This so-called neighbourhood policing is a direct response to a government initiative to make the service more "visible, accessible and responsive to the needs of the citizen".

In Fakenham, the Safer Neighbourhood Team consists of a sergeant, a constable and four Police Community Support Officers.

On the face of it, not that substantial to cover not only the town but places as far away as Hindolveston, Swanton Novers and Wood Norton.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, the main focus for the advisory panel which sits round a table with the police is Fakenham itself.

There are issues with which we are all familiar.

Itemised separately they can sometimes appear trivial but in each instance represent deliberate floutings of the law and either a nuisance or a danger to the community at large.

I'm very supportive of our police and appreciate their job is a tough one, particularly with the numbers at their disposal.

The kind of co-operation between members of the force and the public, typified by neighbourhood priorities and the feedback which regular meetings provide, can only be a good thing.

Too many of us, perhaps, fail to report incidents we pick up on week by week, deciding to complain to friends and family instead.

From my experience, the police really do need the public's co-operation in trying to make this community a safer and more secure neighbourhood.

• Creative Arts East had a real scare earlier this year when it seemed funding for its programme of events around the towns and villages of Norfolk and Suffolk would be substantially cut.

Protests ensued and a long campaign secured a reprieve.

I've just received a brochure for the winter season and am delighted that the usual crop of venues within a few miles of Fakenham are still in the mix.

These include the village halls in Wood Norton, Kettlestone, Whissonsett and Hindolveston.

As a long-time supporter of this initiative I'm already planning to be in attendance. Prices are reasonable, the artists and shows exceptional and the atmosphere in what might best be described as intimate spaces is always congenial.

You can find out more by going to: www.

creativeartseast. co.uk or if the internet is outside your experience, there are brochures in the library.

• The back to school regime in this house is now down to youngest son only and for the first time I've no uniform to get ready as he marches off to college.

Over the years for the three boys there have been green, blue and black jumpers, white and blue shirts, grey and black trousers and an assortment of logo-bearing sportswear.

The two eldest ones also had to grapple with ties for a while. I never thought I'd say it but what a relief to be out of this particular merry-go-round.