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FOR YOUR ANIMALS

Layers Mash/Pellets....... 25kg £6.00 Mixed Corn.................. 20kg £4.50 Rabbit Pellets............... 20kg £5.50 Bunny Brunch Mix........ 20kg £5.50 Horse Cool Mix............ 20kg £6.00 Horse & Pony Nuts........ 20kg £6.00 Hamster Mix................ 20kg £7.00 Guinea Pig Mix............. 20kg £6.50 Valumix Dog Food........ 15kg £10.50 Norfolk Gold Dog Food.. 20kg £11.50 Hay............................ Large Bale £2.50 Straw.......................... Large Bale £1.50

WORKING DOG NUGGETS £9.25 (no V.A.T.)

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FEED THE BIRDS

Nuts £1.20 kg Wild Bird Seed £0.75kg

Northwold Spiritualist Group

Meetings in Northwold Village Hall, alternate Fridays

at 7.30pm;-

9th April, Good Fri, no meeting 23rd April, Stephanie Suckling

7th May, Jill Rogers Enquiries to:

Eileen Cooper 01366 728289

Page 12

Dear Editor

Having moved away from the area some time ago, I like keep up to date with local events and I do this by reading the Village Life. I enjoy all the articles including the Rambles of Rita, who might still remember me.

It was interesting to read in your last publication the thoughts of chairman Nesbitt. We must remind him that he is living in Norfolk where we have a language all of our own. (ask your deputy editor Mr Parfitt) However, joking aside, it is refreshing to hear someone who has a real passion for the English language. Pronunciation and spelling are vital and it is of the highest priority that our grammar is correct. It is a pity there is not more emphasis put on written word in schools these days.

Thank you doctor for bringing this to our notice.

Don Carter

Letters..

An Appointed Representative of Sesame Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

I offer, in the comfort of your own home, independent financial advice on financial planning and products from the majority of the market place. My aim, for both new and existing clients, is to provide a personal service without obligation.

NNNORTHWOLDORTHWOLDORTHWOLD V V VILLAGEILLAGEILLAGE S S SHOPHOPHOP Martin & Karen Turver 728262

Our morning newspaper delivery service is completely free and is open to all residents of Northwold & Foulden, seven days a week

Buy a SUN & an EDP (in the shop) for only 50p

“Committed to bringing you as much value as possible in the goods & services that we provide”

A continuous program of Special Offers on shop goods, including ‘Buy One, Get One Free’, that changes every month. Leaflets available in store.

eg

or

or

Found Property

A piece of gold jewellery has been found in High Street – in a plastic bag.

Please ask at the Post Office or 12 West End.

Northwold Bowls Club

100 Club Draw:

Apologies from Village Life, but due to a “clerical” error, we printed the wrong winnings for February’s draw - r i g h t p e o p l e , w r o n g amounts!

February

1st Mrs Elliot £50 2nd J. Elsey £25 3rd T. Cater £15

N B

C

Who’s Who? We’ll be printing this again next month, so if you’ve any amendments (last print was Sept ‘03), please let Michael know ASAP

Easter at Northwold’s St. Andrew’s Church

Remember, that Northwold church has a fun-packed day planned for Easter Sunday. Highlights include Canon Rowsel l off ic iat ing at the 11am Communion Service, and fun for all the family from 2pm, including tea with traditional Simnel cake.

Follow the trail of letters round the village and/or common and work out the puzzle.

Join in the hunt for Easter Eggs.

Try your hand at decorating a hard Boiled Egg or enter the Colouring Competition.

Bring your hard boiled eggs to Church on April 11th between 1.45pm a n d 2 . 4 5 p m t o b e judged.

Colouring sheets may be obtained from 12, West End. Bring them to Church on April 11th between 1.45 pm and 2.45pm to be judged.

Eggs and colouring must have name, age and phone number attached.

Church Diary

April 2004

Sun 4th Palm Sunday 9.30am Service of the Word at All

Saints 11am Holy Communion at St

Andrews Thurs 8th Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion and Stripping

of the Altar at St Andrews Fri 9th Good Friday 11am March of Witness in Stoke

Ferry (starting from Stoke Ferry Car Park)

Sun 11th Easter Sunday 11am Holy Communion at St Andrews 6.30pm Holy Communion by Extension

at All Saints Sun 18th 2nd Sunday of Easter 8.00am Holy Communion at St Andrews 9.30am Holy Communion by Extension

at Christchurch Sun 25th 3rd Sunday of Easter 9.30am Benefice Holy Communion at

All Saints May

Sun 2nd 4th Sunday of Easter 9.30am Service of the Word at

Christchurch 11.00am Holy Communion at St.

Andrews

Issue: April 2004 Copy date for the next issue is;

25th April copy@northwold.net Tel. 01366 728233

Breast Care Day Sunday 25th April '04

This is a cause that is close to all our hearts. In order to raise money for an improved chemo therapy unit for the treatment of breast cancer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn, we are holding a fund raising day at Northwold Village Hall on Sunday the 25th April from 10am to 3pm.

There will be many stalls including cakes, bric-a-brac, plants, books, crafts and others and of course a raffle. Should anyone have anything to sell, please bring it along and if successful make a small donation to the cause.

From 12 to 2pm, there will be hot food and drinks available. Please come and support this cause.

For further information please telephone 728400.

Many thanks,

Mary Hull

Build-up to Carnival 2004

Theme: ‘Country Life’ Date: Saturday 12th June Weather: Sunny? (let’s hope so) Cat Protection and other animal Charities

Hello again. Just to let you know we shall be having a stall again this year at the Carnival in aid of various animal charities – there will be plenty of items to tempt you and the usual Raffle.

Your continued support for our furry friends is very much appreciated and we thank you for that. Looking forward to seeing you all on the day.

Maureen Maynard.

Didlington’s Derby Winner A Derby winner trained at Didlington?

It’s true enough, but a very long time ago, before even the Amhersts of

Hackney arrived.

Those with the l o n g e s t m e m o r i e s i n Northwold may just remember

when Didlington Hall still stood. They may have heard their parents talking about dances for the estate staff, many of whom came from Northwold. Their g r e a t g r a n d p a r e n t s m a y h a v e remembered when Royalty used to visi t the Amhersts. While their menfolk were shooting pheasants the future Queen Mary once led a group of ladies to visit the cottage hospital (as it

(Continued on page 11)

By Jim Norris

Wood Green Animal Shelters

Hi everyone,

As usual we'll be having our annual stall at the carnival. The proceeds go to the above charity and hopefully we’ll have a second stall on the scarecrow weekend. Whatever is left after that we take to Wood Green at Godmanchester. We will also be having some wonderful raffle prizes.

Lets hope the weather is good to us again and hope to see you on the day.

I f anyone has books , br i c-a-brac, games etc for us we would be most grateful.

Thanks, Chris Darlow "Cobwebs", 38 Church Lane

Phone 727141

The Village Life Team

Editor Graeme Whiting

Manor Farmhouse 30 West End,

Northwold IP26 5LE editor@northwold.net

Tel. 727425 Fax. 386088

Deputy Editor Michael Parfitt

copy@northwold.net Tel. 728233

Advertising ads@northwold.net

Classified: Pam Eyles Tel. 728208

Commercial: Position vacant

Circulation Manager Mark Elwes

circulation@northwold.net Tel. 728795

Committee

Chair Carol Sharp Tel. 728227

Secretary Position vacant

Treasurer Geoff Bartram

Tel. 728673

The views expressed in submitted items are not n e ce s sa r i l y e ndo r s ed by No r t hwo ld & Whittington Village Life. Whilst we endeavour to ensure that all information contained in the newslet ter i s correct , we cannot be held responsible for errors. The Editor reserves the right to refuse or omit items without explanation.

Breast Cancer Care St. Andrew’s Church Easter Didlington’s Derby winner Church Diary

cover

Editor’s notes Northwold Tennis Club AGM Parish Council report

2

Northwold News St. Andrew’s Church - Crime

3

Northwold School Tots & Co.

4

Rita’s Ramblings 5 Keith MacLeod’s report 6 Keith MacLeod’s report - cont 7 Homewatch 8 Bookline Music Appreciation Classes

9

What the doctor thinks 10 Didlington’s Derby winner 11 Letters Classified advertising

12

Inside this issue:

Page 2

Northwold & Whittington Parish Council March meeting The Council was glad to hear that the Clerk’s husband, Ken Cookson, is recovering from his stroke.

Common Drove has now been repaired satisfactorily.

The Parish School Project this year will be on the Houses of the Village.

The Village Hall roof replacement is going ahead, and Mr. Booty has again applied for a grant towards the expense.

A home is required for the football goal posts currently dumped at the bottom of the recreation ground. Two uprights are now missing.

It was confirmed that Chief Supt. Hayes will attend the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 1st June.

Four planning applications were approved by the Parish Council, and one rejected.

Date of next meeting: Tues 6th April

Editor’s notes

The Northwold Tennis Club AGM was held on 5th March at Northwold Sports and Social Club. The Club has had another successful season with 55 members. There have been adult and junior coaching, knockout tournaments through the season and the School has also used the court.

Two trophies were presented at the AGM and the Bryan Cater Cup, for the Men ’s knockou t , wen t to Dav id Lavender and the WI Shield, for the Ladies knockout, went to Julie Doughty. The Mixed Doubles trophy, provided by Peter and Veronica Hutchby, went to C l i ve Chap l i n and Deborah Durrance at the end of season tournament.

C a r o l S h a r p w a s r e -elected Chairperson, Michael Rickard Vice Chair, Mark Elwes Treasurer and Karen Rickard Secretary. The elected Commi t tee members are David Lavender , C l ive Chapl in , Peter Hutchby, Deborah and Irwin Durrance.

For the coming season the Club hopes to include Club nights for adults and Jun io r members , coach ing and tournaments.

New members of all abilities are always welcome, contact Karen Rickard on 01366 728721 or an application. Charges are £25 for adults, £5 for juniors (under 16) and £50 for family membership.

Karen Rickard

Well , as many of you know, we’ve recently moved house - and only now have I finished plugging the last cables in to my PC. I t looks l i ke the same spaghetti of cables that we had at the last house - so I must have plugged everything into the right place. I just need somewhere to put the few cables that are left over (you know, the same feeling you have after servicing the mower and then wondering where the pile of spare bolts and clips behind you came from!).

Our eldest, Joseph has been pestering me for weeks to get his PC “so I can www-dot, Dad!”, so I ’ve made a foray into setting up a “wireless network”, which has connected the various bits together

Northwold Tennis Club

Deborah and Clive receive the Mixed Doubles trophy

without having to lay cables in an old house - and it works!

So that’s all the computer kit sorted out, just need to do a little plumbing, wiring, painting, fencing, brickwork, roofing, flooring, kitchen fitting, landscaping... and we’l l have i t a l l sor ted by the weekend (my policy being not to actually commit to which weekend).

On a serious note, moving house does highlight the need to re-check security again . You’l l s e e f r o m M i c h a e l ’s Homewatch column on page eight that he’s done alot of work in the last month organising supplies of various outdoor and indoor security products at very reasonable prices (he might even do free delivery and a demonstration!).

Graeme

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Page 11

green would be correct.)

b) Incorrect use of “it’s” and “its” - You’ll find them all over the place, often written by those who should know better. I’ll keep a record of those I find and I will list them next time. Here’s one for starters : The Magdalene College Mens’ Novice Squad 2002 seen on rowing shirts. (Not bad for a Cambridge University college)

That was all a bit heavy, so some humour might not go amiss. The CIA had a vacancy for an assassin. There were three short-listed applicants, two men and a woman. For the final test, the first man was shown into a room, given a gun and told to kill his wife who was sitting in the room. He could not do it and neither could the second man. The woman went next and was told to kill her husband. Two shots rang out, followed by screaming, crashing and banging. Eventually, the woman emerged and said “That gun was loaded with blanks; I had to beat him to death with the chair!”

Children’s comments after a Bible class:

The epistles were wives of the apostles Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption

Most religions teach us to have only one wife. This is called monotony. Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Best wishes to you all,

Ian Nisbet

Apologies in advance for anyone

taking offence to the “fishmonger” joke. Graeme.

then was) on the corner of our Hovells Lane, just opposite the late Mrs. Lavender’s house.

All that was a hundred years or more ago, before financial problems caused the Amhersts to retreat to their former home at Foulden and Didlington Hall was sold. After World War II, which had seen the Hall battered and bruised by military occupation, the huge Italianate palace created by the Amhersts was literally broken up and auctioned, door by door and fireplace by fireplace. Only the stable block and a few other features survive, luckily in good hands.

Long before the Tyssen Amhursts arrived and worked their way into the peerage as the Amhersts of Hackney there was an old Georgian country house in the park. I have seen a sketch of it, and very elegant and modest it was. The house belonged to the Wilson family, some of whose memorials are in Didlington Church. They came f rom Surrey in the seventeenth century, having bought the estate from the son of an heiress of the Holdich family which had held it from the reign of Edward III. The Wilsons demolished the mediaeval house and built one in what was then the modern classical taste.

Now a certain Colonel Wilson of that family, born in about 1766, was successful in 1832 in his claim to be recognised as the heir to the revived Barony of Berners, created in 1455. He was a l ready wel l known in spor t ing c i rc les , espec ia l ly a t Newmarket, and Didlington Park was

(continued from page 1)

famous for its falconry, lakes and heronry. It is said that he “gave annually several flights of hawks at the Newmarket meetings.” He bred and trained fine horses at Didlington. The peak of his sporting career was the success of Phosphorus, which won the Derby by half a length at 17 to 1 in 1837. The race so impressed Benjamin Disraeli that he opened his novel “Sybil, or the Two Nations” with a description of a group of young aristocrats languidly considering the horses and the jockeys - and the odds. He even included a commoner called Berners ( no relation). In Chapter 2 he described the race itself:

“…There are now but four left in the race, and of these two, Hybiscus and Mahometan, are some lengths behind. Now it is neck and neck between Caravan and Phosphorus. At the stand Caravan has decidedly the best, but j u s t a t t h e p o s t E d w a r d s , o n Phosphorus, lifts the gallant little horse, and with an extraordinary effort contrives to shove him in by half a length.”

For Lord Berners it was a magnificent end to his sporting career. He died in 1838, in his 77th year, and the title passed to his brother, the Rev. Henry Wilson, who sold the estate in 1846 to Lord William Powlett. In turn William George Tyssen Amhurst bought it in 1853 and immediately began to enlarge the house. He became an MP and eventually a Baron, allying his family to the Cecils. The baronial splendours of the Amherst regime at D i d l i n g t o n d i d n o t l a s t , b u t Phosphorus of Didlington should long be remembered as the racehorse immortalised in Disraeli’s novel.

Jim Norris

Didlington’s Derby Winner

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Page 10

WHAT THE DOCTOR THINKS THIS MONTH... How is the “I Spy Grammatical Errors” going? Please let me know how you get on. I fondly imagine the whole of South West Norfolk shouting at the poor newsreader when the autocue contains “different to” o r “none have”.

This month, I promised to write about the apostrophe, a tiny punctuation mark which causes considerable angst among those who wish to write correctly. Others, such as one of daughter Charlotte’s pupils, insert it in any word that ends in “s”. Before we become too dogmatic and critical of others, it is worth remembering that The Oxford Companion to English Literature states “There never was a golden age in which the rules for the possessive apostrophe were clear-cut and known, understood and followed by most educated people”. Let us try to simplify matters; the apostrophe should be used in the following situations:

1. To indicate a possessive in a singular noun The lady’s uniform, the baby’s nappies, the policeman’s helmet.

2. To indicate the possessive in a plural noun which does not end with “s”. In this case, the apostrophe goes before the additional “s” . The children’s teacher, the women’s books. The men’s changing room

3. To indicate the possessive where the plural of the noun ends in “s”. In this case, the apostrophe goes after the “s”. The ladies’ uniforms, the babies’ nappies.

4. To indicate time or quantity. Use the same rules as above. In one

month’s time, in four hours’ time, I am giving you four weeks’ notice.

5. To indicate missing figures or l e t te rs . Apri l ’0 4 , J o ’burg (Johannesburg) The use of the apostrophe in ‘fridge, ‘bus (omnibus), ‘phone, ‘cello (violincello) is no longer thought to be appropriate. The biggest problem in this section concerns the words “it’s” and “its”. Endless confusion occurs here, yet the rules are simple. “It’s” stands for It is or it has (the apostrophe stands in for the missing letters). If the word does not mean it is or it has, the word required is “its”. Examples would be It’s Tuesday today and it’s really warm. It’s been cold recently. It’s my turn to make the tea. (All these represent” i t i s ” o r ” I t h a s”) We practice medicine at its best, the restaurant gave us its finest food, the dog ate its dinner, the baby filled its nappy. See, it’s easy!

The so-called apologetic apostrophe also occurs in there’s (there is) , where’s? (where is?) that’s (that is) I’ll (I will, I shall) don’t (do not) isn’t (is not), Who’s? (who is or who has?) {However, WHOSE means “to whom does this belong?} they’re (they are) you’re (you are) and haven’t (have not)

6. To indicate the plurals of letters and words. How many f’s are there in “Plaice”? asks the fishmonger of a difficult customer. “There is no “f” in plaice” replies the customer; the fishmonger retorts “That’s what I have been t ry ing to t e l l you” Other examples would be: I’ll give you the do’s and don’t’s of the job, including the why’s and wherefore’s.

W h a t a b o u t people’s n a m e s ? Fowler’s Modern English Usage states that all modern and biblical names ending in “s” and a n y f o r e i g n n a m e w i t h a n unpronounced final “s” require an additional “s” after the apostrophe. Keats’s poem

Edwin Jones ’s farm, Alexander Dumas’s books. Exceptions to this rule are a) Jesus Jesus’ disciples, b) Names from the ancient world Achilles’ heel, c) Any word which ends with an “ez” sound Moses’ tablets, Lloyd Bridges’ films.

There is controversy. St Thomas’ Hospital and Lands’ End, the clothing company, insist upon their spelling. The use of apostrophes in place names has been causing discussion in Brandon. St Stephen’s Crescent, for example, is not possessive, in that it has never belonged to St Stephen. The crescent is named in honour of the saint and the name is attributive, so it should be used unmodified. Thus, the road names should be “St Stephen Crescent”, “St Mary Drive” and so on. Baker St was named after bakers a n d C a r p e n t e r s D r i v e a f t e r woodworkers.

THIS MONTH’S I SPY : Look for the inappropriate use of apostrophes in the following situations :

a) Incorrectly inserted apostrophe where none is required, known as the greengrocer’s apostrophe – CARROT’S 40p/lb PEAR’S, 80p/lb FIG’S £1/lb are incorrect because there should be no apostrophe (However, the carrot’s top is green or the carrots’ tops are

Northwold News

Page 3

Reports on activities, news and events in and around Northwold

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Collection A house to house collection for Marie Curie charity, by Mrs Smith, raised £75.08

Jim Booty

Northwold Norman Almshouses

The Trustees have available a house in School Lane for a person in need.

Apply in writing to:

Mrs. J. Norris, 25 West End Northwold, by May 10th

Grow your own?

Northwold Combined Charities have allotments available at £3-00 per

annum in Methwold Road.

Applicants please apply to:

25 West End, Northwold

Oxburgh Hall Special Events for 2004

April Friday 2nd, 9.30am-4.30pm Chocolate Heaven Chocolate Workshop with Alison Sloan. A look at different qualities of chocolate with some rich and sumptuous chocolate dishes. £39, booking essential. Sat 10th, Sun 11th & Mon 12th 11am - 4pm Easter Bunny Trail Complete the Easter Bunny Trail and win a chocolate prize. Egg rolling. Special children’s m e n u i n t h e restaurant. Sponsored by Marks & Spencer. Normal admission plus £1.50 entry fee for trail. Wed 14th, 11am-4pm April Antics Fun and games wi th ch i ldrens ’ entertainer Poz plus tricky creatures trail, optical illusions, and joke on a rope. Normal admission Wed 14th, 11:30am and 2pm Meet the Head Gardener Tour of the garden. Meet in the orchard for a guided tour with G r a h a m D o n a c h i e . N o r m a l admission. May May to Sept, 11am-4.30pm Focus on Crafts A local craft wil l feature every S u n d a y . F r e e e v e n t , n o r m a l admission charges.

Police called to St. Andrew’s Church We’re sorry to have to report that recent vandalism in the Church porch, and in the boiler house has made it necessary to call in the Police. It is obvious from the mess left behind that drinking and smoking (we hesitate to suggest what!) goes on, and attempts have clearly been made to set fire to the Church notices and notice board.

In future, St Andrew’s Church will be included in the regular Police patrols of the village.

If this vandalism persists, we shall have to consider keeping the church locked, except for service times.

We are reluctant to do this, as we know that many villagers and visitors like to use the Church during the day.

Therefore, we need the co-operation of everyone in the village in order to prevent further problems.

Brenda Ayres Jane Luckman

(Churchwardens)

Village Hall - Read for the Roof? Calling all readers - as we all know the Village Hall Roof is about to be renovated and there is not enough money in the kitty to pay for it so can I invite readers to help raise a little more? A very good lady has given me twenty-two books by Ellis Peters – most of them are tales of Brother Cadfael – I’m sure I’ve heard some of these adapted as radio plays. They are not written as a serial, so can be read in any order. Is there anyone who, for the sum of twenty pence, would like to borrow a book? All proceeds for the Village Hall Roof Fund. Contact me on 728208 or at 90 West End, Northwold.

Pam Eyles

Page 4

This column is kindly sponsored by COOKSON BUILDERS The return to school after the half term break was marked by the demolition of the old office and toilets in the school as well as the corridor which provided access to much of the building. Although many of the adults found it confusing the children have coped with the new arrangements very well. We would like to extend our thanks to Mrs. Caroline Whiting who has worked i n an e ve r de c rea s i ng space t o catalogue the library stock and has now s tar ted a lending serv i ce for the children on a weekly basis. By the time the alterations are finished the library s t o c k w i l l be c ompu t e r i s ed and relocated in a new space but we felt it important that the children should have immediate access to the books we have

on offer. It is our intention to buy more books in the near future. Many of us enjoyed the P.T.F.A. Bingo evening, a first for me. Thanks to all who joined us in this fund raising event. Last week we enjoyed a visit from Mike Shimmin who, when dressed as Samuel Pepys really did make History come to life for class two and later as an Ancient Greek helped class three to consolidate their learning. C l a s s two ha ve a l s o been b u s y entertaining the Forget-me-Not Club. I think they had as much fun trying out their ideas as they did on the visit itself. Class three have embarked on the work for the Parish Project so you may see children out and about in the village armed with clipboards and sketchpads making drawings of houses. I learned a great deal from Mr. Booty who kindly accompanied us on two walks around the village to explain the history of some of the houses in the village. As we head for the end of term we have the usual activities to look forward to including the Football Tournament and the Easter Bonnet Parade. Finally, the school community would like to express our good wishes to Mr. Cookson who has been ill recently. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Marion Dawe

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Tots & Co. Firs t ly , thank you to al l those who bought the tea-towels at Christmas time. Thanks to the brilliant effort by Shelley Farrow, our group is now £65 better off. Thanks also to those who supported our recent “Chocolates for Chocoholics” Party.

Advance notice of another fundraiser - on Friday May 14th, we will be having a children’s clothes sale - Benchmark K ids wi l l be v i s i t ing from 9.30am-11.30am and will be bringing M&S, GAP, Adams and Next clothes at very reasonable prices. Please come and have a look - you might p ick up a bargain.

We will be meeting again after Easter on Friday 23rd April. The Health Visitor will be holding clinic on May 7th, and then again on Friday July 9th. We start at 9.30am and normally have a craft ac t iv i ty , s topping for a dr ink and importantly, a biscuit, at about 10.30am (Easter greetings and thanks to the ladies from the Church who come to make our drinks). The sessions cost £1 for the first child, and 50p for every child after that. If you wish to find out more, please ring me on 727425.

Caroline Whiting

DIDLINGTON NURSERIES Conifer, shrubs perennials and more in our new Raised Beds In Stock now. Primroses, Pansies, etc. Compost and Bark. Large selection of Ornamental Trees, Fruit Trees and Bare Root hedging. A good selection of Seed Potatoes and Onion Sets.

Find us off the road from Northwold to Foulden Tel. (01842) 878288 Mob. (07860) 624756

Page 9

Music appreciation classes

Are you interested in classical music and want to have fun learning more

about it? Come and join us at our music

appreciation class on Tuesday evenings

Time: 5pm to 6.30pm Place: Oxborough Village Hall

Andrés Hernández Salazar, a professional opera singer, currently

teaching music at Thetford Grammar School, guides you through the music of the current Radio 3’s “Composer of the Week.”

The following composers are going to be discussed in March:

There are no classes over Easter, resuming later in April with:

20th Apr Meyerbeer 27th Apr Sculthorpe 4th May Dvorak 11th May Composers in Vennice

This is a small, informal group and all levels of knowledge are welcome,

especially beginners!

If you’re interested, please phone 328676, e-mail

oxborough24@hotmail.com or just turn up next Tuesday at 5pm

Bookline Featuring new titles available from Mobile & Branch Libraries in Norfolk

Fiction titles:-

Lovers and Liars (Josephine Cox). A brutal father denies Emmie the man she loves. Years later she decides to go in search of him.

Secret Smile (Nicci French). When Miranda Cotton gets home from work to find her new boyfriend, Brendan, reading her diary, she breaks off the relationship and throws him out. Getting Brendan out of her life, however, is not so easy!

Falling for You (Jill Mansell). Maddy Harvey was a bit of an ugly duckling as a teenager, but thankfully she’s blossomed since then. When she meets Kerr McKinnon one summer’s night everything seems perfect, but then she discovers who he actually is and the trouble starts.

Ransom (Danielle Steel). A violent crime brings together four lives in Danielle Steel’s 60th novel, the story of a mother’s courage, a family’s terror, and a triumph of human strength and dignity in the face of overwhelming odds.

These Foolish Things (Deborah Moggach). “Dunroamin” is a converted guesthouse in Bangladore, where Sonny establishes a home for old people. Travel and set-up are inexpensive, staff willing and plentiful - and the British pensioners can enjoy the hot weather and mango juice with their gin.

Non-fiction titles:-

Revolution Day (Rageh Omaar). The human story of the battle of Iraq in 2003 from the perspective of the BBC news correspondent, Rageh Omaar.

Privilege of Youth (Dave Pelzer). The fourth in the series of Dave Pelzer’s books telling of his experience of bullying at school and the freiends in the neighbourhood who helped him through it all.

Rick Stein’s Food Heroes, another helping (Rick Stein). This is both an inspirational collection of recipes and a delightful celebration of British and Irish ingredients and those who create them.

...and for the children... Best Friends (Jacqueline Wilson). Gemma and Alice, born on the same day, have been devoted friends ever since. Despite Gemma’s larger-than-life personality and Alice’s quieter character, the two are inseparable - until that is Alice has to move house, all the way to Scotland.

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T.P.F. Decorating Services

Call us for a competitive quote!

01366 728881

Homewatch

homewatch@northwold.net

News from Police HQ There has recently been a bogus caller offence in Watlington where a teenage boy managed t o s t ea l f r om t he householder a pension book and an envelope containing a large sum of money. Please warn your members about the dangers involved of dealing with unknown cal lers , who ask for something that requires either the parting of money or allowing them access to the home.

There have also been a number of break-ins to garden sheds and garages, three in the same road in Tilney St Lawrence. Please inform your members about the need to alarm sheds and outbuildings, this simple measure usually results in anyone attempting to break-in being frightened off before any items are stolen.

I t has come to our attention that a company cal led EEC Secur i ty are contacting residents in West Norfolk by phone and suggesting that they need a survey of their property carrying out, to assess security and fire risks.

If asked to provide a name and contact number the caller refuses and hangs up.

Please remind your members about the dangers of dealing with companies that call you out of the blue, offering to carry out a survey of your property, (the survey is usually free). Once the survey is completed, it generally results in them informing you that you are in urgent need of their services to ensure your safety and security.

If any of your members feel that they are in need of advice regarding their home security, inform them that they can have a survey carried out, free of charge, by a trained police officer. To arrange a survey please cal l the Community Safety Department at King's Lynn Police Station on 01553 665037.

There has been an incident of theft of ornamental urns from a front garden in Northwold - please all be wary of this type of crime, and if you have any knowledge of this, or other crimes, contact Homewatch, or your local police.

Michael Parfitt Homewatch Co-ordinator

Email: homewatch@northwold.net

Alarming times?

In the last issue there was mention of alarms which could be fitted to sheds and outbuildings. I have now received a consignment of these alarms and I have found that they are not only Shed alarms but they are also personal alarms which can be worn and activated should the wearer be attacked.

They are a very simple device, easy to install, and make a very loud noise which can be heard for half a mile. These units can be held in the hand, clipped to the belt or the user may improvise. Fitted to a shed door, and being activated in the middle of the night could very well frighten intruders off. They are very small and the cost of £5 per head makes them worth the while (pictured right, approx. half size).

I have also received a list of all other security devices that can be obtained by me for those who are interested. I have listed them below with the price as follows:

Door viewer/Intercom (to see and speak to any caller before opening your door) £15 PIR Shed alarm with External siren £25 Key-Ring personal alarm £5 Large magnetic Key-Pad door alarm (Programmable 4 digit code to ensure security) £12 Magnetic window/door alarm (for doors and windows that are opened regularly) £6 Magnetic door/window alarm (for windows and doors not opened regularly £4 Lock alarm (8 Foot cable). designed to loop through items in a shed or garage £20 Lock alarm (15 foot cable) designed to loop through items in a shed or garage £25 Lockable door chain £6 Trembler alarm for windows £5 Autolock 2000. (covers steering wheel to prevent car theft) £30 Security light (random on/off) for internal use only £10 Security light (audio)- For internal use only £12 Also I have some literature on a product called SELECTAMARK. This is for marking personal possessions. If anyone wants one of these leaflets I have some available.

At the moment I have been supplied with 20 of the Personal/shed alarms but I can easily get some more.

And don’t forget, before you say no, pop into Lawn Boy or some other dealer and see what a new lawn mower will cost. It will be a lot more than £5 !!

Michael Parfitt

Neighbourhood Watch Special

Home security statistics: The most commonly stolen items are cash,

jewellery, video and stereo equipment. In most burglaries, forced entry is the

most common factor. the most common security devices - such

as deadlocks and window locks - g rea t l y reduce t he r i s k o f be i ng burgled. Burglar alarms, security lights or window gri l les and bars further reduce the risks.

01366 385885

Local Runs Airports, etc.

PAUL’S TAXI’S

Page 5

A.M. Stannard Stoke Ferry

Bouncy Castle Hire

Suitable for ages 1-10 yrs

Tel. 01366 500675 Mob. 07748 412627

Volunteering — have you tried it? If you have a skill or interest you would like to share, some free time you want to use, and would like to help others - - you should!

CSV VOCAL Project in Downham Market helps adults with learning difficulties to become involved in their local communities through volunteering. Our aim is to enable them to play an active part, and become the givers rather than the receivers of care. To do this, we need other members of the community to help sup-port them. We are currently looking for dirvers, and individuals who would like to support a volunteer at their project. Projects include kitchens, shops, farms, animal welfare projects, gardening, offices, and childcare. If you are interested in any of these, and would like to become part of our team, please call:

01366 385839 A Registered Charity

Rita s Ramblings ’ Well, here I am after missing last month. It had to happen eventually and, yes, you’ve guessed correctly; I missed the deadline for copy! So apologies all round and although I should have learnt my lesson there i s only one day le f t unt i l th is month’s deadline. Perhaps I should give myself a detention or maybe some “lines”. The younger readers will probably have to ask their parents or grandparents to explain that.

As I try to write this “rambling”, a very eager and playful golden retriever keeps interrupting me. Bonnie has decided that I am not paying her enough attention and keeps bringing me her ball. She nudges my arm with her nose and then pushes the ball against my leg. If I try to ignore her, she jumps up and pushes the ball towards the keyboard. Initially, she was happy to retrieve the ball and start the whole process again; however, after 3 or 4 retrieves she started to p u s h t h e b a l l b e h i n d , o r underneath, furniture. A variety of vocal noises ensured that I got up from the computer and retrieved the ball myself. Some would say that my training is progressing quite nicely. Others would just say that I am a fool. Well, it takes all sorts in this world and if we were all the same, life could be rather tedious. Imagine what it would be like if we all agreed with politicians a l l t h e t i m e . T h e n e w s p a p e r s

w o u l d b e h a l f t h e s i z e ( b u t probably not half the price) and who knows what would happen to the television programmes. Would we be interested in watching 8 celebrities who had been specially selected to spend a week or two in an isolated jungle camp with only very basic facilities?

I am gradually getting the garden b a c k i n t o s h a p e a f t e r l a r g e l y abandoning it last year. Despite the strong winds and heavy showers this weekend, I have managed to get some more digging done. I am saving the worst until last - the area where my old greenhouse s t o o d n e e d s s o m e s e r i o u s cultivation. It hasn’t been dug for about 15 years and the ground elder seems to have flourished over t h e l a s t c o u p l e o f y e a r s . I “swapped” the o ld greenhouse (complete with cracked glass) for some blackcurrant cuttings and t h e y n e e d p l a n t i n g i n t h e i r

permanent position – well some of t h e m , t h a t i s . I h a d a b o u t 1 6 cuttings and 14 of them rooted!!! I’m hoping that all the seeds that I h a v e s o w n s o f a r w i l l h a v e a similar success rate. Somehow, I doubt it - but that’s gardening for you. The good news in the garden is that Bonnie has refrained from attempting to discover a new route to Austral ia . I am keeping my f i n g e r s c r o s s e d t h a t h e r excavations are a thing of the past and that m y g r a s s will not need a sign w a r n i n g any visitors that, in the interests of health and safety, they should keep off the green stuff.

On that note I shall say cheerio until next month. Take care and enjoy yourselves.

RITA NICKLES

The Parishes of St.Andrews, Northwold, All Saints, Wretton with Stoke Ferry & Christ Church, Whittington

Reader: Keith MacLeod, West Barn, Whindrove Farm, West Dereham, tel. (01366) 500960 or 07766 766137, email: keith.macleod@virgin.net

Keith MacLeod’s monthly report

Page 6

As it happens, I am a member of the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus – we give three concerts a year – at Easter, at the King’s Lynn Festival and at Christmas. We are currently rehearsing for a Russian Gala performance on 28 th March 2004. (This is before this letter will be published – so you can believe that this is not an effort a t cheap publicity!) The music is absolutely mindblowing – mainly choruses from Russian operas – a n d w e h a v e a Ukrainian professional opera bass soloist to head us up. The music is so exciting to sing and to listen to. In r ecen t yea r s we have been ve ry successful and our performances are always sold out well in advance of the night. BUT, for this performance, ticket sales are slow. Why?

Well, personally I am no fan of opera and would take some persuading to go to one. Also, Russian music seems to be a bit heavy for a whole concert! So those people who would come to listen to a good choir sing ‘standard’ choral work may be like me and easily put off from this particular programme. Our problem is how to let everyone know that it is truly magnificent music – with NO boring bits in it at all – marvellous tunes , incred ib le harmonies and passages of tremendous power – all f rom famous composers , such as Tchaikovsky, Borodin and so one. I don’t know how we crack this one – all I can suggest is that each of us chorus members has to sell it to our friends and acquaintances as best we can.

I am telling this story because it seems to me to mirror, in microcosm, the

problem our traditional churches have. I think this area is mainly Christian in its background, if not in its practices and that we do not have many adherents of other religions hereabouts. I hope such as there are, who happen to read this, will not be too irritated if I address myself to this ’traditional’ majority. The question is why are there so few people in our Churches? The obvious and best answer would be that it is because they have little to offer that is relevant and meaningful. So, I ask myself if that is actually the case or just a conception – I know that we do have something to offer that is worth taking, but I also know that the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus has something to offer this month that is not being taken up as enthusiastically as we would like. Do we share the same problem – that our immediate presentation to the public is almost automatically offputting?

If we offer an exciting Carol Concert (either as the Festival Chorus, or as a Church) we get take up. If we offer an evening of Handel’s Messiah (either as the Festival Chorus or as a Church get together), we will get takeup. If we get Billy Graham to come and preach, hundreds will come to our Church to hear him. If I am going to preach, only single figures come to hear me. There are many charismatic Churches, which attract hundreds and thousands to their Worship and Praise – my youngest daughter attends a Church in Sheffield, where hundreds turn up to each of their four or five services every Sunday. They are led by a pastor who used to be a Blue Peter presenter. They also have

very exciting bands.

So, I ask myself two questions – firstly, do we have to have a charismatic presence to get people into the Church in the first place and secondly, what do we have to do to keep them coming. In answering these questions, I do not need to remind myse l f , bu t I do sometimes have to remind others, that having bums on seats is not actually our objective – our objective is to introduce (or re-introduce) people to Jesus and have them develop such a relationship with him that they may well want to come to Church. In Victorian times, the Churches were full – but actually I doubt that many of them were actually Christians, even though they may well have believed in God in some vague way. The squire and the Doctor and the local bigwigs needed to be seen to be at Church and sat in their reserved pews at the front , while the farm labourers and servants crowded into the back, knowing that their jobs were at stake if they were not seen there every week in their Sunday best. We do not want full Churches on that sort of basis.

Let’s try to answer my questions. We d o n o t n e e d t o b e c h a r i s m a t i c personalities – bu t our message i s charismatic. The problem for me and many like me is that we cloud and c o n f u s e t h a t m e s s a g e w i t h o u r negativism and lack of courage. If all Christians were prepared to stand up and be counted, if we were all prepared to have the courage to live by the standards of honesty and care for others that we proclaim in Church, then that would in itself make us attractive. We would then have the opportunity to explain ourselves to others, whether in

Page 7

Sunday School – All Welcome!

There is a Sunday School during the main Sunday services at St. Andrew’s

Church, Northwold (except for Sunday’s with All Age Worship).

This is open to any school age child living in the villages of Northwold,

Wretton, Stoke Ferry, Whittington and Brookville. If you are not able to stay with your child please drop them off

by 10.50 am and collect them by 12.15pm

Church Rotas

Christ Church - cleaning & flowers Apr Mrs Clark & Mrs G. Duncan

All Saints’ - cleaning & flowers Apr Mrs H. Durrance & Mrs.P. Willis St. Andrew’s, cleaning Apr 9th Mrs. J. Bunyan Apr 16th Mr. J. Booty, Mrs Booty Apr 23rd Mrs. M. Maynard, Mrs. J. Harris Apr 30th Mrs. J. Elliott, Mrs. V. Hutchby May 7th Mrs. P. Coles Mrs. B. Akers May 14th Mrs. B. Ayres Mrs. V. Legg

a Church or outside. As with our Russian opera music, peoples’ concept of Christianity is at best confused or wrong and at worst totally dismissive. But, like the Russian opera music, there is a lot to offer to people to make their lives happier and better.

The Church of England, for which brand of Christianity I find myself speaking, has especial difficulties and opportunities. As the State religion, we are organised in a way such that there is no square inch of England that is not within an ecclesiastical Parish, with a Parish Church and a Vicar/

Rector/Priest-in-Charge. Those Parish priests offer Baptism, Weddings and Funerals to all their Parishioners as well as regular Sunday and other Worship and Teaching. They have some sort of right to speak to all, as well as a legal and ecclesiastical obligation to listen to anyone. At least that is the theory! In reality, there are far fewer practising Anglicans about than there used to be and far fewer priests (just as there used to be large congregat ions of non-Christians, so there were many non-Christian priests – younger sons of poor gentry, seeking a career in the Church, etc). The current perceived shortage of priests may well be actually illusory – based solely on the structure which we have inherited. So many (indeed most) priests now have more than one Parish to look after, more than one Church, more than one Church Council and so on. Many especially rural benefices, such as ours) find themselves without a priest at all for lengthy periods of time.

I have said what our problems are, in the expectation that many readers will be interested in what is happening to their village Churches, even if they are irregular or total non attenders at them. WATCH THIS SPACE. W e a r e planning to introduce a structure with a larger group of Parishes, with a team of ministers – ordained and lay – who will be able to meet the needs of all in the Par i shes concerned . When any member o f t ha t t e am l eaves fo r whatever reason, it will NOT lead to an interregnum, because the team will survive . Our chal lenge is to be prepared to meet together as Church members and so enthuse each other that o u r S e r v i c e s w i l l n o t s e e m a s impoverished as they sometimes are nowadays and so that we are all true witnesses to the message of the Gospel of Christ which we want to share – but

in an attractive and non-threatening way . The Churches wi th smal l congregations (sometimes they have become non-v i ab l e ! ) need t o be prepared to t rave l to o ther loca l Churches more often and to host those coming to the i r Church . Those Churches with ‘healthy’ congregations are going to have to face up to the needs of their neighbours and welcome them in and provide mission.

All of us need to make it clear that Christianity is not stupid or threatening – that it is essentially a message of love that provides the strength to make more of sometimes very difficult l ives. Also, we need to be more generous and to recognise that there are different ways of presenting the same message.

The joy and communi ty spi r i t of Downham Market Christian Fellowship really grabs some people and they find Jesus. The softer, more contemplative, worship of the local Methodist or A n g l i c a n C h u r c h m a y b e m o r e acceptable to many. Moreover, very tradit ional and formal worship is available in several local Anglican and Catholic Churches. The underlying message is the same. For those who want their Churches to continue to occupy a central place in village life and to be there for the Rites of Passage services of baptism, marriage and funeral, it is necessary that however boring or irrelevant the life of their Church may seem to be, that they come forward and help to re-invigorate and enliven that life. In the process, we would hope tha t many would re-discover or renew their faith – or even discover it for the first time. Even if not, the social fabric of the village will be maintained and enhanced.

Ian MacLeod