events in 2007

The gas went off in what appears to be much of Fram about 10pm last night.  By 1am we'd heard the problem was the Pressure Reduction Station (PRS) in Fairfield Road and there could be disruption for up to a week.  We visited the PRS (it's the little brick cube at the end of the bungalows) which had three Transco/National Grid vans parked up and a small group of blokes who suddenly became very shy and fled in their vans.and fled in their vans.

Update 9:15am:  Robert Hitcham's is closed because of no heating.

Update 11:45ish am:  Robert Hitcham's will be closed tomorrow which pretty much shows it's likely the gas will still be off tomorrow.  Keep an eye on the bulletin board.  The United Free has electric heating and will open up if there's a need.

At 10am no sign of activity around the PRS but lots in and around New Road as two enormous artics brought in mountains of electric hobs and heaters (safe bet they didn't get them from Bradlaugh's) ... there's an incident room in Robert Hitcham's (sneak in the back way from New Road) where you can get a free electric heater and hob and like Matt here, who has one for the old lady next door, they'll let you have more than one ... meanwhile back at the PRS fault finding has started but the real problem is this ... techies have to go door to door checking the gas is off ... don't hold your breath.

Update 12:45ish pm:  Framtrade in New Road 01728 723723 has lots of bottled gas, some heaters and is not charging a deposit on a large bottle if you're without mains gas.

Update 2:00ish pm:  Fram's was top story on the Anglia tv news (apparently we're freezing).  Some familiar faces including Matt Bayfield's daughters.

Update 5:00ish pm:  The PRS has been fixed and Fram is being individually re-connected now; elderly and the vulnerable first of course.  Re-connecting everybody may complete tomorrow but could run into Thursday.  Still loads of gas vans in the  Robert Hitcham's car park (they must being giving them biscuits) and Anglia TV  is still there (they must being giving them choccy biscuits) so expect Fram to be on the 6 o'clock news.

Update 5:30ish pm:  The United Free will be open 1-4pm tomorrow for a warm, a cuppa and a chat; and will be open Thursday and Friday if needed.

Gas Update 10:30ish am:  The Beeb web site is saying 250 still without gas.  That seemed a suspiciously low number but Nat Grid's Stef Von Rosser says 961 households on gas in Fram and 720 were reconnected last night!  There certainly were a LOAD of gas vans beetling about.  Most remaining shiverers connected by midday today (people out at work and the sprinkling of snow will make it more interesting).  We're still not on here in Stately Terrace though:(

Gas Update 1:30ish pm:  The incident room in Robert Hitcham's hall will end today, Robert Hitcham's school expect to be back tomorrow, and some of Stately Terrace is connected ... we must have been having a warm round The Station when they called.

Gas Update 2:30ish pm:  Cheery bloke from London (stayed in Stowmarket last night) has just flashed through NaTCH Towers checking the gas.  He reckoned there's maybe a hundred houses left to do but four gas dudes in the Munch Box reckon that like Christmas it should all be over soon.

Final Gas Update 5pmish:  Nat Grid press office say there's 50 properties they still haven't gained access to.  They'll keep trying but will start leaving cards with a phone number to call for re-connection.  By 9pm they should have packed their Transits and quietly stolen away.  Bye bye gas dudes and thank you for all the hobs!

9.00am All day? breakfasts until 1pm and then hot food and drinks by the Sports Club
9.30am 5 a side football
10.00am half marathon and fun run with all run proceeds going to the Suffolk Punch Trust.  Suffolk Punch Horses will be in attendance during the day.

All day stalls and entertainment throughout the afternoon includes Professor Jingles' Punch, Judy and magic show (12noon, 1.30pm and 3.00pm), bouncy castle, tombola, human fruit machine, kids' crafts, craft tepee, un-rideable bikes, 20p a go games, 12:00-4.00pm David Kent children's' entertainer and balloon modeller, Stevie Spud circus skills, maypole dancing at 2pm by the children of Sir Robert Hitcham's Primary School followed by the Framlingham College Band, large prize raffle, samba band, beer tent, hot and cold food available all day including burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, waffles, sweet and savoury crepe's and ice cream from Gosia.

5:00-6:00pm  Friendly Misunderstood Rabbits three piece band from the Halesworth area.

6.15-7.15pm  Minx Anna, Hana and Emily cover songs from Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Rooster, Queen and Bryan Adams.  Last year the little kids adored them.

7.30-8.30pm  White Water rowdy local three piece playing a mix of rock covers and their own material.

8.45-9.45pm  No Angel four piece female fronted rock/pop band.

10:00–11:00pm Daisy Chain psychedelic pop band from Norfolk playing their own material.  Have played gigs all over East Anglia and Surrey (a large county near Chelmsford).

It has to be said that the gentlemen were finding the bar considerably more attractive than the dance floor at last night's one off Carwash (to raise funds for FAYAP) in the Framlingham Sports Club but Mark "The Perk" Perkins (he of the Posh Do) kept the vinyl coming, ex-town councillor Paul Rozier wasn't afraid to enjoy himself and new mum Natalie (congrats) and her sis Kate were doing a bit of posing to annoy their baby sister who was having to work.  Rather glad we couldn't be bothered to dig those multi-coloured platform soles out of the loft as there were absolutely no loon pants, afros, chest wigs or medallions in sight!