Focal Point April Newsletter
HEATHLANDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. 5th March 2024.
Our thanks to everybody who helped at our jumble, gave donations, helped behind tables, made tea and to those who came and supported us. We made a lovely profit of £460.25. Thank you!
LOTS OF THINGS COMING UP
TEA and CHAT - 16th April, from 2pm.
Come and join us for a cuppa, a chat, and some cake. There’ll be a raffle too. It’ll be lovely to see more
of you this time. Bring a friend along, and we’ll see you there!
Simon Howard and his band - 5th April 7.30 pm
Come and have a listen and perhaps a dance in the hall. For more information ask in the Social Club.
CEILIDH EVENING - 11th May (rearranged evening from last year)
Willowspin will be playing so get your tickets from the Social Club and join in the fun. Tickets are £10.00 each.
GARAGE SALE - Sunday 5th May
If you would like to open your garage then please complete our form and return it to us with £5.00 to 58 Mill Road, Blofield Heath, NR13 4QS. Or you could have a table at Heathlands Hall. Refreshments will be on sale from 9.00 am - until 1.00 pm. Maps of the garages will be on sale from 8.45 am. Any questions please ring 01603 714164. Thank you.
Bingo Dates - 29th March, 12th April and 26th April
A fun evening for everyone with money prizes and a great raffle. Drinks are available from the bar with eyes down at 7.30 pm.
BLOFIELD PRESCHOOL.
Based at Margaret Harker Hall, Blofield, NR13 4LE.
Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri – 9.00am to 3.00pm. Term time only for 2.5 – 4 year olds. Ofsted Rated Good. For more information and to be added to our waiting list please see our website www.blofieldpreschool.co.uk or contact blofieldpreschool@outlook.com
CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS.
If you would like to play duplicate bridge at a friendly club come along to Horning Bridge Club.
We play on Monday evenings at Horning Village Hall and On Thursday afternoons (relaxed) at Hoveton Youth and Community Centre. We would be delighted to welcome new members. Telephone Sue for more information on 07799 777862.
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE.
Blofield, Blofield Heath, Little Plumstead, Great Plumstead, Brundall area. I am available to babysit Friday and Saturday evenings. I have Studied Child Development at GCSE and I am currently studying Health and Social Care at sixth form. I am full DBS check completed in September 2023. I am reliable and friendly, currently enjoying volunteering at local events. Please text Jazmine on 07810 146777.
WROXHAM FLOWER CLUB.
Wednesday 10th April, A demonstration by Maddy Bradley, ‘Let Spring Begin’ in Rackheath Village Hall NR13 6LT. Doors open at 7.00 pm for a 7.30 pm start. Wroxham Flower Club welcomes visitors, £8 per person (cash or cheque), tea/coffee and homemade cakes included. Raffle for the stunning arrangements. For further information please contact wroxhamflowerclub55@gmail.com or ring Joanne Young on 07709 424493.
BUCKENHAM ANCIENT WOODLAND TRUST
We’re a group of people from the local community who have formed a charity to acquire the central portion of Buckenham Woods and to become its caretakers. To find out more about the different ways you can help us to preserve Buckenham Wood visit our website at www.buckenhamancientwoodland.org or join us every second Thursday of the month for an informal drop-in (6.30pm, Lingwood Village Hall, Station Road, Lingwood). For regular updates about the wood and any events being run by the BAWT check out the website or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/people/Buckenham-Ancient-Woodland-Trust/61556400513827/
ST LAWRENCE’S CENTRE.
Saturday, 27th April, 7.30pm in St Lawrence’s Centre, South Walsham, The Baudino/Vannini Guitar Duo playing music by Duarte, Scriabin, Tansman, Tchaikovsky and Barton (world premiere).
Tickets £12, £10 concessions, £4 U18s available on the door or in advance from Sue Hitchcock - email suehitchcock6@gmail.com.
HEMBLINGTON FRIENDS - A NIGHT OF FASHION AND WELL-BEING.
Fashion shows, well-being talks, and local business stalls led by Donnatella’s. Hemblington Primary School, Mill Road. 26th April, 6.30 pm until 9.30 pm. Tickets £5pp. Please contact friendsofhemblington@gmail.com for more information and to reserve a space.
1ST BLOFIELD AND BRUNDAL SEA SCOUT GROUP
1st Blofield and Brundal Sea Scout Group are fundraising to take the young people on a trip to Kandersteg International Scout Camp, Switzerland, in August 2025. To support this we have some events at the Scout HQ, Yarmouth Road, Blofield, NR13 4LE
Quiz and Ploughman’s – 16th March 6.30pm, £12/per person, please book
Retro Games Tournament – 4th May 7.00pm to10.00pm, over 18s £2/person
Crochet Workshop – 15th May 6.30pm to 9.30pm £15, materials and refreshments included
Summer BBQ - 19th July from 4.30pm onwards
Garage Sale - 26th August, 10.00am to 2.00pm.
Also Easter Saturday Parkrun at Brundall Countryside Park – 30th March at 9am – refreshments and Chocolate raffle, you don’t need to run but please come and support our young people.
Keep an eye on the FB or contact isla_mcfadden@hotmail.com / 1stbbfundraisingteam@gmail.com for more details and please come and join us to support this great cause.
MAKE AND MARDLE.
Make and Mardle will be held back at the church for the Summer months. They will be held on Tuesday 23rd April and Thursday 23rd May from 10.00am to 12noon at Hemblington church. Everyone is welcome for coffee, cake, chat and (optional) craft. For more information, call Catherine 01603 270360.
BLOFIELD COURT HOUSE VILLAGE SCREEN -
FRIDAY 12TH APRIL AND THEN COME THE NIGHTJARS (12)
Adapted for the screen from Bea Roberts’s multi-award-winning stage play,
‘And Then Come the Nightjars’ is a story of friendship and survival set against
the backdrop of the 2001 Foot and Mouth disease outbreak. An unlikely friendship develops between a Devon farmer and the vet who is assigned to cull his precious herd. It stars Nigel Hastings (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and David Fielder (Peterloo).
Matinee 2.30pm (tea, cakes, ice creams)
Evening 7.30pm (bar, soft drinks, ice creams).
Tickets £5 from S. and S. Mitchell Newsagents, The Street, Blofield.
Enquiries to 01603 712306.
BLOFIELD, HEMBLINGTON AND NORTH BURLINGHAM CHURCHES SERVICES FOR APRIL
| Church | Service | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hemblington Church | Sunday Services | 9:30am |
| Blofield Church | Sunday Services | 11:00am |
| North Burlingham | Jointly with Hemblington | 9:30am |
| All our Churches at South Walsham | Benefice Service April 7th | 11:00am |
| Blofield Church | Midweek Benefice Service | 9:30am |
ALL THREE CHURCHES ARE OPEN DAILY FROM 9.30 AM TO DUSK
Rector, Revd Kevin M Billson: 01603 712299 | kevin.m.billson@gmail.com
Revd Sue Shillam, Curate: 01603 211629
Blofield Wardens
Yvonne Mack: 01603 715213
Stephen Wales: 01603 211931
www.blofieldchurch.org.uk
Hemblington Wardens
Catherine Howe: 01603 270360
Simon Mutten: 01603 715701
www.hemblingtonchurch.org.uk
North Burlingham
Rev Kevin Billson: 01603 712299
www.northburlinghamchurch.org.uk
BLOFIELD CHURCH – OPEN DOORS
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch on the first and third Thursdays of each month for friendship and laughter and where a two-course lunch is provided. The group is growing monthly, for further information please contact Jenny on 01603 712968. The dates for April are Thursday 4th April and Thursday 18th April.
FOODBANK AT BLOFIELD CHURCH
Thank you so much to everyone who supports the Foodbank at Blofield Church. We are very grateful for the continuing generosity of people in our villages. The basket is on the porch at Blofield Church and delivered to the warehouse in Norwich weekly, where it is distributed to families, churches and Foodbank Centres.
Your support is invaluable. Donations of tinned meat, fish, tea, coffee, toiletries and tinned vegetables
will be greatly appreciated.
WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTING LOCAL FAMILIES IN OUR VILLAGE WHEN IN NEED.
Please contact Yvonne on 07720 942955 for more information.
THE FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HEMBLINGTON.
Saturday afternoon, 27th April (2.30 pm) Do come along to hear Adrian O’Dell’s illustrated presentation about Churchwardens’ Accounts in the 16th Century. There were some very odd expenses in churches at that time – come and be surprised and amused. Free entry to talk - and refreshments will be offered afterwards. The talk will be followed by the Annual General Meeting of The Friends group, but you don’t have to stay on for that, though we’d love it if you did!
DIARY DATES
The weekend of 8th and 9th June
Art Exhibition in church all weekend. Work by Jan Lacey, Ian Walker, Vivienne Rainsbury and Jan Heath. Free entry. Refreshments are available.
8th to 16th June
Churches Count on Nature and Great Big Green Week – expect some interesting and relevant demonstrations/discussions in church. An opportunity to increase our knowledge about reducing waste, recycling, composting and sustainability generally.
Information about the Friends group is available from the secretary: hemblington@gmail.com / 01603 715804. Church website: www.hemblingtonchurch.org.uk
BLOFIELD CHURCH
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch on the first and third Thursdays of each month for friendship and laughter and where a two-course lunch is provided. The group is growing monthly, for further information please contact Jenny on 01603 712968. The dates for April are Thursday 4th April and Thursday 18th April.
PLAY CHURCH BABY AND TODDLER GROUP
Blofield church every Wednesday during term time. Summer term dates from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm.
17th April – 22nd May, 5th June – 17th July.
No booking is necessary – all are welcome to join in the fun and friendship of this popular group – donations are gratefully received to help us renew equipment.
Please contact Yvonne on 01603 715213 / 07720 942955 or Barbara on 01603 714519 for further information or you can go to the Blofield Church Website at www.blofieldchurch.org.uk for further details.
We are always looking for voluntary drivers so if anyone would be interested, on a regular or occasional basis, please ring Sarah.
Mobile Library
The mobile library will be at the Little Plumstead Village Hall on the 16th of April between 10.55 am and 11.20 am.
BLOFIELD CHURCH PRESENTS.
An afternoon tea concert on Sunday 21st April at 3.00 pm, with visiting vocalist Emma Nuule, soprano, and our own John Farmer, organist, playing some of his own compositions. Tickets, £10 at the door and includes afternoon tea.
BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB.
The first full meeting of the Club’s year is on Wednesday evening, 10th April at the Margaret Harker Hall, Blofield at 7.30pm. All are invited to hear a talk about “Henstead Exotic Garden” by Andrew Brogan. Membership subscriptions for the year can be paid at this meeting (£10 p.a.) or come along as a guest (£2.50) to see if you feel you might like to join. Members’ competition - a cactus or succulent. The summer show schedule and plug plant will also be issued to members this evening, so a good time to start planning your show entries. We offer free refreshments after the talk plus there is a £1 bring and buy table and a raffle.
Future dates for your diary
Wednesday evening, 8th May: Martyn Davey will be talking about “Allotment and Vegetable Growing”.
Saturday morning, 18th May: Plant sale and coffee morning at Blofield Church. A sociable morning with some interesting plants available. Hope to see you there. Information about the club is available from the secretary: blofieldgardeningclub@outlook.com / 01603 715804. or visit our club website at
www.blofieldgardeningclub.org.uk
Smiths Coaches
Wolford House, Dyes Road, Blofield, Norwich, NR13 4DQ
2024 DAY EXCURSIONS
| Date | Event | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 12th April | Stamford Market Day & Peterborough Queensgate | £20.00 |
| Saturday 11th May | Spalding Flower Parade | £20.00 |
| Monday 3rd June | St Ives Market Day & Ely | £20.00 |
| Thursday 20th June | Sudbury Market Day & Braintree Shopping Centre | £24.00 |
| Wednesday 31st July | Sandringham Flower Show (inc admission) | £36.00 |
| Wednesday 7th August | Cromer Pier Show (Matinee, inc admission) | £38.00 |
| Friday 23rd August | Clacton Airshow | £22.00 |
| Wednesday 4th September | Urban Jungle Plant Centre, Dunwich for Fish & Chips & Southwold (inc Fish & Chips) | £30.00 |
| Friday 15th November | Sandringham Christmas Craft Fair (inc admission) | £30.00 |
| Saturday 30th November | Bury St Edmunds at Christmas | £15.00 |
| Monday 16th December | Thursford Christmas Show (Matinee, inc admission) | £62.00 |
Board coach from Little Plumstead, Blofield Heath, Blofield, Lingwood, Strumpshaw and Brundall (others may be added).
To make a booking or request a full list, please telephone 01603 720628 / email: smithscoaches@email.com
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have a story, event or cause you want to let the community know about? Send your entries to Focal Point and be featured in a future edition of the newsletter. Email Andy Broad at andyb@focalpointonline.org.uk
Word count up to 200 words.
HEATHLANDS SOCIAL CLUB
We have plenty going on at the social club over the next month. Please see our Facebook page for up to date news at www.facebook.com/heathlands.socialclub/ as well as on our website.
Your club is open from Tuesday through to Sunday. Come and join us. We usually have 3 ales on tap from various local breweries plus Lagers (Birra Moretti, Stella Artois, Carlsberg), Guinness, Magners, Lacons LGR and Camden Pale Ale. We also have lots of wines, spirits, soft drinks and snacks.
Members benefit from cheaper bar prices. New Memberships are always welcome and forms are available in the Bar. Sky Sports are shown throughout the week. Come and join us, have a pint and watch the sports. We also have rolling TV adverts for companies to advertise. If you are interested, please call in and talk to us or ring 01603 714164.
Opening Hours:
| Day | Opening Hours | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Doors open at 7:30pm, closed at 11pm | Darts Club night, Friendly crib night |
| Wednesday | Doors open at 7:30pm, closed at 11pm | Short mat bowls in the main hall |
| Thursday | Doors open at 7:30pm, closed at 11pm | Pool Team night |
| Friday | Doors open at 4:30pm, closed at 11pm | Nippy Chippy van onsite. Have a pint while you wait for your chips! |
| Saturday | Doors open at 5:30pm, closed at 11pm | |
| Sunday | Doors open 2pm, closed at 6pm |
GREAT AND LITTLE PLUMSTEAD AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB.
Looking ahead to our meeting on the 8th of April at Thorpe End Church Hall, we welcome our speaker Bunty Gotts, with a talk on the behind-the-scenes at Blickling Hall and Gardens, always a delightful talk. We also have our Spring show that evening with exhibits of Daffodils and Tulips on show, 2 daffodils and 1 tulip, should make a lovely spring table display from members.
On the 21st April, we look forward to the Mystery day trip, the cost is £35 and includes lunch at a secret location only the coach driver knows where! We still have a few spaces on this trip and if anyone would like to join us, please call 01508 493981 to request seats. We gather at Brickworks House to meet the coach and cars can be left there also.
On the 6th May we will welcome Rosemary Ward to Great Plumstead Village Hall with a talk on container gardening. And in June at Thorpe End church hall our speaker is Andrew Sankey, the subject is ‘Land of 1000 Lakes’. Looking forward to the coming season of speakers at our meetings.
MESSY MUSHROOMS.
Messy Mushrooms, based at Heathlands, stay and messy play fun and sensory for 0-4 years. £5.50 per child, £2 for additional siblings. The price includes a healthy snack. Fridays, term time only 10.00 am to 11.30 am. Run by experienced early years practitioners. Visit our Facebook page. Weekly book sale, 50p per book.
BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT CONSERVATION GROUP.
BADCOG is an active group aiming to promote interest in Norfolk’s natural history and to conserve, maintain and improve the diversity of our sites for nature conservation.
We undertake the site management of wildlife habitats and hold fortnightly work parties on Saturday mornings starting at 10.30 am and finishing no later than 1.00 pm.
Anyone can come and join in, for as little or as long as they like or just to see what we do.
Saturday 6th April – Walsham Fen
Cut and clear boardwalks.
Saturday 20th April – Jary’s Meadow
Cut and clear path network and other areas.
Saturday 11th May – Buckenham Woods
General maintenance.
Further details and any changes to plans will be on the website www.badcog.co.uk.
KEEP BLOFIELD SPECIAL.
We are a small group of volunteers who like to keep our villages looking reasonably free of litter, we meet monthly for about an hour’s litter-picking. Litter-picks for April, slightly adjusted for Easter, take place on:
Monday 8th April
Meet at Heathlands, Blofield Heath at 9.30 am
Monday 15th April
Meet at the Old Court House, Blofield at 9.30 am
Anyone is welcome to join us, there is never a shortage of litter, unfortunately!
The Walled Garden Community Shop & Cafe update
Wish to pick up some gardening skills in our gorgeous restored Victorian Walled Garden, after a delicious lunch? Why not register for one of our new “Gardening for Beginners” courses taking place on Saturdays from April, 2-4pm, and led by expert Richard Hobbs. More details on this and our many other regular events on our website or on Facebook. Find our website at www.thewalledgardenshop.co.uk. We are located at The Walled Garden Community Shop & Cafe, Old Hall Road, Little Plumstead, NR13 5FA. Free parking in our community car park. Check google maps or Facebook / Instagram for our opening times and visit soon!
125th anniversary of the historic Norfolk trading wherry
April 2024 marks the start of the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the historic Norfolk trading wherry, “Maud”, being built and the 25th anniversary of her successful restoration and re-commissioning. “Maud” is a very special wherry, the last of the typical clinker-built trading wherries to sail on the Norfolk Broads and Rivers.
Wherry Maud Trust are holding an Artists & Makers Show, as a major fundraiser for the ongoing maintenance of “Maud”. The show will be held at the beautiful Ranworth Village Hill, Broad Road, Ranworth, NR13 6HS over the bank holiday of Sunday 5th & Monday 6Th May. “Maud” will be available for viewing and will be moored at the Broadland Conservation Centre at Ranworth (Norfolk Wildlife Trust).
The show will take place from 10am until 5pm on Sunday, 5th May and Monday, 6th May with admission being free. The event will showcase the work of East Anglian artists and craftspeople. Hanging work will be on display in various media – watercolour, oil, acrylic and prints. Other items for sale will include wood-turned pieces, studio pottery and textiles. Teas, coffees and homemade cakes will be served throughout the two days.
Visitors will be welcomed by volunteer members of the Trust who will be happy to chat about “Maud”, her history and current use.
HEMBLINGTON PRE SCHOOL.
Hemblington Pre School, based at Heathlands, Woodbastwick Road. Tues 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, 12.30 pm to 3.30[m. Ofsted rated ‘Good’. www.hemblingtonpreschool.com. For all enquiries please visit our website, click on the ‘Contact us’ tab and submit an enquiry form.
We can discuss availability and an opportunity to visit the setting and look forward to hearing from you soon!
We would like to say a huge thank you to CIM, Signs and Graphics, for donating and installing new signage for us, it is very much appreciated.
Take the Focal Point with you. Download your copy here.