Swaffham Newsletter

SN
NEWS
August 2021
Your free town newsletter published by Iceni Partnership
SWAFFHAM
newslet ter
EVENTS INFORMATION
Swaffham's 'Covid Quilt'
Find out more about the topical work of a team of local
crafters and stitchers on the article on p.17
The competition evening in June was for images in the following two categories "Apparatus " and
"Open". In a well supported and high scoring evening the following images, "Crop Spraying
Apparatus" and "I flipping hate posing for Christmas cards", both submitted by Paul Easton were
declared the winning entries and are reproduced below.
REGULARS
Swaffham
History
Group
p.7
Swaffham
& District
Camera
Club
p.12
Merle
Boddy
Centre
p.15
published by
Our Outdoor shoot in July was held in and around Castle acre, the weather held off, however a

Your monthly magazine is published by:
Contact the editor:
01760 722 800
swaffhamnewsletter@gmail.com
Swaffham Newsletter
Iceni Partnership
Swaffham Community Centre
The Campingland
Swaffham
PE37 7RB
Registered in England Company Number 4257830 Charity Number 1101814 VAT Number UK800057775
Comments or queries welcomed - we are a
resource for all of the community to enjoy.
We are always open to new contributors from
Swaffham and surrounding villages.
Deadline for editorial and advertising is the
12th day of the previous month.
Advertisers - We operate an industry standard
pre-paid system of billing. The rates were subject
to a small increase beginning April 2020, in line
with production costs.
Contents
5 School Speak
6 Church News
7 History Group/ Gardening Club
9 Museum Matters
12 Rugby Club/Camera Club
15 Merle Boddy/Hospital LOF's
16 Home Hospice
17 SCALGA
19 Swaffham Rotary/Lionesses & Lions
20 WEA/Swaffham Library
22 Town Council
1

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Castle Acre Events
The Friends of Castle Acre Church are holding an Art
Exhibition in St. James Church, Castle Acre with a
Preview Evening on Friday 30th July, 7 - 9pm. Tickets
to include wine and catalogue are £5.
Saturday 31st July 10am - 5pm and Sunday 1st August
12 noon - 4.30pm, tickets £2.50 with catalogue.
NGS are holding open gardens at Tudor Lodgings and
Minns Barn, which will make for a jolly day out in our
lovely village. Tickets from Sheila Chambers 01760
755868/Rebecca Moore 01760 755885 or on the door.
Iceni Ready To Give A Warm Welcome
Now that restrictions have been eased, we are very
pleased to be able to invite the general public back
into our buildings after such a long break.
Swaffham Community Centre has been much
improved over the past year with freshly decorated
rooms, a new reception area and a covered seating
area on our secure patio with attractive planters.
If you have an upcoming party or event, we can now
offer the best experience yet. Included in our prices
is free wi-fi, free on-site parking and access to a fully
equipped kitchen.
To find out about room hire at the Community Centre
or Swaffham Assembly Rooms you can get in touch
with Iceni Partnership on 01760 722800.
Details of groups operating at either building and
how to join can be found on our website: www.
swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk. We look forward to
seeing both new and familiar faces with us soon.
Nishikaigan Aikido Club in the Buxton Hall
at Swaffham Community Centre
We are recruiting at The Nicholas Hamond Academy…
Student Transport Officer
Required ASAP.
15 hours per week. Term Time only. Monday to Friday working both the AM & PM school
runs.
Salary £6,074.47 per annum.
We have opportunities for minibus drivers to join our friendly team, providing a safe, professional and courteous
transport service for our students.
Candidates will need to be confident in interacting with children and be able to maintain a good atmosphere on
the bus. Drivers will need to have a warm and flexible approach, be able to show initiative and work well on their
own and as part of a team.
To find out more or to apply please visit www.tnha.org.uk or pop into the academy for an application form.
The Nicholas Hamond Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and
volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual
orientation or religion.
4

The Nicholas Hamond Academy
As the final year draws to a close for our Year 11
students we wish them well on the next stage of
their journey. They have worked extremely hard
during their last weeks with us for several weeks
completing ‘in class’ assessments and coursework
that will go towards their final Teacher Assessed
Grades. When we started this process back in
March, no one really knew what challenges we
would face in doing this, but it is to the credit of the
students that they have tackled these challenges
head on. They have worked diligently, with purpose
and have shown a positive attitude in some very
difficult circumstances.
The staff who have worked closely with these
students during the past few months have all been
impressed with the way they have approached the
end of their time at the academy. This has been all
the more impressive given the constant disruption
that they have had to their education over the last
couple of years due to the Covid pandemic. Staff
received some lovely and heartfelt ‘thank you’
cards from students along with some lovely gifts.
excellent education but also excellent pastoral care
throughout their time with you. I know that this
takes hard work and dedication from a team of
staff. Thank you to you all for everything that you
have done and continue to do for our children”.
“Please pass on my thanks to this member
of staff - she is a wonderful person and I would like
to thank her personally for all she has done for my
daughter”.
After the initial disappointment at having to cancel
our 2021 Leavers’ Prom, following a government
announcement, we are delighted to have been
able to rearrange this after gaining opinions from
students. Although delayed until September we
have no doubt this will not dampen spirits and all
will thoroughly enjoy this traditional event donning
their formal gowns & suits marking their next steps
and saying ‘goodbye’ to their high school years.
After a farewell to one year group follows a ‘warm
hello’ to another! We are busy holding Transition
Evenings and Transition Days for our new starters
in September. Students from local primary schools
are able to have a taste of life at TNHA before they
start with us in the new academic year often taking
away any worries they have about attending ‘big
school’. We all look forward to seeing ‘new faces’
and welcoming them into the TNHA family.
Finally, if you were ‘out and about’ recently you
may well have seen our students participating in
the Keep Britain Tidy’s Great Big School Clean (part
of the campaign’s million-mile mission). Wearing
high-vis vests and armed with litter pickers, gloves
and bags they ensured that the area outside the
academy was free from any rubbish. We were
extremely impressed by their determination to be
‘the best that they can be’ ensuring that they are
great role models to all at the academy.
We have also received some wonderful comments
from our parents/carers and we are delighted to
share a few of these:-
“I would appreciate it if you could pass on
my thanks and appreciation to ALL staff members,
‘Y’ has had an incredible and interesting (due to
Covid) time at TNHA. We have seen him grow into
the young confident young man he now is. Many
thanks to everyone who has had some part in ‘Y’s’
High School path”.
“We have four children at TNHA including
one in Year 11. They have all received not only an
5

Heartwood CE VC Primary
Sports day at Heartwood was a little
different this year due to the restrictions not
enabling our parents and carers to attend.
the children had an incredible time though and loved
the competitive sports.
At Heartwood we value sport and provide a wide
variety of opportunities and experiences for our
children to develop their skills. Exercise is important
for physical and mental health. We offer sports extracurricular
clubs for free for our children, and these
include football, multi-sports, yoga and running.
We have a strong partnership with ICS coaching who
provide bespoke football training and sessions with our
key stage 1 and 2 children weekly, in addition to their
P.E sessions. Some of these sessions extend to after
school and the holidays. We pride our large football
pitch which we share with the community and our aim
is for every child to
leave Heartwood as
a skilled footballer.
Other sports we
provide include
swimming, dance,
tennis, rounders
and netball.
Upcoming events at
St Mary’s Church,
Houghton on the Hill
St Mary’s Church at Houghton on the Hill re-opened on 17
May and we have been welcoming visitors to the church
since then - open from 2 to 4pm every day for a guided tour
of the church and its remarkable wall paintings
We have a busy schedule of events this summer, these are:
• A recital by Donald Bousted, composer and specialist in
ukulele and guitar, on Saturday 31 July at 4pm
• The annual Church Thanksgiving Service
Sunday 8 th August at 3pm (a change of date from
July because of covid restrictions)
• A concert by Graham and Alison Cracknell
Sunday 22 nd August at 4pm, mixing classical, jazz, show
tunes and other music.
• A welcome return by the Pot of Gold - Swaffham Shanty
Crew on Saturday 4 th September at 4pm.
Light refreshments will be available after each event
Details of all of these and how to register is available on our
website or by email at admin@houghtonstmarys.org.uk
Capacity is limited in our tiny church, so please get in touch very soon!
www.houghtonstmarys.org.uk
6
Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul
The main August services in Swaffham parish church
will be as follows (see our website at https://www.
swaffhamparishchurch.org/ for further details).
Sunday 1st
9.30am
6.00pm
Sunday 8th
9.30am
Sunday 15th
8.00am
9.30am
Sunday 22nd
9.30am
Sunday 29th
9.30am
Sung Eucharist
Evensong
Sung Eucharist
with Archdeacon of Lynn
Holy Communion
Sung Eucharist
Sung Eucharist
Sung Eucharist
Church is now open again daily for private prayer
and for visitors - times as advertised on our website
as there may be slight variations whilst we set up
revised rotas of stewards.
Introducing Reverend Victoria Venmore-Rowland,
Assistant Curate, Swaffham and Sporle:
Tori grew up in Norfolk, and studied at the Norwich
School of Art and Design, completing a degree in
Creative Writing. After graduation, she moved to
Essex and met her now-husband Luke, and followed
him into the military. They served together in the
Royal Air Force, working on Harriers as Weapons
Technicians, before returning to Norfolk in 2010
to serve at RAF Marham. After ten years in the Air
Force, Tori felt that God has a different purpose
for her, and she left to train for ordination at Ripon
College Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire in 2018. She was
ordained deacon in 2021 and moved to Swaffham,
to take up the role of Assistant Curate in the Benefice
of Swaffham and Sporle. Her husband Luke is a fulltime
dad, and they have three children: Cora, Lexi
and John.
Mothers’ Union
The Swaffham branch of the Mothers’ Union usually
meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month and.
Enquiries to Julia on 720041
Swaffham Baptist Church
Swaffham Baptist Church welcomes all
to our Sunday Service every Sunday at
10.30am followed by refreshments. The Church is
on Station Street, Swaffham with parking available
on the old Station car park. We look forward to
welcoming you.

Swaffham Methodist Church
• Sun 1st August, 10.45am Morning Worship and
Celebration of Holy Communion with Rev Jacqui
Horton.
• Sun 8th August, 10.45am Morning Worship led by
Anne and Barrie, Worship Leaders.
• Sun 15th August, UNITED SERVICE AT PARISH
CHURCH. Time tba
• Sun 22nd August, 10.45am Morning Worship led by
Sandra and Mike, Worship Leaders.
• Sun 29th August, 10.45am Morning Worship led by
Rev Dr Graham Pickhaver.
Please see Church website for details of other activities
held in the Church.
Food For Thought
Barbara Easton, Vice President of the Methodist
Conference, wrote:
"God sees us just as we are, 'on the cutting room
floor', with all our individual quirks and idiosyncrasies.
Like fabric for a quilt, in our Maker's eyes we are each
beautiful and treasured. Each piece 'makes ' the quilt
by being there but, at the same time, each piece is
'made' by becoming part of the whole. Our challenge
is to make that wholeness a reality - weaving together
a community that embraces all people, in their infinite
variety, with their differing back - stories and present
understandings."
Ashill & Holme Hale Garden Club
Website: ashillgardeningclub.wordpress.com/
Email: ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.
comGarden Club to begin meeting again in July
After last month’s false dawn, the Garden Club
monthly meetings will now begin on Thursday July
22nd starting at 2.30pm in Holme Hale Pavilion. We
have re-organised our speakers so that award winning
garden designer Chris Deakin will now present at our
July meeting talking about the principles of ‘Garden
Design’. Our August monthly meeting on Thursday
August 25th will now have the ever popular Dr Ian
Bedford talking on how useful wasps are for our
gardens in a presentation entitled ‘The Trouble
without Wasps’. We have sufficient space to apply
any social distancing measures required and still
accommodate all members. New members are also
most welcome.
We have now re-scheduled our Annual Flower Show
for 2021 and combined it with our Annual Fruit &
Vegetable Show for 2021 and we will now hold the
combined show on Sunday August 28th. This event
is open to all members and the general public from
2-4.30pm to view all the entries and have a lovely
cuppa and cake and see who wins the prizes. So come
along for a floral, fruit and vegetable extravaganza.
7
Swaffham History Group
Charles William Kerridge was born in 1861 in Dickleburgh,
Norfolk. He was the second son and fourth child of four
sons and three daughters born to James Cooper and
Anna (Little) Kerridge of Dickleburgh, Norfolk. Charles
W's father was the village butcher in Dickleburgh and at
the early age of nineteen years Charles W. was assisting
in his father's butchers shop and being taught the trade
of butchering. In the early 1880s Charles W. had left his
father's premises and was working in the London area
where he met and subsequently married Mary Ann
Emily Morley in 1886 in Westminster, London.
Green & Kerridge, (far left) Station St, Swaffham.
Shortly after the birth of their first born son in 1887
premises were found in Swaffham, Norfolk, which had
been the long established butchery business of Charles
Hall. Charles W. rented the premises from John Green,
set up and ran his butchery business, from premises in
Station Street, with his wife Mary Ann Emily; two sons
and two butchers assistants.
'CHRISTMAS MEAT SHOWS. All the butchers here have
a fine display of beef, mutton, &c. Mr Kerridge has killed
five bullocks, averaging 69 stone each, also two purebred
Norfolk sheep, one fed by S.K. Green of Cawston,
weighing 91/2 stones, and several other sheep. E.D.P.
1891.'
For details regarding the Group please phone 01842
879140 or Email jbaz@go-plus.net
Nar Valley Ornithological Society
Wednesday 25th August, 7.30pm, Indoor meeting at
the Assembly Rooms, 1 Market Place, Swaffham, PE37
7AB. More info at www.narvos.org.uk
Please come along to this illustrated talk by Paul Fuller,
entitled: Spitsbergen: Land of the Midnight Sun,
Home of the Ice Bear. This talk is by NarVOS member
Paul Fuller who has travelled widely over the years
in search of birds and wildlife, and tonight we will
see and hear of his adventures to the frozen North.
Paul will look at the wildlife and scenery of the high
Arctic, from tundra to glaciers, seabirds to seals, and
the top Arctic predator, the Polar Bear. Visitors most
welcome. Admission £4 on the night if you are not
a NarVOS member. For more information about this
meeting or NarVOS call Ian Black on 01760 724092.

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MUSEUM
MATTERS
Swaffham Heritage,Town Hall, London Street,
Swaffham PE37 7DQ. Tel: 01760 721230
Email: swaffhamheritage@gmail.com
Open 10am to 4pm Mon to Fri. Sat. 10am to 1pm
Prices: adults £3. Children 5 and over £1.
Family tickets available.
To keep up to date join us on our website:
www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk
or follow us on facebook
Swaffham Heritage Volunteers
We have not been idle over lockdown!
Over the last four years volunteers at the museum
have been carrying out an audit of every artefact and
document we possess. The ladies in the attic storerooms
log and photograph each item, and another enters the
details and photo onto a museum database. We have
now got as far as our large collection of coins, having
gone through beer bottles, medical instruments, small
farming equipment, kitchenware, fossils, Stone Age
tools etc etc etc. They are about two thirds through!
Meanwhile another volunteer has indexed and
photographed all of our collection of paintings, drawings
– anything that hangs on a wall. We have recently been
donated a Swaffham poster from the 1953 Coronation
That will come out on display nest year!
Other volunteers have indexed all of our archive
document boxes. Most of these have now been
scanned by yet another volunteer, so we can easily
find and view information without having to open all of
the over 100 boxes. Another has been working on the
Convent archive – and now we have just received the
Sacred Heart School archive from Sister Francis. More
on this later.
Some of our museum stewards have taken on extra
indexing, cleaning and fixing work.
All of this work continued during lockdown when the
museum was closed - when necessary and possible at
home.
We are very grateful for all the work our volunteers do.
And it is good to know that the people who work in our
often praised, independent museum are all volunteers.
Howard Carter snippets
A question we are frequently asked is whether Howard
really did live in Swaffham as a child or an adult. The
real answer is that there is no written evidence, but
there are several pointers: which indicate that he had
a long relationship with the town.
In his Who’s Who entry he himself wrote that he was
born in Swaffham, which is untrue – he was born in
London. We know he was brought here almost at birth.
We know he did not attend regular school because of
poor health. And we know that he spent his holiday
afternoons rambling about the country, “watching
the winning ways of insects and birds.” Which sounds
much more like Swaffham than Kensington.
We know that the family paid long and frequent visits
to the house on Sporle Road, and that in the 1881
census two of his brothers were lodging as boarders
at Hamond’s School, then on Campingland. Ironically
in the same census Howard was at home in London.
We know that his father was so much a Swaffham man
that when he died in 1892 his body was brought from
London to Swaffham for burial in the churchyard.
Friends of Swaffham Heritage
Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, we will not
be running the Summer Barbecue this year. Sorry to
those who were looking forward to this event.
By the time you are reading this, we shall have had our
Annual General Meeting, which was on Friday 16th July,
and will now, we hope, have a new committee in place.
This will enable us to plan ahead with more confidence
a programme of fund-raising events in support of the
Swaffham Heritage Centre (the Museum).
However, we always welcome more help! So let us know
if you are interested, particularly over the coming year
when we want to give maximum support to Swaffham
Heritage in the Carter 2022 events, celebrating the
100th Anniversary of the discovery by Howard Carter
of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Howard Carter, of course,
grew up in Swaffham, and at this time the Carter Room
in the Museum is being substantially refurbished using
funds contributed by the Friends.
The 100 Club winners for June
1st – no 91 - £40, 2nd – no 6 - £20, 3rd – no 4 -£10
The 100 Club is a steady contributor of funds for
Swaffham Heritage, run exclusively by the Friends of
Swaffham Heritage for its members.
There are now a number of places available in the £100
Club for members of the Friends of Swaffham Heritage.
A share in the 100 Club costs £20 a year, for which you
get to participate in the monthly draw, which has prizes
of £40, £20 and £10, and also twice a year a special
prize of £100.
For further information contact the Friends
of Swaffham Heritage Secretary by email
friendsofswaffhamheritage@yahoo.com.
9

With a little help
With a little help
from my friends
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.
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
Th
45 CL
CALL
With a little help
from my friends
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.
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
The Paddocks
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
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
RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
residents and their families.
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
Befrienders & Hospital Buddy Drivers Needed
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
Do y
Telephone
befriending only
at present
The Paddocks
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
With a little help
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESP
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
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
SINCE 1999
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.
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
Office currently
closed to visitors,
please contact us
on 07393 981295
instead.
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

Fakenham Walking Rugby Group
Fakenham Walking Rugby group has reported a large
influx of new members since its June restart. Ten
new members have joined regulars on Wednesday
evenings for their sessions and after three weeks are
showing excellent new skills. All the new members
are new to rugby and half are ladies.
If you are looking for a new sport why not join us for
a taster session. We meet every Wednesday at the
clubhouse at 18.50 and sessions last an hour.
For more details contact Jeffrey Pearce jdpearce@
btitentenet.com
Book Group at West Acre Theatre
The First Wednesday of the month at 7pm
What can the book group do for you?
• Introduce you to authors
you've never heard of and
a variety of books that you
haven't tried before.
• Re-introduce you to old
favourites.
• The opportunity to discuss
your ideas (and lots of other
things too!) with people who
have read the same book.
• A chance to make new friends.
• A reason to get out of the house - and let's face
it, we all want to do more of that! All of this can be
yours in a safe, friendly environment.
• The book group links in closely with the Lit
events held at West Acre Theatre and provides an
opportunity to meet authors face to face.
Books We Have Read This Year To Date:
• 'Hamnet' by Maggie O Farrell
• 'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo
• 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens
For more information, please contact Lynette
Brinsdon: e: lynettesa@aol.com t: 07900 570765
St John Day Celebration
Swaffham St John Ambulance members are grateful
to Swaffham Town Council for helping to celebrate
St John Day on 24th June and for their continued
support. The council turned the lights on the
Buttercross green for this special day. Members from
the Swaffham St John Unit joined Swaffham Town
Mayor Judy Anscombe as the evening light faded.
Although covering first aid events has been hit hard
by the Covid pandemic the members at Swaffham
have been keeping busy. Unit Manager, Natalie
Rudd has been taking part in the vaccine programme
by volunteering for vaccination shifts at the Castle
Quarter in Norwich and the Corn Exchange in Kings
Lynn. Bethany Howarth, Youth Lead, has been
providing the youth members with online meetings
and activities to keep them working towards their
Grand Prior Award. The Unit’s logistic team, Jock and
Lesley Gardner, have offered support where needed.
The Area Manager, Rob Rowling (from Swaffham
and former Swaffham Unit Manager) has been
busy interviewing and recruiting for the vaccine
programme as well as supporting existing members
in our area.
As restrictions are eased and events are beginning
again Swaffham St John Ambulance members are
looking forward to getting back to providing first aid
cover at local events.
Anyone interested in becoming a member, either
adult or youth (10 to 17 year olds) can find information
at www.sja.org.ok
11

Swaffham Rugby Club
We’re back! It’s the 40th anniversary season of the
formation of Swaffham Rugby Club, and wonderful to
see light at the end of the tunnel. We are delighted that
Clubs and players across the country we will soon be
able to resume training and progress towards contact
fixtures, and a full Eastern Counties League programme
which is due to start on September 18th away at West
Norfolk. Although the planned music and entertainment
on July 4th was cancelled, some rugby was able to go
ahead, and four teams from Dereham, Fakenham and
Swaffham played a knockout competition, under very
friendly conditions. Those that came to watch, were
treated to some exciting ball skills, though not much
tackling, and it was a great opportunity to blow away
some of those cobwebs and take the first steps back to
normality.
Swaffham & District Camera Club
The competition evening in June was for images
in the following two categories "Apparatus " and
"Open". In a well supported and high scoring evening
the following images, "Crop Spraying Apparatus"
and "I flipping hate posing for Christmas cards", both
submitted by Paul Easton were declared the winning
entries and are reproduced below:
The competition evening in June was for images in the following two categories "Apparatus " and
"Open". In a well supported and high scoring evening the following images, "Crop Spraying
Apparatus" and "I flipping hate posing for Christmas cards", both submitted by Paul Easton were
declared the winning entries and are reproduced below.
We are now hoping to reorganise a Return to Rugby
Fun Day, which will be full of family entertainment on
September 4th. The Clubhouse will be open and there
will be child-friendly games and entertainment plus a
barbeque. Anyone who wishes to come and see what
we have to offer for all ages is welcome, and during
the afternoon the seniors will be hosting Watton in our
Annual Memorial fixture to honour those members no
longer with us.
The Junior section will be starting their season the next
day (Sunday Sept 5th) and it is this group which has been
affected by the pandemic the most. Numbers attending
at the last session in June were down dramatically and
we have also lost several of the coaches who helped
with these age groups. We are desperate to find new
faces who are willing to spend an hour or two a week
to develop our future players. So if you have the time,
and are prepared to get the RFU qualifications (paid
for by the Club), which all our coaches need, then
please contact Rob Salter via the website at www.
swaffhamrugby.co.cuk
Meanwhile, the Club AGM was held on July 2nd with
no changes to the structure and committee, but a
determination to start the new season with renewed
enthusiasm under new skipper, and ex Junior player,
Max Thompson. Lots of work has been done to the
excellent facilities we have, including an upgrade to the
floodlights, allowing us to play League matches with
3pm kick offs during the winter months. The Senior
players have now begun training on Thursday nights
from 7.30pm and are looking forward to seeing some
new faces to strengthen the current squad. Max can be
contacted on 07960 270745.
12
Our Outdoor shoot in July was held in and around Castle acre, the weather held off, however a
small matter of football did reduce attendance. Those who took part were rewarded with some
spectacular photo opportunities, the images from which will undoubtedly appear in open
competitions later in the season. Of note each outdoor shoot is specifically themed around a
different subject and technique where of course we all learn new tricks. During this period monthly
competition evenings remain on the Zoom platform. July's theme being "Product Images" and there
is also the ever popular "Open" section
The club looks further forward to September, and beyond, when it hopes to be able reconvene for
its regular meetings indoors, al-beit under any regulations in force at the time, at its new venue The
Churchill Room in the Swaffham and District Conservative Club
The club assists and encourages photographers of all abilities.
For further information please contact us by e-mail at richardludlow@compuserve.com
Our Outdoor shoot in July was held in and around
Castle Acre, the weather held off, however a small
matter of football did reduce attendance. Those who
took part were rewarded with some spectacular
photo opportunities, the images from which will
undoubtedly appear in open competitions later in
the season. Of note each outdoor shoot is specifically
themed around a different subject and technique
where of course we all learn new tricks. During this
period monthly competition evenings remain on the
Zoom platform. July's theme being "Product Images"
and there is also the ever popular "Open" section.
The club looks further forward to September and
beyond, when it hopes to be able re-convene for
its regular meetings indoors (al-beit under any
regulations in force at the time) at its new venue The
Churchill Room in the Swaffham and District
Conservative Club.
The club assists and encourages photographers of all
abilities. For further information please contact us
by e-mail at richardludlow@compuserve.com
Our Outdoor shoot in July was held in and around Castle acre, the weather h
small matter of football did reduce attendance. Those who took part were re
spectacular photo opportunities, the images from which will undoubtedly ap
competitions later in the season. Of note each outdoor shoot is specifically
different subject and technique where of course we all learn new tricks. Dur
competition evenings remain on the Zoom platform. July's theme being "Pro
is also the ever popular "Open" section
The club looks further forward to September, and beyond, when it hopes to
its regular meetings indoors, al-beit under any regulations in force at the tim
Churchill Room in the Swaffham and District Conservative Club
The club assists and encourages photographers of all abilities.

1
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5
A
OPEN
CLEAR
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B
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ian clews is
Señor Momento
IF YOU LIKE ROCK ‘N ROLL, COUNTRY, SWING OR BLUES
I’LL ENTERTAIN AT YOUR
EVENT
(all monies go to local good causes)
Senor Momento
Ian Clews (aka Senior Moment) Plans to Support
More Good Causes in the Local Area
Covid 19 has been a terrible virus killing many people
and devastating countless families around the world.
No one can under estimate the sadness and isolation
which people have endured during many months
of lockdown. I have been fortunate enough to find
things to do since the first lockdown began to twist
and distort our lives. My life before the pandemic
was very busy as I was the chairman of the Wissey
U3A and organiser of a number of group activities.
For many years I have also been raising money for
local organisations at various events. For months
everything ground to a halt but hopefully, as you
read this Newsletter, the current lockdown may be
eased enough for me to continue raising money for
good causes.
Tel: 01760 721247 / 0788067958
for booking details or
e-mail: iclews@btinternet.com
Swaffham Jazz Club
at
Swaffham Conservative Club
London Street
Cash for Dementia Cafes: Swaffham (above) & Downham Market (below)
is back
with
Jazz Club
Swaffham
Lee Vasey Jam Jazz Band
with guest vocals Stella Goody
Tuesday 7:30pm
August 10th
Cash on door £10
Norman 01760 722 384
Geoff 01366 328 730
bar
14
I’ve been busy learning new songs and, hopefully,
improving my guitar playing (we shall see). Most
recently, when lockdown restrictions were eased, I
was invited to play at the Buttercross by Swaffham
Town Council and I played in Plowright Place. With
money I had left over from last year I gave some to
a new group in Swaffham called ‘Men’s Sheds’. They
do work for people and other small groups around
the town.
Here’s hoping I’ll be able to give more cash to local
good causes !
So, if you’re thinking about celebrating a Birthday,
Anniversary, Wedding or any other event - contact
me soon on 01760 721247.

Merle Boddy Centre
After many years of dedicated and loyal
support of the Merle Boddy Centre,
James Dean steps down from the Chair
of Swaffham & District Mental Health
Association, as he leaves Swaffham for a new home near
Saffron Walden. All of us
& District Mental Health Assoc Ltd.
MERLE BODDY CENTRE
UAL GENERAL MEETING
to be held at
HAM COMMUNITY CENTRE
associated with the Merle
Body Centre had found
his leadership to be strong
and influential. Now we
are pleased to have David
Morris to take his place in
the Chair. David has direct
experience in the work of
charities and the related
responsibilities, especially
with such matters as
Grant applications and the
essential Fund Raising. Continuity is thus assured.
Merle Boddy Centre has emerged from a torrid period of
difficulties, in a remarkably strong and secure position.
This has been supplemented positively with ongoing
financial support from Norfolk County Council Adult
Social Care. They supported their clients, who would
normally attend the Centre, superbly throughout the
period of closure. Furthermore, the determination and
dedication of the on-site care personnel, had enabled
the Centre to reopen services as early as last September,
despite the restrictions and difficulties relating to Covid
protocols.
Apart from provision of essential care services, the year
has been enhanced by some wonderfully generous
fund-raising activities and kind donations from local
individuals, local associations and local businesses. All
so gratefully received and so valuable.
Now it is time to be getting back to business as normal,
with activities for our clients, as protocols are eased.
Our team works each day, to create motivation and
entertainment. The time is now becoming right, at long
last, for increasing daily attendance to get back up to
pre-Covid levels. There are a few 'empty' chairs available
on some days of the week. Please call the Centre for
information. Also see our web site merleboddy.org.uk
which incorporates an easy facility for donations.
DAY 12 th JULY at 7.00 pm
ht refreshments available.
Swaffham Jazz Club
These are uncertain times when it comes to planning
ahead for live events. All Norman and I can do is to hope
that if/when restrictions are lifted in June they are not
brought back again by the time we hope to open! We
have decided to aim for a start date of Tuesday 10th
August with Lee Vasey and Friends as our guests at the
Conservative Club, 23 London Street, PE37 7DD, starting
at 7.30 pm and £10 on the door. We look forward to
seeing you.
Norman 01760 722 384 Geoff 01366 328 730
15
Community Hospital L of F's
By the time you are reading this I sincerely hope that
most restrictions are lifted and that masks become
something that we can choose to wear or not. Like
most of you I have become weary of most aspects of
lockdown and it will be a great relief to return to as
much normality as possible. I hope most of you now
have had your second dose of vaccine.
Our NHS colleagues, as ever, are doing a great job with
current patients and the situation at the Hospital has
improved.
We are still awaiting update on the Hospital's plans to
be obtaining more local washing machine facilities so
that more can be handled in-house. We will see if we
can help this in any way.
We are likely to be replacing 2 televisions in the patient
side rooms as they have been damaged.
IMPORTANT DATE: We held our AGM on Monday 19th
July at the Hospital. It was mainly the normal official
business. If you would like a copy of the minutes or my
report, please let me know.
There is still no sign of us being able to commence any
fundraising activities so I continue with my suggestion
that 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 giving over this difficult period. If you would like to
do this the donations could be left at Hospital Reception
or if you ring me I can arrange collection. We have had
continuing response to this and I would like to thank
those of you who have already contributed.
The Rotary Club in Swaffham held a Charity Golf Day
on Monday 19th July. The proceeds are to be split
between us and another local charity. Thank you to all
who participated and made it a great day.
Nothing further to report at the moment on any capital
schemes.
We have been maintaining and improving the garden
so as to keep it as attractive as possible. It is looking
really good and thanks to our volunteers who keep it
so. We are looking at the possibility of extending the
rear garden down the side of the hospital to improve
the outlook from one of the wards. At the moment the
patients look out on just grass and a hedge, so it would
brighten their view.
Back on fundraising, we hope when possible to restart
our Coffee mornings at the Methodist Church. Also
does anyone have a special interest or hobby or
specialist knowledge on a subject that they think might
interest others? If so, why not give me a ring to see
whether there might be interest in holding an event
based around it.
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?
Colin Houghton (Chairman)
01760 336025

Barton Bendish Open Gardens
Barton Bendish prepared for its Open Gardens Day for
over a month. Last year it was done virtually on social
media. This year’s fears about ever-changing Covid
regulations, natural caution after a year of Lockdown
and the unpredictable weather kept organisers
guessing about what kind of numbers to expect.
Volunteers, including some American servicemen,
gathered at St Andrew’s to weed and tidy up the
churchyard, apply gravel to areas around the church,
apply beeswax to ancient doors and spring clean.
The community library was spruced up and plans
made to dispose of the significant surplus of books,
DVDs and LPs. We only have so much space for the
library, valuable as it is as a community asset. It was
heart-warming to see the community coming together
for the good of the village.
The day itself couldn’t have been better. 536 people
visited the village and a number of its gardens. Over
£6,000 was taken during the day – probably the most
successful Open Gardens ever. There was a clear sense
of delight amongst visitors that, having done very little
for so long, to be involved in such a lively event was
very welcome.
Barton Bendish punches above its weight and does
so because there are enough people willing to get
involved. Of course, we have to be organised by the
PCC which is a real powerhouse. The only sad thing
perhaps was listening to so many people expressing
their sorrow and surprise that the pub is closed and
its future is still uncertain.
It was good to see the newly extended, vastly
improved Village Hall unleashed on the public. It is a
credit to the present village and a fitting memorial to
those who put hours of devoted service into it over
many decades.
16
Swaffham & Litcham Home Hospice
Could you be someone to help us make a difference?
Are you a new resident who has moved into one of the
many new housing developments in Swaffham? Are
you looking for a rewarding venture by way of voluntary
work to help support a local charity such as Swaffham
and Litcham Home Hospice Support? Maybe you are an
existing Swaffham resident looking for a new challenge
or wanting to give something back to the community?
We are looking for new volunteers to help provide the
invaluable work that we do within the local community
and surrounding villages. Our volunteers have many
roles, and any new members would be joining a lively,
cheerful and positive team of like-minded helpers. We
support people who have received a cancer diagnosis
and those who have received a palliative diagnosis. We
offer both the patient and their family practical and
emotional support to help them through their journey
and to help meet their needs by supporting them in
their own home.
We do this in a variety of ways such as providing
transport with a friendly driver to take patients to
hospital and GP appointments, staying with the patient
and supporting them throughout their appointment.
We run several different support groups to offer
friendship and respite in an understanding and safe
environment. For those unable to attend a group, we
have volunteers who provide Home Companionship.
Our befriending service with a familiar face and a
listening ear to chat to over a cup of tea. We also have
our Fundraising Team who work hard to arrange a
variety of events throughout the year and always look
forward to welcoming new members and great ideas
for fundraising.
Our volunteering roles offer many different
opportunities to anyone who would like to give some
of their spare time to help others in need. We welcome
and embrace the skills that our volunteers bring to our
organisation and value their contribution greatly. If
you are interested in volunteering, we would love to
hear from you which you can do by contacting Wendy
Martin our Co-ordinator, on 01760 722937 to have a
chat and find out where you could help us to continue
to make a difference.
Finally, we would like to give our sincere thanks to the
Swaffham Lioness Club who presented Home Hospice
recently with a cheque for the sum of £100. We rely
heavily on the continued support and kind donations
made to us. With the lifting of the COVID restrictions
due to take place which should enable us to resume
our full services, we need your support and donations
more than ever to help to continue to provide our vital
services free of charge to all those that need it within
our local community. We sincerely thank all of you who
have remembered us and continued to support us.
Rob Young
Fundraising Volunteer

A patchwork of memories & feelings
A team of crafters proudly displayed their ‘Covid
Quilt’ in Swaffham. Organiser Adrienne Taylor was
inspired when she saw the ‘Threads of Survival’
quilt project and contacted friends and relatives to
get them involved. Most of the quilters are from
Swaffham but with some help drafted in from Essex.
Each square expresses how it’s creator felt about
the past year and the impact of Covid on their lives.
Some are ‘thank-yous’ for the brilliant work of the
NHS and dismay at the terrible impact and loss of life.
Others are reflections on lock-down or the discovery
of surprising and unexpected pleasures found in a
less busy life.
Cllrs Lindsay Beech and Paul Darby visited the team
along with Cllr Stewart Bell, the Deputy Mayor of
Swaffham, who said “I’m so pleased to see the
quilt before it goes ‘on tour’ and hope that it will
find a home in Swaffham when it returns. I am so
impressed, not just by the craft and skill that has
gone into the squares, but the thought and emotions
that they express. I’m sure everyone will recognise
themselves in some of them.”
The Quilt was being finished at the Swaffham
Assembly Rooms today and is then going on a
National Tour.
Adrienne Taylor
Organiser
SCALGA
Greetings from the allotments
We have had vast swings in the weather since
our last letter. We went from wet and chilly to
30 degrees then back to wet and fairly mild. No
wonder we have had the start of potato blight and
my roses and Honeysuckle have a white powdery
mildew. A quick burst of the rose spray has helped
the flowers but the only thing for the potatoes is to
keep cutting the affected leaves or cut them down
entirely. It’s a bit early because the potato will stop
growing after that. We grew Vivaldi this year, a 2nd
early that can also be a keeper . It is also supposed
to be lower in carbs. Here’s hoping.
I have just read in my Curious Gardener’s Almanac
that hanging dead tomato plants from the branches
of apple trees can prevent blight, of burning them
underneath if you are able.
We had our early strawberries from the poly tunnel
and have just had the last of the older plants. Our
new bed produced a few but really (hopefully) we
should get a good crop next year. We have to be
vigilant with the nets over the fruit as the birds
tend to find their way underneath then get stuck.
Every day we check for the poor things. Usually
gorged with fruit and unable to get out. Today I
rescued a young blackbird.
As I mentioned before most of the edible produce
is at least 6 weeks behind but with the extra rain
and warmth everything is bursting with growth.
We have never had peas climbing to the top of
the pea cage nor have our onions been so full. No
matter how well you water there is nothing like
a good steady rain, unfortunately the grass and
weeds like it too!!
We had our first Committee Meeting and it has been
decided to hold our annual BBQ combined with a
scarecrow making competition for plot holders and
their families. Whether you are SCALGA members
or not all will be welcome. The only cost will be
£2.50 per head for the food.
Please come and join us so we can all get to know
more of our neighbours.
Forward dates for your diary
• BBQ & Scarecrow building - 15th August,
Shouldham Lane Plot 42. Cost £2.50 per head for
food. There will be a raffle.
• Afternoon tea and prizegiving - 12th September,
The Assembly Rooms 3pm
• Other events to be announced
If you are interested in taking a plot or a starter
plot, please call Graham or Jennifer Edwards on
07919 888870.
17

Even ironing!
Tracy: 01362 820 966
Caroline: 01953 882 154
Mobile: 07927 161 201
THE SOLICITORS THAT CARE
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familyactionswaffham
building better families

Rotary
5
CELEBRATING President’s Corner
Swaffham A couple of days after I wrote in
last month’s piece about that big
yellow bird in the sky I was in the garden when I realised
that the air ambulance pilot was indeed looking for a
suitable place to land. It was so low and so close that
when it disappeared behind the house opposite I was
convinced it had landed on the main road. Not so, but
very close in an adjacent field. Sometime later I was
talking to an East Anglian Air Ambulance fund raiser
outside a major supermarket and he told me how their
fund-raising activities have been curtailed by Covid
19 and how important individual donations were to
maintaining this vital service.
A recent speaker at one of our Monday club meetings
by Zoom was from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. He
explained that they were unable to deliver a number of
their services due to Covid, but his main message was
how they had managed to adapt others and deliver
them in a Covid safe way. They had upgraded their
website support for families and they were developing
a new service in conjunction with the NHS for the
hospice at Milton. Inevitably their fund raising has
been seriously affected, but they were well ahead with
planning for events this Autumn and next year. He
then asked us a question – How much has the Rotary
club contributed to EACH? Of course, none of us had a
clue. Apparently, it tops £20,000.
These two events set me thinking. What we have
contributed to East Anglian Air Ambulance, recently
and previously, plus our combined contributions to
EACH over the years comes from our Charity Account.
Payments into that account arise from events we have
organised over the years which have been supported
by YOU the residents of Swaffham and surrounding
district. Using the medium of this Newsletter and the
local press we have expressed our thanks for your
generosity.
My chat with the EAAA fund raiser was a reminder of how
important individual donations are. I write this a week
before what has been badged “Freedom Day” when
restrictions imposed to defeat Covid19 are due to be
lifted. We expect to be able to resume our programme
of fund-raising events to support good causes, always
ensuring compliance with whatever guidance on good
practice will replace legal requirements.
So, it is particularly appropriate for me to say thank
you again for your past support and to ask for your
support for future events which we will publicise in
the Newsletter. Our 25th Art Exhibition will be held in
Assembly Rooms at the end of October. Before then
you will see us at the Saturday Market in September
promoting the Art Exhibition and in particular the raffle
and explaining more about Rotary and our plans.
Meanwhile, if you want to find out any more about our
Club, please mail me club_president@swaffhamrotary.
org.uk.
John Wallace
YEARS
19
Swaffham & District Lions
Swaffham Lions continue to focus
on helping the environment with
spectacle recycling, collecting food for
food bank and recycling ink cartridges. This
month the Lions sent 134 ink cartridges for recycling.
Unfortunately, more than 375 million empty ink and
toner cartridges are thrown out every year, and most
of them end up in landfill. To get some perspective
on that fact, this means that 11 cartridges per second
create waste of 3,000 tonnes of plastic, 2,500 ferrous
metals, 400 tonnes of aluminium & 26 kilograms
(about 58 pounds) of precious metals. On top of all this,
that 3,000 tonnes of plastic can take up to well over a
couple of hundred years to degenerate.
You can donate food, spectacles and ink cartridges
at the Lions Sunday Food collection in the Assembly
Rooms 10-12 or Swaffham Community Centre.
Swaffham Lioness Lions
The Pride of Swaffham
The Lioness Club held its final meeting in June, in the
form of a garden party at President Nicola’s home. It
was lovely to meet each other all together face to face
after such a long time. Not to be deterred by Covid
setbacks, we are organising our rather belated 30th
Anniversary celebration at The George Hotel in August.
We have distributed all our remaining Lioness Club
Charity Account funds now, as we move forward to
become fully fledged members of our Lions Club. As a
new Club Branch of Swaffham & District Lions we will
now start to build up our Charity funds again.
We have donated to the Swaffham & Litcham Home
Hospice, the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Lions
Sight Cameras Project, Brain Tumour Research, and
Swaffham Scouts and Guides.
It is with sadness that we have to report the passing
away of one of our founder members, Honorary
Lioness Rosemary Skea. She was a dedicated Lioness
for so many years until she eventually had to move
into her Care Home at Little Dunham. She was a keen
photographer and thanks to her enthusiasm, we
have many beautiful Lioness Scrapbooks which are a
wonderful record of our Club activities over the years.
She will be greatly missed.
Swaffham Lioness Lions

WEA - Swaffham Branch
Having spent the last year on zoom, we
are eagerly anticipating our return to
the Community Centre in September, and have a full
programme of courses booked. They will follow our
normal schedule - Monday evening, Friday morning
and a Day School.
However, there will be a change in the way the classes
are delivered. Our pool of tutors who live within
travelling distance of Swaffham is shrinking. So in
order to have a wider range of topics and tutors, we
are going to have the tutor on the big screen, instead
of in the room with us. Many thanks to Jonathon and
Claire who have set it all up for us, and helped with a
highly successful trial run.
The Iceni Partnership have provided us not only with
the screen, but with a webcam and multidirectional
microphone. So everyone should be able to see
and hear all the proceedings. "In other words, the
course should run in exactly the same way as when
the tutor is in the room with us - the students do
not need to worry about grappling with technology.
If you think you might be interested, you can email
us at: SWAFFHAM.branch@wea.ac.uk
We will then be able to notify you of all the course
details once they have been confirmed by our
Regional Office.
Three Plus Tea
We are a small group whose aim is to raise funds for
local charities Norfolk by hosting homemade afternoon
teas, sometimes with a speaker, sometimes just for the
joy of cake and conversation.
The events are to be
held in the Assembly
Rooms in Swaffham
on the first Sunday
afternoon of the
month. The first, on
Sunday September 5th
at 3.00 PM features
Dame Stella Rimington,
the former Director
General of MI5, now an
author. Copies of her
books will be available
for purchase on the
day provided by Ceres Bookshop. Afternoon tea will be
served after her talk.
Tickets cost £15 per person from Ceres Bookshop in
Swaffham. This event is being held in aid of The Norfolk
Hospice, formerly known as Tapping House.
Contact Ceres Bookshop: 01760 722504 or Lynette:
07900 570765
20
Swaffham Library News
Swaffham Library, The Pightle, Swaffham PE37 7DF Tel:
01760 721513
Opening times: Tuesday and Thursday 10am-7pm,
Friday 1-7pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
Visit to:
• Browse the shelves
• Book to use a library computer as well as study space
• Pick up handy Grab and Go bags of books for adults
and children that library staff have selected and collect
reservations
• Collect a free COVID LFD kit, toiletries or sanitary
products
• Parents can use the baby-weighing scales to weigh
their baby or toddler
• Digital support - face-to-face help with getting online
with sessions every Thursday, 4.30 and 5.45pm (call
01760 721513 to book)
To find out more about any of our services the library
helpline number is 01603 774777. We continue to
offer a range of eBooks and activities online. Please
check www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries as well as “What’s
On in Norfolk Libraries” https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/
libraries-local-history-and-archives/libraries/whats-on.
Let the kids go wild with reading this summer
Visit your local library to register your children for
the Summer Reading Challenge for children aged 5 –
11 and pick up their free packs from 10th July. Every
week there will be different activity-sheets available
throughout the summer holidays. These activities will
be in a bag of books hand selected by staff although, of
course, children can also choose their own books.
This year the theme of the challenge is World Wildlife
Heroes and is running in partnership with the Reading
Agency and the World Wildlife Fund. If your child loves
nature, the environment, animals, bugs and slugs this
challenge is the perfect opportunity to foster a love
of reading. Most importantly the Summer Reading
Challenge is fun and engaging for children. In addition
it can support your child to keep up with their reading
during the long summer holiday and nurture a life long
love of books with all the benefits that brings.
The Library and Information Service is also hosting some
exciting children’s author and storytelling events online.
Including award winning author, vet, and wildlife
enthusiast Gill Lewis and children’s TV presenter, author
and vet Jess French. To find out more and to book on
to our events visit our Norfolk Libraries webpage and
follow the links to the Summer Reading Challenge.

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.
New Sport & Leisure Centre For Swaffham
Swaffham Town Council were recently asked by
Breckland Council to convey their two acres of
land adjacent to the Green Britain Centre as a
potential site for a new ‘Sport & Leisure Centre’ for
Swaffham. A decision was taken by Councillors at an
extraordinary meeting on 19th July 2021 to agree to
this request. There will be a covenant that restricts
the use of the land to a ‘Sport & Leisure Centre’ in
perpetuity. Further details will be released as they
are known, but the aim of this decision is to meet
Policy COM 1. i. of the Neighbourhood Plan: the
provision of an improved or new indoor sports and
leisure centre. The Mayor Cllr Judy Anscombe stated
“This decision taken by the Town Council is in line
with the aims and objectives that emerged out of
our Neighbourhood Plan. In early consultation, our
young people showed support for more facilities
for indoor physical leisure activities. The allocation
of this site is a valuable contribution that gives
certainty to Breckland Council to now deliver a
much needed improvement in the sport and leisure
offer for Swaffham."
The Town Council look forward to working
collaboratively with Breckland Council to see this
project come into fruition. I am very pleased that
Swaffham will now benefit.”
Asset Review + Feasibility Study & Business Plan For
The Barn
Work is still in progress by our consultants Ingham
Pinnock, as we reach about the half-way stage of
the commissioned work in this regard. A workshop
with Town Councillors took place on 21st July,
where various options were discussed and this is a
pre-cursor to some public consultation that will be
coming very soon, before the final conclusions are
drawn and any recommendations will then follow. To
date the work completed is as follows: -
• Financial analysis of Council properties /
programmes complete
• Consultation with Historic England & Breckland
Council re: HS HAZ complete
• Literature review complete
• Asset information pro-forma – almost complete
• Consultation with Breckland Council re: growth
plans and market towns more generally pending a
response
Grant Success For Orford Road Play Area
Councillors were notified recently of a successful
grant application made by Project Grant Support
Officer Sue Dent, just prior to her contract ending on
30th June. We wish Sue well in the future and thank
her for all her work over the past three years.
The funding is to be allocated as follows: -
• Seating And Picnic Area £7,500
• Over 8’S Play Area £35,000
• Under 8’S Play Area £30,000
The Grant to be received is £72,500, with the Town
Council providing 3rd party funding of £7,793.75 in
3rd party funding to FCC Recycling UK Ltd, so the net
gain is £64,706.25 – the Deputy Clerk Claire Smith
will be the Lead Officer for delivery of this project
via the Assets & Open Spaces Committee. It is hoped
to go out to tender for this project shortly. This is an
exciting project for Orford Road Play area, following
the recent consultation event conducted on-line and
on site – we now look forward to the much-needed
revamp of this play area.
Christmas Lights & Christmas Market
Some dates for your diary as we have a working group
that have started to plan ahead to our Christmas Light
Switch On and Christmas Market, which this year
(road closure permitting) will be over the weekend of
Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th – we have a Working Group
meeting on 3rd August at the Town Hall, if anyone
is interested in joining us to help out as a volunteer,
please do get in touch with the Town Hall 01760
722922 or reception@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
If we are able to close the road over the two days,
there are some exciting plans to do something a little
different this year, with the possibility of an Ice Rink.
The switch-on itself will be on the Sunday 5th as
usual, but we really hope that we can give Swaffham
something to look forward to this Christmas, having
had to cancel last year because of Covid.
Meetings, Live Streaming And Covid Safe Measures
Third time lucky, we managed to Live Stream the
Full Council meeting on 14th July, and this was
seen live by at least 30 people… Not much in the
way of interest compared to some live streamed
events on social media, but 10 times as many as our
regular attendance in person. It is rather strange
seeing real people in the same room to begin with
and unless we are having a honeymoon period, so
far (fingers crossed) everyone is playing nicely. We
have had some good-humoured debates and a lot of
22

interesting decisions have been taken. Up until the
July meeting, we had a couple of failed attempts on
the live streaming. As we make our way face-to-face
back in the Town Hall, here is another important
message:
The Town Council decided to keep their socially
distanced meeting layout in the Council Chamber,
and stay with some of the Covid safe measures, such
as regular use of hand sanitiser and entering the
building fully masked until you reach your seat, when
the mask can be removed and to leave the building
fully masked until you get outside. These are relatively
easy measures to follow, as we are clearly not out of
the woods yet, despite the legal requirements being
removed on 19th July, this is just common sense until
such a time it is deemed safe.
Similarly, our Covid safe screens will remain in place
at the Town Hall reception for the foreseeable future.
Everyone wants an end to the Pandemic and to see
off Covid, or to learn to live with it as part of our
normal lives, no-one wants another lockdown to be
necessary, just because we did not take care for this
next period of time. We are nearly there Swaffham,
let's take care of each other and everyone play their
part…
The 2021 Classic Car Show & Family Fun Day
is coming up fast on Sunday 29th August. There has
been plenty of interest and we have the additional
new online booking system for entering cars via the
town website www.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
under the heading 2021 Car Show. Alternatively email
reception@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk or call the
office 01760 722922. Stall and car boot application
forms can be downloaded as well or obtained from
the office. Look out for any last-minute updates on
social media on Facebook and Twitter.
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
reception@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Town Council Committee
meeting dates - AUGUST 2021
• Wed 11th – Full Council – 6.30pm. Town Hall
• Mon 16th – Market, Events & Tourism – 6.30pm.
Town Hall
• Tue 31st - Planning & Built Environment – 4pm.
Town Hall
23
The Town Council
Mayor - Cllr Judy Anscombe
CllrAnscombe.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Deputy Mayor - Cllr Stewart Bell
CllrBell.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Lindsay Beech
CllrBeech.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Nayna Bass
CllrBass.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. Colin Houghton
CllrHoughton.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Shirley Matthews
CllrMatthews.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Kurt Oliver
CllrOliver.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Ian Pilcher
CllrPilcher.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Les Scott
CllrScott.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Jill Skinner
CllrSkinner.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Officers:
Richard Bishop – Town Clerk
townclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Claire Smith – Deputy Town Clerk
deputyclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Breckland District Council
www.breckland.gov.uk
01362 656 870. For all enquiries regarding: Planning,
Refuse Bins, Housing, Recycling, Licensing & Benefits
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
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.

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