The

Reeve's Tale Magazine Aug/Sept 2008

e-mail : magazine@bawdeswell.net

LETTERS

A Very Special Thank-you

Through the pages of the Reeves Tale I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to my neighbours and friends in Bawdeswell and surrounding areas for the kindness and tokens of good wishes I have received during my illness over the last six months.

The Doctors and staff at the North Elmham Practice and the Consultants and Nursing Staff at the N&N have been superb and, in this year of the 60^th anniversary of the National Health Service, I can only applaud the care and attention I have been so fortunate to have received: long may it last.

Whilst the initial diagnosis was not good I am pleased to say, the treatment I am now receiving seems to be working well, and with the support and good wishes from you all, it will assist me to a positive future.

At least I seem to be getting my sense of humour back, if only I could get rid of these wretched walking sticks.

Once again, very many thanks to everyone for all their kindness.

Alan Collier, The Shooting Box.

WOOD NORTON CHARITY EVENTS

Please could you include this in your parish magazine.

Severals Grange Holt Road (B1110) Wood Norton is open for the National Garden Scheme on the 10^th August 2-5pm

Sunday 24^th August at Hoecroft Plants Holt Road (B1110) Wood Norton, The National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens are having a Plant Fair there will several specialist nurseries. 11-3.30pm

Homemade refreshments at both events phone for more information 01362 684206

Many thanks

Jane Lister

WANTED

Do you have old or rotten trees, perhaps wind fallen or broken ones, I will cut and remove free of charge, anything considered.

Call D J Taylor: 07981 792790 evenings or weekends.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2008 EVENTS DIARY

Aug 1	Parents & Toddlers Bawdeswell Village Hall, details p.9
Aug 2	Bawdeswell Activities Group CAR BOOT SALE, details p.10
Aug 4	Bawdeswell Activities Group Summer Programme – page 11
Aug 7	Bawdeswell Book Club, 7.30pm Old Workhouse Bar
Aug 11	WI meet in Old Schoolroom, Sparham 7.30pm
Aug 13	Mobile Library at Bawdeswell, see page 8 for times
Aug 15	Mobile Library at Foxley, details page 8
Aug 16	Ladies Lunch at Foxley, (sorry, by invitation only)
Aug 28	Mobile Police Station, the Street, Bawdeswell - 1100/1230
Sept 1	Bawdeswell Parish Council Meeting, 7.45pm
Sept 2	Start of Autumn Term
Sept 3	Mobile Library at Bawdeswell, see page 8 for times Lyng Youth Club starts, details page 27
Sept 4	Bawdeswell Book Club, 7.30pm Old Workhouse Bar
Sept 5	Mobile Library at Foxley, details page 8
Sept 13	Project Bawdeswel Meeting 10.00 Norfolk Churches Trust Sponsored Cycle Ride
Sept 24	Bawdeswell Activities Group Coffee Morning 10.30 Mobile Library at Bawdeswell, see page 8 for times
Sept 26	Mobile Library at Foxley, details page 8
Sept 27	Mens Breakfast at Bawdeswell, (sorry, by invitation only)

Regular Weekly Events

Bawdeswell Village Hall

Aerobics Mondays

Young Farmers Tuesdays

Countrysiders Every other Wednesday

WeightWatchers Thursdays

Parents & Toddlers Fridays 9.30am

Pilates Fridays

Foxley Village Hall

Exercise Classes every Tuesday morning at 9.30am.

Short Mat Bowls Every Monday & Friday Evening

BAWDESWELL VILLAGE FETE REPORT

Thanks to all who turned out for the annual village fete. We had a good crowd there and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a lovely sunny day but we will remember it for the gale force wind.

The demonstrations and the sports were very popular, as were the refreshments and the fairground. There was a good turn out of car boot stalls.

A lot of work was put in by the volunteers who organised the event and all the people running the stalls. Our special thanks to Floranova, Bawdeswell Garden Centre and individuals who donated plants, and those of you who generouslydonated Tombola prizes. Thank you Nicholas for organising the signs, Peter for dealing with the money, the village hall committee for all their work including clearing up.

Thank you Fel for acting as MC once again. You would be hard to replace if we didn’t have you.

The proceeds were as follows:-

Stalls / Car Boot	170.00
Coffee & Teas	157.60
Rings Stall	68.00
White Elephant	187.60
Plants	85.20
Tombola	204.00
Bar	42.18
Cakes & various stalls	224.60
Donation	30.00
Total Income	1168.18

Less Fakenham Band	-135.00	( Awaiting Invoice)

Net Income	1034.18

As agreed, divided between - FOBC, PCC, FOB School, Village Hall, Pre School . £206.84 each. These being the participants and organisers of the event.

BAWDESWELL BADGERS PRE – SCHOOL

Hello everyone, by the time this will be in print we will be on our Summer break so I thought I would take a moment to reflect on our year.

We have traveled far and wide from the Arctic’s Magic sky to the heat of Africa’s plains, along the way we have stuck, collaged, painted and sketched, rubbed, traced, threaded and coloured, phew!

We have camped in the wilds of our garden and explored strange new beasts at Chicken Cottage.

One of our most exciting and rewarding projects has led to some of our children’s poems being published, the poetry book ‘My First Poem 2008 – Little Voices From Norfolk’ is due to be published at the end of September, we are immensely proud of their achievement and feel it reflects our desire to develop creative and literacy skills. Keep your eye on the local press!!

On a slightly sad note some of our little gems move on to big school in September, we will miss them terribly, however some are taking advantage of our afternoon sessions, tailored to meet their needs, this is available for the first time to all reception class who will not attend all day sessions immediately.

TERM DATES

Start Autumn Term Tues 2^nd Sept

Half Term Mon 27^th– Fri 31^st Oct

Start Back Mon 3^rd Nov

End of term Fri 19^th Dec

A final but heartfelt thank you to all committee members and supporters

Have a happy and safe summer.

Carol Taylor 01362 688875

PRE-SCHOOL ASSISTANT REQUIRED - BAWDESWELL

Required to Start September 2008.

Wage: Depending on experience

Hours: Three afternoon sessions per week and planning time.

Which equates to 10.5 hours per week may be possibilty to increase.

Details: Applicants must have NVQ level 2 in early years care and education

or equivalant or be working towards it, or equivalent recent experience.

A driving licence and own vehicle is an advantage but not essential.

Duties include assisting in planning and delivery of the early year foundation stage.

Preparing resources, liasing with parents, assisting with inside/outside provision.

Will be caring for children aged 2.5 years to 5 years.

The successful applicant will be required to provide an enhanced disclosure, expense

will be met by the employer.

PLEASE SEND APPLICATION LETTER AND CV TO :-

MRS S WHELLER

FOX HOLLOW

THE STREET

FOXLEY

DEREHAM

NORFOLK

NR20 4QP

BAWDESWELL FOOTBALL CLUB.

Following their excellent 2007/8 season Bawdeswell FC is now looking forward to challenging for the Division 3 title in 2008/9. With promotions and new teams in the league, Bawdeswell are now the best performing team in their division and will work hard towards the title.

New players and supporters are always needed for the team. For information about the club please contact Philip Duffield on (01362) 688611

More club information is available online at http://bawdeswellfc.co.uk/default.aspx

BAWDESWELL BOWLS CLUB.

Bawdeswell has an excellent venue situated behind the Village Hall and new members are invited to join the club.

For further information please contact Paul Digby on (01362) 688615

Mobile Library Service

Home Library Service

The Mobile Library calls regularly at Bawdeswell on a Wednesday and Foxley on a Friday.

Bawdeswell: - Paradise Road 10am, School 10.20am, 12 Reepham Road 10.45am, Bawdeswell Hall 11am, Hall Road 11.15am, 3 Bell Close 11.35am and Chaucer Close 11.50-12pm. Next Visits are 13^th August, 3^rd September, 24^th September.

Foxley: - The Chequers 3.10 – 3.25pm. Next Visits are 15^th August, 5^th September, 26^th September.

For further information on any aspect of the service please call 01603 222267 or go to http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=259

The Home Library Service, delivered in association with the WRVS, provides books on wheels to people in the community who like to use the library service but are unable to get there due to age, disability or restricted mobility. To use the Home Library Service or to volunteer to help deliver the service, please telephone 01603 506848 or go to http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&ssDocName=NCC038653&ssSourceNodeId=&ssTargetNodeId=3129

Parents & Toddlers / Baby Group

We meet at Bawdeswell Village Hall from 9.30am to 11.30am every Friday in term time. Dates of the next few mornings are 25^th July, 1^st August, 8^th August then we will have a break and start again on 5^th September.

Come along for a chat and a coffee & let your child have some fun with play dough, colouring and puzzles plus lots of toys and there are additional activities most weeks. (There is no charge but a donation is invited)

For more information call Kate on 688834

If you have any larger toys or play equipment suitable for toddlers that you no longer require please contact Kate.

BECK WI

After introductions were made at our meeting on 14^th July, our speaker David Norton, gave us copies of notes he had made on the history of the Heydon Estate, as well as information about present day activities in the village. He spoke knowledgeably about the present Hall which was built between 1581-86, and told us of connections between the Bulwer family, Wood Dalling Hall and three ancient families from neighbouring Salle. It was interesting to know that the current Bulwer-Long family is the 31^st generation to occupy the Estate.

Photographs reminded us of the attractive village of Heydon, often used as a setting for films and TV programmes.

After the interval for tea/coffee, Jennifer read the minutes of the last meeting and spoke of forthcoming events, including the outing to Southwold on Saturday 26^th July to see Salad Days.

The exhibit (old cooking aid) was won by Jennifer. 2^nd Christine.

Our speaker on Monday 11^th August is June Marriage and her subject is The Rosary Cemetery. The exhibit is an Epitaph. Old School room at 7.30pm. Hope to see you all.

Mary Humphrey

Bridge Course

A number of people in Bawdeswell (not restricted to Bawdeswell) have expressed an interest in attending a beginners’ bridge course. If there is enough interest (10 – 12 persons minimum) we can approach Norfolk County Council Adult Education and see if they can put one on for us. Call 688749 to register your interest and preference (daytime or evening) for a course.

BAWDESWELL ACTIVITIES GROUP (BAG)

OPENING DAY for the children’s summer activities

and CAR BOOT SALE

Raising Funds for a soccer kick & return board

SATURDAY 2^ND AUGUST

BAWDESWELL VILLAGE HALL

From 2pm – 5pm

(Car boot sale £5 a car - set up from 1pm)

There will be lots of things for children

(& adults) to do.

Tel: 01362 688749 for more information

Special Notice (Don’t forget that the ‘Summer Club’ at Sparham runs from 28th July to 1st August -see June Reeve’s Tale for details).

BAG NEWS The first bay of the cricket nets is now up and is being well used. Many thanks to the volunteer working party who put in the foundations and erected them.

The volunteers of BAG wish to thank a local resident who has most generously provided all the funding to enable us to install a second bay to the cricket nets.

AUTUMN COFFEE MORNING

All residents are welcome to join us for a cup of coffee and a chat on Wednesday 24th September from 10.30 a.m. – 12 noon at the Village Hall.

BAG is looking for additional volunteers to help with the summer holiday events. Please contact our secretary on 01362 688749 if you can spare an afternoon or two

Bawdeswell Activities Group is a result of Project Bawdeswell and gratefully acknowledge grant aid from Norfolk Community Foundation and Breckland Council and a donation from Bawdeswell Parish Council. We have also received some very generous donations of cash and equipment from villagers.

BAG Summer Activities Programme

Each afternoon from Monday 4th August to Friday 29th August we have a specific activity/event planned (some may be weather dependant) The craft activities, including materials, will be FREE of charge, although donations towards the costs will be welcomed. The activities at Bawdeswell Village Hall & Recreation Ground are open to all residents of Bawdeswell, Foxley and surrounding villages. For some activities the numbers may have to be limited. As usual the ‘CAFE’ will be open every afternoon for hot & cold drinks, sweets & crisps etc. from 2 – 5 pm. As well as the specific activities we have other play and sports equipment that can be used or set up on request (subject to enough volunteers being available).

PLEASE NOTE: Our policy on unaccompanied children has been reviewed and, from 4th August, we will be accepting children aged 9 years and over with parental consent. Children under 9 MUST be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult (18 plus). You will need a new consent form for this summer which can be collected on Saturday 2nd August or you can get one in advance from our secretary. Attendance of unaccompanied children is of course subject to their good behaviour.

PROGRAM

Monday 4^th August – Salt Dough Model Making

Tuesday 5^th August – Football (if weather bad, indoor games)

Wednesday 6^th August – Jam Jar Painting. Bring along a jam jar to paint

Thursday 7^th August – Rounders (if weather bad, indoor games)

Friday 8^th August – Teddy Bears & Fluffy Friends Tea Party

Monday 11^th August – Painting Salt Dough Model made on 4^th August

Tuesday 12^th August – Cricket (if weather bad, indoor games)

Wednesday 13^th August – Jewellery making & ‘out of space’ painting

Thursday 14^th August – Outdoor sports – golf driving practice, basketball, etc. (if weather bad, indoor games)

Friday 15^th August – Card Making

Monday 18^th August – Storytime Theatre

Tuesday 19^th August – Outdoor Sports – swing ball, clock golf, etc. (if weather bad, indoor games)

Wednesday 20^th August – Making & Performing Mini Theatre Puppets

Thursday 21^st August – Outdoor Sports, badminton or tennis, etc. (if weather bad, indoor games)

Friday 22^nd August – Paper Craft

Tuesday 26^th August – Treasure Hunt

Wednesday 27^th August – Tie & Dye T-Shirts

Thursday 28^th August – Fun Races – space hopper, football dribbling, egg & spoon, parent & child, etc.

Friday 29^th August – Myth & Magic Fancy Dress Tea Party

Tel: 01362 688749 for more information about any of these events

Friends of Bawdeswell Church

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the White Elephant stall at the village fete. We had a successful day and made a tidy sum for the fete funds. The remains have been stored for next year.

The harvest supper with entertainment by Keith Loades will be held in the village hall on Saturday 8^th November in the village hall. More details later – do look out for posters around the village nearer the time.

There has been a change to the date of the Christmas concert. This will now be held on Sunday 7^th December. Besides our usual line up we are to be joined by members of the ICENI choir and the school choir will be taking part again. We should have the new organ by then too. So it promises to be a really great occasion. More details nearer the time.

FUTURE EVENTS 2008

Coffee Morning and Quarterly Draw Saturday 4^th October

Harvest Supper Village Hall 7.30pm Saturday 8^th November

Christmas Concert 4pm Sunday 7^th December

HARVEST SUPPER

Bawdeswell Village Hall

SATURDAY 8^th NOVEMBER 7.30pm

Entertainment: KEITH LOADES

BAWDESWELL PARISH COUNCIL – EXTRACT OF MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD ON 7 JULY 2008 AT 7.45PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL

Present: Councillors Shannon (Chairman), Mason (Vice-Chairman), Beane, Cockburn, Mallen, Mr G Bambridge (DC), Mr J Harvey (Chairman Foxley PC), D Riseborough, C Boer and

17 parishioners

Apologies: Councillor Lilwall, Mrs I Floering Blackman

Minutes of last meeting: Agreed and signed

Visit from Andrea Long and Sam Hubbard, Breckland District Council, to discuss the LDF and Site Specifics Document

A site map is displayed on the notice board at the village shop. The PC’s opinion it that the only sites worthy of further consideration are: Site No: 004/001 – land between Paradise Rd and the Old Dereham Rd; as this would offer opportunity to overcome villagers’ serious concerns about road safety in the area: and Site No: 004/002 – small piece of garden land adjacent to the existing settlement boundary but outside the Conservation Area. PC would reconsider site 004/003 if the submission were re-drafted to indicate a much smaller area for the development of one open-market house in keeping with the character of the Conservation Area. PC also in agreement to retain the Settlement Boundary with tinkering at the edges to accommodate relatively minor housing development.

Matters Arising

Community Car Scheme – Still pending as a contract is currently being written this will be a formal legal agreement to safeguard Breckland, PC and Drivers and is hoped this will be completed by Sept.

NCC – transport questionnaire bus service – In receipt of the questionnaire, now to be circulated for comments. Awaiting confirmation as to whether C Limbach will be able to attend a PC meeting to discuss bus services.

Highways outstanding work – Still pending: Deer sign on the Reepham Rd; post missing, end of the ‘stopped up road’ Old Reepham Rd; and new item 20mph at the shop end of The Street is extremely loose and needs to be replaced.

Planning

Wood Farm – PA conversion of farm buildings to one dwelling and retention of double garage and garden store - PP granted with conditions, PA change of use of agricultural land to garden and retention of vehicle storage building - PP granted with conditions.

Folland Court – Nothing to report other than work is due to commence on 14 July, although the outstanding legal issue is still to be resolved.

Old Surveyors Land – Clerk received several telephone calls for information following advert in EDP. Closing date for the closed sealed bids is 25 July 2008.

Item raised at meeting – complaint received about the positioning of air conditioning Units at McColls, believed there is a condition in the original planning permission. Clerk to investigate.

Clerks Report

Post Office – S Rolfe from PO Ltd has been in contact with 3 local sub-postmasters at other villages about taking on Bawdeswell PO, they all declined. It was confirmed that someone had expressed an interest with PC about opening a PO, to be pursued.

Finance

Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement – both documents signed. Agreed that financial books will be audited from Apr 2008 up to date of financial handover with new Clerk.

New Bank Mandates – to be completed.

Any Other Business

Village Handyman – Village Handyman appointed.

Overgrown grass verge between Hall Rd and Paradise Rd – Person responsible for maintaining this grass verge will have it cut asap.

Hedge cutting at recreation ground – NCS having difficulty cutting grass at the perimeter of the recreation ground due to overgrown hedges. PC to action.

Boundary Commission – Chairman discussed the Boundary Commissions proposal for one unitary authority in Norfolk. This is a draft proposal which is open for comments until Sept. Chairman urges Councillors and parishioners to investigate this proposal and make comments.

Farewell to Delia Riseborough – The PC presented Delia with a bouquet of flowers and a farewell gift and thanked her for her commitment and the excellent support she had given to the PC over the last 12 years.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2008 AT 7.45PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL AS PARISH COUNCIL IN RECESS IN AUGUST

Contact Details of New Parish Clerk as from 7 July 2008 -

Claire Boer, Old Hall Farm Bungalow, 8 Reepham Road, Foulsham, NR20 5SL

Tel: 01362 680021, Mobile: 07877 955745, Email: cboer.parishclerk@fsmail.net

MOBILE POLICE OFFICE

The Mobile Police Office will be in ‘The Street’ Bawdeswell from 11am until 12.30pm every 4^th Thursday. This is intended to provide a ‘visible’ police presence in the village. Please make sure that you visit them if you have a problem or need information. Pop in and find out what’s happening in the area.

Dates for the rest of 2008 are

31^st July, 28^th August, 25^th September,

23^rd October, 20^th November & 18^th December

The Parish Council has been advised that this facility is not being well used. This is a good facility for the village and if the police continue to find that it is not being used then it will be withdrawn.

USE IT OR LOSE IT

BAWDESWELL PARISH COUNCIL – NOTICE

CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA

It is hoped to obtain grant aid soon to re-furbish and install the play equipments recovered from RAF Coltishall. In the meantime would all parents please caution their children not to try and use or interfere with this equipment. Any incident to be reported to the Parish Clerk on (01362) 680021.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING – WHAT IS IT?

This is a frequently asked question and was asked once again at the July Parish Council meeting. The following is extracted from a Government policy document (PPS3).

Affordable housing includes social rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Affordable housing should:

– Meet the needs of eligible households including availability at a cost low enough for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices.

– Include provision for the home to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or, if these restrictions are lifted, for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision’.

Social rented housing is: ‘Rented housing owned and managed by local authorities and registered social landlords, for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rent regime.

Intermediate affordable housing is: ‘Housing at prices and rents above those of social rent, but below market price or rents, and which meet the criteria set out above. These can include shared equity products (eg HomeBuy), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent.’

Market housing is: Private housing for rent or for sale, where the price is set in the open market.

See http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps3housing for further information.

Bawdeswell Village Hall

Bawdeswell Village hall can be hired by parishioners and non residents. You can also hire tables and chairs for your own events. Regular activities at the hall include Aerobics on Monday Evenings, Young Farmers on Tuesdays, Countryside Rangers every other Wednesday, Weight Watchers on Thursday evenings and Pilates on Friday evenings. The Mothers & Toddlers group meet on Friday mornings 9.30 to 11.30 – there is no admission charge for this and light refreshments are available.

Hire Charges from May 2008

Period	(1) Standard Hire Charge	(2) Parishioners other than in (3)	(3) Parishioners - Hires ending by 5pm on Weekdays #
Minimum (2 hrs)	£16	£15	£10
4 Hours	£30	£25	£15
6 Hours	£45	£35	£25
8 Hours	£50	£40	£30
10 Hours	£60	£45	n/a
12 Hours	£70	£50	n/a
Full Day	£85	£60	n/a

# Excludes Bank & Public Holidays. Other hours charged pro rata.

When the hall is not otherwise in use on weekdays village voluntary groups may use the hall free of charge.

For availability, more details and a booking form please contact the booking clerk:-

David Cockburn, Tel: (01362) 688749, Mobile: 07778 835 254, Email: BawdeswellVH@aol.com

Village Hall Committee

We have some new committee members whom we welcome most gladly. However, we still need more. One evening a month for our meeting plus helping at occasional events such as the annual fete and helping working parties on hall improvements is all the commitment there is.

The Mobile Blood Donor Van (Bloodmobile) visits Bawdeswell regularly on a Tuesday at the Village Hall. The Bloodmobile also visits Reepham, North Elmham & Swanton Morley regularly if you are unable to attend on the Bawdeswell dates. Visit www.blood.co.uk for more information.

Bawdeswell Dates 2008 – all Tuesdays

14^th October, 23^rd December.

1pm to 3.10pm and 4.30pm to 6.55pm

To make an appointment call the National Blood Service on 0845 7 711 711

PROJECT BAWDESWELL

The meeting on 12th July had updates from the various work streams. Work will continue throughout the summer on plans for the new hall. The activities group has a program of activities for August with an Opening Day and car Boot Sale on 2 August. The cricket nets have been put up and are well used already. It was disappointing to hear that our first grant application for the installation of the play equipment had been turned down but other sources are being investigated.

We need to increase the momentum of the project but, unfortunately, we are relying on a very small number of villagers who are already heavily involved in the Community.

If you want better facilities, now is the time for your support.

Some work is being done between meetings and behind the scenes by the sub groups but we need more people.

Join us at our next meeting on the 13^th September at 10.00 am in the Village Hall. Come along and hear all about the various work streams and share your ideas with us.

More information on www.projectbawdeswell.org.uk or call the Secretary on 688749

PARISH STALWART RETIRES

At the Parish Council meeting on July 7^th David Shannon, the Council Chairman, paid tribute to the many years of dedicated service given to the community by our retiring Parish Clerk Delia Riseborough. Although only contracted to 20 hours a month, we all know that Delia never counted the hours. Delia was presented with a bouquet, a bottle of champagne and a Garden Centre voucher as a token of appreciation from the parish councillors. She said that she wants to spend more time with husband John as well as enjoying her gardening and cycling interests and has promised to give help and advice to our new clerk, Claire Boer, as she starts to take on this demanding role. We all wish her a very happy and long retirement.

David Cockburn

The Bawdeswell Book Club meets at the Old Workhouse Bar on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. New members always welcome.

This month’s choice was the Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief was originally aimed at the children’s market but like the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time, has crossed over to the adult market with great success. I had originally picked it up several times in bookshops and put it down again put off by the rather creepy cover and a feeling that there was not much more to know about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. Well, having read it, I guess it did not teach me anything new but I was glad to have been reminded and shaken from my complacency.

The narrator of the story is Death (hence the creepy cover) but he gives us real insights into the story and the characters and I found his observance of the living and collecting of dead souls a comforting rather than a frightening concept.

The story centres on Liesel, a 9 year old girl in 1939, taken by her mother to new foster parents to escape the threat of the Concentration camp. Initially traumatised by the death of her brother on the journey, the disappearance of her parents and the strangeness of her new surroundings, the natural exuberance of a small girl soon begins to emerge and she learns to love her new family and friends as they struggle to live under the Nazi regime. When she is unable to sleep, Liesel’s kindly stepfather sits with her night after night and together they read the book she stole at her brother’s burial – ‘The Gravediggers Handbook’. Liesl’s love of books leads her to a search for new reading material – not easily come by in a country where books are regarded as subversive and burnt in the street, and she is forced to resort to theft – hence the Book Thief of the title.

I read a lot of books – most of them I toss aside as soon as I finish them and pass straight on to the next but the Book Thief is not like this. It pokes its spiky fingers into your comfortable modern life and says This happened. What would you do? Which can be no bad thing can it?

Chrissie Pickard

WENSUM VALLEY BIRDWATCHING SOCIETY

Welcome to the society. This report, on our monthly doings, is published in village newsletters throughout the Wensum Valley and I often receive enquiries from people wishing to take part in one of our activities. It is not necessary to be a member to come along to a meeting or field trip, although a small charge is made to non-members. For our indoor meetings, which are held at Weston Longville Village Hall, we usually have a presentation lasting about an hour with a break in between for some refreshments, a chat and a raffle. Proceedings start at 7.30 and home in time for Horlicks. We are always happy to see new faces – especially beginners. With over 100 members in the society it is an opportunity to make many new friends and discuss a range of subjects including birds, photography, which binoculars, computers, environmental issues, art, flora and fauna – much more edifying than Emmerdale.

The Nightjar Evening at Marsham Heath attracted 35 members and on a perfect Summer’s evening we were rewarded with excellent sightings of nightjars even some captured in ‘scopes perching in trees. Also seen were several woodcock and a tawny owl.

Yorkshire: For the more adventurous we had a members week-end visiting Bempton Cliffs, (razorbill, guillemot, puffin, fulmar, kittiwake, corn bunting), the Forge Valley National Nature Reserve (lesser whitethroat, bridled guillemot), finishing up at Raincliffe Woods (tree creeper, honey buzzard, fulmar and two red kites) before returning home to the uninterrupted skies of Norfolk.

Dates for the diary: Birdfair - described as ‘The world’s first and largest international bird watching event’, is on for several days in August at Rutland Water near Oakham. See www.birdfair.org for details.

Indoor meeting: There will a talk by the RSPB at Weston Longville Village Hall on Thursday August 21^st. Start 7.30, all are welcome, tea and biscuits laid on.

Field Trip: Sunday August 24^th, depart Norwich by rail to Berney Arms, walk through the levels to Breydon Water and return by train from Gt Yarmouth. Bird watching and train spotting all in one. Please ring me for full details.

Colin Wright 01603 740548 admin@wvbs.co.uk

Breckland District Council

BE A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER

One of the biggest complaints received by Breckland Council each year is that of ‘dog fouling’ - owners allowing their dogs to foul the public highway and public areas and failing to clean up the mess.

We’ve designated our land a ‘poop scoop’ area under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. This applies to any land which is open to the air and which the public have access to. If a dog fouls on this land and the person in charge of the dog doesn’t clear it up, they are guilty of an offence.

We can give a Fixed Penalty Notice (£50.00) to anyone who commits this offence and if they don’t pay the Fixed Penalty Notice within 14 days of receipt they could be prosecuted and receive a maximum fine of £1000.

Most villages and towns have at least one dog waste bin, which are provided and maintained by town and parish councils. These are put in place for dog mess to be put into when owners are taking their dog for a walk. If there isn’t one available then as long as the dog mess is securely wrapped it can be placed into a litter bin, or even your own household waste bin at home. If you have cleaned up a quantity of dog waste from your garden please securely wrap this and place it into your household waste bin.

If you know anyone who is committing an offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, please contact the Breckland Dog Warden on 01362 656870 or e-mail dogwarden@breckland.gov.uk. All information we receive will be treated as confidential.

Environmental Services Helpline

Telephone: 01362 656878

Fax: 01362 699096

E-mail: contactus@breckland.gov.uk

Write to: Breckland Council, Environmental Services, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, Norfolk. NR19 1EE

Benefice News and Events

Events for the rest of the summer are:

August

16^th Ladies’ lunch at Foxley

23^rd Village barbecue at Lyng Rectory 6pm

September

7^th Garden Tea venue to be arranged

13^th Norfolk Churches Annual Cycle Ride

27^th Men’s breakfast at Bawdeswell (by invitation)

28^th Harvest Festival Evensong 6.30pm - Lyng

Details of all events can be found on notice boards around the villages and in the two village magazines. Each PCC has a representative in charge of the cycle ride who has a supply sponsor forms.

Rock Solid has closed and there was a farewell barbecue at the Rectory for Mike and Janet Cummings to thank them for all their hard work and commitment . The group will reform in September under the new name of Lyng Youth Club. It is open to all children in the school years 6-10 and will cost £1 per session. The first session will be on Wednesday 3^rd September. Sessions will be on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month.

SEEKERS is MOVING!!

Seekers is moving to Bawdeswell from September and will meet on the 1^st Saturday of each month. The cost of each session will be £1.50.

For more information ring Karin Mason on 01362 688338.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, BAWDESWELL

Baptisms: Isobelle Moore on 22^nd June. Welcome Isobelle!

Special Service: St Peter’s Day

This Festival service was well attended and we are grateful to members of the Iceni choir who sang so beautifully for us and helped to make it a special occasion. It was also David Head’s birthday and after the service we enjoyed a shared lunch at the village hall to continue the celebrations.

Bawdeswell P.C.C. -

Village Fete: Thanks to all the church members who helped to run the Tombola and the Flower Stall, both of which did very well. Our special thanks to Floranova, Bawdeswell Garden Centre and individuals who very generously supplied all the plants.

The New Church Organ project: The new organ is to be installed in September.

We will welcome regular donations over a period of time as we are borrowing the money to get on with the installation and regular payments will help us repay the loan.

Details of the project are inside the church which is open daily.

See also the manufacturer’s website at www.makinorgans.co.uk where you can listen to samples of music from these remarkable instruments.

Gutters: Our thanks to Kelvin Taylor for bringing along his ladder and clearing out the church gutters – a very unpleasant job on account of the pigeons.

R.T.

From the Rector

Dear Everybody, hello again,

I heard someone say on the radio recently – I forget which programme – that the greater the gap between rich and poor in a society, the more that society becomes volatile and violent. Also, that it’s usually the poor who are the victims of the violence.

That seems to be happening in our city streets, and it’s worrying a lot of us. Teenagers with knives, killing teenagers and others, in disputes that seem senseless to anybody else, about “respect”. It looks as though what they mean by “respect” is “extreme wariness”.

It makes a crazy kind of sense that when the rich get richer, angry or fearful teenagers carry knives. The message of both trends seems to be the same: “It’s not what you are that earns you respect, it’s what you have that earns you respect. And that can be wealth or weaponry.” Both “loot” or a “tool” (the same word backwards!) seem to be used increasingly to keep others at a distance, and to create no-go areas for “outsiders”. Is respect just for those with the power to make people’s lives worse?

There is a quote from the Bible: “Perfect love drives out fear”, and it’s really accurate. Try it, and you’ll see it works. Try to think lovingly of someone, and you will fear them less. The trouble is, sometimes we let the same thing work in the opposite direction: “Fear can drive out goodwill.” It depends on which force is uppermost in you at the time, which you let govern you. If fear governs you, you can end up hearing yourself say horribly violent things about people you’ve never met, or about whole groups of people. But love?.....

True respect, which is based on love and admiration, will never be about keeping people at a distance. People will rejoice in your qualities, and will like to enjoy them, to spend time with you. What are you that earns respect?

God bless you. David Head

AUGUST CHURCH SERVICES

DATE	3^rd	10^th	17^th	20^th	24^th	31^st
Season	11^th after Trinity	12^th after Trinity	13^th after Trinity	Wed	Bartholomew Apostle		-
FOXLEY	EP 6.30pm	-	HC(PB) 8am	-	HC 1030		-
LYNG	HC 0900	-	EP 5pm	-	fs 1030		HC 1030
ELSING	MP 1030	OMS 1030	HC(1) 9am	-	HC 1030		-
BAWDESWELL	HC(1) 10.30	-	GiG 1030	HC(PB) 9am	WP 1030		-
BYLAUGH	-	HC(PB) 0900	-	-	MP 0900		-
SPARHAM	Family Service 1030	-	HC(PB) 1030	-	EP 6.30pm		-

SEPTEMBER SERVICES

DATE	7^th	14^th	21^st	24^th	28^th
Season	Trinity 16	Trinity 17	Trinity 18	Wed	Trinity 19
FOXLEY	EP 6.30pm	-	HC(PB) 8am	-	HC 1030
LYNG	HC 0900	-	EP 5pm	-	Harvest 1030
ELSING	MP 1030	-	HC(1) 9am	-	HC 1030
BAWDESWELL	HC(1) 10.30	-	GiG 1030	HC(PB) 9am	WP 1030
BYLAUGH	-	HC(PB) 0900	-	-	Harvest 3pm
SPARHAM	Family Service 1030	OMS 1030	HC(PB) 1030	-	EP 6.30pm

Printed by Reepham Printing Services, Church Street, Reepham. Tel: 01603 871102

Season

FOXLEY

BAWDESWELL

Season

FOXLEY

BAWDESWELL