[12] Feb 2012 - Village Diary & Newsletter

villagediary.net

Baconsthorpe Barningham Hempstead Matlaske Plumstead

Swans glide by on Barningham Hall pond

12.56 x 13.07

© Ben Radley

Editor: Ian Summers, 14 The Knoll, Hempstead, Holt NR25 6TJ01263 710702 [email protected]

Proof Reader: Su SummersProduction: Thomas WormaldVillage Correspondents:

Baconsthorpe: Ro Hardingham 577262Barningham: Sara Buxton 577207Hempstead: Betty Hart 712726Matlaske: Florence Hunt 577363Plumstead: Thomas Wormald 577239

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Postal Subscriptions£10 per year – Corinne Youngs 577263

AdvertisingAnnual:

Contact: Mrs D Spalton 711117

One-off or special requirement: Payment by the copy date.Contact: The editor

For Sale & Wants: £1 per 20 words Contact: The editor

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on the web site and (for some items) add comments to share your ideas or views. Just find a friend with internet connection and enter the code into the Address Bar preceded by post.ly/ Note that the codes are case-sensitive so capital letters and lower-case letters should be observed.

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Community Information and Services

Mobile Library Every fourth ThursdayMatlaske 12:20 pm Old Post OfficePlumstead 13:00 pm Walnut Farm

Baconsthorpe 14:25 pm Council Bungalows 15:45 pm Old Post Office 16:05 pm The Street

Hempstead 15:00 pm Hare and Hounds 15:20 pm Telephone kiosk See www.libraries.norfolk.gov.uk

Holt Library 9 Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB Tel: 712202

Mon, Wed, and Sat: 9:30 am to 1 pmFri: 9:30 am to 6 pm

Books can be dropped off out of hours in the letterbox labelled ‘bookdrop’ in the blue door.

Post Office Baconsthorpe Village HallTuesdays 12:30 pm to 4 pmFridays 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

For a full range of services offered at this branch and all other enquiries call 712139.

Photocopying serviceAvailable by appointment 577239Black 6p; Colour 20p per A4 page (no A3).Discounts of up to 50% to local organisations. Proceeds to Newsletter.

Norfolk Constabulary New number: 101 for non-urgent calls

Holt Safer Neighbourhood Teame-mail: [email protected]

Police Community Support Officers:PCSO Rachel Howard (Hempstead)PCSO Guy Slade (The other villages)

Dog Warden516085 (out of hours 513811) [email protected]

Holt Area Partnership Holt Library, 9 Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB Tel: 713456 www.holtareapartnership.org.uk

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the newsletter. The newsletter apologises if contributed material is not published due to space constraints. All facts are

believed to be correct at time of publication. The editor reserves the right to amend material.

mNau

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Help in Severe WeatherLesley Rose works for Norfolk Social Services as a care coordinator and part of her role is to develop a data base of groups/volunteers/individuals that are willing and able to assist elderly residents facing disruption to their care service if severe weather occurs and restricts the movements of drivers within the county.

This may be simply collecting a hot meal from a local pub/restaurant/mobile chip van or a neighbour popping in to microwave a frozen meal and delivering it to a local resident, or supplying a flask of tea (or even taking the dog out for a wee). As you may appreciate, because of data protection issues and the need for criminal record checks, some parishes have organised a system whereby they have compiled a list of such local volunteers and this is accessible to the Adult Social Service team. Would you be willing to phone me so we could discuss either: A) a system you may already have set up or B) if would like to implement such a service to provide Adult Social Services with a list of contact names.

On my travels I have found that most villages already have friends/neighbours checking vulnerable members of the community when the snow falls. It would be great if we had a contact in case there was ever a case where a carer cannot reach a village because of severe weather.

Contact Lesley Rose (Integrated Care Co-ordinator, Adult Social Services, Fakenham) 07795 590920 or 01328 850219 [email protected]

Cromer Pier Pavilion TheatreCromer and Sheringham Operatic and Dramatic Society are putting on ‘Me and My Girl’ at the end of May/early June and would be pleased to assist anyone who would like to organise a party at 10% discount. Contact: Amanda Howell 01692 678010 [email protected] Better broadband in NorfolkNorfolk has secured a significant amount of funding from the Government to install the infrastructure required to improve broadband speeds and access across Norfolk. We need individuals and businesses in Norfolk to register their interest so we can show the demand for better broadband: call 0344 800 8023 or go online:

www.sayyestobroadband.co.uk Credit Card fraudCheck that the credit card in your possession is actually yours – there have been occasions where instead of just stealing the card and you notifying the credit card company, thieves replace it with an out-of-date one looking the same. They then use it as if it were their own until you realise. Others take pictures with mobile phone cameras during a transaction and then use the details – nasty. E-petition against wind turbines David Ramsbotham has started a national petition against wind turbines/farms. See http://post.ly/4ALmP for further details.

Thank you to the anonymous sponsor of this edition of Village Diary & Newsletter

2 Dec Fri @ 6 pm A Festive Evening in Edgefield Village Hall Turkey batch supper, entertainment by the Corpusty Singers and loads of activities to try your luck including a huge Tombola and good raffle. Santa may well arrive during the evening and we hope a good time will be had by all. Tickets £5 including supper. Children 12 and under free. Contact 587379 – just a few tickets left.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our Coffee & Gossip events in Hempstead – you help to keep our Village Diary & Newsletter solvent.

More help is needed – please see page 18. Next time it is on Friday, 3 Feb.

C. H. MATTHEWS

PLUMBING AND

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Juniper Lodge, Hempstead, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6TW

Tel: Holt 713374

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PC Problems? No problem!

A reliable, friendly, efficientservice in the comfort of your

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Andrew Benn01263 761133

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Installation TroubleshootingTuition

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Church Matters

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If there is reason to change any of the scheduled church services listed here then they will be included on the pew sheets distributed at each service

29 Jan Epiphany 4 9 am Eucharist Plumstead Church cancelled

10:45 am Mattins Baconsthorpe Church

5 Feb Septuagesima 9 am Eucharist Barningham Church

10:45 am Mattins Hempstead Church

12 Feb Sexagesima 9 am Eucharist Matlaske Church

10:45 am Mattins Plumstead Church

19 Feb Quinquagesima 9 am Eucharist Baconsthorpe Church

10:45 am Mattins Barningham Winter Church

22 Feb Ash Wednesday 7 pm Evening Eucharist Barningham Winter Church

26 Feb Lent 1 9 am Eucharist Hempstead Church

10:45 am Mattins Matlaske Church

Weekday Holy Eucharist You are most welcome to join us every Thursday morning at 10 am in Matlaske Church for Holy Eucharist

A View from the PewThe news over the past month has been dominated by the events leading to the capsizing of the cruise liner off the coast of Italy. We read, saw, and heard graphic accounts of what happened and how the victims met their deaths. In all of this there was an overriding question being asked, ‘who was to blame?’ Such tragedies demand an answer.

Some may ask, ‘where was God in all of this?’ Christians rightly assume that God is good and his creation, likewise. Having given us, the human beings of the world, freedom to enjoy His creation He has not been able to insist that our actions are always good or protect us from the choices we make. Hearing God’s voice in a world that has largely turned its back on Him is not easy. But the Bible makes clear that God often speaks to his people through, and at a time of, crisis. Over the past few decades we have witnessed examples of this where people of every belief have sought one another’s companionship in faith. Those followers of Jesus experienced it on that first Good Friday. But what they also experienced was the prayer Jesus uttered as he was so cruelly put to death, ‘Father, forgive them.’

So rather than looking for someone to blame when tragedies and crises blight our world, perhaps we should do the same and thus, by the grace of God, be shown a way through our questioning, our uncertainty and our doubt. JGW

John Perry-Warnes

Your North Norfolk District

Councillor

Please contact me if I can be of Service concerning the following issues

Housing

Council Tax

Waste Collection

Planning Matters

Tel: 01263 715577

[email protected]

with Caroline Jefford at Strawberry Patch

nursery Becketts Farm, Hempstead Road, near

Holt, NR25 6LB Mondays & Wednesdays

6.15 – 7.15 pm £5 per session

Please book – limited spaces Contact me on 01263587480 or text

07930539159

As soon as the weather warms up, the local toads will have to cross the road by Green Farm, Hempstead, to

get to their breeding pond.Every year we witness the carnage on the

road there, and this year we want to do something about it. Toads spend most of the year up to three miles from ponds, many live in gardens where they eat slugs and other pests so they are really valuable to us. The toads move soon after dusk, which is when traffic can be at its worst, and visibility poor, so many hundreds are killed. Toads can live up to 20 years and don’t breed until they are 4. They can’t sustain the losses to traffic and populations are being wiped out all over the country. This mustn’t happen here. Toadwatch volunteers wear reflective jackets and carry buckets and torches. You have probably seen them in action by

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Legal Advice ?Make us your first call

Telephone Holt 01263 [email protected]

FAKENHAM HOLT SHERINGHAM KING’S LYNN WELLS

STUART’STAXI TRAVEL

01263 824444 – 01263 710088

Freefone 0800 734 44 44

[email protected]

FRIENDLY & RELIABLESHORT or LONG DISTANCE

Selbrigg Pond. They work from dusk until the toads stop moving – usually after a few hours. The toads move on warm wet nights and may well start moving in mid February if the

weather remains mild. John from Toadwatch is coming to the Village Hall on Tuesday 7th Feb at 8 pm to explain how we could mount our rescue mission. Please come if you can spare a few hours to help toads to survive in Hempstead.

There is more information on their websitewww.toadwatch.org [email protected] or call John on 01603 812472 or Su on 710702 if you would like to help but can’t be there.

Hempstead Toads Need You!

WILL’SPROPERTY

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General DIY Jobs, Tiling,Pressure Washing, Mowing,

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NORFOLKFOREST PRODUCTS

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FORESTRY CONTRACTOR

Upwood FarmNorth BarninghamMatlaskeNorfolk NR11 7LA

Edgefield Garage

Norwich RoadEdgefield

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Specialist in Restoration workFull workshop and body shop facilities

MOT TestingStores

Monday–Friday: 8 am–5 pm

Closed Saturday and Sunday

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GESTALTPSYCHOTHERAPY

CHRISTINE McALLISTERMBACP MBGS

Relationship Difficulties - Anger -

Abuse - Low Self EsteemPersonal Development Workshops

NORWICH & HOLT AREAMOBILE: 07786 448925 HOME: 01263 577576

www.christinemcallister.co.uk

I am just emerging from my marmalade-making marathon. It’s always a special time of year when the Seville oranges are in the shops. Usually they are a knobbly rather ugly looking orange, but mine this year have been glowing and much more attractive; juicy too.

But marmalade is much more than a wake-up call on toast in the morning. Try this topping on apple for a delicious sweet.

Oaty Marmalade Apple Crumble

55 gms (2 oz) butter

110 gms rolled oats

2 good tablespoons marmalade (or to taste, I used skimmings from marmalade making)

1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

Cooking apples to fill oven proof dish.

1) Peel, core and slice apples into the desired dish, and put to cook in the oven at 180 C.

2) Melt butter in a pan, then take off heat and add the marmalade so it, too, melts.

3) Stir in the rolled oats and sunflower seeds till well mixed.

4) When the apple is cooked, cover with the topping and return to the oven.

5) Cook until the topping is golden (about 15 mins or so).

6) Serve with ice cream, or yogurt, or cream, or even custard. Or any combination.

An Ode to the Vertically ChallengedJust lately the ageing process has me re-contemplating my afflictions,This weary-bone malady causing me, and some of my biological family, so many restrictions.But I guess the worst one of all, for us, is not of ageing, but a genetic sort;It’s the depressing fact that we were all born, unfortunately, so very very short.

It’s a situation we inherited from our parents, of course;All our ancestors growing no higher than ‘knee-high to a horse’.So, is it any wonder we’ve spent our lives just longing to look ‘over yonder’,Looking down on someone for us is a situation we can only but ponder.

And there are often everyday consequences arising from our diminutive proportions,Like buying a round of drinks at a bar can require of us tiptoeing contortions...As children, by the playground bullies we could find ourselves constantly confronted,Such situations would never have occurred had we not been so cruelly stunted.

Now, we are told, things could have turned out so differently, it seemsIf we’d only made an effort, as children, to eat our greens.And on reflection I suppose, there is something good to be said,Because at no point throughout our lives have we ever banged our heads.

Thankfully, that old adage ‘the higher they stand, the further they fall’Has never held any significant fears for us, at all,And the term ‘a tall order’ for us is something beyond our comprehension,Probably just a ‘short order’, in need (as us) of a lengthy extension.

Now, sporting spectacles, cinema and the theatre can be a bind,For it’s often our lot to find ourselves sitting directly behindSomeone who it’s obvious just grew, and grew and grew,A person who has never experienced the frustrations of a ‘restricted view’.

Can we blame those gangly Normans, following that famous 1066 invasion,For exacerbating the differences of those of us, of the Anglo-Saxon persuasion?Misguidedly, one or two of us have tried arch-supports, Cuban heels, and even, platform

shoes, to no avail,Stretching exercises and growth hormones for most of us ‘lateral’ thinkers, are just beyond

the pale,

And we must accept we’ve left it all perhaps just a little bit too lateTo achieve anything remedial about our short misshapen shapes.It’s a restriction we’ve learnt to live with, although through the years, our resolve has grown

even stronger,But could our lives have reached dizzier heights, if only our legs had been that little bit

longer?

And so, to conclude, may I offer up this small, concise, little rider...It is, despite all efforts to the contrary: we do still continue to grow, but unhappily it’s wider

and wider and wider! T[ 11 ]

February

3 Feb Fri @ 10:30 am Coffee and Gossip6 Feb Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing pWOC

7 Feb Tue @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Diocesan Play Van 243kl

7 Feb Tue @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls pWOB

7 Feb Tue @ 8 pm Hempstead Toads need your help! 4u1dUSee Nature Notes on page 7.

10 Feb Fri @ 7:30 pm Beetle Drive A good fun evening at £1 per person

13 Feb Mon @ 11 am Hempstead Kneeler Group At Molly Freegard’s 21X3m

13 Feb Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing pWOC


15 Feb Wed @ 7:30 pm Hempstead Film Club Contact: 712460 1Zhgd

19 Feb Sun @ noon Holt Cycle-theft reduction scheme 4vAq4The local neighbourhood policing team is offering free cycle security marking and cycle safety advice at Intersport, Bakers and Larners from noon to 2 pm.


21 Feb Tue @ 10 am Hempstead Charcoal Drawing pWOA


21 Feb Tue @ 7 pm Hempstead Play Reading Group 4ttI0The new season of the Play Reading Group starts this month. Please note that for this month only it will take place on a Tuesday. Hempstead Village Hall, 7 (refreshments) for 7.30 pm. £1. New members always welcome. Su Summers 710702 [email protected] for more details.


23 Feb Thu @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Textile Group spcp

23 Feb Thu @ 12:20 pm Mobile Library See page 2 for times pWOD


28 Feb Tue @ 10 am Hempstead Charcoal Drawing pWOA



29 Feb Wed @ noon Community Lunch Club sR3bContact: 577455 – Booking essential

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March

12 Mar Mon @ 7:30 pm Plumstead Parish Council Meeting 15qSO

13 Mar Tue @ 7 pm Barningham PCC AGM 4tsS1

The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual General Meeting of the PCC of St Mary the Virgin, Barningham Winter, will take place at Barningham Hall by kind invitation of Thomas and Amelia Courtauld.

20 Mar Tue @ 2:30 pm Matlaske PCC AGM At The Rectory 4ttQT

26 Mar Mon @ 9:30 am Hempstead Church – The Big CleanAll help will be appreciated for this annual spring clean.

28 Mar Wed @ 7:30 am Baconsthorpe Easter Bingo In the Village Hall 4tsuU

31 Mar Sat @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Easter Fayre In the Village Hall 4tuWl

May

11 May Fri @ 11:30 am Baconsthorpe – Pat Neirney and Friends 4tt9A

A hugely-popular and very funny man who has been on Cromer Pier. Tickets are £6 per person. Tickets will be on sale from committee members or contact John on 711320.

25 May Fri @ 7 pm Baconsthorpe Queen’s Jubilee Celebration 4ttjB

Coronation Supper in the village hall. The menu will be that served for the coronation. Film of coronation showing during evening. Tickets £6 per head – bring your own drink.

26 May Sat @ 10 am–5 pm Baconsthorpe Coronation Memorabilia 4tto9

Exhibition in the church – continues on Sunday. Film of coronation and village silver Jubilee celebrations. Photos of village silver and gold Jubilee celebrations. There will be chairs used for coronation at Westminster Abbey, peeress’s coronation robes, mugs, spoons, books and masses of ephemera! Refreshments.

26 May Sat @ 7 pm Hempstead May Feast/Jubilee Celebration

August

12 Aug Sun @ 2 pm Hempstead Fete 4tzTj

November

9 Nov Fri @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe – Keith Loads 1VgbQ

We have booked the ever-popular and hugely entertaining Keith Loads.£6 per person including a tea/coffee and Buffet Supper.Tickets are now on sale – book early for this very popular evening because tickets are limited. Contact: John 711320, Doris 577489 or Evelyn 577315

CAST IRON COOKERS

SERVICE AND REPAIR JON COOPER

Stonefield Bungalow, New Road, Baconsthorpe, Holt, Norfolk

NR25 6LWTel: 01263 577527

Mob: 07767 494369

EXPERIENCED CARER

Over 25 years experience

Excellent references

Fully insured

All types of personal care undertaken

Please call Maggie on

Tel: 01263 577527 Mob: 07889 547 552

Answers to Dec and Jan’s Puzzles Tweedledee & Tweedledum: Ask either twin which direction would your brother tell me is correct and then do the opposite. Bankrupt! He was playing MonopolyShopping trip: Only 3 men entered the shop: a son, father and grandfather.Dingbats: Long underwear; man overboard; and three degrees below zero.

Puzzles supplied by Tandem Training (education & training in Norfolk) www.tandemtraining.co.uk

6 3 8 4 9 2 1 5 79 1 4 3 5 7 8 2 65 2 7 1 6 8 4 9 34 9 6 8 2 1 7 3 58 5 2 9 7 3 6 1 41 7 3 5 4 6 9 8 27 6 5 2 8 9 3 4 12 8 1 7 3 4 5 8 93 4 9 6 1 5 2 7 8

The Diocesan Play Van in partnership with the Corpusty and Holt Children’s Centre started a new toddler group last year. It runs every Tuesday during the school term from 10 am until noon and you can either stay the whole time or just drop in for a quick visit. There are lots of toys for the children to play with, a craft activity, a story and song time and refreshments for children and adults. Come and join the fun! For more information please contact Melissa 07780 30899. Anti-social Behaviour Police are appealing for information due to recent events when nails and other sharp items were left on a residents driveway and road in The Street Baconsthorpe. Damage

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Baconsthorpe News Baconsthorpe School Baconsthorpe Primary School closed its doors in July 1983. Before the final closure a special service was held at St Mary’s Church, Baconsthorpe, attended by more than 200 people including former head teachers Mrs B Buckton and Mr E Hayman. The children took part in the service, reading and singing. See picture below. Diocesan Play Van Are you a mum, dad, grandma or childminder? Do you look after children under the age of 5? Then come and join us at Baconsthorpe Village Hall.

Back row from left: Doris Hill, Jill Smith, Nadine Roper, Debbie Chestney, Melanie Faulkes, Michelle Evans, Duncan Moore, Aran Green, Zoe Hunter, Dolly Gee, Edie Chestney (nee Barnes).

Middle row from left: Mrs Wells, Stuart Pegg, Justin Bond, Tara Webb, Jennifer Parfitt, Ruben Wragg, Marie Webb, Nicola Powell, Vanessa Chestney

Front row from left: Kelly Dagless, Sarah Dagless, Alastair Watters, Mr Eddie Powell (Headmaster), Mark Phillips, Dylon Green, Lisa Atkins, Jennifer Watters.

MarglazeHome Improvements

WindowsPVC-u and TimberPlain & Simple, Sash, Bays & BowsRepairs to

Sealed UnitsHandles & Hinges

Doors

Conservatories

Kitchens & BathroomsComplete Fitting Service

PlumbingTilingPainting & DecoratingWorktop Replacement

Insurance-backed Guarantee Contact Martin & Carolyn on 01263 [email protected]

Free Quotations Family-run business since 1989

could have been caused to motorist tyres and dogs could also have been injured by these nails when being taken for a walk. Please contact PCSO8467 Slade at Holt Police station if you have any information regarding this. Baconsthorpe ChurchThe rewiring and installation of new heaters is now complete. The final cost was £19,600, paid by the church fabric fund. We are now faced with repair work to the roof which will cost in total £107,700. English Heritage have made a grant towards this work but the PCC have to find £47,400. Our first fund raising effort will be the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Weekend on Friday 25th May (see Diary). Does anyone have a video of the village golden jubilee celebrations which took place in Bev Cossey’s garden which they would be prepared to lend to us? Contact PCC secretary on 577263.

British Legion Poppy Appeal Tessa McCosh apologizes for the fact that she ran out of time and was unable to visit the entire village. However, many thanks to those who contributed to the £71.18 that was raised.

Barningham News

Memorial to Stella Mott Radclyffe Stella Mott Radclyffe was born and brought up in the West Country, where she had a true country life. This introduced her to the natural world and the arts; in particular dogs, flowers, gardening, horses, music and literature.

At the outbreak of war she waited to be called up by the Wrens. However this process was so slow that she gave up and joined the ATS. She became a driver and was tasked with driving everybody and everything, personnel to secret bunkers, Generals in staff cars (including one who

she asked to get out of the back and help her change a puncture) and tank transporters to the ports prior to the invasion.

After the war she lived in London. Using her passion for flowers she arranged flowers beautifully for countless weddings, often getting up at 3 am to go to Covent Garden to pick up the raw materials. She could remember all the brides of these weddings and I am sure if pushed many more of the wedding details.

She married Charles Mott Radclyffe (MP for Windsor) in 1956. Her busy life was split between Barningham, Windsor and London. In Norfolk she involved herself in many organisations particularly locally, associations she continued throughout her life. She was a bedrock supporter of the churches within the benefice, attending as often as possible. After Sir Charles retired she became an independent District Councillor for North Norfolk.

Always surrounded by dogs, over the years she had the full spectrum of Labradors, perfect, naughty, awful, incontinent, and in one case half dinosaur. All Barningham dogs were treated as sacred cows, there is still plenty of evidence in the house as a reminder of how much access they were given...

Lady Stella was made of stern stuff. One cold November evening one of the dogs was struggling in the middle of the lake. Much to David Radley’s horror he saw her, aged well over 70, launch herself fully clothed to affect a rescue. Fortunately the only casualty was a tweed skirt.

Throughout her remarkable life, which saw unimaginable changes to the country and world, Matlaske and Barningham remained remarkably untouched. Something which she always cherished. Her final years were spent happily at Gap Farm, where she continued to involve herself as much as possible in local affairs. Her last ‘Bits and Bobs’ stall at the fete was only three years ago.

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Events at

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The family would like to say a huge thank you to all those who came to the funeral at St Mary’s, Barningham Winter and to all those who showed her so much kindness particularly in her later years. Barningham Advent Carol ServiceThe Advent Sunday Carol Service last year was held for the first time in a great many years at St Peter’s Church North Barningham; and what a very happy occasion it proved to be. The benefice choir was on hand to sing an anthem and a large congregation joined in singing the familiar Advent carols. Members of The Palgrave Society, which over the years has played such an important part in looking after the fabric of this lovely old church, were also present. Many said how much they had enjoyed the occasion and expressed the hope it could be repeated at some time in the future. As ever the church looked sparkling! Thank you to all who helped to make this possible.

Hempstead News

Hempstead – Welcome...To David Bridge and Julia Douglas who have bought a holiday cottage in The Street. Village StallThank you to everyone who has placed items on the stall and who have bought produce and plants. We raised £400 in 2011 to be shared equally between the Village Hall and All Saints’ Church. Newsletter Coffee Morning The two ‘Coffee and Gossip’ events in December and January have raised £259 between them for this newsletter.

Thank you to all who have attended, and especially those who did their Christmas shopping at the December one. This total has been much appreciated by the

Hempstead Film ClubNew members very welcome. See Notice Board in Hall porch for film programme and contact details.

Future datesPlease keep your diary free for the following:

Hempstead May Feast/Queen’s Jubilee Celebration

Hempstead Fete

Newsletter Finance Dept! But we mustn’t stop here: on the first or second Friday of each month the Hempstead Village Hall will be open from 10:30 am until noon for good coffee (and tea) and excellent cake. It would be good to see people from all villages because the Newsletter belongs to us all. Also a prime purpose for these occasions is to enjoy the company of friends and meet others...

Thank you to Tim and Adrian for making the coffee so far, and Su is on coffee duty for February, but we would be really grateful for volunteers for March and April. Please ring 710702 to offer. Thanks. Hempstead Follies 2011

A full house in the Village Hall enjoyed the Hempstead Annual Follies; an action-packed programme of music and rhyme.

There were splendid monologues from Tim (his very own ‘Ode to the vertically challenged’ – see page 11) and Paul (The Lion and Albert, and Return of Albert), entertaining duets by Paula and John of ‘Anything you can do’ and ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’. Lively Jason on his ukulele played and sang ‘Five Foot Two’, ‘King of The Road’ and ‘All my Loving’. An amusing ‘Twelve days of Christmas

correspondence’ read by Su. Talented Amy sang and played ‘Mean’ by Taylor Swift on her ukulele, followed by an interesting reading from Parson Woodforde by Adrian.

A grand demonstration of Taekwondo by Sophie. Ian and Su gave a rendition of carols on very unusual but enchanting bells. During the evening there was great community singing of Christmas songs and a special thanks to Nona for her piano playing and her reading of ‘A Planning permission in Bethlehem’. The evening was compared by our very own Vicar Michael Cartwright.

Food and drink was in abundance and thanks must go to the persons who organised the whole evening. Thanks also to all who provided raffle prizes. Queen’s Jubilee CelebrationAt the January Parish Council meeting, your Councillors discussed what we might do in the village to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. We would be very pleased to hear of any ideas from parishioners either by contacting one of the Councillors now, or attending the next meeting on 5th March. We would also be grateful for willing helpers when the time comes!

Hempstead Parish ShareAt the last parish council meeting I was asked to explain to the village why the parish share had to be increased in these troubled times. We unfortunately have been hit with one large increase with our expenditure: the cutting of grass in the village, the playing field and road banks by the village hall previously done by the district council at approx £250 per year. The Council have put this service out to a private company. So we asked for prices from the new provider and others. The best price received was £550 per year; an increase of £300 which the council can’t pay without an increase to the parish share.

If any parishioner would like more information then please come to any

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Telephone : HOLT 713113

LLOYD DURHAMFuneral Services

MRS Z MITCHELL NAFD

24 HOUR

Qualified Funeral DirectorsOffice and Chapel of Rest

11a Avenue Road, High Kelling,

Holt

SERVICE

NORFOLK CARERS

HELPLINE

0 808 808 9876

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Listening, support & information

For family carers

BACONSTHORPE VILLAGE HALL

IDEAL for PARTIES orRECEPTIONS

FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHEN WITH MATCHING CROCKERY FOR 100

SETTINGS NEW TABLES AND CHAIRS

COMMITTEE ROOM

CHARGES: £8 PER HOUR£25 DEPOSIT WILL BE REQUIRED TOCOVER DAMAGES OR BREAKAGES

TO BOOK CONTACT MRS DORIS HILL - 01263 577489

LARGE MAIN HALL OR

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meeting (dates in newsletter) or you may request a copy of accounts from our Clerk at a small cost.

Clerk: Glynis Williamson, 23 Swann Grove, Holt NR23 6DP. 711371 [email protected]

Paul Sanders, Chairman Hempstead PC Otters and other animalsHempstead residents were given a rare treat when Carl Sayer (lecturer in Geography at University College London and a Bodham boy) presented an insight to the inhabitants of local Norfolk ponds.

Amazingly Norfolk’s wealth of ponds amounts to almost 25,000 in number thanks to the farming community, around circa 1900, when these were dug in arable fields to extract marl for neutralising acid soils. Carl’s aerial photos highlighted the ponds in this area showing a landscape pock-marked with circular ponds often in the middle of arable fields.

These ponds were Carl’s wonderland as a boy; he would visit these often under the cover of darkness to avoid the wrath of local farmers (including Bertie Harmer who is now an admirer/supporter of Carl’s conservation work) to fish and discover the wealth of wildlife living in them.

From otters to crucian carp, tench, roach, ten-spined sticklebacks, to great crested and smooth newts, frogs and toads, and eels to the insects where 75% of the British dragonfly species exist, down to the minute daphnea.

He clearly illustrated the need for constant management of the ponds to maintain this rich diversity by regular removal of silt and the cutting back of overhanging trees. Carl’s mastery of his subject delivered with great wit and clarity was a joy to the audience staying late to answer many questions. In all quite the most complete and interesting talk enjoyed in Hempstead Village Hall in memory.

Thank you very much, Carl. MT

Selbrigg PondIf anyone has any memories, or better still photos of the dredging of Selbrigg Pond that my grandfather conducted in the 1950’s I would be interested to hear/see them. I hope to restore the pond to its former glory, and am currently consulting Natural England and others on what can be permitted. Watch this space.

Francis Feilden 713137 [email protected] Theatre-Going Group If anyone from any village is interested in receiving details of theatre trips to Norwich theatres, they should contact Su 710702. Memorial to Mike WilliamsThere was an enormous turn-out to the memorial service at Hempstead Church – so much so that even the overspill tent was full to capacity. Not everything that was said in the church was heard in the tent so this is what you missed. Poem to MikeBy Natasha McEwan and Sing for Joy!

ABBREVIATED

What are we going to do without you Mike What are we going to do?

Those adventure lines; the patchwork cap; the autumnal colours, too;

The way you would shuffle when we Basses were reminded what to do:

Famba Nai, Famba… “walk round the room”… Teresa would say;

“It’s only water” you’d chuckle as your hip flask came my way.

What are we going to do without you...

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That tallness; that nose; those gorgeous sparkly eyes; The demeanour; the cheekiness; the look of laughing

surprise; The cords; the cravats; the whispers and hums and

haahs; The jiggles and jumbles and movements in the class.


From Henty and Tasha Williams

How sweet to be a cloud, Floating in the blue! Every little cloud Always sings aloud.

How sweet to be a cloud, Floating in the blue! It would make him very proud, To be a little cloud.

Childhood memories are the foundation of our lives. We both remember dad reading to us, and the happiness it gave us. Our favourite books – Danny the Champion of the World, Asterix and Obelix and Winnie the Pooh, from which that poem was taken. Dad worked away from us for much of our childhood, but we were lucky because when he was with us, he was fully with us and brought so much adventure and laughter to our lives… we had quality over quantity. And what quality it was.

We’re telling you this, because this was the man, our father, whom we adored. An ever-youthful spirit, he had a quirky outlook and playful sense of humour. Thoughtful and understanding: this man, our father, we’ll miss tremendously but never, ever forget.

Hand in hand we come Tasha and I To lay this book on your lap Say you’re surprised Say you like it Say it’s just what you wanted Because it’s yours Because we love you

From Hempstead Parish CouncilEveryone who knew Mike Williams was shocked and saddened by his untimely death in November. He gave so much of his time and energy to others; this included sitting on the PC where his good humour and unfailing willingness to help will be greatly missed. We send our condolences and sympathy to Mo and the family.

Mike – co-founder of the Hempstead Follies Having re-designed the Kitchener poster to read ‘Hempstead Follies Needs You!’, Mike Williams appeared in nearly every production from the start, cutting a startling figure in diminutive flying helmet and motoring coat as a Norman conqueror in ‘A History of Hempstead’; starring as a serially love-lorn Romeo in ‘Romeo and Julie’; and featuring as Fred, the singing butler (alias the Genie of the Lamp) in Cinderella, or was it Aladdin? Or both?

Although he constantly complained that he ‘couldn’t act’ (not true), he had no such doubts about his singing, in due course becoming a prominent figure in more than one choir!

As permanent Officer in Charge of Mulled Wine he added much spirit to the Hempstead Get-Together. His apple-jack a different matter; not for the faint-hearted. Helpful and cheerful in all things, he was a terrific asset to the Village Hall. But those who were fortunate to be present at his lecture on ‘Time and the Tides’ will never forget the agility with which he hopped across the Equator as he gallantly illustrated his explanation of this difficult topic.

What a star he was, and how we will miss him!

Christmas Sing-alongJingle Bells has never sounded better than when it was sung by a group of enthusiastic villagers gathered at Hempstead Village Hall on 16 December to mark the start of the festive season.

This was the evening that the Rev Michael Cartwright wielded the baton, played the keyboard and led the carol singing and general sing along. The weather could have been kinder, but still a goodly number turned up and, warmed by copious amounts of Château Pond Hills mulled wine and jolly good refreshments, all had a ‘good sing’. The musical accompaniment, including tambourine and maracas and members of the Benefice Choir, was of concert performance and all in all, a jolly time was had by everyone.

Unfortunately, CDs of the performance are not available but it is hoped to hold a similar event next year. GW

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Who am I standing next to now, is it Francis or Carolyn.

Do you mean me, or is it you, I can’t hear above the din.

That fabulous voice that would rise up from some almighty pool

Where stored a load of delicious stuff of life, of love of gruel.


I remember seeing your wife in the Priory once and feeling terribly pleased

That you had clearly married the other half of your wease.

I cannot begin to imagine the gap you will leave behind

But am sure that every friend has uttered of you, ‘Crikey what a find’


A man from whom good chickens came to lay a daily egg;

Not only that, a man who was the best to build a shed.

“Hooray! A warm and cosy nest,” the Araconas said;

How lucky are we hennypens to have a Williams bed!


I didn’t really know you well, but wish I actually did

As you embodied everything that life is here to give;

And we will think of you as you sail off into the night

With a pastie or two tucked under your arm for when the moment is right.


The group will not be the same without you Mike, No it really won’t

But we will think of you, oh so fondly, casting off in your boat…

Hempstead 200 ClubDecember winners: £25 R Picken; £10 C Sewell,

P Tomlinson; £5 D Durst, M Scarfe, J Wood, B Hart, J Parfitt

January winners: £25 D Durst; £10 J Loach; £5 C Rammell, M Sewell, D Durst

Weather Report 2011As usual, here are my recent monthly readings for rainfall rounded to nearest mm:

Month 2009 2010 2011 2001–2010average

January 41 59 56 63February 54 84 47 57March 40 44 18 47April 18 31 4 41May 38 16 13 53June 51 51 81 64July 72 33 64 67August 16 112 75 76September 14 76 24 53October 47 87 39 75November 89 86 22 78December 98 34 57 60

Year (mm) 578 715 499 712 (inches) 22.8 28.1 19.6 28.0

Last year gave the lowest annual total since my readings began in 1977; the next lowest was 549 mm in 1991. The dry period in the Spring came at the wrong moment for many plants, and there was no compensation in Summer and Autumn. Fortunately, our drinking water mostly comes from aquifers underground which were unaffected, but supplies in Essex are suffering badly.

I have a 400-page book of statistics from about 250 sites across the country. Averages have been calculated for 1981–2010 and for 2001–2010. Here are the annual figures for my site compared with the nearest two:

Hempstead Calthorpe Buxton5 miles E 10 miles SE

Average 1981–2010 733 693 699Average 2001–2010 712 746 760 The similarity between these values is surprising, especially bearing in mind that most sites are far more exposed than mine, and the figures printed in the EDP often

display much greater variations. the effects of climate change are now beginning to show up. David W Durst

Matlaske News Matlaske Church at Christmas Many thanks to everyone who decorated St Peter’s at Christmas. Sad loss of lovely landmarkA much-appreciated feature of the Matlaske landscape is being removed. A rather aesthetically-beautiful little copse of variegated trees which stood in the middle of the field immediately south of the village is being stripped out and burnt.

Some years ago this was a haven of wildlife: hares, rabbits as well as numerous birds could be observed in the location. Over recent years the surrounding elder and undergrowth was removed but now the final coup de grace has fallen. I wonder does anyone know the history of this copse? When was it planted and is it intended to be replanted? Also why has it been removed; not just to harvest the timber I hope?! JB

Plumstead News

Diamond Jubilee Barbecue Following on from the success of last year’s BBQ, we are planning another event to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This will be held during the first weekend in June in Plumstead. More information will be available in the March Village Newsletter. If you would like to help with this event please contact Mary Lintott 577718. Welcome to Plumstead... To Pam & Steve Small who moved into Stocks Hill before Christmas. Pam and Steve have spent many holidays at Green Farm and we hope that they will continue to enjoy their time here on a permanent basis.

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[12] Feb 2012 - Village Diary & Newsletter

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