Swaffham Newsletter

SN
February 2021
Your free town newsletter published by Iceni Partnership
SWAFFHAM
newslet ter
NEWS EVENTS INFORMATION
Swaffham set to turn purple
Read about Rotary's crocus planting for polio awareness on p.7
REGULARS
Sacred
Heart
School
p.5
Swaffham
Lions
p.13
Museum
Matters
p.15
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Swaffham Newsletter
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Contents
4 Swaffham Climate Action
5 Church News/ School Speak
6 Merle Boddy Centre
7 Swaffham Rotary
8 Swaffham WEA/Hospital LoFs
10 West Norfolk Census
13 Swaffham Lions/ Camera Club
14 Swaffham History Group
15 Museum Matters
17 Mayor's Parlour
18 Town Council
1

Swaffham Climate Action
We, SCA, have been finding out from
Breckland Council what progress is
being made by them to develop their
own sustainability strategy having
made a declaration last year that there was
a “Climate Emergency”. We have now been told that
a Lead Officer is in post and when the details of the
appointee’s role have been agreed by BDC (end
of February we understand) we will ensure that
appropriate contacts are made.
Whilst there is some evidence that emissions have
reduced due to the pandemic, as conditions return
to a new normal it is likely that they will increase
again. The latest thinking appears to be that office
staff etc are becoming fed up with working from
home and miss the friendships, banter and exchange
of ideas that comes from face-to-face group
working. The development of electric (and other)
forms of propulsion for vehicles is accelerating but
is nowhere near having a large impact as yet.
Also, there is firm evidence about the continued
melting of the polar ice caps and rise in sea
temperature and levels and changes in weather
patterns. It seems that, because of these changes,
the Arctic Jet Stream which has a big effect on
our climate has mostly swung down away from
the British Isles, down through Ireland, but
cutting across Cornwall and is now on a large loop
around North Africa moving back up through Italy
continuing north east. So, it is clear that anything
that can be done to reduce the rate of increase of
Global Warming is still a matter of urgency. One
item of good news is that over 50% of UK electricity
generation on Boxing Day came from renewable
sources, such as wind turbines.
I have mentioned previously the Government’s
initiative known as the “Green Homes Grant”
scheme. This is something a lot of households can
take advantage of in order to reduce their carbon
footprint. With the Government subsidy of up to
£5,000 available (£10,000 under certain conditions)
this suddenly makes the economic cost / benefit of
“going green” by installing items such as air sourced
heat pumps and insulation, much more attractive
than previously. However, because of Covid,
communications are difficult with potential firms
on the approved list of installers (see Government
web site) so let’s hope we are out of lockdown in
the Spring.
It looks as if the long-running saga of the Green
Britain Centre’s future is coming to a conclusion
as it is being sold by Breckland Council to a
manufacturing firm. Let’s hope that the principles
on which the whole philosophy of the Centre was
founded, are continued by the new owners. Overall,
it would be really good if Swaffham became known
as the “greenest” market town in East Anglia.
For the time being our SCA meetings are of course
happening via Zoom only and we are arranging two
meetings per month, one at 10 am on the second
Thursday in the month and the other at 7.30 pm
the following Tuesday. Should anyone wish to
have more details and / or want to join our group
(there is no subscription) please contact either our
Chairman, Dr Colin Abbiss, jancol.abbiss@gmail.
com Tel: 01760 723118 or myself James Dean as
Secretary, jamesdean@uwclub.net. Tel: 01760
720756, for more information. Thank you.
St Peter & St Paul’s Church
Following updated advice from the Bishop of Norwich,
St Peter & St Paul, Swaffham and St Mary, Sporle will
not now be open for Sunday worship for the next few
weeks. Funerals will, however, go ahead, and can
continue to be booked (as can emergency weddings).
Sunday services will be live-streamed from Swaffham
on the Swaffham Parish Church Facebook page, owing
to the licences in place, and subsequently shared to
the Sporle Parish Church Facebook page. It is planned
that St Mary’s will be open for individual prayer 11.15-
12.15 on Sunday 24th January, in place of the service
which would have been held then. Both churches will
open for individual prayer at times when they can be
kept Covid-safe, but this will inevitably be limited.
Swaffham Methodist Church
Our Church remains closed until further notice, but
our thoughts and prayers are with the community of
Swaffham. Updated information can be found on our
website www.swaffhammethodistchurch.org where
messages or prayer requests can also be left. If you're
feeling lonely and would like a chat phone 01760
722611 to speak to Anne or Barrie.
reg no: 277789
In 1724 Nicholas Hamond set up a Swaffham based
charity to promote the education of people under
the age of 21 years who were in need of financial
assistance and who lived in the Breckland District.
The Charity is still functioning with a working title of
the Hamond Educational Trust.
At the start of this pandemic when home learning
became necessary, the Trustees recognised the
impact this could have on some families who might
find it difficult to access the required technology. A
specific fund was set aside to assist these families
with grants to purchase laptops and associated
software to facilitate essential school based learning
at home. To date 40 families in Breckland have been
helped in this endeavour and the Trustees are keen to
expand their project given the severity of this second
major "lockdown". Funding is still available and full
details of our Trust and the Application Form required
to be completed can be found on our website at
www.hamondeducationalcharity.org.uk, keeping in
mind that our Charity Commission registered scheme
only allows us to help families resident within the
Breckland District of Norfolk.
Sacred Heart School
People Who Help Us
In the second half of the Autumn Term the Reception
Class at Sacred Heart School learnt all about people
who help us in our daily lives and how useful their
services are to the whole community. Each week
we introduced a new profession trying to include
every aspect of the local community, from friends to
childminders and from shopkeepers to fire fighters.
The children enjoyed transforming their play bus
into a fire engine and using the hose to put out their
pretend fires. One vital lesson we all learnt was how
to call for help in emergency and practised making
lots of 999 calls. During the armed forces week, the
children had a lot of time for reflection and decided
to write their own prayer as a class:
Dear Father,
Thank you lord and all the people that help us in the
world. Thank you to the armed forces for helping
and keeping us safe. Thank you for risking your
lives to keep us safe. Thank you to the doctors and
ambulance workers for saving our lives, and the
police for catching all the bad people. Thank you to
the firefighters for putting all the fires out.
Amen
We ended the term with an exciting trip to the ‘local
pop up post office’ (courtesy of Mrs Hastings and Mrs
Bolton from our office) to send our letters to Santa.
If you are interested in joining our Reception Class we
still have a few spaces left for our September 2021
intake. Due to current restrictions we are unable to
offer school visits but are happy to talk to you and
answer any questions you have. Please contact the
school office to secure your place 01760 721330.
Magpie Centre
Notice Of Annual General Meeting
West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled is to hold its
Annual General Meeting via Zoom, at 7.00 pm on
Tuesday, 23 February.
All are welcome, but to register your interest,
please visit our website: www.rda-westnorfolk.
org.uk, and you will be sent the code which will
enable you to access the meeting.
4
5

Home / Away
Cancel
Help
01553 616200
asklily.org.uk
Helping adults in west
Norfolk get involved
in their community
during the Coronavirus
pandemic
Telephone support line
Online directory
Help accessing online resources
Community locations*
* subject to Coronavirus restrictions
in association with
2053-70
Staying safe inside is just
as important as when we
venture out
Careline Community Service, providing
reassurance during these difficult times
Rest assured our installation service adheres to all
Government COVID-19 guidelines. If you prefer, a self
installation postal option is also available.
T: 01553 616200 W: careline-cs.org.uk
E: careline.operators@west-norfolk.gov.uk
2053-65
Merle Boddy Centre
After the difficulties and disruptions
of last year, the directors decided that
we should reopen in the middle of
January, so if all has been OK, we are
still offering our service every day, Monday to Friday.
This includes refreshments and a specially prepared
lunch. Georgie and the team are continuing to do
a wonderful job keeping everything going, Covid
notwithstanding. Our clients are all vulnerable
people who enjoy coming to the Centre and whose
carers at home are able to have a well-earned respite
break. We have of course been strictly following
medical advice with regard to safeguarding and the
provision of PPE. We do not allow anyone into the
building except for our clients and both carers and
clients are checked for temperature, symptoms etc
as they arrive. Prior to the pandemic, we were able
to take around 15 clients each day, but in order to
have appropriate social distancing in the building,
we are only able to take ten at present. Attendance
can be for one to five days per week depending on
need and space available.
Towards to end of last year, the Centre was given
wonderful support from many generous doners.
This kindness has done much to enable the work to
continue. If you feel able to help us financially this
year, please visit our website at merleboddy.org,uk
for the “Just Giving” set up where one off and regular
monthly donations can be made. Your contributions
can also benefit from Gift Aid where appropriate.
Should you wish to discuss whether a loved one
could benefit from attending our Centre, please
do not hesitate to contact our Manager, Georgie
on 01760 724527 or email, merleboddycentre@
hotmail.co.uk Obviously, visiting the Centre for a
look around is difficult at present but Georgie will
be able describe what we do and can deal with any
queries. We are looking forward with confidence to
a successful 2021!
James Dean (Chairman)
Swaffham 5
CELEBRATING
YEARS
President’s Corner
As I sat down to write this
piece it dawned on me that
I had not made any New Year resolutions. Not that
I have ever been a great one for making, or more
importantly keeping, resolutions it is remiss of me
given that the tradition dates back over 4,000 years
to ancient Babylon. The Babylonians are said to
have started the tradition during Akitu, a 12-day
New Year celebration. During Akitu they would
make promises to the gods to pay their debts and
return any borrowed items and believed that if they
kept their word, the gods would look favourably on
them for the year ahead.
Whilst I may not have made any personal resolutions
this year, with other Rotarians in Swaffham, we have
resolved to resume our full programme of meetings
and events as soon as it is safe to do so. This will
require not only the lifting of all Government
restrictions on movement and meetings etc, but
the widespread confidence in all of us that we can
resume life as we knew it before March 2020.
Our current assessment is that this situation will
not be achieved in time for us to go ahead and plan
a Know Your Blood Pressure day for late Spring or
a Summer Tea in early Summer. However, we are
more confident about July onwards and we are
actively planning a Charity Golf day on 19th July at
Swaffham Golf Club.
We are anticipating that Rotary Youth Leadership
Award (RYLA), a one week course at The Grafham
Water Centre which includes a wide variety of
indoor and outside based activities will go ahead
at the end of August /beginning of September.
It specifically caters for 18 to 26 years male and
female candidates from a variety of backgrounds,
the majority are either employed or in the
education system. It gives them the opportunity
to expand their horizons by developing leadership
skills, increasing self-confidence, in addition to
obtaining new skills and developing old ones, and
returning a young person with enhanced attributes
to benefit their employer. Participants learn to
work effectively as a team, discover the benefits of
delegation, and work to tight deadlines. If you know
someone you think would benefit from the course,
please get in touch.
Later in the year we intend to mount our 25th Art
Exhibition at the Assembly Rooms. The venue has
been booked for 29th – 31st October. Many more
details about this, the other events mentioned and
some other ideas we are working on will appear in
future editions of the Newsletter.
We might not be able to do anything now or in the
coming weeks, but I was delighted to see that not
everything has ground to a halt. On my (permitted)
daily exercise I was delighted to spot aconites and
snowdrops about to bloom. It won’t be long before
the purple crocus we planted in the churchyard and
near the A1065 roundabout bloom to remind us
that the fight to eradicate polio continues.
I was also impressed that our investment in Lend
with Care flourishes. Since I mentioned this in my
August piece the charity has continued to make
loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Our donation and the repayments are continuously
re-lent so the “pot” is three and a half times our
investment and has helped 664 entrepreneurs create
552 jobs and help 2424 family members. Amazing,
the borrowers are keeping their resolutions!
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
6
7

Swaffham WEA
We may be “Not Going Out”
but the WEA in Swaffham has
been very busy adapting their
courses to run online. We ran two
successful courses in the Autumn Term - one on how
the English Language evolved, and the other entitled
“What is Society?” This term we also have two
courses running - “The American Civil War through
film” and “The Soul of Russian Music”. We have
organised a Day School for Saturday 27th March
2021, entitled “Highwaymen vs the Georgian Judicial
System”. We may all have heard of Dick Turpin, but
this course will trace the potent myth of the heroic
“gentleman highwayman” which has grown up over
the last 200 years, in literature, the arts, and the
media. We will also examine how highway robbers
in East Anglia operated and reveal the cat and
mouse games they played with the authorities who
had very limited manpower and resource. The tutor
is Stephen Poulter and the course will run from 10
a.m. until 3 p.m., with a coffee break at 11.30 and
a lunch break at 12.45. The course costs £15. For
further information and to enrol, go to wea.org.uk
Or phone 0300 303 3464 Courses are free for those
claiming benefits, and help is available with Zoom
and Canvas.
Norfolk Libraries Online
We're providing activities and groups you can join in
with online as part of our response to the coronavirus
outbreak. There are also lots of exciting, interesting
and stimulating online resources you can use to help
you stay happy and healthy at home. Discover more
at https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-localhistory-and-archives/libraries/whats-on
Bounce and Rhyme
Songs and rhymes are an excellent way of engaging
with your little one, no-one is too young. Watch
and join in with rhymes at home through our main
Norfolk Libraries Facebook page every Tuesday
morning at 10am.
Digital Health Hub Zoom
sessions
During COVID19 it has been
vitally important to be able
to navigate reliable health
information online. Sign
yourself up, or someone you
care for, to learn how to navigate the NHS website
and GP online services. Sessions are free and will
run on Wednesdays at 12.30pm. Email libraries.
iconnect@norfolk.gov.uk to book your place.
8
Swaffham Community Hospital L of F's
A short article this month as there is little new to
report. As we start the new year, the hospital remains
under great pressure. At the time of writing the
vaccination process is yet to get fully underway. We
understand that residents and staff will be in the
first priority groups. However, even when vaccinated
it takes a little while for it to become fully effective.
Our NHS colleagues, as ever, are doing a wonderful
job here in Swaffham. The pressure remains as the
hospital has expanded the number of beds available
for extra patients. From talking to senior staff it is
more obvious that the ongoing pressures are having a
visible effect on staff's physical and mental wellbeing.
There is no sign of us being able to commence any
fundraising activities so once more I suggest if you
would like to help, a good way is to participate in our
coin collection. The idea is to ask you all 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 providing over this difficult period. If you would
like to do this, donations can be left at the hospital
reception, or if you ring me I can arrange collection.
Nothing further to report at the moment on any
capital schemes.
We are really keen to attract new people to join
our small committee (especially after the loss of a
member) . Do ring me for an informal chat, I promise
it won't be too onerous, so why not give us a try?
It is important that we all follow the latest Government
guidelines, so stay safe and well.
Colin Houghton (Chairman)
01760 336025
Royal British Legion
Happy New Year to all members and supporters
of the Royal British Legion. Swaffham Branch have
been unable to have meetings during lockdown
and this will remain the case until further notice.
Our thanks go to all shops and businesses and
individuals who helped with the Poppy Appeal. As
soon as I know how much was raised I will pass
on the information via this newsletter. One thing is
certain, though. We've not collected anything near
the totals for previous years.
2021 is the Centenary of the Royal British Legion.
We've just got to wait and see what we'll be able to
do by way of celebration.
I do hope that you are keeping safe and well.
If anyone would like a chat, you are welcome to
phone 01760 722611 to speak to myself or Barrie.
CARPET CLEANING
Viruses and bacteria
live in your carpet
To improve air quality in your home and to create
a safe environment for your family your carpet
should be cleaned professionally every year
Call us today for a FREE QUOTE
and to find out more on 01760 337762
Covering the whole of East Anglia | www.xtraclean.co.uk
01760 336029

Census 2021
Census Will Provide A Snapshot Of Modern Society
Households across King’s Lynn and West Norfolk will
soon be asked to take part in Census 2021. The census
is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most
accurate estimate of all the people and households
in England and Wales. It has been carried out every
decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with
households receiving a letter with a unique access
code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire
on their computers, phones or tablets.
“A successful census will ensure everyone from local
government to charities can put services and funding
in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell,
deputy national statistician at the Office for National
Statistics, said. “This could mean things like doctors’
surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s
why it is so important everyone takes part and we
have made it easier for people to do so online on any
device, with help and paper questionnaires for those
that need them.”
Census day will be on March 21, but households
across the country will receive letters with online
codes allowing them to take part from early March.
The census will include questions about your sex,
age, work, health, education, household size and
ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a
question asking people whether they have served
in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions
for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Results will be available within 12 months, although
personal records will be locked away for 100 years,
kept safe for future generations.
For more information, visit census.gov.uk.
Family Action - Social Prescribing
Many things affect your mental and physical
health and your feeling of wellbeing. GPs tell us
that a lot of people visit them feeling isolated or
lonely; stressed by work, relationships, money
and housing problems. We understand that living
with a long term condition can be stressful too,
and social prescribing has many ways to help you
manage your condition on an ongoing basis. To
find out how Social Prescribing might be able to
help either contact
your GP Surgery, or
Family Action Norfolk
(01760 720302) to
find out more about
Social Prescribing and
how to be referred.
10
Musings on the Lockdown 2020/21
One of the very few benefits arising from Covid 19
has been the additional opportunity presenting itself
to tidy up at home – something one always seems to
put off for as long as possible. I have a so-called study
which has grown very unkempt and am currently (Jan
6th 2021) cleaning up and throwing out reams of old
papers plus other detritus. Naturally I will regret this
as suddenly I will be asked for the Museum Friends
AGM papers for 2010 or for Age Concern or even
for the Merle Boddy Centre. It’s no use looking on
the computer as that has been cleared too, being
constantly nagged by the system that “my in-box is
full….”. Anyway, this clear-out has revealed papers
long forgotten but having reread them, some seem
worthy of retention. One is The Pedlar Quarterly,
Swaffham Town and Village magazine. I have two
editions, March to May 1984 and then June to August.
I gather the first edition ever was for Jan to March
1984. Does anyone know whether this excellent piece
of work was continued and for how long? Perhaps
Sue, the Manager of Swaffham Heritage knows the
answer? Printed A5 size on good quality paper, but
with black & white text and pictures, it was priced at
30p; the editors were Julie Morris (now Julie Grapes)
and Chris Dawes.
Looking through, first, the March to May edition, I was
pleased to see this photo of Gill and Keith Creed with
their new baby boy, Terry, taken at his Christening
ceremony at the Parish Church in October 1983.
(photo). As most people will know, Gill is the owner /
proprietor of the Just Hair Salon in Station Street; she
tells me that she has been in charge there for more
than 41 years – quite an achievement and as we know
is still going strong. Then in the same edition there is an
interesting article by that great character, Ben Ripper
on Town Crosses, including of course the Swaffham
Market Cross also known as the Butter Cross. There
was an earlier cross in the same area given to the town
in 1575 by John Stapleton, Vicar of Swaffham but by
1780 this was in a dangerous state. So, in 1783 this
was replaced by the Cross we see today, presented to
the town by George, third Earl of Orford and squire
of Houghton. The Earl was related through marriage
to the well-known local family, the Hamonds who
were then Lords of the Manor of Swaffham. The total
cost of the Cross was £400, £200 of which was for the
statue of Ceres, the goddess of the harvest, on the top.
Since then it has of course had several refurbishments
including a very recent one which included the area
round about. Regrettably, this included a new and
rather out of place electricity kiosk immediately next
to the Grade 1 listed Butter Cross. Fortunately, this has
subsequently been partly disguised by the addition of
local information panels.
James Dean
from my friends
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
1:58/2:45 WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – THE BEATLES
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
1:58/2:45 WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – THE BEATLES
residents and their families.
With a little help
from my friends
from my friends
The Paddocks
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
With a little help
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE |
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends The Paddocks
from my friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
residents and their families.
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
The Paddocks
1:58/2:45 WITH 1:58/2:45 A LITTLE HELP WITH FROM A MY LITTLE FRIENDS www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
HELP – THE BEATLES FROM MY FRIENDS – THE BEATLES
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
residents and their families.
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
residents and their families.
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
The Paddocks
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
The First Carbon Neutral Iron Bed Maker
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual
RESIDENTIAL CARE |
needs
DEMENTIA CARE |
of our
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
residents and their families.
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
Wrought Iron and
Brass Bed Co.
Hand made in Norfolk. Guaranteed to last a lifetime.
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
A fi rst and second generation family
company. All our beds are lovingly hand
crafted to order, on the Sandringham Estate
and come with a guarantee to last a lifetime.
Winter Sale
01485 542516
view our full range at
www.wroughtironandbrassbed.co.uk
Swaffham showroom by appointment only
SwaffhamNewsletter_HalfPage_Template.indd 1 05/11/2020 09:21

IT Support for "home learning"
The government has stated that where required,
laptops will be made available to families whose
children now have
to study at home.
Distribution will
take considerable
time and may not
reach every family
in time to really help
in these demanding
times.
Can you help?
If like me you have
an old working laptop sitting unloved in a dark
cupboard at home, why not donate it. The hard disk
will be wiped clean, Windows system re-installed. It
will then be given to a local school for distribution to
an appropriate family to help provide their children
with much needed equal opportunities for "home
learning."
Donations through the Swaffham Community
Centre, Campingland. Monday to Friday 9
-3pm. 01760 722800. Make a difference by your
contribution to the learning of our young people -
donate today! Thank you and stay safe.
Swaffham & District Lions
Following a request from
Artichoke, a clothing shop in
Swaffham, to find a home for hats
and scarves that they wished to
donate, the Lions thought they would be good for the
homeless people to receive during these troubled
times. Tony Lakey, the Lions Welfare Chairman, took
the donations to the Purfleet Trust in Kings Lynn
who support the homeless. This follows a series of
donations the Lions have distributed over the festive
season including, a Christmas Hamper, Christmas
handmade goodie bags and over 300 toys.
• Are you interested in
helping in the community?
• Do you enjoy
meeting new people?
• Whether it's helping with
food collections, putting on
events, or enjoying the social
programme, why not join the
Swaffham Lions?
• Membership is open to all
Give John a call on
01760 337403
for more info
Do y
Office currently
closed to visitors,
please contact us
on 07393 981295
instead.
Telephone
befriending only
at present
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
The generosity of Swaffham businesses and residents
continues during this festive yet troubled season.
The latest act of kindness comes from Impson the
butchers who have donated a meat package to the
Lions to pass on to a Swaffham family. Tony Potter,
from Impson’s, was very keen to support a local
family during this difficult period.
Swaffham Camera Club
Club activities restarted after the
festive break on 20th January with
a competition evening. With the
copy deadline for the February
edition of this newsletter being
prior to this means we cannot reproduce images of
The
our
Clubs
members'
October
current
competition
work in
was
this
held
short
under
article.
lockdown
It is
co
intended we will be able to re-establish our normal
live Zoom seesion After an evening of adjudging themed ima
practice of sharing some of our work commencing
congratulations with next month's go to issue. Alan Peggs, the winner, with his image
The Club will continue holding its meetings on the
Zoom Platform whilst the Covid 19 restrictions and
concerns persist. As the outlook for being able
to meet in person remains currently in limbo the
Committee has been working on arrangements to
re-introduce regular external presenters speaking
on subjects of photographic interest and enhance
its competitions by the means of external judging in
into the 2021 programme, commencing in February.
The club assists and encourages photographers of all
abilities, and looks forward to reconvening at its new
venue as soon as possible.
For further information please contact us by e-mail
at richardludlow@compuserve.com.
12
13

Swaffham History Group
Swaffham's Bridewell was named after a prison
created in 1553 at St. Bride’s Well in London,
formerly a palace of Henry 8th. Over time the name
was shortened to Bridewell and came to refer to
gaols of any size. In 1601 Swaffham also adopted the
name of 'House of Correction', this term was created
after the Elizabethan Poor Law, criminalising begging
and vagrancy and establishing structures where they
would be forced to work and by the 18th century
they were also used to house pre-trial inmates.
Swaffham county prison, which was erected in 1787,
was considerably enlarged in 1844 at a cost of £1500.
It had a residence for the governor and contained
67 cells and 3 hospital rooms. The prisoners were
employed in mat making, sacking, weaving, tailoring,
shoemaking, oakum picking and pumping water
from a well 150 feet deep via a treadmill.
Each of the cells was 12 feet by 7 feet, with an arched
roof 9 feet 6 inches high. It was fitted with a crib
bed, and inmates had straw sacking as mattresses,
two sheets, two blankets and a rug. The cells were
ventilated by a grated window 28 inches square.
The county prison known as the Swaffham Bridewell
was discontinued under the prisons act, and was
pulled down in 1881.
For more details regarding the Group please Phone
01842 879140 or Email jbaz@go-plus.net
W J CLARK & SON
Painters and Decorators Est. 1970
Call us today for a free quote and experience the difference.
We offer competitive quotes on all interior and exterior jobs
TEL: 01760 - 722511
MOBILE: 07902 013785 or 07789 906854
52 Filby Road, Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7SX
Carers Matter Norfolk
Are you helping or supporting someone who is
living with Parkinsons?
If so, contact Carers Matter Norfolk. Covid19 and the
lockdown has been particularly difficult for people
caring or supporting someone with a long term
health problem. You may not have been able to have
family support or support from groups and friends.
Norfolk County Council has commissioned new
enhanced care services from this September which
will hopefully offer more support to carers.
Rather than going through Adult Social Services
Carers assessments are now being carried out by
Carers Matter Norfolk. To get an assessment, you
need to contact the Carers Matter Advice line or
request this through the website or you can ask a
health or social care professional to refer you. The
assessment can offer you advice, information as well
as the help and support you need in your carer role.
If you need more support, you may be referred to a
local Carer Connector who can look in more detail
at what can assist you to continue caring and to
support your health and wellbeing. Unlike previously
the assessment is not a one off thing but an adviser
will contact you regularly to see how things are
going and you can ring as often as you want if your
needs change or you just need a listening ear. An
assessment can lead to you being offered practical
help in the form of a short break, a grant from the
health and wellbeing fund, counselling or help to
access education and training. A short break can
be someone staying with the person so you can
go shopping, a few days for you to recharge your
batteries or even help towards a joint holiday. The
grants can be for anything that may enhance your
health and wellbeing such as funding massage, an
electronic device or a spa day out. The definition of
a carer for this service is wide and you do not have
to be living with the person you support or caring
for them full time. Contact the advice line for more
information. Hopefully this new enhanced service
will give you as a carer some practical support at a
time you need it.
Call our advice line on 0800 083 1148 to have a chat
with our friendly advisers, it is open 7 days a week
Monday-Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday and Sunday
10am-2pm. You can also contact the service via the
website www.carersmatternorfolk.org.uk.
Lindsay Goward
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
Below is one of my favourite drawings from the
museum collection. By Max Mueller, a PoW at
Cockley Cley and who later settled in Swaffham, it
is of a young boy during World War II. The suffering
etched on his face echoes the wretchedness we
have all felt during this time.
Who are Carers Matter Norfolk?
Carers Matter Norfolk’s service has gone through an exciting
refresh to provide additional support to unpaid carers in
Norfolk. This ensures they deliver a highly
The
personalised
Buntingsservice
that enables carers to improve their health and wellbeing and
support them in their caring role.
On behalf of Norfolk County Council, Carers Matter Norfolk
provide Carer’s Assessments, information, support and advice
for unpaid carers in Norfolk. They offer a 7 day a week advice
line, along with one on one community support.
You can learn more about their services by visiting their
website or calling their advice line on 0800 0831 148 (open
Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am –
2pm).
What do Carers Matter Norfolk offer?
All about Conflict & Consequences
We have just received permission from HLF to extend
our Military Remembrance Trail until November
2021 and to focus more on that most interesting and
strange year of 2020. Like other museums and media
we are all aware that this was - and continues to be -
a time which will only happen once in a lifetime and
merits recording for the next generations.
Between now and end of April (we hope by then we
will be free!) we are asking for any photos, videos,
poems, drawings, stories and eventually artefacts
to share with us to compile an e-book which will
be on our website and kept amongst our archives.
Adults and children – all ages and people – please
participate so that we have a valued reminder of
how different this time is. There must be fun things
that happened as well as difficult. Can we put
together a recollection of the sunshine, the rain, online
shopping, confusion, u-turns, the empty A47,
home-schooling, zooming, the market – one of the
earliest to come back, the businesses that went all
out to help, those that closed and those that opened,
cancelled holidays and the joy of rediscovering
nature, the sadness of losing friends the happiness
of meeting them...
At the moment please send items either through the
museum door or by email to swaffhamheritage@
gmail.com. There will soon be a dedicated social
media address but you can also send items to the
museum facebook account. Thank you.
For our Conflict and Consequences exhibition we are
displaying a rare grave marker from World War 1 of
Donald Bunting. We are now having the background
painted and the artist would welcome any details
of the Bunting family who were the leading drapers
in the town before and after the war. Are there still
people who worked for them or whose parents
talked of them. Please contact us by note through
the museum door or by email. Thank you
Friends of Swaffham Heritage
100 Club Winning Numbers for December draw:
1st No. 33. 2nd No.70. 3rd No. No. 44
This refreshed service further improves the health and wellbeing of
carers and their capacity to fulfill their caring roles by: –
• Carers assessments
• Carers breaks
14 • Health and wellbeing fund
15

Even ironing!
Tracy: 01362 820 966
Caroline: 01953 882 154
Mobile: 07927 161 201
Swaffham
Branch
01760
725801
http://www.family-action.org.uk
familyactionswaffham
building better families
THE SOLICITORS THAT CARE
Expert legal help and advice from
Swaffham’s most recommended solicitors
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London Street office, who are here to help by
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01760 721992
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Chatteris • Dereham • Downham Market • Ely • Heacham • King’s Lynn • Swaffham • Watton
Mayor's Parlour
Dear All, It’s been quite a roller
coaster since I last spoke to you, we
were in Tier 2 feeling quite positive
about the pandemic, now find
we are in Tier 4 having to adhere
to much stricter rules to prevent
COVID from spreading. This is of course a great
disappointment and I’m sure has made us all feel
very vulnerable, one can only hope the vaccine will
improve things and give us back at least some of
the life we once knew. I must say I miss my children
and grandchildren dreadfully, thank goodness for
Skype, mobiles and TVs although there’s nothing
like a good book.
By the time this is published the vaccines will have
started, questions have been asked as to why the
Assembly Rooms have not been used, this is run by
Iceni, not the Town council. However, it was decided
that the first centre will be at Manor Farm surgery
which will serve seven areas in this part of Norfolk.
They all will have a hand in the distribution of the
vaccine, Manor Farm had the room to accommodate
this. Let’s hope there will be a continuous roll out of
the vaccine, but I don’t really know how this works.
Kurt at the White Hart has come on board again
doing meals for young and those needing this
service, also working with Iceni Partnership to
distribute from the community fridge. A big thank
you to Kurt and all his helpers, without this service
I really don’t know what we’d do. Unfortunately
our main body of volunteers are being told to stay
at home, quite rightly. It would be good to have
something like the Round Table to start up again, it’s
having the time these days to do this I know, anyway,
something to think about. Why I mentioned this
was because there was an article about Dereham
and all the volunteers they have but I suppose their
population is bigger and on average younger. Never
mind when we’ve all been vaccinated we will be up
and running!
As you know by now the GBC is not going to happen
and a global commercial business is moving in,
we don’t know who it is I’m afraid. This is a great
disappointment as the reason to do this was
purely to give this growing town the opportunity
to grow with regard to sport and leisure and to
make it “ hub” for all ages especially the younger
generation. This was recognised time and again in
our Neighbourhood Plan that this was a provision
that was sadly missing, I’m only sorry that having
approached Breckland to do this we weren’t able to
do our Due Diligence. Paul Hewitt from Breckland
spoke to us in the council meeting yesterday and
said there was no difference re monies in the sale
they had, to ours, it’s just that the amount of time it
had taken for the Council to decide was a big factor
as to why they’d gone with someone else. I hasten
to add that it was a small number of councillors that
were against this and were very vocal, others have
spent hours trying to get to at least the point where
we could go out to the public. Back to the drawing
board but I can’t help
feeling deflated, at least
you should have been
the ones deciding.
It all seems a bit
gloomy at the moment
especially not being
able to get into the
garden, I find my routine
has totally changed,
starting with getting up!
I’m sure the situation
will eventually get easier, do look after yourselves
and if anyone wants a chat just pick up the phone.
Very best wishes to you all.
Jill
The Town Council
Mayor – Cllr Jill Skinner
CllrSkinner.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Deputy Mayor – 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
17

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.
Casual Vacancy – Swaffham Town Council
In December Cllr Keith Sandle resigned from the
Council, and we thank him for his contribution
during his 18 months as a Councillor, the first year
and few months of his second year, he was serving
as Deputy Mayor. The vacancy has been advertised
for a 20-working day period and there was no call
to hold a by-election, therefore this allows the
Town Council to fill the vacancy by co-option. The
vacancy will be filled at the virtual Council meeting
on Wednesday 10th February 2021. Prospective
candidates are requested to write to the Town
Clerk townclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk with
a citation/background information (of no more
than 200-words) to give reasons/information that
Councillors can take into account when they vote on
the co-option process. If candidates are looking to
get this information circulated to Councillors prior to
the meeting the agenda pack will go out on Friday
5th February. Applications are invited right up to the
commencement of the meeting, and applicants will
have the opportunity of attending the meeting and
reading out their citation, to introduce themselves.
The successful candidate, will be invited to participate
in the remainder of the meeting, following the agenda
item on 10th February. So, if you want to be a Town
Councillor for the remainder of the term, which ends
at the local government elections in May 2023 (two
years and three months to go); then please get in
contact with the Town Clerk, put your name forward
or get someone else to put your name forward.
Green Britain Centre
“They think its all over, it is now!” Where have I
heard that before? The Town Council’s interest in
the Green Britain Centre came to an abrupt end in
January, with the building being sold, before the
final part of the Council’s due diligence could be
completed, just as we get the go ahead to incur costs
to get this work done, Breckland Council ran out of
patience and who can blame them? We obviously
wait with interest to hear the finer details of the
freehold deal, but anything that brings investment to
the Town and jobs for local people, has to be seen as
a good thing. The Town Council’s main task now is
to see that Breckland’s capital windfall is reinvested
back into the Town and into much needed sports and
leisure facilities.
The merits for and against the GBC project were
well aired, if not well informed of all the facts
being discussed behind the scenes. The biggest
disappointment is that we did not get to complete
the due diligence work in progress to get to the stage
where we could hold a meaningful public consultation,
to see what the public really thought, once all of the
detail could be fully shared. It was interesting to note
though, then when questions were invited on the
GBC recently, there were no new concerns raised, all
the issues being raised by the public were similar to
those being raised by Councillors and being worked
on by Breckland and the Town Council. This was a
demonstration of the saying “you can please some
of the people, some of the time, but you will never
please all of the people, all of the time.”
Covid Christmas Tree Competition
Thanks to everyone who shared their beautiful
Christmas tree decorations and entered the Swaffham
Christmas Tree Competition. Congratulations to the
winners: Jane Williams, Aimee Jones, Daniel Burrell,
Eileen Childs, Susan Greer and Leo Williams. Check
out the short video on Facebook, maybe some
inspiration for 2021, only 48 weeks to go! We are
very grateful to Barbara Melnyk of Creative Space
who kindly donated the prizes. The winners will need
to be patient though as the prizes won’t be delivered
until the current Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
L: Eileen Childs, Traditional tree R: Leo Williams, Patriotic Tree
Swaffham Scarecrow Scavenge
Please note, that this competition has been
POSTPONED until the Easter Holiday, further details
will be published next month. In the Easter half-term,
Swaffham Town Council will be inviting households
to get creative and enter our Swaffham Scarecrow
Scavenge. The theme for 2021 will be COVID
HEROES. You are invited to make a scarecrow to
represent and celebrate the key workers who have
supported Swaffham during the pandemic. Your
scarecrow could be anything from an NHS worker to
your local postman or woman. We will be compiling
a map detailing the locations of all the scarecrows,
so that families can follow the trail over half-term
and decide the best scarecrows. More details of our
Scarecrow Challenge in the March Newsletter!
Time For Nominations – In The Month Of February
Heroes of Swaffham Awards “recognising those
who go the Extra Mile”
The Swaffham Heroes Awards are to honour the
achievements of remarkable people who make the
Swaffham Community a better place. These awards
will recognise people from all walks of life and ages,
that inspire with their determination and selflessness.
Categories will target contributions throughout the
community from the following and will honour both
Adult and Junior recipients:
• Charity Fundraiser of the year
• Neighbour of the year
• Carer of the year
• Sportsperson of the year
• Volunteer of the year
• Outstanding contribution to the Arts,
Heritage & Culture
• Triumph over Adversity award of the year
Heroes Awards Criteria
Nominations are open to any resident in Swaffham,
OR who have committed a considerable proportion
of their time in Swaffham voluntarily and beyond
their work commitments.
• Each category includes an award for both Adults
and Juniors; Junior age group 5-16 years.
• The nominee must be proposed and seconded by
two Swaffham residents or those with an interest in
the town i.e. business or community group leader.
• Proposers cannot be a relative of the nominee or a
Town Councillor.
• Nominations should be submitted by end of
February, using the application form and sent to the
Town Clerk.
• This award is not given posthumously.
• The recipient(s) of the award will be decided by Full
Council.
• The Council will actively promote this award each
year to ensure a good number of nominations are
received.
• The awards will be presented annually by the Town
Mayor at a special ceremony in April.
• The recipient(s) will receive a framed certificate.
Victory in Swaffham – CANCELLED
As you know the event planned for the 8th May last
year to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day was
postponed due to Covid-19. Unfortunately, we have
now had to postpone the event planned for Sunday
6th June too! The uncertainty surrounding Covid-19
and the roll out of the vaccine in particular, has
created a situation that is unmanageable until we are
absolutely sure an event can be delivered that is safe
for all to attend.
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
• 2nd – Transport, Access & Environment – 4pm
• 10th - Full Town Council - 6.30pm
• Wed 15th - Market, Events and Tourism - 6.30pm
• Tue 23rd - Planning & Built Environment – 4pm
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.
18
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