Diss Matters - Winter 2016

Issue 16 Winter 2016

Win a family show ticket!

What’s on this winter

Get creative this Christmas www.diss.gov.uk

Attleborough Store Exchange Street, Attleborough, NR17 2AB Tel: 01953 453107 Diss Store Mavery House, Victoria Road, Diss IP22 4EX Tel: 01379 644078

www.awmyhill.com 2

Welcome

Welcome to our new-look Diss Matters Contents T he Town Council has had a really busy and successful 2016, and we’re looking forward to achieving even more

Get in touch

Contact us with your queries, comments, or submit an article for our Spring edition.

Email towncouncil@diss.gov.uk You can also visit the Offices at 11-12 Market Hill, Diss.

We’re open Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 1.30pm.

Alternatively, call us on 01379 643 848 Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 3pm.

Visit www.diss.gov.uk for information on local services and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Streetlife.

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

in 2017. This edition of Diss Matters features not only a brand new look, but fresh and exciting content that focuses on you – your town, and your community.

With a range of articles, activities and a competition, there’s plenty to read about and do.

Take a trip down memory lane with some archived photos of our beautiful town on page 4.

Why not check out our new Events Guide, listing what’s on in the area over the festive season on page 6? Try out a new activity in the New Year with a feature on our DYCC hirers, or get creative with some Christmas activities for the family.

We hope there’ll be something for everyone, and we look forward to hearing your feedback.

Festive wishes, Sarah and Rosie Marketing Team

What’s on

6

Chance to win

9

Foodie delights 12 Town matters

14

Winter care

17

Memory lane

19

On tour

20

Heritage Triangle 22 Fitness and fun 24

Yuletide memories

We’ve had a look through the archives to see Christmases past in Diss...

Decisions, decisions... pondering which tree to take home in 1965!

Market traders braving the cold in 2006.

Diss Church School show off their creation of a winter scene in 1953

Shopping by Christmas lights in 2007.

A whole band of Santas at the 2011 switch-on.

4

Children meet Father Christmas at the 1973 St Mary’s Fair.

Time for a photo at the 1966 Labour Christmas Party!

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

From the archives Many thanks to Archant, publisher of the Diss Mercury and Eastern Daily Press, for allowing us use of some of these archive photos. Do you recognise anyone from these? Diss & District Memories is a group in

which people from all around the world who have connections to Diss and the surrounding areas share memories, photographs and stories. Search for them on Facebook to join in the conversation.

In 1933 people were skating on the Mere after it froze over for weeks in a cold snap.

MOBILITY SOLUTIONS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

The Olympian Scooter and wheelchair hoist for mobility devices weighing up to 200kg Fits perfectly inside many different makes and model of car – just as long as the boot opening is sufficient enough to fit your scooter inside

PLEASE VISIT OUR DISS SHOWROOM We are different because we care

01379 651600 44 Victoria Road • Diss • IP22 4HZ • www.nbrscooterbrokers.co.uk • email@ nbrscooterbrokers.co.uk

What’s on this winter in November Decorating the Mere Tree

Sunday 20 November, from 9am.

The Rotary Club of Diss & District will be out on the Mere’s Mouth to decorate and float the Christmas tree on the Mere.

Viewing for members of the public will be along Madgetts’ Walk – it’ll certainly be a sight to behold if you’re out and about!

Corn Hall Comedy

Friday 25 November, 8pm, Diss Rugby Club, Roydon, IP22 5RG. Tickets Advance £10 / Door £12 – 18yrs+ It’s the final Comedy Club for 2016, so grab a group of mates and make a night of it. Featuring Tania Edwards (far right) – ‘brilliant banter’ Three Weeks – a finalist in the Amused Moose, Leicester Square, Latitude Festival and Funny Women competitions, and Chris Kent, one of Ireland’s rapidly rising young comedians.

Christmas Lights Switch-On Saturday 26 November, 3pm, Diss Market Place.

Come on down to the Market Place to watch the Diss Christmas Lights SwitchOn. With delicious food and delightful entertainment, it’s a fabulous night out for the whole family.

Town Mayor’s Carol Concert Tuesday 29 November, doors: 6.30pm, 7pm start.

Diss High School Please see our website: diss. gov.uk or call 01379 643848 for 6

Diss Christmas Light Switch On 2015.

ticket information.

Join us at the High School for this year’s Carol Concert.

Featuring the vocal talents of the Waveney Choir, Diss Infant and High School and Roydon Primary School along with the Salvation Army Band.

Refreshments will be available after the concert.

December Every Saturday in December, there’ll be festivities in the Market Place! Make sure you visit the town centre for a chance to meet Father Christmas, hear some beautiful carol singing, and pick up some Christmas treats from the Saturday markets. There’ll be free parking on the four Saturdays before christmas in South Norfolk car parks. See our Facebook and website for more details of what’s on in the Market Place.

Mistletoe Market Saturday 3 December, Diss Methodist Church.

The annual Mistletoe Market in aid of two children’s charities will be opened by Park Radio at 10am. With a variety of

stalls selling jams, preserves, gifts, books, puzzles, the everpopular “Surprise Every Time”, browsers can enjoy a hot drink and a mince pie for just £1.50.

Or join us for a two course lunch at only £4 (adults) and £2 (children). Homemade soup and a roll followed by pudding with custard or ice cream will be served at 12noon, 12.45pm and 1.15pm. Come along and enjoy the lovely atmosphere!

Proceeds go to The Goodwill Children’s Villages in India and Action for Children – who do so much to help disadvantaged children.

Coffee and Carols Sunday 4 December, 6.30pm, Denmark Street Gospel Hall.

Join in an informal carol singing in the Gospel Hall, with refreshments served.

O’ Christmas Tree Friday 9 – Tuesday 13 December, Salvation Army Hall, Sunnyside.

Join the Salvation Army to celebrate the Christmas tree.

Come and see a range of trees decorated with bells by local churches, clubs, companies and individuals. The Hall is open

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Diss and beyond from 10am-4pm every day, with coffee and cake available on the Saturday from 10am-12pm.

presents during her rather unusual Christmas of 1895!

Suitable for ages 8+ yrs.

Saturday Club – Jack & the Beans Talk

St Nicholas Christmas Fayre

Saturday 10 December, 2pm.

Palgrave Community Centre, IP22 1AP. Adults £6 / Children £4, ages 3-7 Garlic Theatre presents a charming, interactive show with an enormous beanstalk, bags of gold and a smelly old giant.

Sunday 11 December, various locations.

From 11am–4pm, the Heritage Triangle will come alive with Christmas cheer! Throughout the day Cobbs Yard and Norfolk House Yard will be bustling with stalls, music and food. Browse the shops for those perfect Christmas gifts!

The Twelve Days of Christmas The Twelve Days of Christmas Saturday 10 December, 7.30pm. Garboldisham Village Hall, IP22 2SE. Tickets £12 / Children £9 Watch in delight as Miss Elizabeth Fairfax tries to cope with a few ‘extraordinary’

Carols by Candlelight Sunday 11 December, Salvation Army Hall, Sunnyside.

As part of the Christmas Tree event, come and enjoy Carols

by Candlelight (and Christmastree-light!) at 6pm at the Salvation Army Hall.

Imps Saturday club in action (left) and Jack & the Beans Talk

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Events

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Friday 16 December, various locations.

The Rotary Club of Diss & District is bringing the Christmas cheer to Diss! Father Christmas and his sleigh will be travelling the streets of Diss.

All proceeds go to the East Anglian Children’s Hospice.

Pictures: Supplied 7

Events

The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Cribs for Christmas Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December, Diss Methodist Church.

Come and see nativity scenes old and new, from home and abroad. The Cribs for Christmas exhibition will be open 10am-4pm on Saturday, with homemade soup and rolls on offer during the day.

On Sunday, you can view the exhibition from 1pm-4pm, with tea/coffee and cakes served.

Don’t miss your chance to view this wonderful collection, surmising what Christmas really is; the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Carols with the Salvation Army Saturday 17 December, Market Place, from 10am.

The Salvation Army Band will be on the Market Place playing 8

Picture: Supplied

beautiful festive tunes for us.

SNYSB+ Christmas Concert Sunday 18 December, Diss URC. Come along to South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band’s annual Christmas concert.

Please see their website www.snysb.org for further details.

Christmas Eve Carolling 24 December, Mere’s Mouth, 6pm.

Come to the Mere’s Mouth for a sing-a-long to all your favourite Christmas carols.

January Saturday Club – IMPS Make & Play New Year Special

Saturday 14 January, 9.45-10.45am or 11am-12pm.

Palgrave Community Centre, IP22 1AP. £5 per child (2-8 years).

Liven up grey old January with a sparkly New Year Imps! We’ll be making confetti launchers, flinging corks by catapult, enjoying a twinkly light tent and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Booking essential.

Diss Jazz Club – The Jazz of Dudley Moore Thursday 16 January, 8pm.

Park Hotel, Diss, IP22 4LE. Tickets £12 Comic actor Dudley Moore was also one of the UK’s most dazzling jazz pianists.

The acclaimed Chris Ingham Quartet plays a selection of his irresistible compositions.

‘Sophisticated tribute, charming work’ Evening Standard.

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Competition

Win a family ticket..

for a festive family show with Corn Hall on Tour

W

orking in partnership with the Corn Hall, we’re pleased to offer readers the chance to win a family ticket to one of two Family shows this winter: Jack & the Beans Talk (for ages 3-7) or The Twelve Days of Christmas (ages

1

8+). All you need to do is identify the locations shown in these snapshots – all correct entrants will be entered into a draw to win! Once you’ve identified all the places in the photos, send your answers to towncouncil@diss.gov.uk, or drop them into the offices

2

Answer:

5

Answer:

Answer: 6

Answer:

Name:

See page 6-7 for show details

3

Answer:

4

at 11-12 Market Hill, Diss, IP22 4JZ. Make sure to include your preference of performance and your contact details so we can let you know if you are a winner! Competition closes 12pm, Monday 5 December.

Answer:

Address:

Performance choice: Email: Diss Matters

Winter 2016

9

DYG – at the heart of The Diss Youth Group is W a thriving weekly

hat does the Taking Pride in Diss litter campaign, a new community wildlife garden and a bingo evening have in common?

Each initiative has received the support and good work of the young people in our community.

The Diss Youth Group is a thriving weekly youth club for young people in school years 6 – 9 (aged 10-14). The club offers a safe space for young people to explore issues, try new activities and gain support from a team of trained youth workers and volunteers.

The young people are supported to make a difference in their local community. This year we have held two successful community bingo evenings and run a fundraising stall on the Market Place. Our gardening group has also carried out work at Diss Library, Diss Junior School, and an elderly resident’s garden.

As we continue to grow we are looking for volunteers from the community to support us.

If you have green fingers we

youth club..

would love you to help us at our monthly gardening sessions.

Alternatively you could help us run our tuck shop, lead on an activity such as craft, music or cooking, raise funds or become a committee member.

What’s next? In support of the Rotary Club of Diss & District’s Purple 4 Polio campaign, we will be brightening up the verges at the DYCC – our base – by planting 1,000 purple crocuses.

THE ONE STOP SHOP for all your animal needs LOADS OF NEW PRODUCTS NOW IN STOCK

its local community

Community

Look out for them in the spring!

We are pleased to be supported

by Diss Town Council and many local businesses.

• If you are interested in joining us as a volunteer (we can provide relevant training free of charge!) or want to find out more about Diss Youth Group, contact Julia on 07546 059 061 or via email at julia@mtmyouthservices.org.uk

Diss Youth Group preparing the community gardens.

Picture: Contributed

LARTER & FORD ~ Cookware - DIY - Gardening ~

Christmas gift ideas in store Cheese boards � Cafetieres � Cutlery sets � Knife block sets � Cake stands and cake tins and more �

• Browsing welcome • Quality products • Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes available

•

• Dry Cleaning Laundry • Alterations • Shirt Service • Pressing • Duvets • Curtains • Wedding Dresses

We pride ourselves on our service and the professionalism of our staff, so if you have any special requirements or need any advice, please ask us, we’ll be delighted to help.

Collection point at Larter & Ford

01379 642720 | Visit our web-site at www.larterandford.co.uk Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 8.30-5.00 Email: larterford2013@gmail.com | 15 Market Hill, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4JZ

To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl, add the ginger syrup and mix..

12

Recipe

Ginger & Treacle Spiced Traybake The Star Bakers from our Macmillan Bake-Off were Joanna Wojda van Enckevort with a delicious chocolate cake, and Councillor Fiona Wenman (right) with this warming Ginger & Treacle Spiced Tray Bake – perfect for a festive treat!

Fiona’s tip: The recipe calls for allspice as well as mixed spice, which are not the same thing.

Allspice is difficult to find in supermarkets, but I found some (with lots of other amazing ingredients) in the Natural Foodstore in Norfolk House Yard in Diss.

225g/8oz softened butter 175g/6oz light muscovado sugar 200g/7oz black treacle 300g self-raising flour 2 levels tsp baking powder 1 level tsp ground mixed spice 1 level tsp ground allspice 4 large eggs 4 tbsp milk 3 finely chopped bulbs of stem ginger from a jar For the icing: 75g/3oz icing sugar 3tbsp stem ginger syrup from the jar 3 finely chopped bulbs of stem ginger from a jar

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Top tip: Weigh your black treacle on top of your sugar to help stop it sticking to the weighing tray.

1 Preheat the oven to 180°/fan 160°/gas mark 4. Grease a 30 x 23cm/12 x 9in traybake or roasting tin, then line the base with baking parchment.

2 Put all the ingredients for the traybake into a large bowl and beat until well-blended.

Turn the mixture into the prepared tin, scraping the bowl with a plastic spatula to remove all the mixture. Level the top gently with the back of the spatula.

3 Bake in the pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake has shrunk from the sides of the tin and springs back when pressed in the centre with your finger tips. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes then turn out, peel

off the parchment and finish cooling on a wire rack.

4 To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bow, add the ginger syrup and mix until the icing is smooth and has a spreading consistency.

Pour the icing over the cake, spread it gently to the edged with a small palette knife and sprinkle with the chopped stem ginger to decorate.

Allow the icing to set before slicing the traybake into 15-20 pieces.

• The recipe was adapted from Mary Berry’s Baking Bible, available from BBC Books.

13

2016: What a year!

Infrastructure improvements

We worked with the residents group Diss-Organised and Persimmon Homes on the recent Frenze Hall Lane planning application, due to be considered by South Norfolk Council soon. Despite our final recommendation to refuse the application, by working together we managed to alleviate many of the issues from the original proposal.

A successful Parish Partnership bid jointly funded

by Norfolk County Council and the Town Council has seen the footway around the corner of Heywood /Burston Road extended to improve safety.

We are working with neighbouring parishes to define our Neighbourhood Development Plan area, so it can be formally designated by the District Councils. The Neighbourhood Plan should give communities more power to shape future development of the local area. We want Diss’

Our vision

To make Diss a successful, vibrant, attractive town, where people want to live, work and visit.

Our mission

To support the community and promote Diss as the heart of East Anglia for business, leisure and the arts.

Your council

We represent you – as an advocate and campaigning voice for the people of Diss, working in partnership to improve services and deliver value for money.

14

We hope you’re enjoying this edition of Diss Matters.

Our new look and content is all part of our wider Strategy Plan, which came into effect in May and sets out our goals and objectives over the next three years. We’ve had a great start, and are already making significant progress. We have a new website and brand and thanks to our Executive committee (who ensure we are legally compliant and responsible), we have more efficient administrative and financial procedures and improved operational effectiveness. We’re also working really hard to strengthen our links with the community.

Here’s a quick low-down on some of our key activities from 2016...

NDP to truly reflect the needs and interests of its community, and will provide regular opportunities for everyone to have their say as the process continues.

Enhancing heritage and facilities As well as being a key partner in the Heritage Triangle Project, we’ve been busy elsewhere in the town too! The Council has invested much time and effort to find a long term solution to the mere drain issue.

Further investigations are still underway with our contractor, Dunnella Ltd, as we continue negotiations with third parties.

The Environment Agency undertook a fish stock survey over the summer, confirming that we have a well-stocked Mere with plenty of happy fish – good news for the anglers! We look forward to the Agency visiting soon for a more detailed assessment as we continue to find ways to improve the quality of this magnificent body of water we have right on our doorstep.

We had some sad news recently of a springer spaniel who escaped from its home and got tired swimming in the Mere. Despite valiant efforts by a member of our maintenance team, the dog sadly didn’t make it. This highlights the

importance of keeping dogs on leads and staying safe near water.

In more positive news, the Royal Holloway University of London spent a week on the Mere taking coring samples and we look forward to receiving the data to incorporate into our plan.

The fountain also received its annual clean so should be looking lovely this Christmas especially when the Rotary Club of Diss & District’s tree is installed beside it.

Diss Park always looks stunning in the autumn, but this December a further eight trees will be planted as part of a three year regeneration scheme. They will eventually replace a number of mature trees nearing the end of their life. We welcomed a new Pavilion Kiosk Manager in the spring who has done an excellent job of enhancing the Park experience by providing good quality refreshments and a great service.

We have had a spate of anti-social behaviour in the town with several attempted burglaries at our Cemetery on Heywood Road and vandalism at both the Sports Ground and to the MUGA, Pod and toilets in the Park. It is really disappointing and costly when facilities are threatened by the behaviour of a few, so please remain vigilant and report all

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Town Council activities

Diss Mere: A magnificent body of water right on our doorstep.

incidents to the Police.

We continue to improve our facilities and this year saw significant changes to the DYCC. The old changing rooms at the rear of the building were converted into an office and store for the Museum Manager, freeing up much needed hire space at the other end of the facility.

Further changes are subject to planning consent as we relocate our maintenance team from the Cemetery workshop but will include some much needed additional car parking at the site.

We are in the process of applying for permission to install a higher fence on the south side of the MUGA parallel to Park Road to hopefully put a stop to balls landing in the road and compromising safety.

The long-awaited Park Pavilion paving extension should be installed in early 2017, which will provide

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

additional hard standing for events, and the kiosk and will help keep the Pavilion looking cleaner in wet weather.

Community engagement The town had a fantastic extended summer of events starting in June with its traditional Carnival (there are exciting plans ahead for next year – watch this space!) closely followed by the Cyclathon, DissFest, Heritage Transport Fayre, Park Alive and most recently Waveney Valley Food & Drink Festival in October.

We have been out hearing your views on the Market Place every last Friday of the month at our Clerk and Councillor Forums – combining this in September with a cake sale raising £350 for Macmillan Cancer Support. This is just one of the ways we are trying to engage more with our community.

Look out for our Councillor surgeries in the New Year and

Picture: Supplied

do come and speak to us – we would love to hear from you!

Team changes We were really sorry to say goodbye to Kirsti in May after seven years of administrative support. This provided an opportunity to upgrade the post to full time, with more of an emphasis on marketing and we welcomed Rosie.

She has taken to the role and Town Council like a duck to water and has already developed a new website and brand including the new look Diss Matters – to mention just a few achievements!

Over the summer we were delighted to welcome Sue, our new Finance Assistant, who has provided much needed support to this busy area of Council operations.

And last, but by no means least, Robert and Alistair joined the maintenance team and are doing a great job of keeping the town clean and tidy.

15

Community

Keeping the streets of Diss safe Diss has a new Beat Manager and we were pleased to have a chat with him as he gets to know our town...

Tell us about yourself I am PC Andy Barkway, recently appointed as the new Beat Manager for the Diss Ward.

I have served nearly twenty years with the Norfolk Constabulary in a variety of roles including: Rural Patrol, Custody Investigation Unit and Community Safety. I feel fortunate to be able to come to Diss and look forward to meeting everyone in due course. I know that PC James Stables has been an exceptionally good ambassador for the force and I have some extremely big boots to fill. I am in regular contact with James who still has a keen interest in the area and I believe my policing style is very similar.

and all hold an interest in the place we live and work. I shall do my best to work in with this and support you all in a co-ordinated partnership approach.

As we face an ever demanding role with fewer resources, it is my job to make every contact count and to take every chance to reduce opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour and to promote confidence.

What are your first impressions of Diss?

Very positive – the location is stunning, people are very supportive and the team at the police station are among the best I have met anywhere on my travels. I believe we are all stakeholders in our community

Some people worry about there being less Police presence in the town, after the Public Enquiry Office closed.

What would you say to them?

The changes in the Police services over my twenty year service I can only relate to an iceberg. When I first joined

16

PC Andy Barkway.

The team at the police station are among the best I have met anywhere on my travels.

we had a greater majority of our staff on show in the shop window, rushing around creating short term solutions to problems. Today we have many more people below the surface working hard to make sure problems are properly dealt with and do not keep reoccurring. To this end I feel we are far more effective than we were. Technology is a great tool, and to name a few, we have DNA, CCTV, CPS Tagging, Alarms, all working in our favour.

I am based at Diss Police Station and happy to be contacted or visited at any time.

• Just call 101 and ask to be put through to me, or the Diss Office.

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Health

Winter: Take care of each other

N

orfolk County Council’s Public Health department and its partners are encouraging people to look out for each other this winter.

Older people, very young children, pregnant women, those with long-term health conditions and people who live in poor quality housing or are homeless, are particularly vulnerable during the winter.

The Stay Well This Winter campaign aims to make people aware of what they can do to keep themselves and their family, friends and neighbours in good health during the colder months:

Get a flu jab – all adults aged 65 and over are eligible to have the free flu jab, as

are pregnant women and children aged six months to two years. Find out if you or someone you know is eligible for the free flu jab at www.nhs.uk/flujab

Ensure the home is well-heated and insulated, and heat at the very least the rooms you use regularly, to between 18-21°C. If keeping your home warm is a struggle, there is financial help available from the Surviving Winter Fund.

For more details visit www.norfolkfoundation.com Make sure to keep warm, move around as much as you can, and consume hot food and drink. If you know someone who struggles to

CHRISTMAS FAIR Saturday 19th November 2016 Our first Christmas Fair at Thornham Coach House

Stalls: Vintage china & glassware | Handmade jewellery Christmas Hampers | Soft furnishings Homemade Christmas cakes | Wreaths & flowers Handmade crafts & gifts | Tropic beauty products

prepare nutritious hot meals, Meals on Wheels may be a good solution.

Visit www. norfolk.gov.uk/ mealsonwheels for more information.

In periods of cold, icy or snowy weather, it may be difficult for some vulnerable people to get out and about. This could mean tasks like picking up prescriptions and buying food go undone, putting people at greater risk of becoming unwell.

If you think someone’s safety is at risk, contact Norfolk County Council on 0344 800 8020. In an emergency always ring 999.

• Visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/ staywellthiswinter for more information.

CHRISTMAS PARTY BOOKINGS Thornham coach House is available any week day for group bookings of 20 guests or more for lunch or dinner.

For an extra special touch we can accommodate welcome drinks, table wine and entertainment.

(40 guests or more would have exclusive use of Thornham Coach house) Please contact us for further information.

CHRISTMAS MENU £17.95 Three courses £19.95 Two courses

| Yankee candles and much more...

Tickets are

£4

Ticket includes a mulled wine & a mince pie

Please call, e-mail or better still visit us to book a table or purchase christmas fair tickets

A family run restaurant and function venue located next to Thornham Hall

Thornham Magna, Suffolk, IP23 8HA | 01379 783373 contact@thornhamcoachhouse.com We are open: Thursday - Sunday Summer 10am - 4pm | Winter 11am - 3pm

Diss characters

A tribute to Sylvia D iss has been a market town for hundreds of years and many of our stallholders have been here for 40 years or more.

Any regular visitor to the market would recognise the Youngman family chip cart, which has been a feature of Diss Market Place since 1921, with the coal-fired cart pulled from Tottington Lane

by Jack the horse.

One of the cart’s most wellloved characters was Sylvia Youngman, a lady made of “good Suffolk grit”, who would put the world to rights from behind the counter.

Sylvia sadly passed away this year, aged 89, having worked on the Market chip cart for over 50 years.

Serving generations of customers and never without time for a chat and a laugh, she’d dish up good advice along with good food to anyone who needed it.

She became known for handing out sweets wherever she went, and helping poorer families with free chips – sometimes to the annoyance of her husband, who was trying to run a business!

In Diss, we are lucky to have a strong market community: “We’re a bit of a happy family really, we all look after each other,” says Andy

Sylvia and Simon running the chip cart. Picture: Contributed

Garrad, who owns the hot dog stand. When someone from that community passes away, it is felt by everyone.

Sylvia led a fascinating life, from serving as a land girl at Campsea Ash to working on the maternity ward at Eye Hospital. When Sylvia was still just a girl, she was introduced to hard work, helping her father top out sugar beet. Nothing seemed to phase her. When an accident left Sylvia with a nearly severed thumb, she walked to Eye on her own to get it stitched up.

While working on a threshing machine, the foreman asked her how much pay she should get, and was

promptly told that as she worked as hard as the men, she expected men’s wages.

Sylvia also worked as a post girl, delivering letters around Mellis Common on her bike – apparently sometimes saving up letters that were too far out of her way to make the journey worth her while!

Sylvia was a caring, goodhearted lady, who liked nothing more than to feed and help people. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her: a true Diss character.

She really goes to show how much our lives can impact on those around us, and how valuable our local communities are. After all, everyone has their own story.

• Special thanks to Simon Reeve for sharing Sylvia’s story, and Basil Abbott of Diss Museum for the photos.

The old chip van.

Picture: Joy Reeve, Diss and District Memories 18

We’d love to hear your stories and experiences of our town and market.

If you want to find out more about our lovely traders, keep an eye on our Facebook page for our #MeetTheMarket series, or pop down to the Market and speak to them yourself! To submit your tales of Diss, email towncouncil@diss.gov.uk

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

From the archives

Market memories This photo shows how much the buildings and road layout of the Market has changed over the years.

D

iss was granted a market charter in 1275, and the medieval market is believed to have been held in what is now the middle of the Heritage Triangle.

As the town grew in wealth and stature, permanent buildings replaced temporary market plots, and the market moved down the hill to what we now know as the Market Place in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

Diss Market still runs every Friday and Saturday, with a Farmer’s Market on the second Saturday of each month.

Working as a Market Trader is hard work, especially nowadays when shoppers have so much choice in where and how they spend their money. Make sure to keep supporting your local markets to keep ours running for generations to come.

Here are a few of our favourite photos from the archives of our Market through the years.

A regular auction in 1965, as farmers choose rabbits for sale.

Picture: Joyce Trudgill

This 1974 photograph from the Museum Archives shows the market spreading up the street past Dolphin House. You can still see the Youngman’s chip cart in operation.

Pictures: EDP/Contributed

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

The 1986 clipping (above) from the Mercury tells of Mr Graham Norman, who got to know the market during the First World War, when he was a schoolboy.

He used to play truant and come to Diss Market and help run the bullocks back to Eye for slaughter, for which he was paid 1/6d. At 13, he began working the market with his father, and by the time he was 20 had saved up 24 shillings, enough to start his own business.

19

SNYSB were promised T

here we were, 11 relatively sane and definitely sensible adults about to shepherd more than 50 South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band musicians – aged between 12 and….well, rather older – halfway around the world.

Twenty-seven hours later (allowing for time differences etc) we had arrived!

In that time we had experienced 102degF heat, the amazing lights of Dubai (all we saw because it was after dark!), the luxury of an Emirates Airbus 380, a jungle growing in the middle of Kuala Lumpur airport and a lot of flags! Flags everywhere: roadsides, lamp posts, buildings and the

Members of South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band in Kuching.

Pictures: Contributed

highlight – “wild” goats that had mini-flags tied to their horns. Independence Day approached.

Our first morning was spent sightseeing, taking in an amazing Buddhist temple, passing elegant mosques surrounded by water, and

an upside-down house which had to be seen to be believed. And less than 24 hours after our arrival we met our first youth band for rehearsals. This felt good, it was what we were here for, but nothing prepared us for the welcome.

If you’re interested in advertising in the next edition of

Diss Matters

please contact Dan Lloyd on

01379 650249

or email daniel.lloyd@archant.co.uk for more information

Community

the trip of a lifetime..

As SNYSB entered the hall we were greeted with rapturous applause, cheering and a sea of happy smiling faces.

This happened everywhere we went!

Two days in and SNYSB was performing with massed school bands: 332 musicians making wonderful music...the atmosphere was electric!

We went to a tropical island, walked in the jungle, saw monitor lizards, orangutans, crocodiles, had incredible shopping experiences, visited tribal houses, and shared traditional music and dance.

But most of all we received incredible generosity everywhere we went.

The main event of the

financial background.

We only had two weeks on tour, but it felt much longer because so much was packed into the visit. We had experienced food, sights, culture and language – all the while being treated like superstars with selfies, photo calls, newspaper articles, and local news broadcasts.

We all came back not only with the most amazing memories and new friends but also the knowledge that the band did something rather wonderful in helping to raise so much money for such worthy causes.

Our two-week tour will help to extend the life of many in the poorer communities, so in need of medical care. So we really did have the trip of a lifetime!

tour was a major concert at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching for the Heart Foundation. The concert raised millions to allow heart surgery to be available to everyone, regardless of their

TURRELL CLEANING SERVICES Established 1989

Advert ID:SPACE-9

First Appearance:/11/16

Carpet and Upholstery cleaning ● Office cleaning ● Fully insured ● Stain removal ● Fire and Flood Damage

Last Appearance:/11/16

FREE ESTIMATES

●

73 mm by130 mm Booking Code:SPACE-9 Customer ID:SPACE Colour:4

Tel: (01379) 687751 Mob: 07801 398247 www.turrellcleaningservices.co.uk

martinturrellcleaning@aol.com 21

HTP

H TP project update A

s the year draws to a close, the Diss Heritage Triangle & Diss Corn Hall project can reflect on a busy 12 months.

Diss Corn Hall is in the latter stages of its £1.75m redevelopment, with the building now watertight, its historic features uncovered and restored, underfloor heating installed throughout, and the final fit-out under way.

It’s hoped that the venue will reopen in late March.

Meanwhile, plans for the streets around the Triangle – St Nicholas Street, Market Hill and the section of Market Place that links them – have been unveiled. Pavements will be widened, a series of ‘tables’ spanning the streets will slow traffic, and squares, with seating and planting, will be created up Market Hill and outside the Corn Hall. The public consultation for the streetscape works is ongoing and, if all goes to plan, the roadworks should start in April and last around 13 weeks.

Part of this work will involve installation of the ‘Toblerones’, triangular information boards that tell the history of the Triangle and the industries that shaped it over six hundred years.

The project team is finalising

Market Hill view with benches and streetscape works; below, the DYG young gardeners.

the content for the ‘Toblerones’, and also for the new Heritage Triangle website, which will feature a 3D visualisation of the Triangle over five different time periods, going back to 1380.

Visitors to the Corn Hall will be able to use this map on an interactive touchscreen, scrolling back through the centuries and investigating the buildings in each period.

Meanwhile, work continues on the wildlifefriendly community gardens behind the Council offices. A team of young gardeners from Diss Youth Group have been clearing by hand the areas around the side walls and steps that can’t

Planned exhibition area in the Corn Hall; right, Toblerone concept design.

Pictures: Contributed 22

be tackled by machinery – it’s tough work, but the gardeners have made an amazing difference. In the spring, they’ll help plant up the gardens with nectar-rich flowers, and install wildlife habitats such as a hedgehog hibernaculum, bee nests, bat boxes and an insect hotel.

The project has secured funding from Tesco’s Bags for Help, which uses the 5p carrier bag charges to give grants to projects like ours that improve open spaces for communities.

Depending on public voting, we will receive at least £8,000 and possibly as much as £12,000, which will buy lots of beautiful native plants and trees for the garden.

Finally, outline designs have been agreed for the floating boardwalk and island on the Mere – look out for the installation team early next year, when they float most of the components across the water to the site. This isn’t a stunt – it’s just the easiest way to do it!

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

THE GUARDIAN WARM ROOF FOR YOUR NEW AND OLD CONSERVATORY ROOF

Available in a range of colours

Ebony

Antique Red

Charcoal

Burnt Umber

VISIT ONE OF OUR FOUR SHOWSITES: ■ Blooms, Bressingham, DISS ■ Wyevale Garden Centre, WOODBRIDGE ■ Homebase, LOWESTOFT ■ Head Office, Norwich Rd, HALESWORTH The Guardian Warm Roof Conversion system has been designed to provide a high performance thermal and structural solution with zero condensation risk over the life of the roof.

Call today on 01986 874241

www.waveney-windows.co.uk Unit 6, Halesworth Business Park, Norwich Rd, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8QJ

CALL US FOR A QUO TE TODAY

Why not try something new this coming year?

As 2016 rolls on into 2017 – do you know what your New Year’s resolution will be?

On average, a third of people in the UK resolve to get fitter, lose weight or develop a healthier lifestyle. Whether or not you’ll be making a New Year’s resolution this time, why not make 2017 the year you try something new? We have a wide range of activities and exercise classes available at the DYCC, and we asked our hirers to give you the low-down on what they do, and how you can get involved!

Kuk Sool Won Kuk Sool Won (KSW) is a hard/soft style of martial art that originates in Korea. As a form of self-defence, KSW is suited to any size or physique, making it effective for all: young and old, male and female. It emphasises the principle of harmony and the redirection of force, rather than meeting an attack head on. KSW also focuses on the importance of traditional values such as respect, trust, self-control and humility.

As a student of KSW you can expect to train in the following: kicks, hand strikes, throws, joint locks, pressure points, and break falls. Upon gaining a brown belt, you can start weapons training with a staff, and can progress to learn sword, spear, cane, rope, and fan!

The KSW club in Diss trains on Wednesdays (5.30 – 6.30pm) and on a Friday (6 – 7pm). The classes are mixed, with all ages and abilities welcome. Lessons are £5 each, and your membership and insurance is £25 per year for adults and juniors. Your 24

KSW is suited to any physique, making it effective for all: young and old, male and female..

first lesson is free – with no obligation to join!

• For more information, contact Jon on 07966676906, or email jonmortlock@hotmail.com.

Kumo Judo Judo is one of the few fighting sports where the participants are not taught to inflict physical injury to each other and as such is an ideal martial art for children and adults alike. At Diss Judo Club there are no annual membership fees and no pressure to purchase judo suits as participants can practice the sport in ordinary clothing.

The Club has an open door policy on novices and is one of very few martial arts clubs to have been represented at the past two Olympic Games! Players with exceptional ability can train with the expectation that they can reach elite level with the Club.

Kumo Judo welcomes children as young as 8 years old and the sport suits both boys and girls, teaching them integration and respect for each other from an early age. Mat fees

Blackbelt Martial Arts at Diss High School and the DYCC.

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

Fitness and fun

Zumba dance fitness classes take place at Diss Youth and Community Centre every Monday evening.

Pictures: Contributed

At Diss Judo Club there are no annual membership fees and no pressure to purchase judo suits.. are £3 on a pay as you go basis.

• Contact Howard Oates for more information on 01379 688258.

Zumba Hi all, I’m Terri and I lead classes in Zumba – the Latin inspired, easy to follow dance fitness!

Winter is here and not only do we want to squeeze into that little black dress for Christmas but we also want to feel good and banish the winter blues! Zumba is a great social event with fun and fitness all in one and the music certainly lifts the spirits. It’s suitable for all levels of fitness and all ages (so

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

bring along your daughter and grandma too!)

So, put on your comfy clothing and supportive footwear and join me at Diss Youth & Community Centre every Monday evening at 8.15pm. It’s only £5 a class, and beginners are always welcome.

There’s plenty of free parking, so don’t forget your water and I’ll see you on the dancefloor!

• For further information, search for Terri Cave Zumba on Facebook, or call 07557097578.

Black Belt Academy We’re a relaxed and friendly regional Martial Arts tuition business specialising in teaching children from 3 years old through to adults.

3-6 year olds can join as ‘Little Dragons’, and there are Junior and Adults Classes too. We train at Diss High School and at the DYCC. • Visit our website www.blackbelt4sure.com to see our class timetables. Your first two classes are free, so give us a try to discover if you would enjoy becoming a martial artist!

Slimming World Slimming World is very popular locally with groups

held in DYCC every Tuesday and Thursday morning with Consultant Jane Aldous.

“I love supporting my members to help them lose weight without feeling hungry, eating everyday, filling foods that fit in with all the family. Our unique support system Image Therapy helps members learn to lose weight while Food Optimising, making friends, and being part of a warm and friendly community.”

Burger and chips, spaghetti bolognese, trifle - love these foods? You can still enjoy them with Slimming World!

Come along and find out how.

• Contact Jane on 07747788062 for more information.

Keep an eye on www.diss.gov.uk to see what’s on at the DYCC each week, and try something new!

25

Arts & Crafts

Have yourself a very crafty Christmas!

W

e had so much fun trying out these Christmas crafts; we just had to share them with you. Use these festive techniques to make decorations for the house or tree, Christmas cards for friends and family, or just for fun!

Helping Hands Christmas Tree Draw around the family’s hands onto green card or paper – you will need about four copies of each hand size.

Carefully cut them out and arrange them overlapped – biggest at the bottom, smallest at the top, to form a Christmas tree shape.

When you’re happy, use a little glue or tape to attach the hands together, and add a base and star at the top.

Optionally, get creative with glitter, sequins or colouring pens to decorate your Christmas tree.

Decorate your Christmas cards with thumb-print animals.

Thumb-print Reindeer Great for card-making!

Simply make a thumb print using brown, water-based paint. Draw in antlers, eyes and a red nose. We made a robin too, what animals can you make?

Pipe Cleaner Decorations Shape pipe cleaners into Christmas shapes. Leave plain, or string chunky beads on to make home-made Christmas decorations! Loop some ribbon through the top and hang from the tree.

Shape pipe cleaners into Christmas shapes.

26

Pictures: Contributed

Diss Matters

Winter 2016

HADO PHARMACY WITH A HEART FOR YOU OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK LONG OPENING HOURS

• FREE PRESCRIPTION COLLECTION & DELIVERY • FREE SAME DAY DELIVERY SERVICE • OPEN SUNDAYS

• Flu Vaccinations • Free Repeat Prescriptions • Travel Health Medicines & Advice • NHS & Private Prescriptions Dispensed

• Disposal of Unwanted Medicines • Free Medicines Check-up & New • Medicine Service • Free Stop Smoking Advice

Open: Mon-Fri 7am-11pm Sat 7am - 8pm Sun 10am - 5pm 66 Mount Street, Diss (Opposite Diss Health Centre) IP22 4QQ Tel: 01379 644001 | Fax: 01379 640236 www.hadopharmacy.co.uk