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  This article appeared in The Diss Express on 27 July 2007

Windfarms and wallpaper offer room for thought

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon brings Diss Express readers up to date with some of his recent work in the community

 

 

I love visiting the amazing range of small businesses tucked away in the heart of South Norfolk.

The Art of Wallpaper in Long Stratton, brainchild of husband-and-wife team Robert Hamlin-Wright and Belynda Sharples, is one such company.  Robert’s technical expertise keeps the printing presses rolling whilst Belynda turns her amazing designs into top-of-the-range wallpaper. 
DESIGNS ON THE FUTURE: South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon with Belynda Sharples at The Art of Wallpaper
DESIGNS ON THE FUTURE:
South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon
with Belynda Sharples at The Art
of Wallpaper
The couple showed me some of their collection, with designs that included sparkling patterns, country scenes, and even an airport, all inspired by and printed in Norfolk.   The end results are stunning. And thanks to the internet, this little company is selling to customers all over the world.

 

Well done Robert and Belynda on their entrepreneurial spirit and for choosing South Norfolk for their inspiration. I can’t deny I had my eye on one or two of their patterns for our home!

Information Plus

I called in at the excellent Harleston Information Plus on Exchange Street last week. It is staffed by volunteers and offers a wide range of information to residents of Harleston and beyond. 

Manager Julia Helsby told me they offer advice on pensions and benefits, trading standards and planning issues and much more. Other popular requests included bus timetables, local tourism including walks around the area and local events.

The centre offers a whole host of leaflets and the trained volunteers can trawl the internet for further information.

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers confidential advice twice a week and you can also talk to the local county councillor.  I will be using the centre in future for some of my own advice surgeries and I will publicise the dates in due course.

Wind Farms

Driving between Diss and Thetford, I often marvel at how well our beautiful village churches fit into the skyline.

They are almost an organic part of the landscape and you can’t really imagine the view without them.

Will we ever say the same about huge wind turbines? I somehow doubt it. They are metal, industrial-looking and enormous too – over 90 feet taller than Norwich Cathedral.

They don’t seem to fit in gentle rural scenery. Wind farms in the right place make sense as we seek to produce more renewable energy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean dotted across the peaceful landscape of South Norfolk.

Last week I suggested to Environment Minister Phil Woolas that we should focus our efforts offshore where the wind is more intense.

Interestingly, he said this is precisely the direction of government thinking.

 


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