Focal Point January Newsletter
HEATHLANDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
Wishes a Happy New Year to everybody We’re looking forward to seeing you through the year.
Reporting back from the last few 2023 events. The Christmas Fair, as usual, was a great event run alongside the Beer Festival, making a lovely profit for Heathlands. Quiz and Chips was another sellout and enjoyable fun evening. The Ofenders 60s night was such a great night again. Thank you all for your support, and to the Ofenders for providing great 60s music. The Children’s Christmas Party had 30 children having a lovely time with a special visit from Father Christmas.
Now onto 2024 with something for everyone to enjoy.
Northern Soul Music
Sunday January 28th in the Hall on, its free entry from 1.00pm, last one was a great success, so come along. Hope to have another in March time.
JUMBLE SALE
Saturday 24th February. Doors open at 2.00pm. Jumble from 12 would be great thanks.
Wine Evening
Join us in the Social Club on Monday February 26th February, Tickets £13.00 each. This is being run by HarperWells Wines. Nibbles will be available during the evening. Tickets are available from the Social Club. Come and join us for a lovely evening of tasting the world.
BINGO!
Dates for February are 2nd, 16th, 1st March. Get your dabbers at the ready and we look forward to seeing you there.
Ceilidh evening
We have rearranged this event for May 13th, so hopefully those who wanted to come last time will join us, plus lots of others. More information to follow later.
Beer Festival
Mark it in your calendars this event is planned for July, and hopefully another Quiz. Also other things in the pipeline, so watch this space.
SOCIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Memberships for 2023 expired at the end of December, hopefully, most of you received a renewable form, if not please call into the Club to get a copy, so you can continue to enjoy cheaper prices.
Thank you to everyone who has already renewed for 2024.
BLOFIELD PRESCHOOL.
Based at Margaret Harker Hall, Blofield, NR13 4LE.
Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri – 9am to 3pm. 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. Call Sue for more information on 07799 777862.
The Walled Garden Community Shop and Café.
We are open throughout the year! Come and enjoy a hot drink and some delicious cake this winter!
We are looking forward to some new events starting in January. Mark your calendars for Whittling Wednesday - our “Men’s Shed” starts weekly from Jan 17th. On Saturday 3rd February you can enjoy guided walks around the garden with expert Richard Hobbs, to learn about our snowdrop collection. You can pre book a time slot in the shop (11am, 12noon or 2pm). £3 per person or £6.50 with home-made takeaway soup and snowdrops for sale. More details on our many regular events are on our website and on Facebook.
We are located at The Walled Garden Community Shop & Cafe, Old Hall Road, Little Plumstead, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 5FA. Free parking in our community car park. Check Google Maps, Facebook or Instagram for our opening times.
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 10am to 11.30am. Run by experienced early years practitioners. Visit our Facebook page. Weekly book sale, 50p per book.
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE.
Blofield, Blofield Heath, Little Plumstead, Great Plumstead and Brundall. I am available to babysit on Friday and Saturday evenings. I have Studied Child Development at GCSE and I am currently studying Health and Social Care at sixth form. Full DBS check completed September 2023
Reliable and friendly, currently enjoying
volunteering at local events.
Please text Jazmine on 07810 146777
KEEP BLOFIELD SPECIAL.
We are a small group of volunteers who like to keep our villages looking attractive and reasonably free of litter. We meet monthly for about an hour of litter-picking, anyone is welcome to join us, there is never a shortage of litter, unfortunately February litter-picks take place on:
Monday 5th February, meet at Heathlands, Blofield Heath at 9.30am
Monday 12th February, meet at the Old Court House, Blofield at 9.30am
As usual, a big thank-you to residents, dog walkers and others who also collect litter around the villages.
We would just like to say a special ‘Thank you” to all those people from KBS, who are tirelessly out every month throughout the year, in all weathers, picking up all the litter from both Blofield and Blofield Heath. “Whilst we are all very grateful to them for doing this, there should be no reason for them to be doing this”!
The Grateful residents of Blofield Heath
BLOFIELD COURT HOUSE VILLAGE SCREEN -
FRIDAY 16TH FEBRUARY THE GREAT ESCAPER (12)
In 2014, on the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, octogenarian Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine) made headlines making a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans at a commemorative event on a beach in Normandy. A story that had Bernie embodying the defiant, “can-do” spirit of a generation that is fast disappearing, the bitter-sweet film explores the reality of Bernie’s 48 hour adventure and the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Irene (Glenda Jackson, in her last screen appearance).
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 TENNIS CLUB.
Following the completion of our second hard court, we are inviting new members to join and enjoy regular tennis throughout the year. Now is a great time to start, or get back into tennis at this friendly club, welcoming players of all standards. We offer:
Four high-quality courts, two grass, two hard
Daytime and evening social play
Group and individual adult and junior coaching with L.T.A. licenced coaches
Fun tournaments for a mix of ability
League team play
Family, adult and junior membership packages
Call Diana Gilder on 07799 506809 to discuss what membership offers and arrange a free taster session, or join via the website www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/blofieldtennisclub or email blofieldtennisclub@btinternet.com
Margaret Harker Hall, Yarmouth Road, Blofield, NR13 4LE
MAKE AND MARDLE.
The next dates for Make and Mardle are Thursday 22nd February and Thursday 21st March. Both from 10.00am to 12noon at Gables Farmhouse, Hemblington: coffee, cake and chat. All will be very welcome.
BLOFIELD, HEMBLINGTON AND NORTH BURLINGHAM
CHURCHES SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY
| Hemblington Church | Sunday Services | 9.30am |
| Blofield Church | Sunday Services | 11.00am |
| North Burlingham | Jointly with Hemblington | 9.30am |
| Ash Wednesday | ||
|---|---|---|
| Blofield Church | Service of Holy Communion | 9.30am |
| South Walsham Church | Service of Holy Communion | 7.00pm |
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 February 2024 are Thursday 1st February and Thursday 15th February
FOODBANK AT BLOFIELD CHURCH
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the Foodbank at Blofield Church during 2023. We are very grateful for the continuing generosity of people in our villages. The basket is in 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 and coffee will be greatly appreciated.
WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTING LOCAL FAMILIES IN OUR VILLAGE WHEN APPROACHED.
Please contact Yvonne on 07720 942955 for more information.
PLAY CHURCH BABY AND TODDLER GROUP
BLOFIELD CHURCH EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING TERM TIME
From 1.00pm to 3.00pm.
SPRING TERM DATES 10th JANUARY – 14th FEBRUARY
28th FEBRUARY – 27th MARCH
No booking necessary – all welcome.
Please contact Yvonne on 01603 715213/07720942955 or Barbara on 01603 714519 for further information or you can go to the Blofield Church Website at www.blofieldchurch.org.uk
WROXHAM FLOWER CLUB.
The first meeting of 2024 is on 14th February when Roger Woolnough is demonstrating arrangements which, of course, he has called Love is in the Air. The meeting is at Rackheath Village Hall, doors opening at 7.00pm with a start time of 7.30pm. These wonderful arrangements will be raffled and you can enjoy homemade cake and refreshments to round off the evening.
Come and give us a look as visitors are very welcome at £8.00 pp. If you have any query please give me a ring on 07539 764196. Rosie Howel.
THE FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HEMBLINGTON.
Lots of events are being planned by the Friends committee this year.If you read this in time, do come along and help us note the birds in the churchyard on Sunday, 28th January (11.00am to 1.00pm) as part of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.Bird ID help and warming refreshments will be available.
Saturday evening, 24th February, at Heathlands Social Club – David Bryant’s Grand New Music Quiz!By public demand, David has organised an all new music-related quiz complete with his famous live music set.Make up a team of six – or we can combine you with others – for a great evening of music and fun. The bar will be open for drinks at club prices and do bring along your own snacks (but not drink please).
Tickets £8 p.p. and further information from Sue: hemblington@gmail.com / 01603 715804 and Linda: linda_bryant7@hotmail.com / 01603 715933.
Becoming a Friend of Hemblington church will help ensure funds are available for repairs to the building and conservation management in the churchyard.Many of you enjoy visiting this beautiful little church – your financial support would be much appreciated. lovely little church and its beautiful, peaceful churchyard. Perhaps give the gift of a membership to someone as a Christmas gift. Information is available from the secretary at hemblington@gmail.com or call 01603 715804 or see the church website www.hemblingtonchurch.org.uk
BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB.
Is your garden looking beautiful, full of bulbs and spring-flowering shrubs?If you feel it could perhaps be improved, might you benefit from hearing gardening-related talks or chatting to locals about it?The Gardening Club welcomes people from all our local villages – and beyond – offering formal professional presentations, informal advice, sociable refreshment time and of course a raffle! The first meeting this year will be on Wednesday evening, 13th March (7.30pm) at the Margaret Harker Hall, Yarmouth Road, Blofield NR13 4LE.All are invited to hear what is being planned for the rest of the year including the very popular annual summer show. Do come along to this free meeting – it might be what you need to recharge your batteries and gain health
and enjoyment from being outside and “growing your own”! Local contact for queries: 01603 715804.
www.blofieldgardeningclub.org.uk
GREAT AND LITTLE PLUMSTEAD AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB.
On a very cold, chilly, January evening we started with our New Year gathering, this evening was at Thorpe End Church Hall, it was good to see so many familiar faces after the Christmas break, we had a good evening finding out the joys and challenges of running an allotment.
On February 5th we are meeting at Great Plumstead Village Hall and our topic is First Aid in the Garden,very good reminder of do’s and don’ts when in the garden.
Looking forward to March 4th at Thorpe End Church Hall we welcome Adrian Thompson with a talk entitled ‘Filby in Bloom’ as many of you may know Filby has won this competition many times, so we look forward to finding out how they do it.
Our full programme is now up and running and we will welcome newcomers to join us at any time.
WEA BLOFIELD BRANCH.
We are very pleased to confirm that courses will continue at Blofield Court House this year. A short course on “Highwaymen vs the Georgian Judicial System” was held in late January/early February. From 27th February, Nigel Herwin will present “Alfred Hitchcock - The British Movies” – a four week course which promises to explore how he became “the master of suspense” through a series of classic movies during the 1920s and ‘30s. Some of you may remember Nigel, who amused us no end with comedic extracts from film and TV on a course a couple of years ago.
This new course will be held at The Blofield Court House on Tuesday mornings 27th February, 5th, 12th and 19th March, starting at 10.00am and finishing at 12 noon. Light refreshments are offered during a brief interval. Enrolment with the WEA is either online at: www.wea.org.uk or by phone on 0300 303 3464.The course ref. number is Q00010682. Your local contact is via e-mail: Blofield.branch@wea.ac.uk or by phone 01603 537029. Hope to see you there!
GREAT PLUMSTEAD BOWLS CLUB
Quiz and chip night, Thursday 14th March 2024, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.
10 Tables of up to 8 People Available – BOOK EARLY.
CHRISTMAS QUIZ.
Thank you to all who tried their hands [and brains] at the recent quiz on the subject of ‘transport’.
A number of very clever people handed in completely correct sheets. A draw revealed one winner. Congratulations. For the curious - a list of answers will be pinned up in Blofield Church.
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
Your club is open from Tuesday through to Sunday. Come and join us. We usually have 3 ales on tap from various breweries plus Lagers (Birra Moretti, Stella Artois, Carlsberg), Guinness, Magners, Camden Hells Lager and Camden Pale Ale. We also have lots of wines, spirits, soft drinks and snacks.
Thai street food fortnightly on a Tues (next session 12th Dec) Serving between 5-8pm.
Order online at woktruck.co.uk. Nippy Chippy Van onsite every Friday.
Opening Hours:
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
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. Please see our facebook page for up to date news at www.facebook.com/heathlands.socialclub. Members benefit from cheaper bar prices. New Memberships are always welcome and forms are available in the Bar. £10.00 for a family including children under 17, Single membership £5.00.
Non Members are welcome to visit.
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 site management of wildlife habitats and hold fortnightly work parties and monthly evening meetings.
Work parties on alternate Saturday mornings start at 10.30am and finish no later than 1.00pm. Anyone can come and join in for as little or as long as they like or just to see what we do.
Saturday 3rd February
Walsham Fen
Saturday 17th February
Buckenham Woods – General maintenance;
Saturday 2nd March
Jary’s Meadow – Path network/bramble.
Further details and any changes to plans will be on the website www.badcog.co.uk
At our evening meeting on Friday 9th February Garth Copeland will talk about Slugs and Snails.
This will be on at 7.30pm in Strumpshaw Community Hall, Mill Road, Strumpshaw. Do join us. Visitors are welcome and refreshments are served.
BLOFIELD HEATH WI 2023/2024
It’s been a while since our meetings and publication dates have lined up nicely, so there’s a lot of news to report:
On November 14th Peena Kavarana spoke to us about Intensive Care Nursing through the Covid Pandemic. It was a shock and privilege to hear what it was like to be on the frontline, facing fear and risk every day. Our admiration for these people who stepped up to the plate, and took on jobs outside of their training and experience, is enormous. Peena spoke eloquently and passionately about the subject – thank you so much.
We had another wonderful Christmas Lunch at The Old Rectory on 12th December. The food was excellent, and the company and conversation scintillating! Many thanks to Jill for organising the event, and to Jackie for our lovely chutneys.
We started off the New Year on 9th January with a really good talk by Clare Belcher, who is an Ambassador for Tropic Skincare Range. It was interesting to hear about how Tropic came into being and it was so refreshing to find an organisation that is concerned about the health of the planet, as well as that of the customer. Clare treated us all to a mini hand spa, which was very well received. I am sure there will be plenty of people booking Pamper Days.
We will be holding our AGM on 13th February. Margaret Barber will be doing a short quiz after the business is concluded.
BRUNDALL LOCAL HISTORY GROUP.
The next talk is on Saturday 3rd February at 2.30pm in Brundall Memorial Hall, Links Avenue, Brundall, NR13 5LL.It will be given by Phyllida Scrivens and will be entitled ‘When the Medics came to Norwich’. Phyllida will talk about ‘stories and scandal from the 42nd Annual Congress of the British Medical Association, August 1874’. Within four weeks of this congress, Norwich doctors would be involved in the Great Thorpe Railway Disaster and some years later Dr Beverley would host garden parties for the BMA in Brundall Gardens.
Admission is free to members and £3 to visitors who are very welcome.
For further details visit our website: www.brundallvillagehistory.org.uk
WHB TWINNING ASSOCIATION.
Looking forward now, this year, to the visit from our French friends from La Pommeraye and Montjean-sur-Loire, Sunday 11th to Friday 16th August and they are still, as far as we know, anticipating about 40 guests at the moment. Our programme is coming together, our committee members on the case, some venues and visits booked and now hoping that the August weather will be kind to us, especially for our outdoor events.
Before then, we had our Post-Christmas Dinner at the Hotel Wroxham on 20th January, which provided us with excellent 2/3 course dinner choices. We are also planning one of our popular “Call my Quaff” wine quizzes on 20th April so look out for details about that shortly. We have another committee meeting at the end of January, so we’ll be able to provide more information on the above after that.
Book Club is continuing with our 15 or so members and we had Jane’s choice of “Tulip Fever” by Deborah Moggach in December and Sue’s “The Birdcage” by Eve Chase in January. We also had an excellent Christmas lunch at Fizz and Fromage in Hoveton in December for our local book club members. Pat can get copies of most of our books from Wroxham Library, who are always very helpful and can supply more information for now on 01603 782375 or pat.barkergreen@btinternet.com. For any more information please contact us, via Peter, on 01603 782733 or peter_c_milsted@talk21.com
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