local lynx issue 81 - december 2011/january 2012

BALE - BINHAM - COCKTHORPE - FIELD DALLING

GUNTHORPE - LANGHAM - MORSTON

SAXLINGHAM - SHARRINGTON - STIFFKEY

NEWS FROM OUR VILLAGES

ISSUE 81 DECEMBER &

JANUARY

2011/12

Read Local Lynx on-line at: www.locallynx.co.uk

Gunthorpe - 1987

SEASON’S GREETINGS!

- is a non-profit-making community newspaper, run for

the benefit of ten villages.

We warmly welcome drawings, articles and letters for

publication, but must reserve the right to edit or exclude

items. The items published do not necessarily reflect the

views of the editors or the village representatives.

For information about submitting items for

publication, or if you want to help in any other way,

please contact your village representative, through

whom all village news must be submitted. For general information please send a message to our

email address:

[email protected]

PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE DATE

COPY FOR

FEBRUARY/MARCH ISSUE

REQUIRED BY NOON ON 8th JAN.

CONTACT FOR ADVERTISERS For enquiries about advertising in Local Lynx,

please contact Maxine Burlingham

tel: 01328-830375

email: [email protected]

Rates for advertising (pre-paid) are:

One column x 62 mm (1/8 page): £72 for six issues.

Small Ads Panel on the back page:

Available for individuals and businesses

providing local services. Cost: £36 for six issues.

DISTRIBUTION CONTACT: For all enquiries or offers to help,

please contact:

Rita White, tel: 01328 830821

2

WHAT’S ON In our villages

DECEMBER 1st Thurs. Langham Quiz Night, Parish Room 7.00

1st Thurs. Langham Mobile Library

3rd/ Sat Morston Bluejacket Christmas Party 10-5

4th Sun. Morston Bluejacket Christmas Party 10-5

3rd Sat. Langham FOL Coffee Morning, Parish Room

3rd Sat Langham Crafers Barn Coffee morning 10-12.30

3rd Sat. Binham Christmas Supper, Village Hall, 7.00

3rd Sat. Langham Coffee Morning, Crafer’s Barn. 10.00

8th Thurs. Binham/Hindringham Christmas party

8th Thurs. Stiffkey Music Circle

9th Fri. Bale Village Hall, Fish’n’chips etc 7.00

12th Mon. Binham LH Group Christmas Party, 7.30

14th Wed. Langham Ladybirds, Parish Room. 7.30

16ht Fri. Langham Carols/Mince pies evening

17th Sat. Binham Icene Choir, Priory, 6.30

17th Sat. Gunthorpe FOGP Christmas Party 12.00

19th Mon. Binham Carols round the Tree.

21st Wed. Langham FOL Coffee Morning, Parish Room

23rd Fri. Morston Candlelit Carol Service 5.00

23rd Fri. Stiffkey Christingle Carols 3.30

24th Sat. Morston Carollers rendezvous at Anchor 5.00

24th Sat. Binham Children’s Family Service, 4.00

28th Wed. Morston Parish Council. 7.00

29th Thurs. Langham Mobile Library

31st Dec. Bale Old Years’ Night, Village Hall 7.30

JANUARY

2nd Mon. Langham Panto Trip, Leaves Bluebell 12.30

7th Sun Binham Epiphany Service - Richeldis Singers

7th Sat. Langham FOL Coffee Morning, Parish Room

12th Thurs. Stiffkey Music Circle

13th Bale Village Hall, Fish’n’chips

15th Sun. Gunthorpe Silent Meditation 4.30-5.00

18th Wed. Langham FOL Coffee Morning, Parish Room

19th Thurs. Stiffkey W.I. Old Hall 7.30

19th Thurs. Binham/Hindringham meeting

22nd Sat. Morston, FMC Morston Quiz 7.00

25th Wed. Morston Parish Council. 7.00

26th Thurs. Langham Mobile Library

26th Thurs. Binham Bridge event 12.30-5.00

26th Thurs.Binham History Group AGM & Talk 7.30

28th Sat. Gunthorpe FOGP Club Meeting 10.30

Regulars

Binham Quiz Night at Chequers, 1st Monday of month

Binham Guild of Artists Every Tuesday 10-12

Binham Youth Group, Wednesday evenings

Mondays Langham Funmobility, Parish Room 10-11.30

EXTRA CHRISTMAS SERVICES & EVENTS December

15th Binham : Nativity Play, 4.30 pm

17th Binham: Iceni Christmas Choir,

Lessons and Carols, 6.30 pm

23rd Stiffkey: Christingle, 3.30 pm

23rd Morston: Nine Lessons and Carols, 5.00 pm

24th Binham: Children’s Christmas Eve Service, 4.00 pm

24th Field Dalling: Christmas Eve Service, 6.30 pm

24th Binham: Holy Communion, 11.00 pm

January

8th Binham: Epiphany Service

with Richeldis Singers, 3.30 pm

29th Bale: Group Holy Communion Service 10.30 am

BLAKENEY METHODIST CHURCH

High Street Blakeney

Minister: Jennifer Pathmarajah Tel: 01263 712 181

Sunday Services at 6.30 pm. For weekday services and details of preachers and any

change in times, refer to ‘The Glaven Valley Newsletter’.

BLAKENEY CATHOLIC CHURCH Back Lane Blakeney

Father Michael Simison 12 Hindringham Road

Gt. Walsingham Norfolk Tel: 01328 821 353

Priest in Residence Father William Wells (the house behind the church)

Service Times Masses:

Wednesday 9.30am

Vigil Mass Saturday 6.00pm.

Sunday 11.00am.

Church Services for Stiffkey and Bale Benefice for December 2011 and January2012 HC=Holy Communion. FS=Family Service. MP=Morning Prayer. BCP=Book of Common Prayer

FOR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES, SEE PANEL ON PAGE 2

Regular Weekday Services Binham: Tuesday, 6.00pm Evening Prayers, Langham: Wednesday, 10.00am Holy Communion

Parish 4th December 11th December 18th December 25th December

Bale 9.30am HC 9.30am HC 6.30pm Carol Service 9.30am Christmas HC

Field Dalling At Saxlingham 11.00am CFS Christingle At Saxlingham At Saxlingham

Saxlingham 9.30am HC At Field Dalling 11.00am HC 10.30am Christmas HC

Gunthorpe 11.00am MP 11.00am Lessons & Carols

Sharrington 9.30am MP BCP 9.30am HC 5.00pm Carol Service 9.30am Christmas HC

Binham 11.00am HC 11.00am HC 11.00am CFS 10.30am Lessons & Carols

Morston 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am Christmas HC BCP

Langham At Stiffkey 9.30am MP At Stiffkey 11.00am Christmas HC

Stiffkey 9.30am CFS At Langham 9.30am HC 9.30am Christmas HC

Parish 1stJanuary 8th January 15th January 22nd January

Bale 9.30am HC 9.30am HC 9.30am HC 9.30am HC

Field Dalling At Saxlingham 11.00am CFS At Saxlingham 11.00am MP BCP

Saxlingham 9.30am HC At Field Dalling 11.00am HC At Field Dalling

Gunthorpe 11.00am MP 4.30pm Silent Meditation 11.00am HC

Sharrington 9.30am MP BCP 9.30am HC 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC

Binham 11.00am HC 9.30am HC 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC

Morston 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am HC BCP

Langham At Stiffkey 9.30am MP At Stiffkey 9.30am HC

Stiffkey 9.30am CFS At Langham 9.30am HC At Langham

3

Dear Friends and Parishioners,

The end of November marks the beginning of the season of Advent, the Church’s New Year; and the Word itself,

Advent, means simply Coming. We start on this day a period of preparation – both a preparation for Christmas when we

celebrate the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he came in great humility; and also a preparation for the second

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he will come in great majesty. When we serve others we are really serving a

KING. For some modern minds both those words ‘serve’ and ‘king’ are ridiculously old fashioned, summing up certain

features of Christianity which some find unattractive.

Admittedly few take exception to the Church’s teaching on the love and fatherhood of God. Nor to our insistence on

social concern, or care for children and the elderly, and so on.

NO! The really offensive things to the modern mind are first Christianity’s supernaturalism: its claim that Jesus is God,

made flesh and blood; that he rose bodily from the grave and ascended into heaven; and that he is literally coming again.

And secondly, its exclusivism: its insistence that salvation (another old-fashioned word) can be found in no one other than

Christ. It was not because the early Christians did not know much about other religions that they proclaimed Jesus Christ

as the sole Saviour of the world, but because they knew all too much about them.

They proclaimed him not out of narrow mindedness or religious imperialism, but for the sheer joy of knowing and

telling that God in Jesus Christ had done enough for the salvation of all mankind. No other sacrifice or salvation was

necessary. Peace with God was a gift, available to all – instantaneously – and free.

And so we are commissioned both to serve and to bear witness to the weakness and folly of a crucified Messiah, and

also to the same Lord by whose power and wisdom the world exists, is sustained and will be judged. To accept this means

to accept the overturning of the accepted wisdom of the world. It is not a human possibility – it is a gift of God – a

miracle – a new birth from above. We may all seek that birth from above, and we can all receive the filling of the Holy

Spirit every day. And full of the Holy Spirit of Jesus, His followers and friends were (and are) both to announce what he

had achieved at his first coming; and to summon people to repent and believe in preparation for his second coming.

They were (and are) to be his serving witnesses ‘to the ends of the earth’ and ‘to the very end of the age’.

We often decorate our houses or churches at this time with an Advent wreath. It is a circle which has no beginning and

no end. It represents God’s love and our love. And it is made from evergreens. They are never bare, and represent Christ’s

commitment to us and ours to him. And the candles point to Jesus as the light of the world, and remind us too that, filled

with his spirit, we will shine as lesser lights in useful service in the world.

May I wish you a thoughtful Advent and a joyous Christmas. Yours truly, Ian Whittle

4

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S NEWS

Norfolk Community Fund

Some useful news: The fund is intended to help build

capacity in Norfolk’s small charities, voluntary and

community groups in supporting local people. The NCF

has £449,000 available to support a grants programme

offering one-off grants of £500-£5,000. The Fund will be

managed by Norfolk Community Foundation.

Details and an application form are on the website

www.norfolk.foundation.com. If any group would like

my support please contact:

[email protected]

Natural England and Marsh Zoning:

Proposals by Natural England to zone off certain areas

of marshland from human and domestic animal activity

understandably concerned the parishes of Blakeney,

Morston, Stiffkey and Cley. Net Gain, the organisation

responsible for formulating these proposals, declare all

relevant stakeholders were consulted. Yet as County

Councillor for three of the parishes I knew nothing – nor

importantly did a wide range of marsh users.

Therefore along with Norman Lamb MP I met with

NE on 28 October to belatedly seek clarification.

Amongst a number of questions I asked whether a socio-

economic study had been carried out regarding not

simply those who make their main living on the marshes

but those who of necessity supplement their income –

bait digging, samphire collecting. (Somewhat belatedly

Net Gain presented a questionnaire at the meeting

described below with a 6 day deadline.)

Praise is due to Natural England for attending the

meeting on 2 November, organised by Blakeney Parish

Council for representatives of neighbouring parishes and

users of the marshes – such as bait-diggers, wild-fowlers,

boat people. The meeting was challenging but NE

representatives managed to remove the concerns of some

present and gained valuable information regarding the

rights of groups – and indeed the public - to access

certain parts of the potential zones.

NE also advised it might be possible to re-position

one of the zones if good evidence is provided as to an

alternative. However I remain concerned that the draft

proposals are not what I take to be draft in that they

cannot be altered! Therefore despite late engagement

with ‘stakeholders’ we are told that Net Gain’s existing

proposals will be sent to the Government Minister who

will decide which aspects go to public consultation next

year. However once factual information has been

assembled regarding rights and usage you can be assured

that this information will be put in the hands of the

Minister. Dr Marie Strong County Councillor

NATIONAL TRUST: LOCAL UPDATE

We are aware that there is local concern with regard to

the proposed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) and

Reference Areas. MCZs originate from the UK government

signing up to international agreements that aim to establish

an 'ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected

Areas’ (MPAs) by 2012. The MPA network will be made

up of several designations, including MCZs. Net Gain, part

of Natural England and on behalf of the Government, was

established to work with stakeholders to identify and

recommend MCZs in the English North Sea only. In

August 2011 two Reference Areas within Blakeney NNR

(National Nature Reserve) were recommended to

Government by Net Gain. A public consultation will take

place in 2012. The NT is broadly supportive of the MCZ

process.

With regard to the specific Reference Areas on

Blakeney NNR, we will only support these

recommendations on the understanding that there will be no

adverse impact on our existing management and that the

current level of use of these sites by the many stakeholders

can be maintained. This includes allowing low-level

sustainable use for permitted leisure activities, public

access and for activities that support the long shore

economy such as fishing.The management and activities

currently carried out on these sites are in line with our

agreed NNR management plan, SSSI and SAC regulations.

These sites are currently considered to be in favourable

condition. The NT has for many years maintained the

fragile balance between conservation and public access and

we look forward to being heavily involved in the

consultation process.

On a separate note the remedial repair work on the

bridges at Morston has now been completed. However until

the new bridges are installed we request that no more than

ten people are on a bridge at any one time. We hope the

construction phase of the new bridges will be in early 2012,

pending a decision on the bridges’ design.

The first grey seal pup was born around 28th October;

and we are expecting an influx in the coming weeks as the

grey colony occupies the entire far point dunes for up to

four months to complete their breeding cycle. Last year

there were 747 pups so we will keep counting and update

you with the numbers. We wish you a merry Christmas, a

happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you in

2012. Iain Wolfe, Visitor Services Manager, Tel/Fax:

01263 740241. Email: [email protected]

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/CARER required in Langham

16 hours per week, personally employed under

independent living Norfolk/Direct payments

Hours flexible but would require weekend

mornings. Tel: 01328 830975

5

SHED BURGLARIES Our local police Safer Neighbourhood Team remind

us to take precautions when leaving valuable items stored

in sheds or other outhouses, and not to leave valuable

items visible and unattended anywhere visible on your

property. For example police are appealing for

information after two separate incidents of a shed

burglary and theft of pedal cycle in Holt. Offenders stole

an old black train lantern from inside a shed on Grove

Lane between Saturday 1st October and Monday 3rd

October. A bag of cabling was also stolen from outside

the shed. During the same period of time a red Raleigh

dual suspension mountain bike was taken from outside a

house in Grove lane. Prior to the theft the bike had

insulation tape around the saddle and will be easily

identified if this is still in place. Offenders have then

stolen a primus stove from the shed between Monday 3rd

October and Monday 10th October.

Officers want to speak to anyone who was in the area

at the time and may have seen or heard anything

suspicious, or anyone with information about these

incidents. Calls should be made to PCSO Rachel

Howard at Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team on the new

contact number 101 (0845 456 4567 still works as well)

or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

INDEPENDENT CUSTODY VISITING

Do you know there are volunteers who visit police

stations unannounced and in pairs to check the welfare of

detained persons and the conditions in which they are

held? They are called Independent Custody Visitors and

they play a valuable role in maintaining public

confidence in this important area of policing. Under the

Police Reform Act 2002, all police authorities have a

statutory duty to establish and maintain an Independent

Custody Visiting Scheme, which involves volunteer

members of the public visiting police custody facilities

and checking on the welfare of detainees and the physical

conditions of the cells. Norfolk has had a Scheme in

place since 1998 and there are four designated Panels

ensuring visits are undertaken at all of the County's

custody facilities. Day-to-day management of the Scheme

is undertaken by a Scheme Administrator within the

Norfolk Police Authority Chief Executive's office.

Independent Custody Visitors come from all sections of

the community. They must be aged over 18, reside in

Norfolk and be a resident in the UK for at least two years

prior to the date of application. No special qualifications

are required as full training and support is provided,

however Visitors should be good listeners, non-

judgmental and unbiased.

The purpose of Independent Custody Visiting is to:

provide independent scrutiny of the treatment of detained

persons and the conditions in which they are held; and

secure a greater understanding and confidence within the

local community in respect of the above.

With agreement, the Independent Custody Visitors can

speak to detainees about their treatment or conditions,

and take up any issues of concern with custody staff. A

short report of their findings is made prior to leaving the

station. Their work provides the Authority (and in turn

the local community) with assurance that anyone arrested

by the police and held in custody is treated fairly and has

access to appropriate facilities.

Independent Custody Visitors must be independent and

impartial and, when making appointments, care is taken

to avoid any potential conflict of interest. Serving police

officers and other serving members of Constabulary or

Police Authority staff are unsuitable for this reason. The

same applies to Special Constables, Justices of the Peace

(JPs), Members of the Police Authority and others

connected with the criminal justice system. After an

initial probationary period of six months, Independent

Custody Visitors are appointed for up to a further three

years.

If you would like more information on the role of

Independent Custody Visitors and a chance to read in

detail about the visit process, please visit: www.norfolk-

pa.gov.uk/visiting.cfm or contact the Scheme

Administrator, telephone 01953 424455 or email

[email protected].

6

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR'S NEWS

NNDC's overall strategy is based on the manifesto the Conservative Group stood on at the May elections - no increase in council tax, promoting jobs and the economy, housing, caring for our coast and countryside and empowering communities to take control of their own lives. The vision also includes cutting red tape for businesses, making affordable housing demands for developers more flexible and defending against coastal erosion 'wherever practicable'. This has now been presented to Full Council and approved.

Changes in refuse collection timetable have now been implemented. I have received complaints which have been dealt with by Richard Garfield at NNDC liaising with Kier, hopefully problems have been resolved.

An urgent meeting held at Blakeney discussed the recommended Marine Conservation Zone Reference Areas. Natural England presented their proposals but great concern was expressed by attendees at the lack of consultation with local stakeholders. Blakeney and Morston Parish Councils are taking action.

North Norfolk Museums Forum met at the Maltings in Wells. All local museums reported good attendance figures but takings were lower in the shops - a sign of the times? The new tourist and business guide for 2012, Explore, will cover all aspects of arts and culture in our area, with listings for accommodation, travel itineraries, maps, etc., and details will be updated during the year. Details contact: [email protected].

Norfolk Archaeological Services Advisory Committee held a Seminar led by Chief Inspector Mark Harrison to discuss ways to Reduce Crime Against Heritage, which includes our Norfolk Churches. Useful advice was provided to help protect property and deter theft and vandalism.

I have been asked to mention Free Legal Advice, available at Merchant's Place, Cromer. Full information on 01603 496623. And Electric Blanket testing - 01603 638455. A reminder from the Safer Neighbourhood Team - the oil in your tanks is valuable, do protect it and, with the darker evenings, pay extra attention to home and vehicle security.

Finally, although it is early November as I write this - my thanks to the Lynx team and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. Lindsay Brettle

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ CONTACT DETAILS

Jonathan Savory (01328 820719).

email:[email protected] - and -

Peter Terrington (01328 711126)

email:[email protected]

(Binham, Langham & Stiffkey)

Lindsay Brettle (01263 710030)


(Sharrington, Field Dalling/Saxlingham & Morston)

Ann Green (01328 878273)


(Gunthorpe & Bale)

DEANERY NEWS The Reverend Jeremy Sykes was licensed as our new

Rural Dean on 13th October at All Saints Church Briston.

Simon Fenn, our Deanery Children’s, Youth and Family

Missioner was confirmed and licensed as a Deanery Lay

Worker by the Bishop of Lynn on Wednesday 26th October

at All Saints Church Upper Sheringham.

Next Deanery Synod: March 15th Holt Church Hall.

ALZHEIMER Are you creative, with excellent listening skills and

interested in dementia? You sound like the perfect Life

Story Book Volunteer for North Norfolk

You will spend a couple of hours a week with a

collection of photographs and memories of a person with

dementia’s life.

The benefits for a person living with dementia are the

satisfaction of producing the book and enjoying the

completed album with others. It is also very helpful

communication tool . Helen Dingle 01603 763517

[email protected] Reg. Charity No. 296645

Fakenham Choral Society Concert

CHRISTMAS BRASS & VOICES

Fakenham Parish Church

Saturday, December 17th, 7.30pm

Tickets £10 (under 18 free)

Tel: 01328 830639 or on door

7

CHRISTMAS AT ALL SAINTS CHURCH ‘11

Sunday 18 December 6.30 p.m. Carol service with

music, mulled wine and mince pies.

Sunday 25 December , Christmas Day. 9.30 a.m.

Both services will be accompanied by a choir which

will make this a memorable week. Everyone most

welcome! BALE DIARY Seeing pattern

20th Sep 2011

Summer officially over now the last of the swallows

have flown south, a slow walk with a recovering elderly

dog presents dawdling opportunities with the camera.

Everywhere I look there seems to be pattern and

structure capable of translation.

Why have I not spotted these orange lichens before?

They are growing on a cement wall, which to a

superficial eye is an ugly anachronism amongst old

brick and flint buildings.

Silvery grey lichens on soft red brick walls;

variegated blotching over rusty reds and algae greens

…. old hogweed seed heads stand out in the sunshine

like sculptural jewels, and even such a mundane and

disagreeable thing as a recently flailed hedge still has

potential for a strongly drawn embroidery.

The hedgerows are still full of charm even though

it’s that stub end of summer before autumn colours get

going – maiden hair ferns bright green in the cooler

wetter weather - a stand of knapweed with seed heads –

all the branching stems and repeated shapes make good

pattern material.

There is still plenty of pretty field scabious, their

lavender blue mop heads standing out against the grass.

I love plantains – strongly ribbed leaves and upright

flowers; all the red stems on the fruiting branches of

elderberries – more fractals of repeating smaller and

smaller patterns; dog rose hips blaze out of the hedge,

with thorned looping stems, quite heraldic.

The lime tree seeds are irresistible, hanging like

Christmas tree decorations off the small limes in

Sharrington road. Further away there are field maples

with twiggy branches stuffed full of winged seeds, dark

pink and pale green, the most exquisite papery objects

echoing the colours of the maple leaves in spring.

And young ivy stems climbing up a tree – fat wavy

ropes with pretty leaf shapes branching off … perhaps a

cable design? Jane Wheeler

BALE VILLAGE HALL NEWS We had an excellent turn out for the Harvest Supper.

About forty people enjoyed hearty fare and convivial

company. Your support enabled us to raise £100 for

village hall funds.

Philip West’s slide show was fascinating, with more

slides of the Preston family farming in the 50’s in Bale,

and new slides of Stiffkey, Wells, and Great

Walsingham, including the Victorian prison there.

Thanks to all those who brought plates of food. We raised

£150.

Dates for your diaries in December and January:

11th Nov. 7pm – Fish n’ chips

9th Dec. 7pm – Fish n’ chips and the Christmas draw

31st Dec.7.30 Old Year’s Night Celebration

13th Jan. 7pm – Fish n’ Chips

To make sure of your place at the Old Year’s Night

Celebration contact a member of the Village Hall

Committee. The Committee members are:

Margaret Dent, 4 Hindringham Road; Anne and Jim

Peppitt, Spinney Cottage; Alastair Macorkindale and Paul

Turnbull, Forge Cottage; Ann Ramm; Jane Wheeler, The

Granary; Carole and Chris Lee, Ivy Cottage; Eileen

Spooner, Oak View; and Richard Scott, Clip Street Farm.

Bale Village Hall Committee

8

FRIENDS OF BINHAM PRIORY The chairs purchased by the Friends were delivered in

September as scheduled, and have been used several

times. They are proving a comfortable and colourful

occasional addition to the Priory furniture. The

programme of events for 2012 is being assembled. It will

include:

Friday 2nd March Annual General Meeting

Binham Memorial Hall at 6.30 pm. Refreshments will

be available from 7.00 to be followed by The Binham

Lecture at 7.30 pm. The speaker will be announced later.

All will be welcome to come to the refreshments and the

lecture.

Saturday 7th July Picnic to Jazz in the Binham Priory

Cloisters at 5.00 pm

Thursday 6th September - Sunday 9th Heritage Open

Days (dates to be confirmed).The Friends will staff the

Priory to welcome visitors and offer refreshments.

An afternoon visit is being arranged to Wymondham

Abbey to include a guided tour by members of the

Friends of Wymondham Abbey to be followed by tea.

This visit is likely to be in late September or early

October. Also, on a date to be arranged, we will be

hosting a visit to the Priory by the Friends of Castle Acre

church.

For more information on the Friends of Binham Priory

and membership application forms please contact David

Frost, Honorary Secretary, 18 Langham Road, Binham

NR21 0DW. Tel: 01328 830362

THE BELLS OF BALE We, the Bale P.C.C., have embarked on the

restoration of our peal of bells. This entails work on the

bells themselves, renewal of their bearings and,

spectacularly, the installation of a new cast iron and steel

frame. The present system, a medieval arrangement of

wooden beams is picturesque but too difficult to ring.

The new frame will also be better for the health of the

tower.

The history of the bells, a peal of five, is typical of a

country church. There were three already in situ in 1480.

One of these was recast in 1902, another recast in 1647

and again in 1902. The third, tuned to A is still in good

shape. Two more were bought from St Michael at Thorn

in Norwich in 1839: these were cast in 1710 and 1440;

the latter was recast in 1902.

This complete restoration will come to about

£65,000. If any of you has an idea of how to help raise

this amount, please get in touch.

The Holt bell-ringing band has been extremely

supportive. They rang regularly here until the bells

became unmanageable and are keen to teach some of us

to ring. We welcome recruits. Please get in touch if you

are interested.

Alan Sankey, Oak Farm, Bale. 01328 878 874

BALE VILLAGE HALL SOCIAL CLUB DRAW

September 2011 October 2011

Jim Peppitt £ 25 Mary Ramm £25

Brenda Soweter £ 10 Patricia Church £10

Jim Peppitt £ 5 Jim Peppitt £5

Mark Allison £ 5 Jean Schofield £5

BINHAM PRIORY BELL The eight months silence has been broken! At the

service on Sunday 6th November the Rev'd Ian Whittle

blessed the re-hung bell. It rang across the fields, a

cheerful light sound reflecting perhaps the shape of the

bell-cote rather than the solid Norman arches within the

Priory. We are delighted to have the bell returned in

good ringing condition. Pauline Scott

9

BINHAM GUILD OF ARTISTS The group consists of anyone interested in art or craft,

beginner or otherwise. Artists with professional

experience form part of the group and will gladly advise

if needed. We meet every Tuesday morning from 10 to

12 in the Village Hall. A fee of £2 per morning includes

coffee and biscuits. A demonstration of painting or

craftwork normally takes place on the first Tuesday of

every month.

In September, Diane Bannerman talked about a

lifetime involved with Art and Design and brought in a

wide variety of excellent examples of her work, making a

very interesting morning.

In October, Martin Sexton gave yet another very

helpful and amusing talk combined with clear

demonstrations of how to paint figures that could be

added to a landscape. He ended the morning by giving a

‘crit’ of work by members of the group.

For further information contact

James Bucknill 01328 830651

DIARY OF A BINHAM FARMER’S SON aged 34

October 1855

2nd Dear little Ems came to spend a few days while the

moving is going on at Bale. This was poor Boot’s

auction. Tied up my bullocks.

4th Made 37/6 of my wheat today. Had a lot of music

with Ems in the evening. She is looking very thin still,

poor little dear.

8th I had a distracting toothache and was obliged to

have it drawn.

11th A very wet day. George and I went to Fakenham.

I made 38/6 of my wheat; dear little Ems left for the

cottage.

16th Went to Wighton to see Everitt about some wheat

he struck of mine - I find justly. Dear little Ems called

back here again to tea.

23rd A very wet day indeed, Managed to get a walk

after luncheon but got v wet doing so. Read Macaulay’s

Ecclesiastical Biography in the evening.

27th After a very nice morning’s shooting we returned

to Hindringham to dinner and found Miss Smith - a

curious old lady. November 1st We went to Fakenham to dinner and stayed to the

meeting for the establishment of a Popular Library. Lord

Albemarle, Mr Gurney, Sir W Jones and Mr Blythe

spoke.

5th Mr Kendle and Emily left us this morning to

Egmere, the old gentleman in great glee. I gave old

Cyclops a preparatory gallop.

12th My gardener came to take in my geraniums at

Hindringham this morning.

19th I went to meet the artist and he took a sitting of

Sally and the Gov, he appears a tolerably sociable little

man.

24th I went to Norwich and saw my dog cast in

progress. Also bought some books and had luncheon with

T.Hudson.

30th Had 3 more cases of pleuro in my bullocks.

Richard and Norah Lewis

BINHAM CHRISTMAS SUPPER Saturday 3rd December

The Binham Village Hall Christmas Supper is on the

first Saturday in December.

To reserve a place, please phone Liz Brown on 01328

830519. 7.00 for 7.30. Tickets £6 per person.

There will be a Raffle and Tombola for Hall funds

BINHAM YOUTH GROUP

Many thanks to the Binham and Hindringham Open

Circle for their kind donation of £150 which will be used

to buy new equipment.

We are now inside the village hall on a Wednesday

evening, so if anyone would like to see what goes on, or

would like to help out, please come down and join us.

Andrew and Wendy 01328 830178

CHRISTMAS AT THE PRIORY

17th Dec. Sat Christmas readings and carols 6.30 p.m.

The Iceni Choir

24th Dec. Sat Christmas Eve Children’s Family Service

at 4 p.m.

Midnight Holy Communion at 11 p.m.

25th Dec. Sun. Christmas Day. Family Service of

Carols and Readings at 10.30 am

8th Jan. Sun. Epiphany Service at 3.30 p.m. with the

Richeldis Singers. Everyone welcome.

10

DAI SWASTIKA Recent correspondence in the “Independent”

newspaper suggested that German U-boats were

renowned for surfacing on dark nights in Cardigan Bay,

having developed a taste for Welsh lamb.

A doctor in Cardiff wrote in to say that it was a fact

that this was going on and they were buying meat at hush

hush prices from a local farmer. He was known locally as

Dai Swastika and to his Berlin handlers as Jones the Spy.

His phone number was given to Berlin by von Ribbentrop

who had worked out of Aberystwyth as a wine salesman

and had many friends in the area.

The thought of von Ribbentrop, then German

Ambassador at the Court of St James, flogging Blue Nun

or whatever to the citizens of Aberystwyth does stretch

one’s imagination somewhat, however the story is helped

by the fact that von Ribbentrop was at one time involved

in the wine trade in Canada. Also that it was undoubtedly

true that the Luftwaffe never bombed Aberystwyth!

A further snippet arises from a chance encounter that

friends of ours had. When walking on the Cardigan

coastal path, they noticed a couple on the beach peering

up at the cliffs. Thinking they might be lost, they went to

ask if they could help. The husband turned out to be an ex

U-boat sailor who remembered berthing in deep water

coves in Cardigan Bay to collect water coming from fresh

water springs in the cliffs.

I wonder if any of your readers know of similar

nefarious goings-on off the coast of Norfolk - black

market crabs anyone? Richard Lewis

BRIDGE FOR THE BROOKE Thursday 26th January

Bridge event at Binham Village Hall

12.30 - 5.00p.m. Starting with a delicious lunch.

(Non players welcome for Lunch).

Apply Fiona Bolingbroke-Kent 01263 740751.

This will be in aid of the Brooke Hospital.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

September and October were eventful months for the Newmans. First, I break five ribs, then Su has a car crash. What have been both unexpected and humbling have been the ‘get well’ cards, offers of help and comforting words. It has made recovery easier. Thank you all so much.

While I was confined to bed, Su had so much more to do, like the twice daily walk for my friend Shep the Dog. She has bought herself another car (the old one was written off) and the new one is even faster than before. She will be going so fast no on will be able to crash into her again. Seriously, Su you are a star!

As a result of my confinement, I have no idea what has been happening in Binham, except for two sad events.

GOODBYE, GOODBYE Archie Howells funeral was held in the Priory on 3rd

November. He was a Binham man, and thought to be a confirmed bachelor. Then, unexpectedly, 46 years ago, he found a wonderfully lady school teacher. They got married, he moved away from Binham and became a happy house husband. His final months were endured with great strength of character.

Barbara Seals spent her final years in Dorrington House in Wells. Her funeral was held in the Priory on 11th November. Barbara was a delightful lady. We often met in the Priory on a Sunday morning. I always offered her a biscuit and she always declined.

What a happy memory. Roger Newman

BINHAM LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Forthcoming talks

Mon. 12th Dec. Our Christmas Party - we are

delighted to welcome the Sheringham Shantymen with

their Songs from the Sea. Mulled wine, coffee and

refreshments. 7.30.

Thurs. 26th Jan. A Short AGM at 6.45 followed at 7.30

by a return visit from Prof. Peter Trudgill. More History

of the Norfolk Dialect.

All meetings at 7.30 p.m. in the Binham Village Hall.

£2 members, £3 non members. For more information call

01328 830270

HEEL-TO-TOE (An interesting investigation by two young visitors to

Binham this summer)

Me and my best friend, Anna, decided to see how

many heel-to-toe steps there were roughly in the village

from end to end. We walked from the top of the village to

the 30 mph sign going out towards the church. We did

this in two parts. Over all it totalled up to 1,312 heel-to-

toe steps. (Me and Anna are both size 5 feet.)

Emma & Anna

11

BARBARA SEALS died on Tuesday 4th October 2011

From a very young age, Barbara Seals was taking care of

people. The first charge that she was given was a young

boy called Jack Grange who lived in the house opposite .

She would walk him to school each morning because as he

put it “surprising I know, but supposedly I was a bit of a

naughty boy!”

She did well at school and was particularly good at

needlework and this was a talent which stood her in good

stead throughout her life.

She left school at 14, as you did in those days, and when

the war came she joined the Women’s Royal Volunteer

Service and worked in the N.A.A.F.I.

After the war she went to work at Abbey House for Mr

and Mrs Case which is when her long association with the

Case family began. She looked after Bryan and Ginger

Case, and moved in with her son Norman in 1948.

Nothing was ever too much trouble for Barbara and

everything that she did, she did very well. She became a

very good cook and was renowned for her mending.

Nobody could turn a collar on a shirt, iron, or darn a sock

like Barbara. She was extraordinary.

Norman grew up and went to work at Crane Fruehauf.

He had two beautiful daughters Georgina and Victoria who

both adored Barbara and she was a very proud great

grandmother to Charlie, William and Albert.

When Bryan and Ginger decided to move to Blakeney,

Barbara had a hard decision to make as to whether to stay in

her cottage in Binham or move to Blakeney with them. Of

course she moved with them and remained with them until

they died, coming home at the weekends. She would tell

how she could skin a rabbit and cook jugged hare, and

always said how happy she was and what wonderful times

she had in Blakeney.

Although she always told me that she had passed her

driving test, nobody can remember her in a car, so when she

moved back to Binham her mode of transport became her

bicycle.

When William and Alex got married and Oliver was

born, she then took on the Wales side of the Case family.

Hannah came along and from the beginning always had a

special relationship with Barbara.

She was the most reliable and conscientious person who

would do whatever she could to help friends and

neighbours, and when they moved away they always kept in

touch with her.

When she became ill and could no longer look after

herself, she moved into Dorrington House in Wells where

she spent her last years. She was very comfortable and well

looked after there, although she always missed her home.

She had many friends and always sat next to Phyllis who

will miss her greatly.

To sum Barbara up, she was a loyal, quiet and

unassuming lady but most of all, she was the best friend

anyone could have. Alex Wales

BINHAM & HINDRINGHAM OPEN CIRCLE

Our Christmas party will be on Thursday, Dec 8 (a

week earlier than usual). Sue Jeffery will be bringing along

her wonderful wooden games, there will be masses of

delicious food, as always, and lots of time to sit and chat.

At the First Meeting of 2012, on Thursday, January 19,

our speaker will be Dave King, curator of the North Norfolk

Railway, on a Journey through Time.

The Open Circle Women's Club meets at 7.15pm on

the third Thursday of each month at Hindringham Village

Hall. New members are always welcome - just come along

on the night or ring secretary Fiona Thompson on 01328

830639.

CAROLS ROUND THE TREE Monday 19th December

Once again we will be joined by the Fakenham Brass

Band. Please come and join us! Steve and Alex will be

providing mulled wine and refreshments will be available.

Hope to see you all there. Liz Brown 830519

QUIZ NIGHT AT THE CHEQUERS

Quiz Nights continue at the Chequers – thanks to Steve

and Alex. As usual it will be on the first Monday in the

month – so we hope to see you on Monday 5th December

and Monday 2nd January.

You don’t need to be part of a team – just come along at

6.30 if you’re going to have a meal – or at 7.30 for a drink

and the Quiz..

12

BINHAM PLAYGROUND PROJECT

Our quiz night was a great evening enjoyed by all

involved. We raised £458 on the night through the raffle

and the mid evening meal. Many thanks to Liz Brown for

preparing the meal and congratulations to Helen and

Robin Owen for the excellent questions – especially

those ones about bird song! We have also received a

donation following a raffle at the senior citizens meal of

£62. With Christmas approaching we have nothing else

arranged at present but keep your eyes open in the New

Year for more events.

Many thanks for your support. Andrew Marsh

BINHAM LOCAL CHARITIES LUNCH

On 28th October the Parochial Charities and Village

Hall Committees hosted another invitation lunch in the

Village Hall. This is for retired residents of Binham and

Cockthorpe who have lived here for at least ten years.

Once again the lunch was a great success and 41

people attended. There was plenty of good food and

drink and a great time was had by all. There was a raffle

in aid of the children’s play area which raised £62. I

hope to see you all again in the spring.

Look out for the date in the next Lynx. Alex Wales

BINHAM MEMORIAL HALL

100 + Club Winners

October. £25 R. Newman; £10 June Read, Mrs E Marsh;

£5 Mrs J Cook, Mrs Sue Jeffery, D. Powly.

November. £25 Mrs C Wright; £10 Mrs J Cook, Sheila

Law; £5 R. Newman, June Read, Nora Lewis

If anyone would like to join the 100 Club, there are

still numbers left. Please call at 8 Priory Crescent or ring

June Read on 01328 830106

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

If we try to fill a day with happiness and peace it will

increase the chances of the next day being like that also.

BINHAM YOUTH GROUP

Many thanks to the Binham and Hindringham Open

Circle for their kind donation of £150 which will be

used to buy new equipment. We are now inside the

village hall on a Wednesday evening, so if anyone

would like to see what goes on, or would like to help

out, please come down and join us. Andrew and Wendy

01328 830178

No news from Cockthorpe this time.

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year to everyone.

13

YOUR VILLAGE HALL NEEDS YOU!

At the time of writing it looks likely that, before long,

there will not be enough members on the Village Hall

Committee to carry out the administrative tasks that are

necessary to keep the village hall open and available for

public use.

If that were to be the decision of the next AGM in

April 2012, then the Committee will return the Title

Deeds and keys to our Trustees, the Parish Council, wind

up the village hall charity and permanently close the

village hall.

In a typical year, there are five meetings of the

management committee, generally on a Monday evening

and each lasting about an hour. Five hours a year. Those

serving on the committee all carry a sense of being

entrusted with the care of a facility that is important to

the entire community.

But the work is voluntary, and some members will

retire at the next AGM. It is time for a change. Will you

take your turn?

Refurbishment Project

Earlier in the year, we engaged an architect to assess

the condition of the building and make some

recommendations. Somehow, a rumour got started that

someone was planning to demolish the building – what a

ridiculous idea!

The major, and not-at-all-ridiculous, finding is that the

roof and associated guttering need replacing. The

existing roof lets water in and most of the heat out. But

replacing it is easier said than done because of another,

and slightly surprising, finding: that the concrete frames

supporting the roof are not strong enough to support a

new conventional roof with the associated insulation for

today’s regulations.

The Refurbishment sub-committee has now

completed its work and reported to the Management

Committee (on 7th November). We owe them thanks for

a great deal of careful and thorough work, nicely

presented in a comprehensive report.

We can only continue as we are for a limited time

before substantial repair or replacement of the roof

becomes necessary, costing more than the village hall

could afford from its own funds, but probably fundable

from various grant-giving bodies and charities.

The Committee has had a preliminary discussion of

the issues, taking account of the way the village hall is

used at present and the fundraising possibilities. It

decided to throw the matter open to as wide a public

discussion as possible; starting now, and ending with a

public meeting sometime early in 2012. If you would

like to know more, please speak to any member of the

committee. They are: Anthony Smith, John Everitt,

Tracey Griffin, Jenny Allison and Sarah Emmett.

It is clear what needs to be done, what it would cost

and where to go for enough money to do it. Wouldn’t it

be a pity to lose the use of a significant community

building just because not enough people seemed to care

enough about keeping it open? Anthony Smith

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

We and Saxlingham are doing things differently this

year….Sunday 11 December at 11am will be Christingle,

in Field Dalling. On Saturday 24 December at 6:30pm,

Christmas Eve, there will be the Service of Lessons and

Carols in Field Dalling. Christmas Day Holy Communion

will be in Saxlingham at 10:30, as in previous years.

Please note: there is no Midnight Service in Field

Dalling on Christmas Eve this year - there will be one

Midnight Mass for the whole benefice, in Binham Priory at

11:00 pm.

TURNING ONTO THE A148 AT BALE

Following an accident I had when turning onto the

A148 at Bale in August this year I have studied the

junction, which already had the reputation of being a

dangerous one, and here are my observations.

If you come to a full stop at the Give-Way line, and

make your turning decision only there, you have a clear

view to both left and right for a safe distance - visibility is

fine.

If you form your decision even a few feet back from the

line, approaching slowly and ready to give way, you

cannot see the whole road. A short length of the hedge on

the right hand side (between the junction and the BP

station) protrudes to mask the nearside of the lane enough

to hide a motorbike or a small car in a section of road very

close to the junction. Because the road in the distance (at

the garage and beyond) is fully visible, the eye is fooled

into thinking that the whole road is visible - but close by it

is not. This is particularly the case when the hedge is in

full leaf and uniform green during the summer.

I met a County Council official at the junction recently

to discuss this, and he agreed to explore cutting that part of

the hedge back further. In the meantime, I recommend

that, Give-Way sign or no, all drivers treat that line as a

full stop, and read the road only when there. Margaret Smith

14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

9 10

11

12

13 14 15

16

17 18

19

20 21

22 23

CHRISTMAS PUZZLE PAGES (answers to all on page 23 )

Young Billy is down early to see what Santa has

brought and Toby has come to help! But our second view

of this happy events differs in 8 ways from the first. Can

you spot the differences?

CROSSWORD CLUES Across 1. Team-member could be red-nosed (8) 5. Migrant bird doesn’t sound too well! (4) 9. Rouser of the troops (5) 10. Small-holding Scot (7) 11. Literary adders on the computer (4,8) 13. Evidence of tropical trip (3,3) 14. The twins are above us (6) 17. Footballer George’s intention (5,3,4) 20. Oriental winner could throw us out! (7) 21. Let everyone express pain! (5) 22. Sugar-daddy with a taste for pictures (4) 23. Where 1 across may safely graze (8) Down 1. Assassin Jack, beyond price (4) 2. Grin with own deformed nail condition (7) 3. Old sea-goers fear nothing! (12) 4. Bird, following directions, found a legal term (6) 6. Unite, agitate and let loose. (5) 7. Canvas ahead! (8) 8. Violent reply is an explosion in the shop! (7-5) 12. A topic - “one under the Queen” (1,7) 15. Confused, is Lunar avoiding people? (7) 16. Phrase about a mountain guide (6) 18. Back to Idi—the fool! (5) 19. Wolf-calls lose their head for birds (4)

15

E M A S E S O R M I R P

L G A R D E N I A Z A E

R E L I L Y L I A N S T

E N I A F I R I S O T U

D T H U N L O Y R A K N

N I P S I T A M E L C I

E A O A Y I I G I O O A

V N S P I N K N W E L R

A S P E O N Y S E E M U

L O Y T P I L U T B E M

P E G E L I M O M A H C

X O L H P R I M U L A O

Surrounded by all that winter greenery, it would be

pleasant to remember the flowers which have delighted

us throughout the year. Our word-square hides 25 of

them—in one direction or another.

To make it easier for you if you are a bit sleepy after a

good lunch, no less then 8 flowers start with the letter P,

3 with C and with G, 2 with A and with L, and 1 each

with E, F, H, I, R, S and T.

You may also find a foreign snake in the grass (A), a

garden pest (S) and the flower gardener’s best friend (B).

MORSTON CHRISTMAS QUIZ by Samphire

1. What date is St Stephen's Day?

2. Who was Scrooge's dead business partner in Charles

Dickens' “A Christmas Carol”?

3. Which country traditionally gives London a Christmas

tree for Trafalgar Square?

4. Nine what was it that - in the song “The Twelve Days of

Christmas, did '...my true love brought to me...'?

5. What Christmas item was invented by London baker and

wedding-cake specialist Tom Smith in 1847?

6. In what year was Band-Aid's “Do They Know It's

Christmas?”- the UK Christmas chart-topping record?

7. Which country did St Nicholas come from?

8. How many points does a snowflake have?

9. What is the name of the cake traditionally eaten in Italy at

Christmas?

10. From which Christmas carol is: “And all the bells on

earth shall ring, on Christmas day in the morning”?

11. Marzipan is made (conventionally in the western world)

mainly from sugar and the flour or meal of which nut?

12. Peter Auty sang “Walking In The Air” in what film?

13. In the UK it is traditionally believed that eating a what

each day of the twelve days of Christmas brings happiness

the following year: Sausage; Mince pie; Carrot; or Turkey

drumstick?

14. The fortified wine drink Sherry is named after what

town?

15. Who composed the music known as “The Nutcracker

Suite” for the Christmas- themed ballet “The

Nutcracker”(premiered in St Petersburg in 1892)?

16. Which traditional Christmas plant was once so revered

by early Britons that it had to be cut with a golden sickle?

17. The Latin word meaning 'coming' gave us what term,

which still refers to the Christmas period, and also to a

particular tradition popular with children?

18. In which country does Santa have his own personal

postcode HOH OHO?

19. The early pagan religious winter festival later absorbed

into Christmas celebrations, is still referred to in what

alternative word for the Christmas season?

20. What was Alexandra Burke’s Number 1 Single [Record)

in Christmas Week 2008?

WORD SQUARE

SIMPLE XMAS BRAINTEASER by Samphire

Ben has four dogs, eight hamsters, and seven rabbits,

so how many horses does he have?

16

ST MARY’S CHURCH News

Once again the Norfolk Churches Trust Sponsored Bike

Ride raised a large amount of money from Gunthorpe

sponsors. This year it was £944.00 of which St Mary’s will

receive over £500.00. Well done, and a big thank you to all

the riders, the church sitters and to the sponsors for their

very generous support.

The Harvest Festival service was a huge success with 30

people in attendance. Thank you to Betty Humphries who

officiated at the service and to all who helped decorate the

church and who gave produce. As always this was split

between the Briston Day Care Centre and the Rainbow

Trust in Sheringham. This year we decorated the font in

memory of Hilary Craske who loved St Mary’s and who

had always decorated the font in the past on such special

days.

On Saturday 29th October Florence Mae Leithall was

christened in the church in front of a congregation of 60.

We wish her every happiness and success in her life.

The St Mary’s Christmas Service will be held at

11.00am on Christmas Day. We make a big effort to

decorate the church and we would welcome any visitors

around Christmas to come and enjoy our work!

Security A request to everyone to please keep an eye on the

church when you are passing by. We have had a recent

incident where a man was seen acting suspiciously. The

police are aware, and we know that there have been many

incidents with churches being at risk. Hopefully, though, if

we all do our bit another burglary can be avoided.

Monthly Meditation

There will be a time of silent meditation in Gunthorpe

Church from 4.30 to 5.00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the

month. This will begin on January 15, 2012.

There will be a short reading around the theme of

meditation, followed by Silence, and ending with the third

collect from Evensong in the Book of Common Prayer,

which begins “Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O

Lord". This quiet time will, usually, be led by Richard

Redmayne.

WELCOME A warm Gunthorpe welcome goes to Richard (Rich)

and Elaine Francis who, with their Golden Retrievers

Charlie and Mischa, have moved into Kingfisher Cottage.

They have “seen the light” and moved to beautiful

North Norfolk from South Norfolk – Long Stratton to be

precise, where they had lived since 1979.

Rich was a Court Manager and Elaine, who has only

recently retired, a Contact Care Officer working for a

charity. They have twin daughters, one living locally in

Cley and the other in Hadleigh.

We wish them every happiness in their new home.

FOGPC 50/50 Club Draw Results

September October Nicole Delteil £20.00 Yolande Kidd £20.00

Marcus Balwin £15.00 Alan Russell £15.00

Myfi Everett £5.00 Diana Arthurson £5.00

Chrissie Whyman £5.00 Linda Russell £5.00

Rebecca Partridge £5.00 Jane Lamb £5.00

Jo Hartley £5.00 Jo Hartley £5.00

Andrew Rawlinson £5.00 Zena Churchill £5.00

We now have 133 members, but always welcome new

ones, so if you are new to the village or would like to join

us please do so as soon as possible - to “borrow” from

another place “you have to be in it to win it”!

If you would like more information on the 50:50 Club

please contact either Peter Everett on 01263 860035 or John

Blakeley on 01263 861008.

As always we would again like to thank all those

members who have contributed, and continue to contribute,

raffle prizes or who organise and provide the monthly

refreshments for the 50:50 Club Meetings - your support is

invaluable and much appreciated.

The 50:50 Club Christmas Party will be held in the

Institute at 12 noon on Saturday 17 December. Admission

will be based on the purchase of raffle tickets and will be

£2.00 for adults (two raffle tickets) - 5 and under free.

Complimentary mulled wine, soft drinks and seasonal

fare, including hot sausages, will be provided and there will

be a “mega” draw and enhanced raffle.

WHAT’S ON IN GUNTHORPE Gunthorpe diary dates, watch village web-site and

notice board for updates and further details, are:

17 Dec. 12 noon, Institute. 50:50 Club Christmas Party

28 Jan. 10.30, Institute. 50:50 Club Meeting

17

FRIENDS OF GUNTHORPE PARISH CHURCH

On Friday, 14th October the Friends held a Committee

Meeting and invited representatives from the PCC and

Village Institute Committees to attend. The meeting was as

successful as it was last year and all present were pleased

for the open forum to discuss Village matters as a ‘whole’.

We will invite the joint-group again to our Feb. 2012

meeting. Zena Churchill and her Fete Committee were

lavished with praise for their huge success with the Fete.

John Blakeley was commended and thanked for all the hard

and diligent work he has done to collect and fully record all

the Friends Membership and 50/50 Club Subscriptions.

These are now all on computer, and we are looking for

someone to take over his role next year - please DO come

forward if you can be of help.

We also want some volunteers to take over the running

of the 50/50 club next year. John and Peter have continued

to run it for far longer than planned, and the club records

are now in “apple-pie” order with a record number of

members. We are also grateful that so many in the Village

come to help share the load of running the monthly coffee

mornings, so please volunteer.

My apologies for the need to have a late start to the

Harvest Supper - 7:45 this year rather than 7pm.

Thankfully, this did not put 38 people off attending, and the

Institute’s candle-lit, autumnal theme set the mood for an

evening full of fun and laughter. Thanks to all who kindly

sent donations when they were unable to attend. This is an

event where all the committee members cook and donate

the food – many also elect to pay to come themselves… a

perfect example of the abundance of good will and

community spirit that is so special in Gunthorpe - so a huge

thanks to all the committee. Also a special thanks to Brian

Churchill for retrieving and setting-up all the Institute

furniture at the last minute in time for the event. (I will be

on direct dial to Sandra from now on for Institute booking

details!) The evening was a very painless and enjoyable

way to add £313 to the Church repair fund.

Please put Saturday 17th December in your diary for the

50/50 Club Christmas Party at mid-day in the Village

Institute. We hope to see many of you there. Happy

Holidays and best wishes for 2012 to all from the “Friends”

Marie Denholm Chairman

VILLAGE WEB-SITE Now that so many families have access to a computer,

don’t forget that as well as being able to read the Local

Lynx and its back-issues online at www.locallynx.co.uk you

can also get up-to-the minute news and village photographs

at the Gunthorpe website which offers a range of

information at www.gunthorpefriends.co.uk

We are happy to have your photographs or news for

inclusion on the site - either contact the webmaster (Peter

Everett) through the site link or call John Blakeley - details

at the village header.

HOSPITAL MATTERS

NNUH Gunthorpe Ward News The NNUH Gunthorpe Ward Fund Coffee Morning on

14 Sept. was a great success, and between those attending,

and further generous donations from those not able to

attend, a total of £370.00 was raised to support the staff

and patients on the Ward.

Very many thanks to Sandra, Zena, Carole and Diane

for making it all happen. Also many thanks to all who

came and supported the fund, and a special thanks to all

who donated the excellent cake and other refreshments

which were enjoyed by all. We have asked the Ward to let

us know if there is anything special which they need, and

we will also be making the usual Christmas Day deliveries

of “comestibles” for the staff and patients on that day.

The Stroke Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University

Hospital has recently moved to Heydon ward from

Gunthorpe Ward. This move has been undertaken to place

the unit closer to A&E and diagnostic imaging, and to

improve access to hyper-acute care for emergency

patients.

Gunthorpe Ward is now a Medicine for the Elderly

ward and is being run by Sister Josie Royall. We have

contacted Sister Royall to see how the village fund may

help provide anything needed by the Ward.

Cromer and District Hospital On October 6th North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb

toured the new £15 million Cromer and District Hospital

and marked the "topping out" of the building at its highest

point. Construction work started a year ago with builders

Mansell moving on to the Mill Road site. The new

hospital will replace the original Mill Road hospital which

first opened in 1932 and will provide day treatment, out-

patient care, minor injuries, renal dialysis and extended

diagnostic services.

The new £15 million facilities will include an

ophthalmic operating theatre plus new diagnostic services

including on-site mammography (breast screening)

service, and a DEXA scanner for osteoporosis diagnosis.

The exterior of the new hospital is now weatherproof

and the external works will all be finished by December.

The construction team is also on the second fix of the

interior of the hospital. Services will be transferred from

the old hospital building to the new hospital in March

2012 and then the old hospital will be demolished to make

way for landscaping and car parking.

The Minor Injuries Unit on the ground floor will be

named after Mrs Bernstein and the procedure unit on the

first floor of the new hospital will be named after her sister

Muriel Thoms. The audiology unit will be named after

Phyllis Cox. The old Davison and Barclay ward areas of

the current hospital will be retained and refurbished for

use as a permanent renal dialysis unit with room for

expansion. The plans for the site also allow room for

further expansion if required and affordable in the future.

The new hospital project is being funded by the

generous Sagle Bernstein and Phyllis Cox legacies. The

Hospital Arts Project is also fundraising to create a range

of artworks for the new hospital which will follow the

theme of sky, sea and land.

FRED’S GARDENING DIARY Very sadly Fred Morley has a problem with his hand. It

is getting better, but he is unable to provide his gardening

notes for this issue. He apologises to all of his readers and

hopes to return for issue 82.

18

WELCOME A very warm welcome to all our new families:

Christina and Simon; Paul, Lisa, Hollie and Tilly; Paul,

Jackie, Charlotte and Kelly; Emma and Jack; Michelle;

Vicki and Neil; Rainer and Gaynor.

We hope you will all be very happy living in

Langham.

FRIENDS OF LANGHAM Pantomime Trip 2012

It’s that time of year again when we all get into the

spirit of Pantomime! This year we are off to the King’s

Lynn Corn Exchange on Monday 2nd January 2012 to

see Cinderella. Tickets are now available from Marcel

and Cathy Schoenmakers on Tel: 01328 830 537.

The coach leaves the Bluebell Pub at 12.30 pm for a

2 pm start. As usual it is free for all Langham children

but they must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets for

Langham children should be booked before the 10th

December 2011. After that date tickets are available for

non Langham children at a cost of £8.50 which includes

the coach. Tickets for adults are £15.50 which also

includes the coach fare.

For all you EastEnders fans - the star of the show this

year is Sharon Watts, Dirty Den’s daughter!

Marcel Schoenmakers

LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH Our ‘Pound Plus Sale’ in October went well.

Although a little chilly outside at least it was dry and the

result was good at almost £800.

In February 2012 I will have reached 40 years of

raising funds for the Leukaemia Research. I had seriously

considered giving up but, shock and horror, my brother

has been diagnosed with leukaemia of the worst kind. It

has come home really hard and having seen first hand

what the fund has achieved, I must carry on.

So we shall be back in 2012.

My thanks to everyone who supports me. Maureen 830 731

MOBILE LIBRARY This will now visit on a four weekly basis, on Thurs-

days: December 1st, December 29th and January 26th,

calling each day for 20 minutes at:

St. Mary’s - 10.00am. Old Post Office - 10.25am.

Swan’s Close - 10.50am The Cornfield - 11.15am.

Enquiries : Wells Library Tel: 01328 710467

QUIZ NIGHT Parish Room Thursday December 1st 7pm

The Friends of Langham are once more holding what

has come to be known as a most enjoyable event.

Please bring your own drinks and glasses.

To book a table - ring -

John Hughes on Tel: 01328 830 595

FRIENDS OF LANGHAM Bonfire Night November 5th 2011

Over 400 people gathered at the annual firework event

run by the Friends of Langham and the Parish Council on

Saturday night.

The firework display was truly spectacular and lots of

people commented that it was the best to date. The BBQ

was also a success as over 400 burgers & sausages were

sold in just over one hour with delicious vegetable soup

and drinks to match. The public were also very generous

with their donations in the buckets. Even the weather was

kind, not a brolly in sight!

Long may this tradition continue as this event has now

developed into a big, local crowd puller. Thank you to all

those involved for making this such a wonderful event

and to all the visitors who created the magical

atmosphere. Marcel Schoenmakers.

FROM THE REGISTERS Holy Baptism Sophie Megan Kerr 20th September

Funerals Arthur Charles (Chink) Cooke 7th October

Joyce Patricia (Joy) Rogers 14th October

19

COFFEE & GLŰHWEIN MORNING Saturday, 3rd December, 10am-12.30pm.

Following on from our talk on El Salvador last March,

we would like to do another fundraiser for the poor of this

Central American country.

Everyone is thus warmly invited to Crafers Barn,

North Street, for a coffee morning with German Advent

cakes, tea, coffee and mulled wine in aid of the Fé y

Alegria school in the slums of San Salvador.

Homemade nostalgic Christmas cards and other goods

will also be on sale. Jutta Davis Tel: 01328 830 677

LADYBIRDS Unfortunately our September meeting was cancelled

as the speaker was unwell. In October we had an Open

Meeting with an excellent presentation of ‘Past Present

and Future Pensthorpe’. How this place has changed -

and all for the good!

Our next meeting is on December 14th, ‘Celebrations

Past’ hosted by Jan, Ann and Barbara.

We always welcome new members. Just come along

or telephone 01328 830 731 and advise Maureen.

We meet at 7.30pm in Langham Parish Room.

PARISH ROOM NEWS The funding appeal referred to in the last issue was

formally launched in October, with the first fund-raising

event being an illustrated talk by Edward Allen about his

epic trip from Langham to Cape Town (and back!) in a

Land Rover many years ago - a trip which political

changes would now make impossible. The talk was very

well attended and raised a total of exactly £500 to launch

the appeal.

Word of this event having spread, Edward has been

persuaded to give a repeat performance on 21st January.

Please come if you missed it the first time around.

As we go to press early in November, Edward’s

personal letter of appeal to all villagers has resulted in

our receiving donations totalling just over half of our

target figure of £20,000.

Many donations having been gift-aided to allow us to

collect an additional 25% in due course from the

government.

A sincere ‘thank you’ to the many contributors to our

fund. With four grant applications also in the pipeline, we

now have very real hopes of being able to have the main

hall floor replaced during next August and September.

This has just been the start of our fund-raising project.

On 5th November Julia Thompson’s Treasure Hunt

Game was launched. Her squared illustration of the

Parish Room, beset by various creatures, was greatly

admired. Come and see it and buy your own £1 square at

future coffee mornings.

The traditional Christmas Carols and Mince-pies

Evening, this year on Friday 16th December, will follow

the usual pattern save that this year mulled wine will be

the preferred beverage (anticipating an early, cold

winter). There will be the usual raffle and we will be

hoping to raise additional funds towards the project.

Entry will be the usual £3 for adults, with children free.

Look out for future events each month. These will

include a special book sale, a musical evening and a talk

by an expert ornithologist about his birding experiences.

We would like to have an Auction of Promises as well

- but need someone to run it. If you would be willing to

volunteer, please let me know.

Also contact me if you would like to make a gift-aided

donation but haven’t done so yet.

Bob Brandt 01328 830056

RAF WINGS APPEAL 2011 LANGHAM COLLECTION

Sam Schoenmakers and George Allen (both 13 years

old) spent two weekends in October collecting for the

RAF wings appeal.

They raised a magnificent £110.00 which was slightly

down on last year but still a considerable effort.

Last year was the best ever collection in one village

and as a thank you both Sam and George were invited to

RAF Marham for the Family Fun Day which they both

thoroughly enjoyed, especially the Red Arrows and the

Fly Over displays.

The boys would like to thank all Langham villagers

for their generosity.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING As many people were away at this time we joined up

with Stiffkey congregation for this celebration and con-

tributed to their ‘Bring and Share’ refreshments following

a very enjoyable service.

20

LANGHAM STREET FAYRE 2012 The new committee has been formed and plans are

going well for the next Langham Street Fayre, which is

taking place on Saturday 28th July 2012.

If you are interested in booking a stall please visit the

website on www.langhamstreetfayre.com for full details,

or contact Christina Cooper by phone on 01328 830207

or by e-mail on [email protected]

We are also looking for volunteers to help on the day,

so if you would like to help please contact Dave Curtis by

email on [email protected] or by phone on

01328 830535.

LANGHAM CAR SERVICE Schedule to February 12th 2012

*NB New Rate 25p per mile

Weekly driving duties beginning on a Monday

Dec. 5th Tel: 830 821* Jan. 9th Tel: 830 537*

Dec.12th Tel: 830 056 Jan. 16th Tel: 830 696*

Dec.19th Tel: 830 606* Jan. 23rd Tel: 830 348

Dec.26th Tel: 830 605 Jan. 30th Tel: 830 731

Jan. 2nd Tel: 830 624 Feb. 6th Tel: 830 731

*These drivers do not go to Norwich

If the driver for the week is unable to do the trip,

contact the next person on the list. If your appointment

is cancelled, please also cancel your car service booking.

Please give three days notice wherever possible, except in

an emergency. It would be very helpful if a car booking

is made as soon as an appointment is arranged or journey

planned so that drivers can arrange their schedule.

Please bring change.

In the infrequent event that no driver is available –

contact the Holt Caring Society Tel: 01263 711243

giving as much notice as possible. This roster is also sited

in the Bluebell and on the church porch and village

notice boards with dates beyond the above schedule, after

January 9th .

We would really like one more driver. Please contact

me if you are interested. Ann Sherriff Tel: 830 605 ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY Langham Parish Room will open once again as

‘Langham Bistro’ on Saturday 25th February 2012 at

7pm. in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

Don’t miss this opportunity to try our French cuisine.

Tickets £14 on sale from 10th January 2012. Contact Ann

Hill 16, The Cornfield Tel: 01328 830417.

Please bring your own drinks and glasses. TO COMMEMORATE

THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE: Langham Glass has designed this stylish paperweight,

decorated in red, white & blue, to commemorate the

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

This paperweight will be available exclusively to

Langham children who will be under 16 years of age at

31/12/2011, at a cost of £5 each, but also available to

Langham adults at the full cost of £10 each.

A full colour image will be shown on posters around

the village and at: http://www.langhamstreetfayre.com/

Jubilee2012.htm.

In order to gauge the level of interest, please give the

following details to the Bluebell pub by 30/11/2011 if

you are interested in purchasing one:

NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST Sponsored Bicycle Ride and Walk

Langham P.C.C would like to thank all those who

took part in this event on September 10th which raised

the truly magnificent sum of £718.85.

Half of this amount, £359.43 has been awarded to

Langham Church General Fund.

We would also like to thank all the people who helped

with recording on the day and to Ken Bartlett and John

Plummer for their administration duties. We are indeed

very grateful to you all. Langham P.C.C.

21

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS Parish Council Meetings will be held in the Village

Hall at 7.00 pm on the final Wednesday of each month,

viz: 28 Dec (TBC), 25th Jan, 29th Feb. and 28th Mar.

MORSTON 2011 REGATTA RESULTS (AMDT.)

1. (With apologies that the Results in the last issue of Lo-

cal Lynx on p.22 were the 2010 results).

2. Please note that under Morston Regatta Rules each

competitor is only allowed to win one trophy.

MORSTON PARISH COUNCIL TROPHY Alan Robinson (1st boat across the line) Seafly 477

MAJOR P HAMOND TROPHY Peter Tibbetts (1st Morston res) Stiffkey Cockle 112

HASSALL TROPHY Dennis Pell (1st Stiffkey Cockle) Stiffkey Cockle 23

WARD TROPHY

Judith Shallow (1st Norfolk Oyster) N. O. Pearl Fisher

WILSON CHALLENGE CUP Steve Leigh (1st Slow Class boat) OK 1718

MORSTON REGATTA CUP John Myers (1st Fast Class boat) Seafly 644

CARTER TROPHY Rod Jeffries (1st single-hander) Streaker 1685

ATHILL TROPHY David Woodcock (1st pleasure boat. BOD ‘Widgeon’

JOHN BEAN’S TROPHY Jessie Deeley (1st helm under 16) Laser

LAPSTRAKE JUNIOR CUP Charlie Williamson (youngest helm) Feva 1277

TEMPLE TROPHY Tom Rickett (1st catamaran) Hobycat 42715

MUCK BOAT CUP Bryan Williams in Gipsy

MORSTON HALL Having in 2010 won the “Caesar Award for The Good

Hotels Guide” under the section “Restaurant with

Rooms”, Morston Hall has just been placed at number 50

in The Times newspaper Top 100 Restaurants.

Congratulations too to Galton Blackiston (who was

“Chef of the Year” in 2001) for recently winning yet

another award: the EDP’s “Outstanding Achievement

Award”.

Morston Hall will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary

in 2012 and will be producing a special commemorative

magazine by Tracy Blackiston.

NCT BIKE RIDE 10TH SEP. 2011

The Norfolk Churches Trust (NCT) makes grants to

churches and chapels of all denominations towards repair

and restoration costs. Of the monies from its annual Bike

Ride (traditionally on the second Saturday in September)

half goes to the Norfolk Churches Trust and the other

half comes back to the parishes. Since its inception in

1976 the NCT has raised enough money to make grants

to more than 580 different churches and chapels to the

tune of over £3.6 million.

Across the country the results of last year's Ride were

9-10% down on 2009, but Norfolk’s fall was just under

9%, down to £119,806 (which made it the third highest of

34 participating trusts). Norfolk’s record achieved in

2007 was £138,521.

Because there has been a fall in charity income gener-

ally of 10-11%, the NCT is brainstorming about (a) ways

in which the annual Bike Ride could be improved and

built upon and (b) as to how more riders or walkers might

be attracted. Several possibilities are under discussion,

but anyone with any bright, new ideas, please contact

Ned Hamond on 01263-740188.

On September 10th our stalwart bikers Olive & Billy

Hewitt, and Rob and Max Metcalfe were on the road,

with cunning route plans - and incredibly they raised

£1,002 - from which £501 plus Grant Aid (half of 28p in

the £) will come to Morston PCC church funds. And

please put Sat 8th September 2012 (to be confirmed) in

YOUR diary so that YOU can come and join these four

intrepid fundraisers for the next Bike Ride!

22

BLUEJACKET CHRISTMAS PARTY Sat 3 & Sun 4 December, 10am - 5pm

All at Bluejacket Workshop welcome walkers,

shoppers and general party-minded folk to join us

throughout the weekend for mulled wine, hot chocolate

and festive nibbles. There will be new guest artists on

show in the shop and the workshop plus new stock from

the collective.

For further information and maps go to

www.bluejacketworkshop.co.uk.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Dec 23 Fri. 5.00 pm. Candlelit Carol Service

24 Sat. 5.00 pm. Carollers Rendezvous with Ned

Hamond and Jane Temple in the Anchor

25 Sun. 9.30 am: Christmas Day, Communion

Service

2012

Feb 18 Sat. 7.00 for 7.30 pm. FMC Morston Quiz –VH

Jan 22 Sat. 6.30 pm. Robin Ffolkes’ Ladakh (India)

Development Film for the PCC – VH. This will not

now take place.

SHOVELL DINNER 2011 The Friends of Morston Church Shovell Dinner, held

on 15th October at the Anchor, made £1,378.00.

The FMC Committee would like to thank all those

who helped make it a success: those who gave donations

or raffle prizes, those who organised the raffle, the

Anchor staff, and not least those who attended and

especially our Guest Speaker, Dr Simon Harris, who gave

us a stirring, fascinating talk on Nelson, delivered with

passion, intricate knowledge of his subject and with

superb slides.

O’RIORDAN BLESSING On 15th October at All Saints Church the Rev. Ian

Whittle conducted the Blessing of the marriage of newly-

weds Dermot & Elizabeth O’Riordan, many of the guests

having come from as far afield as Kent. The packed

church had been decorated by Morston PCC and looked

wonderful.

A Reception was held afterwards at Morston Hall. WHICH CAME FIRST: THE ANCHOR INN OR

THE ANCHOR BREWERY? Unlike Wells which had some 57 alehouses down the

ages (serving many more visiting mariners than here),

Morston (population usually about 90-110) had only two

- but two at once and side by side: and less than 50 yards

apart. Ideal for a pub crawl.

In 1836 the pub we now call the Anchor, described as

an attractive 16th century building, was run by Robert

Butter, and by 1846 Richard Mayes, was (besides being

the village shoemaker), innkeeper of the Anchor. In 1836

John Gooch ran the other pub - later called as the

Townshend Arms (today’s Point House) - which by 1846

Benjamin Wade had taken over.

This was in the days when pubs were single

alehouses, brewing their own beer. This and what

follows, we know from Holt Licence Registers PS 28/6/1

to 28/12/1 (1878-c.1962) and the ten-yearly censuses

from 1841. The first census, however, actually to name

the two pubs, was that of 1861.

In 1837 in Coslany Street, Norwich, Richard Bullard

founded Bullards & Watts Brewery - later to be (just)

Bullards’ Anchor Brewery. Bullards was to take over the

Anchor Inn in Morston in 1878 - barrels doubtless being

sent by rail to Holt by 1883.

The 1851 Census for Morston, shows two Innkeepers

but does not state which ran which pub. James Ramm or

Roman, a “carrier” (pony and trap) - his surname is

illegible - (47, born at Wiveton) is listed as “Innkeeper” -

and his wife, Rebecca (45, born at Blakeney) - and their

daughter, Rachael [sic], 22, is listed as “Assistant

Innkeeper”. Also living with them was their young son,

James Jabes, who was only 6.

(In 1859 at Cockthorpe a Henry Ramm, widower, and

mercer from Doncaster, married a Jane Harvey. His

father, Robert, was a Wesleyan minister). Ramms

abound today here in this area.

Morston’s second Innkeeper listed for 1851 is

Edmund Wordingham, 63, from Stiffkey, and his

Morston-born wife, Lydia, also 63, and their

granddaughter, Mary Raynon, 7, born at Great Dunham.

In 1854 William Grimes apparently took over the

Towshend Arms and four years later William Aldridge

was the publican at the Anchor. In 1861 another change:

the Anchor was now run by John Neal, 33, and his wife,

Esther, 29, from Badingham, and his 16-year-old sister,

Harriet Celwen (?), (born in “Studdy” (Stody)) -

described as a “house servant”, rather than “barmaid”.

[“?”= illegible], while the Townshend Arms was run by

James Long, 35, (Bale-born fisherman) and his wife

Margaret, 33, from Sheringham, with their five children

under 9. To be continued.

23

PUZZLE PAGE ANSWERS

WORD-SQUARE SOLUTIONS Pansy, Peony, Petunia, Phlox, Pink, Poppy, Primrose,

Primula, Chamomile, Clematis, Cowslip, Gardenia,

Gentian, Gypsophila, Aloe, Arum, Lavender, Lily,

Eglantine, Flag, Hemlock, Iris, Rose, Sesame (always

open!) and Tulip. The snake was the Asp, the pest was

the Snail and the friend was the Bee.

MORSTON CHRISTMAS QUIZ 1.26th December. 2. Jacob Marley. 3. Norway. 4. Ladies

dancing. 5. Christmas cracker. 6. 1984. 7. Turkey. 8. Six. 9.

Panettone. 10. “I Saw Three Ships”. 11. Almond. 12. “The

Snowman”. 13. Mince pie. 14. Jerez (Spain. In Spanish Sherry

is called Vino de Jerez). 15. Tchaikovsky. 16. Mistletoe. 17.

Advent (and “Advent Calendars”. The 'coming' refers to the

birth of Christ). 18. Canada. 19 Yule aka Yuletide. 20.

“Hallelujah”.

BRAINTEASER Six. (The number of letters for each pet gives the amount e.g.

‘dogs’ = 4 letters, so he has four dogs).

SPOT THE DIFFERENCES 1. Picture on the wall has lost its hanging cord

2. House in picture has gained a chimney

3. Angel has replaced star at top of tree

4. Loco on train has shed a wheel

5. The rig on the boat has been changed

6. Billy’s hair has grown at the side

7. Teddy has gone grumpy and

8. Toby’s collar is larger.

R E I N D E E R R U F F

U N R S C N O

B U G L E C R O F T E R

Y R A R U I E

W O R D C O U N T E R S

A B W N W T A

S U N T A N G E M I N I

U U S R N L

B E I N G T H E B E S T

J D H E L U O

E V I C T O R A L L O W

C O S P S A L

T A T E P A S T U R E S

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ROBERT BEESON Formerly of The Old Rectory in Saxlingham, Robert

Beeson died of cancer on 2nd September aged 69 at

homein Ringstead. The major achievement of Robert’s

dynamic career in the potato industry was the

organization in 1990, 20 years after his move to Norfolk

from London, of a merging of several big family

enterprises into MBM, handling more than 1m. tons a

year and supplying the country’s leading supermarkets.

Coming from a family background involving

wholesale merchanting of potatoes and other produce in

London, Robert, together with his brother Tony, had first

worked in new co-operatives to supply Walker’s Crisps as

well as growing seed-potatoes and importing out-of-

season supplies. Under the Hillsdown umbrella the

business grew even larger, but when Premier Foods took

over Robert opted for retirement.

The other great enthusiasm in Robert’s life was golf.

At one time Captain of the Norfolk team when they won

the Anglian League, Robert with Trevor Emery was a five

-times winner of the county foursomes. A keen member at

Sheringham, Brancaster and Hunstanton, Robert also

wrote books in his retirement on golf and golf clubs.

REPAIRS TO CHURCH WINDOWS The large stained glass window at the east end of St.

Margaret’s needs to have its horizontal bars replaced as

rust is damaging the stone uprights. The PCC hope to

have the work completed before the worst of the winter

weather. Windows in the nave are bowing so they will

need repairing in due course.

CHRISTMAS DAY Please note - the joint service with Field Dalling held

in St. Margaret’s, Saxlingham will begin at 10.30 am.

24

SHARRINGTON CHURCH NEWS In Sharrington, we love harvest so much that we

celebrated it in style - twice.

The church service was well-attended as always, and

we sang the familiar hymns surrounded by gorgeous

displays of autumnal flowers and fruits. Revd. Ian

Whittle conducted evensong and then we broke into the

harvest loaf and shared it with delicious homemade

soup. How bizarre that October 2nd was one of the

hottest days of the year so hot soup was perhaps not the

ideal choice, but nevertheless we all enjoyed the chance

to eat and chat together.

So much so that two weeks later we got together

again to celebrate with a harvest supper and auction in

the village hall. Once more Ann Garwood, Claire

Dubbins, Robin Burkitt and Louise Walker

masterminded a wonderful evening, drawing on help

from many other willing people to produce a delicious

hot supper. Entertainment came in the form of our

popular auctioneer, Claire Rivett, who persuaded us to

part with our money in return for a variety of produce,

from bread and cakes to jellies and chutneys - finishing

in style with a splendid pumpkin. Proceeds were shared

between the Church and the Village Hall, each receiving

£175.

Those of you who attended the wonderful Burns

Night supper in Sharrington Village Hall in January -

and any who sadly had to miss it - will be delighted to

hear the Mary Lee is organising another one! The Piper

is already booked, so keep the date free, Saturday 28th

January 2012, and reserve your ticked nearer the time

from Mary Lee or Pippa Long

IN MEMORY OF DR PETER GARWOOD - AKA AIRBAG

In the last edition of the Lynx some readers may have

been surprised to read that Dr Peter Garwood had been

reappointed as the Sharrington Village Lynx

representative. Remarkable as that may have been, and I

am sure somehow Peter had a hand in this phenomenon;

it was only for one edition!! Sadly Peter died on 1st

October 2010.

In consultation with Ann, Peter’s wife, and by way of

a timely memorial to him, we have selected a piece from

the now much sought after first edition (and only edition

of 2004) For the smallest reading room, doodles of a

rather dozy Doc, a dozier soldier boy and a quirky critic

of mankind.

SECOND COMING & THOUGHTS THEREON The angels came for Easter, just a few short months

since the last visitation, and “My -.how you have grown,”

etc. For some reason this prompted me to reminisce

about my holiday with grandfather.

The generation gap can be measured in decibels and I

don’t think the gap could be wider nor louder. You will

remember - “Don’t speak unless you are spoken to,” -

“Sit up, shut up and eat up,” when at the table. “Ask

permission to leave the table and don’t wave your knife,

fork and spoon in the air,” - “Go to bed now.”

It was a very special occasion for my brother and me

to stay with him. We wore our Sunday best and were

always meticulously groomed by mother - “pull your

sock up, surely you haven’t forgot your garters again!”

We met at the railway station and respectfully shook

grandfather’s proffered hand. Our reward was to be given

a shiny silver shilling, freshly minted.

“How are you, young fellar-me-lad?”

“I’m very well thank you Grandfather.”

Breakfast was a great treat.

The “Full English,” was eagerly taken from the silver

salvers on the sideboard - helped by Mother and “Don’t

make a mess.” Grandfather sat at the head of the polished

dining-room table, immaculately dressed in starch

winged collar, black jacket and stripped trousers. His

“Times” had been warmed for him on the brass fender in

front of the blazing fire. He left the table first and went to

the front hall where the maid brought him his spats - light

grey and spotless.

Then we all went to the hall to see him leave for the

office. Further head patting and “Be good young fellar-

me-lad.” - “Yes, grandfather.”

For the evenings he had invented a game which

presumably was to help him assess whether we played

fair and showed some modicum of decorum. The game

was played on the long kitchen table, covered with a

velvety dark green cloth with tassels on it. We had to roll

cheese boxes through various gates he had

constructed. I never felt on trial but I’m pretty sure we

were being assessed as suitable for continuing the

family name. Bed time, “sweet dreams” and the end of

really enjoyable days.

I dunno - I reckon I blame Hitler and the ultra left

wing idiots who managed to dismember our ordered

lives. And now back to the multi-decibel visitation.

All good fun - I think.. PJG

Thank you, Peter

25

STIFFKEY MUSIC CIRCLE We continue on Dec 8th and Jan 12th after two

programmes from Proms including two attended by two

of our members.

We have reverted to supporting Sally Bass who is

studying very successfully in London on a postgraduate

course in health care management. However she is

finding it very difficult to secure enough work to help

finance her living costs in London.

We will resume our support for a young musician in

Birmingham when Sally has completed her course and

returned to The Gambia.

December’s evening will focus on those two

contrasting composers of somewhat dubious rhyming

slang notoriety: Brahms and Liszt. Definitely not to be

missed.

We have decided to continue meeting at 7 through the

depths of winter in defiance, maybe misguided, of those

prophets of winter weather doom! We can always change

our minds if the snowdrifts pile up. John Adnitt

SAD NEWS FROM THE GAMBIA On September 17th we received very sad news of the

sudden death of the headmistress of Albaraca Nursery

School in The Gambia.

Mrs Fatou Kebbeh had been head of the school for 10

years. She took over at a time when the school needed

strong leadership. She provided that and the school

flourished.

Anyone who has been to the school and been warmly

welcomed by Mrs Kebbeh, a character straight from the

pages of Ian McCall-Smith, will know just how much she

meant to the school, and how much the school meant to

her. She loved the children and they loved her.

Fatou visited us here in Stiffkey in 2004 and spent

time at the schools in Blakeney and Langham. She

attended a service at Binham and had a very interesting

theological exchange with the visiting Bishop of Lynn.

Fatou was a Muslim.

Coming to England was a real highlight in her life,

and she remembered many enjoyable moments. One

evening we were visited in Stiffkey by 30 bikers from

Dereham who supported the school and brought pens and

books. The sight of Mrs K astride a Harley Davidson was

truly memorable, and typical of her robust enthusiasm for

life.

John visited the school just over a week after the

received the news. It seemed the right thing to do. The

staff were all clearly shocked by Fatou’s sudden death

from a severe heart attack, but full of determination.

“We must all work even harder to help the school to

stay successful without her.” (Mordou, one of the longest

serving teachers).

The responsibility for approving a successor will be

left in the capable hands of Bakary Jobe and his team of

Gambian trustees.

Further visits to the school will be made by UK

trustees, Rachael in November, Susan Moore in January,

and both of us in February. John Adnitt

WI NEWS Stiffkey WI continues to offer friendship and interest-

ing evenings!

In January we hope to hear from a long-time practi-

tioner of Reflexology and in February Ray Bannerman

has agreed to talk to us on his enthusiasm for Amateur

Radio.

Further interesting talks are planned for subsequent

months. Visitors welcome! Come one – come all!!

We expect to meet at the new time of the Third Thurs-

day in each month, 7.30 at Stiffkey Old Hall. Posters will

confirm – or contact the Secretary, Helen Leach at

CHRISTMAS DATES St. John the Baptist’s Church, Stiffkey

The Christingle Carol Concert will be at 3.30 on the

Friday before Christmas, Dec 23rd. The church will

look wonderful, decorated and lit by candles.

On Christmas Eve the Red Lion will reverberate to

the sound of enthusiastically sung carols from 6.30 to

7.00.

On Christmas morning there will be a communion

service led by our rector at 9.30. Don’t forget to get the

turkey ready before you come! John Adnitt

26

BACON PAPERS

This month I have been reading the first two volumes

of THE PAPERS OF NATHANIEL BACON OF

STIFFKEY. They cover a diverse range of subjects from

the building of the Old Hall, affairs of state in the court of

Queen Elizabeth 1 to the price of wool, piracy and issues

of illegitimacy.

One thing that struck me, however, was the use of

words that were familiar to me during my rural seafaring

childhood that are no longer heard today. For animals

there was :

Yow (ewe).

Dowe (wood pigeon)

Nag (a small everyday sort of riding horse)

Mete, being fit for or of best practice.

To dress meat, to prepare a carcass

Writ instead of wrote or written.

Busshell, a volume measure equivalent to eight

gallons (36.5 litres) and commonly used in the fishing

industry until recently.

Dryfte weyes, lanes.

Mylche neat, milk cow

Trowe, a trough for animal feed.

Beadstead (bed frame) featherbed tikes (dense

woven mattress covers for holding feathers, ticking)

bolster (a long pillow)

Hoye, a boat.

Cricke, creek on the marsh.

Tow (flax and hemp fibres) used in rope making such

as whelk tows.

Poke, in a net. A pocket that stops the fish escaping.

Perhaps most singular was the ending of many of the

letters with various versions of that old Norfolk phrase

that is rarely heard these days and I will finish with its

full blown version and say; fare ye well together now.

Geraldine Green

NATURE NOTES Every effort is being made to combine efficient food

production on our farms with protection of wildlife. This

is sometimes difficult because the tools farmers have to

use include (sometimes) chemicals which are harmful to

a wide variety of insects – on which so much of the ‘food

chain’ demands. Older people can remember having to

wipe down their windscreens quite often to remove

squashed insects, No more!

But all is not lost. Government schemes are in place to

pay farmers to leave uncultivated headlands and to sow

nectar mixtures in arable areas. This provides ‘corridors’

for wildlife to migrate. Bees, butterflies, birds and mam-

mals all benefit. Farm subsidies are now very ‘green’.

We can look back on 2011 as a patchy breeding sea-

son. A nasty disease has struck the Finch family of birds.

This is Trichomoniasis – which is caused by a parasite

which attacks sinuses, mouths and throats of birds and is

often caused by drinking infected water. Birds lose

weight, can’t feed and die. Garden feeders and drinking

containers must be kept clean at all times. Even then the

disease may not be stopped. Greenfinches, Chaffinches,

Goldfinches – these all seem very susceptible.

Where are all the Hedgehogs we used to see 20 years

ago? There seems to be a huge drop in numbers. Badgers

can unroll them and eat them alive – ugh! Badgers are on

the increase everywhere. Nice animals but they are heavy

predators of birds, bumble bees, hedgehogs and we need

to be realistic. They are fully protected – unlike the fox.

A nasty leaf-miner moth caterpillar is affecting our

chestnut trees – causing early leaf die-back although the

trees seem to recover each spring. Hopefully it is not so

serious as the Dutch elm disease which killed off most of

England’s lovely elms over the past 50 years. All this

seems to be a tale of woe.

But as winter closes in we can enjoy bird spectacles

on the coast as migrants pour in, and, no doubt, some

joyful Christmas cheer in our villages Pightle

27

SCHOOL NEWS Autumn is a busy time for the children and staff of

Langham Village School, with the Harvest Festival, Hal-

lowe’en and preparation for Christmas all in a few short

weeks.

The Harvest Festival took place in Langham Church

on Tuesday 18 October, with lovely performances by all

the children. Class 1 (aged 4 – 6) sang the nursery classic

‘rainbow’ song with a beautifully simple routine involv-

ing ribbons in all the colours. Class 2 performed an

acrostic of ‘Harvest Festival’, with each letter represent-

ing a different aspect of harvest. Class 3 gave us a

‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ style show with a touch of Mexi-

can dance to follow. The produce sale at the end - includ-

ing vegetables grown at school by the children them-

selves - raised £80 for the Quidenham Children’s Hos-

pice so well done all.

Also in the Harvest theme, Class 2 (aged 6 - 8) has

raised over £20 for a ‘Send a cow’ charity where people

pay to guess where cows are hidden underneath pictures

of vegetables. The charity gives cows to poor communi-

ties in Africa, to provide milk for sale at market and ma-

nure to grow vegetables. Any calves produced are given

to other families.

Harvest Festival was followed by a Hallowe’en Party

for all the children at Binham Village Hall, with games

galore, spooky snacks and prizes for the best costume - a

great chance for them to let off steam .

The children of Class 3 (aged 8-11) were inspired by a

trip to the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo to create a fabu-

lous art display of Anglo-Saxon armour in the school’s

reception area.

Good luck to Archie Willis, Thomas Squires and

Kieron and Georgina Belton from Class 3, who are repre-

senting Langham Village School in an inter-school maths

competition on 10 November.

Changes to the Board of Governors

After several years at the helm of the Board of Gover-

nors, Dave Dalton has handed over the role of Chair to

Matthew Coe. The school is not letting Dave go that easi-

ly and he has kindly agreed to remain on the Board. In

addition, Pauline Bartlett has retired as Clerk to the

Board after many years of sterling service.

Head Teacher Mike Green said: “On behalf of the

whole school and the governing body, sincere thanks to

Dave and Pauline for the tremendous contribution they

have made. We wish Pauline every happiness for a well-

earned restful retirement. We are delighted that we will

continue to benefit from Dave’s fantastic support and his

long experience as a governor.”

Pauline’s departure leaves a vacancy for a new

Clerk. This is a part-time paid position with training pro-

vided to help the new incumbent get up to speed. The

school welcomes applications - speak to Mike Green or

Matthew Coe by the end of November if you are interest-

ed in the role.

School Christmas Fair – put it in your diary!

The Christmas fair will take place at the school on

Saturday 3 December from 10am to 12 noon. Everyone

is welcome, it’s a great opportunity to stock up on some

delicious home baking and the children’s hand-made

crafts make fabulous gifts, with fantastic raffle prizes to

be won and refreshments on hand if you find yourself

flagging. We look forward to seeing you there!

Don’t forget to keep in touch with all the chil-

dren’s projects and school news on the school website at

www.langhamvillageschool.com. Anne-Marie Coe

Local Lynx is printed by Century Printing, 132 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AZ.

Tel/Fax: 01692 582958

THE SMALL ADS PANEL

ADVERTISING LOCAL SERVICES

CHIMNEY SWEEP

David Thompson

01328 851081

NICK RIVETT

Qualified Domestic Plumber

Also: Lead Work Undertaken

Tel: 01263 861065 Mobile: 077 47 690049

B. A. TREE SERVICES (Tree Surgeon)

Free quotes available

Full Public Liability Insurance Held

01263 588994 or 07748570121

HAMLYN PEST CONTROL

County Council Accredited - NPTA Member

Control of Rats, Mice, Wasps etc

01263 860112 or 861587

PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLIST

Salon quality in the comfort of your own home

Call Laura for Appointments

07810 660043

A. R. Pigott

Painter & Decorator

Cley: 01263 741013

SIVANANDA YOGA CLASS

Tuesdays 7.30 - 8.45 pm. All welcome

Field Dalling Village Hall

Richard Redmayne 01263 862289

ROBERT HEATON

Gardening Services - Grass & Hedge Cutting

Tree Pruning & Felling, Blocks & Slabs Laid, Fencing

Tel:01328 730 702 Mob: 07748 363 718

INSIDE OUT Gary Waller

Painter & Decorator - Fully Insured

Tel:01263 860705 Mob: 07990 993406

ROBIN PEEL GARDEN SERVICES

Grass & Hedge Cutting - Fencing

Patios & Paths - The complete garden service

Tel: 01328 830694 or 07717 418725

local lynx issue 81 - december 2011/january 2012

Documents

langham coffee morning

langham fol coffee morning

langham ladybirds

parish room

langham mobile library

bale binham

morston parish council

langham quiz night