SEP 2019 Last submissions date for Oct 2019 issue: 18th Sep 2019 [email protected]Tel. 727072 FROM THE EDITOR Firstly, my apologies for the lateness of this edition, due to a variety of personal circumstances and computer failure. Moving swiftly on — The Sports & Social Club had its annual Beer Festival on 30th/31st Aug which was another success. The next event is the ever-popular ‘Comedy Night’ on Sat 5th Oct — see back page for more details. The Crown Inn began fortnightly Quiz Nights on 4th Sep!! Details on the page 8 advert. I look forward to taking part soon! St Andrews Church is holding its Annual Harvest Festival which this year includes a Flower Festival too. All the details are shown below. A fantastic summer was capped by a superb Vintage Afternoon Tea at the Village Hall — report inside on page 18. Please support all our local facilities! Regards, Jonathan Available online at www.northwold.net Saint Andrew’s Church Join us in the Church on Thursday 26 th September 10.30 – 12 Noon All Proceeds to Church Funds THE NORTHWOLD VILLAGE CINEMA ‘SEPTEMBER’ FILM NIGHT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. OCTOBER’S FILM WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE OCTOBER EDITION OF VILLAGE LIFE. ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH HARVEST & FLOWER FESTIVAL WEEKEND Saturday 5 th October: * Church open from 11am until 5pm * Tea & cakes will be available between 2pm & 5pm Sunday 6 th October: *Harvest Songs of Praise at 11am *The church will close after the service and re-open from 2pm until 5pm when tea & cakes will again be available *Harvest Lunch in the Village Hall at 12.30pm Tickets: Adults £6.00 Children £3.00 Tickets available from : Chris Collins 01366 728404 Jane Luckman 01366 728921 CHURCH FLOWERS If anyone would like to help by creating a harvest flower display for the church we would be most grateful. Please contact: Brenda Ayres on 728565 or Jackie Elliott on 728571 by 20 th September The NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST SPONSORED BIKE RIDE, HORSEBACK RIDE, WALK OR DRIVE 14 th September. Those of us who live in Northwold must be aware of how good St Andrew’s Church looks after all the recent work done to it. We are fortunate to have such an historic building sitting in the heart of the village and I am sure many of us have a reason to be grateful that it is there. Throughout Norfolk there are many distinctive and fascinating churches, but unfortunately these buildings cost a fortune to maintain. The Norfolk Churches Trust helps maintain as many churches as possible but is always in need of funds - as is St. Andrew’s. The annual sponsored bike ride - which this year includes horseback riders, walkers and drivers as well as cyclists - is on Saturday 14th September and St Andrew’s needs participants. Please consider joining in. You don’t have to visit lots of churches - as long as you have sponsors, the number doesn’t matter! Sponsorship forms are on the table in the church which is open daily from 9.00am-4.00pm.
Transcript
SEP 2019 Last submissions date for Oct 2019 issue:
Firstly, my apologies for the lateness of this edition, due to a variety of personal circumstances and computer failure.
Moving swiftly on — The Sports & Social Club had its annual Beer Festival on 30th/31st Aug which was another success. The next event is the ever-popular ‘Comedy Night’ on Sat 5th Oct — see back page for more details.
The Crown Inn began fortnightly Quiz Nights on 4th Sep!! Details on the page 8 advert. I look forward to taking part soon!
St Andrews Church is holding its Annual Harvest Festival which this year includes a Flower Festival too. All the details are shown below.
A fantastic summer was capped by a superb Vintage Afternoon Tea at the Village Hall — report inside on page 18.
Please support all our local facilities! Regards, Jonathan
Available online at www.northwold.net
Saint Andrew’s Church
Join us in the Church on
Thursday 26th September
10.30 – 12 Noon
All Proceeds to Church Funds
THE NORTHWOLD VILLAGE CINEMA ‘SEPTEMBER’ FILM NIGHT HAS BEEN
POSTPONED.
OCTOBER’S FILM WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE OCTOBER
EDITION OF VILLAGE LIFE.
ST. ANDREW’S
CHURCH
HARVEST & FLOWER
FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Saturday 5th October: * Church open from 11am until 5pm
* Tea & cakes will be available
between 2pm & 5pm
Sunday 6th October: *Harvest Songs of Praise at 11am
*The church will close after the service
and re-open from 2pm until 5pm
when tea & cakes will again be
available
*Harvest Lunch in the Village Hall
at 12.30pm
Tickets: Adults £6.00
Children £3.00
Tickets available from :
Chris Collins 01366 728404
Jane Luckman 01366 728921
CHURCH
FLOWERS
If anyone would like to help by creating a
harvest flower display for the church we would be most grateful.
Please contact:
Brenda Ayres on 728565 or
Jackie Elliott on 728571 by 20th September
The NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST SPONSORED BIKE RIDE, HORSEBACK RIDE, WALK OR DRIVE 14th September. Those of us who live in Northwold must be aware
of how good St Andrew’s Church looks after all the recent work done to it. We are fortunate to have such an historic building sitting in the heart
of the village and I am sure many of us have a reason to be grateful that it is there. Throughout Norfolk there are many distinctive
and fascinating churches, but unfortunately these buildings cost a fortune to maintain. The Norfolk Churches Trust helps maintain as many churches as
possible but is always in need of funds - as is St. Andrew’s. The annual sponsored bike ride - which this year
includes horseback riders, walkers and drivers as well as cyclists - is on Saturday 14th September and St Andrew’s needs participants.
Please consider joining in. You don’t have to visit lots of churches - as long as you have sponsors, the number doesn’t matter!
The views expressed in submitted items are not necessarily endorsed by Northwold & Whittington Village Life. Whilst we endeavour to ensure that all information contained in the newsletter is correct, we
cannot be held responsible for errors. The Editor reserves the right to refuse or omit items without explanation.
GRIMSHOE BENEFICE
St Mary’s, Feltwell St James’, Hockwold
St Andrew’s, Northwold St Mary’s, Southery St Mary’s, Weeting
ST.ANDREW’S NORTHWOLD CHURCH SERVICES
Plus Benefice (Church Group) services in bold italic.
SEPTEMBER 2019
1st Benefice Holy Communion at Hockwold 10am
8th Holy Communion 11am
15th Service of The Word 10am
22nd Holy Communion 9.15am
29th Benefice Holy Communion at Northwold 10am
ANY CHANGES WILL BE DETAILED ON THE LYCH GATE NOTICE BOARD
If you have any questions or would like further information, please look at the church website www.northwoldchurch.org.uk
To arrange a discussion about weddings, funerals and pastoral matters please contact Christine Parker, the Benefice Administrator, on 01842 827152 or [email protected].
To arrange baptisms please contact the Baptism Administrator, Tracey Rudge on 07880 490187 or [email protected]
Information on Benefice churches can be found on the website www.grimshoebenefice.com
ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH CHOIR
is always looking for new members. We rehearse weekly and sing once a month & for special festivals in church.
If you enjoy singing and would like to join us, please contact
Every Wednesday: Café cre8 - Coffee Morning at West Dereham Village Hall 9.15 – 11am. Open to everyone ages 0 – 99. For information contact Janet on [email protected].
Every Thursday: All Saint’s Lunch Club – The club meets in All Saints Academy for coffee at 10.30 am and for a two-course lunch (£3.50) at 12.00 pm. For more details of this and Flexible Fellowship, contact Carol Nicholas-Letch on 01366-500704.
St George’s Church, Methwold - Tea, Coffee & Homemade Cakes - Tuesday 17th September from 10am until 12pm. Meet up with friends, make new friends or just enjoy the drinks & cakes!
Our meeting this month was addressed by Ms Charlotte Paton whom in a past career as a History Features Writer for the EDP, came across a book written by a romantic sounding man, Fred Rolfe born in Bungay and labelled the King of Norfolk Poachers. The Book, entitled “I Walk By Night” was then forgotten for 22 years. Charlotte Paton moved house and subsequently deduced from the deeds of the house after 22 years of paying up the mortgage, that Fred had actually lived there. After that she was hot on the trail of Fred Rolfe and his deeds.
Fred was brought up in Pentney and according to the census there were 36 people living in the row of cottages with just one privy for all! Fred died before Charlotte was born having grown up during 1870's during 7 years bad weather and The Industrial Revolution where men were made redundant by machinery on the land and had to chase the Agricultural work up to the Midlands. Big country estates were being bought up by rich men for shooting rights and terrible hardship was suffered. This was only 2 lifetimes ago! Poaching was in Fred's blood and he kept his family fed and was so successful a poacher he even sold meat, animal furs and feathers for hats. At 20 years old Fred was caught poaching and put into Norwich Prison where he was very badly treated. On his release he struggled to find employment and was subsequently put into prison several more times for Poaching.
Fred was obviously quite a charmer and married several times, marrying days after his wife's (Susan) death,
going just next door and marrying Elizabeth, a widow and pauper being supported in the community by the work house. In those days men did not look after the home or themselves or the children but depended on a wife or housekeeper, the wife being the cheaper alternative! Fred had a son, Fred James by his first wife Susan, Fred James died of TB which was rife in those days. Three weeks after a stay in prison another lady friend Anna Carter, gave birth to Fred's child, a daughter Edith whom Fred stated sadly had died.
Fred went on the run to Manchester after a fight with gamekeepers over a gun he won in a shooting meeting. After he had been there for a few years he got news that Anna was in All Hallows Hospital, outreach for women in moral danger and had died of TB. Fred came back to remote Pentney and came across Kitty working in a cotton Mill, they had a daughter and married 3 weeks later. Kitty was never happy in the remote countryside and Fred was often drunk and lost his job and moved Kitty next door to his first in-laws where she had an unhappy time. Fred at this time lost his job repeatedly and finished up in the army as a rat catcher. Kitty moved to Bungay, got hit by a mangle handle and died in the workhouse. Fred moved in with a Mrs Redgrave a poor widow with whom he soon quarrelled and moving out he became a mole catcher and started to write “The Life And History Of The King Of Norfolk Poachers” which became “I Walk By Night” which was
NORTHWOLD WI (Part 1)
published by Lilias Rider Haggard daughter of Henry Rider Haggard the great adventure writer. In 1938, sadly Fred hanged himself with 3 snares. Good Heavens! It's worse than East Enders!
After this tale of woe we settled down for the serious part of the evening and had supper provided this evening by Bex, Anita, and Angela E, after which Kathryn made available the minutes of the last meeting to members. There were 2 apologies, and 32 members attended with 2 visitors.
It was reported that there is a great need for more cakes at the next carnival.
Last month's garden meeting successfully took place in the afternoon in Pauline's house as the weather was bad. Pauline was warmly thanked by members for opening her house to them on this occasion. The garden meeting will be moved to July next year after several bad years weather in June and will take place in the afternoon by popular vote.
The Book Club will be reading “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Angela's group meeting at Jeanne's and Bex's group on 8th August, hopefully at The Crown Inn. If the pub venue works, then the two groups will arrange to host meetings there regularly.
The meeting ended after birthday cards were delivered to Jo, Sara and Barbara and the competition winners announced: 1st Barbara, 2ndSharon, and 3rd Brenda, The raffle was won by Eileen and Mitch.
Patsy Hood
Page 5
NORTHWOLD
CARE GROUP ‘LUNCH CLUB’
The next lunch took place in the village hall at mid-day on Monday 9th September, when we served sausages with Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, broccoli and carrots followed by apple cake and cream .
If you have not joined us before but would like to come to the October lunch please call me to book your place by Monday 30th September. If you are a “regular” and find that you are unable to attend this month please call me, again by Monday 30th September, this will enable us to prepare the correct number of meals.
We look forward to seeing you.
Ann Howarth 01366 727772
NORTHWOLD COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
Book a local driver for hospital, doctor and dentist visits. For more details and assistance, phone Sue Preston 01366 727694.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk offers a range of services helping people to get involved in their local community and to help keep them safe in their homes.
Careline Community Service provides items such as personal alarm buttons and falls detector pendants. This means that help is only the press of a button away, providing reassurance for you, your family, friends and carers. The new BuddyButton does exactly the same but has the added advantage of a built in tracking system so it can be used if you are out of the home shopping or visiting friends. We also provide key safes for people who require authorised visitors to have access to their homes such as carers and relatives.
Care & Repair helps improve housing conditions for older people, people with disabilities and those on low incomes helping them to live safely and independently in their own homes. We deal with housing adaptations, repairs and provide a handyperson service reducing the risk of falls and subsequent hospital admissions. Our adaptations include
level access showers, stair lifts, ramps & door widening. Funding may be available through the Disabilities Facilities Grant (DFG) dependant on financial circumstance.
Our handyperson service can provide equipment to help keep you safe in your home. Works include grab rails, light bulbs, bed rails, toilet frames, smoke alarms, push button stopcocks, security lighting and much more. Up to £300 grant funding per household could be available if you live in west Norfolk and have a health condition or disability.
Lily provides a comprehensive range of support in west Norfolk to combat loneliness and social isolation in adults of all ages. The project is linked to the 'No Lonely Day' initiative and encourages our residents to develop friendships and engage in their local communities. Lily Advisors from local charities are available to offer one-to-one support to people at home or in community locations.
The Lily online directory lists organisations, services and activities that help people to live
healthy, active and independent lives. It includes information relevant to adults of all ages. If you would like your event or organisation to be included in the directory, get in touch at asklily.org.uk
For more information on any of
these services call 01553 616200,
option 6. Or visit their websites;
www.careline-cs.org.uk,
www.asklily.org.uk or
www.careandrepair-wn.org/
BCKLWN — Our services can help you live an active and independent life in West Norfolk
PIANO LESSONS Inspiring piano teacher with over 20 years’ teaching experience available to visit your home. Gave up years ago? Reignite your passion for music! Learn to play your favourite song. Specialist in classic jazz and (good!) pop music. All abilities welcome. Available weekdays 9am – 3pm.
Free initial visit/consultation.
Contact Josh Daniels 07540 556195
NORTHWOLD
MOBILE POST OFFICE
EVERY TUESDAY 1pm - 3pm
Van parks at Northwold Village Hall Car Park.
FREELANCE GROOM All stable and yard duties undertaken
As always, summer has been busy and July and August have seen many events, particularly focused on the Norfolk WI Centenary . This is just a snapshot.
July’s meeting had 32 members present, 2 apologies and 2 visitors which shows how Northwold WI is growing and thriving.
A hot Tuesday 16th July saw a group of 14 members set out for the day to East Ruston Gardens to a special Norfolk WI occasion to celebrate the Norfolk 100 years of WI’s. Wonderful gardens to explore, delicious lunch and plants to purchase on the way out.
To celebrate Norfolk day on Saturday 27th July and Norfolk WI’s 100th year a village litter pick was organised. Members baked over 100 little cakes to be given out with refreshments in the village hall at the end as well as goody bags for the children helping. Thanks go to the families taking part as well as a team of WI members who litter picked, manned the village hall, baked or did a bit of everything to make the day a success on what was a soggy, wet Saturday afternoon.
Our August meeting welcomed Brian Heard talking about Hong Kong and the Triads.
Brian had spent 25 years in Hong Kong leading a team fighting crime . His stories gave examples of the ganglands, the kind of situations he had been involved in and the way of life in some of the seedier areas of Hong Kong. Amazingly he survived so many dangerous situations often involving shoot outs. Many stories to tell, often quite terrifying events. But he came through it all to tell the tales.
He complimented us on our beautiful unaccompanied singing of Jerusalem.
The competition was to bring along a piece of Chinese Ceramic. So many beautiful things were brought along. In 3rd Place was Patricia, 2nd Angela and in 1st Betty with a story attached to each piece.
Our Book Clubs continue to be enjoyed, Lunch Club regularly attended, and Entertainment Club is always well supported. In September there are 16 Members off to Cromer for the day, catching the Cromer Pier show matinee before the summer season ends.
Kathryn Frame
NORTHWOLD WI (Part 2)
Page 7
ICENI ACADEMY METHWOLD Office hours: 8:00am to 4:15pm Monday to Friday during term time.
Principal: Stephen Plume Vice-Principal: Duncan Carmichael
As we prepared to welcome nearly 160 new Year 7s in September, I had been reflecting on the year and what an incredible year it has been at Iceni Academy. Thank you to everyone involved. We have achieved some incredible things and that would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful community. Thank you. We have even more ambitious plans for the coming year and I hope you will get involved with your community school.
We have celebrated many student successes this year, so much talent! Iceni has such brilliant students from sports people (an alumni was selected to play bowls for England recently) to others who work tireless and quietly for their community. These students are the pride of Iceni.
I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the successes of our dedicated staff. Regular readers might
know there is a form on our website where people can nominate any of our staff for an award (http://icenimethwold.org.uk/staff-recognition/). Over the course of the last twelve months there have been about thirty nominations.
The nominations have included comments like the following; “Best teacher my daughter has ever had, really looks forward his lessons”, “Always about for my daughter and son helps with most things, he's friendly and dedicated to the school and pupils” and “she went above and beyond in really assuring me my son was in safe hands”. This is why we do what we do. Thank you for your recognition of what our trained and motivated staff do.
We were delighted to welcome a number of our local primary schools in to visit us in July for a visiting drama company to perform ‘A Midsummer
Night’s Dream’ and then run some associated workshops. The event, organised by Assistant Principal, Miss Staniforth, was very enthusiastically received by the students. Their enthusiasm for Shakespeare was brilliant!
I couldn’t really finish a column in this fine publication without mentioning toilets! Over thirteen months ago I started our quest to get the facilities that our young people deserve and I am delighted to say that work started in the first week of the holidays! This will be the last time I mention toilets, I promise, at least until after the summer when we book a date for the official opening!
Hope you had a great summer, I look forward to seeing you soon.
Stephen Plume
Principal
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EDUCATION CHARITY GRANTS
Grants are available from The Trustees of the Northwold Education charity for any Northwold resident who is attending a Further or Higher Education course.
These funds are available to help offset the costs of travel or course materials. Consideration will be given to new applicants in the first instance.
Please apply in writing to the Clerk, Mrs H Wyett, Pangle Cottage, Church Path, Wretton, PE33 9QR or email [email protected] by the end of September.
A MASSIVE THANK YOU Thank you so much to all
Those who braved the
scorching hot weather to
join us for our Cream Tea
Afternoon on
Thursday 25th July
Thanks to your generosity we raised an impressive £205 for
St Andrew’s Church funds. Thank you especially to those who were
How calm the gentle church bells sound, Which spread their mellow tone around
The village, on this summer's eve, And solace bring to some who grieve.
They echo all the lanes along,
The water meadows hear their song Where sweet-milk scented cattle laze
To chew their cud and idly gaze.
Yet those who hear their rhythmic
chime, Whose pattern changes all the time, Forget that, high within the tower Stand bell-ringers exerting power.
Not every ringer is an ace,
Each ringer learns at different pace, Though most are well established hands,
Among them all, a novice stands.
Not quite a panic, nor a fear
Crosses this face from ear to ear, In frantic hope to get things right,
This one begins his lips to bite.
Then “Six to Two” he hears the cry,
His mind goes blank – then by and by The Captain calls “Now follow Four”
To rectify this ringer, raw.
Another error (not the last...)
The Captain's eyes to heaven are cast, But once again he calmly calls,
And novice to his right place falls
Thus, softly on the church bells sing, And calmly, rhythmic changes ring,
Yet, spare a thought, this evening hour For those confused, within the tower.
David Noble
The Bells! The Bells!
Or “The Novices Lament”
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‘TOTS & Co’
Parents & Children Group
Meet every Friday (dur ing term
time) between 10:00 — 12:00 at
Northwold Village Hall.
You’ll receive a warm welcome,
plus a drink & healthy snack
for your little one.
Please support your local parent, baby
and toddler group. First session is
free! then just £2 after that. Bargain!
Sarah Whistler
Page 9
‘It was only a cat….’ I heard that said once on the death of someone’s pet cat. This is Alice’s story. Three years ago, on the death of our old, much loved cat Phoebe, we decided to get another one. We are both in our 70’s and my husband is not in good health, so we thought an older cat would be wiser. We visited the Cat Protection League near Downham and amongst the cats for adoption was a tiny, tabby kitten with beautiful markings. She was cowering, with her paws over her face and did not want to be picked up. My husband stroked her, spoke softly to her and tried to pick her up, however, she stuck her tiny claws into the little platform on which she lay and refused to budge. The young lady told us she was from a litter of farm kittens who were found starving, and covered in fleas, she was also terrified by the work the vets and the staff had to do to her to make her well and ready for rehoming - hence, the frightened little scrap on the day we first saw her. As we were leaving the caged enclosure, I turned to look back at her and she had uncovered her face and was watching us leave – my heart melted. In spite of saying ‘we don’t want a kitten’ we bought her, how could we not? We told ourselves she would be our last cat, as we would both be in our 80’s if she lived to be 14. Tragically, it was not to be. Our daughter suggested we name her Alice, because our garden would be her Wonderland. So, Alice she became. After several weeks of hiding in a box,
only appearing for food, she ventured out and slowly explored the house. Her next challenge would be the garden. Still very tiny she tumbled over the doorstep into the great outdoors. In time the garden became her playground, she would dart in and out of the borders, hiding under shrubs and chasing anything that moved. Climbing trees was her speciality, darting past you at great speed and straight up a tree without hesitation, it always made us laugh. I used to pick her up and walk with her in my arms around the garden, talking to her about the plants, she always looked as though she was interested which was funny, resting her head under my chin and purring as we walked. Our fears that a kitten would damage the furnishings and be hard work was not so. She was delightful. On Saturday 13th July, she failed to come in for her supper, we knew something was wrong. Sunday morning, as I was looking out of the window, I saw two of my neighbours looking down into the hedge of a garden opposite our house, I knew immediately they had found Alice. She had been hit by a vehicle. She was just 3 years old. We miss our darling little cat more than I can say. Hovell’s Lane is a narrow road without pavements, children use it all the time to go to the Recreation Ground. Dog walkers use it daily, as do mothers with prams and toddlers. Traffic in the Lane travels far too fast. One driver, no doubt driving inappropriately for the road condition and without sufficient
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Alice’s Story
care, killed Alice. Please, please would drivers in the Village slow down, the pain you cause when you kill a much loved pet is terrible. Yes, Alice was ‘only a cat…’ but she was OUR cat and we loved her. If your children ever come to the Recreation Ground on their own, and come down Cross Lane, please teach them to halt at the junction with Hovells Lane, there have seen so many near misses, children don't think when they are on their bicycles and chatting to their friends. Beryl Quilter
PARKING OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Children may forget to look and listen…...Keep it Clear…… And also please be courteous to local residents - leave driveways and junctions clear for access. Thank you. Editor
WHAT DOES THE DOCTOR THINK THIS MONTH?
ARE YOU GOING ON HOLIDAY THIS SUMMER?
Management and I have been fortunate to travel extensively over the past 35 years. We are now seriously curtailed by recent medical events but I thought it would be good to share a little advice to help you make a success of your holiday. Obviously, if you are well travelled and experienced yourself, please forgive this intrusion and skip to the jokes. The following ideas are based on our experience and may seem obvious. Conditions may vary from place to place so the comments are general and you must make your own decisions.
Before you go: You will need to pay lots of bills while you are away but you will not wish to carry wads of cash. Travellers' cheques do not seem to work any more and using your usual credit card could work out expensive in exchange rate transaction charges. We have discovered The Post Office Travel Moneycard which is easy to obtain at a Post Office. You load the card with the currency of your holiday, e.g. Euros, at a favourable rate. You then use the card while away and the amount is deducted from the money you uploaded. As you go along, you may need to top up the card and this is easy to do online. For me, the beauty of this card is that you can access your account online at any time to see your remaining balance and, if you get in a muddle, like forgetting your pin, you can telephone the helpline from abroad and they are invariably most helpful. You can withdraw cash using
the card and no fee is payable The following applies to all cards: IF A VENDOR ASKS YOU WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO PAY ON YOUR CARD IN THE LOCAL CURRENCY OR IN STERLING, always choose the local currency as this will save a lot of money in exchange fees.
Security: On arr ival, find a safe, either in your room or at reception or anywhere, and, if there is one, put the following into it. Passports, return flight tickets, Ipad, mobile if not required wallet containing all your other credit cards and Sterling money, jewellery, spare spectacles, details of holiday insurance and how to claim, lipstick and perfume and anything expensive which could be of interest to room maids, etc. Never venture out wearing expensive jewellery or watch. Carry only enough cash for the day and, of course, your Travel Moneycard. Do not put anything valuable in a rucksack worn on the back. Be very careful with taxis who love to massage the fares – check the prices independently before taking the taxi and agree the price before travel.
Head Office and I were in Kuta, Bali and took a taxi back to the hotel. The area was rough, rats running between your legs as you walked along, and so on. Taxi drivers had been holding holidaymakers hostage. The hotel was straight along the road from the restaurant; suddenly, the driver swung left into a dark, deserted market place. Alarm bells rang and I whispered to Deannie “When he stops, we'll get out and leg it”. He
stopped, we jumped out and ran off. Next day, I discovered that there was a one way system on the journey to the hotel, straight through – You've guessed it - the market square. OOPS!
Enough of that for now.
An arrogant man joined a new company as a trainee. The first day at work, he telephoned the pantry and demanded “Get me a coffee NOW”. The voice on the other end said “Do you know to whom you are talking, idiot. I am the Chief Executive Officer of the company, you fool!” The trainee, taken aback, thought quickly and replied “Do you know to whom you are talking?” The indignant response was NO! “Good” said the trainee as he put the 'phone down.
Three police recruits were being assessed for their ability to recognise a suspect. They were shown a photograph and asked how they would recognise the man again. “He only has one eye” said the first man. “Don't be stupid – it's a side-on picture so you can only see one eye. The second man announced that the man only had one ear and received a similar sharp retort. “Well” said the third man “He is wearing contact lenses”. The assessor was really impressed and went to check the file. “That's brilliant. How on earth did you know?” he asked the recruit. “Well, it's obvious he can't wear spectacles as he only has one and eye one ear” came the reply.
Best wishes to you all, Ian Nisbet.
Page 10
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For many years, I have believed that, after the age of 65 or so, major surgery knocks out part of the brain function, especially in relation to memory and language ability. I have, until recently, struggled to find anyone who would agree with me. However, on our new estate, in houses near to us live seven doctors, one next door! One of these doctors is an anaesthetist and she actually agreed with me in a conversation about six months ago.
Because of my convictions, I had my (first) hip replacement under spinal anaesthesia just over three years ago and, so far as I could tell, the brain was OK afterwards. However, there followed five major general anaesthetics over the next 18 months and, after those, the brain was definitely not OK. I could not remember my grandchildren's names (Yes, I hear you shout “But you have 18 grandchildren so don't beat yourself up”) but I never had any problem remembering them before the anaesthetics. In addition, I found myself very often unable to complete a sentence as I forgot where it was going and I had enormous problems remembering the names of plants and common items, confusing words like colander and teapot or confusing restaurant with ship, etc. It was all really hard for Management who, much of the time, had to guess what I was trying to say. Happily, much of the mental acuity has returned but I still have problems with memory and occasionally have to stop in the middle of a sentence. So the jury is still out. Did the anaesthetics cause brain damage, have they brought forward the onset of dementia, will the improvement in mental function
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Last week, the British Medical Journal published a study of 7,532 male and female British civil servants who were tested for mental ability four times between 1997 and 2016. The study demonstrated that those who underwent major operations were twice as likely to suffer substantial cognitive decline than those who had no surgery. Although the research did not cover dementia, cognitive decline is known to precede or speed up its development because of a reduction in brain resilience. The actual cause of the problem is not yet known but potential mechanisms of brain injury during the surgery process include strokes, mini strokes and inflammation. Potent pain killers given following surgery may also play a part. If I add in my own experience – near fatal sepsis and and fatal collapse after surgery requiring 12 litres of fluid and some heavy resuscitation, I am not reassured!
Enough of that!!
An elderly farmer built himself a large pool, big enough for swimming, at the far end of his land. He planted fruit trees around it and provide loungers and tables. One night, he wanted to pick some fruit and wandered down to the pool with a bucket which he would use to carry the fruit home. He arrived at the pool to hear shouts of glee and found several young women skinny dipping in his pool. When they saw him, they all went to the deep end and one shouted “We are not coming out until you leave”. Our farmer told
them “I didn't come down to the pond to watch you all swim naked or make you get out of the pool naked”. He held up the bucket and said “I only came down here to feed the alligator!”
A young programmer was nearing the end of a job interview when he was asked whet salary he would expect. “About £75,000 per annum plus a benefits package” he relied. “Well” said the interviewer “How would you like £85,000, 6 weeks annual holiday, full medical and dental cover, a company matching pension fund to 50% of salary and a new company BMW every two years?” The young man sat up “Wow, are you kidding?!” “Yes, but you started it” replied the interviewer.
This joke takes us seamlessly back to the beginning of this article: Roger, 88, married Jenny, a beautiful 45 year old. In deference to the age difference and not wanting her husband to feel obliged to over-exert himself, Jenny opted for separate bedrooms. Half an hour after settling down, she heard a knock on the door; Roger appeared and performed really well between the sheets. He went back to his room but, half an hour later, he reappeared and performed equally well. Half an hour later, he reappeared and repeated the performance. Jenny said “I am really impressed that,at your age, you can perform so well and so often.” Roger was really embarrassed and said “You mean I have been here before?”
Best wishes to you all
Ian Nisbet
WHAT DOES THE DOCTOR THINK THIS MONTH?
Page 12
DRAFT - SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AT NEXT PUBLIC MEETING
PRESENT Cllr R Crisp, Cllr Cliff Anderson, Cllr M Peake, Cllr G Gillet, Cllr N Nickles, Cllr C Pointeer, Cllr R Silvester and Mrs N Cooper (Clerk) ALSO Cllr T Ryves (BCKLWN) 6 members of the public
1. PUBLIC FORUM (15 MINUTES)
i. A local dog walker from Brookville highlighted that Mill Drove needs cutting back as pedestrians cannot step onto the verges to avoid traffic. Can the Parish Council ask the farmers to cut these back? Can a dog bin be placed at the Northwold end of Mill Drove? It was requested that the resident send details of the farmers to the Clerk so that letters can be sent. The dog bin will be considered as there is an option of a free dog bin from the BCKLWN. Clerk to investigate.
ii. The neighbour to Christchurch, Whittington was present and expressed concerns about the fence proposed for the back of the churchyard. There is a remaining part of the wall within their garden and they requested that a brick buttress be built onto the end of the wall to ensure that the end is stable. Cllr Anderson advised that discussions with TTSR since the last meeting and further inspections of the wall have resulted in
the fence replacement being put on hold. The remaining part of the wall is unstable and leaning significantly therefore a brick buttress cannot be fixed to the end. Cllr Anderson proposed a solution to demolish the wall completely and extend the replacement fence into the garden. The resident agreed that this could be a good option. Costs and a contribution from the neighbour towards the fence would need to be further discussed. Cllr Anderson proposed a meeting on site with himself, the resident and TTSR to reach initial agreement on the way forward. Resident to send availability and contact details to the Clerk.
2. LOCAL AUTHORITY REPORTS
i. BCKLWN Committees of the new Councillors have commenced. Cllr Ryves happy to work as a link between the BC and PC.
3. ACCEPTANCE OF APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received for Cllr H Hogan and NCC Cllr Storey. These were accepted.
4. VACANCIES & CO-OPTION
i. Two applications for Co-option as Northwold Councillors had been received prior to the meeting and circulated to current Councillors. Both applicants were present and invited to
say a little about themselves. It was resolved to invite both candidates, Mrs MacMullen and Mr Rayner to join the meeting as new Councillors. Both signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office which were countersigned by the Clerk, received a copy of the Code of Conduct and agreed to complete the Register of Interests to be returned to the Clerk. Both were formally welcomed by the Parish Council.
ii. One vacancy remains for Whittington Councillor.
5. MEMBERS’ DECLARATION OF INTERESTS and DISPENSATION REQUESTS (for items on the Agenda)
Cllr Rayner declared a personal interest in the Car Park proposal.
6. TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING held on 4th June 2019
An amendment to 13iii was made to change the location of the vegetation around the dog bin to Hovells Lane, not Church Lane. The minutes were then agreed by all Councillors present. The minutes were signed by the Chair as a true record of the meeting. The final version will be made available on the website.
7. REPORTS AND MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS (for information only)
Northwold and Whittington Parish Council – Ordinary Meeting - held at Northwold Village Hall on Tuesday 2nd July 2019, 7.30pm
Page 13
The bush needing to be cut back near the church belongs to the neighbour, not the Church. Clerk to write to them.
The Clerk reported that a new board has been ordered through NCC for the bus stop on West End, near Chapel.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
i. Newsletters: Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Association of Local Councils, Rural Bulletin. Noted.
ii. Email enquiry about bollards outside property on A134. This was a personal enquiry about installing bollards outside of a property, alongside the A134. It was noted for future reference that NCC advises that residents can apply for a free of charge cultivation licence to allow them to place large planters along the grass verge which should act as a visual deterrent to vehicles. The alternative is to order bollards to be installed by NCC direct at a charge of £200 per post.
iii. Call to Chair ref damage to bowls club storage building. It was noted that following recent damage to the bowls club building the Chair was approached by the bowls club with concerns that the vehicle gate to Northwold Rec Ground is not being consistently secured. Cllr Gillet advised that he attended the Northwold Sports and Social Club meeting and raised this matter with them. The club advised that they only unlock the gate 4 or 5 times a year and that it is always locked afterwards. The Clerk has emailed TTSR to ask for the contractors to be reminded to lock the gate after grass cutting. Clerk asked to email all users again to remind them to secure the barrier.
iv. Email ref Mill Drove/Green Lane. Dealt with under public forum.
v. Road closure notice from UK Power Networks, West End, Northwold 15-19 July 2019. Noted.
9. FINANCES
i. The accounts to July 2nd 2019 were accepted, cheques agreed for signing and payments approved in accordance with the list below, as prepared by Responsible Finance Officer. Prop CA, 2nd NN, all agreed.
ii. Membership of Financial Working Group 2019/20 was agreed as Cllr Pointeer, Cllr Nickles, Cllr Hogan and Cllr Rayner. To meet after the September meeting. It was noted by NN that capital spend needs to be watched carefully to avoid overspend.
10. PLANNING
i. New applications for comment:
i. 19/00753/F Restoration of Norfolk wall and widen access, The Old Rectory, 63 High Street, Northwold. No objections raised.
ii. New premises licence application Wellington Wood. This was discussed. No objections raised.
iii. Cllr Pointeer advised of the construction of a mooring and summerhouse at the end of the navigation on the Wissey. The Environment Agency is aware and is looking into it as neither can be installed without EA permission. Cllr Pointeer to advise the Parish Council of any updates.
11. LAND & PROJECTS
i. Constables Charity land: The initial land registry application was turned down with a request for more information. Hayes+Storr put together a statement of truth regarding the parcel of land. This was signed by Cllr Pointeer on behalf of the Parish Council and returned to the Land Registry together with all available supporting documentation as provided from the PC. A response is awaited.
12. Community Car Park:
Discussions have reopened on this project as the owners of the neighbouring property have recently advised that they would be willing to have it written into the deeds of their property that no obstructions affecting the visibility splay of a possible car park are permitted within their property boundary. Cllr Anderson has also contacted the Public Rights of Way Officer at NCC to ask if there would be any conflict with using Footpath 6 as a vehicular exit from the car park and they have confirmed that there would not be. The main costs for the car park are the 5m tarmac at entry and exit points, as stated as a condition by Highways, the plastic reinforcement mesh and lowering the chain link fence within 7m of no.30. Cllr Anderson is willing to try and get some further quotes to see if these costs can be reduced any further. It was noted that potential National Lottery Grants are for a maximum of £10,000. All resolved to reopen the project as a possibility.
13. HIGHWAYS AND STREETLIGHTING
i. SAM2: This has been at Whittington for the past two months and will now be returned to Northwold.
ii. Update on bus stop improvements B1112 (opp. shelter): NCC have confirmed that the improvements should be undertaken during the summer holidays.
iii. The Parish Partnership scheme for 2020/21 has opened for applications with a deadline of 6th December2019. 50% grants are being offered on a bidding basis for highways improvements. Examples of schemes that would be considered were read out by the Clerk. It was queried whether the car park could fit into the stated criteria and also whether a National Lottery Grant would be considered as an appropriate match funder or whether it had to be direct from the Parish Council. Clerk to investigate.
iv. Items for Rangers / Action:
i. Whittington Church Lane, opposite Meadow Lane needs to be cut back urgently.
ii. Northwold School Lane from Methwold Road to end of allotments verges need cutting back.
iii. Vegetation around dog bin Hovells lane and Pinfold Lane needs strimming.
14. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
i. No new updates or urgent work required.
Northwold & Whittington
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Meetings Dates All meetings are usually held on the
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Page 15
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ii. Overgrown Hedge—Pinfold Lane/West End junction – Clerk asked to write to resident to ask for the hedge to be cut back.
15. CEMETERIES
i. Northwold Old Cemetery front boundary has been cut. There are trees overhanding into the neighbour’s garden. Clerk to ask TTSR to cut these. There is a board with names at Northwold Old Cemetery which is fading. This could do with replacing. Some names are already missing. Clerk to contact A Howarth about this. Cllr Pointeer noted that something similar at Whittington Cemetery could be appropriate. Next agenda.
ii. Christchurch wall – update – see Public forum.
16. PARISH FACILITIES
i. Play area repairs: Play Maintain are not responding to enquiries either by phone or email. Clerk to contact again and stress the urgency of the repair and also to contact other Parish Councils to ask for recommendations for play area repair companies.
ii. Dog bins: Two dog bins have been reserved by Cllr Ryves for the Parish Council free of charge from the BCKLWN.
There would be an installation charge of £40 plus emptying costs. It was agreed that one should be installed at the end of Mill Drove / A134 and the other to replace the damaged bin at the end of Riverside. The damaged bin to be retained as a spare. Clerk to instruct.
iii. Community Noticeboard cover – next agenda.
17. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Cllr Ryves advised that the BCKLWN is keen on Parish Councils having their own Neighbourhood Plans. These are policies set up by the community to stipulate issues such as housing needs and preferred locations. An adopted Neighbourhood Plan would enable the Parish Council to received 25% of any future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments. Costs of undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan would be covered by the BCKLWN. Planners would be happy to attend a meeting to advise on how it works. Clerk to invite to October meeting. This should be well publicised as a Public Meeting.
18. EMAIL ADRESSES
The Clerk advised the two new Councillors that dedicated Parish Council emails would be set up for them
for all Parish Council business. Both Cllr MacMullen and Cllr Rayner agreed that they are willing to have their names shown on the Parish Council website. Issues with the nandwpc.uk addresses not passing through organisational spam filters was discussed. It was agreed that read receipts should be requested from emails to ensure that they are delivered.
19. ITEMS FOR AGENDA OF NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2019 7.30pm, Christchurch, Whittington.
Nothing further raised.
With nothing more to discuss the meeting closed at 9.05pm
#saybootothepoo
There is a strict no dogs
policy on Fendick Field.
Unfortunately we have twice had
to clean off children who have fallen in dog mess left on the field.
We’re sure you can understand
how distressing this is for all
involved!
The Norman School
Page 16
As your councillor I like to involve our community in all developments initiated by The Borough Council. The Borough Council has decided to pursue proposals to partially redevelop the Corn Exchange in King’s Lynn t to include two small cinema screens As councillor I welcome your views on this. I would add that I voted to support it in Council. The vote was split along party lines and in this instance I voted with the Conservative majority, as I believe did one other Independent Councillor.
The EDP reported this project in May “The detailed proposal allows for a 58-seat screen and a 52-seat screen cinema to be developed by converting a seldom-used part of the upper bar area. It includes up-to-date projection, acoustic sound improvements, quality seating. It would see one of the region's biggest entertainment venues turning to the big screen in a bid to diversify its offerings in an investment which could cost £1m ( subsequently reported as £1.6m as the roof of the Corn Exchange needs urgent repair), but would then bring in some £200,000 a year. The town currently has the Majestic, a three-screen independent cinema on Tower Street”
The overall intention is to promote Kings Lynn as a destination …. more people in town means more spending on other leisure activities, and this supports businesses and employment. Improving the attractiveness of the town is a long term process and adding an upmarket “ boutique” cinema to the attractions is a part of this process. Other schemes such as works to improve the feel of the main shopping areas and improvements to the waterfront have the benefit of external grants. The cinema proposal does not - it will be funded by borrowed money.
I am going to set out the main issues in I hope a non partisan way, although as I said I support the proposal.
Firstly the Corn Exchange is an underused asset. In particular it has a large area above the central foyer which is barely used. Currently, the Corn Exchange requires a subsidy of almost £300,000 pa and if it was able to offer new events then this would be reduced and even eliminated. An economic activity there will not entail significant extra running costs as would be the case if a new customised cinema
was to be erected. The business model is such that the costs for new films are typically a charge by the distributor of a % of the actual takings, so if a film bombs and no-one goes to see it then the cinema has not incurred any film rental costs.
Secondly, The Corn Exchange has expertise in handing large numbers of customers for events, and the infrastructure to support this. Clearly management would need to organise timings such that intervals between films and other activities are avoided! It is the case that the roof of this wonderful building is leaking and the façade needs repair, and this necessary work will be done at the same time as the cinema is constructed. The proposal also includes a lift to give wheelchair bound patrons access to the top floor of the building.
Thirdly, King’s Lynn has a successful mainstream cinema, The Majestic which offers a sound value for money proposal… currently before any concessions and special offers seats are £4.50, making the Majestic very competitive with other large cinemas in the area. It has I believe three screens and may introduce a fourth screen in the future. We should note that the owners of the Majestic support the Councils’s proposal which for me is a key factor in my support. The example is Bury St Edmunds where
the small Abbeygate cinema co-exists very well with the larger new cinema, and indeed the intown choice seems to benefit both cinemas and the film going public.
I am limited as to what I can say as the details of the scheme remain confidential (notwithstanding the recent publication by the EDP of the architect’s drawings) and the public were excluded from the full council debate.
By the time you read this it may be that additional information is published but in the meantime I would welcome views of our community, for example, will it make it more likely that you will visit Kings Lynn to see films, what you would like this proposed scheme to offer. If you are for or against please let me know why. I will forward all responses to the Cabinet member responsible for overseeing this proposal.
As your Borough Councillor I want to bring issues like this to everyone’s attention in a timely manner so that I
can reflect your views in debates…even when I might not agree with them!
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The Space Race is proceeding apace! Since Professor Stephen Hawking urged the world to think seriously about leaving Earth and heading for pastures new, the world has indeed taken up the challenge! Since his death a year ago, there are intrepid adventurers willing to step up to the mark across the globe.
We have sent probes to the planet Mars, assuring the general public that life there is within our grasp and this all within our lifetime. (I'm in my eighties, so I think they had better get a shift on if I'm to spend some time in the sun far away!)
Let's pause and consider Mars for a moment. The red planet is fifty seven million kilometres away and science tells us that we could get there in about 300 days, provided we could maintain fifty eight thousand kph for that time! We would have to carry enough fuel for the return trip, of course, but more importantly, enough jam butties and fizzy pop to last the distance there and back, including stop-over time to take those all-important selfies and such! However,
I have news for NASA. They have been beaten to it! There already is life on Mars, alive and well, according to Saturday's ‘Sun’ newspaper of 13th April 2019, courtesy of intrepid reporter Jonathon Reilly! One of the latest probe's selfies has shown that there are Humboldt penguins on the red planet! I had to check the date, just in case this wasn't an April Fool's leg-pull, but no sir, April 13th it was! There it is, clear as knitted fog, plain for all to see! Those with a fertile imagination, that is! No little green men to be seen, but hope springs eternal. They'll be there somewhere, it's only a matter of time! After all, someone has to feed the penguins, don't they?
Another story has hit the headlines in recent days. It transpires that Israel has decided that the Moon is to be the next promised land, and have begun their latest campaign to annex some of that shiny prime real estate! However, their first inroads haven't worked out quite according to plan, with their estate agent's
survey craft coming down to Earth (sorry — Moon) with a bump, so to speak! Maybe they didn't understand the gravity of the situation? I wonder if the Palestinians are already digging tunnels on the dark side?
And now we have the very latest, astonishing, astronomically amazing news that we have finally got actual pictures of the biggest black hole of all time! We are told that this phenomenon is fifty five million light years (approx!) from Earth! Now we are all aware from our school days, that light travels at 186.000 miles per second in a vacuum. (Not the type you clean your carpets with! Out there in space, of course! That would be silly 'cos there'd be nowhere to plug it in!) To continue - At 186 thou. per second, that would mean that this black hole is------ well, you do the math! It's a bl****y long way away, and ain't that a fact? Stay with me on this one. We have previously been (Contd. p19)
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
Page 18
100 CLUB
July 2019 1st Prize £20 #14 Reg Proctor
2nd Prize £15 #12 Jim Ayres
3rd Prize £10 #34 Lenny Lavender
August 2019 1st Prize £50 #45 Cameron Lavender
2nd Prize £25 #75 Fiona Eyles
3rd Prize £15 #81 Dean Preston
Roger Preston
My wife was beginning to get a complex. As a member of the Village Hall fundraising committee, she’d been forced to cancel two previous attempts to raise much-needed funds owing to a poor take-up and was beginning to wonder if she was jinxing it. So, it came as a huge relief when the bookings started rolling in for the Vintage Afternoon Tea. It was exactly what they’d wished for, but you know that saying about being careful with your wishes…I’m witness to the amount of work this simple idea created. Because Brenda, Bex, and Jackie - the fundraising crew - do not do a thing half-heartedly.
Vintage meant finding dainty crockery for nearly sixty people. Bunting to cheer up the Hall. Twenty-five cake stands. Pretty table cloths. Prosecco glasses. Cute little covers for the jam jars, handmade table numbers. The lists got longer, the muttering louder. The ladies of the WI played a blinder in baking most of the cakes. We spent a lot of the Saturday dressing the hall, and my Sunday morning consisted of making cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches to a strictly regimented standard. ie not doorstop like! The team of volunteers gathered at lunchtime to bring all the various bits of the event together for the first time, hoping that nothing glaring had been forgotten. Nothing had. I think everyone who attended will agree, the hall looked brilliant. The tables were as cute as buttons. And when the afternoon teas were brought out, they looked the business. There was a great
variety of sandwiches and cakes, a glass of fizz, a proper pot of tea. Every box was ticked. I realised I was a mug for volunteering when I could have been enjoying the tea myself, but I consoled myself that there’d be some left over at clearing up time. What idiot put ‘provide bags so the customers can take their uneaten cakes home with them’ on the list? There were slim pickings at the end, I can tell you. The ladies of Northwold know how to bake. Thank you to everyone who did so for us.
When prosecco pouring was mainly done, I had a chance to look around. There really is a pleasure in seeing people having a good time, and the device of an afternoon tea to bring the village together created a great chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of other people’s company, and cake. It’s a great recipe which will be repeated. And the great news is, the village raised £484 for its Hall. So, here’s to the next one…just not yet.
And while I’m typing…we only got to enjoy the latter end of the Vintage Car Rally, hosted so well by the Social Club. They deserved better weather, but it still had a great atmosphere, splendid displays, some fantastic vehicles and even live music in the evening. On the way home we stopped off at the pub and enjoyed a meal. How great to have these three village resources bringing people together. Northwold really is feeling an even better place to live.
Finally, finally, thanks to Dave and Janice for generously donating a Sunday roast for two as the main prize in the Afternoon Tea raffle.
Trevor Silvester
NORTHWOLD VILLAGE HALL VINTAGE AFTERNOON TEA
THANK YOU
VERY MUCH !!!!!
The Village Hall Trustees have once again received a donation towards keeping the Village Hall a place everyone can enjoy. We’d like to heartily thank our gracious benefactor and look forward to her continued support.
A massive thank you to all who supported our afternoon tea fund raiser…it was a sell-out. And we cannot forget to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who set up, served, and cleaned up.
The trustees welcome anyone who’d like to join our small group, new folks and new ideas are always welcome.
More fund raising functions will be announced in the near future.
There are always opportunities/dates for groups to use the hall for parties and functions.
If you or your family would like to book the hall, contact Steve (American Steve) Stark on 01366-727855.
Steve Stark
The AONB Dark Skies Festival is taking place between 6th —
22nd September 2019. The festival will include a range of activities aimed at people who live and work, as well as visit the coast. Many, many thanks again to those partners who are organising events during this fortnight. A full list of the events are attached to this email and the link to our festival website can be found at: http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/partnership/dark-skies-festival-6-22-september-2019
Please note that this is our first dark skies festival so we have tried to start small. We recognise that many of the events are focussed on the North Norfolk coast, but should there be sufficient interest to organise a future dark skies festival, the aim would be to have activities throughout the entire AONB from Snettisham to Winterton.
Page 19
WEETING VILLAGE HALL FAMILY RACE DAY
Saturday 19th October
8 races of 6 horses
Fun for all the family
Everybody Welcome
Doors open 1.30pm
For more information call Brenda on: 01842 814161
If you fancy being a Jockey or want to sponsor a race, please give me a ring.
(Is there anybody out there? contd. from p17) lead to believe that the images we see of distant planets portray worlds that more often than not no longer exist, as the light reaching us arrives long after the source's demise. Now they are telling us that this black hole is way, way beyond our own galaxy. (Too far even for Captain Kirk. “Warp speed, Mr Sulu!”) Does it follow therefore that the images we are seeing are coming from a black hole that itself no longer exists? Are they not also telling us that nothing, not even light can escape from this doughnut in space? Now this is where I begin to get somewhat confused. How are we seeing what we are seeing? Does NASA know something we don't know? Of course they do, but they aren't going to tell us, are they? Maybe this is another image discovered by Mr Jonathon Reilly? Or could it be another commercial for space travel dreamed up in the Nevada desert?
Those folks at NASA will next have us believe that there actually is a man living in the Moon! If that turns out to be true, I do hope he has legal deeds in place before Mr Netanyahu's prospectors arrive to stake their claims!
The problem I have with these latest revelations is that the men in white coats, (scientists, of course!) must know that the ordinary 'man in the street' has no means by which he can challenge their claims. We just have to believe what they are telling us about the goings-on out there in the cosmos. We gaze in wonder at the night sky and it's myriad points of sparkling starlight, and somehow we believe!
Did I tell you that I'd seen a fairy at the bottom of my garden?
Frederick James
Page 20
Family
Property Criminal Commercial Employment Personal Injury Wills & Probate
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Message from your Engagement Officer
I am PC Lee Anderton and I work as the Engagement Officer for West Norfolk.
My responsibilities include working alongside and promoting the Special Constabulary, Police Support Volunteers, Neighbourhood Watch and Community Speedwatch.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these roles please e-mail me at: -
Lee.Anderton@norfolk. pnn.police.uk
Page 21
Thank you for all you have donated recently, your generosity has made a
world of difference to so many people.
Our Local Foodbank Our closest Foodbank is based in Thetford, with a
distribution point at Brandon.
Donation drop off points are at St Andrew’s Northwold, at St George’s Church, Methwold and St Mary’s Church,
Feltwell.
Any food stuff which does not require refrigeration and is in date is ok, below
are a few ideas:
Tinned meat/fish. Tinned vegetables
Tinned fruit Tinned tomatoes
Tinned Soup T i n n e d s p o n g e
pudding
Tinned rice pudding Instant mash potato
Pasta / Rice Pasta sauces
Cereals Biscuits or snack bars
Carton UHT milk or powdered milk
Sugar – small packet - 500g
Tea bags/instant coffee
Fruit juice carton Jam
Toiletries Toilet roll, toothpaste, soap.
Thank you for all your donations,
kindness and generosity.
If you need the foodbank please don’t hesitate to contact someone who can give you a foodbank voucher; such as a doctor, health visitor, social worker,
Thank you everyone in the village who has agreed to join the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Since the launch at the blustery Carnival in June, we now have over 100 members!
I attended the Norfolk Neighbourhood Scheme AGM on the 1st August in Dereham and found out a lot more about the scheme and how it works.
As a result I will shortly be delivering a Neighbourhood Watch Member Registration and Data Consent Form which all members will need to sign and return to me.
As I said before, there is a lot for me to learn, but the other coordinators were very helpful so it shouldn’t be too long before Northwold
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is running efficiently.
I have heard that many of the window stickers are peeling off. I have some new ones which should be better so let me know if you want one either by phoning me on 727244 or by messaging me on the village Facebook page.
I hope to hold a meeting in September, but am waiting for a date from the Norfolk Chairman and will let everyone know beforehand.
If you haven’t already joined and would like to please contact me…details above.
Letters to the Editor Dear Jonathan, Ages ago Robin & I read in Village Life that there appeared to be no barn owl boxes in the village. We have two Tawny Owl boxes (sadly unused for the last two years) and three Barn Owl boxes. One has remained unused this year– but we have an adult male in one & a female with two young in the other. Enclosed photo of one being professionally ringed in July. Thought the village may be interested. The kestrel has managed to bring up three young as well. So, all in all, a good result! Many thanks, Carole Hood. Dear Jonathan, Despite returning to live in Northwold in September 1957, I can recall only one occasion that I walked from Chalk Pit Hill to the Church for evening Harvest Festival Service. On that occasion, I recall noticing the change of angle of the TV aerials as I went further east. It is little wonder I was told, by one gent, that when it was said “now the news from your area” it wasn't. Folks, not even the man who fixed the aerial, would believe me when I related that we get Look North. Having been into the Watton Shop, I was told to take out the aerial, when resetting, till the bar is just under half way across then put it in again sharpish. This did the trick, so now we do get Look East/East. It seems it is because of the humps and bumps in FLAT NORFOLK that
many are tuned into Sandy Heath instead of Tacolston. My sons living in Mundford have had to resort to dishes for a decent reception. Sorry, no plans for great celebrations for sixty two years in the village but very thankful it hasn't changed too much in that time. Let's try and keep it that way. Pam Eyles Dear Jonathan The Climate - Part 2 Milankovitch — no not the new defender at Chelsea (though they look as if they could use one), but an early 20th century Physicist and Climatologist — proved that the gravitational pull of the larger planets, Jupiter and Saturn, can move the Earth out of a circular orbit of the Sun, which averages 93 million miles away. At this distance, Earth temperatures — which can vary from +40C at the Equator, to -40C at the Poles, which are only 12,000 miles apart — will be affected by a increase/reduction of the Sun to Earth distance. There are also Climatologists who have theories that extremes of climate are normal and should be expected and that the Earth will naturally warm/cool by 2 degrees Celsius over periods of time. Difficulty is that these are theories and times can vary from hundreds to thousands of years on an unpredictable basis. All these can be read, but it needs more than a GCSE in physics to understand them.
So where are we? Hottest UK day ever (since records began) this year but the rest of the summer was the same as years ago - changeable. Greta is sailing to the UN - though why the UN would listen to any 16 year old on any subject is beyond me. Before we put all our eggs into one expensive basket, we need to make sure everyone else is doing the same and that they are in the correct basket. And on a lighter note, definition of a Scotsman - someone, who if he drops some money, can catch it before it hits the ground! Alan Briggs Dear Editor, Farming and the highway Farming activities can have a significant effect on both the structure and appearance of our rural roads and Norfolk County Council is keen to work with the farming community to help ensure our roads are safe for all users. A new section on our website outlines how we can work together to help improve road safety and the roadside environment. The web pages include information on:
Cleaning of mud and spoil
Moving livestock
Maintaining ditches, drains and hedges
Fire and straw burning
Agricultural vehicles on the road
Use of agricultural road signs
We have annual contracts with local farmers in allocated areas to help with snow clearance so please contact us if you would like to help (particularly in the west of the county) by emailing [email protected]
There is also a list of farmers without an annual contract who can help with ad-hoc clearance when snow is particularly heavy, for example during last year’s ‘Beast from the East’.
Find out more at www.norfolk.gov.uk/farmingandthehighway
Lead Communications Officer (Place), Norfolk County Council
THE MAGPIE CENTRE WEST NORFOLK RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
Visitors to the Magpie Centre, home
of West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association, enjoyed the Open Day on 23rd June, opened by
West Norfolk Mayor Geoff Hipperson. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the RDA movement
and the day comprised show jumping, dressage, side saddle and carriage driving demonstrations, resulting in a
profit of £700 for the Centre.
Now that the students have returned to school or college and parents take a
well-earned breather, it’s time to start thinking about autumn activities.
Once again, you’ll need to put your thinking caps on for the Quiz with Hog Roast supper, (or vegetarian option) scheduled for Saturday 19th October at Stowbridge Village Hall, Downham Road, Stowbridge PE34 3PE. All proceeds from this will go to the Magpie Centre, home of West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled
Association.
Doors, and the licensed cash bar, selling wine, beer, cider and soft drinks, open at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Tickets are £11 each and include the Hog Roast, plus a full menu of salads and delicious desserts, plus of course a hugely convivial and thought-provoking evening with friends old and new.
Teams of 4 to 8 are usual, but singles and couples are welcome to compete individually or make up teams on the night. Pre-booking is essential, so call 01553 828935 or email [email protected] to secure your places.
And now a call for help: as you can imagine, with an organization comprising horses, riders, grounds and facilities, which need to be maintained, we are always on the lookout for volunteers.
Our most urgent requirement,
currently, is for able-bodied people to help with paddock maintenance. This might suit keen gardeners who want to remain active over the winter months.
We also need people able or willing to train to lead a quiet pony during lessons, or walk beside a rider, to help them maintain balance and interpret the instructor’s directions. This is known as ‘sidewalking’ and is an important role in helping riders to improve their communication skills.
To find out more about joining our
friendly team, call the Magpie Centre on 01553 810202.
