Norfolk Police Website and reporting crime Online
Breckland Local Plan - Regulation 18 Consultation (Preferred Options)
Breckland Council is currently consulting on the Draft Local Plan from Friday 31 October 2025 until 23:59 on Monday 15 December 2025. This stage of the Local Plan process (known as Regulation 18) sets out the Council’s draft policies and proposed growth strategy. It is an important early stage that gives residents, businesses, landowners, and stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the draft plan before it is finalised for the next stage (Regulation 19). The consultation documents can be viewed at the link below:
https://www.breckland.gov.uk/local-plan-2025
Consultation Events
Breckland Council will be holding a series of public drop-in events, where officers will be available to explain the draft plan and answer questions. Dates and locations for these events are available on the Council’s website.
Have Your Say
The Council is keen to hear the views of local residents and stakeholders. We encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and submit comments before the deadline.
Stay Vigilant
A local resident has reported the theft of a tow hitch from their caravan on The Lings. Police have advised that thieves often cut or remove hitch locks and surrounding fittings to attach caravans to their own vehicles.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to secure their caravans and trailers. Please report any suspicious activity to the Police immediately.
Important Safety Notice
Residents are asked to remain vigilant following a number of deliberately set fires in the village over the past month. There have been at least thirteen separate incidents, including one that affected a resident’s property. The Police are aware and investigating, but any suspicious activity should be reported to them immediately, and the Parish Council can be notified by email at garvestoneclerk@gmail.com.
If you are planning a bonfire, the Council would be grateful if you could let them know in advance at the same email address so it is not mistaken for a suspicious incident. This helps keep everyone informed and safe. The Chair of the Parish Council is also available as a point of contact for any concerns.
FREE Anti-Harassment/Bystander Training
Following a growing national conversation around what the public can do to increase women’s safety, people and organisations want to take steps to be able to address the prevalence of unwanted and aggressive behaviors such as harassment that underly the broader cycle of violence against women and girls.
To accommodate public demand, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and L’Oréal Paris formed a partnership to bring the expert approved international "Stand Up Against Street Harassment" training programme to UK audiences.
The programme is free of charge as it is sponsored by L’Oréal Paris, driving awareness of harassment, as well as upskilling and empowering bystanders across various settings such as public transport, educational institutions, festivals, public spaces, and workplaces, to help defuse situations, discourage harassers, and support victims. This is a global programme, and over 3.8M people have been trained worldwide to date. You can get a glimpse of what this is all about here.
23rd September @ 12.00-12.30 (Teams)
30th October @ 12.00-12.30 (Zoom)
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NsWSL-fbTRS6ECO5Mi0cug
🌿 Join Us for a Community Litter Pick! 🌿
Help keep our villages clean and green! Residents are invited to join Garvestone, Reymerston & Thuxton Parish Council for a community litter pick.
📅 Date: Saturday, 8th March
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Meeting Point: Garvestone & Thuxton Village Hall
👥 Led by: Councillor Graham Smith
All litter-picking equipment will be provided. Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult.
Let us work together to make a difference! 💚
For more information, please contact Cllr Graham Smith on 07463 176705 or at grhamsmith@gmail.com
Unveiling of a Historic Map of Garvestone
We are delighted to announce the official unveiling of a historic map of Garvestone and its surrounding area, now proudly displayed in the Garvestone and Thuxton Village Hall. This remarkable piece of history was revealed in a special ceremony by Mr. James Smerdon, Chair of the Parish Council, alongside Mr. Stephen Smith, former Councillor and Chair of the Garvestone and Thuxton Village Hall Committee.
The map offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich heritage of our community, capturing the landscape as it once stood and reminding us of the village’s deep-rooted connections to the past. We hope that this map will serve as a lasting symbol of Garvestone’s history, bringing together residents and visitors alike to reflect on the growth and evolution of our beloved village.
Our sincere thanks to Mr. Smerdon and Mr. Smith for their contributions and continued dedication to preserving the legacy of Garvestone. This display is a wonderful addition to the Village Hall, and we encourage everyone to come and explore this piece of our shared history.
Becone a Befriender
There are currently more than 26,000 unpaid carers living in Norfolk who provide over 50 hours of care each week to a family member or friend who need help because of an illness, frailty, disability, or a mental health issue, and cannot cope without support.
The Norfolk Befriending Service is an exciting new project and will match volunteers with carers to offer regular companionship at home, as well as supporting them to access services in their community or provide practical support such as dog walking, collecting prescriptions, shopping and gardening.
Caring Together is a local charity supporting unpaid carers who look after a family member or friend who need help because of an illness, frailty, disability, or a mental health issue and cannot cope without support. The Norfolk Befriending Service aims to offer an inclusive, trusted service that links volunteers with unpaid carers to help reduce loneliness and isolation, build confidence, and improve their wellbeing. If you are able to give some time to help carer near you, or know an unpaid carer who would benefit from receiving this service, please contact the following for more information:
0345 241 0954 | volunteers@caringtogether.org | www.caringtogether.org/befriending
Mobile Post Office
The mobile post office can be located outside of the Garvestone Village Hall every Monday between the hours of 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm.
Village Benches
Thanks to the generosity of many residents, a total of £1085 has been donated towards the three new benches.
The Parish Council will pay the remaining £325 from funds under-spent in 2020/21.
The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who has so kindly donated towards these new benches which will an asset to the villages for years to come.