Focal Point June Newsletter
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have a story to share, an event to announce, or a piece of news that you think your neighbours would love to know about? Look no further! Focal Point, your go-to online newsletter serving our vibrant village communities, is eager to hear from YOU!
No story is too big or too small – if it matters to you, it matters to us!
Submit your stories, news, and events via email to andyb@focalpointonline.org.uk. Include photos or artwork to accompany your submission (please ensure you have permission to use them) and be sure to include any relevant dates, times, and locations for events.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
BLOFIELD ALLOTMENTS
Have you ever wished you could grow your fruit and vegetables but haven’t got the space? Maybe an allotment could provide the perfect solution. We currently have one plot immediately available for those of you who live within the parish of Blofield (covering Blofield and Blofield Heath). If you would like to find out more, please do e-mail us for details at blofieldallotment@btinternet.com.
HEATHLANDS MANAGEMENT NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING IS JUNE 4TH 2024.
Forthcoming attractions
D-D celebrations - Thursday, 6th June
We invite you to come along to Heathlands Community Centre to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on Thurs, June 6th.
The anticipated schedule is as follows:
18.45 - Heathlands will open.
19.00-21.00 - BBQ will be served
21.15 - Beacon will be lit.
This event will be organised by locals and is very much an event for all to contribute to and make a success. We endeavour to play some appropriate music and invite you to come along and join in with a sing-a-long. Feel free to dress up for the occasion (land girls etc.). Also, bring along a lamp to light at 21.15, which will “represent the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of war”.
Beacons will also be lit across the country and on the five beaches of Northern France where Allied troops landed.
Cleaner required at Heathlands
After May half-term with flexible, varied hours, for more information please ring 01603 714164.
Picnic in the park - SUNDAY 9th JUNE
Come and join in with the music. BBQ will be served from 1.30 pm. Music from 3.00-4.00 pm and then 4.30-5.30 pm. Suggestion to bring a chair as well, hopefully see you all there enjoying the James Bond music. Free entry.
Family Night - FRIDAY 14th June
Nippy Chippy will be on the field. Hopeful of games etc., and Table Tennis table for you to have a go on.
EUROS football - SUNDAY 16th June
The England game is on at 8.00 pm. The Club will be open for this.
TEA and CHAT DATE - June 18th
The next one from 2-4 pm at Heathlands. Lots of lovely cakes, sausage rolls, etc., Raffle and plenty of chat. Come and join us.
Floating Greyhounds - SUNDAY JUNE 30th
Will be performing on the field from 3-5 pm. BBQ from 2.00 pm.
Dates for diaries - Summer Beer Festival - July 16-21st.
Music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU.
To everyone who attended the quiz on Friday 3rd May. The evening raised an amazing £424 for the Blue Cross and British Heart Foundation through quiz entries, a raffle, and a silent auction. We hope you enjoyed the event, and we are incredibly grateful for your support. Clare & Clare London Marathon Finishers.
LOCAL STORIES - “Insights into 16th Century Churchwardens’ Accounts”
“Churchwardens’ Accounts of the 16th Century” was the title of an illustrated presentation by Adrian O’dell M.A. of Past Scapes Landscape History Presentations, held at the church of All Saints at Hemblington (near Blofield) on Saturday afternoon, 27th April. Mrs Slater, chair of The Friends of All Saints, welcomed attendees, emphasising the group’s mission to raise funds for church maintenance. She celebrated the church’s recent achievement of the silver level in the A Rocha UK eco-church award scheme.
Adrian O’dell explored the historical significance of churchwardens’ roles, discussing their diverse responsibilities over the centuries. His talk delved into church construction and repair costs, payments to craftsmen, and even the lighter aspects of Medieval life like church ales and plays. The presentation received positive feedback, prompting engaging discussions and appreciation from attendees.
Following refreshments, the Friends group held their AGM, discussing their recent projects such as the repair work on the west window and tower brickwork. For more information on The Friends of All Saints, contact the secretary via email: hemblington@gmail.com or visit the church’s website: www.hemblingtonchurch.org.uk.
NEW SEAT – BLOFIELD HEATH.
Dear readers, I am so glad to have another avenue to air a request for a seat on our very long Blofield Corner Road. Mill Road has 2. I wrote to the Parish Council in January and I have had no reply. I then wrote to Bennett Homes who have just the right spot at the start of Gostling Road and they said they could not as they have already given £175,000 to our locality specifically for public open spaces. I have lived here for the last fifty years and taught for 20 years at Blofield School. Now approaching 90 I have noticed that there is nowhere, not even a brick wall where someone could perch for a rest. There are many disabled and elderly who would really appreciate a seat somewhere (facing south) on their long walk to the bus or to the shop. Perhaps a reader may have a further suggestion on how to solve this. Mrs Margaret Cumbers 20 Borton Road.
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.
ST LAWRENCE’S CENTRE.
Raymond Burley, Guitar Concert - Saturday 29th June 7.30pm in St Lawrence’s Centre, South Walsham.
Tickets £10, Concessions £8, U18’s £4 On the door or in advance from suehitchcock6@gmail.com.
CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS.
If you’d 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 at 07799 777862.
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE.
Blofield, Blofield Heath, Little Plumstead, Great Plumstead, Brundall area. 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. I have a 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. OPEN MEETING.
Wednesday 12th June. Doors open at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. Welcome drink on arrival. Area Demonstrator from Surrey, Graham King presents for us “Inspirational” followed by your own Tuck Box of Tasty Treats.
Rackheath Village Hall NR13 6LT. Guests £18 Club Members £5. Please call Su Mace on 07902 140520 to book your ticket
BADCOG ~ BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT CONSERVATION GROUP.
An active group which undertakes site management of local wildlife habitats, BADCOG holds fortnightly work parties on Saturday mornings starting at 10.30am and finishing 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 8th June, Lingwood Church – Cut and clear conservation area.
Saturday 22nd June, Hemblington Church – Cut and clear conservation area.
Saturday 6th July, Blofield Church – Cut the whole conservation area and clear half.
Further details and any changes to plans will be on the website www.badcog.co.uk.
BLOFIELD, HEMBLINGTON AND NORTH BURLINGHAM CHURCHES. SERVICES FOR JUNE.
| Blofield Deanery Ascension Day Service | Service | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hemblington Church | Sunday Services | 9.30am |
| Blofield Church | Sunday Services | 11.00am |
| North Burlingham | Jointly with Hemblington | 9.30am |
| Sunday 30th June | ||
| Hemblington Church | Benefice Service | 9.30am |
| Wednesday | ||
| Blofield Church | Midweek Benefice Service | 9.30am |
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 June are Thursday 6th June and Thursday 20th June.
FOODBANK AT BLOFIELD CHURCH.
Thank you so much to everyone who supports the Foodbank at Blofield Church. The warehouse on Ivy
Road is struggling to meet the demand of so many people. The basket is in the porch at Blofield Church
and is delivered to the warehouse weekly, where it is distributed to families, churches and Foodbank Centres.
Your support in invaluable. Donations of tinned meat, fish, tea, coffee, toiletries and tinned vegetables will be greatly appreciated.
WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES IN OUR VILLAGE WHEN IN NEED.
Please contact Yvonne on 07720 942955 for more information.
THE FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HEMBLINGTON.
Churches Count on Nature and Great Big Green Week 8th to 16th June: do drop in to see an exhibition in church, illustrating the wildlife that has been spotted in and around the churchyard. It is also a celebration that the church has achieved the silver-level award of the A Rocha UK Eco-church scheme. Norfolk Wildlife Trust is organising a wildflower walk and discussion on Wednesday morning, 12th June. If you are interested in joining this, please contact the churchyard conservation officer at the NWT.
Saturday morning, 22nd June, BADCOG will be raking and clearing the churchyard after the wildflowers have been cut. If you would like to see how this is done, or indeed give a hand, do please come along 10.30am to 12.00 noon.
We are looking forward to a visit by the Round Tower Churches Society on Saturday, 6th July 2.30pm – the first church of three that afternoon. All are welcome to join in with their trip.
Details: www.roundtowers.org.uk/church-tours. If you would like to know how you too can help secure the future of the church, please email the Friends Secretary at hemblington@gmail.com or call 01603 715804.
ROUND TOWER CHURCHES SOCIETY.
On Saturday July 6th 2.30pm tour of Hemblington Church, then Little Plumstead and ending at Old Catton. Tea is provided at one of the churches visited. There is no charge for the tour but donations to the churches are welcome.
PLAY CHURCH BABY AND TODDLER GROUP.
Blofield church every Wednesday during term time from 1.00pm until 3.00pm.
Summer term dates are 17th April to 22nd May and 5th June to 17th July.
No booking is necessary – all are welcome to join in the fun and friendship of this popular group
Please contact Yvonne on 715213/07720942955 or Barbara on 714519 for further information or you can go to the Blofield Church Website at www.blofieldchurch.org.uk
Blofield Church’s Summer Garden Party.
Joing us on Saturday June 15th between 1.00pm and 4.00pm. Bring your teddy for parachuting fun, wind him on a rope up the side of the tower and watch him float down. Also many garden games and treasure hunts with prizes galore. Train rides for children. Teas, cakes and ice creams. FREE ENTRY
MAKE AND MARDLE.
The next Make and Mardle dates will be Tuesday 25th June and Thursday 25th July. These will be held in Hemblington church 10.00am to 12noon. There will be coffee and cake with optional craft. All are welcome: for more information call 01603 270360 or 01603 716970
BLOFIELD GARAGE SALE.
Monday 26th August 10.00am to 2.00pm to raise funds for Brundall and Blofield Sea Scouts including an International trip in 2025. If you would like to open your garage please fill in an application form to get yourself on the map, available by emailing 1stbbfundraisingteam@gmail.com.
to be returned in an envelope with £5 enclosed to S. and S. Mitchell, Newsagents, The Street, Blofield. You can book a table in the scout hut. Space is limited, first come first served. Maps will be on sale from 9.45am at Blofield and Brundall Scout hut, Yarmouth Road, Blofield. Refreshments will also be available from the Scout Hut from 10.00am.
GREAT AND LITTLE PLUMSTEAD GARDEN CLUB.
We had a very enjoyable mystery day which took us to Snape Maltings for a coffee stop and to explore, then on to the fabulous fish and chip restaurant at Dunwich, followed by the afternoon at the Transport Museum at Carlton Colville near Lowestoft and all in glorious sunshine, although quite breezy.
We have arranged a visit to The Walled Garden with a guided tour and talk, followed by refreshments on Wednesday 19th June, and we hope for ‘Summer Sunshine’ on that day. We look forward to the next coach trip on June 30th to the Stockwood Discovery Centre.
On June 3rd at Thorpe End church hall we welcome Andrew Sankey with a talk entitled Land of 1,000 Lakes. July 1st also at Thorpe End church hall we look forward to welcoming Charles Lewis whose subject is Georgian Norwich Heritage.
On Saturday 27th July we will be having our Summer Show at Great Plumstead village hall, hard to think how quickly these events will happen, we look forward to seeing lots of people at all the above events as summer progresses.
BLOFIELD COURT HOUSE VILLAGE SCREEN - FRIDAY 14TH JUNE. The Holdovers (15) Comedy/Drama - 2h 14m
From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them, a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) -- and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
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.
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 and 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 (currently Lacons Encore, Grain Bramble and Thornbridge Jaipur) 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.
Opening Hours:
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Tues - Thurs | 7:30pm - 11:00pm |
| Friday | 4:30pm - 11:00pm |
| Saturday | 5:30pm - 11:00pm |
| Sunday | 2:00pm - 6:00pm |
BROADBEAT CHOIR.
BroadBeat Choir have just celebrated their 12th birthday with a party for over 80 members. 21 of us are going to lunch on polling day as the halls are closed. We also have our monthly breakfast club coming up. When do you get to sing you may ask?
I think this is where community groups come into their own; you initially meet up through a shared interest, then you make friends and meet up outside of the group, you can be involved as much or as little as you want. Back to singing! I hear so often people were told at school they couldn’t sing, even asked to mime. What a cheek! If you love singing, then don’t let anyone stop you - including yourself. Our Blofield group meets on a Wednesday evening at The Margaret Harker Hall, we start at 7.15pm. Once a month we move to the clubhouse at the end of the car park when the gardening club uses the hall. Yes the bar is open but again it’s about community and accommodating each other. Back to singing again! There’s no need to read music or have any singing experience. Come and try 2 free taster sessions then it’s £6 when you come along. Call Sandra on 07899 676560 for a chat or just turn up.
THE BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB.
All are invited to attend the Gardening Club’s “Gardening Naturally” talk, to be given by Annette Hurt on Wednesday, 12th June 7.30pm at The Margaret Harker Hall, Blofield. The members’ competition is “A rose in a vase”. Refreshments,
a £1 Bring and buy stall and a raffle too.
Guests are invited to come along to see what happens at Club meetings (£2.50) new members will be warmly welcomed (£10 fee for the whole year.) Local contact for information: (01603) 715804.
Club website: www.blofieldgardeningclub.org.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 June take place on:
Monday 3rd June, meet at Heathlands, Blofield Heath at 9.30am
Monday 10th June, meet at the Old Court House, Blofield at 9.30am
Anyone is welcome to join us, there is never a shortage of litter, unfortunately! The informal litter-picking around our two villages by walkers and dog-walkers is also very much appreciated, thank-you.
Mobile Library
Mobile library 11th June @ 10 .55 and 11 .20 at Little Plumstead Village Hall.
NORFOLK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
Norfolk Community Foundation are seeking passionate local gardeners, allotment holders and farmers to become ‘Nourishing Norfolk Growers’. The campaign aims to ensure access to quality food for all, especially in light of the challenges posed by the cost of living crisis, by encouraging growers to grow and donate food locally. Nourishing Norfolk food hubs help people save just enough money on just enough food to get by. Providing them with
fresh fruit and vegetables is crucial but it’s challenging to source fresh produce affordably, locally and seasonally.
Could you help by:
Donating surplus vegetables and fruit to stop it going to waste?
Growing extra produce with FREE seeds from your local food hub, provided by Notcutts?
Collecting donations from your allotment in one of our pink crates?
Speaking to your hub about what they need and what you need?
For more information, go to www.norfolkfoundation.com/grow
AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.
An exciting opportunity to hear “The Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge” singing in Blofield Church on Friday July 5th at 6.30 pm. Interval cheese and wine. Tickets £10 at the door.
The Walled Garden Community Shop & Cafe update.
The garden is already looking stunning, with beautiful flowers everywhere you look! Please pop over and see our new greenhouse which is growing fresh salad for your lunches in the cafe. Events-wise, save the dates for our popular Friday Fizz nights in July and August. This summer’s events include BBQ, Platters, Tex Mex, Ploughmans, Charcuterie and Tex Mex! Be sure to check the website and come along on the nights you
wish to attend.
Find details of all our events at our website at www.thewalledgardenshop.co.uk.
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 or Facebook / Instagram for our opening times and visit soon!
BLOFIELD TENNIS CLUB.
Following 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 LTA licenced coaches
Fun tournaments for a mix of ability
League team play
Family, adult and junior membership packages
Call Diana Gilder 07799 506809 to discuss what membership offers and arrange a free taster session, or join via the website at www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/blofieldtennisclub or email blofieldtennisclub@btinternet.com.
Margaret Harker Hall, Yarmouth Road, Blofield, NR13 4LE
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