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The Mallard Easter Edition Issue 294 March 2016

Tennis & Multi-Sports Club Achieves

‘Norfolk Club of The Year’ - See Page 8

Dance to ‘Kenny & the Motives’

On April 2nd - See Page 9

New Bus Service for Great Massingham

W est Norfolk Community Transport is delighted to announce the start of a new,

scheduled bus service through Great Massingham from April 2016. The new

service will link the village with King’s Lynn with four return services each day,

Monday to Friday and also provide a daily return service to Fakenham, also from

Monday to Friday. There is potential for a Saturday service later in the year.

This service, which is supported by Parish Councils, Norfolk County Council and

key organisations along the route, will be the first conventional bus service to be op-

erated by West Norfolk Community Transport. The bus service will be branded ‘Go

Bus’. A distinctive logo and colour scheme are being developed for the bus, but this

may not be fully ready by launch date.

Key features of the service are as follows:

The service will be scheduled and run to a fixed time table – no need to book.

Bus stops will be at the Village Shop and the Massingham Medical Practice.

Fares can be paid on board. Contactless card payment equipment will be in-

stalled later this year.

Concessionary passes will be accepted subject to normal carrier conditions.

The Go Bus will connect with the Norfolk Green X8 service at Harpley Turn

for travel to and from King’s Lynn. The Go Bus will travel all the way to and

from Fakenham.

Through tickets to King’s Lynn bought on the Go Bus will be accepted by

Stagecoach in Norfolk.

Service commencement date - Monday 4th April 2016.

Towards the end of March, West Norfolk Community Transport will arrange delivery of

an advertising flier and a timetable for all households in Great Massingham. The Bus

will also visit the Massingham Village Shop and the Medical Practice in the week

before launch date, in order to build awareness of the launch of the service and to

answer questions from the community.

www.wnct.co.uk

West Norfolk Community Transport (WNCT) is a

Company Limited by Guarantee,

Registered Charity Number 1069180.

Tel: 01553 776971

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Mallard News

‘Histry Bits’ KISSING THE CAT

Before health problems intervened, Ant Robinson was a familiar sight around the village

with his trusty metal detector. He made many fascinating discoveries but nothing com-

pared to the simple lead disc he picked up one day during building work at Abbeyfields.

On one side of the disc were stamped two crude faces marked with the letters SPA:SPE.

On the other side was a name: GREGORIUS PP VIIII. What Ant had found was the seal

from a medieval papal bull, a document issued by popes to communicate decisions about

important church matters to monasteries and abbeys throughout Europe - including, pre-

sumably, the tiny Augustinian priory at Massingham.

The seal would have been threaded onto a length of coarsely-woven tape, which was

then attached to the document to prove its authenticity. The letters SPA:SPE stood for

Saint Paul and Saint Peter, and GREGORIUS was Pope Gregory the Ninth, who reigned

from 1227-1241.

Gregory was not a nice human being. He launched a much-feared Grand Inquisition,

using torture to combat the rise of a devil-worshiping German sect known as the Luci-

ferians. Concerned that the heresy would spread, he issued a papal bull, warning clerics

and lay people to beware of the growing influence of the sect. The text of the bull,

known as Vox In Rama, still exists and describes the activities of the sect in vivid detail.

Its initiation ceremony, it was alleged, began with a meal, after which members of the

sect would stand up, and a statue of a black cat would come to life, walking backwards

towards them with its tail erect.

First the new initiate and then the master of the sect, were required to kiss the cat on its

buttocks. Unpleasant, you might think, but nowhere near as unpleasant as the fate that

lay in store for the poor cat. Vox In Rama was the first of many official documents to

condemn black cats as an incarnation of Satan. It was a feline death warrant. From then

on, until well into the nineteenth century, it was the duty of good Christians to slaughter

black cats on sight.

It is intriguing to imagine the scene

in the chapter house at Massingham

as the Prior read out the text of the

bull, which had just arrived from

Rome, bearing what had to be the

exact same seal as the one that Ant

found; the monks’ eyes popping as

one lurid detail followed another.

Let’s hope none of them owned a

pet cat.

David Miller

PHOENIX GROUP Harpley Village Hall, 7.30 pm, 9th March

Lorraine Cannell talks about ‘Pearls and

Gemstones’. There will be items for sale.

Craft and Chat Mondays 14th and 28th

March from 2 to 4pm,

Village Hall Bar

Papal Seal - Front Papal Seal - Back

Historical

Society

9, School Road

16th March

7.30 - 9pm

3

In this issue

New Bus Service ‘Histry’ Bits Thank You League of Friends Village Spring Clean Mobile Library Village Hall Events West Norfolk Folk Quiz Night Fishing Reminder Baby & Toddler Gert & Daisy Strollers Tennis News Film Club Photo Competition Cinnamon Trust Coffee Morning /Sale Dance Tai Chi Xmas Lights Update Parish Council Dog Safety Church News Church Services Biodiversity Project Dates for your Diary

Mallard News

Shop window

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PassMark Driving School Mark Large

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West Norfolk Glass Suppliers of high quality, affordable,

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Save Energy - Save Money For your free, no obligation quotation contact

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on 01485 528431 or 07771 734 582

Discounted Curtain Fabric Sales Choose locally from a range of hundreds of fabrics,

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Phone/Fax - Alison 01553 840 245

Complete make up

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A.K.FABRICS

CHOOSE AT HOME

Hospital League of

Friends Collection Thank you to everyone who do-

nated money for the King’s Lynn

Hospital’s League of Friends.

A sum of £327.07 was collected

in Great Massingham. Your help

was very much appreciated.

Peter W. Frost

Thank You For Your Kindness Thank you is never going to be

enough for the kindness of friends

and the support of strangers in

Great Massingham, for myself and

my partner Phil, after my life alter-

ing surgery and our tragic loss of

Emma, our daughter.

Special thanks must go to our

friends and neighbours in Mill

Lane (you know who you are) and

the Rev’d Judith Pollard.

We are so proud to say we live in

this village. Jo and Phil

MOBILE LIBRARY

VISITS 15th March and

12th April

The Village

Spring Clean Our annual clean up

around the village is on

Saturday 19th March

at 10am.

Meet us at the Well.

Bring gloves, wellies

and, perhaps, a rake.

The clean up only takes

about two hours. Black

bin liners will be provided

and some litter pickers.

Believe it or not it is a lot

of fun and Great Mass-

ingham looks all the better

for our efforts! Please

come and join us.

Andrew Bickerton

4

Mallard News Village Hall

VILLAGE HALL REGULAR EVENTS

Keep Fit Wed.12.30 to 1.30pm

Bingo Fridays at 7.30pm

Auction Sundays

Coronation Club (4th Wed.) 2pm - 4pm

Baby &Toddler Thurs. 10am - 11.30am

Folk Spot Sundays 7pm -10pm

Craft & Chat (2nd & 4th Mon) 2 - 4pm

Short Mat Bowls Mondays 2-4 pm to April SMB League Wednesdays 7 - 10 pm Competition until March.

Quiz Nights Thursdays, once a month

MARCH - WEST NORFOLK RADIO

VILLAGE HALL BAR, 7 - 10 pm

Free entry. Audience & musicians welcome

No live shows on 20th or 27th

6th Live broadcast - featuring Daniel

Nestlerode, mandolinist, accompa

nied by guitarist Paul Ballantyne.

13th Live broadcast - Ludlam Pikes, a

quartet from Norfolk/Suffolk and

Two Bit Operators, a Folk band.

Watch our facebook page for details

www.westnorfolkradio.co.uk

Shop window

Sara Barns Seamstress

Dress Making Alteration

Loose Covers Curtains

The Old Swan, Gt. Massingham 01485 520151

Carol Walker MCFHP MAFHP Registered Member of the British Association of

Foot Health Professionals

Foot Health Practitioner

Foot Healthcare in Your Home

Contact: carolwalker3060@gmail.com

Tel: 07714192521 or 01485 520 187

GARY KNIGHT DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSOR QUIDOS ACCREDITED

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

HOME ENERGY ADVICE

40 Sunnyside Road, Great Massingham, Norfolk

Garyknight6@btinternet.com

01485 520 186 or 07557 436 411

For all your

gardening

Requirements

telephone

Patrick Jacques

07976981270

MARCH QUIZ NIGHT Thursday, March 24th

at 7.30pm.

Village Hall Bar. See you there!

Great Massingham Baby and Toddler

EVERY THURSDAY

10am - 11.30am at the Village Hall

Snack

£1.50

Tea

and

Cake

Come and join the

fun, meet new friends.

Note: Rachael expects

her baby in March.

Cover has been arranged.

However, please look on

Facebook for up

to date details.

FISHING SEASON

REMINDER This is a reminder that the

fishing season ends on 15th

March and will resume again

on June 16th.

5

Shop window

Phone: 01485 520637 Mobile: 07780 776576

Approved coal and solid fuel merchant

For Quality Fuels at the Best Prices

CARLTON’S SOLID FUELS

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

H. I.

General Building Work Barn Conversions Extensions Conservatories Hard Landscaping Kitchens/Bathrooms Floor & Wall Tiling Decking

S.

Tim Margereson 3 Weasenham Rd

Gt.Massingham PE32 2EY

Call 07786 618787 or

01485 520745

Reasonable Rates

Contact Andy Graham

01553 630747

GUITAR TUITION

All styles and levels

Drums and other instruments

Telephone : 01760 722 168

White Cottage, School Road, Necton (opp Rectory)

JOE SISTO

TV, Video, DVD & Satellite Sales, Set-up & Repairs

Free Estimates

All Makes & Models Qualified Engineer

30 Years Experience

Work Guaranteed Discount for OAP’s

Sales, Repairs, Installations & Tuning Services

Bed & Breakfast

Oyster House

Mrs. Veronica Prentice Phone O1485 528327

www.oysterhouse.co.uk

Lynn Road West Rudham Norfolk PE31 8RW

TERRY DOWNING

WALL & FLOOR TILING SPECIALIST 25 Years Experience

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Conservatories etc FREE measure and quotation

Home: 01328 701911

Mobile: 07976 222287

Weekdays. Mornings & Afternoons.

Call Pip Armitage

07807 185746

Ducklings Pre-School c/o Gt. Massingham Primary School

Weasenham Road

Your Local Pet Care and Gardening Service mobile : 07799258666

taylors.tails.and.turnips@gmail.com www.taylorstailsandturnips.co.uk

Taylor’s Tails & Turnips

S & R Reeve All building work undertaken

Quality assured. Renovation & newbuild

Stephen Reeve

07879 885521 15, Cross Street, Harpley, King’s Lynn PE31 6TJ

sandrreeve@gmail.com

Mole Catcher

Call Steve 01485 520142

07745 163149

No Mole, No Charge! email: steveoutthere66@gmail.com

6

Mallard News

Gert & Daisy...... How are yew gitting on tergether?

We got our sledges owt the other day but we hint hed ter use em. The weather int too

bad and today the sun is luvly. Gud job anall with the kids off school. When ours were

little they wus owtside in all weathers, baby in the pram, and that never did them no

harm.

We hear there is a table top sale up the hall on March 5th. That’ll be a gud toime ter git

yer Mother’s Day present or git rid of last year’s unwanted one.

We hev heard there is a new service in the village – meals on wheels. Our lovable, caring

carer, Janice, has bin driving round the village with a dish of spaghetti Bolognese on her

car bonnet. Next week that cud be ‘bangers and mash’ so let her know if you find an odd

sausage here and there.

We dint go ter the Toad meeting agin this year but we see the signs are up in Little

Massingham. Thas a bit too cold fer hanky-panky on the road we think. How do the toad

patrollers know if the toads are cumin or going? Some poor toads could hev done what

they wanted in the pond and were on their way back when they got picked up and put in

the pond agin.

We hear the bus service may be improved in the not too distant future. No doubt we will

awl git to hear about it in toime.

It’s bin a fairly quiet month, thank goodness, and looks loike spring is coming.

Dew yew keep atroshing until next toime. Gert and Daisy

Thought of the month: Why is it that your nose runs and your feet smell?

The First Stroll of 2016 On 21st February thirteen Strollers went on

the first walk since December. The weather

forecast was very uncertain so we kept the

distance to 4.4 miles and our route took us

on roads and lanes for easier walking.

We left the Well at about 9.40 and made

our way through the village to the Rudham

junction. Here we were caught up by two of

our members from the big city of Lynn and

then we made our way up to the turkey farm

and down the lane to the old railway gate

house. We decided to take the high road

and climbed the hill to Cross’s Grave. Who

said that Norfolk is flat! We then turned

right walking down hill towards the other

gate house, near the Grange farm entrance.

This route by the gorse bushes and pines is

reputedly where flocks of Goldcrests can be

seen. (John M take note!)

At the corner we stopped for a breather and

then our party split into two groups, some

cutting across to the Raynham Road and

the rest of us turning right back to the first

gatehouse and up to the turkey farm again.

Here we all met up and walked back into

Massingham, causing a few traffic hold-ups

on the way.

The weather had been unseasonably mild

and, although quite windy, there was no

rain and the sun made a valiant effort to

break through the cloud cover. Our walk

was made more pleasurable by the songs of

Song Thrushes, Robins and Dunnocks and

we were also treated to the sight of a number

of brown hares running and sparring over

the fields. The hawthorn was also coming

into leaf in places.

Our walk ended at the Rose and Crown,

Harpley, where most of us feasted on the

excellent roast lunches. The next Strollers

will probably be on Sunday 20th March but

it could be on Easter Sunday.

Andrew Bickerton

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The Dabbling Duck A warm welcome guaranteed from

all the staff at the Dabbling Duck. Open all day every day

Bar 12-11pm Mon.-Sat. & to 10.30pm Sun.

Morning Coffee & Tea 10am to noon

Afternoon Tea & Cake 3 - 5.30pm

Breakfast 8 -10am Lunch 12 - 2.30pm

Dinner 6.30 - 9.00pm Mon. to Thurs

Dinner 6pm - 9.30pm Fri. & Sat.

Sunday Service - midday to 8pm

Real ales and full wine list. Great Food.

To Book Phone: 01485 520827

DOGS AT HOME Boarding for dogs in the comfort of our home Your dogs will be treated as one of the family for

the duration of their stay. Daily walks & spacious

grounds for your dog to play in.

Love and cuddles guaranteed! The Paddocks, Station Road,

Little Massingham

Contact Donna on 07793 737 312

For that special occasion

Weddings Airports

etc. Theatre

A professional & reliable service at a price you can afford.

Brian Connolly 01485 520938

Silverlink Painter & Decorator

Free Estimates

N.Davies

32 Walcups Lane Gt. Massingham 01485 520768

MOB. 07768 384 305

Shop window

FUN FRIENDLY ZUMBA CLASSES

Harpley Village Hall Mon. 7 - 8 pm Wed. 9.30 - 10.30 am Leziate Village Hall Thurs. 6.30 - 7.30 pm

Classes £4 each. For further information please contact Julie Austin on

07721 774 198

Meadowvale Bed & Breakfast

Gayton PE32 1QT

01553 636531 Stunning location.

Luxury accommodation. Suit any occasion.

www.meadowvalebedandbreakfast.com

8

Mallard News

The Film Club Thursday March 17th, 7pm for 7.30pm,

Massingham Village Hall, £4 entry.

Refreshments available.

‘The Lady in The Van’

British comedy-drama film written by Alan

Bennett and starring Maggie Smith & Alex

Jennings. A true story of Mary Shepherd,

an elderly woman living in a dilapidated

van on Bennett’s driveway for 15 years....

Next Film 21st April ‘The Dressmaker’

‘A Little Bit of Tennis Heaven’

This was how Richard Palmer, President

of Norfolk LTA, described Great

Massingham at the presentation of LTA

Aegon Awards, at Easton College, on

8th February.

The Tennis and Multi-sports Club was

honoured with the ‘Norfolk Club of the

Year’ award which was presented by

Michael Downey, Chief Executive of

the LTA.

Arthur Allen, who received the award

on behalf of the club, also won the

‘Award for Outstanding Achievement’.

Well done Arthur!

Ali Ward, Penny Andersson, Irene Allen, Clare Parker and Annie Lawton were there to

hear Michael Downey talk about LTA's national plans to increase participation in tennis,

something Great Massingham has been very successful in achieving.

The Club now has a new website,

http://clubspark.lta.org.uk/greatmassinghamtennis or google

‘Great Massingham tennis’ to find the site and the links to our excellent village web-site.

Tennis & Multi – Sports Club

Pet Photo Competition Raising money for

PACT ANIMAL SANCTUARY

(Norfolk & Suffolk) &

Docking and Massingham Doctor Surgery

£1 to enter with

Medal and Rosettes to 3rd place

There are 42 classes which

are made up of

A Dog section,

a Cat section and

Other Animal Section.

HOW TO ENTER:

You Can enter online or by post

Contact 01485 578380 or e-mail

photocompetition2016@hotmail.com

for class list and entry form.

Entries close 30th April 2016

9

Mallard News

DANCE TO

‘Kenny and The Motives’ Great Massingham Village Hall

Saturday April 2nd 8.30pm to 11.30pm Tickets £6 in advance and £7 at the door

‘Kenny and the Motives’ are a Swingin’ sixties fivesome

from Norfolk. Good music not to be missed.

Tickets available from Mel Whitmore 07833 475 864 ,

the Village Hall or the Village Store.

VILLAGE HALL

Coffee Morning and

Table Top Sale

Saturday 5th March

11am to 1pm at the Hall Please come along and enjoy coffee &

cake and view all that is on offer.

£5 per table. To book a table -

call Mel on 07833 475 864

The Cinnamon Trust Great Massingham The Cinnamon Trust is the national charity whose wonderful

volunteers help people over retirement age and those in the

latter stages of a terminal illness by offering all kinds of pet

care. We urgently need dog walking volunteers to help a resi-

dent of Great Massingham and their lovely dog a 7 year old

Fox Terrier who would love to go for a good walk. If you

would like to help we would be delighted to hear from you.

What happens if illness, injury or just the fact that we all get older eventually affects our

ability to look after our four legged companions? A large number of elderly or ill pet

owners become very worried about their ability to care for their pets, feeling that their

only option is to rehome them, this is where our national network of dedicated volunteers

step in to offer support enabling them to stay together.

We’ll walk the dog for a housebound owner, we’ll foster pets when owners need hospital

care, we’ll fetch the cat food, even clean out the bird cage or litter trays.

We always need new volunteers so even if you can only spare

an hour a week we would love to hear from you.

Please call during office hours 01736 758707 or email us at volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk

or check out our website for more details at www.cinnamon.org.uk

Tai Chi Tai Chi is a relaxing and de-stressing

form of exercise that can enhance your

mental health. Suitable for all ages 10+.

£5 an hour, 12 week term.

Taught by Yang Xu of the Association of

Traditional Chinese Medicine (UK).

Interested?

Dates and times to be confirmed and

subject to numbers. Contact Yang Xu on:

01553 674 086 or e-mail

yang.china.33@hotmail.com

10

Mallard News

Parish Council – February Meeting Seven councillors attended. Also present was Mr.

Dobson (County Councillor) & five parishioners.

A County Council budget proposal for an

increase of 3.98% is to be considered by

County Councillors on 22nd February.

A request for bus shelters to be provided

received favourable comments and the pros-

pect of taking advantage of a County Coun-

cil scheme to assist with the project is to be

investigated. Details of two new services

travelling to both King’s Lynn and Faken-

ham for local villages were given. Thanks

were expressed to Mr. & Mrs. Bridger for

all their hard work in enabling this to happen.

Concern was expressed at the amount of

rubbish, including a number of old tyres,

dumped on land at the rear of properties on

the Summerwood Estate. It was particularly

disappointing that Freebridge Housing As-

sociation had refused to play any part in

tackling this problem.

Next meeting, Mon. 21st March, 7.30 pm.

Village Green Christmas Lights - Update and Thanks from Mick Wingell Ryan Brown, who organised the Christmas event this time round, has agreed to now

taken over the project on a permanent basis. As such, I would like to thank Ryan, Scotty,

Sam Molyneux and conscripted ‘passers - by’ for help with erecting the pole and then

removal of the pole, over last few years.

Also, many thanks to Andrew and Rosemary Bickerton who, as well as storing the

pole, have also provided the power for the lights. (Yes he did know about it!)

Thank you also to Tim Collins who provides the ‘special switch’, Julian and the choir

for the Carols on several occasions and the Dabbling Duck and staff for their generous

support, not only on the night but also when we set up and remove the cable and pole.

(The hot coffee is most welcome.) Thank you also to my wife, Elaine, who insisted that

we carried on sharing sweeties around, a ‘tradition’ started by Tim Collins and the Youth

Club and no doubt one we will continue!

However, the BIG thanks should go to the two people who set it all up - Peter Kerry and

Martin Wooldridge - the villagers who supported them and those of course, who turn up

to make it a ‘Special Event’ for the Village each year.

The lights have been noticed and appreciated by visitors and the ‘Bucket Collection’ has

raised funds for local charities. The Lavender Mob raised £82 during the 2015 switch on

and provided the music and carols.

I am pleased that Ryan will ensure that the event will continue and hope that support for

it will always be there. Mick Wingell

A huge thank you to you Mick too. It is a special event that gets Christmas underway

and a lot of its success is down to your contribution. Very much appreciated by us all.

Postbag....Don’t Let Dogs Roam Alone!

Many villagers are concerned that some

dogs are running free in our village, not

on a lead and not with their owners.

Many people, children especially, are

afraid of dogs and being faced with one

that is not on a lead is very upsetting.

Also, a ‘roaming’ dog is more inclined to

attack another dog and this has happened

recently in King’s Lynn and resulted in

the death of two dogs on leads that were

attacked. We don’t want the same thing

happening here in our village.

We know most owners act responsibly

but PLEASE all dog owners walk your

dogs on leads and keep everyone safe.

11

Shop window

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Floor Boards, Wood Block/Parquet, Engineered & Laminate Floors

Sealing Staining Waxing Oiling

Free advice & Quotes, Contact Chris on 01945 780166 or 01485 521707 or 07894791723

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Small Local Company - Qualified & Insured Free no obligation quotes and advice

Call Alex 07782131258 www.TandAnorfolk.co.uk

12

Message to all Parishioners

March is a Funny Month!

Not funny ha ha but an odd mix of highs and lows and contrasting emotions as we travel

in our hearts with Christ on his journey to Jerusalem.

There is deep personal reflection (for those of us who take Lent seriously); then, later in

the month, we feel the pain and passion of Holy week as we remember Christ’s suffering

humiliation and death on the cross. And then, in complete contrast again, the joyful

celebration of Easter day and resurrection.

What’s even odder is that, in the midst of this journey toward and then celebrating Easter,

the story is broken into on the fourth Sunday of Lent (this year 6th March) as it is always

kept as Mothering Sunday - a day when Mothering in all its forms is celebrated.

So, within the church, March will bring a mixture of emotions, highs and lows – serious

reflection, sadness and indeed joy. Bit like life really!

Thinking about mothering - The list of characteristics associated with mothering is long

and varied. We could say those who ‘mother’ us are determined, protective, nurturing,

passionate, generous, sacrificial, brave, joyful, trusting and faithful and ever present, even in

sorrow, grieving and caring. Mothering demonstrates a love that is stronger than death.

We call God ‘Our Father’ – we could equally say ‘our mother’ (Jesus’s) wept tears over

the people of Jerusalem ‘as a mother weeps for her children, longing to gather them like

a hen gathers her chicks.’

A ‘love stronger than death’ is also a description of God’s love for us.

We all yearn to be mothered don’t we? Without someone to look out for our interests, to

defend us, to protect us; to enable us to learn our purpose in life, without someone to

model trust, faith, and joy; without someone who will love us enough to let us go our

own way; without someone to take the risk of loving us, even knowing that that love

may bring them pain; without someone to stand with us in our times of greatest suffering

– without someone to do those things for us, we are missing something crucial. And if

we ourselves have nobody for whom we can do these things, we are also missing out.

As we think about our own lives, our experiences of mothering or of being mothered, we

remember with thanksgiving the people who have done those things for us. And that

might well include people other than our birth mothers, for mothering is not only done

by mothers – we can all do mothering!

On the cross, God’s love is nailed firmly to the world so as never to let it go. A truly

parental love is one that would give anything and everything for the child. This is the

love of God that we see on the cross but this is also the love that we are called to have

for one another and for all of God’s creation. When we love like that, we make our

Mothering-God visible in the world.

Happy Mothering Sunday, and a Very Happy Easter. Much Love, Revd Jane

Funeral at Little Massingham Lucy Mountain 11th February

Lucy, who died on 24th January, will be

sadly missed. She was very much involved

in village life and was a regular worshipper at St An-

drew’s. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

SHOEBOXES UPDATE

We have been notified that our

shoeboxes went to Albania. In

all, 29,511 were sent from UK

to Albania just some of the

11.2 million packed globally.

13

Church Services February

Date Time Service Location

2nd March

Wednesday

9.00 am Holy Communion Harpley

4th March 11.00 am Women’s World Day of Prayer Grimston

6th March

Mothering Sunday

9.30 am

11.00 am

Family Service

Holy Communion

Harpley

Great Massingham

13th March 10.30 am

4.00 pm Group Holy Communion

The Gap

Grimston

Roydon

20th March 9.30 am

11.00 am

11.15 am

Holy Communion

Family Service

Sung Holy Communion

Little Massingham

Great Massingham

Harpley

24th March

Maundy Thursday

10.00 am Holy Communion Harpley

25th March

Good Friday

11.00 am Liturgy of The Cross Great Massingham

27th March

Easter Day

11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham

Monthly Benefice Prayer Meeting, Sunday 6th March at 3pm, at St Nicholas, Gayton.

For more news please visit our benefice website at www.ggmbenefice.uk

CHURCH NEWS Easter Lilies - A reminder

that March 10th is the final day

to order lilies to be displayed

at our Easter Day service. This

is a wonderful display to help

us celebrate our movement from Lent to

Eastertide. The lilies are £2 each. To order

call Gladys Newton on 520772 or myself,

Steve Hudson, on 520450.

If anyone could help decorate the church

with lilies on Saturday 26th March (Easter

Saturday) at 10am it would be appreciated. I would like to express our thanks to Gladys

for her excellent work with the flowers over

many, many years. Gladys is now stepping

down and handing over to Anna Burpitt.

Many, many thanks, Gladys.

Church Gates

As many of you will have seen, our gates

at the front of church are very dilapidated.

For aesthetic, safety and security reasons

we have had to order some new seasoned

oak gates and posts. These will take up to

four weeks to prepare and install.

Unfortunately, they come at a great cost,

£2,933 to be precise. To protect our

church lead these are necessary but obvi-

ously a strain on our funds and we would

be very grateful for any donations to help

us. Please contact me on 520450 if you

feel you could help.

Church Security

We would thank Mr Brun and his family

for all the work and help they have given

to help us protect our beautiful church.

Stephen Hudson

14

Rachael Spooner MCFHP MAFHP

Foot Health Professional Treatments include:

Nail cutting, Corn Removal, Callus Reduction,

Diabetic Foot Care, Verruca Treatment.

Call 01485 601128 or 07754 947 408 for advice or an appointment.

Caring for your feet in your own home.

Member of British Association of Foot Health Professionals

Level 3 Advanced Personal Trainer, Children's Fitness Instructor, GP Exercise Referral Instructor

Nutrition and Weight Management, Level 2 ASA Swimming Teacher, First Aid Qualified.

Tel: 07825 371 381 - www.krosstraining.co.uk

ALL ON YOUR DOORSTEP A Warm Welcome Awaits

at Heath Farm, Lynn Lane, Great Massingham

01485 520828 www.lingscountrygoods.com

Annual Membership Subscriptions Adult Couple £20 Individual Adult £14 Over 65 years £10 Juniors (14 –17yrs) £ 7

Excellent facilities and a friendly atmosphere.

Good beer, real ale, wines and spirits all at competitive prices. Separate snooker room.

Satellite, large screen TV. Outside drinking area.

Entertainment throughout the year.

Membership applications can be obtained from the club bar

Book the Village Hall for your function – 01485 520588

Welcomes old & new members

CALL TODAY

01485 521888

High quality fitted and free-standing

furniture. Individually designed,

traditionally hand-crafted and

personally installed by experts from

our Great Massingham workshops.

www.tenacityinteriors.com

Shop window

15

OVEN CLEANING

CARPET CLEANING

SOFA CLEANING

Call the local experts now

Clean Tech

01485 609223 Card, cheque and cash

payments accepted

Useful Numbers Organisation Contact Phone No.

Allotment Association Gill Goold 07513125964

Borough Council Mike Tilbury 520340

British Legion & Bell Ringing Denys Winner 520598

Bowls Club Peter Wadham 520796

Church Contacts Revd Judith Pollard or Revd Jane Holmes

01485 601 251 01553 636227

Community Car Scheme Office 520823

Coronation Club Pam Hales 520236

County Council John Dobson 534989

Doctors Massingham Surgery 520521

The Film Club Arthur Allen/Barry Talbot 520628/07818 807 738

Fishing Warden Nigel Yates 520844/07527 866 055

Football Club Barry Talbot (seniors) 520653

Guide Trefoil Guild Shirley Rae 520259

Massingham Historical Society Anthony Robinson 520455

Tennis and Multi-Sports Club Arthur Allen 520628

Parish Council Kevin Webb (Clerk) Vic Cross (Chair)

01328 855 046 520387

Pre-School Pip Armitage 07807 185 746

Police Non-emergency 101

School Ann Beardall 520362

Village Hall Hall & Bar & Vic Cross 520588/520387

Fresh Bread Daily from Ridouts Bakery

Holiday Insurance & Foreign Currency

Take Away Food Menu

Fresh Fruit and vegetables

FREE local deliveries every Thursday !

Village Store

Great Massingham

The Village Store & Post Office

Ray and staff

welcome you to

your local shop,

7days a week.

Mon. to Sat.

8am to 5.30pm

Sun. 9.30 -12.30

Tel: 520 272

16

Dates for your Diary – March

Date Event Time Place

5 March Coffee Morning/ Table Sale 11am -1pm Village Hall

6/13 March West Norfolk Folk 7 - 10 pm Village Hall Bar

12 March Biodiversity Project 10 am Weasenham Road Pond

14/28 March Craft & Chat 2 - 4 pm Village Hall Bar

15 March Mobile Library From 11 am As Timetabled

16 March Historical Society 7.30 - 9 pm 9, School Road (The Barns)

17 March Film Club 7 for 7.30 Village Hall

19 March Village Spring Clean 10 am At the Well

20 March Strollers Walk 9.30 am At the Well call 520 307 to confirm.

21 March Parish Council Meeting 7.30 pm Village Hall

24 March Quiz Night 7.30 pm Village Hall Bar

This parish magazine is published every month for the residents of Great and Little Massingham with the support of the Great Massingham Parish Council, the Parochial Church Council and Massingham Village Hall Trustees.

www.greatmassingham.net Editor : Bev Randall 01485 520 899 or 6 Abbeyfields Gt Massingham

e-mail : mallard.editor@btinternet.com

Treasurer : David Baines 01485 520 966

Website : Caroline Boyden 01485 521 816

Next

closing date

20th March

Biodiversity Project Much good work was done on our biodiversity site last year and the range of established

plants has continued to expand. The number of species logged has now reached 126.

This will increase further following an extensive planting of the woodland fern Polysti-

chum setiferum (the Soft Shield Fern) in April. It will also soon be time for our first

working party of the year. This has been arranged for Saturday 12th March starting at

about 10 am at the site off the Weasenham Road. If you are free that morning please

join us. You will be very welcome. The first jobs will be removing the piles of hay that

have overwintered on the wildflower meadow, attending to the recently planted blue bell

area and to the intended site for the ferns plus some general post-winter clearing of paths

and margins. A rake and a garden fork would be helpful but not essential. There will be a

tea and coffee break at about eleven o’clock (see photograph below).

For the past two years we

have held an open garden day

to help raise funds for new

plants etc. These have proved

enjoyable occasions and on

Sunday 26th June this year,

the garden at Long Barn,

Kennels Farm will be open to

visitors in aid of the Project.

More details will follow

nearer the time.

Mike Jackson