"THE MALLARD" May 2018
"THE MALLARD" May 2018
"THE MALLARD" May 2018
Exhibition to Celebrate
Weddings across the Years
In St. Mary’s Church
1
Mallard News
This parish magazine is published
every month for the residents of Great Village Hall joins ‘West Norfolk Wins Lottery’
& Little Massingham with the support
of Great Massingham Parish Council,
First draw on Saturday 26th May at 8pm
Have you heard of the ‘West Norfolk Wins Lottery’ to help
the Parochial Church Council &
Massingham Village Hall Trustees.
local good causes? Well, the Village Hall has signed up as a
www.greatmassingham.net
e-mail
potential beneficiary. Our entry appears as below:-
[email protected] Great Massingham Village Hall provides a much loved and
Editorial Committee valued venue for our community.
Editor: We need your help so we can continue to offer and improve this
Bev. Randall. much-loved venue. We are seeking to offer lunch and teas for the
6 Abbeyfields
Great Massingham elderly and lonely to alleviate isolation and need a new, function-
01485 520 899 ing kitchen. This will also make the venue more attractive to
Treasurer: those seeking a local, affordable venue for life celebrations. A
David Baines new toilet block, suitable for the disabled and infirm that also
01485 520 966
includes facilities for carers of young children, will make the Hall
Website:
Caroline Boyden more inclusive. The entrance and drive to our Hall requires im-
01485 521 816 provement and needs to be modified so that all ages are confident
Deadline for the to visit this local hub. We need funds to keep pace with the re-
next issue quirements of our community.
th Thank you for your support and good luck!
20 May Let’s hope you win as well as West Norfolk!
About the West Norfolk Wins Lottery and how to play it ……
In this issue ‘West Norfolk Wins’ is an exciting weekly lottery that raises
• May Fair money for good causes in west Norfolk.
• Hall Joins Lottery All good causes supported by the lottery will, in turn,
• Historical Society AGM benefit West Norfolk and its residents.
• Thank you Play the lottery, support west Norfolk - it’s that simple!
• Creative Arts Lottery Tickets cost just £1 per week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50
• Speedwatch chance to win a prize, with a top prize of £25,000! That’s much
• Village Hall Events
• West Norfolk Folk better odds than the National Lottery or the Health Lottery!
• Quiz Night Each ticket consists of 6 numbers and each number will be
• Craft & Chat between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night
• Gert & Daisy when a 6-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will
• Help with the Lights be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2-6
• Grassroots Malawi numbers from the winning combination. Match all 6 and you
• Village Spring Clean win the Jackpot! The West Norfolk Lottery says its prizes
• Biodiversity Project
• Sir Terence are its way of putting the fun into fundraising. The real winners
• Baby & Toddler are the good causes. From every £1 ticket sold, 60p will go to
• Variety Concert good causes in West Norfolk! To put this in perspective, when
• Changing Rooms you play the National Lottery, 28% goes to good causes –
• History Bits ‘West Norfolk Wins’ Lottery more than DOUBLES the ticket
• Fitness Mobility percentage that goes to good causes.
• Mobile Library
• Rev Judith’s Message Even better, you can choose to support ‘Great Massingham
• Church News Village Hall’ as your good cause which means the Hall gets
• Funeral 50p of the 60p (the remaining 10p will be distributed to other
• Church Services good causes, including our Village Hall).
• Tennis Open Day You play the Lottery on line and can sign up from now. Please
• Trefoil Guild visit www.westnorfolkwins.co.uk and click to support Great
• Film Show Massingham Village Hall as your good cause. Thank you.
• Church Services
2
Mallard News
Historical Society AGM A Big Thank You!
th
Monday, 14 May, 7.30pm To all our friends who sent cards, presents
At the Village Hall and good wishes on our Diamond Wedding
Please come. Everyone is welcome. Anniversary on the 29th March 2018.
After the AGM, there will be a special Love from, Joyce and George Thorogood.
showing of the following two films :
The Grimston Creative Arts Exhibition
‘All in a Day's Work’
(showing work from artists within
and
‘They did their bit, a 50 mile radius)
the Women's Land at Norfolk Creative Arts, Church Hill
Army.’ School, 71 Gayton Road, Grimston.
The film showing will Open daily 10am - 4pm from 1st - 7th May
be free to members & All work for sale. Free entry and
£2 to non members Free parking. Café on site.
By M B LOGS
DRY STORED, SEASONED,
SPLIT WOOD
SUPPLIED & DELIVERED
CALL MARK
Based in and around Great Massingham
07766223438 or email
Call/Text: 07825 234293
Leanne Elton
[email protected]
3
Mallard News Village Hall
VILLAGE HALL REGULAR EVENTS Parish Council Report - April Meeting
Keep Fit Wed.1.45 to 2.45pm Seven councillors attended as well as the
Bingo Fridays at 7.30pm Clerk plus Tim Tilbrook (Borough Councillor)
and one parishioner.
Auction Sundays
There is a vacancy on the Parish Council
Coronation Club (4th Wed.) 2pm - 4pm and parishioners are invited to apply for
Baby &Toddler Thurs. 10am - 11.30am this position. Full details from the Clerk.
W/Norfolk Radio Sundays 7pm -10pm The independent Local Government
Craft & Chat (1st & 3rd Mon) 2 - 4pm Boundary Commission for England has
Trefoil Guild 2nd Thursday, each month published its final recommendations for
Film Club 3rd Thursday, each month new electoral arrangements for King’s
Quiz Nights 4th Thursday, each month Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council.
Bowls - Practice Mondays 2 - 4pm. Full details on the website at http://
Bowls - Short Mat Wednesdays 7pm - 9.30 www.lgbce.org.uk/media/local-electoral-
Historical Society 2nd Monday 7.30pm arrangements-finalised-for-kings-lynn-
Youth Club Tuesdays 6.45- 9.15pm and-west-norfolk-borough-council
Yoga With a Chair Tuesdays 10am - 11am A number of potholes are appearing in the
village and it was reiterated that anyone
West Norfolk Radio’s Live Shows can report these on the Norfolk County
Live broadcasts will be from the ‘Folk on Council website hotline.
the Pier Festival’, Cromer this month. It was agreed to renew the investment
with the Skipton Building Society for a
Craft and Chat further year with a fixed rate.
In the Village Hall Bar, 2pm - 4.30pm Next meeting, Monday 21st May, 7.30pm.
£1.50 includes refreshments.
Mondays 14th & 28th May and 4th & 18th June May Quiz Night
th
Why not join us? All welcome. 24 May, Village Hall Bar 7 for 7.30pm.
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5
Mallard News
Gert & Daisy.... .... Well hello – how are yew gitting on tergether?
Whatever happened to spring? One day felt like winter then that wus summer. Don’t
know if we should keep our tights on or shave our legs.
Today we have attended Janet Drewery’s funeral. We were so sorry to hear that she had
passed away. She and Derek had been Gert’s neighbour for almost 40 years. She will
be sorely missed by all her friends at the Coronation Club of which she was a very active
member. Our heartfelt thoughts go to Derek and the family.
We were also sorry to hear that Dorothy Shalom is poorly. Again, heartfelt thoughts for
her family. We hear she is making some progress so we hope this continues.
Don’t know what’s going on down Weasenham Road. Don’t know if there wus a wild
party we weren’t invited to but looks like things got out of hand with a smashed window
in Mr Hardingham’s house. Either that or he’s really upset someone!
We hev heard of a terrible accident that tuk place on a golf course – Malcolm Hipkin
wus run over by a golf buggy. We are pleased ter report that the buggy weren’t dam-
aged. Malcolm weren’t badly hurt but we think his handicap might hev gone up.
Keith Sillis is thinking of heving a picnic soon and hev invited Gert. She int sure wheth-
er ter go or not as there will be ham sandwiches and she’s not keen. For more details see
Keith.
By the time yew read this we will hev dun a quiz and hopefully raised a noice amount of
money fer the school. They are heving a noice lot of play equipment.
Vic Cross heard that the Coronation Club wus going on an outing to Aldi’s and thought
he would join. When he found owt that was to Aldiss for afternoon tea, he changed his
mind.
The outdoor bowls season is due to start this week. Thas gud and means we ken hev
what we want on the telly a few nights a week til September!
The Parish Council hed a request from a lady wanting information about her family
who used ter live in the village. Daisy tuk the job on and wus very pleased to find that
Edna Sillis and Jill Applegate knew the family in question. If anyone else remembers the
Allen family (including Margaret, Madge, etc) please get in touch with Daisy.
That’s it fer this month. We hope the weather continues ter improve so we ken put the
winter drawers away and git a sun tan. Dew yew keep atroshing, Gert and Daisy.
Thought of the month
Life is short – smile while you still have teeth
Norfolk word of the month
Hully - them sausage rolls tasted hully gud ter me.
Stunning location.
Luxury accommodation. Suit any occasion.
www.meadowvalebedandbreakfast.com
Ducklings Preschool
Great Massingham
Preschool places available
September 2018
2-4 years
Childcare available 8am-6pm
[email protected]
07807185746
7
Mallard News
The Great Massingham Clean-up!
A total of twenty-one volunteers took part in the annual spring clean of our village on
24th March. Hi-viz jackets, gloves, litter picking sticks and bags were distributed and
areas designated. It was encouraging to see how relatively little rubbish there was due, no
doubt, to many residents regularly picking up litter as they walked around the village and
also to the depositing of rubbish in our litter bins. These bins are emptied each week by a
small team of us to ensure the bins do not overflow.
There was some evidence of fly-tipping - a mattress left at the north end of Scotsman’s
Pit and a discarded push-chair in Greengate Lane - but, otherwise, people seem to be
taking more care of our environment. If you do spot any fly-tipping contact me and I will
arrange to have it collected.
After an hour and a half, the job was complete and the Dabbling Duck rewarded our ef-
forts with coffee and biscuits. Thank you to the Pub.
We also tried to separate
recyclable litter such as
cans and glass bottles so
that they wouldn’t end up in
landfill. Those of us who
empty the litter bins each
week find many beer cans
and some glass bottles. A
hundred bottles and cans are
collected each month from
around the village but main-
ly from the Green Gate
Lane area. These should be
taken home and put in your
green recycle bin. The con-
tents from the litter bins
goes to landfill. We all should do our bit for the environment!
My thanks to the following: Mr & Mrs Gaskell, Maggie, Peter & Gill, Robina & André,
Barbara and her grandson Freddie, Peter, Robin & Phil, Tony, Jules, Sophie, Lucy and
Jemima, Rosemary & our granddaughter Phoebe and especially Liz who helped distrib-
ute equipment and collect it all in again. Andrew Bickerton
Biodiversity Project – News
The next working party will be on Saturday 12th May
starting at 10 am. In addition to general maintenance
work such as tidying-up winter-flowering hellebores (see
picture right), several wayfarer trees need planting and an
area north of the pond requires preparation for sowing
meadow species. The new path around the west side of
the pond is now constructed and has been sown with
grass seed to help bind the surface. It would be appreciat-
ed if visitors could resist walking on the path, especially
in the wet, until the seeds have germinated. As announced last month, the Project’s Open
Garden will be at Long Barn, Kennels Farm on Sunday 1st July, from 2 pm. There will
be tea, coffee, cake etc. Everyone is welcome. Mike Jackson (Tel: 520 056)
8
Mallard News
Terence Receives His Knighthood
Many Congratulations
Terence Stephenson and his wife Alison are familiar faces
around the village having owned a home in Great
Massingham for 17 years. Perhaps, what is lesser known
is Terence’s professional background for which he re-
ceived a Knighthood in the recent New Year’s Honours
list.
His Citation reads:
‘Chair, General Medical Council. For services to
Healthcare and Children’s Health Services.’
Congratulations Sir Terence!
9
‘Histry’ Bits………..
Miss Doris King - Memories of the life of a ‘very ordinary Massingham woman’
‘A proper beginning will tell that I was born a
few days after Christmas in the reign of Edward
VII. The snow was knee-deep, and my father
had to walk three miles to call the doctor. There
were no telephones then, but the doctor did give
him a lift back in his horse and trap. I was the
sixth daughter to arrive, and made my debut
before the doctor reached us. My father was
what was called a team man in those days, re-
sponsible for a team of horses, and we lived in a
tied cottage.
In later years my mother told me it worried her
when a new baby was coming, because we were
very poor but she couldn’t really be cross. My
father used to say better another baby than lose Miss Doris King
any we have. He was a good man and I think we 29/12/1906 – 4/11/1995
loved him most because he was never stern with
us. He used to say to my mother: ‘I’m sure no one has daughters like ours.’
He was very fond of cats. I remember him buying a little chair from a gypsy at the door,
especially for our cat. It stood on an uneven place on the floor and the cat sort of rocked
back and forth on it.
We had to walk a mile to school and took our dinners with us. In winter one trick we
played was to toast our bread and butter on the end of the cane used for our chastisement.
Strangely enough the teacher didn’t seem to notice that the cane got shorter and shorter,
the boys cutting the burnt ends off gradually. Talking in class was my besetting sin and
too much talking is my failing to this day!
I left school at the age of fifteen to go into domestic service, and at eighteen I went to
London. I was most keen to go, having three sisters already in service there, two as par-
lour maids and one as cook. On the day I arrived, there was a black fog. I was told to
change into my uniform of black cashmere dress and white apron, with lace trimmed bib
and what in those days was termed a ‘Sister Dora’ cap on my head. Then I was taken to
see my new employer. She received me so kindly that I did not feel nervous for long. I
worked for her for sixteen years and was very happy there. I enjoyed dinner parties the
most. I loved to prepare the table with lovely glass, silver and attractive mats. The only
task I did not like so much was announcing the names of guests as they arrived, as I felt I
could never speak loudly enough. A princess, who visited sometimes, was very charming
to me.’
Miss King eventually returned to Massingham, becoming a much-loved village character.
She spent a large part of her day in the immaculate front garden of her tiny cottage next to
the old Post Office, having lengthy chats with anybody who had a moment to spare - and
many who didn’t. When she went into a care home, my wife Su’en and I bought her cottage.
It became our happy holiday home for the next seventeen years.
Miss King’s memories were edited and abridged by David Miller.
10
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11
Message from Reverend Judith to all Parishioners
T A
Here O we are LL P ARISHIONERS
in the merry month of May, sitting comfortably at the crossroads
of Spring and Summer. This month, many historical influences are strongly
felt. ‘Cast not a clout until May is out’ is an old warning not to shed winter
clothing too early in the year.
The wind at North and East
was never good for man nor beast,
so never think to cast a clout
until the month of May be out.
Let’s hope the weather improves so that ‘clouts’ (clothing, rags, patches )
can be cast with impunity!
The Anglo-Saxons called this month thrimilce because, then, cows could be milked
three times a day. The present name, from the Latin Maius, probably refers to Maia - the
goddess of growth & increase. May is a month of blossom. Virgil says that Roman
youths used to go out into the fields and spend May Day dancing and singing in honour
of Flora - another goddess - but this time of fruits and flowers.
The English have long celebrated May Day with games and sports, particularly archery
and Morris dancing, and the setting up of the maypole on the village green for dancing
around with long ribbons. There was also a competition for the prettiest girl, the May
Queen. May used to be a popular girls’ name and is still occasionally used.
May Day was also (in times mercifully gone by) the festival day for London chimney
sweepers. It also has deep political connotations for the Labour movement, being known
as International Labour Day.
‘Here we go gathering nuts in May’, from the children’s nursery song, is probably a cor-
ruption of ‘knots of May’ referring to the old custom of gathering posies (knots) of flow-
ers or hawthorn twigs on May Day. May blossom is another name for hawthorn. There
are no nuts to be gathered in May!
In the Church calendar, May is the month of Ascension day and Whit Sunday - also
called Pentecost - of Whitsun weddings, works outings and public holidays and of the
coming of the Holy Spirit to inspire and invigorate the life and worship of the Church. It
is a welcome time of renewal and new growth.
We would do well to tap into this resurgent Maytime blossoming and growth - we really
need it in our lives, our communities, our churches. If a few people do a lot all of the
time it’s really hard work for them: but if many people regularly do a little it can be far
less burdensome – fun even!
Finally, Mayday is an internationally accepted radio signal word for distress/danger used
by aircraft or ships. It comes from the French for ‘help me’ (m’aider). In these troubled
times globally, perhaps we should pray fervently that this May that mayday will not be
needed... With my love and prayers, Reverend Judith.
Many Thanks for the Easter Lilies FUNERAL
Once again our church was decorated with From the Parish Register
beautiful Lilies for Easter. 18th April Janet Drewery at St Mary’s
We have so many dedications Great Massingham
for these and it is such a pleasure Our thoughts are with Derek
to see them all in their glory. and all the family. Janet was a well
Thank you to everyone who known and loved member
made dedications. Anna Burpitt of our community.
12
Church Services - May
Date Time Service Location
2nd May 9.00 am Holy Communion Harpley
th
6 May 6.00 am Dawn Service Ashwicken
Easter 6 9.30 am Family Holy Communion Harpley
10.30 am Holy Communion Grimston
10.30 am Holy Communion Gayton
11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
6.00 pm Evensong Congham
10th May 7.00 pm Ascension Service Ashwicken
Ascension Day
13th May 10.30 am Group Holy Communion Gayton Thorpe
Easter 7 4.00 pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist
16th May 9.00 am Holy Communion Grimston
th
20 May 8.30 am Holy Communion Roydon
Pentecost 9.30 am Holy Communion Little Massingham
10.30 am Holy Communion Gayton
10.30 am Morning Prayer Grimston
11.00 am Family Service Great Massingham
11.15 am Sung Holy Communion Harpley
27th May 8.30 am Holy Communion Congham
Trinity Sunday 10.30 am Family Service Gayton
11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
3.00 pm Celtic Service Gayton Thorpe
3rd June 8.30 am Holy Communion East Walton
First Sunday 9.30 am Family Service Harpley
After Trinity 10.30 am Morning Praise Gayton
10.30 am Holy Communion Grimston
11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
Benefice Prayer Meeting, Sunday 6th May, 3pm at St Andrew’s, Little Massingham.
Also, on Sunday, 3rd June, at St Andrew’s Congham
More About The May Fair….. We’ll have: The exhibition of Weddings across the
• The usual tombola, raffle, bowling for the years in St Mary's will be filled with pho-
pig, hoop-la, Splat the Rat among the tographs, dresses and memorabilia. There
games/competitions we have planned. have already been many photographs put
• Teas/refreshment/cake stall in the church. forward but if anyone has any old or new
• Craft stalls are booked & we look forward
to offer then please get in touch (Anna
to Philip Gray & his Fair ground rides. 520196).
• The Dabbling Duck has kindly offered us
This promises to bring back happy memo-
a bar with barrels being sponsored by lo-
cal people with a suggested donation and ries for many, we shall also see how fash-
all money going to the Church. ion has changed over the years. What bet-
• Terence and Alison have kindly offered to ter than the Royal Wedding day to show
run a Pimms tent on the same lines. our village weddings. Anna Burpitt
13
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14
Useful Numbers
Organisation Contact Phone No.
Allotment Association Gill Goold 0750 824 2223
Baby & Toddler Rachael Lockwood Contact Village Hall
Biodiversity Project Mike Jackson 520 056
Borough Council Tim Tilbrook 01485 601413
Bell Ringing Denys Winner 520 598
Bowls Club Peter Wadham 520 796
Church Contacts Revd Judith Pollard 01485 601 251
or Revd Jane Holmes 01553 636227
Community Car Scheme Office 520 823
Coronation Club Jill Whitmore 520 609
County Council Stuart Graham Dark 07450 679 355
Doctors Massingham Surgery 520 521
Clean Tech
Ray and staff
FREE local deliveries
welcome you to
your local shop,
7days a week.
every Thursday ! 01485 609223
Mon. to Sat. Village Store Card, cheque and cash
8am to 5.30pm Great Massingham
Sun. 9.30 -12.30 payments accepted
Tel: 520 272
15
Thursday May 17th
Great Massingham Tennis & Multi-Sports Club 7pm for 7.30pm, £4 entry.
TENNIS OPEN DAY Great Massingham Village Hall
Saturday 12th May, 10am to 4pm ‘The Greatest Showman’
Join us for our 5th ‘Great British Tennis Inspired by the true story
Weekend’ Open Day. If you’ve always about PT Barnum (Hugh
fancied playing tennis but never got round Jackman), 'The Greatest
to it, then now’s your chance! Showman' tells the tale of a
All equipment provided, just wear trainers. visionary who rose from noth-
Fully qualified coaches and all free! (except ing to create a mesmerising
refreshments) spectacle that became a
Programme for the day: worldwide sensation.
• Tennis Xpress for adult beginners 10am-10.45
If you already play - bring a beginner to this session.
• Tots & Nots - 11am to 11.45 TREFOIL GUILD
Under 5’s - opportunity for parents/carers to join in.
• Junior Session - 6 to 11yrs - 11am to 11.45
COFFEE EVENING
• Girl, Set & Match : Girls 8-12yrs - 12 to 12.45 Thursday May 10th
7pm at Gt. Massingham Village Hall
BBQ & RELAX
Games, stalls & quizzes.
Entrance fee £1.50 that includes
12.45 to 1.30 coffee and cake.
Please come and support this
• TeenageTennis .12-16yrs - 1.30 to 2.15pm enjoyable, annual event.
• Cardio Tennis: 2.30pm
You won’t be disappointed
• Free Play: 3.30pm onwards.
For further info & to book a session go to :
clubspark.lta.org.uk/greatmassinghamtennis Great Massingham Area
or contact Ali on 01485 520700 Community Car Scheme AGM
or Annie on 01485 544135 Thursday 10th May, at 7.30pm,
Village Hall, East Rudham.
All welcome.