MARCH 2021 About Thetford magazine by About Thetford magazine

MARCH 2021

YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY MAGAZINE ISSUE

182

CIRCULATION 13,000

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SPRING GARDEN TIPS

0330 123 9334 DISCOVER JACKY FISHER

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EASTER EGG TRAIL

MUSEUM EXPLORES DIVERSITY PLUS LOTS MORE!!

It's time to into action! Call us Today to Book Your FREE Sales or Lettings Valuation Brandon - 01842 813466 | brandon@chilterns.co Thetford - 01842 754161 | thetford@chilterns.co www.chilterns.co

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A Spring In Our Step?

Inside this month...

the warmer weather, or It may be the arrival of cine rollout, but there vac g oin perhaps the ong our step of late. After the Page 4 - Easter Trail Launched seems to be a Spring in wintry months and the Page 7 - Business Inspiring Youngsters doom and gloom of the re all looking forward Page 9 - Fly Tipping Reduction In Thetford we’ e sur latest lockdown, I’m notonous routine with so Page 10 - 11 - Leaping Hare to happier times. The mo a lack of time spent with Page 13 - Time For A Spring Clean? few social activities and somewhat deflated this Page 14 - 15 - Jacky Fisher - 1st Sea Lord ling family has left me fee a health condition, I was Page 17 - Spring Brings Garden To Life month. That said, due to t Page 19 - Open Gardens Looks Ahead cine in February - wha called up for my first vac d’s Page 21 - Give House Martins A Hand tfor The at ken erta und a fantastic effort being The staff and volunteer Page 23 - Rural Norfolk Consultation Healthy Living Centre. so hard and should all Page 27 - Museum To Explore Diversity team have been working day I went it was pouring Page 30 - Fantastic Frontliners be congratulated. On the p them from giving a Page 35 - Quarry Proposal’s HGV Concern sto n’t with rain but that did Page 37 - Neighbourhood Watch e. cheery and warm welcom Page 38 - Museum Displays Revamped g this month’s magazine Front cover image: Gentle Bridge I hope you enjoy readin adverts of interest. Please by Carl Harding-Palmer and find the articles and n the About Thetford do remember to mentio s. g to our advertiser About Thetford magazine when respondin magazine is ine gaz ma d tfor The ut Abo Terry Jermy, Editor, proudly printed Betts of Brandon 1/8 AD.qxp_Layout 1 09/04/2019 16:38 Ovenclean 22/01/2021 08:41 Page 1 Tel:101284 751296 by KNPAD.qxp_Layout Litho

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E-mail address for all articles, adverts etc: aboutthetfordmagazine@gmail.com Contact us: 075404 63662 Office Address: C/o Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, IP24 3LH Publisher; In And About Thetford Ltd, C/o Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford IP24 3LH Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this magazine, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by its contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission of the publishers is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher

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Thetford Family Easter Trail Friday 26 February-Friday 2 April

Follow the clues and you could win a hamper of Easter eggs three-word, Easter-themed phrase. Send us your correct answers, and we’ll put them into a draw for that amazing egg hamper.

Egg-cellent news! The Easter Egg trail is here! Lockdowns and restrictions are still with us, and for many of us, going out for a walk is a highlight of the day. Thetford’s Christmas Tree trail brought families together for exercise during December, so we thought it would be brilliant to create another trail, with an Easter twist.

Complete the grid below with your three words and drop your entry through the letterbox of the Everything Thetford shop at 20 King Street while you’re out on your daily walk. If it’s easier, email your answer to info@leapinghare.org. Remember to include your name and contact details. Good luck!

This free family activity is really easy to join in with – all you need to do is look around Thetford town centre for the special eggs, which you’ll find in certain shop windows. Each egg features a number and a letter – collect all 12 and you’ll see that they form a

The Easter egg trail is organised by Leaping Hare and supported by About Thetford magazine.

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The answer to the Easter Trail competition is . . .

FIRST WORD

SECOND WORD

THIRD WORD

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Crowd Sourced Poetry Reading Call For Participants School pupils, families, groups and individuals are asked to join the fight against racism by taking part in a crowd sourced project being run by Norfolk Museums of Sanctuary and Thetford Town of Sanctuary in support of the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March 2021. People are invited to either record themselves saying a line or verse of We Refugees by Benjamin Zephaniah or create an art work inspired by the poem and send to info@leapinghare.org by 12th March. By sending in a contribution you are giving permission for the piece to be used online for this purpose. All the contributions will be edited together to be released on 21st March via Social Media. The poem can be viewed here: www.poemhunter.com/poem/we-refugees/ Thetford has been home to many refugees over the years including Polish refugees during and after the Second World War. Princess Catherine Duleep Singh, who grew up near Thetford, helped saved Jewish refugees from the Holocaust. In ‘We Refugees’ Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah, British writer, dub poet and Rastafarian, outlines the ease at which someone can be forced to leave their country, and the fact that we ‘all came from refugees’. He talks of the discrimination that refugees face. He reflects on the process of becoming a refugee and reminds us that it can happen to anyone.

In 1966 the United Nations called on the world to commemorate this horrific day as part of the work to end all forms of racism. Racism still exists in so many forms and is very much a tragedy of our own making. Many Thetford organisations have already supported the efforts to commemorate 21st March including Thetford Town of Sanctuary and Aid Matters in Thetford. Ancient House Museum will also host a series of virtual events - detailed on page 27 of this month’s About Thetford magazine. They will join Leaping Hare and Not Just Books in creating window displays. Not Just Books have a brilliant range of books to expand and challenge our thinking and help us learn about our history.

say no to racism

today & every day Crowd Sourced Poetry Reading Get Involved!

What is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination? On 21st March 1960 in Sharpville, South Africa, police opened fire and killed 69 people who were peacefully against the racistPage 1 AKFSdemonstrating Advert.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2020 17:03 apartheid laws.

Join the fight against racism. Record yourself saying a line or verse of We Refugees by Benjamin Zephaniah or create a piece of artwork inspired by the poem.

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Big C’s Welfare Advice Citizens Advice Diss, Thetford and District work with the Big C Cancer Charity to give specialist welfare benefits advice to cancer patients. Normally, our advisers would be spending time with patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and the James Paget Hospital. Since the start of the pandemic, the service is still available by phone. Whether you have been diagnosed yourself, or you are looking after someone with cancer, our trained advisors are here to talk you through any practical or financial concerns. Being diagnosed with cancer can be difficult and as well as having to undergo treatment it can have an impact on your financial situation. You may earn less due to cutting down at work or even find you stop work completely. There can be other extra expenses to consider such as hospital parking and heating costs. Due to the current situation, for many people diagnosed with cancer you may be wondering how COVID-19 may impact your access to welfare benefits or you may now need to apply for these. The UK benefits system can be confusing, there are many benefits available for people living with and beyond cancer, including help for people in hospital, on a low income, disabled, over pension age, or parents and carers.

Our specialist advisors are here to help you find out about benefits you may be entitled to, as well as other financial assistance that may be available to you. Not only will they help identify what help you may be able to get, they will also provide support through every step, so you can focus on your treatment.

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Local Business That Is Inspiring Youngsters Celery’s Fusion food is going from strength to strength, a Thetford business that began as a dream in a kitchen has expanded into arguably one of the best takeaways around. Owners Joe Palmer, Marcel Nembhard and Jessica Saker whose love of great quality, fresh diverse food has inspired the menu are thrilled with the support they have received from the local community.The business opened during the pandemic and has proved so popular they are proudly employing 20 full and part time staff; and they have become real role models to the local youngsters. Marcel Nembhard said “I feel like we are building something positive and people look at me in a better light now” The business can be found at the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre where you will be met by friendly faces and the unforgettable smell of the different dishes on offer. The Celery’s team are keen to share the success and have teamed up with local charity the Vera Trust and have so far raised more than £200. They are also supporting Thetford Bulldogs under 9’s.

Joe and Marcel both grew up on the Abbey Estate and are the first to admit they got themselves into trouble when they were younger, now they are looking to inspire and encourage younger residents on the estate. “It’s a great community but there’s not much going on around here, especially for younger kids” explained Joe, “the kids around here are happy to see someone from the estate doing something different, we just want to show them there is another way. I didn’t have a role model in my life and hung around with the wrong people which led me down the wrong path. Going away taught me that I didn’t want to live that life anymore, you miss out on your family life and your freedom is taken away.” Celery Fusion have now developed a fantastic menu that is hugely popular with the local community. Asked what his favourite dish is Marcel replied, “I would say it’s the Amazing Keifer fries, delicious sesame chicken and of course the secret green sauce!” Celery Fusion is open for collection or delivery 7 days a week. To find out more about their menu visit Facebook: celerysfusionfood Instagram: @celerysfusionfood Or call 07487 506294

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EACH TIME YOU LEAVE HOME, YOU GIVE COVID MORE CHANCES TO SPREAD

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Anti-Flytipping Campaign Leads To Drastic Fall In Incidents Breckland Council is reporting a 70% drop in weekly fly tipping incidents in part of Thetford, after a campaign helped raise awareness of how to dispose of waste legally. The campaign was supported by a clamp down on serial fly tippers, which resulted in over £2000 in fixed penalty notices being issued since October 2020. In addition to fly tipping cases, an Abbey Estate resident, who has also regularly allowed their dog to defecate in the area, has also been fined £200, rising to £300 if it is not paid promptly. Breckland Enforcement Officers will be conducting more high visibility patrols in the areas and working with key communities to spread the message .

Prior to March 2020, the town's Abbey Estate, which consists of over 1000 properties, had seen on average 100 fly tips per week, equating up to 1.5 tonnes of waste being lifted weekly by Council staff. Following a four month awareness campaign by Breckland Council, using social media, posters and flyers, and through working closely with waste operators, the estate is now reporting fewer than 30 fly tips per week and the amount of waste being fly tipped has also fallen. The Breckland Council awareness campaign saw the use of posters and community letters that were issued to every resident in multiple languages. The campaign also saw a 100% increase in resident engagement, with residents supplying Breckland’s Enforcement officers with vital information that helped target serial fly tipping offenders.

Councillor Gordon Bambridge, Executive Member for Environmental and Public Protection at Breckland Council, commented: "Every Breckland resident deserves to live in a community free from litter and waste. Our wildlife, whether in a town park or rural setting, also deserves to be protected from the harmful fly tips recklessly left by selfish individuals. We still have some way to go, but a About Thetford ad June 2018.pdf 1 25/05/2018 10:14:53 70% fly tipping reduction and increased public support is certainly an encouraging outcome”.

In February 2021 Breckland Council issued five Fixed Penalty Notices to different addresses within the Abbey Estate for fly tipping incidents. The incidents included items such as dumped sofas, beds, mattresses and general domestic waste, all of which could have been taken to the local Norfolk County Council recycling centre for free. Officers reported that excuses given for illegally dumping waste in the community green spaces ranged from assuming someone would collect the waste, that they were adding their own waste to existing fly tips, and one culprit stated he simply could be not be bothered to take it to the recycling centre.

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Diamond dogs

These gorgeous felted dogs look so comfortable on their sofa in our window in King Street. If you pass the Everything Thetford shop on your daily exercise, you might spot them – and a few of their felt friends.

love for Christine. “I decided to make all the wonderful dogs that I have been privileged enough to share my life with,” she says. “Lots of happy memories and a few tears went into these little friends.”

The display was created by the extremely talented Christine Sanderson, also known as Hullabaloo. The ‘hounds on the sofa’ creation was a labour of

Although these special friends aren’t for sale, Christine is very happy to immortalise your beloved dogs and is currently taking on commissions.

Prices start at just £35. Get in touch for more details. So next time you’re walking the dog past our window, why not take a selfie with your pooch? If you take an inspirational picture of some signs of spring, you could enter our 2022 calendar competition. Email your images to info@leapinghare.org by Monday 31 May 2021.

BATH BOMBS These egg-cellent bath bombs are a special Easter edition made by another of our local makers, Caroline King of Stepping Stones Emporium. Caroline has been in the beauty industry for more than 20 years and has used her wealth of experience to create a fabulous range of vegan-friendly and eco-friendly products. Caroline has also made some special bath bombs for Mother’s day too, and you can find them in our online shop, or via our call and collect service.

All eyes on racism

Leaping Hare is really proud to support the crowd-sourced poetry reading to mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March. Record a line or a verse from Benjamin Zephaniah’s We Refugees, or create some artwork, and send it to info@leapinghare.org by 12 March.

We’re so egg-cited! The Easter Egg trail is coming! (See Page 4). On your family walk around town, keep an eye out for the special eggs in windows and see if you can collect the letters on each one… for the chance to win a prize!

Volunteer recipe

Simnel cake (traditionally made for Mothering Sunday and Easter) 180g butter 180g caster or soft brown sugar 3 eggs 225g plain flour 1.5 level tsps baking powder 2 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp cinnamon 50g blanched almonds 50g glacé cherries 50g mixed peel 450g dried mixed fruit 2 tbsp milk Marzipan (yellow or white) Cream the butter and sugar until soft and light. Gradually add the eggs and beat well. Stir in the flour and spices, adding enough milk for a soft

dropping consistency. Add the fruit and nuts. Put half the mixture into a greased and floured 20cm tin. Roll out a 20cm circle of marzipan about 1cm thick and place on top, then add the rest of the mixture. Bake for approximately 2 hours at 180°C (fan 160). When cool, decorate with marzipan eggs or 11 balls (traditionally representing the apostles). Rachel Woods Rachel is also part of the team behind Thetford Open Gardens (in its 15th year, taking place on Sunday 27 June 2021). Their star baker is Sue Norman, responsible for hundreds of cakes, all sold in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care (more than £85,000 to date). Look out for Sue’s delicious lemon drizzle cake in our latest web blog.

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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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Time For A Spring Clean? Here we are again, the start of Spring! Biology has found that the lack of sun in winter causes the human body to produce more sleep hormones. As the days get longer in the springtime however, our energy (and motivation to clean) gradually goes up. If you’re stuck at home self-isolating, then maybe cleaning the house could be a good way to keep yourself busy? Cleaning is rarely something to look forward to for most people, but there’s something about a thorough spring clean that is enough to make a house-proud person or one of our maids excited to get their rubber gloves on. That fresh feeling and lovely smell after your house is cleaned is super rewarding and will make your home feel renewed. There are many countries around the world that have different rituals and celebrations that involve spring cleaning because this time of year is simply the best time to refresh and clean your home. It’s about more than getting rid of junk and dirt. It's also meant to symbolize clearing out the cobwebs in the mind and soul, and sometimes it clears the way for good times ahead, too. In these challenging times, cleanliness of your home has never been so important. Apart from ensuring you regularly wash your hands here are 5 top tips for making Spring Cleaning that bit easier: 1) Use a sieve to sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over your mattress. Leave it for at least an hour-all day if you can. It will draw out moisture and smells and bacteria. Then vacuum off when ready. 2) Have a plan for each room - top to bottom, dusting and wiping first making sure you start in one corner and work your way round with vacuuming last

Use an antibacterial spray or wipe. The average home has at least two dozen door knobs which are no doubt touched repeatedly and are often overlooked when cleaning. 4) The humble lemon can be used for a multitude of tasks, has antibacterial properties as well as smelling fresh and fabulous. Squeeze lemon into a spray bottle of water and use on glass shower cubicles, pop half a lemon into the fridge to help absorb odour too. White vinegar is also great for window cleaning too when diluted with water. 5) To soften splatters inside the microwave, fill a cup with water and microwave on high for a few minutes. The steam will loosen any baked on food so you can easily wipe it clean. If you need a bit of help with clearing those cobwebs in your home then Maid2Clean are happy to hear from you on 0800 878 6388. If you are a bit of a Mrs Hinch and looking to work within the industry call or text the dedicated recruitment line 07769 700258.

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Jacky Fisher, 1st Sea Lord Many people use the acronym OMG – but did you know it has a link with the Thetford area? The term was used in a letter sent from Admiral Sir John Arbthnot Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher to Winston Churchill in 1917, ‘I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis —O.M.G. (Oh! My God!)—Shower it on the Admiralty!!’ and has been credited by Oxford English Dictionary as the first known use of OMG as an abbreviation. Admiral Sir ‘Jacky’ Fisher had at the time, retired to Kilverstone Hall after an illustrious naval career six years earlier in 1911. As First Sea Lord he was responsible for the construction of HMS Dreadnought. Originally retiring from the Admiralty in 1910 on his 69th birthday, he became First Sea Lord again in November 1917. One of his uniforms is on display at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich such is his importance to Naval history. Fisher was born in January 1841 in Ceylon. He was the eldest of 11 children born to Captain William Fisher and his wife Sophie. William Fisher became a coffee planter that year, quickly becoming heavily in debt and unable to support his family. Aged 6, John, known to the family as Jack (and later Jacky) was sent to live with his Grandfather Charles Lambe, in London who survived by renting out rooms in his home. Fisher’s entry into the navy came via his godmother Lady Horton, who asked Admiral Sir William Parker (the last of Nelson’s captains) to nominate Jacky as a naval cadet. He began his naval career in July 1854 aged 13 on board

Nelson’s former ship Victory at Portsmouth. Fisher’s career flourished. He gained top grades for seamanship and gunnery and was awarded the Beaufort Testimonial for gaining 96% for navigation. In 1882 whilst captain of the battleship HMS Inflexible Fisher was assigned to protect Queen Victoria during her visit to the Riviera. Inflexible later took part in the Anglo-Egyptian war. However, during his shore leave Fisher became seriously ill. In early 1883, concerned about his welfare; Queen Victoria invited Fisher to Osborne House as her guest, to recuperate for a fortnight. In 1866 Fisher married Frances Broughton whilst stationed at Portsmouth. They had a son Cecil who was later adopted and made heir to Josiah Vavasseur of Kilverstone Hall, and 3 daughters Beatrix, Dorothy and Pamela who all married naval officers. Fisher’s naval career continued to flourish; he was said to be a very exacting taskmaster but always rewarded his men for their hard work. Ever the reformer he used his extraordinary people skills to get the work he wanted pushed through at his pace saying that ‘when you are told a thing is impossible, that there are insuperable objections, then is the time to fight like the devil’. Despite saying little in formal meetings, he was an avid lobbyist promoting the British cause at every informal gathering. He continued his strategic work as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, lecturing on naval strategies and sharing ideas with his officers. He offered prizes for essays on tactics and had a large tabletop map room with models of all the ships in the fleet where officers could develop tactics. Not all of his innovations were welcome with some officers resenting

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the attention Fisher paid to their juniors or the pressure he placed on them to improve efficiency. Fisher however argued that ‘the design of fighting ships must follow the mode of fighting instead of fighting being subsidiary to and dependant on the design of ships. He was also known to believe that officers should ‘think and act for yourself is the motto for the future, not let us wait for orders”.

The film charts the defining eight months of Jacky Fisher’s life from October 1914 to May 1915. Sir Winston said of Jacky “No one who has not experienced it has any idea of the passion of the old lion”. The idea of making Sea Lord goes right back to Penelope’s childhood. As a child she struggled with how to see the world as she is dyslexic. She watched so many films as a child that she thought the world used to be black and white and it took time to register that it wasn’t! It came as no surprise that she made a career in the film business. She set up Trident Films this year with the aim to produce her own films, the first of which will be Sea Lord. Penelope adds “He also had a complex personal life. While he was a caring husband and father, he was also infatuated with Nina, Duchess of Hamilton, his mistress, some 30 years his junior.” For more information about Sea Lord visit www.tridentfilms.co.uk

Churchill and Fisher at the Admiralty, 1914 Image credit: Illustrated London News/R Fisher

In the early 20th century, Fisher continued to innovate recognising that engineering was becoming increasingly important in the fleet. He introduced changes to naval training and revised the curriculum. During his time as Admiral of the Fleet he worked hard to reduce budgets and reform the navy for modern warfare, becoming the driving force behind the development of the battleship HMS Dreadnought along with a new battlecruiser and the introduction of submarines. Often outspoken, his long standing friendship with Sir Winston Churchill ended after the disaster in Gallipoli, the campaign Fisher always objected to, presenting his controversial Baltic Plan as the alternative. Upon his death in 1920 he was given a national funeral at Westminster Abbey before being cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. His ashes were placed with those of his wife under a chestnut tree in Kilverstone. Norfolk film maker Penelope Fisher, great great granddaughter of Fisher is currently working on a film project titled Sea Lord, she has been researching her ancestor’s life since she was 11 and is determined to bring Jacky’s story to life on film. Speaking about the project Penelope said “As I grew up I became fascinated with this acclaimed, enormous character of a man and the people in his life. He is considered the second most important figure in the British Royal Naval history after Lord Nelson.”

Editor’s Note

Jacky Fisher article by Karen-Emma White as part of About Thetford magazine’s exploration of local historical figures.

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Spring Brings Garden To Life After the floods of January and the snows of February, what will March throw at us? It is often a windy month so be prepared! Still, daffodils should be in flower for some weeks, (it is after all St David’s Day on March 1st) and they bob about in the wind quite happily; even if there is no club show, you will see fine displays in front gardens and drifts in the grass verges. As the muntjac have eaten all the tulips, daffs are the top spring flower round here.

Snowdrops appearing along Spring Walk

The longer hours of daylight with the equinox on March 20th will support growth in the hardier if you put them in now it saves disturbing the vegetables so you can put out shallot and onion established roots and stems. You could treat sets and even plant some early potatoes. These yourself to some ornamental supports though a are not more cold-resistant than main-crop but bamboo with an old tennis ball stuck on the end complete their growing more quickly, giving you to protect your eyes will serve the same purpose. a smaller but very welcome crop. How good the Containers will be the better for top-dressing; first fruits of each season taste! Plant your parsnip remove as much compost as you can loosen seeds with radish mixed in to mark the row; then at the top and replace it with fresh. Some slowbe prepared to exercise patience as they can release fertiliser pellets mixed in would help; after take a month to germinate. Try to resist sowing a year or two the soil in a tub or pot is quite more vegetable seeds until the soil has warmed unbalanced, having little of the life of soil in your up – generally April in this area unless you have a garden. However some shrubs and flowers have sheltered south-facing garden. Pruning bush and evolved in poor conditions and they will cope climbing roses this month will stimulate more quite well – bay trees, cordyline, geraniums etc. vigorous growth. Dogwoods (cornus) should be If you haven’t done so already, work out what you cut back too to encourage long stems for winter would like to grow this year and buy the seeds. colour next year; select some bright twigs from Perhaps you can include a few vegetables among these prunings for a large vase indoors and they will look very striking with the probable bonus of your flowers at home and climbing beans make a striking feature on a frame or trellis. Growing fresh green leaves. It is a shame to pick one’s tomato plants in a grow-bag against a sunny wall own daffodils for the house; their life in a centrally will bring its reward in fruit and interest to both -heated room is quite short and they look so fine young and old. If we are to be limited in movement outdoors. However, there are usually some with through the summer ’home-grown’ entertainment stems broken by the wind or flowering in a far will be very important. You will find plenty to do this corner so you can bring some sunshine indoors month before the real frantic planting and hoeing too. Summer-flowering bulbs can be planted now. of April, but don’t forget to celebrate British Pie If you have perennials which need dividing, lift and Week – 1st to the 7th March – indulge yourself! No Job so to Small 1-8 Advert REV2.qxp_Layout 1 11/09/20 re-plant that you get a stronger show. Some of these may need supports later in the year and Happy gardening! Sue Pilgrim

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Easter Fundraising On Saturday 3rd April from 9.30am to 11.45am there will be stalls outside Thetford Methodist Church in aid of Church funds plus stalls, tombola and Wendy’s Easter chicks in aid of CRUK. Don’t miss the bargains! Please wear face covering and maintain social distancing. Wendy, Sylvia and the team of knitters have once again created a wonderful display of Easter chicks, rabbits and baskets all filled with chocolate Easter eggs (pictured, top right). They are on sale throughout the town and are going fast so to avoid disappointment please ring 761826 or 750109 to reserve yours. Only £2 each. Generous donations of crème eggs have been made by the following stores: Aldi, Farm Foods, Tesco, Wilko, Iceland, Roy’s and Poundland. An additional thank you to the following who have kindly sold our eggs including Nationwide, Nottingham, Charles Burrell Centre, Healthy Living Centre, Scott’s Opticians, Lime Pharmacy and David Goddard garage

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This annual CRUK fundraising has developed into a whole community project so three cheers for the wonderful support given by the people of Thetford. Sue Webber

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Thetford Open Gardens Looks Forward To The Year Ahead Fundraising for St Nicholas Hospice has been challenging over the past year but for the Thetford Open Gardens team, finding a plan B once it was clear their event couldn’t go ahead was essential. “We knew the hospice would really struggle with so many events cancelled, so we decided to do what we could to raise something during 2020” said organiser Rachel Woods. With garden centres closed and their annual plant sale with Thetford Garden and Allotment Club postponed, Sue Norman decided to hold a plant sale in her front garden with the plants they would have sold on the stall, “We said come and buy as plant as you take your daily exercise, and the result was phenomenal” Sue explained. The team set up a reference number with St Nicholas Hospice to enable people to pay online to avoid cash handling as much as possible. Such was the success that the stall has continued all year round. In the autumn Thetford Garden Centre donated some daffodil bulbs which the ladies planted into pots and these will be available during March once they come into flower. Supporters also donated vegetables and flowers that had grown from seed or plants divided from their own gardens. With stock ever changing, customers on their daily walk were able to spot something that fitted nicely into a gap in their garden and donating generously to St Nicholas Hospice Care. Sue is also well known for being the beautiful garden selling tea and cakes during Thetford Open Gardens Day. To mark what should have been Thetford Open Gardens day the team hosted a covid secure virtual cake sale. This also proved highly successful with over £2000 being raised on the day. In total the team raised over £6000 during 2020 without opening a garden! This year so far a lovely supporter made heart shaped biscuits for St Valentine’s Day that sold out very quickly and raised £135. Another terrific supporter has been making hedgehog houses and bird boxes - another sell out story. Once the guidance is clearer Thetford Open Gardens are looking to create a covid secure event for the summer. Speaking about the summer event Rachel said, “This year we plan to open some of our gardens, but with limited numbers and timed tickets. We hope that with more people vaccinated and more freedom to be outside with friends and family, we can welcome people back to Thetford and into our beautiful gardens.”

Sue Norman with one of her cakes and the plant stall at her Arlington Way home

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Giving House Martins A Helping Hand The nights might still be cold and the days grey, but spring is most definitely in the air and our birds know it! You might well have noticed our resident garden birds starting to gather nesting material or pairing up – most won’t be laying eggs for a good few weeks yet, but they are definitely thinking about the forthcoming breeding season. One of the defining features of spring is the return of our migrant birds from their wintering grounds in Southern Europe and Africa. Among the later species to return is the House Martin, with many birds not appearing again in our skies until May, having journeyed back from an as yet unknown part of Africa. House Martins are in many ways our closest feathered neighbours, building their cup-shaped nests under the eaves of our houses. Sadly, like so many other species, House Martins are in decline – we have lost 39% of these very beautiful, acrobatic birds over a 25-year period. My colleagues at the British Trust for Ornithology have been investigating the reasons for this House Martin decline, and how it might be addressed. In 2016 and 2017, we ran a survey called the House Martin Nest Study, where we asked volunteers up and down the country to monitor the House Martins nesting on or close to their homes. The results of this survey have been published, and encouragingly, they show some quite simple ways in which we can all help our House Martins. One of the main findings was that House Martin breeding success was higher in birds that either used nests from previous years or nested in artificial nest cups, than in birds that had to build nests from scratch. House Martins build nests using mud, and being able to move into a ready-made nest saves them about 10 days nest building time and effort! So, if you’ve had House Martins nesting in previous years, why not leave the old nests instead of clearing them out?

If you haven’t had House Martins nest on your house before and would like to, then now’s the time to install artificial nest cups, ready for the breeding season. Another finding was that natural, mud nests collapse more often when they’re built on plastic soffits than on brick or wood. Given that PVC is increasingly common on our houses, it is especially important to put up artificial nest cups to give House Martins a helping hand in these circumstances. If you’d like to find out more about constructing nest cups and boxes for House Martins and other species, please visit: www.bto.org/how-you-can-help/ providing-birds/putting-nest-boxes-birds/ make-nest-box Viola Ross-Smith, BTO

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Thetford River Group Watching the river swell and wash over the land gives the impression that things are being washed clean – all freshened up and litter free. Did you know that if you throw litter on the ground – a Covid mask or a cigarette butt for example - in the town centre, when it rains it just gets washed into the storm drain, and then ends up washed into the river? Smoking related litter like plastic pouches make up 2% of identifiable plastic litter in our freshwater environment and a further whopping 9% is made entirely of cigarette butts. These are made of plastic and do not dissolve, instead they enter the river’s food chain. Most of our storm drains arrive at the river, look out for the the one beside Butten Island bridge at the end of Riverside Walk.

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Have Your Say About The Future Of Rural Norfolk Norfolk County Council (NCC) and Collison and Associates Limited are working in partnership on a review of the Norfolk Rural Strategy. The partnership is inviting people who live and work in Norfolk to have their say and help shape the future of Norfolk. Previous versions of the Norfolk Rural Strategy have been used to secure funding, such as the £9m of LEADER funding awarded to hundreds of community and small business projects across Norfolk since 2016. The previous strategy also initiated campaigns to improve digital connectivity and the work to develop the Norfolk Natural Capital Assets Evidence Compendium, which provides a detailed evidence base on our natural environment. The aim of this survey is to ensure that rural Norfolk continues to thrive, setting out a blueprint to deliver a positive change for its rural communities. NCC believes that to create this positive change, partnership with the community is important and feedback from residents vital to its success. Cllr Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Growing the Economy, said: “We are really interested in what the community – our residents, businesses, partnerships and academic institutions - think about how we could deliver the vibrant, healthy rural communities of the future. Could the role of your market town change, how do we use our environment to support our vital tourism sector and how can the growth of clean energy fuel our homes and lives? With an ageing population, rural Norfolk is also in the frontline of changes in healthcare needs and we need to understand how new technology can help meet future service delivery and business needs, through initiatives such as the Go Digital programme we launched in December 2020.” Norfolk is a predominantly rural county with a rich history and an unrivalled diversity of landscapes, communities, market towns, villages and great businesses. With a proud history of innovation and ‘doing different’ stretching back hundreds of years - from the Agricultural Revolution, to the first environmental land management schemes trialled in the Broads in the 1980s, and which are now the central feature of the new UK agricultural policy. There have been many changes to rural Market Towns. Digitalisation, online retailing, a rapid growth in remote working and an increasing desire to buy local products are combining to change the rural economy in new and often

fundamental ways. One positive of the current pandemic is that rural people are commuting less and accessing small shops and facilities in their community more. If such changes are to become permanent, the steering group’s aim is to identify what should be done to support them. If you would like to have your say on the future of rural Norfolk you can view the online survey which can be accessed online. Here you can review the draft strategy and comment on the issues which are the most important to you, your community, business or organisation.

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Thetford Rotary Club Like most organisations, Thetford Rotary Club has had a lengthy period of inactivity in terms of meetings, but has now recommenced with the help of Zoom. Some of these meetings were held jointly with our satellite club, Rotary@CBC. One of the joint meetings held was with an excellent speaker from RNLI and more speakers are planned on a monthly basis. Behind the scenes the club has continued with its charitable work. Since 2017 the club has become involved with Lendwithcare, which is an initiative of Care International UK. Lend With Care is a revolutionary way to help some of the world’s poorest people work their way out of poverty with dignity. The scheme allows lenders to lend as little as £15 to help fund a small business, and once the business is established, the entrepreneur often employs family members and neighbours, helping them to lift their community out of poverty. The original entrepreneur then repays the loan, which is used to help another recipient. Since 2017 the club has lent funds to over 24 small farmers in the third world, from poorer parts of South America to the Far East. The club has also given donations of £250 to Thetford Foodbank, £250 to Thetford Salvation Army, £500 to EACH

Rotary members with a charity collection pre-covid

(East Anglian Children’s Hospices), £180 to Marie Curie, and £100 to RNLI. On Saturday 6th March, at 7pm the two Clubs are hosting “Let’s Get Quizzical” - a charity quiz night on Zoom, when we will be getting together virtually with a Quizmaster. It’s just £5 per couple in a bubble and promises to be fun! All monies raised will be used to help charities locally and worldwide. To register, receive details on how to pay as well as the Zoom link to attend please email: billie@charlesburrellcentre.org.uk For more information about Thetford Rotary, or to join, email; secretary@thetfordrotary.org

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Thetford U3A We had our monthly committee meeting by Zoom recently and we are hopeful of holding our AGM on September 23rd, this is the day that Phoenix Owls will be bringing some of their birds along. I have invited them again as this was so popular and everyone seemed to enjoy it. There will be notifications and more information on this later in the year. Everything seems much brighter and it is good that so many of us have received the vaccine. We have been holding our committee meetings every month and making plans for future meetings so hopefully everything will be ready when we can finally resume our normal life.

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Mike Sweeting our Chair sent a poster advertising for magistrates. He is willing to speak about this to anyone wanting more details. Anyone who is aged between 18 and 65 will be eligible. I hope you all received the newsletter recently, the main newsletter will be out in the Spring, but this one was just to let you know we are thinking of you all and hoping you are safe and well.

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If anyone has any news or interesting tales to tell please email or ring me and it can be included in next months edition. For further information, please visit: www.u3asites.org.uk/thetford/home Lesley Braund (01824 842074)

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Past & Present

The past image shows a section of King Street in 1910 with a variety of shops selling a wide range of goods. Today King Street is now a pedestrian area, the shops remain, and an extension has been added to the Hughes building. Some are currently closed due to the current pandemic. Past Image: David Osborne Collection Present Image: About Thetford Magazine Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 26

Museum To Explore Diversity This March Ancient House is linking with United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21st March 2021 with a series of family events exploring multicultural themes. There’s three virtual museum storytimes aimed at younger children building on Ancient House’s sell out storytimes last month. On Friday 19th March at 10.30am we are sharing the Caldecott Medal winning The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. It features Peter, an African American boy, who explores his neighbourhood after the season’s first snowfall. The book was notable when it was published for avoiding negative stereotypes. The author received fan letters from numerous African American activists, educators, and children who included their own collage artwork. One teacher told Keats that, for the first time, she watched as children selected brown crayons for their self-portraits. Today we know that children of colour are still underrepresented in picture booked today. In 2019 only 10% of children’s books published included a Black, Asian or minority ethnic character. On Sunday 21st March at 10.30am Ancient House is teaming up the team at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse to explore the experience of traveller communities in Norfolk through the book The Lost Homework by Richard O'Neill. Sonny devotes his weekend to helping his neighbours and fellow Travellers with a variety of tasks. He uses many skills, from calculating the amount of fuel needed for a journey, to restoring a caravan. In fact, the only thing he doesn't do over the weekend is his homework - his workbook is missing! What will his teacher say? On Friday 26th March at 10.30am Ancient House is teaming up with Lynn Museum and Stories of Lynn to explore Norfolk’s connections with Canada through the story of A Salmon for Simon by Betty

Waterton. Simon is a young Canadian boy who lives near the Pacific Ocean. He enjoys digging for clams and fishing, and he hopes one day, to catch himself a salmon. However, just as his wish nearly comes true, he finds that he has changed his mind and has a big problem to solve. After the story learn how to create your own colourful, watery fish scene with wax crayons and water colour paints. The museum is also exploring historical migrants to Thetford through two Quiz a Character events. On 18th March at 10.30am visitors can meet Maggie the Munitionette from the First World War. She is working hard for the war effort making munitions at the Charles Burrell Works. Find out about this dangerous work and the doctor who looked after her when she was injured – Dr Minns. He was also the first Black mayor in Britain. And on 22nd March visitors can question Mary Jane, a servant at Elveden Hall working for Maharajah Duleep Singh.

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TADDS Update

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It is good to see March arrive, but I am so conscious of the fact that it is now a full year since TADDS last met together for cake, and chats and so much has happened to the world and to our individual members since we last saw each other properly… It is great to see that the vaccine for covid is being rolled out so effectively and so many people taking the opportunity to have it. Hopefully this means that we will be able to meet again this year. For our group, after my rallying call last month, we have seen a small increase in numbers of people reaching out to us for help and support which is great, because I know we are providing much needed assistance.

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There is still so many local people out there who are not receiving any services at the moment and who are still trying to manage situations at home looking after someone who has memory issues.. So again, if you know someone or you are the person trying to cope, please do get in touch with us, you will find a welcome and a listening ear, and depending on the issues you are facing possibly some solutions as well. Hopefully if our group gets to meet up this year it will be good to see some of the new people in person as currently we only get the chance to meet-up on line. We are holding regular online group coffee mornings, quizzes and talks which provide a bit of lightheartedness to what can be a trying week. These are open to people who have asked for and received help from our services and are mostly run through Facebook and zoom. This month we hope to have someone from NASA giving us a talk. If you need more information on these events please get in touch In the meantime, spring is on the horizon, keep in touch with people and if you are struggling and we may be of help to you, please make contact, our email is taddsgroup@hotmail.com or telephone 07542 866519. Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 28

Introducing Nik Chapman CBE I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Chief Executive of the Charles Burrell Centre. It is an honour to be entrusted with leading the Centre. We are in the midst of difficult times but I know that the Centre will be needed more than ever before over the coming months and years. And we all have a part we can play in this key part of the community. The team at the Centre are looking forward to welcoming people back; and indeed welcome many new people who have yet to enjoy the opportunities the Centre offers. My background is that I joined the Army from school and spent 35 years in uniform. My military career took me to all but one continent and this of course including many of the operations in which the Army has been involved including conflict zones including Northern Ireland, the Former Yugoslavia; Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. I left the Army in late 2013 to join Babcock International Group and in time became Managing Director of Holdfast Training Services delivering education and training services for the Royal Engineers across six sites. I left this appointment in 2019 to take up the role as Director of Soul Foundation which is an outreach charity in Norwich with a number of projects similar to those here at the Centre but during the pandemic has been focused on a large scale food poverty programme. I am married to Caroline and live in South Norfolk. I have a wide range of interests from countryside management to the Arts including a passion for visual art, live music, and literature. I am involved in other charities including Combat Stress (the military mental health charity) plus the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Poppy Appeal and the Round Tower Churches Society. I do not need to tell you what a vibrant, empowering and inspiring place the Charles Burrell Centre is. So we look forward to a time in the not too distant future when we can fully re-open and welcome

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upon myself to be a happy, smiling face on all the wards. When making tea and coffee for patients, I made sure I spoke to everyone, complimenting them and being a friend. I knew that when we couldn’t have visitors, they would need a friend, so I made sure to be positive all the time.”

Fantastic Frontliners Magda is a housekeeper at West Suffolk Hospital since moving from a small town 30 minutes outside of Lisbon in Portugal almost 2 1/2 years ago. At the beginning of COVID-19, she was working on the intensive treatment unit which is where some COVID-19 patients were being cared for.

Magda works long hours at the hospital, and says she feels very proud of her work, “I feel I make a real difference”. The housekeepers are a vital part of the team at the hospital working hard to keep the wards spotlessy clean. They are also responsible for making sure patients have access to fresh water and hot drinks across the day. Along with the day to day cleaning they also undertake deeper cleans on the covid wards each week.

Speaking about her role Magda said, “At the beginning, I was afraid being on the front line. I knew my work would be very important as housekeeper; carrying out all cleaning and disinfection work in all the areas used by doctors and nurses.” To prepare herself, Magda did some research about coronavirus and took part in some training sessions so she could understand how important it was to use the PPE correctly and to be careful when walking around the hospital. “I took it

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Not Just Books Free Books For World Book Day! Did you know that in 2020, 3 in 10 of children receiving free school meals said the book they ‘bought’ with their World Book Day book token was the first book they had of their own? Spending just 10 minutes a day reading with a child makes a big difference to their future success? World Book Day helps tackle book poverty and encourages children to read for pleasure. Not Just Books At Riverside Walk, Thetford

The World Book Day £1 books are a gift from Not Just Books and other booksellers, who fully fund the cost of the £1 book token redemptions. There are also some fabulous online events, please do go to www.worldbookday.com especially for the Share A Story and Author and Illustrator Academy events.

Here at Not Just Books, we are extremely passionate about reading, for young and old. World Book Day is part of our commitment of supporting young people and their reading and we thoroughly support their vision of changing lives through a love of books and shared reading. We will be taking part in the national campaign to swap the World Book Day £1 book token for one of the TWELVE exclusive, new and completely FREE World Book Day Books. We know that at the moment you can’t come and browse in the shop so we’re offering ‘call and collect’ so you can ring the shop and reserve your free book. We’re also going to honour the tokens beyond the 28th March until our stock runs out!

NotJustBooks Independent Bookshop 23 Riverside Walk Thetford. IP24 2BB 01842 753660 Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Let’s spread a love of books and reading for children of all ages. To call and collect using your WBD voucher or for any other orders please phone Jane on 01842 1753660 10am09:50 - 3pm, SGB Advert.qxp_Layout 18/09/2020 Page 1 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

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Chinese Face Reading They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, but did you know your whole face can be a map to show your general state of health and your mental and emotional well-being. A while ago, I took a course at the International Dermal Institute on the benefits of Chinese Face Reading together with an Oriental Acupressure course. It has been immensely helpful in linking certain areas in my clients life that need addressing and it may be that they need to focus on lifestyle changes and or diet by simply noting certain aspects of their face. Skin condition is viewed as a reflection of the whole body and its wellbeing. It takes in the skin’s temperature, overall colour, facial lines and how they might relate to specific organs. Different types of breakouts and their location are important and certain changes in the skin’s condition and appearance will all give general indications of overall health. Using this ancient diagnostic art the whole person is treated and not just the symptoms. For example, the organs are sisters, so the lungs are sisters with the skin, the liver with the eyes, the kidneys and the ears and the stomach and the muscles. Below are a few interesting points on ‘Face Reading’ sourced from the International Dermal Institute: Forehead - linked to digestion. Upper forehead linked to bladder and lower forehead linked to the intestines. Eyebrows - coarse hair of the eyebrows indicates adrenal stress. Under the eyes linked with the kidneys and there is a need to improve water intake. Mouth - cracking and dry lips link with stomach / gastric stress. The upper lip links with stomach, and the lower lip with the large intestine. The cheeks link to the lung area - broken capillaries across upper cheeks indicate a tendency to allergies. You can contact me using these details:

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Being A Responsible Cat Owner Cats are naturally inquisitive animals and while most will enjoy happy lives free from danger, their curiosity can get them into scrapes. I am sure that as a responsible owner, you’ll want to do all you can to protect against unfortunate incidents. You also have a legal duty of care to provide for your cat’s needs and ensure they are protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Cats Protection recommends that you have your cat neutered to reduce the risk of fighting and sustaining an injury, contracting diseases or becoming lost. You should also provide a safe and secure home and a healthy diet. Vaccinations and flea and worm treatment are also essential. Microchipping, so that if they go missing your details can quickly be traced allowing you to be reunited is also recommended. Pet insurance is a good idea too, as well as knowing what to do in the case of an emergency. Dangers in the home include poisons such as antifreeze (lethal for cats), disinfectants, decorating chemicals such as white spirit and pest control agents such as slug and rodent bait, weed and insect killers. Human medications can be toxic to cats as well as some human foods such as onions, raisins and chocolate. Some plants are also poisonous such as all types of lily and foxgloves. The great outdoors may also have dangers. Whilst most cats enjoy spending time outside and benefit from doing so, there are hazards such as roads. Cats are natural hunters and will tend to be more alert at night time when their prey are active. Their eyes do not adjust as quickly as ours to changes in light intensity, so sudden bright headlights can be dazzling and disorientating. There is an increased chance of road accidents after nightfall so it is best to keep your cat indoors overnight. Timing meals to coincide with rush hour may also help to keep your cat away from busy roads. Cats Made to Measure 1/8th Advert 2020.qxp_Layout 1 hide pain very well and sometimes only show

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subtle signs of disease. However, it is generally more straightforward to recognise when a cat requires urgent emergency treatment. In this case your first point of contact should be with your vet. Signs that a cat requires emergency advice and or treatment include: Trauma i.e. road accidents, dog attacks and falls, collapse, frequent vomiting and or profuse or bloody diarrhoea. Difficulty breathing, such as open-mouth breathing or a marked effort to breathe. Continual or repeated straining to pass urine. Dehydration – asses by pinching a fold of skin. If it does not recoil immediately, the cat may require fluid therapy. Any form of fit or convulsion. Even in these difficult times, vets are still available at all times 7 days a week. Ring them first to tell them you are on your way. You may not be able to go into the vets consulting room with your cat, but he/she will meet you on the car park and take the cat straight in for treatment. You will be kept informed all the time of the cats progress, either in the car park, or by phone at home. For help or advice, or if you you need assistance with the cost of neutering, please call us on 01842 810018. 11/0

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Thetford Academy Benefits From Generous Laptop Donation Thetford Academy is the proud beneficiary of 10 new tablets, generously donated by local estate agents, Chilterns who are celebrating their 21st anniversary and marking this milestone with a range of charitable projects. The donation supplements around 200 devices already distributed by the academy to local families. Part of the Inspiration Trust, Thetford Academy has also provided Wifi dongles and worked with the broadband providers to ensure that families have internet access during the lockdown, so that children can continue to learn whilst at home. The 10 new Lenovo devices are being prioritised for children who have no device at home, or for those that are sharing with a parent or sibling. The Academy has also focused on providing tablets for pupils who have been relying on their smartphones to access learning.

It's so fantastic to see the community coming together to make sure everyone has access to our excellent remote learning resources."

Chilterns Directors; Yannis Prodromou and Neil Pettit commented: “The fight against Covid-19 has certainly brought us together as a nation and the future of our children’s education has never been more important. With so many pupils learning from home, it is important that they all have the same opportunities and access to Dan Carter, Principal of Thetford Academy, said: technology should be available to all. With this "This very generous donation will help to make in mind, we wanted to help where we could and sure there isn't a digital divide at our school. therefore decided to donate some new Lenovo We've been working hard to deliver tablets and tablets to local schools to distribute to those Simon Long HP to Advert 2018.qxp_Layout 13/09/2018 10:01who Pagehave 1 internet access children in need - but1 these students limited access to devices extra devices will help us to go one step further. whilst learning from home.”

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Quarry Proposal Risks Dozens Extra HGVs For Barnham & Thetford In 2012, Elveden Farms Ltd submitted a planning application for a ‘borrow pit’ to provide sand and gravel for the A11 upgrade. The plan was for gravel to be transported over land using Elveden Farms internal track network in order to avoid the main highways infrastrcuture. Although there were environmental, ecological and health concerns about the development, If approval is given to the quarry, and especially approval was given for 18 months and then the lorry routing, there will be an adverse effect the site was to be restored using inert material. on the quality of life, health and amenities for However, no sand or gravel was extracted. those residents in Barnham and Thetford whose Elveden Farms Ltd were able to secure additional properties line the C633 and the A134. We know extensions to the approval and a change to the that there have been decades long issues with classification of the site to enable it to be included HGVs in this area, including along the Bury Road in the Suffolk Minerals Plan. They were succesful in Thetford. Once in Thetford the HGVs will often in gaining this foothold. Also included was a revised go out again along Brandon Road and London transport plan to bring vehicles onto the C633 road Road causing issues for residents in these areas. (the main Barnham to Elveden Road), instead of It is anticipated that there will be between 30 - 40 over land using the Elveden Estate internal track additional HGV movements per day as part of network. The C633 is not designed to carry large this proposal with a significant proportion coming volumnes of HGV traffic and was intended as a through the edge of Barnham village and into temporary route for southbound HGVs. A oneThetford via the Bury Road. These HGVs will be way restriction by virtue of a Traffic Regulating full of aggregate. The quarry is likely to last for Order (TRO) is in place on vehicles in excess of around 5 years. 7.5 tonne but due to the poor wording of the TRO and the lack of robust enforcement HGVs travel in Local residents that are concerned about this planning application can comment on it before it is both directions causing danger to road users and determined by Suffolk County Council’s Planning damage to the roadside edges and conservation Committee. The deadline for the receipt of any areas. Despite advances to the relevant highways comments is the 6th March 2021. Comments authorities to address these issues there had been can be made online where you can also see the no succesful action, until the Planning Inspectorate reviewed the proposal to include the site in the various documents related to the application. Suffolk Minerals Plan and declared that quarry http://suffolk.planning-register.co.uk/ traffic should route to avoid local villages including Planning/Display?applicationNumber=SCBarnham. The determining planning authority C%2F0095%2F20SE decided to selectively interepret this directive to exclude the parts of Barnham village that are Councillor Ed Wyer The Mulberry REV Advert 1 19/01/2021 15:44 Page 1 located along the C633 and6.qxp_Layout the A134. Chairman, Barnham Parish Council Planning Committee

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Neighbourhood Watch This month I would like to raise the profile of the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) scheme. As an Engagement Officer I work with the Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch and support local schemes. One of our NHW Co-ordinators, Martin Redhead, has very kindly provided an overview of the scheme from the perspective of a scheme Co-ordinator and member. If you would like any more information about NHW please do contact me at: paula.gilluley@norfolk.pnn.police.uk So, what is Neighbourhood Watch? Firstly, it is not a group of vigilantes patrolling the area in yellow fluorescent jackets or curtain twitchers keeping an eye on their neighbours. As a Police Officer in London many years ago I had a very similar misconception. The Neighbourhood Watch of today is about neighbours working together to build safer communities, but that is not only by helping to prevent crime but also in a variety of ways that reflect the needs of the local community. Yes, there will be the sharing of crime prevention advice, but these may involve coffee mornings and other social events, for example looking after the vulnerable. Working with the Police, the local Police Engagement Officers regularly hold drop-in Surgeries where you can discuss local concerns. As a Co-Ordinator of a local scheme and as an Administrator for schemes across West Norfolk, I work closely with my Engagement Officer and we have attended local Question and Answer sessions for residents, the offer of cake is normally a good incentive for us both! There really is no hard and fast rule of how schemes should be managed or run. There is a National body for Neighbourhood Watch and their website has a great deal of information on it: www.ourwatch.org.uk The national body describe schemes as follows – “Neighbourhood Watch schemes can make a real, long-lasting difference to communities: increasing

cohesion and connectedness; helping to prevent crime; increasing neighbourliness and community wellbeing; supporting vulnerable people and increasing the voice of the community with councils, the police and other organisations.” There is a facility to check if there is already a scheme registered in your area on the “OurWatch” website, if not a scheme can be as involved or as not as suits your needs. Almost all the schemes I oversea in West Norfolk are run differently, I would be happy to answer any questions and provide assistance with setting up and managing any schemes. Please feel free to contact me: Martin Redhead, West Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch Administrator. E-mail: westnorfolknhw@hotmail.com

About Thetford Magazine

The deadline for inclusion in the April 2021 edition is the 15th March. Please send articles, including any photographs to; aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.com

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Museum Display Boards Revamped This month, work within the Burrell Museum has had to be scaled right down due to the current lockdown. However, as the Manager, I’m still going in regularly to check on the building, clean and decorate and to continue work on refreshing the displays. This involves a lot of writing of the display articles, which I am very lucky to have help with as it would be an awful lot to tackle on my own! Each display must be written, proofread for errors, edited, the logo and any pictures and scanned documents added, and then finally printed and laminated – all of which is quite a time-consuming process.

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To get the data needed for these articles I’ve been sorting through the archive material that was previously stored in the old Museum office in Kings House and this has proved an invaluable source of information. The availability of this archive, and the time we have spent closed due to this and previous lockdowns, means that I have had the time to refresh the upstairs display boards, offering a new look to the area with new information and new photographs – which I hope our visitors will find interesting when we can reopen! This past two weeks I have also been working on the display cases and on giving them a new look too. The bases of each case have been re-covered in new material and the old display items have been either removed to safe storage or cleaned up and put back. My most recent task was to find new, interesting items for one upstairs display case which, given the volume of artifacts I now have access to, meant it wasn’t an easy task to decide which items to leave out! Visit the website for more info: www.charlesburrellmuseum.org.uk Helen Whitton-Rogers, Charles Burrell Museum Manager

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