Swaffham Newsletter

Swaffham History Group
When the Swaffham History Group started to
research all of the Swaffham Public Houses back in
2013 resulting in the publication of our work (for
sale at Swaffham Heritage shop), we thought that we
had found all of the public houses of Swaffham. How
wrong can you be!
As mentioned previously, our group are currently
working hard to put together the history of the shops
and businesses located within the Swaffham market
area (triangle). No mean feat!
So it came somewhat of a surprise that while
researching the premises of D.A. Seaman's, it was
found to have been a public house at one time
known as 'The Grapes' and had been for some 150
years until its closure in 1953 when it changed its
business profile and became 'The Chocolate Box', a
confectioners before its current ownership in 2018 as
that of D.A. Seaman's, Optometrists'.
This just goes to show that there is always something
lurking in the background waiting to be discovered
(not lost) and just requires a little probing and teasing
out. Sadly we have not come across any images of the
building that bears the name.
For further details of the History Group please contact
01842 879140 or Email; jbaz@go-plus.net.
Update Regarding Swaffham's
20's Plenty For Us Campaign
ul (and well-attended) meeting was held on
ctober at the Assembly Rooms to discuss the
o reduce the speed limit throughout Swaffham
ign has now received full backing from
own Council, Breckland District Council, and Ed
rfolk County Councillor for Swaffham. He says:
supportive of trialling the 20mph speed limit
whole of Swaffham. The 20's Plenty For Us
affham has worked hard to pull together a very
case for
2023.
a trial period of at least six months to
0mph speed limit can improve the safety of
ghout the town for pedestrians, cyclists and
t is clear that there is strong local support for
gn and Norfolk County Council is now working
s is taken forward, and will announce further
by 26%
tly on the timescale and work required between
tential implementation."
ail: swaffham@20splentyforus.org.uk
20's Plenty For Us
Campaign Update
From 22nd November, Community
Speed Watch volunteers from Swaffham
will be positioned in 10 locations throughout
the town (please support them and give them a
wave!). The information gleaned from this exercise
will be invaluable in supporting our campaign to gain
the ETRO (Experimental Traffic Regulation Order) to
reduce the speed limit within all residential areas to
20 mph. The ETRO would be in place for approximately
18 months whilst the effects are monitored and
assessed; this is projected to commence in June/July
To clarify, some benefits of a successful campaign are:
• reduction in air pollution (CO2 vehicle emissions)
• reduction in air pollution (NOx vehicle emissions)
by 28%
• reduction in noise pollution by between 40-50%
• reduction in road casualties by 20%
• reduction in Alzheimer’s, Heart and Lung Disease
• increase in child and adult activity levels via a safer
environment for cycling and walking
• improved overall mental health
Email: swaffham@20splentyforus.org.uk
8
Swaffham Climate Action
A big thank you to the pupils at
Heartwood Primary School who created
a wonderful banner made from recycled
materials to use at our recent market stall.
Their support is very much appreciated and how
lovely that the younger generation are engaging with
the environment in their community. The market
stall was mainly to publicise the Community Solar
Panel Group Purchase scheme. This will enable
considerable discount and ease of installation
compared to projects on individual houses. The high
current cost of electricity makes the time to get back
money invested in solar panels much shorter now
than previously.
Swaffham Social was a great opportunity to talk to people about our
group and we were pleased to have a list of potential new members and a
good level of interest in our stand. It was lovely to see the range of activities
and social groups in the community. The Community Fridge is a brilliant initiative to reduce
waste, a big contributor to climate change. By using the Community Fridge, making sure that
we only buy the food we need, and ensuring it is all used, we can all make a difference. An
estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food waste is created annually in the UK and if this goes into
landfill it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. If you have leftovers or a surplus
food it can often be frozen or recycled into another recipe and a piggy bank (or a spreadsheet!)
to put in the money saved can be a good incentive.
We have resumed monthly in person meetings in February but will be trying out a new
format of alternating between morning meetings in person and Zoom meetings in the evening
so please get in touch to find out the latest. Contact Cathy Mumford on 01760 721847,
cathyjmumford@gmail.com or David Jones on 01760 722468 / 07806 435066,
dljdav@gmail.com. Anyone with an interest in climate awareness in the community is most
welcome to join us. If you are not able attend, you can still join the group, contribute with
suggestions, and receive all meeting notes and information.
If you are interested, please contact us as soon as
possible using the contact details below, there is
absolutely no commitment at this stage. Having
many households involved will add to the power of
the group purchase and we are looking forward to
providing more details to everyone early in 2023.
Climate Friendly Tip of the Month – spend those long
winter evenings looking at your carbon footprint!
Now the nights are drawing in it’s an ideal time of
year to look at the facts and Giki Zero has a simple
to use carbon footprint calculator. You can work out
your current impact, set targets for yourself, and it is
easy to sign up and use at https://zero.giki.earth/ Get
the whole family involved and see who can achieve
the lowest footprint!
Future meetings
In December the group will be having a social
Christmas lunch and meetings will start again in the
New Year on Thursday January 12h at 10am in the
Methodist Church when we welcome anyone with
an interest in climate change and how we can reduce
our impact on the climate as a local community. If
you would like more information please get in touch
with either Cathy Mumford on 01760 721847 / 07799
642271, cathyjmumford@gmail.com or David Jones
on 01760 722468 / 07806 435066, dljdav@gmail.
com. If you are not able attend, you can still join the
group, contribute with suggestions, and receive all
meeting notes and information.
Museum Matters
The COVID Quilt has come home!
The COVID quilt will shortly be back in
Swaffham and on show in the Museum.
The quilt, stitched by local quilters during 2020, was one
of many created through the NHS/threads of survival
project where groups or individuals throughout the
country quilted their thoughts on COVID.
It was on national tour in Burnley, Ormskirk and
Northampton and various venues in Yorkshire, Devon
and Surrey during 2021 and 2022 and will now form
part of Swaffham Heritage’s Conflict and Consequences
Gallery. Many thanks to Adrienne and her quilters for
giving Swaffham Heritage the honour of adding the
quilt to our collection of local history artefacts.
Looking for Christmas presents?
In the Heritage shop at the Museum we have a
selection of local crafts as well as Tutankhamun
figures and our special Carter jam made exclusively
for us by 'Peggy Little Products'.
9
The Community Mosaic
We have now received planning permission for the
community mosaic pyramid
which will stand close to
the Methodist Church. We
expect the unveiling to take
place in February 2023. We
are very grateful for the very
many volunteers who have
painstakingly created the tiles,
for the Swaffham Men’s Shed and PSB Services Ltd who
have devoted their time and energy freely to help with
the project.
As we move from Carter 22 to Under the Eye of the
Buttercross there are other things to complete. The
finds from the Campingland Dig are not yet back from
the experts for verification; the postponed Funday;
Children’s Egyptian crafts and the Flying Pharaohs,
amongst them. These will be incorporated in next
year’s plan which will concentrate on the Gatherings on
and Stories of the Marketplace. Details of the planned
events are still under discussion but will be publicised by
the beginning of the year.
Friends of Swaffham Heritage
100 Club
The 100 Club is a steady contributor of funds for
Swaffham Heritage, run by the Friends of Swaffham
Heritage exclusively for its members. We have several
numbers(shares) still available, so please contact us –
see below - if you would like to purchase one or more.
Winners for November 2022 are:
• £40 – no 2233 • £20 – no 2297 • £10 – no 2219
Cheques are on their way to our lucky winners! Next
month, the December draw, we have an additional,
special prize of £100!
If you would like to join the Friends of Swaffham Heritage
to support the work of Swaffham Heritage including the
Museum, please contact us. By joining the Friends, you
will enjoy lifelong membership and free admittance to
the Museum for life. You will also be eligible to join the
100 Club – see details below or ask at the Museum.
For further information contact the Friends of Swaffham
Heritage Membership Secretary by email stuartclapton@
aol.com, or see our webpage, on the Swaffham
Heritage website http://www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk/
community/swaffham-museum-12715/friends-ofmuseum/
or call in to the Museum.