the wayland news june 2012
DESCRIPTION
The Wayland News is the community newspaper for Watton & Wayland in Breckland, Norfolk, UK.TRANSCRIPT
Giving a voice to the Wayland community Issue Number 189 - June 2012
Chris Edwards, Chair of Watton Town
Team, has hailed the Town Team’s first
Entrepreneurs Market a great success.
Mr Edwards said “With fifteen stalls on the
High Street, selling a wide variety of items
from treasure trails to fancy dog collars and
replica swords to baby items, I think we
really brought something different to the
usual Saturday morning.”
Mr Edwards added "I want to thank the
Wayland Partnership for their assistance
and allowing us to use their market stalls;
without that the project would have taken
far longer to get running, and also to
Watton Town Council and Wayland
Chamber of Commerce for their start-up
funding".
Julie Moore who was selling jewellery and
handbags said “It was lovely to see a lot of
people about and having a chat even if they
didn’t buy but just stopped and browsed”
Local MP, George Freeman visited the
market following up his interest in
promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship in
mid-Norfolk and said “Watton in
particular needs us to do everything we
can to promote rural enterprises, to create
opportunities for school leavers and older
entrepreneurs and to help maintain the
vibrant high street.”
His verdict was that “This is a really great
initiative.”
The idea of the market is to provide smaller
businesses, often called “kitchen table
businesses”, a way to see new customers
that is simple and inexpensive; while at the
same time, giving shoppers in our High
Street, an opportunity to buy goods and
services they wouldn’t normally encounter
when shopping in a big supermarket.
This was exemplified by stall holding
brothers Joe and Tom Shepherd from
Ovington, who started an internet replica
weapons business, Arms of Chivalry, last
September. Their visit to the Market was the
first time they have the have met customers
face to face. George Freeman chatted with
Joe and Tom for some time and was clearly
impressed with their entrepreneurial spirit.
And entrepreneur Teresa Pawsey who
makes and sells her own cards said “I had
pleasurable interest in my cards which was
nice to hear as I made them all myself and
that gave my ego a boost”.
Dave Senior of Treasure Trails Norfolk
was asked if he had plenty of interest from
shoppers? “Yes, as well as plenty of
interest from business customers such as
holiday cottage owners and youth
organisations. To be honest I saw it more
as a marketing opportunity for me as well;
word of mouth and just talking with
people is far cheaper, and more
productive, than most forms of printed
advertising, so I was prepared to accept a
‘no sales’ day as well.”
“We were well looked after and it was
also a pleasure not to have opposition
from the resident High Street traders.”
“Although I appreciate many of them are
closely involved with the market concept,
and wish it to work themselves, I have
experienced the exact opposite in other
places”
The next Entrepreneurs Market will be on
Watton High Street on Saturday 16th June –
Why not come along and see what you
missed last time?
Market hailed as great success
Above: more used to battling his political opponents in the House of Commons, George Freeman MP crosses swords with
brothers Joe and Tom Shepherd from Ovington, whose replica arms business was formed only a few months ago.
The Wayland Chamber of Commerce are
acutely aware of the lack of funded
business support locally. They have
assembled a group of Chamber members
who will offer free of charge advice to
small local businesses. This will cover
most subjects including finance,
marketing and legal issues. They hope to
repeat this if there is the demand.
Norman Wilson the Chair says many
people have a business itch they cannot
scratch, come and try us to see if we can
help.
It will be held on 13th June at Wayland
House. Further information can be found
on the Chamber website
www.waylandchamber.org.uk.
Free Business Advice from the Chamber
The Wayland News Page 2 News
Young Stars
Perform On
West End
Stage 2nd
Year
Running On Sunday 22nd April 2012 thirty
students aged 5 to 18yrs from the
Young Stars School of Dance,
swapped the streetlights of Watton
for the spotlights of London. The
eagerly awaited journey had finally
arrived after a clash with the
London Marathon meant an early
start and a slight detour, as they
say ‘The show must go on’.
Upon arrival YSSOD students
excitedly stepped off the coach
into a queue of young performers
wrapped around the walls of Her
Majesty’s Theatre, all eagerly
awaiting to enter Stage Door and
be shown to their dressing rooms.
Four Floors up overlooking the
city, home to musical theatre they
prepared for a busy professional
day of technical rehearsals, photo
shoots and make up calls.
The show consisted of 14
professional dance schools from all
around the UK, consisting of an
overall cast of 200 young
performers. Young Stars School of
Dance were given 4 performance
‘Artists’
is for
artists "Artists" was opened by Jan
Godfrey, at an informal opening
attended by the Mayor and some
friends from the world of Art.
Present were other artists whose
work is on sale at the shop. The
shop sells prints of original
paintings by Norfolk Artists.
Also available to purchase are
cards of the paintings with blank
insides.
Local artist Marilyn Scrymgeour,
who is the lady behind the venture
said “I want people to come in and
enjoy the paintings, and we are
adding to the collection all the
time.”
“There is also the chance for you
to have prints made of your own
work and have greetings cards
made to send to your friends or
sell in the shop”
Artists are situated at the traffic
lights at Watton and offer Prints of
Norfolk Artists, and paintings in
watercolours, acrylics, oil, pen and
ink. There is a large selection of
cards available of all paintings
that are blank inside for you to
write your own message. Print
service available.
Artists are at 4 Norwich Road,
Watton 01953 881036
Why not call in and see what you
are missing?
slots that wowed the audience with
their fresh and witty choreography.
We are thrilled to be able to offer all
our students a wonderful opportunity
to perform at one of London’s
leading theatres, home of the world
famous ‘Phantom of the Opera’. The
experience gained from their
appearance is invaluable to them all.
Our school prides itself in the
professionalism of our students and
our dedicated teaching staff, who are
still active professionals within the
industry. Our choreographers work
around the clock to bring new fresh
ideas to the school, which was very
evident to see when showcased in
such a fantastic venue.
Since the performance Young Stars
School of Dance staff have been
inundated with lovely messages
congratulating them for a truly
fantastic show. Thank you to all
parents who helped make the day
special.
DO YOU LOVE TO
PERFORM? Visit our website: www.young-stars-
school-of-dance.co.uk for more
details or contact YSSOD on
07887770082 or email:
News The Wayland News Page 3
Connections By Jan Godfrey
During the war my sister Sheila, my
husband Ken, his sister Jean and I were all
at school in Carbrooke, where all but my
sister still live. The Americans based at
Watton were very interested in our little
school and one of them set up a pen-pal
contact with Leona Robbins an 11 year
old from Norfolk, Virginia. Her mother
kept all the letters we sent still in their
envelopes most of which were opened by
the censor, and eventually Leona, who is
now 80, gave them to the Library of
Virginia archive and they posted some of
them on the internet to see if they could
make contact. Neil Laws, whose father
Fred was at school with us, picked up the
link and passed it on to our Heritage web/
facebook site and opened the door for me
to contact the Library and then Leona.
Jessica Tyree at the Library of Virginia,
is scanning all the letters to put on a
DVD but when she found some from
my sister and sister-in-law she gave me
a sneak preview and then she found one
from me written at aged 5 – a goose-
bumpy moment, as I had memories of
the toys and the Americans but none of
writing. There is much to be explored
here with the help of the Library of
Virginia and Leona and it has been great
to renew a pen-friendship that began
almost 70 years ago.
A Christmas Party in 1944 at Carbrooke School - Jan is highlighted
Wayland Women
in Business &
City College Sophie Garrett our guest speaker from Women
in Rural Enterprise delivered a very interesting
talk about her leadership role for Wire and her
own unique business called Yours2share at our
lunch in March.
Yours2share matches like-minded people who
want to share property, boats, aircraft, horses,
cars, etc. Sophie is a great supporter of
collaborative consumption (car clubbing, co
working, couch surfing etc) and talked in great
depth how collaborative consumption is
changing the way we live. Sophie is very good
at bringing people together and this is why she
runs such a successful networking group in
Norwich on behalf of Wire.
Lorna from Lorna Ellen Faulkes Photography
exhibited her amazing framed photographs from
weddings, portraits to pets. Ellen has an eye for
detail and with her friendly nature we are sure
she will do well. Ellen is very professional
which is most admirable as her business has
only been running since August 2011.
The Wayland Women in business meetings are
open to everyone. Although most attendees are
running businesses, do not let this deter you
from coming. We are always pleased to see a
number of employed and retired ladies and a
number of ladies who are seeking to return to
the work place. It is a great social event and a
relaxed way to network and make contacts.
The next lunch will be held at Broom Hall
Saham Toney on Wednesday 13th June 12-2
pm which includes a hot lunch, a glass of wine
and tea and coffee served with homemade
truffles. Izzy Mair from Norwich City College
is our guest speaker in June and Izzy will be
talking to us about her role at the College. Izzy
is Head of Curriculum Services and is
responsible for looking after students with
learning difficulties and all programmes across
the college. We hope you can join us.
Our new website is up and running, if you
would like to know more about us please go to
www.waylandwomeninbusiness.com or follow
us on Twitter @waylandwib
All are welcome. Advance tickets are on sale
now, only £14.50. For further details please
contact: Jane Richards 001603 927365
[email protected] or Clare Rowling
01953 488993 [email protected].
uk or Ann Lusher [email protected]
A new venture is to be set up in St.
Andrew’s Church in Little
Cressingham. As the village no longer
has a shop, PO store, village hall or
even a pub, an effort is being made to
hold a monthly market selling local
home grown produce, home made
goods and crafts in order to recapture
some of the community spirit that made
Little Cressingham such a thriving self-
contained village of the past. The
distinctive half ruined church which has
been the centre of village life for
centuries, will benefit as 10% of sales
will go toward the general repair and
maintenance fund. The first market is
to be held on Saturday 23rd June from
10.00 – 12.00 and thereafter, on the last
Saturday of each month. Support for
this venture will be gratefully received
and visitors will be most welcome to
come and browse.
Little Cressingham Market
By Dave Edwards
Thanks to the support and generosity of
many friends and family, I made – and
exceeded – my fund-raising sponsorship
target to help Save The Rhinos and to
make this year’s event even more
successful, I knocked 20 minutes off my
previous time.
As many people know who live along my
training route from Saham Toney, through
Ovington and Carbrooke, I spent many
hours jogging up and down the local
roads. And it paid off this year. I couldn’t
believe it when I crossed the finishing line
in 4hrs 42mins. not bad for an old ‘un
who turned 60 this month.
As usual, the character of London
changed completely for Marathon day
with happy smiling faces, shouting,
encouraging, cajoling; music of every
kind along the route to keep spirits up and
take minds off aches and pains. It’s an
amazing experience for runners and
spectators alike.
After a couple of days of being stiff and
tired, I was back to normal and plan to
start running again soon. But it wouldn’t
have happened without the support and
donations from all sorts of people – thanks
to them I have been able to send
£1,500.00 to Save The Rhinos. Every
penny raised will help in the fight against
poaching these magnificent endangered
animals.
Thank you one and all for your support.
Marathon success
Thank you to all those who have signed up
so far to take part in the Action for
Children Snetterton Bike Ride! We are
very grateful that you have chosen to take
part in this brilliant event and are taking
your action for children.
If you thought you had missed out on the
opportunity to ride around the Formula 3
track on your bicycle then do not worry as
there is still time to sign up. This fantastic
event takes place this Summer Solstice on
Wednesday, 20th June between 5.30pm
and 8.30pm at the Snetterton Race Circuit.
Cyclists of all ages and abilities can take
part and it is a great way to spend time
with your family or colleagues from work
and get healthy in the process. There is
ample parking, plenty of spectator viewing
points, refreshments on site and space for
family picnics.
For more information, please contact
Action for Children’s local fundraiser,
Laura Hanratta, on 01284 755953 / 07921
491550 or e-mail
Action for Children Bike Ride
Watton
Happy Circle At the May meeting Alan Smith gave members an
insight into the day to day work involved in Fund
Raising to help support the East Anglian Air
Ambulance. The service operates two helicopters
covering an area of 5500 square miles with an
average of three emergency missions per day and
costs £4.2 million pounds per year to operate.
Members were able to purchase gifts in support of
Alan’s fund raising activities and received
information on the Lottery which is a major fund
contributor to the service.
No meeting will be held on Tuesday 5th June due
to the members outing to The Butterfly and Birds
of Prey Park at Long Sutton on Tuesday 12th
June.
Members are reminded that the coach will leave
the Queens Hall car park at 9.30am.
Refreshments will be available at the park - all we
need is some fine weather.
Jubilee Concert by Phoenix Singers at
St. Nicholas Church, Ashill
Friday, 1st June at 7.30pm
Donations in aid of Village Charities
The Wayland News Page 4 News
Caston Diamond Jubilee Fete
Saturday 2nd June at 2pm Greenwich Villa, Griston Road, Caston,
Watton Silver Band Stalls, games, competitions, raffles, tombolas,
Teas, BBQ, books and bric-a-brac Parking at Caston School and opposite
Greenwich Villa All proceeds to be donated to Caston Church
Everyone Welcome !!
NELSON’S JOURNEY A charity that supports children and young
people of Norfolk who have experienced a
close bereavement
BRECKLAND
HARMONY together with
The West End Waiters compered by Carol Bundock
Will be giving a concert
MUSIC AND MEMORIES OF
THE 1960s and 1970s
at St. Mary’s Church, Watton
on Saturday July 14th
at 7pm
All proceeds will go to Nelson’s Journey
Are you 18-65 years and female?
Do you want to have fun and excitement?
Can you give two hours
each week to volunteer?
Could you teach us a new skill?
I would love to hear from you, as you could
have the skills we need!!!
For more information contact Jo on
01953 880112 or email:
This was the statement made by Norfolk &
Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES), a business
support organisation, at a meeting organised jointly
by the Wayland Partnership and Chamber of
Commerce and chaired by local MP George
Freeman in May.
The meeting brought together local organisations
whose role is to act as information conduits to our
community and put them face to face with the
‘suppliers’ of the support that is supposed to be
available to the entrepreneurs and businesses of the
Wayland area that drive the local economy.
And it would seem that those damming words
shone a light on the attitudes held about Watton
and Wayland by those whose role is to put the
support effort and resource into our community to
help it thrive.
Those present from the suppliers were Foundation
East, New Anglia LEP, Norfolk Chamber of
Commerce and Breckland Council’s Economic
Development Department, Michael Wassell,
Deputy Leader of Breckland Council and Anne
Steward Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member
for Economic Development.
There was a lively and frank discussion about what
each organisation has been doing in the area, and
what extra they thought they could bring. But it
was clear that in the present economic situation,
what was on offer was spread very thinly and there
was a perceived lack of demand here from start-up
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Representing the views of Wayland were The
Wayland Partnership, Chris Edwards from Watton
Town Team, Michael Rose from the Wayland
Academy, Salena Dawson for the Youth Advisory
Board, Jane Richards form Wayland Women in
Business, Wayland Chamber of Commerce Chair
Norman Wilson, District Councillor Claire Bowes
and myself from the Wayland News. Unfortunately
Watton Town Council was unable to find a
Councillor to attend.
The Wayland team expressed the feeling that we
had been treated as the poor cousin of the
Breckland family of market towns, with a historic
lack of investment in the facilities needed to
encourage entrepreneurship and generate
employment.
The (not unreasonable) case made by Breckland
was that the focus on the major development of,
principally, Thetford and to a lesser extent
Attleborough, both of which happen to be on the so
called A11 corridor, was because of the increased
housing provision in that area.
But it was pointed out that Wayland had undergone
a massive increase in population especially at the
old RAF site and yet there had been no similar
effort or investment here. The response from
Breckland’s Deputy Leader, Michael Wassell, was
that there had been no demand from this area
aimed at Breckland for industrial development or
the facilities being asked for now. Post meeting, it
has been reported that some of the industrial
premises Breckland Council did have in this area
have been sold to private ownership because of that
“lack of demand”.
Drawing the threads of a complicated and wide
ranging debate together, Chair George Freeman,
summed up what he felt had happened here with
the term “aspiration implosion”. And I think those
two words beautifully describe our problem.
Because of the – to some extent acknowledged -
lack of investment here in developing and
encouraging entrepreneurship in our community
there isn’t any real sense, among younger people in
particular, but also among the older unemployed,
that there is anything they can do to help
themselves.
And this is why there is no demand for the business
services exampled by Breckland.
Forget the lack of support in the past; we are now
clearly faced with a good old fashioned chicken
and egg paradox. Breckland’s position that we
don’t get investment without demand is opposed by
the argument that we don’t get demand without
investment.
Somehow we have to break that circle.
It seems to me that we have to re-inspire the
community to make it want to pull itself out of this
hole but we need help to do it. Chiefly we need
some investment of faith by Breckland in believing
that Wayland is not a lost community. They need
to be shown that we do care and we do want
attention paid to us and one way of doing that is
quite simple – jolly well say so!
The meeting has gone away with a series of
suggested actions and Mr Freeman is reconvening
the group at the end of June to see what progress
has been made.
The Wayland side are going to explore whether we
can give potential young entrepreneurs that desire
to do better for themselves, we are going to keep
asking Breckland to pay more attention to Wayland
and keep pressing the case.
The Wayland News is going to try and find
examples of what can be done when you set your
mind to it and show it can be done and be done
here.
Mr Freeman is going to keep pushing to improve
broadband in our area together as is Anne Steward
from Norfolk County Council.
The real question though is what are you going to
do?
There is an old adage that says “You’ll never get
rich digging someone else’s ditch”. Working for
yourself is a unique experience; it is hard work and
the hours are often long for little reward.
But the freedom is amazing. You are entirely
responsible for what happens to you; succeed or
fail, it is down to you.
Do you or does anyone in your family think they
have an idea that they could develop. Have you got
an idea for business but don’t know what to do
next? Then get in touch with Iain Cockburn at the
Wayland Partnership on 01953 880204 or by email
at [email protected]. The whole business
community will do everything it can to help you.
“It’s difficult to engage with people in the
Watton area”
Comment from the Editor on entrepreneurship in Wayland
Jonathan & Behira Graham have been persuaded to
open their amazing garden. Thirteen years ago they
started with twelve acres of the disused Chic-Grit
quarry including an abandoned landfill – they had
dramatic contour, water, a big mess and no soil.
After significant land restoration and landscaping
there is now a house and maturing gardens, with lots
of work in progress and, as yet, untamed wilderness
surrounding a lake. Substantial plantings of trees
and shrubs are interspersed with a swimming pond,
vegetables within a circular crinkle crankle wall,
formal beds and dramatic slopes.
The gardens are open on Sunday 17th June (Fathers’
Day) from 11 to 5pm. There will be tea, coffee,
delicious cakes and cider, perhaps for the man in
your life, will be for sale.
Admission: Adults £3.00, school children £1.00,
infants free. Proceeds are for the support of the
Rocklands Churches.
Swans’ Meadow, Mount Pleasant, Rockland All
Saints, NR17 1XG Tel: 01953 747400 Email:
Swans’ Meadow . . .
A Garden in the Making
News The Wayland News Page 5
Watton Residents will have the
chance to shape the future of the
District Council through a series of
new consultations. The intention is
for residents to suggest how and
where Breckland District Council
spends their money, as well as which
services the council should provide.
Faced with the need to save £3.5
million from our budget over the
next 5 years, the district council
needs to be innovative as to how it
allocates the resources it has, to
provide maximum value for money
and maintain services. We want to
know which services are valued the
most and also how the council
should deliver them in the future.
The aim of the consultations is to
make residents aware of the services
that are currently provided and if
these should continue to be provided.
The funding gap is not going to get
any better and the sooner that we
deal with this issue the better. The
public meetings will be held in
Watton and the other market towns
in September/October 2012 and will
help to shape the councils budgets
for next year and the years to come.
You will also be able to make your
suggestions on line or in writing.
You can also contact your ward
councillor before the public meetings
to discuss your ideas.
Efforts taken to improve recycling
rates have paid off. Recycled
material going through the Materials
Recycling Facility (MRF) in
Costessy, Norwich is showing 33%
less contamination than last year.
Recycling really does pay. Landfill
costs tax payers money, and if less is
sent there, it not only saves money
it’s good for the environment too. On
top of this a new recycling initiative
is helping reduce waste taken to
landfill whilst cutting disposal costs.
Following a successful trial in
Thetford earlier this year, the council
has purchased eight new ‘barrows’,
for its street cleaning teams. With
two separate compartments, the new
barrows will enable crews to
separate recyclable items from those
destined for landfill. It is anticipated
that this initiative could reduce waste
taken to landfill by as much as 24
tonnes a year.
Despite the economic downturn the
council is continuing to invest in
property and getting a £2 million
return each year. This income is
equivalent to a Band D council tax
payment of £45.68. In other words
without this level of expertise and
investment a Breckland Band D
property resident would be paying
council tax of £109.73 instead of the
current rate of £64.05. The council’s
portfolio includes 200 individual
properties and 5,000 pieces of land
and we are managing to maintain
high levels of occupancy of around
95pc. This year we have been in
negotiations to acquire a set of 12
industrial units in Thetford and are
looking into offering Finders Fee
proposals and Agency agreements
for other landlords in the area.
An exciting programme of events
and activities has been lined up to
celebrate the sixty year reign of
Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 and
London 2012. It includes something
for everyone and offers family
entertainment, sport, art and a host of
community projects to get involved
in. The festival of Breckland project
is all about encouraging residents to
take control of their own events and
use their imaginations to create an
event that’s appropriate for them. A
series of workshops offering support
and advice on how to host a street
party to celebrate the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee were held which
saw hundreds of residents turn out to
pick up tips. The council has to date
received 46 applications to hold
street parties.
Rain, cold and wind couldn’t put the
brakes on a charity bike ride on the
5th May 2012. Braving the
inclement weather, Breckland
Council Chairman Nigel Wilkin and
Leader William Nunn completed
their marathon trip around the
district, raising over £700 for local
charity East Anglia’s Children’s
Hospices (EACH). The total has
reached £736 and contributions are
still coming in. Donations can be still
be made online at
www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Wilkin.
Alternatively, contact the
Chairman’s Secretary Sue Allen on
01362 656870. For more information
about EACH, call 01953 715559 or
visit the website www.each.org.uk
Many of you will have seen that I
have recently been appointed Deputy
Leader of Breckland District Council
and also a Cabinet Member with
responsibility for Finance and
Democratic Services. Naturally this
is a great honour and I know will
prove to be both challenging and
interesting. I wanted to assure the
residents of Watton who elected me
that I am still primarily a Watton
ward member, and my interest will
always be focussed in getting the
best for the residents of the town in
which we all live. Hopefully my new
position will give me a greater
ability to do so.
Please do not hesitate to contact me
if you feel I can be of assistance on
any Breckland District Council
matter.
My contact details: Email:
Phone: 01953 882884
Regards to all, Michael Wassell
Councillor’s Chat with Michael Wassell
WATTON TENNIS CLUB
3 courts at Watton Sports Centre, Dereham Road
Now preparing for new season Calling out to new players
All ages and levels welcome Don’t be shy!
Club nights on Monday and Thursday evenings
Come and say hello!
From the 7th July to the 22nd
July the village of Great
Ellingham is holding its 9th
Teddy Bear Festival having raised
so far about £30,000 for charities.
This year’s Proceeds will be
going to local groups in the
village and the East Anglia
Children’s Hospice.
The villagers design and make life
size bears with over 100 teddies
on display in gardens, so come
along and walk the teddy trail in
the village,. The trail officially
starts on the 7th with village
garage sales followed by a
fortnight of teddy themed events.
July 14th is our Teddy Bear Fun
day and Craft show for all the
family at the Recreation Centre.
Bring you Teddies and, join the
Teddy Bear Picnic, there’s lots of
family entertainment planned and
a visit from Elllibear and
Wellibear
There are lots of activities for all
the family happening over the two
weeks more information:
www.greatellingham.org.uk or
contact Peter 01953 456716
Great Ellingham’s 9th
Teddy Bear Festival
The 2011 Teddy Bear Festival Winner the “Fire Beargade”
Christian Aid in Watton
I would like to thank everyone who
attended this event in May. We
managed to raise £48 for Macmillan
Cancer Support. This support will
be kept in Norfolk.
The next Craft Market will be on
Saturday 2nd June. There will be up
to 20 stalls of locally handmade
items including cards, knitwear,
wooden items, jewellery, textiles,
photography, homemade cakes and
some unusual items as well.
Opening times will be 9.30am to
2pm and admission will be free
although a donation for Macmillan
Cancer Care and Support would be
appreciated.
Refreshments with homemade
cakes, savouries and hot lunches
will be served by the Thetford
based charity ASD - Helping Hands
who are there for adults and
children in the Norfolk area living
with Autism. Please come and have
a coffee or lunch and support this
good cause.
If you require any further
information please call 07776
364456 or e-mail
Crafts Market at the Queens Hall
Collecting for Christian Aid week in Watton on May 15th.
We hope to have full results in next month’s Wayland News.
The Wayland News Page 6 News
The role of Breckland Council’s Economic
Development Service is to actively support
local businesses to encourage the creation of
jobs and boost the local economy. But what
does that mean to the local businesses and
people of Wayland?
Due to the pending improvements to the A11
trunk road between Barton Mills and
Thetford, the A11 corridor in Norfolk and
more specifically; the towns of Thetford,
Attleborough and Wymondham, have been
recognised as growth areas.
What this means is that local government
concentrate much of their resources and
effort to projects associated with housing and
employment growth in this area and this is
reflected in their policies and strategies for
the future.
As a result of this, Breckland Council’s Core
Strategy states that there will be 10,000 new
homes developed in Thetford and
Attleborough and just over 1,000 in the rest
of the district up to the year 2026.
Breckland’s Economic Development Service
work on a number of business support
projects across the district, and although
there are a number of growth and
regeneration projects that are focussed on the
A11 growth areas, the service are still
making a significant impact on the rural
areas with a number of business support
projects and programmes that have benefited
and continue to benefit the businesses and
communities in Wayland.
The Economic Development Service has
successfully bid for £3m from the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to
deliver the REV ACTIVE project across East
Anglia which actively supports SMEs in
Breckland helping improve their resource
efficiency by reducing carbon emissions and
cutting costs.
REV ACTIVE has over 800 businesses on
the network so far with 271 of them
receiving one to one specialist advice and
guidance on their resource efficiency.
Amongst those businesses, over £2.5m of
savings and over 12,000 tonnes of Carbon
savings have been identified. The project
has also offered over £130,000 worth of
grants to assist businesses with their
improvements.
Of the 91 businesses in Breckland that
REV ACTIVE has directly supported, 10
are from the Wayland area where the
project has identified over £55,000 of cash
savings and has so far offered over £5,000
worth of grants to help with improving
businesses’ resource efficiency. The
project has also highlighted over £30,000
worth of potential fines that businesses in
Wayland have been able to avoid through
making minor changes to their business.
Breckland’s Economic Development Service
has also worked on a number of other
projects specifically in Wayland over the
past 5 years, including:
Holding a place on the Wayland Academy
Management Board and subsequently
awarding £10,000 of funding to the
building and development of the Academy.
Following the closure of Plaswood
Products in Watton, the Economic
Development Service worked closely with
the people effected by putting on a Jobs
Fair and offering them interview and CV
writing skills training.
The service fund and help support Schools
programmes including “Young Enterprise”
for year 6 pupils in Thompson, Watton
Junior and Rocklands Schools which puts
on activity days focussing on trade and
commerce and the difference in economies
across the world. The service also fund
NWES to deliver “WOW”; an activity day
with year 10 pupils to introduce them to
the world of work and we are hoping to
roll this out to schools in the area.
The Breckland Local Independent Shops
Stars (BLISS) project worked with 23
Wayland shops to help encourage shoppers
to use their local shops and they were able
to vote for their favourite local shop.
The Breckland Enterprise and Learning
Account (BELA) has awarded 22 Wayland
businesses with a grant of up to £500 to
help with training, professional services,
equipment or IT upgrades. There is still
BELA funding available and the service
are currently bidding for more money to
extend the fund so that more businesses are
able to benefit.
The Economic Development Service
continues to fund Norfolk and Waveney
Enterprise Services to deliver specialist
one-to-one pre-start up support for
businesses and this is available for
Wayland businesses.
In addition to this, the Economic
Development Service continues to provide
an effective signposting service which means
that businesses looking for specialist
business support can contact the team and be
confident that if the service cannot help
directly then the business will be put in
contact with the most appropriate and helpful
source of support that is available in the area.
The Economic Development Service also act
as a broker for businesses and individuals
that require assistance in communicating
effectively with other Council departments
such as Planning or Environmental Health,
and have often ensured that a more
constructive relationship is established.
There are a number of other very interesting
projects that are currently being developed
by the Economic Development Service that
will have a significant impact on the
businesses and residents of Wayland.
Michael Wassell, Deputy Leader of
Breckland Council, Executive Member for
Finance & Democratic Services, Chairman
of Watton Town Council and Town Mayor
said: “It is no secret that there is a great deal
of effort and resource attributed to the
growth of the A11 corridor, however, it is
encouraging to know that Breckland’s
Economic Development Service are
supportive of the Wayland area and still
make a significant impact on many Wayland
businesses. It is important that we as
Wayland residents and businesses work
closely with our business support providers
to help shape projects and programmes and
to most importantly keep aware of what
support is available.”
The Breckland Economic Development
Service is always on hand to offer support
and guidance to any Breckland business
and will always work with them to help
achieve their goals or to broker any other
communication with the council.
Breckland Council alongside other
business support providers in the area are
working hard to develop ideas and to
deliver the right kind of support for local
businesses. The Economic Development
Service encourage businesses to contact us
if they have any constructive comments or
ideas that might help us shape the way we
support businesses in the future.
Mark Kiddle-Morris, Executive Member for
Assets and Strategic Development said: “The
current economic climate is in decline,
however the economic future of Breckland
looks bright and it is important for Wayland
businesses to harness opportunities and work
with the Economic Development Service to
realise the aspirations of local entrepreneurs,
business people and the young people to help
secure their economic future.”
For more information please contact the
Economic Development Service on 01362
656808 or email
What does Breckland Economic
Development Service do for Wayland?
June at Watton
Country Market As I write in the middle of May it is hard to
realize that June is just around the corner.
No planting done yet because the ground has
just been too wet to work, but hopefully by
June it will have dried out and our plant
producers will be in full swing with an
abundant variety of plants, both decorative
and edible, to tempt you. Our cooks continue
to produce delicious cakes, pastries and
savouries: have you tried our newest line -
Viennese whirls? Fresh eggs are on sale
every week as are knitted goods, greetings
cards, jewellery, bags and small quilts.
We also have jams, marmalade, chutneys
and honey on sale and all from local
producers.
You can be assured of a warm welcome on
any Wednesday morning between 8.30 and
11.30 a.m. at the Watton Christian
Community Centre.
Market is in the front hall and coffee is
served by our Methodist friends in the rear
hall throughout the morning. If you wish to
leave market purchases under our counters
while you go back for a coffee please ask:
we are glad to give this service. Our
producers are also happy to accept special
order whether for a knitted garment, special
greetings card or a birthday cake - just ask
at the appropriate stall. While cooks and
card makers can usually respond to your
requests with only one week's notice the
knitters and other crafters may need longer
so do please allow sufficient time for your
order to be filled.
Diabetes UK Our meeting in May was both an informal
and informative Coffee & Chat occasion,
where our members were able to have more
of a chat to each other than they would
normally do when we have a speaker.
Several matters were also discussed, some
more in depth than others, and although Rod
was without his usual sparring partner, but
he still managed to make his presence
known!
The meeting in June will be on the 11th, at
10.15am, and our speaker will be Cheryl
Mckay who is a Health Trainer. She will not
be making us do exercises, but will be
talking about small healthier lifestyle
changes that we could incorporate into our
daily lives.
The meeting will be at the Pentecostal
Church, whom we thank for the generous
use of their facilities, and is open to people
who have Diabetes and the people who care
for them.
If you come to the Watton Carnival on June
10th, please come and say hello, meet some
of the people in the group and if you have
any questions about us, we will try to answer
them. Looking forward to seeing you.
FRIENDS OF CASTON C.E. V.A. PRIMARY SCHOOL
SUMMER BINGO THURSDAY 5th, JULY 2012 at
CASTON SCHOOL EYES DOWN AT 7 P.M.
GREAT PRIZES FINAL GAME FOR BIG MONEY (to date we have given £140.00
prize money in final game)
~Everyone Welcome ~
The Wayland News Page 7 Advertising
This month the club held its 31st Birthday Supper at the Queen’s Hall,
with President Stella Leonard welcoming special guests, District
Chairman, Deidre Griffin and her husband, Tom, the Rotary District
Governor, and Rotary President, Andrew Barford and his wife, Karen.
Candles were lit celebrating Inner Wheel Past, Present and Future, and
members who are no longer with us were remembered. The guest
speaker for the evening was Simon White from Peter Beales Roses,
who gave a very informative talk on the A-Z of roses, using slides to
illustrate their beauty and diversity. Inner Wheel members from other
Inner Wheel clubs as well as Watton, together with partners, then
enjoyed a superb buffet supplied by members.
Our annual Strawberry Tea will be held on Tuesday, 12th June at 30,
Thetford Road, from 2 - 4pm. The £3 entrance will include your
strawberries and cream and shortbread and cake, and there will be the
usual stalls of books, cakes, plants etc. All profits will go to Hope and
Homes for Children and Sightsavers. Please note it is on a Tuesday this
year, not our usual Thursday. We hope to see you there!
Jenny Simons. Club Correspondent.
Golden Wedding Anniversary
Mick and Lilian Clarke of Saham Toney who celebrated their Golden Wedding
Anniversary with family and friends at the Wells Cole Community Centre.
Donations of £170 in lieu of presents were for Wayland First Response.
We are lucky to have such thoughtful
and kind children here at Great
Hockham. Through their school forum
the children have discussed ideas for
events and activities, but also looked at
the cost implications. The children
went away and thought about what
they could do to support their school.
Bradley Green from Violets Class
(year 4) has decided to raise money by
pushing himself to the limits and
swimming a mile. This is 64 lengths of
the big pool at Thetford Leisure
Centre. The pool has been very kind in
allowing Bradley to use a lane for free
to tackle this challenge, which he will
undertake on Sunday 20th May. We
would love as many people as possible
to help him raise money.
If you would like to help Bradley and
support our school I ask that you
sponsor him. If you would like to,
please contact the school office on
01953 498302 to donate or sponsor his
effort, we would love to hear from you.
Alternatively, e-mail Mrs. Sarah Jones
(School Administrator)
As the new headteacher to the school I
am so proud of the efforts of the
children here. I hope to spread our
news so that everyone can share in
what incredible children we have here!
Young Fundraiser at Great
Hockham Primary School
The Inner Wheel
Club of Watton
Lorraine and Paul McCarthy would like to thank everyone
who sent cards, beautiful presents and joined them to
celebrate their Golden Wedding at a party in the Gallery Bar,
at the Sports Centre. Thank you all for making the evening
so special. They met 52 years ago whilst Paul was serving
with the Royal Air Force at Watton and Lorraine was
secretary to Officer Commanding Flying Wing. Paul was the
Town Mayor 4 years ago and they both continue to be
members of Watton Town Council. They are President and
Vice President of Watton United Football Club and The
Chairman and Secretary of Watton Sports Centre. They have
travelled the world during their 50 years together and hope
to continue to do so.
Lorraine and Paul’s
Golden Wedding Thanks
News The Wayland News Page 8
As I write it is half way through the week of
our annual exhibition, this year Quilts 5. We
opened on Saturday 12th May, one of the
few sunny mornings so far this month. To
say we were overwhelmed would be an
exaggeration but we were busy, starting with
a lady from Glamorgan Quilters, followed
by the dramatic arrival of some half a dozen
Ferraris. Their entry into the car park made
us wonder if there was a local rally about
which we knew nothing. It was remarked
that whatever they were doing it wouldn’t be
visiting us, how wrong we were. The cars
brought several couples from Yorkshire,
having a day out in Norfolk culminating in a
boat trip and lunch but one lady, having seen
us advertised in a Quilting magazine, had
requested that they first find Watton. In they
all came, male and female. The morning
continued with a steady stream of Norfolk
visitors some from further afield and others
just dropping in whilst doing the weekend
shopping. Sales and donations did well and
comments were all favourable, there is a
strong suspicion that the good weather
helped to bring the punters, especially those
in vintage Ferraris.
It has been a very active few weeks for the
Hackers not only with preparations and
finishing projects for the Exhibition but also
a return visit from Amanda Hall from
Monkey Buttons for a second workshop on
26th April. Some members worked on bags
started last year with Amanda, several of
which are on show and one has even been
generously donated for our bag draw. Others
began new projects including wall hangings.
It was another very enjoyable day.
On 26th June a member will be
demonstrating the making of fabric mouse.
We do try to produce a varied programme.
As a group we are taking over the collection
and distribution of local quilts made for
Project Linus which is so dear to our hearts.
Meanwhile we continue to meet on the 2nd
and 4th Tuesdays of each month apart from
August from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Christian
community centre in Watton High Street.
For information ring Jane on 01953 884215
or look at our Blog on
http://htsqgroup.blogspot.com
Quilts 5 & Hackers, Tackers and Stuffers
Forty six members and friends have recently
returned from a five day holiday to North
Wales as part of the Watton U3As tenth
anniversary celebrations. The group stayed
in Llandudno and enjoyed good weather for
the organised trips on the Ffestiniog and
Welsh Highland railways, canal boat over
the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, St Asaph
Cathedral, and to the summit of Snowdon.
The winner of the holiday quiz set on the
return journey were Susan Page and
Rosemary Kline who won on the tie break
mileage question from Anita and Keith
Taylor with all scoring seventeen points.
The monthly meeting in May was the
official tenth anniversary celebration of the
foundation of Watton U3A. A full report in
next month’s paper.
At the April meeting presentations were
made to retiring committee members Ken
Philips and Rita Hellard in appreciation of
their valuable help in taking Watton U3A
forward over the past years. We are pleased
to welcome new member Jean Loynes who
will be leading a Classical Music Group. For
further details contact Jean on 01953882635.
A few seats are available for the
Cambridgeshire tour with Mike Petty on
Wednesday 4th July. Tickets are £22 each
and include Ploughman’s lunch at the
Bridge Hotel at Clayhithe. The next
Garden Visit Group meeting is on Sunday
17th June to Manor House Farm at
Wellingham which is between Swaffham
and Fakenham. For further details contact
Susan on 01953881373.
Next venue for the popular Pub Luncheon
Group is The Crown Inn at Great Ellingham
on Thursday 14th June.
The next monthly meeting is on Thursday 28th
June with speaker David Morton presenting
“The History of Buckingham Palace”.
For further information on the National U3A
go to www.u3a.org
Watton & District University of The Third Age (U3A)
Angela and Lyndia held a ‘Delicious Cake
Break’ on Saturday 12th May in Ovington
Village Hall to raise money for The MS
Society. There were lots of delicious
homemade cakes to enjoy with a cup of
coffee or tea. By 10.15 the hall was
buzzing with people who were drinking
tea or coffee and chatting with friends and
family and also enjoying all the
homemade cakes. There was also a Raffle,
Cake Stall and a Bring and Buy Stall
which all caused a lot of interest. The cake
stall groaned under the weight of so many
homemade cakes and preserves, but by the
end of the morning the table was empty.
The Bring and Buy was also very busy.
There were a lot of beautiful raffle prizes
which had all been donated and a lot of
tickets were sold.
I would like to thank my friends for
helping Lyndia and I to make it such a
successful event. With their help we have
raised £412.41 for the charity.
“Cake Break” Fund Raiser for the MS Society
News The Wayland News Page 9
Come and Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
on Sunday 3rd June A Celebration Service at St Mary’s Church, Watton at 10am followed by a Big
Jubilee Lunch with fun, food and games.
On Thursday 19th April, 2nd (RAF) Watton
Brownies returned after a two week break for
the Easter holidays to start working towards
their Circus Skills badge: they made their own
juggling balls using rice and balloons, made
paper plate clown faces, learnt how to use an
array of circus equipment: stilt, juggling,
balancing and finished off the first eveing by
having their face's painted. They continued on
Thursday 26th April: pretending they were
part of a circus being clowns and circus
animals (picture enclosed) then practicing their
new skills, they finished off the excitement
with a trip to see the Russells International
Circus on Sunday afternoon (picture above),
with the help and support from Amanda and
Michelle who assisted Snowy Owl for the
afternoon, a big thank you ladies. Well done
girls, you have worked really hard for this
badge and have been true stars.
As a Brownie pack we meet every Thursday
evening, in term time at
6.15- 7.45pm, at the Blenheim Center, Teddar
Close, Watton. If you are interested in helping
or have a daughter aged 7- 10 years who
would like to attend please contact Margaret
on 01953 882992. We also operate a waiting
list for girls under 7 who are keen to attend.
2nd Watton (RAF) Brownies Work
towards their Circus Skills Badge
Raising Money at Rocklands
Rocklands School are trying to raise money for the ShelterBox charity,
which sends emergency tents and equipment to disaster zones across the
world. The children came up with the novel idea of getting parents and
family to sponsor them to learn some really challenging classical poems.
They worked on them over the Easter holiday, and have raised an
astonishing £445 to date. Their recitations were so good that they
decided to share them with parents in a school assembly, and charge an
entry fee so that even more would go into the ShelterBox fund! It was a
huge success and the school would like to thank all the children for their
hard work and all those who sponsored and supported them. We are
aiming to raise a total of £590. Our federated school, Great Ellingham
Primary, are also raising money for ShelterBox.
A moment
remembered By Edith Pleasance
As children we were lucky in our
choice of places to play outdoors. The
road outside our house was safe
enough but further afield was ‘Hele
plain’, an acre or so of open grassland
with plenty of trees to climb and even
a rocky escarpment to attack. Here,
though, we had to be a bit careful as
the plain was bordered far below by a
working quarry, with no fence or
hedge to keep us from tumbling to our
doom! When we were charged with
‘looking after the baby’ then our
recreation would amount to pushing
her pram to the town cemetery
situated just at the end of our road. I
guess we got to know most of the
tombs and graves to be able to recite
their epitaphs by heart. Especially
important was the marble Singer
family vault, to our minds resembling
a miniature Taj Mahal.
Rarely did we go to a park, although
the town boasted a fair few. One of
these occasions I have cause to
remember as our mother made one of
her few sorties out of our area and
took us to Carey Park, about a mile’s
walk from our home. As the eldest
child, to my delight and surprise,
Mum heeded my pleas to visit a fun
fair set up in a nearby field. She did
not want to walk any further and sent
me off on my own, with the usual
cautions not to get lost and handed me
the magnificent sum of twopence to
spend on anything I liked. Used as I
was to the odd ha’penny to spend on
sweets or chips I felt as rich as our
King on his throne.
My dilemma then was how to make
the best use of these riches. Arriving
at the fair I weighed up the options,
should I spend both pennies on a ride
on the horse merry-go-round or,
purchase a greyhound ticket from the
stall praying that the electric boards
where the names of the dogs flashed
continually would stop on mine? Or,
an even greater temptation, go to the
rubber ring stall and try to trap one of
the magical gifts atop the staves on
which they were temptingly arranged?
I discounted the coconut shy as I had
never been much good at throwing –
my failure to make the netball team at
school was proof of that.
The decision was finally made by this
eleven-year-old. Remember the stalls
where pennies were rolled down a
wooden slide hopefully to land on a
selection of numbers? These went
from one to four and if your money
cleared any of the lines in between
then you won the return of not only
your own penny but the number of
coins it had landed on also. My mind
was made up, the roll-a-penny game
beckoned. Lining up a shute I
cautiously rolled one of my precious
coins. It gathered pace and hit the
counter where it rolled around before
landing fair and square on a line!
Disappointment hit, but I still had
another penny and after giving it some
consideration decided to once more
try my luck. Down the slide travelled
my precious remaining coin taking a
long long time to roll towards the
back of the counter where, to my
sheer delight it settled down on a
figure three! The man in charge,
with a roll of pennies in his hand,
tossed back my coin and flipped
three more towards me. I now held
the princely sum of fourpence in my
hot little hand!
I don’t recall hesitating to consider
building up my riches, instead I
thanked the man politely and hi-
tailed it straight back to Mum,
who was surprised and delighted
to receive back the capital she
had laid out a short while before.
I had doubled her investment
and created two happy souls.
Also, I have always remembered
that I instinctively knew the time
to quit - that is when I was
winning. It is a motto that I have
tried to apply to the rest of my
life, although not an easy one to
live up to.
---o0o---
Edith Pleasance © 09.05.12
The Wayland News Page 10 Advertising
Getting in the spirit
The young florists of Caston School arrange delightfully for Caston Church's
flower rota! The theme being . . . our Queen's Diamond Jubilee of course!
JUBILEE JAZZ 2012
The Dixiemix Jazz Band
will be performing in Bradenham together with a Hog Roast on Saturday 14th July 2012
in aid of Friends of St Andrew’s Church and their aim of repairing the
stained glass windows
to be held in the garden of the Old Rectory, Bradenham. there will be pre-dinner nibbles, a
bar and an excellent raffle. So bring your friends and their chairs and perhaps dance the
night away!
Garden opens at 6pm
ALL FOR ONLY £17.50 PER PERSON book tickets by phoning
Lavinia Rix on 01362 820349
We have mentioned our
RotaBoard project in this column
on a number of occasions and,
having applied for a grant through
our District to help finance the
updated scheme, we were
delighted to receive £400 from
Rotary International’s worldwide
charity: The Rotary Foundation.
To receive international backing
for our local initiative recognises
the contribution these boards bring
to the local community. Twelve
infant, nursery and junior schools
in the local area, plus Wayland
Academy, participate in the
scheme by mounting samples or
themes of their pupil’s work in the
boards, which are then displayed
in places where the public can
view them, rather than in the
schools themselves.
The displays are of a very high
standard and have been
commented upon by our District
Governor, Tom Griffin, an
academic and lawyer. He was
particularly impressed by the
display produced by Rocklands
Community Primary School telling
the story of a visit to La Boheme at
the Theatre Royal, Norwich, which
included a backstage tour. This
RotaBoard, sponsored by Aspect
Roofing, can be seen in the
Queens Hall, together with one
entitled ‘Aliens’ showing the work
of very young children at Watton
Westfield Infants and Nursery
School.
Other boards may be seen at the
Sports Centre, Hansell Dental
Surgery and Linden Court. All
these organisations are thanked for
their support, and offers from other
potential venues will be most
welcome. We are in the process of
marking the boards with Rotary
insignia and sponsors’ names. A
number of businesses and
individuals, including members of
our club, have sponsored boards,
and with the Foundation grant a
significant amount of the initial cost
of the boards has been found. Any
business or individual who would
like to support local schools and
their children though our RotaBoard
scheme can do so by sponsoring a
board for one year for £50.
Dr Mike Harvey, who is taking over
chairmanship of our Projects
Committee, will be pleased to
receive offers of display venues or
sponsorship. Contact him by email:
telephone: 01362 820160 or through
our website
www.wattonrotary.org.uk
A reminder that next month sees the
return of our Tractor Run. For entry
forms and information call Charles
Hewson on 01362 693041 or 07941
126977, or email
A few tickets are still available for
the “Rave On” tribute to Buddy
Holly concert on Sunday 3rd June.
It’s a great opportunity to see a
performance which is every bit as
good as the professional “Buddy
Holly” touring groups; don’t miss
the show, which includes a
vignette by the “Ronnettes” doo-
wop girls. We hope to have a
rather special pre-show video, for
which the doors and bar will open
at 2pm. one hour before the
performance. This show is Watton
Rotary’s contribution to the
Diamond Jubilee celebrations;
Buddy Holly was ate the forefront
of Rock & Roll in the 1950s prior
to his untimely death in 1959.
Watton Rotary Roundup
On Saturday 23rd June, 2-5pm A
traditional summer fete for all the
family to enjoy!
You are warmly invited to come along
to the Stow Bedon & Breckles village
fete on Saturday 23rd June between 2
and 5pm. We are very fortunate that
we are able to hold the fete, as last
year, in the lovely grounds of Stow
Bedon Hall, Lower Stow Bedon. –
situated off the B1111, 5 miles south
of Watton (it will be well signposted
on the day).
We are delighted to announce that
RAZZ and AUNTIE PEARL, the
official NORWICH CITY MATCH
DAY CLOWNS will be back with us
again this year, to amuse and entertain
one and all.
In addition to the clowns, there will be
lots to entertain you throughout the
afternoon, from listening to a jazz
band, browsing through the book stall,
taking your chances in the Crossbar
Challenge, having your face painted,
admiring the vintage cars on display,
or simply enjoying afternoon tea and
homemade cake! Other stalls include
crafts and produce, bottles, tombola,
bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, lucky dip
and ice cream.
A variety of traditional games will be
available for you to try your hand. The
village stocks will also be available!
The children from Caston primary
school will be providing some
entertainment.
Admission Free!
Organised in aid of Stow Bedon and
Breckles Churches and other local
charities, We look forward to seeing
you there!
Stow Bedon & Breckles Fete
The
Ovington
Crower Dint I say as sune as tha ole cownsil
sed we wos runnin short o’ warta,
thet wud hoss down wi rearn evra
day fer tha parst weeks. Cor blarst
tha ole grownd is suffin wet, Horry
he sez he’s hatter put a grate pile o’
mowld oova his teartas, to stop ‘em
flootin away.
I say to him I say, “Yew duzzy ole
fule you allus mowld up yar teartas
evra year” “Well yis” he say “But
this years diffrunt” “How cum?” I
arskt. “Cos thet is” he say “Evra year
is diffrunt to tha larst wun”
Yew carnt argyew with tha ole fule,
cos heel sware black is white an yew
can git fed up tew tha back teeth wi
tryin tew change his mind.
I see we’re gitten sum more o’ tha
ole winmills, hoop tha wind dunt
blew tew hard or else we shall hatter
tie tha hole willage down afore we
gits tuk orf like an airyplane.
I gotta hand it tew tha ole parish
cowncil thar pullin owt orl tha stops
tew meark sure we orl havva gret ole
do fer the Queens celarbrashuns nex
munth. Tha ole chairmun he reckon
thet ont corst us eny munny and orl
tha grub an singun is free. Sownd a
bit fishy tew me I reckun we shall
hefta kip an eye on tha rearts, sorry,
cowncil tax, nex year, cos they ent
nivver dun suffin fer nuffin afore.
Horry he say his gunna git up the ole
horl arly cos thars a whoole pig a
bein roosted and he sez he dunt
wanta miss owt on tha best bits. I
tolled him he will hafta bring his
own beer cos tha hawl hent got a
lisense fer sellin booze, cor blarst he
hulled his ole cap on tha floor an
jumped on it, he was suffin rore
abowt thet, “Tha ole Chairman is
torkin a lode o’ squit, he say thas orl
free, wos he meen “bring yer own
beer” cor he woont no tha trooth
iffen it bit his backside, duzzy ole
fule, shant voot fer him no more”
Horry nivva voot any ole how, soo
thet ont meark a lotta diffrunce.
I hev nootised tha peeple up tha rood
hev set a whool lotta chrismus trees,
I shall hafta kip an eye on them, cos
cum a year or tew sumonnem’ll dew
fer the horl an Chuch wen we hev
ower festivtees, rekkun thas rite kind
o’ them to think onnus.
Torkin o’ tha soolar panels, it seems
ter me that’ll be a help tew tha ole
willage horl to git a bit o lectric free,
cos the week arta the joobly
celarbrashuns is the willage fete, an
orl tha cuppsa tea the ole mawthars
meark will git tha ole panels a
warkin oovatime tew kip tha ole
kittles a bilin.
Well I shall hatta goo an cover my
teartas up cos
thet look like a
frorst owtside.
Fare yew well
tergither, an
dew yew kip a
troshin.
Boy Sid
NELSON’S JOURNEY
A charity that supports children and young people of Norfolk who have
experienced a close bereavement
BRECKLAND
HARMONY together with
The West End Waiters
compered by Carol Bundock
Will be giving a concert
MUSIC AND MEMORIES
OF THE 1960s and 1970s
at St. Mary’s Church, Watton
on Saturday July 14th at 7pm
All proceeds will go to Nelson’s Journey
News The Wayland News Page 11
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
To ask a question about the Norfolk’s Wildlife please call the Norfolk Wildlife Information Service. Wildline 01603 598333 9am - 5pm Mon - Fri.
E-mail [email protected] Website http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturalconnections
Further details and Membership enquiries 01953 498467 Local group E-mail: [email protected]
Wednesday 13th June, 6.30pm-8.00pm. A guided walk with NWT Reserve Manager Darrell Stevens. Venue NWT East Wretham Heath car park off A1075. Cost: Members/Non members £2 Donation
A Quick Look
Round . . . By Orbiter
One of the most cheering items of
news this last month is that Tesco are
not proposing any new major stores,
since their profits have dropped to only
2.6 billion pounds, though of course
they will continue to expand their
smaller outlets. In my humble opinion
all applications for new supermarkets
should be thrown out, since there are
quite enough of these places in
existence already. This may suggest
that I m a hypocrite, since I use them
quite frequently myself (as well as
local shops where appropriate), but
they make enough profit without the
need for further expansion, to the
detriment of small traders. Surely 2.6
billion is enough!
Some parts of the country recently had
local elections, and all the main parties
complained about the low turn-out of
voters, even to the extent of reviving
the proposal that voting should become
compulsory. That seems reasonable at
first glance, but could it real1y work?
Even if everyone could be forced to
attend the polling station, could they be
relied upon to vote sensibly?
While moaning about the small
attendance at the polls, perhaps M.P.s
should examine their own attendance
at the House of Commons. How often
do we see television scenes showing
our representatives bringing up some
important point, with just a couple of
others, plus the Speaker, in the
Chamber!
But our parliamentary ways are always
rather puzzling. Take speeches, for
instance.
The Prime Minister is due to give a
speech somewhere, but in the morning
newspapers we are told what he is
going to say later that day. What’s the
point of him making the speech if we
know in advance what he intends to
say ? The Budget used to be a secret
known only to the Chancellor, but now
we are told in advance what the main
points will be. A few years ago we
would all be on tenterhooks waiting for
such announcements as ‘cigarettes are
to go up by 3 pence from midnight’,
when every smoker would hare round
to the nearest tobacconists to stock up.
Or similar tidings about petrol would
cause immense queues at every fuel
outlet. Now we are told that tax on
petrol will increase in August and
every subsequent August, so the
surprise is taken away!
Of course the Chancellor is under
immense pressure to reap in taxes, and
enormous amounts of his energies
have been spent on trying to recover
taxes avoided by the rich, which have
reached ridiculous proportions. But
surely the problem lies not with the
tycoons who are getting away with it,
but with the stupid tax laws
themselves, which in many cases are
beyond even the revenue authorities to
understand. When tax was originally
introduced it was fairly
straightforward, but as various
anomalies were revealed, more and
more exemptions were granted, until
we are told that the tax regulations now
cover over 1600 sheets, so if loopholes
exist, who can blame businessmen
who exploit them ?
A report last month suggested that
several million pounds are owed in
unpaid bail, which is due to the courts.
Perhaps I am out of touch with the
world, but I have always understood
that when a defendant was granted
bail, this money would have to be
produced before freedom was granted.
So how come the shortfall?
As usual, we are complaining (rightly)
about the price of petrol, although as I
write this there has been a slight fall
from the peak of 147.9 which obtained
a few weeks back) and this has brought
to mind the days when a gallon cost
only a few shillings and petrol stations
actually touted for our business by
offering (up to) triple Green Shield
Stamps on our purchases, or even a
useful glass tumbler for every few
pounds spent. But we still moaned
about the price, even then!
Now I will return to a point I made a
couple of years ago in this column
regarding food supplied by pubs and
restaurants. When we were younger
most of us liked nothing better than a
great plate piled high with food, but as
we get older our appetites tend to
diminish with each passing year. Thus
we oldies are apt to ask the waitress if
we may have smaller portions. In
many cases the reply is that ‘Sorry
that’s the way the chef sets it out’, or
else our request is simply ignored
completely.
An overloaded plate can be most off-
putting to the senior citizen, who does
not like to leave too much uneaten,
with the result that he does his best,
meaning that he has no room for the
dessert, which is usually the most
desired item on the menu.
Thus the caterer has to forfeit the sale
of the sweet course, which is usually
the most profitable part of the meal,
which is hardly the sensible way to run
a business.
So if any food providers read this,
please… please… if we ask for smaller
portions we aren’t just being fussy, we
really mean it.
Those of us who are life-long followers
of football will have been horrified that
the F.A. Cup Final this year had a kick-
off time of 5.15 p.m. This match has
been an institution for over a hundred
years, and Cup Final afternoon has
always been the highlight of the year.
While it is true that interest in the
competition has diminished in recent
years, it seems sad that decisions
regarding it have been made with no
regard to football itself, but merely
because television companies
reckoned they could make a bit more
money. What will happen at the
Olympics? Will some TV channel
decide that the pole vault will be
more popular in Australia or
somewhere, so it will take place at
midnight?
In our own local paper over the last
years, any letters received from the
public have almost always been in
support of a
skateboard park, but it
seems that no-one can
agree on a suitable
site. A glance at my
dictionary tells me
that skateboarding is a
sport, so am I wrong
in thinking that the
appropriate venue
would be the Sports
Centre?
Well, I only asked!
Free Hearing
Checks
Does everybody around you appear to
speak quietly? Are you struggling to
hear conversations in busy places? Is
your hearing affecting your enjoyment
of social occasions? Do you fail to hear
your door bell or telephone ringing?
Loss or deterioration in hearing could
be due to something as simple as
excessive earwax or an infection but a
more long term change could be due to
a number of factors. Almost 9 million
adults in the UK have a hearing loss.
For some it is just a factor of ageing.
However modern lifestyles mean that
people are also experiencing the effects
of hearing loss earlier in life.
Factors such as prolonged and repeated
exposure to noise can damage your
hearing. This can be caused by working
in a noisy environment, listening to
personal music players or spending
time in noisy nightclubs and bars.
Hearing loss generally occurs gradually
so it can take a long time for people to
realise there is a problem.
Hearing, like your eyesight is a vital
sense that affects every aspect of your
life. We readily have our eyes checked
and vision corrected with glasses or
contact lenses. Your hearing can be
easily helped with a simple set of
hearing aids. Modern hearing aids are
no longer the bulky and visually
obvious units that most of us think of.
Modern hearing aids are tiny in
comparison, neatly fitting in or around
the ear depending on what is needed.
These hearing aids are now stylish and
many come in a range of colours to suit
you.
Total Health Therapy in Watton, in
conjunction with national hearing care
experts, The Hearing Company, is
offering free hearing screening checks.
The hearing check is carried out in
private at the clinic in Watton and will
determine if there have been any
changes to your hearing. The service is
completely free to anybody who is
concerned about their hearing. If the
screening reveals a hearing loss, you
will be referred to our Hearing Aid
Dispenser (HAD) who will perform a
thorough examination of your ears and
chat to you about the options for
improving your hearing. The HAD is a
fully qualified professional registered
with the Health Professionals Council
(HPC)
It is important that everybody has the
health of their ears and their hearing
levels checked regularly so the next
time you book your eye appointment or
your annual dental appointment, pop in
to Total Health Therapy for a free
hearing check.
For more details Total Health Therapy
is at 8 Thetford Road, Watton or call
01953 886860
Great Hockham
Gardening Club On Wednesday 9th May our first outdoor venue
was to the John Innes Institute, Norwich. 10
members attended and although it was a small
group this was an advantage as we were taken
round by Mike Ambrose, Head of faculty, who
introduced us to a diverse range of aspects of the
centre. It was a very interesting evening and we
learnt a lot about genetics and the make-up of
plants and how they can benefit the consumer. The
best part was seeing the library of ancient books on
horticulture.
Horn Fair: Sunday 6th May was on a very cold and
damp day, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits as
we raised over £250 towards club funds for the
coming year. Thanks to everyone who helped out –
in preparation, with cakes for the teas, on the plant
and refreshment stall etc.
Huge thanks to the Bouchards for the allowing us
their facilities.
Our next Club meeting is on Wednesday 13th June
and is to the home of Jean and Andy Wagnerin
Thompson. Members only. Please bring as dish to
share and drinks. Time 7.30pm. Please contact me
for more details.
For more information or a lift to meetings, look us
up on our super website….
www.greathockhamgardeningclub.org.uk
Best Kept Garden Competition
At the end of June our judges will be walking
round the village with clipboards to determine
whose gardens warrant a second look at their
back gardens. A note will be put through your
letter box if we are coming back for a second
look in July.
Please do not be alarmed, make them welcome!
It is all part of the fun at our Flower and Vegetable
Show, when prizes and a prestigious trophy will be
awarded for the villages
‘Best Kept garden’ and ‘Best
Tubs/ hanging baskets.
Jane Dalton
Club Sec. 01953 498694
ROGER TURNER 07759 948 830 01953 881 382
The Wayland News Page 12 News
A Different Point
Of View By Ken Knowles
Everyone knows that Norfolk is flat, but there should be
the addition of the word ‘comparatively’ to that
statement, as the bulk of the county is anything but. Of
course the two sides, east and west, with the Broads on
one flank and the Fens on the other, are pancake shaped,
but the rest of the land puts a lie to the first statement.
Anyone who accepts the suggestion that the land about
us is flat should try to ride a bicycle from Watton to
Necton, say, via Saham Toney, and then see how they
feel about it.
The Norfolk hills may not be a patch on those in the
Lake District, the Cotswolds or the Yorkshire Dales, but
they nevertheless make our countryside as attractive as
anywhere, in its own way.
It is quite surprising how a change of elevation of only a
few feet can give such a different point of view. For
instance when we travel by car we see the surrounding
features quite easily, but should we choose to take a
coach we start to see things we never knew were there,
while from the top of a double-decker the change in
outlook is quite startling. Every extra few feet enhances
our range of vision and our enjoyment of our
surroundings, which is why excursions to the top of
church towers or other large buildings are so popular.
Though our local hills are quite small as hills go, they do
wonders for our appreciation of the landscape, enabling
really magnificent views such as can be enjoyed just
north of Little Palgrave Hall on the road from Sporle to
Newton, looking westwards over the valley to Castle
Acre, while in that village itself the road up to the Green
is as steep as one could wish for anywhere in the country.
Rather surprisingly an equally steep climb is available in
the west of the county, at Downham Market, as a walk
up the path to the church from the clock tower will
confirm.
Yes, a few feet of elevation can transform what might at
first glance appear to be the dullest places, and most
people, particularly those interested in walking, cannot
resist any opportunity to reach high points. For instance
most visitors to Llandudno cannot wait to climb the
Great Orme, the large rock formation that dominates the
town, and while Norfolk cannot offer such ‘peaks’,
equally inspiring views are offered on the high ridge that
parallels the north coast inland from Cley right round to
Sheringham. In fact one of our most impressive views is
from the top of the countryside above Salthouse, marked
on the survey map as ‘The Hangs’, from which a 360
degree prospect takes in not only the scenery down to the
sea, but inland over several miles, and on a clear summer
day this outlook could hardly be bettered.
Of course everyone who is lucky enough to live in a
house with one of these nice views is incensed when
anything is proposed that might change that outlook,
which is why every building application invariably
meets local opposition. Usually these days, in the
open country areas it is the threat of wind farms, but
it is lucky for us that three or four hundred years
back the landowners were so much in control that
they could build what they wished un-opposed,
otherwise the famous great Houses that we treasure
today would probably not have come into being.
Imagine the rumpus a plan to erect a 300- roomed
mansion in the prime position on the skyline today
would cause. Or even an old-style windmill, for that
matter.
Surprisingly, quite frequently when new erections
are mooted, against vigorous opposition, after they
have taken their place in the landscape they become
accepted, and sometimes even welcomed eventually.
This can even apply to buildings that in themselves
are eyesores. For instance, when one visits the Blue
John Caves near Castleton in Derbyshire, the
exciting climb to nearby Mam Tor gives a
magnificent view over the local terrain, which
includes the main landmark - a cement works, one
of the ugliest buildings imaginable, yet accepted as
an asset to the view.
And the tower at Broadway, in the heart of the
Cotswolds, must have caused a few arguments before
becoming the main attraction for miles around.
Luckily Norfolk is not afflicted by many eyesores,
apart from a few television transmitter masts, which are
not too annoying, and the Bacton gas terminal, so what
pleasant scenes the county can provide can mainly be
enjoyed in their own right, and when added to the
magnificent beaches, surely our county, in its own way,
can compete with anywhere in the country.
Did you
know . . . By Rosalie Davis Gibb
. . . Cormorants have increased
substantially in Britain since the
1970s, particularly at inland
waterways? Excellent for the
Cormorants but the downside is the
increase in damage to fisheries and
threat to fish stocks. Since these
large, almost prehistoric and rather
sinister looking water birds are
extremely good fishers, they
inevitably come into conflict with
anglers. (Fossil evidence of
Cormorants has been found from
the Middle Pleistocene era, about
500,000 years ago).
An estimated 7,500 pairs nest in the
UK, with 1,500 pairs nesting
inland. Of the 25,000 Cormorants
wintering in the UK, 10,00 winter
inland. Although often perceived as
seabirds, Cormorants are also
freshwater birds, with one species
in particular, Phalacrocorax carbo
sinensis, favouring inland breeding
sites, particularly in trees. Although
the coastal Cormorant,
Phalacrocorax carbo carbo,
normally nests on cliffs and
offshore islands, even these have
ventured inland during the last few
decades, possibly due to the
creation of many reservoirs and
quarries since the 1960s, often
stocked with fish, so providing an
ideal habitat.
Two species of Cormorants occur in
North West Europe – the Great
Cormorant and the Shag. ‘Shag’
refers to the bird’s crest, which the
British Cormorants lack.
Cormorants have always been
found in Britain and although
numbers have been controlled since
Medieval times, increase in
numbers is causing concern
amongst fishing and fisheries
fraternities, particularly since the
protected status of Cormorants in
the UK prevents any form of
culling. ‘Quite right’ say the
conservationists, concerned that any
widespread effort to control
numbers could threaten the
Cormorant’s conservation status.
Whereas Cormorants are resident
around almost the entire coast of
the British Isles, East Anglia is the
only coast visited only during the
summer months.
Should you be even remotely
interested as to where Cormorants
have been espied around Norfolk
and in particular around the
Wayland area, visit
www.cormorantwatch.org/ which
has nice little pictures of
Cormorants scattered all over it,
63,883 sightings when I had a look
on the 15th of May, 3 of which
were in the Wayland area. Should
you perchance see a Cormorant,
you can add your own sighting to
the map.
Since a Cormorant eats around 400-
500g (about one pound) of fish a
day, a sizeable flock could soon
dessimate fish stocks. A normal diet
would consist of fish between 5 and
15 cms (2 to 6 inches) long,
particularly roach, perch, rainbow
and brown trout. 40 cms (16 inches)
long fish and 60 cms (24 inches)
long eel have been recorded as
having been devoured.
Whilst on the subject of the size of
the fish a Cormorant can swallow,
you may have seen the TV advert
with the Japanese fisherman
complete with a Cormorant on a
pole, the Phalacrocorax capillatus,
or Japanese Cormorant, native from
Taiwan through Korea and Japan to
the Russian Far East. The Japanese
Cormorant, known as umiu (Sea
Cormorant) has been domesticated
by fishermen and used in a tradition
known in Japan as ukai, which can
be traced back 1,300 years. Feudal
Lords bestowed the honour of
‘Master-Cormorant-Fisherman’, or
‘Cormorant Fishermen of the
Imperial Household Agency’, a
hereditary title that is passed on
from father to son, affording the
fishermen privileges and promoting
Cormorant fishing. The Sea
Cormorants are caught and trained
to catch fish, primarily ayu
(sweetfish), which takes about 3
years. Hemp strings are tied around
the Cormorants’ throats to restrict
swallowing so that only small fish
can be swallowed and partly
swallowed larger fish can be
retrieved by the fisherman, although
sometimes fish are also
regurgitated. These days, ukai is
only found in the city of Gifu on the
Nagara river, at night, between 11th
of May and 15th October, except
when the river level is high and
during the Harvest Moon (the
nearest full moon to the Autumn
Equinox, when the centre of the sun
is in the same plane as the Earth’s
equator), having evolved from a
means to live, to a profitable
industry to the present day tourist
attraction. Three Master-Cormorant
-Fishermen man each 13 metre
long, pine board boat, each with a
flaming beacon in a basket on the
end of a pole at the bow, reflected
in the water, which must be a
beautiful, magical, memorable
sight.
Because cormorant fishing is part of
the Imperial Household, the Nagara
has become a protected river,
ensuring it is kept clean and
healthy, allowing cormorant fishing
to continue. The birds have become
such a part of Japanese lore, that
they have given rise to the
expression unomi, to ‘swallow
whole like a cormorant’ or ‘accept
without questions’, because they
can swallow fish whole without
choking on the scales. Following a
centuries old tradition, the first
sweetfish of the season are still sent
to the Imperial Household Agency
today and Royal Viewings for
members of the Imperial Household
are held eight times a year.
Cormorant fishing is also carried
out in China using River
Cormorants, smaller than Sea
Cormorants, and, apparently, hot
tempered and more difficult to
capture! Cormorant fishing is also
an ancient tradition in Macedonia,
especially on Dojran Lake in the
South Eastern part of the country,
where it is still practiced today by
some traditional fishermen. In
Western Europe, cormorant fishing
took place briefly from the 16th to
17th centuries, primarily in England
and France. Though the fishing
method was similar to those used in
Japan and China, the European
method was developed
independently and more closely
related to falconry.
Most people’s immediate image of
a Cormorant is of a large black bird
with wings outstretched, apparently
having a preen! However, there is a
very good reason for this, but what
is it? Answer in the July issue.
News The Wayland News Page 13
Watton Ballroom
Dancing Association
Queen’s Hall, Watton
8 to 11.00
Admission £3.50
Saturday 2nd June
Saturday 7th July
Mike 01953 882799
So here we are in flaming June. Or
maybe not. The drought-driven
hosepipe ban certainly took off in April
(the wettest on record) and the first half
of May. We also had frosts and
hailstorms, sometimes on the same
day. Despite all this I am still amazed
that plants continue to grow however
badly they are treated. The only thing
that seems to faze them is shortage of
water so we are back to the draconian
measures taken by the suppliers of the
essential supply, based on a
monopolistic system. We are even
being told that the hosepipe ban will
last until the end of this year, maybe
longer. When asked about their
unacceptable leakage rate we are
blackmailed by being told that if we
want the leaks fixed the rates will go
up. This from companies that make
billions of pounds profit and dish out
huge bonuses to Australian and
Canadian bankers. Write to your MP!!
Supposing we have a normal June
there will be lots to do as this is the
month the first veg start coming up to
harvest, to be followed by successional
sowing. I will get it right one of these
days! The flowers are showing signs of
the bounty to follow either late this
month or into July. I am particularly
thinking about roses and large
flowered clematis. There used to be a
saying that if you dug a hole for a rose
you should plant a clematis in it as
well. This is still good advice but it’s
best to make sure that the rose is
vigorous enough to hold the clematis
and they don’t need to be pruned at
different times. This holds good if you
have two different varieties of clematis
growing together. The effect is
stunning if it’s right but a horrid mess
if wrong. I think the safest way would
be to put a late/early clematis such as
cirrhosa types (‘Freckles’ is a good one
that flowers January onward or even
December if it’s mild) to flower on
bare rose stems. These clematis don’t
need a lot of pruning, just a tidy and
this can be done when the roses are
pruned in spring. That way you have a
double period of flowers. The large
flowering clematis can be grown
through climbers and ramblers either to
tone or contrast with each other, then
the clematis are pruned early spring
and the roses later according to
whether they climb or ramble. Check
this out when buying.
Whilst the asparagus comes to an end
in mid-June, the earliest potatoes may
well yield a harvest, albeit probably a
small one. To find out if there are any
ready just rootle about with your
fingers under the plants. If there are
potatoes larger than a medium egg it’s
worth rootling on to fish out the
biggest. No potatoes taste as good as
these first few. If the fates are kind you
just might get the last of the asparagus
and the first potatoes on the same plate.
Now that’s what I call a result. The veg
prone to frost damage such as
sweetcorn, peas and beans can go out
now or be sown in situ. Squashes can
be sown or planted out and it seems
(not tried before) that the best place is
on top of the compost heap or a pile of
well-rotted manure. They need a lot of
room. Having said that I remember
seeing various squash plants grown up
trellis arches at Hampton Court Palace
Flower Show some years ago. They
did it with cucumbers as well so it was
necessary to duck quite frequently as
it’s allowable to go into the gardens
there. Hanging baskets can now be put
outside if May was too inclement. That
will be a relief if they’ve been
cluttering up the greenhouse. Herb,
fruit and veg baskets are pretty as well
as productive. Strawberries grow well
in baskets but have to be sited so you
get the ripe fruit before the birds do. A
bracket on a house wall is best as the
birds are a bit more timid than they are
with ones further out. Tomatoes of the
tumbling varieties are fun as well as
yielding delicious fruit (oh yes they
are!) and it’s not harmful to mix them
with trailing flowers such as lobelia,
million bells, petunia surfinia, fuchsias
and other trailing plants readily
available at sheds and garden centres.
Just about any herbs can be used and
also mixed with tomatoes but I
wouldn’t mix leafy herbs such as
parsley, basil etc with flowers as it
would be too easy to mistake one lot of
leaves for the other.
Perennial flower seeds can be sown if
you have room for a small seed bed.
You can also do this in trays and pots
but at this time of year there’s usually
too much going on to be bothered with
the way you sow seeds in winter and
spring. If you have time you can also
sow seeds of winter and spring
bedding. On top of all that the
perennials and flowering shrubs will
need deadheading, the lawn will need
regular mowing unless we have a
really dry spell, the indoor tomatoes
will need to have side shoots removed
and regular tying in of the main stems.
Don’t forget to keep on the
successional sowing when there’s
room for things like lettuce, carrots,
annual flowers for autumn colour now
first frosts tend to be later than a few
years ago, peas and just about anything
that will give a quick crop.
Pests need to be controlled as well.
There will be the usual slugs and snails
but also lily beetles, greenfly, blackfly,
caterpillars and ants. These last don’t
do a lot of harm but the nests will get
under plant roots leaving an air gap so
the plants will die. They also look
unsightly, particularly on paving or the
lawn. There are lots of ways of getting
rid of most pests and diseases but try to
avoid anything that might harm the
bees. We’re short of bees.
One last thing, when you’ve done all
the tasks and are looking forward to
that sit down with a glass of something
cool, keep weeding! And at this time of
year feeding.
In your garden with Lotta Potts
Bradenham
and District
Horticultural
Society Now we have had the showers, we
feel it’s time for some sun! So, for
us this month we are having a
variety of exciting events for your
diary.
For our members, the next meeting
on the 21st June 2012, will be a
talk by Angela Youngman titled
‘Grey water and recycling within
the garden’. It is likely to be useful
talk particularly with us enduring
hosepipe bans and droughts at
present.
In addition that evening the mini
show is open to members to bring
along ‘A vase of perennial flowers’.
As the summer is approaching we
still have tickets available, to both
members and non-members, for our
‘Annual Summer Day Trip’.
On Thursday 5th July 2012, we will
begin the trip by visiting ST
GEORGES DISTILLERY – THE
ENGLISH WHISKY COMPANY
AT HARLING and continuing on to
BRESSINGHAM STEAM
MUSEUM AND GARDENS,
NEAR DISS.
The total cost for the day will be:
Members -£20 Non members - £24
Why not come along for what is
likely to be a fascinating and
enjoyable day!
Looking ahead, on Saturday 8th
September 2012 we will be holding
our Autumn Show: so to give
everyone advance notice or to
allow preparation time we feel it
may be useful to know we do have
a number of classes open to both
non members and members.
In the Vegetable section - Class &
Quantity required: (1) Potatoes,
White 4; (2) Potatoes, Coloured 4;
(7) The Longest Runner Bean, 1; (8)
Tomatoes, any ripe 6; (16)
Courgettes, 2; (19) A trug of mixed
vegetables (may include salad and
herbs), 1
In the Flower Section - Class,
Quantity required: (30) Vase of
Annuals, single stem, 5; (31) Vase
of Sunflowers, any cultivar, 5;
In the Fruit Section - Class
Quantity required: (36) Apples,
Dessert, 4; (40) A Bowl of mixed
fruit, 1
For note, there are additional
classes in the Domestic Section,
both members and non-members
can enter, but details on this and
information about the Show will be
mentioned later in the year.
If you are interested about coming
on the summer trip or need further
information about us then please
do not hesitate to contact: Belinda
Ashman, Publicity Officer. 01362
821442 Or Margaret Arnold,
Events Organiser: 01362 697686.
For the second month, the group
read something from the spy
genre for discussion on 17th
April. The general consensus on
The Spy Who Came In From The
Coldby John Le Carré, was that it
was “not the easiest of reads”.
Starting and finishing in 1960s
communist East Germany, it
reveals Western spying methods
at odds with the social norms and
mores of the time. Alec Leamus,
the central character, as a result
of some failings, has been sent
on a complicated mission of
triple bluff. Characters and
motives are difficult to
disentangle.
Some thought the narrative was
arduous and found it difficult to
differentiate who said what to
whom and why. ‘What ifs’ and
‘wherefores’ were as confused as
the time line. It was felt too much
detail added to the lack of clarity
but it was agreed that treachery
and double or triple dealing are
difficult to simplify. Embedded
in the story was the protest
against the loss of individuality,
which one member found
reminiscent of Orwell’s 1984,
with its impending doom.
Another member thought it was a
super plot, despite its being two
dimensional. However, she also
found the syntax facile and
irritating. There was a lone voice,
who spoke in the book’s favour,
she enjoyed the twists and turns
and didn’t think it a complicated
read, although she felt it deserved
a happier ending.
As we are all old enough to recall
the rise and fall of the Berlin
Wall, an interesting discussion
followed the reviews. Do
characters like this still exist and
what draws people to this ‘dark
art’? Has spying changed? How
much spying is carried out? Who
is doing it and for what reason -
political or industrial? Is China
the new Russia? Thus the book
proved thought provoking, if not
enjoyable.
The book discussed at the
meeting on 15th May was The
Handbag and Wellies Yoga
Club by Lucy Edge. This is the
second volume of the
autobiographical account of a
dedicated career girl who had
decided to give it all up, travel
and discovered yoga and ‘aprés
yoga’ initially in London. This
book tells of her, having met the
love of her life in her early 40s,
deciding that she must move to
Norfolk and immediately start
breeding.
To say that, apart from one, the
members found this book
irritating would be to put it
mildly and to describe it as
‘Chick Lit’ an insult to that
genre. Apart from an initially
seemingly astute summary of
‘Chelsea by the sea’ AKA North
Norfolk Edge opts for a
farmhouse near Beccles,
including that lovely Suffolk
town as being in Norfolk. We
found her attitude to Norfolk
and its inhabitants patronising
and inaccurate throughout, not
helped by referring to ‘Normal
for Norfolk’, only truly
recognisable to natives and
offensive when used by
outsiders. For an intelligent lady
she shows little knowledge of
her own body and the fact that
fertility in women decreases
with age as eggs deteriorate in
quality and quantity. We
expressed sympathy with those
failing to conceive for many
years as opposed to seeing it as
a lifestyle add-on accessory as
in this case. There were far too
many yoga terms which even
those who had practised it did
not understand; some very
strange ladies with names like
Angel Wah Wah, always bizarre
in appearance, and if all the
Pinot Grigio drunk was accurate
that certainly wouldn’t have
helped conception, any more
than her partner being away all
the week. To sum up, we didn’t
like it.
For the meeting on 19th June we
are reading Notes From a Small
Island by Bill Bryson.
Shipdham & District
Book Group
Church Times and News The Wayland News Page 14
Watton Churches Together Service Calendar for June
St. Mary’s Church, Watton
1st, 3rd & 4th Wednesday at 9.30am Holy Communion,
2nd Wednesday Morning Worship. Church Office opens
Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-1pm
Tel: 01953 881252 [email protected]
Sun 3rd 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Diamond Jubilee Celebration Service
7.00pm Sunday at 7
7.00pm Informal Worship at the
Colin Mackenzie Centre (Colin MC)
Sun 10th 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion
7.00pm Informal Worship in the Church Room
Sun 17th 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion and Holy Baptism
12.30pm Holy Baptism
7.00pm Informal Worship in the Church Room
Sun 24th 8.00am Holy Communion
10.30am Healing Celebration Service
with The Rev’d Russ Parker
6.30pm Praise & Worship with Shine
7.00pm Informal Worship at the Colin MC
Watton Methodist Church Every Wednesday the Church is open for quiet reflection
and prayer between 10.00am & 12.00noon
It’s your quiet place. At 10.30 there is a half-hour
Midweek Service in the Large Vestry led by the Minister
or a Church Member. www.wattonmethodist.btck.co.uk Sun 3rd 10.45am Mr B Lawrence
6.30pm Mrs J Roebuck
Sun 10th 10.00am onwards The church will be
open to view the Flower Festival
6.30pm Rev B Winner Songs of Praise
for Flower Festival
Sun 17th 10.45am Mrs E Warby
6.30pm Mr A Warby
Sun 24th 10.45am Rev B Winner
3.00pm Dereham Local Preacher Recognition
Service for the whole circuit
6.30pm No Service at Watton
Roman Catholic Community Each Sat 5.30pm Mass at Watton Methodist Church
Pentecostal Church, Dereham Road, Watton Children have their own programme during the
Sunday morning services Sun 3rd 10.30am The Christian Seated in the Heavenly
Realms and Prayer for the team going out to The Falconer
Children’s Home, Zambia
6.00pm Prayer Meeting
Sun 10th 10.30am Open Church - Various displays and
refreshments throughout the Watton Carnival period
Sun 17th 10.30am The Christian Wealth in the
Heavenly Realms
Sun 24th 10.30am The Christian’s Warfare in the
Heavenly Realms
St. Nicholas’ Church, Ashill Tuesdays at 10.00am Said Holy Communion
Sun 3rd 9.30am Lay Led Morning Worship
Sun 10th 9.30am Morning Worship
Sun 17th 9.30am All Age Worship
Sun 24th 9.30am Morning Worship & Holy Baptism
10.30am Healing Celebration Service with The
Rev’d Russ Parker at St Mary’s Church.
St. George’s Church, Saham Toney Sun 10th 11.00am Morning Worship
12.30pm Holy Baptism
Sun 17th 11.00am All Age Worship and Holy Baptism
Sun 24th 10.30am Healing Celebration Service with The
Rev’d Russ Parker at St Mary’s Church.
12.30pm Holy Baptism
S.S. Peter & Paul’s Church, Carbrooke Sun 3rd 10.30am Benefice Service of Holy Communion
Sun 10th 10.30am Holy Communion
Sun 17th 10.30am All Age Worship
Sun 24th 10.30am Healing Celebration Service with The
Rev’d Russ Parker at St Mary’s Church.
St John the Evangelist Church, Ovington Sun 10th 9.30am Holy Communion
Sun 24th 10.30am Healing Celebration Service with The
Rev’d Russ Parker at St Mary’s Church
Breckles, Caston, Great Hockham,
Griston, Merton,
Stow Bedon & Thompson
Worship Calendar for June
Enquiries: The Revd. Bob Nichols: Tel.: (01953) 483222;
Email: [email protected]
Sunday 3rd June - Trinity Sunday
10:30 am United Holy Communion Breckles
Sunday 10th June - 1st Sunday after Trinity
9:00 am Matins (BCP) Merton
10:30 am United Holy Communion Caston
Sunday 17th June - 2nd Sunday after Trinity
10:30 am United Holy Communion Gt. Hockham
Patronal Festival of the Holy Trinity
Sunday 24th June - 3rd Sunday after Trinity
9:00 am Holy Communion (BCP) Merton
10:30 am United Holy Communion Griston
Patronal Festival of Sts. Peter & Paul
Sunday 1st July - 4th Sunday after Trinity
10:30 am United Holy Communion Stow Bedon
Patronal Festival of St. Botolph
Wednesday Pram Services Every Wednesday at 10:15 am in Caston Primary School Hall
For those with children aged 0-5
Short Communion, kiddies’ Christian songs; social & play time
‘The WAY’ Youth Group (ages 11+)
6th and 20th May, 7-8:00 pm, Rectory
Enquiries: The Revd. Bob Nichols: Tel.: (01953) 483222;
Email: [email protected]
All Saints Church, Threxton
Sunday 3rd June 10am
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEAS Hosted by St. Mary’s Church in June
Sunday 17th June at Watton Christian Community Centre 2.30pm
until 4pm Brighten up a Sunday Afternoon by joining us, a warm welcome awaits you and your friends.
Thought for the Month Rev. Barbara Winner Methodist Church.
Because I am retiring in the summer we needed to find somewhere
to live. We have recently reserved a new house – we have never
done this before so it’s exciting and a bit scary at the same time!
When we first saw it there were a few rows of bricks for us to see –
now there are wooden joists on the roof. It is good to watch it being
built but one of the things we can’t see (and here we have to trust
the builder who I’m pleased to say has an excellent reputation) are
the foundations.
Good foundations are important if buildings are to stand firm. In the
early 20th Century Winchester Cathedral was in serious danger of
collapse as the wooden foundations were rotting away. Through the
long hard work of dedicated people the foundations were eventually
rebuilt and the cathedral saved.
Good foundations are also important for the community in which
we live, work and play. These foundations determine how we
conduct ourselves, our church life, our businesses, our politics –
every part of life. Jesus told the story of a man who built a house on
solid foundations. When the storms came the house stood firm.
Jesus likened this to those who heard his word and obeyed it – kept
to what he asked of them. Being a Jew his foundations were based
on the Ten Commandments but he summarised them for us all like
this. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind
and soul, and your neighbour as yourself.’
Jesus told of another man who built his house on sand and when the
storms came it fell down. There were no good foundations. It does
seem that many of the standards in our country have been shifting
like the sand. It doesn’t have to be like this. It is always possible to
encourage and where necessary re-establish good foundations. So
let us go on building on the good which is already established, and
lay new foundations where they are needed.
Flower Festival Watton Methodist Church are hosting another Flower Festival over
the weekend of 8 - 10th June. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
each day and this year's title is "Everyone a Winner'. Do come and
visit us, there will be an amazing display kindly put together by
various local groups as well as by church groups and members.
Light refreshments and lunches will be available on Friday and
Saturday. On Sunday afternoon Afternoon teas will be served from
2 - 4 p.m. A Concert will be held at the church on the Friday
evening, 8th June, at 7.30 p.m. when "Seriously Saxy" will be
entertaining us, tickets price £4.00 are available from Adcocks,
High Street, Watton. The event will conclude with a Celebratory
Service at 6.30 p.m. in the Church and everyone is invited to come.
Hope you will visit us when possible over the weekend. Proceeds
are for nominated charities - Action for Children, Methodist Relief
and Development Fund, the local Air Ambulance and church funds.
May’s Did You Know . . ? By Rosalie Davis Gibb
Victoria, Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria and mother of
Kaiser Wilhelm II, had a country house built at Friedrichshof, near
Kronberg, Germany in the style of Sandringham. Since 1954 this
magnificent building has been a five star hotel, complete with an
impressive collection of antiques and paintings from Victoria’s
private estate.
Princess Victoria’s son Wilhelm II (Frederick William Victor
Albert of Prussia, 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941) was the last
German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruling the German
Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9
November 1918. It was during his reign, in World War I, that
Nurse Edith Cavell, born in Swardeston, Norfolk, was executed for
treason by firing squad at 7.00am on the 12th of October 1915.
Although Edith helped an estimated 1,500 to escape, at no time did
she knowingly assist Allied soldiers to cross the border into
Holland and freedom ‘specifically for the purpose of joining the
Allies and the enemy of Germany’, the crime required to warrant
the conviction of treason in time of war. Since her trial responses
were in French and translated into German, she was tricked into
signing a false translation by altering the sense of her confession.
Kaiser Wilhelm was apparently so appalled at Edith’s execution
that he decreed no more women should be executed. However, this
proved not to be the case as several more female executions
subsequently took place.
MND Tea Thanks The MND tea held at 10 Mallard Road, Watton, on Friday 4th May
was a great success.
Thanks to the hard work of a great team the grand total of £805 was
raised for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Our grateful thanks to all who helped, the many who visited and to
all those who donated for such a worthwhile cause.
Pam and Roy Challand
Watton Bereavement Support Group June Programme
Wed 6th 2pm Meeting Tea and Chat at Watton CCC Mon 18th 12 for 12.30pm Lunch at Griston Wagon & Horses.
News The Wayland News Page 15
Mayor’s
Mardle
With Michael Wassell Well, where has this past year gone,
this is the last Mayor’s Mardle that I
will write during my current term as
Mayor. I have to say that it has been a
great honour to be able to have this
ability to communicate with the
residents of Watton, and I want to
thank Julian Horn for all of his efforts
in keeping The Wayland News such a
vital part of our community.
My wife Jan and I have immensely
enjoyed representing our town at all
sorts of disparate events; we have
visited many places that we would not
otherwise have seen and met many
interesting people. I want to thank Jan
for her unfailing support, without
which it would have been impossible to
pack as in as much as we have, and it
definitely would not have been as much
fun. I want also to thank my fellow
members of Watton Town Council for
their assistance and support, especially
my deputy Mayor, Councillor Paul
Cooper, who has been an immense help
to me.
A special mention must also be made
of the Watton Town Clerk Jacqui Seal
and her staff for all of their work in the
background, often invisible but
extremely vital.
At the Annual General Meeting of the
Town Council on the 29th May I will
stand down and Watton will have a
new Mayor and Chairman of the
Council. In the normal scheme of
things, this should be Paul Cooper who
has been my deputy for the past 12
months. I know that Paul is immensely
honoured to be the Mayor of “his
town” for unlike me, Paul is not an
incomer, he was born in the old cottage
hospital on Thetford Road, and his
family have deep Norfolk roots. I
would like to wish Paul and his wife
Maureen all the best for the
forthcoming year, I hope that they have
as great a time as Jan and I have.
In the past year there have been a
number of changes in the way that the
council conducts its business on behalf
of the town. We have moved to a
system of holding 2 full council
meetings per month, away from having
a number of committee meetings. This
allows decisions to be made in a much
more timely and efficient manner, and
means that all councillors can be
involved in all decisions made by the
council. I am delighted to report that
this system, which was initially trialled,
has now become approved by full
council as the way that we will conduct
council meetings in the future. The
council chamber has moved into the
main hall within Wayland Hall, we are
in the final stages of completing all
aspects of this move. This will allow
Watton Town Council to provide a
much better venue for the people of the
town to take part in local democracy.
The transfer of the playgrounds at
Stokes Avenue and Lovell Gardens
from Breckland District Council to
Watton Town Council is in the final
stages. Once this has been finalised
Watton Town Council intends to
improve the facilities available and will
be consulting with townspeople to
ascertain what form improvements
should take. Obviously we need to take
account of both financial constraints
and also planning regulations, but
within these we hope to be able to
provide a much improved play
environment. Let me say that neither of
these areas lends themselves to having
a Skateboard Park installed, because of
planning considerations, so I am afraid
that a suitable site still needs to be
identified.
There are a number of allotments in
Watton that are currently available,
with the recent weather I can assure
people that they are well watered!
There are two allotment sites, one on
Church Road the other on Thetford
Road. The plots that are vacant are
available for rent to residents of
Watton. If you would like to rent one of
these then please contact Watton Town
Council. (01953 881007).
As I say every time please remember
that all of Watton Town Council
meetings are open to the public, they
are all held in Wayland Hall. I would
encourage Watton residents to attend so
that they are more able to hold their
elected representatives to account. If
you can’t attend please do not hesitate
to contact me or any other Town
Councillor with your concerns. I do
hope residents think that council
members and I, as Chairman of the
Council and Mayor, are doing a good
job. If not then please do not hesitate to
contact me, rather than just silently
fuming, or indeed giving up on the
whole idea of local government.
Without your input we cannot be sure
that the decisions that are made by the
council reflect the opinions of the
majority of the people of Watton. And
that is what you elected us to do!
And finally may I say a big thank you
to all of the people of Watton, both for
electing me a year ago, and for your
continuing support, I have enjoyed
meeting with you. I will, of course,
remain a member of Watton Town
Council and indeed Breckland District
Council and I look forward to speaking
with you about any issues of concern.
Michael Wassell, Chairman, Watton
Town Council
ov.uk telephone 01953 882884
Monica Dumble (who is still going
strong!)
Yes Monica Dumble has moved to 43
Lime Tree Walk. Moving house is
very stressful, next one Heaven only.
Rumours may have put me there early
due to the large skip outside no. 7 East
Road and of course the empty house at
present. I can laugh about it and realise
it would be concern and kindness so no
conscience please. My apologies to
anyone who I did not tell, just no time
to spare, accepted bungalow and
moved in 10 days.
First a big big thanks to my special
family who have been brilliant and got
me through it all. I could not have done
it alone. Second thanks to my
wonderful friends/adopted family at
no. 6, who since 1970 have always
been there for me and the family. We
have history, laughter, tears, drama,
anything life threw at us over those
years, simply but sincere thanks, just
keep in touch. Finally, our Editor
Julian might like his readers to know 7
East Road was his birth home ?? years
ago, I’ll leave you to guess.
Ed: sometime in October 1952 Monica,
so long ago I forget when exactly.
However I keep waiting for the Blue
Plaque to go up that will tell me!
Heating Oil
Having read the letter on petrol prices
in last month’s Wayland News I went
online to investigate Heating Oil
Prices. I found a site called The Oil
Club (w☺ww.oil-club.co.uk).
They are an independent online
organisation with no links to any single
oil supplier. Their aim is simple-reduce
the cost of heating oil for its members
by grouping deliveries by village or
Postcode sector. There are over 800
village clubs in the UK, with over 40 in
Norfolk. I have set the ball rolling by
joining the club, and as I live in
Griston they have called it the Griston
and Watton Oil Club. There is no cost
on joining so the more who do join the
better they are able to negotiate on
price and the more flexible deliveries
will be throughout the year.
One other advantage of the club which
will help cash flow is top up your tank
with 500L at various times of the year
without paying a premium price.
ITV have spent a day filming at The
Oil Club to watch them in action so
the programme should be transmitted
soon. Please go to their site and all
will become clear and how simple it
is to join.
John Smith, Griston
Letters to the Editor
West Norfolk Aviation Society On Tuesday 1st May, the society welcomed as guest speaker Martin McClelland
who‘s illustrated presentation was “Military Aircraft of the 60s, 70s & 80s” (plus
some interesting extras). Most of the photographs he had taken himself at
surprising number of bases where he served during his 22 years of with the R.A.F.
Martin showed an astonishing memory of aircraft types and technical detail of his
subject, this together with many anecdotes and his repartee with his audience made
for an entertaining evening.
Our Next Meeting Tuesday 5th June 7.30pm at Methwold Social Club. Speaker:
John Jones “Flying Fortress Crews Sport & Recreation 1940s” New members &
guests welcomed. For more Information Tel: 01842 879210 or visit our Web Site
www.westnorfolkaviationsociety.co.uk
News The Wayland News Page 16
THE WAYLAND NEWS Page space is allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis. Deadline is 12Noon on 16th of the month preceding publication
and that is the last date and time that copy will be considered for inclusion. Arrival of copy before deadline does not guarantee
inclusion, if you wish to be certain your entry gets published, then please make sure it arrives in plenty of time otherwise you may still be disappointed. If you are submitting on paper you MUST sign and
include your contact details with each item. If you do not, the item will NOT be published.
You can contact Julian by ringing (01953) 858908. You can write to 8 Princess Close, Watton IP25 6XA
The e-mail address is [email protected] Views expressed in articles in The Wayland News are those of the
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or printers.
While every care and effort has been taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
This issue of the The Wayland News was published by: Julian Horn, 32 High Street, Watton IP25 6AE and printed by
Sharman & Company Ltd, Newark Road
Peterborough PE1 5TD. Phone: 01733 424 949
WAYLAND EVENTS DIARY
June Sun 3rd Rave On Buddy Holly and the Crickets Tribute See ad.
Tues 5th West Norfolk Avaiation Society talk See article.
Fri 8th } Methodist Church Flower Festival
Sun 10th } 10 am - 4pm each day See article for details
Sat 9th Ovington Village Fete 1 - 5pm See article for details
Sun 10th Watton Carnival in the High Street From 11am
Tues 12th 2-4pm. 30,Thetford Road. Strawberry Tea.
£3 to include tea. See IW article
Tue 12th Ashill C.C. Cash Bingo Eyes Down 7.30pm. All Welcome
Wed 13th 6.30pm NWT Guided walk at East Wretham Heath See ad
Sat 16th Entrepreneurs’ Market Watton High Street from 9am
Sun 17th Swans Meadow Garden open at Rocklands 11am to 5pm
Sat 23rd Stow Bedon & Breckles Fete 2 -5pm See article
July
Sat 7th NWT Field trip to High Lodge & Thetford Warren Lodge
Sat 7th } Great Ellingham 9th Teddy Bear Festival
Sun 22nd } Lots of amusing teddies on display at Great Ellingham
Sat 7th Coffee Morning Queens Hall Watton 9.30 -1.30 in aid of
Stow Bedon Church.
WAYLAND CMA June 9th Travis Logan
Tel 01953 889 890 for details “The Best In Country Music” 8 ‘til late
TRY YOUR HAND AT CARPET BOWLS Come on in and enjoy yourselves! Enjoy a very friendly atmosphere
With very nice people
The Bowls Club is at the Queen’s Hall, Watton
“Playtime” Is every Wednesday at 1.30pm till 4pm With a leisurely cup of tea and biscuit
thrown in. It’s your time now to be a member
Of a club that prides itself in helping Others to enjoy playing carpet bowls.
COME ON IN AND ENJOY A GAME. Membership fees are nominal
For more information contact
Watton 881507 – 881809 – 884791
Our meeting on the 9th of May, saw
the start of our new year presided over
by our new Chairwoman, Mrs. Joyce
Briggs. She welcomed our speaker
Mr. Jeff Rose who was a “Bevin Boy”
during world war 2. At 18 years of
age he was conscripted and after
being passed fit for service was asked
which branch of the services he would
like to serve in. He wanted to go in the
Navy but was told that he had to go
down into the coalmines.
He pointed out that he was from East
Anglia and that he knew nothing
about mining but his appeal fell on
deaf ears and he was given two
choices (1) down the mines or (2) go
to prison. If he chose prison he would
still have to go down the mines when
he came out. After a basic training of
three weeks, mostly learning how to
march, he was sent to Doncaster
where he had to find his own “digs”
and had to pay for them out of his
wages.
He found digs with a miner and his
wife. The husband was able to put
him right about safety issues and
relieve some of his anxieties about the
venture. After reporting for work, he
had to climb into a double- decker
cage, each deck holding 30 men and
surrounded by metal bars. The cage
then made a very rapid descent of
about two thirds of a mile down the
shaft that made his ears pop as if he
was in an aircraft. At the bottom, he
was able to stand upright and thought
“I can handle this” but then he had to
descend by way of ladders another
350ft. into an area called “the
madhouse” where the headroom was
about 18 inches. He was issued with
leather kneepads, boots with steel
toecaps and a helmet.
Down here, tall men worked on their
stomachs with short –handled
pickaxes as there was hardly any
room to manoeuvre. They were
removing a very high quality coal that
was not destined for the grate but for
the extraction of valuable chemicals.
They were met with a great deal of
resentment because the regular miners
thought that they were about to take
their jobs.
When they learnt that Mr Ernest
Bevin had conceived this plan to
cover up the fact that the able-bodied
miners had been sent off to war and
there was now a shortage of miners to
keep the home fires burning, their
attitude changed. Work was done by
the light of a miners lamp, which,
when filled with naphtha fuel,
weighted 6 to 7lbs and only gave the
same amount of light as a candle. This
lamp was carried hooked on to the
front of your belt. If carried in the
normal way, it dazzled the men
following behind. To avoid personal
injury they had to adopt a Charlie
Chaplin walk. Trying to save as much
of his wages as he could, he refused to
purchase a “snap-tin” for his lunch
until he found out that he was
providing lunch for the mice that had
found their way down into the mine in
the food for the pit ponies. His wages
were £2 - 12s per week out of which
he paid £1 - 5s. for his digs, 5d for the
return bus fare and then they had to
walk 2 miles to the pit and back to the
bus stop in the evening, sick club and
injury 6d. And it was compulsory to
join the Union. He resented this union
component until one Easter he and his
friend wanted to visit their families in
Fakenham, so they went to the wages
office to collect their wages, hoping to
catch the 2pm train only to be told that
there would be no pay out until
2.30pm. An appeal to the union rep.,
who threatened to bring work to a
stand-still at the pit and in the next
one as well, soon had the boys paid
and on their way. As they were not
allied to any of the recognised
services, they were not issued with a
uniform. A visit to the village usually
involved questions from the police
and taunts from the civilians.
They have no Association and even
the British Legion does not recognise
them as all records of their war work
were destroyed after the war.
A very informative afternoon about a
little known war effort.The task for
May was won by Mrs. Theresa Sills
of Gt. Ellingham.
WHAT’S ON IN JUNE.
13th June Shellrock Circle Club,
Games and Quiz and socialising. The
task is to bring a family photograph .
Everyone can take part in this one.
Our fete will be held at the village hall
on the 16th of June. This is an open
invitation to everyone to attend. This
is one of our two fundraisers for the
year and we would really appreciate
your help. We need items for the
various stalls. The bottle stall, cake
stall, vegetable and plant stall,
tombola and raffle, also good items
for the bric-a-brac. Please do come
along and join in the fun. No need to
have lunch first as there will be
refreshments available. Doors open at
12 o’clock.
20th June Marion’s lunch club is
now meeting on the third Wednesday
of the month at the Crown, Gt.
Ellingham. For further details ring
Marion on 01953 483431.
Do come along and pay us a visit, you
can be sure of a warm welcome and
we are sure you will enjoy the
afternoons you spend with us.
Shellrock Circle Club for the
over 50’s
From Heart
Transplant to Open
Studios in 1 year Claire Nelmes is an Artist who works mainly with
photographs, the moving image and computers. She
has participated in Open Studios since 2010.
On 13th May last year, having lived with heart
failure for a number of years she was taken to
Papworth Hospital and underwent a complete heart
transplant - this meant her Open Studio dates were
of course cancelled - after a long recovery she is
able to take part in Open Studios again this May.
Claire is lucky as she lives only 50 miles from
Papworth Hospital and she had regular & frequent
visits from family and friends who lived nearby, an
invaluable aid to recovery. For the relatives of
many transplant patients there can be a journey of
hundreds of miles. The subsequent pressure both
emotionally and financially can easily be imagined.
Papworth Hospital Charity manages to provide
overnight hostel accommodation for some long
distance visitors and Claire wants to help by
donating 30% from any sale of her work during
Norfolk & Norwich Open Studios (roughly the
same as an Art Gallery would take in commission)
this money will go directly towards the costs of the
hostel service provided by the charity.
The Studio will be open to the public on May 26 &
27 and June 2,3,4,5 and 9 & 10 (all other times by
appointment)
For more information about Claire’s Open Studios
please contact Claire Nelmes: Tel: 01953 498761
or Mob: 07944719721
Email: [email protected] The Stables, Mill
Lane, Snetterton Norfolk, NR16 2LQ