Swaffham Newsletter
June 2024
June 2024
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SN<br />
Online<br />
June 2024<br />
Your free town newsletter published by Iceni Partnership<br />
SWAFFHAM<br />
newslet ter<br />
version available to view at www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk<br />
NEWS EVENTS INFORMATION<br />
Ewe had to be there -<br />
Town's Sheep Fayre Fun<br />
Read about the festivities in the Town Council's article on p.18<br />
REGULARS<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
WI<br />
p.3<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
& District<br />
Lions<br />
p.5<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Primary<br />
Academy<br />
p.6<br />
published by
Your monthly magazine is published by:<br />
Contact the editor:<br />
01760 722 800<br />
swaffhamnewsletter@gmail.com<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />
Iceni Partnership<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Community Centre<br />
The Campingland<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
PE37 7RB<br />
Registered in England Company Number 4257830 Charity Number 1101814 VAT Number UK800057775<br />
Comments or queries welcomed - we are a<br />
resource for all of the community to enjoy.<br />
We are always open to new contributors from<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> and surrounding villages.<br />
Deadline for editorial and advertising is the<br />
12th day of the previous month.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> is available to pick up from<br />
various locations across the town, including: Tesco,<br />
Waitrose, <strong>Swaffham</strong> Library, <strong>Swaffham</strong> Musuem<br />
and <strong>Swaffham</strong> Community Centre.<br />
Online versions of all our previous issues are available<br />
to view online: www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk<br />
Contents<br />
3 WI Groups<br />
4 Church News<br />
5 Community Hospital/Lions<br />
6 School News<br />
8 Jazz Club/Authors, Books & Cakes<br />
9 NarVOS/Youth Literary Project<br />
11 Climate Group/W.Acre Gallery<br />
12 History Group/u3a/FoSH<br />
14 Museum/Garden Club<br />
15 NGS Open Gardens<br />
17 British Legion/The Hive<br />
18 <strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council<br />
PAY MONTHLY<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> WI<br />
Our meeting, on Wednesday 1st May<br />
2024 commenced at 2.30pm with a<br />
welcome from our President Ruth Barnes and two<br />
visitors were welcomed to the afternoon and we hope<br />
that they enjoyed their time with us. Three ladies<br />
celebrate their birthday in May and received cards,<br />
gifts and the Happy Birthday song too. Following<br />
the singing of Jerusalem, President, Ruth led a short<br />
business meeting and our Secretary Christiane talked<br />
about the W.I. Resolution "Dental Health Matters”<br />
being sent through by the Norfolk W.I. to be proposed<br />
at the W.I. National Meeting at the Albert Hall, London.<br />
Our President will be arranging an informal gathering<br />
in early June for all new members to meet the<br />
Committee and find out more about the W.I.and how<br />
and why it was started.<br />
We were entertained very professionally with a quiz<br />
organised and presented by John and Jo Percival with<br />
questions on Advertising Slogans, Classical Music<br />
Connections and General Knowledge. A good time was<br />
had by all. Following on from the quiz refreshments<br />
were served and delicious cakes, made by some of the<br />
members, were on sale to<br />
raise funds for the Norfolk<br />
based “Keeping Abreast"<br />
charity. Whilst enjoying<br />
tea and cakes the monthly<br />
competition the letter “B"<br />
was judged. The winning<br />
object being decorative wooden blocks with bees on<br />
them, saying “Bee Kind, Bee Happy, Bee Thankful”.<br />
The Information Boards were on display for outings<br />
in May, which included; The Annual ACWW Walk<br />
(Associated Country Women of the World) on Monday<br />
13th May; meeting at Castle Acre Castle Car Park at<br />
10.30am; a guided visit at West Acre Gardens and<br />
plant nursery with a cuppa to follow on Wednesday<br />
22nd May.<br />
Jo is looking for book lovers to join her long running<br />
Book Club, if this is for you please contact Christiane<br />
on the number below who will be able to give more<br />
information.<br />
The next Ten Pin Bowling session will be on Wednesday<br />
15th May 2024, meeting at Theatre Street Car Park at<br />
the earlier time of 10.30 am.<br />
The competition for June will be an item of interest with<br />
the letter “C”. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday<br />
5th June at 2.30pm in the Community Centre. The<br />
speaker will be John Cushing on the Subject “Thursford<br />
Christmas Spectacular”.<br />
Should you wish for any more information please<br />
contact our President Ruth Barnes on 01760 638227 or<br />
our Secretary Christiane Hewitson on 07389 813386.<br />
Pickenham's WI<br />
We held our May WI Meeting at St<br />
Mary's Church, Houghton-on-the-<br />
Hill. We sat inside the church as the weather was<br />
too unpredictable to have our picnic outside in the<br />
church grounds. Our members were made to feel<br />
very welcome by the steward who was there to greet<br />
all visitors and to outline the fascinating history of the<br />
church. Some members of our group had not visited<br />
the church before and all enjoyed it greatly, both<br />
because of the history and the atmosphere inside the<br />
church. Our President, Carol, had prepared a quiz for<br />
us with rounds on a variety of questions relating to<br />
food and drink, such as, food measurements, drinks,<br />
seasonal foods and cakes and pastry. It was quite<br />
challenging!<br />
Also during May we have enjoyed meeting at<br />
Margaret's Cafe for coffee and cake and going for<br />
a WI walk from Holme Hale Pavilion. The walk was<br />
circular and we ended the morning with coffee at the<br />
Pavilion.<br />
Forthcoming events are as follows:<br />
• Saturday, 8th June from 2pm - Village D-Day<br />
celebrations at The Pickenhams Hub - the WI stall will<br />
have a selection of cakes and savouries using wartime<br />
recipes;<br />
• Wednesday, 19th June at 9.30am - The WI walk<br />
will start and finish at the Pickenhams Hub where<br />
morning coffee will be available (to be confirmed<br />
nearer the date);<br />
• Tuesday, 25th June at 10.30am - Coffee at the<br />
Pickenhams Hub (to be confirmed nearer the date).<br />
• A garden visit will also be arranged for June<br />
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, 11th June at 2pm<br />
at St Andrew's Church North Pickenham, when our<br />
speaker will be Ralph Jackman who will tell us 'How<br />
to be a Roman Empress' - it sounds most intriguing!<br />
The competition will be to bring in jewellery fit for<br />
an Empress. We look forward to welcoming our<br />
members, plus any visitors who wish to come along<br />
and join us.<br />
If anyone would like more information, please contact<br />
our President, Carol Richards, on 07873 744971 or<br />
our Secretary, Melanie Cousins, on 07840 814417<br />
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3
St Peter & St Paul, <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Services for June 2024<br />
Sunday 2nd June<br />
9.30am<br />
6.00pm<br />
Sunday 9th June<br />
9.30am<br />
Sunday 16th June<br />
8am<br />
9.30am<br />
Sunday 23rd June<br />
9.30am<br />
Sunday 30th June<br />
9.30am<br />
Sung Eucharist<br />
Evensong<br />
Sung Eucharist at <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Holy Communion<br />
United Benefice Sung Eucharist<br />
Sung Eucharist <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Sung Eucharist United Service<br />
Patronal Festival of St. Peter &<br />
St. Paul<br />
Mid-week service Wednesday Mornings<br />
10am Holy Communion (said BCP)<br />
Saturdays Coffee & Cake 9.30am to 12noon<br />
on Saturdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th June<br />
The Church is open daily for Private Prayer and for<br />
visitors between 9am and 4pm<br />
A Bible Study Group meets on Wednesdays 5th and<br />
19th June at 2.30pm at 15 Wroxham Avenue. New<br />
members are always most welcome.<br />
Choir Practice 7.15pm to 8.15pm Tuesday evenings<br />
New voices welcome.<br />
Bell Practice 7.30pm to 9pm Friday evenings<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Mothers’ Union<br />
Meeting Thursday 13th June. Speaker: Joy<br />
Taylor. Subject: What is Life?<br />
We offer support for each other within our<br />
group in our prayers. We are always happy<br />
to welcome new members or visitors. Contact: Julia<br />
Higbee 01760 720041<br />
Church Lunch<br />
Thursday 6th June 12noon – 2pm. £10 - tickets from<br />
Sheila (01760 722224) or Dorothy (01760 722960)<br />
Parish Church Stewarding<br />
The church is usually open during the day (see above)<br />
for visitors and those wishing for solitude or personal<br />
and silent prayer. The Parochial Church Council (PCC)<br />
tries to ensure that there is at least one steward<br />
(preferably two) at all times to welcome visitors. The<br />
stewards (church-sitters) are usually members of the<br />
congregation, but the PCC would like to encourage<br />
anyone else, who would like to assist in this way, to<br />
volunteer the occasional hour or so. This would be<br />
much appreciated and if you wish to be involved in this<br />
way please contact: Mrs Sheila Fowler 01760 722224<br />
swaffhamchurch@gmail.com or 01760 725051<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Baptist Church<br />
38 Station Street, <strong>Swaffham</strong>, Norfolk PE37 7HP<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Baptist Church is a caring and friendly<br />
congregation. As a united church body, we<br />
seek to explore and deepen our Christian<br />
life together by serving God in the local<br />
community. If you are interested in<br />
finding out more about the Christian faith<br />
or if you are a Christian looking for a loving and friendly<br />
fellowship, then you will find a warm welcome at any<br />
of our services or activities.<br />
*A warm welcome is extended to all*<br />
SUNDAYS<br />
• 10:00 - 10:30 – Weekly prayer time in the church<br />
hall prior to regular worship service.<br />
• 10:45 – Weekly Morning Worship Service, followed<br />
by fellowship with Tea/Coffee/biscuits served in the<br />
hall.<br />
MONDAYS<br />
• 10:00 – 12:30- Foodbank Distribution Centre Open<br />
WEDNESDAY<br />
• 19:00 – 20:30 – The 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the<br />
month- Bible study in the church office.<br />
www.swaffhambaptistchurch.org.uk<br />
t: 01760 725684<br />
e: swaffhambc2020@outlook.com<br />
The Oasis Centre<br />
A church in the heart of the community<br />
Sundays weekly<br />
• 10am: Praise & Prayer<br />
• 10.30am: Tea & Coffee<br />
• 11am: Worship, Teaching and Communion<br />
Wednesdays weekly<br />
• 10am Worship & Prayer<br />
The Oasis Centre, Cley Road, <strong>Swaffham</strong> PE37 7NP T: 01760 723175<br />
@oasiscentreswaffham<br />
Fountain Of Life Church, <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
folchurch.co.uk<br />
Find us on Instagram & Facebook:<br />
folchurchswaffham<br />
We are a new, friendly congregation<br />
with modern, charismatic style worship.<br />
We are linked to Fountain of Life Church in Ashill.<br />
You are very welcome Sunday mornings in <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Community Centre, Campingland. 9:30am for tea,<br />
coffee and chat, service starts at 10am.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Methodist Church<br />
• Sat 1st June 9.30am-12noon. Church Coffee<br />
Morning & ‘Anything and Everything’ fundraising<br />
stall. Homemade cakes, coffee/tea etc.<br />
• Sunday 2nd June 10.45am Morning Worship which<br />
will be a Parade Service with the Brownies and Guides<br />
and including five baptisms. Led by Rev Jacqui.<br />
• Tues 4th June 10am-12noon. The Meeting Place<br />
Drop In. Everyone welcome. Free refreshments and a<br />
warm welcome awaits you.<br />
• Sun 9th June 10.45am. Morning Worship led by<br />
Aileen Fox. Refreshments afterwards.<br />
• Tues 11th June 10am-12noon. The Meeting Place<br />
Drop In. Join us for a good chat in a safe environment.<br />
• Sat 15th June 10am-12noon. Coffee Morning run<br />
by the Guides and Brownies.<br />
• Sun 16th June 10.45am. Morning Worship led by<br />
John Hull. Refreshments afterwards.<br />
• Tues 18th June 10am-12noon. The Meeting Place<br />
Drop In. Free refreshments. Good company.<br />
• Fri 21st June 9.30am. Power of Prayer. Contact<br />
01760722611 for venue.<br />
• Sun 23rd June 10.45am. Morning Worship led by<br />
the Worship Leaders. Refreshments afterwards.<br />
• Tues 25th June 10am-12noon. The Meeting Place<br />
Drop In. Very popular for dropping in to have a chat<br />
over a coffee.<br />
• Fri 28th June 9.30am. The Power of Prayer. Phone<br />
01760722611 for venue.<br />
• Sun 30th June Big Sunday when all the churches in<br />
the circuit use the same material for the service. Rev<br />
Jacqui leads. Refreshments afterwards.<br />
Community Hospital LOF's<br />
Now into early June and everyone at the Hospital is<br />
making the most of the better weather. At this time<br />
of the year the garden is at its best and provides a<br />
relaxing space for patients and staff.<br />
A date for your diary is Sunday 14th July when we will<br />
be holding a special "garden party" in the afternoon.<br />
Tea/cakes plus music and stalls will be on offer. The<br />
general public as well as patients, visitors and staff<br />
will all be welcome and hopefully we will be blessed<br />
with good weather. Please let others know who<br />
might come and support us. Any money raised will<br />
be reinvested into the upkeep of the gardens.<br />
Another important date is 2pm on Monday 10th June.<br />
This is when we will hold the Annual General Meeting<br />
for the Charity. This includes the formal adoption of<br />
the Accounts for the year ended 31.12.23. Anyone<br />
is welcome to attend. Papers will be available at the<br />
meeting but if you would like to receive them in<br />
advance, do please contact me on the number below.<br />
Colin Houghton (Chairman)<br />
07767 262108<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> & District Lions Club<br />
Another Branch Club Pudding Quiz<br />
Coming Up!<br />
Monday 3rd June, 7.30pm at the Catholic<br />
Church room. This time it’s entitled a “Baby<br />
Boomers Quiz.” Cost £7 per person including plenty<br />
of yummy puddings served at the interval! Please<br />
call the Lioness Branch Club to book your team<br />
on 01760 723377. The Charity we are supporting<br />
this time is “Baby Basics”, which provides help and<br />
support for young mums with newborn babies. We<br />
have purchased a baby bath and on the evening<br />
we hope to fill it with baby items – nappies, baby<br />
toiletries, clothes, etc. any donations will be<br />
gratefully received.<br />
In May the Lions Club and Branch Club welcomed<br />
visiting Lions Patrick and Mary from Te Kauwhata<br />
Lions Club, New Zealand, by hosting a buffet at the<br />
George Hotel in their honour. The evening was<br />
enjoyed by all, and bannerettes from the Clubs were<br />
exchanged. They are touring round the country,<br />
including having paid a local visit to Narborough<br />
where one of Mary’s ancestors once owned<br />
Narborough Hall.<br />
For more information email the Lions on<br />
swaffhamlions@gmail.com<br />
4<br />
5
6<br />
TNHA News<br />
We are always absolutely delighted<br />
to take part in community events and<br />
we are very proud to have been able to be part of<br />
the <strong>Swaffham</strong> Heritage Project recently. Students<br />
researched the town in bygone days as well as using<br />
their imagination as to what the future may hold.<br />
Their ideas ranged from a new monument, an ecofriendlier<br />
town with plenty of green space to forms of<br />
space age transportation.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Primary Academy<br />
EYFS and KS1 children from <strong>Swaffham</strong> Primary<br />
Academy had an exciting visit from PC Johnson<br />
recently. The children found out all about the<br />
important jobs the police do and were taught about<br />
road safety including the 'stop, look, listen' phrase.<br />
The children tried on different types of Police hats<br />
and were able to ask questions. Questions included<br />
how PC Johnson became a Police Officer, what the<br />
best part of his job was and what the different parts<br />
of his uniform were for.<br />
They also thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the local<br />
Westfields Care Home as part of their investigations<br />
and chatted with residents to discover their memories<br />
of the late Queen. Their work was on show at the<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Museum.<br />
You may recall another project our younger students<br />
undertook as part of the Youth Literary Project, where<br />
they produced some truly excellent assignments after<br />
a workshop with guest author Belona Greenwood.<br />
This was displayed by various participating businesses<br />
in the town with a Prize Giving at the Assembly<br />
Rooms, judged by local author Polly Crosby.<br />
Still in creative mode, our keen English students took<br />
part in a poetry recital where they had to learn and<br />
recite two poems (one pre 1914 and one written post<br />
1914) at the academy competition which was no<br />
mean feat. Their work was filmed and entered into<br />
the National Competition run by Poetry at Heart. The<br />
finalists from each region will be announced shortly.<br />
Lastly, a huge thanks to everyone who attended our<br />
Student Led Prize Bingo Evening. The hall was packed<br />
with guests with ‘dabbers at the ready’. The evening<br />
raised well over £700 towards the Year 11 prom<br />
taking place on 4th July this year, at the Knights Hill<br />
Hotel, in Kings Lynn.<br />
Mrs Laura McWilliam, EYFS KS1 Lead, said "The<br />
children had a great time and we are so happy<br />
Norfolk Police could help us provide hands-on real life<br />
learning experiences for our children. They absolutely<br />
loved it and were so happy to have the chance to sit<br />
in the back of the Police car. They have even produced<br />
some brilliant writing about the visit. We are very<br />
proud of our relevant, broad and balanced curriculum<br />
in school. Last term we had the fire engine visit too<br />
which again, the children loved! If you feel you have a<br />
talent or skill to share or can bring in anything exciting<br />
to support the children in their learning, do contact<br />
the school office as we would love to hear from you."<br />
Call us today 01760 724424<br />
www.hayesandstorr.co.uk<br />
HAYES + STORR SOLICITORS<br />
SWAFFHAM LEGAL SERVICES<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> | Fakenham | King’s Lynn | Holt | Sheringham<br />
PAID TILL JUNE 24<br />
Your legal matters in safe hands<br />
• Property Sales and Purchases<br />
• Children and Family Law<br />
• Wills and Probate<br />
• Lasting Powers of Attorney<br />
• Employment Law<br />
• Business and Company Law<br />
• Agricultural Law<br />
• Commercial Property<br />
1 Beacon House, Turbine Way PE37 7XJ • Free on-site parking with disabled access
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Jazz Club<br />
I am writing this before<br />
our May session<br />
otherwise it would be<br />
too late to appear in<br />
the June edition. To<br />
meet the deadline I<br />
took the opportunity<br />
to interview Ivan<br />
Garford who played<br />
piano at our April<br />
session.<br />
I have enjoyed Ivan’s<br />
piano and bass playing<br />
for a long time now, in<br />
a variety of venues ranging from a wedding reception in<br />
a farm yard to a classical concert in a concert hall.<br />
Ivan was born and brought up in a farming family near<br />
Wisbech. They did not have a piano in their house.<br />
However when he was taken to his mother’s uncle’s<br />
house where there was a piano, from the age of six<br />
he would sit down and pick out tunes he heard on the<br />
radio and television. His uncle was so impressed that he<br />
gave Ivan the piano for nothing (though he kept the two<br />
brass candle holders from the front of the instrument!).<br />
At school, aged eight, Ivan started to learn the cello<br />
which he played in the orchestra on Saturday mornings<br />
at the March Music Centre. He switched to the double<br />
bass when he was seventeen and played in the<br />
university orchestra where he studied for his Degree in<br />
Music. It was at Uni that he started playing jazz piano<br />
in a local band and he was soon being asked to play in<br />
other bands as well. Since leaving Uni Ivan has made his<br />
living as a full-time musician, teaching and playing the<br />
piano and not just classical and jazz but also rock and<br />
soul music … etc.<br />
He also composes original pieces, one of which — a<br />
duet for piano and vibraphone — he played at the start<br />
of the second half of our April session.<br />
At the end of our chat he casually remarked that he was<br />
currently practising Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances<br />
for a piano duet — you have to be a virtuoso to play<br />
anything written by Rachmaninov! As well as being<br />
a multi-talented musician, he takes a great interest in<br />
photography.<br />
We look forward to Ivan’s next visit to the Club in<br />
September.<br />
Next up:<br />
•Tuesday 11th June at 7.30pm – Equinox Jazz Quintet<br />
Terry Loane, piano: Danny Silverstone, sax: Greg<br />
Loops, bass: James Lewis, drums: Chris Lee, Trumpet.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Conservative Club. 23 London Street, PE37<br />
7DD. £10 cash on the door. Norman 01760 722384 or<br />
Geoff 01366 328730.<br />
Authors Books & Cakes<br />
The afternoon teas with authors to raise funds for The<br />
Norfolk Hospice has grown in popularity and the last<br />
two events have sold out.<br />
Future events to look forward to:<br />
• An unexpected bonus, Will Dean, popular crime<br />
writer, will be in the UK from Sweden where he now<br />
lives with his wife and their four year old, to launch his<br />
latest novel. Will Dean's books, you might already know<br />
include Dark Pines, Red Snow and The Last Passenger.<br />
Will Dean will be at <strong>Swaffham</strong> Community Centre on<br />
8th June at 3pm. Doors open at 2.15pm. (Please note<br />
venue for the event). Tickets £10 and to include a hot<br />
drink and a piece of cake.<br />
Crime writer Will Dean<br />
Assembly Room Events<br />
• Sunday 9th June C. L. Taylor, the eight times Sunday<br />
Times bestselling author will be in conversation with<br />
Elizabeth Haynes. Cost of ticket £20, includes a full<br />
afternoon tea.<br />
• Sunday 8th September. Opportunity to meet<br />
novelist Susan Lewis. A British author living in the<br />
west of England who has written 50 novels as well as<br />
an autobiographical memoir. Kate Sawyer, best selling<br />
author of This Family will host the event. Cost of ticket<br />
£20, includes a full afternoon tea.<br />
• Sunday 6th October. Day with East Anglian Authors.<br />
Hosted by Sarah Perry , who wrote The Essex Serpent.<br />
- 11am - Sarah Perry in conversation with writers<br />
Stephen Buro and D.J Taylor.<br />
- 12.30pm - Polly Crosby, author of Vita and the<br />
Birds will be talking to Leanne Fridd from Book Bugs<br />
and Dragon Tales about writing for adults and now<br />
teenagers.<br />
- 2.30pm - Panel discussion with authors Karen<br />
Angelico, Rachel Hore and Kate Sawyer, chaired by<br />
Sarah Perry.<br />
Refreshment will be available all day to purchase. Cost<br />
of tickets £15<br />
• Sunday 3rd November, By popular demand Alison<br />
Weir and Melita Thomas will be back in <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
talking about their writing and love for all things Tudor.<br />
NarVOS<br />
Indoor meeting at The Assembly<br />
Rooms, 1 Market Place, <strong>Swaffham</strong> PE37<br />
7AB Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 7.30pm<br />
Birds of NarVOS Presented by Paul Fuller<br />
Paul Fuller, a lifelong birder and current chairman of<br />
NarVOS, will host our June meeting. This will take on<br />
a slightly different format to our usual annual midyear<br />
members event. It will incorporate a two-part<br />
presentation covering an overview of bird recording<br />
within the Nar Valley area followed by a gallery of<br />
images from NarVOS contributors allowing us to<br />
showcase members photographs and present some of<br />
the variety of the many species recorded by the society.<br />
Please come along. Visitors welcome. Admission £4 on<br />
the night, free to NarVOS members.<br />
For more information contact Paul Fuller or Alan<br />
Schpot via paul.fuller123@btinternet.com or<br />
alan.schpot@talktalk.net or go to www.narvos.org.uk<br />
West Acre Carpet Bowls Club<br />
The Carpet Bowls Club are currently looking for new<br />
members to come and join the club. It’s a very friendly<br />
and fun organisation where you can socialise whilst<br />
playing a game and meet members from other clubs.<br />
We meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from<br />
2-4pm in the village hall. Everybody is welcome, no<br />
matter their age or ability. The first afternoon is free,<br />
then it's £2.50 per session, with a subscription fee of<br />
£5 for the year. Refreshments are provided.<br />
If you want to you can enter some league competitions,<br />
but not everyone wants to do this, which is fine. We<br />
have recently had some very good wins and our<br />
trophy shelf is filling up.<br />
Players L-R: Sheila Elliot, Mick Turpin, (myself, Belinda Bush) & Ron Blyth<br />
No equipment is needed as we provide it. You just<br />
need to wear comfortable flat shoes.<br />
So if you would like to come and join us, or would<br />
like to know more, then you can either contact our<br />
Chairman Andy Cameron on 01553 844346/07483<br />
885310, or myself Belinda Bush on 01760 755184 or<br />
my email Belinda_Bush@hotmail.com.<br />
8 9<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong>’s Youth Literary Project<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> shops hosted more than their normal<br />
products and special offers during the last week of<br />
April. Stories written by children at <strong>Swaffham</strong> Primary<br />
School and Year 8 at Nicholas Hamond Academy formed<br />
a story trail throughout the town, part of a celebration<br />
of the children’s exciting, imaginative, responses to<br />
the theme of harvest. A theme chosen to reflect the<br />
town’s agricultural connections, as well as the presence<br />
of Ceres, Roman Goddess of farming, who stands in all<br />
weathers on top of the Buttercross.<br />
The project was a team effort by Lynette Brinsdon and<br />
Sarah Woodworth supported by Iceni Partnership,<br />
Historic England and <strong>Swaffham</strong>’s Cultural Consortium.<br />
Lynette, along with Jo Marchant, is organiser of<br />
'Authors, Books and Cakes' which invites leading literary<br />
figures to the town for coffee, cake and conversation.<br />
Over the years this has raised a significant amount of<br />
money for local charities and Lynette felt it was time<br />
to do something for the children and young people of<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong>.<br />
Local writer, scriptwriter and creative facilitator Belona<br />
Greenwood spent a week in residence at each school<br />
to encourage and inspire the children to write. All the<br />
stories were entered into a competition and the winners<br />
received their book token prizes by lead judge novelist<br />
Polly Crosby, whose debut young adult book This Tale is<br />
Forbidden is on sale now.<br />
The celebration day held in<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong>’s Assembly Room on<br />
Saturday 27th April featured<br />
much of the children’s work<br />
on show, alongside a display<br />
in the library and the trail.<br />
Local children’s book writer<br />
Costas Andreou whose series of books About The Nose<br />
Family were on sale with plenty of activities for younger<br />
children, as well as books on sale from Book Bugs and<br />
Dragon Tales and a Q&A session with Polly Crosby talking<br />
about writing for teenagers. There was also storytelling<br />
from Tilly the Talespinner, plus there was plenty of tea<br />
and homemade cake on offer.<br />
Although the day started quietly during a morning of<br />
heavy rain, the rooms quickly filled up in the afternoon.<br />
The story trail was a great success, as parents and children<br />
with maps sought to find their stories. The shops taking<br />
part reported that they noticed people peering through<br />
their windows, with excited children looking for their<br />
work. Even those without a connection to the project,<br />
spent their lunchtimes reading the children’s work.<br />
A huge thanks is due to all those who supported the<br />
project, the schools and all the children who took part.<br />
We hope 2024’s event will be the first of many, making<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> a truly creative and cultural hub.<br />
Belona Greenwood
<strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Branch<br />
01760<br />
725801<br />
http://www.family-action.org.uk<br />
familyactionswaffham<br />
building better families<br />
THE SOLICITORS THAT CARE<br />
Expert legal help and advice from<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong>’s most recommended solicitors<br />
star-hal<br />
Talk face to face with your local lawyers, at our<br />
London Street office, who are here to help by<br />
giving you clear and practical legal advice.<br />
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View <strong>Swaffham</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> Online<br />
www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk<br />
PAY MONTHLY<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Climate &<br />
Environment Group<br />
At our April meeting Rod Goddard was<br />
voted in as our new Chair, taking over<br />
from David Jones. Many thanks to David for his<br />
leadership over the last three years. We discussed<br />
tips on reducing our water use and this is particularly<br />
important in East Anglia and South East where the<br />
aquifer which supplies much of our drinking water<br />
is becoming depleted. Reducing the frequency of<br />
bathing and showering and the time or amount of<br />
water used are key ways that households can make a<br />
useful impact. Low water cisterns, use of a bowl for<br />
washing fruit and vegetables, and turning off the<br />
tap while cleaning your teeth will all help to reduce<br />
domestic consumption.<br />
We were sad to hear that key members Janet and<br />
Colin Abbiss are leaving <strong>Swaffham</strong> to start a new<br />
chapter in their lives in Denbigh, Wales - an exciting<br />
move for them. Back in 2019 they organised meetings<br />
at the Methodist Church on the climate crisis and<br />
this led to the formation of our group, chaired by<br />
Colin throughout Covid. We have enjoyed many<br />
thorough and detailed updates on climate science<br />
from him as well as talks on air engines and biochar<br />
and only last month a joint presentation on climate<br />
friendly cooking. We have all benefitted from their<br />
experience which included very close involvement<br />
in the Green Britain<br />
Centre. They will<br />
be sorely missed<br />
and we would like<br />
to thank them<br />
wholeheartedly for<br />
their enthusiasm<br />
and positivity, and<br />
wish them all the very best for the future.<br />
Our group meets monthly, usually on the second<br />
Thursday of each month at 10am in the Methodist<br />
Church and we alternate between a talk or visit and<br />
business meetings. The next business meeting will<br />
be on the third Thursday 20th June at the regular<br />
time and venue. It is best to check on meeting times<br />
as they can vary. Anyone is most welcome to join<br />
us at individual meetings or on a regular basis and<br />
if you are not able to attend meetings at present<br />
you are still welcome to join our mailing list so that<br />
you can be kept informed. If you have ideas about a<br />
relevant talk or visit which you would find interesting,<br />
we are very open to suggestions. To find out more<br />
please get in touch with the Chair, Rod Goddard,<br />
on 07873 792862 or rodgoddard@hotmail.com<br />
or Secretary, Cathy Mumford on 07799 642271 or<br />
cathyjmumford@gmail.com.<br />
West Acre Gallery<br />
Norfolk Artist Scores a Hat Trick at West Acre Gallery<br />
A Norfolk-based artist is gearing up for her third<br />
exhibition of paintings at the West Acre Gallery near<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong>, the first artist to have accomplished this<br />
triple achievement.<br />
The one-woman exhibition, by Susan Vaughan<br />
Williams, runs from Saturday 15th June to Saturday<br />
22nd June inclusive, daily from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.<br />
Entitled ‘Fractured Force – paintings to feed and fire<br />
curiosity’, her work seeks to represent the fractured<br />
world we live in.<br />
As Susan describes it: "The injustices and madness of<br />
the world drive me to paint as a way of understanding<br />
and framing perspective and, in the process, hopefully<br />
to furnish positivity. Using my fingers to apply and<br />
manipulate paint is a great way of turning frustration<br />
into colourful hope!"<br />
Susan, who lives in Great Bircham, studied at St<br />
Martin’s School of Art in London and followed this<br />
with a visual merchandising course. This led her to<br />
several years as Display and Exhibition Designer with<br />
the Christian Dior fashion house.<br />
As a full time painter for the last decade, Susan<br />
says: "My art neither conforms nor preaches. It is<br />
unshackled and intense, bold and colourful. With<br />
oil paint as my preferred medium, I create strong<br />
pieces that have complexity and depth or a powerful<br />
simplicity, revealing themselves not all at once, but<br />
over time. My work comes from an inner space<br />
of concerns, thought and imagination, but often<br />
includes elements of the natural, human or industrial<br />
landscape, absorbed through sensory experiences<br />
rather than observational studies."<br />
Admission is free. To see Susan’s colourful and<br />
exciting work, and enjoy a few light refreshments<br />
on the opening day, come along to the West Acre<br />
Gallery, Abbey Farm, River Road, West Acre, Norfolk<br />
PE32 1UA.<br />
And for a sneak preview of her individual style, visit:<br />
www.susanvaughanwilliams.co.uk.<br />
11
The <strong>Swaffham</strong> History Group<br />
The <strong>Swaffham</strong> History Group, normally meets<br />
through the year on the second Monday of<br />
the month at 2pm (no meeting in January). Anyone<br />
can join and there is no subscription except an annual<br />
registration fee of £1 (this so that our Group Secretary,<br />
Gerry, can keep the register of members up-to-date).<br />
Our Chairperson, Monika Reiger Kidd, attended the<br />
Annual Town Assembly on Wednesday, 8th May,<br />
and gave a verbal report to the assembled Town<br />
Councillors and residents about the past eventful year<br />
for The <strong>Swaffham</strong> History Group. Monika recounted<br />
in particular the participation in the ‘Mapping the<br />
Market Place’ event for the HAZ project ‘Under the Eye<br />
of the Buttercross’ for which TSHG were asked by the<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Cultural Consortium to undertake detailed<br />
research about the buildings, businesses and people<br />
over the last two or three centuries.<br />
TSHG has now produced four books based on this<br />
research which are available from the <strong>Swaffham</strong> Shop<br />
in the museum. Three of the books relate respectively<br />
to the west, north and east sides of Market Place,<br />
and the fourth relates to the Shambles. In particular,<br />
Monika noted the work of Sue Gattuso and Barry<br />
Ellis in pulling all the information together, and Peter<br />
Coombes, who designed and printed the books.<br />
Monika also thanked TSHG Secretary, Gerry Brown,<br />
for keeping the group register up-to-date, meetings<br />
notifications, sending out the minutes, and organising<br />
refreshments for our meetings throughout the year.<br />
You can find out more about us online in the <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Heritage website at https://www.swaffhammuseum.<br />
co.uk/history/swaffham-history-group or just drop<br />
in at our next meeting. Alternatively, please email<br />
theswaffhamhistorygroup@gmail.com for further<br />
information.<br />
Wissey u3a<br />
At our AGM on Thursday 2nd May we elected the<br />
Committee for the coming year, as follows:<br />
• Chairman – David Moncaster<br />
• Vice-Chair – Pam Rutty<br />
• Secretary – Laurene Henderson<br />
• Treasurer – David Henderson<br />
• Committee Members – Jan Hayes-Griffin, Ann Barber,<br />
Jane Hammans and Pat Weir.<br />
Our next monthly meeting will be on Thursday 6th<br />
June when David Jones will give a presentation on<br />
‘Climate Change’.<br />
We are always keen to recruit new members from all<br />
age groups and backgrounds. The only constraint is<br />
that you should not be in full-time employment.<br />
Further details are available on our website www.<br />
wisseyu3a.org or email our Chairman, at d.moncaster@<br />
btinternet.com or ring him on 01760 724755.<br />
Friends of <strong>Swaffham</strong> Heritage<br />
Our day trip to the Spalding Flower Festival went<br />
ahead on Sunday 12th May and we were lucky with<br />
some very nice weather. The day was enjoyed by all.<br />
Our other proposed trips this year are:<br />
• Felixstowe Museum & Landguard Fort, Thursday<br />
11th July<br />
• Bressingham Gardens & Steam Museum, Thursday<br />
12th September<br />
If you would like to go on either of these trips, please<br />
contact Stuart (contact details below).<br />
100 Club<br />
Winners for May 2024 were:<br />
• £40 – no 2387<br />
• £20 – no 2321<br />
• £10 – no 2322<br />
Special Prize £100 – no 23?? - next month!<br />
Previously we were able to offer our 100 Club Draw<br />
numbers only to Friends of <strong>Swaffham</strong> Heritage, but<br />
we are now pleased to be able to offer them to<br />
non-members as well. The annual cost per number<br />
(October through to September) is £20 and new<br />
numbers are issued at the start of the draw year<br />
in October. You can still apply in June for the July,<br />
August and September draws for £5 a number if<br />
there are any available (ask Stuart).<br />
The draw is made every month with prizes of £40,<br />
£20 and £10, plus a special £100 prize twice a<br />
year, in June and December. This is a good way of<br />
supporting our fundraising that helps the <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Heritage and Museum, while having a chance of<br />
winning a money prize.<br />
For the 100 Club and for trips contact the Membership<br />
Secretary, Stuart Clapton, by email stuartclapton@<br />
aol.com<br />
For further information about the Friends of <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Heritage see our webpage, on the <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Heritage website https://www.swaffhammuseum.<br />
co.uk/support-us#friends-of-swaffham-heritage,<br />
or email to friends@swaffhammuseum.co.uk, or call<br />
in to the Museum.<br />
Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board<br />
Major boost for mental health services in Norfolk &<br />
Waveney with announcement of new NHS Talking<br />
Therapies service<br />
People in Norfolk and Waveney experiencing anxiety<br />
and depression are to benefit from an enhanced new<br />
NHS Talking Therapies service providing tailored care<br />
and support as close to their home or place of work as<br />
possible. The new service, which has been shaped by<br />
service users, families, carers and clinicians together,<br />
will see support offered from more than double<br />
the existing locations across Norfolk and Waveney,<br />
bringing personalised care and support closer to those<br />
who need it.<br />
The new multi-partnership approach brings together<br />
voluntary, community, social enterprise and statutory<br />
(VCSE) organisations and will ensure people in Norfolk<br />
and Waveney can get quick and easy access to talking<br />
therapies services, enabling them to live their lives<br />
with improved mental health.<br />
The contract award for NHS Talking Therapies, known<br />
locally as Wellbeing Services has been announced<br />
today by NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care<br />
Board (ICB). The new contract will start on 1 September<br />
2024 and will be in place for a minimum of five years.<br />
NHS Talking Therapies are effective, confidential and<br />
free treatments delivered by trained clinicians, online,<br />
on the phone or in person. A range of therapies are<br />
offered depending on people’s symptoms, from<br />
guided self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT),<br />
counselling for depression, to interpersonal therapy<br />
(IPT) and mindfulness based cognitive therapy.<br />
Patients will be able to continue to self-refer into the<br />
new service or ask their GP to refer them. The services<br />
are available to anyone aged 16 or above and living in<br />
Norfolk and Waveney.<br />
The new service will result in a number of additional<br />
sites where NHS Talking Therapies will be delivered<br />
from, across Norfolk and Waveney. Mobile access<br />
will also be developed, taking services out into<br />
local communities, making treatment and support<br />
as accessible and as convenient as possible and<br />
improving patient experience and outcomes.<br />
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive Officer, NHS Norfolk<br />
and Waveney ICB, said:<br />
“This innovative new multi-partnership approach will<br />
provide the improvements that local people have asked<br />
for, resulting in an expanded and improved access to<br />
tailored treatment and support for people who would<br />
benefit from talking therapies. This is a really positive<br />
step forward in our ambition to improve outcomes<br />
and experiences for local service users, families and<br />
carers across Norfolk and Waveney, and will make<br />
seeking help as convenient, quick and straight-forward<br />
as possible."<br />
Are you aged 65+ and live in <strong>Swaffham</strong>?<br />
NHS Norfolk and Waveney, the Borough Council<br />
of King’s Lynn and Breckland Council are delivering<br />
a project to help people keep active, safe and<br />
independent in their own home.<br />
We can offer the following services for FREE<br />
• Handyperson service – Following a home<br />
assessment, we can fit low level prevention measures<br />
to help keep you safe in your home, for example hand<br />
rails, half steps, stair rails, key safes etc. All minor<br />
adaptations are free of charge.<br />
• Exercise classes suitable for your ability to help you<br />
stay mobile and active. These can be provided in a<br />
community setting or on a one-to-one basis in your<br />
home by a personal trainer.<br />
To register for these services, please contact Breckland<br />
Council by email communitysupport@breckland.gov.<br />
uk or telephone 01362 656870 and request a Welfare<br />
Officer. Please note this service is only available for<br />
residents of <strong>Swaffham</strong> and the following villages:<br />
Beachamwell, Beeston, Beetley, Croxton, Cockley<br />
Cley, Foulden, Gt and Lt Dunham, Great Cressingham,<br />
Litcham, Lexham, Lynford, Mileham, Mundford,<br />
Narborough, Oxborough, Rougham, Sporle,<br />
Stanford, South Pickenham, South Acre, Tottingham,<br />
Wellingham, Weeting, Weasenham and Whissonsett.<br />
This project is currently funded until September 2024<br />
and is subject to availability.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Walking Group<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Walking Group is a small friendly group<br />
of keen walkers who enjoy the countryside and<br />
cake. Meeting every Wednesday at 9.30am and<br />
every Sunday at 10am in various locations around<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> and the surrounding villages to enjoy a<br />
walk from around 3 to 6.5 miles. Afterwards enjoying<br />
Tea, Coffee & Cakes/biscuits. For more information<br />
and details on the next walk, please contact Graham<br />
Lathwell on 07486 901 948.<br />
12<br />
13
MUSEUM<br />
MATTERS<br />
www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk<br />
New! Live To Explore On Computer, Phone Or Tablet<br />
Explore the history of the Marketplace buildings and<br />
the people and businesses who occupied them.<br />
Funded by Historic England this concludes the 2022-<br />
2024 grant for events on and around the Market<br />
Place. The research was by The <strong>Swaffham</strong> History<br />
Group and <strong>Swaffham</strong> Museum Archives’ team. But it<br />
is not the end. The intention is to develop the site to<br />
include more areas of the town and further slices of<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> history.<br />
Now It’s Your Turn!<br />
We know that there will be errors and parts that are<br />
not complete. In some cases it is already out of date<br />
as businesses close and new ones take their place.<br />
Please help us by using the 'Get in Touch' page to fill<br />
us in so that we can alter and expand the website.<br />
Ashill, Hale & District Garden Club<br />
Website: ashillgardeningclub.wordpress.com/<br />
Email: ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com<br />
House Plants and Succulents<br />
Our April meeting focused on the ever popular topic<br />
of houseplants with the added bonus that our speaker,<br />
David Riches, was also an expert on succulents. A<br />
recipient of the Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society<br />
President’s medal, David has over 40 years of experience<br />
in growing houseplants and succulents and shared his<br />
knowledge with over 70 members in attendance.<br />
David started his talk with a few do’s and don’ts in<br />
growing and caring for houseplants. In particular do<br />
use bottom heat on cuttings when first getting them<br />
started. Don’t use rainwater on young cuttings due to<br />
presence of pathogens, although once they are well<br />
rooted rainwater is fine. Don’t move Christmas Cactus to<br />
different locations as they will drop their leaves. Do feed<br />
your pot plants with a liquid fertiliser such as miracle<br />
grow with a few drops of seaweed solution. David<br />
then went on to talk about specific houseplants, such<br />
as Begonias, Orchids, Chrysanthemums and African<br />
Violets. A particular tip David provided with respect to<br />
Orchids was that they prefer rainwater and to be fed<br />
with water in which a banana skin has been soaked.<br />
David spent some time talking about propagation of<br />
houseplants. In particular he noted that many plants<br />
can be propagated from a cut leaf. This includes African<br />
Violets and Streptocarpus.<br />
The meeting finished with a lively Q & A in which<br />
members quizzed David about their own houseplants<br />
and there was good business for the plants for sale.<br />
Upcoming Meetings & Events<br />
The May monthly meeting will be on Thursday May 23rd<br />
when the ever popular Bob Coutts will give a practical<br />
demonstration of pruning through the seasons. The<br />
club's main event of the year the Annual Flower Show is<br />
on Sunday June 30th and is open to the general public<br />
from 2- 4.30pm where in addition to viewing the 200+<br />
entries, there will be refreshments, a plant sale and<br />
tombola. Entry is free and all are welcome.<br />
All events are held at Holme Hale Pavilion and start at<br />
2.30pm. New members from anywhere in the district<br />
are always welcome, so come along.<br />
Surprise Town Centre Garden Open<br />
Sunday June 16th 10am-12pm and 2pm- 6pm at The<br />
Malthouse, 39 London Street, PE37 7DD. No charge,<br />
but any donations welcome for Merle Body Centre.<br />
The National Garden Scheme<br />
June Is The Most Joyful Time To Visit Gardens<br />
Open For The National Garden Scheme<br />
There are so many beautiful gardens to visit this month<br />
and what a diverse collection. Twenty private gardens,<br />
from cottages, farmhouses to historic halls. Take morning<br />
coffee in the inspirational hospice garden with its great<br />
access for wheelchairs or enjoy a fascinating evening<br />
guided tour in a walled garden restored by a community.<br />
Sunday 2nd June<br />
• The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, Wheatfields,<br />
Hillington, Kings Lynn, PE31 6BH. 9–1. Adm £4.50, chd<br />
free. Light refreshments. Dogs allowed. Plants for sale.<br />
Excellent wheelchair access.<br />
2 acres planted in 2016 and created by volunteers to<br />
provide a peaceful and friendly space for residents, staff<br />
and visitors. Includes a variety of cottage garden plants,<br />
perennials, shrubs and trees with a wildlife pond and a<br />
vegetable patch.<br />
Sunday 9th June<br />
• Elsing Hall, Hall Road, Elsing, Nr Dereham, NR20<br />
3DX. 10-4. Adm £8, chd free. Home-made teas. Picnics<br />
allowed in car park, C15 fortified and moated manor<br />
house (not open).<br />
10-acre garden and park with significant collection<br />
of old roses, walled garden, formal garden, terraced<br />
garden, ginkgo avenue, & viewing mound, moongate<br />
and interesting pinetum.<br />
• High House Gardens, Blackmoor Row, Shipdham IP25<br />
7PU. 12-5. Adm £6, chd free. Home-made teas. Plants<br />
for sale. Partial wheelchair access.<br />
3-acre, well-developed plantsman's garden maintained<br />
by the current owners. Colour-themed herbaceous<br />
borders with an extensive range of perennials, boxedged<br />
rose and shrub borders, large vegetable garden.<br />
Woodland garden, pond and bog area, orchard and<br />
small arboretum.<br />
Sunday 23rd June<br />
• Broadway Farm, The Broadway, Scarning, Dereham,<br />
NR19 2LQ. 11-5. Adm £5, chd free. Home-made teas.<br />
Visits also by arrangement. Dogs allowed.<br />
Half acre cottage garden surrounding C14 clapboard<br />
farmhouse. A plantswoman’s garden with colourful<br />
herbaceous borders containing a wide range of perennial<br />
and woody plants. A well planted wildlife pond.<br />
Before visiting a garden, we advise checking the website<br />
for any up-to-date information: ngs.org.uk<br />
14<br />
15
Manor Farm PPG<br />
June has arrived and hopefully<br />
the summer weather will continue to be good. The<br />
majority of Manor Farm patients who are<br />
eligible for Summer Covid Boosters (over 75 and<br />
immunosuppressed) have hopefully been contacted<br />
and have been able to benefit from being able to go<br />
to their own surgery to have this vital preventative<br />
vaccine. Those who have already had the booster may<br />
well have met some of the Patient Group members<br />
who have volunteered to be available to help with the<br />
smooth running of the process of vaccination.<br />
Some of the Patient Group members have requested<br />
the opportunity to observe the work carried out by<br />
the receptionists at the Practice as they are the front<br />
line of the Medical Centre and the one member of<br />
staff who we all come into contact with either on the<br />
phone or in person. Two of our members individually<br />
sat and observed the receptionists practice and were<br />
impressed by their patience and professionalism when<br />
dealing with patients either on the phone or at the<br />
desk whilst working under pressure. We understand<br />
MFMC plan to initiate a new administration<br />
staff training scheme once the new reception is<br />
established and we therefore hope that once this has<br />
been completed members of the group will be able<br />
to observe the reception procedures again. At this<br />
stage I would advise that all members of the Group<br />
are required to sign a confidentiality agreement and<br />
are therefore authorised by the Manor Farm Medical<br />
Centre to observe working practice in this way.<br />
For more information about the PPG our notice board<br />
is located in the main waiting room on the outer wall<br />
by the television screen if you are in the waiting room<br />
do check this as we endeavour to keep patients up<br />
to date with our activities and items which affect the<br />
patients of Manor Farm Medical Centre. New<br />
members are always welcome our next meeting at<br />
Manor Farm on Monday 4th June at 4:30pm when<br />
we hope that Emily, Practice Matron, will be talking<br />
us about the surgery and CPR training.<br />
View <strong>Swaffham</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong> Online<br />
www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> RUFC<br />
Our Senior team have displayed skill and strength<br />
of character and continuous improvement in their<br />
first season in Eastern Counties Division One North,<br />
and in the Norfolk Junior Cup competition. We are<br />
delighted that they will continue in this Division for<br />
the 2024/25 season. After a lively end of season<br />
celebration, our seniors will take a well earned<br />
break, and start training again in June on Thursday<br />
evenings at 7pm.<br />
Our Mini’s have given a very good account of<br />
themselves and celebrated the end of the season<br />
together after their last training session. They will<br />
restart in September on Sundays at 10:30am after<br />
the school summer holidays.<br />
Now in its second season, our Touch Rugby squad<br />
has a core of regular participants of all ages and<br />
genders, who will continue to train on Tuesdays at<br />
7pm throughout the summer.<br />
New players will be warmly welcomed in all sections<br />
of our club. Just turn up and get involved.<br />
We couldn’t have provided opportunities for players<br />
of all ages and skills to participate in our sport<br />
without the support on and off the pitch of our<br />
dedicated coaches, partners, parents, volunteers<br />
and staff who ensure the smooth running of our<br />
Community Club. Our thanks to them all. If you<br />
would like to join them, please get in touch with<br />
chair@swaffhamrugby.co.uk.<br />
Our thanks also to our Vice Presidents who through<br />
their generous donations and company at our<br />
5 lunches throughout the season provide much<br />
needed support and joined in with other spectators<br />
on the touchline! We welcome new VP’s for the<br />
2023/24 season – if you are interested, please<br />
contact vpsecsrufc@btinternet.com<br />
Without the generosity of our Sponsors and<br />
Partners running our Community Club would not be<br />
possible. Sincere thanks to them all. We welcome<br />
new Sponsors and Partners to allow us to continue<br />
providing the opportunity for our sport in <strong>Swaffham</strong>.<br />
We look forward to welcoming old friends and<br />
making new ones when the 2024/25 season starts<br />
in September.<br />
Royal British Legion<br />
Thank You To Our Volunteer Poppy<br />
Collectors<br />
On 17th April we held a “Thank you”<br />
evening to acknowledge the loyalty of our much<br />
valued poppy volunteer collectors with many of them<br />
receiving service awards to recognise their work for<br />
the appeal over many years.<br />
Saturday 6th June – D-Day Anniversary<br />
As I write this article for the June newsletter members<br />
of <strong>Swaffham</strong> Royal British Legion are very busy with<br />
the final preparations for the events marking the<br />
D-Day 80th anniversary.<br />
• 7:30pmTo commemorate the allied forces who<br />
played a part in this momentous military operation<br />
the Royal British Legion (<strong>Swaffham</strong> Branch) will be<br />
paying their respects along with representation from<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council by laying a wreath at the<br />
town’s war memorial. All those wishing to attend will<br />
be most welcome<br />
• 8:00pm The national proclamation by <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Town Crier<br />
• 9:15pm National beacon lighting in front of<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Assembly Rooms<br />
Saturday 8th June<br />
In June 1944 there were street parties held across<br />
the UK – now 80 years on <strong>Swaffham</strong> RBL are hosting<br />
a “Street Party” in the Assembly Rooms. This event<br />
(supported by <strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council the Iceni<br />
Partnership and Breckland District Council) is “ticket<br />
only” tickets are priced at £20 per head with limited<br />
numbers available. Tickets are on sale at <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Town Hall and we hope all those attending enjoy the<br />
1940’s evening of fun and entertainment planned –<br />
1940s dress optional! If you wish to come you are<br />
encouraged to get your ticket early as there will be<br />
no admission without a ticket on the door.<br />
NEXT MEETING of <strong>Swaffham</strong> Royal British Legion<br />
- Tuesday 18th June 8pm at The Conni - visitors are<br />
always welcome you do not need to have a military<br />
background to join us.<br />
The Hive, Great Cressingham<br />
There’s a whole load of good things happening at The<br />
Hive in June and July.<br />
Thoughts on Thursday 6th June at 3pm takes the topic<br />
of ‘Who runs the world?’, leading with a fascinating<br />
TED Talk by Ian Bremmer. On Friday 14th June, Celtic<br />
Journeys explores how to do ‘waiting’ meaningfully and<br />
well. Guest speaker, Angela Clark, leads a conversation<br />
about Poverty on Friday 21st June.<br />
The month rounds off with our casual choir for a<br />
Summer Sing on Saturday 29th June.<br />
July begins with another Thoughts on Thursday 4th<br />
July, asking the question, “Is science stuck?”. Our<br />
Retreat Day on Saturday 6th July ponders, ‘Wisdom’.<br />
The summer season ends on a high on Saturday 13th<br />
July with “Poetry for a Summer’s Day” and a cream tea.<br />
Something for everyone! Details are always on our<br />
facebook page: @GreatCressinghamHive.<br />
If you are new to the area, do come and sample one of<br />
our sessions. Events are free with donations welcomed.<br />
Charity Coffee Morning<br />
Coffee morning for the EAAA and the Norfolk St<br />
John's Ambulance.<br />
Just Hair and The Market Cross would like to say a huge<br />
thank you to everyone who helped in anyway and<br />
supported our coffee morning in the Assembly rooms<br />
on Wednesday 15th May. We raised an amazing total<br />
of £2,000 to be shared equally between them both.<br />
Thank you all so much as always, with love from us<br />
all Xxx<br />
16<br />
17
In Touch With Your Town<br />
Earth Day<br />
On Saturday 20th April <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Market celebrated Earth Day. It was<br />
great to see the Master Composters<br />
and Breckland Waste Reduction Officers<br />
in the town discussing their initiatives with the<br />
residents of <strong>Swaffham</strong>.<br />
Sheep Fayre<br />
The annual Sheep Fayre in <strong>Swaffham</strong> on Saturday 11th<br />
May was a vibrant celebration of the town's historical<br />
market, featuring rare breed sheep brought in by<br />
Church Farm Stow Bardolph along with an engaging<br />
stall and information boards. The event was also<br />
enriched by the presence of the Norfolk Guild of<br />
Spinners, Dyers, and Weavers, along with a craft<br />
stall from Family Action's ESCAPE project. The<br />
fayre successfully created a lively and welcoming<br />
atmosphere, drawing the community together to<br />
appreciate and celebrate their heritage. <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Town Council would like to thank all the organisations<br />
involved for their contribution to this successful event.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council are pleased to announce that<br />
on 8th May 2024 at the Annual Town Assembly, the<br />
Town Council appointed Cllr Darby as Mayor and Cllr<br />
Beech as Deputy Mayor.<br />
LIVE in <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
On Saturday 4th May Jay Harrison performed live on<br />
the Buttercross as part of the LIVE in <strong>Swaffham</strong> project,<br />
funded by Breckland District Council and Norfolk<br />
County Council’s Love Your Market Town initiative. This<br />
event seamlessly blended live music with the bustling<br />
market atmosphere and<br />
it was great to see the<br />
community enjoying this<br />
free event. <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
Town Council would like to<br />
thank Jay Harrison for his<br />
engaging performance.<br />
Save the date!<br />
• LIVE in <strong>Swaffham</strong> – Saturday 1st June<br />
LIVE in <strong>Swaffham</strong> is returning in June with Sam Cook<br />
performing on the Buttercross during market operating<br />
hours.<br />
• D-Day 80 – Thursday 6th June<br />
National Fish and Chip Day – purchase your subsidised<br />
fish and chip voucher from <strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council on<br />
the Buttercross between 8-9pm on Thursday 6th June.<br />
This voucher can be redeemed at Mother Hubbards or<br />
Mr Chips on the night of the event. Please bring your<br />
chairs and find a place to commemorate D-Day 80 on<br />
the Market Square car park.<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council will be lighting the beacon at<br />
9.15pm.<br />
• D-Day 80 event – Saturday 8th June<br />
The Royal British Legion, Iceni <strong>Swaffham</strong> Hub and<br />
<strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council are working together to bring<br />
a D-Day commemoration evening at the Assembly<br />
Rooms, head to our website for more information on<br />
the event and to book your ticket.<br />
• Young Trader Market – Saturday 8th June<br />
An extended market showcasing young market traders.<br />
• Youth Group Day – Saturday 15th June<br />
An event to provide more information to the community<br />
about the youth group offering in the local area.<br />
• LIVE in <strong>Swaffham</strong> – Saturday 6th July<br />
LIVE in <strong>Swaffham</strong> is returning in June with Jo Jenkins<br />
performing on the Buttercross during market operating<br />
hours.<br />
Classic Car Fayre – Sunday 25th August<br />
The Classic Car Fayre is returning. Head to our website<br />
for more information. Applications will be available<br />
from the Town Hall or through the website.<br />
Date of Council meetings<br />
• HR & Governance Monday 3rd June 12pm<br />
• Full Council Wednesday 12th June 6.30pm<br />
• Planning & Built Environment Tuesday 25 June 11am<br />
If you have any queries about any of the items<br />
mentioned or would like to hear more updates on<br />
projects etc, please contact <strong>Swaffham</strong> Town Council on<br />
telephone 01760 722922 or pop in and see us.<br />
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Days Out pickups from <strong>Swaffham</strong><br />
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7 th August Stamford and Rutland Water Cruise £46<br />
31 13 st th August July Bury Melton St Mobray Edmunds £24<br />
29 th June Harewood House £56 inc entrance<br />
PAID TILL SEPT 24<br />
7 th August Stamford and Rutland Water Cruise £46<br />
13 th August Melton Mobray £24<br />
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