DECEMBER 2019 About Thetford magazine by About Thetford magazine

DECEMBER 19

YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ISSUE

169

CIRCULATION 12,500

WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRIST MAS

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IN THIS ISSUE

WIN PANTO TICKETS

DISCOVER THE HEALTHY AGEING ROADSHOW

CHRISTMAS SERVICES ACROSS TOWN

*T & C's apply

ST PETER’S BELLS RING OUT PLUS LOTS MORE!!

WithÂ property portals seeing a huge spike in traffic over the Christmas period, can you afford for your property not to be seen? Ask about our 'Do not Disturb' campaign, specifically designed to ensure your property is seen at this peak time but also respect your privacy over the festive period.

Back by popular demand! 'Letter from Santa' If you have a little one who'd love to hear from Father Christmas, collect a form from our office or download it from our facebook page. Then simply return it to the special postbox in our office.

Wishing You A Very Merry

Christmas

Inside this month...

’ll be aware that a mad For those that know me, you Christmas presents but Page 5 - Full Peal Success At St Peter’s with December rush is the norm efully you’ve been enjoying Page 7 - Dog’s Trust Christmas Message I’m quite ahead this year! Hop and that its not been too Page 10 & 11 - Out And About Thetford your Christmas preparations too ight, but I always find Page 11 & 12 - Leaping Hare dlel stressful? Maybe it’s the can time of year. Karen Page 15 - New Service For Families this at ing calm Church services very ensive list of Church Page 17 - Youth Proms For Children has pulled together a compreh along to one (or more) if Page 18 & 19 - Thetford Faces services in Thetford so do get arly religious, it’s good Page 21 - Singer’s Christmas Concert icul part you can. Even if you’re not ction. Page 23 - Thetford Players Competition to take 5 minutes of quiet refle ion is a bit earlier this Page 26 - Wood Green Set To Open edit y uar Jan the for e dlin dea The the 15th. Please send any Page 31 - A Haven For Hawfinches month, the 10th, rather than uded, promptly. Top tip - Page 33 - Lionesses Bid Farwell content that you would like incl difficult month to fill with Page 35 - Dementia Support Group e January can often be the mor ng coming up that you Page 37 - Aviation Society News ethi som content, so if you’ve got interesting story, send it Page 40 - Still Young Enough To... would like featured, or just an to include it. Page 49 - Fitness Gift This Year? through and we may just be able the Page 50 - A Year Of Thetford Parkruns of on the producti On behalf of all involved in ers, read our all h I wis About Thetford magazine, may About Thetford Magazine is very Merry Christmas. a ers, ertis adv and tors tribu con proudly printed by Reflex Litho tford magazine Tel: 01842 745600 Terry Jermy, Editor, About The eflex

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Call (01842) 775050 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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PRESENTS

Non-stop 70s and 80s! 31st December from 7pm at Charles Burrell Centre Join us to countdown to

2020!

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Full Peal Success At St Peter’s The art of bell-ringing as we know it today was born in the 17th century, and from that the various methods (tunes) were devised and developed so that they could be extended, and also if required be joined together, this being known as change ringing. Various ringing companies and societies from different churches had quite a bit of rivalry between them, from how well the bells were rung to the length of time they could accomplish. From this what is known as a peal was born, which is a length of 5,000 changes or more which takes about 3 hours to accomplish. The first peal ever rung was at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich in 1715 and ever since the ringing of a peal has flourished and they are often used to celebrate or commemorate a certain occasion.

The bells in St Peters were cast in 1790 by Thomas Osborn of Downham Market at a cost of £364 0s 9d around £47,000 today

After the ring of 8 new bells being installed in St Peter's Church in 1790, it was the following year that the first peal was rung. 41 peals have now been rung at St Peter's with the bells being heard across the town and still sounding the same as they did some 228 years ago. 8 of those peals have been since 2000 for various town events, like the Thomas Paine 200 celebrations, 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion, and the Diamond Jubilee of HM the Queen Elizabeth II.

the

The successful ringing team from 26th October Front row L to R: David Potts, Stephen Stanford, Nicholas Churchman, Nicholas Wilson Back row L to R: Alastair Donaldson, David Stanford, Paul Mason, Christopher Pickford Both Photos: David Rogers

Earlier this year I received a request from a ringer from elsewhere in the country, who had a local connection if a peal attempt would be possible in memory of his father and grandparents who lived here. Permission was kindly granted by the Town Council and on Sat 26th October the peal was rung, and due to the recent sad passing of David Osborne it was also rung in memory of him. The next planned peal attempt is the 8th May next year to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, where bells across the land will ring out for peace. David Rogers

Wendy Knits For CRUK Fundraising continues for Cancer Research UK, with sales of knitted covers, complete with yummy chocolate oranges, boosting totals. Rotary@CBC donated 100 chocolate oranges and there were 50 pledged by Tesco. These donations plus generous support from friends and hours and hours of knitting covers for the oranges has so far raised £700. Sue Webber

Mulberry

Open Tues - Sat from 6pm WWW.MULBERRYTHETFORD.CO.UK

Tel: 01842 824122 11 Raymond Street Thetford IP24 2EA

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RudlingsWakelam Solicitors

Thetford: 01842 754151 Brandon: 01842 810300 Bury St Edmunds: 01284 755771

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18/11/2016 15:56

New Statistics Show Demand For Dogs Skyrockets With Christmas Countdown The Dogs Trust is urging the public not to buy or give dogs as presents this year, as new statistics show online searches for puppies skyrocket by 44% in the countdown to Christmas. The plea comes as the charity, which has rehoming centres in Basildon and Snetterton launches its first ever Christmas TV advert – which features a puppet dog who brings to life the message behind its famous slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’. On average, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, receives one call every six minutes from people wanting to give up their dog, and in January alone this year Basildon and Snetterton received 261 calls. While people give up dogs for all sorts of reasons, the charity is encouraging people to make sure they’re ready for the commitment, and if they decide now isn’t the right time to welcome a dog into their life they are urging them to support rescue dogs in other ways. After analysing online search trends, the charity found that online searches of the phrase ‘buy a puppy’ increased by 44% from 95,659 to 137,499 a week before Christmas last year, compared to the yearly average. Online searches to ‘get a dog’ increased by nearly 27% from 357,779 to 452,656 two weeks before Christmas, compared to the yearly average. In the East of England, Rottweilers and Pomeranians were the most sought after breeds. Lisa Cooper, Manager at Dogs Trust Basildon, says: “These figures show that people still think to buy a dog in the rush before Christmas. It’s very easy to pick a puppy at the click of a button but dogs don’t come with a gift receipt. We take calls all year round from people who feel they have no choice but to give up their dog

and it can be heart-breaking, even if an owner knows they are doing the right thing. If someone isn’t sure about whether now is the right time to welcome a four-legged friend into their home, we would encourage them to support rescue dogs in other ways such as becoming a volunteer foster carer or sponsoring one of our beautiful dogs.” The charity’s Home from Home foster scheme provides temporary homes for dogs who come into Dogs Trust but who will particularly benefit from continuing to live in a home environment until they find their forever home, such as very young or old dogs, poorly dogs, or dogs who prefer a quiet life. Sponsor a Dog helps the charity raise funds so they can care specifically for dogs who need a little extra TLC and so that dogs can be looked after for however long they need, whether that’s a few extra months, or years. For further information, please visit the website where you can also watch and share the Dogs Trust’s advert, find out more about fostering, sponsoring a dog and for advice on dog ownership; www.dogstrust.org.uk/adogisforlife

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Christmas Church Services Christmas at St Cuthbert’s Church Well Street, Thetford Traditional Carol Service Sunday 15th December at 7pm All-Age Christingle Service Christmas Eve at 3.30pm Midnight Communion Service Christmas Eve at 11.30pm All-Age Christmas Celebration Christmas Day at 10.30am

Thetford Methodist Church Tanner Street, Thetford Carols with Candlelight and end of Tree Festival Sunday 15th December at 4pm Christmas Eve Holy Communion Tuesday December 24th at 11.15pm Christmas Day Celebration 10.30am led by Rev Chris White

Thetford Baptist Church King Street, Thetford Carols By Candlelight Saturday 21st December at 4pm Youth-led Navity Service Costumes available before the service Sunday 22nd December at 10.45am Christmas Day Family Service 10 - 10.45am

Cloverfield Community Church Yarrow Close, Thetford Carols By Candlelight Wednesday 18th December at 7.30pm Supported by ‘Thursday Nights’ Crib Service Tuesday 24th December at 5pm Family Friendly mix of carols, The Christmas Story, Dressing Up, Puppets, songs, Refreshments

Church Of The Nazarene Anna Gurney Close, Thetford Messy Christmas Saturday 7th December at 3.30 - 6pm Reindeer Drive Saturday 14th December at 4.30 - 6.30pm Service Followed By Christmas Baps Sunday 15th December at 11am Sunday Service Sunday 22nd December at 11am Candlelight Carol Service Tuesday 24th Dec at 7pm U.R.C. Church Christmas AD.qxp_Layout 1 14/11/2019

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Tuesday 3rd December, 10.30 - 12.00 Coffee Morning supporting Thetford Food Bank Thursday 5th December, 6.30pm. “Light up a Life” Service for St Nicholas Hospice Wednesday 18th December, 7.00pm “Christmas by the Fireside” service Thursday 19th December 3.00pm Christmas Peace Service Sunday 22nd December, 10.30am Christmas Family Service

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Out and About Thetford

Coffee With Care Access Community Trust have opened a brand new café, Sams in the centre of town. The café has created 6 new jobs and will be offering apprenticeships which will be open to people of all ages. “It’s not just young people who need support, sometimes it’s the older mums who may be just thinking about returning to the workplace” explained Emma Ratzer, Chief Executive of Access, “Buy a cup of coffee from us and support your local community.” Building on the success of the original Sams Cafe, Lowestoft, the Thetford branch is looking to become a community hub for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. The café is working with external agencies such as Mencap to show people it’s a safe place Steve Wright Chair of Trustees, Emma Ratzer, Annette to visit. Groups are welcome to hold business meetings, Beale Support Worker, Ellen Gilbert Hub Co-ordinator networking or even a simple get together. Food is local and Antony Parke Head of Commercial Services at the launch of Sams Thetford and freshly made to order with a great selection of cakes, crumble slices and doughnuts. Access Community Trust is well established in the county with 45 years of experience supporting communities with further cafés in Kessingland, Great Yarmouth and Woodbridge opening next year. The cafés help Access as a charity to be more sustainable and to move from being solely reliant on grant funding. The Retraining Programme is new for Thetford and there are volunteering or work experience opportunities available. One of the specialist services Access offers is a tailored unstructured apprenticeship, “Some people come from difficult backgrounds and may need to take a break from their apprenticeship. We can do that and any of our apprentices can access any of our services that the public can. We take our duty of care as a priority.” Emma continued, “If you have a bad day, it’s not the end of the world, we will support that person.” Sams, Thetford is open Monday to Friday 9:30 am – 2:30am initially with plans to open on a Saturday in the near future. Christmas Extravaganza Success

Staff at the CBC are feeling festive after the success of their first Christmas shopping event. Happy customers enjoyed a wealth of stalls from across the county selling everything from handmade decorations to Indian curry kits and a special Old Skool Bar Gin Palace. With over 40 stalls, there was something for everyone, “It’s a very pleasant atmosphere and getting everyone in the Christmas spirit,” said stall-holder Roberta, known as Fairy Grandmother. Across the evening CBC tenants entertained visitors with the Centre Stage Dance School Infants dancing to Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Zumba Gold The Fairy Grandmother stall at the CBC ladies enthusiastically dancing away to demonstrate Christmas Extravaganza event that a workout isn’t always best in the gym! Aya Cuisine demonstrated how to make the most of those turkey leftovers and The Wellness Clinic showcased their offer including support for those Christmas blues we might have in January. Event organiser Joanne Jenkins said, “We had three wonderful main sponsors Pilgrims, Lawsons and Hudson Estate Agents who provided mince pies and mulled wine for our ticket holders and a number of businesses and individuals who generously gave us raffle prizes. We’re grateful for all the help and support from everyone who was involved in the event.” For more information about CBC events please contact: events@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 10

Print Workshop For Silver Crafters Norwich

based Print To The People returned to Thetford Library for the second of their letterpress workshops this autumn/ winter. This second workshop focussed on Christmas cards with the group using the letterpress to create a main image and hand stamps to add details. One participant Sheila said she was looking forward to learning something new, “I’m always interested in any type of art. I paint but this is something different and new to me.” Sheila who attends the workshops with her friend was delighted with her cards. “The Silver Social sessions are lovely to take Silver Social participants with their letterpress cards part in; I really enjoyed the mosaic sessions earlier in the year.” Jo from Print To The People said both she and Paul were delighted to be back and see some familiar faces along with some new ones. The Thetford session was the first of 5 across Breckland for one week, mid-November. “It’s great that people have experienced letterpress for the first time.” Silver Social is an initiative run by Breckland Council, Locality Officer Stevie Spencer said she was really happy to see the session so well attended and to see the enjoyment creating the cards had created. “Silver Social sessions are aimed at our older members of the community, but today we had a lady come along with her retired son and his partner making it a family occasion, and despite feeling a little worried about coming along she told me she enjoyed the good company and trying something new. There’s new people coming to the activities every time, you can see it makes a real difference to the participants, helping to combat loneliness across Breckland.” For more information about the Silver Social programme please visit: www.breckland.gov.uk/thesilversocial

WW2 Remembered A packed audience enjoyed an afternoon of reminiscence as the Methodist Players presented The People’s War 1939 – 45. Even the refreshments during the interval gave a nod to rationing with spam sandwiches and cakes made using original recipes. Diligently written by Wendy Serjeant who made sure every fact was correct, the performance demonstrated what a great team the Players are. The performance opened with a nod to the town’s link to Dads Army and of course Thetford Home Guard. The older members of the audience nodded in recognition when the declaration of war announcement by Neville Chamberlain was played. The performance featured not only the drama of live theatre but also live music, audio clips and projected images, and brought local people’s memories alive. Heather Germany read out one a recollection from her father Cecil, about the luxury of a packet of Smiths crisps, whilst her Uncle Reg, then a 11 year old pupil at Thetford Grammar School had been sent to the Primitive Methodist Church in Cage Lane to escort various refugees to houses across the town. The audience gave a huge cheer for the actor playing Field Marshal Montgomery. This was quickly followed by a loud groan when the subject of food rationing and tapioca was mentioned! Stories shared included Anne Fuller’s father returning from being a Japanese POW, Thelma Smith’s experience of having 6 different homes and 3 different schools within the first few years of being evacuated and Wendy Serjeant’s memories of the evacuees that came to stay with her and her mother, including a grandmother, mother and baby from Great Yarmouth. The performance wouldn’t have been complete without Sue Webber encouraging everyone to join in with the singing towards the end. All the old favourites were there including a rousing rendition of Who Do You Think You Are, Mr Hitler and finishing with You’ll Never Walk Alone from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1945 musical Carousel. Methodist Players were pleased to announce they had reached their £1000 target with the help of match funding form Barclays Bank. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 11

Thank you!

A very large thank you to the thousands of visitors, customers, friends and supporters that we have served in 2019. Our manager Jake and our ever willing team of volunteers, affectionately known as the Harey Leapers, provide an excellent service and we simply couldn’t operate without them. Recently, Megan, who has been with us for more than two years, has just got a job. We couldn’t be more pleased and wish her all the best in her new role. If you have a few hours to spare each week and like the idea of joining our happy team, why not get in touch?

Winter at the Gatehouse by Stuart Wilson, December’s entry in this year’s Thetford Calendar. Have you got yours yet? A great gift idea costing just £7.95 each or 2 for £14, available in our shop, The Mulberry Restaurant and Thetford Garden Centre.

NEW Stock! We also have new felted items in from Hullabaloo - come and see the delightful little dormouse in a walnut shell, so cute! New items from Stepping Stones Emporium include more varieties of the new wax melts and vegan soy wax candle range and we have all got over excited by the big yellow digger bath bombs, which join the dinosaurs, unicorn horns, stars and more!

Christmas Opening Hours

We welcome the Licky Cow Gallery with their lovely greetings cards and coasters featuring local wildlife - simply gorgeous and already proving very popular. Cards £2.50, Coasters £2.95 each or 4 for £10.

Christmas Tree Trail

Don’t forget you have until Sun 15 Dec to get your entries in, make sure you add your name and contact details - good luck!

Sat 21 Dec 9am - 3pm OPEN Sun 22 Dec - Fri 3rd Jan CLOSED Sat 4 Jan - Shop reopens and normal opening hours return: Monday to Thursday 10am - 3pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 3pm Sunday - Closed Please telephone us on 07802 701911 if you need any assistance, our on-line bookings will continue to be available 24/7 Merry Christmas!

What’s on in and about Thetford

Christmas Church Services Please see Page 9 for details of Church Services. EVENT: Tree Festival Fri 29 Nov - Sun 15 Dec Christmas Tree Festival at the Methodist Church FREE entry. Pick up a flyer detailing the many events to enjoy, including the NEW tree trail.

EVENT: Father Christmas

There’s lots of opportunity to meet Father Christmas this year, here are just a few. Thetford Garden Centre: Sensitive Santa Fri 13 & Fri 20 Dec; Santa’s Grotto until 24 Dec; Supper with Santa 16-19 Dec. Thetford Methodist Church: Sat 7 & Sat 14 Dec. Banham Zoo: until 15 Dec

Please check prices & availability

Father Christmas Letters

Choose from two beautiful packages, we take lots of care to ensure these really are very special indeed.

TOUR: Snowdog Sat 30 Nov - Sun 5 JanThe Snowman™ and the Snowdog BrickLive Tour at Banham Zoo

MUSIC: Frozen Sing Along

Sat 21 Dec 6pm - 7pm Charity Christmas Show. FREE.

MUSIC: Mike All Buble

Fri 20 Dec 7.30pm £6 Michael Buble Tribute Sports & Social.

MUSIC: New Year’s Eve

Tues 31 Dec 7pm - 1am £19.50 Abba Chique and Jon Kenny’s Disco. Buffet included PRESENTS

Non-stop 70s and 80s! 31st December from 7pm MUSIC: Year’s Eve at Charles New Burrell Centre

Join us to countdown to Tues 31 Dec 7.30pmFeaturing - 1am £6. Music from all decades at Cocktail Bar Thetford Town&Football Club.

2020!

Gin Palace

MUSIC: Thetford Singers

Sat 13 Dec 7.30pm £8 A Christmas Fantasia, Tues 3 Dec 7.30pm Monthly an evening of traditional talk £2 (£1 members) URC Christmas music at Thetford EVENT: Light Up A Life Methodist Church with John Thurs 5 Dec 6.30pm URC Holland Avery (Baritone) and St Nicholas Hospice service WORKSHOP: Wreath Making Breckland Handbell Group Fri 6 Dec 5pm - 8pm £35 Wreath making workshop Thetford Garden Centre

TALK: Thetford Society

WORKSHOP: Lanterns

New Year’s Eve Buffet Included, PLUS Bacon Butty from 11pm

£19.50 per ticket

with

Tickets available in advance from Leaping Hare www.leapinghare.org

The HOTTEST and most sought

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Reserve your ticket now for just £5. Limited number of tickets - book early!

Playing musicPanto from all decades THEATRE:

FriTues 17, Sat and Fri Sat 31st18 Decem ber24,2019 25 Jan £9/£7.50 Thetford 7.30pm - 1am Players Beauty & The Beast. Thetford Town Football Club Mundford Road IP24 1NB Raising funds for Thetford Town Football Club

£6

Sat 7 Dec £20 Lantern Making & Twilight Walks at Brandon Country Park. Suitable age 5+

MUSIC: Shaven Horse

Sat 7 Dec Live music from Shaven Horse as part of The Fox Inn at Garboldisham’s third Birthday celebrations

Event: Christmas Carolling Fri 20 Dec 1pm - 8pm Join Thetford Voices for singing plus a concert (age 6-16)

by Chris Bennion www.moldiwarts.co.uk

Fri 17th & 24th January 7.00pm Sat 18th & 25th January 1.30pm & 6.30pm

or £7.50 For information and tickets to our Box Office events visit: 20£9King Street IP24 2AP

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Fri 17th & 24th January 7.00pm Sat 18th & 25th January 1.30pm & 6.30pm

Doors open 45 minutes before performance Carnegie Room, Thetford, IP24 2DS

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New Service For Thetford Families ‘Healthy’ families provide a solid base from which adults and children can learn, work and contribute positively to society. Families living in poverty and low income homes, on the other hand, are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems, substance abuse and poor educational outcomes and are least likely to access mental health care. In response to the need to provide mental health support, Athena Education Support (AES) has recently established a family support hub in Thetford. AES, founded by Sandra Govender (CEO), together with Julie Cox and Sam Burgoyne, is committed to helping its beneficiaries improve their life chances and overcoming social isolation. The team have decades of experience supporting children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties. An Awards for All grant enabled AES to establish The Home Group where families attend sessions every Tuesday between 6.30pm and 8pm at the CBC. Families are supported to develop their resilience and strength to tackle issues when things go wrong, solve problems safely, and become healthy, well-rounded members of society. Our families say: “My child slept through the night, for the first time after the group” and “My child had their first positive day at school the next day”. Plus, “It was great for us as a family to work together, learning new skills”. As a social enterprise, our work is reliant on funding and donations and we kindly request assistance (resources or financial) from local businesses and persons who share our vision. Call 07860 537119 or email; office@athenaeducationsupport.co.uk

Families at a recent AES Home Group

News from SET Ixworth School The Friends of SET Ixworth School’s Christmas Fair is being held on Friday 6th December at our school from 6-8pm. There will be a huge variety of Christmas gift and food stalls, a very special visit from Santa, plus refreshments, raffle, cakes and confectionery. We have been delighted to see so many children attend our Transition Events and Drop-in Sessions. With themes based around our new curriculum, they cover a broad range of subjects to give a good feel for the school. We look forward to our future activities in the summer, prior to current year 6 children joining us in September 2020. If you are interested in a place at SET Ixworth School for your child, wish to speak to a senior member of staff or have a tour of the School, contact us on 01359 234050 or email us; ixworth@seckfordeducation.org.uk

About Thetford Magazine Deadline for inclusion in the January 2020 edition of About Thetford will be 10th December. Send content to; aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com

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Brandon Photographic Club News Interested in photography, taking up a new hobby or want to revisit an old one? Why not come along to one of meetings, meet the members and find what is on our calendar for 2020. We meet on alternate Wednesdays at the Baptist Church Hall (behind the Chapel) on the High Street in Brandon. There is plenty of parking at the rear of the building and our Deccember meeting will be held on Wednesday 11th December when we will be holding a Jpeg Competition. A golden opportunity for you to see the standard of photography within the club. Following the Christmas break we open again on Wednesday 8th January 2020 with a Studio Portrait evening. We have experienced members on hand to give advice on lighting, camera settings and answer any other questions you may have. They will also set the ‘stage’ for the models enabling us to take a variety of pictures during the evening, whether it’s a close-up image or taken at a distance.

unsure come along to any of our meetings and speak to us. Learn how to best focus your camera and compose your pictures, we often have magazines available for you to browse through, giving ideas on how you can improve your talent or encourage you to take up a new hobby. Everyone is welcome to join in and we look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings. Don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook and keep up to date with what’s going on, or find out more on our website:

You don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive cameras to start learning about photography, many phones, compact andChristmas bridge cameras some really1good Mr G's HP Adverttake 2.qxp_Layout 16/10/2019 15:59 Page 1 images and these are well worth looking at, or if you are www.brandonphotographicclub.co.uk

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Schools Enjoy Music For Youth Proms YolanDa Brown, the UK’s premier saxophonist presented this year’s Music for Youth Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Among the many musicians that took part were 150, year six children from three Thetford schools; Admirals Academy, Bishops Church of England School and Drake Primary School.

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Thetford Year 6 pupils enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience in the Royal Albert Hall

For many this was going to be a once in a life time experience, however, the greatest difficulty was going to be the 1logistics of transporting all of the children 13:33 Page involved down to London so that they could take part in this fantastic opportunity. Therefore, local resident and parent Ricky O’Connor, Thetford Town Councillor Carla Barreto and Breckland Councillor for Boudicca Ward Stuart Terry, organised and delivered a couple of fund raising events. The first was a Curry & Quiz Night at the Charles Burrell Centre where the ladies from Aya Cuisine supplied the catering for free and raised £500. The second fund raiser was held at the Thomas Paine Hotel and raised a similar amount. A further £500 was raised through pledges and a small grant from Thetford Town Council. 50% of the total raised went to the Norfolk Music Hub and the remainder was split between the three schools to assist with travel costs for parents, carers and supporters. During the evening’s performance the children from Norfolk performed the opera “Kind of Magic Flute” superbly and received the largest round of applause of the night from the 5,500 people present. Special thanks goes to Corinne Fulford at Leaping Hare for designing and arranging the publicity. A truly amazing night and being part of the audience makes you realise just how special our town is. Well done to all the pupils from Admirals, Bishops & Drake, and to the staff at the schools for facilitating such a great opportunity.

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This month’s Thetford Face is Robert Ogden. Robert is a retired teacher who has inspired many Thetfordians through his time at Staniforth/Charles Burrell High School and love of music along with his faith. How long have you lived in Thetford? We moved here in 1978, I was about to get married and Sheila was teaching at Weeting Primary School. We were looking to move nearer to her family in Norwich and a job came up in Thetford. What was it like moving from a large northern city to a small town in Norfolk? I had a job in Keighley which was 11 miles from Bradford before coming to Thetford, but it was a real culture shock. I’d spent 22 years in large cities then we came to Thetford. I didn’t drive at the time and soon had to learn. When I started at the school I soon discovered the influence of the London Overspill, all the children I taught supported London football teams and often had London accents. What was your first job at Staniforth Secondary Modern School? I started teaching Geography and a bit of PE. I spent 32 years teaching in the town. Could you share some highlights of your teaching career here? There’s too many to list, but if I had to choose they would include that Staniforth/Charles Burrell was the only school in Thetford not to fail an Ofsted inspection, yet we had the reputation as the worse school in the town. In 2009 I took a group of 6th formers to Japan as part of the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, The Japan Experience Study Tour. It gave some young people the chance to travel outside of the UK for the first time. Finally, it amazes me the number of people I’ve taught over the years and how many I’m still in touch with, and what they’ve achieved. It’s wonderful. One of my pupils designed the logo I use. How did you get involved in Camp America? I found out about them when I was a student training to be a teacher in Liverpool. I applied to go to a New Jersey Y Camp, which was a Jewish camp and loved every minute of it! It was hard work, but I taught lots

Robert with his first ever Camp America Year Book from 1975 in which he features

of sports, arts and crafts and musical theatre. It soon turned into a summer of a lifetime and I was hooked and have worked with Camp America (CA) ever since. To still be part of that is such a privilege. It’s the things that have happened as a result of that summer amaze me. I was in the Czech Republic 7 weeks after the Velvet Revolution, in Croatia after the Balkans War all because of CA. In 1975 my co-counsellor was Swedish, and we still see each other every year. Micke and I never thought in 1975 that we’d still be friends 40 years later. Did you bring Camp America to Thetford? Yes, I’ve sent several kids from Thetford, one of my first cohort has just turned 50! Camp America were very good because they set up a scheme for the school so kids could do things to get a reduced rate and a guaranteed place. This allowed young people from Thetford who probably never thought it was for them to take part. How important is music in your life? I’ve done concerts in and around Thetford for years for all sorts

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of organisations and sung in various choirs including the Emergency Services Choir for Norfolk. I took CBHS to sing at Norwich Cathedral and wrote a song for the occasion. It was an absolutely wonderful experience for the kids, and we held our own alongside the likes of Norwich High School For Girls! When I was younger I had 3 career choices, teaching, church or the stage. In teaching I got the best of all 3. Music was a massive thing in my family, so I grew up in that environment. When I was at the University of Liverpool, I composed and wrote the theme hymn for the Liverpool Festival of Youth in celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. It became a highlight day in my life, I sung in the Catholic Cathedral in the morning, the Anglican Cathedral in the afternoon and Methodist Central Hall in the evening. I still treasure my letter form Buckingham Palace.

Robert developed a love of music from an early age, and has performed around the town for many years

You are well known for your work at the URC, how has faith shaped your life? It’s been an interesting journey. I grew up in a Church Of England family, became a Sunday School teacher aged 11, at 16 I was the Christian Union President at School, doing lots of singing and concerts. I was invited to join the Minister from the Methodist Chapel in Bradford on tour and became an organist. My University College was a CofE College, which eventually merged with two Catholic Colleges to become Liverpool Hope University. I always believed my faith was demonstrated by my actions. I’d grown up in a multicultural community so embracing faith is natural to me. We were married in the United Reformed Church and when we arrived in Thetford we weren’t sure where we were going to worship but the Minister from the URC was the first to visit us and that’s where we’ve stayed. I love the set-up. Has your faith led you to create something for the whole community? There’s no point in having a faith unless you do something with it. I opened the

Robert at the opening of the URC Peace Garden in 2017

Peace Centre and garden at the URC every Thursday where we offer free tea, coffee and soup along with trained pastoral helpers. It is whatever you need it to be, not just for homeless people or for those who need company, but for everyone. The peace garden is one of 5 now in the town and it links Thetford internationally to places like Argentina, Vietnam and South Africa. I recently showed a group from Zimbabwe, who then took the idea back to Africa. You never know the impact of something you’ve done. In what way are you involved at West Suffolk Hospital? Since retiring I’ve become part of their volunteer Chaplaincy Team. It’s such a rewarding thing to do, sometimes I’ve come across people I’ve taught. I was performing yesterday in the Chapel. In 2014 I was part of the WW1 Commemorations at WSH. One of the wards decided that they were going to dress as nurses from WW1 and asked me to do some WW1 Songs. Somehow they got Terry Waite involved, he came along and joined in. How has Thetford changed over the years? I think it raised the aspirations of so many. I’ve worked with some marvellous colleagues such as Wendy Serjeant and these days I can see how the aspirations have kicked in and what young people are achieving. It’s also become more multicultural which is great. I still think it’s a work in progress, but a great place. I just wish those outside of Thetford recognised how this place can benefit them. What is your favourite thing about Thetford? I love the nature; I always think Thetford is the gateway to Nature Norfolk! Although I do wish we had some mountains. I think what the BTO have is incredible. Thetford is an underrated jewel, the history is phenomenal, this little town has things that have helped shape the world. You can’t go to somewhere like Nuns Bridges or Barnham Common without feeling calm.

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Thetford Voices

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Thetford Singers Christmas Concert Thetford Singers are pleased to announce A Christmas Fantasia. This year’s Christmas concert will be held on 13th December 2019 at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) in Thetford Methodist Church during their Christmas Tree Festival, tickets are £8. Thetford Singers invite you to Step Into Christmas with them and enjoy a Fantasia of Christmas Carols at Thetford Methodist Church. Rudolph will be putting in a musical appearance along with the more traditional Christmas protagonists like Jesus Christ (the Apple Tree) and Mary. We are immensely pleased to welcome Baritone John Holland Avery back to Thetford for this performance and also to feature the Breckland Handbell Group with pieces from their repertoire. Please come and join us for an evening of songs, carols, bells and congregational singing to get us all into the Christmas spirit on 13th December at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church. Tickets are £8 from Leaping Hare Box Office, 20 King Street or visit; www.leapinghare.org

All Set For Carolling Day Posters are up, carols being chosen and the first names registered as Thetford Voices gets ready for its latest Carolling Day on Friday 20th December. After brushing up our programme from 1pm in Thetford Grammar School, around fifty of us will be off in the coaches generously supplied by Coach Services to be welcomed to sing in four Residential Homes around town. There is a tea party and then a concert at 6.45 in St Cuthbert’s Church to round off the day. But plenty of us will be back, signing on at 9am the next morning to sing more carols at the Wyken Vineyards Farmers’ Market near Stanton. It is not too late for enthusiastic 6 to 16 year olds to take part. To get the enrolment form and full details; E-mail; thetfordvoices@gmail.com Telephone; 01842 820060 Or visit; www.thetfordsingers.org.uk/ thetford-voices/ Or pick up from the Leaping Hare

Mundford Road Allotments Christmas Party At Thetford Football Club. Saturday 7th December 8pm, £5, Free for accompanied under 14s. All welcome Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 21

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Thetford Players formed in spring of 2010 and have gone from strength to strength since their first pantomime ‘Dick Whittington’ in January 2011 and each production just gets better and better. “Beauty and the Beast is our 10th pantomime” says Jo Cooper, Thetford Players Chair,“ and we are thrilled to be able to bring such a beautiful story to life on the Carnegie stage; of course this is Beauty and the Beast panto style so it may not be the traditional story you expect!” As part of moving into their tenth-year celebrations the Players recently decided it was time for a change and, working with Andy Taylor of Mashuni Ltd, have come up with a brand-new logo design, to show just how far they have come. Thetford Players pride themselves on bringing entertainment to Thetford whether in panto or one of their show-stopping musicals. Next year will bring another first for the Players as they present a fulllength Agatha Christie play, ‘The Hollow’, with a new director, Jane James. Keep a look out for information about auditions and show dates.

Win Tickets to Panto! Ever wanted to be part of writing a panto script? Well, now’s your chance! Thetford Players are looking for budding writers to come up with a Joke that will be used during their January 2020 panto. The winning joke will receive four tickets to the final night and the runner up will receive two tickets to opening night – both names will be mentioned in the programme and hear their jokes during the show. Jokes must be a maximum of 50 words, and can be as daft as you like!! Send entries including your name, age, email and telephone number to our Box Office at Leaping Hare at 20 King Street, Thetford or email info@leapinghare.org Normal About Thetford terms and conditions apply. Closing date for entries is Thursday 19th December 2019. All jokes will be judged and the winners notified soon after.

Space to Connect PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES - DECEMBER 2019 TO MARCH 2020 Monday - Meet Up Mondays

This is a nationwide initiative to combat loneliness. Join Chris and Hilton and make new friends. We spend two hours each week talking with each other and offering support. From 12 to 2pm. Every Monday. Free tea, coffee and biscuits available. Activity operated in partnership with Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust.

Tuesday - Talk On A Tuesday

Each week we host a different speaker on an interesting topic. Come along and listen to speakers, learn something new and get a chance to meet new friends. Some of the talks will be interactive demonstrations. Talk On A Tuesday takes place from 2.30 - 4pm every Tuesday afternoon in the Engine Room. This activity costs £1 and includes tea, coffee and biscuits.

Wednesday - Weekly Cash Bingo

Eyes down and look in! We're pleased to be starting a new weekly bingo session on a Wednesday afternoon with cash prizes! Just 50p to enter £5 for all 5 games each week. Prizes for the line and two lines and cash prizes for full house. Bingo runs from 1pm - 3pm.

Thursday - Chair Based Exercise

Join Michelle, a wellness specialist for her weekly adaptive exercise session. Michelle will structure the sessions so everyone can participate; exercise is for all. Safe, effective and enjoyable for clients with medical conditions &/or disabilities. They will start chair based, gradually moving all joints, optional seated or standing main section including exercises for heart health & those to make our bodies stronger. Finishing with a stretch. Sessions run from 11.30am - 12.30pm. Cost for the session is £2.50 per person.

Friday - Arts and Crafts

Every Friday from 10am - 12pm. Just £2.50 per person and all materials are provided. Join Rachael from Creation Station who will be leading the activity each week. Rachael will be offering a variety of craft activities at the sessions. The choices will included button canvases, tea lights, Christmas mini plant pots, fabric printed bags, rag wreaths and decoupage reindeers etc.

If you're taking part in any of our daily activities, join us for lunch at a special rate of just £2.50 from the set menu. Contact: 01842 779867 ext. 312 or email: tracy@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk www.charlesburrellcentre.org.uk Follow us on Facebook @TheEngineRoomCBC Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 24

Burrell Centre’s Engine Room Provides #SpaceToConnect The dark nights are definitely now here and it’s become a whole lot colder, wetter and generally more miserable outside. But inside at the Engine Room, based at Charles Burrell Centre, there has been a hive of activity this month and a whole lot of fun had in the process. The Engine Room is the name of the Community Cafe based on site. Last month, they were succesful in obtaining funding from the Co-op Foundation as part of #SpaceToConnect. The scheme aims to support community venues to provide more activities to benefit local residents and as the name suggests, allow space to connect. The Engine Room has put on a programme of activities from Monday to Friday which is funded until at least the end of March next year. The programme includes Meet Up Mondays, Talk On A Tuesday, Bingo on a Wednesday, Chair based exercise on Thursdays and Arts and crafts on Friday.

Eyes down! Bingo on Wednesday afternoons in the Engine Room from 1pm

One of the activities, chair-based exercise on Thursday, is provided by Michelle, a wellness specialist. Michelle structures the sessions so everyone can participate; exercise is for all. Safe, effective and enjoyable for clients with medical conditions &/or disabilities. Those attending start chair based, gradually moving all joints, optional seated or standing main section including exercises for heart health & those to make our bodies stronger. Finishing with a stretch. Sessions run from 11.30am - 12.30pm. Cost for the session is £2.50 per person and lunch is available in the Cafe afterwards. For more information about the activities, see the advert on page 24 or pop in to the Centre on Staniforth Road or call 01842 799867. Further details are also available on the website; www.charlesburrellcentre.org.uk

Time for a cuppa after a busy morning!

Croxton Road Community Association

Tracy Terry, Manager of the Engine Room said; “The most popular activity so far has definitely been bingo. What’s nice is that many of those come early for their lunch which is just £2.50 for anyone taking part in the daily activities. Many people don’t know each other before they arrive but everyone is so friendly”.

Next meeting Monday 2nd December from 7.30pm at Church of the Nazerene Church Hall Refreshments available, sold in aid of the Harriet Martineau Play Area. Foodbank donations welcomed. Contact Chairman Ian Dixon for information on 01842 765890.

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Donate Pre-Loved Items To Help Pets Wood Green, ‘the animals charity’ has a new shop in Thetford which will support its work to bring pets and people closer together: providing life-saving care to homeless pets and supporting pet owners with pet advice, behavioural training and more. Over the past year, Wood Green was able to help almost 7,000 animals through a range of services. It has a dedicated team on hand around the clock to provide tailored veterinary and behavioural care to homeless pets across three rehoming centres in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and London. When pets are ready for their next chapter, Wood Green ensures they are matched with the personalities and lifestyles of owners in order to best meet their wellbeing needs – a process that was recently featured on Channel 4’s ‘The Dog House’. The support does not end there, as Wood Green is also there to give pet owners the help they need. Through the provision of behavioural advice, informative workshops and training classes, Wood Green helps ensure that the benefits of the relationship are mutual for both pets and owners. Anyone that is considering a new pet, or is experiencing challenges with an existing pet, is encouraged to contact Wood Green for free guidance

and support. None of this would be possible without the kind donations of new or pre-loved items that local community members no longer want. When you donate items to Wood Green, you will help to raise funds that transform pets’ lives. To make donating as easy as possible, a free stock collection service is available. The new charity shop will be opening on Friday 6th December and can be found at 10 King Street, Thetford. Please call the team on 01480 354671 to arrange a free collection or visit the shop to discover hidden treasures to take home.

Wood Green charit y shop opens 6 December. Help us stock our new shop. Your pre-loved items can help transform pets’ lives and spark joy for others.

Find us at 10 King Street, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2AP Pop into our charity shop or give us a call to arrange a free collection. 01480 354671 | shopdonations@woodgreen.org.uk Wood Green, The Animals Charity, Registered Charity Number 298348

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Breckland Cats Protection

Arthritis

Like humans, cats can also get arthritis which causes inflammation of the moveable joints and can be caused by many things, including trauma, infection and wear and tear. It can sometimes go unnoticed in older cats as owners think the cat is slowing down with age, when it is actually a very painful condition. More than 80 per cent of cats aged over 10 years will have some degree of arthritis detectable on x-rays. It is worth getting your cat checked regularly as treating chronic problems like arthritis will make a huge difference to his quality of life. Cats are very good at hiding the signs of arthritis and unlike dogs, are unlikely to alert their owners to a problem by limping or becoming lame. The elbow, shoulders, hips and spine are the most common areas to be affected and one or more may be affected at a time. The signs to look out for are stiffness especially after resting, reduced mobility often displayed as an unwillingness to jump or climb. Difficulty in grooming, especially the middle of the back and tail. Your cat may become grumpy or even aggressive because he is in pain. Another indication is swollen or painful joints and worsening signs during cold or damp weather. Your vet will be able to diagnose arthritis after a clinical examination, by manipulating the joints to check for stiffness, pain, grating and reduced movement. X-rays may be taken to check for changes to the bones and to monitor the progression of the disease. The most common form of treatment is long-term, anti inflammatory drugs and these can be very effective in reducing pain and increasing mobility. However, never give your cat human anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin as they can be highly toxic and even fatal. There are also supplements available such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate that are thought to help repair damaged cartilage and may have some anti-inflammatory properties. Acupuncture is also beneficial for pain relief but must be carried out by a vet. Your cat's weight may have to be controlled as being overweight puts extra stress on the joints. You can make some adjustments to your home so that your cat can reach his favourite places easily by placing boxes or furniture as launch pads. Make sure your cat has a cosy well padded bed in a safe warm place that can be readily accessed and ensure your cat can reach his toileting site easily and that the sides of his litter tray aren't too tall.

Look out for signs of arthritis in your older cat

As Christmas approaches pleased be advised that we do not allow cats to be adopted as gifts for adults or children. We do not home any cat or kitten between GUIDE 16thVETERINARY December and 2nd January1as Christmas time is not a good time to introduce a cat or kitten to a busy, noisy household. Cats and kittens can be reserved, but kept in our care until after the New Year. For help or advice or if you need assistance with the cost of neutering, please call us on 01842 810018. Rita Thompson

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Thetford Garden And Allotment Club December is the most festive month, I think one of my favourite traditions is that you will have a months good luck for each mince pie eaten in a different house. There’s a challenge for you! However there are plenty of things to be doing in the garden. A lot of them are preparations for the possible freezes and icy blasts that generally come in January. Number one would be to check the insulation on any outdoor taps. Then keep brushing leaves off paths to prevent slips and falls. Decking is a wonderful asset in the summer but notoriously slippery in the wet cold months. If you often walk across a wooden surface, you can buy strips of anti-slip material to tack onto the surface. Alternatively you can pin down stretches of chicken wire to give a good grip. I have read of painting the area with a mixture of varnish and sand – but you’d have to wait till the surface was dry. A quick and temporary fix would be to sprinkle sand across the surface.

perhaps against the house wall or sheltered by a fence corner would give them some protection. On a sunny day you could put on the gauntlets and prune climbing roses. It is also a good time to cut back ornamental vines; thin them out to maintain the structure you want and then cut back side shoots to 2 buds from the main stems. Resist pruning hydrangeas however, the flower heads are protecting the buds and pruning should be done in spring.

If the surface of your fish pond gets completely covered with ice, the decomposition going on at the bottom of the pond will release gases that can poison your fish. A large ball floating on the surface can be lifted out to allow the water surface to be open to the atmosphere. Failing that, holding a saucepan of hot water on the surface will soon melt a hole. It is tempting to hit the ice to break it up but this causes percussion pressure which can kill the fish you are trying to protect. You could always ask Santa for a pond heater! Some plants need a little extra care to overwinter, agapanthus for instance. A dry mulch such as chipped bark if a hard frost is expected can provide protection. Fleece is just as effective but looks less attractive. Another idea is to put a ring of chicken wire round the plant and fill it with bracken or dry leaves. A really cold spell will freeze right through pots of plants so clustering them together

Keep up the winter digging and prepare a bed for rhubarb crowns or asparagus roots if you plan to add these to your crops. Hopefully you have some leeks or parsnips to lift to make an appearance on your Christmas table. If you have little helpers assisting with the picking of sprouts, remember to tell them to pick from the bottom of the stem up so that more sprouts form near the top. If you planted prepared bulbs to give or enjoy for Christmas, bring them into the warmth of the house when you want to encourage them into flower. The birds will appreciate full feeders from now on and give you much entertainment as they squabble. No meeting this month – our celebration will come in January, to lift our spirits in the dark of the year.

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A Haven For Hawfinches In some households, it’s the time of year for scrabbling through drawers in search of those nutcrackers you know you had 12 months ago but haven’t used since. There is one local bird that’s permanently equipped to crack even the toughest of seeds and nuts: the Hawfinch. The giant of the finch family, this Starlingsized bird weighs in at twice the mass of a Greenfinch. However, being quite shy and wary by nature, Hawfinch are most often seen perched atop tall trees, where their size and bulk isn’t always apparent. On such views it is their ‘front-heavy’ appearance, emphasised by the enormous bill, which is the best clue to their identity. Fewer than 1,000 pairs of Hawfinch breed in the UK, in tracts of mature deciduous woodland. Sadly they are decline, along with several other woodland specialists. The BTO-led Bird Atlas 2007–11 revealed a 76% contraction of the UK breeding range. Loss of traditional orchards, mature hedgerows and in-field trees, coupled with a reduction in insect and natural seed sources could be to blame. Breckland holds a tiny breeding population but during the winter months, birds from continental Europe swell the numbers locally and elsewhere in the UK. Last century, midwinter flocks often reached three figures, with the Thetford area boasting a congregation of 183 at East Wretham Heath in January 1975. Around the time BTO moved to The Nunnery in the early 1990s, groups of up to 35 could still be found at favoured sites such as Barnham Cross Common. These days, Lynford Arboretum near Mundford offers the best chance to catch a glimpse of these impressive finches. The best spots to look are in the tall trees in the large paddock due south of Lynford Hall’s ornamental lake, and under the feeders behind the walled garden on the east side of the arboretum. Hawfinches can make irruptive movements, meaning LIKE US ON

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Hawfinch © Edmund Fellowes/BTO that large numbers will travel beyond the usual wintering areas if there is a failure of their favoured food source – seeds of hornbeam and other deciduous trees. Exceptionally high numbers reached Britain during winter 2017/18. In early November the proportion of visits that featured Hawfinch in BirdTrack, the BTOrun website and app for birdwatchers to record their observations, was six times higher than average! It could be many years before the next irruption but if you are lucky enough to see a Hawfinch around Thetford this winter, do log your sighting at; www.birdtrack.net Nick Moran, BTO

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Retail Expansion For Local Business With over 20 years of experience in the fencing industry, Ryan Mitchell recently opened a new office and retail unit in Telford Way, Thetford. “There’s no other fencing outlet in town other than the DIY stores. We offer a quality product and a good price and wanted to do this not only for the trade, but also for the local community. We’re also available to offer advice on fencing projects. We’re a local firm who believes in Thetford and wants to support the town.” Thetford Rovers, Thetford Bulldogs, Thetford Cricket Club, Thetford Rugby Club and BBSK Martial Arts have all benefitted from sponsorship this year by the business. Over the past couple of years, the business has grown and been involved in projects as far afield as Berkshire, North Yorkshire, Kent, Essex as well as across Norfolk.

“We changed the name of the company to Land Wide UK Ltd to reflect the growth of the business although we are still trading as RTM as that’s what we’re UK Ltd known as locally,” explained Ryan. RTM doesn’t just rs Supplies stock fencing panels, in the shop you’ll find Protech professional garden paint, a range of fencing stain which is eco-friendly and suitable for wildlife/pets along with being child friendly.

Ryan (R) with shop manager Gavin at the RTM shop

Ironmongery is by Eliza Tinsley, one of the leading suppliers in the country who produce superior quality products, not available in DIY shops and also found in in Clarkes of Walsham. RTM also stocks agricultural wire netting suitable for all your allotment needs. Ryan is delighted with the local response to the shop, “We’ve only been open 4 months, it’s been a gradual process to set up the shop so to have returning customers already is great. We are really looking forward to becoming part of the Thetford community. Come in and see us, we’ll guarantee and warm welcome and great service.” RTM is open Monday to Friday from 7am – 5:30pm, and on Saturday from 9am – 2pm.

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Bench Recognises Lionesses Service Thetford (Breckland) Lionesses had the pleasure of carrying out their final event at Barnham Common on Wednesday 13th November. They were there to view a seat which was purchased through a grant awarded to them by Thetford Town Council in recognition of service to the local community. Thetford (Breckland) Lionesses were sad to close after so long but due to various issues including recruitment struggles, the club was no longer viable. Thankyou to all who have supported us over this period of time. Lionesses pictured below.

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The Mission Statement of the International Association of Lions Clubs is: “To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through the work of Lions Clubs.” To that end and in recent years the Thetford Lions Club have organised an annual gala for swimmers with disabilities, have established and encouraged the placing of peace poles and a peace trail in town, and have begun some work with young carers. If you have initiative and leadership skills that you feel you could make better use of, then the Lions Club would welcome you to add your unique talents and experience to work with other volunteer members to serve the unique needs of the community in which we live. Experience shows that already busy people are good at organising their commitments so we also welcome busy people. Most things we do, need time and money so fund raising projects are a feature of our activities. Adult men and women are invited to join and partners and family are welcome. If you would like to find out more then please visit the Facebook page ‘ThetfordLions’ or, pick up one of the leaflets now distributed about the town, or speak to a member. Thetford Lions Club wish you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 33

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Events at Redgrave and Lopham Fen Wild Tots: Every Friday, 10am - 11.30am Wild Babies: Every Friday, 1pm - 2pm Weekend Wildlife Club Second Saturday of the month (except August), 10.30am - 12.30pm, a club for 6-11 year olds, £3 Time To Paint - Last Friday of the month, 10am - 2pm £5 donation. All welcome, no need to book. Festive wreath, heart & stars workshop - Saturday 14th December, 2pm-5pm, £30, including willow

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Editor’s Note Last month I got my golf clubs mixed up! With a headline referring to Thetford Golf Club but the text referring to Feltwell Golf Club. Many apologies for any confusion caused. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 34

Thetford And District Dementia Support Group After a very busy 5th year for TADDS this year we round off our Friday meetings for 2019 on the 13th December. There won’t be Thursday meeting in December. As we are a local and independent Charity, that is not associated to any other Dementia Charity, TADDS would like to thank everyone who has supported us with the fundraising and events this year as without all of you, we would struggle to continue. The donations from people and businesses in our local community saw us give our group two coach trips out this year to Bressingham Steam Museum and also Norfolk Lavender, and is providing Christmas Lunch for our members. Donations have helped pay for us to host Singers, The Banjo Man, The Pets Cuddle Corner and the Mini Donkeys at our group and created lots of laughter and fun in the process, we danced and sung our way through the year. The most significant part of the year was securing funding to refurbish the kitchen at Cloverfield Church, which was badly in need of doing and which we use intensively every Friday to provide a lunch for our group. This joint venture with Cloverfield Community Church has seen the benefits roll out to everyone using the church within the local community and our thanks to the Cloverfield Churc Committee for their support. Lastly I would like to thank everyone who attends our group either as a member, visitor or an entertainer, especially Neil and Spencer (Therapy Dog), but a special and heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who turn up week in and week out to support me and the group as without this important team the group would not be able to continue.

Doris and Pete enjoying the Bressingham Steam Museum Trip

Please see our website for more details: www.thetford-dementia-support-group.org Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you! Joanne Mountjoy-Dixon

Cloverfield Community Church Next Sunday Mix - December 15th, 10.30am Crafts Songs Puppets, Bible stories Food and drink

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Czech And Polish WW2 Fliers Remembered At Wretham Around 100 people attended the short but moving service of remembrance at the war memorial outside the gates of St Ethelbert at Wretham. The Rev Tony Heywood led the service during which the Exhortation was read before a two minute silence followed by the Kohima dedication. Andy Reeves played the Last Post and as the Royal British Legion, RAFA and Air Cadets standards were marched to the 14 war graves in the churchyard, piper Stan Hebron played a lament as he led the remainder of those attending to the graves. The Rev Heywood gave a blessing, the names of the war dead read out and two poppy crosses were placed at each grave.

Rev Tony Heywood leading the service at St Ethelbertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church in Wretham

Nahodil of the Czech Association and representatives of the Wretham and Hockham RBL and RAF Honington.

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Among those attending to lay wreaths were Wretham Parish Council chairman Harold Smith, Breckland Last month the SET Ixworth School held a very moving Chairman Lynda Turner, Thetford Mayor Brenda Canham, Service of Remembrance on Armistice Day, led by the Watton Mayor Pat Warwick, defence attachĂŠ from the Chairman of Ixworth Parish Council, Ben Lord. The Czech, Slovak and Polish republics, Brandon Town School was extremely privileged to have members of Council chairman Victor Lukaniuk, David Fitt for the the local Royal British Legion in attendance. Students created poppy MCP HPand Advert 11.18.qxp_Layout 19/11/2018 Page 1 tributes adorned with poetry and a Wretham Hockham RBL, Anthony1 Polak of the 09:41 Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovakia, Peter wreath was laid in honour of the fallen.

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The West Norfolk Aviation Society Such was the enthusiasm for WNAS member Bob K’s talk last month that he was asked to deliver the sequel this month. After spending over 30 years as a pilot in the RAF it is no wonder there was so much more to tell. Having qualified as a pilot he joined 3 Squadron at Coningsby in the 1960s and his responsibilities were extreme and varied. When stationed at Laabruch in Germany, a 3 minute mobilising time was often achieved in preparing his Canberra for a potential nuclear strike. Collaborating now, with old allies and some old enemies, combined exercises were important. Target practice in the Libyan desert won them prizes for accuracy; the Salmond Bombing Trophy being one. Compared to the American Starfighter the Canberra was aging somewhat but it still excelled, beating the American and European teams by at least 20%. Despite this, Bob’s comrades were still in awe of the Starfighter’s performance and, when offered a flight in one, foot already poised on the bottom rung of the boarding ladder, his excitement was suddenly extinguished by orders to return to the mess. The testing of ejector seats was another practice vital to a well-trained squadron; here again the Martin Baker equipment was superior to that of the competition. He was later invited to go to Oman and demonstrate to the Sultan’s air force procedures for parachuting from aeroplanes. The preferred types were Islanders, Dorniers and his favourite: Buffalos. After a cancer scare he was ordered to return to England where he was invited to assist with the formation of Air Wales and a charter company at Ipswich, operating Dorniers. With this experience he was asked to return to help his mate, the Sultan, refine his air force. As if his life’s adventure so far wasn’t enough, Bob, having a musical bent, still felt the urge to express himself in other ways and

formed a band with some of the locals. They called themselves ‘Rashid goes to Nizwa’; ‘The Duelling Banjos’ being their signature tune. Bob now on a high and, having talked for nearly two hours, Jenny his wife, prompt and manager, cautiously coaxed him down to a safe landing. Here endeth the second lesson. For more information about the West Norfolk Aviation Society, please visit; www.westnorfolkaviationsociety.org.uk Nigel Tooth, WNAS

Write For Rights Join members of your local Amnesty International group in Thetford Library on Thursday 12th, Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th December (from 10.15am) to Write for Rights in 2019.

Amnesty has launched its flagship annual letter -writing campaign, Write for Rights, to help the lives of young people around the world who are fighting for their rights or who have been unjustly attacked, jailed, harassed or disappeared. Thetford Amnesty Group member Councillor Susan Dowling reminds us “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. Unfortunately, many young people are facing harassment, jail sentences and even torture for standing up for what No Job to Small they believe in.” 1-8 Advert REV2.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/20 Simon John

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Graduation Of TG Course 2-19 Congratulations go to the 18 members of TG 2-19 El Alamein Flight that have graduated at RAF Honington recently. The Queen’s Colour was paraded and music was provided by the Band of the Royal Air Force College who ingeniously included their version of ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman. The Reviewing Officer was Air Commodore S M Miller MA RAF, RAF Force Protection Force Commander, Commandant General Royal Air Force Regiment and Air Officer RAF Police. Air Cdre Miller commissioned in the RAF as an RAF Regiment officer and has undertaken operations in a wide range of theatres commanding on the front line at every rank. He addressed the Graduates stating that it is a ‘privilege and an honour as your Commandant General’. He added, “The RAF Regiment is only as good as you are, you should be proud of what you’ve achieved, and of the Regiment you have earned the right to join. Well done and sincere congratulations”. Amongst those graduating today was Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Connor Morris (20), his Dad, Flight Sergeant Clive Morris currently works in the Force Protection Centre and his mum Pam, works as a Civil Servant here at RAF Honington. Pam said: “I was born into a RAF family, my father served in the RAF. He joined in 1963 as a MT driver and left in 1988. I then followed his path and joined in the February 1990 until November 1998, where I served as a RAF Stewardess. I left the service for the imminent arrival of the next generation to join. The 21st November 2019 will be an exciting and proud moment for us as a family because Connor will be graduating as a gunner of the Royal Air Force Regiment. Even prouder as he will be going on to 63 sqn QCS at RAF Northolt. I have so much pride and joy that he will be serving on this squadron.” Three generations of the Allen family have now served at RAF

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Honington and LAC Rhys Allen is the latest of the family to follow suit, graduating today and posted to 15 Sqn RAF Regt based here. His father, known as SAC ‘Gaz’ Allen, sadly passed away in 2010. On graduating from this course, the LACs will be posted across 15 Sqn RAF Regt and 27 Sqn RAF Regt both here at RAF Honington, and 63 Sqn RAF Regt at RAF Northolt where they will be trained to a level so that they can immediately commence Mission Specific Training for contingency operations. Each graduate is welcomed into a family that is constituted as a Corps, styled as a Regiment and dedicated to the successful conduct of Findlay QP Advert.qxp_Layout 1 18/06/2019 13:23 Pa Air operations.

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She joined about 40 others from the region on a three week experience with scouts, some as young as 14, from over 150 countries. She told us about all the activities she had partaken in and how modern technology had caught up with the Scout movement as they had an App to order food for their particular camp! The entire camp was so large that should you want to visit the other side it could take two hours to walk there! Elizabeth said the friendships that were forged on this trip will last a very long time and from her enthusiasm it was obvious she had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

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The business part of the meeting included sending donations of £200 each to the local Salvation Army for their Christmas project, Riding for the Disabled (the Association President’s charity) and the Teenage Cancer Trust at Addenbrookes Hospital (the District Chairman’s charity). Our next meeting will be our Christmas Dinner. Should you wish to learn more about Inner Wheel please go to: www.innerwheeldistrict8.org Marian de Bass, Club Correspondent

Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 39

Still Young Enough To... Thetford Library will be hosting a special event in December as part of Norfolk County Council’s new campaign to promote healthy ageing among people from retirement onwards. The “still young enough to ….” roadshow will bring together representatives from organisations in the Thetford area to provide information about the activities they run that can help people keep fit, active and independent – from Active Norfolk, to parkrun, to local weeding groups! Thetford based ‘Sex, Rock And Roll And Weeding’ are featured in the Norfolk County Council ‘still young enough to...’ campaign

“Still young enough to …” was launched by Norfolk County Council at the beginning of October to celebrate Norfolk’s older residents, encourage them to be proud of their “later years” and show how, by staying, active and involved, they can push back frailty and live fit, healthy and fulfilling lives. Dr Louise Smith, Director of Public Health said: “Choose something you enjoy, that you can incorporate into your daily routine, whether

it’s walking the dog, taking up a new active hobby or playing with your grandchildren in the park. It may not be going to the gym but will still count towards the recommended weekly 150 minutes of activity.” The “still young enough to ….” roadshow will be at Thetford Library on Friday 13th December between 10.30 to 12.30 – at the same time as our popular ‘Just A Cuppa’ event. No need to book, just drop in. Visit the website for information about keeping active in later years; www.norfolk.gov.uk/stillyoungenough

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This December Ancient House will be a temporary home to two of Father Christmas’ elves. Ancient House is one of ten museums in the UK to win a Christmas elf in a Kids in Museums competition in partnership with Best Years Toys. The other museums are The Army Flying Museum, the Egypt Centre, Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, Parc Howard Museum, Lynn Museum, Vale and Downland Museum, Gallery Oldham and Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. The museum’s History Club group will be using the elf for a project explaining UK Christmas traditions for children at our sister museum in Nagawa, Japan. Then the elf will go on holiday to Japan along with some Christmas presents.

The museum is also hosting another elf as part of Breckland Council’s Christmas competition. Until 31 December residents who find 12 of the 100 elves hidden within independent shops in Swaffham, Watton, Dereham, Thetford and Attleborough will have a chance to win up to £100 in vouchers! Come and find the Ancient House elf somewhere in the museum shop. Look out for the elves on the museum’s social media. Ancient House Museum will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. It will be open the rest of the Christmas holidays with family trails and Studio Ceramics exhibition. Please call 01842 752599 for more information.

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Doreen Reed At Thetford Society Thetford Society were pleased to welcome Doreen Reed to their meeting on the 5th November. Doreen who is the author of several books entertained us with readings of some of her amusing and witty poems, which caused much merriment and laughter and an enjoyable evening of light hearted fun for all.

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Thetford Society’s next meeting will be on the 3rd December 2019 commencing at 7.30pm when the speaker will be the Reverend David Atkins speaking on ‘Why are there no humourist Christmas Cards?’ after which mince pies and a glass of wine will be served to our members. The Society’s Christmas Party will be on the 11th January at the Carnegie with entertainment by Tramps Disco and a buffet meal by Chefs Caterers.

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Doreen kindly gave me a copy of one of her poems which is included here in my report;

A teacher asked her class to write a poem to include the word ‘fascinate’. Young Tommy wrote ‘My dear old auntie Barbara, has really put on weight. She has ten buttons on her coat, but she can only fasten eight.

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Author - Doreen Reed, who visited Thetford Society in November

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The Society hold their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month commencing at 7.30pm. at the United Reformed Church, Earl Street. There is an interesting and varied program of speakers planned for next year, thanks to the hard work of Mrs Wendy Raphael and Councillor Stuart Wright. New Members are always welcome to attend. Jennifer Bullock

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The students ‘geometric’ photographs featured plants, textures, objects, buildings and patterns. Mrs Faye then had the enormous task of sifting through all the original entries taken over the summer and shortlisiting her favourite 10 images. From her shortlist she then looked for those which had the most geometric patterning in them and also made her say ‘wow!’. 1st prize went to Verity who showed a combination of human design that was deliberate, but also the thought that had gone into the composition of the photo was great, the light and colour of the final piece was superb. Abby was placed 2nd, she created a picture that really took something ordinary, but showed that the ordinary can be anything but. Finally, Emma came 3rd with a picture showing the beauty and patterns found within nature. Speaking about the image Mrs Faye said, “As a scientist it was fabulous for me to see the different approaches to the term geometric”. All 3 are now looking resplendent in Mrs Faye’s office.

Thetford Grammar School Winter Fayre Friday 6th December - 3.30pm - 5.30pm An afternoon of stalls, games and festivities! Plus, food, drink and Father Christmas. All welcome. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 47

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Fitness - As A Christmas Present? Christmas is fast approaching and although we need them, sometimes socks, underwear and a Terry’s chocolate orange just won’t cut it! This Christmas, I’m offering three awesome deals for you to chose from. It’s boring to just get a voucher in a card which states that you have either 1, 2 or 3 months membership at Tiger Fitness, so this is what I’m offering; Purchase ONE month’s membership (£35) and receive a Tiger Fitness drawstring bag, a Tiger Fitness water bottle - absolutely free! Saving £10. Purchase TWO month’s membership (£70) and receive a Tiger Fitness drawstring bag, a Tiger Fitness water bottle, a Tiger Fitness Snood and a Tiger Fitness keyring (discounts in town) - absolutely free! Save £17.50. Purchase THREE month’s membership (£105) and receive a Tiger Fitness drawstring bag, a Tiger Fitness water bottle, a Tiger Fitness Snood, a Tiger Fitness Keyring, a Tiger Fitness work. Save £57.50 (as pictured).

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A Year Of Thetford Parkruns Thetford Parkrun is fast approaching its 7th anniversary and has already provided over 360 free weekly timed 5k events for everyone from the age of 4 years. Melanie Sturman, Event Director, wishes to thank Richard Furness, John Dabbs, Graham Williams, Sharon Nash, David Pickup, Graham Wade, Hugh Worsnop, Robert Whittaker, Paul Sargeant, Kate Measures and Lucas Measures the Run Directors who get up in all weathers, hot and cold, rain and shine each week to put on the event. It is amazing to think we have only had to cancel Parkrun twice over the years. Lucas Measures aged 16, became our youngest Run Director to join the team this year. Parkrun tourism is a big interest to Parkrunners and Thetford has hosted both national and international visitors from as far away as Australia and South Africa during 2019. Over 6,810 runners and walkers have taken part in the event and we now have 4,700 people registered to join in. We are thankful not all 4,700 turn up on the same week! 2019 saw our record attendance of 372 people which took place on New Years Day. Late last year one of our run directors Des Talbot, sadly lost her battle with cancer and in true community spirit a tribute “purple” themed Parkrun took place on the 30th November as a tribute to her and her family.The Parkrun community also enjoyed themed events, including special Norfolk Day, Halloween and birthday events. These events are great fun and often involve fancy dress and cake. After many months of hard fundraising, we also welcomed our sister event for juniors aged 4 - 14 years which commenced in October and is called Breckland Leisure Centre Junior Parkrun. Coming up for the festive season, there will be additional Christmas Day and New Year’s Day parkruns.

You’ll receive a warm welcome at Thetford Parkrun no matter what the weather is like

We also celebrated Ray Keevil becoming the first Parkrunner to achieve his 300th Parkrun milestone with many others achieving 50, 100, 200 and 250th milestones. Melanie would also like to say a special mention to Mick Colledge, who never runs but who is at Parkrun most weeks volunteering. Thetford Parkrun are always looking for volunteers, if you can give up an hour or interested in becoming a run director please email us at; thetfordhelpers@parkrun.com Or contact via the Parkrun Website; www.parkrun.org.uk/thetford/

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Merry

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