Euston Hall Gardens

Thetford Open Gardens Returns

After cancelling last year’s event due to the covid-19 situation, the team behind Thetford Open Gardens are delighted to announce the event will be returning for 2021 – with a few changes to keep everyone safe. On Sunday June 6th and 27th a number of gardens will open as ticketed events. Tickets will be sold through Leaping Hare Box Office and admission to the gardens will be limited. On June 6th all gardens will be adhering to the government’s rule of 30 and visitors will be checked in as they enter the gardens. You will also be asked to stick to social distancing guidelines, face masks are welcome if you would feel more comfortable wearing one. On June 27th if the current lockdown roadmap continues there should be no restrictions to the number allowed in each garden, but visitors will be asked to observe social distancing and some patience might be needed if gardens are busy. Refreshments are always a big part of the event, sadly this year only a takeaway service will be provided – but a piece of delicious cake to take home after a lovely garden visit is a treat in itself! Tickets for the event this year will be limited and for the first time in 14 years the price is increasing. A single ticket will cost £10 per day or for both days £15. “We’ve thought long and hard about the increase”, explained organiser Rachel Woods, “It’s still less than £1 per garden which is much cheaper than the National Garden Scheme, and the hospice has struggled with no event income for over a year, so needs as much help as possible.” The team also decided not to hold their usual grand raffle, preferring not to ask local businesses to donate as they will have faced struggles themselves over the past year. Don’t forget there’s plenty of lovely plants arriving daily on the plant stall at 28 Arlington Way, along with a selection of books and other gardening sundries. All proceeds go to St Nicholas Hospice. After a difficult year, Euston Hall’s special team of volunteers are thrilled at the prospect of being able to open their gates and doors again. The team enable the home of the 12th Duke of Grafton and his family to be opened each summer, but sadly the pandemic restricted that last year. They pride themselves on Euston being a refreshingly different sort of visitor attraction, personable, unfussy and friendly. Their first opening from Monday 10th – Sunday 16th May will be gardens only in keeping with Government recommendations. The estate comprises 10,500 acres of landscaped gardens, parkland, ancient broadleaf woodland and agricultural farmland. Then between Tuesday 25th and Monday 31st May in addition to the gardens, they will offer limited number tours of the Hall. By September (Friday 17th – Thursday 23rd), slightly larger tours will be offered. What better way to enjoy coming out of lockdown and just 5 minutes from Thetford? Tickets must be booked in advance from the Leaping Hare Box Office. You can find full details at www.leapinghare.org or call 07802 701911. All profits resulting from the open days are donated to local charities via The Suffolk Community Foundation.

EUSTON PARK & PLEASURE GROUNDS

GARDENS ONLY

Monday 10th - Sunday 16th May

Grounds open 10am - 2pm

Accompanied Children under 12 FREE EUSTON, SUFFOLK, IP24 2QH

£8 & £6

There is no stopping Thetford Singers from singing even if rehearsals have changed somewhat this year. Experimenting with the possibilities of ‘singing together’ by Zoom have been a revelation. Musical Director Chris Parsons has led the way from his home with the accompanist assisting from her home and members singing in their homes. But it works! It even means a previous member has re-joined the choir from her home in France!

So much new material has been added to the choir’s repertoire from folk songs to ballads to Christmas songs, traditional, jazzy and the more unusual, all to be performed as a choir in the future. Singing together, even by zoom, is certainly good for well-being and an evening of the week that the members all look forward to!

The second half of rehearsals has been a social time of sharing ‘desert isolation discs’ by the members, quizzes and sharing favourite songs. This has proved to be a great way of getting to know each other as well as educational and fun! So, as we look forward into 2021, rehearsals will continue in this fashion at present! Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. New members are always welcome. if you are interested in having a taste of singing on Zoom or joining us in person at some point in 2021 please contact the Thetford Singers Secretary by e-mail: hilarylevan1@gmail.com