Griston TThehe Merton
Caston Thompson WWaayylanlandderer Stow Bedon
Breckles A magazine of local news for the Wayland Group of Parishes
Gt. Hockham March 2021
WAYLAND GROUP DIRECTORY COUNTY COUNCILLORS Caston/Griston—Clare Bowes 07789 796937 Breckles/Gt Hockham/Merton/Stow Bedon/Thompson— Fabian Eagle 07450 679838
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Caston/Griston/Breckles/Gt Hockham/Merton/Stow Bedon/Thompson— Phil Cowen 488393
PARISH COUNCILLORS Caston—Chairman: Jaki Porter 483899; Clerk: Jo Blackman 01842 829821 Gt Hockham—Chairman: David Childerhouse 498079; Clerk: David Childerhouse 498079 Griston—Clerk: Jean Williams 884082 Merton—Chairman: Louise Hyde 889419 Clerk: Vicky Turner 07961 806849 Stow Bedon and Breckles—Chairman: Jonathon White 498515; Clerk: Julian Gibson 499980 —Chair: Jean Kaye 488254; Clerk: Kim Austin 07811 287071 Thompson WAYLAND GROUP MINISTER AND CHURCHWARDENS Interim Parish Minister: Adrian Bell Breckles—St. Margaret: Karen Allen 498408 Caston—Holy Cross: Bridget Hall 483751; Lois Gill 488157 Gt Hockham—Holy Trinity: Jamie Plummer Griston—St. Peter & St. Paul: Sylvia Wright 883608; Keith Mace 880153 Merton—St. Peter: Carole Haggett 483526 Stow Bedon—St. Botolph: Beryl Warren 483375 Thompson—St. Martin: Katharine Wolstenholme 483318 VILLAGE CORRESPONDENTS Breckles: Bella Sandcraft 798983 [email protected] Caston: Annabel Valentine 483440 [email protected] Gt Hockham: Christine Rogers 498492 [email protected] Griston: Jacqueline Bailey 889922 [email protected] Merton: Helen Riley 884555 [email protected] Stow Bedon: Clare Rowling 488993 [email protected] Thompson: Bronwen Tyler 483741 [email protected]
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2 In the Church of England Diocese of Norwich Breckles, Caston, Great Hockham, Griston, Merton, Stow Bedon and Thompson www.wgp.church SERVICES IN THE WAYLAND GROUP
Sadly, because of the Covid virus it has been decided by the Churchwardens to cease all public worship until the situation is clearer. In the meantime we have created a weekly on-line service which you can find on the church section of the Waylander. I would like to thank Joy Fernando, Bella Sandcraft and Karen Allen for helping to produce the service. If you have any names for prayers would you let me have them during the week. [email protected] or telephone them in 01760 627039. Revd Adrian Bell
A Pastoral letter from the Bishop of Norwich to all clergy and churchwarden and those involved in church life.
12th January 2021 It is hugely worrying that the cases of Covid, along with admissions to hospitals and the tally of death, continue to rise in Norfolk and Waveney. The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said yesterday, "The most important thing is that people take the current rules very, very seriously. We shouldn’t do anything outside them, and in fact, even within them we should be doing our level best to minimise unnecessary contacts. That will help relieve the pressures in the next few weeks." As you will know, the Government currently allows worship with a congregation physically present in the church building. Whilst this is still permissible, it is increasingly becoming inadvisable. Around 90 per cent of our churches in the Diocese are not now having worship with a congregation physically present and many have moved back online for the coming weeks. Yesterday the Dean and Chapter took the decision, with a heavy heart, to do this at the Cathedral. I am grateful to all our churches for grappling with this question and making careful choices, but as the situation changes unfortunately we have to revisit these decisions. I would now strongly encourage all incumbents, churchwardens and PCCs not to have physically present worship (except funerals and urgent marriages) in the next few weeks. The risks are now too great, even with all of the precautions that we have so painstakingly put in place. I hope that as many church buildings as possible will remain open at some point during the week for the solace of individual prayer, following the guidance and after a risk assessment. Worship can still be streamed from church buildings and I would encourage that a minimum number of people who are involved with leading the service are present. Some places are pointing people to the online provision of neighbouring churches or to our diocesan Sunday Hope podcasts. In and through all of this I know that our ministry will continue to bring hope to many. Aelred, Abbot of Rievaulx (d. 1167), who we commemorate today, said, “The best medicine in life is a friend.” That should inspire us as we continue to care for the vulnerable, isolated and bereaved, and as we pray for all whose lives and livelihoods are impacted by this dreadful pandemic. In these ways we will show love to our neighbours in the coming weeks. I remain grateful for all that you do, and this comes more than anything with my continued prayers. + Graham Norwich 3 VICAR’S LETTER
Sadly, we are not yet sure when churches will re-open for worship. However, along with many people in the villages I have had my first jab and hopefully people will feel safer in the future weeks. It has been a very worrying time for everyone. As we prepare for the rest of the year I aware of many couples either waiting to be married, or have their children baptised, and we will make sure that when the lockdown ends that these services are a priority. Also those families who have had a bereavement and sadly a private funeral service, may like to come to one of our churches for a Thanksgiving Service. In the future we will help in any way we can. There is no doubt that the church, along with so any areas of society has been deeply affected by the pandemic. The church that will emerge will see reduced clergy numbers and sadly some churches closing. However, along with the group churchwardens, I am using every effort I can muster to lobby those in authority to make sure that the Wayland Group not only has a weekly group service, but hopefully a regular parish priest. I can’t guarantee anything, but we will soon see. Yes, I am retiring in June from the Wayland Group, but just so you all know – I am not retiring as a priest. I was ordained a priest in 1972 in Sheffield Cathedral and priests never retire – I hope to follow John Le Mesurier of Dad’s Army, who left the message to his family and friends on his death, ‘I have just conked out’. Before that time, I think that the Diocese has a few ideas of what I might be getting up to! Watch this space.
God bless, keep safe. Adrian
4 FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS Ingredients: Occasional services held at time of printing 125g plain chocolate, broken into small Funerals pieces 17th February Jo Connolly (Thompson 100g butter Church) 75g light muscovado sugar 22nd February Tony Sutton (Griston 50g ground almonds Church) 25g plain flour 3 eggs From the Wilderness to the City Icing sugar (to serve) Joy Fernando would like to invite you to join her on a pilgrimage through Method: Lent entitled “From the wilderness to the city”. We have included a small selection Preheat the oven to 150°C, gas mark 2. in the For All Our Villages Section of Grease or line a 20cm round cake tin. the Waylander magazine. The journey Melt the chocolate, butter and sugar in its entirity is available at together in a pan and cool slightly before www.waylandermagazine.org. stirring in the ground almonds, sifted flour and egg yolks. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold BRECKLES NEWS AND VIEWS into the chocolate mixture. Pour into the tin and bake for 40– 45 minutes until cooked St. Margaret’s Church through. Cool slightly before you remove The church is open on a Sunday from 9a.m. from the tin. Sprinkle with icing sugar to until 4p.m. serve. All services are online for the time being and can be found at Sunday in Spring www.waylandermagazine.org by clicking by Marianne Poloskey on the church icon. There is also a Lent “Each leaf, each blade of grass study course available to view in full on the Vies for attention. website, and you can find a full news piece Even weeds on this in ‘For All Villages’ in the back of carry tiny blossoms this printed copy. to astonish us”
Recipe Corner with Rachel Butterworth March 2021 – A snapshot in time When I came across ‘Sunday in Spring’ Chocolate Torte (above), it seemed apt for this moment in time, and that perhaps is one of the marks This recipe is perfect to use as a dessert, of good poetry; that it is forever relevant. with its gorgeous gooey texture inside its It’s an expression of achievement, growth, delicious served hot or cold with cream or transformation and hope, and this month ice cream. Or simply as cake with your seems like a crossroads where we can see afternoon tea or coffee! and feel all of that.
5 In February the nation showed gratitude was Jackie Weaver, along with Handforth for the life of Captain Sir Tom, our Parish Council. I think every single one of remarkable home-grown hero who set out us could say we have been in a meeting of to raise £1,000 for the NHS by his 100th some sort at one time where tempers birthday and raised £32 million instead. He became rather frayed and personalities not only showed us what steely collided slightly. With the advent of Zoom determination could achieve, but also left us as the meeting venue of choice for most with the bold expectation that ‘tomorrow village groups in lockdown, Jackie ably will be a better day’, at a time when we demonstrated the potential of simply nearly all needed to be reminded that there removing those who are not polite, calm and is hope on the horizon. respectful from a meeting at the flick of a What a remarkable inspiration he has button, becoming a bit of a national heroine been to us all, and it occurs to me that our in the process. Oh, the joy. Can we please children and grandchildren will connect bring what we’ve learned from her back with him slightly unusually. He was a with us from lockdown too? I know the jury centenarian making history not just in his is still out on who was correct procedurally, time but also in their time, for them to see, but it does seem to be a time when none of and for all generations. He’s brought past us needs additional stress. From the shelter values to the fore in a way which has of our own homes, we are reminded that it transcended well over a century, like the is sometimes possible to simply ‘opt out’. whoosh of a time portal we are merely Fortunately, we didn’t have to do that in travelling through, with echoes of the past our first local Benefice Sunday Zoom of the and anticipation for the future whirling year, where Adrian, Joy, the choir and many around us like a snowy March wind. What more we had managed to get the invitation a remarkable man. out to joined us for an informal Benefice Talking of remarkable people, for those catch-up. There was something absolutely reading this in the future there have been a wonderful about seeing each other’s faces few more people nationally who may now again, and as we prayed together you could also have secured an entry into Wikipedia really feel the energy in the room, or should recently. This month our Chief Medical I say; ‘in the Zoom’? Who would have Officer Chris Witty found himself the thought it would work that way? But it does. unusual target of T-shirt and mug imprints Although many of us may not be too keen after a teenager chose to film him while on Zoom generally, it does clearly have its queuing for food in London and sharing it upsides. on social media. I was quite struck by his The next catchup is on Sunday 7th March comment that he hoped the lad would go on at 3p.m., and we will pop the link up on the to be a model citizen, and although it could Wayland Benefice Facebook page, or please have been seen as tongue in cheek, in that email me for it at [email protected] if one moment he gave him the opportunity you’d like to join in –you don’t have to be and permission to do exactly that and asked connected to the church or choir to pop the same of others. Another great example online and join in – all are welcome! set, and let’s hope we see that happen too, Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Jo what a wonderful story that would be! Connolly from a choir perspective. She was The other ‘trending’ name for February always so supportive of everything we did
6 and we were all very fond of her. We will Mrs Pat Precious can be contacted on remain in our prayers and thoughts and we [email protected] BACS details: send our condolences to her family. Here in Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-99-50, Account her ‘home’ villages, she was an inspiration 17821168. to many, and we always looked forward to Our Parish Share which is paid to the seeing her at church. We will miss her very Diocese of Norwich amounts to circa £5600 much. per annum and our insurance cover will be Bella Brodie in the region of £1,800 per annum. In such Breckles Correspondent unprecedented times we hope to be able to fulfil our quota of the Parish Share and ensure that the Church will be insured at the current level. These payments are before CASTON COMMENT any costs on the fabric, upkeep or utilities of the building. We have a very challenging Fundraising – Holy Cross Church task ahead. With the suspension of public worship and If at all possible we will continue to the continuing social distancing measures, organise some fundraising events within the raising funds has been difficult in 2020 and restraints of Covid guidelines during 2021. into 2021. Holy Cross Church relies on We rely on your support to help keep our donations from visitors and collections at parish church in good order and fit for Church services. Fundraising has been very purpose for future generations and look limited and it will be difficult in the months forward to your continued support. ahead to organise functions to raise much The church remains closed at present but needed monies. Our income has fallen and hopefully by Easter the restrictions may be will continue to fall significantly in the lifted and we can open our doors safely months ahead. Churches are greatly again. If you need any help at any time dependent on the generosity of others to please do not hesitate to contact the Rector keep our doors open for all to enjoy and or Churchwardens. utilise. Our successful Church lottery is an easy Lent Course way to support Holy Cross Church. By Led by Joy Fernando and starting on 18th giving just £1 per month you can purchase February, details can be found in the All our one ticket which will be entered into the Villages section. monthly draw with a chance of winning three cash prizes (£30, £20, £10). If you Caston Church Lottery would like to support this please contact our The January lottery was drawn on 31 lottery organiser Mrs Lynne Wellbelove January 2021. Congratulations to the 483640 ([email protected]) winners as follows:- or Bridget Hall 483751 1st Prize £30 Malcolm Cock ([email protected]) . BACS 2nd Prize £20 Pat Precious payments of £12 a year can be made. If you 3rd Prize £10 Lynne Wellbelove would like to make a one-off donation to the The February lottery was drawn on 31 work of the Church or regularly donate January 2021. Congratulations to the please do contact us. The Church Treasurer winners as follows:-
7 1st Prize £30 Peter Quadling there will be no cleaning until further notice. 2nd Prize £20 Jane Crook Many thanks. 3rd Prize £10 Bridget Hall Lynne
Gentle reminder Easter Pop-up Shop The lottery renewal is due on 31 March At Holy Cross Church we are busy looking 2021 but due to Covid it may prove difficult forward to Spring and hope to organise to collect the money. If you are able please some sort of pop-up shop (similar to the drop it off at The Heathers, The Street or Christmas one at Hogweed House) on alternatively pay by BACS. The details are:- Easter Saturday in the Churchyard – subject Account Name: Caston PCC, Account to a relaxation of Covid rules and Number: 17821168 and Sort Code: 30-99- restrictions. Just keep the dates in your diary 50. Many thanks, did not think we would be (something to get excited about hopefully). doing it like this again after last year. If you So that is Saturday April 3rd time to be wish to join Caston Church Lottery please determined. call me on 01953 483640. All keep safe. Lois Gill 488157 Lynne Wellbelove Caston Church Cleaning Holy Cross Church Due to lockdown and the closure of the It is with much sadness that we heard of the church for the installation of the new toilet passing of Chris (Griffiths) of Caston and Jo
The Street, Caston NR17 1DD Available for hire Contact booking secretary on 01953 483701 Details on line including booking form at www.castonvillagehall.co.uk Ideal for parties and receptions. and business functions. Modern fitted kitchen and toilet facilities.
8 (Connolly) from Thompson. Chris and Jo 2015. Chris and I met at the Harvest Supper, supported the work of Holy Cross Church finding instantly that we were kindred and the Wayland Benefice in many ways. spirits, and used to meet every week to pray Chris was always willing to help at over a wide range of topics and speak fundraising events, where her baking and blessings over our community. Always alert hospitality skills excelled. Along with Reg and ready to respond to the needs of others, and Victoria she attended many social she was 100% reliable and faithful in all she events in the village. We will miss seeing did, full of love for God and neighbour, and her and Victoria walk through Caston with her prayerful legacy will live on. Our their dog Bertie, always making time to thoughts and prayers are with Reg and chat and to share her good Christian values family. with everyone. Chris fought her illness with Annabel Valentine great fortitude and courage and her strong faith underpinned her journey through Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the this life and onto her next pathway to life. He who believes in me will live, even eternal rest. She will be sadly missed by though he dies; and whoever lives and everyone. believes in me will never die” John 11:25. Jo was an inspiration to all who met her and was always so cheerful despite her Caston War Memorial – 100 Years On many difficulties. Her effervescent and stoic On 19th December 2020 at 3.30p.m. a character along with her deep faith carried commemoration took place to mark the her through challenging times. She was a 100th anniversary of the unveiling of Caston great supporter of worship in the Wayland War Memorial. The newspaper report from Benefice and she will be deeply missed on 25th December 1920 was read, which a Sunday morning. Her support in the included the inscription from the memorial. formation of United Worship in our six As the name of each soldier was read out a parishes helped to take forward what is now candle was placed for him on the step of the a strong and committed group of churches. memorial. After the exhortation, the Last Jo always enjoyed organising and helping Post was sounded, followed by a two- with any social and fundraising events and minute silence. As the piper played Flowers played a major part in the Blossom and Yarn of the Forest the wreath containing fifteen festival when we remember with great red roses was laid by the nephew of one of humour the knitted character created of the fallen and as people dispersed they each herself. This was proudly placed in the placed a red rose. We would like to thank all chancel of Thompson Church providing those who took part whose ages ranged laughter and joy to many just as Jo certainly from ten years to the mid-eighties. LEST did in her daily life. A wonderful lady who WE FORGET. will be deeply missed. Roy Horner We send our condolences to Chris and Jo’s families and friends at this difficult time. Caston W.I. – February Bridget Hall I think that the topic of the W.I. at the moment has to be the vaccinations and a lot A postscript to the above tribute to Chris. of us are lucky to have had at least one so The family moved from Sussex to Caston in far. As to other news, well we have another
9 new grandparent – Wendy B – whose Quote of the month: ‘With a friend at your daughter has had a lovely baby girl so she side, no road seems too long.’ has been kept busy knitting for her. Marge Keep well … keep safe has also been crocheting play blankets for Sue Ash her granddaughter. At least three of our members have had Uncontrolled dog barking in Caston Coronavirus and thankfully they are on the Last month’s Waylander included a notice road to recovery now. Olga is still to dog owners from the Parish Council recovering in her care home and enjoying advising them to clear up after their dogs. In being looked after and entertained and even a similar vein a previous edition included a had a game of bingo – sounds good to me – plea for residents not to regularly burn we could do with some of that !!! rubbish by lighting bonfires. Marge is continuing to circulate the Another aspect of anti-social behaviour Castonettes Chronicle once a month filled that has got worse these past months is with all sorts of interesting facts, quizzes, uncontrolled dog barking. If you leave your members’ makes and recipes. Bookworm dog(s) to run free in your garden and they corner is still being published with are of a barking disposition they will bark Rebecca’s choice this month being 59 at every passer by. This sets off all the other Memory Lane and The Cottage of dogs within earshot barking too. Curiosities, both by Celia Anderson. She Noisy dogs constitute a ‘statutory noise says that they are feel-good tales. nuisance’ under the Environmental Won’t we all be glad when Spring breaks, Protection Act (1990), and – just like but at least there are signs life with the allowing dogs to foul pavements – can also daffodils emerging in the village hall result in fines (in this case up to £5,000). trough,s and there is even a seat to sit on If you have a dog that you know regularly now courtesy of one of our former barks, please show some consideration for members, Christine Brown, who donated it your neighbours and control it. to the village. Leslie Nightingale Birthdays this month Pam F, Judy and Rita – we wish them all a happy birthday. A life on the ocean Our competition this month for Valentines Back in the 1970s and early 80s I raced a Day is a photo of a heart in any form. ‘Dart’ catamaran at Stokes Bay sailing club Unfortunately our meeting is after the on the South Coast, so when a one of my deadline for the magazine so we cannot sailing club chums announced that he and a announce the winner until next month. friend had bought a 6-berth Catamaran, I Zoom meetings are carrying on once a and another friend were delighted to be month with a very short agenda and general asked to help move the boat from Rye chat after official business. around to Chichester harbour. By the time this article is published we They had had a ‘test drive’. Another will know a bit more about future plans friend and (young, fit) son would also be regarding coming out of lockdown. with us. With a crew of five, the plan to Wouldn’t it be great to have the rule of six move the boat in early January seemed back – whoever thought we would look perfectly reasonable, and the date was set. forward to that !!!! The others headed down to Rye the day
10 before, but work commitments meant I but that boat was going nowhere that night. would have to catch up with them on the The following morning three of us set off day we were scheduled to sail, I was relaxed for a phone box to call the chap who was about our plans and looking forward to the supposed to have checked the engine the jaunt. previous day. He agreed to come out, so Now, in January 1980 mobile phones feeling more optimistic, we strolled back, were yet to come, so when I awoke to 10 stopping for hot pies from a passing inches of snow, with no way of contacting ‘Chippy’; steak for me and chicken for the my mates who were sleeping on the boat, I other two – yum! resolved to make the journey anyway. I had The engine man arrives, fixes our engine planned to drive to London Bridge station problem and at last we are headed for the and take the train to Rye, but snow had sea! As mentioned the boats new owners closed the roads and could only made it as had only had a ‘demo’ session, so we had a far as Kingston-on-Thames where I realised bit of a learning curve, but with the sails up the best course of action would be to leave and 3 of us being experienced sailors, we my car there and go to London on a were looking forward to our journey. connecting train. Two hours later, the beef pies make their The trains too were badly disrupted by the comeback. “Thank goodness I had the snow, but after a long wait on a freezing steak” I thought as two of my shipmates platform I was at last carried, inch by inch, were being very, very ill. And then the other to London Bridge and from there, just as two were overtaken by severe seasickness. slowly, to Rye, arriving over two and a half Now alone, in the dark, and not wearing hours later than the agreed pick-up time in proper ‘offshore’ clothing, I find myself a place I have never been to before in my single handedly sailing a completely life, let alone in snow. unfamiliar boat in the English Channel. With no way of contacting my crewmates, Then it starts to snow again. I managed to find a cab driver and asked Although the poisoned pie eaters both him to take me to “where the boats are tried to give me short breaks (the seasick moored”. Patiently, he drives me very duo were useless), in driving snow and slowly around the harbour until I finally winds of gale force 7– 8 I confess I felt a bit spot a familiar face. Paying off the cab, we lonely. To explain what the conditions were all laugh about my journey and in jolly like, there’s a light station (navigation aid – mood head off to a pub for food (and beer) like a light house) off Selsey Bill with a 10- in preparation for our departure on the mile radius-beam which flashes 3 times 10p.m. tide. over a 30 second period. I never counted Rye harbour is inland with a narrow more than two flashes at a time sequence. navigational passage to the sea, so the plan After many hours, the others recovered was to motor out through the channel and enough to give me a longer rest from the raise the sails once we were clear. helm, and we can now figure out exactly Unfortunately, when we returned to the where we are! Exhausted and/or unwell, we boat, sustained and mostly sober, the engine had now been at sea for 14 hours so perhaps wouldn’t start. We flattened our battery, and wrongly believing that we were entering we flattened a battery we borrowed from Chichester harbour – several times – was someone else, 10 o’clock came and went, understandable. Finally arriving in the right
11 place, only to find the Marina gates locked Recreation Ground for the night was almost inevitable really. Those of you who use the recreation ground So, with insufficient bedding (as will see that the mound has undergone incompetently arrange by my newbie boat remedial work recently, the area is fenced owning chums), I spent yet another freezing off to allow the ground to settle and the new night trussed up in as many items of turf to grow, it is important that this area is clothing as I could attach to my body, before not disturbed, hence it is surrounded by waking up to find six more inches of snow orange fencing. Notices have also been on the boat. erected to inform people that the area will Much later, after the boat was swept of not be used until at least Good Friday which snow and with lock gates now open, the is 2nd April 2021. boat was finally at its new mooring, all The Parish Council understand that this is clean and as shipshape as five cold sailors a long time for the area to be out of use, but could manage, we caught our lift back and in order for the area to be used safely, there in no time at all I was warm and dry at is a need for the ground to settle. home, there was one thing I learned by this Should you see anyone on the wrong side adventure is to always double check that of the fencing, please remind them that the people do as they say they will, and then area is out of bounds. remind them again. Thank you for your support on this matter. Alan Porter The Parish Councillors would like to thank residents who have shown their recent support with regard to the situation in the recreation ground. Can I remind you that GRISTON GOSSIP there are still four vacancies to fill on the Parish Council, the Councillors would be Church News delighted to hear any expression of interest Lottery Winners March from anyone who wishes to join them, to The lucky winners for March are: spread the load a little. If you are interested, 1st prize Mrs Margaret Porter 174 £25 please contact the Parish Clerk on the 2nd prize Mrs Palmer 189 £15 contact details above. 3rd prize Abigale Alderton 125 £10 HMP Wayland Gates News from Griston Parish Council The Parish Council have been informed by As I write this, we have snow and bright HMP Wayland, that they are installing a sunshine, we could be in the Alps! gate at the entrance to the pathway used by Residents in Manor Road will be pleased local people to walk their dogs. This is to that the lighting has been repaired, it has provide security for proposed building work been a long and tortuous journey, but it has that is planned on the site. Once the building at last, been completed. Should you notice work is complete the prison will review the any malfunctioning lights in the Village, situation. The gate will be locked, entry will please notify me either by email be by a keypad. Should you wish to use the [email protected] or by phone: gate and need the code, you are required to 01953 884082 and I will contact the write to the prison to obtain the relevant contractors, who will deal with the problem. numbers. You will need to prove that you
12 are a resident of the village. newts are also know as common newts The address to write to is : because they are widespread across the UK FTO: The Security Department, except for the Isle of Man and some Scottish HMP Wayland islands. They are often found in garden Griston ponds. They enjoy eating tadpoles as well Norfolk as water and land invertebrates. During the IP25 6RY breeding season adults can be found in ponds where they spawn. Eggs are laid Rory’s Nature Corner individually and each wrapped in the leaves We have had loads of snow in the past few of pond plants. In late summer newts leave weeks. During the first snowy weekend the water and you can find them sheltering Eleanor made a snowman in the garden with in damp soil beneath logs and rocks. the help of her cat Midnight. Midnight quite enjoyed the snow and leapt about in it. It Great Crested Newts was quite sweet to watch. Second time The Great crested newt is the largest newt round the snow has been too deep in the species in the UK and can reach up to 17cm garden for her to jump around in and all in length with females growing bigger than three cats have stayed indoors, males. They are much darker in colour than unfortunately they have taken to using the the other newts in the UK with bumpy warty cupboard under the old stairs as a toilet, nice skin. Males and females have bright orange and not so sweet!!! Snow days used to mean bellies with large blotchy dark spots. In the a day off school, but, those days are gone breeding season males have a toothed crest thanks to Covid as home-learning and along their backs and their tails take on a online lessons are all set up and ready to go. white stripe towards the tip. Females have a Mum says get over it, when she was little yellowy orange tip to their tails. Male newts and ill in GOSH in London they still had also perform a dance to attract the female lessons, she even remembers the name of newts in the spring where they arch their her teacher, Mrs Bride. Nana said not to feel backs and wave their tales around in the air. too sorry for mum because the lessons You can find them over most of the British where hardly difficult and mostly involved Isles except Ireland, the Isle of Man and colouring in. some Scottish Islands but, they are quite A few weeks ago mum found a dried out rare so are protected under British law. They Smooth/Common newt. The UK has three enjoy eating tadpoles as well as aquatic and native species of newt they are Smooth, land invertebrates such as snails and worms. Palmate and the Great Crested newt and When under attack they are able to give off they have been on earth for at least 40 a foul tasting substance which helps to ward million years. off predators. Great crested newts can live up to 25 years. Smooth Newts Smooth newts are brown in colour with Palmate Newts spotty, orange bellies. During the breeding Palmate newts are so called because during season male smooth newts have a wavy the breeding season their toes webb together crest along their backs. Adults can reach up on their hind legs and this is called to 10cm long from nose to tail. Smooth palmating, which means it looks like a hand
13 with the fingers spread. Smooth and palmate perhaps some younger readers or newer newts are very similar in colouring and size. residents might be interested in a bit of local Unlike smooth newts however, palmate history. It concerns the A1075 road between newts lack spots on their throats, which are Watton and Thetford which most people in pink or yellow in colour. our villages must be familiar with and which Males have black webbing on their back by-passes Great Hockham. It is difficult to feet and a thin filament at the end of their imagine Hockham now without its by-pass, tails during the breeding season. The UK’s and yet many of us can remember when it smallest newts, adults can reach up to 9cm was completed 36 years ago. We can also in length. They prefer to live in bogs and on remember all the traffic which thundered heathland which tend to have acidic soil. through the village before that. Their sticky tongues help them to catch their Until World War II there was a route from prey and they like to eat small invertebrates Thetford to Watton through what is now the and tadpoles too but, unlike the other newt battle area. When this area was closed off species they are cannibals and will eat other and its villages evacuated to make way for palmate newts. Palmate newts are most the new Army Training Area, traffic was active at night and in the winter can be diverted through Great Hockham with a found in damp soil. Beneath logs and plant promise from the military that a by-pass roots. would be built. Incredibly, this took 40 Unlike frog and toad tadpoles, newt years. During that time four different larvae develop their front legs first. Once proposals for routes round the village were they have absorbed their gills and left the put forward, each followed by a public water, they are known as ‘efts’. In the old inquiry. After each of these public inquiries days newts were thought to be evil and, the proposals were rejected and no action illnesses in cattle were blamed on newts. was taken. It wasn’t until 1983, when a fifth Landowners would use lime to kill them off. proposal was put forward, that a route was Because newts are able to re-grow their finally approved. Even then there were limbs if they fall off they are symbols of some local objections, but the project went regeneration and revitalization. In ahead. Almost 2 years later, when John Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the witches use Alston, leader of Norfolk County Council, “eye of newt” in their spells but they didn’t cut the tape at 11.30 a.m. on Friday, August go round massacring real newts instead, 23rd, 1985, the by-pass was at last officially they would use mustard seed which, just opened. It was greeted with much, but not happens to look like a newts eye. You are unanimous, joy. mostly likely to see smooth newts and Great Crested newts in Norfolk.
MERTON MIRROR
HOCKHAM HAPPENINGS Merton Parish Council Update Dear All As there is very little happening in At the time of writing, Breckland is covered Hockham just now (early February) and the with snow and ice; it has been a tricky future (in March) is rather unpredictable, winter for our Parish with heavy rain
14 causing many of us problems with Topic: Merton Parish Council Meeting localised flooding. We are extremely 30th March 2021 grateful to have the support of Highways Time: Mar 30, 2021 06:00 PM London Engineers and Breckland and Norfolk Join Zoom Meeting County Cllrs in helping us tackle this https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84669596157? ongoing issue. We hope that by the time this pwd=eXJpNXpadENhNzBlMnM5NFNV edition is published, conditions will have RkF1Zz09 improved. Meeting ID: 846 6959 6157 It is with sadness that I also write to Passcode: 055478 confirm that our Chairman, Martin Parker, Hope you can join us! stood down from the role in February; the With all best wishes Parish Council would like to formally thank Vicky – Clerk to Merton Parish Council Martin for his work and resolve over the years – so very deeply appreciated. We are, however, thrilled in equal measure, to announce that with effect from 9th February, STOW BEDON NEWS AND VIEWS Cllrs elected Louise Hyde as Chairman and Stephen Mouser as Vice-Chairman. The snow has brought a few more people Congratulations on your appointments! We outside to enjoy making snowmen. Whilst are so pleased that despite losing two long- the home-schooling seems to be going quite serving Cllrs over the past 2 years, we still well, one down side of course, is that the have a super team at Merton and should usual “snow days” did not happen for the there have been no call for a by-election, children as everyone is now well geared up again by the time you read this, we will have to home learning. . . hopefully recruited a new Member to replace Martin’s place as Councillor on the A word of thanks: Committee. We wish you well Martin and On our recent bereavement of my Mum hope you enjoy a little more time to yourself Margaret Thompson, I would like to say a and thanks to Stephen and Louise, for thank you for all the cards and messages I stepping up. have received. Finally, it is with further regret that I also Pam Morley write this last little blurb in my role as Clerk to Merton. I leave the post for merely Stow Bedon and the Census personal reasons and have thoroughly Sunday 21st March 2021 is census day in enjoyed my 18 months with the Council. A England and Wales (the Scottish census will new Clerk will soon be in position and I be held in 2022), when information on wish the new Clerk, all at Merton Council people and households will be collected. For and all the wonderful residents who have the first time, it is hoped the majority of made my job a pleasure, the very best respondents will make their returns online. wishes for the future. Thank you all for The idea of a national census was first putting up with me! raised in Parliament in 1753, but rejected on Just as a reminder, the next Parish Council the basis that it would provide valuable meeting takes place on Tuesday 30th March information to enemies, be an affront to 2021 at 6p.m. – zoom link details below: British liberty and would be widely resisted.
15 By 1800, the government was concerned this seventy-year period, although these are to obtain an accurate picture of the country probably an under-estimation of the at a time of war with France; the first census numbers involved as the work of women was held on 10 March 1801, and a census and children was often not recorded, has subsequently been held every ten years particularly where they were employed on since (except in 1941 during World War II). a seasonal or casual basis such as at harvest Personal details of those counted in the time. censuses of 1801, 1811, 1821 and 1831 have The number of tenant farmers remained not survived as the information was constant, with eleven in 1841 and 1911. The destroyed once statistics had been compiled. occupation of farmer included Robert From 1841, census information was Bilham of Hall Farm, Lower Stow Bedon, collected by local enumerators who were who in 1851 farmed 700 acres and responsible for delivering census forms to employed 25 labourers, and William households in their areas and returning to Muteham, possibly of Field Road (known collect the completed forms a few days later. locally as Hundred Acre Hill), Stow Bedon, Personal information collected on each who in 1881 farmed four acres without help. person in the household on census night Apart from agriculture, there was a included name, address, age at next variety of other occupations among birthday, relationship to head of household, residents, although the nature of the work occupation, marital status, children, and changed over time. In 1851, there was one place of birth. The information gathered was blacksmith, one bricklayer, four carpenters, copied into the enumerator’s book and the one innkeeper, one miller, one shoemaker books sent to the Registrar-General, who and two thatchers. By 1911, no-one living had overall responsibility for the census. in the village was employed as a blacksmith, Enumerators conducting the census in miller, shoemaker, shepherd or thatcher; but Stow Bedon tended to follow the same route there were three bricklayers, four around the village every 10 years; that taken shopkeepers and two railway employees. by the enumerator for the 1891 Census was Those employed in domestic service as follows: ‘The whole of the parish of Stow accounted for just over 20% of the working Bedon including the cottages by population in 1841, falling to 15% of female Coppermore Pit, Fly Barn and cottages in residents only by 1911. the road leading to Breckles Arch. The Hall Between 1841 and 1911 there was an Farm, the farm and cottages on the heath. average of seventy-one households in the Mill House and cottages thereby, and the village, and the average household size was Railway Station House. From thence by the four. Of these households, in 1851 43% of Mere to the White Horse Inn with the the heads of household were born in Stow Vicarage and the Prince of Wales public Bedon and a further 45% within ten miles house’. of the village. This short-range migration Analysis of the census returns for Stow pattern was typical of much of rural England Bedon between 1841 and 1911 reveals that in the Victorian period. By 1911 the figures the total population changed very little, with were 15% born in the village and 48% 300 in 1841 and 296 in 1911. Agriculture within ten miles. provided employment for between fifty and Alongside the 1851 population census, a sixty percent of the population throughout census of Religious Worship was also
16 conducted, the only occasion this was response to the need for new people to carried out. It showed that average morning deliver the Waylander. We are very grateful. attendance at St. Botolph’s was between 25– Meanwhile, as the tighter Covid 35, and between 90– 100 attended in the restrictions continue, it is possible you may afternoons. At the Primitive Methodist not receive a copy delivered to your door. If chapel on Mere Road, the figures were 55 you do not receive a copy, spares will be and 35 respectively. placed in the church porch. Or you can read Records of the 1931 census were the latest version online (see above). destroyed in a fire during World War II, however, a register was taken on 29th Thompson Parish Council September 1939; the information gathered Thompson Spring Litter Pick 2021 was used to produce ID and ration cards, We will be holding this year’s Thompson administer conscription and monitor spring litter pick on Saturday 20th March movements of troops and evacuees. and would love to see new faces as well as Information from each census is closed to those who usually join us. Let us know if the public for 100 years from when the you would like to help but aren’t available census was taken. The next to be released is on that day. the 1921 census, which will be available We will meet at the Community Hall at from 2022. Census records are available on 9:45 where hi-viz jackets, gloves, pickers subscription sites or via Norfolk library and bags will be handed out. The pick takes services. around 1½ hours, but with more taking part Stow Bedon Heritage Group the time reduces. We collect litter from the roads into the village as well as from the roads within the village. You have probably noticed when coming into the village that THOMPSON TIDINGS the verges are growing bottles, cans and packets, particularly along the road from March news Watton. As well as being unsightly these can With the vaccine programme under way, we be harmful to our local wildlife. hope that we can all view the future with a So please put the date of this year’s spring little more optimism. At the time of writing, clean in your diaries, and we look forward the snowdrops and aconites have been to seeing you on March 20th. As well as heralding spring, the crocuses are showing enjoying the fresh air and taking exercise and some gardens have daffodils in bloom. you can help improvement our environment. Did many of us make a snowman? One or Dogs are welcome to join in! two raised a smile on daily walks. We hope that it will not be too many months before Town Land Fund we can once again be reporting events to A reminder that there is a support network add to your diaries. in the village, this is a reminder that the A reminder that the magazine is live Town Land Fund has money for one off online at www.waylandermagazine.org . payments if you are struggling during Covid restrictions. All contacts are treated with Waylander delivery strict confidentiality. You can contact the Thank you to those who came forward in parish council or telephone 483741.
17 Church in another dimension with each member Useful Contacts creating a virtual background. The theme www.dioceseofnorwich.org was a dream holiday destination. We had www.stmartinsthompson.co.uk very mixed results, some of us having no www.facebook.com/stmartinsthompson problem at all while others could only get www.facebook.com/waylandchurches parts of the chosen image to show and https://www.waylandermagazine.org/wayla others nothing at all. Well, we tried and had nd-benefice-church-page a laugh doing it. The vicar & churchwarden of this church Our speaker was Annillie Talent who gave can be contacted in an emergency as follow a very interesting perspective on aspects of Rev Adrian Bell (parish priest) Beatrix Potter’s life. We learned an awful lot 01760.627.039 [email protected] about how her childhood helped her develop Katharine Wolstenholme (churchwarden) her artistic and writing skills. Her 01953.483.318 observation of the natural world was [email protected] incredible and she used this to create some very detailed drawings and watercolours. Jo Connolly Her books may have been for children, but The PCC would like to pass on their we were shown how skilled her writing was condolences to Jo’s family following her in being able to say something very precise recent death. She was a fantastic, dedicated in order to create an immediate mental church warden and even after her retirement picture. Her use of words is certainly not she was still actively involved with St. childish. We have all vowed to re-read our Martin’s and always took a keen interest in copies with a fresh, adult eye! everything going on. Her wit & wisdom will In March we have a social get together be sorely missed and she will be a hard act over Zoom and have been asked to have a to follow. She will remain in our prayers and hat handy ready to decorate as an Easter we give thanks for all she did for the bonnet. Should be entertaining. community of St. Martin’s and Thompson. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Millennium Green The villagers of Thompson would like to January Lottery Results add our condolences to Jo’s family. Our 2nd No. 37 Shirley Hunt thoughts and prayers are with them at this 9th No. 53 Michael & Julie Edny sad time. 16th No. 27 Duncan Gregory 23rd No. 56 Millennium Green Condolences 30th No. 42 Jane Fensom We are very saddend to learn of the death of Margaret Thompson, a long time resident of New Community Hall Thompson. Our thoughts and prayers are Unfortunately, we continue to have very with her family at this difficult time. little to report. Routine care and maintenance continues behind the scenes in W.I. readiness for the day when we can welcome In February we held another of our Zoom everyone again. We hold our monthly meetings, and are becoming quite practised virtual meetings and look forward to the day at them. As a result we decided to try adding when these can include planning for events.
18 Thompson weather for January safe to drink most households would brew Please find below the January statistics what was known as a small beer as a safer Date Rainfall Temp Wind speed alternative. Alehouses were not allowed to High Low sell spirits like public houses. In Thompson mm deg C deg C mph we have records showing that Old Pastures Jan 101.4 11.9 –4.3 34.0 was once an ale house and there may have been another in Pockthorpe. Can you help? Records of shops are sketchy until we get This is quite a long shot. One of our readers to the 1820s and 30s. A map of about 1820 has some memories from many years ago of shows there was a shop at Thatched House seeing some old maps of Thompson in the on the Watton Road bend, run by Mr possession of a former village resident and Claxton and we have the baptism of Thomas is curious to know if they still exist. They Claxton, son of George Claxton, shopkeeper would appear to have predated those on March 26th 1820. However, by 1822 he available to view in the Record Office. It is a charcoal burner so, unless his wife would be fascinating to discover them again managed the shop, it did not last long. and to view them, so if you have any John Palmer, who lived in Hall Lane, was knowledge of what happened to them please a butcher in Thompson in 1820 and do get in touch. Bronwen followed in the trade by his son Robert, but it isn’t at all clear if he ever had a shop to A little bit of local history – shopping sell from. With all the emphasis on online shopping, The trade directory of 1836 lists Robert home delivery, click and collect, and social Leggate as a shopkeeper. He lived at the distancing in supermarkets, due to the farm which was to take his name and is still pandemic I thought it would be interesting known as Leggate’s Farm. He was also a to reflect on shopping for Thompson carpenter. It can be seen from looking at the residents in the past. house that the right hand ground floor once In very early times food production was had a much bigger window. This may be to very much on a self-sufficiency basis. provide the light for his carpentry but may Goods would have been bartered and also have served as the shop. This end of the exchanged, but formal shops are not building was once separate from the house documented. The earliest forerunner of the with a cart-wide gap between the two. It was shop was, of course, the market, and Watton later filled in to create additional living had a thriving market to which people space. Robert’s daughter Martha took over would go to buy and sell surplus produce. the shop for a time but nothing is known of Many of these early market stalls became it after 1851 and by 1861 she had moved to permanent structures and the layout is still Watton. evident today. John Lincoln, who had been raised in It was often the case that someone, Griston in a shopkeeping family, moved to usually the wife, would use a part of their Thompson some time before 1851. He lived house to sell a few surplus items – perhaps at Providence House, the large house at the eggs, vegetables and so on. Alehouses were crossroads, and established a shop in that also a domestic business to sell surplus area of the village. Robert Palmer, butcher, home brewed beer. When water was less can also be found in the vicinity. It isn’t
19 clear if this is when the premises known as shopkeepers: Walter Adams followed by the Old Shop became a shop or if part of John G Woods and then, by 1914, Emily and Providence House was used at first. Jonathan Parnell The shop’s reputation of However, it wasn’t long before the village the male shopkeepers dying young shop was firmly established in Mill Road. continued when Jonathan Parnell died in In addition to his shopkeeping and small- 1920 aged only 39. scale farming, John Lincoln soon became a Meanwhile a third establishment had been miller too. His brother Thomas had been the created by 1891 at the blacksmith’s cottage miller and had lived in the old miller’s in Tottington Road. Harriet Nunn, the house in Hall Lane. This house is now long blacksmith’s wife, became the postmistress. gone. Thomas died in 1851 of TB and John It isn’t really correct to class it as a shop took on his business. He was to become a though, because it did not sell other things. very successful miller, eventually moving It was 1925 before Emily Parnell had from the rented mill here to buying his own combined the shop and post office at her at Rocklands. Millers sold flour locally and premises. there is a newspaper report in 1868 of theft The village shops sold all manner of of flour from Thompson mill by Sarah things. Memories passed to me by former Spragg and Francis Hazell, Hazell was residents recall the one in Pockthorpe working for John Lincoln and seems to have selling a little bit of everything, often with taken, and then given, the flour to Sarah. not too much care about their positioning, She was acquitted but Hazell was given six so that sugar and tea could taste of the weeks imprisonment with hard labour. John paraffin next to it! Children bought their Lincoln also had a bakery on his premises. sweets there and the little window was full He was a philanthropic man and bought a of items. It was well-used until the early cottage and land in Pockthorpe specifically 20th century but eventually it seems to have with the intent of building the chapel there. become somewhere to buy emergency or He left the village in 1875. top up supplies, with the main shopping In about 1871 Samuel Tolman, who had being done in Mill Road. I am not sure been a licensed hawker, opened a shop in exactly when the Pockthorpe shop closed Pockthorpe, in what is now known as but Jane Betts died in 1921, her husband Quaker Cottage. continuing to run it during the 1920s. He By 1873 butcher Robert Palmer had died died in 1939 in Dereham aged 80 so and George Ransom is listed as a probably well before that date. shopkeeper in that part of the village. The Mill Road shop stocked everything Samuel Tolman’s widowed granddaughter, and did well. Emily owned other property Jane Leveridge, moved back to the village in the village and built a bungalow on the to assist in the Pockthorpe Lane shop and corner of Mill Road and Sycamore Close for later take it over. She remarried to William her retirement. All of the land which is now Alfred Betts. Sycamore Close was attached to the George Ransom died in 1883 aged only bungalow. She allowed Thomas Coleman to 39 and his place at the shop in Mill Road live in the cottage next to the shop and left was taken by Frank Whatling who also died it to him when she died. Thomas was young, in 1892 still in his 20s. There then homeless and lived in a hut in Marl Pit Road seems to have been a quick succession of when he came to the village but Emily
20 befriended him. Tragically Thomas was village was cut off due to heavy snow but killed in 1976 by a car on the Watton Road people quickly returned to the supermarkets when returning from Watton. once the weather improved. A victim of Emily sold the shop after the end of WW2 changes in shopping styles, the ability to to Archie Norris. In 1955 he married a travel to larger outlets with more choice, and village girl, who had grown up at Hallfield perhaps less willingness for such businesses Farm. This was Betty Parrott. Together they to be a way of life had all taken their toll and continued to make the shop the hub of it finally closed on April 27th 1991. Now we village life and stocked a huge range of see similar stress placed on our High items. People still made the weekly trip to Streets, with less use of local shops, which the local markets but the village shop was has been accelerated by the Covid pandemic very much where most of the weekly shop to include even major shopping centres. I was done. Even the Christmas gifts could be wonder what the next big change will be? obtained there or ordered and there was a thriving Christmas club. If something wasn’t in stock it would be there the next FOR ALL OUR VILLAGES day whenever possible. Apparently, there was so much stock some of it had to hang Wayland Partnership Development Trust from the ceilings! However, for all of these Wayland House shopkeepers it was a way of life as well as The podiatrist continues to be available at a job with long hours. Living on the Wayland House but all other tenants continue premises meant being open at all times. to work from home until advised otherwise. Village shops were social hubs as well as Our staff work mainly from home but we places to buy and Sunday mornings in are available for contact by email on particular could see quite a social gathering [email protected] or by phone on 01953 as people had the time to chat. Archie And 880204 and of course can put you in touch Betty retired to their new house in Hallfield with any of our tenant businesses. Road and the shop then had a number of owners. Dragonfly Gallery Eric Gilman was followed in about 1972 We are having a short break from online by the Davies family. They were followed exhibitions but Ruth is working on the next by the Goddards who sold in 1983 to Janet round beginning in March. The title is and Peter Wailes. At this time the shop was Renewal and Resilience. The deadline to still a large facility selling a large range of submit artwork is 23rd Feb through Ruth. All items but competition from supermarkets past exhibitions be seen on the Gallery and bigger outlets was having an effect. website People were also travelling out of the village https://thewaylanddragonflygallery.co.uk/exh to work and often shopping elsewhere. ibitions Janet and Peter Wailes sold to Keith and If you are an artist or a crafter wishing to Jenny Mursell in 1987. However, village exhibit in future, or you wish to enquire about shops were now under considerable threat purchasing any of the art we have displayed, in many ways as customers demanded wider please contact Ruth on [email protected] choice and the trade was much reduced. It or telephone Wayland House on 01953 was a godsend in bad weather when the 889204.
21 Are you fed-up with doing the same old investigate patches of dry undergrowth and walks? sunny banks on woodland edges, so please be Walking in Norfolk aware that when out in the www.walkinginengland.co.uk/norfolk is the forest/woodland/heath land, a sunny, website for you! sheltered spot may see this snake making its With hundreds of walks to download and first appearance. print, free, it also has books of walks, contact details for all the walking groups in the county The Merton Stone and much more. Whether you want to walk This fantastic boulder is what is known as a on your own or with a group all the ‘glacial erratic’. This means that the stone is information is there in one place. not native to Norfolk, and maybe Britain. It’s John said ‘There is so much walking the largest of its kind in Britain though. The information on the web but it is difficult Merton Stone was deposited here some to find. Walking in Norfolk (part of the 12,000 years ago when at the end of the last Walking in England suite of websites Ice Age, the retreating ice left the stone where (www.walkinginengland.co.uk) – one for we see it today. Only a small fraction of the each county in England) has brought it stone is now visible, with the rest buried together in one place so whether you are underground, and it is said to be 20 to 30 tons walking from home, or away on holiday, in weight. The closest rock similar to this you will be able to find a walk suitable for specimen occurs in Scandinavia. Fossils you’. contained within the rock predate the With walks from half a mile to twelve miles dinosaurs. plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can Feeding the birds find a walk to enjoy. If you have apples spare at the moment, why So home or away, check out the website not create an apple feeding station? I half the and get walking! apples before skewering a hole through the John Harris middle to hang on a small branch. Apples www.walkinginengland.co.uk which have been hanging for a few days are email: [email protected] the best as these will have softened up and are more palatable to birds. Some birds like Countryside ramblings blackbirds and other thrushes will feed on This month we welcome Paul Newport as a apples on the ground, however, hanging them contributor, with his notes on what we might in a tree allows other species to feed, such as want to watch out for out and about us each blackcap, tits and starlings. month on walks. Just a little reminder not to put bread out for the birds as it’s often full of additives and E Adders numbers which may not be good for them. It’s Although we are still in winter, patches of always best to hang food or place a bird table mild weather could mean that the first close to cover so that birds can get away adders start to appear from their hibernaculum quickly if danger threatens. soon. These re beautiful creatures which will Paul Newport, retreat if they sense danger. However, many Local wildlife enthusiast dogs are bitten by adders when they and photographer
22 Lent 2021 kept us captive for most of a year. We hope I would like to invite you to join me on a we will get the go ahead to move out as our pilgrimage through Lent. I have called it: 40 days proceed. Together, this Lent, we look “From the wilderness to the city” because, at who we are and how this experience has following his call from God at his baptism, changed us. Jesus began his ministry by spending 40 days We begin today at the first marker on our in the wilderness. Over the next three years pilgrimage: Learning and Experience. he traveled around Galilee preaching and What are some of the things you have learnt healing until he was eventually arrested in the to do in your life? Have you studied city of Jerusalem. There he died, but there, academically? Have you learnt through also, he rose again. Our journey will look at belonging to a club or been taught how to do different aspects of our lives as disciples of something by a friend? Have you learnt Jesus in the light of our own wilderness time mainly through life’s experiences? Have you of lock down. We will ask ourselves such trained to do a specific job? What are you questions as: How have we changed this learning right now? How do you prefer to year? What changes do we want to make to learn? From a book? By watching others then our lives as we emerge? having a go? By working it out yourself? We can come just as we are. We don’t need Jesus calls us to be “disciples” which means to pack any special clothes for this that we are learners and Jesus is our Teacher. pilgrimage. We have no worries about being Over the next few days we will look at Jesus’ physically fit enough to keep up with the tour relationship with his chosen group of guide and other pilgrims. All we need is a disciples to see what we can learn about our desire to learn more about God and ourselves own discipleship. (and possibly a notebook at hand and a Bible) Remember now those people who taught Every weekday I will put out a short you all you know: your family, your teachers, reflection for each part of the journey, and friends, the church etc. they will also be posted on the Benefice *** page of the website at Prayer: Father God, we ask you to bring to www.waylandermagazine.org. As Lent began mind those people who have been our on Ash Wednesday: 17th February this year, teachers. We give thanks for them. We thank we have added a snapshot below for you. you that you have called each of us to be a Our picture (above) shows the ancient disciple and we pray that as we travel this Waymarks which pilgrims have used since pilgrimage you will teach us more of you. 635 AD to guide them to the Holy Island of Amen. Lindisfarne. I would love you to continue to join me as Friday 19th February 2021 Luke 6: 12– 19 we travel the Waymarks to our destination. Jesus often spent whole nights in prayer Joy Fernando before making an important decision. In Luke’s gospel, we read that the following day Thursday 18th February 2021 he gathered all his disciples together and Welcome to “From the Wilderness to the chose 12 of them whom he wanted to be with City.” Jesus began his ministry by spending him in order to learn from him. It was 40 days in the wilderness. Our journey begins customary for a Jewish Rabbi to have 12 in lockdown (our own wilderness) which has disciples. What a rag-tag bunch they were.
23 Amongst them: 4 fishermen who would not Use either the Lord’s prayer or another short have had much in the way of education; a tax prayer as you go about your day today. You collector (Matthew): a member of the most could try this for a few days and see what despised profession in the land because difference it makes to how you feel. mostly they cheated people; a member of a political party trying to oust the Romans Monday 22nd February Luke 9:10– 17 (Simon the Zealot): and a man he knew would Jesus wanted some quiet time with his betray him eventually (Judas). disciples but the crowd followed. Here in the There was room within Jesus’ band of story of the feeding of the 5000 we see Jesus disciples for many different levels of learning and his disciples working together to perform and commitment to his cause. He needed the a miracle. It’s time to put into practice some practical and the academic, the enthusiastic of what they have learnt by watching. They and the doubter. It is true today. He needs all put the crowd into groups of 50; they search of us, whatever we think we have or do not the crowd and find one packed lunch for have to offer. sharing; they pick up the twelve basketsful *** after the meal. Jesus blesses the food and the Prayer: Lord, thank you that you call us all to disciples distribute it to the crowd. Imagine follow you and learn from you. Thank you their awe and wonder as the food multiplies that you have a plan for all of our lives. Amen as they give it out. As disciples, Jesus uses us in the same way Saturday 20th February 2021 to partner with him. We are no longer just Luke 11: 1–4 receiving a body of teaching. We are certainly It was a regular custom for a Rabbi to teach not passive with God doing all the work. his disciples a simple prayer to use habitually. St. Teresa of Avila said: “ Christ has no Father: the first word of the prayer tells us body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but that we are coming to someone who delights yours . . .“ to give us what we ask for. In Hebrew, the What is the Lord asking you to do for him name summed up the whole character of a in this time of pandemic? Pray? Serve in some person. God is like the best of human fathers. way? Is he saying anything to you about your Hallowed be your name: before we ask for life after Covid? anything, we reverence God for who he is. *** Then the prayer covers the whole of life: Prayer: Lord, please use me to help someone our present need (daily bread), past sin (when today. Amen we pray to a pure God, we remember our impurity) and our future trials. Tuesday 23rd February 2021 In situations, such as illness, where we are Today we move on to our second Waymark: unable to pray anything else, this simple Our Christian Journey. prayer is all we need. At other times it can be The whole of life is often compared to a used either before our prayers for other people journey. As Christians, our spiritual journey and situations or afterwards as a summing up. may have begun when our parents brought us We can use other short, simple prayers to to church for Baptism. Just as our bodies have point us to God at certain points of the day – grown and changed over the years, our a bit like checking in. Christian life will have taken some twists and *** turns.
24 Spend a few minutes thinking about your 15-mile radius of Jerusalem had to attend the journey. When did you first know that there Passover festival: the time when the Jews is a God who cares for you? Can you see remembered being saved from death in God’s hand in the decisions and roads you Egypt. Jesus was 12: the age of maturity in have travelled? How about your daily life? Do the Jewish faith. Today we see his first visit you take time to pray and wait on God? Have to the Temple for the festival. As the years go you ever made a little more space to visit a on, Jesus will have much to say about the place where you feel nearer to God in order rules and regulations of the faith and even to see what he has to say to you? more to say to those people appointed to study The destination is not everything, the the rules. However, Jesus was never anything journey itself is important. To journey is to other than a Jew. The Son of God was born grow. Jesus used many images of growth. into a specific race at a specific time in The purpose of a pilgrimage is to step into history. the shoes of Jesus in order to move towards In the book of Esther we read: “for if you deeper devotion and inspire us to mission. remain silent at this time, relief and In these next few days we will look at Jesus’ deliverance for the Jews will arise from own spiritual journey. another place… and who knows but that you *** have come to your royal position for such a Prayer: Lord we pray that you will use time as this?” (4:14) however much or little time we have to spend Have you ever considered that you were on this pilgrimage to teach us more about you. born at this time for a particular reason? Amen *** Lord, thank you for putting me here and now Wednesday 24th February 2021 where I live and where I work. Help me to see Luke 2: 41– 49 your purpose for my life today. Amen Every adult Jewish male who lived within a
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30 Rocklands Community Shop Your Local Store Working for the good of our community Post Office, Tea & Coffee Shop, Off-licence, Groceries, Lottery Daily & Sunday Newspapers, Magazines Walnut Tree Nursery Plants & Shrubs Phone top-up, Cards & Stationery and Lots More Post Office & Shop Open *)('&%$#)$"! '&%$ &$#)$$ $)($!'&% $Saturday 7.30& to $$ ) '$ ('&%$ &$#)$ )!$ #$#)$(&) '& $&( $' $#)$) '$! #! # )( Post Office 01953 483217 )$ $ 10/.0-,+*)('+&+%)/$#'+")/#+
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32 TRADITIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP A Professional and Reliable Service (No Machines – No Gimmicks) Solid Fuel, Oil and Gas Fires AGA and Rayburn Cookers Sweeping Certificates lssued
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Public Liability lnsurance 01842 822411 (24-Hour Answer Phone)
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D&Y Nurseries Plants, shrubs, Summer bedding. New stock regularly. Summer hanging baskets and filled pots. j General Electrical j Access Control Systems Pickles, marmalade, jams. j CCTV Systems Free range eggs and much more. j Intruder Alarms j Call in and see us at Oil Tank Security Carbrooke Road Farm, Caston Contact Peter on: Telephone 01953 483250 01953 498734 07780 498340 [email protected]
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35 For all your veterinary needs call 01953 889750
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We are an independent vets practice in Watton, catering for all pets and small animals.
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VAN AND A MAN MOVE ANYTHING ANYTIME, ANYWHERE NATIONWIDE COVERAGE i ALL CLEARANCES UNDERTAKEN i SAME DAY SERVICE i SINGLE ITEM OR FULL HOUSEHOLD REMOVALS i OFFICE/PIANO MOVES i FREE INSTANT QUOTES i 1 OR 2 MAN TEAM i STUDENT MOVES
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All Breeds Welcome
25 years’ grooming experience with kindness and care
37 A P & R DOMESTICS Domestic Appliance Repairs to most makes and models. Ovens, Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Tumble Dryers etc. No call out charge. Set labour charge only. BOSCH, NEFF, MIELE, SIEMENS; HOTPOINT etc. Call 07973 282240
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39 STEVEN HENDRIE DipPFS FINANCIAL ADVISER
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I provide an experienced wealth management service and offer specialist advice in a wide range of areas including:
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FIREWOOD Soft wood logs Mixed wood logs Hard wood logs Kindling £2.50 per bag Telephone Mr M. Denniss Thetford 01842 763030
42 When you need some help There are occasions when everyone could do around the house . . . with a little help around the house – in times of illness, disability or simply from pressure of a busy lifestyle.
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