Local Lynx No.146 - October/November 2022

ISSUE 146

October-

November 2022

HRH Queen Elizabeth II

1926 - 2022

ADS DIRECTORY now on back page and at

www.locallynx.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

VH = village hall

OCTOBER

1 st Sat. Bale Harvest Supper, VH 7pm

1 st Sat. Field Dalling Ceilidh, VH 7pm

1 st Sat. Sharrington Music Night VH 7pm

1 st Sat.- 3 rd Mon. Stiffkey The Tutor Group, The Old Dairy,

Norfolk Open Studios, 10am-5pm

2 nd Sun. Bale Harvest Festival, All Saints 9.30am

2 nd Sun. Binham Harvest Thanksgiving Service and Lunch,

BP, 11am and BMH, 12.30 for 1pm

2 nd Sun. Morston Harvest Festival, All Saints Church

2 nd Sun. Sharrington Harvest Festival Church 9.30am

2 nd Sun. Stiffkey St John and St Mary’s Church, Harvest

Festival Service, 9.30am

5 th Wed. Field Dalling Coffee Morning, VH 10.30am

5 th Wed. Sharrington Gardeners,Talk, Field Dalling VH

6.30pm

7 th Fri. Field Dalling, First Friday, VH 6pm

7 th Fri. Sharrington Craft Group VH 10.30am-12.30pm

7 th Fri. Sharrington Pub evening VH 7pm

7 th Fri.- 9 th Sun. Stiffkey The Tutor Group, The Old Dairy,

Norfolk Open Studios, 10am-5pm

8 th Sat. Binham Quiz Night, BMH, 7pm

8 th Sat. Sharrington Antique Valuation Day VH 10am-3pm

9th Sun. Langham Harvest Festival, Church 9.30am

14 th Fri. Bale Fish and Chips, VH 7pm

15 th Sat. Langham Family Bingo & Burger night at VH

15 th Sat. Shovell Dinner, Talk by Robert Smith MBE,

Harbour Rooms, Blakeney

21 st Fri. Binham FOBP Talk by Lord Robin Butler, VH 7 for

7.30pm

21 st Fri. Field Dalling Bingo, VH 7.30pm

22 nd Sat. Bale Local History Talk by Phil West VH, 7pm

22 nd Sat. Sharrington Gordon Giltrap Concert VH 7pm

26 th Wed. Field Dalling U3A Military History Group, VH

10am

28 th Fri. Bale Bale Oak Bar, VH 6.30-9.30pm

28 th Fri. Field Dalling U3A Family History Group, VH 10am

29 th Sat. Binham Village Halloween Party, BMH 7pm

29 th Sat. Gunthorpe 50:50 Club Coffee Morning, VI

10.30am

30 th Sun. Morston Group Service, All Saints Church

10:30am

31 st Mon. Langham Trick or Treat trail through village

NOVEMBER

2 nd Wed. Field Dalling Coffee Morning, VH 10.30am

4 th Fri. Field Dalling Firsty Friday, VH 6pm

4th Fri. Sharrington Craft Group, VH 10-30am-12.30pm

4 th Fri. Sharrington Pub evening VH 7pm

6 th Sun. Binham Gresham’s Choir and Orchestra, BP 7.30pm

6 th Sun. Morston Patronal Service, All Saints Church 9.30am

11 th Fri. Bale Fish and Chips, VH 7pm

13 th Sun. Remembrance Services, see grid page 3

16 th Wed. Sharrington Gardeners wreath making

demonstration, venue and time tbc

18 th Fri. Field Dalling, Bingo, VH 7.30pm

18 th Fri. Sharrington Noble Rotters VH 7pm

19 th Sat. Bale Bale Book Group, VH 4pm

19 th Sat. Binham Christmas Fair, BMH, 9.30am - 2pm

23 rd Wed. Field Dalling U3A Military History Group, VH

10am

25 th Fri. Bale Bale Oak Bar, VH 6.30-9.30pm

25 th Fri. Field Dalling U3A Family History Group, VH 10am

26 th Sat. Gunthorpe 50:50 Club Coffee Morning, VI

10.30am

26 th Sat. Sharrington Christmas Fayre VH 10am-1.30pm

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REGULARS

Monday Bale Painting Group, VH 1-4pm

Monday Sharrington Yoga class, VH 11.30am-12.30pm

Tuesday Binham Art Group BMH 9.30am

Wednesday Binham Youth Group in September after school

holidays 6-8pm, BMH

Third Wednesday in the month Binham, Cosy Club, BMH,

2-4pm

Third Thursday in the month Binham & Hindringham

Open Circle, Hindringham VH, 7.15pm

1 st & 3 rd Saturdays in month Langham Coffee Mornings,

VH 10am -12noon

POST OFFICES AND LIBRARY BUSES

Wednesday Field Dalling Post OfficeVH 8-8.40am

Wednesday Langham Mobile Post Office VH 8.50-

9.20am

Thursdays Field Dalling Mobile Library, Highfields 16.25 –

16.45

Fridays 21st Oct. and 18 th Nov. Sharrington Library Bus

VH 3.10pm

CLASH DIARY

December 2022

10 th Sat. Field Dalling Christmas Fair

3 rd Sat. Binham Christmas Supper BMH, 6.30

for 7pm

July 2023

30 th Sat, Binham Yard Sale, 10am-3pm,

Binham Village

August 2024

24 th Sat. Langham Street Fayre 50th anniversary

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.

BLAKENEY METHODIST CHURCH

Service times:

1 st Sunday -10am Traditional Methodist Worship

2 nd Sunday – Café Church10am

Mid-week prayer time: Thursdays 9.30am

For more details ring Samantha Parfitt on 07591

509653.

ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Back Lane Blakeney NR25 7NP

Mass Sunday - 11am

Wednesday - 9.30am

Holyday of Obligation 9.30am

www.catholicparishofwalsingham.org

DEANERY NEWS

The next joint meeting of Holt and Repps Deanery

Synods: 7.30pm on 13 th October in Sheringham.

Church Services for Bale and Stiffkey Benefice for October and November 2022

HC=Holy Communion. CFS=Church Family Service. MP=Morning Prayer. BCP=Book of Common Prayer CW- Common Worship

Parish 2 nd October 9 th October 16 th October 23 rd October 30 th October

Bale

9.30am Harvest

9.30am HC

At Morston

Festival

Field Dalling 11.00am CFS At Saxlingham 11.00am MP At Morston

BCP

Saxlingham At Field Dalling 11.00am HC BCP At Field Dalling At Morston

Gunthorpe

11.00am Harvest Festival

At Morston

Sharrington 9.30am Harvest 9.30am HC 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC At Morston

Festival

Binham 11.00am Harvest 11.00am MP BCP 11.00am MP BCP 9.30am HC At Morston

Thanksgiving

Morston 9.30am HC BCP

Harvest Festival

9.30am MP BCP

10.30am HC Group

Service

Langham At Stiffkey 9.30am Harvest At Stiffkey 9.30am MP At Morston

Thanksgiving

BCP

Stiffkey 9.30am Harvest

Thanksgiving

At Langham 9.30am HC BCP At Langham At Morston

Parish 6 th November 13 th November

20 th November 27 th November

Remembrance Sunday

Bale 9.30am HC 9.30am HC Service of Remembrance 9.30am HC

Field Dalling 10.45am Service of Remembrance At Saxlingham 11.00am MP BCP

Saxlingham At Field Dalling 11.00am HC BCP At Field Dalling

Gunthorpe

10.50am Service of Remembrance

Sharrington 9.30am MP BCP 9.30am HC Service of Remembrance 9.30am MP CW 9.30am HC

Binham 11.00am HC 10.50am HC Service of 11.00am MP BCP 9.30am HC

Remembrance

Morston 9.30am HC BCP 3.00pm Service of Remembrance 9.30am HC BCP

Patronal Festival

Langham At Stiffkey 10.50am Service of Remembrance At Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP

Stiffkey 9.30am MP BCP At Langham 9.30am HC BCP At Langham

Additional Services

Stiffkey: Friday 11 th November, Remembrance Day Gathering at the War Memorial, 10.45am.

Zoom Evensong on October 2 nd and November 6 th at 5.00pm. For further details please contact Ian Newton on

01328 830947 or email iannewton46@gmail.com.

RECTOR’S LETTER

Dear Friends and Parishioners,

This time of year, late summer/early autumn is for me a reflection of the Glory of God. I wonder if you know the poem by

Gerard Manley Hopkins “Hurrahing in Harvest”? “Summer ends now; now, barbarous in beauty, the stooks rise/ Around; up

above, what wind-walks! what lovely behaviour/ Of silk-sack clouds!” The Glory of God, mirrored there in nature is of course

one of the great themes of scripture.

In the Old Testament ‘glory’ is the visible and supernatural ‘showing’ of the majesty of God; and the Hebrew word for

‘glory’ (kabod) means ‘weight’ or ‘substance’’; and this making known of the presence of a personal Deity produces awe. Awe,

as well as the presence of God is hard to explain to one who has never experienced it, but it is something to be experienced by the

humble, devout believer. Adam and Eve felt no awe in the presence of God before the Fall, but surely did when they approached

Him afterwards. But approach they did, because He beckoned; and He beckons us still to a restored relationship with Himself, to,

in a sense, a life of glory.

There is a house in north Norfolk, which I have often visited which had, instead of the usual parapet (it’s quite a grand house),

stone letters proclaiming to all the world, the allegiance, the prayer, and the experience of the family down the centuries: “Gloria

Deo in excelsis”. It is God’s presence which bestows obvious favour and assurance on his people and marks them out as his own,

for his glory. To be with, and bless His people is what God wants – hence His covenant with Israel, hence the sending of His Son

for this contractual agreement was sealed everlastingly with the red blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What distinguishes God? His Glory. What motivates God? His love. To what end does He work? The restoration of all

things, including our broken relationship with Him.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that everyone that believes in him may not perish, but have

eternal life.” This is the heart of the Gospel. Not “God is love” – which is true but does not imply any action on His part. BUT

“God so loved…” that He gave. He gave. In a place and at a time God in Christ took off His robes of glory and was lifted up

only in shame and the Author of life died for what He had made. And that glorious degradation on behalf of the whole world is

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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

THE RECTOR’S LETTER continued

the only act that can save the world, or any individual. Only

divine self-giving changes our destiny from one of

punishment to a delightful walk in the garden in the cool of

the day.

Like and unlike Adam of old we must come before the

Lord of Glory, most often in private wearing nothing but our

shame and holding only to the cross of Jesus Christ.

May this Autumn be for us a time of turning.

Yours truly,

Ian Whittle The Rectory, Langham 01328 830 246

COMMUNITY nEWS

COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S NOTES

...from Steffan Aquarone

Over the course of my time as a county councillor, I

have frequently been contacted by constituents with extreme

concerns around speeding through villages. This is

something that is becoming more and more prevalent across

my constituency and with 35 deaths and 450 serious injuries

being reported on Norfolk's roads in 2021, it is without a

doubt one of my key priorities to address.

I have recently had two very productive meetings with

the Police and Crime Commissioner and the local police

officer in charge of road safety and it has been agreed that

there will be an increase in support for community speed

watch schemes, more beat officers trained to use handheld

speed guns and increased enforcement thanks to a small van

fleet. I am requesting that speed monitoring equipment be

installed across several of the villages in my division, and

that I meet with the officer every six weeks to review

progress in order to take the next steps towards greater and

potentially permanent enforcement solutions.

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) michaeljdblues@outlook.com

Steffan Aquarone: County Councillor Melton Constable Division

( incl. Bale and Gunthorpe Parishes) steffanaquarone@gmail.com

or 07879 451608

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DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

…from Victoria Holliday

Planning

Nutrient neutrality - the government will require water

companies to upgrade wastewater treatment works to the

highest technically achievable limits by 2030 to tackle the

pollution in the catchments of habitats sites. Natural

England will establish a Nutrient Mitigation Scheme,

identifying mitigation projects which will be pump primed

by government. This will enable local authorities to grant

permission subject to securing mitigation.

NNDC’s consultants, Royal Haskoning, are in the

process of developing a bespoke nutrient calculator and

short-, medium- and long-term local mitigation schemes.

The majority of applications within the sensitive

catchment areas can still be determined, i.e. householder

applications and most forms of commercial development;

it’s only new housing and tourism development that is

restricted till mitigation is developed.

The planning director is working on the planning Service

Improvement Plan, with a Customer Satisfaction Survey,

Developers Forum and Town and Parish Liaison meetings

scheduled.

Housing

52 affordable homes will be built this year - the numbers

are down due to nutrient neutrality and lack of sites.

However, there are 354 possible affordable homes in the

pipeline. There are 2575 households on the housing waiting

list, and 42 households in temporary accommodation.

NNDC has a Living Well Officer to support these families

and has negotiated some accommodation with St Vincent

DePaul Church in Cromer, in addition to what it has

already.

Funding is available for energy improvements to your

home such as loft or wall insulation, windows or door

replacement. Email energy@north-norfolk.gov.uk for

more information.

The Integrated Housing Adaptations Team continues to

make modifications to housing needed through disability.

Contact NNDC.

Benefits

The North Norfolk Help Hub offers support and

guidance for many aspects of well-being e.g. money

worries, isolation, domestic abuse, mental health problems,

housing. Email social.prescribing@north-norfolk.gov.uk

The benefits team is leading on the administration of the

Household Support Fund which is targeted to vulnerable

older residents (it will come to you automatically if you are

eligible), the Energy Rebate Scheme (this will also come to

you automatically if you are eligible), and the Discretionary

Housing Payments Scheme (additional financial assistance

for those on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit including

Housing Benefit, which you would need to apply for via the

NNDC website).

Well-being

The three priorities for the new North Norfolk Health

and Well-being Partnership are older people, mental health

and inequalities. The partnership has approved funding of

£50,000 to provide a repair service for low income owner

occupiers/private sector tenants to stay in their own home.

They have also approved funding of £15,500 for a North

Norfolk Care Academy to attract people interested in a

career in social care, and £32,488 to support community

groups.

Sustainable Growth

NNDC has submitted bids for a new swimming pool in

Fakenham and improvements to the cliff top gardens and

North Lodge Park, Cromer, as part of the Levelling Up

Round 2. North Norfolk’s share of the UK Shared

Prosperity Fund is £1.2 million - planning is underway as to

how to best spend this.

NNDC welcomes camping, campervan and caravan

tourism but wild camping is not permitted in North Norfolk.

This is to protect the amenity of residents and communities

and the businesses who offer campsite facilities. There are

plenty of approved and authorised camping destinations

which include facilities such as waste disposal and water

refilling. Campervan overnight parking is not allowed

outside of registered and authorised sites, or in NNDC car

parks, and campervan toilet waste is not permitted in public

toilets.

Environment

Greenbuild, NNDC’s environmental festival, was held

on 10th September. Check the NNDC website to see if the

online events are still available.

Waste and recycling pick up routes changed on 5th

September to reflect recent housing growth in different

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locations, and to become more efficient by reducing mileage

and carbon emissions. The change should also improve

service for householders (e.g. reduce missed collections).

Any teething problems should be short lived, but if not,

please contact myself or Serco on 0330 109 220.

Democratic Services

Make sure you’re registered to vote in next May’s

parish and district elections by taking part in the annual

canvass! If you have any questions about your registration

status, do contact electoralservices@northnorfolk.gov.uk.

NNDC is establishing a Youth Council; if you’re

interested in helping to shape this, and are 11-18, the closing

date to join the Steering Group is 30th September. You will

need to attend a full day workshop on Monday October

24th. Contact Emma Denny, Emma.denny@northnorfolk.gov.uk.

Ambulance Response Times and

CFR Recruitment

Ambulance response times are still unacceptably long,

much of which is due to handover delays at the NNUH and

QEH. Luckily, the paramedic in a car in Fakenham will

remain till next April, at least.

Re CFRs, the recruitment campaign was successful and

there is now one recruit going through training in both

Sheringham and Holt, four in Fakenham, and five are being

recruited in Wells. The ambulance trust has just agreed to

reimburse CFR training and mileage expenses which is very

positive move. I am talking to the trust about maintaining

the momentum of the recruitment drive.

The Coast Resilience Grant Scheme

This offers grants of £250-£2500 to communities across

the AONB for local nature recovery work. Projects should

balance local community engagement with environmental

improvement work and be completed by January 2023. This

©AndrewMoncur

grant is designed to be simple to apply for, and quick to

receive a funding decision. Projects that have successfully

received funding this year include native-species gardens,

pond restorations, citizen science monitoring schemes and

invasive species removal. Other ideas might include

workshops, artwork, native hedging, verge restoration. We

encourage anyone with an idea for a project benefitting both

environment and community to apply or email Project

Officer Sydney Jacus at sydney.jacus@norfolk.gov.uk for

more information.

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@north-norfolk.gov.uk

(Sharrington) 07970 298695

Victoria Holliday:(Morston & Stiffkey)victoria.holliday@northnorfolk.gov.uk

HEALTHWATCH NORFOLK NEWS

You may have seen our team out and across North

Norfolk, and beyond, over the summer.

We have been at a number of community events, visiting

GP practices and community hubs, finding out about your

health and social care experiences. It has been a really

important chance to talk to people and find out directly what

they think, both positively and negatively.

This feedback is really important and helps us feed back

concerns and trends to health and social care leaders as well

as inform our future work.

If you are reading this in time, a date for your diary is

Thursday September 29 th at the Forum in Norwich and

online. As well as giving you an update on what we have

been doing, a panel of health and social care leaders will be

available to answer your questions with a focus on the new

Integrated Care System, the new structure which aims to

bring all the different strands of health and social care

together.

Keep an eye on our website

www.healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk for more information

about that. It is also the place where you can share your

feedback if you wish.

Alex Stewart

WEA WELLS BRANCH

The Art of Gardening

WEA Wells branch starts the academic year with a day

school exploring the history of that wonderful British

institution the garden but, unusually, as seen through the

eyes of illustrators and painters. Our tutor, Sue Pownall,

herself a practising East Anglian artist and illustrator, will

trace the history of the British garden from its humble

beginnings to its many and varied modern manifestations

using the works of artists such as Leonard Knife, Marianne

North and Beatrice Parsons as illustrations. It should be a

fascinating mix of both garden and art appreciation.

The course will be held on Saturday 8th October in the

Clore Studio at Wells Maltings where there are all the

facilities one would expect of a landmark arts centre,

including in-house catering. Centrally located, there are car

parks nearby and several other places to find food during the

lunch break, all within easy walking distance.

The day school is available to book now. It costs £18

and will run from 9.45am until 4pm with a one hour break

for lunch. You can enrol either online to www.wea.org.uk/

eastern or by phone 0300 303 3464. For help, advice or

further details please contact Annie Whitelaw on 07856

792186 or email anniewhitelaw53@icloud.com.

Please remember that these courses are open to

everyone, you don’t have to be a member of WEA or one of

our regulars and anyone claiming income related benefits

can attend for free.

This day school will followed a week or so later by our

Annual General Meeting which, this year, with be held via

Zoom. This is a particularly important AGM because we

will be discussing the future of the Wells Branch following

what have been three extremely difficult years. Details of

the date and time will be circulated by email in due course.

Nigel

WANT A NEW CHALLENGE?

An invitation from Fakenham Choral Society

Have you ever wanted to sing music by the world’s

greatest composers or listened to Classic FM, wistfully

remembering your time in the school or church choir? If so,

why not join Fakenham Choral Society? The first two

weeks are free to see if we’re right for you.

We meet on Tuesdays, 7.30-9.15pm, from September to

6

June at the Salvation Army Hall in Fakenham (opposite the

road to the Tesco car park). We perform three concerts a

year often with orchestra and soloists who, with our musical

director and accompanist, are all professional musicians.

You don’t have to read music to join but it’s useful if you

do. We don’t hold formal auditions.

The full annual subscription is £126, pro rata if you join

in our Spring or Summer terms.

For more information or to get in touch, visit our

website: www.fakenhamchoralsociety.org.

We would be pleased to hear from you!

BALE

Contact: Maggie Thomas 01328 822481

maggie2403@icloud.com

100 CLUB RESULTS

Annual subscriptions were due at the beginning of

August 2022. Please renew now to be in with a chance

of winning! 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 Friday of each

month at Fish and Chips in the village hall.

July 2022

August

1 st Ann Wall £25 1 st Anne Peppitt £25

2 nd David Bridge £10 2 nd Eileen Spooner £10

3 rd Maggie Thomas £5 3 rd Ann Wall £5

4 th Peter Nearney £5 4 th Susan Buttifant £5

LOCAL HISTORY TALK

Village Hall, Saturday 22nd October at 7pm

Local historian Phil West will be giving an

illustrated talk on life in Bale over the past century. All

are welcome to attend what promises to be an

interesting evening.

WILD BALE

Birds and Water

The long, very hot summer this

year has shown how much our

garden birds depend on us to offer

them water for both drinking and

bathing as ponds dry and rivers run

low. As the dry spell lengthened and

natural sources of moisture became scarce, bird baths

attracted many birds but we also provide water indirectly to

them when saturating the lawn or watering flowers and

vegetables. Birds will often drink dew in the mornings and

can drink rain by lifting their bills skywards allowing the

rain to gently flow along the bill and into the mouth but

these water sources were unavailable for long spells.

Although birds do not have sweat glands, they do lose

moisture through their skin and from panting. In hot, dry

weather birds pant to cool down and this allows moisture

from the lungs to be lost. The smaller the bird the higher the

heat loss as it is relative to the volume and surface area of

the bird. A small amount of water is lost through the

kidneys as nitrogen is produced from the breakdown of

proteins, aiding the balance of water and salts in the body.

Birds produce uric acid in their waste along with water,

though the amount of water excreted by the body is reduced

when water is limited.

Most birds drink with a dip and tip action with water

being taken via gravity rather than suction. However, some

birds, including doves and pigeons, do suck up water in a

similar manner to drinking cattle. Swifts and hirundines

(swallows and house martins) drink by taking surface water

on the wing.

Birds also require water in which to bathe: blue tits will

bathe three to five times a day in hot weather. This is to

maintain their feathers in prime condition and helps to

reduce pests such as ticks and feather mites. Once washed

and dried, the bird will add preen oil to every feather. Preen

oil comes from a gland at the base of the tail that constantly

secretes uropygial with antimicrobial properties,

maintaining the integrity of the feathers, helping the barbs

on the feathers to interlock. The oil may also contain

pigments that enhance the bird’s colouring.

We are told that long, dry spells with high temperatures

are to be more common in the summer months over the next

7

50 years. If this is the case, some ponds, marshes and even

rivers may cease to exist. As the world around us becomes

parched, birds will be even more reliant on us to provide

them with food, shelter and water.

Evaleen Stein (1863-1923), a nature poet raised in

Indiana, USA, wrote this poem in the late 1890s, forty years

before the American Dust Bowl:

The Drought

On laden lands the web of gold,

Whose shuffles slanting sun beams ply,

Lies broken meshed up on the wheat

Where sere stalks die.

The young corn curls its husky blades

And bee’s thirst pale blossoms drain

While languid buds bend low to earth

Between the grain.

The fisher crosses ankle-deep the shrunken river

As it moves

Through bleaching banks of barren sand

And scorching stones.

Gaunt trees pathetic to the sky,

Their parched and crisping boughs stretch out.

Oh, winds, go search the nimbus clouds

And end this drought!

Paul Laurie

BALE VILLAGE HALL NEWS

The village hall was only partially in use during July and

August, the weather being so warm that events mainly took

place outside. We are fortunate that, since the ‘upgrade’, we

now have sufficient space alongside the hall to set up tables

for fish and chip nights, the Bale Oak Bar and the August

barbecue and enjoy the late evening sun.

The pub nights have been well attended and have had a

great, relaxed atmosphere. Bale Oak Bar is still a relatively

new venture and we are welcome suggestions as to how it

might evolve and what drinks you would like added to the

mix. As the nights draw in we are hoping it will be a warm,

inviting gathering place in which to catch up with friends

and neighbours and perhaps have a game of dominoes or

darts.

Fish and chip nights are working well with advance

ordering which allows the meals to arrive at the hall at

7.15pm. This is a vast improvement on the previous system

when delivery was getting far too late for our stomachs to

cope with. We are reliant on volunteers to collect from

Drifters in Fakenham so, if you are able to take a turn,

please let us know.

The August Bank Holiday barbecue was an excellent

evening, thanks to the efforts of chefs, Alastair, Paul and

Hannah, plus everyone else who cleaned, set up, cleared up

and turned up. This is one of our most popular events and

always a sell-out.

On 1 st October we will have the traditional Harvest

Supper, £12 for a two-course meal (bring your own liquid

refreshment). Fish and chips will be on 14 th October and 11 th

November at 7pm: please order via WhatsApp, 01328

878355 or balevillagehall@gmail.com by 6pm on the day.

The Bale Oak Bar will be open for business on 28 th October

and 25 th November, 6.30-9.30pm. The October pub night

will include a short village hall AGM and we would

welcome as many as can make it. The village hall is for

everyone in Bale and the village hall committee appreciates

contributions of ideas and opinions.

PM

BALE PAINTING GROUP

The Bale Painting Group, now in its seventh year, is

looking for new members. We restarted on the 12 th

September at Bale village hall and continue to meet on

Mondays from 1pm to 4pm until 12 th December.

Originally lead by Duncan Thomas who, with his own

painting expertise guided group members to create their

own pictures, the group continues to offer a place to enjoy

drawing and painting. It provides a relaxing and focused

space which may not be so easy to find at home.

We offer the use of paint and basic art materials to

attendees. Refreshments are available. We have a limited

library of reference material, too, including art books and

magazines.

If you would like to join us as a regular or occasional

painter, the door will be open on Monday afternoons.

If you run a holiday let, some of your guests may be

interested in joining us for a one-off session. Just let them

know about the group and they would be welcome, too.

Email Thebalepaintinggroup@outlook.com for further

information.

Peter Jones

8

SAVE A LIFE

Norfolk Accident Rescue Service

Bale’s own Dr Fiona and Critical Care Paramedic,

Mark, held an action-packed session in Bale village hall

teaching life-saving skills. Fiona and Mark are both

volunteers with the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service

(NARS) which has, since 1970, been providing

additional support to the ambulance service in Norfolk.

Volunteers include doctors, paramedics, nurses and first

responders who attend emergencies in NARS vehicles

from their base in Dereham or from their own homes

both day and night. Emergencies include cardiac arrest,

serious falls, road traffic collisions and seizures.

During a very entertaining morning, Fiona and Mark

demonstrated how to perform CPR, how to use a

defibrillator and how to treat someone who is choking.

Attendees were encouraged to practice administering

CPR on adult and child manikins and we came away

feeling we had gained the confidence to begin CPR on

someone in an emergency.

We learned the ‘DRABC’ sequence to assess an

unconscious casualty. This stands for Danger,

Response, Airway, Breathing and CPR, all of which

was explained in a tiny pocket guide. We learned to

give chest compressions during CPR at a rate of 100-

120 compressions per minute. Few of us realised how

tiring it is to perform CPR and were filled with

admiration for anyone who can continue it for more

than a few minutes.

Despite the serious content of the course, we were all

entertained by Mark’s amusing jokes and anecdotes,

most of which helped us to memorise the information

being given. It was an hour and a half well spent and I

would encourage anyone to attend one of Fiona and

Mark’s courses. It really could save a life. Mark and

Fiona are happy to receive enquiries about group

courses in surrounding villages. Email

mark.milsom@nars.org.uk.

NARS is a registered charity and relies on the

Norfolk community to raise money through donations

and fund-raising activities. To find out more or to make

a donation, visit the NARS website at

www.nars.org.uk.

church and the evident care that is taken to keep the

building in a good condition. It is worth repeating that

thanks for this are due to Richard Scott, the Fabric

Officer on the PCC, and to all those who regularly clean

the church and provide flowers.

Holy Communion will be celebrated in Bale at

9.30am on the first and third Sundays of each month

(2 nd and 16 th October, 6 th and 20 th November). For those

wishing to attend church on other weeks, there is a

schedule of all services in the Benefice on the

noticeboards inside and outside the church.

This year’s Harvest service will be on Sunday 2 nd

October at 9.30am. Gifts of food items to decorate the

church for the service will afterwards by donated to a

local food bank. Canned and packet items (with at least

one month to the ‘best before’ date) will be particularly

welcome. In the current financial climate we would ask

you to be as generous as possible in sharing with those

who are struggling to manage. Please leave anything

you can spare in the church porch by Saturday morning.

13 th November is Remembrance Sunday and

although this is not one of our ‘regular’ weeks, there

will be an additional service of Morning Prayer at

9.30am. This will include a commemoration of those

who have served their country in times of conflict and a

reading of the names of those from Bale who gave their

lives in the two World Wars.

PM

BALE BOOK GROUP

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Maggie O’Farrell imagines the brief life and death of

Shakespeare’s eleven-year-old son, Hamnet, whose

name the playwright adapted and gave to the hero of his

eponymous play. Hamnet is not an historical novel: its

focus is on character and emotion and the world of the

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, BALE

During August All Saints was again visited by a

group as part of a cultural tour of churches in Norfolk.

The particular point of interest was the stained glass

window on the south wall but members of the group

were very taken with the welcoming ambience of the

9

story is not weighed down with period

detail. The book is a study of

opposites: city versus country/nature;

male versus female; work versus

family; life versus death. At the centre

of it are two love stories, the first

between Shakespeare (never explicitly

named in the book) and his wife

Agnes, the second between a mother

and her child.

Told in two parts, the first half of the book is rooted

in the domestic world of the house and the daily rhythm

of ordinary life, introducing the characters of Hamnet,

his twin, Judith, their grandparents and parents. In

avoiding naming Shakespeare, the narrative centres on

family life and Agnes. This is not a story about a

famous author; it’s the story of the lives that shaped him

and his work.

Agnes is an outsider. Happy alone in the natural

world and uncomfortable in town life and amongst

people, her knowledge of nature and herbs makes her

both revered and feared by the Stratford locals. This

‘otherness’, which attracts her husband to her, also

threatens to separate them. This is the conflict at the

heart of the book and their love story is moving and

real.

The second half, following Hamnet’s death, is a

study of grief. Without chapters, the latter part of the

book is untethered from the more conventional style of

the first half and echoes Agnes’s emotional state. Here

their oppositions threaten to overwhelm the characters:

Shakespeare, a man of poetry unable to express his

feelings, retreats to the noise and distractions of the city

and his work to navigate his grief; Agnes, the empath,

grieves in the silence of the house and nature. Will their

love survive their tragedy?

Although O’Farrell adds detail for the fans (Hamnet

and his twin sister, Judith, swapping clothes for fun to

fool the adults; Hamnet’s burial in a herb-filled field by

the river recalling Ophelia’s watery grave), this is not a

book for Shakespeare enthusiasts looking for

revelations or details about his work. This is a small

story about the bigger things in life: family, grief and,

above all, love.

Fiona Peterson

BINHAM

Contact: Liz Brady 01328 830830

lizsdavenport@gmail.com

ANDREW TAYLOR

I first met Andy 57 years ago at

the McCauley flying group at

Little Snoring. At that time, he

was an agricultural student with

the Lyles family. We learnt to fly

together.

Andy was not at all ‘NFN’ he

was quiet, studious, and very

clever, a quick learner. He was

one of the boys and we had a grand time.

On one of his solo trips, he had an engine problem

and landed the Tiger Moth in his own field.

He was brought up in Reading where his father,

Cyril, was a very successful businessman in the aviation

industry. It was not a life he wished to follow, and Cyril

recognized this. After agricultural college in Essex, they

purchased Manor Farm in Binham (1966).

He married Anne Codman and Jeremy, Alastair and

Caroline joined the fold.

He was a benchmark farmer for the area – he won

prizes for his crops and even the old established farmers

of the area would take stock of what was happening at

Manor Farm.

All the time he was farming, he had his Chipmunk

aircraft in which he gave many people flights.

Andy and Anne parted and in 1995 he married

Beverley, and they were together for 31 years.

He was as we all know, the most incredible aeromodeler

– in design, build and flying, his model

meetings are legend and he always looked so happy on

these occasions. Raising thousands of pounds for East

Anglia Air Ambulance (with Bev’s help and her rock

buns!).

He was kind and generous – he liked people to share

his land by walking and he gave Toby a place for his

livestock.

Andy was non-confrontational and so modest, but he

was a giant of a quiet gentleman, and will be hugely

missed in the community.

Our commiserations to Beverley and his family.

Henry

10

TRIBUTE

Mr Andrew Taylor, you will be sadly missed by

everyone. You were taken too soon from us. You were

the heart of Binham and helped anyone if you could.

Going to be strange not seeing you pottering about

Binham and getting your paper from the shop. Can just

see your face now when your aeroplane book came in

and when I handed it to you smiling away made me

laugh. You could always know when you were driving

the tractor, the sound of it was different to other ones.

You knew it was Andrew coming down the road, going

or coming back from cutting grass fields.

You have worked hard all your life and achieved to

get where you are on the farm plus allowing people to

walk your fields and tracks around the farm. We all

appreciated it. You have always been good to me

allowing me to have a place for my chickens, geese,

turkeys, guineafowl and grazing the land with my

sheep.

A huge part of Binham has gone with you and you

will be missed by everyone who knew you as a kind

caring person, RIP Mr Taylor. Toby Morgan

THANK YOU

“I would very much like to thank the wonderful people

who sent so many cards, letters and beautiful flowers to

me and the family after Andrew died. Everybody,

especially in Binham, has been so kind and caring.

Thank you all for your lovely messages of sympathy”

Beverley Taylor

BINHAM PARISH COUNCIL

The nights are drawing in, children are back to

school, fewer visitors around and farmers busy with the

maize harvest, winter feed for the cattle, and drilling the

land in preparation for the next crop as well as trimming

hedges.

The telephone box on Front Street has been

refurbished with generous funding support from the

village hall trustees. It is watertight and ready for use;

therefore, I ask again for any suggestions as to how we

might best use it, ideas so far include a book exchange

(favoured option), a plant/seed exchange or a space to

share information although there is a perfectly good

notice board in the bus shelter opposite. Please contact

me (Lizsdavenport@gmail.com) or the PC clerk

(sarah352hayden@btinternet.com) with your ideas or

indeed if you would like to be involved in looking after

it. The PC will work with the village hall trustees to

decide on the best option.

Since the last PC meeting in July there have been

some planning applications received from NNDC to

comment on, none of which have been straightforward.

Therefore, the PC planning subcommittee chaired by

Cllr Alford has been diligent in considering these and

where necessary taken advice from the NNDC planning

officers. The committee is continuing to use a consistent

approach in determining responses, to maintain the

village structure. If you have any concerns about

planning notices, do make comment to the PC or indeed

send your own comments into NNDC planning within

the time frame advertised.

A reminder that Covid has not gone away. For those

over 70 and vulnerable you should have received an

invitation to attend your GP surgery to have the fourth

booster Covid dose and annual Flu jab together (in

separate arms!). You are strongly advised to make that

appointment as the winter months approach and there is

uncertainty about how Covid will manifest this winter.

Elizabeth S Brady , Chair Binham PC

BINHAM PRIORY CHURCH

As well as maintaining a pattern of Sunday morning

services, on the 2 nd October we will celebrate with a

special service of Harvest Thanksgiving at 11am. Come

and join in signing harvest hymns before going across

the road to the Memorial Hall for the harvest lunch.

You are invited to come for lunch in the Village

Hall, pre-lunch refreshments will be served at 12.30 for

1pm sit down. To book lunch tickets (£5 per person)

please contact Liz Brown 01328 830519 or Andy Marsh

01328 830178.

After a break, caused by Covid, we are very pleased

that on Sunday 6 th November at 7.30pm Greshams’

Choir and Orchestra will be returning to the Priory

Church. We hope many will want to attend this

combination of great music and sombre remembrance in

preparation for the next Sunday 13 th November,

Remembrance Sunday. We start by assembling round

the War Memorial at 10.50 to hear the names read out

and hold a 2 minute silence before entering the Priory

Church for the remembrance service.

Everyone will be welcomed at all these services

David Frost

BINHAM VILLAGE MEMORIAL HALL

www.binhamvillagehall.co.uk

Thank you to everyone who attended the village fete

and show on 14 th August. What a gorgeous time we all

had and thank you to our local MP, Duncan Baker, who

11

opened the proceedings for us. Essential funds were

raised, and we are very grateful to everyone for making

it such a wonderful day.

On Thursday 29 th September we are very excited to

be able to welcome back Seb Barboteau, the catering

manager from Gresham’s, who is going to do a Pasta Taster

evening. Who can forget the amazing Sushi evening he

shared with us earlier in the year? Tickets are £5 on the door

and the evening will start at 7pm.

Further events in the village hall leading up to Christmas

include to which everyone is invited to attend:

• An ‘excellent’ quiz on Saturday 8 th October. Teams of

six made up on the day or beforehand, and supper

included at £8 per head. To book please contact Liz

Brown (01328 830519)

• A village halloween party is arranged for Saturday 29 th

October at 7pm to include all your family. There will be

prizes for the best dressed ghoul – ghost, phantom, an

opportunity to get those costumes out, meet old and new

friends and have lots of Halloween fun together.

Everyone is welcome to attend young or old and enjoy

good company and food.

• The annual Binham Christmas fair on Saturday 19 th

November between 9.30am - 2pm. It’s an ideal

opportunity to start your Christmas shopping, so do pop

along. There will be a mini Binham Art Group exhibition

in the committee room, an assortment of stalls for

example - cakes, jams and chutney, books, crafts,

tombola, and a raffle. All proceeds will go to Binham

Priory Church. If you would like to be help, please ring

Liz Brown on 074357 88221 or 01328 830519.

• Binham Christmas supper- A traditional Christmas

supper will be prepared for us, to which everyone is

invited on Saturday December 3 rd , 6.30 for 7pm. Please

contact Liz Brown for ticket(s) at £8 per person.

Lots of events to choose from, which everyone is very

welcome to attend and make new friends.

Liz Brown, Paul Bailey and Mary Hunt

BINHAM CHRISTMAS FAIR

The Binham Christmas fair will take place on Saturday

November 19 th between 9.30 - 2pm in the village Memorial

Hall. All proceeds for Binham Priory.

Do pop along and start your Christmas shopping.

If you would like to be help, please ring Liz Brown

07435 788221

Cake and Jam Stall

It doesn’t seem long since we were preparing for last

year’s Christmas Fair, but here we are again. My stall is for

home-made cakes, large or small, biscuits, tarts, dairy-free

or gluten-free, jams marmalades, chutneys, and home-baked

bread. I would be most grateful if you feel able to make any

of these goodies for me. Maureen Frost 01328 830362

Lots of Books Wanted for the Christmas Fair

Please donate your books on any subject; I will sort

them. I can pick up or you can put them in my front

door porch without phoning unless there are a lot - The

Dukes House, 1 Moorgate Road, Hindringham. NR21

0PT. Tel 07971 56883. Many thanks. All monies in aid

of Binham Priory; I am just the organiser.

Humphrey Boon

THE FRIENDS OF BINHAM PRIORY

Life with Five Prime Ministers – a talk by Lord

Robin Butler

We are delighted to welcome Baron Butler of

Brockwell as our Autumn speaker

on October 21 st in Binham

Memorial Hall.

Lord Butler has seen at close

hand history in the making and

was with Margaret Thatcher in

Brighton in 1987 when they

survived an IRA bomb attack

targeting the Prime Minister and

members of her Cabinet.

During his distinguished career,

Lord Butler served as Private Secretary to Prime

Ministers Edward Heath and Harold Wilson and

Principal Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher. He

was also Cabinet Secretary during the premierships of

Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.

Now a Life Peer in the House of Lords, Lord Butler

also spends part of his time visiting North Norfolk

where he and his wife have had a home for some years.

FoBP members will already have received advance

booking notice for the talk. Tickets will go on sale to

the general public on September 30th.

Seating is limited so booking is essential. Tickets

cost £10 each and include a glass of wine or soft drink.

Doors open 7pm. The talk starts at 7.30pm. There will

be a raffle on the night.

To book a seat, or to obtain more information, please

email fobptickets@gmail.com . You can also contact

us and find updates through our website,

www.friendsofbinhampriory.weebly.com. Our small

charity is run by volunteers, please be patient if emails

are not answered immediately. Carolyn Raymond

12

BINHAM ART GROUP

The 2022 Binham Art Group annual exhibition over the

weekend of 6 th and 7 th August was a roaring success. A big

thank you to everyone that visited the Exhibition. There was

a record attendance on the Friday evening preview night, a

record submissions entry from our artists (135 paintings), a

record number of sales - 42 paintings, which allowing for

the not for sale entries represents over a third of all exhibits,

by 19 different Artists - another record. It may be the hot

sunny weather, the draw of the new local Parlour Cafe,

visitors to The Chequers Inn, the freedom from lockdown or

just higher quality work - either way we appreciate the

support.

Binham Art Group and Arthur Hundleby’s family were

pleased to support the Civitas Ensemble audio/visual

‘Images’ event in Binham Priory on 16 th August. Arthur

was church warden at Binham Priory for 30 years and

particularly cherished the building. Ten paintings were

displayed adding to the ambience of the music in what

turned out to be a delightful well attended evening.

Picture of the month for August was won, against

stiff competition, by an atmospheric acrylic painting

“Flying Home” by Brenda Scott and is now displayed in

The Gallery @ The Chequers.

Attention now turns to our upcoming demonstrations

from visiting artists. Liz Hawkins will give a linocut

demonstration on 20 th September, and we hope to host

Bob Brandt in October and Crispin Robjent in

November. These events are open to anyone, not just

Binham Art Group members so if they appeal just turn

up on the day. Full details, nearer the time, will be

posted on the news page on our website:

www.binhamartgroup.weebly.com. Robin Townend

BRIGHTEN UP BINHAM

FLOWER BOXES

A big thank you to everyone who supported the yards

sale in July by either donating, or opening up your yard, to

fund the flower boxes around Binham. Hope you managed

to get yourself a bargain! We are planning to do it again

next year on Sunday July 30th. If you would like to get

involved in either helping with the boxes or on 30 th July

2023, please contact either: Liz Brown 07435 788221 or Jan

Hewitt 01328 830652.

BINHAM YOUTH GROUP

By the time you read this we will have been running

again for a month in Binham village hall and playing field.

We look forward to welcoming members old and new

from the age of 5 up to 16 from 6pm until 8pm on a

Wednesday evening. It is a great place to meet up with and

make new friends in a relaxed atmosphere. Come and see

for yourself. Andrew Marsh 01328 830178

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR

FURTHER EDUCATION

Did you know, that if you live in Binham, you could

qualify for the opportunity to win a grant to further your

education, which might open a new door to your future?

If you are nearing the end of your secondary schooling

and wish to carry on with a career that requires further

qualifications of any sort and may need funding beyond

your means; all you need do is write to:

OPEN DOORS, c/o Abbey Farm, Binham, NR21 0DQ.

You will need to give your name, date of birth, plus a

little bit of your history, and what you are aiming to achieve

and how much funding you are looking for.

A letter from a parent or guardian and a Head Teacher

supporting your request will help us to decide.

OPEN DOORS has helped others in Binham by giving

grants to help fund their further education, for example with

our support so that:

a young student could afford a home computer,

a young lady could achieve her ambition to take a hair

dressing course,

a young man who recently gained a first-class BSc Hons.

degree after a three-year course in Engineering

The door is ajar, all you have to do is give it a shove!

Write now! Good luck.

The Trustees OPEN DOORS

(Binham Charities Reg No.242409)

13

HINDRINGHAM & BINHAM OPEN CIRCLE

On November 17 th we welcome two members of the

Heritage Wool Group. One who farms the sheep and one

who specialises in the knitting.

A week early on December 15 th we will celebrate

Christmas with a meal out. Something we haven’t been able

to do during covid. Venue and details will be agreed nearer

the time.

If you have any questions, please give Sue Elkins our

secretary a ring 01328 878487.

New members are always welcome. We usually meet at

Hindringham Village Hall at 7.15pm. Sue Elkins

BINHAM MEMORIAL HALL

100+ CLUB WINNERS

August winners: £25 Martin Murphy, £10 Brenda

Cooper, Charlie Hunt, £5 Mrs G Griffith, Jane Groom,

Simon Carter.

September winners: £25 Nora Bond, £10 Sue Beer,

Stanley Hewitt, £5 Sheila Law, Barb Thompson, Polly Hunt

If anyone would like to join the 100+ club, please call at

3 Leeders Pightle, Binham or ring Paul Bailey on 07401

315714.

Change to the management of the 100+ Club

Paul Bailey, Binham Memorial Hall Treasurer, has taken

over the management of the 100+ Club from June Read

who recently retired. The Binham Memorial Hall Trustees

thank her for all her hard work in running the 100+ Club for

all these past 22 years.

For newcomers, the 100+ Club is a monthly draw raising

funds for the village hall. It costs £1 per month, and there is

a monthly draw of one £25, two £10 and three £5 cash

prizes.

Collection of subscriptions will now be by direct

payment to the 100+ Club account. However, if anyone is

unable to do that, then they can drop off a cheque or cash to

Paul Bailey at 3 Leeders Pightle or ring Paul on 07401

315714. Paul Bailey

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We make a living by what we get,

but we make a life by what we give.

And it is not the years in your life but

the life in your years that counts.

14

COCKTHORPE

Contact: Maurice Matthews 01328 830350

maurice.matthews@peppard.net

WELCOME TO COCTHORPE

My husband Stephen, myself Lucy and our daughter

Ettie have recently moved to Cockthorpe. What a lovely

little friendly village it is. We have also moved with our two

little dogs Thomas and Russel, and we also have 5 horses in

our busy lives.

Stephen is a farrier and runs his own business mainly

working on the North Norfolk coast. Lucy works for a local

catering company, coordinating wedding and dinner parties

in the local area. In our spare time (not that we get much!)

we love spending time riding and competing our horses, and

spending time out on Blakeney Point.

If anyone ever needs anything or help, we are always

more than happy to help out.

lucy.blowers@btinternet.com

FIELD DALLING

Contact: Julie Wiltshire

julie_wilson75@hotmail.com

ST ANDREW’S CHURCH

Remembrance Service

Sun 13 th November 10.45am

The joint service for Field Dalling and Saxlingham is in

Field Dalling this year.

We gather as communities to signal our gratitude to

those who gave their life, for friend, family, Monarch and

country.

Do join us if you possibly can, it matters so much to

those who continue to suffer injury, flashbacks and a

changed way of life due to the conflicts in which they

served.

St Andrew’s Christmas Fair in the Villagers’ Hall

Saturday 10th December morning

Save the date! More details in the next issue!

VILLAGERS’ HALL

Hall Refurbishment

The Villagers' Hall is undergoing a major refurbishment

and some will have seen the builders working on it. The

extension (committee room) is the prime area of activity

with the old (rotten) wooden cladding being removed and

replaced with modern synthetic dark grey cladding. During

the work all the wooden structure has been checked and

replaced if necessary. Modern high value insulation panels

have been fitted as well as new modern uPVC doors and

windows. The roof is now corrugated metal, which matches

the main hall roof. Hopefully when completed we will have

a usable small room which can be used for smaller meetings

as required or as an adjunct to the main hall. The new

cladding will be added to the outside of the main hall north

side to improve appearance.

The work technicalities have been engineered by Dave

Snow and we all owe him a vote of thanks for his

efforts.

Steve Collins

Ceilidh

The Ceilidh is back on Saturday 1st October at the

Villagers' Hall. Doors open 7pm with music from

7.30pm dancing to 'The Fezziwig Band'.

Entry £5 per person

Licenced Bar

Entry / tickets on the door but if you would like to

reserve places, then please contact Steve and Susie on

steveandsusie100@gmail.com or 01328 830365.

Everyone welcome.

2022 Event Dates for your Diaries

Sat 1st Oct: Ceilidh

Fri 7th Oct: Firsty Friday

Fri 21st Oct: Bingo

Fri 4th Nov: Firsty Friday

Fri 18th Nov: Bingo

Fri 2nd Dec: Adnams Wine Tasting

Sat 10th Dec: Christmas Fair

Fri 16th Dec: Christmas Bingo

200 CLUB WINNERS

July: £50 Jo Holden, £25 Jo Cox, £15 John Kirby

August: £50 Jill Labouchere, £25 Susie Collins,

£15 John Rayner

September: £50 Martin Worby, £25 Angela Harcourt,

£15 Fuff Allen

GUNTHORPE

Contact: Jane Paton 07989 534145

jacarwardine@googlemail.com

FOGPC

50/50 Club Draw Results

July

August

Ken Foster £20 Chrissie Whyman £20

David Brough £15 Albie Dryden £15

Colin Dewing £5 Etta White £10

Sam Lemberger £5 Michelle Worrall £5

Peter King £5 Daniel Worsley £5

Mike Whyman £5 Steve Starkings £5

Diane Blakeley £5 Patricia Groves £5

After the first 50:50 Club of the new year had been

very poorly supported, the July meeting was a great

success - so we hope to see this support continue. With

140 members, the prize money has increased to £65 per

month from August.

As always, we would welcome more members - 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.

John Blakeley

ST MARY’S CHURCH NEWS

The Eagle has Returned

The foolish thieves of the heavy oak lectern had sold

it to a Norfolk scrapyard. We had accepted the sensible

advice from the police station to publicise the theft, with

the best photograph we could find and a public-spirited

member of the public got in touch with Fakenham

police to say they thought they had seen it for sale. Most

efficiently the police recovered it and, after all enquiries

were satisfied that it was ours, strong members of the

constabulary put it back in its place in the nave. Grateful

thanks are due to the member of the public and the

Fakenham police for excellent work. Like the hard

pressed social services departments, the police usually

receive only poor publicity but they could not have done

better for us. By the time you read this, the eagle will

have secret markings so that if ever anybody takes it

again and it is recovered it can be the more easily

identified.

The high point of August for the church was the

christening of Fleur Olivia Waterfall, though she did not

seem personally to enjoy the dousing with Gunthorpe

water. On the usual second Sunday of the month, the

14th of August, the Rector managed to blend the usual

Matins, according to the Book of Common Prayer, with

the Baptism Rite – and keep the whole within the

customary fifty-five minutes (at the end of which the

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attendant dogs get fidgety). Seventy two people came.

Fleur’s parents Jessica Cattermole and Mark Waterfall

divide their time between their farm in Newmarket and

Gunthorpe (and the coast when they are here). Jessica

moved to Gunthorpe four years ago whilst working as

an interior designer for Albanwise. It was a fine day and

the happiest of happy occasions.

FRIENDS OF GUNTHORPE PC

The Fish & Chips AGM was well attended, and it

was great to gather together again. We managed to fit in

a number of wonderful new events last year, all

successful thanks to the enthusiasm, organisation and

hard work of many village people; thank you all so

much!

The first plea is for one or two people to come

forward to replace Jenny and Val as the fete

coordinators – that is IF we are to have a village fete the

last Sunday of July 2023. Taking on the role does mean

you are around that weekend. This should be decided by

the end of this year, so do please come forward if you

feel you could take on the role. There is Sue Traverso’s

wonderful fete bible to follow and Val is happy to add

her wealth of knowledge and meet with the new

‘Leaders’

The second plea is for strong, able helpers to help

load the tables, chairs etc., to come from the Village

Institute to the Hall on Saturday and help set up the

stalls in the Hall gardens. Then repeat the return

procedure in taking all down on Sunday after the fete

and loading it on the truck and then unloading at the

Institute on Monday morning. Those of us ‘left

standing’ are getting-on and need some muscle added to

the existing formula for it all to work. There are many

stalls to be run – not only on the day but items must be

planned, collected, and sorted for them. Volunteers are

needed here too. We have decided that if enough

volunteers don’t come forward to enable the fete to run

smoothly, we will try to have smaller events we can

manage with the volunteers available at the time.

The proceeds of the fete are split 50/50 with the church

and Village Institute. It is historically the largest annual

village event, and the income is very meaningful. If

interested, please call Gunthorpe Hall on 01263-861-373 or

let John Blakeley or Tony Dufour know.

The Friends and Village Institute will have a joint

Christmas party in the Village Institute on Saturday 17th

December at noon. We hope to see many there then.

Happy autumn and very best wishes to all.

Marie Denholm, chairman

IT’S ALL ABOUT SMOOTHIES

A big thank you to

everyone who supported

Evie’s smoothie bar at Hall

Farm; an idea that emerged

from a pretend cafe she set

up to occupy herself in the

summer.

With friends in tow, Evie

developed and tested (many

times) the recipes, planned

the invitations, table layout

and menus and off she went

on her entrepreneurial

adventure.

What a success… and lovely that so many of you

came to enjoy the occasion which raised much needed

money for the church.

Liz Marsden

GUNTHORPE & THE

BOLYEN FAMILY

Part One

James Boleyn, who died in 1492, was buried in the

church at Gunthorpe. It is most probable that he was

related to the famous Anne, consort of Henry VIII, and

another local connection exists since Dr Butts,

physician to Henry VIII, was living at Thornage at the

time when Anne Boleyn (otherwise Nan Bullen) was

Queen. She herself was daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn,

and his relatives were closely associated with Salle and

Blickling in Norfolk. One difficulty encountered in

establishing a connection between Anne's family and

the Boleyns at Gunthorpe is that the family name was

spelt, at various times, as Bulleyn or Bullen. Sir

Thomas, father of Queen Anne, has his name as Bullen

on his "brass" at Hever, where he died in 1538.

It is known that James Boleyn was not the only one

of that name in the Gunthorpe area. Boleyns, although

not major landowners, were at Gunthorpe and Bale for

well over a hundred years. At Bale, 48 members of the

family were born between 1540 and 1640, sometime

after the death of James.

The Boleyns at Gunthorpe were related to the family

at Bale, and there is little doubt also that they were

related to the Boleyns of Salle and Blickling.

Anne Boleyn's great-grandfather was Geoffrey

Boleyn, who died in 1463, He was the son of Geoffrey

and Alice Boleyn who lived at Salle. The Geoffrey who

died in 1463 (Geoffrey II) became Lord Mayor of

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London, and it was he who, between 1447 and 1450

negotiated with Sir John Fastolf for the purchase of the

Manor of Blickling. Various members of the family

were connected with the church. Thomas Boleyn for

example, son of Geoffrey I, was Rector of Reepham

1422-1429. Another Thomas was sub-dean of Wells

1450-1472. William Boleyn (died 1551) was

Archdeacon of Winchester and Simon (1430-1482) was

parochial chaplain at Salle circa 1455.

It is Simon Boleyn who is the key figure in

establishing the relationship with James of Gunthorpe,

for he was a friend of John Perry who was Rector of

Gunthorpe at about the same time. When Perry died, he

left Simon a book with two clasps and refers to his

friend as "Dominus".

Simon Boleyn died at Salle in 1482, and there is a

brass to him in the church there. The inscription

(translated from the Latin) reads: "Pray for the soul of

Simon Boleyn, Chaplain, who died on the third day of

the month of August in the year of our Lord 1482”.

As Simon lies buried next to Geoffrey Boleyn I and

his wife Alice, a relationship may be implied. The

relationship between Simon and the Boleyns at

Gunthorpe is clearly shown by his will of 1484. The

will left “six shillings and eightpence (half a mark) to

the repair of the church of Gunthorp, and an altar-cloth

of diaper to it". The will names his sister Joan, his niece

Joan (daughter of his brother Thomas), and his two

nephews Simon and John (sons of his other brother,

James). His brothers Thomas and James (“of

Gunthorp"), together with John Crome, Rector of Bale,

were executors. John Crome had been chaplain at Salle

in 1470 and may have succeeded Simon Boleyn in that

office, before going to Bale.

To be continued

(Extract from Gunthorpe history originally

researched by Ray Steffans – with minor editing and

scanning by John Blakeley.)

LANGHAM

Contact: Debi McIntosh 01328 830767

debimcintosh0@gmail.com

LANGHAM DOME MUSEUM

Anti-Aircraft Gunnery Training Site

Langham Dome is always looking for volunteers. If you

can spare even a few hours a month we would love to have

you join our happy crew. Get in touch at

manager@langhamdome.org; we look forward to hearing

from you.

After the unbearably hot weather in early August, we

then had to cope with the torrential downpours of later in the

month. You can see why us Brits are obsessed with the

weather. I’m sure many of us had floods to cope with one

way or another, so hopefully not too much damage was

sustained.

The weather regained its composure for the Langham

Street Fayre on Saturday 20 th August. It was a bright sunny

day, with just a gentle breeze, ideal for wandering around

the many interesting stalls and displays. Langham Dome

had our display there, manned by our museum assistant, Ian

Jarvis and volunteer, Alex Scott. A big thank you to those

two gentlemen for their time. The evening was topped off

by travelling back in time to 1970s and we were entertained

by the wonderfully colourful glam rock band “The

Glamtastics”! Well done to the Langham Street Fayre

committee for organising such a lovely day.

We were thrilled to hear that Langham Dome was

awarded the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award

2022, making us one of the top 10% of attractions in the

World. It has made us very happy, and is a big nod to the

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hard work put in by our wonderful volunteers.

We shall be attending the 1940s weekend on the field at

Kelling again this year. Saturday 17 th and Sunday 18 th

September, so if you’re passing please do come and say

hello to us.

Our grand prize draw day will take place on Saturday 1 st

October at The Dome. There will be lots to see and do, so

don’t forget to buy your tickets. Tickets are £1 each and 1st

prize is £500, 2nd-£250, 3rd-£100, 4 th & 5 th -£50. Thank you

and good luck on the Raffle.

Deborah Wilson, Manager, Langham Dome Museum

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Langham Church

The annual service of harvest festival will be held on

Sunday 9 th October at 9.30am.

Come and celebrate the gathering of the harvest in this

exceptional year.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

Langham Church

The annual service of remembrance will be held on

Sunday 13 th November starting at 10.50am.

Please come and support the national day of

remembering those who fought and gave their lives to make

sure we live our lives in peace and not war.

STALL ON THE GREEN

Langham Church

For the three Saturdays available to us in August (due to

the street fayre), the Stall on the Green was set up by the

PCC for villagers produce to be sold in aid of the church

general fund. The gazebo was set up soon after 9am and by

9.30am, opening time, there was a queue to purchase the

magnificent array of home baking, cakes including lemon

drizzle, short bread, biscuits, and vegetables.

What a display and all sold by 11am. £600 was made

over the three days. Thank you so much, bakers, growers,

punters and helpers.

Edward Allen

DOG FOULING

update

The Environmental Protection Team’s ranger from

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), David Thompson,

applied some advisory signage to North Street in early May

2022, paying particular attention to North Street on both the

pavement and the grass verges.

David has been making periodic patrol visits to

Langham since then in order to review and assess the level

and extent of dog fouling problems in our village.

Unfortunately, during the month of August, the overall

situation would appear to have worsened both on North

Street, and at both ends of Hollow Lane.

If any villagers wish to comment / report on incidents of

dog fouling anywhere within Langham, then please either

contact a member of your Parish Council, or else go direct

to David Thompson himself at NNDC on 01263 516085.

Alan Smith

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH

Update

From the end of July 2022 onwards, the new

Community Speed Watch (CSW) Group in Langham has

begun its own rota of monitoring sessions in both the 20 and

the 30 mph speed limit areas within the village, with the aim

of addressing the problem of speeding.

At the time of writing, the CSW Group has run a total of

six speed monitoring sessions and has fed back details on

six vehicles exceeding the limits to Norfolk Constabulary.

The mobile safety camera van has also visited Langham on

both 25th May and 11th June 2022 and overall it recorded a

total of 19 speeding offences, most of which were vehicles

registered to local residents. You may be interested to know

that recent data analysed from North Street, within the

existing 20 mph speed limit area show vehicles were

recorded doing between 40 and 70 mph.

The 2022 National Road Safety Week takes place

between 14 th and 20 th November and the CSW Group is

intending to contribute to this national initiative by

undertaking a speed monitoring session somewhere in the

village on every day during this week-long event.

We are still looking for more volunteers so, if you would

like to offer support and some of your time, then please

contact the group’s co-ordinator direct via 07773 820774.

Alan Smith

WORLD RECORD HOLDER

Paddle boarding Samantha

Today we got to meet and talk to fellow Langham

resident Samantha Rutt who is the current world record

holder for the fastest crossing of the Northern Channel

between Northern Ireland and Scotland on a paddle board.

This amazing feat was achieved this year on 19 th July

beating the previous world record by 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Sam told us that she used to do mixed martial arts but an

injury to her neck meant that she had to give that and surfing

up.

However, whilst on holiday in 2015 her love for the

water led her to take up paddle boarding and in 2016 she

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started racing. Her training

for this particular challenge

started in October of last

year and her coach, who

lives in Canada so the

coaching has to be done via

zoom calls every week,

talks her through how

improve her technique; however, the hours on the water

and in the gym are all down to her. On the day of the

challenge sea and weather conditions were good, but the

strong undercurrents led to some choppy conditions halfway

across, so much so that she fell off her board, which she

rarely does.

One question she is often asked is how she goes to the

loo on these challenges and the answer is she doesn’t; she is

clearly made of stern stuff. One of the problems she does

encounter though is remembering to drink plenty to avoid

dehydration (her support crew were charged with prompting

her) which is also why she doesn’t wear a wetsuit but fast

drying gym wear instead. As she was not allowed to touch

her support boat at all, water (with additional nutrients

added) in a backpack was passed to her via her paddle.

We asked about fear and she said that the only things

that scared her about the crossing were jellyfish (of which

there were none) and anxiety a couple of days beforehand

principally about not being able to attempt the challenge

because of poor weather therefore letting people down. A

number of years ago she made the decision not to let anxiety

or fear of failure stop her from attempting anything, in fact

she now admits to being comfortable with the thought of

“failure” as it is the best way to learn and improve.

The next challenge for Sam is the English Channel in

May of next year. This will be the first time in a number of

years that paddle boarders have been allowed to attempt the

crossing because of issues with getting permission from the

French authorities. The record currently stands at 5 hours

and 9 minutes, currently being the operative word!

Finally, she is very keen to encourage younger people,

especially girls, to get involved in the sport so if you are

aged from 12 to, actually there is no upper age limit, why

not give it a go. Mimi & Harry, Langham Youth Group

Morris Dancers and

Fakenham Brass

band were fantastic

to watch and lent a

really party

atmosphere to the

day, for which we

thank them

enormously. The

children were entertained by Mr Punch and it seems the

stocks went down very well with dads and children

although we were surprised to see how many dads chose to

put their children in them (look closely at the picture)

instead of manning

up!

The Blakeney Old

Wild Rovers yet

again entertained the

crowd brilliantly in

the afternoon and in

the evening, we were

delighted to host the

amazing new band Sinby featuring Tamsin (village

resident) and her friend Ruby. They sang covers of songs

we know and even a couple that Ruby has written herself. A

great prelude to our closing band the Glamtastics who

glamrocked us into the night (and evoked many memories

of school and youth club discos for quite a few of us).

All of this could not have happened without the

generosity of our amazing sponsors. We did thank them in

the last Lynx but here we go again, thank you to: the team at

the Blue Bell; Langham Harper; Alastair and Montse of

Trofeo cars; the Phelps family at Grove Farm and Thaxters

Timber. Equally as important, without the brilliant support

of our fantastic volunteers the day would not have been so

STREET FAYRE 2022

Once again we were extremely lucky with the weather

for our Street Fayre, warm enough for folk to stroll about

enjoying the day but not too hot for the dogs attending the

dog show in the pub’s garden. The day’s activities started

off with said dog show, which was extremely well attended,

the sausage catching category being a big favourite. The

19

successful and enjoyable, so a huge thank you to them and

we will book you in for our next Fayre on Saturday 24 th

August 2024 when we will be doing it all over again (but

bigger and better as this will be the 50 th anniversary of the

first ever Langham Street Fayre).

We did make money (unfortunately we don’t have final

figures yet but we will publish them in the next edition of

the Lynx) but the committee have agreed that we will be

giving equal amounts of money to both the church and

playing field. Langham Street Fayre committee

MORSTON

Contact: Martin Cardoe 07973 885665

mcardoe@msn.com

LANGHAM FAYRE STALL

After a four year break due to Covid, locals and visitors

flocked back to the Langham Fayre on Saturday August

20 th . Good weather ensured a strong turnout with stalls,

entertainers and live music attracting interest. David and

Alice Carnwarth, together with Sally Scott, manned a stall,

on behalf of Morston PCC, in the Vicarage driveway, with

the vicar’s kind permission and did a magnificent job,

despite continuing austerity, and raised £278 on the day.

Together with larger items which had earlier raised £330,

having been pre-sold at auction, they raised a grand total of

£608 for All Saint’s Church, Morston. Well done to them

and all who supported the stall.

NORFOLK COAST PATH

RECORD ATTEMPT

On the Saturday of the August bank holiday, Alex

Mogford, the son-in-law of Jill and Peter Tibbetts of

Morston, attempted to run the entire length of the Norfolk

Coast Path (83miles) in one day. He was doing this to raise

money for the Royal Free Charity, which is currently

funding a research project into a very rare form of

neuroendocrine lung cancer, from which his mother died

earlier this year. Currently there is no cure for this type of

cancer, which disproportionately affects women. If

conditions were right, he hoped to be able to challenge the

record, which currently stands at 13 hours and 25 minutes!

Immediately before the start, at 5:45am in Hunstanton,

he was interviewed by Graham Lewis of ITV Anglia News,

which featured him at 6pm both on the Saturday and the

Sunday news bulletins. He was also interviewed by phone

during his run by BBC Radio Norfolk (which slowed him

down a little!). Although the weather was great for the

holiday makers going to the beach, it was not conducive to

long-distance running. On top of that the north-easterly

wind meant that Alex was running into the wind for much

of the time.

After running for 14 hours along the Norfolk Coast Path

he retired due to failing light (and failing legs!). In this time,

having started at Hunstanton at 6am, he covered an

incredible 67 miles, finishing at Horsey Gap. This is the

equivalent of two and a half marathons, much of which is

on shingle and soft sand!! When he left Norfolk to return to

work two days later he was still walking like an old man!

He and the family would like to thank the public for their

reception and support along the route and for their

wonderful generosity. Alex’s efforts have so far raised

£5376 including the cash collected during the run. Further

20

donations can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/

fundraising/lindy-mogford.

MORSTON REGATTA 2022

At 6am on Saturday 30 th July there was a buzz and hive

of activity at the Boat House in Morston as Charlie Ward

and Edward Allen started to check wind directions and

strengths before setting the course from Blakeney bank out

into the harbour with the finish line close to the Watch

House.

Course set and it’s off to Blakeney by boat with Tony

McKee at the helm, Gill Kay and Joanie McKee as support

for registration and a bank start at 8am. The Union Jack flag

put into position on route down Morston creek which marks

the traditional start line position in years gone by before the

creek became so busy.

41 boats of mixed class turned up at the start, all keen to

participate and claim victory. Wind strength at the start line

was 10 to 12 SW with a tide height at 8.4 all providing a

great staggered start from West Bank. All the normal regatta

enthusiasm from the sailors provided a great spectacle down

Blakeney cut including a swimmer who decided to swim

out to the harbour just as the boats were leaving the bank!

Three boats retired during the race with 38 successfully

making it to the finish line in around 1 hour 15 minutes.

The presentation of prizes was held on Morston Quay in

the afternoon with a very good turnout of people to watch

Mary Athill present the various trophies including the Major

P Hamond Trophy which goes to the first Morston resident

over the line, this year won by Peter Lobban in Sloopy. In

addition, Alice Green, helming a cockle, won the John

Bean’s Trophy which goes to the first helm aged under 16.

A trophy she gets to keep!

Cup Winners

Morston PC Trophy - Hugh Jones, Aero 7

(1 st boat across the line)

Major P Hamond Trophy - Peter Lobban, Sloopy

(1 st Morston Resident)

Hassall Trophy - Trisha Hudson, Cockle 42

(1 st Stiffkey Cockle)

Ward Trophy - Tom Chandler, Stroma

(1 st Norfolk Oyster)

Wilson Challenge Cup - Paul Farmer, Laser Radial (1 st

Slow Handicap)

Morston Regatta Cup - Alan Robinson, Seafly 477 (1 st

Fast Class)

Carter Trophy - Anna Jones, Laser Radial

(1 st Single Hander)

Athill Trophy – Hugh Ambery, Tideway 554

(1 st Pleasure boat)

John Bean’s Trophy – Alice Green, Cockle 17

(1 st Helm Under 16)

Muck Cup – Nick Hamond, Orion

(1 st ex-working boat)

NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST

BIKE RIDE 2022

As we go to print, our thoughts

turn to the efforts of Roberta

Hamond, her daughter Chen and

grandchild Marley McCalla who

kept up the ‘Ned Hamond

tradition’ by participating in the

annual Norfolk Churches Trust

sponsored bike ride on Saturday

10 th September. Between them,

they visited 18 churches and raised

over £400.

MC

Chen & Marley McCalla

at Briningham Church

THE SHOVELL DINNER 2022

The Harbour Rooms, Blakeney

Saturday 15th October 6.30pm for 7pm

The annual Shovell Dinner, in aid of The Friends of

Morston Church will be held on Saturday 15 th October.

Please note that, due to the closure of The Anchor in

Morston for refurbishment, this year’s Shovell Dinner will

be held at the Harbour Rooms in Blakeney.

This year the talk, entitled "Tales of a Harbour Master",

will be given by Robert Smith MBE. Robert has spent over

30 years working for the Wells Harbour Commissioners, the

last 20 of which have been as Harbour Master. The talk will

be followed by a question and answer session, so come

prepared with that question you have been longing to ask

about Wells harbour.

Tickets, for the talk and dinner, at £45 are available

from Peter Tibbetts on 01263 741082 or

petetibbetts@aol.com.

HARVEST & PATRONAL

FESTIVALS 2022

On Sunday 2 October, Morston Church will celebrate its

Harvest & Patronal Festival with a Communion service.

The Reverend Fiona Newton will officiate. This year,

instead of the usual fresh produce, the congregation is

requested to contribute packaged food and gifts which will

be donated to local charities assisting local people who are

currently in difficulty and would benefit from support

21

during these challenging times.

On Sunday 6th November, the church will celebrate its

Patronal Festival, following All Saints Day on 1st

November. As in previous years, a notebook will be left on

the font in the church in advance of the service, for everyone

to write down the names of loved ones they’d like to be

remembered and prayed for during the service.

THE ANCHOR INN

Morston residents, locals and visitors were delighted to

receive news that their favourite local pub, The Anchor Inn,

had reopened under the stewardship of the acclaimed

Harper hotel in Langham. Exciting plans are afoot for the

spring, but in the meantime, they kept things simple with a

Harper pop-up during August and September that offered

delicious locally inspired wood fired pizzas and locally

made ice creams together with a fine selection of Norfolk

ales. More news on developments will emerge during the

winter so keep your eye on the Anchor Inn.

MORSTON POND PROJECT

At present the pond in Morston on the Langham Road is

overrun with invasive non-native plants, Crassula and

Parrot's Feather, and looking rather sad.

We have a vision for the pond area to become of more

value to the community as a peaceful place and a wildlife

area, with opportunities for people to connect with nature,

join in practical projects together and hopefully in time

eradicate the invasive plant species from the pond area.

We have been talking to local and national pond experts

who are helping us put together a workable plan.

If this is a project which interests you and you feel you

might like to get involved or just be kept informed of our

progress email: jillptibbetts55@gmail.com or

jacksjhoward@gmail.com. Alternatively call 01263

741082.

SAXLINGHAM

Contact: John Pridham 01328 831851

jcwpridham@gmail.com

VILLAGE DRINKS

Somehow your scribe managed to have forgotten about

this at the time of going to print in early July.

On Sunday June 5 th by popular demand Saxlingham

enjoyed another drinks evening at The Old Rectory. By

coincidence it was also the Platinum Jubilee weekend but

even if many had other competing events over the holiday it

did not prevent a great turn out. It was good to meet our

fellow villagers and some would have been doing this for

the first time.

Such is the frenetic world we live in that there is not

always time, or maybe opportunity, to gather and chat.

Thank you, Caroline and Peter, for hosting this again.

REP’S REQUEST

If anyone has any Saxlingham news/stories or other

interesting copy, all contributions will be gratefully

received.

JP

SHARRINGTON

Contact: Claire Dubbins 01263 862261

cdubbins@btinternet.com

www.sharrington.org.uk

FOODBANK NEWS

Everyone is feeling the pinch with rising food prices at

the moment, but cutting back is one thing, going without is

another, and inflation means that the demand for the

foodbank is greater than ever.

Now that children are back at school, this autumn we are

going to concentrate on the very old and the very young. So

nappies and baby food for struggling young families, and

tea, coffee and as many different sorts of biscuits as we can

collect for the elderly will be very welcome.

To ensure the welcome is not extended to the church

mice the biscuits will have to be put in the sealable plastic

boxes at the back of the church and everything else can be

left round the font.

We are assured that the generosity of the village is very

much appreciated not just by those who run the Trussell

Trust Foodbank, but by those who are, often reluctantly and

with embarrassment, depending on it. Donations continue to

be taken to the Fakenham collection point every other

Monday.

AS

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A BLIND

TASTING

Under the heading ‘Location Location Location’, at the

tasting in July, the Rotters were challenged to identify 10

different wines from different parts of the wine making

world. Some, like the Malbec from Argentina, were not so

22

hard to spot whilst others, like the Viognier from the

Southern Rhône region of France, were not so easy. In some

cases the most generous Chief Rotter identified the country

of production but members had to guess the region, the type

of wine and the grape variety.

There were 33 points at stake in the competition and,

whilst many members struggled to get into double figures,

the winner, Maggie Thomas from Bale, scored a very

impressive 28. As well for most methinks that all the wines

were pretty decent and raised the spirit! Chief Rotter

SHARRINGTON CHRISTMAS FAYRE

With the sound of jingle bells barely a month away, it’s

just the right time for our Christmas Fayre.

Pared back rather last year as a result of the pandemic,

we plan to be back in full festive swing on Saturday 26 th

November from 10am–1.30pm.

The village hall will be full of old stalls and new; some

big, some small; all featuring the talent of local craftsmen

and exhibiting decorations and a wide range of items ideal

for Christmas gifts.

Our pop-up café will help tune your tastebuds ahead of

Rudolph’s arrival with Christmas cake, mince pies and our

world renowned bacon rolls.

Why not come and join the fun. You never know, you

might just win a prize in our Christmas raffle. RD

SHARRINGTON GARDENERS

Our garden safari has always taken place in early July,

and, given the propensity of the traditional British summer

to bless us with regular and often unwanted rainfall, the

gardens being prepared for the event have been resplendent

in their summer colours. This year, however, our hosts in

the gardens of Brinton faced a daunting challenge to

maintain any kind of plant life after several rainless weeks

and in the record-breaking heat of the 19 th July.

Nevertheless they succeeded and the five gardens we visited

were delightful, amply repaying the hard work of their

owners who even went the extra mile to provide gazebos,

cold drinks and iced water to keep us as comfortable as

possible during our tour.

Especial thanks go to Michele Bishop for pulling this

event together and Esme and Jeremy Bagnall-Oakley for

providing us with tea, cake and a shady space to gather for a

chat in their wonderful garden at Brinton Hall at the end of

the afternoon.

We hope members are looking forward to meeting up

again as our autumn events get underway. Our programme

can be viewed at our website, https://

www.sharringtongardening.org.uk .Our contact details

can be found here and we always welcome new members.

BW

SHARRINGTON VILLAGE HALL

The summer in Sharrington like everywhere else saw

lawns turned from green to brown, trees shedding their

leaves as if it were autumn, and everyone hiding out of the

extreme heat, which made our recent music events quite

challenging without the benefit of air conditioning in the

village hall. We were entertained for the first time with

some jazz music which was extremely well received. A few

weeks later another first in the shape of French guitarist

Claude Bourbon, a brilliant musician who had the audience

mesmerised. More of this from Gary Bishop, our new music

events organiser in his own piece below.

At this point I would like to pay tribute to our former

music organiser Chris Abrams. For seven years he has

arranged all the music events at the hall bringing in new

musicians as well as established ones. At the same time he

has been responsible for providing much needed funds from

the ticket sales and this was our main source of income.

Mainly for health reasons, Chris has decided to step back

from it and handed the reins over to Gary who in his own

words “has big shoes to fill”. On behalf of everyone who

has enjoyed the music over the last seven years, many

thanks Chris for all your hard work.

I would also like to mention Bob McQuade who sadly

passed away recently. Bob for many years has done sterling

work for the village hall including creating posters for

various events as well as attending nearly every event with

his wife Philippa. We send our condolences to her and the

family.

A new initiative for Sharrington took place in August.

Our first pub night was held and and whilst not a huge

number there, those attending said they thoroughly enjoyed

23

themselves. As a result this will be a regular event on the

first Friday of each month. Doors open at 7pm.

Looking ahead, our next major event is our Christmas

Fayre to be held on Saturday 26 th November between 10am

and 1.30pm. See our separate advert for more details.

David Webb Chairman

ROBERT (BOB) MCQUADE

16 TH AUGUST 1942 - 26 TH JULY 2022

As many of the readers from Sharrington will be aware,

Dad, Bob, sadly passed away in late July following a short

illness. Husband to Philippa, father to Ian and Bruce, and

grandad to Ben and Aaron, he will be very much missed by

both family and friends. He had lived in the village since

1990 but had been a regular visitor since 1976 when

Philippa’s mum and dad, Joy and Phil Connolly, had moved

to the village and bought The Old Swan. Bob and Philippa

moved into the Old Swan when Joy and Phil renovated

Swan Cottage. Bob and Philippa subsequently moved into

the cottage just a couple of years ago.

Bob was born in Salford, Manchester, and after

schooling at the local grammar school, he went into a

fledgling computing industry. It was on a training course

that he met Philippa, and they were to be married for just

under 56 years. He stayed in computing until 1974, when a

change of career for them both, saw them spend six years

running pubs in London, Norwich and Essex. On leaving

the pubs, he went back to computing and spent more than

20 years selling Apple computers across the region, mostly

with Jarrolds, but then with a specialist firm, System

Solutions, until his retirement.

He was always willing to support events in the village

and spent more time on this following his retirement.

Whether participating, helping to organise, or producing the

promotional posters for events, he was always happy when

involved. He was a regular attendee at the music events at

the hall and was a well-known and loved member of the

community.

Another passion was bowls. Bob and Philippa started

playing when they moved to Norfolk in the early 1980s and

they continued until the end. Their last holiday in November

was in Cyprus, with the Bury Lodge Bowls Club.

Philippa has been incredibly touched by the support

from their friends in the community, both whilst Bob was

ill, and since his passing. Bruce and I would like to thank

you all for that support. It has been very helpful during a

difficult period.

Ian McQuade

SHARRINGTON MUSIC NIGHTS

The music nights at the village hall are proving as

popular as ever and here is another one for your diary.

The North Norfolk quartet ‘Bandwidth’ led by Chris

Abrams, are coming to the hall on Saturday 1 st October.

They are accomplished musicians with a full repertoire of

covers from the late 60’s through to the 90’s so put on your

foot tapping/dancing shoes for this one. There will be a full

bar provided. Please enquire about tickets via

sharringtonvh@gmail.com.

Following on from this, on 22 nd October the legendary

Gordon Giltrap pays us visit. There are still at the time of

writing a few tickets left for this, but do not miss out, so

grab yours now via the village hall website

www.sharrington.org.uk.

Further dates will follow so keep an eye on the website

for details.

Gary Bishop

24

CHURCH NEWS

The heat of the summer is behind us now and although

many enjoyed the hot sun others found it all too much. The

church remained cool inside throughout and if we have

similar weather next year, do remember that the church is

always open and offers respite from the heat if you want to

take a break from the sizzling temperatures.

The church saw many visitors in the summer months

from near and far, including New York, the British

Embassy in Khartoum and visitors from New Zealand

carrying out ancestral research. Nearer to home, one couple

from Brundall commented in the visitors book that out of

the 200 Norfolk churches they had visited, the corbels in

Sharrington church made it their favourite. Many visitors

also commented on their pleasure at finding it open and in

such good order.

On 23 rd July the wedding took place in church of Alison

Mary Lee and Lyall John Dochard. Alison lives in

Thursford but has strong family connections to Sharrington

and good wishes go to them both.

In August the church BBQ took place again after a gap

due to the pandemic and our thanks go to Perry and Pippa

Long for hosting it in their lovely garden. The weather was

perfect and Simon Poole took up his role again as chief

chef. Everyone enjoyed the traditional fare and delicious

puddings and stayed on chatting afterwards for quite some

time.

Looking ahead there will be an Antique Valuation Day

in the village hall in aid of church funds and you can find

more details below.

The Harvest Festival service will be held on Sunday 2 nd

October at 9.30am with refreshments afterwards. and as of

last year, donations to the foodbank will be especially

welcome. In November the traditional Service of

Remembrance will be on Sunday 13 th November, also at

9.30am.

CD

ANTIQUES VALUATION DAY

SATURDAY 8 TH OCTOBER

Come along with your treasured items to an Antique

Valuation Day in Sharrington village hall NR24 2AB on

Saturday October 8 th from 10am-3pm. It is being held in

aid of Sharrington Church and will be kindly hosted by

Keys the auctioneers and valuers of Aylsham who give

their time free for these local church fund raising events.

Valuers from Keys will be there to look at your items

and give you an idea of their value. Entrance is free with

a charge of £3 per item viewed made, with all proceeds

going to church funds. To allow plenty of time for

everyone to be seen, Keys suggest a maximum of three

items per person. Refreshments will be available and

there is plenty of parking at the hall.

So bring along your paintings, ceramics, jewellery,

books or any other pieces you have to find out more

about them and what they might be worth. While you

are with us enjoy tea or coffee and homemade cakes and

snacks.

CD

STIFFKEY

Contact: Sophia Williams 07800 590262

stiffkeylynx@gmail.com

GENERAL NEWS

The lack of communication from the National Trust

regarding the replacement of the footbridge, that they

didn’t adequately maintain and then removed it, has

been causing greater use of the footbridges over the

marsh nearest Hollow Lane. Stiffkey Parish Council

according to their email to Chris Cooke on the Stiffkey

village facebook page have been chasing the National

Trust, and holding them to account for their lack of

progress in replacing the bridge.

A new ‘Golden’ era has begun at the Stiffkey Red

Lion with chef Liam Goldstone, previously the head

chef at Michelin starred Morston Hall and Caroline

Cooke having taken over the running of the

establishment. They are preserving the traditional pub,

by offering pub classics as well as traditional pub

drinking area, although Liam’s classics, and ‘Golden’

specials are taking their seasonal local produce to the

next level. It is wonderful to have this pub in our

village.

Bronwyn Lotis has been raising money this August

for Heritage House Care in Wells-Next-The-Sea with

her wonderful photography exhibition from her garage

on the riverbank. It was heart-warming to see so many

locals and tourists support her in this noble cause and

purchase some of her photographic creations.

The Tutor Group is hosting their Norfolk Open

Studios this October on Bridge Street, in the Vale Farm,

Old Dairy Barn. Fen Harrison has joined Bryony Knight

to put on a studio exhibition in the unique space over

the weekends in October.

This Month’s Seasonal Recipe

Mussels with cider and lovage

Ingredients

1 whole diced fennel bulb

1 whole diced shallot

8 leaves of lovage (or parsley)

50g butter

Whin-hill cider 300ml (or other cider if you can’t get

the local Wells-Next-The-Sea cider)

800g mussels

1 lemon

Instructions

Start by sweating finely diced shallots and fennel

with 50g butter. Add a pinch of salt and put the lid on.

The liquid released by the vegetables will help them

cook nice and evenly when the lid is on. After two

minutes add the cider and turn the heat up. Bring to the

25

boil and allow to cook for 30 seconds. Add the 50g

diced butter and whisk in.

Once emulsified, add the mussels, stir, and put the lid

back on. Leave for one minute, then remove the lid and

stir regularly until you can see that all the mussels have

opened. Check the sauce for salt and maybe squeeze in

half a lemon worth of juice. Sophia Williams

TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK

It has been a busy summer on the riverbank so far,

despite the low water. Trout sightings have improved

significantly, and at times six or seven can be seen at

once with sizes varying considerably. Judging the size

of the smaller ones at about 12cms long, these ones are

likely to have been born this spring, which is very

encouraging considering the state of the water in

February. They have been squabbling over the best

hunting patches, with the biggest fish manifestly in

charge.

A personal first for me – two eel sightings, different

fish due to variation in size. The larger one was in view

for quite a while, moving very purposefully across the

riverbed. Occasionally it upended, pushing its face into

the silt and lashing its tail, presumably hunting for prey.

Both were yellow in colour which is the life stage

before they are fully mature. The larger one was over

40cms long. This stage can last several years before

they become silver eels and migrate back to the

Sargasso Sea. The amazing lifecycle of these

endangered creatures is worthy of a column itself, and I

would encourage readers to look it up for themselves.

Happily, while I was in Blakeney harbour on my

boat recently, I saw a few small glass eels in the water.

This is earlier in their life cycle, so more are still

arriving. They will migrate up the local rivers to mature.

We’ve had more kingfisher sightings, and the quality

has been outstanding. They have been using the trees

opposite as a perch and tolerate you being remarkably

close to them, provided you keep still. Sometimes they

perform a strange bobbing motion while perched. They

can keep their heads still while the perch branch moves,

but this was the bird deliberately moving itself – a

display perhaps? We often see two together, a real treat.

I’ve also seen them from the muckledike path just by

the Red Lion bench so keep your eyes open down there.

My other first, (witnessed by two others so

verifiable) was amazing. Overlooking the river at dusk,

with the usual flurry of bats all around, suddenly a

missile appeared from behind us – a kestrel in one

swoop caught one of the bats mid-air. A silent but

deadly assassin, the speed of the catch was astonishing.

Caught right above the river, then quickly off across the

meadow for a tasty dinner of bat. The agility of this

raptor knows no bounds, and it obviously has no respect

for the protected status of bats.

A final word about water quality developments. The

Norfolk Rivers Trust has applied for planning

permission to develop a re-naturalising diversion

scheme along a stretch of the River Stiffkey where it

passes the Iron Age fort site outside Warham. The plan

is to divert the river into several channels and create

more variation in flow velocity, using natural lows in

the landscape. The aim is to improve the health of the

river, increase biodiversity and return it to a much more

natural state. There are a lot of technical issues to be

overcome before permission can be obtained, but long

term it is hoped this scheme and others like it will

significantly improve our river’s health.

Martin Williams

NORTH NORFOLK BOOK WORMS

Stiffkey Book Worms June & July Reviews

Our June meeting was kindly hosted by Isabelle

Tipple and the book discussed was Anxious People by

Frederick Backman published in

English in 2020 from its Swedish

original. The plot is set on new year’s

eve and involves a crime that never

really takes place and the hostage

situation of eight characters taking

part in an open-house event by the

failed would-be bank robber. As the

novel progresses, the strangers begin

to open-up to each other and hidden

truths surface. There are themes of

parenting, hope within hopelessness and the kindness of

strangers.

The local police are father and son with a complex

relationship and all characters seem have reason to be

the anxious people of the title.

The book is heart-warming, poignant and witty and

the group felt the translation was well done. With

regards to the structure, there are times when the reader

knows things that have yet to be revealed to the police

which works well and the author definitely has a quirky

writing style. There is a dry sense of humour that comes

through the writing but several of us felt this led to

some characters becoming quite annoying. There were

times when the novel felt “farce like” and you need to

suspend belief.

Overall the book scored 3/5. Anxious People has

now been made into a Netflix series which several of us

had watched and thoroughly enjoyed so if the book does

not appeal, do check the series out which gets a thumbs

up.

Our July meeting was hosted by Jane Hiscocks and

was an outdoor event. The book discussed was Dare to

Know by James Kennedy, 2021. This is a thriller set in

a world where for a price, the exact moment of your

death can be predicted. The story is narrated by a

talented salesman working for a prestigious, world

leading company in the death prediction business.

Through flashbacks, we get to see how the narrator’s

life became a failure, broke, divorced and estranged

from his children. Its leads him to the ultimate

employee sin of forecasting his own death – except he

should have died 23 minutes earlier!

The book was described as a “razor-sharp sci-fi

corporate noir nightmare.” However, for most of our

group, this book underdelivered. The premise of this

book is intriguing although the reader is subjected to

many flashbacks that are boring and do not seem to add

to the story. It is a third of the way through before the

narrator looks up his death. The final third of the book

left most of us confused and a sense of the plot just

unravelling. Several struggled to even finish this book

so it was not a hit for our group.

One of our members however did enjoy the writing

style and found it to have a Raymond Chandler feel

about it. Overall, not a hit for our part group it scored

2/5. Jane Hiscocks

CHURCH NEWS

This August, our church underwent a full

architectural survey, which occurs every five years,

26

initiated by the diocese of Norwich. The usual

comprehensive report will be provided to the parochial

church council (PCC), enabling us to understand points

of regular maintenance, any deterioration in the fabric of

the church and helps to prioritise remedial and

preventative actions.

The PCC and many volunteers ran stalls (books, brica-brac,

plants, produce, cakes, and Stiffkey aviary

honey) on the church knoll on the August bank holiday

Sunday morning in aid of our church. It was well

attended by our local villagers and many passing

motorists and cyclists and raised £499.76 including

donations. We thank all involved and those who

contributed to the sales.

On Saturday 10 th September we held a sponsored

walk/ bike ride of Norfolk churches run by the Norfolk

Churches Trust. On writing this article, we are not able

to report on this year’s event, but it is a regular feature in

early September and a great way to help fundraising.

Finally, as we reflect on the challenges faced by the

farming community this year, we are happy to announce

that there will be a harvest festival service at St. John’s,

Stiffkey at 9:30am on the 2 nd October. All welcome.

Alan Duff

STIFFKEY PARISH COUNCIL

Contact Details

The Parish Council has changed its contact email.

The website address will remain the same

www.stiffkeyvillage.org but the email details for

Catherine Moore, our Clerk, is now

clerkstiffkey@gmail.com. Catherine can still be

contacted via telephone as normal.

Bridge at Stoney Road

The National Trust have been asked to keep us

updated on progress and actions but, unfortunately, there

does seem to be a reluctance to do this in any

meaningful way. As a result, the only updated

information we had at the time of writing was that the

National Trust were looking to meet a contractor in

September about the bridge and that the earliest date

they are working toward is 2023. This is obviously very

disappointing. We will continue to keep trying to get

information and updates and share these accordingly, but

we would also encourage you all to communicate

directly with the National Trust to ensure that the reinstatement

of the bridge is not quietly forgotten about.

Ambulance Response Times

We continue to attend the regular meetings with the

aim of trying to ensure response times improve.

Response times, unfortunately, remain poor. It has

become increasingly obvious that these are not going to

improve in the short to medium term and as a result we

are looking to see how Stiffkey residents can be better

served. The best way to do this, at this point in time, is

through the Community First Responders (CFR)

network. Many of you will have seen the leaflet which

accompanied the last copy of the Lynx and we have

successfully recruited two people. They are currently

undergoing training. We still need more volunteers. If

you think you might be interested or would like to know

more – please get in touch. You can go to the following

https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/join-the-team/

community-first-responders or you can email Alex via

the clerk or talk to Alex (walking the dog or if you see

her in the village).

We Need Help

To support the work of our Community First

Responders (CFRs) we are looking to raise funds to

provide them with the equipment they need. The CFR

themselves are volunteers and receive no payment. The

cost of fully equipping one CFR is approximately

£3,000. Can you help us? For example, if you don’t

need your £400 energy support payment – could you

donate this and help with these costs? We know this is a

lot of money to raise, but we would be very grateful if

you could support us. Any support/contribution will be

confidential. Please get in touch via

clerkstiffkey@gmail.com. Alexandra Hooper

No news from Langham School this time.

DUNCAN BAKER M.P.

N. Norfolk Conservative Assoc: 01692 557140

London Parliamentary Office 0207 2194841

www.duncanbaker.org.uk

JEROME MAYHEW M.P.

Broadland Conservative Assoc: 01603 865763

www.broadlandconservatives.org.uk

27

LYNX 146 ADS DIRECTORY

SEE FURTHER SERVICES LISTED BELOW DIRECTORY

Antiques/ Art/ Furniture/ Textiles

page

Nick Hamond Furniture: cabinet-maker 17

Phillippa Kirby Soft Furnishings 6

Shirehall Antiques, Holt 13

Sophia Williams: Stiffkey Artist 8

Advice & Care Services

Community Heartbeat advice leaflet back cover

Hindringham Toddler Group 12

Gardening

Beechwood Landscapes & Maintenance 17

DB Garden Services 9

Finlay Newton Garden Services 7

J.P.S. Gardening 11

Hair/ Health

Alison Courtney Acupuncture 12

Claire Dye: Physiotherapist 6

Foot Perfect 18

Gunthorpe Osteopaths

front cover

Marianne Atherton Homeopathy 21

Philippa Stancomb Reflexology 24

Pilates at Binham Memorial Hall 15

Tudor Barber Shop, Walsingham 19

Hall Rentals

Binham Memorial Hall 8

Sharrington Village Hall

front cover

Warham Reading Room 5

Leisure

On Yer Bike 22

The Parlour Café & Tea Room 23

Sharrington Christmas Fayre 7

Sharrington Gardening Group 13

The Shovell Dinner with Robert Smith MBE 4

Services and Suppliers

Allied Glass: Trade and Domestic Glazing 10

APW Plumbing and Heating 11

Boon-bespoke décor 20

Burnham Motors 10

Butcher Andrews Solicitors 9

Chris Wells Construction, Ltd 16

Clearview Pest Control 14

Daren Betts Building and Maintenance 23

David Thompson Chimney Sweep 21

Elv’s Stoves: Woodburner Service 25

Gresham Gravel 19

Keeble Roofing Contractor 18

Morston Boat Yard 22

Norfolk Woodburners Stoves 15

Paul Hennessey

front cover

PJ Electrics 26

Stephenson Smart Accountants 26

Stuart’s Taxi 16

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.

CLEANING AND HOME CARE SERVICES

Regular cleans, linen changes, ironing and errands

Contact Laura Bailey on 01328 711329 or 07917 031163

E: laurabailey@homemail.com

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

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

Local Lynx is printed by Century Printing, 28 132 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AZ

Tel: 01692 582958

Local Lynx No.146 - October/November 2022

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