Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 1 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk

For more information about Harvest events go to www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Hebron Concert Saturday September 22nd at 7.30pm (Doors open at 7.00pm)

Featuring Chrissie Rogers - Simon Elman Helen Shapiro In conjunction with Norfolk Broads Filling Station Gospel music with a distinctly Jewish flavour, with ministry in word and song. Admission Free by ticket only a freewill offering will be taken

For tickets contact Diana 01692-580268 Or [email protected] Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 2 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Welcome To Community Scene

Hello Welcome to the Harvest edition of Community Harvest ISSUE Scene produced by Stalham Baptist Church. A really big thankyou to Steve English, who has produced all our great cartoons. To Barbara Reynolds, Daphne Hurt and Frank Payne in Page 4 helping with the magazine production and to Father and Daughter Killed Roger, Niki and Katie Newman at our printers in bombing raid Century Print High Street Stalham for all their Page 5 help. You can contact us at [email protected] or phone Can’t get no satisfaction David Child on 07799262645. Page 6 High Street blaze What’s on at SBC Page 7 Sundays Table Tennis Anniversary Sunday Service 10.45 to 12noon. See page 15. Page 8 & 9 Mondays Did you know? Church Open For Prayer Page 10 10.00 to 12noon. Monday Club in the Schoolroom term time only 3.00 Henry’s Harvest to 4.30pm See page 15. Page 11 Tuesdays Nancy’s Testimony Coffee and Chat in the Stables 9.30 to 11.30am. Page 12 Wednesdays Heat Waves Over 60’s Table Tennis Club in the Schoolroom 9.30 to 12noon. See page 7. Page 13 Thursdays Christian girl prayed for Lunch Club in the Stables twice monthly 12.15pm by Muslims Telephone Dorothy 01692-583373 Page 14 Pop up Café Parents etc. and kids in the Schoolroom Martin Budgett term time 3.00 to 4.30pm. See page 15. Page 15 Fridays Food Bank and Citizen's Advice Bureau. Family Friendly SBC In the Stables 1.15 to 3.00pm. Monthly Youth Pop Up Café. Telephone Jerry 07733837687 for details. EVERY YEAR Saturdays Getting Together To Pray 8.00 to 9.00am. 1/3 OF FOOD For information on all SBC activities including local GROWN FOR HUMANS House Groups go to (1.3 MILLION TONNES ) www.stalhambaptist.org.uk IS WASTED Stalham Baptist Church Social Media INCLUDING Find us on; https://twitter.com/StalhamChurch https:// 45% OF FRUITS AND VEG www.facebook.com/stalhambaptist 35% OF FISH AND SEAFOOD https://www.instagram.com/stalhambaptistchurch 30% OF CEREALS http://www.stalhambaptist.org.uk 20% OF MEAT 20% OF DAIRY PRODUCTS Community Scene is Printed by Source World Health Organisation Century Printing 132 High Street Stalham NR129AZ

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 3 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk And We Shall Remember Them

Wednesday October 30th 1940 the penultimate day of the Battle of Britain. The German Luftwaffe was focusing their bombing raids on British cities at night, to reduce Luftwaffe casualties, but coastal towns, airfields and other military targets were attacked during the day. It was late in the afternoon in Stalham, Beryl Allcock took her Percy Thirst young sister Liz’s hand and walk, the few yards from her dad’s Stalham High Street early 1900s. Allcock’s butchers by the 1930s was butcher’s shop to chat to her good friend 20 year old situated in the shop with the awning . The bakers the pale building on Jean Thirst, in the bakers. Jean was clearing up from the same side of the street. The Railway Inn a little further on. the day’s trading. Liz Austrin said “Beryl often took me to the bakers; Jean always made a fuss of me. I would and all the upstairs bedroom windows. I wasn’t that sit on the counter and I would often be treated with a old but I will never forget that sound and the look of “doughbun” and a bottle of pop, Beryl spent a lot of horror on mum, dad and Beryl’s faces.” A lone German time with Jean and they went out with a bomber had dropped a high explosive bomb group of girls quite regularly. Jean sang in into the middle of Stalham High Street. the church choir and was engaged to be Edward who was part of the Home Guard married.” rushed outside and was confronted by a Jean’s dad Percy came through from the scene of total devastation, the bakery, the bakery and told Jean to close the blackout Railway Inn and part of the bank were a blinds and lock up. Beryl and Liz walked smouldering pile of rubble. People were back the few yards to the Allcock’s butchers frantically clawing through the wreckage to and family home. Their dad Edward and Jean Thirst find Jean and Percy Thirst. Jean’s brother mum Mary had already cleared the counters Murray who worked in the local ironmongers and asked Beryl to drop the pin on the shop’s front found his dad’s body but Jean was never found. door locking it for the night. The Battle of Britain finished the following day and Liz said “We all went through to the parlour ready for Winston Churchill said of the RAF; tea. Then there was a huge explosion and the sound of “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed glass shattering. The shop front window was blown in by so many to so few.” The bank was repaired, the Railway Inn was replaced Stalham High Street in the by a temporary structure then the Grebe was built on 1930s. Allcock’ butchers to the site and other shops over the years have sprung the right. The windows were up, life in Stalham carried on ... all shattered by the blast. Each year the names of The search for survivors Percy and Jean Thirst, as are the names of Stalham people lost in the wars of our nation since 1914, are read out at St. Mary’s and SBC on Remembrance Day. “And we shall remember them.”

Sometimes in life problems and crises pile up on you and there seems nowhere to turn. Stalham Baptist Church has a group of people who will pray for you or pray with you in your own home. If you need some help contact Jan 07767432990 or Jerry 07733837687. You can email Courtesy of Flashback [email protected]

Reached the End of the Road?

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 4 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Can’t Get No Satisfaction

As a kid I liked the Rolling Stones. In a way we end up with a on my state of the art Samsung

Why? Because my mum and dad materialistic faith that satisfaction QE55Q9FN a snip at £2499. At the were forever telling me how bad comes solely from what we own, same time I used social media — they were, scruffy, loud and worst what we have harvested through checking for likes and to amaze my of all, you can’t hear the words. want. But that faith can never be friends and family how great my life Obviously the more they disliked the satisfied, it’s designed not to. There was and how happy I am. In truth Stones the more I liked them. is no profit in “I have got all I need.” often I’m not happy in fact more This led to me feeling I had a We need to be encouraged to keep often than not. I’m always deprived fatherhood. My sons, born wanting. searching for something there’s no in the 70s and 80s, liked the Beatles satisfaction. That evening after a and Oasis, nice songs and you could Still why worry, we are all in the few more glasses of wine I wrote on hear all the words. I never had that same boat, it’s the way of the the wall with a black marker pen, in fatherly experience my dad had of world. There is no other path is anguish, I must be worth more than banging on their bedroom door there? I don’t want to be judged by this, and in the calm soft quiet of yelling “Turn that down,” of course people who have better tech, that night a voice whispered to me, interspersed with some descriptive clothes, house, and holidays etc. it was Jesus and I simply asked him language about the artists’ quality. Social media can be a very to be part of my life. Now I am on a In fact I relived my teenage years judgmental format. I’ve got to keep new voyage. Strange really, this when my boys and wife insisted I striving to stay in the materialistic journey I thought should have been turned down Jimi Hendrix and Maria harvest. more difficult. But it’s not. Every Callas. OK I have an eclectic taste in march however long starts with one music though jazz is not my thing. I could never be a success if I single step, they say, this was a big didn’t possess this, wasn’t step for me, but easy. I always Getting back to my mum and dad it doing that, didn’t dress like have a companion, sometimes as always seemed to be a problem this, had the wrong body we walk I lag behind, He never when I played quite quietly, from complains. Other times I rush off in my point of view, the Stones “I can’t shape. I was forever being sheer excitement of some new get no satisfaction” released in told I was a failure because I challenge but He doesn’t have me 1965 when I was 14. For them, not didn’t subscribe to their on a lead. He doesn’t call or whistle being able to hear the words or not product or just couldn’t to bring me back to follow passively wanting to, left them at a afford it. at His heels, although I am never disadvantage. They had judged the out of His sight. In a way I haven’t message of the words from the title, changed that much as a person, and so they never listened. And they When asked “Tell me about except before I was often lonely, were very fond of telling me “You yourself” people will tell you about lost, bereft of spirit and crushed by can’t judge a book by its cover.” their job, what they own, where servitude to want and desire. Now I Their thinking was it reflected the they live. But that’s not the am constantly loved and free. I frustrations of my teenage years question. The question is telling me never could get the writing off the and they were right, but wrong. about you, what really matters to wall so I covered it with a big sign you. What satisfaction does your life that said Jesus is welcome here. So why no satisfaction? give you? “Total satisfaction.” Verse 1 I have a lot to thank my mum and When I'm driving in my car Perhaps there is another path. dad for, but mum would say to me And that man comes on the radio Franky Dilch wrote in The Long quite often “Can’t you take no for an And he's telling me more and more journey to Here. “Burdened with answer?” I couldn’t most of the time. About some useless information debt, racked by anxiety from Nor will Jesus. He will be there for Supposed to fire my imagination another day striving to maintain my you waiting for you to say yes. He Verse 2 materialistic life style I spent the won’t turn away and forget you, so When I'm watching my TV evening relaxing with a bottle of just say “Yes” to Jesus and no And that man comes on to tell me quality red wine, worshipping the longer feel How white my shirts can be TV celebrity idols and those of sport “I can’t get no satisfaction.” Well he can't be a man cause he doesn't smoke The same cigarettes as me

That’s life according to advertising. I could never be a success if I didn’t possess this, wasn’t doing that, didn’t dress like this, had the wrong body shape. I was forever being told I was a failure because I didn’t subscribe to their product or just couldn’t afford it. Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 5 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk What shall we do with a drunken fireman.

Three years after Bristow’s Mill had been destroyed by The Captain: “In London he told me that.” fire, Stalham suffered another severe blow when Arthur Mr Reeve: “Amongst other things, did he not complain Hensman’s Drapery and Grocery Store (now The Factory about the large bill for refreshments – the sum of £18. Shop) and Barclays Bank were raized to the ground. 16s. 9d.” The alarm was sounded around 1.00am on Tuesday The Captain: “Yes he did.” November 6th 1906, The Stalham Brigade arriving within 30 minutes. By then, the fire had taken hold in Mr Reeve: “It was a perfect orgy for two or three days.” the roof of the building and had rapidly spread to the The Captain: “A perfect what?” (Laughter in the court). adjoining Barclays Bank. As with the fire at Bristow’s, Mr Reeve: “A perfect orgy — a real beer orgy.” the fire fighters were hampered by the lack of water until the arrival of the The Captain: “Mr Self didn’t water carts and the North Hensman’s fire 1906 say that. He called it a Walsham Brigade, who had drunken beano.” covered the eight miles in Mr Reeve: “People were drunk eighteen minutes (using were they not?” horse drawn vehicles) The Captain: “Evidence will be arriving around 3.00am. Up brought to show there was to that point the Stalham not a man drunk the whole Brigade had fought the fire time.” with buckets of water supplied by a local well Mr Reeve: “Was there not one and passed along a human man walking around with a chain. As dawn broke the uniform and a top Brigade had managed to hat.” (Loud laughter from the get the blaze under control court) but Barclays Bank and Mr Hensman’s house and The Captain: “Not a uniform, in his ordinary clothes and business were in ruins. a top hat.” However that was not the end of the story. W.H.Cooke Mr Reeve: “Was he not drunk?” tells us that the thrifty Arthur Hensman hired the The Captain: “No.” (Laughter approaching gale force) Town Hall and continued his business, the even thriftier Fire Brigade presented the Town Council with Mr Reeve: “Did not this man try to push a wheel barrow a bill amounting to £174 (around £20,000 in today’s up a plank and did he not fall off?” money) including £18+ for refreshments; beer was The Captain: “He did, but this is not an easy thing to around a penny a pint at the time. This led to court do.” action between the Captain of the Brigade and the Mr Reeve: “True, but did he not attempt this a further Town Council, during which the event was described as five times with the same result.” a beer orgy and a drunken beano with large quantities of beer being consumed by the men engaged in The Town Council eventually won the day and costs fighting the fire. In his excellent book “150 years of were awarded against the Captain who had sued the Service” which chronicles the history of the Stalham Council in respect of his personal bill of £8 18s 6d of Brigade, Derek Farman records part of the cross which the Council had paid £4 4s. Derek Farman examination of the Brigade’s Captain by the Town concludes this episode by saying “at no point in the Council’s representative. court case was their competence to fight fires challenged – only their capacity to consume beer.” Mr Reeve, referring to the Fire Assessor’s, Mr Self’s report. “He (Mr Self) has told you the claim was At a penny a pint the Brigade had allegedly consumed exorbitant.” in the region of 4521 pints of beer 565 gallons (2260 litres). At £3 — a pint that would cost today £13,563.

Congratulations to Jerry and Simone. Jerry Otieno announced on Wednesday August 8th that his wife Simone had given birth to their second child at 10.23am. They have named the baby Kalos Eike. Kalos weighed in at 9.8oz and measured 58cm. The pictures were taken an hour after Kalos’ birth. Jerry, SBCs assistant Pastor, joined the church in May 2017 and has made a big impact working with young people and families in the local community. Simone, pictured right with their daughter Elsa, often leads the services at SBC and plays the violin with the other band members at the Sunday Services.

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 6 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Table Tennis Club Anniversary Open Day

The over 60s Table Tennis Club that meets in the SBC the project fitted

Schoolroom is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Wednesday well with his vision. 19th September. T.T. tables already existed at the Play will start at 9.00am (normal New members church and £200 start time 9.30am) and Ron bought balls and Skivington will give a short service are always bats. around 10.00am. Followed by tea, very welcome. The first session in cakes and biscuits, and then more 2008 saw 9 people table tennis till midday. There is no play and another The club started on September 17th joining fee. turning up as a spectator. 2008. Tony and Rosalind Diamond 10 years on, regularly sees between 16 and 20 people playing. approached Alex Pelling with the Alex Pelling has been with the project since its inception and idea. A then Deacon Roy Adams was working on a project to says “it’s a great social occasion where friendships have been get local folk involved in activities at SBC, he called Blue Moon, built. As well as a great way to get a little exercise.” New members are always very welcome. There is no joining fee and members just leave a donation normally around £2 that covers the cost of the tea, coffee and biscuits that are always available during the morning. The club normally meets at 9.30am and finishes around midday. Members and partners are having a celebratory lunch at the Poacher’s Pocket Walcott on Wednesday September 26th. For more information about the T.T. club phone Alex on 07763116911.

Norfolk Day at SBC

Liz Austrin thought it would be good to have the Norfolk flag flying on Norfolk Day in the lovely gardens opposite SBC. She recruited Town Councillor Roy McWilliams to raise the flag.

During the afternoon SBC held an afternoon of Shortbread and Squit. Henry Nicholson, Iris Clark (pictured right) and Pat Maitland entertaining 40 people with stories of Norfolk past. The afternoon raised £100 for the Schoolroom renovation project.

Rev Ron’s Read Part 1 “What’s for Tea?”

“What's for tea?" is a question that is often asked I am Knowing we need to eat to live and not die it would sure in most homes and someone needs to be able to be surprising then if we gave no thought to future answer it, or it could lead to empty plates and even if potential meals. We may be labelled careless, we are on our own we still need to consider that thoughtless, lazy, daft, etc. if having the time, health, question to ensure that when the time comes to eat money, and opportunity to feed ourselves we simply there will be something to go on the table, otherwise do nothing about it. we would go hungry. Now fortunately for the Harvest is a good time to consider the fact we have majority of us we are unlikely to go hungry because in food and give thanks to God for it, for what we see extreme circumstances and the cupboards are bare, grow around us, for what is grown and produced in organisations like the Food Banks or friends, family other parts of the world that makes its way into our and neighbours may step in to help. They are a safety shops and supermarkets for our benefit, enjoyment net to support people in food need. and wellbeing. For many people this is not the norm. In 2016 the We are however more than just our physical bodies World Health Organisation figures showed that 11% of and a question maybe not as often heard as "What's the world population, 815 million people, were for tea?" but is more important is "If you were to die hungry. today, do you know where you are going?” Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 7 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk What Do They All These Sports and TV Stars Have In Common?

LEWIS HAMILTON has always been open about his Christian faith and believes it plays a major role in his life and his racing. He told the Guardian “At the Nürburgring in 2007 during qualifying, a wheel nut that had not been located correctly caused my tyre to blow under heavy loading into turn eight at 160mph and my car to spear nose- first into the barrier. It illustrated the danger I know is a constant companion in F1. You don’t have time to pray,” he said of such incidents. “Anything can happen any day, but I feel God has his hand over me.” It is a belief strengthened by regular prayer and attendance at church. “I go with a couple of my close friends,” he said. “We meet, we go for breakfast and then we go to church together. We leave most often feeling enlightened and empowered, it’s like a re- centring.” The world famous adventurer and TV star BEAR GRYLLS has been very open about his beliefs and recently was filmed Independent praying with ex President Obama. He www.lewishamilton.com/ said ‘I remember praying a simple prayer So what do all these sports and TV stars have in up a tree one evening common? and saying, “God, if you're like I knew you as World Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton. a kid, would you be that British adventurer, writer and television presenter Bear friend again?” And it Grylls has been in a number of wilderness survival was no more television series in the UK and US. In July 2009, Grylls complicated than that. was appointed the youngest-ever Chief Scout at age 35. And actually the Jurgen Klopp who became Liverpool manger In October amazing thing is that all God asks is that we sort of 2015, and led them to the finals of the League open the door and He'll do the rest.’ He told the Radio Cup and UEFA Europa League in his first season before Times that faith in Jesus is the ‘strong backbone’ in his guiding them to the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final. life, and the ‘glue’ that keeps his family together. Brazilian international and Chelsea player Willian. JURGEN KLOPP when asked about what he'd like to achieve Rower Debbie Flood winner of Silver Medals in the before his contract at Liverpool runs out, by Gary Lineker he gave an unexpected answer. www.premierchristianradio.com Quadruple Sculls at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and gold in the World Championships in 2006. "The problem is I'm a Christian," he said. "That [in itself] is Anne Wafula Strike Kenyan and GB Paralympian — the not a problem, but the problem is I think other people can have success too - it's not about me. first East African to compete as a wheelchair racer in the Paralympics. "But if you ask me about Liverpool I What do they all have in common? would like to They are all Christians. celebrate something each season." Klopp has previously spoken openly about his faith. In an interview with fr-online.de, he said: "To be a believer, but not to want to talk about it - I do not know Image courtesy of Bear Grylls Survival Academy how it would work! If anyone asks me Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 8 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk What Do They All These Sports and TV Stars Have In Common?

about my faith, I give information.

Not because I have claim to be any sort of missionary. But when I look at me and my life - and I take time for that every day - then I feel I am in sensationally good hands." CHELSEA AND BRAZIL STAR WILLIAN lost his beloved mother Donna Zee in October 2016 from a brain tumour. Her passing had a damaging effect on his health resulting in a loss of weight and his place in the Chelsea team. Willian, who is a devout Christian, added: "I had so much help, firstly from God, Jesus Christ, my wife and two daughters, my dad, my sister and friends. My team-mates and everyone at the club were great with me also. They did so in little ways, with a hug or just by talking to me. They would give me the words to Sky Sports help me be strong and it was important for me.”

DEBBIE FLOOD. After giving my life to Jesus and In 2007 she won a bronze in the Paralympic World Cup becoming a Christian aged 15, I already knew and fourth place in the World Championships. In 2008 – Independent that the talents I had been blessed with were now living in England - she missed out on selection for leading me into sport somehow. When I the GB team for the Beijing Paralympics by 0.1 seconds. finished school I was on a mission to go to the She said, “It was so hard not to make the team after Olympics in any sport I could before carrying working 4 years. on with my working life. I committed to two years in a new place away from family and But as a Christian, I believed that God had a purpose for friends to row but then injury struck and I me – whether to win a medal or not get to the start ended up losing my Olympic trial in 2000 line. And when I missed out on selection, my faith which instantly became the lowest point in supported me. The experience made me a stronger my life at that time. I questioned God and person”. why he had put me there. Her relationship with Jesus is central to who she is: I thought I had wasted two years of my life “Having Jesus in my life puts a smile on my face every rowing. But then the tables turned, and although I did day. It is a smile that is from within. When people see not compete at the Olympics that year, it ended up the smile on my face, it is the glory of God. People don’t being one of the most memorable years in my just see Anne. They see Anne who is covered in the glory international career. At that point when I looked back of God.” on my life and clearly saw the path God had brought Information from https://www.throughtheroof.org me on, it reminded me that God really did have my life In 2012 Anne visited Haiti as part of the Baptist in His hands and I needed to trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5- Missionary Society (pictured below) to encourage 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not paraplegic athletes training for 2012 London Olympics. on your own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths”. Anne’s polio as a young girl, resulted in her family being driven from their community due to the stigma and ANNE WAFULA STRIKE was born in Kenya and contracted abuse that they faced. polio aged two. After a life walking with Anne explained to people in several communities and You tube. Sports crutches and callipers, she got her first wheelchair when she was pregnant. She schools around Cap Haitien, that as a child, people Stories are a viewed her as ‘cursed or bewitched’, a reality faced by series of free discovered wheelchair sports and competed for Kenya in the 2004 many children in Haiti. downloadable Paralympics, making the 400 metres short films with Anne said final in the T53 classification 400 metres leading about her visit. – the first East African to compete as a sportspeople wheelchair racer in the Paralympics. sharing their life “As a BMS and faith. Anne says of the experience, “Being in volunteer, it’s Athens was like a new chapter in my life, been a privilege one that I was going to live and to share God’s celebrate for a long time. When I was on love in the the starting line and heard the community and announcement, “Anne Wafula, see how representing Kenya”, I was so proud to people’s lives be there representing my nation on the have been world stage”. transformed.” BMS Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 9 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Henry’s Harvest

Henry Nicholson celebrates his 50th Harvest this year Henry was a renowned local footballer playing for in the Agricultural parts department at Nicholson's Stalham Reserves at 13, he had a spell at Yarmouth (Stalham Engineering) based at Stalham Green on the Town aged 22 scoring on his debut at Lowestoft road to Sutton. before returning to Stalham and playing until he was 42. He regularly bagged 30 plus It was inevitable that he would goals a season for each of his become part of the company set up Sunday and Saturday teams. by his father Jimmy Nicholson in A good cricketer he also had 1938. Jimmy and his wife Kathleen success playing pool and is had 14 children 8 boys and 6 girls pictured below celebrating the all living in the 4 bedroom end of Grebe’s pool league win. terrace house adjacent to the Henry and Son Daniel He became Stalham Town FC club business. As the boys got to working secretary in 1984 a post he held age they would be incorporated into the rapidly until 2016. In 2009 he was the recipient of The expanding business. Anglian Combination Secretary of the Year award. Jimmy had rented the land next to the house to stand A Saturday night out with Henry in a local pub after his steam traction engines used during the playing football would always be harvest for threshing (separating the grain memorable. As the writer of this article from the ears of corn and wheat) ploughing can testify, he has the likeability factor and transporting heavy loads. and always generous. I would often end The Nicholson's involvement in the threshing up with him to 11.00pm when I had been industry pre-dated the earliest steam determined and promised to be home by engines when horses and man power was 8.00! As did a few other players. Tim the only way to see the harvest home. The Nicholson, Henry’s youngest brother when steam engine had been developed in the talking about Henry once said “there are 1860s and did the job of tractors up to the only two things in life for certain and it’s second world war and some were still not death and taxes. It’s Henry has been working into the 1950s. Jimmy’s there before and someone will know him” grandfather George had used steam engines in the Henry married Janet in 1974, she was on holiday in early 1900s. Norfolk when they met. Henry said "as soon as I met Jimmy who went on to write three books her I made up my mind to marry her” they about his life including “I Kept a have four children Daniel, Christopher, Joanne Troshin” (pictured) which was a Norfolk best and Mark. seller, had a shrewd eye for business Janet had been a Christian for much of their opportunities and start to develop the land married life and Henry for many years would next to the family home. Firstly with a petrol drop her off at various Christian events and station in 1957 and then over the years pass the time in a nearby pub to have a yarn agricultural and car workshops until in 1977 with someone before he picked her up the EDP declared that the local farmers had Henry started to join some of the Sunday “their own agricultural supermarket with services and credits Ron Skivington and parts available off the shelf and tractors support from Janet for his decision to become and combines all on show.” a Christian. Henry developed with the business he joined in 1968 Henry and his son Daniel were baptised on November famed to be able to remember all of the part 28th 2010 and he was elected as a Deacon at SBC in numbers. Henry said “I do struggle a bit with the 2013. “Since becoming a Christian I am a lot more growing technology and I can’t quote all the numbers peaceful and contented within and still enjoy a yarn now.” and an occasional pint He went on “Everything has with old friends in the changed rapidly over the Swan after the morning last twenty years, combines service. People are now have 40 foot important to me. life's not (12.192mtrs) headers always easy but Janet and (cutters) in the past they myself have always were 6 foot (1.82mtrs) now someone to turn to in farmers use contractors or prayer every day. buy machinery to share amongst them. The labour The odd thing is that for force has declined rapidly years I would have rather the focus being on seasonal gone to the pub on a workers and the real Sunday morning than join characters are Janet at SBC and now if I disappearing.” Pictured left to right Roger Nicholson, Henry Nicholson miss a service I really feel it.” and Alan Nicholson in 1956. Sitting on engine “Marilyn.” Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 10 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Nancy King, Being the Real Me Without Fear

On May 20th Nancy King was Baptised. This was her palpable nudge in the ribs – someone was getting courageous testimony she delivered to around a 100 impatient with me! The time is right, the time is NOW! I people, without notes. am a new ME from here on in.

I think I've always felt this strong sense of my life being The second meaning is that the flag draws attention to a journey and being mapped out in me. That's a bit scary but very necessary advance, with me just having to walk and because I no longer stand alone. I have I have spent my experience it. As I got older and my spent my whole life keeping my faith, my spiritual life deepened, that sense only got whole life keeping spiritual beliefs and experiences a secret stronger and with it the idea that the more my faith, my for fear of rejection and being laughed at I placed my Trust in God, the more I spiritual beliefs and which had happened to me when I was surrendered to God's Will, the more my experiences a secret much younger. Getting to know people journey would flow. I saw my trust like for fear of rejection here has allowed me to break away from being in a river with a strong current; there and being laughed that feeling of isolation and here I can say is no point going against the current at which had I love God, I love Christ, I pray lots! I can because it in the end it gets us nowhere happened to me be the real me without fear! And today I and we become exhausted. Best to go with when I was much am being Baptised and you are all witness the flow and enjoy the journey! to it. I am without fear now. younger.

In the last few months, once I knew I was going to be And the third meaning is the white flag represents baptised, I kept being given this image during my surrender. Society conditions people to see surrender prayers and meditations. It was very vivid and I want as something weak. But for me the process of to share it with you. It was the image of a large white surrendering to God's will was anything but an act of flag on a pole driven firmly into the ground, with me weakness! Firstly, it was an act of free will. It was a standing next to it. At first I wasn't sure what it meant choice. It was as I said, a process. Because, it required or what the significance was but I started to figure it an emptying of Self, which some call Ego. There was a out and I realised it had three meanings and each lot I had to heal in myself, a lot to get rid of, to leave meaning was important and behind. At times, this was difficult, poignant in its own way. even deeply painful. It required courage and strength. But it was an The first meaning is that this empowering process. It led to an baptism marks a halfway point in understanding of true power which is my life. The flag is my marker that heart power, Love. separates the old me from the new on the map of my life. It opened my heart and led me to a real relationship with Christ. He had I started to think about baptism always been there, but I had not about 5 years ago but back then I been ready for a proper relationship was not ready in many ways for with him until I had emptied myself various reasons. The time was not and surrendered fully to the will of right. But when the time did become God. Then, my heart was ready to right God let me know. There was a fully receive his Love. period of about 3 weeks when I was summoning up the courage to talk And now I am ready to receive my to Ron about being Baptised and new life and in full service, wait to after several occasions of seeing him and losing my see what God has planned for me. I have surrendered. nerve I swear one morning in Ron's company I got a I am listening. I am ready......

Rev. Ron’s Read Part 2 “I don’t believe”

Lots say " I don't believe in God" “The chances you take, the " I don't believe there is anything beyond this life" people you meet, the "I am not interested" people you love, "I will think about these things later" or some variation on that theme as though it nullifies the question. But suppose you may be wrong and there is a God, even if there is only a the faith that you have. 5% chance He and a life beyond this one exists. Would we not be foolish to That’s what’s going to dismiss out of hand that possibility, eternity by definition is a long time define you.” spent somewhere we may rather not be. So a wise precaution would be to have an answer to the possible question "Why should I let you in?” Denzel Washington

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 11 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Heat Waves, Drought and The Great Stink

It’s 27th July and I’m sitting at my computer working 1976: The hottest summer average temperature in the on articles for Community Scene. I’ve just looked at the UK since records began. At the same time, the country BBC weather forecast for Stalham. It was predicting suffered a severe drought. It was one of the driest, highs of 30°C by 1.00pm. Looking out the window at sunniest and warmest summers (June/July/August) in the scorched brown grass I started to wonder how the 20th century. It was the warmest summer in often we get weather like this in the UK and how the Aberdeen area since at least 1864, and the driest unusual it was. I turned to a magazine from 1989 summer since 1868 in Glasgow. Also remembered for “Victoria to Elizabeth” that had a list of events from swarms of ladybirds an estimated 23.65 billion of 1839 created by W.H. Cooke a member of SBC in the them. late 1800s, and found some interesting stuff: 1990: Cities across the country broke their all time 1844 Great drought and heat, all the temperature records when summer temperatures peaked at 37 °C (99 °F). 1857 The Great Heat. Very dry from May This led to one of the hottest Augusts on record, records going back to 11th to September 27th early and good harvest, quality fine wheat selling at 1659. Moorland fires were common during the height of the heat wave, 23/6 HEAT occurring in North Yorkshire and 1868 From May 2nd to September 21st the Peak District. Some 100 square great drought and heat. Harvest began miles (260 km2) of the Peak District 1st week in July. Great fire on the Wood Pixaby.com was closed to the public to try to Farm Catfield trees and hedges burnt. prevent further fires occurring from The Hot Summer. careless visitors. The three events sounded incredibly similar to 1995: The UK experienced its 3rd hottest summer since what we are experiencing this year. 1659. August was the hottest on record since 1659. The summer was also the driest on record since 1766. So I wonder if we had heat waves during the 1900s so Temperatures peaked at 35 °C (95 °F) on the 1st of turned to Google and typed in “Heat Waves UK” and August, which did not break the all-time record. found on Wikipedia. 1997: The country experienced its 3rd major 1906: The heat wave started in August and lasted heatwave in 7 years with August 1997 being one of into September which is unusual as most heat waves the hottest on record. start in June or July, broke numerous records. On September 2nd temperatures reached 36°C (96°F) It struck me that with references like, hottest record which still holds as a record. However, some places since 1659 and driest since 1766 meaning similar beat their local records during September 1911. weather events took place in earlier centuries and Cooke’s records for the 1800s in Stalham perhaps 1911: One of the most severe periods of heat to hit “Heat Waves” aren’t that rare. In fact they average the country with temperatures around 36°C (97°F). once every 16 years from 1839 - 2000. Interestingly This was accompanied by a severe drought. The heat temperatures of 36°C were recorded in 1906 and began in early July and didn't let up until mid- 1911. The all-time UK record is 38.5°C (101.3°F), set September when temperatures were still up to 33°C in August 2003, and the highest July temperature was (92°F). It took 79 years for a higher temperature to be 36.7°C (98.06°F) in 2015 at Heathrow. recorded in 1990 heat wave 1955: The UK drought and associated heatwave were History suggests that we may still be experiencing a a set of severe weather events that occurred over all heat wave by the time you are reading this article and parts of the country. you may have the fan going full on still. Hopefully we won’t be enduring the September temperature in 1906 of 36°C or the 1911 September temperatures of 33°C. Keeping Cool In 1906 THE GREAT STINK. It was a heat wave in 1858 that led to a sewage system being built in London when the smell of raw effluent in the Thames, that was effectively an open sewer, was so overpowering that the House of Commons couldn't sit. The system built by Joseph Bazzalgette is still in operation today. His work brought to an end the cholera outbreaks that plagued the city. These included outbreaks in 1832 and 1849 which killed a total of 14,137 people. Bazzalgette probably saved more lives Topical Press Agency/Getty Images than any other Victorian. Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 12 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk Nigerian Christians and Muslims come together to pray for…….

Report from Open Doors 9th April 2018 daughter in the face of death in the hands of Boko

The pastor of Leah Sharibu (pictured), a Christian girl Haram, to say she will never denounce Christ, made abducted from her school in Dapchi, Nigeria, on 19th me realise that I had been living with a strong February, has brought together Christians and Muslims follower of Christ in my house. I am highly to pray for her safe return. encouraged by her strong faith in the Lord. I could Pastor Daniel Auta of the Evangelical Church Winning only imagine what I would have done if I were in her All (ECWA) told local media, “All over shoes. My daughter’s testimony has drawn Dapchi, we have all been organising me very much closer, to Christ. I am a proud prayer sessions. All the churches in father and call on her to remain faithful to Dapchi are praying. We initially did God... Hold on to Christ, Leah. You are a three days of prayer and fasting. After heroine of faith. that, we organised special prayers and “I am very grateful to all churches and fasted for three more days. Still, we indeed all Nigerians who are supporting us have continued to pray in our various with their prayers.” houses.” Open Doors partners with the local church Over 100 girls were captured by Boko to strengthen and equip persecuted Haram from their secondary school in believers in northern Nigeria through Dapchi, Nigeria, on 19 February. Most of training, education for children, care and the girls were released just a few weeks discipleship training for new believers, later, on 21 March. However, Leah community development projects, legal Sharibu, the only Christian girl in the group, was not assistance, emergency relief and trauma counselling. released. To date Leah is still held captive. Leah’s mother, Rebeccah, told local media what she PLEASE PRAY: had heard from Leah’s friends who had escaped. • For freedom for Leah, and for the many others “(Leah) was about to board the vehicle that was to who are being held captive by Boko Haram bring them back. Then Boko Haram said she should • That Leah and others like her will be able to convert. Her friends said they tried to convince her but remain strong in their faith and continue to she said she will not convert to Islam. Boko Haram know God’s presence with them, even in said since she will not convert to Islam she should captivity remain behind. That was how they left her. She is • For comfort for their families alone.” • That God will change the hearts of Boko Haram Leah apparently asked her departing classmates to members. pray for her. She also asked her friends to give her mother a message: “My mother you should not be WELCOME TO OPEN DOORS disturbed. I know it is not easy missing me, but I want Open Doors supports persecuted Christians with to assure you that I am fine where I am. My God, Bibles, Christian materials, training, livelihood skills, whom we have been praying to with you, is showing advocacy - and in a whole host of other ways - so Himself mighty in my trying moment. I know your that they know they are not forgotten and can stand words to me during our morning devotions that God is strong to serve their communities. So that they can very close to people in pain. I am witnessing this now. give life. We also seek to mobilise the church in the UK I am confident that one day I shall see your face and Ireland not only to serve Christians living under again. If not here, then there at the bosom of our Lord religious persecution but also to learn from them Jesus Christ.” what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Natha, Leah’s father, is stunned by his daughter’s For more information on Open Doors go to https:// spiritual strength. “The confidence and faith of my www.opendoorsuk.org/ In Debt? CAP and SBC can help Many people in the UK are suffering from excessive debt and the numbers are growing. CAP was started by John Kirby in 1996 He believed God was calling him to sacrifice his career in finance and use his knowledge of the industry to help those in debt. Below is John Ts letter of thanks to CAP. I wanted to write to thank you because you saved my life. I was made redundant and my debts grew and grew. I felt alone. I didn’t know what to do and attempted suicide twice. Thank God someone told me about CAP. I became debt free! What a relief. Through the Baptist Church where CAPs centre was, I became a Christian. Now I go to a lunch club where I’ve made many friends. I went from being on my own to having this family at Church. Since becoming debt free I have tried to help other people. CAP has this great group of people called Lifechangers. What a great group they are! If CAP hadn’t come into my life when it did, I would be dead. You truly saved my life. God bless you. John T. SBC can help people in debt through CAP as was John T. at another Baptist Church. It is a free service if you need help contact Ron Skivington on 01692-582731 or email [email protected] You can find information about CAP at https://capuk.org/ Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 13 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk High School Head, Martin Budgett, A Time To Reflect

As I sit at my desk and contemplate beginning my upon the confidence of the wider community, and so 30th and final summer holiday in education, it is a set about a few targeted initiatives to hopefully good time to reflect upon not only my two years at change the 'hearts and minds' of the community, Stalham High School, but the 28 years that preceded particularly parents within our four wonderful feeder it, which undoubtedly provided the experiences and schools. It has been wonderful to receive such positive successes that made leading Stalham High as feedback over my time at the school, and to also enjoyable as it has been. welcome to the school, children who had moved to As I said to the school in our final assembly of the other local High Schools, for understandable reasons, year, I have had the privilege, through the nature of but who had heard 'the good news' and returned to my roles, to have worked in 10 schools of varying age join their former peers and swell the ranks of groups and designations, and I can honestly say that Stalham. As a whole school, we have focussed hard Stalham has been the happiest and most lovely on ensuring that our students are taught well, and school that I have ever encountered. There is no cared for well - two things that probably the best doubting the special atmosphere and ethos Headteacher I've ever worked for reminded that has been developed here, and also a were the keys to success for any tangible desire amongst the student body to school. Stalham can be proud that it maintain 'good quality' values and achieves those in 'Wherry loads'... relationships with themselves and the staff GCSE results of 2017 were solid and a with whom they share their daily marked improvement on previous years, and lives. Indeed, when we were inspected in we are hopeful that the Class of 2018 will September, 2017, the OFSTED team wanted enjoy even greater success, something they to use the word 'exemplary' to describe should be extremely proud of given the student behaviour and relationships within the significant challenges that the new GCSEs have school, but couldn't, because it wasn't an 'official' provided for them - and their teachers! However, I OFSTED word. am confident that these will mark a good run of years It's sad, because I can certainly support the fact that I to be proud of in terms of results for the have never come across such relationships elsewhere. school. Throughout the school we are seeing the product of improving standards in our feeder schools My appointment to the post of Head of School came and the future certainly should be exciting for the High about in such a way that, as a person of strong faith, School! could only be described as having been an intended There is much about which I could write, particularly step on the spiritual path I had become to realise had given the intensity of our work over the past two been mapped out for me. Indeed, my previous years. But perhaps I should close by making it clear secondment moves and 'failed' applications to other that it was most certainly never my intention to only posts in which I would not have been anywhere near spend two years here. However, other events in my as happy, had really begun to galvanise my belief life in the past two years have brought me to a point that there was a greater power than me influencing when I have to recognise that the spiritual path is the direction of my career. And so I took up post in changing direction and 'life' is telling me things that I September, 2016. The immediate business in such must listen to, and so the decision to take early circumstances is building a team spirit that believes in retirement came about. I leave Stalham High a proud the possibility of achieving great things, students and man, quietly pleased, and relieved, that it is now staff, and I was aided in this task by a strong and keen officially a Good school, with a bright future. I am Senior Leadership Team who made up for their young especially pleased that community is back in a years in wisdom and enthusiasm for getting the job position of believing in the school and long may that done to the best of our ability. Following some last. meetings with parents prior to the summer of 2016, I had decided to ground our work in three key areas, The students and staff, and wider community, have Quality, Consistency and Communication. This mantra helped my career end on a high note, and, given my held us to task and helped focus our work as we life-long association with the Norfolk Broads, Stalham moved quickly into the first term. I was also very could not have been a more fitting final school; for conscious that the future success of a school does rely that, I shall be forever in their debt.

Rev. Ron’s Read Part 3 “The ingredients”

You may have a favourite recipe for there is no one answer to "What's for dinner. tea?" that would satisfy everyone but You may have secret family for God's question there is only one ingredients. You may just eat answer. whatever any one puts in front of “If you openly say, Jesus is Lord and you because after all food is food. believe in your heart that God raised We allMP have Norman our likes Lamb and cuts the ribbon him from death, you will be preferences, opinions and tastes so saved. [Romans 10:9-10]”

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 14 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk

Family Friendly Sunday Service between 10.45 and 12noon. Followed, if you want, by

Stalham Baptist Church regularly attracts over tea, coffee and cakes in the Stables. 80 people and often is in excess of a 100 for the SBC is blessed with Ron Skivington who has been Sunday Service which lasts Pastor for nearly 30 years and Jerry Otieno who just over an hour. joined as assistant Pastor in May 2017. It is also blessed Young people are always an with Barbara Reynolds, Pat important part of our Sunday Dabbs, Norma Huxter, Simone service with 10 to 20 Otieno and Diana Gordon who youngsters of all ages regularly lead the service regularly attending. Many before Ron or Jerry’s talk. families join us each Sunday, So far this year we have had the children colouring during three baptisms which involves the first part of services. a full immersion in the There is often a fun baptistry situated under the children's section to the stage. All of the recipients services which is normally were women, two on Easter very entertaining. Sunday that saw 150 people Part way through the in the church. morning they go off to make craft items, ice biscuits or create a short bible play before coming back to show Monday Club the fellowship what they have achieved. Frequently A great after-school club for children from Reception they get up on the stage and take part in services. to Year 3. It is held in Stalham Baptist Church Sometimes without Schoolroom and we are open in term time from 3pm invitation. A little girl to 4.30pm. We offer a snack and a drink when the before she could walk crawled across the stage several times to get a closer view of Ron's Sunday talk. SBC offers a modern Christian Service — words for songs are shown on three big screens that are also used for videos on a Sunday all controlled from the central hub, worked by three people. On stage there is normally a drummer, guitarists, violinist and often a children first arrive, then different activities are sax player. The available, varying from week to week: Lego, play Baptist Church is a dough, clay, board games, colouring, painting, junk friendly relaxed environment and more and more modelling, biscuit decorating and various craft younger people are enjoying the Sunday service activities. We finish with a Bible story, song and game. Parents/carers are welcome! Pop-up-Cafe Is held in the Schoolroom next to Stalham Baptist Church. We are open term time on Thursdays from 3.00pm to 4.30pm. We offer homemade cakes, sausage rolls, scones, tea, coffee, hot chocolate (with cream and marshmallows) and squash. Colouring and a craft activity are available for children, as well as table tennis in the church. There is no charge but donations are welcome, with any money made going to various charities. Why not 'pop in'? We would love to see you.

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 15 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk

Cartoon by Steve English

Community Scene Harvest Festival 2018 16 www.stalhambaptist.org.uk