it's coming home!
TRANSCRIPT
NEWSLETTER JULY 2021
Please submit items for inclusion no later than the first Wednesday of the month.E mail : [email protected]. Tel: 01760 441259
It's coming home!Hello everybody,
Welcome to the July newsletter.
I hope you've been enjoying all the sports at the moment. At the time ofwriting England are in the semifinals of the European Football Championship;the Lions are about to start a test series in South Africa; Emma Raducanu hasgot herself into the 4th round of Wimbledon; the cricket team are doing rathernicely and the Olympics are just around the corner.
Sport improves not only physical fitness but also mental wellbeing. It is a jointexperience that as a nation we can all be a part of.
Likewise, all of our interest groups provide similar benefits. Whether you're awalker, a card player or you're learning a new language the simple joy ofmeeting again with like minded friends and sharing a joint experience, can't beoverstated.
The next installment of the government's roadmap to recovery is about to bereleased. It will give us a clearer direction of where we're headed.
After the prime minister's announcement your committee will meet with asingle item on the agenda; Restarting activities safely.
So, watch this space, we'll be in touch as soon as we know what's going on.
Stay safe,
Dave
JOLLY DAYS OUTSOUTHWOLD DAY TRIP MONDAY 16th AUGUST
Please click HERE for more details
NEW DAY TRIP…... NEW DAY TRIP…...NEW DAY TRIP
AGM THURSDAY 9th JULY AT 2PM BY ZOOM FOLLOWED BY OURGUEST SPEAKER Jane Keidan “ After Lockdown Litany”. A collection ofpoems and readings. A ZOOM link will be e mailed to members prior tothe AGM. PLEASE ATTEND AND SUPPORT YOUR U3A. THANK YOU.
UPDATED U3A POLICIES
Some of our policies have been revised and are now in the ADMIN section onthe website including updated Group Convenors / members guidance and canbe found by clicking HERE.
Members of our committee recently attended a ZOOM Seminar on Groupsre- opening safely run by the East of England U3A group. A video of themeeting can be accessed by clicking HERE.
A Synopsis of the meeting can also be found HERE
Spanish Group New Convenor required
Unfortunately due to a house move Brigid will be unable to continue asconvenor for the Spanish group. The committee would like to thank her for allthe time and effort she has put in to make this group such a success and wishher all the best on her move.
CAN ANYONE HELP IN RUNNING THIS GROUP ?
Please contact Steffi Spooner, Groups coordinator via the CONTACT page ofthe website. Please also contact Steffi if you have ideas for a new group,remember any member starting a new group will be given the full support ofthe committee.
COVID 19 SURVEY DEREHAM U3A.....PLEASE COMPLETE NOW !!As of the 4th of July 154 members have completed this survey. If you haven'talready completed this survey it would help the committee if you couldcomplete it NOW please. Although some or all restrictions look likely to beremoved by the Government shortly we realise that many members wouldprefer some safety measures remain in place.
In order that we can formulate a policy that reflects the majority view yourfeedback is important. Please click HERE to access the Form. It will take lessthan 2 minutes to complete. THANK YOU.
The following “RAMBLERS” article and photographs were submitted by Nigeland Alison Rudgewick-Brown, MANY THANKS.
RAMBLERS TALES
" Hello Fellow Walkers”
What an amazing year to admire the joys of the Dereham to Hoe Rough andCommon walk through the four seasons. We have watched the wonders ofnature with a keen eye this year , walking the route fairly regularly in a varietyof assorted footwear and clothing!
During the snowy spell earlier this year, we felt like intrepid Antarcticexplorers knee deep in drifts across the fields and were astounded howquickly the lanes were transformed into thick glaciers as the sun emerged.
The beautiful wild flower margins planted alongside the barley fields on part ofthe Wensum Way last summer were full of poppies and this year have beenreplaced with swathes of ox eye daisies and cornflowers and assortedunknown species. I'm sure fellow experts will be very knowledgeable and beable to identify them all. Do go and have a look with your field guides.
In the woods at Hoe Common last summer we had an amazing encounter withan adder and this year in early spring this year we had the joy of watching apair of owls perching high in an old tree . We were able to see them almostdaily, as they took it in turns to soak up the early morning sunshine. Althoughdisappeared back into the woods for now, they will be a real treat to look outfor next year.
We look forward to getting back to enjoying our beautiful Norfolk Countrysidewith friends as restrictions are gradually easing.
In the meantime...Happy Walking !
COME ON U3A MEMBERS, LET USHAVE YOUR ARTICLES ANDPHOTOGRAPHS TO BRIGHTEN UPOUR NEWSLETTER !!!
Angus Spooner has written the article below, reminiscing of his early daysworking for Crane Fruehauf Trailers in Dereham.
LUNCHTIME IN EAST DEREHAMLet us swear that you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry “Let’s go! there’s the hooter”.
And a hundred, or so men would run, hell for leather, to the left for the bike shedsand Lynn Hill and straight ahead to charge across Tavern Lane to the Meadow wherethey had parked their cars.
Yes – it was lunch time at Crane Fruehauf and there was no time to waste so as tobe home for lunch as sharply as possible.
I was on a push bike, turn left out of the gate and up Lynn Hill, we were rarely heldup here by the signalman closing the gates for a train and so it was over thecrossing and swing right into the railway yard where every so often there would bean official to stop you and tell that you were trespassing and to go the long wayround via the Kings Head. He’s not there today so it’s pedal hard round in front ofthe station building and the right into Norwich Road and “oh blast” the gates areshut. Now it’s a quick decision. Wait for the train to go or clamber up and over thefootbridge to save vital minutes. Clear of the railway it takes only a minute or so tobe in Crown Road at Mrs, Rawling’s for lunch.
That was the lunch time ritual every day back in the 60’s when I was a 16 year old,recently left home and an apprentice, along with many other young men my age.
Knocking off times had a ritual at Cranes that had to be observed to avoid scoldingby one’s senior work mates. There were no proper washing facilities and in order toclean one’s hands a can of hot water had to be provided for each gang at their workstation. The provision of the hot water can fell to the “boy”. He would not be allowedto fill his can (in my case at the lavatory block standing in the car park of Homebase) before a certain time and the inadequate gas water heater would not give hotwater to all the boys waiting with their cans. Returning with cold water would bringcriticism and scorn. Oh yes, we had the usual “go to the stores and ask for a longwait” but I really don’t know anyone who fell for that kind of thing. My poor chargehand Frankie Holmes. I was so cack handed he must have gone wild but he was verypatient. No wonder I ended up in the office.
Why the rush to get back to 47 Crown Road. Because it was a Wednesday and on aWednesday it was pig’s fry for lunch! I don’t suppose you can buy it now but it is thefood of Nirvana (if you like pork). If you are not familiar with pig’s fry, ask a Norfolkperson about it! Mrs Rawlings had a menu set up for each day and there was not aday that I did not have something good to rush back from work for. Mrs EvaRawlings, devoted to the Baptist Church, was one of the kindest souls in Derehamand put up with me for about 3 years before I became too much of a burden and shehad to ask this boorish fellow to find other arrangements and even then was willingto take me back for a few weeks when I was between lodgings. She was an exampleof “the kindness of strangers” that I have experienced all my life.
Angus Spooner
The following article was submitted by Roland Terry , many thanks.
The Development of Dereham since 1800
We start our story on a grim note.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the bell tower at St Nicholas church was used as
a prison. Unfortunately for a prisoner who tried to escape, he was fatally shot.
However there is a gravestone commemorating his death in the churchyard.
As a town located in an agricultural area, there were three post medieval
windmills still in use at the beginning of the 20th century. Fendick’s mill, just off
the Norwich Road, has been restored, and in normal times is open to the
public.
Another important event which encouraged industry was the opening of the
railway to passengers in 1847. The history of this railway will it is hoped
feature in a further article.
Factories also began to develop, including a brickworks, Skinner’s leather
factory, Hobbies fretwork workshop, and Gill’s iron foundry. This brought a
migration of workers from the surrounding villages, leading to more amenities
being gradually developed. Thus we have the Corn Hall and Theatre Royal,
built in the 19th century.
Services also gradually improved and I’m sure most will be familiar with the
19th century water tower which stands by the hospital.
Dereham did not escape unscathed during the two World Wars. A zeppelin hit
the Guild Hall and sadly there were several fatalities. Pill boxes were erected
during World War Two, with one still visible in Norwich Road between the
railway crossing gates and the Maltings. There were also mortar gun
emplacements, one of which was near the aforementioned pill box. There was
a local command bunker, and Italian prisoners of war were housed in a camp
at Etling Green. One such prisoner was a talented artist, who painted the
interior of Walnut Tree Farm in an imitation 17th century style.
The Cold War also became a reality in Dereham, as a nuclear bunker was
located in the car park of the Guild Hall. The bad news is that it could only hold
a minimal amount of people!
So this article provides only a taster of the development and history of
Dereham, with further details included in a book Dereham, The Biography of
a Country Town by N Boston and E Puddy
CAN YOU HELP ?Some Local Organisations are looking for help. Maybe YOU are interested ?
BELLRINGERS WANTED CAN YOU HELP ? St Withburga Ringers.
This Dereham based handbell group are looking for 2 new players to join
their friendly group. You do not need to be able to read music or have any
previous experience.
They entertain at care homes, WI’s etc. particularly in the run up to
Christmas.
They meet on Monday afternoons 2 - 3.15pm at Trinity Methodist Church,
Theatre Street, Dereham and pay a weekly subscription of £3.
Please contact Sylvia on 01362 693425 for further information.
E Mail : [email protected].
EAST ANGLIA AIR AMBULANCE
WALKERS !! Can you support the East Anglia Air Ambulance ?
The EAAA has organised three walks in order to raise funds for the Air
Ambulance. Please click HERE For more information.
SEEKING GOVERNORS
FOR DEREHAM CHURCH INFANT AND NURSERY SCHOOL
Please click HERE for full details
DEREHAM TOWN COUNCIL COMMUNITY CAR SCHEME
DRIVERS URGENTLY REQUIRED
“The Community Car scheme is back receiving journeys for any health
appointments, i.e. at hospital, doctors, dentist etc. The phone line 07827 972163,
is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am to 1pm for your
requests.
We are in need of more drivers, as always, to cover the requests received.
Please consider if you can assist please click HERE for more information.
NEW ITEM ON THE NATIONAL U3A WEBSITE
There is a really useful section that has been added to the National U3A website. Itseems the U3A have tracked down people who are experts in all sorts of group subjects,ranging from Amateur Radio and Astronomy, to Photography, Storytelling and Yoga! Theyare available to help U3A members set up new groups.
As part of the editorial team for the newsletter I think having a photography group couldbe jolly handy!
If you open the National U3A website and enter into the search SUBJECT ADVICE this longlist of potential groups comes up! It should provide some ideas for new groups, but alsohelp if someone feels they would like to take on a group to keep it running.
At present, as you will see from other items in this newsletter there are still restrictions inplace because of covid – but it does mean new plans could be laid now, in anticipation!
The Spanish group urgently needs a new convenor, and discussion and play readinggroups are basically full, so again more convenors are needed! We are also still seekingsomeone to lead walks over 5 miles! The ‘outdoor’ groups are really all that can run justnow (before we hear about changes in the regulations from the Government) so if anyonehas any other ideas do shout out!
Do have a look at our own Dereham U3A website and see if you are likely to want to joinany of the groups already in existence, and let the convenor know!
We’ve hung on so long, let’s hope in another couple of months we can move forwardsafely.
Steffi Spooner. Group Coordinator.
Please contact Steffi via the Dereham U3A website CONTACT page.
DEREHAM U3A WEBSITETHE WEBSITE IS UPDATED TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK ON AVERAGE AND
CONTAINS LOTS OF INFORMATION. MANY ITEMS APPEAR ON THE WEBSITE
WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE NEWSLETTER i.e OUTINGS.
IF YOU KNOW OF ANY MEMBERS WITHOUT AN E MAIL ADDRESS PLEASE
ENCOURAGE THEM TO ACCESS THE WEBSITE . RELATIVES, FRIENDS CAN BE A
“BUDDY” BY USING THE WEBSITE TO KEEP THEM FULLY INFORMED.
REMEMBER YOU CAN ALSO BOOK COMPUTER TIME AT DEREHAM LIBRARY BY
TELEPHONING 01603 774777. ASSISTANCE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THOSE
WITH LIMITED COMPUTER SKILLS.
WORDSEARCH for JULYPhilomena has produced another great WORDSEARCH for you all. You candownload a printable PDF version HERE
4th July 2021