WORTWELL MARDLER

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2020

GCN ELECTRICAL LTD

DOMESTIC + COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN

NICEIC PART P INSTALLER

    Tel: 01986 788568 Mob: 07779 781158

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MOBILE LIBRARY BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

The mobile library service You may have noticed that the British is currently not serving Heart Foundation has removed their the local area but donation bank on The Knoll. This was continues to offer e-media services. used for donations of books and CDs and was always well used. If you are a mobile library customer with books on loan, these will Should you wish to make future automatically renew until further donations to the British Heart notice. Mobile library customers can Foundation, the nearest shops can also use local libraries. See website be found at Diss and Beccles. for more information: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries- local-history-and-archives/libraries/ your-local-library

WORTWELL SHORT BOWLS CLUB 2019-2020 This year the Wortwell Short Mat Bowls Club had a very good season. We won the Waveney League as well as winning the Knock Out Cup, a 5-4 away win at clinched Wortwell the Waveney Championship title. The Knock Out Cup was played at Haddiscoe against Broome which Wortwell also won. Due to circumstances ,we were unable to celebrate our victories but will do so in time.

Anyone who would like to come and have ago at Bowls are more than welcome. We play on a Monday afternoon and a Wednesday evening.

For more information please contact George Rusted on 01986 789124. We hope to continue playing as soon as the community centre reopens.

ALLOTMENTS Could be said to be 'flowering', all plots are occupied and now, in fact, there is a waiting list. Any villagers interested in a plot are welcome to join the waiting list (contact Lua Leggett, Parish Clerk).

Water is now available and plot holders have collaborated to ensure this is available to all plots (many thanks to those involved - you know who you are). This has ensured that the allotments are indeed flowering. Despite the restrictions imposed by lockdown, there is a strong sense of community developing - sharing of plants, seeds, produce and expertise. There is even a WhatsApp group.

Although the first months of the new allotments have been under unusual (not to say unique) circumstances, much effort has been put in to ensure a very good start to this venture. In the words of the song, ‘Things can only get better'. W. Eddy VILLAGE APPRAISAL During the village Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, a book was launched by Wortwell Parish Council. The book covered life in Wortwell, in words and pictures, from early 1900s to the 21st century, including the village school, businesses and buildings of worship, with brief histories of the sporting achievements of football, cricket and bowls. A compilation of local press cuttings recalling significant village events and a section covering work of the parish council, following a village appraisal, were also included.

Copies of this book are still available and can be purchased for £5 each from Allison on 01986 788116 or email [email protected]. HARLESTON COUNTRY MARKET has been serving our community for over 30 years. We Bake, Grow and Craft and will be doing so again in a limited, socially distanced and safe, weekly way from Wednesday 2nd September.

We will set up on a Wednesday outside King George’s Hall entrance (subject to weather) selling our popular bakery, preserves, plants and seasonal fruit and vegetables. To reflect these more cautious times and to reach more of our loyal customers we will be offering a pre-order and collection service. There are four ways you can *order:

 Visit Facebook page Harleston Country Market and message us (latest 6pm Sunday)  Call the Market Manager on 01379 676296 (latest 6pm Sunday) to place your order  E-mail to: [email protected] or [email protected] (by latest 6pm Sunday)  Visit us outside King George’s Hall next to the Museum on Wednesday between 9.30 - 11.00am and place your order for collection the following Wednesday

Handmade in Harleston — Local Food for Local Folk & Harleston Kindness Hub. To order use Facebook Messenger (Carol Bowen/pink hat/ long story) payment by BACS or cash on delivery [email protected] tel: 07545 978178. There will be a small charge for delivery. WHO CARES ABOUT ST. MARY’S, REDENHALL?

This is the year when “normal” has ceased to be anything but – we’ve all had to adapt to changed circumstances.

Change has certainly come to St. Mary’s, though not due to coronavirus. As the population of Harleston grew in the 19th century it inevitably led to the building of a Church of there and so the Parochial Church Council of and Wortwell became responsible for two churches instead of one. Fast forward to the 21st century; the cost of maintaining and insuring both became an increasing problem as sources of revenue did not keep pace with need. In 2018 it was costing about £3,000 pa to insure St. Mary’s for its estimated value of £13,000,000 and the PCC decided it could not afford this.

The prospect of leaving this magnificent and historic building uninsured so appalled the Friends of St. Mary’s that various alternatives were explored over several months and a temporary solution has been found. St. Mary’s is insured again, the premium having been found by the Friends of St. Mary’s in the form of a loan. The constitution of the Friends, which is a registered charity, restricts their spending to the “fabric, furnishings and fittings” but permission has been given to make this loan. For the next two years all the money from collections and fees for the use of the church will be used to pay back this loan.

Nobody knows what the finances will look like at the end of this period, especially in the context of greatly reduced use of churches due to the pandemic, but we know that St. Mary’s is highly regarded. If you would like to support us through a donation or a standing order we would be extremely grateful; please contact our Treasurer, Gordon Ellis, on 01986 788326 or at [email protected].

The committee of The Friends of St. Mary’s, Redenhall.

‘Houses & Homes’ by Jethro

My father said in nineteen fifty two, "I've a plot of land I will give to you" "Now draw up some plans, get on with it soon" " Design a wee house for you & for June".

We filled up the forms for permission to build, Our minds were soon construction-wise filled. We counted our pennies. How much was in hand? Enough, so we ordered bricks, cement, lime & sand.

The bricks came by train to our nearest station, Hiring a lorry our next exploration, 'twas only three miles but really quite fun, All copped o'er the hedge, that's how it was done.

In went the first stake, then the hard work began, It was in mid-summer, we soon had a tan, Picks & shovels, spades, forks & a wheelbarrow The inspector he came, checked the trench not too narrow.

We worked all the hours that God gave us that be, With a lamp on a pole, no electrics you see, An old mixer we borrowed to make the concrete, 'twas the only machine in the whole of our fleet.

The walls brick by brick they grew at fair speed, Till we got to a height where some scaffold we'd need, To my dad, village builder by trade, our appeals, For putlogs & poles, ropes, ladders & deals.

Roof height at last, how excited we were, A licence was needed to buy roofing timber. A nice simple roof with three gables I'd planned, There was just one valley, but we took that in hand.

A farmer he stripped his old barn of it's tiles, He agreed we could buy them, the best ones for miles, With felt & with tiles soon were covered within, Now we could work without rain pouring in.

In went the windows & then came the doors, The ceilings of course & some rather fine floors, Houses & Homes contd...

There was plumbing & rendering, plast'ring, drains laid on a bed, Even wiring for 'lectrics. "Coming later", they said.

It took eighteen months, & cost five hundred pounds, The money all saved from our wages we'd found, Then our thoughts turned to marriage at the end of it all We'd no money left so no hopes for a ball

'twasn't quite finished, but liveable in, Just some finishing touches, I could easily win, On our wedding morn I was up 'fore the lark, To hang kitchen door, though it was still yet dark.

Our honeymoon venue was now guaranteed, With our own hands we'd built it & seen it succeed Now our home it became,a great debt we both knew We owed to our parents, how they helped dreams come true.

Having recently commemorated the 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VJ DAY – the day World War Two ended with Japan’s surrender – perhaps we can pause to remember two villagers from this ‘Forgotten Army’ and give thanks for their service.

James Robert Loome, brother-in-law of Mary Loome, joined the Royal Regiment. He was taken prisoner of war to the Omi Branch Camp, Tokyo, Japan. It is likely that he helped build the Burma railway, working in dreadful conditions. Prisoners endured terrible suffering and over 6300 British prisoners died. James died of Beriberi and acute Enteritis on 6 March 1944. The camp was liberated in September 1945.

Louis Walter Pearce, father of Daphne Cook, joined the Norfolk Regiment when he was in his 30s. He fought with the Chindits in Burma, a special force who were trained to operate behind Japanese lines in 1943 and 1944. He trekked through the jungle as a muleteer, seeing fierce fighting with the Japanese and seeing many of his fellow Chindits die. At the end of warfare, he volunteered to go back to search and rescue Japanese Prisoners of War, finding men from his local area in Changi Prison, some having to be carried back. He returned to England with them aboard ship, docking in Kent where he was demobbed. He returned to Wortwell, married, and lived in the village until his death in 2003 at the age of 96. WORTWELL BOWLS CLUB & COVID-19 On 13th March, as Secretary of Wortwell Bowls Club, I sent a letter out to all our members reminding them that the Opening Day for our Green was fast approaching and to come along and look at the results of all the work on the Green we’d had done in the close season. Just over a week later I had to sadly write to everyone telling them that the rapid change in the situation due to Covid-19 meant that both of the leagues we play in had cancelled all their competitions for the year, and that our promised Green Opening Day would not be taking place. We were lucky that by mid-May Bowls was one of the sports that the Government were encouraging to re-open. So following advice from Bowls England we took the first tentative steps into our 2020 bowls season, a month after our expected starting date. We started off on quite a small scale; three of our members, all under 70 years of age, met up using a rota, two at a time on Mondays and Thursdays. This worked very well and gradually as the Government eased restrictions more and more people came back for a game. It was great to all meet up again, even though we were socially distanced. From the 1st August even people who have been shielding are now allowed to play, although I’m sure there are some in the club who feel that they are happier simply to write this season off and come back next year. We are still keeping to strict guidelines when we play:

 Keeping 2 metres apart at all times  Only touching our own woods  Sanitising hands before and after the games  Ensuring that all other equipment used is only touched by one person  Using alternate rinks

We are pleased with the progress that we have made and delighted with the way our re-furbished green looks and plays. We are mindful that we have a sporting facility in Wortwell village that because of its unique characteristics is open to all, even in the middle of this pandemic, so if anybody would like to give bowls a go we would be more than pleased to see you. If you would like more information please give me a ring on 01986 788149 or email me at [email protected]. Phil Poulton WORTWELL CORE

Unfortunately, very little to report at present. Following lockdown, and the subsequent lifting of restrictions, on the opening of village halls/ community centres we are now OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

We do, however, have to operate under strict government rules and guidance set out on the YouGov website (and various other places). This places quite severe restrictions as to how we can operate whilst adhering to these rules and regulations.

Consequently, at present, we have been unable to get the various clubs and other activities up and running. The CORE has been used by the blood donor service for one of the sessions, obviously adhering strictly to the rules and regulations, and is booked for further future sessions.

Bookings are slowly returning for private functions from October onwards. We are hopeful that some clubs and activities will be able to return, possibly from the end of September.

Our events committee is working hard on various projects - please watch out for details. Regular meetings of the trustees are being held, and details can be viewed on the CORE website.

As we are all aware, rules and regulations are changing rapidly. Consequently, the situation is constantly being monitored. When it can be done (near) normal service will be resumed. W. Eddy Chairman Booking Clerk Chairman Alison Shailes Bill Eddy Tel: 01986 789189 Tel: 01986 788332 email: [email protected] website: www.wortwellcore.co.uk Check out our Facebook page

WORTWELL URC

We are hoping to be able to resume Sunday Services as soon as we are allowed to do so.

PARISH COUNCILLORS ADVERTISING IN THE MARDLER

Chairman: Clive Aylett Tel: 788432 Would you be interested in Allison Copeman Tel. 788116 advertising your business in the Robert Hadingham Tel. 788622 Mardler magazine? Daphne Cook Tel. 788303 Margaret Colyer Tel. 788511 If you would like to advertise Julie Worley Tel. 788163 your business, the costs are £5 Bill Eddy Tel. 788332 for ¼ page per issue, £10 for ½ Parish Clerk: Lua Leggett page per issue or £20 for a full Tel. 01986 788789 page per issue. Please contact email: [email protected] Allison for further information

Meetings begin at 7.30pm and are on 01986 788116. Items for the held in the Waveney Room at the next edition of the Wortwell Community Centre. Mardler should be submitted via email to Members of the public are [email protected] by welcome to attend. Tuesday 20 October 2020.

NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS

Monday 28 September 2020 Monday 26 October 2020 Please note that the Parish Council’s Minutes and Agendas can be viewed on the Council’s website at http:// wortwellpc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk

CONTENT FOR MARDLER

We would like to encourage villagers to submit items for inclusion in the Wortwell Mardler, e.g. news reports from local groups and clubs, recipes, successes and achievements of villagers (young and old), forthcoming village and local events, memories of Wortwell village life, household items for sale etc. Items will be published, subject to space availability, free of charge. Contact Allison at [email protected].

WORTWELL FROM DAYS GONE BY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEREK WOOLTORTON

IF YOU HAVE ANY PHOTOS OF WORTWELL VILLAGE FROM THE PAST THAT YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE, PLEASE CONTACT ALLISON ON 01986 788116

GOODSWENS GARAGE CAR AND COMMERCIAL REPAIRS OUR MOT TESTING STATION IS CLASS 4 AND CLASS 7 24 HOUR RECOVERY SERVICE 60 High Road, Wortwell, IP20 0EF tel: 01986 788212 NISSAN SPECIALISTS

Accident and Bodywork Repairs, Insurance Work Undertaken