EDITORIAL: December 2017 Welcome to the last issue of The Norton Messenger for 2017! CONTENTS: What an amazing image for our front cover – it forms part of Norton CEVC Primary School update 2 Down Our Street – and is perfect for a Christmas message. Village Hall update 2 Thank you to David Burt for supplying it. Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2 Thank you to everyone your support over the last 12 Regular village events 2 months. A special thanks to those who sent images and St Andrew’s Church 3 content; to Fran for doing a fantastic job with the advertising Down Our Street 4 and to Dave for his part updating the website, and, of course, organizing the printing. I couldn’t have done it without you! Olive Wordley, Obituary 5 Salvation Army 5 Please do keep sending in images, stories and anything else Norton W.I 6 that you would like to tell the village about. Soup Lunch 6

There will be carols around the tree at The Dog at 10am, Norton Baptist Church 6 17th December. Everyone will be welcome, and I look Coffee Morning 6 forward to seeing many of you there. St George’s Church Burns Night 7

Local Business Adverts 8 Wishing you all the most special wishes for this festive season, and to a fabulous 2018!. Norton Twinning Burns Night 12 Sarah

Editor: Advertising: Facebook: Sarah Sharpe Dave Jones Fran Bolus Norton Village [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] NORTON CEVC THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION PRIMARY SCHOOL POPPY APPEAL 2017

The Poppy Appeal is the major single source of This half term at Norton CEVCP School the children have revenue for the Royal British Legion’s Benevolent Fund. been excited to see our two new classrooms taking Each year more people come to the Legion for help and shape. We are hoping that Year 5 and 6 will have moved the cost of that help is continually increasing. Many in before the Christmas holidays. young Service men and women have spent many years There is also the added excitement of our new playing employed in unstable parts of the world often in field being ready for us to use. This will give us more considerable danger. The resulting injuries many have space to play with friends and we are looking forward to suffered are sadly all too familiar and their fortitude an hosting our own Sports Day in the summer. inspiration to all. Therefore, there is a continuing need This term the Christian values for our school are ‘respect’ to provide help for them and their dependants if they and ‘reverence’. In each class the children have created can no longer do so. beautiful displays with this theme in mind, and it was lovely to see many children from Norton pay their respect This year the Poppy Appeal ran from 28th October to at the Remembrance day Service by the war memorial. 12th November. In Norton Barry, Alistair and Keith The children have been very fortunate to have been in made house-to-house visits and donations were assemblies where visitors have demonstrated different collected at Norton Primary School, Norton Service aspects of respect and reverence from showing respect Station, Andy’s Autofix, The Norton Dog and St to animals to playing the last post on the tuba. Andrew’s Church Remembrance Service. The Parish As we move forward into 2018, it is our aim to build Council, Norton Primary School, Norton Pre-School and stronger links with the community and to share with you the Brownies laid wreaths at the War Memorial. This what the children are learning in school. resulted in the sum of £1538 77p being raised in Norton. Very well done to all who took part and all who Lisa Sparkes donated so generously achieving a new record for Acting Headteacher Norton. The Royal British Legion thanks everyone for helping with their Appeal. Without this help the Legion VILLAGE HALL UPDATE would be unable to continue their vital welfare and benevolent work. A massive thank you to the village for your continued support shown to the events run by us. They help us Barry Dove – Norton Poppy Appeal Organiser raise valuable funds for the continued improvement of the Hall. We hope you have enjoyed them. Our bar and toilet refurbishment has made a massive difference to the usage of the hall.

We are looking forward to the installation of Wifi for use of villagers in 2018 with help from local council grants and the Parish council. This will be available for general use by all once up and running.

Merry Christmas from the Village Hall Management Committee. REGULAR VILLAGE EVENTS

Toddlesong for 0-4 years -- 0930-1130 -- Salvation Army Hall Monday Jo’s fit4all Class -- 1930 -- Village Hall Foodie Mondays at the Norton Dog. £10. for 2 courses & £15. for 3 courses from a special menu

Carpet Bowls -- 1400 -- Baptist Hall Tuesday ‘610’ Children’s Club -- 1800-1900 -- Salvation Army Hall (term time only)

Wednesday Zumba -- 1815 & 1930 -- Village Hall

Thursday Lunch Club at the Salvation Army -- 1200-1300

Friday Zumba -- 0915 -- Village Hall

Sunday Norton Adult Football - Contact Aaron ([email protected]) ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH. CAROL SERVICES (Part of the Benefice of Pakenham, 10th 3pm Tostock Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, 5pm Great Ashfield Hunston & Stowlangtoft) 17th 2.30pm Hunston 6pm Norton Priest-in-Charge: Revd. Katherine Valentine 6.30pm Stowlangtoft Tel: 01359 235095 6.30pm Pakenham Email: [email protected] CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY Our beautiful and ancient church is open daily for visitors and for private prayer. Christmas Eve 3pm - Crib service, Tostock DECEMBER 2017 11.30pm - Midnight Communion, Pakenham 3rd 8am Holy Communion 10am family@church CHRISTINGLE Christmas Day at Pakenham 9.30am - Family Festival Communion, Norton 10th 6pm Evensong 10am - Family Festival Communion, Tostock 17th 6pm CAROL SERVICE 10.30am - Crib service, Great Ashfield 11am - Family Festival Communion, Hunston CHRISTMAS DAY 11am - Family Festival Communion, Pakenham 25th 9.30am Family Festival Communion AND FINALLY…………..CHRISTMAS GREETINGS! 31st 10am BENEFICE COMMUNION I wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas, at Tostock Katherine. To help you with your Christmas plans: Revd Katherine Valentine. Christmas Services and activities for all ages

IN NORTON Christmas concert by Norton singers The choir of Norton school 9th December 4pm in St Andrew's church Norton Get ready for Christmas! Come and enjoy this fun concert of carols, Christmas songs and readings. Christmassy refreshments too! St Andrew’s Church – Floodlighting

Donations in aid of St Andrew’s Church and The Would you like to celebrate a special event, memory or Children’s Society. person? Our historic village church looks beautiful lit up at night and you can sponsor the lighting as a celebration which Christmas decoration activity morning is shared with all the village. Saturday 16th December 11am-12noon at St Andrew’s Church . Christmas crafts, tree decorating and The lights will now be on until 0200. preparing the crib. Christmassy refreshments! A list of your dedications will be published in the Messenger. AROUND THE BENEFICE There are still opportunities for sponsorship. Only £10 per week. Christingle

3rd December 9.30am for 10am - St Mary’s Sponsorship of the floodlighng was paid for the 2nd/3rd/4th week Pakenham of December 2017 and 1st Week of January 2018, by the family of Breakfasty refreshments available from 9.30am. On Doug & Hilda Mingay 3rd December get there at 9.30am to make your Christingle before the service starts. This new venture Remembering Dad for his December birthday and Mum on the 1st on the first Sunday of every month is run by the whole anniversary of her passing, 8th January 2017. benefice and is the opportunity for all our villages and families to join together in worship and get to know Mum & Dad It's lonely here without you, each other. We miss you more each day, Look out for the invitation coming through your door! Our life is not the same to us, Since you were called away. Crib services are on Christmas Eve at 3pm at Tostock & Christmas Day at 10.30am at Great Ashfield. Come and take part in this re-telling of the Christmas story. For details, Children are invited to come dressed as Shepherds, contact Martin Wood Kings or Angels. Email: [email protected]; Phone: 01359 242367 DOWN OUR STREET.

The Christmas postcard featuring on this month’s front were given for Col. and Mrs Royce Tomkin and all the cover was posted from to young Christopher helpers. The scholars were further presented with a Easter. His father ran the Norton village Post Office, cracker, a bag of sweets and an orange by Mrs Tomkin which stood next to the playing field in Ixworth Road. It before leaving.' shows a photo of an area of Norton known as ‘The In the early 1970s a group of local mums decided to Wash’. This is the area from ‘The Gardens’ to ‘The Fox organise the first ‘Village Christmas Party’ in the old and Hounds’ pub, which is now called ‘The Copper Village Hall. The organisers were Janet Block, Sheila Coin’, and the junction of Hall’s Lane. The white house to Scase, Margaret Bull, Jean Sadler, Hilda Mingay and the right was originally called The Wash and is now Mary Flack. They organised a Jumble Sale to raise ‘Bumble Cottage’. The men on the wagon appear to be money for the food and presents. Mary Flack used an unloading sacks, presumably of flour, to one of the two old pram to do door-to-door collections, and much to the bakeries which were next door to each other. The most amusement of her friends, the fully laden pram parted likely is Page’s Bakery, which is now called Brook company with one of its wheels as she crossed the Bury Cottage; the other was Mrs Jackson’s. It is just possible Road junction. On the day of the sale, Sheila Scase to make out the hump back bridge, which was levelled caused quite a stir by dressing up and impersonating when a new culvert, was put in place 20 or so years ago. Mrs Betty Fyfe-Jamieson of Little Haugh and I thought it might be interesting to research some old pronouncing the sale open! Others arranged coffee Christmas memories from the village for this December afternoons and for people to bake cakes and buns, Messenger. which were delivered on the day of the party. At one For several hundred years Norton Church charities house the committee members visited, the children were helped provide coal and warm clothing to the poorest having their hair cut with pudding basins on their heads. and most infirm in the village during December. There The lady of the house promised a huge batch of buns for was no National Health Service nor any State Aid or the following day. However, when they arrived they pension. appeared to be very stodgy and undercooked, so June In the late 1800s concerts were held in the Old School Cobbold (Nee Honeywood), decided to try one. As she and normally took the form of piano recitals, solo songs bit into it she found several hairs attaching the piece in and some rather politically incorrect choruses from local her mouth to the part in her hand. Needless to say, they farmers and tradesmen, which always caused much were discarded and used as chicken food. However, the amusement. Money raised normally went to the church event was a great success for the 120+ children, with restoration fund or, if organised by the Oddfellows, sandwiches and ice cream to eat; a conjurer to entertain; supported out of work labourers or the Village Flower and Peter Block standing in as Father Christmas, Show. handing out presents to all who attended. Behind the There are many accounts of Christmas parties for school scenes, helping with food and decorations, were Barbara children at the Old School in The Street. Bear in mind Watts, June Cobbold, Dawn Warby, Lil Hawes and that at that time water was obtained from wells or pumps Dorothy Birch. If you were at the party and can identify around the village. The water for the school was any of the children in the photo (I know quite a few), or collected in buckets by children using a carrying yoke would like me to email you a copy, please contact me at across their shoulders. The nearest supply was from the [email protected] David Burt. well which was at the back of The Dog Inn, next to the stables. There was no electricity in the village at that time either, and, in fact, the school was not connected until 1938. Here is an account from 1931 when Mr J. W. Palmer was the head teacher. ‘On Saturday the school was the scene of much Norton is home to West RSPCA rescued enthusiasm when 134 of the scholars sat down to tea and were delighted by a huge tree, heavily laden with rabbits. presents; both were generously provided by Mrs Royce Tomkin of Little Haugh House. The room was tastefully To see some of our rabbits, please look decorated, the decorations having been made by the at our website rspca-westsuffolk.org.uk infant scholars. After tea, each child received a present from the tree. The following were present:- The Rector Or arrange a visit and Mrs Pybus, Mr J. W. Gilliat, Miss Kent, Miss K. by phoning Turner, Mr and Mrs J. W. Palmer, Mrs Easter, Mrs Potter Deb: 01359 242343 and Mrs W. Bennett. The Rector proposed and Mr Gilliat seconded a very hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Tomkin for her kindness. That lady, in reply, said she had one request, and that was for the scholars to sing. This was heartily responded to with the singing of a Christmas carol, the headmaster accompanying. Hearty cheers SALVATION ARMY OLIVE WORDLEY - OBITUARY Dates for December Olive Wordley, at 99 years Norton's oldest resident, died Sunday Services at 11am & 6pm peacefully at her home, The Old Forge, Norton, on 11th (Family service/Breakfast 3rd - 10.45am) October. Monday Hall open for ‘Tea & Toast’ from 8.45am Olive was born at Elm Farm, Great Green, Thurston, in Toddlesong 9.30am -11.30am 1918, just yards outside the Norton boundary. Sadly, her Tuesday ‘610’ Children’s Club 6 -7pm mother died when she was only 7 years old, and she was Wednesday Hall open for ‘Tea & Toast’ from 8.45am brought up by her mother's sister and grandparents at Thursday Lunch Club 12noon to 14th December what is now The White House, Ixworth Road. She went to Norton School and on leaving worked at the Maypole Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Dairy Company in . For the first two Fayre. It was great to meet up with people from the years of the war Olive went straight from work to do village, to meet old friends and those visiting for the first voluntary nursing at Bury Hospital. In 1940 she married time. Your continued support is much appreciated. Albert and lived in Stanton Street, Albert helping his mother run a small grocery shop and newspaper delivery December is a busy month, especially for the Band. As round. Later they moved to West Lynn, and from there to well as playing at Sainsbury’s and Waitrose The Old Forge, where she and Albert created a lovely supermarkets, they will be visiting the various sheltered home and a beautiful garden, where she spent so many units/nursing homes in the area, playing in Tostock happy years. Church on Thursday 14th and in Woolpit village centre on Olive just loved Norton, its people and all its interests. Friday, 15th. Weather permitting they will be in Norton on The Women's Institute was especially dear to her, and Friday 22nd (Ashfield Road) and Saturday 23rd (Ixworth she was twice President. Later in life she and Albert Road). became members of St Andrew's Church, Norton. They both became members of the Church Council and helped Carol service with church cleaning, flowers and organizing church Sunday 17th December at 6pm Followed by refreshments social events A very warm welcome to you, to join with us as we enjoy Olive was extremely fond of animals, especially cats and singing the well known Christmas carols and celebrate dogs, and they were part of the household for most of her Jesus coming to earth as a baby. life. After her last dog, Millie, died a few years ago, it was decided to have no more pets but this did not stop a Changes to normal meeting times in December beautiful black cat from spending half of his time at The Sunday 24th (Christmas Eve) Old Forge and the other half with its rightful owner! 11am: Morning worship. Olive had quite strong views and opinions on most 4pm: Relaxed Family Service with refreshments matters, and once an opinion was formed it was difficult Sunday 31st December 11am meeting only to persuade her otherwise! Even to the end she absolutely refused to go into hospital and was quite We take this opportunity to wish you all the blessings of adamant that she was going to remain in her own home. Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year. Fortunately, with the help of her three sons and their families and the help of many close and valued friends, For more information about services or events at the this was able to happen, and her wish was granted. Army contact Olive was really content in Norton leading a relatively Captains Andrew & Jackie Jarrold on 01359 240787. simple ,quiet straightforward life and she never left Norton Email: Andrew.jarrold@salvationarmy. org.uk/ for long. She will be sadly missed by all her family and [email protected] her many friends in Norton and surrounding area. website: www.nortonsalvationarmy,co.uk

NORTON W.I NORTON BAPTIST CHURCH

At the beginning of our November meeting we had a As we approach Christmas, which is a happy time for short silence to remember our friend Olive Wordley, everyone, as Christians we attach more significance to who died recently aged 99. Olive was our oldest the Birth of Jesus. We feel that to celebrate the birth of member. She had been a member for many years and Jesus has been overtaken in many families by other was still coming to our meetings until only a few months celebrations. To us, Christmas is all about Jesus and is ago. In her time she had been Secretary and President a great reason to celebrate. At all the churches in the at least twice and was on the Committee for many village you will be able to share in these celebrations in years. A great animal lover, there were times when she different ways; you may prefer one service over came accompanied by her dog, and her love of animals another, but there is always something to suit your was reflected in her request that any money collected family so why not join one or all of us. Christmas falls on in her name should go to the PDSA. Olive will be much a Monday this year so it makes it difficult to arrange the missed by her family and friends and not least by the timetable, but again we are sure you will find us ready W.I. to welcome you. Our November speaker was Jason Salisbury, a local Our speakers are as follows: cheese maker, from near . He had brought December 3rd Rev. Jeff Tunningley (Communion) along his cheeses, Suffolk Gold, Suffolk Brie (delicious) December 10 Rev. Anthony Gill and his Suffolk Blue, as well as some of his milk. He December 17 Rev. Michael Jones (followed by told us his story of going to work straight from school seasonal refreshments) on the local Co-op farm in Shropshire mucking out the December 24 Join with the Salvation Army at their hall animals. He gradually progressed from there, learning December 25 Christmas Day joint service at the Baptist about cows and dairy herds along the way and church at 1030 teaching Vet students at Cambridge how to take care of December 31 Meet at the Salvation Army these animals. He met his wife there and after she All of these services are at 1100 except for the service qualified they moved to Coddenham. For a few years on Christmas Day he ran the herd at Shrubland Hall, where he first started making cheese. Later the family moved to their own farm, ‘White Gates Farm’, where they still live and Thank you to all who supported our Sausage work. His pedigree herd of 40 Guernsey cows are all milked automatically. Spare milk and meat are sold in Suppers at Crawley Hall, we made a total of £701 the farm shop, along with his cheese and eggs. I think for Norton Church funds. we shall be making a visit there very soon! Our next meeting will be on 6th January 2018 at 1400 David & Thelma Howes. in the hall of the Baptist Chapel and will be a fun and games afternoon. Meantime have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. December Coffee Morning

SOUP LUNCH Our monthly coffee morning in Helen and Alan Taylor will be organising their Annual Soup Lunch in aid of the Leprosy Mission on Saturday December will be on the 13th 27th January from 1200 until 1400 at Norton Baptist Chapel. 10.30 till 12. Leprosy is still stigmatised in many countries, which At the home of Bryan and Gwen Drake. means people do not come forward for treatment until the disease is well advanced. It chiefly affects the Little Pightle , Ashfield Road, norton. extremities of the body, so people lose the use of their fingers, toes and noses. The loss of the use of their limbs means that they can no longer work or look after First bungalow along Ashfield Road their families, and they are often turned out or hidden away. This attitude is changing slowly but educating after sharp right hand bend. people takes time. Leprosy is a curable disease, especially if the treatment is started early, and clinics run by the Leprosy Mission attract affected people from a wide area, who often travel many miles to reach All Welcome them. Do come to our soup lunch and help defeat this terrible disease. No charge is made. Donations are welcome on the day or at any other time if you cannot be there. We shall have a raffle and a Bring and Buy stall, which are always popular, and the soups are many, varied and delicious. Help Save St George’s Church! Please join with villagers and friends at a Burns Night Supper To be held at The Norton Village Hall, Woolpit Road, Norton

Friday 12th January 2018, 7.00pm for 7.30pm Tickets only £20 per person. Includes a sumptuous Burns Night 5-course supper. Piping from Piper Ray Russell. Recitations, singing of Scottosh favourites, Raffe, Bar and more!

To book your table/places please complete and return the tear off slip below. Book early to avoid disappointment, its going to be a great evening! Burns Night Supper Menu Cock-a-leekie Soup Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, with a wee dram Braised Angus Beefsteak or Oven Baked Scottish Salmon (served with seasonal vegetables) “Rabbie Burns Seduction” Chocolate torte with raspberries and cream Cheeseboard with crackers and oatcakes Coffee or Tea (served with plain or chocolate shortbread)

Dress: Gentlemen: Tartan or Lounge suit. Ladies, Tartan or Smart Dress. Thank you for your support. All profts to Save St George’s Church. Burns Night Supper Booking Form

Please book your table/places by completing and returning the tear off slip below, together withyour cheque/cash. Please indicate menu choices and any other dietary reqirements.

Cheques made payable to Please reserve places @ £20.00 I enclose £ St. George’s PCC

Name Choice of Main Other dietary needs ______

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Book your table for these events Taking Bookings for 01359 230440 or on Christmas Parties. www.thenortondog.com Book yours for 29th November onwards BREAKFAST (excluding Sat, Sun & Mon) OPEN MON—SAT 9-11 Menu at the pub or online Why not call in for business or to meet a friend BOXING DAY LUNCH 12-3PM Take Away Fish & Chips £8 3 Courses £40 PER HEAD - Booking Essential Available Monday to Saturday 12 - 6pm NEW YEARS DAY LUNCH 12-3PM Pop in or call to place your order GLUTEN FREE FISH & CHIPS TOO! 3 Courses £40 PER HEAD - Booking Essential £5 per head non refundable deposit required Foodie Mondays for both events contnues throughout December Children’s menu available (excl. bank holidays) Ideal for a Christmas Party

NEW YEARS EVE NO DECEMBER QUIZ NIGHT 3 COURSES £40 PER HEAD NEXT is early Jan (tbc) & 30th Jan DINNER Followed by DISCO Cash Prizes * Rafe * Special Menu £5 per head non refundable deposit required Book your team now Book Now and dance into 2018 Norton and District Twinning Association Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh Saturday 20th January 2018 at Norton Village Hall

7pm for 7.30pm Licensed Bar

Tickets £17.50 Available from Angela Walton 01359 230049