Focal Point March Newsletter
HEATHLANDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. 5th March 2024.
Lots of lovely events coming up and will be great to see you.
JUMBLE SALE
Heathlands Jumble Sale is on Saturday, 24th February. Doors open at 2.00 pm with the usual jumble from 12.
RUGBY matches
Doors will open at 2:00 PM on February 24th and March 9th. It’s been wonderful to see so many of you at the Club, creating a fantastic atmosphere with plenty of nibbles.
TEA and CHAT
Join us again on Tuesday, March 19th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and feel free to stay longer if you’d like. We’ll be serving a delightful selection of cakes, savoury treats, tea, and coffee. Additionally, we’ll feature a charming raffle. It’s a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends or bring someone along. Mark your calendars for our next gathering on April 16th.
Annual General Meetings
It is that time of year again:
Social Club is on Monday 25th March, in the Social Club at 7.00 pm
Heathlands is on Tuesday 26th March in the Committee Room at 7.30 pm
Everybody is welcome.
BINGO DATES
The dates for March are the 1st, 15th, and 29th, with eyes down at 7:30 PM. As always, there will be a raffle and drinks available from the bar.
Events coming up
May 5th GARAGE SALE, more information next month.
May 11th re-arranged CEILIDH evening with tickets available from the Social Club. It’s sure to be a great evening, so come and join us.
BLOFIELD PRESCHOOL.
Based at Margaret Harker Hall, Blofield, NR13 4LE.
Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri – 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. 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.
BUCKENHAM ANCIENT WOODLAND TRUST NEEDS YOUR HELP
We’re a group of people from the local community who have formed a new charity to acquire the central portion of Buckenham Woods and to become its caretakers.
Buckenham Wood is a stunning example of ancient woodland situated about two miles from Strumpshaw. Not only is it enjoyed by visitors as a beautiful and peaceful oasis of calm, but Buckenham Wood is also of great ecological significance and boasts a wide variety of species. The woodland also holds a great deal of historical value to the local community.
We would like to ask you for support either financially or practically and are looking for volunteers to help in areas from fundraising, administration support or practical help. We are also encouraging as many people as possible to become members of the Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust. It is free to join, and our members play an essential role in the running of the Trust.
Together we can preserve Buckenham Wood for the nature that lives there and the surrounding communities that treasure and love this beautiful site.
If you would like to find out more, please visit our website www.buckenhamancientwoodland.org/support-us. We also run an informal drop-in session, every second Thursday of the month, at 6.30 pm, with our Trustee meeting commencing at 7.30 pm at the Lingwood Village Hall, Station Road, Lingwood. Please come and join us! You will be made very welcome.
MAKE AND MARDLE.
This will be held on Thursday 21st March from 10.00 am to 12 noon at Gables Farmhouse, Hemblington for coffee, cake, chat and optional crafts. All will be very welcome. For more details, call 01603 270360.
TINY TOTS LINGWOOD
A stay & play for babies & children aged 0-5 years with their parents/carer. Open Tuesdays (term time) 9.15-11.15 am at Lingwood Village Hall. Crafts, sensory, messy play, books, games, puzzles, toys. Snacks and drinks are included. Dedicated baby area and weigh facility. Special guests/themed events. No pre-booking required; £3 per family. Contact Helen Bush at tinytotslingwood80@gmail.com or call 07709 488632 and find us on Facebook.
Tiny Tots is seeking another organising team member, to start ASAP. You will work alongside the other team members and duties will include; setting up the room/activities, welcoming families, serving snacks, getting involved with singing/story time, and tidying away. This voluntary position would suit a retired or young (min. age 18) person, or adult/parent with some spare time. No experience is necessary. Please email us if you’re interested.
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 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.
BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB.
Blofield and District Probus Club provide an enjoyable social meeting point for men who are retired or about to retire. We meet for lunch on the third Wednesday of every month at the Stag Inn, 3 Lower Street, Salhouse, Norwich NR13 6RW at 12.00 for lunch at 12.30 pm. If you are new to the area it is a good way to get to know people and make new friends, in a friendly atmosphere.
Lunch is followed by a talk, often on a subject of local interest. If you would like to learn more please contact Mike Cole on 01603 713839 or Richard Vandenbergh 01603 932057.
WEA BLOFIELD BRANCH.
Alfred Hitchcock – the British Movies” (course ref. number Q00010682) is running for four weeks on Tuesday mornings, 27th February to 19th March (10.00 am to 12 noon). The course will be led by Nigel Herwin.
This will be held at Blofield Court House, 28 Yarmouth Road, Blofield. You can enrol online at www.wea.org.uk or by phone on 0300 303 3464. There have been some issues registering for courses, so if preferred, please just attend in good time before the first session of a course, and you can be enrolled by the local team.
Please contact the local branch with any queries: Blofield.branch@wea.ac.uk or ‘phone 01603 537029.
Main WEA website for details of other courses: www.wea.org.uk
BLOFIELD COURT HOUSE VILLAGE SCREEN -
FRIDAY 8TH MARCH. THE MIRACLE CLUB (12)
Set in 1967, THE MIRACLE CLUB follows the story of three generations of close friends, Lily (Maggie Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates), and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) in Dublin, who win a pilgrimage to Lourdes. However, just before their trip, their old friend Chrissie (Laura Linney) arrives for her mother’s funeral. The women set out on the journey that they hope will change their lives, with Chrissie, a sceptical traveller, joining in place of her mother. Old wounds are reopened along the way, forcing the women to confront their pasts even as they travel in search
of a miracle.
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.
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
Blofield & District Gardening Club
Our Gardening Club year starts again on Wednesday evening, 13th March (7:30 pm) at the Margaret Harker Hall, Yarmouth Road, Blofield. This will be the Club’s Annual General Meeting, with a review of last year, and information about the speakers and topics organised for this year. The schedule for the very popular Summer Show (Saturday, 13th July) will also be outlined, so all can start to prepare prize-winning vegetables, plants and chutneys!
A light buffet and quiz will be offered to all attendees after the short meeting – past club members and anyone interested in gardening will be warmly welcomed. Free entry to all.
Information about the club is available from the secretary: blofieldgardeningclub@outlook.com / (01603) 715804. Club website: www.blofieldgardeningclub.org.uk
BLOFIELD, HEMBLINGTON AND NORTH BURLINGHAM
CHURCHES SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY
| Church | Service | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hemblington Church | Sunday Services | 9.30am |
| Blofield Church | Sunday Services | 11.00am |
| North Burlingham (Jointly with Hemblington) | Sunday Services | 9.30am |
| MOTHERING SUNDAY 10th MARCH | ||
| Hemblington Church | Morning Worship | 9.30am |
| Blofield Church | Morning Worship | 11.00am |
| PALM SUNDAY 24th MARCH | ||
| Hemblington Church | Holy Communion | 9.30am |
| Blofield Church | Morning Worship | 11.00am |
| MAUNDY THURSDAY 28th MARCH | ||
| Blofield Church | Benefice Service | 7.00pm |
| GOOD FRIDAY 29th MARCH | ||
| Blofield Church | Good Friday Service | 10.30am |
| Hemblington Church | Last hour at the cross | 2.30pm |
| EASTER DAY 31st MARCH | ||
| Hemblington Church | Holy Communion | 9.30am |
| Blofield Church | Holy Communion | 11.00am |
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 March are Thursday 7th March and Thursday 21st March.
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 in invaluable. Donations of tinned meat, fish, tea and coffee 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.
BLOFIELD CHURCH
Lenten Lunch at Blofield Church. Do join us on Sunday March 17th at 12.15 pm, (after the morning service). There will be homemade soup and bread plus delicious puddings. Donations will support the work of ‘Hand in Hand’ in Zimbabwe. To help us with numbers for catering please sign up at the back of church or phone 01603 715213 or 01603 714519. Spring is in the air with snowdrops showing through the garden so hopefully before too long the next thing will be daffodils, and at our next meeting in March, we hope to have a good show of colour for the monthly table show.
PLAY CHURCH BABY AND TODDLER GROUP
Blofield Church every Wednesday during term time, from 1.00pm to 3.00pm
SPRING TERM DATES.
28th February to 27th March. No booking is necessary – all are welcome to join in the fun and friendship of this popular group.
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.
THE FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HEMBLINGTON.
Lots of plans are afoot for spring and summer at All Saints. Our next big event is on Saturday afternoon, 27th April at 2.30 pm when Adrian O’Dell will talk about “Churchwardens’ accounts in the 16th century”. Funds were spent on some extraordinary items – this will be an interesting and at times unexpectedly funny presentation. A short AGM will follow this talk, describing all the other events being planned to raise funds for church repairs. Do come along – though you don’t have to stay for the AGM, honest!
Diary dates:
8th and 9th June: Art exhibition in church featuring work by Jan Lacey, Ian Walker, Vivienne Rainsbury and Jan Heath. Free entry. Refreshments are available.
8th – 16th June: Great Big Green Week and Churches Count on Nature – various events to celebrate the natural world and the importance of churchyards for wild flora and fauna.
Saturday 7th December: Synergy rock’n’blues night at Heathlands.
Information about the work that the Friends of All Saints undertake is available from the Secretary – hemblington@gmail.com / 01603 715804. Church website: www.hemblingtonchurch.org.uk
GRAND EASTER EGG HUNT.
Saturday 30th March 10.00 am to 1.00 pm. St Mary’s and St Lawrence’s churchyards, South Walsham NR13 6DQ. Refreshments, Games, Tombola - fun for all the family. For any queries please contact Sue Hitchcock - suehitchcock6@gmail.com.
GREAT AND LITTLE PLUMSTEAD AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB.
Our meeting in April is on the 8th at Thorpe End Church Hall, we look forward to welcoming Bunty Gotts from Blickling Hall, always a very entertaining evening. We also have our first Coach trip planned on Sunday 21st, this is a mystery trip with lunch excluded, but something to look forward to. We always welcome new members to come along at any of the meetings, we start at 7.30 pm at both venues and there is always a cuppa at the end of the meetings to enable a chance to chat with everyone.
BRUNDALL LOCAL HISTORY GROUP.
The next talk is on Saturday 2nd March at 2.30 pm in Brundall Memorial Hall, Links Avenue, Brundall, NR13 5LL. It will be given by Dale Wiseman and will be entitled ‘St. Andrews, once visited never forgotten’. Dale will talk about St Andrew’s Hospital in Thorpe, called the Norfolk County Asylum when it opened in 1814, and his first visit there over 40 years ago. Admission is free to members and £3 to visitors who are very welcome. For further details visit our website: www.brundallvillagehistory.org.uk.
MONDAY CLUB (HEATHLANDS DAY CENTRE).
Our club is flourishing and is now open every two weeks. Our catchment area is Blofield, Blofield Heath, Hemblington, Pedham, Little Plumstead and Brundall. We welcome lonely. isolated, elderly and disabled people. Coffee, hot lunch and afternoon refreshments are available as well as activities, entertainment and outings and most of all companionship.
If you or anyone you know would benefit from joining us please ring Sarah Russen on 01603 714809 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.
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:
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.
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! March litter picks take place on:
Monday 4th March, meet at Heathlands, Blofield Heath at 9.30 am
Monday 11th March, meet at the Old Court House, Blofield at 9.30 am
As always, a big thank-you to residents, dog walkers and others who also collect litter around the villages.
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 6.30 pm
Retro Games Night – 4th May 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Summer BBQ – 12th July from 4.30 pm
Garage Sale – 26th August 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Keep an eye on Facebook or contact isla_mcfadden@hotmail.com for more details and please come and join us to support this great cause.
SAVE THE DATE.
Village Voices, a well-known local singing group, has organised a themed concert connected to World Earth Day on Saturday 20th April at 2.30 pm in Hemblington church. Entrance will be free, refreshments will be served and donations will be very welcome.
All proceeds will be shared between BADCOG a local conservation group (www.badcog.co.uk), Village Voices (villagevoices1.wixsite.com/choir/) and Hemblington church (www.hemblingtonchurch.org.uk/)
BLOFIELD COURT HOUSE JAZZ EVENING - FRIDAY 16TH APRIL. RED SHADOW QUARTET.
Join us for the very welcome return of the Norwich-based quartet playing a selection of originals, standards, material from Still, their latest CD (available on Bandcamp) and some new work. Featuring Trevor Rowland (saxophones), Peter Hayes (piano), Dave Pullin (bass) and Rob Masters (drums).
If you’ve not been to our jazz events before you can expect a warm welcome. The Court House evokes the cosy feel of a cabaret-style nightclub with subdued lighting and comfortable seating. Our bar sells beers, wines and soft drinks and is open all evening.
Tickets are £10 by phone reservation only - please call Ann on 01603 715349 or email jazz@blofieldcourthouse.org.uk and provide a contact number.
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 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. www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/blofieldtennisclub
The Walled Garden Community Shop & Cafe update
Please mark your diaries for our Easter Fayre, on Friday 29th March. This perennially popular event will feature all your favourite stalls, a raffle, live music, a gigantic plant sale, and lots of fun children’s activities. More details on our many regular events are on our website and 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 or Facebook / Instagram for our opening times.
NEWS FROM WROXHAM BURE VALLEY ROTARY CLUB.
Robin Baines and Mike Hammond, supported by club members, embarked on a fundraising drive from England’s easternmost to Wales’ westernmost points and back in an Austin 7, raising £8,600 for MNDA, motivated by personal family experiences with the disease. The Norfolk and district MNDA branch received the donation, enhancing our commitment to community and health causes, including our Purple for Polio campaign. Looking forward, we’re excited for the Strumpshaw Steam Fair on May 25-27. Support our local and international charity efforts through the Broadland Council Lottery Scheme or www.totalgiving.co.uk. As we strive for a safe, happy 2024, we invite those interested in service and community engagement to join our vibrant club.
Take the Focal Point with you. Download your copy here.