"THE MALLARD" September 2021
"THE MALLARD" September 2021
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Mallard News
This parish magazine is
published every month for the
Great Massingham Biodiversity Project
residents of Great and Little Annual General Meeting
Massingham with the support of
the Great Massingham Parish Friday September 10th at 7.30pm
Council, the Parochial Church
Council and Massingham at the Village Hall.
Village Hall Trustees. All interested residents are
e-mail: welcome to attend. The main pur-
[email protected]
pose of the meeting is to receive
Editor: Bev. Randall.
6 Abbeyfields the annual report & accounts
Great Massingham together with an opportunity to
01485 520 899 learn more about the Project and
Website: the Weasenham Road site.
www.greatmassingham.net
Deadline for the Are you interested in helping to keep our
next issue Churchyard clean and tidy?
17th September At the moment there are three or four of us
who usually meet up for about 4 hours each
In this issue week on a Monday or Wednesday to keep the
• ‘History Bits’ Book grass under control. Other jobs we would like to do, if there
were more of us, would be to prune some of the trees and re-
move some of the ivy.
If you could spare about 4 hours a week and would like to
help, please ring 01485 520655 (Pippy Brown)
or 01485 520476 (Bob Nash). Bob Nash
Memorial Service For Great Massingham
Phyllis Raspberry Historical Society
• Short Mat Bowls You will all remember our dear friend
• Thai Cuisine Pop Up AGM
• Gert & Daisy and villager, Phyllis Raspberry, who Monday
• Mobile Library sadly died back in April 2020.
20th September
• Pre-School Leavers Her son wrote this month saying, “I
at
• Biodiversity Project have just arranged a date with Reverend
• Use it of Lose It 7.30 pm
Judith for a memorial service at the
• Parish Council in the Village Hall.
village church for 11.30 am Tuesday
• Village Stores th Please come along
• Reverend Judith 26 October. It would be great to see as
and support and
• Church News many villagers attend as possible.”
Duncan Moore help us to plan for
• Church Services the year ahead.
• FOSPGM 01793 627960 or 07754 172393
• Dates for your Diary Please put this date in your diary. See you there!
GRASSROOTS MALAWI
The stall on 31st July raised £300
and on 14th August it raised £430.
Unfortunately, this was our last ‘Sale for
Malawi’ and we would like to thank all the
lovely people who have supported us over
the years, in so many ways. We shall miss
you.
Jenny, Paul and the Children of Malawi.
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Village Hall and Bar - Coming Events
The Village Hall Bar plans to put something SHORT MAT CARPET BOWLS
special on every month. This month is a pop This season’s short mat/carpet bowls should
up food stall (see below). Please come and start in early October and usually runs to
buy some take away food. If you eat it in the mid-April and takes place at the Village
bar there will be special offers on some Hall between 7pm and 9.30pm, on Wednes-
drink just for one night. days. We usually play one match per pair
per evening and occasionally two. It costs
SEPTEMBER 4th 2021 £1 per pair per game to play.
From 4pm to 8.30pm If you are new to the game, you will be
NORFOLK THAI CUISINE paired up with a more experienced player
Pop up Thai food stall. who will be able to teach you how to play
and explain the rules. There are plenty of
Why not spare bowls for newcomers wishing to play.
come to the It would be good to see some new players.
Hall and buy why not give it a go?
some
takeaway If you are interested in joining us this year,
Thai food? please put your name on the form on the
Village Hall noticeboard (in the bar area),
give me a ring on 01485 520476 or
If you eat in you can enjoy a friendly email me on [email protected]
welcome with special discounts on bottled Looking forward to welcoming you all.
wine and jugs of beer. Bob Nash
Example menu can be viewed on the
Village website home page
www.greatmassingham.net Craft & Chat to Resume in late September.
No need to pre-order. All food MSG free Actual date yet to be decided.
Customers suffering from food related Please contact Sue Nash (07802 670 611 or
allergies please inform us before ordering. 01485 520476) or look on Facebook.
Shop Window
LADIES’ FRENCH Ducklings Preschool
FASHION BOUTIQUE
Wide variety of smart/casual
outfits and accessories.
UK sizes 6-24 /girls 6-10 years. Great Massingham
Style advice & wardrobe makeovers. Contact Now
Try at home, before you buy or
come to the Boutique. For September 2021 - age 2 - 4 years
Tel: Suzy Martin 07787 543249 07807185746
Digital Catalogues on request [email protected]
2 luxurious dog-friendly
self-catering holiday cottages
Each sleeps 4 with an optional annexe
to accommodate a further 2 guests
Tranquil setting in beautiful countryside less than
a mile outside Great Massingham
Contact Gill on 01485 521748 or 07967 136960
Email: [email protected]
See www.westheathbarn.com for more details
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Shop window
WE’RE OPEN
Monday - Saturday 7am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm
WE’VE GOT
Deli with award winning hams and the National
award winning Brays Cottage pork pies & sausage rolls
Chilled wine & beer · Lottery · Newspapers
Fresh sandwiches & rolls · Fresh coffee & tea
CONTACT US ON
email: [email protected]
phone: 01485 520272
website: www.massinghamstores.co.uk
massingham stores and post office
@massinghamstorespostoffice
Phone: 01485 520637 15, Cross Street, Harpley, King’s Lynn PE31 6TJ
Mobile: 07780 776576 [email protected]
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Gert & Daisy.... .... Well, how are yew awl?
We are just abowt surviving the school holidays. Don’t have much toime ter meet up fer
lunch these days but we hev managed ter meet in the evening fer alcohol! That helps us
ter git through another week. We hint got much news this toime but never mind – hope
we hev more next month.
We both hev family holidays ter luk forward to and by the toime yew read this we’ll be
back. More details next month of course.
Big news from the Village Store – as yew may hev sin, they hev won Local Shop of the
Year in the London and South East but now a bigger prize may be on the doorstep!
They are finalists in the Retail Industry Awards and will be orf for the presentation even-
ing in September. Fingers crossed.
There’s bin two weddings in the village Church this month – neither did we recognise
the names nor were we invited! We wish you all the best and hope you have long and
happy marriages.
Gert became a great aunt (she is already a great grandma!) in August. Congratulations to
Ruth and Matt on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl who is yet to hev a name. Don’t
think it will be Gert or Daisy though!
It’s bin a very expensive month for both of us - so many birthdays in August (daren’t put
the names in case we miss one out!) Also, there wus two Wedding Anniversaries – Marc
& Zoie and a big 20th anniversary for Lucy and Tony. Congratulations to you all.
Don’t forget the Church Craft Fair on September 18 th and 19th. We hope they dew well.
The Craft and Chat group, which Daisy helps with, will be having a stall.
Gert met Vic and Keith on a walk in Little Massingham. She stopped and asked if they
were going blackberry picking or scrumping. Keith said they were going mushroom
picking but they hed forgotten ter bring a ladder. Yew wud hev thort they’d know abowt
foraging in the countryside.
Don’t forget ter let us know if there’s anything we ken help yew with. We know we say
that every month but we do really mean it. Tek care and stay safe. Gert and Daisy.
Answers to last month’s questions:
If someone gave you some ‘cooshies’ what would you do? B - Eat them
If you described something as ‘titty-totty’ what would it be? C - Small
This month’s questions:
You find a ‘sowpig’ in your house. If you were on a countryside walk and saw
Why should you be worried? a ‘spink’ what would you be looking at?
A It’s a burglar A A pothole
B It’s a debt collector B A chaffinch
C It’s a wood louse C A fly-tipped old car
D It’s an escaped farm animal D A Hedgehog
M B LOGS
DRY STORED, SEASONED,
SPLIT WOOD
SUPPLIED & DELIVERED
CALL MARK
07766223438 or email
[email protected]
•15 years experience
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Biodiversity Project News - August
During August volunteers have carried out further work to open up some of the wood-
land floor to increased light and allow the thriving ferns, such as hart’s-tongue, to be
seen on the hedge-bank. Another task that has been completed is the repainting of the
bridge following its recent repair and, as many will no doubt have
seen, it is now a soft shade of green. Our thanks are due to the Parish
Council for funding the paint. The area of wet meadow between the
platform and the bridge should be colourful through September with
a variety of plants but dominated by fleabane, great willowherb and
yellow loosestrife. Fleabane (see left) is a late flowering member of
the daisy family and its yellow composite flowers are attractive to
butterflies and a wide range of other insects. A guide to help identify
this and other plants is now available on site
beside the information board.
Volunteers recently enjoyed a trip to Natural
Surroundings at Glandford which features a
beautifully laid out wildlife garden embracing
a range of habitats and huge variety of species.
Most impressive during our visit were large
stands of hemp agrimony that were covered in
butterflies. This is an excellent place to gain
inspiration from and a good selection of wild
and wildlife friendly plants are on sale, mostly
raised in the nursery there. We also enjoyed a walk along a
stretch of the River Glaven and did not get as wet as the picture
right might suggest! Tim Baldwin
Great Massingham
Historical Society
2022 Calendar
‘Great Massingham
from Above’
Price £6
Available from
from Peter James,
63 Castle Acre Road,
Contact 521706 or [email protected]
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GREAT MASSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL AUGUST MEETING
The August Parish Council meeting was held in the Village Hall on Monday 9 th with
seven Parish Councillors in attendance along with one member of the public.
The Parish Council thanked Caroline Boyden, following her resignation in July as Parish
Councillor & Vice Chair, for all she had contributed during her time on the Council and
for giving up her time. Councillor Mark Eldridge was duly elected as Vice-Chair.
This Casual Vacancy will be advertised on the Notice Board and Parish Council Website
for a period of 14 days. If within the 14 days of the date of the notice a request, in writ-
ing, that an election should be held to fill the vacancy, signed by ten local government
electors of the Ward is given to the Proper Officer (BCKLWN), then an election will
need to be held. If no such request is received by the Proper Officer (BCKLWN), the
Parish Council will take the necessary steps to fill the vacancy by co-option.
Tree Work….. During the coming weeks, following a Conservation Area Notice by the
Borough Council, some work will be undertaken to the beech tree and cherry tree located
on the green between the Dabbling Duck PH and the Village Shop. This will include
raising the crown of the both trees and removal of any significant deadwood. The work
will result in the trees being safer, clear of and power lines and not overlapping items
such as litter bins.
Commemorative Tree Planting…. The Parish Council is currently considering a pro-
posal for commemorative tree planting for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Captain Sir
Tom Moore and the Platinum Jubilee of the Queen. Three potential sites are currently
being considered, as well as initial and ongoing costs for various species of trees. We are
hoping that County Councillor Stuart Dark will contribute towards any costs for the pro-
posal from the Local Member Fund whose criteria has now been extended to cover envi-
ronmental as well as highway projects.
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, 2022….. An extended bank holiday, from Thursday 2 nd June
to Sunday 5th June, will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout
the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate the historic milestone. The four days of
celebration will include public events and community activities, as well as national mo-
ments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.
The Parish Council is considering ways in which the village should celebrate this historic
event and would like to receive ideas from parishioners and, of course, any voluntary
offers of help would be much appreciated. Ideas already suggested and being considered
are a cèilidh which would include dancing and musical accompaniment, village fete, chil-
dren’s games, fair, hog roast. If there is anything else you would like the Council to con-
sider, please advise the Clerk, Sarah Harvey.
Pre-Submission Consultation
Village Store Wins
Period for the Local Plan Review
Prestige Award!
You can see more details of the Local
Congratulations!
Plan Review in the full Parish Council
Our Village Store is
minutes on the village website
the London & South
www.greatmassingham.net
East Prestige 20/21
Alternatively, you can follow the
‘Local Shop of
Borough Council link: Login to
the Year’.
www.west-norfolk.go.uk and search
A chance is now there for Local Government Plan Review.
to win this year’s
retail industry national Next Parish Council Meeting, Village
award for the best Hall, 13th September,7.30pm. Members
independent store. of the public may join the meeting with
the opportunity to make comments or
Watch this space! ask questions.
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Shop window
Keighley’s Happy Feet GUTTERING SERVICES
Keighley Overson NORFOLK
Foot Care Specialist Gutters cleared, repaired and replaced.
Call: 07576911627 or 01328 838869 No job too small. Free quotes. Fully insured.
Corns · Callus · Cracked heels Local, friendly and reliable service.
Ingrown nails · Diabetic foot care & advice Contact Neill
Nail reduction and trimming Call 01485 572 002 or 07856 568 433
Fungal and athletes foot care email: [email protected]
£20 per session Follow us on facebook
TAAsOnew
Aterm,
LL aPnewARISHIONERS
start...
we leave behind the Summer holidays - perhaps somewhat different this
year - and slide into Autumn, we embark upon a new school year. Our
thoughts turn naturally to the many students and school pupils in our villages
whose learning has been impacted by the pandemic. We give thanks for the dedication
of parents, carers, teachers and other staff and supporters who have worked so hard to
maintain equilibrium in the face of unprecedented challenges. As we try to look to the
future with hope, my prayers this Autumn term are that all our young people will have
the best possible start to their academic year, especially those moving on to senior
school or college/university.
Sadly, chaos, war and suffering are an ever-present reality in the news. We cannot fail to
be moved by the plight of so many whose lives and livelihoods across the globe are be-
ing destroyed. There is huge political upheaval in Afghanistan, Africa and the Middle
East: Syria, Yemen, Israel/Palestine, countries where historically Britain has sought to
have a significant stabilising presence, at no small cost to our armed forces, whose sacri-
fice is remembered with deep gratitude.
With the Cop26 conference fresh in our minds we continue to think of big questions
about climate change; wildfires and other natural disasters bring this into sharp focus.
We can make a difference, we must believe this. Every little helps... For those of you
who remember a Conservative politician Norman Tebbitt talking about ‘getting on your
bike’ (albeit in a different context entirely) I hope to do just that and make a new start at
cycling! So, if you see me wobbling along, give me a wave!
We continue to pray for justice, love and peace. Our daily prayers recognise the suffer-
ing that is endemic in our world, even as we strive to ‘do our bit’ to care for our planet
and our neighbour.
The well-known prayer of Saint Ignatius of Loyola may speak to us personally to also do
our bit to further God’s Kingdom here on earth: “Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as
you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil
and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that
we do your will.” Amen to that. With all good wishes, Reverend Judith.
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
Great Massingham
Village Hall and Bar
WE ARE NOW OPEN AGAIN
Wednesday - Friday - 7pm to 11pm
Saturday 3.45pm to 11pm High quality fitted and free-standing
Sunday 12 noon to 6.30 pm furniture. Individually designed,
With some flexibility for special
events and occasions. personally installed by experts from
All Welcome. our Great Massingham workshops.
(No paid membership required) www.tenacityinteriors.com
Excellent facilities. Good beer,
wines and spirits at competitive
prices. Outdoor drinking area. CALL TODAY
WiFi, Pool Table & Sky on large screen. 01485 521888
Please come along and support.
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Useful Numbers
Organisation Contact Phone No.
Allotment Association Gill Goold 0750 824 2223
Biodiversity Project Tim Baldwin 520 813
Borough Council James (Jim) Moriarty 07879 492400
Bell Ringing Dale Gagen 520 024
Bowls Club To be advised
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
Dabbling Duck Pub Mark Dobby 520 827
Doctors Massingham Surgery 520 521
The Film Night Arthur Allen 520 628
Fishing Warden Paul Smith and Ken Perry Sue Nash 07802 670 711
Guide Trefoil Guild Shirley Rae 520 259
Massingham Historical Society Peter James 521 706
Tennis and Multi-Sports Club Clare Parker 520 469
Parish Council Sue Nash (Chair) & Sarah Harvey (Clerk) Clerk 01328 823391
Pre-School Pip Armitage 07807 185 746
Police Non-emergency 101
School Kirsten Stibbon 520 362
Village Hall Hall & Bar & Debs Lambert 520 588
Village Stores and Deli Mark and Kerry Eldridge 520 272
OVEN CLEANING
CARPET CLEANING
SOFA CLEANING
Call the local experts now
4 Sept Pop Up Thai Cuisine 4pm - 8.30pm Village Hall and Bar
10 Sept Biodiversity Project AGM 7.30 pm Village Hall
13 Sept Parish Council Meeting 7.30 pm Village Hall
14 Sept Community Lunch 1pm Village Hall
18/19 Sept Church Celebration Harvest Weekend See p1 or 12 St Mary’s Church
21 Sept Mobile Library Visit From 12.35 As timetabled
20 Sept Historical Society AGM 7.30 pm Village Hall
23 Sept Quiz Night 7.30 pm Village Hall Bar
24 Sept Macmillan Coffee Morning 10am to midday Village Hall
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