Posted by Stella Gooch
Back by popular demand for the fourth year running the Norfolk Brass will entertain once again at St Nicholas Church on Saturday 8th December 2012 at 7.30pm.
Tickets in Advance £7.50 (£8.50 at the door) (including refreshments) - ORDER TICKETS FROM 01485 544866, 01485 540081,01485 540865
Friends of St Nicholas Church – Registered Charity Number 1046540
Posted by Stella Gooch
Dersingham Cricket Club, based in West Norfolk, has received an £800 grant from Bernard Matthews Farms to contribute towards further developing junior cricket in the community and holding a junior cricket festival during the summer. The grant was awarded as part of the sixth round of donations from The Bernard Matthews Fund.
The cricket club coaches children of all ages and backgrounds and holds regular coaching sessions as well as operating four junior cricket team’s in local and county competitions. The children participating not only learn and improve their cricket skills, they also benefit from building greater links within their community and the surrounding rural area, and develop their social interaction skills through this healthy outdoor activity.
The award will help to fund a junior cricket festival over the summer period where the club will run coaching sessions and games for groups of children aged 5 and over. These days will also enable children to try their hand at cricket and the festival will enable local teams to compete.
Roger Poll, Chairman of Dersingham Cricket Club, said: “The junior cricket club really brings young people together, teaching them the positive outcomes of being part of a team with the added benefit of regular exercise. All children of all levels enjoy taking part and learning new skills. The junior festival we are holding in the summer will extend the activity to other children to try taking part in cricket as well as improve their ability at the game. We are extremely grateful to Bernard Matthews Farms for the award.”
Launched in October 2009 to help a wide range of rural charities and voluntary initiatives across Norfolk, north Suffolk and Lincolnshire, the fund has already provided over £36,000 in grants. It is administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation.
Andrew Sherwood, Human Resources Director at Bernard Matthews Farms, commented: “Supporting groups working in the heart of our communities has always been important to Bernard Matthews Farms and the fund is just one aspect of our commitment to corporate responsibility.
“The fund aims to give at a truly local level and make a real difference to voluntary groups such as Dersingham Cricket Club. This is a worthy project people in Dersingham and its surrounding area and fulfils a worthwhile role within the community.”
The Bernard Matthews Fund awards grants of up to £2,000 to support community groups working in Norfolk, north Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. To find out more information about the fund or how to apply for grants, visit www.norfolkfoundation.com/
Posted by Stella Gooch
Photo courtesy of Suzanne Durston
Sandringham walkers from local Guides, Rainbows & Brownies
Sandringham is an ever popular location for walking at the best of times and is often the location for many a fundraiser.
This was certainly true of Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from Hunstanton and Heacham who, along with leaders and families, took their four-legged friends on a Sponsored Walk in Sandringham in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind on Sunday 16th October.
Following their walk, the weary bunch enjoyed a hot dog and a mug of soup, prepared bytheir Trefoil Guild – with treats for dogs too! They were blessed with a lovely sunny afternoon and an amazing 75 people who came to support them helped the groups to raise around £400 and there is more to come I hear.
The Kings Lynn fund-raising Branch also had a successful stall. In addition, Cynthia Easeman brought along her Guide dog, Olivia to meet everyone. The Group are always happy to come along to group meetings etc with their dogs and to show some of the useful aids available to make life easier for partially sighted people.
After the walk we were treated to a hot dog and a mug of soup, prepared by our Trefoil Guild – with treats for dogs too! It was a lovely sunny afternoon and the good turnout (around 75 people) helped us to raise in the region of £400 with more sponsor money still to come.
The Kings Lynn fund-raising Branch also had a stall which was very successful and Cynthia Easeman brought along her Guide dog, Olivia to meet everyone as well. The Guide Dog Group are always happy to attend group meetings etc with their dogs and to show some of the useful aids available to make life easier for partially sighted people.
Well done to you girls.
Posted by Stella Gooch
Companions of Park House, Sandringham, are starting the festive season early on Wednesday, 26 October! All are very welcome to support them between 10.30am and 3.30pm at Park House in the beautiful grounds of Sandringham where they are holding a Christmas Market. There will be refreshments and loads of ideas for Christmas gifts to tempt you.
Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Stella Gooch
Mayor addresses lunch guests
The July Dersingham Community Lunch, held at Dersingham Social Club, got off to an unusually early start this time due to the nature of its programme. At the entrance to the lunch, I found Tony Bubb, Steve Davis and volunteers from Prior’s the butchers in attendance at a well set up BBQ. They were hard at work tending our lunch as they greeted the arriving lunch guests from 11.30am. Guests were invited to choose a named table to sit at with each table representing a local charity. Those joining each table made up a quiz team ready to compete to raise funds for the named charity.
Bob Tipling, President and founder of Dersingham’s Community Lunch welcomed everyone to the July event and introduced Mayor Colin Sampson (and his wife Sue) of Kings Lynn. Mayor Sampson talked eloquently about his staunch support for the work of Tapping House Hospice and what a fantastic job they do in supporting terminally ill patients and their families through a very difficult time.
There was a real buzz around the room as we all put our heads together (and scratched very hard!!!) to puzzle over the searching questions about Dersingham over the years. It was soon revealed that the quiz questions were compiled by Dick Melton and Dersingham Parish Council.
Dersingham Children's Club team
I was not surprised that Dick Melton had inspired many of the questions and I had no clue at all but I did my best to help my team, although I fear they may have been better off without me. My fellow team members (including staff from Swains and Hayes & Storr Solicitors) seemed to feel much the same as myself. We all appeared to be aged around 40, give or take, and we all feared we were not old enough to recall most of the necessary facts which would win the day. Our fears were justified when we were announced as being in last place with just 51/2 points out of 20. Personally, I was amazed we achieved that many points as the quiz was amazingly difficult as you will see by the questions (and answers) below …
Q1. In the 1800s what bird would you have seen on Dersingham Heath?
A1. Great Busted
Q2. How many councillors are allowed to make up Dersingham Parish Council?
Q2. 18
Q3. Where is the chalk pit and car stone pit in Dersingham?
A3. Shernbourne Road
Q4. What day and time in the month does Dersingham hold their full council meeting?
A4. Last Monday in each month at 7pm at the Dersingham Infants and Nursery School in Saxon Way
Q5. What was washed up on Dersingham beach in 1972?
A5. Whale
Q6. Where is the old shop that for many years was called Parker’s Stores?
A6. Manor Road – the bottom of Sandringham Hill
Q7. Who is the Norfolk County Councillor for Dersingham?
A7. John Dobson
Q8. There were two blacksmith shops in Dersingham – which roads were they in?
A8. Manor road and Post Office Road
Q9. How long is the time allowed for public questions at the start of full council meetings?
A9. 15 minutes
Q10. Where is there a sandpit in the village?
A10. Near the George Pratt Roundabout
Q11. Where was there once a 1,000 yard rifle range in the village?
A11. On the fen
Q12. How many windmills were there in Dersingham in 1910?
A12. Three
Q13. What can be found in Mountbattent Road, left over from the Second World War?
A13. Bill Box
Q14. How many public houses/hotels were there in Dersingham before 1920?
A14. Six
Q15. How many borough councillors represent Dersingham?
A15. Two
Q16. In what year was the Dersingham bypass opened?
A16. 1990
Q17. How many chapels did there used to be in the village?
A17. Three
Q18. Where was the Dersingham village rubbish dump before 1948?
A18. On the Shut-up Common, Heath Road
Q19. In 1960 how many garages in Dersingham sold petrol?
A19. Four
Q20. Where was there an auction centre in Dersingham?
A20. The Old Hall
Heacham Community Transport team
The charity teams included: Heacham Community Transport, Dersingham Army Cadets, Dersingham Brownies, Dersingham Scout Group, Friends of St Nicholas Church, Army Benevolent Fund Soldiers Charity, Dersingham Day Centre, the Royal British Legion and Puddle Ducks Play Group. However, there could only be one winner and the winning result of an outstanding 14 out of 20 correct answers (I defy anyone to get 100%) was achieved by Puddle Ducks who were awarded the £105 raised from the raffle draw (which seemed to go on forever as there were numerous prize donations from the generous guests).
The July lunch was sponsored by Dersingham Parish Council and they were extremely generous with the food with an ample BBQ of chicken, burgers (of different varieties), copious salad and sumptuous strawberries and cream toppings on meringue or shortcake biscuit bases (just check out the photograph!). Prior the Butchers helped by pre-cooking the meat to ensure that everything was cooked through.
Appreciation was expressed towards Priors the Butchers, the volunteer cooks and lunch guests for attending. Dersingham Social Club was also warmly thanked for allowing us use of their facilities which included a large and comfortable main bar area.
Bob Tipling announced that Dersingham Data was currently under revision and requested that all organisations present check their entries for accuracy and advise any changes before 25 August 2011. Bob also announced the the September Dersingham Community Lunch would be sponsored by Budgens Supermarket with exact date and venue details to be advised at a later date.
A work of art in strawberries
For anyone interested in knowing more about Dersingham Social Club their facilities include:
large main bar
smaller lounge bar
beer garden with children’s playground
2 x pool tables
mens/ladies darts
crib
dominoes
snooker (a full size snooker table in a dedicated snooker room available to hire for just £2 per hour)
regular free live entertainment and music for members
family fun days and BBQs
big screen TV for televised events
MEMBERSHIP RATES: Adult single £10 – couple £15 – over 60s £5 – Junior (16-18) £5
Enquiries: 01485 543380 or 07756633043
Friends of St Nicholas supporters
Tony Bubb & co get stuck in to creating a great BBQ
Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Stella Gooch
Scout Leader, Tom ensures the final packs of paper are squeezed in
Have you ever wondered how the Dersingham Scout Hut is funded? Well one of the significant sources of fundraising is from the kind donations of newspapers which are collected throughout the year at the hut. Stockpiling and sorting of the papers is a back breaking task but the old adage “many hands make light work” is very true in this case.
Dersingham’s Scout Hut users turned out early on a bright and sunny Saturday in June. They met up at the Scout Hut and unlocked their storage annexe to unearth the tonnes of paper which had been collected earlier in the year. Soon there was a line of young and old helpers sorting, passing, securing and moving literally tonnes of paper towards the contained which was waiting at the edge of The Feather’s car park.
By mid-morning we were gasping for a good cup of tea and there were a number of willing volunteers on hand to man the kitchen to ensure the workers needs were met so that they did not flake out.
Ready to load
After a full morning hard at it, the paper was at last loaded up and ready for collection and the workers could relax. Now the Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and Guides who use the hut can anticipate a cheque to offset their expenses for 2011.
All newspaper donations are very much appreciated and these can be left at the Scout Hut. Please note that it is very helpful if all bundles can be secured with string or placed securely in good quality bags which do not biodegrade quickly.
Posted by Martin Bruce, Ashdene House
Photos courtesy of the bike riders
The riders get ready to roll
Rain didn’t stop play on Sunday 19th June.
Despite appalling weather on the day, around 20 stalwart bikers turned out for the twice yearly Dersingham Charity rideout organised by Martin Bruce of Ashdene House B&B in Dersingham and Fraser Lindsay (the Dersingham Sub Postmaster). Over £200 was raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. This amount was made up from a combination of collecting tins, a raffle in the post office and rider contributions.
After a damp start from the Dersingham bypass picnic area, 18 bikers plus two other bikers we hijacked who had stopped for a break, enjoyed a wet ride to Wells and a welcome cuppa & cake on arrival at the Wells Annual Bike Show after which we had another damp ride to Hunstanton. Undaunted, the riders agreed to try again, in better weather later this year!
Any additional contributions to The Multiple Sclerosis Society are always welcome and these can be made at the Dersingham Post Office or at Ashdene House B&B Dersingham. If you need further assistance please call 01485 540395.
Posted by Stella Gooch
The 3rd Dersingham Charity Motorcycle Rideout in support of MS is now arranged for 19 June 2011.
The programme looks like this:
2pm start from the picnic area on the bypass and ride to Wells harbour via Hillington/Gayton/Brisley & Fakenham.
After the usual refreshments riders return along the coast road for a stop at Hunstanton.
Why not join the riders to help support this worthwhile charity – sign up fee is £5 a bike on the day please. Collecting tins are also in Dersingham Post Office and some village shops awaiting your generous donations.
For more information please call Fraser at Dersingham Post Office on 01485 540201 or or Martin at Ashdene House on 01485 540395.
ALL RIDERS WELCOME
Posted by Rosie Kitchen
Friday 21st January 2011 was the first Dersingham Community Lunch of 2011. This lunch was sponsored by A A Massen Ltd, and was as well-attended as these popular events are, with over 80 people attending.
After a welcome by Simon Massen, Managing Director of the sponsors, there was a short presentation by Alison Thorne of Dersingham Library. Though suffering with (almost!) loss of voice, she managed to get her message across clearly about the library: ‘use it or lose it’! And all were encouraged to join and make used of this valuable village asset.
The editor of Dersingham’s Village Voice – and organiser of the popular Village Voice Live events – made a plea for more local groups to send their reports to the Village Voice, and for all to come along to the ‘Live’ monthly events.
Richard Shaw, Chief Executive of Norfolk Hospice Tapping House in Snettisham then explained the work of the hospice, and how it was enhancing so many people’s lives in such a vital way. He explained that the Hospice relied on donations to carry out its work and appealed to all to give what they could to help.
We all enjoyed a delicious lunch, efficiently provided by the skilled St Nicholas Church Catering Team, and the raffle raised well over £100 which this month was shared between the St Nicholas Church Hall Committee (with thanks for the free use of the hall for the lunches), and the Church Heating Fund.
An ex-Beaver just joining the Cubs gets to grips with trimming
On 24 January 2011, Dersingham Cubs were visited by a local lady, Veronica Welham, who voluntarily helped raise funds for The Leprosy Mission. Veronica explained to the children about the difficulties that a person suffering from Leprosy had to live with. She explained the disease was prevalent in countries where the people faced other difficulties such as starvation.
To demonstrate more meaningfully to the children what it meant to suffer from Leprosy, volunteer “Lepers” were requested to role play in a short story and Jamie was told he would be the person who could read and write and Callum was to look after the goats. Then Veronica explained how first they would catch a cold and then a white patch would appear on a hand or leg. It would feel hard and numb to touch but would not hurt so the afflicted person would be able to continue their every day lives as normal.
Young Callum got better as his wife took him to a hospital where tablets were supplied to him for six months after which he was back to full health. Unfortunately, poor Jamie’s patch did not improve. In fact the number of patches increased and one day he could not feel his hand. Jamie then goes to the local witch doctor and is given a smelly green ointment. This does not cure anything and in fact makes matters worse as Jamie now cannot feel at all. The disease had attacked all his nerve endings and eventually the nerve endings died off and the hand became gnarled. Then his foot cannot be used to walk on properly – in fact he is dragging it along. At this point, Jamie is beyond a cure but if he received appropriate medication now this would prevent the problem worsening further.
The volunteers then rejoined their friends and Veronica explained that Leprosy can also settle in your face and even affect your eyes and make you blind. She also pointed out to the children that the poor Lepers would also have to endure being outcast from their community and family environments where they were left with no choice but to beg to survive as best they could on their own.
Jamie demonstrates how a leper loses the use of his hand and eyes
Having enjoyed this very eye opening talk – even I learned a thing or two I had been unaware of – Veronica then explained to the children that collecting stamps could raise the money needed to help support the work of The Leprosy Mission whose task it was to try and eradicate the suffering caused by this awful disease of biblical times.
Veronica said that demand for all types of stamps was now very high - even the most common ones. She explained that the stamps needed to be trimmed leaving ¼ “border of paper around the edges. After a brief demonstration the Dersingham Cubs broke away into small groups and started sorting and trimming loads of stamps to do their bit for their Community Badge and help The Leprosy Mission at the same time.
This type of support is growing throughout our local villages and Veronica and the other local support workers hope that Dersingham can help too. Just start collecting stamps from your post (leaving 1leaving ¼“ border of paper around the edges of course) and ensure they get to the right place. Locally, you can leave donations of used postage stamps at:
Dersingham Scout Hut; or
Peter Sutton estate agent in Post Office Road.
If you are a local business and would like to be a collection point for stamps for this worthy cause please contact Veronica at 01485 532812 or email her at: v.welham@btopenworld.com.