Swaffham Newsletter

SN
Online
December 2023
Your free town newsletter published by Iceni Partnership
SWAFFHAM
newslet ter
version available to view at www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
NEWS EVENTS INFORMATION
Get in the festive spirit
by visiting Oxburgh Hall
Read about all the festive activies on offer on p.16
Iceni Partnership wishes
all our readers
a very Merry Christmas
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Comments or queries welcomed - we are a
resource for all of the community to enjoy.
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Deadline for editorial and advertising is the
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Swaffham Newsletter is available to pick up from
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Waitrose, Swaffham Library, Swaffham Musuem
and Swaffham Community Centre.
Online versions of all our previous issues are available
to view online: www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
Contents
3 Heritage Action Zone
4 Church News
6 The Hive/Royal British Legion
7 History Group/Community Hospital
8 Climate Action Group
11 Jazz Club/Swaffham Heritage
12 Rugby Club/Merle Boddy
13 Swaffham Rotary/Wissey u3a
16 National Trust/Garden Group
17 Local WI Groups
18 Swaffham Town Council
Swaffham High Street
Heritage Action Zone
The final project for this year is now underway
in Swaffham’s High Street Heritage Action Zone.
The works to both Mr Chips and Tutankhamun’s is
underway on these properties in central Swaffham.
The scaffolding is now up to allow these repairs.
1
PAY MONTHLY
3
The works has been split into two phases. The first
phase is to repair the historic windows and upper
levels of these properties. The work will be completed
to ensure as much of the original material is kept and
that these features will be in good condition moving
forwards. These works are due to finish before the
end of November.
The second phase of the works is to install two new
heritage shopfronts. Tutankhamun’s was originally
an International Stores shop. This was a chain store
whose objective was to sell tea directly to the
customers and could be found on High Streets across
the country. The shop front installed is designed
based on the original photograph of this former store
and will give the shop fronts a more traditional feel.
To ensure the quality of the work the project is grant
funded by Historic England and Breckland District
Council and overseen by conservation accredited
architects Kings and Dunn.
If you own or lease a historic property around the
Marketplace and are interested in a grant next year to
repair the building or to create a traditional shopfront
then please get in touch – Joe.Warburton@
breckland.gov.uk.

St Peter & St Paul, Swaffham
Sunday 3rd December
9.30am Sung Eucharist
6pm Advent Carol Service
Sunday 10th December
9.30am Sung Eucharist
Sunday 17th December
8am Holy Communion
9.30am United Benefice Sung Eucharist
joined by the people of Sporle.
6pm Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 24th December
9.30am Sung Eucharist
11.30pm Midnight Mass of the Nativity
with the Bishop of Lynn
25th December Christmas Day
10am United Eucharist with Carols
joined by people from Sporle
31st December
10am United Sung Eucharist
joined by people from Sporle.
Mid week service every Wednesday Morning
10am Holy Communion (said)
Saturdays Coffee and Cake (2nd, 9th & 16th Dec)
The Church is open daily for Private Prayer and for
Visitors between 9am and 3pm.
Choir Practice on Tuesday evenings
From 7.15pm to 8.30pm - meets in Church new voices
welcome.
Bible Study Group meets on Wednesday 6th
December at 2.30pm at 15 Wroxham Avenue new
members welcome.
Christmas Tree Festival
Our glorious Christmas Tree Festival is in full swing
this year. Opens 2nd December until 12th December
10am to 4pm. Following the success of last year’s
Christmas Tree Festival, we hope that the 2023 event
will be even more spectacular! 32 trees will grace our
historic and beautiful Church, each one sponsored
and decorated by a local charity or organisation.
Jo Pluckrose, local artist, will again showcase her
amazing wirework sculptures during the festival. This
year's installation will take the form of a giant chain of
daisies suspended high above the central aisle. The
Christmas Tree Festival is FREE to enter. We hope you
will take the time to visit your Church and experience
the joy, peace, hope and goodwill it offers to all at
Christmas. Please give as generously as you can to the
charities involved.
Christmas Concert
10th December 2023 at 6pm Mid Norfolk Singers
present J.S.Bach's Christmas Oratorio (Parts 3 and 4)
plus Carols and Christmas Songs.
Swaffham Mothers’ Union
The Swaffham Mothers Union Branch meets on
the Thursday 14th December in the Baptist Church
Rooms at 11am for their Christmas meeting of
Carols and Readings. Contact: Julia Higbee for details
01760 720041. Contact may be made via email:
swaffhamchurch@gmail.com or 01760 725051.
Modern Day Slavery Talk
On Thursday 12 th October the Swaffham branch of
the Mothers’ Union were pleased to welcome Phil
Jesson, who spoke to us about the very relevant and
serious issue of slavery in the UK and the rest of the
world. Phil works for a charity called Unseenuk.org
and this charity provides safe houses and support in
the community for survivors of trafficking and modern
slavery, and aims to work in collaboration with police,
the government and other organisations to try to end
slavery.
Modern day slavery exists worldwide, and exists in
many forms in the UK, including in our area. This might
be the trafficking of children and other vulnerable
people into criminal activities such as drug running.
It can include sexual exploitation, forced labour on
farms, nail bars and car washes to name a few. Phil
also brought to our attention that we ourselves might
be unwittingly using slave labour with the choices we
make in our purchases, go to www.slaveryfootprint.
org to find out more.
Using fair trade products, for example coffee, tea
and chocolate ensures that the workers receive fair
payment for their work. He encouraged us to research
the origin of the products we buy. We also can make a
difference by being more aware of situations that do
not seem right locally; signs of neglect of workers and
fearfulness. The Unseenuk.org website gives more
information.
There is a helpline number which is 0800 121
700 or any concerns can be reported online at
modernslaveryhelpline.org. Thanks to Phil Jesson,
we felt that we were better informed about this
important subject.
The Oasis Centre
A church in the heart of the community
Sundays weekly
• 10am: Praise & Prayer
• 10.30am: Tea & Coffee
• 11am: Worship, Teaching and Communion
Wednesdays weekly
• 10am Worship & Prayer
The Oasis Centre, Cley Road, Swaffham PE37 7NP T: 01760 723175
@oasiscentreswaffham
Swaffham Methodist Church
• Fri 1st Dec 9.30am. Power of Prayer. Contact 01760
722611 for venue.
• Sat 2nd Dec 9.30-12noon Church Christmas Fayre
& Coffee Morning.
• Sun 3rd Dec 10.45am. All Age Worship led by Rev
Jacqui, with the Brownies & Guides. Advent choc
calendar for each family. All welcome. Refreshments
served afterwards.
• Tues 5th Dec 10-12noon. The Meeting Place Drop
In. All welcome.
• Fri 8th Dec 9.30am. The Power of Prayer. Phone
01760722611 for venue.
• Fri 8th Dec 7.30pm. The Phoenix Singers Present The
Colours Of Christmas. Admission £8. Refreshments &
raffle.
• Sun 10th Dec 10.45am. Morning Worship led by
Rev Elizabeth Bellamy. Refreshments afterwards.
• Tues 12th Dec 10-12noon. The Meeting Place Drop
In.
• Thurs 14th Dec Swaffham Friendship Group
Christmas Meal. 12-12.30. Queries see Anne.
• Fri 15th Dec 9.30am. Power of Prayer. Phone 01760
722611 for venue.
• Sat 16th Dec 10am-4pm. Display Of Christmas
Nativity Sets In Church. Refreshments in School Room
adjoining.
• Sun 17th Dec 10.45am. Morning Carol Service Led
By The Worship Leaders. Refreshments afterwards.
• Tues 19th Dec 9am-12noon. The Meeting Place
Drop In. Free refreshments. All welcome.
• Wed 20th Dec 7pm. Carols By Candlelight.
• Fri 22nd Dec 9.30am. Power of Prayer.
• Sun 24th Dec 10.45am. Morning Worship led by
the Worship Leaders. Refreshments afterwards.
• Mon 25th Dec 10am. All Age Christmas Day Worship
led by Rev Jacqui Horton.
NB THERE IS NO DROP IN ON 26th DEC
NB THERE IS NO COFFEE MORNING 30th DEC
• Sun 31st Dec 10.45am. BIG SUNDAY. Refreshments
served afterwards.
Display of
Nativities
Saturday Dec 16 th
9.30 am – 4 pm
Coffee in the hall 9.30 – 12
All ages welcome! Free entry
Swaffham Methodist Church
1, London Street, Swaffham PE37 7DD
Town
Carol Concert
Wednesday 13 th Dec 2023
7 pm
Swaffham Assembly Rooms
ALL WELCOME!
4
5

The Hive at Great Cressingham
Frames of Reference at The Hive
The Hive promotes itself as a place of creativity,
spirituality and well-being. All three of these
characteristics came together last month in a special
session called Frames of Reference led by Revd Jonny
Bell from Holt Methodist church, who is a graduate
in Fine Art of the Chelsea College of Art and Design.
Frames of Reference took the shape of questioning,
reflection and artistic expression and included time
for discussion of both well-known pieces of art as well
as artwork brought along by the people taking part.
Refreshing, challenging and affirming.
This was just one of four November events at The
Hive. Coming up in December are a special evening
of Poetry and Music on Saturday 2nd to celebrate
the season of advent and an afternoon of Christmas
play-reading on Sunday 10th , both with seasonal
refreshments.
For more information please follow our facebook
page - /GreatCressinghamHive/ or contact us on
thehiveplace@gmail.com. All our events are free with
donations welcomed.
Royal British Legion
November was a very busy but
worthwhile month, with our new
Poppy Appeal Organisers really
giving it their all. We were saddened to hear, during
Poppy Appeal time, that Verena Hartley had passed
away. Verena used to fill many of the slots at Waitrose
and was such a beautiful soul.
Our Festival of Remembrance held on 9th November
in the Parish Church was a resounding success. Our
thanks go to the Phoenix Singers, pupils from the
Nicholas Hamond Academy, members of the RBL
who read poems, Dereham Town Band and our
very own Richard Winch, accompanied by Sarah
Rodgers. Our thanks also go to our honoured guests,
Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk Lady Georgina Roberts,
Baroness Gillian Sheppard of Northwold, Swaffham
Town Mayor Cllr Stewart Bell, along with Town and
District Cllrs, and the RBL County President Lt Gen
Jonathan Page. Many thanks also to Canon Stuart
Nairn for allowing us to use the Church.
On 10th November pupils from the Sacred Heart
School and also Heartwood School were joined by
members of the RBL, Town Cllrs and general public
to join in a Service led by Father Mark Hackeson.
The children read prayers that they had composed
themselves. The Last Post was played and the Silence
observed. As I spoke to the children afterwards one
asked “who was that man”, meaning Father Mark. I
explained he was the Catholic Priest. The little boy
said, “I thought he was the Pope!”
Armistice Day was commemorated at the War
Memorial with a good turnout on a very cold day. The
Street Collection was also held on the 11th and we
thank those who stood out in the cold. The Women’s
Section also ran a Coffee Morning .
Swaffham really turned out in force to commemorate
Remembrance Sunday. Many children took part in
the Parade this year, which was led by Fakenham
Town Band. Warrant Officer Keith Rix was the Parade
Marshal. After the wreath laying, which included one
laid by Swaffham Town Mayor Cllr Stewart Bell, there
was a short service led by Canon Stuart Nairn, in the
Parish Church, also well attended. Wreaths were
placed in the Church by the Chairman of the RBL and
pupils from Hamonds Academy.
Swaffham History Group
The Swaffham History Group normally
meets on the second Monday of the month
at 2pm in the Swaffham Town Council chamber,
accessible via the Museum (there is a lift to the
Council chamber). Anyone can join and there is no
subscription except an annual registration fee of £1
(this so that our Group Secretary, Gerry, can keep the
register of members up-to-date).
Our focus is on the rich history of Swaffham but we
also have invited speakers to present interesting
locally related historical topics and have outings to
places of historic interest in the region. If that sounds
like something that would interest you, please feel
free to drop in for a ‘taster’.
At our recent meetings we have been thinking about
places of interest we would like to visit in 2024;
more details to come. We have also been reflecting
on the past year’s activities and events during the
Swaffham Cultural Consortium’s ‘Under the Eye of
the Buttercross’ theme in which the group took part
in the ‘Mapping the Market Place’ event. Early next
year we hope to be publishing the first of our booklets
on this theme.
Finally, The Swaffham History Group wish you all a
very Happy Christmas and New Year!
You can find out more about us online in the Swaffham
Heritage website at https://www.swaffhammuseum.
co.uk/history/swaffham-history-group or just drop in
at our next meeting date which will be in February.
New members are always welcome; you are not
required to do any research or have any qualifications,
just obviously an interest in our local history.
Swaffham Men's Shed
You may or may not be aware that a Men's Shed is in
existence at The Rugby Club in North Pickenham Road.
Explanation as to the purpose of such associations is
available on Google. Apart from other benefits, it is
mentioned that physical fitness is considered to be
very beneficial therefore, member Peter Harris has
proposed to start a walking group for members and
other interested parties.
You can be assured from the outset that the exercise
will be very gentle...so do please do get in touch with
Peter on 01760 723152 if you are interested in finding
out more about what he has planned.
Swaffham Community Hospital
Firstly, another thank you to those that are continuing
to support our coin collection at home scheme. Your
change does add up and is greatly appreciated. As ever
it can be left at Hospital reception or can be collected.
By the time you are reading this we will have had
the Rotary's Charity Fair day in the Assembly Rooms.
The Friends are doing the catering for the day, with
proceeds going to our charity. If you attended I hope
you found the day interesting and enjoyed our catering.
The Christmas Tree Festival is just on so come along,
enjoy the spectacle and support the local charities
at the same time. Christmas arrangements for the
hospital patients are well in hand; with "goodies"
being supplied for the staff to cheer them up.
Still no certain plans from the Trust about premises
improvements, so we have to be patient until they
decide on their priorities.
I have mentioned before that some patients do arrive
at the hospital with virtually only the clothes on their
back. We seek to have a supply of toiletries etc for
them to use, so if you have any spare items you might
want to donate then they can be left at Reception for
the Housekeeper.
Finally, there are some senior staff changes at the
hospital for the new year including a new Ward
Manager.
This will be the last article for 2023 so I'd like to
take the opportunity to thank my colleagues on the
Committee, all of the hospital staff and of course you
for your support. I hope your Christmas goes well and
wish you all the best for 2024.
Colin Houghton, Chairman
07767 262108
Caram Voice in Norfolk
Volunteer With Children
Looking for a fun volunteering opportunity that fits
around your other commitments? Want to help some
of our most vulnerable children and inspire them
towards better, brighter things?
For some children in care, most adults in their
lives are social workers or other paid professionals.
Please consider becoming an Independent Visitor,
a volunteer who visits a child for a few hours each
month to build a valuable and consistent relationship
by spending time together doing fun activities.
Thorough training and support provided, as well as
reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
To find out more about volunteering as an Independent
Visitor with Coram Voice in Norfolk please email :
norfolk@coramvoice.org.uk, or visit coramvoice.org.
uk and select current vacancies.
6 7

Swaffham Climate Action
& Environment Group
Swaffham Social was a great opportunity to talk to people about our
Climate & Ecology Bill
We have recently been asking local
councils to support the Climate & Ecology
Bill which has the backing of MPs and peers from
all political parties. This proposed legislation would
create a legal commitment to follow the science on
tackling the climate-nature crisis. The Zero Hour is a
campaign group specifically behind the bill and it is
to put in the money saved can be a good incentive.
asking for all councils to vote in support of this UKwide
legislation. More than 230 councils across the
UK nations have now voted to back the bill. The Zero
Hour hopes to bring as many councils on board as
possible to give local MPs the mandate to advocate for
this private member’s bill in Westminster. The climate
and nature crisis is not a party political issue. It’s an
suggestions, and receive all meeting notes and information.
exceptionally difficult challenge for any government,
local or national, to face. Councils can play a vitally
important role by showing national politicians that the
public are ready for serious action to be taken.
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!)
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
There is more information at https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=wXIVs-sW5y4. At the time of writing we
do not know what the response from Swaffham Town
Council and Breckland District Council has been but
we are hopeful that they will support this bill. In reality
it is imperative that emissions are reduced to
below Net Zero to protect the planet, and for the lives
of our children and grandchildren.
Come and join us
On Thursday 14th December, from 11am to 1pm,
instead of our regular meeting we are holding a
bring and share Christmas lunch in the Methodist
Church, drinks will be provided. All are welcome
to come and talk to us about the issues around the
climate emergency and crisis in nature, and how we
as a community can work together to have a positive
impact. Just pop in for a chat!
Everyone is welcome to our regular monthly meetings,
usually on the second Thursday of each month at
10am in the Methodist Church. 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
to check on meeting dates and times as they can vary.
8
The Phoenix Singers
The Phoenix Singers Celebrate Christmas
Please note that the date on the poster in November's
edition of the Swaffham Newsletter was incorrect -
the concert is on Friday 8th December.
Here we are getting into the Swing of the Christmas
Season with the shops already festooned with gifts
and decorations. Let us get your Christmas spirit
moving with our usual selection of festive music and
carols at our concert to be held in the Methodist
Church on Friday 8th December at 7.30pm.
You can look forward to an evening of words and music
together with our guests THREE’S COMPANY, with
refreshments and a popular raffle during the interval,
to get you in the mood for your own celebrations.
Always a good evening’s entertainment, so don’t miss
out. Tickets are £8 (incl. Refreshments) and are on
sale in Swaffham Museum. The Phoenix Singers look
forward to seeing you there.
Carols at Mintlyn Crematorium
A popular Christmas carol service returns to Mintlyn
Crematorium on Wednesday 6th December 2023 at
7pm. The crematorium, which introduced this familyfriendly
carol service in 2018, has raised hundreds of
pounds for charity. This year they will be supporting
The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, as well as the
Mayor’s charities. Guests will be invited to make a
voluntary donation for a special message tag to place
on the Christmas Tree of Memories.
The Chapel will open from 6:30pm with the service
starting at 7pm and led by civil celebrant Kathy Collins,
with music provided by resident Mintlyn organist Mr
Jonathan Chaddock. Cllr Bal Anota, Cabinet Member
for Property and Corporate Services at the borough
council, will be providing one of the readings and
Deputy Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Paul
Bland, will also be attending the service.
This is a free event for everyone to attend but, due
to its popularity, a ticket will be required for entry.
Alternatively, the service will be webcast for those
unable to attend, please email mintlyn@westnorfolk.gov.uk
or telephone 01553 630533 for tickets
or webcast log-on details. Mintlyn Crematorium is
located on Lynn Road, Bawsey, King’s Lynn PE32 1HB.
Swaffham Walking Group
Swaffham Walking Group is a small friendly group of keen
walkers who enjoy the countryside and cake. Meeting
every Wednesday at 9.30am and every Sunday at
10.00am in various locations around Swaffham and the
surrounding villages to enjoy a walk from around 3 to 6.5
miles. Afterwards enjoying Tea, Coffee & Cakes/biscuits.
For more information and details on the next walk, please
contact Graham Lathwell on 07486 901 948.
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Swaffham Jazz Club
The Equinox Jazz Quartet (EJQ) made a return visit to
the Swaffham Jazz Club on 14th November. This was
their third gig in Swaffham and as ever they performed
with local guest musician Chris Lee on trumpet and
flugelhorn. So when EJQ play in Swaffham they are
really the Equinox Jazz Quintet!
The band is based in London and performs regularly
in and around the capital, but their drummer is well
known Norwich-based jazz musician James Lewis. The
other members of the band are Danny Silverstone
(alto sax) Greg Loops (bass) and Terry Loane (piano).
EJQ’s repertoire consists mainly of tunes written by
– or made famous by – the great names in Jazz, such
as John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.
The programme also included EJQ’s own version of
“Got My Mojo Working” the blues song made famous
by Muddy Waters’ 1957 recording. The evening
finished with a spirited version of the Sonny Rollins
classic number "St. Thomas" featuring an extended
drum solo by James – a great ending to a great
evening.
Swaffham Jazz Club is taking a break until March
2024. Events will take place at 7.30 pm on the second
Tuesday of each month at Swaffham Conservative
Club, 23 London Street, PE37 7DD. More information
from Norman 01760 722384 or Geoff, 01366 328730.
Swaffham Jazz Club
at
Swaffham Conservative Club
No club
Jan or Feb
Back on
March 12th 2024
Jazz Club
Swaffham
Diana sings Jazz
Tuesday 7:30pm
December 12 th
Cash on door £10
Norman 01760 722 384
Geoff 01366 328 730
London Street
Louis Coates guitar Ian Hireson bass
Mark Jolly violin James Lewis drums
bar
Friends of Swaffham Heritage
The day trip to the Ely Cathedral Christmas Market
was fully booked and we hope that everyone who
went had a good time. We are now in the process of
planning trips for 2024 and will probably be repeating
the trip to Ely. Lots of ideas have been floated
including, for example, a day trip to Felixstowe and in
the New Year we will go into more detail.
Remember, those who have joined the Friends of
Swaffham Heritage get to have first choice and also a
discount on the price. In addition, they have lifetime
free admission to the museum. The membership fee
to join the Friends is a one-off Life membership fee of
£10 for an individual or £15 for a family (two adults
and two children under 16 years of age living at the
same address). This gives you free access to all the
museum galleries for life.
Ask at the museum about becoming a Friend or
use the contact details below or on the Swaffham
Heritage website.
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.
Winners for November 2023 were:
• £40 – no 2368
• £20 – no 2360
• £10 – no 2307
Note that the numbers begin with 23...Cheques are
on the way to our lucky winners! Emails and letters
went out to remind members of the 100 Club to
resubscribe as our draw year commenced in October
and runs until next September. New numbers starting
23…are now issued. Numbers beginning 22.. are no
longer valid. So if you were in the 100 Club previously
please sign up again, if you have not already done so,
and get your updated number.
If you are not already a member of the 100 Club, you
can apply to join. It’s £20 for the year, for a chance
to win one of the monthly prizes of £40, £20 and
£10, and a twice a year the chance to win £100!
You also have the satisfaction of knowing that your
subscription helps the work of our museum, even if
you don’t win.
Finally, the Friends of Swaffham Heritage wish you all
a very Happy Christmas and New Year!
For further information about the Friends of Swaffham
Heritage see our webpage, on the Swaffham Heritage
website https://www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk/
support-us#friends-of-swaffham-heritage , or email
to friends@swaffhammuseum.co.uk , or call in to the
Museum.
For the 100 Club contact the Membership Secretary
by email stuartclapton@aol.com.
11

Swaffham Rugby Club
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone
who supported our 12th annual Community Bonfire
and Fireworks event on the 5th November. After a
very changeable week, the weather on Sunday was
very kind to us and although the ground underfoot
was wet, the skies remained clear and rain free
throughout the event.
We try to keep our
admission fees affordable
in order that as many
members of the Swaffham
Community can celebrate
bonfire night together and
this year we were delighted
with the number of people
who turned up and were
overwhelmed by the
positive feedback on social
media.
Our club is run entirely by volunteers, without
whom we could not stage this event. Thanks to all
members, friends and relatives who turned out to
set up, man stalls and bar, or clear up afterwards, not
forgetting that hardy band who put leaflets through
doors! Thanks also to our neighbours for their
understanding with the number of pedestrians and
cars who descended on the area, to the stallholders
who came along and offered attractions to visitors,
Swaffham Men’s Shed for marshalling and of course
St John’s Ambulance for attending. Once again,
thanks to the Swaffham community for coming along
and supporting this event. Don’t wait till November
3rd 2024 to come and visit us again!
December 9th will be our last home game of the year
when we will welcome Dereham RFC. Kick Off on
our floodlit pitch will be 3pm. Everyone is welcome
to come along and support Those Magnificent Men,
and perhaps enjoy a festive moment together in the
bar afterwards!
We are a Family Friendly Community Club run by
volunteers – we welcome to our club new players in
all sections and anyone who would like to get involved
both on or off the pitch.
Contact chair@swaffhamrugby.co.uk
Merle Boddy Centre
The Merle Boddy Day Centre provides a
warm and friendly Social Day Care Service
for people living with dementia including
mental health problems and physical disabilities, in
Swaffham and the surrounding area.
At the Centre we all enjoyed the Halloween Tricks and
Treats, and had a very spooky time!
Although it’s still several weeks away, as the Christmas
jingle says, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
here and we have just got cracking on our Christmas
decorations. None of your last minute stuff here!
We wish all our lovely clients, their carers and everyone
a very Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
We are still looking for people with business or charity
experience to join our management board and bring in
some key skills. This may interest you if you are recently
retired or work part-time and want be active in the
community. It is purely voluntary work; the Merle Boddy
Day Care Centre is run by the Swaffham and District
Mental Health Association, a charitable not-for-profit
company.
If you are interested in our work and would like to be
involved, we always welcome volunteers, friends and
supporters to help us. We also welcome your donations,
small as well as big. You can give by visiting our website
and clicking on Fundraising, where we have a link to
JustGiving.
If you want to know more, find us on Facebook –
@merleboddycentre – or see our website -
www.merleboddy.org.uk – or email to us at
office@merleboddy.org.uk -
or phone the Centre on 01760 724527.
Rotary
Swaffham
Swaffham Rotary
“If you have any strange old
items hanging around the house,
bring them along to see if they're worth anything.” My
witty neighbour laughed. “OK, I'll bring my husband!”
It was fun to stop and chat while delivering leaflets
for our Swaffham Rotary 'Antiques and Valuation Day'
and 'Art Exhibition'. These are both done and dusted
now and the proceeds will be put to very good use
in support of our local causes. We are very grateful
to Keys Auctioneers of Aylsham for generously
sponsoring these events.
Our 'Christmas Charities Fayre' is also behind us now,
so apart from our Christmas party it's just regular
meetings until the New Year. The planning for the
'Beer Festival' next May is already well in hand.
As a fairly new Rotarian, I am gradually learning
about how the club operates Worldwide. I now know
that there are over 46,000 clubs worldwide with 1.4
million members. Rotary plays a very large part in
the eradication of polio across the world. We raise
funds to provide Shelterboxes for families who have
lost homes through disaster or conflict. By organising
local events we raise funds to help local charities such
as Headway, Norfolk and Waveney Prostate Support,
Swaffham Men's Shed and many more.
If you think you might be interested in coming along
to a meeting to find out more about Swaffham Rotary
please get in touch via our website:
swaffhamrotary.org.uk
You would be most welcome.
Richard Skinner
View Swaffham Newsletter Online
www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
12 13
Wissey u3a
At our last monthly meeting on
Thursday 2nd November Richard Hill, a recently
retired National Trust Project Manager, gave a very
interesting and informative illustrated talk about his
work on the £21 million restoration project at Knole
House in Kent. This was not a technical talk about
restoring an old building but a fascinating insight into
the process of determining a vision for the property
that would greatly improve a visitor’s experience and
understanding of the history of the largest private
house under the National Trust’s care.
The opportunity was also taken to create a state-ofthe-art
Conservation Studio within the footprint of
a previously disused and derelict outbuilding. Well
worth a visit if you’re down in Kent.
Our December meeting will be our Christmas Party
(for existing members only) and we look forward to
being entertained by the local choir ‘Rockavox’.
At our first meeting of the New Year, on Thursday 4th
January 2024, our guest speaker will be Don Mobley,
who will give an illustrated talk about US Military
Aviation.
New members are very welcome and if you are
interested in learning more about the u3a, our website
is www.wisseyu3a.org or contact our Chairman, David
Moncaster on 01760 724755 for further information.

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OPEN
CLEAR
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Swaffham
Branch
01760
725801
http://www.family-action.org.uk
familyactionswaffham
building better families
THE SOLICITORS THAT CARE
Expert legal help and advice from
Swaffham’s most recommended solicitors
star-hal
Borough Council of Lynn & W.Norfolk
Scam targeting vulnerable elderly people
Local users of the council’s pendant scheme for
vulnerable adults, Careline Community Service, are
being targeted by other companies and fraudsters
trying to take their money. They are taking advantage of
the fact that users need to switch to digital technology
but instead of switching them to a digital unit from the
council, they are switching them to another provider –
or just scamming them out of money altogether.
Swaffham & District Lions Club
On Saturday 28th October our Lions Zone
hosted a Social Evening at Great Dunham
Village Hall, with a Beetle Drive and hot
supper. Local clubs competed for the “A47 Trophy",
which was won by the Norwich North Alpha Lions, and
David Bloomfield won the Individual prize for the best
score. The event raised £260 for the District Governor’s
Lady’s charity appeal, Cardiomyopathy.
Talk face to face with your local lawyers, at our
London Street office, who are here to help by
giving you clear and practical legal advice.
Divorce and Separation • Employment Issues • Wills, Trusts and Probate
Last year we received
over 62,000 alarm
calls, and 97% of them
were answered within
60 seconds.
We are here to help.
Careline
alarm
Buddy
Button
(GPS tracker)
Vibby
Fall
Detector
To find out more, call us on 01553 616200
or visit careline-cs.org.uk and careandrepair-wn.org
Supra
Keysafe
1170-120-6
Settling a Dispute • Moving Home • Personal Injury • Commercial Services
01760 721992
wardgethinarcher.co.uk
Chatteris • Dereham • Downham Market • Ely • Heacham • King’s Lynn • Swaffham • Watton
The council’s cabinet member for people and
communities, Cllr Jo Rust, said: “These are some of
our most vulnerable residents – they have a pendant
because they are more likely to need help and might
not otherwise be able to call for it. Targeting vulnerable
people in this way for profit or even theft is a disgrace
and we want to raise as much awareness as possible to
ensure users of the Careline Community Service are not
caught out.”
The council is writing to all users of the service to warn
them but it is also trying to raise awareness in the
community so that people who may support service
users are also aware.
Careline Community Service manager, Judith Berry,
added: “This is a difficult situation for our service users.
Many of them have older, analogue units, which won’t
work within two years. We are halfway through a project
to upgrade all the analogue units to digital equipment
so we are contacting people to make the switch. The
problem is that we’re not the only ones making contact.
Others are also calling and making people think they are
switching to a digital unit when in fact they are switching
to another company altogether – or worse still, simply
being scammed out of money altogether.”
The council has advised users of the Careline Community
Service to be cautious when people call. The council will
never ask for money upfront. (The service is paid for,
usually through a monthly direct debit, but there is no
separate charge for the box.) Members of staff will always
clearly identify themselves as calling from Careline
Community Service and will be in uniform, and carrying
ID, when they visit to switch the unit over. Users can call
the council on 01553 616200 if they have any doubts.
The digital switchover is part of a national programme
to upgrade all telephone lines to digital by 2025. The
council’s pendant service, Careline Community Service,
has approximately 3,800 users.
The Lioness Branch Club held another Pudsey’s
Pudding Quiz in November, a fun quiz with lots of
delicious puddings being served at the interval. This
has made around £300 to go to Children in Need. The
Lions are also collecting for Children in Need at Tesco,
along with promoting our Diabetes Awareness stand.
We took part in the Health Promotion Day at the
Assembly Rooms organised by the Campingland
Surgery where we ran our “Message in a Bottle” stall
giving away a number of our plastic bottles which store
one’s medical information in case of an emergency.
We have recently helped with the Poppy collections
and laid our Lions and Lioness wreaths at the War
Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. We will be
collecting in Tesco for the Foodbank at the beginning
of December.
Looking forward to Christmas, we will have our
Christmas Tree in the Church Tree Festival, will be
running our Christmas Tombola stall in the Assembly
Rooms, and also preparing for the usual Pensioner's
Christmas Party at The Nicholas Hamond Academy.
Our “Santa” charity collections will be taking place at
both Tesco and Waitrose in the run up to Christmas.
Season’s Greetings to you all,
Swaffham & District Lions
15

National Trust
Christmas Days out at Oxburgh Estate
Join us as we celebrate the festive season at
Oxburgh Estate this December!
• Dec the Halls from 1st December
Explore Oxburgh Hall transformed for Christmas, with
candles, twinkling lights, and real-life Christmas trees.
Wander through the state rooms and admire the
traditional decorations that grace the hall. There is also
a trail and Christmas themed activities to be enjoyed by
the little ones.
Visit our Servants Hall tearoom and discover a selection
of delicious festive treats, from sweet treats to festive
drinks, or pop by the shop to purchase the perfect
Christmas present, treat or souvenir.
Join us in the grand Saloon to hear some of your favourite
festive tunes being played by our volunteer pianist * .
*
Saturday and Sunday dates only. This activity is
dependent upon volunteer availability.
• Story telling with Father Christmas
Bring the magic of Christmas alive and join Father
Christmas for a magical yuletide tale in The Potting
Shed, the home of Oxburgh’s second-hand bookshop.
After the story, Father Christmas will have a small gift for
you to take home. Please note that each child requires a
ticket and due to space limitations in The Potting Shed,
only 1 free accompanying adult is permitted per child.
This event doesn’t include general admission to site.
Standard admissions charges apply to the property to
non-members on arrival.
• Festive Wreath Workshop
Come and get into the festive spirit with us and create
your own beautiful luxury wreath to adorn your door at
our Festive Wreath Workshop, in collaboration with The
Floral Sistas. Local florists, Floral Sistas, will teach you
all the techniques you need and using foliage from the
Oxburgh Estate and natural decorations, together, you
will create a beautiful traditional festive wreath. Tickets
also include a tea or coffee, served with a festive treat. All
tools, equipment and guidance will be provided. Tickets
to this event also include entry to Oxburgh Hall and the
Esatate so once you’re done with being creative, you’ll
be able to enjoy the delights of Oxburgh decorated for
Christmas. Tickets are priced at £65.00 per person.
Ashill & Holme Hale Garden Group
Growing Cacti for their Beauty
Barry Gayton of Desert World at Santon Downham,
and regular contributor to the Radio Cambridgeshire
gardening programme, shared his extensive knowledge
of growing cacti with members at the October meeting.
Barry has over 13,000 different species of cacti in his
large greenhouses at Desert World. After the grasses,
cacti has the next largest number of different species,
with some 25,000. They come in a vast array of sizes
and shapes and as long as your are patient they produce
some amazing floral displays when they do flower.
Barry began his talk by explaining how to grow cacti from
cutting or a seed, something he has done with virtually
all his own cacti.
Barry explained the difference between cacti and
succulents. All cacti are succulents but not all succulents
are cacti. While succulents can have spines, cacti have
a cluster of spines around each areole, whereas some
succulents have individual spines but are not cacti. An
agave is not a cacti but a Christmas cacti is a true cacti as
it has small clusters of spines.
Barry proceeded to present slides showing the different
species of cacti and their beautiful floral displays. One in
particular captivated the audience, namely the ‘Queen
of the Night’. On this climbing cacti each flower only
opens for 4 to 5 hours on a single night each year, the
large white flowers can be over 12 inches in diameter
giving off a sweet fragrance. The reason it flowers at
night is because it is pollinated by bats or moths. The
talk ended with a lively Q&A with numerous questions
from the audience which Barry, using his encyclopaedic
knowledge of cacti, comprehensively dealt with.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Our November meeting (Nov 23rd) will be given by
Simon Harrap, who will talk on Wildlife Garden Ponds.
The Club Christmas party will be held on December 14th
and our next monthly meetings will be held on Thursday
January 25th, when Martin Davey will talk on ‘Pests and
Diseases’. Meetings are held at Holme Hale Pavilion and
start at 2.30pm.
New members from anywhere in the district are always
welcome, so come along.
Swaffham WI
Our meeting, on Wednesday 1 st
November commenced at 2.30pm
with a warm welcome given by our
President to the speaker for the afternoon Judith
Webster. Followed by a reading of a poem by Philip
Larkin called MCMXIV which is about the optimism of
young men queuing up to enlist in 1914 war. Larkin
wrote the poem in 1964 when some critical distance
from both wars had been reached.
The President announced that this month eight ladies
were celebrating their birthdays and each were given
a card and a small gift and were serenaded with the
Happy Birthday song. Judith then introduced the
meeting to the title of her talk “The Yellow Caravan”.
In the year 1912 three intrepid lady’s decided to travel
around Norfolk in a yellow horse drawn caravan and
cooked over an open fire. They wore long dresses, the
custom in that era, and visited some notable towns
including Swaffham. Judith read the poem that they
had written about their adventure and also provided
slides to give more of an atmosphere. It was a very
illuminating talk and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The competition for the month was in line with the
talk by Judith, for something in the colour yellow.
A beautiful yellow plate was chosen as the winning
entry. Boards were available before and after the
meeting to sign up for future outings and events:-
• WI Christmas Lunch on Wednesday 6th December.
• Christmas Tree Festival at the Parish Church 2nd –
11th December.
• Rotary Christmas Fayre Saturday 25th November
9am to 2pm in the Assembly Rooms.
• Coach trip to the V&A Museum in London 1st
February 2024 to see: re: Imagining Musicals
Exhibition.
• WI National Annual Meeting 2024 at the Royal
Albert Hall 4th - 5th June.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 3rd January
2024 at 2.30pm in the Community Centre and will
include a Bring and Buy.
Swaffham W.I. wish you all a happy and peaceful
Christmas and New Year.
Should you wish for any more information please
contact our President Pauline Senton on 01760
788046 or our Secretary Christiane Hewitson on
07389 813386.
Pickenhams WI
Our speaker at our WI Meeting in
November was Leonard Priestley,
Truck Driver and Removal Man.
Leonard outlined his family history for us and said that
from an early age he had always wanted to drive a lorry.
And so it happened; 55 years ago, he was taken on by
Smedley's as a driver. He visited corner shops with
their deliveries. The most outstanding visit was when
the manager wouldn't accept the delivery and after
Leonard had asked for a refusal note (which wasn't
forthcoming) they ended up having a fight, knocking
over all the food deliveries in the process. The police
were called and even, in spite of this, Leonard kept his
job! In 1971 he was made redundant and he set up
his own flower delivery service and removal company,
including pianos. In one piano he found nude photos
of the owner but she snatched them away when she
saw them in his hand!
After this entertaining talk, we moved on to our meeting.
Our WI Group Walk had been cancelled because of
the inclement weather. We will resume them in 2024.
Our President, Carol, read out the WI Resolutions and
we will consider them again at our Christmas Lunch.
Future events include our WI Christmas Party at the
Hub on 12th December, when we will have a Bring
& Share lunch, plus entertainment by 3's Company.
There is a Ukulele Concert at St Andrew's Church,
North Pickenham at 2pm on Saturday, 16th December,
to which everyone is welcome. In the New Year we will
have lunch at Broom Hall on Tuesday, 23rd January.
If anyone would like more information please contact
our President, Carol Richards, on 07873 744971 or our
Secretary, Melanie Cousins, on 07840 814417.
16 17

In Touch With Your Town
Remembrance Day
It was great to see so many people at
the Remembrance Day ceremonies
between Friday 10th November and
Sunday 12th November paying tribute
to the courage and dedication of those who served.
These events acted as a poignant reminder of the
human cost of conflict. Thank you to the volunteers
for their hard work in organising the ceremonies and
for giving the community an opportunity to express
their gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who
served and pledged a commitment to fostering a
peaceful world.
Swaffham Town Council secured funding from the
Love Your Market Breckland fund to help host two
events in town:
LIVE in Swaffham
LIVE in Swaffham will see live performances on the
Buttercross to enjoy on the first Saturday of the
month May-August.
Seasonal Wool Decorations
Seasonal Wool Decorations aims to decorate
the Buttercross with knitted items that are
created through a community effort. If you are
interested in being involved, contact comms@
swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Swaffham Christmas Light Switch on event
Bring your little ones for a special visit to Santa.
Capture the wonder on their faces as they share
their Christmas wishes and receive a small gift to
make their season extra bright. Tickets are £3.50
and can be booked online. Visit our website for
booking information.
Embrace the spirit of the season at Swaffham
Christmas light switch on event on Sunday 3rd
December between 10am-5pm. The day will be
filled with festive delights from heartwarming choir
performances as well as a craft and food Christmas
market. The Christmas market will showcase local
artisans and some delicious seasonal treats. The
event will be hosted by KL1 Radio and will feature
performances from Jay Harrison, The Ukulele
Band, The Rock Choir, Heartwood School Choir and
Fakenham Town Band.
Don’t forget we are holding ‘The Quiet Hour’
between 10-11am for residents from local care
homes and the SEND community.
Swaffham Town Council are working with The Big
C Charity to put on a Christmas lantern parade led
by a Donkey and Pony. The community/local groups
and schools are warmly invited to create a lantern
to bring to the parade to raise money for The Big
C Charity. The Lantern Parade will commence at
3:30pm.
Shelly's Bistro in Swaffham was named as the best
Café/Bistro in the whole of England for the year at
the Food Awards England 2023.
Mrs Czarnecki who opened the business in 2017
said, “I was shocked enough to win the region
category, let alone the whole country. It is a huge
achievement for a tiny little bistro in the middle of
Swaffham. Everyone says our breakfast is the best in
Swaffham and now we can say it is the best in the
country."
Save the date!
Meet your Councillors Coffee Drop in, Tuesday 19th
December, 11am-1pm, Town Hall Christmas Light
Switch on Event, Sunday 3 December 10am-5pm
Meet Your Councillors
Swaffham Town Council are hosting a ‘Meet Your
Councillors’ event with mince pies and refreshments
on Tuesday 19 December 11am-1pm at the Town
Hall. All are welcome. Any donations on the day will
be donated to The Big C Charity.
Town Council Christmas closing dates:
Friday 22nd December 2023 – Wednesday 3rd
January 2024
Town Council Committee
meeting dates - DECEMBER 2023
• Monday 4th 12pm HR & Governance
Have your say! Did you know all council meetings include a 15
minute session set aside for public participation. This is your
opportunity to put questions to your Councillors about things
that matter to you and the town. Why not come along and see
how your Councillors manage the council's affairs. Alternatively,
you can watch and listen to the monthly Full Council meetings
that are live streamed on Facebook @Swaffhamtowncouncil
Breckland District Council
www.breckland.gov.uk
01362 656 870. For all enquiries regarding: Planning,
Refuse Bins, Housing, Recycling, Licensing & Benefits
Your Breckland District Councillors:
Cllr. David Wickerson
david.wickerson@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr. Jacob Morton
Jacob.Morton@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr. Judy Anscombe
Judy.Anscombe@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr. William Nunn
William.nunn.cllr@
norfolk.gov.uk
18 19
Highway issues
Norfolk County Council – www.norfolk.gov.uk
– 0344 800 8020
- Highways issues - please give the location of the
issue and a telephone number where further
information can be obtained.
- Faulty streetlights – please give the precise location
of the light and the number on the column.
Alternatively visit the website and search for
Highways or Street Lights to report your concerns.
Swaffham Town Council
Tel: 01760 722 922
www.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Town Hall opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 10am - 4pm.
Friday: 10am - 1pm.
reception@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Mayor - Cllr. Stewart Bell
bell@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Deputy Mayor - Cllr. Paul Darby
darby@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Lindsay Beech
beech@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Wendy Bensley
bensley@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. David Braithwaite
braithwaite@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Stephanie Cooper
cooper@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr Graham Edwards
edwards@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Caroline Ellerbeck
ellerbeck@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Graham Eves
eves@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Sarah Pickard
pickard@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Leslie Scott
scott@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. Jill Skinner
skinner@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Cllr. John Zielinski
zielinski@cllr.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Officers:
Helen Carrier – Town Clerk
townclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Leanne Jarratt – Deputy Town Clerk
deputyclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Café
We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our
customers for supporting both our Downham Market
and Ely stores, your continued custom and loyalty
is greatly appreciated.
There’s a world of choice at Reeds with a fantastic range
of designs and brands from contemporary to classic with unbeatable
prices and service from a family business you can trust.
Opening Times: Mon – Sat 9am to 5pm in Downham and Ely | Sunday 10am to 4pm in Ely only
check out our website reedshomestore.co.uk
find us on facebook for the latest updates
REEDS Furniture, Flooring, Bed Centre & Homestore, Bridge Street, Downham Market PE38 9DS T: 01366 382213
REEDS Furniture, Flooring & Bed Centre, Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely CB6 3NX T: 01353 669754