in digital & online at www.thebrecklandview.com Issue Number 220 - March 2015

When President Brenda Davis suggested to the ladies of Watton Inner Wheel that, during her year of office, fund-raising efforts might be directed chiefly towards

the purchase of a defibrillator to be situated in the High Street, members agreed, but felt understandably daunted by the task ahead. Committee member Jane Brodie carried out a considerable amount of research regarding the equipment, and then applied to the Wayland Show in the hope of obtaining

a modest grant to kick-start the appeal. Imagine the ladies’ delight when they heard that the Club had been awarded a whopping £1000 towards the cost of providing this life-saving equipment. On February 13th President Brenda, along with some Club members and others involved, was delighted to receive the

cheque – large in more ways than one! -

from Show Secretary, Claire Bowes. The Wayland Show, one of the oldest agricultural shows in the country, is always a highlight of the year in this area

and it is wonderful that, in addition to providing a top class day out at the Show itself, the organisers are keen to use their profits to support local clubs, organisations and such as projects such as this. And the good news doesn’t end there! Next it became apparent that the East

Anglian Ambulance Trust is currently donating the actual defibrillator machines to various locations in the area and Watton was eligible to receive one. As the initiators of the Project, Inner Wheel had to provide the casing, find a site for the equipment and undertake to maintain it. Local

businessman Paul Adcock readily

agreed to the defibrillator being fixed to the wall of the his shop and Wayland First Responders routinely check the equipment on a monthly

basis. On March 24th in the Watton Christian Community Centre, the Inner Wheel will be hosting a Training Day when a representative from the Heartbeat Trust will be on hand to teach people how to use the defibrillator. This event will take place between 10 am and 4pm and

it is open to everyone but the organisers are particularly keen to attract people from the businesses, clubs and organisations in the town. The Defibrillator Project certainly illustrates the maxim that ‘generosity breeds generosity’ so thanks are due to everyone who has supported the Inner

Wheel in this initiative.

Heart-warming support for Inner Wheel Defibrillator Project

Inner Wheel President, Brenda Davis (left) receives the cheque for £1000 from Wayland Show Secretary Claire Bowes

New Online Group for Jobs in Wayland The Wayland Partnership has launched a new group on Facebook to help people find

jobs in the Wayland area. The Jobs in Wayland group, which is based on a similar very successful group set up in Thetford by Cllr Mark Robertson, aims to provide local employers with a place that they can go to post jobs

for free and jobseekers with a central point to search for jobs. “It’s a very simple idea”, says Suzanne Rhind who is managing the scheme and Chair of Trustees Jan Godfrey added “We want to be able to help businesses save money

whilst helping people find their first job, get back into work after a break, take a step up the career ladder or perhaps have a change of career completely”. This scheme can be accessed via Facebook where you just need to search

for ‘Jobs in Wayland’, request to join and we will add you into the group, from which you will be able to see and create new posts. If you would like to find out more about this scheme, or if you are an employer who wishes to advertise a vacancy

please contact Suzanne on 880204 or email Suzanne@wayland.org.uk

COFFEE MORNING

on Saturday March 28th at Watton Christian Community Centre 10am to 12 Noon

hosted by Watton Evening WI Come and enjoy delicious

homemade cakes and friendly chat. All very welcome

Charity Reg. No.1017199

From the Editor: My apologies if you find this month’s paper ‘cluttered’. Many people have much to say this month - but not enough

to fill 16 pages! Consequently I have tried to include as much as I possibly can, at the expense of pictures and layout. Sorry!

The Wayland News Page 2 March 2015

At the end of October last year, Watton lost one of its most endearing and popular ‘incomers’ when John Leslie Garratt died. For over five years he had fought the relentless advance of Motor Neurone Disease

with fortitude and almost irrepressible good humour and all who knew him were constantly inspired and humbled by his courage. John and June were members of Watton Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs and also stalwarts of the ever-popular local group ‘The West End

Waiters’ and it is these organisations who, with other friends, are planning a Memorial Concert in Queens Hall at 2:30pm on Sunday 26th April.

This is intended to be a joyful celebration of the life of a man who spread joy and happiness, laughter and fun wherever he went. The programme will include songs, music, monologues, comedy and tea

and cake – all things dear to John’s heart and the money raised will be added to the John Garratt Tribute Fund for Research into MND. Others taking part along with the West End Waiters, will be the very talented Susie Turner and Annette Jude, well known all over the county for their

presentations of music and songs, local writer and dramatist Richard Crawley and professional producer and director Karen Stuart. What a

line up! Its going to be a wonderful afternoon. It is entirely appropriate that such an event should take place in memory of John: and in Queens Hall at that. A Yorkshireman by birth, John

moved to Watton 16 years ago with June his wife, and they began at once to take their adoptive home town to their hearts. They quickly became involved in organisations within the town, most notably the Watton Festival, the Wayland Players, the Watton Society and

Queens Hall. Everywhere, John’s expertise and craftsmanship has left its mark but nowhere more so than at Queens Hall where he became very

involved with the renovation, redecoration and general upkeep of a Hall which is now, in quality and appearance, second to none in the

market towns of Norfolk and beyond. As a member of the Wayland Players John was as at home behind the scenes wielding a hammer and paint pot constructing scenery, as he was when treading the boards. His natural love of people also made him excellent as ‘Front of

House’. Fans of the Festival Old Time Music Hall productions will remember John’s iconic Flanagan and Allen Duets with Derek Smith and also his Stanley Holloway monologues, especially ‘The Lion and Albert’. With Susie, Annette, Richard and Karen, June and John

presented whole entertainment programmes ‘The Music of Ivor Novello’ and ‘Ladies of Legend’ : these were enjoyed at the Festival and in towns and villages all over Norfolk. Without doubt some of John’s most memorable appearances were as a member of

the West End Waiters where he was a valued and much loved member of the troupe: always cheerful, always cheeky and always the consummate professional. So, readers of the Wayland news, you are invited to be part of this very special event. Please book the

date, look out for the posters and buy your tickets for a memorable, poignant, yet joyful occasion in memory of someone who gave this town and its people, so very much. Tickets soon to become available from Mullengers price £6 including tea and cakes served in the interval

by Rotary and Inner Wheel members. There will also be a Raffle with some exciting prizes. We look forward to seeing you there.

For the Joy of John

John Garratt (in wheelchair) and the West End Waiters with June Garratt and Brenda Davis (back row left and right)

Award-winning businesswoman, Karen Finch is bucking the current business trend by expanding her business and has

opened a brand new centre in Watton. Karen who owns The Hearing Care Centre and has 20 centres across Suffolk and Norfolk, opened the new private hearing care facility within the already established Cecil Amey

Opticians Watton practice. Karen set up her independent hearing care practice in 1998 and opened her first centre in Ipswich, the following year. In what she describes as a seventeen-year rollercoaster ride, she has gone from having one secretary

to help her with the admin to managing a team of 17 including six other registered hearing aid dispensers.

One in six people in the UK suffer from hearing loss and Karen believes that the number of people who have hearing loss will only rise as noise pollution increases and people live longer. "This will more than likely become one of the biggest health

issues of modern times". Karen continued, "Millions of people who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid are reluctant to do so. People who take action, have a hearing test and go on to improve their lives with the use of hearing aids, not

only benefit themselves, but also their family, friends and colleagues.” Karen was kindly invited by the

team at Cecil Amey Opticians to open the new facility after other successful openings at the company’s other Norfolk practices. “They have made us feel so welcome. We could not wish to work in a friendlier centre than this”.

“Our whole business is built around offering our patients the very best hearing care service, whilst providing it to them locally so they don’t have to travel far. By opening here in Watton this will only help improve this.”

New Hearing Care Service Opened in Watton

Dance-Away supports the new Watton Dementia Cafe Dance-Away is organised by a committee of volunteers who hold monthly dances at the Queens Hall

in Watton. The members are keen to support local groups, and are pleased to announce that a donation of £100 has been given to the group who are responsible for the opening of a Dementia Cafe in the town. The Wayland Dementia Cafe will

open on Tuesday 4th March, at The Christian Community Centre. The Dance-Away committee wish them every success in providing this new facility for the town of Watton.

March 2015 The Wayland News Page 3

EASTER CASH BINGO Tuesday 31st March at Wells Cole CC, Saham

Doors Open 6.30 Eyes Down 7.30pm Raffle - All welcome

Councillors Chat With Cllr Michael Wassell Planning: Many of you have commented to me

about the increased number of planning

applications for large developments that have

been presented to Breckland Council recently.

This is happening not just in Watton but

throughout the district and indeed nationwide. I

have seen and heard many incorrect comments

about Breckland just waving through planning

applications to suit the developer’s requirements.

This is simply not true, many applications are

refused. It is true of course that some of those

that are refused subsequently get passed by the

Independent Planning Inspector. I would like to

give some background to planning, but first some

history;

Government changes to planning guidance made

in 2012 to try to boost the delivery of housing are

unfortunately proving to impact on the powers of

many local councils to refuse applications for

new large housing development outside

settlement boundaries.

Breckland's Core Strategy 2001- 2026 for

sustainable growth was adopted in 2009 and set a

target for new housing over a 25 year period. The

Strategy was prepared in accordance with

government guidance and the housing target set

was achievable given market conditions at the

time.

However, in March 2012, a significant change to

planning guidance was made by government

with the introduction of the National Planning

Policy Framework. This placed a new emphasis

on the requirement for councils to demonstrate

that a certain number of homes would be built by

developers over a rolling five year period – this is

what is meant by the ‘5 year land housing

supply’. It also anticipates that it can be delivered

evenly over the life of the Core Strategy

For Breckland, and for many other authorities,

this simply is not possible as it is not something

they are able to influence. The number of houses

built within a five year period is determined by

the number of planning applications coming

forward from developers and, once planning

permission has been granted, how quickly those

developers complete these sites.

Following the economic slow down there has

been a significant drop-off in the number of

planning applications for housing coming

forward, and also in the housing that is

subsequently delivered after planning permission

is granted. This is one of the main reasons that

Breckland, like many other authorities, is not

able to deliver the number of houses required by

central government over the next 5 years (i.e. the

‘5 year land housing supply’).

Another consequence of the 2012 change is what

is called a 'presumption in favour of sustainable

development' This is guidance which is again

specifically designed to ensure that required

housing is delivered, however the unfortunate

result, and what we are now seeing, is that as the

housing market picks up more developers are

able to take advantage of what has in effect

turned into a 'loophole'. Some of these

companies are unfortunately purely speculative

and with no previous connection to the local area

and are submitting large applications on the

edges of towns outside settlement boundaries.

This has happened not only in Watton but

Mattishall, Swaffham and Attleborough. The

Mattishall application was recently refused by

Breckland Council's planning committee. The

Committee is made up of members of the council

representing different wards across Breckland

and is politically balanced. All major

applications are heard by the Committee and all

meetings are public with the opportunity for

participation from objectors and supporters alike.

I know that all planning committee members are

dedicated to ensuring that we see the right

housing in the appropriate place across our

communities.

So what are Breckland Council doing to address

the problem? Well Breckland is the only Norfolk

council taking a proactive approach to addressing

this problem by working on developing a new

Local Plan with an ambitious timetable for

adoption. However, this is a long process

prescribed by government that cannot be

shortened. The first stage, the ‘Issues and

Options’ consultation ended on 9 January this

year, I hope that you all took the opportunity to

comment, however, there are many more stages

to be completed before the new Local Plan is

adopted, which is likely to be towards the end of

2016. There will be further consultations which

we all need to contribute to. Each of the three

District Councillors that represent Watton have

successfully represented our residents views on

planning application hearings at the Planning

Committee; we work together on this, ensuring

that the residents views, whether in support or

opposition are accurately represented. I think

that we have been successful more times that we

have failed. Today, as I write, along with the

other District Councillors I successfully opposed

a local planning application for 54 more

dwellings here in Watton. Anyone who tells you

that they will stop all development in Watton, or

indeed anywhere in Breckland, is frankly being

untruthful, they will be unable to do so. The

reality is, I am afraid, that more houses are

needed across the nation to satisfy the needs of a

growing population. Naturally there will be a

requirement for additional properties in rural

areas like Breckland, but they must be of the

right type and in the right place and on smaller

developments that do not overwhelm the locality.

This is what your Breckland Councillors are

striving to achieve, and I am working with our

Local MP and Local Government Ministers to

try and ensure that the implementation of the

planning regulations does not unfairly impact on

Breckland. As I write Watton Town Council

are arranging a public meeting on the 10th

March at 7pm in the Queens Hall to allow

Watton residents to air their concerns on

planning and I would encourage all concerned

Watton residents to attend.

Council Tax and Corporate Plan

Readers will be aware of the continuing

reduction in central Government funding, for all

aspects of public services. For many councils

this has meant a lessening of the services that

they are able to provide, or a requirement to

increase the council tax that they charge to their

residents, or indeed both. Many councils will

also have increasing levels of debt, and a far from

balanced budget. However I am pleased to say

that Breckland Council has no debt and intends

to present a balanced budget for 2015-16 and for

the following years, up to 2019. We are doing

this with no reliance on reserves, in other words

we will not be using our reserves to prop up our

finances and despite continued cuts in

Government Grants. Breckland are also going to

freeze council tax for 2015-16. Readers should

be aware that the council tax bill that they pay is

comprised of 4 elements from 4 separate

authorities. Each authority charges a different

amount so as an indication for each pound of

council tax that is paid the breakdown is as

follows: Norfolk County Council 77p, Norfolk

Police 13p, Breckland District Council 5p, Parish

Council 5p (this is an average and this amount

will vary by parish)

So although Breckland is the collection authority,

and therefore their name appears on the bill, in

many cases we take the least amount of any

billing authority. Breckland have a determined

focus on driving costs down and a commitment

to provide you with value for money and

maintain essential local services, many of which

are free to the end user, for example, and

uniquely in Norfolk, car parking.

Keeping your Council Tax low is important but

is just one part of what we should be doing for

you and all residents. Building Breckland as a

place of opportunity and ambition requires

sustained effort to attract growth, regeneration,

housing (of the right type and in the right place)

and new jobs for all Breckland communities.

Breckland Council’s Corporate Plan sets out how

we will work with partners and the community to

ensure that Breckland continues to be a place

where people choose to live, work and visit. The

Council is recognised as a forward-thinking and

commercial organisation. We will continue to

strive for excellence and ensure that we make the

most of opportunities for both residents and

businesses. We are currently developing the

Corporate Plan for 2015 – 2019 and it is

underpinned by four priorities which will be

delivered through the actions outlined in the plan

and will guide the work of Breckland’s elected

members and staff over the next four years.

Those four priorities are:

Supporting Breckland to develop and thrive

Providing the right services, at the right time

and in the right way

Developing the local economy to be vibrant

with continued growth

Enabling stronger, more independent

communities

The corporate plan has gone through a period of

consultation, and we are now finalising it, before

it is debated and approved by members with any

suggested and agreed amendments. The

corporate plan is a translation of political

ambitions into practical service solutions and

delivery – this is the vision of the current

Conservative controlling group at Breckland

Council. The final document will be available on

the Council’s Website and if anyone would like

an electronic copy please contact me.

I send regular updates, via email, on Breckland

and other local and national issues, including a

plain English Guide on planning to residents who

have expressed an interest in receiving these. If

you would like to be added to the distribution list

for these updates please contact me. I will of

course keep your contact details confidential.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel I can

be of assistance on any of the above issues or indeed

on any Breckland Council matter, I look forward to

seeing as many of you as possible at the public

meeting on the 10th March. My contact details:

Email michael.wassell@breckland.gov.uk

Phone: 07778 491569

Regards to all Michael Wassell

Looking for relatives of Vera Nichols born in Watton in 1884 ED: I have been contacted by descendants of

Vera NICHOLS who was born in Watton on

7th April 1884 and married Leon HAMOIR in

Chelsea on March 9th 1918.

The family, who are in Belgium, would really

like to contact any English cousins they may

have.

If you can help with any information please

contact the Editor on 01953 858 908 or email

julian@waylandnews.com

Project Linus update The work of this project flourishes. In 2014 335

quilts were received and 331 distributed. The

work has continued into 2015 with 96 quilts

going out in January.

On Monday 9th February a successful day’s

workshop took place. New quilts were begun,

others continued and several taken home by

participants for completion. As usual quilts were

taken home by the participants to complete.

Our main fund raising and showcase event this

year will take the form of a coffee morning on

the 18th March from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at

Watton Christian Community Centre. In

addition to attractions such as refreshments with

delicious home made cakes there will be

tombola ; a sales table; trade stands and an

opportunity to find out more about Project Linus

Norfolk and the quilts we make for sick and

traumatised children in Norfolk up to the age of

19. Do come along and see us.

Once again we are organising a coach trip to the

Fabric Guild in Leicester for anyone interested in

the purchase of economically priced quality

fabrics and other needlecraft requisites. It will be

on the18th September and the cost will be £17.00

payable on booking. For details and booking

contact Pat on 01953 882966 or email

patriciaphillips34@gmail.com.

For further details about Project Linus Norfolk

ring Jane on 01953 884215 or email

plnorfolk@yahoo.co.uk Details of events can be

found at htsqgroup.blogspot.com

Watton Country Market After relatively benign January weather, it

was a bit of a shock to the system that our first

market of 2015 coincided with some freezing

conditions with icy pavements and a biting

wind. Thankfully you, our customers, are a

hardy bunch and we were delighted to see so

many people come in to the Christian

Community Centre and we were soon back in

full swing.

As ever we had a splendid range of homemade

craft items for sale, including knitwear (for

both adults and children of all ages), greetings

cards and handicrafts. After last months move

into the adjacent coffee room, the free range

eggs were back with us and our cooks as usual

had a sought after selection of both savoury

and sweet products. Dont forget that orders

for any regular items (or one off commissions)

can always be taken.

As yet we do not have any fresh produce

available, but rest assured that our gardeners

are champing at the bit to get the new season

underway. Seed sowing will soon begin and

annual and perennial plants should soon

become available as the days lengthen and (we

hope!) the weather improves. We look forward

to seeing you at the above venue from 8.30

until 11.30am every Wednesday morning.

The Wayland News Page 4 March 2015

Dance Away at the Queens Hall Ballroom, Latin and Sequence dancing at the Queen's Hall,

March 7th, 8pm to 11pm Admission £4

Letters to the Editor Thank You We would like say a big thank you to all those who kindly helped when my husband had a blackout in the High St last month. Thanks to all he is well on the mend. Beryl & Ivor

Church forced to lock Car Park

We at St Mary's Church, Watton have been plagued with people abusing the church car park and green for many years but late on Wednesday evening the vandals excelled themselves, they have used our car park and field as a rally track, they have torn up the surface of the car park and also left

deep ruts in the field. The noise of their engines caused distress to our neighbours and it continued until after 10pm. It is with deep regret that the Church Council believe that the time has come when we must lock the entrance gate when the Church is unattended.

This is especially sad because we know that people have used the car park when visiting the cemetery, or even to have a picnic while enjoying the view. We apologise to anyone who is inconvenienced by this. Robert Hardy Churchwarden

Damage to St Mary's Car Park I wish to bring to the attention of the residents of Watton the dreadful vandalism which has taken place on St Mary’s Church car park. I arrived there on Thursday morning to find the whole car park and adjoining field had been used overnight as a car race track, making deep ruts on the hard

standing and deep trenches on the grass. I wonder if the people responsible for this realise that the car park is privately owned by the church and that they are committing a crime not only of vandalism but also of trespass. This car park was built some 15 years

ago, not only to be an asset for the church but to aid people who visit the Town Cemetery. It has always suffered some abuse through people leaving litter and occasionally being used as a race circuit; but the damage caused by this last event would take much investment to remedy.

I wonder if one day some of these vandals will find themselves needing to use the car park when attending perhaps a wedding or funeral at the church and what they will think when they see the state it is in? Name and address supplied

Watton Army Cadet Force

(Household Calvary Regiment)

A little known fact about today’s

young people We often hear about the bad side of the youth of today, but here is the opposite. The cadets of the above Troop decided to give something back to the community. Last November members of the Troop started

collecting non perishable food items, they collected enough to make up twenty food parcels for distribution to some of the old and needy members of the community in time for Christmas. A lot of thought had gone into the selection of the tins and other items, the packaging of the parcels

was also very attractive Councillor Michael Wassell, Miss Hilary Athey and Mr Ron Wheeler attended the Cadet Awards Evening, where the cadets presented the parcels to the two members of the Royal British Legion for distribution. On behalf of the recipients and the

Royal British Legion may I say a big thank you to all the cadets and other members who were involved with the parcels Watton Troop keep up the

good work you are a credit to the community. Ron Wheeler Royal British Legion member

Planning: Infrastructure

deficiencies – whose problem? It was a welcome sight to read elsewhere a report, headed by a photo

of a beaming Town Mayor, of a meeting of our Town Council, which, attended by about twenty objectors, discussed and decided rightly to lodge objections to proposals for another 111 dwellings to add to the town`s problems. Yes welcome it was but it is important

to keep in mind the affect upon everyone not just the immediate neighbours of specific proposals. Councillor Rogers is quoted as saying- "The inspectorate doesn t̀ deal with bits like schools and surgeries". What an understatement! The problem surely is that no one "deals with"

these and other "bits". Whatever they may say Councillors at Town, District and County level, of Cllr. Rogers ̀ political leaning, and indeed the local M.P. are all well aware that their chums at Westminster have ensured that, regardless of the impact on local residents (voters) and services, planning rules favour the

developer. The dice are heavily loaded in their favour to have their way upon appeal even if approval has been earlier refused. In the end the only smiles will be on the face of the developers. Apart from these politicians, are there any who would disagree that, bearing

in mind the existing inadequacy, full and proper provision for supporting infrastructure, health, school, places, roads and transport, youth and leisure facilities, open spaces and consideration for wild life must be an essential part, indeed a prerequisite of housing development? Without this,

refusal should be certain and final. The problem needs public reaction on a large scale to bring home to politicians of all levels the simple fact that we`ve had more than enough of unrestrained, government driven, over development, whatever the perceived need for more housing, without full

and proper provision of essential infrastructure and full consideration of local opinion. Only if these worries are driven home effectively can quality of life once more become a reality, with smiles all round. Keith Taylor, Watton.

Development in Watton Everyone talks about the current

housing development and those sites under consideration in Watton and the surrounding villages but how many are actually taking some positive action. Our town is being destroyed before our eyes and its infrastructure eroded by each new house built.

We do not have many weapons in our armoury to fight off the developers but we still have the power of the pen. The population of Mattishal attacked with their pens and showed their feelings by attending every local meeting about local planning matters and by sheer weight of numbers have

recently won a decisive victory. So Watton write to the Local Council, the Chief Planning Officer at Breckland Council, the Local Newspapers, and of course your Member of Parliament George Freeman (especially in this election year). The more letters the better.

Ron Upton Watton

Planning: Copied response to

Mallard Road consultation Thank you for your letter outlining

your proposed planning application for the 3 fields adjoining this estate. Watton is a small market town with a population in the region of 7,500. It is regarded as one of the most densely populated areas in Breckland per square mile. The Mallard Road estate consists

mainly of bungalows that were sold specifically to retired people. many of whom still occupy their properties. The estate is quiet with very little traffic around it. Your proposal envisages 177 dwellings all of which could have at least one car that will be forced to use

Mallard Road for access. The increased noise and pollution will be seriously detrimental to the environment. You indicate you intend to build 2/3 story one bedroom apartment blocks on the boundary between the existing estate and your new one. So after

nearly 20 years of looking out over open fields the owners of those bungalows on the boundary will be forced to look out on your blocks, some 26 in number. They obviously now have little chance of selling their properties at a true market price because of your planning blight. The proceeds of such

sales would have financed their declining years in sheltered accommodation or their nursing home fees. There are already 4 current building sites in the Town with a further 2 having recently been rejected by the Town Council and yours will be yet

another one. The town lacks adequate medical facilities, job prospects are poor, there are few shops, sewage disposal and water supplies are barely adequate for the current population. When the Mallard Road Estate was built it created flooding problems for lower

down the Richmond Road. This flooding still occurs at times of heavy rain leading to the blocking of the Richmond Road down by the stream. I am of the opinion that your scheme should be rejected totally in its present form especially the high rise blocks. R Challand, Watton

RE : Development of 80 new houses

on the old Officers Mess Site south

of Norwich Road, Watton From The "Watton on the Radar" Committee

The problems which will arise from this development are many and diverse: There are already 200+ houses for

sale in and around the Watton area, without considering the abundance of new builds already approved and being built. Where are the occupants of these houses going to work as there are are not that many opportunities for work in this area? With the financial issues the developers will experience

with the difficult sale of all these houses, will we see a good proportion of them being turned into social housing? The existing sewerage system will be unable to cope with the additional surplus, many people in this area are already experiencing serious issues

with blocked sewers at regular intervals. Existing residents are also having problems with the water pressure in their houses which is often falling below 1 bar. The Watton doctors' surgery is already overcharged with patients and it had to reallocate more than a

thousand of their patients just recently in order to be able to cope with the numbers and requests. These people had been going to this surgery for

years and had to start anew somewhere else. This said, it still takes hours before one can finally get through and speak to the reception and it takes two weeks average to be able to book an appointment with the GP. The schools in the area are packed full

and with the new developments approved and under way there will be a substantial increase in the number of new students coming in, which will only affect the standards of attention and teaching with the number of pupils going up per classroom and per school.

This development proposes to build onto the areas just in front of the existing dwellings in Portal Avenue and Trenchard Crescent, off the Norwich Road where beautiful stretches of green lawns and established trees are currently present and represent one of the charming

sights of the town. One of the main areas selected for the development is also a favoured dog walking place and it will be ruined by all the new buildings and by the project of having a road running right across it! The project also proposes the need to cut down 17 trees around the site. These trees are not only protected by a

Tree Preservation Order but also host, together with the surrounding hedges, other trees and heathland, an abundance of wildlife such as hedgehogs, wild rabbits, muntjac deer, woodpeckers, owls, kingfishers, nightjars and bats, confirming that a wonderful ecosystem is already well

in place, appreciated by all the community, which needs to be preserved, not destroyed! As residents of Watton we are not against improvements being made in the area 'per se' but we feel that the best interests of the town and of its residents should be heard and taken

into account, as the main desire of us all is to live in a pleasant and graceful environment.

Dance-Away supporting the new

Watton Dementia Cafe Dance-Away is organised by a committee of volunteers who hold monthly dances at the Queens Hall in Watton. The members are keen to support

local groups, and are pleased to announce that a donation of £100 has been given to the group who are responsible for the opening of a Dementia Cafe in the town. The Wayland Dementia Cafe will open on Tuesday 4th March, at The Christian Community Centre. The Dance-Away committee wish

them every success in providing this new facility for the town of Watton.

West Norfolk Aviation Society

The West Norfolk Aviation Society

held their AGM on 3rd February and because of the lack of time and resources a follow-up AGM is to be scheduled for the March meeting. This will be followed by a film show. For further information about previous and forthcoming events please go to the society website at:

westnorfolkaviationsociety.org.uk

March 2015 The Wayland News Page 5

Watton Community Calendar aids children

Mark Bunning of Mark Bunning Photography was delight t̀ed to hand over a cheque for £150.00 recently, raised from sales of a

calendar he produced. The calendar focuses on the Watton area and includes images of the beautiful Wayland Wood and Loch Neaton as well as the traditional weekly market and Watton Carnival. The calendars are receiving great

interest in the community and have even travelled as far as Australia and Canada. Mark commented “I had great fun putting the calendar together. It is a calendar for the local community, for a local charity. The support EACH gives to Norfolk families is

fantastic and I am delighted to offer my support to them”. EACH runs three hospices, including Quidenham in Norfolk, providing care and support to local

life-threatened children and their families. EACH have also launched an appeal to raise £10 million to build

a new children’s hospice the nook in the heart of Norfolk. Laura Carver, EACH Norfolk Fundraiser, said “We’re delighted to be benefitting from Mark Bunning Photography’s support and the calendar Mark has compiled of his images is stunning.

We receive a fantastic amount of support from individuals, families and community groups as well as businesses across Norfolk and we are so grateful to all for their support’’. The last few calendars are still available, at a reduced price of

£3.99 from various outlets in Watton- Edwards Newsagents, Mark Bunning Photography and the Dragonfly Gallery.

Diabetes UK Oyez, Oyez, Oyez! At our February meeting we were wonderfully entertained by Mike Wabe the

Thetford & Brandon Town Crier. Mike is an old friend of the group and has benn to visit us many times in several different guises, but I think that the group will agree that this visit was his best so far. He went from when the town criers came to be right up to the present

day and what his duties involve. Mike is a very entertaining speaker and his talk was peppered with laughs, anecdotes and information about town criers in general. He was warmly thanked and we will be asking him back again for another of his famous talks.

Our meeting in March will be slightly shorter than normal because it is our Annual Lunch date and we will only be running the group until 11.45am. But we will still welcome any new people that would like to come and meet our members and have a chat. There is always tea, coffee and biscuits available!! The

date is March 9th, 10.15am at the Pentecostal Church Watton, whom we thank for the generous use of their facilities. If you have any questions about the group, please phone 01953 884713 and leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Or you can email Helen at rjwhrt56@btinternet.com

Dereham indoor Bowls Club

Dereham indoor bowls club had their open day on Sunday 1st Feb

and attracted 17 prospective new members. Radio Norfolk's Sophie Little made a visit for the radios programme treasure quest.she also had a go at bowling before interviewing Chairman Arthur Mobbs. The club will be having their next

coaching sessions on Thursday 26th February from 4.30 til 6. And for the following 9 weeks. All welcome just turn up. Equipment supplied. Terry Hunt, Senior Coach 01760 440563.

Wayland Academy Supporting Break

At Wayland Academy Norfolk we aim to raise money for

various charities and this year we are focusing on the Norfolk charity Break. Break also run a Wild in Art event, GoGoDragons, an interactive arts sculpture trail bringing around 80 large painted sculptures and up to 100 mini school dragons to the

streets of Norwich during 2015. Each of the Dragons is sponsored by a local business, group or trust. Wayland Academy is one of the sponsors and we are very proud to know that when the sculptures are auctioned off on 1st October the

money will go to fund the Norfolk charity Break who support vulnerable children, young people and families in East Anglia.

The sculptures will be at various locations around Norwich on 21st June-5th September, with a last chance to see them at The Forum 27-30th September before they go to auction. To help support and raise money

for this event, Wayland Academy is holding 3 Spring Car Boot Sales, which will be held in the Main Hall and Dining Hall on Saturday 14th March, 25th April and 16th May. Refreshments will be available; tea, coffee, squash, bacon butties

and biscuits. Please support us by booking a pitch for £6 (including school table) Contact Wayland Academy Norfolk reception on 01953881514 or email: mashby@waylandacademy.org.uk

A Close Harmony evening for St Andrews Church, Bradenham

The Friends of St Andrews Church invite you to join them, on Saturday 18th April 2015, for

a lively foot tapping evening in Bradenham Village Hall with Jill Dobbs (a former Bradenham girl whom many of you will know well) and her Close Harmony group of singers who perform popular music mainly from the 30’s and 40’s with the

authentic sound of the ‘Swing’ era. From Ragtime to Romance and Boogie to Blues, you will be in for a real treat. The entertainment starts at 7.30pm with tickets costing £8 per head; included will be light refreshments and a glass of wine.

Tickets are available from Marianne Kilmartin (01362 820744) and Lavinia Rix (01362 820349).

Furthermore, we are holding a Plant Sale on Saturday 2nd May 2015 in Bradenham Village Hall. Get ready for summer by coming along to buy your summer bedding, hanging baskets and some vegetable plants. If you have anything in particular

you would like to buy then please do not hesitate to contact Marianne Kilmartin (01362 820744) and every effort will be made to fill your requirement. Other News: Our Christmas quiz was a big success and the winner was Mrs

Belinda Ashman. Well done and a big thanks to all those who took part. Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday 1st April 2015 at 7.30pm in Bradenham Village Hall. If you have any queries or questions regarding any of the

events then please do not hesitate to contact Belinda Ashman (01362 821442) or Lavinia Rix (01362 820349)

The Wayland News Page 6 March 2015

George Freeman MP at Breakfast

The Wayland Farmhouse Breakfast took place at Broom Hall Country Hotel on Friday 30th January as part of the national Farmhouse Breakfast week.

As the event was promoted jointly this year by the Partnership and the Wayland Chamber of Commerce, the theme of the event was ‘The Business of Farming’ but as always over the past 15 years we were celebrating local food, local farming and local tourism. The 55 guests, representing a wide range of business sectors enjoyed a delicious locally sourced

breakfast followed by two fascinating presentations by Sarah Simonds of Scotts Field Pork and Ed Buscall of Carbrooke Hall Estate, showing modern farming from two different perspectives. Mid-Norfolk MP George Freeman concluded the presentations by stressing the importance and value of the rural economy, the potential for development through improved, technology and access but acknowledged that some rural areas such as

Wayland need to fight for recognition and need the support of organisations such as the Wayland Chamber and the Wayland Partnership to do so. After the breakfast Mr Freeman said: “Having grown up on a family farm,

worked for the NFU and on Rural policy and long campaigned for a much better recognition from

Government of the importance of the Rural Economy, it has been a great privilege over the last five years to champion the great work of our agricultural industry in Norfolk.

“That’s why I was delighted to see a packed room recently at Broom Hall as part of Farming Week recently, where I spoke about the future of farming in Wayland and across the country. “Having served as the Chairman of the All Party Group on Agricultural Science and

Technology in Parliament, I was honoured to be able to persuade the Government to launch a national Industrial Strategy for Agricultural Innovation – the first time for 40 years that

Agriculture has been recognised as a major strategic ECONOMIC force in the UK. “The meeting at Broom Hall emphasised the important role farming plays in our local economy and the pioneering work being done here in Norfolk and the Eastern region.”

Michael Wassell, George Freeman, Sarah Simonds, Ed Buscall and Paul Adcock with Jan Godfrey

BARGAIN BASEMENT Apply Ken Knowles

WHEELBARROW FOR SALE. One careful owner. Requires wheel. £10.

BICYCLE CLIPS. Matching

pair. Blue. Useful for keeping trousers out of Chain. Right or Left leg. 50p.

TENNIS RACQUETS Forehand £25. Backhand £10..Second hand £5. One Owner. Highly strung. Also Valium Tablets £20.

BMW 303. 1994. PDC. R/L. RCL. W/W. SSS. ACS. ABS. ASR. A/B. CC. CD. DVD. A/W. £300. O.N.O.

SUFFER FROM BALDNESS ? Then try SPROUTO. Guaranteed to grow hair Anywhere, even on a billiard ball. Only £8.99 FOR SALE Two sets of

Hairy Billiard Balls. Offers invited.

BIRD TABLE and four chairs £25

GOLDFISH BOWL Slightly cracked. Also 2 dead goldfish £5

BATTERY HENS Rhode Island Reds. £20 each. Batteries not included.

SIAMESE TWINS £250 the pair, Will separate.

CURRANT BUNS, various. 2002 vintage. 2p each.

LUXURY YACHT. Only £450 for quick sail.

ROLLER SKATE (one only)

Suit person who stole the other one £5.

SIGNED PHOTO OF ELVIS PRESLEY (He was a famous

person) (Signed by Fred Smith) £10.

BOOK Over 400 pages. Last

20 missing. 75p.

HURRY WHILE STOCKS

LAST. AFTER THAT,

SLOW DOWN.

The Ovington Crower ED: I have been approached by an Ovington resident who has said they, and several others, have been offended by some of the content of Sid's

writings. The Crower is a sideways and sometimes satirical look at village life and will not please everyone. However it is not my, nor Sid's, intention to offend, and I would welcome comment, negative or positive, in confidence about Sid's musings to the contact details on the back page. If I determine that the views expressed to me are widely held I will consider the future

structure of this feature. Thank you. Hello tergither, howya gorn on? Orrite oi hoop. Me, well oim fare t’middlun, thank yew fer arskin moi ole bewties. Thas tunned cowld agin hentit, me an Horry sat in my ole shud totha day wi a bottle of suffin warm and we wos rekkunin thas toime fer a bitta snow, well goo ter hell iffen thet dint start a hossin

down, reel blizzard thet wor. Well we coont goo owt in thet so we hadta open anutha bottle, arta thet we dint care iffen thet snew orl nite, cos we hed an ole gas stove inna tha back so we wos warm inside an owt. The din’t last tew long tho’ and we wos sune back indors hevin a bitta cearke wot my missus hed jist took owta tha ovin, she mobbed cos thet

ware spoosed ter be fer ole Mrs P’s birthday party wot tha yung mawthas was plannin as a sprise, cos shees knockin on a bit now an doon’t git owt much. Horry rekuns she’s ony a gel yit, well moost onus are goonta hev tew live a rare lotta years ter ketch up wi him. I hoop yew are orl gitten cited abowt tha ‘lections wos cumin up afore long, I see sum onnem uppa

tha Street hev got thar winders full bits a pearper tellin us orl wot a grate fewtcher we gonna hev if we vote fer Tom or Dick or Harry. Them ole poltishuns hev bin promising us orl sorts o wunders fer as long as I can ‘member, I’m still aweartin. I wunda iffen we shell git a new Parish Cowncil tha year, I mite teark the mickky owt onnum now an agin, but they hent a bad crowd, (tha ole

Chairwummen towld me ter say thet.) Took my missus tew Thetford tha otha day, cor hent thar a lotta new houses a gooin up alonga the rood owta Watton, we wos wundrin ware orl tha peeples are cumming from ter live innum. Hoop nunnonem git ill cos tha ole sargary is hevvin a bitta trubble gittin a docter or tew I hear. Norrige City hev started ter win a few o thare

gearms leartly, I thort thar wos fer the chop a wik or tew back, tha noo manger seem ter be lickin ‘em inta shearp.

Sum o’ tha lads say iffen tha git back in the premion leege thar’ll orl club tergitha an git a seezon ticket so’s a leest wunnonnem kin goo an watch a gearm moost weeks.

Horry excluded hisself from stumpin up, cos he dunt reckon thar’ll git up tha year. Tha ole Willage Horl people are putting on anutha o them concerts tha cumming Satdi, reckon me an tha missus will goo an hev a larf, cos thares goonta be a fare bitta grub an a bar with proppa beer. I’ll tell yew orl abowt it nex munth.

I hev heered a roomur thet Mc Donalds are thinkin abowt ‘plyin fer permisshun for wun o’ thar caff’s arownd tha willage, shell hefta kip an eye owt ter see iffen thas gooin ter cum ter pass. That’ll gi us sumware ter goo an hev a bitta grub on a Satdi, howsumeva they dunt searve beer dew tha? Wotch this spearce. Diddya git enny walentine cards tha year? I

haddta gi tha ole posty a hand on Satdi morning, he hadda a gret ole sackfull fer Horry. I thort thet wos a bit suspeck, so I went rownd his learta an moost onnem heed sent hisself, tha othas ware from yung mawthas from tha otha side of tha world, I fownd owt heed got his neffy ter goo on his ‘pewta and say Horry wos a rich yung fella who wos lookin fer a bitta cumpny, an heed sent

it orl oova tha plearce fer Horry. Duzzy ole fewl. I ran innta an ole pal Ernie tha otha day an I say ter him I say, “Is yar sista Mary still alive, bor?” (I was sweet on har) He say “ Far’s I know . . . she hent writ ter say no diffrunt” Dew yew kip a troshin. Boy Sid.

Nordic Walking Taster Session

If you love the outdoors, want to exercise with others, want some "me" time, or want to improve your general health, then Nordic Walking is for you. Put yourself in pole position, and reap the benefits of one of the fastest growing fitness activities in the world. Following a highly popular FREE taster

session in January, Breckland Nordic Walking is organising another on Saturday 7th March 9.30am - 12pm at Watton Sports Centre All equipment will be provided, all you need is to do is dress according to the weather Please contact to reserve your place and time slot 07989 071544 or email brecklandnorsicwalking@gmail.com

March 2015 The Wayland News Page 7

VACANCY Part time Taxi Driver AM/PM Five days a week

Contact Conrad on 07767431018

In your garden With Lotta Potts

So here it is! Got your starting blocks ready? To quote Tom Lehrer 'Spring is here, Spring is here/Life is skittles and life is beer' Spring is springing – it may already have sprung. There were lots of signs mid-February when snowdrops appeared almost over night, catkins emerged on the hazels, aconites peeping from beneath leaves, the first

primroses. Oh am I waxing lyrical? You bet! If you're one of those gardeners who can't bear the thought of gardening before Easter (you are not alone) break the habit of a lifetime and look out of the window as closely as you can at what is going on under your nose. Be brave – go outside. You might be surprised. Most patches will be in the

process of producing something new and fresh. However, this only applies if March lives up to its windy reputation, not if it's pouring out there. If it is, we can console ourselves with the fact that the water will be in the soil to help out later when we really have had enough of watering (second most boring job on earth, first being cutting grass).

Just the thought of grass, this month may make it quite possible to start mowing with the blades on their highest. If the weather is kind and dry, off you go for the rest of the season. If there's snow read seed catalogues, sort out the seeds you have that are bursting to be sown or sow some on a windowsill or in a propagator if you can get your hands on one.

These days propagators aren't the luxury they were in my young days. Thanks be for plastics. Don't go too mad, though as you finish up with lots of seedlings ready to be pricked out all at once and nowhere to put them, even if you have enough pots and trays. So, assuming the weather is kind, the soil dry

or dry-ish and can be walked on without clinging to the boots what's to be done? If the winter digging lagged behind then that can be finished. While the soil is still nice and fluffy give it a mulch of compost – the stuff left in grow-bags and pots from last year is fine. Otherwise use home-made compost, manure, mushroom compost or bark. The

mulch should be 5cm/2ins deep. Try not to bury plant labels. This is a good time to tidy the borders. Start at the back so you don't have to fork the soil over twice. Remove any weeds you find and loose debris such as twigs and leaves – beware there are possibly slugs and snails lurking. Trim back dead

stems so you can see how the plant is doing and the whole border will look a lot tidier. If there's time dig up and divide perennials that have grown too large or look a bit shabby in the centre. Once out of the ground split them into pieces, each having some root and a shoot or bud. Then replant the best bits, enriching the planting holes with well-rotted compost

as you go. If you have too many 'best bits', a friend will be glad of them and maybe you'll get a swap. Another bit of tidying that will look instantly good (not to mention safe) is to clear moss and weeds from paths, patios and drives. On gravel use an old hoe to get the weeds out then rake it over and top up the gravel if

necessary. On paving slabs dig out the weeds with an old knife – use a dinner knife, not a kitchen sharp one, or buy a proper weeding knife. If the gaps left are to be used for rock plants or small flowers put a little compost in but otherwise use a dry mortar mix (1 cement to 5 sand) then damp down lightly with a slow-running hose on a fine

spray. That should be labour saving for the future. OK now you've had enough tidying and it's a good time to plant pot-grown woody plants: trees, shrubs, climbers, hedges and roses. Bear in mind, too, that if you have bare-root plants that have been either 'heeled in' or kept carefully in their plastic bags due to adverse

weather, these can also be planted. Woody subjects such as modern bush roses, vigorous climbing roses, buddleja, dogwoods and willows that are grown for winter stems and

ornamental elders can all be pruned now and eucalyptus coppiced. Other roses, such as patio, ground cover varieties, other shrub varieties, and species types grown for their hips should be tidied up – only prune harder if they're out of the space allotted. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be moved now if they are reasonably small. Bigger ones need a

year's planning and preparation. This can be done when they are dormant. You then need to make them grow fibrous 'feeding' roots which obviously takes the time. Dig a trench a spade's width all round the shrub or tree as deep as the existing fibrous roots go then infill with compost, water well and apply a weak feed. This will encourage those roots.

Keep the trench well watered during the time until it's moved. At this point dig the new hole before moving the shrub then work some sheeting – hessian is perfect or plastic will do – under the rootball. Cut any tough anchor roots and wrap the rootball in the sheeting then run like mad to its new lodgings. It will need the sort of tlc you'd

give to a new planting. I just read one of my gardening books that recommends planting quite a lot and seed packets also indicate planting should start this month. Don't let them panic you into sowing seeds into soil that's not ready for them. They won't come up. Best to wait until conditions are right to sow outdoors or to sow indoors if you have a heated or frost-

free greenhouse or poly-tunnel. Outdoors you'll be dashing about with fleece at the first hint of frost. Ever tried to remove soaking fleece? The nicest parts of March are that the birds sing more of a morning and you can enjoy seeing more and more plants and bulbs starting and growing on a daily basis. You

don't have to enjoy all of them in your own garden, go and enjoy them in the neighbours' gardens or if you have a bus or train ride revel in looking over the fences! One of the real joys is Magnolia Stellata. This is the earliest Magnolia, is pretty much bomb-proof and is stunning with the starry white flowers covering a small shrub or tree. It's perfect for

the small garden. You can guess it's one of my favourites! So now all we can do is hope the month develops as it should, days lengthening, plants coming along, birds singing, clocks going forward at the end of it and... oh yes, the weeds. Keep at it!

Ashill and Holme Hale

Garden Club The party season concluded in January with a delicious lunch for 41 members and guests at the Windmill, Necton. The following week it was back to the

gardening at the start of another year as Bob Coutts, formerly Head Gardener at Somerleyton Hall, made a welcome return to talk about 'Making a Perennial Border' We were taken through the whole process from clearing perennial weeds to seeding, propagating, planting, staking and dividing, which should be done about

every 5 years. He illustrated his talk with many slides of suitable plants and ended with suggestions for a variety of suppliers, including Chiltern Seeds and Rougham Hall Nurseries near Bury. Future talks include: 26th March Simon White (Peter Beales Roses) 'Who dares prune? 23rd April Alan Gray 'East Ruston

Vicarage Garden' (All are welcome to this special event at 2:30pm in Holme Hale Pavilion. For non-members entry will be £3.00 to include light refreshments)

Help sow a new seed with someone If you are passionate about growing your

own food and you want to share your knowledge, then Breckland Master Gardener is for you. A well-established network of community volunteers, supported by Breckland Council and managed locally by Garden Organic, Master Gardener aims to get more people growing their own fruit and vegetables. Garden Organic has been working with

Breckland Council for the past 12 months and over 400 people are being supported to grow. These people are learning individually, with their families, with their class-mates and friends. With the approach of spring, they are buzzing with ideas for growing vegetables, such as black carrots, pink potatoes and yellow

cucumbers – a vast range of colour to add to the dinner plate.

Saham Toney Master Gardener Trevor (above) is supporting growing at the pre-

school and primary school at Ashill. Trevor spends every Wednesday morning during term time first at the pre-school and then moves up to the primary school. Master Gardener Philippa has been helping a local neighbour who had a desire to grow, but couldn’t see past the hurdle of where to start. Following a visit from Philippa, this new grower felt

much more confident. She said; “Thank you for coming around on Saturday and giving us the benefit of your experience. You’ve made life (and gardening) much easier by breaking things down into smaller tasks. We have been very busy today and are rather pleased with ourselves.”

Breckland Master Gardener is now recruiting across the District for new volunteers to join in our quest to help get more people growing. If you’ve got 2 or more years food growing experience, actively growing your own this year and enthusiasm to share your knowledge with new growers, then contact us now to

book your place on our Foundation training weekend on 28 & 29 March. Contact the local co-ordinator, Gabbie Joyce on 07584 583803 or email gjoyce@gardenorganic.org.uk or via website www.norfolk.mastergardeners.org.uk

Bradenham & District Horticultural Society

Spring Show A very welcome sign that winter is over is the occasion of the Society’s Spring Show. This year it takes place on Saturday 11 April at Bradenham Village Hall. Entries to

the shows are accepted from 11.00am and judging begins at 1.15pm. The Hall will re-open at 3.30pm when you are all welcome to come and view the exhibits which will range from beautiful spring flowers to delicious bread, cakes and preserves. If you become a member of the Society then who knows, this time next year we could be

admiring your entries and you could be the proud recipient of a prize or two! For more information about the Society and the Spring Show, please contact our Chairman, Marianne Kilmartin, on 01362 820744. Pamela J Walker, Publicity Officer

The Wayland News Page 8 March 2015

A Quick Look Round By ORBITER

Another month nearer to the General Election and things are beginning to get interesting. Who will be the next Prime Minister, Dave, Ed, Nick, or some other person whom we can call by an abbreviation of his first name ? For that is the fashion these days – respect seems to have gone out of the

window. Irrespective of how we used to refer to them privately, the press used to give our leaders their correct names such as John, Benjamin, Winston or Harold, and I can recall the formality that always obtained in pre-war days, when one famous head-line read ‘Mr. Chamberlain meets Herr Hitler’. Today

that would have been ‘Nev meets Adolf’. Of course the hardest part of voting is to decide who is most likely to defend our views when elected, which can be quite complicated since each party may have plans that in our minds may be self-conflicting. For instance, the one that

has promised a referendum on EU membership is also keen on the new HS2 railway to Birmingham. Furthermore if we elect a candidate who promises to respect our regional requirements, we have to hope that central government has the same views, which is rarely the case. But hey ho,

when have we ever had a really popular government ? Whoever gets in, perhaps we can hope that round pegs can be put in round holes, so that any future Minister of Transport will be someone who knows something about transport, and the Minister of Health has some medical knowledge, and so on, and that

such person will keep the job more than a few months, so that continuity can be maintained. Of course we know that the actual work is done by civil servants irrespective of which party is in power, but public confidence is always eroded by constant changes in the ones in charge. Locally we are faced with the prospect

of future transport difficulties by the proposal by Network Rail to close some or all of the many level-crossings that exist around the county, which they allege are dangerous, or cause trains to be late by the necessity to slow down, which is nonsense. Closures of these vital links would be disastrous, since in

many cases diversions of many miles would result, causing enormous inconvenience to hundreds of motorists and pedestrians, who are just as important as rail commuters and anyway are already the sufferers of any delays at crossings. Whoever heard of a train being held up, it is always the road

traffic that has to wait ? As usual the main topics in the local press and radio programmes concern health, education and housing. The latter is usually the subject of much controversy due to the chaotic rules that seem to govern the planning applications that seem to gain approval

in the face of considerable local opposition. Of course much of the adverse feelings are purely on the basis of folks not wanting to lose the benefit of the pleasant view of the local countryside that they have long enjoyed, but this can hardly be a reason for a really necessary housing or other such development to be cancelled. After

all hardly any of our favourite stately homes would not have built if such feelings had been respected, for they always commanded the prime sites, although over the years most of them are mainly hidden from the landscape through the growth of the tree belts that have grown around them, a typical

example being Holkham

Hall which remains invisible from the outside world until one enters the gates. But there are numerous valid reasons for applications to be opposed, and it is

a great bone of contention when the local authorities throw out a scheme on sensible grounds, only for them to be over-ruled by the Housing Minister in Westminster . Another is the scandal of when housing developers, who have been granted permission to build on the basis of

certain restrictions, such as the inclusion of a given number of ‘affordable’ houses, suddenly, at the commencement of the project, announce that they will no longer be able to meet that requirement, because they will not make enough profit on them. Similar promises to provide other

amenities are also abandoned. This, surely, can only be described as, to put it mildly, sharp practice. While the coming election is on our minds, the recent television programme showing the inside of the House of Commons has been most informative, though it has seemed to have shown

what must be a sad short-coming in the Parliamentary set up – that of the attendance of the members on a seemingly casual basis. When there are important measures to be debated the Whips ensure that a ‘full house’ is guaranteed, but at other times we have seen that, when our local representative is bringing up a matter on our behalf, he

may be almost alone, which is hardly satisfactory, since our affairs are just as important to us as national ones and should be treated as such. It does seem that some measure should be introduced to compel every member to attend on at least three days a week, possibly Wednesday to Friday, leaving

a clear Saturday to Tuesday period free for constituency work. After all in no other spheres are important discussions carried out in the absence of a quorum. Yes, wishful thinking, but why not ? The modern world, while moving at an extraordinary rate in many things, such

as computerised shopping and business operation, seems to suffer from an inordinate amount of delays in other spheres. Every day on our news bulletins we hear of inquests being carried out on people that died sometimes two or three years previously, while official enquiries

often last far longer. There is even one that has already lasted more than seven years and is said to expect for another two ! In our own area we have seen the road layout at the junction of Saham Road/Market Street and High Street altered several months back, but at the time of writing the actual road furniture is still

missing, its place being taken by an ugly set of wooden barriers. Why could the job not have been completed all in one go ? In spite of the government continually assuring us that the good times are back, and that our finances are in fine shape, we still find that local authorities

are being squeezed to the extent that services such as the police have to suffer more and more cuts, and nationally the library service is always under threat. Fortunately, at the moment, Norfolk seems to have done quite well in this respect, for the flagship library in

Norwich has set a fine standard, which has been copied at many place around the county, one notable local one being at Dereham, while our Watton one has recently been extensively repaired and seems to be well patronised, and long may that continue. Good afternoon.

Time to be a Quitter!

Smokers in the Wayland area are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 11 March. While studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five UK adults continue

to smoke, including 15% to 17% in south, mid and north Norfolk . This year’s No Smoking Day theme is ‘Proud to be a Quitter. In life we’re told never to give up, to keep going – but when it comes to smoking, being a ‘Quitter’ is a good thing. The campaign uses inspirational stories of ex-smokers to highlight the life-changing benefits of quitting.

Total Health Pharmacy in Watton will have information and advice on No Smoking Day to help smokers make this the day you start to stop, Geoff Ray, smoking cessation advisor at Total Health Pharmacy said: “We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting. With support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit

attempt. A combination of on- to-one support and nicotine replacement therapies has been shown to be more successful than going it alone”. “We’ve helped over 100 local people to quit and are here to help anyone who wants to take that first step to quitting”. “No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in to quit for good but even if that isn’t the date for you, come and find out how we

can help you to quit when you feel ready” Total Health Pharmacy is part of a network of organisations across the UK that manages local activities for the No Smoking Day campaign. The annual campaign is run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and encourages hundreds of thousands of smokers to make a quit attempt on No Smoking Day.

To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit Total Health Pharmacy in Watton, visit the website nosmokingday.org.uk and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.

A Christmas Story The bus pass is a wonderful thing. Longish journeys are often accomplished in a car these days, but for the driver attention must be focussed on the road ahead

and the prevailing traffic. Just before Christmas a letter from the D.V.L.A. (Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority) informed me that I could no longer drive as my eyesight did not match the required standard. What would my wife and I do at Christmas to get from Watton to Wellingborough, a distance of some eighty miles? Travelling by rail is expensive, even with a Senior Railcard, and the journey-would be

circuitous. Out came one of folders containing Bus timetables and in it I found out that would be possible to do the journey without too much of a problem, providing that enough time was allowed for a changeover from one service to another en route. The XI service was boarded at Swaffham, the vehicle being one of the very new ones with comfortable seats and a very good view of the

surrounding countryside from the upper deck. Norfolk may be classed as a flat county but the undulating countryside is varied and never boring to look at. It is certainly an area where many farmers keep large herds of pigs, which not only provide pork but also fertilise the fields. South west of Kings Lynn the bus wended its way through villages until Wisbech was reached. Here we were surprised at the

way industrial areas had sprung up on the road towards Peterborough since our last journey. Due to the volume of traffic we were a little late arriving in Peterborough, but there was no problem in making a connection with Stagecoach's X4 service which goes all the way to Milton Keynes. Sitting upstairs again we soon noticed the change of scenery. It became quite hilly and the road was very curving

in places. Unfamiliar towns were passed through; Oundle, noted for its public school and narrow roads in the town centre; Corby, a steel town where the name TATA emblazoned more than one factory building; and Kettering, one of the homes of the shoe-making trade. And eventually we arrived at Wellingborough, where we were met by one of our daughters. And the travel was FREE.Come the warmer weather we will have to explore East Anglia

more - By bus. Tony Morris

March 2015 The Wayland News Page 9

DEREHAM & DISTRICT

CAT ADOPTION CENTRE Hoe Road, Longham, Dereham NR19 2RP

Rehoming Cats and Providing Advice & Help With Neutering

OPEN 7 Days a Week 11am to 3pm

Telephone . . . 01362 687 919

Player’s Ghostly Classic set to thrill!

The Wayland Players have chosen

the classic British farce Blithe Spirit, by Noel Coward for their spring production. Researching for his new novel, Charles Condomine invites the implausible medium Madame Arcati to his house for a séance. After a “spirited” séance goes

decidedly wrong, the cantankerous novelist Charles

suddenly finds himself face to face with the ghost of his deceased wife, Elvira…much to the chagrin of his current spouse, Ruth. Love

and marriage devolve into laughter and mayhem when Ruth is accidentally killed and united with Elvira on the “other side.” Together the paranormal pair of blithe spirits haunt their hapless husband with hilarious consequences. One husband, two

feuding wives and a whisper of mischief in the air – who will win in Coward’s unworldly comedy? Director Jenny Mann, says of the

production, "Noel Coward is the master of comedies; this ghostly comic delight celebrates a bygone age of romance in the middle class

and operates on the presumption that life is too serious to be taken seriously! Blithe Spirit, is one of my favourite plays and I am so pleased the Players will finally get to perform it” Wayland Players will perform Blithe Spirit in the Queens Hall,

for 3 nights from Thursday 14th May. For more details visit www.waylandplayers.org.uk

Watton Evening Womens Institute

There was a full hall at the recent meeting of Watton Evening WI when six new members were welcomed as well as three visitors. The speaker was local butcher Steve Smith who arrived with his son, William, carrying a side of a pig and entertained the

members by showing where the different joints were positioned and how they are cut. Norfolk has a considerable pig industry as the ground is free draining prefect for pigs who love to dig up the ground looking for all sorts of goodies however only a few local producers are available to the independent butcher as

most now supply the larger supermarkets. Steve prefers the gilt pig (female) as there is slightly more fat to give a better flavour after cooking whilst the supermarkets want

leaner meat so use the boar (male) pig which grows quicker. By the end of his demonstration a considerable number of joints, chops, breast, trotters, spare ribs

and tenderloin had been produced and very little waste. He also gave useful hints on how to get the prefect crackling. The President was delighted to congratulate ten members who have passed their Level 2 Food Hygiene course with excellent marks, this course was made possible through a Big Lottery grant and

will be handy on Saturday March 28th when Watton Evening will be holding a Coffee Morning at the Watton Christian Community Centre from 1000 to 1200. The monthly lunch club had met at the Hare and Barrel and enjoyed a delicious lunch, this month they visit the Italian Job in the High Street.

The craft group have been helping to finish the bead work started by members in January and all members will be wearing

their brooches at the Anniversary party in June. Members had also met to discuss the group's entry for this year's Royal Norfolk Show when the WI entries will depict a

'100 years of Toys in a Toy Chest', work will continue on this over the next few months as will work on a new wall hanging for the community centre to celebrate the formation of Watton Evening WI 25 years ago. A letter of thanks from Dereham Cancer Care was read out thanking WI members

of the Wayland Group for their donation from the collection at the Carol Service held at Saham Toney in December. At the next meeting on Thursday March 12th speaker Ann Mason will tell us the story of the Rabbit Warrens of Thetford Forest. New Members and visitors are always welcome just come along by

7.30pm to the Watton Christian Community Centre or ring Hazel Gillingham for full details.

It’s ‘All Heart’ at Watton Inner Wheel

This month has been quite ‘hearty’ for the ladies of Watton Inner Wheel.In addition to the Defibrillator Project they also celebrated Valentine’s Day by hosting their annual Barn Dance in an appropriately decorated Queens Hall. Although not quite so well attended as in previous years, a goodly company of

enthusiasts enjoyed an evening of exuberant exercise as they danced the night away to the wonderfully talented live Band ‘The Shinanikins’. Caller George kept up his usual amusing banter with dancers who have little concept of left and right, and one dance had to be abandoned altogether as only the real experts seemed able to understand its

intricacies, but mostly the dances proceeded as intended and a good time was had by all. In the Interval a ’Ploughman’s supper’ was served by the IW ladies and the Raffle was

drawn. Those who missed this event missed a good fun evening out! At the monthly meeting members discussed the motions which are to be placed before the International Convention held every third year – this year the venue is Copenhagen. Although not generally regarded as the Club’s most exciting meeting, President

Brenda Davis’ careful presentation ensured that items were discussed with interest and, in some cases, passion! Club business included planning for forthcoming events notably a Coffee Morning at Queens Hall from 9:30 – 11:30 on March 7th , this is in aid of Queens Hall maintenance, and

another Lunchtime Concert, presented on March 25th by the ever-popular West End Waiters. Profits from this will be for charities supported by Inner Wheel and

tickets will be available from Mullengers. President Brenda was also delighted to formally welcome new member Stella Langford to the Club. And finally, please book these dates: Tuesday 24th March 10 am – 4 pm free Defibrillator Training at the Watton Christian Community Centre. Light refreshments

served throughout. Sunday 26th April at 2:30. ‘For the Joy of John’ a memorial concert for John Garratt hosted by the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Watton and featuring the West End Waiters and other well-known guests. Lesley Cowling Club Correspondent

Watton & District U3A

For our first meeting of the year we were entertained by Anne Newmeir with her presentation entitled ‘Me, my suitcase, patience and him’. Anne regaled us with tales of holidays her and her husband had taken over the

years, which included accidents and illnesses that befell them, and one near death experience.

Anne is an avid collector of baseball caps and tablecloths bought whilst on holidays, a selection of which she brought

along to show us. Venues for both pub lunch groups in March are to be advised. Susan Shepherd-Page’s garden visit is also to be advised. We will still be collecting membership renewal payments

at the March meeting. We will be taking names for our

first day trip of the year at the at the March meeting after the AGM. . Details of the trip will be given at the meeting.

We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on 26th March. Copies of last year’s minutes and the budget details for the coming year will be handed out at the meeting. For further information on The National U3A go to

www.u3a.org.uk

The Wayland News Page 10 March 2015

Watton Churches Together St. Mary’s Church, Watton

www.stmaryswatton.org Follow us on @StMarysWatton

If I can be of help to you please do not hesitate to contact me,

on 01953 881439, I shall be available at church on Tuesdays

between 10.30am and 12 noon - Gerry Foster 1st, 3rd & 4th Wednesday at 9.30am Holy Communion

2nd Wednesday Morning Worship Tuesdays 7.30am-8.00am, Thursdays 5.00pm—5.30pm

Saturdays 9.30am—10.00am Parish Prayers. Church Office opens Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-1pm

Tel: 01953 881252 margaret@churchadm.freeserve.co.uk

Sun 1st 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Sun 8th 8.00am Holy Communion

10.00am Holy Communion Sun 15th Mothering Sunday

8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Sun 22nd 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Worship 6.30pm Choral Evensong Sun 29th Palm Sunday

8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion

Watton Methodist Church www.wattonmethodist.btck.co.uk

Every Wednesday the Church is open for quiet reflection and prayer between 10.15am & 11.30am

It’s your quiet place. At 10.30 there is a half-hour Midweek Service in the Large Vestry led by the Minister or a Church

Member. Minister: Deacon S Sowerby 01953 881035 Sun 1st 10.45am Mr P Wright 6.30pm Mr A Warby Sun 8th 10.45am Rev D Greenaway 6.30pm Mr & Mrs Raymond from the Wycliffe Translators Organisation.

Sun 15th 10.45am Mrs E Warby 6.30pm Mr S Lynn Sun 22nd 10.45am Mr A Warby 3.00pm Service at Thursford Sun 29th 10.45am Deacon S Sowerby 6.30pm Rev A King

Roman Catholic Community Each Sat 5.30pm Mass at Watton Methodist Church

St. Nicholas’ Church, Ashill Tuesdays at 10.00am Holy Communion

Sun 1st 9.30am Lay Led Morning Worship Sun 8th 9.30am Family Holy Communion

Sun 15th Mothering Sunday 9.30am All Age Worship Sun 22nd 9.30am Holy Communion Sun 29th Palm Sunday

9.30am Holy Communion

St. George’s Church, Saham Toney Sun 1st 11.00am Lay Led Morning Worship

Sun 8th 11.00am Family Holy Communion Sun 15th Mothering Sunday

11.00am All Age Worship Sun 22nd 11.00am Holy Communion Sun 29th Palm Sunday

11.00am Holy Communion

S.S. Peter & Paul’s Church, Carbrooke Sun 1st 10.30am Family Holy Communion

Sun 8th 10.30am Morning Worship Sun 15th Mothering Sunday 10.30am Holy Communion Sun 22nd 10.30am Lay Led Morning Worship Sun 29th Palm Sunday

10.30am Holy Communion

St John the Evangelist Church, Ovington

Sun 1st 9.30am Holy Communion Sun 15th Mothering Sunday

10.30am Lay Led Morning Worship Sun 29th Palm Sunday

9.30am Holy Communion

Breckles, Caston, Great Hockham, Griston, Merton, Stow Bedon & Thompson

Worship Calendar for March

Sunday 1st March - Second Sunday of Lent 10:30am United Holy Communion, Breckles

Sunday 8th March - Third Sunday of Lent 9:00am Matins / Holy Communion (BCP), Merton

10:30am United Holy Communion, Caston

Sunday 15th March - Fourth Sunday of Lent

- Mothering Sunday 9:00am Mothering Sunday All-Age Service, Merton 10:30am United Holy Communion, Stow Bedon

Mothering theme, posies for ladies, and refreshments

Sunday 22nd March - Fifth Sunday of Lent 10:30am United Holy Communion, Griston

Sunday 29th March - Palm Sunday 10:30am United Holy Communion, Stow Bedon

Holy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 30th March to 1st April

7:00pm Compline, Griston

Watton area Food Bank donations received at all services

For all our Parishes…

Pray and Play Wednesdays in Mach at 10:15 am, Caston Primary School Hall

No Pray and Play on 1st April

‘The Way’ Youth Group (Ages 11+) Sunday, 1st March, 7:00 pm, Rectory, Caston

Friday, 20th March, 7:00 pm,

connecting with other deanery youth, Rectory, Caston

Enquiries Revd. Bob Nichols Tel. (01953) 483222; Email revbobnichols@gmail.com

All Saints Church, Threxton

The next service at Threxton will be on Sunday 1st March at 10a.m.

WATTON BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Wed 4th 2pm Meeting Tea and Chat at Watton CCC. Speaker Mrs Deborah Preston will talk on Top Mrs Mop Mon 16th 12 for 12.30pm Lunch at Griston Waggon & Horses

Watton Pentecostal Church March Services Sunday mornings 10.30am Theme "Sing with me"

Sunday School meets during the service Everyone welcome

Web site: www.wattonchurch.org.uk

Thought for the Month Deacon Steve Sowerby, Watton methodist Church

I’ve been thinking quite a lot recently about pain; mainly because I seem to be surrounded by much of it. My wife is in pain due to arthritis in her knees and I am in pain because I have a slipped

disc! I think the phrase that fits is, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired!” But there is more than just physical pain. There is mental, emotional and spiritual pain too. There is the pain that grips the heart and vows to break it in two. There is the pain of broken relationships and broken trust. There is the pain of losing a loved one to the arms of death and the pain of being spiritually dry and empty. How often do we, in our pain cry out for it to stop, even for just one moment?

How often do we wish that the pain of grief would stop and our loved ones were back with us? How often do we ask, “why me?”, or shout out “Make it stop!” Medically speaking, signals are sent to our brains from the injured part of our body to inform us that something is wrong and needs attending to. Then the brain interprets the signal and translates it into what we experience as pain. The author C.S. Lewis wrote:

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” In our world of pain, where we see injustice and the rights of the individual eroded by corrupt systems, God is constantly sending out signals to us that something is painfully wrong with his creation. He does indeed whisper in our pleasures, speak in our consciences and shouts in our pain, because he shared all these

things with us when he lived among us. Jesus Christ lived our life and died our death. He knew the joy and the pain of life and even now God shares in our sorrow and joy. But he also knew full well that there was a promise that these things would pass and the pain would stop forever because he defeated death. If we choose to be deaf to the pain that we see and hear in the world and God is shouting at us about it, how can we possibly attend to that pain?

We have a choice, just like we have a choice about whether we seek medical treatment or hope that the pain will go away on its own. Are we going to try and ignore it and hope it goes away or are we going to attend to a world that cries out in pain and anguish?

STOP PRESS! A date for your diary...

Come and sing Handel's Messiah this Eastertide on Saturday 11th April at St Mary's Watton with the renowned Musician

Philip Aldred Singer/ Audience tickets £5. Look out for posters in town and the April Edition for full details.

Spring is in the Air Mixed Media Art Exhibition

Saturday 28th March - Saturday 11th April

Coffee Morning/Launch Event Saturday 28th March 10am - 12.30pm

The Dragonfly Gallery, Wayland House High St, Watton. Opening Times: Monday to Friday. 1am - 4pm, Saturday 10am -

March 2015 The Wayland News Page 11

The congregation at St Mary’s were surprised

recently, by the arrival of the cadets of Watton

troop ACF and two drummers from the

Norfolk Army Cadet Force corps of drums.

Unknown to the morning worshipers, Watton

Troop’s adult instructors had arranged with the

Rev Gerry Foster, to carry out an official

blessing of the Troops standard. As the bells

went silent, the cadets and drummers marched

down the aisle and presented the Standard to

the Rev Foster.

Troop commander, Staff Corporal of Horse

Cocksedge said that ‘It must be the wearing of

the Blues and Royals cap badge that made us

decide that a touch of pomp should accompany

the parade and we were happy to get the

assistance of two cadet drummers. We are also

proud that members of the Watton branch of

the Royal British Legion were in attendance to

witness the blessing.

But the surprise didn’t stop with the blessing.

At the end of the morning service, the Rev

Foster was presented with a certificate by the

Troop commander, marking her position as

‘Honorary Padre’ of the troop.

Under Officer Morgan-Lucas said ‘The Rev

Foster is quite amazing. Her enthusiasm for

local organisations, such as the ACF and ATC,

working together so creating a closer

community, is quite infectious and we are very

proud that she has agreed to act as our Padre.

Surprise ACF church parade at St Mary's

Hackers Tackers and Stuffers

The group followed the usual practice in

holding its AGM at the first meeting of the

year on this occasion held on Tuesday

13th January. Following the usual agenda

annual reports by officers were given, the

constitution approved and officers and

committee members proposed and elected.

Any member who was unable to attend is

asked to bring their £10 annual

subscription and complete a membership

renewal form for 2015 at the next meeting.

If unable to attend but wishing to continue

with the group please contact Brenda

Hales.

The programme for 2015 was discussed

with requests for suggestions for

workshops, demonstrations and possible

outings discussed. Suggestions to date

included a foundation pieced card; heart

cushions for people who have had surgery

for breast cancer; a machine embroidered

book cover ; a jewellery bag; prarie

sewing roll and a Christmas gift bag. The

meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each

month will continue as demonstrations or

mini workshops. It is hoped that we will

have bimonthly day workshops beginning

with the machine embroidered book cover

on 30th March.

Meetings will continue to be held on the

2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, apart

from August, from 7 to 9 pm in the

Watton Christian Community Centre. New

members and visitors are always welcome.

We are interested and active in most

needlecrafts at any level.

For further details of all our activities ring

Jane on 01953 884215. Information can be

found on our Blog at htsqgroup.blogspot.

There's a Great Big Read at the Library During April we want to get the whole

town reading, as part of Norfolk's Great

Big Read. We have chosen two very

different titles - The Goldfinch by Donna

Tartt, and Rush of Blood by Mark

Billingham. To join our Big Read, pop in

from 22nd March, collect your copy, read

it, and then tell us what you think!

Our monthly craft workshops are growing

in popularity, March will be Iris Folding

for Intermediates, and April we'll be

exploring Zentangle. Our Monday Knit

and Natter has proven so popular, it's now

full. We're now taking names to start a

second group on a Thursday afternoon,

open to all crafters, so if you're a nifty

knitter, keen crocheter, or enthusiastic

embroiderer, give us a call and we'll add

you to the list.

Our family history and tablet support

courses are now both full, but we do hope

to run further courses in the future. If you

are interested let us know and we'll add

you to our waiting lists.

Do you know someone with Dementia?

Norfolk Libraries now have a collection of

titles to support sufferers and carers, and

Watton Library hold the full collection,

along with a selection of leaflets and

booklets produced by the Alzheimer's

Society. We also have Reminiscence Kits

which can be very helpful for individuals

at various stages of memory loss and those

with communication difficulties. They

contain a variety of multi sensory triggers,

and include themes such as domestic life,

1960s, keeping healthy, the seaside and

shopping.

Lastly, you can now find us on Facebook

at www.facebook.com/wattonlibrary

where we'll be posting book reviews,

details and photos of events, and taking a

light-hearted look at Library life. For our

under 13 customers, we also have a blog at

wattonlibrary.wordpress.com designed just

for young people.

Shellrock Circle Club For the over 50s of Rocklands and the

surrounding districts Venue: The Village Hall, The Street,

Rocklands (Contact: Allyson Blandford

01953 488103.)

Mrs. Yvonne Costin from Age UK

Norfolk came to give us a talk at our club

on the 11th of February 2015. Yvonne

was standing in for her colleague who

should have attended but was away with a

cold.

Yvonne explained that Age UK Norfolk,

although under the umbrella of Age UK is

an independant concern. They adopt a

holistic approach to people and can access

various services on their behalf. Although

they are not allowed to recommend any

one concern, all services have to pass

Norfolk trading standards first. Some of

the departments that are available are

Benefit specialists to help to fill out the

forms required and this is called an "art" to

get right, housing and house moves, home

helps, making wills, power of attorney and

a telephone befriending service. More

departments are being added all the time

and Yvonne thought it is always worth

giving them a ring first to see if they could

help. As Yvonne is responsible for the

whole of Norfolk, all enquiries would end

up on her desk. She is the only person in

her department to cover this huge area. At

the meeting, leaflets were readily snapped

up so Yvonne may be having a heavier

workload in the future.

Just to make it quite clear to everyone, it

has been decided that the annual FREE

COACH TRIP was underused and to

enable more members to enjoy the fruits

of our Fetes, we have decided that the

funds raised would be better spent on a

free picnic lunch instead. Minimal

walking involved. This will be held on the

10th of June, so make a note in your

diaries. Reminders nearer the date. It is

hoped this will benefit more of our

members. This is not to say there will be

no coach outings if required but these will

have to be paid for.

The prize for the letter "V" was won by

Theresa of Gt. Ellingham. We've all heard

of pink elephants but Theresa had the rarer

pink unicorn.

On the 11th of March Mrs. Margaret

Thomas, a well known local florist, will

give a demonstration of flower arranging.

We should pick up a tip or two on making

successful arragements. The task will be

the letter "V." Usual time14:00 to 16:00

hrs.

New Members Always Welcome

The Wayland News Page 12 March 2015

THE WAYLAND NEWS Page space is allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis. Deadline is 12Noon on 16th of the month preceding publication and that is the last date and time that copy will be considered for inclusion. Arrival of copy before deadline does not guarantee inclusion, if you wish to be certain your entry gets published, then please make sure it arrives in plenty of time otherwise you may still be disappointed. If you are submitting on paper you MUST sign and include your contact details with each item.

If you do not, the item will NOT be published. You can contact Julian by ringing (01953) 858908.

You can write to 8 Princess Close, Watton IP25 6XA

The e-mail address is julian@waylandnews.com Views expressed in articles in The Wayland News are those of the

contributors and may not reflect 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

Rocklands Community Shop

We hope that by the time you are reading this the

weather will definitely be more spring like. As

ever our produce that we stock is forever

changing, so it is always worth popping in to see

what is new on our shelves. If there is anything

that you particularly would like to see that you

would purchase, please speak to one of our very

friendly staff. As ever, the Post Office is open at

all times including Saturday afternoons and

Sundays as well as being open until 6.30pm

every week day.

Slowly, a new range of Shirley cards is being

introduced into the shop, with variable prices

ranging from as low as a £1. They are situated

partially in the café area and partially in the

alcove beyond the café. All these cards are

sold 100% in aid of the shop and any card can

be personalised with age, name, anniversary,

verse or photo. Shortly a folder will be

available to view ideas for personalised cards.

Normally cards would be ready within 1-2

days of ordering. You could have a card of

your own choice made up and adapted to suit

various recipients. For more information

please ring 01953 488567.

We are extremely pleased that we made it into

the national press in January with a great

article appearing in the Daily Mirror on the

22nd, complete with photograph of the inside

of the shop, headed up ‘Top of the Shops’.

As always we are looking for more Volunteers

to help in the shop. Volunteers can come

from anywhere in the locality, not just

Rocklands. If you have about 3 hours to spare

a week, or even some weeks, you would be

more than welcome and training is always on

hand. We are very pleased to welcome some

new Volunteers that have signed up recently.

Please enquire at the counter.

The opening hours are Mon-Fri 7.30am-

6.30pm, Sat 7.30am-5.30pm and Sun 8.30am

to 1pm.

The Marriage Course The Well Christian Centre

Who is it for? The Marriage Course is for any

married couple wanting to invest in their

relationship. A strong, loving and lifelong

relationship doesn’t happen by chance. It takes

effort and dedication to keep the fun and

romance alive. We can all learn how to make

even the happiest marriage better.

Where, When & What? Held at The Well

Christian Centre in Ashill. Introductory “Is

this for us?” Thursday 26th March 2015 7.00

pm buffet. Course runs for seven consecutive

weeks commencing Thursday 16th April 2015

Each evening starts at 7.00 pm with a candlelit

dinner at tables for two followed by a dvd

presentation with times of private discussion.

Each evening finishes around 9.30 pm.

The dvd is a lively, fun and extremely helpful

presentation by Nicky & Sila Lee of Holy

Trinity Brompton. Whilst based on Christian

principles this course is open and relevant to

any married couple.

Please note - there is never any group work

and you will never be asked to share anything

about your relationship with anyone other than

your partner.

Topics Covered: Building Strong Foundations,

The Art of Communication, Resolving

Conflict, The Power of Forgiveness, The

Impact of Family - Past & Present, Good Sex,

Love in Action

For More Info: Contact Peter & Sue on 07825

810368 or email admin@folchurch.co.uk

Read about the course

www.relationshipcentral.org/marriage-course

Shipdham & District Book Group

The book discussed at the meeting on 21st

January was Life after Life by Kate Atkinson.

This unusual book follows the main character,

Ursula Todd, through some of the most

turbulent events of the first half of the 20th

Century again and again each time with a

different outcome. The atmosphere of each

epoch is depicted several times with graphic

accounts of joy and sorrow, war and peace and

all aspects of human life.

All members enjoyed the book apart from one

who found the horrors of the blitz too

claustrophobic. Comments included:

fascinating; weird; loved the family; superb

characterisation; well researched; harrowing

descriptions of war and its consequences

vividly depicted and many others. We al

spend our lives saying ’What if?’ and this

book tries to tackle such a thought. This is not

an easy text to describe but we would all

recommend it and it was felt to be possibly the

best novel read and discussed by the group.

The writing is second to none. We eagerly

await a proposed sequel.

The meeting continued with plans for our 10th

anniversary tea party at a local Tearoom in

April. We then gave accounts of our

personal as opposed to group reading in the

last month.

For the 18th of February session we are

reading The Accidental by Ali Smith and for

the 18th of March Miss Appleby’s Academy

by Elizabeth Gill.

'Create Your Own Website Training'

for Community Groups and Small Businesses

The Wayland Partnership is delighted to offer

a half day ‘Blog Websites from Scratch’

workshop in conjunction with Voluntary

Norfolk. With so much being online these

days it is important that you have a presence

that tells people what you do, if people can’t

find you online, they may go elsewhere.

This session aimed at community groups and

small businesses, will give you a fully

working, easy to maintain blog website by the

time you leave the training and which you can

continue to use and update free of charge. This

would normally take place in Norwich so it’s

great that we can offer it locally.

Areas that will be covered include:

Get to grips with the free Google software,

Blogger

Create a design scheme for your blog

Add content including text, images and video

Invite others to contribute to the blog

To get a feel for what your site could look like

take a look at these two examples of blogs

created using Blogger:

www.emyselfandi.com and

www.isuwannee.com

This three hour course will take place on

Tuesday 14th April at Wayland House, High

Street, Watton and can be held during the

daytime or, if preferred, in the evening. The

cost for this session will be £40. Bring your

own laptop or use one of ours. There are only

12 places available so booking is essential.

Contact Suzanne on 880204 or email

Suzanne@wayland.org.uk to book or to

request further information.

Silver Jubilee for Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu

January was full of celebrations with the

beginning of the New Year and significantly

the realisation of 25 years of Ishin Ryu Ju

Jitsu on January 9th. From the first night in

Borehamwood with just seven students on the

matt, to the now, internationally known club

we are today- now based in the pretty village

of Caston. Congratulations to the founder

Soke Keven Pell. The event was celebrated,

with everyone going back to the roots in

Borehamwood, by way of a massive party

with two hundred guests. A fantastic

achievement, looking forward to the next 25

years. Also in attendance were some special

guests from the charity “Hounds for Heroes”

this is Ishin Ryus chosen charity this year –

we will be collecting throughout the year to

present them with monies next January- we

have already raised in excess of £6000 which

was presented to the founder Allen Parton and

a couple of his canine friends. If you have

weird and wonderful ways to raise money for

this worthy cause let us know.(we will pretty

much give anything a go, the stranger the

better!! So if you have a challenge !)

Also this month saw a few students making

the most of the hospitality of the local public

house The Waggon and Horses in Griston, as

they hosted their yearly Burns night

celebrations, including a tartan clad piper and

Haggis with all the trimming’s. Sadly (for me)

some of us were working/training/teaching

and were unable to attend, but we intend to

make sure we are there next year!

If you are interested in a new year’s

resolution, want to get fit, want to learn

something new- contact Ishin Ryus registrar

on 01953 483795. By Sensei Sheila Eglen

Did you know The answer?

Where are the two sites with footprint

evidence of early hominins predating those

found at Happisburgh in May 2013?

Both sites predating the footprints found at

Happisburgh were discovered in Africa.

In 2007, 1.5 million year old footprints were

discovered at Ileret in northern Kenya near

Lake Turkana. The footprints show a well-

developed arch in the foot, contributing to

efficient upright walking, and evidence of a

long stride ending in a characteristic homo

sapiens’ heal down first, toe push-off, for the

next step.

In 1978, Andrew Hall, part of Dr Mary

Leakey’s team at the Laetole archaeological

site in northern Tanzania, about 45 kilometres

(28 miles) from the Oldupai Gorge,

discovered a 27-metre long track of about 54

footprints, belonging to what appeared to be

three upright bi-ped hominins, one larger than

the another, walking close together in the

same direction, with a smaller set stepping in

the larger footprints, preserved in a layer of

hardened volcanic ash, calculated to be 3.6

million years old.