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2
‘ROOKIE’- the story of my pet rook
by Andrew Bickerton
Instalment three. Last month the story continued with how Rookie learned to
capitalise on the situation and become a doting pet. He became a real celebrity
and even featured in the local press….. What next? Read on.
Rookie: Fun and Games.
Rookie provided us with plenty of amusement over the next few
months. He particularly enjoyed undoing shoelaces and would
show his frustration if you were wearing wellingtons. He also
enjoyed playing ‘Piggy in the Middle’ where my friend and I
would roll a tennis ball to each other with Rookie attempting to
catch it.
One morning, when the churchwarden arrived on her bicycle, she foolishly left her
gloves in the basket. On leaving she discovered one glove was missing. Rookie had
invented a ‘Find the Glove’ game which lasted the rest of the afternoon with no glove
being found. Similarly, when the rectory was being given a lick of paint with the gut-
ters and drainpipes being painted red, Rookie decided he would join in with what he
thought was a new game by grabbing any unattended brush and flying off with it.
Eventually, having wasted a lot of time retrieving paintbrushes one of the painters
grabbed Rookie and slapped red paint on his wing. Undoubtedly this rare ‘red winged
rook’ astounded the local ornithologists.
The most amusing and memorable event involving Rookie took place when my father
attempted to rid our lawn of moles. He had heard that putting moth balls down mole
hills would drive them away. So, he purchased a bag of these camphor smelling balls
used for deterring moths in clothes and proceeded going from mole hill to mole hill
inserting a ball into each tunnel. We had a large lawn and there were numerous mole
hills. My mother and I watched from the lounge windows as he laboriously completed
each operation, blissfully unaware that behind him Rookie was happily digging out
each moth ball and dropping it on the grass. The sight of my father inserting the last
moth ball, painfully straightening up, turning round to
Rookie, see a line of moth balls and Rookie seemingly laughing
Mum & me up at him will remain imprinted on my mind and still
makes me smile.
It was a sad day for the family when our pet rook left to
join the rest of the flock to feed in the fields. Although
he never returned for his cornflakes and milk, occasion-
ally, we would see a lone rook perched confidently on a
lower branch when other rooks had flown, perhaps look-
ing for his cornflakes. Andrew Bickerton
Thank you Andrew for such a lovely story. To all of you: please send your stories in.
Thank You Julian…. For ‘walking round in Lent’ picking up litter, mainly
along parts of Peddars Way and around Little Massingham. Last time I
spoke you had around 250 bottles and also some cans.
On one of our walks, we counted 24 bottles in a ditch between the Church
and main road. Those responsible, if they are in cars, must be drink driving.
If they can carry them full they can take them home when empty and put
them in the green bin! Chrissie Warnes
3
Census 2021
Your help is needed with the census which gathers vital information
to help plan services such as transport, education and healthcare.
All households should have completed the census on
Sunday 21st March 2021 or as soon as possible after.
Have you completed yours?
The census is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a picture of
all households in the UK.
You must complete the census by law. If you don’t or if you give false
information you can be fined up to £1,000! Some questions are clearly la-
belled as voluntary so it is not an offence if you do not answer these.
The householder should complete the form. However, if you want to answer
separately from the people you live with, you can contact the organisation
and request an individual access code.
You can access the online version from your smartphone, tablet or your
computer. You will need the access code from your letter to start it. The
code is for everyone in the household.
You should include :
• Everyone who usually lives there.
• Anyone from outside the UK, staying overnight or in the UK for 3
months or more.
• Anyone in UK staying overnight who doesn’t normally live there but who
has no other UK address.
Anyone staying here overnight on 21st March who has another UK address
should be included as a visitor.
You can find out more on www.census.gov.uk
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LADIES’ FRENCH Ducklings Preschool
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outfits and accessories.
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Style advice & wardrobe makeovers. Contact Now
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come to the Boutique. For September 2021 - age 2 - 4 years
Tel: Suzy Martin 07787 543249 07807185746
Digital Catalogues on request ducklingspreschool@aol.com
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Each sleeps 4 with an optional annexe
to accommodate a further 2 guests
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a mile outside Great Massingham
Contact Gill on 01485 521748 or 07967 136960
Email: gill@westheathbarn.com
See www.westheathbarn.com for more details
4
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5
Mallard News
In our December 2020 issue we told you about Tom Phillips, who lives in Great
Massingham, who was about to embark on his Atlantic Rowing Challenge. Well, he’s
done it and he’s back! Below is a small extract from his report. Full report and pictures
will be in the next issue.
Tom says…. “The row was the most incredible ex-
perience – totally brilliant yet honestly brutal at
times. We set off from La Gomera in the Canary
Islands at 10.57am on 12th December 2020 and,
after 40 days, 6 hours and 35 minutes, we arrived
3,000 miles later on 21st January 2021 at Nelson’s
Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua.
It was an incredibly special experience made all the
more special now that we have raised over £100,000,
to support Mental Health services through our two
chosen charities - Mind and the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.”
“We are very humbled by this and thank Mallard readers for all your support.”
Well done Tom! More next month.
Biodiversity Project News…. Thank you to Julie who is stepping
As we move into our second Covid domi- down from delivering the Mallard,
nated spring the early flowers have after two years. Welcome to
seemed particularly welcome this year, be Rhiannon who takes over the role.
they lesser celandine brightening the
churchyard, the first blackthorn blossom So Sorry to see Linda go…..
on a Station Road hedgerow or a bank of Ducklings Preschool Committee
sweet violets beside the Village Hall car park. are sad to announce the retirement
At the project site on Weasenham Road, we look of our longest serving staff mem-
forward to being able to resume our Saturday work- ber, Linda Anderson.
ing parties, subject to the ‘Rule of Six’, and to beginGreat Massingham Playgroup
a much needed tidy up. Tim Baldwin started in 1975 in the village hall,
moving to a room in the fire sta-
Christmas Shoeboxes Latest tion and then to its present site at
48,756 shoe boxes were distributed through ‘Teams the Preschool.
4U’, mainly to Orphanages and Displaced People Linda has been involved for over
Camps in Belarus, Bosnia, Romania and Moldova. 40 years and is known to genera-
Despite Brexit and Lockdown the last boxes arrived tions of families.
in Moldova on 20.1.21. She made Preschool feel like a
So, many, many thanks to all who helped me to send family. Her colleagues and the
the 46 boxes from Massingham and, hopefully, we children will miss her. The Com-
will be continuing with these for Christmas this mittee wishes to thank Linda for
year. I couldn’t do it without all you great people. all her work, care and love for the
Jenny Borley children. Pre-school xxxx
FOSPGM (Friends of Scotsman’s Pit Great Massingham) - Good Response for Volunteers
Thank you for your generous response. It’s not too late to join us as we still want volunteers.
The weather is getting drier and warmer. The digger is booked and the hessian planting
sacks are ordered. The digger will rake the Pit bed, stirring up dormant plant life, as well as
removing debris. We will then let the water settle, assess the situation and then replant.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3364826473637007/ or FOSPGM@Gmail.com More next issue. Bob
6
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7
Gert & Daisy.... .... Well here we go agin. Hope yer awl still alright.
We mentioned last month about the sad loss of Martin Matthews. He was a larger
than life character in so many ways. He was a long-standing member of the Bowls
Club and took over being Captain, at which he did a great job. He served on the Vil-
lage Hall committee for several years and was a great help in many ways. He also
used to help out at the Macmillan coffee
mornings. Martin was very kind and Martin as
would always help if he could. Bloddwen
If there was a karaoke on, you could be in Cinders.
sure he would be there singing Day- December
dream Believer in fine voice. What we 2009.
remember him best for was all the roles
he played in the pantomimes, Old Time
Music Halls and Talent shows. He
could turn his hand to any part - be it
serious or an ugly sister in Cinderella.
He was strangely just as comfortable in
women’s clothes as men’s. He had a
real talent for accents. Having lived in the village for more than 35 years, he used to
test his Norfolk accent out when we met anywhere and we have to say he dint half
do a gud un. He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but by the
whole village. We are so sorry we could not attend Martin’s funeral due to Covid
restrictions but in normal times we are not sure there would have been room for eve-
ryone anyway!
Well, we are gitting closer to being able to meet again for a coffee and cake at the
Cartshed – yes, we know we’ll hev ter sit outside but at least we ken gossip face ter
face (yes, we ken talk just as much with masks on!) instead of spending an hour on
the phone! Today the sun is shining at last but who knows how much longer that’ll
larst. One day thas freezing, then wet and miserable and the next thas sunny and
noice ter go outside.
Don’t know abowt yew but we think the days are going sew quick – that’ll soon be
flipping school summer holidays! Talking abowt school – we are heving a noice rest
now that home-schooling hev finished. That wus hard, wernt it? Hopefully we ownt
hev ter do that agin.
Another noice thing is that the days are gitting longer – well daylight anyway, obvi-
ously the actual days are the same length. Wunt want yew awl ter think we’re darft!
That’ll be Easter next – looking forward ter gitting sum chocolate and buying sum
fer the children and grandchildren. That’ll cheer us awl up, ownt ut? Belated Happy
Birthday to Daisy’s daughter Emma. Couldn’t fit everything in last month.
Don’t think we hev anything else ter tell yew this toime but, hopefully, we’ll hev
more news in May. Let us know if there’s anything we ken help yew with.
Tek care and stay safe. Gert and Daisy.
Just a couple of Norfolk items - answers next month.
If you bumped into a ‘shannock’ If you saw some ‘stannicles’ in the village
What would you have come across? ….. pond, what would you be looking at? …...
A tree stump, a stray dog, someone from Some tadpoles, some empty beer cans, some
Sherringham or a compost heap. bulrushes or some visitors from London.
8
In memory of a Much Loved Villager……
We will all miss Martin. He was born in Islington, London, in 1957 moving to Nor-
folk and Great Massingham more than 35 years ago. He delighted us over the years
with his tremendous acting ability but he did more than that. He was a popular man.
People will remember him for his integrity, friendship and respect.
Our thoughts are with his wife Denise and family at this very sad time.
Performing in a
His place in our hearts is best summed up by Andrew
Christmas Carol. Bickerton who recalls….
“Most of my memories of Martin are associated with
the many and varied roles he played in the Multisports
Club productions.
In the Old Time Music Halls he was
usually one of the singers, either in the
chorus or singing duets with Dave
Swift.
In our pantomimes, he took on leading
parts, often as a dame, and each one a
unique character with her own comic As Inspector Foot
accent. Martin would also play the part
of the detective leading the investigations in our murder
mystery nights. In all these roles Martin showed a
natural comic talent and provided a lot of fun for us all.
One of Martin’s most memorable roles, however, was as the ghost
of Jacob Marley in ‘A Christmas Carol’, performed in St Mary’s Church.
In a very moving portrayal as Marley’s ghost he leaves Scrooge with the words
‘Remember me, remember me, remember me.’
For all the joy you gave I certainly will.”
9
GREAT MASSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL MARCH MEETING
The March Parish Council meeting was once again held remotely via the Zoom platform.
All Parish Councillors were present and were joined by the Borough Councillor, J. Moriarty,
a representative from FOSPGM and two other parishioners.
A PUBLIC MEETING has been arranged with the Planning Policy team from the Bor-
ough Council for Monday 19th April at 6pm, via Zoom to provide information to Great
Massingham about Neighbourhood Planning. The meeting, chaired by Sue Nash our Par-
ish Council Chair, will provide an opportunity for parishioners to ask the team questions
about the process. We extend the invitation to all parishioners especially those who have
expressed an interest and/or would like to become involved in the process if the Parish
Council agrees to pursue this.
Information about the link to join the meeting will be on the parish Council and village
websites, the noticeboard and at the Village Stores or contact the Clerk.
White Geese…. If you are wondering where the three white domestic geese have gone
that were living in around Scotsman’s Pit, these have now been taken by the RSPCA to a
sanctuary in Thetford. They were becoming aggressive and were a danger. The geese
will now be well looked after. The Parish Council have given the RSPCA a donation.
Calling all handymen or women
The Parish Council are looking for someone who can help carry out odd jobs, repairs/
maintenance and complete weekly visual inspections of the play areas. Do you have time
to spare and do you enjoy fixing things? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact :
the Chair, Sue Nash sukysu@aol.com or the Parish Council Clerk,
Sarah Harvey gmparishclerk@gmail.com or call 01328 823391.
CIL Infrastructure Fund
Groups and organisations looking to deliver infrastructure to benefit the residents and
businesses within the Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk are being invited to bid
for CIL funding. There is still time to apply. Closing date 30 th April.
You can apply for between £2,000 and £10,000 if you have a project linked to:
Community facilities, Green Infrastructure,
Open Space & Leisure, Community Transport.
For further information, you can visit the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West
Norfolk CIL Governance and Funding webpages: west-norfolk.gov.uk/CIL
The Next PC Meeting will be held remotely via Zoom on the 12th April, at 7.30pm.
Members of the public can still join the meetings. Please contact the Clerk for access.
You will be able to join the meeting either by phone, computer or android/apple device.
As always, there will still be an opportunity during the meeting for parishioners to speak.
10
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TAt
OthisAtime
LLof P
year, as we look forward with hope to Easter, we are mindful
ARISHIONERS
of the promise of Spring, of improving weather, brighter days and better times
ahead. Our Christian hope in the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ sus-
tains us always, even in the darkest times. Easter is hope personified. I look
to hymns for inspiration, the hymns we look forward to singing once more very soon.
Most of us will know the lovely hymn: Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy. Reas-
suringly familiar, it’s often chosen for weddings and funerals too as it takes us through
our lives in a day, reminding us of God’s constant presence with us: ‘Lord of all hopeful-
ness, Lord of all joy, whose trust ever child-like no cares could destroy, be there at our
waking and give us, we pray, your bliss in our hearts Lord, at the break of the day.’
Every new day brings fresh hope! Perhaps child-like trust is in short supply at the mo-
ment, having been sorely tested by numerous experts bombarding us with facts in a
world where everything is impossibly complicated. Am I alone in finding statistics im-
penetrable/confusing? Trust - in the time of Covid, where everyone is so suspicious and
mistrustful of one another - is a huge challenge; and the trust ‘no cares could destroy’ is
perhaps beyond us because our cares are many and hugely varied.
On a personal note, my mum is in a care home and I haven’t been allowed to see her for
many months; her dementia has worsened because of the lack of family contact. Like so
many families we are at our wit’s end as to how to retrieve this difficult situation. For
everyone, the waiting is endless and our patience is wearing thin. We are vulnerable,
our souls are weary, we yearn for replenishment and justice.
Another well-known Easter hymn, There is a green hill far away, has the line ‘and trust
in His (Jesus’s) redeeming love and try his works to do’. Easter brings us joy and salva-
tion. It gives us a reason to carry on with hope in our hearts. We have never needed
Easter so much as we do this year.
‘This is joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow’ (another Hymn) Trust in the Lord
always; he will never fail us. With blessings this joyful Eastertide, Reverend Judith
12
Church Services April
Date Time Service Location
Thursday 1st April 11.00 am Holy Communion Zoom
Maundy Thursday 2.00 pm Holy Communion Great Massingham
6.00 pm Prayers and Meditation Zoom
Friday 2nd April 2.00 pm Prayers and Meditation Zoom
Good Friday 2.00 pm Liturgy of the Cross Harpley
Saturday 3rd April Easter Vigil Harpley
th
Sunday 4 April 8.00 am Holy Communion Ashwicken
Easter Day 10.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
11.00 am Holy Communion Zoom
Sunday 11th April 11.00 am Holy Communion Zoom
th
Wednesday 14 April 3.00 pm Lectio Divina Zoom
th
Sunday 18 April 11.00 am Prayer and Praise Zoom
th
Sunday 25 April 11.00 am Holy Communion Zoom
th
Wednesday 28 April 3.00 pm Celtic Service Zoom
Sunday 2nd May 11.00 am Holy Communion Zoom
th
Wednesday 5 May 9.00 am Holy Communion Harpley
The following churches are open for private prayer from 6am until 6pm:
St Andrew, Congham (Sundays only), All Saints, Ashwicken,
St Mary, East Walton, and St Mary, Gayton Thorpe daily.
St Lawrence, Harpley is open daily from 8am until 6pm
Please use hand sanitiser provided on entering and leaving the building and observe
social distancing - 2metres recommended.
As you will see from our list of services we have been able to hold some services in
Church but, until restrictions are eased and we are allowed by the government to meet
inside, we will be continuing with our Zoom services. Hopefully, by May it will be possi-
ble to have at least one service a week in church and, once all restrictions are lifted, we
hope to be able to get back to some regular pattern of worship in our churches.
So, please check out our website regularly at www.ggmbenefice.uk
13
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Useful Numbers
Organisation Contact Phone No.
Allotment Association Gill Goold 0750 824 2223
Biodiversity Project Tim Baldwin 520 813
Borough Council James (Jim) Moriarty 07879 492400
Bell Ringing Dale Gagen 520 024
Bowls Club To be advised
Church Contacts Revd Judith Pollard 01485 601 251
Community Car Scheme Office 520 823
Coronation Club Jill Whitmore 520 609
County Council Stuart Graham Dark 07450 679 355
Dabbling Duck Pub Mark Dobby 520 827
Doctors Massingham Surgery 520 521
The Film Night Arthur Allen 520 628
Fishing Warden Paul Smith and Ken Perry Sue Nash 07802 670 711
Guide Trefoil Guild Shirley Rae 520 259
Massingham Historical Society Peter James 521 706
Tennis and Multi-Sports Club Clare Parker 520 469
Parish Council Sue Nash (Chair) & Sarah Harvey (Clerk) Clerk 01328 823391
Pre-School Pip Armitage 07807 185 746
Police Non-emergency 101
School Kirsten Stibbon 520 362
Village Hall Hall & Bar & Vic Cross 520 588/520 387
Village Stores and Deli Mark and Kerry Eldridge 520 272
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DUCKLINGS
PRE - SCHOOL
What lovely
pictures!
We hope you like the Easter bunnies! The picture
far left shows when the children celebrated World
Down Syndrome Awareness Day by wearing odd
socks! Such happy faces to bring us cheer.
16