DECEMBER 20
YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ISSUE
179
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CHRISTMAS SERVICE INFORMATION
SILVER SOCIAL REIMAGINED
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Thetford - 01842 754161 • Brandon - 01842 813466 • Sales • Lettings • Property Management •
ristmas...
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Inside this month...
December is upon us and It is hard to believe that ks we will be celebrating within a few short wee Page 5 - Win A Prize With Chilterns ntdown of course altered cou al Christmas. Our usu Page 7 - Raise A Glass With Trevor At ic. dem pan 9 g Covid1 as a result of the ongoin s Page 10 & 11 - Leaping Hare new with e hop of r me glim least now there is some Page 13 - Thetford Past & Present of a possible vaccine. Page 14 & 15 - Thomas Paine tly Page 19 - Fly-tipper’s £445 Fine is throwing at us curren life t tha ing ryth eve h Wit t Page 21 - New CEX For Thetford’s BTO some important suppor it is pleasing to note new a ng udi incl ine gaz Page 23 - Introducing Lou Provart ma ’s nth mo this services in st Page 29 - Silver Social Programme service with the Vera Tru t por sup se abu ic est dom the adapted services of Page 32 - Don’t Forget Vital Screening detailed on page 33 and is Page 33 - Thetford’s New Support Service on page 29. Loneliness the Silver Social project so re mo n eve ter, win of Page 35 - Could You Be A Covid Volunteer? ths dep the in e issu a major ents restricted so much. Page 37 - David Hands Over The Baton of course with our movem ugh the magazine and see Page 40 - Online Shopping Advice Do take time to read thro . Page 41 - Budget Comment Deadline t may be of benefit to you if there is something tha Page 43 - Christmas Activities our of all h nity to wis May I take this opportu y Page 44 - Thetford Voices tributors and our deliver readers, advertisers, con r you as. Thank-you for team a very Merry Christm a n bee has About Thetford ughout what continued support thro magazine is all. for r yea cult very diffi ine gaz ma d tfor proudly printed The ut Abo Terry Jermy, Editor, Tel: 01284 751296 by KNP Litho
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E-mail address for all articles, adverts etc: aboutthetfordmagazine@gmail.com Contact us: 075404 63662 Office Address: C/o Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, IP24 3LH Publisher; In And About Thetford Ltd, C/o Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford IP24 3LH
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this magazine, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by its contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission of the publishers is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher
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Win A Festive Prize With Chilterns In last month’s issue we suggested there would be a Christmas trail. Unfortunately with the November lockdown, this had to be cancelled. Instead, we are running a brand new competition that anyone under 18 years old can take part in called ‘The Spirit of Christmas’. We invite all children to send in drawings of your favourite part of Christmas: this could be anything from the tree, Santa, presents or the Christmas dinner! Your drawing should be no bigger than an A4 piece of paper and make sure you put your name, age and contact details on the reverse. Get your drawings to either Chilterns’ offices in Brandon and Thetford or to the Town Council at the Carnegie on Cage Lane. You can also email them to thetford@chilterns.co before 18th December. Santa will decide his favourite 2 pictures and 3 runners up, to receive a prize, which will be delivered (socially distanced) in time for Christmas. A selection of the entries will also be displayed in the front windows of the Thetford and Brandon Chilterns offices to bring some extra Christmas Cheer! The 2 winners will have their designs made into Christmas Cards for 2021. During 2021 Chilterns will relaunch The Spirit of Christmas to design additional Christmas Cards which will be avaliable to buy for next Christmas which will also support local organisations.
Enjoy some festive fun and win a prize! Local Estate Agents Chilterns are hosting a new competition to draw your favourite part of Christmas this year
Chilterns staff have also begun their reverse Advent calendar. Every day we are adding a Christmas treat, such as mince pies, chocolate or a Christmas pudding and donating this to Thetford Foodbank throughout December. If you would like to donate, please do so by dropping off any items at either Chilterns’ offices in Thetford or Brandon. The focus is on Christmas treats but do check the Foodbank’s website for any specific items that they require at the current time: www.thetford.foodbank.org.uk/ give-help/donate-food
With the festive season upon us, the ‘Letters to Santa’ campaign is well underway. Thank you to all who have taken part this year so far, and we hope your little ones are excited to receive their reply from Santa.The campaign is running until the 18th December, so there is plenty of time to get your letter in. If you would like to use the prepared letter template, just email thetford@chilterns.co and we’ll send one to you. Just state if you would like the editable version or the print only template.
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Raise A Glass And Support A Local Business Trevor Hughes’ wine company now in Brandon was based for over 20 years in King Street, Thetford opposite the Council Offices. Trevor and his beloved bottles moved to Brandon as cellarage space ran out in the town. Trevor says “I have very happy memories of my time in Thetford and still supply many people in the area”.
If you fancy trying a variety of wines, Trevor has more than 80 different wines available. He also stocks two special gins; Wessex Gin’s small batch Alfred The Great, an exceptionally smooth gin and Isle of Wight Distillery’s small batch Mermaid Pink Gin, subtle yet vibrant, less sweet than most pink gins with no added sugar. Trevor also supports English wine makers Giffolds Hall who are based near Long Melford in Suffolk, stocking a sparkling, white and rose. All three are currently available at a special price for Christmas making an ideal gift for someone. Trevor is also offering a 20% discount (except special price listings) on his winter 20/21 list. Trevor Hughes Wines have just published their latest list and would be delighted to send you a free copy together with their Special Christmas promotions. Not only does Trevor deliver locally, he also supplies many restaurants and country house hotels throughout Great Britain.
Contact Trevor personally on 01842 814414. He would be delighted to hear from you and offer his 40 years of experience of matching wine with food or just for a friendly wine chat. Deliveries are free in the area for 1 11/11/2020 0 Trevor Hughes Wines Advert.qxp_Layout orders over £35.
Trevor Hughes Wines Brandon Enjoy choosing exceptional wine from Trevor’s extensive international list. Image: Studio Five
Trevor has in stock over 500 different wines ranging from an excellent list from such countries as Chile, Australia, New Zealand and Germany to mention just a few. France is where the strength of his list lays with vintages dating back to 1910. Burgundy has always been Trevor’s love and in the past he has won the award of The Best Burgundy Wine Merchant in Great Britain. Reading his latest list is like a tour through the vineyards of the world with such great names as Bollinger Champagne, which includes their latest release Bollinger PNVZ 15, it has received glowing reports from the journalists. Trevor says “What could be more traditional at Christmas, for a wine lover to sit in a comfortable chair after a good dinner and sip a glass of beautiful Port”.
Call today for a free copy of our comprehensive Wine List containing over 350 wines from all around the World. We will also send you a copy of our Special Christmas promotions. Prices start at £8.34 for a delicious bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon. Free delivery for orders over £35.
Tel: 01842 814414
E: contact@trevorhugheswines.com
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•
celebrating the importance of kindness, generosity, acceptance and tolerance.
Chill Tidings is a collection of dark tales of the Christmas season,continuing the Victorian tradition of telling ghoststories at Christmas.
Here at Not Just Books, we love recommending books and learning about what our customers enjoy reading. If we don’t have it on the shelf, we can normally order in for you. Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Books For Christmas As Christmas draws near, we wanted to share with you an Icelandic word: ‘Jolabokaflod’ which translates as ‘Christmas Book Flood’. Icelanders have a beautiful tradition of gifting books to each other on Christmas Eve and spending the rest of the night reading with a lovely mug of hot cocoa. This book gifting tradition dates to World War II when paper was one of the few items not rationed in Iceland, creating a nation of book lovers and making books the most popular Christmas present to this day. In the spirit of Jolabokaflod, we’d like to offer a few suggestions for Christmas Eve: •
•
The Night Before Christmas, a lovely edition of the classic poem available in a tall narrow format, perfect for fitting into a Christmas stocking with gorgeous illustrations by Roger Duvoisin, what better to read together as a family on Christmas Eve
The Night After Christmas by Kes Gray (author of the popular Oi, Frog! series) is the follow up to The Night Before Christmas. A beautiful rhyming picture book for anyone who has ever wondered what Father Christmas gets up to once he has delivered all of the presents.
• Murder in Midwinter is a collection of 10 crime Christmas. 1 09/11/2020 14:41 Page 1 The classic Mulberry REVstories Advertfor 5.qxp_Layout Last Christmas, a collection of stories •
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Wishing you a Happy Christmas and healthy New Year Follow us on facebook for our latest updates on booking and delivery options 11 Raymond Street Thetford IP24 2EA
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Personal Messages from Father Christmas What an amazing early Christmas present – a personal message from the big man himself: Father Christmas! Video: £10 USB & Magic Key gift set: £5.95 We get so excited when Father Christmas comes to visit the Leaping Hare shop each year. We were a bit sad when we realised that Covid-19 meant he couldn’t come. We know that his meetings in the calm atmosphere that we create are really special for those who find it hard to cope with loud noises and queues. But Father Christmas won’t let a global pandemic get in the way of keeping in touch! His clever elves have set up a camera so Father Christmas can record video messages. A personal message from Father Christmas will bring some real Christmas excitement into your home during these uncertain times.
You can find all the details at our Box Office. The elves have lots of questions to ask, that’s how Father Christmas knows all about you. The elves will send your message via WeTransfer. However, if you’d like a keepsake, they can record it to a USB for you. They’ll also send one of Father Christmas’s special magic keys, all beautifully gift wrapped. Father Christmas is super-busy, so please get in touch before Tuesday 15 December.
The Thetford Calendar Packed with amazing images of our unique local landscape, the calendar is on sale now for only £6.95 (or a bargain £6 if you buy two or more). We’ve also got some lovely Thetford Christmas cards in stock or, for a really personal touch, why not commission one of our bespoke tea cloths, or a hamper of local goodies? Email info@leapinghare. org, give us a call or, if we can open as scheduled on 2 December, pop in!
Christmas Tree Trail Buy local in lockdown – and you don’t need the internet We had to close our doors during lockdown, so we used our window instead! We crammed the front window of our King Street shop with as many of our amazing locally produced items as we could squeeze in – anyone passing the shop could check out our lovely wares. Our click and collect service makes it easy to support local makers. But we know that not all our customers have a computer or access to the internet, so we also offer call and collect – if you see something in the window that you like, give us a ring on 07802 701911 and we can work out the most convenient way you can buy our fantastic locally produced gifts.
Don’t forget our annual Christmas tree trail is bringing cheer to Thetford town centre until Tuesday 15 December. All you have to do is locate 16 small wooden Christmas trees in town centre windows, and use the letters on each tree to make a phrase. Correct answers will go into a draw for a Christmas hamper full of local treats. See P18 About Thetford for details. The Christmas tree trail is organised by Leaping Hare, Thetford Methodist Church, Ancient House Museum and supported by About Thetford magazine.
Leaping Hare
THETFORD
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Belmont House King Street IP24 2AP info@leapinghare.org
01842 751975
Did Victorians Invent Christmas? On Wednesday 9th December Ancient House is presenting a free online illustrated talk called “Did the Victorians invent Christmas?” at 7pm. Melissa Hawker, Learning Officer at Ancient House will explore our idea of classic Victorian or Dickensian Christmas. How many of the traditional aspects of Christmas we are familiar with today have their origins in the Victorian era? Discover the real origin of stories of Christmas trees, Christmas cards and crackers among many others. Melissa Hawker said: “Our image of Christmas is coloured by the Victorian era. Charles Dickens, who died 150 years ago this year, has been called the man who invented Christmas. His name is so synonymous with Christmas that on hearing of his death in 1870 a little costermonger’s girl in London asked, Mr Dickens dead? Then will Father Christmas die too? I am looking forward to exploding some Christmas myths & sharing some of my favourite bizarre Victorian Christmas cards.” Oliver Bone, Curator commented: “As we are not able to welcome visitors to the museum this Christmas I am delighted that we are able to share our collections online in this way.” Did the Victorians invent Christmas? Wednesday 9th December 7pm - 8pm The event will be free and held via Zoom webinar but places must be booked through Art Tickets: www.norfolk-museums.arttickets.org.uk/ The Webinar link will be sent to your email address before the event. For more information please email; ancienthouse@norfolk.gov.uk To find out what else Ancient House has to offer this Autumn/Winter, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AncientHouseMuseum/ events/ or our website: www.museums.norfolk. gov.uk/ancient-house/whats-on/events-days
Find out just how much of our traditional Christmas ideas were shaped by the Victorians during the latest online talk hosted by Ancient House Museum
Christmas Sale In Aid Of CRUK
On Saturday 5th December from 9:45am, Covid-secure sale including Wendy’s knitted chocolate orange covers outside Thetford Methodist Church. Please wear a face covering and help us to observe social distancing.
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Past & Present
Castle Hill with the trees in full leaf, some scarring on the slopes, and sheep to keep the vegetation down. Today, though, the trees have been cleared from the summit of the mound, and the sheep have long since gone. The addition of the stairs don’t add much to the view, though it does make it easier to climb. There is much scrub on the sides so perhaps the sheep will be back. Past Image: Mike Brindle. Collection Photo: Keith Robinson Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 13
Thetford’s Revolutionary Son
By 1768 he was appointed to Lewes, Sussex and lived above the tobacco shop of Samuel Just how did someone from a quiet market town and Ester Ollive. He later married their daughter in Norfolk travel the world inciting revolution and Elizabeth and eventually took over the shop. It influencing the way men were thinking? Over 200 was in Lewes when Paine first became involved years ago this would have seemed impossible in politics and civic life. He became a member of and to have changed the world as Thomas the governing body for the town and a member Paine did is one of the most remarkable stories of the parish vestry, who collected taxes and in Thetford’s history. Almost certainly the early tithes to distribute amongst the poor. Paine could years Thomas Paine often be found in the spent in Thetford local inn and coffee shaped his future and shop debating with philosophies. Thomas other like-minded Paine was born in people. From 17721737, the son of 3 he campaigned Joseph and Frances for better pay Pain in a small cottage and conditions for adjacent to White Hart Excise Officers. Street, which was the He wrote his first main thoroughfare political work, The through the town at Case of the Officers the time. The cottage of Excise, spending is believed to have the winter in London stood in what is distributing 4,000 now Thomas Paine copies to parliament Avenue, behind Cintra and anyone else House. Joseph was a who would listen. Quaker, Frances an Early in 1774, he Anglican. Paine grew was dismissed from up in the town and the Excise Service the harsh sentences for being absent and the punishments from his post without handed out during permission, his the Lent Assizes, tobacco shop failed along with the unfair and to avoid debtors’ Thomas Paine by George Romney voting system are prison he was forced Image: Ancient House Museum/NMS said to have had a to sell his household profound effect on him and his sense of justice. possessions to pay his debts. By June 1774 he He was educated at Thetford Grammar School, separated from his wife and moved to London. in the building that is now known as Old School London gave Thomas Paine the opportunity to between 1744 – 49. Aged 13 he became an develop his political theories, he attended lectures apprentice stay maker to his father in a workshop and debates, eventually coming to the attention off White Hart Street, in an area opposite Ancient of Benjamin Franklin, who had been fighting House Museum. By the time he was 16, Paine dreamed of a naval career and attempted to for the rights of American colonists. Franklin suggested that Paine should emigrate to the sign on to a ship called The Terrible before his American colonies and provided him a letter of father intervened. Following his apprenticeship recommendation. Paine enlisted and became a privateer for a short time, serving on the King of Prussia for one year In November that year Paine arrived in during the Seven Years’ War. In his early 20s he Philadelphia just as tensions with Britain were at moved to Kent, married and lost both his wife, boiling point. Paine found himself in the company child and business. Paine returned to Thetford of others railing against British injustice and briefly in 1762 before becoming an excise officer quickly became involved with Philadelphia’s in Gratham, Lincolnshire. He was dismissed and patriots. He was convinced by Dr Benjamin Rush then reinstated, spending time as a teacher in to write a pamphlet sighting the reasons why London and staymaker in Diss during this period. America should declare its independence. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 14
‘Common Sense’ denouncing the British Government and the injustices inflicted upon American colonists was released in January 1776. In his writing Paine illustrated how the actions of the British brought suffering to the common man and outlined a radical vision for what independence should look like. Paine denounced monarchy and argued for a new country where everyone had a voice, where everyone could vote or hold office regardless of their wealth. Paine’s writing became the most published pamphlet during the revolutionary era. George Washington found Paine’s words so powerful that he had them read to his soldiers. Those words, it is said were the turning point at the Battle of Princeton and the War of Independence for the revolutionaries. “These are the times that try men’s souls’ has remained a powerful statement ever since. Paine helped to coin the phrase Unites States of America and continued to advocate for his vision of a new American, whilst writing the American Crisis. After the war Paine began to focus on engineering and architecture, designing a new style of bridge that could span longer distances, a smokeless candle and early steam engines. He continued to write in favour of progressive taxes to pay for social programmes to increase the welfare of the common man. His impassioned, rebellious books soon saw a threatened British Government charge him with seditious libel. Paine was sentenced in his absence to death, although he was never executed. Ever the revolutionary, in 1789 Paine could not resist the temptation to travel to France and get involved. He published the Rights of Man in defence of the French revolution and continued his attacks against monarchy and the elite. Paine was granted French citizenship and elected to the National Convention where he helped to write the French Constitution. Mistaken for an aristocrat, Paine narrowly avoided execution after being arrested and spent almost a year in the Bastille. His opposition to the death penalty, the mass use of the guillotine and execution of Louis XVI quickly led to Paine being charged with treason during the years of The Terror. Whilst detained in Luxembourg, he began to write Age of Reason. Paine having previously attacked his old friend George Washington, was vilified when Age of Reason, his study on religion, was published in America. Tokens showing Paine hanging from a gallows were produced in Britain in 1793 with the inscription ‘End of Pain’ on one side and the open
pages of a book on the reverse with The Wrongs of Man on the right page and the date King Louis XVI was executed on the left side. The implication was that Paine’s ideas contributed to Louis’ death and would do the same for the English King, so the end of Paine would be welcomed by all loyal subjects. Paine returned to America for his final years, where he was welcomed by Thomas Jefferson who he had met in France. Despite this, newspapers still denounced him, and Paine lived the rest of his life in poverty. Paine died on June 8, 1809 and was buried in New Rochelle. Ten years later his remains were stolen by William Cobbett and shipped to England. Various stories tell of the bones being lost at sea, stored in a cellar or buried in a secret location. To this day Thomas Paine has no final resting place although the city of New Rochelle has launched an effort to gather his remains and create a final resting place. After his death, Napoleon Bonaparte is reputed to have said that every city in the universe should have a gold-plated statue of Paine. In 2009, Obama quoted Paine his inauguration speech, taking the words from Paine’s American Crisis. Today Paine is as relevant as ever and is said to be one of the SGBinfluential Advert.qxp_Layout 18/09/2020 most writers the1world has ever09:50 seen. Page 1
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Days To Note In December The first weekend in December is Tree Dressing Day. This is not a tradition that I have been aware of – perhaps we have so many fine trees in this area that we take them for granted. However, maybe putting a few decorations on a tree or bush in the front garden could bring a smile to the face of someone passing by. Of course, we all hope Santa will be visiting for the 25th but don’t forget there may be other visitors too. There has recently been a spate of break-ins on the allotment sites. I don’t keep any power tools in my shed – and in fact I don’t bother to lock it after the padlock and hasp were wrenched off last time. Keep the good stuff at home – fortunately the thieves don’t seem to be interested in hand tools. To add insult to injury foxes have got into the London Road site and killed several chickens. So – don’t make it easy for the predators – animal or human. If you are thinking of a present to yourself this Christmas and don’t already have one, consider a greenhouse. You can spend hours sorting out cuttings, pricking out seedlings etc. I had a good crop from my Dwarf Braeburn tree this year and was surprised to find that the cultivar is younger than me - discovered in 1952 in New Zealand. This is a great apple to grow; it is selffertile and thrives in our soil and climate, setting so much fruit that it generally needs thinning out to allow the development of a sensible number of good-sized apples. If you are thinking of having one fruit tree, this is a good choice and a dwarf rootstock will keep it to about 6 foot tall, in line with the council’s policy. In contrast, both the Cox’s Orange Pippin and the Bramley were discovered in the early 1800s. The preparations for winter continue in the garden. Grouping potted plants together in a sheltered position will give some protection if we get very bad weather – also keeping them neatly out of the way. Pruning is high on the list; Japanese maples
and vines are priority cases as they bleed sap if the job is left to January; wisteria, roses, apples and pears can also be pruned now. If you have enjoyed dahlias this year, lift and store the tubers once the leaves have died back. If you want to establish asparagus, now is the time to order crowns from growers. These are plants that take time to establish – but there is nothing to compare with the first freshly-picked spears. The foliage is quite impressive after a crop has been taken so position an asparagus bed where 6 or 7 foot of fern will be an asset rather than a problem.
The club store will not be opening on Saturdays from now until March. If you do want to make purchases our Chairman will come to the London Road site to meet you at a mutually suitable time. Contact details are in the 2020 diary. No meetings but cheer yourself up by celebrating Christmas Jumper Day on the 11th – hunt out that very embarrassing sweater that you were given last year. Finally, a day of note in the USA - they celebrate Champagne Day on the 31st – well, I think we already have that tradition with New Year’s Eve. I am sure we will all be drinking to a speedy resolution to this wretched virus and a return to to a normal social life. REV2.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/20 No Job Small 1-8 Advert Happy Christmas! Sue Pilgrim
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FAMILYSunday CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL 1 November - Tuesday 15 December Thetford’s well-loved family Christmas tree trail is back! Have fun, explore the town and you might win a Christmas hamper. This Christmas, it’s more important than ever to support our community, shopping locally where we can and backing Thetford’s economy. Following the annual Christmas tree trail – proudly supported by About Thetford magazine – is a great way to join in Thetford’s festive fun. It’s free, and it’s a great family activity, getting people out and about in our town centre, checking out local businesses and even getting a bit of exercise! All you have to do is locate 16 small wooden Christmas trees – you’ll find
them in town centre windows. We’ve also put together a map with some clues as to where they might be. Each tree has a number and a letter. If you collect all 16 letters, you’ll see that they form a two-word phrase. Correct answers will go into a draw, and the winner will receive a Christmas hamper full of local goodies. It’s easy to enter: complete the grid below with your two words, drop your entry in to the Everything Thetford shop at 20 King Street or email your answer to info@leapinghare.org. Remember to include your name and contact details. Good luck! The answer to the Christmas Tree Trail competition is . . . FIRST WORD
i The Bell
ar
p ap
R
ay W
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
SECOND WORD
12 13 14 15 16
The Christmas tree trail is organised by Leaping Hare, Thetford Methodist Church, Ancient House Museum and supported by About Thetford magazine.
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16:41
Fly-tipping Landlord Given £445 Fine
Barry Carter
Breckland Council has issued a £445 Fixed Penalty Notice to a local landlord who disposed of his renovation waste in a residential car park.
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Fly-tipping at St Martin’s Way in Thetford
Breckland Council’s Enforcement Team received a report from a member of the public that several mattresses, remains of flat-pack furniture and a camping chair had been fly tipped at a car park on St Martins Way, in Thetford. Whilst there was no immediate evidence or witnesses, the council’s officers conducted door-to-door visits in the area and surrounding properties and followed the drag marks which appeared to be coming from a nearby address which was clearly undergoing renovation. The Enforcement Team contacted the landlord and conducted a telephone interview under caution. This led to the individual admitting the offence and he was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for £445 for this fly-tip incident.
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Councillor Gordon Bambridge, Breckland’s Executive Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection, commented: "Thanks to the cooperation from local residents we’ve been able to track down the perpetrator of this incident and issue a fine. Fly-tipping is unacceptable and people should instead use the local Recycling Centre or arrange a Bulky Waste Collection from the council for a small fee.”
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Councillor Chris Harvey, representative for the Thetford Burrell Ward said: “I am very pleased with the effort being put in to tackle fly-tipping in Thetford and would like to thank the Council’s Enforcement Officer. Action on fly-tipping is something that myself and other Councillors have pushed for in recent years and we’re now starting to see regular fines to discourage people”.
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This Christmas, someone very special is teaming up with Thetford Garden Centre to make sure that Christmas isn‘t cancelled.
Enjoy a three part festive story in the lead up to Christmas read by Santa himself along with his faithful Elf Tinsel, all the way from the North Pole! Plus receive an exclusive t-shirt, le er from Santa and sticker in the post. Includes free postage and packaging. Standard ticket: £18.99 | Personalised: £21.99
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New CEX For Thetford-Based BTO Perhaps you already know that the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) which is a globally-respected, science-based charity that is working in the environmental sector - has its headquarters at the Nunnery in Thetford? And that BTO’s only nature reserve, the Nunnery Lakes – with 2 miles of permissive paths, a new viewing platform and a healthy population of Kingfishers – is found on the south side of the town? Nearly all BTO staff have been working from home since March and our offices have been closed for most of the year, in line with the government’s guidelines. We look forward to a time when we can reopen the Nunnery to visitors but we’re glad to say that the Nunnery Lakes reserve remains open during daylight hours, as it has done throughout the pandemic. What you might not know about BTO is that in November, we welcomed a new Chief Executive: Professor Juliet Vickery! Juliet has a 35-year career working in conservation science, academia and the NGO sector. She had a previous 11-year spell at BTO, leading work on the conservation and ecology of farmland birds. Juliet is an active member of the wider scientific community, part of the Government’s Darwin Expert Committee. Juliet joins BTO from the RSPB, where she was Head of International Conservation Science.
New BTO Chief Executive, Juliet Vickery
that partnership generates about the state of our natural world and the threats it faces.’
BTO continues to grow as an organisation, both in terms of reach and impact, and in the opportunities we provide for people to participate in our work. Juliet said “To have been trusted with this position The data generated by wonderful BTO volunteers is an enormous privilege and a hugely exciting opportunity. In his time as Chief Executive, Andy provide unparalleled opportunities to gather the impartial evidence needed to inform and guide Clements [the outgoing CEO] has transformed environmental management and conservation, BTO, steering it through these current uncertain and to engage with policy-makers. Juliet joins times with clarity and compassion to ensure the BTO at a time when this evidence is becoming organisation remains in good shape. I am looking even more important, as are the opportunities for forward to building on what has gone before, people to connect with nature by getting involved particularly BTO’s long-term partnership between Betts of Brandon 1/8 AD.qxp_Layout 1 09/04/2019 in 16:38 citizen science. professional and citizen scientists, and working to maximise the impact of the unique evidence You can watch Juliet’s introduction on our
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Finally, please consider supporting the important work of your local bird charity by buying BTO Christmas cards from our shop: www.bto.org/shop Wishing you a safe and peaceful Christmas from everyone at BTO. Nick Moran, BTO
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Introducing Lou Provart “I am Temporary Superintendent Lou Provart and for at least the next 6 months I will be the District Commander for Breckland and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. I will be looking after the area for Superintendent David Buckley who has been promoted to Temporary Chief Superintendent and moved to our Headquarters at Wymondham. So, I will use this month’s article to tell you a little about myself and my policing career. I joined Norfolk Constabulary as a Special Constable in 2000 whilst studying at UEA, and supported my frontline colleagues in Norwich until 2006 when in September I joined the ranks of the regular police and became a Police Constable. My main area of policing was Norwich City Centre until 2009 when I became a Detective Constable on our ProActive Unit targeting our level 1 criminal targets for priority offences, including burglary, robbery and drug suppliers. In 2010 I moved to Gorleston on promotion to Sergeant leading response policing before becoming a Custody Sergeant and latterly a Detective Sergeant responsible for serious organised crime. On return to Local Policing in 2015 I became the Local Policing Inspector for Wymondham until October 2016. A varied career then followed with responsibility for Community Safety which covered things like Safer School, Diversity, Rural Crime, foreign National Offenders etc. In 2017 I moved to the Force Control Room as one of the Control Inspectors as a tactical firearms & critical incident commander. I was delighted to be promoted in September 2016 to Chief Inspector and became Head of Custody for Norfolk and Suffolk Police, and following an excellent two years have been asked by our Chief Constable to be your District Commander. My focus for the next 6 months will be our response to 999 and 101 calls, neighbourhood policing, and crime investigation – but as we
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Breckland District Commander Lou Provart in Thetford Town Centre recently
know in the times we are in, policing operates in a complex ever-changing environment, particularly with the effect COVID-19 is having on us all. We are setting up virtual community meetings to brief key partners on policing, to develop our priority setting approach, and I hope many of you will take the opportunity to have your say at those. Sign up for updates into your inbox or phone at: www. norfolk.police.uk/services/police.connect
I will endeavour to get out on patrol from time to time so if you see me about please do come up Safe Gas 1/4th Advert_Layout 1 08/12/2016 07:54 Pag and say hello”. Lou Provart
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New Community Shop Makes Food More Affordable For Local People
Breckland Council Launches £6m Business Support Package
Charles Burrell Centre (CBC) in Thetford has launched a new community shop to ensure that good quality, affordable food is available to local residents. The Burrell Shop, located at the Centre has been created in collaboration with Norfolk Community Foundation and opened in November and it is already proving popular.
Breckland Council is rolling out support in excess of £6m to help the district's businesses through lockdown and beyond. The programme brings together locally-designed and funded activities, to complement the new wave of nationally-funded lockdown business grants. It comprises initiatives designed to help existing and new businesses to thrive, individuals to adapt to the pandemic jobs market, and vital funding to keep businesses going during lockdown.
From left to right: Judy Dow (Head of Philanthropy, Norfolk Community Foundation), Billie Lawler (Manager, Burrell Shop), Tracy Terry (Manager, Engine Room Cafe), Sam Chapman-Allen (Leader of Breckland Council) and Mark Robinson (Mayor of Thetford)
Families with children at the schools on the Barnham Cross estate were first to try the shop which works on a membership basis. Members can get fresh, frozen, dried and tinned food, alongside toiletries, nappies and personal care items provided by charities including Fareshare, HISchurch, Country Food Trust and other local food suppliers. All products are provided at a hugely reduced cost, and there are usually some freebies. Membership will be widened to the entire Burrell Ward in the New Year. Billie Lawler is the Shop Manager. “People in our community are struggling. If you’re receiving just 80% of your usual wage or have lost your job, it can be impossible to manage,” she says. “The Burrell Shop will help people stretch their income further to ensure no one goes hungry.” The Burrell Shop is supported by a number of partners including Breckland Council, Norfolk Community Foundation and Feeding Britain.
Further Information...
If you would like to find out more, email; billie@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk Or visit; www.norfolkfoundation.com
Under the new Local Restrictions Support Grant, eligible businesses which have had to close due to the new lockdown regulations will be able to claim a one-off grant of up to £3,000 to cover the lockdown period. Businesses can claim directly using a simple from on the Breckland Council website. The local element of this package includes help for small High Street businesses to improve their online presence to enable web sales. In addition, people who may have lost their job due to the pandemic will be offered free employability advice to help them back into work, while grants and advice will be offered to people looking to launch their own business, with extra incentives for new start-ups on Breckland high streets. The new package of support is being made available after more than 1,000 businesses shared their views on the types of support that they needed. The activity will be delivered by the council in conjunction with programmes from the Department for Work and Pensions, and the New Anglia LEP, as part of Norfolk's coordinated response to the pandemic. Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Leader of Breckland Council, commented: "We've been working very closely with businesses of all sizes throughout the pandemic and they've shown incredible resilience. However, we're not being complacent and we recognise that further challenges lie ahead. This significant programme of funding will help future -proof our businesses and support people back into work locally." What is included in the £6m package? Lockdown Grants - Grants of up to £3,000 for businesses. Employability support - access free employability advice and support, in the form of 1-to-1 and group sessions. New business grants - support to start their own enterprise. High Street Start Out support, Digital Support, plus much more. For full details, please visit the Breckland Council website: www.breckland.gov.uk
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Advent Calendar And Chocolate Treat Giveaway Like most PTA’s at this time of year, Garboldisham School’s “FROGS” were hoping to organise the Christmas Fair, fundraise and put smiles on faces too! With Covid 19 that event, like so many others, couldn’t go ahead. The group took the view that this year with things being tough all round they would find organisations to support and leave fundraising until next year. Instead they organised a Chocolate Appeal and collected items from parents (in a Covid safe way of course!) such as advent calendars, chocolate bars and Santas letting the parents know that FROGS would “match fund” any donations. The shop at Garboldisham also agreed to a collection box for villagers to donate to. Robbie and Kelly Starling, the owners, were keen to get involved and help. The group of Mums who are involved in FROGS hoped the collection would be well supported but were overwhelmed with the generosity shown by parents and villagers alike. Over 187 items were donated, meaning just over 370 items in total will be given to such places as Thetford Foodbank and Pine Close Community Centre as well as a Hamper Appeal for Thetford’s older residents. Clare, the FROGS Chairperson said “It was a pleasure to organise this. We are all over the moon at the number of treats we are able to donate that will hopefully make a huge difference to local families this Christmas.”
FROGS Chair Clare with a selection of treats collected for the local community this Christmas
Do You Have A Community Story To Share?
We love to hear how people are making a difference to our local community. Please email a report along with a photo. The deadline for the January 2021 edition is December 7th please send submissions to: Page 1 AKFS Advert.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2020 17:03 karen@aboutthetfordmagazine.co.uk
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Renew And Regenerate This Winter It is at this time of year that we begin to experience changes to our skin. It may appear much drier, become chapped and much more hyper sensitive to things, especially the lips and hands. Products and creams that we have used in the past and been perfectly fine with may now irritate the skin causing inflammation, redness and even itching. Other factors which cause changes may be triggered by a change in the environment, cold weather and central heating which can cause dryness. We try to overcome these effects by applying more moisturiser but this in turn may not be the best solution. The moisturiser may be too rich, which can make the skin feel congested instead of what we really wanted which was hydration! Also, some moisturisers contain perfumes and /or colours which then makes the skin become itchy and/or red and easily irritated. For maximum results keep it simple, try hydrating, soothing spritzers which contain humectants to bind and attract moisture to the skin, and calming extracts of liquorice, cucumber and raspberry extract. They are really easy to use and can be applied several times during the day, even through make up and they will help create a protective shield against assault from the environment. This year has been much more difficult and challenging, more than any of us could ever have imagined. As I write this we are due to reopen on the 3 December from ‘Lockdown2’. We hope that the Christmas season can bring some festive cheer and hope for all of you but know it will still be difficult for many. Lots of our clients will be pleased to get their fingers and toes jazzed up with Gel Colour and make them look bright and cheery. Sometimes it’s just the little things which lift our spirits, especially in these uncertain times. Wishing you a Happy, Healthy & Safe Christmas!
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Thetford U3A It seems that the premonition to cancel the November meeting was proved correct. I believe no one wanted another lockdown especially this time of the year but hopefully it might at least not be necessary to have a further one. Excellent news about the vaccine, but I fear it will be the summer before we all have taken advantage of it. Peter, Lorraine, Tracey & Ricky (pictured in 2019)
Our Salon is particularly grateful during this pandemic for wonderful clients like you, we thank you for your continued support. We wish you all a Christmas filled with the spirit of kindness.
Est. 1981 19 Guildhall Street Thetford Norfolk IP24 2DT
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J O H N O L IV E R S
Our last meeting went well and many members were glad to be there. We decided the committee would have a little break from our regular Zoom meetings but only in December. We remain concerned about the health and loneliness of some of our members so please contact us if you need a friendly chat or if you could do with a little help. My telephone number is always printed so please ring and I can always put you in touch with someone if I cannot help. We managed to order our annual poppy wreath and many thanks to John Snow for delivering it. The service was for invited guests only and luckily John was able to attend. He said even though there were only a few present the service was beautiful.
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We are trying to get a whist/bridge group up and if anyone would be interested please ring. We are hoping to start this in January, It would be lovely to get some interested people together before then. Reminder to everyone who has paid their subs this year that next year they will be given free membership. The newsletter will be with you soon, in fact you will probably have received it before you get to read this. We are still hoping that our January meeting can take place but will keep you informed. We (the committee) send our good wishes for a healthy peaceful Christmas and hopefully a much happier New Year. Meetings are held at the Carnegie, Thetford at 2pm. Free to members, ÂŁ2 for visitors. For further information, please visit: www.u3asites.org.uk/thetford/home Lesley Braund (01824 842074)
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Thetford Library Online Reading And Author Events Virtually meet the author on Zoom! Zoe Somerville (pictured) will be joining us on Wednesday 20th January 2021, 8pm. Tickets are free but spaces are limited. To book a place on an event, email the author's name to; libraries.iconnect@norfolk. gov.uk - the first 50 people will receive their invite. Online Book Club: On Wednesday 30 December we will be discussing 'Little Women' by Louisa M Alcott. The classic story of the March family, Little Women has been adored for generations. The novel follows the lives of four sisters-tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy as they come of age while their father is fighting in the American Civil War. Since 1868, readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand, cried over the family's tragedy, and dreamed of traveling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. The book is available to borrow from Norfolk Libraries on eBook and eAudio - Little Women eBook and eAudio. To join the online discussion, simply download or borrow a copy of the book, and then email; libraries.iconnect@norfolk. gov.uk and we will send you a link to the Zoom meeting a week before the event.
Reading Friends: This is a Reading Agency project which aims to tackle loneliness through the proven power of reading. Each week we'll invite adults across Norfolk to relax with a cuppa and enjoy listening to a good story. Every Tuesday at 7pm, we’ll bring you a tale to lift your spirits and give you an opportunity to share your thoughts with others via Zoom. If you’re new to Zoom, we’ll also help you set things up on your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you’d like to join in, email ‘Reading Friends’ to libraries.iconnect@norfolk. gov.uk and you'll be sent a personal invite.
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Silver Social Programme Continues The Silver Social is an award-winning initiative which brings a range of art workshops and shows to the Breckland district. The sessions have previously been held in libraries and other public venues, but in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the latest social distancing guidance, the Silver Social has adapted its activities and moved online to be held over video conference. Recent performances have seen residents treated to singing performances from the popular duo, Opera Dudes, poetry workshops from highly acclaimed poet Dan Simpson and Cuppa and Chat Q & A Sessions with returning artist, Anna Mudeka. As well as virtual workshops, residents are invited to submit their own stories for inclusion in a printed booklet and online exhibition. Organised in partnership with circus Strong Lady, Charmaine Childs, the Stories of Strength creative project encourages residents to tell a story of a moment in their life when they've felt strong or found strength, they didn't know they had. It's hoped this programme of events will help promote positive wellbeing amongst residents and offer a welcomed break from their dayto-day routines while current restrictions are in place. Silver Social is a Breckland Council funded project. The project’s first three years, 2017 - 2020, was funded by the Arts Council and managed by Breckland Council and after great success, Breckland Council took the decision to fully fund the Project for a further three years. Kirstie from Ink and Flow Beginners / Refresher Modern Calligraphy Workshop Tuesday, 1st December 2020 10am - 11.30am Kirstie will guide you through a beginners modern calligraphy workshop learning the basics of how to use the equipment and start to create beautiful letterforms. You will be posted a kit with everything you need to get going ahead of the workshop. No previous experience is required and it’s suitable for both left and right handed (Kirstie is a lefty herself!) Modern Calligraphy - Gift Tag Workshop Tuesday, 8th December 2020 10am - 11am In this workshop we’ll be using skills learnt previously to beautifully write a series of gift tags.
Join Silver Social online and enjoy a variety of workshops including a virtual Christmas Party
We’ll be working with black and metallic inks to bring a sparkle to the tags. You’ll be able to ask Kirstie to show us how to write specific phrases or names that are important for you this Christmas.
Silver Social To find out more about the project, the latest activities and to book your place visit; www.thesilversocial.com or email; community@breckland.gov.uk All equipment needed for each session will be sent to participants.
JOIN OUR REIMAGINED PROGRAMME
While we are unable to meet in person, we're bringing you the same relaxed, friendly environment to learn and create in. Join one of our workshops, cuppa and chat sessions or watch a performance, online or via telephone. Visit our website or call us to find out about the latest events.
Booking is essential to attend. No experience necessary Website: www.thesilversocial.com Phone: 01362 656870 Email: community@breckland.gov.uk
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Breckland Cats Protection As I write this, we are in lockdown and Christmas is approaching. We are still homing cats and kittens in a safe way, as most of our foster cats are in pens in our volunteers gardens, so members of the public can still visit them, keeping to social distancing. Other fosterers use their conservatories which means that cats and kittens can still be viewed, although potential adopters cannot enter the home. We are also still carrying out home visits, although not going into anyone’s houses. We talk at a safe distance on their doorstep and maybe view the garden if it can be seen without going through the house. We need to be sure that the cat or kitten is going to be relatively safe, away from busy roads and railway lines. Fortunately the vets are staying open which is a great relief to us, since all our cats and kittens need to be vaccinated and microchipped before they can go to new homes. We are still not allowed inside the vets premises, but we can talk to the vet in their car park and they then take the cat or kitten into the surgery and bring it back to us in the car park when the consultation is complete. At Christmas time we have a system whereby no cat or kitten can be adopted after 19th December until 2nd January. This is because we don’t want cats or kittens to be given as Christmas presents, especially to children. It is a busy time in lots of households and not a good time to be introducing a new member of the family, when it could be noisy, with outside doors opening and closing.
We feel it is best to wait until the festivities are over before adoption takes place. Of course cats and kittens can still be reserved, but we keep them until the New Year. If you have a young cat or kitten, please be careful with your Christmas decorations. We know Kittens especially will want to climb a Christmas tree which can be very dangerous as they can become tangled up with the fairy lights. It’s best to only allow them in the room with the tree under supervision. The best way to approach the problem, is to put the tree up, but leave off decorating it for a few days, allowing the cat or kitten to get used to it being there, and then if they climb it they won’t get into difficulties. Tinsel and such decorations can be tempting for your cats or kittens to chew and even maybe eat, which could lead to all sorts of problems. For help or advice, or if you need assistance with the cost of neutering, please call us on 01842 810018. Happy Christmas and New Year to you all. Let’s hope for better things in 2021. Rita Thompson Breckland Cats Protection
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Don't Forget To Book Vital Screening Thousands of women are missing potentially lifesaving breast cancer checks after a 50% fall in the numbers attending appointments. The routine health screening, which is offered to women aged 50 to 71, was put on hold due to Covid-19 but restarted in July. Since then the numbers attending have dropped dramatically, with two thirds of women in west Suffolk and south west Norfolk not responding to letters offering them an appointment. The fall comes despite extended operating hours, and women now being offered the chance to choose their own appointment time rather than being automatically assigned a time slot. West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust superintendent radiographer Sam Newton said, “Before Covid-19, we saw around 13,000 women a year for potentially life-saving health checks but we have seen a worrying fall in appointments We invite women in the target age group to a screening once every three years. If you get a letter, please call us and get booked in. Don’t ignore it or put it off – it takes just a few minutes out of your day and could save your life.” One in eight women are affected by breast cancer, and early detection makes a massive
difference in providing effective treatment. “We know people may be worried about Covid-19 but we have careful procedures in place to ensure the screening is as safe as possible, and it is really important that we continue to detect early breast cancer.” The Trust screening service operates across west Suffolk and parts of Norfolk, with tests offered locally using mobile screening centres. Women can also choose to book an appointment at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. The Trust is currently sending appointment invitation letters to women in the Bury St Edmunds, Thetford, and Sudbury areas.
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Thetford’s New Support Service This is a challenging but exciting time for us at the VERA Trust CIC; Thetford’s new Domestic Abuse service. We began our journey during the uncertain times that COVID19 presents for Domestic Abuse victims. A bittersweet feeling. We are confident that with our mission and the combined skill set of our deeply knowledgeable and committed directors and volunteers we can succeed during this time helping to support some of the most vulnerable women and children in Thetford (and surrounding areas), who are currently suffering adverse consequences to their emotional wellbeing and mental health as a result of domestic abuse. Our provision of uniquely designed holistic informed services, specialised to support victims to promote and improve their quality of life is needed more than ever. Since opening our doors in September 2020 our weekly support groups are now running at full capacity with a waiting list and relying heavily on donations. The community of Thetford has gone above and beyond to help our much needed service flourish and we would like to express deep gratitude to those who have donated time, money, items and toys for the children we support.
Vera Trust CIC are looking to run courses for local beauty providers
local newspaper, “Six weeks ago I didn’t want to be here any more but I don’t feel like that now. Other than my children, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Too busy
We have also designed and launched a brand new domestic abuse training course for local Hairdressers, Beauticians and Nail technicians called ‘Vera’s Angels’. By offering this we aim to raise awareness of domestic abuse through these frontline professionals, helping them to spot the signs, how to start conversations and how to help women access the support they need. This is a completely voluntary service where a donation of £15 to attend the course goes back into The Vera Trust CIC helping us to continue our much needed service. We are also open to offering similar training packages for other sectors/organisations.
If you would like to support our ‘24 Days Of Christmas Wishlist’ campaign through Amazon you can do so by using this link: https://amzn. eu/fFoWKMg (all items will be delivered to our discreet office and will help to keep the services effectively running in 2021). During the lockdown period an emergency support service has been set up to help victims who need to flee domestic abuse. We are not a refuge, nor do we provide VERA Trust CIC any accommodation but we can provide a safe Please get in touch with us to book yourself space to come and get support, helping to on this course or share your ideas: signpost victims to emergency domestic abuse Facebook: The Vera Trust CIC charities across Norfolk. A service user in her late Instagram: @theveratrust Maid2Clean AD.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 11:24 Pa 20s, who gets1/8 support from us along with her nineEmail: secretary@theveratrust.co.uk year-old daughter, said when interviewed by the
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IF YOU CAN CATCH A COLD YOU CAN CATCH CORONAVIRUS The viruses that cause colds and flu are spread in the same way as coronavirus. This means that the things that protect us from one virus can protect us from other viruses too.
Are you doing everything that you can to protect yourself and others? Wash your hands regularly Wear a face covering in enclosed spaces Keep your distance
PROTECT OURSELVES. PROTECT OTHERS. PROTECT NORFOLK. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 34
Not All Superheroes Wear Capes A recruitment drive has been launched to boost the number of volunteers who can help support Covid-related needs in their community. The Community Resilience Delivery Group, which was set up by the Norfolk Resilience Forum as part of the local response to COVID-19, is looking to recruit 200 Rapid Response Volunteers to further support the volunteer response across Norfolk at a local level. Alan Hopley, Voluntary Norfolk’s Chief Executive, said: “This new volunteer role is very important to us and will require good communication skills to address the needs of the most vulnerable. Since the first lockdown, we have been fortunate to have the support of volunteers across Norfolk, but, many have now returned to their normal work roles and we again need to boost our volunteer numbers for the longer term, especially with the introduction of the new Rapid Response role. The best resource you can have is people”. The three main tasks a Covid-19 Rapid Response Volunteer will carry out are: Raising Awareness: Our volunteers will visit local communities with key public health messages and advice on how to stay safe and how to self-isolate. This could include leaflet drops or being available and visible in a location to be asked questions.
Community Testing: A Response Volunteer will support public health colleagues to deliver tests to people’s homes (non-contact) to explain how to do the test and how to register the test results. Collection of test samples and collation for onward transit will also be part of the testing activity. Due to the nature of this role it is important that people applying are physically well and not classed as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV). Full training to work in public health will be given, along with the full PPE equipment to carry out the role. Risk assessments will be carried out by council officers beforehand to ensure volunteers’ safety. We also ask that those applying have availability through at least to March 2021 and are happy to fulfil tasks at very short notice. All applicants will require a DBS check (this will be part of the recruitment process if not already available) and should have access to transport, in order to travel around their district area.
Community Contact Tracing and Welfare Checks: We need volunteers to visit residents with advice If you have any questions regarding this role or and support to those who have tested positive but want to know more, please contact the Covid who have not engaged with the contact tracing Response Team via email: system. This will not require visits within homes covid19responseteam@ and would be a non-contact door step activity. voluntarynorfolk.org.uk Visits such as this are crucial to offer people Or read the full job description and sign up at: personal and financial support, because some www.voluntarynorfolk.org.uk/services/ vulnerable people might not be aware that such DKM Services AD.qxp_Layout 1 09/07/2018 15:51 Van Pag and a Man AD REV 06.19.qxp_Layout 1 10/06/2019 volunteer-services/ help is available. covid-response-volunteer-service/
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Smaller Numbers But Wretham Remembrance Continues Limited by pandemic rules, there were only 13 socially distanced people at the annual service at Wretham to remember members of RAF 311 Squadron, whose Czech and Polish members lie in St. Ethelbert churchyard. The ceremony in memory of aircrew which flew Wellington bombers from Wretham airfield during WW2 normally attracts a three figure attendance. This year the Thetford RAFA Chairman John Macpherson read the Exhortation and Kohima Address and, after an RAF Honington bugler sounded Last Post and a two minute silence, followed Parish Council member Paul Barnard in wreath laying at the memorial. Wreaths included those from the village, RAFA branches at Thetford and Bury St Edmunds, both of whose standards were paraded, as well as Czech and Slovak embassies in London, who normally attend, Wretham Royal British Legion and the Free Czech Air Force Association. Tributes were also placed against the 14 war graves in the churchyard. On Remembrance Sunday, former Rector, the Rev Canon Bob Baker, led a short ceremony at the war memorial on traditional lines, attended
Wreath laying at the Wretham memorial
by just 10 people. Wretham and Hockham Royal British Legion secretary Miles Howard read out the names of those dead from the local villages and read the Exhortation and Kohima Address. The Last Post and Reveille came, before and after the two minute silence, from a recording. Wretham Parish Council chairman Harold Smith laid the village wreath, along with those from Hockham and Shropham and from the RBL.
About Thetford January Edition
The deadline for inclusion in the January 2021 edition is December 7th. Send submissions to; karen@aboutthetfordmagazine.co.uk
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David Hands Over The Baton At Turner Funerals Thetford’s longest established funeral home has passed down to another generation and marked the occasion by rebranding the business. Turner Funerals has now passed from David Turner to his daughter, Lydia and her partner Mal. The new branding also features a barn owl representing Lydia and Mal’s young son Jali, whose name means owl in some Aboriginal tribes. The business has seen 3 generations of Turners leading it for over 60 years. “I’d like to thank Dad for the years he’s given to the business and the heritage he’s created,” explained Lydia.
Lydia and Mal with their new hearse bought to mark the handover and rebrand of Turner Funerals
what makes our job so special,” Lydia said “Our team, Mal, Sara, Louise and the Pall Bearers have been brilliant at keeping things going during this difficult time. It’s so important to make what is a difficult time, as easy as possible for the families who come to us.”
Lydia Turner presenting a cake to her father David as he passes control of the family business over alongside Deputy Mayor Cllr Mike Brindle and Lydia’s partner, Mal Offen
Originally she never planned to work for the family business, “Dad had a vacancy, he needed a secretary and I said I’d answer the phone, but only whilst I was between college and uni. I was planning to go off travelling, but the more I saw of the business, the more I enjoyed it. I grew up with it, so I understood about the calls that come in day and night and how important the job is. I’m also part of a new generation of family funeral directors along with Mark Skinner’s children, Sam and Lauren and Adrian Peachey’s son, Gary.” Lydia says that it’s been great to see how the older generation have done things and to now bring in new technology, whilst still working in a traditional manner. Over the years the business has grown under Lydia’s direction over the past 3 years. This year with the covid pandemic has been particularly challenging for funeral directors all over the country, “Making arrangements over zoom and the phone is so strange for funeral directors when we are so used to working face to face with people and that very personal touch is
Lydia’s partner Mal, started out as David’s farrier 28 years ago after arriving in the Norfolk from Australia. “I never thought I’d end up in the trade. Prior to being here I did some training as a counsellor which I now use in my work. I really cherish helping families move forward wherever they are in their grief. Mal is now making quite a name for himself as the Aussie undertaker locally and has been involved in supporting a project with the Salvation Army.
As the baton is passed over from father to daughter, Turner Funerals invested in a new hearse and held a covid secure celebration. “It’s lovely to be moving forward as a family business and back to our original name. We are looking forward to supporting the local families who we have helped for generations.” Lydia reflected as fellow funeral 1/8 directors, church leaders and staff09:11 Pa Ear Irrigation Ad.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2020 wished David all the best.
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DELIVERY AREA Every month there are 13,000 copies of the About Thetford magazine printed. They arrive back from the printers on the last Friday of each month ready for distribution. By the end of that weekend virtually all the magazines are delivered by our dedicated delivery team who undertake the 30 different delivery routes. We deliver to every house in Thetford, as well as business premises throughout the Town Centre and across the industrial estates. In addition, we deliver to homes in the villages of Croxton and Barnham. Due to demand, we have established a rural delivery route and leave copies of the magazine at a variety of locations for residents in the villages surrounding Thetford.
JUNE
Magazine Pick-Up Points: 1. East Harling; Post Office, Doctors Surgery, Village Stores, FL Edge & Son Butchers, Peppers Tea Room 2. Kenninghall - Village Stores, Kenninghall, NR16 2AH 3. Banham Village Stores, Kenninghall Road and the Appleyard Shops NR16 2HE 4. Garboldisham Village Shop & Post Office, The Street, Garboldisham, IP22 2QN 5. Hopton Village Post Office & Stores, Thelnetham Road, IP22 2QY 6. Ixworth Post Office, High Street, IP31 2HH & Ixworth Butchers 7. Jackdaw Service Station, IP31 1EL 8. Lotties Emporium, Bardwell Road, Stanton, IP31 2EA 9. Elveden Courtyard, London Rd, Elveden, IP24 3TQ 10. Brandon – magazines delivered to all High Street retailers including Brandon Town Council offices, Hyams Bakery, The Meat Market and cafes 11. Weeting Post Office, George’s Fish Bar – rn retu both Hereward Way, Weeting ens ard nG 12. Mundford, Browns Kitchen and Farm Shop, Ope Swaffham Road, IP26 5EH, Yallops, St Leonards St Lynford Hall, IP26 5HW 13. The Dragonfly Visitor Exhibition Centre, Wayland House, Watton, IP25 6AR 14. Wretham Village Hall, Church Lane, Wretham, Thetford IP24 1RL 15. The English Whisky Company, St Georges Distillery, Harling Road, Roudham, NR16 2QW & Swallow Aquatics 19
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Read the magazine for free online! Every month we upload a digital copy of the magazine onto our website so that it can be read online, for free, anywhere in the world. We have regular readers from places such as Australia and America. You can also read previous copies of the magazine and view other information through the website. Visit: www.aboutthetfordmagazine.co.uk
Contact Karen on 07540 463662 or email aboutthetfordmagazine@gmail.com Don’t forget! We are also on Twitter via @About_Thetford, have a Facebook page and are on Instagram. All pages are updated on a regular basis with the latest news and information and highlights from the monthly magazine.
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Changes And Challenges As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the changes and challenges that it brought. Both to the Charles Burrell Museum and to myself as its Manager. Taking over the role in July, I was immediately struck by just how much needed doing to bring the Museum up to scratch, both generally and in a Covid-19 specific way and I admit freely that I had my doubts that it would even be possible. However, what I failed to take into consideration at that point was the effect of the unwavering support and dedication of the wonderful team of CBM Volunteers who have come to the rescue time and time again. I consider myself very lucky to both work with these amazing folks and to have them as friends. There is simply no way that we would be making the progress that we are without them and I would like to thank them for all their hard work, and, also for getting behind me as Manager right from the start. We really are “The Dream Team”. The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that we, unfortunately, haven't been able to open the Museum at all this year which has been a bitter blow. But all clouds come with a silver lining they say, and this time of closure has instead provided a chance for us to get lots of maintenance done! Queen Mary, our Showman’s Engine, is in the process of having her new tyres fitted. Four segments have been welded in place at the time of writing and although work has had to come to a stop due to the current November lockdown the team are eager to get back in to start work again just as soon as it is possible. The lockdown has also meant the cancelling of Queen Mary’s boiler inspection, but we are hopeful for a new date for this early next year as she’s all ready for it! In the Museum building itself work has also been progressing. DIY jobs have been completed and lots of painting has been going on and it really is starting to all come together now! As an avid list maker, it's very nice to see the jobs listed on my board of things that need to be done gradually being crossed off. One thing I personally am very proud of is the newly covered display boards upstairs. They now have a Velcro compatible material on them which is great for being able to frequently change the display content at the drop of a hat. I took responsibility for covering these boards myself which, as the material was
Helen has been transforming the display boards upstairs this month
self-adhesive and in large segments, quite frequently involved me getting stuck to the boards as well! So, things are moving forward bit by bit and we are all hopeful of having a date to re-open next year! The Charles Burrell Museum volunteer family would like to wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2021 and we hope to see you soon! Visit: www.charlesburrellmuseum.org.uk Helen Whitton-Rogers
About Thetford Website
Don’t forget we have a great website where you can read previous copies of About Thetford magazine from 2016. Findlay QP Advert.qxp_Layout 1 18/06/2019 13:23 Pa www.aboutthetfordmagazine.co.uk
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Buying Something Online? National Consumer Week (NCW) is an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of consumers issues and protections. This year, Citizens Advice are raising awareness of what people’s rights are when shopping online, and what they can do if something goes wrong with their order and delivery. This is a particularly timely with pre-Christmas shopping underway and the lockdown restrictions resulting in people relying on online purchases. Top tips: 1. Check Delivery Policies - before you place an order find out what the delivery times, costs and returns policies are of the items you have ordered. 2. If you’re out of the house during delivery Consider asking a neighbour or friend if it can be delivered to their address if you think it may be a time or date you are not home. But beware, if you do provide details of a safe space or nominated neighbour and something goes wrong it’s not the seller or courier’s responsibility.
but if it’s a private individual it may be easier to go through a marketplace's dispute process. 4. Review traders - Check and review if the trader is genuine. It’s always worth taking a look at reviews to gain an insight as to how reliable the company is and how well they deal with missing parcel complaints and refunds. 5. Who to deal with when a parcel goes missing - your purchase and contract is with the seller. If your parcel goes missing you should speak to the trader to deal with the problem, not the courier.
3. Online trader or online marketplace? - Make Find out more about your rights and National sure you know if you are dealing with a trader or a Consumer Week at: www.citizensadvice.org. private seller on an online marketplace as dispute 09:41 MCP HP Advert 11.18.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2018 Page 1 uk/NCW20. You can also call the Citizens Advice processes may vary. If you have an issue with a consumer service for advice on 0808 223 1133. trader, a dispute can be raised directly with them,
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Still Time To Have Your Say On Council's Budget Proposals You still have time to have your say on Norfolk County Council’s budget proposals for next year. Consultation on the council’s proposed share of Council Tax and its savings proposals will take place up until 14th December, at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/budget Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Andrew Jamieson, encouraged people to take part in the consultation, to help the council shape its priorities at a time of “Almost unprecedented risk and uncertainty. We must now plan for the ‘triple whammy’ impacts of rising budget pressures, uncertainty over Government funding, and the financial challenges associated with COVID-19.”
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The council is consulting on the level of Council Tax and adult social care precept. People can also comment on the proposed budget approach and savings proposals. Two specific proposals people can comment on in detail include reducing the amount of roadside grass cutting and reducing opening hours at recycling centres. The proposal to reduce the opening hours for recycling centres, would save £70,000 and to cut the number of community librarians by a fifth would save £118,000. Reducing rural grass cutting from twice a year to once a year, on roads classified as C and U, while bringing urban grass cutting down from four to three cuts a year would save £100,000. Ending the provision of newspapers and magazines would save £50,000. People can respond online or write to Freepost Plus RTCL-XSTT-JZSK, Norfolk County Council, Ground floor – south wing, County Hall. Martineau Lane, NORWICH, NR1 2DH – they do not need to use a stamp.
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Advent Activities Create Family-Fun
Thetford Flower Club
Christmas is fast approaching, and finding activities to fill December this year, aside from the inevitable online Christmas shop – has been tricky. Luckily, the internet is littered with various festive activities, a fantastic one being ‘advent activities’. The general concept is to complete a festive activity on each day of advent leading up to Christmas day. While many templates are available online, there is even more fun to be found in devising some of you own. For many this year, the holidays will be spent with loved ones at home, so it’s a great way to get the family involved!
A message to members and friends of Thetford Flower Club from Lorraine(Chairman) and all the Committee. We are all aware of the devastating affect Covid has had on our lives and all the clubs in Thetford. You have been informed that our Christmas Party has had to be cancelled as well as all our monthly meetings. Don’t despair! We are hopeful that we can begin 2021 with our AGM in February, which we will confirm by phone. Your committee wishes you ALL a very Happy Christmas if different this year. We hope you and your family stay safe, take care and we look look forward to renewing old friendships in 2021! Lynda Moore
Thetford Inner Wheel
Some awesome activities to try this Christmas can include anything from baking cookies to decorating the Christmas tree, or from lighting festive-scented candles to knitting a Christmas jumper. The activities don’t just provide days of entertainment, but are also easily adaptable too. If you like, you can swap to a series of ‘Christmas Challenges’ such as a scavenger hunt, pin the nose on the reindeer or a festive themed quiz if you’re looking for some healthy competition! Adding prizes can also increase the fun, such as being the first person to open presents on Christmas morning or choosing the festive film! Not only are advent activities a fun and family friendly way to spend Christmas, but they can also add to the spirit of giving and support local charities throughout December. You can donate to local charities – a great way to clear old toys ready for the Christmas avalanche! Or make up a care package for a homeless shelter, such as Laburnum Grove Housing with Care. Just make sure to check the Covid-19 Guidelines of your local charitable organisations! Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable Christmas, full of fun! You can find lots of ideas on these websites: www.activityvillage.co.uk/advent Or, www.kcedventures.com/blog/ activities-for-the-advent-calendar Sophie Watkins, Youth Voice Reporter
Although we still haven’t met as a club, various members met in gardens suitably distanced until the new rules came in and the weather changed! Recently the club was represented, and a wreath laid at the Thetford Remembrance Day service in Kings House Gardens. It all still seems very strange to not be able to hold our regular meetings. One member has been busy again and made wonderful knitted chocolate orange covers and sold them to members as stocking fillers. Our Charity account says many thanks! Plans have been dashed again but we live in hope to be able to meet soon. Marian de Bass
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Thetford Voices Singing Through Happily, March 16th was not ʻthe day the music diedʼ for Thetford Voices. Young singers came together for a one-hour virtual version of its annual Open Workshop in August while the performance group Quire of Voices used the resources of Zoom and Youtube to give a short concert in July and have rehearsed and recorded new material in the months since. Now thoughts turn to Christmas. The enduring crisis means we cannot visit the townʼs Care Homes in person as over the last ten years. Instead we shall be producing a video of carols, songs and readings on our Youtube channel to be made available to residents.
Do join us. Enjoy the first morning of the holidays and bring pleasure to your audience. To register to take part and receive a pack with carol words and full details of the arrangements, including safeguarding procedures, email John Weeks by December 16th at: thetfordvoices@gmail.com
Our Christmas Call: We should like as many young singers (aged 6-16) as possible to help us make the music.You are invited to join us on Zoom on Virtual Carolling Day, at 10am on Monday 21st December. After rehearsing a group of carols with us, you then record yourself singing along with Library Activities for Under 5’s the on-screen leaders and send off the recording Are you the parent of a new baby? We're pleased to become part of our virtual choir. You will need headphones through which to listen to the backing to be able to offer a new stay and chat group, via Zoom, on a Tuesday morning at 11am. If you’d track and someone else on hand to make the recording. We shall just be using the sound from like to join a session email; libraries.iconnect@ Simon Long HP 2018.qxp_Layout 1 13/09/2018 10:01 Page It’s 1 very informal, you can pop in norfolk.gov.uk. the recording andAdvert singers remain anonymous. and out as you need to.
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Lockdown 2.0 – What Did You Achieve? Lockdown 2.0 is so different to the first lockdown, I mean, most of us are still at work this time! My primary employment, the Functional Fitness Suite was forced to close its doors again and so I found myself in another situation of ‘how do I keep my members motivated’? Last time no one could go anywhere so all of the communications via social media and a zoom call were all we had to be connected to each other. It’s what we signed in to when it was time for a workout and the times were flexible because we were all just waiting about doing nothing! But this time it is different. Most of us are still working, you are still able to go to the shops with your household, you can get a Mcdonalds through drive though. It’s just different! So, my job has got harder. After weighing up the pros and cons of Live workouts, I decided to drop them and create a challenge instead. The challenge was that you must complete 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days over Lockdown 2.0. It didn’t matter what the exercise was but it needed to be outside of your usual routine and could be in a
time to suit you. Anything from walking the dog to running in the autumnal leaves and hiit workouts at home, just anything that got you moving. All participants that took part in the challenge would receive 50% of their money back and a bespoke Tiger Fitness medal as memorabilia for their tremendous efforts. I’m a firm believer in ‘sitting is a disease’ and when we have nothing to work towards, it’s easy to become unmotivated, flat and unresponsive to things. The challenge is on going and if anyone is interested in becoming active then drop me a message and I will give you all the details. Richard Taylor, www.tigerfitnessclub.co.uk
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Christmas Services 2020 St Cuthberts, Cloverfield And Grace Churches
The Christmas We Weren’t Expecting It goes without saying that this Christmas won’t be what we were expecting in all sorts of ways. But then, that’s exactly how it was at the very first Christmas! Our churches of St Cuthbert’s, Cloverfield and Grace Church warmly invite you to celebrate with us the unexpected news of Christmas, as we rejoice at how light dawned in the midst of darkness. This year we have the opportunity to celebrate in new and unexpected ways. St Cuthbert’s will be open 10am until 12 noon on Tuesday 15th and Saturday 19th December with carols to listen to, resources for prayer and a warm welcome. Drop in to listen, to reflect or to pray. On 15th December this will be followed by a performance of A Christmas Carol written and presented by Mike Wabe (after Charles Dickens). It takes place 2.30 - 4pm, with tickets on sale from 6th December costing £5 per person with a cuppa and a mince pie during the interval. Our annual all-age Christingle service will be going DIY this year as we introduce ‘Christingle in a Bag’. Come and see us in front of St Cuthbert’s on Saturday 19th December (10am to 12 noon) or Tuesday 22nd December (11am to 12 noon) to collect a bag with all the resources and instructions you need to make your own Christingle at home. Then join us on the afternoon of Christmas Eve for an online Christingle service from your own home! Here’s the full list of our special Christmas services, both at St Cuthbert’s and online: • 20th December Carol Service 6.30pm online • • •
Christmas Eve Christingle Service 3.30pm online Christmas Eve Communion Service 9pm in St Cuthbert’s* Christmas Day Christmas Celebration 10.30am in St Cuthbert’s* and online
(A short communion service follows in St Cuthbert’s)
*All our services are free to attend, although prebooking is required this year for services in St Cuthbert’s due to social-distancing requirements. Online services remain available on our YouTube channel to watch at a later date or time. Details about the online services, information about all these events and ticket/booking details can be found at: www.thetfordteamministry.org.uk/ christmas Or, by phoning the Revd Peter Herbert
on 01842 763579. Check out the website or call for details of our alternative Christmas events at Cloverfield Community Church as well as services at Kilverstone and Croxton churches. All services and events will be held subject to government regulations and in COVID-19 secure environments. Any changes or cancellations will be advertised on the website, or phone to check. Thetford Baptist Church We will be having a Christmas themed service on Sunday 20th at 11.45am. We will publish details of our services nearer the time on our website: www.kingstreetbaptist.org.uk And our Facebook page: @ksbcthet As a church we have continued to meet for live services on zoom throughout lockdown and after we reopened so those who cannot physically get to the building can still join in. I am sure this will be the case for our Christmas services. Anyone is welcome to join us on zoom on any Sunday morning. They will find the link on our website or facebook page. Rev Sally Sago Thetford Church of the Nazarene In these strange times and not knowing what rules will be at Christmas we have booked a pair of donkeys to visit Thetford Church of the Nazarene at 4.00 on Sunday 20th December! Will our donkeys be part of a Carol service? Will our donkeys be part of a ‘Bethlehem experience’? Will our donkeys be a photo opportunity? Watch our website www.thetfordnazarene.co.uk or Facebook page for details... Let’s hope our poor donkeys, Snowball and Jack don’t have to be told ‘there’s no room at the inn’!” Rev Tracey Day For information on other Church services, please visit: Thetford Methodist Church www.eangliamethodist.org.uk/thetford St Mary’s Catholic Church www.stmarysthetford.org/
Fulmerston Christian Fellowship www.fulmerston.co.uk/
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas...
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