1

The Mallard Christmas Edition Issue 291 December 2015

Going Down a Bomb!

I t was Monday the 9th of November and Massingham was its usual peaceful self . At

least it was, until two contractors working on the roof of Suzy Martin’s house rolled

back a flap of tattered roofing felt, high in the eaves, and came face to face with... a

bomb!

To say that they were surprised, was an understatement. After quickly photographing it,

they scrambled down to the ground and called the police who arrived in force, reeling out

yards of blue and white Police Do Not Cross tape, sealing off most of the parking area

next to the shop, as well as the houses of Suzy’s immediate neighbours. The neighbours

were evacuated – Andrew and Rosemary Bickerton’s house becoming an impromptu

evacuation centre for Derrick and Tawny Rae, Tawny informing the police that this was

the second time she’d been evacuated, the previous time being when she was a small girl,

back in World War Two.

In due course, the army bomb squad arrived.

The officer in charge went into the house,

disappeared upstairs and returned a few

minutes later with the bomb held nonchalantly

in his hand like a cricket ball! Still holding

the bomb, he chatted to one of the policemen,

then climbed into his vehicle and drove

away. The police took down their blue and

white tape and also drove away. The evacuees

returned to their houses and that was that.

Which leaves the question of what exactly

the bomb was. It was almost certainly a

Mills Bomb – a fragmentation grenade used

in both world wars. But why had it been concealed in a Massingham roof?

Ray at the shop has a theory: after the fall of France in June 1940, German invasion of

England seemed imminent. Our bomb was intended to be used against the first maraud-

ing German tanks to enter the village and, when none turned up, it was hidden away and

eventually forgotten about.

Suzy, by the way, missed all the fun. She was at work. David Miller

Suzy at her front door. The building

where it all

happened.

The Bomb in

the roof where

it was found.

2

‘Histry Bits’.......... BIRDS OF A FEATHER

The run-up to Christmas was a busy time at Heath Farm. Large flocks of turkeys – black

-feathered and by today’s standards painfully narrow-breasted – were brought in from

the stubble fields where they’d been on the shack (feeding on any loose or dropped corn)

since harvest time, under the watchful eye of my grandmother Mrs. Dolly Morton. One

by one they would be hung by their feet from a goalpost-like wooden frame erected in

the yard, to have their necks broken. I used to hate seeing them flapping pathetically as

the life drained out of them under the hissing light of the tilley lamps but, as a small boy,

it taught me a valuable lesson: that eating meat involves the acceptance of death and that

life on the farm would be impossible without it.

Still warm, the heavy birds were carried into the harness room where teams of farm

workers and village people began plucking them. Very soon the room would be waist-

deep in flying feathers, forming a toxic mix with the cigarette smoke that everybody

puffed out while they worked.

Once clean-plucked, the turkeys were hung up in the stables to await collection, while

everybody prayed that the weather would turn cold and stay cold enough to preserve

them until the last ones were off our hands.

There were inevitably a few birds which didn’t make the grade – thin, blue creatures that

looked only suitable for feeding the dogs. As with most other things in life, Grandma

had a solution for them. I can hear her saying it to me now: ‘Bash them on the breast-

bone with a rolling pin to make them look fatter, stick a sprig of holly up their bums and

send them to Swaffham market.’ It never failed. David Miller

Standing left to right:

Charlie Cawthorn, Ted Dawson, Philip (Slick) Cross and seated centre, Ivor Morton.

Plucking Turkeys at

Heath Farm,

Great Massingham,

Christmas 1949

3

In this issue

Going Down a Bomb

‘Histry’ Bits

Many Thanks

Coffee & Craft Sale

Village Hall Events

Gert & Daisy

Baby & Toddler

Christmas Lights

Shoebox Success

Celebration Tea

Parish Council

Gaywood Library

Tennis News

Message for Parishioners

Church News

Church Services

Sparrowhawks

Dates for your Diary

Mallard News

Shop window

Sue and Mark would like to welcome you to

West Heath Barn www.westheathbarn.com

Brand new luxury B & B and Holiday Lets

available

01485 521 748

Tel:

07795 958639

Local Instructor Dual Controlled Citroen DS3

Auto ‘Smart FourFour’

Pass Plus Registered

Weekly or intensive courses

PassMark Driving School Mark Large

DSA Approved Driving Instructor

West Norfolk Glass Suppliers of high quality, affordable,

double glazed windows & conservatories

Save Energy - Save Money For your free, no obligation quotation contact

your local representative Ken Johnson

on 01485 528431 or 07771 734 582

Discounted Curtain Fabric Sales Choose locally from a range of hundreds of fabrics,

all supplied at discount prices. Poles, tracks and all accessories also available

Phone/Fax - Alison 01553 840 245

Complete make up

& hanging service

Field Barn House

School Rd.

A.K.FABRICS

CHOOSE AT HOME

MOBILE LIBRARY

22nd December Don’t miss the Christmas

Coffee Morning and

Table Top / Craft Sale

Saturday 5th December

10.30am to 12.30pm

at the Village Hall A Great Massingham

Primary school event.

Your support

will be appreciated.

Bring Christmas Cheer to

Your Village Store When you are making all your

Christmas purchases this year please

don’t forget your village store.

We are so fortunate to have not only

a shop but a Post office as well.

Remember the saying,

‘Use it or Lose it’.

Bring some cheer to our village store

and spend some of your Christmas

cash there as well.

Many Thanks Thank you to Chrissie

Warnes, Peggy Hipkin

and team for making

such a success of the

coffee evening on the

18th November to raise

funds for a defibrillator

for the village. The

event raised an amazing

£726! Thank you team.

You are amazing too.

Massingham

Historical Society

We meet at Ant Robin-

son's Studio at The

Barns, 9, School Road

on the 3rd Wednesday

each Month.

New members welcome.

More news next month.

4

Mallard News Village Hall

VILLAGE HALL REGULAR EVENTS

Keep Fit Wed.1.45pm to 2.45pm

Bingo Fridays at 7.30pm

Auction Sundays

Coronation Club (4th Wed.) 2pm - 4pm

Baby &Toddler Thurs. 10am - 11.30am

Folk Spot Sundays 7pm -10pm

Craft & Chat (2nd & 4th Mon) 2 - 4pm

Short Mat Bowls Mondays 2-4 pm to April Short Mat Bowls Wednesdays 7 - 10 pm League Competition Until March.

Quiz Nights Thursdays, once a month

REMINDER

Please remember that dogs

are not allowed on the

village hall playing field.

VILLAGE HALL

DECEMBER EVENTS NEWS

5th Dec Coffee, cake & Craft Fair

7th Dec. Craft and Chat

16th Dec. Tennis Club AGM

17th Dec. Change of BINGO day

DECEMBER WEST NORFOLK RADIO

IN THE VILLAGE HALL BAR

7 - 10 pm

6th No live show

13th Live broadcast featuring Gaynor

Wilson & Paul McGladdery from

Manchester & The Gillies from

London.

20th Live broadcast to be confirmed.

27th No live show.

Watch our facebook page for details

www.westnorfolkradio.co.uk

Shop window

Sara Barns Seamstress

Dress Making Alteration

Loose Covers Curtains

The Old Swan, Gt. Massingham 01485 520151

Carol Walker MCFHP MAFHP Registered Member of the British Association of

Foot Health Professionals

Foot Health Practitioner

Foot Healthcare in Your Home

Contact: carolwalker3060@gmail.com

Tel: 07714192521 or 01485 520 187

GARY KNIGHT DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSOR QUIDOS ACCREDITED

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

HOME ENERGY ADVICE

40 Sunnyside Road, Great Massingham, Norfolk

Garyknight6@btinternet.com

01485 520 186 or 07557 436 411

For all your

gardening

Requirements

telephone

Patrick Jacques

07976981270

CHRISTMAS GRAND DRAW

To be drawn on

Christmas Eve in the Bar.

All you have to do is pay 50p for a square

on our board kept at the bar. There are

masses of prizes with no prize under £10

in value. Why not have a go?

NEW YEAR’S EVE

ENTERTAINMENT

Marcia Baker sings in the bar from 8pm

5

Shop window

Phone: 01485 520637 Mobile: 07780 776576

Approved coal and solid fuel merchant

For Quality Fuels at the Best Prices

CARLTON’S SOLID FUELS

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

H. I.

General Building Work Barn Conversions Extensions Conservatories Hard Landscaping Kitchens/Bathrooms Floor & Wall Tiling Decking

S.

Tim Margereson 3 Weasenham Rd

Gt.Massingham PE32 2EY

Call 07786 618787 or

01485 520745

Reasonable Rates

Contact Andy Graham

01553 630747

GUITAR TUITION

All styles and levels

Drums and other instruments

Telephone : 01760 722 168

White Cottage, School Road, Necton (opp Rectory)

JOE SISTO

TV, Video, DVD & Satellite Sales, Set-up & Repairs

Free Estimates

All Makes & Models Qualified Engineer

30 Years Experience

Work Guaranteed Discount for OAP’s

Sales, Repairs, Installations & Tuning Services

Bed & Breakfast

Oyster House

Mrs. Veronica Prentice Phone O1485 528327

www.oysterhouse.co.uk

Lynn Road West Rudham Norfolk PE31 8RW

TERRY DOWNING

WALL & FLOOR TILING SPECIALIST 25 Years Experience

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Conservatories etc FREE measure and quotation

Home: 01328 701911

Mobile: 07976 222287

Weekdays. Mornings & Afternoons.

Call Pip Armitage

07807 185746

Ducklings Pre-School c/o Gt. Massingham Primary School

Weasenham Road

Your Local Pet Care and Gardening Service mobile : 07799258666

taylors.tails.and.turnips@gmail.com www.taylorstailsandturnips.co.uk

Taylor’s Tails & Turnips

S & R Reeve All building work undertaken

Quality assured. Renovation & newbuild

Stephen Reeve

07879 885521 15, Cross Street, Harpley, King’s Lynn PE31 6TJ

sandrreeve@gmail.com

Mole Catcher

Call Steve 01485 520142

07745 163149

No Mole, No Charge! email: steveoutthere66@gmail.com

6

Mallard News

Gert & Daisy....... OMG! (bet yew don’t know what that mean).

What a month we’ve hed. We hev bin sew busy.

Those that come ter the Tea Party – we hope yew enjoyed yerselves.

We certainly did. We enjoyed listening ter yer memories and sing-

ing. Thank yew ter the lovely ladies who med awl them cakes and pastries. Yew raised

£115 on the raffle and we hev given that ter the Coronashun Club terwards their Christmas

Lunch that they’re heving at Weasenham Fox.

We would like to send our condolences to Bev and Geoff Randall on the death of his

mother, Olive, who lived in Abbeyfields. Also we were very sorry to hear about the sudden

passing of Marilyn Sadler. Daisy worked at Listawood at the same time as Marilyn.

She will be greatly missed by all her family and all her friends at Coronation Club where

she was a very loyal member.

Last month we wus waiting ter hear about Daisy’s newest grandchild. Well, we are happy

ter report Lillie Mae arrived on 26th October weighing in at 3lbs and a half an ounce! At

the moment she is still in hospital but doing very well and could be home by the time you

read this. Congratulations ter Robert and Becki and first time grandparents Kim and

Alan.

What excitement we’ve hed! An unexploded bomb wus found in the ruf of the Old

Bakehouse. Well, blast me, said a witness, thas a gud job that dint go off. Fust we

thought Mr Molynocks hed bin robbed at gunpoint at least but then we heard the truth.

They hed ter evacuate and there wus a stream of refugees (three, in fact!) cewing up at

passport control to cross Station Road to the refugee camp at Johore. Awl ended happily.

Daisy wus very pleased ter see all the ladies at Craft and Chat. They loiked it so much

there will now be a session every fortnight. What a lot of clever people we hev in the

village (and beyond).

Gert and Bert hev invited Daisy and Sid fer Christmas Day at theirs. Hope there int tew

much drink otherwise there cud be another Tea Party in the New Year!

We hev bin busy gitting ready fer Christmas – buying presents and writing cards. Sorry

Mr Postman, it’s a busy toime fer yew but yew ken leave awl our cards and presents on

the threshul if thas easier.

We wud loike ter wish awl of yew a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

Dew yew keep atroshing. Gert and Daisy

Thought of the month:-

"What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic “

WANTED! In or near

Great Massingham

Livery for 15hh, 17-year old cob gelding.

Preferably grass livery, starting about

first week in December.

Please call Heather on 07935 660501 or

e-mail: heatherwatson56@btinternet.com

Great Massingham Baby and Toddler

EVERY THURSDAY

10am - 11.30am At the Village Hall

Christmas Party

on Thursday

17th December Snack

£1.50

Tea

and

Cake

7

The Dabbling Duck A warm welcome guaranteed from

all the staff at the Dabbling Duck.

Open all day every day

Coffee from 12 noon daily

Food served Monday to Sunday from

12 midday to 2.30pm & 6.30pm to 9.00pm.

Take Away Menu available at same times.

Real ales and full wine list

Locally sourced, seasonal weekly menus

Children’s choices available.

For all bookings phone 01485 520827

DOGS AT HOME Boarding for dogs in the comfort of our home Your dogs will be treated as one of the family for

the duration of their stay. Daily walks & spacious

grounds for your dog to play in.

Love and cuddles guaranteed! The Paddocks, Station Road,

Little Massingham

Contact Donna on 07793 737 312

For that special occasion

Weddings Airports

etc. Theatre

A professional & reliable service at a price you can afford.

Brian Connolly 01485 520938

Silverlink Painter & Decorator

Free Estimates

N.Davies

32 Walcups Lane Gt. Massingham 01485 520768

MOB. 07768 384 305

Shop window

FUN FRIENDLY ZUMBA CLASSES

Harpley Village Hall Mon. 7 - 8 pm Wed. 9.30 - 10.30 am Leziate Village Hall Thurs. 6.30 - 7.30 pm

Classes £4 each. For further information please contact Julie Austin on

07721 774 198

Meadowvale Bed & Breakfast

Gayton PE32 1QT

01553 636531 Stunning location.

Luxury accommodation. Suit any occasion.

www.meadowvalebedandbreakfast.com

8

Mallard News

Christmas Lights Ceremony It's that time of the year again and

to get us in the Christmas spirit we

will be following our village tradi-

tion of switching on the Christmas

Tree Lights outside the Dabbling

Duck. This will be taking place on:

Saturday the

12th December

at 6:30 pm.

This year we will be collecting for

the Lavender Hill Mob Theatre

Company who are a local King’s

Lynn charity.

We look forward to seeing you all

there on this enjoyable occasion. Be sure not to miss it.

Ryan Brown

More than twelve million GP appointments are missed every year costing the NHS £162 million

Christmas Shoeboxes Excellent result! This year we broke

our record. We are sending 132

Christmas Boxes to the distribution

centre in Peterborough. The boxes are

then sent off to many parts of the

world, as requested by Samaritan’s

Purse Partners Worldwide. Yes, that's

132 happy smiling faces on less fortu-

nate children. They will know some-

one cares as they open the beautifully

decorated boxes and see the gifts so

kindly given and that gives us all a

warm feeling.

Please let me

know when you

hear where your

box went.

Thank you all for your gen-

erous donations including the children

and parents from Great Massingham

and Harpley C of E Primary schools

who also contributed.

Margaret Bowes

9

Mallard News

CELEBRATION TEA TIME What a lovely idea!

The ‘Celebration Tea’, was organised by Gert

and Daisy and their helpers for all residents

born before 1st September 1939, the start of the

Second world War.

You can see from the pictures that it was a jolly

occasion with a very tasty spread including

many of the items that would have been served

up at the street parties at the end of the war.

Everyone ‘tucked in’, memories were shared

and Ann Bowen led everyone in a singalong.

Many thanks to all who helped make the afternoon such a success .

Thank You So Much I just wanted to say how, as some-

one fairly new to the village, I was

so pleased to have attended the

Celebration Tea.

It was such a happy atmosphere

and a great opportunity for me to

meet and get to know people.

Thank you to all who were involved

in organising the event.

Monica Green

10

Mallard News

Forthcoming Events at

Gaywood Library Some of The Regular Events

Scrabble Club Mondays 10am to 12 noon

Knit & Knatter 4th Friday 10am to 12 noon

Audio Book Club 1st Thursday 2pm to 3.30pm

Festive Fun Storytime

Come to our festive stories and activities!

Sunday 6th December, 10.30 to 11.30am.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tablets for the Terrified!

Come to our free and fun sessions to help you

get to grips with using an iPad.

Tuesday 1st, 8th and 15th December, 2 - 5 pm

Bring your own or borrow one of our iPads

and learn the basics to get started with web

browsing, email, apps and more. Book now!

Booking Essential.

www.facebook.com/lynnlibraries 01553 768498

Tennis Club Loses Out In The Final Set

On 11th November Ali Ward, Peter and

Annie Lawton, Rob Burton and Arthur

Allen went to the Norfolk Sports

Awards. Run by Active Norfolk, the

awards are now in their seventh year.

We were finalists in the ‘Community

Club of the Year Award’ but in the end

the award went to Norwich Canoe

Club. Held at the Forum in Norwich,

this was quite a sparkly event with a

selection of local sporting stars, such as

Alfie Hewitt, world No 1 junior wheel-

chair tennis player, who presented the

medals. Around 330 clubs in Norfolk

across every sport submitted entries so

we did really well to be a finalist.

The Club AGM is at 7pm on

16th December followed by our Club

Christmas Dinner. (Now fully booked)

Arthur Allen

Parish Council – November Report Seven councillors attended the November

meeting. Also present - the Clerk, Mr. Dob-

son (County Councillor), Mr. Tilbury

(Borough Councillor) and one parishioner.

Clarification had been sought from the

Department for Communities and Local

Government regarding the new Trans-

parency Code for smaller Councils but

a response had not been received.

The possibility of Norfolk County Council

closing the village’s Fire Station had

diminished according to the local news-

paper. It was agreed, however, to send a

letter stressing the importance of the

station to the area and local community.

Insurance cover in respect of some areas

of the Parish Council’s assets had been

increased to reflect recent purchases

and additions. Next meeting Monday

18th January 2016, 7.30 pm

Village Hall

11

Shop window

Wood Floor Sanding & Fitting Specialist Floor Boards, Wood Block/Parquet,

Engineered & Laminate Floors Sealing Staining Waxing Oiling

Moisture Issues, Floor levelling

Free advice & Quotes, Contact Chris on 01945 780166 or 01485 521707 or 07894791723

www.crgibbsflooring.co.uk

The Window Doctor Trust The Window Doctor for your NEW

Windows - Doors - Conservatories Fascia, Soffit & Guttering.

Misted or broken glass sealed units replaced Jammed or failed windows & doors fixed Hinges, handles, letterboxes, locks etc replaced.

01945 585999 or www.thewindow-doctor.co.uk sales @ thewindow-doctor.co.uk

Tel: 01328 878 871

Mobile: 07554 073 830

Over 25 years experience,

17Th Edition qualified,

Part P registered

Neil Brodie Electrical Contractor

NORFOLK WOODBURNERS

SUPPLY &

INSTALLATION

OF WOODBURNERS Norfolk’s Agent for Aga, Hunter

& Parkway Stoves.

01328 700161 www.norfolkwoodburners.co.uk

T&A Tree & Garden Services

All aspects of Domestic Tree and Garden Care Pruning, reductions, felling, hedge trimming, climbers, shrub pruning, fruit trees and more.

Small Local Company - Qualified & Insured Free no obligation quotes and advice

Call Alex 07782131258 www.TandAnorfolk.co.uk

12

Message to all Parishioners

Christmas – Love it or Loathe it? Some would say the best thing about Christmas is the preparation! The days leading up

to the big day; hearing a favourite carol or Christmas hit on the radio, decorating the

tree, especially if it’s a real one that fills the house with the aroma of pine. Then there’s

the shops, bustling, busy, full of sparkle and colour, green, red and gold. The children’s

school concerts and nativity plays are a must see if you can. Or maybe it’s the church

services, fun family services and Christingles, churches full of lit candles, traditional

carols sung and shared and hearing the Christmas story one more time. There is the

sense that something really special is just around the corner. The lead up to Christmas

can be full of expectation, anticipation and HOPE.

Others would say they love Christmas because of the LOVE! Love shared openly with

family and friends – Christmas cheer and Christmas spirit in full flow (and not all of the

alcoholic variety!) It is about showing our love and receiving love from family and

friends. But for some, of course, Christmas does not hold such things – they may well

say they loathe Christmas! For those who are alone Christmas can be a special day with

no-one around – and the lonely then feel very alone indeed! So we all need to remember

to share our love with those we know who are alone and isolated by popping round to

say hello, showing them that they are cared about and loved. For many people Christmas

Day is filled with a special kind of love, a love found in going to visit someone or even

to help prepare and serve Christmas lunch for others.

So what about the Big Day. The Special Day! For many it is pure JOY. There are the

church services in the morning (don’t forget!) then perhaps favourite Christmas films

and shows on the tele. And, of course, the presents; the joy and the excitement of tearing

off the wrapping paper, shouts of surprise and laughter. Followed by seven times more

than we can possibly eat! Then there’s the fun and frivolity, paper hats, crackers popping

and the obligatory family board games and charades! Oh JOY!

Whatever the holiday means for you, whether you relish the hope in the build-up, love

the love given and received, or enjoy the joy in the day itself - or if it is a difficult day

for you – love it or loathe it - it is good and right that we remember that all this was

started in the mystery of God coming to share our lives in the form of a little child.

And that child brought with Him the Hope and Love and Joy that we will find by putting

our trust in Him – He is our greatest gift – for all of us – for all eternity. Knowing that

leads us to one response only – REJOICE!

I pray that your Christmas this year will be full of Hope and Love and Joy & every

blessing. Rev’d Jane

NEW ADVERTS THIS MONTH

Meadowvale B & B - page 7

T & A Tree & Garden Services - page 11

Marilyn Clare Sadler who

died on 31st October was cremated

on 16th November and her life

celebrated later that day at St

Mary’s Church. Our thoughts

and prayers are with the

Sadler family.

Lay Services at Little Massingham

Sunday 6th December 9.30am Morning Prayer

Sunday 27th December 9.30am Morning Prayer

13

Church Services December

Date Time Service Location

2nd December 9.00 am Holy Communion Harpley

6th December

2nd in Advent

9.30 am

11.00 am

Sung Holy Communion

Holy Communion

Harpley

Great Massingham

13th December

3rd in Advent

11.00 am

3.00 pm

4.00 pm

Holy Communion

Carol Service

The Gap

Harpley

Little Massingham

Roydon

20th December

4th in Advent

9.30 am

3.00 pm

Holy Communion

Carol Service

Little Massingham

Great Massingham

23rd December 6.00 pm Carol Service Harpley

24th December

Christmas Eve

4.30 pm

11.30 pm

Christingle

Midnight Communion

Great Massingham

Great Massingham

25th December

Christmas Day

9.30 am

11.00 am

Holy Communion

Family Worship

Little Massingham

Harpley

27th December 10.30 am Family Holy Communion Great Massingham

Monthly Benefice Prayer Meeting

Wednesday 2nd December at 3pm at St Nicholas, Gayton

CHURCH NEWS Christmas Tree Festival

The Christmas trees will be lit up in Church

from Saturday 12th of December and every

weekend until January. We are extremely

grateful to the people who donate the trees

and to all who decorate them. They give the

Church a special feel all through Christmas-

tide and are much appreciated.

Christmas Carol Service

This will be held on Sunday 20th December

at 3pm. There will be the seven readings and

many carols. Please come along and help us

get our Christmas services off to a rousing

start. Candles and the trees in the Church

will make the occasion special.

Christingle Service

This is our annual service to support the

Children's Society. All our donations go to

help children in need in this country. The

service is quite an event with the children

receiving their christingles and the excite-

ment builds up as the children look forward

to Christmas. The service starts at 4-30pm

on Christmas Eve the 24th of December

and is a special service for children, their

parents, grandparents and friends. Please

come along and enjoy.

Christmas Mass

This starts at 11-30pm on Christmas Eve,

24th December. Stephen Hudson

No messy Church in

December. Next one -

28th January

Come to the GAP

at Roydon Church

at 4pm on

13th December

14

Debbie Woodhouse Holistic Massage Practitioner MTI & CNHC Registered

Suitable for all ages and body types, holistic massage can relieve tension, aid sleep, relieve anxiety & stress, improve mood & promote a general sense of well-being. Deep tissue and clothed seated massage available.

Massingham Chiropractic Clinic 01485 520123

Rachael Spooner MCFHP MAFHP

Foot Health Professional Treatments include:

Nail cutting, Corn Removal, Callus Reduction,

Diabetic Foot Care, Verruca Treatment.

Call 01485 601128 or 07754 947 408 for advice or an appointment.

Caring for your feet in your own home.

Member of British Association of Foot Health Professionals

Level 3 Advanced Personal Trainer, Children's Fitness Instructor, GP Exercise Referral Instructor

Nutrition and Weight Management, Level 2 ASA Swimming Teacher, First Aid Qualified.

Tel: 07825 371 381 - www.krosstraining.co.uk

ALL ON YOUR DOORSTEP A Warm Welcome Awaits

at Heath Farm, Lynn Lane, Great Massingham

01485 520828 www.lingscountrygoods.com

Annual Membership Subscriptions Adult Couple £20 Individual Adult £14 Over 65 years £10 Juniors (14 –17yrs) £ 7

Excellent facilities and a friendly atmosphere.

Good beer, real ale, wines and spirits all at competitive prices. Separate snooker room.

Satellite, large screen TV. Outside drinking area.

Entertainment throughout the year.

Membership applications can be obtained from the club bar

Book the Village Hall for your function – 01485 520588

Welcomes old & new members

CALL TODAY

01485 521888

High quality fitted and free-standing

furniture. Individually designed,

traditionally hand-crafted and

personally installed by experts from

our Great Massingham workshops.

www.tenacityinteriors.com

Shop window

15

OVEN CLEANING

CARPET CLEANING

SOFA CLEANING

Call the local experts now

Clean Tech

01485 609223 Card, cheque and cash

payments accepted

Useful Numbers Organisation Contact Phone No.

Allotment Association Gill Goold 07513125964

Borough Council Mike Tilbury 520340

British Legion & Bell Ringing Denys Winner 520598

Bowls Club Peter Wadham 520796

Church Contacts Revd Judith Pollard or Revd Jane Holmes

01485 601 251 01553 636227

Community Car Scheme Office 520823

Coronation Club Pam Hales 520236

County Council John Dobson 534989

Doctors Massingham Surgery 520521

The Film Club Arthur Allen/Barry Talbot 520628/07818 807 738

Fishing Warden Nigel Yates 520844/07527 866 055

Football Club Barry Talbot (seniors) 520653

Guide Trefoil Guild Shirley Rae 520259

Massingham Historical Society Anthony Robinson 520455

Tennis and Multi-Sports Club Arthur Allen 520628

Parish Council Kevin Webb (Clerk) Vic Cross (Chair)

01328 855 046 520387

Pre-School Pip Armitage 07807 185 746

Police Non-emergency 101

School Ann Beardall 520362

Village Hall Hall & Bar & Vic Cross 520588/520387

Fresh Bread Daily from Ridouts Bakery

Holiday Insurance & Foreign Currency

Take Away Food Menu

Fresh Fruit and vegetables

FREE local deliveries every Thursday !

Village Store

Great Massingham

The Village Store & Post Office

Ray and staff

welcome you to

your local shop,

7days a week.

Mon. to Sat.

8am to 5.30pm

Sun. 9.30 -12.30

Tel: 520 272

16

Dates for your Diary – December

Date Event Time Place

5 Dec Coffee Morning & Crafts 10.30 - 12.30 Village Hall

7 Dec Craft and Chat 2 - 4 pm Village Hall Bar

From 12 Dec Christmas Trees Weekends St Mary’s Church

12 Dec Christmas Lights Ceremony 6.30 pm Outside The Pub

13,20 Dec West Norfolk Radio Folk 7 - 10 Village Hall Bar

16 Dec Tennis Club AGM 7pm Village Hall

22 Dec Mobile Library From 11am As timetabled

31 Dec Marcia Baker Singer 8pm on Village Hall Bar

This parish magazine is published every month for the residents of Great and Little Massingham with the support of the Great Massingham Parish Council, the Parochial Church Council and Massingham Village Hall Trustees.

www.greatmassingham.net Editor : Bev Randall 01485 520 899 or 6 Abbeyfields Gt Massingham

e-mail : mallard.editor@btinternet.com

Treasurer : David Baines 01485 520 966

Next closing date

10th December

Don’t Blame the Sparrowhawks.

M any people are upset when witnessing a

Sparrowhawk taking one of their garden

birds or when they find the remains of one of its

victims. I have frequently come across such

evidence.

In my youth the sight of a Sparrowhawk in our

rectory garden was extremely rare. However, I

did accidently shoot one mistaking it for a pigeon

as it flew from a hedge. Foolishly I tried to pick up the wounded bird and instantly dis-

covered the sharpness and strength of its talons. We tried, unsuccessfully, to nurse it but,

sadly, without success. The guilt remained with me long after my wounds healed.

So why were Sparrowhawks such a rare sight? Firstly, they were unprotected and sec-

ondly, in those days, there were enough prey birds on farmland for them not to have to

venture into gardens. Now, however, with the loss of many farmland birds such as tree

sparrows, the sparrowhawk is forced to hunt in gardens where there is a plentiful supply

of finches, blackbirds and the like.

With so many of us feeding garden birds, usually at one particular site, such birds have

become easy prey for the hawks to feed and supply their young. Sparrowhawks are hunt-

ing to survive; they kill for food and not for sport.

We can help protect our song birds by placing bird tables and feeders where cover is close

by and not in the open where a hunting sparrowhawk can surprise feeding birds. Certainly

we lose a number of our song birds to these raptors but we lose far more to domestic cats

which hunt in many of gardens despite being fed by their owners!

Andrew Bickerton