AUGUST 2020
YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ISSUE
175
CIRCULATION 12,500
IN THIS ISSUE
NEW MANAGER AT BURRELL MUSEUM
THETFORD MAN FINED FOR LITTERING
DON’T LOSE RIGHT TO VOTE
FIRST LOOK AT NEW ODDFELLOWS HALL PLUS LOTS MORE!!
al’
Adjusting To The ‘New Norm
Inside this month...
sting over the past month. We’ve all no doubt been adju nge with new ways of Page 4 - Track And Trace Underway stra Things remain somewhat regular activities on the Page 7 - Museum’s New Manager working thrust upon us and our ded or being delivered in Page 9 - Making Thetford Proud whole either remaining suspen ss encouraging to see Page 10 & 11 - Leaping Hare a different way. It is neverethele and people being able Page 12 - Memorial Garden Planned ’ mal ‘nor to some things returning another. Page 14 - Man Fined For Littering to engage and socialise with one and nts Page 19 - Leaving So Soon? eve of t ut a hos Ordinarily I’d be telling you abo h suc no Page 21 - Thetford Past & Present but ust, Aug in y activities that you could enjo ng the Page 22 - Thetford U3A Resuming taki be will ple peo t mos t luck this year! I suspec friends and family at Page 23 - Don’t Lose Your Right To Vote opportunity to spend time with ons where possible. I’ve Page 24 & 25 - Apartment’s Luxury Feel home or visit nearby attracti late and recently walked Page 29 - Graduation Of TG Course of king been enjoying lots of wal ugh to Santon Downham Page 30 - TADDS On Zoom! the river path from Thetford thro azine last month. What Page 43 - Swapping Bowls For Boules which was highlighted in this mag gs to do locally? Write Page 44 - Teen Presented With Bat thin for are your recommendations ld be happy to share them Page 45 - Reducing Injury in and let us know and we wou with About Thetford readers. the magazine when About Thetford Please remember to mention erts inside. Stay safe adv or magazine is responding to any articles proudly printed Tel: 01284 751296 and best wishes, tford magazine Olivers Guitar Lessons AD.qxp_Layout 1 26/11/2019 08 Terry Jermy, Editor, About The by KNP Litho www.knplitho.co.uk
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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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I’m getting a test now. For you. If you have symptoms, don’t leave home except to get a test. Stop the spread. Book a test now at nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119
PROTECT OURSELVES. PROTECT OTHERS. PROTECT NORFOLK.
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Keeping Yourselves And Others Safe
Face Covering Requirements
Coronavirus is still with us. Cases in Norfolk are low and we want to keep them that way. The best thing to do to protect ourselves and others is to continue to wash our hands regularly, keep our distance from others and wear a face covering in shops and on public transport.
Face coverings are now mandatory in enclosed public spaces including shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and transport hubs. Venues such as restaurants, pubs and gyms are exempt. Under the new regulations members of the public will need to wear face coverings – for example, a fabric covering, scarf or bandana – that covers the nose and mouth in additional enclosed public spaces, as well as frequent hand washing and careful social distancing. It is compulsory to wear a face covering when buying food and drink to take away from cafes and shops. If you are in premises where you are able to sit down and consume food or drink that you have bought, then you can remove your face covering in order to eat and drink on-site. Face coverings are not mandatory for anyone under the age of 11 years and those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.
To protect others, you and everyone living in your house should isolate straight away if you show symptoms. Symptoms include a new continuous cough; fever; or a loss or change in your taste and smell. As soon as you isolate, visit the national NHS website; www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 to book a test. Everyone is eligible to get a test if they have symptoms. You can choose either a drive-through test or a home test kit. Stay in isolation until you receive your results, which will include instructions on what to do next.
Information above taken from www.gov.uk and is accurate at the time of going to print. For the latest information, please visit the Government website.
NHS Test and Trace will contact people who test positive for Covid-19. They will ask you about who you have been in contact with from two days before onset of symptoms to seven days after. This will identify people at risk who could pass on the virus before (or without) showing symptoms themselves.
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Burrell Museum’s New Manager After Volunteering for 22 months Helen Whitton-Rogers is excited to have recently taken over as manager for the Charles Burrell Museum in Minstergate, and has already given areas of the building like the café and toilet a refresh. She has of course been working hard with the team of volunteers to ensure everything is Covid19 safe in readiness for being allowed to have visitors to the site again in the very near future. Helen is an East Anglian girl through and through and moved from a village near Bury St Edmunds to Thetford when she married a local man 17 years ago. She now can’t imagine living anywhere else and says the best part of Thetford is always its people. Sadly Helen was suddenly widowed 2 years ago and it was suggested to her that she should volunteer at the museum as a way to focus positively on something. She went for her first visit and has stayed ever since. “I have always loved all things steam powered and musuems, so being able to combine the two, as well as do something for the local community was a lifeline for me after my husband passed away. I say I have my ‘Steam Family’ now - we are all very close and everyone at the museum made me feel welcome all those months ago” said Helen.
well they help to bring the history alive - that’s what we are all missing” said Helen when asked what was most difficult about lockdown. Moving forward Helen is hoping to make the museum a little more family friendly with new displays and exhibits. She is looking forward to being able to work with schools and youth groups as well as individual visitors. Making the archive of documents, photos and artefacts available digitally via the website is a longer term plan. “If money was no object I would love to expand and improve our balcony area to showcase even more of the photos etc we have currently stored away” With volunteers ranging from 13 to 80 plus years of age the museum which honours the Burrell family, is somewhere that appeals to young and old alike. If you haven’t already been for a visit be sure to go once they are open again. If you have already been you know how fascinating it is. Charles took over from his Father and Uncles who began the Burrell business in Thetford from a small forge and made the first steam engine is 1848. Burrell and Sons have at times been Thetford’s largest employer. The best way to find out about why Charles Burrell is such a well loved part of Thetford’s history is of course to visit the museum!
During lockdown the team as a whole have been able to work on some larger jobs and give the steam engines a really good service and overhaul. They are awaiting a specialist boiler test to be carried out on the Queen Mary so that she can be safely fired up and admired in her 100th year! Mac the roller and Aggie the agricultural engine have also been getting a thorough clean up too. Whilst completing a job that needed lacquer spray to be used the door was open and a barrier up – Helen loved seeing just how many folks wanted to stop, look in Thechat Mulberry REV Advert 29/06/2020 08:34 Page 1 and too. “The team at the2.qxp_Layout museum enjoy1chatting To get in touch with the museum and to see further info, with visitors and they know the history and engines so visit: www.charlesburrellmuseum.org.uk
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Young People Making Thetford Proud The Coronavirus lockdown has undoubtedly had an impact on all of Thetford’s residents, including its young people. As the world adjusted to life at home, students have had to adapt to new ways of working outside the classroom, attending online lessons and working more independently. Students at Thetford Academy have been working arduously since school closed on the 20th March, including the academy’s sixth form students who have had mixed feelings about the current situation. Year 13 student Sam Direksoonthonsanoh said; “It was difficult to find motivation” in a place where he’s supposed to feel relaxed as he works from home. He is looking forward to attending University and while finding the current system of working stressful, has created a balance of work and rest during lockdown. Natasha Godfrey, a Year 12 student, described the past few months as “draining”, as finding a balance between work, study and rest has been a challenge, but added that “It’s taught me that hard work pays off”. Natasha is among other students who have taken up work. Other students have been taking up roles in food distribution and sales to ease the strain on essential workers and support the residents of Thetford. As well as balancing work and school, some students have also stretched their learning beyond the curriculum which has included independently accessing online materials and short courses. One such student is Brier Wycherley from Year 12, who is learning Korean alongside her regular studies, commenting on how staying at home has helped her to focus more on the language, and really engage herself with the subject. In addition to learning new skills, many students have found that time away from the classroom has helped to inspire them to explore and develop their creative hobbies.
Year 12’s Julia Vlckova has been using the opportunity to develop her creative skills by painting, drawing and journaling, which has boosted her confidence. The Year 12 history class even put on gardening gloves as they took home Mr Cooper’s classroom plants! Young people have found the situation to be a challenge, but it is one they have adapted to well. The future is looking uncertain, but TA6 students remain determined to achieve as they take this experience with them on their next steps.
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Sad news - farewell Jake
It is with heavy heart that sadly we have had to make Jake, our main man in the shop, redundant. Back in March, who could have imagined the world we find ourselves in today? Jake has played an enormous part in the Leaping Hare journey having joined us originally as a volunteer, supported through an apprenticeship in 2013 before becoming our shop manager. Over the years, we have been involved in a variety of projects, many focussed on providing the funding needed to keep our service going. Jake has helped welcome thousands of customers over the years, always with a smile and we know that many of our regulars will be very sad to see him go. He generously plans to continue with the voluntary Leap into Thetford film project that we launched in last month’s About Thetford, so you will probably see him with the team out and about. In the meantime, if anyone out there wants a smiley, trustworthy person for their team please consider getting in touch with Jake on 07881 105092 or email: jake.shannon2010@gmail.com
NEW stock New handmade tea cloths have just arrived, priced from £9.95 they are 100% cotton (there is an organic cotton option too). Bespoke orders are already being taken, which can be personalised (with lettering if required) in a range of colours. Make lovely gifts.
What’s on NEW! Thurs 24 Sept 2pm: Thetford U3A monthly talks resume with Lynn Ready’s Marigold Hotel Experience Up until Sun 20 Sept: Euston Hall gardens only Fri 4 - Sun 6 Sept: Red Rooster Festival Fri 11 - Sun 20 Sept Heritage Open Days 2020 Sun 1 Nov: Charles Burrell Centre 5K and 10K runs Sat 24 April 2021: Rock ‘Til You Pop charity music gig with Friction and The Piers Sat 25 Sept 2021: Flourish International Christian Women’s Conference For information and tickets to our Box Office events visit: 20 King Street IP24 2AP
www.leapinghare.org 01842 751975 or 07802 701911
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Peace Comes to Thetford – The Forgotten Soldiers Memorial Garden Planned This fascinating project has been focusing on the men who survived the First World War, but later died as a result of their wounds or survived but with life changing circumstances. These men were never commemorated so sadly remain unrecognised. The project is due to finish at the end of 2020 and sadly the project took on a whole new meaning last year when one of the key people involved, local historian David Osborne passed away. David was passionate about the forgotten soldiers and one of the legacies from the project was always going to be double sided information board placed in Thetford cemetery telling their story. Now, the team are planning to create a memorial garden in memory of the First World War soldiers and David. Whilst the original funding is being adapted to allow for a memorial bench, the team are now looking for donations to help fund a suitable paved area and planting. David’s widow Joy Osborne is actively involved in the project and already planning the types of plants she would like to see included.
Can you help this project create a beautiful legacy to David Osborne and all that he did for our town? Maybe you are able to donate or have a skill that would be helpful. Perhaps you have a business that has expertise in terms of materials or labour and would love to get involved? Get in touch with the project co-ordinator Corinne Fulford at Leaping Hare CIC 07802 701911 or email: info@leapinghare.org
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Phased Reopening For Norfolk’s Museum Network Norfolk Museums Service will begin a phased reopening in August, starting with its three largest sites: Time and Tide Museum of Great Yarmouth Life, Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse and Norwich Castle Museum. Measures have been put in place to allow customers to use the museums safely and visit with confidence. Time & Tide and Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse will open to the general public from Monday 3 August, with advanced booking required for entry. Tickets will become available on the Norfolk Museum Service website on 1st August. Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery will re-open later in August, with the exact dates still to be confirmed. Before that happens there will be a number of weddings taking place at the castle which have been arranged under the new government guidelines. Those arrangements are unaffected by this announcement. The remaining seven sites that make up the Norfolk Museums Service will reopen when it is safe to do so. Steve Miller, Director of Culture and Heritage at Norfolk County Council said: “Extensive preparation and planning has gone into our approach to reopening our museums. The sites we have chosen to reopen are those best suited to the social distancing and the safety measures we need to have in place. Once on site, clear signage will guide visitors around the recommended one-way routes, and visitor services staff will be located at key points to help advise and guide visitors. While some areas of the museums will be closed to visitors where social distancing isn’t possible, the majority of the offer at Time and Tide and Gressenhall will still be accessible. We very much look forward to welcoming visitors back to our sites – we know they’ve missed us and we’ve certainly missed them.”
Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities at Norfolk County Council, said: “Norfolk’s museums are a vital part of our heritage and visitor economy. We want to see people enjoying themselves in safety and confidence as we steadily reopen each site. Our county’s cultural and historical attractions will be a vital part of Norfolk’s economic recovery”. Visitors to each museum have access to hand sanitiser and handwashing facilities while signage and visitor routes will allow for social distancing.The reopening arrangements for all three sites have been awarded a Visit Britain ‘We’re Good To Go’ certification, the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has processes in place.
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Thetford Man Fined For Littering A Thetford resident has been fined £120 for littering outside the community shops and community centre on the town's Abbey Estate. Breckland Council held an investigation after receiving reports from members of the public. The council's Enforcement Team collected evidence that linked a local resident to the litter. After speaking with the individual, he confirmed that he was not only responsible for littering, but also leaving domestic waste in public bins. He was issued two Fixed Penalty Notices, one for the second littering incident and one for using public bins for household waste, which both contravene the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In light of his early confession, he was issued a warning for one of the littering incidents.
The Abbey Estate shops where a man was recently fined for littering by Breckland Council
leave his waste around for others to collect, I hope this fine will make him think twice about littering in future." Another Thetford man, who was responsible for fly tipped car parts in a woodland area, has also been fined £600. Breckland Council was alerted to a significant fly-tip by the Forestry Commission, it contained an assortment of car vehicle parts. A joint investigation with the local Forestry Commission linked back to the original car owner who confirmed that he had sold a vehicle, which contained the car parts which were eventually fly tipped, by a Thetford man in early 2019.
Cllr Gordon Bambridge, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Environmental Services commented: "We are working hard to tackle all forms of fly tipping and littering in Breckland as our residents simply won't tolerate this type of selfish behaviour. Everyone knows littering is wrong, and we 02.20.qxp_Layout all have options when1 dealing The Forge HP Advert 19/02/2020 12:37 If you see Page littering1 within Breckland, please report it with our waste. This man sadly thought it was OK to online at; www.breckland.gov.uk/reportit
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Covid19 Litter Picking Spree It has been very noticeable over the past few weeks and months how many more people are now walking around Thetford. It’s great to see. We have so many great walks whether it be along the river corridor or through wooded areas. With gyms and leisure centres shut for so long, for many walking and running has been one of the few forms of exercise still available. Furloughing has meant that many people have had the time to go and explore areas locally that they’ve not been to before. However it has come about, if you’ve been walking more lately, hopefully it will continue post Covid19. During lockdown I found myself with a lot more time on my hands. Regular meetings stopped for a while and now that they are back up and running, on the whole, they’re being held virtually so the travelling time has been completely removed. No trips to Dereham for Breckland Council meetings, stuck behind a tractor or in my case - normally the mobile library van. Plus, with the magazine paused for a few months, I was walking every day. Something I’ve never done before. It proved to be hugely enjoyable, BUT, after a few days of doing the same or at least similar routes it became frustrating. I thought I really can’t keep walking past the same pieces of litter every day. Given I have a litter picker stored at home by the front door, litter picking commenced about a week into lockdown. There was finally a use for those dozens and dozens of carrier bags that were stored in the garage! I take one carrier bag with me each time, I simply pick what I come across as I walk along. Not every piece gets collected, but I know by the time I have arrived back home, there’s a carrier bags’ worth off the street and of course less damaging the environment and in particular, less posing a danger to wildlife. We’ve long had lots of amazing volunteers in Thetford who also litter pick but many more people were just like me with a bit
Erin, aged 5, collecting litter during the recent covid19 lockdown
more time on their hands and wanted to litter pick as well, so I had an idea! I give away a certain amount of my Norfolk County Councillor allowance each month. So in April I used it to purchase 20 litter pickers and gave them away to anyone that wanted them. They were quickly snapped up and put to good use. Of course we still have litter in Thetford, we always will do, but we certainly have less about than we otherwise would without the efforts of volunteer litter pickers. We’d have less still of course if people stopped dropping litter! I suspect the likelihood of that is fairly remote, although as you’ll see from the article on page 14 this month, someone was recently fined for littering! More please Breckland!
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Thetford Garden And Allotment Club Notes For August You should be eating well now if you have an allotment or veg patch in the garden – apart from salad crops, the first Runner and French Beans provide a welcome change of flavour. Sowing seed into the warm ground now will give you Autumn pickings of lettuce, rocket and even finger-sized carrots. If you like chard, an August sowing should survive the winter to send up fresh leaves in March when they will be most welcome. This month sees the celebration of National Allotment Week from the 10th to the 16th. Allotments are looking pretty good this year with new enthusiasts starting out and many people having more time to spend on their plot. There are still some vacant sites however so if you are interested, contact the council and join us in this most rewarding hobby. Onions should be ready to lift and dry once the leaves have yellowed and started to flop over. They will rot in storage unless really dry so make sure the foliage has withered before transferring to string bags which should be hung up to allow the maximum air circulation. If you have damaged onions or ones with soft necks, use them for chutney with any other surplus fruit or vegetables. Chutney takes some months to mature and for the taste of vinegar and sugar to settle down so jars filled now will be at their peak for Christmas – you may even be prepared to give some away as presents. The other great advantage of making chutney now is that the kitchen window can be wide open to allow the smell of boiling vinegar to escape – the one real disadvantage to this task.
Penstemon photographed by Sue Pilgrim
method is the ideal for all berry fruit, home-harvested or bought; you can easily see if a fruit is damaged or mouldy and it prevents the weight of one layer pressing on another. If you bag them before freezing, they become unmanageable blocks. If you have room for more raspberry canes let the runners grow up and move them as you wish; raspberries must be the easiest soft fruit to grow and so delicious. The flower garden has already had many highlights earlier in the year but hopefully, with regular dead-heading and judicious watering, it will still be full of colour for you. Tubs and hanging-baskets need priority for watering but make sure you give a good amount to camellias and rhododendrons which are forming next spring’s flower buds. Dead-heading and cutting back are essential jobs now: some plants, like lavender bushes, will look at lot neater and keep from getting straggly; others, like lilies, will produce a better display next year if they do not develop seed-heads; others again, like penstemons, will send up side shoots this year and give further blooms. Members of the club will have been saddened to hear of the death of John Lister, husband of our dear President. Over the years he used his knowledge and wide range of contacts to the benefit of members on very many occasions and he will be greatly missed. Keep on gardening! Sue Pilgrim
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Breckland Cats Protection On the 12th of June, a dog walker in the woods at Harleston, near Diss, found a black bin bag containing 5 black kittens, about 3 weeks old. Fortunately it seems the kittens hadn’t been there very long, otherwise goodness knows what may have happened to them. They came into our care and were found to be healthy chunky kittens, with no sign of fleas. Obviously they had been well looked after and their mummy must have been a well fed cat, to produce 5 such healthy kittens. They needed bottle feeding to start with using specialist kitten milk formula and then gradually introduced to solid food and taught how to feed themselves from a bowl. And they quickly learnt how to use a litter tray. The question we ask ourselves is why? Why would anyone leave 5 kittens to fend for themselves in the woods? They could not feed themselves, so if they hadn’t been found so quickly, they would have perished. How could anyone walk away knowing what they had just done? How do they sleep at night? They obviously have no conscience. There is no need to dump kittens. There are lots of animal charities that could have taken them in. You only have to ask. Any vet would put you in touch with a charity that could help. And what about the poor mummy cat probably going frantic looking for her babies. Now she has been separated from her kittens, she will come into season again and before long she will be pregnant again. Are they going to dump the next litter too? Breckland Cats Protection could help with the cost of getting the mother cat neutered. You only have to ask. Fortunately the kittens have gone from strength to strength and by the time you read this, they will have been placed in their new forever homes. They will have had vaccinations against cat flu, feline infectious enteritis and feline immunodeficiency virus. They will have been microchipped, over by our vet and1 Made to Measure 1/8thchecked Advert 2020.qxp_Layout been treated for worms several times. They will all be
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neutered when they are four months old, paid for by us so there is no chance of them reproducing. So please, if you need help with homing kittens or getting a cat neutered, just ask. That’s what we are here for. We spend a lot of money, willingly every year on neutering cats where the owners cannot afford to do so. We try our hardest to keep the kitten population down, but people who deliberately dump kittens are not helping. Remember - you only have to ask. For help or information, or if you need assistance with the cost of neutering, please call us on 01842 810018. Rita Thompson
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Leaving So Soon? With it being the middle of the summer holidays, you might think all the migratory birds that fly thousands of miles to Britain to breed would still be here. However, whilst there are still many warblers, Swallows and House Martins around in August, some of our ‘summer’ visitors will already be on their way south. Swifts start to go at the end of July and most will have left by the middle of the month. Another iconic ‘summer’ visitor, the Cuckoo, is even quicker off the mark. Thetford based BTO’s ground-breaking tracking work, using tiny satellite tags, has shown that adult male Cuckoos leave as early as 3rd June. More than 80 birds were tagged during 2011–2019 and each year, over half had departed by the end of June. Valentine, a bird tagged at Thetford Nunnery Lakes in June 2019, arrived back on 4th May this year, only to head south again on 3rd July! Another individual, PJ, returned to where he was tagged in the King’s Forest on 26th April, departing on 6th July. PJ was tagged in 2015 so this is his fifth tracked migration – if he makes a successful Sahara crossing, he’ll beat the record for longest-serving tagged bird! Sadly Cuckoos are in decline: results from the Breeding Bird Survey, run by BTO, show that we’ve lost over half of our breeding Cuckoos during the last 25 years. This alarming fact highlights why the tracking work is so important: these birds spend as little as 6 or 7 weeks in the UK, so we need to learn exactly where they go for the remaining 85% of their lives to discover which factors are affecting their survival.
A Cuckoo being fed by a Reed Warbler at BTO Nunnery Lakes (Nick Moran/BTO)
and is a strategy used by several other bird families, including indigobirds and honeyguides in Africa and cowbirds in the Americas. She also learned that beyond the bird world, the only other vertebrate brood parasite is the Cuckoo Catfish, found in Africa’s Lake Tanganyika. The eggs and offspring of this species are brooded by various types of cichlid fish…in their mouths! Find out if Valentine has reached Africa and if PJ is the new record-holder at; www.bto.org/cuckoo Nick Moran, BTO
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Thetford Co-operative Society We are keen to share some lovely memories of the Thetford Co-op that were shared with us recently. Founded in 1884, the Co-op was the largest shop in Thetford at the beginning of the 20th century. By the 1960s there were three branches; the main store in Guildhall Street, the “Back Street Co-op” in St Nicholas Street and another on Bury Road. At the Guildhall Street branch customers could shop for groceries, cash a cheque and even purchase furnishings; memories were shared of buying a first carpet, a brown velour three piece suite, buying freezers along with frozen food in the freezer centre and refilling sherry bottles and soda siphons. Father Christmas visited at Christmas, and there was a small kiosk selling pick and mix near the packing booths. People still remember their dividend number, and spending their dividend on something special. One couple’s wedding present, a first bedding set was from a dividend; other people managed to pay for Christmas from it. Green Shield stamps were also commonly remembered, too.
Staff outside the Thetford Co-operative
Tom Shaw, who carved cold meat joints; Mr Skoyles sharpening his ham knife on the kerb stones outside (“the ones Simon's cows used to walk by!”), and Cecil Germany who started work in short trousers aged just 14 in 1946. He stood on a box to see over the counter, mentally tallying bills. Ration books were still in use. Cecil’s wife, Molly moved to Thetford in 1954 and worked in the drapery department with Mr Balfour. Both Cecil and Molly fetched items for their customers as self-service wouldn’t be introduced until 1956.
Many thanks to all who contributed their memories to Sometimes several 11.18.qxp_Layout generations of a family worked for 09:41 MCP HP Advert 1 19/11/2018 Page 1For more information, visit the website; the project. the Co-operative. A number of staff were remembered; www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/AncientHouse
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Past & Present
The old Thetford Manor House, above, as it was being pulled down in 1967. Part of the Anglo-Saxon town ditches ran through the site. Its modern replacement is the more colourful Library building, now a key part of the Town’s services. Top photo - H.Preston/D Osborne Collection. Bottom photo - Ancient House Museum & K Robinson Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 21
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Monthly Talks To Resume Good news! We are hoping to resume our monthly meetings again. We have booked September 24th at the Carnegie, our speaker is our former Chairman Lynn Ready who will be speaking about her Marigold Hotel Experience. I know that many of you will enjoy hearing Lynn speak. She was still in India at the start of lockdown and experienced a few days of worrying if she would be allowed to return to the UK. Thankfully it worked out and she was so glad to be back home. I suggest at the meeting if you think you will need a drink, bring bottles of water with you as it is difficult to provide refreshments at this particular time. THETFORD
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More good news! We are going to continue with sign language on the 4th and 18th of September. It takes place upstairs in Thetford Library at 2pm until 3pm. We are starting at the beginning as I believe most of us have forgotten and not practiced the way we should have done. If any members would like to join us you would be very welcome. It is a very light hearted hour with much laughter involved. There will be more information of our other groups on our website. Details of these groups can be seen on line at www.thetfordu3a.org or feel free to call me on 01842 824074. Lesley Braund
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The annual canvass is now underway and will see residents across the district contacted to verify that the information held on the electoral register is up to date. The process also helps to identify people who are not currently registered to vote, so they can be encouraged to do so. Being registered to vote not only gives you a voice in future elections, but can also positively improve your chances of obtaining credit, open bank accounts, or prove your identity. The canvass is carried out locally by Breckland Council. While the majority of households will be contacted via letter, as in previous years, for the first year ever Breckland will also be contacting around 10,000 people via email, if they have provided these details in the past.
People will be able to verify their registration details are correct or make changes online, via text message, or by returning a paper form. It is a legal requirement of 07:54 the Page 1 to carry out this canvass each year, and a council legal requirement of residents to respond. Households which do not respond will be visited in person by a canvasser over the coming months. Maxine O'Mahony, Returning Officer for Breckland Council commented, "Responding quickly, and ideally digitally, will help reduce the need for the council to issue reminders or arrange face-to-face visits, which we are trying to keep to a minimum in light of the ongoing pandemic." Research by the Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Great Britain, 92% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year. Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, commented "It's really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Making sure that you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed will ensure the process runs smoothly. This is particularly helpful in the current public health situation, as it will help avoid the need for home visits from canvassers."
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Apartments Offer Luxury Feel Many Thetford residents will recall the Oddfellows Hall being used for snooker and pool. Whilst there was of course disappointment when the previous owners decided to call it a day, and enjoy retirement, there can’t be many disappointed that at least the site has not been left to deteriorate. Now, as the photos on page 24 of the magazine demonstrate, the site has been converted into some fantastic looking luxury apartments, the likes of which you will not find anywhere else locally. A spokesperson for South Norfolk Developments Ltd said; “In realising the brief ‘industrial style’ we took our cues from old factories and industrial spaces commonly found in urban areas. Key elements include the use of weathered wood, exposed brickwork, copper, steel and handcrafted industrial metal light fittings. The use of a simple colour palette, a mix of greys, neutrals and rustic colours provide a framework from where furnishings and accessories can take centre stage. Large windows and the introduction of natural light, so beneficial in smaller spaces, convey a spacious ‘warehouse’ feel. Notable accents of the fine main entrance and hallway include sharp lines, exposed hardware, a bespoke steel staircase rising to first floor”.
meeting in Breckland Hall as a Masonic Lodge was on December 15th, 1947 when the Right Rev. Percy Mark Herbert, Lord Bishop of Norwich, opened the Lodge. Through the years Oddfellows Hall has been utilised as a venue and meeting point for Thetford hosting all kinds of organisations including the Conservative Party, local football clubs, fishing organisations and St Johns Ambulance, to name but a few. Between 1985 and 2018, this lovely building operated as a snooker hall. It soon became a popular centre for the local community as a result of the hard work of local couple, Paul and Mossop, owners and custodians until their PureLynn Flow Advert.qxp_Layout 1 04/06/2020 12:14 Pag retirement in 2018.
Oddfellows Hall was constructed in 1891 by Thetford’s Ancient Order of Oddfellows. The Odd Fellows were craftsmen who didn’t fit into the usual trades and were not part of a recognised guild. An impressive Victorian Dutch gabled structure, constructed of local red brick with slate roof and internal vaulted ceilings, the hall became a focal point within the town centre. By 1916 Oddfellows Hall became the Empire Cinema, operated Pure Flow H2O Window Cleaning. by Richard Stapley. It was also used for theatrical Covering Thetford and surrounding area's. purposes but eventually closed its doors after the end and a Man ADlater REVconverted 06.19.qxp_Layout 1 and 10/06/2019 ofVan World War I. It was into a factory, l Pure HOT Water Window Cleaning later still became known as Breckland Hall. The first l Traditional Window Cleaning
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Thetford Library Is Open! Changes have been made to allow customers to use Thetford Library safely. This includes asking customers to only visit the library on their own or in pairs and the introduction of a one-way system through the building. The Library also asks that customers make sure that they bring their library card with them to gain access to the building and to use the provided hand sanitiser as they enter. There is a limited service available at the moment; people can use computers, return stock and there is limited browsing available too. There is also a ‘select and collect’ service for people who don’t want to come in and browse together with children’s grab and go bags. At the moment there are no newspapers and magazines, seating areas or study spaces available. Customers can return items via the drop boxes and self-service kiosks at the library and returned items will be quarantined for up to 72 hours. All items borrowed before closure are still being automatically renewed until further notice and customers will not be charged any additional overdue or renewal fees. For any enquiries about the library service, please contact; libraries@norfolk.gov.uk
Thetford Library is now open
Services at all Norfolk libraries include; Books for loan - information, education, leisure, Large print books, plus Language courses on tape, Online resources, a Book request service, Free computer access and WiFi, Self-service, DVDs and the Tricky Period service. For further details, including how to access library services from home see; www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-local-history-and-archives/libraries/coronavirus-update Thetford Library Opening Times Monday - Friday: 10am – 6pm, Saturday: 10am - 4pm, Sunday: Closed
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Dogs Trust Help Your Hound Out Of Lockdown Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity, is advising owners on how to help their dog adjust to life as lockdown restrictions ease - from how to cope with being left at home alone to preventing nervousness around visitors. For most dog owners, lockdown has meant spending more quality time with their four-legged friends. Just like us, dogs will need to readjust as restrictions ease but some dogs may find it hard to adjust to the ‘new normal’ and will need a helping hand. The charity has come up with a handy guide with some important tips to refresh any training dogs may have forgotten during lockdown! Dog owners can access training videos, owner handbooks and more by visiting the dedicated page on the Dogs Trust website. Top tips include: Leaving your dog home alone: Make sure your dog has a comfy bed or den, where they can relax in peace. Give them something fun to occupy them when they are alone, such as a long-lasting treat or puzzle toy. Get them to start spending more time in a different room to you as part of their daily routine. Also, try to slowly build up the time they are left at home alone. Having guests over to your home: Teach your dog to behave calmly when they hear the doorbell by ignoring a strong reaction and rewarding them with a treat when they are quiet. Ensure your dog has their own safe space to retreat to when you have visitors, remembering that they can find excitable human noises worrying (as, no doubt, you’ll be excited to see your friends and family after lockdown). Make sure you actively supervise your dog’s interactions with visiting children. Remember to wash your hands regularly before and after interacting with your dog and ask your guests to do the same.
A dog’s coat, lead, toys etc, could carry coronavirus just like any other surface. Do not be afraid to ask people not to pet your dog if you don’t feel comfortable or if your dog wants some alone time. Getting out and about with your dog: It is summertime so make sure you never leave your dog in a hot car and refresh their training around picnic food and ball games. Use our handy guide to teach your dog to how to feel comfortable with seeing people in facemasks. For more information and access to more training, tips
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Graduation Of TG Course 6 - 19 Congratulations go to the 31 members of TG 6-19 Meiktila Flight, newest members of the RAF Regiment to have graduated here at RAF Honington today. The third trainee gunner graduation during COVID-19, once again took place behind closed doors due to the Coronavirus. Officer Commanding Training Wing, Wing Commander Stephen Turner said: “It is with great pride that we, the RAF Regiment, formally welcome our newest cadre of Gunners into the proud and distinguished ranks of the Corps today. Occasions like this are usually marked with ceremony in keeping with the scale of achievement and endeavour; though today’s graduation is deliberately a more sombre event, owing to COVID-19 mitigation measures, I am delighted to welcome friends and family to share in the occasion, albeit virtually and from the relative safety of your own homes. The Gunners on parade should feel justifiably proud of their achievement and the contributions they will make in the coming weeks and months in support to the Nation’s priorities. Now, more than ever, their new motto rings true – Per Ardua (through adversity).” For the first time the graduation has been livestreamed via Panopto, a video streaming and lecture capture software designed as a knowledge sharing platform and newly introduced and used by Training Wing. This has proved invaluable to the families unable to attend the graduation in person. Trainees have had it even harder than usual thanks to COVID-19. They were unable to go home between March and June and the successful graduates have had to manage without being able to hug their loved ones and share their special day in person. Except for one... AC Charlie Fitch (19) has a brother in training not too far away from him. AC Jesse Fitch (18) is currently training
on El Alamein Flt, a little behind his big brother on the course, but very close in person! Coincidentally on his eighteenth birthday, Training Wing allowed Jesse to take a break from training in order that he can attend the graduation and support his brother. Jesse originally intended on joining the Royal Marines, however after speaking with his brother about his training and role with the RAF Regiment he soon changed his mind and signed up too. Over the last few months, RAF Honington has gone to great lengths to ensure that our directed training activity, deemed essential to the maintenance ofFindlay RAF operational capability, can be1delivered as safely QP Advert.qxp_Layout 18/06/2019 13:23 Pa as reasonably possible.
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Zoom Meetings And Old Fashioned Phone Calls For TADDS Members Carers are always at the forefront of our thoughts at the Thetford and District Dementia Support Group and even though the whole country has been closed for business, we have continued to support people living with a dementia and their families. As soon as lockdown started we made moves to become ‘virtual’, and whilst we know that for many people who are quite technically minded this is normal everyday stuff, for a lot of our carers and people living with dementia this has been an added challenge to the mix. A challenge that was readily accepted and conquered! We must say a huge well done to all who have attended our weekly virtual Coffee Lounge. We have had regular themes such as wear a wig week, bring a photo of yourself as a youngster, red nose week and even live music - all through the Messenger service that most access through Facebook. If you feel it is something you would like to join in with, please email TADDS so we can try and arrange this with you. Keeping in touch with people is so important in keeping well for as long as possible – even more so in these current times when many regular activities have stopped. Coffee Lounge has been so successful that we feel it
We are still here to support people caring for or living with dementia. If you need more information, please email us on; taddsgroup@hotmail.com
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is something we could perhaps carry on even when we can meet up as a group again, and on that note; we are hoping that we will be back in Cloverfields Community Church in September, but we must wait until the Government give us the all clear to go ahead. If you are newly diagnosed or worried about a dementia diagnosis we would welcome you getting in touch with us even though we are not meeting in person at the moment. We can still offer support, advice, knowledge and friendship. And laughs too! We have gone all ‘retro’ too with landline calls being made by our volunteers, particularly Yvonne - to those who cannot access internet. Thank-you to Thetford BP Garage who have taken a collection box to raise funds for us. Thank you to Linda one of our members for arranging this.
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Support Services Available For Thetford Residents We at About Thetford magazine hope that you and your family are well in these strange and uncertain times. The past few months have of course been unsettling and concerning for many. No doubt many of those concerns remain – not just the obvious health concern but financial concerns too. We thought it may be beneficial to circulate with you some information about different support services that are available. Here are some details about various forms of support available for Thetford residents – there are of course others available as well. Please feel free to save this page and refer to at a later date if need be. Thetford Citizens Advice Broad range of free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. Advice available: debt, benefit checks, housing & employment. Telephone: 03444111444. Twitter: @DissThetfordCA E-mail: advice.thetford@cadat.org.uk Thetford Foodbank The Foodbank is part of the Trussel Trust network of 428 foodbanks across the UK and work to tackle food poverty and hunger in our local communities. Thetford Foodbank partners with a range of care professionals such as doctors, health visitors and local councillors to help identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. If you feel you would benefit from a referral to the Foodbank, please contact your local Councillor - contact details are on the Thetford Town Council website; www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk Norfolk Community Law Service (NCLS) The NCLS offers free, confidential and independent legal advice to people in Norfolk who may not otherwise be able to access legal assistance. Areas include; Employment Law, family law, general law, as well as discrimination, domestic abuse, debt, immigration and welfare benefits (appeals and tribunals only). Telephone: 01603 496623 Twitter: @NCLawService E-mail: info@ncls.co.uk Equal Lives Equal Lives is a disability rights organisation led by disabled people for people with mental and/or physical disabilities. The team can offer advice and support on matters such as debt, employment, welfare benefits and discrimination. Telephone: 01508 491210 or E-mail: info@equallives.org.uk
Age UK Norfolk Age UK offers help and advice to people over 50, as well as their family and carers about benefits, housing, debt, money, lasting power of attorney, social care and support. Other service available including telephone befriending and activities. Telephone: 0300 5001217 Twitter: @AgeUKNorfolk E-mail: advice@ageuknorfolk.org.uk Shelter Shelter helps millions of people each year struggling with housing or homelessness by offering advice, support and legal services. In Norfolk, we provide legal advice on housing, covering tenancies, private and social housing, evictions and homelessness. Telephone: 03445 151860 Twitter: @ShelterEasternC E-mail: norfolk@shelter.org.uk Mancroft Advice Project (MAP) MAP helps young people to have better, safer lives, offering advice, guidance and support on issues such as employment, education and training, money and debt, housing and homelessness, welfare rights, health, sexuality and gender, relationships and parenting. We deliver young person focused counselling, wellbeing advice plus independent advocacy. Telephone: 0800 0744454. Twitter: @mapyoungpeople E-mail: advice@map.uk.net Meet N Eat Community Cafe Every Thursday at Pine Close Community Centre - open to everyone from 5pm - 8pm. In exchange for a hot meal they welcome donations of money or something tinned, or just volunteer some time. A book and clothes swap is also available. Anything else? If you’re aware of other support services, please let us know so that we can share the info; aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com
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MCP Editorial:TEMPLATE 12/09/2013 08:13 Page 1
How Acne Impacts On All Ages Acne is undoubtedly one of the most common disorders to be treated by dermatologists and as a skin care therapist we can really help with dealing with the condition. It is estimated that more than 90% of the world’s population is affected by acne at some point in their lives. Although Acne is more commonly associated with teenagers, it actually affects many in adult life on and off for many years. It may be classed as a skin disorder but it has also been linked to both emotional and psychological problems, such as low self esteem and depression. It effects women and men of all ages and in adults can be really painful. Many causes can be linked to hormones, stress, diet, health and lifestyle and skin sensitivity. Using the wrong products can worsen the condition. Depending on the severity, it may be advisable to seek professional medical guidance to ensure they receive the correct treatment for the seriousness of the problem. In the skincare salon, we can offer treatments to exfoliate, help remove excess sebum, calm the skin if inflamed and create a customised homecare routine. Using topical products to help boost exfoliation, stop the build up of dead skin cells and reduce the chance of scarring. We have also found the use of our Intense Pulse Light has been extremely effective at helping to treat acne and reduce scarring by encouraging the production of the skin’s own collagen. It is so rewarding to help someone improve their skin’s health and condition and make them feel much more positive. Although we have been given permission to reopen, we have been told we are not allowed to perform facial treatments, but it won’t be long now and we will be able to treat our clients’ needs again. Our top priority being the health and hygiene aspects of both our clients and staff. With this in mind we have all taken online training courses and ordered the necessary PPE to perform our treatments safely. Watch out for our updates via email and social media.
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The Wellness Clinic - What’s On Offer? Are you looking to improve your health? Wanting to increase your fitness? Gain ease of movement? Feel good about yourself? Would you love to return to a sport or form of exercise that currently seems impossible? If you answered yes, read on. Known as the go to person for hip, back and pelvic floor issues, Michelle also has published research within specialist exercise. With an impressive portfolio contact today to find out what’s on offer at The Wellness Clinic and more importantly if it’s the right fit for you. In light of Covid-19 Michelle has devised an exercise referral scheme working with local health professionals including West Suffolk Hospital to ensure individuals whom may shy away from exercise due to health complaints, medical conditions and/or disabilities can access safe and effective exercise. Monthly membership is available which costs less than a single 1.1 clinic session, gives you access to the live and online sessions from the comfort of your own home. Pilates, Yoga and adaptive exercise sessions are non-competitive, low impact (kind on your joints), you choose the level which means you can do; small or big movements, a few repetitions or many. Michelle teaches intuatively, teaching you to listen and respond to your body being aware of breath and what your body needs. You also receive full access to the catalogue of pre-recordings with 24/7 access anytime, anywhere. As an exercise specialist Michelle guides you, advises and supports to help you achieve your goals, exercise is for everybody. When you join full screening is carried out, with a health screening plus movement assessment. Initial feedback is given with personal recommendations to ensure you start at the right level, exercise safely and effectively. In the members area you will find all recordings plus every month two new routines are added to the catalogue. Michelle goes live in the private group to answer any questions and deliver a wellness talk, you have your own exercise specialist at home!
In addition to movement therapy above, The Wellness Clinic offers Mind Therapy. As many of you will know as we move through this pandemic stress and the feelings of loss for the life we once knew may of caused low feelings, sadness, angry, despair. Mental pain is less noticeable than physical pain but more common and for many a deep dark pain to bear. It’s easier to say my tooth hurts than to say my heart is broken. The 1.1 appointments are held in the strictest confidence. Let therapy hear and hold you while you work through your events, emotions, thoughts and feelings. As a therapist Michelle has undergone and continues therapy herself, she’s knows what it is like to sit the other side of the couch. Interested? Contact to discuss further; online or in person appointments are available. Michelle Jermy Mobile; 07725582817 www.thewellnessclinic-withmj.com
In addition to the monthly memberships Michelle offers 1.1 personal training and exercise rehabilitation programmes. These are bespoke to every client, the duration, frequency and type of exercise is dependent on the presenting issues, please contact to discuss or visit the website for further details. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 33
Thanks to Thetford! Apparently 1 in 3 people in Thetford undertake some form of volunteering according to research. We haven’t come across a single person lately who hasn’t lent a hand to help others through the Covid crisis. The Charles Burrell Centre (CBC) team has given out literally hundreds of packs of basic essentials, often supplementing local food supply chains. To thank the team and celebrate the wonderful community spirit locally, we were treated to a free bar from the Eastern Daily Press and Moongazer Brewery on Norfolk Day. Plus, the High Sheriff of Norfolk came to formally reopen our centre on the 4th July, learning about our work after a national report praised the “incredible” response during lockdown as highlighted in last month’s About Thetford magazine. The Centre is starting to get back up and running, with new safety measures. The bingo balls are rolling, there’s sport on the field, tattoo artists and beauticians are all smiles behind their face shields. We’re open for business again, but please pre-arrange your visit with whichever organisation you’re coming to see, so we can keep you and others safe.
Norfolk Day celebrated at the Charles Burrell Centre
If you’re still shielding, take a look at Virtual CBC – loads of weekly online activities available online. We want to say a huge thank you to the local volunteer groups that emerged during Covid, the town and district councils for their strategic and financial support, Keystone Development Trust and other voluntary sector groups, and our funders, such as Norfolk Community Foundation, who believe in Thetford and share our commitment to improving residents’ quality of life. For more information about Charles Burrell Centre, please telephone 01842 779867. Danny Whitehouse, Chief Executive
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Let’s Go - Explorer Travel Holidays Looking After All Your Travel Needs Carole Daley is an independent Travel Agent who offers a wealth of travel experience and amazing customer service to ensure that perfect get away. We asked Carole why we should look to book through her instead of a traditional agency. She says “Firstly, I don’t shut the door and turn the lights off at 5pm, I'm very thorough and do a lot of work in the evenings and weekends. Secondly, whatever a high street shop can find, I can usually find too but I’m not tied to any airline or supplier so I can compare different products and suppliers to try and get a better deal! Thirdly, It’s personal service, so I look at every holiday as if I were planning my own. I do my research into hotels locations and reviews to come up with the best options based on what the customer has asked for”. Of course in these current times travel can feel very restricted and with guidelines changing so frequently we asked Carole for her thoughts on this and any top tips for booking and staying safe. “Certain countries are welcoming tourists but the key is to look at what the UK Government recommend as safe destinations to travel. There is also a 14 day mandatory quarantine on arrival or return or both with many destinations to factor in. If you are itching to get away, then Tour Operators and hotels are offering all kinds of incentives and spending millions on safety measures to get people on holiday again. In addition, many holidays cancelled from this year have already been rebooked to 2021 which means there will be a shortage next year. My advice (once you feel ready to book again) would be to use someone like me to advise on what restrictions are in place at that time and ensure you have options if your holiday is cancelled for any reason. Final note on Travel Insurance - it is imperative that you have cover for COVID and it should start from the time you BOOK, not just the period of your trip” Carole says. We all have a bucket list of places we would love to visit and Carole is no exception-after chatting about some of these places and describing them we know have another handful of places to add to ours! Carole’s wish list includes Hawaii after watching the movie “50 First Dates” a fair few times as it looks like a paradise! A school project about France introduced her to an amazing place called Annecy (Google it!) which she has never forgotten and would love to actually see in person.
Carole Daley of Let’s Go - Explorer
If money were no object then the trip of a lifetime would probably be a tour around South America, for the food, music, dancing, culture and contrasting scenery it all sings to her heart, but she says she would probably need about 6 months to cover it all! Carole says that if she couldn’t be a travel agent she would have to combine her love of the ocean, reading and solving problems (which is pretty much what she does now!). She reckons being a detective on a Caribbean Island (Death in Paradise style) would be pretty cool! If you are thinking about travel again for this year or next, please feel free to get in touch with no obligation. You may think that it will cost you more by using a travel agent, in the majority of cases the supplier pays a commission so it doesn’t impact the client at all. Carole can arrange any type of holiday or short break. Carole can be contacted by Email: carole@explorertravelholidays.co.uk Or Facebook; www.facebook.com/letsgoexplorer/
Special Offer For About Thetford Readers Anyone booking a trip in excess of £1500 with Carole before the 31st August and mentions "ABOUT THETFORD" will receive a free airport lounge pass for each passenger on their outward journey. (*Subject to availability at regional airport)
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The History Of Town Criers Thetford resident Mike is the Town Crier for Watton and previously was the Thetford Town Crier. Here he kindly explains to us the history of Town Criers. You may well be surprised that there are such things as Town Criers in today's world of modern, and immediate, electronic communications. There are around 250 Town Criers around the country, and several in East Anglia. Town Criers have their history rooted in disseminating news and other information, just as newspapers do today. Their origin in the UK can be traced back to William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Indeed, Criers or Bellmen appear on the Bayeux Tapestry. Have a look at the section that deals with the death of Edward the Confessor, and at the bottom are 2 Bellmen apparently ringing their bells. Back then, and indeed, right up to Victorian times, the level of literacy was poor, and Town Criers told people what was going on. They informed the populace of, amongst a multitude of other things, new laws (both national and local), Royal marriages, the outcomes of battles, the changes of taxation, children who were lost, errant wives (both those with wandering eyes and hands, as well as those who were excessively profligate with their husbands' money!), obituary notices and the like. Think of the Town Crier as a public official who could also be hired by private persons. He was an appointed public newscaster, paid to do the job, but he could also take on side jobs with anyone who wanted him to "cry" an event. Town Criers were the first talking newspapers if you will. As is the case throughout history, news might not always be welcomed, and some people would prefer news about them not be known. Think of the Town Crier in 1635, who had to announce a 12-fold increase in the King's taxes. Sometimes then, not a popular job. No matter in what city, town or village a Town Crier made his proclamation, one thing was common to all. Having loudly cried the contents of his scroll, the Crier would then post his notice. It is a phrase that is almost out of use today, and basically means to pin the notice up on display, usually on a nearby handy wooden post. And it is from this action of posting a notice that many of today's newspapers have the word "Post" in their titles, for example, the Yorkshire Post, or the Evening Post. Now in Thetford, the wooden post in question was the huge square oaken post that holds up the corner of the
Mike Wabe, Town Crier in full ‘cry’ next to the Thomas Paine Statue in Thetford. Town Criers can be traced back to the time of William the Conqueror
Bell Inn. Indeed, there has been a hostelry of some sort on the Bell's site since around 1420. When you are in Thetford, have a look at this massive oak post next to the traffic lights. There you will see in it, hundreds and hundreds of nail holes and nail heads, where my predecessors over the centuries have posted their notices. This, as far as I have been able to ascertain, is the only place in the country where this evidence still exists. Everywhere else, the posts have long since been torn down. Yet another fine example of Thetford's historical past. To give an example of a Cry which we know was proclaimed, let is go back to 1403 and the city of Chester. Chester is situated just on the English side of the English/Welsh border, and was the scene of several bloody invasions by recalcitrant Welshmen. King Henry IV was on the throne and he decided that enough was enough. Having made up his mind to deal harshly with these rowdy Welshmen, he caused the Town Crier to inform the public what measures he was going to take, and the Cry went thus:
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Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! In this fourth year of the reign of our liege Lord King Henry IV, it is hereby proclaimed, for the safe custody of the City of Chester, that no Welshman shall enter the walls of the City before sunrise, that no Welshman shall enter any wine or beer tavern, that no Welshman bear arms, save only a knife for cutting his dinner, that they hold no meetings or assemblies, and that three Welshmen meet not together, within the walls of the aforesaid, under pain of decapitation. God Save The King! Now the curious thing about this law is that it was only repealed not that long ago! Decapitation may seem somewhat harsh today, but I can assure you that there were no repeat offenders! Criers were indispensable in spreading the news and making public announcements, and were so employed in cities, towns and large villages all over the country. Consider then, just how many Town Criers there must have been over the centuries, and the vast number of proclamations they must have made. But sadly, the history books have ignored them, consigning the names of the Criers, and especially their proclamations, to oblivion. Indeed, I am the proud possessor of a bell used by the Town Crier of Wilburton, near Ely. I duly contacted the Wilburton Parish Council to see if they had any information about this man, and they had. But none about his time as Town Crier there, or any of his proclamations.
There are, however, 2 notable exceptions; Clare in Suffolk and St Sepulchre in London. The daily proclamations of the Clare Town Crier have been preserved for a period of 100 years; from 1612 to 1711. The proclamations were recorded in a series of registers and kept in the town.
Mike with the Lord Mayor of Norwich in 2019 after he completed a cry’ for Norwich Pride. Mike became a Youtube hit with his “O Gay, O Gay!’ cry.
The proclamations of the St Sepulchre Crier live on for a very different reason. He made them to the condemned prisoners of Newgate Gaol on the evening before their execution, and again the following morning, as they began their last journey to the Tyburn Tree, to be hanged. It is this 3-mile journey from Newgate to Tyburn that almost certainly gives rise to today's popular expression to be alcohol free - to be "on the wagon". On the way to Tyburn the condemned were transported in carts and, apart from being pelted with all sorts of objects, (some far less salubrious than others!), they would stop at a tavern for a last alcoholic drink. As soon the mug was drained the prisoner would be back on the wagon to complete the journey to their death. The words of these proclamations, as well as the bell used by the Crier, can be seen today in St Sepulchre's Church. When I became the Town Crier for Thetford, I was the first person to hold that title for almost 100 years, the last being Mr John Clarke just before to just after World War One. However, like other able-bodied men, he went to fight, handing over the twin duties of Town Crier and Bill Poster, to his 15-year-old daughter Florrie. It was a job she did well until the safe return of her father in 1918. Florrie's first cry was about a lost railway ticket. Mike Wabe Photo 1 & 2 are by Maria Cooke, taken at the Town Crier competition, part of the Thetford’s Great Festival held in 2015.
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Norfolk Scone V Norfolk Shortcake When researching Norfolk related food to celebrate Norfolk Day, there were two recipes that appeared at the top of my search engine – Norfolk Scones and Norfolk Shortcake. As I’d not heard of either; and having looked at the ingredients and realising they were incredibly similar, I thought I’d give them both a go. Even making the mixtures up was a similar process, however, the biggest difference was in the shaping of the mixture before it was baked. The scone mixture was formed into two large circles which were placed on top of each other and filled with butter, currants and sugar; whilst the shortcake was cut into twelve squares. On removal from the oven, I could instantly tell which one I was going to prefer! The Norfolk Scone looked like and felt like a brick, while the shortcake was pale and delicately light. After a taste test at the Charles Burrell Centre to celebrate Norfolk Day, it was clear that my fellow tasters agreed. The scone was really dense and dry, and as there was no sugar in the scone mix is made it really bland - it definitely wasn’t the cross between a scone and an Eccles Cake that the original recipe had suggested; whereas the shortcake was crumbly and sweet, and something that I’d want to make again. To make Norfolk Shortcake, this is the recipe I used:
Norfolk Shortcake Ingredients: (Makes 12 – 15 slices ) 450g self-raising flour, 175g unsalted butter, cubed 160g sugar, 275g currants, 1 large egg - beaten (keep a little back for glazing), Small amount of milk to bind Extra sugar for sprinkling Method: 1. In a large bowl, rub the butter into the flour until you have fine breadcrumbs, 2. Stir in the sugar, currants and most of the egg. 3. With a knife, bind together with a little milk until you have a dough ball. 4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s roughly 1cm thick. 5. Cut into equal sized pieces. 6. Place on a greased baking tray and glaze with the leftover beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar 7. Bake in a pre-heated oven for around 20 minutes, 190°c, 170°c fan, gas mark 5. 8. Allow to cool on a wire rack and store your Norfolk Shortcakes in an airtight container.
Tracy Terry of the Engine Room Cafe tested two Norfolk themed recipes for About Thetford magazine
Wood Green Back Open The Wood Green charity shop on King Street, Thetford is delighted to be open again after the shutdown and is is currently open Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm. Wood Green sells a range of items including clothing and bric a brac For more info, visit their Facebook page: Breckland Tutoring Advert.qxp_Layout 1 27/07/2020 1 www.facebook.com/ThetfordWoodGreen
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No Parkrun But Members Keeping Busy! Even though Parkruns have not been given the go ahead to start up again as yet that does not mean the Thetford Members have been “busy doing nothing”! Mel Sturman and her group have been instrumental in organising fundraising “Virtual” walks and runs that have also raised thousands of pounds for charity too! Many of you will remember the fundraiser for Banham Zoo who were struggling without the monies raised through visitor entry fees. In excess of £5,000 was raised with a Walk/Run/Cycle event. Participants were encouraged not only to do 10K but to see how many kilometres they could clock up on a given day. Amongst the prizes donated by Sainsburys Thetford were two for Parkrun’s younger participants who managed the most miles – Leo and Ronan. Well done boys! Norfolk Day saw another challenge set in terms of distance and fundraising with monies raised going to Thetford And District Dementia Support. Participants received a fabulous medal for the efforts. It’s still not too late to register for the September 2020 challenge that is running on the 5th & 6th September, raising funds for Mianiature Donkies For Wellbeing. The Mini Donks as they are affectionaly known are a volunteer led organisiation taking Mini Donkies to care homes and dementia group settings across East Anglia. You can register for this event at:
Leo pictured with his prizes, donated by Sainsbury’s, following his fantastic running efforts
Rugby Club Sign On Day Thetford Rugby Club is holding its second members Sign On Day with a BBQ on the 22nd August starting at 2pm. Social distancing will apply on the day.
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Open to VPs, past, present and new players plus supporters, friends and family. Please feel free to come up and socialise if you attended the 1st members sign on day. If you wish please bring your own blanket, gazebo etc The club house will be open for take away drinks and toilet facilities. One free burger per person.
Parkrun will be returning as soon as the government guidelines allow so keep your eyes peeled for details on the Thetford Parkrun Facebook Page! A huge Well Done from us here at About Thetford to all of the participants in the Virtual Challenges that have occurred.
Thetford Rugby Club currently have a number of sponsorship opportunities available including individual player sponsorship. For more information, contact 01842 755176 or visit the Facebook page; www.facebook.com/thetfordrugbyclub
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Scouting In Lockdown 3rd Thetford Scout Group has continued to support the young members during lockdown, we may not have been able to meet face to face but that has not stopped Scouting in Thetford. The 140 members across Beavers to Explorers have completed various activities including recreating the Scout Logo in various forms, taking part in virtual camps including campfires, learning first aid, creating art, science experiments, holding VE Day picnics, joining in with St Georges Day Celebrations including renewing our promise. Taking part in our own Bake Off, joined in with Clap for NHS, displayed Rainbows in windows, and taking part in the 30 Days Wild Challenge. We have supported the community with emptying our stores and donating to the Benjamin Foundation, joining in the national sponsor Hike to the Moon organised by the Scout Association. Many members have raised money for the Banham Zoo, NHS or other charities. Alongside all these activities the young people have still been working towards badges. Scouting teaches life skills, community spirit, helping others and is about having fun, our young people have proven this abundantly in these difficult times.
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Covid19 Is Not Stopping Girl Guiding From Rainbows to Brownies to Guides and beyond, the Corona Virus has not stopped our local Girl Guiding units from carrying on! Rainbow promises have been made over zoom, and crafting activities have taken place with results being shared virtually too. And of course all the meetings will have enabled the girls to work towards those important badges that raise awareness of the planet, each other, offer valuable life skills too and so much more. The connections and friendships made remain strong although we are sure the girls and the leaders are looking forward to some face to face meetings too! Thetford is very lucky to have so many people who can volunteer their time to help run the numerous units that offer such a lot to young women and. If you would like to volunteer your time to help run a unit or would like your daughter to start GirlGuiding please do get in touch via the website: www.girlguidingnorfolk.org.uk/
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Swapping Bowls For Boules During Lockdown The Thetford Short Mat Bowls Club have not been resting on their laurels since lockdown restrictions starting easing! Although they are missing their regular Wednesday and Friday get together they have been managing to catch up with one another with informal and fun Boules Matches! During June and July there have been matches near Nuns Bridges where members have been encouraged to play against each other or just watch. Peter from the club says “These were sociable, fun, and good natured afternoons, enjoyed by all in what is hoped will become regular sessions, when the weather allows”. Boules is very different to short mat bowls of course but the games have been an opportunity for members to get out into the fresh air and catch up with friends after being at home for such a long time. It’s definitely helped to beat the feeling of isolation for many of the group. “A Frenchman may not have recognised the boules we played as we were dodging the molehills but we had a lot of fun and laughter and many of us learnt a new skill!” said Dennis a fairly new member of the club. Well done to the teams that took part this week-with Sue, Shane and Chloe winning the first match and Linda David and Connor winning the second! Peter has already lined up some further games but of course these will all be weather dependant! Pauline Barsby says that although they are hoping to return to usual club days and times at Charles Burrell Centre they have no set date as yet. However Pauline welcomes people getting in touch now to find out more about Bowls and how to get involved in the club. She can be contacted by phone: 01953 717275. Or email: thebarsbys@gmail.com
Members of Thetford Short Mat Bowls Club enjoying a game of Boules recently
Thetford Voices Is Zooming Your Way In the current climate, Thetford Voices has postponed its usual two day summer workshop until next year. Instead all young singers (6-16 year olds) are invited to join a free Zoom Session online at 10.30 on Tuesday 11th August. With our regular leaders Sarah Skinner and Polina Sosnina you’ll get to learn some new songs to perform there and then at home, with one or two extras making it as like the real thing as possible. It will be an excellent introduction to the Thetford Voices programme for those joining for the first time as well as a chance for past participants to meet up again. E-mail thetfordvoices@gmail.com by August 4th, for a registration form and to receive the Zoom Invitation (waiting room enabled) and guide notes for those new to Zoom video-conferencing. Do join us and help Thetford Voices ensure its thirteenth year is not totally unlucky and that we all come out singing on the other side.
Local Clubs And Groups
If you are part of a local club, group or society send us details of your activities for inclusion in the magazine, preferably with a photo. No Job to Small 1-8 Advert REV2.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/20 E-mail: aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com
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Teen Presented With Cricket Bat As cricket lockdown restrictions are lifted and the possibility of cricket returning in the coming weeks, Councillor Stuart Terry has presented Thetford teen Bashir Jabbarkhail with a new cricket bat prior to a Thetford Town Cricket Club junior training session, where Bashir is a coach. Stuart stated, "Bashir’s situation was highlighted in the Thetford & Brandon Times last year which detailed how he escaped from war torn Afghanistan. The horrifying story truly touched my heart. I wanted to do something that would continue to lift his spirits and I know that he loves his cricket so buying a new bat seemed the obvious choice! I wish Bashir every success for the future and cannot wait to see him play for Thetford Town Cricket Club."
Bashir Jabbarkhail receiving his new cricket bat from Councillor Stuart Terry
Bashir, who is now living in the town and attending Thetford Academy for over a year and said, " I am so happy with my gift and want to thank Stuart from the bottom of my heart."
Thetford Cricket Club's Chairman Mick Piggott, who is Bashir's cricket coach and mentor added, "Bashir has There is no doubt that with his passion for cricket, his settled brilliantly into the community and the cricket wonderful nature and his excellent work ethic, Bashir club, and we are tremendously proud of the impact will soon be fulfilling his tremendous potential in cricket. and progress he has made as both a player and junior For more information about Thetford Cricket Club, visit coach. would HP like Advert to thank2018.qxp_Layout Stuart for this gift.1He13/09/2018 and their 10:01 SimonI Long Pagevia 1 @ThetfordTownCri or email; Twitter page his family are great supporters of the club generally”. thetfordcricket@outlook.com
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Reducing Injury After The Pandemic Ok, so picture this – you’ve just cracked open your front door, the light hits your eyes, your retinas close forcefully, you squint, take a deep breath in and start to cautiously walk outside. After 4 months of lockdown you’re finally free!! I’m joking of course but for some of you, you would have been shielding for that long and taking a trip out may seem odd for a while! For a lot of us who workout or train regularly, the lockdown may have inconvenienced your plans one way or another and I am guessing you’re eager to get back to your fitness facility when it opens again. I’ve briefly written 8 subheadings for things you should do when returning to your workout in the hope they can reduce any injury you may cause yourselves as you make up for lost time. We will all enter back with the same mind frame that we can lift this or squat that but just hold your horses you crazy cats, remember your body, your muscles, your tendons and joints haven’t been under so much pressure lately and will take a while to build back up again! 1) Choose your Workout: Go to your fitness facility with a plan, have an idea of what you will be training and how! (If you train with me, that is one thing you haven’t got to worry about!) 2) Warm Up: An area specific warm up is always a must, if you are training the whole body, then a fully functional warm up is required with mobility. 3) Start Gradually: Ease yourself back in, just because you were hitting a 130kg chest press before lockdown big boy, does not mean you can now! 4) Proper Technique: Allow yourself time to retrain in certain tricky movements, remind the body what they feel like and get that mind muscle connection back
Richard of Tiger Fitness gives some top safety tips in this month’s fitness column
5) Use The Right Equipment: We all know you lads love bi curling in the squat rack but even that has its own risks! Keep it simple – for now. 6) Stay Hydrated: Hydration is always a massive key part in your training programme, you should never go into any kind of exerting movements without being hydrated. 7) Cool Down: After every session. Read that again. Your mobility and muscles need to be fully stretched after a session, you may be a strong superhero now but later in life you’ll start paying for it. 8) Vary Your Workouts: Add in different exercises for the same muscle groups, make sure there is not too much load on any point and any time and play safe. If for whatever reason you do receive an injury during training, my advice is to stop right there (thank you very much) DO NOT keep training the affected area and use the R.I.C.E acronym: Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. Be safe for the first 4-6 weeks and slowly increase weights and up the anti when your body tells you to. Richard Taylor Website: www.tigerfitnessclub.co.uk Telephone: 07737 5892906
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Feltwell Golf Club News Due to continued restrictions on numbers we feel it will be safer to postpone our 50th Anniversary Open Day until a later date. As soon as something can be arranged we will let you all know via our Facebook page. Driving Range: We are pleased to announce that we have opened our Driving Range for general use. If you are not a member of the club you can join the Driving Range as a member for as little as £50 a year and get discounted rates. Buy your tokens from the Pro Shop or office for £3 (28 balls) or £5 (56 balls) or if you are a member of the Club or the Driving Range for £2 and £4 respectively. Second Club Members: Already a member of a golf club but live locally to Feltwell, why not take advantage of our 2nd Club Membership, you can come up to play most times during the day, just book your tee time in advance. Take part in all Social Golfing Events held by the Club as well as join in with the Friendly Fixtures with other clubs. Consequently you can enter, Texas Scrambles, Drive-Ins and other social golf events held during the year. Lessons and Coaching: Lessons with Jo are available on a 1:1 basis or small groups of 5, so if you would like to improve your game or iron out some ‘quirks’ in your swing call Jo on 07855 821116 to find out more anytime until 3pm. Robert’s at Feltwell Golf Club: The Clubhouse is now open, albeit with some changes, in line with the latest Covid 19 guidelines. You will need to pre-book your table on 07376 182419 - numbers are restricted to allow the required distance between tables. There will be table service only for both drinks and food. Robert will still be continuing to run his Home Delivery service as we do know this is a lifeline for some locals who still can’t get out during this time.
CBC 5k And 10k Run Join Charles Burrell Centre for a 10k Run starting at the Centre on Staniforth Road and then across Barnham Common, and through parts of Thetford Forest (the Run will be entirely off-road). New for this year - a 5k run! The event takes place on 1st November 2020. 10k run (ages 16 and over) £15. Registration at 9am; Warm Up – 9.45am; Start 10am. 5k run (ages 14 and over) £12.50 - Registration at 9.15am; Warm Up – 10am; Start 10.15am. Group discount available for 10 or David10k Powell 17/10/2019 11:58 P more: £10; Advert.qxp_Layout 5k £8. Contact 018421 779867.
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