FEBRUARY 21
YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ISSUE
181
CIRCULATION 13,000
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Celebrating 21 Years as Your Local Independent Estate Agent & Letting Agent
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n and ongoing concerns With the latest lockdow act of Covid19, we’ve about the economic imp to collate together details Page 5 - Support Scheme Still Open made an effort this month e Page 6 - Small Grants Available vices as we can. Do tak of as many support ser e Page 9 - Energy Bill Help Available em Sch folk Assistance time to look at the Nor tion rma info Page 10 - 11 - Leaping Hare is re nth. The detailed on page 5 this mo s Page 13 - History In Your Home the Clo new a ut abo tion too in this month’s edi t from Citizens Advice, Page 14 - TADDS Remains On Call Bank locally and suppor Page 15 - Free Hearing Webinar erty. specifically around fuel pov Page 18 - Public Help With Litter Fine n a challenge for many Page 19 - Trees Are Our Future Homeschooling has bee s are concerned about the Page 21 - Wading In A Winter Waterland and I know some parent cation. Do take up the Page 25 - Students Donate To Hospice impact on their child’s edu l organisations such Page 29 - What’s Available At CBC? loca by d opportunites afforde seum, on page 13 and the Page 33 - Coalition For Young People as the Ancient House Mu mn on page 26. Page 35 - Chiltern’s 21st Birthday advice offered in the colu ut Page 38 - New Year, New Tyres Abo with r yea rt to the It has been a difficult sta ch whi s viru Front cover image: Thetford Priory the ting trac Thetford’s Karen con she’s by Martin Stirrup - @maralanphotos say to d gla I’m y. sta l resulted in a hospita in and very much missed home and on the mend About Thetford ryone. the office! Stay safe eve magazine is ine ut Thetford magaz proudly printed Terry Jermy, Editor, Abo Van and a Man AD REVTel: 06.19.qxp_Layout 01284 7512961 10/06/2019 by KNP Litho
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E-mail address for all TELEPHONE THETFORD 01842 761549
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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The CBCIn Thetford FreeBurrell ClothesShop Bank@ Opens
The Shop @ to CBC is already becoming so We Burrell are delighted announce that Growkids, much more than just quality food and cleaning based at the Charles Burrell Centre on Staniforth products at very low prices forWe members. It’s a Road in Thetford, is now open! provide FREE place where members can ask questions about new and pre-loved children’s clothes (age 0-11) to anyone that needs help available for them. all kinds of challenges and issues - from where to access affordable coats, Growkids was set-up as a project of the Thetford hats and boots to how they can get help for Vineyard Church and is run by volunteers. As a budgeting, advice so priority much more! new Churchcookery in Thetford, ourand main is to be
available for November Thetford – finding waysoriginally to support Open since 2nd 2020 to and showwith lovechildren to our Town. Welocal are proud to join a families at the schools, the growingexpanded communitytohub at the CBC that includes Shop offer membership to the other projects such as residents the Community the Barnham Cross estate beforeFridge, Christmas Burrell Shop, and Thetford Foodbank. We believe and from the 16 th January all residents of the that no family should have to choose between Burrell Ward will be eligible for membership. paying the bills, filling the fridge or buying their It’s partnership children clothes.working that started the ball rolling for the Burrell Shop so thanks must go to Norfolk With the economic consequences from the Covid Community Foundation and Breckland Council for 19 pandemic yet to be fully realised, many will their and ongoing face initial increased financial support. pressure.It’sAtpartnership Growkids, working with local andmeet national since we are ready to help the companies need of families, we opened (such as local farmers and regardless of their income, background, or faith. businesses, HISChurch, Feeding Parents knowSainsburys, all too well that children do grow quickly and can Chips) put realand pressure on houseBritain and this Kettle of course our hold budgets. You don’t to be or wonderful members thatneed keeps us unemployed going. in receipt of benefits to access our service.
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Members have Growkids told the shop “It’s a lifeline”, “Wow Step 1: Contact via e-mail: it’s just like a real corner shop but with really great growkids@thetfordvineyard.church Or, via Facebook/Instagram prices!” “It’s been great to @growkidsthetford pay my way and get friendly help at the till too”. Step 2: Tell us what you need and the age/size If you want to know how your company can get you require. involved in supporting our local families or you’d Step 3: Our amazing volunteers will put your order like more information on how to become a together for you. member yourself please get in touch: Step 4: You then collect at your appointed time, billie@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk or call 01842 and that’s All items are free and anyone can 779867 extit!320. book a slot.
The Burrell Shop @ CBC Open Monday to Friday 10am til Midday and Monday 4pm til 6pm for members. Membership is open to all residents of The Burrell Ward Based at Charles Burrell Centre In association with
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For more info call Billie on 01842 779867 ext 320 or email billie@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 4
Support Scheme Still Open For Thetford Residents Anyone in Norfolk suffering financial hardship this winter could receive help and support thanks to the Norfolk Assistance Scheme. Norfolk County Council, alongside local councils across Norfolk, is aiming to support as many residents as possible to access financial and other support if they are facing hardship. The scheme is particularly aimed at families and will provide support for those suffering financial hardship over the winter months due to Covid-19. Support is available with food and utility bills. Applications to the new support scheme can be made online, via the existing Norfolk Assistance Scheme pages at www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS or applicants can call 0344 800 8020. In addition to this scheme, Norfolk County Council are working with food voucher company Edenred to provide support for all those eligible for free school meals, children in the early years who receive pupil premium and all of the council’s care leavers. They are encouraging eligible families to register and apply for free school meals through their school, so that they begin to receive support in time for the school holidays. Councillor Terry Jermy, Norfolk County Councillor for Thetford West said: “I urge any residents that are struggling to look into what Norfolk Assistance Scheme has to offer. Covid19 has hit many, many people from a health perspective but also a financial perspective and there is no shame in asking for some extra support at this time”. Councillor Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council, added: “The impact of Covid-19 on households in Norfolk has been huge, and we know some people have found it hard to get by as a result. There is no reason anyone in Norfolk should have to go hungry or cold this winter”.
The Covid Winter Support scheme can help with Day-to-day living costs, including food and energy bills, daily essentials such as toiletries, sanitary products, nappies and food vouchers for the school holidays. As part of the wider package of support for families this winter, the council is also extending the Norfolk Assistance Scheme, which already provides support for food, fuel, clothes and other essential household items to Norfolk’s residents experiencing hardship. More information is available online at: DIYwww.norfolk.gov.uk/covidwintersupport Masters Advert.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2020 08:51 P or www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS
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Thetford Town Council Small Grants Up To £300 Available The Amenities Committee of Thetford Town Council continues to operate its annual small grant scheme for Thetford based groups. Each year the Town Council extends the opportunity to community groups and not for profit organisations to apply for a financial grant. The scheme aims to support organisations that provide any of the following benefits to Thetford; Environmental projects and improvements, promotion of sports and healthy lifestyles, provision of arts, cultural and historical activities, organisation of events and activities that promote the town of Thetford, help to vulnerable groups, e.g. children and young people, people on low incomes, elderly, organisations working with participants who have a disability. Applications are discussed at the monthly meeting of the Amenities Committee with the final two meetings for this financial year taking place on Wednesday 3rd February and Wednesday 3rd March. There remains sufficient funding in the small grants budget to support approximately five more applications this financial year.
Thetford’s Polish Language School - a previous recipient of a Small Grant from the Town Council
Councillor Dave Hodgkinson, Vice Chairman of the Town Council’s Amenities Committee said: “We know that Covid19 has hit a number of local groups and their ability to raise their own funds through fundraising has been affected. The Amenities Committee is therefore taking the opportunity to remind people about the Small Grants scheme that is available so that groups can access funding if required”. For more information and an application form, please contact Thetford Town Council on 01842 754247 or email: mail@thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Your home and where you live are more important now than ever. At Flagship, we want to create meaningful change in our communities by listening to the people that live in them.
Please scan our QR code to answer three simple questions that will help us understand your views and what matters most to you. We look forward to receiving your responses and shaping the future together. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 6
Free School Meal Scheme To Continue During February Half Term Norfolk County Council has extended its free school meal voucher scheme to make sure no child goes hungry this February half term. A child from a family that receives benefits is eligible for a £15 voucher for the week. The last time the voucher scheme ran over the Christmas period, Norfolk County Council issued more than 27,000 vouchers and we are estimating the uptake will be similar this half term. Schools can order the supermarket gift cards for pupils using an online service and families can receive the codes by email to redeem themselves or as a gift card provided by post, collection or delivery to families without internet access. Some schools may also be offering food parcels. Parents and carers should contact their school office to see what they are providing.
Councillor John Fisher, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: “It is imperative we make sure children in our county are happy, healthy and fed during this difficult time. I hope that by providing these vouchers, families can focus on spending some quality time together this half term.” Children are eligible for the vouchers if their family receives one of the benefits listed below:
Councillor Stuart Terry (Thetford Boudica Ward) with food purchased for children at Drake School a donation matched by Tesco Thetford
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 The guaranteed element of Pension Credit Working Tax Credit (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit) Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 Children in years reception to two that receive Universal infant Free School Meals are not eligible as part of the scheme; they have to be eligible for means-tested Free School Meals. For more information and to apply for free school meals, visit the Norfolk County Council website:
Universal Credit - with an annual earned income The Mulberry REV Advert 6.qxp_Layout 15:44 Page 1 www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/ of no more than £7,400 after tax 1 19/01/2021 schools/school-meals-and-milk Income Support
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EACH TIME YOU LEAVE HOME, YOU GIVE COVID MORE CHANCES TO SPREAD
ARE YOU ONLY GOING OUT WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE TO?
STAY HOME DON’T GIVE COVID MORE CHANCES PROTECT OURSELVES. PROTECT others. PROTECT NORFOLK. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 8
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Advice On Managing Household Energy Bills As the colder weather arrives, you may be thinking about turning the heating on. For many households Covid-19 means a big drop in household incomes combined with higher energy bills from spending more time at home. We anticipate some may find it difficult to afford extra heating costs.
For your free quote call Marcus on
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If you’re struggling to pay home energy bills, we can help. You may be eligible for the ‘warm home discount’ from your supplier (if your supplier is part of the scheme) or emergency support if you can’t afford to top-up your meter. Another way to save on your home energy bills is by shopping around. Moving to a cheaper tariff or switching supplier result Safe Gas 1/4th Advert_Layout 1 08/12/2016 07:54 can Page 1 in huge savings, particularly if you’ve not switched supplier for over a year. An impartial comparison of prices and customer service ratings can be found online or you can contact us if you aren’t online:
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Smart meters can also make it easier to see what you are using/spending and allow you to top-up remotely (rather than having to go to a store). Contact your supplier to see if they are installing in your area, there is no installation charge. If you have questions about Smart meters, you can always talk to us. Improvements to cold and poorly insulated homes could also help reduce energy bills. We can refer people to help available from Norfolk’s Warm Homes scheme and the recently announced ‘Green Home grants’. For free, impartial and confidential advice, contact Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford and District’s Advice line: 03444 111 444 Email for advice via: www.cadat.org.uk For energy advice: energyadvice@cadat.org.uk
Making your home as safe as our own!
For all the latest news, advice and updates follow us on social media via Facebook or Twitter using: @DissThetfordCA Licensed Gas Engineer
Please note, our usual face-to-face services are limited to appointments only for those unable to access advice by phone or online.
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Keeping our heads above water
When Leaping Hare created our online Local Directories, we wanted to support and represent community groups as well as our amazing local businesses. As we live through ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, we’re all looking to our local communities for support and resources – as well as to find expert tradespeople right on our doorstep.
Get the picture! Be in the 2022 calendar
The recent dramatic flooding saw parts of our beautiful historic town centre under several feet of water (above). If you walk through town as your daily exercise, this presented a bit of a problem… but also provided an amazing photo opportunity.
Charity and community groups aren’t always able to create their own websites, but our directories provide these organisations with an affordable online space. Our directories support Thetford in other ways too: proceeds raised go directly towards benefiting the town.
A LOCAL DIRECTORY ENTRY FOR A CHARITY OR COMMUNITY GROUP IS HALF THE PRICE OF OUR BUSINESS RATES. If you represent a charity or a community group, get in touch and we’ll help you get online and get noticed by our directory users in and around Thetford.
VISIT OUR EVERYTHING THETFORD WEBSITE AND CLICK ON THE “LOCAL” TAB TO FIND OUT MORE Next time you’re walking in and around Thetford, why not take some photos and enter this year’s Thetford Calendar Competition? Entries are free and there are four categories: Nature – wildlife, landscapes, our stunning surroundings Architecture – landmarks, interesting buildings People – events, community activities
Heritage – significant people or places that have made Thetford famous You can enter up to three photos in each of the four categories (up to a maximum of 12 in total). All must be in a landscape format, a size of at least 1MB and taken within two miles of Thetford’s parish boundary. Email your images to info@leapinghare.org. The closing date is Monday 31 May 2021.
Volunteer view New year… new lockdown. While it’s more important than ever that we stick to the rules to keep us safe from Covid-19, many of us have found it harder to think of new ideas for entertainment or exercise. We asked some of Leaping Hare’s fantastic volunteers for their thoughts.
THE SHOP AT THE HEART OF TOWN We’re so proud to be able to sell and display the work of talented local makers in the window of our King Street shop. But if your daily walk doesn’t take you past our shop window, you can see the amazing products on our website, then use our click and collect service to order perfect presents, gifts for Valentine’s Day, or just a little something to let someone know you’re thinking about them during these weird times. Not all our customers have a computer or access to the internet, so we also offer call and collect – if you see something in the window that you like, give us a ring on 07802 701911 and we can work out the most convenient way you can buy our fantastic locally produced gifts.
“I’m really enjoying Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club. It’s light reading, but packed with lots of twists and turns.” Lynn Ready (above left) “A book by Michael Dobbs entitled One Minute To Midnight. A very full and revealing account of the Cuban missile crisis and just how close it came to a nuclear war.” Mike Wabe (above centre) “Vary the time of your daily walk. Meet different people (two metres apart, of course) and raise your hat. Look out for different wildlife; maybe a barn owl or murmuration at the end of the day. Egyptian geese mating in the morning.” Rachel Woods (above right)
Leaping Hare
THETFORD
www.leapinghare.org
Belmont House King Street IP24 2AP info@leapinghare.org
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Find us online at www.aboutthetfordmagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 19
YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ISSUE
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Why advertise with us? The About Thetford magazine is Thetford’s most distributed publication with over 12,500 copies being delivered every month to all homes and businesses in the town. l We are Thetford’s number one FREE magazine, well established, now in our 15th year, this is the magazine everyone reads! l We offer effective advertising at affordable rates, with discounts to regular customers. l Printed full colour throughout on gloss art paper. l Cost effective design and artwork service available. l Friendly, personal service, available days, evenings and weekends!
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To advertise with us please contact Karen on 07540 463662 or email aboutthetfordmagazine@gmail.com Like our Facebook page ‘About Thetford magazine’ and get regular updates you can now view the magazine online each month from anywhere in the world!
Follow us on Twitter @About_Thetford www.instagram.com/aboutthetford
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Ancient House Bringing History Into Your Homes Museum Storytimes: For young children Ancient House are working with Lynn Museum to offer online Museum Storytimes at 10.30am: Friday 5th February - ‘The Tiger who Came to Tea’ Storytime. Join Horace, Lynn Museum’s tiger and staff from Lynn Museum and Ancient House for the classic children’s story Judith Kerr’s ‘The Tiger who Came to Tea’ and see how to make a simple tiger craft. Friday 12th February - ‘Gumdrop & the Farmer’s Friend’ Storytime. Join staff from Lynn Museum and Ancient House to listen to Val Biro’s ‘Gumdrop and the Farmer’s Friend’ and find out about Frederick Savage who made steam engines in Kings Lynn. Learn all about the steam powered fairground ride and how to make a simple merrygo-round craft too!
Grace The Witch, waiting for your questions!
On Friday 5th February Teenage History Club are running a free virtual queer history tour of Ancient House and a badge making workshop at 5pm. On Friday 19th February Ancient House have arranged a packed programme of experts from all angles of queer history and heritage to share their knowledge. The presentations will include:
Quiz a Character for Home Schooling: To support with Home Schooling Ancient House has teamed up with Lynn Museum, Stories of Lyn and Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse to bring you a series of free virtual interactive history lessons delivered via Zoom webinars. Participants can quiz a character from the past:
Homosexuality in Ancient China - Landy Wells Regard: 30 years of campaigning for equality by LGBTQI+ Disabled People - Dr Ju Gosling Ukrainian lesbian history of the 90s and 2000s Kateryna Semchuk BONA! A History of Polari - Ian Nipper and more. Tickets are free.
Monday 1st February – Beth, a Tudor servant Thursday 4th February - William Ploughwright, a workhouse inmate. Monday 8th February - Grace, a woman accused of witchcraft Thursday 11th February - Tabitha, a 1920s Ancient Egyptian archaeologist All the sessions are live at 10.30am.
Transform your home!
LGBT+ History Month OUTing the Past Hub on Friday 19th February. Ancient House is delighted to have been chosen as one of the OUTing the Ovenclean AD.qxp_Layout 22/01/2021 08:41 Past Hubs for LGBT+ History1Month 2021 and are Page 1 hosting two events.
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TADDS Remains Available To Help Four whole weeks have somehow passed since New Years Day - how did that happen? At this moment in time, it looks like our group cannot start meeting up just yet, but we can at least see a glimmer of hope for later in the year. In the meantime, we feel concerned about our group members and how they are continuing to cope, pretty much unsupported by a lot of the mainstream services that they would normally easily access. Thankfully they know that TADDS is just an email, phone call or video call away and our volunteers continue to support people with their diverse aspects of care. But what about people not on our group list? How can we reach more people who will be living within their own four walls, most likely without help or support from the statutory services and regular contact with family? We continue to support people in our local community with specialist advice, information or a listening ear… but we need your help to reach more people. Do you know someone who is a carer of a person with a dementia? You could link them to us by giving them our phone number; 07542 866 519, or our email address; taddsgroup@hotmail.com
Life is hard enough at the moment, and lockdown has created a lot of social isolation, caring for someone with a dementia 24/7 is a tough, lonely and often thankless task for the care giver, and now they cannot even get half an hour off for respite, due to the lockdown restrictions. If our charity can help someone living with or caring for someone with a dementia, who is doing their best to carry on (with or without support), or if you are concerned about a loved one with dementia, please do help us to help support them by giving them our contact details. For those on social media, our Facebook page is; @Thetford.Dementia.Support and our website contains all of our contact details: www.thetford-dementia-support-group.org Joanne Mountjoy-Dixon, TADDS
Hearing is essential. Improve yours in 2021. If these past months have taught us anything, it’s the importance of staying safe, connected and informed — and hearing is key to all three! Hearing helps you feel safe, healthy and in control of your life. Hearing makes it easier to stay in touch with friends and family. Hearing helps you stay up to date on ever-changing news.
Book a test today! Call 0800 096 2637 or find us at:
THETFORD Healthy Living Centre We want to assure you that when you visit us, your safety is our priority: ☑ Rigorous cleaning procedures ☑ Full use of PPE ☑ Staggered appointments to avoid patient contact ■ Award Winning ■ Covid Secure ■ Independent ■ Local
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AboutThetford_February 2021.indd 1
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Free Webinar For People Suffering From Tinnitus And Hearing Loss Do you hear whistling, buzzing or humming in your ears? You may be experiencing Tinnitus and you are not alone. The Old Rent Office King’s House, King Street THETFORD Norfolk. IP24 2AP
Appointments: Foot Health: 01842-339958 Therapies: 07775 535 617
To mark National Tinnitus Week (February 1st 7th) local hearing care specialists, The Hearing Care Centre, are running a free to attend online webinar on Friday February 5th at 1pm.
Www.mjfeetandhealthpractice.co.uk The webinar will be looking at the condition and Email: mjfeethealthpractice@gmail.com Made to Measure 1/8th Advert 2020.qxp_Layout 1 11/0 the wider issues surrounding hearing loss. The Hearing Care Centre operates a hearing clinic at Thetford Healthy Living Centre.
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There are over 800,000 people in the UK who are severely or profoundly deaf. Over half (55%) of people over 60 have a hearing loss and 90% of patients over 81 and 4 million people have hearing loss of 35 dB or more in the better ear but don’t wear hearing aids despite the huge benefits this would give them. Action on Hearing Loss research shows that there are now 10 million people in the UK with hearing loss of at least 25 decibel (dB) in the better ear – 1 in 6 of the population. For information or to book your place please visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/tinnitus-event
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Garden And Allotment Club Notes For February February is traditionally regarded as a rainy month, though it will be hard pushed to compete with the downpours we experienced in January. It was impressive to see how well the overflow areas from our two rivers worked with rough land flooded but little danger to property. Some good planning and water management there! It will be interesting to see if the silt deposits lead to greater fertility in the areas affected. One of the consequences of global warming is that weather becomes more extreme and it seems likely that, as winters get wetter, so summers are probably going to be hotter and drier. The heat may bring on some crops to ripen earlier but less rain will create problems for gardeners. Bulbs and spring flowers should continue to bring pleasure but after that gardens will thrive if there is a good proportion of plants that can cope with drought – succulents, phormiums, woody salvias etc. If this type of plant is introduced, it allows you to focus your watering on your favourites among the roses, phlox, lupins etc. Now would be a good time to sort out a water butt if you have a convenient downpipe. It is such a shame to let rainwater go to waste. Even more important is helping your soil hold the moisture. Compost does this for you as well as help the health of the soil. Norfolk County Council sell 220 litre bins for £10 (or, even better, 2 for £15); these are available from Thetford’s Household Waste Recycling Centre. Look at NCC’s website for further advice on composting. You have to consider where a compost bin could fit into your garden. Perhaps you could treat yourself to a new bush to screen the bin – and what could be better than a bay tree. This keeps its glossy green leaves through the winter, can be pruned severely if necessary AND provides you with wonderful, aromatic leaves to add to soups and pasta sauce – what a treasure!
Some of the silt and sand that has washed up along Thetford’s river banks after recent flooding
As winter-flowering shrubs, like mahonia and jasmine finish their display, this is the ideal time to prune them, encouraging new growth for next winter. Look round for other things that need tidying – wisteria, ornamental grasses, sedums etc. Then, if you have big clumps of snowdrops, now is the time to divide them while they have plenty of green leaf showing which will ensure that new bulbs form for next year. If there is a run of dry days, you could start preparing a seed bed in the veg plot for the busy time ahead but beware of compressing the soil if it is wet – seeds need soil with an open structure to send out their first roots. If it is rainy, you could grit your teeth and sort out your shed or garage; you will feel a glow of satisfaction at this bit of Spring-cleaning and additionally there will be room to set out trays of potatoes for chitting etc, etc.
Alternatively there might be sun enough to bring the peach blossom out. Our location is not suited to such tender plants with its late frosts so protect the flowers of apricots, nectarines and peaches and perhaps you will be gathering a harvest later in the year… Gardeners are always full of hope for Nothe Jobfuture! to Small 1-8 Advert REV2.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/20 Happy gardening! Sue Pilgrim
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Public Support Essential To Littering Investigation A Thetford parent whose two teenage children were witnessed by local residents littering household waste next to garages on the Abbey Estate in Thetford has been given a £120 fixed penalty notice by Breckland Council. Breckland Council Enforcement Team took part in an investigation where evidence led them to a local household, which had been supported by an eye witness report. The parent of the two teenagers, who were seen littering household packaging materials, accepted that the waste was his and his overall responsibility. Two fixed penalty notices were issued to the parent, totalling £120, which will now go towards supporting further fly tipping and littering investigations in Breckland. Mike Brindle, Councillor for the Thetford Pirory Ward which includes the Abbey Estate said: “I am very grateful to the Breckland Team that pursued this matter. Littering and fly tipping blights our communities and it is important that we all use legitimate and safe ways to dispose of waste”.
for their support in helping us identify people littering our community and damaging our local environment. We have volunteers, community groups and our Serco street cleaning crews doing a fantastic job in helping keep our community clean and it’s essential that everyone plays their part in keeping Breckland litter free. I hope the advice and fine provided to this household will make these teenagers think twice about littering in future, especially as they grow up to be valued members of our community."
Councillor Gordon Bambridge, Breckland Council’s Executive Member for Public Protection commented "I would really like to thank the public
If you spot a fly tip or have concerns about littering then visit the Council’s website to report it: www.breckland.gov.uk/reportit
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Trees Are Our Future They Need Our Protection This month, the Thetford Extinction Rebellion team, issues an appeal to Thetford residents to think about the value of trees and to stop cutting them down, unless absolutely necessary. I’ve lived in my current house in Thetford for a decade and so many trees have disappeared since the start of lockdown. In one direction, I now have a clear view of the distant forest. Does this matter? Well, yes, actually it does. The loss of every tree matters; every tree supports a wealth of insect and minibeast life that provides food for birds, as well as a place for Blackbirds and Chaffinches to nest in and to sing from. Every tree removed contributes to a significant loss of food and habitat for birds and wildlife, and is helping drive population declines. Trees filter the air from road traffic pollution, and make for a pleasant green environment. They store carbon from the atmosphere – and the older a tree is the more carbon it has stored. They also reduce the noise and impact of road traffic (a swathe of trees & shrubbery has just disappeared near me and I can suddenly hear the busy A-road now). Trees provide precious shade to park or sit under and they help to keep urban areas cooler; something becoming ever more important with the increasing prevalence of heatwaves during the summer months. It can be easy to think ‘Oh, it’s just one tree’, but this is going on in land and gardens across the nation, right now. With lockdown people have had spare time on their hands and ‘tidying the garden’ can sometimes include felling trees. The damage is increased further if you add in the take-up of ever more land for new housing projects and infrastructure schemes on a scale unprecedented Betts of Brandon 1/8 AD.qxp_Layout 1 09/04/2019 since the 1930's.
A Sycamore leaf in April with an abundance of green aphids, an essential food for nestling birds
Who can forget the magnificent line of Lime trees felled on Norwich Road just north of Tesco to widen the road for access to the new housing estate built in 2018? It was entirely demolished virtually overnight: they were at least 150 years old and no amount of sapling plantings can compensate for those ancient mature trees that have stood the test of time. Developers regularly claim that trees need to go to make room for cycle paths, but we need and can have both! Trees along Croxton Road are the most recent casualties. There are occasions when an individual tree may need to be removed. It could be diseased or posing a threat to the immediate safety of people or property. But continual removal of healthy, established trees threatens us all in the long run. We all have a responsibility to protect the trees for the next generation, not to mention an intact planet. So, please, cherish and protect the tree in your garden, rather than chopping it down. Each tree is our future, and it’s your future too. With hope and thanks... John, XR Thetford
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Wading In A Winter Waterland
Humans weren’t the only local residents to be adversely affected by flooding in late December. Wildlife had a tough time too, with ground-dwelling creatures being drowned or displaced, and the aquatic animals having difficulty feeding in the turbid, fast-flowing water. I saw some of this firsthand: for example, local Kingfishers became particularly conspicuous around BTO’s Nunnery Lakes reserve as they had to fish from more exposed perches than normal. Gulls descended on the flooded meadows to gorge on the glut of worms being forced to the surface. On Boxing Day, a flock of Black-headed Gulls on the reserve were showing considerable interest in what seemed to be a stick. Raising my binoculars, I was amazed to see a Mole swimming bravely across the current, through the multitude of stabbing beaks! Moles are indeed accomplished swimmers (and this one proved it, by safely reaching dry land!) though it was something I’d never witnessed in 40 years of watching wildlife. Later that day, I disturbed a metre-long Eel from one of the flooded lakeside paths, perhaps forced into the shallows by the increasingly cloudy water. The following day, a Water Vole swam boldly across the flooded path in front of me near the cottages at the end of Nunnery Place. Although a swimming Water Vole is happily an increasingly regular sight on the reserve, the location to see one swimming was new for me! Smaller creatures suffered too: the tidelines left by the receding water on Barnham Cross Common contained thousands of snail shells, probably mostly of Brown-lipped Snails. However, whilst this was bad news for the snails, it should provide a ready supply of calcium for local birds that will need it in a few months’ time. A female Blue Tit, for example, doesn't contain enough calcium in its entire body to produce egg shells, so it must take in calcium. Snail shells are the single most important source of this essential mineral for egg production.
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View from the BTO Viewing Platform during the recent flooding. Photo by Nick Moran.
The permissive paths around the Nunnery Lakes and along the Thet were impassable during the flooding but the reserve still provided a ‘service’ for us humans. Work carried out by BTO, including the restoration of the Little Ouse meanders and the creation of a network of pools for wading birds, amphibians and dragonflies, helped the reserve hold an estimated 160,000–280,000 cubic metres of water that might otherwise have reached the town! The reserve remains open throughout lockdown for local people taking daily exercise. Given how wet it is at the moment, visitors are advised Powerclean QP Portrait Advert 10.20.qxp_Layout 1 16/10 to wear wellies. Nick Moran, BTO
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Microchipping Importance It’s 5 years now since the microchipping all dogs became the law. Since then lots of cat charities have been asking the Government to make microchipping for cats the law too. That has not happened so far, but we believe it is the best way to help cats that go missing, or cats that are found, to be identified. I recently heard of a black cat that went missing from his home. At the same time, a black cat was found dead in the road after being hit by a car in the same area and was taken to the local vet. The owner of the missing black cat went to the vets to see the cat but he couldn’t say for sure that it was his cat. One black cat looks very much like any other black cat unless of course they have some distinguishing feature. Microchips don’t come off or put cats at risk from collar-related injuries. They can also assist with ownership disputes. Each microchip has a unique 15 digit number linked to a database holding the contact details, allowing a cat to be quickly traced if it strays and is scanned for a microchip. The microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under the cat’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades with a dedicated device known as an implanter. The procedure is very simple and is not painful.
Henry, cared for by Breckland Cats Protection, now microchipped and off to a new home
There is no minimum age for microchipping, but cats from Cats Protection are microchipped at the same time as their first vaccine when they are 9 weeks old, as part of the charity’s Minimum Veterinary Standards. We will register your contact details with the microchip database at the time of adoption. Please remember that if you should move house you will need to update your cat’s microchip details with the database. For help or advice or if you need assistance with the cost of neutering, please contact us on 01842 810018. Rita Thompson
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Students Back To Online Learning I’m sure we can all agree that some challenges were definitely thrown our way as we welcomed 2021. One of the greatest was the second closure of schools, including Thetford Academy.
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Students have been reintroduced to working online - something I’m sure everyone has become used to! - and young people are again having to readjust to learning from home. However, that doesn’t mean that the passion to succeed has disappeared. Students at the Thetford Academy have not only been learning with an increased enthusiasm (as I’ve started noticing some more contributions in online classes so far this year..!) but have been pushing themselves to stay motivated and on track. Young people are doing everything they can to remain engaged and to keep themselves busy, balancing work and time to unwind well. I know some that have started baking, and others who are enjoying regular walks. It’s about the little things that keep us hopeful and motivated. The challenge is even greater for Year 11 and Year 13 students, who were informed on the 6th January that their exams have been cancelled. So many students including myself put in enormous amounts of work towards those exams, so I know that for many the news was a blow. However, students have remained resilient and hopeful, something they should all be proud of. Nobody is really quite sure how this will impact students over the next few months, particularly those aiming to attend University this September. That goal and so many others, however, are still in sight for many. If anything, young people are even more driven to achieve their aspirations than ever before, and are putting in the hard work to prove it. It’s not easy to do, but it’s certainly showing the strength and resilience of Thetford’s young people. Sophie Watkins, About Thetford magazine’s Youth Voice Reporter
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Thetford Students Donate Prom Funds To Local Hospice Following confirmation last year that their summer prom was to be cancelled due to Covid-19, the Prom Committee at Thetford Academy insisted the money raised would go towards a good cause. Having raised £631.45 throughout the year, the students then donated this money to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in order to help the residents. The Prom Committee raised the funds through organising a number of bake sales throughout the school year, providing refreshments and homebaked goods at parents’ evenings, as well as for Christmas and Valentine’s Day events. After having confirmation that the prom was not to go ahead, the students chose to donate the money to a local charity to ensure that something positive still came out of all their hard work. Bethany, a member of the Prom Committee, said: “Due to many months of baking to raise funds for the prom at Thetford Academy, our team of girls deemed it appropriate and necessary not to waste the money, and wanted to ensure that it went to a good, relevant, cause. Upon choosing the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice Charity we found it played a pivotal part in the role in inducing care for the East Anglia children. With the extreme circumstances that we are in, us as a group and a school want to help make sure that everyone is comfortable and safe. We know this charity does wonders in amplifying that for the children, even more so in these times. We chose to donate to this charity because we see it as the beating heart of our community, and to show that we can band together in times of crisis. This is our thank you for their efforts, and we hope that the money will help in any way possible." Safina Karim, Head of Year 11, said: “This just goes to show the incredibly positive mindset of these girls – they’re absolutely fantastic.”
Pictured: The Thetford Academy Prom Committee
“They started Year 11 in September and just began fundraising immediately, they worked incredibly hard alongside their studies and the whole school got behind them. They managed to make something golden out of this situation – they approached me to ask about donating the money to charity and looked for a Norfolk-wide charity. They decided on the East Anglian Children’s Hospice because of what it meant to the local community. Well done to Bethany, Libby, Isabella, India and Mariana for their hard work, their compassion. They have shown what wonderful individuals we have at Thetford Academy, and we are proud of you all.” Bethany continues to contribute to supporting community and charitable efforts in her role as Vice-Chair of the Student Union at the Academy Sixth Form. The Sixth Form student body voted for the Benjamin Foundation as their charity for this year. A charity which supports young people and their families within Norfolk and Suffolk and our local community of Thetford.
About Thetford Magazine
The deadline for inclusion in the March 2021 edition is the 15th February. Please send articles, including any photographs to; aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com
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No Tech / Low Tech? Home Schooling Advice Hi I’m Celia - a retired Primary School Teacher. By now, some of you will have been grappling with home schooling for a while and stressing about how well you are not doing as your child’s lockdown teacher. If you are less confident or do not have access to the internet, don’t worry - there is still a lot you CAN do. The most important thing is to keep your child’s brain active and using language. Of course, keeping physically active helps too, and many games include counting, rhymes or singing which all helps a child’s brain to develop.
Why not interview someone you know and make up the kind of questions that encourage someone to open up. These are the question words of: what, why, where, who, when, how. Then, set up a telephone interview between your child and the chosen adult. You can then write a report!
Engross your child in something that they are First of all, stick to a daily routine as much as passionate about or particularly skilled in - a sport, possible - just like in school. But try to be flexible, drama lessons, the environment. Ask them to if a different learning opportunity presents itself make a model, paint a picture, make up a play or grab it! And take regular breaks. Sitting for 4 hours a poem about that activity. Why not ask them to straight isn’t going to help you or your child. Of make a little presentation to you about the activity course, there is always reading. Read to your whilst you video it on your phone-as if they are on child, read with them, share any reading material, TV! Most important to remember is that no one such as a magazine, comic, or newspaper. Ask expects you to be perfect at this. Relax, enjoy the open questions, such as ‘Why do you think that time with your little one and learn together. character said that?’ You’re asking their opinion MCP HP Advert 11.18.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2018 09:41 Pageideas 1 and getting them to think about what they are For more and tips, visit my Facebook page: reading. @brecklandtutoring
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Not Just Books This month’s Indies Fiction Book of the Month is Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. Two young people meet at a pub in South East London. Both are Black British, both won scholarships to private schools where they struggled to belong, both are now artists - he a photographer, she a dancer trying to make their mark in a city that by turns celebrates and rejects them. Tentatively, tenderly, they fall in love. But two people who seem destined to be together can still be torn apart by fear and violence. At once an achingly beautiful love story and a potent insight into race and masculinity, Open Water asks what it means to be a person in a world that sees you only as a Black body, to be vulnerable when you are only respected for strength, to find safety in love, only to lose it.
share with you Dinosaurs in Love. If you’ve heard the heart-melting song online, this is the book written by three year old Fenn Rosenthal. We love Hannah Jacobs’ illustrations and this is a gorgeous picture book to share. The beauty of the Christmas break is we got to do exactly what everyone else was doing: catching up on the “To Be Read” pile. We read some great books that are being released in February and wanted to share our favourites with you: NICK by Michael Farris Smith is published 25th February and is a moving prequel to The Great Gatsby: narrator Nick Carraway steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight in this exhilarating vision of his life, during and after WW1, leading up to his meeting with Jay Gatsby. The Art of Death by David Fennell is a procedural suspense meets serial killer thriller in a brilliant and creepy debut that will leave us thinking about how much we share online and how a twisted mind could use ourselves against us. We hope this is the start of a DI Grace Archer series.
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Children’s Book of the Month for February is Vi Spy: Licence to Chill by Maz Evans. What happens when your mum is ex-secret service, your dad is a retired bad guy and they’re getting divorced? With Vi’s parents focus on each other the real super-villains are having a field day and to save her family – and the world- from evil domination, Vi has to turn spy. We’ve also got some enamel badges coming to give away with the first 5 purchases! With Valentines Day in mind and thinking that we could all do with some positivity, we wanted to
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We liked The Art of Death so much we’ve got a copy to give away for free to one of our lovely About Thetford readers. All you need to do is email us with “Art of Death Comp” in the subject line and your name in the message. We will pull a name out of the hat on Monday 15th February. E-mail: j.james@notjustbooks.co.uk
NotJustBooks Independent Bookshop 23 Riverside Walk Thetford. IP24 2BB 01842 753660 Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
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We have everything you need under one roof...
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CBC Community and Business Hub Most Thetfordians know that the Charles Burrell Centre or CBC as it is known to many, is a community centre with a vibrant Café area, but many don’t know that we have 55 small and medium sized businesses under our roof too! The site includes the Engine Room Café where many of the Space to Connect activities take place such as Bingo, Creation Station Craft sessions and chair based exercise. There’s also the Main Hall which people can hire to provide classes, training, awards nights and parties (when Covid restrictions allow of course!) and smaller training rooms too. The Burrell Shop providing very low cost food to residents of the Burrell Ward in a corner shop setting. The back field area is available to hire too and thousands of local people will have celebrated Community Day with us here. In the business area we have such a huge variety of organisations offering many different services. West Suffolk College has a campus on site and offers a selection of courses either on a learning for fun basis or to gain qualifications. Suzanne and Ian welcome enquiries for any of their courses and always try to listen to requests for different courses too. Plus, the Learning Tank who provide bespoke training courses direct to businesses in a huge variety of topics. There are several fitness based businesses at CBC – Tiger Fitness with the Functional Fitness Suite and Claire Love Fitness too. Both love to work with people to find the perfect way to achieve their fitness goals. Kuk Sool Won is a Korean Martial Arts School taking people from aged 5 to 105. Bulldogs Football Club hold many of their training sessions on site with classes for boys as well as girls. Dance and Cheerleading classes are always popular too for the young and not so young. Centre Stage School of Dance and Thundercats Cheerleading are both based on site providing a great range of activities for children.
Sarah Scissors Hair Academy - pictured meeting the Mayor of Thetford, Mark Robinson, last year
Thetford Foodbank is on site, plus Growkids - a clothing bank for kids 0 – 11 years of age. And with kids in mind there’s Karen’s Toy Den that houses all manner of fun toys and games all starting from pocket money prices upwards. Tiddlywinks is a fairly recent addition to the CBC family and the ‘play village’ they have created is wonderful. The Toy Library too offer stay and play sessions and of course affordable toy hire. If hair, beauty and wellbeing is what you are after then we can help you there too! Wonderworks, Sarah’s Scissors, Beauty Pro, Yoni Womens’ Wellness Clinic and Senara Hypnotherapy offer treatments, haircuts, eye lash extensions, advice, meditation, Pilates, a hair dressing academy and more. Smash Ink will even look after all your tattoo needs. And Slimming World are on site too for weightloss groups and support. We’re running out of space and can’t possibly mention everyone so do look at the website for further information or the CBC Page on Facebook. Contact Us: Facebook: @CharlesBurrellCentre Website: www.charlesburrellcentre.org.uk Telephone: 01842 779867
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The Yoni Wellness Clinic
Thetford Inner Wheel
The Yoni Wellness Clinic is pleased to offer a wide variety of services including;
Thetford Inner Wheel have met on Zoom and found it wonderful to see our friends. Last year we celebrated Inner Wheel Day with Watton Club so we sent each other best wishes via the internet this year! Inner Wheel in Great Britain and Ireland,which was founded in Manchester, is now 97 years old.
Movement Therapy, Pilates, Yoga, Personal Training and Exercise Rehabilitation: Michelle offers a number of live and online wellness sessions throughout the week plus the clinic has a number of on demand memberships including; Hips, Bums & Tums, Optimal Back Health, Simply Stretch, Stress Less, Sleep Well, Movement Matters and Workplace Wellness. Mind Therapy, NLP, Chakra Alignment as well as Counselling: Michelle offers a free consultation to see if mind therapy at The Yoni Wellness Clinic is right for you. Various small group and 1.1 programmes available, you can work through the exercises on your own or with support.
Clinical Sexology: Michelle is currently studying Used stamps from our Christmas mail have been her masters in this clinical field to be working with sent to the Leprosy charity and some members the NHS and private practice. Very soon she will have made children’s fabric masks to be sent to be inviting clients for therapy Michelle specialising the charity School in a Bag. They hope to put one in self love, body confidence, returning to sexual in each school bag sent out to children in need intercourse after childbirth and menopause. round the world. Simon Long HP Advert 2018.qxp_Layout Marian de Bass For more info, visit the website: 1 13/09/2018 10:01 Page 1 Club Correspondent www.theyoniwellnessclinic.com
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Commonly Believed Myths As our lives have all been affected in so many different ways over these months, I thought it would be nice to share with you a breathing and relaxation technique which is good to make part of your daily routine. It need only take you 10 -15 minutes but they are minutes well spent. Firstly, find somewhere comfy to sit, with your back upright in a chair, feet firmly on the floor. Either, in a quiet place or have some relaxing music in the background, without a tune to follow, just non descriptive, so as not to distract you. Close your eyes and allow your hands to relax in your lap. Draw your focus to your breathing, take a few nice gentle breaths in and slowly exhale. Allow your mind to relax and starting with your feet gently wriggle your toes and allow them to soften and relax. Become aware of your ankles and calf muscles, visualise them feeling relaxed. Soften your knees and thighs and give your body weight totally over to the chair. In your mind’s eye see your spine with its gentle curve and visualise it relaxing between each vertebrae. Feel your tummy muscles soften and relax, working your way up through the body focus on each area and feel the tension easing from each muscle. Next, seeing your muscles of the chest, throat, base of the neck all gently giving your weight over to the chair and allow your arms to relax from the forearms, elbows, upper arms and shoulders. Then draw your attention to your jaw, make sure your teeth are not clinched tight. Allow your mouth to soften and feel your tongue gently resting on the roof of your mouth. Feel your cheeks relax and soften as well as your eyes which are still closed. Visualise your forehead being smooth and relaxed without any frown lines and lastly in your minds eye feel your scalp gently softening. Before you continue, just check back though your body and if you feel any areas still feeling tense just focus on that area and see it slowly releasing any tension. This only takes a few minutes but as with all things the more you practise the
better you become at it. If your mind wanders off, just bring it back by refocusing on your breathing. Once you have worked completely through your body you could just sit quietly for a few minutes and then start to bring yourself back by thinking about your breathing, being aware of the chair you are sitting on and take back responsibility for your body’s weight. Become aware of your feet on the floor, hands in your lap, and very slowly open your eyes and bring yourself back into the present. This is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. This simple relaxation technique can also be linked with a beautiful visualisation of being in your favourite place and imagine you are actually there. Hope you give yourself some time and try this, let me know how you get on. You can contact me using these details: Website: www.halcyondaysskincare.co.uk E-mail: lisa@stallings.co.uk Best wishes, Lisa Stallings Halcyon Days Skincare Ltd
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Art Challenge Is Online Success Like many leisure and recreational groups, the Bob Jest Art Group had to curtail its Monday evening sessions due to Covid-19, but thanks to the internet the amateur artists have continued to be busy with their pencils and paint brushes. Member Lois Yates is credited with creating the Online Art Challenge. Her daughter had suggested it could be a way of keeping the group active as they couldn’t continue to meet. Lois said: “Each member of our group take turns in nominating a subject for us to paint (or draw) and do this every two weeks. It’s been great fun and a wonderful way of keeping active”. The group started their challenge soon after the first Covid-19 lockdown and since then has had a dozen different subjects to paint. These have included self-portraits, abstracts, holidays, plus favourite colours, modes of transport, Christmas and winter. Lois is delighted the challenge has proved so successful, adding: “Some members really get carried away and produce several paintings for each challenge, others are content to paint just one. But however many, it’s always fascinating to see how everyone has their own approach to the subjects. I think we have found
Mount Fuji by Joan Jest
a really good way of being creative and beating the pandemic without putting anyone at risk. I’d love to think that one day when things are back to normal we could stage a little exhibition to enable us to share our work with more people.” The Bob Jest Art Group was named after one of the co-founders who, with John Mayes a fellow local artist, formed the group which was originally based in the Guildhall. When its small art gallery closed the group moved to meet every Monday evening at a Community Hall on Magdalen Street. At 88 years, Joan Jest widow of Bob, is the oldest member of the group.
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Sir Norman Lamb's Coalition For Young People Children’s happiness with life has been in decline for most of the last decade and this year is sadly no exception. With worries about relationships with friends, appearance and school seem to be key factors. Even before the pandemic, 15-yearolds in the UK were among the saddest and least satisfied with their lives in Europe. Evidence indicates that adolescence and early adulthood is the peak age of onset for mental ill health and the period when there is a need for early intervention. The experience for Norfolk’s young people is no different and our mental health services struggle to meet the demand. Young people in Norfolk have stated that drop-in facilities and accessible support networks (such as social groups, support groups or volunteering opportunities) as well as information, advice and support around wider determinants of poor mental health such as finance, substance misuse, social relationships, educational pressures and body image could help them to maintain good mental health. Sir Norman Lamb has listened to this and in response is using his Mental Health & Wellbeing fund with Norfolk Community Foundation to establish a Norfolk-wide Coalition of VCSE sector organisations that work to support the well-being and mental health of children and young people, with a particular focus on keeping young people “thriving” thereby preventing the need for mental health services. The voluntary and community sector were engaged in the establishment of a coalition and we have been gratified by the overwhelming enthusiasm for this new way of working. The VCSE has a strong track record of delivering preventative services and the coalition wishes to build on and celebrate this. The members of the Coalition will work collaboratively, providing training, support, information and expertise to one
another and bringing in national learning and training opportunities. Being part of the Coalition will raise the profile of the services and their work with children and young people, and allow others to understand the rich diversity and breadth of support that the VCSE sector can provide. The work and outcomes of the Coalition will be evaluated, which in turn will be used to leverage additional sources of funding for this vital work, which we know receives little funding but is crucial in reducing the numbers of children and young people whose needs escalate. If you would like to support the work of Sir Norman Lamb’s Coalition for Young People, please call 01603 623958 or visit: www.norfolkfoundation.com/ giving-philanthropy/mental-health
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Refurbishment To Start On Thetford Housing Project Breckland new accommodation unit for people in the district who require emergency housing. The council is redeveloping the former day unit, on Elm Road in Thetford, and converting it into a temporary accommodation facility for up to 35 people. The work is due to begin later this month, led by Cocksedge Builders, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The project will cost £1,797,388 altogether, including the cost of Breckland Council buying the building from Norfolk County Council, which took place in 2019.
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When opened, the centre will provide expert support and high quality temporary emergency accommodation for people in need of goodquality, safe, emergency housing. The new facility has been designed to house single adults, couples, and families from Thetford and the wider Breckland district. In addition to supporting them with their temporary housing needs, Breckland Council will be working with other public sector partners to provide support to people using the site on a wide range of social, employment and personal matters and help them back into permanent accommodation. Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Planning at Breckland Council, commented: "This major investment in a key service will mean we have even more high quality temporary accommodation support available to some of our most in-need residents, including those who have been made homeless or need short-term support while they find a permanent place to live." Councils across the country have in recent years been reporting a rise in demand from people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 34
Chilterns’ 21st Birthday 2021 is already a year that will go down in history. We are still managing the effects of COVID-19, but with the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines being rolled out we are all hopeful that this terrible virus will soon be beaten, and we can all find some normality in our lives as well as our communities. Brexit has hung over us for the last four years, but just in the nick of time a post Brexit agreement on trade & other issues was agreed as the transition period between the UK and EU came to an end, marking a new era in 2021 after more than 40 years of UK membership of the European Union. With so many challenges hanging over us it has been hard to remain positive for the future, yet it is our positivity and belief that things will get better that drives us all forward during the year ahead.
A motorbike display team performing at one of the many community events supported by Chilterns
Managing Director, Yannis Prodromou has worked locally as an estate agent since 1983 and alongside director Neil Pettit, they have developed and nurtured Chilterns as a leading agent in the area and together with the Chilterns family are proud and honoured to welcome you to our 21st year celebrations. Chilterns have supported a range of local community events as well as fundraising for a variety of charities because community lies at the heart of our business and...... community matters! This year will be no exception and whilst respecting and adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, we propose to run a series of competitions/prize draws and promotions, along with fundraising events in celebration of our 21st anniversary, dedicated to local causes.
For Chilterns, 2021 represents a very significant milestone as we celebrate our 21st anniversary! As a local independent firm of estate agents and letting agents, our ambition has always been very simple – to provide an outstanding service where professionalism and where diligence is never compromised, whilst providing high levels of customer service and support with intelligence, experience and empathy. We have endeavoured to maintain this vision over the years and have established Chilterns as a recognisable and respected ‘go to’ property specialist agent within our communities. Of course, this ethos relies upon For more information about Chilterns’ range of our team of highly experienced and dedicated services, whether you want to sell, buy, let or rent property professionals and the well-established and to find out about our 21st anniversary year of Chilterns team are not only exceptional, but also celebrations just contact your local Chilterns office knowledgeable and well used to dealing with or visit: chilterns.co/21-years the challenges presented to them whether in sales, lettings or property management. They are About Thetford Magazine intuitive to local property market conditions and The deadline for inclusion in the March 2021 always on hand to give invaluable advice and edition is the 15th February. Please send guidance rather than focusing on the “hard sell” AKFS Advert.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2020 17:03 Page 1 articles, including any photographs to; that seems to have become so prevalent in our aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com industry in recent years.
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Co-editor of Wretham News and St. Ethelbert Church Secretary John Kitson has received a token of gratitude and recognition from friends in the Czech Republic. The 80th anniversary of RAF 311 Squadron, which was manned by Czech and Polish fliers from Wretham airfield during World War Two was celebrated earlier this year. Then, as also every November, Czech and Polish officials visit the war graves at the church for ceremonies.
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To mark the special year in 2020, a Czech living history group, which has for years re-enacted service history, struck a small plaque. On one side is a depiction of a Wellington bomber and the special date this year. On the reverse are listed the seven airfields, including those in the UK, at which Czech flyers were based. The plaque was sent by Filip Prochazka, leader of the living history group, with special thanks for John’s help in commemorating Czechoslovak airmen. In particular, it comes with his thanks for the work he did in commemorating the 311 Squadron airmen in 2015 with a major exhibition established for a week in the church, telling their history during wartime. There are hopes the exhibition could return to the UK in 2021. Mr Prochazka said in his thanks “This exhibition was placed in many places in the United KIngdom since 2015 but it never (sic) met man as you and audience in East Wretham. Thank you”.
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A New Year And New Tyres 2021 is now finally upon us and after all of the hardships and uncertainty of last year we at the Charles Burrell Museum are looking forward in the hope that this new year will be better for all - and we are also hoping that we may once again be able to open our museum to the public! With the November lockdown over a small team of our volunteers were able to return to the museum in December to carry on the work. As usual the decorating work is still underway but the main task in hand now is making further progress with the fitting of our showman’s engine Queen Mary’s new back tyres. Before the lockdown, Queen Mary had been jacked up to an appropriate height and secured in place. The four rings of tyre segments that made up her 90+ year old tyres had been stripped off and her strakes – diagonal metal plates fitted to the rear wheels of the engine to allow the wheel to grip when not covered by a tyre – had all been cleaned. Our volunteers had also welded four of the new tyre segments in place which, as there are twenty-four segments in all, meant that we still had a long way to go. Currently, at the time of writing there are now nine segments attached and by next week on the inner edges of both wheels there will be a full ring of tyre. The next stage will then be to weld the segments on to the outer edge, to again form a ring, before then moving on to fitting the centre ring which will be bolted in place with some heavy-duty bolts!
in and around Thetford... and that’s a sight I for one cannot wait to see again! In light of the latest lockdown, work has unfortunately had to cease once again. However, we are all confident that once we are allowed to, the volunteers will be able to fit the remaining tyre segments in a relatively short period of time. The lockdown has also very unfortunately impacted our plans for our usual Easter reopening. We are hopeful that, although this may have to be delayed, we will still be able to reopen the Museum in the first half of 2021 & are very much looking forward to being able to do so! For more information, visit our website: www.charlesburrellmuseum.org.uk
The new tyre segments are wider than her old ones meaning that where there were four tyre rings on each wheel previously there will now only be three. They are also thicker than her old, worn, tyres so Queen Mary will be sitting higher too, as will the engine driver and steersman. Once her new tyres are in place, we will be ready for the all-important visit from the boiler inspector Maid2Clean 1/8 AD.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 11:24 Pa and then if all goes to plan Queen Mary in steam will once again become an often-seen sight both
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