FREE - Issue Number 293 - July 2021 THIS PAPER IS FREE! HELP YOURSELF!!
Rotary Young Citizen Awards 2021
L to R Lesley Cowling, prizes sponsor, Grace Lawlor, ATC winner, Michael Haythorpe, Rotary President,
James Naylor, litter picking winner, Eduarda ( Eddie) Mucavele, Wayland Academy winner.
At an awards evening held via Zoom on 3rd June, Watton Rotary
Club announced the recipients of this year’s Peter Cowling Young
Citizen Awards. Named in memory of a late and much-loved
President of the Rotary Club, the aim of these awards is to
recognise and celebrate positive contributions made to their local
community by young people up to the age of 18. Two recipients
were chosen by the Rotary Club from nominations received from
local organisations working with young people. A third was
selected from local newspaper coverage of his activities.
Following the Awards evening, Rotary Club President Michael
Haythorpe met with the three recipients at Loch Neaton to present
them with certificates, trophies and gift vouchers. The names of
the recipients and their achievements are:
GRACE LAWLOR
A member of Watton Air Cadet Squadron, Grace was nominated
for a Young Citizen Award by her commanding Officer, Pilot
Officer Kris Crittenden. In listing her many attributes, Kris told us
that besides exemplary conduct, Grace was a role model to other
cadets, particularly during recent lockdowns. Grace attended
almost all virtual parades, when other cadets dropped out. She
passed exams to became an instructor cadet at the age of 14. Other
accomplishments include representing Norfolk and Suffolk in
marksmanship and in Athletics. She also completed the Duke of
Edinburgh bronze award during lockdown, and has also looked
out for vulnerable neighbours who were isolating at home. In our
view, a very deserving recipient of a Young Citizen Award.
Parking At Wayland House
We are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of
unauthorised parking in our car park at Wayland House. It has
come to our attention that a number of local residents and users
of the town have taken advantage of the reduced footfall at
Wayland House during the pandemic to avail themselves of the
car park. Some are using for long stay, even overnight and this
is not acceptable.
We would like to remind everyone that this is a private car
park and parking is for staff, tenants and their clients, all of
whom have been issued with permits, and users of the building
for which we have temporary permits. We wish to make it
clear that you are not covered by insurance when parking
without permission and are parking entirely at your own risk.
The businesses with offices in the building have now returned
JAMES NAYLOR
Our youngest recipient, James came to our notice when a local
newspaper article described his mission to clean up the village
where he lives, Saham Toney. During walks with his mother, he
became dismayed at the amount of litter they found, and the risk it
posed to wildlife. So he went on ‘waste walks’ to collect rubbish,
but also wanted to encourage others to do so. He wrote letters to
the head teacher of his school, Parkers Primary Academy, to
Breckland Council, and to the Environment Minister asking for
help. ‘If every person went for a local walk once a month picking
up rubbish along the way’ said James ‘then your local area would
be safer and pollution would be less’. Wise words indeed from
James, who is just 8 years old.
EDUARDA (EDDIE) MUCAVELE
Eddie’s nomination came to us from Glen Allott, the Head
Teacher of Wayland Academy. She has played a key role in the
Youth Advisory Board at the Academy, and has been a driving
force behind the anti-bullying initiative, even travelling to a
conference in Dublin in 2018 to represent the views of Norfolks
young people. In 2019, she was the lead speaker at Norfolk’s anti-
bullying Conference. She has made a radio appearance, and has
frequently met with Watton Town Council and Breckland Council
to discuss the needs of young people in and around Watton. She
took a lead role in moving forward plans to build a skate park in
Watton and also the launch of the Youth Hub which provides a
place for young people to meet safely.
to working out of the building and the availability of parking is
a part of their tenancy. Some, such as the podiatrist and
physiotherapist, have clients with disabilities who need to park
close to the building and there have been several occasions
recently when this has not been possible. Illegal parking is a
considerable inconvenience to us and our tenants.
Understandably our tenants are somewhat annoyed to find the
car park full of cars without permits hindering their business
activities.
We will be taking further measures to stop the inconsiderate
use of the car park but, meanwhile, are taking this opportunity,
if you are one of those who has been using the car park, to ask
you politely not to park on our premises in future unless you
are using our services.
Wayland Partnership Development Trust
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 2
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 3
A Quick Look Round
By Orbiter
Well here we are at last (hopefully) at the end of lockdowns and
such restrictions, though with African and Indian covid variations
being mentioned in the news, I can only trust that anything I write
here will not have become nonsense by publication date. But if
things stay as they are I will be able to visit any shops I choose and
to paraphrase a once popular song, I will also let “Aunt Bertha hug
and kiss me.” And I may be allowed to go to the seaside again,
although that may get a bit too crowded, with so many holidays
abroad being cancelled many folks are opting to stay in England
until normality returns.
On a more local note, I see that the BBC are mulling over whether
to bring back local accents to their regional programmes, and yes it
would be nice to hear the dialect tones that were a welcome part of
Radio Norfolk such as we enjoyed thirty years ago, but are there
many of these rich tones still around?
In my village most of the ‘agricultural’ accents have largely
disappeared or only become recognisable in the inflections of
speech in a few of the older inhabitants, while the old country
names for animals and flowers would mean nothing to most present
day listeners..
But if they want more rural accents perhaps Sid, whose
adventures are recorded in this paper each month under the
heading ‘The Ovington Crower’ is the man for the job!
As I watch the happenings in the fields of sport. I find it
personally annoying when, at the start a football match some or
all of the players, ‘take the knee’ to show their support for the
BLM movement. This action may be thought by some to be a
worthy demonstration but I feel that politics of any kind should
not be allowed to intrude on leisure pastimes. As I say, only my
opinion.
Since the current pandemic troubles began there have been great
changes in nearly everything we do most noticeably with many
folks working from home rather than the old way of making
long journeys every day. Everything we do in a new way causes
unforeseen changes and this new home-working era has tended
to make the housing market suddenly become alive with
demand for properties in areas such as Norfolk, and already
prices have started to increase alarmingly although things may
settle down again when the so-called stamp duty holiday comes
to an end.
They say that there is a good and bad side to everything and I
have found that during the recent restrictions my petrol usage
has diminished to the extent that one fill-up has lasted about a
couple of months as against the usual three weeks or so, but I
notice that petrol prices seem to be climbing fast. I suppose we
can’t have it all ways. Watching this rise suddenly makes me
realise how steeply prices have been suffering from inflation
year after year. For instance, throughout my childhood the most
purchased bar of chocolate was a ‘penny Nestles’ whereas today
a penny would not provide more than a tiny nibble. But incomes
have also risen, so I suppose it is all like running on the spot to
get nowhere.
It seems that nothing evolves without causing un-foreseen
problems and a new example is the introduction of E.scooters.
These are not a really new idea, but have suddenly become
popular in cities, but seem to herald more accidents to
pedestrians to add to their current dangers of being in collision
with other walkers who are distracted by their smart phones.
Sometimes I think it is better to be old and safely tucked away
at home.
Good afternoon.
What are we going to
do with the children?
Finding new ideas to keep the children entertained can be a
challenge, especially after having them at home so often over the
last year. Thinking ahead, doing a bit of research and creating a
plan or timetable of activities to keep the kids occupied can help to
take some of the stress out of this time. Read on for fun ideas you
could try and enjoy a stress-free summer holiday with the family.
Get outdoors
We’ve all experienced the blessing that is the great outdoors during
the lockdown, and with the weather looking good, getting out and
about over the summer is a no brainer.
Make packed lunches and take the kids on a nature hike. There are
activity sheets you can download online to help get the kids
hunting.
Create a treasure hunt in the garden or check out geocaching.com –
both fun activities for zero cost.
Get in touch with your local Friends of Park group and take part in
a community litter pick.
Get together with friends and organise a mini sports day followed
by a group picnic.
Get crafty
For those days when the weather isn't too great, it’s good to have
some ideas of activities you can do indoors.
If you’re planning a mini sports day, get the kids making medals,
score sheets, and maybe some bunting out of leftover fabric.
Kids often have their own unique sense of style so customising
their old clothes can be a fun way to let their creativity loose. This
can be enjoyable for kids of all ages – and adults too! Search for
upcycling tips online.
Get the kids making temporary tattoos out of paper, perfume and
water – you’ll find loads of tutorial videos on YouTube to show
you how.
Get adventuring
With many places reopening with limited numbers, it pays to plan a
trip in advance. Theme parks and zoos can be an expensive day out
for a family, but there are ways to cut some of the costs.
Travel by train. Check out daysoutguide.co.uk/uk-days-out for
various deals.
Look out for discount vouchers on products in the supermarket.
Bring the zoo to you with Chester Zoo’s official YouTube channel.
Create that fun adventure vibe by setting up a blanket in the living
room and having a picnic lunch.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity with over 580
services across the country delivering debt counselling, money
management education, job clubs, life skills groups and more. Visit
capuk.org to find out more.
Henk is Looking for
Gail Attfield . . .
At the end of the seventies in Emmen Holland, there was a little
British community of people working in the oil and gas
business. This company was called “Sperry Sun” and they had a
location in Emmen.
I was working in a local supermarket at that time , and so I met
a lot of these people when they came around for their groceries.
While the men worked on locations in Europe or sea, their
partners had to stay home with sometimes their kids.
However, with some people I build up a nice relationship and I
even was invited for a two weeks stay with the family Watson
in England, who originally came from Gillingham Kent.
I also became friends with Gail Attfield and Julian Barnes who
came from Norfolk. When Julian was at work, Gail sometimes
joined me and my friends and go out to the local café’s and disco’s
as there was “Funny Castle” and “Grimme aan de markt”.
During a short stay In England Julian and Gail got married in
Wayland before they returned “home” too Emmen Holland.
I lost track of them, because shortly after their marriage they left
Emmen for a job on an other location somewhere in the oil
industry. A few years later I heard that they got divorced and I
really felt sorry for them.
I tried several times in the past decades, to find Gail using the
phonebooks or even called people in England with the surname
Attfield but no luck.
So, I am looking for Gail E Attfield, age around 63/64 and born
registered in Ely mothers name Dove. For as far I can remember
Gail was born December 1957, but that is a guess. Gail was
married to Julian Barnes in the district Wayland. The picture,
that was me at the end of the seventies, long time ago.
I would like to say thanks too Julian Horn and the Wayland
News for giving me the opportunity to do this request and all of
you in advance helping me to find Gail. If you know of Gail,
please get in touch via Julian on newsfromwayland@gmail.com
Kind regards, Henk Homan, Emmen Holland
Dance-Away
Stop Press News
You will have heard that full lifting of Coronovirus restrictions are
not being lifted on 21st June. This means that we will not be able to
hold our dance on Saturday 3rd July. Hopefully we will be able to
hold a dance on Saturday August 7th.
Please look out for our posters to confirm this date.
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 4
In Your Garden
With Lotta Potts
After the frosty April with the showers coming
all at once as biblical downpours in May, June
treated us to the most phenominal rush of
growth. The heat and sunshine brought
everything on at once including the weeds we
couldn’t get near in the rain. I have never seen
such large dandelions and didn’t they grow,
bud, flower and seed quickly? The annuals both
wanted and not also rushed into growth and
flower. The poppies and lupins have never
looked so good and all was a riot of colour. I
am wittering on before the middle of June so it
remains to be seen what weather marvels await
for the rest of this month and into July. I hope it
doesn’t disappoint but give it twenty minutes
and we’ll have some change.
On to what we should be doing. One of the
annual events we used to have in July or August
is the holiday. It remains to be seen if we shall
be allowed out in time for this year’s annual
break but if so a brief idea of how the garden
will fare in your absence is pretty
straightforward really. First things first –
security. Lock away all tools and ladders and
any side entrances. Leave the lawn alone for as
long as you can so that it won’t grow too
quickly and definitely don’t water or feed it.
Don’t water it anyway as it will recover with a
decent drop of rain. Dead-head all flowering
plants (this needs doing even if you are at home
only oftener). Pick all fruit and veg. Any you
can’t use either freeze or give away as an
encouragement to a friend to keep doing this
while you are away on the understanding you
will return the compliment. Ask them to keep
your containers and baskets cared for as well. If
you don’t have a friend to phone and pots and
baskets out front a good ploy is to keep moving
them about several times before you go to keep
any interested thieves confused. It still is a risk
to leave the front of the house bare but is no
worse than leaving it with pots of dead plants.
As far as the containers are concerned move
them all to a shady sheltered spot and give them
a good soak. If they are all together the friend
who is watering the veg will be more amenable
to watering the pots as well, rather than be
expected to go all round the place with cans.
Access to the hose is a good idea! It just
occurred to me that you could swap the baskets
for those artificial ones – do this a few times
before you go and leave the artificial ones up for
the break period.
The other annual event to watch out for is
blight. If you are new to veg growing and have
found that one of the easiest varieties is spuds
don’t get caught out by blight as it may put you
off for life because disposing of an infected
plant, never mind crop, is unpleasant and very
smelly. July is the start of the blight season so if
you planted first early varieties you will
probably not even see blight so maybe a good
tip for next year or the first time. Second earlies
may suffer if not harvested before blight strikes.
It’s not really worth growing main crop varieties
as these will be the ones to suffer blight unless
you fancy the Sarpo blight resistant varieties. I
don’t bother with maincrop as they are so cheap
in season and take up more room than I have.
However I am assured by friends who grow the
Sarpo mains that their blight resistance is
superb. Back to blight for those who don’t
know it. It will appear in damp conditions when
the temperature is warm. This is known as a
‘Smith period’. It starts off as brown blotches
on leaves then on to stems. If left the brown
markings will travel down to the tubers and
these will then rapidly rot. There are two ways
of dealing with it. The first is to spray with
Bordeaux mixture. This needs doing every
couple of weeks and after rain, preferably
starting before the brown blotches appear and
keeping going until mid-August. The other
way is to remove marked foliage. It’s a bit
drastic and more hands on but it works. If it
gets as far as the stems then cut the lot off below
ground level and harvest the tubers. Without
the foliage they won’t grow any more anyway.
Best to use them as you never know if the blight
got to them without your seeing it. Blight also
affect outdoor tomatoes and requires the same
treatment.
Some roses need to be pruned this month. All
the climbers, ramblers, old-fashioned and shrub
roses that only produce one flush of flowers
usually finish by the end of July. These are the
ones to prune except the varieties that are grown
mainly for their autumn hips. Basically it's a
case of hard pruning the varieties that make lots
of growth (mainly ramblers) to keep them
within their framework but the smaller varieties
just need a bit of a tidy. The roses should have
more detailed instructions but if all else fails
you can refer back to the grower or retailer.
Modern bush roses don’t need summer pruning
but do need dead-heading. This can seem like
pruning as to dead-head tidily usually involves
removing quite a bit of stem with the old flower,
back to a leaf or bud.
The other pruning that gives people headaches
is wisteria. It will run riot and attempt to take
over the roof and wheedle its way into the loft.
If you have a wisteria it's the one plant you can't
neglect when it comes to pruning. If it's to grow
against a wall make sure you put in horizontal
wires then train the stems along until it's
covered as much wall as you want. In July cut
back the long, whippy tendrils back to
6” (15cm) to stop it going everywhere. It
should build up short flowering spurs. Whilst
cutting the whippy bits back cut the main stems
back to their limit on the wire. It will continue
to make growth during the season and will need
cutting back again in mid-winter. It's very hard
to kill by pruning. You might lose flowers a
year after July pruning if you get it wrong –
hard to see how – but persevere. You can also
train wisteria into a standard by letting it twine
up a strong stake then keep stopping the new
shoots until it forms a dense head. If you do this
it will still need to be pruned now but at least it's
more accessible. I must admit I have two of
them on a pergola. My expert author only
mentions wall or standard training so it’s hoping
for the best on other structures but last year’s
efforts have worked well but the blue one
throws out numerous shoots from the base.
Despite removing these last summer and this
winter there are lots more of them so here we go
again but I am enjoying the long racemes of
blue scented flowers until the time comes to
give them the chop.
All the bedding plants and perennials benefit
from dead-heading. Tall specimens like
delphiniums and lupins should have the
flowering stems cut down to the ground once
the flowers are over. As well as making the
plant look tidy you may get a second flush of
small spikes later on. If there’s a side shoot
prune to there as it may produce more flowers.
Encourage pruned plants by scattering some
organic fertilizer around and give it a good
drink. While dead-heading, which is a pretty
boring job, it's worth remembering that once
plants have shed seeds for next year they have
done their stuff and will no longer flower. The
best example of this is the lovely sweet pea.
Instead of dead-heading you live head by
removing the flowers virtually on a daily basis
for the vase or presents. If they are allowed to
carry on and seed it takes ages to recover so
keep picking them. Many people think that
flowers should be left in gardens but this is one
guilt-free removal and if you have lots you will
be so popular with the recipients!
Sow seeds of veg that you like if this is the
appropriate time and keep succession sowing of
varieties you have already sown. Apart from
root veg that can stay in the ground it’s
advisable to harvest and eat or freeze veg as
soon as it’s ready. They’ll all go woody and
tough if left and not watered so that’s another
thing to keep going all month. If you have
containers or baskets that got overlooked on the
watering front the best way to get them back is
to fill a bucket or larger container (I use a large
plastic trug) with water and sink the offending
pot/basket in it and leave it until soaked. You
can tell when it’s done as it’s almost impossible
to lift. This is a good hint to keep them watered.
So there we are.
Until next time, keep weeding.
Saham Toney
Neighbourhood Plan
Update
Shaping the future of Saham Toney!
At the time of writing (11 June) we have been told
to expect the examiner’s report on the Plan
during the week starting 14 June. As that is after
the print deadline for this issue, we can’t yet tell
you what must be changed in order for the
Neighbourhood Plan to go to a village
referendum, but rather than wait for the August
edition, we will publish the report on our
website (www.stnp2036.org) with some initial
explanation as soon as we get it.
Breckland Council requested, and were granted,
an extra week to make a second response to the
examiner’s earlier questions, and finally
submitted that on 21 May. Nothing in their new
response particularly concerned us, but we were
pleased to get them to “own up” about how
many houses have been built in Saham Toney
since their own Local Plan was approved in
November 2019. That number was 48 – for
context, set that against the Breckland Local
Plan target for Saham Toney up to 2036, which
was 33. Of the 48 houses, only 3 (on Ovington
Road) were included in and supported by the
Neighbourhood Plan.
We have already used this fact to submit an
additional objection to the current application
for 54 houses at Nilefields and will do likewise
for any future applications for sites not included
in the Plan.
Breckland must arrange a referendum within 13
weeks of the examiner’s report. Until we see
what changes the report may require, we can’t
tell you precisely what you’ll be voting on, but all
the same, in advance of that information, we urge
parishioners to start thinking about the need to vote
and also how you will vote, and offer the
following general observations about both:
Reasons to vote “Yes” at the referendum (and
support the Plan)
The Neighbourhood Plan is the best document
the village has with which to exercise control over
what development takes place – and what does not
- over the next 15 years.
The Neighbourhood Plan is the only document
that meaningfully protects the local environment –
i.e., Saham Toney’s landscape, character,
separation from Watton, green spaces, heritage,
key views, habitats and wildlife.
Sites allocated in the Neighbourhood Plan have
been assessed against a range of factors to ensure
they are suitable and will only gain planning
permission in future if they meet the rigorous
criteria the Neighbourhood Plan specifies.
The Neighbourhood Plan, together with the
village SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems)
Design Manual, offers real protection against
increased flood risk from new development, and
practical proposals for improving current problems
villagers experience.
The Plan has been written by a group of
villagers who care about what happens in Saham,
not faceless planners in Dereham who don’t know
anything about our village.
Reasons NOT to vote “No” at the referendum (and
reject the Plan)
Without the Neighbourhood Plan, development
will continue to happen as Breckland planners see
fit – you can judge for yourself if you’re happy
with the 48 houses on sites they’ve approved over
the last 18 months or so.
Most of the developments recently approved by
Breckland have focused almost entirely on a desire
to build more houses regardless of other factors.
Without the Neighbourhood Plan, there is a
very limited range of policies a site must satisfy to
comply with the Local Plan.
The Local Plan offers almost no protection
against flood risk and does not even address
improving things as they stand.
If you disagree with part or all of the
Neighbourhood Plan, we ask you to think what the
alternate is: no Neighbourhood Plan and hence no
village control over what happens! In that scenario
you can expect more of the same – at the rate of 48
homes approved in 18 months, there will be
perhaps another 480 in the next 15 years.
The Neighbourhood Plan matters. It can make a
real difference to the way Saham develops in
future. Once approved, planners and developers
cannot ignore it and continue ‘business as usual’.
The Parish Council and villagers alike will have
the means to object effectively to unsuitable
development by simply quoting any non-
compliance with the Neighbourhood Plan policies.
In addition, they will be able to check that sites
included in the Neighbourhood Plan meet all the
criteria specified to ensure they are acceptable.
The Neighbourhood Plan matters. It can make a
real difference to the way Saham Toney develops
over the foreseeable future. Once approved
planners and developers cannot ignore it and
continue their ‘business as usual’.
We hope you agree and when the time comes, that
you will vote “YES” at the referendum
As usual, if you have any comments or questions
on any of this, or the Neighbourhood Plan in
general, or if you'd like to be added to our mailing
list, please get in touch with Chris Blow, Saham
Toney Neighbourhood Plan Work Group leader on
01953 880915.
Most importantly, stay healthy and safe!
Shipdham & District
Book Group
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan has
parallel stories both portraying love and grief in
very different guises.
Eunice works with Bomber, a publisher, who
has the problems of a sister who wants him to
publish her dreadful novels and the diminished
output of his favourite author Anthony, a writer
of short stories. Eunice is in love with Bomber.
Sadly for her he is gay, but there is a deep sense
of fellowship and love between them, which
reveals itself in an extraordinary act of
compassion..
The keeper of lost things is Anthony, a sad man
whose fiancée was tragically killed just before
their wedding. Laura is escaping an abusive
marriage and becomes Anthony’s assistant,
typing up his short stories, his housekeeper and
eventually his carer. On his death Laura
becomes the inheritor of his estate, including his
house which has a mysterious locked room.
There is one rider with the bequest. Laura is
asked to maintain the lost things and endeavour
to return them to their rightful owners.
On taking up residence Laura unlocks the room
to find shelves of catalogued, lost things.
Laura meets Sunshine, who has Down’s
Syndrome, beautifully and realistically
presented , and together with Freddy, the part-
time gardener, Laura sets up a website inviting
people to claim the lost things, perhaps giving
some insight into the importance of the items in
their lives. A jigsaw piece and the biscuit tin of
ashes were the most intriguing lost items. The
latter brought a very thought-provoking story to
a satisfactory ending.
Sunshine, the teenager with Downs who makes
‘a lovely cup of tea’ whether it is needed or not
is a favourite, several members having
professional or other experience with similar
personalities. All the characters are well
depicted so we either love or hate them
This proved a popular choice enjoyed by all
members but one.
Our next book is The Light in The Hallway by
Amanda Prowse.
Watton Methodist
Church Special
events in July
Wednesday July 7th: Coffee on the Car Park
9.30 – 11.30 am (Country Market inside whilst
we are outside – all welcome to both)
Saturday July 17th: ‘On the trail of Jane Austen’
7 pm – an illustrated talk about the life of Jane
Austen by Rev Jacqui Horton. Period music
played by Deacon Jen Woodfin and
refreshments included. Please book with the
Methodist Centre administrator on 01953
881451. No charge but donations invited.
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 5

Town Council join Great British Spring Clean Because of the

changing Covid
restrictions please
check before
travelling
to an event

Above Watton’s Mayor Jane Fountain with Robert Warwick and Cllrs Pat Warwick and Beryl Bunning. Below Left
Councillor Stan Hebborn at Portal Avenue with local residents Charlotte and Jacqui Greenough and below right
The Watton Men’s Shed team at Church Walk.

This year Watton Town Council joined the
charity Keep Britain Tidy and their Great
British Spring Clean campaign on Thursday
3rd June.
Councillors and local residents donned their
Hi-Viz jackets and gloves and tackled litter
around the town. There were four groups
based at Chaston Place, Bridal Road, Portal
Avenue and Church Walk. The Breckland
‘Glutton’ was also in town so it really was a
proper spring clean.
Mayor Jane Fountain was busy at Chaston
Place “It’s really very satisfying to feel that
you are helping to improve the environment
in Watton. We are very grateful to the
Councillors and volunteers who came out to
help. We’d also like to take this opportunity
to say ‘thank you’ to residents who regularly
litter pick their local walk or area, we know
you are out there and making a real
difference”. Keep Britain Tidy have a
‘million mile mission’ this year and today’s
litter pick in Watton contributed an amazing
64 miles to the total.

Thought for the
Month
By Deacon Jen Woodfin,
Watton Methodist Church
A little while ago we had invited some people
to our garden. So, being a bit of a perfectionist
when it comes to gardening, I did some extra
weeding including pulling up all the forget-me-
nots that had just begun to go over. When the
visitors arrived, they looked round and made
appreciative comments. This included one lady
saying “I was attracted by the lovely acers in
pots, with their fresh new leaves, but when I
went close to them, I saw a few forget-me-nots
and, although there aren’t many of them, they
have their own special beauty too. How easy it
is to be caught up by the dramatic, showy,
plants and so miss the beauty of the smaller,
‘ordinary’, ones.” So, I hadn’t pulled up all the
weeds after all - and that was a really good
thing!
As I reflected on this later, I had two trains of
thought. Firstly, just because I no longer saw
the value of the forget-me-nots, my visitor most
certainly did. We all have different views and
ways of seeing beauty in God’s creation. So let
us celebrate the diversity of people and
creation.
Secondly, we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss
the old in favour of the new. It is in the
combination of the old and new that we can
move forward throughout our lives. As we are
progressing out of lockdown, we must look at
ways of incorporating the best of the old
alongside new ideas and new ways of working.
At the Methodist church we wanted to find a
way of re-starting our very popular coffee
mornings. We had to think differently and so
have ‘coffee on the car park’ on the first
Wednesday of the month. This enables people
to meet in a safe way and this also attracts new
people. Through this we can continue to offer
hospitality and welcome everyone in
fellowship, and through the love of Jesus. Do
join us – you would be most welcome.
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 6
Great Hockham Gardening
Club Corona Diary
It seems that the summer has been dragged kicking
and screaming into 2021. For once we had a bank
holiday with entirely good weather and we were
able to relax in our lounger chairs and listen to the
sound of next-door’s mower on Saturday, Sunday…
and Monday!
Again, Sue Thomas does not seem to have had the
time to listen to lawn mowers:
Hi Ed, Tomato plants safely installed in the poly
tunnel. Self pollinating beans also safely installed in
the poly tunnel. Strawberries which are in big pots
are fruiting also in the poly tunnel. Just another
week and we will be eating them again. Can't wait.
As usual at this time of year, my beautiful Magnolia
(Susan) has fallen foul of the weather. As it flowers
later than the 'common' Magnolia, it always seems
to produce it's dark pink flowers just as the wind
howls and the rain gushes down, knocking the
petals off before they can fully open. The Verbena
Kilimanjaro (wedding cake bush) is now showing
off all it's beautiful tiers of flowers, looking just like
a cake, as it should. Just had a call from the horse
muck lady, and am off to collect a couple of trailer
loads of manure. Still putting custard on our
rhubarb!! Stay safe, Cheers, Sue.
Annette Ridley is among the butterflies:
Hi Ed, It’s been a busy spring in the garden just
trying to keep the weeds under control. But I think
I’m now finally winning the battle. Lovely to have
the warmer, sunnier weather. Love watching the
orange ornamental poppies blooming alongside the
Cambridge blue aquilegia. Nature always amazes!
We found a brimstone moth in our shed and are
seeing more orange-tip, common blue, admiral and
peacock butterflies along with a tiny moth no bigger
than a forget-me-not. I started to volunteer again at
Oxburgh Hall as a room steward but am always
drawn to the kitchen garden. Love their Victorian
greenhouse filled with hundreds of plants waiting to
be placed in the parterre later this month. It’s
wonderful to feel that life as with nature is moving
along, as it should be. Enjoy the sunshine. Cheers,
Annette.
Retail therapy seems to be the order of the day for
Julie Brown:
Hello Ed, Goings on at No1 – I have been armchair
shopping on Facebook marketplace. I have bought a
new 50 meter garden hose for Liz, a new 30 meter
hose for No 1, both for £30. Also, a garden planter
with climbing frame, which the lady gave me when
I collected, as it had some paint on it. You will see it
at the front of my new raised sleeper vegetable bed
(right), and metal posts to hold the log roll, that Liz
has given to me, upright and in place. I am waiting
for a garden planter to be delivered today or
tomorrow. With all this shopping I can be getting on
with things in the garden.
I cut the grass bank holiday weekend. I was doing
'No mow May' but if I waited any longer I don't
think that my ancient B&D hover mower would not
have managed it. I didn't want to strim the edges, so
I cut them with the garden scissors – more control it
looks tidy. I saved lots of creepy crawlies, but it took
forever. Those log roll edges will help to prevent the
need to do that again: I'm not a masochist.
I have managed to make up a hanging basket and
planted the tower of pots with salmon busy lizzy. It
was a show last year and I hope for the same again
but just the one colour.
I have grown from seed this year, Black Russian
and Gigantico tomato and sweet corn, and I
managed to grow Morning Glory, which remind me
of Granny Hinchliffe and our Mum.
I was given 3 tomato, 2 cucumber and 2 melon
plants: these are in situ in the green house and are
coming along. I don't think my greenhouse will be
hot enough for the melon.
Back in March I weeded my neighbours garden and
planted potatoes which are growing well. A few
strawberries went in too. I have since planted runner
beans on a wigwam and a few sugarsnap peas. I
have an area of much weeds to clear for
when the sweet corn is ready to go in. I
have planted a wigwam of runner beans
and sugar snap peas at home too. The
mole is running around everywhere in
the new flowerbed. He has moved the
bulbs I planted and the alliums are
coming up in strange places. I have
enjoyed pheasant eye daffs for the first
time and the night-scented stocks, which
were put in as a filler late last year, fill
the warm evenings with their beautiful
scent. I have been in awe of the ferns and
hostas that fill the shady corner of the
garden. I cannot believe the size of the
leaves – and the fronds: they are
beautiful too.
On bank holiday Monday Michael came
by to help move the 3rd stone onto my
Japanese bed. The bonsai horse chestnut
was moved into the prepared hole too, it
will remain in its pot. I then have lots of
slate chippings to clean to put over this
surface. The log roll edging needs to be
finished going in and the weed
suppressant down. I have one or two
other plants to go in and ornaments too –
nearly there. Moving that stone freed up
several places to continue improving the
garden. Privet hedge needs a tidy and a
trim then the bird feeder will come out of
the grass into this area where the horse
chestnut was.
In my raised vegetable bed I planted
broad beans and garlic last year, which
have done well. I planted carrots,
parsnips, radish and lettuce between the
rows of garlic. In the other bed I planted
carrots, marigolds, golden beet, Tony
won't eat the red beetroot. Then more
carrots as I love them. All seem to be coming up. seemed that, although there were restrictions on
Nearly forgot to mention the beauty of an old people meeting, there was no information regarding
fashioned peony. Looking forward to the day when limiting the gatherings of other life forms. To this
I can just lay in the hammock listening to bird song. end was arranged a get-together of canine members
See you all sometime soon, Julie at the garden of yours truly.
It has to be said, things have been different this year. So we just picked a day and went for it. On the day
Yes, we have had a lot of rain, but eventually the the weather had been looking a bit ruff in the
muddy tracks dried up. Even though there was morning, but the afternoon bought quite a bit of
intermittent light rain, the ground conditions sunshine. Luck must have been on our side as on the
improved. Then we had the wettest May since following day it was raining cats and dogs. On
whenever, with one day a couple of weeks ago, on arrival, guests became re-acquainted with one
my rain gauge, showing about 20 mm. Everything another in the time-honored ceremonial of sniffing
returned to mud, but a week later it was dust again. one another’s bottoms. Thank goodness the dogs
But all this is not what seems to me the most were better behaved. Meeting others and having a
unusual thing: we have been walking the (various) poodle around the garden after such a long time in
dogs in Hockham Woods for decades and at no time lockdown was very welcome, although all the
of the year have we ever seen this particular track talking left some people a little husky. All guests
flooded. It became flooded around the turn of the bought something to eat, while we supplied hot
year and remains so – into June? brown liquid. Anyone thinking there would be any
Finally, the forecast looked good for a few days. low calorie options was barking up the wrong tree.
With the garden at it’s height – the grass needing One member bought along a most interesting dish I
mowing at very short intervals, top heavy plants didn’t recognize at first, although it did ring a bell:
needing support, potatoes needing ridging, tomatoes turned out to be a Pavlova. All good things must
needing canes, etc., we thought we deserved a come to an end and on leaving, some of the people
break. Prue and I decided that with lockdown easing were looking a little melancollie. Sorry, I blame the
and gatherings of some numerical value being lockdown.
permitted, we ought to try and arrange a safe and Edward Szczepanowski: Secretary, Great Hockhan
legal social event. Having given it much thought it Gardening Club.
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 7
Ashill & Holme Hale
Garden Club
Early Summer - and it is not only the buds opening
By the time most readers see this newsletter the
Garden Club should have just held its first monthly
meeting of 2021 on June 24th when award
winning garden designer Chris Deakin will have
talked on designs for smaller gardens. Our July
monthly meeting will be held on Thursday July
22nd at 2.30pm in Holme Hale Pavilion where Dr
Ian Bedford will present a talk on how useful
wasps are for our gardens entitled “the trouble
without wasps”. We have sufficient space to apply
any social distancing measures required and still
accommodate all members. New members are also
most welcome. Our Annual Flower Show for 2021
will be held on Sunday July 25th which is open to
all members and the general public from 2-4.30pm
to view all the entries and have a lovely cuppa and
cake, so come along for a floral extravaganza.
In the meantime now that summer has arrived in
our gardens, with roses blooming and the
vegetable patch producing nutritious bounty, there
are lots of jobs to keep us active in the garden.
Here are some suggestions below.
Gardening jobs for June and July Trees, Shrubs,
Flowers and Lawn:
Give container plants a regular high-potassium
liquid feed now they are actively growing. It will
keep them looking healthy and help flower
displays last longer.
Now is an ideal time to plant autumn flowering
bulbs, such as Colchicums and Nerines.
Cut back early flowering herbaceous perennials,
such as Pulmonaria and oriental poppies, if they
are looking tired or have mildew. This will
encourage a second flush of fresh foliage and,
sometimes, later flowers.
When adding lawn clippings to the compost pile
mix them with carbon-rich ‘brown’ woody
material, such as prunings or cardboard, to stop the
compost becoming too wet.
Into July deadhead repeat flowering roses to
encourage a good display all summer. Using sharp
secateurs, cut down to the first leaf beneath the
flower or deadhead by hand (with gloves), using
the natural breaking point below the flower to
detach it from the stem.
Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs: Feed tomatoes and
peppers using a high-potassium liquid fertiliser
every 10-14 days once the first fruit has set. Pinch
out side shoots of cordon tomatoes.
Towards the end of June or early July check your
first early potatoes, once you see flowers open on
plants, by gently forking around one plant to see if
tubers have reached the size of a hen/duck egg. If
so lift your first potato crop of the year.
Pick cut-and-come-again salads and herbs
regularly. Check early sowing of beetroots and
carrots to see if ready for harvesting.
Put up shading in your greenhouse to help stop the
temperature getting too high. Open windows,
vents and doors on hot days and damp down the
floor.
Wildlife Gardening:
To support bees let herbs flower to provide pollen
for them. Bees love oregano, thyme and chives.
Plant borage and leave it to seed for next year.
Remove unsightly thread algae from ponds by
twisting it around a stick. Remove blanket weed
and leave on the side of the pond for a day or
two to give any creatures a chance to get back in
the pond. Blanket weed can then be composted.
Website: ashillgardeningclub.wordpress.com/
Email: ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com
Rotary Young A farewell note from
Environmentalist Revd Gerry Foster
Awards
Watton & District Rotary Club have held a
Young Environmentalist competition with
students at Wayland Academy, organised by
Science Teacher Ed Sadler.
Students were asked to think about Climate
Change and produce an entry using a specific
issue, examples of which were given on the
entry form – as attached. Guidance was given
to entrants to divide their project into 3 main
parts:
1. Research into what climate change is, how
humans are involved, and the problems it
causes.
2. Choosing a specific issue to highlight ,
using facts and data they find from the
internet.
3. Ideas about how to reduce peoples carbon
footprint, with advice, tips and inspiring Dear Watton Community
reasons for why people should use their ideas. It has been such a privilege to live amongst you
The best 5 entries (from Toby Bennett Y7, for over seven years, and serve as Vicar of
Angel Pircabescu Y9, Tia Sayer Y8, Ysella Watton. I now approach retirement and moving
Lawson Y8 and Illyana Guerrero Y8 ) were away.
forwarded to the Rotary Club where they As we come through all the changes, do keep
were judged by a small sub-committee, and a safe and well and pulling together in
winner and a runner-up chosen, who were: partnership. We are stronger together.
WINNER: TOBY BENNETT Everyone has a contribution to make towards a
RUNNER-UP: ANGEL PIRCABESCU flourishing community, but we need to continue
An Awards Evening was held by Zoom on helping every age of individual to flourish first.
3rd June. All entrants received a Certificate, TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More . . .
and the Winner and Runner-up also each or Together Everyone Achieves Miracles!
received an Amazon voucher to spend as they Thank you for enriching and blessing my, and
wished, as we were unable to meet live, the my husband, Dave’s, lives. Please come to my
Certificates and Vouchers were delivered to last Service at 10.00am on Sunday 25th July
the Academy and presented by Glen Allott the 2021 at St Mary’s Watton. Do check first the
Principal. church website (www.stmaryswatton.org ) to
This was the first time we have held a Young see if booking through Eventbrite is still
Environmentalist competition, and it is our required by then, to follow the Government and
intention to hold this again next year on this Church of England Coronavirus Pandemic
important topic. guidelines.
Watton & District Rotary Club Every blessing on each and every one of you. . .
www.wattonrotary.org Thank you so much: Gerry
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 8
and hanging baskets looking very attractive throughout
Let’s go wild! the village..
Launching Sunday 4th July at 1pm is ‘Wild Church’. A John was the Chairman of the Parish Council when he
space for reflection, connection and exploration. was the only Councillor, he kept things going, ensuring
Wild Church exists to support physical and mental that the issues of the time were dealt with efficiently and
wellbeing, encourage creation care and green living, as promptly as possible. The new Councillors would like
build community and allow a safe space to explore the to give John and Cynthia a sincere vote of thanks for the
Christian faith in some of our beautiful green spaces. work they carried out at a very difficult time.
Each month there will be opportunity for nature related Please may I remind everyone, if you have comments,
activities and a ‘breathing space’ zone to chat and complaints or congratulations about the work of the
explore what faith might mean to you. Parish Council, you should put them in writing to the
All sessions are on the FIRST SUNDAY of the month at Parish Clerk so that they may be acted upon and recorded
1pm where you are encouraged to bring a picnic and join in the minutes of the Parish Council Meetings. The
us for lunch. address to letters to is gristonclerk@gmail.com
We are lucky to be able to offer this in two beautiful
locations. On the odd numbered months (July, Sept,
Nov, Jan, March, May) we are located at the ‘The
Hive’ in Great Cressingham. This is at the Methodist
The Watton Society
Chapel on Chalk Road. There is a toilet and we have
permission to use the village green so there is plenty
was much amused!
of space for exploring (please park at the village green
500m before the chapel).
On the even numbered months (Aug, Oct, Dec, Feb, Apr,
June) we will be at Loch Neaton. Look out for the
gazebo and flag! We will be based at the top of the Loch
at the Watton Sports Centre end. Our first session will be
building a community bug hotel for the grounds of the
Loch and making our own to take home! If there is time
we will do a brief bioblitz of the Loch and see which
minibeasts call the Loch their home! We are also
partnering with Coffee Café (See their Facebook page
@CoffeeCafeVintageHorsebox) so watch this space! We
are hoping they will be at the Loch each month for Wild
Church so you can enjoy a nice coffee and a tasty treat!
Each month there will be opportunity for games and
activities for the young and young at heart and also space At our zoom meeting in May thirty four members joined
to be with stillness and opportunity for conversation. together to be addressed by Queen Victoria – who seemed to
Wild Church is open to all. Whether you are a family show some resemblance to Georgette Vale. Her Majesty
graciously talked to us about her life, her likes and dislikes -
that loves to get outdoors, somebody that enjoys
including the men in her life – and made several interesting
exploring new places or for people that want to be part references to the events taking place in Watton during her long
of something. All are welcome. Wild Church is a place reign. Although she is famed for not being amused, once or
to gather for ALL people. A fully inclusive space in twice there was a glimmer of a smile! We thanked her most
regards to belief, tradition, faith, no faith, disability, humbly for spending time with us.
sexuality, gender, seekers, enquirers, doubters, those The Watton Society has made tentative bookings for September
that have it together, those that don’t. Those who like to December and will be contacting all members about this with
to fit in boxes and those that don’t feel like they fit suggestions and ideas for the future. Our subscriptions, due in
anywhere. Those who have the answers and those that October, are only £5 a year and we welcome visitors at our
meetings.
just have questions. Those that just want a space to be
The website will be upgraded and updated over the next month or
or somewhere to belong. Those that just want to get so, www.wattonsociety.org.uk, email: info@wattonsociety.org.uk,
outside for a couple of hours. Those that want to meet Phone 01953 882613.
new people. Those that want to learn about nature.
Those that want to meet with God.
Further details can be found on the Wild Church
St Mary’s Church, Watton
Sunday Services
Facebook Page: @wildchurchnorfolk
Come join us at St Mary’s Church for our Sunday
Great Cressingham village website: https://tinyurl.com/
Services at either 8am or 10am. Depending on
sjrumszk or on Facebook @greatcressinghamhive,
government guidelines, if number restrictions are in
www.lochneaton.org.uk and on Facebook @lochneaton
place then booking will be required for the 10am
Do like and follow our pages to be kept up to date or to
Services which can be done via our website:
get in touch!
www.stmaryswatton.org. Further details of our other
services will be found there also, so please do keep
Griston Parish Council checking.
World Day of Prayer
As I write this short article, the sun is shining and the
All are welcome to join us in praying with Vanuatu for
garden is beginning to show it’s lovely colours, which
this year’s World Day of Prayer on Friday 2nd July 2021
raises the spirits somewhat.
at 2.00pm here at St Mary’s Church. Refreshments
We should soon hear from the Prime Minister what is
follow the service. Please do check our website,
going to happen after 21st June 2021 about the end of
www.stmaryswatton.org nearer the time in case booking
lockdown and what we, as members of the public are
is required due to ever-changing government guidelines.
allowed to do. Please remember to stay safe.
Storybags
The Parish Council has two vacancies to be filled, if you
Our children’s group, Storybags is on Mondays 9.30am –
are interested in becoming a Griston Parish Councillor,
10.45am for pre-school children and parents/ carers
please write a letter, addressed to the Parish Clerk stating
(during term-time). Play, bible story, drink/snack and
why you think you would like to become a Councillor.
friends. Depending on government guidelines, booking
You might like to state your interests and any skills you
may still be required, details of this can be found on their
have acquired through your working life or life in
Facebook page: @storybagsstmarys
general. Anyone can apply as long as they are over 18
Rainbows
years, have lived in the village for a year or more, or are
For girls aged 5-7 years, Rainbows meet each Monday
on the Electoral Register.
(term time only) at St Mary’s Church 4.30pm – 5.45pm.
The recent vacancies have happened due to the
Email Rainbows1stwatton@hotmail.com or find them on
resignations of John and Cynthia Ashdown, who, during
Facebook
their time as Councillors have worked solidly for the
The winners of June’s 150 Club are:
village, making sure that the recreation ground was
1st prize £50 - ticket number 20 – Rosemary Millard
clean, safe and a pleasant environment for the children
2nd prize £25 - ticket number 66 – Iris Clarke
and families to enjoy. They have also kept the planters
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 9
The Letters of
Freddie Thripp
We left Fred last month back in 1940 just
having been slightly wounded and posted to
an OTU. In February of 1941 he was posted
back to Watton, although, as his opening
comments imply, his Mum and Dad may not
have been too happy to see hime back here . .
. coming up, my driver just managed to find
SGTS. MESS. 82 SQDN.
R.A.F. WATTON, THETFORD,
NORFOLK.
Dear Mum Dad Rene & Harry.
Sorry I am late again, but I suppose by now
you have noticed the top right hand corner,
and I think that should explain itself, but for
goodness sake don't start worrying.
It feels good to be back here again, or at least
on the old squadron, as we are at Watton's
satellite drome. We are living in a large
house, or a small mansion with the officers in
the other half. It is about two miles from the
drome, nicely camouflaged, and in a small
kind of wood, and apparently Gerry has not
found this spot yet, so don't forget to put the
correct address or at least the one I have given
you, because the proper one is never given for
that reason.
There are quite a number of our old ground
crew still here which makes it a lot better, but
there is only one machine left that we knew.
Thanks very much indeed for the parcel,
though the original intention will be lost, but
it will still come in very handy.
We have already got organised on our leave,
but owing to chaps due for it before us, we do
not get ours till April 28th, when we get 12
days all in one lump, but I shall spend a
couple of days in Peterborough, because there
are one or two people there I want to see, one
in particular, but time will soon roll along.
Well I don't think there is much more to say
for the present, and as I have to do a spot of
practice bombing this afternoon, and I must
get used to my new guns (we have two new
type now), will say cheerio for a while.
With Love, Fred
PS If you could manage it, I would another
thin pair of socks to wear with my shoes, as
the shops shut early here.
Fred was back here with his crew from 1940
Joe Hunt, Pilot; Ken Tucker, Observer and
Fred as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner0.
Watton's satellite 'drome was of course RAF
Bodney and the small mansion in which they
were housed was Clermont Hall. His first
recorded operation was at 10pm on 21st
February 1941 which was a trip over the sea
to bomb Wilhelmshaven, I think this was his
“practice bombing”! Back in 1940, the Mk IV
Blenheims that were flying from here only
had a single .303 Vickers K Gun, a relic from
the First Word War, (mostly) as its only
defence. Now, Fred's office now sported two
Browning .303 machine guns which were a
much more capable defence although Fred's
comment that he needed to get used to them
suggests they weren't that familiar to him.
The next letter is marked as a Sunday, which
if correct must be the 9th March 1941:
SGTS. MESS. 82 SQDN.
R.A.F. WATTON, THETFORD,
NORFOLK.
Dear Mum Dad Rene & Harry.
Thanks very much for the socks, they are
very nice indeed, it seems that the butcher has
quite a nice taste in mens hosiery, what's
going, is she getting some practice in on the
quiet.
Well we are more or less settled down here
now, in more ways than one. We have done
Sgt Frederick Thripp - Fred
two raids already, and were recalled last night
before we got there.
We had a nasty do last Friday night and
Saturday morning, getting to bed at five
o'clock feeling fine, maybe. It was a target in
N.W. Gerry land, I have been near there once
before, but I think that the barrage there
equalled the London one, and we had about
fifty searchlights after us, to make it more
interesting.
We should have quite an interesting time
tonight, or at least I hope, and an extra kick
out of it, as there are such things as delayed
action. You have quite a good time really,
thinking that you are getting your own back
for one or two things.
Well I am afraid that I shall have to close
now, as I have to get ready for the fray, and
also get a little supper, I hope, so cheerio for
now. With Love Fred
PS I dont know about one in every port, this
one is a bit different from the last
Those two raids were on 1st March and 2nd
March according to the ORB but the 2nd
March was a Saturday evening which does
not agree with Fred's . Take off for the latter
was not until 2213 Hrs (10.15pm) and they
did not land until 0059 (1am) on the 3rd. The
Operations Record Book (ORB National
Archive AIR-27-681-34) records that
evening nine aircraft set out at different times
spread out, Fred being the last.: “Eight of
these nine aircraft carried out offensive
patrols of enemy aerodromes in occupied
territory. The weather over the continent was
not good, the night being extremely dark with
low cloud and heavy rain over most of the
areas to be patrolled. Crews, were however,
able to locate several active aerodromes
which were bombed.”
Fred's next letter is dated (unusually!) 19th.
March 1941
SGTS. MESS 82 SQDN.
R.A.F. WATTON THETFORD,
NORFOLK.
Dear Mum Dad Rene & Harry.
After about a week, I thought that I had better
write, but we have been rather busy, and in
between we have been to Peterborough. We
have been leading the attacks on these fire
blitzes, and what a time too. One night we got
down low to miss the fighters, then we got a
bit off course, and found ourselves in the
centre of Antwerp, then a few hectic
moments, a wide circuit, then we found
ourselves below the roofs of Brussels, after
that Ghent, eventually coming out in the
Channel, with somebody jamming our D/F
station, but we got back OK.
We got back into camp yesterday, and in the
evening, we were away again, and as usual
first on one of their northern ports, and what a
do. We have been there before, so we knew
the easiest way in, but after watching a nice,
or a lucky shot, in amongst the buildings
around the docks, one of their searchlights got
us then about a dozen lit us, then hell was let
loose, and so were we. We were at 12000',
then when the machine gun stuff started
our altimeter, and pulled out at about 4000'
and just about shook them off, and was I glad.
There had supposed to be some stuff on
tonight but it has been cancelled, I am not
sorry though as we were due for aerodrome
control which meant being on the flare path
all night directing machines in by radio. But
so far as we know, there is something in the
wind for tomorrow morning.
Don't worry about me doing the same as Ron
Bowers, I should at least give you a weeks
notice but it wont be for about a fortnight yet.
Glad to hear that the district did so well for
the ship, I suppose that everybody is broke
now, but I thought, we had a paper shortage,
not throwing it about the sky.
Well it is like this here, it is nearly supper
time, and I must not miss my meals, and I
also want to get a spot of sleep in, as we have
been on the go since dinner time, today I
mean, which meant that we missed our
breakfast, too bad, so will say cheerio for the
present. With Love. Fred
PS We have a chap here from Luton on this
squadron, and one of curly's friends from
E'borough in the other squadron.
The best I can date this one is late March and
Fred tells his own story:
SGTS. MESS 82 SQDN.
R.A.F. WATTON THETFORD,
NORFOLK.
Dear Mum Dad Rene & Harry.
Thanks for the letter, it seems quite strange
though to get one in your handwriting, as I
am getting more used to other handwriting.
Well we have been having a fine time this last
week, no trips at all since last Sunday [Ed:
23rd March], and nearly every afternoon off,
so you see we have been OK. We had quite a
decent trip last Sunday, stooging around
looking for enemy dromes, or machines
taking off and landing, but we were out of
luck. There we were at only 2000' going
backwards and forwards going from one
drome to another, annoying them something
awful as they did not know whether to light
up their dummy or the real drome, and we as
happy as a couple of sand boys, even though
one of our dromes was a crack fighter
squadron, and we were low enough to see the
little lights in the big Dutch towns. They got
fed up eventually after about 3/4 hr of it, so
they lit up their real drome either for them to
land or take off, and that is where they made
their mistake. So we did a quick turn and
went straight in, at about 1000' and finished
up at only 600 - 500', though they cheated me
in the end. Just as I was going to give it to
them with both guns, when they switched the
lights off, and opened up on us, though we
dodged them easily.
I think by the sound of certain engines, going
in a certain direction tonight, we must have
something big on again, and take it that it will
be our turn tomorrow night, but it is a lovely
night for a do, just the kind of night we dream
about, but we will have our turn in due
course.
As I have been having one or two late nights
just recently, going to the flicks in the big city
though it holds a different outlook now, I
Wing Commander Theodore Hunt DFC
think I will close now and catch up with a few
hours shuteye, so cheerio for the present.
With Love. Fred
The next letter is dated by Fred 5th April
1941 (Saturday)
SGTS. MESS 82 SQDN.
R.A.F. WATTON THETFORD,
NORFOLK.
. 5/4/41
Dear Mum Dad Rene & Harry.
I received your letter this morning, and am
very sorry that I kept you in suspense for so
long, I did not realise it was so long, but the
days come and go so quickly now that we
dont know whether we are on our head or our
feet, but that is better than dragging along.
Dont worry about my teeth, as it was not the
dentists fault, I think he was pretty good
myself, but that tooth was rather large, and as
I had not lost any blood for sometime, it just
came out in a rush. But it is OK now. As a
matter of fact, I have another appointment on
Tuesday, but he knows how to deal with me
this time.
This week has been marvellous for us in a
way, but it has cost us a lot. Last Monday we
made most of the news by making an early
rush along the west coast of France, Two of
our crews being lucky enough to find two
large vessels with only one escort vessel, so
they went to the bottom. In the afternoon
some more went the opposite way, and
created havoc there, but one crew were
unlucky, though it was worth it.
A couple of days ago we made another early
start, hitting half the Gerry navy at once,
leaving half to fix them up. The rest of us
nipped inland, we caught out a fighter drome
before they could take off, bombs and guns as
well, boy, and was it fun, just what we have
been waiting for.
In the afternoon some more nipped out again,
but again they caught another packet, we had
a couple of casualties, and I am afraid that
Tich's friend Jagger caught a very nasty
packet indeed, he shouldn't need much of a
coffin.
Yesterday it was a bit of a bind though, over
four hours at sea, and the fishermen across the
other side were too interested in their work to
even notice us, I wanted to make another dash
inland, but we were on a different job, so that
was that. One of our new crews either tried to
imitate a submarine, or something went
wrong, but he made rather a large splash.
We are having grand time here with the
weather, it does not know whether to rain
snow thunder or give us some sun so just
does a bit each when it thinks fit.
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 10
Well I think this is about all for now, as it is
nearly time to get back to "work" and I dont
want to walk back, so cheerio for the present.
With Love, Fred
I find Fred's comments about his experience
at the Dentists rather interesting – the idea
that the fact he “had not lost any blood for
sometime” caused what sounds like extreme
bleeding. That seems a rather old fashioned
belief for a well educated young man?
When you realise that 'Titch' was the family
nickname for Fred's younger sister Rene, the
sentence “I am afraid that Tich's friend Jagger
caught a very nasty packet indeed, he
shouldn't need much of a coffin.” seems a
rather shocking sentence. Does it reflect his
loss of emotional sensitivity after exposure to
so much death and horror over the months on
operations?
Sgt. Harry Jagger was a 21 Squadron
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and was the
only member of his crew killed when the
Blenheim he was flying in was peppered by
shrapnel after a shell burst directly above the
gun-turret. I have had first hand accounts
from ground crew who had to clear up after
such incidents, which were not as uncommon
as one might hope. It was a very unpleasant
job.
Harry Jagger was 22 years old when he died
on the 2nd April and his remains are buried at
Dunstable Cemetery.
Fred's last letter from Watton is dated by him
on 12th. May 1941 (Monday)
SGTS. MESS 82 SQDN.
R.A.F. WATTON THETFORD,
NORFOLK.
Dear Mum Dad Rene & Harry.
Well I arrived back here OK, only to find that
Gerry had been at our machines the night
before, though I cant say where. Then again
last night, he rocked east anglia, and finding
our drome at last, but even though quite a
number dropped on the drome no damage
was done, but we did not let many people
have much sleep.
The culprit did not get very far, before hitting
What is it? Does Anyone know?
the dust, and the one survivor has been
expecting to be shot all day, so I dont know
whether he has died of fright yet.
While we were away they only lost a couple
of crews, which was not too bad. Other than
that, everything is still the same.
I was going to write before, only we had to
go and do some business at Blackpool and
did not get back until this evening.
I am sorry that I cannot write anymore for the
present, only instead of having a late do, it
has been altered into a very early do, so as I
am darned tired, I must get a little sleep
somehow tonight, so cheerio for the present.
With Love Fred
I think this letter (and Fred's previous
remarks about Titch's crush, Jagger, give a lot
away regarding the condition of his mental
health: “I must get a little sleep somehow
tonight” speaks volumes for how he is
feeling.
He completed his 50th operation in early May
and his last operation with 82 Squadron was
on 13th May when he and his crew left
Watton for 110 Squadron at RAF
Waddington. From there in Early July 1941
he was posted to Malta and on the 18th July
1941 after attacking a power station at Tripoli
an Italian Air Force CR41 fighter hit their
aircraft at long range and they crashed into
the sea.
No bodies were ever recovered.
Wing Commander Theodore Moseley Hunt
DFC, Son of William Moseley Hunt and Lily
Gertrude Hunt, of Lockeridge, Wiltshire. was
aged 26
Sgt Kenneth Charles Tucker, Son of Charles
Frederick and Florence May Tucker, of
Luckett, Cornwall, was aged 20
Frederick Samuel Thripp, Son of Frederick
William and Lavina Emily Thripp, of
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire was also aged 20.
They deserve to be remembered. Do you have any knowledge of the use or purpose of the above chalk board? It may have
come from Watton. Answers on an email to newsfromwayland@gmail.com if you do please.

Patient
Participation
Group Watton
Medical Practice
Watton Patient Participation Group (PPG)
would like to update you on the following
matters which they have been talking to the
Practice about:
A) Patient Health Records being
uploaded to NHS Digital from GP
Practices in England
All patient records from GP practices will
be uploaded to NHS Digital unless you as a
patient choose to opt out. Because of
protests by GPs, MPs and patient groups,
this transfer has been delayed from 1 July
to 1 September 2021. You can choose to
opt out of having your records transferred
and you have to do this by completing a
form on-line or in writing to the Practice.
This is something that you need to think
about now. The Practice will be putting
information on their website and social
media about this and there will be a poster
in the Waiting Room. If you are concerned
about this and do not have access to the
internet, please contact the Town Council
and collect a copy of the poster there. They
are open from 9am to 1pm Monday to
Friday.
In summary, NHS Digital is planning to
use the patient information for research on
many illnesses including Covid which will
be used to plan services and improve
treatment.
B) Practice phone number not
appearing on caller ID
Any patient who requires the Practice
number to appear on their phone when the
Practice rings them, should let the Practice
know. They can do this by going on the
website to the Reception and Enquiries
Room on the front page of the website.
Click on the box “Ask a Receptionist a
question” and fill in your request. If you do
not use the internet, ring the Practice to
make the request.
C) The message on the Practice
phone
The Practice is changing the message to
make it shorter and more informative. And
rather than music playing, there will be
information about other services that can
be accessed via the website.
D) Some figures about appointments
We know that patients are concerned that
GPs and other clinical staff are not making
face to face appointments. We asked the
Practice to provide some figures and they
did so for two weeks when they were fully
staffed (ie no-one on holiday) and there
was no Bank Holiday. On each occasion
the week was just before our regular PPG
meeting so that we could discuss them
then. It takes an administrator time to
collect these figures and we may ask for a
month at a time in the future when the
Practice is not so busy with vaccinations.
But at least these two weeks give a picture
of how things were in the relevant weeks.
When patients complete the online form,
these are assessed by either a GP or one of
the Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)
before being allocated to a clinician for
follow-up. The AHPs work closely with the
GPs and all work with the two Nurse
Practitioners, Jen Reilly who also assesses
forms and Debbie Blundell who looks after
the Care Homes. The Practice as a whole
works as one team.
The Practice has the following Allied
Health Professionals (AHPs): Tobi
Amadasun, Clinical Pharmacist, Mark
Bilby and Rob Mackie Advanced
Paramedic Practitioners and Lisa Dymond
Senior Psychiatric Nurse.
Week commencing 22/03/2021
GP phone calls to patients – 355.
GP face to face appointments with patients
– 58. Routine phone calls – 18.
AHP phone calls to patients - 297.
AHP Face to face appointments with
patients – 35. AHP routine phone calls –
22.
Week commencing 17/05/2021
GP phone calls to patients (including
routine) – 457.
GP face to face appointments with patients
– 92.
AHP phone calls to patients (including
routine and Lisa Dymond and Debbie
Blundell) - 363.
AHP Face to face appointments with
patients - 108. This number includes 2
COVID housebound clinics of roughly 30
patients.
The Practice has done a superb job with the
vaccine roll out as many patients will
testify. Managing the rest of their work
during the pandemic has been challenging
and the PPG has appreciated their response
to our suggestions for improved service
and care. In a future edition, we will write
about other aspects of the work of the
Practice and our own aspirations of what
we want to achieve to contribute to the
health and well-being of the patient
community.
If you want to be in touch with the PPG
please contact the Chair, Pat Warwick –
details below.
Email: patwarwick@live.co.uk
Or write to the Chair, Pat Warwick c/o
Watton Medical Practice, 24 Gregor
Shanks Way, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk
IP25 6FA
Because of the
changing Covid
restrictions
please check
before travelling
to an event
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 11
Hold Very
Tight Please
By Ken Knowles
When I was a tiny lad my mother impressed upon
me the need to avoid speaking to men that I did not
know but made one important exception, the
London bus conductor, who, for convenience I will
call Fred.
Most people would assume that Fred was just there
to collect fares but in fact he was an essential tool in
the whole running of the transport system that
allowed the population to move swiftly around the
enormous extent of the capital whenever they
pleased.
It is difficult for a stranger to appreciate the vastness
of the London area at the time soon after the Great
War of 1914-1918, as for almost the previous five
hundred years London had been expanding far
outside the original City walls, while all the many
villages in the twenty or so miles outside had been
developing inwards, making one huge metropolis
bounded approximately by what would later be
known as the Circular road, although there were
several fingers of habitation extending into the
nearby counties of Essex, Kent, Surrey, Middlesex
and Hertfordshire. This great mass of built up area
meant that the average Londoner would only be
familiar with a mere fraction of the whole.
This is where Fred became so important. As the
financial hub of the country was centred in London
the greatest number of business offices were
clustered around Central London, so to serve these,
many buses were routed to pass right across from
one side of London to the other carrying millions of
workers to and fro every day of the week, except on
Sundays, causing what were known as rush hours
early each morning and in the reverse direction in
late afternoon.
During these rush periods Fred would be fully
engaged ensuring that all fares were collected from
passengers, both on the lower and upper decks, at
the same time making sure that the load of
passengers did not exceed the set limits which
allowed five standing, though Fred knew that folks
were desperate to get to work (or home) on time
and would often turn a blind eye and allow many
more than five while hoping that an Inspector
would not appear when he would be in trouble
(though even inspectors might often keep the
punishment down to ‘a few words’.)
During the rush hour period nearly every passenger
knew exactly where to alight but later in the day
Fred’s passengers would include many who were
not usual travellers and they would frequently
depend on Fred to advise them as to where to get
off and to which other bus they might need to
change, and when they approached the changing
point he would call out to alert them.
It was in these non-rush hour times that Fred could
air his normal personality, and it was then that
people recognised him as their friend, and this
gained great importance during the Second World
War when Fred and his colleagues helped keep
things moving through the difficult times of the
blitz.
It was during this period that Fred was sometimes
joined by a Freda, one of the many females that
took the places of Freds that had been called up for
service in the armed forces.
I have always admired our bus conductors right
from the Chrismas, when as a little boy I was given
a Conductor set for my present. At the time I
thought Fred’s job was just to sell tickets and call
out the names of important places, but later in life I
realised Fred was a vital and knowledgeable servant
who made travelling about the capital so easy.
Everyone, for instance, knew where say, the Tower
of London was situated, but how to get there, and
by what bus, was beyond most of us. But Fred
knew!
Now Fred has gone, and all the London buses are
One-man operated, all very efficient, and the driver
may be a very nice chap, but he no longer seems
quite so involved with such things as crowd control
or giving useful advice.
No longer does Fred command the bus from the
open platform that formed his base at the foot of the
stairs, and no longer do we hear the cry “Hold very
tight please” before he rang the signal for his driver
to proceed.
Right, Fares please - Move along inside.
The History of Knitting
Part 4 - Scottish Knitting and other islands
Knitting continues, as it has traditionally, to be an
important occupation for residents of Scotland and
its islands.
The first knitters in Scotland were highly paid
craftsmen of the 16th and 17th centuries. By the
mid to late 1700s knitting skills had spread
throughout the country creating thriving cottage
industries, mainly producing knitted stockings.
In the late 1700s the distinctive two coloured
patterns developed, they stood out, were
increasingly popular thus protecting the
livelihoods of the local knitters.
By the 1800s the stockings were associated with
their locality, partly coloured with a variety of
patterns. Mittens, and later gloves, were made in
the same way, eventually having names or instals
worked into the tops or ribs.
Sanquhar gloves knitted on the round is one such
item, named for the town of origin. These were
made from ‘drugget’ a blended yarn of wool and
linen or wool and cotton sourced from a nearby
mill in Crawick where it was used in carpet
production. Sanquhar gloves are still made today
but rarely for sale
Many islands around the British Isles have their
own styles and traditions. Shetlanders were known
for lace knitting made from finely spun wool hand
plucked from the neck of the sheep. The intricate
open work was invented by the islanders but there
are few lace knitters continuing their craft today
although Shetland wool is still a high quality much
loved yarn.
Fair Isle is a remote island north of mainland
Scotland the women of which still produce skillful,
intricate patterns today including designs
containing crosses and lozenge shaped hexagons
formed into the basic OXO pattern. Smaller
patterns such as anchors, rams’ horns, flowers and
ferns all reflect life and the environment on the
Isle.
Shetland wool is used with different colours from
different breeds of sheep ranging from shades of
grey; browns to pale fawn to white. Natural dyes
had to be bartered for. Examples include madder
root was mixed with lichen to produce bright red,
ochres and even blue were made from plants.
These were known as blocks so distinctive to old
Fair Isle knitwear. The shepherds would knit while
watching their sheep. Today most Islanders
continue to hand sheer their sheep the majority of
the fleeces being sent to a spinning mill at
Sandness on Shetland Mainland where they are
commercially spun.
In the 1930s the Prince of Wales wore Fair Isle
sweaters as part of his golfing attire.
A genuine Fair Isle made garment carries its own
trademark in the form of a star motif as the star is
included in every pattern as a guarantee of quality
and origin.
The Channel islands are known for the
fishermen's’ jersey or guernsey made from thick,
dark wool. Knitted on a round to create a seamless
tube they were a necessity in the fisherman’s
wardrobe all over the British Isles. The Guernsey
sweater was modified to become the Gansey,
jumpers with special features including shorter
cuffs to prevent hooks snagging and pull the
fisherman overboard; gussets under the armpits; a
seamless construction for extra warmth and oiled
wool to repel water. Like recipes familes handed
down patterns for generations.
The Herring Girls who followed the herring fleets
round the coasts each year thus travelling the
length of the country actually passed on patterns
from place to place. Cornish Ganseys are
traditionally much plainer than the Scottish.
All knitting patterns consist of 2 stitches, knit or
purl. It is a much loved craft worldwide.
For more information please contact: Kathy on
820615, Marlene 820327 or Sue Hart 822536
The Cream Tea Is Back
You may recall that in July 2019 a Cornish cream
tea was held in my garden to raise funds for
Watton Memory Cafe. This was such a success
that I was asked if it could be repeated. Of course
2020 was out of the question due to COVID-19
but I’m pleased to say that another Cornish cream
tea afternoon is planned for 21st August.
This time it is hoped that we can raise another
magnificent amount in aid of St Mary’s Church.
So please make a note in your diaries for Saturday
21st August between 2pm and 5pm and come
along to 34 Vicarage Walk, IP25 6PH to enjoy a
traditional cream tea. There will be an even bigger
cake stall than last time together with a raffle and a
tombola.
If you need any further information please email
me on cath.clay@sky.com
See you there.
Wayland Men's Shed
Social Group, at "Watton Sports Centre".
Hi all, by the time you read this article we will all
have entered into another extension of the covid-
19 lockdown, our proposed re-opening of WMS
on the 28th of June will now be postponed and a
new re-opening date will be announced in the
August edition of the Wayland News, I would take
a guess that this will be on Monday 26th July
subject to committee approval. In the meantime,
the members of our Carpentry and Computer
sections of our shed are progressing with
refurbishing the old Groundsman's Workshop and
stores at the rear of the Main Sports Centre
Building where they will be working from, this
work is estimated to take 3/4 weeks and should be
ready for our next re-opening date in July. That's
all from me for now, we are nearly there, and I
look forward to seeing you all again soon. Cheers,
Richard Adams, Laison Officer. Tel: 01953
881004
The Cherry
Blossom drop in
Brenda and Ken
Davis’ garden is
almost as beautiful
as it is on the tree
Cherry blossoms are a symbolic
flower of the spring, a time of
renewal, and the fleeting nature
of life. Their life is very short.
After their beauty peaks around
two weeks, the blossoms start to
fall. The cherry blossoms and the
leaves are edible and used in
many traditional Japanese sweets
and tea. They are first pickled
and then used in recipes for
mochi cakes, candies, and even
cookies. You can also brew
sakura blossom tea or make
cocktails with preserved
blossoms.
(Don’t try that at home though!!)
The Wayland News July 2021 Page 12
Please Support Watton Evening WI
YOUR Local
Businesses
One of our members, Helen Hornagold was our speaker for
May; who demonstrated how to make hand lotion and
explained how she started making products. Helen started
making soap fourteen years ago for her grandson because of
his sensitive skin condition. At first, she made soap for
family and friends but since moving to Norfolk she has her
own garden workshop.
Helen more recently started making candles and hand lotion
with a mindset that everything must be as natural as possible
and most suitable for all skin types. All products are made
from natural oils and hydrolysed salt to make soap, and
variations of many natural and essential oils to make other
items, shampoo, bath/shower gels, body lotions.
Helen’s working life was spent in the NHS, as a nurse and
for 20 years working in general practice. She taught students
in her working life and now enjoys teaching students how to
make their own special blends of soaps gels and lotions.
This summer Helen hopes to restart her workshops, most of
them are held local to Carbrooke / Watton. Please do not
hesitate to contact her either via the website, email
madeinnorfolk@hotmail.com or by phone 01953 886915 if
you would like any information about products or
workshops.
We all enjoyed learning a new skill and many of us hope to
attend one of Helen’s workshops. Amanda Tortice thanked
Helen on behalf of the members for her very interesting talk.
President Sandy ran a photograph quiz on Thursday 20th
May via Zoom. Member numbers were down a bit, people
are getting out and about more. It was in two sections, the
first was of 20 pictures of famous sites in the UK, including
Watton and Norwich. The other section of 20 pictures was of
everyday objects from unusual angles and at high
magnification, it was amazing how this could make some
things real difficult to identify! For example, a single grain of
sugar! Great fun was had by all, with Ruth on 18 points and
Leigh with 17 on the famous sites section, and Hilary with 16
points and Margaret on 15 for the close-ups. With the
summer coming, it was agreed this would be our last Quiz
night.
THE WAYLAND NEWS
PLEASE READ!!! Page space is allocated strictly on a first come,
first served basis. 12 Noon on the 12th of the month preceding
publication is the last date and time that copy will be
CONSIDERED for inclusion. Arrival of your 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.
You can contact Julian by ringing (01953) 858908.
The e-mail address is now:
newsfromwayland@gmail.com
Views expressed in articles in The Wayland News are those
of the contributors and not the views of the publisher 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
The Ovington Crower
By Tha Boy Sid
Well har yew gittin on now thas tunned a bit warmer,
thas meard the ole plants in tha gardin start tew show a
bit of ‘thusiasm. An tha weeds is lovin it tew, tha missus
hev bin owt nigh on every day wi’ har hoe, she rekkun
thas abowt tha searm as when she yewsed tew goo
alonga me fer a bit of choppin owt, allus a hoein.
Things hent chearnged much in tha willage since we’re
bin lowed tew git owt an abowt a bit more, tha Chuch is
wun thing thas opened up a bit more, but thar hint bin
‘lowed tew sing yit, so tha ole kwire hent bin tew busy
of leart, mind yew thet hent stopped ‘em keeping thar
throots well oiled down tha pub moost nites.
Horry hent got on tew well wi his whisky mearkin, tha
whool thing blew up a cuppla wiks agoo an he hed tew
spend nigh on a whool wik tew gittin it tricolearted up.
He did bring a sample rownd tha otha day fer me tew
try, goo tew hell iffen thet dint fare tew teark orl tha
‘namel offen my teeth. Thet meard me corf an sum onnit
splashedorl oova tha bike I wos fixin up fer my sista’s
boy. Well ile tell yew thet wos tha best paint stripper ire
eva sin. Horry say tew me he say “Dew yew rekkun thas
a bit tew strong Sid, shood I water it down some?” ‘cor
blarst Horry “ I say “yew cud pore thet in loch Neaton
an thet wood still knock yore socks orf iffen yew hed a
gobful of it” “Well” he say “Thet wood meark tha ole
fish an ducks easy tew ketch I shood think” he say. Rite
fer Horry, allus thinking of his gut.
Anyolehow heese not givin up but is gooin tew chearng
his resipee, an let the brew stand fer a bit longa afore he
gives me anotha sample. I don’t rekkun I shell be at
hoom when he cums rownd agin fer a while.
Wun thing tho, since he hent bin down tha pub leartly
thas saved me a bob or tew, cos when thas his shouwt
heese allus gone tew strain tha greens or suffin thet gits
him owta tha bar.
Boy Julian got ontew me larst wik an sed “I gotta hev
yore bitta squit by tha 12th of tha month Sid or else thet
ont git in, an I’ll hev tew git sumwun else tew dew a bit”
“Cor blarst ole partna” I say “Thas when haysel start, an
iffen tha grass an wetha is rite I shell be up tew my ears
in gittin tha hay cut an carted, cos we hev got a contrac
tew dew sevrul earkas in Carbrook an even Saham
Waite tha year. They say ower small bales is wot tha
hossy peepal want. So I shell hefta wuk orl nite tew git
yore bit dun, an I hoop yew’ll remember thet cum
Chrismus” He nivva sed nuffin so I’m dewin this by
candlelite so I dunt annoy tha missus or kip har awake.
Well thas yore lot cos tha candle hev bunt owt, so fare
yew well an dunt fergit. Dew yew kip a troshin.
Regards Boy Sid