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© Ian Summers
Hayden Family Arms from a window in St Mary’s Church, Baconsthorpe
Village Diary & Newsletter
Community Information and Services Mobile Library Every fourth Thursday
Editor: Ian Summers, 14 The Knoll, Hempstead, Holt NR25 6TJ 01263 710702 editor@villagediary.net Sub-editor: Su Summers
Village Matlaske Plumstead Baconsthorpe
Village Correspondents: Baconsthorpe: Barningham: Hempstead: Matlaske: Plumstead:
Ro Hardingham 577262 Sara Buxton 577207 Vacant Florence Hunt 577363 Vacant
Hempstead
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Advertising Annual: Contact: Mrs D Spalton 711117 One-off or special requirement: Payment by the copy date. Contact: The editor For Sale & Wants: £1 per 20 words (free if proceeds to Newsletter) Contact: The editor
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Norfolk Constabulary 101 for non-urgent calls Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team e-mail: sntholt@norfolk.pnn.police.uk Police Community Support Officers: Baconsthorpe & Matlaske PC Nick Smith Hempstead & Plumstead PCSO Jason Ford Police Direct about crime and policing issues http://tinyurl.com/cra3u4j
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Churchwardens Baconsthorpe: Tessa McCosh 577611 Barningham: Brian Clements 570293 Amelia Courtauld 577250 Hempstead: Ann Udale 713656 Su Summers 710702 Matlaske: Florence Hunt 577363 Thomas Courtauld 577250 Plumstead: John Durdin 577234 Eleanor Faulkner 577868
Dog Warden 516085 (out of hours 513811) ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Norfolk Carers Helpline – 0808 808 9876 Mon–Fri 8 am to 8 pm. Free and confidential listening, support and information for family carers. www.norfolkcarershelpline.org.uk
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the newsletter. The newsletter apologises if contributed material is not published due to space constraints. All facts are believed to be correct at time of publication. The editor reserves the right to amend material. 2
because it is so full of love.’ To all you grandparents out there, aren’t grandchildren wonderful. KM
Last Train from Norwich The last train to Sheringham from Norwich leaves at 10.45 pm (8.36 pm on a Sunday). Whether meeting friends in Norwich or attending a performance at the theatre, passengers are left either clock watching or having to stay in the city if they want to enjoy their night out. If travelling from London it means having to leave earlier to make the connection back home. Greater Anglia has mooted the idea of a later train. There is a petition you can sign on line – www.norfolklabour.co.uk/train-petition
Hempstead Arts Exhibition 2014 Calling all artists: The Hempstead Arts website www.hempsteadarts.co.uk has been updated with refined terms and conditions, and ideas for our 2014 Exhibition on September 6th and 7th. Please take a look and then we would be pleased to receive news, via the ‘Provisional Interest’ form if you would like to exhibit this year. Alternatively, give Su a ring on 710702.
A Way with Words
Puzzles
Our granddaughter has a way with words that often has us in fits of laughter. For example: ‘What did you learn in school today darling?’ – ‘I learned I don’t like peas!. And this gem ‘Mummy, I know you love me very much because I can see me in your eyes.’ This one made us giggle: ‘I hurt my toe today on my left hand side foot.’ And ‘Mummy, when I was born how did you know what my name was?’ And finally, on discovering Nanny was going into hospital to have some tests done on her heart: ‘Mummy, Nanny has a bad heart,
My first and third are in Morocco, My second, fourth and fifth are in Algeria, And you could find me in either country.
Last month’s answer 1806. He was 43 in the year 43 x 43, i.e. the year 1849. His name was Augustus de Morgan.
Quote of the month
’
I’ve not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. Thomas Edison
’
Garden & Home Helpers All basic help for you in your house or garden by husband and wife team from Matlaske. We can do the whole job or simply help you to complete a task. Hourly or fixed-rate prices from £10 per hour. References available.
New home-based salon now open in Plumstead
Introductory offer 50% off all Treatments
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throughout April Call Mel on 07795 164410 For the latest offers please visit zazzibeauty.co.uk www.facebook.com/Melspraytanningholt 12 Cherry Tree Road, Plumstead NR11 7LQ
T G L GROUNDWORKS Any outside work undertaken from concreting, digger/dumper operations, fencing, patios, bases, footings, oversights, drainage, treatment plants, soakaways, connections, trenching, some BT, electric, gas and water, kerbs and driveways, landscaping, hedges and grass cutting and turfing. Big Green Waste Bag: We deliver a 1 ton bag; you fill it with garden waste, give us a call; it’s picked up and exchanged if needed. Nettles/brambles/weeds/grass, hedge and tree cuttings. Why risk scratching and marking your car wasting time and fuel. Bags can be used for other things by arrangement only. £9 for 1; £16 for 2.
We also hold £5 million public liability and damage waiver; fully trained experienced operations. 7 Stonefield Road, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LP 01263 577746 or 07769 914335 tgl-groundworks@gmx.co.uk
Is Welcoming Volunteers! Thornage Hall, CCEA provides supported living and day services to adults with a learning disability
The following workplaces need your help: Farming and Gardening, Weaving, Arts & Crafts, Willow Weaving, Wood Working and Textile Please contact 01263 860305 if you are interested
24 Gladstone Place, Briston 01263 860333
Family Butcher Poulterer & Game Dealer Licensed to sell Wines & Spirits In-town Butchery at Larners of Holt 01263 710000
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Fresh Bread & Cakes from our own bakery Weekly Deliveries in our refrigerated vans
Church Matters Church Services 30 Apr Farewell to MC Wed @ 7 pm Benefice Communion Baconsthorpe Church 4 May Easter 3 10 am Matins Barningham Winter Church Priest: Ven Michael Handley
11 May Easter 4
10 am Communion
Hempstead Church
Priest: Rev Andrew Lane
18 May Easter 5
10 am Matins
Plumstead Church
Priest: Rev Brian Faulkner
25 May Easter 6
10 am Communion
Matlaske Church
Priest: Rev Philip Butcher
29 May Ascension Day Thu @ 7 pm Communion
Plumstead Church
Priest: Rev Brian Faulkner
1 Jun Easter 7
10 am Matins
Baconsthorpe Church
Priest: Rev Brian Faulkner
Services during the interregnum Please note that all will begin at 10 am, except for Evensongs (obviously) and one service in July (more later). As we have no one at the Rectory, the plan is that our monthly letter will be written by one of our visiting clergy. We thank those agreeing to do this, and also all for helping us to sustain our worship over the next few months. Since we will have just one service each Sunday we hope to see as many as are able at churches not necessarily in their own parish. It promises to be rich in variety. If anyone needs help of the kind that the Rector would normally give, please contact your churchwardens (see page 2) who will guide you to the person who can help you.
A Letter asking God for a new Rector On Thursday April 17th, Bishop Graham called the Clergy of the Diocese to join him in the Cathedral. He does this every year. There, with many parishioners joining them, they received Communion together, remade their promises as Baptised members of God’s family, Priests, Bishops. They blessed the oils they would use during this coming year – for anointing the sick and dying, signing the cross at baptism, and anointing for any great office. Bishop Alan preached us a sermon we were glad to hear. A priest behind me, looking thoughtfully at God’s chosen, said they were ‘a motley crew’ (women as well as men these days of course) – and so they were. But very varied. It was ever thus. And here are you – you might have been there. What kind of person do you want… someone you like? Someone who likes you? Say your prayers, listen to each other, listen to God… go well. Michael Handley (who is taking the service on 4 May) 5
WILL’S Property Maintenance Inside and Out
Bed and Breakfast Blacksmith’s Cottage Baconsthorpe
General DIY Jobs, Tiling, Pressure Washing, Mowing, Hedging, Strimming, Guttering, Paths, Patios, Fences, etc.
Emma Youngs
Work carefully undertaken
01263 570 252 or 07884 432 412 tinyurl.com/ckwzo6p
01263 577581
John Perry-Warnes
Ivan’s
Your North Norfolk District Councillor
Painting & Decorating Gardening
Please contact me if I can be of Service concerning the following issues
Established: 1992
Housing Council Tax
01263 821304 or 07534 455301
Waste Collection Planning Matters Tel: 01263 715577 perwar33@gmail.com
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C. H. MATTHEWS Plumbing and Heating
General Repairs Welding Servicing Recovery Free Courtesy Car Car Sales Pre-MOTs and MOTs arranged Tyres Supplied and Fitted Juniper Lodge, Hempstead, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6TW Tel: Holt 713374
Norwich Road, Edgefield NR24 2RL
Contact Ross on the new number 6
01263 587970
Farewell and Thanks Michael Cartwright will be retiring as priest in charge of the Barningham Winter Benefice at the end of April at the age seventy. A few of his parishioners write: requiring returns and instructions relevant only to large city churches. Some of these are alarming and, apparently, mandatory but, to everyone’s relief, Michael’s advice is to file them in the bin. With five PCCs Michael could be expected to attend up to twenty evening meetings a year. All committees can be indecisive and inclined to ramble on but Michael is skilled in tactfully preventing this and, in one of his parishes, is esteemed as holding the record for the shortest PCC meeting (31 minutes). We all empathise with any person in authority who nonetheless shares our own frailties. In Michael’s case it was the making of good resolutions to give up smoking, swiftly followed by an early exit at the end of the service to light up in the churchyard! RC
Rev Michael Cartwright During the forty or so years I have lived in Hempstead, seven new names have been added to the vicar’s board in the church, not to mention all the valuable temporary stopgaps Their private preferences may have ranged from Anglo-Catholic through to the almost subterranean, but seldom has their height of church been pressed on us. Each newcomer gradually came to know our tastes, and moved steadily from cassock-wearer to trusted friend. Being conscientious they usually found the job more demanding than anticipated. Now we have a particularly good one, and he has two bonuses: an excellent wife, and musical talent. Alas age has caught up with him, and he is about to retire. So we will have to repeat the sequence of farewells, vacancy, in-fills, adjustments and bonding. This is never easy but we have practice, and I am sure we can cope. With my thanks and best wishes to Michael and Jo. DD
But Michael is only half of the team. Jo has been tireless in her support of him: chauffeur (along with Nick, thanks to you too!); and master chef at the Rectory, not only for domestic entertaining, but barbecues for Matlaske village; and the legendary lunch club at Baconsthorpe. She also, on one occasion to my own painful knowledge, took in an injured cyclist on the churches cycle ride day and administered significant first aid; and her nursing experience has helped other people too. Add to that the transformation of the garden at the Rectory, singing alto in the choir, cleaning, polishing and flower arranging in Matlaske church. Oh, and the marmalade making... No wonder she is ready to retire, too. And I know, too, that there are many other things she has done for us, quietly and without recognition. Thank you Jo, for all these things, and for goodness sake, have a restful retirement! SS
When Michael arrived in 2010 on a housefor-duty basis (hence unpaid) pre-retirement posting we were delighted to discover that we had unwittingly acquired a full-time parish priest who was also a skilled organist with a leading bass voice; and a choir master who founded our first choir in living memory – not to mention the player of light music at the end of a service! As well as this, our part-time parson has spent much time visiting the sick (travelling on occasion as far as Cambridge to do so) and taking an active part in every village event. One of Michael’s most endearing traits is his happy disregard of the Church’s bureaucracy which, to the irritation of the parson, churchwardens and PCC secretaries, constantly issues a mass of information 7
See also under Barningham News
What’s On Weekly Events Mondays * 7:30 pm Tuesdays 10 am Tuesdays † 10 am Tuesdays * 7:30 pm
Baconsthorpe Line Dancing Hempstead Drawing Sessions Baconsthorpe Diocesan Play Van Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls * Not on Bank Holidays
711320 711282 07918 027092 711320
† During school terms
Monthly Events 2 May Fri @ 10:30 am Hempstead Coffee & Gossip Village Hall 15 May Thu @ 12:30 pm Mobile Library Van See page 2 for times 21 May Wed @ 7:30 pm Hempstead Film Club Village Hall Special Events 29 Apr Tue @ 10 am
Baconsthorpe Plant Swop
Plant Sale and Coffee Morning until 12:30 pm. Entrance £2.50 to include coffee and home-made biscuits. Proceeds to St Mary’s Church.
May 2 May Fri @ 10:30 am
Matlaske Coffee Morning
At Barningham Hall. Book and Cake sales. Everyone welcome. If anyone has any books or cakes to donate please contact Cherry 577827 or Marion 577521.
5 May Mon @ 7 pm
Baconsthorpe PC AGM
In the Village Hall. This will be followed by the Parish Council meeting. All welcome.
10 May Sat @ 10 am
Hempstead VH Spring Tidy
Please come and help keep the place looking tidy and welcoming both inside and outside. Just once a year makes all the difference. Pledge offers of help to Tim Scarff 711657 or just come along – everyone is welcome. Mon @ 7:30 pm Matlaske PC AGM In St Peter’s. All welcome.
12 May 15 May Thu @ 7 pm
Baconsthorpe VH Meeting
Village Hall. All Welcome. Please note earlier time so that we can prepare for the Jumble Sale.
16 May Fri @ 7 pm
Matlaske Quiz Night
Please note change of time. Back by Popular Demand. To be held at The Stables, Barningham Hall by kind permission of Thomas & Amelia Courtauld. Time £5 entrance to include free drink and jacket potato with filling. Teams of four Change but please still come on your own as others will be looking to join a team. Proceeds to go to boost our Village Christmas Party fund. Donations for raffle gratefully received, to Marion 577521 or Cherry 577827. 98
16 May Fri @ 7 pm
Baconsthorpe Jumble Sale
If anyone has Jumble or Bric a Brac they would like to donate it can be brought to the hall or ring John on 711320 for collection.
17 May Sat @ 7 pm
Hempstead Hog Roast
7 for 7:30 pm. Prices unchanged at £9 adults and £5 under 13s for this superb event featuring Graves’ traditional roast hog, home-made salads and desserts – To make sure of your places for this ever-popular event, contact Ian Summers 710702 or Tim Scarff 711657 – Please ask about vegetarian and other special requirements when booking – Bring your drinks, raffle-prizes and your friends
18 May Sun @ 3 pm
Barningham Choral Concert
Vocality (North-Norfolk-based vocal ensemble of twelve experienced singers) are holding a tea concert at Barningham Winter Church between 3 and 4 pm. Refreshments will be available. Donations will be accepted on the day with all proceeds going towards Aldborough Surgery. Please come along; it will be lovely to see you. Tue @ 2:30 pm Matlaske PCC Meeting At Hall Farm Cottage
20 May 22 May Thu @ 7 am
Polling Day In your local polling station until 10 pm
Further Ahead 12 Jun Thu @ 2 pm 27 Jun Fri @ 7:30 pm
Barningham PCC Meeting Barningham Winter Choral Concert
Join the very accomplished Cantalena Choir for a special evening of choral and solo music in Barningham Winter Church. Details next month.
20 Jul Sun @ 12 noon
Charity Lunch
At Hempstead Village Hall in aid of Norfolk Venda Educational Trust. Michele and Ceri Holmes from the charity will be attending the church service in the morning and then joining us for lunch. All welcome from all villages - a really good meal in return for a donation. Put the date on your calendar now!
26 Jul Sat @ 2:30 pm 10 Aug Sun @ 2 pm 6–7 Sep Sat–Sun @ 10–5
Matlaske Fête Hempstead Fête Hempstead Arts
On the Playing Field Village Hall
Thank You Thank you to all contributors and distributors of the newsletter. It could not be published without you. Very few items are commissioned by the editor so, if you want news of events to appear you are requested to submit them. I’ve made it simpler to enter items on the web site: www.isdata.co.uk/cgi-bin/post.pl All you have to do to get started is click on the village and then select either village or PC/PCC items. Instead of submitting lots of items in one go it will be necessary to submit each separately. Thank you. 9
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Baconsthorpe News
Congratulations Congratulations to Doris Hill who has celebrated her 90th birthday with a surprise party in the Village Hall. Family and friends from far and near gathered to enjoy a lovely afternoon of celebration with her. As Doris is the person responsible for bookings of the hall, a little subterfuge had to be entered into so as not to give the game away. Doris assures me those concerned are forgiven.
Events in Baconsthorpe 29 Apr 5 May 15 May 16 May
10 am Plant Swop 7 pm PC AGM 7 pm VH Meeting 7 pm Jumble Sale More details on centre pages
Baconsthorpe 200 Club £25 Jo Regis; £10 Bill East; £5 Daniel Watts and Roger Hall
Barningham News
Thanks
Event in Barningham
Alfie and Margaret Blake would like to give their thanks to family and friends who gave donations to Help for Heroes, in lieu of birthday gifts for Alfie’s 80th birthday. A magnificent £400 was raised and duly sent off. Well done indeed.
18 May
3 pm Choral Concert More details on centre pages
News Thank you to all those who helped make the Mother’s Day service at St Mary’s Barningham so special. Posies were handed out by the children and Rev Michael Cartwright conducted a very happy service. On Easter day afternoon St Mary’s church was full with the family and friends of Mr and Mrs Tom Youngs who had their little daughter Maisie Isla Mary christened. Maisie was presented with a bible from the Rev Michael Cartwright and everyone commented on what a lovely and very happy service it was. I am sure that all the residents of Barningham send Michael and Jo their very best wishes for a long and happy retirement. It has been a joy to have them looking after us and our little church over the last few years. SB
Welcome Welcome to John and Sarah who have moved in to The Old Post Office. We wish them much happiness in their new home. Also to John and Emma Pickett and their children, Sam and Josey, who have moved in to Willow Glen. They have been very busy with renovations and the planting of a roadside hedge and an apple orchard planted with old Norfolk varieties. We wish them much happiness in their beautiful surroundings.
Village Hall News We had a lovely evening of entertainment in the company of Blue Skies. They sang all sorts of familiar songs where we could sing along. An evening enjoyed by everyone. We have an evening Jumble Sale on Friday the 16th May at 7 pm. If anyone has Jumble or Bric a Brac they would like to donate it can be brought to the hall or ring John on 711320 for collection. Our next Meeting is on 15th May at 7 pm. Please note earlier time so that we can prepare for the Jumble Sale. All welcome. J R Cooper
Some Parting Words We residents of Barningham and North Barningham are most grateful to Michael and Jo for all that they have done for the Parish and its inhabitants over the years: Visiting the sick, comforting the bereaved, fielding questions about Parish affairs, attending meetings and doing gallant stints at the endless and necessary fund-raising events throughout the Benefice, not to 11
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Also Self-catering Cottage Church Farmhouse, Edgefield NR24 2AF Tel: 01263 587208 Fax: 01263 587814
Baconsthorpe Village Hall Ideal for Parties and Receptions Fully equipped Kitchen with Matching Crockery for 100 settings New Tables and Chairs
Your Independent Memorial Mason
Large Main Hall or Committee Room
Memorials in marble, stone and various coloured granites
Charges: £8 per hour £25 deposit will be required to cover damages or breakages
Brochures upon request Workshop: 01603 755524 Office: 01603 485691
www.rwellsmemorials.co.uk Unit 8 Sawmill Close, The Street, Felthorpe, Norwich NR10 4BH
To book contact Mrs Doris Hill 01263 577489 12
mention regularly conducting services in all the churches... The list goes on and on. They will be a hard act to follow. At North Barningham in particular we (few) residents have special cause for gratitude: Michael’s music, his choir and his enthusiasm have done so much to bring the redundant church of St.Peter to life again. So, a very big thank you from all of us to Michael and Jo: May you both enjoy long years of contented and serene retirement together. CdeB
t
sa nt e v
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Village Hall Tidy Up
Easter Egg Hunt
Please come and help keep the place looking tidy and welcoming both inside and outside.
The Barningham Easter Egg Hunt was a great success with fantastic weather and the Easter Bunny hiding eggs for just over 850 people! Money is still being counted but the final figure raised should be in the region of £5,000. All monies go to Stepping Stones Pre-school in Aldborough.
Hog Roast
7 for 7:30 pm. Prices unchanged at £9 adults and £5 under 13s for this superb event featuring Graves’ traditional roast hog, home-made salads and desserts – To make sure of your places for this ever-popular event, contact Ian Summers early on 710702 or Tim Scarff 711657 – Please ask about vegetarian and other special requirements when booking – Please bring your drinks, raffle-prizes and your friends.
Patronal Festival The 41st Church Service at St Peter’s, North Barningham will be at 3 pm on Sunday, June 29th. The service will be conducted by the Rev Canon William Bestelink with the participation of the Benefice Choir and Mr John Richley, organist.
Hempstead News Events in Hempstead 2 May 10:30 am Coffee & Gossip 10 May 10 am VH Spring Tidy 17 May 7 pm Hog Roast 21 May 7:30 pm Film Club More details on centre pages
CAST IRON COOKERS
Hempstead 200 Club March: £25 T Geens; £10 M Carman; £5 Y Gibson, M Thody and K Hurrell. April:£25 A McFaydon; £10 C Shade; £5 M Thody, A Udale and L Riches.
Service & Repair Jon Cooper Dales House, The Street, Baconsthorpe NR25 6AB
Welcome To Ash Price and Claire McHugh at Lodge Cottages.
01263 577527 or 07767 494369 13
Love Local Campaign Number 9 Beverley from Budgens presented a cheque for £400 to be spent on new playground equipment. Looking on, in the picture alongside, are parish councillors, grandparents, parents and a few of the children who will benefit. Thank you Budgens, and your loyal customers.
Toads
Aaron Amis
The toad migration is over for another year. At Rookery Pit we moved 3232 from the road, with 336 casualties. Selbrigg moved over 10,332 with about 449 casualties. All patrollers have reported very careful and considerate drivers. Many thanks and a big thank you to all patrollers at both sites (and also from the toads!).
It was with a sense of shock and sadness that we heard of the tragic death of Aaron aged 19 on April 6th following a car accident on the A47. Aaron was always seen at weekends washing and polishing his beloved car and during the week seen going through the village on a tractor to work on fields in the vicinity. Family, friends and fellow car enthusiasts met up at Longwater, Costessey on the evening of April 12th in remembrance of Aaron and staged a convoy down the A47 before setting off lanterns. Aaron attended Aldborough Primary School and Aylsham High School before following in his Dad’s and Grandad’s footsteps to work for Mr John Neill. Deepest sympathy goes to Richard, Michelle and family at this sad time.
Children’s Society Boxes These contained £330.39 for which many thanks to all.
Thanks To Pammy and Andy for tidying up the outside of the Village Hall.
Church Open Thank you to all who helped and came to the church on Easter Monday. The £200 will go towards incidental expenses such as flowers and replacement of church linen.
Plumstead News
Matlaske News
Parish Council David Ramsbotham has resigned from Plumstead Parish Council. Thank you, David, for your service to the community.
Events in Matlaske 2 May 10:30 am Coffee Morning 12 May 7:30 pm PC AGM 16 May 7 pm Quiz Night 20 May 2:30 pm PCC Meeting More details on centre pages
Keys Found In the back of Plumstead church about three months ago. Black leather fob with a garage name on it, a red pen knife and a Yale key for a side alley. Contact me to reclaim. Thanks very much. Eleanor Faulkner of Oak Tree Cottage, Plumstead 577868.
100 Club £25 Donny March; £10 Michelle Leeder; £5 David Linkhorn. 14
Bertie’s Ramblings
CMB 4 I can think of four ships in Britain that I consider worth a special visit. The Mary Rose, remarkably restored after capsizing in 1545; HMS Victory, Nelson’s famous flagship which can be seen in Portsmouth; HMS Belfast in the Pool of London; and, finally, CMB 4 (Coastal Motor Boat 4). I wonder if any of you have ever heard of her? CMB 4 is a unique vessel. She is the only living ship whose captain has been awarded the Victoria Cross while serving in her. By a strange quirk of nature that captain was the uncle of a cousin of mine – Lieutenant Augustus Agar – so I will always refer to him as Uncle Gus. Coastal Motor Boats were designed in 1916 – initailly to work in the waters of the English Channel where, with their hull design and powerful 270 HP aero-engines, they could achieve speeds of 30 knots, and their shallow draught enabled them to skim over the minefields and attack German shipping with a single torpedo. I will jump to 1919 (when you may remember we were having a little trouble with the Bolsheviks) and the British were trying to contain the uprising. By early 1919 they had only one spy left in St Petersburg. So MI6 (the Secret Service) decided that this brave agent needed to be saved. So Uncle Gus was sent out with CMB 4 and CMB 7 to the rescue. (I recommend you to buy, borrow or steal the book Operation Krondstadt by Harry Ferguson for the complete details – it reads just like a Boys 15
Own Story.) Uncle Gus, after many travails, set up his base in Finland, from where he undertook the 70-mile trip, through the forts at Kronstadt to try to pick up the agent several times without achieving complete success. Meanwhile, he managed to sink the Russian Heavy Cruiser Oleg (for which endeavour he was awarded the Victoria Cross) and later with the help of additional CMBs, the raid on Kronstadt Harbour. CMB 4 surprisingly still exists although, at 98 years old, she is showing her age. She rests in Hanger 3 of the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and is really worth visiting because there is a marvellous video of Uncle Gus recounting his exploits. The grapevine tells me that she may be moved to the Royal Navy Museum at Plymouth. So, save air miles, and go and see her now.
Weird Royal Head Experience In Bertie’s Ramblings APO Harmer reports on an RAF inspection when the Queen looked the other way when she passed him. In 1950, Rifleman Carver, a new recruit to the KRRC in Winchester, was one of those assigned to help in the Officers Mess when King George VI came to inspect the regiment. A pair of new hair brushes had been bought for the gents cloakroom. After the King had departed four riflemen rushed to the gents and drew cards for the privilege of using the hair brush – only once used and that by the King of England! What strange things one remembers from one’s service days. RC
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