Swaffham Newsletter

SN
Online
November 2022
Your free town newsletter published by Iceni Partnership
SWAFFHAM
newslet ter
version available to view at www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
NEWS EVENTS INFORMATION
Swaffham Golf Club's plans
for end of Centenary Year
Find out more on their article on page 13
REGULARS
SCALGA
(Allotment
Association)
p.18
Swaffham
& District
Lions
p.19
Ashill &
Holme Hale
Garden Club
p.21
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Swaffham Newsletter
Iceni Partnership
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Swaffham
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Comments or queries welcomed - we are a
resource for all of the community to enjoy.
We are always open to new contributors from
Swaffham and surrounding villages.
Deadline for editorial and advertising is the
12th day of the previous month.
Swaffham Newsletter is available to pick up from
various locations across the town, including: Tesco,
Waitrose, Swaffham Library, Swaffham Musuem
and Swaffham Community Centre.
Online versions of all our previous issues are available
to view online: www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
Contents
3 Ukranian ACCESS
4 Church News
6 Community Hospital/U3A
7 Pheonix Singers/RBL
8 History Group/Swaffham Arts
9 Museum Matters
10 Climate Action/Lynn Borough Council
13 Swaffham Golf Club
17 Merle Boddy/NarVOS
18 SCALGA/Rugby Club
19 Swaffham Lions/Jazz Club
20 WEA/Rotary Club
21 Garden Club/Library News
22 Swaffham Town Council
PAY MONTHLY
Ukranian ACCESS
Free drop in service for newly arrived
Eastern European migrants now
available in Swaffham
ACCESS project workers speak Lithuanian,
Latvian, Russian, Polish and English. If you do not
speak one of these languages, we can still assist
you in your own language by using a telephone
interpretation service. If you need advice, you are
very welcome to visit us, no matter which language
you speak. You do not need to make an appointment,
just come in during drop-in hours.
Through our drop-in service, ACCESS can provide
you with free, multi-lingual advice and information.
ACCESS can provide you with practical support to
overcome language barriers. ACCESS will support you
on a range of topics, including, but not limited to:
• UK Rights and Responsibilities
• Health e.g. registering with a doctor or dentist
• Understanding what the Police can help you with
• Education e.g. where to find English classes,
registering your child at a school
• Housing
• Benefits
• Assistance with completing forms
• Understanding utility bills (water/gas/electricity)
• Booking appointments
If we cannot help you for any reason, we will signpost
or refer you to an organisation that can.
In Swaffham sessions run every first Wednesday of
the month from 11:30am – 13:30pm at Swaffham
Community Centre, Campingland, Swaffham, PE37 7RB
View Swaffham Newsletter Online
www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
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Swaffham Methodist Church
• Tuesday 1st November 10-12noon. The Meeting
Place drop In. Free refreshments. Come along and
make new friends.
• Friday 4th November 9.30am. Power of Prayer.
Contact Anne on 01760722611 for venue.
• Saturday 5th November 9.30-12noon Coffee
Morning organised by the Royal British Legion
Womens Section.
• Sunday 6th November Morning Worship led by Rev
Jacqui and including Holy Communion. Refreshments
served afterwords.
• Tuesday 8th November 10-12noon. The Meeting
Place Drop In. All welcome.
• Thursday 10th November 2.30pm. Swaffham
Friendship Group. Remembrance Reflections and
Poems. Refreshments afterwards.
• Friday 11th November 9.30am. The Power of
Prayer.
• Saturday 12th November 9.30-12noon. ‘Harry’s‘
Coffee Morning organised by Bridget Knock.
• Sunday 13th November United Service.
Remembrance Day Parade & wreath-laying at war
memorial followed by short service in the Parish
Church.
• Tuesday 15th November 10-12noon. The Meeting
Place Drop In. Today Green Pastures Christian book
stall will have cards gifts etc. All welcome.
• Sunday 20th November 10.45. Morning Worship
led by Deacon Jen Woodfin. Refreshments served
afterwards.
• Tuesday November 22nd 10-12noon. The Meeting
Place drop In. All welcome.
• Thursday 24th November 2.30pm. Swaffham
Friendship Group. Iris Reeve will tell us about her
“Pilgrimage to Burma”. Power of Prayer.
• Saturday 26th November 9.30-12noon. Coffee
Morning organised by Swaffham Brownies.
• Sunday 27th November 10.45am Morning Worship
led by Worship Leaders. Refreshments served
afterwards.
• Tuesday 29th November 10-12 noon. The Meeting
Place Drop In. All welcome. Free refreshments.
Swaffham
Assembly Rooms
A fine Georgian venue in the heart of Swaffham, Norfolk
Bespoke catering
& venue dressing
packages available
for all budgets
swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
e: enquiries@iceni.info t: 01760 722800
Talk and Presentation
Friday 25 th November 2022
6.45 for 7 pm
‘A personal journey in 2022 with
Carter, Tutankhamun, and the
Swaffham mosaic pyramid’
On 26 th November 1922, Howard Carter, with his financial backer and friend,
Lord Carnarvon, were the first people to enter the tomb of the young Pharoah
Tutankhamun for the first time in over 3,000 years. On the eve of the
centenary of this momentous event, Rev Jacqui Horton presents in words and
photos her own journey of discovery this year as it unfolded alongside the
marking in Swaffham of the life and achievements of the Carters (who, as a
family, have been resident in Swaffham since at least 1785)
* Themed refreshments * No charge * Donations invited *
For further details: 07912379101
Swaffham Methodist Church
Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul
The main November 2022 services in Swaffham
parish church will be as follows:
Sunday 6th Nov
9.30 am Sung Eucharist
3.30 pm All Souls Service
Thursday 10th Nov
7.30 pm Festival of Remembrance
Sunday 13th Nov
8.00 am Holy Communion (said)
10.45 am Act of Remembrance at the
Swaffham War Memorial, followed by a service in church.
Sunday 20th Nov
8.00 am Holy Communion (said)
9.30 am United Benefice Sung Eucharist
Sunday 27th Nov
9.30 am Advent Sunday Sung Eucharist
6.00 pm Advent Carol Service
There will be a 10 am Holy Communion service (Book
of Common Prayer) on Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th
and 30th November.
Morning Prayer is normally said in church at 9am
Monday to Friday.
Church is open daily for private prayer and for visitors
from 9 am until 4 pm outside services.
See also our website: https://www.
swaffhamparishchurch.org/ and our Swaffham
Parish Church Facebook page and via Twitter: @
swaffhamchurch
4 5
Christmas Coffee Morning
Saturday 19th November, 9.30am – 12 Noon at Parish
Church of St Peter and St Paul.
This will be our customary Saturday Coffee Morning -
with the addition of seasonal stalls eg Cakes (including
a Christmas cake raffle); Jigsaws; Treen (small wooden
turned items); and more, plus a large raffle with a
Christmas Hamper as first prize
Enquiries to Sheila Fowler 01760 722224 (Organiser).
Christmas Tree Festival
This coming Christmas season, we are delighted to
welcome the return of a fully blown Christmas Tree
Festival to our Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Twenty local charities are taking part, so there will be
plenty to see and, as usual, light refreshments will be
served every day to enhance your visit. What is not
"as usual" is that there will be in addition a wonderful
display of sculptures.
A local artist based in Pentney, Joanne Pluckrose,
will install 28 of her beautiful sculptures of Wildfire
Blowballs to provide an avenue from the Church
Gates to the Church Door. The Blowballs' shape
is that of large Dandelion seed heads made from
wire with either stainless steel or copper stems, all
different sizes and different colours with each one
having 1000 seed heads. What a sight this will be
before you behold the Christmas Trees themselves.
They need to be seen to be believed.
The Festival will be held from Saturday 26th
November to Sunday 4th December, opening 10am
to 4pm every weekday, 11am to 4pm on Sunday 27th
November and 11am - 8pm on Sunday 4th December.
You are all very welcome to enjoy the spectacle, eat
some delicious cake and at the same time give a little
practical help to our local charities to carry out their
voluntary work in the community.
Shirley Matthews

Community Hospital L Of F's
I'm pleased to say that we now have a new member
of our group. However we are still looking for
additional people to join us so if you might be
interested, do give me a call.
We have now sorted out the garden ready for
Autumn and it won't be long before we will decorate
it for Christmas. Sadly we can not decorate inside,
but, we will continue to make things as pleasant as
possible. We always supply presents for the patients
and goodies for the staff. The front garden will also
be getting some new small shrubs.
Staying with Christmas,
we are participating in
the Church Christmas
Tree Festival and will
also have a stall at the
Rotary Christmas Fair on
26th November in the
Assembly Rooms. Try
and come along as lots
of different charities will
be represented.
We have moved a step
forward with the idea
of a major expansion of
the day room at the Hospital. We have the outline
of a plan which the Hospital Trust will now develop
further. Once worked up we can share the details
with you. It is hoped the development could take
place in the 2023/24 financial year.
Our continuing thanks to those families who think
of the friends at the time of a bereavement. The
money received always gets back to benefit patients.
Similarly, the idea of the coin collection at home
scheme continues to help us, so please keep saving
that small change for us.
I am always happy to talk to anyone.
Colin Houghton (Chairman)
01760 336025
Wissey U3A
At our monthly meeting on Thursday
6th October, we enjoyed a very
informative and entertaining talk and slide show by Nik
Ravenscroft about her involvement with the ‘Bayeux
Tapestry for East Anglia’. This is an interesting project
to produce a tapestry on the history of East Anglia that
will eventually be on public display in the museum at
Norwich Castle. Nik had brought with her some sample
panels and those who wished to do so were able to
add a few stitches of their own after the meeting.
On Thursday 3rd November our guest speaker will be
Susan Barnett with her talk about ‘Hollywood Royalty’.
Susan has visited us before and proved to be a very
entertaining speaker (on a different subject, of course)
so we look forward to her return visit.
As usual we will meet at The Pavilion, Holme Hale.
Doors open at 9.45am for socialising and refreshments,
with the meeting starting promptly at 10.30am and
finishing by 12 noon.
We are a friendly group and we are keen to recruit
new members. People from all backgrounds and age
groups are welcome, the only condition being that you
are not in full-time employment.
The monthly meeting is only one side of the u3a. We
also have over 20 Activity Groups that are organised
by our members and where shared interest and
knowledge, of a wide variety of subjects, make an ideal
focus for new friendships.
Contact David Moncaster on 01760 724755 or email
him at d.moncaster@btinternet.com for further
information or visit our website: https://www.
wisseyu3a.org
Yoga with Karen
My name is Karen Bancroft and I run Yoga with Karen
– offering Hatha yoga classes in Swaffham Community
Centre and Swaffham Assembly Rooms on Monday
morning and Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
I’ve practiced yoga on and off for around 30 years
and I am passionate about sharing the wonderful
transformational aspects of this ancient practice for
the mind, body and soul.
It is a myth that you need to be flexible or strong to
do yoga – this is what the posture work will aim to
build over time with regular practice.
Yoga has given me tools to cope with life’s challenges
– we never know what’s going to happen. Let’s face
it, no one could have envisaged having to cope with
a global pandemic! The fact is that we aren’t always
in control of what happens in life, however, we can
control our responses to those events, to self-regulate
and maintain balance in the mind and body.
My yoga practice has given me so much already and
yet I know that there is so much more to learn and
to practice further. It feels like I have been given a
gift which has helped me create balance in my life. I
have built both physical and mental strength. It has
allowed me to be brave and move forward; has given
me peace and stillness; helped me cope with stressful
situations and to be able to reflect; it has given me joy
and I just feel so much better for having it in my life.
I know it is always there for me like a trusted friend.
We each take what we need from our yoga practice
and what serves us as individuals – my journey is
personal to me. You will have your own journey to
make and will take from your practice what serves
you.
I have recently started a new class on Monday
morning at Swaffham Community Centre from
9.15am – 10.15am and there are still places available.
Why not come along and give it a try?
If you would like further information about classes,
please contact me on karenbancroftyoga@yahoo.
com or call on 07968 174002
The Phoenix Singers
The Phoenix Singers are a ladies choir and we sing in
three-part harmony. New members are welcome, so
if you enjoy music and singing and would like to join
us please contact Marian on 01760 724473.
The Singers are now in full swing rehearsing for
their Christmas Concert. It’s been a while since we
were able to perform to an audience and now that
restrictions have eased, we are looking forward to
seeing some familiar faces once again.
The concert will take place on Friday 9th December
at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church, Swaffham. With
a programme of seasonal music we hope to get your
Christmas festivities off to a good start. Details of
how to get your tickets will be published nearer the
time so please come along, your support is always
appreciated. As usual the proceeds will be donated
to a local charity.
Royal British Legion
November is a really busy month for
the Legion. By the time this Newsletter
goes out you will have most probably
have seen Poppies in Tesco and Waitrose. We started
our collecting on 31st October and finish on 12th
November this year, because
Remembrance Sunday is on
13th November. Our Street
Collection is on Saturday 5th
November, when people will
be at various locations in the Town Centre.
On Thursday 10th November at 7.30pm at the
Parish Church we will be holding our Festival of
Remembrance. This had to be put on hold due to
Covid so we’re really looking forward to a great
evening. Once again Dereham Band will be playing for
us and our own Richard Winch will be singing during
the evening. This year, for the first time I think, a few
of the Legion’s own Veterans asked to read some
poems. There will also be readings from Army Cadets.
There’s no entrance fee, but we will take up a
collection for the Poppy Appeal so please come along
and support us.
Our AGM is on Tuesday 15th November. This is when
all the Officers have to stand down. A new committee
is then voted on.
So, all in all, a busy but interesting time.
If anybody would like to come along and join us you’ll
find a warm welcome. The meeting is held at the Con
Club every 3rd Tuesday.
Anne Thorp
Hon President & Poppy Appeal Organiser
Swaffham Branch RBL.
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Swaffham History Group
Frederick John Thomas M.R.C.S;L.S.A; was born in
1830 in Peckham, London. He trained as a surgeon at
the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh where he
qualified. He married Leticia Patten Rose (Wootton)
and settled in Clematis House, Castle Acre Street,
(Station Road) Swaffham where he practised his
profession of surgeon/practitioner for most of his
working life. He was surgeon to The Union Workhouse
and Medical Officer to the Sporle district of the
Swaffham Union.
19th Century surgery had to be performed quickly
as speed made the difference in terms of pain
and survival. Surgery was extremely painful, and
anaesthesia in the form of 'ether' did not appear until
1846. Until that time doctors relied on mandrake,
alcohol, opium, and cannabis for pain relief. (Cocaine
was only available in the New World).
A late 18th Century advertisement for a medical
trainee in Swaffham:
Mr Bayly, Surgeon, of SWAFFHAM, in Norfolk, is
in want of an APPRENTICE, any Young Gentleman,
with a proper Education, will be treated with; Or any
gentleman who is desirous to spend a year or two,
previous to his going to London, will be treated with,
provided that he has had a good Education, can bear
confinement, and will be attentive to such Patients as
he will have under his care.
Norfolk Chronicle-Saturday 16th April 1796
For further details of the History Group please
telephone 01842 879140 or Email: jbaz@go-plus.net
Surplus Produce
A big thank you to everyone who has
generously donated excess produce
from their gardens and allotments
to Swaffham Community Fridge. It has
been a particularly good year for pears and apples -
ideal for making into pies and crumbles that can be
put in the freezer for those cold winter evenings!
8
Swaffham Arts
It was a dark and stormy night...well it was dark and
wet and windy, but we had a wonderful audience
for a most moving and heart-warming concert by
Ensemble East in the church of St Peter and St Paul at
the end of September.
It was our first event since February 2020, so we were
delighted that so many people turned out on such an
unpleasant evening.
The conductor, Philip Hesketh, introduced each item
on the programme with details of the background to
the piece, which enhanced the appreciation of the
music. There were rural references, folk songs woven
into the composition; tributes to fallen comrades;
and the most moving moment of the evening, when
Beethoven’s Symphony No 3 included his funeral
march which we had heard so recently at the late
Queen’s own funeral.
We are enormously grateful to Historic England and
Swaffham Cultural Consortium for their support for
this concert. Their backing helped to make it possible.
We are also very grateful for the use of the church
and the help given on the day.
It was good to hear such a positive response to the
concert afterwards. We look forward to arranging
further concerts, probably in the New Year, once the
worst of the winter has passed.
Thank you all who came and supported the event: the
musicians were so pleased to come and play for us.
Best wishes to all.
20's Plenty For Us
A successful (and well attended)
meeting was held on Monday 3 October
at the Assembly Rooms to discuss
the campaign to reduce the speed limit
throughout Swaffham to 20mph. The campaign
has now received full backing from Swaffham Town
Council, Breckland District Council, and Ed Colman,
Norfolk County Councillor for Swaffham. He says:
Update Regarding Swaffham's
20's Plenty For Us Campaign
A successful (and well-attended) meeting was held on
Monday 3 October at the Assembly Rooms to discuss the
campaign to reduce the speed limit throughout Swaffham
to 20mph.
"I am fully supportive of trialling the 20mph speed
limit across the whole of Swaffham. The 20's Plenty
For Us group in Swaffham has worked hard to pull
together a very compelling case for a trial period of
at least six months to see if the 20mph speed limit
can improve the safety of roads throughout the town
for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It is clear that
there is strong local support for the campaign and
Norfolk County Council is now working on how this
is taken forward, and will announce further details
shortly on the timescale and work required between
now and potential implementation."
The campaign has now received full backing from
Swaffham Town Council, Breckland District Council, and Ed
Colman, Norfolk County Councillor for Swaffham. He says:
"I am fully supportive of trialling the 20mph speed limit
across the whole of Swaffham. The 20's Plenty For Us
group in Swaffham has worked hard to pull together a very
compelling case for a trial period of at least six months to
see if the 20mph speed limit can improve the safety of
roads throughout the town for pedestrians, cyclists and
motorists. It is clear that there is strong local support for
the campaign and Norfolk County Council is now working
on how this is taken forward, and will announce further
details shortly on the timescale and work required between
now and potential implementation."
Email: swaffham@20splentyforus.org.uk
Email: swaffham@20splentyforus.org.uk
Update
We are getting close to achieving our goal of over 200
tiles for the mosaic. We are now waiting for planning
permission to have it installed.
The projected date for this is Saturday, 26 November
(“Wonderful Things”) and, installation or not, we will be
holding a display in the Methodist Church in the morning
and early afternoon on what we have all achieved
during the year. This also commemorates the day when
Howard chiselled a slit in the tomb wall and saw the gold
for the first time. Details can be found on the website,
posters and Facebook.
Historic England visited us recently and was impressed
with the programme we had put together and the
way in which we had reached out to and involved
the community. It hasn’t quite ended yet, though. On
Monday 7th November in the Assembly Rooms we have
'Tea with Tut' for only £2.50, all profits going to charity.
Keep an eye out for the posters. And hopefully next
March we can put on our delayed September Funfair to
start the 2023 events season.
Introducing ...
Under the Eye of the Buttercross
This is the second and last year of Historic England
money for events in Swaffham and throughout 2023
to March 2024 we are concentrating on events on the
Marketplace. It has two main themes:
• Gatherings on the Marketplace
• Stories of the Marketplace
We are hopeful that as many organisations and
people join in and the programme is not yet fixed,
so if you have any ideas please do let us know on
swaffhamheritage@outlook.com. The next issue of
the Newsletter will tell you much more about it.
9
Museum Matters
Could you help?
Swaffham Heritage Museum runs a much
enjoyed Activity Day “Howard Carter
meets Tutankhamun” for schools and children’s groups.
Currently, as we celebrate the centenary of the discovery
of Tutankhamun’s tomb, we are offering these days free
of charge. We are seeking volunteers to join our team
and help with these events.
The Activity Day consists of four different activities:
Exploring the Carter Gallery and Ancient Egyptian
beliefs; an archaeological sand tray exercise; a craft or
Egyptian Maths session; and the telling of the Carter
story. The day lasts from 10am until 2pm, Monday to
Friday, but happens only when requested by the school
so days are random throughout the school year. We are
only able to take 30 pupils at a time, split into two
groups and is suitable mostly for Years 3 and 4, but can
be adapted to younger or older students. The pupils are
always a delight to mix with and are accompanied by an
appropriate number of school staff who are responsible
for their safety and behaviour.
Interested?
Please contact swaffhamheritage@gmail.com or
download an application form from our website:
swaffhammuseum.co.uk or pop in at the museum to
pick one up or have a chat. If you would like to speak to
me the best times are Monday, Wednesday or Saturday
mornings.
Friends of Swaffham Heritage
The Friends were invited to a special Open Evening at
the Swaffham Heritage Museum, on Wednesday 12th
October hosted by Swaffham Heritage, showcasing the
exciting upgrading of rooms in the Museum, particularly
the Carter Room and the Conflicts and Consequences
Room. Friends who attended were shown around by
Trustees and Stewards, who explained the exhibits in
the various rooms.
We are indebted to Dr Sue Gattuso, the Director of
Swaffham Heritage, the Trustees and the Stewards for
their work in managing and curating this great asset for
our town and for giving us their time to show us around.
The 100 Club
The 100 Club is a steady contributor of funds for
Swaffham Heritage, run by the Friends of Swaffham
Heritage exclusively for its members. We have draw
prizes of £40, £20 and £10 every month. Twice a year
in December and June we also have special big prize of
£100.
Winners for October 2022 are:
• £40 – no 2242 • £20 – no 2282 • £10 – no 2204
Cheques are on their way to our lucky winners!
For more information visit our website: http://www.
swaffhammuseum.co.uk/community/swaffhammuseum-12715/friends-of-museum/

Swaffham Climate Action
Climate Friendly Tip of the Month
Recycling
At the September meeting group
member Bob Wade gave an interesting
and very useful presentation on recycling. 227,000
tonnes of waste has to be disposed of every year
in Norfolk and is transported out of the county to
'energy-from-waste' plants. The recycling collected
from householders totals around 160,000 tonnes;
this must also be transported around the country and
across the world for reprocessing. On average every
household produces nearly a tonne of waste annually,
including recycling, and handling this is an expensive
and complicated process with very costly energy
inputs. While recycling is a great thing to do, the best
thing is to reduce the amount of waste we create.
This saves the cost of transport and processing which
is paid for by taxpayers.
This infographic shows the way we should look at
waste, starting with
prevention and with
disposal as the last
resort.
Top tips
• Think before you buy -
do you really need it or
is it going to end up as even more waste ? Even if it is
recycled it is costing you money as a taxpayer.
• Try and reduce the waste you produce by buying
goods that have minimal or no packaging. This can be
difficult but often local shops and markets have low
packaging foodstuffs and ways to reuse packaging.
• Try and reuse things as far as possible by repairing
them or passing them to others through charity shops
or selling on internet platforms.
• For items that can't go in the recycling bin make best
use of local facilities such as the county recycling site
at Ashill. Around 70% of waste taken here is recycled.
Follow council advice about what you can put in the
grey recycling bin and rinse all items; less recycling
is rejected and more can be recycled. Think about
composting your garden waste; the brown bin
service is useful but potential goodness is being
taken away from your garden. Take a look at www.
norfolkrecycles.com for more information.
Regular Meetings: these are usually on the second
Thursday of each month in the Methodist Church
at 10am and anyone with an interest in climate
awareness is most welcome. If you would like to
know more, please contact Cathy Mumford on 01760
721847/07799 642271, cathyjmumford@gmail.com
or David Jones on 01760 722468 / 07806 435066,
dljdav@gmail.com.
Swaffham Social was a great opportunity to talk to people about our
group and we were pleased to have a list of potential new members and a
good level of interest in our stand. It was lovely to see the range of activities
and social groups in the community. The Community Fridge is a brilliant initiative to reduce
waste, a big contributor to climate change. By using the Community Fridge, making sure that
we only buy the food we need, and ensuring it is all used, we can all make a difference. An
estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food waste is created annually in the UK and if this goes into
landfill it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. If you have leftovers or a surplus
food it can often be frozen or recycled into another recipe and a piggy bank (or a spreadsheet!)
to put in the money saved can be a good incentive.
We have resumed monthly in person meetings in February but will be trying out a new
format of alternating between morning meetings in person and Zoom meetings in the evening
so please get in touch to find out the latest. Contact Cathy Mumford on 01760 721847,
cathyjmumford@gmail.com or David Jones on 01760 722468 / 07806 435066,
dljdav@gmail.com. Anyone with an interest in climate awareness in the community is most
welcome to join us. If you are not able attend, you can still join the group, contribute with
suggestions, and receive all meeting notes and information.
10
Borough Council of Kings
Lynn & West Norfolk
Fawkes in the Walks is back with a bang
Fawkes in The Walks, King’s Lynn’s annual free firework
display returns on Friday 4th November 2022.
The event and display, organised by the Borough
Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, brings
thousands of local residents, and visitors from
near and far, to Lynn’s beautiful park to see a
dazzling firework display, traditional bonfire and live
entertainment.
The fun will start at 6pm, when the park will be
packed with stalls and rides. The bonfire will be lit
at 6:30pm. Simon Rowe and team from Radio West
Norfolk will entertain the crowd. There will be live
music from Vex and headliners The Chebbs. The
firework display is scheduled to begin at 8pm.
Cllr Graham Middleton, borough council Deputy
Leader and Cabinet member for Business, Culture
and Heritage, said: “Thousands of people come and
enjoy our amazing display. Fawkes in The Walks is
back with and bang and will be as spectacular as
ever, I’d urge everyone to come along and join us.”
Fawkes in The Walks is free to attend. A voluntary
collection will be made on the evening to help
cover the cost of the event, and every donation
is appreciated. Charges may be made for other
activities.
This is an organised display, private fireworks and
sparklers are not permitted in The Walks. Please do
not bring firewood for the bonfire as this will not be
accepted.
The entrance to The Walks from Seven Sisters/
Extons Road, the Library gates and County Court
Road will be closed on the evening from 7:45pm.
People planning to enter the park after 7:45pm are
advised to use the Tennyson Avenue and Blackfriars
Road entrances.
Permitted sellers will be inside the Walks, please
support your local event by only using the ones inside
the park for flashing glows and other novelties.
The most convenient car park for the event is the
St James' multi-storey, and attendees are advised to
use this.
PAID TILL DEC 22
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1
2
3
4
5
A
OPEN
CLEAR
6
7
8
9
0
B
from my friends
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
1:58/2:45 WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – THE BEATLES
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
1:58/2:45 WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS – THE BEATLES
residents and their families.
With a little help
from my friends
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
residents and their families.
from my friends
PAID TILL DEC 22
The Paddocks
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
The Paddocks
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual
RESIDENTIAL CARE |
needs
DEMENTIA CARE |
of our
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
residents and their families.
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
The Paddocks
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
With a little help
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends The Paddocks
from my friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
residents and their families.
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
The Paddocks
1:58/2:45 WITH 1:58/2:45 A LITTLE HELP WITH FROM A MY LITTLE FRIENDS www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
HELP – THE BEATLES FROM MY FRIENDS – THE BEATLES
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
At The Paddocks Care Home, we’re not just
carers, we’re friends – and sometimes our friends
need a little help. That’s why we personalise
each day to meet the individual needs of our
residents and their families.
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
And hearing their laughter is music to our ears.
www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk
45 CLEY ROAD, SWAFFHAM, PE37 7NP
CALL 01760 722920 TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT
RESIDENTIAL CARE | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE CARE | SHORT BREAKS
Swaffham Golf Club
Swaffham Golf Club 100 years - It’s
been quite a year!!
At the start of the year we looked
forward to a varied programme of
events and activities suggested by
members to celebrate our centenary!
Something for everyone!
Alongside the fun; members, visitors and local
businesses have given huge support to all our
fund raising efforts for charity this year. Our
Centenary charity is EACH, and working together
with Swaffham Rotary, we raised £3050. Every
year our Captains choose their charity for the year,
and in 2022 they are The Norfolk Hospice, the
East of England Air Ambulance and Dementia UK
with a total of £3426 raised by mid October. Club
members held a special day for Prostate Cancer
Uk and raised an outstanding £4147. The Club
also welcomed Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue from
Watton. We see birds of prey from afar on the golf
course, so it’s wonderful to see them up close and
to support this organisation.
To date, we have raised over £10,800 in our
Centenary year. Thank you to everyone who has
contributed.
Our charitable year is not quite finished as we
have one final fund raiser planned for 11th
November. We are holding a quiz in support of the
British Legion. Further details are included in this
Newsletter. We hope that local teams will come
join us- our quizzes are always good fun!
The photo shows Club Chairman, Brian Fenn,
with Golf professional, Nic Cains, Assistant, Ethan
NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS
Roberts, and one of our members, Tom Rudge,
LUNCHES & DINNERS
after 1922-2022 their marathon 100 holes of golf in one day
to raise funds for EACH.
NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS
LUNCHES & DINNERS
1922-2022
OCT & NOV
Swaffham Golf Club, Cley Road, Swaffham,
Norfolk, PE37 8AE
Tel: 01760 721621
Email: manager@swaffhamgc.co.uk
Last year we received
over 62,000 alarm
Charity Quiz Friday 11th November
calls, and 97% of them
Monies Raised To The British Legion
were answered within
60 seconds.
We are here to help.
Careline
alarm
Vibby
Fall
Detector
Buddy
Button
(GPS tracker)
Supra
Keysafe
Swaffham Golf Club, Cley Road, Swaffham,
Norfolk, PE37 8AE
Tel: 01760 721621
Email: manager@swaffhamgc.co.uk
13
To find out more, call us on 01553 616200
or visit careline-cs.org.uk and careandrepair-wn.org
1170-120-6

Swaffham WI
On Wednesday 5th October we met
at The Community Centre at 2.30pm
for an extremely interesting and
moving meeting. We started with a minute of silence
to remember the Queen. Our President Pauline then
welcomed the two speakers from 'Doctors Without
Borders'. They worked for a completely independent
organisation on private funding giving medical aid in
many countries that needed help. Pakistan in 2017
had repeated flooding with too many children dying
from malaria, malnutrition and little protection in poor
accommodation from very low night temperatures. In
Myanmar many villages were burnt down and help was
needed for many groups of people. In Somalia, Africa,
local warlords provided protection as they helped those
needing medical attention. Much sad information was
given concerning the problems of so many especially
children and photos were also shown on a screen.
We all admired the voluntary work they did and had a
donation collection to
give a little help.
On a lighter note we
had a lovely display of
teddies and bags made
by the 'Knit & Natter'
group which will all be
given to charity.
The competition was 'Old Fashioned First Aid Tips'
Three birthdays were celebrated and our usual 50/50
raffle took place.
Details of forthcoming events and outings were given
for members to sign when wishing to join.
Our next meeting is on 2nd November at 2.30pm at the
Community Centre. The speaker will be Ian Rose 'The
Walking Stick Man' with a talk and demonstration of
making them. In case you wish to make an order please
bring cash or a cheque. There will also be a wooden
ornament competition and a book sale.
If you wish for more information please contact our
President Pauline Senton on 01760 788046 or our
Secretary Christiane Hewitson on 01366 328128.
View Swaffham Newsletter Online
www.swaffhamcommunityhub.co.uk
Pickenhams WI
On 11th October we met at St
Andrew's Church in North Pickenham.
Carolyn explained that she will be
staying on as our President for a few months. She
then welcomed us all, plus 2 new members and
a visitor, and explained that the booked speaker
had not been able to attend. Beth then welcomed
our speaker, Jenny Williams, a hand-woven textile
designer with her own studio in West Norfolk (Jennifer
Anne Studios). Jenny then told us how she explores
the connection between weaving and otherwise
discarded materials. She had taught herself to
spin during Lockdown, is doing a Masters in Textile
Innovation at Nottingham Trent University and has
also started hosting workshops. Jenny had brought
a selection of her portfolio and showed us how she
uses hair in with textiles. On her slides there were
examples shown of Victorian jewellery made from
hair and even a pair of shoes made from dog hair!
Following this interesting talk and slides, we broke for
tea and biscuits and then held our meeting. Carolyn
explained that the Annual Meeting will now take
place in March. In October we enjoyed meeting for
coffee at Margaret's Tea Room. Two of our members
went to the WI Poems and Prosecco event. 6 of us
attended the Norfolk Federation Annual Meetings.
Some members will be at the Quiz at the Hub in
October. Carolyn suggested we might start a village
luncheon club this winter, as there is concern about
people keeping warm. This will be advertised locally.
There was also interest in starting a village Book Club.
Next Meeting: On Tuesday, 8th November at 2pm we
will meet at St Andrew's Church and show slides of
WI events over the previous year.
Forthcoming events:
• Friday, 2nd December - Quiz Night at the Hub -
phone Melanie on 07840 814417 to book a team.
Saturday, 10th December the Christmas Fayre will be
at the village Hub from 12-5pm.
• Tuesday, 13th December - WI Christmas Party at the
Hub at 12.30pm - Three's Company to entertain us.
• Thursday, 15th December Pudding Party 6pm at N.
Pickenham church, £5 for a variety of puddings.
• Saturday, 17th December - Pantomime at the Hub
at 5.00pm.
• Monday, 19th December - Coffee Morning Christmas
Party 10.30am at St Andrew's Church.
• Saturday, 24th December - Christingle Service 4pm
at St Andrew's Church (children/grand children - all
welcome)
If anyone would like more information, please contact:
Carolyn Vincent (President) on 01760 755089 or
Melanie Cousins (Secretary)on 01760 440456.
OUT JAN 23
Swaffham
Branch
01760
725801
http://www.family-action.org.uk
familyactionswaffham
building better families
New to Swaffham?
Looking to meet new friends?
These groups might interest
Wellbeing Group
Meets every Tuesday morning at Swaffham Community Centre. An informal social
group that meets for a natter and to learn new skills via talks ad demonstrations.
Age Concern
Meets on the last Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm at Swaffham Assembly Rooms
A varied programme of events with refreshments
For more details about any of these groups contact Iceni Partnership on
01760 722 800 or enquiries@iceni.info
14

PAY MONTHLY
Ben Burgess Beeston Dereham Road, Beeston, Norfolk PE32 2LE
01328 701347 | www.benburgess.co.uk
Open Mon - Fri 08:00 to 18:00 | Sat - 08:00 to 12:00
Behind every
independent
business is
a family
that cares
PAY MONTHLY
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INCORPORATING CHAPMANS FUNERAL SERVICES
King’s Lynn 01553 771399 | Dersingham 01485 598598 | Swaffham 01760 721305
OCT & NOV
Pre-paid funeral
plans available
www.tfs.co.uk
Merle Boddy Day Centre
The Merle Boddy Day Centre provides a
warm and friendly Social Day Care Service
for people living with dementia, including
mental health problems and physical disabilities, in
Swaffham and the surrounding area.
A big THANK YOU to Wendy Hendrie and Ann Tait who
donated £400 to us from selling home-made re-usable
hemp bags to help protect the environment from plastic
pollution! It is lovely to have friends such as these, and
those who we have told you about over the past months
since the Covid-19 lockdown ended.
At our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 15th
September we had a lot to discuss with our clients and
their carers, particularly about the challenging issues
arising from the exceptional increases in costs the Centre
faces at this difficult time. That is why we are so grateful
to those who raise funds in support of the Centre, and
which are so important in helping us meet those costs.
Other issues we discussed were the apparent lack
of knowledge locally about the Centre and also that,
despite our advertising in local and county directories,
the message does not seem to be getting out to those
who would benefit from the service that the Centre
offers. If you think that your loved ones and you would
benefit from our service, why not give us a call to learn
more.
Just to remind you that on Sunday 6th November
our friends, Ann, Lynette and Jo of Three Plus Tea,
are holding one of their monthly Sunday afternoon
‘Authors, books and cakes’ events, on this occasion to
raise money to donate to the Merle Boddy Day Centre.
The author this time is Heidi Swain, the popular Sunday
Times Best Selling Author of romantic fiction novels.
The event commences at 3pm in the Assembly Rooms,
Swaffham. You will find booking details in the advert in
the Newsletter or at Ceres Bookshop. Also, please look
them up on Facebook, their page is ‘Authors, books and
cakes’. These are great occasions with interesting writers
talking about their work and books, and the homebaked
cakes are delicious!
As noted above, our fundraising has never been as
important as now. Like you we are faced by enormous
increases in costs including for electricity, food and other
consumables. On our website you will find a fundraising
page, where you can click on the link to donate. Better
still, come along to the ‘Authors, books and cakes’ event!
If you are interested in our work and would like to be
involved, we always welcome volunteers, friends and
supporters to help with fund raising.
If you want to know more, find us on Facebook – @
merleboddycentre – or see our
website - www.merleboddy.org.uk - or call the Centre
on 01760 724527.
NarVOS
Wednesday 30th November at 7.30pm
Indoor meeting at The Assembly
Rooms, 1 Market Place, Swaffham
PE37 7AB
“Working with Raptors” with Simon Dudhill
Simon’s talk will focus on his work as Conservation
Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust. His job is primarily
with owls and falcons
in providing nest boxes
to counteract the loss
in natural breeding
locations. He works
with farmers and
landowners advising
how they can create
ideal habitats to
sustain these birds
and provide nesting opportunities for them. He will
also talk on his recent involvement in the nationally
publicised relocation of Red Kites to Spain for the
RSPB. Please come along to learn more about these
projects.
Visitors welcome. Admission £4 on the night; free to
NarVOS members.
For more information contact Ian Black on 01760
724092 or go to www.narvos.org.uk
Tosh Community Theatre Group
We are seeking people of all ages interested in
joining our lively, inclusive amateur Theatre Group.
Can you sing, act, dance, design costumes, work
back stage, or front of house; we would like to hear
from you.
We meet Mondays at Great Cressingham Village
Hall at 7pm. Any queries phone Bridget on 07769
294414 or email Bridgetknock@aol.com.
You can also visit us on our Facebook page: Tosh
Community Theatre Group
Chat & Play
For parents, babies and toddlers, every second
Tuesday from 9am – 11am at Swaffham Assembly
Rooms. Cost is £2 per family. Tea, coffee, milk and
squash will be free (please bring your child’s own
cup/bottle to use). This is a new group being set up.
Children will be provided with the appropriate toys to
learn to play and share together, whilst the parents
can chat.
For more information, queries, offers of help, or
donations of secondhand toys/equipment, please
contact Sue Chittock 07765 037235.
Sponsored by Swaffham and District Lions with a kind
donation from East of Anglia Co-op for 2 new walkers.
17

SCALGA
Greetings from the allotments
In September the weather took a turn for the better
growing wise. We had warmth, with the rain coming
mainly at night. Crops that we thought had stopped
growing burst into a second growth. As late as the end
of September runner beans, blackberries, beetroot
etc were flourishing. The apple trees that had shed
much of their small fruit had bumper crops.
On 25th September we held our annual prize giving
and afternoon tea. It was nice to see old friends and
the array of cakes baked by our members was superb.
During the afternoon we held a raffle which raised
£17.00.
One of our wizard growers brought a multitude of
surplus produce for us to share. This included an
enormous butternut squash, easily well over a meter
long weighing in at 22lbs. We had a guess the weight
competition. Those closest to the correct weight all
got a very substantial section to take home. Multiple
uses for butternut squash are now being sought.
The Cups and plates presented for the best kept plots
were as follows: -
• Best Multiple plots: J. Wightman
• Best Single plot: G. Szlachtycz
• Best Starter plot: A. Joachim
This will be our last Newsletter until the Spring. We
wish you a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New
year.
From all in SCALGA
Swaffham Rugby Club
What an eventful month October was!
Participation in our Minis Tag Rugby organised by ICS
Coaching on Wednesday evenings continues to grow
– it’s a pleasure to see these youngsters getting an
introduction to rugby.
Our Under 16 squad welcomed U16 players from
Newmarket and Crusaders on consecutive Sundays.
Despite our visitors fielding stronger teams, both
games tested our young players skills and rewarded the
commitment of their coaches. Parents and supporters
cheered on both Swaffham and visitors.
Our Senior team were awarded walkovers when
Norwich Union II and Wisbech were unable to field
teams. Whilst this meant at one point we were at the
top of our league it was disappointing for the players
not to be able to test their skills.
Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and
Sportsmanship are the core values of our game which
were displayed in all the above activities.
Peter Harris completed his sponsored walk along The
Angles Way, from Great Yarmouth to Thetford. Peter
raised funds for Rotary Club of Swaffham and our Club.
This is no mean feat for an octogenarian! Thanks to
all those who donated both cash and online, and to
those volunteers from Rotary and Rugby who provided
chauffeur services.
The JustGiving page is still open for those who still wish
to donate:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/
Peterharris100milewalk
November promises to be a busy month too, both on
and off the field.
On Sunday 6th November, our 11th Annual Fireworks
display will take place. Gates will open at 5pm with
fireworks at 7pm plus barbecue, bar, children’s rides
and sideshows. Admission is unchanged from 2021
at £5 for adults and £10 for a family (2 adults and 3
children). We expect this event to be very well attended
and encourage visitors to get to our grounds early!
On Saturday 12th November at 2:30pm our senior
team will welcome Dereham to North Pickenham
Road. Bar will be open during and after the game.
Our Under-16 squad have two home games in
November, on Sunday 6th vs North Walsham and on
Sunday 20th vs Diss. We welcome everyone to all the
above events.
Regular sessions at our club include:
• Mini’s Tag Rugby Wednesdays at 5:30pm
• Junior Training Wednesdays at 6:30pm
• Senior Training Thursdays 7:00pm for 7:30pm, with
the bar open from around 8:30pm.
Contact details for all the above are included on the
Contacts Page of our Website: https:/swaffhamrugby.
co.uk/contacts
Swaffham & District Lions Club
The Lions and Lionesses enjoyed a fun
night out with a meal at The Running Horse
pub in Fakenham followed by a 10pin Bowling
competition, which was won by Sarah. A good time
was had by all.
On Sunday 18th September we held our Afternoon
Tea Party for Macmillan Cancer Support, which was a
great success. Many thanks go to Lioness Lion Thelma
and her daughter Denise for hosting this event at her
home. It was well attended and raised £325.
New Lion Sheila Lewis was badged up at the Lions
AGM and is now a member of the Lioness Branch club.
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our
control, the Chanter’s Jigge Musical Evening in October
could not go ahead but has been postponed until
Saturday 11th February; so that’s a date for our new
2023 diaries.
Pudsey’s Pudding Quiz will be held on Monday 14th
November 7.30pm in our Lioness Branch Club meeting
room at the Catholic Church, all proceeds to Children
in Need. There will be lots of delicious puddings to dig
into! The quiz is £7 per person including puddings and
tea/coffee. Teams of 4. To book your team Tel. 01760
723377.
November is Remembrance time and Lions will again
be doing the Poppy collection in Tesco. Also, we are
looking ahead to Christmas and are busy organising and
sending out invitations for the Pensioners Christmas
Party in December. We have a tree booked for the
Christmas Tree Festival at St.Peter & Paul’s church and
Christmas tombola stall booked for the Rotary
Christmas Fayre in the Assembly Rooms.
18 19
Swaffham Jazz Club
For our October session we welcomed back the
Melody Brooker Quintet; Paul White - piano, Colin
Borrvill - Guitar, Joel Human - double bass, Dave
Jackson - drums and Melody Brooker vocals, who
chose Love as her theme for the evening, with all its
highs and lows!
Melody had hand-picked her backing group and they
were all superb. Out of twenty-five numbers she sang
in all but one of them. She mostly sang after a short
introduction, and then moved away from the mike to
let each member of the band improvise according to
the mood of the piece. Thus Paul played gently for
Sentimental Journey but stridently for Money, Money
Money. Colin was very up - tempo in Zing Went The
Strings Of My Heart, and so on. Melody would then
return to the mike to round the number off. The band
contributed equally to the enjoyment of the evening.
I was amazed how she could remember all the words
for twenty-four numbers (I can’t even remember the
second verse of the National Anthem.) Her diction is
perfect - you can hear every word she sings.
In the interval I interviewed Paul. He was born in Sutton
St. James, a small village near Wisbech, and still lives
in the area. His father played the accordion and led a
dance band that played for ball-room dancing, which
was very popular then (remember Victor Silvester?).
Paul started piano lessons at five years old and
reached Grade 5. When he was fourteen and Acker
Bilk was popular, he taught himself the clarinet. His
father died and he took over the dance band. Later
on his daughter, Melody, was singing in another band
which needed a pianist and she persuaded him to go
back to playing the piano and he joined her band.
Paul told me he is very contented with his life.
As well as his music he enjoys being with his four
grandchildren. He also loves gardening and runs
a small holding where he grows apples, pears,
tomatoes and strawberries. He lives in a beautiful
rural area which he will never leave. (Sounds like a
perfect life to me!)
Next up: Tues 8 November at 7.30pm Equinox Jazz
Quintet. Swaffham Conservative Club, London Street,
PE37 7DD. £10 cash on the door.
More information from Geoff 01366 328 730 or
Norman 07944 795 282.

Swaffham WEA
Like most things, WEA is not operating
in the way it used to, and change always
takes time to settle in. But we like to hold on to some
of the old ways, and we are still putting on courses at
the Community Centre with the tutor there in person!
We had a successful and very interesting Day School
with Kate Jewell on the development of stories in the
nineteenth century based on true crime, called “A
Jolly Good Murder”. After that, unfortunately we had
to cancel a five week course on “Film Director Greats”
due to insufficient numbers.
On Saturday November 26th we will be running
another Day School at Swaffham Community Centre,
this time on “Cookery through the Ages” with the
tutor Jane Williams, starting at 10 am and finishing
at 3pm, with breaks for coffee and lunch. The course
will trace changes in cookery from ancient times to
the last century, with an emphasis on British history,
and with recipes to try.
The cost will be £25 for the day. Tea and coffee will be
provided, but bring your own packed lunch.
To enrol in advance, please contact WEA by phone
on 0300 303 3464 and speak to a friendly voice, or
online at wea.org.uk
We all need to eat, and our eating habits have
certainly changed in our lifetime, so it should be a
very interesting course to learn more about past
practices and palates.
Hope to see you there!
Free NHS Health Checks Available
at Swaffham Community Centre
If you are aged beween 40 and 74 years then you
could be eligible for a free NHS health check, courtesy
of Reed Wellbeing.
These checks are currently taking place at Swaffham
Community Centre on Mondays from 9am to 4.30pm.
To check your eligibility and to book an appointment visit
the Reed Wellbeing website: norfolkhealthchecks.
reedwellbeing.com or call 0808 175 0413.
Rotary
Swaffham
CELEBRATING
5
YEARS
President's Corner
Marathon Walker Peter Harris
has successfully completed his.
100 mile walk along The Angles Way from Gt. Yarmouth
to Thetford and our Rotary Club and Swaffham Rugby
Club funds will benefit from his latest amazing effort.
We continue to support local organisations which
will benefit from our
assistance with recent
donations to The Merle
Boddy Centre to fund
a new Frig and the
Narborough Museum.
Their Chairman
David Turner have a
fascinating illustrated
talk on this little known
Museum in which he
referred to The Ice Age,
Airfields, Railways and
Bone Mills.
As I write this column
we are nearing completion of the preparations for our
Annual Art Exhibition.This year we had a record number
of over 400 paintings, with works by Potters, ceramicists,
jewellery, cards and calendars. I hope you visited it and
enjoyed it.
The 24th October was World Polio Day in which
Rotarians celebrated the achievements of Rotary to
limit the spread of the disease and close in on the
eradication of it for ever.
Victims suffer muscle wasting, requiring Callipers to
enable them to walk, being confined to a wheel-chair
and death. Rotary has been working with the WHO
and world Governments to
eradicate Polio for 35 years,
since 1979 and cases have
been reduced by 99.9%
with it endemic in only
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary members have
contributed more than 2.1
million dollars and countless
Volunteers to protect nearly
3 billion children in 122
Countries. When the vaccine has been given the children
have their finger painted with a purple dye to show they
have received it, hence the Rotary drive to sell and plant
the Purple Crocus to contribute and publicise the effort
(ours are planted by the South Roundabout and the
Churchyard).
We are always looking for new members and if you
would like to learn more please telephone me on 01760
722111 or look at our website swaffhamrotary.org.uk
Ashill & Holme Hale Garden Club
Website: ashillgardeningclub.wordpress.com
Email: ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com
Orchids And How To Care For Them
At our September meeting members had the pleasure
of hearing the president of the East Anglian Orchid
Society, Mr Colin Thorburn, present an excellent talk
on Orchids which he followed up with a practical
demonstration of how to care for and propagate
Orchids. Colin started his talk with some facts and
figures on where Orchids are found and the number
of species. Orchids are found on every continent
except Antartica. There are around 30,000 individual
species of Orchid, with some 250,000 hybrids. The
greatest numbers are found in South East Asia and in
South America.
Colin then provided
useful information on
how to grow and care for
Orchids. Orchids need
very good drainage and
are best grown in clear
dome pots that allow air
and light to get to the
roots and you can see
the roots grow. Compost
should have a main base
of bark, which is first
steam-treated to reduce any chance of disease, with
perlite, pumice, coconut husk and rock wool topped
by sphagnum moss. Orchids need high humidity
(above 60%) and should only be watered when dry
to the touch, ideally using rainwater. Also it is best to
water plants early in the morning so they can dry off
during the day. The main pests with Orchids are red
spider mite, mealy bugs, scale insects, slugs, fungal
rot and some viruses.
After a tea break Colin then demonstrated how to split
an Orchid plant to get additional plants, including how
to carefully separate the roots and treat them with
cinnamon powder prior to replanting. The meeting
finished with a lively Q&A session with Colin passing
on expert information from someone who has been
growing Orchids for nearly 40 years.
Upcoming Meetings
Our October meeting (October 27th) will have Dr
Anne Edwards presenting a fascinating talk on The
Work and History of the John Innes Centre based at
UEA. Our November meeting (November 24th) will
have Richard Clark of Panache Plants talking about
carnivorous plants and South African bulbs.
All meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the
month at Holme Hale Pavilion and start at 2.30pm.
New members from anywhere in the district are
always welcome, so come along and join us at one of
our monthly meetings.
20 21
Swaffham Library News
Swaffham Library, The Pightle, Swaffham PE37 7DF
Tel 01760 721513
Staffed opening times: Tuesday and Thursday 10am-
7pm, Friday 1-7pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
Swaffham Library Friends
Swaffham Library Friends are keen for new members
to join their group to develop ideas for events held at
Swaffham Library, plan and hold fundraising activities
and to act as a link between the library and the local
community as well as promoting the library and its
services. The Friends meet every second Tuesday of
the month, 4-5pm and if you can spare a little time
and have ideas and enthusiasm to make a difference,
please contact the library or come along to one of
their meetings.
Photo: Summer Reading Challenge Medal Ceremony held at
Swaffham Library on 3rd September with special guests Stewart
Bell, Mayor of Swaffham and Jo Scott, Chair of the Swaffham
Library Friends
Upcoming Library Friends events:
• Talk on The Spirit of Sandringham project to build
a full sized steam locomotive with speaker Brian Hall.
Friday 18th November, 7.30pm.
• Christmas Coffee Morning Saturday 3rd December,
10.30am-12noon.
• Meet the author event with Rachel Hore Friday
20th January 2023
• Local History Film Night Friday 10th February 2023
Publisher talk with
Paul Dickson. Friday
3rd March 2023
• Meet the author
event with Heidi
Swain Friday 9th
June 2023
For more information
and booking contact
the library or visit
our What’s On
pages https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-localhistory-and-archives/libraries/whats-on/eventsearch?location=Swaffham
as the event approaches.

In Touch With Your Town
The Memorial Service of Doris
Mabel (Toni) Groom at St Peter
& St Paul's Church, Swaffham on
Saturday 5th November 2022 at
13:00 hrs
It is close to two years since our Toni passed
away on the 1st of October 2020. This sad event
occurred during the height of disruption due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. The funeral in October 2020
was therefore an abridged ceremony with only 30
attendees. We know that Toni had many friends in
and around the Swaffham community and further
afield that were not able to attend the funeral.
He family would like to take this opportunity to
announce this memorial service to celebrate the
life of our mother and friend to many in and around
Swaffham. After the service light refreshments
and a display of ‘The life and times of Toni’ will be
offered at The Swaffham Conservative Club until
16:00 hrs. Please can you contact Jenny Groom on
01366 383963 or 07460 463334 to advise of your
attendance.
Remembrance Sunday – 14th November
Swaffham Town Council, working with RAF Marham
and Swaffham Royal British Legion are organising
this year’s Remembrance Sunday parade, service
and wreath laying event at Swaffham War Memorial,
on 13th November 2022.
The parade will include Fakenham Town band,
representatives of local organisations and groups
who will join Clergy, Civic Dignitaries and members
of the public who wish to pay their respects for a
short wreath laying service at the War Memorial.
• 10.20am Parade members will gather at Pedlars
carpark.
• 10.35am Parade begins - Standard Bearers will
lead parade members from Pedlars Carpark,
back towards the Buttercross, turning left
across the central carpark and then to the War
Memorial. Parade, members, Civic dignitaries, Choir
and Clergy will gather round the War Memorial
alongside members of the public.
• 10.46am Service begins - Hymn, prayers, wreath
laying & last post.
• 11.05am End of Service - Choir and Clergy then
lead the way to St Peter & St Paul's Church for the
Remembrance Service.
Part of the Market Place car park will be closed
to allow for the parade – there is free parking in
Station St and Theatre St.
Christmas Event – 3rd & 4th December
As December approaches, the excitement is
building for Swaffham’s annual Christmas event.
Stall bookings are nearly full, so please do not delay
if you would like a last-minute slot. Applications will
close at 1.00pm on November 25th.
After the success of last years skating rink, we are
happy to announce that it will be back this year,
but bigger and better! 30-minute slots can now
be booked online. The link can be found on the
Town Council website, under the Christmas event
tab. Here you will find the booking link and more
details for Santa’s Grotto too, which has relocated
to Plowright Place this year.
General event information and a schedule for the
weekend’s festivities can also be found on the
council website. Raffle tickets are now available
to purchase from the Town Hall, with some
amazing items available, including £300 worth of
cash prizes. If you would like to donate a raffle
prize or are interested in viewing our sponsorship
packages for the event, please email deputyclerk@
swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk.
We are always on the look out for volunteers
for events like this! If you are part of a club or
organisation, or perhaps just have a passion for
supporting local events, please do contact the
council.
Do you want to become a councilor?
The May elections are coming fast, so now is your
time to act! Come along to the Town Hall and learn
more about becoming a Swaffham Town Councilor.
Learn about the role, committee structure and
council representatives, as well as neighborhood
plans and current projects. Information evenings
will be taking place on 12th December (5-6pm)
and 27th February (6.30-8pm). If you have any
questions about the role of councilor, then this is
your opportunity to ask!
Swaffham Town Council
Tel: 01760 722 922
www.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Town Hall opening times:
Town Hall opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 9.30am - 1pm (lunch) 1.30 - 4pm.
Friday: 9.30am - 1pm
reception@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Breckland District Council
www.breckland.gov.uk
01362 656 870. For all enquiries regarding: Planning,
Refuse Bins, Housing, Recycling, Licensing & Benefits
Your Breckland District Councillors:
Cllr. David Wickerson
01760 725 741
david.wickerson@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr. Ian Sherwood
07795 236 878
ian.sherwood@
breckland.gov.uk
Cllr Ed Colman - also your Norfolk County Councillor
07940 406 356
ed.colman@breckland.gov.uk / ed.colman.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk
Town Council Committee
meeting dates - NOVEMBER 2022
• Wed 9th Nov 6.30pm FULL COUNCIL
• Mon 21st Nov 6.30pm FINANCE FULL COUNCIL
• Mon 28th Nov 6.30pm ASSETS & OPEN SPACES
COMMITTEE
• Tue 29th Nov 4.00pm PLANNING COMMITTEE
Highway issues
Norfolk County Council – www.norfolk.gov.uk
– 0344 800 8020
For Highway issues & faulty street lights:
- Highways - please give the location of the issue and
a telephone number where further information can
be obtained.
- Faulty streetlights – please give the precise location
of the light and the number on the column.
Alternatively visit the website and search for
Highways or Street Lights to report your concerns.
The Town Council
Mayor - Cllr Stewart Bell
CllrBell.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Deputy Mayor - Cllr Judy Anscombe
CllrAnscombe.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Lindsay Beech
CllrBeech.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Nayna Bass
CllrBass.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Wendy Bensley
CllrBensley.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Paul Darby
CllrDarby.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Graham Edwards
CllrEdwards.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Colin Houghton
CllrHoughton.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Shirley Matthews
CllrMatthews.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Kurt Oliver
CllrOliver.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Ian Pilcher
CllrPilcher.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Les Scott
CllrScott.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Cllr. Jill Skinner
CllrSkinner.SwaffhamTC@gmail.com
Officers:
Richard Bishop – Town Clerk
townclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Helen Carrier – Deputy Town Clerk
deputyclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk
22
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