BALE - BINHAM - COCKTHORPE - FIELD DALLING GUNTHORPE - LANGHAM - MORSTON SAXLINGHAM - SHARRINGTON - STIFFKEY NEWS FROM OUR VILLAGES ISSUE 98 October - November 2014 www.locallynx.co.uk In honour of those who served. In memory of those who fell. We shall remember them. Lynx villages commemorative edition including a special WWI centre supplement pp.i-viii Top row L to R: Pte. Herbert Leonard Ramm (d.1916) Bale; Able Seaman John William Preston, Bale; Herbert G Grange (d.1916) Binham; Bertie B Bunnett (d.1916) Binham; William Henry Males (d.1916) Binham; Thomas C. Youngman MM (d.1916) Binham; Lance Corp. William Charles Bilham (d.1917) Field Dalling; Stoker 1st Class Richard Bridgewater (d.1917) Field Dalling; 2nd Lieutenant Roger C. Musters (d.1917) Field Dalling, Pte Herbert George Doughty (d.1918) Field Dalling. Second row L to R: Pioneer Elijah Fitt, Gunthorpe; Lt. Douglas Francis Fairfax Shennan (d.1915) Gunthorpe; Rifleman Frederick Sydney Bird (d.1915) Langham [& Binham]; Pte. George J Balding (d.1916) Morston, Ldg. Seaman Alec Gray (d.1917) Morston [& Bale]; Lance Corp. Arthur Robert Howlett (d.1917) Saxlingham [& Field Dalling], Pte. Ernest George Platten (d.1916) Sharrington; Lt. Lynton Woolmer White (d.1914) Sharrington; Pte. Clifford Thomas Reynolds (d.1917) Stiffkey; Pte. George W Pearson (d.1916) Stiffkey.
In honour of those who served. In memory of those who fell. We shall remember them. Lynx villages commemorative edition including a special WWI centre supplement pp.i-viii
Top row L to R: Pte. Herbert Leonard Ramm (d.1916) Bale; Able Seaman John William Preston, Bale; Herbert G Grange (d.1916) Binham; Bertie B Bunnett (d.1916) Binham; William Henry Males (d.1916) Binham; Thomas C. Youngman MM (d.1916) Binham; Lance Corp. William Charles Bilham (d.1917) Field Dalling; Stoker 1st Class Richard Bridgewater (d.1917) Field Dalling; 2nd Lieutenant Roger C. Musters (d.1917) Field Dalling, Pte Herbert George Doughty (d.1918) Field Dalling. Second row L to R: Pioneer Elijah Fitt, Gunthorpe; Lt. Douglas Francis Fairfax Shennan (d.1915) Gunthorpe; Rifleman Frederick Sydney Bird (d.1915) Langham [& Binham]; Pte. George J Balding (d.1916) Morston, Ldg. Seaman Alec Gray (d.1917) Morston [& Bale]; Lance Corp. Arthur Robert Howlett (d.1917) Saxlingham [& Field Dalling], Pte. Ernest George Platten (d.1916) Sharrington; Lt. Lynton Woolmer White (d.1914) Sharrington; Pte. Clifford Thomas Reynolds (d.1917) Stiffkey; Pte. George W Pearson (d.1916) Stiffkey.
2
WHAT’S ONOCTOBER1st Wed. Sharrington Gardeners’ Talk Village Hall 7pm2nd Thu. Langham Mobile Library3rd Fri. Binham Priory Concert, 7.30pm at the Priory4th Sat. Bale Harvest Supper, Village Hall 7pm4th Sat. Binham Harvest Supper 6.30 for 7pm, Village Hall4th Sat. Langham Parish Room Coffee/book sale 10-12 noon4th Sat. Sharrington Harvest Supper Village Hall 7pm5th Sun. Binham Harvest Festival Service, Priory 11am5th Sun. Stiffkey Church Harvest Festival 11am7th Tue. Bale Police Street Meeting 10.30-11am7th Tue. Gunthorpe Police St. Meeting Institute 10-10.30am10th Fri. Bale Fish & Chips, Village Hall 7pm10th Fri. Langham Parish Room Computer Talk 6pm16th Thu. Binham & Hindringham Open Circle Harvest supper & auction, Village Hall 6.30pm17th Fri. Binham Friends of Binham Priory evening, 7.30pm18th Sat. Langham Parish Room Leukaemia Sale 10-11.30am18th Sat. Morston Shovell Dinner, Anchor, 6.30pm23rd Thu. Binham History Group talk, Village Hall 7.30pm25th Sat. Gunthorpe 50:50 Club Institute 10.30am30th Thu. Langham Mobile Library31st Fri Langham Parish Room Talk by Sir Richard Gozney 7pm NOVEMBER1st Sat. Langham Parish Room Coffee morning 10-12 noon5th Wed. Langham Bonfire Night and BBQ5th Wed. Sharrington Harvest Supper Village Hall 7pm7th Sat. Binham Coffee Morning, Village Hall 10-12noon8th Sat. Field Dalling Henry Labouchere talk Villagers’ Hall 7 for 7.30pm8th Sat. Gunthorpe Friends Harvest Supper Institute 7pm9th Sun. Sharrington WWI Exhibit & tea Village Hall 2-4pm11th Tue. Sharrington WWI Exhibit Village Hall 10-2pm14th Fri. Bale Fish & Chips, Village Hall 7pm15th Sat. Bale Village Quiz, Village Hall 7pm15th Sat. Bale Police Street Meeting 3.30-4pm15th Sat. Gunthorpe Police St. Meeting Institute 3-3.30pm15th Sat. Langham Parish Room Coffee & plants 10-12 noon20th Thu. Binham & Hindringham Open Circle talk, Hindringham Village Hall 7.15pm22nd Sat. Binham Xmas Market, Village Hall 9.30-2.30pm27th Thu. Binham Local History Group talk, V Hall 7.30pm27th Thu. Langham Mobile Library29th Sat. Gunthorpe 50:50 Club Institute 10.3029th Sat. Langham Christmas Fair Parish Room 10-12 noon29th Sat. Sharrington Christmas Fayre V Hall 10.30am REGULARSMondays term time Binham Parent & Toddlers Group Village Hall 10-12noonTuesdays Binham Guild of Artists Village Hall 10-12noonWednesdays term time Binham Youth Group Village Hall 6-8pm3rd Thursday in month Binham & Hindringham Open Circle, Hindringham Village Hall 7.15pm2nd Friday in month Field Dalling Bingo Villagers’ Hall 6pm for 7.30pm
BLAKENEY METHODIST CHURCHHigh Street Blakeney Sunday Services: 6.30pm. Minister: The Rev’d J Pathmarajah T 01263 712181Check GVN for possible service time changes in
October.
BLAKENEY CATHOLIC CHURCHBack Lane Blakeney
Parish Priest, Father Keith Tulloch, 12 Hindringham Road, Gt. Walsingham Norfolk T 01328 821353
Priest in Residence, Father William Wells (the house behind the church).
Service Times: MassesVigil Mass Saturday 6.00pmSunday 11.00amWednesday 9.30am
DEANERY NEWS Our next meeting will be on Thurs 16th Oct, 7.15pm
for 7.30pm at The Meeting Place, St. Andrew’s Church Holt. Speaker: Mary Dolan, Headteacher of the Pilgrim Federation of Schools –‘The role of Faith Schools in our Deanery’.
- is a non-profit-making community newspaper, run for the ten villages of the benefice. We warmly welcome drawings, articles and letters for publication, but must reserve the right to edit or exclude items. A maximum of 400 words is recommended. The items published do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the village representatives. For information about submitting items for publication, or if you want to help in any other way, please contact your village representative, through whom all village news must be submitted. For general information please send a message to our email address: [email protected].
Copy deadline for next issue: 8th November
And please don’t forget….Lynx95 and many back issues are permanently available on our website at www.locallynx.co.uk. The website also has a ‘Local Charities’ page and an ‘In More Detail’ page that cover relevant articles in greater depth. (Printed copies of articles are available from Roberta on 01263 740188.)
CONTACT FOR ADVERTISERSFor enquiries about advertising in Local Lynx, contact Maxine Burlingham tel: 01328-830375
Rates for advertising (pre-paid) are:One column x 62 mm (1/8 page): £72 for six issues.
Small Ads Panel on the back page:Available for individuals and businesses
providing local services. Cost: £36 for six issues.
3
Church Services for Bale and Stiffkey Benefice for October and November 2014HC=Holy Communion. CFS=Church Family Service. MP=Morning Prayer. BCP=Book of Common Prayer
Parish 5th October 12th October 19th October 26th Octoberr
Bale 9.30am Harvest Service 9.30am HC 9.30am HC 9.30am HCField Dalling At Saxlingham 11.00am CFS At Saxlingham 11.00am MP BCP
Saxlingham 9.30am HC At Field Dalling 11.00am HC At Field DallingGunthorpe 11.00am Harvest Festival 4.30pm Silent Meditation 11.00am HCSharrington 9.30am HC and Harvest
Service9.30am MP BCP 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC
Binham 11.00am Harvest Thanksgiving
11.00am HC 11.00am CFS 9.30am HC
Morston 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am HC BCP
Langham At Stiffkey 9.30am MP At Stiffkey 9.30am HCStiffkey 11.00am Harvest Service At Langham 9.30am HC At Langham
Parish 2nd November 9th NovemberRemembrance Sunday
16th November 23rd November 30th November
Bale 9.30am HC 9.30am HC Service of Remembrance
9.30am HC 9.30am HC At Field Dalling
Field Dalling At Saxlingham 10.30am Service of Remembrance
At Saxlingham 11.00am MP BCP 10.30am Patronal Festival and Group
ServiceSaxlingham 9.30am HC At Field Dalling 11.00am HC At Field Dalling At Field DallingGunthorpe 10.50am Service of
Remembrance4.30pm
Silent Meditation11.00am HC At Field Dalling
Sharrington 9.30am MP BCP 9.30am HC Service of Remembrance
9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC At Field Dalling
Binham 11.00am HC 10.50 Service of Remembrance
11.00am CFS 9.30am HC At Field Dalling
Morston 9.30am HC BCP 2.00pm Service of Remembrance
9.30am HC BCP At Field Dalling
Langham At Stiffkey 10.50am Service of Remembrance
At Stiffkey 9.30am HC At Field Dalling
Stiffkey 9.30am MP At Langham 9.30am HC At Langham At Field Dalling
Additional ServiceStiffkey: Tuesday 11th November, Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial at 10.45am.
The One World Week is from the 19th to the 26th of October, and promotes that vision; and I recommend two little portions from the Bible to help and inform us:
Isaiah 10, 1-4; Matthew 15, 21-28How do you create one world? The prophet Isaiah
offers a vision of peace based on justice, equity, respect for the poor and needy, the widow and orphan. His God is an interventionist God, whose hand is stretched out still on our behalf. A God whose anger has not been turned away, a God who will catch up with those who rob the poor. Matthew, on the other hand, shows us a Jesus who is reluctant to act on behalf of any but the lost sheep of the children of Israel, a Jesus who puts limits on love until he is provoked, stretched beyond his present understanding to a vision of a kingdom where all belong. He commends the woman for her faith; her child is healed.
How are we in turn to be stretched? How are the limits we put on love to be challenged? What is our vision? What drives us? If it is an ideological vision, it will let us down; if it is a theological one, it will bring us into the presence of the living God
A vision of one world based on the experience of our common humanity before God is a vision which will endure. It will call us to the true simplicity of our shared dignity as children of God; our shared needs for community and family and neighbours and friends; our shared desire to come to God ‘through grace alone’.Yours truly,Ian Whittle, The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246
GLAVEN CENTRE VACANCYHousekeeper / Cleaner in Blakeney required
2 hours per day Monday to Friday – hours negotiable, preferably afternoon / evening. Please phone Maureen Buckey 01263 740762 or call in to The Glaven Centre, Thistleton Court for further details.
4
COUNTY COUNCIL NEWSFrom County Councillor Dr. Marie Strong
Better Broadband for NorfolkIn addition to being the Chair of the NCC Broadband,
Mobile ‘Phone and Digital Working Group I have agreed to be the Norfolk County Council Member on the Better Broadband for Norfolk Steering Group – which meets with external bodies involved in aiming to achieve our objective, that is Better broadband for Norfolk. I thought to add a short update, particularly for the technically minded. By the end of 2015, the ‘Better Broadband for Norfolk’ programme seeks to achieve a minimum speed of 2 megabits per second (Mbps) for all premises and ‘Superfast’ Broadband (24Mbps+) for as many premises as possible. The programme contains eight phases for the implementation of fibre based Superfast Broadband. Phase 2 was completed at the end of June 2014 with over 300 hundred kilometres of fibre optic cable; over 200 new fibre cabinets, providing access to Superfast (24 Mbps+) broadband for over 55,000 homes and businesses. The good news for our rural areas, which includes much of the Wells Division, is that additional funding in excess of £16 million has been secured, which will allow further fibre based infrastructure to be deployed. The contract process has begun and it expected it will be signed early in 2015, following which the areas that will benefit will be known.
Mobile ‘PhonesYou may have read about the Vodafone programme, which
will be of particular interest to our smaller parishes. Whilst I have shared the information with the parish councils, residents may also wish to know about the scheme, so here goes.
The Vodafone rural open sure signal programme is intended to give rural communities across the UK, with little or no mobile coverage, the opportunity to apply to have Vodafone 3G mobile coverage in their area. Details can be found on www.vodafone.co.uk/rural. Vodafone intend to pilot localised booster technology, similar to Sure Signal boxes which are already available for use in homes, strengthening a mobile signal by using existing fixed line broadband connections and a mobile booster device. However I need to emphasise that there is a maximum of 100 places available right across the United Kingdom. Additionally there are a number of other important criteria which a community would need to meet, including having access to at least 4 Mbps fixed line broadband. As Chair of the Broadband, Mobile ‘Phone Working Group I invited Vodafone representatives to meet with the Group and they
have agreed. We will be able to discuss in detail the programme, after which it is intended to circulate to our parish councils a ‘pro-forma’ which if they complete will guide them in deciding whether to apply for what is fundamentally a competition. The closing date for applications to Vodafone is 14 October 2014 so there will be time for consideration as to applying.
Retained FirefightersYou may be aware that many of Norfolk’s Fire Stations are
serviced primarily by retained firefighters - as is the Wells Station; you may know a retained firefighter; you may be one of the community minded employers who enables staff to be firefighters. What I am sure of is that we would all agree that the service provided by the firefighters is invaluable – but some have moved away for family reasons and our station, like others across the county, would value new members. For more in fo rmat ion access NCC’s webs i t e on www.norfolk.gov.uk, choose F on the alphabetical menu then select ‘Fire and Rescue Services’ and ‘Becoming a Firefighter’. And thank you to all those employers who enable us to have a fire station.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S NOTEBOOK Information about Electoral Registration (IER) will be circulated shortly with full details. The key difference is that instead of using a household form to register to vote, everyone will take individual responsibility for their own registration. This will be possible to do online.NNDC has reserved £1 million for Better Broadband for Norfolk (BBfN). This fund will be released subject to the provision of full details of the programme in North Norfolk. At the most enjoyable and informative GreenBuild event held at Felbrigg in September leaflets were handed out concerning new household recycling - starting from October 1st. The leaflets give details of the wider range of materials for recycling that can be put in your existing green bins. This is to help minimise rubbish sent to landfill . www.recyclefornorfolk.org.uk. Other useful information for example concerned Statutory Nuisance (noise), dog fouling, etc. Details, too, on becoming a District Councillor, Prospective Candidates Event on 15th October, northnorfolk.org/standforcouncillor. Natural England is developing the England Coast Path and held a drop-in session at Sheringham for our area but there will be further consultations as the plans progress. Free legal
5
advice is available at Merchants' Place, Cromer - queries and appointments on 01603 496623. The AGM of the River Glaven Conservation Group was held this year at Bayfield Hall where Robin Combe handed over the Chair to Henry Crawley. All members expressed their thanks for the outstanding work that has been achieved by Robin and the Committee to conserve the flora and wildlife of the river. The Norfolk Rivers Trust is sponsoring this year's Glad about the Glaven at Holt Hall Field Centre. It was a great pleasure to attend St. Andrew's Church at Letheringsett with their new kitchen and toilet and the next Sunday to be in Thornage at All Saints Parish Church to mark the completion of their improvements, also including a kitchen installation, toilet facilities and provision of disabled access. The contribution of NNDC's Big Society Fund was welcomed by Thornage.
County Councillors’ contact details:Dr Marie Strong: County Councillor Wells Division (Glaven, Priory and Walsingham Parishes) marie.strong@norfolk. gov.uk or 07920 286 597David Ramsbotham: Melton Constable Division (Bale and Gunthorpe Parishes) [email protected] 01263 577418
GLAVEN CARING IN BLAKENEYNEEDS YOUR TIME!
Could you find a few hours a month to help others?Are you able to serve coffee and chat to people?
Are you able to drive a small mini-bus?Could you help people onto the bus without driving?
Do you have talent or skill that you could share with the clients that attend the Glaven Centre?
Please call to visit and speak to Maureen to view the Centre and see what we do. T: 01263 740762 E: [email protected]
GLAVEN CENTRE SERVICESToe-nail clinics
10 & 24th October, 7th & 21st NovemberHearing Aid clinics
29th October, 28th November & 17th DecemberHairdressing
Every Wednesday. Regular, occasional or casual appointments can be made.
Ring 01263 740762 to make and check appointments.
HOLT MEDICAL PRACTICE NOTICESeasonal Flu vaccination clinics are starting in October.
These are free for 65yr olds and over 2,3, & 4 year olds and certain at risk patients.
Booking is essential this year, as they are being booked on a named basis. Please contact the Surgery on the main number 01263 712461 (after 11.30am) or pop into any Surgery to book your appointment as soon as possible.
Further details can be found on the Holt Medical Practice website www.holt-practice.nhs.uk or from Reception.
VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE SUPPORT REQUIRED FOR DEMENTIA SERVICE IN
NORTH NORFOLKThe Alzheimer’s Society advocacy team act independently
representing people’s views and wishes when they have an issue.
We are looking for a volunteer to support the advocacy team with initial referrals. It is important that you have good listening and communications skills and are willing to develop your knowledge of dementia.
You will need to be able to get to our Stody Estate Office, so will preferably be able to drive and available half a day a week fortnightly.
We can provide ongoing support, good training and any out of pocket expenses. Contact Helen Dingle 01603 763517 or [email protected].
6
75 YEARS OF THE WEA IN WELLSA committee was brought together in 1939 to organize
adult education classes in Wells under the auspices of the Workers Educational Association. Classes and Day Schools have been run each year almost continuously ever since. The tradition continues.
The Autumn Term programme commences on Tuesday September 30th (10.30am to 12.30pm) with a seven week course under the intriguing title of “The Company of Preachers”. Tutor Mary Fewster will consider the social impact of individual preachers and new religious movements in Norfolk and East Anglia in the period since the reformation, from the coming of the non-conformist chapels to the Victorian revivals: a period when many in Norfolk in particular celebrated in “Doing different”.
The first Day School of the 2014/15 session will be on Saturday 11th October (10.00am to 4.00pm) when David Yaxley will be speaking about “Robert Walpole and the building of Houghton Hall”, a timely local topic after the major art exhibition this summer in the Hall of Walpole’s collection.
The second Day School will be on Saturday 15th November (10.00am to 4.0pm) when Manwar Ali will address the very important contemporary theme of “Islam and the Modern World”, encouraging us to further understand the current unrests.
And then on Tuesday December 2nd at 10.30 am Sylvia Adamson will present a talk “Divided by a Common Language” to accompany the (brief) AGM. Why is it that
speakers of English around the world do not always manage to communicate as they would wish?
The seven week course fee is £45 and the Day School fee is £15. All meetings are held at The Friends’ Meeting House in Wells. For further information please email Mary Baker on [email protected].
INDIVIDUAL ELECTORAL REGISTRATIONPreviously, one person in every household was responsible
for registering everyone else who lives at that address. Under individual electoral registration, each person is now required to register to vote individually, rather than by household. The system has been changed to help reduce fraud and improve accountability and makes every single voter responsible for registering themselves to vote. Posters displaying the information and guidance have been sent to Parish Council Clerks for local display.
If a resident is registered to vote at the moment, they should have received a letter during August 2014. This letter will have told them whether they need to take action to join the new register. If they weren’t registered previously, they can register under the new system at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Most people who are currently registered should have been added to the new register automatically. The letter will have told residents if they’ve already been added to the new register and don’t have to do anything. Some people may not been added to the new register automatically and will need to re-register. The letter will have told residents if they are in this group, and what they need to do to re-register. If the letter told the individual that they need to re-register, it will have asked them to fill in and return an enclosed form, or go online to register using the new online registration site www.gov.uk/yourvotematters.
If you have not received a letter about your registration status by the end of August then you should contact local electoral registration staff for information on whether or not you need to do anything.
Under Individual Electoral Registration you need to provide 'identifying information', such as your date of birth and national insurance number, when applying to register and your application will need to be verified before you are added to the register. Anyone unable to supply this information can provide an alternative form of evidence of their identity. There is a useful website with answers to frequent questions at: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/faq/registering_to_vote.aspx
For local help with any queries or for other assistance contact Electoral Services on 01263 516046.
POLICE ITEMS OF INTERESTOur local Safer Neighbourhood Team has asked that we
publicise the following.Have you been “out and about” this summer? A word of
warning to shoppers, it appears that lone female shoppers are still being targeted by purse dippers. Two incidences have occurred in the Cromer area, but the perpetrator may move across the area to widen their pickings. Help combat this by ensuring your purse is safely secured in a bag and that you are conscious of those around you. A simple deterrent is to purchase a bell or similar and attach it to your purse so if it is tampered with it will alert you. Holidays such as the long Bank Holiday weekend can attract opportunist thieves due to the increase in tourism, but the tourist season now extends for
7
much of the year and such thieves can operate at any time. If you are visiting the coastal area or any of the Broads car parks, please do not leave property on display in your car and make sure it is locked away. If you are going out for the day or the weekend please ensure your house is secure.
Cycles have a special attraction, and the better weather sees many of us digging our pedal cycles out of that ‘locked’ garage/shed and heading out to enjoy the wonderful North Norfolk and Broadland scenery. So it is also a time when we see an increase in theft of pedal cycles as the second hand market for cycle’s flourishes. Please ensure that when you leave your cycle either out and about or at home it is secured, even for those few minutes when you pop into the local shop. Those few minutes are time enough for the opportunist thief to help themselves. Cycle coding is an excellent way to deter any thief and also identify the owner should the cycle be stolen.
During August there was an ongoing spate of minor thefts across the area. The thieves have been targeting cars, garden sheds and outbuildings/garages. Often items taken have included gardening or professional tools which can be resold at markets and car boot sales or on the internet. So, where possible, please secure any valuable items.
Please keep your eye out for criminals or suspicious activity and be very security conscious. If you see something suspicious please call the police on 101 or 999 if urgent. If you have any information concerning active criminals please telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 and the information will reach us. For less urgent matters you can also contact your Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team - PCSO Barnetson or PCSO Clarke who will be able to assist you.
EIGHTH ANNUALNORFOLK FAMILY WALK
Holkham Hall Sun 19th Oct 2014In aid of Brain Tumour Research & SupportAdults: £5 Children: Free. Parking: £2.50 per car
The walks are: 1, 3, 6, or 10 miles. The one mile walk for children has games along the way. Prams, trikes, wheelchairs and animals on leads are welcome. Go to www.astrofund.org.uk for more details and to download a sponsorship form and for a link to create a justgiving page or contact via email [email protected] or telephone 01485 572767. The above walk is part of the ‘World Walk’ organised by the Norfolk Branch of Astro Brain Tumour Fund, charity no. 1133561.
Monthly Social Meetings for brain tumour patients and their families will be held on Oct 16th and Nov 20th 11am to 1pm at the Big C, Norfolk Street, King's Lynn.
FREE ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTSIf you find it hard to make time to get active, we’ve got a
good incentive to help get you into gear.Starting 6th October, Fun & Fit courses are coming to
venues around North Norfolk, where you’ll find a wide choice of fun activities to choose from – all for FREE.
Brought to you by Active Norfolk in partnership with Sport England, Public Health and Norfolk County Council, Fun & Fit is a programme of free, 10-week courses in a variety of activities that are aimed at complete beginners which will help make you feel healthier, more confident, and give you the chance to meet like-minded people.
Try old favourites like badminton, golf, and aerobics, or stretch yourself into something new like yoga or dance. And don’t let the little ones keep you away – there are also classes in select areas that you can bring your kids to, like buggy fit workout.
Courses will run for one hour, and with convenient day and evening classes there’s something for everyone. You will be supported by our team of highly qualified sports coaches to ensure you find the activity that suits your ability, interests and confidence level.
So no more excuses. Spaces are limited, so book now to get off the sofa and into something you’ll enjoy!
More information at www.funandfitnorfolk.co.uk, or for an informal chat call 01603 732 333.
REMIMBA THE MAREMBA?Or should that be remember the marimba!
By popular demand, Eri Kaishima and Michaela Stapleton (The Cocora Duo) return to St Andrew’s Church, Holt on October 25th at 6.30pm. If you missed Eri playing marimba and Michaela on saxophone last November, you have another chance to experience this delight. This concert, arranged by FALCON (Festival of arts and literature for children in Norfolk) in association with St Andrew’s Church is the last one this year so do come along and join us.
St Andrew’s Church provides a welcoming venue, with wine and soft drinks available before the concert and during the interval. No booking is necessary, donations are invited to support FALCON and the St Andrew’s Church fund.
8
ALL SAINTS CHURCHFollowing the Harvest Supper in the Village Hall on Saturday, October 4th, the Harvest Festival will be celebrated on Sunday, October 5th at 9.30 a.m. All the donations of food and produce with which the church is decorated will be given to the Benjamin Foundation hostel in Fakenham, which does such good work in housing the homeless young. If you would like to contribute please leave your produce in the church porch on Saturday, October 4th.
BALE VILLAGE HALL SOCIAL CLUB DRAW
July 2014 August 2014Richard Scott £ 25 Charlie Mitchell £ 25Shona Macorkindale £ 10 Dan Moose £ 10 Richard Broughton £ 5 Ali Courtney £ 5Evan Turnbull £ 5 Sarah Mitchell £ 5
BALE VILLAGE HALL HISTORYBale Village Hall was built in 1923, with the Bale Village Hall Building Fund, collected from one hundred and ten donors – mostly the people of the village themselves with two-and-sixes and five bobs, and the occasional five pounds from Lady This and Sir That – and a marvellous effort – a Garden Fete which raised thirty three pounds fourteen and sixpence – a huge amount – and dances and concerts and whist drives, which amounted to one hundred and seventy four pounds three and ninepence.The costs are listed as: Davidson builder one hundred and sixty six pounds ten shillings, C T Baker for stoves and lamps five pounds eighteen and sixpence, curtains fifteen shillings and eleven pence, gates ten shillings, pegs eight shillings and fourpence, and the stamp on the agreement, one shilling. Fund raising appears to have continued through 1923 and 1924, and there was a management fund as well .Here is a transcript of the minutes of a general meeting open to all to appoint the officers and the management committee which was held in the village hall on April 19th 1923.“The rector (F A Chase) was appointed treasurer, Bert Preston was appointed secretary, and the following were appointed to the management committee – Messrs J. Alison, B. Greaves,
H. Lake, E. Long, Wm. Long, Wallace Long, F. Preston, F. Ramm, H. E. Ramm, and C. Spooner.It was decided that the room should be open from 6pm to 9.30pm, subscription for membership to be 2d a week. Charge for the hire of the room to be 1/- for the whole room, and 6d for the half room each hour used. Political meetings to be charged 5/- for the use of the room and 2/6 for the caretaker.The caretaker is to receive 3/- a week while fires were used (there was a tortoise stove) and 2/- when no fires are used while the room is open. It was decided to take the Eastern Daily Press.”
BALE VILLAGE HALL NEWS The Big Bale Barbecue On Saturday 30th August we had a most enjoyable evening in our Village Hall. The Big Bale Barbecue was provided by Alastair Macorkindale and Paul Turnbull. Alastair is our local “celebrity” chef (not his day job) as he cooks for our Old Year’s Night celebration as well as the barbecue; we are extremely lucky. This time there was a Greek theme; we ate leg of lamb split open and sliced and barbecued in a Lebanese spice mix, Greek gigantes beans baked with tomatoes, feta, and mint, beetroot salad with dill, lemon and parsley salad, bulgar wheat salad with plums, roasted aubergine served with tahini and dukkah, carrot tabouleh, fennel tzatziki, skordalia (a greek bread sauce), and the vegetarians had rather un-greek tortilla instead of meat. There was very special homemade sourdough bread, and Geeta Maude-Roxby made her wonderful trifle for dessert. It was absolutely delicious, I am sure we all ate too much, and it could have fed at least sixty people if we could have packed them all in, rather than the nearly fifty who came. £120 was raised for the Village Hall. Thank you very much Paul and Alastair for all your hard work and hard thinking for the event.The catering was so generous at this event that there was an amount of food left over, which it was a crying shame to waste. In order not to allow this to happen in the future, we would like to collect plastic take-away containers that can be used to distribute excess food. Please save these (washed, of course!) and bring them along to the Hall the next time you come. Many thanks. Lost Property A rather nice sweater was left at the Village
9
Hall after the Barbecue. If you think it’s yours, please call Margaret (07789 141467) or Anne (01328 878355). This year’s Harvest Supper will be in the Village Hall on Saturday 4th October at 7pm. Tickets are £12 and, if you haven’t already booked your place, call 01328 822012 or 07789 141467 without delay! Fish & Chip News – By the time the Lynx goes to press, we hope that we will have in place a fish & chip van to come to the Village Hall on the 2nd Friday of each month, to deliver delicious freshly-cooked food on our doorstep. No need to book, just come along at 7pm (with liquid refreshment of your choice), buy your fish & chips and join the party. Bale Village Quiz, postponed from the summer, this will now take place on Saturday 15th November, 7pm for 7.30pm prompt start. We are looking for six teams of eight to take up the challenge, but if you don’t have a ready-made group, we may be able to combine individuals and smaller parties. Tickets will be available from Paula (01328 822012) after the Harvest Supper, priced at £10, to include supper.
CONCERT AT BINHAM PRIORY Friday 3 October, 7.30 pm
Schola CantorumFauré's Requiem (arr. David Hill accompanied by strings)
Movements from Mozart's RequiemRetiring collection
BINHAM HARVEST SUPPERSaturday 4 October, 6.30 for 7pm
Binham Village Hall£6 to include supper and a glass of wine
Raffle for charityTo book, please ring Liz on 01328 830519Hope to see you there, everyone welcome
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT BINHAM PRIORY Sunday 5 October, 11am
A special Service with hymns & prayers to celebrateHarvest Festival
Everyone welcome
BINHAM & HINDRINGHAM OPEN CIRCLE
The Open Circle will be holding its Harvest Supper and auction on Thursday, October 16, at the earlier time of 6.30pm.
At our November 20 meeting, Joyce Trett will be sharing her North Norfolk poems and tales.
The Open Circle Women's Club meets at 7.15pm on the third Thursday of each month at Hindringham Village Hall. New members are always welcome - just come along on the night or ring secretary Fiona Thompson on 01328 830639.
10
‘A MONK’S LIFE’Friday 17th October at 7.30pm
Binham Priory ChurchA presentation in words and music by
Andrés Hernandez-SalazarInformative and hugely enjoayable
Tickets £10 to include wine and canapés01328 830362 or [email protected]
In aid of Friends of Binham Priory
FRIENDS OF BINHAM PRIORYThe last event we are organising this year will be “A
Monk’s Life” (details provided above). A presentation in words and music of a monk’s daily life and the different musical forms that dominated sacred music with many fabulous examples.
This promises to be a rather special evening. All who have heard the artist at other venues have been full of praise for his presentation and musicality.
The Friends, as a partner in the Binham Priory Conservation and Community, will have an important role to play next year if the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, to be submitted this November, is successful.
David Frost, Honorary Secretary
BINHAM LOCAL HISTORY GROUPTalks
Thursday 23 October, 7:30pm at Binham Village HallCromwell’s Talking Head and The Siege of Lynn
Gareth Calway We are promised an evening of dramatic theatre and
history from Gareth Calway in two parts. The first part is the story of Oliver Cromwell, a true story that has a macabre end. Cromwell’s corpse was posthumously hung following the restoration of the Monarchy (Charles II) in 1659 and his head was placed on a spike at Westminster Hall where it stayed until 1685 whereupon it fell to the ground and ended up in private hands until 1960. It was then finally reburied at Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge. Gareth will introduce us to his specially produced performance of Cromwell’s talking head, hearing a recount of his life, in particular his reign as Lord Protector from 1649 to 1658.
After a short interval, we will then get to hear the story of the Siege of Lynn by Parliamentarian forces in 1643 in the Civil War.
Gareth Calway is a professional writer and film and stage actor who lives in Norfolk. Cromwell’s Talking Head has earned critical acclaim so come along for an evening of historical entertainment.
Thursday 27 November, 7.30pm at Binham Village Hall
Women in the First World WarSpeaker Neil Storey
August 2014 marks the beginning of the commemoration of the centennial for the First World War. It was a time that brought huge social change in amongst the horrors of war. Women found themselves facing challenges at every level. Our talk will address this time and the role of women in WW1.
Neil Storey is a social and military historian specialising in the impact of war on society. He has written over 25 books, countless articles and has given lectures across the UK, including at the Imperial War Museum.
Everyone is welcome. Admission on the door: £2 members, £4 non-members. Refreshments available.
COFFEE MORNING Friday 7 NovemberBinham Village Hall
10am -12 noon in aid of the Poppy AppealRaffle, Tombola, Bric-a-Brac & cakesFor more information, please contact
Liz on 01328 830519
BINHAM CHRISTMAS MARKETSaturday 22 November, Binham Village Hall
9.30am - 2.30pmYOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!Buy your presents early - so many good bargains
BoxesBags & scarves
Pies, puds & tartsXmas tree presents
Stitched textiles & gifts Wildlife photography
Beautiful handmade jewelleryCards Wraps DecorationsProducts and gifts for the home
Jams, chutneys & delicious things to eatFairies, Glass lamps & mobiles
Goodies from FranceChristmas cake raffle
Ethica SkincareCrafts
Garden stall BooksBottle tombola
Pottery
Free entry and parking Refreshments
11
BINHAM CHRISTMAS SUPPERSaturday 6 December
Binham Village Hall, 6.30pm for 7pm£8 for a traditional Christmas supper and a glass of wine
Raffle & tombolaTo book, please contact Liz on 01328 830519
Everyone welcome
BINHAM PARISH COUNCILYou will no doubt have noticed that the Speed Awareness
Monitor has already been deployed in three locations, all within the village’s 30mph restricted area. We hope you find it useful in checking your vehicle’s speed and making you aware if it is over 30mph. If we all try to keep to the speed limit there is no doubt Binham will be a safer village for all road users, particularly the most vulnerable, pedestrians and cyclists.
In October, the monitor will be moved to Cockthorpe (within Binham parish) and in November moved back to Binham, in another position, probably Westgate. In agreement with the County Council’s protocol the monitor is moved to another location at least every 30 days.
In the next edition of the Lynx we hope to publish the review of the first few months of operations. David Frost
DIARY OF A BINHAM FARMER’S SON Age 36
1858July
23rd Did a deal of farming and was very much interested in Kingsley’s book “2 years ago”
August1st Ems was taken faint in church in the morning and
obliged to leave.5th Began threshing wheat his afternoon and sold 3 loads.18th A capital day of carting barley and secured a great
deal in very excellent condition.20th William came to stay or a few days. He looks thin and
appears out of spirits. Had our Harvest Supper.24th My men went to Holkham for their Harvest treat and
saw the Hall and grounds, they were much delighted thereat.28th I went to Norwich and bought some furniture for the
nursery of Scots.31st Went to Colkirk and bought some bullocks of
Strangleman then to the Vernon’s sale which fell short of my expectations.September
10th I was obliged to go to the doctor for Ems who was very faint and had other queer symptoms. The Mither also came.
13th This was an extremely hot day which is attributed to a comet visible to the naked eye and a very beautiful object.
17th Charlie and I drove to Wells to see Mrs Rump about Ems.
24th I sorted up the Gov’s ewes today using the ram bought at Overman’s sale – they were in very good condition.
29th I went to the Board and was Chairman. All the Holkham tenantry were absent being at the presentation of the portrait of her husband to Lady Leicester.
30th Could make only 18/- of my barley today. Strangleman sent me some nice young bullocks.
BINHAM SUPPORT FOR THE HOLT FOODBANK
Thanks to everyone who helps maintain Binhams’ reputation as a generous and compassionate community. The collection boxes in the Priory and Trevor’s Superstore continue to support local families in need.
A special thank-you must go to the staff and customers of “The Chequers” whose first collection box totalled a most welcome £21.22. A second box is now in situ!
Richard & Norah Lewis
BINHAM GUILD OF ARTISTSWe meet every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12noon in
the Village Hall. A fee of £2 per morning includes coffee and biscuits. A demonstration of painting or craftwork normally takes place on the first Tuesday of every month except January, February and the week in which the annual exhibition takes place.
The annual exhibition took place in August and was a success. £925 was raised for the Village Hall funds.
In September, Sarah Kenyon gave a talk and demonstration on painting flowers in watercolour. She showed some excellent examples of her work and her instruction was very helpful.
For further information contact James Bucknill on 01328 830651.
PANTOMIME TO VISIT BINHAMA date for your diary next year - Saturday 10 January
2015. The pantomime is visiting again, more details to follow.
12
BINHAM’S NIGHT OF LOVE Romantic at heart? Then maybe you WLTM others,
similar, with GSOH and a passion for verse and prose, music and song on the theme of L-O-V-E. Make a date for a very special Valentine’s Night at Binham Memorial Hall: a celebration of the joy and heartache, the power, the glory and the downright humour of love in its many forms – and, into the bargain, share a romantic dinner with someone who really matters. It’s all part of the heart-warming experience. If you enjoyed our previous sell-out village supper-time shows, paying tribute to the silvery moon and the glories of the sea, then you will absolutely love this one. So, make a note in your diary now! Saturday, February 14, 2015. Binham’s Night of Love. Sigh....
BINHAM MEMORIAL HALL100+ CLUB WINNERS
July winners - £25 Jill Burton, £10 Alex Bartram, Molly Ayres, £5 Andrew Cuthbert, Jane Wilton, Mike Bond.
August winners - £25 Andrew Marsh, £10 Mike Bond, Mrs Pepper, £5 Alan Brown, Andrew Taylor, Angela Chapman.
FOOD FOR THOUGHTMan's happiness really lies in contentment,
not in multiplying his daily wants.
For Cockthorpe, see article in WW1 centre supplement.
DR MOTHOn Sat 8th Nov at 7pm for 7:30 in the Villagers’ HallJoin us for an evening of flying and fun with Henry
Labouchere, Tiger Moth pilot and engineer. Tickets £10 at check-in, to include a glass of wine. Under 18s free (to encourage new pilots).
If you need more information, contact Ian and Fiona Newton on 01328 830546 / [email protected].
THE VILLAGE FETEHow was it?
Our joint Fete with Saxlingham was held on a sunny, blustery Saturday afternoon in August and, once again, proved to be a great success. The format of the Fete hasn't changed much really over the years - indeed, we pride ourselves on being traditional rather than innovative - and by now we think we've got it pretty well sorted. However, that didn't stop the gremlins arriving in force during the afternoon and they included two power failures in the kitchen causing major disruption to the all-important teas (and how embarrassing is that in our newly refurbished village hall!), the failure of the PA system to make anyone hear what was going on (despite working perfectly when tested in the morning) and a tendency for the gazebos to fly away in the wind! However, despite the mini-disasters we carried on and managed to raise a very healthy £3,320. After expenses, this meant that our two churches and the village hall each received £960.
So, a huge thank you to everyone who came and spent their money with us, all our hard working and ever-patient helpers, and those who donated money and prizes. We certainly could not have done it without you.
Our Fete next year will be held on Saturday 1st August in Villagers' Hall, Field Dalling, so please put this date in your diaries now. All proceeds from the Fete are shared equally between St Andrew's and St Margaret's churches, and Villagers' Hall. Sue Findlater
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICESun 8th Nov from 10:30 am
Field Dalling and Saxlingham’s joint Remembrance Sunday service will be held in St Andrew’s Church, Field Dalling on November 8th. It will begin at 10.45, with music relayed from the Cenotaph from 10.30, and will be led by the Revd Fiona Newton.
This year we will be thinking particularly of the soldiers who gave their lives in World War 1, one of whom is buried in the churchyard close to the chancel.
Margaret Smith, Churchwarden
13
FOGPC 50/50 Club Draw Results July AugustSandy Wallace £20.00 Jill Stuart-Black £20.00Hilary Bevan-Jones £10.00 Fred Morley £10.00Faith Bennell £10.00 Doreen Webster £10.00Alan Russell £5.00 Tom Elwell £5.00John Blakeley £5.00 Carol Aries £5.00PJ Cutterham £5.00 John Lemberger £5.00Lin Poole £5.00 Libby Norton £5.00 If you would like more information on the 50:50 Club and “Friends” memberships please contact John Blakeley on 01263 861008. Membership subscriptions until May 2015 are £5.00 per person for the “Friends” and £1.00 per month for the 50:50 Club - (which can be paid with one cheque if you are subscribing to both - cheques should, please, be made out to “FOGPC”). Many thanks to all who continue to support us.
The August coffee morning was poorly supported, and we now need to further consider whether we can justify a monthly gathering. The draw would of course continue on a monthly basis anyway. At the time of going to print we were looking at combining the September draw with the Macmillan “World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Event” - more on this in the next report.
ST MARY’S CHURCH NEWSThe Harvest Festival Service will be held on Sunday
October 12th at 11 am. Any contributions of fresh vegetables and dry goods to decorate the church would be most welcome. After the service we take all the produce to the Holt Youth Project who are always so thrilled and grateful.
The Remembrance Day Service on this very special anniversary to commemorate all who gave their lives, and particularly Gunthorpe’s fallen, in WW1 will be held at 10.50 on November 9th. Penny Brough Church Warden
EVELYN HARRIET “CISSIE”
WILLIAMSON“Cissie” Williamson, a resident of Gunthorpe throughout
her life very sadly passed away in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on 24th August. She was born in the village on the 31st of August 1925 and died one week short of her 89th birthday. “Cissie” and her husband Harold, “Curly”, who died on their 34th Wedding Anniversary, now 33 years ago, brought up their 5 children in Gunthorpe - although in a further family tragedy their 4th daughter died when only a few days old.
Her mother also died at a young age, and “Cissie” took over as the carer for her disabled father and two brothers at the age of 17 - it was one of her brothers, at a very young age, who gave her the name “Cissie” as he could not pronounce the word “sister” - and she was “Cissie” from then on. Her funeral service was held at St Mary’s on 6th September and she was interred next to “Curly” in Bale cemetery. “Cissie” is survived by her brother Fred Morley, also a resident of Gunthorpe until very recently and who was the church warden for St Mary’s for many years before ill-health led to him giving up this duty. She is also survived by her 5 children, 13 grand-children and 8 great- grandchildren, and we offer the entire family our deepest condolences on their loss.
FETE 2014As promised the Gunthorpe 2014 Fete opened with
glorious sunshine and blue skies. The afternoon was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thanks to those who generously supported our activities on the day, resulting in a record breaking year with large crowds enjoying listening to the superb Aylsham Band whilst enjoying cream teas and refreshments in the grounds.
The Fete Committee, friends, visitors and the Villagers of Gunthorpe cannot thank Marie and Jeremy Denholm enough for once again opening the beautiful grounds of Gunthorpe Hall for all to enjoy, and for their incredibly generous support, time and commitment to the Fete. Huge thanks must also go to the amazing, hard working, staff and their supporting team at Gunthorpe Hall. Your prevailing sense of good humour and unflappable attitude does not go unnoticed - you help calm my frazzled nerves.
We are also extremely fortunate to benefit from the help and support of Gunthorpians and their extended families and friends, who willingly help run games and stalls on the day. Your efforts and enthusiasm make the day so much fun.
14
Thanks also to all who donated prizes, jumble, Tombola items, bottles, books etc – your continuing generosity knows no bounds.
This year I put out a plea for help with the some of the “expenses” and costs required for running the Fete. I was overwhelmed with offers of support and these new donations made a huge impact on the finances and the overall total raised. Thank you to those who supported the Fete in this way; your kindness made a big difference.
The Fete had all the old favourites: Bottle Stall, Jumble and Bric-a-Brac, Book Stall, Plants & Produce, Tombola, Bottle Fishing and more, but we also had some new additions. “Bowl for the Pig” was an ingenious idea, which, believe it or not, took months to arrange and organise and kept us all on tenterhooks, wondering if it would happen at all - it also generated some welcome publicity on BBC Radio Norfolk. A great twist on an old English Tradition, which proved to be superb fun and very popular. “Beat The Goalie” drew huge crowds and provided entertainment all afternoon, with the Goalkeeper appearing in fancy dress costumes throughout. It was incredibly competitive with fun prizes and an equally enjoyable new addition. Thank you to all involved in suggesting new ideas and “running” with them.
The Grand Draw continues to go from strength to strength each year. Huge thanks are extended to all the local businesses and individuals who donated generous and imaginative Prizes; we are so grateful; as are all the lucky Winners!
I would also like to extend my thanks to those workers from Albanwise who help us so much with the “heavy” work, before and after the Fete; we simply couldn’t manage without you.
The end result was that after expenses we were delighted to hand over cheques to St Mary’s Church, Gunthorpe and Gunthorpe Village Institute for £2798.80 each - this is an essential part of the annual income for both organisations. Included in this was an anonymous donation, once again of £200 - our heartfelt thanks to our mystery benefactor.
Finally, a personal Thank You, from me, to my Committee Members; too many to mention, but you know who you are. You made a very daunting job a most enjoyable one and most importantly, great fun. As ever, many of you went the “extra mile”, whilst others continue to beaver away below the radar, happy to help, and with no need for special thanks. However your hard work and commitment does not go unnoticed, and I feel incredibly privileged to live in a Village that has such a huge heart and genuine sense of community spirit. We may
not have a shop or a pub in the Village, but we do have each other; my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you.
The date of our Fete is now set in many people’s diaries with many visitors from far and wide - so we look forward to seeing you all on 26th July 2015.
Zena Churchill Fete Coordinator
PARISH COUNCIL NEWSA meeting of the Gunthorpe and Bale Parish Council took
place at Bale Village Hall on 7th August. The meeting covered several routine administrative matters, but the following topics will be of interest to the Parishioners of the two villages.
Commemoration for World War 1Separately from the meeting, Councillors unanimously
agreed that the following should be included in the formal minutes and in the Chairman’s report for the Local Lynx village paper.
At this time when the whole country is taking part in commemorations to remember the outbreak of World War 1 and the lives sacrificed in this conflict it was agreed that the Parish Council should formally place on record its remembrance of, and gratitude for, all those parishioners who served their country in any capacity in this war, and in particular to honour the memories of those men from the two villages who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and communities. Their names are recorded on the memorials in the two villages.
Traffic Issues for BaleThere were still issues concerning how the proposed traffic
survey should be carried out, initially in Bale but also if needed in Gunthorpe. It was agreed that rather than leaving it to the Bale resident who had volunteered to take on the task of obtaining the required information to conduct such a survey, but without success so far, the Parish Council should now liaise with the Highways department over what was required in terms of procedures and information. There was concern that the problems could be exacerbated by the plans to route the Dudgeon Wind Farm cable through the north of Bale and it was also agreed that the Parish Council should write to the Head of Planning to try and ascertain what arrangements were being made for traffic diversions away from Bale during the cabling scheme.
The villages’ community police officer had planned her own speed check in Bale on 6th August, but the bad weather and a spate of accidents had caused this to be postponed. The
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page i
BALE “In glorious memory of the men from Bale who gave their lives in the Great
War 1914-1919”
The War Memorial is in the church.
Private James Henry Allison, Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment 1918 Private Arthur Bennell, Worcestershire
Regiment 1914 and Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment 1918 George Cook - no information at present
Alec Duncan Gray (also Morston) Leading Seaman in Royal Navy, sunk in battleship HMS Vanguard at Scapa Flow, Orkneys, 9 July 1917 Ben Greaves (If Benjamin Herbert Greaves, he was a private in the King’s Liverpool Regiment, but if he was Benjamin Stringer Greaves, he was an able seaman in the Royal Navy on HMS Paragon.) Thomas Harrison - no information at present Albert Preston - no information at present Bertie Alfred Preston, private in Norfolk Regiment 1916 George Preston - no information at present Leonard Ramm, private in Royal Marine Light Infantry, 1918 (also Herbert Leonard Ramm, see below) Sydney Smith - Lance Corporal in Royal Marine Light Infantry, 1917
“They were a wall unto us both day and night.”
19659 Private Herbert Leonard Ramm of Bale (born 1896) was uncle of David Ramm of Field Dalling Road, Bale, brother of David’s father, Hubert Ramm. Leonard served in the 9th (Service) Battalion Norfolk Regiment. In September 1914 the Battalion formed at Norwich as part of the Third New Army
(K3) and moved to Shoreham in Kent as part of 71 Brigade of 24 Div. They trained for a year before moving to France. In October 1915 the 9th Norfolks (still in 71 Brigade) transferred to 6 Div. and in 1916 they were in action on The Somme. Leonard was killed there on the Somme on 15th September 1916, on the very day that tanks were first used, ever. The Battle took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of the River Somme and was one of the largest battles of World War I, with more than 1,000,000 men being wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest in human history. The photo shows Leonard (he died a bachelor) on leave - so probably 1915 - with his mother, Charlotte Ramm nee Preston, outside her house in Field Dalling Road in Bale. The baby is Arthur James Ramm born 26-12-1914, killed in World War II in Singapore on 19th or 21st January 1942 (No. 5778265, a Corporal in the 6th Norfolks).
For further informa on go to www.roll‐of‐honour.com
Rev. Timothy Fawcett’s excellent introduction to his personal research of the men listed on Langham’s War Memorial seems a most fitting way to begin our own villages’ commemoration of World War I. (For more information about the men on Langham’s war memorial go to www.langhamnorfolk.com/parish-council-news/world-war-1-centenary.)
INTRODUCTION When the First World War was over, people began to
take stock of the devastation it had caused to the lives of so many families in Britain. From a population of 45 million people, Britain had lost 1 million men killed, and 1,663,000 wounded on the field of battle; 18,829 civilians had been killed in military actions, and another 110,000 civilians had died from malnutrition and disease. The simple statistics hardly do justice to what people went through. In the trenches, conditions were atrocious, and even when there was no major military action involved, shelling was continuous and heavy casualties were reported. Many were blinded by mustard gas, maimed and wounded by shrapnel. Those who came home rarely talked about their experiences, not wanting to recall them. While remembering those who died, we should also remember those who fought alongside them, who came back changed men, sometimes psychologically maimed.
It is sometimes impossible to track everything about those who died. As a result of German bombing in 1940, 60% of soldiers' Service Records were destroyed – these are known as the 'Burnt Documents'. About a third, 2 million documents were saved, which are records for soldiers who were discharged, demobilized at the end of the war, who died between 1914 and 1920 and who were not eligible for an Army pension.
Where possible actions in which those mentioned on the War Memorial have been included, so that what they went through can be both appreciated and remembered. A brief account only has been given of the Cemeteries where they were buried and and memorials to them abroad. To find out more please visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, where a description of the cemeteries and directions for locating and visiting them can be found at www.cwgc.org.
One hundred years on, there is no one alive who has met the men who are listed on the [Langham] War Memorial, so family reminiscences and anecdotes are lacking.* I have attempted to bring together something about them, so that they may live again in our imaginations, and not simply be a list of names with no meaning for us. It is a small contribution to the gratitude we all must feel for the sacrifices they made on our behalf.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
* A photo has now been found of Rifleman Frederick Sydney Bird. See page iv. His photo is also in Binham Memorial Hall.
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page ii
For further informa on go to www.roll‐of‐honour.com
206676 AB (Able-Seaman) John William Preston, Royal Marine Engineers (shown in 1919 as “John Priston”) of HMS Nairana, the exciting Sea Carrier, was grandfather of Roy Preston of Langham, Trevor Preston of Blakeney and five other siblings. John
and all those who went to war from Bale were photographed in front of Pitt Cottage in Bale and that photo Roy still possesses and is still trying to find. John had three sons: John Henry, Albert and George. Also shown on Bale’s war memorial are AB John Preston’s cousins Albert, Bertie (Pte Bertie Alfred Preston of the Norfolk Regiment, 1916) and George. That Albert is not the AB’s son, and his Unknown Soldier photo is surely one of the three Prestons who were KIA (killed in action), possibly Bertie.
HMS Nairana had a flight deck of 95feet and was active from 25 August 1917. The aircraft she carried were Beardmore W.B.III, Fairy Campania, Short Type 184, Sopwith Baby, Pup and 2F1 Camels. AB John Preston’s grandson Roy holds his 1914-1915 Naval Star and his 1914-1918 War Medal, both inscribed with his number, rank and name.
Roy also holds a Royal Sussex Regiment cap badge as well as a Memorial Plaque for a Henry James – “He died for Freedom and Honour” – the latter were issued to the Next of Kin of those who died in the war. A Pte Henry James is listed in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1916. He was presumably a relation of Roy’s. Can any reader solve that for him?
BINHAM There is a War Memorial for both World Wars in the graveyard to the west of the priory and a Roll of Honour for the First World War in the church. The Roll of Honour in the church contains the names of all those who fought in the First World War, and those who died have a cross placed by their names. This Roll reads as follows:
Regular Army Royal Navy Walter Greenacre Charles Daplyn John Waites Allan Greenmore George Waters Ernest Waters Cyril Case Robert Harmer
Army Service Corps Yomanry Harry Farrow Cyril Case [deleted Wallace Clarke ‘commissioned’ added] James Smith James Case
Kitchener’s Army Bertie Bunnett James Pells Alec Curson George Greenacre
Bertie Flickling David Purdy Richard Flickling Dyancy Bird William Francis Robert Daplyn Reuben Galley Edward Hooke
Herbert Grange John Fox William Males Harry Neale Arthur Read William Fox Henry Wyer George Sparrow Thomas Youngman
There is also a memorial to two World Wars in Binham Village Hall. Individual photos of all those who fell in the First World War. The photos are printed below.
COCKTHORPE The Curate of Cockthorpe, Glandford & Blakeney in 1910-1912, the Rev Frederic D. Jarvis, M.A., was a great character. In 1911 he lived in a household of 13 people at Blakeney Rectory. From 1913 to 1914 he was chaplain to Gonville and Caius
College, Cambridge and in 1914 moved to Hethersett as Rector - until 1932, apart from his year of service (starting on 27th Dec. 1916, aged 31, and ending in Jan. 1918) as an army chaplain on the Western Front. His rank was shown as “Reverend” but he was on captain’s pay of 5/- pd, and “RAChD” (Royal Army Chaplain’s Dept) shown as his regiment, attached to the Divisional Artillery – when his Cockthorpe, Glandford & Blakeney parishioners of 1911-13 surely heard of his exploits in France, since he often wrote news back to his wife, Eleanor and daughter Marion.
Frederic had agonized over joining up, but eventually, decided to “do his bit” on the Western Front. As a temporary Forces Chaplain Grade 4 for one year he comforted the wounded at Casualty Clearing Stations and gave Communion Services for troops in deserted buildings and hastily constructed corrugated huts, travelling by ambulance and on foot and on horseback. During this time he was given three months’ leave. After the war he went on to become an honorary canon at Norwich Cathedral. [Bea Ewart & Bob Andrews, “The Hethersett War Memorials 1914-1929”]. Footnote. The Reverend F. Jarvis of the RAChD recorded in Forces Records in 1914 is presumably not him.
Top L to R: B J Fickling, Thomas Youngman, F S Bird (see page iv), Harry Neale, Alec G Curson, Bottom Row L to R: William Males, Benjamin A Wyer, Bertie B Bunnett, Edward E Hooke, Herbert G Grange.
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page iii
FIELD DALLING There is a memorial plaque in St Andrew’s Church and a montage of nine photographs in the Villagers’ Hall; the ninth man was from Saxlingham.
L/Corporal William Charles Bilham, died 28 April 1917
2nd Lt Roger Chaworth-Musters,
RFC, died 7 May 1917
Stoker 1st Class Richard Bridgwater, died 9 July 1917
Private Herbert Cooke, died 9 March 1917
Private Earnest W Doughty, died 25 February 1919
Private Herbert George Doughty died 14 April 1918
Private Thomas S Lucas died 5 April 1918
Private Earnest Robert Knights died 28 June 1918
L/Corporal Arthur Howlett (Saxlingham), died 14 April 1917
“To the Glory of God and in grateful memory of the men of Field Dalling who gave their lives in the War
1914 – 1918”
Lieutenant (acting Captain) Richard Hamond Chaworth Musters, Norfolk Regiment, son of George & Mabel Musters of Field Dalling, in September 1917 was awarded the Military Cross “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding his company
under heavy shellfire. He led with great courage and disregard for danger the attack on a strongly held concrete redoubt, capturing there 28 of the enemy and a machine gun. He set a splendid example to his men.” [London Gazette, 14th Sep.1917]. He was buried at Morston on 31st Dec 1941 as a Captain in the Royal Artillery.
OUR SKY, HIS BATTLEFIELD A Commemorative Reflection Roger Chaworth Musters Sometimes it seems that nothing has changed in a hundred years as the tranquil skies above North Norfolk are rent with the roar and screech of military
jets whirling and manoeuvring. Thankfully, these days they are ‘only’ practising – but with serious purpose. On the evening of 7th May 1917, the skies For further informa on go to www.roll‐of‐honour.com
over Northern France were cloudy, with storms and poor visibility. Very bad weather for flying. No. 56 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (RFC) had deployed to the Western front in April and were flying the first production models of the S.E.5 biplane, made by the Royal Aircraft Factory. Roger Musters was on the last patrol of the day. He had joined 56 Squadron on 4th March on transfer from the Leicester Regiment where he had become bored, not being allowed to go to the front because of his age; not quite 19. He spotted an enemy aircraft through a chink in the cloud, broke away from his companions and dived after it. We do not know if he caught the enemy he was pursuing, but it is recorded that he was shot down at 7:25pm by Werner von Voss. His plane crashed near Etaing. His remains were never recovered. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing, and on the plaque in St Andrews Church. His photograph is in the Villagers Hall, along with the eight other men from Field Dalling and Saxlingham who died in that war.
Werner von Voss was shot down over Belgium in September 1917 by Lt Arthur Rhys, also of 56 Squadron. Apparently, it was the most successful to serve on the Western Front, accounting for over 400 enemy aircraft by the end of the war.
Also that September Roger’s brother, Lt (Acting Capt) Richard Musters of the Norfolk Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross (MC). He had led an attack on a strongly held concrete redoubt with great courage and disregard for danger. He and his men captured a machine gun and twenty-eight of the enemy. He was awarded the MC ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding his company under heavy shellfire’. He survived that war and was buried in Morston in 1941 as a Captain in the Royal Artillery.
We know that their parents, George and Mabel Chaworth Musters, lived in The Manor House from 1908 and, from conversations some years ago with their surviving daughter Joan, we also know which bedroom was Roger and Richard’s. No jets in those days, so presumably the skies were tranquil all the time.
My thanks to Ginny Kirby for researching Roger’s story and to Jock Wingfield for information about both Roger and Richard. The operational history of the S.E.5 is described in a fascinating article in Wikipedia, from which I extracted some of the details above.
If anyone reading this has a similar story connecting someone from the village who served in the First World War with the present day, then please write about it for a future issue of Lynx. Anthony Smith
GUNTHORPE The village memorial in the grounds of St.Mary the Virgin contains nine names for World War One. Within the church is a hand-painted, illuminated Roll of Honour.
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page iv
For further informa on go to www.roll‐of‐honour.com
For God, for King, for Country In glorious memory of
Private Charles Bunn Private Arthur Chapman
John W. Harvey 2nd Lieutenant Marcus F Oliphant Private George Price
Private George Shearing Lieutenant Douglas F. Shennan Private Geoffrey Stevens Corporal Richard Warnes
who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War 1914—1918
R.I.P.
“These died in war that we at peace might live, these gave their best, so we our best should give.
Not for themselves, for justice, freedom, right they fought, and bid us forward to the fight.”
Pioneer Elijah Fitt, Royal Engineers, served in World War I from December 1916 until he was discharged in April 1917 when he was 50. He was born in Gunthorpe in 1866, so he was aged 48 when he enlisted in 1914. [Ancestry].
2nd Lt. Marcus Francis Oliphant, 5th Battalion Norfolk Regiment was born in March 1886 at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. At the outbreak of war, aged 28, he is listed as living in Melton Constable rectory. His father was Rector of Gunthorpe Church from 1912 - 1921 and he is listed on the Gunthorpe memorial. He was killed on 12th August 1915 at Gallipoli (aka the Dardanelles). [Ancestry].
Lt Douglas Francis Fairfax Shennan 4th Bn KRRC (60th Rifles); KIA at 2nd Battle of Ypres. “My grandfather left Scotland, where we had a small estate and went initially to New Zealand with 3 brothers to farm. He didn't like it at all and returned to Scotland on the
first available ship in order to tell his father that he was going to Argentina. Fortunately, he was very successful, married a beautiful lady and sent back meat to UK before the Vesteys thought of it! His estancia (estate), Negrete, was well run and well known. In the early part of the 20th century, each winter, he leased the Gunthorpe Hall estate for sporting purposes. He had three sons, Douglas the eldest, followed by my father Kenneth and Malcolm the youngest. My father was in The Blues (the Royal Horse Guards) and survived the 1914-18 war. Douglas was KIA (killed in action) on 8th May 1915 in the second battle of Ypres* near Chateau de Hooge, whilst serving with the 4th Bat KRRC.”
*“Ypres”, correctly pronounced “Eepr”, but the Tommies called it “Wipers”. Text & Picture: Courtesy of Douglas’s nephew, Major Malcolm Shennan of Sherborne.
LANGHAM According to the National Inventory of War Memorials, “This memorial was erected by the chief farmer who lived in Langham Hall. He was no friend of the vicar and thought the village war memorial should not be in the church. He erected this memorial at his own expense on a piece of his own land.” The St Andrew and St Mary Church memorial
plaque lists the same names as the village memorial.
Lance Corp William Barnes d.1918 Frederick Sidney Bird d.1915 Private Frederick Peter Burton d.1915 Private John Henry Burton d.1918 Private Robert Albert Burton d.1918 Private James Robert Crane d.1917 Private Page Ernest Crane d.1917 Private Florance Edwards Ellwood d.1917 Stoker Herbert Walter Ellwood d.1918 Private Cornelius Evelyn Jarvis d.1915 Private Willy Reginald Jarvis d.1918 Private Frederick Lewis d.1915 Private Frederick W H Massingham d.1917 Private George Henry Turner Musk d.1916
“To the glory of God and to the men of Langham who died in the Great War
1914—1919”
Rifleman Frederick Sydney Bird Frederick Sidney Bird was born in Langham in 1895, the son of Earl Bird (Langham 1847 - 1914) and Ann Elizabeth Ives (b. Salthouse 1858). The Bird family had been in Langham since about 1710. In the 1901 census aged 6, Frederick was a scholar resident with the family at 15, The Street, Langham. By 1911, he is recorded in the census as living with his brother-in
-law Victor Dick Greenacre (who married Charlotte Mabel Bird in 1910) in Westgate, Binham.
At some stage he went to London and enlisted as a Rifleman in the 12th Battalion of the London Regiment (The Rangers) and was given the service number 2075. The battalion itself first landed in France on Christmas Day 1914 and became Line of Communication Troops on 8th February 1915 and were attatched to the 84th Brigade of the 24th Division. There were heavy casualties suffered in the fighting of April and May. The 28th Divison were involved in the battles of Gravenstaffel 22nd-23rd April and St. Julien. 24th April-5th May.
On the 24th May, the Battalion, on relief,
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page v
proceeded to bivouac in open fields near Verloerenhoek with a few flimsy straw-covered shelters, arriving about 2 a.m.: about 4 a.m. orders were received to be in readiness to move at a moment's notice in conjunction with the Suffolks. All they could see was a stream of Canadians, wounded, gassed, exhausted, passing slowly back from the direction of St. Julien. About 2 p.m. orders were received to advance in support of the Suffolks in the direction of St. Julien, attacking any enemy that was met, and about 6 p.m. the Battalion dug in facing St. Julien, with the Suffolks on the left. After passing the Field Artillery, no formed body of our own troops was encountered, only stragglers from the gas-shattered Canadian units: the advance was under considerable shell fire, with occasional cross machine-gun fire, the casualties being 18 o.r. killed, 3 officers and 38 o.r. wounded. In this line the Battalion remained until relieved on the night of April 26th-27th, by the Yorkshire L.L, momentarily expecting an attack by gas or otherwise which never came, and struggling against the drowsy effects of the gas which still hung about. The casualties from shell fire were not light. After relief the Battalion returned to bivouac again at Verloerenhoek. From here fatigue parties for work at Zonnebeke were supplied nightly, while by day the Battalion remained in bivouac, enduring intermittent shell fire. Frederick Bird was one of those wounded at St Julien, and he died a few days later on 30th April. Rev.T.J.Fawcett
Langham Rep Ann Sherriff adds: The only personal information I found out from his great-nephew, Mr. Bird of Binham, is that Frederick Sydney was called ‘Dudy’ as a child, after his great-uncle FS Bird. Frederick joined up in London whilst on a visit to his sister, Ethel.
(For more WWI information about Langham go to www.langhamnorfolk.com/parish-council-news/ world-war-1-centenary)
The Ellwood Family Herbert Walter Ellwood (1878-1918) and Florance
Edward Ellwood (1885-1917) were brothers, the sons of William Ellwood and Hannah Carr. William's family had lived in Langham since the 1770s, when Solomon Allard begins to appear in the registers. Both William and Hannah had long associations with Langham, where they married on 13 December 1872. William was born in Langham in 1852 and was buried there on 16 February 1937; Hannah was born there in 1852 and was buried there on 5th September 1937. There is a memorial to both of them in the graveyard.
WILLIAM ELLWOOD, Died Feb 11 1932 Aged 84 and HANNAH his wife, Died Sep.31937 Aged 85
‘Rest in Peace’
Florance Edward Ellwood was born in Langham in 1885 and we find him still living with his parents in Langham in 1911 aged 27, working as a farm labourer. He
enlisted at Letheringsett in the Norfolk Regiment with the service number 15428. Later when the 2nd (Garrison) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment was formed in Bedford in December
1916 he transferred to that battalion with the service number 35281. The battalion was moved to India in February 1917 arriving in May and came under the command of the Karachi Brigade in the 4th (Quetta) Division. Sadly Florance never made it to India, dying at sea on the 5th May 1917.
Presumably he was buried at sea on the journey to India, so he has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton. The Hollybrook Memorial commemorates by name almost 1,900 servicemen and women of the Commonwealth land and air forces whose graves are not known, many of whom were lost in transports or other vessels torpedoed or mined in home waters.
Herbert Walter Ellwood was born in Langham on the 15th April 1878. In the 1891 census he is recorded as living with his parents in Langham, being employed at the age of 13 as an Agricultural Labourer (like his father). On 17 May 1905 he married Clara Maria Massingham in Langham Church, who on the 26th September of that year gave birth to Ellen Edith Ellwood, later the school mistress, Ellen Van Damme, co-writer The Aspects of Langham. Clara was the daughter of Samuel Massingham (1850-1931) and Ellen Elizabeth Spence. The Massinghams could trace back their ancestors living in Langham to Robert Masinge (1510-1544) and his father, so Herbert Ellwood was very much a son of Langham.
In 1906 he moved with his wife and family to Cley, where they remained until 1909 when they moved again to Briston. In the 1911 Census the three of them are living in West End, Briston, and Herbert was working as a machine minder for the Railway Company based in Melton Constable. Here they remained until in 1914 they moved back to Cley, living in New Road. Herbert is listed in the Register of Electors there for 1914 and 1915. Soon after he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve and it appears he was sent to Chatham, where in 1917 he became the stoker on the Tug Desire: this was a Belgian vessel (165 tons) which had been hired for dockyard service in December 1915.
On the 24th January 1918, she was towing the lighters X6 and X110 from Grimsby to Rosyth with some RN personnel on board the two lighters. At 8.50 am a German Submarine UB-34 when some 2.5 miles off Filey, attacked them, first sinking the tug by gunfire and then the lighters by placing bombs on board. The crews took to their respective dinghies and some survivors from the tug were on a Carley float. Petty Officer Redman was in charge of the survivors from X110 and went alongside the tug's Carley float and took them aboard, making his party 11 in all. The crew of X6 and the remainder of the tug's crew were in their own boats. These two boats were never found, one of them containing Hebert Ellwood. Ten men died, and the only survivors from the Desire were the Master, the Second Mate, an AB and the Engineer (J Edwards). Herbert's body was never recovered for burial, so he has no known grave.
He is however commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial , Kent. Panel 19; and on both the Langham and Cley War Memorials.
Rev.T.J.Fawcett
For further informa on go to www.roll‐of‐honour.com
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page vi
MORSTON “In memory of those Morston men who
gave their lives in the World Wars 1914 - 1918”
Private George J. Balding d.1916 Leading Seaman Alec Gray d.1917 Leading Stoker John Morris d.1914
“Greater love hath no man than this.”
There are several rolls of honour, photographs and individual plaques in the Church of All Saints’, Morston. With the three soldiers on the WW1 war memorial, and two highly decorated heroes, 20 other Morston men also fought in the Great War. Sadly, we cannot locate any photographs of them at the present time. We have written to the Gotts relations who emigrated to Saskatchewan in Canada.
Private William Bean, 12th Norfolk Regiment Able-Seaman William Beck, RN, HMS Viola Private Herbert Buller, 20th Durham Light Infantry Trooper William Dickerson, MGC Cavalry [W.D. was aged 15 in 1914. The Dickersons came from Swaffham. The MGC (Machine Gun Corps) in 1923 became the Royal Tank Corps and in 1939 became The Royal Tank Regiment]. Leading Seaman William Eales, RN, survivor of the sinking of HMS Hogue on 20th September 1914 (when Stoker John Morris died 1914, RN /Coastguard). Petty Officer Henry Ede, RN, HMS Caliope. Airman Edward Gotts, RNAS [Royal Navy Air Service – which on 1st April 1918 merged with the Army’s Royal Flying Service to become the RAF, the first Air Force in the world]. Private Bertie Reginald Gotts, 2nd Norfolk Regiment [The Norfolks expanded to 19 battalions in WWI and became the Royal Norfolk Regiment in 1939]. Pte Charles William Gotts, Royal Army Service Corps Corporal Herbert Sam Gotts, RASC. Driver Obadiah Pells Gotts, RFA [Royal Fleet Auxiliary – civilian-manned fleet of supply ships supplying the Royal Navy]. AB (Able-Seaman) Robert Gotts, RN, HMS Gibraltar . Private Alec Horne, 1st Bedfordshire Regiment Chief Petty Officer Harry Jarvis, Coastguard. Petty Officer John Jarvis, RN, HMS Tomahawk. Petty Officer George T. Page, RN, HMS Theseus Petty Officer Charles H. Pilcher, HMS Lord Nelson Stoker Sidney Seales RN, HMS Grafton Private Alfred T. Starman, Tank Corps/MGC Petty Officer Frederick Tuck, HMS Canada [the Tucks were from Beeston].
Twenty-five men served (ten on different ships) from a village of some one hundred inhabitants.
There is a full-length article about Private George J. Balding in Local Lynx number
97, page 20 and an article about Stoker John Morris in Local Lynx number 96, page 20. Both issues are available on line at www.locallynx.co.uk.
At Christmas 1917, Sergeant Robert Diamond Jubilee Bean, 9th Norfolk Regiment (uncle of John and Graham Bean), who had already won an MM [Military Cross] for outstanding bravery in action, won a DCM [Distinguished Conduct Medal] - awarded for “continuous bravery
over a long period”. Both his medals were won in France.
In June 1917, Leading Seaman Alec Gray (christened Allick) [also on BALE memorial] came home on leave from his ship, the battleship HMS Vanguard in the Orkneys to Bale where his parents had just moved from Morston, Allick’s “home town” (his father George was a publican and
ran first the Townshend Arms in Morston and then the Bale Oak.) In early July 1917 Allick returned from Bale to HMS Vanguard, a St.Vincent class battleship in the Orkneys’ huge harbour of Scapa Flow: 10 to 20 miles off the north coast of Scotland, where a long firing exercise took place on 9th July. (1914 has now been changed to 1917 in Morston’s church booklet). Unfortunately, just before midnight that 9th July HMS Vanguard suffered a huge explosion, probably caused by an unnoticed stokehold fire heating cordite stored against an adjacent bulkhead. She sank almost immediately killing 804 men, including Allick Gray. Only two men survived, one a Japanese liaison officer.
1st on left: Major ‘Ike’ Eisenhower, Far right: Major Philip Hamond, DSO & Bar, MC, 7th Norfolk Regiment, Tank Warfare Liaison Officer, Camp Colt, Pennsylvania, July 1918
Major Philip Hamond, DSO & bar [=two Distinguished Service Orders – awarded for bravery in command over a period], MC [Military Cross – awarded for an individual’s bravery in a specific action], who had won his first DSO in the Boer War 1899-1902 (the youngest ever to win one), was from July in 1918 training the Americans on the new weapon, “the tank” – which the British invented and used in France (at the Somme) in 1916 fighting with soldiers like Philip Hamond). On the Camp Colt staff with him was Major “Ike” Eisenhower who was later Supreme Allied Commander planning and coordinating the “D-Day” landings in 1944 and was U.S. President 1953-6. The tanks used at Cape Colt were made by Peugeot! Philip was father of Mary Athill and Ned Hamond.
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page vii
For further informa on go to www.roll‐of‐honour.com
Private Alfred T Starman, Tank Corps MGC, served as Major Philip Hamond’s bat man in the Boer War. He then served again with Maj. Hamond in WWI. They remained great friends throughout their lives. After the war, Alfred Starman returned to Morston to work for Philip Hamond.
He lived with his wife and family in Scaldbeck Cottage, which was built by Philip Hamond in 1922.
SAXLINGHAM The War Memorial within St. Margaret’s Church details those who fell in the first and second world wars.
“The men were very good unto us and we were not hurt.” 1.Sam.15.15 “May God grant them his eternal rest.”
Lance Corp. Ernest Albert Lambert d.1916 Sapper John James Lambert d.1917 Private Edward Oliver Edwards d.1916 Private James William Edwards d.1917 Private Ephraim White d.1918 Private Samuel William Hopper d.1918 Private William James Middleton d.1917 Lance Corp. Arthur Robert Howlett d.1917
Private Dennis Austin Allen, 1st Bn Essex Regiment, was born in Hellifield, North Yorkshire in 1893. His father was a domestic coachman and later a chauffeur, and the family lived in many different places.
In 1901 Dennis was living with his grandparents in Edgefield whilst the rest of the family lived in Saxlingham Green. He and his sisters went to school in Saxlingham, having previously been at Melton Constable School. In 1914 Dennis was working as a gardener, but volunteered to join Kitchener’s ‘New Army’ joining the 3rd Norfolk Regiment. He then with many others of the 3rd Norfolk Regiment was posted to the 1st Essex Regiment, to replace soldiers killed or severely wounded in that regiment. Dennis was en route to Gallipoli (the Dardanelles) when his troopship, The Royal Edward, was – the first in the war - torpedoed by a U-Boat on 13 August 1915. About 600 of those aboard were saved of 1,586, but our Dennis tragically was amongst those killed. [EDP, 18 Aug to 8 Sep1915].
Dennis is remembered on the Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula, in Turkey. [Commonwealth War Graves Commission website].
SHARRINGTON
“To the glory of God and to keep in remembrance the men of Sharrington who fell
in the Great War 1914-1918”
Pte Alfred Charles Allison d.1917 Pte Elijah Bambridge d.1917 Pte Sidney Haines d.1915 Pte Clifford Sidney Lakey d.1917 Pte Herbert George Mayes d.1916 Pte Ernest Charles Mayes d.1917 Pte Jesse Albert Neal d.1916 Pte Ernest George Platten d.1916
Lt. Lynton Woolmer White d.1914
STIFFKEY There is a marble plaque in St John & St Mary’s Church, a silk hand-written, roll of honour and a further silk hand-written roll of men who served in World War I. There is also a village memorial containing the same names as in the church.
Seargent.Herbert S. Bullimore d.1918 Private Francis A. Curson d.1917
Private Sydney Hust d.1918 Private George W. Pearson d.1916 Private Clifford Thomas Reynolds d.1917 Private Bertie Ringwood d.1917 Private Arthur J. Timbers d.1915 Private Charles Douglas Wordingham d.1916 Private James Reginald John Wordingham d.1918 2nd Lieutenant Vincent Robert Wordingham d.1917
“Also in memory of Lt.Col. John Robin Gray, late the King’s Royal Rifle Corps died 11 February 1926
These also left their homes to serve King and country.”
Arthur Baker Herbert Baker Clarence Bayfield Noah Bayfield Sam Bayfield Gerald Britton Percy Britton Robert Buck Edward Carter George Curson Harry Curson James Curson Richard Curson Walter Curson Ernest C. Daggett Reverend H.F. Davidson Bernard Dowsing Charles Dowsing Earnest F. Dowsing George Dowsing Richard Dowsing Bertie Elwood George Elwood Timothy Elwood Harry Engledow John R. Francis William E. Francis Charles Gidney George Gidney J.R. Gray Nathaniel Green J.E.Groom Mary Gladys Groom Ernest Hannant George Jarvis Charles E. Jary Charles Jordan Lewis T Jordan William Lee Osborne Lewis Edgar Mallett Bertie A. Pells James Pells Septimus Pells Charles Reynolds George Reynolds James E. Reynolds Stanley Rhodes
OUR VILLAGES IN WAR: A WWI SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Our Villages in War: a WWI Special Supplement page viii
Alec Ringwood Richard Ringwood Tom Ringwood Walter Snell Harold Sutton Walter Sutton Charles Tooke William Warnes Cyril Winner Kimberley Wordingham Samuel Wordingham Walter Wordingham John Wright Tom Yaxley
Lt-Col. Frederick Marshman Bailey was appointed Captain with the 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry at Dublin on 4 Sept. 1914. He served on the western front from March to April 1915 with the 34th Sikh Pioneers, where he was shot in the arm. At
the time, he was serving in the Indian Expeditionary Forces as one of the few Urdu-speaking officers on the front. He returned to England to convalesce but joined the fight again at Gallipoli in September 1915 serving with the 5th Gurkhas, where he was wounded twice more. He was appointed a Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire on 1 January 1915 and was transferred to the Supernumary List on 24 December 1915.
Returning to India, he served as Political Officer on the North West Frontier during the Mohmand Operations January 1916 to March 1917.
In December 1917 he was sent to South Persia where he served until February 1918 as a Political officer, then Chinese & Russian Turkistan 1918-1920.[Wikipedia]
THE STIFFKEY ZEPPELIN
The following is an extract from a letter written by Violet M. Humphrey (formerly of Stiffkey) to Mrs. Philip Hamond of Morston about Mrs. Humphrey’s
photographs of the Zeppelin over Stiffkey in WWI. The letter is dated 3 March 1966. (Punctuation as written.)
“I enclose 2 views of the Zeppelin that I took…I thought it got home safely altho badly crippled & I do not think it was the one that was brought down one night by Lieut. Cadbury from the Sedgeford drome & my husband saw it go down into the sea & I did also from our attic. My late husband was a Special in that War & was always on duty when the Zepps were around… The photo had to be taken from our place as no cameras were allowed to be used outside ones own premises– thus the view of the house. I took one & then rushed through & took the other & believe me I never was, nor shall be, any good at photography.”
Geraldine Green, Stiffkey History Group, adds: “Mrs Humphrey's scrap books include a report and picture from the
EDP. She has written on it, “1918-August?” Her comments certainly suggest it is the 5th August 1918 as she indicates that they were part of a group of 6 zeppelins that dropped the last bombs over London. (Or elswhere?) Among that group (4-6) was L.70 that was brought down in the sea by Cadbury. It is well possible that her husband witnessed this from their house. L.70 is well documented on the net.”
WARTIME MEMORIES An extract from ‘Stiffkey with Cockthorpe’, published by Stiffkey Local History Group:
As in all villages, most able-bodied men went to serve in the Great War, leaving the women, the very young and the old to cover the work of the village.
There was a fear of invasion by Germany and preparation included the construction of defences, especially in coastal areas. A reminder of these can still be found in Stiffkey; on the edge of the marsh are the remains, still largely intact, of a rare First World War pill box. This had a wide view of the marshes enabling early sighting and engagement with invading forces. But being on the isolated North Norfolk coast had advantages, particularly in regard to access to food. Joan Sternberg recalls that, “Compared with Heacham, we lived in unashamed luxury.” There was access to a wide variety of farm and garden produce, food from saltmarsh and sea and also wildfowl and game.
During the war, troops passed through the village and zeppelins were seen overhead, but the greatest effect on the remaining villagers was the worry and concern about the absent men overseas. Joan Sternberg describes how her grandfather (Samuel Wordingham) would never go off the farm until he had checked the post and the Eastern Daily Press to be reassured that village boys were still alive. She recalls the dreadful day when her Aunt Polly gave a cry and fainted upon reading that Vincent Wordingham was missing believed killed at Ypres.
In total 73 men and one woman left the village to serve in the war, of whom 10 men died.
THANK YOU Local Lynx is truly grateful to all its reps and readers
who tracked down long lost relatives and ex-villagers and who toiled endlessly on obscure websites in order to fill these pages. There wouldn’t be a Lynx without you.
PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORIES Local Lynx would like to commemorate World War I in
every October/November newsletter until 2018. If you now live in one of our ten villages and your ancestors served their country in the Great War, or you have more stories about local villagers who supported the war effort, please contact your village rep (their details are listed on village headings) or email [email protected]. Local Lynx would love to include your stories in a future issue.
15
Parish council agreed that 7 to 9 a.m. would be the best time for a speed check, rather than an evening one as proposed by the Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team and this would be suggested to the SNT, with a request that the postponed check be conducted as soon as possible.
DonationsIt had previously been agreed in principle that the grant
made for the Gunthorpe Green parking spaces should be matched by a similar grant as part of the costs of planned improvements to Bale Village Hall. However, the Hall Management Committee had asked for their application to be postponed as the necessary details had not been obtained. Letters from both villages’ Parochial Church Councils were considered and it was agreed, as in previous years, to donate £200 in respect of Gunthorpe churchyard and £200 to Bale P.C.C.
Gunthorpe Green Parking SpacesThe new parking spaces had proved to be very successful
in removing most of the parked cars from parking on the Green. The spaces had been funded by a grant together with a Parish Council contribution of 25% of the cost. The work had
been completed under the original estimated costs. Thus a refund of £111.22 had been received from the County Council in respect of the 2013/14 Parish Partnership grant scheme, representing 25% of the difference between the original estimate for the project and the final cost (£3,220.13).
Gunthorpe Bottle BankAlbanwise had sent an e-mail incorrectly believing that the Parish Council was responsible for the St Mary’s Church car park and asking for the bottle bank to be removed. Ownership of this land was transferred to the Church Wardens by Saxlingham Farms Limited, for use as a car park by the parish church, in 1997. The demand to remove the bottle bank, which provides an income for the Church as well as a useful facility for the villages, was being contested by the PCC. Although not directly responsible for its siting Councillors agreed that a letter should be sent to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Albanwise supporting the benefits of this facility and the retention of the Bottle Bank on the Church car park; and, as the Council’s opinion had been requested by Albanwise, pointing out that the suggested alternative location of the highway verge adjoining the Green would require planning permission and this would be opposed by the Parish Council.
Road DamageThe clerk was asked to report the collapse of a narrow
verge between Swanton Road and a watercourse in front of “Little Victoria” and to note other road defects when the Highway Community Rangers were next due in the Parish.
Next MeetingThe next quarterly meeting of the Parish Council will be
held in Gunthorpe Institute at 7:30pm on 27th November. John Church Chairman Gunthorpe PC
WILLIAM ERIC LAMBWe were saddened to learn of the death of former Gunthorpe resident Bill Lamb in a Harrogate nursing home on 21st August. He was 91, and had been suffering from dementia for several years. Sadly the family had known for some time that he did not have long to live. Bill, together with his wife Jane, lived in Gunthorpe in Brook Hollow from 1978 until 1986. Both he
16
and Jane, a teacher in the local community when they lived here, were stalwart supporters of village activities and social life, including Bill driving the community bus for all the local villages for many years. Bill had been an engineering officer in the Royal Air Force serving in Burma, amongst other theatres, in WW2, and also on both the King’s and Queen’s Flights, before finally retiring as a Wing Commander. His engineering expertise was put to good use for both village projects and in helping individuals. He is survived by his wife Jane, children Elizabeth, Kate, Deborah and Robert and by step-daughter Vinnie. We offer them our deepest condolences on their sad loss.
FRIENDS OF GUNTHORPE PARISH CHURCH
The Friends of Gunthorpe Parish Church annual Fete BBQ was held in the Gunthorpe Hall gardens on Saturday the 26th of July. The weather was kind and many village people and their friends turned out for an evening of fun, outdoor-dining and a bit of relaxation and chat before the throng of the Fete the next day. One kind guest even brought his guitar to entertain us – many thanks! There was a raffle, as usual, which was extremely well supported by many generous folk, and the total taken on tickets and raffle was £1363 which will go towards the repair and maintenance of Gunthorpe St. Mary’s Church. Thanks to all for their kind support!
The Friends Harvest Supper is planned to be held in the Village Institute on Saturday 8th November at 7pm. Please check the notice board for confirmation of the date nearer the time, and book your tickets early as seating is limited. Tickets are £8 per adult and £5 per child aged 12 and under. To book tickets call Toni, Jamie, Jeremy or Marie at Gunthorpe Hall on 01263-861373. We very much hope to see many of you there.
Marie Denholm, Friends Chairman
WELCOME A very warm welcome to Gunthorpe goes to Chris Stone
and Catriona Macnish, who, together with Chris’s son Bradley, aged 7, have recently moved to 26 Sharrington Road from Field Dalling. Chris works at the Manor Hotel at Blakeney and Catriona works with special needs children. We hope that they will all be very happy with their new life in Gunthorpe.
FROM THE REGISTERSHoly Matrimony
Matthew Riseborough and Joanna Cubitt 9th. August
WELCOMEWe would like to extend a warm welcome to Irene and
also to Ryan, Danielle and baby Cole now living in Langham. We hope you will all enjoy living here.
CAKE AND PRODUCE STALL ON THE GREEN DURING AUGUST
Having decided not to put up the gazebo we were very lucky to have good weather on each occasion. Proceeds for the five Saturday mornings totalled £339 for Langham Church General Fund.
This included the sale of a Tea Towel and notelets. Sales of ‘Aspects of Langham’ and ‘The Village Schoolmaster’ were to a separate account.
Many thanks to Jan Hope and Gill Hartley who helped to set up and dismantle and to the ten ladies who served at the stall. We are also grateful to those who baked, brought produce and bought. Your support was much appreciated. Thank you. Langham PCC
LANGHAM SPEEDWATCH We are looking for volunteers to monitor traffic through
the village. Full training will be given. Please contact Dave Curtis on 830535. Chairman Langham Parish Council
LANGHAM ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION We have a plot that is coming vacant in October. This is a whole plot but it could be split into two if anyone would like a smaller plot. Per year, the rent is £15.00 for half a plot or £20.00 the whole plot. Anybody interested can contact any plot holder or Cavin Reed 01328 830444 or Kirsty Simmons on 01328 830689.
17
LANGHAM PARISH ROOMConstructing Computer Games
Fri 10th Oct at 6pm.An illustrated talk by a professional games programmer on
constructing computer games. This talk is for all ages and the timing will hopefully
encourage the younger element.Admission is £5 for adults but free for those who attend
school. No tickets are needed, just turn up on the night but p l e a s e p h o n e m e 0 1 3 2 8 8 3 0 2 7 6 o r e m a i l [email protected] so we can get some idea of the number of people wishing to attend.
Edward Allen, Chairman
LANGHAM CHURCH After 14 years of loyal service, Barry Betts has announced
his retirement from driving the ride on mower in the churchyard. We cannot thank him enough for all his hard work and the hours he has put in to make the churchyard look so good. Now we need a successor, please contact me on T 830276 to express your interest.
Edward Allen Churchwarden
LANGHAM STREET FAYREThe 2014 Street Fayre raised funds for the village and
local causes. The following disbursement was agreed by the LSF Committee.
Parish Room £1600Langham Church Building Trust £1850Playing Field £1850Langham Rangers FC £300Glaven Caring £1350Allotments £ 150Air ambulance £300Wells Lifeboat appeal £450Lynx £150Thanks to all who helped make the day a success.
Langham Street Fayre committee for 2016If you would like a chance to influence the next Street
Fayre and the way the funds are distributed there will be a meeting in April 2015 to invite new members on to the committee. More details on langhamstreetfayre.com, via the Facebook page or phone Dave on 830535.
CHRISTMAS FAIR Langham Parish Room Sat Nov 29th 10am-12 noonI know, it doesn’t seem possible that we are talking about
Christmas as I sit here in September sunshine! Please come and support us at this traditional event,
raising money for the Langham Church General Fund. Would you all please be kind enough to save your unwanted presents, books and anything suitable for the raffle or tombola for this event? The P.C.C. would be most grateful. Goods can be deposited in the porch at 30, Binham Road, with a note, so that I can thank donors or I can collect, any time after mid November. Many thanks for your continued support.
Ann Sherriff 01328 830605
FRIENDS OF LANGHAMWe held our annual rounders and BBQ on Thursday 7th
August. Thanks to a lovely day and evening it attracted a very large turn out of over 100 who all enjoyed the great BBQ and rounders.
The rounders match for the children was also enjoyed by some of the parents and grandparents who perhaps the next day had some regrets but the rest of the spectators cheered them all on and enjoyed the evening.
Let’s hope that next year’s event is even better.John Hughes Chairman
RVS LANGHAM CAR SERVICESchedule to Oct 5th 2014 Fare: 25p per mile.
Weekly driving duties beginning on a Monday.Sept 29th T 830 605 Nov 3rd T 830 056Oct 6th T 830 677 Nov 10th T 830 624
18
Oct 13th T 830 731 Nov 17th T 830 696*Oct 20th T 830 606* Nov 24th. T 830 847 Oct 27th T 830 348 Dec 1st T 830 537** These drivers do not go to NorwichIf the driver for the week is unable to do the trip, contact
the next person on the list. If your appointment is cancelled, please also cancel your car service booking.
Please give three days notice wherever possible, except in an emergency. It would be very helpful if a car booking is made as soon as an appointment is arranged or journey planned so that drivers can arrange their schedule. When booking please tell the driver of any walking aids to be transported. Please bring change.
In the infrequent event that no driver is available – contact the Holt Caring Society T 01263 711243 giving as much notice as possible.
This roster is also placed on the church porch and the village notice boards with dates beyond the above schedule, after Nov 9th .
To avoid drivers having to do a double duty we are in urgent need of three drivers for our full complement. If anyone would like to join us please give me a call.
Ann Sherriff 01328 830605
MOBILE LIBRARYThis visits on a four weekly basis on Thursdays, Oct 2nd, Oct 30th, and Nov 27th.. On each of these days, the
van will call for 20 mins at St. Mary’s 10.25am, The Old Post Office 10.50am, The Cornfield 11.15am. Please note there will be no service on Dec 25th.
Enquiries Wells Library 01328 710467
COFFEE AND GLŰHWEIN MORNING in aid of El Salvador
Crafer’s Barn Sat 13th Dec 10am-12.00noon Everyone is warmly invited for a coffee morning
with German advent cakes, tea, coffee and mulled wine. We are in North Street, the third house after Langham Village School when coming from village crossroads. Proceeds are in aid of the Fe y Alegría school in a slum of the country’s capital, San Salvador. German St Nicolas chocolates and nostalgic Christmas cards will also be on sale.
Jutta and Roger Davis
FRIENDS OF LANGHAMNovember 5th Fireworks and BBQ
The Parish Council and the Friends of Langham are holding this annual event on Wednesday November 5th. The actual venue for the evening will be publicised nearer to the day. We look forward to seeing you all then.
LEUKAEMIA AND LYMPHOMA RESEARCH AUTUMN SALE
Oct 18th Langham Parish Room 10–11.30amTombola, Bric-a-brac, good clothes and more.Further details from Maureen 01328 830731.
LANGHAM PARISH ROOMCoffee mornings continue on the first and third Saturdays
of every month 10-12 noon.
Oct 4th. Coffee morning and Book Sale.Oct 18th Leukaemia Sale, coffee available.Nov 1st Coffee and Cakes morning. Cakes to eat and cakes
to buy.Nov 15th Coffee morning and plants for sale.Come along and enjoy your coffee with friends from the
village and surrounding area.
MORSTON QUIZ By Samphire (Answers on page 25)
1. Which puzzle is made up 9 squares of 9 squares and the digits 1 to 9?2. What device goes across a guitar fretboard to raise the pitch?3. In which game would you find a night watchman?4. Glasgow is the centre of which Scottish region?5. What shape is a boxing ring?6. Which bird is the symbol of the RSPB?7. In which month is St. Patrick’s Day?8. In snooker what is the score for potting the black?9. The zodiac sign Capricorn covers which two months?10. In broadcasting what does CNN stand for?
JUNIOR FOOTBALL IN LANGHAMLangham Rangers FC had their first two teams meetings
and training sessions at The Graham Allen Ground on 30th Aug and 6th Sept. The overall aim is to provide the youth from Langham and surrounding villages with a team, for boys and girls, of mixed ages 10 to under 14 with a team and club of their own. As far as I know there hasn’t been a football team in Langham for over 15 years, the ground is in such a perfect spot, with dressing rooms, facilities and in great condition thanks to Alan Lawrence and all who have made it so, it seems a shame not to use it.
We had a great turnout with 13 players from Langham, Stiffkey, Warham and Field Dalling all enjoying the coaching skills and playing together. Of course it’s a big thank you to the parents, who also seemed to enjoy the morning, for bringing the players to the practice, for their fantastic support and offers of help, without them we couldn’t do this. Did I spot a dreamy eye or two as Dads said “I played on here many years ago?” Having coached junior football many times before I have to say this is the best bunch of parents I’ve had – so far! Another thank you to the Street Fayre committee for allocating funds for a new strip for the Rangers.
We have agreed there will be a code of conduct for the team, officials and supporters to show what we stand for.
19
As we are a mixed age team we are unable to join an official league but I am hoping we can arrange matches with teams who have cancelled games or free weeks from their leagues. Contact is being made with teams across North Norfolk, we have to start somewhere!
If any player would like to join us and is in the age criteria or wants to find out more, then please come along, all are welcome. Just bring with you something to train in, shin pads and bags of energy and enthusiasm.
Messages will be posted on Langham Facebook page. Neil Espin Coach (CRB & advanced CRB checked)
01328 831982
LANGHAM PARISH ROOMA Talk by Sir Richard Gozney
from 40 years in the Foreign OfficeFri Oct 31st 7pm Tickets £5
Following the success of his talk on ‘Tales from the Diplomatic Bag’, by popular request, Richard has agreed to treat us all with a second round of stories from his years in the Foreign Office. Those who came to the first instalment will need no encouragement to come for episode two, so we look forward to seeing those who missed out before. The theme will be different, not a repeat. Proceeds will be for the Parish Room. Please contact me if you wish to book a ticket T 01328 830276 or [email protected].
Edward Allen Chairman
A COMMON BONDI think it is a great bond today for a small community- like
the people of our benefice- to have knowledge about, and to share with their neighbours, the history of their own village and neighbouring villages. This is a bond they have in common – be it knowledge about their churches, halls, rivers, creeks etc., in their village, as much as knowing about their “forerunners”, i.e. the people who preceded them in “their personal space”– be they famous names like Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell of Cockthorpe owning land at Morston for example, or those brave men and women who fought and died in the World Wars in places all over the world including being torpedoed at sea, or holding the home front. JW
ATHILL WEDDING The Athill family were delighted when Kathryn Lowrey was sweetly happy to marry Orlando Athill in Morston Church on Saturday 2nd August. Both his grandparents, Mary (Hamond) and Andrew and his parents, Phil and Annabel (Terry-Engell), were married there in 1954 and 1981. Mary's father, Major Philip Hamond D.S.O. first rented Morston Hall in 1914 before building Scaldbeck House, and the Barn in which Mary Athill now
lives, in the 1920s and he and Orlando's great-grandmother Diana (Dan) were closely involved wi th the church and village throughout their lives. So this latest happy union fortuitously also
celebrates 100 years of family association with Morston. The Rev. Ian Whittle conducted a beautiful service and 'We Have An Anchor' lifted the roof.
20
JOHN WISE R.I.P. Born in 1938 in Cheshire John was raised in Pinner in London. Before long he was helping his dad, Sid, an Air Raid Warden, dismantle unexploded incendiary bombs that had fallen into the back garden during the Blitz. The family took refuge each night underneath the steel table in the
dining room, seeing the sky red towards the east. At the end of the war, John joined by his sister Margaret,
spent summers in Bloxham in Oxfordshire where his grandparents ran a pub or down in Swanage on the south coast. Even though he passed the 11-plus to the local grammar school, the practical side of him won over and he attended a technical college instead and his passion for engineering was born.
With a budding interest in motorbikes, he enrolled for his National Service in 1958 joining the REME. He was posted to Old Dalby in Leicestershire where on one particular night he met June at a dance. The relationship must have been one of love at first sight as within three weeks they were engaged just before he was posted to the Outer Hebrides. It was here that he first was introduced to diving, something else that became a passion for him.
In 1960 he married June and they arrived back from their honeymoon with only £8 in the world between them. They moved in with John’s mum and dad, before renting a house a few doors down and Nicola was born. Then in 1965 they queued overnight to reserve a new house, which they managed to secure and soon Helen was born.
After working at Scamell Motors as an engineer, John took over the franchise of two service stations in London and JW Auto Trading was born. For several years they lived a happy family life, moving Shepperton where I was born.
When the oil crisis hit in the early 1970s, John moved the family to Norfolk to work as a workshop manager at Structureflex. It was here that he sourced the PVC material and the welding process that was to become central to the genesis of the lifting bags. While in London he had got the idea of using lifting balloons to raise objects from the sea floor and had produced some prototypes using hessian sacks and polythene but with limited success as they leaked. This PVC-coated material was ideal and he spent his work breaks formulating his ideas and producing his first attempts. In true John style, he refused the offer of £500 from his employer for the rights to the idea and so found himself without a job.
After a chance encounter with an American business investor he found the funding he needed to make a go of the business and so he set up shop in an old chicken shed in Holt and JW Automarine was born. From a small start the company got its big break by getting the contract of floating the enormous concrete legs of an oilrig out of Rotterdam harbour into the North Sea. This was an enormous undertaking and was against a time schedule. Soon it became clear that the installation of the bags into the rig wasn’t easy and he had to find a solution to the problem. While he was doing that he was being pressured to meet the
allotted time scale. In true John fashion he told the rig owners that everything was going well and that the bags were going in easily. To ensure that the pile of bags diminished and that the delay wouldn’t become apparent, he would go in the dead of night and bury the bags he hadn’t fitted into the rig in the sand on the beach until he came up with a solution. The strategy worked and he found a solution and eventually met the deadline with the rig floating successfully in 1976. From then on the business went from strength to strength with John and June travelling the world for its promotion. Always one to like a gadget, he trained people up to use the CAD machine for design and he liked to be at the forefront on technical innovation.
Retirement brought a house in Spain, a wooden lodge in Poole in Dorset, tinkering in his garage, his beloved boat and, of course, Morston. Most of all he loved being down on the quay with his beloved dogs, chatting to the people he met. His interests included diving, shooting, boating, fishing, windsurfing, engineering, anything Japanese, anything with garlic in it, family history, growing plants, remote control aeroplanes, and so on.
When he finally had to go to hospital, in his lucid moments, the sparkle and the humour were still in there. He kept saying “We need a plan to get me out of here”. “John”, “Wisey”, “Dad”, “Grandad John” was so much to so many people and will be sorely missed by so many. John and June were certainly lucky living here – where they loved – and being surrounded by such amazing people. Jonathan
MORSTON REGATTA WINNERS 2014 Morston Parish Council Trophy Rod Jeffries (first boat across the line) Streaker 1685 Major P Hamond Trophy Jill Tibbett (first Morston resident) Cockle 112 Hassall Trophy Simon Wakeford (first Stiffkey Cockle) Cockle 35 Ward Trophy Neil Thompson (first Norfolk Oyster) Annie Wilson Challenge Cup Fiona Jolliffe (first Slow Class boat) Firefly 3261 Morston Regatta Cup Alan Jackson (first Fast Class boat) Seafly 620 Carter Trophy Matt Boreham (first single-hander) Laser 85054 John Bean’s Trophy Hugo Williamson (first helm under 16) Pico 13931
21
Lapstrake Junior Cup Ben Coast (youngest helm) Mallard National Trust Trophy Jonathan Freeguard (first rowing skiff) Rowing scull
Please note that under Morston Regatta rules each competitor is only allowed to win 1 trophy. There were no entries for the following trophies: MUCK BOAT CUP (first ex-working boat), ATHILL TROPHY (first pleasure boat), TEMPLE TROPHY (first catamaran).
PCC LANGHAM FAYRE STALL The PCC stall made £606. The PCC would like to thank
all those who gave such splendid items for the sale.
NATIONAL TRUST UPDATE Blakeney National Nature Reserve
August saw the completion of the Morston bridge project and it has been really great to see visitors enjoying the views from the new viewing platform. Thank you to everyone for your support during the project.
Morston Quay users may notice we are trialling a number of footpath materials between the bridges. We hope to improve the path this Autumn/Winter and we will keep you posted.
Walkers around Stiffkey & Morston may have spotted a plant growing on the upper edge of the marshes and along tracks that seems to be taking hold. This is a member of the orache family that occurs on the saltmarsh/sand dune transition and has been a winner of the tidal surge.
We are pleased to be supporting the Stiffkey Local History Group with a project to excavate and restore a WW1 pillbox. The first action was to recover the missing blocks from the creek and we would like to thank Mark Harrison for providing a machine to help us. Rangers Stuart and George got very muddy but all pieces have now been washed down ready to be put back where they belong.
We look forward to the signs of Autumn returning on the coast. From migrant birds to skeins of pink-footed geese and the Suaeda turning orange-red it is a great time of the year to be out and about.
We will be running events this Autumn/Winter from migrant bird walks to the popular seal pup trips so please keep an eye out on the NT Blakeney events page or phone us on 01263 740241. Victoria Egan, Countryside Manager
SHOVELL DINNER 2014 Friends of Morston Church Shovell Dinner (50 tickets)
will be held at the Anchor Inn, Morston on Saturday 18th October. It commemorates the life of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell of Cockthorpe & Morston (1650-1707). “In his day he was almost as famous as Horatio Nelson was in his” [Simon Harris].
At 6.30pm guests will be greeted with a glass of wine. From 7.00 to 7.55: The pre-Dinner Talk by Rev Christopher Wood: “William Hoste, Nelson’s Protégé”, followed by a 3-course dinner at 8.15pm with the traditional toasts to Shovell and to Nelson.
Dinner will be followed by a Raffle. All proceeds go to Friends of Morston Church (Registered Charity No.1099831) for church repairs. Tickets at £35.00 each may be purchased from Jock Wingfield, 01263-740431].
BRIDGET WATSON The funeral of Bridget Watson took place in
Saxlingham Church on Saturday 1st August. She died aged 85, fifteen years after her husband John. During her working life she had been a legal secretary, a secretary to an estate agent and an assistant in a medical practice. An outgoing personality with an appetite for experience, she loved opera, films, ballet, sport and enjoyed acting her whole life from youthful appearances in Southminster to her last few years in Cley when she and John ran the Shell Museum in Glandford where they lived. Following her move to Saxlingham, Bridget loved to invite friends and family into her home and garden. Having had five siblings, Bridget was very family-minded and was close not only to her immediate family of Frances, Shaun and Stephanie but also to the many members of her wider family. She was likewise committed to the villagers as well. A regular churchgoer, Bridget served on the PCC and was at one time Church Warden of St.Margaret’s. Latterly she was our representative on the Deanery Synod, a role she carried out most conscientiously. Also an active fundraiser Bridget plus family helped with Jazz In June and our annual two-village fete in August. Whether Bridget was devoting time to ‘the old people’, as she called them, at Blakeney Caring or captivating children as a storyteller she had a natural way with people. A particular enthusiasm of hers years ago was acting as Secretary (and cheerleader, one imagines) of the Deborah Kerr Fan Club! With her wide general knowledge Bridget was expert at crosswords and quiz-nights. As a spirited individual(who flew several times to Australia to visit Shaun and family) and as someone who had a great gift for friendship and love, Bridget drew warm responses from all she encountered. Saxlingham misses her!
22
MATT’S FRINGE SUCCESSMatt Lister whose family home is The Old Forge in
Saxlingham has just produced his first piece of professional theatre at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show ‘Lorraine & Alan’ was listed as one of the top 100 shows to see and in a Fringe of 2,300+ shows that is no mean feat! The Norfolk connection is a coincidence. Having been written by Nel Crouch from Kent it was her summer holidays that inspired the play, which is a contemporary twist on the Selkie myth set in Blakeney. Matt hopes tha next year the show will come to Norfolk, its ‘natural home’! The production received a 5-star review: ‘This is a sparkling show with superb acting. The design, music and writing come together beautifully to deliver a seamless mix of mythological wonder and rooted realism’.
ECHOES OF WW1Most people are aware of the many requests nationally for
information about servicemen who died in WW1 and those who survived; their names can be seen on local war memorials and rolls of honour. Saxlingham’s heroes are listed on a stone tablet in our church. Any facts relating to these men, perhaps relations who feature in family records, would be much appreciated. Please post to John Rayner at Chaucer House, Saxlingham, or email [email protected].
WORLD WAR ONE EXHIBITIONFor some time now a working group in the village has
been engaged in researching the backgrounds to the names on the first World War Memorial in the church, prior to mounting an exhibition in the village hall on Remembrance Sunday 9th November and Remembrance Day itself 11th November. With each member of the group taking on a specific person to research, a picture has been built up of the Sharrington men who sadly lost their lives during the conflict and they have become so much more than just names on a memorial.
The brief has been widened to include details of home and working life in the area during the period of WW1 and to emphasise that everyone was ‘doing their bit’ during this time.
The enthusiasm of the group has resulted in fascinating pieces of social history emerging, covering local employment, school and church records, agriculture in the area and the importance of railways in the days when Melton Constable was both a major railway hub and employer of local men.
Internet sources have been used to the full and amongst many other resources, visits have been made to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum, the archive centre at county hall and the heritage centre at the millennium library in Norwich. At every place the staff have been both welcoming and helpful.
Plans are well underway to bring all this together for the exhibition which will take place in the village hall on Sunday 9th November from 2 – 4pm when a village tea party will be provided free of charge and on Tuesday 11th November from 10am – 12 noon during which time refreshments will be available and the national two minute silence will be observed at 11am. Admission is free but there will be a box provided for anyone wishing to make a donation towards the work of the Royal British Legion.
We feel sure that this will be a valuable contribution to the considerable efforts being made in our parishes to commemorate the war and we hope many of you will visit us to view the exhibition. Indeed there may well be some amongst you who through their own family experiences can
23
add to our understanding and knowledge of this time, both on the home front and the battle fields and we would welcome this input too.
There is still time for those of you who have links to Sharrington and may have photos or artefacts relating to the Great War to get in touch if you are willing to lend anything with a Sharrington connection which could be put on display. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this further. My details are at the top of the Sharrington section.
Claire Dubbins
SHARRINGTON GARDENERSThe hazy summer months of August and September have
seen members enjoying the generous hospitality of Bob and Philippa McQuade and Adrian and Francoise Allenby in their very different but equally enjoyable gardens.
Autumn will see the return of our series of talks in the village hall. On 1st October we host Simon White of Peter Beales Roses whose topic will be ‘Who Dares Prunes’. On 5th November we welcome Shelagh Ashe who will talk about ‘The Winter Garden’.
Watch out for our stall at the Sharrington Christmas Fayre on 29th November. RD
NOBLE ROTTERSThe balmy rosé days of summer gave way rather abruptly
to something red and rather more chunky.A report on our Cotes du Rhone tasting will appear in the
next issue but if anyone would like to join for the next four tastings please contact Roger Dubbins on 01263 862261 or [email protected]. RD
WEDDING OF MARY MOORE AND DANIEL PEARSON ON 9TH AUGUSTOn the Friday the marquee erected beside Swanton Novers
village hall for the reception had been set up and decorated. White, yellow and orange flowers from gardens in
Sharrington had been delightfully arranged by friends and relations in a simple style both at the venue and in the church. Night fell and with it the rain. Saturday dawned newly washed, and wonder of wonders, with clear skies. The bride’s family home was
filled with excited chatter and laughter all morning as the final preparations were carried out. A beautifully decorated horse drawn carriage conveyed the bride and her father to the church. At the gate they were met by the Ven Michael Handley who led the procession along the path, which was lined with pots of yellow marigolds, to the church door. The bride wore a long strapless ivory coloured dress with a short veil and carried a simple bunch of cosmos and everlasting peas. Her four bridesmaids were in buttercup yellow, carrying small bunches of cream roses, pale yellow spray carnations and gypsophila. Mary and Dan entered the church to the Bridal March by Wagner and emerged after the ceremony as Mr and Mrs Pearson to the strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. After photographs had been taken the bride
detached a small posy of everlasting peas from her bouquet and laid it on her grandparents’ grave before leaving with her husband in the horse drawn carriage for the reception.
Anna Moore
MIKE DILGER TALKA packed village hall on 28th August was hugely
entertained by BBC TV wildlife presenter Mike Dilger. Mike recounted tales of how he became absorbed by bird watching as a young lad and how he managed to finance trips abroad to fuel his passion by posing as a life model. These memorable trips accidentally led to his later employment as a wildlife presenter.
He told many stories of his life and showed us his commitment to his job when asked to imitate a gannet by diving from 10 metres into a pool. Scary stuff. But he also showed encounters with wildlife which took our breath away and he reminded us all that these special moments with creatures frequently provide some of the most cherished memories of our lives. Thank you Mike! CA
VILLAGE HALLFollowing its expansion in May, the committee has put
together a small but varied programme of fund raising events to the end of the year including the Mike Dilger talk, an evening of antiques with Luke Scott and a Christmas Fayre to be held on 29th November.
Thanks largely to the efforts of Gary Grunwald, Norfolk Pro Help (an association of architects, surveyors and other professionals) have agreed to provide assistance in developing a refurbishment programme for the hall.
A preliminary meeting with Paul Abbott of A Squared Architects took place on 3rd September and a further meeting will be scheduled to discuss costings once plans have been drawn up. We can then look for funding. RD
CHRISTMAS FAYRE 29TH NOVEMBER What better way to herald the month of December than a
Christmas Fayre.On Saturday 29th November at 10.30am the village hall
will host a fair sponsored by the Sharrington gardeners group.In addition to seasonal bulbs and plants, Christmas foods
and decorations, there will be refreshments, a raffle and stalls selling cards, prints, books, textiles and crafts.
If you would like to help by providing cakes, sausage rolls, mincemeat, winter chutneys or other festive foodstuffs, show off your creative talents or help on the day, please contact
24
Francoise Allenby (01263 860910), Ann Abrams (01263 861404) or Roger Dubbins (01263 862261). RD
GARDEN FETESaturday 12th July dawned decidedly damp and misty, not
ideal, but nevertheless soon after 10am Bale Road was a hive of activity and vehicles, transporting crockery etc from the village hall along with tables, chairs and gazebos. We have a marvellous and cheerful team of helpers well versed in the art of setting up and by 12.30 we were all able to repair home for a swift lunch.
At 2pm the visitors arrived in their scores to the lovely garden of Paul and Eunice Morgan to be bathed in sunlight, humidity and the very irritating fruit flies. But it all went very well with live music playing all the afternoon, visitors enjoying tea and cakes, a little purchasing and then more tea. The stalls did well, the garden plants and associated items especially excellent this year. The clothes too, games, books bric-a-brac, cakes and preserves and the raffle.
All too soon it was time to begin the dismantling and packing up and most importantly counting and in the end we made a profit of £1,792 so congratulations and thanks to everyone. APG
HARVEST SUPPEROur harvest supper and auction of local produce this year
will be in the village hall on Saturday 4th October at 7pm. Tickets are £7 each and are available from Ann Garwood 01263 860700. It would be good to see as many of you as possible.
The harvest service will be in church on Sunday 5th October at 9.30am rather than in the afternoon. APG
THE SHARRINGTON LECTUREThe Very Revd Dr John Hall came to All Saints,
Sharrington on Friday 5th September to deliver a lecture entitled “House of God, House of Kings” and he commenced with a few words describing his journey to becoming the Dean of Westminster and followed with a brief history of the Abbey, word perfect with no visible notes.
The first monks were brought to Westminster in about 960AD by St Dunstan, then Bishop of London. No trace of the building to which they came has been found as Edward the Confessor built a new abbey on the site which was consecrated on 28th December 1065. Built on a nearby area called Thorney Island and a masterpiece of the 13th to 16th
centuries it presents a unique picture of British history, the shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the tombs of kings and queens, many memorials to the famous and the great. It has been the setting for every coronation since 1066 and for numerous royal occasions, including 16 royal weddings.
The only traces of Edward’s monastery to be seen today are in the round arches and massive supporting columns of the undercroft and the Pyx chamber in the cloisters. On Christmas Day 1066 King William the Conqueror was crowned and King Edward’s body was moved to a new tomb a few years after his canonisation in 1161. Edward’s abbey survived until the middle of the 13th century when King Henry III decided to rebuild it in the new gothic style of architecture. This church was consecrated on 13th October 1269 but unfortunately the king died before the nave could be completed. The only monarchs never crowned were Edward V and Edward VIII. The abbey contains over 600 monuments and wall tablets and over 3,000 are buried here. Notable among these is the Unknown Warrior whose tomb, close to the west door has become a place of pilgrimage. Heads of state who are visiting the country invariably come to lay a wreath here.
Today it is still a church, dedicated to regular worship, for many it is their parish church, and to the celebration of great events in the life of our nation. Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey, (or the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster to give it its correct title) is a “Royal Peculiar” under the jurisdiction of a dean and chapter, subject only to the sovereign and not to any archbishop or bishop.
There followed a question and answer session with the event being orchestrated by Bishop Graham with his usual aplomb.
Thanks to Anne Sloman for making it possible, to the many who arranged the church, made canapés and served wine, Harriet who offered the collection plate and many others who offered their services, such as Andy Standing, who put together and then dismantled the p.a. system. Last but not least, thank you to Dr John Hall for his time and knowledge.
A grand total of £1,240 was raised. APG
25
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHSMost of us see butterflies in our garden and can even
recognise a few like the Peacock, the Large White and the Small Tortoiseshell. Moths are rarely seen except around a light at night or flying round and round the room, having ventured into the house. Both are insects and are members of the Lepidoptera order.
What is the difference between butterflies and moths? Firstly the sheer numbers; there are approximately 60 species of butterfly in this country and amazingly 2,400 different moths divided into two groups, large (macro) 800 species and small (micro) 1,600 species. The small are tiny, like clothes moths, and are rarely seen so we may leave them to one side.
Butterflies are generally day fliers where most moths operate at night, though about 150 are active by day. Moths find their mates by smell (pheromones) and a male moth can smell a lady at ½ mile. Butterflies use sight and this is not as efficient as one cannot see another butterfly at this distance! Hence Butterfly rarities have more difficulty in finding a mate,
Many Lepidoptera migrate huge distances and the Painted Lady butterfly is a good example flying in from southern France or North Africa. Moths are similar with the Silver Y coming commonly from eastern Europe.
Moths are thought of as being ‘little brown jobs’ but many are both brightly coloured and large. They inhabit all our gardens so keep looking! Tim Crafer
NATURE NOTESThe “Green Blob” is active in Norfolk. This term, coined
by DEFRA’s outgoing minister (rudely removed as is so often the lot of politicians) is the term coined for conservation organisations who realise the problems of saving our wildlife. The UK has, probably, the longest history of conservation of any country in the world – something to be proud of.
Local farms are doing their bit – Old Hall, Vale Farm, Holkham – all are reservoirs of a galaxy of wild creatures and plants/ butterflies etc.
We all know modern farming necessitates huge machines
and a reduced labour force. But we cannot turn the clock back. We just have to adapt and trust that all the environmental schemes will, in the end, help preserve our biodiversity, & I think they will. As an ex-farmer (with SSSI’s of top grade, I watch events nowadays with interest!)
Nature reserves are fine – but the wider farmed environment is the biggest nature reserve of all. Autumn is closing in. The leaves are turning and winds blowing. W inter visitors are arriving from the Arctic and soon the skies will be full of wild geese. Hedgehogs are looking for hibernation spots (be careful of bonfires) and hopefully, Lapwings will be following the plough. As the weather gets colder, let’s hope the garden birds will return in force to our bird tables – they should have had a feast of caterpillars throughout a blazing summer. Pightle
MORSTON QUIZ ANSWERS(Quiz on page 18)
1.Sudoku. 2. Capo. 3. Cricket. (A lower-‐order batsman who comes in to bat higher up the order than usual near the end of a day’s play). 4. Strathclyde. 5. Square. 6. Avocet. 7. March. 8. Seven. 9. December and January. 10. Cable News Network.
CHURCH NOTESHere in Stiffkey we have an open church policy. St John’s
is in the village, for the village and maintained by the village. Witness our WWI History Group Exhibition on Bank Holiday weekend, Harvest Festivals (this year on October 5th at 11am), BBQs, weddings, funerals – all there as part of the social infrastructure of our beautiful village. Yes, we have a lot of second home owners – but many appreciate and participate in our activities. All are welcome at regular services – Friday 10am and alternatively (with Langham) on Sundays. (See the front of the Lynx.) People often say that Christian beliefs are
26
dying. I don’t believe that. Deep down us all need spiritual support. Sermon over!
November 11th will see our usual short service at the War Memorial 10.30am rain or sunshine! Always a touching little commemoration. So many Stiffkey families saw tragedy in WWI & WWII.
We would welcome anyone who would like to join our PCC. It is not onerous – only 4 or 5 meetings per year and as chairman I like to keep things brisk!
Our share of the diocese expenses has gone up so fund raising remains important. I am pleased to report that the Bank Holiday “Stalls on the Knoll’ and refreshments served in the Church during the Local History Exhibition raised over £900 towards Church maintenance costs. Congratulations and thanks to all of the many people who helped make the events so successful.
Finally, don’t forget St John’s is available for non-religious events. With our Village Hall problems your church can provide quite a warm and comfortable venue for society/club get togethers. Just let me know (or other PCC members). Keith McDougall
LOCAL HISTORY GROUP NEWSMembers were very pleased with the reception of the
exhibition commemorating the Great War which was held in the Church over the bank holiday. At the exhibition it was suggested that the information about villagers who served should form a booklet to be sold locally. The group committee will no doubt be following up this suggestion. For the exhibition thanks go to all who helped with its organisation & mounting. Special thanks go to Carol Wordingham for her work researching the information, and to Geraldine Green for arranging the information logically and attractively. A donations box sited at the exhibition appealed for funds to purchase a tree to be planted in the churchyard to commemorate the centenary of the war. Further details will be announced after liaison with the PCC.
By the time this Lynx is published work will have begun on the Pillbox restoration, with both National Trust and County Council Archaeologists on hand to supervise volunteers, record the event and make sure all is done to highest standards.
In October we are arranging for a guided tour of Walsingham, full details are still to be finalised, but likely to be week commencing 20th October. Check local notice boards for details.
Last year our AGM was held in adverse conditions on the evening of the storm surge. We hope for better luck this year and are once again inviting Mike Welland to speak on Early Postcards. The date of the AGM will be at the Village 20th November 7.30pm (subject to confirmation).
Steven Bashforth
STIFFKEY SCARECROWSIt was encouraging to see so many scarecrows. Thank you
so much to everyone who made one with a special thanks to our regulars who make one every time.
I am so pleased my wish to support UNICEF is so well shared by people in Stiffkey, as you probably know UNICEF works for children in Britain as well as abroad in place of need.
I myself may not construct another scarecrow but I’m not putting my UNICEF posters and collecting boxes away – any ideas of fun ways to raise money would be most welcome.
We collected over £200 (more is still coming in). John & Thelma Pearson won the vote for the best scarecrow with their ‘Police Lady.’
P.S. I hope the person who got out of their car to punch the ‘Boris’ scarecrow also left a donation. Sally Amesbury
27
LL98 SCHOOL NEWS The children and staff of Langham Village School ended the summer term with a packed timetable of events. The most notable was the summer fair on Friday 11 July - always a fantastic event, this year's was an extra special extended fair to celebrate the retirements of Mike Green and Vee Hopkins after a combined contribution of over 40 years to the school. The huge crowd of people who turned out despite the overcast weather - many past pupils and colleagues - was a sign of the great regard in which Mike and Vee are held. They both made speeches (one short and one a bit longer) of thanks and best wishes for the future of the school, and were each given a director’s chair with their name on it. There were lots of laughs and quite a few tears. They will both be missed greatly but remembered in many ways, notably in the two trees planted, one for each of them. Rumours suggest that Vee’s tree has already grown more than Mike’s. The children ran their own stalls, ranging from a traditional coconut shy to the current hot favourites, loom bands and Nerf gun target shooting. Mark Fawcett and his band provided the musical entertainment playing some of Mike’s favourite songs into the night. An army of volunteers provided a delicious barbeque and refreshments - a huge thank you to Sam Duncan, chair of the Friends, and everyone who helped organise such a wonderful event.
Sports The school had a wonderful sporting finale to the year. At the county sporting finals, Langham finished 9th in tennis, 4th in hockey and 2nd in golf - a terrific achievement for a small school. Well done to Abbie Williamson, who won the North Norfolk Archery tournament for the second time in a row, and in the process scored a ‘Robin Hood’, three consecutive arrows in the ‘x’ zone centre of the target.The school's own sports day took place on a scorching hot day on 14 July. Talent and effort were celebrated equally, the school's ethos being that sport offers something for everyone.
Visit to Pensthorpe The whole school trip this year was to Pensthorpe Nature Park, where the children learned about the animals in the park, played in the adventure playground and followed the nature trail.
Leavers and Joiners At the end of every academic year there is an assembly to celebrate the children leaving the school. This year was a
bumper event as 19 children leave the school to go onto new challenges taking with them special memories of Langham Village School. Good luck and best wishes go out to: Claire Searle, Abbie Williamson, Ellie-Rose Bunting, Peter Earp, Teigan Percy, Archie Harrod, Louis Williamson, Winston Squires, Neve Wilson, Florence Hinks, Genevieve Phelps, Liam Williams, Matthew Earp, Jethro Holmes, Rebe Harrison, Max Wilson, Sebastian Payne, Callum Barber and Finnian Sizer. With the start of the new term in September we welcome 19 new children to the school. Louis, Reggie, Charles, Eva-Kay, Freya, Harry T, Jacob, Rex, Daisy, Evie, Gracie, Henry, Otis, Tilly, Dale, Ezra, Harry G, Jack and another Reggie. A warm welcome also to two new members of staff. Polly Kossowicz, who has taken up the reins as the new Headteacher, has joined from St Mary's Primary School in Roughton. Polly lives in Wells-Next-The-Sea with her family. Cath Edgington, known to many as the proprietor of Big Blue Sky gallery in Wells, is also an experienced teacher and joins the school as a part-time teacher in Classes 2 and 3. As always, you can keep up with all the news from Langham Village School at the school website – www.langhamvillageschool.com.
28
The Small Ads Panel - Advertising Local Services
CHIMNEY SWEEP
David Thompson
01328 851081
POND MAN
New Build and Renovation
Maintenance and Repair
Call Peter on Langham 01328 830689
B.A. TREE SERVICES (Tree Surgeon)
Free quotes available
Full Public Liability Insurance held
01263 588994 or 07748 570121
YOGA CLASSES
Alice Martineau
Wiveton – Blakeney. All welcome. www.alicemartineau.co.uk or 07973278895
RANDELL'S FOOTCARE
Chiropody / Podiatry Central Booking Line 01603 737188
Now Open in Fakenham
HAMLYN PEST CONTROL
County Council Accredited – NPTA Member
Control of Rats, Mice, Wasps, etc. 01263 860112 or 861587
SIVANANDA YOGA CLASS
Tuesdays 7.00 – 8.30pm All welcome
Field Dalling Village Hall Richard Redmayne 01263 862289
NICK RIVETT
Qualified Domestic Plumber
Also: Lead Work Undertaken
Tel: 01263 861065 Mob:07747 690049
INSIDE OUT
Gary Waller
Painter and Decorator – Fully Insured
Tel: 01263 860705 Mob: 07990 993406
ROBIN PEEL GARDEN SERVICES
Grass & Hedge Cutting – Fencing - Patios
& Paths – The complete garden service
Tel: 01328 830694 or 07717 418725
Local Lynx is printed by Century Printing: 132 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AZTel/Fax 01692 582958
