Local Lynx No.141 - December 2021/January 2022

ISSUE 141
December 2021
- January 2022
With a special thank you to our
intrepid volunteers who deliver
Local Lynx throughout the year
©AndrewMoncur
ADS DIRECTORY now on back page and at
www.locallynx.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON
VH = village hall
DECEMBER
2 nd Thu. Sharrington Craft Group, VH 2-4pm
3 rd Fri. Field Dalling Adnams Wine Tasting VH 7pm
3 rd Fri. Langham Christmas light switch on, Blue Bell
4 th Sat. Binham Christmas supper, MH, 7pm
4 th Sat. Langham Christmas fair VH 10am – 12noon
5 th Sun. Langham Shopping trip to Norwich – Blue Bell 10am
pick up
8 th Wed. Sharrington Gardening Group, film Holt ‘The
Venue’ 6.30 for 7pm
9 th Thu. Binham Christmas Bingo, MH, 6.30pm eyes down
7pm
9 th Thu. Langham Quiz night VH 7pm
10 th Fri. Bale Fish and chips, VH 7pm
11 th Sat. Binham Children’s party, MH, 4pm
11 th Sat. Cockthorpe Church lights festival
11 th Sat. Langham Children’s Christmas disco VH 3-5pm
11 th Sat. Morston Norwich Rock Choir Morston Quay 2pm
11 th Sat. Sharrington ‘Cutting the Mustard’ band VH 7pm
12 th Sun. Cockthorpe Church Lights Festival
12 th Sun. Morston Landscape painting workshops
14 th Tue. Sharrington Jammin for scones, VH 2-4pm
16 th Thu. Sharrington Noble Rotters, wine tasting VH 7.30pm
18 th Sat. Gunthorpe Institute & 50:50 Club Christmas function
12noon
18 th Sat. Sharrington Lantern procession VH 4.30pm and carol
service at church 5pm
19 th Sun. Saxlingham Carols by candlelight, St.Margaret’s
Church 4pm
21 st Tue. Binham Carols and readings for Advent and
Christmas, BP, 6.30pm
23 rd Thu. Morston Candlelit carol service, All Saints 4pm
24 th Fri. Binham Children’s crib service, BP, 4pm
24 th Fri. Langham Carol service Langham church 4pm
24 th Fri. Morston Carol singers assemble Anchor 5:30pm
31 st Fri. Bale Old Year’s Night, VH 8pm
JANUARY
9 th Sun. Binham, Carols and readings for Epiphany with
Richeldis Singers, BP, 3.30pm
10 th Mon. Binham Parish council meeting, MH, 7.30pm
11 th Tue. Binham Art Group ‘acrylic pour’ demonstration,
MH, 9.30am to 12.30pm
11 th Tue. Sharrington Jammin for scones, VH 2-4pm
14 th Fri. Bale Fish and chips, VH 7pm
21 st Fri. Sharrington Noble Rotters, wine tasting VH 7.30pm
27 th Thu. Sharrington Live music night VH 7pm
29th Sat. Gunthorpe 50:50 Coffee morning 10.30am Village
Institute
REGULARS
Mondays in December Field Dalling Prayer Discussion Group
see p.11 for details.
Tuesdays Binham, Art Group BMH 9.30am to 12.30pm.
First and third Tuesday in the month Binham, Sew and Natter,
The Gallery in the Chequers, 7-9pm
Third Wednesday in the month, Binham, Cosy Club, BMH, 2-
4pm
1 st and 3 rd Saturdays in month Langham Coffee Mornings, VH
10am -12noon
POST OFFICE AND LIBRARY BUSES
Wednesdays: Field Dalling Post Office at VH 8-8.40am and
Langham Post Office at VH 8.50-9.20am
Fridays: 17 th Dec. and 14 th Jan. Sharrington Library Bus
VH 3.10pm
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Local Lynx is a non-profit-making community
newspaper for the ten villages of the benefice.
_________________________________________________________________________
We welcome articles, drawings, photos, poetry and
advertisements for publication fr om all ages but
the editor reserves the right to edit or omit
submissions. A maximum of 400 words is
recommended. Please contact your local rep on
their email or phone number listed under your own
village heading.
All submissions must go through the village rep.
For general information: lynxeditor@pobox.com.
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Deadlines for submissions to reps are: 6 January,
6 March, 6 May, 6 July, 6 September & 6 November
Newsletter and Website Advertising
For enquiries about advertising in Local Lynx, contact
Sally Metcalfe: sallymetcalfe@btinternet.com
Rates for advertising (pre-paid) are:
One column x 62 mm (1/8 page): £72 for six issues.
Small Ads Panel on the back page:
Available for individuals and businesses
providing local services. Cost: £36 for six issues.
NEW CLASH DIARY
If you are arranging a big event, contact your village rep
to add it to our clash diary, then check the diary to see
what else is going on.
February 2022
5 th Sat. Sharrington Forties Afternoon VH tbc
April 2022
30 th Sat. Sharrington Strawbs Concert. VH 7.30pm
June 2022
5 th Sun. Langham Queen’s 70 th Jubilee Street Party
August 2022
13 th Sat. Field Dalling & Saxlingham Summer Fete
20 th Sat. Langham Street Fayre
ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Back Lane Blakeney NR25 7NP
Mass on Sunday - 11am
Mass on Wednesday – 9.30am
Holyday of Obligation - 9.30am
www.catholicparishofwalsingham.org
BLAKENEY METHODIST CHURCH
First Sunday - Traditional Methodist Service 10am.
Second Sunday – Café Church 10am.
Third Sunday - Garden Church 10am.
Fourth Sunday - Café Church 10am.
For further information contact:
Samantha Parfitt, Lay Pioneer 07591509653 or
pilgrimchurchpioneer@outlook.com
JOINT MEETING OF HOLT AND
REPPS DEANERY SYNODS
Cromer Parish Hall, 65 Church Street,
Cromer NR27 9HH
Thursday 18 th November 2021, 7.30pm
Tea and coffee available from 7pm. Parish Hall opposite
Boots, next door to Costa Coffee. Nearest car
park: Meadow Road, NR27 9EE.

Church Services for Bale and Stiffkey Benefice for December 2021 and January 2022
HC=Holy Communion CFS=Church Family Service MP=Morning Prayer BCP=Book of Common Prayer CW=Common Worship
Parish 5 th December 12 th December 19 th December 25 th December 26 th December
Christmas Day Boxing Day
Bale 9.30am HC 9.30am HC 6pm Lessons & Carols 9.30am HC At Langham
Field Dalling 11.00am CFS 11am Lessons & Carols 10.30am Christmas At Langham
Communion
Saxlingham At Field Dalling 4pm Lessons & Carols At Field Dalling At Langham
Gunthorpe 11.00am MP BCP 4.30pm Silent 11am MP with Carols At Langham
Meditation
Sharrington 9.30am MPBCP 9.30am HC 9.30am HC At Langham
Binham 11am HC 11am MP BCP 11am MP BCP 11am HC At Langham
Morston 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am MP BCP At Langham
Langham At Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Stiffkey 10.30am HC Group
Service
Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Langham 3pm Christingle At Langham
Parish 2 nd January 9 th January 16 th January 23 rd January 30 th January
Bale 9.30am HC 9.30am HC 10.30am HC
Group Service
Field Dalling 11am CFS At Saxlingham 11am MP BCP At Bale
Saxlingham At Field Dalling 11am HC At Field Dalling At Bale
Gunthorpe 11am MP BCP 4.30pm Silent
At Bale
Meditation
Sharrington 9.30am MP BCP 9.30am HC 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC At Bale
Binham 11am HC 3.30pm Epiphany 11.00am MP BCP
At Bale
Service with the
Richeldis Singers
Morston 9.30am HC BCP 9.30am MP BCP At Bale
Langham At Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Bale
Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Langham 9.30am HC BCP At Langham At Bale
Additional Services
18 th December: Sharrington, 5pm. Lantern procession and carols
21 st December: Binham, 6.30pm. Carols and readings with the Iceni Choir
23 rd December: Morston, 4pm. Lessons and carols
Christmas Eve: Binham, 4pm. Crib service
Christmas Eve: Field Dalling, 4pm. Crib service
Christmas Eve: Langham, 4pm. Carol service
Zoom evensong on December 5 th and January 2 nd at 5.00pm. For further details
please contact Ian Newton.
on 01328 830947 or email iannewton46@gmail.com.
Please note there may be last minute changes to services.
RECTOR’S LETTER
My Dear Friends and Parishioners,
The year draws to its close, and all things living,
plantwise, shrink away. We, though, cling to life; and so
we should. We are made and equipped to Live, to face
adversity, to take pleasure, to exhibit the virtues:
loyalty, courage, kindness and long-suffering. New Year
seems away off – but the Church’s New Year begins at
Advent: Coming. There are four weeks for the
preparation of ourselves for Death, Judgement, Heaven
and Hell; and then Christmas, the Nativity of Our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. And what a wonder.
Intertwined in all that we do is the heavenly, the
eternal. It’s a time of forgiveness, of persistence, of
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Artwork by Langham School
loving care. But also of recognition, of determination of
absolute glorious declaration. “Unto us a Son is born.
Unto us a Son is given….” And here is our health, our
saving, our ultimate security, our peace; and the whole
created order sings: in science, art, music, simplicity.
May I wish you a thoughtful few weeks before
Christmas; and then, Fire every cannon, ring every bell,
pull every cracker, and proclaim Jesus Christ is born.
And a peaceful, blessed and healthy New Year!
Yours very truly,
Ian Whittle,
The Rectory, Langham 01328 830246

LOOKING AFTER LOCAL LYNX
Local Lynx is a not-for-profit community paper
covering the villages of Bale, Binham, Cockthorpe,
Field Dalling, Gunthorpe, Langham, Morston,
Saxlingham, Sharrington and Stiffkey.
Published every other month, it contains community
news as well as news and articles from each of the
villages together with details of church services and
news from the local school in Langham.
Currently distributed to over 1,100 households it has
an estimated readership of over 2,000 as well as over
800 readers on-line at www.locallynx.co.uk.
The paper is produced entirely by volunteers with
the editor supported by village reps who collate the
stories, distributors who pop the paper through each
letterbox, proof readers who try to catch the typos, a
designer who can add style and of course those that
write the interesting articles and news.
Financially the paper is supported by the parish
councils and parochial church councils of the villages
concerned and by the wonderful local businesses who
place their adverts with us. We also have great support
from our readers. If you like what you read and would
like to make a contribution to the running costs of the
paper then these can be made by contacting the editor at
lynxeditor@pobox.com or by direct bank transfer
to: Local Paper a/c 65004288 sort code 09-01-54.
Lynx Internet Banking and Standing Orders
Account Name: Local Paper
Account number: 6500 4288 Sort code: 09-01-54
COMMUNITY nEWS
FAKENHAM CHORAL SOCIETY
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
A Festive Fantasia
Fakenham Choral Society presents its annual Christmas
concert in Fakenham Parish Church on Saturday 11 th
December 2021 at 5.30pm – the choir’s first performance
since March 2020. Musical Director Mark Jones will lead
the performance in his usual exuberant style! Come and sing
along to some popular carols and enjoy a selection of
wonderfully celebratory festive music
The performance will last for 1 hour 15 minutes with no
interval. Free entry. Retiring collection.
HEALTHWATCH UPDATE
Over the last few months, access to a GP has been
flagged up by many people getting in touch with us at
Healthwatch Norfolk.
We know it is worrying and we will continue to work as
the voice of patients. Equally we also co-signed a letter with
GP practice leaders and their teams asking everyone if they
could do their bit to ease pressure on the teams at surgeries
and health centres as well.
This includes making sure we are kind and respectful
when we get in touch with them, use technology if we can
to get in touch with staff as that helps make sure you get
seen by the right person, and go straight to hospitals if you
have an inquiry about waiting times for treatment there.
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It was also a reminder that practices these days have a
large support team with other people who may be able to
help such as pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurse
practitioners, paramedics and social prescribers.
Meanwhile we are asking your help if you are a patient
of the Queen Elizabeth NHS Trust over in Kings Lynn.
We are working with it to see if it can improve the way
it gets in touch about its care and appointments, what form
these appointments should take, and how you would like to
hear about hospital news and information.
A survey is running until the end of January and this is
your chance to have your say. You can find the survey at
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/QEHCommunication/
Alternatively you can request a print or ‘easy read’ version
of the survey by emailing enquiries@healthwatchnorfolk.
co.uk or calling 0808 168 9669. Finally, all of us at
Healthwatch Norfolk would like to wish all Lynx readers a
Merry Christmas and a peaceful 2022. Alex Stewart
LIBRARIES UPDATE
Please note for all events booking is advised, but dropins
welcome where space is available. Check with staff first
that sessions are running.
Tuesdays
Bounce and rhyme: weekly, 2-2.30pm
Wednesdays
Computer help: weekly (booking essential), 2-4pm
Book group: check date with staff, 5.30-6.30pm
Fridays
Crafting for children: weekly, term time only, 3.30-4.30pm
Saturdays
Lego Club: weekly, 2-3pm
Christmas Opening Times
Friday 24th December: Fakenham library closed,
Holt Library 10 – 12 noon, Wells library 9am – 12 noon
25th – 28th December: all closed
29th & 30th December: normal opening times
Friday 31st December: Fakenham Library 2 – 4pm,
Holt library 10am – 4pm, Wells library 9am – 4pm
1st, 2nd and 3rd of January: all closed
From Tuesday 4th January: normal opening times
Volunteers needed
Could you help us offer Bounce and Rhyme at Holt
Library? We are looking for volunteers to help for 30
minutes a week to share rhymes and stories with children.
If you would like to get involved please contact Holt
Library on 01263 712202 or alternatively volunteer
contact@norfolk.gov.uk 01603 774793.
We are also looking for volunteers to help a few
hours every now and then with the garden at Holt
Library. if you are interested please contact the library
No news from our councillors this time.
District Councillors’ Contact Details:
Richard Kershaw e:richard.kershaw@north-norfolk.gov.uk
(Binham, Cockthorpe, Field Dalling, Gunthorpe & Bale, Langham
& Saxlingham) Andrew Brown e:andrew.brown@northnorfolk.gov.uk
(Sharrington) 07970 298695 Victoria Holliday:
(Morston & Stiffkey)victoria.holliday@north-norfolk.gov.uk
County Councillors’ contact details:
Michael Dalby: County Councillor Wells Division - Glaven,
Priory and Walsingham Parishes (incl. Binham & Cockthorpe,
Brinton & Sharrington, Field Dalling & Saxlingham, Langham,
Morston, Stiffkey) Steffan Aquarone: County Councillor Melton
Constable Division ( incl. Bale and Gunthorpe Parishes)
steffanaquarone@gmail.com or 07879 451608

BALE
Contact: Maggie Thomas 01328 822481
maggie2403@icloud.com
FUND-RAISING EVENT
Bale Village Hall
More than 40 people
enjoyed flower arranging
demonstrations by Amanda
Seales, former chairperson of
Holt & District Flower Club.
Mandy is a regular flower
arranger in Norwich Cathedral
and has arranged flowers in
Westminster Abbey. She
entertained the audience with
amusing stories while showing them simple and
inexpensive ways to make a dramatic statement, using jam
jars, small amounts of lace, hessian and ribbon. Her
creations included a sultry display of jam jars covered in
black lace and red ribbon filled with dark red flowers;
pumpkins topped with succulents and air plants; a tiny
garden of flowers and grasses in a container made from
lawn edging and an autumn willow ring that could be
adapted to make a Christmas wreath. Her grand finale was a
sumptuous pedestal arrangement of dahlias and roses with
trailing foliage.
Mandy is passionate about sustainability and uses locally
-grown flowers wherever possible as well as flowers and
foliage from own garden. She hopes to persuade anyone
arranging flowers for their home or church to use
alternatives to floral foam which is not biodegradable.
Instead of floral foam she uses scrunched up chicken wire in
vases and containers: a much cheaper alternative and ecofriendly.
The most delicious cakes and tarts were donated to the
event by Bale residents and Jocelyn Bunting, a volunteer
baker at The Treehouse Café, Holt. £432 was raised for The
Treehouse, a community café that runs groups and activities
for children and adults. Based in Charles Road, the café
raises the money to enable groups to be run for free.
Volunteers bake, garden, wash up and serve in the café. A
patch of land has been developed into a community garden
with meandering paths, flower and vegetable beds. Behind
it is the wild garden with a willow arch, dinosaur mound,
sandpits, toys and lots of space for children to play while
their parents and grandparents enjoy coffee and cake at the
picnic tables.
MT
WILD BALE
The bird food store
Winter is upon us and our feathered friends are fighting
to survive the sort of weather that
causes the highest mortality in
birds. Many familiar species,
including jay, nuthatch and coal tit,
hoard food in individual spots or in
large caches to see them through
periods of cold, snow, rain and
freezing temperatures.
Bird species that hoard are often
birds that do not normally migrate,
such as the jay. Hoarding allows a bird to feed without using
energy to fly great distances.
The jay can bury hundreds of acorns, pine seeds and
even small mammals during the autumn and later recall
exactly where they were cached, even after a fall of snow.
They also remember when they buried them, ensuring that
the most perishable food items are eaten first. They use the
hippocampus in the brain to remember where they have
buried food items and what food items they have hidden.
The hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for
memory and learning, is enlarged in long-distance migrant
birds and we know that they learn their migration map by
studying the sun, which they use as a compass, and the stars
at night. Fledged birds spend two weeks or so looking at the
night sky and the rotation of celestial bodies in order to learn
how to navigate. They also recognise physical features and
can detect the magnetic field that surrounds the earth. This is
strongest at the poles and weakest around the equator but
there is some evidence to suggest that the magnetic field is
being disrupted by low level electronic interference from the
many small electrical items humans now possess.
Effectively most migrating birds know in which direction to
fly and for how many days, taking into account the weather,
and then use physical features to navigate to a precise
location.
This autumn the acorn crop failed in Norfolk and there
was very little beech mast, the two most stored foods for
jays. As a result, we have seen small groups of jays flying
west along the coast in search of food and there have been
more sightings of jays in gardens. This is known as a foodinduced
eruption.
In 1983 I was birding in Kent on the coast near Dover
early one October morning when a group of fifteen jays
flew west over the clifftop in a loose flock. By midday we
had counted 896 Jays moving west in one disjointed group:
an astounding number in one location. A few days later a
flock of one thousand were seen in a field at Land’s End,
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Cornwall. The flock flew out into the Atlantic. These were
jays from Eastern Europe where the acorn crop had
completely failed.
Paul Laurie
VILLAGE HALL NEWS
After an eleventh-hour cancellation from the caterer, the
good folk of Bale pulled out all the stops and created an
excellent feast for harvest supper. Thanks to all concerned
for a very pleasant evening.
At the time of writing, tickets for the quiz on 27 th
November are selling well, thanks to the Bale Village
WhatsApp. This has proved a great way of getting
information around the village and we will be advertising all
future events this way. For those who are not on the
network, posters will also go up on the notice boards outside
the hall and by the telephone box opposite the church and
the Lynx carries details of everything happening and how to
book. If you would like to join the WhatsApp group, please
contact Alastair on 07791 456819.
December fish and chips on the 10 th will be, as usual, a
festive occasion so Christmas jumpers will be welcome!
We will also have the extra 100-club prize draw to help a
lucky participant with their yuletide expenses. Don’t forget
to place your food order by 6pm via WhatsApp,
balevillagehall@gmail.com (now working as it should)
or calling 01328 878355. The same arrangements will apply
for our 14 th January get-together.
Back by popular request – we will be installing a
Christmas tree outside the hall in December and would like
to invite you to get together to sing carols there on Thursday
23 rd December from 4pm. Even if social-distancing rules are
imposed again this winter, we can enjoy each other’s
company in the safety of the outdoors. This is weather
dependant so ‘fingers crossed’ for the rain to hold off that
evening.
Old Year’s Night should be making a triumphant return
on 31 st December at 8pm, Covid-permitting. For those who
are new to the village, this is a very popular event with a
gourmet meal cooked by Alastair and his team plus a few
games and, of course, a hearty rendition of ‘Auld Lang
Syne’ at midnight. Booking will be via WhatsApp,
balevillagehall@gmail.com or call 01328 878914. This
evening is always fully subscribed so please book early to
avoid disappointment! Places will be allocated strictly on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Many and varied ideas have been put forward for events
at the village hall during 2022, so watch this space for
details in the next edition of the Local Lynx. PM
HUNDRED CLUB DRAW RESULTS
If you would like to join the 100 Club, please pay the
annual subscription of £12 into a/c 10142182, sort
code 20-30-81, using 100 and your surname as the
reference. The draw is held on the second week of
each month at fish and chips in the village hall.
September 2021 October 2021
Martin Moore £25 Dawn Baker
Evan Turnbull £10 Evan Turnbull
Hannah Letts £5 Maggie Thomas
Julie Bridge £5 Paul Turnbull
BALE BOOK GROUP
Sisters by Daisy Johnson
Daisy Johnson, a British novelist and short story writer,
was one of the youngest authors to be shortlisted for the
Man Booker in 2018. Sisters tells the
story of two sisters, named July and
September, born ten months apart but,
in many respects, like twins. The New
York Times describes it as “a haunting
story about two sisters caught in a
powerful emotional web and wrestling
to understand where one ends and the
other begins.” There is an intense
emotional intertwining and
interdependence of their lives, shared
feelings and sensations and a strong
attachment to each other:
“When one of us speaks we both feel the words moving
on our tongues. When one of us eats we both feel the food
slipping down our gullets. It would have surprised neither of
us to have found, slit open, that we shared organs that one’s
lungs breathed for the both, that a single heart beat a
doubling, feverish pulse.”
One sister has a terrible dominance over the other but,
despite their dysfunctional relationship, they live together in
a very private world. Their mother, a writer of children’s
books, is depressed and almost detached from her
daughters. Their father, now deceased, had had his own
issues and had left the family. After a traumatic event their
mother takes them away from their home to an isolated and
run-down cottage near the coast where they are mainly left
to fend for themselves.
There is a twist to this story, which everyone but me
spotted at the beginning: July had promised that she would
die before September and, no matter what, September
should survive. The narrative then revolves around this
promise.
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This is a quick and easy read. I found myself wondering
what, if this were a film, the genre would be: a gothic
horror; psychological thriller or a study of relationships, of
loss and grief.
The book did not incite the usual lively discussion.
Group members thought that the author failed to expand on
parts of the narrative which would have made it a better
read. They felt that the subject matter had a lot to offer and
often captivated the reader but that some images and scenes
from the cottage did not hold enough resonance. It was not
a book that anyone wished to revisit but it would make an
easy holiday read.
Ali Courtney
ALL SAINTS’ BALE
Having got into a regular routine of Holy Communion
services at 9.30am on the first and third Sundays of the
month, it is hoped that a variation on this in December and
January won’t cause too much confusion!
In December, Holy Communion will take place on the
first and second Sundays, 5 th and 12 th . We will then be
holding our traditional service of carols and readings at 6pm
on the 19 th . This is a lovely occasion with candlelight, the
Christmas tree, music and words that bring the spirit of the
season. After the service, all are invited to enjoy mince pies
and mulled wine.
In January, in addition to our regular first- and third-
Sunday services on the 2 nd and 16 th , Bale will be hosting the
group service where we welcome visitors from other
churches in the benefice. This will take place on Sunday 30 th
January at 10.30am.
It has been suggested that Bale should support the local
food bank on a regular basis. People were very generous last
year when we placed a collection bin by the Christmas tree
outside the village hall and, in this time of particular
hardship and ongoing austerity, it is felt that a permanent
collection point should be installed in the church porch from
the beginning of December. Please spare a thought, when
doing your supermarket shopping, for those who are
struggling and try to place a little extra ‘something’ in your
trolley to donate to the food bank. Canned and packet goods
are obviously most appropriate.
PM
BALE PAINTING GROUP
The Bale Painting Group restarted in September, with
members making the most of our renovated village hall to
paint, draw and share a few hours doing art.
Pictures we have created are often put up on the walls to
decorate the hall. We change the pictures frequently so this
is an ever-changing gallery.
Future plans include activities such as an open studio
session in the summer and workshops where we will invite
local artists to present new styles and techniques to us.
We have space for a few more people to join us. We
currently meet on Mondays from 1pm to 4pm at Bale
village hall which is on Sharrington Road not far from the
church. The postcode is NR21 0QY.
If you are interested, we look forward to seeing you
soon. You can contact us by email at
TheBalePaintingGroup@outlook.com. Peter Jones
BALE GRAND DRAW
By now you will, hopefully, have received through your
mailbox some tickets for the grand draw. This is usually a
feature of the Bale fete in June but as this has now been
cancelled twice, it was decided to reschedule the draw to
Christmastime. The fete and draw contribute to the upkeep
of Bale church and also to the ongoing costs of the village
hall. This income has been sorely missed over the period of
the pandemic, particularly by the church, which was forced
to close for some time and has had no support by way of
grants.
Please buy/sell as many tickets as you are able: there is
always a good range of prizes! We would ask you to return
ticket stubs, any unsold tickets and monies to Church House
(immediately opposite the church) by the morning of the
19 th December. The draw itself will take place in church
whilst we are quaffing mulled wine and mince pies after the
carol service, which begins at 6pm that evening. PM
GUNTHORPE WITH BALE PC
VACANCY FOR PARISH COUNCILLOR
Are you interested in the life of our community, the local
environment, recreational facilities, local transport,
planning, housing and other local issues? If you live or work
in either Gunthorpe or Bale and are aged over 18, you could
be eligible to become a parish councillor.
The PC meets four times each year. Meetings usually
last no more than two hours and alternate between Bale and
Gunthorpe. You will have the support of the parish clerk, a
paid employee of the council, to direct and support you.
Training is available if you are new to the role to ensure you
get the most out of it.To find out more, contact the Parish
Clerk, Kerry Harris, by email at kerry_gunthorpepc
@yahoo.com or by phone on 01328 822583. MT
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BINHAM
Contact: Liz Brady 01328 830830
lizsdavenport@gmail.com
BINHAM PARISH COUNCIL
A rainbow is forming over the field towards the coast.
Always a fabulous sight, but where is that pot of gold? The
skies are brightening up, the air is still, the roads are busy
with farm traffic carrying the potato and sugar beet harvest.
This time last year, we faced uncertainty about
increasing numbers of Covid positive cases after a lull in the
summer. Dare I say, despite all the restrictions and efforts
Covid has crept up on us again. We have returned to
‘normal’, but unfortunately despite everyone’s best efforts
there are pockets of increased Covid cases not least in our
region (https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/
interactive-map/cases).
It is essential that we must all remain cautious to protect
ourselves and others. Remember the simple things - hand
washing, social distancing, fresh air, wearing face coverings
in crowded spaces, getting tested and vaccinated will all
stand us in good stead in the coming months.
The parish council is busy, not least with planning
issues. One of the responsibilities of the PC is to review
planning applications as a consultee and make comments
either supporting or objecting with relevant reasons. The PC
also endeavours to ensure that any noticed changes to
buildings, land or changes of use comply with North
Norfolk District Council (NNDC) planning regulations
requirements. Details can be found on NNDC planning
portal at https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/info/
conservation/.
This approach is compounded by Binham and
Cockthorpe being two of 81 specially designated
conservation areas by NNDC. Conservation areas are of
special architectural or historic interest, the character and
appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance.
Development in such circumstances is therefore subject to
stricter planning regulations.
The PC would hope that any residential or business
premises within the conservation areas be mindful of these
regulations, when looking to make any property alterations
to an existing building, adding new structures or changing
of uses. There is also a special onus on owners of listed
buildings to take care to ensure compliance with all the
requirements. Another important topic is trees, these should
not be removed without consultation and approval of the
tree officer at NNDC.
In recent years there has been a turnover of existing
properties particularly in Binham and resultant development
and alterations. The PC will always welcome property
owners to speak to the PC about their intended plans so that
the council members can be informed and ultimately be
consistent in approach to the decision-making process.
The roads continue to be busy, as one would expect, half
term just finished, staycation visitors, potato and sugar beet
harvest and general travelling to and from work and school.
Valuable data is collected by way of SAM2 which is moved
every six weeks. There is a persistent increase in the speed
on two roads (average 39-40mph in 30mph zones), and the
volume of traffic has increased in the last few months. To
this end, and in response to an invitation from Hindringham
PC to join their Community Speed Watch scheme https://
www.norfolk.police.uk/sites/norfolk/files/page/downloads/
csw_flyer_2021_norfolk.pdf, representatives from Binham,
Langham and Hindringham met to discuss a way forward to
tackle similar problems. The PC will discuss at the
November meeting joining Hindringham’s Community
Speed Watch team to determine whether such a scheme
might calm the traffic and secondarily triangulate SAM2
data. If agreement is reached at the meeting, volunteers to
join such a scheme will be sought, further details will appear
on the PC website (https://binhampc.norfolkparishes.
gov.uk).
Christmas approaches, there are numerous activities
being organised by the Memorial Hall trustees, and Binham
Priory as described elsewhere. Each one provides us with a
wonderful opportunity for new and old village residents to
come together and celebrate the season and the joy of
meeting and getting to know each other. It’s great fun, with
Christmas fare to eat and
drink. There is an
opportunity to say to many
a huge thank you for all
you have done in the
village during the last two
years of Covid in keeping
us safe.
We look forward to an
even better display of
spectacular Christmas
lights this year, so do join
in decorating your trees
and houses to mark the
festive season.
To end I thought this
wonderful drawing and
8

comment about cows from Verity (8 years old) visiting her
great aunt in the summer will cheer us all up.
“Cows are very nice creatures.
They will only charge at you if you bother them.
The mother cows have udders, they use them to produce
milk for their babies and us.
Please always respect cows. Thank you.”
May I wish everyone a very happy and peaceful
Christmas and a prosperous 2022.
Elizabeth S Brady (Chair Binham PC) and Pennie
Alford (Chair Binham PC Planning subcommittee)
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT
BINHAM PRIORY
We extend a warm welcome to everyone at the
following services:
Tuesday, 21 st December, 6.30 pm
Carols and Readings for Advent and Christmas
with the Iceni Christmas Choir
Christmas Eve, 4.00 pm
Children's Crib Service
Christmas Day, 11.00 am
Holy Communion
Sunday, 9 th January, 3.30 pm
Carols and Readings for Epiphany
with the Richeldis Singers
BINHAM PRIORY PASSION
Binham Passion Play needs you and
you don’t have to live in Binham
The main parts have been cast, leaving some small parts
still open, with very little to learn, or you could be a member
of the crowd in several scenes. We will also want help
behind the scenes: costumes, make-up, props, car-parking
etc. Rehearsals start in January
For your information: The dress rehearsal will be on
Sunday 11th April and three main performances Tuesday
13th to Thursday 15th, all in the early evening.
If you are interested, please contact David Frost 01328
830362 or davidfrost226@btinternet.com
BINHAM VILLAGE MEMORIAL HALL
www.binhamvillagehall.co.uk
Christmas is nearly here which is so exciting. 2022 is
just around the corner which seems rather astonishing. The
Hall has had a pretty good 2021, all things considered, and
we are all very much looking forward to having a good
2022 – even if we do have everything crossed, keep
touching wood and carry-on avoiding walking under
ladders.
We had an excellent harvest lunch at the beginning of
October and a week later, a phenomenal quiz night. Andy
Marsh, chair of the trustees, was an excellent quizmaster
and Liz Brown and her crack team produced a delicious
supper. There were about 35 of us and we raised £260 after
all the costs were deducted and everyone had a wonderful
evening. We are looking forward to the next one!
This issue should be with you by the beginning of
December so there still might be time to book in for the
Christmas supper on December 4th at 7pm and Christmas
bingo on December 9 th , 6.30 for eyes down 7pm but if not,
then we are also having a children’s Christmas party on
December 11 th at 4pm and lastly carols around the tree is on
Monday December 20th at 7.15pm at The Chequers with
Fakenham Town Band. Refreshments will be served and a
collection to pay for the band. If you’ve already got your
2022 diary handy, the wonderful young singers from
Gresham’s School are coming on February 9th with what
promises to be a super concert of ‘Songs from the Shows’.
Keep an eye on the Facebook page, website and posters
around the village nearer the time for up-to-date details.
We are very hopeful that we might have dedicated wifi
by the New Year. This will be very useful for people who
are using the hall whether it be for a party, painting or
pilates. We might manage to get an Instagram hashtag going
too!
Don’t forget the 100 Club – there are still numbers
available.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us to
all of you.
Mary Hunt and Liz Brown
BRIGHTEN UP BINHAM
We do hope you’ve enjoyed our flower boxes this year,
they are now planted up for winter with still a bit of colour.
If you would like to be involved, with watering or planting
up please give Liz. (07435 788221) or Janet (01328
830652) a ring.
We look forward to next year with lots of bulbs in the
boxes there should be lots of colour. Thank you very much
for all your lovely comments made during the year about
the boxes
Liz Brown and Jan Hewit
THE FRIENDS OF BINHAM PRIORY
We eased gently back into action in September with a
special members drinks party to mark the 10th anniversary
of the Friends of Binham Priory. It was more than a year
late as our anniversary was in 2020 but the event was a great
success, and it was lovely to see so many of you again.
9

At the time of writing, we are preparing for our Autumn
talk on November 27th. Guest speaker, Peter Brookes, was
to have appeared last year. When we announced the new
date, tickets sold out rapidly amongst members before even
being advertised to the public. Peter, political cartoonist for
The Times, will review his work on contemporary political
life with a presentation entitled “Desperate Times”.
We are also looking to the future, planning events for
next year and working on projects to benefit Binham’s gem
building, Binham Priory Church. We will have more on this
in early Spring 2022 and will put our news on our website,
www.friendsofbinhampriory.weebly.com.
For anyone considering becoming a member, there are
forms to download on the website and they can also be
collected from our display stand inside the priory. The
website has news on Binham events as well as local pictures
and plenty of information about the work of The Friends.
Carolyn Raymond
BINHAM ART GROUP
The Art Group now boasts 30 members and each week
we usually get about 20 artists attend class. We now have
three Binham residents in the group with many others from
neighbouring villages within the Lynx catchment area.
Binham Village Memorial Hall is such an inspirational
venue for us to paint and draw. Our artists work is varied
many using watercolour, others using acrylics and oil
(which are now water based!) as well as watercolour pencils
and inks. It’s always been our practice to do your own thing
and we share ideas, techniques and knowledge with other
group members which makes it both interactive and
enjoyable.
We meet every Tuesday morning from 9.30 to 12.30
with a coffee break midway through. Once a month, on the
last Tuesday of each month, we hold a ‘picture of the
month’ competition where group members vote on the
picture, they consider to be the best from that month’s work.
The winning picture is then displayed in The Gallery at The
Chequers for the following month, it is also displayed on the
home page of our website too.
About every other month, we invite visiting
accomplished artists to give us a demonstration of their
work. This is sometimes followed by a workshop where you
get a chance to apply what you’ve learned. These sessions
are also open to non -members and we post details of these
upcoming events on the news page on our website. There
will also be occasional demonstrations of different painting
techniques and on 11 th Jan 2022, yours truly will be
demonstrating the ‘acrylic pour’ technique with
pyrotechnics and all. A good way to start the New Year off
and always a lot of fun.
By the time the Lynx goes to press we will have held our
1st Winter Themed Exhibition at the Binham Christmas
Fair on Nov 20th. We will report that in the next issue.
For more information about our Group and examples of
our work please visit our website www.binham
artgroup.weebly.com.
Robin Townend
BINHAM YOUTH GROUP
Due to the current high infection rates for Covid in
school age children we feel it would be irresponsible to reopen
youth group at this time, with children from at least
five different schools attending the group we do not want to
be super spreaders of the infection. As much as we would
like to be back, we feel it is best for both children and staff.
As soon as the situation improves, and we feel it is safe to
do so we will let you all know.
from all at Binham Youth Group
HINDRINGHAM AND BINHAM
OPEN CIRCLE
Well, we’ve managed two meetings this year but as I
write this numbers of infections are escalating and who
knows what we will be able to do safely in November and
December.
All I can do is tell you our plans and promise to email
members with updates as the meetings approach. If you’re
not a member and or are interested in becoming one and not
on the email list do get in touch on Tel: 01328 878487
Future events
18 th November: an evening with ‘Wool Heritage from
sheep to garments’. We hope to have other crafters with
items to sell.
9 th December: To celebrate Christmas together, a meal
somewhere, subject to restrictions and staff shortages in
hospitality is planned.
In the next few weeks, I hope to start arranging evenings
for 2022. If anyone has an interesting contact, please get in
touch as above.
Sue Elkins
BINHAM MEMORIAL HALL
100+ Club winners
September winners: £25 Alex Bartram, £10 Donna
Cook, Sheila Law, £5 Sheilin Cuthbert, Mary Hunt, Helena
Marsh. October winners: £25 Sue Jennings, £10 Andrew
Moncur, Robin Townend, £5 Emma Solvodari, Paddy
Bartram , Mike Ulph.
If anyone would like to join the 100+ club, please call at
8 Priory Crescent or ring June Read on 01328 830106.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you have good thoughts, they will shine
out of your face and you will always look
lovely.
A Roald Dahl quote
DUNCAN BAKER M.P.
N. Norfolk Conservative Assoc: 01692 558458
www.duncanbaker.org.uk
JEROME MAYHEW M.P.
Broadland Conservative Assoc: 01603 865763
www.broadlandconservatives.org.uk
10

COCKTHORPE
Contact: Maurice Matthews 01328 830350
maurice.matthews@peppard.net
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN
COCKTHORPE CHURCH
Saturday 11 th and Sunday 12 th December
Christmas is approaching fast and I really do hope we
can all spend it with our loved ones. I do not think we have
come out of the Covid-19 pandemic so we all need to
continue to look after each other.
We will not be holding a Christmas tree festival in
the Cockthorpe church this year, instead we are
going to light up the interior of the church with
pretty colourful bottles, doves for peace, poppies
for remembrance, and fairy lights for magic and hope.
The NHS has struggled through the pandemic and so
have a lot of mothers with new born babies, so please let’s
raise some money for the NICU ward at the Norfolk and
Norwich.
Please I am asking everyone to visit the church and
donate a small amount so that we can help.
I would like to ask the Langham and Blakeney school
children to draw and decorate the doves of peace and write a
goodwill message.
Please let us all be grateful for the beautiful place in
which we live and hope that we have a lovely time. JC
FIELD DALLING
Contact: Julie Wiltshire
julie_wilson75@hotmail.com
ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
We are sorry that we have decided, in the light of
growing Covid numbers, to postpone our Christmas Fair to
next year, but we very much look forward to welcoming
folk to our Christmas services in our large and airy church!
As well as the monthly Zoom Evensong on Sunday 5th
December at 5pm and our family service on Sunday 12th
December at 11am, we are holding special Christmas
services which we hope will appeal to all tastes. The family
service in December will be followed by a chance to chat
together over coffee, mulled wine and mince pies.
On Sunday 19th December, at 11am, we will celebrate
the story of Christmas in story and singing at our service of
lessons and carols. At 4pm on Christmas Eve we will come
together round the stable at our crib service – a very short
and informal service.
At 1030am on Christmas morning we will share in a
communion service to give thanks for the birth of Christ.
You are all most welcome.
We enjoyed a good crowd at our harvest festival service
on 17th October; this raised just over £140 for Afghan
refugees. In addition, gifts of food were taken to Glaven
caring and to the food bank at Morrisons. There was also a
moving moment before lunch, when Ian Whittle asked
God’s blessing on the bench given to us by Dee and Van
Beggarly, of Florida, in memory of their daughter Lori.
They hope that it will be a good place for us to rest awhile.
Ian Newton
BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Friday 10 th December at 4pm
To be held at Manor Farm Cottage, Field Dalling.
Support group for those who are dealing with loss, enabling
fears and worries to be freely expressed and allowing
healing to take place. Contact Fiona Newton on 01328 830
947 or fionanewton46@gmail.com.
DISCUSSION GROUP
On the four Mondays of December, there will be a
chance to discuss our experience and understand of prayer.
The Group will be run from our kitchen at Manor Farm
Cottage, 67 Langham Road - but it will also be on zoom, so
as to include our friends from Suffolk, Warwickshire,
Florida, Scotland and North Carolina! All are warmly
welcome. For more details contact Fiona at:
fionanewton46@gmail.com or 07810 058 215.
11

CHRISTMAS EVE CRIB SERVICE
Our Christmas Eve crib service will have a theme of
Angels. So, if any little person you know would like
to come with wings or a halo attached, they would
be most welcome!
200 CLUB
It is a pleasure to announce that Carolyn Hayward is to
take over the running of the village's 200 Club from 1st
November 2021. Should you wish to contact her it is best by
email as follows: cvhayward@btinternet.com.
The lucky winners for September and October are:
Sept: £50 Kathy Chestney; £25 John Kirby; £15 Julie
Wiltshire
Oct: £50 L.Anthony; £25 John Ridley; £15 Emma
Deterding
Nov: £50 Mariana Botova; £25 Fenella Greenfield; £15
Vincent Lane.
Steve and Susie Collins
ADNAMS WINE TASTING
Friday 3 rd Dec @ 7pm, VH
We are pleased to announce that our annual wine tasting
by Adnams will return to the Villagers’ Hall. All purchases
will be discounted by Adnams. No need to book, just come
along on the night.
GUNTHORPE
Contact: Jane Paton 07989 534145
jacarwardine@googlemail.com
MANY THANKS, JOHN
John Blakeley was a huge help to me when I first took
over as editor of the Lynx. He has always guided me in the
right direction and kept a sensible eye on our accounts each
year. I look forward to reading his articles for many years to
come.
And welcome to the team, Jane
Huge thanks to Jane Paton for joining as the new
Gunthorpe rep.
RH (Ed.)
FOGPC
50/50 Club Draw Results
September
October
Gertraud Shaw £20 SophieWalden £20
Jessie Worsley £15 Joe Lemberger £15
Vivienne Wilson £10 Diane Blakeley £10
Sarah Worsley £5 Noel Hinton £5
Elaine Vaughan £5 Sarah Worsley £5
Marianne Atherton £5 Donald Burton £5
We presently have 141 members, but we would
welcome more - so if you are new to the village or have
been here awhile and not yet joined would you consider
joining us? If you would like more information on the 50:50
Club please contact either Myfi Everett on 01263 860035 or
John Blakeley on 01263 861008.
As a change to the plans announced at the last 50:50
Club Coffee Morning, I can now confirm that the Village
Institute and 50:50 club plan to hold a joint Christmas
function commencing at 12 noon on Saturday 18 th
December. As well as an enhanced monthly draw and raffle
for the 50:50 Club there will be a Christmas buffet and
gluhwein (mulled wine) whilst stocks last. Soft drinks will
also be available. There is no charge for the event, but
donations, which will be split between the Institute and
50:50 Club will be most welcome. We are limited by the
institute’s capacity so if you plan to attend can you please let
either Myfi (01263 860035) or myself know by phone or e-
mail. If necessary, we will allocate attendance based on first
come first served basis.
John Blakeley
ST MARY’S CHURCH NEWS
Enormous efforts were made by many people to produce
an exceptionally fine display of fruit, vegetables and
flowers, and tins and dried food, for the harvest festival.
This took place with a good attendance at morning prayer
on Sunday 10 October. Most gratifying was the warmhearted
acceptance of it all, gathered together in about ten
boxes, by the Holt Youth Project, which many of you will
know. It does important work for the significant number of
young persons who are not so advantaged as others in the
neighbourhood; it has a long connection with Gunthorpe,
12

supported over the years by two of our distinguished
residents who prefer to remain anonymous. We were also
delighted to have the boxes received at the Project by Karen
who is from the Grieff family of Gunthorpe. Thank you
everyone for such generosity.
Great gratitude is also due, again, to Ben Williamson of
Field Dalling for taking time from his duties as a soldier to
ride for St Mary’s in the Norfolk Churches Trust annual
September Bike Ride. Ben is the great nephew of the still
much missed and remembered Fred Morley who did so
much throughout his lifetime for St Mary’s. Ben got round a
record number of churches, and his peddling and that of
David and Penny Brough will have made a real difference
to our dwindling financial resources.
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (CHRIS)
WATKISS
Former Gunthorpe home owner
Christopher Robin Watkiss sadly
passed away peacefully in the Lister
Hospital in Hitchin. aged 89, on 13 th
October 2021. He is survived by his
wife Barbara, his son Michael, two
daughters Susan and Julia, eight
grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.
Barbara and Chris were married 65 years ago and
created a business in the printing industry and
manufacturing. They wanted to have some family time
away from the business so bought and renovated Holme
Cottage in Gunthorpe in 1964. The family would often fly
in their Cessna aeroplane to their airstrip alongside the
Brinton road in Gunthorpe and became very much part of
the village life.
Chris was always inventive and designed a rotary
collator for his printing business which he built in the barn
at Holme Cottage with local craftsman Roy Bullen from
Hindringham. This new design went on to be a great
success and Chris and Barbara purchased the Old School in
Hindringham as a workshop before expanding to factories
in Bedfordshire to cope with worldwide demand. Chris
went on to win the British Design Awards for this invention
and the later Vario Collator.
They sold Holme Cottage in 1994 but kept in touch with
their friends in Gunthorpe. The Old School in Hindringham
has now been converted to a home by their daughter Susan
and husband Paul who will visiting Norfolk regularly, and
the local links will remain.
Although an extremely successful businessman Chris
was a staunch family man and loved his wife, children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will always be
remembered for his infectious smile and positive attitude.
We send our deepest condolences to the family.
FRIENDS OF GUNTHORPE PC
It is great that the Friends 50/50 Club meetings have
resumed in the Village Institute – with many thanks to Myfi
and John and all attendees – offering a chance to start to get
together again and resume some ‘normal-life’ occasions.
The Friends harvest supper, however, presents a
different set of Covid-issues to tackle – the shared food
preparation and service, which is an intrinsic part of the
event itself - cold weather requiring heating on and doors
closed - a crowded room full of village people sharing the
meal and the evening together (not just a few “round” the
table being served by masked strangers). So we have
decided to postpone it and think of another more suitable
way to gather. As soon as we can we will put a suitable plan
into action. Anyone who wishes to help or has an idea
please let us know! However, as you will have seen in the
50:50 Club article we are, rules permitting, holding a joint
Institute and 50:50 Club Christmas gathering on 18 th
December.
I want to thank John Blakeley for his energy and
responsible leadership in all he does for The Friends and
Gunthorpe village! He is leaving his position of many years
as Gunthorpe Rep for the Lynx after this issue, and we
thank him from the bottom of our hearts.
A happy Autumn and holiday season to you all and
many thanks for your continued support of The Friends.
Marie Denholm Friends Chairman
WECOME
A belated, but still very warm, welcome to the village
goes to Chris and Ellie Metcalf who together with their
children Sage (8), Ellis (5) and Remy (3), not forgetting
their Jack Russell terrier “Digger”, who have moved to
Dumpling Cottage. Ellie is in her final year of counsellor
qualification at Bromley College and Chris is an executive
director for natural resources and construction in the
Howden Specialty Group. Chris knows Norfolk well as he
has several family connections here. As always, we offer
our best wishes for them to enjoy living in our friendly and
eclectic village community.
NEW VILLAGE LYNX REP
After some 15 years as the village rep for the Local Lynx
I am handing over this task to a willing volunteer
replacement, Jane Paton from Gardener’s Cottage, although
I still plan to write some of the articles to support her. A big
thank you goes to all who have supported me by providing
13

articles for the magazine – please do the same for Jane if
you possibly can. Jane’s contact details are: tel: 07989
534145 and e-mail jacarwardine@googlemail.com.
LANGHAM
Contact: Christina Cooper 01328 830207
christinacooper27@googlemail.com
NEW LYNX REP NEEDED!
After almost five years since volunteering to take on the
role as the village representative for Langham, I have
decided to hang up my trusty PC and pass on the role to
someone new.
Would you or anyone you know be interested? The role
will take up only a couple of hours every other month, and it
is a great way of meeting others within the village and
becoming part of the community, as well as finding out
everything that’s going on!
As we are just one of the 10 villages in the Lynx, it is
also a lovely way to meet and get to know other village reps
and our neighbouring North Norfolk folk.
If you would like more information and have a chat
further about what being a rep involves (you will need
access to a PC/tablet with Microsoft Word), please contact
me by email christinacooper27@gmail.com or telephone
01328 830207. Thank you. Christina Cooper – Lynx Rep
COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH
14
Call for Volunteers to run a Community
Speedwatch Group
With the agreement and support of the Langham Parish
Council, I am now trying to re-establish an active
Community Speedwatch Group in Langham. In order to be
able to function, this group must have:
a minimum of six volunteers
volunteers must all be over 18 years of age
volunteers must be willing to contribute a minimum
of 1 hour per week
full training will be provided (both online and
practical training in the village).
So, can I please ask any fellow villagers who are willing
to volunteer to take part in this new Community
Speedwatch Group to either message through the Langham
Facebook or else contact me directly via email at
ajgsmith@btconnect.com.
Also, in a more general sense, can I please ask for your
wider thoughts, feedback and suggestions on the topic of
traffic speeding in Langham. Thank You. Alan Smith
EXERCISE AND
BOUNTIFUL REWARDS
Do you want to get outdoors and exercise more? Or
enjoy the benefits of eating your own organic home grown
fruit and vegetables? Or maybe grow some beautiful cut
flowers? Or plant some bulbs now ready for tulips and
daffodils in the Spring?
If the answer is yes to any of the above, allotments are
available in Langham now for rent. For a small fee each
year you could be the proud tenant of a plot to achieve any
of the above and more.
Contact Cavin on 01328 830444 for more information.
LIGHT UP LANGHAM
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
Following the great success of our ‘Light Up
Langham’ campaign last winter to brighten the
lives of everyone during the pandemic, we thought
it would be wonderful to do it again, but hopefully
with a much happier Christmas this year!
So, as before, please can you light up where you
live in any way you wish, from the traditional Christmas
tree in the window, to strings of lights on houses, fences or
hedges, or in the trees or bushes in your garden! Displays in
windows, or even on roofs (at your own risk!!) – it can be
big or small – anything goes.
There are no prize winners, just the enjoyment of
spreading happiness and lighting up the village for the
month of December to celebrate the festive season.
Happy Christmas to you all!
MEMORIES OF JEAN FULLER
I wanted to write just a few words to say how much I
miss my twin sister Jean every day. We did so much
together and sometimes could be a bit naughty but it was
harmless fun.
When we left school age 16 we both worked in
Blakeney for Haywards the grocery and paper shop. Our
first job was delivering the newspapers, then grocery orders
in the morning. We were out all weathers and I think it
toughened us up a bit! We did all this on heavy old (what
they called in those days) trade bikes, and both used to get
chilblains on our toes in the winter time.

In the afternoons we would spend filling up shelves and
doing stocktakes when required. Some days we loved to
play practical jokes such as one of us hiding in some of the
large cardboard boxes when we’d emptied the stock and the
other not giving the game away as to where one of us had
gone. Another time, we knew the manager was afraid of
frogs and toads, so we filled the saddle bag of her bike with
them as there were always lots in the yard behind the shop,
and she nearly screamed the place down poor lady!
We also played an awful trick on the shop assistant in
charge of the fruit and veg. We always had sweets and she
was always asking us for one, but never offered us any of
hers, so one day we wrapped a piece of chewing gum in
another sweet wrapper and gave it to her, not realising she
had false teeth, so she ended up with her top & bottom teeth
sticking together! She never asked us for sweets again!
These are just a few of the happy memories I have of my
twin sister that I wanted to share. Below is a short poem,
from Jean’s nephew Craig.
Twin sisters always together, never apart
Separated by life, but never in heart
You will be with me forever, the memories I’ll hold dear
Wherever I go, whatever I do, you’ll always be right here.
Joan Smith, Swans Close
THE LANGHAM DOME
After a very busy summer, the Dome is now closed for
the winter. The plan is to reopen for Easter, which is the
weekend of 16 th /17 th April.
Despite not being able to open until the end of May,
because of the Covid restrictions, we have nonetheless had a
record number of visitors during the summer. A huge thanks
to all involved particularly the volunteers, who turn out
regularly to give their time, for no reward, except the
satisfaction of maintaining and promoting something so
special. Their dedication is regularly recognised in
TripAdvisor reviews, which consistently reward us with 5
stars!
We would also like to thank all you ‘locals’ who have
visited and brought friends and family to visit us, who might
otherwise not have known about us. Please continue to do
so next year!
Patrick Allen
FESTIVITES AT THE BLUE BELL
As Christmas is approaching, we will be varying our
winter opening hours, which are currently Wed - Sat from
4pm and Sundays serving a roast from 12pm.
Christmas week opening hours will be as follows:
Monday 20 th -21 st closed as normal, Weds 22nd - Friday
24th open from 4pm, 25th and 26th closed, 27th - 31st open
from 4pm. 1st and 2nd January open for lunch only. The
rest of January we will be closed
New Year’s Eve we will be running a fabulous menu
and the bar will be open till 1am. If you haven’t booked for
Christmas or New Year yet, please call us on 01328 830630
to join in the celebrations.
Best wishes to you all for a fabulous Christmas and New
Year, and thanks again for your support this year which has
really seen us through! Abby, Mitch & all the Team
FRIENDS OF LANGHAM
Halloween Party Success
Our Halloween party on the 31st in the village hall was
an overwhelming success. There were around 50 children
attending and they all had an absolute blast with the
entertainer and the PTA supplying wonderful cakes.
Thank you so much to those who supported the trick or
treat trail afterwards with pumpkins and sweets, the children
thought walking around the village as a group in the dark
(with lanterns and high viz!) and trick or treating the houses
was fabulous. Listening to parents’ comments the organisers
felt that this was very successful in engaging both parents
and children who perhaps might not normally partake in
village activities.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON
Christmas kicks off in Langham on Friday 3rd
December! At 6.30pm gather for the Christmas light switch
on outside the Blue Bell.
Light switch on will be at 6.45pm followed by
carols, with mulled wine, a raffle, and Mother
Christmas in her grotto 6.30-7pm ish (weather
permitting, or she might come and sit in the pub.)
Do book in at the pub asap if you would like
dinner around this time.
The road will be closed for a short period of time for this
event.
Once again we are asking people to Light Up Langham,
so if you would like to light your house up and lift peoples’
spirits please do join in, last year was wonderful with many
houses looking beautiful.
Friends of Langham
NORWICH SHOPPING TRIP
Sunday 5 th December
If you haven’t already booked your place on the
Norwich Christmas shopping trip get your names on the list
as we are nearly full! Free to 200 club members, £5 for nonmembers.
The coach leaves outside the Blue Bell at 10am,
and will leave Norwich at 3.30pm. Already done your
Christmas shopping? Come along for a boozy lunch!
15
continued on page 18

CHRISTMAS PUZZLE PAGES
CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD
By Bob (answers on page 30)
SPOT THE DIFFERENCES
by Bob (answers on page 30)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
9
10 11
12 13 14
15 16
17 18 19 20
21 22
23 24
(Two clues are NOT cryptic)
Across:
1. Does this spaniel not chase hens? (6).
4. Goes furtively downhill (6).
8. The leading Indians raised a question, intent to find a countryman
(5).
9. Likes a joint, this woodworker (7).
10. A Prosecco wine-maker staggers to gate B (7).
11, 12. Our wish to you. (5, 9)
17. It’s ironic to loose to lose a rouble and discover a Greek
civilisation (5).
19. Work to perform surgery (7).
21. Get ransom, hiding the back of the boat (7).
22. A sudden chill, being trapped in the brig or prison (5).
23. What to do with any left-over pudding on Boxing Day? Eat
her mixture! (6).
24. Dad, she gets confused sheltering from the sunlight (6).
Down:
1. Gets up a hundred arms (6).
2. To a chick, cut short and agitated, “You’re confused!” (7).
3. She lit embers to hide the richest people (5).
5. Birthplace of a cat we see every couple of months (7).
6. Hair-raising image found on the nose of the Memphis Belle
for example (3-2).
7. Stays around Romeo, a wild cat? No, lots! (6).
9. Change one of those sci-fi beings found in films, without
hesitations (9).
13. Patrick Shawcross has a two-wheel vehicle hidden away
(7).
14. No good Degas was treated, and was caught (7).
15. The marsh-boomer has lost its tail and is annoyed (6).
16. Dee, far off, it’s frightening (6).
18. The poet says it’s under a market town in Wales! (5).
20. Once green, but now green and yellow, the electrician
knows it’s a troubled planet (5).
16
Years ago, dear old Grandpa took me on a painting trip
with him to Provence, and recently I found the painting I
did of him and the other students. I photocopied it, but
Grandpa was a stickler for copyright, and to my amazement,
when I made a second copy it was different in six
ways from the first. Can you see what had changed?
BREAKOUT LYNX
(locations on page 30)
Local Lynx has moved on
and is out and about this
Christmas. Warning! He is not
wearing a mask. There are 20
opportunities to spot him. RH

CHRISTMAS PUZZLE PAGES
WORDSEARCH
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
can you find:
CALLINGBIRD DRUMMERSDRUMMING FRENCHHEN
GEESELAYING GOLDRINGS LADIESDANCING
LORDSLEAPING MAIDSMILKING PARTRIDGE
PIPERSPIPING SWANSSWIMMING TURTLEDOVE
THIS YEAR THE LYNX IS
SAYING THANK YOU TO SO
MANY PEOPLE
It has been a completely joyous exercise
putting the Christmas newsletter together this
year; so much excitement and renewed energy, so
much community spirit on display.
I may not remember everyone, but here’s to a fantastic
team that keeps the Lynx afloat.
Thank you to… our incredible deliverers, regular article
writers, one-off article writers, headteachers, councillors,
librarians, fete organisers, charity organisers, artists,
photographers, events celebrators and those who share their
good news and sad news with us; our rector, the administrator
for the benefice, Century Printing and our great advertisers, our
ad designer, our treasurer, individual donors and the PCs and
PCCs who support the paper through the years. Our distributor,
proof readers, our village reps and last, but never least, our
readers. Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season. RH (Ed.)
Artwork by Langham Village School
CHRISTMAS QUIZ
by RH (answers on page 30)
1. What does COP26 stand for?
2. What are the 5 colours of the Olympic rings?
3. What is the UK’s most popular girl’s name in 2021?
4. What are the 4 time zones of the United States?
5. How many permanent teeth does a dog have?
6. What is the most sold flavour of Walker’s crisps?
7. What is someone who believes in
antidisestablishmentarianism opposed to the
disestablishment of?
8. Which is longer a mile or a nautical mile?
9. Which country in the world is believed to have the
most miles of motorway?
10. Who was the 9 th Doctor in Doctor Who?
11. According to its website, how many calories in a
regular Big Mac (to the nearest 10)?
12. Which state was Donald Trump born in?
13. Which city is further west, Bristol or Edinburgh?
14. What do the French call the English Channel?
15. How many permanent members are on the UN
Security Council?
16. How many hearts does an octopus have?
CHILDREN’S QUIZ
by RH (answers on page 30)
1. What are traditionally hidden inside a Christmas
pudding?
2. What is the name of the character in Charles
Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ who gets visited by
the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future?
3. Which foreign city has donated a huge Christmas
tree to the people of Britain every year since 1947
always displayed in Trafalgar Square?
4. How many days are there on a traditional advent
calendar?
5. In the song ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ how many
gold rings does the singer’s ‘true love’ give him?
6. There are 365 days in a year. What number day is
Christmas Day?
7. What is the last day of Christmas called?
8. What is ‘Happy Christmas’ in Spanish?
9. What’s the name of the ballet traditionally
performed around Christmas each year?
10. Stollen is a cake with fruit and marzipan,
traditionally eaten at Christmas and originating from
which country?
11. Who introduced the Christmas tree to the UK?
12. What is a female turkey called?
13. Which unusual ingredient did Victorian cooks use in
mince pies?
14. If you’re born on Christmas Day, what’s your star
sign?
15. Because of the time difference, do the people of
Australia get to celebrate Christmas Day before we
do in the UK, or after us?
16. What’s the fun name for the sausages wrapped in
bacon traditionally eaten with the Christmas dinner?
17

continued from page 15
Call Debi on 01328 830767 or Abby on 07873110857 or
email friendsoflangham@gmail.com to book your place.
QUIZ NIGHT IS BACK!
Thursday 9th December
Join us for the annual Christmas quiz in the village hall,
£2 per head in teams of up to four, payable on the door.
Great quiz, prize money, raffle, bring your own booze and
nibbles. Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm start - call Debi on 01328
830767 or Abby on 07873 110857 or email friendsof
langham@gmail.com to book your spot. Booking
essential as we are nearly full already.
CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS DISCO
Saturday 11th December
From 3-5pm a children’s Christmas disco party will be
held in the village hall organised by Friends of Langham.
Disco, limbo, prizes and bubbles galore.
All children with a Langham connection welcome
(school, grandchildren, etc). Free entry but donations
appreciated. Nibbles for the children, hot chocolate and
mulled wine available.
WE NEED YOU!
We are looking for a treasurer for the Friends of
Langham and Street Fayre; nothing too onerous, flexible
working hours. Please contact Abby or Debi if you can help
out!
If you would like to help out on the Street Fayre day,
helping on a stall, helping with parking, or the raffle etc,
please contact the volunteer co-ordinator Abby on
abbywilson91@hotmail.co.uk or call 07873 110857.
We need plenty of volunteers to make it a great day so
please let me know if you can spare an hour or more on the
day to help out.
If you would like a commercial stall please email our
stalls co-ordinator Debi on langhamstreetfayre@gmail.com
or call 01328 830767.
200 CLUB
Have you joined the 200 club yet? It’s £15 per person,
there is a cash prize draw every month and it is raising funds
for the village activities and amenities.
Join by the 8th December to be part of our Mega
Christmas draw: 1st Prize £100, 2nd Prize £50, 3rd Prize
£25. This will be drawn at the quiz on the 9th.
You should have had the paper slip through your door,
but it’s not too late to join in. Email friendsof
langham@gmail.com with your name, address and
contact number, then make payment to account name: The
Friends of Langham, sort code 20 30 81, account number
1039 4734. Use the reference 200 followed by your
surname. If you’d prefer to join up using paper and cheque/
cash, call Debi or Abby, using the contact numbers in ‘We
Need You’ article.
As a few people have asked, previous members will be
keeping their old numbers.
WELCOME
A very warm welcome to Liam, Sandra and son Jamie.
Also to Ann and Trevor Jones, who are looking forward
to following their hobby of birdwatching. Welcome also to
Sylvie, Peter and mother Avril, who, after travelling to
Norfolk over the past 45 years are settling here. We hope
you will all be very happy living here in Langham.
Langham PCC
COME AND CELEBRATE!
Carol Service at Langham Church with traditional carols
on Christmas Eve at 4pm.
Please look at posters beforehand, in case any
restrictions necessitate changes. All Welcome.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
Saturday 4th December 10am - 12noon
Langham Village Hall
We look forward to seeing you at this traditional event,
raising money for the Langham Church General Fund.
Admission Free.
There will be refreshments available along with the
usual stalls of gifts, plants, books, cakes, a grand raffle,
bottle tombola, lucky dip and a Christmas hamper. Cakes,
preserves and plants can be brought along on the day. If any
person has items for the fair that they are unable to deliver to
18

the church beforehand, please ring any of the numbers
below. Many thanks for your continued support. 01328
830276, 830175, 830605. Langham PCC
FROM THE REGISTERS
Funeral
Mrs Jean Susan Fuller 2 nd November 2021
13 th May 1946 – 16 th October 2021
THE TREEHOUSE
Charles Road, Holt
Langham Church is now a collection point for The
Treehouse Community Fridge and Larder, part of a range of
projects run at The Treehouse for children and adults in Holt
and the surrounding villages. If you would like to support
this wonderful venture please leave food donations in the
clearly marked box at the back of the church.
If you would like to see what The Treehouse is like, it
has a marvellous café, with lovely gardens outside, tended
by volunteers. For further information go to
www.thetreehousecafe.co.uk
Langham PCC
RECENT CHURCH FUNDRAISING
ACTIVITIES
Stall on the Green - With a few more donations
received, the grand total reached an amazing £914.57
NCT bikeride - Our two bikers visited a total of 50
churches. Our grateful thanks to William Morton, Rob Lee
and all our recorders in the church.
Clearance sale - Total proceeds: £227.77, including
donations of £101.57. Thank you to all our supporters for
their help and contributions.
Langham PCC
VILLAGE HALL NEWS
Sadly we have had to cancel the annual carols,
mincepies, sausage rolls and mulled wine evening. We feel
the rise of Covid cases, the close proximity of everyone, and
no through ventilation means it is not sensible or fair to put
this event on.
Coffee Mornings
The restart went off with a bang on 4th October, with 27
people attending. The second scheduled one did not happen
but the third on 6th November went well with 24 people
having a mardle and a coffee.
The first one in December is combined with the
Christmas Fayre on the 4th and the next one will be on the
18th December.
We decided not to have one on the 1st Saturday in
January, New Year’s Day but have moved it to 8th January.
Watch the notice board and Facebook for details of the
ones to follow.
MORSTON
Contact: Martin Cardoe 07973 885665
mcardoe@msn.com
CAROLS ON MORSTON QUAY
On Saturday, 11 th December at 2pm the National Trust
on Morston Quay will be entertaining a special visit from
the Norwich Rock Choir! A free event to bring the local
community together, come along and enjoy hot drinks and a
live music performance against the winter wonderland
backdrop of Blakeney National Nature Reserve. The café
will be open and free parking is available for National Trust
members. What better way to entertain the family and get
some fresh December air and enjoy a sing along?
ALL SAINTS CHURCH TYMPANUM
Restoration & Conservation Completed
In April 2021, the PCC launched its Tympanum Appeal
in a bid to raise the remaining funds required to restore and
conserve the tympanum which is situated in the chancel
arch of All Saints, Morston.
With the £75,000 funds
required almost raised, work
finally started in early
September. It has been a
project which has been on
the ‘back burner’ for well over a decade so to see the
scaffolding being erected early on a Monday morning ready
for work to commence was such an amazing sight.
The conservation team has spent the last eight weeks
painstakingly cleaning the old boards, removing the old
varnish, treating each individual woodworm hole, reattaching
old paint before applying a new varnish, all using
CHURCH NEWS
The insurance company have accepted a quote for the
repair to the flagpole and tower roof so we look forward to
flying the flags again when work is completed.
We are grateful to Trevor Jones and Alan Smith who
have been busy on the tractor mower and strimming the
churchyard to get on top of the overgrowth, and Gail Hull
and Rosemary Gosney for cleaning up the overgrown
pathway.
Roll on next year when we hope we will be on top of it!
19

traditional materials and methods approved by the Diocese.
The results are spectacular; what looked like old brown
boards now reveal a highly decorative tympanum, the
colours of which have not been enhanced and are as
originally painted.
During the work we were fortunate that several
specialists in medieval wall paintings, wood type and ageing
and chancel screens and tympanums were able to visit and
see the tympanum and the rest of the church. Their expertise
and knowledge will add to the understanding of the history
of the tympanum and its place in the church. Whilst the site
work is complete, further work remains to be done into the
history of the tympanum.
If you get a chance then do visit the church to see what
has been achieved. There will be further updates as more
information is made available about the history of the
tympanum and it is hoped that the conservation team will
return next year to give an illustrated talk about their work
and their findings. This has been an exciting time for All
Saints Church and the PCC is hugely grateful to all those
Trusts and individuals who have supported us and enabled
this pipe dream to actually become a reality – thank you to
all of you.
15 TH SHOVELL DINNER
East Coast Sailing Barges
After the enforced delay of a year the 15th Shovell
Dinner was held at The Anchor on Saturday 16 th October.
This year’s speaker was Charlie Ward, who gave an
enthralling talk about East Coast sailing barges; the
hardships endured by the skipper and crew and the skills
needed to navigate, not only in the open sea, but also along
many miles of inland waterways. He also spoke about the
building of his sailing barge “Juno” and gave a fascinating
insight into the difficulties in designing a modern boat
without losing its traditional look. Charlie’s enthusiasm for
the subject shone through and ensured the rapt attention of
the audience.
We have had very complimentary feedback about the
talk and we would like to extend our thanks to Charlie and
Helen for making it a very special event. The Anchor did us
proud and produced a delicious three course meal, which
was much appreciated by all. The event raised just over
£1,000 for the Friends of Morston Church, so many thanks
to all who attended and all those who helped make the
evening such a success. It was lovely to feel the return to
some kind of normality. We look forward to seeing you all
again at next year’s dinner, which is scheduled for Saturday
15 th October 2022.
STORM ATHILL AND RICHARD
HOLLINGSWORTH WEDDING
On 4 th September, Storm Athill and Richard
Hollingsworth were married by the Reverend Ian Whittle in
All Saints Church, Morston. The church was beautifully
decorated by the bridal party, with
flowers especially grown for the
occasion in friends’ gardens together
with local hedgerow plants and
branches, which provided a truly
magical and elegant setting. Their
parents Christopher Hollingsworth and
Paula Slater, William Athill and Lady
Elizabeth (Liza) Campbell led a joyous
congregation of close friends and
family, some of whom had travelled from as far as Scotland,
America and Kenya to celebrate the happy couple’s day.
Storm’s Grandparents, Mary and Andrew Athill had been
married at the same church in 1954 and since then the
family have celebrated many weddings of sons and cousins
as well as 11 baptisms.
It had always been Storm’s lifelong cherished wish to be
20

married there and afterwards to hold the reception in her
grandmother’s garden on the edge of Morston marsh. After
wind and drizzle, the sky cleared to reveal a gorgeous sunny
day and guests gathered around a beautifully decorated
marquee lit by strings of twinkling lights. Tables were
adorned by Storm and Richard’s friends with more
colourful flowers and hedgerow plants. The pretty striped
napkins, salt dishes, shell candle holders and paper
chandeliers were all handmade by the bride.
The wedding feast began outside on the lawn with
oysters and champagne, canapes and cocktails. Speeches
and a raucous singing of Tom Lehrer’s The Irish ballad
(Rickety-Tickety-Tin) followed dinner, which was a
sumptuous Willy Athill speciality, spit roast BBQ lamb,
together with salads and followed by raspberries and
meringues made by Paula Slater and Mary Athill. Dancing
to a band and disco with several talented friends also
singing and playing music continued well into the early
hours.
BONNIE’S CHRISTENING
On Saturday, 25th September, Bonnie Rose Elizabeth
Wright, the daughter of Rebecca and James Wright and
sister of Charlie was baptised by the Reverend Ian Whittle
in All Saints Church, Morston. The wonderful congregation
of 80 had to squeeze tightly into the church as they battled
scaffolding which had been erected for
the cleaning and restoration of the
Tympanum.
Bonnie’s grandparents, Peter and Carol
Bix and Chris and Debbi Wright,
together with godparents Vikki Smith,
Abi Wright and Tom Graver, as well as
brother Charlie joined in the singing of
All Things Bright and Beautiful played
by Martin Jacklin on the Harmonium.
Two-year-old Bonnie looked adorable dressed in a very
pretty pink and silver dress together with sparkling silver
shoes. She was momentarily startled by the proceedings but
soon recovered her composure at a lovely family party that
followed in Binham village hall to celebrate the occasion.
CRAB SUPPER AND SEAL TRIP
On 16 th September, in
delightful early evening sun and
calm waters, over 60 people
gathered on Morston Quay to
enjoy an extremely pleasurable
and entertaining boat trip out to
Blakeney Point in the good
hands of the Temples and Beans. En route, visitors were
captivated by Jim Temple’s yarns drawing on his
considerable depth of knowledge on local landmarks, sea
and bird life, as well as a number of boats moored in the pit;
particular attention being given to Juno, an East Coast Barge
built by local resident Charlie Ward. On arrival at the point,
the grey seals were spotted doing what they do best,
lounging around on the beach and in the water totally
oblivious to those watching.
On return to dry shore, guests were provided with a very
special Morston welcome in the Village Hall where a
delicious local crab supper,
together with wine, drinks, salads
and fabulous puddings made by
the hard-working PCC proved to
be very popular. Thanks to all
involved on their terrific efforts.
The event was a great success and raised over £1,600 for All
Saint’s Church, Morston.
NCT BIKE RIDE
On 11 th September, local residents Peter and Pippa Sharp
donned their cycling gear to raise funds and participate in
the annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride. The medieval
churches of Norfolk are an iconic part of our landscape and
this event has been running for over 30 years. Last year the
event raised a record breaking £175,000 in Norfolk. Funds
raised are divided between the church of the participants
choice and the Norfolk Churches Trust who provide grants
for repairs to the county’s beautiful and historic churches.
Norfolk has the largest number of medieval churches for
one area in the world and desperately need our help if they
are going to be around for the next generation to appreciate.
On a gorgeous cycling day, Peter and Pippa visited 34
different churches, raised £1,345 and were quite moved by
seeing some of the great and small churches clearly still
much loved by their congregations. A big thank you to all
those who sponsored them and to Peter and Pippa on their
accomplishment.
CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE
Time Change to 4pm
Please note that the start time for this year’s candlelit
carol service at All Saint’s Church on Thursday 23 rd
December is being moved to 4pm. In an effort to ensure that
this joyous occasion is able to withstand and accommodate
any potential Covid restrictions that may or may not be
implemented by the Government, it has been agreed that an
earlier start will ensure that the service will go ahead either
inside or outside the church.
21

EDEN MULLANE
Christmas Landscape Painting Workshop
On Sunday 12 th December Eden
returns with two sessions (9am - 1pm
& 2pm - 6pm) in a winter edition of
her landscape painting workshops.
Join her for a creative session learning
painting techniques, with inspiration
from the amazing views across
Morston Quay. Eden, a professional
artist will demonstrate methods using
acrylic paint to create vibrant work
from the comfort of the lookout at Morston.
All painting supplies and easels are provided. The indoor
lookout does involve stairs and all participants will need to
be able to manage this. To book tickets please email;
blakeneypoint@nationaltrust.org.uk. Profits raised by
the National Trust will be donated to the Blakeney National
Nature Reserve countryside fund; participating will help
keep this place special for the future.
With a select few tickets (£45) at each session available,
this festive event will also include hot drinks and mince
pies. What better way to give someone special a unique
Christmas present, or a chance to sit down with friends and
catch up over painting whilst having fun.
1 ST GREY SEAL PUP OF 2021 BORN
Annual winter wildlife spectacle underway
One of Norfolk’s annual winter wildlife spectacles has
commenced with the first grey seal pup spotted on 29 th
October at Blakeney National Nature Reserve, which is
cared for by the National Trust, on the north Norfolk
coastline.
The very first seal pup was born on the point in 1988.
Since then, the site has grown to become England’s largest
grey seal colony, with numbers born increasing from just 25
pups in 2001 to 4,000 in 2020.
It’s believed this is due to low levels of disturbance and
mortality during the first few key weeks of life and a lack of
natural predators.
This year, National Trust rangers are anticipating around
4,500 new arrivals at Blakeney Point. Global numbers are
estimated to be around 300,000 with British and Irish waters
supporting about 40 per cent of the grey seal population.
The colony at Blakeney has now become so large that it
is almost impossible to record the number of pups
precisely. Until a few years ago, the pups were counted
individually by rangers and volunteers walking carefully
through the colony, but from last year, numbers of newborns
and weaned pups - which will have moulted their
white fur but will be much smaller than the adults – were
recorded in just one specific area to give an indication of the
overall size of the colony.
SHINE A LIGHT FOR MORSTON 2021
It was fabulous last year so let's do it again and
spread some joy with Christmas lights. Perhaps
you can light up your house, garden, gate, door -
whatever is possible during December.
SAXLINGHAM
Contact: John Pridham 01328 831851
jcwpridham@gmail.com
WELCOME
At Heydon Cottage West we welcome Ryan Smith and
Rosie who have moved in.
Having studied at Cirencester, Ryan is now assisting
Jono at Albanwise.
We hope that they will enjoy living in the village.
ST MARGARET’S BATS PROJECT
The work has finished and more boxes have been
installed in the bat loft which will be left open until April
next year. Once this has been shut and all five access holes
to the body of the church sealed then
the only access will be to the bat loft
and the silence chamber.
However, it doesn’t seem so far
that the bats have shown any interest
in the silence chamber.
Monitoring is ongoing but we are
coming to the end of the season and
we hope that the boxes are being
occupied.
The boxes are heated so we do
hope that they will prove desirable.
In April, a non-return “flange” will be installed in the
south transept so that if, for example, the door is left open in
error they can exit but not enter via that route.
WILDCATS WANTED
Chloe Robson, who completed her Level 1 FA coaching
award in football in 2019, has become coach and
coordinator for Fakenham FC’s Wildcats for girls aged 5-11
years. If any girls in the benefice would like to join the
22

group, training takes place on Saturday mornings from 9–
10am at Fakenham Football Club just off the Morrisons’
roundabout on Clipbush Lane. The first session is free, then
it’s £2 a week thereafter.
SHARRINGTON
Contact: Claire Dubbins 01263 862261
cdubbins@btinternet.com
www.sharrington.org.uk
FOODBANK AND CHRISTMAS
Although the very practical collection of non-perishable
food items collected round the font for our harvest festival
in October was less decorative than the traditional bounty of
field and garden, the 30.7 kilos we took to the collection
point at the Fakenham Salvation Army for the mid-Norfolk
food bank were greatly appreciated.
We are now looking towards Christmas and are hoping
to exceed last year’s magnificent total of 79 kilos.
Unfortunately the need is as great as ever. People cannot
just turn up at the food bank with a hard luck story. They
have to be referred by social services or similar agency and
so those who use it are genuinely in need. And we know
that as the effects of the pandemic are still being felt,
demand is steadily increasing. The generosity of donors in
our village is impressive, not just for the quantities given but
for the thought that goes into the bags left in the church.
Traditionally we concentrate on children in the run up to
Christmas, and of course we will continue to do that this
year, but we have also been asked to remember teenagers
who are often overlooked. We will put a separate box out
for toiletries such as shower gel, deodorants etc., to prevent
the chocolate Santas smelling too exotic. We are also asked
to remember those with special food needs, such as gluten
free. It is interesting that the supermarkets are increasingly
devoting quite large sections to these product, though it is
worth checking the sell by dates. We will deliver the
Christmas collection no later than mid-December.
The church is open from dawn till dusk every day and
donations can be put in the plastic box (to keep the mice
from getting them first) or just left by the font. Just one or
two extra items in your shopping trolley will make all the
difference to the contribution the village as a whole can
make.
Anne Sloman
THE CIRCUS: PART TWO
In 1962, 15 year old, circus obsessed, Brian Austen ran
away to the circus; Count Larzard’s Anglo-American
Circus. Brian wasn’t paid by the troupe, but they did feed
and clothe him. However, since there wasn’t much room to
spare, he had to sleep amongst the
act’s snakes. “I always said to Gerry
Cottle, the only thing I learned from
the Anglo-American was to do
nothing they did, because it always
ended in chaos”. The circus didn’t
have a tent at this time so they
circled their lorries and set up seats
in the middle.
Brian’s job was as a horse groom
but he taught himself various circus
skills that included knife throwing,
with his girlfriend as the target. He
circa 1963
also discovered an aptitude for the technical and logistics
side of running a circus which came in handy when they
23

went on tour in South Africa and arrived to find their
promoter had vanished along with the money. Brian built
seats for the outdoor circus using wooden pallets discarded
by a car factory.
He recalls “We were the first circus ever to go into
Swaziland. I remember places where they had never seen a
circus and the sight of someone on stilts was frightening to
them”.
Brian and the count’s sister-in-law, Mavis, ran away
from Larzard’s circus whilst in Africa. To earn money to get
back to the UK, he worked on the South African railways,
cleaning coaches and collecting coke bottles for the 6d
deposit. Once back home they joined the James Brothers
circus where he met Gerry Cottle, a stockbroker’s son who
had big ideas about owning Britain’s biggest circus.
It was probably Brian who spotted the crumbling
Embassy Circus in 1970. With Brian’s technical know-how
and Gerry’s flair for publicity, they changed its name to
‘Cottle & Austen Circus’. They opened their new show on
6 th July, 1970 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, in a small
second-hand tent that had previously been used for flower
shows. There were five performers, Gerry and Betty Cottle,
Brian, his girlfriend Mavis and one other.
In 1974 Brian and Gerry dissolved their partnership.
What became of the Anglo-American Circus is unknown
but Brian went on to become the promoter of ‘The Chinese
State Circus’ and ‘Moscow State Circus’, and the biggest
player in the British circus industry. Brian also builds
bespoke aluminium seating for circuses under the name
‘Austen Fabrications’ and formed his own seating hire
company, one of the largest in the UK.
His old partner, Gerry Cottle, however is the most wellknown
circus name with Cottles circus running from 1974
to 2003. Sadly Gerry Cottle died of Covid in January this
year but Brian and his family are still working in the circus
world he loves.
Anne Abrams
THE ROTTERS RETURN
After what seemed like an eternity of abstinence, the
Noble Rotters Wine Club made a careful but triumphant
return to Sharrington village hall on 23 rd September.
And what tempted members to cast aside their Covid
cares? Nine wines from the Found range launched fairly
recently by Marks & Spencer. Priced at between seven and
ten pounds a bottle, the range is designed to ‘tempt
customers to go outside their comfort zone’.
With an eye still on risk management in terms of room
layout, ventilation, service and the absence of the usual
communal nibbles, four white, one rosé and four red wines
were there for the tasting. In wine parlance, the evening had
started on a rather ‘closed’ note; as much to do, I suspect,
with the fact that members had spent so long down their
burrows than the unusual nature of the wines. There were
whites from Gascony, South Africa, Greece and Italy
featuring grape varieties like Gros Manseng and
Moschofilero and a rosé from the Vinho Verde region of
Portugal made from a mix of Touriga Nacional and
Espadeiro. By the half way mark, the atmosphere had rather
opened up and, as the reds went round the table, it felt more
like times of good cheer might just be around the corner.
The red wines had been found in Sicily, Spain, Greece, and
Argentina and featured grape varieties like Cabernet Franc
and Mazuelo.
All pretty reasonable wines with no real stand-out
winner but a successful jump back into the wine pool and,
as one member confessed, the wines were rather less
uplifting than the social atmosphere.
Encouraged by the success of the evening, season six has
been launched and, by the time of publication, there will
have been a vertical tasting of six different vintages of the
Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru, Chateau Juguet in November.
In December we plan our customary Christmas tasting
with two more tastings in 2022. The first, in January, will
pitch the wines of Lidl against those of Aldi. Chief Rotter
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The Christmas lights in the village of Sharrington and in
all the ten parishes of the benefice last year, lit up what had
promised to be a rather gloomy Christmas with
restrictions in place for the festive season. Trees
outside village halls and churches and in gardens
were festooned with lights and people made a real
effort to bring light and joy into the dark days of
December.
When the Lynx village reps got together at the last
meeting everyone agreed that it would be a good idea to
repeat the exercise again this year.
So now, as you are preparing Christmas decorations in
the house, think about some lights in the windows, outside
lights in hedges and fences if practicable and maybe leaving
your curtains open in the early evening to let the dog
walkers see your Christmas trees inside.
Sharrington put on a really good show last year so let’s
see if we can do even better this Christmas. CD
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SHARRINGTON VILLAGE HALL
As the festive season approaches, the lights are coming
on in Sharrington, literally, as some of the villagers have put
Christmas lights up in trees and hedges and in windows.
The village hall committee have also placed a Christmas
tree outside the hall, with lights and decorations for all who
pass by to see and enjoy. It all adds to the warm feeling
generated by the spirit of Christmas, which promises to be
much more enjoyable than last year.
Work on improvements to the village hall are reaching
completion, with the room behind the stage having been
refurbished, re-decorated and, thanks to a very generous
donor in the village, re-carpeted. It is now ready to serve as
a meeting room for small groups, or a backstage room for
performing artists and bands, as music acts return to
perform at the hall in 2022.
Also looking ahead to the new year in 2022, a date for
your diaries is Saturday 5 th February when the village hall
will be hosting a 1940’s themed event. Guests will be
treated on arrival to the sight of vintage cars and their
owners in 1940’s attire. Once inside, afternoon tea and
cakes plus a bar will be available, with musical
entertainment provided by the Swingtones and a surprise
cabaret act. Do come and join us and feel free to dress up in
1940’s outfits if you wish.
Tickets will be available in the New Year from Chris
Abrams abrams.chris2@gmail.com.
It just remains for me on behalf of the village hall
committee to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a
wonderful New Year.
David Webb Chairman
LIVE MUSIC NIGHTS AT THE
VILLAGE HALL
Sharrington music evenings aim to provide both a stage
and an audience for talented performers in Norfolk. Our
next free-to-enter live music night will be on Thursday 27 th
January. This features the very talented band ‘The Third
Degree’. This is a five piece band. They play a wide range
of music from blues to rock. Their set features songs by Eric
Clapton, JJ Cale, Joe Bonamassa, Fleetwood Mac, Cheryl
Crow, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Bad Company, the Who,
ZZ Top, Mott The Hoople and many more…
Before that event, however we have a concert. A few
years ago we hosted a very talented band called ‘Cutting the
Mustard’ and since then have had many requests for them to
return. I offered them a gig on Saturday 11 th December and,
thankfully, they have accepted. You can find out more about
them here: https://cuttingthemustard.band/. Entrance will be
just £5 and we anticipate a good attendance. It will be an
evening of great music from very talented musicians and
there will be a lot of laughter and fun. We are limiting
tickets to a sensible number bearing in mind the Covid
situation so, if you would like one, please email me at
sharringtonvh@gmail.com.
There is further news of The Strawbs’ gig which has had
to be postponed but Dave Cousins of The Strawbs has said
they will be honouring his pre-Christmas gig commitments
before he commences his international tour in May. So it
really looks like their gig will take place here on 30 th April
When first announced it sold out very quickly but I am
collecting names of those interested for a potential second
gig on 1 st May which might be an afternoon event. If I can
get enough names, they will perform the gig. Please email
me at the address below if you are interested and I will add
you to the list.
Next year’s calendar is almost full as you can see on our
website www.sharrington.org.uk.
Additionally on Saturday 5th February, we are hoping to
host a Forties afternoon and later in the year internationally
renowned guitarist Gordon Giltrap will be returning. We
will tell you more about these events once a few more
details are finalised.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list please
email me at sharringtonvh@gmail.com.
We look forward to welcoming you to the hall soon.
Chris Abrams
SHARRINGTON AND DISTRICT
GARDENING GROUP
On Thursday 16 th September members met in Field
Dalling Villagers hall to hear Andrew Sankey’s talk on
cottage cures and superstitions. It was a welcome
opportunity to catch up after the summer’s break for a glass
and a chat before listening to Andrew’s often surprising
tales aimed to refresh, clarify, and extend our knowledge of
the medicinal properties of certain plants and the
superstitions surrounding them.
The annual bulb sale, following close on the heels of this
event on Saturday, also in Field Dalling, was successful.
Our ‘bulb pickers’ always try to choose the more unusual
varieties and offer them at competitive prices. It seems
members are beginning to find the destructive winds of
recent seasons frustrating as the shorter varieties of daffodil
and narcissus proved popular.
Sadly, neither of our October events went ahead quite as
planned. Luckily we were able to inform members in good
time of the cancellation of the Dr. Twigs Way talk but at
the last minute the curtain simply failed to rise for the
assembled audience on Jim Paine’s ‘Secret Life of Plants’.
Hopefully the opportunity for a chat over a glass of wine
25

and plenty of canapés went some way towards
compensating and an improvised ‘Gardeners Question
Time’ led by Pippa Long, where problems and tips were
shared, involved us all in some useful discussion.
We look forward to our film night on 8 th December at
The Venue in Holt, previously Holt Community Centre.
The film is ‘Five Seasons: the gardens of Piet Oudolf’. For
tickets contact Pippa Long on philippalong@hotmail.co.uk
Barbara Wiles
GET TOGETHER WITH CRAFT
Our December meeting is in the village hall on 2 nd
December. We will be making a zero-waste Christmas
wreath using materials that can be recycled or repurposed,
although the wreath can be used year after year.
Booking is essential for this one as places are limited.
Cost for the workshop, including tuition, materials,
refreshments and £4 donation to the village hall is £10. This
is very good value for money as many other wreath making
workshops are four times as much and the wreath only lasts
for the one season.
Please contact me at mrssarahlouisebell@gmail.com to
book your place.
We are very much in the festive spirit with our recent
workshops making Christmas items but are having a rest in
January. We will be back on the 4 th February with a guest
tutor, Angela, when we will be rock painting. Sarah Bell
JAMMIN FOR SCONES
The monthly events are continuing through the winter in
Sharrington village hall with folk getting together to share
music, poetry and singing. The next session is on Tuesday
14 th December and in January we will be meeting on
Tuesday 11 th January. 2 - 4pm is the time for both events.
Please contact Angela Mason at
mason378@btinternet.com if you need any further
details or just turn up and join in. You will be most
welcome.
NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST
BIKE RIDE
On 11 th September the annual
Norfolk Churches Trust bike ride
took place and Sharrington church
was represented by three cyclists,
Martyn Sloman, Andy Bakewell
and Ben Harvey.
Setting off from our church in the
morning they visited all ten churches in the benefice,
cycling 20 miles and, with sponsorship, raising in excess of
£250.
Meanwhile back in Sharrington the church was visited
by 35 cyclists from other parishes in Norfolk and all were
appreciative of being welcomed by our team of volunteers
throughout the day. Some took away with them an apple or
pear to sustain them on their trips which were offered to
them when they signed
Amongst its many roles, the Norfolk Churches Trust
helps to support churches with grants and advice for their
upkeep, restoring works of art in the churches as well as
offering talks and other entertainments. With so many
medieval and older churches in Norfolk its work is of
immense value.
If you are interested to find out more, or possibly
become a member, please visit www.norfolkchurches
trust.org.uk or pick up a leaflet in our church. CD
CHURCH NEWS
In 2018 an old lime tree on the far side of the churchyard
blew down in a storm, landing neatly amongst the
gravestones. In September of this year, George Moore
presented us with a lovely turned bowl made by Colin
Green from wood salvaged from the tree. It is inscribed
underneath with the words ‘Made
from a lime tree blown down in
Sharrington churchyard 2018’ We
were delighted to receive it and use it
with pleasure as our collection bowl
every Sunday. Thank you to both of
them.
We do not often have christenings
in our village but recently we had had two: Archie Riggs
and India Rivett. Our very best wishes go to both of them
and their families.
The village carol service will be held on Saturday 18 th
December at 5pm. As usual it will be preceded by a lantern
procession for those who feel able, which will leave the
village hall at 4.30pm.
All are welcome to our Christmas Day service at 9.30am
and further details will be circulated in the village, posted on
the church noticeboard and on the All Saints Facebook page
nearer the day.
TP
STIFFKEY
Contact: Dr.Sally Vanson 01328 830560
dr.sallyvanson@gmail.com
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REP’S REPORT
The nights are drawing in and the smell of woodsmoke
is permeating the village reminding us that it’s time to get
those chimneys swept if not done earlier in the year.
It’s been great to see some new events being run locally.
Villagers have been joining the badminton group in
Blakeney village hall on Mondays between 6pm and 8pm.
Some residents also attended the fireworks display on
Blakeney Quay.
Local hobby artists joined Liz Hawkins for a day of
cutting and print making. Liz uses a vinyl which is softer
and easier to cut with the very sharp knives; much improved
on the lino we all used at school. It is a great way to make

celebration cards and to illustrate books and poems.
Following the successful oyster evening hosted by the
legendary ‘John the Fish’ in September, 5th November saw
villagers and guests from further afield enjoying a wine
tasting evening at the Red Lion. The fun, informative and
informal evening started with an initial wine tasting of
Corney & Barrow's Royal Warrant Holders own label
wines, followed by a 4-course dinner personally selected by
the Stiffkey Red Lion head chef. This is an annual event so
look out for it next year.
We are currently being challenged with traffic lights in
the village. The Parish Council were given very short notice
of traffic lights in Church St running from 14th October for
six to eight weeks. They tried to get it delayed until after the
half term break but to no avail so once again we have been
struggling with fumes and short tempers. Hopefully all will
be complete well before Christmas.
Wishing everyone a wonderful, healthy and safe festive
season and a very happy and successful 2022 and
remember, anyone is welcome to send items in about ‘Life
in Stiffkey’. It would be lovely to hear more about some of
our new neighbours as well as historic memories from the
longer-term residents. dr.sallyvanson@gmail.com
THIS MONTH’S RECIPE
Fat Rascals - Makes six large rascals.
6 oz self-raising Flour
6 oz plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
5 oz butter
4 oz soft brown sugar
Zest only of 1 x lemon and 1 x orange
1 x teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 x teaspoon nutmeg
5oz sultans/raisins
2 x eggs
2fl oz creme fraiche or full fat milk
To decorate: 6 glacé cherries sliced in half, 18 x
whole almonds
Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees. Line a sheet tray with
baking paper.
Sieve the flours, baking powder and spices into a bowl.
Rub in the butter. Add the sugar, zests, and dried fruit. Mix
well. Beat the eggs - reserve approx. 1/4 egg for glazing.
Add cream or milk to eggs. Pour into the main bowl. Mix
well.
Turn out and make 6 x large mounds. Glaze with
remaining egg. Decorate the top with the cherries for eyes,
and the almonds for teeth.
Place in oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve
warm with butter or treat like a scone and serve with jam
and cream. Lovely with a hot drink after a coastal walk.
NORTH NORFOLK BOOK WORMS
The Ice by Laline Paull
Members are really enjoying meeting up face to face
again, especially as we have some new group members. We
chose The Ice to read because we so enjoyed The Bees by
Laline Paull earlier in the year.
This book was suspenseful and vivid - a novel that
cannot easily be categorised as it contains elements of
dystopian science fiction, thriller,
courtroom drama and eco-political tract,
with significant elements of the history of
polar exploration thrown in. A heady mix,
perhaps, but it all works and is effectively
woven together. It is set in a future in
which the Arctic icecap has largely
melted. As the novel opens, a luxury liner
is crawling slowly along the shores of
Svalbard, searching for polar bears to sate
the appetites of demanding wealthy tourists.
A bear is finally found, and the passengers are all merrily
taking photographs of it when, without any warning, there is
a sudden tremor, and the glacier on which the bear stands
starts crumbling into the sea. As huge boulders of ice
collapse away from the glacier, a human body is revealed.
Once stability returns, the body is retrieved. This plot allows
Laline Paull to explore the conflicting arguments supporting
and opposing mineral exploitation of the Arctic Circle. She
manages this deftly, using separate characters to put forward
their respective ideas, all handled objectively through the
filter of the inquest. Interspersed with the story, in between
each chapter, Laline Paull interpolates extracts from various
classic accounts of Polar explorations, which offer
27

intriguing contextual insights into different aspects of the
emerging story.
There are some big topics touched on here: the opening
of shipping channels over the North Pole, the political and
military ramifications, the melting of the ice, the wealthy
tourists who demand to see the polar bear they were
promised in the holiday brochure, business executives who
take the money and avoid asking difficult questions because
that’s the easiest and most convenient thing to do. This is a
novel about greed and love. How greed can destroy
everything: not just business, but friendships, families and
ultimately the ice. A couple of members were left feeling
vaguely dissatisfied and felt as if it started out as a
thoughtful novel about climate change, but at a later draft
was turned into a thriller.
The environmental message seemed preachy at times,
the business sections were factual and dry, both of which
took the edge off the suspense. Perhaps it would have been
more thrilling if various viewpoints had been juggled so the
lies, risks, double-crossing and betrayals happen in real
time, rather than the past. However all agreed that Paull
controls the plot very effectively, gradually letting more
information and new avenues of thought emerge and
continuing to throw up new twists.
In terms of member numbers, we are now about full. We
could possibly squeeze in one more person and it would be
nice to have another man to balance the perspectives of
what we are reading.
To join the bookclub email dr.sallyvanson@gmail.com.
STIFFKEY VILLAGE FACEBOOK
We now have an incredible 386 members with at least
one joining each week. While the majority are from the
local area we do get visitors joining and although they don’t
contribute often, it’s a good way to advertise events to them.
Advertising is being controlled as much as possible and the
group now develops organically and needs a lot less
management so thank you to all.
CHURCH NEWS
At the present time there are two services per month,
first Sunday 9.30a.m. Morning Service and third Sunday
9.30a.m. Holy Communion led by the Vicar.
There was no Service of Remembrance on the second
Sunday in November as the joint service that day was at
Langham, however a gathering at the war memorial was
held on Thursday 11th at 10.45a.m. with the reading of the
names of those involved in both world wars, prayers, and
the laying of the wreath.
It has been good to see that this summer has brought
back the visitors to our church, and they have left some
wonderful comments in our visitors’ book with appreciation
for all our hard-working volunteers.
We have been informed that there have been some
worrying ideas from the top of the Church of England to get
a motion passed in General Synod to get powers to close
parish churches and to sell off the vicarages, especially
when a present vicar retires, and the benefice goes into
interregnum. If this is passed it may be that the only way to
avoid the closure of our church and churchyard when our
present Rector retires is to make the church pay for itself. At
the moment, partly due to the covid pandemic, we cannot
cover all the monies that we need to pay annually, which
include Parish share, insurance, electricity, Rector's
expenses etc. It will be essential that if we wish to continue
to have an active church, we shall have to raise funds next
year. Anyone with ideas for this, ways of using the building
and the offer of help to do this and keep something of our
old village for future generations, please let us know.
There will be a Christmas carol service with mulled
wine and mince pies this year at Christmas, the date and
time has yet to be confirmed, however posters will be put up
in good time to let everyone know.
HH
TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK
As summer faded into Autumn the trout activities took a
noticeable dive (no pun intended!). However, as the track
and angle of the sun changed it began to light up an area
under overhanging bushes previously in shadow. This
allowed us to see an interesting collection of about four
trout, led by the biggest we have seen thus far. Nicknamed
‘Nessie’ as it’s a monster, this one dominated the patch
feeding on insects closest to the surface, while the other
smaller trout stayed deeper. Whether this represents a
hierarchy for feeding I don’t know, but it certainly looked
like it.
I’m amazed anything can catch a trout, because the
speed they exhibit when catching flies is astonishing, but
they certainly do get caught because we’ve seen it happen.
A cormorant had one in its mouth, and we had a skeleton on
our lawn stripped of all flesh. Hopefully the balance
between trout breeding and predators is a good one.
The dredger came along recently - a digger with a
modified bucket. Working along the hedge and bank in the
field opposite, it was pulling out big clumps of weed, reeds
and debris and dumping it onto the ground. I couldn’t resist
having a closer look, and I’m glad I did because I was able
to rescue a few bullhead fish which had got caught up in the
weeds and were stranded. I didn’t even know these fish
were in the river as you don’t see them. They are bottom
28

dwellers which hide under stones and hunt at dusk and
dawn, with heads as big as their body - a bit like a miniature
monk fish. Based on how many I saw there must be a lot in
the river; a sign of good health, I’m sure.
While fish activity has waned bird certainly has not. One
of our most interesting sightings is of a little owl that has set
up his territory around the river. He is active day and night,
making a very distinctive screech which he deploys very
often, sometimes triangulating this from several vantage
points to denote his realm. We have seen him clearly on
many occasions, enhanced with a telescope and we can see
he is a keen groomer. Indeed, there is a spot he favours for
this in a hawthorn hedge which is now nicknamed the ‘owl
spa’.
I was sat out at dusk recently on a clear night as a strange
shape flew overhead towards the owl spa, resulting in a big
noisy commotion as the little owl warned the intruder off. I
must confess I had to check my first impression of the
visitor in my RSPB guide, but it was, as I suspected, a
nightjar. I’ve only seen them at rest before, so it was good to
see one in flight, although my little owl doesn’t agree.
I know pigeons aren’t the most interesting of birds, but I
must give a special mention to one hero. This fellow landed
full square in the river, wings extended and I expected to see
it slowly drown. I’ve seen one land in the Thames before
and it was completely stuck until someone fished it out. Not
so this one, and to my complete surprise, with a few
powerful beats it took off from the water like a mallard.
They make tough pigeons in Norfolk.
M.H
MARITIME HERITAGE CENTRE
Alex Larrabee has started a You Tube channel showing
the time lapse of moving the Susie Q. The boat is no longer
sitting in the dirt in a field but on a trailer in a barn, as a
cradle is being built to set her into on the barn floor to begin
work.
Old Susie Q was built in the early 1930s by the owner of
Ellis Camps on Moosehead Lake, a man by the name of
Roy Ellis and his partner in boat building Alvah Weed. She
was custom built but inspired by a Chris Craft. Alvah and
Roy also built about 15 Swampscott Dories for the camp to
use, as well as a 38' cabin cruiser named the Pontiac. Alvah
built a 42' cabin cruiser named the Alert. They may have
built others, but these were the boats used at the camp and
there are records of. She is built out of what appears to be an
oak frame with cedar sides and a mahogany deck and
coaming. The original windshield is missing but we are
working to get old photos of her with her original that was
flat and laid back at a slight angle. She is powered by a 1929
Marmon straight 8 that is her original powerplant and
hopefully will remain her powerplant. She is surprisingly
solid, for the amount of grey wood there is due to the
combination of her cedar sides, and due to the fact that her
bilges and non-visible interior were all coated in tar.
STIFFKEY LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
It was with some pleasure that the Stiffkey Local History
Group was able to hold its relaunch meeting on Saturday
9th October 2021 when existing and potentially new
members defied both the rival attraction of a glorious sunny
autumn afternoon and any residual Covid driven concerns
about public meetings indoors to confirm continued interest
in the group and its activities.
The acting chairman, John Wykes, welcomed the
assembly, and began by reviewing the achievements of the
group over a number of years. These included annual
29
exhibitions (of which extracts were on display), guest
speakers, outings and publications.
The secretary, Andrew Roe, then talked about projects
which were under active consideration by the committee,
including a permanent archive facility and further
publications. This prompted very useful contributions from
a number of those present, and some general enthusiastic
discussion. It was flagged that both projects may, if pursued,
require commitment from members outside the committee
with appropriate skill sets.
Separate and apart from archive and publication
activities, it was also acknowledged that annual exhibitions
were an attractive way of keeping the group’s activities in
the minds of the wider public. The chairman brought the
formal element of the meeting to a close by stating that the
committee would now set about arranging an AGM, of
which details would follow; and he invited all in attendance
to take refreshments and continue the discussions which had
begun .Notice of the AGM will be given in due course.
Andrew Roe, Secretary, Stiffkey Local History Group
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
Stiffkey Parish Council Vacancy and
Contact Details
We are pleased to announce that, after some interest, we
have filled the casual vacancy and our parish council is now
up to full strength. We would like to thank all of those who
expressed an interest in joining the council and encourage
anyone who may not have been successful on this occasion
to try again in the future.
The parish council would like to take this opportunity to
remind the parishioners of Stiffkey that the best way to
contact the parish council is via the parish clerk, Catherine
Moore. Contacting us in this way will ensure any query or
concern is dealt with as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Catherine can be contacted via our website
www.stiffkeyvillage.org or directly via email clerk@
stiffkeyvillage.org or telephone 01493 253041.
Traffic Lights on Church Street
By the time you receive this, the first stage of lights on
Church Street should be completed. The parish council has
been informed that the second stage will be for a period of
six to eight weeks from February 2022. While the parish
council has no control over the timing or placements of the
traffic lights, if you do have any concerns, please get in
touch via email clerk@stiffkeyvillage.org or via our website
www. stiffkeyvillage.org.
Volunteering
The parish council is always looking for volunteers,
whether it is to help with footpath maintenance,
maintenance of the war memorial or simply to assist with
prescription deliveries for those unable to get out. If you
think you can help, please get in touch via email
clerk@stiffkeyvillage.org or via our website www.
stiffkeyvillage.org. Thank you.
Winter Health
The parish council has been asked to remind everyone
that both the Covid booster jab and the flu vaccine are
currently available to everyone over the age of 50 and those
with certain health conditions. If you think this applies to
you, please speak to your GP or local pharmacy for more
details.
You can also keep well this winter by wearing a mask in
crowded places and washing your hands frequently, heating
your home at 18°C (65°F) or higher if you can. If you need

help to pay for heating got to www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/
heating.
Use NHS 111 if you have an urgent, but not life
threatening, medical need. If you do need urgent care, NHS
111 can book you into A&E, urgent treatment centres, GP
surgeries, pharmacies, emergency dental services and walkin
clinics.
JOHN SAMUEL GREEN
1945 - 2021
John Samuel Green was born in
Stiffkey in 1945 at his
grandparents’ home in The
Greenway. He was the middle
child of three. He was the last
descendant of a family that can be
traced back over two hundred and
fifty years in the village who bore
the surname Green.
There was a strong tradition of
both royal and merchant navy
connections throughout that time. Many of these men
returned to Stiffkey to become longshore fishermen in their
later years. John followed that route after leaving school. He
spent time with the Lowestoft deep sea fishing fleet working
off Iceland. He loved the life but chose to return to Stiffkey
in order to help his father who was having health issues at
the time. When he had the chance to return, the ‘cod wars’
had deepened so John established himself as a longshore
fisherman at Stiffkey.
In 1968 he married and produced two wonderful
daughters. He always said that he was glad not to have sons
as he could see that his way of life was a dying one, and he
was correct. John continued to work on the shore fishing
from his boat, picking samphire, cockling, fishing for sea
trout at night, whelk fishing at Wells and building a good
business farming mussels that he sold locally. He also
helped run Temple’s ferries so that visitors could see the
seal colony at Blakeney harbour. He had a spell as warden
on Blakeney Point which he enjoyed and where he built the
wooden walkway, but he found being employed was not to
his liking.
John was a private man and was happiest being alone.
Tragically ill heath took hold over 25 years ago which was
to have serious consequences for him. Following double
brain surgery he was impacted by increasing neurological
issues which resulted in him being diagnosed with a very
rare and devastating degenerative neurological condition.
John battled this with great courage and fortitude despite the
lack of understanding from many quarters. In later times he
enjoyed model making especially of boats and birds. The
last year of his life was spent at Meadow House in
Swaffham where he he was loved and cosseted by all the
staff there and where he passed peacefully on 23rd October
2021.
Condolences and support from the village go to his wife
Geraldine.
30
PUZZLE PAGES ANSWERS
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
(questions on page 16)
C O C K E R S L O P E S
L H L A I T
I R A Q I T E N O N E R
M O T 9 R G U A
B O T T E G A H A P P Y
S I N A S
C H R I S T M A S
B I F N F
I O N I C O P E R A T E
T E K R A G A
T R A N S O M R I G O R
E T H T E E
R E H E A T S H A D E D
SPOT THE DIFFERENCES - SOLUTION
(questions on page 16)
1. A second lamp has appeared on the house in the
background.
2. A strap for her bag can now bee seen on the shoulder of the
student on the left.
3. …. And she is painting the Mona Lisa!
4. The café sign has changed.
5. The student on the right has lost some of his stripes,
6. …..And someone has pinched Grandpa’s hat.
If you want to know, this was in Roussillon, famous for its
sands which were used to make paints with colours from
yellow ochre to burnt sienna and burnt umber.
BREAKOUT LYNX
Lynx has been spotted and no mask in sight! Find
him on pages 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 3 x 22,
27, 2 x 30 and 2 x 31.
CHRISTMAS QUIZ SOLUTIONS
(questions on page 17)
1. The 26th meeting of the Conference of Parties. 2. Blue,
yellow, black, green and red. This design is symbolic; it
represents the five continents of the world, united by
Olympism, while the six colours are those that appear on all
the national flags of the world at the present time. 3. Olivia.
4. Pacific, Mountain, Central & Eastern. 5. Forty-two.
6. Cheese & Onion. 7. The Church of England. 8. A nautical
mile.(1.15 mile) 9. China. 10. Christopher Eccleston.
11. Five hundred and eight. 12. New York. 13. Edinburgh.
14. La Manche. 15. Five. China, France, Russian
Federation, UK & USA. 16. Three.
CHILDREN’S QUIZ
(questions on page 17)
1. Coins. 2. Ebeneezer Scrooge. 3. Oslo in Norway. 4. 24.
5. Five. 6. 359. 7. Twelfth Night. 8. Feliz navidad. 9. The
Nutcracker. 10. Germany. 11. Prince Albert (and Queen
Victoria). 12. A hen. 13. Minced meat. 14. Capricorn. 15.
Before us. (Sydney is 11 hours ahead.) 16. Pigs in blankets.

LANGHAM VILLAGE SCHOOL NEWS
Our first half term back in school was a busy one.
Year 6 had a residential trip to
Bawdsey Manor in Suffolk. They
took part in lots of exciting
outdoor adventures; a zip wire,
huge swing and a climb and leap
of faith from a very high pole.
They also did orienteering and
outdoor evening games in the
dark. It was a fantastic trip in a
very beautiful location and a
good start to their last year here
at Langham.
We are happy to be able to
resume our sporting tournaments at Alderman Peel High
School and so far, we have had a touch rugby afternoon
with Burnham Market and Wells primary schools. We
took two teams and were pleased to come 2 nd and 5 th .
The children in Years 5
and 6 have been taught
touch rugby every week
by Soul Phoenix who
plays for the England
team.
Amber class have been
learning about farms in
geography and enjoyed a
day at Holkham. They
went to the ‘Holkham
Stories’ exhibition followed by a deer safari. They
looked at the crops growing in the farm and even
harvested some sugar beet.
Early in September, the whole school were involved
in a super skipping workshop, learning many new skills
with a visiting expert. Skipping is very popular at
playtimes and a great way to keep fit.
Year 5 and 6 really
enjoyed four days of
cycling both on site and on
the road. This was
provided free of charge.
We believe this to be an
essential skill to learn at
this age so that children are
safe when out on their
bikes.
Alongside all these
exciting trips and
activities, we have been
involved in equally
exciting learning.
Jet Class have learnt about ‘Extreme Earth’ Studying
the Earth's greatest natural and extreme disasters and
weather phenomena, from raging tropical storms to
violent erupting volcanoes to terrifying towering
31
tsunamis.
Quartz Class have been studying fascinating facts
about Europe, and the names, locations and features of
European countries and
capitals.
Amber Class have
learnt about the
countryside and
explored a working
farm. They have found
out about arable,
livestock and dairy
farms and the
difference between
them. They have
studied the features of a farm and used a map to
navigate, as well as thinking about the differences
between life in the country and life in a busy town.
Coral Class have successfully completed their first
half term in school and have
been learning about new
beginnings, classroom
routines and about making
friends. They have enjoyed
the outside area, which
includes a fairy garden and
dinosaur world.
Langham Village School -
‘A place for fun, creativity,
friendship, ambition and
discovery.’
For further information please visit our website
www.langham.norfolk.co.uk or follow us on twitter
@langhamvill.
Artwork by Langham Village School

LYNX 141 ADS DIRECTORY
SEE FURTHER SERVICES LISTED BELOW DIRECTORY
Antiques/ Art/ Furniture/ Textiles
page
Letheringsett Antiques & Collectibles 20
Nick Hamond Furniture: cabinet-maker 24
Phillippa Kirby Soft Furnishings 12
Sandra’s Soft Furnishings 25
Shirehall Antiques, Holt 18
Care Services
Community Heartbeat advice leaflet back cover
Hindringham Toddler Group 27
Gardening
DB Garden Services 9
Finlay Newton Garden Services 5
Glaven Gardens 13
J.P.S. Gardening 7
Hair/ Health
Alison Courtney Acupuncture 28
Claire Dye: Physiotherapist 13
Foot Perfect 5
Gunthorpe Osteopaths 7
Marianne Atherton Homeopathy 31
Philippa Stancomb Reflexology 8
Pilates at Binham Memorial Hall 10
Tudor Barber Shop, Walsingham 6
Hall Rentals
Binham Memorial Hall 22
Warham Reading Room
front cover
Leisure
The Blue Bell, Langham 15
Sharrington Gardening Group
front cover
Services and Suppliers
Allied Glass: Trade and Domestic Glazing 24
APW Plumbing and Heating 8
Boon-bespoke décor 23
Burnham Motors 21
Butcher Andrews Solicitors 11
Chris Wells Construction, Ltd 6
Clearview Pest Control 15
Darren Betts Building and Maintenance 21
David Thompson Chimney Sweep 9
Elv’s Stoves: Woodburner Services 12
Goldfinch Grave Tending 10
Gresham Gravel 27
Keeble Roofing Contractor 26
Morston Boat Yard 28
Norfolk Woodburners Stoves 25
Paul Hennessey 14
PJ Electrics 19
Stuart’s Taxi 18
Advertising space in this publication is sold in good faith and the editor/publication team can take no
responsibility for the quality of goods or services offered.
GARY WALLER
Painter, Decorator & Carpet Cleaner
20 Years Experience No job too small
01263 860705 Mob: 07990 993406
OUR MAN IN NORFOLK
A complete second home service
www.ourmaninnorfolk.co.uk
Contact: Nigel Tompkins M: 07860 206565
E:nigel@ourmaninnorfolk.co.uk
CHIMNEY SWEEP
David Thompson
01328 851081
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED & HEDGE CUTTING
Contact Alison Lee
07749 951898
PETER SIMMONS AQUATIC SPECIALIST
Pond cleaning and maintenance work
Tel 01328 830689
Mob 07393 560373
HAMLYN PEST CONTROL
County Council Accredited - NPTA Member
Control of Rats Mice Wasps etc
01263 860112
FINCH GARDEN DESIGN
Design - Build - Planting
www.finchgardendesign.co.uk
Jackie Finch 07776 292 211
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