Runcton Holme Newsletter Spring 2021 Another glimpse into the past… With the current consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Wormegay C of E Primary School with Runcton Holme CodE Primary, you might be interested to look back at this old photograph taken circa 1927. This was the year that sliced bread was invented and Charles Lindbergh made his famous solo, non-stop transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. In the spring of that year, 1000 people a week were dying from an influenza epidemic and Britain severed diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union because of revelations of espio- nage and underground agitation - all sounds a bit too familiar! There was a harsh Winter that year with heavy snowfall; on 12th December 1600 people were hospitalised in London when they hurt themselves on the icy streets and in the Fens, the Amateur Skaters Championship of Great Britain was run in 1927 for the first time since 1912. Do you recognise anyone? I know a couple of the names but if anyone can spot one of their ancestors, please let me know so that we can add them to our parish history. [email protected] Al-Anon is a support group for the families and friends of anyone with a problem with alcohol. We believe alcoholism is a family disease Web: careline–cs.org.uk Tel:01553 616200 and that support is needed for Contact Careline if you think you would benefit those people who currently are from any of the items or services listed below. or have in the past been Personal alarms affected by someone's drinking. Falls Pendant. For every person with a drinking Buddy Button problem, it's estimated that at Key Safe. least five of their friends and Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. family are affected by their alcoholic behaviour - these Assistive Technology. stories are rarely told in the media, films, TV and fiction. Our new campaign #TheHiddenEffects - of alcoholism on family and friends launched in January 2021 to highlight the effects of living with a problem drinker. Alcohol abuse and The Runcton Holme Newsletter is compiled by alcoholism within a family affects not only the drinker but volunteers from the village and is funded by the also the family members, including the children and friends. Runcton Holme Parish Council. These effects include depression, anxiety, stress, domestic The editorial team do not accept any responsibility for abuse and much more. The impact on the family members the accuracy or otherwise of any article or are often not fully understood and priority is given to ‘curing’ advertisement appearing in the pages of the Runcton the drinker. Holme Newsletter, nor does it necessarily agree with Al-Anon is confidential and anonymous; no need to book; any of the viewpoints expressed by our contributors in Open to anyone over the age of 12; No membership or articles or other items in these pages. registration fee; Self supporting, we accept no money from Copyright remains with the individual outside sources; non-discriminating; A non religious support Printed by BCKLWN group; Non professional Al-Anon provides support through local meetings (via zoom currently). Helpline 0800 0086 811 (10am-10pm) Advertising Rates for one year Find details of zoom meetings either from the helpline or via the website www.al-anonuk.org.uk/meetings (4 issues) Whatever your problem, there are those among us who have had them too and at Al-Anon you will find help and support. 1/16th page: £20, 1/8th page: £25 , 1/4 page: £50 Next Issue It is anticipated that the next issue will be delivered by 1 June 2021. Deadline for submission of articles, news, info etc by 15 May 2021 please. Email: Brenda Redfern at [email protected] or Francis or Martin Stevens on [email protected] 2 Village News and Views East of Ouse, Polver & Nar International Runcton Holme Parish Council Drainage Board. Meetings 2021 Drainage Board report The Parish Council normally meet in Runcton Holme Another wet winter and dry summer 2020 Parish Hall on Downham Road on the 1st Tuesday of Over the last 3 months the board pumps have been each month at 7.30pm and members of the public are working for many hours when the rivers they pump into welcome to attend. are not over full. This is dictated by the wind and tides in Because of Covid 19 restrictions Parish Council meetings the Wash and North Sea to empty the River Ouse. Which have recently been held remotely via Zoom and this is no doubt it has been noticed how high the relief channel expected to continue for the foreseeable future. has been lately. Members of the public wishing to attend should contact The Board maintains many miles of its drains and covers a the clerk for joining instructions. large area including Marham. Stowbridge, St Germans, Next meetings: 2 March, 6 April, 11 May, 1 June Shouldham, Runcton Holme, Watlington. Setchey, NOTICE WestWinch,, Saddlebow, Cambells Meadow and parts of Vacancies for Parish Councillors King’s Lynn to the Great Ouse. Would you like to have input into important The Board looks after 6 sets of pumps. The largest being decisions that make a difference in your village? at The Polver on the back road from Watlington to St Germans. Yes? The Board employs a Manager, a Digger Driver and a Flail Apply to become a Parish Councillor Cutter Driver. Closing down the Downham Office and The Parish Council currently has Two vacancies for joining Ely Branches has worked well and saved money. Parish Councillors. If you are interested or would like The Board has 4 meetings a year but at the moment the further information please contact the Parish Clerk. meetings are on Zoom. Contact details are on page 11 I am the Vice Chairman for the board and your council representative. If there is an emergency please contact me DOG FOULING Email: [email protected] The Parish Council has received several complaints Mobile phone: 07860598803 recently about dog fouling. Dog mess is unacceptable Derek Caley and deeply unpleasant. Most dog owners are caring and responsible but there are still a few who fail to clean up after their pets. The law states that not Watlington Knitters & Stitchers having a suitable bag or not realising your dog has We are still unable to gather as a group, but hopefully fouled is not a reasonable excuse . There is a fixed those who want can find something to knit, it’s such a penalty of £100. If a case goes to court the owner great pastime! good for us in so many ways. There are could be fined up to £1000. Poo bags are very lots of ideas on Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers website. inexpensive to purchase. Looking forward to when we can meet again, I will have a reason to make cake as well! Stay safe and well. Your Parish Council has provided five (5) dog bins. Any inquiries call 01553 810868 Please use them, Janet Jones Location : Thorpland Lane Oakland Lane One at each end of Common Road Church Lane 3 2nd Runcton Holme & Watlington Scout Group The COVID 19 global pandemic continues! Face to Face scouting around the globe is again put on hold. It's at times like these when our great Scout spirit of courage and kindness matters most, as well as our practicality and realism. We confronted these challenges in a spirit of transparency, collaboration and empathy, taking decisions for the long-term benefit of the movement, guided by our values for the good of Scouts as a whole and for the good of our young people. These are tough times, and Scouts is needed now more than ever. The Cubs and Scout sections have been very active throughout the autumn and winter months. The sections have again been busy with lots of badges being earned supporting our young people with skills for life. New activities were being undertaken with plenty of exciting activities, planned in the pipeline. The Leadership team have continued to deliver our programme’s to our young people believing that at this time our young members needed scouting more than ever. I am very happy to say that sections continued with online meetings, which have been a great success, doing all sorts of activi- ties such as survival skills, first aid, air activities, quizzes, virtual camps, online cooking skills, and VIP guests attending meetings to share knowledge and experiences and much, much more. There have been lots of activity and challenge badges along with top awards presented to our young people throughout each of the sections. One of our Scouts, Liam Osler and his father Chris arranged a New Year’s Eve online disco for the Scout group and friends and family in the village. This managed to raise an amazing £650 for the Scout Group. Which we thank each and every one of you for. This has led to Liam earning some addition- al Scout awards and also a Blue, Blue Peter badge for his fundraising efforts. I would like to thank Group Leaders and Executive committee for their tireless work in providing a balanced and entertaining programme. For supporting our Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts sections, to gain skills for life. We are actively recruiting adults for leadership roles in the Beaver, Cub and Scout sections and also an executive committee secretary. You don’t need to be Bear Grylls to join us. You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent.