villagediary.net

Baconsthorpe Barningham Hempstead Matlaske Plumstead

Toads saved: Selbrigg Pond 10,042; Rookery Pond 1,358 (see page 16) All Saints’ Church receives a hair cut

12.56 x 13.07

© Keith Hill

Editor: Ian Summers, 14 The Knoll, Hempstead, Holt NR25 6TJ01263 710702 editor@villagediary.net

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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Copy date20th of the month preceding publication

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 (free if proceeds to Newsletter) Contact: The editor

Village Diary Web Site villagediary.net Where you see these boxes then you can  either find out more details about the item

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.

Village Diary & Newsletter

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 101 for non-urgent calls Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team

e-mail: sntholt@norfolk.pnn.police.ukPolice Community Support Officers:

PCSO Rachel Howard (Hempstead)PCSO Guy Slade (The other villages)

Dog Warden516085 (out of hours 513811) ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk

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

Norfolk Carers Helpline – 0808 808 9876 Mon–Fri 8 am to 8 pm. Free and confidential listening, support and information for family carers. www.norfolkcarershelpline.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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Children’s Drawing Competition

To complement the Baconsthorpe exhibition at the end of May we are holding a competition for children to draw a picture of the Queen. Entries will be divided into three age brackets: under 5, 5–8 and 9–12. All entries will on view in the church during the exhibition, the winner of each age group will be awarded a prize and the winning entries will be sent to the Queen after the event. Please send your entries with your name and address on the back by 14 May to PCC Secretary, Ash Tree Farm, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LF.

Newsletter Format keeps changingI thank everyone who has enjoyed the new-look newsletter and who keep telling me that it is getting better. If you look at your back numbers you will see gradual changes as I try out various ideas. Some are prompted by our readers who think that things could be done differently – and then another improvement is made.Before you read on just take a quick look at the rest of the newsletter. Do you notice that most of the adverts have shrunk? Our advertisers have agreed to this with our promise that there is no need for an increase in the price that we charge despite our increased costs since the prices were set. So we can thank them for enabling more content and/or a slightly larger type size.

Norfolk Carers HelplineContact details are now at the bottom of page 2 if you should need their support.

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

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.3

Aldborough Community BusSupported by Norfolk CC and available to everyone. The service is designed to transport residents of Aldborough and surrounding villages to towns throughout North Norfolk and Norwich.

To/From Norwich Service NS1 – 1st Wednesday of monthMatlaske The Street Letter Box 09:07 Norwich Castle Meadow 13:30Norwich Castle Meadow 10:15 Matlaske The Street Letter Box 14:38

To/From Norwich Service NS2 – 3rd Wednesday of monthMatlaske The Street Letter Box 09:07 Norwich Castle Meadow 13:30Plumstead Village sign 09:15 Baconsthorpe Old Shop 14:35Hempstead The Green near Church 09:20 Hempstead The Green near Church 14:40Baconsthorpe Old Post Office 09:25 Plumstead Village sign 14:45Norwich Castle Meadow 10:30 Matlaske The Street opp Letter Box 14:53

To/From Holt Service 8 – FridaysMatlaske The Street Letter Box 09:10 Holt Bus Shelter opp War Memorial 12:00Plumstead opp Church 09:14 Hempstead The Green near Church 12:25Baconsthorpe Old Post Office 09:20 Baconsthorpe opp Old Post Office 12:30Hempstead The Green near Church 09:25 Plumstead opp Church 12:36Holt War Memorial Railway Tavern 09:50 Matlaske The Street opp Letter Box 12:40

Back to the Garden, Fakenham Road, Letheringsett, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7JJTel: 01263 715996 www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk

www.twitter.com/back_togarden www.facebook.com/backtothegardennorfolk

Church Matters

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

1 Apr Palm Sunday 9 am Eucharist Baconsthorpe Church10:45 am Mattins Barningham Winter Church

5 Apr Maundy Thursday 7 pm Eucharist Baconsthorpe Church6 Apr Good Friday 2 pm Plumstead Church

A service of hymns, readings and prayers8 Apr Easter Day 10:45 am Eucharist Matlaske Church

15 Apr Easter 1 9 am Eucharist Hempstead Church10:45 am Mattins Plumstead Church

22 Apr Easter 2 9 am Eucharist Barningham Winter Church10:45 am Mattins Baconsthorpe Church

29 Apr Easter 3 9 am Eucharist Plumstead Church10:45 am Mattins Hempstead Church

3 pm Nones Matlaske ChurchWeekday Holy Eucharist You are most welcome to join us every Thursday

morning at 10 am in Matlaske Church for Holy Eucharist

From the RectoryThe Rectory Matlaske NR11 7AQ 577455

My dear friendsHoly Week and Easter

This month ushers in the most important week in the Church’s year. We start with Palm Sunday and Our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The loud Hosannas are soon overshadowed by plotting and betrayal as we travel with Jesus through the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to the joy of Easter Day – and the joyful proclamation ‘He is risen’.We usually have a large congregation on Easter Morning and you may be sure of a very warm welcome. It would be good to see you on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, too.The other day I saw a big advert outside a local supermarket: ‘Easter for less.’ No doubt there were cut price chocolate eggs – but the real joy of Easter wasn’t cut price at all. Jesus gave his life for you and for me – and that is the joy we celebrate – new life for all who believe in Him. And, in a very real sense, resurrection starts here and now – love and forgiveness coming from Jesus Christ, Son of God. Now That’s something to celebrate!We are delighted to be joining at least 300 individuals throughout the UK who will be saying Nones at 3 pm on 29 April. The event is organised by the Friends of Merton Priory; St Peter’s Matlaske is one of many churches with associations with the Priory.

My wife joins me in wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Easter.

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STUART’STAXI TRAVEL

Sheringham: 01263 824444Holt: 01263 710088

Freefone: 0800 734 44 44

stuartstaxitravel@btinternet.com www.stuarts-taxi-and-travel.co.uk

FRIENDLY & RELIABLE

SHORT or LONG DISTANCE6

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

Memorials in marble, stone and various coloured granites

Brochures upon request ? Additional inscriptions Cremation plaques ? House names

Workshop: 01603 755524 Office: 01603 485691 www.rwellsmemorials.co.uk

Unit 8 Sawmill Close, The Street, Felthorpe, Norwich NR10 4BH

24 Gladstone Place, Briston01263 860333

Family Butcher

Poulterer & Game DealerLicenced to sell Wines & Spirits

In-town Butchery at Larners of Holt01263 710000

Fresh Bread & Cakes from our own bakeryWeekly Deliveries in our refrigerated vans

Ivan’sPainting & Decorating

Gardening

Established: 199201263 821304 or 07534 455301

WILL’SProperty Maintenance

Inside and Out

General DIY Jobs, Tiling, Pressure

Washing, Mowing, Hedging, Strimming, Guttering, Paths, Patios, Fences, etc.

Work carefully undertaken01263 5775817

It has taken me a year to realise that having a disability can almost become a bonus. Because you watch nature more, from your window or your garden chair. I find nature very amusing now!Recently, I watched a battle between a Moorhen and a Squirrel who both thought they could launch themselves from the top of the hedge onto the bird feeders. Losers! All that happened was that a family of partridges, who are far more intelligent, waited at the bottom of the feeder for the spills, and went back to the warmest part of my garden to procreate. The warmest part of my garden is a hole in the wall nearest to my central heating. I haven’t had the heart to fill it in! I thought there was “breaking news” when a pair of Merlins (small falcons) that I have seen locally seemed attracted to an old nest in a Beech Tree. They often use other birds nests. I was really hopeful, but the “Magpie Family” moved in. A long-tailed tit took all the hair that I had groomed from my dog. I think spring has sprung – let us enjoy! J

And don’t forget • To continue to drive slowly through

Selbrigg and Hempstead (between the main road and Green Farm) because the toad migration may continue until the middle of April. When it is warm they are tempted to cross in broad daylight and not wait for dusk. In both places a monumental effort by volunteers has been made to reduce roadkill.

• To keep your bird feeders full! Now the birds are into nesting mode, they need lots of food for the chicks and to keep themselves going. If you know the location of a nest, in the hedge or in a bird box, spend a little time watching just how many times the parent birds go in and out with food. What dedicated parents they are!

• To leave a rough patch in your garden as a safe haven for insects and amphibians, and for wild flowers to grow.

• To look out for adders when walking across Holt Lowes especially if exercising your dog. They like to sunbathe and object to being stood on! They are the only poisonous snake in the UK.

Find the AdvertisersNo answers are going to be provided in the next issue unless you specifically ask for them. But to make things a little more interesting, please take a close look at all 26 of our advertisers and then try and fill in the Criss-Cross without cheating.Across

5. Memorials (5)8. Cafe, Restaurant and Farm Shop (4, 2, 3, 6)

11. Building Maintenance (3)13. Taxi Travel (7)15. Legal Advice (5, 3, 5)17. Family Butcher (6)19. Village Hall (12)21. Wood Burners (4)23. Fitness (5)24. Pest Control (6)26. Psychotherapy (7)

Down1. Computer Problems (6, 7)2. Garage (9)3. Painter, Decorator and Gardening (5)4. Electrical (3)6. Funeral Services (5, 6)7. District Councillor (5, 6)9. Cast Iron Cookers (6)

10. Property Maintenance (5)12. Experienced Carer (6)14. Home Improvements (8)16. Forest Products (7)18. 1950s Clothing and

Accessories (6, 2, 3)20. Groundworks (3)22. Painter & Decorator

(7)25. Plumbing & Heating (8)

Find your way from A to BA B 

Word SearchYou’ll find all twelve of them in this word search even if it takes you a year.T J K A U E V G P A O K W M F Y V U T E N U J E T P S M O S G R O I A P R N A O K R H D X N E E C S W U E O J L B I N W L B N J T Y N I B V J R K L V Z M J S A O Q D O M E D S Q I B E Y M Z T B J Y F E M D Z T W C L R Q B A E E T D T B Y M R E U A L N Z B R A A Z P E M B D J L U D R E B H H D R E R Y F L A J U O X M F G M I E S T U R M A G Q P Z L A V Y A E M Y Y R C J K N O R X D M G W R A Y Y N S T B C F G U Z I U A U G U S T M H Z Z T N T L D

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9

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 715577john.perry-warnes@norfolk.gov.uk

9

It may be old-fashioned – BUT – my grandmother gave me some handy hints about how to do things cheaply!

Oven Cleaning: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda in one pint of boiling water. Allow it to cool until you can store it in a screw-top jar or bottle. Each time you have used the oven, wipe it over with a cloth wetted with the solution, whilst the oven is still warm. White marks will appear as the oven dries. Leave them, and the next time that you wipe the oven the burnt on grease will come off! Bicarb is cheap and available at most local shops.

Hints for Eggs: If you only need the white of an egg, rather than separate the white and yolk manually by passing the yolk from one half of the broken shell to the other, (which may leave bits of shell in either part) it is better to buy a small funnel. The white of a fresh egg will pass through leaving the yolk behind. You can then use it later. (Check the ‘use by’ date on the box, as I know you will, thanks to Ms Curry! Actually, if you like spicy food, the egg yolks will improve a good curry!). J

Roast Vegetables with Oat Topping

This is quick and easy.• Peel and chop as many different seasonal

vegetables as you have.• Roast them in olive oil.• For the topping: melt a spoonful or two

of yoghurt with grated parmisan and cheddar cheese together with some feta cheese until everything has melted.

• Once roasted to a soft texture place the vegetables in an over-proof dish.

• Do not do this before the previous step: mix in a cupful of porridge oats with the melted yoghurt and cheese and spread out evenly over the roast vegetables.

• Bake in a moderate to high oven until the topping is golden all over.

March31 Mar Sat @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Easter Fayre 4tuWl

In the Village Hall. We would appreciate any offers of Cakes, Tombola and Raffle prizes or any Bric-a-Brac. Please ring John on 711320 or see any of the Committee. Thank you.

April

2 Apr Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing pWOC

3 Apr Tue @ 10 am Hempstead Charcoal Drawing pWOA

The last until September3 Apr Tue @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls pWOB

7 Apr Sat @ 11 am Barningham Hall – Easter Egg Hunt 5VMg3

and Fun DayFamilies from across North Norfolk are invited to the historic Barningham Hall between 11 am and 3.30 pm.As well as an Easter Egg trail, children will be able to take part in activities such as crafts and face painting. A hog roast will be served at lunchtime with teas, coffees and home-made cakes available throughout the day.This is the sixth annual Easter Egg Hunt and Fun Day at Barningham Hall and is raising funds for Stepping Stones Pre-School based at Aldborough Primary School. Entry is £3 for children and £1.50 for adults and includes entry to the egg trail and craft activities.

9 Apr Mon @ 10 am Hempstead Church Coffee and Stalls 5VWbm

On Easter Monday from 10 am until 3 pm the Kneeler Group are fund raising in the Church. Contributions of cakes, crafts and bric-a-brac would be very welcome. This year the money raised will go to Norfolk Venda, the Norfolk charity which supports schools in the poorest part of South Africa. We look forward to seeing you.

10 Apr Tue @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls pWOB

13 Apr Fri @ 10:30 am Hempstead Coffee and Gossip 56Vmc

16 Apr Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing pWOC

17 Apr Tue @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Diocesan Play Van 243kl

17 Apr Tue @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls pWOB

18 Apr Wed @ 7:30 pm Hempstead Film Club Contact: 712460 1Zhgd

10

19 Apr Thu @ 12:20 pm Mobile Library See page 2 for times pWOD

23 Apr Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing pWOC

24 Apr Tue @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Diocesan Play Van 243kl

24 Apr Tue @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls pWOB

25 Apr Wed @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Plant Sale 5Wojq

A chance to bring plants to swop or simply buy from a wide and varied range of plants available at the Old Rectory. Coffee morning.

26 Apr Thu @ 10 am Baconsthorpe Textile Group Ash Tree Farm spcp

26 Apr Thu @ noon Community Lunch Club sR3b

On Thursday so as not to clash with Plant Sale – Contact: 577455 – Booking essential26 Apr Thu @ 7 pm Hempstead Play Reading Group 62G8v

As usual, the Play Reading evening will start at 7 pm with refreshments and chat, with the reading itself starting at 7:30 pm. New members always welcome – 710702 for further details.

27 Apr Fri @ 7:30 pm Hempstead PCC AGM In the Village Hall. 69Jtr

30 Apr Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing pWOC

May

7 May Mon @ 7:30 pm Hempstead PC AGM In the Village Hall.

11 May Fri @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe – Pat Nearney & Friends 4tt9A

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

14 May Mon @ 7:30 pm Matlaske PC Meeting In St Peter’s Church. 68w9d

25 May Fri @ 7 pm Baconsthorpe 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 are now available from 577263. Bring your own drink.

26 May Sat @ 10 am 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 Jubilee Feast 4tzUg

The Union flag will be raised on the new pole on the bank by the Hall at 7:15 pm to the accompaniment of fanfares. Followed by the singing of Hempstead’s customary patriotic songs, ‘Rule, Britannia’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory (song sheets will be provided). Everyone is warmly invited to join in the celebration. Full details of the event in the next Newsletter. Contact 710702 if you have special photographs of the Queen, at whatever time of her life.

11

Ark Building Maintenance

• Brick Work • Flint Work • • Roofing • Groundwork •

• General Repairs • Restoration •

Richard King

01263 577591 07747 888 106rking00@live.co.uk

www.arkbuilding.co.uk

Prompt and reliable service

PC Problems?No problem!

A reliable, friendly, efficient service in the comfort of your own home

? Installation ? Troubleshooting ? Tuition ?? Free Advice ? Upgrades ?

Andrew Benn 01263 761133www.silversurferandy.com

Hamlyn Pest ControlRodent, Rabbit, Mole, Wasp and

Insect control by professional, friendly service specialising in farm, domestic

and retail premises

? NPLA member ?? Professionally-trained technicians ?

? Reliable and discreet ?

01263 860112 or 01263 861587www.hamlynnorfolk.co.uk

C. H. MATTHEWSPlumbing and Heating

Juniper Lodge, Hempstead,Holt, Norfolk NR25 6TW

Tel: Holt 713374

Systems Installed For Your Specific Needs? Installation & Maintenance ? Providing a Professional Service ?

? Free Survey & Quotation ?16 years of experience in electrical installation and CCTVMonitor your cameras/premises from your phone or PC

Systems from one camera right up to multiple-site systems

CJB Electrical

For All Your CCTV Systems

07881 906798 or 07979 282545 24 hrs chris@cjb-electrical.me.uk www.cctv-norfolk.co.uk

12

Further Ahead2 Jun Sat @ 2:30 pm Matlaske & Barningham Jubilee Tea Party

Invitations and more information to follow shortly.4 Jun Mon @ 1 pm Plumstead Big Garden Party 5VNAT

We shall be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Opening the Phone Box as a Village Information Centre. The event will be held at Church Farmhouse starting with a BBQ, Buffet and, later on, Tea and Cake! There will be games and fun for all. If you would like to help please contact Mary Lintott 577718.

20 Jul Fri @ 6 pm Plumstead Late Fête At Plumstead House. 67g9t

3 Aug Fri @ 10:30 am Coffee and Gossip goes to Baconsthorpe In August we are going on an outing to Ash Tree Farm, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LF. Hope to see you there. Bring and Buy. Good Coffee and Tea. In aid of the Newsletter.

12 Aug Sun @ 2 pm Hempstead Fête 4tzTj

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.

6 Apr Fri @ 10:30 am Edgefield Hot Cross Buns 5xx5o

Good Friday at Church Farm, Edgefield. Home-made hot cross buns and coffee. Bring and Buy Produce, and Gifts. Cards in aid of ‘Air Ambulance.’ Donations in aid of ‘The Friends of Edgefield.’ Please come with your friends.

10 Apr Tue @ 11 am Briston Fun Day – Sports Relief 5zJ8w

Easter Holiday Sport Relief Fun Day Local primary schools are working with the Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to arrange a Fun Day for all the children during this year’s Easter break to raise money for Sport Relief 2012. The Fun Day will take place on Tuesday 10th April 2012 at Astley Primary School Playing Field, Fakenham Road, Briston, from 11 am until 3 pm. The day will include events such as Egg and Spoon Race, Sack Races, Obstacle Course, Bouncy Castle, Beat the Goalie, Tombola, refreshments stalls and more.There will be a small fee to take part in each event and all money raised will be donated to Sport Relief. We would like everybody to get involved and are also looking for volunteers, so if you would like to help run a race, collect donations, run a refreshments stall, bake and sell cakes or even have your own jumble sale then please contact PCSO Rachel Howard at Holt SNT on telephone: 101 or email: sntholt@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.

22 Apr Sun @ 10 am Edgefield Barn Sale 5cJwK

10 am to 4 pm. Free map to the 16 sites. Bacon rolls and delicious cakes in the Village Hall.13

T G L GROUNDWORKS

We also hold £5 million public liability and damage waiver; fully trained experienced operations.7 Stonefield Road, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LP

01263 577746 or 07769 914335 tgl-groundworks@gmx.co.uk

Any outside work undertaken from concreting, digger/dumper operations, fencing, patios, bases, footings, oversights, drainage, treatment plants, soakaways, connections, trenching, some BT, electric, gas and water, kerbs and driveways, landscaping, hedges and grass cutting and turfing. Big Green Waste Bag: We deliver a 1 ton bag; you fill it with garden waste, give us

a call; it’s picked up and exchanged if needed. Nettles/brambles/weeds/grass, hedge and tree cuttings. Why risk scratching and marking your car wasting time and fuel. Bags can be used for other things by arrangement only. £9 for 1; £16 for 2.

Baconsthorpe News

Baconsthorpe 200 Club £25 Hazel Martin; £10 Frances Clare; £5 David Web, Pam Empson.The 200 Club is 13 members short. If you know of anybody who is interested in joining please contact Daphne 577345 Mrs Tooke and Syd BarrettIn response to the article in the Baconsthorpe News from March 2012 Newsletter. Mrs Tooke was my first teacher when I started school at Baconsthorpe in 1944. As an infant teacher she was excellent having a lovely rapport with the younger children. I recall the infants had a small garden at the very top of the playing field, and the older boys a larger plot on the opposite side of the road, now incorporated into the field. Mrs Tooke coached us infants to put on a small play ‘The Golden Imp’ based on an Enid Blyton story. To enhance the look of the participants she used burnt cork to smear on our faces which we all thought jolly exciting, and one young lad went home with this make-up still on his face thereby frightening the life out of his three-year-old brother! The picture of

Syd Barrett would have been taken when he worked for Walter Hazelwood (or ‘Copperhole’ as he was known by). Later, Syd was to work for East Coast Dairies in Sheringham, and had a small bungalow built near Wrights Corner at West Beckham. Having worked as a milk roundsman all his life, on his retirement Syd admitted to the local reporter that he did not like or drink milk! Is the delivery van a Jowell Bradford I wonder? Great picture. Arthur Pentney Moving from BaconsthorpeFarewell to Marcelle and John Gee who have moved to a bungalow in Holt. John has lived in Baconsthorpe all his life and they will be greatly missed. No doubt we shall see them from time to time, when out and about in Holt. We wish them much happiness in their new home.

Moving into Baconsthorpe After ten years as a nursing sister at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Emma Youngs has decided to return to her Norfolk roots and has come to live in Blacksmith’s Cottage. We trust she will soon adjust to life in the ‘slow lane’ and be very happy in her cottage. Good to have you back Emma.

Baconsthorpe Village HallIdeal for Parties and Receptions

Fully equipped Kitchen with Matching Crockery for 100 settingsNew Tables and Chairs

Large Main Hall or Committee Room

Charges: £8 per hour£25 deposit will be required to cover

damages or breakages

To book contactMrs Doris Hill 01263 577489

LLOYD DURHAMFuneral ServicesMrs Z Mitchell, NAFD

24-hour service01263 713113

Qualified Funeral DirectorsOffice and Chapel of Rest

11a Avenue RoadHigh Kelling, Holt NR25 6RD

15

Resident Police Officer

Do you remember when Baconsthorpe had its own resident Police Officer? The first constable that the writer can recall was PC Rook who was based in the Stonefield Road area. In 1948 the village got its new police house built to a standard design and the first new building in the village for some fifty years. Outside was a notice board giving various items of information such as an infestation of Colorado Beetle in potato crops! The first occupant of the new dwelling was PC Fitt, followed later by PC Smith; and finally PC Taylor before the house reverted to private ownership. The photograph shows the house about 1950 with white nameplate above the front door which read ‘Norfolk Constabulary 1948’. Note the lack of TV

aerial, but a garage and telephone must have made this dwelling a cut above the more-usual two-up-two-down cottages of the time. Many regretted the loss of the village constable; he was able to keep an eye on local things that more-distant operatives could never hope to achieve. Such is progress! AP

Baconsthorpe PCC AGMFollowing their annual general meeting the PCC would like to thank those who help so regularly to keep the church going:• Sheila Robson for ringing the bell.• Mrs Rudd and Frances Clare for cleaning the

brass.• Rita Gallon for keeping the church clean – an

endless battle with the bats!• All those on the flower rota.• Will Peck for winding the clock every week.• Andrew Rudd and Will Peck for cutting the

burial ground hedge.

New bridge for Castle Moat

have driven much more slowly and watchfully down near our ponds in case we were sitting in the road.At present, 1,358 of us have been given a lift across the road at Rookery Pond and over 10,000 at Selbrigg pond. There have been some casualties but so many fewer than in previous years. Some of us will live up to 20 years if we can escape the horror of road kill, so this years migration has been the safest in our lifetime. The migration is probably not over yet, so please carry on looking out for us. However, if we are walking away from the pond please don’t take us back – we are on our way home!(If anyone is moved to help next year please ring 710702 – Ed.)

Barningham News

Barningham PCC AGMAt the AGM of Barningham PCC which was held at Barningham Hall on Tuesday, 13th March, Mary Wortley and Brian Clements were re-elected as Churchwardens and John Perks as Treasurer. Geoff Wortley is the PCC Secretary and the representative to the Holt Deanery Synod. Sara Buxton is the Lay Chairman and the Child Protection Officer. Everyone was thanked for all they do for St Mary’s and special thanks to Mrs Rita Gallon for all her work in cleaning the church. Mr and Mrs Thomas Courtauld were thanked for their hospitality.

Hempstead News

Hempstead Toad Patrol Hempstead Toads wish to thank everyone who have helped save Toad lives over the past few weeks: the Toad Patrol Volunteers (Lis and Keith, Jo and Keith, Chris and Clive, Diane, Su and Ian, and Ali at Rookery Pond; and Jenny and Paul at Selbrigg Pond), the drivers and their passengers who have stopped and moved toads to the side of the road rather than run over us, and those who

16

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Children’s Society Boxes Many thanks to the box holders who, together, raised £355.

Milkman RememberedThe photo of the Baconsthorpe milkman in the March issue reminds me of another milkman from Baconsthorpe! I wonder who else remembers Mr Allard with his horse-drawn milk float in the 1930’s? He used to come down to Hempstead with at least two big churns and the measures in his float. In the summer it is amazing that the milk did not turn into butter as he rattled around the village!Sometimes my brother and I would be invited to go for a ride with him down into Pond Hills to deliver milk to the keeper’s cottages. We would, of course be highly delighted. I am not sure how many times a week he came but we hoped that we would be around when he did. He always had something cheerful to say to us children.Does that jog any memories? Diana Spalton

Get Well Soon Irene Bassett fell in Holt and fractured her elbow. We wish her a speedy recovery.

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Edgefield Garage

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Monday–Friday: 8 am–5 pmClosed Saturday and Sunday 17

© David Doak

Events at

Hempstead Film ClubNew members very welcome. See Notice Board in Hall porch for film programme and contact details. Village Hall AGMThis is expected to take place in April. Please keep an eye on the Hall Porch Notice Board and the Bus Shelter for the date

Hempstead May Feast/Queen’s Jubilee Celebration

including the raising of the Flag

Hempstead Fête

Hempstead 200 Club£25 P Loach; £10 M Thody; £5 A Udale, J Wood, K Stone.

Hempstead Bring and Buy Stall The stall near the village hall is back in business! Please put your excess plants and produce on the stall and please price them. We hope you will also find something to buy. Last year it raised £400, which was split equally between the church and the village hall. Thank you to all contributors.

Hempstead Fund raising Please come and support Hempstead Church fund-raising stalls in the church on Easter Monday: 10 am until 3 pm. Refreshments will be available. Proceeds to Norfolk Venda.

Film Club - Car Trouble (1986)Hempstead Film Club’s March showing might be described as a display of E-Type gymnastics! Julie Walters’ fling with car salesman Vincenzo Ricotta acted out in a unbreakable embrace in her husband’s new Jaguar (Ian Charlson) leads to disaster for

Elv’sWood Burner Installation

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the car and later their house. An interesting idea but few laughs apart from the dismemberment of the E-Type. MT

Matlaske News

Nothing to report this month

Plumstead News

Plumstead Flagpole Why not celebrate your birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion by flying the Union Jack? Contact Julie Brown on 01263 577447 and she will ensure the flag is raised on your requested date free of charge. Funeral of Gladys Harmer At her funeral service £1,000 was donated which was divided equally between RNLI and The Church who are grateful for this generous contribution. Budgerigar Found in Plumstead Jon Dicks of Cherry Tree House has reported that he has caged a budgerigar that he found; unless someone claims it soon it will be passed on to the RSPCA.

For Sale• Eleven triple rolls of loft insulation

surplus to need: 6 x 170 mm, 5 x 100 mm: £30.

• Pair of quality matched loudspeakers in Teak cabinets, 17 " h 11 " w 10 " d: £25.

• Original and genuine Bentwood dining chair with red seat: £35.

• York 3350 Cardiofit exercise bike, computer controlled, excellent condition: £80 ono. Contact: 577246

Letter to the EditorOne of our readers found a newspaper cutting from the 1950s and thought that you would like to see it.Search by a London housewife: It’s impossible to find a plain cream wallpaper to contrast with my patterned furniture and curtains. The response of a wallpaper firm was ‘It’s not the fashion to have plain walls.’

Claim by rural reader, Mrs A Spence of Banstead: I can catch, kill and pluck a fowl in 10 minutes. Have everything ready beforehand. To pluck, dip bird first into a pail of cold water, then into hot, counting 25 slowly. Lift out, run the hands lightly down from tail to head – the feathers are off!

Achievement of Mrs Bayley of Reedham House School, Burnham: For Cheap and efficient fire lighters drop lumps of coke or coal not more than two inches across in any direction into a stone jar containing paraffin. Next day use about four and light fire at once. She calls them paraffin lollipops.

The Newsletter accepts no responsibility for the outcome should you try these ideas yourself.

Watching NatureThe stars are like snowflakes tonight

Suspended in the endless sky. I feel they are my friends.

Charcoal branches of trees become artwork as they sway against a moonlit sky.

The night sounds stir my sensesBats and owls and rodents

accept my curious presence.Cattle chew the cud

and sheep move with feet whispering through the grass.

My dog lies at my feet in silent companionship;

We have shared the peace and magic of the night. J

19

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