Swaffham Newsletter

SN
August 2020
Your free town newsletter published by Iceni Partnership
SWAFFHAM
newslet ter
NEWS EVENTS INFORMATION
Nicholas Hamond students
get creative at home...
During lockdown many students discovered new skills
whilst stuck at home. Read more on their article on p.3
REGULARS
Swaffham
Lions
p.12
Ashill &
Holme Hale
Gardening
Club
p.18
Swaffham
Camera
Club
p.21
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Swaffham Newsletter
Iceni Partnership
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Contents
3 School Speak
5 Churches News
6 Swaffham History Group
7 Royal British Legion
8 Community Hospital/Home Hospice
10 Age Concern
12 Swaffham Lions
13 Rotary President's Corner
14 Museum Matters
18 Ashill & Holme Hale Gardening Club
21 Camera Club/Mayor's Parlour
23 Town Council
1

The Nicholas Hammond Academy
Keeping Busy During ‘Lockdown’
Whilst on ‘lockdown’ with the rest of
the country we have of course been
open to children of key workers and
vulnerable students. More recently
we have welcomed back our Year 10s, albeit to an
academy with a very ‘different look’ taking into
account government guidelines. We have been
astounded at some of the amazing things our
students have been involved with whilst at home
alongside their studies, taking part in our charity
project, hobbies and other interesting activities.
Here are just a few of the projects on which we are
proud to report:-
Firstly, we were delighted at the response to our
‘Hope, Happiness & Thanks’ project involving
students in Years 7 & 8. Students concerned
about the wellbeing of those vulnerable members
of our community having to shield, teamed up
with Swaffham Town Council & The Swaffham
Emergency Action Group. They worked on posters
and took photographs of what made them feel
happy, to share with those whose spirits needed
a ‘lift’ and to let them know they have not been
forgotten - bringing a little hope and happiness!
As a demonstration of ‘thanks’ to our key workers,
students added their own posters to the ‘Thank You’
wall outside the White Hart Pub which acted as the
hub of the town’s efforts. You will have also have
seen our own tribute being a ‘window of thanks’ as
you have passed our academy.
we are sure must have been very pleased to shed
that heavy coat in the recent hot weather!
We know that our students take great pride in
their work and this has not changed just because
they have not been able to attend school. Staff
and students have kept in touch regularly via
phone calls and on-line. Some of the art work has
been truly excellent with one student even setting
up her own small business taking commissions.
It has become clear that our students also have
found other talents during their time at home (for
example we have some fine carpenters and cooks).
One of our students did not simply defer to ‘Amazon
shopping’ for a present for his grandmother’s
birthday, he set to work making her a bird table with
his own fair hands. Another adventurous young
lady spent the afternoon shearing an alpaca, who
Others have been proud to share the results of
science experiments, with adult supervision where
indicated, in their own homes.
On the subject of pride - we are delighted to share
in the success of Jack, part of a group of volunteers
from the Norfolk Charity, Nelson’s Journey, who
have been given The Queen’s Award for Voluntary
Service, being the highest award a voluntary group
can receive in the UK. The charity supports children
aged from 11 to 17 years who have experienced
the death of a significant loved one. TNHA are very
proud of his amazing achievement!
Finally, we say a fond farewell to our ‘leavers’ in
Year 11 & 13, who will move on to the next stage
of their lives with our best wishes for their future.
We also take the opportunity to wish all students,
parents/carers, supporters of the academy and
those children who will join TNHA in September - a
summer filled with fun.
Stay safe and well!
3

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
We are open and back for Reception, Year 1, Year 6
and Key Worker children! Those children who have
chosen to return for the end of the Summer Term
started off feeling a bit nervous and unsure but have
now settled back into ‘normal’ school life and are
having fun. They say that they are enjoying seeing
their friends and teachers again and getting back
to learning in school, although well done to all our
parents who have been home schooling the children
while the school was closed.
In Reception, we've been enjoying the story "Room
on the Broom"- especially the dragon! We have
made various junk models, but our favourite so far is
Freddie's magnificent Dragon Car. It's a dragon, which
also has a moving steering wheel, and glowing eyes/
headlamps made from torches. It is also a great spot
for Freddie to complete his maths and phonics as it has
a large seating area in its tummy. Well done Freddie!
Swaffham Parish Church, Roll of Honour
75th Anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ day 75)
15th August 2020, Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul
In Year 1 we have been learning direction and position
vocabulary in maths and danced to the song Cha Cha
Slide to practise following instructions using these
words - socially distanced of course! Our smooth
movers are Eva, Naomi, Jessica and Cody.
During art the boys in Year 6 (and Year 4) have been
making spacecrafts. We decided that they should be
based on real spacecrafts so they first researched,
using the internet, to decide which one they would
model. We then had to design them choosing from the
vast pile of recycled household packaging waste and
some chicken wire. Once the basic model had been
built we used papier-mache to cover the crafts before
painting, finally we attached logos and a parachute
as we all know these are needed for resistance and
slowing the crafts as they arrive back to Earth for a
safe landing.
In the War Memorial Chapel, there is a Roll of Honour,
where we remember the 25 men of Swaffham, who
made the ultimate sacrifice, during World War 2. Of
the 25, 9 lost their lives in the Far East theatre of war.
Blockwell Thomas G. E. Private
Dickerson Maurice G. Private
Jones Dennis Private
Lambert William H. Private
Oxbury Charles A. Private
Reeve Jack W.H. Private
Seago Cecil E. Private
Wilson Jack E. Gunner
Wilson James F. Signalman
Additional information in respect of the fallen,
is available on the Church website www.
swaffhamparishchurch.org
When the Covid-19 restrictions are eased and
circumstances permit, it is intended that a display of
commemoration, for all 25 Men of Swaffham will be
sited close to the War Memorial Chapel.
Bernard Hunt
4

St Peter & St Paul’s Church
Services in August:
Sunday 2nd August
9.30 Parish Eucharist with organ.
Sunday 9th August
9.30 Parish Eucharist with organ.
Sunday 16th August
9.30 Parish Eucharist with organ
Sunday 23rd August
9.30 Parish Eucharist with organ
Sunday 30th August
9.30 Parish Eucharist with organ
During lockdown, our services were virtual via the
‘Swaffham Parish Church’ Facebook site and this online
presence will continue, and will include the additional
midweek services. After the livestream, the recordings
continue to be available for future viewing. Updates on
services, both in church and virtual, will be advertised
each week under ‘Services’ on the Swaffham Parish
Church website https://www.swaffhamparishchurch.
org/ and notified via Facebook.
As Vicar, I have been taking funerals both at gravesides
and in crematoria, but for many weeks was not
allowed to take any services in the church building.
As we began to emerge from lockdown, the updates
for the churches were coming thick and fast, normally
announced in the media before vicars knew or had any
idea of what they would need to comply with! It is a
very positive sign now that we can reopen the building
for private prayer, regular services, funerals, and - at
last - weddings and baptisms (with precautions,
including restriction of numbers).
There is a requirement for thorough risk assessments,
and arrangement of a one-way system and various
hygiene measures. A one way system should be
relatively easy in a large church – though there is only
one level entrance – but pew spaces will need to be
roped off for social distancing, and a system is being
put in place so that if someone has sat in a particular
seat we will know. There is a well-documented case
in Singapore of Covid-19 spreading to people who sat
in the same seats a few hours later. In common with
other churches for whom the additional cleaning will
be a challenge, opening times will allow for a 72 hour
gap initially to reduce the cleaning involved (as the
virus dies on wood in that time). You may be glad to
know that Norwich Cathedral has been able to reopen
part of their building with limited hours (initially
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., but do check their website before
visiting https://www.cathedral.org.uk/ )
Some of the Swaffham Parish Church events have
needed to be cancelled or postponed in recent
months, but as much as possible of our future
programme will go ahead with any required changes,
and announcements will be made once government/
5
Church of England decisions are known and can be
implemented.
Our treasurer, Norman Revill, has been looking at the
complexity of the financial situation, as the church
depends heavily on its many visitors and events to make
sufficient income to cover both day-to-day running
and also to care for the substantial medieval building,
which is of such great beauty, architectural and
historic interest. Our regular congregation contribute
via regular giving, which amounted to £41,000 in 2019
(including tax relief via gift aid). We are also hugely
grateful for our teams of volunteers – for example,
the weekly coffee and cake on Saturday mornings
generated over £8000 in 2019. Day-to-day running
(which cost c.£83,000 in 2019) includes, amongst a
wide variety of items, utilities, insurance, copyright
licences, music provision, administrative work and
cleaning, not to mention altar supplies. The Diocese
of Norwich, which covers the areas of Norfolk and
Waveney, provides many services centrally, for which
we contribute to the ‘common purse’ – these include
paying for clergy; legal and financial departments
whose assistance includes churchyard regulations,
planning permission, data protection, fundraising and
safeguarding. The Diocese also provides training of all
kinds for clergy, lay leaders and congregations; and
much more.
The fabric of the building is the other major area of
the treasurer’s work, with projects in the pipeline
(including work on the bells, pipe organ and the
east window restoration) which will amount to c.
£250,000 on current estimates and require additional
fundraising. Parochial Church Council (PCC) members
are charity trustees and all are voluntary, taking on
huge responsibilities, not least Norman as treasurer,
planning and controlling the budget and monitoring
cashflow. Church accounts which are filed with
the Charity Commission and can thus be found by
searching through the Commission’s Website.
Coming out of lockdown is both a joy and a challenge,
as we seek to find ways to do things differently, and to
include those who aren’t able to come to the physical
building by looking at whether we can continue and
upgrade our facilities for recording and streaming
services and events. For anyone who would like to
contribute to help us keep the doors (and virtual
doors!) open, there is an online giving site at https://
givealittle.co/campaigns/f25d461b-5270-4d33-b6ba-
52b3f0e164dd
Most importantly, though, do look out for the
publicity as we hopefully increase our opening hours
and services, and do come in to say a prayer or light
a candle, or just to look around. You will be most
welcome.
Revd Janet Allan, with Norman Revill (PCC treasurer)

Sacred Heart Convent
The Daughter of Divine Charity have been in Swaffham
for 106 years and served the townsfolk and been a
centre of prayer as well as an educational establishment
for young people. Now change is ahead. The main part
of the school has been leased at a peppercorn rent to
the Diocese as a VA Catholic Primary School and the
Sisters wish to congratulate the staff on a successful
beginning to the first school year. A primary school
with secondary school accommodation gives children
many extra opportunities.
We are also very pleased that the Town Council are
buying the Barn Theatre and Swimming Pool. This
means that these facilities will be available to the
people of Swaffham and used for the purpose for
which they were intended: as an Art / Pottery, Music
and Theatre / Cinema Centre. Several groups in the
town have hired the facilities over the years which
was once Staines Builder’s Yard.
The Sisters will be leaving Swaffham when they have
sold the Convent / Boarding House and the Lower
School building. This will be a sad occasion for us,
as it was the first Convent in England and started
with a few Sisters from Vienna. The Sisters were not
welcome on their arrival in June 1914 due to the
fact that they were foreigners, speaking German at
the onset of the First World War. We would like to
thank all the people of Swaffham who readily became
used to these strangers wearing an extra-ordinary
religious garb and they gradually made them very
welcome. From arriving with little money and no real
knowledge of the language they made good friends
and allies amongst the locals who took them to their
hearts and helped them to become established in the
town. We hope that we have been able to pay that
debt admirably.
The building that once housed eighty one boarders at
its peak is far too large for a few Sisters, so needs to be
sold to pay some off our debts from the school when
it was unable to pay its way. The Sisters are needed
to supplement the Sisters working in our houses in
Hunstanton, Chesterfield and Rochdale. First we have
to sell the property so the move is not likely to be
imminent and preparations are underway. You are
most welcome to view the property or to call in at
a more appropriate time to see what the inside of a
Convent looks like.
A group of parishioners, known as Associates of
the Daughters of Divine Charity, are dreaming of
purchasing the house as a Retreat Centre and home
for the elderly. They are in need of sponsors to make
this dream a reality and carry on the Sisters’ work of
making God’s love visible in our wonderful town and
surrounding area.
Norfolk Churches Trust
Sponsored Bike Ride
​So, pump up your tyres, dust off your walking boots,
ride your horse or even drive your car, pack up a
picnic , and plan a route. Visit as many as possible of
our beautiful Norfolk Churches to raise much needed
money for their repairs and preservation. It's a fun
day out for all, stopping off at as many Churches and
Chapels as you can!
Date -: Saturday 12th September 2020.
If you are interested in taking part, or sponsoring
someone, please contact local organiser :- Sue Pick
- 01760 722439 for details.
Swaffham History Group
One of the attributes about our country is the ability
of innovation and being able to think outside the box.
This, of course, is nothing new as even in the 1800s
with all the goings on of the industrial revolution
new ideas were always being developed.
One of the problems that the governors of the
Bridewell Prison of Swaffham were faced with in
the early 1800s was the cost of feeding the inmates.
Foodstuffs for the prison were, as a normal event,
always put out to local traders to tender for the
contract and one of the items used more than most
was the use of flour for the making of bread.
The governors being faced with ever increasing costs
began to look for ways of meeting these costs and
one item came to their attention was when William
Cubitt (an engineer) put forward to the governors
the use of a 'Treadmill' where recalcitrant inmates
would be placed on the mill as a form of 'no cost'
labour to grind the grain therefore producing the
much needed and now cheaper flour for the making
of bread and also for drawing-up the water from the
well for the prisoners.
The treadmill was duly installed in 1822 at Swaffham
prison for the cost of £1,118.
(An excerpt of Crime, Punishment and Local Justice
of Swaffham. This book is available from Swaffham
Heritage). History Group contact details; 01842
879140 or Email jbaz@go-plus.net
6

Royal British Legion
Since the lockdown commenced, Swaffham
Branch of the Royal British Legion, like most
other organisations have not been able to meet.
However, we're keeping in touch with our members
as best we can, by telephone. During recent
conversations about the Festival of Remembrance,
which we usually hold on the Thursday before
Remembrance Sunday, it was felt that under the
present circumstances, we should cancel this year's
Festival. It was a difficult decision, but we feel that
there are just too many unknown factors regarding
the virus to safely go ahead with it. Hopefully
we can arrange a Festival next year. We haven't
heard, as yet, anything about the Poppy Appeal or
Remembrance Sunday.
Community Centre is taking bookings!
It's a new dawn here at Swaffham Community Centre
(and we're feeling good!)
From 1st August we will be re-opening to the public
and will once more be accepting bookings for group
meetings, consultations, conferences, or whatever
else you need!
In the time that the building has been closed to the
public we have been busy working behind the scenes
to make improvements to the centre. Everything
has had a deep clean, we have a new sign, fresh
paintwork indoors and everything in the building is
fully set up according to social distancing guidelines.
There are directional signs and sanitation stations
located throughout.
To call us to discuss your needs and any concerns,
call us on 01760 722800 or email enquiries@iceni.
info.
Details of room sizes and hire costs can be found on
our website: www.icenipartnership.info.
19 MARKET PLACE SWAFFHAM PE377LA
T 01760 722541
NEW ROLLER & VERTICAL BLIND RANGES
WE OFFER A FULL MEASURE & FITTING
SERVICE ON ALL OUR CURTAINS & BLINDS
Private in-store appointments available for vulnerable customers
NEW FOR AUGUST
"BOMB Cosmetics", a
fabulous range of body,
hair and bath products.
7

Swaffham & Litcham Home Hospice
The Home Hospice team are delighted to let you know
that our office is now open, after three incredibly
challenging months of the staff team working remotely
from home. We have continued throughout lockdown
to support our cancer patients and counselling clients
via telephone support, but this is no substitute for
our normal face to face support. We have found this
aspect particularly hard as it goes against our own
personal instincts and all the values we hold as an
organisation to be there when you need us most, at
the most difficult of times. None more so than the
added isolation this pandemic has thrust upon us all.
Whilst our office is now open, sadly at this present
time we are unable to run our usual support groups
due the continued restrictions regarding the virus and
the vulnerability of those who would normally attend.
Additionally, at this current time it is not possible for us
to provide our normal transport services for the same
reasons. However, we want to reassure everyone that
this is under weekly review and we are working hard
to ensure as much as we can, that these services will
be resumed as soon as it is safe to do so.
Moving forward, what we are starting to do with the
appropriate social distancing, safety measures and
PPE in place, is being able to gradually visit our patients
at home and to start to re-introduce our face to face
counselling service to continue to support those in
crisis. We would also like to take this opportunity to
reassure you that we are here to take new referrals
from anyone in the local community who has received
a cancer diagnosis. Anyone who feels they may need
to use our counselling service following a new cancer
diagnosis or in the event of bereavement, can also
contact us by calling us on 01760 722937.
We have continued throughout lockdown to take
new referrals; however, we are acutely aware that
understandably many people are unsure as to
whether the usual NHS and voluntary services are up
and running, but please be assured we are very much
here for you.
We would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers for
their continued support and good wishes throughout
lockdown. We cannot wait for the time to come when
we can all be together again doing what we do best.
We would also like to thank whole heartedly all of you
in the local community who have so kindly continued
to support us with donations. We could not do what
we do without this financial support and in this current
climate we need your help more than ever. We are
grateful for every single penny.
From all of us at the Home Hospice, we send you
our best wishes and we look forward to the future
when we can also start to see you all again attending
and enjoying our usual fundraising events. In the
meantime, take care and keep safe.
Sarah Leggett, Deputy Co-ordinator
Swaffham Community Hospital
Similar to last time, here in Swaffham the pressure
remains as the hospital has expanded the number of
beds available for extra patients. Visiting restrictions
still remain. The staff continue to work exceptionally
hard to make sure everyone gets best attention.
Twice now as a little treat on warm days, we delivered
a large supply of ice lollies,which I understand went
down well. We also provide funds for “patient
toiletries” as sometimes patients arrive at short
notice and may not have essentials with them.
Still no new date yet for our AGM . Our accounts for
2019 have been signed off by our Auditor. If anyone
would like a copy please let me know. It is gratifying
that we are still receiving memorial donations from
families where their loved ones have received care.
On the Social front we have paused our fundraising
events. However looking ahead we don’t know if
we will be allowed to hold our town collection in
September. We have booked a date for a coffee
morning at the Methodist Church on Saturday 19th
September and will decide if this can go ahead or not
nearer the time.
As I suggested last time it is an idea to ask you all as
residents to consider whether you would like to have
a jam jar or tin at home in which you might donate
any spare change over the coming weeks. It would
be a small way of recognising the fantastic service
our NHS colleagues are giving over this difficult
period. If you would like to do this, donations could
be left at the hospital reception, or if you ring me I
can arrange collection. The money raised would be
spent on small treats for patients and staff.
We are always open to ideas that the public might
have for improvements that we could help with at
the hospital, so do contact us to share any thoughts
you might have.
As ever if you are interested in joining our small
committee, do ring me for an informal chat. It would
be helpful to have a few new people, I promise it's
not too onerous! Why not give us a try by attending
one of our committee meetings?
Colin Houghton (Chairman)
01760 336025
8

SWAFFHAM
We’re
Back!
NEW LOCATION: INSIDE THE ENTRANCE OF SWAFFHAM
COMMUNITY CENTRE, PE37 7RB
OPEN: 9am - 4pm, Mon - Fri, 10am - 12pm Sun
HOW TO USE: • Please don’t enter if you have Covid 19 symptoms• Only one household at a time
• Please use the sanitizer provided • Please only take as much as you need and only handle what you intend to
take with you • Please provide your own bags - THANK YOU!
We are the
champions
At The Paddocks Care Home, we
believe in a healthy, active lifestyle
– one in which our residents can
feel like winners. That’s why we
personalise each day to meet the
individual activity needs of our
residents and their families.
And hearing their laughter
is music to our ears.
2:09/3:10
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS – QUEEN
The Paddocks
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS

Age Concern Swaffham & District
YES, it was good to receive the handdelivered
version of the Newsletter
last month, wasn’t it? Not everyone
has the capacity or interest to read
things off a computer screen so
that was to be welcomed although it was rather a
thinner version than usual. Those of us who deliver
the Newsletter no doubt appreciated the reduced
weight to carry around!
As was the case last month, we are still unable to
arrange our usual programme of free activities in
the Assembly Rooms on the last Tuesday of each
month or organise any trips out. We are hoping all
will be clear by late Autumn. In the meantime our
committee is meeting to try and see what is the
best way forward.
We are still in need of a Treasurer so anyone
interested in helping us in this way is invited to
contact our Chair, Barbara White, on 01760 720756
and email barbarawhite751@gmail. Ideally, if you
are perhaps newly retired with some financial /
management experience we would welcome an
inquiry so we can supply more information.
Our Befriending Service and Hospital Buddy Service
is still carrying on to a limited extent but again our
volunteers are frustrated in not being able to carry
out their usual contacts with needy folk.
We would very much like to welcome anyone who
would like to become a member of Age Concern.
We charge £5 per year to cover our expenses but
the monthly meetings, where there might be a
speaker or entertainer are held with no charge
to members. As mentioned above, we hope to
resume our programme of members’ meetings
and trips out as soon as we are “freed”. Anyone
interested in joining Age Concern should contact
our Membership Secretary, Barbara White, email
barbarawhite751@gmail.com or phone 01760
720756. Thank you.
James Dean, Hon. Secretary
Do y
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
SINCE 1999
Befrienders & Hospital Buddy Drivers Needed
In the current pandemic it is amazing how many people
have volunteered to help those that have had to shield
due to age or health. Hopefully, lots of you have found
this extremely rewarding and may like to continue as the
restrictions lighten. If you have enjoyed helping others
and have an hour or two to spare a week or enjoy driving,
we would love to hear from you. We need caring
compassionate people like yourselves to join our
fantastic team of volunteers to help elderly people to get
to medical appointments or just to stop an elderly person
from being lonely. Please call us for an informal chat to
see how you could help. Thank you.
We are here to improve the quality of older
people’s lives in Swaffham & the villages nearby
Tel: 07393 981 295
EMAIL: swaffhamsss16@outlook.com
www.swaffhamsupportservices.co.uk
The Community Centre, Campingland, Swaffham. PE37 7RB
10

Tunstall
CLEAR
Home / Away
Cancel
Help
Tel: 01553 616200
www.asklily.org.uk
Helping adults in west
Norfolk get involved in
their community
Telephone information line
Online directory
Lily Advisor home visits
Community locations
in association with
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Providing peace of mind at the
push of a button;
Supra
OPEN
1
2
3
4
5
A
6
7
8
9
0
B
Careline alarm
KeySafe
BuddyButton
(GPS tracker)
Tunstall Lifeline
Supporting you to live safely and
independently in your own home.
T: 01553 616200 W: careline-cs.org.uk
E: careline.operators@west-norfolk.gov.uk

Swaffham & District Lions
Following a very successful
year as Lions President, John
Collins handed over the reins to
David Elsom. David was born in
Edmonton, North London in 1948. He went to East
Herts College and studied Engineering and worked
for a German engineering company then went into
Sales. After Bobbie and I married in 1972 and bought
a house in Royston, Herts, we have two children a
daughter born 1978 and a son in 1980, we now also
have three wonderful grandchildren.
He moved to Swaffham in 2016 relocating from
Cambridgeshire where they were both involved
with East Anglian Air Ambulance. So after settling in
Swaffham we wanted to be involved with a charity
which worked to help the local community and found
that Swaffham & District Lions ticked all the boxes
and joined them in 2017.
Swaffham Lions received an urgent call from
Morrisons Store in Fakenham to help with food that
they wished to donate. With the pressure on space
they required the Lions to collect it today.
On arrival there was 1375 kg of food, so with the help
of Morrisons manager, who supplied a van and driver,
the Lions transported it to the foodbank distribution
centre at the Baptist Church in Swaffham ready for
onward shipment to the Dereham foodbank centre.
Whilst there Morrisons donated 234 children’s books
for the Lions to sell for their funds
Swaffham Lions launched a very successful Foodbank
collection in Swaffham’s
Market Place on Sunday
morning. With the
closure of the churches,
which was the main
place for food donations,
the Lions took on the
task to collect food and
other items. The Sunday
collection resulted in
48kg of food and other
items being donated.
The Lions will be in
the Market Place every Sunday Morning until the
Churches reopen.
Swaffham Lions wished to thank people who showed
their support for the NHS by making Rainbows and
displaying in their windows. With over 260 chocolate
eggs, donated through the White Hart, a team from
the Lions bagged, labelled and delivered them to
residents who displayed the rainbow, in Swaffham
and surrounding villages.
Due to the Pandemic, Swaffham Lions have been
unable to put on events to raise funds for their
work in the community. As with most households,
the members have been tidying their garages and
houses. The unwanted items that they have found,
the Lions are selling on the internet to raise funds
to continue their work in the community, so far, we
have raised £250, selling items such as golf clubs,
storage cabinets, hose reels to name a few.
12

CELEBRATING
Swaffham 5
President's Corner
Last month I said that
outgoing President Steve
has “handed” me the chain of office virtually and that
I would get the real thing once we are able to meet
again. Some easing
of the lockdown
restrictions has
meant that we
have been able
to meet, socially
distanced of course
and he presented
me with the chain.
Now I await an occasion when I can wear it!
Another important presentation has been able to
take place physically. Unique to Swaffham Rotary is
the Bishop's Spoon. It is presented annually to the
member who has contributed most to discussion and
debate, had the tenacity to raise contentious issues,
and had an influence on positive change within the
Club. On occasions
– when a good stir
was necessary
– the member
will have carried
out the stirring
process with good
humour.
YEARS
The outgoing
President makes
the decision on
who receives the ‘spoon’ after taking soundings
as necessary from Committee Chairmen, but their
decision is final. This year's worthy winner was
Andrew Stephen.
I am delighted to see all the shops in Swaffham are
open for business and their customers are slowly
coming back. I was particularly encouraged to see
that Iceni Partnership and others have worked hard
to enable the Friday market to resume trading. This
bodes well for Charity Christmas Fayre booked for
the end of November.
Before then we will be back on the Saturday market
collecting for Smalls for All, a charity which collects
and distributes underwear to help women and
children in Africa and the UK.
In Africa, they help those living in orphanages,
slums, IDP (internally displaced persons) camps and
schools, as well as those in hospitals suffering from
medical conditions like obstetric fistula. They also
help charities that focus on alleviating poverty in
the UK by providing them with underwear. Up to
20th June 2020 they had collected 1,300,216 items
of underwear and distributed 1,266,205. Could YOU
add to our pile of pants?
13
Another success is our participation in lendwithcare
which is a revolutionary way to help some of the
world's poorest people work their way out of poverty
with dignity.
lendwithcare allows you to lend as little as £15 to
fund a small business and once your loan is repaid you
can choose whether to recycle your loan to support
another poor entrepreneur or withdraw your money.
lendwithcare is currently working in ten countries.
We have made 90 loans over the years and have (so
far) always had full repayments. These loans have
helped 610 entrepreneurs, benefited 2198 family
members and created 447 jobs. Our loans have
varied between £15 and £60 and loans from other
people are pooled to provide the sum needed. All
applications are vetted by local organisations under
the auspices of Care International- a registered
charity.
We have lent to people and groups in the Philippines,
and in Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Cambodia, Vietnam and
Pakistan. Most loans have gone to people involved
in farming or animal husbandry, manufacturing and
retail – including a butcher.
If you want to find out any more about our Club, please
visit our website – http://www.swaffhamrotary.org.
uk– or e mail me club_president@swaffhamrotary.
org.uk.
John Wallace
Swaffham
Branch
01760
725801
http://www.family-action.org.uk
building better families
Swaffham Counselling and Psychotherapy
Due to Covid 19, Barbara O'Hanlon MA is now offering
telephone & Skype sessions
For more details or an initial consultation contact Barbara on:
07516 917171 / barbarann688@gmail.com
www.swaffhamtherapy.co.uk

And please visit our website in mid-August for
an e-publication on the Far East Prisoners of War
and the Far East campaign of World War 2. The
Swaffham, Watton and District Association was one
of the biggest. There will be errors and omissions.
And with your help we can correct the errors and add
the omissions.
Swaffham Heritage 2020 Season
We are open again! Please note our new opening times:
• Monday - Friday: 10am to 12 noon & 1pm – 3pm
• Saturday: 10am to 1pm
Prices: adults £3. Concessions £2.50 Children 5 and
over £1. Family tickets available.
Sorry - No route through to the Town Council at the
moment. And books only on Saturdays.
All visitors to the TIC, shop and museum are
requested to wear a face covering.
This is surely and hopefully a
once in a lifetime year! And we
would like to record it for future
generations. We welcome any
photos, stories, artefacts (but not
toilet rolls!) that characterise or
symbolise 2020 in all of what we
have missed, gained, experienced – the good; the
bad. What we hope for the future ….
Please drop us a line, email or telephone us 01760
721230 / swaffhamheritage@gmail.com
Swaffham Museum, Town Hall, London Street,
Swaffham PE37 7DQ. Tel: 01760 721230
Email: swaffhamheritage@gmail.com
To keep up to date join us on our website:
www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk
14
Friends of Swaffham Heritage
Readers of the July edition of this Newsletter may
recall that the Friends Committee was in some
difficulty because three of our long-serving members
had decided to retire and we were faced with either
winding up the organisation or appealing once more
for volunteers to join us. I am pleased to say that three
volunteers have to come forward to help, so that is
great news. We therefore propose to organise an AGM
as soon as possible (it is already overdue) at which
meeting it is hoped that we can agree to continue on
a sound footing once more. Just as reminder, the role
of the Friends is to raise funds for the benefit of the
museum and to help provide volunteer assistance as
needed. We also like to arrange events such as our
barbecue and mulled wine parties, but these are on
hold at present.
Our Annual Accounts (Jan to Dec 2019) have now been
completed and financially examined so these will be
submitted to the AGM for approval. The date for the
AGM should be available in time for it to appear in
the next edition of this Newsletter so will Friends’
members please look out for this and come along to
the meeting. It will be held at either the Assembly
Rooms or the Community Centre, now that the Iceni
Partnership are beginning to accept room bookings
again. Appropriate social distancing will be observed!
Our 100 Club will be retained as it has been in existence
for many years and apart from the prize – winning
aspects, it does provide a steady source of income
for the Friends. The present organiser, our Treasurer,
Barbara White is willing to continue running the Club,
under the new committee.
Winners in our end of June draw were: 1st prize (£40)
No. 54, 2nd (£20), No. 4 and 3rd (£10) No.42. The next
Special Prize (£100) is at the end of November.
For any queries, please contact JAMES DEAN (Hon
Secretary, Friends of Swaffham Heritage). Contacts,
jamesdean@uwclub.net and tel: 01760 720756

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Now’s the time to rediscover W. Norfolk
After months of lockdown tourism and hospitality
businesses across west Norfolk have reopened and
the borough council is asking residents to rediscover
what they have on their doorstep.
Visit West Norfolk, the official online guide to the
area and managed by the borough council, has been
helping tourism businesses to be covid-19 safe by
providing joining details for VisitBritain’s free ‘We’re
Good To Go’ safety assessment scheme and is now
encouraging responsible tourists and local people to
rediscover what the area has to offer.
The Tourist information centre now reopen in King’s
Lynn and the new unmanned Coal Shed Information
Point in Hunstanton are reminding people to “Know
before you go”. Five points to remember before your
visit:
• Many attractions and other tourism venues are
now starting to reopen, some opening at different
times to others.
• Many venues are adapting their premises in line
with the latest social distancing measures, so please
respect and appreciate any service limitations you
may experience at this time.
• Please be aware that online pre-booking is often
essential at entertainment venues, attractions, food
and drink establishments and accommodation.
• If your favourite venue is not currently open,
why not venture out into the countryside instead
to explore our many rural trails and heritage. Visit
explorewestnorfolk.co.uk or search your device’s
app store for ‘explore west Norfolk’ or ‘walk west
Norfolk’ for our free apps dedicated to self-guided
exploration of our beautiful area.
• Previously publicised events are likely to remain
cancelled at this time, some now possibly rescheduled
or virtual events – always check directly with the
event organiser for the latest details.
Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Deputy Leader of the Borough
Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk and cabinet
member for culture, heritage and health, said:
“We’re proud of what the area has to offer and I urge
people to look at the Visit West Norfolk website for
things to know before you go and, maybe, discover
some hidden gems.
“Many places have reopened and are ensuring they
are safe to visit. Tourism supports nearly 11,000 jobs
in the borough and brings a total value of over £500m
to the local economy and we ask that everyone
supports these local businesses.”
The website visitwestnorfolk.com has an online
guide to rediscover west Norfolk, which includes
places to visit, trails, videos, and advice on how to
travel responsibly and safely.
Campaign inspires confidence
in Swaffham’s high street
A campaign has been launched in Swaffham - and across Breckland’s other market
towns - to support local businesses to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic
and give people confidence to shop on the high street.
Breckland Council’s Confidence campaign has seen the installation of hand sanitising stations and social distancing signage,
extra seating, and the ability for local businesses to loan furniture free of charge from the council to expand their capacity.
In addition, social distancing floor stickers have been put in place alongside branded lamppost columns and decorations to
remind people to follow the latest guidance to keep themselves and each other safe while going about their shopping.
The changes have been made in liaison with town councils, local traders and business groups, to ensure local towns continue
to be vibrant and safe places to shop, despite the pandemic. The aim is to encourage shoppers to safely return, get cash in
traders’ tills, and protect local jobs. The campaign, which is being run across Breckland, South Norfolk and Broadland, is in
addition to the other support provided to local businesses.
This includes the distribution of over £2.5m of national grants to businesses in and around the town, including £1m to retail,
hospitality and leisure businesses. A total of £27m has been shared among businesses across the district.
The council has also created business support packs, so any Swaffham business can access, free of
charge, an online course in Covid-19 business safety, social distancing posters for display within the
business, and floor stickers to help customers queue safely.
Plus, Breckland’s Environmental Health and Licencing officers will be making regular trips to all market
towns to speak to businesses and provide advice on how they can operate safely.
Our market towns are the beating heart of our communities and it has been a challenge for
everybody, especially our traders, to see them so quiet over the past few months.
With the easing of lockdown, we’re helping businesses to not only bounce back from the pandemic
but ensure our towns benefit from a positive lasting legacy.
Find out more at www.breckland.gov.uk/coronavirus

Ashill & Holme Hale Garden Club
Website: ashillgardeningclub.wordpress.com/
Email: ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com
Enjoy Your Blooming Harvest
While the gardening club is currently not able to hold
monthly meetings we are providing gardening advice
via newsletters and our website (address above) to
keep everyone active with gardening tasks. The RHS
website (rhs.org.uk/) is also a good source of jobs
you should do each month in your garden, as is the
BBC’s Gardeners World on a Friday evening on BBC2.
Summer is a time to enjoy your garden with many
flowers in bloom and your vegetable garden starting
to provide you with lovely home grown produce.
Gardening jobs for July and early August
Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs:
• Check your fruit trees such as apples, pears and
plums after the June drop, where trees naturally
discard excess fruit. However, it may still be necessary
to thin small fruits further to improve the size and
quality of remaining fruit. Ideally no more that two
fruits per stem.
• Continue to provide a high potassium feed once a
week to your tomatoes as they
begin to ripen on their trusses.
A good watering twice a week
is usually suffice unless very hot
weather. From mid-July onwards
you should be harvesting ripe
tomatoes to enjoy.
• If you have not already, now is the time to harvest
autumn planted garlic. Ease bulbs gently out of soil
so as not to damage basal plate so they will store
well. Later this month your autumn planted onion
sets should also be ready to harvest once you see
foliage turn yellow. Place them in a dry sunny spot to
allow them to ripen.
• First early potatoes should have been harvested by
now. These do not store well so enjoy them when
they are in good condition. By the end of July your
2nd early potatoes (e.g. Charlottes) should be about
ready to harvest.
• If you want salad leaves all summer through you
need to successionally sow seeds about every two
weeks to keep a good supply ready to eat. In addition
to lettuces why not try some oriental leaves like
Mizuna or Mustard or the peppery flavoured wild
Rocket.
• Now is a good time to sow turnips, spring cabbage,
fennel and autumn/winter salad crops.
Trees Shrubs and Flowers:
• If you have newly planted trees keep them regularly
watered about once a week.
• To encourage more blooms on repeat flowering
roses prune off faded heads regularly. With roses
that flower only once, leave them unpruned if you
want colourful rosehips later.
• For late season colour, plant autumn flowering
bulbs such as Nerine, Colchicum and Sternbergia.
• Increase your stocks of evergreen shrubs, trees
and conifers, as well as hardy climbers by taking
semi-ripe cuttings. These can be taken from July to
early autumn from growth that has begun to harden
at the base.
• Wisteria is best pruned twice a year to control
its size and promote flowering. Summer prune by
shortening long, whippy, current-season growth to
five or six leaves, or roughly the length of your forearm.
Wildlife Gardening:
•To stop birds getting caught and injured in netting,
such as that over soft-fruit, make sure it is taut, well
secured and checked regularly.
• If you have a wildlife pond do not worry about
removing every last pond weed. Around 25-35 open
water is optimum. Many pond creatures actually
benefit from a vegetation layer for protection,
hunting and breeding.
Swaffham Players
Swaffham Players have not been idle during the
lockdown! To keep everyone engaged and in touch
we have been running weekly play readings by Skype.
This has given us the chance to explore new material
and styles of drama, and for some of our backstage
experts to perform in character.
This has led us to explore the worlds of podcasting
and web design, and we hope soon to have a vibrant
new online presence.
Of course we’re excited about the the Town Council’s
purchase of the Barn Theatre, and we aim to be
involved as far as possible. Still, the project will
probably take some time to bear fruit. Nor is it clear
how long it will be before any theatres at all will be
able to resume live performances.
So in the meantime we are hoping that the chance
of recording audio drama in a COVID-safe way,
and accessing online training materials aimed at
beginners, will encourage new recruits to join us as
we journey back to the magic of the theatre.
Watch this space: we’re bouncing back!
18

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The Steward, Staff and Committee are pleased to welcome back all
our members.
@the Connie
we have adhered to all the Government guidelines.
Members can visit the club in the knowledge that everything
possible has been done to make sure they are safe to enjoy their
favourite tipple.
Under
Over
Under
Over 65
65 yrs
Single
65 yrs
Single
65 yrs
Joint
yrs
Joint
1st year initial joining fees £5.00 £5.00 £10.00 £10.00
1st year initial Association
£2.00 £2.00 £4.00 £4.00
joining fees
Total 1st Year £24.00 £22.00 £42.00 £38.0
Thereafter Annual
£17.00 £15.00 £28.00 £24.00
membership fees

Swaffham Camera Club
The Club's June competition was
held under lockdown conditions
vi a D ro p b ox an d i n a p ara l l el l i ve s es s i o n vi a Zo o m
The winners and runners up, whose images are
21
Mayor's Parlour
Dear all, we are now hopefully
going to get back to some kind
of normality, quite difficult to
do after the enormity of Covid,
The reproduced clubs new below, programme for the two of sections events and meetings was launched with it’s implications a well and the possible
Open:- "Social Bubble" by Trevor Vincent and
received evening of stunning photographs of African wildlife, presented recurrence. by I do think the town as
"Clematis in Ice" by Alan Peggs.
a whole has been very good about abiding by the
Steve DeRoeck The shots left many members, who are well versed in
rules and remains careful, it’s so good to see people
photographing British wildlife, glad that animals in the out UK and do about, not generally using the shops cafes and pubs. As
have the teeth or demeanour and built in ability to plan you to know kill you. Breckland We soon has been involved with trying
realised a camera lens does not offer much protection to from make a our determined town space welcoming but useable,
subject.
bearing in mind social distancing is still in place, no
doubt we will have to think again during the Winter
months.
We have been very busy in Council; I expect you’ve
With a Flash:- "Tulips in Flash" by Alan Coleman and
all read about the possibility of acquiring The Sacred
"Light Collection" by Stephen Ward
Heart Barn for the Town. This does include the outdoor
swimming pool, the Swimming Pool Association will
be helping with this, lots of grants needed. I’m very
excited about this project, it’s a great building and
amongst other things has a wonderful theatre, this
would truly be an enormous asset for the town.
When we have done the due diligence, we shall have
an open event so that you can look round and decide
for yourselves.
The club's postponed A.G.M . has now been held on As well as this we have another acquisition to
the Zoom platform.
The consider, we are back to the GBC and lots of work
following officers were elected/re-elected. Richard has gone into what we could do with the building
The next meeting was our yearly photography competition with the
Ludlow - Chairman, David Spain - Vice Chairman, and the site. I am hoping personally that we can
Lakenheath Allan Coleman club, displaying - Treasurer, talents Susan in Hancock both projected - and printed images.
see a way forward to obtaining this, I do see this as
.Lakenheath Secretary, Stephen triumphed Ward by - a Assistant small overall Treasurer. margin All at the
a site
end
for
of
the
the
future
evening..
enabling us to add facilities to
The members series is of now the committee scored as have one specific all, with additional both clubs looking the town. forward Again, we to next are having to look at this very
year's mandates event. beyond their titles to ensure the smooth
carefully as it is a case of swapping Days Field for the
and efficient running of the club. The committee
GBC. We again, are in the process of doing the due
May also meeting reserves Highlights the right to co-opt were an additional evening members of Tips and diligence Hints followed and will by come a quiz back to you for consultation
to as s i st i n f u n cti o n s a s i t d eems n eces s ar y.
and "Prints of Norfolk Wild Life" the theme of the externally when this judged is done.
In order to more fully reflect the club's membership's
competition.
Umbrellas were given to shops on Saturday, it was
geographic the club name has changed its
good to see two knew shops in the precinct, thank
n ame to "Swaffh am an d D i stri ct C amera C l u b "
Our First June meeting will be an illustrated talk by Chris you all Bell for on getting "Storm out and about to support the
The club, which under normal circumstances meets
Chasing", retailers. The market was quite busy too, it’s so
on the first at which and third members Wednesday of other of each clubs month, are cordially invited to join us.
is currently seeking a new permanent home due
good to see the stalls back , I’m quite happy at the
For
to
further
the closure
information
of its founding
on the
long
club's
term
activities,
venue. We
or membership moment with enquires Swaffham please and have no desire to go
visit anticipate the clubs confirming website the www.swaffhamcameraclub.com
new arrangements for
further afield.
post lockdown shortly. Meanwhile the club will hold Cllr Lindsay Beech is doing a grand job with the
its regular future meetings on the Zoom Platform Garden Competition, she has had lots of entries and
providing a revised programme of events. The club is generous donations for prizes from our shops, I’m
rightly proud of its established , ongoing, reputation, sure they’ll be lots about this in the media.
catering for, and assisting photographers of all I thought we’d had our Summer but looks like a few
abilities, and looks forward to reconvening at its new nice days ahead, I am off now to pull a few more
venue as soon as practical.
weeds before the earth dries up.
For further information please contact us via e-mail Take care of yourselves
richardludlow@compuserve.com
Jill

In Touch With Your Town
'In Touch with your Town' is put
together by the Town Clerk Richard
Bishop or occasionally by the Deputy
Town Clerk Claire Smith. It deals with
some of the most topical items of the
day and the odd item where the Council want to share
information with the Town.
CORONAVIRUS – (COVID-19) Getting back to Normal
Over the last month we have welcomed the opening
of facilities, businesses and services that have been
closed during the lockdown period. Although most of
these still have restrictions and we must all continue
to be aware of social distancing measures set out in
government guidelines.
Litter and Vandalism
One of the unfortunate ‘new normal’ traits since the
lockdown measures have gradually been lifted is the
increase in litter at all of our public areas. This has been
coupled with an increase in petty vandalism, broken
bottles, signs being removed or damaged, doors kicked
in, mirrors smashed, and numerous items thrown
in hedges, plants broken, locks damaged etc, the list
is endless and the actions are pointless. The broken
glass at the skatepark in particular is a big concern
and it is now a daily occurrence to clear up glass from
some grassed areas too! These kind of actions cost
the Council Tax Payers money, as the level of expense
is under the insurance excess and wastes the time of
our ground staff, who need to be spending their time
cutting grass and keeping the Town looking neat and
tidy, rather than dealing with issues caused by the
mindless minority. If you see anyone causing problems
like this, our local police would be pleased to hear from
you, please report it as it is happening, this gives our
police a chance of catching them in the act.
Open Spaces & Play Areas
We have now been able to open the play areas as
well as the skate park, fitness equipment and MUGA
at the Recreation Ground. We are looking for users to
use their common sense in keeping everyone safe. It
is not something that we wish to close on health and
safety grounds again, but we will monitor usage in the
coming weeks, taking appropriate action if necessary.
Town Hall Office
Administration staff are on a phased return back to the
Town Hall, as we have been continuing to work from
home, but we are available by telephone or email
during office hours. Please contact us with any queries
on 01760 722922, leave a message and we will get
back to you. Alternatively email contacts can be found
on our website. During August we will be completing
all the necessary planning to make sure we can open
the office safely to the general public, although at the
time of writing no fixed date is set, as we await further
government guidance updates on 3rd August.
Saturday Market
Our phased return of the Saturday general market
traders is complete, and we have many new stalls who
have joined us. It is good to see Swaffham Auction back
open again, with Paul and Helen at the helm. We have
missed them and we now hope that we can build up
the trade for all our traders in the coming weeks, as the
general public appreciate the choice of fresh produce
in the open air and a good variety of stalls for a Town
of our size. A global pandemic has not been enough to
finish off our 805 year old Market, so do come along
on a Saturday and say hello to our Market Traders, they
need your support.
Swaffham Umbrellas
In the new Covid normal we’ve quickly got used to
joining a ‘socially distanced’ queue outside shops but
it’s not so pleasant when caught in some traditional
British summer rain. Swaffham Town Council have
funded 100 umbrellas which will be spread around
shops in the Town and will be available to help keep
shoppers dry while they wait.
Mayor Jill Skinner said “We are so proud of the town.
It’s been fantastic to see local retailers open again
and they have done a great job of adapting to the
new ‘Covid normal’. The Town Council was keen to
do something to help make it easier for shoppers to
return and these umbrellas should make the inevitable
queuing in the rain a little easier. Cllr Ian Pilcher came
up with the idea and sourced the new umbrellas that
will also promote our fabulous town.”
The umbrellas have been given to businesses around
the town centre and they will be available for anyone
to use while they are waiting. Just collect one before
you join the queue and then return it as you enter the
shop.
Mayor Jill Skinner with Deputy Mayor Judy Anscombe
and Councillors Colin Houghton and Lindsay Beech.
Green Britain Centre & the Sacred Heart Barn Projects
The Town Council continue with their deliberations over
these two major projects behind the scenes, and there
will be an opportunity for the general public to question
the Town Council as part of a public consultation in the
very near future. There are no dates set aside at the
time of writing. The Green Britain Centre talks with
22

Breckland Council have only just resumed after a fourmonth
delay caused by Covid-19, but due diligence is in
progress and all options are being explored. The Town
Council also resolved back in March that they could go
ahead with this project if the GBC building was ‘fit for
purpose’ as there are many concerns that have been
raised in respect of the current condition of this 20
year old building, with its unique design and existing
facilities.
The Barn Theatre and outdoor Swimming Pool is an
interesting prospect for the Town, as the Trustees have
accepted the Town Council’s offer of the £325,000
asking price. So, we are in the process of doing the due
diligence on this project too, we have also requested
permission to borrow from the Department of
Housing, Communities and Local Government, as the
Council believe there is great potential to explore for
a community project. The devil as always will be in the
detail, but the detail will come.
Watch this space – there will be public consultation
at both locations, when you will be able to have your
say and it would be appreciated if you could be patient
while we complete the preparatory work we need to
do first, otherwise the consultation will be all about
unanswered questions. In both cases we want viable
projects in the short-term that will remain sustainable
in the longer term, and most of all that will make a
difference for the Town. There is a long way to go yet,
but if you would like to help us, please let us know.
The Town Council
Mayor – Cllr Jill Skinner
CllrSkinner.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Deputy Mayor – Cllr Keith Sandle
CllrSandle.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Judy Anscombe
CllrAnscombe.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Lindsay Beech
CllrBeech.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Stewart Bell,
CllrBell.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Wendy Bensley
CllrBensley.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Paul Darby
CllrDarby.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Graham Edwards
CllrEdwards.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Brendan Holmes
CllrHolmes.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Colin Houghton
CllrHoughton.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Shirley Matthews
CllrMatthews.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Ian Pilcher
CllrPilcher.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Les Scott
CllrScott.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Officers:
Richard Bishop – Town Clerk
townclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk,
@SwaffhamClerk
Claire Smith – Deputy Town Clerk
deputyclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Hannah Duggan – Office Administrator
administrator@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Swaffham Town Council
Tel: 01760 722 922
www.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Town Hall opening times:
Monday 9.30am – 1pm. 1.30pm – 4pm
Tuesday - Friday – 9.30am – 1pm
Town Council Committee
meeting dates
Virtual Zoom meetings
• Tue 4th - Transport, Access & Environment – 5.30pm
• Wed 5th – Estates Committee – 5.30pm
• Thurs 7th – HR Committee – 12noon
• Mon 10th - Market, Events & Tourism – 5.30pm
• Mon 17th – Finance Committee
• Wed 12th - Full Town Council - 5.30p
• Tue 25th - Planning & Built Environment – 5.30pm
Your Breckland District Councillors:
Cllr. David Wickerson
01760 725 741
david.wickerson@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr. Ian Sherwood
07795 236 878
ian.sherwood@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr Ed Colman - also your Norfolk County Councillor
07940 406 356
ed.colman@breckland.gov.uk / ed.colman.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
Breckland District Council
www.breckland.gov.uk
01362 656 870. For all enquiries regarding: Planning,
Refuse Bins, Housing, Recycling, Licensing & Benefits.
Highway issues
Norfolk County Council – www.norfolk.gov.uk
– 0344 800 8020
For Highway issues & faulty street lights:
- Highways - please give the location of the issue and
a telephone number where further information can
be obtained.
- Faulty streetlights – please give the precise location
of the light and the number on the column.
Alternatively visit the website and search for Highways
or Street Lights to report your concerns.
23

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