The Mallard Issue 329 March 2019 SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Lots to join in below. Toadwatch Massingham. Toads are in decline all over the UK, mainly due to habitat loss and in- creased traffic. The ponds at Great and are a rare and important refuge where toads can survive but they need our help to get across the roads during the spring breeding season. Please come to the Orangery at the Dabbling Duck on March 5th at 7pm to learn about toads, what they are doing at this time of year and how we help them. There is more info at www.toadwatch.org - please ring John on 01603 812472 if you would like to help the toads but can’t come on the 5th. Village Clean-up Biodiversity Project – Next working party The annual spring clean is on The first regular Saturday morning working th Saturday 30th March. Meet at party of 2019 is on 9 March from 10 am. the Well at 10 am. We expect to prepare and sow a new path Come armed with wellies, gloves & rakes. around the north side of the pond and to Hi-viz jackets, litter pickers & bags will clear last year’s top growth from the water be provided. You’ll be amazed at how meadow. enjoyable two hours litter picking can be! The snowdrops have been notable this year and are Thank you to some of our residents who ready for dividing and re- regularly litter pick during the year. Our litter bin rubbish goes to landfill so please planting. We’ve also had do not place cans and bottles in them but success with winter aconites put them in your green bin at home. This (see picture) which we hope will multiply at way we are helping the environment and the west end of the wood. also keeping our village a place to be proud We’ll have our usual mid morning break for of. Many thanks. refreshments. New volunteers are especially See you on the 30th! Andrew Bickerton welcome. Mike Jackson (520 056) BOWLS CLUB & CRICKET CLUB Race Night Admission by programme

Programme £1 for adults, Children Free.

Saturday 30th March at Great Massingham Village Hall (Includes Club membership for the Night) 1st Race starts at 7.30pm 1

Mallard News This parish magazine is Strollers…. Great Massingham published every month for the residents of Great and Little Calling all Striders, Strollers, Bowls Club Massingham with the support of Stragglers and Strugglers! Prize BINGO! the Great Massingham Parish Strollers begins again on There will be a prize Council, the Parochial Church th Council and Massingham Sunday 17 March. bingo to raise funds for Village Hall Trustees. Meet at the Well, 9.30 am, to stroll Great Massingham www.greatmassingham.net round Little Massingham followed Bowls Club on e-mail: th [email protected] by lunch at the Dabbling Duck. Monday 25 March.

Editorial Committee Let me know if you wish to join us. Doors open

Editor: Bev. Randall. Phone 01485 520307 or e-mail: 7pm., eyes 6 Abbeyfields [email protected] down 7.30pm. Great Massingham 01485 520 899 Everyone welcome. Good prizes and raffle. Andrew Bickerton Treasurer: David Baines All welcome! 01485 520 966 Parish Council Report - February meeting Website: Contact the Editor - as above. Seven councillors, the Clerk and ten parishioners attended the meeting . Deadline for the Mr. Ward, Village Hall Chairman, gave a progress report on the Hall refurbishment. (see page 16 for details) The members next issue thanked Messrs Ward and Allen, and all others involved in this 20th March project, for all their hard work. It was agreed to position the green box, to facilitate faster In this issue broadband, near to the notice board, next to the shop. nd • Toadwatch All present were reminded that an election is to be held on 2 • Village Spring Clean May for the Parish Council. Full details are on the Borough • Biodiversity Project Council website. Anyone wanting further information should • Race Night speak to the Clerk. • Strollers The current website was discussed and it was acknowledged • Bowls Club Bingo that it handles the Parish Council’s statutory requirements for • ‘Histry’ Bits • Village Hall Events notices/information perfectly well. It enables the Council’s • West Folk legal responsibilities to be fulfilled. • Quiz Night A number of complaints had been received regarding the ever- • Craft & Chat increasing number of ducks and that they are constantly being • Gert & Daisy fed in the area of the village near to the biodiversity project. • Calling all Artists Reports have also been received that fires have been lit on this • League of Friends part of the Village Green. Anyone responsible is asked to dis- • Neighbourhood Watch • Store & Deli Latest continue these activities. Failure to comply will leave the Par- • Dog Fouling ish Council with little alternative but to investigate legal reme- • Pet Photo Competition dies to address this anti-social behaviour. • Remembering Derick There has been considerable concern regarding the possible • Film Club renumbering/renaming of some houses in the Walcup’s Lane • Trefoil Guild area. This matter is the Borough Council’s responsibility and • Nourish Mind & Body • VH AGM Report further discussions are to take place with a view to resolving • Rev’d Judith’s this difficult matter. The members of the Parish Council fully • Church News understand the views expressed by the residents. • Church Services There has been an unwelcome increase in dog fouling. Parish- • Village Hall Refurb. ioners are asked to report any incidents to the Dog Wardens at • School 100 Club the Borough Council so that appropriate action against the of- • Baby and Toddler fenders can be taken. • Dates for your Diary th The next meeting is on Monday 18 March, at 7.30 pm. 2

Mallard News

‘Histry Bits’.... A Real Treat I doubt if any of us Village boys back in the fifties actually believed in God – though we’d have certainly said we did if we’d been asked. There was too much at stake to confess to the truth. Because, once a year, on a Sunday in June, after the hay harvest was done, and before the corn harvest could get under way, one of Peeling’s green buses, belching smoke from its rattling exhaust, would draw up early in the morning in front of the church, and an excited scrum of children – plus a few supervising adults – clutching bags of cheese sandwiches and bot- tles of pop, would squeeze themselves on board, three to a double seat and grind off in the general direction of the coast. The long-awaited, much discussed An- nual Massingham Sunday School Treat was under way. The destination was of course, always pronounced Hunstun, noted, as Stanley Holloway might have said, for fresh air and fun. And there to greet them in the coach park were the smiling Massingham Rector, Muzzy Davies and his gaunt black-clad wife who, if she had a Christian name, never revealed it to anybody in the village. They had travelled by car, presumably not wanting to get too close to the unwashed rabble on the bus! It was Mrs. Davies who, clutching a register, ticked their names off as they emerged and issued dire warnings about them being left behind if they weren’t back at the coach by six o’clock sharp. It was that self-same register which, for the previous twelve months, had been wielded in mortal combat between Mrs. Davies and the boys and girls of the village. Put quite simply, if you didn’t attend Sunday School enough weeks in a year, you didn’t qualify for the ‘Treat’ and would be left behind. In a village where only a very few people owned a car, that was a huge depriva- tion indeed. But, so was being forced to memorise the Apostles’ Creed, when spring was in full blossom outside the dusty windows of the Rectory, when there were trees to be climbed, and birds’ nests to be found, and ferrets to be fed and trained. It was a simple case of bribery and corruption – but all in a good cause. And in the end, as far as I can recall, nobody was ever left be- hind, and I can still recite the Apostles’ Creed by heart. (almost!) David Miller 3

Mallard News Village Hall VILLAGE HALL REGULAR EVENTS Craft and Chat Keep Fit Wed. 1.45 to 2.45pm In the Village Hall Bar, Bingo Fridays at 7.30pm 2pm - 4.30pm Auction Sundays £1.50 includes refreshments. Coronation Club (4th Wed.) 2pm - 4pm Mondays 4th and 18th March and Baby &Toddler Thurs. 10am - 11.30am 1st, 15th and 29th April W/Norfolk Radio Sundays 7pm -10pm Please join us. Everyone welcome. Craft & Chat (1st & 3rd Mon) 2 - 4.30pm Trefoil Guild 2nd Thursday, each month Great Massingham Village Quiz Film Night 3rd Thursday, each month Thursday 28th March, Quiz Nights 4th Thursday, each month Entry £2 per contestant Bowls - Short Mat Wednesdays 7pm - 9.30 Questions start at 7:30 pm prompt in Historical Society 2nd Monday 7.30pm the bar of the village hall, on the fourth Youth Club Tuesdays 6.45- 9.15pm Thursday of every month. Yoga With a Chair Tuesdays 10am - 11am Raffle included. Proceeds are divided between the winners & the Village Hall. West Norfolk Radio’s Live Shows New quiz masters & new teams coming.

Village Hall Bar 7-10pm, FREE entry. If you want to be kept updated 10 March Esbe, Ludlam Pikes & Fran on quiz news & events, McGillivray and Mike Burke please email Peter James, 24 March Steve Hewitt and Steve & Fiona O’Kane [email protected]. www.westnorfolkradio.co.uk Peter James (01485 521 706)

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Mallard News Gert & Daisy...... Well, here we are agin. Blast thas bin a bad month. Despite all Daisy’s efforts in getting her mum better and letting her go home she very sadly passed away in hospital on 31st January. She had spent a few days at home but suffered a stroke and was admitted to hospital on 27th January. We were very sorry to hear about the death of Derick Drewery. He was such a character; Gert had lived next door to him for 38 years and he always called her his neighbour from hell. Those who remember the Old Time Music Halls that we used to put on up the Hall, will remember him as the Massingham Muckspreader. Our thoughts are with Stephen, Linda and all their families. We have also heard that Mrs Enid Gooch has passed away. She was 97 and lived in the village for many, many years until going to live in a Care Home. The Valentine’s Dance up the Hall hed ter be cancelled due ter lack of interest. Obvious- ly we hint got eny romantics in the village (we knew that!). We wus pleased ter see the Post Office is now open on Wednesday arternoons and don’t shut fer dinner at all. That little shop is a proper tardis and nothing is too much trubble. Gert is in luv with the false cream cakes cos she don’t loike proper cream. We hed a new member at the Craft Chat th’other day. Denny Winner came along and showed us how he does his macramé. For yew who don’t know what that is, thas tying knots in a bit of string. He med a luvly plant holder. We hope he’ll come back next toime. We hev noticed that there are over twenty geese back on the pit – soon there will be a hundred agen. Daisy reckon the Parish Council hev a plan – let’s hope so! We would like to wish Daphne Cross all the best for a speedy recovery after her spell in hospital. Hopefully, the improving weather will help all poorly people to feel better soon. Well, thas awl we hev fer this month – we will be going on holiday in April so next toime we will be gitting excited! Dew yew keep atroshing. Gert and Daisy. As we sed larst month, instead of ‘Thought of the Month’, this year we hope to share some of that gud ol Norfolk bor Keith Skipper’s jokes. Yew ken find him on Facebook if yew hev a puter. So here we go….. Courtesy of Keith Skipper’s Page:- George hed problems with his puter so he rang the IT support. The man on the other end of the phone asked if he hed ever disabled eny cookies. George thort fer a minit and then sed, “ Well, I bit the leg off a gingerbread man once”. Calling all Artists KING’S LYNN Norfolk Creative Arts in Grimston is HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS inviting artists to apply to exhibit in their The total collected for the above in Great annual exhibition at the end of Massingham amounted to £430.41. April. The exhibition will be in the A big thank you to all who contributed. A school and is limited to 100 pieces of art. good result, well done. Peter W. Frost Artists (living within a 50 mile radius) Neighbourhood Watch who wish to apply should register to After several recent burglaries residents of receive an application form by email to:- 49- 64 Castle Acre Rd have set up a Neigh- [email protected] or call bourhood Watch group. Whilst this group 01485 240 420 or, alternatively, only covers the properties above it is hoped download a form from the website other areas might want to do the same. It is www.norfolkcreativearts.co.uk an easy process and the Administrator for the The closing date for applications Scheme & the Police were very helpful. is the 31st March. Contact Peter James, 521 706 for more info. 6

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Village Stores & Post Office Latest News…...

HOME DELIVERY From the Friday 15th March we will be launching a new home delivery service bringing our range of gro- ceries and services to 10 villages - see the leaflet for details. (copy left) We will be delivering each Friday between 1pm and 5pm and a minimum spend of £25 applies (excluding the value of cigarettes and alcohol) You can either pop in to the store and do your shop- ping and we will deliver to you or, alternatively, you can order over the phone and we will assemble your order and deliver it to you. Let us do the hard work for you… We will be delivering to: Gt. Massingham, Little Massingham, Weasenham, Weasenham St Peter, Harpley,West Rudham,East Rudham, Helhoughton, West Raynham, South Raynham, Rougham. WEBSITE… We now have our own website www.massinghamstores.co.uk where you can find details of all our news, services general updates. MOBILE POST OFFICE We will be launching a brand new mobile post office service by the beginning of April which will serve the communities in twelve villages across North and West Norfolk. We are currently at the stage of recruiting a new member of staff to run the service but, when we go live, the van service will offer all of the services you would expect to find in branch. We will also offer a limited range of groceries to complement the post office services. For more details please ask in store and look on our website for updates. The service will operate Monday -Thursday, initially & will provide services to the following villages: East Rudham, Harpley, Hillington, , West Newton, , , Thornham, Field Dalling, & . NEW RANGES We continue to squeeze more and more new lines in to the store - in fact, we have man- aged to find room for an additional 307 new lines now! Latest additions include: cream cakes, frozen food meal deals, new cheeses on our delicatessen, fever tree tonic waters, and Nutella to name a few… Mark and Kerry Please help with this problem……... Pet Photo Competition From Editor’s Postbag… ‘The footpath RAISING MONEY FOR leading off of Sunnyside Rd into the wooded Service Dogs UK, area has an alarming amount of dog mess on F.A.I.T.H Animal Rescue the walkway - not to the side but right where and Nelson’s Journey you walk. I’ve never seen it so bad. What 22 Classes that include dog, cat & other annoys me the most is that there is a dog animal sections.£1 per entry - Rosette to mess bin at the entrance! I don’t understand 6th place In addition, Grand Raffle. why dog owners are not picking up. I walk You can enter both online or by post there with my young son but will have to Contact 01485 578 380 or stop now, which is such a shame. Many oth- [email protected] er people with children walk there too.’ for details. Closing date 1st May 2019 8

Mallard News Remembering Derick There will be a special evening at Great Massingham Village Hall, beginning at 7.30pm, on Saturday 23rd March to remember the late Derick Drewery. The evening will mainly consist of the screening of recordings of Derick’s memorable performances in pantomimes and ‘Old Time Music Hall’ shows. With his acts such as Sir Drunkalot in the pantomime ‘Hamalott’, Crackpot Sam in ‘Cannibals & Coconuts’, as a member of the Mustava Maydam Istayk, eastern act, a ven- triloquist’s dummy in ‘Father George and Friends’ or as the infa- mous Massingham Muckspreader. Sprinkled with one or two an- Derick as the ecdotes about his life from those who knew him, it is bound to be Massingham a fun evening. Muckspreader Entry will be free but donations can be made to Tapping House. Copies of the special compilation dvd will also be available. Andrew Bickerton. TREFOIL GUILD MEETING th FILM NIGHT March 14 at 7pm March 21st Great Massingham Village Hall Bohemian Rhapsody Christopher Toye will give a talk entitled 7pm for 7.30pm ‘Kalahari Bushmen - their past & future’ £4 per person The evening is open to both members and Gt Massingham Village Hall A foot-stomping celebration of non-members (£2). Please join us for what Queen, their music and their will be an interesting talk. lead singer Freddie Mercury.

NOURISH YOUR MIND AND BODY! Do you want to feel stronger, energized, happier and reduce your risk of major illness and stress? Exercise and meditation is the miracle cure we've always had. Join one of our sociable community classes suitable for ALL levels. FITNESS... Julie offers Circuits, HIIT and Zumba classes at Harpley & Village Halls. Zumba classes: Monday 7-8pm, Wednesday 9:30-10:30am Thursday 6:30-7:30pm at Leziate Village Hall. Circuit classes: Tuesday 9-10am, Wednesday 6-7pm and Friday 9-10am. YOGA + MINDFULNESS... Emilie teaches weekly ‘Beginners Yoga’, ‘Vinyasa Flow Yoga’ classes at East Rudham Village Hall and Harpley Village Hall. Join Emilie on: Monday 9:30 - 10:30am ‘Beginners Yoga’ in Harpley; Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00pm ‘Vinyasa Flow’ in East Rudham Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30pm ‘Beginners Yoga’ in Harpley. Emilie teaches across including: Fakenham, Wendling (Dereham), Holt and . (see advert on page 4) Contact details for Emilie Joy Garrould Contact details for Julie Atack-Austin Mob: 07909 586 993 [email protected] [email protected] Mob: 07721 774198 www.santoshayoganorfolk.com Facebook: Jules Atack-Austin Fitness @SantoshaYogaNorfolk 9

Village Hall AGM Meeting on 27th January 2019 Chair’s Report - given on behalf of the Trustees at the January 27th AGM Principal Activities The Trustees have identified at least twenty-three different organisations and estimate up to six hundred people from Massingham and the surrounding villages use the facility each month. The Trustees, therefore, see their principle responsibilities are to improve, main- tain & promote the Hall as the key focal point for the Village. This, in turn, will maintain the income from use of the Hall. The Trustees are also overseeing the Community Interest Company & appoint & monitor the Directors that administer the Social Club. The Social Club generates funds that go towards maintaining the Hall and Social Club as a whole. The Trustees key objectives for 2018 have been as follows: - To finalise the plans for Stage One of the Village Hall refurbishment. To acquire the funding to cover the cost of Stage One of the Village Hall refurbishment. To improve our overall financial planning to allow for more exceptional expenditure. To enhance our Maintenance Planning to ensure the Hall is kept in good repair. To change the status of the charity to one of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Changing the status offers many benefits regarding recruiting & retaining trustees, having access to good legal advice and having only now to report to the Charity Commission - reducing red tape and other costs.The Trustees have successfully met all these objectives. On behalf of the Trustees We welcome Diane Curson as a Trustee to strengthen the marketing team, we thank Mark Bailey as our advisor re: finance & planning and we are grateful to Arthur Allen for over- seeing our transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Special thanks go too to Vic Cross as the long-standing effective general manager of the Social Club and Hall without whom the village would not have such an excellent facility for socialising and events. It’s hard to overstate how vital and selfless Vic is in all he does. Special thanks also to Debbie Lambert for helping to share the task of running the Social Club and to Irene Allen, as bookkeeper, whose hard work ensures the Hall functions so efficiently. Thank you to our Village Hall Trustees who work voluntarily with no remuneration. In turn, they thank their staff, suppliers and the local community for their continued support. This Year The Trustees have worked hard this year to secure funding for a long-planned and much needed refurbishment of the Hall. (see page 8) They have secured funding from the Parish Council, WREN, Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’, West Norfolk Wins Lottery, Barclays Bank and other local sources, not least those who donate regularly from their clubs and societies. The efforts Massingham people make to support their Hall is spectacular. The Trustees have also ensured the Hall is well managed, has good governance and meets all requirements regarding policies and procedures. Main Priorities For The Future To complete Stage One of the refurbishments to the driveway and entrance, the kitchen, the toilets and the Lambing Yard and the frontage of the Hall and signs. When the refurbishment is complete to maximise the revenue the Hall delivers by pro- moting it for events, parties and life celebrations. When Stage One is complete to find ways to support the CIC to improve the environment in the Social Club. Thereafter, start to plan Stage Two of the refurbishment to the Hall to reach the objectives we originally set ourselves to provide a separate meeting room, a better facility for Com- munity Cars and a conservatory for the Social Club. Philip Ward, Chair of Trustees, January 2019 10

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Message From Rev’d Judith Pollard What Does Lent Mean? TheT EnglishO A LLword P ‘Lenten ARISHIONERS’ derives from the lengthening of days after winter as we move into spring, a time of growth and renewal. The Christian observance of Lent has its origins in the ancient church and the preparation of candidates for baptism. Easter was the only time when baptisms were carried out and so the days leading up to Easter held particular significance for baptismal candidates - it was the final stage in their long preparation to become members of the Christian church. Lent was also a time of preparation for those who had been excommunicated, thrown out of the church for ‘grave and public sin’. Lapsed Christians were reconciled and the ex- communicated re-admitted to the Church’s sacramental life in time for the great celebra- tion of Easter, after the completion of a period of penance. It was not long before the Church came to realise the benefits to all Christian people of such a period of preparation, in order to be truly ready to celebrate the death and resur- rection of Jesus at Easter. Over time, the Church’s rules governing the observance of Lent have softened. In the early centuries penitence, self-denial, almsgiving, prayer, fast- ing and study were all rigorously demanded. A 12th century poem records: “Now is the healing time decreed, for sins of heart and word and deed, when we in humble fear record the wrong that we have done the Lord.” It is interesting that the word healing is used here, suggesting that, even in the earliest times, Lent had a positive pastoral focus; it was a time of reconciliation, where people’s spiritual shortcomings could be forgiven and made right with God. St. Bernard of Clair- vaux writes: “Sorrow for sin is indeed necessary but it should not involve endless self- preoccupation. You should dwell also on the glad remembrance of the loving kindness of God.” How can we, in the 21st century, take full advantage of the season of Lent? Perhaps a good place to start is to ask: What does ‘Lent’ really mean to me this year? What do I need to do to get the most out of this opportunity? How can I re-boot my life? Jesus chose to spend time alone, retreating into the austere environment of the desert to pray; he shows us that having personal space, peace and quiet, is important. Less is more... God will not accept false piety. God knows all our shortcomings and he loves us still. If we act fairly, with generosity, compassion and justice, God will reward us. There is a lovely phrase in Isaiah: “you shall be like a watered garden.” How wonderful, the profu- sion of a watered garden! Lent offers us all an inspiring new beginning, to discover a little more about how God is working in our lives. Have a joyful Lent. With my love and prayers, Revd Judith x

Funerals Advance Notice of ……. Jeanne Howlett, (formerly of Great ‘What’s happening at Easter’ Massingham) at Mintlyn, on 8th February. Easter Lilies: If you would like to buy a lily to remember Derick Drewery, from Great st a loved one this Easter please Massingham, at St Mary’s on 21 contact Anna on 520 196 , February, followed by burial in the before 3rd April. Lilies will cost £2.50. churchyard. Easter Bonnets & Craft Morning Our thoughts and wishes are th with their families. Saturday 13 April, at 10.30am, at Great Massingham Village Hall. A fun morning with coffee, juice & cake. 12

Church Services March 2019 Date Time Service Location 1st March 2.00 pm Women’s World Day of Prayer Pott Row Methodist 3rd March 8.30 am Holy Communion Ashwicken Next Before Lent 10.30 am Holy Communion Grimston 10.30 am Morning Praise Gayton 11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham 6.00 pm Evensong Congham 6th March 9.00 am Holy Communion with Ashing Harpley Ash Wednesday 7.00 pm Service of Ashing Grimston 10th March 10.30 am Group Holy Communion Little Massingham 1st Sunday in Lent 4.00 pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist 17th March 8.30 am Holy Communion Roydon 2nd Sunday in Lent 9.30 am Holy Communion Little Massingham 10.30 am Holy Communion Gayton 10.30 am Morning Praise Grimston 11.00 am Family Service Great Massingham 11.15 am Sung Holy Communion Harpley 20th March 9.00 am Holy Communion Grimston 24th March 8.30 am Holy Communion Congham 3rd Sunday of Lent 10.30 am Family Service Grimston 11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham 3.00 pm Celtic Service Gayton Thorpe 31st March 8.30 am Holy Communion Roydon 4th Sunday of Lent 9.30 am Mothering Sunday Celebration Harpley 10.30 am Mothering Sunday Celebration Gayton 11.00 am Mothering Sunday Celebration Great Massingham 3rd April 9.00 am Holy Communion Harpley 7th April 8.30 am Holy Communion Ashwicken 10.30 am Holy Communion Grimston 10.30 am Morning Praise Gayton 11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham Benefice Prayer Meeting, Sunday 3rd March, at 3pm, at the Rectory Gayton and 7th April at St Andrews, Congham. For more news visit our website at www.ggmbenefice.uk CHURCH NEWS sight into all aspects of the way our church The Christingle service was once again a works. Everyone is welcome. wonderful occasion and raised an amazing Wednesday Teas, from 2pm, at Mary and £347.21 raised for the Children’s Society. A Judith’s, 3 Abbeyfields, Gt Massingham. huge thank you to everyone. Our Lent courses begin on 12th March Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting with ‘Walking to Glory’, at Kim and Alan will be held at St Mary’s Church on Thursday Frazer’s house, in Great Massingham. 4th April at 7pm. This meeting gives an in- Contact Rev’d Judith for more details. 13

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Landlords Electrical Testing Electrical Upgrades All Work Fully Insured For your free estimate please call Adam Prime on 01485 601141 07765 786709 [email protected] Heath Farm Shop FIRING Family run business selling quality & bespoke meat and produce, from our own SQUAD farm & local Suppliers Heath farm Shop, Lynn Lane, Great Massingham WOODBURNERS King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2HJ 01485 520 828 Comprehensive stock to view at our Open 9-5 Monday to Friday showroom on 9-1 Saturday The West Raynham Business Park. 01328 854 098 e-mail: [email protected] www.firingsquadwoodburners.com APPROVED CLEARVIEW STOCKIST

Welcomes old & new members

High quality fitted and free-standing furniture. Individually designed, Excellent facilities and a friendly atmosphere. personally installed by experts from Good beer, real ale, wines and spirits all at competitive prices. our Great Massingham workshops. Separate snooker room. Satellite, large screen TV. www.tenacityinteriors.com Outside drinking area. Entertainment throughout the year.

Membership applications can be obtained CALL TODAY from the club bar 01485 521888

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Useful Numbers Organisation Contact Phone No. Allotment Association Gill Goold 0750 824 2223 Baby & Toddler Rachael Lockwood Contact Village Hall Biodiversity Project Mike Jackson 520 056 Borough Council Tim Tilbrook 01485 601413 Bell Ringing Denys Winner 520 598 Bowls Club Peter Wadham 520 796 Church Contacts Revd Judith Pollard 01485 601 251 Community Car Scheme Office 520 823 Coronation Club Jill Whitmore 520 609

County Council Stuart Graham Dark 07450 679 355 Doctors Massingham Surgery 520 521 The Film Night Arthur Allen 520 628 Fishing Warden Guy Belsom Sue Nash on 520 476 Guide Trefoil Guild Shirley Rae 520 259 Massingham Historical Society Peter James 521 706 Tennis and Multi-Sports Club Arthur Allen 520 628 Parish Council Kevin Webb (Clerk) 01328 855 046 Vic Cross (Chair) 520 387 Pre-School Pip Armitage 07807 185 746 Police Non-emergency 101 School Ann Beardall 520 362 Village Hall Hall & Bar & Vic Cross 520 588/520 387

OVEN CLEANING Mark, Kerry and staff welcome you to your local shop, 7 days a week. CARPET CLEANING Monday to Saturday 8am to 5.30pm Sunday 9.30 -12.30 SOFA CLEANING Tel: 520 272 Call the local experts now Our Post Office is open from 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday & 9am-1pm on Saturday. Clean Tech It offers euros on demand as well as holiday insurance & other foreign currency. 01485 609223 The store has lots of new lines including a new range of newspapers & magazines, Card, cheque and cash stationery, DIY, cakes and biscuits. More range changes coming in next few weeks….. payments accepted

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Refurbishment of the Village Hall Begins The Village Hall Refurbishment begins this month with the work being carried out over the next three months. Clearly, there will be some inconvenience to regular users of the Hall but we will seek to minimise it. What can you expect from the Refurbishment? Starting at the entrance to the drive, the verges will be cut back either side of the entrance to improve the view down Station Road in both directions and make leaving the Hall safer. There will be a new STOP sign and a new, illuminated, Village Hall Sign. The drive itself will be resurfaced and priority will be given to those coming into the Hall. Alongside the bowls green there will be a separated illuminated pathway, with a slip- resistant surface, which will lead directly to the hall entrance. The poor old Lambing Yard will be getting a new roof and gutter, new door and window, the wall will be strengthened and along with the outside kitchen wall, will be getting a coat of render to smarten it up. There will be a Village Hall sign on the outside kitchen wall. The plan is to make the Hall look much more attractive as you arrive. The Kitchen gets a much-needed makeover with underpinning to the south-facing wall and to the floor. It will be decorated & refitted with two ovens, two hobs, two dishwashers and two fridges. There will be new cupboards that will be equipped with new cutlery and tableware and the plate warmer will be retained. The door from the Hall to the toilets will be widened to allow easier wheelchair and push -chair access. The toilets will be completely replaced to include disabled & baby-changing facilities. The builders will gut the Toilets, Lambing Yard and Kitchen first so there will be a time when particularly the loos are out of action. Don’t worry, if you need to ‘spend a penny’ you will be able to use the recently refurbished toilets in the Changing rooms. Hopefully, after a few weeks of inconvenience, we will be left with a Village Hall of which we can all be proud. Primary School Great Massingham Baby and Results of the 23rdJanuary draw are Toddler 1st prize - Judy Tomes EVERY THURSDAY 2nd prize - Carol Walker From 10 - 11.30am 3rd prize - Mike Jackson at the Village Hall More squares still available. £2 with snack of tea & cake, 50p second Call Joules 07761 983212 child. See us on facebook. Dates for your Diary – March Date Event Time Place 4,18 March Craft & Chat 2 - 4.30 pm Village Hall Bar 9 March Biodiversity Working Party 10 am Weasenham Rd Pond 11 March Historical Society 7.30 pm Village Hall 14 March Trefoil Guild 7pm Village Hall 17 March Strollers Walk 9.30 am Meet at The Well 21 March Film Night 7 for 7.30 pm Village Hall 23 March Remembering Derick 7.30 pm Village Hall 25 March Bowls Club Bingo 7 for 7.30 pm Village Hall 28 March Quiz Night 7.30 pm Village Hall Bar 30 March Village Spring Clean 10 am Meet at the Well 30 March Race Night 7 for 7.30pm Village Hall 16