The Stratton & Tasburgh Book - Dec/Jan 23

Welcome… to the latest edition of THE STRATTON & TASBURGH BOOK

So, this year we have the FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the same month as Christmas. Given our youngest son is a data driven football fan, we’re fully expecting a sporting overload of facts and figures in our house!

Getting into reflective mood as we often do this time of year; what an incredible period the past couple of years have been. Pandemic, lockdown, health scares, political unrest, budget chaos there have been plenty of challenges to test us all. We hope you and your family have remained resilient.

From a community point of view, checking in on friends and neighbours this winter is likely to be a particularly important act of kindness. As usual, you’ll find lots of regular articles and quizzes on the following pages. Rather appropriately for the festive period, our celebrity article for this edition features Dame Mary Berry DBE.

Enjoy Christmas and New Year!...

Tracey

@TraceySATBook

Community Events & What’s On...

3rd LONG STRATTON BROWNIE PACK meets every Thursday 6pm 7.30pm term time at the Methodist church, Manor Road, Long Stratton. If your daughter is aged between 7 and 10 years and would like to join Brownies please call Brown Owl (Gill) on 01508 530378 or e mail gillworrell@btinternet.com for further information or to arrange a visit to see what we do.

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.

LONG STRATTON TODDLER GROUP every Monday and Wednesday morning 9.15 11.15am (term time only). Held at the Methodist church on Manor Road. First session free, £2.00 thereafter. www.longstrattontoddlers.co.uk

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 2.00 3.30pm 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 history

society.com or email web@tharston history society.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

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

NEWTON FLOTMAN PRE SCHOOL We are a well established, community pre school at the Village Centre offering a fun and educational environment for children, aged from 2 years to school age. The pre school, an outstanding early years provider (OFSTED 2015 2016) is open Monday to Friday, with ample space for parking. Fees start from £4.50 per hour. We also accept funding from Norfolk County Council for 2, and 3 4 year olds, if applicable and we are able to offer tax free childcare too! For more information please contact us at manager@newtonflotmanpreschool.co.uk or 01508 470680, or alternatively please visit www.newtonflotmanpreschool.co.uk

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.kuksoolwon gillingwater.org for locations, times and more information or call/text 07775 890359.

at other times)

to the fabulous readers, writers, clients, printers, distributors, clubs & charities who put their trust in THE STRATTON & TASBURGH BOOK

We look forward to connecting with you in 2023 & beyond! Tracey & Stuart

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind”.

after ex Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced further tax cuts, as

Mortgage repayments

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How safe are your finances as the pound hits a record low?

The pound reached a record low against the dollar at the end of September 2022 and has caused many Brits to worry about how their finances might be affected. With the pound hitting its lowest value since 1971, how safe are your finances?

The dramatic drop came about after ex Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced further tax cuts, as well as a multi billion pound energy price cap and a reversal of a national insurance increase. Despite a recent government U turn, the latest ‘mini budget’ announcement has resulted in the Bank of England increasing interest rates, and in turn the pound has plummeted against foreign currencies.

Will this affect my finances in the coming months?

Due to the turbulent political and financial climate, you will likely notice the effect of the falling pound despite its treacherous climb back in recent days. There are some key areas you may see more affected than others, so we’ve broken down the main ways the slump in the value of the pound may affect your finances

Fuel and gas

As fuel is traded in dollars, a low pound will force the price of petrol and diesel in the UK to increase. We are all acutely aware of the rising price of gas and electricity,

so this news will cause many of us to start worrying about the safety of our finances.

Mortgage repayments

If companies choose to pass higher costs onto their customers because of increased inflation, the cost of living will increase. This includes mortgage repayments, and for those on a tracker or variable mortgage rate this may result in monthly costs going up.

Those who don’t have a mortgage may still feel a sting in the cost of housing, as higher interest rates can cause lenders to increase fees on credit cards and loans. This will in turn tighten monthly budgets and make it harder to pay for essentials like rent and bills.

Goods and services

The cost of goods and services will continue to increase if the pound continues to fall. How much your weekly shop increases by will depend on whether businesses decide to pass these costs on to their customers, and what your shop includes. For example, the price of beer could rise significantly as it is mostly imported from Europe and the US.

In contrast supermarkets may have bought stock in advance, meaning that they may be less likely to increase prices straight away.

Businesses that sell their products abroad may actually see some positives from this situation as foreign buyers look to capitalise on the cheaper prices, which may give a boost to smaller companies who have struggled in the aftermath of Brexit.

Holidays abroad

As the pound dips against foreign currencies, holidays abroad will become more expensive, especially if you’re planning a trip to the US. Exacerbated by the price of fuel and food, many Brits may decide to postpone their winter break this year.

On the flip side to this, holiday makers coming to the UK will have a cheaper time, which in turn may boost the UK tourism industry and provide some financial growth in the travel sector.

Technology

As most of our tech is manufactured abroad, a weak pound will cause foreign made products to increase in price. In fact, Apple has already increased the price of its latest iPhone range by 16% in the UK. It’s expected that other tech manufacturers will follow suit and we may see an increase in the price of many gadgets.

T: 01603 625100

www.ftof-finance.co.uk

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Jessie’s Reiki at Moulton Nurseries, Acle. De stress your life with some Reiki. Book appt with Susan on 07926 067005 | jessiesreiki@gmail.com www.jessiesreiki.com or FB Book Now

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Clarity Photographics

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SAXLINGHAM along esque taster mornings come TAS small, and to offer Tuesday offer to All funding www.tasvalleyplaygroup.org.uk ies.tvplaygroup@gmail.com DID THE Centre www.hempnalltrust.org

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

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

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

CHRISTMAS SOIREE: CREATIVE SINGING COMMUNITY welcomes an audience to join us Tuesday the 13th of December, 7:00 8:30pm at Wacton Village Hall NR15 2UH for an evening of Song. Limited Places. Bookings Essential. Entry is £5 per person. Light refreshments will be available, along with a small selection of Christmas gift(s) available to purchase with proceeds going to the Wacton Church Restoration Fund. For more information please contact Louise Tingley 07765 920390 or louise@lktingley.com

… to the latest edition of THE STRATTON & TASBURGH BOOK

So, this year we have the FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the same month as Christmas. Given our youngest son is a data driven football fan, we’re fully expecting a sporting overload of facts and figures in our house!

Getting into reflective mood as we often do this time of year; what an incredible period the past couple of years have been. Pandemic, lockdown, health scares, political unrest, budget chaos there have been plenty of challenges to test us all. We hope you and your family have remained resilient.

From a community point of view, checking in on friends and neighbours this winter is likely to be a particularly important act of kindness. As usual, you’ll find lots of regular articles and quizzes on the following pages. Rather appropriately for the festive period, our celebrity article for this edition features Dame Mary Berry DBE.

Enjoy Christmas and New Year!... Tracey

@TraceySATBook