Swaffham Newsletter

December 2018 

SWAFFHAM 

newslet ter 

Students from The Nicholas Hamond 

Academy proudly present their 

giant poppy made of recyclable plastics 

The poppy was presented to the Mayor Colin Houghton 

& Judy Anscombe, Chair of Governors to be added to the 

display outside the Market Cross Cafe. Read more on p.8 

published by

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surrounding villages. Rates per issue: 

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Pay for a six month run in advance and the 

sixth issue advertisement is free of charge 

Your monthly magazine is published by: 

Contact the editor: 

01760 722 800 

swaffhamnewsletter@gmail.com 

Swaffham Newsletter 

Iceni Partnership 

Swaffham Community Centre 

The Campingland 

Swaffham 

PE37 7RB 

Registered in England Company Number 4257830 Charity Number 1101814 VAT Number UK800057775 

Comments or queries welcomed. 

Delivery issues should be addressed to Kerry at 

Swaffham Town Council - details at rear of magazine. 

Deadline for editorial and advertising is the 

12th day of the previous month. 

Contents 

4 Upcoming Events / Regular Events 

8 School Speak 

9 Church News 

11 Merle Boddy Centre 

12 Swaffham & District Lions 

14 WI 

15 Rugby Club /SCALGA 

16 Lionesses 

18 Age Concern 

19 Swaffham Arts/Jazz Club 

22 Swaffham History Group 

27 Swaffham Rotary 

30 Swaffham Community Hospital LoF 

Deadline for January's Newsletter 

A reminder that in order to get January’s Newsletter 

printed and delivered in time for Christmas we must 

get all entries in by Wednesday 12th December. 

Anything submitted after this date will be too late. 

In-house design of advertisements available 

Please telephone Iceni Partnership on 

01760 722 800 to discuss your requirements 

or email swaffhamnewsletter@gmail.com 

Advertisers - due to a change of policy, decided 

at Iceni Partnership director level, we will be 

operating an industry standard pre-paid system 

of billing from the February issue onwards. 

We did not increase our rates in 2018 and our 6 

for the price of 5 offer will be available to all. 

32 Museum Matters 

34 Swaffham Town FC/Town Team 

35 RBL/Swaffham Camera Club/U3A 

37 Mayor's Parlour/Iceni Writers 

38 Town Council 

Merry Christmas to our readers! 

The Iceni Partnership would like to wish all our readers 

a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. A big 

thanks goes to all the volunteers and contributors 

who make the Newsletter possible. We look forward 

to seeing what 2019 will have in store! 

Community Learning 

At 

Swaffham Community Centre 

Food Shopping on a Budget 

Join a free fun course to improve your skills. 

Learn hints for making the most of your food shopping budget. 

Compare prices and special offers or share tips with other members of the group. 

Best of all enjoy some tasty meals! 

Taster Session 

Monday 3rd December 

10:00 am to 12:00 noon 

(Free - 5 week course to follow in the New Year) 

To book a place 

Give your name and contact details 

to Jonathan, Don or Clare at Swaffham Community Centre. 

Or email robert.jordan2@norfolk.gov.uk 

www.norfolk.gov.uk/adultlearning 

@NorfolkCLS 

1 

Norfolk Community Learning Services

Upcoming Events 

Holme Hale Christmas Bazaar Saturday 1st December, 10am to 

3pm, Holme Hale Village Hall. Join us for a chance to buy some amazing gifts 

from a range of sellers. We will have a tombola, various games and activities for 

children, refreshments will be available to purchase. 

North Pickenham Christmas Fayre Saturday 1st December 2018, 

11am to 2.30pm, St Andrew's Church, North Pickenham. There'll be crafts; 

woodwork; gifts; stocking fillers; decorations; jams and marmalades; chutneys 

and pickles; cakes and biscuits; sweets; books and puzzles; and much more. Fun 

activities for children. Refreshments, tombola, games and competitions! If you 

would like a stall at the Fayre, contact Carolyn Vincent on 07828 633015; 01760 

755089; or email: carolyn@ourgardenshed.co.uk 

Rotary Club Christmas Fayre 

Saturday 1st December, 9.30am to 2.30pm, Swaffham Assembly Rooms. Free 

entry. 

Festive Afternoon Tea 

Sunday 2nd December 2018, Pentney Village Hall PE32 1JD, 3 - 5pm. Raffle. 

Tickets £5 from Janis Bell 07887983568 or Marion Storey 01760337888 

Swaffham & District Mental Health Association AGM 

Thursday 6th December, 3.15pm, Merle Boddy Centre, Station Yard, Swaffham. 

We hope you will be able to join us. All welcome. 

World Wars Performance/Commemoration 7pm, December 

6th, Great Dunham Village Hall. Run by Great Dunham School, entrance will be 

free but those wishing to attend will need to tell the school in advance to ensure 

that all parents can attend. The commemoration will include details about all 

the men, where they lived, what jobs they had, where they fought and died and 

are buried or commemorated. There will be song, dance and poetry from the 

period. The Last Post will be played by a bugler. 

Pheonix Singers Performance 'Its the Most Wonderful Time of the 

Year'. The Pheonix Singers are to perform their latest production in the newly 

re-furbished Methodist Church, Swaffham on Friday 7th December at 7.30pm. 

Admission costs £7 including refreshments. 

Quiz and Chips December 7th, Great Dunham Village Hall, for 7.30pm. 

Choice of Fish, Chicken, Sausages or Veggie Burger all served with chips. 8 

Rounds plus raffle (good prizes) and a True or False fun round at the end. Make 

up a table of 4/5/6 and come along for an enjoyable fun evening. Christmas 

themed Fancy Dress competition. To book ring Mike asap on 01328 701533. 

Children's Christmas Party Sunday 9th December, 11am to 2pm, 

Holme Hale Village Hall. Come to our fun Christmas party with a disco, games 

and great food will start the Christmas period off with a bang! 

Swaffham Jazz Club - The Colin Mason Quartet With 

Eileanora, Keyboard & Vocals plus Tap Robinson, Guitar. Tues 11th Dec, 7.30pm, 

Conservative Club, London Street PE37 7DD. £7 on the door. 

Norman 01760 722384. Geoff 01366 328730 

Munch & Mardle - Craft Fair December 13th, 12 noon to 3pm 

(hot food from 12.30 to 2.30), Great Dunham Village Hall. Come and enjoy a 

sociable pre-Christmas gathering with your neighbours. Everyone welcome and 

Shepherds Pie is on the menu. 

Free Christmas Meal Tuesday 25th December, midday to 3pm, 

Swaffham Assembly Rooms. Come and join us for a full Christmas dinner with 

all the trimmings, followed by festive entertainment. All free and open to all. To 

book your place contact Iceni Partnership on 01760 722800. 

Free Tai Chi Taster Session Friday 4th January 2019, 10.00am, 

Swaffham Community Centre, Campingland, Swaffham PE37 7RB. The way we 

move, breath stand and walk, and even sit can have a positive effect on our 

general heath. There are very few of us today who do not spend much of our 

time feeling tense. The hectic pace of modern living and lack of exercise leaves 

us tired and exhausted. You need some form of exercise that gently and steadily 

relaxes the body, and most importantly refreshes the mind! Tai chi is an exercise 

that develops both the physical, mental, external and internal health of the 

body; it also achieves well-being and balance in your life! Call or email to save 

your space: academytaichi@yahoo.co.uk, 01760 723102 or 07587 567406. 

Westacre Theatre www.westacretheatre.com 01760 755800 

Thu 6 Dec: On Stage: Lamphouse Theatre presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – 

suitable for age 6 upwards. 6:30pm £10 (under 21s £8) 

13 performances from Sat 15 Dec to Sat 29 Dec: On Stage: WIND IN THE 

WILLOWS 2 – seasonal treat based on characters (including Mole, Badger, Ratty 

and Mr Toad) created by Kenneth Grahame. Some days have matinees at 3pm 

and some have evenings at 7pm. Ticket prices vary according to performance at 

either £12 or £16 (under 21s £8 or £10). 

Tue 15 Jan: On Screen: NT Live! from Almeida Theatre: KING RICHARD THE 

SECOND starring Simon Russell Beale. 7pm £15 

Sat 26 Jan: On Screen: NT Encore: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA starring Ralph 

Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo. 2pm £15 

Art Exhibitions in Foyer Gallery: until 13 Jan – a celebration of the artistic talent 

by pupils at our local primary schools. Open free at all performance times. 

4 

Regular Meetings & Events 

MONDAY 

1st Swaffham Scouts 7-9 at Cockley Cley, Iceni Village, Scout Hut. 

For ages 10 1/2 -14. New recruits welcome. Boys or girls. Contact Scout 

Leader Adrian Searle on 07771 603409 or group Secretary Ali Plomer 

on 01760 441175 

Art Class at The Old Art Room 93 Market Place. Techniques, 

Tips, Inspiration in a modern equipped Art Studio. 10am until 12.15 £10 

Tel.01760 337181 je.clark176@btinternet.com 

Central Norfolk Dog Training Club Upstairs in Church Rooms, 

Campingland. 4 classes available, from puppies to intermediate.Tel: Chris 07745 

892417 

Citizens Advice Swaffham Community Centre, 10am until 12:30pm 

Free Meal Monday Every 3rd Monday of the month, 11am - 1pm, 

Swaffham Assembly Rooms. Join us for a free 2 course vegetarian meal. 

Kickboxing Club Juniors 5+ 5pm – 6pm, Inters 6-7pm, Adults 7pm – 

8.30pm Plowright Place. Call Trevor on 07585707196 

The Phoenix Singers rehearse each week in the Methodist Church 

Hall at 7:30pm. New members welcome. Contact Marion 01760 724 473 

Playdayz – Parent/toddler group Sacred Heart School 9.30- 

11.30am term time only. £1 per session/per family (includes a snack) 

Contact: Tor Howman 07854 736 920 

Rotary Club of Swaffham Meets at The George Hotel - 1st Monday 

of the month, 12:45 for 1pm, other Mondays 7 for 7:30pm. Tel Claire Dunne 

722504 

Seniors Keep Fit 6.15pm at Stanley’s, Lynn Road Tel Gemma on 

07702 197994/07425 607667 

Swaffham 1894 Squadron Air Training Corps 7.00 - 9.30pm. 

TA Centre, Sporle Road, Swaffham. Ages 13 to 18 years. Tel: 

01760724617 

Swaffham History Group 2nd Monday, 2 – 4pm, Swaffham 

Museum. New members always welcome – no charge. Tel 01760 

724470 

Swaffham Lions Meet on the 2nd Monday of the month at 

Swaffham Assembly Rooms,7:30pm. All welcome. Contact Peter Young 

01760 724120 

Swaffham Players every Monday and Wednesday, 7:30pm Baptist 

Church, Swaffham. If you are interested in joining a fabulous team 

please contact John or Nicky on 01760 721568 or email swaffhamplayers@ 

gmail.com 

Junior Snooker & Billiards 4-7pm @ The Norfolk Snooker 

Academy, West Acre 01760 755337 for details and to book, 9 -16 years 

TOSH community drama group meets 7.30pm Monday & Wednesday 

at the Church Rooms, Campingland All ages welcome. More details 

Fiona 07768211087 

Youthie 5.30 - 7pm, age 8 - yr 6. Swaffham Community Centre. 

Contact 01760 722800 for more info. 

TUESDAY 

1st Swaffham Cubs Meet Tuesday 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Scout Hut at 

Cockley Cley. For boys and girls aged 8 to 10 1/2. New members welcome. For 

more information contact Group Scout Leader, Carolyn Cooper 07816 208687 

gsl1stswaffham@gmail.com 

Swaffham Army Cadets TA Centre, Sporle Rd 7.30-9.30pm. Ages 12 – 

18. www.norfolkacf.org 2907pea@armymail.mod.uk 07899 189 973 

The Art Studio Modern Art Evening Classes By Peter Henry 

PGCE, BA. Tuesdays 7-9pm Church Rooms, Campingland. Refreshments. 

Adults/all abilitiesEmail: salsum06@aol.com/01760 720540 

Swaffham Bridge Club The Church Rooms,Church of Our Lady of Pity 

31, Station Street. Swaffham PE37 7HP 6.30pm for 6.45pm. Sue 01328 

701545 

Swaffham Carpet Bowls Community Centre. 2 hours from 2pm for 

£2. Tea & biscuits inc. Call Alan on 01760 723 910 

Child Health Clinic at Swaffham Children Centre. 01760 721101 1st 

Tuesday monthly 1.15 - 2.45pm run by local Health Visiting Team 

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship Coffee Morning, third 

Tuesday at 10:15am. Methodist Hall, London Street. Tel: David Moore 

01760 723740 

CAMEO Coffee 10am-noon. ‘Come And Meet Each Other’. Free tea, 

coffee & hot chocolate in a relaxed cafe style setting. Discovery Hour: 10am 

- 11am. Looking at and discussing a small bible passage. Oasis Centre 01760 

723 175 

Crafts, Textiles and Dressmaking at The Old Art Room 

93 Market Place. Techniques, Tips, Inspiration in a modern equipped Art 

&Textile Studio. 10am until 12.15 and 12.30 until 2.45 £9 Tel.01760 337181 

Jump, Jive & Swing Swaffham Community Centre, 7.45pm. Classes 8pm 

until 9.45pm with social dancing until 10.30pm. www.jumpjiveswing.com 

Mamma Munay (Mother Love) - antenatal classes on alternate 

Tuesday afternoons at The Green Parrot. …all welcome at all stages of your 

pregnancy. Booking essential on 01760 724704 or Anne 07469243052 

Pickenhams’ WI 2nd Tuesday 2pm St Andrew’s Church (not August) 

PROBUS Club of Swaffham Meet second Tues of the month for lunch 

at the George Hotel, 12.30 for 1pm. Rod Goddard 01760 722 834 rodgoddard@ 

hotmail.com 

Swaffham Voices 7.30-9.30pm. Swaffham Community Centre. 

Interested in joining us? 01760 336 313 rainbowcommunitychoir.org.uk 

Royal British Legion, Swaffham & District Branch 8pm, 

3rd Tuesday Swaffham Conservative Club. Tel: David Thorogood 

01760622751 The Royal British Legion (Women’s Section) 

We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Valentine Barker Court, 

Swaffham, from 2-30pm – 4-30pm. All welcome, you do not have to be 

ex- service personal or have connection with the Armed Forces. Please 

Contact Frances on 01760 724445 or Iris on 01760 721430, 

The Royal Elizabethan Lodge Meets alternate Tuesdays, 8pm in 

the Conservative Club. Tel: W Rogers 01760 720632 or S Trattle 01760 

721760 

Swaffham Rugby Football Club Tuesday Seniors Training 7:30 - 9 

Seniors Keep Fit 3pm See Monday’s Senior’s Keep Fit 

Stitch, Mardle and Mend A group of keen crafters covering 

Patchwork, Knitting, Crochet, Cross Stitch etc 7-9pm, £1. 

Tel Adrienne 01760 336268 

Slimming World Conservative Club, 10am. Swaffham Asssembly 

Rooms 5.30pm & 7.30pm. Edyta 07428 516814 

SNAP (Safer Neighbourhood Action Partnership) 

Meetings held 3rd Tuesday every other month, starting Tuesday 17th July. Town Hall, 

7pm. 

Sporle WI 3rd Tuesday, 1.45pm ready for our speaker at 2pm. For any 

further information please ring Celia on 01362 687316 

Swaffham St John Ambulance Cadets 7.15pm until 8.45pm,10 

to 17 year olds. Natalie Rudd on 07771620634/natalie.rudd@ 

btinternet.com 

Taekwondo 6:30 - 7:30pm Swaffham Community Centre 01760336044 

Tai Chi beginners welcome East Dereham at 10am 01760723102 

Swaffham Wellbeing Group Are you feeling low, or recovering 

from ill health? Just want to meet other people? Make new friends at 

Community Centre, every Tuesday 10.30 – 1.00. Contact Family Action. 

Tel: 01760 725801 

Swaffham Market (Morning) WI Second Tuesday of every 

Month, 10.30am Assembly Rooms. Ladies over 18 welcome. Meg 

Dorling: 01760 722139 meg_dorling@msn.com 

Tom’s Kickboxing Academy 6pm - 7pm Juniors, 7pm - 8.15pm 

Seniors (16+) , Holme Hale Village Hall IP25 7DP 

West Acre Carpet Bowls Club West Acre Village Hall, 2 - 4pm. £2 

per session. Equipment and refreshments provided – all welcome. Tel: 

Belinda 01760 755184 or Betty 01760 755235 Email: Belinda_Bush@ 

hotmail.com 

Women’s Section Royal British Legion At Valentine Barker 

Court, 2nd Tues at 2.30pm. Tel: Frances 01760 724445 or Iris 01760 

721430 

Weight Watchers 5:30-6.30pm Swaffham Community Centre. 

Nikki 07970316054 

Yoga at Great Dunham Village Hall 10.30am till 12.00pm, £8 per 

session, please contact Jayne on 07544974342 

Yoga at Necton Community Centre 

2pm till 3.30pm, £8 per session, please contact Jayne on 07544974342 

Zumba With Becks Swaffham Assembly Rooms 7-8pm bectuff@ 

hotmail.co.uk £5 

WEDNESDAY 

1st Swaffham Rainbows Term time only, 17:00-18:00 Swaffham 

Infant School. Girls aged 5 to 7 yrs. Tracey Clements 07770236689 

2nd Swaffham Brownies Term time only, 18:00-19:30. Meeting 

at Swaffham First School. Girls aged 7 to 10 yrs invited to join. Contact 

Clare Smith 07917468057 or Chrissie Brown 07970104771. 

Swaffham 1894 Squadron Air Training Corps 7:00-9:30pm. 

TA Centre, Sporle Road, Swaffham. Ages 12 (yr8) to 18 years. Tel: 

01760724617 

Alzheimer`s Society Dementia Café first Wednesday every 

month from 10am-12noon. Swaffham Assembly Rooms, Market Place, 

Swaffham. Support, information and social activity.Refreshments provided. 

01603 763556 

Arts Lounge beginners/refreshers art classes Weds, Thurs & 

Friday 10-1pm or 1.30-4.30pm, £25 per session Call 01760 723624 

5 

Bingo First Wednesday of every month, Holme Hale Pavilion. Eyes 

down 7:30pm. Cash prizes. Tel: June Hewing 01760 441327 

Bingo Swaffham Conservative Club 7:00 – 9:00pm (eyes down for 

7:30). Non-members 30p entry. 

Swaffham Camera Club 1st and 3rd Weds of every month, 7 for 

7:30pm at Lydney House, Norwich Road. All abilities welcome! Steve Ward 

01366 328567 

Creative Textile Certificate 10 Week Course at The Old Art Room, 

93 Market Place Swaffham. Tel Jane 01760 337181 

Dementia Café Free cafe offering support, information for those living 

with dementia and their families/carers. Assembly Rooms. 01603 763 556 

Swaffham WI Church Rooms, Campingland. 1st Wed 2pm Telephone 

Fiona Walker on 01760 722879. 

Healing Rooms The Oasis Centre, Cley Road 11am - 12noon. Book 

a session to experience the healing power of Jesus. Tel: 01760 723175 

Henchmans Beginners games night. A night of games especially 

for people wanting to give it a try. We'll play a variety games tailored 

for beginners and those wanting to dip their toes in the games pond. 

Refreshments available. From 7pm. 13 Station Street, Swaffham. 01760 

788427 

The Swaffham and District Branch of the Labour Party 

meets in the Community Centre at 7.30 pm, first Weds of the month. 

Stitch, Mardle and Mend A group of keen crafters covering 

Patchwork, Knitting, Crochet etc. From 10am at Market Cross Inn, 


Oasis Wednesday Worship: 10am - 11am. Worship and prayer 

Acrylic/Oil painting workshops 

Arts Lounge Gallery Studio, 15 Market Place Swaffham are on Wednesday, 

Thursday and Friday. Two sessions each day, 0930-1230 or 1pm-4pm, £30 per 

session includes all equipment, materials and refreshments. Call 01760 723624 

to book. 

Baby Signing Classes -Sing and Sign 

Swaffham Community Centre (Dickens Room). Help your baby to 

communicate before speech with our award winning music classes. 10am 

Stage 2 14mths - 2yrs. 11am Stage 1 6mths - 14mths. Term time only. Booking 

is essential as places are limited. Contact Andrea 07905 061336 or Email 

kingslynn@singandsign.co.uk 

Swaffham Players every Monday and Wednesday, 7:30pm Baptist 

Church, Swaffham. If you are interested in joining a fabulous team 

please contact John or Nicky on 01760 721568 or email swaffhamplayers@ 

gmail.com 

Swaffham Veterans Snooker Group (60+) 10am-1pm at West Acre 

Village Hall, PE32 1TQ. £3 per player. Call Phillip on 01760 755337 

St. John Ambulance - Swaffham (Adults) Every Wednesday 

7.30pm - 9.30pm First Aid training 18 years upwards. 07900927233 

Swaffham & Watton Club for the Visually Impaired 

Swaffham Community Centre 4th Wed (except August) 1.30-3.30pm £3. 

01603 629558 

Tai Chi beginners class 10am Swaffham Community Centre 

01760723102 or barbara.smith58@yahoo.co.uk 

http://www.academytaichi.co.uk 

Tom’s Kickboxing Academy 

6pm - 7pm Juniors, 7pm - 8.15pm Seniors (16+) , Holme Hale Village Hall IP25 

7DP 

TOSH community drama group meets 7.30pm Monday & Wednesday 

at the Church Rooms, Campingland All ages welcome. More details 

Fiona 07768211087 

Whist Drive Bradenham Village Hall, 7:30pm. All welcome. 01760 440038. £3 

THURSDAY 

1st Swaffham Beavers Meet Thursday 6 to 7:15 at the Scout Hut 

at Cockley Cley. For boys and girls aged 6 to 8. New members welcome. For 

more information contact Group Scout Leader, Carolyn Cooper 07816 208687 

gsl1stswaffham@gmail.com 

Acrylic/Oil painting workshops Arts Lounge Gallery Studio, 15 

Market Place Swaffham are on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Two sessions 

each day, 0930-1230 or 1pm-4pm, £30 per session includes all equipment, 

materials and refreshments. Call 01760 723624 

Beachamwell WI 1st Thursday 7.30pm. New members or visitors always 

welcome. Contact Maggie 01366 327023 or Helen 01366 328589 

Swaffham Bridge Club See Tues for details. 6.30pm for 6.45pm 

start except for the first Thursday in the month 2pm to 6pm 

Crafts, Textiles and Dressmaking at The Old Art Room 

93 Market Place. Techniques, Tips, Inspiration in a modern equipped Art 

&Textile Studio. 10am until 12.15 and 12.30 until 2.45 £9 Tel.01760 337181 

Great Massingham Film Night Great films every third Thursday of the 

month. 7 for 7.30 at the Village Hall, Station Road. £4.00 with refreshments. 

Email:massinghamfilmnight@gmail.com to ask for programme details or 

phone 01485 520628.

Happidojo Marham Judo Club Sandringham Centre, Marham, PE33 

9NP 3-4yrs 5.20-6 Fun & Games,5-7yrs:6-7pm, 8-16yrs:7-8pm. Adv. Juniors, Seniors 

17+ : 8-9.30pm FIRST LESSON FREE. Then 3-4yrs £2, 5-12yrs- £3. 13-16yrs -£1.00. 17+ 

- £3.50. Colin McCallum. 07905278857 or www.happidojomarhamjudoclub. 

btckco.uk 

Henchmans Board games. £2.50 per person. 7-11pm. Henchmans, 13 Station 

Street, Swaffham. 01760 788427. New players always welcome (over 18) 

Holme Hale Carpet Bowls Every Thursday 7-9pm, Holme Hale 

Community Hall. No experience or equipment needed. £2 

Iceni Stitchers Ladies group meeting on 3rd Thursday of the month at 

Swaffham Community Centre, 1.30 - 4.30pm. Kate Davies 01760 622254 

Kickboxing Club Juniors 5+ 5pm – 6pm, Inters 6-7pm, Adults 7pm – 

8.30pm Plowright Place. Call Trevor on 07585707196 

Kirtan for Health Relax and enjoy the meditative benefits whilst 

singing/chanting beautiful songs and ancient mantras. Sessions every 

other Thursday. £6 including refreshments. For details contact Chris on 

07957 405823 or chrissywillis57@yahoo.co.uk 

Free Lipreading Classes for people with an acquired hearing loss. 

Thursday’s at 10 am to noon in the Catholic Church Rooms, 31 Station 

Road, Swaffham. Contact Hayley at lipreadingwithhayley@gmail.com 

RAF Marham Food and Craft Market 1st Thursday 12am to 5 

pm. Sandringham Centre Upper Marham PE33 9NP (Behind Spar) 07766 

078123 

Mothers’ Union The Swaffham branch of the Mothers’ Union – the largest 

organisation within the Church of England – usually meets on the 2nd Thursday 

of the month. Enquiries to Anne 336328 

Swaffham Lioness Club First Thurs of every month, 7.30pm in 

Our Lady of Pity Catholic Church rooms, Station St., Swaffham. Enjoy 

friendship whilst serving the community. All ladies welcome. Tel: 01760 

723377 

Pilates 3 – 4pm, Swaffham Community Centre. Call Di Graham – 01328 

851970 – before your first session. 

Swaffham Rugby Football Club Seniors 17+ training 7:30-9, 

Salsa 7-9pm Swaffham Assembly Rooms. 07912366661 

Swaffham Sparklers Swaffham branch of the Red Hat Society meets 

2nd Thurs of the month, 7 pm: Jill Neale 01760 723466 

RockaVoX Every Thursday, 7pm - 9pm, Swaffham Community Centre. 

Contact Tiggy on jdtmusic@hotmail.co.uk for more information. 

Tom’s Kickboxing Academy 6pm - 7pm Juniors, 7pm - 8.15pm Seniors 

(16+) , Shipdham Pavillion IP25 7LU 

U3A The Wissey U3A 1st Thursday of the month at Holme Hale 

Pavilion, 09.45 - 12 noon. Annual Memb. £10. Contact 01760 721247 for 

more details 

Weight Watchers 10-11am Swaffham Community Centre. 

Cheryl 07941 319 742 

Youthie Plus 5:30 – 7pm, Swaffham Community Centre. 

For years 6, 7 & 8 Free entry. Contact 01760 722800 for more info. 

Youthie Hub 7.30 - 9pm, Swaffham Community Centre. Age 13 +. Contact 

01760 722800 for more info. 

West Acre Carpet Bowls Club West Acre Village Hall, 2 - 4pm. £2 

per session. Equipment and refreshments provided – all welcome. Tel: 

Belinda 01760 755184 or Betty 01760 755235 

Email: Belinda_Bush@hotmail.com 

FRIDAY 

2nd Swaffham Guides Term time only, 18:30-20:30. Church Rooms, 

Campingland. Girls aged 10-16yrs invited to join. Contact 07769294414 

Acoholics Anonymous Every Friday at 1pm in Parish Rooms at St 

Dominic’s RC Church,Howdale Rd, Downham Market 

Adult Ballet For Beginners 6:15pm See Monday’s Senior’s Keep Fit 

Age Concern-Swaffham Support Services at Community Centre 

Volunteer recruitment 10.30am - 12.00 noon 1st Friday of the month 

Adult Tap 7:15pm See Monday’s Senior’s Keep Fit 

Acrylic/Oil painting workshops Arts Lounge Gallery Studio, 15 

Market Place Swaffham are on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Two sessions 

each day, 0930-1230 or 1pm-4pm, £30 per session includes all equipment, 

materials and refreshments. Call 01760 723624 to book. 

Art, Printing and Paper Craft Session at The Old Art Room 

93 Market Place. Techniques, Tips, Inspiration and printing presses in a modern 

equipped Art &Textile Studio. 10am until 12.30 £10 Tel.01760 337181 

Bingo at Narborough Community Centre Doors 6.30pm, eyesdown 

7.45pm Contact Mrs Hennessy 01760 337540 

Swaffham Bellringers Practice St. Peter & St. Paul Church, 7:30pm on 

the Friday preceding the 2nd Sunday of the month. Beginners welcome. Tel: 01760 

724944/lindaringer0447@gmail.com 

Swaffham Carpet Bowls Community Centre. 2 hours from 6.30 for £3. 

Tea & biscuits inc. Call Alan on 01760 723 910 

Coffee Morning At Ashill Community Centre 2nd Friday every 

month, 10am until noon. 01760 441 651 

Country Music Last Friday of each month at the communal lounge at 

Valentine Barker Court, 7.30 to 22.30. Families and friends, free raffle & donations 

for Wish Upon a Star children’s cancer charity. 0370 192 4797 

Games Evening & Social 2nd Friday/month Swaffham Baptists Church 

Hall - 7:30. All welcome 

Swaffham’s Green Gym Friday 8.30am Recreation Ground, Haspalls Rd 

Henchmans Early Friday Night Magic at Henchmans, 13 Station Street. 2pm 

to 6pm. Friday Night Magic at Henchmans from 7pm. 01760788427 

Iceni Lunch Club Swaffham Community Centre, £6.00 for two 

courses and tea/coffee every Friday 12.30pm. 01760 722 800 

Indoor Market Swaffham Assembly Rooms 9am-2pm, free entry. 

Refreshments, various stalls… bookings contact Haydn 07957 862 239 

Judo Sacred Heart School 6-7:30pm £2.50 5 years+ Tel. 07920440235 

Oasis Messy Church 6pm every 3rd Friday Fun event for all ages. £1. 

www.facebook.com/oasiscentreswaffham 

Rise and shine Baby & Toddler Group: 10am - 12noon. Large play area. 

£1.50 per adult/chld. 50p any extra persons. Incl drink & a biscuit 

Senior Snooker (60 years +) @ The Norfolk Snooker Academy, West 

Acre £4 per session Facebook - Norfolk Snooker Academy 01760 755337 

Sporle Art Group Meets every Friday at 1pm-3pm. in the community hall. 

No tuition given, bring your own materials. Free intro then £2 per week. 01760 

724615 

Swaffham Senior Section Term time only. 19:30- 21:00. For young 

women aged 14 to 25yrs. Contact Tracey Clements 07770236689 or Chrissie 

Brown 07970105771 

Tai Chi for Health 10am. Swaffham Community Centre. Tel: 01760 

723102 or barbara.smith58@yahoo.co.uk http://www.academytaichi.co.uk 

Yoga at Dunham Village Hall 

10.30am till 12.00pm, £8 per session, please contact Jayne on 07544974342 

SATURDAY 

Art Class for over 12s ...and accompanied Children who want to use 

the sewing machine. The Old Art Room 93 Market Place. 2nd Saturday of the 

month.10 until 1pm £10 Tel.01760 337181 

Swaffham Bingo Club Community Centre last Sat in month, 7pm for 

7:30pm start. £2.50 annual membership, 50p for visitors. 

Paul Darby 07880 568628 

Buzzbox A hive of activity for young families, 10am to noon. On the 3rd 

Saturday of each month, in the parish church. Each session has a themed 

‘Sharing Circle’; illustrated and acted stories from the Bible; children’s 

discussions; songs; prayers; and birthday celebrations. All are welcome. 

Children’s Art Club 1st Saturday of the Month. 10am until 12.15 £10 

All Equipment, Snack and Drink provided Tel. 01760 337181 

Henchmans Warhammer Day. Join us for a day of playing, painting and 

modelling in store. from 10am to 5pm. £3 for the entire day or part thereof. 

All ages welcome. Customers are welcome to bring their existing models to 

paint and battle with but we do now stock Games Workshop paints, models 

& accessories. Terrain/accessories and rules for in-store battles are provided. 

13 Station Street, Swaffham. 01760 788427 

Parkrun Every Saturday at 9am on the filed adjacent to the Nicholas Hamond 

Academy, Brandon Rd, Swaffham. For further details contact David Wickerson: 

davidwickerson@btinternet.com 

Pentney Country Music Club www.pentneycowlsclub.co.uk 

weekly 01760 337 392 karenpentneycountryclub12@yahoo.co.uk 

Pilates Class 9-10.15am All Saints Centre, Church Lane, Boughton. 

Beginners welcome. £8 per session. 07515834729 

Pokemon; Yu-Gi-Oh! Magic: The Gathering for beginners alternate 

Sat. www.henchmans.com. Children welcome. 10.30am – 2pm 

Swaffham Market Traditional market, now 800 years old! Every 

Saturday 6am until 3pm. Swaffham Market Place. Details 01760 722 922 

Swaffham Rugby Football Club SwaffhamRUFC@outlook.com 

West Norfolk Crafters & Needleworkers Stitchers, crafters and 

knitters who meet at Leziate Village Hall on the 2nd Sat. 01553 765870 

SUNDAY 

Henchmans Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game from 12 noon until 4pm. £2.50 per 

person.Regular friendly tournaments. Konami registered store. Henchman’s, 13 

Station Street, Swaffham PE37 7LL. 

Kuk Sool Won Narborough Com. Centre 5.30 - 6.30pm. 07541261713 

Pentney Indoor Bowls Club bowls coaching for beginners and 

improvers Sundays 10am - 12noon. G Freezer 01760 722262 

Star Wars @ Henchmans 12-4pm www.henchmans.com 

Swaffham Rugby Football Club Minis 10:30-12. Games see Saturday 

Snooker @ The Norfolk Snooker Academy West Acre 

3 hours play £9. Facebook - Norfolk Snooker Academy 01760-755337 

Spiritual Awareness Group Most Sundays 5:15pm to 6:30pm for 

Healing and 6:30pm to 8:30pm Service at Swaffham Community Centre 

Plowright Place Halloween 2018 

Following their amazing Anglia in Bloom effort, 

Plowright Place excelled once more as they hosted 

their third Halloween celebration with support from 

Swaffham Town Council and local residents. This year 

was bigger and better and was well received by the 

children and their families. 

There were lots of spooky interactive games for 

children of all ages to engage with and the opportunity 

to earn a trick or treat. No child went away empty 

handed. Other games included 'bush tucker trial' 

traditional apple bobbing, hook a duckula, wack a 

rat, spiders hoopla and pumpkin toss. There was also 

face painting and an "old sparky" photo point. 

The weather was kind to us yet again, allowing us 

to deliver yet another fantastic event of smoke, UV 

& strobe light effects along side some spooky props. 

A big thank you to the following, without their 

support events like this wouldn't happen: Plowright 

Place businesses, Swaffham Town Council, Tesco, 

Combat Airsoft, Swaffham Raceway and the group of 

Swaffham residents who gave up their time to help. 

Swaffham Library News 

The Pightle, Swaffham PE37 7DF. Tel: 01760 721513 

Most of Norfolk’s libraries, Swaffham Library 

included, now have the Open Library system running 

which allows access to the library for longer hours, 

Sundays included. You will need to register to use 

the Open Library service which can be done in the 

library at one of our staffed sessions. 

*Library Available 

Mon-Fri 8am-7pm 

Saturday 8am-4pm 

Sunday 10am-4pm 

*During times when 

the library is available, 

without staff, you can 

access it using the 

Open Library system. 

Staffed Hours 

Tuesday 10am-7pm 

Thursday 10am-7pm 

Friday 1-7pm 

Saturday 10am-4pm 

Regular events at Swaffham Library 

Tuesday 

• Bounce and Rhymetime at Swaffham Library, 10- 

10.30am (term time only). Songs, rhymes and stories 

for pre-school children and their parents/carers. No 

need to book. Call the library on 01760 721513 for 

more information. 

• Digital Support at Swaffham Library, 10am-12noon. 

Help with getting online, filling in forms, setting up 

an email address etc. Book or drop in. Call the library 

on 01760 721513 for more information and booking. 

Thursday 

• Digital Support at Swaffham Library, 10am-12noon. 

Help with getting online, filling in forms, setting up 

an email address etc. Book or drop in. Call the library 

on 01760 721513 for more information and booking. 

• Games afternoon at Swaffham Library, 2-4pm. 

Drop in for a cuppa and a friendly chat over a game 

of Scrabble, cribbage or dominoes, or relax with 

some colouring. Call the library on 01760 721513 

for more information 

6 

7

The Nicholas Hamond Academy 

TNHA JOIN IN WW1 CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 

TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN 

A ‘sea of red poppies’ can be seen all 

round the town and particularly at the 

Market Cross in Swaffham where the 

outside is covered in a red carpet of contributions 

from local businesses and schools etc. This is part 

of the town’s celebrations of the 100 years of the 

end of WW1 and remembering the sacrifice of those 

involved. TNHA were proud to take along our giant 

poppy made of recyclable plastics. (Presented to the 

Mayor, Colin Houghton & Judy Anscombe, Chair of 

Governors). 

JOINING WITH LOCAL SERVICE FAMILIES 

Along with children at Cherry Trees Academy, and 

serviceman and woman from RAF Marham, our 

students joined what was a moving tribute marking 

the 100th anniversary of the WW1 Armistice when 

guns fell silent. They wrote their own poems and 

sang the song made popular by the Poppy Girls ‘The 

Call (No Need to Say Goodbye)’. 

ENDURING LEGACY 

Students joined in the award-winning initiative 

‘Legacy 110’ project participating in a trip to the 

battlefields, museums and graveyards of WW1, and 

having the honour of laying a wreath in the Last Post 

Remembrance Service at the Menin Gate, Ypres. 

Sponsored by the Institute of Education, the project 

aims for each student to create an enduring legacy 

by impacting upon at least 110 people within their 

local community, guided by their History Teacher. 

(Originally aiming for the total number of people 

reached by 2019 to equal 888,246 – the number of 

British & Commonwealth soldiers who fell during the 

First World War). We eagerly look forward to their 

project! 

HONOURING ‘THE FALLEN’ 

Army cadets, Air cadets, Brownies, Guides & Scouts 

uniforms could be seen amongst the usual school 

dress at TNHA, as part of the commemorations 

honouring ‘the fallen’. A huge display stands proudly 

in the foyer of the academy featuring poppies made 

by students as their tribute. 

Sacred Heart Convent 

A busy week for the Reception class at Sacred Heart 

During the half term holiday Mrs Clifton, Olivia and 

Isobel correctly guessed the weight of a 35kg giant 

pumpkin. (their prize – the pumpkin itself!) The 

Reception children then helped to cut, grate and 

chop to make delicious pumpkin soup. The boys and 

girls have carefully counted the (enormous) seeds so 

everyone can now grow their own. The Reception 

children then started work on the shell of the 

pumpkin, making a giant pumpkin face. And what 

does every good pumpkin farmer need? A scarecrow, 

so the next task was to make a scarecrow which the 

children christened, Bob. The childrens’ scarecrow 

will now enter into Westfields Care Home Scarecrow 

Competition – Good luck Reception! 

St Peter & St Paul’s Swaffham 

The December Services in Swaffham parish church 

will be as follows:- 

Sunday 2nd ADVENT SUNDAY 

8.00am Holy Communion 

9.30am Sung Eucharist 

6.00pm Advent Carol Service 

Wednesday 5th 

10.00am Holy Communion BCP 

Sunday 9th 



3.00pm St John Ambulance Carol Service 

Wednesday 12th 


Sunday 16th 


9.30am United Benefice Sung Eucharist 

Wednesday 19th 


Sunday 23rd 



6.00pm Carol Service 

Monday 24th CHRISTMAS EVE 

4.00pm Christingle Service 

11.30pm Midnight Mass 

Tuesday 25th CHRISTMAS DAY 


Sunday 30th 



NB 

Wednesday 2nd Jan 


Sunday 6th Jan THE EPIPHANY 



3.30pm Evensong 

The week-long CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL (our 

eighth) begins in the Parish Church on Saturday 1st 

December. There will be 29 trees decorated by local 

charities and refreshments will be available every day. 

Open from 10.00am to 4.00pm (11.00am to 4.00pm 

on Sunday 2nd). Please come along, admission is free, 

and everyone will be very welcome (including dogs). 

Wednesday 12th December. 7pm, Churches Together 

Town Carol Concert in the Assembly Rooms. 

MOTHERS’ UNION 

The Swaffham branch of the Mothers’ Union usually 

meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month. The next 

meeting will be at the later time of 11.00am on 

Thursday 13th December in the Vicarage, by kind 

invitation of the Vicar. This will be the Christmas 

Meeting which will be followed by a Shared Lunch. 

Enquiries to Anne on 336328 

8 

9

Swaffham Baptist Church 

Dates for December 2018 

Saturday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th December 

Fellowship Prayer 9.30-10.30am 

Sunday 2nd December (1st Sunday in Advent) 

Toy Service with Holy Communion 10.30am 

Sunday 9th December (2nd Sunday in Advent) 

Morning Service 10.30 am 

Sunday 16th December (3rd Sunday in Advent) 

Morning Service with Holy Communion 10.30am. 

Sunday 23rd December (4th Sunday in Advent) 

Morning Service 10.30am 

Carols by Candlelight 6pm 

Tuesday 25th December 

Christmas Day Service 10am to 10.45 

Friday 28th December 

Social and Games Evening in Church Hall 7.30pm 

Sunday 30th December 

Morning Service 10.30am 

All are most welcome to join us to worship together 

at any of the above Services and will receive a 

warm welcome. This is a special time of year as we 

celebrate the coming and birth of Jesus. 

Swaffham Baptist Church 

Do you remember the millennium? The days before 

were full of anticipation, excitement and hope that the 

the next 1000 years would bring a better world. I was 

helping to prepare a large family party for millennium 

eve when I fell and broke my arm. I went to the party, 

plastered up, arm in sling, watching others enjoying 

games and dancing, feeling sorry for myself. 

During the evening, unexpectedly, someone with a 

microphone asked me to tell everyone what my hopes 

and dreams were for the next millennium. I said what 

was uppermost in my mind - that my broken arm 

would heal quicky, so I could get on with my life. 

The next person who answered the question said 

she hoped for peace throughout the world; others 

following said for every single person to feel loved and 

cared for, justice for all, food to be shared so no-one 

went hungry, for more joy and happiness, and so it 

went on. 

Thinking it over later I realised my mistake - on a 

momentous occasion like the millennium, all I could 

think of was my own (temporary) situation. I forgot 

the bigger picture. 

During December we see all around us reminders of 

the world we all hope for; on cards, decorations, in 

the special music we hear. If we can all look beyond 

our busy preperations to see the "bigger picture" of 

peace, love, caring, bringing joy and happiness to 

those around us and beyond, how much better would 

our family life, towns, villages, country and beyond 

be. I remember a song from around 2000: 

'Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me'. 

1 st December – 8 th December 

St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Swaffham 

The countdown is on for our eighth 

Christmas Tree Festival starting 

on Saturday 1st December until 

Saturday 8th December at 4pm 

Refreshments will be served every day 

With 29 trees decorated by local charities 

Do not miss coming along this year. 

Open every day from 10am to 4pm 

Sunday 11am to 4pm 

Admission FREE 

Everyone very welcome 

For details contact Gill Creed on 

01760 724559 / 721237 

Swaffham Methodist Church 

N.B. Venue SHOULD be at our own Methodist Church building. 

Sat 1st Dec 9am - 12 noon Christmas Coffee Morning 

with stalls. Swaffham Methodist Church and Schoolroom. 

All morning breakfast £5. 

Sun 2nd Dec 10.45am Morning Worship with Rev 

Andrew King followed by refreshments. 

Thurs 6th Dec 2.30pm Nativity Narratives. Advent 

Bible study with Rev. Liz Jolly. 

Fri 7th Dec 9.30am - 10am Power of Prayer. 

Fri 7th Dec 7.30pm. Concert by The Phoenix Singers 

& St Withburga Hand Handbell Ringers followed by 

festive refreshments. Admission £7. 

Sun 9th Dec 10.45am Morning Worship followed by 

refreshments. 

Wed 12th Dec 7pm Churches Together Carol Concert 

in the Assembly Rooms. 

Thurs 13th Dec 2.30pm Thursday Group Advent 

Service followed by refreshments. 

Fri 14th Dec 9.30am - 10am Power of Prayer. 

Sun 16th Dec 10.45am. Carol Service led by Rev 

Andrew King followed by refreshments. 

Fri 21st Dec 9.30am - 10am. Power of Prayer. 

Sun 23rd Dec 10.45am. Local Arrangement followed 

by refreshments. 

Mon 24th Dec 3pm. Crib Service. 

Tues 25th Dec 10am Christmas Service led by Rev. 

Andrew King. 

Sun 30th Dec 10.45am. Morning Worship followed 

by refreshments. 

Just Hair/London Marathon Charity Ball 

Just Hair/London Marathon Charity Ball for The 

National Autistic Society. We would like to say a Huge 

Thank you to everyone who supported our Charity 

Ball at Lynford Hall on Saturday 17th November. 

Special thanks to all our sponsors; Keith Dickerson, 

Jayne Cross and Lucy Dickerson of Thain Wildbur 

Dereham, Christine Moore of Necton Labour 

Supplies, Gill, Keith, all the girls and customers of 

Just Hair, Tony and Maggie Abel of Abel Homes, Gary 

Evans ( DJ Gaz) Jim and Karl of Big Smiles Photography, 

Royal Stud Sandringham, Wildbloods, Pedlars Gold, 

Starlings, Laurie of Bespoke Cheesecakes, Amanda 

Gulliver Jary of Jarrolds Norwich, Man Utd Football 

Club, Norwich City Football Club, Ben Powley, Tanya 

Pitt, Teresa Allen, Dean Moulton, Joan Simmons, 

Karen Bowman, Necton Windmill, Val and John 

Camish, Emma Wilson of 2cHolidays, Kay of The 

Market Cross, Hannah Wing, Mike of The Busy Bee 

and Lynford Hall. 

We thank all our families and friends who came 

on the evening, helping us to raise a grand total of 

£10,065. You are all amazing as always, we thank 

you all from the bottom of our hearts. 

Love from the Just Hair Marathon Team 

Gill, Tanya, Lucy, Terry and John xxxxx 

Merle Boddy Centre 

Sister Frances visited with two very lovely young 

ladies to give us a cheque for £180, which was 

raised by the pupils of the Sacred Heart. This was a 

very unexpected surprise, but a very welcome one. 

I was invited to give a talk about the centre at the 

school's morning assembly and I loved every second. 

The school made my visit such a delight. Thanks to 

everyone who took part in my demonstrations, to all 

who asked such brilliant questions and of course to 

all who listened to my talk. 

Some of my craft minded clients put their hearts and 

souls into producing such a lovely poppy display and 

with some Norfolk rocks. The poppies were displayed 

in the East of England Coop funeral's window; thank 

you for giving us the space. 

After a wonderful meal perhaps this wasn't the best 

idea, but rock and roll was on the radio, so a jive was 

in order. Hazel and Doug put me through my paces - 

they certainly have got twinkle toes! 

We are a stand-alone charity so we have to constantly 

fundraise. This is a plea for if you have a hidden 

bottle of wine you're just not going to drink, or a gift 

you will never use. Please could we have them so we 

can use them for prizes for our forthcoming events. 

I would like to thank the community for helping us 

whenever we ask, you never let us down. 

Fundraising: We have placed around the town some 

wonderful gifts to win, so please have a go. At the 

moment they are in Red Lion, Ceres bookshop, Hair 

Unique, Tea Pot Cafe and the White Hart, but you 

may find them in other places too, it's only a pound 

a square. 

10 

11

Swaffham & District Lions 

Swaffham Lions held their 4th 

annual Trolley Dash at Swaffham’s 

Tesco store. Pauline Adams ticket 

was draw out to do the Dash, as 

she has walking difficulties the Lions 

allowed her to nominate a stand in. Reg Reynolds, a 

family friend, stepped up to the challenge. In the 90 

seconds allowed, Reg managed to collect £80 worth of 

goods much to the delight of Pauline. The £466 profit 

will go to Swaffham & Litcham Home Hospice Support. 

Great Gifts Available Now 

Five members of Swaffham Lions helped with the 

pumpkin carving at the Iceni Youth Club. With eighteen 

pumpkins supplied by Tesco, the eight to eleven year 

olds soon got into the carving mode. The Lions ensured 

that the young people, many dressed in Halloween 

costumes, had a good time carving a variety of different 

designs whilst being safe. The pumpkins went on display 

at the Halloween event in Plowright Place. 

Swaffham Lions held the first of two events to mark 

the 100 years since the end of the 1st World War at the 

Barn Theatre. The play Momentous Times, performed 

by Three’s Company, would have graced any West End 

stage. It was a dramatic presentation of the extraordinary 

experiences of five women in Europe during World 

War 1. The audience of sixty were captivated by the 

compelling, moving, and funny journey through the 

lives of the five women. During the performance the 

bells of the parish church were ringing, which added to 

the atmosphere. The evening raised £467 for the British 

Red Cross, who have been actively involved in conflicts 

throughout the world. 

CURTAINS : BLINDS : UPHOLSTERY : CANDLES & GIFTS 

19 Market Place, Swaffham 

PE37 7LA Tel: 01760 722541 

www.poppiinteriors.co.uk 

Swaffham Lions were only too pleased when asked by 

the Royal British Legion to do two days collecting for 

the Poppy Appeal at Tesco, especially at this time when 

remembering the 100 year anniversary of the end of 

the 1st World War. 

Swaffham saw one of the largest parades in recent 

history to mark Armistice Day. The parade included 

most of the local organisations and Swaffham Lions 

were among the service groups there. Lead by the 

band, the parade went from the Infant School to the 

War Memorial, where Lion President, Alan Jude, laid a 

wreath along with other leaders. 

12 

Swaffham Lions were delighted to support Trisha 

Mandall as she attempts to win more medals at the 

World Transplant Games in Newcastle on 17th -24th 

August 2019. Trisha, who is a volunteer at the Merle 

Boddy Centre, is a member of the Royal Papworth 

Transplant team, where she had a Heart Transplant in 

December 2011. She has already won two gold medals 

for archery and ball throwing, plus one silver medal 

for the 3k run at the 

British Games held 

in Liverpool. Trisha 

has been selected 

to represent Great 

Britain at darts in 

Newcastle; she will 

also take part in the 3k 

run and ball throwing. 

She will be joined 

by over 1500 other 

contestants from all 

over the world. 

Our biggest ever range 

of toys, clothing, models & gifts for all ages! 

Dereham Road, Beeston (nr Dereham) PE32 2LE 

01328 701347 | www.benburgess.co.uk 

Your local country hardware & garden store 

Open 8am - 6pm Monday - Friday & 8am - 12pm Saturday 

CARPET CLEANING 

Viruses and bacteria 

live in your carpet 

To improve air quality in your home and to create 

a safe environment for your family your carpet 

should be cleaned professionally every year 

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and to find out more on 01760 337762 

Covering the whole of East Anglia | www.xtraclean.co.uk

Sporle Afternoon WI 

The well and appropriately dressed 

Witches of Sporle who refreshed 

themselves with delicious soup and 

tasty desserts, have packed their broomsticks 

away. With Guy Fawkes all forgotten we now get 

down to dealing with WI business. November 

sees the year’s review of activities, outings, bank 

balances and the election of the 2019 Committee. 

This year all existing committee members, with the 

exception of the treasurer, are standing again. We 

have a volunteer to be the club’s new treasurer so 

our money will be in safe hands. Members have 

their chance to put forward ideas for forthcoming 

speakers, activities, outing or any items they think 

maybe of interest to fellow members. Christmas 

lunch is one such item! 

Sporle & District Afternoon WI every 3rd Tuesday 

of the month from 2pm till 4pm. Members start 

arriving from l.45pm in time to buy their raffle 

tickets, inspect the sales table, pick up their WI 

Gazette and meet with friends. Our speaker is first 

to entertain us, then we break for tea/coffee and 

cake followed by WI news, raffle and the meeting 

usually ends with a poem or entertaining verse. So 

ends an afternoon of friendship and interest and 

who knows what else! 

The Pickenhams WI 

At the beginning of our meeting we 

sang the National Anthem and Iris 

read us a piece about the woman's 

work role during the devastating First World War 

while the men were away fighting. They certainly 

kept the home fires burning. 

Our AGM progressed, the reports were read and 

the same officers and committee returned for 

one more year. Our speaker Muriel Small gave us 

a lovely demonstration and talk about sugar craft 

and members had a go. 

During the last month members have enjoyed 

-: Ten Pin Bowling, Coffee and Chat at the Blue 

Lion and a delicious Autumn Lunch prepared by 

Pentney WI. 

Future events include -: 1)WI Bottle Stall at the 

Church Christmas Fair on 1st Dec. 11am — 2.30pm. 

2) West Tofts Carol Service on Sunday 9th 

December at 6pm. 

The next Meeting is our Christmas Party Tuesday 

11th December at 2pm when we will be entertained 

by a member of the Magic Lantern Society. 

Swaffham WI 

The November meeting of Swaffham 

WI took place on 7th November in the 

Church Rooms at 2pm. We have changed 

the times for the winter period so that members do not 

have to come out in the cold and dark. November is the 

month when we have our AGM. This is when we vote 

our new committee in and choose our president for the 

coming year. 

We have our WI advisor to assist us so that we get things 

right and is independent from us. We are also hoping 

to team up with another local WI so we are looking 

forward to welcoming them to our group. When the 

business was finished we had tea and biscuits and drew 

the raffle. The meeting closed at 4pm. We welcome 

visitors and new members, so if you are interested 

phone our secretary on 01760 722879. 

W. Acre Halloween & Bonfire Night 

With rain, thunder and hailstones the West Acre 

Halloween and Bonfire night on 27th October was 

nearly a complete washout and so we have to 

expend our deep gratitude to everyone who came 

out to support us regardless of the weather. Luckily 

most of the rain was during the set up and held off 

for the evening and the fireworks display. Everyone 

seemed in good spirits (excuse the pun!) with lots 

of children entering the fancy dress competition, a 

busy BBQ and all of the soup, mulled wine and a 

barrel and half of real ale being sold. We would like 

to express our thanks for all the kind donations for 

our raffle prizes and to all the very wet volunteers 

who put so much time and effort into what could 

have been a complete washout. Against all the 

odds, surprisingly we made a small profit of just 

over £360. Not as much as usual but very much 

appreciated. Thank you. 

West Acre Village Hall Committee 

Regular Activities @ Swaffham Library 

Bounce and Rhymetime: Every Tuesday during term 

time, 11.15-11.45am. Drop in for songs and music 

for pre-schoolers and parents/carers. Free. 

Breckland Customer Services: Every Tuesday 10am- 

1pm & Fridays 1-5pm. Free. 

Computer Buddy Sessions: Every Tuesday 10am- 

12noon. Book or drop in for computer support. 

Most Thursday and Fridays 2-4pm. Booking 

required. Free. 

Games Afternoon: Every Thursday starting, 2-4pm. 

Drop in for a friendly chat over a cuppa and a game 

of Scrabble, draughts or dominoes. Free. 

Swaffham Rugby Club 

Swaffham Rugby Club’s 8th Annual Firework display 

was once again considered a big success. The Club’s 

event organiser, Chris Upton, rallied his troops and 

provided over 800 people with an entertaining and 

enjoyable evening. 

With stalls and food 

available from 5pm 

the crowd gradually 

filled the ground 

and clubhouse, 

and at 7pm the 

display began with 

a bang. A slightly 

longer and bigger 

display this year was 

delivered by Milky 

Brook’s men which 

everyone said was 

certainly worth it, 

and after last year’s problems with the supply of food, 

no chances were taken and there was plenty to go 

around. Although the date has yet to be confirmed, 

next year’s event will almost certainly be on the first 

Sunday in November as it always has been, as we 

look forward to the 9th year in a row. Fundraising to 

keep the Club financially secure, and at the same time 

support the community, is always a difficult balance 

and whilst all the profits from the Fireworks Display are 

retained by the club, there are many events during the 

rest of the year which donate to local causes. Over the 

course of the last 5 years the Club has given in excess 

of £4000 to local charities and has also provided free 

use of the facilities to many other charitable groups 

for fundraising functions. 

Rugby, like many other sports generally, is struggling 

to maintain player numbers at the levels of 15 years 

ago and the Club relies heavily on its local support 

both off the pitch and on it. The Mini and Youth 

section work hard to keep youngsters interested in 

the sport by providing fully qualified coaching every 

Sunday morning from October to April. To maintain 

this facility, Peter Harris, one of our older members, 

recently walked from Yarmouth to Kings Lynn on a 

sponsored walk and raised £560 to provide kit for our 

“players of the future”. 

Swaffham Relief in Need Charity 

Registered Charity No. 1072912 

Relief in Need is a Registered Charity which meets 6 times 

a year, offering grants for a specific purpose for the relief 

of persons resident in the area of benefit (i.e. Swaffham) 

who are in need, hardship or distress. Application Forms 

are available from the Town Hall or reliefinneed@ 

swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk. 

SCALGA 

Greetings from the allotments. 

We have had a very mild autumn and we were 

picking blackberries, raspberries and tomatoes until 

early November. The odd broad bean plant has 

popped up where the earlier crops were and they are 

flowering, whether we will get a small crop or not it 

will be interesting to see. The strawberry plants also 

have green fruit on them. 

Since the changing of the weather from autumn to 

winter the allotments as usual are slowing down. 

Hopefully maintenance of sheds and poly tunnels 

etc. has been done and we are all set for the 

seasonal weather. Unfortunately we had to cancel 

our Halloween night. The weather beforehand 

was awful and as it takes time and effort to erect 

shelter “just in case”; we decided not to go ahead. 

Also there were many other things going on in the 

town the same evening. A shame but there’s always 

next year. As you saw on the front cover of the last 

Newsletter, our retiring member Bill Twiddy certainly 

did grow the biggest pumpkin. 

At the last Forum meeting Chaired by the Town Clerk 

for the Council, where a gratifying number of our 

SCALGA members attended, the discussions were 

quite lively and questions asked, especially relating to 

management and expenditure. Unfortunately, there 

will be no further Forum meetings in the foreseeable 

future but we will keep members informed. 

The Council felt it would be fair to allow non SCALGA 

members a voice and have formed a sub-committee 

Chaired by Paul Darby and aided by Paul McMahon. 

Site representatives were to be appointed by The 

Council in order to give plot holders who are not 

members of SCALGA a fair chance of speaking their 

mind. We presently have “walk rounds” checking the 

plots with a Council employee who we value on these 

inspections. This has worked well as SCALGA are able 

to inform the Council at the time when a plot that 

may look unkempt is in fact due to the plot holder 

being ill and needing time or any other valid reason. 

On the other hand we are able to warn a member 

if their plot is not up to scratch and subsequently 

avoid them getting a warning letter from the Council. 

The welfare of livestock is also monitored. We have 

helped the Council on many occasions with such 

issues. The newly formed sub-committee we have 

been told, will also attend these inspections. We look 

forward to their input concerning non- members 

that we may not have knowledge of. 

Merry Christmas to you all, I already have my sprouts 

on the stove to ensure tenderness for Christmas day. 

Jennifer Edwards 

If you are interested in taking a plot or a starter 

plot, please call Graham or Jennifer Edwards on 

07919888870 or 07919888870 

14 

15

Myers Playing Field 

Myers Playing Field Trustees are very pleased with 

the results of the hedge trimming recently completed 

at their Shoemakers Lane site. The work had to wait 

until after the nesting season had finished, but 

also needed to be done when the ground was still 

hard enough to accommodate the large machinery 

necessary to trim the overgrown hedge. 

Before work 

Lioness Club - The Pride Of Swaffham. 

We have had a busy month making up Christmas 

shoeboxes of gifts to be sent abroad for the “Love in a 

Box” charity. We have been to our Region Lions meeting 

held at the Chequers at Wimbotsham and have also 

hosted our District Lioness Meeting held in Swaffham 

which was attended by our National Lioness Chairman 

Jeanette Morgan, who came down from Pontefract to 

visit us, and our Lions District Governor, Lion Mandy 

Hawksley from Bungay Area. We were also delighted 

to welcome guests from Sleaford Lioness Club, as from 

next July their Club will be a part of our new District. 

Some of us went to Thetford Lionesses 30th Anniversary 

Lunch at Thetford Golf Club and we also enjoyed a lovely 

Dinner Dance with the Chelmsford Lionesses who were 

also celebrating their 30th Anniversary. 

On November 11th President Anne Dryden laid our 

wreath at the Remembrance Service at the War 

Memorial. 

After work 

The field was originally donated to the Town by 

Frederick Myers in 1952 for the “health, well-being 

and recreation of the inhabitants of the Parish of 

Swaffham” and since then has been used by various 

sporting groups including Cricket, Hockey, Football 

and Bowls. Much of the daily maintenance is carried 

out by the three groups who still use it on a regular 

basis but the Trust is responsible for major expenses 

and has to charge these sports clubs for the use of 

the field. 

With little spare money to pay for a major scheme 

like this, the prospect of raising some much needed 

funds through the Bags of Help scheme running at 

the Swaffham Tesco store could not be overlooked. 

The Trust duly applied, and when they were awarded 

a grant of £1000. It meant that the hedge on the 

boundary could be trimmed by a significant amount 

to reduce the future maintenance costs. The field is 

currently used by over 300 people on a regular basis 

throughout the year with ages ranging from 6 to 80, 

who will no doubt be thankful to the staff at Tesco 

for their help in making this possible. 

We paid a visit to Homestart at the Community Centre 

and gave them a donation, as their funding has been 

cut in the Norfolk area and many centres have been 

closed. 

By the time you read this we will have held our Children 

in Need Bingo night at the Conservative Club. All the 

prizes and the use of the room are donated not to 

mention the services of our Bingo caller Norman 

Purple, so every penny we take goes to Children in 

Need. Our thanks go to you all for your support of this 

event, contributors and Bingo enthusiasts alike. 

In December we will have a Christmas tree in the Church 

Festival and be running a tombola stall at the Rotary 

Christmas Fayre in the Assembly Rooms. We wish you 

all a happy and peaceful Christmas. 

16

Age Concern Swaffham & District 

At the end of October, we had a couple of most interesting talks – by Able Care 

in relation to providing live – in home care and from Macmillan Nurses on cancer 

support. As always, we would be pleased to welcome anyone over 55 to join Age 

Concern. The membership subscription is £5 per year. Our Membership Secretary 

Vicky is the contact, see details below, or just turn up at one of our entertainment 

afternoons, usually on the last Tuesday in each month, 2 pm in the Assembly Rooms 

(in house) and join there. 

We also organise trips out by coach, three or four per year, John Clarke (see below) 

is the contact. Upcoming events are: 

• December 18th (Note Date) - Christmas Show, Great Yarmouth Hippodrome (Trip out) 

• January 29th 2019 - New Year Party – Pot of Gold, Swaffham Shanty Crew (in house) 

• February 26th – Protecting the Royal Family – talk (in house) 

• March 19th – Talk on Oxburgh Hall (in house) 

• End April – Possible trip out / Theatre Show 

For Swaffham Support Services, please see our advert below. 

Our office in the Community Centre is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 4 pm from 

where an Information Pack for both Buddying and Befriending can be obtained. Please contact Lorraine 

in the office, phone 07393 981 295. 

For trips out, our contact is John Clarke. Chair, Diane Sanderson, 725715; deputy Chair, Barbara Clarke, 

720140, Treasurer, James Dean, 720756; Trips Organiser, John Clarke, 720140; Membership Secretary, 

Vicky Slater, 627031. 

18 

Befrienders & Hospital 

Buddy Drivers Needed 

You can make a difference 

Befriending Client 

"I really look forward to seeing my Volunteer 

Befriender. He always cheers me up.” 

Hospital Buddy Client 

“Having someone with me at my appointment, 

took away all the worry.” 

We now have 

our 2019 

calendars on 

sale, pop in for a 

coffee! And pick 

up a copy! 

(suggested donation 

£5.99) 

EMAIL: swaffhamsss16@outlook.com 

The Community Centre, Campingland, Swaffham. PE37 7RB 

Marham Mum's Tireless Fundraising 

A Norfolk mum, whose son died when he was just 

two years old, is celebrating the incredible lifesaving 

legacy that she’s made in his name. In the 30 years 

since her son, Daniel, died from acute myeloid 

leukaemia (AML), Janet Qualters has raised over 

£100,000 for blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan. 

Creating a remarkable legacy in Daniel’s name, Janet 

is also responsible for recruiting more than 1,000 

people to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register with 

at least ten of these people being called up to donate 

to someone in desperate need of a potentially 

lifesaving transplant. 

Janet and Daniel five weeks before he died 

Janet has received the news that she has been 

shortlisted for the Shirley Nolan award for special 

recognition at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards, 

which are being held at the Tower of London. The 

awards are held annually by the charity as a chance 

to recognise those who go above and beyond in 

supporting Anthony Nolan. The award is named after 

the charity’s founder Shirley Nolan, a mother who 

never gave up on her vision to create the world’s first 

bone marrow register to find a match for her son, 

Anthony, and others in need of a lifesaving transplant. 

Janet said: ‘When Daniel died, I didn’t cope with it 

at all well and I became quite ill. It took me a few 

years but I bounced back’. ‘I found that helping raise 

awareness and funds and recruiting potential stem 

cell donors actually helped me recover and I felt 

that I was doing it not only for Daniel, but through 

Daniel. If it had not been for Daniel I would not have 

achieved what I have.’ 

Janet, now a funeral civil celebrant, spent her years 

at RAF Marham tirelessly fundraising – organising 

everything from skydives, cycles and runs, to raffles, 

cake sales and a 1940s themed ball. 

Henny Braund, Chief Executive at Anthony Nolan, 

said: ‘What Janet has achieved in the 30 years since 

Daniel’s death is nothing short of remarkable. Every 

pound raised, and person recruited to the Anthony 

Nolan register, has created a lifesaving legacy in 

Daniel’s name that will continue to save the lives of 

people in desperate need for many years to come.' 

To find out more about Anthony Nolan, or to sign up 

to the stem cell register, visit www.anthonynolan.org. 

19 

Swaffham Arts 

By now we will have had our third concert on a 

Baroque theme, this time of music for woodwind 

with harpsichord accompaniment. The trio of 

concerts with a common thread has proved very 

successful and we may plan a future programme 

round another artistic theme. 

Our Christmas event, on Sunday December 9th at 

3pm, is a member's afternoon when the voices of 

The Pot of Gold will sing seasonal songs to, for, and 

with us at the Community Centre. We hope as many 

members as possible will be able to come along and 

enjoy the music, refreshments and company at this 

beginning of the Christmas season. 

The January event, as in previous years, is a children’s 

afternoon with another visit from Garlic Theatre 

puppets on Sunday January 20th. Look out for 

further details in the New Year. 

Swaffham Jazz Club 

The Jazz Club is lucky to have two guitarists regularly playing 

for us who are both masters of the instrument – Lee Vasey 

and Ed Reed – the latter led the group at our November 

event. The rest of the line-up was Laura - Vocals, George 

King – Sax & Clarinet and Mike Smith – Electric Bass. The 

numbers that stand out include Caro Emerald’s That Man 

which was a lively piece with an unusual ‘sprung’ rhythm. 

This was followed by a laid back Our Day Will Come sung 

as a duet by Laura and Ed with some great embellishments 

from George. Exactly Like You produced a long and well 

constructed solo from Ed. For Smooth Mike took a solo, 

and the sax and bass duetted unaccompanied which I 

think is a first for the club. The second half opened with 

an up tempo arrangement of It Don’t Mean a Thing if 

it Ain’t Got That Swing. George’s strong solo flowed into 

a fine solo from Ed and ended with some good interplay 

between sax and bass. The singing for Won’t You Come 

Home Bill Bailey was shared by George and Ed and went 

down particularly well. I think Laura’s most memorable 

songs were I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby and 

powerfully earthy renditions of At Last and I Just Want to 

Make Love to You. 

George switched to clarinet for Stranger on the Shore 

demonstrating just what a beautiful number this can 

be. The good old Norfolk jazz standard "Hev Yew Gotta 

Loight, Boy?" played as a Bossa Nova saw Ed as both 

singer and guitarist. Another light-hearted piece I Had 

Someone Else Before I Had You (and I’ll Have Someone 

After You’ve Gone) ended the evening with really swinging 

performances all round. I especially appreciated Mike’s 

sound quality in a great solo. Given the absence of both 

drums and keyboard he had the job of maintaining steady 

tempo and rhythm throughout the evening, both of which 

he managed superbly. 

Next up: The Colin Mason Quartet with Eileanora - 

Keyboard and Vocals, plus Tap Robinson - Guitar. 

Tuesday 11th December at 7.30pm at The Conservative 

Club, London Street, PE37 7 DD. £7 on the door. 

Info from Norman 01760 722384 or Geoff 01366 328730

Iceni Youth Clubs 

Youthie: 

8 years to year 6 Mondays 5:30pm – 7:00pm . 

Youth Voice: 

Wednesdays 6:00pm – 7:30pm 2nd and 4th 

Wednesdays of each month 

Youthie Plus: 

Years 6, 7 and 8 Thursdays - 5:30pm – 7:00pm 

Youthie Hub: 

Year 9 to 19 years Thursdays - 7:30pm – 9:00pm 

Staff are happy to give information, guidance and 

advice. Call us for further details on: 07772 852 284 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/iceniyoungpeople 

FREE drink at The Red Lion with 

any main meal 

when you show this voucher! 

87 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7AQ 01760 721022 

87 Market Place, Swaffham, Norfolk. PE37 7AQ Tel:01760721022 

EAT 

come and enjoy our fresh homemade 

food using local produce also 

Swaffham Counselling and Psychotherapy 

see our specials boards for more 

made food using local produce also 

home- 

fresh our enjoy and come 

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meals with our delicious menus 

Barbara O'Hanlon is now working from her private 

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The Hamond Educational Charity 

reg no: 277789 

The Charity is currently inviting applications 

from individuals under the age of 21, living 

in the Breckland District Council area, 

seeking financial assistance in cases of need 

for such items as books, tools, equipment, 

instruments, outfits plus educational 

trips; including assistance for those leaving 

school, in preparation for taking up further 

education or apprenticeships. 

The Trustees will be meeting in October to 

review and consider all applications received 

and therefore look forward to receiving fully 

completed forms, which can be found on 

our website 

www.hamondeducationalcharity.org.uk. 

If further information is required please 

contact the Clerk via email at: 

contact@hamondeducationalcharity.org.uk 


Branch 

01760 

725801 

http://www.family-action.org.uk 

building better families 

Tai Chi for health 

Tai Chi has been found to be beneficial for: 

• Helping relieve arthritis 

• Improving balance & posture 

• Toning muscles 

• Improving mobility 

• Promoting good health 

• Physical & mental wellbeing 

Our classes are relaxed, friendly, fun, 

& a good way of meeting new friends. 

01760 723102 or 07587 567406 

e:academytaichi@yahoo.co.uk 

East Dereham 

Tuesday 11am 


Wednesday 10am 

Friday 10am 

www.academytaichi.co.uk 

www.redlionswaffham.co.uk E-Mail: redlionswaffham@gmail.com 


PLEASE SEE OUR SPECIAL VOUCHER SOMEWHERE IN THIS EDITION 


Offering a wide variety of affordable transport to get you on the move. 

SWAFFHAM FLYER 

A regular, fully accessible, 

service for the Swaffham area. 

DIAL-A-BUS 

A fully accessible, door to door 

service for the rural communities. 

GO TO TOWN 

A regular, local bus service, 

operating in multiple locations. 

VOLUNTEERS 

A door to door service provided 

by our volunteer drivers. Covering all kinds of 

transport from GP, Hospital and Dental 

appointments to social trips. 

The @LITTLE_BIG_BUS service you can trust 

Please call 01760 720906, 

email enquiries@wnct.co.uk 

or visit www.wnct.co.uk 

for all your transport needs! 

20 

Registered Charity Number: 1069180 

Join us on face book for up to 

date information on events

Free Meal Monday 

Iceni Partnership have now held two 'free meal monday' 

sessions and have received lots of positive feedback 

from attendees. The idea stemmed from Swaffham 

Community Fridge and using leftover ingredients to 

create a wholesome vegetarian lunch that anyone can 

enjoy without any payment. 

At the last event on 19th November a light main course 

of cous cous, falafel, houmous, pitta bread, salad and 

yoghurt dressing was followed by a not so light dessert 

of bread and butter pudding! 

Our next meal will be on 17th December from 11am till 

1pm in the Assembly Rooms. Please call Iceni Partnership 

on 01760 722800 if 

you'd like to attend, 

so we have an idea 

of numbers to 

cater for. We look 

forward to seeing 

some new faces 

dining with us. 

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal 

On behalf of the Samaritan's Purse I am very pleased 

to inform you that a total of 230 beautifully wrapped 

filled shoe boxes were collected. This total included 

contributions from the Swaffham C. of E. Junior 

School, and The Sacred Heart School. My very 

sincere thanks to you ALL for your generous support, 

which is very much appreciated. Linda Burton, 

coordinator of this years Operation Christmas Child 

Shoe Box appeal for St Peter & St Paul's church. 

Nar Valley Ornithological Society 

December: There is no NarVOS indoor meeting. Happy 

Christmas to you all. 

Tuesday 29th January 2019, 7.30pm at the Barn Theatre, 

Sacred Heart Convent School, Swaffham. Access and 

parking from Sporle Road. 

Please come along to this illustrated talk by James Lowen, 

entitled: 'Britain’s Best Wildlife Weekends'. 

James Lowen is a wildlife travel guide, photographer and 

writer. The title of James’s talk reflects the name of one 

of his books. This book was the first guide featuring 52 

weekend-sized breaks highlighting the best of British 

wildlife - from tiny silver-spotted skippers to gargantuan 

basking sharks, from seabird skyscrapers to autumn 

fungi. Most appealing. 

Visitors most welcome. Admission £2 on the night if you 

are not a NarVOS member. For more information about 

this meeting or NarVOS call Ian Black on 01760 724092. 

Swaffham History Group 

Picture courtesy of Peter Coombes 

An unusual sight for users of the Theatre Street car 

park last month - an old barn used since 1985 for the 

sale of antiques and furniture with its roof now only 

a skeleton. Since then the roof timbers have been 

completed removed and the building is awaiting 

total conservation and conversion into three flats. 

The flint walled barn was probably constructed 

around 1820 after the Great Fire of Swaffham 

completely destroyed a huge area including the 

timber buildings in Back Lane. It is shown on the 

1841 town map, standing almost next door to the 

Fisher Theatre built in 1822 and by the time of the 

map, Back Lane had been re-named Theatre Street. 

It appears to have been used for general agricultural 

purposes originally but from the end of the 19th 

century became stabling for the heavy horses used 

by the new Swaffham Co-operative Society (as their 

travelling shops) until they were replaced by motor 

lorries. Some time in the 1940s or early 50s it is 

believed that the barn was used for cookery lessons 

for local schoolgirls. In the 1970s it became a store for 

Dickersons, the game dealers. During the years the 

whole building became in a poor state of repair, with 

the gable end threatening to collapse, together with 

internal walls. At least it is one piece of Swaffham 

history that will not disappear! 

The History Group sends seasonal greetings to all 

readers. Our meeting will resume in January 2019. 

Highway problems 

Highway problems should be reported to Norfolk 

County Council: Tel. 0344 800 8020. 

Give the location of the problem and a telephone 

number where further information can be obtained. 

Faulty street lights can be reported at the Town Hall 

during office hours or by telephoning Norfolk County 

Council 0344 800 8020. Reports should give a precise 

location of the light and the number on the column. 

Alternatively visit www.norfolk.gov.uk. 

Search: Street Lights/Pot Holes 

Sequin Art 50 years in Swaffham 

Sequin Art Limited based in Swaffham, Norfolk has 

announced a new strategic move to develop the 

business by investing in a new online channel. The 

company moved to Norfolk in 1968 and is celebrating 

50 years in Swaffham this year. 

Sequin Art is a family run business in its second 

generation. It was founded in 1962 by Stuart Marcus, 

who started a small-scale games and toys 

manufacturing and wholesale business in London 

called KitFix Hobbies Limited. Stuart’s ambition saw 

the company develop into an accomplished business 

that exports Sequin Art products worldwide. 

The company produces almost 1 million units in 

their purpose-built facility in Swaffham every year 

and is a market leader for these unique crafts. The 

company supplies Sequin Art to over 20 different 

countries, including the USA, Russia, Australasia 

and many EU countries. Following the appointment 

of a new General Manager, Neil Clark and an inhouse 

marketing team, Sequin Art is focussing on 

strengthening their brand and growth through 

internal expansion. This month, the company entered 

a business to customer market for the first time 

and launched their brand-new website featuring a 

fantastic range of products and exclusive designs 

that are available to all craft fans to buy directly from 

the official Sequin Art team. 

Neil Clark, General Manager of Sequin Art has said: “I 

feel privileged to be in the position to lead the Sequin 

Art team through this important transitional period 

for the business. The team here today has a great 

opportunity to build upon the strong foundation 

developed over the last 56 years. Today’s consumers 

want the option of shopping online, which is why we 

have decided to embark on this journey and in doing 

so we aim to create an exceptional online experience 

for all our customers. We have a fantastic product 

which we believe passionately in and that's why we 

are confident that our expansion into online sales will 

only serve to add strength to our brand which in turn 

will support ongoing sales through our Distributor 

and Retail channels.” 

Artichoke & Strattons fundraiser 

Artichoke Fashion Show & Strattons lunch in 

Swaffham raised over £2000 for Neuroblastoma UK 

on Wednesday 17th October 2018 in the Assembly 

Rooms, Swaffham. A champagne 

reception, lunch, fashion show 

and talk by designer James 

Lakeland on 17th October 

at the Assembly Rooms in 

Swaffham raised over £2000 for 

Neuroblastoma UK. 

It’s the third year Strattons Hotel has collaborated with 

Sarah Simonds and Artichoke to support the valuable 

work of this research charity. Without the generous 

support of many people who gave their time it would 

not have been possible to achieve such a wonderful 

total. Special mention must go to Meg Heale, Sister 

Francis and the students of the Sacred Heart Convent 

School who worked front of house at the lunch to a 

very high standard. 

To date £8000 has been raised via this partnership 

for Neuroblastoma UK in memory of Rafe the first 

grandchild of Les and Vanessa Scott, directors of 

Strattons Hotel. 

On average, every week, two families in the UK will 

learn that their child has neuroblastoma. NUK’s 

mission is to find a cure for neuroblastoma through 

funding leading research projects to deliver new, 

effective and kinder treatments for these children. 

Vanessa said; “Our first grandson Rafe, was born 

in Swaffham in the old Strattons Hotel CoCoes Café 

building on March 10th 2004. He was diagnosed 

with stage 4 Neuroblastoma when he was not much 

more than a year old. Rafe died before he was three 

years old. This year he would have celebrated his 

fourteenth birthday”. The Neuroblastoma Society 

funds crucial research which is carried out by scientific 

experts in cancer centres and universities all around 

the UK. The society relies entirely on the generosity of 

voluntary donors – individuals, companies and trusts – 

to continually fund new research projects to produce 

new and better treatments to save more children’s 

lives. Sarah Simonds and Artichoke have supported, 

and fund raised for many charities over the years. 

Sarah’s shops can be found in Swaffham and Ely. 

Swaffham Spiritual Awareness Group 

Meets in the Community Centre, 

Beech Close, Campingland, Swaffham 

at 6.30pm. 

9th December, Penny Francis, Saham Hills. 

We offer healing from 5.30pm prior to our Sunday services 

Our trained healers can help with various types of pain and tension from 

stress. This service is free although donations are gratefully received 

22 

23

£180 

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Final Payment 

BRITISH BRAND SINCE 1903 

Westfield Vaux999 Road adr1 

Vauxhall Thurlow Retailer Nunn Dereham 1 

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city 

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01362 01234 700587 567890 

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO 2 

emissions (g/km). Astra SRi range: Urban: 37.7 (7.5) – 72.4 (3.9), Extra-urban: 61.4 (4.6) – 88.3 (3.2), Combined: 

50.4 (5.6) – 83.1 (3.4). CO 2 emissions: 130 – 91g/km. # 

3 trading as Vauxhall Retailer 1 are acting as a credit broker and not a lender . We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders. Commission may be received. 

Offer subject to availability, on selected models at participating Retailers only. Personal Contract Purchase. Finance subject to status. Ts&Cs apply. Applicants must be 18+. Finance by 

Vauxhall Finance, CF15 7YT. 25 month term. Monthly payment has been calculated using a price which includes Vauxhall and/or Retailer contribution where applicable. At the end of the 

agreement there are three options: i) Retain: Pay the optional final payment to own the vehicle, ii) Return the vehicle, or iii) Replace: Part Exchange the vehicle, where equity is available. 

Offer applies to private individuals, Vauxhall Partners and small businesses 1-24 units. Orders or registrations from 3 April to 2 July 2018. #Fuel consumption information is official 

government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. Official EU regulated test data is provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will 

depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. Vauxhall Motors Limited reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw this offer at any point in time. Correct 

at time of going to print. 

Benefits for the elderly 

Many older people are entitled to claim benefits – 

but not everyone is aware of what their entitlements 

are, and how to claim. Age UK Norfolk is working 

hard to raise awareness so that those in later life, 

and their carers, can claim; and helping them along 

the way to make those claims. 

The awareness campaign begins in January and the 

charity is aiming to ensure that the people concerned: 

• Will be better informed 

• Know their rights 

• Are claiming their entitlements 

• Are fully informed about attendance allowance, 

pension credit, council tax benefit etc 

• Get the help and assistance they need to claim 

those benefits. 

Age UK Norfolk hopes to achieve this by offering: 

• Benefit entitlement checks. 

• Free and confidential advice about home safety, 

housing, care issues etc. 

• Providing this service in a place of a claimant’s 

choice, either in their own homes, at Age UK 

Norfolk’s premises, in a care home, or any other 

venue that is deemed suitable. 

To find out more about 

benefit checks, call the Age 

UK Norfolk advice line on 

0300 500 1217, 

Monday-Friday 10am-4pm. 

Icenima - You decide 

For those of you who don’t already know, we 

show a film in the Community Centre on the third 

Wednesday of each month at 2pm. We try to select 

a varied choice of films to cater for all tastes, but 

realise we might not always get it right. Therefore, 

we want to ask for your suggestions, would you like 

more comedy, drama or documentaries? 

You can send in suggestions to swaffhamnewsletter@ 

gmail.com or contact us on Facebook, just search for 

‘Iceni Partnership’. We may even set up an online 

poll so you can vote for your favourite from the ideas 

sent in. It would be great to widen our audience, so 

please get in touch. 

24

Downham Grange 

State of the art, loving care in Downham Market 

Welcome to Downham Grange Care Home, a striking new 

purpose-built development in Downham Market. 

We provide meaningful person-centred exceptional care for those in 

need of residential, respite, nursing or dementia care. 

Boasting 62 en-suite bedrooms, the home has 

been finished to the most luxurious standards, 

with extra-wide corridors, a variety of large 

spacious and comfortable lounges and dining 

rooms with kitchenette areas that help to promote 

independence and social inclusion. 

The home has been designed to meet the needs 

of people who require nursing and dementia 

care. This exciting new development meets our 

Kingsley care ethos, responding to individual 

needs and providing the highest standards of care. 

Like all Kingsley Healthcare Homes, our care is 

focused around each person’s individual needs and 

wishes. We value and respect how each person 

chooses to spend their day. 

Our strong ethos of person-centred care runs 

through everything we do. Our staff are all highly 

experienced and receive on-going training to make 

sure that we deliver only the very best quality care. 

We really want to make a difference 

to the lives of the people we care for. 

With this in mind we have built the 

home to the highest specifications, 

giving particular consideration 

to making the design and layout 

suitable for people living with a 

dementia. 

This new home will enable us to 

continue to provide high-quality 

surroundings and environment. It 

will ensure our staff deliver quality 

of service and improve the quality of 

life of our residents every day. 

The staff at Downham Grange go 

that extra mile to make the home 

feel comfortable and relaxed. We 

like Downham Grange to feel like 

a ‘home from home’. We encourage 

people to take part in the daily living 

activities as well as other ongoing 

activities that take place throughout 

the day. 

“It took me just a few 

days to feel at home 

because the staff are 

so welcoming and 

caring” 

Downham Grange Care Home 

Clackclose Road, Downham Market, 

Norfolk PE38 9PA 

Tel 01366 387054 Fax 01366 385861 

downham.manager@kingsleyhealthcare.co.uk 

www.kingsleyhealthcare.co.uk 

Iceni Rural Writers 

This month, Iceni Writers welcomed both visitors and 

workshop leader, Martin Figura, published poet from 

Norwich area. We were asked to bring a photograph 

of personal significance and an object that mattered 

to us. Martin guided us through writing exercises, 

discussing respective photos and looking at another 

poet's work that described a character, the setting and 

the time period. Then we were given time to create 

a poem based on our own photo we had brought to 

the workshop. Some members volunteered to read 

out their poems and Martin gave constructive and 

positive feedback. 

Here is an example of a poem that a workshop visitor 

produced: 

Interruption 

Where dust rolls into the sea 

for a time, 

we forget we're pushing 40. 

Maybe it's 1995, 

and reaching the next level of Zelda 

was " the responsibility, man," ( it was). 

Like Gravity had its' work cut out. 

On the Pier, I put on my lipgloss in secret, 

A fugitive, stealing kisses we don't deserve. 

By Amy Hart. 

Although Iceni Writers is at capacity, there is a 

waiting list, and people interested in joining or future 

workshops, should contact Secretary - Leah Spencer, 

01366 328536. 

President’s Corner 


As I write we have not fully collected final figures for 

our Visual Arts Festival and the final art exhibition 

at its end. However we do know that it was another 

great Festival, promoting the Arts in Swaffham 

and District with a sizeable profit to enable us to 

continue to support our Charities. The final part The 

art exhibition was particularly successful with 300 

works of art on display of which 20 % sold. Thanks 

are due to the public who supported us and our 

club members who worked so hard throughout the 

Festival and our sponsors Abel Homes. 

On Saturday 1st December 2018 we hold our Annual 

Christmas Fayre at the Assembly Rooms in Swaffham 

9.30 am - 2.30pm 

This is the 11th Fayre we have held and it contains 

gifts, cards, cakes, tombola, raffle and charity stalls 

from at least 20 local charities and voluntary bodies 

that support us and Swaffham & District. We are 

expecting The Assembly Rooms to be full again. The 

1st Fayre had an excess of income over expenditure 

of a little over £200,last year after paying the costs 

of hiring the Assembly Rooms we had a surplus of 

just £300. One “tradition” which has contributed 

to this success is donors buying back bottles which 

were donated ! So we provide a shop window for 

the voluntary bodies and charities and the last Fayre 

in 2017 raised something over £2000 to spend on 

local projects. 

We do not ask every stall holder how they got on but 

usually ask one or two for an indicator. Last year 1st 

timers TOSH were delighted to clear £100 and asked 

to come back this year. Georgie was very happy to 

raise over £200, saying her unsold cakes would be 

served to Monday’s Merle Boddy clients - she later 

reported the final figure was £230. Litcham School 

raised well over £500, a fantastic amount, well 

deserved given the effort they and their supporters 

put in to provide such a tempting range of delicious 

food. It is no more than a guestimate but those the 

day is organised for could have raised more than 

£20,000 over the 10 years of The Fayre. 

Next year in our 50th Club Anniversary we have 

booked the Assembly Rooms for The Fayre on 

Saturday 30th November 2019. Please come and 

support us this year. 

This Year’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter & St 

Paul’s Church Swaffham begins on Saturday 1st 

December and runs until Saturday 8th December 

(tree collections day) 

In last month’s column I mentioned Rtn. Mark Little 

of the Rotary Club of Norwich St. Edmunds who came 

to talk to us regarding modern day slavery. He first 

became aware of the amount of slavery prevailing 

in the world after watching a TV programme on the 

subject several years ago. He felt that the Rotary 

movement should do something about this and so 

formed The Rotary Action Group against Slavery. This 

has now grown to a wordwide movement within 

Rotary. He has contacts with governments around 

the world (including our own and has met with 

Teresa May on the subject). Millions are still enslaved 

around the world including those in our own country. 

Mark is leading this Rotary movement. He spoke 

to us last month with a passion, mentioning the 

horrible amount of child slavery that exists as well 

and reminded us that as individuals we have a joint 

responsibility to end this obnoxious crime of modern 

slavery. 

So we now look forward to celebrating our 50 years 

of serving our local community of Swaffham & 

District. Next month we will start our photographic 

competition called “ Capture Swaffham “ where all 

are encouraged to photograph the town, to arrive 

at a modern collection of photographs to record 

the Town and form a record as Leslie Kendle the 

boot mender did all those years ago. More details 

regarding this in next month’s issue. 

On behalf of the members of the Rotary Club of 

Swaffham may I thank the residents and businesses 

of Swaffham & District for their support for our Club 

in 2018 and wish them a very Happy Christmas and 

good health and prosperity in 2019. 

Malcolm Whittley 

26 

27

Welcome to Swaffham 

Community Centre 

Feel free to pop in and admire our 

gallery of work by local artists 

and then treat yourself to tea and 

home made cake in Patisserie Iceni. 

GALLERY 

ICENI 

OPEN WEEKDAYS 9AM - 5PM 

www.iceni.info 01760 722800 

The Campingland, Swaffham PE37 7RB 


EAT 

come and enjoy our fresh homemade 

food using local produce also 

see our specials boards for more 



The Pink Box 

If you need sanitary 

products, there is now 

a basket located in 

the Community Centre, 

please help yourselves. 

Dog lovers 

wanted 

For short stays and holiday cover 

Companionship, friendship 

and fun are guaranteed! 

• Dogs to suit your lifestyle 

• Trial stays to ensure compatibility 

• Full support and advice 

• Join our local host community 

01485 205715 

Tania.Stowe@barkingmad.uk.com 

BarkingMad.uk.com 

PROFESSIONAL DOG GROOMING 

Qualified and Insured 

Have a warm relaxing and restful 

sleep in one of our newly completely 

refitted and refurbished rooms 


Come and go as you please. 

SLEEP 

For appointments and enquires 

contact Donna Smith on 

01760-336527 or 07905825333 

9 Swaffham Road, Cockley Cley PE37 8AW 

DRINK 

Enjoy a refreshing cool drink with a 


lagers also try our real ales and a 




With the weather 

turning cooler, please 

consider making a 

donation of ingredients 

to the fridge to give 

someone a hot meal. 

TUTANKHAMUN’S 

Tapas Bar 

SSAFA in NORFOLK seeks VOLUNTEERS 

to assist our work with Armed 

Forces Veterans and their Families, 

across the County. 

We have vacancies for Case Workers, 

Fund Raisers and other supportive 

roles. 

If you have time and interest to 

spare, please contact: 

SSAFA Norfolk on 01760 724261 

ssafa.org.uk Registered Charity No.210760 

Established 1885 

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association 

EAT, DRINK AND 

RELAX IN A 

TREASURE TROVE 

OF JEWELLERY, 

GIFTS & ANTIQUES 

4 PLOWRIGHT PLACE 

SWAFFHAM 01760 724396 

28 

29

Calling all 

budding artists 

Gallery Iceni 

needs you! 

At the Iceni Partnership, we are always looking 

for new art groups, or individuals who would 

like to showcase their work in our 

gallery in the community centre. 

Swaffham Community Hospital LOFs 

A slightly quiet time now in one respect. We are 

maintaining the newly revamped garden at the rear 

of the hospital. We have added some additional 

planting and bulbs. With our new gazeebo we plan 

to have an external Christmas tree. 

Regarding Christmas preparations...a new supply 

of “Friends” Christmas cards are here, so please 

support us by purchasing some. We have them 

at our events and they are on sale at hospital 

reception. We are also supporting the usual practice 

of making sure all patients in over the Christmas 

period receive presents. We are supporting 

hospital staff to ensure a programme of pre 

Christmas activities/entertainment for patients. 

We have confirmed that we are participating in 

the “Christmas Tree Festival” in church, the first 

week of December and will have a table at the 

Rotary Christmas event. 

This is an opportunity to thank those businesses 

in town who support us by hosting one of our 

collection boxes. These are of great value to us. If 

you think you might be able to help us by hosting 

one of our boxes, we would love to hear from you 

Looking ahead to next year, we hope to be 

assisting with the purchase of some new “purpose 

designed” bedside chairs for patients. Also we 

hope that the Health Trust will support the idea 

of an extension to the existing main day/dining 

room. In the new year, once the Methodist church 

is fully back open we will hold more of our coffee 

mornings. 

For more information or enquiries please contact 

Mr Colin Houghton (chairman) on 07767 262108 

or colin@houghton789.plus.com 

SWAFFHAM 

#COMMUNITY FRIDGE 

Even ironing! 

Tracy 01362 820 966 

Caroline 01953 882 154 

If you or someone you know would be 

interested, then please call us on 

01760 722 800 or pop into the office and speak 

to our gallery co-ordinator Jelena 

600kg 

30

WW1 Project Now Online 

View on our website - www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk. 

Not all names have been uploaded yet nor all town 

research done 

But do have a peek now. It will updated at 

intervals. Next update Jan 2019 

Swaffham Heritage will be closed from 22nd 

December until mid February. During this time 

we will be cleaning the galleries, enhancing some 

displays and preparing for a new exhibition 

Here are some ideas on how you can spend some 

time while you wait for it to be open again 

1. Look up the Swaffham WW1 Project on our 

website. 

2. Find stories, photos or even memories of local 

people during WW1 send them across to us. 

3. Get some exercise by walking our Swaffham 

Christmas Quiz What's the date trail below. 

4. Choose a preloved book from our considerable 

collection. Only 50p per book. Our bookshelf is just 

inside the front door. Outside with Pam on a Saturday. 

5. Do you like our dazzling white Butter Cross? 

Would it be better if it were more colourful? Pick up 

a colouring sheet and show us how colourful you can 

make it. 

6. Buy a lifetime membership to the Friends of 

Swaffham Museum. See our website for details and 

forms. 

Open 10am to 4pm Mon to Fri. Sat: 10am to 1pm 

Prices: adults £3. Concessions £2.50 Children 5 

and over £1. Family tickets available. 

Trending Now - visit us there for up-todate 

news and events 

Swaffham Museum, Town Hall, London Street, 

Swaffham PE37 7DQ 

Tel: 01760 721 230 

www.swaffhammuseum.co.uk 

Swaffham Heritage Christmas Quiz 

What's the date? A trail around the town 

Can you find the dates on the structures in town? 

Answers in January's issue 

Down Ash Close 

(clue - not as far as Strattons) 

In Plowright Place 

On the wall near the library 

(this is very faded – 

see what you think). Clue - ivy 

On what was The White Horse 

pub (you might need binoculars) 

On a wall down an alleyway 

On the Settlement Stone 

On the Old Post Office 

On the National School 

On the old Grammar School 

On the Cornhall 

On Pte Alfred Twaites WW1 grave 

(clue – think Baptist graveyard) 

FoSM (Friends of Swaffham Museum) 

We support the Museum financially. 

Our Membership Scheme is a one off Life 

Membership payment of just £10 for an individual 

and £15 for a family. This gives you free access to all 

the museum galleries for life. For more information 

please contact Secretary James Dean 01760 720756 

or jamesdean@uwclub.net 

The 100 Club 

Run by the Friends - open to ALL 

A yearly subscription of £20 could win a prize of 

£40, £20 or £10 each month with special extra 

prize of £100 in May and November. For more 

information contact Stan Roberts Tel: 07825885254 

or stanroberts4@icloud.com 

November draw - £40 No.28 / £20 No.4 / £10 No.23 

Museum - Winter Closing 

Swaffham Museum will be closing on Saturday Dec 

22 to allow for essential work on new displays and 

cleaning. It will re-open on Monday February 11 at 

10am. The Museum Shop will re-open on Friday Jan 

4 and each Friday during the ‘closed period’ from 10- 

3pm and on Saturdays 10-1pm. 

Unique Computers Norfolk Ltd 

Sales Upgrades Repairs 

Home Calls For Tuition 

Broadband Installations 

and General Maintenance 

Tel 01760 751218 or 01362 685447 

Personal Service 

Professional Technician 

25 Years Experience 

SWAFFHAM 

A simple solution to wasting less through 

the sharing of good quality food. 

Iceni Partnership 

Community Centre, The Campingland, 

Swaffham, PE37 7RB 

A different sort of accountant 

• Sole trader accounts 

• Company accounts 

• Management accounts 

• Buy to let returns 

• VAT returns 

• Tax returns 

• Payroll and wages 

• Business plans 

• CIS returns for building trade 

• Business consultancy and recovery 

Come and see us for a free chat and advice session -‐ no obligation 

www.gybea.co.uk 

email info@gybea.co.uk 

7a Corn Exchange, Market Place 

Next to War Memorial 

01760 723830 

32 

33

Swaffham Town Football Club 

Unchartered territory for the Pedlars, clinching a 

win and a dream ticket into the third round of the 

Buildbase FA Vase. An unusual Sunday fixture due to 

Essex opponents May & Baker ground-sharing with 

Barking Rugby Club, but the squad made the effort 

and together with the twelfth man of Committee 

Members, and regular faithful supporters took the 

party bus on the two hundred mile round trip. 

Another fantastic all round team effort with the 

victory clinched two minutes into added time by 

substitute Luke Reed, finishing from eight yards. 

Two world class saves from keeper Tommy Rix, but 

the combined team performance and spirit earning 

the victory and progression into the next round 

which will see a home fixture against Stowmarket 

Town on the 1st of December. The Pedlars now in 

the last sixty four and club history in the making with 

getting this far. 

We would love to see as many people as possible 

heading down the Lane on the 1st December to 

cheer the Pedlars on in this great achievement for 

both the club and the town! It is a 15:00 KO and for 

this game only, children’s entry is free! Adults - £5.00 

and Concessions - £3.00. Usual member discounts 

apply on the gate and bar. UP THE PEDLARS! 

Photo by Eddie Deane 

Norfolk to get £13m boost to fix 

pot-holes on county’s roads 

I am pleased to report the county’s roads are set 

to receive a £13m budget boost. Chancellor Philip 

Hammond announced in the budget that local 

authorities would share £420m for road maintenance. 

And Norfolk County Council believes its share from 

that pot will be £13.3m. We have not had our official 

letter yet, but the indications based on standard 

funding figures is that our share will be about £13.3m. 

Cllr Ed Colman 

Swaffham Town Team Update 

Festive Greetings to all. 

Another year is almost over but 2018 has seen 

several initiatives from your Town Team so here is an 

update on just two of those: 

Parkrun 

Swaffham Parkrun held its inaugural event on 

May 28th and we have just celebrated the 26th 

consecutive Saturday that at 9.00am every week our 

volunteers give their time to set up, organise and 

monitor our 5k – 3.1 miles in old money – walk, jog 

or run or a combination of all three at the Nicholas 

Hamond Academy. So why not join us next Saturday 

– it is completely free – all you have to do is go on line 

at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/swaffham and click 

on the register link to obtain your unique parkrun 

number and barcode. 

Since May, 774 people of all ages from 5 to over 75 

have taken part and completed 1,975 circuits. For 

an average of 76 participate each Saturday with 

times ranging from just over 17 minutes to one 

hour; so come along and join us for regular exercise 

promoting health and wellbeing with likeminded 

residents and visitors alike in a relaxed, very friendly 

and non-competitive atmosphere – you will have no 

regrets!! Look out for details of our festive parkrun 

on Saturday December 22nd. Fun for all ages!! 

Look us up on Facebook - 

https://www.facebook.com/swaffhamparkrun 

Community Garden 

In February we applied for a £500 grant from the 

Royal Horticultural Society to create our Swaffham 

Community Garden. In addition to the funds for plants 

and equipment we would also have the services of 

an RHS advisor to provide guidance in the creation 

and planting process. We were selected in April as 

one of only two successful Norfolk applicants!! 

After several planning sessions, work started on the 

Campingland in July with further sessions – after the 

summer drought - in October and November. Thanks 

to the invaluable and generous help of several local 

businesses, Swaffham Rotary, the Escape Project 

on Tumbler Hill, the Nicholas Hamond Academy, 

the Sacred Heart School, Swaffham Youthie and 

volunteers the garden is almost complete with 

trees and hedging to be added in January along 

with signage. Look out for the date of our official 

opening in the January Newsletter. In the meantime 

please visit the garden with its herb bed, its soft 

fruit bushes, its wild flower border and plant filled 

gabions, not forgetting our Story Telling Circle for use 

by children and adults alike!! And keep an eye open 

for our daffodil, iris and crocus display in the Spring!! 

We are currently putting together our Volunteer 

Team to work together to ensure that the garden 

is maintained and kept an attractive addition to 

town’s green spaces. So to all you keen gardeners/ 

allotment holders can register your interest to join 

us by emailing in the first instance davidwickerson@ 

btinternet.com. Thank you. 

Royal British Legion 

Approximately 1000 people, including many childrens' 

organisations, gathered at Swaffham War Memorial on 

Remembrance Sunday. A large parade, led by Parade 

Marshal Max Reeve, marched through the town to join 

those already assembled, to participate in the service 

led by the Rev. Janet Allen of St Peter & St Paul Church. 

The town mayor, Cllr. Colin Houghton, led the wreath 

laying, followed by the Rt. Hon. Liz Truss, MP, the Royal 

British Legion and other local organisations. Earlier, at 

6am, Mr Brian Baxter, aged 86yrs had piped the tune 

"The Battle's Over", a piece that was being played all 

over the country at that time, to remember the signing 

of the Armistice, which, although signed earlier, did not 

come into effect until 11am. Finally, at 6.30pm, people 

gathered once more at the War Memorial where prayers 

were led by Rev. Janet Allen, after which the names of 

the 91 Swaffham men who lost their lives were read out, 

some by Bernard Hunt from St Peter & St Paul Church, 

and others by young people. Following this The Last 

Post was played and the two minute silence observed. 

Those who had gathered were then ushered to the 

front of the Assembly Rooms to await the lighting of the 

beacon by the mayor, which once again was being done 

countrywide at 7pm. Then, at 7.05pm the church bells 

rang out and the Town Crier Nigel Wilkin did a specially 

written Cry for Peace. Royal British Legion chairman 

Barrie Thorp commented, "All in all a very memorable 

day when Swaffham remembered not only those who 

lost their lives, but gave thanks too for the end of that 

dreadful war and for the freedom we enjoy to live as 

we do. We at the Legion would like to thank all who 

came along and supported us." 

Swaffham Camera Club 

November's program included a chance 

for members to revisit some earlier 

works with the help of a knowledgeable 

expert photographer, re-evaluate and 

understand where possible improvements could have 

been made. The months second meeting, a competition 

evening where images submitted will be projected, has 

the themed subject "Images taken 

strictly within the last thirty days". An "Open" competition 

will also form part of the evening's programme. There is 

only one meeting in December and as is our club's custom 

it will be our annual Christmas celebration dinner. 

The club, which meets on the first and third Wednesday 

of each month has a full programme of events, speakers, 

exhibitions and internal and inter-club competitions 

planned. It is also pleased to offer tutorials at all levels, 

concerning the many aspects of photography and it's 

associated equipment. 

For further information please visit the club's website 

www.swaffhamcameraclub.com. 

November's program included a chance for members to revisit some 

earlier works, and, with the help of a knowledgeable expert 

photographer, re-evaluate and understand where possible 

improvements could have been made. 

The months second meeting, a competition evening, where images 

submitted will be projected, has the themed subject "Images taken 

strictly within the last thirty days". An "Open" competition will also form 

part of the evenings program 

There is only one meeting in December, and as is our club's custom it 

will be our annual Christmas celebration dinner. 

The club which meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month 

has a full program of events, speakers, exhibitions and internal and 

inter-club competitions planned. It is also pleased to offer tutorials at all 

levels, concerning the many aspects of photography and its associated 

equipment. 

For further information please visit the Clubs website 

www.swaffhamcameraclub.com . 

34 35 

. 

Wissey U3A 

At the last monthly meeting on 6th November, Sir 

Henry Bedingfeld of Oxburgh Hall gave a very interesting 

presentation about Heraldry. Sir Henry’s status in the 

Society of Heraldry is ‘Norroy’ and ‘Ulster Coat of Arms‘. 

Sir Henry is the president of the Norfolk Heraldry Society 

which he founded in 1976. His presentation included a 

résumé about the origins of Heraldry and its history up 

to the present day. Sir Henry showcased his own works 

which included Coats of Arms for Sir Elton John and Sir 

George Martin. Sir Henry was accompanied by his wife 

Lady Mary who sat with other U3A members throughout 

Sir Henry’s presentation. 

The speaker on 3rd January will be Robert Ferguson 

who will talk about the ‘Fight for Africa’ and endangered 

species such as rhinoceroses. ‘Wildlife Photography’ will 

be the subject of a presentation by David Mason on 7th 

February. 

Wissey U3A members are still going to a series of reenactments 

about the trial of suffragette Miriam Pratt in 

Norwich Castle. Re-enactments will continue until early 

December. 

A visit to the Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local 

History is to be arranged for early 2019 since it has been 

’moth-balled’ for the Winter. The museum is housed 

in Fakenham’s former gasworks which is now the only 

complete town gasworks in the country. The Gasworks 

produced gas from the heating of coal for 120 years 

before its closure in 1965. 

Although the Croquet group has closed for the winter 

period, it will hopefully restart in 2019 with a new leader 

taking charge. There has been interest for a new ‘Line 

Dancing’ group and the hunt is on for a leader. Once a 

leader steps forward, arrangements for group meetings 

can be made. 

If you have a hobby or pastime which you would like to 

share with others why not make enquires about joining 

the Wissey U3A. There are currently 335 members 

who take part in a wide variety of activities such as art, 

meditation, rambling and soft-ball tennis. The Science & 

Technology group are liaising with the UEA on a project 

studying ‘Sleep, Genes and Memory’ which could find a 

relationship between sleep and the risk of Alzheimer’s. 

The U3A is an international movement whose aims are 

the education of retired members of the Community 

or those in their ‘Third Age' of life. U3A membership is 

open to any individual who by definition is not in fulltime 

gainful employment, so anyone working ‘part-time’ 

can also apply for membership. Monthly meetings are 

held at Holme Hale’s Pavilion on the first Thursday of the 

month from 09.45 until 12.00 mid-day. 

For more information about the U3A movement, go to 

www.u3a.org.uk or visit the Wissey homepage at www. 

u3asites.org.uk/wissey. Annual membership of the 

Wissey U3A is usually £10 but is currently only £7 until 

April 2019.

Andrew Francis 

Award Winning Family Owned Funeral Service 

01760 720200 (24hrs) 

afrancisfunerals.co.uk 

Pre-paid and pre-planned funerals available 

01760 336029 

W J CLARK & SON 

Painters and Decorators Est. 1970 

Call us today for a free quote and experience the difference. 

We offer competitive quotes on all interior and exterior jobs 

TEL: 01760 - 722511 

MOBILE: 07902 013785 or 07789 906854 

52 Filby Road, Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7SX 

Iceni Rural Writers 

Members of the Swaffham based writing group, 

Iceni Rural Writers, have produced a pamphlet titled 

‘100 Years from Then’, an anthology of poetry and 

prose inspired by WWI. The contributions to the 

pamphlet were developed from a workshop held 

in the Community Centre, and led by Norfolk based 

poet and writer Sue Burge. 

The group is grateful to The Armed Forces Community 

Covenant: World War 1 Fund for supporting the 

project. Look out for copies of the pamphlet in your 

local library, schools, bookshop, cafes, museum, 

surgeries, community centre. The pamphlets are not 

for sale; so when you find one read it and leave it for 

somebody else to enjoy. 

Charlie Dearden, 

Chair Iceni Rural Writers 

Swaffham Town Bowls Club 

Coaching for beginners and improvers. 

For more information or to join the club please 

contact Geoff on 01760 722262 

Community Fridge Donation 

A big thank you to the lady who kindly donated 

leftover food from her wedding reception 

before she had to dash off to the airport for her 

honeymoon! These geneorous acts are always 

greatly appreciated and make a real difference to 

people in the community. 

From the Mayor’s Parlour 

So much to comment on this month. 

Firstly Remembrance Sunday and all the 

preparations that led up to this day. I hope 

you agree that the town did us all proud 

by making sure that this anniversary was 

properly commemorated. The display around town 

and in St Peters Church was fantastic , so many thanks to 

everyone who participated and those who contributed 

poppies and other display material. The Service at the 

War Memorial was “extra special” and the event to 

light our “Town Beacon” was very moving as we all 

remembered the sacrifices of our predecessors. 

The work around the Buttercross is now complete. It 

has been disruptive to some and thank you for your 

patience. There was a lot of unseen work done by 

the contractors. I hope you like the end result and the 

new facilities. The brick structure housing the new 

electricity supply has caused a lot of comment. It was 

needed where it is located. The Council are looking at 

ideas to make the exterior more attractive, so it will 

blend in better. 

As you get this article it will just be coming up to our 

Christmas market and lights switch on. I hope you will 

be there that Sunday to join in the fun. A lot of time 

and effort goes into the planning and we seek to make 

it attractive and interesting for all age groups, so please 

come and support the event. 

You may have seen in the press that I was invited to do 

a “blindfolded walk” around town to help highlight the 

difficulties that blind people face. It was an education 

to me to do this as you do not imagine the issues you 

can come across. Navigating around items on our 

pavements, crossing roads, knowing where vehicles 

are (or might be) are all aspects you come across. Those 

of us with our sight take all these things for granted. I 

would like to appeal to everyone in town, please try to 

think how you might help in making life easier for our 

blind people, especially regarding items that we put 

out on pavements, including dust bins. 

We are still awaiting news on the future of the Green 

Britain Centre. As you recall this is owned by Breckland 

Council and they are considering its future use. The 

Town Council has expressed an initial interest in the 

site, but it is early days as to what may happen. 

Turning to leisure facilities in our town. We have long 

known that our existing facility is totally inadequate for 

our needs. The good news is that Breckland Council is 

now undertaking a “feasibility study” examining what 

future provision the town should have. Consultations 

have started this month and I am sure that a wide range 

of ideas will be forthcoming. This is long overdue and 

we will await with interest any findings or ideas for the 

future. More news in the New Year on this. 

Our Neighbourhood Plan discussions have moved on. 

Please see the article in this newsletter entitled “In 

my back yard” The Town Council is signing this off for 

submission to Breckland Council 

The council's initial ideas on the future of the land 

known as “Days Field” has caused some interest with 

many and there has been articles in the press. 

37

In Touch With Your Town 

'In Touch with your Town' is put 

together by the Town Clerk Richard 

Bishop or occasionally by the 

Deputy Town Clerk Claire Smith. It 

deals with some of the most topical items of the 

day and the odd item where the Council want to 

share information with the Town. 

TOWN CENTRE WORKS 

By the time you are reading this Quinn Construction 

Ltd will have finished the main contract for works 

in the Town Centre, the 15-week contract was to 

complete the following: - 

• overhauling the electrics - to enable sockets for 

events 

• levelling the raised ridges of the cobbles - to 

take away trip hazards and make the area more 

usable for the public 

• adding new seats and light bollards – going in 

around the Buttercross 

• new street lights being erected - to light up 

the car park, with some new electrical sockets for 

Market traders to use 

•new electric car charging points - at either side 

of the car park 

•new car park meters – to enable Breckland 

Council to manage the 2-hour free parking - there 

are no plans for car park charges. 

•Free WiFi - will be available in the Town Centre. 

Please note there will be two further car park 

machines installed after the 23rd November, 

but this will involve re-siting of any builders’ 

compound away from the Central area, as the 

ticket machines will be located in the Town Pit 

and the Pedlars Car Park respectively, this is a 

separate contract being carried out for Breckland 

Council. Next month there will be details of how 

to use the new facilities, as some things are still 

in progress outside of the contract that will be 

better to roll out as one, when all of the details 

are available. 

There will be details circulated to Market Traders 

individually and there will be further details 

available in respect of the car charging points 

and the free Wifi. The information will probably 

be launched on social media before the next 

newsletter. 

CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH-ON & MARKET 

The Christmas Light Switch-On and Christmas 

Market on Sunday 2nd December from 12 noon 

until 6pm as the Christmas Market is always well 

38 

attended and the Switch-On taking place at 5pm. 

A full afternoon's entertainment, with a visit from 

‘Father Christmas’ and Live Reindeer. A full report 

on this event next time. 

REMEMBRANCE – 100 years commemoration events 

A month of local commemoration of 100 years 

since the end of WW1 in Swaffham culminated 

at the weekend with the traditional Act of 

Remembrance at the Town War Memorial. This 

year the town also took part in the national 

‘Battle’s Over’ tribute. 

Town Mayor, Colin Houghton, launched The 

Swaffham Poppy Display back in August, the idea 

was for the whole town to join in and help create 

a really special commemorative display and how 

they delivered. Everyone joined in from churches 

and businesses to schools and local community 

groups. Businesses throughout the town set up 

their own window displays or offered space to 

display creations from community groups. The 

centre piece has been the display of poppies at 

the Market Cross Café, but the whole town looked 

fantastic. It was so good to see Swaffham at its 

best, both aesthetically with the displays and 

the community spirit it brought in the process. 

In the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, the 

weekend saw the completion of their Four Years 

and One Hundred Days of commemoration. A 

Remembrance Net was set up in the church where 

visitors could place a card with their Prayer, 

Remembrance or Thoughts as well as a Display by 

the War Memorial Chapel, with details of the 112 

Men, from the Parishes of Swaffham and Sporle 

with Palgrave, who made the ultimate sacrifice. As 

always, the Royal British Legion worked tirelessly 

organising and planning the events. On Thursday 

evening they held their annual Remembrance 

Concert at the Parish Church. Well attended as 

always, the entertainment included the Convent 

School Choir and Dancers and Dereham Town 

Band. Then on Sunday the morning the Act of 

Remembrance brought the Swaffham Community 

together with representatives from the Legion, 

all branches of the civilian and military uniform 

services and Scouting and Guiding groups. 

On Sunday the town joined the national ‘Battle’s 

Over’ tribute starting with a Lone Piper, Brian 

Baxter, playing Battle’s O’er at 6am. In the 

evening there was a Service at the War Memorial 

followed by the lighting a WW1 Beacon of Light, 

the Town Crier’s Cry for Peace Around the World 

and the church bells Ringing Out for Peace. A 

fitting end to a special month for the town. 

“Do you want to be a Councillor?” 

TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS 

The Town Council are running two taster events 

“Do you want to be a Councillor?” one at 5pm on 

Wednesday 12th December, leading into the Full 

Council meeting later that evening and another as 

we get a little nearer the election date on Thursday 

28th February 2019 at 6.30pm-8pm. These events 

will be targeting anyone who is thinking about 

standing for election but would like to know a 

little more about the Town Council before they 

take the final step. How do we operate? What 

services do we run? What land and property do 

we manage? What are we responsible for? What 

exactly does a Town Councillor do? What is the 

role of the Town Council within the community? 

How does the Town Council fit in with Breckland 

Council and Norfolk County Council? All the things 

you ever wanted to ask about a Town Council ??? 

IN MY BACK YARD 

The Swaffham Neighbourhood Plan is a 

community-led document for guiding the future 

development of our Town. It is about the use and 

development of land over the next 20 years. The 

plan will set out a vision and aspirations for the 

future development of the Town and will be an 

important document that will help influence and 

control the way our Town changes in the future, 

including any new housing developments. This is 

the 10th article designed to give you the latest 

information.During September our task was to 

go through comments received and see how we 

could update/review the draft plan. This took 

some time and thanks to the working group for 

all their analysis and consideration. In October 

work continued on the background “supporting” 

documents that have to accompany the main 

plan and these are now ready. We have now 

finalised the draft plan and the Town full Council 

have signed this latest draft off at its November 

meeting. The plan has been submitted formally 

to Breckland District Council with the supporting 

documents. We then have a period of waiting 

until an “independent examiner” is appointed 

and reviews the plan. 

As you may also know, Breckland Council 

themselves are in the stages of developing their 

39 

own “Local Plan”. Work on this continues until 

into the new year. The timing of this is helpful 

in many ways to us as our Towns Neighbourhood 

plan has to sit alongside Breckland’s Plan and 

cannot be contradictory to it. Please have a look 

at our documents as they very much set out the 

local scene for many years to come 

Keep up to date on the Town Council Website 

www.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Contact details Rachel Leggett, project manager 

swaffhamplan@gmail.com 

Town Council Dates 

Wednesday 12th - Full Town Council meeting 

6.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. 

Council Chamber, Town Hall. 

Monday 17th – Market Committee meeting 

6.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. 


Tuesday 18th – N Plan -Steering Group 10.00am 

Planning committee 1.30pm 


The Town Council 

Mayor – Cllr Colin Houghton 01760 336 025 

Deputy Mayor – Cllr Jill Skinner 01760 336 121 

Cllr Steven Allen 

07825 801 605 

Cllr Robert Bartram 

01760 721 022 

Cllr Wendy Bensley 

01760 722 524 

Cllr Brenda Bowler 

01760 788 519 

Cllr Jan Buckley-Stevens 

01760 722 604 

Cllr Paul Darby 

Cllr Terry Jennison 

01760 720 608 

Cllr Sheila Lister 

01760 720 114 

Cllr Shirley Matthews 

01760 723 205 

Cllr Les Scott 

01760 720 465 

Cll Anne Thorp 

01760 722 611 

01760 622725 

Breckland Councillors: 

Cllr Paul Darby, Cllr Shirley Matthews and 

Cllr Ian Sherwood 07795 236878 

twitter@ CllrIanSherwood (your.cllr@breckland.gov.uk) 

Your County Councillor is Cllr Ed Colman 

07940 406356 / email ed.colman.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk 

Officers 

Richard Bishop – Town Clerk 

townclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Twitter - @SwaffhamClerk 

Claire Smith - Deputy Town Clerk 

deputyclerk@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Hannah Duggan – Office Administrator 

administrator@swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Swaffham Town Council 

Tel: 01760 722 922 

www.swaffhamtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Town Hall Opening Times 

Monday 9.30am-1pm and 1.30pm-4pm 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday : 9:30am-1pm

Make more of 

your visit and enjoy 

delicious home-made 

delights in our superb 

Downham Market 

Homestore Café 

From gifts to toys, furniture to finishing touches, you’ll find 

everything you and your home needs at Reeds. 

reedshomestore.co.uk | find us on facebook 

Reeds Homestore | Bridge Street, Downham Market PE38 9DS | 01366 382213 

Reeds Furniture & Bed Centre | Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely CB6 3NX | 01353 669754 

Reeds Toy Store | Unit 7 Wales Court, Downham Market PE38 9JZ | 01366 383429

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