MARCH 2018 About Thetford magazine

Circulation 12,500 copies

Issue 148 March 2018

Your Local Independent Community Magazine

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Spring Has Sprung

Carnegie Room during A conference took place in the ridor and how we may Cor February to discuss our River an environmental and Page 5 - Game & Country Fair from it of e be able to make mor that this is something Page 6 - Community Governance Review tourism point of view. I am sure Page 8 & 9 - Out And About Thetford river is so very much our many would welcome locally as pted Page 10 & 11 - Leaping Hare prom nce fere con This et. an underappreciated ass river - if you have not Page 15 - Charity Curry Night Success me to go for a walk along the oughly recommend it! Our Page 16 - National Spring Clean Week done this before, I would thor comes from that walk. At Page 20 - Grand Open Day For U3A th front cover image this mon idor is looking particularly Page 23 - Thetford Past and Present this time of year the river corr Page 24 - Ask The Undertaker for the snowdrops. fantastic and be sure to look out Page 28 & 29 - Thetford Faces details on page 49 of the Page 31 - Ancient House Museum If walking is your thing - there’s aps after reading Des Page 33 - Garden and Allotment Club Thetford Ramblers group or perh inspired to take up Page 35 - BTO Column - Bird Boxes be ’ll you Talbot’s story on page 54 Page 39 - Community Corner Parkrun or running generally? w Page 41 - Duleep Singh Talk For Probus kne who and n Clea ing Spr a Spring is also a time for n week in March? One of Page 43 - Inner Wheel Art Deco Talk there was National Spring Clea ten about this very topic Page 45 - Admiral Nurse Vists Rotary our regular advertisers has writ your thing - be sure to Page 47 - Work Experience For Victoria e mor on page 16. If dancing is Party on Saturday 17th Page 48 - Rambler’s News check out the St Patrick’s Day Page 53 - Exercise With Others information.

March - see page 14 for more LJPage Taxis 1/8 15:51 Page tor) (Edi 54 AD.qxp_Layout - Parkrunner 1Of08/11/2017 The Month y Jerm y Terr , hes wis t Bes

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E-mail address for all articles, adverts etc:aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com Contact us: 075404 63662 Office Address: C/o Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, IP24 3LH Publisher; In And About Thetford Ltd, C/o Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford IP24 3LH Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this magazine, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by its contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission of the publishers is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher

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Grand Opening

Easter Sunday, 1 April 2018, 10am - 3pm Join us in celebrating the start of our 2018 season. Come along and find out about the work we do and support the Museum.

Our 1902 Traction Engine, 1927 Steam Roller and 1920 Showman’s Engine will be in full steam outside in the car park.

We’ll have visiting engines, model engines, a display of fairground models, and so much more!

Refreshments available in our Steamers Cafe.

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East Anglian Game and Country Fair Set To Return In April With Spring fast approaching it’s time to get outside and enjoy our amazing local environment. The East Anglian Game & Country Fair will take place on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th April, at the Euston Estate, just off the A11 at Thetford. Hosted by kind permission of The Duke and Duchess of Grafton. Speaking recently, the Duke said: “My family and I are delighted that Euston Estate is once again hosting this event. The East Anglian Game and Country Fair showcases the best in country pursuits in the region and we hope that it will continue to go from strength to strength."

East Anglian Game and Country Fair pictured in 2017

from snakes to prairie dogs (even a talking raven). There are over 350 shopping stands with a wide variety of products from fashion and footwear to gun makers, eco products, fishing tackle and home designer wares. Plus, craft halls and gift marquees. The Dog & Duck onsite pub will be serving a great selection of local beers and drinks throughout the weekend, and will be hosting live music both during the day and on the Saturday evening. Children of all ages will be able to take part in countryside activities and meet several animals, including alpacas and enjoy donkey rides.

Headlining the Main Arena this year are the World Famous JCB Dancing Diggers. They have been described as a down to earth version of the Red Arrows; they have curtsied for the Queen; pirouetted for TV and thrilled thousands all over the world. Although in great demand, the Diggers limit their appearances to three or four shows per year and have appeared on TV all over the world. Also brand new for this year will be the Exotic Animal Encounter. This animal encounter offers the chance to meet and interact with animals you would usually only see in the zoo, from meerkats to skunks

For more info please go to: www.ukgamefair.co.uk

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1st Choice Locksmiths _Layout 1 09/12/2015 12:40 P

Thetford Area Local Governance Review

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A governance review to move the parish boundary is being undertaken by Breckland Council to look at how the 5,000 new houses that are being built to the north of Thetford will be managed at a town council level.

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These new houses are referred to as the Thetford Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) and currently the area falls within the parishes of Croxton and Kilverstone, and not Thetford. Therefore, as the other parishes provide little services, the cost of town services for these new residents will be paid for by you, the residents of Thetford.

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Using existing parish council precepts as comparisons, a Tax Band D in Thetford is £122.71 per house, per annum. Whereas in Brettenham and Kilverstone the annual parish charge is £21.60 per house, per annum.

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Thetford Town Council believes it to be unfair that the residents of these new houses will pay £100 per year less than existing Thetford residents, unless the boundary is moved!

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Thetford Town Council requests its residents to complete the survey link below to ensure that their views are heard so that all residents are treated equally and pay the same amount for the same services. The buses serving the new development will bring the new residents directly into Thetford to use the amenities provided by the town council. There has been a precedent, when the boundary of Thetford was expanded to accommodate the new Cloverfields development, which seemed sensible, as it was an extension of Thetford just as these new houses will be.

It is important to have your say! Please complete the consultation before the closing date of Friday 16th March 2018 at 5pm. Responses can be sent online at: www.breckland.gov.uk/article/7478/ Thetford-Consultation By email: elections@breckland.gov.uk

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6

P

Thetford’Calendar Competition Calling photographers of all ages and abilities!

Would you like one of your photos to feature in a brand new calendar for Thetford? We are really excited to announce a brand new competition, inspired by some of the beautiful shots that we have seen of our town. We have teamed up with Leaping Hare CIC and Lawson’s Estate Agents to bring you this great opportunity. The calendars will be on sale from September with all proceeds going to keep Thetford’s Great Information Centre open.

The final 12 photos will make up the new calendar and each photographer will receive full accreditation.

About Thetford will then publish the final 12 and you will be able to vote on the overall winner, who will take pride of place on the front cover.

The competition is now OPEN. You have until 31st May 2018 to get your entries in. Get those creative juices flowing, be inspired by our beautiful town – the river, wildlife, trees, flowers, architecture – there is so much to choose from and we can’t wait to see your entries.

How to enter Thetford Calendar Competition

You can enter up to 5 photos in total, which must be taken in Thetford (within 2 miles of the Parish boundary). The images can be uploaded at info@leapinghare.org or hard copies can be delivered to Thetford’s Great Information Centre until Thursday 31 May 2018.

Photos submitted must not be used in any other publication or for any other purpose (if you do not make the final 12, then you will be able to use your images after 30 September 2018). We cannot return entries, however, should you be unsuccessful you will be able to collect any hard copy entries from Thetford’s Great Information Centre between after 30 September until 1 December 2018.

You can find full details of how to enter and terms and conditions on our website or call into Thetford’s Great Information Centre for a paper version.

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7

Out and About Thetford

The Nottingham Opens In Thetford The new branch on King Street, which opened in December, recently held a branch warming party for customers and members of the local community. Thetford is one of seven former Norwich and Peterborough Building Society branches being taken over by The Nottingham in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. David Marlow, Chief Executive of The Nottingham, said, “We are delighted that four former staff members from the Norwich & Peterborough Building Society have chosen to join us at The Nottingham. We are all looking forward to welcoming familiar faces as well as new customers to the branch.” King Street came alive as shoppers were entertained by Robin Hood, Little John and his stilt walking jester friend. Visitors to the Thetford branch were offered the opportunity to try the ‘wheel of fortune’ and win a prize throughout the day. Cluster manager for Norfolk, Sharon Clark said, “I am really pleased with how responsive the public in Thetford have been to The Nottingham opening here and how much they recognise the need for financial advice on the high street. Our launch event has been a fantastic day.”

Trust Unveils Future Plans Keystone Development Trust held its AGM at Riversdale, a community building

in the centre of the town which has transferred to Keystone. CEO Louise Wigglesworth thanked everyone for attending and said the meeting was “time to reflect back on what we’ve done, what we’ve achieved and what we want to do.” Along with highlighting the diversity of the team at Keystone and their progression, she also highlighted the success of their social enterprises and the focus for 2018. As part of the AGM, participants were given a tour of the centre and had the opportunity to see work created by some of the projects run by Keystone. A delicious buffet lunch was also provided by a group of young people who have developed their skills at the café in the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre. Riversdale itself will now have a 6 month consultation and review period, with the current intention to continue to run it as it is and develop the venue as a town centre hub for Keystone’s activities.

A new group, Friends of Riversdale will be created to help fundraise and inform Keystone on the needs of Riversdale. The centre now hosts the Men’s Shed, a workshop creating items and small pieces of furniture from pallets. New gardening groups are being introduced and a youth social group for ages 13 – 17 years is now based at Riversdale, along with a weekly community meal. On March 8th Keystone will host an exhibition to celebrate International Womens Day at Café One, in the Innovation Centre. For more information about Keystone visit: Keystone Trustees, Directors and CEO Louise Wigglesworth www.keystonetrust.org.uk (3rd from right) outside the Riversdale Centre Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements

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Awards For Thetford RBL Staff and

members are celebrating at Thetford Royal British Legion Branch after being awarded the Royal Challenge Cup and the Addison-Williamson Cup. The Royal Challenge Cup was awarded for the highest increase in funds collected for the Poppy Appeal. Thetford branch last achieved this in 2014 and has over 20 collectors who give their time over a period of two weeks each year. The AddisonWilliamson Cup is for successful governance including all the administration of the branch.

Chair Roger Smith said, “We’re competing with branches like Gt Yarmouth and Norwich Thetford branch committee members, Helen Webster, who have a much larger area than we do so Mandy Adlington, Chair Roger Smith, Martin Keats it’s a great honour to be recognised.” Thetford branch has over 150 members, anyone can join. Youth members are 16 to 18 years old, and adult membership starts at 18 years. Roger continued, “We are open to anyone joining, not just service people, but also those who want to follow the aims of the RBL”. Thetford RBL moved to its current premises in 2004, the club has the WW1 memorial from St Mary’s the Less on display along with some of the original pews. There has been a RBL branch in the town since 1921, and Thetford was one of the first branches across the UK. The beautiful glass chandelier in the bar area was donated by the Sergeants Mess at RAF Honington. This August they are sending a representative to GP90, an event re-enacting the visit made by widows and family to see the war graves in 1928. 829 standards will be marched through the Menin Gate as part of this event. The Thetford RBL are also affliated with 1109th Sqn (Thetford) Air Training Corp and also in the process of doing the same with the Army Cadet Corp in Thetford. For more information on joining the RBL please go to www.britishlegion.org.uk

Storytelling Enthralls Audiences An excited audience buzzing in anticipation greeted Punjabi storyteller

Seema Anand at Elveden Village Hall and Thetford Library during half term. Funded by Arts Council England, Seema performed at a number of Norfolk venues during the week as part of the lead in to the Festival of Thetford and Punjab happening later in the summer and led by Essex Cultural Diversity Project.

Elveden provided a fitting venue, having been the home to Maharajah Ranjit’s son Duleep Singh and his family in the late 18th century. Seema opened her session with, “The history of Maharajah Duleep Singh is dotted with weird and wonderful stories.” She then went on to talk about the curse of the Koh-i-noor diamond and how fearless Maharjah Ranjit was.Accompanied by Ali playing the saragi, a unique Indian musical instrument, Seema delighted her audience with tales of Maharajah Ranjit Singh. As Seema told her stories she included the audience with great effect, the audience were invited to suggest how the story continued and to take part in role play. This resulted in a great deal of laughter from both Seema and the audience. Speaking about the sessions Seema said, “I think it’s really lovely, I was surprised to see so many adults. It’s an area that obviously loves its history. Maharajah Ranjit Singh is part of the local Duleep Singh history, and this is a set of stories that engage across the age range. I like to tell in the traditional Punjabi style, telling the story as mythology tells it rather than as history sees it, bringing a sense of togetherness.” For more information visit: www.essexcdp.wordpress.com Pictured: Seema Anand with Ali at Thetford Library Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements

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Sunday 11 March Thetford is Buzzing!

We normally expect things to slow down a little after Christmas, but 2018 has other ideas and we have already seen an amazing selection of events and things to do on offer. We thought it would be a good idea to expand our mini roundup this month - so get the dates in your diaries and most importantly buy your tickets.

Don’t forget event tickets make a great gift perfect for Mother’s Day on Sunday 11 March.

Why not pair them with some of our hand made jewellery and beauty products and make your own thoughtful hamper - she’ll love it!

Last Chance...

…for you to get your tickets for these great events. Check out our Box Office list and our packed events calendar at leapinghare.org or call in for full details of these and many more.

NEW

The 2018 Coach Services excursion brochure is now in our shop. Their trips are always very popular so we recommend trying to book as soon as you can.

Tues 6 Mar South African Experience Talk Thur 8 Mar Inglorious: Conflict in the uplands Fri 9 Mar Quiz Night Fish & Chips Fri 9 Mar Murder Mystery Sat 10 Mar Artistic Paper Cutting For Spring Fri 16 Mar Our Day Out Singing Workshop Sat 17 Mar BTO Nocturnal Animal Event Sin 17 Mar Dad’s Army Museum Reopens Sat 17 Mar St Patrick's Day Party Wed 21 Mar Wellbeing & Recruitment Roadshow Wed 21Mar GTDP Community Meeting Thur 22 Mar U3A Open Day Fri 23 Mar Ghost Walk Fri 23 Mar Thetford Folk Club Sat 24 March Mozart’s Requiem Sat 24 Mar ELO Encounter Live Sat 24 Mar BTO Guided Bird Walk Sat 31 March Easter Egg Hunt Sun 1 April Charles Burrell Museum Opening Sun 1 April Charity Car Boot Sun 1 April Thetford 5K Easter Bunny Run 20 April St George’s Day Quiz Wed 4 - Fri 6 Apr Songs from Stage & Screen Sat 14 April From Zimbabwe With Love Mon 23 - Sat 28 April With The Best Of Will Sat 28 - Sun 29 Apr EAGC Fair Mon 7 - Sat 12 May Euston Hall Open Days Fri 11 May 50 Years of Croft & Perry Sat 19 May Searchers & Hollies Experience Thurs 31 May - Sun 2 Jun Red Rooster Sat 16 June Thetford’s 3rd Gin Festival Sat 30 June Wild West Night Sun 1 July Thetford Open Gardens Sat 7 - Sat 21 July Festival of Thetford and the Punjab Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Aug VW Whitenoise Sat 13 Oct Sixties Explosion Fri 2 Nov What The Floyd Live

Don’t Forget

Clocks go forward 1 hour on Sunday 25 March

Wretham To Welcome Easter Visitors The Easter weekend will see volunteers at Wretham prepare to welcome visitors from near and far as both gardens and church open for them.

Easter Sunday– 1st April

On Tesco car park 7am to 2pm

Hot & Cold Snacks Available

On both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, April 1st and Pitches £6 in adv or £7 on the day 2nd, the National Gardens Scheme gardens of Wretham Lodge (pictured) will be open to visitors from 11am to In Aid of The Stewart Howard 5pm. On show in the gardens of the former rectory will Memorial Fund for be tulips, hellebores, fritillaries, daffodils and narcissi, with small forest walk, walled gardens and herbaceous borders. Admission is £5 with children free all proceeds going to NGS charities. Across the road the church of St Ethelbert will be open over the same times, offering Stove & Fireplace Centre 1 15/02/2018 11:34 Page 1 refreshment and cakes, with HP a big02.qxp_Layout second hand book Sorry, NO TRADERS sale. Parking off the A1075 Thetford to Watton Road.

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Full installed service available by our own HETAS Registered Engineers.

Come and visit our superb showroom at: 11 Brunel Way, Thetford IP24 1HP

Opening Times: Monday - Friday: 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday: By Appointment

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Power To Change Update The Charles Burrell Centre with funding from the Big Lottery are raising money for their match funding agreement with Power to Change to support some very exciting refurbishments at the centre.

Our target is £37,500 and with ongoing support from local people we are pleased to share that we have now reached nearly £14,500 of our fundraising target. This amount has been raised through various activities and events including the recent charity dinner hosted by Raj (see page 15 for more info), raffles, table top sales, and our Sponsor a Chair campaign. A huge thank you to all who have supported us so far whether that be attending one of our events or for being involved in the running of them, without your support and generosity we would not achieve as much as we have!

Some of the volunteers pictured at the recent Volunteer Action Day that took place at the Centre

Keep updated with all our progress, volunteering opportunities, fundraising activities, training and work experience placements via:

Our ‘Sponsor A Chair’ campaign is well under way and over 30 chairs have now been sponsored. We would really like to increase the number of sponsors and appeal to local businesses, individuals and ex-students to sponsor a chair at the centre and leave your mark for all our visitors, current and future to see. We have a number of different sponsorship packages available.

Website: www.charlesburrellcentre.org.uk E-mail: jenna@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk Telephone 01842 779867 Facebook / Twitter: @CBCCentre Or pop into the centre and speak to one of our friendly staff.

Address: Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3LH

For more information please contact the centre or visit the Leaping Hare website where chairs can now be sponsored online. In addition to our fundraising efforts we have held a number of Volunteer Action Days to support the refurbishments across the centre. Our latest volunteer day was held this month with around ten Catch 22 and CBC volunteers participating in our court Sat 17th March St Patrick's Day Party with yard clean-up. This included a full day of weeding, Live Band digging and team-work! A huge thank you to Catch 22, Fri 20th April St George's Day Pub Quiz Sat 16th June Ginternational: Thetford's Third all our volunteers, Ricky from Old Skool Bar and Tim Gin Festival from THIS for your support in the clean-up, this outside DKM Services AD.qxp_Layout 1 17/07/2017 15:07 Pag Sat 30th June Wild West Night space now looks amazing!

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Sat 1st Sept 80's Party Night Sat 27th Oct Halloween Party with Live Band Mon 31st Dec NYE Extravaganza

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See individual event posters for more details; dates may be subject to change.

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Tickets available from the Leaping Hare Box Office, King Street or online via: www.leapinghare.org or call 01842 751975 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK and read about our events in the About Thetford Magazine, www.abouththetfordmagazine.co.uk Facebook: @oldskoolbar2016 Twitter: @OldSkoolBarThet

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14

Charity Curry Night Success Thetford Raj based on the Admirals Estate recently hosted a fundraising dinner to support the Charles Burrell Centre’s Power to Change Project.

The Centre has to raise £37,500 as match funding to unlock the £112,500 of lottery money awarded for improvements to the centre. The evening was organised

by About Thetford, who are based at the centre. As regular About Thetford advertisers, Thetford Raj hosted a similar event last year for Editor Terry Jermy when he was Mayor. 53 Guests were treated to a selection of delicious food, including chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes. Entertainment for the evening came in the guise of a ‘blind’ raffle. Prizes were placed in black bags so that the winner had no idea of what they had won until the bag was opened. Many local companies donated prizes including Shadwell, Rudlings Wakelam Solicitors, Leaping Hare, Zaks, The Light Cinema, Nadine’s Cakes and Celebrations, R Manser Heating Ltd and Slimming World based at CBC.

Staff from Thetford Raj with representatives from the Charles Burrell Centre holding a cheque to reveal the total raised on the night

The evening raised £751.00, with all proceeds going to the Power to Change project at the CBC.

Easter Saturday (31st March)

M N BO O O O T W K H F ER O S R D AY

A number of events will be taking place at Charles Burrell Centre including an Easter Raffle, Thetford Toy Library Easter Egg hunt and more.

Visit the CBC Facebook page for more information.

Thetford Raj QP Advert 5_Layout 1 03/02/2017 08:38 All welcome to attend.

Sunday Buffet

(Dine in only) Every Sunday from 12 Noon - 9pm £9.95pp Children under 10 £5.10 EAT AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE!

Karen-Emma White said, “I’m delighted with the amount raised this evening. I want to say a huge thank you to Thetford Raj for offering to host the dinner and all their hard work, and also to everyone who helped with tonight, supported the event and donated prizes.”

Free glass of wine for Mothers on March 26 if you mention About Thetford when booking

Banquet Night

EVERY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY (Dine in only) £10.95pp Starter, Main Dish, Vegi Dish Rice and Nan Extra £2.50 for dishes above £8.00 Extra £1.95 Fish & King prawn starters

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15

Time For Your Spring Clean?

Here we are in March, the start of Spring, and from 5th-11th it is National Spring Cleaning Week! There is even a website for it www.springcleaningweek.com where you can pick up lots of handy hints and tips (or else give us a call and one of our maids will come and do it! See Maid 2 Clean advert).

Cleaning is rarely something to look forward to for most people, but there’s something about a thorough spring Could it be that so many different cultures embark on clean that is enough to make a house-proud person or rituals and celebrations that involve spring cleaning one of our maids excited to get their rubber gloves on. because, this time of year is simply the best time to That fresh feeling and lovely smells after your house refresh and clean your home? Spring cleaning is about is cleaned from ceiling to floor is super rewarding and much more than just getting rid of junk and dirt. It's will make your home feel renewed. The good thing is also meant to symbolize clearing out the cobwebs in that "spring cleaning" can really mean doing as much the mind and soul. And sometimes it clears the way for or as little cleaning as you want. Nobody's going to good times ahead, too. Happy Spring Cleaning Week! come to your house to check for dust or to see if your If you need some help clearing the cobwebs in your DVD collection is organized. You're the one who has to home, you can find us on the web! live there, so you should clean to your own standards. www.maid2cleansuffolk.co.uk Ultimately, spring is a Telephone: 0800 878 6388 great time to clean our Deadline for content to be included in the April 2018 homes and always has been. Before central edition of About Thetford will be the 15th March - send to: aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com heating, people kept their houses shut tight Would you like a Maid to Clean your home? against the cold of winter. Homes were heated with coal, oil and wood and lit with candles. It’s a lifestyle that produces a lot of smoke and ash. Spring, with its warmer days and lighter evenings was, and still is, an opportunity to make a home where the smell of stale smoke hung from the walls, fresh again. Windows and doors can be opened, so dust can be cleared outside and washed cloth and linen will dry MCP Editorial:TEMPLATE quicker now that is can be hung12/09/2013 in the breeze.08:13 Page 1

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Roaring Success for Mobile Cancer Care Unit Members of the Lioness Club Thetford (Breckland) presented a cheque for £1,500 recently to cancer support charity ‘Hope for Tomorrow’.

Regional Fundraiser Dawn Osko MBE met with the Lioness Club and delivered a talk about the work of the charity’s Mobile Cancer Care Units. The Lioness Club is supporting the West Suffolk unit which visits Thetford on Fridays to deliver cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes. The Hope for Tomorrow charity provide the Mobile Cancer Care Unit to West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. The charity’s units are funded by community donations, they receive no government funding. The charity was inspired by a patient in 2003 and the first bus was on the road in 2007. The cost of buying and fitting out a bus is £265,000 for 3 years, thereafter the annual costs are £15,000. Each bus can treat up to 20 patients a day, 4 patients at a time.

Locally given treatments and support can reduce time spent travelling to hospital and the relating stress. The buses are staffed and paid for by the NHS but all other costs rely on donations.

Dawn Osko from Hope For Tomorrow receiving the donation from Lioness President Sheila Ogden

Our West Suffolk MCCU known as ‘Frisbey’ was launched by Charity Patron Martin Brundle in 2016, and was named in memory of his grandmother, who sadly passed away from cancer. ‘Frisbey’ currently visits the following locations once a week: Thetford, Newmarket, Sudbury and Stowmarket.

For more information, visit the website: John Oliver Feb/March 2018 Ads.qxp_Layout 1 18/01/2 www.hopefortomorrow.org.uk

Dawn Osko MBE, Regional Fundraiser for Hope for Tomorrow in Suffolk and Lincolnshire said, “We’re very grateful to have the support of the Lioness Club here in Thetford and following the recent news that West Suffolk cancer services were rated amongst the best in the country, we’re delighted to be part of that team.”

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U3A Grand Open Day Thetford University of the Third Age is holding its fourth FREE Open Day on Thursday 22nd March 1.45pm to 4pm in the Main Hall at the Breckland Leisure Centre, This is your chance to see the activities on offer, ask questions, sample badminton, short tennis and table tennis (appropriate footwear is essential for these) and chat to new people. We have activities for all tastes and abilities and have fun while participating! There is nothing like the U3A to beat the Winter blues!

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TARA Success For TADDS

Dementia Friendly Thetford

February was a great month for Thetford and District Dementia Support Group with recognition given through the Thetford Awards Recognising Achievement (TARA) Awards in the “Good Neighbour” category for the work that the group does in supporting people living with dementia and their Carers.

In February the Tesco Superstore in Thetford put key staff through dementia awareness training.

By becoming more dementia friendly and raising staff awareness to the challenges faced by someone with memory loss, it can improve customer service and experience and make staff more confident when dealing with customers as well as having a positive impact in helping a person to maintain their independence within their local community. Furthermore with statistics showing that 83% of people living with dementia, change their shopping habit to retailers who are accessible, its not just a socially and morally responsible step which shows how Tesco value all of their customers, but is also of benefit to the retail business.

Well done Tesco Thetford on taking this initiative to become even more dementia friendly.

If you would like to volunteer for the Befriending Service or for the weekly group, contact Thetford and District Dementia Support Group on 07542 866 519 or email; taddsgroup@hotmail.com To find out more about Dementia Friendly Thetford, visit; www.thetford-dementia-support-group.org

Representatives of Thetford and District Dementia Support Group at the recent TARA awards

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Thetford Audio Book Club Seeking New Members Visually-impaired people in and around Thetford are being urged not to miss out on the joy of books – by taking part in a monthly Audio Book Club which takes place at the towns library.

Run by the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB), the monthly book club is one of eight across Norfolk, with members meeting to discuss the chosen book of the month. Members receive the audio book on either a CD or memory stick. Now the Thetford group is looking for more members from visually-impaired people in the area.

Members of Thetford NNAB dicussing a book

The Thetford group is led by NNAB volunteers Rosemary and Colin Gregory. Mr Gregory said, “The club means that members get to listen to books they wouldn’t otherwise have done, as well as enjoying the social interaction which is part of any book club.”

“With the onset of sight loss, many people find it difficult to enjoy the pleasures of reading,” said Mark Smith, leisure activities co-ordinator at the NNAB, and who is himself blind. “This is where audio books come into play, and they are a vital means of enjoying a favourite book. We read a huge variety of books – they are certainly not all highbrow or literary classics! The titles are the kind of books that most enthusiastic readers may find on their shelves. Our meetings are informal and friendly, we try to make them fun.”

The Thetford Audio Book Club meets on the second Friday of every month from 10.30am to 12pm in the towns library. Attendance and the loan of the audio books is free for members, thanks to Norfolk County Council funding. Anyone interested in taking part – no matter the extent of their sight loss – can contact Mark Smith at the NNAB on 01603 629558 or via email at marksmith@nnab.org.uk

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Past & Present

A townscape completely transformed. The past photograph of the A11 road bridge over the Thetford to Bury St Edmunds railway was taken by Reg Robinson in the mid-1960s.

The second by David Osborne recently showing the now established Diss roundabout.

Photographs from the David Osborne Collection.

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Ask The Undertaker

Julie – Thetford “My Husband Jim has a strange request, he would like to know if his funeral can be held in conjunction with his wake at his favourite Pub. He has spoken to the landlord and he has said it will be ok. Is this legal?” - Well Julie this will of course be ok, it is not quite as unusual as you may think and is totally legal. The actual Funeral Service can be held anywhere but of course there would need to be a burial or cremation afterwards.

Each month we invite readers to submit questions to our resident undertaker - Mark Skinner. Here are some questions that have been submitted this month.

Mrs M Harris – Thetford “Mark can you tell me why it is taking so long for funerals to take place these days, especially cremations.

I have lost two good friends recently and both funerals have been more than a month’s wait.”

Mrs Harris I am sorry to say that the main reason for this is that there has been a large number of funerals over the last few months and all of the local crematoriums have very limited availability and are generally fully booked for about three to four weeks ahead. This is particularly so when families require a funeral that is not to early or late in the day. This can put even more pressure on families who are struggling with their loss as they find the time they have to wait to be too long and hard to cope with.

If you have a question that you would like to ask Mark, please send it to: mark@mark-skinner.org.uk

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Hopefully this will improve as the West Suffolk Crematorium are opening a second service chapel on the 12th March so this should reduce the time families have to wait for their loved funerals.

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Weeting All Star Performers present: Dick Weetington

Thetford (Breckland) Lionesses welcomed Paul Byewell from the ‘Blood Bikes’ Services by Emergency Response Volunteers Norfolk to their recent meeting.

Friday 27th and Saturday 28th April.

Doors open at 6.15pm and show starts at 6pm for the Friday and Saturday evening performances.

Doors open at 1.15pm and show starts at 2pm for the Saturday afternoon performance.

Tickets: £5.50 for adults and £4.50 for OAP/Children £1 reduction for pre-purchased tickets.

At Weeting Village Hall Raffle, tea and cakes at the interval Tickets available from Carole on 01842 550919

Paul gave an informative talk about the role of the Blood Bikes and explained that they transport blood and the blood products, pathology samples and breast milk between Kings Lynn, James Paget Hospital and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. They may receive or deliver supplies to Addenbrooks Hospital including the Rosie Maternity Unit. The service is entirely funded by donations and 96 pence from every pound is used to fund the charity needs and only 4 pence of the pound is used for administration costs. A cheque for £500 was presented to Paul at the end of his presentation; such a worthy cause deserves public support particularly as it receives no NHS Funding.

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Next course in 2018: Thetford: Wed 18 April – Wed 30 May 10:00am – 12-30pm Keystone Innovation Centre, Croxton Road ,Thetford IP24 1JD To sign up or for more information phone Lilla or Madeline on 01284 713023 or email: macmillan.survivorship@wsh.nhs.uk

Paul Byewell from ‘Blood Bikes’ with Sheila Ogden, President of Thetford Lionesses

Thetford (Breckland) Lionesses meet at 7.30pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. For further details please contact Dorothy on 0845-8334764.

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Thetford Society February Report

Thetford WI To Host Craft Day

The February meeting began with a round up of our forthcoming events which include The Cromer Show on 9th August and a planned trip to Holkham Hall. Our Christmas event is already booked for the Carnegie Room and there is much more due to take place.

Thetford Women’s Institute are pleased to invite you to learn new skills and/or brush up your technique at a fun, full day course.

Open Craft Day Saturday 17th March 2018 At Barnham Village Hall, 10am – 3.30pm Cost: £15 to include lunch, dessert, teas and coffees (plus cost of materials payable on the day)

The February guest speaker was Dr Paul Richards who is a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk but more importantly a local historian who has been referred to by the towns people as “Mr Kings Lynn”. His in-depth talk about the Port and the merchants who served there was a fascinating insight into this historic trading centre. As early as the middle ages Lynn was a major seaport and market town dealing in wool, cloth, wine, fish, salt and spices to name but a few. A Hanseatic League was established for trade in the 13th century with the towns of Bremen, Hamburg, Lubeck and Gdansk. By the 18th century the links with the Baltic had continued with imported timber and Portuguese Wine. With so much sea trade it was inevitable that there would be ship building in the town; this is marked today by the full size restored ship at True’s Yard Fishing Museum. This maritime heritage can still be seen in many places where the wealthy merchants’ properties have survived (the mention of a tour of the wine cellars seemed to interest quite a few of the society!). Dr Richards explained how the town had so much of its early history remaining and where possible had preserved it with various grants from Historic England, we all agreed Kings Lynn is definitely worth a trip, especially if our speaker can guide us.

Crafts on offer: Folded Book Art, Introduction to Hardanger, Silk Necklace, Sugarcraft, or Dorset Buttons. Places are filling up, so early application is advised. Further details and booking form from: Mrs Carol Shields Telephone: 01842 752134 or 01842 76114.

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This month’s Thetford Face is Kate Snowdon.

Kate grew up in the town and worked on About Thetford when it was very first set up. Since then Kate has become the youngest trustee of the Born Free Foundation, was the sub-editor at the Discovery Channel’s education service and is now a staff writer for National Geographic Kids magazine. Kate has a wildlife conservation blog, and co-founded London’s original David Bowie Musical walking Tour.

Have you lived in Thetford your entire life?

From birth to the age of 18. I then spent some time volunteering at a game reserve in South Africa, then moved to Hertfordshire for university and London for work. I also spent a year studying abroad in Western Australia during my degree.

How does it feel to be part of a family with long standing connections to Thetford?

It gives me a great sense of heritage and connection to the town. I’m proud to have grown up here and it always feels like home. I’m regularly in touch with what’s going on in Thetford thanks to my family and the sense of community they uphold. I’ve always been very inspired by my family and what they do.

Kate with Sir David Attenborough to Show and Tell at Norwich Road School and feeling incredibly proud. I thought I had actually single handedly saved a tiger and that stuck with me. My nan, Doreen showed me the Born Free film as a child, which also felt significant. I was good at school and always loved writing; I’d decided to be a journalist when I was 14 and that was that. My oldest brother Keith is the Production Director at a local design company and he helped me get work experience there when I was 15. My mum is a school teacher, so I’ve always admired her passion for educating children. National Geographic Kids magazine is my dream job.

What inspired you to choose your career path?

I’ve always loved animals, my mum adopted a tiger for me through Born Free when I was 6 years old and I remember taking my adoption certificate in

What is your favourite thing about Thetford?

The people. There are a lot of people willing to invest their time and energy in the community and especially the young people. When I was a teenager I

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was quite shy and I joined a weekly art class at the art gallery in the Guildhall, I was the youngest of the group and I’ll never forget the support and encouragement they gave me. John Mayes, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago, was the most amazing mentor to me in drawing and coloured pencil art. I also had some brilliant teachers at Charles Burrell High School, Robert Ogden, Linda Kähr and Nico Dobben stand out. I was a member of the Am Dram society at the Carnegie Rooms, and I spent a lot of time with Trevor and Marje during About Thetford earlier years, learning about writing and magazines in general. I owe a lot of thanks to many people.

History’s Greatest Hits feature in National Geographic Kids. I’d also love to write about Thetford Forest for the main National Geographic magazine one day.

What part does music play in your life?

My family is very musical; I grew up with my nan playing piano and the baritone in the Salvation Army’s band and my brother singing and playing guitar. I used to be in the Norwich Road School choir at one time.

Do you come back regularly, and if so what do you like to do on your return?

Yes, I come back as often as I can to visit family and friends. Usually I come to the music nights that my brother Paul (Alton Wahlberg) runs here in Thetford, or to come to an event or boot sale at the Charles Burrell Centre, which my brother Mark manages.

Kate with Nick, George Underwood and Chris Duffy

Which publications have you written for?

I’ve written for many newspapers, magazines and online publications including the EDP and Thetford and Brandon Times. During my study abroad I wrote for Western Independent which covered the whole of West Australia. I’ve written for a number of local magazines such as Suffolk Norfolk Life, About Thetford and Velvet Magazine. Nationally I’ve written for the Big Issue, Teach Primary magazine and Nat Geo Kids magazine.

My online work has featured on BBC Blast, Channel 4 Learning, Channel 4 Talent and Discovery Education. My top moment as a blogger was conducting an interview with Sir David Attenborough.

My fiancé Nick is an incredible songwriter. Together he and I launched a David Bowie Musical Walking Tour of Brixton after Bowie died. I came up with the idea and he’s the singing, guitar-playing, endlessly Bowie knowledgeable tour guide. It’s been more successful than we could have imagined and appeared in NME magazine, BBC News, ITV News, the Metro, Evening Standard, Time Out London. This year we held a special event on Bowie’s birthday and conducted a panel talk with guests including Bowie’s best friend who designed the album sleeves of some of his most well-known albums and the son of the late Brian Duffy, who took the infamous zigzag Aladdin Sane photo. It was a pretty big deal in the Bowie community!

Have you ever written about Thetford?

Yes, at the age of 14 I became a BBC Blast Norfolk reporter and wrote about a fashion show in the Carnegie Rooms and the work of the Thetford Music Project. I also wrote about the town for Suffolk Norfolk Life magazine, specifically the Charles Burrell steam engines and museum. In 2012 I won a place in the EDP’s Jubilee Journalists competition and wrote about the Queen’s visit to Thetford in 1993, which I attended and just about remember!

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If you were asked to write a piece about the town now, what would you write about?

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Ancient House celebrates the contributions of Suffrage Pioneers Young history enthusiasts from the Ancient House’s after school History Club have been learning about the lives of a prominent local family. Their findings on the Duleep Singh family were presented to invited guests, local councillors and their families at a special event on the 14th February marking 100 years of the Suffrage Pioneers.

‘taxation without representation’ was a tyranny. Sophia and Catherine continued to work towards universal women’s suffrage which was only achieved in 1928.

Following the death of Mrs Pankhurst in the same year, Sophia was appointed President of the Suffragette Fellowship Committee.

The princesses’ brother was Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, benefactor of Thetford through his generous gift of the Ancient House Museum and his painting collection. The Museum has a number of local heritage items given by the Duleep Singh family and letters relating to their gift by the princesses. Norfolk Museums Service, which runs Ancient House Museum, is marking 100 years of the suffragettes with a series of events and exhibitions across the year.

Ancient House Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm Telephone 01842 752599

The new stamp featuring Sophia Duleep Singh outside Hampton Court Palace, photo credit Royal Mail

Admission Fees

Adults £4.35 Conc £4.15 Child £3.50 Family 1 adult £11.50 Family 2 Adults £14.80 Free admission to Museum Pass Holders, friends of Thetford Museum, Children’s University, MA & Art Fund members, 1 carer for each registered disabled visitor, Under 4s.

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The event at Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life coincides with the launch of the latest Royal Mail commemorative stamps to mark 100 years of partial femalesuffrage - one of which features Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. On the stamp, Sophia is pictured selling the Votes for Women newspaper in 1913, outside Hampton Court Palace where she lived.

Children aged six to 10 years, from several Thetford Schools, attend the weekly after school history club; bringing the past to life and taking part in a range of activities and projects. They have been putting the spotlight on the lives of Sophia and her sister Princess Catherine, both active campaigners for the women’s suffrage movement, who grew up at Elveden Hall and were the daughters of Maharajah Duleep Singh. They also lived in Old Buckenham and Blo Norton and had strong connections with South West Norfolk. Princess Sophia was part of the Black Friday demonstration with prominent women’s rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst at Caxton Hall, Westminster, on 18 November 1910 and took a stand against paying taxes stating that

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Decca & Premier AD 06 February 2018 14:18:53

Thetford Garden and Allotment Club Time To Spring Into Action As daffodils begin to brighten up every corner, this month will make you want to get out into the garden.

With any luck the amazing mimosa tree on Mill Lane will come into flower now. This is the acacia dealbata or baileyana which derives from Australia and its clusters of tiny yellow pompoms making a delightful show.

Magnolias too will be starting to bloom with their spectacular flowers looking magnificent on bare branches. A less pleasurable indicator of spring is the sudden arrival of hungry slugs and snails. One of the organic methods of controlling this pest in small areas is the use of sheep’s wool or hair. So, if you have hair from brushing your dog (or running a hair salon) you could try this. I suppose one could knit little collars for a favourite plant but maybe that would be rather eccentric!

Unless your soil is very rich, a top dressing of blood, fish and bone or Growmore, scattered a fortnight before planting, will help your crop. Some people find Epsom salts boost their soil with traces of magnesium. If the month is too wet to get much planting done, check your paths and do any work necessary to keep them sound through the year. It is also a good time to empty a compost bin and spread the humus on your beds, perhaps to build a new bin too Our talk this month is The History of Town Criers with Mike Wabe, Thetford’s own Town Crier, as our speaker.

The meeting starts at 7.30 at the United Reformed Church on Thursday 29th March. The Spring Show follows early in April so you can check up on arrangements as well as enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with friends. Happy Gardening! Sue Pilgrim

While the plants are still semi-dormant, you can divide large clumps of perennials such as geraniums. It is also time to prune cornus (or dogwood) so that the plant produces lots of fresh shoots for next winter. Buddleia should be cut back at this time too but leave choisya SPRING is just around the corner which means DAFFODIL TEAS are here again! bushes till April as the soft growth scorches in the Do come along to Barnham Village Hall and sun.On the vegetable patch, some seeds could go in enjoy a lovely afternoon tea from 2— 4:30pm Saturday March 24th (weather permitting) – carrot, broad bean and pea are Saturday March 31st possibilities but check the packet to make sure you Saturday April 7th have the right strain of seed. You can plant shallot Sandwiches, scone & cake with and onion sets, get the early potatoes in too and plant a pot of tea for only £4.00 Sullivan 1-8th Advert_Layout 1 14/12/2016 08:28 PageAll proceeds for the Village Hall Fund asparagus crowns if you are planning a new bed.

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Norfolk Community Group’s Rally Round

the Centre, who have planted them around their site. It was quickly agreed between all three organisations that any surplus plants should be given to the BUILD Charity to restore their garden so the disabled adults and young people can enjoy it once again.

For the second time in recent months, Norwich’s BUILD Charity’s garden has been vandalised and a number plants stolen. BUILD provides social, leisure and learning opportunities for adults and young people with sensory, physical or learning disabilities. Their garden is an important facility and the vandalism caused a lot of distress. News of this thoughtless vandalism spread onto social media.

Georgina Keatley, of THIS, said, “It is important to us that community organisations help each other and that we share resources when we can. We were very upset to hear about the distress suffered by the users of the BUILD Charity and were glad to help”.

Tim Melvin of The Horticulture Industry Scheme – THIS – in Thetford read about BUILD’s misfortunes and told his colleagues, including the ex-offender workforce, all about what had happened. The whole team felt they wanted to do something to help.

For more info about THIS, visit their website: www.this.org.uk

At the end of 2017, The Charles Burrell Centre in Thetford was donated a large quantity of primulas by the Shadwell Trust. The Centre had been awarded funding by the Tescos Bags of Help Scheme in a programme for volunteers to plant some beautiful plants round the Centre and the Shadwell Trust had generously contributed the plants. The Charles Burrell Centre had so many, they couldn’t use them all so they shared them with THIS, the ex-offender gardening charity based at

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34

Time To Box Clever Valentine’s Day 2018 saw the launch of the 21st National Nest Box Week, an initiative by the British Trust for Ornithology and Jacobi Jayne that aims to encourage people across Britain to put up a nest box and provide a safe home for a family of birds.

Some of our best known birds have shown alarming declines in recent years; we have lost almost three quarters of our breeding Starlings and over a third of our House Sparrows, and whilst the drivers behind these declines remain unclear, loss of nesting space is likely to be a contributor. Fortunately both of these species readily take to nest boxes. So, what do they require from a nest box? Importantly, they need a nest box with the right size entrance hole – 45mm for the Starling and 32mm for the House Sparrow.

Photo courtesy of Terry Levitt / BTO

designed for Starlings and find it is occupied by Great Tits. Not all species use the hole-type nest box. Some use an open-fronted box, a box that looks like a small letter box. Robins will use these along with the much rarer Spotted Flycatcher, a summer visitor that spends the winter months in sub-Saharan Africa. These boxes are often more attractive to the birds if they are sighted within a small amount of cover; a creeper or ivy covered wall will do the trick.

Location is of importance, but even the smallest urban garden can have space for a nest box. House Sparrows and Starlings often nest under our eaves and a nest box located in this positon on the wall of the house can provide the safe space they need. However, there are a few things to consider when siting a nest box. Try to avoid putting the box in a location where it will be in direct sunlight for any length of time; this will avoid overheating. Consideration should also be given to access by predators – think cats! – and this should cover any eventualities. If a box is difficult for a cat to access, then it will be out of the reach of most predators. There are lots of different birds that will use nest boxes, the most familiar probably being Blue and Great Tits; these both use what we call small-hole type nest boxes. Again hole-size is important, 25mm for Blue Tit and 28mm for Great. The larger hole won’t exclude Blue Tits and they may well use a box designed with a larger species in mind. However, the small hole will exclude larger birds. So you could put up a nest box

If you have lots of space there are birds that use much larger boxes. Barn and Tawny Owls often find nest boxes hard to resist, and birds such as Jackdaw and Stock Dove will use the larger boxes too. The British Trust for Ornithology have produced a new nest box guide, full of information on the different types of nest box, where to site them, plans on how to make them, and guidelines on how to make your box count should it be occupied.

For more information on the new guide, please visit: www.bto.org/nestbox-guide Paul Stancliffe, British Trust for Ornithology

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Redgrave and Lopham Fen Wildlife Watch Group Saturdays 10th March & 14th April, 10.30am -12.30pm. A club for 6-12 year olds, £2 Contact marcus.halmshaw@btinternet.com Or call 01379 688333 Time To Paint Fridays 30th March & 27th April, 10am-2pm £5 donation, includes tea and cake All welcome, no need to book. Contact 01379 688333 Guided Fen Walks Saturday 7th April, 10.30am - 1pm £4, meet at the Education Centre, no booking required.

Redgrave and Lopham Fen near Bressingham, IP22 2HX For further details and to book, visit: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org or call 01473 890089

Adult Course: Felted Sheep Workshop Friday 23rd March, 10am-12.30pm Learn the craft of needle felting with local artist Jilly Trafford. £25, including materials. Booking essential Activity Day For Home-Educated Children Tuesday 27 March, 10.30am-2.30pm For 5-9 year olds £7 per child. Booking essential The Victorian Farming Year Tuesday 27th March, 7.30pm. Evening talk with Valley Fens Wildlife Group. £2 per person (includes refreshments). All welcome, no need to book Children’s Activity: Bird Bonanza Tuesday 3rd April, 10am-2pm For unaccompanied 6-10 year olds £7, booking essential Family Activity: Springtime Dipping Wednesday 4TH April, 2pm-4pm £4 child, £2 adult, booking essential

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36

Polydactyl Cats Polydactyl cats are cats that have extra toes on their front and/or hind feet. The condition has been seen in many breeds of pedigree and non-pedigree cats.

The term ‘polydactyl’ comes from the Greek words for ‘many’ (poly), and ‘fingers’ (dactyl), and is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene defect. Cats should have 18 toes: five on the front feet, which includes the dew claw, and 4 on the back feet. Often the positioning of an extra toe gives the appearance to the cat having four fingers and a thumb. The ‘thumb’ however, is not truly opposable, and polydactyl cats are not able to open their own tins or perform any other very un-catlike feats!

The extra digits vary in number and also in structure from being small pieces of soft tissue, through to being complete functioning digits. Polydactyl cats generally have just one extra toe per foot and on the front feet only. Although additional toes on the rear paws and as many as three additional toes per paw is not unheard of either. Generally having extra toes poses no problem to the cat in question at all, and may even give him the edge in climbing and hunting when compared to his 18 toed counterparts. It is a condition in and of itself and is not indicative of any other underlying problems.

However, sometimes the additional toes are located in such a way that the claws are not naturally worn down by walking or scratching and so may grow overly long and cause problems if left unchecked. The extra claws may need to be trimmed down to avoid problems.

getting torn. With just one claw on each front foot she may not be able to climb to get away from danger, and it may be that she will have to be an indoor cat, to keep her safe.

You may be interested to know that we have had a massive response to our neutering campaign, during which any cat could be neutered for just £5. As I write this, we have arranged to neuter over 100 cats in the Breckland area, so thank you to all those who have taken advantage of our offer and in helping to keep the cat population down.

For help or advice, call us on 01842 810018.

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At Thetford Library in March Would you like a Home Library Service? Or know someone that would benefit?

The Home Library Service is aimed at older people who enjoy reading or listening to a recording but can't get out of the house, our home library services offer a vital link to the local library.

Royal Voluntary Service Books on Wheels volunteers bring a selection of books, large print, DVDs, CDs and audio tapes to older people in their home on a regular basis. The volunteer is also a friendly face and a useful check on the safety and well-being of the older person.

Older people who sign up to the service are asked to complete a questionnaire to indicate their tastes and preferences. In many instances, however, our volunteers will get to know those they are helping to such an extent that they will begin to make their own recommendations and bring a selection of books they believe will be of interest.

Thetford Library at Tanner Street

Easter Opening Hours – please recall that we are closed on Good Friday, 30th March and also on the Easter Monday Bank Holiday, 2nd April. Open as normal at all other times.

For information on our opening hours and all our regular activities for children and adults from Baby Bounce and Rhyme to the Local History Group, Just a Cuppa to our If you would like to use the Home Library Service new Home Education club call us on 01842 752048 contact Royal Voluntary Service on: 01603 397998 or or online at: thetford.lib@norfolk.gov.uk or visit Simonnorfolkhls@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Long HP Advert_Layout 1 18/04/2011 11:35facebook.com/thetfordlibrary Page 1 email:

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Greater Thetford Development Partnership Community Sub-Group

COMMUNITY CORNER

Community Group meetings taking place during March 2018 Abbey Tenants and Residents’ Association Meeting on Monday 12th March, 6pm at the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre. Contact Brenda on 07768974026 for more information.

Barnham Action Group Next meeting will be Monday 19th March, 6pm - 6.30pm for surgery time with Councillors and agencies. 6.30pm main meeting.

At Fulmerston Church on Fulmerston Road.

Cloverfield & The Willows Next meeting Wednesday 28th March, 8pm at Cloverfield Church & Community Centre. Visit the Facebook page or the website for further information; www.cawrathetford.org.uk

The next meeting of the Greater Thetford Development Partnership Community Sub-Group will take place on: Wednesday 21st March 2018, 7 - 9pm, Thetford Council Chamber, King’s House, Thetford.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and contribute. For more details, see: http://gtdp.org.uk/community-subgroup Email Chair, R Whittaker: rjw-gtdp@mathmos.net Details of the meetings can also be viewed on the Town Council noticeboard outside King’s House and at Leaping Hare on King Street. Other meetings in 2018, all 7-9pm at King’s House; Wednesday 16th May Wednesday 18th July and Wednesday 19th September.

Croxton Road Community Association Next meeting will be taking place on Monday 5th March, at the Church of the Nazarene Hall at 7.30pm. Refreshments available. Foodbank donations welcomed. Contact Ian Dixon, Chairman - 01842 765890 for more info.

Norwich Road Residents’ Association Next meeting: Thursday 22nd March 2018 at 7.30pm Church On The Way, Churchill Road.

Redcastle Action Group Next meeting is Monday 26th March, from 7pm at Redcastle Senior Citizens Club which is to the left of Canon’s Walk Shops. ‘Like’ Redcastle Action Group on Facebook to keep in touch with latest news and meeting dates.

Thetford Town Council Full Council Meeting - Open to the public. Tuesday 27th March, starting at 7pm with a 15 minute Open Forum for the public to ask questions. Agenda available via: www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk Other Committee Meetings: Amenities, Land and Property Committee on the 7th March from 2pm.

Planning Committee on the 13th March from 7pm. Venues, Events and Marketing on the 14th March from 1pm and Finance Committee on the 20th March from 6pm. All meetings at Kings House unless otherwise stated on the Agenda.

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Coalesced Shakespeare Production The artistic director of Well Made Theatre Company, Vince Gregory, has been collaborating with Thetford Academy 6th form students to help them get their first professional engagement in the theatrical industry, whilst helping them complete their theatre production course. Students will be able to gain the experience, and the first qualified step towards becoming a professional practioner within the theatre industry.

The Academy and Well Made Theatre will be showcasing ‘With The Best of Will’ to local audiences Some of the students from Thetford Academy Sixth beginning the 23rd April. The production will involve five Form with Vince Gregory scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, with the involvement unique project will provide future prospects for students of those 6th formers as cast, to work alongside who are interested in the performing arts. professional and experienced actors. The introduction of the new joint project between Thetford Academy Vince says, “I have already witnessed the positive and WTBW, aspires to have an impact on the wider impact WMT has had on building confidence with community through working with primary schools whilst Shakespeare, during recent 6th form workshops with celebrating the performing arts in the area. This project Two Gentleman Of Verona. I am very excited about the will be an essential moving point for the 6th form opportunity that has been provided to our students and students who are working towards gaining an acting the potential positive impact this will have on their future Diploma. The course work in attaining a certificate in educational and professional journeys in the performing MCP HPwill Advert_Layout 1 12/02/2016 Page arts 1 and theatre industry.” that area bring the students NVQ awards 16:45 and UCAS points for University applications. The repetition of this

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Duleep Singh Talk For Probus The speaker at the February meeting of Thetford Provus was Karen-Emma White who spoke about Maharajah Duleep Singh, and his life at Elveden Hall.

From 1863 the Maharajah lived at the Hall with his family until his last ill fated attempt at returning to India.

Duleep Singh created an Indian inspired mansion fit for a Maharajah, with a beautiful marble hall and sumpsious furnishings. Large averies held the Maharajah’s collection of exotic birds, peacocks roamed the lawns, monkeys were said to live in the trees and on more than one occasion hunting parties were sent out to retrive escapees!

The family lived a life of great opulence at Elveden Hall, hosting regular shooting parties with guests such as the Prince of Wales. The Hall provided employment for many local families, both inside the Hall itself and within the grounds. At one point the estate provided thousands of partridge eggs to high end London stores.

It was a fascinating and revealing story of gilded life on a wealthy country estate, but one that was not withoutits ups and downs and an eventual fall from grace and royal patronage. Though today, Duleep Singh’s imposing statue on Butten Island (pictured) continues to remind us of his celebrity status during that Victorian era.

The Duleep Singh Statue on Butten Island, Thetford

and to examine all possible ways for doing this. Our programme includes monthly talks on a range of interesting topics, frequent lunches and trips to places of interest, so we’ve plenty to offer anyone who has retired from Rotary or comparable clubs.”

Keeping in touch with members who are unable to attend meetings or join in other activities is reported on by the club’s welfare officer and members also endeavour to call and see those who are unwell or have had to go into care. Another innovative idea to help maintain links is an exclusive greetings card featuring a group picture of members at one of their recent lunches. It is sent to remind those absent friends that they are not forgotten.

Also at the February meeting, the recruitment of new members was raised. This follows a decline in active membership which, unless tackled, could present problems in the future. Members were asked for their views and suggestions about extending the club’s appeal and how to ‘grow’ membership.

Nigel King, Chairman, said: “I’m sure other club’s similar to ours face the same problem. Of course, there are periods when membership increases, but in recent years we have seen a gradual reduction and this makes it even more important to attract new members

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If you’re interested in getting involved, contact Probus via e-mail: tony@dobbin77.plus.com

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Thetford Inner Wheel

St Cuthbert’s Church

Genista Davidson was our speaker at Inner Wheel this month. She gave a very interesting talk on Art Deco Fashion and Jewellery.

Sunday 4th March 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am All Age Worship, 6.30pm Evensong

This is the period in Great Britain from approximately 1918-1939, but in the USA, this design period continued until the 50s and in India, until the 60s.

Clothing designs by Poiret, Fortuny, Lanvin, Chanel and others were illustrated, and showed how, although there was a distinct style, lengths of dresses and types of material varied considerably. Lanvin and Chanel, particularly, diversified into Perfumes, many of which are still on the market today.

Sunday 11th March 10.30am Mothering Sunday - A posy of flowers will be given to all children and Mums present (All are welcome) Sunday 18th March 8am Holy Communion, 10.30am Morning Prayer Sunday 25th March Palm Sunday 10.30am Holy Communion Thursday 29th March Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion

Friday 30th March 11am Thetford Christians Together - Walk of The Witness. 3pm - Devotional Hour Sunday 1st April Easter Sunday 8am HolyAdvert_Layout Communion, 10.30am Powerclean QP Portrait 1 23/02/2017 Holy Communion (there will be no evensong)

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Genista Davidson (note art deco shoes and 1930s dress) with Inner Wheel President Jackie Clark

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Jewellery in that period tended to be made of base metals, bakelite and other plastics, but with a distinct Art Deco design. Genista had brought along many pieces of jewellery, clothes and hats from her large collection, all of which were of particular interest to the Inner Wheel ladies.

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43

Aim For Best Universities, Treasury Minister Tells Students One of the Treasury’s top ministers has told Thetford Sixth Formers: “Don’t be afraid to set your sights on the UK’s best universities.”

Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, told students at Thetford Academy how a passion for politics led her to study at Oxford University following a state education in Leeds and Scotland, and opened the way for a high-flying ministerial career.

“I was already a politics obsessive as well as a computer geek,” Ms Truss told the sixth formers, “but the economics part of the course ignited a fascination with business and how the economy works.” Ms Truss answered the students’ questions about how to choose a university and course, and the Oxbridge application process, which she described as “really interesting.”

She went on to say that “Maths is a vital subject and opens up lots of opportunities,” - urging them to continue working hard at school to achieve the career they want.

She visited the school on Thursday, February 1 to answer sixth formers’ questions about her education and career path, which has seen her hold the roles of schools minister, environment secretary, and justice secretary, as well as becoming the first ever female Lord Chancellor in 2016.

Her current role, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, is second only to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the department. At Oxford University she studied politics, philosophy, and economics – a popular course for would-be politicians, with an alumni list including David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Michael Heseltine, Ann Widdecombe, and Yvette Cooper.

Thetford Academy Principal Kevin Blakey said: “Several of our sixth formers are hoping to study at Oxbridge, so it was really helpful for Ms Truss to share her experiences with them.”

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Rotary Club of Thetford News

At our February Dinner meeting held at the Thomas Paine Hotel, the speaker was Emma Krzyz a Clinical Lead Admiral Nurse. She explained about a new innovation to care for dementia suffers and their families supported by Dementia UK helping families face dementia. We have all heard of MacMillan nurses caring for cancer suffers and Admiral Nurses are similar but caring for dementia patients at home. There are currently seven Admiral Nurses in the Norfolk area and a total of about three hundred UK wide. Emma said that there are about 850000 dementia sufferers in the UK and a new sufferer is diagnosed every 3 minutes - an alarming statistic.

John Gallen, President Elect (left) with Emma Krzyz and Brian Farrell President

Admiral Nurses were named by the family of Joseph Levy CBE BEM, who founded the charity. Joseph had vascular dementia and was known affectionately as “Admiral Joe’ because of his love of sailing.

Admiral Nurses work with families and carers and offer permanent support to enable sufferers the best quality of life to the end of life. Most Admiral Nurses work in the community for the NHS, and others work in care homes, hospitals and hospices.

Rotarian David Heading gave a vote of thanks to Emma who was applauded for her very enlightening talk.

Emma went on to explain:-

For more information about Thetford Rotary Club you can contact Gary Goodchild via e-mail: thetfordrotary1@gmail.com

• If communication gets hard, an Admiral Nurse is on hand with skills and techniques to help you stay connected to the person you love.

• If someone with dementia is showing signs of fear or distress, an Admiral Nurse will work with you to find the best ways of preventing or managing this.

• If your family is struggling to cope, an Admiral Nurse will be there to help you get the best possible additional care and support.

• If you have questions you can’t get answered an Admiral Nurse will take time to really understand the problem, and give you the expert you need to tackle it.

Admiral Nurses are funded by charities, Dementia UK and The Clinical Commissioning Group and can be accessed through your local GP.

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Insight Into World Of Work For Students Businesses in Thetford are giving students around the area an opportunity to gain useful experience in a variety of different workplaces, which is a follow up from the success of last year’s pilot scheme. The mission is to give students a realistic view of the world of work.

The scheme first began last year by Richard Bridgman of Warren Services who is an Enterprise Adviser at Thetford Academy and a member of the Local Enterprise Partnership’s skills board, supported by Anne Cutts a Partnership Manager from the Department for Work and Pensions.

18 year old Victoria who has been undertaking work experience with the About Thetford magazine

“I am passionate about supporting young people to make good employment choices for their future. My role as an Enterprise Adviser with Thetford Academy has enabled me to speak to many young people about engineering, apprenticeships and wider opportunities within the Thetford business community. I feel by giving my time and expertise I can be a positive influence within the academy and wider education community” Richard says.

experience of what to be aware of when surrounded by colleagues.”

Businesses interested in being a part of the scheme can contact: Anne Cutts anne.cutts@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Got a business story for us?

If you’re a business operating in the About Thetford area and you have an interesting story get in touch with the team!

E-mail: aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com

One of those benefitting from the work experience scheme is 18 year old Victoria who has been working in the About Thetford office.

Victoria said: “Work experience for me has been critical in helping me build my CV into something which is more attractive to future employers, as well as gaining key employability skills such as problem solving, teamwork, communication and time management. It has allowed me to try out a job in an industry which I have been interested in, which is vital to help decide if this is the right career path for me. One thing that learning from a textbook fails to do is giving the experience of being in the world of work, however work experience helps give real life examples of how to act in a workplace and

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R Manser Heating Ltd 1 Napier Place, Thetford,IP24 3RL

Domestic & Commercial Boiler Installations Servicing Contracts Boiler Servicing, Maintenance & Repairs No job is too big or too small, for your free, no obligation quote call us today on

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Thetford Ramblers The Thetford Ramblers, are part of the Ramblers, Breckland Brisk Walkers Group, which includes walking groups from Attleborough, Mundford, Weeting, Swaffham and Watton. As a Ramblers member, you can enjoy walks with any of these groups. However, they do walk on different days of the week and may have different start times.

Thetford walks are on Tuesdays and Fridays and start at 10am from various locations in Thetford, one of which is the kiosk across the road from the School Lane Surgery parking lot or walks start in nearby Thetford Forest areas such as High Lodge, Brandon Country Park and Santon Downham. Walks vary in length between 2.5 miles to 4.6 miles, members are encouraged to walk at their own pace. Walk leaders are on-hand for all walks to ensure walker safety.

New walkers are allowed 3 free walks, to decide, if they would like to join the Ramblers. Membership fees vary, depending upon your status, currently the annual membership fee is £35, the annual concessionary fee is £20.50. Monthly/annual concessionary rates are available to full-time students or people on means-tested benefits or solely reliant on the state pension. Life concessionary rates are available to people aged over 60 years. Members can bring their children on walks as part of their membership.

Thetford Ramblers pictured on one of their local walks

Ramblers GB, work to promote walking for pleasure, health, and leisure for everyone, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, in towns and cities as well as in the countryside. Walking regularly can help you stay healthy and live longer, keep happy, enjoy time with friends and family, learn more about your local area, meet other people, make new friends and look after the environment. Almost everyone can do it, anywhere and at any time.

For more information about the Thetford Ramblers contact Mr D Monroe, Tel: 01842 755207 or email: Mr G's QP Advert.qxp_Layout 1 Ramblers 11/01/2018 16:20 Page monroedg@msn.com or go to the website for more info: www.ramblers.org.uk

Ramblers Great Britain (GB) The Ramblers are a charity whose goal is to protect the ability of people to enjoy the sense of freedom and benefits that come from being outdoors on foot. The Ramblers are an association of people and groups who come together to both enjoy walking and other outdoor pursuits and to ensure that we protect and expand the infrastructure and places where people go walking.

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UNIT 1, Rutherford way, Thetford IP24 1HA

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Thetford Dolphins

Barry Martin

Thetford Dolphins Swimming Club staged round 2 of its mini gala, swimming over 50m free and breast and another great turnout saw a new club record, 88 personal bests and 18 new times. Aimee Dickerson n Ceramic wall & floor tiling impressive start to the new season saw her set a new n Natural stone, mosiac, club record for the girls 11yrs 50m free, a record which porcelain etc had stood since 2006. Joint leading swimmers on 12 points are Filipe Marinho and Tabitha Payne while the n Free quotes available yellow team are now top with 168 pts. New times for Call 01842 761269/07747 773144 Intech Gecko AD REV 2.qxp_Layout 1 17/11/2017 08:56 Ellen Beckworth, Poppy Hudson, William Neill-Gourlay, Hannah Heavener, Jack Smith, Matthew Jobbins, Eleanor Harvey, Jasmine Ewing, Charlie Mclellan, Dylan DISHWASHER SAFE Harvey, Megan Haynes, Ella Patrick, Lukas Gardeikis, Mya Coote, Samuel Rush, Sarah Fleet, Taylor Dugan and PLACEMATS Catalina Estanol-Chancellor. The evening finished with the ever competitive adults race won by Adam Britcher.

Thetford Dolphins pictured below at the mini gala.

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Thetford Dolphins swimmers excelled at the recent Norfolk County Championships held at Norwich UEA where they managed 37 long course club records and 3 long course relay records. Record breakers were Aimee Dickerson girls 11y 200m breast & 100m free, Alfie King boys 14y 200m back, 50m back, 100m free & 50m free, Alice Fasey girls 13y 200m breast, 50m breast, 100m free, 200m free, 400m free, 800m free & 200m IM, Amalee Neill-Gourlay girls 12y 50m free, Amie Copp girls 17y & over 50m breast, Ben Buckley boys 10y 100m back, 200m back, 200m breast, 50m breast, 100m fly & 200m IM, Billie-Jordan Butler girls 9y 50m breast & 50m free, Francesca Long girls 12y 100m fly, 50m fly, 400m free & 800m free, Harry Fasey boys 11y 50m breast and Louis James boys 11y 200m fly & 100m fly. Relay records for girls 12y 4x50m free Aimee Dickerson, Bethany Wilson, Amalee NeillGourlay, Francesca Long and the same quartet for the girls 12y 4x50m medley relay and finally boys 12y 4 x 50m medley Ben Buckley, Harry Fasey, Louis James, Toby Dickenson. A tremendous effort by the Dolphins for competing against the region’s best swimmers.

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Local Sports Groups can email content to:

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51

Winter Warmers A warm welcome is always on offer at Feltwell Golf Club, come up at any time and see what we can do for you. Spring is just around the corner and what better time to take up a new sport or come back to one you used to play! You can easily play 9 holes in under 2 hours at Feltwell Golf Club and still find it challenging!

Our rates are very competitive and as the land around us is so well-draining, rain does not phase us and we rarely close for long – only, as I remember, if we are knee-deep in snow!!

With Winter still hanging around us why not take advantage of our Winter Warmers, a game of golf and either soup, bacon roll or a meal from Carl’s varied menu. The lessons started at the beginning of the year got off to a roaring start despite the bad weather! You can begin by enrolling for our Group Lessons, at the moment arranged for Friday mornings but we can also arrange individual lessons at a time to suit you should you prefer. Follow us on Facebook, and check for more information in the coming days or contact either Lisa Nunn on lisa@spectrumaluminium.com, Denise Whiting on 01842 862079 or message us through our Facebook Page. Watch out for notices regarding an Open Day later in the year for everyone to come up to the Club, try out the course and see what Feltwell Golf Club has to offer you.

For more information on Green Fees and joining fees please contact Kim Heybourne, Secretary at Feltwell Golf Club (next to Feltwell Air Base) 01842 827644 or Denise Whiting on 01842 862079.

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Exercising With 0thers!

Studies show that we’re 60% more likely to reach a goal when training with someone. It’s that added encouragement when exercising, the messages during the day reminiscing on the night before and it’s the added kick up the butt when you’re not feeling it.

Having a plan when exercising is very important but can be hard to maintain and re-adjust with a busy life, so why not let someone else do the planning for you, all you have to do is turn up! Class based exercises and group exercises really are a winner when it comes to encouragement, drive and focus. Most of the time the hardest thing to do is get off the sofa and head to your workout! Not only will you work harder in an exercise environment, but you’ll also make friends and have a great social with likeminded people as well.

Tiger Fitness members at a recent event.

Contact Richard on 07737 582906 for more information.

Thetford Iceni Marathon (& Half)

Sunday 9th September 2018, starting at 9am Start and finish from the Red Lion, the marathon is an out and back route from Thetford and includes Rymer Point and the Euston village taking in the Iceni Way and Angles Way. Full marathon £30, Half £22.

Register by visiting: www.marafunevents.co.uk/apps/ webstore/products/show/7601681

Everyone likes to be active. Well, at least they should do! Here’s an easy 15 minute, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout for you to do at home if you need a bit of a push.

Do each exercise 3 times before moving to the next exercise. Work each movement for 30 seconds then rest for 30 seconds. Steady warm up (3-4 mins just to loosen the body of tensions and warm the muscles up) * Running High Knees * Push Ups * * Squats * Crunches * Front Punches * What’s important to remember is that you GIVE IT YOUR ALL for the 30 seconds of work. Push yourself to your limits, work hard and you’ll get results. You’ll become stronger, more agile, efficient and fitter with time, keep consistent, become a better version of yourself.

If group exercise, Personal Training or small group personal training sounds like something you’d be interested in, please feel free to contact me.

AYd D N r

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Tel: Shani 01842 820001

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Parkrunner Of The Month - March 2018 This month we feature Des Talbot. Des started Thetford Parkrun in May 2013. Des decided to start Parkrun because she was training for the Race For Life event and wanted to complete the 5k without stopping so her friend Stacey Owen recommended parkrun. Since 2013, Des has completed 161 parkruns and has also been a Run Director.

Since attending parkrun and Jo's Fit4all Health and Fitness classes, Des has lost 3.5 stone and improved her fitness. Des has completed numerous 10k races, half marathons and full marathons raising almost £10,000 for different charities. Des has raised money for ARK UK, because they are a parkrun partner and Alzheimer's Society and other cancer related charities. Following Des' success at parkrun and completing good times at many events Des soon became known by other runners as "Supergran".

Diagnosed with cancer in April 2017, which necessitated a hysterectomy in May 2017, Des was soon back on the running scene and completed the Recover Race in July 2017, Norwich 10k in August, Great North Run (half marathon) in September and the Inaugural Birmingham International marathon in October 2017, continuing to raise money for her charities. During these events Des was undergoing chemotherapy treatment and continued to inspire many other people. Radiotherapy treatment commenced in December 2017 and Des continued to run and train throughout the 5 week intensive treatment. Des wants to say thank-you to all of the other parkrunners and Jo's Fit4all class members who have supported her and her husband Allan. People who stepped in and helped with transport to and from Addenbrooke's Hospital, easing the pressure on Allan. Throughout her treatment both Des and Allan received support at Maggies Centre.

The Old Rent Office King’s House, King Street THETFORD Norfolk. IP24 2AP

Maggies Centre is based at Addenbrooke's Hospital site and provided a quiet place where they could sit, relax and chat to other patients undergoing cancer treatment and to the volunteers. The support continues for as long as Des and her family require it, which is why Des wants to give something back and raise much needed funds for the centre.

Des took on the challenge of running longer distances following encouragement and support from other runners Ray Keevil and Melanie Sturman. In April 2016, Des qualified for a Good For Age Place at a London Marathon event. Des completed the inaugural Haverhill marathon in 4 hours, 54 minutes and 35 seconds.

Qualifying time required for Des's age category was less than 5 hours and had to be used in either the 2017 or 2018 event. This remains Des' best marathon time.

Des' intention was never to run the London Marathon because Allan was anxious about her running in the city.

However, Des knew she has qualified with a ‘Good For Age’ place and following diagnosis with a high grade cancer Des felt it might be the one and only opportunity to take part and did not want to live with possible regrets. Des' aim is to enjoy the London Marathon and raise money for Maggies. Please donate to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ desmonde-talbot7

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