ISSUE 103 BALE - BINHAM - COCKTHORPE - FIELD DALLING GUNTHORPE - LANGHAM - MORSTON SAXLINGHAM - SHARRINGTON - STIFFKEY
NEWS FROM OUR VILLAGES
August & September 2015
Stiffkey Hill Gate photo credit: Stiffkey Local History Group
www.locallynx.co.uk 1
WHAT’S ON VH = Village Hall
- is a non-profit-making community newspaper, run for the ten villages of the benefice. We warmly welcome drawings, articles and letters for publication, but must reserve the right to edit or exclude items. A maximum of 400 words is recommended. The items published do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the village representatives. For information about submitting items for publication, or if you want to help in any other way, please contact your village representative, through whom all village news must be submitted. For general information please send a message to our email address lynxeditor@pobox.com.
AUGUST 1st Sat. Field Dalling Fete from 2:00 pm 1st Sat. Langham Coffee Morning, VH 10-12 noon 2nd Sun. Binham Summer Fete,VH 2pm 2nd Sun. Binham Concert, Priory, 7.30pm 6th Thu. Langham Mobile Library 7th Fri. Binham Teas in the Priory, 2.30-4.30pm 7th Fri. Binham Concert. Priory, 7.30pm 7th Fri. Morston Regatta, Blakeney Cut start 11.30am 8th Sat. Langham Stall on the Green 9.30 – 11am 12th Wed. Langham Rounders & BBQ, Playing Field 6pm 14th Fri. Bale Fish and Chips at VH 7pm 14th Fri. Binham Teas in the Priory, 2.30-4.30pm 15th Sat. Langham Coffee Morning, VH 10-12noon 15th Sat. Langham Stall on the Green 9.30 – 11am 16th Sun. Binham Concert. Priory, 7.30pm 21st Fri. Binham Teas in the Priory, 2.30-4.30pm 22nd Sat-25th Tue. Binham Guild of Artists exhibition & sale of work, VH 10am-5pm 22nd Sat. Binham Concert. Priory, 7.30pm 22nd Sat. Langham Stall on the Green 9.30 – 11am 22nd Sat. Morston PCC stalls on quay 10am-3pm 28th Fri. Binham Teas in the Priory, 2.30-4.30pm 28th Fri. Langham fish & chips and quiz night VH 7pm 29th Sat. Bale Barbecue at VH 7pm 29th Sat. Binham Concert. Priory, 7.30pm 29th Sat. Gunthorpe 50:50 Club Institute 10.30am 29th Sat. Langham Stall on the Green 9.30 – 11am 29th Sat. -1st Mon. Stiffkey & Cockthorpe Exhibition, Stiffkey Church 10am-4pm 30th Sun. Stiffkey Vintage Tractors, Church 12.15 -1.15pm 31st Mon. Stiffkey Stalls on the Knoll
Copy deadline for next issue: 6 September
CONTACT FOR ADVERTISERS For enquiries about advertising in Local Lynx, contact Maxine Burlinghamtel: 01328-830375 email: maxine.burlingham@me.com Rates for advertising (pre-paid) are: One column x 62 mm (1/8 page): £72 for six issues. Small Ads Panel on the back page: Available for individuals and businesses providing local services. Cost: £36 for six issues. And please don’t forget…. Lynx103 and many back issues are permanently available on our website at www.locallynx.co.uk. The website also has an ‘In More Detail’ page and will soon add a ‘Local Charities’ page to cover relevant articles in greater depth. (Paper copies of website articles are always available from Roberta on 01263 740188.)
SEPTEMBER 3rd Thu. Langham Mobile Library 5th Sat. Langham Coffee Morning, VH 10-12 noon 9th Tue. Langham Senior citizens mystery trip 10.30am 11th Fri. Bale Fish and Chips at VH 7pm St Mary’s on sponsored 12th Sat. Gunthorpe Churches bike ride route 12th Sat. Langham Norfolk Churches Bike Ride 9am- 5pm 13th Sun. Field Dalling Harvest Festival 11am 17th Thu. Binham & Hindringham Open Circle meeting. Hindringham Village Hall, 7.15pm 19th Sat. Langham Coffee Morning, VH 10-12 noon 19-20th Sat. Morston Bluejacket Textile Fair 10-5pm 24th Thu. Binham History Group talk, VH 7.30pm 25th Fri. Langham fish&chip and quiz night, VH 7pm 25th Fri. Sharrington Lecture Church 6.30pm 26th Sat. Bale Harvest Supper at VH 7pm 26th Sat Gunthorpe 50:50 Club Institute 10:30am 27th Sun. Sharrington Harvest Festival Church 9.30am
BLAKENEY METHODIST CHURCH High Street Blakeney Sunday Services: 6.30pm. Minister: The Rev’d J Pathmarajah 01263 712181
BLAKENEY CATHOLIC CHURCH Back Lane, Blakeney Parish Priest, Father Keith Tulloch, 12 Hindringham Road, Gt. Walsingham Norfolk 01328 821353 Priest in Residence, Father William Wells (the house behind the church). Service Times: Masses: Saturday Vigil Mass 6.00pm Sunday 11.00am Wednesday 9.30am
REGULARS Mondays term time Binham Parent & Toddlers Group VH 10-12 Tuesdays Binham Guild of Artists VH 10-12 Wednesdays term time Binham Youth Group VH 6-8pm 3rd Thursday in month Binham & Hindringham Open Circle, Hindringham VH 7.15pm (no meeting in August)
2
Church Services for Bale and Stiffkey Benefice for August and September 2015 HC=Holy Communion. CFS=Church Family Service. MP=Morning Prayer. BCP=Book of Common Prayer 2nd August
9th August
16th August
23rd August
30th August
Bale Field Dalling
9.30am HC At Saxlingham
9.30am HC 11.00am CFS
9.30am HC At Saxlingham
9.30am HC 11.00am MP BCP
At Sharrington At Sharrington
Saxlingham Gunthorpe
9.30am HC
At Field Dalling 11.00am MP
At Field Dalling 11.00am HC
At Sharrington At Sharrington
Sharrington
9.30am MP BCP
9.30am HC
11.00am HC 4.30pm Silent Meditation 9.30am MP CW
9.30am HC
Binham Morston Langham Stiffkey
11.00am HC 9.30am HC BCP At Stiffkey 9.30am MP
11.00am HC
11.00am CFS 9.30am HC BCP At Stiffkey 9.30am HC
9.30am HC
10.30am HC Group Service At Sharrington At Sharrington At Sharrington At Sharrington
Parish
9.30am MP At Langham
9.30am HC At Langham
Parish
6th September
13th September
20th September
27th September
Bale Field Dalling
9.30am HC At Saxlingham
9.30am HC At Saxlingham
9.30am HC 11.00am MP BCP
Saxlingham
9.30am HC
9.30am HC 11.00am Harvest Festival At Field Dalling
11.00am HC
At Field Dalling
Gunthorpe Sharrington
9.30am MP BCP
11.00am MP 9.30am HC
4.30pm Silent Meditation 9.30am MP CW
11.00am HC 9.30am Harvest Service
Binham Morston Langham Stiffkey
11.00am HC 9.30am HC BCP At Stiffkey 9.30am MP
11.00am HC
11.00am CFS 9.30am HC BCP At Stiffkey 11.00am Harvest Festival
9.30am HC
9.30am MP At Langham
9.30am HC At Langham
Regular Weekday Services Binham: Tuesday, 6.00pm Evening Prayer; Langham: Wednesday, 10.00am Holy Communion (no service August 5th, 19th and Sept. 16th); Stiffkey: Friday, 10.00am Holy Communion (no service August 7th, 21st and Sept. 18th)
RECTOR’S LETTER Dear Friends and Parishioners, Don’t you love a Birthday? I do! Anyone’s, and even my own. One of my nice presents at the end of June was wrapped in ribbon, which was charmingly embroidered with the words ‘laugh * love * live * laugh * love * live’. Well, I’ve eaten the present, but am keeping the ribbon. We do not always laugh. But we can always love while we live: serving those we live with or amongst, and pursuing the best for our fellow men and all creatures. I was sorry to miss ‘Thank God for animals!’ at Field Dalling, which included a Prayer for the Blessing of the Animals: May God bless you for the touch of your skin for your ability to hear and make glorious sounds. May God bless you for the astute senses you have. May God bless you for the milk, yoghurt and icecream that some of you give to us. May God bless you all – and may God bless me and help me to look after you. Amen Now living and loving like that will surely lead to laughter too.
“I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”. (Ephesians 3:18 & 19) Yours very truly, Ian Whittle The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246
3
when’; in text 2nd paragraph click ‘here’ – informs you are leaving the BBfN website; enter your full land line or postcode, click, which will indicate if you have access to fibre and your relevant cabinet. If it says your cabinet is enabled the section below shows ‘buy it now’, choose home or business and proceed. You can check your existing provider and alternatives as to what is on offer in terms of speed and price.
Existing broadband provision First I can assure you that the older cabinets will remain and you do not have to move to fibre provision unless you want to do so. As to the problems regarding reduced speed etc, raise any problems with your Internet Service Provider. If your problem is still not resolved you can either: investigate changing your provider; make a formal complaint to your ISP and if the situation is still not resolved raise a complaint with the regulator Ofcom. You can access Ofcom’s website which contains links to comparison websites so you can see which ISPs offer non-fibre services and at what cost.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S NOTES From Cllr. Dr. Marie Strong Local Housing Associations/Housing Providers In our division we have ‘Blakeney & Neighbourhood Housing Association’ – a private organisation operating since the war, based primarily on bequests and run by volunteers. In Wells-next-the-Sea we have ‘Homes for Wells’, a very similar organisation. The Holt & Neighbourhood Housing Society is another such organisation. It is not surprising therefore that the Government’s proposal ‘To enable the extension of Right to Buy to housing association tenants’ is causing concern. But, as I pointed out recently at Norfolk County Council we have an opportunity to support these organisations since the Government has not fully decided how it is going to go about its pledge and wants to give itself some space to do so. Having spoken as to why these organisations are so important in helping local people remain local, to carry out essential work, to care for families, I sought and gained support that we write to Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, asking him to put concern to rest by stating that local housing providers, such as Blakeney, Wells and Holt, be specifically excluded from the proposal. That request has been sent to the Rt Hon Greg Clark and to Brandon Lewis MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning. Since then I have met with Lord Bob Kerslake and Baroness Sal Brinton and at their request will be providing them with case studies to be used in the House of Lords. More news next time.
Household Hazardous Waste Amnesty NCC hosts another year of Household Hazardous Waste Amnesty events throughout September The Household Hazardous Waste Amnesties will be taking place between 9am and 6pm Saturday 5-Sunday 6 September 2015 Hempton Recycling Centre, Fakenham. District Councillors’ Contact Details: Jonathan Savory (01328 820719) e: jonathan.savory@north-norfolk.gov.uk – and Peter Terrington (01328 711126) e: peter.terrington@north-norfolk.gov.uk (Binham, Langham & Stiffkey) Lindsay Brettle (01263 710030) e: lindsay.brettle@north-norfolk.gov.uk (Sharrington, Field Dalling, Saxlingham & Morston) Ann.R.Green (01328 878273) e: ann.green@north-norfolk.gov.uk (Gunthorpe & Bale) County Councillors’ contact details: Dr Marie Strong: County Councillor Wells Division (Glaven, Priory and Walsingham Parishes)
New Bus Service for Sharrington and Brinton Following requests Norfolk County Council has organised a new bus service into Holt starting from 31st July 2015. The service will operate every Friday and will be a minibus operated by Aldborough community buses. Timetables have been posted on village notice boards. It will run in conjunction with the existing bus service and allow more time in Holt.
Better Broadband for Norfolk If you are not already aware fibre broadband has gone live in Brinton and Sharrington, Field Dalling, Blakeney, Letheringsett, Thornage & Little Thornage, Wells-next-theSea. However the caveat remains that access to fibre and available speeds are dependent on distance of properties from the cabinet. To check if you have access go to www.betterbroadbandnorfolk.co.uk; side menu ‘where and
4
WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME CONCERTS St Nicholas Church, Church Plain, Wells-next-theSea 12.00 noon – free but donations welcome £3 buys you homemade soup and a roll, and fresh fruit August 5th Concert of Choral Music by the boys and adults of Holy Trinity Choir, Guildford 12th ‘Desert Island Discs’ - special guest: Robert Smith, Wells Harbour Master. Interviewer: Joan Price 19th Organ Recital: Martin Holford – a return visit by popular demand 26th ‘Razz and Pearl Melodeon’: percussion and folk tunes, music and magic, clowning and puppets
marie.strong@norfolk. gov.uk or 07920 286 597 David Ramsbotham: Melton Constable Division (Bale and Gunthorpe Parishes) david.ramsbotham@norfolk.gov.uk 01263 577418
SATURDAY EVENING CONCERTS September 12th 7.30 pm – Lewisham Town Concert Band in aid of the RNLI. Tickets: £10 from Sarah (01328 711021) 19th 7.00 pm (supper); 8.00 pm (concert) – Simon Nelson Dixie-Mix Jazz Band. Tickets: £15/£5 students (supper and concert) from Kate 01328 711312, Judith 01328 710801 or Liz 01328 710716.
GLAVEN CARING MINIBUS Do you like to clean vehicles? Help is needed to maintain the Glaven Caring minibus. If you have an hour or two to spare every couple of weeks perhaps you could help to look after our minibus, purchased with funds donated by people from our local community and helping to promote the ‘Glaven Caring Service’ offered to older people in the Glaven Valley. Please contact Maureen Buckey on 01263740762 or Allen Hilton on 01263 740329 for more details.
ST NICHOLAS FLOWER FESTIVAL Wells-next-the-Sea Sunday 2nd August - Saturday 8th August 10a.m. - 4p.m. "Reflections of the Sea" Tea and Coffee served all week.
FREE LEGAL ADVICE Merchants’ Place, 18 Church Street, Cromer From 5.00pm. 15 minutes free advice with a solicitor.
WW1 COMMEMORATIONS On June 22nd a seven foot tall memorial sculpture ‘Poppies in Steel’ made and donated by Fransham blacksmith Nigel Barnett was unveiled in the garden area in front of the North Norfolk District Council offices in Cromer, by Major General Sir William Cubitt, President of the Royal British Legion in Norfolk. The unveiling coincided with the launch of the dedicated area of the NNDC website www.northnorfolk.org/ww1 which will provide a platform for local organisations to place publicity material for events over the next three years and enable everyone to find out what is being planned in the area. There are also links to other websites which may help you with research or information. If you have any events planned and would like your event publicised or would like further information about the website please contact ww1@north-norfolk.gov.uk NNDC is also launching this summer a coastal trail of 14 accessible WW1 pillboxes one of which is in our benefice at Stiffkey on the Norfolk Coastal Path at NR23 1QE. They were designed to protect British troops who would have been firing at invading forces and were manned by regular troops. More information can be found at the Tourist Information Centres.
Solicitors specialise but may be able to give general advice on other matters. August September 1st Family 4th Family 11th Family 8th Family th 18 Employment 25th Family 25th Wills and Probate 29th Employment Any queries or to make an appointment please call: 01603 486623. Please note: occasionally advice sessions are subject to changes.
5
Children’s rides and car boot area Hot and cold refreshments and bar available all day Dogs on leads welcome For more details, contact Janice on 01263 588086 (before 6pm) In aid of Weybourne Community Fund charity No. 1084183
RECORD-BREAKING CHILDRENS’ DOODLE CHALLENGE Calling all young doodlers – we need you! Libraries across North Norfolk are to challenge children this summer to create the longest ever drawing and it’s all going to be created using every day stickynotes! During the summer holidays, children are being asked to doodle a picture on a standard sized stickynote that best illustrates why they love to visit their local library. The doodles will be put together to make a record breaking piece of bunting. The record attempt is part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, an annual event, produced by The Reading Agency and delivered by the library network across the country to inspire all children to read their choice of library books whilst collecting stickers to complete the fold - up poster. To help inspire the children, local illustrator, Adam Faulconbridge, will be running free workshops in all eight North Norfolk libraries. At each session he will introduce and demonstrate many different types of book illustration from comic book drawings and Japanese Manga style to traditional printing methods and classroom doodles before each child tries them out. Don’t miss Adam at your nearest library: Cromer between 11.00 – 13.00 on Tuesday the 28th of July; Stalham between 11.00 – 13.00 on Monday the 3rd of August; Mundesley between 14.30 – 16.30 on Tuesday the 4th of August; Fakenham between 10.00 – 12.00 on Wednesday the 5th of August; Wells-Next-The-Sea between 13.30 – 15.30 on Wednesday the 5th of August; Holt between 10.00 – 13.00 on Friday the 7th of August; Sheringham between 11.00 – 13.00 on Monday the 10th of August; North Walsham between 11.00 – 13.00 on Tuesday the 11th of August. These workshops are sponsored by FALCON (Facilitating
HOG ROAST AND MUSIC Burnham Market Playing Field Sunday 19th July 12.30pm – late in aid of Heritage House Day Care Centre Tickets: £12 adults/ £6 children available from Heritage House, Mill Road, Wells tel: 01328 711333, or heritagedaycare@btconnect.com or Burnham Motors Garage, Creake Road, Burnham Market tel: 01328 738387.
DID YOU KNOW? The Heritage House Book of Household and Gardening Tips Did you Know? is a slim volume of over 100 useful tips, gathered together to help raise much needed funds for Heritage House, the day centre at Wells. It has sections on cleaning, food and drink, gardening jobs and unwelcome visitors of various sorts. As the compiler says in his introductory note, ‘some will be so well known as to be obvious, but not everyone knows everything. I cannot guarantee that the tips will all work perfectly, but I have great faith in those who provided them’. If you want your stainless steel fridge or dishwasher to have that lovely shiny look it had when it was new, the answer’s here. You’ll find advice on cleaning the glass doors of a wood-burner, cracking an egg with one hand, chopping onions without crying, slowing down the ripening of bananas, dealing with suckers on roses and how to avoid being disturbed in your shed or workshop. Copies are available at £5 from the post offices at Wells and Burnham Market, the White House Bookshop, the Creake Abbey Café and from Heritage House itself. All proceeds go to support Heritage House in providing day care for frail and elderly people in North Norfolk.
WEYBOURNE FUN DAY Sunday 30th August, 10am to 4pm opposite Weybourne windmill on A149 Entry free to pedestrians Car Park - £2 per car for all day Marquees full of arts, crafts and local food stalls Games, displays and attractions - including traditional Punch & Judy Show, Fun Dog Show
6
Western end. The stars of the show have been a single pair of little ringed plover, which successfully fledged all four chicks and have now laid a second clutch of four eggs. Highlights now include the flowering of the sea lavender which turns the saltmarsh into a beautiful carpet of purple with reds appearing as the Samphire goes to seed. Soon waders will return from their northern breeding grounds and Blakeney Point may become a temporary welcome resting spot for some autumn migrants. Will we see some rarities as we did in late Spring? Norfolk Rivers Trust has recently carried out surveys of the Freshes as part of the River Glaven eel project. Elvers were spotted climbing the sluice and larger eels were caught further into the site, along with many three-spined stickleback. The toilets on Blakeney Point are now working, but as we still haven’t fixed the leak there is a possible risk of contamination from salt water so there is currently no drinking water or washing facilities. Instead we have provided anti-bacterial foam for hand-washing. We are working hard to resolve this situation and hope to have fixed the leak very soon. At Morston work to repair the veranda on the information centre will commence shortly and we have now got some new temporary toilets in place as we begin works to replace the old toilets in the car park. Elsewhere we are now starting our usual work of thistle and ragwort control and will be carrying out other habitat management, including reed cutting in the coming months. Following the tidal surge of December 2013, the boat ‘Petronella’ is still to be found on the sea-wall to the west of Blakeney Quay. We have started the Abandoned Goods Management Process with a 60day final warning issued on 1st July. If you are the owner or know the owner of Petronella, then please do get in touch prior to 1st September as we will be disposing of the boat after this date. We have various events happening on the reserve so please do get in touch on 01263 740241 or email norfolkcoast@nationaltrust.org.uk. Alex Green
Arts and Literature for the Children of Norfolk) www.falcon -norfolk.org.uk, which aims to provide opportunities for children and young people to engage with creativity in all its forms. Throughout the summer the children can drop-off their doodles on sticky-notes to their local library (whilst they pick up their latest book to read!) to contribute to their own library’s paper chain of doodles (they might draw just the one – they might draw twenty, it’s up to them). Who knows there may be a bit of ‘friendly’ inter-library competition to see who can create, and contribute, the longest piece of bunting? All the doodles will be joined together to make a record breaking string of bunting and displayed on Cromer Pier on Saturday September 5th at 2pm. Come and join the stars of the Cromer Pier Show who will be unrolling the masterpiece before they get ready for their 4pm matinee. Don’t miss being part of Norfolk Libraries attempt to create a record for the most people of all ages listening to the same story at the same time. Julia Donaldson’s ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’ will be read at 11.15am on Saturday 25 July in a library near you. New for 2015 - a special summer challenge for preschool children and 11-18 year olds can join ImagiNation, where they can go wild with ideas for art, music, photography and poetry; all inspired by the books they enjoy over the summer. Get the whole family reading this summer by visiting any Norfolk Library or mobile library. Look out too for other special Record Breakers themed events over the summer at your local library. To find out more information, and to pick up your poster, pop into any Norfolk Library or mobile library. For library opening times visit: www.norfolk. gov.uk/libraries. Find out more at the Summer Reading Challenge website: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.
NATIONAL TRUST REPORT There is a lot happening on Blakeney National Nature Reserve keeping us all very busy on the coast. The breeding season is now slowing down with many chicks now fledging. On Blakeney Freshes two young marsh harriers have recently left their nest and are now showing off their new flying skills, and broods of bearded tits can be seen by the reed beds at the 7
announced for the prize draws and for best scores in each of the games. Prizes were presented by Maria Postan. Duncan and I only moved to Bale in November of last year but were soon enlisted to help with the fete. In addition to running a stall, Duncan raffled one of his paintings of Bale and was very pleased to have been able to raise additional funds. What a wonderful way to make new friends and become involved in the lively Bale community. We had lots of fun and firmly expect to be doing the same next year as we have been told it is a job for life! Maggie Thomas
PURCELL SCHOOL ANNUAL COMMUNITY CONCERT AT ALL SAINTS’ BALE
BALE
Sunday 21 June As the echoes of the last notes of the annual Community Concert given by pupils of the Purcell School die away in Bale Church, the audience has only one thought in mind – what a shame we have to wait 12 months for the next one, but how comforting to know that it will definitely happen again, thanks to the organisational dedication of Alan and Margaret Sankey and to the generosity of Jean and John Schofield. That it is such a success is solely down to the young musicians themselves and to the Head of Composition at the school, Alison Cox, this year supported by their Head Master and accompanist supreme David Thomas. That it goes off so smoothly is thanks to the Bale team, from usher to bar-keep. Every year brings something new into relief – this year it was the focus on the voice and, appropriately enough, on music written by Alison’s composition pupils themselves. The contrasting voices of Georgia Odette singing Mozart and Puccini with such assurance and the enchanting youthful mezzo of Emily Christian as Schubert’s shepherd were a delight. Close your eyes while any one of the precociously gifted instrumentalists is playing and it is hard to believe that you are listening to a teenager – especially Millie Ashton, leader of the National Youth Orchestra, Rachel Hanningan on the clarinet, Yong Jun Lee on the ‘cello or Mathew Higham on the flute coping with a score sheet six feet wide. But the charming youthfulness of the voices, either in solo or in chorus, is unmistakable and memorable.
Contact: Jane Wheeler 01328 878656 design@janewheeler.co.uk
BALE CHURCH FETE When, at 2pm on Saturday 6 June, Walter Hammond raised his megaphone to announce the opening of the Bale fete, it was difficult to know whether the waiting crowds surged forward of their own accord or were blown in on the gale-force wind. Stall-holders desperately tried to stop their wares being blown away, band members struggled to hang on to their sheet music but, despite the windy weather, the sun shone, the bunting flapped and another Bale fete was underway. And what a wonderfully traditional fete it was: teas on the lawn in the beautiful setting of Manor Farm, home-made cakes and jam for sale, all accompanied by a fine programme of music from the Cromer and Sheringham Brass Band. There were plenty of games to entertain: Bash-a-Rat, lawn darts, bowls and golf, a good old-fashioned coconut shy, Aunt Sally and a lucky dip drew adults and children, too. Bargain-hunters made bee-lines for the haberdashery, jumble and fancy goods stalls. Piles of books, DVDs and CDs were on offer along with the opportunity to win the latest Kindle. The white elephant stall drew the crowds, too, perhaps owing to the unusual outfit worn by Richard Scott who looked very fetching in a tunic made from a Tate and Lyle sugar sack. “Grown-ups” snapped up tickets for the grand Draw and wine Draw and everyone chanced their luck on the tombola and bottle stalls. However, all good things must come to an end. Band members packed up their instruments and left to loud applause. Stall-holders battled with the wind to pack up their goods and it only remained for the winners to be
8
VILLAGE HALL SOCIAL CLUB DRAW May 2015 Les King David Ramm Paul Turnbull Peter Nearney
£25 £ 10 £5 £5
June 2015 Henry Postan £ 25 Sam Lee £ 10 Les King £5 Christine Broughton £ 5
BINHAM Contact: Joanna King 01328 831831 joannaking77@yahoo.co.uk
LUNCH FOR ALL IN VILLAGE HALL On Friday 24th July there will be lunch served at Binham Village Memorial Hall. All welcome between 12 and 2pm. £3 per head. Come and have lunch and pudding, a cup of coffee and a chat. If you need a lift please call Alex on 01328 830580. Proceeds in aid of the Village Hall.
Among the composition work Tom Sparkes’s “The Cherry Trees” for violin orchestra and chorus was a remarkably moving end to the first half, and without doubt deserves further performances. Audience, do not forget, we heard it first at Bale! It is impossible to mention all 13 players and singers by name, but the good humour, sheer musicianship and community feeling of the light-hearted finale involving everybody was a perfect end to the evening. These are the hall-marks of the Purcell School’s concerts that we know we will appreciate again at the end of their next four-day Community programme in North Norfolk in 2016. Can’t wait! Basil Postan
BINHAM SUMMER FETE The summer fete takes place on Sunday 2nd August, starting at 2pm at the Village Hall. There will be the usual fun dog show, Binham football team will be saving goals and getting soaked in the stocks plus there will be many more games and stalls. So please come along for a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment. All proceeds in aid of the Village Hall.
BALE VILLAGE HALL NEWS WONDERFUL SUMMER’S AFTERNOON FOR PICNIC2JAZZ AT THE PRIORY
The Art Group continues to thrive, taking place in the Village Hall on Mondays, 10am – 1pm and 2pm-5pm. If you are interested in getting in touch with your artistic side, sessions will resume in September after the summer break so contact Duncan Thomas (01328 822481) for more information. The informal classes cost £5 per session, which Duncan generously donates to the Village Hall. Alastair and Paul will be hosting the annual barbecue at the Village Hall on Saturday 29th August, starting at 7pm. There will be the usual feast, at the very reasonable cost of £13 per person. Don’t forget to let us know if you will be coming to ensure there is enough food to go around! Email balevillagehall@gmail.com or call Paula on 01328 822012. This year’s harvest supper will be on 26th September at 7pm. This is the one event in the year when our usual caterers (Alastair and Paul) get the night off, and a professional caterer serves up a meal fit for the occasion. This makes it EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to book your place, so email us at the address above, or call Margaret on 01328 878511. Tickets for the evening are £12. We look forward to seeing a good crowd at both of these social occasions.
The weather, DixieMix Jazz Band and the beautiful setting of the Priory ruins provided a wonderful afternoon for Binham’s largest crowd yet at this annual event. The ruins form almost an amphitheatre and it was lovely to see if fully occupied with so many happy picnickers and children enjoying the music and atmosphere. The Friends of Binham Priory would like to thank everyone who attended and to confirm that the event raised their best profit since the event first started four years ago. This income greatly helps towards the ongoing building maintenance costs for the Priory site. We hope to see you all again next July! Mike Jeffery
9
TEAS IN THE PRIORY Come and enjoy a lovely cup of tea or coffee and delicious homemade cakes. Every Friday afternoon in August 2.30 - 4.30pm
BINHAM PRIORY CONCERTS SUMMER SERIES Sunday 2nd August, 7.30pm Brook Street Band (Lisete da Silva, baroque flute, Farren Scott, baroque violin, Tatty Theo, baroque cello, Carolyn Gibley, harpsichord) Bach, Handel, Telemann Friday 7th August, 7.30pm Heath Quartet (Oliver Heath, violin, Cerys Jones, violin, Gary Pomeroy, viola, Christopher Murray, cello Debussy, Dutilluex, Tchaikovsky Sunday 16th August, 7.30pm Xuefei Yang (guitar) and Eleanor Turner (harp) Bach, Paganini, Piazzola, Albeniz, Debussy. Saturday 22nd August, 7.30pm The Brocket Chamber Consort String quartet, oboe, harpsichord and singers (principals: Herre-Jan Stegenga, cello, Beverley Lunt, violin, Julian Godlee, bass-baritone) Bach, Vivaldi, Barber, Caccini, Moriconi Saturday 29th August, 7.30pm Fontanella (recorder quintet) Rebecca Austen-Brown, Katrina Boosey, Louise Bradbury, Sarah Humphreys, Annabel Knight Please see web site for details (www.binhampriory.org) Tickets are £16 per concert or £65 for a season ticket (5 concerts) Numbered tickets are available in advance Please contact Maureen Frost, 01328 830362, davidfrost226@btinternet.com
submitted by the time this issue of the Lynx is produced but possibly not before the next Council meeting on 20th July. The Council’s household survey in April with its result of a third more negative responses than positive ones, also gave us guidance on what residents were worried about. We are attempting to obtain quantitative information on the status of six aspects of the proposals which were of greatest concern. A paper will be circulated to households when we have the information. Also we now know that Broadland has commissioned an independent social impact evaluation which will be based on interviews with local residents during July. Currently the Council is adopting a neutral position on the desirability of the development. When a clear picture emerges we hope we can make constructive comments in the best interest of the parish to NNDC who will make the decision on Broadland’s planning application.
Speed Awareness Monitor (SAM) The Council has deployed the monitor at various locations on the roads into the village for nearly a year. We will soon be issuing a report on the general results. There has been concern on the accuracy of data generated, with occasional unaccountably high speed momentarily displayed. Largely we have, during the year, improved the positioning and alignment of the monitor relative to the road, and these incidents have decreased in frequency but sometimes still occur. They result from unexpected reflections of the radar beam. However we can assure you of the general accuracy of the monitor and, in processing the collected data, “blips” are ignored. It is interesting that recently in the local press there have been articles and letters about the use of monitors, mostly supportive, but not all. It is difficult to argue that speed is not the major cause of increasing the severity of injuries sustained in accidents, particularly to the most venerable road users, pedestrians of all ages and cyclists. The monitor reminds all of us, as drivers or motorcyclists, we are often travelling unintentionally in built -up areas in excess of the speed limit. Surely it is a worthwhile item of equipment for the Council to use in trying to keep our roads safe for all users? David Frost
BINHAM PARISH COUNCIL Housing Development A principal item on the Council’s agenda since the beginning of the year, and will be for some time, the possible development by Broadland Housing Group of the Priory Crescent/Walsingham Road site with the building of a mixture of 14 affordable and 14 open-market houses. The definitive planning application is likely to have been
BINHAM GUILD OF ARTISTS Exhibition and sale of work 22nd – 25th August 10am - 5pm
10
BINHAM & HINDRINGHAM OPEN CIRCLE There is no meeting in August. At our 17th September meeting Trevor Harrison from Creake Garden Centre will tell us about autumn colour and plant propagation. The Open Circle Women's Club meets at 7.15pm on the third Thursday of each month at Hindringham Village Hall. New members are always welcome - just come along on the night or ring secretary Fiona Thompson on 01328 830639.
“MAGNA CARTA & THE BINHAM CONNECTION” Binham Priory Thursday 1st October 2015, 7.30 pm
BINHAM LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
The Friends of Binham Priory and Binham Local History Group are co-hosting this illustrated presentation by Professor Nicholas Vincent, Professor in Medieval History at the University of East Anglia, an acknowledged expert on Magna Carta. It is very appropriate that the venue will be Binham Priory. Baron Robert Fitzwalter, who had an extremely colourful life, played a significant role in the actions leading to the drafting of Magna Carta. For forty years he was also Patron of Binham Priory and Lord of the Manor of Binham. During this time he was much involved with events which would have influenced his relations with King John and in his later years initiated the building of our great West Front, completing the Priory Church in spectacular fashion. Bookable seats, tickets £5 includes a glass of wine from David Frost 01328 830362 or email: davidfrost226@btinternet.com
Through Fire & Flood Binham Local History Group will be starting its new season of talks on Thursday 24th September 2015 7.30pm at Binham Memorial Hall with a talk and presentation by Sara Barton Wood on the devastating fire at Norwich Central Library on 1st August 1994. Twenty-one years ago, a column of smoke rose over the city of Norwich. The Central Library was on fire and thousands of books and documents – modern and historic - were lost. Fortunately the Norfolk Record Office was protected from the fire – but not from the water poured onto the building by the fire teams. Sara who has written a book on the fire, will talk to about the whole remarkable story of the original destruction at the old library and the trials, tribulations and final success of the new Archive Centre.
Agincourt Revisited 2015 marks the 600th anniversary of Henry V’s victory at the battle of Agincourt. Dr Juliet Barker, a leading historian and author will be giving a talk about this most famous of medieval battles at Our Lady Saint Mary, South Creake on Friday 4th September at 7pm organised as part of the South Creake Lectures and entry is free.
Membership Annual subscriptions are due on 1st September 2015. Membership is £5 for a couple and £3 for single. We provide a diary of talks from September through to May, plus other events (unless otherwise notified) on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7.30pm start. A cheque can be sent to Richard Lewis, Treasurer BLHG, 6 Buttlands Close, Binham, NR21 0DR. New members are always welcome and existing members we welcome your return.
11
COCKTHORPE Contact: Maurice Matthews 01328 830350 maurice.matthews@peppard.net
CHRISTENING Margot Nell Webb was christened in Cockthorpe church on the 31st of May by Rev Ian Whittle with family and friends filling the church. Margot who was born on 11th of August last year is the daughter of Abi and Oliver Web of Binham, sister to Edith and granddaughter of Juliet and Micheal Case of Manor Farm in Cockthorpe. Conveniently one of the few features not covered by protective chipboard, while the church roof awaits repair, was the font. This also meant the there was no musical accompaniment but this did not stop hearty renditions of the hymns.
BINHAM HARVEST CELEBRATIONS The Harvest Supper is in the Village Hall on Saturday 10th October with the Harvest Festival taking place at Binham Priory on Sunday 11th October. Please make a note of the date. For more information, please ring Liz on 01328 830519.
HISTORY OF STIFFKEY AND COCKTHORPE EXHIBITION Sat 29 – Mon 31 August, Stiffkey Church
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
For further details see Stiffkey Section page 26.
Christian Aid Week took place on 10 - 16th May 2015. Our Christian Aid collections this year were again very good for a small community. The total was £331.12. Many thanks for all involved; the donors and collectors. I have been organising Binham’s annual collections for the last twelve years, and feel it is now time to hand over to someone else. If there is anyone who would like to take on this worthy cause, please let me know. Maureen Frost 01328 830362
FIELD DALLING Contact: Anthony Smith 01328 830546 aesmith@pobox.com
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH Keeping it in good repair - for the community
BINHAM PLAY AREA
This year, we have installed a fixed safety ladder in the church tower, repaired the louvres of the bell chamber sound openings (visible from the outside of the tower) and affixed new stainless steel bird mesh. In the course of this work, we have installed safety lighting in the bell chamber area and removed years of debris from the floor. The next stage is to inspect the woodwork supporting our set of five bells and specify necessary repairs. This is challenging work at such a height. It was carried out by Reg Rogers, assisted by Roy Findlater, and paid for with funds left to the church by Dennis Ellis in his Will. St Andrew’s Church is the oldest building in Field Dalling. Its physical presence tells the story of our village through the 14th century wall painting, the stained glass windows, the churchyard memorials and its registers, now kept in the Norwich Records Office. But more important, the church is a living community of faith, learning and proclaiming Christian values, praying for our village and the wider world, and looking for ways to serve, even small ways like donating a Sunday collection to the Nepal appeal this spring. It is the setting for life’s big events: baptisms, weddings and funerals. On 3 July we kept the silence for the victims of the Tunisian beach massacre. History, the living community and a Christ-centred focus create a feeling of quiet peace within the churchyard and the church building. It is open every day, providing a place to pause, reflect, create some space and say a prayer. St
The play area, located at the Village Hall, is now fully complete. The last piece of equipment, a zip wire, was successfully installed last month and is now ready for use. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fundraising of all the play area equipment, particularly to the committee members for all their efforts over the last few years. Rebecca Bunting
MEMORIAL HALL 100+ CLUB May winners: £25 Binham Football Club, £10 G. Savory, Eva Tomblin, £5 Andrew Taylor, Sue Beer, M. Ulph. June winners: £25 Rebecca Bunting, £10 Martin (Front Street), Violet Dunn, £5 Alan Brown, Carolyn Raymond, Linda Eagle. If anyone would like to join the 100+ club, please call at 8 Priory Crescent or ring June Read on 01328 830106.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter
12
F D & S 200 CLUB
Andrew’s Church is for all of us, meeting us where we are at that moment. Everyone is welcome! Margaret Smith, Churchwarden
The lucky winners of the 200 Club May draw are: £50 Pauline Valentine £25 Sophie Liddle £15 Pat Wallace And for the June draw: £50 Mariana Botova £25 Ian Allison £15 Brian Goodale Remember: you can’t win if you’re not in!
HARVEST FESTIVAL Sun 13th Sept at 11am ‘Come ye thankful people, come’ An opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for all that is good in our lives.
VILLAGERS’ HALL Committee Appointments
GUNTHORPE
As a result of kind and enthusiastic support at our recent management meeting, the committee is delighted to announce the following appointments: Chairman Steve Collins, Vice-Chairman Jeremy Mason, Treasurer Susie Collins, Secretary Fiona Newton. Other members of the committee are: Chas Lister Mirka Mc Neil-Farmer Emma Deterding And attending as Observers: Ian Ladley Wendy Bixby.
Contact: John Blakeley 01263 861008 jbconsult@btinternet.com www.gunthorpefriends.co.uk
FOGPC May
50/50 Club Draw Results June
Lin Poole £25 Hannah Stevenson £15 Zena Churchill £15 Colin Dewing £10 David Ford £15 Lauren Aitman £5 Penny Brough £10 Michelle Worrall £5 Steve Lomax £5 John Lemberger £5 Linda Jenkinson £5 Stephen Burton £5 Noel Hinton £5 Patricia Groves £5 Sandra Worthington £5. Michael Wilson £5 If you are new to the village or have not yet joined, and you would like more information on the 50:50 Club and Friends memberships, please contact John Blakeley on 01263 861008. Can we thank those who have already joined or renewed their subscriptions (129 had at the time of writing) and again remind all members of both the Friends and the 50:50 Club that if you have not yet renewed your membership the subscriptions to both organisations fell due on 31 May 2015. Membership subscriptions until May 2016 for both new members and renewals are £5 per person for the Friends and £1 per month for the 50:50 Club ie £12 for the year - which can be paid with one cheque (£17 per person). If you are subscribing to both - cheques should, please, be made out to FOGPC. The Friends element can also be Gift Aided which adds to our income - so if you have not done this would you
‘The comfortable place to meet’ We often hear that the success of local events depends on 'putting bums on seats'. Well, the seats themselves might just hold the key to success. With ever growing numbers on bingo evenings, the old style plastic chairs seemed to leave the wrong kind of impression! So a hundred super soft padded chairs have been installed in our recently refurbished hall. Now visitors can put more than just their 'eyes down' in complete comfort.
Diary Dates Bingo at 7:30pm – doors open at 6:30pm on: 14th Aug, 4th Sept, 16th Oct and 13th Nov Yoga Classes with Richard Redmayne will resume in September every Tuesday at 7:30pm Coffee Mornings will re-start after summer on the 2nd Wednesday every month 10:30 – 12 noon Friends & Neighbours every 4th Wednesday in the month at 2:30pm Carpet Bowls every Thursday at 7:30pm Find out more at www.fdands.org.uk Chas Lister
13
doorway into the nave and the decorated stone tracery of the east window are also 14th Century. Two wills of 1417 and 1421 left money for the construction of the tower. It is likely to have been built in the 1420s. The remaining threehundredweight bell on its original oak frame bears the inscription “Charles Newman made me in 1702”. The archdeacon’s report of 1761 has the simple statement “Roof of church in ruinous condition”. The problem was addressed in 1795 with the decision to sell the lead and apply the proceeds to rebuild the roof with fir timber and “best blue Holland tiles”. The exterior of the church has changed little since Ladbroke’s lithograph of 1823 reproduced above (he drew almost all the Norfolk churches and sold the plates in seven volumes by subscription). Canon Sparke, rector and owner of Gunthorpe Hall, engaged in sweeping restoration in the 1860’s, including the redesign of the chancel and its windows, with the architect Preedy of Worcester. It is largely thanks to him that the church is still sound. However, it was probably also his engineers who then, or a little later, reinforced the tower with iron beams. Whilst obviously thought to be a good idea at the time, and the technology of the time, the rusting and subsequent expansion of these caused massive water penetration making the church unsafe until they were removed. (It is interesting to note that the Palace of Westminster now appears to be having major issues with similar construction methods from that period.) The project to undertake this work started in 2010 with the support of English Heritage, the Norfolk Churches Trust and the “Friends” (in turn supported by the whole of our small village of only just over 100 inhabitants). So this is a perfect example of why the “Friends” are needed to provide essential support to keep our church for future generations - we are a secular group so whether you are a practising Christian or just see, as many of our members do, the future availability of the village church as an important part of our culture and inheritance, please, if you are not already a member, do consider joining us - we only ask for a minimum contribution of £5.00 per annum, and we also have a lot of fun as well as providing our essential contribution to maintaining the fabric of St Mary’s (a current project which you can go and see is the repainting of the Lady Chapel). Marie Denholm, Friends Chairman
please consider doing so - we can provide you with the appropriate form. Very many thanks to all who continue to support us. Myfi Everett & John Blakeley
ST MARY’S CHURCH NEWS As I write, the re decoration of The Lady Chapel is almost completed, and it looks simply lovely. We are so grateful to the Friends for making it possible. The bottle bank will soon be back in its old place in the church car park, and we plan on screening it in the autumn. A big thank you to Albanwise for accommodating it. Thank you also for your continued support in using the bottle bank - it gives us a small but steady income. On Saturday June 27th Michael and Vivienne Wilson hosted a lovely lunch party for the congregation. It was so kind of them, and we all had a very jolly time. It was a bonus to be able to celebrate Ian Whittle’s birthday too. The weather was perfect so we could enjoy Vivienne’s very special garden. The sponsored church's bike ride this year will be held on September 12th. If anyone would like to ride or walk for St Mary's please let Penny Brough or Dan Worsley know. We also need volunteers to man the church. Your sponsorship matters! As reported elsewhere we were very saddened to hear of the death of Mary Smith. She and her husband John did so much to support St Mary’s during their time in Gunthorpe. A kind and gentle lady - she will be sorely missed in our congregation. Penny Brough Church Warden
FRIENDS OF GUNTHORPE PARISH CHURCH There is no Friends news for this edition as our AGM and the annual barbeque will be covered in the next edition of the Lynx. However, we are often asked the question as to what the Friends was founded to do and this in turn links to the history of our church, and this is can be illustrated by this story which was included in the programme of “Music for a Summer’s Evening” held to support the fabric fund and church repairs a few years ago. St Mary’s Gunthorpe has been in continuous use since at least 1301, the date of the first recorded rector. The south
14
INSTITUTE NEWS The weather behaved and it was a dry sunny evening only the warmth of the Mediterranean sunshine was missing from the Italian Night at Gunthorpe Village Institute on Friday 12th June. The imaginative decorations and a beautifully presented antipastao set a scene which provided a visual and culinary taste of things to come. A variety of lasagnes, served with salad and tiramisu to follow, were clearly the recipes for success and judging from the feedback the theme for the evening of “all things Italian” including an unusual and challenging quiz, proved it was a popular choice. An evening spent feasting and having fun amongst friends - what’s not to enjoy? Thank you to all involved for your efforts both during and after the event and to everyone who came along to support this fund raiser for the Institute. Summer activities at the Institute tend to slow down over the next few months with many folk away, or involved with family gatherings and entertaining generally. For those with any plans which may be reliant on fair weather, do consider hiring the Institute - it is an easy and local alternative which is very often necessary given our unpredictable climate! Some thought has already been given to the next event, but any ideas and suggestions are always welcome so please feel free to let us have your thoughts. In the meantime have a good summer, and we look forward to seeing you at the next Institute occasion in September/October. Tony Dufour and the Committee
actively involved in village life, and Mary played her part in full. As well as becoming President of Gunthorpe WI and running the Cubs in Swanton Novers Mary also acted as a classroom assistant in both the old primary school in Melton Constable and on the then USAF base at Sculthorpe. John and Mary had five children, but readers of the previous issue of the Lynx will remember that their youngest son Philip, a very talented musician, was sadly killed in the RAF Germany Band’s bus crash just outside Munich in 1985. Mary was a great supporter of our village church and it was fitting that her funeral service was held at St Mary’s on 15th July, followed by a private cremation at Kings Lynn later in the day. We offer our deepest condolences to Mary’s family, children Helen, Hilary, Frances and Jonathan along with her 11 grand-children and 9 (soon to be 10) great grandchildren. We also offer our thanks for the major contribution that both she and John have made to support and improve village life over so many years.
MARY MARGARET SMITH Mary Smith, a Gunthorpe resident since 1961, died in The Maltings in Fakenham, on June 23rd, aged 88 years. She had been unwell for some time, but had only had to leave the village in the past two months as she became increasingly
WELCOME Although the Gatehouse on the old railway line in Gunthorpe Lane is strictly speaking in Briningham Parish the property’s nearest village is Gunthorpe, and the residents who have lived there have always been welcomed in the village - indeed our village history was written by a former Gatehouse resident, Ray Steffans. Thus we extend a very warm welcome to the newest residents Marcus and Penny Strong who, along with their working Cocker Spaniel “Jock” and two cats (a Siamese and a Ragdoll) and some chickens, have moved here from the village of Renhold in Bedfordshire. Penny has worked for the Probation Service and Marcus has had a very varied career including 25 years in farm management, and later in floristry, undertaking and the young offender service. He now works as a builder/ carpenter - starting with the changes they wish to make at the Gatehouse. We wish them every happiness in their new home, and we hope they will enjoy being a part of our eclectic and sociable village.
frail. Mary and her husband John (also pictured above) who died in early 2013, married in 1949 after John, who had been trained as a pilot at the War’s end then trained for a career in teaching. After various moves to support John’s teaching career they, together with their family, moved to Gunthorpe in 1961 when John took up a mathematics teaching post at what was then Fakenham Grammar School (now Fakenham College). They both immediately became
15
extended 14th Army in conjunction with Japanese forces on the east of the Sittang River; a classic pincer movement. The first British Force into Rangoon was, surprisingly, two RAF officers who landed a Mosquito of No 110 Sqdn at Minglandon. Wg Cdr Saunders, carrying out a low level reconnaissance of Rangoon on 2 May realised there was no Japanese activity and saw a message painted by POWs on the roof of Insein Gaol, "JAPS GONE - EXTRACT DIGIT". He landed on the bombed runway at Mingladon, but unfortunately damaged the aircraft in doing so. After contacting the POWs and establishing the correctness of their message, he commandeered a boat from Rangoon docks, sailed down the river and met the naval invasion craft, whom he appraised of the situation. To the chagrin of General Slim, the seaborne invasion of Rangoon (Operation Dracula) landed on the 3 May without resistance when 14th Army, held up by the early break of the monsoon, were only 20 miles north of Rangoon. So close, after fighting the length of Burma from Imphal to Rangoon. The monsoon season arrived with a vengeance by mid-May. Torrential rain fell day after day and the rice growing plain between the Sittang River and the PeguYomas was quickly flooded. The Sittang River and the Chaungs (tributaries and streams) were soon in full spate. There was only one metalled road and that was the single track Mandalay/Rangoon Road which runs north/south, roughly parallel with the Sittang River. The 14th Army held the road and established defended "boxes" at villages, old railway stations or almost anywhere there was solid ground. The Royal Engineers quickly repaired the runways of the few airfields - Minglandon, Pegu, Mhawbi, Toungoo and the RAF Spitfires, Hurricanes and Beaufighters dominated the skies, and hence the ground in daylight. But at night, outside the defended boxes, it was noman’s land. The Japanese reconnaissance patrols were active and tried to establish contact between the 28th Army in the Pegu-Yomas and the Japanese 33rd Army to the east of the river 15 miles away. The Japanese
WW2 DID NOT END ON VE DAY This year we rightly celebrated the 70th Anniversary of VE day and the sacrifices made by the whole country, but especially the Allied Armed Forces, to win the war in Europe - but the war in the Far East was still going on, and this recollection of a past Gunthorpe resident, Bill Lamb, still serving in Burma 70 years ago in August 1945, is just a small part of tale of the continuing valour and sacrifice of the Allied military forces which led to the Japanese formally surrendering on 2nd September - following of course the use of the Atomic Bomb - which horrific as most would now see it undoubtedly saved many millions of lives on both sides if the war had continued. This is Part 1 of Bill’s story.
In the final months of the war I was the Crash Inspector and Field Repair Officer of No 132 Repair and Salvage Unit (RSU) based at RAF Minglandon some twelve miles north of Rangoon. There was no indication or feeling that the war was nearly over and everyone was bracing themselves for the next round. The Japanese were retreating into South Burma, but an untouched Army of 100,000 men were in Siam, and substantial forces were in Malaysia and Singapore. The Japanese were still full of fight and Operation Zipper was planned to invade Malaysia and Siam. Heavy fighting and high casualties were expected. In April 1945 the 14th Army had defeated the Japanese 33rd Army and captured Toungoo and the area to the north. The 14th Army aimed to capture Rangoon, 130 miles south, before the monsoon set in during May and began a rapid advance down the Rangoon-Mandalay road. Rangoon was defended by the Japanese 28th Army, and it was expected that it would be a serious battle to dislodge them. But unexpectedly, the Japanese senior staff evacuated from Rangoon to Mulmein for fear of being cut-off, and the 28th Army moved north west to the hills of the Pegu Yomas, probably with the idea of attacking the
16
to do then was to destroy the wreckage by explosives and thermite grenade to deny the Japanese any loot. But one day, there was a crash which just had to be recovered and repaired. It was a Lysander of ..... - to be continued.
28th Army was cut off in the hills of the Pegu Yomas and were short of supplies, particularly food and ammunition. Their condition rapidly deteriorated, but their discipline was still undiminished. General Slim had no intention of suffering unnecessary casualties by attacking them; he just kept up the pressure by artillery bombardment and air attacks whenever a concentration was located. But, obviously, they were going to try and break out across the flooded plain at some time and join with their 33rd Army.
LANGHAM Contact: Amanda Deacon 01328 830908 amandajd@live.co.uk
On 29th April, RAF planes located the Jap Divisional Signals Unit in the Pegu Yomes, north of Thayetmyo and totally destroyed it. This stopped 28th Army normal communication with Japanese Army HQ at Mulmein and the 33rd Division east of the Sittang River. From monitoring signals traffic it was realised that even Regimental Signals equipment was unserviceable or the batteries were exhausted. This had important implications for me,
FROM THE REGISTERS Holy Baptism Finley Rose Guest
20th June
Funeral Mr. Barry Betts Burial of Ashes Mr. Peter Tunbridge
because a crashed aircraft was a source of radios, batteries, compass', machine guns and ammunition. There was little chance of recovering a crashed aircraft for repair from the flooded area of mud and in any case our workshop resources were overwhelmed by repairing aircraft which were damaged on airstrips. These averaged about three per day from some cause or another. So my job evolved into finding the crash, often a Spitfire with one bullet through the radiator and a cooked engine forcing a wheel’s up flop into the mud and water. Then a jeep ride as far as possible and a 'paddy wade', covered by courtesy of the local army unit. Three things to establish; the fate of the pilot, usually thank goodness rescued by the army; the reason for the crash; and last, but most important, had the Japanese got there first and got the radio and battery. I am pleased to say they never did, which paid great dividends shortly afterwards. Then the only thing
29th May 21st April
WELCOME We would like to extend a warm, if somewhat belated, welcome to Rebecca and Ryan Galvin and their children Lola aged six years and Spencer aged one year. We also offer a warm welcome to newcomers Sally and Peter Adams and to Jo and Ian Copplestone. We hope they will be very happy living in Langham. Langham P.C.C
EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS PHOTOGRAPHS AND CERAMICS After our able ‘screen team’ arranged the furniture in the hall, the setting up of the exhibition went really smoothly with our artistic experts producing a most pleasing exhibition. The Friday evening ‘private viewing’ proved very popular again with most village people supporting and buying. The sale of the ceramics was hectic as usual and it was a good job we had lots of bubble wrap. The beautifully made cushions, displayed cleverly on the piano, were greatly admired and sold well to add to our profit. Last year we sold seven pictures, this year only five. However, the total profit for the Village Hall was up thanks to a larger raffle total and an exceptional refreshment profit. A great deal of baking by Gill, Sue Page, Jan and Sue
17
where we are going this year join us on Wednesday Sept. 9th from the Bluebell at 10.30am. Please let J. Hughes 830595 or P. Barlow 830606 know by August 29th if possible.
Hughes, as well as the rest of our ladies, provided the wonderful choice of goodies in the kitchen, and the ants were kept at bay. Thank you very much to Bob Brandt for his unswerving support. Both Bob and Ken gave up a great deal of their time and energy to provide demonstrations to interest and stimulate our visitors. Profits for the Village Hall were £1,113.36p Pauline Bartlett.
LANGHAM STREET FAYRE NEEDS YOU This event has long been a biennial event and raises several thousands of pounds for local causes, as well as being a great community get-together. However this event will never go ahead unless we get more committee members. This is an urgent desperate plea for your help to keep this event alive. If anyone from Langham or surrounding villages is willing to help why not phone to see what you can do.
THURSDAY MORNING ART GROUP Having run art classes in Langham Village Hall for twenty years, Bob Brandt has decided he needs to spend more time on his own painting and his duties as VicePresident of the Institute of East Anglian Artists (http:// www.eastanglianartists.com). But the students who have been attending on Thursday mornings are not so easily abandoned and have formed themselves into the Langham Thursday Morning Art Group. And what is more, they have persuaded Bob to continue to be the group’s full-time tutor. Many members showed their paintings recently in the Annual Langham Art Exhibition, which raised a considerable sum to support the hall, thanks to the efforts of its organiser Pauline Bartlett. The new group will continue to receive structured supervision from Bob, who paints mostly in oils and acrylics but is willing to teach in other mediums – if pressed to do so. You can find out more about Bob through this own website at http://www.clockhousestudio.co.uk. This is a jolly group of enthusiastic painters who are now hoping to add a few new members at the start of the autumn term on Thursday 10th September. Beginners, as well as painters of any level of experience, will be very welcome, but please note that numbers will be limited. To find out more about the group and joining it, please contact the group’s secretary, Jane Randall, at appliedenergyuk@aol.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you.
Amanda 01328 830908
RVS LANGHAM CAR SERVICE Schedule to 4nd Oct 2015 Fare: 25p per mile Weekly driving duties beginning on a Monday July 27th 830 847 Aug 31st 830 624 Aug Aug
3rd 10
th
Aug 17
th
Aug 24
th
830 847 830 605 830 731 830 677
Sept 7th
830 537
Sept 14
th
830 056
Sept 21
st
830 348
Sept 28
th
830 606*
* These drivers do not go to Norwich If the driver for the week is unable to do the trip, contact the next person on the list. If your appointment is cancelled, please also cancel your car service booking. Please give three days’ notice wherever possible, except in an emergency. It would be very helpful if a car booking is made as soon as an appointment is arranged or journey planned so that drivers can arrange their schedule. When booking, please tell the driver of any walking aids to be transported. Please bring change. In the infrequent event that no driver is available, contact the Holt Caring Society (01263 711243), giving as much notice as possible. This rota is also placed on the church porch and the village notice boards with dates going beyond the above schedule. To avoid drivers having to do a double duty we are in urgent need of more drivers for our full complement. If anyone would like to join us please give us a call.
LANGHAM SENIOR CITIZENS The Friends of Langham would like to invite those who fall into that category (over 60) to join us on our annual mystery trip. This is a full day out including lunch for a cover charge of just £10. So if you would like to find out
Ann Sherriff 01328 830605, Gill Hartley 01328 830624
LANGHAM SERVES UP ITS FIRST FISH, CHIPS AND A QUIZ NIGHT About 42 people turned up for Langham’s first Fish, Chips and a Quiz night in the Village Hall on 26th June. I B the Chippy served delicious fish and chips which were much appreciated by all, so much so, that the staff received a spontaneous round of applause. The quiz which was compiled and presented by Colin Sheriff was also well received – he definitely took no nonsense from the assembled quizzers.
18
concert in church on the 24th May which consisted of an excellent variety of songs and arrangements and provided us with net proceeds of £79.19. The following day we held the traditional ‘Bank Holiday Monday Bring and Buy’ coffee morning. Although a little cool, we were lucky to have weather good enough to hold it in the churchyard. Lots of people visited us throughout the two hours, enabling us to make the pleasing sum of £524. The dish of fruit weighing 6lbs 12oz was won by Molly Lees with the nearest guess of 6lbs 5oz and the number of sweets competition was won by Edwina Allen who was spot on with 83. The plant stall was a gardener’s delight and the vast array was soon bought up. A more sombre mood descended four days later when the funeral of Barry Betts took place. His death, after a seemingly short illness, was a huge shock to friends and neighbours in the village. Barry, with the help of Ken had kept the churchyard looking so neat and tidy for many years. We shall miss his scooting round on the mower. We send our condolences to his family. His good work is now being carried on by Barbara North who, with the benefit of Barry’s previous tuition, is really enjoying her new role. We extend our grateful thanks to Barbara for taking on this task. We were treated to a concert by ‘Double Octave’ on June 10th, which raised £250. This choir is a group of 16 members who, under the professional direction of Graham Hoskins, sing in churches, halls and private homes to raise money for charities. No fee is charged as they are sponsored by Travis Perkins. It is five years since they were with us at Christmas time and it was good to see them again. We enjoyed a very wide variety of a capella singing, sacred and secular music, including a french horn solo by Lynne Roberts and a soprano solo by our own Linda Phelps, both of which were stunning performances. We now look forward to seeing you all at our ‘Cake and Produce Stall on the Green’ on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th August 9.30 – 11am each Saturday. Contributions will be gratefully received. Langham P.C.C.
All in all the evening was a great success with lots of fun, laughter and high spirits. Thanks to everyone who supported the evening and the plan is to make this a regular monthly fixture on the Langham Village calendar on the last Friday of every month.
SING FOR THE JOY OF SINGING Sun 11th October 2-4.30pm Langham Village Hall We are having a get together at Langham Village Hall to sing songs of autumn, harvest and songs of good cheer for the season. No singing experience necessary to join in this one-off workshop. No audition. No solo singing. Just sing because it’s joyful and it’s good for you. Everyone is welcome. Please join us to share in group songs, rounds, and harmonies of the season, taught in a relaxed, fun way by Natasha Hood. ‘I loved your singing workshop yesterday. Although I am not an experienced singer, you made it easy for me to participate fully. Thank you for a very special afternoon’ (J. Attwood, workshop participant) £6 per person including a cup of tea or coffee. Booking is essential so reserve your place by calling Vicki on 07710 043550.
THANK YOU FRIENDS OF LANGHAM On Wednesday June 3rd, once again, we enjoyed an outing organised by the Friends of Langham. We travelled by bus to Norwich where some of the passengers went shopping and the rest of us went on a tour with a Blue Badge Guide, who escorted us around the pubs of Norwich. We came across areas that none of us knew existed. We had
NEW R.V.S PROJECT MANAGER With great pleasure, I am able to announce that in September, Mrs. Gillian Hartley will take over from me as Project Manager of the Langham Community Car Service. This service, run by the Royal Voluntary Service and its members, has been in operation since 1979 and has become a valuable and well used service. Gill has been helping me over the past two years, formatting statistics and claim forms and learning about the various jobs involved. With her immaculate filing system now in operation I can vouch that the administration section of the service is in safe and competent hands. Thank you Gill. Ann Sherriff
CHURCH NEWS We have had a busy time over the past few weeks. A Manchester based choir, ‘Notability’ came and gave a
19
a very eloquent and well informed guide who imparted lots of different gems of history, about things other than pubs and we all agreed it was a very enjoyable experience. From Norwich we were all then transported to Wroxham to partake of a carvery meal at the King’s Head. Sunny weather and well organised arrangements made it a very relaxed and enjoyable outing so, a big thank you to the committee for your endeavours which were all very much appreciated. A passenger
COFFEE MORNINGS Langham Village Hall The 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month 10am-noon
Come join us for a coffee and chat, get to meet new people and relax for a short time. All very informal and friendly, everyone is welcome.
LANGHAM VILLAGE HALL BOOKING DETAILS Langham Village Hall is a great venue for a number of events anything from meetings and classes to children’s parties and wedding receptions and everything in between. What’s more, it offers reasonable rates for both Langham residents and non-residents.
THIS IS LANGHAM Our Village Survey 2015 Results and Next Steps
The survey was carried out in Spring to gain the views of Langham residents about living in this village from a number of different perspectives. The intention was to hear what residents honestly think about what is currently here in Langham and whether these organisations and facilities meet peoples’ needs and/or expectations. Without doubt, this healthy response rate is directly related to the willingness of a small group of villagers who volunteered to distribute and then to collect the questionnaires over a period of two weeks and so a heartfelt thanks to them all. The response rates appear to suggest that there is a fair degree of interest and engagement in what happens in our village from those who completed and returned their questionnaires and that it would be reasonable to use the data to draw conclusions about what we do next And this is where we need your thoughts and ideas again. We will be displaying the results of the survey during the Saturday coffee mornings at the Village Hall in August and September and would like to encourage Langham residents to come and find out more about what we learned from the survey, to share your ideas and have your say about what happens next. We look forward to seeing you there.
Type of hire/rates 1.Regular meetings of clubs/organisations of 2 hours or less; £10 per session/ every hour thereafter £5 per hour. 2.Adult education classes of 2 hours or less: £12 per session. 3.Parties for children up to age 15: £20 4.Parties for adults and young people aged 16 and over: £30 Full details of terms and conditions of hire available from the bookings manager Mrs Jan Hope on 01328 830847.
LANGHAM RANGERS F.C. JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB Langham Rangers F.C. is a Saturday morning Football Club at the Graham Allen Ground Langham. The Overall aim is to provide young people from Langham and surrounding villages, for boys and girls of mixed ages from 10 to under 14, with a team and club of their own, with dressing rooms, kitchen facilities for supporter’ teas and coffee and a pitch in great condition. We currently have 13 players who come regularly rain, snow or shine from Langham, Morston, Gunthorpe and Field Dalling all enjoying the coaching and playing together. We have an agreed code of conduct of conduct for the team, officials and supporters to show what we stand for. We are a mixed age team and are currently unable to join an official league but we arrange friendly matches with other teams and play for the Langham Rangers F.C. Challenge Cup against the parents. Our recent fund raising activity was a 60’s and 70’s disco night in the village hall. A great time was had by all and we raised £398.90 for the club. With raffles, quizzes and tickets which included entry and barbeque supper. A big thank you to all who supported the event and made it such a success. Neil Espin, Coach. 07764150934. Neil.espin@cecoach.com
20
ROUNDERS AND BBQ EVENING
which involved offering teas, coffees and homemade.cakes alongside her artwork. The total raised for Walking with the Wounded was £1,217.24, which is a tremendous achievement, and many thanks must be extended to all those who helped with the baking and selling. After an exhausting week Sally is overjoyed with the result of her show, and humbled by the many supporters for the charity she chose.
Wednesday 12th August 6.00pm on the Playing Field, Langham Held by Friends of Langham
MOBILE LIBRARY Thurs 6th Aug. and Thurs 3rd Sept. Please note that times and locations of stops has changed and there is no longer a stop at The Old Post Office. On each of these days the van will call for 20 mins at St. Mary’s 9.50am, The Cornfield 10.20am. Enquiries: Wells Library 01328 710467. .
BLAKENEY HARBOUR ASSOCIATION A lot of work has gone into membership recruitment. There's an expectation that this will top 400 as the season progresses. Membership of the BHA brings together all who share a common interest in maintaining, improving, protecting and conserving Blakeney Harbour and the land that surrounds it. These include professional boatmen and other professional users, leisure sailors and boaters, bird watchers and recreational walkers. Together members create a strong and influential single voice with an ambition to make the harbour functional, safe and open for all to use and enjoy. It's been a really busy time. Planned new buoyage in both the lower harbour and marking the channel from Morston to Blakeney is complete. A FLAG grant for £15,000 has been submitted with the help of the National Trust. You will find some packs inviting new members to join are being attached to boats. We try to make sure that they don't get put on existing members boats, but bear with us if we get it wrong. Contact email is harbour.membership@gmail.com. Enjoy summer in our beautiful harbour. – Tom Harrison
MORSTON Contact: Joc Wingfield 01263 740431 Jocelynwingfield@gmail.com
DAIRY DATES: Fri 7 Aug. Morston Regatta. Sat 22 Aug. PCC Stalls on Quay. Fri 28 Aug. Blakeney Regatta. Greasy Pole , High Tide. Sat 12th Sep. NCT Bike Ride. Sat 17th Oct: FMC Shovell Dinner 2015. Martin Stephen, late High Master St.Paul’s School, London, on “Stuart Admiral Sir Christopher Myngs of Salthouse”. At the Anchor. Sun 8 Nov. 2.00pm. Remembrance Day Service Sun 29 Nov (& maybe Mon 30th). FMC Stall at Blakeney Christmas Market.
NCT BIKE RIDE SAT 12 SEP 2015 The Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride for this year will be on Sat 12 Sep. Sponsorship Forms are available form Ned Hamond on 01263-740144 (H) or 740188 (W). Do have a go and help the PCC (Parochial Church Council) keep the church repaired by earning funding by biking to as many churches as you can between 9.00am and 4.00pm on 12 Sep.
INTO THE LIGHT Painting Exhibition by Sally Temple Sally hosted her exhibition of original paintings in Morston Village Hall during the week of 23rd - 29th May 2015. Sally, aged 43, is a local North Norfolk artist, born in Morston, and has been painting for over 25 years. She specialises in conveying the huge skies, shifting light, and wild, sometimes dark atmosphere of areas along the North Norfolk Coast; Morston marshes, Blakeney and beyond. She paints mostly in oil, using her fingers. Her exhibition was a great success, resulting in a sell out!! Sally chose to combine her art exhibition with raising funds for the local charity, Walking with the Wounded,
MORSTON CAME 2nd IN 2014 The final figures that our intrepid riders – Rob and Max Metcalfe and Anne Rolfe - earned last year – were even more than the £858:88 we reported their earning in Local Lynx Issue 101 p.19. Their final sum raised was a staggering £1,195 exactly. Many, many congratulations,
21
you three bikers! Morston having come first in Norfolk in 2013, we were just beaten into Norfolk’s 2nd place in 2014 by Hempstead (David & Tessa McCosh) who raised £1,277 -90.
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS Meetings were held on Thursday 21st May and Wednesday 24th June 2015.
Meeting 21st May John Burdell was re-elected chairman for the coming year and Stephen Bean was re-elected vice-chairman. Police Report PCSO Kirby reported that no crimes had been recorded in the area over the past month, but that boat owners should be vigilant in regard to potential thefts on the marsh. An attempt to run a rave near Langham had been successfully aborted by local police. National Trust Car Park It was arranged for John Sizer and NT chartered surveyor Andrew Dawson to attend the next meeting on Wednesday 24th June to discuss the car park annual payments. Affordable Housing Carole Bean gave a brief report on a meeting she had attended in Blakeney regarding affordable housing. Blakeney PC might have a piece of land that would be suitable. A further meeting was to be arranged. Village Hall Toilets It was agreed that the toilets would be serviced and kept open from 1 March to 31st December and in the remaining months if required by people booking the village hall. Morston PC website It was agreed that the Clerk would arrange for a small website to be set up to display information.
MORSTON REGATTA The Morston Regatta will be held on FRIDAY 7th August. The Regatta will start at approx. 11.30am at Blakeney Cut (bank start) and there will be a prize-giving at NorfolkEtc Sailing School at Morston at 5.30pm followed by live music, and “bring your own” BBQ picnic supper as usual. Morston Regatta Archive. Can you help? Morston is proud of its Regatta, now in its 9th decade, and would like to create a permanent archive. Do you have any photos, documents or personal stories about Morston Regatta? Please contact Joan McKee on 07923 489829 or Charlie Ward at cwtb10@gmail.com or 07771 597 985.
STALLS ON QUAY SAT 22 AUG 10AM-3.00PM The PCC Stalls on the Quay will be selling Books, Brica-Brac, Bottle Tombola, Craft Items, Toys and Plants. If you want to donate something for sale or help in some way, please contact Gill Kay or Sally Metcalfe on 01263-740063 or 01263-740238. All proceeds will go to the PCC.
STALL AT BLAKENEY CHRISTMAS MARKET SUN 29 NOV
Meeting 24th June
The FMC (Friends of Morston Church) is planning to have a stall at the Blakeney Christmas Market this year on Sunday Nov 29th. The stall will have a Christmas theme and we are planning to make decorations, and sell preserves and objets d’art to raise funds for the Friends and hopefully have some fun in the process. Would you like to get involved? Or know anybody who would? If so, please call 001263741082 (Pete & Jill Tibbetts) or email FMC Chairman:
Police Report PC Pegden reported that there had been three calls from the public and one outboard stolen at Morston. He noted that a ‘Tracker device’ had alerted the owner at 2.30am who had immediately called the police. Within 15 minutes, 3 units were on the quay and a helicopter on stand-by. He urged boat owners to consider installing the devices and, most importantly, to call the police immediately when they go off so that police teams can get to the quay quickly. Feedback from Tom Harrison at Blakeney Harbour Boatman’s Association confirms that outboard replacement covers and trackers are providing better security. PC Pegden warned that personal boat owners’ security could be improved at Morston and recommended reestablishing an all-night ‘Harbour-Watch’ team. PC Pegden reminded the council of the non-urgent
MORSTON QUIZ By Samphire (answers on page 27 ) 1. What is pastrami on rye? 2. What is the name of Mickey Mouse’s dog? 3. What country’s flag reached the moon first? 4. Where is the Ocean of Storms? 5. What event are hot cross buns supposed to commemorate? 6. How many teeth does an adult human have? 7. The world’s first traffic lights were in London. Which decade do they date from? 8. What would an Australian do with a billabong – play it, paddle in it or eat it? 9. Pepsi is so called because it was said to cure which ailment? 10. What gives pesto sauce its colour?
22
number to report outboards theft is 07887 450992. To report suspicious number plates call 101 and this will link to specialist camera units that can pick up plate numbers and capture driver images. Report from County Councillor Marie Strong Dr. Strong reported that there could be extra money from the county for parishes. She would pass on details shortly. Broadband delays mean that we would be unable to pursue a Vodafone Hub for Morston at present. Dr.Strong sympathised with the lack of broadband signal, but felt that it would be good news in the long-run as we would be in line for fibre-optic or, if all else failed, satellite link. National Trust Car Park A formal meeting was held between the parish council and NT representatives John Sizer and Andrew Duncan to explore ways forward regarding annual payments to the parish council linked to car park takings. The 22 year history of the agreement was discussed in detail and ideas put forward on how to create a more stable long-term agreement satisfactory to both sides. A suggestion was made to form a sub-committee to work more closely and report back to the council. Morston PC thanked John Sizer and Andrew Duncan for their time and attention to this matter. Next meeting: Wednesday 29th July, Village Hall at 7.00pm. All welcome. Morston Parish Council: Carole Bean, Stephen Bean, John Burdell (chair), Roberta Hamond, Jim Temple, Jill Tibbetts and Charlie Ward. Contact via parish clerk Peter Bullimore, beestonpc@btinternet.com or 01263 822864.
2013. Rev Christopher Wood on William Hoste, Nelson’s protégé. This year on Oct 17th Martin Stephen, late High Master of St.Paul’s School, London, will speak on “Stuart Admiral Sir Christopher Myngs of Salthouse”. Information will be sent out within the next month to last year’s attendees and to those who wanted to come but could not. (Details from Jock Wingfield on 01263-740431).
WINDOWS COMPUTER SCAM I have three times in the last week received a call saying it was in response to my wife’s message that I had a computer problem. I checked these people out fully. They were not from Bangalore like the big scams last year, but claimed to be working from Edinburgh with a telephone number with an area code of 0117 which I told them was not Edinburgh but Bristol – at which they claimed it was a London number “used from Edinburgh”. When I looked up “Windows IT scams” on Google, up came exactly how these scammers operate, saying it had become very common recently. I never normally respond to any call about computer repairs – and never will again.
THE ROBIN WINS A Mr Lindo realised one day recently that the UK – like Canada - did not have a National Bird like so many countries had; although Scotland has – like Germany – the golden eagle. The USA has the bald eagle, Spain the Spanish imperial eagle, Ireland the lapwing, France has the rooster and Australia the emu. It was thought that the robin redbreast would be a likely winner, but also in contention were the kingfisher, barn owl, blue tit, blackbird and red kite. 200,000 people – with schools heavily involved - took part in the vote and the robin won with 34% of the vote, followed by the barn owl with 12% and the blackbird with 11%. Such a vote was last performed in 1960 – when the robin won but was never officially adopted. This time Mr Lindo now plans to ask the government to adopt the robin as our official national bird.
FMC SHOVELL DINNER 2015 Sat 17th Oct Friends of Morston Church plan to sit down 50 people to the ninth Shovell Dinner. To date our speakers – always at the Anchor except the first one (which was at the Harbour Room in Blakeney owing to the fire at the Anchor) and with the talk always on a naval or marine subject, with Norfolk emphasized where relevant - have been: 2006. Dr Simon Harris on Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell. 2007. Dominick Harrod on the First Man through the NW Passage 2008. John Wain on the War of 1812. 2009. Dr J.David Davies on Pepys’ Ships, Men, Organisation 1650-80s. 2010. Dr Justin Reay on Admiral Cochrane, Brilliant Maverick Commander. 2011. Dr Simon Harris on Nelson, His Wounds & the th 7 Commandment. 2012. Dr Paul Richards on The Hanseatic Wash Ports from 1250 .
ANNUAL TEXTILE FAIR Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September Bluejacket Workshop welcomes you to its 4th annual Textile Fair featuring resident artists Wendy Watt and Saffron Paffron with guest artists from Norwich, London and Brighton. Entry and refreshments are free. We hope to see you there.
23
the presence of God and of others who have known loss, we can know the healing of remembering. Names of those loved and lost will be read out, and these can be given on paper either to the Revd Ian Whittle or the Revd Fiona Newton.
SHARRINGTON Contact: Claire Dubbins 01263 862261 cdubbins@btinternet.com www.sharrington.org.uk
CHURCH NOTES Sharrington village fete We took a bit of a gamble this year with the garden fete, by choosing a Sunday instead of a Saturday to stage this annual event. So on the 21st June the ‘troops’ assembled at Church Farmhouse to collect furniture, gazebos, crockery and suchlike from the village hall and The Place to put together the various stalls and games. The morning was pretty dull but warm and by 2pm all was ready and the visitors entered eagerly, hoping for the elusive bargain and the sun shone all afternoon. What a choice of stalls we offered: clothes, plants, bric-a-brac, CD’s, books, crafts, cakes as well as a selection of games. The teas did a brisk trade and the musicians entertained us enthusiastically. In fact many people just sat in the garden with their purchases and teas and simply enjoyed the music and waited to see if they had a winning raffle ticket. Then it was time just after 4pm to dismantle everything and return the garden to its uncluttered beauty. A big thank you to Paul and Eunice Morgan for generously letting us use their garden again this year and to all the helpers who happily gave their time and muscle on the day. We made a profit just short of £2,000 so I think that says a Sunday was very much OK. Roll on next year.
SAXLINGHAM Contact: John Rayner 01328 830564 johnsrayner@btinternet.com
ANNUAL JAZZ CONCERT The fundraiser held on 5th June proved most successful thanks to fine playing by the musicians from Gresham’s, twelve in all – and unexpectedly good weather in the alfresco interval! Ninety-three tickets were sold so the church was very full. The raffle raised nearly £300, enabling us to achieve, after expenses were deducted, over £900. Our thanks go to our audience, all our energetic helpers, those who created tasty canapés, and to the donors of raffle prizes. Naturally we owe a great deal to Gresham’s School and their very talented jazz-teacher and pianist, Chris Cooper.
NEW GATES Our old churchyard gates finally disintegrated in May. The combination of exposure to the elements and defective design had proved too much. Keith Thirtle of Langham took up the task of improving on the original and using highquality seasoned oak. He completed the work in time for our jazz concert and the PCC were very pleased with his handiwork. The application of several coats of preservative should help ensure long life! We are grateful to Reg Rogers for offering to do this as well as painting the reused metal furniture with black Hammerite. We are delighted by a substantial gift of half of the cost of the new gates from John Marlton who now lives in Holt while continuing to attend services in our two churches. The gates will be dedicated to the memory of John’s wife Margaret, who died recently after a long illness.
Dates for your diary Saturday 12th September. Sponsored cycle ride from 9am to 5pm. You have a choice of cycling, horse riding, driving or walking visiting as many churches and chapels as possible. Sponsorship forms in aid of the Norfolk Churches Trust are available from Ann Garwood at Church Barn, next door to the church and posters will be displayed nearer the time. Friday 25th September the Sharrington lecture. 6.30pm in
A SPECIAL MEMORY SERVICE The loss that so many of us experience is going to be acknowledged at a simple service Remembering and Thanksgiving during All Souls’ Tide at the end of October. At 4pm in Saxlingham Church on 31th October, there will be the opportunity to light a candle and remember those we have loved and lost. Our churches offer us quiet, sacred, safe space. There, in
24
the church. This will be the 11th annual Sharrington Lecture and as ever priority for booking will be given to the people of Sharrington village and previous attendees who will be able to obtain tickets from the 10th August. Please call Anne Sloman 01263 862291. Booking for any remaining tickets will open from the 24th August also on the above number. Sunday 27th September Harvest Festival Morning service at 9.30am Saturday 3rd October. Harvest supper in the village hall. APG
FOOD BANK Thanks to your generosity, Sharrington has donated 60.5kg of food items to Cromer food bank in the last year. Cromer food bank has now changed its policy and while accepting a limited selection of food donations, is also requesting donations of money in lieu of food over the next few months to fund a part time employee to help with administration. It was felt that most people would still prefer to donate food rather than money so as a result it has been decided to support the food bank at Fakenham which is happy to take our donations of food. Your support is still much appreciated so please continue to leave any donations in the box at the back of the church. Thank you. CD
presentation, Tom generously invited residents to help themselves to his pea crop before harvest. At the time of writing, the pods are looking pretty tempting….. let’s hope there will be some left for Tom. As our last quiz proved to such fun, we are planning another on 30th October, with a Halloween theme. Watch out for details nearer the date. Members of the committee have continued to explore the possibilities of undertaking a major refurbishment plan for the hall. Drawings for a scheme have been professionally prepared as have possible costings. A further meeting with Mark Gardiner, (who was closely involved with the Field Dalling project) was very constructive. As a result, we will be asking the team (currently advising us on a pro bono basis) to prepare revised drawings and costings before we submit a funding application. RD
VILLAGE HALL The village hall AGM in May marked the retirement of Ann Garwood from the committee after many many years of hard work helping to preserve the hall during increasingly difficult times. The committee and, indeed, the village residents are extremely grateful to her for her good humoured and tireless commitment. The remaining members of the committee were reelected and Roger Dubbins became chairman. The 2014 accounts were formally presented to the meeting and were approved. After a small loss in 2013, the 2014 figures showed an encouraging surplus of £1,954. To gauge how best to use the hall in future, the committee invited residents to engage in a general discussion. Whilst it is fair to say that there were no suggestions which will lead to a secure financial future for the hall, enthusiasm was expressed for regular social events on which the committee are currently working. May also saw an informative and entertaining talk by local farmer Tom Dye of Albanwise. Winding up his
SHARRINGTON GARDENERS The main event in June was a visit to Corpusty Mill, but before that we squeezed in an extra meeting at the village hall for members to swap plants, exchange tales of what was going on in their gardens and to start a dialogue about next year’s programme. However, back to the magnificent Corpusty Mill. Hiding behind a traditional flint wall, built to commemorate his brother with whom he created much of the garden, Roger Last has a truly wonderful garden. The formal leads to the informal, a grotto in one corner and a formal courtyard in another; traditional statuary and modern installations mixed in with the quirky and amusing. The 19 members who visited the Mill were perhaps a little surprised but certainly very impressed. And just when we were winding down to our relaxing summer garden visits, up popped some bee orchids in Brenda Young’s garden. A first sighting I expect for many members. Our members’ garden visits in August and September will be hosted by Cheryle Redman in Briston and Paula Moore in Bale. Finally a quick thank you to all those members who provided plants or otherwise contributed to the plant stall at the village summer fete in June. Another successful year saw the stall raise £228. RD
NOBLE ROTTERS Since our supermarket challenge in early May it has been a quietish time for the Rotters, albeit that, by the time of publication, members will have sampled various reds to
25
In preparation for the event I have read George Baldry's (1865) ‘A Rabbit Skin Cap’ and the story of George Edwards (1851-1933) ‘Plough Boy’s Progress’ who rose from agricultural labourer to member of parliament and was a founding member of the National Agricultural Labourer's Union in North Norfolk. They both suffered a deprived and hard childhood simply because of the accident of their births in a time of deprivation within the working agricultural population. How this contrasted to the life of the Binham farmer's son that has now been recounted in many of our previous copies of the Lynx. Such lives were the norm; the accident of your birth. Rural communities like Stiffkey and Cockthorpe had their roots in agriculture and most of the inhabitants either rich, poor or in between had their living from the soil. The natural landscape had lent its self to the formation of these villages and the story can still be seen on the land, roadways and buildings around us. Our exhibition will cover the changing face of agriculture in our villages throughout history. Come and see us on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Refreshments every day in aid of Church funds. Vintage Tractor Rally calling in at 12.15pm for about one hour on Sunday, 30 August. Geraldine Green for SLHG
accompany charcuterie and antipasti. In September the tasting will feature wines from the Languedoc. Membership details and the current programme can be found on the village website www.sharrington.org.uk RD
NEW BUS SERVICE TO HOLT Since the end of July there has been a new minibus service to Holt each Friday provided by Aldborough community buses. The bus calls at the village hall at 9.56am and going via Brinton and Thornage arrives in Holt at 10.10am. The return bus leaves Holt at 11.40am reaching Sharrington at 11.54 and returning to Holt by 12.00pm. Details can be found on the village hall noticeboard and the parish noticeboard by the telephone box. An alternative option for returning home is to catch the existing circular bus service in Holt at 1.30pm. CD
STIFFKEY Contact: Geraldine Green 01328 830245 green978@btinternet.com
CHURCH NOTES
NATURE NOTES
Our garden party, held on 25th May in the beautiful garden of Vale Farm House, was a success, in spite of it clashing with Norwich City's key match to go up into the Premier League! People came and went all afternoon and £1,081 was raised for Church funds. Thanks especially to the team who erected and dismantled the tea tent and all else who gave their time and energy. Funds raised will be put toward our reserves. As most people know every parish is duty bound to contribute to the Diocese which, although receiving grant aid from the central Church investments, has to pay for so many other outgoings; salaries, pensions, training etc. I am glad to say that Stiffkey (so far) has managed to meet its target; but for how much longer? Our next event will be on Bank Holiday weekend 29th st 31 August when there will be an exhibition about the history of farming in Stiffkey and Cockthorpe (including vintage tractors calling in between 12.15 and 1.15pm on Sunday 30th.) There will be 'Stalls on the Knoll' on Monday 31st. With no fete now this is our only opportunity for village organizations to come together. Any help is appreciated. Stallholders please contact Eva Gambrill to book your pitch on 01328 830709. (Our PCC treasurer is Heather Harrison at Vale Farm House.) K McDougall
What a strange and late spring we have had in 2015. The weather alternated between bitter off-sea winds and occasional warm days. Wildlife found it hard to adapt, rest, and breed or even grow in the vegetable garden. Things have now hotted up - even to another extreme and late nesting of birds is evident. Wild flowers are now blooming; I hope people have noticed the wonderful wildlife strips now evident on local farms- attracting butterflies and all kinds of insects for wild birds, whilst the marshes erupt in their annual sea lavender glory. How lucky we are to have this splendid coastline. Tourists certainly appreciate how well our coastline has been looked after. It is encouraging to have heard the purring call of the turtle dove in the village. This now rare species is in big trouble (shot ruthlessly by continental ' sportsmen' on their migration north in southern Europe). Many winter in North Africa, and the RSPB and other organizations are doing their best to look after them. Collared doves and wood pigeons need little help! There are very few moorhens on the river these days why? Is it predation, mink or raptors? Moorhens used to be common as were coots. No longer. No news yet of the avocet breeding results on Stiffkey Fen. Your correspondent will report in the next issue of the Lynx. Redshank breeding numbers are now seriously down on the marshes; indeed all wader species seem to have ' gone north' to breed which is something remarked on by local wildlife wardens. Pightle
HISTORY OF FARMING EXHIBITION The Church of St. John, Stiffkey Saturday 29 – Monday 31 August, 10am – 4pm This August, Stiffkey Local History Group will be mounting an exhibition entitled A History of Farming in Stiffkey and Cockthorpe.
26
ladders, through the hoop and put the ball in the bucket. On the third week we played Packman it is when there are two people who are packmen there are lots of yellow strips of rubber/paper spread about on the playground with types of food written on them and the two packmen have to try and touch everyone else while they are trying to get the pieces. Night zookeeper Night zookeeper is an online game that encourages young people to read, write and draw. On the 28th April 2015, Night zookeepers Paul and Buzz, some of the people that helped create the game, came to our school. They introduced the Langham Village School writing week contest between ks1 and ks2. The teams were: Pink circle, Grudges army, Penguins huddle, Sea cat pack and spying troop. The prizes went to the best writer in ks1 and ks2 and the best story also out of ks1 and ks2. By Karina Allison SAILING Each year our school gets a chance to learn how to sail. This opportunity is kindly organised through the Wells Harbour Trust, and the sailing lessons happen at Norfolk etc. - Morston. Last week we went sailing, we were sailing cockles and oysters but we do sail picos too. We were stuck on land for about 30 minutes because the tide hadn’t fully come in, but because not everyone had been sailing before and because it had been a year since anyone had done it, they spent the time teaching and reminding everyone about sailing. The coaches are really enthusiastic about sailing and teaching children how to sail. It was an amazing evening, and great to experience the sailing and see all the wildlife - terns and seagulls are just a few of the animals and birds you see out there. If you’re really lucky you may even see seals and jelly fish. By Evie Green.
LANGHAM VILLAGE SCHOOL It has been a really busy summer term at school, with the children enjoying many wonderful experiences, including a Class 2 trip to Holkham beach, Class 3 trip to Blakeney point, and an exciting field trip to London for the year 6 leavers group. The friends are busy preparing for the school annual summer fayre on Friday 17th July. This year we are raising money for a new green house, and a little play house for the new reception class who will be enjoying a new classroom when they join in September. Next Thursday 9th July will also see an exhibition of the children’s art work focusing on their ‘take one picture’ project of ‘les parapluies’ by Renoir. This will be followed by a fashion show presented by class 2 who have been learning about material and redesigning their own clothes. The class 3 children have been writing about some of the other things they have been doing at school. Beach volley ball On Monday 15th June a group of year 6 children went to Wells beach to play beach volley ball. They were split into 2 teams: Langham A and Langham B. They played a series of matches, all of them were close. When they had played all of the schools they were given a position. Langham A had to play Burnham Market to decide who came 6th and 5th in which Langham A won and came 5th overall. Langham B had to play Hindringham to decide who came 2nd and 1st and in the end Langham B came 1st so Langham Village School won! By Emily Vincent and Arran Coe. The Healthy and Active Road Show On Tuesdays Langham village school have a healthy and active road show. On the first week we had to do a bleep test. You have to run from one line to another line before the bleep goes off. The next week we did an obstacle. First you have to pick up a ball, go through a hoop, over some hurdles, through another hoop, put the ball in the other bucket, pick up a different ball, through the hoop, in some
MORSTON QUIZ ANSWERS (see page 22) 1 Preserved beef served on rye bread.; 2. Pluto.; 3. The USSR; 4. On the moon.; 5. Christ’s crucifixion.; 6. 32. 7. 1860s. [1868]; 8. Paddle in it.; 9. Dyspepsia (indigestion); 10. Basil.
27
The Small Ads Panel - Advertising Local Services JAYNE BIRD MCFHP MAFHP Foot Care in your own home Routine and Diabetic Foot Care 01328 851 332 or 07881 107 571
CLEARVIEW PEST CONTROL Moles Rats Mice Wasps, Etc Etc Contact Kevin 01328 829 154 or 07952 750 265
SIVANANDA YOGA CLASSES Tuesdays 7.00 - 8.30pm. All Welcome Field Dalling Village Hall Richard Redmayne 01263 862289
POND MAN New Build and Renovation Maintenance and Repair Call Peter on Langham 01328 830689
RANDELL'S FOOTCARE Chiropody / Podiatry Central Booking Line 01603 737188 Now Open in Fakenham
B.A. TREE SERVICES (Tree Surgeon) Free quotes available Full Public Liability Insurance held 01263 588994 or 07748 570121
INSIDE OUT Gary Waller Painter Decorator窶認ully Insured Tel: 01263 860705 Mob: 07990 993406
NICK RIVETT Qualified Domestic Plumber Also: Lead Work Undertaken Tel: 01263 861065 Mob:07747 690049
HAMLYN PEST CONTROL County Council Accredited窶年PTA Member Control of Rats, Mice, Wasps, etc. 01263 860112 or 861587
CHIMNEY SWEEP David Thompson 01328 851081
Local Lynx is printed by Century Printing, 132 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AZ 28 582958 Tel/Fax: 01692