North Norfolk Railway Receives The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteers at the North Norfolk Railway, which runs magnificently restored steam and heritage diesel trains between Sheringham and Holt, were this week awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE

The railway operates along 5½ miles of restored track from Sheringham to Weybourne and Holt with almost all the tasks necessary to run the trains being carried out by a team of over 500 dedicated volunteers The line is one of the county’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming around 165,000 passengers per annum with steam trains running on most days from April to October

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee

The North Norfolk Railway was one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award

The ceremony, which was postponed from last year, with the list announced in June at Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend, due to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, took place at Sheringham Station on 23rd March and saw Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, Adel MacNicol present the crystal award Representatives of the line’s 500 volunteers joined dignitaries at Sheringham for the ceremony, and then travelled aboard a special steam-hauled train to Holt and back

Hugh Harkett, Managing Director, said ‘We are extremely proud to receive this Award, our volunteers really are the life blood of the Railway and we are continually thankful for their dedication and support.

The North Norfolk Railway is a not-forprofit enterprise, so the support of volunteers is really crucial to our survival and we are delighted that the fantastic contribution they make has been officially celebrated in this way. The ceremony is a great boost ahead of our main season, which begins on 1st April ”

Two volunteers from the line will also be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023 along with other recipients of the Award.

The Railway is set to have another busy year with steam and heritage diesel trains running almost every day between April and October, alongside a busy schedule of dining train services and special events

Full details of these additional services and the North Norfolk Railway’s timetables can be found at www nnrailway co uk

Sheringham Post Office opens at Barney’s

The new branch will be operated by Jigen and Nisha Patel, who took over Barney's on September 30 last year. Barney’s is located at 5-7 Station Rd, Sheringham NR26 8RE and the Post office will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5 30pm and on Saturday from 8am to 3pm Jigen commented: “When we took over this business our aim was to support the community ”

“We knew that the town was lacking a Post Office, but when we first tried to apply there was no advertisement on their website So we got the number of Matt Hatfull, the project manager, spoke to him and everything took place "

“We are in the middle of everything in Sheringham and hope it will be convenient for everyone,” he added

100th Birthday Celebration in Sheringham

Trefoil Guild member Wilhelmina Payne was 100 years old on March 12th

Members were, together with our County President and Chairman, delighted to mark this milestone sharing a buffet luncheon

Wilhelminas adventure in Guiding began as a Brownie in 1930, progressing as a Guide. At teacher training college she became a Guider Marrying in 1947 she raised her family and was "Brown Owl" to many young girls in the 1st Uxbridge Pack as well as helping with the Guide Company

Eventually moving to North Norfolk Wilhelmina joined the Sheringham Trefoil Guild in the early 1980's. Although she finds it difficult to get around, she enjoys the stimulation of the monthly meetings which continue to provide valuable social contact D Struthers & A Ayers

Stall holder Opportunities

at Sheringham Summer Carnival Sheringham Carnival are already preparing for the summer and are planning the town’s Carnival

The first day, Sunday 30th July, will be Crowning Day where everyone gathers together on the Leas to celebrate the Coronation of our Carnival Queen and to enjoy a day by the seaside It is anticipated that alongside traditional fun and games there will be a food and craft market Sheringham Carnival is therefore asking anyone to come forward if they would like to be involved

There will be a pitch fee and Carnival will need a copy of public liability insurance prior to the event.

To declare your interest please contact Kim Glover: kimfieldingglover@hotmail.co.uk or Sophia Emery: sophia850@btinternet.com

Sheringham Library News

Open Library - Your key to the library Monday to Friday: 8am-7pm, Saturday: 8am-4pm, Sunday: 10am-4pm, Closed on Bank Holidays Please ask a member of staff to activate your library card for Open Libraries and for a new 6 digit PIN number You must read our terms and conditions You will need to be over 16 and we need to see proof of your Norfolk address Staffed Hours: Monday 10am-7pm, Tuesday 10am-7pm, Wednesday 1pm-7pm, Friday 1pm-7pm, Saturday 11am-4pm

Scrabble Club every Wednesday 4 30-5 30

Help with Maths and Numeracy for Adults: Multiply will be holding monthly drop-in sessions starting May 9th 11am-1pm in Sheringham Library

After-school story time volunteer: let us know if you would be interested in reading stories to our young customers

Library Jobseeker Support: Do you need to set up an email address, find a CV template or access on-line resources from Job Help via campaign gov uk?

Perhaps you would like to use our computers to do the “Finding Jobs On-Line” course with Learn my Way? One to One guidance is available by appointment on Fridays 4:30pm-5:30pm Please ask a member of staff We also have a dedicated selection of books for you to choose from

Come and share your experiences of researching Family History: On the first Monday of the month 2-3pm If you are interested in Family History and joining a friendly group to share helpful hints and stories, please ask a member of staff or contact Diane on 07752937313

Mid-Week Scrabble Club: Every Wednesday 4:30-5:30

Sheringham Library Community Jigsaw is back Come and help us to fill in the gaps We also have a selection of jigsaws for you to borrow on your library card

Do you love reading Crime fiction? Join our Crime Book Club, meeting in the library on the first Friday of the month between 4 30-5 30pm If you would like to participate or volunteer to co-ordinate it with the support of library staff, we’d love to hear from you Please ask us the next time to visit the library or phone 01263 822874

Sheringham Community Crafters: Meet Monday mornings in the library 10:30-12:30 Please email lynne@clarityonline co uk to join or ask a member of staff

Sheringham Voices: Come and share memories Are you new to Sheringham or been here for years? Come and listen and chat with a cuppa Relaxed and informal Every second Wednesday of the month 2pm-4pm

LEGO Club: Saturdays 2-3pm Suitable for ages 4+ Children under 8 must be accompanied No need to book Lego provided Fortnightly Family History Sessions with Debbie on Tuesdays 2-3pm. Booking is essential

I T Buddy Sessions Mondays 10:15am-11:15am Booking is essential Bounce & Rhyme on Tuesdays 10-10 30am, followed by Stay & Chat 10:3011:15 Let the little ones play while you have a coffee and a chat No need to book.

The National Childbirth Trust Sling Library will be available at Stay & Chat to give practical safety advice on wearing and hiring out slings of all shapes and sizes from new-born to 6 years old This is a drop-in session on the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30

Autism and Learning Disability Friendly Just a Cuppa: Do you have a learning disability and/or autism, or are you a carer or a family member of someone who does? Sheringham Library is creating spaces for people to meet and chat in a friendly, casual environment Meeting on the fourth Friday of the month 4pm-6pm

Knit & Natter: The Sheringham Norfolk Knitters meet at Sheringham Library on the 2nd Monday of the month 2pm-4pm New members welcome Contact Kate on 01263 824781

Tricky Period and Warm & Well Bags: While the Winter provision of hot drinks and warm clothing in our libraries finished at the end of March, we are still here to support you Our Tricky Period provision of free sanitary pads will be continuing Toiletries are still available in some libraries, please ask staff for details We will continue to host our regular ‘Just a Cuppa’ session every Saturday afternoon from 2pm

Baby Weighing Scales are available in our Children’s Area Come along for a friendly chat. Just a Cuppa & Colour Me Calm, every Saturday 2-3pm

Would you be interested in becoming a Home Library Service Volunteer for Sheringham Library? Please contact the Royal Voluntary Service on 01603 397998

You can visit our website www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries to book a computer and find up to date information on the services that we have on offer We have stopped automatically renewing items borrowed from Norfolk libraries, so please renew or return your own items again This will allow you and other library users to have the widest possible range of options available when you visit one of our libraries However, we will not be reintroducing overdue charges at the same time, to give you some time to get back into the habit of managing your library loans

Sheringham Library, New Road, Sheringham, NR26 8EB. 01263 822874 www norfolk gov uk/libraries