The Mallard

Issue 329 March 2019

SPRING IS IN THE AIR! Lots to join in below.

Toadwatch Massingham.
Toads are in decline all over the UK, mainly due to habitat loss and in-
creased traffic. The ponds at Great and Little Massingham are a rare
and important refuge where toads can survive but they need our help to
get across the roads during the spring breeding season. Please come to the Orangery at
the Dabbling Duck on March 5th at 7pm to learn about toads, what they are doing at this
time of year and how we help them. There is more info at www.toadwatch.org - please
ring John on 01603 812472 if you would like to help the toads but can’t come on the 5th.
Village Clean-up Biodiversity Project – Next working party
The annual spring clean is on The first regular Saturday morning working
Saturday 30th March. Meet at party of 2019 is on 9th March from 10 am.
the Well at 10 am. We expect to prepare and sow a new path
Come armed with wellies, gloves & rakes. around the north side of the pond and to
Hi-viz jackets, litter pickers & bags will clear last year’s top growth from the water
be provided. You’ll be amazed at how meadow.
enjoyable two hours litter picking can be! The snowdrops have been
notable this year and are
Thank you to some of our residents who
ready for dividing and re-
regularly litter pick during the year. Our
litter bin rubbish goes to landfill so please planting. We’ve also had
do not place cans and bottles in them but success with winter aconites
put them in your green bin at home. This (see picture) which we hope will multiply at
way we are helping the environment and the west end of the wood.
also keeping our village a place to be proud We’ll have our usual mid morning break for
of. Many thanks. refreshments. New volunteers are especially
See you on the 30th! Andrew Bickerton welcome. Mike Jackson (520 056)

GREAT MASSINGHAM BOWLS CLUB & CASTLE ACRE CRICKET CLUB

Race Night
Admission
by
programme

Programme
£1 for adults,
Children
Free.

Saturday 30th March

at Great Massingham Village Hall (Includes Club membership for the Night)
1st Race starts at 7.30pm
1
Mallard News
This parish magazine is
Strollers…. Great Massingham
published every month for the
residents of Great and Little Calling all Striders, Strollers, Bowls Club
Massingham with the support of Stragglers and Strugglers! Prize BINGO!
the Great Massingham Parish There will be a prize
Council, the Parochial Church
Strollers begins again on
Council and Massingham Sunday 17th March. bingo to raise funds for
Village Hall Trustees. Meet at the Well, 9.30 am, to stroll Great Massingham
www.greatmassingham.net Bowls Club on
e-mail: round Little Massingham followed
[email protected] by lunch at the Dabbling Duck. Monday 25th March.
Editorial Committee Let me know if you wish to join us. Doors open
Editor: Bev. Randall. Phone 01485 520307 or e-mail: 7pm., eyes
6 Abbeyfields [email protected] down 7.30pm.
Great Massingham Everyone welcome.
01485 520 899 Good prizes and raffle.
Treasurer: David Baines
Andrew Bickerton All welcome!
01485 520 966
Website: Contact the
Parish Council Report - February meeting
Editor - as above. Seven councillors, the Clerk and ten parishioners attended the meeting .
Deadline for the Mr. Ward, Village Hall Chairman, gave a progress report on
the Hall refurbishment. (see page 16 for details) The members
next issue thanked Messrs Ward and Allen, and all others involved in this
20th March project, for all their hard work.
It was agreed to position the green box, to facilitate faster
In this issue broadband, near to the notice board, next to the shop.
• Toadwatch All present were reminded that an election is to be held on 2 nd
• Village Spring Clean May for the Parish Council. Full details are on the Borough
• Biodiversity Project Council website. Anyone wanting further information should
• Race Night speak to the Clerk.
• Strollers The current website was discussed and it was acknowledged
• Bowls Club Bingo that it handles the Parish Council’s statutory requirements for
• ‘Histry’ Bits
• Village Hall Events notices/information perfectly well. It enables the Council’s
• West Norfolk Folk legal responsibilities to be fulfilled.
• Quiz Night A number of complaints had been received regarding the ever-
• Craft & Chat increasing number of ducks and that they are constantly being
• Gert & Daisy fed in the area of the village near to the biodiversity project.
• Calling all Artists Reports have also been received that fires have been lit on this
• League of Friends part of the Village Green. Anyone responsible is asked to dis-
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Store & Deli Latest continue these activities. Failure to comply will leave the Par-
• Dog Fouling ish Council with little alternative but to investigate legal reme-
• Pet Photo Competition dies to address this anti-social behaviour.
• Remembering Derick There has been considerable concern regarding the possible
• Film Club renumbering/renaming of some houses in the Walcup’s Lane
• Trefoil Guild area. This matter is the Borough Council’s responsibility and
• Nourish Mind & Body further discussions are to take place with a view to resolving
• VH AGM Report
• Rev’d Judith’s this difficult matter. The members of the Parish Council fully
• Church News understand the views expressed by the residents.
• Church Services There has been an unwelcome increase in dog fouling. Parish-
• Village Hall Refurb. ioners are asked to report any incidents to the Dog Wardens at
• School 100 Club the Borough Council so that appropriate action against the of-
• Baby and Toddler fenders can be taken.
• Dates for your Diary The next meeting is on Monday 18th March, at 7.30 pm.
2
Mallard News
‘Histry Bits’.... A Real Treat
I doubt if any of us Village boys back in the fifties actually believed in God –
though we’d have certainly said we did if we’d been asked. There was too much
at stake to confess to the truth. Because, once a year, on a Sunday in June, after
the hay harvest was done, and before the corn harvest could get under way, one
of Peeling’s green buses, belching smoke from its rattling exhaust, would draw
up early in the morning in front of the church, and an excited scrum of children
– plus a few supervising adults – clutching bags of cheese sandwiches and bot-
tles of pop, would squeeze themselves on board, three to a double seat and grind
off in the general direction of the coast. The long-awaited, much discussed An-
nual Massingham Sunday School Treat was under way.
The destination was Hunstanton of course, always pronounced Hunstun, noted,
as Stanley Holloway might have said, for fresh air and fun. And there to greet
them in the coach park were the smiling Massingham Rector, Muzzy Davies
and his gaunt black-clad wife who, if she had a Christian name, never revealed
it to anybody in the village. They had travelled by car, presumably not wanting
to get too close to the unwashed rabble on the bus!
It was Mrs. Davies who, clutching a register, ticked their names off as they
emerged and issued dire warnings about them being left behind if they weren’t
back at the coach by six o’clock sharp.
It was that self-same register which, for
the previous twelve months, had been
wielded in mortal combat between
Mrs. Davies and the boys and girls of
the village. Put quite simply, if you
didn’t attend Sunday School enough
weeks in a year, you didn’t qualify for
the ‘Treat’ and would be left behind. In
a village where only a very few people
owned a car, that was a huge depriva-
tion indeed. But, so was being forced
to memorise the Apostles’ Creed, when
spring was in full blossom outside the
dusty windows of the Rectory, when
there were trees to be climbed, and
birds’ nests to be found, and ferrets to
be fed and trained. It was a simple case
of bribery and corruption – but all in a
good cause. And in the end, as far as I
can recall, nobody was ever left be-
hind, and I can still recite the Apostles’
Creed by heart. (almost!)
David Miller
3
Mallard News Village Hall
VILLAGE HALL REGULAR EVENTS Craft and Chat
Keep Fit Wed. 1.45 to 2.45pm In the Village Hall Bar,
Bingo Fridays at 7.30pm 2pm - 4.30pm
Auction Sundays £1.50 includes refreshments.
Coronation Club (4th Wed.) 2pm - 4pm Mondays 4th and 18th March and
Baby &Toddler Thurs. 10am - 11.30am 1st, 15th and 29th April
W/Norfolk Radio Sundays 7pm -10pm Please join us. Everyone welcome.
Craft & Chat (1st& 3rd Mon) 2 - 4.30pm
Trefoil Guild 2nd Thursday, each month Great Massingham Village Quiz
Film Night 3rd Thursday, each month Thursday 28th March,
Quiz Nights 4th Thursday, each month Entry £2 per contestant
Bowls - Short Mat Wednesdays 7pm - 9.30 Questions start at 7:30 pm prompt in
Historical Society 2nd Monday 7.30pm the bar of the village hall, on the fourth
Youth Club Tuesdays 6.45- 9.15pm Thursday of every month.
Yoga With a Chair Tuesdays 10am - 11am Raffle included. Proceeds are divided
between the winners & the Village Hall.
West Norfolk Radio’s Live Shows New quiz masters & new teams coming.
Village Hall Bar 7-10pm, FREE entry. If you want to be kept updated
10 March Esbe, Ludlam Pikes & Fran on quiz news & events,
McGillivray and Mike Burke please email Peter James,
24 March Steve Hewitt and Steve &
Fiona O’Kane [email protected].
www.westnorfolkradio.co.uk Peter James (01485 521 706)

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5
Mallard News
Gert & Daisy.... .... Well, here we are agin. Blast thas bin a bad month.
Despite all Daisy’s efforts in getting her mum better and letting her go home she very
sadly passed away in hospital on 31st January. She had spent a few days at home but
suffered a stroke and was admitted to hospital on 27 th January.
We were very sorry to hear about the death of Derick Drewery. He was such a character;
Gert had lived next door to him for 38 years and he always called her his neighbour from
hell. Those who remember the Old Time Music Halls that we used to put on up the Hall,
will remember him as the Massingham Muckspreader. Our thoughts are with Stephen,
Linda and all their families.
We have also heard that Mrs Enid Gooch has passed away. She was 97 and lived in the
village for many, many years until going to live in a Care Home.
The Valentine’s Dance up the Hall hed ter be cancelled due ter lack of interest. Obvious-
ly we hint got eny romantics in the village (we knew that!).
We wus pleased ter see the Post Office is now open on Wednesday arternoons and don’t
shut fer dinner at all. That little shop is a proper tardis and nothing is too much trubble.
Gert is in luv with the false cream cakes cos she don’t loike proper cream.
We hed a new member at the Craft Chat th’other day. Denny Winner came along and
showed us how he does his macramé. For yew who don’t know what that is, thas tying
knots in a bit of string. He med a luvly plant holder. We hope he’ll come back next
toime.
We hev noticed that there are over twenty geese back on the pit – soon there will be a
hundred agen. Daisy reckon the Parish Council hev a plan – let’s hope so!
We would like to wish Daphne Cross all the best for a speedy recovery after her spell in
hospital. Hopefully, the improving weather will help all poorly people to feel better soon.
Well, thas awl we hev fer this month – we will be going on holiday in April so next
toime we will be gitting excited! Dew yew keep atroshing. Gert and Daisy.
As we sed larst month, instead of ‘Thought of the Month’, this year we hope to share some
of that gud ol Norfolk bor Keith Skipper’s jokes. Yew ken find him on Facebook if yew hev
a puter. So here we go….. Courtesy of Keith Skipper’s Page:-
George hed problems with his puter so he rang the IT support.
The man on the other end of the phone asked if he hed ever disabled eny cookies.
George thort fer a minit and then sed, “ Well, I bit the leg off a gingerbread man once”.
Calling all Artists KING’S LYNN
Norfolk Creative Arts in Grimston is HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS
inviting artists to apply to exhibit in their The total collected for the above in Great
annual exhibition at the end of Massingham amounted to £430.41.
April. The exhibition will be in the A big thank you to all who contributed. A
school and is limited to 100 pieces of art. good result, well done. Peter W. Frost
Artists (living within a 50 mile radius) Neighbourhood Watch
who wish to apply should register to After several recent burglaries residents of
receive an application form by email to:- 49- 64 Castle Acre Rd have set up a Neigh-
[email protected] or call bourhood Watch group. Whilst this group
01485 240 420 or, alternatively, only covers the properties above it is hoped
download a form from the website other areas might want to do the same. It is
www.norfolkcreativearts.co.uk an easy process and the Administrator for the
The closing date for applications Scheme & the Police were very helpful.
is the 31st March. Contact Peter James, 521 706 for more info.

6
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7
Village Stores & Post Office Latest News…...
HOME DELIVERY
From the Friday 15th March we will be launching a
new home delivery service bringing our range of gro-
ceries and services to 10 villages - see the leaflet for
details. (copy left)
We will be delivering each Friday between 1pm and
5pm and a minimum spend of £25 applies (excluding
the value of cigarettes and alcohol)
You can either pop in to the store and do your shop-
ping and we will deliver to you or, alternatively, you
can order over the phone and we will assemble your
order and deliver it to you.
Let us do the hard work for you…
We will be delivering to: Gt. Massingham, Little
Massingham, Weasenham, Weasenham St Peter,
Harpley,West Rudham,East Rudham, Helhoughton,
West Raynham, South Raynham, Rougham.
WEBSITE… We now have our own website www.massinghamstores.co.uk where you
can find details of all our news, services general updates.
MOBILE POST OFFICE
We will be launching a brand new mobile post office service
by the beginning of April which will serve the communities
in twelve villages across North and West Norfolk.
We are currently at the stage of recruiting a new member of
staff to run the service but, when we go live, the van service will offer all of the services
you would expect to find in branch. We will also offer a limited range of groceries to
complement the post office services. For more details please ask in store and look on our
website for updates. The service will operate Monday -Thursday, initially & will provide
services to the following villages: East Rudham, Harpley, Hillington, Bircham, West
Newton, Sedgeford, Brancaster, Thornham, Field Dalling, Snettisham & Ingoldisthorpe.
NEW RANGES
We continue to squeeze more and more new lines in to the store - in fact, we have man-
aged to find room for an additional 307 new lines now! Latest additions include: cream
cakes, frozen food meal deals, new cheeses on our delicatessen, fever tree tonic waters,
and Nutella to name a few… Mark and Kerry

Please help with this problem……... Pet Photo Competition

From Editor’s Postbag… ‘The footpath RAISING MONEY FOR
leading off of Sunnyside Rd into the wooded Service Dogs UK,
area has an alarming amount of dog mess on F.A.I.T.H Animal Rescue
the walkway - not to the side but right where and Nelson’s Journey
you walk. I’ve never seen it so bad. What 22 Classes that include dog, cat & other
annoys me the most is that there is a dog animal sections.£1 per entry - Rosette to
mess bin at the entrance! I don’t understand 6th place In addition, Grand Raffle.
why dog owners are not picking up. I walk You can enter both online or by post
there with my young son but will have to Contact 01485 578 380 or
stop now, which is such a shame. Many oth- [email protected]
er people with children walk there too.’ for details. Closing date 1st May 2019
8
Mallard News
Remembering Derick
There will be a special evening at Great Massingham Village Hall,
beginning at 7.30pm, on Saturday 23rd March to remember the
late Derick Drewery.
The evening will mainly consist of the screening of recordings of
Derick’s memorable performances in pantomimes and ‘Old Time
Music Hall’ shows. With his acts such as Sir Drunkalot in the
pantomime ‘Hamalott’, Crackpot Sam in ‘Cannibals & Coconuts’,
as a member of the Mustava Maydam Istayk, eastern act, a ven-
triloquist’s dummy in ‘Father George and Friends’ or as the infa-
mous Massingham Muckspreader. Sprinkled with one or two an- Derick as the
ecdotes about his life from those who knew him, it is bound to be Massingham
a fun evening. Muckspreader
Entry will be free but donations can be made to Tapping House.
Copies of the special compilation dvd will also be available.
Andrew Bickerton.
TREFOIL GUILD MEETING FILM NIGHT
March 14th at 7pm March 21st
Great Massingham Village Hall Bohemian Rhapsody
Christopher Toye will give a talk entitled 7pm for 7.30pm
‘Kalahari Bushmen - their past & future’ £4 per person
The evening is open to both members and Gt Massingham Village Hall
non-members (£2). Please join us for what A foot-stomping celebration of
Queen, their music and their
will be an interesting talk. lead singer Freddie Mercury.

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9
Village Hall AGM Meeting on 27th January 2019
Chair’s Report - given on behalf of the Trustees at the January 27th AGM
Principal Activities
The Trustees have identified at least twenty-three different organisations and estimate up
to six hundred people from Massingham and the surrounding villages use the facility each
month. The Trustees, therefore, see their principle responsibilities are to improve, main-
tain & promote the Hall as the key focal point for the Village. This, in turn, will maintain
the income from use of the Hall. The Trustees are also overseeing the Community Interest
Company & appoint & monitor the Directors that administer the Social Club. The Social
Club generates funds that go towards maintaining the Hall and Social Club as a whole.
The Trustees key objectives for 2018 have been as follows: -
To finalise the plans for Stage One of the Village Hall refurbishment.
To acquire the funding to cover the cost of Stage One of the Village Hall refurbishment.
To improve our overall financial planning to allow for more exceptional expenditure.
To enhance our Maintenance Planning to ensure the Hall is kept in good repair.
To change the status of the charity to one of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
Changing the status offers many benefits regarding recruiting & retaining trustees, having
access to good legal advice and having only now to report to the Charity Commission -
reducing red tape and other costs.The Trustees have successfully met all these objectives.
On behalf of the Trustees
We welcome Diane Curson as a Trustee to strengthen the marketing team, we thank Mark
Bailey as our advisor re: finance & planning and we are grateful to Arthur Allen for over-
seeing our transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Special thanks go too to
Vic Cross as the long-standing effective general manager of the Social Club and Hall
without whom the village would not have such an excellent facility for socialising and
events. It’s hard to overstate how vital and selfless Vic is in all he does. Special thanks
also to Debbie Lambert for helping to share the task of running the Social Club and to
Irene Allen, as bookkeeper, whose hard work ensures the Hall functions so efficiently.
Thank you to our Village Hall Trustees who work voluntarily with no remuneration. In
turn, they thank their staff, suppliers and the local community for their continued support.
This Year
The Trustees have worked hard this year to secure funding for a long-planned and much
needed refurbishment of the Hall. (see page 8) They have secured funding from the Parish
Council, WREN, Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’, West Norfolk Wins Lottery, Barclays Bank and
other local sources, not least those who donate regularly from their clubs and societies.
The efforts Massingham people make to support their Hall is spectacular.
The Trustees have also ensured the Hall is well managed, has good governance and meets
all requirements regarding policies and procedures.
Main Priorities For The Future
To complete Stage One of the refurbishments to the driveway and entrance, the kitchen,
the toilets and the Lambing Yard and the frontage of the Hall and signs.
When the refurbishment is complete to maximise the revenue the Hall delivers by pro-
moting it for events, parties and life celebrations.
When Stage One is complete to find ways to support the CIC to improve the environment
in the Social Club.
Thereafter, start to plan Stage Two of the refurbishment to the Hall to reach the objectives
we originally set ourselves to provide a separate meeting room, a better facility for Com-
munity Cars and a conservatory for the Social Club.
Philip Ward, Chair of Trustees, January 2019
10
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Contact: [email protected] Gt. Massingham 01485 520 134
King’s Lynn 07557 915 188
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11
Message From Rev’d Judith Pollard

T A
The English P
What Does Lent Mean?
O LL ARISHIONERS
word ‘Lenten’ derives from the lengthening of days after winter
as we move into spring, a time of growth and renewal.
The Christian observance of Lent has its origins in the ancient church and the
preparation of candidates for baptism. Easter was the only time when baptisms were
carried out and so the days leading up to Easter held particular significance for baptismal
candidates - it was the final stage in their long preparation to become members of the
Christian church.
Lent was also a time of preparation for those who had been excommunicated, thrown out
of the church for ‘grave and public sin’. Lapsed Christians were reconciled and the ex-
communicated re-admitted to the Church’s sacramental life in time for the great celebra-
tion of Easter, after the completion of a period of penance.
It was not long before the Church came to realise the benefits to all Christian people of
such a period of preparation, in order to be truly ready to celebrate the death and resur-
rection of Jesus at Easter. Over time, the Church’s rules governing the observance of
Lent have softened. In the early centuries penitence, self-denial, almsgiving, prayer, fast-
ing and study were all rigorously demanded.
A 12th century poem records: “Now is the healing time decreed, for sins of heart and
word and deed, when we in humble fear record the wrong that we have done the Lord.”
It is interesting that the word healing is used here, suggesting that, even in the earliest
times, Lent had a positive pastoral focus; it was a time of reconciliation, where people’s
spiritual shortcomings could be forgiven and made right with God. St. Bernard of Clair-
vaux writes: “Sorrow for sin is indeed necessary but it should not involve endless self-
preoccupation. You should dwell also on the glad remembrance of the loving kindness
of God.”
How can we, in the 21st century, take full advantage of the season of Lent? Perhaps a
good place to start is to ask: What does ‘Lent’ really mean to me this year? What do I
need to do to get the most out of this opportunity? How can I re-boot my life? Jesus
chose to spend time alone, retreating into the austere environment of the desert to pray;
he shows us that having personal space, peace and quiet, is important. Less is more...
God will not accept false piety. God knows all our shortcomings and he loves us still. If
we act fairly, with generosity, compassion and justice, God will reward us. There is a
lovely phrase in Isaiah: “you shall be like a watered garden.” How wonderful, the profu-
sion of a watered garden! Lent offers us all an inspiring new beginning, to discover a
little more about how God is working in our lives.
Have a joyful Lent. With my love and prayers, Revd Judith x

Funerals Advance Notice of …….

Jeanne Howlett, (formerly of Great ‘What’s happening at Easter’
Massingham) at Mintlyn, on 8th February. Easter Lilies: If you would
like to buy a lily to remember
Derick Drewery, from Great a loved one this Easter please
Massingham, at St Mary’s on 21st contact Anna on 520 196 ,
February, followed by burial in the before 3rd April. Lilies will cost £2.50.
churchyard.
Our thoughts and wishes are Easter Bonnets & Craft Morning
with their families. Saturday 13th April, at 10.30am, at
Great Massingham Village Hall.
A fun morning with coffee, juice & cake.
12
Church Services March 2019
Date Time Service Location
1st March 2.00 pm Women’s World Day of Prayer Pott Row Methodist
rd
3 March 8.30 am Holy Communion Ashwicken
Next Before Lent 10.30 am Holy Communion Grimston
10.30 am Morning Praise Gayton
11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
6.00 pm Evensong Congham
6th March 9.00 am Holy Communion with Ashing Harpley
Ash Wednesday 7.00 pm Service of Ashing Grimston
10th March 10.30 am Group Holy Communion Little Massingham
1st Sunday in Lent 4.00 pm The Gap Pott Row Methodist
17th March 8.30 am Holy Communion Roydon
2nd Sunday in Lent 9.30 am Holy Communion Little Massingham
10.30 am Holy Communion Gayton
10.30 am Morning Praise Grimston
11.00 am Family Service Great Massingham
11.15 am Sung Holy Communion Harpley
20th March 9.00 am Holy Communion Grimston
th
24 March 8.30 am Holy Communion Congham
3rd Sunday of Lent 10.30 am Family Service Grimston
11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
3.00 pm Celtic Service Gayton Thorpe
31st March 8.30 am Holy Communion Roydon
4th Sunday of Lent 9.30 am Mothering Sunday Celebration Harpley
10.30 am Mothering Sunday Celebration Gayton
11.00 am Mothering Sunday Celebration Great Massingham
3rd April 9.00 am Holy Communion Harpley
th
7 April 8.30 am Holy Communion Ashwicken
10.30 am Holy Communion Grimston
10.30 am Morning Praise Gayton
11.00 am Holy Communion Great Massingham
Benefice Prayer Meeting, Sunday 3rd March, at 3pm, at the Rectory Gayton and 7 th April
at St Andrews, Congham. For more news visit our website at www.ggmbenefice.uk
CHURCH NEWS sight into all aspects of the way our church
The Christingle service was once again a works. Everyone is welcome.
wonderful occasion and raised an amazing Wednesday Teas, from 2pm, at Mary and
£347.21 raised for the Children’s Society. A Judith’s, 3 Abbeyfields, Gt Massingham.
huge thank you to everyone. Our Lent courses begin on 12th March
Our Annual Parochial Church Meeting with ‘Walking to Glory’, at Kim and Alan
will be held at St Mary’s Church on Thursday Frazer’s house, in Great Massingham.
4th April at 7pm. This meeting gives an in- Contact Rev’d Judith for more details.
13
Shop window

Landlords Electrical Testing

Electrical Upgrades
All Work Fully Insured
For your free estimate please call Adam Prime on
01485 601141
07765 786709
[email protected]

FIRING Heath Farm Shop

Family run business
selling quality &

SQUAD
bespoke meat and
produce, from our own
farm & local Suppliers
Heath farm Shop, Lynn Lane,
Great Massingham
WOODBURNERS King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2HJ
01485 520 828
Comprehensive stock to view at our Open 9-5 Monday to Friday
showroom on 9-1 Saturday
The West Raynham Business Park.
01328 854 098
e-mail: [email protected]
www.firingsquadwoodburners.com
APPROVED CLEARVIEW STOCKIST

Welcomes old & new members

High quality fitted and free-standing

furniture. Individually designed,
Excellent facilities and
a friendly atmosphere. personally installed by experts from
Good beer, real ale, wines and spirits
all at competitive prices. our Great Massingham workshops.
Separate snooker room. www.tenacityinteriors.com
Satellite, large screen TV.
Outside drinking area.
Entertainment throughout the year.
Membership applications can be obtained CALL TODAY
from the club bar 01485 521888

14
 Useful Numbers
Organisation Contact Phone No.
Allotment Association Gill Goold 0750 824 2223
Baby & Toddler Rachael Lockwood Contact Village Hall
Biodiversity Project Mike Jackson 520 056
Borough Council Tim Tilbrook 01485 601413
Bell Ringing Denys Winner 520 598
Bowls Club Peter Wadham 520 796
Church Contacts Revd Judith Pollard 01485 601 251
Community Car Scheme Office 520 823
Coronation Club Jill Whitmore 520 609
County Council Stuart Graham Dark 07450 679 355
Doctors Massingham Surgery 520 521
The Film Night Arthur Allen 520 628
Fishing Warden Guy Belsom Sue Nash on 520 476
Guide Trefoil Guild Shirley Rae 520 259
Massingham Historical Society Peter James 521 706
Tennis and Multi-Sports Club Arthur Allen 520 628
Parish Council Kevin Webb (Clerk) 01328 855 046
Vic Cross (Chair) 520 387
Pre-School Pip Armitage 07807 185 746
Police Non-emergency 101
School Ann Beardall 520 362
Village Hall Hall & Bar & Vic Cross 520 588/520 387

OVEN CLEANING
Mark, Kerry and staff welcome you to
your local shop, 7 days a week. CARPET CLEANING
Monday to Saturday
8am to 5.30pm
Sunday 9.30 -12.30 SOFA CLEANING
Tel: 520 272
Call the local experts now
Our Post Office is open from 9am - 5.30pm
Monday to Friday & 9am-1pm on Saturday.
Clean Tech
It offers euros on demand as well as holiday
insurance & other foreign currency. 01485 609223
The store has lots of new lines including a
new range of newspapers & magazines, Card, cheque and cash
stationery, DIY, cakes and biscuits. More
range changes coming in next few weeks….. payments accepted

15
Refurbishment of the Village Hall Begins
The Village Hall Refurbishment begins this
month with the work being carried out over
the next three months. Clearly, there will be
some inconvenience to regular users of the
Hall but we will seek to minimise it.
What can you expect from the Refurbishment?
Starting at the entrance to the drive, the verges will be cut back either side of the entrance
to improve the view down Station Road in both directions and make leaving the Hall
safer. There will be a new STOP sign and a new, illuminated, Village Hall Sign. The
drive itself will be resurfaced and priority will be given to those coming into the Hall.
Alongside the bowls green there will be a separated illuminated pathway, with a slip-
resistant surface, which will lead directly to the hall entrance.
The poor old Lambing Yard will be getting a new roof and gutter, new door and window,
the wall will be strengthened and along with the outside kitchen wall, will be getting a
coat of render to smarten it up. There will be a Village Hall sign on the outside kitchen
wall. The plan is to make the Hall look much more attractive as you arrive.
The Kitchen gets a much-needed makeover with underpinning to the south-facing wall
and to the floor. It will be decorated & refitted with two ovens, two hobs, two dishwashers
and two fridges. There will be new cupboards that will be equipped with new cutlery and
tableware and the plate warmer will be retained.
The door from the Hall to the toilets will be widened to allow easier wheelchair and push
-chair access. The toilets will be completely replaced to include disabled & baby-changing
facilities. The builders will gut the Toilets, Lambing Yard and Kitchen first so there will
be a time when particularly the loos are out of action. Don’t worry, if you need to ‘spend
a penny’ you will be able to use the recently refurbished toilets in the Changing rooms.
Hopefully, after a few weeks of inconvenience, we will be left with a
Village Hall of which we can all be proud.
Primary School Great Massingham Baby and
Results of the 23rdJanuary draw are Toddler
1st prize - Judy Tomes EVERY THURSDAY
2nd prize - Carol Walker From 10 - 11.30am
3rd prize - Mike Jackson at the Village Hall
More squares still available. £2 with snack of tea & cake, 50p second
Call Joules 07761 983212 child. See us on facebook.
Dates for your Diary – March
Date Event Time Place
4,18 March Craft & Chat 2 - 4.30 pm Village Hall Bar
9 March Biodiversity Working Party 10 am Weasenham Rd Pond
11 March Historical Society 7.30 pm Village Hall
14 March Trefoil Guild 7pm Village Hall
17 March Strollers Walk 9.30 am Meet at The Well
21 March Film Night 7 for 7.30 pm Village Hall
23 March Remembering Derick 7.30 pm Village Hall
25 March Bowls Club Bingo 7 for 7.30 pm Village Hall
28 March Quiz Night 7.30 pm Village Hall Bar
30 March Village Spring Clean 10 am Meet at the Well
30 March Race Night 7 for 7.30pm Village Hall
16