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Issue No. 150 Every issue FREE Supporting Our Community October 2009

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CENTENARY YEAR OF GIRL GUIDING LAUNCH

Guides, Brownies and Rainbows from Watton District had a fun packed day at Colchester Zoo to celebrate the launch of the Centenary Year of Girl Guiding. Over 100 girls from Watton, Saham Toney and Ashill guiding units joined together for a day out to mark guiding's 100th birthday. It was a glorious day at the zoo and, while it was sometimes difficult to tell the girls from the chimps, we all arrived back safely! The day was completed by a campfire evening at Weeting, run by South West Norfolk District, where we were joined by Watton Trefoil Guild for an evening of campfire songs. Over the coming year, guiding units will be celebrating the Centenary Year with a number of adventures and challenges.

AN EVENING OF "SHEAR MAGIC" AT THE ROCKLANDS HALLOWEEN QUIZ

Saturday 31st October is the evening for Magic and Witches in the Rocklands Village Hall. Don your witch or demon outfit if you wish, bring your own picnic and wine (a special witch’s brew of tea/coffee is provided). The quiz is devised by the Three Wise Ladies from Thieves Lane and they will slot singles and doubles into tables of six. There will be a prize for the best dressed table as well as prizes for the winners and boobies. You can be a Dim Demon or a Wimp of a Witch and still enjoy a fun evening! 7pm for 7.30pm kick off and tickets are £4.00 on the door, Rocklands Village Shop or book by ringing 483226. Please leave broomsticks outside.

Coffee at the Queens Hall 9.30am to 11.30am

Saturday Oct. 3rd Farmers’ Market Day

WAYLAND PARTNERSHIP’S AUTUMN CRAFT FAIR

The latest in our very successful Craft Fairs is being held on Saturday 17th October Between 10.00am – 2.00pm at the Queens Hall, Watton. Admission is free. We are delighted to offer you a celebration of local crafts including hand dyed wool, jewellery, corn dollies, wood-turned items, engraved and stained glass, embroidered items, original paintings, handmade cushions, preserves, photography and much more. Our aim is to promote the handmade work of talented individuals and provide them with a venue where they can exhibit and sell their work directly to the public. We also want to provide the public with an opportunity to purchase quality handmade crafts and allow them to speak with the people who make them. We carefully select exhibitors to ensure that the standards of crafts are kept high and that there is a varied range of crafts showcased at each event. If you are looking for something different and if quality and affordability are important to you, you will find what you are looking for at a Wayland Partnership craft fair. Refreshments will be available. Contact Susan Hollingworth 01953 880205 for more information.

CASTON ART GROUP

ANNUAL EXHIBITION The Caston Art Group will be holding its Annual Exhibition on Saturday 10th between 10 am and 5 pm and Sunday 11th October between 10.00 am and 4.30 pm at Caston Village Hall. The art on display will cover many media including water colour, oil painting, acrylic and pastels. Many of the paintings will be available for sale and there will be refreshments and Tombola. This is a valued event on the local calendar so please note the dates in your diaries.

www.waylandbank.org NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED We are pleased to announce the new, pro-active web site for Wayland Community Bank, your local branch of the Norfolk Credit Union. With this you can see our opening times, location, and what we have to offer you. You can also read and download application forms for membership, savings and loans. There is a section for latest news which will be updated regularly, and gives notice of such events as the Community Advice Day on the 14th October to which everyone is welcome. From November, in addition to our traditional savings and loans schemes, we will be offering a Current account with Debit Card facilities. For anyone who is not certain what a Credit Union is, do please drop in for a chat at this event, or during any of our opening times at Wayland House in Watton High Street.

The Wayland News Page 2

A PERSONAL STATEMENT FROM JULIAN HORN

In the depths of this recession, when ironmongers and costermongers are all suffering badly, it is good to know, perhaps, that that in dear old Watton, the rumour-mongers are still doing good business. As is fairly well known now, I have stepped down from Project Rainbow. But in spite of publicity explaining why I have taken this step, there are those who, out of ignorance or malice, have taken to spreading outright lies and misinformation about the reasons behind my departure. So let me make it quite clear that Project Rainbow is NOT in disarray, I have NOT fallen out with any individual within the project, Paul Adcock and I ARE still very good friends, the Trustees are NOT at each other’s throats and, finally, I am most definitely NOT joining the council. My sole reason for stepping down is really quite simple: You would have to be blind not to have noticed the recent changes in The Wayland News – and there are more to come. The reason for those changes is to make this the best local paper I can. And, not to put too fine a point on it, I want to try to scrape a living from it. The Wayland News will continue its support of the community, that is its raison

d'être, and in doing this I will endeavour to maintain the highest journalistic ideals in all that I do, say and write. If I report positively, or negatively, on anything the Town Counci l , Project Rainbow or even the WI says or does, I must able to report to you without fear of damaging that organisation simply because of my association with it. It is for this reason that I have stepped down. It genuinely is as simple as that! I believe Project Rainbow is critical to the future of our young people, now, and even more so, in years to come. If I did not, I would not have committed the last year and a half of my life to it. The Project remains in the best possible hands and I have absolute confidence in those who carry the responsibility of managing it in the future. So, if anyone says anything different to you about why I have stepped down, please show them your copy of The Wayland News or ask them to come and see me personally. But I’ll wager a pound or two they won’t dare to show their face though!

DY-FIT FOR LIFE EXERCISE TO MUSIC CLASSES

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ROGER TURNER 07759 948 830 01953 881 382

TREW - MARY BEATTIE (BETTY)

Gay and John would like to thank relatives, friends and neighbours and all who have been supportive at this sad time. Thanks to Rev’d Geoff Garrett for the comforting service. Sincere thanks to all the District Nurses, carers at Carewatch over the past 6 years and staff at Quinton House. Thanks to all who attended the funeral and sent donations for Watton Thursday Club which amounted to £450. Finally thanks to Eirlys and Laura at Breckland Funeral Services for the excellent and caring arrangements.

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WAYLAND COMMUNITY RADIO 107.3FM BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Weekdays: 7 -10am Breakfast News, Views and Weather; 10 – 12noon Mid Morning A woman’s take on life; 12noon -1pm Anything Goes Non stop music; 1 – 4 pm Afternoon Relax and enjoy; 4pm – 7pm Drive Liven up your journey home; 7pm – 10 pm Your Music * see below A genre of music for all tastes Saturdays: 7 – 10am Breakfast News, Views, and Weather, 10 – 1pm Saturday Supplement The Week on Wayland, 1 – 2pm Anything Goes Non stop music, 2 – 5pm Afternoon Easy listening Sundays: 8 – 10am Breakfast Christian music and interviews, 10 – 1pm The Sunday Goldmine Relax and unwind, 1 – 2pm Anything Goes Non stop music, 2 – 5pm The Golden Era with Ian Damon Turning the clock back, 5 – 7pm Sunday Chill Out Gentle afternoon listening with a jazz twist, 7 – 9 pm Folk Club Featuring live music. Your Music: Monday 7 – 9pm The Country Show, 9 – 10 pm The Blues Show Tuesday 7 – 8pm The Mod Years 8 – 10 pm Let’s Go Tripping Wednesday 7 – 9pm The Arts Show 9 – 10pm The Jazz Show Thursday 7 – 9pm Labelled with Love, 9 – 10 pm Eric Softley plays the songs of Leonard Cohen Friday 7 – 9pm Our Turn (We reserve the right to change the programming schedule)

Watton Ballroom Dancing Association

Queen’s Hall, Watton 8 to 11.00 Admission £3.00

Saturday October 3rd Saturday November 7th

Mike 01953 882799

WATTON BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP - OCTOBER Wed 7th 2.00pm Meeting at Watton CCC, Tea and chat Mon 19th 12.30pm for 1.00pm Lunch at the Wagon & Horses, Griston Contact the Parish Office 01953 881252 for

further information

AUSTRALIANS SUFFERING IN AFGHANISTAN TOO

A SPECIAL REPORT FROM CHRIS O’CONNOR IN AUSTRALIA Australians have lived with the war in Afghanistan for nearly half a decade now and they are finally tiring of it. In the streets you hear people asking a very simply question “Why are we there?” Regrettably the Australian government comes up with the same rhetoric as the Brown government - terrorism. However, a new and very disturbing statistic has emerged and the Australian Defence Force and the Labor government are running, or hiding from the issue like no other before. It boils down to this, a report in the national daily newspaper “The Australian” which began the article thus: “In hospitals around Australia, soldiers who have been seriously wounded in Afghanistan are checked in under false names in order to protect them from the public eye. One Afghanistan veteran, in his early 20s, is in a private hospital in NSW. He has lost both his legs. The doctors and nurses treating him are sworn to secrecy. Were someone to ring the hospital's reception, asking for him by his real name, he would not exist. As far as the public knows, his terrible injuries never happened. There was no media release from the Defence Department giving even cursory details of this man's suffering. While the dead - there have been 11 Australians killed in Afghanistan - are seen coming home in coffins, in tragic airfield ramp ceremonies, discussion about the badly wounded, who come home in secret, is off limits.” It seems that when an Australian soldier is killed in action we are told all the vivid details with an Australian hero killed fighting for his country. However, if the soldier is injured forget information - Silence is now official policy with a Defence department spokesman saying: "In order to protect the privacy of wounded personnel and to aid convalescence, Defence does not publicly release details of the repatriation of wounded personnel. Tragically, some of these have been seriously wounded. However, the figures also include those with minor wounds who recover quickly and continue to serve in theatre." What is critical to this Defence Department policy of silence is that Australia knows almost nothing about its wounded soldiers. All we can tell you is that 83 soldiers had suffered various forms of wounds in Afghanistan since late 2005, when Australians re-engaged in the war. The soldiers have a range of damage, from severe bruising, concussion and fractures, to gunshot and shrapnel wounds and significant blast trauma. Any further breakdown of those figures is not available. There is also not comment on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – a factor which made many Vietnam veterans kill themselves years after the event. Now veterans from all the wars Australia has fought in fear for the long-term mental cost on soldiers who are asked to fight a hidden war. They worry the public has little understanding of what they're going through, and have little appreciation of the soldiers' sacrifice. This occurred in Vietnam – a war thankfully Britain did not have to participate in – but left an enormous scar on the fabric of Australia life from 1960 onwards. The Australian newspaper went further with its reporting: “When nine members of the Special Operations Task Group were hit by heavy rocket and machinegun fire in an attack on the Taliban in September last year, Defence had no intention of releasing any details about the battle after the casualties were brought in. In a briefing two months later, special operations commander Major General Tim McOwan complained that news of the battle "was leaked and found its way into the Australian media". Because of the leak, Defence was forced to confirm the incident, in which Trooper Mark Donaldson became the first Australian to win a Victoria Cross in 40 years. McOwan said the Taliban exploited the news on local radio stations the same day. "In essence," he said, "an information release by us afforded them a propaganda opportunity." It appears, however, that some serving troops in Afghanistan felt their fellow Australians deserved to know that members of the SOTG - made up of SAS, the 4th Battalion, and commandos - had just faced the bloodiest combat seen by Diggers since Vietnam. That is why they "leaked" it. For many soldiers, the age-old war veteran mindset of keeping your war stories bottled up means many recently returned vets do not feel comfortable discussing their recovery, even if Defence were to give them the all-clear to do so.” Continued on Page 7 . . .

The Wayland News Page 3

EVE WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT TO CYCLE CHINA Local midwife, Eve Brady, is asking for your support for a major challenge which she is undertaking to raise funds to improve the health of women and babies worldwide. On the 23rd September 2010 Eve will join Professor Robert Winston for Cycle China, the 10th women-only challenge to fund groundbreaking medical research work at the Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health in London. She will be cycling 450km in Beijing province and needs to raise a minimum of £3,300. Eve will be among a group of about 80 women who will cycle for five days through areas of China that few westerners get to see. They are all aware that their challenge will be a tough one requiring a great deal of commitment and training. However Eve is joining a committed group of midwives willing to donate their time, energy and annual leave in their effort to help improve the health of women and babies worldwide. More than 1,400 women from across the UK have already helped Professor Winston raise over £2 million for the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trust’s Women for Women fund by taking part in cycling challenges around the world. Women for Women raise funds to train women scientists and clinicians to work at the centre, empowering more women to lead in this field. They will work to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions which cause genetic diseases, miscarriage, infertility, cancer and brain damage. The fundamental aim is to improve women’s health and to ensure that more women have a normal pregnancy with a healthy baby. With up to 250 babies dying every week in the UK from complications during pregnancy their work has never been so essential for women and babies worldwide. If you can help by making a donation, it doesn’t matter how small, Eve would be very grateful. Please sponsor her online by going to http://www.justgiving.com/evebrady. Or if you prefer, send a cheque made payable to ‘The Institute Trust Fund’ and send it to: Eve Brady, Dereham Hospital, Northgate Street, Dereham, Norfolk. NR19 2EX

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The recent production of Dad’s Army by the Boo & Hiss Theatre Company left audiences rolling in the aisles as Captain Mainwaring, played by Keith Gilbert, led his platoon of bumbling and overenthusiastic Home Guard into all sorts of strange and hilarious situations. In the first Act, Mum’s Army, Captain Mainwaring came close to compromising his position as Bank Manager. When the platoon gets some female recruits, Mr Mainwaring takes a fancy to one of them, Mrs Fiona Gray, played by Fleur Revell-Lake. When Mainwaring is seen in a cafe with Mrs Gray, rumours begin to spread among the platoon whipped up by Private Frazer who was played superbly well by Steve Smith in his first experience of treading the boards. Next day, Mainwaring discovers that Mrs Gray is leaving town. He goes to the station and tries to persuade her to stay, but she insists on leaving on the train, a prop that provided what was, perhaps, the biggest laugh of the night. All the other favourites in the platoon, Cpl. Jones (Alan Abel), Private Pike (Gavin Challis), Private Walker (Peter Reynolds), Private Godfrey (Ian Fance) and a supporting cast of another 12 or so, played their part in ensuring that the expected chaos ensued. The ample proportions of Mrs Fox were beautifully portrayed by Rita Lake and helped bring just the right amount of ‘glamour’ to a superb production. Sgt Wilson, was brilliantly portrayed by another first time performer, Richard Brown. In The Godiva Affair, Wilson rode his “horse” around the stage he had the audiences laughing uncontrollably with his perfectly timed “Har, har, har, give till it hurts, har, har, har.” and in response to a summons to the office: “Would you like me to walk or gallop sir?” It was easy to forget you weren’t watching the real thing. The Grand Finale of the night, The Floral Dance, had the whole cast singing their hearts out to bring to an end an evening’s entertainment that any amateur company would be proud of. It was a brave move to attempt to play such well known and well liked characters in a production that involved 25 people, all of whom were characters as well as stage crew, make-up artists, prompts etc. The scene changes were very difficult to perform, given the number and complexity of costume changes but all agreed it was very well done indeed. To the Boo & Hiss Theatre Company, we look forward to your next offering, but it is hard to see how you will top this one. Still, don’t panic Captain Mainwaring, I am sure you’ll manage it!

WHAT A (WONDERFUL) WAY TO WIN A WAR!

Breckland Harmony presents:

‘Down Memory Lane’ A concert of songs and readings

from the 1940s and 50s October 31st at 7.30 pm

St Andrew’s Church, North Pickenham

Tickets £5 from Sheila Mathias (01760 440413) or on the door

COPS AND COFFEE AT SHIPDHAM

Police are inviting all members of the public to come along to the next cops and coffee sessions. Watton Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) will be hosting the events to give local people the chance to share their community concerns and influence the team's priorities in the neighbourhood. Officers will also be providing free crime prevention advice at the scheduled sessions. The next cops and coffee events will be taking place at The Green, Shipdham on Sunday 18 October between 4pm-6pm. To contact Watton Safer Neighbourhood Team call 0845 456 4567 or email sntwatton@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.

SKATEBOARDER’S HOPES APPEAR TO BE DASHED

Long held hopes that a skateboarding area could be provided at Lovell Gardens or Stokes Avenue appear to have been dashed yet again, after advice from the Principal Planning Officer at Breckland Council. The news came at a meeting of Watton Town Council’s Premises committee in early September, when the subject of a Skate Park, once again, came under discussion. The meeting, which was attended by around 20 members of the public, heard from the Chairman, Councillor Michael Wassell that, after consulting with Breckland Council, Watton Council had been advised that in order to obtain the planning permission required before any facility could be built, a “buffer zone” of one hundred metres would be needed from any adjacent residential development to prevent nuisance from noise. Mr Wassell reported to the meeting that he had checked and the largest zone at Lovell Gardens was 47 metres and 97 metres at Stokes Avenue. Breckland Council’s stance was said to be based on advice from the National Playing Fields Association contained within “The Six Acre Standard”, and defying it may well open the way for residents to mount a legal challenge before or after any structure being built. Prior to being given the news, the meeting had heard representations from members of the public both for, and against, the provision of a skate park at Lovell Gardens, although there appeared to be unanimous support for the principle that one was needed. The Council has once again appealed for any member of the public who might be aware of a potential site to get in touch with details by ring the Town Clerk, Mrs Jacqui Seal, on 01953 881007.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEAS Hosted by St. Mary’s Church

Sunday 18th October at Watton Christian Community Centre 2.30pm until 4pm All welcome - please come along and bring family and friends

The Wayland News Page 4

The Wayland News Page 5

HACKERS, TACKERS AND STUFFERS The first meeting of the new season was held on 8th September and was well attended by regulars plus a possible new member. Plans were made for the next few months to include a Linus workshop at the home of a member in early October, a Christmas lunch to be arranged and various workshops. The possibility of a suitable outing was also considered. On Monday 19th October there will be a whole day workshop to make a fabric rooster. At our meeting on 27th October a member will demonstrate Needle Felting. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month in Watton Christian Community Centre from 7-9p.m. New members or those interested in finding out more are welcome. There are often places on our workshops but non-members do have to pay a one off annual membership plus any other expenses for insurance purposes. For information on workshops contact Sue Wright on 01953 880057, for other matters Sue Hart on 01362 822536. There is a calendar covering our activities on our Blog on http://htsqgroup.blogspot.com

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THE DAY WAR BROKE OUT

By Edith Pleasance Well, it didn’t so much break out as creep in. For weeks we had been preparing, practising with our gasmasks, which caused some ribald comments amid nervous laughter. Lining our curtains with blackout material, collecting our free identity cards. (I still have mine but doubt it will be valid when the next lot are issued). We lived in a small flat on the third floor of a ‘tenement’ block, above my father’s barber shop, opposite Chelsea Barracks and about a quarter of a mile from Victoria Station. The building was early 1900’s and stood proud and strong, hopefully defying destruction from the enemy. Neville Chamberlain had barely spoken the words “At eleven o’clock this morning, 3rd September 1939, we will be at war with Germany”, than the sirens wailed their warning to take cover because of an air raid. A warden had been appointed for each block, his job to ensure all the flats were vacated and the tenants shepherded down to his flat on the ground floor. Not an easy job when trying to convince a couple of elderly ladies with their cat to venture out from their inner sanctum. About a dozen of assorted ages and sizes of people were assembled in the warden’s living room, which had been shored up with metal poles from floor to ceiling. No one had mentioned the possibility of this being a practice event to see how we would cope and how quickly we could flee down the concrete staircase. As far as we were concerned it was the real thing and we would all be lucky to come out of it unscathed. Mum had been slicing runner beans for our Sunday dinner and, ever the optimist, insisted on taking the colander, knife and beans to the shelter. Admittedly she was the calmest of us all. The fear in our minds was very real. The sound of Jackboots marching along our streets was palpable after seeing the newsreels in our cinemas showing what was happening in countries so nearby. Also, many of the older generation had known air raids during the first ‘War to end Wars’! My two sisters of five and thirteen years had already been evacuated to Chertsey in Surrey and were lucky enough to be with good people. The Canadian insurance company in Trafalgar Square that I worked for gave their female staff three days leave while the menfolk, those not yet in the Forces, were employed transporting our whole office, lock stock and barrel, to a preparatory school just outside of Bromley in Kent. The school children and staff had been taken somewhere ‘safe’ for the duration of the War. Within the hour on that Sunday morning the ‘All clear’ sirens sounded so, with much relief, we scuttled back to our ‘hutches’. The ladies with their cat were comforted and escorted up the stairs. We had all suddenly become quite neighbourly and concerned for one another. To my recollection we never repeated that exercise and shortly after my family moved out of London to Croydon where, incidentally, the first real air raid of the War took place. It was said that the German bombers followed our ‘planes back to the airport, but I am not sure how true that was. ---o0o--- © Edith Pleasance 12.09.09

Norfolk Wildlife Trust To ask a question about the Norfolk’s Wildlife please call the Norfolk Wildlife Information Service. Wildline 01603 598333 9am to 5pm Mon

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Further details and Membership enquiries 01953 498467 Tuesday 20th October - 7.45pm - 9.30pm. A Talk The Return of The Osprey. A talk by reserve warden Paul Waterhouse followed by refreshments and raffle. Venue; Watton Christian Community Centre, High Street Watton. Cost £1.50 members and £2.00 non-members

Well the new term has got off to a flying start! We would like to welcome all families, old and new, to the playgroup. The children have been busy with their Goldilocks and the three Bears week. With bear hunts, picnics, bears gracing every table and the hall resonating with the shouts of ‘Who’s been sleeping in my bed!’ We are also proud to announce our new fundraising group the Friends of Treetots, which is open to parents and carers who wish to support and fundraise for the playgroup. We hope this will be a great success and we are very much looking forward to the forth-coming events. There will be posters advertising these nearer the time. Thank you to all who supported our fun days during the holidays. These were very much enjoyed by all and on top of that, we also managed to raise £115! We would also like to thank the Masonic lodges of Watton, Wayland and Gt. Eastern for their very generous donation of £300 the presentation of which is pictured above; and all other persons who continue to support our group . This is very much appreciated. From The Staff and Committee of Treetots Playgroup.

NEWS FROM THE TREETOTS PLAYGROUP

DIABETES UK At our September meeting we welcomed Barbara Emons from Dogs Trust Snetterton. She brought Bernard with her, who, after he was introduced to us, was very well behaved and was rested quietly for the rest of the meeting!! Barbara's talk was very interesting and informative, with an inside view to a "dogs life" at Snetterton!! Both Bernard and Barbara were warmly thanked and Barbara, at least, was able to talk to many of our members individually before she left. At the time of writing we have yet to hold our fist ever Quiz night and our extra meeting in September. I will be reporting on those in the next issue. Our meeting in October is on the 12th and our speaker will be Marian Dolphin, Diabetic Sister from the Surgery. As usual the meeting starts at 10.30 and will be at the Pentecostal Church, Old Dereham Road, and our thanks as always go to them for the use of their facilities. Any enquiries about this or any other meetings please phone Helen on 01953 884713.

The Wayland News Page 6

BRADENHAM & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

AUTUMN SHOW Despite the somewhat mixed weather during the Summer our members again overcame all the difficulties to produce an excellent Show, held in the Village Hall on Saturday, 12th September. 12 members took part, producing an astonishing 123 entries. Unfortunately this was down on the usual 150 or so but this was mainly due to the lack of rain when needed. However the Chairman, Allison Griffiths, noted that the entries were of a very high quality and thanked our Judges, Sandra and Fred Howard, who generously give their time. They too debated some classes at length as the quality was so high. After teas were taken and the raffle held we had a first ever auction of produce kindly donated by the exhibitors. Ralph Kinsley ran

this in high good humour with sometimes hilarious results. The visitors and members joined in whole-heartedly then the tea team joined in and gave us the cakes to auction! Everyone was very generous and the afternoon ended in good spirits. Silverware was awarded as follows: Autumn Shield - highest number of points in Show Ralph Kinsley Sid Lancaster Cup - Fuchsia in 8” max pot Geoff Twelftree Sid Lancaster Plate - Bowl of Salad items Ralph Kinsley Chairman’s Cup - to the lady (not Shield winner) with highest number of points Violet Simmons Gentleman’s Cup - to the gentleman (not Shield winner) with highest number of points Michael Simmo ns Michael Simmons Cup - Best Vegetable in Show Geoff Twelftree for Ridge Cucumbers Woolnough Trophy - Best Vase of Flowers from classes 1-6 & 10 Ralph Kinsley The full results are as follows: Vegetable Classes: 1. Potatoes White - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 2. Potatoes Coloured - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Violet Simmons; 3. Onions over 1lb - 1st Michael Simmons; 3a. Onions under 1lb - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 4. Shallots - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 5. Runner Beans - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Geoff Twelftree; 3rd Ralph Kinsley; 6. Tomatoes, any ripe - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Judy Atkinson; 3rd Ralph Kinsley; 7. Cherry Tomatoes - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Judy Atkinson; HC Jackie Priestley; 8. Carrots, long - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Jackie Priestley; 9. Carrots, stump - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 10. Marrows - 1st Vic Cossins; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Ralph Kinsley; 11. Beetroot - 1st Vic Cossins; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Michael Simmons; 12. Cucumbers, indoor 1st Michael Simmons; 13. Cucumbers, outdoor 1st Geoff Twelftree; 2nd Michael Simmons; 14. Courgettes - 1st Ralph

Kinsley; 2nd Jackie Priestley; 3rd Michael Simmons; HC Anita Cullen; 15. Leeks - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 16. Any giant vegetable - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 17. Trug mixed vegetables - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Vic Cossins; 18. Ornamental vegetable - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Geoff Twelftree; 19. Any other vegetable - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Vic Cossins; HC Anita Cullen; Flowers: 1. Dahlia over 6” - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 2. Dahlia under 6” - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Judy Atkinson; Pompom 3. Dahlia, under 6” - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Pauline Middleton; 3rd Violet Simmons; HC Michael cactus/semi cactus Simmons; 4. Spray Chrysanthemums 1st Ralph Kinsley; 5. Roses - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Jackie Priestley; HC Vic Cossins; 6. Gladioli - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Judy Atkinson; 7. Flowering pot plant - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Ruth Woolnough; 3rd Roy Woolnough; 8. Orchid - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Roy Woolnough; 3rd Ruth Woolnough; HC Vic Cossins; 9. Non-flowering pot plant 1st Geoff Twelftree; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Roy Woolnough; 10. Vase annuals - 1st Michael Simmons; 2nd Ralph Kinsley; 3rd Violet Simmons; HC Ruth Woolnough; 11. Vase sunflowers - 1st Violet Simmons; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Ralph Kinsley; 12. Vase assorted blooms - 1st Violet Simmons; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Ralph Kinsley; HC Pauline Middleton; 13. Single bloom - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Violet Simmons; 3rd Geoff Twelftree; HC Judy Atkinson Fruit: 1. Apples Dessert - 1st Geoff Twelftree; 2nd Ruth Woolnough; 3rd Judy Atkinson; HC Jackie Priestley; 2. Apples Culinary - 1st Jackie Priestley; 2nd Michael Simmons; 3rd Anita Cullen; HC Geoff Twelftree; 3. Raspberries - 1st Ralph Kinsley; 2nd Michael Simmons; Any Other Fruit - 1st Geoff Twelftree; 2nd Pauline Middleton; 3rd Ralph Kinsley

OVINGTON VILLAGE HALL QUIZ TEAM

TRIUMPHANT AGAIN! For the second year running the indomitable quiz team have brought home the Norfolk Village Halls Association (Breckland Division) trophy. The questions this year were the hardest ever and caused the team some pretty intense head scratching and deep forays into some long disused memory banks. Following on from this success they were, not unexpectedly, entered into the countywide quiz, held this year at Yaxham Village Hall. The Ovington team were in the lead all the way and looked destined to win more silver ware to display in the village hall, but sadly were just pipped at the post by Pulham Saint Mary’s team who pulled out all stops to leap into the lead by just one point. Slightly disappointed the team never the less joined in the tumultuous applause for the winning team. Second place had its compensations though as the team were awarded a cheque to boost village hall funds, this was greatly appreciated, as the costs of running the hall seem to increase at a disproportionate rate every year. The team have agreed that next year, they will bring back to Ovington both trophies, having in the meantime memorised the complete works of Shakespeare, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and watched every episode of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. The Village Hall was the venue for a late in the year BBQ on September 5th, Ovingtons renowned penchant for good food ensured a great repast for all those attending, the après¢s nosh social activities continuing until the wee small hours. Ovington knows how to have fun. The next big event will be the Grand Christmas Bazaar on the 5th December, 12 – 3pm, see next month’s Wayland News for further details.

The Wayland News Page 7

WATTON INNER WHEEL CLUB

Beryl Brannan in the chair welcomed everybody and introduced our speaker for the evening, Gillian Vail, who spoke to us about Crown Derby. She had family connections going back several generations of pottery workers, felt she had clay flowing through her veins. The first marked piece of Derby was dated 1745. When this type of bone china was first produced it was very expensive. A small pot was worth £2,500 in today’s money. Derby and Worcester were the first big factories. The early kilns were bottle shaped and fired with wood. This was a very skilful occupation both stacking the kiln and keeping the fire at the right temperature for the 30 day firing. During the Industrial Revolution people who were not nobility began to make money and become very rich and they then wanted beautiful things, hence the desire for delicate tea sets and as they began to entertain more lavishly, dinner sets. As tea became more available and cheaper, tea pots were required. During the early days, china was transported by canal as the roads were too bumpy and broke the china. The workers had hard lives, being paid low wages and walking miles between factories to get work. The workers originally were all men but during the Napoleonic Wars women were taken on and found to be better at the decorating side of production. The firm still operates today and is still an English company, one of the few. This was a fascinating glimpse into a piece of English history. The vote of thanks was given by Brenda Davis. Raffle won by Mary Riches. The business meeting followed chaired by Beryl as Helen is in Australia and sent the Club an e-mail to make us all envious. Jenny Simons is holding a McMillans Coffee Morning on Friday, 16 October 10.30am to 12pm at 95, Nelson Court, Watton.

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PRIDE IN BRECKLAND

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Pride in Breckland is a campaign that was launched by the Breckland Strategic Partnership. The Breckland Strategic Partnership was set up in 2002 and brings together representatives from Breckland Council, Norfolk County Council, voluntary and community sectors, primary care trust, Norfolk Constabulary and a range of other key agencies that deliver public services in the area. The aim of the Partnership is to create sustainable communities and improve the quality of life for all residents in the Breckland District. One way of helping to achieve this was to set up the Pride in Breckland Project. The goals of Pride in Breckland are: • To improve the quality of life for all

Breckland residents and to make the district an even nicer place to visit

• To develop the respect and sense of ownership in the local area

• To expand relationships between different sections of the community

• To encourage the sense of pride in the district

• These goals can be achieved via a variety of exciting local community projects.

• The Pride Grant Scheme – Grants of up to £250 are available to support local community related projects and initiatives.

• Church Yard Reclamation - To help bring lost ancient places of rest back to life.

• Community Owls Project – Using community resources to provide nesting boxes for one of Wayland’s best loved birds

• Pride in our Armed Forces – A unique page on our website where the residents of Breckland can leave messages of support to our troops in Afghanistan.

For these projects to work, the community needs to get involved. To get involved with and to learn about many more exciting projects, visit www.prideinbreckland.org.uk Also, if you have any Pride related issues within your community that you would like to see tackled, please contact the Pride in Breckland Coordinator, Richard Wills on 01362 656344 or via richard.wills@breckland.gov.uk

STOW BEDON CHURCH

THANK YOU Following our sale of jams and household items on 26 August at Watton Market we were pleased to raise the sum of £134. The stall was manned by Stella Leonard and Evelyn Batts from the village and we would like to thank everyone for their support.

AUSTRALIANS SUFFERING IN AFGHANISTAN TOO

Continued from page 2 . . . A person I know who works for the Royal Australian Air Force as a nurse often has to fly abroad and bring home these wounded soldiers. She is sworn to secrecy every time she leaves even though most of us know where she is going. She will not tell you where she has been, and if asked about the wounded soldiers she has ‘quietly’ brought home with walk away and say nothing, or change the subject. However on one occasion she did tell us about one flight where soldiers were so badly injured no amount of pain killer could help; where the slightest air bump in the aircraft made some soldiers yell in pain and where some soldiers – tough men from the SAS – held her hand and cried for fear their wives would now reject them because the were no longer the man they used to be. Above all, she said, they ‘just wanted to be home.’ The Australian Special Air Service Association national president Dave Lewis told of one story where he knew one soldier who was shot six times in the chest and stomach and no one has a clue about him. “That's a bit sad, for me. "I'd like to see some of their stories told. Some of them have very serious stories to tell. In 15 years' time, no one will be interested." It would be ghoulish and unwarranted to demand that wounded soldiers display their wounds. It is up to the soldier to decide whether or not to discuss the worst moment of his life. The worst part is that because they are loyal soldiers the men and women are not talking. Lewis claims he’s “tried to persuade them to talk, tell them that people need to know, but it's their choice. They think they'll be punished, that their entitlements will be affected. If it was an injured footballer, he'd be in the news for the next six months." And it is not only the injured soldiers who are being mistreated. Take this case: Veteran’s Affairs Minister Alan Griffin has ordered his department to urgently review the case of Breeanna Till, whose husband Sergeant Brett Till was killed in Afghanistan. Six months after her husband was killed fighting in Afghanistan, Breeanna Till is broke - let down by the government that promised solemnly to look after her. Heavily pregnant with the child Sergeant Brett Till will never know, the Sydney widow fears becoming like "a single mum on the dole" when she gives birth in a few weeks. The $905 weekly pay her husband brought home lasted just a fortnight after he died in a roadside bomb explosion. She currently gets half of that as a widow’s pension. The galling part about all this is that the US military routinely issues statements about soldiers wounded in service, detailing the nature of the wounds inflicted. US veterans have little fear in speaking out about healthcare issues or offering their views on the war itself. Peter Cosgrove, the former chief of the defence force, says that when his son Philip was slightly wounded by a car bomb in Baghdad in 2005, he didn't want to see his son's name flashed around. "The only reaction that I had in particular was I didn't want him to be known to be there (in Iraq) because I thought that would put pressure on him, and his colleagues," Cosgrove says. "And I was quite anxious that wasn't to happen." Military sources have revealed that one recently returned wounded soldier is under 24/7 protective guard after "elements" that are against the war in Afghanistan made phone contact in order to torment him. But across the veteran world there is a deep concern that Afghanistan is becoming a war that is best not mentioned. In January 2002, Defence issued a media release about a soldier who was possibly the first Australian to be injured in Afghanistan. It stated the man had two toes amputated after a landmine incident, and that he sustained multiple fractures of the foot and right ankle, and superficial lacerations. Nowadays, such level of detail would be unthinkable. The release is more likely to be

about a vague incident in which no one was wounded. One veteran says: "It's offensive not to talk about this. Governments commit people to these conflicts in the name of Australia, and if soldiers are wounded or killed, we have a right to know that these people are stepping up to the plate." WWI, WWII. Korean and Vietnam veterans did not tell their tales. They did not want to be seen as whimpering and, besides, they were so horrified and damaged they simply did not know how to talk about it and suffered in silence. It suited the politicians of the day. It suits the politicians of today. All it says is that by and large those at the top of the military and government are too frightened, or cannot admit they are in a place they should not be. © Chris O’Connor 26.09.09 From the Editor: Don’t think this could happen in Britain? Think again. Ask any British veteran of the Korean War - yes we were there, although you wouldn’t know it today. Government and History have done their best to forget our participation in that war - possibly because the war was regarded as a defeat. It is because of the threat that the same thing could happen here as is happening in Australia now, that we must support the British Legion, SSAFA FH, Help The Heroes and every other organisation that looks after our widows, our wounded and our returning soldiers who face difficulties we can only imagine when returning to normal life after combat. It is more important than ever that in November we support The Poppy Appeal. We must remember them, we must not let Government of whatever colour forget!

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT COFFEE

MORNING There will be a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at 95, Nelson Court on Friday, 16th October. There will be a Bring and Buy and raffles and quizzes to persuade you to part with your money for this worthwhile cause. So even if you have attended one on the "proper" day, come along and enjoy another cup of coffee any time between 10am and 12 noon. Jenny Simons

WATTON UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

(U3A) Eighteen members enjoyed the Autogyro flying skills of Wing Commander Ken Wallis at a recent picnic at Reymerston Hall. Members were invited into the Hall to view the many items of memorabilia and to visit the collection of Autogyros in the hanger and workshops. The visit was arranged in conjunction with the Wissey U3A. Due to lack of support the Croquet group led by Bill and Dorothy Akers has been disbanded. It is hoped that the group could be reformed for the next season if a new leader is forthcoming. Three sets of top range equipment are available to use. Frank Wilder has reformed his Church Tours Group into a new Luncheon Group. A guided tour of the BBC Television Studios in Norwich is planned for Sunday 22nd November. This trip is restricted to thirty members. New member Margaret Rose is a long serving sister in The St John Ambulance Brigade and has kindly agreed to give members a demonstration of the first response action needed when a person collapses. This demonstration will be held at the September meeting and if possible repeated at the October meeting. The next meeting is on Thursday 22nd October with speaker Arthur Barrett “Rails on the Screen”. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information on the National U3A go to www.u3a.org.uk

The Wayland News Page 8

CINEMA PARADISO COMES TO BRECKLAND!

For the first time, communities in the Breckland area have the unique chance to transform their local public meeting places into Cinema Paradisos. It is an opportunity to screen the latest blockbuster or a timeless classic in the comfort of their local village hall or community centre. Breckland Council have joined forces with Creative Arts East’s community cinema scheme, Village Screen, to host an international film festival next year. The rural touring cinema scheme is looking for ten groups within Breckland who want to bring an international flavour to their town, village, community centre or school by screening world cinema on their doorstep. The Breckland Film Festival 2010 will run during February and March of next year but in the meantime interested communities will be given the relevant training in workshops this autumn. The workshops are aimed at helping volunteers to learn how to operate screening equipment and manage the event. An introductory session will be held at Wells Cole Community Centre, Bell Lane, Saham Toney on Wednesday 28 October, 6.30pm – 8.30pm. This will give an outline of the programme and level of commitment required plus initial film programme ideas. We are looking for enthusiastic groups to be part of Breckland’s first ever film festival. As well as the introductory session, groups will be expected to go on the training in order that you can set up the equipment. Groups are responsible for their own screenings, so will have to sell tickets, manage the event and pick up/drop off the equipment. Breckland Council and Creative Arts East will give guidance and support

before the screening. The costs for the screenings are covered by Breckland Council, with the exception of the required license for the venue. Once you have been involved in this process you will be able to continue showing screenings in your village or town. If you would like to find out more, then please come along to the introductory session. Places are getting booked up for this, so please let me know if you would like to attend as soon as possible. If you have any questions in the meantime, then please get in touch. Samantha Dawson, Arts Development Officer, Breckland Council 01362 656 870 Sam.Dawson@breckland.gov.uk

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St Mary’s Church, Watton HARVEST FESTIVAL CONCERT

Saturday 3rd October at 7.30pm with The Anglian Singers

Tickets £5.00 to include coffee and cake Available from The Parish Office 01953 881252 or Adcock’s

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FIRST SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS AND A WEDDING

AT WATTON COUNTRY MARKET October will make history for Watton Country Market producers when two of our number get married. Very best wishes go to cook Deborah and produce grower Michael from us all, and to John who is not only another of our producers but also father of the groom. But now to business which, as usual, means a varied array of goods from local producers and craftspeople on display in the Watton Christian Community Centre every Wednesday morning from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Come early for the best selection. If you have to come later do please watch the clock as we have to close very promptly at 11.30 a.m. to dismantle our stalls, sweep the floor, and clear the hall by 12 noon at the very latest. The second week of October will see the arrival of the first Christmas goods. All our producers are willing to make that special personal gift but please place your orders in good time: we need the coming weeks to make those goods especially for you! New gift items that will be on sale this Christmas include a range of wooden toys, all with the statutory CE mark. The first displays of Christmas merchandise will be on the second Wednesday of October: the first Wednesday is still part of British Food Fortnight. Remember our produce is not just British: it is local Norfolk produce.

FILMING THE FEW AT RAF WEST RAYNHAM

Watton air cadets and staff have just spent a couple of days filming on the former RAF station at West Raynham as extras in a Channel 4 documentary. The programme on Polish fighter pilots will be broadcast near Christmas and is part of a series on how foreigners have helped the United Kingdom. This episode, featuring staff and cadets from 864 (Watton) Sqn, portrayed the Polish flyers’ from 303 Squadron’s contribution in the Battle of Britain. Over a week of filming, West Raynham masqueraded as RAF Uxbridge and Northolt in July 1940. Numerous extras and vehicles were used to portray the actions of 303 Sqn in the Battle of Britain. The air cadets soon discovered the valuable contribution the Polish airman made as they flew Hurricane Mark 1’s against the Luftwaffe. FS Alex Thorpe said “It was a very interesting experience and we appeared in a lot of the filming. Our cadet training helped enormously and it was great fun being part of a TV documentary on the Battle of Britain. Everyone at 864 is looking forward to seeing it on TV at Christmas.” Watton staff member Symon Wilkins said, “It was interesting to see just how a TV production comes together. As we got more involved with the storyline, we gained a greater insight into the bravery and sacrifice of the pilots of 303 Sqn. Overall a very humbling experience remembering their contribution.” Pictured are (back left) cadet Flight Sergeant Alex Thorpe and (back right) cadet Wilson.

WAYLAND SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB

We are looking for more players to join our Club. If you would like to come for a roll-up on a Wednesday morning at 9.30am until 12.30pm you would be very welcome. You must wear flat shoes or sandals. We meet at Watton Youth & Community Centre in Harvey Street, Watton. For more information, please phone Ken Harrison on 01953 882471.

The Wayland News Page 9

HISTORIC PARICH CHURCHES OF NORFOLK EAST ANGLIAN KNIGHTS AT AGINCOURT - OCTOBER 25TH, 1415

By Frank Wilder October sees the anniversary of one of the most famous victories in English history when an army under the command of King Henry V defeated a French force some two or three times their number at Agincourt. Henry's plans for an expedition to France had gone seriously wrong at the siege of Harfleur, his intended base, taking twice as long as planned with his besieging army being struck down with dysentery, so that by the time the town surrendered he had lost a third of his men either dead or so ill they had to return home. In addition he had to leave several hundred men to garrison Harfleur leaving him no option but to cancel his plans for a march through the lands of France claimed by England and return home by as short a route as possible. Kings of England had claimed the crown of France since the time of Edward III, Henry's great, great grandfather, who declared himself king of France on the death of Charles IV, albeit through the female line, his wife being Phillipa of Hainault. The French, naturally, rejected his claim, invoking Salic Law, an ancient custom, whereby the crown may not pass through the female line. Vast areas of France were claimed through the marriage of Henry II to Eleanor of Aquitaine and by other English kings, but by the time Henry was born in 1387 English holdings had been limited to the coastal areas of Guinne with some inland projection along the rivers Dordogne and Garonne. There was nothing Henry IV could do about this, and as a usurper of the English throne he had problems enough at home. Henry V decided to undertake a campaign to restore the lost territories and to this end planned a chevauchée, literally a ride through enemy territory to destroy crops, property and animals and drive off the populace, so undermining the authority of the king of France and encouraging his subjects to accept another lord. However, the French had learned the lesson of previous chevauchées, when they were defeated at Crecy and Poitiers and now avoided direct confrontation with the English in favour of a kind of guerrilla warfare depriving them of supplies by picking off foraging parties so that eventually the threat of starvation drove them back home. This was the strategy they intended to apply to Henry V's invasion. Henry's aim was to raise the largest army ever to invade France and to this end the crown entered into individual contracts with Peers, knights and others - known as ‘Captains’ - which committed them to supply companies of an agreed size and composition

- so many men at arms and so many archers. The contracts, known as Indentures were written in duplicate by the Treasury and when signed and sealed were cut down the middle in zigzag form to prevent fraudulent changes, each side keeping the half bearing the other's signature and seal. All who took part in the campaign were paid by the King via these 'Captains' who had to provide their men with arms, armour and horses so that, initially at least, the army rode into battle although they fought on foot. East Anglia was well represented at Agincourt and descendants of those men are still familiar names here. Among them are Erpingham, Wodehouse, Ferrers, Felbrigg, Grey, de Thorpe, Hastings, Townshend and Astley. Fine alabaster effigies may be found in the church at Ashwellthorpe (de Thorpe) and in Dennington(Lord Bardolph) and a really fine monumental brass at Felbrigg to sir Simon (illustrated).

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REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

Watton and District Branch of The Royal British Legion invites all members of the various organisations and the general public from the town and surrounding district to join in the Annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Town War Memorial situated on the Thetford Road car park on Sunday 8 November. The parade will assemble at 2.15 pm for the Service at The War Memorial at 2.30 pm when the names on the Memorial will be read out and Poppy Wreaths laid. Afterwards there will be a march of Standards, Town Mayor and Councillors, members of Royal British Legion, RAFA, Aircrew Association and other organisations present along Norwich Road to Saint Mary’s Church, Watton for a Service of Remembrance due to start at 3.00 pm. All members of the public are invited to these moving services to remember not only those who died in past conflicts of First World War and Second World War but those who have died serving their country right up to the present day. This is not a glorification of war but of remembering the human cost of preserving our way of life and our sense of values.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 11TH NOVEMBER

There will also be a short Remembrance Parade on Wednesday 11 November 2009 at 11.00 am to observe the two minute silence. It is hoped that as many Royal British Legion and RAFA members will be present, plus the Standards. Due to the 11th November falling on a Wednesday (Market Day) the branch have decided to hold the silent tribute at the War Memorial at the Thetford Road car park.

USEFUL INFORMATION Question - Both myself and my husband are currently not too mobile in that although we can care for ourselves we are unable to go out to get our shopping for the week. This situation is only temporary as I am recovering from an operation and hope to be back to fitness in a few weeks. Do you know if it is possible to find someone in our area who can get our shopping for us? Answer - Many people believe that you can only have shopping delivered from the main supermarkets if you join up to place your order online. This is the case with many supermarkets but not with Sainsbury’s. Sainsbury’s has a telephone ordering service whereby calling 0800 3281700 you can read out your order, pay by credit card and have it delivered. There is no minimum order. Delivery charge will need to be paid however. Question - My mother is considering moving into a care home. She has several close relatives throughout England and is therefore not too set on any area. However, she has an old dog that she wishes to take into any care home with her. Is this a possibility? Answer - There is an organisation, The Cinnamon Trust, which is a national charity for older people and their pets. They have a register of care homes with nursing and sheltered accommodation which will accept pets. You can make contact by telephoning 01736 757900 or by going to their website at http://www.cinnamon.org.uk Question - I have a disability and quite a bit of time on my hands. I would like to do some voluntary work but because of my disability I am not clear about who to approach and indeed if it is possible for me to become a volunteer. Any suggestions? Answer - There is a website called Disabled Volunteers and you can find it at http://www.do-it.org.uk. Apart from information, it is practical in that you can look at what you think you may like to do and with whom, put in your post code and the number of volunteering opportunities in your area will come up. I tried our post code re working in administrative volunteering for older people and eight vacancies came up in the County of Norfolk. Question - I am thinking about renting out a room in my house in return for a little rent and help in my home. Would it be possible for me to get a CRB check on the person I decide on? Answer - CRB checks cannot be obtained directly by members of the public but you could ask the individual concerned to get one for themselves for you to see. The person could then go to an "Umbrella Body" to get one. The umbrella organisations database is listed on the CRB website: http://www.crb.gov.uk and you can find the one most suitable. There is usually an administration fee payable for the service provided in addition to the cost of the CRB. Charges are published on the above database. Information Supplied by Able Community Care The Old Parish Rooms Whitlingham Lane Trowse Norwich NR14 8TZ Tel No: 01603 764567 Fax No: 01603 761655 E Mail: Ablemg@aol.com Web Site: www.uk-care.com

Norfolk Wildlife Trust To ask a question about the Norfolk’s Wildlife please call the Norfolk

Wildlife Information Service. Wildline 01603 598333 9am to 5pm Mon - Fri. E-mail wild@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

Website http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturalconnections Further details and Membership enquiries 01953 498467

Tuesday 20th October - 7.45pm - 9.30pm. A Talk The Return of The Osprey. A talk by reserve warden Paul Waterhouse followed by refreshments and raffle. Venue; Watton Christian Community Centre, High Street Watton. Cost £1.50 members and £2.00 non-members for NWT funds.

HISTORY DAY AT WOODRISING CHURCH

On 11 October we are having a history day at St. Nicholas Church, Woodrising from 11am to 4pm. We would be very interested to see any old photographs or memorabilia of the village. There will be copies of the parish records for both Scoulton and Woodrising, photographs and bygones. Also teas, books, tombola etc. every one is welcome. I look forward to seeing you there.

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The Wayland News Page 10

and frost break them up for you. With raised beds, on which you should never walk, the soil still compacts to some extent. Just harvesting your crops from them should break up the soil in there to some degree but a light forking over will of benefit. Hard cabbages can come up now to store on racks in a cool shed or garage. They'll keep, especially if sprinkled with a little salt to stop any slugs that may be hiding in the foliage. Squashes and pumpkins will benefit from late sunshine, toughening the skins so they will store better. If you're still left with a lot of green tomatoes, not only can you use them in chutneys and pickles but you can store them to ripen later. The usual method is to wrap individually in newspaper, making sure they're not touching each other in a drawer. If you want them to ripen faster, just pop a ripe banana in the drawer and the ethylene gas given off by the banana ripens the tomatoes. It’s possible to have ripe tomatoes at Christmas this way, so I‘m assured, never having tried it myself! Another thing I haven’t tried is to freeze ripe tomatoes (never grew enough) by making them

into puree or sauce. Some crops will still be in the ground, like the leeks and Brussels sprouts. The leeks will be fine but the sprouts are a tasty treat for slugs and pigeons. The slugs are not so active at this time of year, but don't ignore them. The pigeons however are more of a problem than ever. Do ensure your netting is supported in such a way as to prevent the pigeons from sitting on the nets to happily munch away at the plants below, enjoying your dinner. Now is the time to plant autumn onion sets if not already done. They could be planted on a cleared potato patch. This ensures the ground is not too rich but nicely dug and with a nice tilth. Add a dressing of garden compost though to get them started and maybe some appropriate fertiliser All the beds are gradually cleared with the green matter being shredded and composted. Add some compost maker with the layers of green and brown waste. I have a plastic bin for compost and find that shredded paper works well too. It also keeps the nosey from your personal details and is a recycling good idea as the recycling bin won’t take it, so keeps the landfill down. Don’t forget to keep removing leaves from lawns and beds if you’re very tidy or there are lots of them. If you have a greenhouse and the tomato plants are cleared now‘s a good time to start cleaning, glass shined then a scrub down of all staging, walls and floor. This will ensure next season starts with a clean s l a t e r e d uc i n g t he probability of virus etc. Do not forget the greenhouse guttering this time of year; blockages of leaves on the outside can create leaks inside, and often in places you wouldn’t expect! This job can be done later in the year or via a New Year’s resolution. Either way it’s

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IN YOUR GARDEN WITH LOTTA POTTS

October really marks the changing of the gardener's year, this is the month where we finish the main harvesting and start preparing for next year. Soon the frosts will come and finish off crops like runner beans so, depending on the local weather patterns; it's time to clear them. If you've left some runners to grow on and develop the beans, either for next year's seed or for using as haricots in soups and stews, it's important that they are dried well. The easiest way is to take them into a greenhouse or shed and spread them on a rack so the air flows around them and dries them thoroughly. This time of year is a beginning as well as an ending. With heavy soils it is time to start digging over. Double digging is no longer popular, mainly because nobody likes backache, but even single digging will help produce a fine tilth for next spring's sowing. Don't bother breaking up the clods - the idea is to leave them exposed so the action of wind

housework outside and messy. That’s the depressing bit over for this month. Most of us think that Spring is planting time. Not necessarily. If you have seeds of biennials you can still sow them and sweet peas in either propagators or in pots with a sealed plastic bag over and kept on a light, warm windowsill. Outside it’s bulb time. Daffodils are traditionally planted in September but I have got away with planting them much later, having found a ‘lost’ bag of bulbs in the shed. However, tulips normally wait until November but others can be planted from October onward. When buying at garden centres check bulbs for plump, firm ones and try to plant within a week or they’ll start to sprout. Keen to get going, bulbs. Do make sure they’re from reliable ( p r e f e r a b l y U K ) g r o w e r s a s unscrupulous people are still collecting in the wild. Choose bulbs according to where you intend to plant and soil type. Most hardy bulbs originate from the Mediterranean, thriving in a warm, sunny climate in freely draining soil. Good drainage and plenty of sunshine is key, since most bulbs might rot while dormant. Planting bulbs in a herbaceous border will help to fill in gaps and provide colour and interest before perennials and shrubs begin to grow in early spring. Plant daffodils, winter aconites, tulips and fritillaries for outstanding colour. Drifts of single species can be planted to blend in with the general planting scheme of the garden, or try mixing different varieties to create an even and striking effect of bright colour. When planted en masse, spring-flowering bulbs make a valuable contribution to formal bedding displays. Try growing groups of early-flowering tulips in a bed which will be occupied by annuals later in the summer. As a general rule, the larger, showy varieties are better suited to a formal position in the garden. Many spring-flowering bulbs are ideal for brightening up the base of trees before they come into full leaf. The soil beneath trees is moist and light, offering the perfect growing conditions for scillas, anemones, erythroniums and crocuses. Later on bluebells thrive in this environment. Plant native ones as the Spanish variety are far more invasive and don’t have that wonderful scent. In some places, because they are rather promiscuous, hybridisation has occurred to the detriment of the native variety, which are becoming endangered. If you have inherited bluebells and are unsure, the native has a stem that curves over at the top with the flower bells on one side, plus the scent of course. The Spanish variety has a thicker, stiffer stem with the bells all around. The hybrids tend to look more like the Spanish but usually have no scent, like the Spanish. Just to make things even more complicated all of them can come in pink and white as well as blue. Having said all that, bluebells and snowdrops are better planted in Spring, in the green (i.e. with foliage still attached) although they are available in Autumn but dry and will take longer to establish. Naturalising bulbs in grass is a popular scheme with designers. This is all very fine and large if you have a reasonably large area of grass, but can look messy once the flowers are over. However, bulbs such as dwarf daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and winter aconites can create a wonderful display of colour. To achieve a natural look, throw bulbs up in the air and plant them exactly where they land in the grass. The aim is to make it look as though they have decided to grow there by themselves. Allow plants to die down after flowering before mowing over the lawn. Alternatively, plant bulbs in defined areas so that it's possible to mow the lawn around them.

If you have only a small area of lawn or grass or want to keep it neat settle for planting in pots. These look better if you keep it to single varieties per pot or planter. Some people are clever enough to plant in layers, daffodils at the bottom then snowdrops and crocuses, but I have never succeeded as the early ones leave their foliage about after flowering before the later ones come on. It always looks a mess. Try it - you might be more successful and have a terrific display. Whichever way you decide to go, make sure the container is the right size for the bulbs and finish the surface with grit or slate, depending on variety. Also don’t forget that bulbs in containers will need to be watered

more frequently than those in the ground a n d u s e g o o d compost, maybe with a slow-release feed - one that will operate at low temperatures or use a liquid feed according to the instructions on the pack. Don’t overdo it! The rule of thumb when planting bulbs is to leave at least three times their height on top of them. Mark the area where they are to avoid sticking the fork or

spade during later digging. If planting in grass, the same depth applies including the depth of the replaced turf. A final word on bulbs, it really is worth the backache and getting cold and/or wet at this late Autumn/early Winter to see and smell the results next Spring.

MAGNETIC HEALTH

JEWELLERY Pat introduced our speaker Sylvia Dowrick who, with her husband, runs a business selling health jewellery and ‘natural’ wines. She brought along a lovely display of the jewellery items and at the end of her talk we were able to taste the wines - which they themselves produce (the cherry wine was really delicious) and examine the jewellery and make any purchases. After light refreshments we were given the answers to the previous month’s quiz about various aspects of the London area. This caused quite a lot of laughter, as it was probably a very old quiz and some of the answers, although right some years ago, had since been superseded. A very enjoyable evening’s entertainment. A new quiz was given out to those interested. As I mentioned last month in September we will be hosting a Group Meeting in at 7.30pm in Caston Village Hall when our speaker will be BBC weatherman, Jim Bacon. This is an open meeting and you are welcome to join us. Our regular WI meetings are held in Watton Christian Community Centre at 7.30pm on the 2nd Thursday of the month.

WAYLAND HAPPY CIRCLE At our September meeting we had a very good attendance and all enjoyed Yvonne Harrold's talk on the Crab and Winkle Line, of what was the Watton Train. Apparently the train ran to Watton from Thetford and beyond and was the R.A.F's main line communication for transporting heavy goods, also, the train had to be dug out during the heavy snow of 1947. Those were the days! Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 6th October, at the Watton Christian Community Centre, 2pm. when Irene French will be demonstrating 'A Christmas Craft' yes it's nearly that time again! Hope to see you there.

The Wayland News Page 11

DISNEY SUPPORT FOR THOMPSON EVENT Thompson was delighted to have the support of Disney at their annual family day Bookworm Hunt On Sunday 13th September which raised funds for the continuing development of the Thompson Millennium Green. Disney had donated a wide selection of prizes including a family pass for four to Disneyland Paris. The Thomson Bookwork Hunt is a fun filled day for the whole family. Twenty nine houses in the village created garden displays based on the theme of historical books. Secret bookworms were hidden in the displays for children to discover. Holly and Izzie Underwood found the most bookworms and so won the family pass to Disneyland Paris. Well done to them! The bookworm hunt is an annual event held to raise funds for Thompson Millennium Green, a registered charity. Thompson Millennium Green is a community green in the heart of Thompson and is used by its residents, the local school and holidaymakers. The trustees of the green registered it as a charity nine years ago in order to maintain and develop the green as a place of natural beauty, study and recreation. Ann Scott, Chairman of Thomson Millennium Green was excited to have Disney on board for this year’s event. “The Thompson bookworm Hunt is a fantastic event designed not only to raise money, but to provide fun for all the family and with Disney involved this year the event was even bigger and better than before. “We were delighted that Disney offered to support the Thompson bookworm hunt and donated a selection of fantastic prizes. We did not think that such a big company would be so interested in our event.” The fun packed afternoon included traditional games, raffles, stalls, face painting and trailer rides. Storytellers enthralled all age groups of children with tales of magic and mystery whilst Watton Silver Band helped add a carnival atmosphere with music and a bit of sparkle! There was also a display of local history, winning art entries from local children, delicious light lunches and afternoon cream teas in the village hall. The Thomson Bookworm hunt was a truly 'Wormdaful' Day with just a little bit of Disney magic sprinkled on the top and the funds raised will go towards the further development of the children’s play area.

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The Regis Quartet an evening of music from Classic to Jazz

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PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAINING AND

MORE You know, there has to be a reason why Caston Camera Club is the most popular club in the area – in fact there are a number of reasons but one of them is down to the training courses that we run and another is down to the friendliness of the members. We all remember when we were new to the club and how we were made to feel welcome and that is a tradition that we keep. Starting this month, Caston Camera Club is once again running a six week training course on Photographic enhancement. You’ll be familiar with the sort of thing we’re doing. You take a picture only to find there’s something in the background that’s distracting – we’ll show you how to remove it. Or, you take a picture but the sky is really dull and uninteresting – we’ll show you how to replace it with some fluffy white clouds on a blue sky. Or the colours look as if they’ve been taken from an aircraft window – we’ll show you how to bring those colours to life. And then there’s that great picture of Uncle Bill but he’s got a pimple on his nose – we’ll show you how to remove it. Now sadly, this month’s course is fully subscribed and it’s true that they do fill up pretty quickly once the dates are announced but we will be running further courses in the near future, and as they are only open to members, why not consider joining us. Also in the New Year we will be running a number of additional evenings for beginners where we will explain the basics of photography. The membership fee is only £15.00 per annum and you’ll learn so much. Have a look at our web site www.castoncameraclub.co.uk and you’ll see what makes us different to the rest. Then having read about us we encourage you to call us – you’ll find the telephone number on the web site – or fill in the web site membership form and we’ll call you. There’s nothing like a friendly chat to make you feel welcome and to prove that what you’re reading really does describe the way it is. We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month as a minimum and there are a number of other ad hoc days throughout the year where we do different photographic things – you’ll find a complete list on the web site of every past meeting since the end of 2006. So, if you’re a novice at photography you’ll be very welcome to join us because we enjoy teaching willing learners. If you’re more advanced then you’ll be very welcome as well because we believe we have something for everyone. Why not find out how experienced PAGB judges view your photography. We run regular competitions where we invite experienced qualified judges to view and comment on your work. We also run courses on Portraiture in a local studio where you can use studio lights and backgrounds – examples of what we’ve done in the past can be found on the Workshop Showcase pages of our web site. The digital age of photography is here now and today’s digital cameras are even easier to use and they produce images every bit as good as yesterday’s film cameras. There couldn’t be a better time to join our club and practice the art of photography. www.castoncameraclub.co.uk

Harry Hatcher, Mole Catcher - the winning display. Picture: John Sharp

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD - SHOE BOX APPEAL, 2009

Once again, Watton Methodist Church is taking part in this appeal for overseas children who would otherwise never receive a Christmas present. Each year, we have had a wonderful response from the town and the surrounding villages. The main organiser is ‘Samaritan’s Purse’ who is a registered charity. Last Christmas they sent 1.2 million boxes to the poorest parts of the world. All you will need to do is:- Take a medium sized shoe box and cover the box and lid separately with wrapping paper. Decide if your box will be for a boy or girl, and for ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14; labels are available from us at W.C.C.C. Fill the box with simple gifts for the child but we are told it should NOT include any food (sweets can be included providing the use by date is at least March 2010), medicine, war-related items, no clothing other than scarf, gloves or hat, glass containers or mirrors, reading books and anything ‘political’ or ‘racial’. A donation of £3 should be enclosed in the envelope to cover transport by Samaritan’s Purse. Fasten with an elastic band only, as overseas Customs do not allow sealed boxes. Please bring the box/boxes to the Watton Christian Community Centre where the coffee is served on Wednesdays from 9.00-11.30am on 4th, 11th or 18th November. You may also collect leaflets from us on Wednesday mornings. If you are able to knit hats, scarves, gloves/mittens for children, we will gladly receive these at W.C.C.C. to go into a boxes. The picture shows Last year’s boxes, being loaded onto the van in Watton to go to Ipswich.

The Wayland News Page 12

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The Wayland News Page 13

611 VGS - WATTON’S BEST KEPT SECRET T here can be few people in Watton who haven’t heard

slightly discordant musical whistles above them, looked and have seen a white and orange glider passing overhead. Have you ever wondered who was

in it? Would it surprise you to learn that the lone pilot could well be a 16 year old girl or boy? Despite that young age, you certainly don’t need to worry; the pilot has been trained by the staff at one of Watton’s best kept secrets, 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron based on the airfield at RAF Watton. Cadets from all the Air Training Corps Squadrons in the Norfolk and Suffolk Wing and some from the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing, as well as School Combined Cadet Force Units come to Watton on Gliding Scholarships, to attend 611 VGS as a part of their activities with their cadet unit. To gain an understanding of their work, I joined 611 for a week as they trained a group of cadets on Gliding Scholarships, to become pilots able to take off, fly and land a glider with sufficient skill to be safely sent solo.

THE HISTORY OF 611 VGS The history of 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron goes back a long way, in fact 611 are celebrating their 65th Anniversary this month. E102 Gliding School, as 611 VGS was known in the beginning, was formed at Hethersett Racecourse, 6 miles south of Norwich in October of 1944. Their first machines were two Kirby Cadet Mk1’s and a Dagling Primary glider. Surprisingly perhaps, these were single

seat machines with no opportunity for the budding pilot to be taken aloft and have the principles of flight demonstrated to them as is done today!

The school moved to RAF Horsham St. Faith (now Norwich International Airport) in June 1945. In 1955 reorganisation within RAF Reserve Command led to the school

being absorbed into No. 61 Group and was renamed No.611 Gliding School. The unit remained at Horsham St Faith for eight years until, in June 1953; it was relocated to RAF Swanton Morley where it remained for the next 42 years. In July 1978 the school became one of the first 10 units to be re-equipped with the Venture T Mk2 Self-Launching Gliders. The school was awarded the Slingsby Trophy for the best Venture unit in both 1983 and 1985. Conventional winch launch gliders returned to the unit in March 1987 when 5

Viking TX1’s replaced the Ventures. When Swanton Morley closed in 1995 the school temporarily relocated to RAF Marham while a new hanger and accommodation was being built at the old RAF Watton airfield.

In October 1996 the aircraft were flown from Marham to Watton which is where of course the Squadron still operates today.

611 won the Racal Trophy in 2005/2006 and the Sir Arthur Marshall Trophy for the best Viking unit in 2007/2008. That year all VGS were renamed

Volunteer Gliding Squadrons.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AIR TRAINING CORPS

In an issue of Flight Magazine dated October 11th 1928 is a piece of news that reads as follows: The Bournemouth Young Airmen's League The above-named movement has for its aims and objects: The encouragement of young boys in airmindedness and the necessity for aviation in the future of the British Empire. The members are boys between the ages of 13 and 15 years, and are very keen on the work, which at present consists of learning the elementary principles of flight and general construction of machines from a 4-ft. span model. They are also constructing a large machine with a span of 18 ft. for instruction in rigging and general ground work. The movement is entirely self supporting, the boys paying a small subscription of 3d per week and 6d on enrolment. Badges denoting rank are given as members qualify for same, and are worn on sleeve of coat, the uniform consisting of blue double-breasted blazer with brass buttons and grey flannel shorts with peak caps. Disciplinary training after the manner of boy scouts is also a part of the programme. These particulars have been kindly sent to us by Mr. Charles Longman, the secretary, The Cottage, 28, Wimborne Road, Bournemouth. The League had been formed by an ex-RFC Flying Cadet, Charlie Longman, and ex-Air Mechanic, Bob Weller who felt there was a need to encourage young men to become interested in aviation. The pair later approached the Air League of the British Empire with a suggestion that a British Young Airman’s League should be formed. It was suggested that each unit should be called a ‘squadron’ with its members being classified so that they would develop a feeling of importance and responsibility and badges could be granted after passing certain tests. Wherever possible, gliding was also suggested as part of the activities in which members could participate. When Air Commodore Adrian Chamier was appointed to the post of Secretary General of the Air League of the British Empire in 1933 he was well aware of the need to attract young men into aviation and over a period of years worked to persuade the Air League to support the institution of an Air Cadet Corps. His work bore fruit when, in July 1938 the first squadron of the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) was formed. By the end of 1940 there were over 200 squadrons in existence. The ADCC changed when, on 10th January 1941, The Right Honourable Sir Archibald Sinclair released details of the formation of the new Air Training Corps. He said in a radio broadcast that the organisation was being formed in order to meet the growing needs of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm for pilots and aircrew to fly the new aircraft coming into service. He stressed that the scheme would depend on suitable volunteers, who had previous air force or other service experience, coming forward to serve as officers and instructors within the Corps. The scheme was to be open, mainly to boys of 16 years of age and over, although boys under that age would be allowed to participate in training if they could be accommodated without detriment to the work of the others. Sir Archibald said that there were two very high hurdles that had to be achieved. These were the physical and educational tests which were so exacting as to make the Royal Air Force the ‘corps d’elite’. The headquarters of the new corps, with Air Commodore Chamier as the Chief Commandant, was to commence operations on 11th January 1941. When the new Air Training Corps came into existence on 5th February 1941, seven squadrons had already been established in Norfolk; five were in Norwich, one in Great Yarmouth and one in Kings Lynn. Units were also being formed in various towns throughout Norfolk and

these became detached flights of the seven main squadrons until they had enrolled around 50 cadets, when they became squadrons in their own right. The establishment of all units in Norfolk was controlled by the ATC committee in Norwich and through this connection they all became part of Norwich Wing. In April 1941, Captain A A Rice, who was the prime instigator of the ATC in Norfolk, received a commission as a Flight Lieutenant and was appointed to the post of Commanding Officer of the Norwich Wing. Over the intervening years, the Air Training Corps has undergone many changes in structure and organisation but it has always retained its core ideals. Each year more than 60,000 cadets, volunteer staff and civilian committee members help engage in pursuits and rewarding opportunities such as championing good causes in local communities, pursuing sporting events at a national level and becoming international youth ambassadors. Air cadets aged 13 to 19 are given the chance, by the staff and volunteers of the Air Cadet Organisation, to learn to fly, develop skills to lead expeditions, tour foreign countries, become target shooting marksmen, join a band and learn about aviation and aerospace. And this is only a small list of the many activities and opportunities available, all whilst making new friends. One bit of trivia for you. There are a number of overseas ATC squadrons; for example No 1 (Overseas) Cyprus Squadron at RAF Akrotiri and No. 2 (Overseas) Gibraltar Squadron. For some obscure reason the Gibraltar Squadron comes under the care of Norfolk and Suffolk Wing!

THE CADET’S EXPERIENCE I chatted with Sgt. Ollie Moate, pictured below with Instructor Aimee Petch, a Cadet with 864 (Watton) Squadron for 3 years, a couple of days into the course to find out how he came to be here and how he was getting on.

Ollie joined the Air Training Corps in the summer of 2006 after learning of the activities of the ATC from a cousin who was a cadet with a London squadron. Ollie lives at Methwold, but after hearing from school friends that 864 (Watton) Squadron was the best unit in Norfolk, he now makes the effort to travel here for parade every Monday and Wednesday evenings. For Ollie the initial attraction of the ATC was not flying but the range of activities on offer. “It’s great in Cadets” said Ollie, “they provide it all! Shooting, flying, adventure training and sports - the whole package of core activities is what attracted me in the first place.” Had always he wanted to fly? “Not really” he said “it was the ATC that introduced me to flying. I have now done several Gliding Induction Courses and I have been able to take advantage of loads of air experience flights. I have already flown several times in a Tutor, and I have flown in a Hercules aircraft and Sea King and Griffon helicopters.” I asked Ollie how he had felt about spending time here in the unit’s accommodation, was he at all nervous at the prospect of a week away from home – I should have known better of course . . . “Oh no! It’s great here because you feel a part of the team.” I was slightly surprised at that comment as I expected some trepidation on his part so I asked him to expand on that. “Even as a cadet, you are working alongside all the staff and other cadets getting the gliders out and all the equipment ready to fly in the morning, then, all day, even when you are not flying, everyone is playing their part in getting the gliders up in the air.” So how was the flying so far? “It’s been really good! I had an hour and half yesterday. It was so good and we did loads of upper air exercises and even a bit of aerobatics” he said with a grin all over his face. What was next on the course for him? “My handling the aircraft is good now, I have done stalling, medium turns and soaring and I am just about to move on to take offs, circuits and landings” Overall all then, how did Ollie sum up his experience so far? One word, “Brilliant!”

The Wayland News Page 15 The Wayland News Page 14

The glider used today to train cadets is the Viking TX1 which is the military designation for the Grob 103 Acro. The Viking is a two seat trainer made of glass reinforced plastic which 611 have had since 1985. It is 26 feet 10 inches long with a wingspan of a little over 57 feet and weighs 870lbs empty. Capable of aerobatics, it is a very stable machine in flight with no nasty surprises to catch out the unwary pilot; the large wing area gives good low speed handling, a characteristic which of course makes it an ideal tuition aircraft. Another factor in its favour is the roomy cockpit which makes life a little easier for those without the ability of a young mountain goat, to get in and out of! The uninitiated are often surprised to see glider pilots wearing parachutes and conclude that the sport must be so unsafe that these are needed. That is very far from the truth. In fact, the parachutes, although worn for safety’s sake, have a much more functional purpose, which is to provide a back cushion for the pilot who sits reclined in an unpadded seat, sometimes for hours at a time, if conditions are good.

THE VIKING TX1 GLIDER

THE TRAINING Cadets will come to 611 VGS from the age of 13 even though they can’t fly solo until they are 16 but prior to that they will come to a series of Gliding Induction Course (GIC) each of which lasts one day. On their initial GIC (GIC 1) a cadet is introduced to gliding by being briefed on airfield safety and is then taken aloft and is given a chance to familiarise themselves with the local area. The effects of pitch are demonstrated and this is followed up on GIC 2 with a recap of all that was learned on GIC 1 and the effect on the aircraft a roll manoeuvre. On the third GIC, there is another recap of everything learned to date and the effect of yaw is demonstrated. A student, if comfortable, may also experience a gentle stall. A stall is where the aircraft speed falls below that necessary for the aircraft to fly. Its sounds much scarier than it is, all that happens is that the aircraft’s nose drops and it enters a gentle dive where speed builds up and normal flight returns. During GIC flights, cadets are allowed to handle the controls and gain experience in how the aircraft handles in the air. Cadets will return to further GICs from time to time during their time with the ATC and those who demonstrate aptitude and keenness will be given more advanced instruction. Cadets over the age of 16 are chosen by their Squadrons to be put forward for Gliding Scholarships (GS), the only requirement being the age and a valid medical certificate. 611 VGS run five week long GS courses every year as well as running them over several weekends. All GIC and GS courses are run according to a carefully designed syllabus of ground school and flights which introduces the cadets to all they need to know to fly safely. There are several grades of instructor. The Grade 1 pilots are staff pilots with several hundred launches in their log book, they are authorised to take up passengers and demonstrate aircraft handling characteristics. The main task for G1s is to deliver the Gliding

THE ROLE OF THE STAFF CADETS Crucial to the organisation of 611 are Staff Cadets. These are young people, sometimes only just left school, who are the foot soldiers of the operation. Cadets apply to join 611 by writing to the CO, Squadron Leader Stedman, and they will then spend a while as a Probationary Staff Cadet on the unit to see if they have the right stuff. Usually of course the team will already know the cadet when they have attended GIC or GS courses and so they already have a fair idea of how they will fit in when the application is first received. Team work and supporting each other is very clearly demonstrated in everything they do, and it is probably more appropriate to describe 611 as a family than a Squadron. But it goes much, much further than that. Staff and cadets are not super human of course and encounter the same day to day troubles that we all do. And when a member of the 611 family has a problem, the unit closes ranks and supports each other through difficult times. Within the organisation, there is none of the elitism you might expect; everyone mucks in, be it flying cadets or washing up, winch driving or hangar floor sweeping, it is all the same. Everyone gets on with a camaraderie and banter that is most impressive. And yet, all the time, there is respectfulness of rank and position, and when the situation demands, military discipline kicks in and instructions are carried out with a will.

FOGGY, LIZ AND BEN In the Squadron kitchens, I found Staff Cadets Foggy Vincent and Liz Dodd preparing dozens of hot dogs for the midday meal which would be taken on the airfield. Both Foggy and Liz are staff cadets with 611, Liz is with a Combined Cadet Force unit in Suffolk and is a G1 pilot. Foggy is an air cadet who lives at Tibenham and is a member of 759 (Beccles) Squadron. Foggy is building her hours ready to become a G1. Both were there for the whole week and were expecting to spend most of their time cooking – though I did at one point find Foggy wearing the duty pilots jacket at the launch point – how’s that for versatility? They would be preparing breakfast and lunch for everyone and evening meals for the staff; cadet’s evening meals being taken off unit. I asked about who did the washing up. Back came the response in unison “If you don’t cook, you wash up!” and they implied that most of the male staff were not as good at cooking as they were at flying, therefore most of the washing up was done by the males!

Sgt. Ben Bowler is a 17 year old Cadet with No. 759 (Beccles) Squadron and lives at Stoke Holy Cross some 26 miles from Watton. Ben so enjoyed his GIC and GS courses with 611, he has joined the Squadron as a Probationary Staff Cadet. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Ben’s story is that he cycles backwards and forwards to Watton from Stoke Holy Cross every weekend on a machine that he built himself! I asked him why he did this . . . “I want to be a full time Staff Cadet with 611 and become a full member of the Squadron and fly” he replied. “When you volunteer to be a Staff Cadet you undertake to be here as often as possible and so I cycle in as it’s the only way for me to get here” Had he always wanted to fly? “I’ve been flying since I was quite young. I enjoy it and when I could, I joined my local flying club, helped out there and now I have a few hours powered flying. I also joined the air cadets as it seemed the natural thing to do. I came to Watton as a cadet on a GIC and GS and I knew then I wanted to join 611.” Surprisingly Ben is not considering a career in the RAF at this time. “I am looking at a more business based career” he said “I am doing my A levels in Business, Maths and Physics.” Ben’s skills don’t stop there however; on his list of jobs to do at 611 is a review and possible redesign of 611’s website!

Induction Course to cadets who are attending courses and introduce them to the thrill of flight. G1s generally progress on to become C, B and A Category instructors. These are all highly qualified instructors who will take the cadets through to the stage when they can be safely sent solo, though the final decision to allow a cadet to take this major step is restricted to the CO and his deputy.

THE LAUNCH - HOW TO GET AIRBORNE It is possible to launch gliders in a number of ways. For example, they can be towed into the air by another aircraft, the so called aero tow, but at 611 the gliders are launched into the air by winching them on the end of a long cable. Although the launch depends very much on the conditions at the time and the pilot’s skill, a typical launch is around 1,000 feet although double and occasionally more is possible. The winch (pictured right) at 611 VGS is a remarkable piece of equipment and everything about it is impressive. It has six drums each holding around 6,000 of steel hawser cable, that’s just over a mile and each cable weighs in at well over a ton. The winch is powered a large diesel engine similar to that found in a lorry. This drives a torque converter which in turn drives one of the six drums through selectable non-slipping, dog clutches. The power is such that at launch, the glider and the ton or more of cable laid out is accelerated to around fifty knots in just a couple of seconds. Needless to say, a great deal of energy is involved in achieving this and strict safety procedures are adhered to prevent damage to equipment or injury to staff and cadets. For example, it would be easy to over-stress an aircraft by excessive speed at launch, but a mechanical fuse, the weak link, protects the aircraft, and winch, from just such a problem. The links and cables are checked regularly to ensure that no damage has been sustained but they do occasionally fail. Because the loss of power during launch can be problematic to say the least, the actions necessary in the event of just such an emergency are routinely practiced.

A TYPICAL LAUNCH GOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS . . . The duty pilot, who is responsible for the safe and smooth operation of the whole launch process, ensures that aircraft are lined up and made ready for launch on time and in good order. The aircraft is held level by a wing tip runner while the crew go though the list of checks and procedures carried out before every launch. When the aircraft’s crew are happy that they are ready to fly, the pilot will call for the cable to be attached with the command to the ground crew of “cable on”. The ground crew will hold the cable ready and asks the pilot to open the hook by calling “open”. The pilot pulls on his cable release in the cockpit and this draws back the hook which links the cable to the aircraft. After inserting the ring on the end of the cable, the ground crew call “close” and the pilot releases his control and the security of the attachment is then checked by pulling on the cable. If all is well, the crew man moves out of the way. A final check that it is all clear “above and behind” is carried out the wingman who signals the result to the pilot. Only when the pilot is completely confident that all is well will he then call “take up slack” to the wingman who repeats this command to the control caravan with a shout and an arm signal. The crew in the caravan then signal to the winch to start taking up slack cable by a series of slow, long flashes of the signalling lamp. Lamps are used to signal as, unlike radio, they cannot be interfered with. Just as the cable starts to pull on the aircraft, the pilot, if still happy all is well, will call “all out”. All around the launch area everyone has their eyes on the sky and the ground ahead and should anyone spot a hazard, the shout of “Stop, Stop, Stop” will cause the launch to be aborted. At the calling of “all out” the winch is signalled with a series of rapid short flashes and at the other end of the airfield, the winch operator becomes the second most important person in the whole operation. He and the pilot form a partnership with the aim of getting the aircraft into the air safely and to the maximum possible height.

The winch driver for much of the week was Henry 'Grandad' Restell (pictured left). I asked him how he got the Grandad tag given that he could be only be in his early twenties at most. “I was the oldest on my first GIC here” he said, “Someone called me Grandad and it just stuck!” Did he mind being on his own detached from the rest of the process? “Absolutely not, it’s a job needs to be done.” Where did he come from? “I travel up every weekend from Hastings, usually leaving about 9pm on the Friday evening so as to be ready to start on the Saturday morning”. On seeing the “all out” signal, the Henry advances the throttle and causes the drum in use to start to spin hauling in cable at a terrific rate. The driver carefully monitors the progress of the aircraft during the launch by watching the ‘bow’ in the cable, slowly reducing the power as the aircraft climbs. If the pilot feels the aircraft is travelling too fast during the launch, he can signal to the Henry, by moving the rudder from side to side which causes the aircraft to ‘waggle’. On seeing this, the winch driver will decelerate the winch further to allow the speed to reduce. When the aircraft approaches the maximum altitude of the launch, the pilot will dip the nose and pull the cable release which allows the cable to detach from the aircraft. Should, for some reason, the pilot fail to pull his release, a mechanism known as the back release, automatically detaches the cable from the aircraft. Once released the winch engine is accelerated and the cable is drawn in at relatively high speed, a small drogue parachute on the end of the cable providing some back resistance to tow in against and to keep the cable from tangling. Extreme care is taken to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the operation as a flailing cable travelling at high speed will easily cut a person in half, and this why it is most important for anyone not involved with the

operation to stay away from the airfield at all times. To ensure a thorough knowledge of the emergency procedures to be followed in the event of a launch failure caused by a cable breaking, practice exercises are flown quite frequently. After demonstrating and teaching launch failures, Instructors will test cadets with an unannounced early release. This gives the cadets the skills and confidence they need to handle difficult and potentially dangerous situations. I asked Adam Clarke, one of the instructors, how students reacted to this exercise. “I always brief my students never to expect a thousand feet again after their first practice launch failure and I’ve had some very mixed responses to their first surprise failure” he said. “They have varied from curses as they realise what has happened, to one girl who bounced around the cockpit with joy after her first low level practice failure. For her it was a moment of elation as, for the first time, she was able to see the winch. Very entertaining” he said with a grin. Had he ever been scared as an instructor by anything a student did? “No, not really” was his reply, “we train in stages and only when I am confident a student is competent at any given stage do we move on to the next one. In this way we do not stretch a student to the point that they cant cope with an exercise so as to maintain maximum safety.” Pictured right: Flying Officer James Stevens (RAF) is a serving officer at Marham, here James is maintaining the logs and is running launch control from the caravan

Above: every day starts with a full briefing. Right: A broken winch cable is joined by means of copper sleeves with a closed with a hydraulic press

Above: A glider just about to pitch into the full climb. At this stage the aircraft has acquired sufficient flying speed so that even a cable break at this stage could be safely dealt with. Right: Flight Lieutenant Luke Waskett-Booth (RAF) is briefing Cadet Sam Long from 216 (Swardeston) Squadron on the finer points of positioning the aircraft in the circuit. Below: One of the things that most impressed me at 611 VGS was the unbroken good humour. For example there are many tasks associated with operating the Squadron that are essential but entirely unglamorous. Being part of the retrieve team is one such job. You wait around until a glider is about to land then it must be got off the runway quickly and safely, quite a physical activity. I saw the recovery crew relaxing between frantic bouts of activity and said “can I take a picture?”. In an instant and with a smile on their faces, they posed with results below. The smiles are not false - they are genuinely having a great time!

The Wayland News Page 16

THE FLIGHT By now you are probably wondering what it is like to experience a flight in a glider, and I will try and give you a sense of what it is like from a beginner’s perspective. After a full briefing on what the aims and objectives of the flight are, you climb into the front seat and make yourself comfortable. The parachute on your back is your seat cushion and it is surprisingly good at softening the hard seat. A full safety harness in fastened with the help of one of the ground crew. Although it takes nearly a minute to be fully strapped in and to get comfortable, the entire harness can be released and you can be free of the aircraft in less than a second by the twist of a release system. Behind you is your instructor, Aimee, a surprisingly young looking “C Cat” instructor. She uses an aide-memoir to go through the pre-flight checks to ensure that nothing is missed, something even the most experienced instructors will do. When all is ready, the wings are brought level, Aimee calls “cable on”, and the winch cable is attached to the aircraft; after a final check is made for other machines in the circuit, the pilot calls out “take up slack”. You sit there, waiting in almost total silence, oblivious to all that is going on around you, with a dry mouth and heart pounding, looking down the grassy strip ahead of you, watching and waiting for the cable to start moving. Suddenly you see it start to go taught and the pilot calls “All out”. For a second nothing happens as the signal is relayed to the winch, then suddenly, and without any further warning, you are speeding down the take off run being thrown around (or rather, you would be, if you weren’t so firmly strapped in), and it feels like the aircraft will shake itself to pieces on the lumps and bumps in what you previously thought was a bowling green smooth piece of grass. In less than three seconds, and just as suddenly, it all goes quiet and you are aware that the aircraft is airborne and flying just above the ground and the speed is building. A second later comes the second surprise. The pilot pulls back on her controls and the aircraft pitches into a climb, at what seems an impossibly steep angle, and the sound of air rushing past the canopy is so loud you can hardly hear the reassuring words of Aimee as she explains what is happening now and what will happen next. By this time, your shock and surprise at the speed at which events have taken place so far, starts to subside, and you risk a look out of the canopy to the right and left, and the joy and exhilaration at what is happening takes over. Aimee starts to reduce the angle of climb, and slowly the aircraft levels out and then, after reminding you that you will hear a loud thump, she dips the nose and releases the cable and you are free of any connection with the ground. It is less than thirty seconds since you sat at the launch point and now you are at 1,000 feet with the whole of Watton spread out in front of you in such a way that, at a glance, you can see from one end of the town to the other and you begin to get an appreciation of what it is to fly like the birds. It is now so quiet in the cockpit, you can talk in a normal voice with your pilot as she points out some of the landmarks in the local area and some further afield. The turbines at Pickenham and even Swaffham are clearly visible as well as the water tower at Dereham which stands like a giant white mushroom in the landscape. Then Aimee demonstrates the way in which the controls affect the aircraft. She shows how the rudder pedals affect the yaw, or direction in which the aircraft is pointing (not travelling), and she then rolls the aircraft by moving the control column from one side to the other. It is only by combining these two control inputs in a coordinated manner can the aircraft can be made to turn. “Would you like to see a stall”? She asks. “OK” you reply, somewhat nervously, “Well, the first thing we will do” says Aimee, “are the HASELL Checks” “HASELL?” you ask. “Yes, it’s a checklist of things to do before manoeuvres like this. H is height; are we high enough? A is for Airframe, is everything correct in the aircraft for example, airbrakes locked in and locked; S is for security, are our straps tight and no loose items in the cockpit, E is for engine – but of course we don’t have one of those! It is a standard check for all aircraft, that’s why it is in there.” Flying is full of mnemonics like this to remember vital actions. “The first L is for location, are we in or will we enter cloud or are we above a built up area? And lastly LOOKOUT. We need to be certain there is no else around so I’ll just do a 360 degree turn to make sure – can you keep a lookout as well please? Four eyes are always better than two.” She says with a smile in her voice. Smoothly you go round and again Aimee checks you are happy. “Here we go then. I’m pulling gently back on the stick and you can see the nose rising above the horizon and if you watch the airspeed indicator you can see we start to slow down.” And indeed you do. One thing about aircraft most people know is that they need to have a certain amount of speed in order to fly, and you watch nervously as the pointer of the airspeed indicator starts to travel backwards. “Here we go . . .” says Aimee, and in a most unspectacular way the nose drops below the horizon and there is a sound of rushing air as the speed climbs again and your stomach experiences a sensation akin to going over a hump back bridge a bit too fast. “Not too bad was it?” she asks as she brings the aircraft back to normal attitude. Actually no, it wasn’t and Aimee invites you to have a go. You grasp the top of the control column. “You have control” she says “I have control” you reply, although you very clearly don’t! But there is no need to worry, Aimee is still there following your movements on the column and ready to retake control of the aircraft in an instant if anything untoward happens. “OK, pull back gently on the stick and watch to see how the nose responds.” You do as instructed and are surprised at how little effort it takes to move the column. The speed bleeds off, and there’s that hump back bridge again. “Put the stick back to the middle and watch the speed build” says Aimee “then bring it back to normal.” It is surprising how instinctive controlling an aircraft is, which seems to fly itself, such is its stability. You don’t really need to think too hard about flying, but of course we are only starting with the simplest of exercises. But by now we are reaching the point where Aimee must think about landing. “I have control” she says. “You have control” you reply and release your grasp on the column, realising it is just ever so slightly sweaty.

Expertly she manoeuvres the glider to a position in line with the runway and we begin our descent towards the ground. The noise level starts to build again as speed increases and it looks as if we will fly into the ground at a point well short of where the other gliders are lined up and you start to wonder if everything is OK. But then, the nose lifts, and you are flying along the runway just a few feet off the ground and the wind noise starts to die away again as the speed reduces and like stepping off an escalator, you touch down. What an experience! Gliding is like nothing you have ever done before and is probably as close to true flight as humans will ever get. It has a beauty and serenity about it that is, in my opinion unparalleled in any other activity I can imagine.

SQUADRON LEADER KEN STEDMAN A successful unit, with the highest standards, as demonstrated by 611 VGS, does not just happen by itself of course. It is given life and spirit by the person in charge, and, in this case, the man affectionately known by everyone as “Boss” is Squadron Leader Ken Stedman RAF VR (T). Ken leads by example and it is a great tribute to him that the unit runs so smoothly. After 30 years in the paint industry, in 1987, he started and continues to run his own successful industrial powder and paint supply business in Ipswich. He attributes much of his personal and business success to the confidence and life skills given him by his involvement with the Air Cadet Organisation. He joined the Air Cadets at the age of 13, in 1958, with 1331 (Stowmarket) Squadron, and then joined 611 in 1965 at Swanton Morley and was commissioned in 1967 and has been there ever since. “We could write a history of people who, through 611, have been trained and then gone on to achieve very high standards either as commercial pilots or in their chosen profession in other civilian walks of life.” “That’s what we do; we make people believe in themselves, if you can glide and teach young people to glide, then you can do anything.” Quite candidly, Ken said “For me, there is nothing better than to be in the air in a glider with a cadet, teaching them the art of gliding.” There are four A Cat Instructors on the unit. Squadron Leader Ken Stedman RAFVR (T), as Commanding Officer, his deputy Flight Lieutenant Phil Melia RAFVR (T), Jerry Lightowler Civilian Gliding Instructor, an ex OC of 611 and Flight Lieutenant Steve Bell RAFVR (T) Retd, a captain with well over 10,000 hours flying helicopters for Bristows (and he started as his flying career with 611 as a cadet!). The A Cat’s train the Staff Cadets to Grade 1 Standard, and they then go away to the Air Cadet Central Gliding Squadron at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire for qualification as a C Cat or B Cat. The instructors are all checked quarterly by an A Cat instructor or higher. Checks involve the demonstration of all the flying skills needed to teach safely at the designated level and cope with emergency situations, and in this way the very highest standards are maintained. As Boss, Ken carries t h e u l t i m a t e responsibility for the unit. I asked him about this as I wanted to know what it was like to make the decision to send a student solo; did it weigh on him at all? “The responsibility is always there” said Ken, “but we have a very good crew here and we fly to very strict rules and regulations but the responsibility never goes away. Even if I am not here, I am still responsible. But I have total confidence in my staff and the system that documents the way we fly and teach.” I commented that everything seemed so well organised and that even when an adverse comment needed about someone’s performance, as I had seen at the morning briefing, the point was made, accepted and everyone moved on. “The point is” said Ken “there is a clear chain of command in the unit. From the officers, the duty instructors to the staff cadets, everyone knows what has to be done and gets on with it. If I, as Gliding Squadron Duty Executive, ask my deputy to do something, it’s done. Similarly all the way down the chain, if it’s asked for, it’s done.” “Everything that must be done, and can’t be done is clearly documented, leaving no room for doubt. Without it we could not function as safely or as efficiently as we do.” I asked Ken about his personal commitment to the Squadron given that he has his business to run, not to mention a family life away from gliding. “We all commit to at least every other weekend through the year plus we fly several one week courses through the year; one at Easter, a second in May, usually two August courses, an October course and again we are here at Christmas. It is a big commitment and of course it is all unpaid.” And what did Eileen, Ken’s wife, think? “I am incredibly fortunate” said Ken “Eileen has supported me right through the years and she knows and understands that once you take on the responsibility of being the Boss of a gliding school, the rest of the staff expect you to be throughout the year, which I try so to do. But I couldn’t do any of this without her enthusiastic support.”

Ken’s preferred office - in the back seat teaching young people to fly

The Wayland News Page 17

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There is a poem, High Flight, which has become a mantra for pilots over the years. It was written by Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee of No 412 squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force who was sadly killed in a flying accident on 11th December 1941: Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. I think I have a small sense of exactly what Pilot Officer Magee was talking about.

As I reflect on the time I spent with them, I cannot help but marvel at the organisation that is 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron. The commitment, the dedication and the professionalism demonstrated by 611 staff and the cadets in achieving a standard that is recognised in the UK Air Cadet organisation as one of, if not the best, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons in the country is a great tribute to all concerned but especially the Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Ken Stedman. Modestly he claims that the organisation is built on documented procedures, and technically he is correct. But you cannot document spirit and enthusiasm; you can only engender it by the very highest standards of command and leadership. The senior staff and civilian instructors, equally but their heart and soul into the unit and as for the Staff Cadets, all I can say is they are the best examples of this country’s youth that you will see anywhere. I know I have used the term commitment several times, but just think about what it takes to persuade Henry to drive up from Hastings every weekend, for Ben to cycle 25 miles to be here, for Liz and Foggy to come and cook all week. It is without doubt something special and is actually quite humbling to witness. The extraordinary efforts some of them make to be here too, means for some of the young people, it is truly a case of “Per Ardua Ad Astra” There are many, many people whom I should thank for helping prepare this feature, and it is not possible to name them all. However I should particularly like single out Squadron Leader Ken Stedman RAFVR, Officer Commanding 611 VGS and all his staff and cadets for treating me so kindly on my several visits and answering my every question with enthusiasm. I would also like to mention Flt. Lt. RE Fisher RAFVR (T) Retd. for allowing me to draw on his extensive and invaluable knowledge on the history of the air cadet organisation and also for allowing me free access to his archive of text and pictures.

Pictured from left to right and top to bottom: Cadet Corporal Beverly Goodchild from, 188 (Ipswich) Squadron, James Lyttle from March, Peterborough who has 12 hours experience on light aircraft at Chatteris Airfield on a scholarship is with his instructor, Flying Officer Mike Salter RAFVR(T), Cadet Danny Montgomery goes through his check list with Corporal Phil Harker (RAF). A busy retrieve team, their task is to clear the landing area as quickly and as safely as possible. Left: The Wings Parade at the end of the course. Because o fthe poor weather this week, unfortunately no one was able to go solo but all cadets were presented with the blue wings. Below: You can get an idea of the size of the organisation that is 611 VGS form the course shot below. The front row kneeling are the visiting Cadets with 611 VGS Staff Behind

The Wayland News Page 18

At the History of Watton and Wayland

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THE REAL DAD’S ARMY FOR WATTON, CARBROOKE AND OVINGTON

Good News! Another full issue of Looking Back is now in preparation, it will have more pages and more pictures than last time and one or two colour ones as well. Bad news! it will cost £1.50. I plan to have that ready for early November - there will be more details in the next issue of The Wayland News. As we approach Remembrance Day (see article elsewhere in the paper) and continuing on the theme set in the last issue, we will continue with one or two items from 1930’s - 1940’s. In light of the Boo and Hiss well received production of Dad’s Army, I thought it would be interesting to look at this picture of the real Home Guard for Watton, Carbrooke and Ovington. It is also interesting to note that in reality the Chief ARP Warden for Watton was Ernest Edwards Grandfather of local businessman, Chris Edwards who played the part of Warden Hodges - a pleasing bit of casting! Left to Right Back Row: P. Butters, F. Brown, W. Brown, J. Hawes, F, Warnes, S. Drake, W. Addison, W. Wright, B. Addison, A. Oldridge, F. Warnes, S, Ludkin, D. Cracknell, S. Johnson, B. Roberson, A. Hawes. Third Row: J. Page, E Anderson, D Birchain, G Whalebelly, E. Drake, B. Sculfer, P. Sadd, F. Seager, E. Eliis, A. Brown, W. Pettit, F. Hyton, H. Bone, H. Amys, E. Codling, J. Cox, F. Johnson. Second Row: M. Flickling, B. Fox, F. Johnson, W. Howlett, F. Manning, P. Reynolds, J. Sadd, E. Mussell, Capt. Oldroyd, J. Witcham, Z. Page, H. Wright, H Watkins, A. Flint, W. Newby, D. Waters. Front Row (Seated on Ground): JH. Carman, T. Taylor, W. Brown, A. Marshall, J. Garrod, T. Spooner, S. Buller, F. Crook, P. Bayley, R. Pym, T. Tennant, H. Cator.

Another tie-up with items elsewhere in the paper is with the feature on 611 VGS. This picture shows the Detached Flight of the Watton ATC in or around 1943. The names I have listed are left to right: Back Row: D Cockle, J Jessup, Derek Sayer, C Gray, D Smithson, B Fake Middle row: Unknown; Malcolm Johnson; Unknown; A Amies; T Bell; R Newstead; K Sussams Front Row: B Disdle; A Flint; Harris (or Harrison); Mr H Rump (Headmaster of Watton Area School); Freestone; D Newby; R Schofield

MORE OF THE LETTERS WRITTEN HOME FROM

FREDDIE THRIPP (Postcard) 13 Sept 1939 from Salisbury Dear Mum Dad Rene & all. Another spare moment among many down here. We came right over home last Saturday, but somebody ought to get another greenhouse, it was too conspicuous. My old observer brought us right over just for me. Well I had a marvellous stroke of luck on Sunday. We went to a place north of Bude for firing practice, and having finished my turn, a Sgt Pilot asked me to go with him but one of the ground crew went

instead and the a/c piled up. The pilot killed, the others broken arms and legs, but still OK Coming back tomorrow. Don't know where to from there. Weather grand here see post mark. With Love Fred

Early October 1939 sent from 82 Sqdn. RAF Station, North Walsham Rd. Norwich. Norfolk Dear Mum Dad Rene Harry & Eric. As you can see we have moved again, but this time, it is like a second home. The camp where the machines are now is not finished yet, so the ground staff are living in wooden huts in the mud on the side of the 'drome', while we more or less live out. It is in an original head quarters, there is only three small huts, the cookhouse, bath house, officers quarters and offices, and the guard room

all in a little field. There is a small factory outside our backdoor, houses around us, and orchards, but no fruit on the trees. If you are pushed for time, there are buses quite frequent from the guard room but it is only 15 mins walk to the centre of Norwich, so you see we are well off here, and the food is like coming home to meals to what we have been putting up with. Norwich is a very friendly place, also the people in it, especially some of them, although we have only been here a few days, we are all getting along very nice. The weather is grand here, almost like summer, I think we are quite safe here, as the Gerrys will be so occupied getting over the coast, they will miss us, but they are doing quite well so far, and getting quite daring, showing us how to do it. We are still sitting

The Wayland News Page 19

ASHIL BOWLS CLUB Ashill Bowls Club held their Finals over the first two weekends of September in mostly sunny weather and in the right spirit. The Men’s Champion was G Davison (pictured with G Witfield) and the Ladies’ Champion was J Taylor (Pictured with J Ewins). Other results were as follows: Mixed Singles Peter Bunn Men’s Pairs J Puddephatt & M Hinsley Mixed Pairs J Healy & B Hall Ladies’ Pairs I Healey & B Hall Ladies’ Triples S Malyon M Russell P Davison, Men’s Triples R Leighton T Ipson P Bunn Mixed Triples J Ewins D Smith B Hall Men’s Fours G Whitfield M De Boltz P Bunn C Breeze Mixed Fours J Ewins J De Boltz G Davison D Smith Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to all the losers and a big thank you to all our supporters.

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OVINGTON GARDENING CLUB The meeting on Wednesday 2 September was a social evening with the theme of ‘bring a plant to swap and a gardening question’. The result was that several plants found a new home, several questions were answered and we enjoyed the refreshments brought by members whilst we chatted. The October meeting has Alan Barston as speaker on the topic of ‘Pruning - How, When and Where’ and will be held in Ovington Village Hall at 7.45pm on Wednesday 7 October. Visitors are welcomed at £1 per head and further details can be obtained from Ed on 01953 885848 or Jenny on 01760 723306.

HARDINGHAM CHURCH FLOWER FESTIVAL HATS OFF TO HARDINGHAM AGAIN!

The Hardingham Flower Festival organisers would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported our event over the Bank Holiday weekend. We noticed many visitors from Watton and Saham Toney! There were some beautiful flower arrangements, delicious tea and cakes and an enjoyable time was had by all. At the concert on Sunday evening, the musicians Dougal Smith ( organ and keyboard), Jake Hardiment (baritone) and Ruth Collings (soprano) gave a fine and memorial performance of music from long ago to the present day. We raised over £1400 and this has given us a good start for our projects of improving facilities at the Church and Memorial Hall. Thank you all very much for your support.

ART AND CRAFT EXHIBITION AT THE WELLS COLE COMMUNITY

CENTRE, SAHAM TONEY The Tuesday Art Group of Saham Toney are holding an exhibition of paintings and crafts at the Wells Cole Community Centre, Bell Lane, Saham Toney on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. We have had a busy year producing a variety of new art work. As well as our paintings, crafts will be on display. These include Norfolk Country Crafts, sign painting on slate, wood turning and greeting cards. Also on sale will be Usborn Books and Artists materials. A painting by Yvonne Harrold will be raffled. There is also a tombola and Parker School will be exhibiting some of their work. Admission to the exhibition is free and refreshments a r e a v a i l a b l e . Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

about doing nothing so there is not much in the way of news, but one thing amused us this morning at about 08.15 Hrs the cook came in and woke us all up, and told us that our breakfast was still being kept warm. Most unusual, but when we went to Bassingbourn about a week ago, one of our own cooks brought in a bucket of tea, I don’t know what next, perhaps breakfast in bed. Well cheerio for now, With Love Fred. PS. Will you find out the telephone number of the police house please, as we have to put the nearest telephone number on our passes.

Late October 1939 from Watton. Dear Mum Dad Rene Harry & Eric. We are just getting settled down again here, but I have a feeling that it is not for long. It was not a bad journey back, I had a school master for companion from Royston to Cambridge so it passed the time away. We had a good time in Norwich last night. I had been to Upper Heyford for a day or so, but we were grounded all the while we were there, and as the nearest village was 3 miles Oxford and Banbury over 10, we said that we were not going to stop there any more, so our pilots argued with the Duty Pilot, and even though the visibility was very poor, we took off, and when we landed at our Norwich drome, instead of going back to Watton, we polished up in the office, hopped over the hedge, then into Norwich. We got back on the special excursion bus, so all was OK. The weather is nearly always misty or foggy here now, but it suits us nicely as regards flying. You mentioned about me not having enough to spend, but I am satisfied at this end, because we do not need much money to spend here, as there is not much to spend it on. Well I hope you are still keeping OK we feeling the same, and still having an easy time, but I suppose we shall have to get down to it soon, so as there is no more news of importance and am ready to go out will say cheerio for now. With Love Fred

November 1939 from Watton Dear Mum Dad Rene Harry & Eric. I have just come off of a 24 hour guard, or it was supposed to be, the relief came an hour late and we have been wet through all day, and then getting wetter still waiting, so you can just imagine how I feel, and when we wanted meals, it was nearly a mile walk there and back, cross the drome, which is all under water, then when we got back here, they say that the floor has got to be polished. But still, I think there is a war somewhere. I put in my leave pass yesterday, but whether it gets cancelled or not I dont know. If it goes through, I shall be home about midday next Thursday, for 6 days. And I hope the weather is a bit better. I had the most interesting Sunday (last) when we went to a certain station and saw a plane come in just off of a patrol, which had done quite a smart piece of work, and I suppose cost A.H. quite a sum of money. Also, I dont know whether you recall a few days ago, a machine limping back home with half of its wing covering ripped off, well it was also at the same station, and believe me, it was no small surprise to us when we saw it, and when you know a little about the theory of flight, it is absolutely a marvel how the pilots got it back, and it is only when you see these sort of things, that you realise that there is actually something going on. They are having quite a bit of fun round Norwich nowadays as a certain person told me the other day how he/she saw a machine letting out white smoke and said then that it was a (picture of swastika) machine, it was shot down just off the coast. Last Wednesday night, the searchlights were out and guns popping, he/she said it was only practice, but I dont think they practice that way. But I see that Gerry is still active over our coasts and going strong, about time we started something in earnest instead of these isolated dos, as most of them do a fair amount of damage, but still, just recently we have found out about the "organisation" of this government. Well roll on Xmas and let us have some nuts if they are not rationed. Cheerio for now, With Love FredPS Tomorrow night is Saturday so hope it is fine in Norwich. To Tich :- Still going strong. Give my best wishes to Harry. (Tich was Fred’s nickname for Rene)

The Wayland News Page 20

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Saturday 7th November at 7. 30 pm Light Refreshments and licensed wine/beer bar

Proceeds to St Botolph's Stow Bedon, and St Margaret's Breckles, Church Funds Tickets £10 from Beryl Warren 01953 483375 or Margaret Morfoot 01953 498286

NEWS FROM SAHAM TONEY PRE-SCHOOL

The term has started really well with all our new children settling in nicely. Our car boot sale held on 6th September suffered from the EDP printing the event in the wrong day (no such worries with our local paper!) but we still made a credible £51. Our next events include a Sponsored Scavenger Hunt for the children and a Family Halloween Activity Day on Wednesday 28th October between 2-4.30pm at the Wells Cole Community Centre. This will include a mix of craft activities, pumpkin carving, party games and disco. The cost is £3 with a small charge per activity. Followed by this will be our Annual Ball, which this year is a ‘Friday 13th Masquerade Ball’ to be held on 13th November at the WCCC. For all bookings please contact Suzanne on 01953 885178. In the last article we mentioned that we are painting our fence as pencils with the children’s names on. We would like to ask if anyone has any leftover gloss paint that we can use to paint the pencils. Please ring Suzanne on the number above. If you are a business or individual that would like to ‘buy’ a pencil please visit our website for a downloadable form. We are also looking for volunteers to help out at pre-school. Volunteers must be happy to be CRB checked but other than that no qualifications are needed – just a desire to work with 2 – 5 year olds! So if you are retired or want to develop your skills before starting work, or just want something fun to do, we would love to hear from you. Please ring our Chair, Clare on 01953 889186 to find out more. We are holding an Open Day for families looking for a pre-school for their children on Wednesday 14th October at 10.15am, so if you would like to see just what goes on at our pre-school please come along. We look forward to seeing you there. Finally, we are taking part in the Morrison’s ‘Let’s Grow’ campaign and would ask anyone who shops at Morrison’s to save their vouchers for us so that we can get gardening tools and plants for our garden. Thank you. We continue to be very excited about the future of our pre-school and if you have a child who is two or over (or soon to be two) and would be interested in finding out more about our excellent Pre-School, then please speak to Lisa, our Supervisor, on 07749 756831, alternatively you can email info@sahamtoney-pre-school.co.uk or visit our website at www.sahamtoneypre-school.co.uk

CITIZENS ADVICE This month we thought it would be useful for readers to see a couple of the more ‘popular’ issues which are raised at Bureaux throughout the country. IDENTITY THEFT A bank that I do not normally deal with has contacted me to chase an outstanding debt. I think I may be a victim of identity theft. What should I do? Identity theft is a type of fraud which takes place when someone you don't know gets hold of your personal details and uses them to apply for credit or to open an account in your name. If you have been a victim of identity theft you will usually not have to pay for any money you have lost, unless it can be shown that you have acted fraudulently or without reasonable care, for example by keeping your PIN number written down with your card. You must act quickly: • contact the bank straight away, keep a record of all

conversations you have with them, and copies of any letters sent or received

• report the matter to the police, and get a crime reference number

• check with the credit reference agencies (details below) whether any applications for credit have been made in your name. If they have, you can ask to have the information removed from your file

• if you suspect that someone has got hold of your details by stealing your mail, or has fraudulently applied to get mail redirected from your address, you should contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Number on: 08457 740740

• contact CIFAS, the UK's Fraud Prevention Service at www.cifas.org.uk. For a small fee they will make sure that anyone applying for credit in your name is automatically double-checked.

The credit reference agencies are: • Experian Tel: 0870 241 6212 Website:

www.experian.co.uk • Equifax Tel: 08705 143700 Website:

www.equifax.co.uk • Call Credit Tel: 0870 060 1414 Website:

www.callcredit.co.uk For more information and advice about identity theft, go to www.cardwatch.org.uk, or to the Home Office website at www.identitytheft.org.uk or see www.adviceguide.org.uk for contact details of your nearest CAB. HOLIDAY TOUR OPERATOR GOES BUST! My daughter and her boyfriend lost money when the tour operator they had booked their holiday with went bust some months ago. Since then they’ve been trying in vain to get a refund but have almost given up as they seem to be getting nowhere despite endless phone calls and emails. Is there anything more they can do? The first thing to check is whether your daughter and her boyfriend bought a ‘package holiday’ (this is a deal that includes at least two of these elements: transport; accommodation; other tourist services that are a significant component of the deal, and it’s prearranged and was sold for an inclusive price, and it lasts more than 24 hours or includes an overnight stay.) They might have bought accommodation and travel from separate companies. If it’s a package there are regulations that cover things like your rights to certain information before the holiday, cancelling if the dates or price are changed, and a scheme to protect your money and get you home if the tour operator goes bust. If you book a package holiday which includes air travel you should be protected by the Air Travel Organiser’s Licensing (ATOL) scheme. This means that you should be refunded for the full cost of the holiday if you have not yet travelled. If you have already travelled, ATOL (or whichever alternative protection scheme the operator is using) should meet the costs of the rest of your holiday, for example the cost of the hotel if the operator hasn’t paid them, so that you do not have to come home early. If arrangements cannot be made for you to complete the rest of your holiday, or the airline goes bust when you are away, ATOL should make sure that you are not stranded. If your package holiday was booked through a retailer, such as a travel agent, you should be offered an alternative holiday. Details of how to make a claim under the ATOL scheme can be found on: www.atol.org.uk. If your daughter and her boyfriend paid for their holiday by credit card, and it cost more than £100, they may be able to make a claim against the credit card company. They should also check whether their travel insurance

policy covers them for their holiday trader going out of business. If they have tried getting their money back through the scheme their tour operator is using without success, they should get advice and help on what their options are now from a CAB adviser (see adviceguide.org.uk for more information and contact details of your nearest CAB) or Consumer Direct (consumerdirect.gov.uk)

MILLENNIUM MALE VOICE CHOIR

IN CONCERT This year Stow Bedon and Breckles have joined forces to put on a concert by the Norwich based Millennium Male Voice Choir. Since neither of our churches can house the 30 men in this Male Voice Choir plus audience, we have hired the Griston Day Care Centre (old prison community centre). The concert takes place at the Manor Court Day Care Centre, Manor Road Griston on Saturday 7th November at 7. 30 pm. There will be light refreshments and a licensed wine/beer bar and all proceeds will go to St Botolph's Stow Bedon, and St Margaret's Breckles, Church Funds. Tickets are £10 from Beryl Warren 01953 483375 or Margaret Morfoot 01953 498286. Tickets are sure to go fast for this event, which is going to be a real musical highlight on this year’s Wayland calendar – don’t leave it too late to secure yours!

WAYLAND COMMUNITY ADVICE DAY

Wednesday 14th October will see the first Community Advice Day held in Wayland. Around 14 agencies and organisations will be offering help and advice on a whole range of subjects between 11am and 7pm at Wayland House in Watton High Street. There will be something for everyone, all in one building, and all on one day including advice on managing your money, housing, benefits, employment, redundancy or if you are finding it difficult to cope in the current credit crunch. It's been arranged by the Wayland Partnership which is a community led regeneration partnership focusing on the market town of Watton and the thirteen neighbouring rural parishes and the Wayland Community Bank, a branch of the Norfolk Credit Union.

WHO WILL BE THERE AND WHAT DO THEY DO?

•Wayland Community Bank (loans and savings) •Breckland Council Customer Services (benefits, council tax, bus passes etc.)

•Breckland Council Homelessness Unit (support, accommodation etc.)

•Peddars Way Housing (housing, advice etc.) •Broadland Housing (housing, advice etc.) •Stonham Homestart (housing, advice etc.) •Citizens Advice Bureau (general personal advice) •Kickstart (helps people access work, work training or further education by the loan of a moped)

•Connexions (provides support and employment opportunities to 16 to 19 year old’s)

•Job Centre Plus (provides help and advice on jobs and training for those seeking employment)

•Shelter (provides information on all aspects of housing, including legal matters)

•Norfolk Constabulary Safer Neighborhoods Team (working with the local community to improve safety)

•Norfolk Fire Service (provides advice on safety in the home)

Anyone in need of advice is invited to drop in and speak to the advisors in confidence and they will be able to guide people on the help that is available. It is hoped that people will use this opportunity to speak to someone who can help their situation and find solutions to financial problems. This is a valuable service, completely free and essential to many who may be in difficulty at the moment. If you want more information on the event, contact the Wayland Partnership on 01953 883915, iain@wayland.org.uk or call in to Wayland House (The Old Police Station) in Watton High Street.

The Wayland News Page 21

ROTARY ROUNDUP A short piece this month because, at deadline time, the writer is away. In fact 2 members of the Watton Rotary Club, with their partners, are participating in what is called a Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE). An RFE is designed to take place between two Rotary District in different parts of the world. In East Anglia, we are District 1080 and the RFE is with District 9700, which covers part of New South Wales, Australia. Specifically we are visiting an area about 250km west of Sydney, centred around the towns of Orange, Parkes and Cowra. (Can anyone remember why Parkes was in the news just over 40 years ago? That’s the clue!). The picture shows the 3 couples on the RFE, from Watton are: Martin & Helen (left) and Andrew and Karen (centre). On the right are Richard and Margaret from the Broadlands Rotary Club. RFE is one of several international fellowship activities in Rotary that help to promote intercultural understanding through travel. As with most other fellowship activities in Rotary, the costs are wholly borne by the individuals participating. At the time of publication, there are still a few tickets available for our pre-Festival concert on Friday 2nd October. “Jazz at the Queen’s Hall” is featuring DIXIEMIX, a traditional jazz sextet, for their second appearance in Watton. Tickets are priced at £10, including a light buffet supper. They available from Adcocks, High Street, Watton, or contact Martin on 884224 to check for late availability.

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Project Rainbow Needs You!

Time to spare? We are looking for: Additional Trustees to join the

existing voluntary Board Youth Night Volunteers for

Monday and Thursday Evenings Volunteer Youth Night Co-ordinator

and or Building Manager Volunteers to help with refreshments

on Wednesday lunchtimes

Your help will make a valuable contribution to the future success of

Project Rainbow. For further information, contact Paul or Marion at Adcocks or Rev

Geoff Garrett on 01953 881439. Application forms can be picked up from

Adcocks.

October Events at

Holme Hale Pavilion

Car Boot Sunday October 4th 10am £5 per car/£8 per van outside

[Bring your own table] £5 inside with table provided

[Limited space so book early!] Refreshments available Tel. 01760 440525 or

01760 441607 to book

Quiz Night Saturday Oct. 10th

Phone 01760 440525 for details and booking.

RICHMOND PARK GOLF CLUB (LADIES SECTION)

17th August medal Div 1 1st Lesley Davis (40) 2nd Margaret Middleton,(39) Div 2 1st Hilda Whitmarsh (47) 2nd Jean Barrall (39) Div 3 Margaret Taylor (24) Eileen Chard (31). 24th August Texas Scramble 1st Diana Davies, Zoe Young, and Cherry Lawn, 2nd Barbara Coverdale, Lesley Davis, and Anne Long. 2nd September Daily Mail Foursomes won by Lesley Matthews and Julie Ellis, these go on to play the area final. 7th September medal Div 1 Anne Bell (73) 2nd Lesley Matthews (74) Div 2 1st Diane Pitman (67) 2nd Julie Ellis (68) Div 3 1st Diana Davis (85) 2nd Audrey Cleverly (89) On 27th August we went to Ely on the Captain's away day which was well supported by the lady members, judging by comments made it was enjoyed by all. Pictured Ladies enjoying meal at Awayday.

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT

“LEST WE FORGET” Over a number of months the aim has been to set out some detail of the Flight, its aircraft, history, personnel and its operations, with some views of the Royal Air Force’s activities in World War II with links to the Flight. Writing now on Battle of Britain Day, 15th September 2009 - 69 years on from that date, a Sunday in 1940 and having seen one of the Spitfires fly over Kings Lynn following flypasts in Norwich, saluting parades there, it is hoped that this modest record will have helped in a small way to serve as reminder of the respect we owe to “The Few” of the Battle of Britain, as well as to The Many of all commands of the “junior” service. We are approaching the end of the season, but over the summer, sometimes inhibited by wind strength in Lincolnshire, (perhaps BBMF should’ve stayed at Coltishall after all!!) the flight has fulfilled very many bookings to display or fly past at many events country wide and overseas, Dakota ZA947 is due to support commemorations in Arnhem, 18th/20th September. Here in Watton we have enjoyed two visits by Lancaster PA474, in transit to or from other formal events and she is due to land at Marham and flypast in support of a 9 Squadron reunion there on 19th September. Members of LLA hope for good weather the last Sunday in September for their Members Day at CGY, when about 2000 with tickets can get close to the aircraft, tour the hangar and enclosure, mingle with members of the Flight (sadly some will be away on active service) and enjoy, weather permitting displays by the aircraft. Some will depart for displays elsewhere, PA474 for example is expected to flypast at Flixton and return to land at Coningsby. So with only a few appearances due in October the flying year will draw to a close and servicing, routine or major will be the activity of the flight. Perhaps next spring a foretaste of what we may expect in our local skies in 2010 will be of interest. Meanwhile perhaps it may be of interest to offer the occasional musings on aviation/WWII as remembered by a Suffolk schoolboy of the ‘40s. In closing, a story that may or may not be true picking up the reference above to the “junior” service. I remember reading somewhere that at a gathering of very senior military figures during the war, both army and navy commanders offered their very fulsome respect and praise for the performance of the Royal Air Force in a recent operation and they made use of the phrase “the Cinderella Service”. In reply, expressing thanks for their kind words, the Air Marshall (I forget to whom this was attributed) is alleged to have added something on the lines of: “I would remind my respected colleagues that Cinderella had two b****y ugly sisters!!” On a note of levity therefore, “Tango Kilo out”.

THANKS JACQUI AND GRAHAM

Please allow me to say a big Thank you to Mr and Mrs Graham and Jacqui Seal (Jacqui is Watton Town Clerk) and also to all the good people who donated prizes or purchased raffle tickets at their Garden Party in September. A grand total of £210.50 was raised which was given to me as a donation for my two nominated charities during my year as Chairman of Breckland District Council. The two charities are Diabetes UK and Cancer UK. Sincerely, John Rogers (PS any further donations for the two charities will be gratefully received.)

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION

Prayer of the Heart is what we call our Christian Meditation, Midweek Worship, Andy and Natalie's Housegroup and Book Group, which are all part of our worship at Watton Methodist Church. Christian Meditation, linked to the World Community for Christian Meditation and our Spiritual Journey Book Group, House Group and Midweek Worship are open to all. If this approach to worship appeals to you do please get in touch for more details. Meditation 1st and 3rd Mondays in the Vestry at Watton Methodist Church 7.30 for 7.45 start. Dates for the other groups are available from Joyce on 01953 880056 and also on the website of Watton Methodist Church www.wattonmethodist.btik.com

The Wayland News Page 22

now those responsible are not prepared to admit their mistakes and many have walked away with large bonus while others continue to pay the cost. All of this because people were afraid to admit their mistakes and make amends to put things right. The heart of the Christian faith surrounds a mistake made and one which continues to be repeated – that is to disobey God and go our own way. It is God who has continually shown the initiative to make amends and the Old Testament of the bible seeks to tell that story. In the end it is God who by sending Jesus into the world to make those amends as told in the New Testament of the bible, provides a way through our mistakes of not loving God and our fellow human beings as we should. Jesus taught that the way back is found through him and he illustrated this with a number of stories recorded for us in the Gospels of the New Testament. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a good illustration of the type of story Jesus told, where a son who had wasted away his half of his inheritance which he had persuaded his father to give him early, recognised his mistake, swallowed his pride and humbly went back to his father to seek forgiveness and offer his services as a hired servant to pay him back. The father’s reaction was to welcome him back with open arms and reinstate him as his son. The love of God knows no bounds and he opens his arms to welcome us back when we realise our mistakes – all we need to be is contrite and admit where we have gone wrong and commit ourselves to amend our ways, so that the amends Jesus made for us on the cross are made real through his resurrection and we can know freedom and new life deep within our souls. What about me? Well, I am now more careful where I sit on a train, but I still don’t always get it right. I do try to love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength and my neighbour as myself – but I don’t always get it right. What about you? Well, I don’t expect you always get it right either, but the good news is that God knows that and he loves both me and you enough to help us through. The important thing is not to be afraid of mistakes, to be open about them with God and others, to admit our folly, make amends and move on. What about the bankers? Well, that is between them and God.

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THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH From The Rev Geoff Garrett, Vicar of St Mary’s, Watton Remember the old British Rail strapline ‘Let the train take the strain’. Unfortunately poor and unreliable service meant that rail travel became a chore rather than the relaxing experience it was advertised to be. However, in recent years and particularly on the main routes north and south improvements to infrastructure, service and punctuality have made the rail experience a bit more bearable . . . except , that is, if you make a mistake! What mistakes can you make? Travel at the wrong time, when the trains are full and you spend the whole journey in the space by the doors – or you might sit next the person who is a proud owner of a Blackberry (no, not a bobbly fruit, but an up market mobile phone which continually receives emails as well as texts as you travel along). All through the journey the blackberry will bleep as another email arrives and calls are made to and fro at a rapid rate. I know because it happened to me on a 3 hour trip from London to Manchester. On the other hand you might sit in the seat next to the door which leads into the carriage and you continually get asked the question, ‘is this the train to York?’ or somewhere else on the route you may be travelling on. Despite all the announcements notices in the station and on the train, people still ask the question, ‘is this train going to . . .’ and maybe most people reading this have done the same – certainly I have. I know someone who got on a train thinking they were going to Birmingham (thought they saw B’ham on the front) but ended up on the way to Bingham in Nottinghamshire! All of this is because we are afraid of making mistakes. None of us like to make mistakes and we live in a success culture. We are at the anniversary of the collapse of the world economies, which was epitomised by the collapse of Lehman Brothers – no one prepared to take them over and the United States Government refusing to bail them out as other world banks had been and bringing the world to its knees. The world crisis was partly caused by the fear of making mistakes, so much so that when the mistakes of the banking world’s extravagance and foolish lending started to tell, those in charge tried to cover it up until such a time as it was impossible to hide it any longer and collapse was imminent. This fear was prevalent all through the ranks of the banks where profit was paramount and failure was not even contemplated. Everything had to be dressed in a success culture. Even

THE UNDER CLASSBy Lindsay Keir Wise I have been silent too long, but I am sure that I now speak for others in what is a very sensitive matter, and its very delicacy is probably why it has not been aired in other media which may consider themselves more avant-garde than The Wayland News. The subject of my dissatisfaction is men’s underpants. Lady readers may wish to proceed to another page, because, as they say on the television, there may be images which some may find distressing, even if they exist only in the mind of the reader. I am a man who was well past his middle years before the introduction of the Y-front. This, I suppose, would be what you would call a rhetorical question, but in those days such matters were not discussed in polite society. But time has passed, and although the renewal of my own personal underpants has been attended to by my lady wife of more than sixty years, I would not like to cause her distress by voicing my discontent in her presence. To get to this one essential of morning dressing: the actual donning of the underpant is carried out in either the standing or the sitting position. Firstly, it is important to ascertain a) which is the inside, and which is the outside of the underpant, and also, b) which is the front, and which the back. This is usually done at the distance of one’s normal vision, which in my case is about 14inches or, say, 35cms, and one is guided by the label at the back of the garment. Then one arranges the garment on the floor in the display position, with the leg holes on either side, rather like a pair of spectacles. It should be within easy reach of the feet, and is just the work of a moment if done with the hands or, if one finds bending down a chore, with the aid of a stick. It is then a simple matter of placing the feet in the leg-holes and drawing the garment up to its designated position. This is sufficient to ensure pantly comfort for the remainder of the day. Only on rare occasions one will experience a tightness across the pelvis at about midday, progressing to real discomfort towards the evening. This indicates that in a moment of distraction, a hurried or misplaced foot has resulted in two legs in one leghole. This is a comparatively rare complication and one should not worry one’s GP about sudden pelvic pain until underpant restriction has been eliminated. Now we come to the crux of the matter: in my own case, until recently the simple precautions that I have outlined above were sufficient for me to lead a happy and fulfilled life as far as my underpants were concerned. But over recent months all has not been well. At first I thought that the discomfort – nay, distress - that I had experienced in that area was due to the onset of senile decay; but I am now happy to state that this was not the case and my old perspicacity had not deserted me. The truth of the matter is this: in the cause of sartorial advancement, prompted no doubt by the endorsement of a Beckham or a Britney, they have taken to applying a label, which was always taken as a mark of orientation, not to the inside back of the garment, but to the Outside Front! Of the assorted underpants that I have to hand as I write, one full frontal label says ‘Springfield’, another ‘NEXT’ and yet another ‘Calvin Classic for HIM’ On the Front of your underpants! This might be all very well for those advancing across a boudoir to someone of only recent acquaintance, but for the older gentleman of a more settled disposition, this sartorial intervention has disturbed the noiseless tenor of his ways. Not only has he suffered the distress of finding that his underpants are inside out, but if called to a public facility – well, to put it bluntly - that the exit hole is round at the back! I rest my case. I earnestly petition those captains of industry and of government not to contemplate innovation or improvement without thinking the matter through. The watchwords should be: ‘Is this measure going to bring discomfort or distress to even the smallest minority of the populace?’ Think on. Remember Mrs Thatcher and the Poll Tax!

The Wayland News Page 23

SALEC TRAVEL LTD Saturday 24th October Mystery Tour 9.30am Adult £19 Child £15

Thurs 29th Oct - Springfield's Christmas Light Switch on Adult £11 Child £8 Saturday 7th November Bury St Edmunds 10am Adult & Child £5 Saturday 14th November Cambridge 9am Adult £9.50 Child £6 Tuesday 17th November Kings Lynn 9.30am Adult & Child £5

Sat 21st Nov Covent Garden/London 8am Adult £15 Child £10.50 Saturday 5th December Ipswich 9am Adult £9 Child £6

Sunday 6th December Christmas Show at Kings Lynn with Ollie Austin & Country Company Adult & Child £22

Wednesday 9th December - Thursford - Adult + Child £37 Thursday 10th December - Christmas Seaside Special - Adult & Child £20 Saturday 12th December Lakeside or Bluewater 8am Adult £14 Child £9 Fri 18th Dec Snow White on ice at King Lynn Matinee Adult & Child £25

Sun 20th Dec Christmas Lunch at The Green in Aylsham Adult & Child £22 Wednesday 30th December Christmas Circus 10am Adult & Child £19

PLEASE NOTE: WISBEECH CHRISTMAS MARKET DATE CHANGED TO MONDAY 21st DECEMBER. ALSO FAKENHAM IN DECEMBER

CHANGED TO THURSDAY 3rd DECEMBER

Holidays 2009 Turkey & Tinsel at Scarborough 27th - 30th November

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SSAFA FH SOLDIERS, SAILORS, AIRMENS

FAMILIES ASSOCIATION FORCES HELP Did you know even more? 1. SSAFA motto is ‘He gives twice who gives quickly’ 2. A 2 Day collection at Morrison’s East Dereham in September raised over £1500! 3. There are over 40 volunteers trained by RBL (Royal British Legion) to work in Prison In-Reach Case Work. 3. SSAFA raised £5million to build the two Norton Homes at Headley Court and Selly Oak. The homes enable the families of injured servicemen to stay close to them while they are recovering. 4. In the Charity Awards 2009 SSAFA was the Winne for the speed and efficiency with which it bought and refurbished the two homes! 5. The SSAFA FH Christmas Cards will be on sale at The Assembly Rooms, Norwich from 19 October 2009 or on sale now on the web site at www.ssafa.org.uk The Divisional Secretary for Breckland who organized the collection at Morrisons would like to thank all the volunteers, the soldiers from Light Dragoons at Robertson Barracks who helped out and most of all YOU for your generous donations. For more information or for assistance please telephone: 01 603 403322 In strictest confidence

MAYOR TAKES THE TEST Mayor of Watton, Councillor Margaret Holmes, joined Total Health Pharmacy in Watton for a free blood pressure test as part of the Blood Pressure Associations’ annual KNOW YOUR NUMBERS! WEEK. Most people know their height and weight but how many know their blood pressure? One in three adults in the UK – that’s 16 million – have high blood pressure, yet a third of those who have the condition don’t even know because it has no symptoms. Untreated it can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure, but once it’s diagnosed high blood pressure can be very successfully managed. Geoff Ray, Pharmacist at Total Health Pharmacy said: “We would encourage everybody to have regular blood pressure checks, especially those who feel they are perfectly healthy and have no other reason to visit the Doctor. Know Your Numbers! Week is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure and the importance of having regular checks. It’s quick, free and painless and could save your life” Total Health Pharmacy is open 7 days a week from 8am and will continue to offer free blood pressure tests. If you have a question about high blood pressure and would like to speak to someone over the phone, call the Blood Pressure Association’s Information Line on 0845 241 0989 (Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm). Or visit www.bpassoc.org.uk

BRADENHAM & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

First of all an apology. Due to getting my notes mixed up in last month's issue I managed to get the same speaker for two meetings. Apologies to readers and to Derek from Caister and to Graeme Simmonds who delivered a riveting talk on treasures from the soil at our August meeting on 20th. Graeme is a retired Prison Governor who started with a passion for history at school. He used his spare time whilst working to pursue this interest by walking fields to discover what was lying around from the past and to relieve the stress of the job. He didn't surprise us with the fact that the most lost items are keys (he is involved with a retrieval service - never trample over the area of loss) but did surprise us that most items found are in gardens. This is because prior to the 1920's there was no regular waste collection nationally so particularly in rural areas rubbish tended to be buried at the bottom of the garden. Gardeners are therefore connected to the soil and the past in more ways than one. He also finds old artefacts in ploughed fields. At this point he handed round an axe head. It was knapped flint that had been beautifully polished with sand and water to a smooth finish and an impressive cutting edge. Amazingly it is over 4000 years old! It was wonderful to handle a piece of craftsmanship that old. Most museums would have had this behind glass. It is interesting to note that Norfolk flint tools have been found as far away as Russia, so these ancient people had a thriving export trade. Not as unsophisticated as many of us thought. Graeme also gave us a couple of definitions of popular terms: pytle - area of land unsuitable for cultivation, shoddy - material gathered by the rag-and-bone men of old, shredded and used for mulch. They removed the buttons prior to spreading the shoddy which gives rise to some people thinking they have found an old battleground. The same is thought of the round balls found locally. They aren't cannonballs but naturally occurring glaciated stones. During his talk we were handed various coins. One of these dated from 1377 and was dug up by one of our members. This led to the passing round of the penny. This coin was the only one in use for centuries and if an item was purchased for less than a penny, a coin was cut in half (a cross on the back being conveniently struck for the purpose), hence the halfpenny or ha'penny. Similarly one could be quartered - fourthing later farthing. There was a widespread practice of 'clipping' coins. They looked round and were the same depth but the weight was reduced. The scandal caused the King at the time to recall the coins, melt them down and re-cast them. This was done by hand on both sides with die-stamps, not always central. Eventually a weights and

measures regime was introduced then expanded to the system we have today. Graeme produced a coin like this. We were all agog by now, having this hands-on history lesson. On we went, through bottles, bits of bottles - the neck dates the bottle as old ones had the necks added after the bodies and are ragged - clay pipes: sometimes have names, initials and even dates on the bowls. Clay pipes were often given as promotional items at big events such as the 1851 Great Exhibition. The last exhibits handed round were three keys of different shapes for different locks. A large door key, an intricate key for a box and one shaped like a palm tree. These were all in remarkably good shape and we were astounded to find they were all Roman and status symbols. This took us neatly back to the first point that the most lost items are keys... Make a note for next year's diary when we shall have part 2 - Medieval and Tudor. It's fascinating stuff. The mini show of Culinary Herbs in a Vase was won by Geoff Twelftree with Ralph Kinsley 2nd, Jackie Priestley 3rd and Una Reeves Highly Commended.

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The Wayland News Page 24

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The Wayland News Page 25

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We must say continued thanks to those kind enough to call in and donate their redundant gardening tools to us, we’ve collected from several callers now and had deliveries to school too, please keep the calls coming as we started with virtually nothing so the more tools the more students can get ‘hands on’. Our Garden Project . . . We’ve secured enough funding to purchase our fence which has been put up over the summer holidays, we’ve ordered our poly tunnel and shed, we still have some way to go but we’re certainly on track to get gardening this year. This year saw us attending the Wayland Show for the first time, sharing a tent with Easton College and Sue Lee the Parent Support Advisor, we sold goods made by the students, homemade bird cakes and stuffed tin cans which make great habitats for bugs and beetles, we offered visitors the opportunity to make their own bird cakes on the day too, we handed out our flyers on what we recycle and collect at school, many thanks to all our visitors we hope you enjoyed our displays, we plan to see you again next year. If you have any tools please leave at Reception at Wayland Community High School, Merton Road, Watton or alternatively if you would like us to collect please contact Bev Page on 01953 858929 and we can arrange this.

WAYLAND COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL ECO BUGS AT THE WAYLAND SHOW

TOMATO-TOMAYTO GARDENING IN NAVASOTO, TEXAS BY HELEN QUINN

One thing that seems to bind all nations together is the weather. We compete for bragging rights to the worst/most extreme weather as in “if you don’t like the weather in (name your town), wait five minutes and it will change”. Here in Texas we have just passed the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike, and we are reminded of the many chores to be done outside in the way of safety and security before the next one blows our way “this year, next year, sometime, never”. With the first indication that winds in excess of 80 mph really are coming, we have decisions to make - take down all the hanging plants, hummingbird and other bird feeders, pick up all loose objects including lawn and patio furniture, and moving all containers into a sheltered place. We don’t realize how much we rely on electricity until we don’t have it! As many people as were able bought generators last year, so they can alternate between cold air and cold food. Little things like matches being required to light the gas stove are hard to remember. An unexpected bonus from having solar lights in the garden is that in times of blackout they can be brought inside and placed in flower vases, jars and various and sundry containers to provide light (assuming there has been sufficient sun to power them)! Our planting season is slowing down; some of the late August and September planting has survived, and the plants are growing on nicely now that the heat and fierce sun have abated somewhat. Now the race is on to get them to produce before the weather turns cold. One interesting side of serious drought is that when lake levels go down, many things that were submerged long ago reappear, including an old stagecoach that hasn’t seen daylight in scores of years. In fact the current drought is the severest on record (see about the bragging?) Despite the lack of rain, and by supplementing with washing machine water, my peppers and tomatoes are still producing like crazy! The Swiss Chard has “died” several times this year, but is now coming back again, and we are succession-planting beetroot, members of the cabbage family, the greens, onions, carrots, leaf lettuce through

mid November. Heat-loving herbs like oregano, basil, lemon grass, rosemary, and my bay tree are thriving, and now is the time to plant parsley and cilantro (coriander), which prefer cooler weather. Cilantro is probably the most popular herb here thanks to the Mexican culture and over-abundance of Mexican cuisine. The grape harvest is in, and with the lack of rain at the crucial time of development, the fruit is expected to be sweeter than usual, thus requiring less added sugar in the production of the wine. Texas wine is now quite popular and of high quality, although wine is not a drink usually associated with cowboys! Monarch butterflies are laying their last eggs of the summer before they make their long journey to Mexico, for the winter. I’m monitoring five caterpillars have attached their chrysalises to the side of the house, in the hope of obtaining photos of the new butterflies emerging. One of the more exciting aspects of the Texas garden!

BRECKLAND CATS PROTECTION

01842 810018 Hooray!! Tiddles, our last golden oldie, has gone to a lovely home. Rehoming has been going really well and we are down to a more manageable 25 cats and kittens. At one point we had 59 and rehoming was very slow so we were really worried. We are only a small band of 9 volunteer fosterers and it has been a full time job during the summer months. We are looking for a very special home for our beautiful, pure white cat, Harry, who is deaf. He is a lovely, fussful boy and loves to play. Harry is only 1 year old and is neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped. He loves company so we are looking for a home where someone is at home most of the day. Harry has used a harness in the past which would mean he could be taken outside and enjoy some fresh air or perhaps a run could be built for him in the garden so he could spend some time out there. If you feel you have the patience and time for this adorable cat please ring us. Harry does not like other cats but he loves to be held like a baby and stroked under his chin.

The Wayland News Page 26

The Wayland News Page 27

THE WAYLAND NEWS The deadline for the November issue will be 12 Noon on the 16th October

Page space is allocated strictly on a first come, first served basis. Deadline is the latest date and time that copy will be considered for inclusion. Arrival of copy before deadline does not guarantee inclusion, if you wish to be certain your entry gets to print then please make sure it arrives in plenty of time. If you are submitting on paper you MUST sign and include your contact details with each item. If you do not, the item will NOT be published. You can contact Julian by ringing (01953) 881885. You can write to 32 High Street, Watton IP25 6AE Or you can leave copy in the bin at Adcocks, 32 High Street, Watton.

The e-mail address is julian@waylandnews.com

All views expressed in The Wayland News are those of the contributors and not the publishers. While every care and effort has been taken to ensure accuracy the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

This issue of The Wayland News was published by: Julian Horn

32 High Street, Watton IP25 6AE and printed through www.quotemeprint.com 0845 1300 667

Across 1 Being in the front can make you feel depressed (6) 4 The son is muddled but virtuous (6) 9 Macbeth commends the ingredients of a poison'd one (7) 10 Lots of links in these (5) 11 Eve is used to remove the lumps (5) 12 Stand here if you want to see the game (7) 13 I know - Clang! (4, 7) 18 If you change a rat pod - that will help it fit (7) 20 Going for a walk here may lead you to a wedding (5) 22 We undergo tense changes in this period of life (5) 23 You get it from the Briney (3, 4) 24 To move as if out of control (6) 25 Is this the whole thing - or just a sample? (6)

Down 1 The eighth plague of Egypt started with one of these (6) 2 to die away (5) 3 If you get this from someone - oh disaster! (4, 3) 5 Academy Award (5) 6 A form of mean tea flows from somewhere (7) 7 A way of keeping food fresh (6) 8 An early way of printing (11) 14 Dramatics like this are not always professional (7) 15 Pat Alec to appease him (7) 16 A reverse tic-tac would be a good manoeuvre (6) 17 To end a cat's sex life - poor thing! (6) 19 A test will tell you the flavour (5) 21 The way to a mine (5)

PUZZLE CORNER £10 PRIZE CROSSWORD

Would you like to win a £10 Adcocks Voucher to spend? Simply complete the crossword on the right and drop it in to The Wayland News bin at (or post it to) Adcocks, 32 High Street, Watton, Norfolk. IP25 6AE before the paper deadline. All correct entries will be put into a draw and the winner will receive a £10 Adcocks voucher to spend. In the event of any dispute the decision of the Editor will be final. The clues are a mix of cryptic, and easy with one or two anagrams thrown in just to make it more interesting! The correct solution will be published in the next issue.

SUDOKO JUST FOR FUN!

Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square. © www.ukpuzzle.com

All Saints Church, Threxton Harvest Thanksgiving

Sunday 4th October at 3pm

LAST MONTH’S PUZZLES Here are the answers to both last month’s Crossword and Sudoku puzzles. Last month’s winner of the £10 Adcocks Voucher was Mrs Barbara Boutle of Watton. Congratulations Barbara. Its surprisingly easy to win the £10 voucher - why not “Have a go” ? Just don't forget to get in in to me by deadline which is the 16th of October this month!

WATTON CHURCHES TOGETHER SERVICE CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER 2009

Breckles, Caston, Great Hockham, Griston, Merton, Stow Bedon, Thompson

Worship Calendar: October 2009

Sunday 4th October 10:30 am Titular Festival & Holy Communion Caston 3:00 pm Harvest Festival Gt Hockham 6:30 pm Harvest Festival Griston

Sunday 11th October 9:00 am Matins Merton 10:20 am Sunday Club Gt. Hockham (ages 4-11, church room) 10:30 am Holy Communion Gt. Hockham 3:00 pm Harvest Family Service Thompson

Sunday 18th October 9:00 am Matins Gt. Hockham 10:20 am Sunday Club Griston (ages 4-11, ‘Manorcourt’ Day Centre, Manor Rd.) 10:30 am Holy Communion Griston

Sunday 25th October 9:00 am Holy Communion Merton 10:30 am Holy Communion Stow Bedon

Sunday 1st November 10:30 am Holy Communion Thompson All Saints & Patronal Festival of St. Martin of Tours

Monday 2nd November 7:00 pm All Souls’ Day: Service to Remember Departed Loved Ones, Gt Hockham

For all our parishes… Pram Services: Wednesdays, 10:15 am

Caston School Hall (Caston Village Hall in holidays). For parents or carers with children aged 0-5. Short Holy Communion, kiddies’ Christian songs, social & play time.

Enquiries: The Revd. Bob Nichols: Tel.: (01953) 483222; Email: revbobnichols@gmail.com

St. Mary’s Church, Watton 1st, 3rd & 4th Wednesday at 9.30am Holy Communion

2nd Wednesday Morning Worship Church Office opens Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-1pm

Tel: 01953 881252 margaret@churchadm.freeserve.co.uk www.achurchnearyou.com/watton-st-mary

Sun 4th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Harvest Thanksgiving— Holy Communion Sun 11th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Sun 18th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion Preacher & Celebrant The Rt Revd Tony Foottit Sun 25th 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Worship 12noon Holy Baptism 6.30pm Praise & Worship

Watton Methodist Church Every Wednesday the Church is open for quiet reflection and

prayer between 10.am & 12.00noon It’s your quiet place. At 10.30 there is a half-hour Midweek Service in the Large Vestry led by the Minister or a Church Member. Church Office opens on Wednesdays 8.30 - 12.30

www.wattonmethodist.btik.com Sun 4th 10.45am The Big Sing Songs of Praise 6.30pm Rev Daphne Lloyd Sun 11th 10.45am Rev Barbara Winner Holy Communion 6.30pm Rev J Forsdyke Sun 18th 10.45am Mr Brian Lawrence 6.30pm Rev Barbara Winner Sun 25th 10.45am Mr D Fisher 6.30pm Rev Barbara Winner Holy Communion

Roman Catholic Community Each Sat 5.30pm Mass at Watton Methodist Church

Pentecostal Church, Dereham Road, Watton There is a Noah's Ark Sunday and King's Kids for children

held during the morning services Sun 4th 10.30am Family Service 6.30pm Prayer Service & Communion Sun 11th 10.30am Joel a Minor Prophet - An Appeal 6.30pm No Service Sun 18th 10.30am Joel a Minor Prophet - An Anticipation 4.30pm Coffee, Cake & Conversation Andy Banham from Sudbury will share his story Sun 25th 10.30am Joel a Minor Prophet - An Outpouring 6.30pm No Service

St. Nicholas’ Church, Ashill Sun 4th 9.30am Lay Led Morning Worship Sun 11th 9.30am Morning Worship Sun 18th 9.30am All Age Worship 12.30pm Holy Baptism Sun 25th 9.30am Holy Communion

St. George’s Church, Saham Toney Sun 4th 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion Sun 11th 11.00am Morning Worship Sun 18th 11.00am All Age Worship Sun 25th 11.00am Holy Communion

S.S. Peter & Paul’s Church, Carbrooke Sun 11th 10.30am Harvest Thanksgiving All Age Worship Sun 18th 10.30am Holy Communion Sun 25th 10.30am Methodist Service

St John the Evangelist Church, Ovington Thursdays at 8.00am Said Holy Communion

Sun 4th 12noon Holy Baptism Sun 11th 9.00am Holy Communion Sun 25th 9.30am Lay Led All Age Worship

Fountain of Life - meets in The Well Christian Centre, Swaffham Rd, Ashill. A missionary congregation of the Church

of England. Details on www.fountainoflifeonline.org Groups for children and young people of all ages

Sun 4th 10.00am Holy Communion 6.00pm Feed the Soul Sun 11th 10.00am Service of the Word 6.00pm Feed the Soul Sun 18th 10.00am No Harvest Festival followed by shared lunch 6.00pm Feed the Soul with Holy Communion Sun 25th 10.00am Holy Communion

St Mary’s Church, Watton

HARVEST FESTIVAL CONCERT Saturday 3rd October at 7.30pm

with The Anglian Singers Tickets £5.00 to include coffee and cake

Available from The Parish Office 01953 881252 or Adcock’s Shop

The Wayland News Page 28

RICHMOND PARK GOLF CLUB SENIORS

Invitation Day: 20 pairs took part in this popular better ball competition, in excellent conditions. Congratulations to the winners, Ray Sharpe & guest Eric Papworth. 1st - Ray Sharpe/Eric Papworth 45pts, 2nd- Ben Stone/Paul Greene 44pts, 3rd- David Palmer/ Mario Cobalchini 43pts, Front 9 Mike Hely/John Hely 22pts, Back 9 Mick Mead/David Punter 23pts, N/Pin 3rd Ben Stone, N/Pin 13th in two - Sam Andrews, N/Pin 17th - Eric Papworth

EVENTS DIARY ACC = Ashill Community Centre, Hale Road, Ashill Watton CCC = Watton Christian Community Centre Wells CCC = Wells Cole Community Centre, Saham

October Fri 2nd Dixie Mix at The Queens Hall - See ad for details Sat 3rd Coffee at the Queens Hall 9.30am to 11.30am Sat 3rd Harvest Festival Concert with the Anglian Singers at St Mary’s 7.30pm Tickets £5 from Adcocks Sat 3rd & Sun 4th Art & Craft Exhibition See art. Sun 4th Car Boot at Holme Hale Pavilion See ad Tues 6th Prize Bingo at ACC Eyes Down at 7.30pm All Welcome Sat 10th St Mary’s car Boot 9am See ad. Sat 10th Quiz Night at Hole Hale Pavilion See ad Wed 14th Wayland Community Advice Day - See art. Sat 17th Wayland Partnership Autumn Craft Fair - See art Tues 20th 7.45pm NWT Talk The Return of the Osprey. Watton CCC See advert. Sat 24th The Regis Quartet at St Nicholas’ Church Ashill See ad Sun 25th St Mary’s - Praise and Worship with Shine! See ad Sat 31st Rocklands Halloween Quiz. 7 for 7.30. £4 See art. Sat 31st Down Memory lane with Breckland Harmony at St Andrews N Pickenham - see ad

November Tues 20th 7.45pm NWT Talk The RSPB Reserves of East Anglia Watton CCC. Fri 20th Inner Wheel Barn Dance at the Queens Hall.

Written estimates always provided Memorials supplied Personal supervision Pre-Paid Funeral Plans available Arrangements may be discussed in the privacy of your own home

Tel: (01760) 440269 (24 hrs) Established over 60 years

FUNERAL DIRECTORS SERVING WATTON & DISTRICT

W.C. LITTLEPROUD & SON of BRADENHAM

‘A genuine, family owned & run business offering a caring, traditional & affordable service’

H. BRETT & SON Monumental Masons ~ Craftsmen in Stone

Call for our Brochure or Visit our SHOWROOM and WORKSHOPS

Home visits can be arranged also Fireplaces, House Names etc.

75 NORWICH ROAD, WATTON,

NORFOLK, IP25 6DH Tel: 01953 881501

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Welfare Contact Number: 01328 864543 WATTON & DISTRICT BRANCH

Contact Number Captain Glyn Bellamy: 01953 880188

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LOCH NEATON FISHING COMPETITION

With the sun sparkling on the water, on Saturday 12th September, 15 young people took part in the annual Junior Fishing Competition at Loch Neaton, Watton on Saturday 12th of September. Fishing took place between 9.00am and 3.00pm, with the participants ready and raring to go well before 9.00, waiting for the blast on the car horn to signal the start of the competition. Refreshments were provided during the day for the competitors and their supporters and everyone agreed it was a very successful day. All competitors this year were lads, so we’re going for some girls next year, as we have had previously. The competition is open to all Juniors who hold Season Tickets. The sun continued to shine, making the day most enjoyable for all who participated, whether fishing, watching or just relaxing by the Loch. The weigh-in at the end of the competition saw some very anxious faces amongst the competitors! First prize was very deservedly won by Tom Borgognoni, second by Robert Mitchell and third by George McDowell. George also won the trophy for the biggest fish and Ben Bassett was awarded the Bailiff’s cup. No-one went home empty handed as all competitors received a gift to thank them for taking part. The Loch Neaton Trustees would like to extend their thanks to all who contributed to the day’s success, especially Rudlings for the donation of a Landing Net for one of the prizes and the Sports Centre for the catering and use of the toilet facilities. Many thanks to all who give their time voluntarily to make sure Loch Neaton remains a very pleasant area for the residents of Watton and the surrounding villages to enjoy. Following the recent AGM, the new Board of Trustees comprises 4 Officers - Paul Cooper (Chairman), Nick Gale (Vice Chairman), Ruth Stapleton (Secretary) and Rosie Gibb (Treasurer) and 3 Co-Opted Members – Russell Sadler, Tony Watson and John Gibb. Ian Soames represents the Saracens, Paul Adcock represents the Sports Centre and Paul Howe is a Fishing Bailiff. The Loch can be fished 24 hours a day, every day of the year, as long as the person fishing has a rod licence (available from the Post Office), an unhooking mat and a landing net. Season and Day Tickets can be purchased from Rudlings, High Street, Watton or from Fishing Bailiffs at the Loch. Season tickets cost £35 for adults, £15 for Juniors under 16 and £20 for Senior Citizens. Day tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for Juniors and Senior Citizens and £2 for an Evening Ticket. Pictured from left to right: Harley Poole, Ashley Barton, Matthew Blockwell, Ben Bassett, James Fitzgerald, Alex Fitzgerald, Tom Borgognoni, Steven Gale, Danny Rix, Aaron Bolton, Ryan McIntosh, George McDowall and Robert

Memorial Trophy (Medal) 6th rd: 1st David Palmer 67, 2nd Harry Mayhew 68 oncb, 3rd Peter Ford 68 oncb Memorial Trophy (Medal) 7th rd: 1st Robert Lomas 65, 2nd Scott Robison 67, 3rd Mick Mead 70 oncb August Stableford Winners - Doug Atkins, Ed Durham, Roger Lubbock, Roy Dolman, Bill Barnes, Ken Auckland, Harry Mayhew, Brian Rees.