCC Communities for £100,000 has now been submitted, and we expect to hear

the outcome around March next year. We are also delighted to report that the National Lottery

Programme has awarded a fantastic £140,000 towards the project, helping to bring these

much-needed improvements closer to reality.

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It is hoped that the first phase of the project, which will focus on the new under-fives play area,

will begin in the New Year and be completed by March 2026. This phase will be supported by £20,000 from the National Lottery Awards for All and £50,000 from the Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF): West Norfolk.

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Thank you to everyone who has supported this project so far – we will continue to keep the community updated as plans progress.

 

💛 Still Want to Help?

Donations are very welcome! You can contribute by scanning the QR code or by bank transfer:

 

Great Massingham Parish Council

Sort Code: 60-83-01

Account Number: 20463300

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Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed, volunteered, or supported in any way — your help is bringing this much-needed play area ever closer to reality!

 

💡🌱 Funding Available for Local Community Projects 🌱💡

 

Do you have a great idea that could bring people together or help improve village life?

The Norfolk Community Fund is offering grants of up to £2,500 for community-led initiatives, including:

 

• Creative and cultural projects

• Local events and activities

• Wellbeing and social support schemes• Environmental and sustainability projects

 

If you’re passionate about enhancing our village, this is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference!

 

For more details, contact County Cllr Stuart Dark:📧 stuart.dark.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk | 📞 07860 256083

 

Let’s work together to support ideas that help our community thrive! 🌟

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New Life for Our Village Telephone Box

The Parish Council is pleased to announce that it will be adopting the red telephone box in the village. This much-loved local landmark will now remain part of our community and we’re excited to explore how it could be put to good use in the future.

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Across the country, adopted telephone boxes have been transformed into mini libraries, art displays, information points, plant swaps, or even tiny museums — the possibilities are endless!

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We’d love to hear your ideas for how our village phone box could be used or what would make it a special feature for residents and visitors alike.

Please share your suggestions with the Parish Council — you can email your ideas to the Parish Clerk or speak to any councillor.

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✨🎄 Christmas Lights Switch-On Celebration! 🎄✨

 

Get ready to sparkle — brand-new festive lighting has been installed in the village for 2025, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

 

📅 Friday 12th December 2025, 6.00pm🎶

 

Featuring a special performance by the Harpley Community Choir

 

Come along and join the countdown as we light up Great Massingham for the festive season!A wonderful evening for families, friends and neighbours to enjoy together.

 

Further details will be announced soon — but for now, save the date! 🌟

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Pedestrian Warning Signs

he Parish Council hopes to submit a bid to Norfolk County Council’s Parish Partnership Scheme for two “Caution: Pedestrians in Road” signs at the top of Castle Acre Road, heading out of the village where there is currently no footway for pedestrians. SAM2 data shows that the volume and speed of traffic along this stretch of road can be excessive at times, and these signs would help improve safety for pedestrians. The total cost of the signs is £1,560, with Norfolk County Council hopefully meeting half of this cost under the scheme.

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​​​Parish Council Votes to Support Pub and Village Hall Parking Solutions

At the recent Parish Council meeting, members reviewed the results of the Parking Consultation,

which saw 113 parishioners respond—representing 14.3% of eligible residents. A proposal was put forward to assume that the remaining 85% (680 parishioners) were either uninterested or indifferent to the issue. On this basis, a vote was held on whether to pursue the most supported solutions from the consultation: to support and promote the existing parking allocations behind both the pub and the village hall. The proposal received seven votes in favor. The Parish Council will now move forward with this initiative in line with the consultation findings.

 

The consultation was made available to every household in the village via The Mallard and was also available to access online to complete.  The consultation concluded on 31st October, 2024.  Here is a summary of Consultation Results. 

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1.    Should the Parish Council Take Action to Address/Manage Parking in the Centre of the Village?
•    Yes – something should be done: 61.9% 
•    Maybe/not sure – I would like to know more about the options available.: 21.2%
•    No – keep the current arrangements: 16.8% 

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2.    Should There Be Restrictions on Parking on the Greens or Other Spaces in the Village? 
•    Yes: 58.4%
•    No: 26.5%
•    Maybe/not sure – I would like some further information: 15.0% 

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3.    Support for Specific Parking Solutions 
•    Allow parking on the Greens in specific areas: 36.3% 
•    Allow parking on the green during specific times of the day/week: 4.4% 
•    Allow parking on the Greens and install matting and signage to support this – up to 20 spaces (at a cost): 7.1% 
•    Allow parking on the main Greens only for specific events: 23.9% 
•    Restrict or ban parking on the green in front of the Pub and install a low-level fence: 15.9% 
•    Restrict or ban parking on ALL Greens and install a low-level fence: 18.6% 
•    Restrict or ban parking on the MAIN Greens and install a low-level fence: 28.3% 
•    Create better parking solutions on the highway/local roads: 29.2% 
•    Support/promote the current parking allocation in the Village Hall: 77.0% 
•    Support/promote the current parking allocation behind the pub: 79.7%

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