FREE - Issue Number 275 - December 2019 HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM THE EDITOR - THIS PAPER IS FREE!

A sincere
thank you
from Julian
I really do want to say a very sincere
thank you to everyone who has
supported The Wayland News this year.
I am always surprised at wide variety of
businesses that advertise in this paper.
Beyond doubt, without them, you would
lose the paper, so please, support those
local businesses that are still with us and
trading through these difficult times and
in the face of such ruthless competition.
And when you are doing that, tell them
you appreciate them advertising in your
paper!
This year we lost Jan Godfrey MBE,
with whom I started the journey
publishing The Wayland News back in
‘96. Although not intimately involved
after 2001, Jan has always been there, at
the end of the phone, ready with
editorial advice and shoulder to cry on.
And I am missing that. But the press
does not stop rolling so I must record
my thanks to all the contributors, both
regular and irregular, for all their
submissions. There is a “core” of
contributors who regularly submit
interesting and amusing pieces that help
make the paper what it is, and I give
particular thanks to Ken Knowles, Lotta
Potts, John Egerton, Orbiter, the Boy
Sid and a dozen others. Every
contributor helps make the paper an
interesting and informative read. Parrot Class from Watton Westfield Infant and Nursery School after their Indian Dancing class with Tina from JayaDance - More inside on page 3
I would also like to mention the Printers,
Sharman and Co in Peterborough. The event ‘In a Stable’ - to take place at Holy
team over there are so good in "In The Stable" Cross Church and Church Farm, Caston on Watton Town Carol Service
everything they do to help me meet Saturday 14th December – 11.00am- Please come! You are all welcome to the Town Carol Service
production deadlines and also in helping
Holy Cross Church, Caston 5.00pm 3.00pm Sunday 8th December 2019 in the Queens Hall.
to keep costs at a level wher the paper Saturday 14th December The Knitted people will be joined by live The Offering will be taken up for The Benjamin Foundation. They
works. So Mark, James, Jackie, Julie The village of Caston has reached national animals in the stable. The church will be are leading the way through partnership in this community of
and everyone else there, once more, I fame with the creation of Her Knitted decorated for Christmas. Refreshments, Watton for the Community Hub, evolving at the Harvey Street
thank you very much. Majesty (a life-sized replica of Queen gifts and goodies (for those last-minute Youth and Community Centre.
Ultimately, the efforts of all the above Elizabeth ll in her Coronation robes). She gifts) will be on sale in the church. The Benjamin Foundation is a charity set up in Norfolk and now
people come to nothing if you don’t featured in the Petal and Purl festival in Tickets to visit the stable will also be on expanding to Suffolk and neighbouring counties. They help people
pick up a copy and read it! So to you, June this year and has since travelled to the sale in the church cost £2 for adults and deal with many of the challenges that life throws at them. .
my dear reader, thank you. You are the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham children free. Homelessness - Accommodation centres for young adults provide
only reason The Wayland News is to be displayed at the Creative Craft Show. Join us to sing carols around the wondrous support and a safe place to live while we help them get their lives
published. Have a Happy, Peaceful Some of the remaining knitted people, from scene at 5.00pm We look forward to back on track. . Families - they support families in crisis and help
Christmas and a Healthy New the summer festival, have been reused into welcoming you to Caston for this special build stronger relationships. . Children - they work with schools to
Year. a life-sized Nativity tableau for a special day. support children with issues including bullying. They also provide
childcare in their day nursery and pre and post school clubs. .
Stores - their furniture stores in Norwich, Holt and Dereham sell
good quality donated furniture and electrical goods. Their Ipswich
Re-use Shop has a wide range of goods on sale. Each year the
Charity helps provide hope, opportunity, stability and independence
to around 2,000 people. Rev Gerry Foster
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 3
The Learning Journeys at Westfield
November has given us many reasons to
celebrate at Watton Westfield Infant
and Nursery School. At the beginning
of the month we opened our new
Nursery class for 2 year olds,
‘Hedgehogs’. We are delighted to be
able to support our local children’s
learning journeys from the term after
their second birthday. Please come and
speak to us if you would like to register
your child for a place.
We use core stories to deliver our
curriculum. Our Early Years classes
have been reading Goldilocks and the
Three Bears and have been looking at
different types of families and homes.
Our Key Stage One children have been
reading Traction Man is Here and
learning about toys in the past and how
different materials have different
purposes.
We learnt about the Hindu festival of
light, Diwali, listened to the story of
Rama and Sita, and made our own
Rangoli patterns from coloured sand.
As our picture on the front page shows
A Quick Look
Round
by Orbiter
It seems amazing that the dark nights of
winter are here with us again, but time
does not wait around, and Christmas is
beckoning, which seems even more
surprising as I write these lines, as, in
the first weeks of November there are
very few falling leaves to mark the
onset of autumn, let alone winter. But
the weather has been bringing surprises
all through this year, and it can all be a
bit exciting, if that sort of thing turns
you on, I am sure it has not escaped
your notice that several of the new
housing estates in the area have shed
their surrounding hoardings to become
part of the local scene, and that there are
applications in for permission for others
to follow. Of course every such
application elicits objections from
existing residents. But are these
objections justified ? Naturally the
original inhabitants must have been
horrified to find they were being
overwhelmed by incomers, but it seems
that it is mainly those same incomers
who are now raising the objections to
any new development.
Yes, it can be sad to see a well-loved bit
of open space swallowed up by roads and
houses – I, have been lucky enough to
enjoy a view of greenery for some time,
but I know the situation will soon change,
in which case I will have to cherish the
memories, while accepting the changes as
they come. And I will try to remember
that I, too, was one of those incomers,
thirty years ago.
On a currently aired radio programme
the children joined in an Indian Dance
Workshop with Tina from JayaDance.
BIFFA (Bible is Fun for All) Club was
visited by Rt. Revd. Jonathan Meyrick,
Bishop of Lynn (above). The children
acted out the story of Noah’s Ark, made
their own animal masks and learnt that a
rainbow is a sign of God’s promise
never to flood the whole earth again.
We have been out and about in the
community each week. This half term it
has been the turn of Giraffe class to
visit Watton Library and for Meerkat
class to use the climbing wall at Just
Grip, Full Fitness Gym.
If you would be interested in coming in
to school occasionally to read to a group
of children, please let us know by
emailing us at:
office@westfield.norfolk.sch.uk as we
are still looking for more ‘Secret
Readers’ to help encourage our
children’s love of books and reading.
We would love it if you could help!
Thank you… until our next update!
they feature requests from newly- weds
for records to be played, and almost every
other one these days mentions that the
wedding will take place in some peculiar
setting, such as down a coal mine, or
dangling from parachutes over Ben Nevis.
These gimmicky ceremonies may appeal
to the whimsy of those concerne4, but a
church or registry office wedding is
deliberately intended to impress upon the
participants the serious commitment they
are undertaking, even if they are not
religiously inclined. Perhaps I am old-
fashioned in my thinking, but a marriage
is the most serious commitment a couple
can make, and should surely deserve
respect.
Now if there is one thing that annoys
me about broadcasting, whether on the
TV or on radio, it is advertising. Yes I
have to expect it if I watch television,
but not, surely, on BBC radio. But, alas,
on Radio 2 not more than ten minutes is
ever allowed to pass without my
listening being interrupted by an advert
for other programmes scheduled for
later in the same day or in the future,
particularly the following Friday night.
Television adverts I can avoid by
ensuring I record every programme and
then ‘fast forward’ through them.
It is rather a pity, for in the nineteen-
fifties, when commercial TV first arrived,
and for many years afterwards, the adverts
were often mini features themselves, and,
in fact, could be seen as little works of art,
many of them accompanied by jingles and
catch phrases, such as ‘you’ll wonder
where the yellow went….’, or ‘Buy some
for Lulu’. Some folks even regarded the
commercial breaks superior toe the
programmes they inter-rupted !
Older readers may recall that we were first
introduced to this sort of advertising in the
mid- thirties, if we tuned our ‘wirelesses’ to
Radio Luxembourg, to which station our
attention was directed by the makers of the
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
famous night-time drink, made even more
famous when half the children of the country
Breckland Local Group
were encouraged to join the band of On Sunday 20th October a small group of us joined Jonathan Revett for
Ovaltinies, for whom a special show was a Fungi Foray at Brandon Country Park. We were lucky to have a dry
broadcast every Sunday afternoon (late enough and still morning to enjoy a
to avoid clashing with Sunday School!). Of wonderful beech and birch
course the war brought an end to all that, and woodland and no sooner had
though Luxembourg came back on the air six we set out than we found this
years later, it never regained its pre-war lovely specimen of a Pestle
popularity. Puffball. We went on to find
The arrival of commercial television brought a many different species
wealth of brilliant advertising, which including a small group of
entertained us through many years, but the rare Earth Star.
gradually the supply of ideas seemed to dry up, Jonathan was a very
which can only be expected after over sixty knowledgeable and
years, which has led me to my current approachable leader of our
reluctance to watch them. Of course I realise walk and a good time was
that many folks do not necessarily feel the had by all.
same way, but I do resent having my Our last event of this year
enjoyment of a good play spoilt by regular is a talk by Philip Parker,
interruptions. Bats and Churches. Venue
Of course advertising reaches us in many is Watton Christian
ways, especially via our postal services, which Community Centre, High
depend on ads. to keep them in business, since Street, Watton. IP25 6AB.
no one can afford the stamps required for what Cost £3 non-members, £2 members including seasonal refreshments.
was once the normal mail. Hardly a day passes We start 2020 with a talk by local photographer, Martin Hosier on the
without a leaf-let or catalogue arrives on our Wildlife of Borneo. Venue etc as above.
doormats, all of them begging us to ‘Save’, by
purchasing some product - though how one
can ‘save’ by paying out money, I don’t Thank you from Jenny & Dave
understand. And inside the catalogue, the first Our Macmillan coffee morning was once again a great success with our
page will probably be headed by your name, guests able to enjoy a bright, sunny morning while they enjoyed their
printed in an identical type-face to the rest of coffee and a chat. Many who were unable to attend sent very generous
the booklet, to make you think the whole thing donations so that we have been able to send £461 to Macmillan Cancer
has been specially printed just for you. Support. Thank you to everyone for their support but particularly to our
And should you decide to order anything, a helpers on the day - Beryl Brannan, Sue Bunce, Pam and Roy Challand,
series of e-mails will reach you, the first Stella Langford, Stella Leonard and Valerie Semlyen.
acknowledging your order, and then a We couldn’t do it without you all and we hope to see you at our next
succession of progress reports on when the one! Jenny and Dave Simons.
goods leave various points on their journey to
your door.
And your purchase will have put your name on
the data-base of numerous other firms, who
will send even more ‘bumph’. It must be
galling for your postman to have to battle all
sorts of weather just to bring all this junk mail
to your door, but I suppose everyone’s job has
a down-side.
Now I don’t usually take too much interest in
politics - we elect people to do all that sort of
thing - and in fact I know so little about
government that until last week I thought the
Cabinet was where the PM stored his drinks,
and that Amber Rudd was a species of
butterfly – but I could have sworn that a few
weeks ago
I heard Mr. Johnson say categorically that
we would leave the EU on October 31st. But
we seem to be still in it. Most confusing.
And instead we are now to endure a general
election instead. Of course, on the face of
things, an election gives a fair indication of
the wishes of the people, but does it ? The
voting figures always include a vast number
of traditional voters, those who say that their
great grandfather voted for this or that party
in the 19th century, so the family has always
voted that way. Then there are the old folks
who are unfortunately sufferers from
dementia, who probably think that Winston
Churchill is still in charge, the nuisance
voters who think it a joke to mess up the
voting paper with frivolous remarks, and
those who will definitely vote, well if it’s
not raining.
All these make the process frustrating for those
folks who take a real interest in these matters,
but hopefully there will be a sufficient number
of sensible voters to ensure that the present
mess can soon be sorted out.
As I write I am aware of all kinds of promises
being made by the leaders of the various
political parties, and would hope to be able to
remember these when the hustings are all over,
as they should make amusing reading.
Meanwhile I have to decide who I’d prefer as
the next Prime Minister so I shall know which
party to vote for – Jeremy, Nigel or Boris. I
think I’ll go for the good looking one.
Oh dear ! Good afternoon.
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 4
In your garden
With Lotta Potts
Well it’s a poor day you don’t learn
something and an interesting fact I came
across before starting this is that the
Lord Mayor’s Show day is traditionally
the start date for planting tulips. This
year it was Saturday 9th November so
we aren’t late! I must try and remember
that for next year.
Thanks to Christina Rossetti we think of
December being the ‘deep mid-winter’.
It isn’t. Officially it’s the last month of
autumn. Having said that, a lot of the
country has had more than its fair share
of rain for November and South
Yorkshire must be hell a few weeks
before Christmas. There has also been
snow in North Wales and parts of
Shropshire before the middle of
November. This must be a bit of a
mickey-take: one can understand
Scotland having to put up with it (and
they are) but not Shropshire. It isn’t
even very far north in England. Maybe
it’s a sign of things to come. So,
whatever the weather there are some
jobs that are best done now. The main
one for lots of plants is pruning as they
are dormant but they will be dormant
for some time to come so don’t despair
if you have to wait a while. I suppose
the most pressing is grapes. These have
to be pruned by Christmas. No I don’t
know why, just that. We spent some
holidays in France and had quite a few
visits to vineyards from Champagne to
Bordeaux and they all said ‘Christmas
finishes pruning’. The explanations as
to why went over my head.
If you didn't half-prune roses earlier in
the autumn it should be done now to
prevent wind-rock. Don't do it if it's
frosty as this will get in through the
wounds and kill the stems. Having said
that I did this pruning one Christmas
Day when there was a hard frost (not
here, in an area with clay and wonderful
roses) and that didn’t do any harm. I
wouldn’t recommend it as you never
know. Now's the time to prune
overgrown deciduous hedges. They will
be dormant now so take them back to
manageable sizes. Make the hedges
tapered so that the top is narrower than
the bottom to prevent damage from, you
guessed, snow! This is called a 'batter'
for some reason. You can prune just
about any deciduous tree or bush to
keep it within bounds, raise the canopy
or correct the direction of growth. Don't
overdo it. Step back every now and
again to make sure you are achieving
the right effect. Also remember that
growth follows the knife so try to spot a
dormant bud that faces the right way
and prune to that. It's unlikely you'll kill
anything by pruning it. The results
might not be what you wanted but nine
times out of ten they'll grow away
again.
This is the month to prune soft fruit.
The easiest are autumn-fruiting
raspberries. Cut the lot down to the
ground and that’s it. Summer-fruiting
varieties need a lot more thought and
accuracy. The experts tell us that the
first thing is to erect stout stakes about
6feet high and attach three rows of
horizontal wire supports between the
stakes. The number of stakes is
governed by how many plants you put
in. After the plants have fruited or now,
the canes that have fruited should be cut
right down and the new ones tied in to
the wires. I assume the fruited canes are
easy to identify. It is also recommended
that weak shoots should be removed as
well as others that are growing outside
the allotted space. It is then assumed
that the remaining new shoots that are
tied in are nicely spaced along the
wires. Good luck.
Other soft fruit for pruning are the
currant families. They are not all related
and need slightly different treatment.
Black currants fruit best on year-old
branches and only need pruning once
the bushes are old enough to fruit
reliably. Once this is achieved cut back
one-third of the oldest shoots close to
the base then remove diseased,
damaged or badly placed shoots and
finish up with a fairly open goblet of
well-spaced young shoots. Red and
white currants fruit on shoots that are at
least two years old. Unlike black
currants they are normally grown on a
short length of clear stem. Although my
book doesn’t tell me I am going to
assume that the usual routine of
removing dead, damaged and out of
place shoots applies, then shorten last
summer’s growth at the tip of each
main shoot by half and cut back the
side-shoots to within one or two buds
of the main stems. On really old bushes
it might improve matters by completely
removing some very old shoots that no
longer fruit well but try to leave
vigorous young side-shoot as
replacements.
Gooseberries are other varieties that
fruit on shoots of a year or more old
and will continue to fruit even if the
pruning is neglected. However, as they
are armed with spiky stems harvesting
the fruit can become difficult so it’s
best to grit the teeth and prune when the
bushes are of an age. First of all cut low
branches close to the soil to an upward-
pointing bud and again do the damaged,
dead, diseased removal routine. Then
cut the new growth at the tips of the
main shoots by about half and prune
back the side-shoots of the main
branches to two buds from the old
wood. Again, if the plant is really old
remove one or two of the oldest shoots
to a point where there is a younger
replacement.
I suppose we could basically treat all
deciduous trees and shrubs the same:
three ‘ds’ and get them into shape with
plenty of space in the middle for light
and air to get in.
The other thing that applies to
deciduous trees and shrubs is that it’s
planting time. Bare-root plants need to
go in now and as with other plants pot-
grown ones can be put in now or any
time as long as the soil is not water-
logged or frozen. The main advantage
of bare-root specimens of course is
cost. You can also tell if the roots are
sound. The roots should be soaked for
about an hour then put into a hole larger
than the root-ball. Use a bit mycorrhizal
fungus powder on the roots and in the
planting hole to encourage growth. The
science eludes me but apparently it
works. Make sure the plant is at the
same depth as when it was lifted. There
is usually a clear soil mark on the stem.
Firm it in well, using the boot close to
make sure the plant is firm and there
are no air pockets. Now prune it to
about 9-12” to stimulate new growth.
Water the new plants. Then finally
adopt Mr T’s method of taking two
steps back and saying “now grow you b
----r”. Works every time.
If you get bored with all that pruning
you can always carry on with a bit of
winter digging to get the appetite going
for December’s big day. Of course you
can always plant onion seeds indoors
on Boxing Day. In some quarters this is
guaranteed to produce large onions. I
don’t know but maybe I’ll try it. If I
remember.
May I wish readers of the Wayland
News a very Merry Christmas and if
you find yourselves housebound due to
inclement weather now’s a good time
to get out the catalogues and make lists
of planning, seeds and new plants. Then
tear up the lists as you won’t have
either the space or the budget and by
New Year’s versions you’ll be ready to
order.
Of course, last resort if the ground isn’t
covered in snow, keep weeding.
Wayland Mens
Shed
Social Group, Church Walk, Watton
Having missed last months edition due
to taking a break it seems I have a lot to
catch up with, as always there is a busy
list of activities going on at our shed.
Our membership this year at time of
going to print is 71 Members and still
growing, Our work shop is now fully
up and running with various woodwork
commissions from the public and other
organisations in and around Watton, we
help where we can. As always our
Computer Group are busy repairing and
recycling computers and we are soon to
have our own WiFi and will be offering
computer tuition to members of the
public for a nominal fee.
A coach full of our members made the
trip to Duxford for the Battle of Britain
Air show on the 22nd of September,
with several of our members being
retired ex Forces this is always a popular
event, the day being a little disrupted by
torrential rain but giving the members a
chance to view the large collection of
fighting machines in the hangers.
Friday the 4th October was our
member, Stephen Smiths Birthday
party, this was organised by Stephen
and held at Barn Ruche , on Thetford
rd, all WMS members were invited and
was very much enjoyed by all those
that attended. Thank you Stephen.
Wednesday 9th October was one of our
regular "Photo Group Outings" on this
occasion it was a visit to Winterton for
a stroll and some photography followed
by a well earned Pub Lunch.
RAF Marham was our next outing on
the 6th November once again we had a
full turnout of members, partners and
friends, we were given a tour of all the
facilities on the base except of course
those considered "Out of Bounds" but
the day was enjoyed by all. Many
thanks to RAF Marham.
Well I wont keep you all in suspense!
Yes, on Friday last 8th November we
held another one of our now famous
and now copied by all, "Quiz and
Chips" evenings, again a sell out
(standing room only). Our quiz master
Mr Malcolm Trayhorn was on top form
with his corny jokes now cornier than
ever, a rumour has it that he recently
turned down an offer to visit the "White
House" to assist with political speeches
but as yet he has not played his Trump
card, is there no end to Malcolms
talents.
At the time of writing this article I have
not long returned home from the "Day
of Remembrance" at the Watton
Memorial on Thetford road, several of
our members attended and it was good
to see a large turn out by the general
public, an event that should never be
missed.
Up and coming events: " Mulled Wine
& Mince Pies" on Friday 13th
December, this is a middle of the day
event. Our Christmas Meal at "Broom
Hall" is on 17th December, 7pm, this
will be our last event of the year.
This will bring yet another year to a
close at Wayland Mens Shed, Our
thanks goes out to all our Committee
Members, members, their wives,
Partners and friends who have helped to
make this another successful year at
"The Shed" Church Walk, Watton.
Remember if you are passing by you
are welcome to pop in for a chat or a
cuppa, the kettle is always on, our
opening days are: Monday and
Wednesdays; 9.30am to 1pm and
Fridays and Saturdays (computer
group) 9.30am to 1pm. Any enquiries
just give me a call on 01953 881004.
We look forward to meeting you.
Cheers, Richard Adams
The West Norfolk
Aviation Society
Such was the enthusiasm for WNAS
member Bob K’s talk last month that he
was asked to deliver the sequel this
month. After spending over 30 years as
a pilot in the RAF it is no wonder there
was so much more to tell.
Having qualified as a pilot he joined 3
Squadron at Coningsby in the 1960s
and his responsibilities were extreme
and varied. When stationed at Laabruch
in Germany, a 3 minute mobilising time
was often achieved in preparing his
Canberra for a potential nuclear strike.
Collaborating now, with old allies and
some old enemies, combined exercises
were important. Target practice in the
Libyan desert won them prizes for
accuracy; the Salmond Bombing
Trophy being one.
Compared to the American Starfighter
the Canberra was ageing somewhat but
it still excelled, beating the American
and European teams by at least 20%.
Despite this, Bob’s comrades were still
in awe of the Starfighter’s performance
and, when offered a flight in one, foot
already poised on the bottom rung of
the boarding ladder, his excitement was
suddenly extinguished by orders to
return to the mess.
The testing of ejector seats was another
practice vital to a well-trained squadron;
here again the Martin Baker equipment
was superior to that of the competition.
He was later invited to go to Oman and
demonstrate to the Sultan’s air force
procedures for parachuting from
aeroplanes. The preferred types were
Islanders, Dorniers and his favourite:
Buffalos. After a cancer scare he was
ordered to return to England where he
was invited to assist with the formation
of Air Wales and a charter company at
Ipswich, operating Dorniers. With this
experience he was asked to return to
help his mate, the Sultan, refine his air
force. As if his life’s adventure so far
wasn’t enough, Bob, having a musical
bent, still felt the urge to express
himself in other ways and formed a
band with some of the locals. They
called themselves ‘Rashid goes to
Nizwa’; ‘The Duelling Banjos’ being
their signature tune. Bob now on a high
and, having talked for nearly two
hours, Jenny his wife, prompt and
manager, cautiously coaxed him
down to a safe landing.
Here endeth the second lesson.
Author: Nigel Tooth.
www.westnorfolkaviationsociety.org.
uk By kind permission of Mundford
Bowls Club (Hosts Colin & Janet)
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 5
A World On
Two Wheels
By Ken Knowles
I was born and brought up in north
London, in the borough of Stoke
Newington, which remained the
central point of my life, until the
outbreak of the war in 1939.
In those days everything in our
lives took place within a range of
about one mile, in which we had
shops, cinemas, parks, schools –
and in fact almost everything we
needed. Apart from the annual
Sunday School outing to Southend
on Sea, or Epping Forest, or
possibly a week in Clacton with
my mother, my world was quite
restricted, though not unlike that of
the majority of London children in
those days.
One exception I do recall, was
when I was about eight years old,
on a fine summer day, I followed a
footpath across the end of Hackney
Marshes and came out in
Walthanstow.. When I returned
home my mother would not
believe that I could have reached
such a distant place, for although I
don’t suppose it was actually more
than three miles away, the usual
journey by bus would have taken
about three quarters of an hour,
with three changes of bus being
necessary. However my
description of Wood Street and
Hoe Street and the large market
eventually convinced her.
This journey, and visits to
Gamages in Holborn or Selfridges
in Oxford Street each Christmas
and maybe the Science Museum in
Kensington constituted about the
extent of my travels in those early
days, but this was all to change in
1939, with the out- break of war.
My school was evacuated to
Bedford, where we found that
pedestrians were in short supply, as
almost everyone over the age of
two, rode a bicycle, while those
under two travelled as passengers
on their mothers’ bikes.
Of course we were keen to join
them, and within weeks most of
our boys had cycles of their own.
Alas, I realised that fortunes in our
family at that time would not allow
me to expect a bike of my own, but
on a weekend visit home (allowed
because the expected air-raids had
not yet materialised) I was
surprised to find a bicycle
awaiting. My pleasure, however,
was dampened when I realised that
this was nothing like the machines
ridden by my friends, who all had
modern lightweight models,
whereas this bike resembled no
other I had ever seen, with old-
fashioned brakes, wheels, and
handlebars, while the frame
weighed what seemed to be a ton.
But I realised that my parents had
done their best, within their limited
means, and I would have to make
the best of things.
And so I joined the merry band of
cyclists who daily swarmed around
the streets of Bedford.
As time went by I saved every
penny I could from pocket money
and Christmas gifts, until
eventually I could afford to go to a
local shop that would, for about
three pounds, supply a lighter rear
wheel, complete with three-speed
gear box, and a cable brake. From
this it is obvious that prices in
those days were so different to
those we know today.
Now at last I had a bike on which I
could keep up with my friends,
even though it must have been the
oddest one on the planet, equipped
with no item matching another. But
I was now part of the mobile
population, and very soon I had
visited nearly every town or village
inn the area, and very soon would
be ready for the ‘big one’, a trip
home, to London.
The distance to the capital was
exactly fifty miles, although
possibly just about forty-eight to
my house, and my first attempt
took more than five hours, my
progress being hampered by the
still heavier than usual weight of
the bike, plus the fact that the
journey was quite a test for a
young boy, with little experience
of riding more than about twenty
miles at a time, plus the fact that
the last twelve miles or so of the
journey were the most hilly.
But I managed it, and from then on
every subsequent trip became
easier and faster.
As the war years rolled by, more
and more cars were being laid up,
which meant that there was less
traffic for me to contend with and I
remember particularly one day, on
the Great North Road, when for
several minutes I was the only
traveller in sight. Imagine that
today! When eventually I knew I
was about to be overtaken by a big
lorry, I was able to use the practice
of the times, and tuck myself in
behind it, taking the advantage of
being sucked along by the back
draught afforded by the back of the
large vehicle. I expect any reader
who used to be a cyclist will recall
using this method of assisted
travel, but once again unthinkable
today.
By the end of 1941 I had left
school, and returned to London,
where the bicycle was by far the
easiest means of getting about, for
the vast number of small side
streets made excellent short-cuts to
enable me to avoid many main
roads, and over the years I must
have covered hundreds of miles on
two wheels.
Of course eventually, as the years
went by, vehicular traffic expanded
beyond belief, and one- way street
systems put an end to using back
streets as cut- throughs, and
cycling in London took on the
mantle of the survival of the fittest,
and though I continued to ride for
many years in country areas, the
time came to pension off my
bicycle, though I can look back on
many happy years up in the saddle.
Watton Relief
In Need
The Trustees will be meeting early
in December to consider
applications from residents of
Watton for financial support this
Christmas. Applications forms for
assistance are available as detailed
below and must be returned before
the Trustees’ meeting takes place.
The Charity is an amalgamation of
Charities set up many years ago to
support those in need and the
Trustees have a duty to distribute
the income of the Charity ‘to
relieve residents of Watton who
are in conditions of need, hardship,
or distress.’ The Charity may make
grants of money, or pay for items,
services or facilities, that will help
to reduce need, hardship or
distress. In certain circumstances
the Charity can also offer similar
support to institutions or
organisations serving residents of
Watton.
In the past few years grants have,
in the main, consisted of support
for the elderly to help with the
extra costs of Christmas and/or the
ever-increasing costs of keeping
warm. In addition, during 2018 we
have made one or two small cash
grants and provided some essential
items of equipment. The Trustees
are keen to consider applications
from other age groups, provided
they are residents of the Town of
Watton and they are in ‘need,
hardship or distress.’
It is important to note that residents
in the parish of Carbrooke, living
in many of the housing
developments along Norwich
Road, are not eligible under the
terms of the Charity’s legally
binding ‘Scheme of Arrangement.’
No preference is given to any
section of the community but
applicants will be required to give
full personal financial details and
provide whatever information the
Trustees require before any
decisions can be made. All
information given is treated in the
strictest confidence and our data
handling procedures are in line
with the requirements of GDPR
legislation.
Applications may be made in
person, or on behalf of someone
else, or on behalf of another
Watton Charity but, in order to
comply with data protection
regulations, they must be on our
official form. Trustees also
nominate people or groups that
they have knowledge of.
Application forms are available
from;
Wayland Hall, Middle Street ,
Watton IP25 6AG; Wayland
House, High Street Watton IP25
6AR; Citizens Advice, Unit 2
Ventura House, Norwich Road,
Watton IP25 6JU or by email to
clerk.wrin@btinternet.com
Completed forms can be returned
to any of the above contact points.
Patients Who
Do Not Attend
Surgery
Appointments
The Watton Surgery Patients
Participation Group (PPG) would
like to make patients of the surgery
aware of the time lost at the
surgery by patients who fail to
attend appointments with the
doctors and nurses.
During September of this year 78
patients failed to keep doctors
appointments and 89 patients failed
to keep appointments with nurses.
This is nearly 35hours of lost
appointments time.
The PPG accept there may be good
reasons why some patients could
not attend their appointments but
in this day of modern
communications there is very little
excuse for not informing the
surgery that they could not attend.
The 165 appointments made but
not kept means that 165 other
patients were prevented from
making their own appointments.
It also means that all patients were
kept waiting longer on the phone
while the Do not Attend Patients
were making their appointments.
All doctors’ surgeries are under
increasing pressure so members of
the Watton PPG would like to ask
patients to please contact the
Watton Surgery if they can no
longer keep their appointments
with either the doctors or nursing
staff. It is also the PPGs intention
to publish future Watton Surgery
monthly Do Not Attend Figures.
The Wayland
Chamber of
Commerce
One of the roles of the Chamber is
to represent Wayland businesses at
various district meetings and
events; this month the meeting of
the Breckland Business Forum
(BFF) provided us with the
opportunity to hear from the
Breckland Council Lead Sam,
Chapman-Allen an outline of
Breckland Business initiatives. It
also provided us with the chance to
promote the activities and interests
of the Wayland Chamber. I am
pleased to be able to report that
Sam was impressed by what he had
heard of our activities over recent
months and is arranging with a
number of Breckland Officers to
visit and hear first hand of our
initiatives. We look forward to
that. An additional outcome of this
particular meeting was that I was
able to extend an invitation to hold
the next meeting of the BBF in
Wayland. Keep an eye out for the
notices of this in the New Year.
It seems crazy to be even thinking
of 2020, but it is now clear to us
that Christmas 2019 is not far
around the corner. And after a
short gap we are pleased to
announce that the Chamber returns
this year to sponsoring the
Christmas Window Competition.
The competition for the best
dressed window has in the past
been a hotly contested event
among the Watton High Street
retailers and although there is no
particular theme this year, the
window display needs to fully
celebrate the festive season in all
its glory. Keep an eye out for the
appearance of the window displays
which will all be in place at least a
week ahead of judging on the 18th
November. This allows us chance
review all the entrants and to
announce the winner sometime
between 1and 5 pm on the
afternoon of the Festive Market on
Sunday 24th November.
On other important notice for this
months is that following up from
the successful launch of our vision
and strategy for businesses in
Wayland in October at Broom Hall
Hotel, we now have prepared a
summary which we have produced
as a colourful leaflet. This is
available on our website, and
Wayland businesses will each be
receiving a printed copy over the
next few weeks. Any business who
would like a copy and/or a
membership pack so that they can
join the Chamber and engage with
our programme of activities should
either visit our website or email
David Dent at
chair@waylandchamber.co.uk.
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 6
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 7
A unique history of a Norfolk village during WWII
Carbrooke Heritage Group launched the
publication of their book, compiled by
Mike Kimber (above), ‘A Village School
at War’ at a special event in the village
hall. The book is based on Carbrooke
School’s log, which gave a fascinating
picture into school and village life during
the war. Mary Norton was the
headteacher from 1940 to 1945 and wrote
vividly about everyday events like
struggling to get through the snow drifts
to keep the school open. She included
fascinating details about the introduction
of school dinners and milk, gas mask
Saham Toney
Neighbourhood Plan
Update
Shaping the future of Saham Toney!
This month’s update concentrates on the
responses we received to the recent
consultation.
From villagers:
 31 parishioners indicated support for
the Plan, without comment;
 6 parishioners indicated support for the
Plan, subject to their comments;
 5 parishioners indicated they did not
support the Plan and submitted
comments indicating their reasons for
that.
In total, there were 27 comments from
the 11 villagers who made comments,
concerning the following topics:
 Flood risk in the Pound Hill / Page’s
Lane / Chequers Lane area: 6
 Development size exceeding 4-6
houses per site and housing density: 4
 Potential for sewerage overspill: 3
 Impact on openness and key views: 3
 Maintaining footways with farmland
views: 2
 Supportive of the Plan: 2 (in addition to
those who had no comments)
 Highway safety and traffic speed
concerns: 2
 Improving the appearance of Page’s
Place: 1
 Biodiversity surveys: 1
 Development outside the settlement
boundary: 1
 Potential impact on archaeological
sites: 1
 Typographical error: 1
From Breckland Council: We received
89 comments from the Council and met
with their Neighbourhood Planning
Coordinator to discuss those. In the main,
comments were minor and logical, and
we accepted those. Others we accepted
following clarification of their intent and
the manner in which we should
implement them. Others we considered
would weaken the Plan if implemented,
particularly those objecting to our
limiting the number of houses allocated
training and digging for victory and, of
course, the mischief of some of the
children.
Of special interest are the accounts of the
gifts sent by the school children to sailors
and the resulting visit by officers from SS
Southwood. Visits from the American
servicemen also caused great excitement
as they put on a Christmas party for the
children and provided candy and chewing
gum. The children were filmed for
American newsreels. Visits by the district
nurse to check hair for nits and regular
check-ups in school of children’s teeth
strictly to the numbers stated and phasing
of sites over the entire plan period. For
those we presented further evidence,
which was accepted and hence those
comments were withdrawn. A very few
comments are undecided pending further
information from the Council.
From statutory and non-statutory bodies:
We also consulted 121 organisations and
individuals with a potential interest in the
Plan. 10 of those responded, the most
important of which was Norfolk Council.
We had comments from their
infrastructure and historic environment
departments, from the Lead Local Flood
Authority and the Local Highways
Authority, and support from our County
Councillor. We are waiting for
clarification of the Highways’ comments,
but otherwise have used the responses as
justification to further strengthen the
plan. Other comments came from
Anglian Water, Sport England, Norfolk
Police, Gladman Developments, and the
owners of sites STNP4-7 (via their
agent). Responses from Historic
England, Natural England, Highways
England and the National Grid simply
confirmed they each had no comments.
We are now steadily incorporating
agreed comments into the Plan, and for
others setting out reasons why no change
to the Plan is required as a result of a
comment. All comments received and
our response to each will later be
published as explained last month.
The Masterplanning studies for the sites
around Pound Hill and the one at
Richmond Hall are progressing well, and
as I write are being reviewed by our
landscape consultant. The key findings
will be blended into the Plan as a guide
to the sort of site layouts that best meet
our policies.
Breckland Council has confirmed that
Strategic Environmental and Habitats
Regulations Assessments of the Plan are
required. We have already applied for
Government support to undertake those,
using the same consultants who did the
site assessments and are now doing the
masterplanning work. Once the
applications are approved, the
consultants expect their work to take
PLEASE MENTION
THE WAYLAND NEWS
WHEN SHOPPING WITH OUR
ADVERTISERS
were recorded.
A packed village hall listened to extracts
from the book read by the children from
Carbrooke Primary Academy (above). The
Three-agers, a ukulele band, provided
excellent musical entertainment and a war
time tea party was enjoyed by all.
Copies of the book are available from
carbrookeheritage@gmail.com
Ed: I have opbtained a copy of the book,
which is only £5, and I must say I have
enjoyed reading it immensely. It really
adds to the local history knowledge of the
area and life around here at that time.
around 11 weeks.
Meanwhile it now looks as though
Breckland Council may at last approve
its Local Plan at a meeting on 28
November. If so, the village will have
some protection against speculative
developments, which will be
strengthened further when the
Neighbourhood Plan is approved.
As usual, if you have any comments or
questions on any of this, or anything else
to do with the Neighbourhood Plan, or if
you would like to be added to our
mailing list, please look on our website
or contact Chris Blow on 01953 880915
or at stnp2016@gmail.com.
Watton Evening WI
The past month has been a busy one with
all sorts of group activities taking place.
The book club, dining club, walking club
and others, all meet for the WI bywords
of 'friendship and fun'. How true that is.
The November meeting was essentially a
business one with the previous year's
committee standing down and a new one
being elected. Hazel Gillingham, our
President felt unable to continue and
stood down as did Barbara Trayhurn.
Thanks goes to them for all the work of
the past year. All other members were
happy to continue in a committee
capacity, along with assistance from
other members, for the wide ranging
tasks necessary in running a group.
We welcomed Meg Dorling, a WI
advisor, joined our meeting and
answered questions and spoke about
Denman House, a WI venue in
Oxfordshire providing workshops and
activities in beautiful surroundings and
quality rooms in which to stay.
Additional activities taking place will, at
the time of writing, be a craft evening
with the Thursday club and The Festive
Market, hopefully along with the rest of
Watton and surrounding villages.
Many members are going to attend a
'baby shower', it just goes to show that
being young is no barrier to WI
membership.
Finally, a Christmas Dinner for members
will be held at Broom Hall, a lovely way
to finish the WI year.
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 8
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 9
Breckland Cats
Protection
Like humans cats can also get arthritis
which causes inflammation of the
moveable joints and can be caused by
many things, including trauma,
infection and wear and tear. It can
sometimes go unnoticed in older cats as
owners think the cat is slowing down
with age, when it is actually a very
painful condition. More than 80 per
cent of cats aged over 10 years will
have some degree of arthritis detectable
on x-rays. It is worth getting your cat
checked regularly as treating chronic
problems like arthritis will make a huge
difference to his quality of life.
Cats are very good at hiding the signs
of arthritis and unlike dogs, are unlikely
to alert their owners to a problem by
limping or becoming lame. The elbow,
shoulders, hips and spine are the most
common areas to be affected and one or
more may be affected at a time.
The signs to look out for are stiffness
especially after resting, reduced
mobility often displayed as an
unwillingness to jump or climb.
Difficulty in grooming, especially the
middle of the back and tail. Your cat
may become grumpy or even
aggressive because he is in pain.
Another indication is swollen or painful
joints and worsening signs during cold
or damp weather.
Your vet will be able to diagnose
arthritis after a clinical examination, by
manipulating the joints to check for
stiffness, pain, grating and reduced
movement. X-rays may be taken to
check for changes to the bones and to
monitor the progression of the disease.
The most common form of treatment is
long-term, anti inflammatory drugs and
these can be very effective in reducing
pain and increasing mobility. However,
never give your cat human anti-
inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin as
they can be highly toxic and even fatal.
There are also supplements available
such as glucosamine, chrondroitin
sulphate that are thought to help repair
damaged cartilage and may have some
anti-inflammatory properties.
Acupuncture is also beneficial for pain
relief but must be carried out by a vet.
Your cat's weight may have to be
controlled as being overweight puts
extra stress on the joints. You can make
some adjustments to your home so that
your cat can reach his favourite places
easily by placing boxes or furniture as
launch pads. Make sure your cat has a
cosy well padded bed in a safe warm
place that can be readily accessed and
ensure your cat can reach his toileting
site easily and that the sides of his litter
tray aren't too tall.
As Christmas approaches pleased be
advised that we do not allow cats to be
adopted as gifts for adults or children.
We do not home any cat or kitten
between 16th December and 2nd
January as Christmas time is not a good
time to introduce a cat or kitten to a
busy, noisy household. Cats and kittens
can be reserved, but kept in our care
until after the New Year.
For help or advice or if you need
assistance with the cost of neutering,
please call us on 01842 810018.
Rita Thompson.
Watton Country
Market
If Christmas shopping is on the top of
your list The Country Market has a
great selection of hand crafted items
that could make a perfect present. There
is still time to order a personalised item
and you can talk to our team of
producers to discuss your requirements.
We are always willing to go the ‘extra
mile’ to ensure that you get exactly the
right item. Come in and have a chat if
you are running out of ideas as we may
be able to make some useful
suggestions to help you solve the
problem! We also have fresh, foliage
wreaths and various Christmas
Decorations and Greeting Cards.
Are you looking for something very
local for your Christmas Dinner this
year? Angela is taking orders for locally
produced large chickens, geese and
turkeys, oven ready and full of flavour.
We also have a good selection of home
made chutneys, and Den’s pickled
onions and shallots, perfect companions
for cold meats over the festive period
and beyond. We have a good selection
of Christmas Cakes/fruit cakes both
decorated and undecorated, but please
don’t wait too long as they may not be
available at the last minute. Very
pleased to announce that we have a new
baker joining us, so look out for some
of the new lines we will have available!
What are you doing on the morning of
7th December, would you like to join
Jan and Veronica in our Festive
Workshop? You will be very welcome
but spaces are limited so please do not
delay in booking. You can choose to
create a festive, fresh foliage, hanging
basket or decorate a candle, learning all
the techniques and tips of the trade as
you go, and enjoying light refreshments
in our usual ‘Country Market Style’.
Cost is £20, 10am – 12.30pm. Ring Jan
on 07840755092 if you want more
details or message our facebook page
facebook.com/Wattoncountrymarket
At time of writing we are looking
forward to participating in the festivities
for the Christmas Lights Switch On the
24th November, with a full range of our
usual products for sale on the day and
our ‘Resting Point Refreshments’ to
break the journey from one end of the
town to the other with a freshly made
cuppa and a slice of something nice to
go with it. You may also be glad to find
one of Debbie and Maureen’s knitted
hats to keep your ears warm!
Don’t forget that we are happy to take
advance orders for all of our baked
goods, eggs, plants (subject to
availability), and produce. Free delivery
is available within the local area. We
accept Credit Cards with no minimum
spend required. Our last Market before
Christmas is on Wednesday 18th
December 8.30am – 11.30 am.
Step Into
Christmas!
“Step into Christmas, let’s join
together” goes the Elton John song and
this is just what the ladies of Watton
Inner Wheel have started to do as they
prepare all their activities for the
Christmas season. At their November
meeting, member Bunty, showed us her
skill with flowers to demonstrate a
number of ways to decorate our homes
with some really lovely arrangements.
Those who won one in the raffle were
highly delighted!.
At the meeting there was also serious
work to be done as final arrangements
were made for our Pretty Parcels stall at
the town Festive Market on Sunday,
24th November, to be quickly followed
by our Christmas Coffee Morning in
the Queens Hall on Saturday, 7th
December. At this event we also have a
raffle and tombola along with our usual
selection of delicious cakes, and yes,
there will be sausage rolls and mince
pies as well this time. All proceeds
from this event go towards maintaining
our much loved Queens Hall.
Then it was on to the big one on
Wednesday, 11th December, when our
Christmas Lunchtime Concert sees the
ladies singing in the choir with the
gentlemen of The West End Waiters
joining them to celebrate an event
dedicated to ‘Families and Friends”.
Lunch at this is turkey rolls with mince
pies added to the menu. Do get your
tickets from Mullengers in Watton
High Street as they are selling quickly.
We do hope to see all our friends and
many who come for the first time, at
these events. You will be warmly
welcomed.
On the 12th December the ladies will
celebrate at their own Christmas party
in a member’s home, just to relax and
have some fun,
We shall have stepped into Christmas
with much enthusiasm!
Members of
Watton District
Girlguiding are
going to
Disneyland Paris
Next April, in 2020, 38 Rainbows,
Brownies, Guides, Rangers plus their
Leaders are going to Disneyland
Paris for three days. This, for some,
may well be a once in a lifetime
experience and certainly an
opportunity not to be missed. Such
trips cost a lot of money and so to
help as many girls and Leaders with
the cost we are holding some
fundraising events. We are holding
three events in the near future. The
first will be a Christmas Shopping
Night on Friday 29th November,
from 5pm until 8pm at the Blenheim
Centre (Families Club), Tedder
Close, Watton, IP25 6HU a chance
to buy your Christmas gifts. The
second is a Christmas Bingo night on
Friday 13th December eyes down
7.30pm again at the Blenheim Centre
(Families Club) prizes are cash
prizes. The final one is early January
with a Quiz Night and Chip Supper
date to be confirmed so keep an eye
out for the posters.
We are very much in need of more
adult Leaders, a trip to Disney
doesn’t happen often so if that scares
you it will probably be a while
before we go again! However if you
like working with girls from 5 years
old to 18 years old then consider
joining Girlguiding. To gain a
Leadership Qualification you will
have a mentor to help you through
the training and plenty of resources
to use.
The Girlguiding programme changed
recently and we now have cards that
we work from covering anything
from den making to constructing a
hedgehog home, exploring ways we
can improve the area we live in,
constructing food towers and then
eating them, the list is endless. We
still play games, sing songs, make
things, go on outings and even go
away. But for the girls to do these
fun activities we need more adult
Leaders. If this is something you
might like to try, have a look on the
website to find out more. We
particularly need Leaders for
Rainbows (5-7 year olds) and
Brownies (7-10 year olds). We are
all volunteers but to know that you
have taught someone to plait for the
first time, for instance, can be so
rewarding. The website address for
more information is https://
www.girlguiding.org.uk and scroll
right to the bottom to register your
interest as a Leader. Alternatively
you can contact Jayne Eastwood on
01953 880076 the District
Commissioner for Watton District.
You will have to provide references
and have a disclosure check.
We look forward to hearing from
you and welcoming you. If you do
not wish to be a uniformed Leader
you can volunteer with a Unit as a
Unit Helper. You would still require
references and a Disclosure Check.
Disclosure Checks are paid for by
Girlguiding UK.
Bryony Horn Saham Toney
Brownies
Jayne Eastwood DC Watton District
and 1st Watton Guides

Fayre on the
Fairland in
Hingham
This year South Norfolk's favourite pre-
Christmas event takes place on the
Fairland in Hingham (NR9 4HN) on
Sunday 8th December from 11am until
4pm. Whatever the weather, the Fairland
village green will be crammed with lots
to do for visitors, including food and
drink offerings, Santa’s Grotto, a kids’
disco, an outdoor bar and a horse box
offering gins and craft and badgemaking
workshops. Children’s attractions,
including the kids’ disco in the Old
School House and craft workshops in
the marquees are all free of charge.
Christmas trees and decorations will be
on sale and Father Christmas himself
will be on hand to help with the
festivities and to give presents and show
children around his Grotto. We’ll be
running a raffle with more than fifty
fantastic prizes, including vouchers for
Barnham Broom Hotel & Golf Club, tea
for two at The Assembly House in
Norwich and a case of champagne.
Around the edge of the green will be a
hundred indoor stalls for Christmas
shopping, in the Lincoln Hall
community centre, in St Andrew’s
Church and in the Hingham Rectory
Bowls Club. Stalls offer crafts, gifts,
local Norfolk produce, Christmas
decorations, soaps and beauty products,
metal sculptures and wood carvings will
be for sale, and much much more. There
will be demonstrations of chain saw
carving throughout the day!
Extensive signage and free programmes
will encourage visitors to explore
everything on offer. There will be carols
and Christmas music in the church to get
us all in the mood for Christmas as well
as an art exhibition by the Hingham &
Hardingham Art Group. There is ample
parking in Hingham and also at the
Sports & Social Club on Watton Road,
which will be signposted. This event is
not for profit and proceeds will be used
for community projects in Hingham.

Watton Society Quiz

Watton Society had its Annual Quiz which was again well
attended with teams of up to four players competing for a
much fought over Trophy. This year the winners were a team
from University of the Third Age, comprising of Anita
Taylor, Keith Taylor, Arthur Rawbone and Marian Smith.
They won in a tie break with Northern Lights. A prize is also
given to the team that came last to encourage them to reach
higher scores. Looking forward to seeing you all next year.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support.
Pictured Left: Keith, Marian, Anita & Arthur receiving the
Winners Trophy from Watton Society Chairman John Kerr

A Very Brief History of

Watton Loch-Neaton Short
Mats Bowls Club at Watton
Sports Centre
Its now been 4 month since we started at the Sports Centre and I am
pleased to report that all is going well, we now have some 20 regular
members attending our afternoon and evening Roll Ups, as we are
now into the winter period our times are as follows: Tuesday
Afternoons we are in the Badminton Hall 1.45pm to 4pm and
Thursday evenings we are in the Main Hall 6.45pm to 9pm, if you
are playing please arrive in time as we start on the hour. During and
after our Roll Ups (we have a 15min break) there are refreshments
including Tea and Coffee available in the Bar. Any enquiries please
call Norma on: 07748245496. We look forward to meeting you for a
Roll Up or just a social chat.
Watton Fireworks
Having made the difficult decision to change the evening from the
Saturday to the Sunday it was fantastic to see so many local families
out enjoying the evening and an amazing demonstration of the
power of Social Media, signage and word of mouth.
The Town Council are very grateful to the local businesses and
community groups that make it possible to put the event on and who
went the extra mile to switch the day at such short notice. It was a
great demonstration of the Watton spirit. Picture by Bobby De’ath
Watton Brewery
From the Watton U3A 'Looking at Watton' Group
Beer was brewed in Watton for over 100 years at the brewery
still visible in the High Street. It was first established in 1809
but was rebuilt by Edward Stevens in 1831, probably on the
site of the earlier smaller works, and part of which we still see
today. His son, Robert Stevens extended the brewery in 1838
and managed it until he died in 1866.
After the death of Robert the brewery was purchased by
Thomas Crawshay Frost and the business expanded under him.
In 1877 he built a large extension that doubled the brewing
output. This extension included a much larger chimney ( which
was only demolished in 1975 when it became unsafe.)
It is said the Watton had three wells at this time giving a
constant supply of good water. One of these was situated under
the brewery yard where it was needed in the process of brewing
beer and where a horse was used to operate the machinery that
pumped the water into the brewery ( The other two wells were
under the town pump by the clock tower and by the National
School pump)
An advertisement from the time shows T. C Frost as a brewer
and maltster of Watton Brewery , Norfolk, selling, amongst
other things, Light Bitter and Table Ale in 18 gallon casks
known as a Kilderkin for 15/- (75p) and 9 gallon casks, a
Firkin, for 7/6d (37 1/2p) Also advertised were malt and hops,
wholesale and retail.
Thomas Crawshay Frost sold the brewery business to William
Cann and Co. of Wymondham in about 1890 and in 1894 it
was acquired by Morgan’s Brewery in Norwich who continued
to brew beer in Watton until about 1912.
Taken from the The Norfolk Heritage Explorer :- The building
is described as a brick built with a slate roof and has a date
stone inscribed R.S.1838 and a large stone set into the wall of
the top floor reads ‘WATTON BREWERY’ The building is L
shaped and has 2 floors, with an extra floor on the south side.
It is recorded that the building was empty in 1974 but auction
documents state that in recent years (to 1988) the premises was
used as a printers. (Ed: It was Rapide Printers who grew and
later moved to Threxton Road Industrial Estate but now
closed.)
At some point after this the site was bought and converted to
flats now known as the ‘Old Brewery’
The brewery business was listed in White's Directory in 1836,
1864, 1875 and 1904.

Ashill Bowls Club

Ashill Bowls Club held their end of season presentation night at
Broom Hall and was well attended with 40 in attendance, it was
also their 65th anniversary year. Competition winners were
George Davison (male singles) Pat Davison (ladies singles)
Alan Willer (mixed singles) Alan Willer & Dave Cook (mens
pairs) Brian Smith & Sue Bloomfield (mixed pairs) with
George Davison winning overall league points Highlights were
winning elmham.league ko cup and runners up in county EBA
mens central league. congratulations to all and thanks all for a
great season. Brian Smith (Hon Sec)
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 11
Dance-Away at
The Queens Hall
Saturday December 7th
7.30pm - 10.30pm
Ballroom, Latin & Sequence
Bar - Raffle
Great Hockham
Gardening Club
‘Hydroponics.' As the nights draw in and my
cries for rain earlier in the year are answered, it
seemed appropriate that we welcomed Julian
McAlpine to give us what he called, a quick
introduction to hydroponics. Coined from the
Latin hydro meaning water and ponos meaning
labour, the mechanism of hydroponics has been
around a long time. Consider that plants growing
in a natural aquatic environment employ many of
the components of a modern hydroponic system.
The scientific application of the principle was
first thought to have been employed in one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world, The
Hanging Gardens of Babylon. During the 10th
and 11th centuries the Aztecs developed a
system of floating gardens using rafts made of
reeds with the roots extending below into the
water.
Early systems were a response to necessity.
Some people live in areas of the globe that do
not have soil or the soil they have is unable to
provide the sustenance required for plants to
grow. But there can be advantages to
hydroponics even if the local soil is well drained
and fertile. With hydroponics the plants can be
supplied with a complete nutrient mixture.
Energy is not wasted by over application and
runoff. The plant requires a smaller root system
as it gets all it requires with no competition with
its neighbours. Soil based pathogens cease to be
problem as in a modern hydroponic system there
is no soil. There are no weeds therefore there is
no hoeing. More plants can thrive in a much
smaller growing area whilst still maintaining
great plant quality – but with a caveat. Julian
pointed out that probably 100% of salad crops
and 70% of fruit found in supermarkets are
grown in hydroponic systems, but commercial
pressures can minimise nutrient input in favour
of size and appearance over taste. Any
hydroponic system we operate for ourselves, like
our conventional vegetable plots, do not suffer
from this drawback. Hydroponics should not be
confused with the conditions found in a
waterlogged pot. In what is an anaerobic
environment the plant roots receive little or no
oxygen and are prone to pathogens that thrive in
those conditions.
Julian reminded us that in order to maintain
healthy plants they require five things: water,
light, air, nutrients and anchorage. In a modern
setup, anchorage is provided by media such as
gravel, sand, vermiculate, styrofoam, coir, in fact
any inert substance. Hydroponic systems can be
constructed in a variety of designs. From the
slides Julian used in his talk, all designs seem to
have a basic layout. Working down, there is the
foliage of the plant, the stem supported in the
inert material within a container, the roots
extending below the container and the nutrient
solution in a tank underneath.
There are passive systems where the nutrient
solution is transported to the roots via a wick.
Active systems using pumps, floating systems
with air pumps and air stones as used in fish
tanks. In fact home systems are often setup with
equipment from aquarium suppliers. There are
drip systems, ebb and flow systems where water
is pumped to cover the roots for a time, allowed
to drain, and then pumped again, each period
being about 30 minutes. The cycle is then
repeated. But we are now getting into 24-hour
operation using the appropriate lighting. There
are aeroponic systems where the exposed roots in a commercial system may have to be treated,
receive a constant mist spray. Fundamental is but at a horticultural scale rainwater would be as
that in no system is the nutrient solution good as you need. There are now nutrient
discarded, they are all closed systems. mixtures available that allow commercial
I regret that you may not have a clear idea from hydroponic producers to claim their produce as
my notes of Julian’s narrative, and this is partly organic. This has not gone down well with
due to the fact that there were some very organic farmers of the more traditional kind who
informative diagrams accompanying his have had to invest a great deal of time and
description. There is much on-line, but Julian has money in having their operation certified as
a website, www.heyggww.co.uk, where there is organic.
more information and contact details. Julian had bought in small DIY kits for people to
Of course, this is not utopia and there are some buy. All components were from recycled items
disadvantages. These include the cost of including wine bottles, green so that the
equipment, it can be labour intensive, require a transmitted light would inhibit algal growth. He
high level of expertise, daily attention, and did not enlighten us as to how he came by so
specially formulated nutrients. Pests and diseases many wine bottles.
are a big risk especially as waterborne diseases The results of the competitions this month are as
can spread rapidly in a recirculation system. The follows:
more complicated systems will require electric Floral: First: Sue Thomas. Second: Sue
lighting with a spectrum specific to the Cunningham. Third: Eric Rogers.
requirements of the plants. Also, some plants Fruit / Vegetables: First: Jane Dalton. Second:
require direct lighting, some indirect. Nutrients Sue Thomas. Third: Chris Dalton.
added to the water include the familiar NPK, Seasonal Photograph: First: Chris Dalton.
(nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous), with Second: Prue Szczepanowski. Third: Laura
small, but essential quantities, of calcium, Lincoln.
magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, Our next event is our Christmas social. Members
molybdenum, boron and chlorine. I may have only, £5.00, meal and drinks provided, after
missed Julian informing us of where we might dinner speaker, Steve Cale – The Nature Reserve
source aforesaid chemicals, but I suspect he may Outside my Door. Important: pre-booking
be able to help if you contact him. Hard water essential.
may affect some of the nutrient components and Edward Szczepanowski.

Ashill & Holme
Hale Garden
Club
The Making of an Exotic Garden -
Presented by Andrew Brogan
Ashill & Holme Hale Garden Club
members were treated to a tropical
delight at its meeting on October 24th.
Andrew Brogan of Henstead Exotic
Garden in Suffolk gave a highly
engaging talk on how he established his
stunning jungle garden in East Anglia.
The garden is some two acres in size
and although planting only started just
over decade ago it is now a mature
exotic garden which can be visited by
the public. The garden has featured on
T.V. in Britain’s Best Back Garden,
with presenter Alan Titchmarsh stating
that he was “blown away to find a
beautiful tropical rainforest garden, not
in Belize, but in Suffolk”! The garden
has also featured in the Daily Telegraph,
Homes and Gardens, filmed on Channel
5 and on the BBC’s Gardener’s World.
Andrew talked of how he grew up in
London without a garden, has no formal
training in the horticulture, in fact was
an insurance broker until a decade ago,
but decided to follow his dream of
developing an Jungle garden in East
Anglia when he moved to the Suffolk
coast some 12 years ago. His garden is
planted with palms, banana plants, tree
ferns, bamboos and other exotic plants
to produce this “jaw-droppingly
impressive garden”, as described
recently in the gardening press. What is
amazing is that
starting with
bare earth he
has managed to
produce such a
wonderful
rainforest
garden in little
more than a
decade. Some
70 tons of rock
have been
brought into the
garden to
produce dry
stone walls that
ferns grow from and pathways taking
you to fish filled ponds. The garden has
three distinct planting areas. The first
contains sun loving plants from hot, dry
locations including yuccas,
bottlebrushes and echiums from places
such as Mexico, Australia and the
Canary Islands. The second area has
bamboos and large palms with linked
ponds to feed these giants of the plant
world. The third is a shady area where
large tree ferns such as Dicksonia
antarctica grow. He was adamant that
these jungle plants can thrive in the East
Anglian environment and that amateur
gardener’s can grow these varieties in
their own garden. He stressed the
importance of choosing the hardier
tropical plants, as the temperature (and
rainfall) is lower in the UK compared to
their natural environment. Andrew
brought along a large range of hardy
tropical plants from his nursery, which
members quickly snapped up to start
their own Norfolk exotic garden.
The Club Xmas party is on the Thursday
December 12th, 2.00pm. Our January
monthly meeting is on Thursday
January 23rd, 2.30pm at Holme Hale
Pavilion, when our speaker Tony Goode
will talk about “Growing Alpines for the
Time Challenged”. New members are
always welcome so please come and
join us. Website:
ashillgardeningclub.wordpress.com/
Email:
ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 12

Watton Churches Together December St. George’s Church, Saham Toney Thought for the Month
St. Mary’s Church, Watton Sun 1st 11.00am Lay Led Worship
www.stmaryswatton.org Sun 8th 11.00am Family Holy Communion By Rev Jacqui Horton, Minister at Watton Methodist Church
Follow us @StMarysWatton Sun 15th 11.00am Morning Worship Henry and James (ages 6 and 4) love opening their small Advent
If I can be of help to you please do not hesitate to contact me, Tues 17th 9.30am Parker’s School end of term service boxes through December. Each box is numbered and they take it
on 01953 881439,email:gerryfoster@runbox.com I can then Sun 22nd 11.00am Christingle and Carols Service in turns to extract the content of the relevant box. Excitement
email or telephone you back or arrange to meet up with you. Tues 24th 9.30pm Christmas Eve Holy Communion ensues as they discover a small plastic frog, a sticker, an eraser
Thank you: Your Vicar, Revd Gerry Foster. Sun 29th 10.00am Group Holy Communion Ovington in the shape of a snowman. These very small items are
1st, 3rd & 4th Wednesday at 9.30am Holy Communion exclaimed over, and cherished, and have the potential of being
2nd Wednesday Morning Worship S.s. Peter & Paul’s Church, Carbrooke
Sun 1st 6.30am Advent From Darkness To Light kept for ever. Such small, insignificant things (unsatisfactory
Thursdays 7.30-8.00am, 5.00pm - 5.30pm Parish Prayers
Saturdays 9.30am - 10.00am Parish Prayers Sun 8th 10.30am All Age Worship gifts in many respects), and yet, how appreciated and treasured!
5.00pm - 6.00pm Prayer & Praise 8th 3.30am St John Ambulance Carol Service This child(ish) process provides an excellent analogy for the
Sundays 10.00am-11.30am ADventure-free for 0-16 yr Sun 15th 10.30am Holy Communion reception of the Christmas story. A baby (always small), peasant
term time only Mon 16th 6.00pm Carol Service with Carbrooke School parents away from home (insignificant twice over), a birthplace
Breakfast - Crafts - Games - Faith in Jesus Teaching Wed 18th 2.00pm Carbrooke school Christingle shared with animals (unsatisfactory in the extreme), and yet, and
Sun 22nd 4.00pm Carols by Candle Light
Church Office opens Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-12 noon yet, a story appreciated and treasured for 2,000 years!
Tel: 01953 881252 email:wattonchurch@gmail.com Christmas Day
25th 10.30pm Christmas Day Family Communion However, the Christmas story carries something else that those
Sun 1st 8.00am Holy Communion BCP small Advent presents can never do. It carries the ability to
10.00am Holy Communion Sun 29th 10.30pm Group Service Ovington
transform people’s lives and, ultimately, to change the whole
Sun 8th 8.00am Holy Communion BCP St John the Evangelist Church, Ovington
10.00am Informal Holy Communion Sun 1st 9.30am Holy Communion
world. In fact, it has been doing that for the two millennia just
3.00pm Town Carol Service at Sun 15th 10.30am Lay Led Worship mentioned.
The Queens Hall Sun 22nd 6.00pm Carol Service For anyone who would like to read the story for themselves, get
Sun 15th 8.00am Holy Communion BCP Christmas Day hold of a modern language version Bible, or search on the
10.00am Holy Communion Wed 25th 10.30am Christmas Day Family Service internet, and look up chapter 2 of the book known as Luke’s
6.30pm Carol Service Sun 29th 10.30am Group Holy Communion Gospel. The chapter, with the subsequent story, make interesting
Sun 22nd 8.00am Holy Communion BCP reading and the story of the small, insignificant family in
10.00am 4th Sunday at 10 unsatisfactory circumstances might just change your life!
Tues 24th Christmas Eve
10.00am Christingle Service Especially for
All Saints Church, Threxton
3.00pm
children and families
Christingle Service Especially for
All Saints Church Threxton invites you to join us for
Christmas Carols with Watton Silver Band
What’s on at St Mary’s
children and families.
11.30pm Midnight (Mass) Holy Communion
on Sunday 22nd December at 3 p.m.
Church, Watton
Wed 25th Christmas Day Sat 30th November Christmas Craft Fayre at St Mary’s Church

Fri 27th
10.30am Family Holy Communion with Carols
9.30am Holy Communion (not Wed 26th)
Fountain of Life Church 10am – 2pm visit Father Christmas in his grotto, raffle, cakes,
crafts, games for children, seasonal refreshments throughout the
Sun 29th 8.00am Holy Communion BCP The Well Christian Centre, Swaffham Road, Ashill morning. Book a table to sell your own crafts, £5 telephone
There will be No 10am Service at St Mary’s Church
1 December 10:00 18:00 01953 884385.
10.30am Group Service at
St John’s Church Ovington 8 December 10:00 18:00 Coffee and Chat: Thursday 5th December 10.00am – 12noon.
Thur 2nd Jan 9.30am Holy Communion 15 December Christmas Alive! 15:00 A social coffee morning at St Mary’s Church, all welcome.
Watton Community Cinema “Blinded by the Light”: Friday 13th
Watton Methodist Church 22 December Carol Service 16:00
www.wattonmethodist.btck.co.uk December 1.15pm, at St Mary’s Church. Refreshment Café
Every Wednesday the Church is open for quiet reflection and opens one hour prior to screening. Tickets £5 available at the
prayer between 10.15am & 11.30am. It’s your quiet place. box office on the day (drink and cake included in the price.)
At 10.30am there is a half-hour Midweek Service in the Large ADventure: Sundays 10.00am-11.30am - free for 0-16 years at
Vestry led by the Minister or a Church Member. St Mary’s Church. Breakfast – Crafts – Games – Faith in Jesus
Sun 1st 10.30am Mr J Hull Teaching. (term time only)
6.30pm Local Arrangement Story Bags: Mondays 9.30am – 10.45am at St Mary’s Church
Sun 8th 10.30am Mrs E Warby for parents and preschool children. (term time only).
3.00pm Town Carol Service at Queens Hall
Watton Rainbow Brownies: Mondays 4.30-5.45pm at St Mary’s
no evening service at Watton Methodist Church
Sun 15th 10.30am Miss A Hall Church Rooms for girls aged 5-7 years. The Rainbows will be
6.30pm Rev’d J Horton meeting each Monday (term time only) at St Mary’s Church
Sun 22nd 10.30am Rev’d J Horton
6.30pm Local Arrangement
Christmas Fantasia Rainbows1stwatton@hotmail.com or look on Facebook
Saturday Coffee Morning: 21st December 10am – 12 Noon. A
The Thetford Singers are pleased to announce A Christmas
Tues 24th Christmas Eve
Fantasia. This year’s Christmas concert will be held on 13th
social coffee morning at St Mary’s Church on the 3rd Saturday
7.00pm Rev’d J Horton of each month. All welcome.
December 2019 at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) in Thetford
Wed 25th Christmas Day November Winners of the 150 Draw £50 number 35 David
Methodist Church during their Christmas Tree Festival,
10.00am Deacon J Woodfin Skipper, £25number 149 John Searle
tickets are £8.
Sun 29t h 10.30am Mr A Warby
The Singers invite you to Step into Christmas with them and
No evening Service at Watton Methodist Church
enjoy a Fantasia on Christmas Carols at Thetford Methodist
Roman Catholic Community
Each Sat 5.00pm Mass at Watton Methodist Church
Church. Rudolph will be putting in a musical appearance Watton Surgery Patient
along with the more traditional Christmas protagonists like
Tues 24th
4.30pm
Christmas Eve
First Mass of Christmas at
Jesus Christ (the Apple Tree) and Mary.
We are immensely pleased to welcome Baritone John
Participation Forum
Watton Methodist Church Holland Avery back to Thetford for this performance and
The Watton PPG in conjunction with Watton Surgery recently
At Our Lady of Pity Church at Swaffham also to feature the Breckland Handbell Group with pieces held a Saturday Walk-in Flu Vaccination Clinic. This was very
11.30pm Midnight Mass of Christmas from their repertoire. successful with 232 patients attending. Patients also had the
Wed 25th Christmas Day Please come and join us for an evening of songs, carols, bells opportunity to join *Discover Me. This is a nationwide research
9.30am Mass of Christmas Day and congregational singing to get us all into the Christmas spirit study that aims to analyse the health and genetic information of
Thur 26th 11.00am Mass of St Stephen for Altar Servers on 13th December 2019 at 7.30pm in Thetford Methodist thousands of people. By taking part in Discover Me patients will
Church Services for the ACOS Benefice Church. Tickets are £8 from the Leaping Hare Box Office. receive free information about their ancestry.
December– January While waiting for their vaccinations members of the PPG served
St. Nicholas’ Church, Ashill refreshments and other organisations were also present. These
Sun 1st 10.00am Lay Led & Sunday Funday Diabetes UK included the UK Diabetic Watton Support Group, The Watton
Sun 8th 9.30am Family Holy Communion Our November meeting was our AGM. Once again we had a Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Daisy Programme.
Sun 15th 9.30am Morning Worship good year, with new members and some interesting speakers. The PPG would like to thank them for their support.
Tue 17th 7.30pm Carol Service We attended the Carnival and the Christmas Market. The The Chairman of the Watton Surgery PPG, Mr Tom Thurston,
Wed 18th 1.30pm Ashill School Service committee was voted back in en masse. But, on the sad side
Thus 19th 2.00-4.00pm Messy Church said that they were very pleased with the number of patients who
we have lost 3 of our members over the past year and our
Sun 22nd 9.30am Crib, Christingle and Carols thoughts remain with their families. We also enjoyed a fish had attended as this was over 100 more than had attended a
Christmas Eve and chip lunch following the meeting. similar event the PPG organised last year. He also thanked
Tues 24th 11.00pm Midnight Holy Communion Our last meeting of the year is our Christmas Party, on members of the Watton Surgery staff who came in and looked
Christmas Day December 9th, 10.30am. There will be a new list of dates and after the reception deck and others who gave the flu
Wed 25th 9.30am Family Service for Christmas speakers will be available in the new year. So, on behalf of vaccinations.
Sun 29th 10.00am Group Service OvingtonSun 19th the committee and the members of the Watton & District *For patients who would like to find out more about Discover
9.30am Morning Worship Diabetes UK Group, we wish you all Season's Greetings for a Me ask your Medical Practice or visit www.discovermestudy.org
Sun 26th 9.30am Holy Communion Joyful Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful 2020.
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 13
This Winter at Your
Sporty
Next up at #YOURSPORTY is our Our Christmas
Party on Friday 13th December with live music
from the Underdogz, 9:30pm ‘til late, £5 per ticket
available from reception.
During the Christmas period we have Chocolate
Skasouls performing live on Saturday 28th
December, 8pm ‘til midnight, £6 per ticket available
to purchase from reception. Then rounding off the
festivities we have our New Year’s Party with live
music and disco from Jonno, £6 per ticket with a
glass of bubbly on entry.
Throughout the month we have our Happy Hour,
Monday to Friday between 4pm and 6pm with 50p
off of pints and £3 doubles. Alongside this we are
showing live sport every day, with both the
Hockey Club and Football Club having regular
fixtures on Saturdays at the Sports Centre.
Also on the sport side we have our increasingly
popular fitness class timetable running throughout
the winter with a number of them being booked up
in advance so make sure you book in either using
your member app or give us a call on
01953881281.
Whatever interests you come down and have a
look at what's on offer at #YOURSPORTY.
Have you ever
wanted to know a
magicians' secrets?
The Silver Social brings another exciting
performance to Breckland this December with
Britain's Bad Boys of Magic, Kane & Abel. The
twin tricksters are set to tour across the district
at rural community locations with their fantastic
show Breaking the Magicians' Code, where the
audience will see the laws of magic broken right
in front of their eyes!
This magical performance is part of The Silver
Social, an exciting daytime touring arts
programme which is aimed at older people but
open to all. The project is run by Breckland
Council and funded by Arts Council England,
Breckland Council and Norfolk County Council
Public Health. The Silver Social brings
something a little different to daily life in towns
and villages across Breckland, through
alternating circuits of creative workshops and
live performances held in familiar community
venues. Whether residents want to meet new
people over a cuppa, take part in new social
pursuits, enjoy professional theatre without
having to travel too far or you know a neighbour
or family member who might like to join a new
group, The Silver Social aims to bring high
quality accessible arts in a friendly, familiar
space.
Cllr Mark Robinson, Executive Member for
Community, Leisure and Culture, commented:
"This is another wonderful event hosted by The
Silver Social which brings communities together
and I hope lots of people come along to see for
themselves just how great this show is! People
should be prepared for a rebellious mash up of
comedy, magic and rule breaking, which I am
sure will have residents leaving with a smile."
Residents can catch the show at the following
venues:
Monday 2 December, 2pm-3:30pm - Ashill
Community Centre
Tuesday 3 December, 2pm-3:30pm - Harling
Old School Village Hall
Wednesday 4 December, 2pm-3:30pm -
Attleborough Town Hall
Thursday 5 December, 2pm-3:30pm - Shipdham
WI Hall
Friday 6 December, 2pm-3:30pm - Necton
Community Centre
Tickets are just £5, tea and cake is included!
Free transport can be arranged to any of
listed venues from residents' homes for those
without access to a car or public transport.
Tickets can be paid on the door, however
people are advised to reserve their place in
advance via www.thesilversocial.com or by
calling 01362 656870.
Threxton was ideal for a pony and cart and a
Watton Rotary blinkered harness was used to limit the pony to
just forward vision.
Roundup Ann also purchased a rally cart in the 1960's
Highlights since our last piece include our which was a low vehicle and proved to be quite
Annual Dinner at Broom Hall on October 18th dangerous as the driver had limited vision
to mark the 65th anniversary of the granting of behind the horse! Ann entered her ponies and
the Charter recognising the official formation carts in local shows, more for fun rather than
the Rotary Club of Watton & District (to give us from the competitive aspect.
our full title) as a constituent member of Rotary In the 1970's it became too dangerous to drive
International. The morning End Polio Now the ponies on the area's busy roads.
event held in Tesco’s foyer raised £86.00 and, Ann brought several different types of harnesses
hopefully, also raised awareness of the need to to show us and explained the methods of fitting
keep gnawing away at the vaccination them in way to ensure that the ponies were
programme to ensure that poliomyelitis is comfortable whilst wearing them.
banished from the world. It was good to hear, on The second speaker was David Stoner who is
that day, that the World Health Organisation has also a member of Watton U3A.
declared that Mother Earth is now officially free David moved to Watton five years ago. He
of the wild polio type 3 virus, and also that the became involved in local groups and
British Government is contributing a further subsequently became leader of the Watton U3A
£400M to the eradication programme, whilst Ukulele Group.
Rotary is working closely with the Bill & David also has a keen interest in Teasmades. We
Melinda Gates Foundation (Microsoft) to learnt that the first model was patented in 1902
provide both cash to buy the vaccines and to in Birmingham and it sounded quite dangerous
fund personnel, mainly volunteers, to administer from the description. The 'Teaboy' was later
them. made locally in Dereham by Metamec. David is
Our meeting of the last Thursday in October was mentioned as an authority on Teasmades in a
declared a guest night, particularly with our published book on this subject.
ladies in Inner Wheel in mind. Our usual David has a vast collection of vintage 78 rpm
attendance numbers were virtually doubled, and records and played one for us on an original
Broom Hall Hotel was kind enough to give us wind up gramophone. It was a 1953 recording
their main dining room (Swallowtails
Restaurant) for the evening. Our intrepid
of the Veleta Waltz and the Bluebell Polka.
Next it was our chance to sing whilst David
traveller, David Watkins, gave a fascinating
photo-travelogue of his journey from
provided guitar accompaniment for 'Silver
Threads Amongst the Gold' and 'Swing Low
Vladivostok to North Korea, taking in the city of
Harbin in Northern China, famous for its
Sweet Chariot'. To conclude a most interesting
and varied talk David sang 'Angel Band'.
amazing ice sculptures. Although escorted The Chairman announced that there was to be a
everywhere in North Korea, David found it a lot
change of programme for November 28th. The
more interesting than its counterpart to the Ukulele Group will be entertaining us and Leigh
south.
Sharpe's talk will now take place in May 2020. A
The first meeting of November was an in-house Northumberland holiday book had been compiled
‘memories’ night. Martin (undersigned)
for perusal and single
produced an attendance note from the Rotary photographs would be made
Club of Tahiti-Papeete. This was acquired
available upon request.
during a return journey from New Zealand in Anita had sent for details
May 2006 where he and Helen had attended that
with regard to the possibility
year’s International Convention of Inner Wheel of arranging the Watton
Clubs in Christchurch. He commented that it was
U3A holiday in Yorkshire
probably the most expensive ‘ordinary’ Rotary for 2020. The U3A Quiz
club dinner he had ever attended apart from,
Group had come first in two
possible, Florence West. Martin Parker reminisced quizzes in October. The
that, yes, whilst that meeting was expensive, our
U3A Remembrance Day
return to UK with Alitalia (following attendance wreath was on display and
another IIW Convention) was even more
would later be placed at
memorable. Our late afternoon flight was Watton War Memorial
cancelled after several attempts to take off in
during the annual service.
severe crosswinds and snowstorms. We had to be Next month's meeting on
bussed through the night up the spine of Italy to a
28th November is the
Milan airport for onward travel to London through Christmas Party, starting at
more snowstorms to a nearby hotel (because the
the earlier time of 1.30pm.
airport was closed) where we rested for 3 hours or The November Pub Lunch
so. Arriving at the hotel in the early hours, and
will take place at The
leaving again early in the morning, having had no Windmill, Necton on 10th
assistance from the night porter, the manager
November. There will be no
arrived just before we left and demanded the cost Pub Lunch meeting in
of a full nights stay! I won’t repeat our response
December or January.
suffice to say it included reference to the airline for Please contact our
any reimbursement due. Martin Anscombe
Membership Secretary,
Christine Warne on 01760
Watton U3A 440820 if you would like to
become a member of
October Meeting Watton U3A, or would like
further information.
Two speakers came to our October meeting.
The first speaker was Ann Durrant, a member of
Watton U3A, and Ann spoke about her love of
ponies. Richmond
Ann moved to the Watton area from Melton
Mowbray shortly after the Second World War Seniors Golf
and was employed by Lady Walsingham for Richmond Park golf club
three years as a horse riding teacher then later seniors won there 2nd
taught pony riding at Thetford Chase Pony Club. round Hodds slaver match
Ann met her husband at a Wayland Hall dance against the links golf club
and they were married in 1949. A wedding East Runton . it was a cold
present (given two years later) was a mountain rainy day but was
pony called Thunderstorm. The pony lived to brightened up by a 6 shots
the age of 36 and had 14 foals. victory well done John and
Mountain ponies are known to be very hardy team. They get a home
and Ann was able to ride as well as drive these draw against either
ponies. Ann purchased her first pony cart for ten Dunston Hall or Feltwell in
shillings and this was subsequently painted next round sometime
yellow so that it was easily seen. The flat January.
landscape in the area of Carbrooke, Watton and Brian Smith.
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 14
Watton Remembers The
Fallen and the injured
Remembrance 2019 was a collaboration between
the Town Council, Watton Churches Together and
the Royal British Legion. This year St Marys
hosted the service & refreshments after the Act of
Remembrance at the War Memorial and Revd
Gerry Foster led the service. Over 30 organisations
laid wreaths on the day.
A special thank you goes to 2Lt Liam Wells,
Watton Detachment Commander who was Parade
Master for the first time and did a fantastic job of
managing the parade and procession.
Royal British Legion
Watton & District Branch
The end of the Remembrance two weeks marks the
end of the Poppy Appeal year. Contrary to popular
belief the Poppy Appeal runs throughout the year
and in 2018 raised around £50 million. In fact the
Poppy Appeal has raised about £1 per second since
the end of World War 1, that’s about £3bn. All of
that money goes towards ensuring that our armed
forces community past and present can find help
when the really need it. The Royal British Legion
(RBL) has campaigned tirelessly since its
formation to have a government department
dedicated to veterans and that finally happened this
year. Unlike the American Legion, which predates
the RBL by 2 years, we are a charity spending
money on veterans’ welfare. In the USA that is a
government responsibility and the American
Legions job is to lobby the government of the day
to do just that. We’re getting there and when we
do, it’ll be done right, it’s only a hundred years and
in our history that’s a fleeting moment.
It still surprises me when people stop and ask about
the significance of the poppy, in this technological
age I think the answer is “Google it” you will get a
much better explanation there than I can give. It
suffices to say that it is the accepted symbol of
remembrance and respect. Those who see it as a
symbol of glorifying war clearly have never been
to war. A soldiers lot is to do their governments
bidding when the politicians have failed,
sometimes their own politicians are nothing more
than terrorists who whip up hatred as with the Nazi
regime. This year we have been celebrating all the
nationalities that have fought for freedom and
against oppression alongside the British. They
answered the call from all over the world, from
empire, commonwealth, and also neighbours.
Since 1812, when we got over our differences, the
USA has been our most powerful ally. But we must
not forget the Indian troops who held the line on
the western front until the UK had trained enough
soldiers to fight back. The ANZAC troops at
Gallipoli, the Canadians on D-Day, those from the
Caribbean who fought with distinction in many
theatres, there are too many to mention. Of course
we have to think of the occupied countries whose
peoples fled to Britain to continue the fight,
Czechs, Poles, Dutch, French and Norwegians to
name a few. We must not forget where our forces
have been involved in conflicts since 1945 all
around the world and served alongside soldiers of
those nations, Borneo, Cyprus, Aden, Belize and
Kuwait. There are very few places that our armed
forces have not served and continue to do so.
I have to have a special paragraph here to mention
the 50 anniversary of Operation Banner, a civil war
that our politicians bizarrely refer to as “The
Troubles”. Soldiers are trained to kill our enemies
so being sent onto the streets of your own country
is by far the hardest job in the world. After leaving
the RAF I spent several years as a Paramedic and
met many people suffering with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), and most of those had
served in Northern Ireland (NI). My entire service
career spanned that operation, and still today I find
myself subconsciously having a quick check under
my car for wires. When somebody asks, I say “Oh
just checking for leaks” and I didn’t even serve in
NI, such was the impact of that operation.
(Continued on page 15)
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 15

Czech and
Polish WW2
fliers
remembered
at Wretham
Around 100 people attended the short
but moving service of remembrance at
the war memorial outside the gates of
St Ethelbert at Wretham.
The Rev Tony Heywood led the
service during which the Exhortation
was read before a two minute silence
followed by the Kohima dedication.
Andy Reeves played the Last Post and
as the Royal British Legion, RAFA
and Air Cadets standards were
marched to the 14 war graves in the
churchyard, piper Stan Hebron played
a lament as he led the remainder of
those attending to the graves.
The Rev Heywood gave a blessing,
the names of the war dead read out
and two poppy crosses were placed at
each grave.
Among those attending to lay wreaths
were Wretham Parish Council
chairman Harold Smith, Breckland
chairman Lynda Turner, Thetford
Mayor Brenda Canham, Watton
Mayor Pat Warwick, defence attaches
from the Czech, Slovak and Polish
republics, Brandon Town Council
chairman Victor Lukaniuk, David Fitt
for the Wretham and Hockham RBL,
Anthony Polak of the Memorial
Association for Free Czechoslovakia,
Peter Nahodil of the Czech
Association and representatives of the
Wretham and Hockham RBL and
RAF Honington.

(Continued from page 14)
As we approach the festive season let’s
not forget that it is also a time of
reconciliation. You could not have
failed to notice there is an election
looming and it seems that Brexit is a
very divisive issue. The EU countries
are our friends and sometimes friends
don’t agree. When that happens, you
put it behind you and get on with being
friends. So at this time of
remembrance, spare a thought for all
those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in the cause of freedom or for
whatever their government of the day
thought was a just cause. Let’s just
support our armed forces; they do their
job until the politicians can get it right.
Thank you to everyone who has come
out at various times over the
remembrance weekend and to all who
have and continue to support the
Poppy Appeal. I have met and spoken
to many interesting people over the
last few weeks, we would love to have
you as Legion members.
If you want details of our branch the
website is: www.Watton-Legion.org or
you can telephone, Helen Daly, the
secretary on 01953 885124.
Merry Christmas.
The Ovington
Crower
By the boy Sid
Hoop yew’ve cum in from tha rearn,
cos thas bin hossing down terday,
leastways tha ole water buts hev filled
up reddy fer tha nex drowt!!!
Har yew gitten on tergetha, when yew
hent gitten orl wet, hoop yew hent cort
sum o them ole corfs an sneezes wos
gooin arownd, . Horry sez thas corse
every wun hev got this ole central
heatin nowadaze, thet meark yew
orl sorft an thet only want a bit of a
draft an yew cum down wi suffin. I
rekkun he hent far orf cos those
onus wot still hev an ole range in
the kitchen, mite git a bit smoked
owt wen tha wind dunt lay rite, but
moost o tha time we’re orlrite.
Cos muck cartin and spreedin ken
clear tha ole tubes wen thas still a
mite ripe, so evry little helps.
Torkin of muck cartin, were bin an
upset the ole cownsil chairmawtha
agin, cos were bin spreedin on the
fild ahind har howse, and tha wind
dint lay rite so she got tha full
benefit o tha wapers. Tha farmer
saw her cumin inta tha yard an he
clawed orf owta tha way afore she
let loose, so me an Horry got the
full blarst from booth har barrels. I
say tew har I say, “ Thas oonly
tarkey muck my gud woman an no
dowt yew’ll be spectin yore
yewshull twelve pownder agin tha
Chrismus wos cumin?” she shut up
then, but gi us booth a luk wot wud
tarn milk sour.
Thars anutha cowncil meetin nex
week, but I hent shur if I orta goo
along arta the trubble oova tha mud
an now tha muck. Horry sez he
dasnt goo, an thet teark a lot tew git
him sceared orf.
Tell yew wot wos bin a bit of a
sprise tha year, we dint hev many
fireworks a gooin orf fer a week or
tew, even lukin acrorst tew Watton
yew yewshully git a display or tew,
but dint see nuthin. Thas eetha cos
thar corst tew much or folk hent
tuff enuf tew stand owt in the wind
an rearn an let em orf. My missus
dunt hold wi em enny ways so she
wos pleased thet har ole hens dint
goo orf lay, like they hev dun otha
yars.
Wen we wos allowed tew hev a pig
or tew in tha back yard, they
yewsed tew git orl riled up if tha
yung lads nex door yewsed to hull
banga’s oova tha hidge, manys tha
time Ire hed tew hoss orl oova tha
garden tryin ter git tha warmints
back in tha sty. Cor blarst we hed
sum rare ols cuts o fat pork, ham an
bacon wot yewsed tew larst orl yar
rownd. Ole Hoppy Jonas wos the
ole boy wot cum rownd wen tha ole
hog wos jist rite an he wud dew tha
deed and leave tha ole beast orl
reddy tew smook or carve up fer
Sundy dinners. The twos better
meat than wot yew git terday. Cos
yew people wot dunt eat meat,
yew’ll hefta parden me fer running
on abowt how we yewsed tew do
things owt har in tha Willage.
My ole Gramma yewsed tew say.
“Dunt fell sorry fer yoreself—feel
sorry fer them wot hev tew live wi
yew”
Cheerio and dunt fergit, dew yew
kip a troshin. Boy Sid
Bradenham
Horticultural
and Garden
Club
Wish everyone a very Happy
Christmas and a blooming good
New Year!
At our Thursday 21st November
meeting, Barbara Steward gave us
a quiz - challenging, but
nonetheless great fun. As
promised, esoteric knowledge of
Latin names for plant taxonomy
was NOT a requirement and
questions ranged over a variety of
general knowledge. This meeting
was also an opportunity to renew
membership and receive a copy of
our new schedule, detailing the
exciting ideas we have planned
for the coming year and some
new categories for the Spring and
Autumn shows for 2020.
November also saw us crafting
decorations for our Christmas
Tree entry for the Shipdham
Christmas Tree Festival. Do come
along on December 7th and 8th to
see our entry, as well as many
others. All trees are decorated for
donations to various charities.
We are looking forwards to our
(members only) Christmas party
on Thursday December 19th.
Music, food, fun and good
company – it is what Bradenham
Horticulture and Garden Club is
all about!
Dates for your diary: Free to
members - £2.00 non members -
£1.00 for members of Shipdham,
Ashill and Great Hockham Garden
Clubs.
7th and 8th December: Shipdham
Christmas Tree Festival all
welcome FREE All Saints Church
Thursday 19.12.19 7pm Christmas
Party with The West End Waiters
(members only)
Thursday 16.01.20 7pm Beetle
Drive and Fish and Chip Supper
Mini show – any house plant
Thursday 20.02.20 7.30pm Dr Ian
Bedford Slugs and Bugs!
Join Us for Annual Membership of
just £12.00
Laurene Henderson
lh1@dlhenderson.plus.com or
Barbara Steward
barpamsteward@gmail.com
The Wayland News November 2019 Page 16

Richmond
Park new
Ladies Captain
On Monday 3rd November the
Ladies of Richmond Park attended
their Annual General Meeting
which was followed by a
presentation of the trophies won
throughout the year.
The Ladies Section had been
without a captain for the last two
years so were delighted to welcome
their new Captain, Claire Carney to
the role. Claire made a good start
to her year by inviting the ladies to
join her for coffee and pastries
before heading out to the golf
course. There the ladies formed an
Arch of Honour to welcome Claire
to the first tee; each lady was given
a marker to place on the first
fairway indicating where they
thought Claire’s drive would land
and the winner was Cherrie Lawn,
the new Vice Captain. previously drawn by Claire but had been agreed that it had been a fun first day with
There followed a 9 hole team kept hidden until after all the ladies had their new Lady Captain. The winners were
competition “Three Blind Mice” completed their rounds. Despite the rather Eileen Chard, June Stone and Hilary
which was played in the Stableford difficult conditions following a Sutton but Claire made sure that there
format. The teams had been considerable amount of rain, the ladies all were prizes for all.

Rotary Umbrella
Festival
Watton Rotary Club Umbrella Festival
concluded on Saturday 14 September
when we had 30 decorated umbrella
entries, and we are pleased to confirm the
winners were:
Ages 6-11 2ND Watton RAF Brownies
Ages 11-16 Watton Guides
Adult Brenda Draper
All the entered umbrellas were paraded in
Watton Carnival Parade on Sunday 15
September, some by the entrants and others
by Watton Guides, and some on Rotarian
Paul Weatherill’s WW2 Jeep, and others on
John Bunning’s Vintage Fire Engine.
Our Treasurer has now totalled our
accounts, and we made £671 to be divided
50/50 between Nelson’s Journey our
President Peter Cowling’s chosen charity
this year, and Rotary Charities. The funds
were further enhanced by Brenda Draper
our Adult Winner donating her umbrella
back to the Rotary Club and it was raffled
for £22 at our Jazz Night at the Queens
Hall on 22 September. The Rotary Club
have rounded the total up to £700 and
enhanced the donation to Nelson’s
Journey from £350 to £500 to support the
excellent work they are doing in
supporting children in families following
a bereavement.
Many thanks to all who supported us.
WATTON ROTARY CLUB THE WAYLAND NEWS
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