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Welcome… to the latest edition of THE STRATTON & TASBURGH BOOK…
It’s Jingle Bells time of the year again - Christmas and New Year will soon be here!
Whatever you’re doing over the next few weeks, I hope you and your family thoroughly enjoy being together. This time of year, really is a good time to check in on friends and neighbours – the world always needs more kindness, doesn’t it?
At home, we anticipate a few family gatherings – including our recently-born granddaughter.
My partner Stuart will be cooking Christmas Lunch (we love his legendary roast potatoes!). Then into the New Year to implement something new we’ve been training for throughout 2024…
To contact us: tracey@wacbook.co.uk Tele: 01603 717681
@TraceySATBook
@BroadlandMediaLtd
Tracey De-Abreu
4 - Five Tips for a Happy (Family) Christmas 6 - Pets; Give your Pet a Happy Christmas 10 - Beauty; Face the Facts 12 - Bereavement Support 13 - Wordsearch; Christmas 15 - New Year, New Customers! 16 - Children’s Puzzle Page 17 - Last UK Posting Dates 18 - Home Products; Euphoric Yellow 20 - Celebrities; Hugh Dennis 22 - Home & Interiors; Scandi Style 26 - Motoring; Alfa Romeo Junior 28 - Local Reports
37 - Children’s Puzzle Page Answers
38 - Quiz Answers
38 - Advert sizes & fees
39 - Index
This magazine is one of 5,000 copies delivered to residents & businesses in: Long Stratton, Tasburgh, Newton Flotman, Hempnall, Morningthorpe, Fritton, Shelton, Hardwick, Saxlingham Nethergate, Saxlingham Green, Swainsthorpe, Tharston, Gt Moulton & Wacton.
Christmas has changed a lot since my childhood and will continue to evolve. At its core, it's about family, community, celebrating, and giving. Unfortunately, Christmas has a growing environmental impact, worsened by mega shops like Amazon, selling largely Chinese-made goods. This year, let’s choose gifts from local businesses, those which power our economy. Along with our secure website, our new Eco Factory Shop in Long Stratton offers life-changing products for body, skin and hair. Also dental care for humans and dogs, household cleaning, a plastic-free way of purifying tap water and of course our Made in Norfolk Range. Our products are plastic-free, useful, unique and designed with our environment in mind. or visit our Eco Factory Shop in Long Stratton! either during our regular Mon-Fri 9.30am to 3.00pm hours or for our special Late Night Christmas Eco Shopping Events, 9.30am to 7.30pm: Thursday 28th Nov, Thursday 5th Dec & Thursday 19th Dec
Make this Christmas your greenest yet - shop local, plastic-free, and eco-friendly gifts at www.naturalspasupplies.co.uk
A WORD FROM ROSEDALE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT…
I love this time of year, Autumn being my favourite season. I channel my inner Dane, embrace the Hygge and take every opportunity to enjoy blustery walks in the chilly air, followed by warming food and drinks by the fire. There is nothing quite like cosying up in a comfy armchair with a blanket and a good book or magazine. I think I share much in common with hedgehogs because I like to hibernate when the season of falling leaves arrives!
I know that not everyone shares my preference and it seems that most people I talk to, lament the end of summer. Many dread the end of long, warm days and the opportunity to be out and about as much as possible. This is especially true of those who are bereaved, particularly those who now find themselves living alone.
Motivation can wane and doing anything can feel like more of an effort. However, it is more important than ever at this time of year, to make self-care a priority. Self-care can sound a bit selfish but it really just means taking time to look after yourself and doing
things that make you feel recharged and warm inside. It might involve spending time alone, to rest and relax or reaching out to engage with others.
This could mean volunteering for an organisation or charity which gives a sense of purpose by knowing we are helping others and making a positive difference in the world.
We can also make time to meet with others. Inviting someone round for a coffee or meal, or going out together, could mean a lot to someone who also lives alone.
Those who are bereaved can sometimes experience feelings of guilt if they start to enjoy life again and engage with others. This is not
unusual and does not mean that we are leaving our loved ones behind or being disrespectful to them. It simply means that we are trying to make the most of the life we have now. We are all entitled to experience joy, happiness and connection in life – it’s what makes life worth living.
So, this Autumn, make time for self -care: Meet with others, enjoy some good food, watch an uplifting film, read a good book, have a long soak in a fragrant bubble bath or whatever else makes you feel warm inside.
Our next Bereavement Support Groups start in January. All our groups are free and open to everyone. Please book your place by calling 07901 888 122 or pop into your local Rosedale branch.
This article was written by Sarah Howard, Rosedale Funeral Home Bereavement Support Facilitator
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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE BROADLAND AND SOUTH NORFOLK BUSINESS AWARDS 2025
Nominations are open for Broadland District and South Norfolk Councils’ Business Awards sponsored by local law firm Birketts LLP.
Businesses based in the two districts are invited to nominate themselves in any of the ten categories to be in with a chance of winning a prestigious award.
Businesses are invited to nominate themselves in the following categories:
Business Growth, Business Innovation, Employer of the Year, Environmental Impact, Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Excellence in Insurance, Financial and Professional Services, Food and Drink Producer of the Year, New Business, Small Business of the Year and Tourism Business of the Year.
Residents are also invited to vote for their favourite Retailer of the Year and Pub of the Year. By voting they will automatically be entered into a prize draw and be in with a chance of winning £100 of shopping and pub vouchers. There will be four lucky winners, two from each district.
Nominations close on Friday 13 December and winners will be announced on 19 March 2025 at an awards ceremony at Norwich City Football Club.
To nominate your business, or to vote for your favourite retailer and pub, visit www.southnorfolkandbroadland.go v.uk/businessawards
ANIMAL SANCTUARY
On Saturday 12 October 2024, actress Liza Goddard and Norwich City football icon Rob Newman and his wife Jo visited Hallswood Animal Sanctuary in Stratton Strawless and met with some of the staff, volunteers and resident animals, to learn more about the organisation and its plans for the future.
During its 28-year history, Hallswood Animal Sanctuary has been dedicated to improving the lives of wildlife and domestic animals in Norfolk through rehabilitation, education and community outreach.
Speaking today, animal lover Liza Goddard said “I really enjoyed meeting everyone and learning about Hallswood Animal Sanctuary, which cares for a wide range of animals at its sanctuary and in short-term and long-term foster homes. There’s a lot of hard work ahead at Hallswood but the organisation has an exciting future and I am looking forward to being involved in its journey.”
Goddard added: “Hallswood Animal Sanctuary relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations to fund its work, and there are a number of ways in which we can help including making a financial donation; purchasing items from the Hallswood Animal Sanctuary Amazon Wish List; donating goods, services and our time; and by rehoming a Hallswood animal.”
Rob Newman explained: “Hallswood Animal Sanctuary currently has around 1000 animals in
its care and during our visit to the sanctuary we got to meet some of their dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, pigs, geese, ducks, and ornamental birds. My wife Jo and I have always had a love for domestic animals and wildlife, and we very much look forward to making regular visits to Hallswood in the future to help out and get our hands dirty, as well as getting involved with some of the great fundraising initiatives that Hallswood is planning in 2025.”
Newman added: “In the meantime, I’m asking all animal lovers across Norfolk to donate to Hallswood Animal Sanctuary today as the organisation and the animals in its care are depending on our support now more than ever before to help pay for feed, bedding, veterinary bills, routine medication, and fuel for the sanctuary generator this winter. Every donation really will help to make a difference! ”
For details on how to donate to and support Hallswood Animal Sanctuary please visit www.hallswood.co.uk.
HOLE IN THE WALL
by Chris Weston LOCAL
Given Norfolk’s once important inland waterways network was regularly used for trading and supply purposes, any present-day signage indicating a ‘Staithe’ connection might not seem too unusual.
Apart from ‘The Staithe’, you might also see Staitheway Lane; Staitheway Road; Staithe Road or occasionally a property named Staithe House. But in Barton Turf, one such - named property has an added piece of history which lasted for over a century during a now bygone era. Since built, it has been known by more than one name as between 1846 & 1966, it became very well-known by both aquatic and other types of visitors.
That’s because in addition to being a dwelling, Staithe House also once enjoyed an arrangement made with Lacon’s brewery in Gt. Yarmouth, (founded in 1640), to serve beer to customers, but not at the Bar. Neither was ‘consumption of such’ ever permitted on the premises!! Beer was served straight from the barrel to each customer through a hatch. To reach it, visitors needed to pass through the property’s back gates to be served. The beer stood in barrels above the ground in similar format to being stored on a cold floor and racks. This seemingly unusual arrangement was simply because what became known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’ was technically an off-licence, rather than a pub. Drinkers were invited to sit on a bench located outside the gate, to drink and enjoy their beer.
The Hole in the Wall was also unique for another reason. After the first recorded “licensee” Edmund Postle - described as an agricultural labourer & beer shop keeperhad served the premises from 1846 to 1851, every successive licensee was a member of the Yaxley family.
During their ‘reign’, the property also became known as the Eel’s Foot and in its final year of 1966 before completely closing as one of the last beer-houses in the area, it was Emily Yaxley's Beer House. It wasn’t unusual for beer-house keepers to have other occupations. If not agriculturally - related, as might be expected in early 20th century Norfolk, others included boatman and marshman. Meanwhile ‘Hole in the Wall’ lives on as
an expression often describing cash dispensers in the walls of shops, banks, building societies and other establishments.
Nearby on the quayside at Barton Turf, is another property known locally as The Black Shed. Beside this two-storey former store-house, wherries once moored to load and unload their cargoes. Today, it’s mainly used for Parish Council meetings.
‘Black Shed’ is located behind the broads cruiser.
Community Events & What’s On...
You can use this page to send your FREE message to 5,000 households and businesses!
LONG STRATTON GYMNASTIC CLUB every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon caters for girls aged 5 to 18 years. The club runs a disability session on a Saturday which is open to boys and girls at Long Stratton Leisure Centre, first session free. For more information contact Tina on 01379 740948.
TAS WELL JUNIORS - The last Saturday of every month 6-8pm at the Tas Well Social Club for children of all ages. Games, activities & lots of fun. More info: Mel on 01508 532146 or mel.large@btinternet.com
COFFEE MEETING - meet some old friends, make some new friends, have a chat, a cup of tea & a piece of cake at the Coffee Pot, every Wednesday 2.003.30pm in the Tasburgh Church Room.
CASUALTIES UNION NORWICH BRANCH - Meets at the Vauxhall Centre, Johnson Place, Norwich, NR2 2SA 7:30pm 9:30pm Weds new members welcome for details contact 01508 494492 www.casualtiesunion.org.uk
KIDDY COOK - Cookery workshops for 4-11 year old chefs held in Tasburgh. Held once a month on Saturday mornings and during school holidays. www.kiddycook.co.uk or call Fran on 07973 724870 for the latest schedule.
HEMPNALL MILL CENTRE- Bookings Sarah Batchelor info@hempnallmillcentre.co.uk 07504 699534 www.hempnallmillcentre.co.uk
NEED SOMEWHERE TO HOLD A FUNCTION? Anniversary celebration, children’s party, christening, birthday party, family and friends get together? The Mill Centre in Hempnall is available for hire – please call Sarah Batchelor 07504 699534 or email info@hempnallmillcentre.co.uk
THARSTON HISTORY SOCIETY regularly meets on the last Wednesday of alternate months. Everyone is welcome - admission is free but there is a retiring collect to help with Society expenses. For further information please see our website www.tharston-historysociety.com or email web@tharston-historysociety.com.
FITNESS CLASSES - Long Stratton High School on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening. Choose from circuits, HIIT or cardio blast. First session FREE. To book your FREE session or for more details please email: hello@timcourridge.co.uk
HEMPNALL MILL CENTRE - LUNCHEON CLUB
Thursday from £6. Morning tea or coffee served on arrival from 11am with a two course lunch served at
12 noon. For more information contact (Margaret Sparham ( Wed and Thursday on 499766 or 499579 at other times)
SAXLINGHAM NETHERGATE BOWLS CLUB Come along and have a go at Bowls at our Green in a picturesque setting on the Playing Field. The club is running taster session and coaching for beginners on Monday mornings at 11.00am. Experienced Bowlers are welcome too. Contact: Chris Lacey on 01508 499700
TASBURGH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB - Our FA Charter Standard club won Norfolk FA’s Grassroots club of the year for 2019. We have FA qualified coaches who train boys and girls from age 5 to 15, and we have various teams playing in the Norfolk Youth Combined League. New players and volunteers welcome! For more info you can find us on Facebook, at www.tasburghunited.com or call Dan Edwards on 07813 045764.
MARTIAL ARTS - All Oriental Self Defence & Physical Fitness Techniques in One Art. Kuk Sool Won Martial Arts Club in Long Stratton and Tasburgh. TWO FREE SESSIONS. Ages 4-7 years; Lil Dragons Tasburgh Village Hall Monday 4.30pm. Ages 7 to Adult; Tasburgh Village Hall Monday 5.30-6.30pm. Classes also in Long Stratton see web www.kuksoolwongillingwater.org for locations, times and more information or call/text 07775 890359.
TAS VALLEY PRE-SCHOOL and PLAYGROUP
Our small, dedicated team of staff provides a safe, caring and stimulating environment for children aged 2 years to school age, to play and learn. During term time, we offer weekday morning sessions 9am - 12pm, and Tuesday afternoon sessions 12pm - 3pm. We also offer Monday afternoon sessions, 12pm - 3pm, for pre -school year children only (the year before children go to school). Fees are £14 per session, age dependent. All 3-5 year olds and some 2 year olds are entitled to funding from Norfolk County Council. Please visit www.tasvalleyplaygroup.org.uk or e-mail enquiries.tvplaygroup@gmail.com.
...Continued on next page
Your community event can appear be HERE in the next edition - just message tracey@wacbook.co.uk or visit www.wacbook.co.uk
If you have a Feb/March 2025 community event, let us know, and we’ll share (FREE-of-charge) with 5000 homes & businesses on our glossy pages!
Community Events & What’s On...
You can use this page to send your FREE message to 5,000 households and businesses!
SAXLINGHAM NETHERGATE BOWLS CLUB Come along and have a go at Bowls at our Green in a picturesque setting on the Playing Field. The club is running taster session and coaching for beginners on Monday mornings at 11.00am. Experienced Bowlers are welcome too. Contact: Chris Lacey on 01508 499700
DID YOU KNOW you can now find information on THE HEMPNALL TRUST & how to book the Mill Centre in Hempnall on The Hempnall Trust Website www.hempnalltrust.org
SINGING: IF YOU CAN SPEAK YOU CAN SING. Creative Singing Community Choir meets every Tuesday at Wacton Village Hall between 7:00 - 8:30pm. No Auditions. No Need to Read Music. For further information please contact Louise Tingley 07765 920390 or louise@lktingley.com
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
from Tracey De-Abreu & everyone at THE STRATTON & TASBURGH BOOK
This magazine is one of 5,000 copies delivered to residents & businesses in:
· Long Stratton
· Tasburgh
· Newton Flotman
· Hempnall
· Morningthorpe
· Fritton
· Shelton
· Hardwick
· Saxlingham
Nethergate
· Saxlingham Green
· Swainsthorpe
· Tharston
· Gt Moulton
· Wacton
2-MINUTE TRIAL
Letters
Letters
5 Letters HARED HEARD
6 Letters HARDER
PICTOGRAM
We wish you a Merry Christmas – Irving Berlin
QUIZ
1. Dog tongue missing
2. Handle on pot missing
3. Christmas tree bauble missing
4. Mashed potato changed to mashed swede/carrot
5. Christmas cracker missing
6. Grandad tie different colour
7. Mum jumper different colour
8. Turkey drumstick missing
9. Grandma glasses missing
10. Boy mouth different
1. The Big Breakfast
JUNIOR FUNPAGE
Li�le John -
2. The Magic Roundabout
3. Birds of a Feather
Maid Marian
Friar Tuck - 8 + 8 + 15 = 31.
Will Scarle�
The Sheriff -
The two Henry silhoue�es that are the same are 'C' & 'E' . SIXTH PAGE £64 per edition or just £32 per month EIGHTH PAGE £48 per edition or just £24 per month