Help Yourself
FREE!
Issue No. 153 A Free Paper Supporting Mid-Norfolk Communities
ANDREW HYDE Now it is Tony‟s turn to
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(Left) Tony Lewin and (right) Wil Smith. Tony‟s retirement see‟s Wil take the responsibility for the town‟s flowers
The man responsible for Watton‟s much
admired floral displays, Tony Lewin, is to
retire from the post he has held for seven
years. In that time Tony has looked after the
planters and hanging baskets in Watton
High Street that have contributed so greatly
to the townscape with gloriously colourful
decoration.
In Tony‟s time as Watton Horticultural
Officer, he also decorated Dereham town
centre for a period of three years.
Born in 1945 in Esher, Surrey, Tony came
to Norfolk to settle with his wife, Dorothy,
and family. He has been in the horticultural
industry for 50 years, starting at Hampton
Court Palace with a 7 year apprenticeship
and worked for “Carter‟s Tested Seeds” in
their show department and was involved in
three Chelsea Flower Shows during his
apprenticeship, growing and displaying
plants for the company.
Later on he had his own Nursery and
landscaping team in Hinchley Wood in
Surrey and then in the late „70s moving to
Norfolk where he took up the post as
Horticultural Manager at Otley College in
Suffolk.
Tony and Dorothy finally moved to Watton
some 15 years ago, where he has enjoyed
life. Tony said “I have really enjoyed
working with the council and with Jacqui
Seal as Town Clerk, it has been a lovely
time following a busy and interesting
career”
“In retirement I will pursue my all
consuming hobby of painting landscapes
and holding course and holidays around
Great Britain.”
Watton Town Council has used the
occasion of Tony‟s retirement to outsource
the supply of the floral displays in future
and a two year contract has been awarded
to Wil Smith of TTSR Ltd.
Town Mayor, Margaret Holmes, wished
Tony every happiness on the occasion of
his retirement saying “Tony has done a
wonderful job for the town and has set a
very high standard.”
“We are however, confident that TTSR will
continue to meet this standard in the years
to come”.
Wil Smith said “I have got some big shoes
to step into and I pay tribute to all Tony‟s
work in the past. I expect to be calling on
his experience and advice in the future.
“Tony has already planned this year‟s
displays and we commence planting around
the end of May.
“TTSR has been performing the grounds
maintenance in and around Watton for six
years now and we look forward to working
even more with Watton Town Council.
January 2010
“My future plans for the business include
employing at least one more person locally
and hopefully develop a future local garden
centre for the public.”
Jan Godfrey, Chair of the Wayland
Partnership Development Trust, played a
key role in establishing the Town Gardener.
On hearing of his retirement Jan said “Tony
has done a terrific job over the years in
making the town look beautiful.
“We have had so many appreciative
comments in the time Tony has been
responsible for the planting and I wish him
great happiness in his retirement.
“I hope that whoever takes on the role in
future is able to live up to the standard he
has set.
Most of the plants used in the town‟s
displays were grown by Tony at a
dedicated nursery housed at Wayland
Community High School. The nursery
was established using some of the funds
given by the European Commission.
TTSR Ltd has now purchased all of the
town‟s gardening equipment such as the
poly tunnel, water bowser and tools etc.
and Wil plans to establish his own
nursery to supply plants for the displays.
With the sale of the equipment
concluded, the council has now closed
their nursery.
FREE!
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 2 News

Rethink on planning deal may

impact on local services
The developers had
requested a variance
of the existing S106
agreements to release
funds from other
priorities to facilitate
the completion of the
roundabout and the
longer term
completion of the
development. The
District Valuer has
broadly endorsed the
developers‟ claim that
the approved
development will not,
in the current property
market, generate
sufficient funds to
allow the consortium
of developers to make
further contributions
to local infrastructure.
The DCC has agreed
that further
negotiations may be
The half finished roundabout forcing a rethink on planning deal undertaken with the
developers and
Breckland Council‟s Development authorities and are a way of contributions and or land transfers. Norfolk County Council with a view
Control Committee (DCC) has agreed delivering or addressing matters that Construction work on the new to varying the existing S106
to renegotiate the terms of the are necessary to make a development roundabout, designed to improve agreements. The committee were
existing Section 106 (S106) acceptable in planning terms. They access to the site, ground to halt after advised that the current economic
agreements with developers at the old are used to support the provision of the owners, Cofton, went into climate was jeopardising further
R AF Wa t ton Te ch ni c a l s i t e services and infrastructure, such as receivership. This has left developers development and a reduction in
(Blenheim Grange). highways, recreational facilities, with a large financial burden at a time certain S106 contributions would help
S106 agreements are, in essence, education, health and affordable when house sales are very poor The committee heard that
made between developers and local housing usually by way of financial because of the recession. contributions towards education
facilities were considered a priority
and should not change but that
contributions to other services
would be affected. The committee
therefore agreed that negotiations
should take place between the
Council, the developers and Norfolk
County Council with a view to a
suspension in further payments
towards public transport services,
though the committee believes that
services will continue in their
present form but that it is unlikely
that additional off peak services
will be provided. It is expected
however, that the need for subsidy
will diminish as more houses are
built and patronage of services
increases
It is also probable that the Multi Use
Games Area planned for the site will
not be provided though all proposed
public open spaces within the
development will be, including the
central open space which will deliver
a fully equipped children‟s play area
(but not a Multi Use Games Area).
The DCC agreed that these changes
would be subject to two provisos; a
contribution claw back if economic
conditions recover sufficiently
during the construction period and
an agreed programme for the
completion of the roundabout.
The committee do not propose to
change any other contribution or
obligation.

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News
Sir Malcolm Arnold‟s piano
donated to High School
Mr Antony Day (Right) with Headteacher, Mr Neil McShane, Head of Music Jane Berridge and students with the piano
Attleborough High School is celebrating
the wonderful donation to the school of a
piano that belonged to the famous
composer, the late Sir Malcolm Arnold,
who lived in Attleborough from 1987
until his death on 23rd September 2006.
Sir Malcolm‟s partner, Mr Anthony Day,
contacted the school so that the piano
could be enjoyed by this generation of
music students. He said “Malcolm loved
youth and music. He wanted people to
have pleasure through music and he
would be so happy that students were
enjoying using his piano”.
“The piano is being donated to the High
School as I remember very well the time
when Sir Malcolm had presented two
running machines to them, and how
much he appreciated the superb musical
tribute the school gave in his honour, as
a thank-you, in a special concert held at
St. Andrew‟s Hall in Norwich.
“Malcolm loved Attleborough and refused
to move from the place he called home,
though sadly the town never recognized
the genius that they had amongst them.
There was a huge buzz of excitement
amongst students in the music room as
the historic piano arrived to the school
building. Local Wymondham delivery
firm, John Ryder Removals, generously
gave their time and labour free of charge
to deliver the piano to the school‟s music
department.
Head of music Jane Berridge said: “This
wonderful Baby Grand will be a
Meeting of MIND‟s
The Norwich & Central Norfolk Carers
Group start their meetings again in
January. This group is for carers of
people with Mental Health Problems. It
is an informal group which allows carers
to come and chat to others who are in a
similar situation. It gives carers a time
out for a couple of hours a month.
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 3
FREE
Medicine
Information Service
• Are you getting the most from your
Antony Day with Sir Malcolm Arnold in 2002 medication? • Do you know the best time of day
marvellous addition to our music remarkable catalogue of major concert
to take it? • Do your medicines run out at
studies.” works to his credit, including nine
Headteacher Mr Neil McShane added symphonies, seven ballets, two operas, one different times? • Want to know how to
“We are exceedingly grateful that Mr musical, over twenty concertos, two string
Day has chosen to donate this piano to quartets, and music for brass-band and manage this? • Do you understand why you are
Attleborough High School. To know that wind-band. He also wrote 132 film scores, taking your medicine? • Do you know how to
such a well known musician played this among these are some of the finest works
instrument and created compositions ever composed for the medium including use your inhaler?
with it will be an inspiration to all our Bridge on the River Kwai (for which, in
? ?
students.” 1958, he was one of the first British For answers to these questions and
When he died in 2006 Malcolm Arnold composers ever to win an Oscar), Inn of more, book a free and confidential
was described on the BBC News as “a the Sixth Happiness (for which he received appointment with our pharmacist.
towering figure in the history of British an Ivor Novello Award in 1958), Hobson‟s
music”. Born in 1921, the composer had a Choice and Whistle Down the Wind.
Ask your Pharmac ist
Y ou’ll be Taking G ood Advic e
Ovington
Gardening Club
The January meeting will be on
We meet at the Christian Community Wednesday 6th January at 7.45pm in the
Centre on the third Wednesday of every village hall, when the subject will be
month, from 2 -4pm. Our first meeting 'Practical Self-Sufficiency' by local
of the New Year is on January 20th. organic gardener, Terry Rands. 14 Gregor Shanks Way, Watton, Tel : 01953 881157
For further information, please call Membership for the whole year costs only
Helen 01953 884713 and leave a
message and I will get back to you as
£5, but visitors are always welcome and
further details can be obtained from Ed on
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
soon as I can. 01953 885848 or Carol on 01760 440719. Mon to Fri 8am to 11pm Sat & Sun 8am to 8.30pm
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 4
The Chill support Legion Stig‟s Scene
Watton based rock band "The Chill"
have raised £365 for the Royal British
Legion Poppy Appeal. The money was
raised by donating their appearance fee
from a gig at the Brickmakers in
Norwich and from the proceeds of a
specially produced album called
Hollow Smile which featured all their
own songs. The idea was hatched after
their promotions manager booked the
gig at the Brickmakers on 11
November. The band said: "It is such
an important date to remember all those
who have served their country in times
of conflict, so we decided we wanted to
show our appreciation in a tangible
way."
The Chill consists of brothers Kevin
and Adam Chilvers, whose father Alan
carries the standard for the British
Legion in Watton, John Farmer, Tom
Hamling and Leah Wheeler.
If you want to see the band they will be
playing at The Queen Vic in
Snettisham on 2nd Dec and The
Waterside in Hunstanton on 4th Dec,
both gigs starting at 9pm.
A cheque to the Poppy Appeal was
presented to the Chairman of Watton
Branch Royal British Legion, Mr Keith
Clarke, last Thursday, at the band's
rehearsal room in Scoulton Village
Hall.
A look at Local Folk Music
Live music in Norfolk flourishes and
my section of it, Folk, is also
thriving. As Sir Michael Caine might
say “Not many people know that”.
Folk music tends to be under the
radar of the general public and mass
media and is often not that well
publicised which
is a pity as the age
-old tradition of
people getting
together in a pub
or club to share a
drink and song
represents a real
feel-good factor
which is much-
needed especially
in these recession-
hit times.
Perhaps it is because Folk has a bit of
a PR problem; it is linked with
maypole and morris dancing (not that
there is anything wrong with these
ancient activities) and might seem a
bit old hat. Not so. Folk actually
covers a very wide spectrum these
days from traditional songs to
generic acoustic music. For example,
when I attend a folk session I will
often be sitting next to someone who
will bash out an old tale of life on a
Victorian farm “acapella” (without
accompaniment). When my turns
comes I will strike up the opening
chords on my guitar and launch into
“You‟ve Got a Friend” or some other
recent classic. Almost anything goes
and performers are applauded for
Advertising
their efforts as well as ability. The
quality of music varies from beginner
to breathtaking and there might be a
eclectic collection of instruments
from guitars, banjos, mandolins to
squeeze boxes (piano-accordions),
flutes, tin whistles, pipes and harp.
Everybody is welcome whether to
perform or just
listen.
The Folk network
in Norfolk
operates mostly
from pubs and the
venues can be
found on the
internet on
information sites
s u c h a s
norfolkfolk.co.uk
where one can check which clubs are
open on every different night of the
week.
Our very own local community
Wayland Radio is another great
source of information as well as
entertainment with its regular Sunday
night Folk Club between 7-9pm. This
is co-hosted by Jane Knights (in the
studio) and Dave Cooper (in the
“club” lounge) who introduces the
live performers. I appeared last
November and played four songs
from my new CD Songs in the Key
of Stig and I can confirm that there is
a wonderful friendly atmosphere and
a great mix of talent. You can listen
in on 107.3FM in the local area or
online at
www.waylandradio.com/
News
After Christmas . . .
timely advice from Citizens‟ Advice
Although we hope that everyone
has had a nice Christmas, we know
that there will be some who have
spent more than they should have
and others who have found the
additional close proximity of loved
ones a bit too much to bear.
For the Citizens‟ Advice teams the
New Year brings, as might be
expected, an increase in debt cases.
It also brings an increase in the
number of people who are having
trouble with relationships.
DEBT - For debt cases the key
single thing is not to ignore those
red bills and warning letters.
Although we understand the
pressures that people come under,
and the temptation to hope it all
goes away, there is a grim
inevitability in the way debts are
pursued. Your creditors will send
you a bill. This will be followed by
a reminder and then, probably, a
red final reminder. This will
contain all sorts of threats about
what will be done if you do not pay
Free money for Charities
& deserving causes
The 2009 Wayland Show raised
£8000 to be divided amongst local
charities and deserving causes.
The money will be distributed early
in 2010 so we are asking anyone to
write in and nominate their chosen
local charitable cause, be it group or
individual who they feel would
benefit from a portion of the
proceeds.
Please write to the Charity
Committee, Wayland Agricultural
Society c/o Broom Hall, Richmond
Road, Saham Toney, Thetford,
Norfolk IP25 7HJ or email Lynn
Medicine Information Service
answers all your queries
If you are on regular medication or if
you are taking medicines for a long
term illness such as asthma, arthritis,
diabetes or epilepsy you may have
questions that you want to ask about
your medication especially if it has
been prescribed for a number of years.
Your local community pharmacist can
help you to understand the medication
you have been prescribed. The Total
Health Medicine Information Service
is a completely free and confidential
service where you can discuss your
medication with the Pharmacist and
any concerns you may have.
You may be having problems with
your medication, for example;
 Is it difficult to take? Are the tablets
hard to swallow?
 If you are taking a lot of different
tablets do you know what they are all
for?
 Some medicines don’t mix with
others or with some foods
 Some medicines may be giving you
side effects
 How is your medication affected by
other medicines you might buy
elsewhere including herbal remedies?
the bill immediately.
The next step will probably be a
letter from a collection agency.
This may be part of the creditor‟s
organisation but will again urge
payment and, again, will threaten
further action if payment is not
made. This further action will
almost certainly include adding
charges to your debt.
Our advice will always be not to
ignore your creditors but let them
know why you are unable to pay
your debts. Write to them saying
why and setting out your financial
position. Citizens‟ Advice has
Personal Budget Sheets (PBS) for
you to use to set out your income
and expenditure and what you have
left to pay off your debts. You can
then make an offer to each of your
creditors making sure that the
amount you have is fairly
a p p o r t i on e d b e t we e n t h e m
depending on the size of your debt.
We have helpful booklets about
dealing with your debts which
Lake on:
home@waylandshow.com Requests
should be sent in by the end of
February 2010 but preferably the
earlier the better.
The Society is still looking for a
Minutes and Correspondence
Secretary and if anyone is interested
in taking on a worthwhile and
rewarding voluntary position, which
involves one evening meeting a
month, please contact Sue
Bloomfield at
secretary@waylandshow.com for
further details.
 Do you sometimes forget to take your
medication – we can help you with this
 If you have difficulty opening the
packaging, we can help you with this
 Why do your medicines run out at
different times? We can help you to
manage this?
 Are you sure how to use your
inhaler?
The Medicines Information Service is
your chance to ask questions, for
example;
 What does the medicine do
 Why is it important that I take this
medicine?
 When should I take it?
 Should it be taken with or without
food and why?
 How long should I take it for
 What other medicines, drinks, foods
or activities should I be aware of when
taking the medicine?
 What should I do if I feel unwell while
taking it?
 Do I need all of my tablets? I don’t
use all of them and it seems such a
waste
 How do I know if it is helping?
contain sample letters for you to
use in setting out your reply. These
may say that you are only able to
offer a token payment and will be
supported by your PBS showing
what you have left after essential
expenditure. It will then be up to
your creditors to decide whether to
accept that offer or take further
action.
The important thing is to take
action as quickly as possible and
not to think that if you ignore the
bills your creditor will give up –
they never do!
RELATIONSHIPS - On the
relationship side, Christmas and the
New Year bring families together in
closer proximity than they normally
have to bear throughout the rest of
the year. For some it can simply be
too much and relationships can
suffer. As with debt it is important
to seek advice. Relate is a well
kno wn and ver y e ffecti ve
organisation able to help couples
through periods of stress and
Having a Ball to
help Break
Local charity, Break, is delighted
to announce that it will be hosting
the 2010 Royal Norfolk Show Ball.
The 2010 Norfolk Celebration
Ball, supported by Anglia Farmers
will be held at the Norfolk
Showground on Friday 25 June.
Last year‟s spectacular ball
attracted 900 guests and raised
over £60,000 for YANA, the
Norfolk charity, You Are Not
Alone and Break hopes that this
year‟s ball will be as spectacular
and raise much needed funds for
the people it cares for.
The evening will be a celebration
of the best that Norfolk has to
offer, supporting Break, a charity
that brings the best possible care to
vu l n er a b l e p eo pl e in ou r
community. This prestigious black
What to Bring With You
Your Pharmacist will only know
about medication that you have
received from that pharmacy so be
sure to bring along any other
information including any that may
have been obtained from another
pharmacy or hospital, medicines
bought without a prescription e.g.
painkillers, cough and cold remedies
and also herbal medicines and
remedies and vitamins. Bring the
boxes or bottles if that helps.
What To Expect
Your Pharmacist will take time to
answer your questions and will
complete an Action Plan which will
detail what was discussed and agreed.
You will be given a copy and a copy
may also be sent to your GP. Any
suggested changes will be agreed with
your GP.
To make an appointment with the
Medicines Information Service, just
call into the pharmacy at 14 Gregor
Shanks Way
or call 01953 881157 .
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 5
Your News
Your Paper
01953 858 908
uncertainty in relationships. You
can find details of local Relate
Counsellors on their website or
information can be found in local
telephone directories as well as in
HARMONY
libraries and other public offices.
You are also welcome to visit your
local Citizens‟ Advice Bureau for
an opportunity to discuss things
QUILTING
with an experienced adviser who
will have access to a whole range of
A Professional Machine
information about problems with Quilting Service
relationships – including ways to
end a relationship and all the issues !!! You do the patchwork !!!
that will need to be resolved.
Remember, however, that advisers I do the quilting
are not marriage/relationship For Quilting
guidance counsellors but will be
able to give accurate and clear Wadding & Backing Prices
advice on many of the issues
around this subject.
www.harmonyquilting.co.uk
Hopefully you will not have been
affected by either of these issues Tel: 01953 882484
but, if you have or know someone
who has, get in touch with your
local CAB and get a helping hand.
tie event will include champagne
reception, three course dinner, an
auction and raffle, and dancing to
the Lee Vasey Band.
Tickets are £55 per person, sold in
tables of 10 - £550 per table.
To book a table, or if you are
interested in sponsoring the
event, please contact Jeni
Matthews on 01263 822161 or
email jeni.m@break-charity.org
BUY ONE PIZZA &
GET 1 PIZZA FREE
with this voucher
Collection or Delivery. Valid on Mondays
to Thursdays until 31st December 2009
Terms and Conditions apply
01953 884141
Full Takeaway Menu at:
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Voucher Terms and Conditions: You must mention the voucher
when ordering and present the voucher when paying. Offers
available for delivery are subject to a £1 delivery charge.
LARGE CHEESE &
TOMATO PIZZA £5.99
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Collection only
Valid until 31st December 2009
Terms and Conditions apply
The Wayland News Page 6

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News
Wayland Community
High School Strikes Gold
St. James‟s Palace Wayland Gold 2009 Back row: Jessica Raine, Daniel Seller, Spencer Snowling Daniel Walker.
Front Row Daniel Adcock ,Lewis Wilkins, James Walker, Emily Creed, Lauren Healy, Hannah Bowman, Kim Ashby
On Wednesday 25th November
eleven of the thirteen Wayland Gold
candidates who have completed the
Gold Duke of Edinburgh‟s Award
in the last twelve months went to St
James palace to receive their Gold
certificate from Prince Edward the
Earl of Wessex.
This presentation was for Gold‟s
from the Eastern region and
included thirty one from Norfolk.
The Award group leaders and
Diabetes
UK
Our December meeting was the
Christmas extravaganza!! We held
our Christmas party and although a
few of our regulars were absent due to
illness, a good time was had by all.
This is the meeting where we all relax,
especially the committee, after a busy
year and thank the members for their
attendance and input at the meetings,
(Rod and John were absent, so the
silence was remarked on by several
members!!) Best wishes were sent to
Ian as well, whilst he is in hospital
and his wife Rita was given a special
gift for them to share when he comes
home.
Our meeting in January is on the 11th
and starts at 10.15am, the new time
for all meetings from now on. We
have as our speaker Laine Connatty,
Financial Advisor. As usual we meet
at the Pentecostal Church, Old
Dereham Road, Watton, to whom we
are grateful for the use of their
facilities. For further information
about this, or any of our meetings,
please phone Helen 01953 884713
and leave a message and I will get
back to you as soon as I can.
Parents proudly watched as our
eleven Wayland Gold‟s were
presented with their certificates by
TV che f Anthon y Worr ell
Thompson. The group was then
presented to The Earl of Wessex
who had a friendly chat with
members of our group before giving
his congratulations to them all; he
was impressed that several of our
Gold‟s have continued to help with
DofE as expedition instructors.
Watton &
Wayland
Visitor
Centre
In early December all but one of
our voluntary staff attended a
„thank you‟ luncheon at Broom
Hall Hotel, kindly subsidised by the
management.
Following a 2-week stint with a
Christmas Art (mixed media)
Exhibition, the Visitor Centre is
now closed for the winter and is
expected to reopen at Easter.
Although the TIC in the Dragonfly
Centre at Wayland House will not
the staffed for the next 3 months,
some enquiries can be dealt with at
the front office of the Wayland
Partnership. The compendium bus
timetables produced by the Centre
have been updated to include the
new Konect Sunday services to
Norwich and Dereham, and they
are available in Reception at
Wayland House. At the time of
writing, there has been no further
information about a First Bus
Sunday previously reported.
This was a proud moment for
everyone there, and for the
candidates from Wayland the
culmination of over 4 years of hard
work and dedication to pass through
Bronze, Silver and Gold. Gold has
been achieved by them dedicating
12 months to Volunteering, and
pursuing a Physical and Skill for 6
and 12 months. They have all
undertaken two long and hard
expeditions in The Lake District
Rotary Roundup
We were very pleased with the
Watton Christmas Market on the last
Sunday in November. Despite a
gloomy forecast, the rain held off and
our straws tombola stall drew in
£250.00 for our charities fund - thank
you Watton Town Council. Two
weeks later, the Christmas Disco
Party at Watton Sports Centre realised
a sum of about £450.00 (subject to
confirmation at the time of writing).
This event, organised by Rtn Paul
Weatherill, was specifically to support
the Teso Development Trust, a charity
that manages clean water projects
including the provision of wells in the
Teso area of Uganda. Paul is our
club‟s International Officer and looks
after the many aspects of support
through Rotary Projects worldwide,
including WaterAid and, as we have
mentioned before, ShelterBoxes.
‘Prayer of the Heart’ Activities at Watton Methodist Church
Comprising Christian Meditation, Bi Monthly Worship and Bi Monthly Spiri-
tual Book Group. For those seeking reflective prayer, mid week worship with a
more reflective and contemporary feel, and those who enjoy exploring their
faith by reading spiritual books old and new.
Christian Meditation 7.45pm in the Vestry 4th & 18th January.
Monday Evening Worship next Service in February
Spiritual Journey Book Club 25th January 7.45pm in the Willow House
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 7
Quiz Night
Saturday 6th February
7.30pm start
At Great Ellingham
Recreation Centre
£2 per person - teams of four
To book a table ring Jean on
01953 453 375
In aid of Great Ellingham (St James) Scout Group
Charity Number 1062603
Attention All
Gardeners!
Improve your soil, keep weeds
down and keep moisture in with
Sterilized Mushroom
Compost
The ideal mulch and
soil improver
Only £1.40 per Bag
Delivered free (min 5 bags)
Watton area
01953 881969
and North Wales which involved
backpacking a minimum of 50 Massage Treatments
miles over 4 days in the mountains,
camping high in the wilds and Swedish Massage and
carrying all they needed to be self
sufficient for the duration of the
Hot Stone Massage
expedition. Appointments available at
They have also all completed a 5
day 4 night Residential working
away from home for free to either BROOM HALL
help others or to take part in a
course of personal development. Country Hotel
Saham Toney
Your Local Three Star Hotel
At our last meeting of the year in
the Crown Hotel, the management
laid on a super Christmas dinner for
us and we were pleased to present
Shirley and her staff with a Telephone: 01953 882125
Christmas bonus for looking after us www.broomhallhotel.co.uk
so well during 2009.
The last Rotary gathering of the
year took place a week later when
49 Rotarians, Inner Wheel ladies,
COUGHTREY BDK Ltd.
partners and friends went by coach Unit 2, Coughtrey Industrial Estate
to a matinee performance of the Church Road, Griston. IP25 6QB
Cromer Pier Christmas show
followed by a meal at the Pier‟s Fitted Kitchens
Tides Restaurant.
Early news of our 2010 programme
Bathrooms
includes another Jazz at the Queens
Hall event on 12 March, and look out
Internal Doors
for the return of “A Sunday Afternoon
Audience With . . . . . .” at the
Queen‟s Hall later in the year.
Martin Anscombe
Free Quotations &
Full Planning Service
01953 881243
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 8
In the garden with Lotta Potts Inner Wheel news
The winter solstice was at 17.47 GMT
on the 21st. December and slowly but
surely the days are starting to get
longer, although the "thermal lag"
caused by the seas that surround Britain
and Ireland means that average
temperatures will continue to fall until
the latter half of February. As the old
saying has it: as the days grow longer
so the cold grows stronger... So that s
good news rapidly followed by bad! Or
to quote Flanders and Swann, January
brings the snow, makes your toes and
fingers glow.
The only redeeming feature of snow for
gardeners is that yours looks no better
than mine under a few inches of it. It‟s
all don‟ts – don‟t walk on the grass,
don‟t walk on the borders, don‟t dig
frosty soil.
Flowers are few and far between but
those that are in bloom now are real
little treasures. If you managed to
plant bulbs in autumn and the snow
isn‟t too deep you could have early
snowdrops, aconites and the
remaining hardy cyclamen beneath
winter-flowering shrubs. Pot grown
shrubs could be planted in flower
from the garden centre and these can
always be left in their pots until the
ground and weather are more
conducive to planting them out. An
attractive idea might be to leave a
potted shrub by the door you use
most. Many of these shrubs are
scented, which is a real bonus. You
can also plant roses until the end of
February and bare root fruit trees.
January is time to start potatoes. It‟s a
good idea to buy blight-resistant
varieties. Blight is a nasty disease
occurring from June onward in warm
wet weather. There are some sprays
around but if you prefer not to use
chemicals it means removing
blighted foliage and disposing of it
by burning or binning. Having got
your seed potatoes, which are just
hen's egg sized potatoes grown free
from disease, you can chit them.
There is no mystery to this process.
All it means is that when you get
your seed potatoes you put them in a
cool but frost free place where they
get some light but not direct sunlight.
A north-facing window is ideal in a
frost-free shed or a spare, unheated
room. Put them in suitable trays (egg
boxes are ideal) so they can stand
with the rose end uppermost. This is
the end where the shoots start to
grow. If you aren‟t sure about this,
ask your supplier or a friendly veg
grower. The potatoes will then grow
short stubby shoots, which will get
them off to a fast start when planted
out in March. There is some evidence
that chitting doesn't help greatly with
maincrop potatoes but it certainly
can't hurt to chit them but all experts
agree with chitting early and second
early varieties as these are ready to
harvest quickly, around 10 weeks for
earlies and 13 weeks for second
earlies. Maincrop take longer, around
20 weeks from planting out.
Incidentally, when you grow your
own you've over 400 varieties to
choose from. Beat that Mr
Supermarket!
If you've a frost-free greenhouse (one
News
where you can provide some heating
if it gets really cold) you can start
some first earlies off in there. They'll
grow well in the border or in a plastic
bag or even a large bucket with some
decent compost. Use a really fast
variety like Rocket „or Swift and
you'll be eating fresh new potatoes in
March.
The show growers always grow in
bags using composts they formulate
themselves from peat with added
fertiliser so it's quite possible to get a
crop even if you don't have a large
plot. In fact all you need is a patio
and a potato barrel or planter, some
multi-purpose compost and some
fertiliser to produce a crop of the Derek Smith, John Garratt, Ken Davis, June Garratt, Richard
tastiest potatoes you will ever eat in Crawley, Nicola Myers, Olwyn Brough and Christine Lewington
just a few square feet. We have had a very busy month since our last report! The first event was our Barn
Then the exciting part- sowing seeds Dance with Shinanakins at the Queen's Hall, which though not as well attended as
again! This time of year you can some in the past, raised £199.82 for our charities, and meant there was plenty of
choose to make a flying start with room for those of us with sufficient energy, to dance every dance! That weekend
peppers, tomatoes, parsley, leeks, we joined the stalls on the Town Christmas Market and our game raised £65,
cabbage and outdoors, once it s followed the next weekend by our stall in the Queen's Hall on Farmers Market
thawed a little you can sow carrots Day, when we made a magnificent £264.50. Lastly, but by no means least, we held
under fleece. It may be wise to invest one of our now famous lunchtime concerts, where June Garratt and her friends
in a propagator if you wish to sow (pictured) treated an audience of over 90 people to a very entertaining and varied
your tomatoes now, so take a look concert with singing, dancing stories and piano duets. The audience then enjoyed a
and decide what is best for you. If turkey bap with stuffing, chutneys and salad, with a mince pie and coffee to
digging out last year s propagator follow. Many thanks are due to June for organising the concert, and £400 was
check it is working correctly before added to our charity money as a result. As a result of all this activity, we decided to
sowing any seeds! If it may be a little have a big give-away for Christmas and £100 has been sent to each of the
damp, if electric, let it stand in a dry following:- Thursday Club, Cumbria floods, St Martin's Housing Trust, Salvation
warm place for a while before Army and Help for Heroes, and £50 was given to June to give to a charity of her
plugging it in and then use a choosing. Our last meeting of 2009 was held at the home of Beryl Brannan. This
thermometer to check it keeps a took the form of a party and she kindly made up a competition to tax our brains,
constant temperature. guessing pantomime characters, and we all enjoyed a bring'n'share supper with
A very Happy and Productive New drink provided by President Helen. We would like to thank all our supporters and
Year. wish everyone a happy and healthy 2010.
News Mid-Norfolk Times Page 9

News from Watton Flyposting concerns Your News

Your Paper
Junior School
At the most recent meeting of Watton Town Council, Councillor Bryan
Wykes expressed his concerns about the amount of “flyposting” that is
happening in Watton.
01953 858 908
Referring to the developers on Blenheim Grange, Councillor Wykes said
“Developers were the biggest sinners at this time” though he
acknowledged others were just as guilty. BROOM HALL
When told by the Clerk, Jacqui Seal, that the Council had no powers to
remove signs that had been erected illegally, and that the council might
even find itself the subject of a prosecution were it to do so, councillors
Country Hotel
agreed they should write to Breckland voicing their concerns and seeking Saham Toney
enforcement. Your Local Three Star Hotel
Councillor Roy Rudling suggested that should Breckland be reluctant to do
so, then Watton Town Council should request that adequate powers be
delegated to them so they could remove the signs.

Brandon Vs. Caston Wednesdays Steak Night

Sirloin or Rump with chips £10.00
Fridays Pie & Mash Night
Pastry Pie & Mash with Dessert £9.95
New Ivy Room for Bar Meals
Monday to Saturday 6.30 – 8.30
Tuesday to Saturday 12.00 – 2.00
Celebrating our school‟s local community connections with a 01953 882125
Portuguese week, included children taking part in cooking www.broomhallhotel.co.uk
Reporting by Members of the Year 6 News Club
By the time you read this, the New Year will have begun and last term will
be a distant memory.
Looking back, the Autumn term was packed full of activities designed to
make links with the local community and to get our new Creative
Curriculum off the ground. At the end of September, Year 6 went to
Hilltop near Sheringham. Year 5 had a trip to Wells-next-the-Sea in
November.
Also in November we had a married couple called „Timescape‟ coming in
to our school and performing songs about World War Two and also
Not on the field of football but in the field of photography. Brandon
teaching us some dances. Year 6 pupils, who were learning all about
Photographic Club were at home to Caston Camera Club earlier this
World War Two last term, got to join in along with some parents and other
month, in an Interclub Competition, when each club provided 20
family members who attended.
images for an independent judge to decide a score out of ten for each
We have also celebrated our school‟s local community connections with a
of the images on display. It turned out to be a close run thing but the
Portuguese week, where the children took part in cooking (see picture) as well
end result was a win for Caston with 145 points to Brandon‟s 141.
as learning some of the language. Later this year we will be celebrating Polish,
After the results were announced Brandon‟s members were invited
Lithuanian and British culture in a similar way.
to vote for their choice of the Caston “Image of the Evening” for
Continuing the local community involvement theme, December saw
which they chose Martin Kemp‟s picture of a bald eagle entitled
several of our pupils join many others in Dereham, welcoming the troops
“Hard on the Brakes”. A well deserved choice!
back from Afghanistan.
Caston is just three miles south of Watton and around six miles west of
We also have many extra-curricular activities here and new last term was the
Attleborough and welcomes new members of all abilities from
after-school Netball club. We look forward to playing in matches with other
Beginner to Advanced.
local schools very soon.
For a lot more information visit www.castoncameraclub.co.uk
A Happy New Year to everyone from Watton Junior School.

The Ovington Crower boy Bernie hev got an OV one

Dear Sah
Thort I orta drop yu a line „n let yu
know things is sorta gooin along
bowt tha searme in Ovinton.
Cor we hed a rare ole Chrismus
tu me, an his deer et orl tha flowas in
tha Church yard.
Dint we hev sum wind a cupple
weeks agoo? thet fetched orl my
apples orfa tha trees an blew orl tha
n‟orl.
BUY ONE PIZZA &
We‟re orl worrit abowt wot wera
gooin to eat for our Christmus dinna
GET 1 PIZZA FREE
this year. Moost year‟s orl onnus with this voucher
hev a gret ole cokeral, one wos bin Collection or Delivery. Valid on Mondays
carbonised to mek „em big as yu to Thursdays until 31st December 2009
know. But there ent many arownd Terms and Conditions apply
now arta we hatta git rid, cos o tha
01953 884141

bazaar t‟other day, tha teables inna
tha hall wos all on the slosh wi‟
things to buy an eat, well yu know we
niver goo wi‟out ower wittles. Thar
war no-end a gearms an
competishuns, raffle n tombowla, so
noboddy went hoome empty handed.
Ol Fartha Chrismus, he cawled in an
giv orl tha kiddies somat to keep thar
jaws stuck tergither, so they dint
holler so.
We orl reckoned that war ol Horry
got hisself orl dolled up ina red soot,
but thet warnt, cos he was now hevin
his thard helpin o soop.
My missus she say “I reckon its thet
Mr P from up tha rood” I say “Whoi”
she say “He‟s an acter blook, an
Jimma wot dus his gardin sez he‟s a
real thespian” I say intu har ear-------
“I doont think yu shood tork abowt
wot he dus, he probly like to keep
them things sorta quiet.” Arter orl
thet, we reckoned it wos the reel
Fatha Christmus, cos we niver sor tha
cummin or gooin on him, and he hed
a grat old beerd wot looked reel enuf
ole leaves inta next doors gardin soo
thet warnt orl bad.
I thort about tha gal Liza, cos she
roide har bike oova to har sistas in
Hingham on a Satdy, jest to hev a
mardle.
I say to har, “How‟d yu git on Satdy
Liza, thet fare tu bloo suffin hard?”
“Well” she say “Thet ware orl roight
a gooin there Sid, I wos a gooin so
farst them ole lectric poles sida the
rood, looked like a fine tooth coomb.
Cumming hoom was differunt, I hed
time to mardle wi my sista Betty in
Scowltin, an my cousin Dearsy in
Carbrooke, wi‟out stoppin peddlin
once.”
I see tha ol chairman hev got hisself a
parsinal numba plearte on his car. He
allus rekonned he wus the lord of Ov,
n goo to hell ifen his new number
pleart doont hev OV onnit.
He rekkon thet its time we wos on the
map (I allus thort we ware) so he‟s
bin onta tha car peepul in Wales and
sez thet orl Ovinton car numba‟s orta
hev OV in. He may be rite cos I see
row they meard. Rekkon I shall
hatter goo cap in hand to Horry who Full Takeaway Menu at:
allus hev a few ole geese in his barn,
mind yu he doon‟t feed em a lotta www.italianjobs.co.uk
gud grub so thare allus a bit on the Voucher Terms and Conditions: You must mention the voucher
scraggy side. when ordering and present the voucher when paying. Offers
But I shall hatta hev sumthin or available for delivery are subject to a £1 delivery charge.
else my missus she will mob.
Nun of us hev got an allotment as
yit, but tha cownsil hev stuck a
LARGE CHEESE &
lotta white sticks orl over tha feeld
so I doont think thare lettin on
TOMATO PIZZA £5.99
wos a gooin on. They wonta hurry with this voucher
up, or else we shall be inta tater Collection only
settin time afore we know it. Valid until 31st December 2009
Boy Julian he say “We shan‟t be Terms and Conditions apply
sending this pearper out until arter
Christmus so it‟s no good yu a
wishin orl tha readers a happy
Christmus cos yu‟ll be too leart
maert”
Well, thas told me no misteark, so
I hatter hoop yu did hev a grate
ole Christmus an I shall wish yu
orl a Happy an Healthy New Year.
Fare ye well tergerther.
Boy Sid
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 10
FRIENDS OF EAST ANGLIAN
AIR AMBULANCE LOTTERY Saving the Planet at AHS
WINNERS Year 7 and 8 students at
A t t l e b o r o u gh H i gh
Week 20 18.12.2009 £1,000 Mr & Mrs Smallwood Holt, Norfolk
£250 Mrs Sarah Atkinson Holt, Norfolk £100 Mrs Rita Eastwood School spent an
Luton, Beds £100 Mrs Julie Hutchin Hellesdon, Norwich £100 Mr & enjoyable morning with a
Mrs Mahoney Haverhill, Suffolk £100 G R Ashworth Aylsham, fun-filled performance
Norfolk £100 Mrs I F Hupton Bungay, Suffolk workshop dealing with
Week 19 11.12.2009 £1,000 Mrs V Shackcloth Stanhoe/King's Lynn serious environmental
£250 Mr E Forshaw Beeston Regis/Sheringham £100 Edward issues. The Big Wheel
Wallane Leiston £100 Mrs M Lack Mundesley £100 Mrs Y Dobbie Theatre run a workshop
Antingham, Norfolk £100 Henry King Gorleston/Gt Yarmouth £100 theatre-in- education
W G Patterson Matttishall/Dereham programme that educates
Week 18 04.12.2009 £1,000 Mr Neil Harkett Ipswich, Suffolk £250 students of different ages
Mrs Perry Snell Biddenham, Bedford £100 Mr Anthony Hemming about key issues that
Norwich, Norfolk £100 Mr John Abel March, Cambs £100 James effect our planet from
Dinners Antingham, Norfolk £100 Mrs Dorothy Scully Kings Lynn, transport use to climate
Norfolk £100 A J Maitland Thorndon, Suffolk change.
Week 17 27.11.2009 £1,000 Mrs Janet Bolingbroke Stanton Suffolk This visit and workshop
£250 Helen Saxton Brandeston Woodbridge £100 Mr Nigel Disney was part of a far wider
Norwich Norfolk £100 Rosina Self Southwold Suffolk £100 Mrs T initiative at the High
Ward Dereham Norfolk £100 J Gotts Happisburgh Norfolk £100 School focussed on
Mrs J E Whipps Harleston Norfolk environmental solutions
such as recycling,
sustainability studies and
C Almond PLASTERING energy auditing and
energy saving strategies.
Attleborough High has
All aspects of Plastering, Coving, recently established a sophisticated
energy auditing system where students
Render and Floor Screeds will soon be able to monitor their
Fast Reliable Service
electricity on a daily basis and take
responsibility for developing strategies to
reduce this. The school has also installed
Over 20 years experience solar panels which provides a percentage
of the heating requirements of the
organisation.
For a Free Quote Call Acting Deputy Head, Carmina
McConnell said “At Attleborough we
01953 881533 or 07801 849 137 aim to provide our students with the
widest possible educational
opportunities. Through these initiatives
KRH CARPENTRY SERVICES
Keith Huish Council to keep trying for Skate Park
Skilled and Experienced Carpenter Watton Town Council‟s hopes to provide
a Skate Park for youngsters in the town
Need small home improvements? have encountered yet another setback
following a meeting with planners from
Doors, windows, locks . . . No job too small Breckland Council.
Free, no obligation quote The meeting was arranged in an attempt
to identify a suitable site in town that
Call Keith on would meet conditions likely to be
imposed on any planning application, in
(01953) 882484 or Mobile 07746 114285 particular the requirement to position any
activity more than 100 metres from
adjacent housing.
A study of possible sites such as Stokes
Good year for Samsen Club . . .
Although the attendance at the AGM on
19th November held at the Wells Cole
Community Centre Saham Toney, was
not large, the reports for the year‟s
activities were well received.
The sad news to begin with is that during
the past year 6 Saham members have
passed away and no new people have
come forward to join. Membership now
stands at 37. We would welcome
applications from outside the village from
people over 60 who would wish to join
our club which meets each Thursday
afternoon from 2.15 to 4.15 pm. Do
consider joining us, we are a friendly club
and you can be assured of a warm
welcome.
Club Activities Reporting on the year the
secretary confirmed that the three outings
to Wisbech, Pensthorpe and Fakenham
and Cromer were well supported and
thoroughly enjoyed during the summer.
We were fortunate in filling the coach
each time with support from friends from
Watton. For the Cromer trip most people
saw the Pier Show and enjoyed that very
we are providing our students with skills
they will undoubtedly need in the future.
Over the coming months students
throughout the school will be involved in
a multitude of projects that will have a
positive impact on our local
environment.“
Geography teacher Mr Joel Rodker has
been appointed as Lead Teacher for
Environment and Conservation; a role
that involves educating the school
members and the wider community about
the key issues and involving students in
developing methods for reducing energy
Avenue and Lovell Gardens, identified
by the Town Council has revealed that
none of them were suitable for the Skate
Park with the possible exception of a
small area at the Sports Centre.
Positioning of such a facility there would
need the agreement of the Sports Centre
and opposition to placement there has
been expressed in the past.
Councillor Crabtree expressed concern
about spending a large sum of money
providing a park only to find it would not
be used because part of the attraction of
much. Hopefully this trip will be repeated
again in 2010 plus two more trips to other
popular venues as voted upon by
members. We had a stand at the summer
fete at the WCCC. A senior citizens lunch
was arranged at Saham Grove and we
were entertained by children at Parker‟s
School
Indoor games during the year continued
as usual with short-mat carpet bowls
being always popular, plus scrabble,
cards and rummikubs, darts can be
arranged if requested. There is of course
always a cup of tea and a biscuit during
the afternoon and a raffle. The raffle each
week brings in a little revenue to help pay
for the rent of the WCCC and also
subsidise the outings for members.
A bit about money For 2010 owing to
higher rent charges and increased charges
for coach hire, the subscription has been
increased to £10.00 per member for the
year, plus £1.00 per week that includes a
cup of tea and a raffle ticket. Still a
modest amount considering the benefits,
amongst which are the outings which
News
use and wastage. Commenting on the
visit he said “This successful theatre visit
was just one example of the ways in
which we are trying to educate our
students about environmental issues.
Recently I took part in a study visit to
Hong Kong with 14 other Norfolk
teachers. The focus was on how schools
there are responding to climate change
and how we could share ideas and
experiences with students in Norfolk. It
is very exciting to be making
international links on such crucial
issues.”
skateboarding was to be seen doing it.
Chair of the Council, Margaret Holmes
said she was “Disappointed that no
suitable site had been identified, but the
Council must not give up.
“The glimmer of a possibility of a
suitable location at the Sports Centre is
encouraging but we must now consult
with the management there to establish
their agreement and with the Skate
Boarders to be sure the site would meet
their needs.”
only cost members £3.00 per trip, a good
games and social afternoon each week
and participation in the annual party.
Happy Birthday The climax of the clubs
year is marked with a birthday party, and
in 2009 we celebrated our 22nd year.
Diane Dutton our hon. treasurer kindly
undertakes the arrangements for the
party, providing the club with a splendid
meal, which this week 40 people
including some guests enjoyed. Diane
with a little bit of help from some friends
does all the catering Diane even finds the
energy from somewhere to organise a
superb raffle, the proceeds this year of
£110 to be given to Quidenham Hospice.
In addition she spends the year shopping
around to ensure that each person
attending the party receives a gift. Yes
you‟re right she is a treasure of a
treasurer! At the birthday party Olive
Read played popular music on her
keyboard for a sing-a-long which was
enjoyed, and our chairman Ron Wheeler
organised a couple of teasing table
quizzes.
News
Bradenham &
District
Horticultural
Society
A Happy New Year to all
Our January meeting will be held in
the Village Hall on Thursday 21st at
7.30pm. We are very pleased and
proud to have Peter Gooch from
Thorncroft Clematis Nurseries as
our speaker. Thorncroft are regular
Gold Medal Winners at Chelsea and
other flower shows so this is a talk
well worth attending.
There also will be the usual attractions
- bring and buy, refreshments, raffle
and Geoff's Tips. All are welcome.
Marianne Kilmartin, Publicity Officer.
01362 820744
Poppy Total
Royal British Legion, Watton District
are delighted to announce that the
final total for the 2009 Poppy Appeal
collection was £11,373.67. Many
thanks to all the street collectors and
house-to-house collectors who
contributed to the Appeal's success
and to the various churches and
organisations that have donated sums.
The total includes amounts collected
in Watton, Saham Toney, Ashill,
Carbrooke, the Cressinghams,
Threxton, Breckles, Merton, Stow
Bedon, Ovington, Griston, Holme
Hale, Didlington and Stanford
Training Area - many boxes helped by
many people - MANY THANKS! Jo
Myers. Poppy Appeal Organiser,
Watton District.
Tomato – Tomayto
Gardening in Navasota, Texas with Helen Quinn
Most people wouldn‟t mention
Rice and Texas in the same breath,
but rice is indeed produced here.
About 40 miles south of Navasota
is a town called Katy. Katy is
pretty much a suburb of Houston
nowadays, but wasn‟t always so.
Rice farming began in the Katy
area in 1898 with its height in the
late 1960‟s. In the early days, the
land was full of rice fields, when
there were more than 300 rice
farmers. That number has
dwindled to 9,500 acres planted in
rice and about 15 active farmers.
Local produce is always good, but
the exciting thing about the Katy
rice fields is that they provide food
and accommodations to the
migratory Canada Geese in winter.
What a thrilling sight it is to see the
geese fly over in their hundreds and
thousands when the winter storms
are paralyzing the north of the
country. They are one of Mother
Nature‟s great weather barometers,
and when the first v-formation flies
in, there is always fierce
competition to be the first to hear
them! If the wind is head-on from
the south and the Gulf of Mexico,
they will tack from east to west like
a sailboat out on the ocean –
sometimes it seems that they have
no idea what they are doing, but
they always do! We hate to see
them leave in the spring because
that means the hot weather is
returning.
Historic Parish Churches Of Norfolk Caston Village Hall
Attractive thatched cottages are
grouped around a green with an
avenue of huge oak trees lining the
road to Wymondham with the
church of St. Peter Kimberley by
the lodge and the entrance gates to
the park and Hall. On the side of
the green fronting the B1108
Norwich to Watton road stands the
large village sign displaying the
arms of the Wodehouse family,
lords of the manor since the time of
King Henry I, although these are
not their original arms.
Much of the church has been
rebuilt - the first stage of the tower
in the 1530's and the upper stages
some 100 years later. A massive
hammer beam roof was constructed
in 1904 when the chancel was
rebuilt and the E and SE windows
contain rather nice C14 and C15
stained glass. There is also a
beautiful set of Royal Arms in
wood which, apart from high
intrinsic quality, is the only one in
Norfolk bearing the Stuart motto
used by James I - 'Beati
P acifici' (Ble ssed are the
Peacemakers). There are ledger
slabs in the chancel with splendidly
carved Wodehouse arms, mostly of
the 17th century and a black slab
commemorating John Rare Jenkins,
a talented musician who spent most
of his life as instructor and guest,
first with the le Stranges of
Hunstanton, then the Norths of
R o u gh a m a n d fi n a l l y t h e
Wodehouses of Kimberley. He
died in 1678.
Because burials over the centuries
Meet Tennyson! (below) I found
him wandering up the driveway last
winter; he waited while I went
inside for a tape measure. His shell
came in at 12” x 11”, so I knew he
was a wise old turtle. Next day he
was gone, and I didn‟t see him
again for several weeks. However,
I noticed my fish pond was
becoming very muddy and the
water poppies were being shredded
as soon as they put on new leaves.
Every time I went near the pond I
would hear a “plop!” as he dived
back into the water, and it wasn‟t
until a couple of months ago that he
started letting me get close enough
to take photos. He is a Red Eared
Slider, so called because of the red
stripes behind the eyes and his
ability to slide back into the water
when disturbed. Fortunately he
hasn‟t eaten the fish, but he has
outstayed his welcome. I am trying
to get him
relocated to a
park far
enough away
that he won‟t
be running
“home”!
January is the
month for ice
storms, which
we have
periodically.
If the weather
is “right” we
have heavy
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 11
had occupied all available space in Wodehouse was granted an
The Street, Caston. NR17 1DD
the church, Sir John Wodehouse
4th baronet, decided to build a
Augmentation of Honour by the
king in which the crest became an
The Village Hall is available for short
and long term hiring.
vault for future committals. A large
mural slab on the North side of the
arm holding a club with the motto
'Frappe Fort' - Strike Hard - with Hire it for an hour or two to practice
chancel lists all subsequent burials the wild man omitted but two of dancing, play table tennis
from Anne, countess Torrington, them placed as supporters. A
died 1719, to John, 2nd earl of further augmentation was added to
(equipment supplied), darts or
Kimberley, died 1932. the shield in the form of 'gutte de carpet bowls (equipment available)
The most famous member of the sang' - drops of blood - on the or maybe for your children’s party.
family was the John Wodehouse chevron and the motto
who fought with Henry V at AGINCOURT below. The sinister Very Reasonable Rates
Agincourt where he won very high (left) red hand denotes that
praise from the king for an Wodehouse was a baronet. Contact Stephanie on
independent action in which he was Sir John, who died in 1430, had
supported by Davey Gam, a Welsh ordered that his body be buried 01953 488 495
man-at-arms and the only non- under the free-school in Norwich, or email steadfast2@btinternet.com
noble casualty listed in then the lower chapel of the charnel
Shakespeare's play, Henry V. house by the Cathedral.
As the battle developed in favour of The story of John Wodehouse's
the English, many French nobles fled heroic deed is told in rhyme in
and established themselves in an old Blomefield's Norfolk Vol.11 pp
fort nearby which was difficult to
assault because of restricted access.
545. The Wodehouse family no
longer reside at Kimberley.
One of many knights from
East Anglia to fight in the
battle, Sir John Wodehouse
decided to pursue them, and
after vicious hand-to-hand
fighting in which Davey
Gam was mortally wounded,
the French finally
surrendered.
The Arms borne by
Wodehouse at the battle
were 'Sable (black) a
chevron Or (gold) between
three cinquefoils ermine
with the crest of a savage,
or wild man, holding a
club. Because of his
courage and leadership
ice forming, and this ice can last for
several days. The garden becomes
a winter wonderland as the ice
encloses flowers, branches, twigs
and leaves, all of which emerge
seemingly unharmed when the ice
Lusher Coach Excursions 2010
melts. Sunday 17th January Lunch at Browston Hall, Lowestoft £23.00
Dead time in the garden is a reality Sunday 28th February Lunch at The Buck Inn, Flixton £21.50
this season in more ways than one. Sunday 28th March Lunch at The Stag, Attleborough £25.00
On December 4th the temperature Easter Monday 5th April Mini Mystery Tour £9.50
dipped to –5C and stayed there for Our 2010 Excursion List – is now available
10 hours – the big chill turned into To get your copy – please call us on 01760 440589
the big kill for many of our tropical or e-mail: excursions@lusher2000.fsnet.co.uk
and sub-tropical plants. In advance
of the freezing weather came a few
flurries of snow, and oddly enough
south of here, in Houston and along
the Gulf Coast, they received four
inches or more!
So now we return to our seed
catalogues and “dream time”, and On your PVCu Replacement
in the meantime, here‟s wishing Windows, Doors and
everyone a Happy and Prosperous
New Year!
Sunlounges.
Plus!We have no pushy sales
reps, all appointments are
undertaken by
Ray Harman(Proprietor)
Unit B, Yaxham Rd,
Dereham
(behind Halfords)
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 12 News

Watton Ballroom “Bill Barrow” success Just do it . . .

Dancing By Adrian Goldring so, should

Association New Year resolutions are all very well

Queen‟s Hall, Watton
8 to 11.00 Admission £3.00
Saturday January 2nd
Saturday February 6th
Mike 01953 882799
The Watton Safer Neighbourhood
Team‟s initiative to make police
more accessible has been a great
success says Sergeant Lance
Ogbourne.
By sharing a stall with the
Wayland Development
Partnership Trust at the December
Farmer‟s Market, the team hoped
to make it easier for people to
chat informally with officers on a
variety subjects including crime
prevention advice.
On (01953) 883143 Sergeant Lance Ogbourne said
“We had approx 200 people stop
Mobile 07721 535 285 to chat with us. Some had
EDWARDS OF WATTON Enjoy an
WATTON’S SPECIALIST NEWSAGENT
amusing
policing issues to discuss and
many were just happy to see us.
“We sold lots of the purse alarms
and similar personal security
devices which will hopefully
make people feel a little safer
when out and about. It was great
fun to do and was well received
by the people who visited the
market. We are looking forward
to the next one in February.
Subject to operational demands,
the next Bill Barrow will be at the
Farmers Market on February 6th
2010.
but few of us keep them. Why not
make 2010 the year you actually make
your Will for example, instead of
thinking “I‟m not old enough yet”, or
“I‟ll do it later”. Or perhaps you‟ve
been meaning to find out more about
your legal rights if you are co-habiting
with your partner? We tend to put off
these kinds of things until one day it
may be too late.
Although the Government is looking at
changing the law to give better rights
on death to co-habitants who are not
married, those changes are not yet in
effect and many people believe
common law marriages are legally
recognised. They are not.
Says Adrian Goldring, of Greenland
Houchen Pomeroy, “You can protect
your position through a well drawn up
Will and other legal documents. It may
be that you want to ensure that your
children from a previous marriage as
well as your current partner benefit
from your estate. As the law stands at
the moment, your partner has no legal
rights over your estate if you die.
Alternatively, you may want to ensure
that if the law does change in this field,
new rights are given to your partner.
The only way to ensure your wishes
are carried out is to make a Will now.”
Another sensible precaution before
moving in with a partner (or
committing to any long-term
relationship including marriage) is to
agree in writing about certain
important financial matters. For
example, if one partner moves into the
home of the other, should the property
be transferred into their joint names? If
the partners
have equal
shares? I‟m
s u r e
everyon e
has heard of
a pre-
nuptial
agreement.
These are usually only required when
one partner has substantial assets and
income which he or she would like to
be protected in the case of a divorce.
Such an agreement may not always be
water-tight but it is likely a Court
would give serious consideration to
such document, particularly if both
parties have taken legal advice and the
terms are reasonable.
If, as you get older, you are concerned
about losing your mental capacity
(possib l y wi th de men tia or
Alzheimer‟s), you may wish to
consider drawing up a Lasting Power
of Attorney now which sets out how
your affairs will be managed.
Lastly, you may be considering a move
this year – perhaps your current home
is too small and with a growing family,
you need more space or at the other
end of the spectrum, your children
have left home and you want to
downsize. “Don‟t forget that we help
you throughout your moving
experience, from reasonably priced
Home Information Packs to enable you
to market your property to competitive
conveyancing costs,” says Adrian.
“Come and have a chat at 40 High
Street, Watton, or telephone me on
01953 882864”.

afternoon Hackers, Tackers and

helping the RNLI
"Pick & Mix Sweets" now
available in store
We are also pleased to offer News Deliveries 7
days a week in the following areas Griston,
Northacre, Caston, Stow Bedon, Breccles, Great
Hockham, East Wretham, Larling, Snetterton,
Shropham and Mount Pleasant
50 High Street, Watton. Tel: 881234
Established in Watton for four generations
As part of the RNLI S.O.S fundraising day
29th January 2010 at the Granary Theatre,
Wells there will be an afternoon of very
amusing poems and stories written and read
by Doreen Reed. If you remember the 50‟s
and 60‟s you will enjoy her subtle humour.
Doreen has entertained many audiences across
East Anglia and has been described as being
“very funny with the ability to write a
humorous poem about even the most mundane
event.” So come along, enjoy a laugh and help
the RNLI
Tickets are £4 and can be obtained by telephoning
Doreen on 01328 710193 or by email to
dh.reed@btopenworld.com
Stuffers
On Monday 14th December we had
our Christmas Lunch at The
Chequers Inn, Thompson. We had
good food, good company and
excellent service thus a good time
was had by all. There was a ‟Secret
Santa‟ and each member present had
a needlecraft related gift.
Our first meeting of 2010 will be on
12th January, the second Tuesday at
7 p.m. in the Watton Christian
Community Centre. Our new
programme of workshops,
demonstrations and other activities
will be announced shortly afterwards.
We are open to suggestions and
offers from those with skills they
would like to pass on. If you are
interested in joining us why not come
along and find out what we do. For
up to date information don‟t forget to
c h e c k o ur Blo g on ht tp :/ /
htsqgroup.blogspot.com . Thank you
for all the interest there has been in
this feature, keep reading and we
love to receive Posts.
We wish you a happy, healthy and
peaceful 2010. Sue Hart

Norwich Road, Watton, Thetford, Ashill Garden Club

Norfolk. IP25 6HW Ashill Garden Club held its
Tel: (01953) 881343 Fax:(01953) 882923 final meeting for 2009 on
Thursday 10th December but by
the time this information goes to
press, we will be in 2010. We
would therefore like to wish all
our members a Happy New
Year, and hope that everyone
will support the club and all the
hard work that goes on behind
the scenes to make the monthly
sessions enjoyable.
For instance, the two members
who looked after the
refreshments this year, did a
sterling job of providing a
delicious Christmas buffet,
e-mail: sales@bobsmobiles.co.uk c o mp le t e with Chr is t mas
crackers. The club also provided
an excellent raffle with some
lovely prizes, including a
Christmas hamper. However,
due to low attendance much of
the buffet went uneaten. This
could have been avoided if
members had let the Secretary
know they were unable to come.
To avoid this happening again,
it has been agreed that members
will be asked to confirm if they
will be coming to future
Christmas get togethers.
John Vincent, our hardworking
Secretary, announced that due
to rising costs members will no
lon ger receive mon thly
newsletters; in the New Year he
will be publishing a definitive
list of dates (which have been
thoroughly checked) together
with the planned talks and
outings. Members will therefore
need to keep this list in a safe
place, so that they have a way
of checking on dates and events.
During this session, all those
involved in organising club
activities - John, Audrey,
Eileen, Gloria and Susan
together with Vicky and Sue -
were thanked for all their hard
work. Let's hope that 2010 will
be a good year for the club and
everyone involved in it.
News Mid-Norfolk Times Page 13

Happy Birthday Project Rainbow Imagine the scent of

Roses at Ashill GC
By invitation of Ashill Garden Club, Bill LeGrice will visit
Ashill Community Centre, on Thursday, 21" January 2010 and
give an illustrated talk about the roses he grows in Norfolk.
He is a Vice-President of the Royal National Rose Society and
holds the Silver medal for services to the rose industry. Bill is
here to help you choose the best roses for your garden and answer
questions. He is one of the U.K.'s national judges of the new
seeding roses.
Non members welcome 2.30 until 4.30pm @ £2.00 per person.
For more information please telephone Vince 01760 440 320.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEAS

Hosted by St. Mary’s Church
Sunday 17th January Watton Christian Community Centre
2.30pm until 4.00pm
All welcome - please come along and bring family and friends

FINE BOOKS

Surge members Pedro and Emma cut the cake J.C. BOOKS BOUGHT AND
SOLD
Project Rainbow celebrated the first & Applestore Gallery
birthday of the Surge with a party to
thank all those who have helped Telephone/Fax 01953 883488
establish and support the project. The 55 High Street, Watton
guests had the opportunity to see how For quality out of print books, Fine Bindings and
their support had helped transform the Collectable Editions. New Books including local and
former doctor‟s surgery in to an active children’s classics.
community facility. When the Surge
opened last December, just the games Visit the Applestore Gallery on the first floor,
room and meeting area were exhibiting the Paintings of Kevin Robinson and his
available. Now the Surge offers a Wii complete range of East Anglian prints including Watton
games room, music room, art room, and Wymondham.
DJ decks and karaoke room, pamper
room, fitness room and a quiet room.
Treasurer Paul Adcock said that the
Surge had a successful first year and
was attracting between twenty and
forty young people per night. The
success was the result of a great team
effort from the Trustees and
Volunteers. Above: Watton Town Council Striking the right note in the Surge’s music room
In addition to being popular with the
young people the Surge also hosts the
SATS, the Seniors At The Surge, on a
Wednesday morning. Here the „young
at heart‟ members can enjoy the same
facilities as the young people.
Project Rainbow Chairman, Rev‟d
Geoff Garrett thanked all the guests
for their support that had enabled the
project to get underway and in
particular Watton Town Council for
their commitment. Town Mayor,
Now In Our 6th

Freshl y Cooked Especiall y For You

Margaret Holmes also presented
T he Best Traditional Fish & Chips

Project Rainbow with a cheque for

£10,000, being the balance of a grant
from the Town Council. (Pictured
right)
The Surge is open on a Monday and
Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm
for young people between the ages of
11 to 17, with an admission charge of
£1. It is hoped that the Surge might be
open on a further evening in the New
Year for a younger age group.
However this is dependent on some
new volunteers coming forward to
assist. Project Rainbow would
therefore be keen to meet any
enthusiastic potential volunteers.
(contact Marion Adcock 01953
881248). In addition if anyone is
willing to assist with some
administrative duties for the Surge, we
like to hear from you too.
The next challenge facing Project
Rainbow is securing the Surge as it is
currently only leased from the
building‟s owners. Watton Town
Council and Breckland are actively
working the officers of Project
Rainbow to seek the necessary
funding.
Successful Year
The Right „Plaice‟
to get the best!
THE WATTON PLAICE
9 Middle Street, Watton
Frying on Tuesday to Saturday
from 11.30am to 1.45pm
and 4.30pm to 8.00pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
“Gone fishing!”
Don’t forget our Thursday Lunchtime Delivery
Service for the Housebound and Elderly only.
There is no charge for delivery - you pay only the
normal take-away prices.
Plaice your order before
11am on a Thursday
WET FISH available from 9am daily
Pedro takes on Councillor Alf Harvey! Telephone 01953 882 401
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 14 Advertising

DEREHAM & Maurice & Watton are helping heroes A positive

DISTRICT Watton was pleased to welcome Jacqueline Blades the Norfolk Organiser for Help for Heroes on Tuesday15th December.
Jacqueline (second from left) came to receive two cheques towards the Help for Heroes fund raising campaign, one cheque from
solution
CAT ADOPTION Marylyn Scrymgeour (second from right) at Top to Toe for £172, this being the result of the sale of souvenir fabric boxes that
had been made by Maurice Cornelius (right) and bought by some of Marylyn‟s clients, and another cheque from Richard Akister By Edith Pleasance
CENTRE (left), President of the Rotary Club of Watton & District for £100 who kindly agreed to support this venture.
Should you wish to support Help for Heroes please contact Jacqueline.blades@h4hcounty.org.uk.
When my sister suggested on my
recent visit to Australia that we go on
Hoe Road, Longham, a tour of Tasmania, I was interested.
Dereham NR19 2RP A part of the World I had not been to
Rehoming Cats and Providing before and, like most people, just
Advice & Help With Neutering thought of it as an island to the south
of the continent. What a surprise I had
OPEN 7 Days a to discover not only the size, but the
Week 11am to 3pm immense difference which existed to
that of the mainland.
Telephone . . . We started our twelve days holiday at

01362 687 919 Hobart in the extreme south and were

fortunate to be blessed with good
weather, in the mid 20c/25c with
plenty of sunshine. Our first visit was
to the penal colony at Port Arthur,
where large consignments of prisoners
from England were sent to serve out
their punishment in the 19th Century
– not so long ago. We were shown
around the prison itself with its
numerous cells and implements for

Our Nations‟ shame . . .

ROGER TURNER
07759 948 830
01953 881 382
The Hare &
Barrel Hotel
Originally an old manor house dating back
to 1806, we offer 16 en-suite bedrooms,
10 of which have been converted from
the old Coach House Stables
‘Noted for Good Food’
Extensive Bar & Restaurant Menu
bookings advisable at all times
A relaxing Conservatory ~ Beer Garden
Patio ~ Bar ~ Restaurant
Games Room ~ Car Park ~ Courtyard
Try our Traditional
Sunday Lunch
Discounts for large bookings always negotiable
Children Always Welcome
80 Brandon Road, Watton.
Tel: 01953 882752
Letter from Australia
By Chris O‟Connor
From the day Australia began to be
populated by Europeans, a so called
„white Australia” policy was in
force; in other words if you came
from a European or Anglo Saxon
background you were welcome to
settle in the nation. Black people
were told they were not qualified or
of low moral character and were
refused permission to settle here.
Mind you, in the late 1800‟s and
early nineties this did not stop „slave‟
labour being imported from the
many Pacific islands east of
Australia. Black people were OK to
do the menial work but little else.
Incredibly this policy remained in
force until the 1970‟s when a new
(some would say enlightened)
government got rid of it.
However, while the policy was in
place there was an attitude of
ensuring the nation was filled with
people from the UK.
Most people will be familiar with the
migration schemes that allowed so
called “ten pound poms” to migrate
to Australia, settle and enjoy a
lifestyle that is the envy of many of
their former friends and workmates.
Few people however, are aware of
the child migration scheme, and
recently many tears were shed when
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
delivered an historic apology to the
hundreds of thousands of Forgotten
Australians; children aged from as
young as four, who were taken from
their English families and resettled in
Australia.
He apologised for the abuse, neglect
and suffering they endured in foster
care and orphanages between the
1920s and 1970s and extended the
nation's remorse to the 7,000 child
migrants, most of who travelled to
Australia from the UK under the
mistaken belief that their parents had
died.
Around 500,000 children, including
thousands of child migrants, grew up
in government-run institutions and
foster care and many have been
lobbying for an apology from the
Federal Government since it was
recommended by a Senate
committee in 2004.
The British High Commissioner to
Australia, Baroness Valerie Amos,
says the UK Government will also
say sorry early next year for its role
in sending children to Australia.
"We're going to go out for a period
of consultation because we think it's
really important that we get the
terminology right."
"We acknowledge that this has been
a shocking period in our history and
it's important that we say sorry."
A total of 549 British children were
sent to New Zealand between 1920
and 1967, often without their parents'
consent and like the British children
sent to Australia and Canada, many
of those who arrived in New Zealand
ended up in orphanages or foster care
and were neglected and abused.
Some of New Zealand's child
migrants say a formal apology from
the UK government will be a
positive step, but it will come too late
for many.
In his address to the Australian
nation Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
acknowledged the horror and abuse
most children suffered upon arriving
here, he said he was "Sorry that as
children you were taken from your
families and placed in institutions
where so often you were abused.
Sorry for the physical suffering, the
emotional starvation and the cold
absence of love, of tenderness, of
care.
"Sorry for the tragedy, the absolute
tragedy, of childhoods lost.
Childhoods spent instead in austere
and authoritarian places where
names were replaced by numbers,
spontaneous play by regimented
routine, and the joy of learning by
the repetitive drudgery of menial
work."
All of the children were in state and
church-run orphanages, foster homes
and institutions.
The inquiry unearthed hundreds of
disturbing stories of children placed
in care due to family breakdown,
because their mothers were
unmarried or because they were
considered uncontrollable.
It found widespread assault and
emotional, physical and sexual
abuse, as well as neglect, humiliation
and the deprivation of food,
education and medical care.
In one case a young 12 year old
boy slept in one morning and was
late to milk the cows on the farm
where he and several hundred other
children were housed. Because of
his lateness he was hit with a
hockey stick on the back and
thrown down a set of stairs; he
suffered a broken back and spent
three years in hospital – he
received no compensation.
Another, a 13 year old girl told how
she was raped by the housemaster
while his wife watched. The next
morning the girl was forced to serve
them both breakfast in bed.
"The truth is, this is an ugly story.
The truth is great evil has been
done," Mr Rudd said.
"As a nation we must now reflect on
those who did not receive proper
care.
"We look back with shame that so
many of you were left cold, hungry
and alone and with nowhere to hide
and nobody, absolutely nobody, to
whom to turn.
Mr Rudd acknowledged the pain of
children shipped to Australia as
migrants.
"Robbed of your families, robbed of
your homeland, regarded not as
innocent children, but regarded
instead as a source of child labour.
"To those of you who were told
you were orphans, brought here
without your parents' knowledge
or consent, we acknowledge the
lies you were told, the lies told to
your mothers, fathers and the
pain these lies have caused for a
lifetime."
Mr Rudd also admitted that many
lies had been told to children who
were shipped from Britain.
"To those of you separated on the
dockside from your brothers and
sisters, taken alone and unprotected
to the most remote parts of a foreign
land, we acknowledge that the laws
of our nation failed you.
"And for this we are deeply sorry."
It was believed that more than
500,000 children - half Adelaide's
population - were placed in care
under various arrangements during
the past century.
A national find-and-connect service
will also be established, providing
Australia-wide co-ordinated family
tracing to locate family history files
and help reunite survivors with their
families.
chrisoconnor2@bigpond.com
teaching the unfortunates the error of
their ways. It did not bode a good
feeling, rather a section of our history
we should not feel proud about.
The next day we went on a boat trip
along the river during which we went
ashore on Sarah Island, so named after
a Commissioner‟s wife. Here, we
were told, the very worst of the
convicts were sent, those that were
beyond redemption. There they
suffered awful punishments and
conditions.
In the state of Tasmania grow some of
the oldest trees on our planet and the
Huon is special as it lives and survives
for thousands of years, is slow-
growing (we were shown a sapling
about ten inches high that had taken
nine years to grow). The wood of this
tree is extremely hardy and is
beautiful to see and touch. The
convicts were put to felling these and
other trees for the wood to build
housing and boats.
Someone had the idea of employing
the convicts on Sarah Island to build
boats and to this end advertised for a
boat builder to set this in motion. A
businessman from America answered
the call and took over a nucleus of his
own men to teach their crafts.
Consequently the convicts had at last
something to occupy their tedious
lives; they were given better food and
altogether were more valued so that
the punishments were phased out. At
the end of their sentences the men
went out into the free world as skilled
carpenters, engineers and boat
builders to lead better lives and help to
settle the pioneers who were then
discovering the delights of Tasmania.
So it was that out of grief and trouble
a positive solution was found for the
betterment of all concerned.
---o0o--- Edith Pleasance 14.12.09 ©
Macmillan
thanks
The coffee morning held at 95, Nelson
Court, raised £245.45. Our thanks to
everyone who supported the event
either by attending or by giving
donations. Particular thanks to our
helpers on the day - Sue and Trevor
Bunce, Jill Beech, Beryl Brannan,
Ann Akister and Pam Challand. Sue
also kindly donated one of her
pictures and guessing the cat's name
created considerable interest and
swelled the coffers accordingly. Many
thanks, Sue! Dave and Jenny Simons.
News
Watton Senior Citizens‟ Party
With the permission of the Acting
Headteacher Trefor Parry and the
School Governors, the annual
Senior Citizens party took place on
the 12th December at Wayland
Community High School, thanks
again to the help and generosity of
so man y me mbe rs o f our
community including of course Alan
Abel at Mullengers who handled our
tickets. Regular volunteers and
Senior Management, along with the
Junior School cooks, prepared the
meal, the ingredients of which were
donated once again by Cranswick
Country Foods (ex Bowes) Gary‟s
Place, RAF Marham and Watton
Produce. Rotary, Town Council and
the Chamber of Trade were the main
funders. Students from the school
laid out the tables in the main hall.
Youngsters served the meal and
drinks. Father Christmas came along
and made sure that everyone went
home with a present. MC for the
e ve n in g, R i ch a rd Cr a bt re e ,
introduced entertainment from
youngsters from the Westfield
Primary School, who again sang
carols, and students from Year 7 to
Year 11 at the High School. One of
the better evenings we have had for
some years, most of which was
down to the weather and the quality
of the food and the young people,
part of the near 70 strong back up
team. Our thanks go out to
everyone.
The 2010 party is being planned for
early December by Trefor Parry on
behalf of the High School, Richard
Crabtree, Tim Leonard and Karl
Green and we hope to get up to 200
old and new of our Senior Citizens
to come out and enjoy themselves as
everyone seemed to do this year.
Letters
to the Editor
An open letter to Mr.Nigel
Brigham, Regional Director of
SUSTRANS Charitable Trust.
We the Residents of Churchill Close
have read your comments to our
objections in the December issue of
The Mid-Norfolk Times to the
proposed Cycle and Pedestrian Way
giving access to Wayland Community
High School.
We feel it only fair that we reiterate in
the clearest terms possible what we
are actually objecting to.
We have stated openly that we have
absolutely no objection to the concept
of a Cycle and Pedestrian Way being
created from the Thetford Road to
culminate in the grounds of Wayland
Community High School.
You appear to have lost site of our
objection, which is the proposed
access into Churchill Close. The idea
that this access point would allow
access to and from the Town Centre
easier by foot and bicycle for
everyone in the Thetford Road area is
on the face of it almost certainly not
the case. We are a Town of some
10,000 souls and the overwhelming
majority of the inhabitants are either
recently retired, pensioners of a
certain age and the infirm. None of
Above: Youngsters from Westfield Primary School entertaining the party goers (below)
this group is likely to want to use or
indeed need to use such a path. Many
of them might collapse in the attempt!
As for the Churchill Close road itself,
it will become a bottleneck and the
peaceful life that we now enjoy will
be destroyed forever, for no good
reason.
It was a great pity that you were
unable to attend the Watton Town
Council Planning and Development
Committee meeting as it would have
given a sense of the unease felt.
Please rest assured that we are not
objecting to Sustrans proposal but
solely to that part we believe to be ill
conceived. Yours sincerely, Richard
Denempont, Watton.
That boy Sid
Sir, on a recent visit to Watton,
visiting friends I read your paper, and
would like to inform Boy Sid (letters
December issue) that the city dwellers
who buy second homes, or just move
to the Kent countryside not only
complain of cockerels crowing but
also of cows mooing, and not mention
the aroma of natural fertiliser.
I like Norfolk, especially the
"Broads". That‟s the boating type.
Yours, Man of Kent
Candlelight Dinner &
Cleaving Heavages
Town Mayor Councillor Margaret
Holmes will be hosting a
Candlelight Dinner at the Queens
Hall on Friday 5 February 2010 to
raise money for her two chosen
charities, Wayland Luncheon Club
and Watton Thursday Club. Tickets
will be £15 per person which will
Happy Birthday SSAFA
SSAFA 125 First In, Last Out
In 2010, SSAFA Forces Help
will celebrate 125 years of
continued service to Britain‟s
Armed Forces. It is a truly
remarkable achievement that
provides us with a great
opportunity to let you know who
we are and what we do. There
will be a calendar of events all
through the year and we start
with:-
Saturday 13 February – National
Collection Day, ring 01 953 885400
if you would like to help in Watton
or 01603 403322 for other towns in
the region.
Thursday 18 February – Service
of Celebration at Westminster
Abbey
May date tbc - The Big SSAFA
Quiz & Chips
include a cold buffet supper and
entertainment from the wonderful
risqué „Cleaving Heavages‟.
Tickets will be on sale from 4th
January from the Council Office,
Wayland Hall, Middle Street,
Watton or contact Town Clerk
Jacqui Seal on 01953 881007.
June date tbc - Launch a Lantern
And best of all „Target 125‟. We
are asking you to raise £125 for
SSAFA FH in order to hit the
tar get o f £1.25 million !
Sponsored silence, no uniform
day, Beetle Drive, half marathon
around Watton, sponsor a shave
in, all your ideas and donations
will be welcome by our
Servicemen and their families.
Please ring 01603 403322 and let us
know what you plan to do!!
SSAFA has existed for 125 years to
help Members, ex Members of the
British Armed Forces and their
families – and National Servicemen
and Reservists - to relieve their
need and suffering.
Is this you? Is this someone you
know? Ring 01 603 403322 today
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 15
DY-FIT FOR LIFE
EXERCISE TO MUSIC CLASSES
Watton Sports Centre, Dereham Road.
All the sessions are designed to promote stamina,
strength and flexibility whilst taking into account
the fitness level and ability of participants.
General Aerobics Mondays 7pm
An hour long, as energetic as you wish!**
Nifty Fifties Fridays 11am
A challenging workout for
"recycled teenagers"**
Gentle Option Fridays 10am
40 minutes duration, no floorwork. Problems such as
arthritis and joint replacement are taken into account.
Please note the new term starts on Friday 8th Jan.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
** Please bring a mat for floorwork
For further details, please contact
Diane Cuthbert
01953 850275
RSA/YMCA Qualified Teacher
Classes held during term-time
IAN WILTON
GENERAL BUILDER
For all your building needs....
NEW BUILD, EXTENSIONS,
GARAGES, RENOVATIONS,
ALTERATIONS, ROOFING,
FASCIAS, GUTTERING,
PLASTERING, DECORATING,
CERAMIC TILING, PATIOS,
FENCING .
No job too small.
Local friendly service.
Call Ian for a free estimate
07917 284098/01953 483192
New Year
New You!
Aches and pains, stress or
strains. Bad habits to kick, new
habits to learn. Visit Total
Health Therapy and find out
how we can help you.
• Acupuncture • Chiropody
• Physiotherapy • Osteopathy
• Indian Head Massage
• Homeopathy • Reflexology
• Hypnotherapy
• Nutritional Therapy
Gift Vouchers Available
22 Thetford Road Watton IP25 6BS
Tel : 01953 886860
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 16 News

Brownies‟ Winter Wonderland

Funeral of
Bertie Clifford
Goddard
The funeral took place of Bertie
Clifford Goddard at St George‟s
Church, Saham Toney on
November 24th 2009. The service
was conducted by the Rev. Jane
Atkins.
Bertie‟s early years were spent
working on a farm at South
Pickenham and later, on a smaller
farm at Griston. He was in the
Army reserves until he decided to
join the regular army. He was a
sapper in 294 Field Company
Royal Engineers, on leaving the
army he was a Lance Corporal.
After working for H. Long at
Ickborough for nearly thirty years,
he retired.
He was a very keen vegetable
gardener and took great pride in
his garden, a passion which he
has passed on to his grandsons.
Family mourners were Mrs S
Howe, Mr N Howe, Mr P Howe,
Lindsey Everett, Mr A Howe,
Miss B Clark, Mr & Mrs M
Jessup, Mrs O Adland and Ken,
Mr John Adland, Mrs C Ward
(Mrs J James) Mrs L Ward (Terry
Ward), Mr K Ward, Tony Ward
& Mrs E Ward, Mr T Goodard,
Mr Steven Jenny, Mrs Rita
Fisher, Mr & Mrs Alan
Kettringham (Ian & David), Mrs
Diane Driesdale (Ken & family),
Mrs S Freeman, Mr Shaun Fisher.
Other mourners: Mrs Jane
Crawford,Mr & Mrs Peter Fisher,
Mr & Mrs P Willimott, Mrs
Emma Barham, Miss Sara Peters,
Mr Eric Cox (his wife Margaret
& David Staff), Mrs Teresa
Bailey (Liam Elvin), Mrs J Syer
(Mr & Mrs P Spilman), Mrs R
Fickling (Carl Payne), Mrs Carol
Brock, Mrs Jean Bridges
(Family), Mr & Mrs Geoffrey
Blake, Mrs Gloria Carter (Jim),
Mr & Mrs B Mower, Mrs Thelma
Mason (David Mason), Mr Albert
Layton, Mrs Jenny Tweed, Mrs
Tracey Webster, Lisa Watcham
(Carewatch)

To celebrate Christmas, 1st Watton
Brownies transformed the inside of the
Scout Hut into a Winter Wonderland,
dressed up Santa's helpers and performed
a concert of songs and sketches. Phew!
What an exciting evening, to finish off a
very busy and exciting term. We sang
lots of Christmas songs and all of our
favourite Brownie songs ... including the
Bumblebee song, of course! Also, each
of the Sixes performed a short sketch of
poems and jokes. Poems about grannies
down the toilet and teacher's with pins in
their bottoms, verses about spiders in the
bath and squabbling twins, jokes about
Christmas - all performed beautifully by
the Brownies, who worked hard to make
the concert a real success. Thank you to
all the parents, grandparents and friends
who came to support the girls and WELL
DONE to the Brownies. We are looking
forward to 2010 and all the challenges it
may bring!

When Allan and Sarah Cann opened their

Farm Shop at Griston on the 7th November
last year, they were not sure what the
reception would be.
Griston Farm Shop
Bales Browne Accountancy But, says Allan “It has got off to a really
good start. We have been selling game and
Services Limited our own turkeys for a while now and when
the shop came free it seemed a natural
Accounts preparation for Sole traders, extension to the business. We took over the
Limited Companies and Partnerships building last February and have spent time
Personal, Limited Company, and Partnership Tax Returns getting it into shape and getting fully
Book-keeping PAYE VAT Returns organised.”
The shop carries a selection of regional and
Karen Bales ACCA MAAT Bsc (Hons) local produce including meats and a wide
range of other products such as Jams,
Telephone 01953 884019 Chutneys and flour. It is also home to
Allan‟s growing wholesale butchery
118 Norwich Road, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk. IP25 6DU
business which supplies local pubs and
Email: balesbrowneaccountancy@yahoo.co.uk restaurants.
“We try and source everything locally from
Norfolk and Suffolk.” says Allan

SALEC TRAVEL LTD “And it is all reasonably priced” added

Sarah.
“We have fantastic ice cream from Norfolk,
Saturday 9th January Ipswich Sales 9am & 4pm Return Adult £9 Child £6 flour from Letheringset Mill, a huge range
Thurs 14th January Fakenham 9.30am & 1.30pm Return Adult & Child £5 of sauces, marinades, pickles, preserves and
Sat 23rd January Bury St Edmunds 9.30am & 3pm Return Adult & Child £5 chutneys, fresh fruit drinks from the
Thurs 11th February Fakenham 9.30am & 1.30pm Return Adult & Child £5 Breckland area and our own range of pates.
Thursday 25th February Sudbury 9.30am & 4pm Return Adult £8 Child £5 “In our chilled deli area we have a large
Thursday 15th April Foster & Allen at Kings Lynn Adult £26 selection of cooked meats, cheeses made
Sunday 18th April Dominic Kirwin at Hunstanton Adult £27 locally, local dairy products such as milk,
Monday 26th April Daniel o Donnell at Ipswich cream and butter plus many other products
(Tickets for this event are not on sale yet but if you would like to go let us that you would expect to find in a farm
know so we know how many tickets to try and get) shop and local stores.
Holidays 2010 “We very much see ourselves as a part of
the local food chain where people can come
(Please ring for Itineraries)
and buy good, wholesome food and
produce at reasonable prices and without
leaving a large carbon footprint.”
The shop recently featured in Radio
Norfolk‟s popular Sunday Treasure Hunt,
when it was the hiding place for one of the
clues. In Treasure Hunt, listeners to
Norfolk help presenter David Clayton and
treasure hunter Becky Betts on a Sunday
morning to solve 5 clues that lead to the
treasure which is “buried” somewhere in
Norfolk.
In November the clue was hidden amongst
the Breckland Orchard Cloudy Lemonade
at the Farm Shop.
Sarah and Allen have more plans for the
business when they hope to develop a café
in spring of this year.
Griston Farm Shop is in Church Road,
Griston and is presently open Monday to
Thursday and Saturday from 8.30am to
5.30pm with a late night till 7pm on a
Friday. Sundays are 10am to 4pm.
www.brecklandgame.co.uk

Wayland Happy Circle news . . .

Country & Western Weekend ~ Emmerdale Weekend
Brighton Weekend ~Isle of Wight ~ Lake District
Turkey & Tinsel Folkestone
2010 Brochure Out Now! A Happy and Peaceful New Year to all
our members
year for our group. Our next meeting will
be the A.G.M. followed by games, please
be held on Tuesday 5th January at the
Watton Christian Community Centre,
For more details please phone: I think we all enjoyed the poems and all come along to this important meeting 2pm.
anecdotes of Tina Chamberlain at our where you will have an opportunity air A preliminary notice about our February

01953 881159 December meeting, a truly talented and

amusing lady. This was followed by a
Christmas tea and Santa's Sack.
PRIVATE COACH & MINIBUS HIRE ALSO AVAILIBLE Now we look forward to an interesting
your views and suggestions on the
running of our group - YES we are
hoping to improve the sound system so
meeting when we hope to welcome our
Lady Mayor, Margaret Holmes, who will
talk about 'Her Life'
that you all can hear. This meeting will Hope to see you all there.
Church times and Puzzles Mid-Norfolk Times Page 17
WATTON CHURCHES TOGETHER Fountain of Life meets in The Well Christian Centre,
SERVICE CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 2010
Swaffham Rd, Ashill
A missionary congregation of the Church of England. Details on
www.fountainoflifeonline.org Groups for children and young people of all ages
A Happy New Year
from the Editor
St. Mary’s Church, Watton
1st, 3rd & 4th Wednesday at 9.30am Holy Communion. 2nd Wednesday Sun 3rd 10.00am Service of the Word
Morning Worship Church Office opens Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-1pm Sun 10th 10.00am Service of the Word
Tel: 01953 881252 margaret@churchadm.freeserve.co.uk 6.00pm Feed the Soul Welcome to the first ever January edition of the Mid-Norfolk
www.stmaryswatton.org Sun 17th 10.00am Holy Communion Times. In the guises of The Wayland News and The Attleborough
Sun 3rd 8.00am Holy Communion 6.00pm Feed the Soul
and District News, publishing in January was never undertaken.
10.45am Covenant Service at the Methodist Church Sun 24th 10.00am Service of the Word
6.00pm Feed the Soul But new production processes mean I am now able to produce a
Sun 10th 8.00am Holy Communion
10.00am Holy Communion Sun 31st 10.00am Holy Communion January edition. And with distribution extending now to
Sun 17th 8.00am Holy Communion 6.00pm Feed the Soul Attleborough (and soon Wymondham too) many of you will be
10.00am Holy Communion reading The Mid-Norfolk Times for the first time. If that applies
Sun 24th 8.00am Holy Communion Breckles, Caston, Great Hockham, Griston, to you, then welcome.
10.00am All Age Worship Merton, Stow Bedon, Thompson January is normally a quiet month for many organisations and
6.30pm Watton Churches Together Unity Service at consequently this paper is thinner than normal. But the reduced size
the Pentecostal Church Worship Calendar: January 2010 reflects the very reason the Mid-Norfolk Times exists – to support
Sun 31st 8.00am Holy Communion rd
you, your community and all the things your community does,
Sunday 3 January—Epiphany Sunday
6.30pm Choral Evensong
10:30 am United Holy Communion Breckles whether you are in Attleborough, Wayland or Wymondham.
Watton Methodist Church Sunday 10th January—Baptism of Christ The mantra of the Mid-Norfolk Times is “Supporting the
Every Wednesday the Church is open for quiet reflection and prayer 9:00 am Matins (BCP) Merton community”. The Mid-Norfolk Times is YOUR newspaper; if
between 10.am & 12 Noon. It’s your quiet place. At 10.30 there is a 10:30 am United Holy Communion Caston you have a message you would like to get out to a wider audience
half-hour Midweek Service in the Large Vestry led by the Minister or a Sunday 17th January—2nd Sunday of Epiphany then this is your means to do it. It is here to help you.
Church Member. www.wattonmethodist.btik.com 10:20 am Sunday Club Gt .Hockham I always think it is better if you write the story; after all who
Sun 3rd 10.45am Covenant Service Rev B Winner (ages 4-11, church room)
6.30pm Rev B Eagle
knows better what you want to say but you? If you are not sure
10:30 am United Holy Communion Gt. Hockham
Sun 10th 10.45am Mrs J Semmons how to go about it, I can, and will, do it for you and take the
Sunday 24th January—3rd Sunday of Epiphany pictures as well. All you need to do is get in touch, by email to
6.30pm Rev B Winner
9:00 am Holy Communion (BCP) Merton
Sun 17th 10.45am Mr A Warby julian@midnorfolktimes.com or by phone to 01953 858 908.
10:20 am Sunday Club Griston
6.30pm Rev A King Holy Communion
(ages 4-11, „Manorcourt‟ Day Centre, Manor Rd.)
Sun 24th 10.45am Mr D Fisher

PUZZLE CORNER
10:30 am United Holy Communion Griston
6.30pm Watton Churches Together, at the Pentecostal
Church, No Service at Watton Methodist Church Sunday 31st January—Presentation of Christ in Temple
Sun 31st 10.45am Rev B Winner 10:30 am United Holy Communion Stow Bedon
6.30pm Rev D Lloyd Sunday 7th February
Roman Catholic Community
10:30 am United Holy Communion Thompson £10 PRIZE CROSSWORD
Each Sat 5.30pm Mass at Watton Methodist Church For all our parishes… Would you like to win a £10 Adcocks Voucher to spend? Simply
Pentecostal Church, Dereham Road, Watton ‘The WAY’ Youth Group (ages 11+) complete the crossword on the right and drop it in to The Wayland
There is a Noah's Ark Sunday and King's Kids for children Sundays 3rd and 17th January 7-8:00 pm, Rectory News bin at (or post it to) Adcocks, 32 High Street, Watton,
to age 11 on Sunday mornings 3rd– 31st Jan Pram Services: Wednesdays, 10:15 am Norfolk. IP25 6AE before the paper deadline. All correct entries
Sun 3rd 10.30am Morning Worship Caston School Hall. For parents or carers with children aged will be put into a draw and the winner will receive a £10 Adcocks
Sun 10th 10.30am Morning Worship 0-5. Short Holy Communion, kiddies‟ Christian songs, social voucher to spend. In the event of any dispute the decision of the
Sun 17th 10.30am Morning Worship & play time. Editor will be final. The clues are a mix of cryptic, and easy with
Sun 24th 10.30am Morning Worship one or two anagrams thrown in just to make it more interesting!
6.30pm Watton Churches Together Unity Service Enquiries: The Revd. Bob Nichols: Tel.: (01953) 483222;
Email: revbobnichols@gmail.com The correct solution will be published in the next issue.
and buffet tea
Sun 31st 10.30am „New Beginnings - A new me!‟
Sun 31st 4.30pm Coffee, Cake & Conversation - Stories
from India 2010 Mission
St. Nicholas’ Church, Ashill
Special Dates and
Sun 3rd
Sun 10th
Sun 17th
9.30am
9.30am
9.30am
Lay Led Morning Worship
Morning Worship
All Age Worship
Anniversaries
Do you know someone who will be reaching the wonderful age of
Sun 24th 9.30am Holy Communion 100 years old or the a couple who have been married for 50 years, 60
Sun 31st 10.30am Group Holy Communion
years or 70 years and would like the Town Mayor to pay a visit then
St. George’s Church, Saham Toney please contact Jacqui Seal, Town Clerk on 01953 881007 or write to
Sun 10th 11.00am Covenant Service at St George‟s Church Watton Town Council, Wayland Hall, Middle Street, Watton,
Sun 17th 11.00am All Age Worship Norfolk IP25 6AG.
Sun 24th 11.00am Holy Communion

Sun 3rd
Sun 10th
S.S. Peter & Paul’s Church, Carbrooke
10.30am
10.30am
Benefice Service of Holy Communion
All Age Worship
Councillor‟s Surgeries
Watton Town Councillors will be holding a Councillors Surgery
Sun 17th 10.30am Holy Communion on the first Saturday of each month at the Surge. Any Member of
Sun 24th 10.30am Methodist Service
the public wishing to speak to a Councillor will be able to voice
St John the Evangelist Church, Ovington their views from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Thursdays at 8.00am Said Holy Communion The first Surgery will commence on Saturday 6 February 2010. Do
Sun 10th 9.00am Holy Communion come along and have your say. It is important that Councillors know
Sun 24th 9.30am Lay Led Service /Contd the views of the people when making their decisions on your behalf.

SUDOKO JUST FOR FUN! LAST MONTH’S Across Down

PUZZLES
Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be
7 Treatment for a gun barrel
reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from
1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain Here are the answers to both last month‟s to prevent rusting (6)
one of each digit. So must every column, as must Crossword and Sudoku puzzles. 8 Cure Ed - by Pruning
every 3x3 square. © www.ukpuzzle.com The Winner of the £20 Rollover prize perhaps? (6)
Mrs Gale of Loch Lane, Watton. 9 it's a much older you! (4)
For a chance to win, simply send in your 10 like an evil rant in the
completed crossword, with your name, break (8)
address and telephone number to Mid- 11 Make use of (7)
Norfolk Times, 32 High Street, Watton, 13 To stop before completion
Norfolk IP256AE before 16th December.
(5)
15 The ad men keep
Scribble Pad changing (5)
17 A fast * reactor makes
more fuel than it burns (7)
20 Takes ice to do this! (3,5)
21 Wood heaped for burning
as in a funeral rite (4)
22 The buying or selling of
ecclesiastical pardons for
example (6)
23 Tea Set - perhaps left by
the deceased. (6)
1 Outmoded headgear? (3-3)
2 Careful you don't use toilet
instead of this (4)
3 opposed (7)
4 Great place for a fire! (5)
5 Baby animals are often this
(8)
6 It's clear I like a cream puff
(6)
12 not a likely winner (4,4)
14 Not crying then? (3-4)
16 Give a hand to find
somewhere to put manure
(4,2)
18 Greets herons with white
plumage (6)
19 Sounds sarcastic but he's
just a lecher (5)
21 Sorrow for the
misfortunes of others (4)
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 18
Bootifying Caston
SANCTUARY COUNSELLING
SERVICE WATTON
It’s good to talk! Counselling can help Caston Parish Council is
pleased to announce they have
if you’re struggling to cope with: been successful in their recent
Relationship difficulties Bullying/Abuse bid for an “Awards For All”
Bereavement Addictions grant for £10.000.00 to
Stress Depression “Bootify Caston”
Sanctuary offers a confidential low-cost counselling service with Caston was once a runner-up
professionally trained counsellors, who work on a short-term or long-term of the region‟s “Best Kept
basis. Call us on 01953 880922 to arrange an appointment. Village” competition and used
Appointments are available 6 – 9pm Tuesdays and 9.30am – 1pm Wednesdays. to be known as lively and
Sanctuary Counselling Service is part of River Ministries (Norfolk), registered charity number 1054419 exciting. However due to the
disturbance caused by the
work to install first time
sewerage in the village and
the closure of the village pub,
the village has become untidy
and lost its' uniqueness.
Caston Parish Council with
help from Awards for All, are
planning to revitalise the
village and restore it to a new
“bootiful” village.
The initial idea for the village
enhancement came from
suggestions from villagers at
PC meetings. Councillors
carried out soundings and
then in 2008 a survey was
conducted with questionnaires
for each household to
HJC Ltd Motor Engineers ascertain the needs and
aspirations of the villagers.
Servicing & MOT preparation to all makes of There was also information on
the web sites and in the parish
modern cars & light commercials magazine. Responses from
villagers suggested that there
Tyres, Exhausts, & Batteries supplied and fitted was a lack of simple amenities
and that the village was untidy
Courtesy cars available and had an unkempt look.
At the same time various
Ask for Steve at: 5 Linmore Court Threxton Rd village groups such as the
Industrial Estate Watton Women's Institute expressed
an interest in helping to
Tel: 01953 889924
Breckland Cats
Protection
After all the festivities let‟s hope there are
not too many animals abandoned this
year. On a different note we are trying to
help in a situation where someone who
has lost their home and consequently
there are 7-10 cats living rough and in
need of homes. Our pens are full but we
have managed to take in two so far.
These cats are of varying ages up to
about 10 years and some of them are
quite timid. Two of them had been indoor
News
Watton University of
The Third Age (U3A)
The Lady Mayor Councillor Margaret Holmes was guest of honour at the
Christmas Tea held on Thursday 17th December and addressed the members on
the additional facilities now available and those being planned to clubs and the
residents of Watton.
Mike Wabe provided excellent entertainment with stories and songs of Christmas.
Thirty members recently toured the BBC Television and Broadcasting studios in
Norwich. The tour was extremely well presented and gave a fascinating insight
into the production of programmes. One member was interviewed live on Radio
Norfolk and others tried their skills at being presenters and camera operators in
the television studio.
An excellent Christmas was lunch held on the 4th December at The Richmond
Park Golf Club and was attended by thirty six members.
Congratulations to Councillor Barbara Anderson who when Chairman of the U3A
last year started the successful fight to reinstate the Sunday Bus Services to
Norwich and the University Hospital. Thank you to the U3A members who
braved the rain early on Sunday morning 6th December to welcome back the
service.
The next meeting is on Thursday 28th January with speaker Barbara Emons “The
Work of the Dogs Trust”. The Membership Secretary can be contacted on 01953
881109. For further information on the National U3A go to www.u3a.org.uk
village seat. playgroup, which is held at
3) The footpath to the village school will benefit
the telephone box
and the bus
enormously from a large
storage shed for their play
improve and create an shelter, currently narrow and equipment, thus keeping the
enhanced environment for the very uneven will be widened play items safe, tidy and
village. The village playgroup to meet Disability clean.
and Caston Camera Club also Discrimination Act (DDA) 9) Specialist litter picking
enthusiastically supported the requirements and will be equipment used by a new
idea. extended to meet the new group of village volunteers,
A sub-committee was then set seat. The new gold chip would keep the village
up to look at these suggestions tarmac surface would brighten looking neat and tidy,
and ideas and formulate a up the area. generating pride in the village
plan. They looked at how 4) The small parking area on scene. Thus the whole
other villages had improved The Green would be surfaced community would benefit.
their environment and found to match the new path thus The enhancement scheme will
that they all had green spaces, making the whole area bright encourage more people to
tidy footpaths and village and inviting. become involved in village
seats. They also contacted 5) Subject to payment of activities such as assisting
Norfolk County Council, professional fees for the with the planting of the
Breckland District Council, transaction costs, the “green planters. The existing W.I.
the local tree officer, the town space” fronting Coronation bulbs under the road signs
gardener for Watton to obtain Terrace, Attleborough Road will be replanted into the
i n fo r ma t i o n . E xt e n s i ve will be “gifted” from planters amongst the new
Internet research was also Breckland District Council to plants.
undertaken. the Parish Council. This space Caston Camera Club will
The sub-committee then will have a native species make a photographic record
produced a plan including the hedge planted along the road of the installation of each new
potential costs for the side, thus providing an item in the scheme for
enhancements Sources of attractive entrance to the posterity.
potential funding were also village, an extra green space It is planned that the village
identified. This was then for the village. will en ga ge in more
presented to the PCC who 6) Two new parish notice community projects in the
discussed and approved the boards will be purchased, one future such as entering the
plan to proceed to apply for
an “Awards for All Grant”.
situated on the Village Hall,
the other at one end of
“Best Kept Village”
competition and thus restoring
The list of agreed Northacre. This will keep pride to the village.
improvements is as follows: - more villagers informed of The first item to be purchased
1) The main entrances to the events, particularly if they are is the large shed for the
village would be improved unable to access the Parish village playgroup which is
with flower filled planters, Council web site. due to be installed on 7th &
providing a colourful visual 7) A new seat in the bus 8th of December in the
and unique welcome to the shelter on The Green, will grounds of the village school.
village. allow villagers, walkers, Other items will follow and
2) The Green would be cyclists and bus users to take the project to “Bootify”
rejuvenated with the shelter under cover. Caston will be completed by
introduction of a much needed 8) The very popular village October 2010.
cats so they must be quite traumatised
finding themselves outside. If you can
offer a permanent home to any of these
cats please ring us on 01842 810018.
Featured cat this month is Didier who is a
friendly, fussful boy who is only 1 year
old. He is in need of a home without
other cats as he likes to dominate them.
Didier has been neutered, vaccinated and
micro chipped. We also have kittens still
available.
News
Watton Football Roundup
Watton United Reserves: Back, left to right: Andrew Griffith , Will Smart, Aaron Mccullouch, Luke Jones, Matt
Colley, Tom Smart, Carl Bridges, David Wilkins (Manager) Front left: Keiron Brown, Harry Brown, Sam
Fincham, Christian Hayward (Captain), Danny Reeve, Wayne Fisher, Danny Robinson
First Team
On Saturday 5th December Watton
United endured their 3rd straight defeat
away at Division 1 side Horsford in the
quarter final of the Mummery Cup.
After the previous week‟s 8-1 routing
away at Blofield, Managers Harwood
and Hunt urged Watton to show some
resilience in their defensive attitude.
However, the team obviously did not
take these instructions onto the pitch,
and, as with last week, found they were
once again facing an uphill task after an
opening half hour going down 3-0 to
their lower division opponents.
Watton did however salvage some hope
of progressing to the semi finals, when,
just before half time Mark Allibone
turned in a Walker free kick, and
Rudling headed Watton back into a 3-2
scoreline from a Mark Woods corner.
Another roasting from the management,
which has been a feature of half time
team talks over the past few weeks,
showed a glimmer of the desired effect,
with Watton levelling the scores with
further goal from Rudling after the
break.
With the returning Astbury and Rudling
to the midfield, their play with showed
the skill and assurance on the ball that
had been missing over the last few
weeks, and for 20 minutes from half time
it looked like only one winner in this cup
tie, with Watton pressing for the lead in
the home side‟s half at every
opportunity.
On 70 minutes Watton‟s possession and
territorial advantage finally paid
dividends when Allibone was felled for a
spot kick.
Bloomfield stepped up with a chance to
put Watton 4-3 up, however, he
unfortunately dragged his penalty wide
of the post, and a deflated Watton
suffered an immediate setback when
Horsford broke away and scored.
The Greens pressed for an equaliser by
moving centre back Smart to striker, but
were unable to find the goal their second
half performance had deserved, they
were isolated at the back and Horsford
scored again on the break just before the
final whistle - Final score: Horsford 5 –
3 Watton.
Sat 12 Dec 2009 League North
Walsham Town 3 Watton United 1
Watton made the long journey to
league leaders North Walsham this
week aiming to put a stop to their
recent losing streak with a reshuffle to
try and stop the worrying number of
goals Watton had surrendered in recent
weeks.
But even after Watton‟s defence had
sorted out their recent problems, it was
harsh luck when a long ball was
flicked on by a Walsham centre
forward straight to strike partner
Davies who was a clear 5 yards
offside, and with Watton‟s defenders
standing still amazed at no flag, he ran
through and slotted past Cruikshank
from 18 yards.
There was no denying that the first 20
minutes showed why North Walsham
had risen to the top of the table
recently, with their impressive young
side closing Watton‟s team down at
every opportunity, and counter
attacking on both flanks.
Watton could have levelled in the next
20 minutes, but as Woods cleared the
ball out to prevent a corner, up stepped
the long throw expert. Walsham piled
defenders forward and it was
Fitzgerald who gained the faintest of
touches to head the ball in off the post,
with Cruikshank almost managing to
claw the ball out at the last
opportunity.
Further chances came and went,
including a quick free releasing
Rudling, who deceived the defence
only to skew his shot over the bar as he
tangled with Ward in getting his shot
away, and Mark Allibones 20 yard free
kick well saved by the goalkeeper.
Watton were clearly still in this game
at half time, but had failed to get
influential Walker into game and
introduce their quick passing game.
Managers Harwood and Hunt restated
their need to move the ball quicker if
they were to create any more chances
in the second half.
It started brighter for Watton, who and
Astbury returning back to last season‟s
form in midfield, and opening up room
for the influential Walker to run at the
defence. At times with Bennett and
Mark Woods performing well again at
the back against the quick forward line,
it seemed Watton may still get
something from the game, with
Rudling and Bloomfield creating
scoring chances for strike pairing Ward
and Allibone. Walsham however still
had the threat down either flank, and it
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 19
WATTON UNITED FC 200 CLUB
WANTED
NEW MEMBERS FOR 2010 DRAWS!!!!
The WUFC 200 club currently pays members over £1,500 in prizes
each year and helps the club to continue to meet some of the costs
to run 4 teams each week.
THE COST: It only costs each member £1 per week by direct debit.
Anyone can join, and the draw is regulated by the gambling Act
2005 with Breckland Council. Monthly Prizes are paid out and an
annual draw takes place every year with the top prize currently
standing at £500.
HOW TO JOIN
To become a 200 club member please contact Mark Woods
(Tel: 01953 882390 , 07771 359010 ) or email:
200club@wattonunitedfc.co.uk or visit www.wattonunitedfc.co.uk
to download the direct debit form
was Hinton who finally broke clear to
be brought down by Paul Woods in the
area, and the same player netted the
penalty in off the post.
For the last 15 minutes Watton
introduced 18 year old Chris Softley, and
he excelled with some impressive control
and quick passing moves which Watton
had lacked for most of the game. In fact
Watton had Walsham on the back for the
remainder of the game, and in between
Softley scoring with a looping shot over
the head of the keeper, had two clear
chances which could have levelled the
scores from Softley‟s corners. In fact it
was such an impressive turn around in
that quarter of an hour, that Softley tied
the man of the match award with Stu
Bennett.
Watton Reserves
Sat 05 Dec 2009 League Watton
United Reserves 2
Sheringham Reserves 1
In division 4, Watton Reserves moved
further up the table with a 2-1 home
victory against a good Sheringham
Reserves, a team they narrowly lost to in cv
the reverse fixture. Under the
management of David Wilkins and
Andrew Griffith, Watton have recently
James Ball
deployed a number of Steve Jones SHOWROOM: 49 High Street, Watton
Watton Junior Under 18 squad to good
effect, and this was no different with
debutant Jon Franklin scoring the 90th 01953
minute winner after Watton had led
through Danny Reeve. Man of the match
award going to Danny Robinson, with
883288
keeper Steve Bond pushing him close
with a accomplished performance in goal Very Competitive Prices
after almost 4 years out of the game due
to injury.
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Sat 12 Dec 2009 League Watton & Vinyl Supplied and Fitted
United Reserves 1
St Andrews Reserves 3
Watton Reserves couldn‟t get their third
straight win in their last game before the
Christmas break , performing poorly and
losing to 3-1 to St Andrew reserves.
Watton had levelled through the ever
MOTs £35.00
VEHICLES FROM V 99 ONWARDS. £40 FOR OLDER VEHICLES
impressive Danny Reeve, but six minutes
before the final whistle lost
concentration and went down to a further
2 goals. Man of the Match: Keiron
IVAN CHUBBOCK GARAGE SERVICES
Brown who turned in another cultured
performance at left back.
SHIPDHAM
Management team of Wilkins and
Griffith are looking for a more consistent
performance in the New Year to stay in
contention at the top of the table.
Tel: 01362 820416
Mid-Norfolk Times Page 20 News

Richmond Park - Ladies Section EVENTS DIARY

ACC = Ashill Community Centre, Hale Road, Ashill; Watton CCC =
Watton Christian Community Centre; Wells CCC = Wells Cole
Community Centre, Saham
January
Mon 11th Diabetes UK meeting See article.
Tues 12 Hackers, Tackers and Stuffers at Watton CCC See article
Wed 20th MIND meeting Watton CCC. See article.
Fri 29th RNLI Fundraiser at Wells An afternoon of amusing
poems and stories. See article.
January
Fri 5th Candlelight Dinner and Cleaving Heavages at
the Queens Hall, Watton See art.

The Watton Society

Ann Bayes, Fran Parker, Captain Sheila Hill, Annie Long, Rosie Sutterby
On Nov 30th we played yellow devil
which was won by Margaret Bradbent,
Jeanette Fowler, and Dorothy
Stephenson (74) 2nd Elaine Aberdeen,
Julie Ellis and Annie Long (66) A
stableford was played on 7th div 1 1st
Jane Bone (33), 2nd Karen Ralph (32),
Div 2 1st Jeanette Fowler (31) 2nd
Are you looking for Richmond
Margaret Orchard (29) Div 3 1st
Geraldine Rowath (23) 2nd Eileen Chard
(19). On this day our outgoing Lady
Captain, Rosie Sutterby presented a
Representative from Big-C with a
cheque for £1250 which was raised
during her year as Captain. On 14th
December we had our Christmas Texas
scramble and lunch the winners on the
first nine were Shirley Lubbock, Dylis
Gibbs, Geraldine Rowath, Chris Bailey,
winners on back nine were Rosie
Sutterby, Fran Parker, Ann Bayes and
Annie Long. Judging by the chatter and
laughter at dinner it seems everyone
enjoyed their day and the superb food.
Programme – December 2009 to February 2010
7.45 p.m. at the Watton Christian Community Centre
Wednesday, January 20th Julian Horn. The History of Watton. £1.50
members. £2.50 non members.
Wednesday, February 17th Stephen Pope. Norfolk Aviation. £1.50
members. £2.50 non members.
Wednesday, March 17th Tim Lidstone-Scott - Norfolk Footpaths,
including the Peddars Way
For more information on the Watton Society and a programme to
December 2010 telephone Judy Kerr 01953 882613 or email
johnkerr36@yahoo.com.
H. BRETT & SON
Monumental Masons ~ Craftsmen in Stone
Call for our Brochure or
Visit our SHOWROOM and WORKSHOPS

quality office space? Park Golf Home visits can be arranged

also Fireplaces, House Names etc.
Club
Wayland House, your LOCAL Business
Centre in Watton High Street (next to the
supported by a dedicated team who are
committed to providing the best possible 75 NORWICH ROAD, WATTON,

Seniors
Police Station) , will have two Serviced
Offices available as from 1st January 2010.
They are 150 and 155 sq ft in size and each
service to tenants.
Room Schedule Details: Fully furnished;
Cat 6 Network enabled; DDI/voicemail; Wi
NORFOLK, IP25 6DH Tel: 01953 881501

is suitable for 3 person occupancy and have -Fi enabled

only become available due the relocation of
the current tenant. Wayland House
provides fully serviced office & work space
accommodation in an environment that
provides access to vital support services,
knowledge & facilities, needed to help new
or existing businesses to survive those early
years.
Wayland House also has some of the best
equipped meeting and training rooms in the
region and the Acorn Training Room offers
state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment,
including an interactive white-board to
enhance business and training
presentations. All the facilities are
Commercial Terms: 1 month‟s deposit
The final social event of the year took
place on 18th December. A 4 man team
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
required; 1 month‟s notice required; „Easy SERVING WATTON & DISTRICT
Texas Scramble followed by a Xmas
in - Easy out‟ terms
What‟s Included: Power, heating, lighting,
lunch. A very good time was had by W.C. LITTLEPROUD & SON
all!! of BRADENHAM
Wireless 8 Meg broadband, 24 hour access,
November Stableford Competition ‘A genuine, family owned & run business
Secure building – fire and security alarm
winners: David Adcock, Stan Parker, offering a caring, traditional & affordable service’
systems, Professional address, Free
David Palmer, Reg Knowles, Bill
parking, Shared kitchen, Other business
Evans, Harry Mayhew. Written estimates always provided Memorials supplied
people to talk to!
The Section is now planning Personal supervision Pre-Paid Funeral Plans available
What‟s Excluded: Business rates,
competitions and events for 2010 which Arrangements may be discussed in the privacy of your own home
Consumables
will start on March 9th with the Annual
If you want more information or would like
Captain versus Vice Captain match. A
to arrange a viewing, contact Iain Cockburn
on 01953 880204 or e-mail
full season of inter club matches has Tel: (01760) 440269 (24 hrs)
also been arranged starting with a home Established over 60 years
iain@wayland.org.uk
match against Dereham Golf Club.

MID-NORFOLK TIMES
The deadline for the February issue will be
12 Noon on the 16th January
Page space is allocated strictly on a first come, first served
basis. Deadline is the latest date and time that copy will be
considered for inclusion. Arrival of copy before deadline does
not guarantee inclusion, if you wish to be certain your entry
gets to print then please make sure it arrives in plenty of time.
If you are submitting on paper you MUST sign and include
your contact details with each item. If you do not, the item
will NOT be published.
You can contact Julian by ringing (01953) 858908. You can
write to 32 High Street, Watton IP25 6AE Or you can leave
copy in the bin at Adcocks, 32 High Street, Watton.
The e-mail address is julian@midnorfolktimes.com
All views expressed in the Mid-Norfolk Times are those of
the contributors and not the publishers. While every care
and effort has been taken to ensure accuracy the publisher
cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
This issue of the Mid-Norfolk Times was published
by: Julian Horn, 32 High Street, Watton IP25 6AE and
printed through www.quotemeprint.com 0845 1300