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Welcome… to the latest edition of THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK
With the festive season fast approaching we have lots of helpful articles that will hopefully give you lots of inspiration. Ideas for your home including home & interiors, beauty, health, pet, gardening & motoring articles. As always, there are lots of interesting local club and events in our ‘What’s On & Community Events’ plus the usual puzzles and quizzes you come to expect.
You’ll find lots of thriving local business services inside our glossy magazine. Remember, behind local businesses are real people many of whom live in and around the eighteen villages in our magazine distribution area. Our local economy relies on us all supporting each other, and when we do, it makes such a positive difference!
We wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable festive season and we hope you have a happy, healthy year ahead in 2026!
38 - Poem; The Great Little Book Written by Jonathan Hogben
59 - Quiz Answers
59 - Jokes
60 - Business Card Section
62 - Advert sizes & fees
62 - Index
This magazine is one of 8,000 copies delivered to residents & businesses in: Wroxham, Hoveton, Horning, Badersfield, Coltishall, Horstead, Stalham, Stalham Green, Sutton, Tunstead, Frettenham, Scottow, Belaugh, Sco Ruston, Ashmanhaugh, Smallburgh, Sloley & Buxton.
Thursday 20th November saw our AGM at The Hub in Wroxham, a little bit of business but also a social occasion to chat, drink wine and view a photo show of our French adventures this year. As usual, we are organising a PostChristmas Dinner, provisionally on 24th January at the Hotel Wroxham again, another social occasion for members to get together. We are still waiting to hear from our French Twinning friends of La Pommeraye and Montjean-surLoire about their preferred dates to visit us here next year, usually August but not definitely as yet. We will let members know as soon as we hear.
In November for Book Club we discussed “The Binding” by Bridget Collins, chosen by Christine. Pat can supply more information on pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com or 07879 454052
For more information generally, please contact our chairperson, Liz, on powellea@btinternet.com or 07484 897754
At our recent Business meeting we approved a series of donations, mainly to local charities, including: the Norwich Foodbank £500, Vision Norfolk £500, Nicky’s Foundation £500, Medical Dogs £250, New Beginnings £500, Nancy Oldfield Trust £500, End Polio Now £600 and Rotary Foundation £1000, a total of £4350. December means we will be starting our Christmas collection, taking Santa around on his sleigh December to join us. We will be in Sprowston on 2nd, 4th and 9th December, Spixworth on 10th and 11th. Wroxham on 16th and Horning on 17th. We will also be outside Tesco, Stalham on 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Santa is looking forward to seeing as many youngsters as possible!
Our regular Monday evening meetings continue with outside visits, business meetings at Wroxham Barns and a varied and interesting programme of speaker meetings, also at Wroxham Barns. Please let us know if you fancy coming along. You can also support us and the many local and international charities we donate to, through the Broadland Council Lottery Scheme – simply go on line at www.communityatheartlottery.c om and sign up, selecting Wroxham Bure Valley Rotary Club as your chosen cause – or you can support us directly by visiting our page on the www.totalgiving.co.uk web site. If you fancy joining us for a vibrant, sociable, active, and fun club experience, please contact our president, Chris Billing, on 07555 171574.
BROADLAND MODEL RAILWAY CLUB
The Christmas season is almost on us and the work on the Christmas project “Snowy Pines” is virtually complete, there are latest photos on our website and the Team Leader, Laurie, has created a video of the whole thing set to seasonal music. It’s well worth a look, here’s a link to his YouTube site: https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=fxoRYxbcysc. The planned exhibition of this layout is on Friday November 28th as part of the Stalham Christmas Lights Switch On event, 4:00pm to 7:00pm and you can find us inside the Coop Funeral Office on the High Street. We hope you can come and visit us.
In the workshop, we are busy with updates and construction on a number of our layouts, next year’s exhibition season will be on us before we know it and there is a lot to do to get ready. The latest updates to all the layouts are on the website and the exhibition calendar is starting to fill up already, please
check it out as it is constantly under review.
We all enjoy the camaraderie during our sessions every week, sharing information and help where needed. We are very fortunate in having 24/7 access to our club rooms and a number of us also take advantage of this during the daytime, often splitting the day’s modelling activities with lunch in the Swan Inn in Stalham. It’s why we have the club so if you are interested in joining us and getting involved, full contact information is on the website:
https:// broadlandmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/
THE
‘GREAT LITTLE BOOK’
This is a short message of gratitude; in a busy digital world where information comes at us quicker and quicker, we’ve noticed an upward trend of appreciation for ‘The Great Little Book’.
Retaining a degree of modesty, it’s not us, the magazine publishers describing this publication as ‘The Great Little Book’ - (much) more importantly, those comments come from readers who value what we do. We welcome such powerful feedback * Thank You! *
Example:
Unsolicited, and out-of-the-blue, local resident Jonathan Hogben from Coltishall kindly emailed a poem entitled ‘The Great Little Book’ (see page 38 of this edition). We were chuffed to receive it, and think is absolutely superb! So good, having published it in the last edition, we’ve shared it again.
Regular Features, Puzzles, quizzes, Community Events & thriving local business services - after nearly two decades (we’ll celebrate the ‘Big 20’ with you next July btw), you can be assured we’ll do all we can to remain ‘at the heart of our community’. Thanks once again...
Open up wide
To what’s inside
Take a good look
Through this informative book
Window installation
Cosy warm insulation
Home improvements and decorating needs
A garden transformation removing those weeds
Local trade you can trust
Is a reassuring must
An outstanding business card section
Take your time with your selection
That scrumptious recipe
Devine it will be
Tasty meals out
Delicious without a doubt
Carefully fashioned hair
To attentive skin care
Everything you need For your week to succeed
A great little joke
Far better when spoke
A tricky puzzle page
Will suit any age
Community Events & What’s On
The double-page feature is spot on
So much more
To read and explore
You must take a good look
Through this great little book
Where to look?
THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK
by Jonathan Hogben (Coltishall)
THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK ~ at the heart of our community ~
Open up wide
To what’s inside
Take a good look
Through this informative book
Window installation
Cosy warm insulation
Home improvements and decorating needs
A garden transformation removing those weeds
Local trade you can trust
Is a reassuring must
An outstanding business card section
Take your time with your selection
That scrumptious recipe
Devine it will be
Tasty meals out
Delicious without a doubt
Carefully fashioned hair
To attentive skin care
Everything you need For your week to succeed
A great little joke
Far better when spoke
A tricky puzzle page
Will suit any age
Community Events & What’s On
The double-page feature is spot on
So much more
To read and explore
You must take a good look
Through this great little book
Where to look?
THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK
by Jonathan Hogben (Coltishall)
WHERE IS THE SEYMOUR TOWER?
by Chris Weston
Every year for as long as I can remember, holidaymakers have visited Jersey. But in time, travelling to far-flung destinations including Tunisia, Egypt, Dubai and more became possible so Jersey’s visitor numbers no doubt dropped. By the end of the first 21st century’s decade however, large 17-decked cruise liners with passengers numbering four figures might call at Jersey or Guernsey on as part of their itineraries. But has anyone visiting the Channel Islands ever seen or heard of the structure described below?
Located on L'Avarison - a rocky outcrop nearly two miles off the south-east coast of Jersey - is Seymour Tower, a square-shaped ‘former’ coastal defence tower.
Constructed in 1782, it was built of Jersey granite and as a square tower, was thought an unusual shape for its time. The tower’s “arrival” followed the proposal to construct a chain of coastal towers around the island after a failed French invasion attempt the previ-
ous year, in 1781. This was the Battle of Jersey which took place on Saturday 6th January, during the Anglo-French War (17781783). French forces unsuccessfully invaded the British-ruled island to remove the threat it posed to French and American shipping.
In 1923, the States of Jersey bought the tower after which for many years, it was rented out to private tenants.
Then during 2006, Jersey Heritage acquired the property and started a project of restoring historical mili-
tary sites and buildings, to become Heritage Lets. Hence Seymour Tower subsequently became the first fully restored site to open for overnight stays. But as a tidal island on which it stands, the property is entirely surrounded by the sea twice a day due to Jersey's large tidal range. This makes Seymour Tower a somewhat remote location. So to avoid any injuries to any visitors, anyone renting accommodation requires a guided walk across the seabed at low tide to reach it and again when leaving the site!
WORSTEAD FESTIVAL
Norfolk’s Biggest Village Festival - 25/26 July 2026
FESTIVAL GRANTS ANNOUNCED
The Worstead Festival has approved grants totalling more than thirty thousand pounds to a dozen good causes in North Norfolk.
All the funds raised at the first festival in 1966 went to stop the village’s St Mary’s church tower from falling down. The church still needs support.
“We’ll literally pull out all the stops to overhaul the organ with this much needed grant,” said church warden Michael Pomroy. “A new kitchen is also being installed so we can host a wider range of community events.”
The North Norfolk and District Food Bank is once again being supported along with the Stalham Community Gym, The Worstead Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, Broadland First Responders, The North Walsham Men’s Shed, St. Andrew’s Church Lammas and Remembering Together, offering bereavement support.
As well as enjoying a great day out at the festival, the region’s children have again benefited from grants to schools. East Ruston Infant’s School can fund urgent repairs to its outdoor classroom. Swanton Abbott and Worstead primaries will get money to buy teaching resources.
“We are so grateful to a small band of dedicated volunteers to keep the Festival going,” said Trustee Chair, Jane Bond. “We studied the grant applications carefully and rewarded the best projects from the people who also work their hardest to help others.”
Next year is the Festival’s 60th jubilee and the beautiful grounds will be spruced up with new gates and fencing. Part of the Queen Elizabeth Hall - the venue for the popular BRICKcon for LEGO fans will be refurbished.
Attractions in the show ring will include the popular Outlaw equestrian stunt riding team and amazing BMX bicycle acrobatics. There’ll be live music, fairground attractions, vintage tractors and cars, chef demonstrations, heavy horses, dog jumping and more than one hundred craft stalls.
It’s on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of July 2026 at Worstead, near North Walsham. There will be free car parking and free transport from the train station. It’s billed as THE BIGGEST VILLAGE FESTIVAL IN NORFOLK.
Below: a shot from last year’s festival of a rider with the Outlaws equestrian stunt riding team. They will be appearing next year in our 60th anniversary Jubilee event on 25th and 26th July.
Pic credit: The Worstead Festival.
This list of Norfolk’s currently favoured Christmas Carols was recently compiled by the ‘North Norfolk Jury’ :-
O little town of Bessingham
O come all ye Felbrigg
God rest ye Merry Geldeston
Deck the Hales with boughs of holly
Hark, the Heacham angels sing
The Intwood King
The First Nowhere*
We three kings of Oriel are While Sheringham watched its flocks by night.
Past Three Holes clock
Good King Wendling once looked out
See amid the Wymondham snow
* There have historically, been two Norfolk locations of this name!
And did you know the favourite food of King Wenceslas was Pizza.
Why? Because he only liked them to be cooked Deep & Crisp & Even!
Chris Weston
Community Events & What’s On...
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Regular Events
NEATISHEAD COMMUNITY GYM - Friendly, relaxed, affordable, local gym open to all (12+), but especially catering for older age groups and those who are uncomfortable in a commercial gym. Excellent support from experienced instructor. If you want to improve your fitness or mobility, at whatever level, give us a try! Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays 8.30 to 12.30 at New Victory Hall, Neatishead. Ring or text Gary on our FREE TRIAL HOTLINE of 07387 876216, or email gym@victoryhall.info for other enquiries.
COLTISHALL & HORSTEAD PRE-SCHOOL - Monday to Wednesday 9.00am to 12pm and 12pm to 3pm, Thursday and Friday 9.00am to 12pm. For 2 years upwards. Held at Coltishall Community Centre, Rectory Road. OFSTED Graded ‘GOOD’. Welcoming all families to join our active playgroup including regular allotment and local primary school visits. Please phone our friendly team: 07539 928124 Charity number: 1164338.
COLTISHALL AND HORSTEAD WI meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Church Rooms, Rectory Road. Coltishall at 2.30pm. Details; please phone Rosie Howell on 01603 737762.
HAUTBOIS DISTRICT RANGERS meet alternative Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm. We're a small group of girls aged 14+ looking for more people to join us. We do a variety of different activities from camping, to shopping, kayaking to performing! If you're interested or want more information please call Gina 07775 520911.
HORNING ART CLASS is held on Thursday afternoons at 2 o’clock in the Village Hall Annexe. We have an excellent tutor on hand to give guidance or tuition in all media. We are a friendly group with a mixed range of abilities and styles. Interested in joining us ? Please ring Paula Kerrison on 07881 632436.
POKER - Every Sunday at the Diplomat in Badersfield (RAF Colt) we have a weekly league games for points that qualify you for 3 Regional finals & 3 National final competitions. £3.50 a week registers your points online at The Nuts Poker League. Play starts at 7.30pm see you there! New players welcome.
DANCE FOR FUN is a fun dance club teaching children 6 and upwards Ballet, Tap, Disco & Gymnastic Dance. We meet Wednesday evening from 6 to 8pm in Smallburgh village hall. The club takes part in many community events through the year. If your child is interested in coming to see what we do please pop along any Wednesday evening.
KINGS HEAD QUIZ NIGHT Hoveton Thurs nights at 7.30pm. Still £1 per person admission inclusive of a FREE Quiznighter's Buffet. Max 6 in a team. Winner takes all & Picture Quiz winner leaves with a FREE bottle of wine!
NORTH WALSHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7.30pm at Salvation Army Hall, Hall Lane, North Walsham. Details from Secretary, Liz Fiddy, on 01692 582793 or email trevorandliz@talktalk.net
TIDDLERS BABY & TODDLER GROUP. Meeting at Horstead Tithe Barn, every Wednesday during term time, 10 - 11.30am. £2 per family. Lots of lovely toys for children, cuppa and a chat for you.
Email: tiddlerstoddlergroup@gmail.com for more info or just come along.
AYLSHAM CHESS CLUB Meets at Aylsham & District Ex-Service & Social Club on Monday evenings during the Sep - Jun season. Contact: David Owen (Club Secretary), Tel: 01263 731327, e-mail: davidowen364@btinternet.com
COMMUNITY CAFÉ AT THE HUB - Come and join us for a cuppa, a slice of homemade cake & a chat! We meet every Thursday from 10.30-12pm at Wroxham & Hoveton United Reformed Church (The Hub), 114 Norwich Rd, Wroxham, NR12 8SA. We are open to all and there's no charge.
1st COLTISHALL GUIDES - We are a charitable organisation who deliver broad programmes of activities for the development of young girls and women. The Guide group caters for 10-14 year olds providing them with a safe environment in which they can develop both personally and socially. Email: firstcoltishallguides@gmail.com or contact Claire on 07826 444 046.
BUXTON PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB - We are a small friendly club catering for all levels and styles of photography, we meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, at 7.30pm in Buxton Village Hall, in Buxton. for further details contact: info@buxtonphotographicclub.co.uk or contact John on 07526777962. Full details of program can be found here: www.buxtonphotographicclub.co.uk
THE NEEDLES - At Broadland Youth & Community Centre Hoveton on Tuesday’s 10-4pm. If you stitch knit, crochet, patchwork, do dressmaking and would like help with zips, hems, casting on or can help others,? Come along and share your skills and tips or learn something new and let’s have some fun and chat. For more information contact Margaret on 07503 902963.
Community Events & What’s On...
You can use this page to send your FREE message to 8,000 households and businesses!
STALHAM COMMUNITY GYM continues to provide a fabulous, friendly and affordable gym facility for the people of Stalham and surrounding areas. We still have the same moto “health and well-being for all”. The fully equipped, air-conditioned gym is based at The Poppy Centre, Recreation Road, Stalham, NR12 9BH. Our qualified Instructors can provide you with a programme designed for you individually whatever your needs and abilities. We support Yoga classes on Friday mornings and members are entitled to a discounted fee for these classes.
Our opening times are Monday 8am to midday (Box fit with Ric at 11am to 1130am). Wednesday 9am to midday. Thursday 8am to midday with Helen. (Circuit Class at 10 am). Friday 8am to midday and Sunday 9am to 11am.
We are also open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings between 6pm and 8pm with Instructor Paul.
Membership fees are £25 per month adult, £15 pm under 18’s. Concessions are available. Or, you can Pay As You Go at £5 per session. Telephone Helen between 9am and 6pm on 07716 811696 for more information. Alternatively, contact us on the gym mobile 07547 321874 during opening hours or email stalhamcommunitygym@gmail.com and we will get back to you. Find us on Facebook Stalham Community Gym, Next Door Stalham or www.stalhamcommunitygym.org.uk
We provide a safe, friendly, supportive environment for all members of the local community and surrounding areas and look forward to welcoming new and existing members.
222 (BROADLANDS) SQUADRON RAFAC - We are a youth organisation sponsored by the RAF. We meet on Monday and Friday evenings at Broadland High Ormiston Academy and get up to everything from flying and shooting, to sport and adventure activities. If you are at least 12 years-old and in Year 8 at school come along and find out for yourself if being an Air Cadet is for you. Get in touch via our website (www.222-atc.org.uk) to arrange a taster visit to Squadron.
HOVETON FARMERS & PRODUCERS MARKET
The Hoveton Farmers and Producers Market is held every 4th Saturday of each month at Hoveton Village Hall. A range of local produce is available including Meats, Bread, Cakes, Pies, Pastries, Cheese, Eggs, Preserves, Alcoholic Beverages, Garden Plants and Cut Flowers. There are also stalls selling Handcrafted Gifts. Hoveton Village Hall, Stalham Road, Hoveton, NR12 8DU.
TUNSTEAD MAHJONG GROUP is a small, friendly and informal group of ladies and men who meet to play Mahjong once a week, on a Friday morning from 10.00am until 1.00pm. At a members home in Tunstead. We are a mixed ability group who would welc ome both those who have played before and total beginners, the latter of whom we are happy to teach. Mahjong is a game played with tiles. The object of the game is to collect sets of particular tiles rather like the card game Rummy. If you enjoy games such as bridge, chess or playing cards, then you might like to join us. If you are interested to play or you would just like to come along and see the game in progress, please telephone Carol on 01603 929368 or email carol_hodgkiss@hotmail.com
STALHAM & DISTRICT BRANCH, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Meet every third Thursday at 1230 in the Swan public house in Stalham High street We are currently looking for new committee members If you are interested in a position please come along to a meeting of contact Robert Glenister email robert.glenister@yahoo.com or via our Facebook page facebook.com/stalhamroyalbritishlegion You will receive a very friendly welcome!
HORNING BRIDGE CLUB at the Village Hall on Monday evenings 6.30-10 pm and at Hoveton Youth & Community Centre on Thursday afternoons. For further information telephone Sue Howes: 07799 777862
NEATISHEAD BRIDGE CLUB at Neatishead Village Hall every Friday Morning 10-1pm. For further information telephone Sue Howes: 07799 777862
WROXHAM, HOVETON AND BELAUGH VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY CARS: Transport to Medical Appointments Charity No. 1044332
We have a team of volunteer drivers who are prepared to take anyone in need of transport to a medical appointment e.g doctors, dentists, opticians, hospitals. The areas we cover are for people registered at Hoveton/Wroxham Medical Practice, e.g. Salhouse, Rackheath, Horning, Tunstead, so if you live in any of these surrounding villages, you will be able to use our service. We also take patients registered at The Coltishall Surgery who live in the Wroxham/Hoveton area. We do make a nominal charge, depending on the distance, to cover the drivers’ running costs. We do have wheelchairs available but you must have sufficient mobility to get in and out of the car as none of our vehicles are wheelchair accessible. For further details with regards to booking a car, please phone: 01603 784 455
Community Events & What’s On...
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Regular Events
WROXHAM FOLK DANCE CLUB meets on Friday evening 7.30pm in the Church Hall, Norwich Road, Wroxham, NR12 8SA. Not done this before? No problem instructions given. Cost £3 per session. All welcome. Contact Rod on 01603 897299.
HORNING & DISTRICT LADIES LUNCH CLUB
Always happy to welcome new members. We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month (between October and June) at the Old Rectory Hotel in Crostwick. We enjoy a delicious 2 course meal, followed by Tea or Coffee, and, to complete the afternoon, we have a different guest speaker each month.
You do NOT have to live in Horning, in order to join us. It is essential that lunch is booked in advance, to do this or, if you require any further information. Please contact Tricia Elson on 07931 301606 or, e mail her at, ladieslunchclub@btinternet.com
HOVETON AND DISTRICT W.I. - Our monthly meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each month 2.00pm - 4.00p.m. at Broadland Youth and Community Centre, Stalham Road Hoveton. We have recently added a tea and chat session on every other Wednesday afternoon at the same venue and at the same time although you are not obliged to stay for the whole session. This has proved extremely popular with our members as a chance to get together and create friendships. For further information please telephone Sue on 01603 783387 or come along to either the monthly meeting or the tea and chat session. You will be sure to get a warm welcome.
FREE EAR CHECKS - WEEKLY EAR CLINIC every Monday afternoon 2-6pm and Tuesday morning 8.30am-12pm at Bure Valley Osteopaths in Aylsham. No appointment required, drop in service. Ages 12 years and upwards. If you are struggling to get seen for ear related problems, we can check your ears and advise and signpost you to the right service or treatment you might need. If you are due your hearing test, why not pop along and see us first to save a wasted appointment if your ears are blocked. If you are going on holiday, especially if you are flying, then come along and get your ears checked to avoid any discomfort on the plane, or problems on your holiday. For more information, contact Stephanie on 01603 278246 or 07385 585729.
See the Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club details opposite on page 53...
WROXHAM AND HOVETON
LIONS CLUB
The change from Summer to Autumn has, I think, been very noticeable this year, but it has not stopped our Lions Club and its activities.
This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the Club’s founding and some of the founders are occupying important positions in the Club. Lion Dennis Moxon is our President, with Lions Mike Barker and Jim Lenaham as Honorary Vice Presidents. There have been many changes to our Club during this time. Our numbers have declined for various reasons, from about forty members in 1975 to fifteen today. So, let me ask you, dear reader, if you have some spare time during the month, enjoy meeting people, care about your community and would like to do something positive to help? Please consider becoming a member of one of the largest service organisations in the world. We will not make our Centenary without volunteers, and although none of the present members will be around to see the one
hundredth year anniversary (sorry folks!), we do enjoy our fellowship and seeing the results of our fundraising go to good causes, both locally and internationally. Look us up at www.wroxhamandhoveton lions.org. Lions Clubs International has already made a donation towards the relief of the survivors of the Jamaican Hurricane. The good thing is that the money goes directly to help those in need.
But back to local matters. We held another of our Craft Fairs at Hoveton Village Hall on Sunday 14th September, which was well supported by stall holders as well as the public. There was a wide range of crafts on display, from knitted clothes to handmade greetings cards. The next one will be held on 23rd of this month, don’t miss this one! The Club held a traditional Jumble Sale at Broadland Community Centre in Hoveton on Sunday 26th October, which I am pleased to report was a great success. We hope to hold another one soon.
One activity that our Club takes part in is Lions Roar. This is a national competition for schools which asks pupils to design and build a
prototype of a device to improve the lives of all. In our area, Rackheath School and Coltishall Primary Schools are enthusiastic participants and the creativity of some of the children’s ideas are really very good. We have seen machines to sort litter for recycling to a coat for all seasons, made of recycled materials. It also brings the Lions Clubs to the attention of potential members.
As we approach Christmas, our Santas Sleigh will be making appearances during December at various locations, including Lidl in North Walsham, Morrisons in Cromer (three times), twice at Tesco in Stalham, and three appointments at Roys of Wroxham. The month of December is one of our busiest and we are very grateful for the support the public gives us. Keep your eyes peeled for the Sleigh, it is all lit up and there is seasonal music playing, so you cannot miss us. Children can have a picture with Santa, if desired.
Thank you for reading this article, I hope you enjoyed it.
Lion Derick Bowler, PR OfficerWroxham & Hoveton Lions Club
HORNING AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY (HATS)
Rehearsals are underway for the annual pantomime ‘Snow White and the Timber Troopers’ by Paul Corfield.
A modern twist on the tale of Snow White. Her Magic Locket keeps her safe from danger; she is lucky to have a Fairy Godmother, a handsome Prince and the Timber Troopers to protect her from the 'evil' Queen.
Performance dates are Thursday 15th January 2026 (evening show at 7.30 pm), Friday 16th January 2026 (evening show at 7.30 pm), Saturday 17th January 2026 (evening show at 5.30 pm) and Sunday 18th January 2026 (matinee show at 2.30 pm) and will take place at the Village Hall in Horning, Norfolk NR12 8LF
Tickets are priced £8 for adults or £4 for children.
Seats may be booked by calling Christine on 07579 786223 or email christinecharles170@gmail.com
Alternatively, in person at Tidings Newsagents in Horning or at Abbotts Countrywide Estate Agents in Hoveton
WHB TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Thursday 20th November saw our AGM at The Hub in Wroxham, a little bit of business but also a social occasion to chat, drink wine and view a photo show of our French adventures this year. As usual, we are organising a PostChristmas Dinner, provisionally on 24th January at the Hotel Wroxham again, another social occasion for members to get together. We are still waiting to hear from our French Twinning friends of La Pommeraye and Montjean-surLoire about their preferred dates to visit us here next year, usually August but not definitely as yet. We will let members know as soon as we hear.
In November for Book Club we discussed “The Binding” by Bridget Collins, chosen by Christine. Pat can supply more information on pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com or 07879 454052
For more information generally, please contact our chairperson, Liz, on powellea@btinternet.com or 07484 897754
At our recent Business meeting we approved a series of donations, mainly to local charities, including: the Norwich Foodbank £500, Vision Norfolk £500, Nicky’s Foundation £500, Medical Dogs £250, New Beginnings £500, Nancy Oldfield Trust £500, End Polio Now £600 and Rotary Foundation £1000, a total of £4350. December means we will be starting our Christmas collection, taking Santa around on his sleigh December to join us. We will be in Sprowston on 2nd, 4th and 9th December, Spixworth on 10th and 11th. Wroxham on 16th and Horning on 17th. We will also be outside Tesco, Stalham on 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Santa is looking forward to seeing as many youngsters as
possible!
Our regular Monday evening meetings continue with outside visits, business meetings at Wroxham Barns and a varied and interesting programme of speaker meetings, also at Wroxham Barns. Please let us know if you fancy coming along. You can also support us and the many local and international charities we donate to, through the Broadland Council Lottery Scheme – simply go on line at www.communityatheartlottery.c om and sign up, selecting Wroxham Bure Valley Rotary Club as your chosen cause – or you can support us directly by visiting our page on the www.totalgiving.co.uk web site. If you fancy joining us for a vibrant, sociable, active, and fun club experience, please contact our president, Chris Billing, on 07555 171574.
BROADLAND MODEL RAILWAY CLUB
The Christmas season is almost on us and the work on the Christmas project “Snowy Pines” is virtually complete, there are latest photos on our website and the Team Leader, Laurie, has created a video of the whole thing set to seasonal music. It’s well worth a look, here’s a link to his YouTube site: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?
v=fxoRYxbcysc. The planned exhibition of this layout is on Friday November 28th as part of the Stalham Christmas Lights Switch On event, 4:00pm to 7:00pm and you can find us inside the Coop Funeral Office on the High Street. We hope you can come and visit us.
In the workshop, we are busy with updates and construction on a number of our layouts, next year’s exhibition season will be on us before we know it and there is a lot to do to get ready. The latest updates to all the layouts are on the website and the exhibition calendar is starting to fill up already, please
check it out as it is constantly under review.
We all enjoy the camaraderie during our sessions every week, sharing information and help where needed. We are very fortunate in having 24/7 access to our club rooms and a number of us also take advantage of this during the daytime, often splitting the day’s modelling activities with lunch in the Swan Inn in Stalham. It’s why we have the club so if you are interested in joining us and getting involved, full contact information is on the website:
https:// broadlandmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/
THE
‘GREAT LITTLE BOOK’
This is a short message of gratitude; in a busy digital world where information comes at us quicker and quicker, we’ve noticed an upward trend of appreciation for ‘The Great Little Book’.
Retaining a degree of modesty, it’s not us, the magazine publishers describing this publication as ‘The Great Little Book’ - (much) more importantly, those comments come from readers who value what we do. We welcome such powerful feedback * Thank You! *
Example:
Unsolicited, and out-of-the-blue, local resident Jonathan Hogben from Coltishall kindly emailed a poem entitled ‘The Great Little Book’ (see page 38 of this edition). We were chuffed to receive it, and think is absolutely superb! So good, having published it in the last edition, we’ve shared it again.
Regular Features, Puzzles, quizzes, Community Events & thriving local business services - after nearly two decades (we’ll celebrate the ‘Big 20’ with you next July btw), you can be assured we’ll do all we can to remain ‘at the heart of our community’. Thanks once again...
Jordan Southgate receives his commemorative shirt from Chairman James Blower along with some action shots from recent games
WROXHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
What a season The Yachtsmen are having!
Even following a 2-3 home defeat to Brightlingsea Regent we are still in 4th place. Sixten games into the season and we have won 9 Drawn 3 & lost 4 scoring 28 goals and conceding 19. This is a far cry from this time last season where we had not even moved into double figures points wise, all the more remarkable as we are surrounded by teams whose budgets dwarf ours, Maldon & Tiptree being a perfect example and whose FA Cup exploits you may have watched recently on national TV. If this form is maintained, we could find ourselves in the play-off places come the season’s end. This would be the highest level the club has played at in it’s history. Congratulations too, to our Manager, Jordan Southgate who celebrated his 300th game in charge in October, celebrating with a fine 2-0 win over Witham Town.. We are also 7th out of 22 in the table for average attendances at 256. Towns like Lowestoft, Felixstowe. Newmarket, Maldon & Cambridge City are above us. This again provides an admirable per-
spective for a ‘small’ club like Wroxham and its precarious finances. However, this level of progress does not happen by itself and its thanks to the dedication of all our volunteers from the Chairman downwards that we find ourselves in such fine fettle on the pitch! The football is great, so is the food and drink, all in a friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome. Why not come along and see for yourself at one of the games below?
Sat 22 Nov Home
Takeley
Isthmian North 3.00pm
Sat 6 Dec Home
Newmarket Town
Isthmian North 3.00pm
Sat 20 Dec Home
Cambridge City
Isthmian North 3.00pm
Sat 3 Jan Home
Lowestoft Town
Isthmian North 3.00pm
Womack Herons is a friendly group of retirees sharing friendship and fun; Why not come and join us? We have a year-round programme of get-togethers, all within easy reach of Norwich, including meals out, bowling, walks, talks and visits – see www.womackherons.org.uk for 2026 programme and Club details. To book or for enquiries contact Tricia@womackherons.org.uk
Activities for December and January are: Weds 3rd December: Walk to see the Seals then lunch at the Fishermans Return, Winterton, 12.30pm. Book by 25th November. January 2026: Ten-pin Bowling, 11am at Rossi’s, North Walsham followed by 1pm lunch at The Goat, Skeyton. See website for date. Pre-booking required.
4. Saint Petersburg
· Wroxham · Hoveton
Horning
Badersfield
Coltishall
Horstead
Stalham
Stalham
Sutton
Tunstead
Frettenham
Scottow
Belaugh
Sco
Ashmanhaugh · Smallburgh · Sloley · Buxton
Great Value Advertising!
For fees & sizes see inside rear cover or: www.wacbook.co.uk
Inclusion Deadline for Feb/March 26 edition is 14th Jan 2026
Welcome…
With the festive season fast approaching we have lots of helpful articles that will hopefully give you lots of inspiration. Ideas for your home including home & interiors, beauty, health, pet, gardening & motoring articles. As always, there are lots of interesting local club and events in our ‘What’s On & Community Events’ plus the usual puzzles and quizzes you come to expect.
You’ll find lots of thriving local business services inside our glossy magazine. Remember, behind local businesses are real people many of whom live in and around the eighteen villages in our magazine distribution area. Our local economy relies on us all supporting each other, and when we do, it makes such a positive difference!
We wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable festive season and we hope you have a happy, healthy year ahead in 2026!
Tracey
@BroadlandMediaLtd
44 - Gardening; Evergreen Appeal
45 - Did you Know?
46 - Motoring; Renault 4 Electric
48 - History; Where Is The Seymour Tower?
50 - Community Events & What’s On (to page 52)
52 - Children’s Puzzle Page Answers
53 - Local Reports (to page 57)
57 - Wroxham FC
58 - Join ‘The WAC Book’
To contact us: tracey@wacbook.co.uk
@TraceyWACBook
@BroadlandMediaLtd
Tracey De-Abreu
What’s Inside… Page: 14 - Recipé; Boxing Day Biryani 20 - Beauty; Cheap Tricks 22 - Health; The Ultimate Healthy Guest List 26 - Health; Rise & Shine 28 - Children’s Puzzle Page; Christmas Wordsearch 29 - Wordsearch; Christmas 30 - Puzzle Page; Sudoku, Quiz, Pictogram & Two -Minute Trial 31 - Recipé; Mince Pie Toastie 32 - Celebrities; Claudia Winkle Man-Enjoying Prime Time
- Home Interiors; Comfort & Joy 38 - Poem; The Great Little Book Written by Jonathan Hogben
59 - Quiz Answers
59 - Jokes
60 - Business Card Section
62 - Advert sizes & fees
62 - Index
This magazine is one of 8,000 copies delivered to residents & businesses in: Wroxham, Hoveton, Horning, Badersfield, Coltishall, Horstead, Stalham, Stalham Green, Sutton, Tunstead, Frettenham, Scottow, Belaugh, Sco Ruston, Ashmanhaugh, Smallburgh, Sloley & Buxton.
