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Home , Binham, East Barsham, Felbrigg, Hindringham, Little Snoring, North Barsham

NEWS & VIEWS BARSHAM • • HOUGHTON

DECEMBER – JANUARY 2019/20

A MAGAZINE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY Happy Walsingham Christmas!

Christmas Tasting Weekend Saturday 30th Nov & Sunday 1st Dec Tastings galore with our producers! Hamper Day Saturday 7th December 10am-7pm Choose from our ready made hampers, or for ONE day only, we offer FREE hamper wrapping, with tastings & mulled wine Festive Food Fair at on Sat 14th & Sun 15th December Plus we are on the cookery stage! The festive Christmas Food Fair at the Lady Elizabeth Wing at Holkham is open 10am-4pm on both days Free local delivery for Christmas New for 2019, we offer FREE local delivery on orders over £50 Delivery on 23rd or 24th December, contact us for details Delivery to: Walsingham, King’s Lynn, Sandringham, , , Ringstead, , , , Docking, , , , Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, and

WINTER OPENING HOURS TUESDAY-SATURDAY 9am-5pm SUNDAY AND MONDAY 10am-4pm Christmas hours: Monday 23rd 7am-5pm, Tuesday 24th 7am-2pm Christmas Day CLOSED Boxing Day CLOSED Friday 27th 10am-5pm, Saturday 28th 9am-5pm, Sunday 29th 9am-5pm, Monday 30th 10am-4pm New Year’s Eve 10am-4pm, New Year’s Day CLOSED, Thursday 2nd January 9am-5pm

Walsingham Farms Shop, Guild Street, Walsingham NR22 6BU Tel: 01328 821877 www.walsingham.co Editor’s comments Contents

Welcome to our Winter issue. Editor’s comments 3 BBC’s Christmas Story in Walsingham 3 Over the last months there’s been two Macmillan Coffee Walsingham CE VA School share autumn term Mornings, and a Carboot Sale, Beetle Drive, Bingo, Federation projects 5 Fireworks and now a Craft Fayre from the Friends of Favourite animals at Christmas Tree Festival 7 Walsingham School. There has also been live poetry, cinema, Wells-Walsingham Christian Aid to Bolivia 7 a Halloween party, a fun new youth club for over 8s called Green case study walk to of OLW 8 Watch for dearly missed item 8 PAP and a kids Activity Day in the half-term. Thank you to all New Foodbank collection point 9 our unstoppable enthusiasts for sharing. The Sanctuary School 9 A tragic event, the police and the law 13 This season is special for get-togethers and singing. We Golden and diamond anniversaries 14 remember loved ones departed, and also the joy of new life. Grant awarded to N&Vs 14 Congratulations to families with new babies, and for those Macmillan Care update 14 expecting arrivals in the New Year. Walsingham Benefice Mothers Union 14 Methodist Church news 16 This edition has a herd motif, the comfort of being in part Library special and regular events 17 of a community. We are lucky to live near Holkham Estate Walsingham History Society 19 where we can see grazing Fallow Deer, perhaps by tractor... Honouring Stanley Smith MBE 21 Walsingham Parish Council and Walsingham Zoe Wenzel Recreation Trust 21 Alderman Peel High School News 23 We welcome contributions for our Feb–Mar 2020 WEA Wells Branch – Spring Term 2020 23 issue by 31 December 2019. Please email News & Rough guide to Advent and Christmas 24 Views secretary [email protected] Diary outline for Dec and Jan 25 News from Heritage House 27 Cover photo is by heavenz_angel621, Pixabay Walsingham and District WI 29 News from Dr Marie Strong our County Councillor 30

BBC’s Christmas Story in Walsingham Walsingham has another TV appearance. Founder of The Kingdom Choir, Karen Gibson, visited Walsingham in September to record part of two programmes featuring the stories, music and traditions of Christmas. The series producer Karen Selway contacted staff from the Anglican Shrine to help prepare and direct filming in The Guild of All Souls Chapel, using figures from the crib set and in the Holy House. Karen Gibson, gospel conductor for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, then interviewed Fr Andreas on early Christmas traditions. These programmes follow BBC One’s earlier series BBC One website: presenters Gareth Malone and Karen Gibson Britain’s Easter Story shown in April 2019.

December – January 2019/20 3

Walsingham CE VA School share autumn term projects

Warrior Class make firework art with filled and burst balloons Cave painting for Stone Age project Photos L. Smith

Fundraiser dressing up for Federation Fireworks Hedgehog Class art projects

Sharing homework designs with parents Hedgehog Class outdoor learning

December – January 2019/20 5

Favourite animals at Wells-Walsingham Christmas Tree Festival Christian Aid to There will be thousands of decorations at Fakenham’s Bolivia annual Christmas Tree Festival in the Parish Church But see if you can spot the geese from St Seraphim’s Quiet Garden and the Hedgehogs from Walsingham CE VA School.

Max the goose from St Seraphim’s Quiet Garden, Co-ordinator Helena Arguile with speaker Pam decorative designs by H. Davies, www.orlaandroux.com Richardson at the Inherit the Earth exhibition, Wells Maltings

Pam Richardson, Christian Aid legacy co-ordinator based in opened the Inherit the Earth photo exhibition in the Wells Maltings, during October half- term. Surrounded by the photos she showed examples of how funds go directly to help families survive and gave personal accounts from legacy givers. Bolivia has an exceptionally high biodiversity and its Amazon rain forest provides oxygen for the whole world, but the widespread poverty means as custodians of their environment they remain vulnerable to climate change. Eco-technologies, like solar ovens with no need for fire wood, and improved climate resilience, like setting seed houses on stilts, promote sustainable practices. She said grassroots spokespeople and community educators find the commitment fromChristian Aid vital to ensure their children have a chance to ‘inherit the Spike the hedgehog from Hedgehog class, Walsingham earth’ as their grandparents knew it. School, co-ordinated by C. Lingwood

December – January 2019/20 7 Green case study The overnight visit was deemed a tremendous success by the delegates. The staff and volunteers of the walk to Shrine of Shrine warmly demonstrated their commitment and OLW teamwork. And the guests experienced the ancient holy practice of pilgrimage in a professional modern County Council hosted an Interreg Europe context. Green Pilgrimage project conference with the aim of assessing the potential for developing pilgrimage trails across Norfolk. There were over 60 delegates including experts from Norway, Sweden, Romania, Italy and key partners from Norfolk and Kent. On the 4-day schedule they visited venues in and King’s Lynn. And excitingly their case study was a green pilgrimage experience to the Anglican Shrine in Walsingham. On Thursday 12 Sept. 20 visitors gathered in Church as welcomed by Fr Harri, parish priest and David Simmons, church warden. The group then Watch for dearly missed walked along the old railway line, to the Pilgrim’s Way item path and into Walsingham. Police are appealing for information following a theft This was just a taster. On the Friday morning there from a garden in Walsingham Road. The incident took were more talks, walks and activities focussed on place sometime between 7pm Saturday 19 October ‘Welcoming All’ with Fr Andreas introducing the and 7am on Sunday 20 October 2019. An offender(s) programme and linking the topics. The two areas for entered a secure garden and removed a 4ft high expert consideration were health and well-being, and bronze stag statue, worth approximately £950. inclusion and diversity. Anyone who may have information related to Starting in the Orangery, Shrine Administrator, Fr the incident, or any sightings of the statue should Kevin Smith and The Rector of the Catholic Shrine be reported to PC Cherie Smith on 101, quoting Monsignor John Armitage began the series of 8 talks crime reference 36/73712/19. Alternatively contact with the theme ‘welcome home’. This was followed by Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Dominique Smalley in the Shrine’s Welcome Centre, a venue created for all visitors in mind. Then Keith Tuck and Jeremy Gash spoke in the Green Room about the challenges of meeting people’s needs and the buildings being fit for all pilgrim guests. Christopher Hamilton-Emery spoke in the Shrine Church nave about welcoming walking pilgrims and widening local business. After the coffee break, Pat Marshall presented on the Refectory and catering with locally sourced food in Norton’s Café Bar. Back in the Orangery, Tessa Hobbs spoke about the design and ethos of the Shrine gardens. Then across at the Pilgrim’s Hall Caroline Ward explained how to welcome young pilgrims. Finally back again to the Orangery, where Victoria McDougall demonstrated how to keep in touch with pilgrims using social media and digital communications. Stolen bronze stag sculpture

8 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghton New Foodbank The collection point Sanctuary As a nation, we don’t expect anyone to be left hungry School or destitute but illness, disability, family breakdown or One school closes, and other one opens. (See Wendy the loss of a job can happen to any of us. Food banks Myhill’s account of her school days at Walsingham provide the best possible emergency food to people Grammar School, in our October edition). Some 70 locked in poverty. Food banks rely on the support of years ago, Mr Armistead opened the Sanctuary School, local communities to help prevent UK hunger. Please if with the junior department in the Friday Market, and you can drop in a tin, or packet, or buy a two get the the senior school in the Old Rectory, Scarborough third one free offer, perhaps donate the offer; it makes Road. I still have memories of my time at Sanctuary sense. Food banks need non-perishable, in-date food. School, some of which continue to influence me. First fish on Fridays. I can recall the smell of steaming fish. Suggested donations are: The staff tried to make me eat it, but with no success. I • tins of beans, vegetables, fruit; am still reluctant to eat fish. Next cricket. My father was • tins of rice pudding; an enthusiastic sportsman, and assumed I would follow. • tins of fish, meat; At school we had cricket ball catching practice. We • long life milk; stood in a circle, around the teacher, who threw the • packets of pasta, rice, dried potato; ball at us in turn. When my turn came the ball missed • small packets of toilet rolls; my cupped hands and struck my forehead. Boom. • single toothbrushes and toothpaste; Since that time I have avoided ball games of every • soap; sort, and have taken my exercise elsewhere. Finally, and • washing up liquid; this is important, once a week we attended mass in • small packet tea bags and small jars of coffee. the Anglican shrine. Before construction of the south The new collection box for your donation can be aisle the shrine interior was a dark and mysterious found just inside the main door to St Mary’s Church. If place, which I rather enjoyed. We all attended mass you are unable to access the church please telephone except for one boy. He did not attend because he was Garry for collection 01328 821475 Walsingham area a Roman Catholic. The boundary between Anglican only. Thank you [Catholic] and Catholic is reducing but it is still with us. God loves everyone equally, regardless. I have hope for our future.

Roger Newman, former pupil, The Little Shop, Home & Garden

Background In 1940 Quainton Hall School in Harrow evacuated some of their boys to Walsingham. The Sanctuary School as named by Trustees Fr Alfred and the College of Guardians continued into the 1950s. Quainton Hall School in Harrow continues to thrive. The choir performs a concert in the Shrine Church every May.

Garry Getley

December – January 2019/20 9

The Barsham and Houghton Village Hall was built in 1952, it was pulled down and rebuilt in 1969 and 2019 marks its 50th Anniversary! Do you remember the hall being built?

There have been some wonderful community events held in the sessions, quiz nights, movie nights, coffee mornings and other hall over the years, dances, quiz nights, fetes and coffee mornings, fundraising events, not forgetting table top sales, jumble sales and to name just a few. We would love to see this happening again. This fetes. There is ample free parking available and the hire charges are picture shows senior citizens enjoying a New Year Party in 1972, very reasonable, starting at £6 per hour. Do you recognise anyone in this photo? It is important to keep the hall going as it is a valuable asset to our The Village Hall Committee currently has 6 vacancies and we community, and we do need your help! would be pleased to have some new members join us. * * * * We would love to hear from you, and everyone is welcome to attend our meetings. The next meeting is planned for 20th January The Parish Council also have a vacancy for a Parish Councillor, 2020 at 7pm. if anyone is interested please contact the Clerk for more information or a co-option policy via [email protected] The Hall continues to be available for the whole community and or 07703 464409. cater for many kinds of events and occasions such as birthday parties, christenings, engagements, weddings, fitness classes, dance The Parish Council and Hall Committee meet bi monthly to classes, it can host a variety of clubs, crafting sessions, band practice discuss various matters relating to the Village Hall and Parish.

December – January 2019/20 11

A tragic event, the police There was an hour or so for lunch and I enjoyed my flask of homemade soup and a roll when I went to the park to and the law exercise Judy, my little dog. The sun was shining and the air was crisp and I was glad of some freedom after the morning’s unhappy events. Then I slipped on an icy patch. It was a challenge to get up and took a while and my right knee was very painful. There wasn’t a soul in sight, of course. Back to the car and somehow managed to drive home – the kneecap had dislocated and I ended up in hospital, spending Christmas on the other side of the blanket. I was beginning to think that general practice was not my favourite occupation. The vet took Judy to their kennels so she was well looked after, but very pleased to come home when I was discharged and my mother came up to look after me (and her). Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Wikimedia It was late January when the doorbell rang and my mother admitted a plain clothes policeman – he was large and burly November 1973 was very cold in Aberdeen, especially for (as they all seemed to be) and there was no doubt about a Sassenach not accustomed to northern climate. It snowed his occupation. He was very solicitous about my health and but the bus routes were soon clear, so I was able to drive read my original statement to me; he then issued me with across the city to the surgery without any problems. I had a Summons after cautioning me that anything I said would just started my surgery consultations when one of the senior be noted. I was to appear in the Sheriff Court (equivalent partners came in and told me to go out on an urgent call to the Crown Court in ) on ‘such and such’ date to a sick child that had just been notified. It was a heart- and time as a Professional Witness relating to the death of sink address in the roughest road in the city where there the little two-year old boy. Life is full of new experiences! were always mega social needs and problems – I’d cared By the time the case came up, I was able to catch the bus for patients from the area in the Children’s Hospital but this across the city so that I could run surgeries in the practice, was my first visit. I paused at the start of the road that had a but no home visits as I still had a stiff leg and couldn’t drive. single track of tyres down the centre, with shrouded vehicles On the day, I had to be in the courthouse by 9.00am and sit at the sides and a good eight inches of snow. A cautious drive and wait to be called. At last the call came and in I limped, down the tracks, scanning the tenement numbers and found to be confronted by high steps into the witness box; a slight the one I needed about halfway along. I parked in the middle intermission while I was pushed from behind as I hauled of the road and went cautiously through the thick snow. myself up into the box. ‘Name?’ ‘Qualifications?’ I had to The door of the first floor flat was unlocked and I entered describe my visit to the flat and was cross-examined by a a very dimly lit room, closely followed by an ambulance crew. slim-build, rather dapper lawyer, whom I later discovered As my eyes adjusted, I spotted a cot in the middle of the was the leading QC in Scotland. A number of questions room surrounded by an untidy array of furniture, a young were of the type, “Would you say…?” – a sort of putting woman sobbing in a chair towards a wall and a young man words into my mouth that rather irritated me, and I was standing nearby. A child was in the cot and, as soon as I saw reluctant to constantly agree with his words, but it is a him from the doorway, I said to myself, ‘he’s dead’. It didn’t challenge to put things differently in such a situation. It was take long to confirm the sad fact, remembering not to move over at last and a couple of the court staff lifted me down or disturb anything – our professor of forensic medicine, from the box. I had to remain in the court building until who was a leading Home Office pathologist, had drummed the case was over. When I was allowed to leave, one of the that into us as students. Then the hard task of telling the clerks pushed an envelope into my hands. I looked at her in young couple, ‘I’m sorry. Your little boy has died.’ More tears. surprise and she said, ‘It’s your fee.’ It was a £10 note – that We had to wait for the police to arrive – I think the couple was a lot of money in 1974. had dialled 999 after calling the surgery and I had visions of my Riley Elf being trapped between an ambulance and The child had died of a ruptured spleen. The Father had been a police car. I probably made a pot of tea. The police took holding him by the hands and was swinging him round and a statement from me and I was allowed to depart, after round (playing?) and he’d banged hard against the furniture. A the ambulance crew moved their vehicle. The other senior conviction of manslaughter was made and the young man was partner was furious when he found that I’d been sent on sentenced for a six months term. the call but it was done and there were no patients left for me to see in the practice that morning. Sister Mary Angela SSM

December – January 2019/20 13 Golden and diamond Grant awarded to anniversaries N&Vs Fr Frank Nichols and Fr Peter Keeling will both be Thank you, to the Big Society fund who very kindly celebrating anniversaries of ordination in December. granted £500 to News & Views for us to continue delivering this to all households free of charge in the Fr Frank Nichols will be celebrating his golden jubilee Walsingham, Houghton and Barsham area. We are of ordination on Sunday 15 December 2019, 11am at very grateful to them for their generosity in helping us St Mary’s, Little Walsingham, when he will give thanks secure the future of this community publication. for fifty years of ministry as a priest in the Church of News & Views committee God.

God who is infinite holiness has borne with you a Macmillan Care long time: you may well bear with yourself a little till update His grace shall have done its perfect work. Fr Herbert Kelly SSM I would like to report the latest update on my hair shaving for Macmillan Cancer fund. The total fundraising figure Amazing Grace is at £685.00 which is thanks to my many friends and acquaintances who so very kindly donated to this. This far Sixty years ago I was ordained priest by the then Bishop exceeds my expectations and goes to prove, that in general of Wakefield. Sadly the Church Commissioners do not most people are very kind, supportive and generous. give their employees gold watches. But with Fr Harri’s Thank you and all best wishes. PS The fund is still permission I hope to celebrate Mass in St Mary’s on 4th open if anyone would like to contribute. Sunday in Advent (22 December) and Bishop Norman will preach. It will be a time of thanksgiving – not for Lynette Sutton anything I have done to live so long, but for God’s gift of Grace, which has brought me safe thus far! Walsingham Benefice

St Paul says that God’s gifts are stored in earthen vessels, so that the glory will be His alone. Come and share this special occasion with Marlene and me – of From November of this year Mothers Union will meet course there will be a cake! at the new time of 11.30am, starting and finishing in Walsingham Parish Hall. Fr Peter Keeling SSC The meetings will continue to take place on the third Tuesday of every month and we would be delighted to welcome new members who wish to join us. Visitors too are always welcome. If you suffer from January blues you might like to take part in our Annual Winter Lunches which we plan to arrange to take place in Walsingham Parish Hall on the following three Fridays in 2020; January 17, 24 and 31 commencing at 12.30pm. More details nearer the time. If you wish to know more about the work of Mothers Union in this country and overseas or about our monthly meetings please contact Susan Poole on 01328 820717. Susan Poole, MU leader

14 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghton

Methodist Church news Sadly, as many of you will be aware, gratis. We have also raised 70% of We are now meeting once a month Tommy Seaman who together with the total required to build a new at 4.30pm to explore a different his wife Sylvia had been the mainstay ramp and are actively seeking grants theme for 30 minutes followed of the chapel for many years had to make up the remainder. by free food and a time together been seriously ill and passed away afterwards. Our planned services in September. Over 2018–19 we School visits and pilgrimages are on Dec 2 (Advent), Dec 22 have taken over the day to day have continued and a successful (Carols and Christingle), Jan 12 running of the chapel as it became Heritage Open Weekend was held (Working out with God) and Feb impossible for them to do so. in September when over 80 people 2 (Love is in the Air). You can keep came through the doors to see up with events and our heritage on We have been busy with day to day our chapel and exhibitions. Most www.walsinghammethodist.com or maintenance, cleaning, gardening, importantly we felt it was vital to our Facebook page. Any questions reputtying and repainting the lower continue and develop worship do give us a ring on 07793866072 windows and are currently awaiting in the chapel to honour all those or 07725077810 the painters coming to do the upper who had gone before us and were windows. The problem of how to metaphorically looking down from Do come along and join us as you inspect the roof and inaccessible the balcony! It should not become can… . You’d be most welcome and parts was solved with a drone just a museum to honour times get a good free tea into the bargain! survey which was very informative past and one of our USPs or unique in planning maintenance. As it was selling points is that continuous Glyn Constantine, local such a lovely day the pilot gave us worship has been held here since preacher, Central Norfolk some lovely photos of Walsingham 1794. Circuit

16 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghton Library special and regular events

Fakenham Library Learn My Way is a step by step Fakenham Library Audio Book 01328 862715 or Facebook course to help with simple or more Club–3rd Monday of month 10.30–12.00 www.facebook.com/fakenhamlibrary complicated skills. To book on any of the 16 December courses please ring or email fakenham. This is run by the Norfolk & Norwich Special Events [email protected] Association for the Blind (NNAB) To book your place call Mark or Elaine Taking a stand against scams Regular Events on 01603 629558 or marksmith@nnab. Thursday 28 November 11:30am org.uk Lego Club Join us at our Friends Against Scams Awareness Tuesdays, 3.30–5pm, term time. Just a Cuppa RSVP: Helen Barwick, Helen.barwick@ For children aged 5+ (but younger Every Thursday 2–3pm natwest.com siblings welcome too!) Feeling at a loose end? Come to the Tel: 07711762669 library for a cuppa and a chat. Help with your Family History Christmas Quiz! Book a one-to-one sessions with our Norfolk Citizens Advice volunteer. Contact the library for details. Wednesday 4 December 7–9pm Mondays and Thursdays 10am–3pm With carols provided by Toot Suite Drop in advice sessions Computer Support Sessions Recorder Ensemble £3 per person, Book your free space on a Friday teams up to 6 people. There will be a Wells Library afternoon for help with using computers raffle too! Please bring along your own 01328 710467 or Facebook page and the Internet. refreshments. Booking essential. /fakenhamandwellslibraries Contact Fakenham Library for bookings. Christmas Wreath making Special Events Seated Exercise Thursday 5 December 2–4pm Mondays 2.15–3.00pm Taking a stand against scams Come and join us to make Christmas £2.50 per week. Booking essential Monday 25 November 11.30am Wreaths, for beginners. £10 payable on Check dates and book your place with Join us at our Friends Against Scams booking. Includes most materials but Sue Gathercole of Cardio & Core Awareness RSVP: Helen Barwick please bring own foliage, baubles where 07774245810 [email protected] Tel: possible, also strong scissors. For further [email protected] 07711762669 information or to book please call the library on 01328 86271 Rag Rug Club Author Talk–Michael Anson 1st Tuesday of month 10.30–12 noon Wed 27 November 10.30–11.30am Book Launch 3 December Michael Anson will be talking about Friday 13 December, 5.30 to 7pm Beginners welcome. Share ideas–swap his new book, The Burning Zone, a Impressions of Fakenham , a look at materials historical thriller set in the 18th-century, the people and places in the market along with his journey to publication. town of Fakenham. Active Fakenham Book Club Refreshments provided–donations has produced a short colourful book 2nd Tuesday of month 10.30–11.30am welcome. No need to book, just come with plenty of photos and plenty 10 December along. of contributions from local people. New members always welcome. Ask You are invited to come along to this staff for details of the books being Christmas Just a Cuppa book launch to meet some of the discussed Friday 13 December 11am–12noon contributors and join our celebration. Come along for a festive cuppa. Songs Games Afternoon and carols performed by children from Free Learn My Way Computer Mondays 1pm–3pm Wells Primary School. Sessions: Book a session between 3 and Come along and enjoy a game or two! 5 on Fridays, with follow up session as Looking to rent a room for your group? required. Sessions are on a 1 to 1 basis. Bounce and Rhyme We now have a Community Room You may bring your own device and Tuesdays 2–2.30pm available at Wells Library; very connect to Wi-fi using your Library card. For preschool children and families. reasonable rates!

December – January 2019/20 17

Regular Events Walsingham Oriel College, also at Oxford holds a small collection of Prayers known Stay and Chat History Society to have belonged to Prior Vowell, Wednesdays 9.30–10.30am For families with preschool children. At the end of October, there was an the last Prior of Walsingham and Come along to the library and enjoy a independent talk in the Parish Hall whose signature appears on the cuppa and a chat, just drop in. about the 12th century Walsingham Act of Succession that was signed Bible which is held in the Chester in 1544, and which surrendered Lego Club Beatty Library in Dublin. Kristine to the King. A First Sat in month 10am–12 noon, manuscript in the College of Arms 7 December Rose-Beers the Chief Conservator at the Chester Beatty has Norfolk records the arms of the Priory, Help with your Family History connections and Sue Kimbley invited which can be seen in St Mary’s in Book a one-to-one sessions with our her to repeat a talk given earlier a shield of glass impaled with the volunteer. Just ask staff for details. in the year to the Anglican Shrine arms of Prior Vowell himself. Partners. The so-called Bible is in fact Games Afternoon The last talk of the year will be on Come along for a board game or two. the first volume of a probable six and Thursday 5 December. ‘Crabs, Cliffs Wednesdays 1–3pm. contains the Books Genesis to Ruth. and Coasters ‘with speaker Philip After the Reformation it came into Seated Exercise West. This will be held in the Village the possession of Sir Henry Spellman, Tuesday’s 11am–11.45am Hall, Wells Road at 7.30pm. All an antiquarian who had been a pupil £2.50 per week. Booking essential. welcome. Check dates and book your place with at Walsingham Grammar School. Sue Gathercole of Cardio & Core Having passed through various other Tim MacDonald, co-chair 07774245810 hands Lady Chester Beatty bought [email protected] the volume at an auction in the 1920s Knit and natter as a birthday gift for her husband. Every 3 weeks on Wednesday 10.30–12.30pm Preparing for this talk prompted 11 December me to think about the other books that are known to have come from Book Club Walsingham Priory. The British st 1 Wed of month 2.30-3.30pm Library holds Sloane Manuscript 4 December New members always number 1933 which is a ‘herbal’, welcome. Ask staff for details of the books being discussed i.e. a book of herbal remedies and medical treatises, which is known to Crime Book Club have come from Walsingham. The Arms of the Priory of St Mary st 1 Wednesday of month 5.30–7pm, can be seen in a roundel in St 4 December Keble College at Oxford holds a fine Mary’s Church, Walsingham, having New members always welcome. Ask staff 15th century breviary (daily prayer survived the fire of 1961. for details of the books being discussed book) which opens with the Rule They show a silver ground with a Just a cuppa of St. Augustine and appears to be black cross and five lilies with the Every Friday 11am–12noon the first volume of two as it only Vowell arms, three white roses on a Fancy making some new friends, or just contains half of the breviary prayers. red ground. to have a good old chat? Then come The Priory was administered along to this free drop in session. by Augustinians. The pages are Elena Parkin, Library Manager illuminated, but not of the highest quality, rather like the Chester Beatty Bible mentioned above.

December – January 2019/20 19 Walsingham Abbey & The Shirehall Museum Georgian Courtroom • Walsingham 950 Time Line Local Tourist Information • Walsingham Bridewell Winter admission: December and January Abbey Grounds open Monday-Friday 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm via The Estate Office, 10 Common Place Closed at weekends and 21st December-2nd January 2020 Snowdrop Walks from Saturday 25th January Adults £5.50, children 6-16 £2.50 Annual season tickets from £16 Common Place, Walsingham NR22 6BP 01328 820510 Honouring Stanley Smith MBE This eulogy was read by Barry Shipp at the funeral of After Father Derrick Lingwood moved away, Stanley Stanley Smith MBE, Friday 8 November, on behalf of became Bursar at the age of 24, a position he held for the family over 40 years. Stanley was a server both at The Shrine and at St Mary’s for 72 years. He was a Churchwarden Stanley Patrick Smith and Treasurer, a Trustee of Cleaves House and Stanley was born on 30 April 1933 in ’s East Walsingham charities. His service to both the Shrine End. He and his brother George came to Walsingham and St Mary’s culminated in him being awarded the at an early age and lived at St Hilary’s Children Home. MBE. A very proud moment for all the family. Stanley attended Walsingham Grammar School, transferring on its closure to Wells Secondary School When Stanley retired, after saying he would never where he loved sport, ran for the county and was use a computer, to everyone’s surprise he purchased made Head Boy. one and set about getting to grips with it. Stanley’s full and active life in Walsingham included assisting Ken On leaving school, Stanley worked alongside Fr Hope Faircloth with wedding photography, playing football for Patten at The Shrine of . the Pilgrims team, being a Guardian at the Shrine and Shortly after passing his driving test, he drove Father bravely teaching his children to drive. Stanley enjoyed Hope Patten around Malta on a month long trip. learning upholstery skills and spent many hours on Stanley’s National Service saw him recognised for various projects with the help of Gus Lamont. Stanley his integrity, honestly and loyalty. He worked as a was granddad to Amber and Matthew and great confidential shorthand typist to the Deputy Pay granddad to Ruby and Dylan. We will all miss him very Master in Chief at the War Office. Stanley married much. A life’s work well done. Monica in 1958 and they had three children, Andrew, Stephen and Alison. The Smith family

Walsingham Parish Council and Walsingham Recreation Trust

Clerk: Mrs Joanna Otte, tel: 01328 822366 Little Manor, Thursford Road, , Fakenham, NR21 0JN email: [email protected]

We hope that you and your children are as pleased as we are at the arrival of the new wooden train and carriages at the Recreation Ground. It is a wonderful addition to the playground and we hope it will bring The new Walsingham Express hours of fun and imaginative play. The Parish Council meets on a Wednesday evening Parish Councillors approximately every six weeks. There is a public forum Lee Acton Nigel Morter at 7.15pm for parishioners to raise matters of concern Elaine Carter Kerry Richardson before the meeting starts at 7.30pm. You can also contact Brian Landale Vanessa Waller the Clerk (contact details above) if you wish to bring Scilla Landale Clare Williams something to the attention of the Parish Council. The Elizabeth Meath Baker James Woodhouse next meetings are on 8 January and 26 February 2020.

December – January 2019/20 21 For more information about the Parish Council visit You may have already noticed the restored milepost the Walsingham Village website: in Egmere, if not have a look out for it next time www.walsinghamvillage.org/ you drive along the road between Fakenham and (the schedule of meetings, minutes, last year’s Wells. Here is a photo from the day of installation, 16 accounts etc. can be found under ‘essentials’). October 2019 with Tony and Paul from the Milestone Society. Paul (right) carried out most of the restoration Please contact the Clerk if you notice any street lights work. that need to be repaired or wish to bring matters of concern to the attention of the Parish Council: You can see Nigel Ford explaining his email [email protected] work restoring milestones in Norfolk: or telephone 01328 822366. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqy00YTwTbw

Please remember to use the Bottle Bank to recycle Mobile Library Service glass and the Clothes Bank in the Mill Car Park. The PLEASE NOTE NEW TIMES and STOPS Parish Council receives recycling credits from the 4 weekly on Fridays: County Council for every tonne of glass recycled. In Next dates 13 December 2019, 10 January 2020 the year 2018–19 we made £150. 12.25–12.40: Wells Road (opposite school), 14.30–15.00: St Peters Road Walsingham Village Hall has recently been 15.20–15.50: 44 Cleaves Drive redecorated and a new, larger oven and stove have https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-local- been installed in the kitchen. The Hall is available for history-and-archives/libraries/your-local-library/ bookings, at very reasonable rates, for parties, talks, mobile-libraries exhibitions and classes. Walsingham Village Hall is conveniently situated on Wells Road with ample Online reporting for Norfolk County Council parking both in the car park and on the street. and District Council For further information including booking form and rates visit the Walsingham Village website www. For problems on roads, pavements or public footpaths walsinghamvillage.org/ (Walsingham Village Hall is e.g. a pothole that needs repairing or a damaged sign listed in ‘essentials’). Alternatively contact Joanna Otte. post please report to the Highways department at the County Council. The online reporting form can be Milepost restoration found at https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/highwaysdefect/.

Prevent fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling. The District Council has online facilities for reporting. Go to website https://www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/ and use the Environment and Emergencies tab.

Parking infringements: please contact the traffic warden by emailing [email protected].

Walsingham Mobile Post Office Service Opening Times: TUESDAYS 10.30am to 12.00 noon Near the Farms Shop, Guild Street, Walsingham, NR22 6BU For service updates please follow: https://twitter.com/Guist_Cafe_Shop Tony and Paul from The Milestone Society, Photo by Nigel Ford

22 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghton Alderman Peel High WEA Wells Branch School News – Spring Term 2020 It has been an incredible busy term so far. Alongside As some of you know our spring term normally starts our considerably busy school schedule we are very with a 7 week ‘long’ course beginning in late January. pleased to be supporting our local community. In the Sadly, at the time of writing, that isn’t the case because run up to Christmas we are hosting Wells Primary WEA has been unable to find us a course and tutor that and Nursery School Christmas performances, Wells we think will appeal to our student group. If the situation United Charities Curry Night on Friday 22 November changes in the next couple of months we will, of course, and also Langham Primary School for their Christmas do our best to let you know but in the meantime we do performance. We pride ourselves in being outward have two day schools organised for next term. facing and have a strong partnership with Holkham Estate, the Royal British Legion, Wells Sea Cadets and The first of these, ‘Country houses and their th many other local businesses and community groups. Collections’, is on Saturday 25 January when our tutor will be Norwich-based art historian Dr Kajsa APHS students are already rehearsing for our own Berg. By the 18th century, country houses such as performances which will take place on Wednesday , Holkham and Houghton Hall held some of 11 and Thursday 12 December. Before that we have the most impressive art collections in Britain. These a great deal of other events including our Careers were the product of a new fashion for educating the Conference (for all year groups) on 7 November, Year young gentry by sending them on a Grand Tour of 11 visit to Cambridge University, Year 7 Parents Evening, Europe. There they honed their tastes and emptied Year 11 trial exams, our House Literacy competition their pockets, bringing back paintings and sculptures. and Cluster swimming gala. We have a trip for GCSE This day school will explore the travels, tastes and students to see Blood Brothers, College visits and a knowledge of the English gentleman as illustrated by trip to Estonia for our students who won the Norfolk the owners of these and other great houses. Robotics competition and are now competing on the international stage. Our second day school will be held on Saturday 7 March when Mark Felton will return to Wells to talk It has now been three years since we joined the about the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 (details Wensum Trust and as such are due an Ofsted to follow in the February/March issue). Both courses inspection. As you may be aware we volunteered for will be held in the Friends Meeting House, Wells-next- a Pilot Inspection in May 2019 which was a very, very the Sea. Each costs £18 and they run from 9.45am positive experience. One way that inspectors gather until 4.00pm with a one hour break for lunch. information is via a website called Parentview. Here, the views of parents and carers (or family members) You can enrol online now by going to www.wea. are collated. If you are able to contribute please access org.uk/eastern and entering ‘Wells-next-the-Sea’ in the website: https://mobile.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/ the ‘town/postcode’ box at the top of the page. This will take you to the Wells courses. Click on the ‘view Once again, I must thank our wonderful team of staff details’ button next to the course required and then who work so hard to give our students the best follow the ‘Enrol online’ link at the bottom of the page. possible learning opportunities within and outside the Alternatively – and some say more easily – you can classroom. enrol by phoning 0300 303 3464. Or just turn up on the day. For help, advice or further details please Alastair Ogle, principal contact Annie Whitelaw on 07856 792186 or email [email protected].

Nigel Dark, treasurer

December – January 2019/20 23 Rough guide to Advent and Christmas Please check times before attending

First Sunday of Advent 4.30pm Advent service, Methodist Chapel

Third week in Advent 6.30pm, Thurs 19 Dec, Carol service, All Saints’,

Forth Sunday in Advent, 22 December 4.30pm Carols and Christingle, Methodist Chapel 6.00pm Carol service, St Giles, Houghton

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December NEW VENUE 4.30pm Crib service, St Mary’s, Walsingham (dress as a Nativity character) 6.30pm Vigil Mass, All Saints’, East Barsham 6.30pm Vigil Mass (sung), Shrine Church OLW 11.30pm Midnight Mass (sung), St Mary’s, Walsingham

Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December 8.00am Mass of the Dawn (said), Shrine Church OLW 9.00am Eucharist, All Saints’, North Barsham 9.00am Eucharist, St Peter’s, Great Walsingham 10.00am Eucharist, The Assumption, 10.00am Eucharist, St Giles, Houghton 11.00am Parish Mass (sung), St Mary’s, Walsingham

St Stephen’s Day, Thursday 26 December NEW VENUE 11.00am Mass (sung), All Saints, East Barsham, followed by drinks

Catholic National Shrine & Basilica of Our Lady 12.00 Mass, daily throughout season except Christmas Day

Catholic Parish of Walsingham, Wells, Blakeney and Advent 3pm Sat 30 Nov, Advent Vigil, Our Lady of Annunciation, Walsingham 3pm Sun 15 Dec, Advent Carol Service, Basilica of Our Lady, Houghton

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24 December 6.00pm Mass, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Wells 6.00pm Mass, St Henry Walpole, Burnham Market 8.00pm Mass, St Peter’s, Blakeney 8.30pm Vigil Mass (sung), Basilica of Our Lady, Houghton

Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December 9.15am Mass, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Wells 9.30am Mass, St Henry Walpole, Burnham Market 11.00am Mass, St Peter’s, Blakeney 10.30am Mass (sung), Our Lady of the Annunciation, Walsingham

24 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghton Diary outline for Dec and Jan Check details before attending

Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival Fakenham Parish Church Thurs 28 Nov – Thurs 5 Dec, 10am – 8pm Christmas Lights Switch On Sat 30 November, 5pm, Common Place Walsingham School Christmas Fayre Sun 1 Dec, 12noon to 3pm Walsingham School sing at Fakenham Morrisons and Cranmer House Wed 11 Dec Walsingham School Christingle St Peter’s Church Thurs 12 Dec, 2pm Walsingham School Christmas concert St Mary’s church Wed 18 Dec, 2pm MU Winter Lunches Parish Hall, High Street, Jan 17, 25, 31 at 12.30pm Walsingham Picture Palace Save the date: Tues 28 Jan, 7.30pm

December – January 2019/20 25

News from Heritage House After a summer of cream tea outings (two to the walled garden at Holkham, one to Wells Sailing Club and one to Pensthorpe) and an impromptu bus trip to the seaside for our day visitors, we now have to think about the big one. Yes, Christmas is a’coming and although we don’t start as early as some supermarkets we do have to plan ahead. It started for us over the last weekend of November when we had three things going on: a stall at Wells Christmas Tide Festival, a tree in the Wells Christmas Tree Festival and one of our regular cake & produce stalls in Burnham Market.

Next there’s another of the very popular Bingo nights that are organised and run for us by our care staff. It’s on Thursday, 12 December and, as usual, it will be held in Heritage House from 6.30pm. The following weekend, the 14th and 15th, there’s the 2019 Holkham Festive Food Fair and once again Heritage House has been lucky enough to be selected as the beneficiary charity. The format of the weekend will be much the same as last year and there will be two grand raffles with really excellent prizes – one each day. Do come along if you can.

Later in the month, on the morning of Saturday the 21st, there’s the last of our cake & produce stalls on The Green in Burnham Market for this year. This is the main event, our Christmas stall, and as always there will be plenty of cakes and other festive fare to be had. Your chance to stock up before the big day. Cakes will also feature largely in our Grand Christmas Draw – and these are not just Christmas cakes, they’re Trevor WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR Wright Christmas cakes (you may remember the wonderful array of cakes he and Moira produced this BUSINESS IN NEWS & VIEWS? time last year)! They’ll be the star items in the festive hampers we’re currently raffling. Tickets are on sale Advertise here for only £35 per year now from Heritage House (01328 711333) and from Moira Wright (07717 222332) and the draw will take Please contact Lynette Sutton place on Wednesday, 18 December. Go on, you might be lucky! Happy Christmas. Tel: 01328 820560 e-mail: [email protected] Nigel Dark, committee member

December – January 2019/20 27

Walsingham and District WI Well 2019 is nearly over and soon we will be welcoming Our diary for the start of 2020 looks very promising. in the New Year. We all think as a WI we have done a January is Mr Philip West – Kings Lynn to Wells. lot, and certainly achieved a lot, and in doing so we February is Joanna Dobson – My life living with the have made new friends and have learnt a lot about Altai Indigenous people of Siberia and March is Mrs what is going on in our beautiful County Norfolk along Vale – playing the part of Elizabeth Fry. the way. So here is a brief account of what we have been doing. If any of you ladies are interested in joining us, we meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Walsingham Parish We have had many good and interesting speakers. Hall, High Street. Little Walsingham at 2.15pm. Please Firstly in January it was Mrs Kathrine Temple with her contact either Mrs Christine Barnes tel 01328 853015 Cheesy experience. February was Mrs Parry, The Red or secretary, Mrs Patsy Groom 01328 821996. We Barn Murders. March was Zoe Smith from the Hawk look forward to seeing you. and Owl Trust. April was Imogen White from the Amazona Zoo. May was Mrs Christine Humphries, Life Barbara Scott, WI member of a Tea Caddy. June was Mrs Rosa Wilson, The Anglo Saxon Cunning Woman. July was Mrs Barbara Miller on the Great Hospital. October was Mr Roger Jones, Wild Orchids of Norfolk. Plus we have had other social afternoons, such as our Harvest lunch, picnic at St. Seraphim’s, lunch at the Victorious Bistro. A walk around Holkham to raise money for ACWW, the Associated Country Women of the World, not forgetting our auction to raise money for East Anglian Air Ambulance and then Norfolk day to raise money for The Big C charity which is local to Norfolk. All in all we have had a very busy time enjoyed by everyone.

December – January 2019/20 29 News from Dr Marie Strong our County Councillor Have your say on Norfolk’s However I am also aware that there it is available. Openreach installs Council Tax: CLOSING DATE are those who could access better broadband infrastructure that can be 10 December broadband but are still uncertain used by any Internet Service Provider Go to www.norfolk.gov.uk/budget as to what is available to them or that chooses to make use of it. and have your say. The council is how to go about accessing it. But proposing a rise of 3.99 per cent now it is easier because Openreach Period poverty: Forgive me for for 2020/21 i.e. 1.99% for general has a new online checker – go to: ending with an item that continues services and 2% for adult social care. https://www.openreach.com/fibre- to anger me – Value Added Tax (If not familiar with computers ask broadband/ (VAT) on sanitary items. It did not for assistance at the library or wait comfort me to have confirmed that for posted information). Closing • Press ‘Use our fibre checker the VAT on such items was now date for comments 10 December; button’ ‘only 5%’ when many items have Cabinet reviews the matter on 13 • Enter your postcode, tick the box no VAT – for instance gambling and January and the decision will be set to say you are not a robot, and bingo! Then it was explained to at full Council on 17 February. click on the green search button me that some of VAT on sanitary to the right of the box where items can be claimed back by Clean Rivers: you enter the postcode. organisations providing support for At the recent full council, i.e. • Pick the address from the list abused women. The word ‘irony’ attendance required of 84 county • It then either shows services comes to mind. councillors to discuss and vote, as available or says whether I proposed a motion for NCC to something is planned Upwards and onwards ‘Call on the Government to fast- • When services are available it Dr Marie Strong, track flagship legislation to better has a ‘View Providers’ button. This [email protected]/ protect and restore our waterways shows which Internet Service 07920 286 597 and invest in effective monitoring Providers are offering services. and enforcement to ensure that all Wells Division: Barshams & Houghton You can then check all available our rivers are one again clean and St Giles, with , providers and decide which offers healthy’. I still wonder if it was my Blakeney, Brinton with , the best service for you. reference to Wind in the Willows & Saxlingham, and ‘messing about on the river’ or Glandford with Letheringsett, Great Which Internet Service the details I quoted as to potentially Snoring, Great & Little Walsingham, Providers can provide Fibre deadly bacteria in our rivers , Holkham, Langham, Broadband? affecting humans, fish, birds, insects , Sculthorpe, , and mammals – that uniquely A number of people have told me with , & Little received support from all political that when they ask their existing Thornage, Warham, Wells-next-the- and independent parties, with one providers to quote for fibre some Sea, , abstention. say they cannot offer fibre because only BT Openreach is allowed Better Broadband for Norfolk: to offer that service. This must Whilst not everyone in Norfolk can be a misunderstanding on their as yet access better broadband work part because no provider can be does continue to achieve that target. barred from accessing fibre where

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