Swaffham Newsletter

The National Garden Scheme
The Norfolk National Garden Scheme's
Snowdrop Festival
Banish the dark days of winter with a wonderful
visit to our Snowdrop gardens. These delightful little
white flowers are the harbingers of spring, and these
Snowdrop gardens open their gates to the public
from February and into March. There is something for
everyone, either those who simply enjoy a woodland
walk through a carpet of snowdrops, or those with an
interest in growing different varieties. Why not take
an fascinating tour and learn from the enthusiasts?
“At Lexham Hall we are expecting a good show
of snowdrops, as we have been clearing areas
of brambles. This provides a little more light and
encourages growth" said Anthea Foster, owner of
Lexham Hall which has been opening for the Scheme
for over 50 years. Year-on-year we have noticed an
increase in families visiting, as children who go free,
delight in seeing these little flowers. More people are
discovering the joy of getting out and enjoying a walk
through snowdrops, and of course there is the added
bonus of tea and cake."
Sunday 4th & 11th
February (11am-4pm)
• Lexham Hall (nr Litcham,
PE32 2QJ) Adm £6, chd free.
Light refreshments. Dogs
welcome on leads. Parkland
with lake and river walks
surround C17/18 Hall (not
open). Year-round interest
and in February enjoy a
lovely ramble through the woods and borders carpeted
with snowdrops and some winter shrubs. Walk back
through the walled-garden with its crinkle-crankle wall.
Sunday 18th February (11am-4pm)
• Bagthorpe Hall Bagthorpe, King’s Lynn, PE31 6QY.
Adm £5, chd free. Light refreshments. Dogs welcome on
leads. A delightful circular walk which meanders through
a splendid display of snowdrops naturally carpeting a
woodland floor, and then returning through a walled
garden.
Thursday 22nd & Saturday 24th February (11am-1pm
& 2pm-4pm)
• Old Hall Farmhouse Little Wood Lane, Swanton Novers,
Melton Constable, NR24 2RE. Adm £10. Pre-booking
essential, please visit www.ngs.org.uk for information
& booking. Light refreshments in aid of local church. This
garden is new to the Scheme, and you can enjoy a morning
or afternoon visit to this charming garden full of snowdrop
cultivars, hellebores and other winter-flowering plants.
The owner will welcome you and give an introduction to
collecting and growing snowdrops.
Swaffham WI
Our meeting, on Wednesday 4th
January 2024 commenced at 2.30pm
with the annual Bring and Buy which
this year covered three tables full of many different
items. It proved to be of great interest to the members
and lots of purchases were made. There were four
ladies celebrating their birthdays in January and they
received a card and a small gift each.
Our President then gave out the short list of W.I.
Resolutions to be voted on by the February meeting
at the latest. Each member has a vote for one of
the four resolutions to be recommended by Norfolk
Federation of W.I. which will then be debated at the
National Annual Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall in
June 2024. The Resolution selected will be presented
to the Government.
Boards were available before and after the meeting
to sign up for future outings and events. The Ten Pin
Bowling sessions recommence on Wednesday 17th
January 2024.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 7th February
at 2.30pm in the Community Centre which will be
the AGM. We shall all be sad that our President
Pauline Senton will be standing down after five
years of service to Swaffham W.I. We all appreciate
the dedication, time and hard work that Pauline has
given as our President and are glad that she will be
remaining as a member. A new President will be voted
in and also some new members elected to stand on
the committee.
After our business meeting on 7th February the
speaker will be our W.I. Advisor, Meg Dorling and
the subject is on “Keeping Bees.”
Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February,
so our competition for the month will be choosing
an interesting item coloured purple from entries
provided by the members.
Should you wish for any more information please
contact our President Pauline Senton on 01760
788046 or our Secretary Christiane Hewitson on
07389 813386.
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