1 April 2015 www.starstonvillage.co.uk www.starstonvillage.co.uk 2 Pigeon Post ‘For Starston People’ Copyright 2015 PIGEON POST The Production Team Co-ordinating Editor: Michael Bartlett: Tel: 852318 The Red Cottage, The Street Email: [email protected] Editorial Team: Christina Davies: Sue Moore: Chris Sparrow: Emily Taylor: Email: Email: Email: Email: Treasurer: Mandy Carter: Tel: 854600 Brick Kiln Farm, Cross Roads Email: [email protected] Advertising Manager: Liz Stacey: Tel: 853427 The Old Coach House, Starston Email: [email protected] Distribution Organiser: Sue Moore: Tel: 852387 Cranes Watering Farm, Rushall Road Email: [email protected] Distributors include: Brenda & David Beech, Mandy Carter, Jo Dye, Patricia LombeTaylor, Betty McKenzie, Alison Miners, Rosemary Steer, Anita Weatherley, Liz Woodley and others. ISSUE EDITOR [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MICHAEL BARTLETT Whilst the editorial team do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed by contributors, they believe that the magazine is available for local people to air their views. Letters to the Editor must be signed. The Editor reserves the right to alter or amend any copy received. Items for inclusion in the next issue MUST reach the Co-ordinating Editor by the 12th of the preceding month, (usually earlier in December). Space in the magazine will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Photos and pictures are welcome and will be used wherever possible. Please send copy by e-mail to: [email protected] Advertising For advertising rates please contact Liz Stacey: Tel: 01379 853427 Email: [email protected] or Michael Bartlett: Tel: 01379 852318 Email: [email protected] Distribution Pigeon Post is delivered free to every home in Starston. It can also be sent by email in PDF format. To request a PDF version please contact the Co-ordinating Editor If you know of any new residents in the village please tell Norman Steer (854245) or Michael Bartlett (852318) so that we can welcome them in Pigeon Post. V i l l a g e D i a r3y April 2015 Saturday 18th April 7.30 pm Auction of Promises - Jubilee Hall POSTPONED Sat 2nd, Sun 3rd & Mon 4th May Flower Festival in St Margaret’s Church. See P20 Saturday 2nd May 7.00 pm Gardeners’ Question Time - St Margaret's Church. See P21 Friday 8th & Saturday 9th May 7.30 pm Everyone’s War - Starston’s 1stWW Tribute. See P14 Tuesday 19th May 7.30 pm Parish Council AGM &Village Meeting - Jubilee Hall Friday 19th June 7.30 pm Wine Tasting in the Jubilee Hall - details to follow Want to book the Jubilee Hall? At Any Time Ring Joy or Bryan Hanner 853200 or 853509 - Let us know of anything happening in the village for this Diary page - Smart phone bar codes above: left Village Web, right Facebook Page - Personal adverts and events are free so long as they are not for personal profit Copy Date for May edition: Sunday 12th April Pigeon Post and Information about Starston can also be found on-line www.starstonvillage.co.uk Or like us on Facebook http://facebook.com/starstonvillagenorfolk 4 Pigeon Post M J PROPERTY MAINTENANCE and LANDSCAPING Patios, driveways, fencing, decorating interior and exterior, all types of tiling, bathrooms, roofing and much more. Over 10 years experience Competitive prices and references available. For friendly advice and free quotations call home on 01379 853486 or mobile 07917 468917 (Justin) or 07522 978710 (Matthew) 5 April 2015 Around and About the Village Events at Pennoyers 11th April - Spring Craft Fair 3rd May - Annual Dawn Chorus Walk and Breakfast 14th - 26th May - Harleston and Waveney Arts Trail Exhibition 30th/31st May - Heritage Weekend Village Life Harleston Area Stroke Social Group Did you know that the Harleston Carers Group also runs a special social group for people recovering from stroke and their families? This is downstairs in the Clive Hudson Room at the Information Centre, 8 Exchange St, Harleston, 2.00 pm on Thursday 30th April and Thursday 28th May. For more information call Julie on 01379 851920 Gislingham Silver Band As a precursor to the main event in August, the Harleston Festival Committee is bringing the Famous and Fabulous Gislingham Silver Band to Archbishop Sancroft High School on Saturday 16th May at 7.30 pm. It might better be described as a ‘Beer and Brass!’ evening. The cost for a ticket is a very reasonable £7.00 and they may be obtained from Fran Pitt-Pladdy on 01379 852617 or from The Swan Inn on 01379 852221. Gislingham Silver Band has been providing music to the local community since 1885, making it the longest established brass band in Suffolk. Harleston Players – We Happy Few Following their recent successes with Blackadder and Bugsy Malone, Harleston Players are busy in rehearsals for their next show – We Happy Few by Imogen Stubbs. Inspired by the true wartime history of the Osiris Players, Imogen Stubbs’s sparkling comedy follows the adventures of a small group of women who come together to form a 'girls only' theatre company to take the plays of Shakespeare around a culture-starved Britain. While the men are fighting Hitler and the bombs are blitzing London, these hopelessly mismatched women from wildly different social backgrounds embark on a hilarious and crazy adventure, crammed into their battered 1920s Rolls Royce. Together and separately they are forced to discover what life is like without men, and, eventually, how they must survive when they have only each other. With 1940s jazz and swing music underscoring the witty, razor-sharp dialogue, We Happy Few evokes the humour and fortitude displayed by so many during the Second World War. Performances will take place on Thursday 30th April, Friday 1st May and Saturday 2nd May at Archbishop Sancroft High School, plus two extra performances at Hoxne Village Hall (Tuesday 28th April) and New Buckenham Village Hall (Wednesday 29th April). Tickets, priced £8 and £6 (concessions), are available from Harleston Pet Stores or phone Val on 01379 852845. All performances at 7.30pm. 6 Pigeon Post Friendly Reliable Service 7 April 2015 Notes from the Editor My friend and editorial colleague, Chris Sparrow, should be filling this space this month but he isn’t. I know Chris is a football fan - which I am not - but I will try and write this as though I am. Chris was picked for our village team to play in the position of Editor in April but at the last minute his manager decided that he should play for the national team instead (that’s his employer by the way), so the lad is away to forin’ parts to earn a crust. I happened to be on the bench so was drafted in to fill the space. I suppose I could be described as being ‘over the moon’ (so long as it was the Half Moon at Rushall), but sick as a parrot I am not. I don’t have a parrot anyway, only a pigeon. Not being a football fan I am not sure if it is obligatory, once I have finished putting this edition of Pigeon Post together, to tear off my shirt and run round the garden waving my arms about. Don’t bother to peer over the fence – I’m not going to do it. I’m just going to sit here and work out how many pints Chris owes me for stepping into the breach. But I suspect he’ll tell me we’re still in training – so no drink. Ah well! Michael Harleston Carers Group Do you have trouble getting out? Isabel Coe of the charity East Anglian Driveability is coming to Harleston to talk about maintaining outdoor independence. This charity has dedicated, specially trained staff that can help with: Assessment of fitness to drive (including a special service for over 70s) Specialist advice and recommendations on car adaptations for driving with disability Advice on selection of mobility scooters and wheelchairs Training to drive mobility scooters Advice for people who have disabled passengers in their vehicle Training to transport and push wheelchairs To find out more, come along to meet Isabel at the Workhouse cookery and craft school, Old Market Place, Harleston, on Monday 13th April at 2.00 pm. Although organised for the Harleston Carers Support Group this is a free, open meeting and all are welcome. Booking is not essential but it would be helpful in planning refreshments if you could call 01379 851917 in advance. For more information call Julie 01379 851920 8 Pigeon Post Notes From A Starston Garden I love my Starston garden. I love sitting there on sunny summer evenings with a glass of white wine and a (small) bowl of crisps and fondly imagining what it will be like one day when I’ve finished the planting and got it just right and all my sowings have germinated and I’ve been able to do all the regular jobs when they needed doing. I realise that this is a fantasy but I can dream, can’t I? such pesky weeds as ground elder and bindweed. It’s very satisfying to stand and look at an expanse of newly dug soil, as long as you don’t harbour the illusion that you’ve removed every last fragment of ground elder and bindweed. Much less hard work, but equally rewarding, is weeding. I like weeding teasing away the unwanted interlopers from around and under and among my And I love gardening. Correction. I love crops and ornamentals, leaving them free most things about gardening. I do have a from competition. Psychology often number of dislikes. One is working comes into play. If, for whatever reason, outside when there’s a bitter wind. I don’t I’m short of time I can weed just one of mind crisp, cold weather – even if I end my raised vegetable beds. In real terms I up with chilly fingers and toes – and I probably haven’t done much but I can don’t mind the dankness of a grey winter stand back and see what I’ve achieved afternoon, but I hate being battered by a which is always encouraging. cold wind, and we’ve been getting quite a But the most enjoyable of the practical lot of those in the last few winters. gardening jobs is going out and picking Maybe I’m turning into a fair weather raspberries, or digging some leeks for gardener. supper, or snipping enough leaves to Another thing I hate is pricking out make a salad. I started gardening because seedlings and potting them on. It’s such I wanted to grow things I could eat – long tedious, fiddly work and my dislike has before the recent renaissance in veg been intensified by the fact that these growing. For me ornamentals are a recent days I need to wear my reading glasses to add-on – an interesting and challenging do it. As a result I am a devotee of add-on, but the heart of my garden is the sowing seeds in modules. They germinate vegetable plot and it always will be. (or not, as the case may be), they grow a Dee the Gardener bit and then you just plant them out when Topical Tip they’re big enough. Job done. But the dislikes are much outweighed by the likes. I love planting onion sets. An hour’s work and a whole bed is full of the year’s crop. I enjoy digging, turning over the soil, breaking up the clods and trying to remove, as far as possible, the roots of I’ll be sowing my parsnips this month. My soil is very stony, so the roots aren’t the perfect tapering cylinders you get in the supermarket but they taste great. A couple of words of warning - buy a new packet of seeds (they’re notorious for losing their viability very quickly) and have patience (they take ages to germinate). 9 April 2015 Parish Council News The March meeting of the Parish Council was held on Tuesday 3rd March, to which a welcome number of residents of Starston attended. Interesting discussions focussed around two main topics; those of Bunns Lane and the findings of a SAM Data Recorder in Pulham St Mary. aim, as is ours, is to secure changes to some of the existing speed limits in and around his village in the interests of safety. Discussions are continuing towards this objective. Councillor Tilcock of SNC has decided not to stand for election this spring. We There have been a number of complaints are assured of a replacement Councillor of late regarding the state of Bunn’s Lane with whom we may communicate. The during works on hedging, rose harvesting Councillor had high praise for the village, and barley sowing and, of course, the its Parish Council and its volunteers, unusually wet weather we have incurred adding that the Pigeon Post has been this winter. It has been noted that the recognised as one of the finest village tarmac on the footpath section and the magazines in the country. verges on this and the road are in need of The nomination timeframe for election to attention. The maintenance of Bunns Lane is the responsibility of NCC and is the new Parish Council will, by the time being followed up at present in order that this piece is published, be under way. It is a resolution is sought and achieved. The sincerely hoped that enough residents will fly tipping on Rushall Road was reported have decided to help ensure the survival immediately, and has now been removed. of our Parish Council. Once the minutes of the meeting, Councillor Hudson from Pulham St Treasurer’s Report and Budget have been Mary, who is in charge of the SAM and approved and accepted they will be its data recorder in the village, has been published in full on the village website. collating local data. He attended the Starston Parish Council meeting to provide information and to seek data on a wider area in surrounding parishes. His Sonja Burnett Clerk to the Council Starston Dog Show The third Starston Dog Show, which will be held on the Glebe Meadow on 14th June, is being sponsored by local businesses and shops in Starston, Harleston and the surrounding districts. Refreshments are being provided by Debbie Griffin, Ruth Cawcutt and their team of helpers. Additional help in the kitchen would be appreciated as well as help on the showground where we will need people to help put up tents the day before. We also need stewards, people to direct traffic and to register competitors on the day of the show. If anyone is able to help will they please contact me on 01379 853871 Patricia Hepple 10 Pigeon Post Cliffy Webb Cliffy was born in Pulham St Mary, the youngest of 13, growing up in a small cottage on North Green Road. Cliffy was destined to work in agriculture, milking cows, chopping out beet and eventually specialising in poultry. From an early age he was a footballer, playing for Pulham United and ‘Webb’s United’!, with his brothers and cousins. He was called up for National Service in January 1953 and was soon dispatched to deal with the tidal surge and flood that cost so many lives. His abiding memory was of returning to the barracks, cold and wet after a long day with no food, to be told they had missed supper! Later, he found himself off to the Korean conflict. Cliffy married Sylvia Baldwin in 1955 at St Margaret’s, Starston. Sylvia was born at The Willows on Rushall Rd (it was two cottages at the time), but the family soon moved to Skinners Lane. Years later they lived at The Dell, next door to The Willows, before moving back to Pulham St Mary in 1994. Cliffy worked with poultry on farms in and around Starston, finishing as a poultry manager for Gawdy Hall Estates. Of course, he never actually gave up work, he spent the next fifteen years cutting grass, tidying gardens and generally ‘lending a hand’, mainly for those older than himself. He had a wicked sense of humour; whether you were 2 or 92 he would be ready for a laugh and joke with you; and he was always ‘chatting up the ladies’. So what did Cliffy do for Starston? In the early 1970s we wanted a village hall, the cowshed at the rectory was for sale, we needed money to pay for it. Cliffy was one of the ‘leading lights’ in the campaign, eventually becoming chairman of the Amenities Committee. Another attribute was his knack of being able to ‘twist someone’s arm’, many people suddenly found themselves ‘volunteering’. There he was, organising and helping with all sorts of events from Gymkhanas to barn dances. He got together a band of helpers and, with the support of a local publican, ran bars at everything from private parties to the smartest dinner dance to raise more funds. As you know, we got our hall. But that wasn’t the end of it; Cliffy organised bingo, darts, dancing, anything to keep raising money. Once the hall was paid for the money had another purpose, the over 60s Christmas party. All qualifying villagers, past and 11 April 2015 - 24th June 1934 – 18th February 2015 present, were invited, along with others who regularly attended the fund raising events. They were transported, fed and entertained. Eventually it got so well supported that it had to be moved to a bigger hall. Of course the time came when Cliffy would have qualified for the party himself - time to ‘call it a day’. In 1981 Cliffy and Sylvia began a long spell as Jubilee Hall caretakers, and Cliffy also served on the Parish Council. Cliffy and Sylvie particularly enjoyed dancing, and for many years after the lessons stopped they danced everywhere from Wilby Village Hall to the Tower Ballroom at Blackpool. Cliffy was the life and soul of the party who spent his life helping others; he will be missed by many. Sue Moore Coming Next Month… In the light of the recent grants for the Jubilee Hall and Cliffy Webb’s involvement in helping it to come into being, Sue and Ralph Moore will be exploring the history of the hall in future editions of Pigeon Post by browsing through the minute book of what came to be called ‘The Starston Amenities Fund’. 12 Pigeon Post An Award For Sam Carter Sam Carter from Starston is among those of showing a real contribution to the whose contribution to the Army Cadet cadet service over the years. Force was recognised at a recent awards “It’s quite an achievement really, ceremony. especially at my age,” said Sam, “It’s The combined ranks of the Sea Cadets, really nice to be recognised. I’m proud Army Cadet Force and Air Training and it’s recognition for my work and for Corps stand at well over 1,000 people in my unit.” Norfolk. An elite few of the youngsters were appointed as Lord Lieutenant’s Sam’s citation reads: Cadets at an awards presentation at Second Lieutenant Carter joined the Norwich’s Army Reserve Centre in Army Cadet Force in September 2010. Aylsham Road on 11th March. Initially selected as a Sergeant Instructor, Richard Jewson, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, also presented awards to three adult volunteers, one of whom was Sam. Between them they’ve given up years of evenings and weekends to help cadets while also holding down day jobs. These Lord Lieutenant’s Certificates were presented to adult volunteers on the basis his abilities, skills and talents were, however, quickly recognised because he was identified as a Potential Officer and in March 2014, having passed the Cadet Forces Commissions Board, he was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, Group B. 2nd Lieutenant Sam Carter receiving his award from Richard Jewson, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk 13 April 2015 Appointed as the Troop Commander for Harleston, Second Lieutenant Carter has delivered a superb performance across a spectrum of activities, all of which are a great credit to the Army Cadet Force. His commitment, zeal and diligence are outstanding and he sets the bar for his peers. His contribution is, however, much wider because he participates in delivering a wide range of training at Squadron and County level and has been selected to represent the Army Cadet Force at a National level through selection as a member of the Assisting Directing Staff at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley. Second Lieutenant Carter has forged excellent links with the local community in a number of arenas. In particular, he has not only affiliated the Detachment with the local branch of the Royal British Legion but also, according to its Chairman, he has, by involving the cadets, saved the branch from closure. In addition he is constantly searching for innovative and imaginative ideas to involve cadets in supporting local community activities. His exemplary dedication and impressive professionalism have created not only a thriving Army Cadet Force detachment but equally an active centre for Young People which is underpinned by high standards and a strong moral compass. Second Lieutenant Carter is the epitome of the Volunteer, placing his time and skills at the disposal of cadets in order that they may achieve their aims. His enthusiasm, commitment and dedication are absolutely first class and a fine example to all Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. I most strongly commend him for the award of the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate. Signed by Officer Commanding Cadet Norfolk Artillery – Major Bagge Harleston Lions Club Spring Walk Sunday May 31st at Gawdy Hall Estates Harleston Lions Club is pleased to announce that this year’s sponsored charity walk will take place on Sunday 31st May at Gawdy Hall Estates with all proceeds going to "Parkinson's UK Research". We ask for a minimum entry fee of £5 to join our walk but preferably we would like you to get yourself sponsored and raise as much money as possible – sponsorship forms will be available and these have the option for “gift aiding” the money so that the government contributes an additional 25p to every £1 you collect. Details will be advised nearer the time. We will start around 10.00 am with the walk lasting around three hours or so - afterwards you are invited to join us in the walled gardens of Gawdy Hall to have a well-earned picnic (your own supply). Joining us this year we have a local ecologist, John Beckett, who will give an insight on the local flora and fauna seen throughout the walk and we are sure he will look forward to any questions you may have. For more information on the wonderful work carried out by the charity go to www.parkinsons.org.uk Lion Val Tolhurst 14 Pigeon Post Everyone’s War When we first began writing the script for Everyone’s War, Starston’s tribute to the First World War, we asked if anyone in the village had family stories or anecdotes that we could use. We always planned to make Starston the focus of the event as an example of a small community that was changed by the events of 1914 to 1918, but we fully expected that most of the material would be from the larger conflict with one or two Starston references where they were relevant. The reality is very different. All kinds of information and stories have come in about people who left Starston to go and fight and about family members of people who live in Starston today and who played their part in the conflict. We have a grandfather who was sunk by a U-boat, a great-uncle who pulled his own brother out of the mud in Flanders – alive, a mother who joined the Women’s Land Army, relatives who fought at Loos, Ypres, the Somme – one of them in a tank, a Mercantile Marine captain who was awarded the DSO and many more. We have also assembled a range of artefacts from that time: a gas mask, a trench periscope, a compass. a napkin ring made from parts of a shot down Zeppelin and of course many medals. All these have been photographed and will be projected onto a screen during the performance. Most of the cast for this event come from Starston but one of the performers will be Brian Hewlett, perhaps better known as Neil Carter from The Archers. The Harleston Cadet Corps, led by 2nd Lieutenant Sam Carter from Starston, will be looking after the front of house. There will be performances in St. Margaret’s Church on Friday 8th May and Saturday 9th May, both at 7.30. Tickets cost £6.00 (£2.00 for aged 16 and under) and can be bought from Ann Leitch 01379 423387 or from Harleston Information Plus 01379 851917. Nearly half the tickets have already been sold so if you would like to come please book your tickets now to avoid disappointment. April 2015 15 Glebe Meadow - Catch of the Day The crocodile lurking above the weir in the Beck since last Autumn has at last been captured. Having escaped from somewhere upstream and arriving in Starston with flood water, it is now on display near the Jubilee Orchard where we plan to adapt this 4 ton monster into a seat. Our thanks to Dickon and Julian for their genuine ‘extreme fishing’! Peter Grimble 16 Pigeon Post Starston’s Future The only way to prevent this happening is for enough people to come forward to stand for election as a Parish Councillor in Starston. A full council for our village is 7 Councillors. If there are more than 7 candidates then an election will be held in May at the time of the General and District Council elections. If we have 7 candidates or fewer then they will be elected automatically without the need for a formal election. The absolute minimum number of Councillors required is 3 which would form a quorum but in practice having the bare minimum would make running the Council very difficult. One way or another there has to be a body to run Starston, manage the budget and take local decisions. If the village cannot elect a quorate Council of its own then the District Council – that is South Norfolk – would need to appoint some of its own Councillors to run Starston instead. Given the indifference that SNDC shows to local opinion this would not be good news for our village. So far this article has been fact. Now it has to move into speculation as we cannot know what would actually happen if SNDC were to be in charge of us. We would, of course, lose any pretence of a “local voice”. It is unlikely that anyone that SNDC selected to run Starston would actually be interested in the village, its problems and its needs. Would an SNDC governing body continue to approve the grants that the Parish Council currently makes to the Jubilee Hall and to the Church for the upkeep of the graveyard? Would they continue to support Harleston Town Council in their efforts to keep Harleston car parking free of charge? It was, after all, SNDC that tried to force parking charges through a few years ago. It is likely that planning applications would become a joke. SNDC are the local planning authority so a Starston run by SNDC is unlikely to challenge anything, no matter how controversial. In the very long term one possible outcome is that Starston is deemed to be too small to have its own Parish Council and could be amalgamated with one of the neighbouring Councils such as Pulham St. Mary or Needham. While this would probably be more benign than being run by the District Council, it is unlikely that we would ever be a priority in another village’s discussions unless we had our own Councillors elected but if we can do that we should be able to keep our own Parish Council. All of this may be alarmist but it is a perfectly credible scenario unless we can keep control of our own village. All we need is 7 people who live or work in Starston and who are over 18 years old to stand for election next month. The Parish Clerk has all the necessary forms. All 17 April 2015 - Can We Save Our Village from Being Controlled by South Norfolk District Council? nomination papers, including the consent Either of them will be pleased to discuss to nomination, must be delivered to this with you and Sonja can provide the South Norfolk Council between 9.00 am necessary forms. and 4.00 pm before 9th April so time is running out. If you feel you could do this then please contact: Sonja Burnett, the Parish Clerk Telephone 01379 309347 or email [email protected] or Edward Libbey, Chairman of the Council - telephone 01379 855355 or email [email protected] Charity Appeal My name is Simon Kindleysides, I'm 30 and from Wortwell, In April 2013 I was diagnosed with a brain condition called FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) which has left me wheelchair bound, numb from the waist down with no movement. I have also found out that I have a brain tumour which is being treated at Addenbrookes. My life has been turned upside down, I had to stop work and adapt to my new way of living not being able to walk anymore, I have a loving partner, Hannah Young, who is also my full time carer, and 2 children Corin and Anya. I've decided to challenge myself and help others and I’ve signed myself up for a huge challenge – to cycle from London to Paris. It's organised by a company called Skyline and I'm doing it for a charity called Brain and Spine Foundation, which helps with brain tumours and neurological conditions. The event is on 15th to 19th July. I want to be able to raise £3000 as it’s a massive challenge. The minimum I need to raise is £1400. If you feel you could help then please visit my Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/simonFND If you have any questions then please feel free to call me on 01986 788951 or 07803 764973. Thanks for your time. Simon 18 Pigeon Post The Pleasure of Learning Spanish A recent article in ‘The Guardian’ claimed that ‘learning a language is not just about being able to converse in another language - it can shape your brain to be smarter and boost your memory too’. Physiological studies support this, indicating that learning a language can boost abilities with other problem-solving tasks and better equip the brain at multi-tasking. Research has also shown positive results for language learners compared to monolingual people when it comes to staving off dementia, as the brain functions better with exercise and language learning strengthens this ‘muscle’. People who begin language study in their adult lives can still achieve levels of fluency and reap the same mental benefits. My first experience of travel abroad, a family holiday to Spain, changed my life’s direction - leading to a degree in Spanish Literature, periods of residence in Catalonia and Andalusia and a satisfying career teaching languages to others. I have been learning Spanish for 34 years and teaching for 18 of them. I continue to be as enthusiastic as ever. My students list a variety of reasons for learning the world’s third most spoken language (with 470 million native speakers worldwide.) Many want to communicate while travelling. Others needed some Spanish to make the big move abroad, whether retired or with a professional focus; restauranteurs, hoteliers, journalists and teachers. One of my ex-students, resident in the Granada region, has just published her first book about life in an Andalusian mountain village. Some have an academic aim, whether to pass an exam or read García Márquez in the original. Most of us though, just want to communicate with our ‘hosts’ in a country we enjoy spending time in. It is deeply satisfying to talk to people in their own language, to be able to deal competently with everyday situations from shopping or ordering food to passing the time of day with a local. Through language we enrich and broaden our experiences. Knowledge of a language opens doors to other cultures and people. Languages are primarily functional, most students want to understand and be able to speak. Spanish as a phonetic language is relatively easy to learn as words are spelt as they are pronounced, therefore learning to speak, understand, read and write are achievable aims. Our group classes in Harleston do fulfil a social function for some and provide an opportunity to meet others. There are some great resources available to make the learning process fun, including audio visual material to fine tune listening skills and connect us to the Spanish speaking world. Whatever the reason for wanting to learn Spanish, whether in a group, with a friend or partner or as a one to one, you can be sure it will be worth your while. Contact me for a free consultation via [email protected], telephone 01379 309 134 or see the website www.norfolkspanish.com Heather Ashdown 19 April 2015 ALM Taxis.. “Getting you to your destination safely, on time and very competitively priced” Airport Transfers Chauffeur Services Seaters 4, 5, 6, 8 Long or Short Distance Contract Work Welcomed 01379 608602 www.almtaxis.co.uk 14 Upper Olland Street, Bungay NR35 1BG Tel/Fax 01986 896147 Website: www.sewsos.co.uk Over 4,000 Bolts of American fabrics at very competitive prices, templates, stencils, quilting notions. Everything for the patchworker, fabric, threads, publications and kits. Workshops and classes - please ring for details Open 10 - 5pm Monday to Friday 10 - 4pm Saturday Karl Lugo Joinery and Carpentry Services For all your purpose-made joinery and carpentry Windows, doors, units, etc. Supply and fit Tel: 01986 782276 Mobile: 07879 477137 20 Pigeon Post Starston Flower Festival This will take place in St. Margaret’s Church on Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May. The theme is Anniversaries, celebrating local, national and international events. As part of the Flower Festival there will be an exhibition of old Starston photographs together with interesting Harleston photographs from the Denny collection on display in St Margaret’s Church at the same time as the festival. There will also be an Art and Contemporary Craft exhibition at the Coach House, Starston Place. Artworks from artists living in and around Starston, Harleston and Halesworth with paintings, portraits, glorious coloured silk scarves, Goldwork embroidery and individual textile pieces, plus examples from Starston Stitchers There will be a sales table with artists’ cards and small handmade items. Also a cake stall and light refreshments will be available at the Coach House, Starston Place. The opening times for the Flower Festival and the exhibitions are: Saturday 2nd: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Sunday 3rd: 12.00 noon - 6.00 pm Monday 4th 10.00 am - 5.00 pm Gardeners’ Question Time As a part of the Flower Festival being held in our lovely medieval church in Starston, we are holding an evening devoted to gardening. We have a panel of gardening professionals who, between them, have a huge range of experience - all ably chaired by our very own Michael Bartlett. The experts, Terry Illsley, Andy Bailey, Charles Moss and Ben Potterton, will be only too pleased to give advice on any gardening problems you may have, so do be ready with your questions when you arrive. The event is on Saturday May 2nd with a 7.00 pm start. The entrance fee is £6 and this includes a finger buffet and a soft drink. Wine will be available for a charge. To book tickets and for further information please contact:Tish Lombe Taylor: 01379 852393 or Margaret Griffiths: 01379 854385 Tickets are also available from the Information Centre in Exchange St Harleston. They will also be available at the door on the evening. 21 April 2015 Are you a Bake Off fan - has it inspired you? Is there a budding Delia in your house? Or maybe you are the chief cook and bottle washer! Whatever your particular kitchen skill WE NEED YOU - CAN YOU HELP? The Village is expecting Visitors, they are expecting CAKE. Over the early May Bank Holiday 2nd to 4th May the Starston Flower Festival will take place. We need lots and lots of cake! Some to be served with tea or coffee, some to sell on the cake stall. We also need help with preparing and serving, clearing tables and washing up. Whether you are a regular helper or someone who has never assisted at a village event before, we need you! Please give as much or as little help as you can, get in touch and tell us what you can do. A cake, a batch of scones, a tray of sausage rolls, muffins, two hours selling cakes, an hour of washing up. Don’t Delay! Bake Today Well, perhaps not quite today but let us know how you can help soon. Philippa: 01379 852210 [email protected] Ruth: 01379 852087 [email protected] Sue: 07788756541 [email protected] Billingford Windmill The Mill, which is owned by Norfolk County Council, will be open on the following dates: April 6th, May 24th, June 14th, July 19th, August 22nd, Sept 20th, Oct 25th. There will be guided tours of the mill on those dates. Also, for your enjoyment on the Common will be Vintage/Classic vehicles, Easter egg hunt, Local band, Fancy Dress, Bygone engines, Teddy parachute drop, Vintage tractors, Scavenger hunt and Shire horses. All events subject to availability and conditions. Phone Norfolk Windmills Trust volunteers for details on 01379 853967 or to let us know if you can help with stewarding. 22 Pigeon Post County Council News Norfolk County Council has approved 129 small highway projects across the county which will benefit from a share of £400,000 for safety measures. The cash will be for improvements such as flashing warning lights, mobile vehicle activated signs such as the SAM2, traffic islands, dropped kerbs and bus shelters. With town and parish councils match-funding the money the projects will get from the County Council, it means about £800,000 being spent to improve safety. This is the fourth year of the Parish Partnership which has proved popular with all town and parish councils. So far 11,052 items have been donated at our Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) events across South Norfolk, including 1,020 televisions, 348 DVD players and 112 hairdryers. It all adds up to 52 tonnes of goods that have been recycled or reused rather than being sent to landfill. We hold these events across the county so look out for the next one in Harleston and take your unwanted items along. As well collecting WEEE, you can also bring reusable furniture, clothes, textiles, and household batteries. Grants are available from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growing Waveney Valley Hogspital Following our article about this hedgehog rescue centre last month, we have been asked to say that they are desperate for support. Even a donation of £1.00 would be very welcome. Visit the web site at www.hogspital.co.uk Business Fund to expand your business and generate new jobs. The New Anglia Growth Hub supports growing businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk as well as individuals looking to start up, by offering free face-to-face business support. To find out more you can ask for an appointment with an advisor by calling 0300 333 6536 or email: [email protected] Finally I was pleased to open the newly refurbished Old Kings Head pub in Brockdish. I put the new owners in touch with The Pub Is The Hub, who gave free advice, and NCC who gave a grant of £4,000 to the new owner to create a coffee and bakery area within the pub. This pub is not only an asset for the village but for the Waveney Valley and I wish them every success for the future. My next surgery will be at HIP on Saturday June 6th 10.00 am. Please contact me at [email protected] 23 April 2015 Local Films in April Pennoyers Film (Pulham St. Mary) Title: The Imitation Game Date : Friday 17th April Time: 8.00 pm (Bar opens at 7.15) Cost: £4.00 in advance, £4.50 on the door During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. Booking advisable - phone: 01379 676660 Harleston Film (Archbishop Sancroft High School) Title: Mr Turner (12a) Date : Friday 10th April Time: 7.30 pm (Doors open 7.15) Cost: £4.00. Refreshments will be available in the interval. Mr Turner is a highly commended drama, reflecting the turbulent life of that great artist. Timothy Spall delivers a magnificent performance, portraying this eccentric painter who is living his last 25 years with gusto. To book, ring Harleston Information Plus on 01379 851917 – pay on the door. Alburgh Film (Alburgh Village Hall) Title: The Imitation Game Date : Friday 17th April Time: 7.30 pm (Bar opens 6.45) During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the Enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. Cost: £4.00. Fish and chips available from van from 6.30 onwards. No advance booking – just come along and pay on the door. 24 Pigeon Post Benefice Services and Events for Holy Week Dickleburgh Pulham Market Thursday 2nd 7.30pm Maundy Communion Saturday 4th 6.00 pm Easter Candle Friday 3rd 11.30am Service on the Green Pulham St Mary Starston Friday 3rd 10.30am Walk of Witness 6.00pm Readings and Hymns for Good Friday Friday 3rd 2.00pm The Last Hour St Margaret's Church Starston The Annual Vestry Meeting will be held on Sunday 12th April at 12 noon in St Margaret's Church, followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parochial Church Council. These meetings are to deal with the election of churchwardens, officers and members of the Parochial Church Council. The church belongs to the village and it is an opportunity to find out what has happened during 2014 and to discuss future ideas and proposals for the church. If you need any further information please contact Ruth Cawcutt, PCC Secretary: Email [email protected] or telephone 852087. Answers to the March Crossword ACROSS 1. 4. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 18. 20. 22. 23. 24. 25. Siphon Edison Maestri Clang Lodge Inflict Bloodstream Sextant Socle Itchy Drawers Toning Otiose DOWN 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 14. 15. 16. 17. 19. 21. Simple Plead On the go Decaf Stamina Negate Vicissitude Lexicon Restart T-shirt Lessee Aryan Credo 25 April 2015 April Crossword by 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 Puffin 7 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 CLUES ACROSS 1. 5. 8. 9. 10. 12. 14. 15. 17. 18. 21. 22. 24. 25. Land in hock (7) Check the credit for parasites (5) He plays with leather and willow (9) Ms Stubbs (3) Wrinkled fold (4) Ended (8) Needs planting each year (6) Whole world coverage (6) Delightfully pleasant (8) Fit for water (4) Exploit loses a letter for erosion (3) Improving the habit (9) Sea movements (5) Dark days when one might have no heirs (7) 23 25 CLUES DOWN 1. Come back (5) 2. Old Testament priest (3) 3. Smell loses its head for writing purposes (4) 4. Skewer for headware (6) 5. Pancake (8) 6. Soft and delicate (9) 7. Malicious addition to footwear (7) 11. Managed to find (9) 13. Principled castle (8) 14. Long ago (7) 16. Extinguishes (6) 19. Trademarks (5) 20. Jenny seen on an old coin (4) 23. Anger (3) 26 Pigeon Post Benefice Services in April Holy Week 5th Easter Day 12th Easter 2 19th Easter 3 26th Easter 4 Dickleburgh 9.30am Easter Communion 9.30am PC 9.30am BCP Communion 10.00am CC 9.30am PC Pulham Market 9.30am Easter Communion 8.00am HC 10.45am Service in Memorial Hall 9.30am HC 9.30am SW 8.00am HC 9.30am Easter Messy Communion 9.30am HC 9.30am BCP Matins 9.30am HC 11.00am Easter Communion 11.00am HC 11.00am SW 11.00am SW 11.00 Easter Communion 11.00am BCP Matins 11.00am HC 11.00am Great & Small 11.00am Easter Communion 11.00am With BCP Matins Dickleburgh Pulham St Mary Rushall See Page 24 for services and events in Holy Week Starston Thelveton 11.00am SW Key To Services HC: Holy Communion PC: Parish Communion BCP: Book of Common Prayer SW: Sunday Worship CC: Café Church Starston PCC Secretary: Ruth Cawcutt. Tel: 01379 852087 Email: [email protected] Web Site for Information on all Services: http://www.thebenefice.org.uk/ 27 April 2015 Starston Parish Council Edward Libbey Chairman 01379 855355 Bruce Colman Tree Warden 01379 854542 John Formston Footpaths 01379 853042 Lara Griffin Highways 01379 855271 Clerk to the Council 01379 309347 Vacancy Vacancy Vacancy Sonja Burnett To contact Starston Parish Council: [email protected] Starston Village Web Site: www.starstonvillage.co.uk Local Councillors Martin Wilby County 01379 741504 [email protected] Keith Tilcock District 07935 357909 [email protected] Community Services Local Buses - from Starston to Harleston and Starston to Long Stratton and Norwich Border Hoppa - this is a dial-a-ride service based around Harleston available to anyone who has no access to alternative transport. Police - (non-emergency) NHS Emergency & Urgent Care Services (Including Emergency out of hours chemist) Refuse Collection and Queries Harleston Information Plus For information Ring: 0871 200 22 33 To register and for more information ring: 01379 854800 Ring: 101 Ring: 111 when it’s less urgent than 999 Ring: 01508 533830 Ring: 01379 851917 [email protected] 28 Pigeon Post Denny Holloway Bricklayer Brick Work, General Building, Hard Landscaping etc 01379 853471 or 07939 144446 Printed by Town and Country Printers, Diss 01379 651107 www.tcprinters.co.uk/
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