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Inclusion Deadline for April/May 26 edition is 11th March 2026
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@TraceyWACBook
@BroadlandMediaLtd
Tracey De-Abreu
Welcome… to the latest edition of THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK
Ah, ‘February & March’ - the last month of Winter and the first month of Spring!
Here’s hoping 2026 will be uplifting for us all. There are lots of notable diary dates over the coming period: we’ve got Valentine’s Day on Feb 14th, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) on Feb 17th, St David’s Day on March 1st, Day St Patrick’s Day on March 17th, Mother's Day on March 15th. British Summer Time starts on Sunday March 29th.
Plenty to focus on then!
As usual, inside this magazine you’ll find lots of puzzles and quizzes as well as thriving local services. There are regular features too; our celebrity in this edition is TV’s Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick – we hope you enjoy reading about him.
Thank you for ‘buying local’; remember, when you use the fabulous businesses displayed in this publication you are directly contributing to our local economy!
Enjoy February & March!...
Tracey
@BroadlandMediaLtd
What’s Inside…
Page:
20 - Beauty; Glow On Gorgeous 22 - Gifts; The Gift Of Love
37 - Recipé; Roast Lamb with Stem Ginger Plums & Port
38 - Home Interiors; Treat Your Self To Timber
46 - Gardening; Go Wild In The Garden
47 - Did you Know?
48 - Motoring; Before You Buy
50 - Community Events & What’s On (to page 52)
52 - Children’s Puzzle Page Answers
53 - History; RAF Coltishall Another Claim To Fame
54 - Local Reports (to page 57)
55 - Jokes
57 - Wroxham FC
58 - Join ‘The WAC Book’
59 - Quiz Answers
60 - Business Card Section
62 - Advert sizes & fees
62 - Index
This magazine is one of 8,500 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.
WROXHAM AND HOVETON LIONS
CLUB
I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. As I write this, the weather is very cold, so I hope that you are safe and warm, that the roads are gritted sufficiently for you to drive safely (if you do), and that a thaw will come quickly!
Now, a message from this year’s Club President, Past District Governor Lion Dennis Moxon. This year Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club reaches, not one, but two major milestones. Firstly, the Club itself celebrates its 50th Anniversary, but as well as that 2025 is also the 25th Anniversary of the Lions Charity Shop, located in the Riverside Precinct in Hoveton.
Lions Clubs were started in Chicago in 1917, when local businessman Melvin Jones and like-minded colleagues got together to help their community and today it is the largest service organisation in the world with over 1,4million members in 210 countries. In Briton there are some 600 clubs with 10,000 members, each club serving the individual need of its own community
Formed in 1975, the Club is a registered charity and part of the International Association of Lions Clubs. Over the years Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club has covered the parishes of Wroxham, Hoveton, Horning, Salhouse, Rackheath, Horstead, Coltishall, Ashmanaugh, Tunstead and Neatishead. However, in recent years, following the closure of the Lions clubs in Stalham, North Walsham and Sheringham & Cromer, the service area has expanded.
Through the hard work and dedicated service of its members, both past and present, and the generosity of the public, the Club has, over the years, been able to raise monies to support deserving caused and those less fortunate in our community. Although primarily supporting local causes, additionally, through donations to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, the
charity arm of Lions Clubs International, it has been able to contribute to the various overseas projects. These include Disaster Relief, Childhood Cancer Support, Diabetes Prevention, Helping avoidable Blindness, Humanitarian & Hunger, prevention as well as supporting Young people.
By checking back through records, the Club has calculated that it has donated in excess of £1.65 million during its 50 years existence.
All Lions are ordinary men and women who give up their time voluntarily to help others. There are no paid executives, so every penny which is donated at fundraising events, after unavoidable costs, goes towards helping others.
At the present time the Club has 15 members and the main fund-raising activities including the annual Hoveton Village Charity Fete, Santa Sleigh, Mobile Tombola, regular Craft Fairs and of course the Charity Shop, more of which below.
The Club have undertaken many fundraising activities since its formation. For many years an annual firework display was held on Cain Meadow in Wroxham and numerous Precinct sales and tombolas, have also figured, as has the Trosh at Tunstead.
In 2008 the Club held its first Charity Motor Show & Family Fun Day at the Norwich Rugby Club. This grew rapidly and this resulted in its move to the Norfolk Showground, where it ran until 2016. During this time, it raised many thousands of pounds which were donated to the Air Ambulance and other charities. The annual Hoveton Village Charity Fete has now taken its place and continues to provide a fun day out for all the family.
One of the Club’s most popular activities is the Santa Sleigh, which during December, visits the main villages in our area as well as supermarkets in Wroxham, Stalham and North Walsham.
The Charity Shop opened in the old Post Office premises in the precinct in 2000 and since that time it has
been the main source of income. Due to the hard work of the staff and volunteers over the years, the shop has gone from strength to strength. Selling a wide variety of good quality items including ladies and men’s clothes, shoes, books, DVDs, records, Bric-a-Brac and children’s toys, we are grateful for the generosity of the local community in donating their unwanted items to us.
Over the years we have supported countless charities and deserving causes, with donations towards both large and small. Support has ranged from toys for a children’s play group to the purchase in 2016, of the Sea Palling inshore lifeboat, which was named “Lion Ros Clipston”, in memory of one of our late members.
The Club holds business meetings twice a month – one face to face, the other via Zoom, but it is not all work or business. A Social meeting is also held on the 3rd Tuesday, where members can relax, with games, quizzes etc.
Lions work hard raising money, but have fun, doing it! At our social meetings, activities include darts, indoor bowls, pétanque (depending in the weather) and quizzes.
The Club is always on the look-out for new members, so if you have some spare time and would like to do something to help the local community, why not get in touch. Just visit our web site at www.wroxhamandhovetonlions.org and send us a message.
That’s all for this month, stay well.
Derick Bowler
PR Officer
Wroxham and Hoveton Lions Club CIO
· Crib Club (Cribbage card game) – new players welcomeThursday 12th February, 2.004:00pm. Please bring your own board and cards if you have them.
· Scrabble Club Usually last Thursday of each month from 2.004.00pm. Next session Thursday 26th February. All welcome.
BROADLAND MODEL RAILWAY CLUB
Happy New Year to all our friends and followers. We hope the new year will see us continue to grow and to exhibit more of our efforts in creating model railways.
Below are some of the events and services we offer but see our Facebook page or call the library on 01603 782560.
· NEW Build confidence to manage your money online. Free, one-to-one support available. Find out about: online banking; budgeting and saving money; spending money online; online safety and security. Sessions available Tuesday 12-1pm and Thursdays 1011am. Please contact the library to book a session.
· Thinking of starting up or growing your own business? As a local Business and IP Centre, we have free access to a wide range of business resources at Wroxham library. Find out more at:www.norfolk.gov.uk/bipcnorfolk
· Our Bounce and Rhyme sessions take place on Wednesday at 10.30am. No need to book just drop in and sing along!
· NEW Digital Help. Thursdays 11-1am during term times. Free, one-to-one support available. Perfect for beginners and those ready to take the next step. Please contact the library to book a session.
· Just a Cuppa, every Tuesday 10.00 – 12pm. Come along for a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.
· Toys We have a selection of toys and games that can be played with in the library, from Duplo, and counting games, to jigsaws. Look in our folder to see what is available.
· Family History – Use our free access to Find My Past any time the library is open. Drop-in on Wednesday and Friday evenings between 4.00pm and 6.00pm to get advice from Diane, our family and local history expert. Please ring the library ahead to confirm availability.
Use our self-service Baby Weigh Scales on request. Housebound Library Service If you are unable to get out to the library to get your library books, we can bring them to you! Details from the library.
We are fortunate in we have potential new members applying to join, they are always welcome as it provides new ideas and experience and widens our capabilities. The various teams are very busy with updates and construction on a number of our layouts and we are looking at some ideas for new layouts. Our challenge as always is finding room for them but with some carefully juggling of the space and learning how to work with layouts which are partly stored away, we are coping quite well. As ever, you can follow our progress via the website, each layout has its own page and we update this formally after every quarterly meeting. We also have an active Facebook page where more frequent updates are posted - www.facebook.com/ BroadlandMRC/ and we welcome followers to this.
· Autism Social Group Come to a friendly social group for a cuppa and a chat. No need to book, all welcome. First Wednesday of every month 1-3pm.
· Crafting 10.30 -3.30 pm on alternate Saturdays (staff dependent). Aimed at children aged 5 -11 (under 8s require supervision).
· Knit and Natter – not just for knitters! Bring your embroidery, textile, or crochet project along to our informal gathering. 5th and 19th February, 2.00 – 4.00pm.
Our normal opening hours are below, though please check for updates on our Facebook and Webpages. We have further extended our opening hours with the Open Library service – contact the library for more information.
· Monday: Closed
· Tuesday: 10 - 7
· Wednesday: 10- 7
· Thursday: 10-7
· Friday: 10-7
· Saturday: 10- 4
Sunday: Closed
Our exhibition calendar is already growing, please check it out on the website as it is constantly under review. Do please note that we are open to invites from other exhibitions to display our layouts, contact details are on the exhibition page.
We are very fortunate in having 24/7 access to our club rooms something few other clubs have and a number of us take advantage to work in a group or alone outside our regular sessions on a Tuesday and Friday evenings. A regular group meet on Mondays, splitting the day’s modelling activities with lunch in the Swan Inn in Stalham, a very enjoyable day with good friends.
As always if you are interested in joining us and getting involved, full contact info is on the website: https:// broadlandmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/
Peter May and in January excess of £3000, and we will short-
Celebrate the most romantic night of the year in truly beautiful surroundings at our Valentine’s Ball at the stunning Barnham Broom Hotel on Saturday 14th February 2026.
This elegant evening is designed for single ladies and gentlemen who would love the chance to meet someone special. Enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere where romance can blossom naturally.
Your night will include:
✨ A delicious three-course dinner with wine
✨ A stylish, romantic setting
✨ The opportunity to meet attractive, like-minded singles
✨ Dancing until midnight
Life doesn’t happen sitting at home. Sometimes the best moments come from being proactive and stepping just a little outside your
comfort zone. The person of your dreams could be waiting at this very event.
Whether you are single, divorced, or widowed, come and treat yourself to a magical evening filled with laughter, connection, and possibility.
Tickets are limited, so book early
before they sell out. Take a chance. Try something new. Join us at this beautiful new venue on the most romantic night of the year.
Please call Eleanor on 01449 722800 / 07771 884429
www.acrosstheroom.co.uk
EAST ANGLIA’S
CHILDREN’S HOSPICES
“I enjoy being at one with nature, taking care of plants and watching them grow. However, the main thing I love is doing something that helps others” – greenfingered Julia is passionate about EACH’s Help at Home service
A green-fingered charity volunteer says she loves combining her passion for gardening with helping others.
Julia Dalton is part of the Help at Home service run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Volunteers are matched with a family so they can provide vital practical support with chores like cooking, cleaning, shopping, decorating, dog-walking and DIY.
In Julia’s case, she helps a family tend to their garden and spares two or three hours a week. “I feel very lucky to be helping others, while doing something I genuinely enjoy and am passionate about,” said Julia, who retired in 2021.
“When I signed up, I said I was particularly interested in gardening, because that’s my background and what I did in my previous job.
“I was matched with a family who only wanted a gardener, and didn’t need any help in the house, so it was perfect.
“I go once a week and it's generally for two or three hours, although sometimes more depending on what I’m doing.
“It's great and I love it.
“For one thing, I like being outside. I’d been a full-time gardener beforehand and it was something I missed.
“However, the main thing I love is doing something that helps others.
“It means they don’t have to worry and I can keep their garden tidy, looking after the flower beds and pruning when necessary.
“It’s more a case of little things than big projects – some weeding here and there, keeping the path clear and taking things to the tip.”
Julia decided to start volunteering this time last year and completed some initial training with EACH Volunteer Co-ordinator Anne Rayner.
She was then matched with her family and started volunteering in the Spring.
“The irony is that I first came across it by accident, because I was looking on Indeed for part-time jobs,” said Julia.
“That's where I saw an advert for a part-time gardener at The Nook.
“I thought ‘oh, that's interesting’ and got in touch, which is what led to me joining the Help at Home service.
“It’s not something I’d heard of previously but I’m so glad to be part of it now.
“The first year has gone so quickly and it’s definitely something I plan to continue. I certainly don’t have any plans to stop.
“You get to build a relationship with the family, which is lovely and rewarding.
“It’s nice to feel you're helping and making a difference.
“Sometimes it doesn’t always feel like much, but they’re always very appreciative.
“I’d definitely recommend it to others.”
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions.
In addition to The Nook, it has two other hospices – The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge.
For more information about the service, contact Anne at anne.rayner@each.org.uk or on 07771 275320
Celebrate the most romantic night of the year in truly beautiful surroundings at our Valentine’s Ball at the stunning Barnham Broom Hotel on Saturday 14th February 2026.
This elegant evening is designed for single ladies and gentlemen who would love the chance to meet someone special. Enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere where romance can blossom naturally. Your night will include:
✨ A delicious three-course dinner with wine
✨ A stylish, romantic setting
✨ The opportunity to meet attractive, like-minded singles
✨ Dancing until midnight
Life doesn’t happen sitting at home. Sometimes the best moments come from being proactive and stepping just a little outside your
comfort zone. The person of your dreams could be waiting at this very event.
Whether you are single, divorced, or widowed, come and treat yourself to a magical evening filled with laughter, connection, and possibility.
Tickets are limited, so book early
before
. Take a chance.
DID YOU KNOW?
By Chris Weston
1. To legally remove a crab from the sea, it must be a minimum of 4 & 1/2 inches in length.
2. Blood Hill is a wind farm near Hemsby.
3. Smallburgh parish church featured in the Dr. Who film Time of Zygon.
4. Around 815,000 speeding tickets are issued a year, raking in more than £135 million.
5. In the 1700's, the Marquess of Townshend's Farmhouse in Morston was built. Today, this is Morston Hall Hotel.
6. The signal box at Beach Station in Cromer is Grade II Listed.
Thank you Chris!
WROXHAM TABLE TENNIS CLUB
Wroxham table tennis club was established over 50 years ago.
It is a warm and welcoming club based in Hoveton in the Broadland Youth and Community Centre on Stalham Rd adjacent to Hoveton village hall.
The club caters for all level of players. We have ladies that come for a "bat and chat', league players that practice but are also really keen to help everyone develop if they wish. We even have holiday makers that turn up annually to catch up with the regulars and have a game or two.
Our regular club night is a two hour session on a Thursday from 19:30 to 21:30. We socialise with teas and coffees during the evening.
New potential members' first session is free as we would like folk to come and have a look, meet us and play with us. Kind of get a feel of the club without any cost. For anyone just curious and not got a bat you are welcome to use one of ours
We already have a table tennis England level 1 coach and another member booked in to qualify. This means we have the correct DBS to assure parents of our younger players.
Parents are most welcome to come and watch their children in the session.
We have recently been awarded a grant from Sport England and the National Lottery. We have used this to buy new tables and screens.
We are also able to facilitate some open days where anyone can drop in and see what makes us tick and try out the sport.
Call John 07879 073835 or Steve 07714 295032 for the next event date and time.
We look forward to seeing folk give these offers a go and experience one of the most enjoyable sports of them all in the beautiful village of Hoveton.
Dave. Club secretary.
07473 847880
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 with Wednesday 8am 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 £6 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...
You can use this page to send your
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.
RAF COLTISHALL - ANOTHER CLAIM TO FAME !
By Chris Weston
Since RAF Coltishall closed in April 2006 as an active base, numerous ways of preserving it in some way, have been suggested. Unlike its counterparts at Watton, which was of similar size to Coltishall but wiped out in favour of new housing - Coltishall has remained almost intact. Like the railways who now control local signalling from Colchester and the Coastguards operating this area from the Humber, who would control Norfolk’s air space if the only remaining operational RAF base at Marham closed?
Coltishall’s 66-year aviation life made history in numerous ways, including Douglas Bader being one of its pilots, visits by overseas aircraft, public open days, air shows and much more. But the base’s after-life claim of having been the only surviving Battle of Britain base at closure, still lives on in the memories of aviation enthusiasts, former serving personnel and the public.
The phrase ‘you learn something new every day’ is very true and only a few days ago, I learned something new about RAF Coltishall, despite my continuing connection with the base in its current format.
It seems the Battle of Britain actually began not only in Norfolk, but at Coltishall! At 4.40 a.m. on Weds
10th July 1940, three Spitfires from No 66 Squadron flew out and soon found a German Dornier bomber, in their sights.
The encounter with it unfortunately caused one Spitfire to suffer damage and return to base. The others pursued the bomber, before shooting it down over the sea. An attack involving several planes and 18 bombs was subsequently launched on RAF Martlesham near Ipswich, but with minimal damage and no casualties.
The following year, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston suffered, through continuous hostilities on 7th & 8th April 1941. Those raids destroyed more property than any other in the war, over the whole of East Anglia.
The Battle of Britain raged on, finally ending three months later on Thursday 31 October 1940. But its initiation from Coltishall became yet another ‘First for Norfolk’, amongst other noted achievements by inventors, sailors, industrial events and more.
Below are some of the events and services we offer but see our Facebook page or call the library on 01603 782560.
· NEW Build confidence to manage your money online. Free, one-to-one support available. Find out about: online banking; budgeting and saving money; spending money online; online safety and security. Sessions available Tuesday 12-1pm and Thursdays 1011am. Please contact the library to book a session.
· NEW Digital Help. Thursdays 11-1am during term times. Free, one-to-one support available. Perfect for beginners and those ready to take the next step. Please contact the library to book a session.
· Just a Cuppa, every Tuesday 10.00 – 12pm. Come along for a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.
· Toys We have a selection of toys and games that can be played with in the library, from Duplo, and counting games, to jigsaws. Look in our folder to see what is available.
· Autism Social Group Come to a friendly social group for a cuppa and a chat. No need to book, all welcome. First Wednesday of every month 1-3pm.
· Crafting 10.30 -3.30 pm on alternate Saturdays (staff dependent). Aimed at children aged 5 -11 (under 8s require supervision).
· Knit and Natter – not just for knitters! Bring your embroidery, textile, or crochet project along to our informal gathering. 5th and 19th February, 2.00 – 4.00pm.
· Crib Club (Cribbage card game) – new players welcomeThursday 12th February, 2.004:00pm. Please bring your own board and cards if you have them.
· Scrabble Club Usually last Thursday of each month from 2.004.00pm. Next session Thursday 26th February. All welcome.
· Thinking of starting up or growing your own business? As a local Business and IP Centre, we have free access to a wide range of business resources at Wroxham library. Find out more at:www.norfolk.gov.uk/bipcnorfolk
· Our Bounce and Rhyme sessions take place on Wednesday at 10.30am. No need to book just drop in and sing along!
· Family History – Use our free access to Find My Past any time the library is open. Drop-in on Wednesday and Friday evenings between 4.00pm and 6.00pm to get advice from Diane, our family and local history expert. Please ring the library ahead to confirm availability.
Use our self-service Baby Weigh Scales on request.
Housebound Library Service If you are unable to get out to the library to get your library books, we can bring them to you! Details from the library.
Our normal opening hours are below, though please check for updates on our Facebook and Webpages. We have further extended our opening hours with the Open Library service – contact the library for more information.
· Monday: Closed
· Tuesday: 10 - 7
· Wednesday: 10- 7
· Thursday: 10-7
· Friday: 10-7
· Saturday: 10- 4
Sunday: Closed
BROADLAND MODEL RAILWAY CLUB
Happy New Year to all our friends and followers. We hope the new year will see us continue to grow and to exhibit more of our efforts in creating model railways.
We are fortunate in we have potential new members applying to join, they are always welcome as it provides new ideas and experience and widens our capabilities. The various teams are very busy with updates and construction on a number of our layouts and we are looking at some ideas for new layouts. Our challenge as always is finding room for them but with some carefully juggling of the space and learning how to work with layouts which are partly stored away, we are coping quite well. As ever, you can follow our progress via the website, each layout has its own page and we update this formally after every quarterly meeting. We also have an active Facebook page where more frequent updates are posted - www.facebook.com/ BroadlandMRC/ and we welcome followers to this.
Our exhibition calendar is already growing, please check it out on the website as it is constantly under review. Do please note that we are open to invites from other exhibitions to display our layouts, contact details are on the exhibition page.
We are very fortunate in having 24/7 access to our club rooms something few other clubs have and a number of us take advantage to work in a group or alone outside our regular sessions on a Tuesday and Friday evenings. A regular group meet on Mondays, splitting the day’s modelling activities with lunch in the Swan Inn in Stalham, a very enjoyable day with good friends.
As always if you are interested in joining us and getting involved, full contact info is on the website: https:// broadlandmodelrailwayclub.co.uk/
WHB TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Our post Christmas dinner took place on 24th January at the Hotel Wroxham and was greatly enjoyed again by 33 members; a delicious menu, warm welcome and great catch up with our twinning friends. Our committee met on 14th January and have started to organise the visit of our French visitors from La Pommeraye and Montjean-surLoire, 9th-15th August 2026. They have requested a visit to Cromer, which we are very happy to do and hopefully the weather will be fine for them to enjoy this lovely seaside town. A trip on the Broads has also been asked for, so we will be booking this as well as venues for our reception, games and picnic and dinner dance. Lots to keep us busy! A date for diaries also is Friday 24th July for pre-visit briefing and social evening. In December for Book Club we discussed “The Night Gate” by Peter May and in January
“Impossible Creatures” by Katherine Rundell, chosen by Mal and Hilary.
Pat can supply more information on pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com or 07879 454052
For more information generally, please contact our chairperson, Peter, on 01603 782733 or peter_c_milsted@talk21.com
We had a very successful Santa Christmas collection – a huge thank you to all those who generously supported us in Sprowston, Spixworth, Wroxham and Horning, and especially to Tesco in Stalham and all their generous customers. It was great to for Father Christmas to meet and chat to so many youngsters all keen to make sure he knew what they wanted from him for Christmas. We don’t quite yet have a final sum but we do know that the total collected was in excess of £3000, and we will short-
ly be making donations to our main recipient charities, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and our own international Rotary Foundation charity Our regular Monday evening meetings continue with outside visits, business meetings and a varied and interesting programme of speaker meetings, all 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.com 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.
WROXHAM AND HOVETON LIONS
CLUB
I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. As I write this, the weather is very cold, so I hope that you are safe and warm, that the roads are gritted sufficiently for you to drive safely (if you do), and that a thaw will come quickly! Now, a message from this year’s Club President, Past District Governor Lion Dennis Moxon. This year Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club reaches, not one, but two major milestones. Firstly, the Club itself celebrates its 50th Anniversary, but as well as that 2025 is also the 25th Anniversary of the Lions Charity Shop, located in the Riverside Precinct in Hoveton.
Lions Clubs were started in Chicago in 1917, when local businessman Melvin Jones and like-minded colleagues got together to help their community and today it is the largest service organisation in the world with over 1,4million members in 210 countries. In Briton there are some 600 clubs with 10,000 members, each club serving the individual need of its own community
Formed in 1975, the Club is a registered charity and part of the International Association of Lions Clubs. Over the years Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club has covered the parishes of Wroxham, Hoveton, Horning, Salhouse, Rackheath, Horstead, Coltishall, Ashmanaugh, Tunstead and Neatishead. However, in recent years, following the closure of the Lions clubs in Stalham, North Walsham and Sheringham & Cromer, the service area has expanded.
Through the hard work and dedicated service of its members, both past and present, and the generosity of the public, the Club has, over the years, been able to raise monies to support deserving caused and those less fortunate in our community. Although primarily supporting local causes, additionally, through donations to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, the
charity arm of Lions Clubs International, it has been able to contribute to the various overseas projects. These include Disaster Relief, Childhood Cancer Support, Diabetes Prevention, Helping avoidable Blindness, Humanitarian & Hunger, prevention as well as supporting Young people.
By checking back through records, the Club has calculated that it has donated in excess of £1.65 million during its 50 years existence.
All Lions are ordinary men and women who give up their time voluntarily to help others. There are no paid executives, so every penny which is donated at fundraising events, after unavoidable costs, goes towards helping others.
At the present time the Club has 15 members and the main fund-raising activities including the annual Hoveton Village Charity Fete, Santa Sleigh, Mobile Tombola, regular Craft Fairs and of course the Charity Shop, more of which below. The Club have undertaken many fundraising activities since its formation. For many years an annual firework display was held on Cain Meadow in Wroxham and numerous Precinct sales and tombolas, have also figured, as has the Trosh at Tunstead.
In 2008 the Club held its first Charity Motor Show & Family Fun Day at the Norwich Rugby Club. This grew rapidly and this resulted in its move to the Norfolk Showground, where it ran until 2016. During this time, it raised many thousands of pounds which were donated to the Air Ambulance and other charities. The annual Hoveton Village Charity Fete has now taken its place and continues to provide a fun day out for all the family.
One of the Club’s most popular activities is the Santa Sleigh, which during December, visits the main villages in our area as well as supermarkets in Wroxham, Stalham and North Walsham.
The Charity Shop opened in the old Post Office premises in the precinct in 2000 and since that time it has
been the main source of income. Due to the hard work of the staff and volunteers over the years, the shop has gone from strength to strength. Selling a wide variety of good quality items including ladies and men’s clothes, shoes, books, DVDs, records, Bric-a-Brac and children’s toys, we are grateful for the generosity of the local community in donating their unwanted items to us.
Over the years we have supported countless charities and deserving causes, with donations towards both large and small. Support has ranged from toys for a children’s play group to the purchase in 2016, of the Sea Palling inshore lifeboat, which was named “Lion Ros Clipston”, in memory of one of our late members.
The Club holds business meetings twice a month – one face to face, the other via Zoom, but it is not all work or business. A Social meeting is also held on the 3rd Tuesday, where members can relax, with games, quizzes etc.
Lions work hard raising money, but have fun, doing it! At our social meetings, activities include darts, indoor bowls, pétanque (depending in the weather) and quizzes.
The Club is always on the look-out for new members, so if you have some spare time and would like to do something to help the local community, why not get in touch. Just visit our web site at www.wroxhamandhovetonlions.org and send us a message.
That’s all for this month, stay well. Derick Bowler
PR Officer
Wroxham and Hoveton Lions Club
CIO
WROXHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
100% positive feedback for their behaviour on and around the pitch from their opponents and officials for the season thus far. All those involved, both parents and children, thoroughly deserve this recognition of their outstanding feat.
So, will this be a historical season for Wroxham Football Club? Come and join us at one of our 4 remaining home games at The Ginger Pickle Arena, Trafford Park, Wroxham NR12 8SJ. With our attendances averaging 273 there’s always an exciting and friendly buzz around the ground.
The solid form our first team continues, having won 2, drawn 3 and lost just one of our last 6 games. With our last two matches having succumbed to the Arctic weather we have dropped a place to 5th but are level on points with Bowers & Pitsea in 4th but have two games in hand on them. The end of season play-off places are 2nd to 5th so we remain on course to accomplish this amazing achievement. It will be a demanding run in, and no one is underestimating the size of the challenge over the next ten games. Whilst the primary purpose of this column is to update you on the performances of the men’s first team, the new year is an ideal time to tell you about the good things happening throughout the club and into 2026.
Our reserves are mirroring the first team by being in 5th place in the First Division North of The TNL and with up to 4 games in hand on some of the teams immediately around them. Our women’s team go one better by holding on to 4th place in the ERWFL Premier Division, just 3 points off second place. To complete this synopsis, our U/15’s are 9th, U/16’s 4th and our U/18’s, 11 points clear at the top of the TNL Youth league (East). Furthermore our 5 youngest teams, the U/8, 9,10 &11’s, have received
Sat 31 Jan Home
Concord Rangers KO 3pm
Sat 14 Feb H ome
Tilbury KO 3pm
Sat 28 Feb H ome
Redbridge KO 3pm
Sat 14 Mar Home
Felixstowe & Walton Utd KO 3pm
Sat 28th Mar Home
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 February and March are:
Weds 11th Feb: Meet at 7pm in Horning Village Hall for a takeaway Supper (or BYO) followed by a talk from Friends of Horsey Seals. Menu choice and payment needed by 3rd Feb.
Tues 3rd March: Tour of Norwich Cathedral and lunch at Zizzis. (details tbc – see website)
Thurs 26th March: Spring Supper at Wayford Bridge Inn at 6.30pm. Menu choices needed by 19th March.
Stanway Rovers KO 3pm
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Tracey De-Abreu
Welcome… to the latest edition of THE WROXHAM & COLTISHALL BOOK
Ah, ‘February & March’ - the last month of Winter and the first month of Spring!
Here’s hoping 2026 will be uplifting for us all. There are lots of notable diary dates over the coming period: we’ve got Valentine’s Day on Feb 14th, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) on Feb 17th, St David’s Day on March 1st, Day St Patrick’s Day on March 17th, Mother's Day on March 15th. British Summer Time starts on Sunday March 29th.
Plenty to focus on then!
Rhino Tree Care 61
As usual, inside this magazine you’ll find lots of puzzles and quizzes as well as thriving local services. There are regular features too; our celebrity in this edition is TV’s Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick – we hope you enjoy reading about him.
Thank you for ‘buying local’; remember, when you use the fabulous businesses displayed in this publication you are directly contributing to our local economy!
Enjoy February & March!...
Tracey
@BroadlandMediaLtd
What’s Inside…
Page:
20 - Beauty; Glow On Gorgeous 22 - Gifts; The Gift Of Love
