Mardler June 2018 JS

Mardler
BROCKDISH & THORPE ABBOTTS
THE
Edition No. 216 June & July 2018
THE MARDLER is FREE and delivered to all
houses in Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts
Also available on-line at
www.themardler.blogspot.co.uk

Editorial Team
Useful Contacts
Editor
Robert Buck 01379 668663
robertbuck1974@talktalk.net
Chairperson
Jan Croxson 01379 668630
jpcrocky@btinternet.com
Advertising
Judith Chambers 01379 668072
judecham@gmail.com
Treasurer
Janice Stacey 01379 668549
janicestacey@btinternet.com
Surgeries Harleston
Bullock Fair Close 01379 853217
Emergencies 01379 853503
Police
Harleston and Diss 101
NHS Direct 111
Electricity Power Cuts 105
Gas Emergencies 0800 111 999
Mary Alderton 01379 668537
maryalderton@btinternet.com
Linda Bell 01379 669293
belltomlinda@gmail.com
Anglian Water 03457 145 145
South Norfolk Council 01508 533633
Borderhoppa 01379 854800
Cheryl Mounser 01379 741435
billmounser@yahoo.co.uk
The views expressed in The Mardler are not
necessarily those of the Editorial team. The Editor
reserves the right to amend or alter any copy
received.
____________________________________
BROCKDISH VILLAGE HALL
Monday - Aerobics 6:45 - 7:45pm
Wednesday - Ballroom & Latin Dance
Classes 7pm – 11pm
Thursday - Tea Dance 2pm
- Carpet Bowls 7:30pm
Friday - Hall available for hire
Saturday - Quizzes, Ballroom Dancing*
Sunday - Tea Dance*
* See notice board for more information.
ADVERTISING IN THE MARDLER
If you are interested in advertising, the
current rates are £25 for ¼ page and
£50 for ½ page, which covers the 6
issues from 1 st April annually. The cost
for less than 6 issues is £5 per issue for
¼ page and £10 per issue for ½ page.
For further information please contact
Judith Chambers, see above.
Brockdish Village Hall
Bookings Jill Edwards 01379 669057
Thorpe Abbotts Village Hall
Bookings Kelvin Halifax 01379 668705
Carpet Bowls Club
Glyn Catchpole 01379 668698
Fun Dancing
Tracey Hood 07854 943490
Aerobics
Clare Peed 01379 668715
Sunday Tea Dance/Ballroom
Latin Dance Classes
Niall O’Brien 07526 883776
South Norfolk District Councillor
Jenny Wilby 01379 741504
Parish Clerk
Teresa Hines 01379 308617
Libraries
Harleston 01379 852549
Diss 01379 642609
2

Editorial
Now that Summer is upon us, you will see in this edition there are
plenty of activities and events happening in around the local villages
generally relying on fine weather to have a good turn-out. Most of
these are vital for ensuring such organisations can continue to
operate on a voluntary basis. Your support will always be
appreciated, and no doubt you will receive a warm welcome.
Robert Buck
Editor
REMEMBER
Closing date for entries in the
August / September 2018 issue is
Monday 9 th July 2018
Articles received after this date may
not be included in the next issue.
_______________________________________________
WHAT’S ON
June 2018
Thurs 7 th Dementia Lunch (p34)
Fri 8 th Thorpe Abbotts Bar (p5)
Sat 9 th Syleham Event (p31)
Sun 10 th Open Farm (p35)
Sun 10 th Pet Service Brockdish (p37)
Fri 15 th Alburgh Cinema (p31)
Sat 16 th Open Garden (p40)
Sat 16 th Bring & Share Lunch
Thorpe Abbotts (p38)
Sun 17 th Billingford Mill (p14)
Thurs 21 st Mobile Library (p24)
Thurs 21 st Harleston Café (p34)
Fri 22 nd Thorpe Abbotts Bar (p5)
Sat 23 rd Starston Spectacular (p30)
Thurs 27 th Parish Council Meeting
Thorpe Abbotts (10)
Thurs 28 th Harleston Cinema (p26)
Sat 30 th Brockdish Garage Sale (p32)
Sat 30 th Wingfield Village Fete (p37)
3
July 2018
Sun 1 st Annual Ladies Tractor
Road Run (p5)
Sat 7 th Brockdish Quiz (p12)
Sat 7 th Syleham BBQ (p31)
Fri 13 th Thorpe Abbotts Bar (p5)
Thurs 19 th Mobile Library (p24)
Fri 20 th Alburgh Cinema (p31)
Sun 22 nd Billingford Mill Tractor
Tractor Event (p14)
Thurs 26 th Harleston Cinema (p26)
Fri 27 th Thorpe Abbotts Bar (p5)
Tues 31 st Parish Council Meeting
Brockdish (p10)

Sun
KM Gardencare
Hedge & Lawn Cutting
Fencing Erected& Stained
Trees Pruned & Felled
Seeding & Turfing
Patios & Driveways
Gardens Cleared
Stump Grinding
Mini Digger Work
All Garden care Undertaken
Phone: 01379 687983
Mobile: 07799 492603
Do You Need
Your Garden
TIDYING
4
UP?
Call Tom Bell on
01379 669293 or
07905208209
Very Reasonable
Rates

Village
The Flying F rtress Bar
At Thorpe Abbotts Village Hall
Friday 8 th June 6 pm onwards
Friday 22 nd June 6 pm onwards
Friday 13 th July 6 pm onwards
Friday 27 th July 6 pm onwards
We welcome visitors from far and wide!
The 15 th Annual Ladies Tractor Road Run in aid of Cancer
Research will commence at Thorpe Abbotts Airfield at 11.30
am on Sunday 1 st July. (Cover picture from last year’s run).
Thorpe Abbotts Parochial Church Council are providing light
refreshments that will be available from approximately 11 am
at the Village Pump. Everybody welcome with all donations
going to Cancer Research.
5

Village Information
Better Broadband for Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts
Update
We are disappointed to report that there is likely to be a delay
in progressing the ‘Fibre to the Premises’ initiative by B4RN.
Following recent discussions between B4RN East Anglia and
the parent ‘community interest company’ in Lancashire, B4RN
East Anglia is ‘pausing’. The parent company retains a
positive commitment to move forward with enthusiastic village
communities locally but at a more measured pace, parish by
parish, as localities are able to demonstrate their ability to
raise the funds and necessary volunteers. The parent
company have decided that, while there is much enthusiasm
and volunteer commitment in Norfolk, they are unable to
provide sufficient back up and know-how to progress projects
quickly. B4RN say they will be appointing a professional
employee to progress the Scole initiative and then look to
adjacent parishes to continue in due course. The new
appointee will not be in place for some months.
This is disappointing for those of us who believe that a solid
‘fibre to the premises’ solution is the only way to future proof
our broadband needs but, possibly having professional, input
may eventually produce a more satisfactory final project.
Meanwhile, The BT Openreach website reports that we can
now get “superfast broadband” in our postcodes and there is
no doubt that there has been a marked improvement in the
availability and speeds available from the copper wire and
fibre solutions from Openreach since the new cabinets were
installed. Speeds so far are only half what they claim but for
many people this is at least a workable solution temporarily.
To see if your household can get the increased speeds, go to
https://www.homeandbusiness.openreach.co.uk/fibrebroadband/when-can-i-get-fibre?
6

Village Information
Meanwhile, during the summer, thanks to South Norfolk
Council, ItsWisp will be installing more aerial masts locally and
they also provide a much improved service for a very
reasonable cost, see their website
http://www.itswisp.co.uk/bduk. Some households will be
eligible for the government supported scheme described on
the ItsWisp site.
It is possible that Openreach has become more assiduous in
progressing its fibre/copper wire solutions as a result of activity
by B4RN, South Norfolk Council and various groups like us.
Meanwhile, for those in the parish who continue to experience
very poor speeds when the options above have been
explored, please keep us informed.
Elaine Murphy, on behalf of the Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts
Broadband Steering Group. elaine.murphyrobb@gmail.com
7

Village Information
THORPE ABBOTTS SOCIAL CLUB
AND VILLAGE HALL
I am pleased to say that we now have 60 members in the Club
for the current year. Attendances are strong with other guests
often joining us
On the first Saturday in May approximately 50 people attended
to enjoy Tony Bryant’s varied music, which included a line
dancing element which was enjoyed by those taking part, or
watching like myself. I guess its routine enough and I get the
impression they can do it in their sleep! No offence meant.
Next month we have the popular Dave Drain Band which is a
four member group, who take up considerable room on our
small stage. Their style is a very vibrant theme with a variety
of music enjoyed by the members. Why not come along for
what promises to be a good night.
The Hall is being used on a much more regular basis than in
the past few years and is showing signs of wear. With many
improvement ideas in the pipeline we will need some internal
redecoration later in the year to ensure that the Village Hall
maintains its appeal to those attending.
Volunteers will be needed at some future date.
The Social Club Committee regularly supports local charities
and has recently made a donation of £250 to the new EACH
project for a new build near Norwich.
A big thank you to those who come along and to those who
help share the workload. It is much appreciated.
Lennie Havers - 668219
Linda Halifax - 668705
8

StyleS
UNISEX HAIRDRESSERS
15A WILDERNESS CLOSE
HARLESTON
01379 852228
Village Information
Brockdish Carpet Bowls Club
We have come top of our zone in the Waveney League. In the
first league of the final we played Kenninghall and won! Well
done to all players.
We have played the final in the five a side cup and lost.
Congratulations must go to Joe and Arthur for winning the
squad pairs, also to Jane and Joe for winning the five a side
pairs at Wortwell.
We have a lack of players and are struggling to keep going.
We would welcome more people so come along and have a
go. You may enjoy it. We meet Thursday evenings at 7.00pm
in Brockdish Village Hall.
Glyn Catchpole
9

Parish Council
BROCKDISH PARISH COUNCIL (Including Thorpe Abbotts)
CHAIRMAN – Christine Mackenzie
Clerk – Teresa Hines Tel: 01379 308617
e-mail:brockdishthorpeabbottspc@gmail.com
Planning Applications
(www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/online-applications)
● 2018/0595 Grove Thorpe, Grove Road, Brockdish. Single storey
extensions, conversion of attic, new structural roof, windows and
doors, garage & menage - listed building consent.
● 2018/0703 Agricultural Buildings at Hilltop Farm, Hall Road,
Brockdish. Notification for prior agreement for a proposed change of
use and associated building works of 3 no agricultural buildings to 3
no dwellings.
● 2018/0730 Rectory Cottage, Church Road, Brockdish Two storey
rear extension.
● 2018/1011 12 The Street, Brockdish. Two storey side extension.
The PC are seeking to appoint a ‘Village Handyman’ for
approximately 2 hours per week, pay will be £10 per hour, to be paid
monthly. For further information please contact Cllr Christine
MacKenzie (Chairman) or Teresa Hines (Clerk).
The PC currently has vacancies for 3 Councillors - for futher
information please contact: Cllr Christine MacKenzie (Chairman) on
01379 668818 or Teresa Hines (Clerk) on 01379 308617 email
brockdishthorpeabbottspc@gmail.com. Dog fouling is still a problem
in both Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts. Please be a responsible dog
owner and clean up after your dog (dog waste bins in both villages).
Dates of next scheduled meetings: - (members of the public are
welcome to attend). Agenda posted on both Village Notice Boards
prior to meeting.
Thursday 27th June 2018 at Thorpe Abbotts Village Hall 7.30pm.
Tuesday 31st July 2018 at the Waveney Heritage Centre, The Old
School, Grove Road, Brockdish 7pm (please note new venue). No
meeting is held during August.
10

DWS FENCING & GARDEN MAINTAINANCE
All types of fencing patios + paths pressure washed
All garden work undertaken Fencing stained
Trees, hedges + lawns cut Large area cleared
House, garage, shed and yard clearance
Fully insured
Tel: 01379 650380 Mobile: 07899 893380
Carole Mole Catcher
The expert you can trust
Competitive Rates No Fuss
01508 47 19 16
07918 18 78 37
carole@norfolk-molecatcher.co.uk
Village Information
As a plant stall is planned for the Open Garden event on
June 16 th , any spare plants that you may have and would
care to donate would be greatly appreciated. Call Jan on
668630 for collection of plants. Many thanks.
11

Jokes
Coffee Break
Playgroup Leader - 'Can anyone complete the sentence 'Old MacDonald
had a ......'?'
Young boy - 'A burger restaurant!'
Q. Why don't most cats shave?
Ans. Because 8 out of 10 prefer whiskers!
Q. Give an example of wasted energy.
Ans. Telling a hair-raising story to bald men!
English is a pain to learn!
After a number of injections my jaw got number.
They were too close to the door to close it.
Missing Link
Fit eleven four-letter words on each line. Each word should connect with
the words on either side e.g. BARE * ROOT * BALL.
When read downwards the first letter of each word will spell a word.
GARDEN * - - - - * POST
HUMAN * - - - - * TRACK
MARBLE * - - - - * WAY
SAILING * - - - - * SHAPE
SHINING * - - - - * FISH
BLONDE * - - - - * BRUSH
WIDE * - - - - * AIR
CAR * - - - - * KEEPER
SCOTS * - - - - * CONE
BREAK * - - - - * HANDED
CORAL * - - - - * KNOT Answers on Page 24
QUIZ NIGHT
SATURDAY 7 th July 7:30 for 8:00pm
Admission £4 BROCKDISH VILLAGE HALL
Bring your own drink Jan 668630
12

HARLESTON CARPETS AND FLOORING
Our friendly staff will guide you through the selection of your new
flooring, and you can rest assured that we will manage the selection,
installation/fitting of your new flooring from start to finish.
Man made and wool carpets, Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Hard Wood
flooring, vinyls and cushion floor
All Domestic and Commercial flooring supplied and fitted
Bring this ad with you and receive 10% off your chosen flooring*
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*Offer not valid with other in store offers
13

Information
Snowdrop and Daffodil Walks
We have been so lucky this year. We only had to cancel one
snowdrop afternoon, due to snow. Apart from that, the sun did
shine, bringing lots of visitors from all over Norfolk, Suffolk and
Essex.
Many returned for all the events, to watch the garden change
over the weeks. We can't thank all our supporters enough for
visiting the garden this spring, helping us raise a fantastic
£4,750.00 for local charities. We would also like to thank all
our amazing helpers for all the cakes, raffle donations
including the Kings Head, White Hart Roydon, Co-op Funeral
Services Harleston and many other generous donations. This
could not be achieved without them.
Jackie & John Spooner
BILLINGFORD MILL
Each month, April to September, open days includes free
events and Mill tours, plus light refreshment from the
Shepherd's Hut. Mill tours last approximately 45 minutes.
Adults £3, Seniors £2, children over 3 years free.
The next Open Day is Sunday 17 th June with tours of the Mill.
Come and see the restoration progress and see parts of the
Mill you are unlikely to see again.
Sunday 22 nd July we welcome tractors of all ages and sizes.
The David Brown Tractor Club has been invited.
Special openings for clubs, groups etc. can be arranged.
We need volunteers at act as guides for Mill tours. Also millers
or trainee millers to operate the Mill on open days.
J & H Websdell – 853967 - Mill Custodians
14

Information
Where are the Swifts?
As I write this mid-May I am wondering
just where are the Swifts which are
normally here by now? According to the
RSPB normal Martin migration was seen
in April but a spate of cool weather and
northerly winds have slowed them down
which will equally apply to the swifts.
These are without doubt one of my
favourite birds and their arrival really
does say in the loudest voice summer is here!
Swifts breed throughout Europe as far north as Lapland and the
Arctic Circle, reaching east across Asia to China. They normally
arrive in the UK in the last week of April or early May and stay only
long enough to breed. Autumn migration begins in late July or early
August. The onset of the migration is believed to be triggered by the
lack of nutritious insects high in the air. Few swifts are left in
September. Our UK swifts migrate through France and Spain to
spend their winter in Africa, south of the Sahara, where they follow
the rains to take advantage of rapid changes in insect populations.
While many immature birds return to the breeding grounds in the
spring - some will remain in Africa.
Swifts are generally found nesting in holes and cavities in the roofs
of older buildings in villages like Thorpe Abbotts and Brockdish.
Their numbers have declined by over 25% in the past decade due
lack of nesting sites as older buildings are either renovated or
knocked down. We are fortunate that life in both villages is
characterised by these lovely birds flying around through the houses
at speed in small groups. They may be small in stature but large in
voice.
There is plenty of information available on the net and a simple
Google search of “swift nesting sites” is a great place to start. Whilst
doing something this year may seem a little late, the juveniles
(which make up the majority of the noisy groups) will investigate
these sites for use next year.
15

Information
Finally, swifts have very small legs so do not perch or land other
than when nesting and take to the air by dropping out of their nest
holes. With house windows open during the breeding season you
might find a bird in an upstairs room on the floor, particularly if you
are lucky enough to have nests in your roof. The best thing to do is
carefully pick it up and gently throw it out of a second floor window.
That might sound rather cruel but it is the only way the bird will get
into flight!
Simon Beet
Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts Allotment Association
Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts Allotments Association (BATAAA) is
run by a small group of volunteers for members of the local
community. The allotments are situated at the end of Church Road
in Brockdish, just before the bypass.
Now is a great time to start work on an allotment and we still have a
few plots and half plots available. If you are interested, would like to
find out more or would like to look round the site, please e-mail
Rebecca Abrahall, BATAAA Secretary, at bataaa@hotmail.co.uk or
contact David Young on 01379 668556.
Brow Beauty by Laura
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Bungay Road, Scole IP21 4DT
Call 07761931761
16

17

Local History
Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts: Our Valiant Heritage.
© Elaine Murphy, Tim Brook and Margaret Brook.
We were just chatting together at the first meeting at the new
Waveney Heritage Centre about members of a local 19 th century
family called Valiant. That led us to look further for clues to their
history, where they lived and what happened to them. That’s
really the point of joining a heritage group; members spark each
other off and combine their expertise to deepen local knowledge.
Initially we knew just a few snippets. Tim and Margaret had
discovered, from exploring the newspaper archives, that in 1872,
a 21 month old toddler, Clara Valiant, had drowned ‘in a moat’ in
Brockdish. It caught their eye because the name Valiant features
amongst the deeds of their cottage. And Elaine knew that there
had been a well-known watch and clockmaker called Samuel
Valiant who lived and worked in Brockdish in the mid 19 th
century. It seemed likely they were related.
Little Clara was at the house of her uncle David Valiant, aged 20,
also a watchmaker, when the tragedy occurred; her mother Mary
Ann (or Marian) was in the garden, probably looking after her
younger baby Laura. Her uncle was in his workshop. From the
1871 census it seemed likely that the house was somewhere
near the centre of the village. But there are no moats in that
location….or was there a moat there at one time?
The Tithe Map of 1840, showing every parcel of land in the
village, indeed shows a moat, an L-shaped body of water behind
Rosebrook and ending at Rose Cottage, plot number 374, owned
then by the Walne family at The Grove. A similar shape can be
seen on the 1879 Ordnance Survey map and was still there on
the 1956 OS map. But the moat has now disappeared on modern
maps, perhaps filled in to give more garden space or was it thought
a hazard to other children?
18

Local History
It seems likely that Rose Cottage was the house that David
Valiant was living in when the tragedy occurred although we
cannot confirm that yet.
Brockdish Tithe Map 1840. The moat where it is thought Clara
Valiant drowned is plot number 314 – south east of 319.
The first Valiant family member to live in Brockdish was Samuel
Valiant, born in Langmere in 1815 to an agricultural labouring
family. He and his brother George both became clockmakers.
George Valiant had a workshop in Eye and also shops in
Stradbroke and Wickham Market. Samuel came to Brockdish and
for many years lived at The Post Office in Brockdish Street with
his wife Mira (nee Ling). He and Mira rented the property, which
was described in 1853 as “a capital brick-built and sash-fronted
dwelling house, agreeably and advantageously situated in the
village, with garden and appurtenances”.
19

Local History
He was noted for his very local style of clock, called a ‘Norwich
Striking clock’, weight driven, long pendulum wall clocks that are
now quite rare descendants of the tavern clock, usually veneered
in mahogany. He also made and repaired watches and restored
jewellery.
Sam and Mira had at least 11 children. Three became
clockmakers. The oldest son John Valiant ran a clock and
watchmakers shop in Harleston, which his nephew Albert
continued to run until the mid 1920s. Sam’s fourth son David,
who plunged in the moat to find little Clara’s body, worked as a
clock restorer in Brockdish with his father but after marrying he
and his wife Emma moved to Yoxford, where he set up shop on
his own account, sadly dying young when he was only 39. Sam’s
sixth son Samuel Elkanah Valiant (Elkanah is a Hebrew name of
a minor prophet, father of the biblical Samuel) set up as a
watchmaker in Leiston, Suffolk and also manufactured clocks
and it was his son Albert who returned to Harleston to take over
his Uncle John’s business.
Arthur Valiant, Clara’s father, was a general builder. He was just
21 and wife Mary Ann 20 when the tragedy occurred. After baby
Clara died, the family moved away, eventually to Gazeley,
Suffolk. They had a total of 16 children, 5 of whom died young.
Arthur died in 1914. One of their other sons, Lance Corporal
Harry Valiant, was killed in action at the Ypres salient in 1916
and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.
But Sam Valiant of Brockdish did not confine himself to
clockmaking. In later life he became an innkeeper, becoming
licensee at the Kings Head in Brockdish between 1875 and 1877,
then taking over the Dove Inn at Wortwell, (now called The
Farmers Kitchen at the Dove), where he and Mira lived out the
rest of their days). Mira died at the Dove age 69, Samuel lived on
to age 82, dying in 1897.
20

Local History
A Norwich Striking Clock made by Samuel Valiant of Brockdish
21

Local History
Perhaps he got the idea of tavern keeping from his son
William, who became the licensee of the Lion in Thorpe
Abbotts, where he ran the pub with his wife, Mahala, until he
died in 1918. Mahala continued as licensee until 1923,
probably assisted by her youngest son, Victor William.
Samuel Elkanah Valiant also turned from watchmaking to pub
keeping in later life, becoming the licensee of the Hope Inn in
Harleston from 1900-25.
Samuel Valiant hosted dinners at the Dove for members of the
‘Accident Club’, a local self-help group where members
subscribed 2 shillings annually and could apply for financial
help after an accident. He was also a keen fisherman. One
day in 1868 a young Brockdish friend of his, 27 year old
farmer Edward Coleman, drowned in the Waveney at
Brockdish after tumbling in while Sam had just left him for 15
minutes. When he returned he found Edward’s rod tied up in
the sedges near the bank with a fish on the line. Sam plunged
in to drag him out but it was too late. The death of his
granddaughter Clara, just 4 years later, must have seemed
like a tragic echo of that day.
Arthur and Mary Ann Valiant’s grandson, Frederick Arthur
Valiant (1909-1988) established a building company in Bury St
Edmunds that flourishes still, working on historical renovations
and restorations. Their motto is ‘making sure our past has a
future’, which is surely a good motto for us too.
(Full list of references available from Elaine. The British
Newspaper Archives, Find My Past and Ancestry websites,
Norfolk Pub History website and The National Archives maps
were particularly useful sources of information).
22

Open Monday to Saturday
Offering
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manicure, pedicures, gel nails, ear
candles, tinting and much more......
1a Sawmills Road Diss
Norfolk IP22 1PT
Tel 01379 643533
23
01379-668142
07990-520706
rachael@jrbaskerville. BROCKDISH AND THORPE co.uk
ABBOTTS ALLOTMENT
ASSOCIATION
www.jrbaskerville.co.uk

Information
FOUND At Brockdish Village Hall
a boys bicycle, if you have lost one and can identify
this as yours, please contact Jan on 668630
MOBILE LIBRARY
Visits Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts every four weeks
on a Thursday, calling at:
Brockdish 11:40 am Waveney Heights
Brockdish 12 noon Grove Road
Thorpe Abbotts 12:15 pm Telephone Box / Post Box
Next scheduled visits are:
Thursday 21 st June
Thursday19 th July
ANSWERS TO MISSING LINK from page 12
GARDEN * GATE * POST
HUMAN * RACE * TRACK
MARBLE * ARCH * WAY
SAILING * SHIP * SHAPE
SHINING * STAR * FISH
BLONDE * HAIR * BRUSH
WIDE * OPEN * AIR
CAR * PORT * KEEPER
SCOTS * PINE * CONE
BREAK * EVEN * HANDED
CORAL * REEF * KNOT
GRASSHOPPER
24

Information
Royal Air Forces Association & Royal British Legion
A Collection Saturday 23 rd June 10.00am - 14.00pm will be held by
kind permission of East of England Co-op Bullock Fair Close
Harleston.
The collection is for their respective charities who support serving
and ex service personnel and their dependants.
Thank you for your continued support.
Julie & Herbert (RAFA)
01379 853967
25

HARLESTON CINEMA – FILMS
THURSDAY 28 TH JUNE 2018
DARKEST HOUR (PG13) DRAMA 2 hours 5 minutes
Directed by Joe Wright, DARKEST HOUR is the dramatic and
inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill’s
courage to lead changed the course of world history.
THURSDAY 26 TH JULY 2018
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI
Drama/Crime 1 hour 55 minutes
After months have passed without finding the culprit for her
daughter’s murder, Mildred Hayes (Francis McDormand)
makes a bold move, painting three signs leading into her town
in an attempt to shock the authorities.
Tickets £4. For further information and to book, please ring
Harleston Information Plus on 01379 851917
Matinee: 2.00pm start
Evening: 7.30pm
26

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27

THE MARDLER GARDENER AKA PANSY’S POTTERINGS
“It’s beautiful the Summer month of June
When all of God’s own wildflowers are in bloom
And sun shines brightly most part of the day
And butterflies o’er lush green meadows play. “
Francis Duggan
Thin out hardy annuals. More room means more root, leaves,
and better flowers.
Next spring’s biennials can be sown now.
Prune back sedums; this will stop the centre becoming bare as
the stems flop outwards. Cut the stems back by a third.
A second sowing of courgettes can be done now. Direct sow
brassicas and leeks for winter harvest. Keep doing successional
sowings of radishes, lettuce and salad leaves.
August is a good time to prune shrubs which have flowered
earlier in the season to shape the shrub, encourage growth and
blooms for next year and if they are getting too large for the
allotted space. Early August is last chance to prune Weigela,
Piladelphus, Choisia and Wisteria. Late July/August is the best
times to give Wisteria its second prune.
National Express = National Distress – Use it or Lose it
For over 30 years, people were able to travel to London and back
from Harleston by coach. As of 13 th November 2017, the National
Express 497 coach service using Harleston was axed.
Chris McCourt, an executive of National Express, explained:-
“While we want to operate a network that can assist customers with
travel, as a business, there has to be a profit in it as well. The 497
was not making a profit to make it a viable route.”
Regular Harleston based users of the 497 can use either the 83 or
84 local bus services to Norwich from where they can catch the
National Express Norwich to London coach, 491. As long as the bus
and coach timetables operate as they are currently doing, all is well.
This is a ‘do-able’ journey and, for a lot of travellers, more user
friendly than the 6.30 am coach option from Diss.
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Full Steam Ahead
BORED WITH IRONING AND HOUSEHOLD CHORES?
LET ME HELP
DOMESTIC CLEANING
IRONING SERVICE
COLLECTION AND DELIVERY
CALL WENDY
01379 650380
07880726783
Domestic Heating Oil
If you would like to join a buying syndicate for the bulk purchasing of
heating oil for deliveries in Brockdish and Thorpe Abbotts, ideally
prior to the winter price increases, please contact me on 668663.
Robert Buck
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Information
Jobs Club help comes to you
Harleston Information Plus (HIP) are pleased to announce they have
been awarded funding from the LIFT Jobs programme, funded by the
European Social Fund, to run their successful Jobs Club for a further
two years and extend it to surrounding villages in Norfolk and North
Suffolk, offering ‘pop up’ Jobs Club sessions and ongoing support to
jobseekers who can’t make it into Harleston.
The weekly Jobs Club has been running at the Information Centre in
Harleston since 2009 and has helped over 1000 jobseekers in their
search for work. The Club offers help with job searching, CVs,
covering letters, application forms, interview tips and advice, business
start-up information and volunteering, all of which can now be
delivered in your village.
They will also be offering work skills related training such as First Aid,
Food Hygiene, Retail, Customer Service and basic IT, which will be
held at the Information Centre with free transport provided into
Harleston. The Jobs Club team are keen to reach as many
jobseekers as possible. If you would like them to visit your club or
group then please contact Lucy Marjoram on 01379 851920 or email
jobsclub@harleston-norfolk.org.uk
Starston Summer Spectacular
Starston will be celebrating Midsummer in style with an extravaganza
on the Glebe Meadow on Saturday June 23 rd .
There will be something for all the family. Attractions include a hog
roast, bouncy castle, tea tent, table top sale, face painting and
licensed bar, with beer provided by the Grain Brewery.
Gates open at noon and the event continues until 6 pm.
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Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall
Saturday 9 th June 10.30 to 12.30
Come for coffee (or tea)
Come and have a look around our Village Hall
Have a chat with friends
Come in out of the sun, the rain.....
Cake stall, raffle and a few stalls
Free entry
Saturday 9 th June 8pm
Red Glass - young, local band play covers and some of their own
music.
Fiver on the door. Raffle. Burger van
Proceeds in aid of Meningitis Now (charity no 803016)
Saturday 7 th July
Family barbeque - Bar open, Pay-as-you-eat, Food from 5pm
Come and join us, come rain or shine!
ALBURGH VILLAGE CINEMA Presents:
On Friday 15th June 2018 at ALBURGH VILLAGE HALL
(Low Road Alburgh IP20 0BZ)
The evening starts by showing a Trailer followed by the feature film:
“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING”
Crime / Drama - Certificate 15
( Frances McDormand )
Doors & Bar Open 6.30pm, Film Starts 7.30pm
Ices available during the interval
Adults £4 Children (U16) £2
On Friday 20th JULY 2018
“THE POST”
Drama / History - Certificate 12A
(Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks)
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Brockdish Village Garage Sale is planned for
Saturday 30 th June
9 am – 1pm
To take part and get onto the map phone Jill on 669057
A good chance to have a clear out and maybe make some cash in
the process. Remember one man’s junk is another man's treasure!
Proceeds to The Mardler and Brockdish Village Hall
Marquee for hire at reasonable rates.
Proceeds shared between the churches of
Scole, Billingford, Thorpe Abbotts and Brockdish.
Contact Sue on 740837 or
saredgrave@hotmail.com
Tables & Chairs, Cutlery & Crockery available to hire.
From Brockdish Village Hall
Competitive rates
Contact Jill Edwards 669057
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33

Information
Harleston & District Dementia Friendly Community
June News
Harleston & District Forget – Me - Not Café
The Forget-me-Not Café is open on the 3 rd Thursday of every
month at the Swift Piano Bar at the Swan Hotel, Harleston, 2pm –
4pm with our next session on Thursday 21 st June 2018.
This month our Café is kindly sponsored by
Pulham Market Methodist Church.
We provide support and companionship to those in the
Community who are experiencing issues with their memory.
Please be assured of a very warm, friendly welcome to everyone.
Free Tea and Cakes to all those that attend.
Carers’ Support Group
We are starting the Carers’ Support Group at the Swan, on the same
day as the Café. We started this informal group to support and allow
you to spend time together, and with others in a similar situation
knowing that your loved ones are being supported too.
We know the importance of meeting people, getting support and
having fun. So do come to The Swan and meet Val who will be
running this friendly Group.
Dementia Lunches
Come along to our very popular lunches on the first Thursday of the
month. The next one is on Thursday 7th June at Malthouse Court
Communal Room at 12.30. Please make sure you book your place
as we can only cater for a limited number. Two courses with coffee
and soft drinks is only £3 per head.
Follow us
@Harlestonddfc
For further information on any of the above please contact
patricia.simmonds@mail.com 01379 676557
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Brockdish Church
On June 10 th there will be a Pet Service held in Brockdish
Church.
All creatures great and small are all welcome - no legs to eight
legs! The Service commences at 3.00pm. Please come and
join in with or without a pet. Refreshments will be served after
the service.
Jan Croxson - Church Warden
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Thorpe Abbotts Church News
You may know that the All Saints Church Yard is managed for
wild life. Way back in 2004 the Norfolk Wildlife Trust did a
survey and found an abundance of wild flowers and we institute
a new mowing routine as a result. Since that time the flower
population has changed year on year with Oxe Eye Daisies and
Cowslip and increasing yet other species such as the Meadow
Saxifrage and Bee Orchids declining. What, of course, one
does not realise at the time is the flower population has
developed as a result of the mowing routine and, if that is
changed, so will the flowers. This has been particularly
noticeable with the Meadow Saxifrage. This is a declining
species nationally with its stronghold in eastern England. It was
once a common species on hay meadows and old grasslands
but as these habitats have vanished so has the Meadow
Saxifrage. Of course churchyards are very much the remnant of
old grasslands and it is here where the majority of the current
population may be found. The changed mowing routine had a
negative impact on our population so over the past couple of
years we have altered the mowing routine in those areas. The
result this year is an absolutely stunning display which sadly will
be just about over by the time you read this. Never the less,
there is always something interesting to see up there. Please
do feel free to have a wander.
Some of you may remember a few years ago we had a classic
car rally come through the village. The All Saints team put on a
bring and share event at the Pump which was a great success.
The organisers of the rally have asked if we could do it again.
So the idea of Cars @ the Pump was born. The cars will go
around the pump so we will all get a good look. Come and join
us on Saturday 16 th June for a Bring and Share picnic to see
the cars coming through between 1.00 and 2.00pm. This is a
national event so some of the best pre 1985 competitive cars in
the country will be on show.
Simon Beet
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Church Service Times
Rector
http://www.7churches.org.uk
Benefice Administrator
admin@7churches.org.uk
Brockdish
Church Wardens
Revd Nigel Tufnell - 01379 308905
rector@7churches.org.uk
Lucy Cooke Mon to Fri 01379 851148
9am to1pm.
Facebook.com/7churches.org.uk
Ann Cork - 01379 668635
Jan Croxson - 01379 668630
3 rd June Brockdish 9.30am Morning Prayer
10 th June Thorpe Abbotts 9.30am
Holy Communion
Brockdish 3.00pm
Pet Service
17 th June Brockdish 9.30am Holy Communion
21 st June Thorpe Abbotts 6.30pm Benefice Compline
24 th June Brockdish 9.30am Morning Prayer
1 st July Brockdish 9.30am Patronal Morning Prayer
8 th July Brockdish 9.30pm
Morning Prayer
Thorpe Abbotts 9.30am
Morning Prayer
15 th July Brockdish 9.30am Holy Communion
22 nd July Brockdish 9.30am Informal Worship
29 th July Billingford 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion
Quiz & Light Supper - Saturday 7 th July (Bring your own drink), 7.30pm for
8pm start at Brockdish Village Hall – £4pp, Book with Jan 01379 668630.
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Open Gardens – The Grange, Grove Road, Brockdish
Saturday 16 th June 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm
By kind permission of the owners of The Grange, the newly
designed gardens will be open on Saturday June 16th from
1.30 pm until 5.00 pm. Proceeds will be going towards
Brockdish Church.
Sorry no dogs allowed. Children must be accompanied by an
adult. Entrance fee £3.
Walk across the road to the Grove to enjoy refreshments and
stalls on the front lawns. Andrew Longe has kindly made his
farm yard available for car parking.
Printed by Datatech DTP – 01379 652053
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