The Wayland News March 2013

Issue Number 198 - March 2013
Air Cadets new hoodies
Wayland News digital on www.waylandnews.com
Front row from right to left Cpl Macloughlin, Cdts Virketyte & Anscombe. Rear row from right to left Cdt Sgt Batty, Cdt Skinner and Cpl B Anscombe & Mr Downs Watton air cadets had a visit this week from their new sponsor Mr. Michael Downs owner of MJD Building and maintenance, Mr Downs a local businessman who works in Attlebourgh but lives in Watton, had made a donation of 500 to the air cadets who have spent the money on hooded tops for all the cadets, they are grey in colour and have the Watton squadron crest on the front with MJD building group underneath the crest. Mr Downs said I wanted to make a donation to a local youth group that really make a difference in the local community, and the air cadets offer young people some amazing opportunities, its a great cause The Cadets had been asked what they wanted from their new tops and they asked for them to have one piece pockets across the front with a pouch for an MP3 player, with a small slit to put their headphones up the inside. The tops are for the cadets to wear when they are not at cadets or when they participate in other cadet events such as sports events. Cadet sergeant Batty Said I am really pleased with my new top, I can represent the squadron everyday by wearing it away from cadets and it looks smart, thank you from all the cadets to Mr Downs If you are interested in any services MJD Building can offer please call on 01953 883264 or 07919574933 and ask for Michael. If you are interested in joining the paintings to look closer with the perceiving eye. Then see that each season has its own beauty and surprises that reveal themselves when we, who are an integral part of this overall, landscape, still ourselves awhile and watch. Then to see this wonder that is all around us. cadets or would like to see what we can offer young people between 1318yrs please visit our website at www.864wattonsquadronaircadets.co m or give us a ring on Monday or Wednesday nights on 01953 885531 Front row from right to left Cpl Macloughlin, cadets Virketyte & Anscombe, rear row from right to left cadet Sergeant Batty, Cadet Skinner and Corporal B Anscombe, receiving there tops from Mr Downs of MJD Building & Maintenance. The Dragonfly Gallery, Wayland House, High St, Watton. Unique art cards and unusual crafted gifts, all hand-made by local artists Opening Times: Weekdays 10 4pm, Saturdays 10 - 1pm Contact Susan Hollingworth for further information 01953 880205
First exhibition of Season

The Dragonfly Gallery proudly presents the first exhibition of the season Terry Palmer - A View into Nature and Landscape from Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th March Terrys quest is to show through painting the beauty and wonder that surrounds us in creation, and to encourage those who see his
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Education Sunday at Watton Methodist Church Look into the Cupboard at the Victorian School and Museum of Childhood
There is a rare opportunity to see inside 'Norfolk's hidden Jewel' Sally Norths award winning Victorian school and museum of childhood at Great Cressingham on March 2nd to March 5th from 11am 4pm each day with free entry. Sally, together with her husband Tom, renovated the school in 1993 to resemble the school in 1893. It is heated by a 'tortoise' stove and lit by an oil lamp. The School holds an enviable collection of Victorian school furniture and effects. It has been run it as a school and a living museum for 19 years, giving over 22,000 East Anglian school children the chance to experience a day as Victorian scholars. The exhibition entitled The Cupboard sees a rescued Victorian school cupboard return once more to the beginning of its life 1893 at Great Cressingham Victorian School. The Indian ink copper plate writing on the inside of its doors is once again relevant. The rabbits skull and stuffed mole inside are back on the curriculum. A short Victorian Lesson will be given to visitors in the course of each day, using slates and copy sheets with dip pens. At playtime Hoops, Spinning Tops and Skipping ropes will be available For many visitors this will represent a nostalgic trip back through time to their own schooldays. Refreshments will available including tea, coffee and cakes and there will be a collection for 'Save the Children'. For more information on the School see www.victorianschool.com
The annual service for Education Sunday took place at the Methodist Church on February 3rd. It was led by Deacon Steve Sowerby and the children from Westfield Infant School gave a presentation about Winter which included songs, readings and prayers. The regular congregation was delighted to be joined by many of the childrens parents and friends on this occasion.
The Church of St Marys, Watton open to visitors twice weekly

St. Marys Church, Watton is open for visitors on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. You are welcome to come into church to enjoy the peace and tranquillity, say a prayer or just to look round. Church members will be on hand to welcome you and serve refreshments. Opening times starting from the beginning of March are: Wednesdays from 10.30am to 3pm Thursday 10am 12.30pm
2012 - a year in the life of the Wayland Business Centre

The Wayland Business Centre, a trading style of the Wayland Partnership Development Trust, a registered charity, provides the main income for the Partnership from office and room rentals. 2012 was a year of mixed blessings as the saying goes, mostly positive. We started the year with a full compliment of tenants but as the year wore on some of our long standing tenants moved on as we couldnt provide additional office space for them. It is always with mixed feelings when we say goodbye to a tenant. Of course we are delighted that businesses which came to us as start-up or growing ventures have developed and outgrown the space we can offer them. But at the same time we have that niggling feeling of unease as in these challenging times new tenants are not exactly queuing up to rent office space. What we offer is of very good quality and includes all costs except business rates and phone calls. In November of last year we thought we would have several empty offices at the beginning of 2013 but as we ran up to Christmas, our luck changed and now all but one are now rented to new tenants. If we can build up the use of our fully equipped Training Room that will also help us through what for all businesses has been a difficult time and we will be able to continue to offer the many and varied services available from the Wayland Business Centre and the Wayland Partnership. Other highlights in the year included the launch of the Wayland Twitter Network (@waylandtweets). The purpose of the Wayland Twitter Network is to build an online community for the Wayland area. Its underlying theme is to bring together the community to the benefit of all those who work and live in Wayland. @waylandtweets will let people who care about the Wayland area meet with others who share the same belief. What could you tweet about? News, notices, events, jobs, good news stories, local heros, help requests, local offers and deals, business to business, clubs, organisations, discussions, opinion polls, heritage, charitable causes, lost and found - your imagination is the only limitation. If you have anything to say just tweet it at @waylandtweets and it will be shared share it for you with our community via Twitter. Another development throughout 2012 was a series of meetings organised by the Partnership and chaired by George Freeman MP. The objective of these meetings was to bring together representatives and members of the Wayland business community and Business Support Service Providers. There are numerous providers whose coverage includes the Wayland area who offer independent, impartial information, advice and support to new or existing businesses. It has been suggested that the support can sometimes be difficult to identify and source, as evidenced by the number of businesses who have told the Partnership of these difficulties. The planned outcome of the meetings was to establish the level of support specifically offered to Wayland and to identify areas of either overlap or omission. The intention then is to formulate a constructive strategy to ensure that the appropriate level of support and resources is provided to all Wayland businesses. This is still work in progress but on a positive note, a new initiative launched by Norfolk County Council titled Enterprise Norfolk will provide practical support to new business startups in Norfolk with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship. It will offer practical help and advice to people planning to start a new business in 2013. More details can be found at http://bit.ly/12TeEMt The County has invested 400,000 in the scheme over two years and have appointed Breckland Council as one the local delivery partners. They in turn have appointed Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services to provide the service across the five Breckland market towns. Watton and Wayland are first in the queue to receive the support and the Wayland Partnership and the Wayland Business Centre are working with both Breckland Council and NWES to promote the scheme. So we look forward to 2013 with optimism and are working on a number of other initiatives to support the our local business community. As always our door is open to anyone from the Wayland community for information, advice or support.
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Are Boo & Hiss going to take a trip to Dibley? No No No No - Yes!

Allo Allo, Are You Being Served?, Dads Army, and who could forget last years Up Pompeii? Each year the critics said we wouldnt be able to top it, but were hoping this will be our best performance yet. With some familiar faces in the cast, plus one or two new ones, and a new Director at the helm, it promises to be a great show, and were sure well do the much-loved characters justice. And there definitely wont be any bum performances this year! So keep your diaries free and watch this space in the coming months for further details. Stacy Wilkinson, Director
Feline Care Open Day
The Boo & Hiss Theatre Company are pleased to announce this years production of The Vicar of Dibley, to be performed at the Queens Hall, Watton. Sticking to what we know and love best the Great British TV comedy the show will run for three nights at the end of September. The popular television show ran from 1994 to 2007 and this stage version is based on episodes from the first two series, from when Geraldine Granger breezes into Dibley as the new vicar, up to a very bizarre wedding. Weve previously tackled such classics as
Inner Wheel News
Celebrate Easter by bringing your family to the Feline Care Open Day on Sunday 31st March, 12pm to 3pm. The cats who live outside will be glad of a stroke and a fuss, and you can enjoy the many stalls of pet care products, jewellery, bric-a-brac, tombola, raffle and delicious snacks and drinks. Live band Crimson Trio will be providing pawtapping tunes. Entry is just 1 for adults, 50p for children. Feline Care Cat Rescue is in Roudham Road, East Harling NR16 2QN, just past the railway crossing.
A little of your time could make a big difference

Last year our Benefits Outreach service helped older people living in Norfolk receive a total of 1,715,000 in unclaimed benefits. This would not have been possible without our valuable volunteers. Volunteering benefits not just the older person receiving your support, but also their family, friends and the wider community - and you! Volunteering for Age UK Norfolk is an opportunity to learn new skills and gain valuable experience, meet new people and make new friends, work within a friendly, professional organisation and have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a real difference to peoples lives. But dont just take our word for it Here are some views from current volunteers: Since volunteering for Age UK Norfolk, I have gained a tremendous amount. I have a personal feeling of being able to help, if only in a small way, and giving something back to the community of which I feel a part. So to anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer for Age UK Norfolk, I would say "go for it, you won't regret it!" Information and Advice volunteer I love to fix things: working on the Information and Advice desk I know that I have played my part in Age UK Norfolk changing lives. Ann, Information and Advice volunteer I feel I am doing something useful in advocacy and get a lot of positive feedback from clients. I have also learnt new skills and my knowledge continues to grow. Jo, Advocacy volunteer Age UK Norfolk has a very professional approach and they offer several different service areas. One would be sure to be right for you! Celia, Money Matters volunteer We offer a wide variety of volunteering opportunities throughout Norfolk. Call our volunteer recruitment line on 01603 785241 or check out our website www.ageuknorfolk.org.uk to find out more. Just a selection of volunteering roles at Age UK Norfolk: Telephone befriender; Day centre volunteer; Administrative assistant; Fundraiser; Information and advice assistant; Benefits outreach advisor; Older persons advocate; Trustee; Money Matters financial advocate
The monthly meeting of Watton Inner Wheel Club took place on Thursday 14th February. This was a Business meeting and the Chair was taken by President Jenny Simons. Following highly successful fund-raising in December, more donations were made to a variety of charities. It was agreed to send 150 to: Help for Heroes, The Benjamin Foundation, Thursday Club, Break, EACH, PACT and Riding for the Disabled. The Election of Officers for the coming Inner Wheel Year, took place as follows: President Pam Challand, Past President Jenny Simons, Vice Presidents Brenda Davis (1st ) Pauline Baldry (2nd) Secretary Heather Hewson, Treasurer Pauline Baldry, Overseas Service Val Semlyen, Club Correspondent Lesley Cowling, Committee members Jill Beech and Jane Brodie. The Presidentelect outlined her programme for her year of office.
The fun and fundraising began again on Friday evening with a Valentines Barn Dance held at the Queens Hall (Pictured). A good company enjoyed dancing to Shinanikins and a delicious salad supper was served by Inner Wheel members. The proceeds, after expenses have been paid, will be donated to charities supported by Inner Wheel. On March 2nd do Come up for Coffee at the Queens Hall from 9:3011:30. Lots of lovely homemade goodies on offer here! (Proceeds this time for Queens Hall funds) On March 27th this seasons Lunchtime Concerts come to end with Music and words for Springtime presented by Anne Hawkes and Colin Thackeray accompanied by Daveid Kett. Tickets 5 - including lunch- available from Mullengers. Lesley Cowling Club Correspondent.
Bunwell and District Camera Club Exhibition

Bunwell and District Camera Club are proud to present their annual exhibition of members work. Held at Long Stratton Village Hall on the weekend of March 23rd (10am-5pm) and 24th (10am-4pm) the exhibition will showcase some fantastic photography with several hundred images on display, along with audio visual presentations. Club members will be on hand to offer advice to those interested in taking up photography and to chat about their images. Entry to the exhibition is free and light refreshments will be available. Further details about the club and exhibition can be found at www.bdcameraclub.co.uk.
10 years service Can you The January meeting of the Wayland accommodate Partnership Representatives Group began with the recognition by the chair of the meeting, Debbie Harris of an 8 year old Carbrooke, of ten years service to the Partnership and the Wayland for four weeks Community by Iain Cockburn.
Iain joined the Partnership Team in January 2003 as the Project Manager for the European funded Town Enhancement programme. In 2005 he project managed the purchase and extensive refurbishment of the old police station, transforming it into the home of the Wayland Partnership and a number of business tenants, and host to a range of community services including Breckland Council, the Wayland Community Bank and the South Norfolk Health Trainers as well as the Tourism Association and the Dragonfly Gallery. Since the building reopened as Wayland House in 2006 Iain has been the Centre Manager with a particular responsibility for business support and development.
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Please join us for the annual
Womens World Day of Prayer Service

Theme: I was a stranger and you welcomed me On Friday 1st March 2013 at 2.30pm at St. Marys Church, Watton Speaker: Mrs Angela Pye The Service this year has been prepared by Christian Women in France. We shall sing hymns, listen to readings and enjoy a social time with refreshment. We look forward to welcoming men, as well as women
Great Big Read Goes to the Movies!

Join your local library during March and April to celebrate books which have been adapted to films. Library staff and members of the public have helped choose 10 books that have been made into films, and in the spring libraries across the county will be encouraging people to pick these and other books up, discuss them with friends and simply enjoy reading. The 10 books chosen to be featured in this years Great Big Read are: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien Atonement by Ian McEwan Tinker Tailor Solider Spy by John Le Carr Brighton Rock by Graham Green Breakfast at Tiffanys by Truman Capote The Borrowers by Mary Norton Life of Pi by Yann Martel We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver Dracula by Bram Stoker Cinema City Norwich is showing the films of five of our recommended reads. Join us afterwards to discuss the book and its film adaptation. For screening times visit www.picturehouses.co.uk For further details of events visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries Come and enjoy some fantastic entertainment in your local library as we celebrate Breckland Book Festival. Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford and Watton will be hosting some exciting events.
Breckland Book Festival Hingham
Mad Dogs - The Mad Dogs Theatre Company present David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Watton Library Friday 15th 7.30pm. Tickets 7 in advance,.8 on the door. Suitable for ages 12+. Tickets from Watton Library. Tom Blofeld, the creator of the magical Bewilderwood and writer of the adventures of Swampy the Boggle, the Grubbles and the Twiggles will be visiting Watton Library on Saturday 16th March 11.00am. - Come and hear all about them! Free Event. Words and Women. A lively mix of poetry and prose from published and up-andcoming writers such as Megan Bradbury, Clare Jarrett, Helen Ivory and others, as well as music from local singer-songwriters Anna Mudeka and Kimberley Moore. Watton Library Saturday 16 March 12.00pm. Free Event - donations welcome. Crime Double Bill, Elly Griffiths & Tom Benn. Watton Library Saturday 16th March 3.00pm. Tom Benns debut The Doll Princess was a bloody and exhilarating ride through the backstreets of Manchester in the aftermath of the 1996 IRA bombing. Elly Griffiths is a seasoned crime writer and her novel Dying Fall is the fifth to feature the much loved character of Ruth Galloway, Head of Forensic Archaeology at the fictional University of North Norfolk. Tickets 5 in advance. 6 on the door. Suitable for ages 12+. Tickets from Watton Library. Film - Anna Karenina. Sunday 17th March, Queens Hall, Watton. 3.00pm. Doors open 2.30pm. Tickets 4. Children 3. Box office: 01953 882613 or Adcocks, High St, Watton. For further information, please see www.brecklandbookfestival.com Confused, curious or completely stuck? Our drop in help sessions offer support with your IT queries. Every Tuesday and Thursday 5pm to 7pm. No booking required but you may have a short wait while other enquiries are answered.
The Wayland News
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Watton Library Easter Drumming

Free, fun and fully inclusive! Learn about pulse, tempo and dynamics through playing beats, games and rhythms from around the world. No experience necessary. A drumming and percussion session for all the family! Friday 12th April at Watton Library. 10am to 11am for children aged 5 7. 11am to 12pm for young people aged 8 and over. Booking Essential. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
On September 8th this year, ten, Children will again arrive at Gatwick from Belarus, and will be staying with families in Breckland for a period of 4 weeks. This will be their second of five visits. The children, all eight years old, and all of whom come from extremely deprived backgrounds, either have had, or are at high risk of cancer/cancer related illnesses as a direct legacy of the nuclear fallout from the Chernobyl Disaster of 1986. For these children and their families, even a common cold would incapacitate them for weeks due to their weak immune system. The purpose of the recuperative visit is to give the children the opportunity to eat food and drink water from uncontaminated sources, and to have the chance to play in a fresh and healthy environment, whilst being able to enjoy the love and comfort of a Norfolk home. By enriching their immune systems in this way for four weeks a year over five years, each child will enter adolescence with an improved immune system. As part of our care all children will be seen and if necessary treated by a Dentist and Optician during the visit and every child will return home with a 12 months supply of multi-vitamins. This is an ongoing treatment every year for 5 years. They will be involved in local activities, cultural/school visits etc. Last year the children were given the opportunity by generous volunteers to visit the Lifeboat Station at Cromer, play on the beach at Overstrand, (none of them had ever seen the sea before!) play at High Lodge, visit the PACT Animal Sanctuary and take trips to places such as Banham Zoo. They also spent a day in school at Necton Primary School and took lunch with the pupils before playing together on the school sportsfield. Everyone in the UK working for FOCC are unpaid volunteers, and all volunteers are CRB checked. The visit is funded by monies raised throughout the year by the host families and volunteers, and is also supported by local businesses such as the Opticians and Dentists. We are continually fundraising to support the 5 year programme, and welcome all offers of support, whether through donations of cash or with services. We are still seeking host families within Breckland, to have a child stay and also reserve families to cover any last minute issues that may arise, and also with a view to increasing the number of children on future visits. We would also like to increase our team of volunteers to work with the children when they are here or to assist with fundraising are also welcome. Should you wish to be considered or have any other questions, please visit our website www.foccbreckland.co.uk in the first instance, or telephone Stan Hebborn, Group Coordinator on 01953 889906. We would welcome media accompaniment at any time during the visit as a human interest story. For further information, Please contact; - Stan Hebborn, Friends of Chernobyls Children (Breckland). 07792 135071 Email focc.breckland@gmail.com
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Did You Know . . .?

By Rosalie Davis Gibb . . . a few weeks ago companies importing containers into Norfolk were being advised to be very aware of unexpected cargo following a spate of deadly black widow spiders (Latrodectus) arriving in the county. No-one seems to know why they suddenly decided to hitch a lift to East Anglia. One cluster was found inside a shipment of tyres from Arizona. Its certainly not for the weather, which should guarantee they dont survive for long, and not the first time theyve pitched up in Norfolk, more having been discovered last November and December. One theory is that black widows could have been arriving in the country for ages but hitherto not been reported due to lack of knowledge, especially since pest control companies have admitted theyve had to become more knowledgeable about these particular spiders and their habits and lifestyle. Apparently black widow spiders arriving from the Arizona desert, where they are particularly rife, are hard to regulate since the container doors have to be left open whilst being loaded. Another colony arrived recently in a crate of equipment from California. Wattisham air base closed two of its buildings recently due to fears a black widow spider was on the loose after a suspicious looking spider was spotted in the bar of the officers mess. Fortunately, this was later identified as a noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis) and the officers were able to return without fear of finding anything vicious in their Vimto. Having said that, the noble false widow spider is the most venomous arachnid commonly found in the UK, although not as dangerous as its cousin, its bite being akin to a wasp sting. Having been brought (or to be more precise, mistakenly introduced) to the south coast of the UK from the Canary Islands and Madeira a century ago, numbers have grown considerably in the last 25 years. Confusion between the two is understandable since both have large bulbous abdomens, although on closer inspection (should you have the nerve) the noble false widow can be seen to be brownish in colour, rather than black with distinctive red markings in the shape of an hourglass on the underside of the abdomen as with the genuine black widow, usually with cream markings and reddish/orange legs. As for the black widow, the bad news is that the female is classed as one of the most venomous spiders, its venom generally thought to be 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. The good news is that their bites can cause swelling, cramps, nausea, fever and breathing difficulties (not such good news) but are not usually fatal for healthy humans since they only inject a small amount of venom and only bite in self defence. Contrary to some perceptions, the female black widow spider isnt of Tarantulan proportions, measuring up to 38mm (1.5 long), living up to three years in the wild. The males are much smaller than the females with not much good news attached since their life span is relatively short, depending on their sex lives, or I should say life in the singular, since the females eat their much smaller partners after mating. However, some males do escape and its a widely help misconception that the female always devours the male after mating, from whence derives the name black widow spider. I wonder if any research has been carried out to see if the males know the females courtship is likely to be decidedly bloodthirsty and decide its worth it! The black widow does have a few predators, including a few wasps, predominantly the blue dauber wasp and the spider wasp, as well as the preying mantis and centipede. In fact, the bite of some centipedes can be hazardous, although not fatal, to humans, causing similar symptoms to those of the black widow spider. There are in fact, several species of black widow, all having similar characteristics but having adapted to their different environments, spread mainly across the North and South American continents, as well as temperate regions of Europe. The female spider spins a large, close-knit web rather than the open cobwebs we are used to, from which a cocoon is suspended containing hundreds of eggs. Once the spiderlings disperse, soon after leaving their eggs, the web remains and is used to ensnare prey, consisting of insects, beetles, caterpillars and other spiders. Black orta buy it and kip it a gooin fer tha gud o tha willage Cor blarst I say I think Ill put in a bid at thet price, are yew sure thas wot thet sed? I thort suffin warnt kwite right, so I got my neffew ter fire up his compewta an hev a luk on line. It tunned owt Horry ware jist a little short on his estameartshun, thet ware suffin oova a milliun quid fer tha arskin price. I sharnt botha wi puttin in a bid fer it now. We shall orl miss tha ole chef cos she ware sech a smart little ole mawtha, an allus tunned owt a rare ole bitta cod, pity abowt thar bein no chips tho. Bitta sitement tha otha day, a cuppla tha ole poleese cars cum hossing thru tha willage, orl flashin lights and sireens hollarin suffin lowd. Tha went thru like tha backsides wos afire, then goo ta hell iffen tha dint come hossin back agin. They booth stopped in tha middal of tha rood, an afore I cud arsk iffen I cud givvem a hand tha toor orf agin fer a few yards, tunned rownd inna tha rood and shot orf back tha way thare hed cum from. I arsked inna tha pub wot wos agooin on, hed tha bin a merda? Wos the plearce on
widows are comb-footed, meaning they have bristles on their hind legs that are used to cover their prey with silk once it has been trapped. The prey is then punctured with the spiders fangs and injected with digestive enzymes, which, together with much gnashing of the fangs, liquefies the preys body and the spider then sucks up the resulting fluid. Revolting but efficient. Human deaths from black widow spider bites are relatively rare. However, sixtythree deaths were reported in the United States between 1950 and 1959. Improvements in plumbing have greatly reduced the incidence of bites and fatalities in areas where outdoor privies have been replaced by flush toilets. (An active imagination is working overtime at this point!) Not to mention the more mundane introduction of effective antivenom. It may come as a surprise that there are more than a dozen spiders native to the UK, other than the noble false widow spider, capable of causing significant or unpleasant bites, including the tube web spider, woodlouse spider, walnut orbweaver spider, lace weaver spider, black lace weaver spider, mouse spider, bark sac spider, stone spider, cross or garden spider, wolf spider, Bruennichis Argiope and even the normally welcome money spider. Did you know Britains largest spider has been on the endangered list for sometime and has recently been the subject of a regeneration programme. But which spider is it? fire? Wos thar a bergla brearkin inta tha Horl? Horry rekkuned tha wos lookin fer the Fish an no Chip shop ter goo an git a bitta grub afore it shut. I thort tha poleese war short a munny, so whoy dint tha two bobbies goo in jist wun car, searve noo enda munny fer petrol, tax an insherunce. I betta git owt inna tha gardin tha ole sun hev cum owt an I shall hefta git my teartas reddy ter set. Thas whooly wet tho so tha ole seed spuds will probly floot away. Iym orff ter hevva look anyoldhow. Member wot tha ole boy he say, Kip ya powder droy, kip yer hans orff uther wimmun if yewre got wunner yer own. An dew yew keep a troshin. Boy Sid. P.S. Didja git enny walentines cards tergitha? Horry sed heed got hunnerts!!!!
WAYLAND CMA
March 9th First Chapter
Tel 01953 889 890 for details The Best In Country Music 8 til late
DEREHAM & DISTRICT
CAT ADOPTION CENTRE

Hoe Road, Longham, Dereham NR19 2RP Rehoming Cats and Providing Advice & Help With Neutering OPEN 7 Days a Week 11am to 3pm Telephone . . . 01362 687 919
The Ovington Crower

Thet hent gotteny warma yit hev it? Har yer gitten on tergitha, jist yew kip a rubbin tha owld goose fat onna yar chist, thetll kip tha cowld owt. Ire bin hevin a gret owld bowl a soop evra day, thas hoome meard o corse, my missus ont hev enny them ole tins in har cubbard, shell mek soop owta any thin from tha gardin, sumtiomes shell hull a bit or tew ochikkun or meat innut ter gi it a bitta tearst. Yew carnt beet tha owld soop an a gret ole chunk a bred, stick ter yar ribs thet duz. Cor Horrys bin in a rite snot leartly, he red in tha pearper tha otha day thet his favrit fish an no chips shop is up fer sale. Goo ter hell Sid he say. Wottal I dew fer me forses an a Satdi now? I say ter him I say Wos thet fer sale fer then Horry?. How much dew tha want fer it? I say. Thas cheep he say Oonly want twelve hunnert as I red in tha pearpa Well he say I reckun tha olwd cowncil
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Saturday March 2nd Dance Away
at the Queens Hall

Ballroom, Latin and Sequence dancing at the Queen's Hall, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. admission 4
In your garden
with Lotta Potts

The middle of February saw some of nature back to normal - snowdrops and aconites blooming, all sorts of bulbs appearing (the grape hyacinth leaves start to emerge in autumn but are rarely noticed). I can even identify some of them but theres always a nice surprise. With luck by early March we shall have a bit of spring weather with not too much in like a lion out like a lamb and more drying soil. My father always used to look out for what he called March dust. He may not have been alone in this but I never heard anyone else use the term. March dust is the top layer of soil turning very pale if you dig or rake it. This shows the soil is ready for planting or seeds. The other way to find out is to park some bare skin on it. I know, the old wives tale is to lower the trousers and sit on it but the up to date version suggests the forearm or even the elbow as in testing a babys bathwater. Less embarrassing in the front garden. Still, lets assume all is going well and the soil is fit to work, the temperature is mild and its stopped raining. If youve not been able to get into the garden during the monsoon period that started last May then start gently with a few minutes here and there until your back is used to the idea again. Of course most of us will totally ignore the little and often and dive straight in with the jobs that couldnt be finished earlier then the ones that should be done in early spring and play catch up until it rains again. This should boost physiotherapists bank balances quite nicely and I think Ill try to buy some shares in mine. So here we go. A bit of a spring clean outside as well as in makes the whole area look terrific and you can see all the flowers and plants once all the weeds and debris are cleared from them. At the end of March buy some more snowdrops in the green to fill up the gaps spotted earlier or, if you already have plenty, split the clumps and spread them around a bit. Also clean up paths and drives but I find this is a task that can be done when the soil is unworkable. The lawn can have its first cut if its dry enough keep the blades high. If you have planned a new lawn this is the month to lay turf. This is the last
chance saloon for planting bare root trees and shrubs and also, obviously, for moving them. The old method of digging a deep hole has now been superseded by digging a shallow hole, just deep enough to accommodate the root ball but much wider than seems necessary. This encourages the feeder roots to move outwards into the surrounding soil. We are also not advised to put muck in the bottom of the hole but to put mycorrhizal fungi in contact with the roots and backfill with a mixture of compost and soil. This fungus is somehow able to transfer nutrients from the soil to the plant roots, thus nourishing them earlier than if left to their own devices. I dont begin to understand the science but am assured by qualified horticulturalists that it works. It is easily available and not expensive so next time Im planting a shrub Ill give it a go. On the subject of trees and shrubs now is the time to start pruning. Roses are the obvious subjects but the principles are basically the same for all woody subjects. Remove the three ds first: dead, dying, diseased. Then look for weak branches and prune them hard. This is counter-intuitive I know but remember that growth follows the knife so hard pruning strong branches will result in out of control growth and hard pruning weak ones will result in stronger growth. Now take out or shorten crossing branches. Always try to prune to above a bud, so that you cant tell its been pruned. The end result should be a shrub of any kind with a nice open middle so that air can flow freely, thus discouraging diseases and pests. Hopefully. I do realise that those helpful (not) sketches never, ever, look anything like your shrubs. Even if you make a total hash of pruning you are unlikely to kill the shrub. Just have another try next year. Dont be tempted to try to put it right at the wrong time as this will cause damage. Late-flowering clematis can be pruned now, back to 12 or 30cm where there is a strong bud or pair of buds. If you have a clematis and are not sure what it is, leave it to flower then youll know when or even if it needs to be pruned. Fruit trees should be pruned when dormant in winter and again in summer. However standard apples and pears can be pruned now if it wasnt possible earlier but must be done before the buds start into growth. later. I did read a rather scathing comment recently that if you have to prune hard to keep a shrub or tree in the space you allocated , you chose the wrong specimen in the first place. I thought this rather harsh as most gardeners try very hard to get the right plant in the right place but its possible to slip up - my wintersweet now has four stems but no flowers again - and I know one very
experienced gardener who actually reads labels but was caught by a conifer labelled as miniature and its still going strong at 30 feet plus. It should be possible to sow seeds outdoors in March but this year, as others since 2009, it will probably be safer to wait or if you have space sow them indoors. The seedlings can then be pricked out into trays or pots then hardened off to be planted outside in April or May. Again, good idea to read the packet and plant accordingly. I have read recently that sweet peppers should be sown in a propagator in January or February. The packet says March to April so dont go by books or articles in the press (!) as these have to be generalised. The packet is specific. Try not to go too mad. If youve gone through the catalogues and a large box has already arrived this comment is way too late. On the other hand if you go into a garden centre, shed or other emporium where there are racks and racks of seeds it is so easy to forget the amount of space you have for the end product. Its also easy to forget how time consuming it can be. The sowing takes very little time but if indoors or in a greenhouse the time comes when theyve all shot up and have to be moved on. Tray after tray or pot after pot. Then theres the in, out, in, out while theyre hardening off and the thinning out if sown direct. Dont let me put you off. Growing seeds is wonderful but if overdone it becomes a depressing chore never to be done again! I am reproducing some information I found useful a couple of years ago and I thought it worth revisiting: Asked about companion planting and most of us will say, marigolds with tomatoes for controlling whitefly. After that were a bit stuck. It came as a surprise to me that there are lots of books on this subject and having bought a slim volume I was amazed to find out the diversity of plants that benefit each other. As well as marigolds, tomatoes benefit from asparagus, celery, parsley, basil, carrots, chives, foxgloves, garlic and sweet corn. Nasturtiums benefit apples, cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, turnips, radishes, cucumbers and courgettes. Orange nasturtiums repel aphids and growing up apple trees will control the spread of woolly aphid. It doesnt say if the flowers will keep the woolly aphids off in the first place which would be more useful. These flowers also protect against whitefly in the greenhouse. They secrete a mustard oil (which accounts for the flavour if you eat the leaves) that insects like, hence the protection for the cabbage family. I suppose this would be a kind of
sacrifice plant in these circumstances. Amazingly nettles are beneficial. They are rich in iron and nitrogen, excreting these as well as silica, formic acid and protein, giving strength and flavour to nearby crops and protection from aphids black fly and mildew. Nettles are particularly good for potatoes and horseradish. It appears they do this best in the potato patch, which could make harvesting interesting. Most of the beneficial flowers are annuals, so sowing now under cover at the same time as crop seeds is a good idea. The most beneficial shrub seems to be Southernwood/Lads love/Artemisia. I have grown this for some 20 years, the original cutting taken from an old shrub in an aunts garden, purely for its beautifully scented leaves. I now have more respect for it as it repels fruit fly and mosquito. It roots easily from cuttings and benefits from a hard-ish prune, the prunings being the cuttings! Oh joy of joys, as soon as the weather becomes a little warmer out they come, slugs and snails in their battalions. It doesnt seem to matter how often you check under pots outside, planted or empty, there are always more. Sometimes the only hint you get is that seedlings disappear overnight. This is another argument in favour of sowing seeds indoors then planting out once the seedlings are big enough not to be of interest to the pests. Of course, they will still attack perennials that are just coming through. One of the better ways to deal with them is a bucket of salt water. End of problem. Another way is to put out slug pubs. You can buy plastic trays with lids that allow the slug in but not out or just sink a margarine or ice cream or yoghurt tub in the soil leaving the rim slightly proud of the surface and add beer or milk. They drown happy that way. I wouldnt advocate pellets as even the ones advertised as safe for wildlife and pets have been found not to be so. It really isnt worth the risk. Make time to go and look at gardens that have stunning displays of bulbs and early flowering shrubs at this time of year. The RHS gardens all have winter spaces but nearer to home are Anglesey Abbey for snowdrops and Oxburgh Hall for snowdrops, aconites and crocuses as well as some shrubs. You might also spot catkins and willow flowers round and about. Just admire them in the hedgerows or woodland if you dont have huge gardens! Theres lots more about March but I doubt Julian would like me to take over the entire paper. I expect youre bored by now anyway but do remember, however large or small your plot keep weeding
Great Hockham Gardening Club

Our club meeting on Wednesday 13th February was attended by 22 members. Our Chairman, Ed, welcomed everyone and introduced our speakers for the evening. A talk entitled.THIS IS HOW I DO IT by our very own vegetable growing expert and RHS judge, CHRIS HALFORD, accompanied by our Flower Show Vegetable/Fruit and Pot plant RHS Judge, PETER FIRMAN. We got some brilliant tips on preparing the soil, sowing, growing, and preparing for showingall in readiness for our Summer Show.. We hope it encouraged lots more people to enter all the categories on the schedule. The Club Flower Competition was won by Jane Dalton, 2nd Hazel Dunn. The Vegetable Competition was won by Sue Thomas. The Photo Competition was won by Stuart Cullum, 2nd Jane Dalton, 3rd Chris Dalton. Congratulations and thanks to all those who entered - our speaker, Peter Firman judged the competition. We are actively looking for people to take over the maintenance and planting of the Flower Boxes on Wretham Rd and Shropham Rd. Please volunteer. They
make the entrances to our village look so much more attractive. If anyone has any information as to who has wrecked the box on Wretham Rd. we would be interested to know who did it We are actively seeking new members for our club, so come and make new friends and learn new skills. Membership fee just 10 per year. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Our indoor meetings are at the Edinburgh Hall, Harling Rd. Gt. Hockham and start at 7.45pm. Free refreshments.Competitions flower, fruit/veg and seasonal photograph. Look us up on our website: www.greathockhamgardeningclub.org.uk If you would like a lift to meetings or more information do give me a call Jane Dalton (Club Sec. Tel: 01953 498694)
News
Ashill and Holme Hale Garden Club
WATTON EVENING W I COFFEE MORNING

SATURDAY 13TH APRIL 10am to 12Noon AT WATTON CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE
Entrance fee 1 including Coffee and cake IN AID OF THE WATTON COMMUNITY CENTRES REFURBISHMENT FUND
Following a Club visit to Graham Wattss Dale Farm garden in Dereham last May (pictured), he was persuaded to come and talk about the development of his stunning two acre garden that, surprisingly, is just a short walk from the town centre. Graham began by informing the meeting that both he and his wife Sally have worked extensively in public horticulture before buying the Dereham property and in 2007 embarking on a renovation of the garden. So successful have they been that the garden features in the National Garden Scheme and they have raised considerable funds for cancer charities. Members were given a visual presentation of the progress of the garden, starting with the area in front of the house where lawn and a laurel hedge were removed and replaced by gravel beds that featured nigella and
Californian poppies that both enjoy good drainage. Graham praised the durability of carstone for pathways throughout the garden. Using as much local businesses as possible, he landscaped the rear garden and his wife Sally supervised the planting that ensures year round interest. Most of the plants were obtained from nurseries that form part of the Norfolk Nursery Network. Much time and effort was spent recovering the extensive pond which is a key feature of the garden. In 2007 bullrushes and blanket weed were threatening to turn the area into bog but they gradually managed to reduce the amount of milfoil weed in the water by using small grasscarp fish that feed on it. 150 loads of this weed had to be removed in 2008 and 2009 but by 2011 this had been reduced to 10 loads and to none at all in 2012. Now the water,
five foot deep in places, is beautifully clear and has colourful water lilies growing in it. Around the far end of the pond machinery was required to clear the area, the pathway was extended and water loving plants such as irises and primulas introduced. An extended pontoon was created too in front of the house. Graham laid 150 square metres of lawn and he and Sally introduced an area of fruit trees; he particularly champions the dessert apple Scrumptious which has thrived there. When designing borders he recommended boldness in creating width. Alliums are a feature in his borders as they provide year-round interest with their attractive flowers and then seed heads. Penstemons feature too, especially the variety Heavenly Blue, with the narrower leaved varieties being hardier.
Behind the house Sally has created a wonderful kitchen garden and a mini nursery containing numerous seedlings and plants. The garden also has a number of attractive sculptures, with one superb example created on site by a local workman from a dead ash tree. Graham finished by showing pictures of the garden as it appears from season to season, starting with a snowdrop walk in early spring to beds full of autumn colour. Not only was Grahams talk informative in demonstrating how a garden can develop but it contained many amusing anecdotes that made it all the more riveting. In thanking him, Chairman David Green said that the Club would probably organise another visit to this magnificent garden this summer. David Green
Be part of a growing trend

If you grow your own food and you enjoy helping others, then join us. Norfolk Master Gardener is recruiting new community volunteers this spring. Garden Organic, the UKs leading organic growing charity, with funding from Big Lottery funds Local Food Scheme is the driver behind this innovative volunteer mentoring scheme, currently operating across five counties in England. Here in Norfolk, Master Gardener is hosted by Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse Museum. I never thought growing my own garlic would be so easy, marvels Susan, a household in Swaffham, who is benefiting from the mentorship of her local Master Gardener. Mentors are fully trained by Garden Organic and then supported by the charity to help local people grow their own. Norfolk Volunteer Co-ordinator, Gabbie Joyce, said, There is an increasing interest in where our food comes from and growing your own is the cheapest and most enjoyable way of ensuring the quality of your food. What Master Gardeners are saying I joined Master Gardener to share the pleasure and satisfaction I get from gardening to encourage me to spend less time at work. I love meeting people, feeling my skill and knowledge
appreciated, seeing people happy after 'growing their own'. I think this is a wonderful programme. Since becoming a Master Gardener I have been involved in so many other courses and programmes and I'm now chair of the Growing Together Community Garden'; something I would not have been confident to do before. How does it work? The scheme works by offering individuals and communities practical advice and mentoring. It is about enthusing people about food growing whilst offering the support that they need along the journey. Some Master Gardeners support schools, others community gardens and centres, or people at home, where even a tiny balcony or windowsill can grow tomatoes and herbs. The great thing about the scheme is you dont have to be an expert to be eligible to volunteer; all that is required is some experience of growing your own, together with a passion for encouraging others to have a go. Full Master Gardener training is provided covering everything a volunteer should need to know, with additional support from a dedicated Volunteer Co-ordinator. If you are interested in becoming a Norfolk Master Gardener, or are a resident looking for food growing advice, please call Gabbie Joyce on 01362 869286, or email at: gjoyce@gardenorganic.org.uk to find out more.
CASTON 3RD ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR

Saturday 16th March 10am to 3.30pm
Watton Rotary Roundup
News
Caston Village Hall, The Street, Caston NR17 1DD

Local Craftspeople displaying fabric crafts, jewellery, Knitwear, crochet, handcrafted cards, kids clothing, Bags, cushions, toys, gifts and Much Much More . . .
ADMISSION FREE Refreshments All Day ~ Tombola In aid of Caston Village Hall Improvement Fund
Sunday, 17th March 3 p.m. at the Queens Hall.
Breckland Book Festival Film Event

arranged through the Watton Festival Committee
ANNA KARENINA
Anna Karenina, the wife of a high ranking government official, meets cavalry officer Vronsky
and the instant attraction cannot be ignored. Tickets: Adults 4 Children 3 From Adocks or by phone 01953 882613
EASTER COFFEE MORNING

with Crafts, Cakes and Bric-a-Brac Stalls
at St Marys Church, Watton Saturday 23rd March 9.30am All welcome Proceeds for the up keep of St Marys Church
Towards the end of January we entertained the winning students from Wayland Academy who had taken part in our annual Young Poet and Young Chef competitions. Peter Cowling, a retired teacher of English adjudicated the poetry and gave a brief talk on the merits of the winning and runners-up entries. David Branson and Andy Francis judged and tasted the offerings from the young chefs, all of which wrer of a re high standard and very tasty. The picture shows some of the winners with their certificates with Club President Peter Semlyen. The following week another Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, Hadrien Lavaux from France, addressed the club. Hadrien was accompanied by his
Rotarian counsellor, Suzanne Sutton, a member of the Cambridge Rotary Club to which several members of our club subsequently paid a visit. At the first meeting in February our speakers were Andy Naylor and Izzy Huckle of the Westacre Theatre. The following week we had a most interesting talk by the Project Director from the Norwich Research Park (NRP), who gave a fascinating dissertation on the expansion of, and developments taking place at, the facility. Alan Giles went on to outline the work going on the John Innes Centre (JIC). Alan was accompanied by Becca Holland, a Business Development Officer at the JIC. Becca is the daughter of one of our members, Dr Mike Harvey, and
as it was St Valentines Day, lothario Pat Murphy presented Becca with a red rose. During this meeting we welcomed back into club membership David Simons after and absence of some 15 years. We are pleased to have David back in the fold and it has to be said that he has always been a firm supporter and friend of the club. His wife, Jenny, is currently President of our sister club, the Inner Wheel Club of Watton. Finally, a reminder that on the 22nd of this month we have the first of this years 2 Jazz at the Queens Hall events. Is it possible DixieMix will get even better still? Come and found out tickets remain at 10, which includes a lite bite, and are on sale in Adcocks. Martin Anscombe
Community support services at Wayland House, Watton

Wayland House in Watton High Street is home to a multitude of services available to the local community. From Council services to Physiotherapy its available in Watton! Breckland Council Customer Services are available without an appointment for advice on council tax, wheelie bins, how to get a bus pass or a senior rail card. The Breckland Council Officer is available between the hours of 9.00am and 4.30pm every Wednesday and 9.00am and 4.00pm every Friday, with a short lunchtime closure between 1.00pm and 1.30pm on both days. A Breckland Council Housing Unit Officer is available every Tuesday afternoon from 1.00pm to 4.30pm to provide information and advice on housing matters (by appointment 01362 656870). Norfolk County Councils Registrar holds a register office for registration of births and deaths at Wayland House every Thursday from 1.00pm to 4.00pm by appointment call 01842 754115 or email registration.thetford@norfolk.gov.uk. The Wayland Community Bank, a branch of the Norfolk Credit Union, is open on Mondays from 1.00pm to 3.00pm, Tuesdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm and Thursdays from 9.00am to 11.00am. The bank offers simple borrowing and secure saving services. The direct dial for the Bank on open days is 01953 880211. Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind have staff available here at Wayland House please call 01603 629558. (appointment essential). And we do more! Free Maths or English Skills tuition available in Watton with new eleven week courses starting in April. For more details or to enrol ring: Laura 07825114272 or Adult Education 01603 306556 Do you want to improve your health and wellbeing, become more active, make healthier food choices or stop smoking? If you want to achieve one or more of these goals then the Health Trainer Service may be for you. A health adviser is available at Wayland House every Tuesday. Call 01842 767604 to make an appointment and make that first step to a new you! New Tenants at Wayland House Watton Physio and Watton Physio Sports have also moved in and are now offering a full range of physiotherapy and sports therapy treatments. Malcolm Kay from Watton Physio can be contacted on 01953 880238 and Paul Kay from Watton Physio Sports on 01953 880239. George Freeman MP also holds constituency surgeries here. Call his Constituency Office on 01953 880215 to make an appointment and make your voice and Mid Norfolks heard! The Wayland Business Centre is based at Wayland House and provides a wide range of business support services to the local community. They include office accommodation for new and existing businesses, advice on new business start up and signposting to information. We also have superbly equipped training rooms and much more. Ask at reception for information, call Iain Cockburn on 01953 880204 or mail iain@wayland.org.uk If you need any information or general advice about what is on offer through Wayland House, the Wayland Partnership or the Wayland Business Centre, email iain@wayland.org.uk or call Iain Cockburn on 01953 880204.
It's a Racing Cert for The Wayland Player Spring Production of Ladies Day by Amanda Whittington
Following the huge success of Calendar Girls, the Wayland Players have announced their spring production will be the well-crafted, funny and at times poignant comedy Ladies Day, by Amanda Whittington. The play is set in a fish filleting factory and is the story of four every day women whose fortunes are set to change when they set out for Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot when it is relocated to York. Out go the hairnets and overalls as the girls do themselves up to the nines and go to the races. Joan Joyce, Director said Im very excited to be directing this play; its full of Yorkshire heart and soul and has real warmth, the audience will most definitely be able to identify with the characters and the story. Joan continued; we have many talented actresses within the Players and there has been fierce competition the roles of the four leading ladies; I am expecting strong performances from the final fab four. It's a safe bet the Wayland Players will give you a great night out with this heartwarming comedy from the team that brought you Calendar Girls!' The Wayland Players will perform Ladies Day at the Queens Hall, 16, 17 and 18th May. Further details including ticket prices will be available soon. To keep up to date with the Wayland Players visit www.waylandplayers.org.uk
News
Hackers, Tackers and Stuffers

This group which covers many forms of needlecraft as well as patchwork and quilting meets at the Christian Community Centre in Watton High St on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month apart from August from 7-9pm. Membership is 10.00 per annum plus 1 for each meeting. We have a programme of short demonstrations and mini workshops led by members, usually at the meetings on the 4th Tuesday. There are all day workshops led by visiting tutors or members. These are at a different venue and open to all current members who have paid their annual subscription, for insurance purposes. We also have organised coach outings to places of particular interest to those who sew. Last year we took on group responsibility for Project Linus Norfolk . For several years we have had group workshops for making Linus quilts and on 20th April have an open one for nonmembers, which must be pre-booked. On 6th April we are hosting a coffee and craft morning for Linus at the Christian Community Centre. Do come and see us there. Visitors are also welcome at our meetings. NB there will be no meeting on 11th March as we will be the guests of Thompson WI. For further details contact Jane on 01953 884215 or for Linus email plnorfolk@yahoo.co.uk . Details of events can also be found on our Blog at http://htsqgroup.blogspot
Breckland Harmony Juniors
Ashill Community Centre

Friday 22nd March Cash Bingo for WI Funds Tuesday 26th March Prize Bingo for CC funds
Eyes Down 7.30pm
After a late start following the snow in January the choir has resumed weekly singing sessions. New members, aged 8 to 13 are welcome on a Monday evening from 6 to 7pm in Ovington Village Hall during term-time. Contact Linda Murray 01953 880073 or Julia Grover 01953 483654 for further information.
Watton Craft Market

The Watton Craft Market will be returning to the Queens Hall on the 2nd March. The charity for this year has changed to the East Anglias Childrens Hospices. (E.A.C.H) There will be the regular stalls of locally hand made items including cards, knitwear, wooden items, jewellery, textiles, photography and craft supplies. New this month will be engraved glass,
crystals and shells, stonecraft, leather and cuddly toys. Opening times will be 9.30am to 2pm and admission will be free although a donation for East Anglias Childrens Hospices would be appreciated. Refreshments with home made cakes will be available by the Inner Wheel until 11.30am. Then hot lunches will be served by the Thetford based charity ASD Helping Hands from 12pm. Please come and have a coffee or lunch and support these good causes. If you require any further information please e-mail wheelerevents@aol.com.
News from We live in Happy Easter from the Youth Blenheim Focus Group Grange . . . Country Market
It is hard to realise, as I write this month's article, that Easter really is only six weeks away. Despite the weather we were able to offer some fresh produce on reopening day potatoes, leeks and parsnips - and a very few plants in pots. Hopefully by the end of this month there will be more produce and plants on offer. Cooks and crafters are less dependent on the weather and we have our usual delicious array of baked goods and preserves each week as well as farm fresh eggs. Our crafters have kept knitting and can offer warm garments for cold spring days. Greetings cards for all occasions are always available, as is attractive, inexpensive jewellery. Cushions and bags are ideal gift items and wooden toys are available for the youngest children. We are open every Wednesday morning from 8.30 to 11.30 a.m. in the Watton Christian Community Centre. Our Methodist friends serve coffee in the smaller hall so it is easy to shop and enjoy a coffee and chat with friends all under one roof. As usual we shall have some special items on sale just before Easter - come and browse and enjoy a warm welcome from all our producers. Congratulations to Project Rainbow for the award of Breckland Youth Advisory Board Funding for the recruitment, training and development of volunteers to work with the young people of the Wayland area. Despite the loss of the old Surgery building just when it looked as if the right kind of capital funding might be available, the Project Rainbow Team have not lost heart. Instead they have re-grouped, appointed some new Directors, found storage space for their equipment and found temporary accommodation for their Monday evening sessions on the SPLAG Youth Outreach Bus gratefully borrowed from Dereham, which was well attended on its first two outings. If the Project Rainbow Team are to achieve their long term goals, they need the support and assistance of the local community. At the moment they particularly need volunteers of all ages to sign up to the training sessions to take place between April and July this year. Their short term plan is to use the time and the YAB funding to ensure that a broad-based team of trained volunteers is in place to support whatever facility they are able to achieve in the medium to long term.
Although questions are often asked, this is still and will always remain - Blenheim Grange and we now have two very distinct new signs (kindly donated by Taylor Wimpey), one at each entrance to our development. Although unfortunately at present, one is being rather overshadowed by Taylor Wimpeys sign for Beaufort Park, advertising the latest phase of their development on Blenheim Grange. Blenheim Grange has had a reputation in the past as perhaps not being the most desirable place to live in the area. We at the Residents Association believe that this has been largely undeserved and can often be exaggerated by those who do not live here. Lying in the Parish of Carbrooke, on the site of the former RAF Watton, this is a relatively new housing development which is still expanding and has residents who come from many walks of life. From the younger generation, who may be just starting out in their first home, right through to those who have chosen Blenheim Grange to spend their retirement years. Being next to the town of Watton, there are many amenities close by and with a very good bus service available to other parts of Norfolk, it really is ideally placed for many. With the more recent addition of the local shops and restaurant, a play park which will hopefully be in place by the summer and eventually a proper community building, there will be plenty of things for residents to do right here on their doorstep. Residents here live in some lovely (not to mention energy efficient) all mod cons properties in an area surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Residents Association is determined to continue to promote all that is good about Blenheim Grange and would like it to be known, We are happy to live in the place named Blenheim Grange.
Ashill Community Centre Coffee Mornings

Friday 8th March Friday 12th April
Wayland's young people air their views with George Freeman MP
News
10am to 12 Noon
Massage Those Winter Blues Away

Feeling tired, a bit sluggish or wanting to detox? The advent of the New Year is often a time when people look towards being more healthy but with the colder weather, we are often left suffering from colds, feeling a little sluggish and lacking energy. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle but specialised massage that uses a range of rhythmic pumping techniques to encourage the removal of excess fluid and toxins, reducing swelling and assisting and boosting the immune system. No oils are used, unless you request it, so it is safe for those with sensitive skin and also for pregnant women. You can also remain clothed for the treatment. MLD is an incredibly relaxing treatment which can be for a specific area or for the whole body. It is especially popular for the face in reducing puffiness. People experiencing MLD may find that benefits include; Deep relaxation Relief for conditions such as sinusitis, arthritis, acne and other skin conditions Strengthening and boosting the immune system Relieving of fluid congestion such as swollen ankles, tired puffy eye and swollen legs due to pregnancy Relief with the treatment of lymphoedema Research has shown that MLD can improve anxiety, sleeplessness, breathlessness and feelings of worry. People who suffer from chronic pain may benefit from MLD and c Conditions such as restless legs, fibromyalgia, sore feet, bad circulation, sinus, head pain may also be helped. MLD has been known to help with scar tissue, softening and reducing it. It can be a useful treatment following an operation, helping to reduce fluid and puffiness from that area.
In aid of Community Centre funds
A dozen young people aged from 14 to 19 and from Watton and the Wayland villages joined MP George Freeman MP for a Youth Summit at Wayland House on the evening of Friday evening. Following a brief introduction of his background and role, the young people spent an hour and a half discussing issues which ranged from the provision of local facilities, and the recent loss of the popular Youth Venue, the Surge, to education, opportunities for work, opportunities for women and girls, the need for improved broadband services in rural area and better funding for the NHS
and concern for the quality of Care Homes. Jan Godfrey, chair of the Wayland Youth Focus Group, said I was so impressed with the confidence of the young people they were both articulate and passionate about the issues that concern them. George Freeman, MP said: This is a tough time for youngsters leaving school and college in Norfolk. Its particularly challenging for youngsters in rural towns and villages for whom it can be particularly difficult to access opportunities. I convened this Youth Summit to give were here first, Ill get off, but Frank realised he could not accept this, and settled for the long walk home. A couple of days later, while queueing for his lunch-time coffee and sandwich he was surprised when a voice behind him said Let me pay for that, and he turned to find the same girl that he had met at the bus-stop. He started to protest, but she insisted, saying how embarrassed she had been by the previous incident, and so he gracefully accepted, saying Thank you, Julie, having seen her name on the identity badge that was pinned to her jacket above the letters A V O, which she then explained stood for Art Verification Operator, and that she was employed by Sorensens, the famous auction house. Oh, said Frank, thats where they are having that big sale, with that painting expected to fetch over five million pounds, isnt it ? Id certainly like to be there on Friday. It should be most exciting. Youll be lucky, you can only get in by invitation, but I could show you round today, if youd like, just to show you the background. So they went round on a quick tour, and Frank showed he knew something about art when he espied a picture of The Haywain, the Constable masterpiece. I bet that would fetch a pretty penny, he said. Well, about 350, replied Julie, for the frame mostly. Its just a copy. You mean its a forgery ?
local youngsters a chance to talk to me directly about the challenges in the Wayland area in 30 questions they made a wide range of intelligent and thought-provoking points. I will be following up by: Working with local councillors and the Wayland Partnership on finding a long term home for The Surge. Through the Norfolk Way establishing the Wayland Enterprise Network, helping youngsters to access the circa 1000 small businesses in the area, holding another summit with local councillors and organising a trip to Parliament for the youngsters No, of course not. There are hundreds of copies about, but they are only forgeries if they are offered as the genuine article. Rich people buy the real ones, but dont dare hang them in their houses in case they attract burglars, and anyway the insurance costs would be enormous, so they just have copies on their walls. And as you can see these copies are almost impossible to tell from the originals. And that one that is the star of the auction on Friday that has been in a bank vault for some years. Now the owner needs some ready cash, so he had it brought out for the sale, and then whoever buys it will probably have it put back in safe storage. He most likely wont even see it, as he will have an agent acting for him. There it will stay till the next time, when the price may be even higher. Well, thats amazing, said Frank. So these millionaires arent interested in the pictures at all, its just business transactions. Thats disgusting. Yes, thats one way of looking at it, but it all keeps a lot us in employment, so it cant all be bad. Frank thanked Julie for the tour, and went back to work in a pensive mood. He counted out the cash in his pocket, and mused to himself about the different levels of the world we live in. Here am I with 5.74 to last me till Friday and this foreign bloke can shell out over five million on a picture he may not even see. I think its been said before, but its a funny old world.
It's Only Money

A short story By Ken Knowles Frank made sure he got to the bus stop five minutes before the bus was due, as it was the last one and it was a long walk home if he missed it. While he was waiting he saw someone else approaching, and when this person got nearer he realised it was a girl, well a young lady, who appeared to be in her mid -twenties. Frank found it a bit awkward standing at a lonely bus stop with a young female, and made sure he kept his distance, as he was sure she felt uncomfortable too. As the minutes ticked by with no sign of the bus he anxiously looked at his watch, as there was no way of knowing if the bus was just late or had been cancelled altogether, but eventually, just as he was about to give up and start to walk, he was relieved to see it appear on the horizon. In response to his out-stretched hand the bus drew to a stop, and as the doors opened and he stepped back to let the girl get on, they both were surprised when the driver said Sorry, only room for one. As you can see Im packed solid already and if my inspector sees I could get the sack. Anyway I can hardly get the doors shut, so its one of you only, Im afraid. The girl turned round and said You
Richmond Park Golf Club Seniors Open Competition 2013

The annual competition will take place this year on Thursday 25th July. This popular event attracts players from all areas of East Anglia and further afield. Last year 68 competitors played on a beautiful sunny day!! and enjoyed an excellent meal as well as competing for prizes which included a Vauxhall Corsa for a Hole-in-one, provided by the sponsors Thurlow Nunn,Dereham. Thurlow Nunn have agreed to extend their sponsorship,so a new car will be on offer once more. Competition entry forms are now available from the Golf Club shop or from David Wakeford. Tel: 01953886899 E-mail: mar.dav2@btinternet.com.
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there are thousands of stories like this and worse, all of which can affect the new family and children from moving on and starting anew. Slander of another is a very difficult and costly case to prove but it can destroy a persons reputation overnight. If you only hear one side of the story, then you are half deaf. All involved Mothers, Fathers and children can all go through huge emotional and financial insecurities when faced with separation, including in some cases physical violence. Letting go of a relationship even when it is the right thing to do can still be painful, Separating a household which was once shared takes time to accept and replace, Am I still love-able? For women who have stayed at home to look after the children they may face confidence issues of re-training and getting back into the workplace. Men in some cases may have to adapt to a new life, if the children stay with the mother, the father often has to let go of the relationship he had with his children and embrace a new one involving visitation, Stresss of paying child maintenance whilst still trying to provide a roof over his own head and somewhere for the children to visit are just some of the difficulties faced. Who has it worse, the answer is all of them, the whole family face challenges upon separation, with the wellbeing of our children being paramount - Is society doing enough to minimize suffering, as demonstrated from the Governments local advertisement for Mental Health, it comes in many guises and is often not recognized. As yet we personally have heard of very few successful divorces which considering that the divorce rate is on the increase (according to The Mail online Britain has the highest divorce rate in the European Union, The number of divorces throughout the EU is on the increase, with an average of 1.8 divorces for every 1,000 people. Monday Jan 28th 2013 ) Of course there are success stories out there especially from America, but it would be interesting to hear from people here in the UK and how they have coped. Recording our stories, the mistakes we made or our successs could be one of the keys to helping our future generations should they have to face what can be a roller-coaster of a journey. For anyone struggling through divorce or separation at the moment, there is professional help out there to help support you through this difficult time, Samaritans, Counsellors, GPs, and Childline for children affected are to name but a few and for when you feel brave enough put pen to paper and let us know your thoughts. Many thanks, John and Marsha Hughes
Divorced?
We are in the process of researching the experiences both positive and negative of men and women during Divorce and Separation . We would be very interested to hear from others who has gone through a Separation or Divorce which may or may not have involved children - With particular interest in the impact it has had on the person, the children and the wider families who may also be affected. All correspondence will be treated with the strictest of confidence. If you wish to participate please either write down your story, and send it to John and Marsha Hughes. 23, Cardington Road, Carbrooke, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 6JR or email to marsha-hughes@hotmail.co.uk or contact us on 07979883789 and leave your name and number and we will get back to you. The reason for the research is to produce a book that may help others and highlight the suffering that people often face when going through separation and divorce. There are some self-help books out there with advice on how to deal with the practical side of Divorce, but not all focus on some of the mind games, revenge tactics that are the most damaging effects on all involved and in the long term leaves little hope for a more harmonious future working relationships that nurture the casualties of divorce the children. A child is made out of love, the coming together of man and woman, yet when the two separate years, months or even days later, why is it with so much destruction that in most cases the child is forgotten and becomes a casualty of war. Solicitors although there are exceptions appear to work only in the interests of their client and not always in partnership for all parties concerned including children which can lead to not only in-harmonious future relations between the parties, but this can also ripple out onto the children with devastating results however hard the parties try not to involve the children. I felt so torn between my parents. I missed my other parent. I never got to choose, no-one asked me what I wanted. My mum/dad brought this new person into my life and I was expected to be happy. I hated the arguments, I thought they would stop once they were divorced but they just got worse. Are just some of the comments that have been made by children that we have spoken to. Family Mediation is now recommended by most solicitors. Wider families often take sides which is understandable because of blood ties and loyalties, but sometimes other people within the community get involved without actually understanding what is going on, this also affects childrens relationships. I was refused an allotment within a local village, she later found out that her new husbands ex wife and partner sat on the committee. I had a false allegation made against me in a local supermarket where my ex worked it was so humiliating having to prove my innocence. We had an anonymous letter sent to Social Services who investigated us until the allegation where proven malicious. This is just a small sample of some of the stories we have heard and sadly
Business flock to free advice evening

Over 24 local business people attended a free awareness evening on Thursday 31st January at Wayland House in Watton to find out about the Enterprise Norfolk Business Support Scheme launched by Norfolk County Council. With this number attending and taking a very enthusiastic role in the proceedings, it is proof that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Wayland. The audience not only heard how the scheme could benefit them be they a new or established business, but they also were treated to a very comprehensive presentation by a specialist business adviser from Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services supported by senior officers from Breckland Council and the staff of the Wayland Business Centre.
This scheme is intended to provide practical support to new business startups in Norfolk with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship. It will offer practical help and advice to people planning to start a new business in 2013. Find out more at http:// www.norfolk.gov.uk/Business/ Enterprise_Norfolk/index.htm The County has invested 400,000 in the scheme over two years and have appointed Breckland Council as one of the local delivery partners. They in turn have appointed Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services to provide the service across the five Breckland market towns. Watton and Wayland businesses were first in the queue to receive the support and the Wayland Partnership and the Wayland Business Centre are working with both Breckland Council and NWES to promote and support the scheme. The awareness event is followed by the first in a series of free Business Planning Workshops again on Monday 25th February. Email on iain@wayland.org.uk or call on 01953 880204 for more information and pass this information on to any budding entrepreneurs you may know. join our committee. Various roles are available, including events organiser and potentially a new Chairperson. If you have skills which would be appropriate and would like to help our group please email Mark Sullivan at breckland@norfolkwildlifetrust.org. uk or telephone 01953 498567 Or why not come along to one of our events to find out more about us? Our next meeting is on Tuesday 19 March, 7.45pm at Watton Christian Community Centre (57 High Street, Watton) where you can hear the Trusts Breckland Reserves Manager, Darrell Stevens, talk about local conservation projects. If you are coming for the first time, do feel free to contact us first so that we can expect you and are able to welcome you in person. Find out more about Norfolk Wildlife Trust online at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
NEW LUNCHEON CLUB for Senior Citizens The Watton Sports Centre WEDS 6th March 12 mid day for lunch fun and fellowship for afters
Pick up service available For details phone
Paul and Christina 884213
Do you have an interest in local wildlife and a bit of free time?

Your local Norfolk Wildlife Trust members group for the Breckland area is actively seeking new helpers. Norfolk Wildlife Trusts Local Groups are organised and run by Trust members on a voluntary basis. We organise local walks, talks and social events which are open to everyone, and we also do what we can to promote NWT, raising awareness and funds and making a difference in our local area. We are in need of new helpers to
Easter at Wretham
Wrethams village community spirit comes to the fore at the Easter weekend as three different venues throw open their doors to holiday weekend visitors. On both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, village hall, church and Wretham Lodge gardens will offer a warm welcome to people from a wide area. In the Village Hall, at the entrance to Church Road, local craft experts will display a wide range of crafts, with products for sale, on both days between 10am and 5pm, with refreshments available for visitors. At St Ethelberts Church, further down Church Road, there is the chance to see a church full of Easter flowers put into the building by members of Wretham Ravers womens group and their friends. A second hand book stall and homemade cakes and refreshments will be served between 11am and 5pm on both days in a church building approaching its 150th anniversary after its Victorian rebuild. Across Church Road at Wretham Lodge, the former Rectory, the gardens will be open on both Easter Sunday and Monday from noon until 5pm. The tranquil and beautiful gardens have been a fixture in the annual calendar of the National Gardens Scheme and are continually developed for the pleasure of both their owners and visiting garden enthusiasts. Wretham stands almost midway between Thetford and Watton on the A1075.
Rocklands Bingo
The next Bingo will be held at Rocklands Village Hall on Wednesday 20th March. Doors open 7pm for 7.45pm start. Have a great night out for less than 5! As well as a warm welcome, there will be cash prizes, refreshments, raffle and a very generous Jackpot on offer. All Proceeds go to the Village Hall.
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pleased to be able to make the proposal, at Cabinet, not to charge for car parking and I am sure that you will be relieved to learn that the decision was also made at the Cabinet meeting not to introduce car parking charges for the remainder of the term of this council. The outcomes from the Could We? Should We? consultations and the online surveys have been used to help us create this years budget. The Could We? Should We? information will continue to help us tackle the financial challenges we face year on year. We always said it would be used for more than just this year's budget. We have to face the fact that Breckland are facing a cumulative deficit of around 2.2 million by 2017-18 even with an increase in Council Tax of 4.98 this year. This is after we have made savings of 1 million by the efficiencies that we have already introduced. Our asset management strategy has enabled us to maintain this low council tax for many years and it will continue to cushion us in the future, however, we must raise council tax to balance the budget in the coming years while continuing to provide the services that the public tell us are important to them. As Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for Finance, I can assure you all that I have spent many hours considering how best to serve all our residents needs, whilst maintaining value for money and keeping the council tax as low as possible. Value for money is about more than simply cuts to services and/or budgets. It includes; innovation in service delivery, investment in technology, rationalisation of back office functions and organisational development. It is more important than ever that the tax payers in Breckland are receiving value for money and that funds are available to provide front-line services to the community while ensuring that the impact on council tax be contained. Even with an increase of 4.98, bringing the Breckland element of a Band D council tax payers bill to 69.03 per year we will still be comfortably the lowest District Council Tax in the country. The next nearest District Council to us in the country is West Oxfordshire at 81.63 and in Norfolk it is Broadland at 111.15, these are 2011-12 figures before any increase that they may make. The Breckland increase is equivalent to 9.6p per week and the total bill for a Band D property is 1.33 per week. Additionally 70% of properties in Breckland are in Bands A to C so will pay less that this, in Watton that proportion is 87%. During the consultation 46.9% of respondents said they would be happy to raise council tax by the maximum allowed. I realise this at the time was believed to be only 2% but I would encourage people to look at the rise we have made in cash terms and in relation to council tax levels of other councils. In Wigan. My aim is to raise 500 each for 2 different charities, Macmillan and Joining Jack. Joining Jack is a charity set up to raise awareness of a muscle wasting disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It's based on a little boy called Jack who has this disease. Failing a medical breakthrough, people with this disease follow a predetermined path. Jack will not be able to walk when he reaches adolescence and will lose use of all the muscles in his body. He
Saham WI Councillors Jumble Sale Chat

Saturday 23rd March 9.30 to 11am
Wells Cole Community Centre Saham Toney
Clothes - Bric-a-Brac - Toys Books - Tea - Coffee Entrance 30p Jumble can be collected by calling
with Cllr Michael Wassell Hopefully by the time you are reading this we will be over the cold weather that we have all been enjoying. Breckland Council in collaboration with partners across the district is working to make sure those most vulnerable are identified and supplied with a pack of items to help them keep warm as part of a Norfolk-wide Warm and Well campaign. The Keep Warm kits are packed full of goodies for the winter, including fleece blankets, hot water bottles and room thermometers. I have arranged for packs to be available for collection from Watton Town Council offices (01953 881007), and I am grateful for their help in this matter. If anyone requires any information on this please do not hesitate to contact me. Changes to Council Tax benefit The Government currently funds Council Tax benefit. Local Authorities have been required to set their own schemes, but with less funding. The new local schemes will come into force on 1 April 2013. The sum that Breckland receives from Central Government to fund Council Tax support has reduced by around 11.4%. The new Breckland Council Tax Support Scheme has been designed to accommodate this reduction in funding to make it cost neutral to the Council. Breckland is required by law to ensure that pensioners will not be affected by these changes. The only people who will be affected by the changes in our new scheme are those of working age who receive benefit. Under the new Breckland Council Tax Support Scheme, after 1 April 2013 all working age claimants will have to pay some Council Tax. Under the current scheme some people receive 100% support; under the new Breckland Council Tax Support Scheme the maximum support anyone of working age can receive is 91.5%. Anyone who has any concerns about this should contact Breckland Council on 01362 656870. Council Tax and Car Park Charges No doubt readers will have seen that an option to increase Council Tax is going before Full Council for a decision on the 28th Feb. The proposed increase for a Band D property is 4.98 per year. This proposal was agreed by the Cabinet on the 12th February and has not been taken lightly, and was the subject of much debate during the Could We? Should We? consultations that were held in all of the Breckland market towns including Watton. Another subject that was hotly debated was the issue of whether Breckland should charge for car parking within the district. We are currently one of the few District Councils in the country that do not charge, and I was
Shipdham & District Book Group

The book discussed on Wednesday 20th February was Oystercatchers by Susan Fletcher. The story is told through Moira as she speaks to her much younger sister Amy who is in a coma. She tells of her own selfishness and jealousy which drove her to a self-imposed exile from her family and the dramatic Welsh coast she had loved initially, opting for a distant boarding school and adult life. This is a dark novel with dramatic almost poetic descriptions of wild coasts including not only Wales but others in Norfolk and Devon. The book provoked a very interesting discussion. Only one person expressed outright dislike whilst others confessed to mixed feelings which gave way to a fascination which precluded leaving it unfinished. In trying to analyse Moiras persona we moved from the possibility of Aspurges through downright awkward unpleasantness to just different. She is very intelligent, tall and very thin with thick glasses, once her eyes have been tested. We could not explain her lack of empathy with her mothers frequent miscarriages apart from childish ignorance. That she is bullied at boarding school where she indulges in self harm is almost to be anticipated. Most agreed that the descriptions of the Norfolk Coast and countryside were accurate and enjoyable for once although there is a mistake in the depiction of the view from a City flat, regarded as unforgivable by those who are well acquainted with Norwich. Despite dark, disturbing aspects most enjoyed it. The book sparked off further discussion on sibling attitudes; the horror of girls boarding schools; the character of a true loner and the pleasure we all find in reading when it is given an extra dimension by sharing views and opinions of a text with others. For our next meeting on Wednesday 20th March we are reading Dissolution by VJ Sansom.
01953 884880
Proceeds to Saham WI
fact because of some of the technical changes that have occurred because of the Council Tax Support Scheme, Breckland will actually collect over 200,000 less from council tax payers throughout the district in 2013-14 than we did in 2012-13. With regard to car parking there is a very comprehensive report on the councils web site as part of the agenda for the Cabinet Meeting of the 12th Feb 2013. This report which was produced internally without the use of consultants can be found on the web site under Council and Democracy, then Committee Meeting and then Agendas. From this report it can be seen that our estimates show charging on the same terms as some other Norfolk councils, i.e. from the moment a person parks, had the potential to generate more than 800,000 per annum for the council. (Page 95) This is a considerable sum, and we will have to find this money from other areas and will use the Could We? Should We? consultation to help in our decision making process. Not charging for car parking is one of the main reasons we have chosen to raise council tax by the amount we have. Even raising council tax by this amount will not cover the costs of running and maintaining our car parks. I have spent a considerable amount of space in this article to try and ensure that residents understand the background to the decisions that are being made. I am grateful to the Editor for his forbearance in allowing this. I would love to hear your views on this and perhaps enter into a debate, please do not hesitate to contact me with any views that you have. I have taken the massive step (for me at least) of joining Twitter after much haranguing to do so from amongst others the Editor of this fine paper. I can be contacted via @CllrMWassell and I look forward to engaging in the lively debates that I am currently witnessing. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel I can be of assistance on any Breckland District Council matter. My contact details: Email: michael.wassell@breckland.gov.uk; Phone: 01953 882884 or 07778 491569; Twitter @CllrMWassell Regards to all, Michael Wassell may need spinal rods to keep him upright and to help him breathing. Eventually his lungs and heart will, fail and he will sadly pass away. The life expectancy of someone with this condition is around 30 years old. Therefore I am asking anyone that can to sponsor me for these 2 very worth while causes. I have set up 2 just giving accounts which are: www.justgiving.com/imogenwalker1JoiningJack www.justgiving.com/imogenwalker1macmillan
Norfolk Credit Union Corporate Account

The NCU Corporate Account has been launched to help assist small businesses to save regularly. Businesses can pay money in with their PayPoint card with any cash they have left over at the end of their business week. Businesses can also set up a standing order from their current account for regular savings to be made to NCU each month. The account is available to request withdrawals via an email confirmation or written letter to head office. This account should not be viewed as instant access, and should not be used as an active current account. The benefits of this account: 1 to join and 1 to keep your savings account open; Save for an investment, tax bill, fixed assets or a great incentive for your employees; Support your local community and local businesses by saving with a community bank In accordance with our terms of business NCU has the right to charge 1 for more than one cash PayPoint transaction per week (this will be at the managers discretion).
Riding for MacMillan and DMD

I'm Imogen Walker, 15 and from Watton. I gained a travel scholarship from my school, Thetford Grammar. In the Summer I plan to bike 230 miles (approx) from my home to
News
A Quick Look Round Did you know . . . ? February's answer

by Orbiter Well that is another winter (hopefully) done with, for as much as snow can be very pretty when it first arrives, the aftermath can be quite horrendous, though in early February we did have a couple of snowy days followed almost immediately with a small rise in temperature making it disappear completely overnight. No, things are not always bad, and I had a very pleasant surprise one Saturday morning when I had occasion to drive through Watton in the early hours, before there had been any traffic to disturb the three inch carpet of snow, for as I drove eastwards through the High Street I realised that I was seeing our town almost as it was a hundred and fifty, or perhaps even two hundred years ago. With no road markings, such as yellow and white lines, to be seen, and standard lamps disguised by snow, it seemed that I was looking into history, and it occurred to me that had I have been a photographer I would have considered this a godsend. The only hindrances seemed to be the two bus shelters, a telephone box, and one car parked outside Myhills that must have been there all night because it was almost hidden in snow. With hardly any tell-tale television aerials in sight, and with no obtrusive projecting signs (probably thanks to local by-laws) the scene was almost a perfect look back in time, and any modern blemishes that were present could easily have been eliminated by the latest camera gimmicks. I immediately realised that this view of Victorian Norfolk must have been repeated all over the county, and I could visualise places like Swaffham, Hingham, Wymondham, and so on, all with their enhancing mantle of snow. Now we are all aware of the frequent delays caused by the wrong sort of snow, which has become almost a byword for the modern railway system in winter, but surely this year they have really over-stepped the mark by cancelling trains in advance, just in case there was any snow. How ridiculous is that ? Luckily in Norfolk we seem to have escaped the worst of the weather, but nevertheless we are left with more potholes in our roads than ever, so drivers must take extra care. It seems a great pity, when the county authorities had just about completed repairing those from the last two years, and now have to start all over again. But the world outside has other worries to offer, and as I write the nation seems to be in a complete panic over the presence of horsemeat in our burgers. Had anyone noticed this before the business of correct labelling was being more closely addressed ? Personally I have not been affected, as any burgers eaten in my house come from the local butchers, whom I trust when they assure me that pork and apple means just that, but it does seem to me that too much has been made of the situation, since I am told that half of Europe exists on horsemeat diets, with no adverse results, and in fact, the equine cuts are considered a great delicacy. But at least the comedians have had a ball, with such comments as the burgers are galloping off the shelves, a supermarket is advertising their burgers as A Three Day Event , or labelling them with a Starting Price. We are told that all over the world belts have to be tightened as we are not the only countries to have suffered from recessions, so it is rather surprising to read that over 90 million pounds is to be spent on the ruins of Pompeii, in order to restore them to the state of dilapidation that they had reached fifty years ago. Reruining ruins seems rather a strange project to me. I am told that the National Lottery has changed its terms by doubling the minimum stake to 2, but increased the top prize to some enormous figure. Surely the top pay-outs should be REDUCED, and hundreds more smaller prizes substituted. Or is it just me who thinks it is much better to have many more happy people than just one ? One good thing that has been announced is that there is to be a refer-endum to decide whether we should stay in the EU, although the bad side is that we will have to wait until after the next election. But things wont be as straightforward as they might appear, for various other projects will surely be tacked on, so that if we vote the present government in again in order to get the chance to vote, we will also be probably voting for new runways at Stansted, or the new High Speed Rail project to be further extended, or other controversial items. No, governments dont ever give things away, there is always a hidden agenda.
Rosalie pictured at Butlins in . . . Ed: Didnt dare ask! (front centre looking at camera) Rosalie Davis Gibb Did you know . . . one of the most well-known holiday entrepreneurs, who started his empire in 1936, was born in South Africa with the forenames William Heygate Edmund Colborne? But who was he? Born to British parents on 29th September 1899 in Cape Town, South Africa, Billy Butlin opened his first holiday camp on a 200 acre site, previously turnip fields, at Ingoldmells near Skegness, on Easter Saturday 11th April 1936, officially opened by the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, Amy Johnson (I notice a recurring theme here you may remember Abraham Lincoln died on Easter Saturday 1865). This was pretty farsighted since the Holiday With Pay Act wasnt introduced until a year later. Once the Act was brought into force and it soon became obvious there were insufficient hotels and boarding houses to cope with the mass migration to the seaside, Billy Butlins new all-inclusive holidays, at between 35 shillings and 3 (equivalent to 151 today) a week according to the time of year, became an immediate success. Just as well since the initial advert in the Daily Express cost 500 equivalent today to 25,000. Not only did the holiday camp give an alternative to the hotels and boarding houses, from whence came much opposition initially, but dispensed with the ignominy of being locked out all day regardless of season or weather, experienced by Billy and the inspiration for his holiday camps, having stayed and suffered in such a place on Barry Island in his twenties. After only two years, Billys second holiday camp was opened at Clacton-on-Sea, an excellent choice being the nearest seaside to London. Billy wasnt entirely without experience of the world of entertainment, since his mother Bertha came from a family of travelling showmen. After his parents split, Billys mother returned to England with her two sons and rejoined the family near Bristol. Billy travelled around the fair circuit with his mother. On his return to England from Canada, following his mothers remarriage and emigration to Toronto, he toured for several years with the Hills, also relatives, and their Travelling Fair, leading to Billy having his own travelling fair in the 1920s. By 1935 Billy had amusement parks in more than half a dozen towns from Mablethorpe to Southsea and on the Isle of Man, and in 1969 the last to be built under his management was back on Barry Island. Billy was awarded the MBE in 1944, knighted in 1964 and died of stomach cancer at his Jersey home on 12 June 1980. Butlins was sold to the Rank Organisation in 1972 for 43 million, who in turn sold Butlins to Bourne Leisure Limited in 1998, who also own Haven Holidays and Warner Leisure Hotels. Only Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness remain of the original 10 campsites. Another Sir synonymous with holiday camps is Fred Pontin, British through and through, having been born on 24 October 1906 in Highams Park (Waltham Forest), started his career as a stockbroker, was involved in helping to establish hostels for construction workers during World War II, started his empire of holiday camps on the sites of military bases in 1946 by buying an old disused camp at Brean Sands near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset for 23,000, in 1963 opened 10 Pontinental camps in the Mediterranean where two weeks holiday cost 50, by the 1970s had 22 camps across Britain, retired in 1978 after a takeover by the bookmakers Coral for 56 million, returned as President when the company was bought by Newcastle & Scottish Breweries, was knighted in 1976, died on 30 September 2000 at the age of 93 and was reputedly the inspiration for Joe Maplin in the Hi-de-Hi comedy series. Pontins is currently owned by Britannia Jinky Jersey Limited, a subsidiary of Britannia Hotels, and has sites at Southport, Prestatyn, Camber Sands, Pakefield and the original Brean Sands. for fun and games. The task will be to decorate an egg. Meeting time 2pm till 4pm. Now that unfortunately, Marion is unable to continue to host the lunch club on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, would one of the regulars like to take over this job? Please also note that our A.G.M. is on the l0th of April, so if you would like to serve on the committee, please contact our Chairwoman Mrs. Joyce Briggs on 01953 452310. Any outstanding payments for the ice show will be collected on 13th March. WE MAKE ALL NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED.
For The Over 50'S of Rocklands and the Surrounding Villages

13th FEBRUARY: Our speaker Denise Janes gave a very illuminating talk on the funny side of working in a Tourist Information Centre in St. Albans. Although reluctant to return to the working environment after returning from Australia, she was encouraged to apply for this job and was successful. She enjoyed the job so much that she stayed for 29 years. Denise has a very quirky sense of humour, which although hard to portray here, enabled her to find any given situation amusing. Her department had to help tourists and local people to find accommodation, local places of interest, pubs and churches, the homes of famous people living locally, historical sites and redirecting wayward travellers from many lands. WHAT'S ON IN MARCH13th March This is an "amuse ourselves" afternoon, so come prepared
Shellrock Circle Club
The Wayland News is your news! keep in touch . . .
Church Times and News

Breckles, Caston, Great Hockham, Griston, Merton, Stow Bedon & Thompson Worship Calendar for February Sunday 3rd March - 3rdSunday of Lent 10:30 am United Holy Communion Gt. Hockham
Watton Churches Together

Service Calendar for March
St. Marys Church, Watton
1st, 3rd & 4th Wednesday at 9.30am Holy Communion 2nd Wednesday Morning Worship. Church Office opens Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-1pm. Tel: 01953 881252 margaret@churchadm.freeserve.co.uk www.stmaryswatton.org Sun 3rd 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Sun 10th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Mothering Sunday Service Sun 17th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Sun 24th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Worship 6.30pm Choral Evensong Thurs 28th 7.30pm Group Service for Maundy Thursday followed by Vigil Fri 29th 10.30am Good Friday Silent Procession of Witness from the Methodist Church for 11.00am Service at St Marys Church Sun 31st 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Easter Holy Communion
Thought for the Month Are You OK?

By Pastor Roger Pawsey, Watton Pentecostal Church
How many times have you met someone in the street and they have asked the question Are you OK? and just kept walking not waiting for the answer. Are you OK has become a verbal nod rather than an enquiry into your health. How many times have you asked someone are you OK and they answer without thinking fine. It seems the stock answer to the question. A friend went to help a man who had been knocked down by a car and was lying in the street with multiple injuries. My friend asked the man Are you OK? The man answered Fine when the truth showed that he was obviously not. This wonderful enquiry about someones health has been terribly devalued by modern life. I read a story about a lady who felt the same way and decided to shock the next person who asked the question. The conversation went something like this. Her friend said while walking past her Are you OK? She said or rather shouted with alarm Ive got to wake him up. Her friend, rather taken back replied Pardon, what was that? She said again, Ive got to wake him up. Her friend said Who, what do you mean? She answered When the disciples were in trouble in the boat the bible says they went to Jesus to wake him up. I am going to go to Jesus too! Her friend stopped and listened. Perhaps you want someone to take the time to listen rather than give you an insincere verbal nod. Well, shock them into listening. If you want someone to listen to you, why not wake up to Jesus; you can meet him in church this Sunday. Are you OK?
Sunday 10th March - 4th Sunday of Lent 9:00 am Mothering Sunday All-Age Service Merton 10:30 am United Holy Communion Griston Mothering Sunday theme, posies for ladies, refreshments Sunday 17th March - 5th Sunday of Lent 9:00 am Matins (BCP) 10:30 am United Holy Communion Sunday 24th March - Palm Sunday 9:00 am Holy Communion (BCP) 10:30 am United Holy Communion Gt. Hockham Stow Bedon Merton Thompson
Holy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 25th To 27th March 7:00 pm Compline Gt. Hockham Maundy Thursday - 28th March 7:00 pm Commemoration of Institution of the Lords Supper (Holy Communion) Gt. Hockham Good Friday - 29th March 10-12:00 am Messy Church Gt. Hockham Creative activities for children aged 4 to 11 and their families, brief worship, refreshments 12-3:00pm Seven Churches Pilgrimage: 12:00 Thompson, 12:20 Merton, 12:40 Griston, 13:00 Bring your packed lunch to the Rectory; 13:45 Caston; 14:05 Stow Bedon; 14:25 Breckles; 14:45 Great Hockham 2:00 pm Gt. Hockham open for silent meditation, prayer (Last station of pilgrimage) Holy Saturday - 30th March 8:00 pm Service of Light on the Eve of Easter Breckles Sunday 31st March - Easter Day 9:00 am Holy Communion (BCP) 10:30 am United Holy Communion Sunday 7th April - 2nd Sunday of Easter 10:30 am United Holy Communion Merton Stow Bedon Breckles
Watton Methodist Church

Every Wednesday the Church is open for quiet reflection and prayer between 10.00am & 12 Noon Its your quiet place. At 10.30 there is a half-hour Midweek Service in the Large Vestry led by the Minister or a Church Member. www.wattonmethodist.btck.co.uk Minister: Deacon S Sowerby 01953 881035 Sun 3rd 10.45am Mr J Halstead 6.30pm Rev D Lloyd Sun 10th 10.45am Mrs E Warby 6.30pm Mrs J Semmons Sun 17th 10.45am Rev. M Pillay and Deacon S Sowerby Holy Communion 6.00pm Songs of Praise at Thursford Sun 24th 10.45am Mr T Hey 6.30pm Rev.PillayHoly Communion Fri 29th 10.30am Good Friday Silent Procession of Witness from the Methodist Church for 11.00am Service at St Marys Church Sun 31st 8.30am Rev Pillay & Deacon Sowerby Holy Communion & Easter Breakfast 10.45am Deacon S Sowerby 6.30pm Mr J Winner
Roman Catholic Community

Each Sat 5.30pm Mass at Watton Methodist Church (Not on 30th) Holy Week Services at Our Lady of Pity, Swaffham Sun 24th Palm Sunday (with blessing of palms) 8.30am & 10.30am Mass Mon 25th 9.30am Mass Tues 26th 9.30am Mass Wed 27th 9.30am Mass The Sacred Triddum Thurs 28th Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Mass of the Lords Supper with watching till 10pm Fri 29th 3.00pm Good Friday Solemn Passion of the Lord Sat 30th 8.00pm Holy Saturday Easter Vigil (No Mass at Watton) Sun 31st 8.30am & 10.30am Easter Mass
Diabetes UK
In February we held a Coffee & Chat meeting. This is the type of meeting that gives members a chance to air their views about any subject they wish. We get to discuss various topics and gives both the Committee and members a chance to have more informal conversations and to put the world to rights!! As usual, the Watton two had contributions to make - some sensible, some just ignored. (The same as usual!!) Our next meeting will also be another Coffee and Chat one, but this will finish early at 11.30am, due to our annual lunch. We would still like to extend a warm welcome to any new members who might like to come along and see what we are like, Rod and John being the exception!! As usual, we will meet and the Pentecostal Church at 10.15am and the date will be 11th March. We extend our warm thanks to the Church for letting us use their facilities. For further details of any of our meetings, please phone Helen, 01953 884714, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Watton Food Bank donations will be received at all our regular Sunday morning services. PRAY AND PLAY Wednesdays, 10:15 am, Caston Primary School Hall For those of all our parishes with children aged 0-5. Short Holy Communion, kiddies Christian songs; social & play time THE WAY YOUTH GROUP (ages 11+) Friday, 1st March, Meeting with other Church youth groups 7:00 pm, St. Marys, Watton Friday, 22nd March, Meeting with other Church youth groups 7:00 pm, All Saints, Necton Enquiries: The Revd. Bob Nichols: Tel.: (01953) 483222; Email: revbobnichols@gmail.com
Pentecostal Church, Dereham Road, Watton

Sun 3rd Sun 10th Sun 17th Sun 24th Fri 29th Sun 31st Children have their own programme during the Sunday morning services 10.30am The Cross seen through the Eyes of Others... 10.30am Mothers Day Service 10.30am The Cross seen through the Eyes of Others... 10.30am Easter Family Service 11.00am Good Friday Communion 10.30am Easter Sunday Service The Cross seen through the Eyes of Others...
All Saints Church, Threxton

Sunday 10th March at 10 a.m. Mothers Day Sunday 31st March at 10 a.m. Easter Day
St. Nicholas Church, Ashill

Sun 3rd Sun 10th Sun 17th Sun 24th Tues 26th Fri 29th Sun 31st Sun 10th Sun 17th Sun 24th Fri 29th Sat 30th Sun 31st Sun 3rd Sun 10th Sun 17th Sun 24th Wed 27th Fri 29th Sun 31st Sun 10th Mon 25th Sun 31st Tuesdays at 10.00am Morning Worship 9.30am Lay Led Morning Worship 9.30am Mothering Sunday Service Led by The Rt. Revd Jonathan Meyrick, Bishop of Lynn, with the Consecration of additional land in the Churchyard 9.30am All Age Worship 9.30am Holy Communion 7.30pm Holy Communion 2.00pm Good Friday Meditation 9.30am Easter Holy Communion St. Georges Church, Saham Toney 11.00am Mothering Sunday Service 11.00am All Age Worship 11.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Procession of Witness Leaves Wells Cole CC For 10.30am Good Friday Meditation 7.30pm Group Service for Easter Eve 11.00am Easter Holy Communion S. S. Peter & Pauls Church, Carbrooke 10.30am Benefice Service of Holy Communion 10.30am Mothering Sunday Service & Holy Baptism 10.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Lay Led Morning Worship 7.30pm Holy Communion 2.00pm Good Friday Meditation 10.30am Easter Holy Communion St John the Evangelist Church, Ovington 9.30am Mothering Sunday Service 7.30pm Holy Communion 9.30am Easter Holy Communion
Watton Bereavement Support Group Meetings - March

Wed 6th 2pm Tea and Chat at Watton CCC Mon 18th 12 for 12.30pm Lunch Griston Wagon & Horses
Andrew Francis
Funeral Service
Telephone 01953 883 033
Wattons Only Independent Family Funeral Directors
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEAS

Hosted by St. Marys Church in March
Sunday 17th at Watton CCC 2.30pm until 4pm Please join us, a warm welcome awaits you and your friends.
Pre-Planned Funerals
An alternative to the Pre-Paid Funeral plan is Pre-Planned Funerals, where we can discuss all the requirements of the Funeral either in the comfort of a clients own home or in our office. We can store these details so that when they are required we have them taking away a large amount of worry and confusion from relatives. We will also issue the client with paper work to include in their own files confirming we have all the details, there are NO CHARGES for this service.
Advertising
Stevens Almshouses
Founded in 1840 and a part of Watton's history, Stevens' Almshouses Charity owns and manages the terrace of four small units which stands back from the West end of our High Street. Thanks to the devotion and care of a succession of willing local Trustees it has through many generations continued in the spirit of its founder to follow the terms of the Trust to provide affordable, if modest, accommodation for residents of our town The original Victorian accommodation was very small, very welcome for the times but thankfully we have moved on from our residents having to draw water from the well, which it is thought was on what is now part of the nearby property's car park. Lef s not go into the then toilet facilities ! The accommodation was extended in 1975 to give kitchens and bathrooms and provide night-store electric heating. In 1983 the whole property, as were others in the area, became Listed and while we must welcome the assured preservation of the attractive Victorian frontage and tiled roof facing the High Street, complying with the planning requirements which even cover the C20th flat roofed extension has added to the cost and complication of recent renovations, necessary both as to maintenance and to try to afford to bring forward from 1975 standards the facilities now essential to the present. Far from wealthy as are some Almshouse Charities, prudent management over the years despite some periods of low occupancy had given the Trust a reasonable reserve of funds. This with the help of Grants, both local charitable and governmental, not nowadays easy to get, have over the past couple of years enabled us to carry through a programme of improvement . Apart from the financial aspect this has been a demanding task for the Trust and we have so greatly appreciated the local tradesmen who have worked for us. The Trust has to keep a balance between providing affordable housing under the terms of the Charity and having an eye on future maintenance of the historic fabric. One of the four units is vacant and is undergoing refurbishment. When this is complete it will become available for occupancy and the Trustees will welcome enquiries. Please do not hesitate to make an enquiry either for yourself or if you know of someone who may be elligible to take up residency subject then to application to the Trustees. In the first instance please contact Mr Oliver Adcock, Chairman tel: 01953, 881350, Mr. Robert Hardy, Trustee, tel: 882936, or Clerk to the Trustees, Mr. Keith Taylor, Tel; 881110. The units are for single occupancy, there are simple qualifications to meet and the weekly cost is modest. We shall be happy to discuss any enquiry. Keith Taylor, Clerk to the Trustees.
Watton & District University of The Third Age

Sixty members braved the wintry conditions to attend the January meeting to hear Peter Salt talk on the making of Castle Mall in Norwich. An excellent talk and slides that showed the progression of the building from the original cattle market site to a modern Shopping Mall. The thirty members on the visit to the Jaguar Car Plant at Castle Bromwich on Wednesday 27th February are reminded that the coach will leave the Queens Hall car park at 8.00am sharp. We expect to have twenty active groups for the New Year commencing in March and this will be a record for our U3A... A Leader is still required for the Croquet Group which has professional equipment and playing facilities. This is only a seasonal activity and any member who could spare the time would they please contact Barbara on 01760440178. Details on all of our Groups will be printed in the New Years members programme. The next venue for Allen Bickers Pub Luncheon Group on Thursday 14th March is The White Lodge at Attleborough (near Peter Beales Roses) and Brian Eulers Group The Fox & Hounds at Weasenham on Tuesday 26th March . Susan Pages Garden Visit Group is meeting on Sunday 31st March (Easter Sunday) at Wretham Hall. Contact Susan on 01953881373 Collection of the 20 all inclusive Annual Subscriptions will continue at the March meeting. Any members who are not renewing their membership are requested to inform Anita at the meeting or on 01953881109. Also now due is the final payment for those booked on the Lakes Holiday on the 29th April to 3rd May. Please present your Lakes Itinerary when paying to obtain a receipt. The Annual General Meeting of Watton & District U3A will be held on Thursday 28th March at the C.C.C commencing 2.00pm. Nomination forms for Committee Members are available from the Secretary. Nominations close on Friday 15th March. All members are requested to attend. The next monthly meeting is the Annual General Meeting. For further information on the National U3A go to www.u3a.org.uk
Wayland Academy's chance to shine

Students from the Wayland Academy will get their chance to shine when the Inspired Youth Tourism Challenge takes place on the 26th March. The academy is one of 10 schools participating in the project this year, which should see over 1500 students taking part across Norfolk and Suffolk. The student's challenge this year is to create a new hospitality tourism business to attract visitors to the region. Working in small groups they will be tasked with creating the winning concept to impress the judges, and a chance to represent the academy at the grand final later this year. As part of the project local businesses are being encouraged to come along for the day to mentor the students as they create their business plans. They will also get the chance to form part of the judging panel overseeing the pitches created by the teams. Mr McCann, Assistant Head teacher at the Academy values the importance of the business engagement. For many young people, the world of business can seem very remote and a long distance from the realities of their own lives. That's why we feel it is vitally important for our young people to experience business situations face to face. In the year when they choose their GCSE options, we want all our year 9 pupils to engage with businesses and start to think about what it might be like to participate in the world of enterprise in the future. By giving them as many opportunities as possible to talk to business leaders we help them to have vision and a spirit of enterprise. So far the project has visited Hellesdon High School in Norwich and St Benedicts High School in Bury St Edmunds. The students gave feedback on the impact of their day with 97% of them saying they valued the input of the mentors and 88% saying they had gained new skills. The Inspired Youth project was founded in 2010 to create better engagement between local employers and local schools. More details on how to get involved in the Inspired Youth project, and the schools participating this year, can be found on the projects website. www.inspired-youth.co.uk If you would like more details about the event In Wayland and getting involved on the day please email Matt Buxton: matt.buxton@inspired-change.co.uk When Brittania ruled there were many more places to serve, Hong Kong, Goa, Aden, Canada and Nato bases in Italy etc as well exercises and 24 hour Nuclear alerts. And all the while the wives and partners are home alone. But there is one thing about the Good ole Brit and that is their determination not to give in. So along came WRS, still going today, Thrift Shop, Wives Clubs, sports Clubs and in recent years The Hive a club on most camps which looks after Families and provides a meeting point. And now, in the same tradition, are the Military Wives Choirs. Gareth Malones first impression of Chivenor Camp Married Quarters, was no exaggeration, MQs, like many housing estates, can sometimes be bleak. The MWC network has grown from 3 to over 60 showing the size of the problem and they are spread throughout the UK as well as Germany, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. There is now a Military Wives Choir foundation which is a registered subsidiary charity of SSAFA Forces Help. Its aim is to bring women in the military community closer together through singing. In practical terms this means that when a family or a regiment move to new camp the wives will have their own network to welcome them in as well as being able to raise much needed money through the sale of their CDs for SSAFA . If you would like to help SSAFA Norfolk or if you need some assistance, Please ring 01 603 403322 (Mornings only) and we will help.
SSAFA News
Did you know that by the time you read this there are only 3 weeks to Spring? And very welcome it will be too. Military Wives Choirs are still going strong, even though we have not heard too much from them lately. This such a feel good story especialy if you are in the Military - as we say now! Not much is known about the role of the wives of serving Servicemen and it can be drear reading but it can also be up lifting. When the men and women take the Kings Shilling a whole new life opens up in front of them. It is challenging, exciting and very very demanding. Their loyalty is to Queen and Country and their loyalty to family is often challenged even questioned but the love and understanding their partners make it easier to bear. Time was when the silent partners were quite literally that, and you had no identity you just became wife of or husband of. No name. You had no rights and your presence in a Married Quarter and access to facilities on camp e.g Medical Care, Dental Care was a privilege not a right. If you wanted entertainment, you had to either provide your own or could use the entertainment provided for the troops as long as they didnt mind. No going to any of the Messes unaccompanied. So you can imagine morale within the base could be low when the husband or wife was away.
News
Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu

January has seen the children of Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu participate in a sponsored "throw a thon" in aid of Scotty's little Soldiers. The children, aged from 8 to 15, threw each other repeatedly for 30 minutes to raise some money and awareness for this worthy cause. On average each child threw their partner 175 times and in return was also thrown 175 times. Every year the Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu club founded by Kevin Pell Hanshi in 1990, chooses a charity to donate to, having recently handed over cheques in the sum of 37,738 To Help for Heroes. Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu have chosen a more local charity to raise money for this year. Scotty's little Soldiers is based in Kings Lynn and aims to look after the needs of children who have lost parents at war. With close
WAYLAND EVENTS DIARY

March
Sat 2nd Dance Away at the Queens Hall. Ballroom Latin & Sequence 8pm to 11pm Admission 4 Sat 2nd Inner wheel Coffee Morning at the Queens Hall 9:30 to 11:30 With delicious home made cakes and pastries. Tues 5th Friends of Chernobyls Children Breckland Prize Bingo Ashill CC eyes down 7.30pm Sun 10th Taverham Brass at the Queens Hall. 2.30pm Tickets 8 from Edwards In aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance. Sat 16th Entrepreneurs Market, Watton High Street from 9am Sat 16th Caston 3rd Annual Craft Fair 10am to 3.30pm See ad. Fri 22nd Dixie Mix Jazz at the Queens Hall 7.30pm See Ad Sat 23rd Saham WI Jumble Sale at Wells Cole CC, Saham 9.30 to 11am Entrance 30p Sat 23rd 9.30am An Easter Coffee Morning at St Mary's, Watton Wed 27th Inner Wheel Lunchtime Concert. Queens Hall 12 Noon Tickets 5 Thurs 28th Hot Cross Bun & Coffee Morning Saham Methodist Church
connections to the military and boasting a number of military Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu clubs, this was a charity close to our hearts and the children showed much determination to complete their challenge. Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu's headquarters is located in Caston, with clubs available
every night of the week in the Norfolk area. Children's and adults classes available at our purpose built Japanese training hall (dojo). For further information on training days and times please contact Teresa on 01953 483795 or email info@ishinryu.com
April
Sat 6th Sat 6th Sat 6th Project Linus, Norfolk. Coffee Morning Watton CCC 10am to 1.30pm Raffle, Tomobola. Adm 1 See ad. Dance Away at the Queens Hall. Ballroom Latin & Sequence 8pm to 11pm Admission 4 St Marys Watton Quiz Night See ad.
Watton Wedding Fair

The Acorn training room at Wayland House was packed with local businesses on Monday evening for the first full planning meeting of the Watton Wedding Fair to be held on March 23rd between 10am and 2pm. Suggestions and ideas flowed for what, it was agreed, will be a unique event with the independent businesses of a small rural community coming together in the market town to provide an occasion which will both boost trade and benefit visitors from across Norfolk. It was announced recently that the average wedding in 2012 cost between fifteen and twenty thousand pounds a whole years income for many people. While the happy couple and their families save and plan to make sure the day is really special, who is benefitting from this massive spend? The Town Team wants to make sure that it is the local economy ie: the many businesses in Watton and the surrounding area, which offer the goods and services needed for a wedding, which benefit from a share of the proceeds. To date we have Marquees, cake makers, beauticians, photographers, classic cars, florists, a piper, venues, gifts and much, legal advice and much more signed up for the day. And to add to the enjoyment there will be a very special art exhibition by Terry Palmer in the Dragonfly Gallery with the usual selection of unique gifts and cards. An exciting competition for the younger residents is also planned and there may even be a celebrity or two. This event is for anyone who is planning a wedding, a silver/gold/diamond wedding, a birthday event or any kind of celebration. Watton and Wayland businesses offer a friendly service and excellent value and there may be offers and deals that you wont want to miss. If your business has not as yet signed up to take part, it is not too late. Taking part is free and there is space in the marquees for demonstrations and displays, or you could offer a special window display. For more information contact Jan 01953 880202 jan@jangodfrey.net or Rosemary 01953 881270 rosemary3scott@btinternet.com
Remembrance Book for Mother's Day

A local funeral director has opened a special book of remembrance for mums in the run-up to Mothers Day on Sunday 10 March 2013. Breckland Funeral Services on Norwich Road, Watton, is encouraging the local community to visit the funeral home and write a memorial message for mums in its book of remembrance. The book will be available for people to write between 10 am and 3 pm from Monday 4 March until Friday 8 March. Eirlys Johnson, Manager, Breckland Funeral Service said: Days of significance, such as Mothering Sunday, are times when people reflect and look back and remember those theyve lost. Our book of remembrance will enable people to leave a message and we hope it will provide some comfort to relatives.
THE WAYLAND NEWS

Page space is allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis. Deadline is 12Noon on 16th of the month preceding publication and that is the last 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 published, then please make sure it arrives in plenty of time otherwise you may still be disappointed. 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 8 Princess Close, Watton IP25 6XA The e-mail address is julian@waylandnews.com Views expressed in articles in The Wayland News are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or printers.
While every care and effort has been taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
This issue of the The Wayland News was published by: Julian Horn, 32 High Street, Watton IP25 6AE and printed by Sharman & Company Ltd, Newark Road
Peterborough PE1 5TD. Phone: 01733 424 949

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Issue Number 198 - March 2013

Air Cadets new hoodies

Wayland News digital on www.waylandnews.com

First exhibition of Season

The Wayland News Page 2

The Church of St Marys, Watton open to visitors twice weekly

2012 - a year in the life of the Wayland Business Centre

Are Boo & Hiss going to take a trip to Dibley? No No No No - Yes!

Feline Care Open Day

The Wayland News Page 3

Inner Wheel News

A little of your time could make a big difference

Bunwell and District Camera Club Exhibition

The Wayland News Page 4

Please join us for the annual

Womens World Day of Prayer Service

Great Big Read Goes to the Movies!

Breckland Book Festival Hingham

The Wayland News

Please mention when shopping with our advertisers

Watton Library Easter Drumming

The Wayland News Page 5

Did You Know . . .?

DEREHAM & DISTRICT

CAT ADOPTION CENTRE

The Ovington Crower

The Wayland News Page 6

Saturday March 2nd Dance Away

at the Queens Hall

with Lotta Potts

Great Hockham Gardening Club

The Wayland News Page 7

Ashill and Holme Hale Garden Club

WATTON EVENING W I COFFEE MORNING

Be part of a growing trend

The Wayland News Page 8

CASTON 3RD ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR

Watton Rotary Roundup

Caston Village Hall, The Street, Caston NR17 1DD

Sunday, 17th March 3 p.m. at the Queens Hall.

Breckland Book Festival Film Event

EASTER COFFEE MORNING

Community support services at Wayland House, Watton

Hackers, Tackers and Stuffers

Breckland Harmony Juniors

The Wayland News Page 9

Ashill Community Centre

Eyes Down 7.30pm

Watton Craft Market

The Wayland News Page 10

Ashill Community Centre Coffee Mornings

Wayland's young people air their views with George Freeman MP

Massage Those Winter Blues Away

In aid of Community Centre funds

It's Only Money

Richmond Park Golf Club Seniors Open Competition 2013

The Wayland News Page 11

Business flock to free advice evening

Paul and Christina 884213

Do you have an interest in local wildlife and a bit of free time?

The Wayland News Page 12

Saham WI Councillors Jumble Sale Chat

Shipdham & District Book Group

Norfolk Credit Union Corporate Account