TASBURGH
QUARTERLY & CHURCH NEWS
Photo: Tom Mackie Images
ISSUE NO. 49
WINTER 2017
Classifieds
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Useful Contacts Parish Council Chair Parish Council Clerk District Councillor County Councillor Norfolk Police Police HQ Wymondham Church Church News Parochial Church Council Yellow Pages Village Hall Secretary Bookings
Jill Casson 01508 470334 Tina Eagle 01508 494569 Mrs Florence Ellis 01508 536540 Mrs Alison Thomas 01508 530652 Emergency 999 Non-emergency 101 enquiries@norfolk.pnn.police.uk Rev’d Dawn Davidson Mrs Julia Orpin Mrs Julia Orpin
01508 498924 01508 47098 3 01508 470983
Kay Lamb Mrs Sheila Plunkett Mrs Melanie Goodall
01508 471021 01508 470485 01508 470195 01508 471189 01508 470454
Village Hall Preston Primary School Village Groups Playschool Hayley Defoe 01508 813355 Scout Group Mr Graham Pates 01508 471518 Social Club Mr Don Proudfoot 01508 471408 Netball Club Mrs Jackie Milton 01508 470976 Eurolink Mr Alan Jones 01508 470092 Allotment Society Mr Simon Orford 01508 471539 Tasburgh United Football Club 07892 408570 Coffee Pot and Crafts Mrs Valerie Cook 01508 470298 St Mary’s Guild Mrs Ann Crawshay 01508 470634 Fitness Club (Over 50's) Mrs Ann Gibbins 01508 470225 Fat Dad’s Football Mr Bill Wheeler 01508 471633 Martial Arts Mr Andrew Gillingwater 07775 890359 Inaccuracies or omissions? Please contact the Parish Clerk tasburghpc@btinternet.com.
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Tasburgh Parish Council, Serving the Village of Tasburgh
Meetings Parish Council meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month in the Committee Room of the Village Hall at 8pm (refreshments available from 7.30pm). Planning Meetings, if required, are usually held on the first Tuesday of the month, in the Village Hall Committee Room at 8pm. Agendas are posted on the village notice boards and the website at least three days beforehand. Public are welcome to attend all Parish Council meetings; there’s an opportunity to speak or ask questions. Please note, if you would like an item to appear on the agenda, details must be sent to the Clerk at least eight days before the meeting. The Council is unable to make a decision on anything not included on the agenda but can discuss newly raised matters and refer them to the next meeting. Minutes of meetings are posted on the website or are available from the Clerk. Parish Council Surgeries Councillors are always willing to discuss any issues with you; their contact details are on page 5. In addition, Councillors are available on the evenings of their main council meetings (third Tuesday of the month) between 7.30pm and 8pm during which time refreshments are served. 4
Tasburgh Parish Council, Serving the Village of Tasburgh Contacting the Parish Council If you would like to know more, have any comments about Tasburgh Parish Council and its work or you have any issues you wish to be raised, please contact one of the Councillors or the Parish Clerk. Councillors Jill Casson 12 Hastings Close 470334 jillian_casson@btinternet.com Willie Crawshay The Grange, Low Road 471650 willie.crawshay@btconnect.com Brian Hill 8 Harvey Close 471011 brian.hill2@homecall.co.uk Geoff Merchant 14 Orchard Way 470606 geoffmerchant@btinternet.com Dave Moore 16 Henry Preston Road 471041 david.g.moore@homecall.co.uk Keith Read Thornly Barn, Saxlingham Lane 470229 k.a.read@btinternet.com Matthew Read 1 Harvey Close matt.read.taspc@gmail.com Rachel Simmons 2 Prior Close 471197 rachelsimmons1974@yahoo.co.uk Adrienne Watts Grove Cottage 470217 awatts.tas@hotmail.co.uk Clerk Tina Eagle 17 Alder Close 01508 Poringland, Norfolk, NR14 7LY 494569 tasburghpc@btinternet.com Website http://tasburghpc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/
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Tasburgh Parish Council Parish Council Report It seems a long time now since seemingly most of the village proceeded up Grove Lane to the Heritage Field to take part in the Imagined Land Pageant. The event is covered in greater depth elsewhere in the magazine. However, surely everyone who was there will agree that it was a fantastic night which will live in memories for a long time – especially the sight of three enormous lit-up sheep. Perhaps the best thing to come out of the project is the increased feeling of community cohesion, with so many people who took part saying that they had made new friends . It is hoped that this feeling can be built on for the future, and an enthusiastic group has come together to continue some of the work of the project, not only on the history and archaeological side, but also to possibly form new singing and drama groups. A recurring problem for the Parish Council is the dog bins. We currently have 5 of these around the village, and the cost to us of having South Norfolk District Council emptying them is to more than double in the next financial year. We are anxious that Tasburgh should remain a clean and pleasant village to walk around for all parishioners. However, we would like to remind dog-walkers that they do not have to put dog waste in one of the special red dog bins, but it can be placed in ordinary domestic black bins. To this end, we have been working with the School Council at Henry Preston Primary School to design some suitable posters to place around the village. We have held a competition for the best poster, judged by Parish Councillors, and we would like to announce that the winner is ‌..Luke Cutler! Congratulations to Luke Look out for his fantastic poster (above) around the village very soon. 6
Tasburgh Parish Council
The Parish Council would like to wish All residents of Tasburgh A Very Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year Concerns continue to be raised to us about the volume and speed of traffic around the village. The SAMS machines do seem to have had some effect, and we continue to monitor the data that these provide for us. Although the SAM machines do not record details of individual vehicles, the data that they record can be shared with the Police and other relevant agencies, who can then use this information to decide when and where to set up their own enforcement measures, such as mobile speed cameras.
Community Speed Watch The Parish Council is keen to set up a Community Speed Watch. However, this scheme must have a minimum of six volunteers and we currently do not have enough. Are you tired of drivers not sticking to the speed limit around Tasburgh? Do you have some spare time that you might be able to offer to help tackle the problem of speeding in our community? Then please do get in touch for more information on the scheme Email tasburghpc@btinternet.com Remember that everyone is welcome to attend Parish Council meetings. Agendas are available on noticeboards or on our website (tasburghpc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk) and there is an opportunity to give your views during the public participation item on the agenda. Jill Casson Chair 7
South Norfolk Council Christmas Bin Collections in South Norfolk Rubbish & Recycling bins: All collection on week commencing 25 December will be one day late. Usual Collection Day Tuesday 26 Dec Wednesday 27 Dec Thursday 28 Dec Friday 29 Dec
Revised Collection Day Wednesday 27 Dec Thursday 28 Dec Friday 29 Dec Saturday 30 Dec
Change 1 day late 1 day late 1 day late 1 day late
Garden Waste bins: There are no collections from 25 December to 5 January 2018 And don’t forget you can recycle more than ever this Christmas! Make sure your recycling is clean, dry and don’t bag it. For advice and tips on what you can and can’t recycle this Christmas visit: www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/recycling-at-christmas
FATHER CHRISTMAS Father Christmas will be paying his annual visit to Tasburgh on Christmas Eve, 24th December. He will be in the Church Porch between 6pm and 7pm
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Tasburgh Eurolink After a busy first half of the year with our trip to Linden, Safari Supper and AGM, our thoughts have been turning to our plans for 2018. Our annual wine tasting in the Village Hall on February 24th, run by Brain from Harper Wells, is all organised. I have already had some enquiries, and as those who have been before know, it is a very popular event and sells out fast. Alan Jones will have tickets very soon so contact him to pre-book your place and avoid disappointment! It’s just £12.50 a head for an enjoyable and entertaining evening with the opportunity to taste 9 different wines, red, white and sparkling, all of which will be interesting or unusual and available to order at a discount (or win in the quiz or raffle), together with cheese and biscuits and great company. The main focus of our attention is the visit of our Belgian friends at the end of May next year. We are planning to welcome them at the Village Hall, as usual, on Thursday 31st May, with a day trip to King’s Lynn on Saturday 2nd June and afternoon tea in Tasburgh on Sunday. The initial reservations have been made, but much remains to be done so several members of the group will be kept busy planning and raising money to pay for it all. 2018 marks 29 years of exchanges between people in Tasburgh and Linden in Belgium, so it is getting difficult to find new places to visit and things to do, but that is of little importance. Eurolink has always been about making and maintaining friendships between families and exploring differences in culture. Some families have been exchanging visits since the very beginning of our twinning, but new friends are being made all the time as people join the groups on both sides of the channel. In good times and bad these friendships, and the things we have in common, have proved to be so much stronger than the differences between us. As ever you are welcome to join us and make new Friends here in Tasburgh and potentially Belgium too! Helen Burnett: helenmburnett@gmail.com (Chair) Alan Jones: jonesa@talk21.com (Secretary) 9
Tasburgh Village Hall
NEEDS YOU! We need a new caretaker to help look after our Village Hall Have you the skills to carry out varied duties, such as basic carpentry and property maintenance? Could you look after the ground maintenance duties and oversee the general upkeep of our village hall? The role would suit a local person who is active and adaptable, able to work on their own initiative. The hours are variable (averaging 10 hours per month) requiring occasional evening or weekend work. If you can offer all, or most, of the skills we seek, we would be pleased to hear from you! For further information, job description, and to apply, please contact:Dave Moore 16 Henry Preston Road Tasburgh NR15 1NU Tel: 01508 471041 E-mail: david.g.moore@homecall.co.uk TVHMC is an equal opportunities employer 10
Tasburgh United Charities The Trustees of Tasburgh United Charities would like to remind parishioners that they have available each year a certain amount of money to be applied in helping the residents of the Parish who, regardless of their age and for whatever reason, find themselves in need of financial help. Identifying those in need of assistance in the village can be our most difficult task. Whilst previously the elderly may have been seen as the obvious persons requiring help, and we continue to support them when we can, in the current economic climate working families may be those with the lowest income. Others could include those temporarily or long term unemployed residents enduring illness, students, or anybody suffering a loss of income for any other reason. We meet to make decisions about distributions twice annually in May and November and for urgent requests on other occasions in-between. Among the factors taken into consideration is a general idea of the family income, for that reason we ask for a few facts about the overall income / expenditure for the applicant’s household. Our application form is simple to complete, all information is kept completely confidential. Assistance can be given by outright grant towards general expenses, by contribution towards a particular expense, a temporary loan or by purchases of equipment for use. Items of further education will also be considered. Remember, the money is there for use by any resident of Tasburgh, all applications are considered in the strictest confidence. If your circumstances are not already known to the Trustees and you feel that they might be able to help you please contact one of the trustees: Mrs Jill Casson 12 Hastings Close 470334
Mr Keith Read Thornly Barn, Saxlingham Lane 470229
Mr. Geoff Merchant 14 Orchard Way 470606.
Mr Ben Goodfellow Rookery House, Saxlingham Lane, 470668
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Norfolk County Council
Long Stratton Library Opening Times Monday: 10.00–1.00; 2.00–5.30; Tuesday: 2.00–5.30; Thursday: 10.00–1.00; 2.00–7.30; Saturday: 9.00–1.00.
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Tas Valley Pre-School and Playgroup Tas Valley
Pr e - S ch o o l
&
Pl a y gr ou p
We run 6 sessions a week Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm and Tuesday 12pm to 3pm at Tasburgh Village Hall for all children aged 2 to 5 plus a Monday afternoon session for preschoolers 12pm to 3pm Funded 2, 3 and 4 year olds accepted Spaces available for all sessions We have been having lots of fun doing Halloween and Bonfire Night related activities – carving pumpkins, making witches hats, bats and spiders, and painting firework pictures. Later in November we will have a “Messy Play” week, we will bake cakes for Children in Need and then we will be fully into glitter season, the run up to Christmas. We are very much looking forward to our Christmas Party, hosted by the brilliant James D Party Time. Tas Valley Preschool & Playgroup is a registered charity and we are managed by a committee of volunteer Trustees. If you are interested in joining the committee or would just like to know a bit more about what is involved, feel free to have a no obligation chat with Jill Casson or existing committee members. We also warmly invite grandparents, aunts/uncles or members of the local community to join the Committee – you do not have to be a parent of a child at the preschool to join. For more information or to register a place please email: enquiries.tvplaygroup@gmail.com or pop in and see us at the hall any weekday morning. 13
Tas Valley Pre-School and Playgroup PLAYGROUP PAPER SKIP THE PERMANENT SKIP IS HERE! SITUATED IN THE FENCED RECYCLING AREA AT THE VILLAGE HALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
30 HOURS FREE CHILD CARE From September of this year, if you and your partner work, earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Living Wage (currently £7.50 per hour) and less than £100,000 per annum, then you will be entitled to 30 hours per week free funded childcare for 38 weeks a year if you have a child aged 3 or 4. Tas Valley Preschool and Playgroup currently opens for 21 hours per week, starting at 9.00am. We know that we cannot open for a full 30 hours per week because of the village hall availability. However, at the moment, we are able to offer 21 hours per week and this may increase to 24 hours after Christmas (adding a Wednesday afternoon session 12pm to 3pm). Parents can split their funding entitlement between two settings, for example using 21 hours with us and 9 hours with a childminder or other nursery/preschool setting.
Even although we cannot offer the full 30 hours, we will accept children who are entitled to the extended entitlement for the hours that we are open.
Please contact us if you would like more details. 14
1st Tasburgh Sea Scout Group As we approach the end of the year it is always a busy time for the Scout Group and each Section have been very busy this term already. Our Beavers had a visit from Guide Dogs from the Blind and also had a sponsored walk that raised £437.15 for the charity. They have also had some first aid training, including fake wounds and made a fantastic poppy wreath for Remembrance Sunday. The highlight for Cubs has probably been tubing at the Whitlingham Ski Centre. Some of them also attended a District event at the Eaton Vale Activity Centre, which was great fun. Scouts have had a fantastic hike to Long Stratton on the night of the harvest moon, I have never seen such a bright night. They have been looking at their Survival Badge this term which has been great fun. We also had a cooking competition where they had to plan a meal for a fixed budget and cook it in a fixed time. Some of the dishes were very interesting! I am pleased to say that some of our Explorers have signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme through scouting, up to Gold level. They have also enjoyed some great events, which they are getting more confident at planning for themselves. At the time of writing we are looking forward to the Explorer Cooking completion, similar to the scout one mentioned above, one team has pigeon on their menu! They are also having a Christmas Camp at Roughton Mill again. Can I just take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported our Music Night in October. We had a great time with Without Motif (available for weddings, christenings and bar mitzvahs) and fantastic Sausage and Mash. We raised an incredible £410 from the tickets and bar (thanks to TSSC) which has been shared by the Scouts and Big C Appeal, and separately raised £130 from the raffle to our NorJam fund. We are looking to do some more fundraising for NorJam, possibly a quiz early in the New Year. 15
1st Tasburgh Sea Scout Group I would just like to say how proud I was to see the turn out from our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers for Remembrance Parade. They were very smart, and behaved impeccably both on parade and during the service at St Mary's. We received some really nice comments from the congregation that reflected well on our Young People. Finally, a quick update on our leadership team. Charlotte Ball has got a job abroad so will not be around for a while and Tom Musgrove has started his history degree at Cambridge University. Also Jamie Clegg has decided to take a break from Scouts for a while. The team has actually had some new recruits with Becky Pates starting as a leader at Beavers, and we have had Louis Franklin join us at Scouts. I am also really pleased to report that our Executive committee has grown much stronger since the AGM, with Lucy, Gerald, Matt, Nigel and Mandy really beginning to pull together and support the Group
If you feel you could get involved with the Sea Scout Group Contact Graham Pates (Group Scout Leader) 01508 47151
TASBURGH CAROL SINGING Look out for the Imagined Land Singers who are getting back together and will be singing carols around the village in the week before Christmas, date to be confirmed. They will be raising funds for charity and details will be put on the notice boards and the Parish Council Facebook page. 16
Tasburgh Sports & Social Club
Well that’s summer over with and put to bed until 2018, don’t worry those of you who enjoyed your favourite tipple during those barmy summer evenings or Sunday afternoons sitting on the patio outside the club, now it’s a tad cooler you can still enjoy your tipple in the warmth of the club room every Tuesday evening between 19.00hrs and 23.00hrs, Friday evening’s between 18.00hrs and 23.00hrs and Sunday afternoons between 14.00hrs and 18.00hrs. So what has been happening at the Club since the last blog I hear you say. Back in September we were pleased to be involved in the Historical Pageant evening, and I am happy to say we sold out of all the Pageant Ale that Beeston Brewery supplied especially for the occasion. Also in September we had a Karaoke night, maybe we should have called it Tasfactor, it was a well supported event with some good solo singers as well as a few duets. Moving up to October we enjoyed the very polished Shackleton Trio for a great evening of foot tapping Folk and Bluegrass melodies. They proved very popular with everyone on the night, so if you did not attend I’m happy to say they will return on March 16th 2018 to entertain us on St Patricks night, a night not to be missed with great music and Irish stew. If you would like to here the trio before then you can find them on You Tube. Our next event in October was the annual Children's Halloween Disco, which seems to get better every year; all the children had a fantastic afternoon, dressed up in some very good costumes and some of the mums joined in the fun as well, there was lots of dancing, prizes and bags of sweets, it was a really scary afternoon. Leading up to Christmas and 2018, our Christmas Raffle Board is on the bar 17
Tasburgh Sports & Social Club prizes as well, this board is nearly full so there will be another one with a £50 top prize as well, the draw will take place on Christmas eve. Our New Years Eve Party sees the return of the band Three Up Two Down, the bar will be open from 18.00hrs followed by a Disco just to get every one in the mood, and the band will play from 21.00hrs and into 2018. This is a free event, open to all. Into the new year we will be having our Burns Night, Friday January 26th, with music from club favourite The Harvs. Haggis, Neeps and Tatties with a wee Dram will be available for those wishing to make it a truly authentic Scottish evening. On Saturday, February 10th we will be hosting Michael Jackson Tribute Act for your pleasure. This is going to be a fantastic evening and a chance to enjoy a tribute to one of the worlds most iconic performers. Tickets are on sale at the bar, Adults £3, under 16’s Free. As a final note I would like to draw your attention to an aspect of the club which is not always made aware or recognised. Although we are a club primarily for our members; continually investing and enhancing the club experience, as a Community Interest Company [CIC] we are also here for the village and its community. In the past we have helped many user groups through supporting events, financial donations and sponsorship; this is a mandate we aim to keep and with that in mind if there are any new or established groups within the village who could use a helping hand we would be happy to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me, our club secretary, or a member of staff at the club bar. I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a warm and peaceful New Year, Don Proudfoot
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Tharston & District WI Our September meeting saw us all enthralled as we watched a Norwich-based Indian dance troupe perform some traditional temple dances. The grace and facial expressions that these dances require made for a very enjoyable evenings' entertainment. We were all invited to join in, but I think we quickly realised our limitations and left it these beautiful dancers in their wonderful costumes to tell the ancient stories that many of the dances recall.
October saw the return of one of our favourite speakers - Linda Scholes - who had us virtually rolling in the aisles with laughter as she recounted some of her life-time experiences. Her comic-timing and delivery always makes her talks great fun and we will eagerly look forward to her next visit. We held our ever-popular "Quiz & Lasagne" evening at Forncett Village Hall on 21st October and over 40 avid quizzers attended. The food & wine was a huge success with our home-made lasagnes catering for all....veggies and gluten-free included. The proceeds of the raffle ( ÂŁ100 ) will be donated to the Wymondham Star Throwers charity, so many thanks to all who attended for digging deep. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at WACTON VILLAGE HALL If you would like any more information please contact Gill on 01508 532468.
Winter 2017
Many of us enjoy the sound of church bells throughout the year but bells of all kinds have come to hold a special significance at Christmas. They appear as tree ornaments, on Christmas cards, and in other ways too... Think ‘jingle bells’ of the ‘one horse open sleigh’ variety. With their glass-like ringing they let us know that someone is on the way, journeying towards us. The Advent period prepares us for the coming of Jesus. There’s the ring of the doorbell – announcing the arrival of visitors – a personal meeting. We remember that God is ‘Emmanuel’ – a name which means ‘God with us’. Hand bells are more in evidence during the Christmas season – entertaining shoppers in department stores or being skilfully played at local concerts – often with proceeds towards a particular charity. We’re reminded that Jesus came for the needy – and that we are all needy in one way or another. Then there are church bells – ringing out to call people to worship, to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. The birth of Jesus was foretold by the prophets, announced by angels and broadcast by shepherds. His arrival in our lives today brings joy to our hearts, enriching each day with a beauty and peace that defies description. May the call of Christmas resonate with us all – taking us into the year to come and beyond in the presence of this God who loves us – who came as a baby, grew up, lived among us and promises to be with us always no matter what the future holds. May you know God’s richest blessing this Christmas!
Blessings Rev Dawn 20
Dec 2 Dec 14 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 31 Jan 13
St Mary’s Guild Christmas Fayre 10.30-12noon, Tasburgh Church Live Nativity 6pm Tasburgh Church Midnight Communion 11.30 pm Tasburgh Church, with the Bishop of Thetford ! Christmas Celebration 10.30am @ Newton Flotman Church Benefice Service 11.00am at Shotesham All Saints St Marys Guild Coffee Morning @ 14 Henry Preston Road, Tasburgh
please note: At the current time, due to being short staffed, it is advisable to check service times with the church warden or on the Tas Valley website: www.tasvalley.org as unavoidable changes may occur.
Thursday 14th December, St Mary’s Church at 6pm Over the last couple of years members from the Open The Book team and others, have performed the nativity story for the children of the local schools. This year we are doing an evening performance, which you and your family are warmly invited to attend. The performance lasts for half an hour. If you would like to take part or for more information contact Andrea on 471 529
Tharston Church Warden:
Mrs Pat Read 530 325
Please feel very welcome to come to worship at Tharston Church. The services at Tharston are usually from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer with its traditional language. Please do check service times with the churchwarden or on the Tas Valley website: www.tasvalley.org as unavoidable changes may occur.
Will take place on Friday December 15th at 7.00pm and the Tasburgh Choir will be leading the Singing. At the end of the Service mulled wine and mince pies will be served. This was held on September 17th so that initial plans and photos of other re-ordered churches could be seen. We were very disappointed with the response which saw only 10 people, other than regular Churchgoers attend. The Childrens Colouring competition was won by 6 year old Jack Worsfold who also treated us to an Organ recital – well done Jack!. We have had a successful 2017 and will continue to hold events during 2018 to allow us to carry out the initial stage of the reordering, but the question of providing a Community Centre will be looked at again in early 2018 and public opinion sought.
Dec 3 Dec 15 Dec 17 Dec 31 Jan 7 Jan 21 Feb 4 Feb 18 Mar 4
11.00am 7.00pm 8.00am 11.00am
Matins/Morning Worship Village Carol Service B.C.P 1662 Holy Communion Benefice service (with baptism) at Shotesham All Saints 11.00am Matins/Morning Worship 8.00am B.C.P 1662 Holy Communion 11.00am Matins/Morning Worship 8.00am B.C.P 1662 Holy Communion 11.00am Matins/Morning Worship
If you are alone, its very easy to feel isolated, so why not join us. Coffee Pot in the church room can provide you with some company. We are a friendly group who meet every Wednesday from 2-3.45pm, for a chat with tea or coffee & cake. So come along, meet some old friends and make some new ones. All ages most welcome. Contact Val on 470 298
St Mary’s Freedom Café gathers at 10.30 on the first Sunday of every month, at Preston Primary School. We are so pleased to see new people and to welcome back regulars. Please feel welcome to just come to see what it’s about or speak to Andrea on 471 529.
Prayer Visiting from house to house has taken place during the lighter warmer months and we continue to pray for the residents of the village at the fortnightly local house of prayer meeting. If you know of anyone who needs visiting or has a prayer request please contact me. Remember there is a confidential telephone ‘prayer chain’ to offer prayer for any situations that arise in life, which you would value the prayers of others. Contact: Kate on 471 356
Tasburgh Church Warden:
Julia Orpin 470 983
Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to and supported our Harvest Lunch, special thanks go to Vivienne for organising the event. 65 people shared a delicious meal, some even managed seconds!!! Donations for the Food Bank filled five boxes and were gratefully received. At a benefice service at Newton Flotman on October 29th we said goodbye to the Gaze family who have moved on after 15 years here. This was followed by a super lunch and a presentation to say thank you for all they have done in the Tas Valley Benefice. We wish them well in their new home in Suffolk. The Bishop of Thetford will be coming to Tasburgh to take Holy Communion on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm, come and join us for this very special service.
December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 December 25
4.00pm 3.00pm 6.30pm 3.00pm 11.30pm 10.30am
December 31
11.00am
January 7
9.30am 10.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 10.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 10.30am
January 14 January 21 January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4
Advent Carols Christingle Service Village Carol Service Crib Service Midnight Communion with Bishop of Thetford Christmas Celebration Service at Newton Flotman Benefice Service with baptism at Shotesham All Saints BCP Morning Prayer Freedom Café, Preston Primary School Holy Communion Village Praise Holy Communion BCP Morning Prayer Freedom Café, Preston Primary School Holy Communion Morning Praise Holy Communion BCP Morning Prayer Freedom Café, Preston Primary School
THARSTON OPEN GARDENS 2018 We intend to hold this on June 2nd and 3rd but currently we are looking for a couple more gardens in Tharston. If anyone would like to volunteer their garden, it doesn’t have to be laid out to a high standard, it simply needs to be “Your” Garden, contact Chris Lawson on 530 055
We donate food to both the Norwich Food bank and the Waveney Foodbank via Long Stratton Church. There is a collection box at the back of Tasburgh Church which is emptied monthly, all donations are very welcome. Tas Valley Team Ministry have donated a total of more than 2,447kg of food up to the end of September. Based on the average weight this would feed approximately 326 people, who are
in crisis, for 3 days.
We meet on the first Monday at 2.30pm in Tasburgh, Church Room New members and visitors would be very welcome December 2 - Christmas Fayre in the Church,10.30-12noon December 4 - Christmas Tea Party January 13 - Coffee Morning 10.30am - 12noon 14 Henry Preston Road by kind invitation of Julia Orpin February 6 A.G.M. March 6 Thailand with Helen Burnett Please contact Janet Baker on 471 063 or Ann Crawshay on 470 634 for more information Thank you for all your support at fundraising events.
Cells are vital units of the body - and cells in church life are small groups, which contain the DNA of what it means to be church. We meet to grow in faith, to pray and support each other, to learn from the bible and to join in actively sharing our faith and serving the wider community. New members are welcome to get in touch. Cell Contacts: Andrea Sluman Freedom Cafe Cell, Tuesday evenings 471 529 Kate Cakebread Wednesday evenings in Tasburgh 471 356 Lesley Cox Wednesday evenings in Newton 471 334 Richard Bond Wednesday evenings in Saxlingham 578 093 Andy Cox Thursday evenings in Tharston 471 334 Vicky Ball Thursday evenings in Newton 471 506 Wayne Doman Saturday Special Me Group for people with special needs and their families 471 933 Youth Cells (JAM) meet on Monday evenings 7-8.30 to explore faith and have fun together. Contact: Lesley on 471 334 Parent and Toddler Alpha Group meet on alternate Thursday mornings at Newton Flotman. Contact: Andy on 471 334
The Local House of Prayer (HOP) meets in Tasburgh, to pray for and bless our community. We would like to invite Christians of all denominations who live here, to join us in this venture, especially if you do not worship at St. Mary’s. Our vision is to see brothers and sisters in Christ, meeting together to pray for the residents of the village of Tasburgh and surrounding area, to be truly blessed and that all will come to know the Living Lord. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10 - 11.15am at 26 Chestnut Road, Tasburgh. If you would like more information or to enquire further please contact Andrea on 471 529. We look forward to welcoming you to our home.
Bible Study Group - Meets on Tuesday afternoons at 2.15pm. New people would be very welcome. Please contact Philip Simmons 499 041 Emmanuel Group. Local House of Prayer - Meeting weekly, at 10am on Fridays. For more details phone Shirley Brooks 470 369 Local House of Prayer - 1st and 3rd Wednesday Mornings at 10.00am Please phone Andrea 471 529 for further information Music in Worship - If you’d like to sing in Tasburgh Church Choir or explore learning the organ, phone Sarah Norman on 471 505 Prayer - for the parishes takes place every day. Please give prayer requests to a churchwarden, clergy person, prayer box or board in church. On Wednesdays we meet to pray at Tasburgh Church at 9.00am Tasburgh Craft Group - Come and try new skills in a relaxed atmosphere. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, 10am – 12noon in the Church Room, Tasburgh. Contact Julia on 471 833 Tasburgh Coffee Pot - Come and make new friends at the Coffee Pot. We meet every Wednesday from 2 - 3. 45pm in the Church Room, Tasburgh for a chat with tea or coffee & cake. All ages welcome. Contact Val on 470 298
Team Vicar Rev’d Dawn Davidson: dawn@tasvalley.org 01508 498 924 The New Rectory, The Street, Saxlingham Nethergate, NR15 1AJ
Contributions for the next Church Newsletter by Friday Feb 2nd 2018 juliadmcn@tasvalley.org
Imagined Land Project Lantern Procession and Historical Pageant
16th SEPTEMBER 2017 Several things ran through my mind, as I sat in Victorian costume in a chair, perched on top of wet straw bales in the Heritage field that evening. (Will the rain hold off? Thank goodness Alan had fixed the chair so I wouldn’t rock myself backwards off the bales! And hadn’t this been one of the best things to happen to Tasburgh?) The drum beat was getting louder, and the singing coming up from the valley was atmospheric and quite heartwarming. And then the procession came into sight – hundreds of local people of all ages in costume, carrying lanterns, holding flaming fire cans, and three giant sheep being carried above the crowd, all led by Drum Master Charlie. I wondered how long it had been since so many people in Tasburgh had gathered to march anywhere, and was there ever going to be an end to this Procession? Back in February notices appeared around the village, advertising an 0pen meeting at the Village Hall. Over a hundred turned out to hear how the Heritage Lottery Fund had awarded the Norfolk Archaeological Trust thousands of pounds to investigate the history of Tasburgh and, in particular, the Heritage Field opposite the church, said to date back to Iron Age. We were told there’d be opportunities to help with archaeological digs in the village, to do archive research, write stories, create songs, make banners, costumes and giant effigies for some kind of pageant we would create ourselves. We were to be led by Simon Floyd, a theatre producer from Norwich, who turned out to be friendly and truly inspirational – with a fondness for homemade cake. Lots of us volunteered for multiple involvement, and were not disappointed. Every step of the way through the summer there were 28
Imagined Land Project Lantern Procession and Historical Pageant experts on hand to help – Giles led the digs, in the Field, the School and in back gardens all over Tasburgh, which made discoveries from medals to buttons to ancient flints. John Alban helped volunteers search the Norfolk Archives for historic information for an Exhibition. Sara Helen held workshops to nurture the writing of prose, poetry and song lyrics, and Charlie magically put the latter to music, coaxing some wonderful sounds from a scratch choir and local musicians. Meanwhile, the schoolchildren learnt more about the Vikings and the Saxons, whilst making shields, banners and lanterns, and interviewing older people in Tasburgh about the village in the last century. Ali turned the Village Hall into a hive of industry for a few weekends, from which emerged three incredible giant sheep, some beautiful banners, and many, many homemade lanterns for Pageant Day. The steering group met on a regular basis and, as the date of the pageant on the Field grew nearer, I sensed a definite coming together of local residents. People whose paths would normally never have crossed were greeting each other like old friends, cars hooting to pedestrians, dog walkers waving as they went by. It was almost like wartime spirit, but without the war. The rain miraculously did hold off – for just the length of the pageant – allowing spectators a glimpse into Tasburgh’s imagined past, courtesy of Narrator Shepherd Keith Read. It began with Victorian children complaining of hunger and my own monologue. Then, in fading light, we laughed at Alan Rush lording it over cheeky Medieval peasants Cheryl Winter and Julia McNulty, and watched in wonder as John and Mungo Behm showed us around the Saxon settlement on the field with the help of the schoolchildren 29
Imagined Land Project and an awesome Saxon haka. Marching Roman Cub Scouts led us to the final scene which I shall carry forever: as the sun sank in the west, Kate Cakebread stood with her Spear amid flaming torches and told her tale as Iron Age Warrior Queen Nia, with John’s magnificent giant iron Boar behind her, followed by Struan’s song. Then we all piled back to the Village Hall for some soup, and a knees up with the Bacon Butty band. Thank you all for some wonderful memories of Summer 2017. Now we have to build on that wartime spirit, and keep the momentum going. Ruff!
Lyn McKinny Photographer Gary Diggines
NEW GROUP FROM IMAGINED LAND PROJECT Following the successful local history project this year, a group has been set up with the aim of continuing to develop some of the historical, archaeological and creative work generated by Imagined Land. Friends Of Imagined Land (Tasburgh) FOIL for short, will be looking at a programme of events throughout the coming year, starting with a session to hear from the archaeologist Giles and to return the various finds from digs in gardens around the village during May. FOIL welcomes new members and the next whole group meeting will be on 17 January 2018 at 7pm in the Church Room. In the meantime, expressions of interest can be lodged with Kay, our Secretary, email tasburgh@btinternet.com. 30
Preston Primary School
Our new school year began with the children in Years One, Two and Three spending a day at our partnership school, in Saxlingham Nethergate, where they learnt a range of circus skills and had the opportunity to perform in a Big Top. The children particularly enjoyed balancing on a tightrope, juggling beanbags, spinning plates and mastering tricks with diablos. The beginning of the school year also saw the Imagined Land project come to a spectacular end. In school, the children worked with a musician to learn a song about Tasburgh in the past and many of them sang this song in the pageant. Some of the children also volunteered to play Anglo Saxons and Vikings and spent time practising their roles and making their costumes with the help of people from the village. Many of our children and their families attended the pageant where their lanterns were lit and their shields were carried to celebrate Tasburgh’s past. The Imagined Land evening and project overall were a great success. Another successful event was ‘Science Week’ which was held across the school in October and focused on food and farming. We were fortunate to have the support of a member from the Farming and Countryside Education charity and she helped to organise a range of activities and visitors to our school. The children in Years Four, Five and Six met a representative from Anglian Water and learnt about the water cycle and the importance of water conservation. In Years One, 31
Preston Primary School Two and Three, the children met a Tesco representative and learnt about the different parts of plants that can be eaten and had the opportunity to taste some food. Our older children also had a cookery session with a chef in which they made a healthy and very delicious potato salad. Since the beginning of term, we have continued to compete in different sporting events. In October, many of our Key Stage Two children took part in the Long Stratton Cluster Cross Country event in which they ‘ran their socks off’. Fifteen of them gained top ten positions and went through to the South Norfolk finals. The finals were held last week and two of the children will now be representing the school in the Norfolk School Games finals having finished first and eighth in their race - two fantastic achievements! In October, we also took part in the South Norfolk Football Girls event. This gave many of the girls in Key Stage Two the opportunity to compete as a footballer, something which they relished. In the same month, the children were given the opportunity to enter an art competition which was run by Norfolk County Council. The children greatly enjoyed creating their entries and produced some amazing work. We are extremely proud to learn that the overall winner is one of our Year Five children and that a child in Key Stage One also received a special award. This term is always a busy one which ends with Christmas celebrations and our younger children performing a nativity play. It won’t be long before we are putting up the stage, making mince pies and covering the school in glitter. Georgina Rich Deputy Headteacher 32
Tasburgh Allotment Society As the allotment goes into sleep mode and hibernates for the winter, it’s a valuable time to look back and remember what has worked in 2017 and what needs improvement in 2018 (or just completely forgetting about). Probably the most common remark I’ve heard this year, and more so than any other year so far, has been the frustration that the time the plot needs is just not available. First you find you’ve not been down for a while and then the guilt creeps in. Then it’s a double-edged sword effect, in that not finding the time only leads to bigger and worse jobs developing when you do eventually visit. Next, imagining what’s in store means you then find reasons not to go down and so the situation deteriorates. I’ve mentioned before (in my hunt for excuses), its different with a garden as it’s in your face daily where as an allotment plot is out of site and out of mind. Still many points in the year are worth recalling. A successful Produce and Flower Show, an appearance at the Church Flower Festival and new plot holders to welcome aboard. Sadly this of course means farewell to leavers (Hi Amy and Alex… so long Caren…). A memorable AGM sitting in garden chairs on the Chairman’s plot, eating bacon butties, one Sunday morning in September was well attended and showed the continued enthusiasm for the Society (or maybe just bacon butties). Plot Holder of the Year was crowned with Chris Austin - receiving a traditional round of pats on the back, taking it from Colin Symonds by just one vote (and that was Colin’s). Improvements to the site are planned with plots to be marked out in a more formal manner in the New Year to help with boundary issues and the maintenance of paths. Whilst on paths, our new mower is working a treat and thanks to all who are lent a hand during the summer to help keep the site tidy We have fingers crossed to receive some grant money soon for improving the Community plot. More news on the development of this in the next report but basically it should make gardening for the Cubs and Playgroup more user friendly through building some raised beds.
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Tasburgh Allotment Society So on to the new season of 2018, whilst remembering to learn from 2017. Personally, it’s to pull my finger out, and get on with the digging much earlier this time. Left it late last year and regretted it. Also, try to get an early crop in so there is a feeling of progress right from the start this time. For me this means I’ve been bringing on young garlic plants. As far as I can see you can save money here by planting bulbs from the Grocers rather than the Garden Centre. So far this seems to be working but I’ll let you know when it goes wrong. They are in and awaiting the frost that they require. Watch out for the Open Gardens 2018. Please get in touch with me if you’d like to show yours off and be part of the Trail. Those in the past have said they enjoy the feedback from their hard-work and finally Best Wishes to all you Gardeners out there for a successful and enjoyable time on your patches for 2018
TIDY TASBURGH NETWORK Thanks to the Tasburgh litter pickers who continue to help keep the roadsides and verges of Tasburgh rubbish free. Drop me a line if you fancy adopting a stretch of road and watch out for a village wide effort on the last Sunday of February (9:30 Village Hall – arrive with bags and gloves). We now own four litter picking tools to ease the bending and these are available on demand. Simon Orford TAS Secretary 07867 914307 simon.orford@jic.ac.uk) 34
Tasburgh Memories 900 years ago in 1086 William The Conqueror organised a survey of England to find out what he had conquered.He used this information as a basis for taxation. Tasburgh is described as 10 x 7 furlongs. East Anglia had a greater proportion of residents than most of England who were free men. This entitled them to farm their own land much of which was in strips around the parish. The Lords of the Manor were evicted and their land given to Normans. The recipients in Tasburgh were Berard and Azelin sharing 110 acres. Before the conquest one manor belonged to Stigand The Archbishop of Canterbury known for his unsaintly ways. Rainthorpe Hall had 60acres and 7 acres of meadows. Before the conquest it was owned by Ailwin a Saxon then given to William a Norman. There were two and the estate had eight families living there. No mention is made of the church although the tower was built around 1000.This suggests it belonged to the village rather than a private owner as many churches did then. I have used Sylvia Addington's research as a basis for articles over many years. I want to vary the articles using information from the Imagine project. I am happy to write stories from information given by residents
Dave Moore
TASBURGH CARERS GROUP We continue to support carers and their cared for on a monthly basis. Meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of the month meeting in the social club room at the rear of the village hall (with wheelchair access) 10.30 -12.30. There will always be a supply of useful information leaflets for carers and a supportive group of volunteers to give you a warm welcome. Future dates November 16th, December 21st. For further information you can contact the secretary of the group (Rachel Mahoney) email rachel.mahoney71@gmail.com
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Tasburgh Tips and Treats CURRIED PARSNIP AND APPLE SOUP As the days become colder and you are looking for something warming and comforting to eat, try this lovely soup with some crusty bread for a lunchtime treat. 1 1/2 lb (700g) parsnips 1 1/2 oz (40g) butter 1 tbl spoon groundnut oil 2 medium onions, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 pts (1.2 litres) stock 1 heaped tsp spoon coriander seeds 1 rounded tsp spoon cumin seeds 6 whole cardamom pods, seeds only 1 rounded tsp spoon turmeric 1 rounded tsp spoon powdered ginger salt and pepper 1 medium bramley apple
METHOD Heat a small frying pan and dry roast the coriander, cumin and cardamom seeds to toast them. After 2-3 minutes they will change colour and start to jump in the pan. Crush them finely with a pestle and mortar. Heat the butter and oil in a saucepan until the butter begins to foam, then add the onion and gently soften for about 5 minutes before adding the garlic. Let that cook along with the onion for another 2 minutes, then add all the crushed spices and the turmeric and ginger, stir and let it continue to cook gently for a few more minutes. Peel and chop parsnips into 1 inch dice. Add the parsnips to the saucepan, stirring well, then pour in the stock, add some seasoning and let the soup simmer uncovered as gently as possible for 1 hour. Remove from heat, then liquidise. Return to pan and gently reheat prior to serving. As the soup reaches simmering point, grate the peeled apple into it. Barely simmer for only 3-4 minutes, serve.
Julie Lawrence 36
PLANT SALES Pauline and Ian Anderson would like to thank everybody for their support in buying plants during this year. A total of £200.00 was raised and a cheque has been sent to the wonderful local charity “Nelson’s Journey”
Saxlingham Players are performing the play
"The Heiress" Saxlingham Village Hall Wednesday 29th Thursday 30th November Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December 2017 Tickets are £7 each and can be obtained by ringing Vicky Stocks on 01508 499631 Catherine Sloper, a young Heiress, is considered dull and lifeless in comparison to her Mother. Could anyone love her as she is? Morris Townsend is her handsome, charming, penniless suitor - is it her, or her money, that he is attracted to? Adapted from a Henry James novel, this period drama is intriguing and touching. Do come along and decide for yourself. 37
Burrfeld Park Another year at Burrfeld is coming to an end. Everything has grown really fast this year, a few wild flowers have managed to show through. Unfortunately, the apple trees, although they had some blossom on in the spring, the frost killed a lot of it, so there were very few apples, unlike last year. The water level in the pond has got very low this summer, but the Scouts did a pond dipping and found quite a few creatures in there. The pink Spindle trees have been really lovely this year. We had a very successful Moth Breakfast in June, about forty people attended and enjoyed seeing the variety of moths. At the beginning of October we had another Work Morning, many thanks to the fifteen people who turned up to help. Special thanks to Alec and Amy’s friend Adam, who is a gardener, very kindly cut for free, a large area for us, so there was plenty to rake up. If anyone would like to come and help at one of our work mornings, we would be very pleased to see you. Hopefully next year the Park will do as well.
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Dates for Your Diary Sunday 10th December Friends of Imagined Land (FOIL) Tasburgh Village Hall 2pm a summary report from Giles Emery about the archaeological aspects of the project and to return finds to their owners. Thursday 21st Dec Tasburgh Carers Group Tasburgh Village Hall 10.30am - 12.30pm Sunday 24th Dec Father Christmas Visit Church Porch 6.00pm - 7.00pm Wednesday 17th January 2018 Friends of Imagined Land (FOIL) Church Room 7.00pm Full Meeting Sunday 25th February Tasburgh Tidy Network Tasburgh Village Hall 9.30am bring bags and gloves Friday 9 March Friends of Imagined Lane (FOIL) Are planning a Ceilidh evening. Look out for details in the New Year If you would like your event listed on this page just let us know.
tasburghpc@btinternet.com NEXT EDITION The SPRING edition of the Quarterly and Church News will be distributed by the end of February. Contributions from local organisations are always welcomed and can be emailed to the Parish Clerk for inclusion. We would be particularly pleased to receive suggestions for regular articles. All articles to the Parish Clerk, tasburghpc@btinternet.com by 2nd February 2018 39
Classifieds
COST OF ADVERTISING If you wish to advertise in the Quarterly please contact the Parish Clerk, tasburghpc@btinternet.com. Prices as follows: Greyscale: full page £34.00, half page £24.00, quarter page £12.50 Colour: full page £65.00, half page £45.00, quarter page £25.00. Discount of 10% available to those living and trading in Tasburgh, and a further 5% when four issues are booked and paid for in advance. 40
Classifieds
RETRACE ANTIQUES We will pay a fair price for good quality antique, vintage, unusual & decorative Art & Furnishings Including interior & garden furniture & statuary, pictures, silver & metal ware, ceramics & glass, and fine objects that need a new home Contact Tracey or Gary Bray on 01379 608549 or 07525019762 Email: Retraceantiques@gmail.com Bonds Rd, Tivetshall St Mary, Norwich NR15 2BX
A large print version of the Tasburgh Quarterly and Church News is available upon request. Please contact 01508 494569 41
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