2025-10

The Ashlink October November 2025

Fly Agaric Toadstool

The Editor's bit A busy few months. At the beginning of September we had the village fete which was blessed with decent sunshine and a great success.. This was followed by the Ashlink History meeting. This was organised by my team with me just looking on and I think it was also a terrific success. A lot of people wanted to buy copies of Andy's book so the details are down below. Meanwhile, the Bank holiday Beer Fest at the White Hart was the first under the new ownership. Welcome to Ashill, Helen and Chris.

I received several queries about the absence of the Parish Council minutes in the last issue. Hopefully this was a one off. Jenny Lusher is now summarising the minutes so if you want the unedited version you will find them on the Parish website.

As I continue in this role I am always learning new stuff about the village.

For instance I now know more about the Trustees for the common and the bureaucratic problems they have to deal with in order to get anything done!

A Rural Community through Time. Ashill, Norfolk

By Andy Reid. Available from Watton Museum and Amazon.

Waiting for Halloween

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What's on at The Call In Find out more: Contaact Chair person Dee Bolton 01760 441 622

Where is The Call In? The Green, Hale Road IP25 7AT Next to the duck pond

07926917409 AVA Contact, Ray Hucklesby 01760 441 514

AVA ARCHIVES GROUP Monday 10.00 ‐ 12.00am COFFEE MORNINGS TUESDAY and THURSDAY 9.30 ‐ 11.30am All Welcome Come along, for a Mardle (Chat) and meet New Friends PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB Every other Wednesday7.00‐9.00pm,For Details Contact Ray 07808 922171 Email: Raydee100@googlemail.com MEMORY CAFE from the 8th January, every second Wed of the month from 10.30 ­ 1200 Further information telephone 0754 862 6337.

BEETLE DRIVE every other Thursday 2.00 ‐ 4.30pm LUNCH CLUB Every Friday 12.00 ‐ 1.30 For information regarding the Lunch Club, Contact Denise on 07808 551952 KNIT ‘n’ STITCH GROUP Friday 2.00 ‐ 4.00pm BREAKFAST CLUB (All Welcome, No Booking Required) Saturdays 9.00 – 12.00am Last Orders 11.30am small breakfast £6.50 Regular £8 Extra Large £10

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All Parish Councill minutes etc can be found online at https://ashillparishcouncil.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/ as well as lots of extra community information The Ashlink is also published online at https://www.ashlink.co.uk/ Ashill Archive Group Bringing the Past to Life If you are interested in researching and archiving the village history or if you have some photographs and documents related to Ashill over the years please do get in touch or come along as we always welcome new members, young or old. Two hours is all it takes and you get to find out interesting facts about our village.

For more information contact; Julie Long on 01760 622721 or Enid Turner on 01760 440419 We also have a facebook page @avaarchivegroup.

Coffee Morning Macmillan coffee morning on the 30th September @ The Olde Windmill inn in Great Cressingham in memory of my best friend Mary Henson who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year, Tracy Mancer

Friday Luncheon club If you are on your own, need a cooked meal once a week and would like to socialise with people then contact the organiser Denise Hucklesby on 01760 441514.

If you normally attend but are unable to come please let Denise know by Wednesday afternoon.

We are also always looking for volunteers!

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14th December 5-8.30 Christmas concert featuring Ashill Harmony Choir Tickets £6 each, children half price. A small buffet included. tea/ coffee soft drinks. Raffle.

Come and join us for a pre Christmas celebration.

Proceeds shared between Community centre and Ashill Choir Tickets from Dee 07926917409

Community Gardens You may have noticed this year that the barrel in front of the Call In is looking a bit worse for wear. We have purchased a replacement and would like to thank the AVA for their kind donation which has enabled us to do so.

Next on the agenda will be clearing the barrels and planting up the dafodil bulbs ready forthe spring. We rely solely on volunteers to plant up and maintain the barrels. Would youlike to volunteer?

If yes please contact Sue Cloud on 07880 508930: Jean Skeggs on 01760 440142 or Ruth Day on 07410933957

Autumn in Ashill

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St Nicholas Church Incumbent ‐ Revd Patrick Morrow 01760 330258.

Churchwardens – Wendy Peckham 01760 440952 Margaret Barker 01760 751771 SERVICES FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER Sun Oct 5th 9.30 a.m. HARVEST FESTIVAL Sun Oct 12th 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Sun Oct 19th 9.30 a.m. Lay Led Worship Sun Oct 26th 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Sun Nov. 2nd 9.30 a.m. Lay Led Worship Sun Nov. 9th 9.30 a.m. SERVICE FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY WITH ACT OF REMEMBRANCE led by Richard Leighton. We hope to be joined by the Uniformed organisations.

Sun Nov 16th 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Sun Nov 23rd 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Sun Nov 30th 10.00 a.m. BENEFICE SERVICE AT SAHAM TONEY (No service at Ashill) HARVEST SUPPER Friday 3rd October 7 pm for 7.30 p.m. tickets limited due to space, contact Wendy 01760 440952.

Sat. 4th Oct. 1 p.m. NORWICH DIOCESE BELLRINGING COMPETITION HARVEST FESTIVAL 5th October ‐ Donations of Tinned and packet food, flowers etc. may be left at the church before 2nd October please.

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Poetry and Christianity Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom‐friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch‐eves run From Keats, To Autumn That was one of the first poems I learned by heart. I suspect you know it too. Our fields and villages can feel very much like those Keats had in mind.

And in our communities Harvest Festival is important. That sense ‐ from a hymn rather than poem ‐ that “all is safely gathered in” can comfort us, and lead to proper thanksgiving. I say that, knowing full well that Harvest Festivals can never fully coincide with harvests, and that famers don’t really get to put their feet up thereafter; there are seeds to be planted!

And what of poetry? What harvest can we glean from poems themselves?

What, differently, of the notion that the pattern of claims that makes up the Christian faith is itself a form of poetry? I think that’s a strong idea. You might say it lets Christians off the hook. We don’t have to “prove” those claims, like a scientist, or a logician would have to; we ask you to consider them as no more than a beautiful idea. I don’t think that’s quite right. A good poem must be exact. You do have to get all the words right. Even more importantly, you have to leave all the wrong words out. So, if Christian doctrine is poetry, it still has to be examined, to see if the words work, to point to God and life’s meaning, in ways which are coherent and attractive.

Let me leave you with a stanza from another poem of thanksgiving, appropriate for the season, this one my e.e. cummings (and, yes, the punctuation is his). i thank You God for most this amazing day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes Harvest Festival at St Nicholas’, Ashill: Sunday 5 October, 9.30 am You are welcome!

Patrick Morrow

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Veterans Central West Raynham SHQ, 5 Blenheim Way, West Raynham Business Park, Fakenham, NR21 7PL OPEN all year Ghostly Airfields and Superstitions Old airfields and ghost stories go hand‐in‐hand. The historic Grade II listed West Raynham Station Headquarters (SHQ) is hosting an evening of ‘Ghostly airfield tales, superstitions, and gremlins. The evening is not a ‘scare fest’ and is intended as entertaining – and is based on real stories and incidents and in part helps remember those who served at RAF airfields. A number of rooms at SHQ will be used as ‘settings’ in which you can hear stories from World War Two to the present day.

The event is taking place on 25th October and you can book to join one of the three sessions that we will be running between 4 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.

Each session lasts around 90‐minutes and has four groups, each with no more than 12 participants … so book early as spaces are limited.

Enquiries and bookings can be made by emailing events@veteranscentral The Sensory Garden at Veterans Central West Raynham Station Headquarters (SHQ) is an area that includes planting and features that relate to the 5 senses of Touch, Smell, Sound, Sight and Taste. Each of the beds has planting that relates to one of more of the senses, whilst wind chimes and other features also add to the experience.

Veterans Central runs a free Veterans Breakfast each month and has already served more than 1,000 breakfasts.

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Ashill, Holme Hale & District Garden Club Website: ashillgardeningclub.com/ Email:ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com Fruit & Veg Show & GQT Our August meeting saw the club hold its annual Fruit & Vegetable Show as well as its AGM and a Gardeners’ Question Time. This year’s Fruit & Vegetable show had a surprisingly large number of entries across the 11 classes, considering the difficult weather year, with such a dry late spring/ summer. While David Taylor our independent judge was assessing all the entries, the Chair of the club, Neville McBrien, gave a presentation as part of the club’s AGM to the 70 members in attendance.

After results of the show judging were announced and certificates awarded there was a lively Gardeners’ Question Time, with a panel of 4 experts answering members gardening queries. Questions covered a wide range of topics from soil health, pruning summer fruit bushes, over‐wintering geraniums and much more, with lively participation from the members in the audience. On completion of the Gardeners’ Question time the submitted entries to the Fruit & Veg show were auctioned off by our resident auctioneer extraordinaire, Richard Leighton. This proved both very amusing and raised some funds for the club to help subsidise future events.

Upcoming Meetings & Events Our October meeting (October 23rd) is by well‐known Norfolk naturalist Simon Harrap on ‘The Flowers of the North Norfolk Coast’. All events are held at Holme Hale Pavilion and start at 2.30pm. New members from anywhere in the district are always welcome, so come along and join us.

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When and Where Do You Read?

Ashill Book Club Update by Debra Ridgway At Ashill Book Club we revel in our enjoyment of reading. We select either a book or author of the month after animatedly pitching suggestions, knowing that we will discuss our thoughts and personal ratings of the chosen items at the next meeting .

We are mindful, however, that there are times someone doesn’t manage to complete or even pick up a book. There are many possible reasons for this. Rarely, a book is abandoned simply because we don’t enjoy it.

Sometimes life just gets in the way – work perhaps, family issues or illness. There are so many demands on our time.

Growing up, my son always had his nose in a book. Now, in his 30s, I can’t recall the last time I saw him reading for pleasure. I was curious about how the change had come about so I asked him. He replied that the constant demands of reading at university had ‘Got in the way’. Now he is older, it’s the demanding long hours of work which consume his time. ‘Reading for pleasure ‘ has now been reserved for holidays.

When and where do you read for pleasure?

I am looking forward to hearing how we will score this month’s book or author. Some of us will have had those extra demands on our time but most of us will arrive excited to share what we read, passionate about how it made us think or feel and, just as importantly, enthusiastic to catch up with our BFFs – Book Friends Forever.

ABC – I give you a resounding 10/10. …………………………………………….

Join our online WhatsApp Group ‘Reading Something Terrific?’ to give and receive great book suggestions or join us and read along at home with our Autumn reading recommendations ‐ Any book by the author Kristin Hannah. A prolific writer across multiple subjects.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Beautifully written and wonderfully elegiac.

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Ashill Skies The planet Saturn is one of the most beautiful sights in the night sky, its rings are majestic.

I thought that it might be fun to go through its history from the time of the formation of our solar system.

All the planets formed around the Sun, from the gas cloud that originally formed the Sun. It is the sixth planet from the Sun and is a gas giant with radius about 9 times Earth’s, it’s density is 1/8 that of the Earth and if it could be placed on a vast amount of water (not possible obviously) it would float!!

However in total it is 95 times the mass of Earth. It has a rocky centre surrounded by a layer of metallic hydrogen, and then a layer of liquid hydrogen and helium, and then finally the outer layers of hydrogen helium and a few other things.

It is 9.57 times further out than the Earth and it takes 29.45 years to go round the Sun. Here is Saturn with the Earth and Moon added for comparison.

Its most obvious feature is its rings, which extend to 75,000 miles from Saturn. Its thickness is a mere 20 metres! They are predominately made of ice crystals with about 7% carbon. The particles that make the rings vary in size from dust specks to 10metres in diameter. The others gas giants have rings, as does for example, Saturn’s moon Rhea. But Saturn’s are far and away the most spectacular.

It is thought that the rings were formed when a moon of Saturn was destroyed by Saturn’s intense gravitational field.

Saturn has at least 274 moons, of which 63 have official names. Titan is Saturn’s largest moon, and is the second largest in the solar system. It is larger than the planet Mercury.

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Some of the moons including Pandora and Prometheus act as shepherds stopping the rings spreading out.

Observing Saturn is easy and rewarding, it appears like a bright star, rising in the East at around 20.00 BST in October.. To see the rings well binoculars or a telescope are needed.

You can see the rings with as little as 25x magnification and you can see a large space in the ring called the Cassini gap. The rings are nearly edge on, but will tilt toward us progressively from now on.

Titan is visible using binoculars and on dark nights Dione and Tethys close to Saturn. A 3” telescope will show Rhea.

Other things to observe are the Orionid meteor shower which peaks on the 21 October with a peak of 25 meteors per hour, and the Leonids which peak on the 21 November in the evening with a peak of 15 meteors per hour.

Albert Day

Gladys and family would like to thank everyone for their extremely kind words, the cards and support given on the sad passing of Ronnie. It has been very much appreciated in what has been a difficult time.

Kevin Hardy 13

PARISH COUNCIL ASHLINK REPORT The July Meeting of the Parish Council was held on 22nd July 2025 and all Councillors were in attendance.

Matters raised by Public Complaints regarding the repairs to potholes – not done in a sustainable way.

Question raised regarding the perch seat for bus shelter – confirmed this is in hand.

Complaint that mobile sprayer had carried this out with no effect on weeds on estates – too dry Report by District/County Councillor Many concerns re Solar farms and felt that this should be a local decision not Government, flooding from panels in Saham Toney and Holme Hale had raised concerns also.

LGR and Devolution means that there will be an Election in May 2026 for a Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk. There will be a short list issued. If this goes ahead there will be no Police Commissioner position as Mayor will take on this role. Concerns raised regarding cost of these elections.

He stated that the High Street initiative had proved very successful with a presentation by Director of Local Bus and Trade.

Fete and event equipment has started to be purchased and will be available for use by Ashill at Fete in September.

Important Matters of note Potholes to be reported and lowering of kerb opposite entrance to Comm.

Centre to be discussed with Luke Denney when he visits.

Play Equipment – Annual Check carried out and Volunteer Cleaning of equipment, clearing of weeds at Comm. Centre and tidying of Green to be carried out on 27th July.

Playing Field /Football Club – Info from ShipdhamUFC that training will be on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Friendly matches at beginning of August.

Also request that old goal posts are taken down as full size pitch will be needed next year and arrangements to be made to take down and store at Green Farm. Brambles at top of field to be cut back also Community Centre ‐ Request for use first half of tennis court and car park for Car Boot sale on 16th August was granted.

Allotments – Allotment holders of problem allotments not being worked are to be notified.

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High Grove Solar Farm Request that an overlay map of proposed sites be displayed on main notice board over existing Ordnance Survey Map will be dealt with.

Local Plan Call for Sites ‐ Following work with Local Planners it was decided

by Council that Ashill should no longer be a Service Centre but downgrade to a Secondary Village. No figures available as yet.

VJ Day Events – Agreed to light Beacon on Saturday 16th August at approx.

8.30pm when there will be a short spell of reflection led by Revd Morrow.

Area to be fenced. .gov.uk email addresses – Agreed PC to join NorfolkALC for this to be managed.

Grant Long has now handed over all responsibility of Facebook to AS, JL and KK and also website to be taken over by KK and JS. Thanks to be sent to GL for all the work he has done for the Parish over the years.

Former Surveyor’s Land – AK has applied for the grant for fencing this.

There were no Planning Applications.

Accounts for payment for July were agreed.

Other Matters ‐ The School Head is now moving to a new position and thanks from village to be sent to him for all the hard work he has done for the children of this Parish over last 12years.

The August meeting was held on Tuesday 26th.

Present were 8 members, the clerk and the district councillor and 5 members of the public. Apologies received from Mr Leighton.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22.07.25 were agreed by all and signed.

This meeting was attended by Kirsty Edmonds from West Norfolk Community Transport Scheme who came to give information on the ways they can assist the local people in getting to appointments etc.

Leaflets are available and all details can be found on their website : info@westnorfolk.co.uk OPEN TO PUBLIC – There were no questions raised at this point REPORT FROM DISTRICT/ COUNTY COUNCILLOR Mr Eagle advised that there will be a Highways report on damage to roads and sustainable development.

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He recommended that the Parish take over the village verge cutting for a fixed term and AK said that this is being looked into with LD. He advised that people to visit the newly opened Norwich Castle.

Matters arising from last meeting Highways – Following meeting with Luke Denney we are awaiting figures for the lowering of kerb and the verge cutting. Also Mr Denny looked at the issues around problems in Church Street and potholes in Dunnetts Close.

Further issues..

Report pothole opposite entrance to Uphall.

Question of who is responsible for digging out TROD on Sw. Rd as this is now so narrow it is not fit for purpose.

Also discussed was the 30 mph sign on Watton Road and the possibility of a "Not suitable for HGV" at Church Street.

Play Equipment – Monthly check carried out. Annual Inspection carried out and very comprehensive report received. No major problems.

Following Clean‐Up it was requested that the weeds on car park be sprayed and this will be dealt with. Thanks expressed to volunteers.

Playing Field / Football Club – AT reported that there are now several posts broken on southern boundary and need replacing. Agreed to deal with this next month.

PW has been dealing with a mole on field but traps keep getting removed.

Football – Clerk advised that still not received a copy of their Insurance and it was agreed by all Members that she give a deadline for receipt of this on WhatsApp. Community Centre – AB reported that Committee had held Bingo which raised £857‐00 and the Car Boot raised £170‐00. Clerk asked if they were using the new equipment purchased by FE for the village use at the forthcoming fete, and AB to check.

Future events planned are :‐ Christmas Craft Fair and a Bingo on 9thDec. Proceeds are being spent on further replacement lights and new partition doors.

Footpaths – Still no rails in place. Clerk to chase up.

Police –No‐one able to attend SNAP meeting on 25th July. Next SNAP meeting is 14th October at the Sw.Town Hall at 7.00pm.

Speedwatch – No report. There will be no sessions for 3 months.

Allotments – the two problem plots have been given up and holder of Plot

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2 is also having to give up so agreed to get quote for spraying all 3 plots.

High Grove Solar Farm – AK is still to arrange meeting with Mr Scarlett to compare notes. On Thurs. 28th Aug. meeting at Spartek Watton to look at height of panels. A walk is arranged at Bradenham on Sun. 21st Sept.

GR‐Devolution Consultation – Information from NorfolkALC on how things will take place.

VJ Day Events – Beacon Lighting went well and approx. 80 people attended. Thanks expressed to all concerned. .gov.uk email addresses – KK is dealing with this and also website.

Pickleball – Clerk has now received 4 quotes but this will be put on hold until next Spring.

Tree Project – AT reported that this is now completed.

Former Surveyor’s Land – AK advised that applications for grants closed 4 weeks ago and has received acknowledgement.

Ashlink – Editor advised that he had received several complaints regarding lack of PC minutes in previous edition. A condensed copy July and August minutes will be submitted before 10th September.

CORRESPONDENCE has been circulated.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS Returned between meetings ‐ PL/2025/0911/FMIN for erection of one double storey dwelling & Garage at Ashill Fruit Farm Sw. Rd. No objections but requested Agricultural Covenant be placed on prop.

Discussed – PL/2025/0220/FMIN Second application for 2 Self Build Dwellings for family use at Lower Homestead Farm Watton Rd. First Application Refused by Planning Directorate Return with no objections but comments as previous application.

FINANCE ‐ ACCOUNTS All accounts agreed and to be paid.

Current & Business A/Cs circulated and confirmed as correct.

Completion of Audit received with no problems.

Clerk advised that UKPowerNetworks have now responded to query over Wayleave and payment to made in arrears on 31st Dec. 2025 OPEN TO PUBLIC – Concern expressed regarding the use of the MUGA for Pickleball. It was felt that this could cause conflict.

This will all be discussed with players.

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It was pointed out that the village pond is extremely dirty and in need of cleaning out. Suggested that Trustees look at Environmental Grant.

Report of sewer leak on green area of Acacia Avenue. AS will report to AW. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Thanks expressed to AH for Facebook posters.

Date of next monthly Meeting is TUESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2025 AT 7.00PM in the Community Centre.

Meeting closed at 9.05pm

Useful contacts Parish Clerk, Jean Sangster : 01760 440383 (only between 9:00am – 5:00pm Mon‐Fri) Chairman Alan Ketteringham: Mobile: 07733 420588 Grant Aid Each year Parishioners of 80 years and over (one per household) who have lived in the village for a period of not less than 5 years are invited to apply for an Ashill Welfare Charity Grant in December.

Previous applicants over 80 years will not need to re‐apply, but if they feel they no longer wish to be considered for this help would they kindly inform the clerk.

Applications in writing please, to the Clerk, Mrs R Seager, 38 Acacia Avenue, Ashill not that than 1st December 2025.

The amount given will entirely depend on the funds available and the number of applications received.

However, if any parishioner for whatever reason, or age feels that they are experiencing extreme hardship they can also apply at any time during the year, with details to the clerk and their individual case will also be considered.

Ruth Seager Clerk to the Trustees

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The memory cafe will now be open every Wednesday 10.30‐ 12 for drop in sessions . We are hoping to support people who live alone and feeling socially isolated as well as those concerned about their memory . The second Wednesday of the month however now has 2 sessions to accommodate our growing number of people wanting to attend our group and get support . The first one is full but there are spaces in the afternoon 12.30‐2 pm . If you think you might want to come along then please get in touch . For info please call Gill 07548626337

Next Sessio n, Wedne sd a y Octob er 10.30a 1st m 19

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The White Hart ‐ Under New Management Now the dust has settled on White Hart Ashill’s most successful beer fest yet, new owners Helen and Chris set to breathe some fresh air into the local pub with decoration underway and more frequent events including music and themed nights. The next event in the diary will an ABBA tribute night on September 27th followed by the Halloween Spooktacula fancy dress party featuring DJ Dave on 31st October. Changes to the day to day are also underway with burger deals on every Wednesday and fish and chip takeaways available every Friday night. Chris and Helen have additionally taken the local feedback onboard and the newly decorated restaurant will now be offering senior meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays for both lunch and dinner service. The team are all excited to see where this new chapter takes us and we are happy to welcome Helen and Chris to the village community.

For more information on upcoming events and exciting changes please check out our social media below.

Facebook: Ashill White Hart Instagram: whitehartashill Michaela Bollard A view from Green Farm Now that the dust has settled on another harvest, it seems an appropriate time to separate the wheat from the chaff in a more metaphorical sense than we’ve already done with the combine, because now is the time we get the pencil and try and work out meticulously just how the crops yielded and whether we’ve hit expectations. This process usually end up with enough discarded scraps of paper to be able to make one of those Thunderbirds Tracy Island models that those of us of a certain age tried to make along with the cast of Blue Peter.

This harvest, though it had an incredibly difficult growing period with all the right weather at all the wrong times, actually performed slightly better than we had hoped. Yields are down on a ‘normal year’ but not as bad as predictions had thought, straw being the real casualty of this harvest due to lack of water meaning the crops were shorter than a farmers patience when rounding up cattle.

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Once all the numbers have been crunched, it then leaves the job of asking the neighbours how their yields performed, and depending on their answer you’ll either say “ahh yes ours did around that” which means yours absolutely didn’t do that or you can tell them the actual figure if it’s better than theirs.

If there's one thing that farmers are good at, apart from moaning about the weather, it’s trying to outdo the neighbour or at least appear to have done a better job, and if doing this job has taught me anything it’s that if anything will go wrong it will certainly happen next to a road so that all the neighbouring farmers can see it and smugly comment on it for the entire year!

Next years potential mistakes are already underway, Oilseed Rape has already been drilled, and the cereal drilling campaign will start around the 15th to the 20th of September, weather permitting. The week to 10 days waiting for the crop to emerge after drilling is always a bit of a nervous time because you’re waiting for it all to come up so you’re not the butt of this years jokes…

The Maize is growing well after a slow start and that should be harvested around the end of September, it’s always an impressive sight to see how quickly the forage harvesters of today clear a field, as time has moved on machinery keeps on getting bigger and I do wonder sometimes where it will stop.

Another positive from the spring is the wild bird plots and the nectar mixes around some of the fields which are full of colour and are packed with bees and other pollinators, so they have proved to be a big success once again, the welcome rain we’ve had over the last week has really kicked them on.

I would like to use the last paragraph for this piece to pay tribute to someone from the farming community that sadly passed away on the 18th of August. David Richardson probably isn’t well known to a lot of you, but he was an incredible champion of Norfolk and its rural life, he was a voice of agriculture for decades both on local TV and in national publications including the Farmers Weekly and will be a big loss to the industry.

Ashley Howell (currently finishing the base for Thunderbird 2) Green Farm

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Autumn‐ natures reset I have often thought that autumn can be quite underrated at times, it’s my favourite season and I look forward to the way our environment communicates with us that it’s time to start slowing down. The way nature begins subtle changes around us, often easing us gently into this time of the year. Starting in late August and picking up pace through September, by October and November we are in the cosy hug of Autumnal delights.

I am guilty of once finding autumn a difficult time to enjoy, only focussing on the darkness of morning and evenings, along with the dampness that would creep in. In recent years I have turned my thoughts more to embracing those elements of this season. Getting outside still gives us the important connection to nature, although it can feel harder when the weather doesn’t motivate us. However, autumn offers us so much inspiration when we take a closer look. A sense of peace if we stop to take it in, a stand still moment of looking at the trees showing a kaleidoscope of colours. It is not a time to look at with sadness, nature knows that there is a time for grounding and letting go, ready to dig deep and rest for new growth to come.

Our country’s heritage is steeped in traditions that celebrate the harvests we gain at this time and the transition from summer to winter, autumn being a moment before the winter arrives when we can pause and prepare for the cooler, darker months. Throughout this season we can look forward to the crunchy leaves on the ground, cooler temperatures giving our skin a tingling of fresher air and berries and apples to tempt our taste buds.

Nature tells a story about what is happening around us, with some wildlife departing our shores such as migrating birds, we welcome others in such as redwings, fieldfares, waxwings along with certain types of ducks and geese.

Animals are making the most of a last minute gathering of food, squirrels storing nuts in the ground and hedgehogs bedding down to hibernate. The plants are busy preparing and shedding their seeds, scattering the ground.

Much fun can be had collecting conkers and acorns, for games and crafts.

And the fascinating world of fungi open up before us as the damp weather provides the perfect conditions for some wonderfully coloured specimens to grow.

This season gives us the opportunity to reflect on our homes and the comforts they offer as the weather closes in. Soft glowing lamps or candlelight create a sense of calm and this is the ideal time to explore recipes that offer a heartening taste. Relish in the balance that autumn brings, start the process of slowing down and taking time to connect with family and friends over cosy evenings or comforting meals.

In this moment before the festivities in December start, we can welcome autumn and her gentle golden embrace, to refresh and prepare.

Louise Fenwick

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Ashill Fruit Farm & Farm Shop Established 1986 Ashill Freuit Farm, Swaffham Road, Ashill, IP24 7DB Tel 01760 440050 Email info@norfolkpureapplejuic.co.uk www.norfolkpureapplejuice.co.uk

Open hours Tues - Fri 9 - 4.30pm Sat - 9 - 2 pm closed Sun+ Mondays

If you spot anything that needs updating in the Ashlink such as email addresses, phone numbers, times can you please email the editor with the necessary changes.

The editor awaits your contributions

Next Magazine Deadline ‐10th November.

Send copy to the editor at; glen.ashlink@gmail. com 24

SUNDAYS Coffee & Chat, 9:30am.

Church Service, 10am. Kids and Youth provision.

All welcome to come and worship with us.

Sunday Evenings: First Sunday of the month, CLOSER, 6pm, an uninterrupted hour of worship with FOL worship bands.

Second Sunday of the month, HIGHER, 6pm, an hour dedicated to praying for our world, nation, & community.

Fourth Sunday of the month, DEEPER, 4pm, a discussion around tables with video and talk.

TUESDAYS Open Home Group (Bible Study), 1:30pm.

THURSDAYS Noah’s Ark Baby & Toddler Group, 10am. All welcome, just turn up. (Closed during school holidays) FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Kidz Klub, 10am – 12 noon, For junior school age children.

SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Good Companions, 2:30pm, Afternoon tea & entertainment for our more senior citizens.

Ashill Community Centre Committee Chair Keith Collins Vice Chair Roger Bolton Treasurer Cath Ready Secretary Megan Colley Lettings Officer Anne Beckett Parish Representative Andrea Binns Pre Xmas Fair organiser Dee Bolton

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01760 441196

07739358180 075495 393619 07724 849225 07768 350968 07597631821.

07926 917409

Village Services Breckland Dog Training 07795 466007 Breckland Gundog training 07795 466007 Abbey Boilers Chris Field 01760 440364, 07469 762435 Ashill food and Wine Village store on Hale Road, open 7am to 8pm 01760 440932 ashillshop@gmail.com White Hart Excellent hostelry, https://ashillwhitehart.co.uk/ email whitehartashill@hotmail.com 01760 622190 Angela O Sullivan Spruced up Stuff; Upcycling 07808 857763 Anna Yeomans Beauty treatments 07824 882 049 www.treatmentsbyanna.co.uk Ashill Fruit Farm Fruit in season, apple juices, farm produce 01760 440 050Open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm Saturday 10am to 2pm Closed Sunday Monday John Leggett Garden Services 01760 440733 Norfolk Arborist Tree Surgery 01760 724270, 07917 207781 J Dack Electrics Electrician ‐ 07739514060 Fitness Pilates Thursday mornings 10:30 ‐ 11:30am Ashill Community Centre Linda on ‐ 07759 886777 Elizabeth Grace Jewellery. Sterling silver jewellery . Online store www.elizabethgracejewellery.store www.facebook.com Elizabethgracejewellery Leanne Holmes – LH Equine Services 07920011628 Leanne@lheguineservices.co.uk Infinite Aesthetics non‐surgical aesthetic procedures to make you the best version of you!

0774 1270359 infiniteaesthetics@icloud.com Peddars View Turkeys and Lamb. Whole or halves supplied to order . Prepared ready for the freezer. Fresh from the farm in Ashill. A Ketteringham. Telephone 01953 885603. Mobile 0773 3420588 Farleigh Electrical Services.

Fully qualified electrician based in Ashill. Fully insured and NICEIC registered. Contact Brian Dorton on 07944 161725.

Tanks Uk Limited 01953 889231 Supplier of water tanks , oil tanks, fuel tanks, bunded tanks. Water bowsers HG Services Grounds Maintenance 0749 3716801 henry.hgservices@gmail.com J.Walker Electrical Services 01760 441541 07928016562

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Ashill Community Centre Weekly Activities Badminton Club

Every Monday (contact Janet Oxborough 01760 441651) 4.30 ‐ 5.30pm 1st Ashill Brownies Every Monday (term time only) 6.30 ‐ 8.00pm St. John Ambulance Every Monday & Tuesday Badgers (contact Pat Grout Unit Manager 01362 692241 Cadets Denise Eaves Nursing Officer 01760 440186, Adults Jean Rockett‐Woods Youth Leader 07749 870485 or Jeanette Callaghan Unit Coordinator 01760 721420) 5.30 ‐9.30pm Badminton Club Every Tuesday (contact Gloria Canham 01760 440370) 1.00 ‐ 3.00pm Ashill Parish Council Committee Meetings ‐ Every 4th Tuesday of the month contact Jean Sangster Parish Clerk 01760 440383 7.00 ‐ 9.30pm Zumba Every Tuesday (contact Lou Dickson 07866 534087) 11.30 ‐ 12.30pm 1stAshill Beavers Every Wednesday (term time only) contact Carol Butters 01760 440995 or 07956 387308 5.00 ‐ 6.00pm 1st Ashill Cubs Every Wednesday (term time only) contact Carol Butters 6.30 ‐ 8.00pm Golden Link Club Thursdays, fortnightly Please contact Dee Bolton 01760 441622 or Sue Cloud 01760 441110 Ashill Harmony Every Thursday Choir (contact Terry Evans 01760 751537)7.00 ‐ 9.00pm Pilates Class Every Thursday (contact Linda Mellor 07759 886777) 10.30 ‐ 11.30am Pickleball.

Thursday Contact Vince Kelly 07786234568) to check spaces are available Coffee Mornings Second Friday every month ie. Dec' 13th , Jan 10th 10.00 ‐ 12 noon Mussel Bay Every Friday Adults only 7.30 ‐ 10.30pm Racing (contact Paul Edmunds 01485 540967 Slot Cars‐ or James Cliff 07867 515063)

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