Focal Point September Newsletter

21 Aug

HEATHLANDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

Heathlands Management Committee meeting is on September 5th at 7.30pm.

Wow, what a brilliant successful Heathlands 2023 Beer Festival last week! You almost drank us dry! The slightly iffy weather didn’t put people off either with excellent attendance every day of the event. We got some lovely feedback on the selection and quality of ales throughout the week, the tasty BBQ, and great food.

A huge amount of organisation and effort goes into an event like this. We had some pretty tired people on Monday, but it was worth it! As ever there are loads of people to thank: To the volunteers that put up the signage in Blofield Heath and surrounding villages, to Simon Howard, The O’fenders and Dirty Havana for entertaining us all over the weekend. Also to Dave from the O’fenders for the loan of the lorry to Phil and Paul from Grain Brewery for their support before, during and after the last pint was pulled, and to all the bar staff and volunteers for their really hard work serving the drinks. Also to Garret and his excellent team of helpers on the BBQ and of course to all the helpers that tidied up and cleaned after every day… we couldn’t have done it without all of you! Finally THANK YOU to all our customers for making it such a huge success! Roll on Heathlands Beer Festival 2024.

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS

September 17th sees the return of The Garage Sale, £5.00 for a garage to appear on the map, these will be sold at Heathlands from 8.45am on the 17th. Garages are open from 9.00am until 2.00pm. Tea and Refreshments will be on sale in the hall together with a few stalls. If you would like to open your garage, please print and fill in a form on the Focal Point website or ring 01603 714164 and book a space with Jill.

A NEW VENTURE - CRAFT FAIRS.

Once a month on probably the last Sunday of the month, Craft fairs will be at Heathlands, they will be open from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Lots of various stalls, also a couple of outside stalls on the car park. The first one is Sunday October 1st followed by October 29th and November 26th.

If this proves popular hopefully they will continue from the spring of next year. Any questions please ring Jill 01603 714164.

JUMBLE SALE.

Heathlands Winter Jumble is on 14th October. Doors open from 2.00pm. Jumble welcomed from 12 noon.

CEILIDH EVENING.

We have been asked for a Ceilidh Evening, so this is booked for the 21st October. Tickets will be on sale very soon at the cost of £8.50 so please come and support this fun evening. Willowspin will be leading the evening.

QUIZ AND CHIPS

Another request has been made for QUIZ and CHIPS. This is booked for November 21st with teams of six. We can have up to 13 teams, so get in early. Please leave your name for your team either at the Social Club or Ring Jill on 01603 714164.

CHRISTMAS FAIR.

An early mention of Heathlands Christmas Fair - Saturday November 18th with more details to follow. Also, The O’fenders are putting on another 60’s night on December 16th. BINGO DATES FOR September 1st, 15th and 29th. Eyes down at 7.30p. Cash prizes and a great raffle.

DON’T FORGET MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

This year’s coffee morning will be held on Saturday 9th September, 11.00am until 2.00pm at Heathlands Community Centre, in Blofield Heath.

Please come and join us for this annual event to raise funds for this very worthy cause. There will be lots of tea, cake and good company. We all know someone affected by this dreadful disease, friends and family, with age being no barrier. Cancer is relentless! So it’s a case of you, me, against the “BIG C” and unfortunately tomorrow is never promised.

There will be a big raffle, a tombola, a homemade preserves stall and a white elephant stall.

If anyone would like to donate a prize for the raffle or make a cake it would be gratefully received before the day please. Contact:- Jackie on 01603 717382 or 07928 584113

NEWS FROM NORFOLK POLICE.

Police are aware that a series of stickers of a transphobic nature were placed on postboxes, road signs and lampposts around Blofield and Blofield Heath during July and August.

These stickers are under investigation as a hate crime, and are taken very seriously. If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please call on 101 or email SNTAcle@norfolk.police.uk, quoting crime reference 36/55124/23.

All money raised will support the play equipment replacement project at The Margaret Harker Hall and Blofield Memorial Grounds.

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

OPEN GARDEN AT THE BIRD IN HAND.

This year was perhaps one of our best ever and I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and supported us over the weekend. It was a really great pleasure to see so many lovely people and we hope you enjoyed it all. We managed to raise just over £6,500, subject to a final count, and this will be shared equally between Heathlands and All Saints Church, so thank you again from both of them, your “gift” will be greatly appreciated. I must also add a huge thank you to everyone who came to help and gave up their time freely, you all worked so incredibly hard. It was a tremendous effort by everyone and we could not do this without you, so another really big thank you.

JOSIAH AND MARY BREWSTER CHARITY.

Trustees are required for the Josiah and Mary Brewster Charity. Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to join us as a Trustee? We are looking for people who can give their time and expertise to work as a volunteer Trustee to support our charity which provides housing for older people at Brewster Court, Blofield.

This is an opportunity to play an active role in providing quality housing for our residents. A knowledge of social housing or finance is helpful however, those with different experiences and skills would also be welcome. The time commitment is only four quarterly meetings a year plus other occasional meetings.

If you are interested or have any queries, please contact us at jae.lee@placesforpeople.co.uk

WEA BLOFIELD BRANCH.

“The Earth on Fire” - an introduction to volcanoes, where they are, how they work and their effects on life and landscape. The WEA Blofield branch are pleased to be offering this four-week course to be led by Charles Lewis. It will run on Tuesday mornings at The Court House, 28 Yarmouth Road, Blofield starting on 7th November (10.00am to 12 noon). Enrolment can be online at www.wea.org.uk. Put “Blofield” in the search box and you should be taken to the courses being held at Blofield for the next two terms. You can enrol by phone if preferred: 0300 303 3464. Please quote the course code: Q00010678. The fee for the course is £33.60 (free if on certain benefits).

If you have any queries on this or other WEA matters, do please contact the secretary via e-mail: Blofield.branch@wea.ac.uk or by ‘phone: 01603 537029.

KEEP BLOFIELD SPECIAL.

Our small group of volunteers continue to help keep our villages reasonably free of litter, the September dates for litter picks are:

Monday 4th September, meet at Heathlands, Blofield Heath at 9.30am

Monday 11th September, meet at the Old Court House, Blofield at 9.30am

Anyone is welcome to join us, plenty of black bags will be available and there is never a shortage of litter, unfortunately! As usual, many thanks to residents, walkers and dog walkers who kindly pick up litter informally, it is appreciated.

MARGARET HARKER HALL

We run a fundraising craft fair every season. For 2023 in the Margaret Harker Hall we have planned:

Autumn Craft Fair - Saturday 16th September - 10am - 2pm. Free entry. Local Craft Stalls & Cafe with homemade cakes. Children’s crafts. Tombola.

Winter Craft Fair - Saturday 4th November 10am - 2pm. Free entry. Local Craft Stalls & Cafe with homemade cakes. Children’s crafts. Raffle.

If anyone would like to take part in our craft fairs then please contact us via the website or facebook. We are also searching for friendly folks to help with donating cakes & bakes for the cafe at the craft fair.

AND

Sunday 17th September - Blofield’s History - A guided walk around Blofield with published author Barbara Pilch who will explore our village history.

The walk starts at 3pm at the Margaret Harker Hall. Price is £10 including hot drink & biscuits after. This event is fundraising for the Margaret Harker Hall. Book a ticket via our Bookings Secretary on 01603 717311.

We plan to do more fundraising events for the community, in support of the Margaret Harker Hall. If anyone reading focal point would like to be involved in organising these at the Hall then please do (encourage them to) get in touch - we would love more hands on our fundraising team!

Also, we are looking for a new Bookings Secretary. This voluntary role is responsible for answering phone calls and emails about hall bookings. Also filling in simple spreadsheets and meeting hall users occasionally at the hall. Its a lovely opportunity to be part of the team of folks supporting the hall and is available due to the current Bookings Secretary focussing on Fundraising.

BLOFIELD AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB.

The Annual Summer Show in July was a great success – many thanks to Sylvia and Sue B. for organising it and to all who exhibited produce and came along to support the event.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday evening, 13th September, 7.30pm at The Margaret Harker Hall in Blofield. Andrew Sankey will be discussing “Rethinking your Garden – ideas for redesigning parts of the Garden”: a good autumn/winter project for us all! The member’s competition will be “a photograph of a garden” – not necessarily your own of course. Please support the £1 bring and buy stall. Guests are very welcome to attend any of the Club’s meetings - £2:50 per meeting. If you would like to know more about the Club, do please contact the secretary: blofieldgardeningclub@outlook.com or phone 01603 715804. Club website: www.blofieldgardeningclub.org.uk

BLOFIELD FUEL CHARITY.

The time has come again for the Blofield Fuel Charity application forms to be available from Monday 4th September. These forms can be obtained from: Blofield Newsagents and Blofield Heath Post Office. Completed forms are to be returned by post to: Mrs Sarah Russen, 8 Danesbower Close, Blofield Norwich NR13 4LR. By Thursday 12th October.

THE REVE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Trustees invite applications for grants from the above Charity. Applicants must be residents of Blofield or Blofield Heath and should either have begun a course of Further Education or be about to begin such a course.

Applications must be in writing and should give a brief outline of the course on which the applicant is, or about to be, engaged. Applications must be received no later than 31 October 2023 to Mrs Debbie Smith, Secretary to the Trustees at Pear Tree House, Globe Lane, Blofield, Norwich, NR13 4JW.

BLOFIELD COURT HOUSE VILLAGE SCREEN

ALLELUJAH (12A) | Friday 8th September.

Village Screen is back! Adapted from the play by Alan Bennett, Allelujah is a moving story about resilience in old age. When a ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by inviting a local news crew to film preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. Celebrating the spirit of the patients whilst paying tribute to the humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand, the film stars Jennifer Saunders, Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi.

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 SEPT

Hemblington Church	Sunday Services	9.30 am
Blofield Church	Sunday Services	11.00 am
North Burlingham	Jointly with Hemblington	9.30 am
Hemblington Church	BENEFICE SERVICE 30th July	10.30 am
Blofield Church	Wednesday Services	9.30 am

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, where a two-course lunch is provided. For further information contact Jenny on 01603 712968

Open Doors will be back in September on Thursday 7th September and Thursday 21st September.

BLOFIELD CHURCH

A date for your diary. We will be beginning our autumn concert series in Blofield Church, Taverham Brass Band will delight us on Sunday 17th September at 3.00pm. Tickets £8 at the door include afternoon tea.

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. The warehouse has reported that they are unable to fulfil all the requests for essential items that are coming in!! We are also supporting local families when asked. Please contact Yvonne on 07720 942955 for more information.

MAKE AND MARDLE.

The next Make and Mardle will be held in Hemblington Church on Tuesday 26th September from 10.00am to 12noon. There will be a warm welcome to all: cake and coffee will be served.

PLAY CHURCH BABY AND TODDLER GROUP

In Blofield church every Wednesday during term time from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

the new term begins after the summer holidays on 13th September. Please contact Yvonne on 01603 715213/07720942955 or Barbara on 01603 714519 for further information. Alternatively, you can go to the Blofield Church Website at www.blofieldchurch.org.uk.

THE WALLED GARDEN COMMUNITY SHOP AND CAFÉ

At The Walled Garden Community Shop and Cafe, our popular events continue with an Autumn Fayre on 24th of September. Craft stalls, plant sale, and all the delicious treats and snacks you would expect from our highly-rated cafe.

Save the date for our Halloween double bill this October! Our Halloween event will run from 4.00pm on Saturday 28th, with spooky surprises galore. Our scarecrow festival finale takes place on Sunday, with the judging of our creepy companions, who will be set up around the garden! The costume is encouraged at both events. See social media for more details.

We welcome more volunteers in this community business. Full training given and flexible hours. If you would like to join the friendly volunteer team, please pop into the shop, call us, or contact us via Facebook or via
www.thewalledgardenshop.co.uk. We are located at The Walled Garden Community Shop and Cafe, Old Hall Road, Little Plumstead, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 5FA. Check google maps for our opening times.

BLOFIELD HEATH W.I.

On Tuesday 8th August we gathered at 6, Mill Road, for our Summer Meeting, which we celebrated with a wonderful strawberries and cream party. The weather was mostly kind, though it did drizzle a couple of times. The members (46 in total!) calmly opened their umbrellas, or donned raincoats, and continued to enjoy the company. The Committee worked really hard with the preparations and cooking, and served the members with Prosecco and orange juice, followed by the strawberries and cream and delicious Victoria sandwich cakes. Doreen gave a lovely vote of thanks, and it is safe to say that the afternoon was a resounding success. Many thanks to Joy for letting us use her lovely garden for the celebration.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 12th September, when Rory Marsden will be entertaining us with a display and demonstration of medieval music and instruments.

POSTWICK 503 PARK & RIDE SERVICE

Save even more money when you travel into the city on Norwich Park and Ride.

From Monday 4th September, Postwick Park and Ride will reopen it’s gates and enable even more people to travel car-free into the city centre.

Pay only £1 when you travel with any full paying passenger on Norwich Park and Ride.

Find out more at www.konectbus.co.uk/503

AVANTI COACH HOLIDAYS 2023

Bournemouth, Salisbury Cathedral and The New Forest - Thurs 24th Aug - 5 days £465.00 p.p.

Treasures of Northumberland - Sunday 3rd Sept - 5 days £440.00 p.p.

Best of South Wales - Sunday 10th September - 5 days £449.00 p.p.

Galway, The Aran Islands And Cliffs Of Moher - Monday 18th September - 6 days £695.00 p.p.

The Best Of The Cotswolds - Thursday 28th September - 6 days £445.00 p.p.

Warners Sinah Warren, Hayling Island - Monday 9th October - 5 days £455.00 p.p.

Turkey And Tinsel Festive Fun In Lytham St Annes - Monday 20th November - 5 days £425.00 p.p.

Local pick-up points in Blofield, Blofield Heath, Little. Plumstead, Thorpe St Andrew and Norwich. Prices shown are per person sharing a twin/double room. Single occupancy supplements may apply. Copies of our holiday and day trip brochures are available on request. For further information call us on 01603 717488 or visit our website www.avanticoachholidays.co.uk

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 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

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 TENNIS CLUB.

Following completion of our second hard court, we are inviting new members to join and enjoy regular tennis throughout the year. Over the summer we play on both grass and hard courts and now is a good time to consider membership.

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 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 email: blofieldtennisclub@btinternet.com

Margaret Harker Hall, Yarmouth Road, Blofield, NR13 4LE

SHORT TENNIS

A small, friendly group of men and women play short tennis every Wednesday morning from 9.00am to 11.00am in the Margaret Harker Hall, Yarmouth Road, Blofield. No previous experience or special equipment is needed, so do come along and join us. For more details, please ring Jenny Green 01603 712837 or email jennyandmiles@talktalk.net Alternatively, come and have a look or have a try, you will be very welcome. We start Wednesday 13th September.

ST MARY’S CHURCH, SOUTH WALSHAM.

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September there will be a Harvest Flower Festival - Wonderful displays and arrangements. The church is open between 10.00am and 6.00pm. Free entry - donations welcome towards church maintenance. Refreshments are available on both days. Songs of Praise Sunday 17th September at 6.00pm. Contact Sue Hitchcock 01603 270212 for more information.

ST LAWRENCE’S CENTRE, SOUTH WALSHAM.

An Art Exhibition on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September between 10.00am and 6.00pm.

GREAT AND LITTLE PLUMSTEAD AND DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB.

We had a glorious afternoon for our summer show and a very good turnout to enjoy all the activities; it has been such an unsettled month, so nice to have a full day of sunshine.

On September 4th at Thorpe End Church Hall, we welcome Mike from Greensleeves lawn care, this was postponed from last month, so looking forward to that.

October 2nd also at Thorpe End Church Hall we welcome Geoffrey Freeman with a talk on Sweet Peas, we also have our Autumn Table Show at this meeting.

We are planning another Mystery day out on October 15th, this is always a good day with lunch included …hard to imagine autumn already in the planning. Hopefully, the rest of the summer will give us all time to enjoy outside activities and getting in the garden and making most of all the fruits of our labours.

SEPTEMBER AT THE MUSEUM OF THE BROADS.

September is a great time to visit the Museum of the Broads. It’s a bit quieter and the riverside location is still warm enough to enjoy a picnic or an ice cream. You can enjoy a panini – sweet or savoury or an afternoon tea from Rooby’s, our on-site caterers.

The Museum is taking part in the National Heritage Open Days Festival on Sunday 17th September. Entry to the Museum is free and the former trading wherry, Maud, will also be on site. Come on board and meet her enthusiastic volunteers. The Museum has displays about wherries and many other stories of the Broads, and our special exhibition, on the artist and film-maker, Philippa Miller, is one not to miss!

One of our boats runs each day we are open (Sun, Tues, Wed and Thurs) and is a perfect way to spot wildlife on the river. We have kept our prices the same this year and our boat trips are unique! Remember, all 12’s and under have free entry to the Museum, and young people up to 18 are only £3 entry.

Full details and links to book on our website.

The Museum of the Broads, Poor’s Staithe, Stalham, NR12 9DA, 01692 581681

www.museumofthebroads.org.uk @MuseumBroads on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.