LOCAL LYNX DECEMBER 2004 &

JANUARY 2005

ISSUE 39 BALE - BINHAM - COCKTHORPE - FIELD DALLING

GUNTHORPE - LANGHAM - MORSTON SAXLINGHAM - SHARRINGTON - STIFFKEY

AIMS Accountants For Business

■ Running Your Own Business? Wherever You Are, We Can Help

■ Keen pricing structure

Charges agreed in advance Only the services you want

We come to you First meetings are free

■ Terry Hurlock FCMA Chartered Management Accountant

t: 01263 710061

e: terryh@aims.co.uk w: www.aims.co.uk

BIRD-VENTURES Helping you to help our wildlife

We stock a huge range of wildlife products Open 9 - 5.30 Monday - Saturday

www.bird-ventures.co.uk

Quality Wild Bird Foods, Live Meal Worms, Bird Feeders, Bird Tables, Feeder Poles, Window Feeders, Sqirrel Baffles, Nesting boxes. Insect Homes for Bumble Bees, Solitary Bees,

Ladybirds, Lacewings & Butterflies. Pond Dipping Nets. Bat Boxes. Moth Traps. Butterfly Nets. Books. Videos. CDs.

Bird-Ventures 9B Chapel Yard, Albert Street, Holt,

Norfolk NR25 6HG Telephone 01263 710203 email Paul.seethebird@fsmail.net

INTERIOR CLEANING Household, Office, Commercial, Builders’ clean,

Holiday Home, Housekeeping, Party clean up or End of Tenancy clean/clear.

One-off cleans or Service Contracts Checkable References ~ Fully Insured

Free estimates, General enquiries

Tel/Fax: 01328 830629 or 07799 375654 www.spicspan-cleaning.co.uk

Spic & Span

HAMLYN PEST CONTROL

RODENT, RABBIT, MOLE, WASP and INSECT control by a professional, friendly

service, specialising in farm, domestic and retail

premises

www.hamlynnorfolk.co.uk

(01263) 860112

2

LOCAL LYNX - is a non-profit-making community newspaper, run for the benefit of ten villages.

We warmly welcome drawings, articles and letters for publication, but since we never know until shortly before publication how much material we will have, we must reserve the right to edit entries. We prefer to edit rather than to omit items alto-gether.

For information about submitting items for publi-cation and about distribution, or if you want to help in any other way, please contact your village representative

For general information please ring Helen & Bob Brandt on 01328-830056. You can also send a fax on that number. The address is:

28 Binham Road, Langham, Holt NR25 7AB.

COPY FOR FEBRUARY/MARCHISSUE

REQUIRED BY 9th JANUARY

WHAT’S ON in our 10 villages (and see page 3)

DECEMBER 15th Wed. Langham Parish Room, Carols & Mince

Pies. £7.00 21st Tues. Binham Nativity Play. 4.30

JANUARY 2nd Sun. Langham, Friends visit to pantomime. 18th Wed. Langham Ladybirds, CADS Panto. 29th Sat Gunthorpe Village Institute, coffee etc. 10.30

PLEASE NOTE: CONTACT FOR ADVERTISERS

For enquiries about advertising in Local Lynx, please contact David John, tel: 01328-830933

Rates for advertising (pre-paid) are: One column x 62 mm (1/8 page): £60 for six issues.

Small Ads Panel on the back page: Available for individuals and businesses providing local services. Allocated on first-paid, first-in basis. Cost: £5 per issue.

NORMAN LAMB M.P. holds regular advice surgeries in the constituency. He can also be contacted via the constituency office at: 15 Market Place North Walsham Norfolk NR28 9BP Tel: 01692 403752 Fax: 01692 500818 e-mail: normanlamb@hotmail.com www.normanlamb.org

Christmas and the turn of the year provides a suitable opportunity for us to thank the many people who contribute to the production and distribution of this paper. We would like also to thank those who support the paper financially, the PCCs, Parish Councils and individual donors, together with our loyal advertisers. Looking ahead, we will be continuing to try to secure the long-term future of the paper by developing an even larger body of people willing to be involved in the creation of each issue by providing our village representatives (to whom very special thanks are due) with interesting news and stories, together with those who physically assemble the ‘copy’ which we send to our printer. This is a community paper, produced by and hopefully benefiting those who live in our ten villages. Long may it continue. Eds

STIFFKEY AND BALE BENEFICE I expect that parishioners will wish to know what progress is being made in the selection of an incumbent to cover the nine parishes in the Stiffkey and Bale Benefice. By the time you read this it is almost certain that the nine parish representatives, in conjunction with the Bishop of Lynn and the Patrons, will have selected a candidate who they consider most suitable. Few people will be aware of what is involved in choosing a Priest. The procedure is laid down in the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986. This commenced in August this year and has followed the guidelines under the leadership of Bishop James Langstaff. Interviews of the four short-listed candidates will be taking place on 18th November and it is hoped that by the end of that day an appointment will have been made. It is anticipated that the new incumbent will take up his post around Easter 2005, bearing in mind that he has to give notice to his present parish. Paddy Seligman - Chairman of the Parish Representatives

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Fakenham Parish Church,

2nd - 9th December, 10am - 8pm To raise money for local and national charities.

There will be 50 decorated trees with 43 charities tak-ing part. Refreshments and stalls. Free entrance. Con-tact the Festival Office: 01328 862268.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Fakenham Town Band

Fakenham High School - 12th December, 7.30 pm Holt Community Centre 19th December, 7.30 pm

All welcome, refreshments, raffle. Tickets at door, £4.50 (concessions £4.00)

NOVEMBER

Sun. 28th Binham - Advent Carols 6.30 pm DECEMBER

Wed. 15th Langham - Parish Room - Carols, mince pies 7.00 pm Sun. 12th Saxlingham - Christingle Service 3.30 pm Thurs. 16th Langham Carmel - Carols 7.00 pm Sat. 18th Cockthorpe - Carols 6.00 pm Sun. 19th Binham - Carols and Readings 6.30 pm Tues. 21st Binham - Nativity Play & tea 4.30 pm Thurs. 23rd Stiffkey - Christingle Service 3.30 pm Morston - Candle-lit Carols 5.00 pm

Fri. 24th Christmas Eve Binham - Christingle Service 4.30 pm Stiffkey - Carols round the village 6.30 pm Binham - Midnight Mass 11.00 pm Bale - Holy Communion 11.30 pm Field Dalling - Midnight Mass 11.30 pm

Sat. 25th Christmas Day Saxlingham - Family Communion Service 9.30 am Morston - Holy Communion 9.30 am Binham - Family Carol Service 10.30 am Stiffkey - Holy Communion 10.30 am Gunthorpe - Holy Communion & Carols 11.00 am Langham - Holy Communion 11.00 am

Sun 26th Boxing Day Langham - Group Holy Communion 10.30 am

JANUARY

Sun. 9th Binham - Epiphany Carols with Choir 3.30 pm

SPECIAL

CAROL &

CHRISTMAS

SERVICES

3

Regular Service Rota for Bale and Stiffkey Groups for DECEMBER & JANUARY

HC=Holy Communion. FS=Family Service. MP=Morning Prayer. EP=Evening Prayer. BCP=Book of Common Prayer All Communion Services are in traditional language except those marked *

Parish Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 †

Bale 9.30 am HC 9.30 am HC 9.30 am HC 9.30 am HC Field Dalling 11.00 am MP 11.00 am HC 11.00 am FS 11.00 am HC Gunthorpe 11.00 am MP 11.00 am HC No Service 9.30 am HC Saxlingham 9.30 am HC 9.30 am MP 9.30 am HC/BCP 6.00 pm EP Sharrington 9.30 am MP/BCP 9.30 am HC 9.30 am MP 9.30 am HC Binham 11.00 am HC 11.00 am HC 11.00 am FS 9.30 am HC Langham 9.30 am HC* 9.30 am HC 9.30 am HC 9.30 am FS Morston 9.30 am HC/BCP No Service 9.30 am HC/BCP No Service Stiffkey 11.00 am FS 11.00 am HC* 8.00 am HC* 11.00 am FS

† NB Please see the panel below for special Christmas Services and events

Sunday January 30th: 10.30 am Group Holy Communion Service at Sharrington

Regular weekday services are held as follows:

Binham: Evening Prayers on Tuesday at 6 pm Langham: Holy Communion on Wednesday at 10.00 am

Stiffkey: Prayers for the Parish on Friday at 9.30 am followed by Holy Communion at 10.00 am

LETTER FROM JOHN AND DIANA 5, Magdalen Close, Lowestoft, NR32 4TP

Thank you for the various cards and gifts which reached us after the last Local Lynx went to press. I hope to send thank-you letters to everyone - as long as I can find the list of people concerned! We have yet to find both this and a number of items since the move. I trust all will turn up soon. Your new Rector should have been chosen by now and I know you will make him or her most welcome. Diana and I send our very best wishes to this person and the family if there is one. Once a new Priest is instituted, it is the custom for the last Incumbent to keep clear of the parish or parishes for a reasonable time, to give the new man or woman a chance to settle in. We do however miss you all and would love to see you. So if you are in Lowestoft or near Outwell (between Downham Market and Wisbeach) please drop by for a cup of tea or something. Please ring first however - we may be out! The Lowestoft number is 01502 564651 and Outwell’s number is 01945 773971. Thank you again for seven and a half years of fasci-nating ministry. I shall never forget you all. With love, John

Feeling a bit wobbly with your

DIGITAL CAMERA Then send for the doctor!

One to One – Instruction Camera + PC + You

John Lewis Holt Photographic Studio

01263 711536 a2asv@btinternet.com

4

SIX GRANDFATHER CLOCK STORIES by Andrew Cuthbert

Do you, like Sheelin and me, enjoy reading bedtime stories to your grandchildren? Well, I decided to write and illustrate my own stories for Paddy (11), Edward (9) and Rory (5).

In time for Grandparents’ Christmas Stockings, 2004, I have produced the first book, which includes stories ‘Sir George and the Swallow’, ‘The Witch and the Whale’, ‘Mummy’s Tree at Binham’, ‘The Monkeys, the Tiger and the Python’, ‘The Crimes’, ‘A Horse’s Story’, plus an illustrated Lord’s Prayer, John Bunyan’s Hymn and my favourite prayer. You provide your own handkerchief!

Copies available now by sending £5 plus A5 SAE to ‘A.C. The Ford House, Binham, Fakenham, NR21 0DJ’ Andrew Cuthbert

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ NOTEBOOK

Glaven Valley Ward Bernard Crowe Tel: 01263 740137

Email:bernardcrowe@north-norfolk.gov.uk Priory Ward

Jonathan Savory Tel: 01328 820719 The Laurels, Nutwood Farm, Wighton, NR23 1NX

e.mail:jsavory@farming.co.uk.

Council Tax The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned councils to prepare for another battle over council tax in the coming months. Norfolk is set to lose nearly £4 million in grant next year because the government is ignoring crucial information from the 2001 census. The loss of £4 million, the equivalent of 1.4% on Council Tax is a serious blow which could affect essential local services unless we, the taxpayers, make up the difference.

The LGA Chairman stated that the plea for extra cash appeared to be falling on deaf ears and criticised ministers for already issuing threats to cap councils’ spending. ‘Local councils, and the public, want a clear assurance that government will match its spending plans with grant’. He accused the government of under-funding public services while knowing that its own promises could only be delivered through higher council tax. ‘It hopes that the public will not notice the effects on services until after the general election’.

Major activities planned for months Nov 04 – Feb 05 Review of the Shoreline Management Plan for Kelling to

Lowestoft. Economic Development Strategy & Tourism Action Plan. Policy on Designated Area Orders. Future of North Lodge Park, Cromer. Review of Council’s Policy on Travellers. Parish Review. Revised Budget 2004/05. Fees and Charges 2005/06. Introduction of Licensing Policy. Offer document to tenants on Large Scale Voluntary

Transfer of Housing Stock.

CINDERELLA IS BACK IN TOWN (And the Cads are with her)

There is a lot going on in the Kingdom of Stoneybroke. Baron Dipstick has left home leaving his darling daughter with her wicked stepmother and stepsons. King Stoneybroke is looking for a wealthy bride for his eldest son Valentine, known to all the girls as Prince Charming (with good reason so we hear), and a cat called Buttons is running up his own tail on the orders of the fairy godmother!

This colourful hiss, boo and cheer panto will liven up the grey days after Christmas and New Year. CADS are pleased to present Cinderella at Cley village Hall on the following dates in 2005

Friday January 21st 8p.m. Saturday January 22nd 8p.m. Sunday January 23rd 3p.m. Matinee Friday January 28th 8p.m. Saturday January 29th 8p.m.

As you know we like to support a charity each year, the performance on 28th January will benefit Blakeney Neighbourhood Housing Society.

Tickets are available from CLEY POST OFFICE from the beginning of December at £6 (Charity Evening), £5 Adults and £3 Children. Also at the door.

Pat & Bridget Newman welcome you to THE BLUEBELL

LANGHAM Delightful

beer garden

Freshly prepared food - non-smoking dining room Wide choice of keg, cask and guest ales

Baby changing area and toilets for the disabled

Telephone (01328) 830502

PAINTING & GENERAL REPAIRS INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

free estimates & advice - established 1986

KARL HUNT Tel: 01328 820209

Mobile: 077 66 00 33 84

large or small

Birds Farm Walsingham Road

Hindringham NR21 0BT

5

FLU VACCINATIONS

Strongly recommended for all patients aged 65 and over, and patients of any age with: Chronic respiratory diseases including asthma, Chronic heart or renal disease, Diabetes and Immunosuppression patients due to disease or treatment. Please contact Reception to book your appointment.

NOTICE TO ALL PATIENTS REGISTERED AT HOLT MEDICAL PRACTICE, MELTON

CONSTABLE & BLAKENEY SURGERIES

The surgeries will be closed All Day on Thursday, 13th Jan, 05, for training purposes. For Emergencies, please telephone the usual number, Holt 01263 712461.

Repeat prescriptions and routine appointments will not be available on this date. We apologise for any inconvenience.

HOLT MEDICAL PRACTICE New Premises Overall the staff and doctors are delighted with these and feel able to offer a better service in an improved environment. Doctors will now be spending money on upgrading first Melton Constable and then Blakeney surgeries. We note that more car parking spaces are needed at Holt medical practice. The recent telephone system problem has been solved.

New GP Contract This is now in place and will have implications on the delivery of health care in General Practice, in particular with reference to chronic disease management, where the Government and DOH have set high targets which we hope should improve standards of care.

To do so we will alter the way we deliver continuing monitoring and care of these conditions, using nurse-led clinics working from protocols set by the DOH in the new contract and covering the following conditions - Asthma, Hypertension/blood pressure, Ischaemic heart disease, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Chronic bronchitis/Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Hypothyroidism.

Many who have these conditions will already have had experience of the nurses’ increased role in monitoring your condition; this will increase and will include facilities for the nurses to change your treatment, according to agreed protocols.

Out of hours service is now a PCT responsibility. Previously out of hour service was provided from Dereham or Norwich by the Primecare organisation. Now it will be delivered from a base at Fakenham Medical Practice, run by the East Anglian Ambulance Trust, which is nearer than the two previous centres and easier to find. As before, patients who are to unwell to travel will be visited at home, while those fit to travel will be expected to arrange transport to Fakenham, where they will be seen by a doctor.

Retirement of Rosemary Scott after 16 years as Practice Manager, where she has been pivotal in developing the Practice and its services, as well as working on the PCT to develop Primary Care Services across the Trust. We wish her and her husband a happy and healthy retirement in Spain.

Medical School Thanks to all patients who talked to medical students at the Practice on Fridays last year, thus contributing to the education of the next generation of doctors. All seem to have found this both enjoyable and rewarding.

There will be a second study series, 21 full days teaching at the practice, on Tuesdays, led by Dr Nilesh Patel, a local GP, who is already involved with the Medical School and has wide experience of medical education. 2 students will talk for some 40 minutes a time with each patient, in a Holt Practice consulting room, usually between 11.30 am and 1 pm. It is hoped that patients, when approached by either Dr Patel or the practice, will continue to support this process.

G & B Electrical (Established 1980)

Electrical Installations to the very highest standards N.I.C.E.I.C. APPROVED CONTRACTOR

FIRE ALARMS RE-WIRING

EMERGENCY LIGHTING STORAGE HEATING

BURGLAR ALARMS TESTING TO I.E.E. REGULATIONS

SECURITY LIGHTING INDUSTRIAL HEATING

ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED - FREE ESTIMATES

Tel: 01263 861064 Mobile: 07860 295273

Telephone: 01328 730386 or 07748 845143 Email: akeebleroofing@supanet.com

(Established 25 years)

A.KEEBLE ROOFING

Tiling, Slating, New Roofs Strip/Retile & Repair Flat Roofs Repaired

Roofing Contractors to the National Trust (East Anglia Region)

FEEL LIKE A CHALLENGE NEXT YEAR? Do something different and learn to read, write and speak Russian? A short 2 hours per evening for ten weeks, a course at Cley Village Hall. To begin this course you do not have to know any Russian, it really is for absolute beginners. Try it, it’s fun and it could change your life!

Contact: Ray Newall, c/o Town Corner House, Town Yard, Cley-next-the-Sea. NR25 7RH. Tel: 01263 740218

If not available, please leave a message on the answer phone, and I will return your call directly.

PLASTIC RE-CYCLING We have been approached by Langham residents who have read elsewhere that ‘all plastics apart from expanded polystyrene, cling film and plastic bags should be put in the green re-cycling bin’. Having made further enquiries from N.N.District Council we find that, at the present time, the re-cycling centre that handles our green bin contents is only capable of using bottles and ‘rigid’ plastics (not however margarine/yoghurt pots, packaging trays etc). All other plastics, whether marked for re-cycling or not, go back to in-fill. In the future things may change. H.Brandt

BLAKENEY AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURES

Methodist Chapel, High Street, Blakeney, 7.30 pm. Admission: Members £1. Friends & visitors £2. Nov 30th ‘Wrecks & Rescues’ Charles Lewis. Jan 25th ‘Members Night’ - assorted delights. Feb 22nd ‘Exploring N. Norfolk Prehistory’ Trevor Ashwin. Feb 23rd ‘The Cockthorpe Project’. Meet at Cockthorpe Church, 10.30 am. To book ring 01263 740388. March 29th ‘The Pastons - a great Norfolk Family’ Peter Bradbury. April 26th ‘Man’s best Friend - Wood’. John White.

FIELDWORK & OUTINGS (book 01263 740388) Feb 5th ‘Moats and Earthworks’. Eric Hotblack, all morning. Cost £3 Apr. 7th ‘Walk on Kelling/Salthouse Heath’ Trevor Ashwin, all morning, Cost £4

ANNUAL SUMMER LECTURE Blakeney Village Hall. July 23rd. 8.00 pm ’Nelson, Norfolk & the Navy’ Charles Lewis.

6

David & Jocelyn Stroud. Tel: 01263-741304 www.maphouse.net

The Map House Smokers Hole

Enjoy comfort and total privacy in luxurious double suites, each with bedroom, bathroom, sitting room and own staircase. Breakfast with

fresh local ingredients.

ETC Silver Award

BTB B&B of the year 2001 R E S I D E N T I A L

ESTATE AGENTS

The Manor House, High Street, Holt NR25 6BN Telephone: 01263 711021

9 OFFICES IN NORFOLK C O M M E R C I A L

EDWIN WATSON

PARTNERSHIP

CHARTERED SURVEYORS

P E R C Y

First class service for permanent or holiday homes in the North Norfolk area and beyond

For further details or to arrange a visit call Roy Findlater on:

01328 830442 or 07818 422625 e-mail: RoyKF@aol.com

General house & building repairs Painting & decorating Garden maintenance (clearance, weeding, new borders etc) Lawn and grass cutting Hedge cutting

No job too small - Free estimates - References given

INSIDE - OUTSIDE House & Garden Maintenance

COUNTRYSIDE COTTAGES

Based locally, we specialize in quality holiday letting properties from cosy romantic retreats

to stylish barns along the North Norfolk Coast. (Full management service available)

For information call Zoe on 01263 713133

www.luxury-norfolk-cottages.com

5 Old Stable Yard, Holt, Norfolk. NR25 6BN

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS Looking for that special Christmas present for a friend, perhaps for someone who needs to escape into another world? Or who is interested in the lives and achievements of other people? Someone who wants to know how the actions of former leaders and researchers have created the world we live in? Perhaps your friend enjoys art, photography, poetry, music, food and drink and gardening or is interested in health and other lifestyles. Maybe a crossword addict needs help with researching a crossword clue. Does your friend enjoy a good joke? Do you know children who love hearing stories, or others who want to get in a corner and lose themselves in another world? The answer is simple. Books. They are easy to post, can give instant pleasure - or rest quietly, taking up no space - until the right moment arises. For a wide range of books - and the ability to order and receive the book you need within a day or so, why not go to Holt Books, 28, High Street, Holt. 01263 712534.

CLEY W.I.

Dec. 2nd CHRISTMAS LUNCH. 12’30 for 1.00 pm Followed by our ANNUAL MEETING at 2.39 pm Jan 6th 2.30 pm at Cley Village Hall. Speaker and delicious tea!

GOOD RECIPES – A NORFOLK COMPILATION

FW Burton-Fanning M.D.Camb., F.R.S.P. Lond. Norwich, Aug. 1930

At the request of the compilers of this practical means of help to the Homemaker, I have pleasure in adding a few hints on general diet.

1. The Meat Class, comprising meat, fish, rabbit, fowl, eggs, cheese etc. 2. The Starch Class, comprising flour, oatmeal, bread, potato, and most vegetables, rice, cornflour, fruits, etc. Sugar also belongs to this class. 3. The Fat Class, comprising butter, cream, oils, dripping etc.

Men and women are undoubtedly intended to live on a mixed diet, in which the three classes of food are used in their proper proportions. There are certain articles of food which contain some of all three classes in themselves, but not in the correct proportions. For example milk contains substances like meat, starch (in the form of sugar), and fat; but for grown up, active people, the meat part is too small in amount and the fat part too much to form a diet in itself. Milk should be used much more freely than it is, especially for children. It must be looked upon as a most important food and it has been found that children who are given a glass of milk in the mornings increase both in weight and height in consequence. All milk should preferably be scalded.

Bread (the staff of life) also contains something of all three classes, but again the meat class is in too small a quantity to maintain health by itself. Oatmeal seems to be almost sufficient by itself for the Scotch people, and although it does not fulfil nearly all requirements, it is very valuable and should be used more than it is in this country.

Fish is as good as meat. Herring – fresh or cured – probably gives more nourishment for its cost than any other article. Beans and lentils should also be more appreciated. Cheese is a good substitute for meat. The best kinds of margarine are of very nearly the same value as butter. Fresh fruits or vegetables should be eaten every day by people of all ages.

Pumpkin Soup

Cut half a large pumpkin into slices and boil them in water. When cooked strain, off the water and press pulp through a sieve. Boil ½ pint milk, add a piece of butter, very little salt and a tablespoon of caster sugar.

Pour the boiling milk on the pumpkin pulp and let it boil for a few minutes. The soup must be thick and small pieces of crust should be fried with it.

Pre 1930’s Recycling! Fire-Lighters that Cost Nothing. Potato peelings dried in the oven will light fires quickly and inexpensively! GA

For Church services see Panel on Page 3

7

Contact: Sue Berry 01328 878621

BALE News

A SECOND VISIT TO HEIDEN WITH THE DALES

As we creep into winter it is good to look back to the summer holidays. Eighteen of us met up with Maddy and Martin Dale at Stanstead for our trip to Switzerland. Six of us had spent a very happy time with them in Heiden last year and we knew the other twelve would love it.

Our friendly, comfortable, very Swiss hotel, situated in lovely grounds high above Lake Constance was a delightful place to be. On our first evening, some of us out on a stroll were fortunate enough to come across two men harmoniously playing their glockenspiels - a very moving experience.

Swiss National Day fell on our first day. The hotel was beautifully decorated,, we had extra special meals, flags flew everywhere and the church bells rang and rang. In the evening the whole town gathered to celebrate. There were folk eating at long tables under the trees, the bars did well, speeches were made, followed by music and dancing. As darkness fell the huge bonfire was lit and we were treated to a most magnificent firework display. Across the country and down by the lake all the villages and towns were celebrating in similar style. As we strolled back to the hotel our attention was called to the blue moon, so even nature joined in!

Most mornings we lazed in the lovely grounds, although the more energetic walked to the town or through the woods. We had a huge outside Chess Set for those interested in the game. Various outings were arranged for the afternoon - visits to health baths, museums, an Austrian mountain café for apfel strudel, horse and buggy rides etc. The big event was over the border to see ‘West Side Story’. Held in a huge stadium with 6000 seats (all full) the stage was in the lake, the Twin Towers of New York City towering over the water. It was a very slick, professional show, with an excellent orchestra. As most of us had seen it before it didn’t matter that the dialogue was in German. Maddy drove the minibus and Martin the people carrier to get us there and back. Other evenings there was some good entertainment put on in the hotel.

We were well looked after spiritually. On Sunday more than twenty of us gathered together for communion and an inspirational sermon. Maddy’s mother played the piano.

On the third week in August 2005 most of us will be going again. There will be a few vacancies. Why not join us, you will not be disappointed. PGB

8

BINHAM VILLAGE HARVEST SUPPER 24th September

Well over a hundred villagers and friends sat down to a splendid supper and convivial drinks to celebrate the Harvest in traditional style. The food had been provided by the ladies involved with the Village Hall and the Priory Church. Judging from the decibel level of conversation, some fine stories were being exchanged. Entertainment was in the hands of The Sam Smith Singers, a Barber Shop group of rare talent, later leading the assembled company at the end of the evening in community singing. A very enjoyable evening was had by all. Although not intended as a fund-raising event, a surplus over expenses, including the contribution from the raffle, of £410 was split equally between the Village Hall and Priory Church.

The Village Harvest Supper, in the present format, seems now to be well established as a very well supported community event in Binham’s social calendar, with numbers soon being limited by the Hall size. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2005.

BINHAM LOCAL HISTORY GROUP At our Annual Meeting in October, Pennie Alford, our Chairman, reported on our year’s activities including the series of lectures by David Yaxley and our outing to Sutton Hoo. The Graveyard Project has been completed and this information is now on the National Data Base. Richard and Norah continue their study of the England diaries and now have another historical interest (see below). Our Treasurer Richard Lewis presented the accounts which are in a healthy state. It was agreed that the membership fee would be £2 per person per year, payable from 1st November.

The Binham Archive. Pauline Scott suggested that we need to start collecting together books, photographs, maps - anything about our village. But we need somewhere to store it all. Perhaps you have a filing cabinet we could use? Book shelves? Suggestions please as to where we put the said filing cabinet etc. Pauline has very kindly agreed to start organising this, so please do contact her at 830940.

Following the meeting, Philip Steer gave us a fascinating talk about his researches into family history and in particular into the Massingham family.

1837 Diary of a Binham farmer's son (aged 16) Oct 20th Mr & Mrs Dewing from Overy came to dine and stopped all night. They are exceedingly agreeable people. Oct 25th Father went to Walsingham to dine with Uncle John and I am sorry to add got too much wine. Oct 26th Father was not at all well all day. Nov 20th Father and I went to Hempton Fair bought 26 bullocks £9.10s Dec 5th The old doctor dined here and it was thought he was rather tipsy at tea. Dec 16th We had a very nice day's sport with Sandiford's harriers. Dec 23rd The Binham sheep went into the twelve acres. Dec 24th W Clarke gave us an excellent sermon for a young man. Dec 29th I drove grandmamma out this morning – this surely must be considered a wonder. Dec 31st Browne was taken for poaching at Mr Moore's - he paid the fine. Norah & Richard Lewis

SPECIAL EVENTS AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT BINHAM PRIORY

Sun. 28 Nov. 6.30pm Advent Carol Service with the Kelling Singers. Retiring collection for Norwich Night Shelter

Sun. 19 Dec. 6.30pm Carols and readings with the Iceni Choir

Tue. 21 Dec. 4.30pm Nativity Play, followed by a Christmas Tea.

Fri. 24 Dec. 4.30pm Christmas Eve Family Christingle Service. 11.00pm Midnight Mass.

Sat. 25 Dec. 10.30am Christmas Day, Family Service with Carols and Readings Sun. 9 Jan. 3.30pm Epiphany, Carols with the Richeldis Choir.

Contact: Carolyn Wright Tel: 01328 830270 Fax: 01328 830840

Email: cpwrightuk@aol.com

BINHAM News

Let me drive you near or far to Planes, Boats, Trains, Theatres, Dinners, Children’s parties etc

Up to 6 passengers & luggage

Licensed by NNDC and fully insured

Charles Ogle-Rush

Anywhere - Anytime

Day or Night

01328 830 030

Partners: ROGER FLOOD ANDY TURNER

Phones: 01328 878357 01263 712905

- Free Quotations -

45 THE STREET, HINDRINGHAM FAKENHAM, NORFOLK, NR21 0PR

Phone: 01328 878357

No job too small or large General Builders & Decorators

MACE CONSTRUCTION

WHAT TEAM DOES GOD SUPPORT?

City. Norwich City. Yes? Yes of course he did last season, together with Ms Smith. But what has happened this season? Promotion and disaster. Is it God or the puddings? In the autumn, it was reported that the Pope had intended to return an icon to the Russian Orthodox Church. He hoped this would have improved relationships between his church and theirs. So what has this to do with Norwich City? The importance of the Russian Icon arises because it was a symbol of hope and success during the Second World War. With God’s help, Soviet forces defeated the Nazi invaders. The reasons why the Icon came to be in Catholic hands are complicated. Suffice it to say the Russians will be very pleased to have their symbol of success returned. Teams need symbols. We are all members of teams. Many teams. Two are especially important. The first is a team of only two. You and God. The second is the largest team imaginable. We are all members of The World Team. Yes, in a microscopic sense, everything that you do has an effect on everyone else. This Second Team is just as important as your First Team; and God is a member of both teams. Your First Team is a personal and private matter. Unfortunately, there are many problems in the Second Team. Our challenges for 2005 are both private and public. You can do something constructive about some of the problems in Team Two. And what about Norwich City? It must be too many of Smithy’s puddings. Roger Newman

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AT BINHAM PRIORY

The churchyard at Binham is one of many in Norfolk that has a special area designated for wildlife conservation. The main aim of setting up a Conservation Area in a churchyard is to conserve grasses and meadow flowers still surviving there. It also serves to preserve and encourage other forms of wildlife such as lichens, ferns, invertebrates such as butterflies and moths, and small vertebrates.

Many older churchyards are a remnant of ancient meadows used for hay or grazing animals, habitats that were once common in Norfolk but have declined. It has been estimated that since 1945, 98% of the flower-rich grassland once widespread in the country-side has vanished.

At certain times of the year, the casual visitor to a churchyard Conservation Area may believe that it has been allowed to grow “wild” because of a lack of resources to maintain it. However, the ideal Conservation Area is far from a wilderness and at Binham, a strict regime has been followed over the past year and a half in order to enhance the attractiveness of the site whilst retaining a cared-for appearance. Under the auspices of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Churchyard Conservation Scheme, the main area has been managed following “tailor-made” advice from an experienced botanist. By careful cutting and strimming at strategic times, it has been possible to suppress certain aggressive, ubiquitous “weeds” such as stinging-nettles, cleavers and creeping thistles, whilst encouraging indigenous grasses and wild flowers.

Already, in the first year, our efforts have been rewarded by a magnificent display of cowslips in April, and ox-eye daisies in May/June. Other wild flowers are also becoming better established. For the future, it is hoped to produce an illustrated list of all the species of wild flower appearing throughout the year for display inside the Priory.

Of course, other areas of the churchyard attract many forms of wildlife. Stinging nettles are allowed to grow in certain margins outside the Conservation Area to provide breeding grounds for butterflies. A number of stonework plants have attracted special attention; these include wallflowers, wild clary, saxifrages and rare small ferns. The visitor who relaxes on the seat below the pine trees will also be rewarded by sightings of many species of birds.

Above all, it is hoped that the Conservation Area at Binham will continue to enhance the churchyard as a whole, a beautiful, peaceful and sacred place that reflects the spirituality of the site and which is treasured by residents and visitors alike. Geoff Scott

9

The Anchor Inn, The Street, Morston tel: 01263 741392 email: t.hearth@ukonline.co.uk

A warm welcome awaits you

Traditional Home Cooked Food Served 7 days a week

Specialising in seafood and produce from local farms

Peggy Corney D.O. Barbara Shearing BSc (Hons) Ost

Osteopaths Osteopathy is a gentle, effective method of treatment which

can help with back pain, joint pain, migraine and head pain, as well as many other conditions.

We also treat babies and children

Stonebeck, The Street, Gunthorpe, Melton Constable

Tel: 01263 861184

FRANCIS SHAXTON

We are investigating the life and times of Francis Shaxton - an Elizabethan Shipowner, Mayor of Kings Lynn (on 2 occasions) and a very naughty person indeed. He was the son of John Shaxton of Bale (then called Bathell) - a "visitation" family.

Can anyone enlighten us on what ‘Visitation Family’ meant in the context of 16th century England, and is there any more information about the family in Bale records? it seems very likely that they were related to Nicholas Shaxton Bishop of Salisbury and fellow of Gonville College Cambridge who died in Cambridge c1550. Norah & Richard Lewis (01328 830723)

BINHAM PRIORY ACCESS PROJECT Proposal drawings are expected from the architect soon. If they are to the satisfaction of the PCC an exhibition will be mounted to show them in the Priory Church over the Christmas period. They will also be submitted to the various regulatory bodies, including Binham Parish Council, for comment. These drawings, complying with the universally accepted project brief, will not necessarily be the final design but will enable all parties interested in the Priory to share their views with the joint sponsors, the PCC and Norfolk Archaeological Trust. It will be appreciated that work on the Priory site will have to be executed to the highest quality and will require significant funding. The sponsors have had a positive preliminary meeting with representatives of the Heritage Lottery Board to obtain guidance on the form of a grant application. Search is also beginning for other sources of grants and planning is in hand for community based fund-raising. Sponsors are greatly encouraged by offers of support from local organisations and individuals, with commitment to carry the project forward. For more information contact David Frost, 01328 830362

10

BINHAM BACCHANALIANS

Our next meeting is on Friday 10th December 7.30 pm at Binham Village Hall. The theme will be "Farewell to '04". Please bring one of your favourite bottles from the year together with a card explaining what and why. These will be supplemented by the leftovers from the Bacchanalian bank (not many ......). We will be holding an unserious quiz loosely based on the themes of food and drink - "extravagant" prizes for the winning team.

So that we have a rough idea of numbers, Norah & Richard would appreciate a call on 830723 if you are coming. Price £1 per head - plus something for the chatter platter.

FAMILY NATIVITY PLAY IN THE PRIORY 4.30 p.m. Tuesday 21st December

This ever popular Binham event seems to open the door to the real meaning of Christmas. Shops have been decorated for Christmas sales for weeks, but Tuesday 21st December in the Priory really is the start of our Christmas in Binham and we welcome surrounding villagers to join us in our family celebration. We hope all ages will take part and come dressed in whatever costume takes your fancy - Shepherds, Angels, Country people, Kings from afar. But there will only be one Angel Gabriel, one Jesus, one Mary, one Joseph and one Inn Keeper. Father Christmas has been written to and we hope he will not be too busy to join us. If you are too shy to act - just come and sing! Anyone able to bring light refreshment to share; please do - sausage rolls, mince pies etc. The play start promptly at 16.30 following one brief rehearsal which will commence at 15.30. Carriages at approximately 17.30. Please come and join us and bring along your Aunts, Uncles, Grannies and Grandads as well as, of course, your Mum and Dad, who we hope will be in really fine voice! Andrew Cuthbert

M&J Video

The perfect wedding video will always capture the little

details……..

Discreet, Professional & Experienced Wedding Video Services phone: 01362 698742

M&J Video www.mjvideoservices.com

DAVID POINTER

Tel: 01263 511688

Mobile: 079 4634 1704

PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEER

All Types - No Job Too Small!

Disabled walk-in baths now supplied and fitted

COCKTHORPE News

Contact: Ann Massingham 01328 830558

CAROLS AT COCKTHORPE CHURCH

Saturday, 18th December This is a true introduction to the Christmas season, Carols by Candlelight in this ancient church. Come early if you want a seat.

THE 200 CLUB We are getting Members in for the coming year, but still could do with more! Apart from the prizes you can win, the income helped recently to re-decorate internally the entire Village Hall - do visit us and see how we spent the profits - and perhaps hire the Hall for your next event - reasonable rates. To join the 200 Club is a £6 annual subscription to Michael Hughes (01328-830395). To book the Hall contact Jenny Allison (01328-830067) Then see the new interior décor, completed on schedule in early September. The 2nd phase involved completely "going over" the main kitchen and "tea counter" rooms - and has already earned approving comment.

50TH ANNVERSARY EVENT CELEBRATION

Field Dalling and Saxlingham Village Hall is 50 years old on SATURDAY 28"' MAY 2005 – having opened on May 28th 1955. The Village Hall Committee recently formed an "Event Sub-Committee" and decided upon the following event list.

27th May, Fri. History of the 2 villages - 7.30pm. 28th May, Sat, am & pm.- Car boot sale (outside) & Craft Fair. (inside). Evening - Hog Roast from 7.00-pm to 11.30pm. 29th May, Sun. - Children's Party. 2.30pm -5.00pm

More information nearer the time, but do put the dates in you Diary as all will be most welcome - and - watch this space for more !

THE 2005 VILLAGE FETE First we must record our sincere thanks to Rosemary Beeson for efforts in organizing the 2004 fete and others of earlier years. Rosemary has now retired from this task, and at the 2004 fete review meeting on 14th October Sue Findlater was elected to chair the Fete Committee, along with several others then allocated specific tasks. Since that date, next year's Fete has been fixed - so put the time, date and place in your brand new 2005 Diary - by kind permission of Paul and Michaela Knights, at Field Dalling Hall, 2.00pm on SATURDAY AUGUST 6th. See you there - it'll be another good one '!

For Church Services see Panel on Page 3

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Village Hall, Friday December 17th at 7.30pm

Everyone is welcome, audience, performers of all ages and abilities - musical instruments, singing, poetry, monologues, carols. Lots of fun, very informal, the more the merrier ! Free entry - but the collection as always goes to Quidenham Children's Hospice. If you wish to take part, please contact Alison Bennett (01328-836735)

ANNUAL SPONSORED CHURCH RIDE

Field Dalling raised £158 from this event, to be shared between Norfolk Churches Trust and our church respectively. Saxlingham also raised £100. Thanks go to Caroline Lister and Joy Wright for supervising this event.

HARVEST SUPPER

Harvest Supper in the Village Hall, 9th October was a good get-together of people from both Field Dalling and Saxlingham sharing the excellent food everyone had contributed. John Holden imparted his thoughts on "Harvest" in an unusual way - interviewed by Philip Walker for the Talking Times, a local newspaper produced on tape for circulation among visually impaired readers within this area, this amounting to John's regular monthly report for October. The collection for Christian charity Tearfund raised £130. The following morning the joint Harvest Festival Service with Saxlingham took place in St Andrew's Church beautifully decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables, brought to the front of the Church by children and later given to Glaven Caring for use in their kitchens.

11

FIELD DALLING News

Contact: Margaret Smith 01328 830546

Including: Stress-related problems, Muscular pains, Poor circulation, Digestive disorders, Back problems and Tension

REFLEXOLOGY PRACTITIONER

PHILIPPA STANCOMB

MBSR MBCMA

A NATURAL THERAPY FOR MANY CONDITIONS

Ring for an appointment. Home visits can be arranged

Myrtle Cottage, Wiveton, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7TQ

Tel: 01263 740596

TARIQ SHARIF FABRICS AND UPHOLSTERY

INSURANCE QUOTATIONS - CONSULTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT

TELEPHONE 01263 740736

GLANDFORD

GUNTHORPE VILLAGE INSTITUTE WEATHER PROOF AGAIN

With thanks to North Norfolk District Council who donated £3,000 towards the repair to the Institute roof and the villagers who donated the remainder, the Hall is weather proof again. This year the Institute has been booked for Christenings and Birthday parties alongside other regular activities. The charges are very reasonable so if you would like to book the Institute for a function ring Sue Traverso on 01263 861932.

For Church Services see Panel on Page 3

THE 50/50 CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY

This year's Christmas Party & Draw will be held in Gunthorpe Village Institute on Saturday, December 11th. The fun will begin at 12.00 with mulled wine, mince pies & sausages. Father Christmas will be making an early appearance, (probably to check out all those narrow Gunthorpe chimneys) so boys & girls, get those lists ready for him to take back to the North Pole (but only if you have been good). This year's raffle top raffle prizes will include not only a delicious home-made Christmas cake (thank you Pippa) and also a scrumptious home-made Christmas Pudding (thank you Linda) - both these ladies are well-known for their culinary skills so make sure you buy lots of raffle tickets!

All the proceeds go to the Friends of Gunthorpe Parish Church. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

12

Contact: Pauline Clarke 01263 861667

GUNTHORPE News

BYE-BYE, PAULINE AND JOHN

Pauline and John Clarke have sadly left The Old Chapel in Gunthorpe, but their friends are relieved that they have only moved to Sharrington! Their new residence, described by Pauline as “Dingly Dell” is full of boxes, paint tins and the garden is full of plant tubs. Although only in Gunthorpe for a year they made an impact almost from the day of arrival. They were thoroughly enthusiastic about life in Gunthorpe and took on many active roles in the village. Two days after moving Pauline and John were back in the Institute helping with the Friends’ 50/50 Club, such is their dedication. Good luck from all of us over here. It won’t be long before we are visiting you to sample some more of those flapjacks!

50/50 DRAWS

September 2004 October 2004 £20 T Worsley £20 D.Ford £10 Samantha Ford £10 D.Ward £5 Lisa Rush £5 S.Burton £5 J.Burton £5 Di Cutterham £5 C.Ford £5 R Redmayne £3 Di Cutterham £3 E Calhaem

As the Institute had been unavailable due to ongoing building work the draws for both September and October took place on the same Saturday the 30th October. Don’t forget, if you would like to meet old and new folks from the village, please pop along to the Institute on the last Saturday of each month at 10.30am for a coffee, a natter and a chance to win a raffle prize – see you there!

Telephone (01263) 713113

Funeral Director: Mrs E. Rushmer Dip.F.D., N.A.F.D.

11a Avenue Road, High Kelling,

Holt, Norfolk NR25 6RD

LLOYD DURHAM FUNERAL SERVICES ALISTAIR STEVENSON

For all your newspaper and magazine deliveries in:

Langham, Saxlingham, Field Dalling and Bale

please contact me on:

01328 878271

Member of National Federation of Retail Newsagents and EDP Big News Association

FIFE’S TREE & GARDEN COMPANY

- GARDEN DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT - - TREE RESHAPING & SURGERY -

- BESPOKE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS - - HORTICULTURAL &

ARBORCULTURAL CONSULTANT -

BILL HOWARD ARB.PW, AI HORT.

01263 862562

13

NEWS ABOUT NORA

As we hinted in the last Lynx, recent visitors to the village brought news of Nora Addington (née Pain), who taught at the Gunthorpe School until she moved to a school in Walsingham, and we have now had a letter from Nora. In 1964 Nora was appointed Deputy Head of Sandy C of E School in Bedfordshire where there were 100+ children. Quite a difference in size from Gunthorpe School. In Gunthorpe, Nora lived with Joan Ayden, the Headmistress, at the House on the Green and remembers many of the children, mentioning particularly Trevor Cushion, Valerie Ford, Hilary Smith and the Williamson family. Nora was able to visit Joan for many years after leaving Gunthorpe although not recently.

Every year the three or four leavers were taken to Blakeney Point to see the seals and the nesting birds in May and Nora remembers the bitterly cold winter of 1963 when all the lanes into Gunthorpe were blocked by snow and the school was closed for a week.

Nora married in 1969 but sadly her husband died in 1986. She lives now in Caple, Bedfordshire in a bungalow with a lovely garden. Although partially disabled with arthritis and osteoporosis she is able to get around with a 3-wheeler so she can visit the shops, church and the village. She was a Local Preacher of the Methodist Church in Gunthorpe and was able to continue this work when she moved to Bedfordshire.

Nora has kindly sent some pictures and newspaper cuttings which John Blakeley has scanned in to be included in the next Gunthorpe History evening, which will take place in January next year. If you would like to write to Nora send your letters c/o Brook Hollow, Heath Lane, Gunthorpe, NR24 2NT and they will be forwarded.

BEETLE DRIVE Many thanks to the hardy lot who turned up to support the Beetle Drive on Saturday 23rd October. We only just managed to have enough players for a decent round with Sue having to step in to make numbers up. As usual the children won both winner’s and loser’s prizes, which is what it's all about, and a lovely supper was enjoyed with food provided by members. Thanks to Sue Traverso for all the organisation and many flyers advertising the event. Remember, if you don't support these events then they are just not going to happen and the few that do enjoy them will lose out. It's up to you....................... Maybe you'd like to do something else???????

13

GUNTHORPE GREEN2

A big thank you to the volunteers who have cut the Green again this year. It is looking healthy and well maintained thanks to you all. The team, consisting of Rob Cutterham, Steven Fisher, Chris Ford, Valerie Lantau, Paul Newstead, Ken Prouton, John Rush and Paddy Seligman, have ensured that the Green has looked well kept and attractive for the villagers and visitors. Your help in doing this worthwhile job is much appreciated - you have earned your break for the winter. Philip Traverso, Rota Organiser

LOCATION, LOCATION I am quite happy to continue as roving reporter for Gunthorpe, but if anyone objects to Gunthorpe news coming via Sharrington please let me know, especially if you have a replacement for me in mind! If any Gunthorpian feels they would like a new challenge then I would be also happy to relinquish my role to a local person - the choice is yours - for the time being!!!!!!!! Pauline C

Langham Shop and Tea-room open 7 days a week

Glass demonstrations Monday-Friday

LANGHAM GLASS and Rural Crafts

Glints Tea-room Specials

Winter Menu Includes Sunday Roast

WINTER SALE up to 50% discount off glass and other gifts

at Factory Shops both in Langham and Holt

The Long Barn, North Street, Langham, Holt, Norfolk Telephone 01328 830511 Facsimile 01328 830787

www.langhamglass.co.uk email: langhamglass@talk21.com

extends a warm welcome

TELEPHONE: (01328) 710950

Home Visiting Practice CHIROPODY

M.S.S.Ch., M.B.Ch.A.

Mrs Alison Frary Registered Member of the British

Chiropody Association

14

CHRISTMAS QUIZ by Samphire

Geography: What countries are the following places in: (1) Wroclaw? (2) Dhaka? (3) Dharan? (4) Kiev? (5) Dar Es Salaam? (6) Tallinn? (7) Mumbai? (8) Maracaibo? (9) Herat? (10) Shiraz?

US Food Terms. What are the following American food terms known as in British English: (1) Snow peas? (2) A porterhouse? (3) Golden raisins? (4) Fish sticks? (5) Sprinkels? (6) Granola? (7) Cilantro? (8) To shuck? (9) Popsicle? (10) Confectioner’s sugar?

CHRISTMAS PUZZLES

PAGES

‘If they do ban hunting, I’ll just have to get a milk round!’

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10 11

14

12 13 14 15

16 16

17 18 19

19

20 21

22 23

Note: seven of the answers are seen with us and may be only partially clued. Across: 1.Your Eminence? On the contrary.(6) 4. Supporter of Morse. A shooter - with the camera.(5) 7. Publisher - for rats and children.(6) 8. Safety pin looses direction more quickly.(6) 9. Sinner once hid the head of Rome.(4) 10. Laurel, the hairdresser, found this therapist.(8) 12. Ema Hope’s hut? No, a much grander place to stay.(3,3,5) 17. Concerning the old fool, he rejects me! (8) 19. See 11d 20. ‘Where?’, you used to ask. I hear you get old!(6) 21. When Christmas comes.(6) 22. Jury can’t agree? Have another go.(5) 23. Secure in Morston.(6)

Down: 1. Most average, and tight! (7) 2. 1/2 (4,3) 3. Our paper supporter, or should that be supporters? (4,5) 4. A beginner to be paid? Get with it! 5. Holmes’ companion heads south. Looking for property? (7) 6. Quiet massages in the garden. 11,19a. Notorious Jeffrey (not right) followed by confused Fairy Len? It must be spring! (1,6,2,4) 13. Conran’s original home? (7) 14. Shun ale? Wrong - let it go!(7) 16. Right beer - West, he made it.(6) 18. Fry - that is, make it hot!(5)

By no means an easy puzzle, it should keep you busy over the holidays!

(ALL SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 26)

15

To please a number of readers (2!), we’ve brought back, for this special issue, our ‘find the Lynx’ puzzle. We have hidden no less than 12 more images of our feline founder in the paper. See how many you can find.

Chat Room Acronyms (1-5) & Dating Abbreviations. (5-10). What do the stand for: (1) IWALU? (2) FAQ? (3) KISS? (4) DIKU? (5) L8R G8R? (6) NUMP? (7) 4TLC? (8) GSOH? (9) VGL? (10) SWF?

The 12 Days of Christmas. Which gifts did my true love give to me on the following days: (1) The 6th . (2) The 9th (3) The 3rd. (4) The 10th. (5) The 11th.

General. (1) What time, in naval time-keeping, is the 1st Dogwatch? (2) What, in naval time-keeping, does 8 Bells mean? (3) What, in the US constitution, is the 2nd Amendment? (4) What was the battle fought in 490 B.C. where the Greeks under Militades defeated the Persians? (5) What sportswear company is named after the Greek Goddess of Victory?

Football Home Grounds & Nicknames. Which football teams have the following home grounds (1-5) or nicknames (6-10): (1) Anfield? (2) St. James’s Park? (3) White Horse Lane? (4) Old Trafford? (5) Stamford Bridge? (6) The Blues? (7) The Hammers? (8) The Magpies? (9) The Reds? (10) The Gunners?

Carols. Complete the following lines? Each double blank represents one missing word): (1) The holly and the ivy, when they are -- -- --. (2) Hither, page, come -- -- --. (in Good King Wenceslas). (3) The Angel of the Lord came down and -- -- --. (The First Nowell). (4) Away in a manger, no -- -- -- --. (5) The hopes and fears of all the years are -- -- -- --. (O little Town of Bethlehem). 6) Sing choirs of angels, -- -- -- (O come all ye faithful). (7) Ding dong merrily on high, in heaven -- -- -- --. (8) We three Kings -- -- --. (9) With the Angelic host proclaim, -- -- -- -- --. (Hark! The herald-angels sing). (10) Holy Infant so tender and mild, sleep -- -- --! (Silent Night).

General. (1) What year was the Battle of Trafalgar? (2) Who were the two wives of Henry VIII who were executed? (3) Which battle was fought at Battle in Sussex? (4) What is a twite? (NOT a twit!) . (5) Which team won the USA’s (Baseball) World Series? (6) What are a ketch, a dhow and a junk? (7) What calibre is a Kalashnikov? (8) Complete the following nursery rhyme: “The Queen was in the parlour, -- -- -- --. (9) Where is the volcano, Stromboli? (10) What was the old name of Myanmar?

Colours. What is the colour or principal colour of the following: (1) A shelduck? (2) The jersey worn in the Tour de France cycle race by the winner of the previous day’s “lap”? (3) A red setter? (4) Most vetch? (5) The Swiss flag? (6) An avocet? (7) Broom? (8) The Danish flag? (9) The Blue Peter? (10) A female blackbird?

A bird for Christmas or the New Year?

CINEMA PARADISO

We can expect to see a lot of old films over the holidays, so here are a few for you to look forward to - in anagram-matic form! They really are all well-known, and to help we have given you the numbers of letters in each title:

1.Win the hen godwit (4,4,3,4) 2. Fire the net bouncer (5,9) 3. Frizz, wood heat (3.6.2.2) 4. Cha, dear? (7) 5. Leaf tale cons them! (3,7,6) 6, Torn hog brick (8,4) 7. Pathe Bellum (3,4,4) 8. Oh, paint great heat! (1,5,2,3,5) 9. Heed kilts rally (3,4,7) 10. Ar! Puss cat (9)

- couldn’t be better. So we’ve assembled 30 here for you, plus one already dead! The usual rules apply - the words run in any direction but in a straight line. How many can you find?

E A N I L R E M Y N A H T A H C A U K S E T I K L W O R R A P S N I P E L T R I K W A H A M I S U I H E E N R E M D O T G T E R N E T A E L I R A H O S G C R R I W D E E R N R O T I N D A U L S U T O I O D O D O C F M S T N O E G I P E K F E H E J A Y E K R U T U W A G T A I L A E T A R

CHURCH NEWS For Church Services see Panel on Page 3

CHRISTMAS CAROLS Thursday December 16th - Starting off inside the Carmel at 6.30pm. prompt, followed by carols in the village, round the tree on The Green and finishing up at the Bluebell. To help us in our planning, would those wishing to have a carol sung at their house, please contact: Ken Bartlett Tel: 830696 or Ann Sherriff Tel: 830605. These numbers can also be contacted if anyone requires transport to the Carmel.

CHRISTMAS DAY Do come and join us at our service of Holy

Communion and carols at 11am and meet the new Bishop of Lynn, the Rt. Reverend James Langstaff.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING

The profit from our Harvest Supper was £170 which together with £60 church collection, enabled us to send £230 to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. This is nearly a 50% increase from last year so thank you to all who came and supported us. We had a very enjoyable evening and a delicious supper. Our grateful thanks once again to Eileen and Wendy and their helpers, for providing us with such a wonderful spread. Our thanks also go to those who decorated the church and donated produce. The produce was divided between the Carmel and the Glaven Caring centre in Blakeney who were both very grateful.

16

LANGHAM EVENTS Carols and mince pies Langham Parish Room Committee invite you to the Parish Room on Wednesday 15th December at 7.00pm. Admission £2, children free. Sherry, mince pies and coffee will be served. Come and join us in the informal run up to Christmas. Edward Allen, Chairman

Fireworks night On the perfect evening of 5th. November, the Parish Council laid on a bonfire/firework party attended by 450 people. The bucket collection amounted to £350. Our thanks must go to the Friends of Langham, who organised the catering, and to all the other helpers. An enjoyable evening was had by all. P. Allen

LANGHAM STREET FAYRE 2004

At the final meeting of the 2004 Langham Street Fayre Committee, it was decided to disburse funds, having retained a sum as a basis for the 2006 Street Fayre, as follows: The Local Lynx £200 The Langham Millennium Book £300 Friends of Langham £500 Langham Village School £700 Langham Playing Field £2400 Langham Parish Room £2400 Langham Church Building Trust £2400 The Chairman and Committee repeated their thanks to all those who helped in whatever way to make the above disbursements possible. The first meeting of the 2006 Committee will be held on Wednesday 12th January 2005; any ideas, comments or lessons to learn for the next Fayre would be welcome so please do not hesitate to contact any Committee member or me. Rod Lees Chairman LSF 2004 and 06!

LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH FUND Our Pound Plus sale made £388.40. thanks to all the helpers. It was great to see so many people from Langham village, my sincere thanks to everybody. We shall be doing more sales in 2005 – look forward to your continued support.

Contact: Ann Sherriff 01328 830605

LANGHAM News

All chimneys, Flues & Appliances Swept

Certificates Issued

for insurance purposes

Brush and Vacuum Used

Weddings attended

as Lucky Sweep

TEL: 01328 851081

D. THOMPSON

Bird/Rain Guards and Cowls Supplied and Fitted

stylish, seasonal, small, slow and startlingly different ...

terroir RESTAURANT

… a passion for good company, great vegetable cooking and fine wines.

open for dinner six nights a week. booking essential. HIGH STREET, CLEY WWW.TERROIR.ORG.UK 01263 740336

for 2005 … new name, new look, new awards … same unique style

WEDDING October 23rd. Nicholas Cooper and Emma Fuller

BEREAVEMENT October 30th. Mrs. Bessie Starman

WEDDING

The rain that descended on Saturday 23rd October did nothing to mar the radiance of the bride, Emma. With brolly aloft, she hitched up her dress and walked into the church on the arm of her very proud father, Jimmy, to join her future husband, Nicholas, awaiting her at the chancel steps.

The body of the church was full of family, friends, relations and villagers. The bells rang out and many remarked how lovely it was to have a wedding in Langham. We all wish Emma and Nicholas a happy future together.

PARISH COUNCIL Post office/shop survey

130 surveys were returned from approximately 200 delivered – a respose of 65%, nearer 81% of you discount holiday and second home. Thank you for an excellent response. Here are some of the salient points:

POST OFFICE 61% marked 5 as the level of importance of having a Post Office and 79% marked 4 or 5. 92% said they would use a Post Office, with 87% willing to buy postage stamps, 37% to pay bills and 34% for personal banking.

SHOP 54% marked 5 as the level of importance of having a village shop. 74% marked 4 or 5. 85% would use a new shop, with 68% buying milk and bread - slightly less buying eggs. 60% would buy fresh fruit and veg and 85% would buy newspapers/mags. 29 households indicated that they might be prepared to purchase vouchers redeemable in the shop, 16 that they might purchase shares in the shop, 10 they might make a loan to get the shop up and running and 19 that they might help run a shop. There appeared to be a potential turnover of £1,252 per week from those returning the survey.

CONCLUSION It appears that the village regards having a Post Office/Shop as important and is willing to support one by using it. However too few households indicated a willingness to help running a ‘not for profit’ Community shop, for such a shop to work. Therefore we would need a ready-built shop leased to a potential entrepreneur. Some of the comments on the Survey were very helpful - some not so!

WHERE A VILLAGE SHOP COULD BE LOCATED The Village Hall car park, Langham Glass, Vicarage Walled Kitchen Garden and land between Village Hall and Astley Cottage were all suggested. The Parish Council’s favoured location would be the Vicarage Walled Garden (see artist’s impression on the notice boards). This is central to the village - highlighted as important in the survey. The road does narrow there, but is not the narrowest part of the street, and represents a safer site than the present shop on the crossroads. The Parish Council is pursuing this option with the Church to see whether they would be prepared to sell the site, before embarking on the difficult task of raising the necessary funds. We will continue to look at the other possibilities. However, realistically, it will be at least 12 months, before we could possibly have a new shop up and running. Patrick Allen, Chairman of Parish Council

17

FRIENDS OF LANGHAM ‘ROBIN HOOD & BABES IN THE WOOD’

Princess Theatre, Hunstanton Sunday 2nd January 2005

Once again the Friends of Langham invite all Langham children to go to the pantomime. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The bus will leave Langham 12 noon from the Bluebell and return at 5.15 pm. Transport and tickets for children are free, adults £10. For more information and tickets please contact Marcel or Cathy Schoenmakers on 01328 830537

MOBILE LIBRARY

Will visit Langham Dec. 9th and Jan 6th, calling at: The Carmel - 9.35 a.m. Swan’s Close - 10.50am. St. Mary’s - 10.00 a.m. The Cornfield - 11.15am. Post Office - 10.25 a.m. Enquiries: Wells Library tel. 710467

LES HINGLEY BUILDERS

Home Improvements Renovations, Kitchen & Bathroom Fitting

Paths, Drives & Decking

LES & JANE HINGLEY Tel/Fax: 01328 830746 Mobile: 077 2178 5642

Free Quotations

Registered to carry out audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities

by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

KATHRYN GIGG Chartered Accountants, Business Advisers

and Tax Consultants

Personal Tax Returns & Self Assessment Advice ▪ Annual Accounts & Audit ▪ Independent Pension & Investment

Advice ▪ VAT Returns ▪ Payroll & Book-keeping Service

For an appointment please contact

Mrs K H Gigg, FCA on 01485 534800 The Office, 20 King’s Lynn Road, Hunstanton PE36 5HP

LANGHAM STREET FAYRE QUIZ

Winner Lynne Johnson, Peterborough 84½. Equal 2nd Wendy Brown of Langham and Ros and Danny Boon of Briston 84. As you can see it was a close run thing and only a very few people scored over 80 correct answers. We had 107 entries and many more requests for the answer sheet and they came from all over England, one from Scotland and one from Australia!

It proved a difficult quiz, but many people wrote to say how much they had enjoyed it. The two questions causing the greatest difficulty were: No. 40 Daughter’s wedding day surprise for dad? Ans. 18 yellow roses (a Bobby Darin song), and No. 81 Not so for Erica? Ans. Yellow Streak (remember the streaker?)

Contestants were most resourceful and came up with some good alternatives.: No. 40 ‘A white wedding’ ‘A white dress’ and ‘In the red’. No. 81 ‘Blue streak’, ‘Red card’ and ‘Blue tits’! No. 29 Vegetarian man? ‘Hughie Green’ (green grocer). No. 23 The Naughty One? ‘Violet Elizabeth’. (black sheep) No. 12 Leader of the Pack? Yellow Jersey (brown owl) No. 6 A flamboyant do-gooder? Rainbow Warrior (Scarlet pimpernel). No. 24 Use for nails? Blu Tac (orange stick). No. 15 A miller’s container? Moulin Rouge (little brown jug).

As always the setters’ decision was final!

Thank you to everyone who bought copies, had a go, sent them to friends. And well done to the setting team for providing so much fun, not to mention exercising the grey cells! Jan Hope.

WRVS LANGHAM CAR SERVICE The community car service in Langham is operated by WRVS and WRVS volunteers. Recent research showed that only 2% of the public were aware of WRVS and what they do. Because of the low profile, WRVS have had a re-launch and now have a brand new purple and orange logo (more about this in the next issue). So you will see the drivers with a bright new badge on your next car journey!

The car service is essentially available to take people to and from medically associated appointments and to act as an additional service provider, enhancing existing services.

Public transport is not as frequent as that of a small town or city for those living in a rural community and WRVS are not in competition with commercial bus operators. WRVS aim to assist where a gap in service can be identified and if it becomes difficult for you as a service user to access public transport due to age, frailty or mobility restrictions.

The present timetable offers a frequent service to Holt and a regular service to Norwich but if for instance you had a lot of shopping and were unable to carry it home, you could ask WRVS to help with transport.

Help can also be given for hospital visiting if no buses are available or linking up with the long distance services i.e. take people to Holt to catch a bus to London.

Although as much notice as possible is appreciated when booking a journey please do not hesitate to contact us should an emergency arise. We are here to help but it must be stressed that a medical emergency should be referred to the '999' service.

If a person has several appointments to attend at a Norwich hospital and no friend or relative to take them, it is advisable to apply for hospital transport but this must be discussed with your doctor at the appointment when the matter is raised.

If the appointment is a 'one-off', there are WRVS volunteers in the car service who will undertake a journey to Norwich, so please telephone me and I can make enquiries. If no one is available, the 'Holt Caring Society' has a wider circle of drivers and their contact is Tel: 01263 711243. They also have a leaflet available with a list of different transport initiatives. This has been delivered to many houses and can be seen on the notice board in the 'Bluebell'.

With the closure of the village shop, the problem of where to collect one’s pension has occurred. I know many of you have made new arrangements but if you have any difficulty please let WRVS know. We are here to help so don't worry and wonder, give me a call and we will do our best to assist.

The roster of drivers is now displayed on the vicarage wall and church porch notice boards. With the retirement of two of our drivers we would appreciate volunteers for this very worthwhile service. If you are interested, do please contact me Tel: 01328 830605. Ann Sherriff.

18

NEWSPAPER DELIVERIES

Following the closure of the shop, the delivery of newspapers and magazines in Langham has been taken over by former Dairy Crest milkman, Alistair Steven-son. See his advertisements in this issue.

WITH OPERATOR - COMPETITIVE RATES

For: Drains, Trenches, Footings Drives Levelled and Resurfaced

Hedge Cutting, Garden/Site Clearance Tree-stump and Scrub Removal

Turf Supplied and Laid

DIGGER HIRE (MINI and 4WD JCB)

Telephone: 01263 861587

PAUL R. SMITH CABINET MAKER

Bespoke handmade fine furniture

FREE STANDING FURNITURE QUALITY WOOD KITCHENS

ANTIQUE RESTORATION FRENCH POLISHING Qualified cabinet maker with twenty years experience

Telephone 01263 712433 www.paul-r-smith.co.uk

Hill House Farm Estate Lower Bodham Holt NR25 6RW

For church services see Panel on Page 3

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Thu. 23rd Dec. 5.00 pm. Candlelit Carol Service. The Revd Michael Wilson will officiate. Fri. 24th Dec. Evening. Carols sung round the village. Sat 25th Dec. 9.30 am. Christmas Day Holy Communion. Collection for the hospitals at Kelling and Wells. Sat. 19th Mar 2005. Friends of Morston Church Quiz Village Hall. Sat. 14th May 2005. Concert by soprano Elisabeth Wingfield in Morston Church.

LANGHAM LADYBIRDS

Gloria Hurn from ‘The Hat Shop’ came to our October meeting. It was very nice to learn about Gloria’s career and determination to succeed in the hat business. With the help of her family she has certainly enjoyed her working life and has no intention of retiring. Gloria showed us how to dress-up a plain hat and make it suitable for any occasion. A super evening with lots of laughs - thank you Gloria.

Nov. 10th - As we go to press we are all looking forward to ‘An evening of entertainment’. I will report on this in the next issue.

Nov.18th. - Thursford Concert - all the tickets have been distributed - enjoy yourselves - see you there. Jan. 18th 2005. We are planning to be the audience at the CADS dress rehearsal of Cinderella. Everybody welcome, just let me know.

Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year Maureen 830731

19

NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST SPONSORED BICYCLE RIDE

The sum raised by our four stalwart villagers was £225.30, of which £112.65 was given back to Langham Church funds. Langham P.C.C would like to thank Helen Brandt, Caroline Freeth, Amanda Marshall and John Plummer together with their sponsors and all the recorders in church.

MORSTON ENTREPRENEUR GETS DAILY TELEGRAPH SPREAD

Morston’s Tom Kay got a third of a page in the Business Section of the Daily Telegraph of 18th October, half of this being a coloured picture of him holding a surfboard and wearing his successful product, a “Finisterre Fleece”. In 1972 Tom set up a “technical clothing” company called “Finisterre” in St Agnes, Cornwall, near the UK’s surfing capital, Newquay. This was after eight months’ designing and testing his fleece prototypes in conjunction with Leeds University - at the end of which he came up with his state-of-the-art, long-sleeved, zip-up, anti-the-elements fleece, beloved of surfers. One resident of Morston wore one in the Himalayas recently at heights of up to 17500 ft and says it “saved her life”!. The Finisterre retails at £120 and is currently being tested by the RNLI Projected turnover for 2005-2006 is £200,000 with 2% of pre-tax profits going to Surfers against Sewage and the Marine Conservation Society. See website www.finisterreuk.com

MYSTERY LANDHOLDER

In the Norfolk Archives is an undated manuscript [3333] showing that Thomas Borditch – who has to be a Powditch! - held 60 acres at Morston for a rent of £20 p.a., at the same time as Thomas Shorting was a landholder here. Shorting, who was Collector of Customs at Cley, married Morston lass Ann Flaxman, the half-sister of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, in late 1691. There were five men called James Powditch living at Morston between the 1530s and about 1717, so this is probably James IV who married Hannah Holden 1679/80, or their son, James V, who married Dorothy Holden in 1691. (The new, young Ipswich football star, Bowditch, is sadly not a “Powditch of Morston”).

MORSTON HALL Morston near Blakeney

We are proud to be the holders of 2 AA Red Stars & 3 AA Rosettes

Open every night

for dinner and accommodation

and lunch on Sundays

MORSTON, HOLT, NORFOLK NR25 7AA. Tel: (01263) 741041

www.morstonhall.com - email: reception@morstonhall.com

The EDP Norfolk Chef of the Year and The Craft Guild Chef of Great Britain

Tel: 01328 830539

P.L.NASH - FAKENHAM

TV & FM AERIALS AND SATELLITE DISHES SUPPLIED AND ERECTED

DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALLATIONS

Contact: Joc Wingfield 01263 740431

MORSTON News

20

David Pennel 1900

MORSTON HAD A MILL BEFORE THE ARMADA (one of three)

On July 20th in 1583, five years before the Spanish Armada, Mr. Robart Dye signed an “Agreement for removing of mill from Morston to Langham”, after the harvest. The miller was called Dry. [Bacon & Townshend Papers 1496-1735, MC 1872/4].

In the 1870-80s there was a Mill Cottage in Morston mentioned in the Census and in about 1884-1898 the prolific American lithographer, Joseph Pennell, depicted a windmill in the present farmyard of Hill Farm [Dutt, Highways & Byways of East Anglia, 1932, p.217] - which is now used as the logo on Morston concert programmes. The grandparents and great grandparents of those living here today apparently never mentioned a mill to them, so maybe this later, 19th century, mill was assembled and dismantled as required. Clearly the 16th century mill was movable. Yet for Miller Dry to need a written “Agreement” to move the 1583 one, it was surely quite a substantial edifice.

Since there is no river here, both mills must have been windmills; and it is likely that the 1580s mill – like the 1880s one - was sited at or near Morston’s highest point (on which stands the church), in what is today the farmyard of Hill Farm; and was perhaps moved to Langham’s highest point – on the “modern” airfield: so not very far to go.

And sometime between the time of these two windmills at Morston, there was a Water Mill within Morston’s boundary on the River Stiffkey on the Stiffkey freshes.

BIRD NEWS A rare bird, Lesser Yellow Legs, flies in

On 20th September a lone Lesser Yellow Legs was sighted at Stiffkey Fen. Believed to have flown down the ‘wrong’ side of the Atlantic, it looks a tad taller than a redshank with - as you might guess - long yellow legs. Maybe it will stay there for the winter.

Every Goose in the land Back in the days of compulsory archery practice on Sundays in every town or village, and prior to his invasion of France in August 1415 (and the great victory over the French at Agincourt on 25th October - primarily due to the English longbowmen), Henry V had ordered that every goose in the land ‘had to sacrifice 6 wing feathers’. He presumably meant domestic geese, but it always makes me smile when I see at this time of year the great skeins of hundreds and even thousands of wildgeese on the north and west Norfolk coast.

The bird situation From the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reports, it is possible to report the following on birds in our area (good news first) Increasing - Bittern, Reed Bunting, Roseate Tern, Songthrush and Tree Sparrow. Possibly increasing - Nightjar. Probably stable - Hen Harrier, House Sparrow and Linnet. Probably declining - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Twite. Declining - Bullfinch, Grey Partridge, Skylark, Spotted Flycatcher, Starling and Yellowhammer.

And in the Morston area Increasing - Cirl Bunting, Corncrake, Marsh Tit, Stone Curlew and Woodlark. Probably increasing - Savi’s Warbler. Probably static - Grasshopper Warbler. Probably declining - Ring Ouzel. Declining - Common Scoter, Corn Bunting, Red-necked Phalarope, Turtle dove, Willow Tit. Verging on Extinction - Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck.

NEED A GLAZIER ? ..... CALL:

ALLIED GLASS TRADE & DOMESTIC GLAZING CONTRACTOR

C.I.S. REGISTERED / WINDOWS / DOORS CONSERVATORIES / EXTENSIONS

NEW HOUSING REPLACEMENT DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS SINGLE GLAZING & VELUX WINDOWS

EXPERIENCED LOCAL GLAZIER - CONTRACTOR TO FAKENHAM TOWN COUNCIL & N.N.D.C.

FRIENDLY RELIABLE SERVICE CONTACT:

MOBILE: 07710 895197 HOME / FAX: 01328 878911

EMERGENCY BOARDING/GLAZING SERVICE AVAILABLE

BLAKENEY PRE-SCHOOL In the Village Hall

Pre-School Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

9.30 am - 12.45 pm - £4.50 Children to bring packed lunch

Toddlers Monday & Tuesday, 9.30 am - 11.30 am - £3.00

Combined with Pre-School

For further details contact Marny On 01263 740925

21

ABSENT GUYS

Has the pre-Guy Fawkes Night custom of “Penny for the Guy” disappeared? I haven’t seen one for several years. Is this now illegal, politically incorrect or just plain uneconomical? Other than on top of a bonfire, did anyone see one this year?

OCTOBER WEDDING

Paul Jones and Denise Bye, both of South Ealing, London, were married at All Saints’ on 4th October. Just after getting engaged they were driving through Morston and looked out. Seeing what they described as our “really beautiful church”, they decided to get married here – and so, after staying for a time in Goose Cottage they did! We look forward to their return visits.

NORFOLK FAMILY CELEBRATION 475th -YEAR “REUNION” FOR 17-19 SEP.

Just over a year ago I was intrigued by a pedigree of “Powditch of Morston, North Creake & Wells” in Patrick Palgrave-Moore’s Norfolk Pedigress (Part Five). Ned Hamond then told me about the two ancient family memorials in the church and two graves just outside the porch door, and lent me a book on the family by John Algar of Swansea (who runs the family website). The book, which showed that the family had emigrated all over the world, fuelled my interest enough for me to contact John and suggest a long weekend programme a year’s hence for the family, to be centred on Morston and “their ancestral church”. John contacted family members and they liked the idea, so a year ago we planned the visit in detail.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt. Revd Graham James was present at All Saints’ Church on 18th September during the unveiling of a Memorial to ancestors of the Powditch family, who lived in Morston from 1530 - 1750. 31 members of the Powditch family, from Australia, New Zealand. England and Wales, celebrated their first ever get-together, the highlight being the Service of Thanksgiving, with the wonderful St Andrew's Singers from nearby Field Dalling conducted by Rosemary Kimmins. (At the last moment the Powditch family members from Chile and the USA were unable to come).

Many were meeting their relations for the first time. A 4’ x 5’ pedigree depicting the many lines of the Powditch family from 1538 (when James Apowdiche arrived and married Annabel of Morston) down to the present day, researched by John Algar and professionally created with beautiful calligraphy by Ken Bartlett of Langham, was displayed in the church. The weekend included three coach trips (to Wells, Blakeney area and North Creake), a tea party given by Diana Scott at the idyllic former Powditch home of Creake Abbey (1670s to 1770s), a seal trip (given by Friends Vice-Chairman Carole Bean & John Bean), a Lunch, and a Dinner (with Raffle Prizes and Auction Lots kindly donated by those living in Morston - as was the Lunch), and - at their Family Dinner - a Performance of Shanty Songs generously sung for free by the Old Wild Rovers (arranged by Tom Harrison, who also generously supported the Invitation Letters to the Powditch clan and the printing of the Service Sheets).

The visit of the Powditch family, is part of the Friends of Morston Church’s programme towards maintaining the Church’s fabric. The weekend - money is still coming in - has made £850.00 so far.

TOFTREES SKIP HIRE

FAKENHAM (01328) 863915

AGGREGATE DELIVERIES

SAND . SHINGLE . PREMIX . TOPSOIL MUSHROOM COMPOST . . ETC

DIRECT LINE TO DRIVER: 07850 281 448

PROPMT RELIABLE SERVICE LICENSED WITH N.C.C.

M BALDERSTONE, HAWTHORN COTTAGE, TOFTREES,

FAKENHAM, NORFOLK NR21 7DX

DESIGN PARTNERSHIP

& NORFOLK DECORATIVE ANTIQUES

Interior Design & Lighting Specialists

We supply, design & plan antique and contemporary lighting schemes

and interiors for busy people. Please call for an appointment to see

our current collection

01328 856333

Email: mperry1.antiques@virgin.net www.norfolk-decorative-antiques.com

MORSTON MARDLE by Samphire

JUNE WEDDING

On June 12th All Saints’ Church, Morston was packed when Morston’s Emma Kay married Sam Curtis of Blakeney. The wonderful blaze of flowers in church was arranged by friends from the village. Given away by her brother Tom, Emma looked stunning. The Reception, on the lawn of Church Farm House in warm sunshine, preceded a dinner and dance in a marquee in the Kays’ field overlooking the marsh. The great tent was beautifully decorated by Sam’s mother, Pooh, with gorgeous flower arrangements. Sam and his radiant bride left the Reception in a pony and trap. They are now living and working in London, but return to Morston frequently.

AUGUST CHRISTENING

On 1st August Stella Sophia Burton, (granddaughter of Joc & Sara Wingfield) was christened here. Stella’s parents, Phil & Camilla Burton of London were married at Morston on 9th September 2000.

6-Seater Available Comfortable Cars

Low Rates ~ Personal Service Local or Long Distance Airports ~ Weddings

Hospitals ~ Private Functions

11 Queens Close, Blakeney, Norfolk, NR25 7PQ

0 1 2 6 3 - 7 4 0 2 8 3 Please Telephone: Barry Girling

S t r o n g C a r s Licensed Private Hire Cars

M o b i l e 0 7 7 8 8 - 7 7 7 4 8 5

22

BESSIE STARMAN

On the morning of 8th November Bessie Starman of Langham, wife of Archie Starman was cremated at St.Faith’s. Her funeral service at Morston in the afternoon was conducted by the Revd Tim Fawcett. Born and raised in Stiffkey, Bessie and Archie were married just before the war. Their children are Pat Baldry, Mary Blake, the twins Joan Smith and Jean Fuller, Linda Parnell and Freddie Starman. Bessie, who died aged 89, was sister-in-law of Ron Starman of Morston, and of Phil Starman of Langham.

For Church Services see Panel on Page 3

SAXLINGHAM NEWS

A most successful and illuminating talk was given by Mary Alexander at Field Dalling Village Hall in October. Mary showed slides of several William Hogarth paintings and gave detailed explanations of many of the finer points behind them and ‘opened up’ these paintings to us. Afterwards an excellent Ploughman’s lunch was enjoyed by everyone.

Our Harvest supper was another occasion enjoyed at the Village Hall. It was a very convivial evening where friends, old and new, met to share in the bounty of the earth.

The beautiful service of Christingle will take place at St Margaret’s church on December 12th at 3.30pm. Although primarily for children the service is open to everyone. We hope to see you there.

Church Services see Panel on Page 3

NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST CYCLE RIDE

Sharrington is most grateful to Hon. Prof. Martyn Sloman, who this year visited 38 churches!!!

OCTOBER CHRISTENING

At a well-attended christening on 1st November the baby daughter of the Beltons of South Close was christened Katie Mae. The christening was followed by a Reception in the Village Hall.

Contact: Bridget Watson 01328 830248

SAXLINGHAM News

SHARRINGTON News

Contact: Dr Peter Garwood 01263 860700

PLUMBING & HEATING Local ‘CORGI’ registered specialist undertakes

all plumbing work including installation and maintenance of all central heating systems -

oil, gas and solid fuel.

Also complete kitchen and bathroom installations

Robin Berry

Mills Macmillan Ltd

01328 878621

STIFFKEY COCKLE SUPPER On 16th October Dave Buckey made a witty speech and gave out the prizes after the Stiffkey Cockle Club’s annual Laying-Up Supper at The Anchor – a delicious dinner. Dennis Pell and James Tillett were the chief prizewinners.

MYFANWY – BORDER COLLIE 10.6.82 – 13.7.97

To Miffy - the dearest and the best. How much we miss you, our most cheerful and ever-loving friend. You are beloved always, for 15 years’ companionship, and constantly cherished in our memory. Whatever the day had held, good and bad, you gave your unwavering welcome. I will miss your kiss on coming home, your shining eyes and your wagging tail. We’ll miss you walking backwards before us, resting in our way, against doors, passage-ways and in the middle of the room. You had such a sauncey walk, with your tail wagging in the air. You inspired our love and you gave your love always - a real treasure in our lives.

Our darling dog - thank you, and we were so glad of your constant presence in our lives. Bye bye old friend - may you rest in perfect peace and know that you are always with us, and us with you. Peter and Ann

23

For Church Services see Panel on Page 3 Especially note the Christmas Services

There will be no Prayers for the Parish and Holy Communion on Friday, 24th December, and no service at Stiffkey on Boxing Day, 26th December. The Bible Study and Fellowship Group will meet on alternate Wednesdays: contact Eva Gambril or Helen Leach.

Stiffkey Carol Singing - Christmas Eve This year we are trying something different. Instead of walking around part of the village singing, we are all singing at the pub. The Red Lion have kindly offered us mince pies and sausage rolls. Hot chocolate or coffee will be available (along with other tipples at the bar).

We will start at 6.30pm, so get Christmas off to a fun start and come and join in on the 24th. If you play an instrument bring it along and add to the merriment. A collection will be taken, with half the money for the Children’s Party and half for the Church Fabric Fund.

The Crib in Church Corner Once again we are setting up our Nativity scene in the corner of the car park but we have a problem - No Baby Jesus! Has anyone an old doll (the larger the better). It does not matter what condition it is in as we only see the face. We cannot guarantee the doll’s return and it will be out in all weathers. If you can help, please contact Eva at the shop.

HERITAGE HOUSE DAY CARE CENTRE, WELLS

The major extension to the Heritage House Day Care Centre for the elderly and frail is approaching completion. Plans are being made for a gala opening in January or February.

MARY CARTER, OF STIFFKEY wishes all her friends a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year, and she gives special thanks to all at Scarborough House, Wells.

THE HARVEST LOAF

Our festivities were sparkling, spontaneous, enthusiastic, creative and immaculately planned. Adding to the brilliance of the event, the Service was conducted by Bishop Tony in his reverent, elegant and eloquent manner - the former Bishop of Lynn continues his commitment to the planet as an environmentalist, conservationist and commonsenseist.

His sermon was entitled ‘Diet and Exercise’. As to the latter, the message is ‘DO IT’! The message concerning food is succinctly summarised with the word ‘LOAF’- his acronym for ‘Local produce, Organic food, Animal- friendly and Fair Trading’. Biblical fare is recommended, though Bale Garage is fresh out of locusts. The boss, Charley Mitchell, says ‘We’ll get some in and send ‘em to the Bishop’. All this wisdom was proffered in our beautifully decorated village church. The Bishop thanked the Farmers, Gardeners and Flower geniuses - or genii?

Provenance from the village was brought to the altar by Tilly and Madelene, skipping and laughing up and down the aisle. This included generous portions, a 29½ lb wild salmon, recently caught by a very modest gentleman in our congregation. ‘It was THAT long, really, nearly a yard.’

The merry throng moved on to the Village Hall for a choice of cottage pie, a vegetarian dish or chicken lasagne - pronounced ‘luz-angh-yuh’ - ye ken. All squaffed and cider quaffed. Then apple pies and trifles. All local produce and eater-friendly. A hilarious, money- rolling auction of the provenance was conducted in fine style by Claire and son Ben - loads of dosh and laughs.

A really outstanding feature of the whole shebang was the number of families taking part together - Grandads, Grammas, Dads, Mums, and numerous offspring of assorted lengths and voice capacities. Dare not call some of them ‘children’ - liable to get a smack in the mush.

THE HARVEST? A lot of work and inadequate returns - dodgey! Too many buckets of water from On High. On that happy note I hesitate to say ‘Thank you’, though it really, really is heartfelt. I’m told ‘Don’t say it - don’t want thanks – thank-you!’ Ochaye. P.J.G.

STIFFKEY News

Contact: Keith McDougall 01328 830344

Flat & Tiled Roofing Specialists

Telephone: 01328 878806 10-year guarantee - our reputation is long-standing

J. Dunning - 3 Hindringham Road - Bale - NR21 0QQ

Established 19 years

East Coast Roofing

Physical Therapy Gary Battrick Dip FTST, IIST, FSMT(2), IHBC

BACR Phase IV Cardiac Rehab Instructor

Muscular Manipulation for Back, Neck & Joint Pain etc

Rehabilitative Exercise for Poor Mobility, Posture & Surgical Recovery

Home appointments please telephone 01263 710789

24

MUSIC EVENINGS Since they started in June last year these have raised well over £500 for the Fabric Fund at the church. More important perhaps, they have acquired a life of their own, in giving me a chance to indulge my passion for music, and to share some of the pleasure it gives me with others. At the last meeting at Kingfisher Barn numbers had swelled to the extent that we had to use the minstrel’s gallery (thanks for volunteering, Margaret and Eva!). We spent the last two meetings, in September and October, sampling music from the Proms, which started as a venture to bring music to the people in 1894. Apart from one year in the Second World War, when they transferred to Bedford because of bombing in London, the Proms have continued uninterrupted for 110 years, since 1945 at the Albert Hall.

Meetings continue every fourth Wednesday - watch for posters in the shop and outside the church for further details. I doubt we will keep going for 110 years!

CHURCH REPAIRS

Clive has been working on the church during the summer. The main aim has been to make the roof water-tight. Clive has re-pointed much of the flint-work on the main tower and repaired areas of roof immediately adjoining the tower. This has prevented water running down the inside rear wall of the church, mainly to the south of the font. Areas of plaster-work damaged by rain over the years have been replaced. A similar problem in the wall over the organ is also being repaired. To complete this Clive is going to re-point an area of flints in the wall at the east end of the nave. He has also discovered a fairly serious collapse in the guttering and eaves at the south east corner of the chancel. He has made this safe but more work is needed in the near future. Another task for the near future is the re-decoration of the east and west walls of the nave where re-plastering has occurred.

We are very grateful for some generous donations, including a very handsome amount from the proceeds of the village fetes over the last 3 years. We are also very grateful to Clive for his time, expertise and advice, and Eva for her assistance on days off from the shop (where does she find the energy?). Clive will continue to advise us when we have to bring in other builders to tackle some of the work in future.

Removals OFFERING A SUPERIOR REMOVAL SERVICE AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE

Richardsons

Holt (01263) 712039

Susannah McDougall Landscape and Garden Design

solutions for the outside space

design practical and effective detailed plans appropriate materials any space

planting sound advice

plant sourcing fresh, visual planting plans

seasonal improvements

telephone: 01263 740056 mobile: 07887 480793

email: hallfarm@morston44.freeserve.co.uk

THE DOCTOR’S LEECH PIT, STIFFKEY

Before his rounds the doctor would obtain leeches from the pond, an essential part of the widely used therapy of blood letting. The uses were legion, applicable to every disease and disorder, headache - gout and all areas between. One eminent French Physician applied up to 50 leeches at a time to the patient’s body - he had his vehement and increasing opponents.

Why oh why? I hear you cry. The whole object of the treatment was to extract the ‘bad’ humours, deemed to be assaulting the sufferer, and to relieve ‘congestion’ or excessive amounts of fluid from the body. Letting of blood is still used in the treatment of excessively rich blood (polycaethmia) and as the most junior doctor, while at Seaborough hospital in the ‘50s, I had the onerous job of looking after the ward leeches - Mrs M wouldn’t accept any other treatment. Although leeches were applied for ‘local bleeding’ they did sometimes cause excessive bleeding.

Blood letting was responsible for the death of many important people, an American President with severe tonsillitis had numerous leeches attached to his throat and was also blood let by incisions with scalpels designed for the purpose. Queen Anne in her last pregnancy was blood let for pneumonia - she became very ill and just after procedure the next heir to the throne was born dead at an advance stage in Anne’s pregnancy. A 19th century Pope died despite a hurried ‘transfusion’ from a fit young man - who also died.

Since before Hippocrates the procedure has been the subject of learned medical men. It really began to decline in early Victorian times but leeches are still used on this planet for the cure of such conditions as backache.

Our Stiffkey doctor would get his fresh leeches, keep them in water until drying them on clean linen prior to fixing them in place. A skill to master, especially if applying them internally to the neck of the womb or the lower eyelid.

Humours to be balanced: Yellow bile - liver. Black bile - spleen. Blood - heart. Phlegm - brain P.G.

25

HOW IT ALL BEGAN – PART 2

Free at last to do what I’ve always wanted to do. Sing for my supper!! In those days there was no such thing as T.V. in South Africa, only radio. The cinema (or as it was called in South Africa, ‘The Bioscope’) was our major form of entertainment ansd pratically every bioscope had a ‘Wurlitzer Organ’ as an integral part of the performance. Occasionally a singer would be employed to perform with the organist and I felt that this would be ideal for me. I contacted Archie Parkhouse, the organist at the Metro Cinema and he agreed to my joining him for a few weeks. I did a similar stint with Dean Herrick at the 20th. Century Cinema and also joined him and Eve Boswell (top Sth. African singer) in a radio show which was produced by Alan Mandell, who, when he came to England changed his surname to Allan Dell. So far so good – it lasted six months.

My life changed dramatically when at a ball I saw the most gorgeous female I’d ever seen. She was modelling some gowns designed by a well known Greek couturier. I turned around to the boys in the band and said. ‘Wow, look at that , isn’t she superb!!!’ Together they all yelled, ‘Yeah!’.

I sang my heart out to this goddess – to no avail. She took absloutely no notice of me what-so-ever. Was I mortified, my ego was smashed to smithereens. Ah well, ‘C’est la vie’ said I, perhaps I’ll see her again sometime under different circumstances. A few weeks later I was asked by Archie to do another show at the Metro. This time there would be several mannequins in dresses parading (a la Ziegfield Follies) down the stage towards me, singing a different tune for each girl. It so happens that during rehearsals one more girl was needed. I immediately thought of the beauty whom I’d seen at the ball. I described her to the director of the show and she said, ‘oh that’s Rena Mackie, what a good idea. I hope we can get her as she’s very busy. You see, she’s one of Sth. Africa’s top models.’ Yippee! She wasn’t too busy and I was overjoyed when she appeared at the next rehearsal. I wasn’t all that elated though when she turned down an invitation to join me for dinner. Once again my ego was shattered. What to do, what to do? I’d learned that apart from being a model she was also an actress. ‘Goodie’, I’ll invite her to the theatre, as I knew the actors appearing in the plan, we’d be able to go backstage and meet them. Success!!! She agreed to accompany me and that was the start of our relationship. Hooray.

Rena had only just turned seventeen when we met and her mother (her parents were divorced) thought she was too young to have a regular boyfriend, so we had to meet secretly. We went to plays and films, went swimming, played tennis, rode horses over the veld and made plans for our future. About two years later we got married, but as we knew that Rena’s mother would not approve – we eloped. When the truth came out her mum realised that we were very much in love and she could do nothing to keep us apart. We hardly saw her for the first year of our marriage, when Rena fell pregnant she became quite the doting mother.

My career was going from strength to strength, I was in a weekly radio show called ‘Anything Goes,’ sponsored by a famous brand of shaving cream. Incidentally I’d grown a beard and the sponsors advised me that although the show was called ‘ Anything Goes’, my beard was one thing that definitely had to go. I’d recorded a song called ‘Forever and Ever’, which was a hit and I was working regularly at Johannesburgs premiere night spots, ‘The Orange Grove’ and ‘Savoy’. I was at the top of my profession so I came to the conclusion that my next move must be to go to England.

At about this time I became involved with one the guests at the Savoy who owned some racing stables and I was invited to place a bet on one of his horses. It won and I became quite a punter, winning a lot of money and had visions of sailing to England in sheer luxury. Then it all went wrong and I lost it all on a horse called Air Duke.

I was still determined to make a move to England and Rena agreed that we should sell some of our possessions to pay for my ticket. I set sail for England on the Bloemfontein Castle with £25 in my pocket and a letter of introduction from a British saxophone player Don Barrigo to an English dance band leader, Ted Heath.

The journey to Southampton was uneventful and I gloomily watched my fellow passengers disembark to be greeted by their wives and sweethearts. There was no-one there to meet the unknown singer from Sough Africa, Dennis Lotis.

After two months in London I had not been able to contact Ted Heath, a busy man and most elusive. I almost gave up hope. Then I noticed Eve Boswell was in town singing with the ‘Geraldo Band,’ she had set off to seek her fortune in London some time before I had decided to make the trip. I guessed that she would be sympathetic. Would she find me a job? Denis Lotis.

STIFFKEY FETE A special meeting in November saw a new Fete Committee formed and thanks expressed to the outgoing committee for their wonderful work over this past 3 years. So many charities have benefited, let’s hope we can keep the Fete just as successful in the years ahead.

Tel: 01263 860559

M. G . MYHILL All types of chimneys swept

Clean Professional Service

- Fully Insured -

Over 25 years experience

26

PUZZLE PAGES SOLUTIONS

Cinema Paradiso

1. Gone With The Wind 2. Brief Encounter 3. The Wizard of Oz 4. Charade 5. The Maltese Falcon 6. Brighton Rock 7. The Blue Lamp 8. A Night at the Opera 9. The Lady Killers 10. Spartacus.

CHRISTMAS QUIZ by Samphire

Geography. (1) Poland. (2) Bangladesh. (3) Saudi Arabia. Ukraine. (5) Tanzania. (6) Estonia. (7) India. (aka Bomaby). (8) Venezuela. (9) Afghanistan. (10) Iran.

US Food Terms. (1) Mange-tout. (2) A sirloin steak. (3) Sultanas. (4) Fish fingers. (5) Hundreds and thousands. Muesli. (7) Coriander. (8) To hull. (9) Ice lolly. (10) Icing sugar.

Chat Room/Dating. (1) I will always love you. (2) Frequently-Asked Questions. (3) Keep it simple, stupid. (4) Do I know you? (5) Later, ‘gator. (6) No ugly men, please. (7) For tender loving care. (8) Good sense of humour. (9) Very good-looking. (10) Single white female.

12 Days of Christmas. (1) 6 Geese a-laying. (2) 9 Ladies dancing. (3) 3 French Hens. (4) 10 Lords a-leaping. (5) 11 pipers piping.

General. (1) 1600-1800. (2) The 4th hour or change of (4-hour) watch. (3) The right to bear arms. (4) Marathon. (5) Nike.

Football. (1) Liverpool. (2) Newcastle United. (3) Tottenham Hotspur. (4) Manchester United. (5) Chelsea. (6) Chelsea or Ipswich Town. (7) West Ham United. (8) Newcastle United. (9) Liverpool. (10) Arsenal.

Carols. (1) …both full grown. (2) …stand by me. (3) …glory shone around. (4) …crib for a bed. (5) …are born in Thee tonight. (6) …sing in exultation. (7) … the bells are ringing. (8) … of Orient are. (9)… Christ is born in Bethlehem. (10) …in heavenly peace!

General. (1) 1805. (2) Anne Boleyn & Catherine Howard. (3) Hastings {1066]. (4) A bird. (5) The Boston Red Sox. (6) Types of boat. (7) 7.62 mm. (8) eating bread and honey. (9) Italy. (10) Burma.

Colours. (1) White. (2) Yellow. (3) Red. (4) Purple. (5) Red. (6) White. (7) Yellow. (8) Red. (9) Blue. (10) Brown.

Bird Wordsquare

We hid: snipe, sparrow, lark, hawk, seagull, goose, tit, pigeon, duck, partridge, martin, tern, godwit, thrush, owl, turkey, merlin, eider, auk, skua, kestrel, mynah, smew, wagtail, jay, wren, coot, teal, ruff, kite, chat, and dodo!

M Y H I L L L E W I S E A Y E A H

H A M L Y N F A S T E R N F X R S U

N E R O S T A N C O M B S N T 14 C N S T H E M A P H O U S E

B A 16 F E N M R E B U F F E R L E A F E I I 19 R E I W I T H E R Y E A R L Y E A R I S E R E T R Y A N C H O R

A BIRTHDAY PARTY IN STIFFKEY

Stiffkey WI celebrated its 70th Birthday, combined with a Harvest Supper, on October 18th. We had guests from 8 neighbouring WI/Women’s Groups. Supper was a ham salad with baked potatoes, followed by - may we say - excellent home-made sweets. The idea had been to dress in the fashions of the 20s and 30s and some of the party achieved touches of the period. After supper we were entertained with various offerings - Connie Rands brought the house down with her own comic poetry, Eva Gambrill read us two poems and Pam Bryant shared with us the following events of 1934, the year our WI began:-

Flash Gordon appeared in his first Comic strip. Shirley Temple made her first movie - she would have hoped to win an academy award which became known as an Oscar for the first time. The first 33rpm recording was released. Persia became known as Iran. Italy won the Football World Cup. In America, Franklin D Roosevelt was President and Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot dead by Texas Rangers. Meanwhile Alcatraz started to take its first prisoners. In Britain, the Queen Mary liner was launched, driving tests were first introduced and a photograph claiming to be of the Loch Ness Monster was taken. Some famous people, born that year were - Sophia Loren, Les Dawson, Pat Boone, Brigitte Bardot, Yuri Gagarin - to name but a few.

To end on a lighter note, My daughter and I were speaking of an event that was to change world history - Hitler declared himself Fuhrer of Germany. My grandson piped up and said ‘Did you know that Hitler’s real name was Richard Spud and when he became Chancellor he changed it to Dick Tater.

So those were a few things that happened in 1934, the year our WI began.

The following limerick verses, written by a friend visiting Stiffkey, were also declaimed at the party

For a full 3 score years and then ten And all independent of men -

Our WI With community eye

Has gathered her chicks like a hen.

And women of Stiffkey can sing Through seasons from summer to spring

Of ideals and activity And bold creativity

With verses of Blake on the wing!

Our members are older and fewer - We could do with some more who are newer!

So the good of the past And the present would last -

Words of hope never, never were truer.

Come and join Stiffkey’s Women’s Institute!

LANGHAM VILLAGE SCHOOLNEWS School Building Development On the Building project front we hear that, subject to planning permission, it is likely that there should be a new Early Years classroom, Head’s Office and Early Years designated playground; that the old mobile will be removed and a playground built on its site during this academic year. Firm details are awaited, but all are very optimistic. Events Danywenallt Study Centre, Wales Residential visit in June 2005 for years 4, 5 & 6. There was a parents’ information meeting on Tuesday, 19th October. Harvest Assembly This took place on 20th October in the Langham Parish Rooms. Produce donated was sold off by the children, and the money raised forwarded to the ‘National Children’s Homes’, a charity which had earlier explained its work to a school assembly. Year 6 Taster Day Year 6 children have been invited to Alderman Peel High School, to get experience of High School life, regardless of the school they will eventually transfer to. Jacqueline Wilson talked about her books on the morning of Friday, 5th November at the Cromer Pier Theatre. Bonfire Celebration On Friday, 5th November, a special lunch was enjoyed. Scholastic Book Fair Wednesday 17th - Wednesday 24th November. Langham School Friends Christmas Fair This will take place in the school on Saturday, 27th

November, 10 – 12.

Annual Governors Report to Parents Wednesday, 21st December at 6.30. This will be followed by a presentation on Drugs Education by Barry Gibson, County Drugs Education Adviser, 7.00 – 8.00.

Please Note If you have to collect your child before the end of school, you must sign the Visitors Book and write in your child’s name. As a safety precaution we must know exactly who is on site.

NATURE NOTES Just outside the parish of Stiffkey, beside the main A149 road to Wells, is a pool of water by the road which often attracts interesting waterfowl and waders. This year it has been continuously flooded due to the above-average rainfall (well over 30”). Do not be tempted to stop to look from your car. The road here is dangerous. Better to walk from this village. Clearly there is a spring and this part of the arable field known as ‘Leeches Pit’ is never fit for cultivation. Why ‘Leeches Pit’?

Here lies a fascinating glimpse of past medical practice. I am told by an informant (with impeccable roots in Stiffkey) that the local doctor used to keep his leeches in the pool and collect them when he needed to treat a patient. The picture of a frock-coated doctor stepping out of his pony-and-trap to scoop up live leeches en-route to Stiffkey to ‘bleed’ a patient can be imagined.

Our medical adviser in Sharrington was consulted on this bizarre practice (no prizes for guessing who!) and he has delved into his library for more details. So this time ‘Nature Notes’ have a medical flavour. The gallant Doctor writes on Page 24 Pightle

27

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP OUR SCHOOL We need a part-time Caretaker/Cleaner as soon as possible. We are a very friendly, enthusiastic group. 15 hours per week, term time, plus 30 days additional cleaning during school holidays. Salary £3,981.18 pa. £5.53 per hour. We are looking for a practical and energetic person who would undertake caretaking and cleaning duties in school. Hours are flexible with 30 days additional input for periodic work outside of term time. Duties include security, cleaning of designated areas, supervising of school site, key-holder responsibilities. Previous experience is desirable but not essential as full training will be given on site. We are dedicated to staff well- being and have recently been awarded ‘Investors in People’ status. The successful applicant will join a happy, well-motivated team. For a job description and an application form please contact the school office on 01328 830377. You won’t regret it!

“Nichols and Thornalley”

Supporting your Rural Life

NFU Mutual, 22 Bull Street, Holt NR25 6HP Email: holt@nfumutual.co.uk

Tel: 01263 712306 Fax: 01263 711304 NFU Mutual is a member of the General Insurance Standards Council

Insurance “From The Heart” of North Norfolk

Houses, horses, businesses, vehicles and even you!

For Free advice or a quotation on personal or business insurance - contact

Steve Higgs or Jayne Thornalley

All types of building works - Painting & Decorating

Galley Hill House,

Langham Road,

Blakeney,

Holt,

Norfolk, NR25 7PJ

E. & M. Grimes BUILDERS

Telephone (01263) 740274

Flintwork Specialists Extensions Conversions Renovations Alterations New Build

Free Estimates

Local Lynx is printed by Century Printing, 132 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AZ. Tel/Fax: 01692 582958

COLIN KEMP - Tel: 01328 830568

Reliable handyman, available for work indoors and out, including grass cutting, gardening, small building jobs,

painting and decorating. Competitive rates.

BIRDS FARM COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES

Chinese & Electro Acupressure—Reiki Healing Head, Neck & Back Massage—Magnetic Therapy & Supplies

Richard Hunt BSYA (ACU & MT) Tel: 01328 820209

ALLCLEAN—The Carpet Cleaning Specialists Professionally clean: homes, upholstery, curtains, oriental

rugs, patios, driveways, car interiors. Tel: Danny, on FreePhone 0800 698 5055

ROBIN PEEL GARDEN SERVICES Grass & Hedge Cutting - Fencing

Patios & Paths - The complete garden service Tel: 01328 830694 or 07747 001261

THE IRON LADY Professional Ironing & Laundry Services

Serving over 400 Domestic and Professional clients Collected from and delivered to your door

Call: 01263 821900

REB Accountancy Services Ltd Annual Accounts, Self Assessment Tax Returns,

Payroll, VAT and Book-keeping services. Home/Evening visits. Tel: 01328 863541

ALISTAIR STEVENSON

I provide local delivery of newspapers in Bale, Field Dalling, Saxlingham and, now, Langham. Contact me if you would

like a daily paper delivered - Tel: 01328 878271

ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL MEDICINE Suzanne Reid BA, LicAc, MBScC, LicOHM, MRCHM

Porthole Cottage, Hindringham Road, Great Walsingham. Tel: 01328 824429

PAPER CONSERVATOR—BELINDA SANDERSON

Photographs, watercolours, maps, prints, documents cleaned or repaired by fully-trained conservator

01263 587770 or 07796 638623

SPIC & SPAN

Interior Cleaning—House, Office, Holiday Home Spring cleaning. For free estimate or enquiries:

Phone/fax: 01328 830692 Mob: 07799 375654

A. R. Pigott Painter & Decorator Cley: 01263 741013

THE COURTYARD CLINIC - STIFFKEY Prestige facial treatments, pedicure, manicure

Clinical aromatherapy, Reflexology, Eyelash perming Open 9-2 Mon-Fri. Tel: Phillipa 01328 830072

THE SMALL ADS PANEL ADVERTISING LOCAL SERVICES

STEPHEN BEAL LANDSCAPES

2 The Willows Chapel Lane Wiveton Norfolk NR25 7TQ

Garden design and landscaping Lawn and grass cutting, lawn maintenance Turfing and seeding new lawns Garden maintenance for private and holiday homes Patios and paths laid Seasonal pruning of shrubs, trees, fruit trees and roses Hedge cutting and fencing Garden clearance

* * * * * * * *

(S.R.Beal, A.Beal, M.P.Lee)

Tel: 01263 740591 Mobile: 07831 102592 Also 01263 511587

*For those spending £25 or over