December 2022

Issue 298

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Harleston Grapevine

Welcome to the December issue of the Harleston Grapevine

[email protected] 2660 copies distributed free through the door to homes in Harleston.

Collection Box For all correspondence with The Grapevine. The box is in HIP.

Postal Copies Available for £16 annual subscription. Eric Bird 01379 855085

Advertising T: 852150 E: [email protected] W: www.harlestongrapevine.com Adverts MUST be supplied as a jpeg or pdf file. The Grapevine reserves the right to recreate any material not supplied in the correct format with different typefaces and graphics if necessary. What’s On (Clubs/Societies only) [email protected]

Queries Kath Distribution Tricia

854347 855085

Content [email protected]

Website [email protected] www.harlestongrapevine.com

Thank You To the advertisers as without them this magazine would not be possible. We would also like to thank the library, HIP, cafes and shops who hold extra copies of the magazine.

January 2023 deadlines Advertising copy - 05 December Articles - noon 05 December

Disclaimer The Harleston Grapevine cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that appear in the magazine.

Christmas is upon us and yet another year is drawing to an end, with the passing of the UK’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and seeing three prime ministers in as many months. It’s certainly not been a quiet year! Now we look forward to the future with a new King who will continue her legacy and build his own. The Grapevine team wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope you are looking forward to the new year. Hopefully it will be a bit calmer than 2022. There’s plenty of activities taking place throughout December, details of which are in our pages. Please do let us know your events so can include them in our What’s On listing. All you have to do is email [email protected] to be included. Or you can make use of our drop box in HIP at Exchange Street. Sadly, our longest serving member, Rose, has decided to take a well earned retirement. Rose has been with the Grapevine since the day it was conceived and she will be sorely missed by us all. Among her many duties she was our proof reader and had the most incredible eagle eye. Very little escaped her attention. Thank you Rose, enjoy your well earned retirement.

Until next time The Grapevine Team

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RED LION NEEDHAM 01379 853930

CHRISTMAS TREE’S FOR SALE FROM THE 3rd WEEK OF NOVEMBER PRICES FROM £18.00 Bring your tree to the Red Lion and we will recycle your tree for just £1.00 LOCAL FREE RANGE EGGS LOCAL HONEY RED LION CHRISTMAS MENUS NOW AVAILABLE Prizes For The Best Decorated Tree - Visit Red Lion Facebook Page For Full Details. WWW.THEREDLIONNEEDHAM.CO.UK

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Harleston Cinema Presents THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN Thursday 8th December 2pm and 7.30pm Masonic Rooms, Redenhall Road, Harleston. Starring Jenny Agutter, Sheridan Smith, Tom Courtenay, John Bradley, Beau Gadsdon, Austin Hayes

A group of children are evacuated to a Yorkshire village during the Second World War, where they encounter a young soldier who, like them, is far away from home. Ice creams at the intervals, bar also available for the evening screening. Seats are £4, please book at Harleston Information Plus in Exchange Street, Harleston, or call 01379 851917. More information at www.visitharleston.org.uk All required Covid measures will be taken, in accordance with current guidelines. The hall has a new air monitoring and circulation system. Certificate PG, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

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This Year’s Iconic Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run has smashed the team’s fundraising record for a single year. The record sum of £84,000 was announced at a cheque presentation where participants and the support team gathered to celebrate the staggering amount raised for Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal.

Chapman to Gill Burgess from Cancer Research UK. Sophia France, Cancer Research UK’s relationship manager for Norfolk and Suffolk said: “The Ladies’ Tractor Road Run has been hugely successful for Cancer Research UK, and those involved have contributed immensely (for nearly two decades) to the charity. We are so grateful for those who participate in the Tractor Road Run and for the individuals who donate to the event, as it all plays a vital role in our fight against cancer. I am so incredibly proud of the Pink Ladies and I’d like to thank Annie Chapman, Libby Searle and John Chapman in particular. This prestigious annual event would not be possible without the three of them, and they thoroughly deserve every piece of recognition that they can get. I nominated Annie for the Pride of Britain 2022 Award, and we were so proud that she was shortlisted for the Anglian region. She is an inspiration to us all. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. We are determined to see our ambition of seeing three in four people survive their cancer by 2034. Our progress relies on the dedication and commitment of our amazing volunteers and supporters – like the Ladies Tractor Road Run. Without this support, we would not be able to fund our life-saving work.”

The first Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run took place in 2004 and this year’s collection takes the total raised over the years to more than £896,000. Now organisers hope to smash through the £1 million mark in 2023. Organised by Annie Chapman BEM, this year’s run saw 112 decorated tractors winding their way through Norfolk and north Suffolk in July. Annie, who was shortlisted for a Pride of Britain Award earlier this month for her fundraising work, said: “My Pink Ladies have produced an incredible £84,000 this year - a record which brings us within £104,000 of a £1million grand total. “What was a slightly crazy ambition has now become a goal we really can achieve. And, with our incredible support team behind the Run, I hope to see those tractor wheels keep on turning for a few more years to come. " “It was a huge honour to be nominated for the Pride of Britain Award and although I didn't win, I really appreciate the publicity it gave the Ladies' Tractor Road Run and it especially highlighted the need for continued sponsorship to support Cancer Research UK's research into all aspects of breast cancer."

Donations are already being pledged for next year’s event, with only £104,000 to go until the team raise a staggering total of £1m. To donate please visit https:// fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/ pink-ladies-tractor-road-run-2023

The incredible total was raised by the ladies who took part in the event, money collected on the day from supporters who gathered along the route and fundraising activities following the tractor run. The cheque on the night was presented by Sara Curtis and Annie

The 2023 Ladies’ Tractor Road Run takes place on Sunday 2nd July. For more information about the event please visit www.ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk

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YOUR COMMUNITY HUB We are sad to advise that we can no longer accept blister packs for r e c y c l i n g . Superdrug is unable to cope with the large quantities received from us (up to 3 bin bags a week!), although individual shoppers can still take them to Superdrug Pharmacies in Norwich, Gorleston and Lowestoft. Please note that empty blister packs can be put in your home recycling bins. Wishing you happiness and health over the festive season, from all at Harleston Information Plus 8 Exchange Street. Harleston IP20 9AB Tel: 01379 851917

✉ [email protected]

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HARLESTON PLAYERS AUDITION CALL SPRING PRODUCTION AGATHA CHRISTIE’S WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION Leonard Vole stands accused of murdering a rich widow. The stakes are high with shocking witness testimony, impassioned outbursts from the dock and a young man’s fight to escape the hangman’s noose. Regarded as one of Christie’s most accomplished play’s, this suspenseful thriller keeps audiences guessing until the very end. There are several excellent parts for men and women in this tense court room drama. If you would like to audition for a part, or be involved backstage, come along to the auditions at Jays Green, Harleston on Tuesday 6 December at 7.30pm, Sunday 11 December at 2.00pm and Tuesday 13 December at 7.30pm. Performances will be on 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 April 2023 Rehearsals begin Monday 13 February 2023 A list of characters is available on our web site www.harlestonplayers.co.uk For more information about the play or if you cannot make the auditions but would like to be involved contact the director - David Cumming

Harleston Choral Society …. your local non-auditioning friendly community choir, would like to wish all our supporters a very happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful new year. Our Spring Term begins on 9th January 2023 and we would love you to come and sing with us on a Monday evening, when we practise from 7.30pm – 9.30 pm in The London Road Church in Harleston, under the direction of our Music Director, Justin Bindley, and our accompanist Karen Smith. We’ll be rehearsing for our Summer Concert on 1st July next year, singing Haydn Stabat Mater and Mozart Opera Choruses, Arias and Ensembles. For further information about HCS please visit our website www.harlestonchoralsoc.org.uk or from Stella Brownsea, our Chair, at [email protected] or John Awty on 07477 919987

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Harleston Breakfast Electric House in Ipswich. I was on Cloud Nine!

Last month I posed the question about whether working long hours, for very little remuneration, would be worthwhile in the long run. The short answer is yes!

My first duty was to tell the Programme Controller at Radio Broadland, Mike Stewart, that I would be leaving. Mike was very honest and told me that he thought that I wasn’t yet ready for such a career leap but that I had no choice other than to take the opportunity. I left the studio complex in Colegate with his best wishes. Our paths would cross again on many occasions.

In late 1988 I sent several cassettes of my overnight shows on Radio Broadland to various radio stations in East Anglia in the hope that maybe one of them would offer me a full-time position. Only one station actually replied.

I joined Saxon Radio in March 1989, one month before my first programme. The idea was that I should spend the month practising in the studio, getting to know the team and to become familiar w i th Bu ry St Ed mu n d s a n d th e surrounding area. Pronouncing the name of a village correctly is very important when on local radio. For example, the village of Onehouse near Stowmarket is pronounced as ‘One-us’.

I received a letter from Sally Gordon, then the Programme Controller of Suffolk Group Radio who operated two radio stations: Radio Orwell in Ipswich and Saxon Radio in Bury St Edmunds. Sally invited me to Radio Orwell for an interview. I was 31 years of age and as keen as mustard to become a full-time radio presenter.

The other exciting event, timed to coincide with the launch of more programmes sourced in Bury was the introduction of on-air processing. Up to this point, the output for Orwell and Saxon on FM was just fed through a simple ‘limiter’ designed to prevent presenters from sending too much signal to the transmitters and causing distortion. The newly installed kit acted like an active graphic equaliser, boosting certain frequencies to make the output sound warmer and louder. What isn’t widely known, is that the new equipment was installed a month before what was promoted as ‘Music Power Day’ and that the current team of presenters were told to keep the broadcast desks to a lower output until the appointed day in April 1989.

During the course of the interview, Sally explained that the radio group wanted to offer more locally produced programmes on Saxon Radio and that she thought that I would be a useful member of the team. When she suggested that I might suit a 9 to 11 timeslot I willingly said yes, thinking that an evening show would be a good step up the career ladder from presenting overnight shows. She smiled and explained that she meant a mid-morning show, Monday to Friday. My mouth fell open. This was more than just one rung on the ladder.....this was virtually a leap to the top! Plus, Sally offered me a pay deal that was better than my current day job. I floated out of

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This was a very exciting time for me as Radio Broadland had no FM processing in 1989 and this would be my first experience of hearing myself on the air through this new piece of equipment.

gave me a guide as to what sort of music I was expected to play. Saxon Radio’s studio manager, Nigel Rennie advised me to keep my content as local as possible. But anything beyond that and I was stumped.

As my first show on Saxon loomed, the nerves kicked in. For good reason. I had no idea what I was meant to include in my two-hour slot. There was to be music, but what else was I to do in between the records? Sally had given me as much freedom to do basically what I wanted between 9 and 11. The head of music, Andy Archer

That is, until the night before my first show. I then had what can be termed ‘a lightbulb’ moment. Find out more in January. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for listening to www.harleston-breakfast.co.uk Tell your smart speaker to play Radio Stradbroke or Coastal Radio.

What’s the difference between a hippo and a zippo? One is really heavy and the other is a little lighter.

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December Jubilee Drama We have reached the end of our series of Jubilee playreadings, having presented an evening of theatre for each decade of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We little thought in May, at our first reading - a classic whodunnit from 1952 that we would have a new monarch by the end of the year. Despite the sadness surrounding the Queen’s death, we decided to continue the playreading series to mark her long reign. December sees our final play, a ghost story – in time for Christmas! This contemporary haunted-house chiller will have you on the edge of your seat. Cast: Bruce Alcorn - who has just finished a tour of “Arsenic and Old Lace” with Roughcast Theatre, in which he played the chief villain of the piece (a role originally played by Boris Karloff!) Cathy Gill-Edwards - whose skilful direction created the hugely successful “My Family and Other Animals” for Harleston Players. Earlier this year, Cathy gave a chilling performance of Lady Macbeth in Roughcast’s tour of the Scottish play. Joe Gill-Edwards – who delighted audiences as Larry, the imperious elder brother of Gerald Durrell, in “My Family and Other Animals”. This followed Joe’s masterful performance as Macbeth, with Roughcast Theatre. Emma Martin – who recently toured with the Open Space Theatre production of Patrick Marber’s “After Miss Julie”, playing the title role. Venue: Swan Hotel, Carvery. Date: Saturday, 17th December. 7.30pm. Tickets: Free. (But donations welcome, to cover the cost of putting on these readings). No need to book. As before, grab a drink from the Bar and make yourself comfortable in the Carvery for a 7.30pm start. Thank you to Robin Twigge for his generous hosting of this series. Further inforation from [email protected] Eileen Ryan Harleston’s Future

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Serving the Community Everyone at Borderhoppa would like to wish all of our passengers and supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. We have lots of great outings booked for 2023, pub lunches, trips to garden centres, the seaside and much more. Our 2023 outings leaflet will be available from early December. If you would like a copy, please contact us on 01379 854800 or email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you in 2023!

Never Miss a Bin Collection Download the free Bin Collections app today to keep up to date with your bin collection days, receive notifications for any changes and find out more about recycling. Search Bin Collections South Norfolk on the App Store or Google Play. southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/sncbinapp

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Remembering your Faithful Friend this Christmas Christmas may be a time to remember family and friends, but Dogs Trust Snetterton is also asking local dog owners to remember their four-legged friends this festive time, with a Canine Care Card. The Canine Care Card is a free service, which helps to ensure your dog’s future, in the event of you either passing away, receiving a life-changing diagnosis, or moving into a care home. This can often be of great concern to some people who perhaps do not have a family member or friend in a position to look after their dog, should the worst happen. Therefore, by signing up to the service, Dogs Trust can offer peace of mind, reassuring you that your faithful friend will be well cared for by the charity. It is easy to sign up to the service, which simply asks for some information on your dog, including their likes and dislikes, as well as your dog’s medical history and your vet details. It also asks for you to confirm who you would like as your Dog Guardian. This should be someone you trust, like a friend, family member, solicitor, neighbour, or vet, who can sign over ownership of your dog to Dogs Trust on your behalf, should you become seriously ill or pass away. You can register online by going to www.dogstrust.org.uk and searching for ‘Canine Care Card’ - or if you do not have access to the internet, you can request a paper version of the application form. Once the form is submitted, Dogs Trust will then write to you, to confirm when your application has been processed. Once signed up, should your card ever need to be activated, Dogs Trust will then arrange with your Dog Guardian for your dog to come into the rehoming centre or into foster care. With a team of vets, trainers and behaviourists on hand if needed, your dog will then be welcomed, loved and well cared for by the charity, who will work tirelessly to find a loving new home for your muchloved canine companion. If you would like further information about the Canine Care Card, or to request a paper application form, please contact Dogs Trust Snetterton’s Supporter Relations Officer, Paige Pope, at [email protected] or phone 01953 497912.

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Harleston Garden Club

Harleston’s Rector, the Reverend Nigel Tuffnell, was guest speaker at the Club’s October meeting with a talk about beekeeping. Rev Nigel and his wife took up beekeeping together some years ago, and friends, family and specially deserving causes are the no-doubt ever-delighted recipients of the produce of their three hives, perhaps especially of the limeflower honey that Harleston provides for so well. He has a very real respect for the intelligence of bees and of the almost extra-sensory perception the hives show, going calmly about their honey producing activities when a calm, methodical beekeeper is going about his or hers. “Bees”, he said, “know how you feel”, and by the same token it is inadvisable for the beekeeper to try to move a grumpy swarm. The Club were treated to a virtual demo of the annual cycle of beekeeping– all that was lacking were the bees, which, with between 40,000 – 150,000 bees in the hive, would have been impractical to say the least. However Rev Nigel brought with him almost the whole paraphernalia of beekeeping so that we could feel and handle many of the tools of the trade - from the smoker, to the glue sticks that stick the hives together when needed, to the “hair-roller” used with fondant to get a new Queen accepted - even his beekeeper mask, smock and gauntlets . Regrettably time did not allow any members to try dressing up! Few gardeners will take up beekeeping or know much about it, so this was an absolutely fascinating, detailed and information-packed presentation, much appreciated by everyone present. December will offer Club members a Quiz and Cake afternoon tea, when the 2023 Club programme will be released. New members are always welcome. Contact Club Secretary, William Thomas (01379 853483) or retiring committee member Lesley Rock (854897) for full information. Meanwhile Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from Harleston Garden Club.

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SWT Redgrave and Lopham Fen, IP22 2HX - December Twilight Walk A sociable stroll for adults looking at seasonal wildlife. Tuesday 6th December - 2.30pm - 4.30pm, £5 Weekend Wildlife Club - For 6-11 year olds

Monthly club with wildlife-themed activities for 6 -11 year olds Saturday 10th December - 10.30am - 12.30pm, £5

Young Naturalists - For 11-16 year olds Saturday 10th December – 2.15pm – 4.15pm - £5 Explore, investigate and learn about the wildlife and habitats of the Fen.

Holiday Club Tuesday 20th December - 9am - 3.30pm For unaccompanied 6 -11 year olds Wild play, games and activities £25 each, including a healthy, vegetarian lunch

Booking essential for all activities unless otherwise stated. For further details and to book, visit www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org or call 01473 890089

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Did you hear about the guy who got hit on the head with a can of soda? He was lucky it was a soft drink.

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Help for the Homeless I can’t say “Thank You” enough to everyone who has brought me such wonderful help with the bags for the homeless; today, (at the beginning of November), I have packed 20 for the next delivery, and if I can find four more towels, it will be 24 ! I also have single bedding for the hostel and some warm clothes, ready to go. The work is on-going, so any items are always welcome, I can add mugs, pens, combs - anything useful I can collect - as well as toiletries and warm items, so please keep the appeal in mind as Winter comes. It is very sad that, after more than 400 bags, they are still badly needed, and it could get worse. Thank you for your support. Coral - 854647

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Activities & Services at Harleston Library Following on from the success of our new CRAFTernoon Club for children we are pleased to announce a new fun art group for adults of all abilities called: ‘ART for Fun’. These sessions will run on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2.00pm starting on Wednesday 16th November. Sessions are free but booking is essential, please contact Harleston Library directly on: 01379 852549 to secure your space. This activity will run alongside our current activities and services: •

Just a Cuppa on Mondays at 2pm – come in for a free cuppa and a chat with others in your local community

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Lego Club which runs every Monday at 3.45pm. There is no need to book but children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Bounce & Rhyme every Wednesday at 10.30am, with Stay & Play session immediately following

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CRAFTernoon Club which runs on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month at 3.45pm. Sessions are free but booking is essential, please contact Harleston Library directly on: 01379 852549 to secure your space. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Knit & Knatter on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month, 1.30-3pm

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Baby self-weigh

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Public PCs and print/copy services available

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Hot & cold drinks available throughout staffed hours

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Home Library Service – contact us if you’d like to volunteer, or to receive book deliveries

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Find us on Facebook: ‘Diss, Harleston and Long Stratton Libraries’

Opening Hours:

Monday 8am-7pm (Staffed 11.30am-7pm) Tuesday 8am-7pm (Open Libraries all day) Wednesday 8am-7pm (Staffed 10am-7pm) Thursday 8am-7pm (Open Libraries all day) Friday 8am-7pm (Staffed 11.30am-7pm) Saturday 8am-4pm (Staffed 11.30am-4pm) Sunday 10am-4pm (Open Libraries all day)

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Weekly Activities MONDAY Bridge Club 12.30-4.00pm Needham Village Hall. £2

Ivan Hipperson 01986 895439 or Mary Quarmby 852972

1st Harleston Rainbows Girls 5-7yrs 5.15-6.15pm KG’s Hall [email protected] 1st Harleston Guides 10-14yrs 7.45 – 9.00 KG’s Hall [email protected] 2nd Harleston Brownies 7-10yrs 6.30-7.30pm KG’s Hall [email protected] Harleston Rangers 14-18yrs 6.30-7.30pm St John’s Church [email protected] Harleston Choral Society: practices 7.30-9.30pm The Church, London Road 01379 854720 Harleston Magpies Hockey Club 6.00-8.30pm Boys’ training [email protected] Jay’s Green Toddler Group – 9:15 – 11:15 (term time) Jay’s Green Hall Sarah 07500 806181 Spanish improvers, 9.30am online Heather 309134

TUESDAY Dancing tap dance 4.00 - 8.00pm Wortwell Community Centre Julie Ash 01986 897034 Exchange 2 7.00 – 9.00pm, Youth drop-in 11 to 18 yrs, Jay’s Green Lucy 851920 Spanish, upper intermediate conversation 9.30am in person Heather 309134 Pilates 1.00 pm & 2.00 pm Bounce Back Physio Emily 309041 Spanish improvers 5.45pm online Heather 309134 South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band 7.00 – 9.00pm, Diss Youth & Community Centre, Shelfanger Road, Diss Jan 07472 100515 Spanish intermediate conversation, 7.15pm in person Heather 309134 Rugby Adult training 7pm Diss Rugby Club All welcome Sue English 01379 642891 Terence Airey Court Coffee morning10.30am All welcome 0370 192 4846 Tuesdays Time Together in St John's, Harleston - Chat and coffee 10.30 to 12noon. Informal singing from 11am to 12pm. 3rd. 01379 851148 Zumba with Tally ASHS Main Hall – laughter & fitness 7:30pm Tally 07562 369810

WEDNESDAY Baby Bounce Rhyme Time 10.30am Harleston Library 852549 Beaver Scouts 6-8yrs 5.00-6.00pm King George’s Hall Pauline Swinden 01986 788977 Bell Ringing 7.00-8.00pm St Margaret’s Church, Starston Beginners welcome. 853967 Citizens Advice Bureau 10.00am-12 noon Information Centre 851920 Disco Dancing 4.00 – 8.00pm Wortwell Community Centre Julie Ash 01986 897034 Harleston Army Cadet Troop 7.15-9.30pm Cadet Hut, Station Rd Sam 07425 155760 Harleston Country Market 9.30-11.30am King George’s Hall Ruth Wharton 676296 Harleston Magpies Hockey Club 6.15-7.45pm Girls U14/15/16 7.45–9.15pm Mens’ Club (open to all) [email protected] 7.45–9.15pm Ladies’ Club (open to all) [email protected] Jobs Club10.00am-2.00pm Information Centre 851917 Karate beginners 5.00pm Archbishop Sancroft High School Richard 0800 1691328 Kick Boxing beginners 7.00pm Archbishop Sancroft High School Richard 0800 1691328 Midweek Mingle in St John's Church Every Wednesday from 9.15 to 11.30am. Tea, coffee and toast. Great opportunity to meet new people and mingle. Donation only. Children Welcome. Helen Orford: 01379 851148

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Weekly Activities Wednesday (cont) Pilates 1.00 & 2.00pm Bounce Back Physio Emily 309041 Spanish beginners (started January) 6.30pm on line Heather 309134 Young Farmers 7.45pm Club House, Spirketts Lane Helen Reeve 01986 788106 or 07795 327011

THURSDAY Adult disco 6.30 – 7.15 Wortwell Community Centre Julie Ash 01986 897034 Aerofit 715-8.15pm Wortwell Community Centre Julie Ash 01986 897034 Bell Ringing 7.30-9pm St Mary’s Redenhall All abilities & new recruits Lindy Ellis 01986 788326 Community Crafts 9.30-12 noon Jay’s Green Hall Liz Warren 853277 Harleston & District Dog Training Club Metfield Village Hall Gill 01508 530890 Pilates 10.00am, 11.00am & 1.00pm Bounce Back Physio Emily 309041 Rugby adult training, 7.00pm Diss Rugby Club, all welcome Sue English 642891 Scouts 10-14yrs 7.45-9.30pm King George’s Hall Richard Andrews 07768 007140 Weybread Ladies Social Club 7.30-9.00pm 1st Thursday of month. Weybread Village Hall Jackie 586570 or Sue 586569 Spanish improvers 6.30pm in person Zumba with Tally ASHS Gym – laughter & fitness 6:45pm first one freeTally 07562 369810

FRIDAY Karate beginners 5.00pm Archbishop Sancroft High School Richard 0800 1691328 Magpies Hockey Club 6.00-7.30pm Youth Girls’ Training [email protected] The Coffee Pot 10.00-11.00am Methodist Church Hall Tiny Talk Baby & Toddler classes – toddler 10.15 – 11.15, baby 11.45 – 12.45 King George’s Hall Charlotte 07419 322204

SATURDAY Ballet classes 9.30am – 12.30pm Wortwell Community Centre Julie Ash 01986 897034 Harleston Youth Football Club Chris Farrow - 07368 460537

SUNDAY Bell Ringing 10.30-11am St Margaret’s Church, Starston All welcome. 853967 Diss Rugby Club youth rugby 6 yrs+ 10.00am-noon (breakfast from 8.30) Sue English 642891 or 07872 176375

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Ramblings from the Rectory I am looking out of my window and the rain is falling. It is grey and miserable. The news is depressing, and I need a lift. With all of that in mind, I think of Christmas and I smile. I am smiling because Christmas is a joyful time, a time to look forward to. A warm light of hope in the midst of the cold of winter. That is what Christmas is for. When the first Christians came to these shores there was a mid-winter pagan festival. As Christianity spread, the need for hope amidst the darkness remained. People still needed hope, and so the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the hope of the world, took the place of that much older celebration. It remained a community celebration, as well as something just for church, after all, this longing for hope is common to all. Christmas is therefore a deeply Christian celebration that also meets a need that goes back to the dawn of humanity. This is something for us to embrace. All people need hope, in a world that so often seems hopeless. Even in these times of electric lights, people naturally feel dragged down by dark mornings, dull days and long nights. What better festival than Christmas to bring the message of hope at this time? It has a baby born in poverty, into a country under foreign occupation, to a family who will soon be refugees. It also has bright angels offering hope, a normal human hope. A normal human baby has been born, who is the hope of the world. There are Wise Men with gifts, and a promise of Joy to the World. Let each of us who know Christ, really celebrate this Christmas because we have hope that this world can never take away from us. As we celebrate let us share God’s love by making it possible for others to have hope too. Whether or not you would call yourself a Christian, please share all the love and hope that you can. Together let’s give a little more to foodbank, a charity for the homeless, or support the Warm Rooms in Harleston this winter (details will be available via the Town Council website (https://harleston-tc.gov.uk/). God bless you this December, and Happy Christmas, Nigel.

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Harleston Church Services Thomas More Chapel

Roman Catholic Mass

London Road Church (Methodist & URC)

Services @ 10:30am every Sunday Young People’s Church meets regularly - contact Church secretary for details All welcome See church notice board for details

Jay’s Green Father Mike Brookes 01986 8933555

Sunday 9am (Coffee after) Most Tuesdays 9:15am Holy Days 7:30pm

Contact Rev Bruno Boldrini 01986 49875 Admin [email protected]

St John’s Church (CofE)

Every Sunday at 11am

Contacts: Rev Nigel Tuffnell 308905 [email protected] Administrator: Helen Orford. 851148/07563 495581 [email protected]

Informal Family Carols & Activities. 4 Dec Holy Communion 11 Dec Informal Holy Communion 25 Dec

Church Wardens Maureen Youngman. 853505 Stephanie Woollamn 07598 937623 [email protected]

Midnight Eucharist 10:45 St John’s24 Dec at 11:30pm Online Worship is available at: https:// nigeltuffnell.wordpress.comcategorythoughts -to-share/

St Mary’s Redenhall

Morning Prayer 4 Dec @ 9.30am Holy Communion 18 Dec @ 9.30am Carols by Candlelight 24 Dec @6.00pm Remembrance Wortwell War Memorial 13 Nov @ 3pm

Sunday at 4pm BCP Evening Prayer Cafe Church

Rector as St John’s Church Warden

Michael J Clark 01379 855099 [email protected]

Gospel Service

01379 853580

Gathering Community Church Contact: David Cunliffe. Stuart Merton

4 Dec 11 Dec

2nd Sunday each month at 6.30pm See poster for venue

P.A. Suite Archbishop Bancroft High School Every Sunday at 10am

01379 851225 07882 750999

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Gathering Community Church We are a local church with people from ages 5 years to over 80 attending on a weekly basis. We welcome anyone and everyone whether you have a Christian faith or are just curious. Our aim and hope is that you will find us to be a warm, friendly church, where our aim is to ‘be family together.’ We believe passionately in being Church Together, committed to Jesus and to each other and, while we are serious about our Christian faith, we try not to take ourselves too seriously, so there is often a lot of laughter throughout our times together. We do not always have the answers to life’s big questions as we’re all still on a journey of learning and discovery, but we try and support each other as together we navigate life. We meet every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, and it would be our privilege to welcome you at any time. Please just turn up or if you would like to have a chat beforehand, call us on one of the numbers below. We will be celebrating Christmas in the following ways: • Sunday 18th December 10am Carols and mince pies – Drama Suite at Sancroft Academy; • Wednesday 21st December 7.30pm Christmas Wednesday Worship – Prayer Space at Sancroft Academy; • Sunday 25th December 10am to 11am Christmas Morning Service. We meet each Sunday in: The Drama Suite at Harleston Sancroft Academy in Wilderness Lane from 10am. If you would like more information, please call: Stuart Merton on 07882 750999 or David Cunliffe 07975 968428.

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From Colin's Pen

Stan Toler wrote, “When the going gets tough, I’m going with you.” We are living in tough times with economic problems striking at the least well off. There are many out of work through businesses not being able to continue trading. We are beset by climate change that calls for tougher action to sustain our planet. The homeless and those desperately seeking work are particularly vulnerable. They are told that there are plenty of jobs if you put yourself out. “Yes, but where?” I still have memories of my own family struggling to find work. Unable to drive, they were continually told to try harder! The ads still came through the door expecting work to be arranged outside the district. No buses that would run on schedule to the work time. Too far away to walk or cycle unless you get up very early whilst still dark. There is an unending cycle that turns an otherwise gentle person into someone who becomes aggrieved with disbelief, followed by an understandable anger and bitterness. On such occasions it is natural to turn in on ourselves, entering a spiral of depression and possibly self-harm. This is where we need to trust in someone to walk alongside us. Many people over the ages have been victims of oppression because of gender, colour of skin, disability and so on. A minority however have fought back because of the lack of payment for their work (we might call it slavery), barely able to survive, have become that bitter person with an eye for revenge or better, to gain freedom at whatever cost. Those who do fight to keep bread on the table very often win the admiration of the ordinary people to walk alongside them, rallying and talking to the authorities until someone listens and take notice. A farmer’s wife had been hit by a family tragedy. Her life had been full and satisfying, now was suddenly barren and empty. She sank deeper and deeper into the darkness, and her friends could do nothing to help her get out of it. But then she began to feel a change within her. She needed to pull herself together and get out. So, she became a home help, looking after elderly housebound people in her scattered community. Her life became an enrichment to many with her patience and warm heartedness. Her inner wounds began to heal, and she found solace in helping those less fortunate than herself. One day, a vicar called in to see a blind woman with a wonderful sense of humour. Hannah lived in an old people’s bungalow. The farmer’s wife was there, gently washing Hannah’s feet. As the vicar watched the wife kneeling before Hannah, wholly absorbed in the task of caring for someone else, he felt that somehow he was in the presence of Christ himself. When the going gets tough, may Christ come alongside you. God bless, Colin.

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F LA G

F O R C E – NOVEMBER

The Christmas Flags will be flying through the town wishing everyone a Very Happy Christmas. On behalf of all the Flag Force team, who are all volunteers and give up their time throughout the year, we would like to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS. From Carol, Clare and Jon.

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Want to Hire a Hall? Alburgh Village Hall [email protected] Jan 01986 483072 Brockdish Village Hall 01379 669057 Community Room, Memorial Leisure Centre 01379 852088 Xchange2 Young People’s Cabin Lucy Marjoram 01379 851920 Fressingfield Sports & Community Club 01379 586160 Information Centre (office & room 15 people max) 01379 851917 London Road Church 07809 384557 Mendham & Withersdale Village Hall 0800 6127323 Metfield Village Hall Eve Peck 01379 586432 Needham Village Hall [email protected] 07810 324721 Pennoyer Centre 01379 676660 Sancroft Memorial Hall [email protected] 01379 586745/07751 312004 Starston Jubilee Hall Robert Wood 01379 852535 St John's Church [email protected] 01379 851148 Weybread Village Hall 01379 586570 Waveney Heritage Centre (Brockdish School) 01379 668285 Wortwell Community Centre 01986 789124/788541 Young Farmers Clubhouse Helen Reeve 01986 788106

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Harleston Town Council www.harleston-tc.gov.uk

Town Councillors Trevor Graham. Chair Clive Digby James Eddy Matthew Scade Vice Chair Russ Wilkins Paul MBA

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] matt,[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

South Norfolk Councillors

Norfolk County Councillor

Jeremy Savage 01986 788535 savage@southnorfolkand broadland.gov.uk

Martin Wilby 01379 741504 [email protected]

Fleur Curson 07809 449531 fcurson@southnorfolkand broadland.gov.uk

What’s On in Harleston’s Clubs and Societies Thurs 01

Harleston Flower Club – 2pm Wortwell Core ‘Christmas Sparkle my Way’ – Mrs Vicki Hese Exercise – a Yule Log

855440

Wed 14

Harleston Ladies Group – 2pm – 4pm London Road Church Hall Allison and Group ENTERTAINS

853193

Please send your listings by email to [email protected] or leave in our box at HIP by 12 noon on the 5th December for the January (only) edition.

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Useful Telephone Numbers Police (non emergency) 101 NHS (non emergency) 111 The Police Station: Swan Lane - Closed due to Covid restrictions Out of hours Pharmacy: 66 Mount Street. Diss (Opposite Health Centre) Mon - Frid 8.30am-7pm; Sat 8.30am-6pm; Sun 10am-4pm 01379 644001 The Council Office, Memorial Leisure Centre Open Monday, Tuesday & Friday 9.30am-1pm; Wednesday 1-5pm Town Clerk 01379 854519 Harleston Information Plus, 01379 851917 Monday-Friday 9.30am-3pm, Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm CAB By appointment 10am-12 noon every Wednesday Borderhoppa Dial-a-ride 01379 854800 BACT Community Transport 01986 896896 Dental Surgery 01379 854466 Harleston Medical Practice 01379 853217 Library 01379 852549 Litterline 01508 533730 Museum Curator 01379 854385 Norfolk County Council 0344 800 8020 Refuse Collection 01508 533633 South Norfolk Council 01508 533633 Street Lighting 01379 854519 Veterinary Surgeons 01379 852146 Report incidents (anti-social behaviour, litter, fly tipping, graffiti, vandalism, abandoned vehicles, dog fouling) 0808 168 2999 (Freephone)

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London Road Church We thank everyone who supported our October Coffee Morning when £76 was raised for the Link to Hope Shoebox Appeal. We also thank everyone who donated filled shoeboxes and individual items which enabled over 34 shoeboxes to be filled and sent to people in need in Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Bulgaria to give them some Christmas cheer. Monday 5th December from 8.30am – 10am. Men’s Breakfast. We extend a warm welcome to any gentlemen who would like to come along and join us and share fellowship over tea, coffee, toast and a bacon roll. “Joy to the World” Saturday 10th December from 10am – 3pm. We will be hosting a family interactive ‘Nativity Trail’ around Harleston with a surprise if you complete it. Also on that day, we will also be hosting an “Art & Craft Exhibition” entitled “Joy to the World” in the Church from 10am – 4pm. Refreshments will be served from 10am – 3pm. Sunday 11th December from 1pm – 4pm. “Art & Craft Exhibition” with refreshments served from 1pm – 3pm. Contributions for the Exhibition will be welcome from groups and individuals and can be set up on the Friday between 10am – 4pm and 6pm – 9pm. Saturday 17th December from 10am – 12 noon. You will be most welcome to our Monthly Coffee Morning when coffee, tea, cake and biscuits will be served. Sunday 18th December at 4pm: “Carols by Candlelight” Service. Sunday 25th December at 10.30am: Christmas Morning Service. A warm welcome is extended to everyone to attend our services. All proceeds from our Coffee Morning, Art & Craft Exhibition together with the money collected at our Christmas Services will be donated to charity. We Wish Everyone a Peaceful and Blessed Christmas.

“Come and join the celebration”

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Angling Report Pits: Bottle: Club: Kingfisher: Middle: No. 1: Ocean:

Comments: Mainly carp anglers in here with some staying overnight - some big fish have come out. Once again carp are the main quarry, but roach and skimmers making up good bags giving a good day’s sport. Weed dying off a bit - maggot seems to be the best bait for the different species, Once again carp are the main quarry, but roach and skimmers making up good bags giving a good day’s sport. Some very large carp have been coming out, several fishermen in here, some staying 24 hours. Pike anglers have been trying their luck, but no reports of any large fish coming out. A few carp are being caught to the anglers who are fishing for them Kingfisher

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News from Harleston Town Council A massive THANK YOU to the Royal British Legion and everyone else involved in making the Remembrance Sunday parade such a spectacular event on Sunday 13th November. Residents of Harleston always ensure a great attendance at the event, and we are extremely appreciative to you all. More thanks to all those people who gave their time to help put up the Christmas decorations in the town on Sunday 20th November, and everyone who organised and helped at the Christmas Festive Market at the Market Place, The Christmas Fayre at St John’s Church and Santa’s Grotto on the 26th November. We hope you all enjoyed the festivities. Not forgetting a huge thank you to JD Youngs for once again sponsoring the Christmas tree. While we always try to get issues resolved to the best of our ability, the Police, South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council are sometimes the best organisations to contact in the first instance. Their details are as follows: Police – non-emergency 101 South Norfolk Council – is responsible for things such as planning, council tax, recycling, street cleaning, refuse bins, fly tipping, licensing, environment and leisure. Telephone 0800 389 6109 Norfolk County Council - is responsible for maintaining the grit bins, Please use salt sparingly from the grit bins. A tablespoon of salt will treat an area of 1m². Important - grit is only for use on the public highway and footways in the vicinity of the bin. It should never be taken from these bins for use on private drives or paths. Telephone 0344 800 8020 Keep up to date with what's happening by visiting our website www.harlestontc.gov.uk for useful information. If you subscribe to our FREE newsletter, you will receive automatic updates via email. Also, the agendas and minutes of all Town Council meetings are published here, along with information about Becoming a Councillor, Planning, Dog Fouling and much more. We are also on social media (Facebook) @RedenhallwithHarlestonTownCouncil For all enquiries please contact [email protected] or call 01379 854519. Clare Crane – Redenhall with Harleston Town Clerk

Which country’s capital has the fastest growing population? Ireland. Every day it’s Dublin.

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From our County Councillor Norfolk Libraries Service will be making all 47 of its libraries available as part of the Warm Welcome campaign. The scheme supports free, warm, and welcoming spaces in communities across the UK. Warm Welcome is a national campaign which will work with community spaces, including churches and faith groups, businesses, and local authorities, to ensure that nobody is left to suffer on their own this winter. Libraries across Norfolk remain open for all and provide a space for people to sit in comfort and access a variety of services on offer. These include reading, doing a jigsaw, playing a board game, or joining in Just a Cuppa or activities. Other free services available at Norfolk Libraries include: tea, coffee, instant soup, and hot chocolate available during staffed hours. Library staff and volunteers can provide visitors with trusted information about other support which is available, and a variety of bags are available for free, with no questions asked. Find your nearest library at www.norfolk.gov.uk/findalibrary As in previous years, NCC are consulting Norfolk residents and stakeholders on council tax and budget proposals as part of the council’s budget setting process. NCC will set a new budget on 21st February 2023. Ahead of this we are asking for views on our proposed council tax level for 2023-24, including a proposal for the Adult Social Care precept. People will be able to read the proposals online at www.norfolk.gov.ik/budget and feed back their views using the online consultation. Residents can also request the budget consultation in other formats, including paper form, by calling 0844 800 8020 or by emailing [email protected] This will include Braille. NCC has won silver at the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards for an innovative digital project which supports older people and vulnerable adults. The Adult Learning Disabilities and Innovation Team won silver in the Digital Transformation in Social Work award, which recognises teams which have sought to improve the lives of people with lived experience through the use of digital technologies. The team’s Care Phone is helping around 200 older people and vulnerable adults with low or no tech skills to keep in touch with their loved ones with the professionals supporting them. It’s a tablet with a built-in SIM with internet access which has a screen split into simple tiles which show the picture of the name of the person the user wants to call. It helps people access support as well as reducing isolation, anxiety and loneliness. Nominations are open until Monday 12th of December for the Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards. If you’re a business, nominate yourself for one or more awards in any of the 11 categories. Support your favourite shop and pub by voting for them as ‘Retailer of the Year’ and ‘Pub of the Year’ – by voting you’ll automatically be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of shopping vouchers and £100 of pub vouchers. All details can be found at www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk The achievements of staff across Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service have been recognised through employee awards. At the first in-person Awards Ceremony since 2019, owing to restrictions in place during Covid 19, Norfolk Fire and

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Rescue Service recently came together to celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams across Norfolk over the past year. Congratulations goes to Simon Golby from Harleston Station for receiving the 30 Year Outstanding Service Certificate and to local firms Bomfords Group – Harleston and Midwich Ltd – Diss for being awarded the On-Call Employer of the Year in recognition of the support that is given by the employer of an on-call firefighter in releasing staff to attend NFRS duties. I am looking forward to all of the local Christmas events coming up in Harleston and surrounding villages over the next few weeks and I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas. Best Wishes, Martin

Buy Better Buy Local

Harleston Country Market has been a constant community service in the town for over 45 years. Part of the UK-wide Country Market movement our members cook, craft and grow as part of an enthusiastic and busy weekly market. And we would like to stay that way. But because of our growing popularity we are now short of co-operative members – including younger ones...! In these troubling financial times, if you are looking to make some extra ‘pin money’ we are always on the lookout for more bakers and growers to join our friendly team. You don’t have to contribute a lot or even every week, maybe just a special cake, family pie or excess of garden produce: however small or large your contribution, we would like to sell it. To find out more – come along one Wednesday morning and talk to our Market Manager. Or contact us via our Facebook page: Harleston Country Market. We’d love to meet you.

Last Market before Christmas Wednesday 21st December Harleston Country Market, King George’s Hall, IP20 9AZ Front entrance next to the Museum, corner of Mendham Lane and Broad Street Parking and rear entrance in St John’s Car Park Every Wednesday morning 9.30am - 11.30am Come along and see what we have to offer you may be surprised....

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Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle has a long history steeped in Christmas traditions. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century, when Saint Nicholas walked the earth and became the patron saint of children. It is believed that Nicholas was born around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra, now Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and travelled the countryside helping the poor and sick. Over the course of time, Nicholas’s popularity spread, and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married. By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. It was not until the Victorians that Father Christmas was truly revived as the spirit of Christmas. The Victorian Father Christmas embodied elements of all his predecessors and was depicted as a jolly, pagan figure in a long, hooded coat -- the colour of which could be red, blue, green or brown. By the middle of the 20th century, Father Christmas had changed again. This time he was heavily influenced by America -- by Clement C. Moore's 1822 poem "The Night before Christmas", by the illustrations it inspired Thomas Nash to draw for Harper's Weekly, and by the Coca Cola Company. You can come and have tea with Santa at The Parlour Tearooms at Exchange Vintage & Antiques this December. Contact us for details.

Merry Christmas from The Exchange Team 40

The Harleston Shed – make stuff, mend stuff, meet friends A little bit of progress with the building of our Harleston shed but we are now waiting to solve the access issue at the rear of the proposed site on the fire station, with the help of the town council. There are around 600 shed organisations in the UK and many more in the planning. Sheds are community spaces for people to connect with each other, drink coffee and tea, talk, build friendships, pursue practical interests, practise skills and enjoy making and mending. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of people to enjoy together, sharing skills and knowledge. Ours has charitable status. If you would like to become involved with the Harleston Shed or would just like to go on the mailing list, please email [email protected], contact Clive Attwood, chairman, on 01379 852789 or message us through the Facebook page, The Harleston Shed. We look forward to meeting you.

Harleston & District Business Forum

The presentation on marketing plans, at our November breakfast, by Andrea Hardiman and Karin Carruthers of Scream Blue Murder was invaluable. Thank you ladies! On Wednesday 7th December, 7.30am at The Swan, Harleston, we will be welcoming Luke Morris, corporate finance partner at Scrutton Bland who will give us a talk on the nation’s economy. We can promise this will be fascinating, entertaining and not too depressing! Please join us. As usual, please book by emailing [email protected] Breakfast meetings are £12 for a full breakfast or just £3.50 for a coffee/tea only option, payable by cash or card on the door (or by BACS). For more information about the Harleston & District Business Forum, visit www.hdbf.org.uk or phone Mark Raines, chairman, at [email protected] or 07531 120817. Membership is just £25 per calendar year. We are an 'open' forum. Anyone who has a business, is an ex-business owner or is a member of any organisation interested in Harleston & District and its development, is welcome to join us.

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The Green Cupboard 💚 Turns 3 ! We'd like to thank everyone who shops with us, has shared Facebook and Instagram posts, and recommended us to family and friends. So many of you have started to change the way you shop and joined us on our journey of supporting other local businesses, knowing where your food comes from and asking questions. We have grown so much in the last three years in products as well as knowledge. The world around us is rapidly changing. I know it may be small but, we feel if we all start to make small changes, this can grow into bigger things. Take your time thinking through what you already have and what you really need, how can you reduce, re-use and recycle. You, as the consumer, have the power to ask questions - does the company you're buying from support your values? Rather than heading to Amazon, is there a local shop you could support? Harleston has a fantastic array of independent shops. Now more than ever we need to support each other, chatting to neighbours, passing things on you no longer need rather than putting them in the bin. Asking for help, Harleston Information Plus and The Food Bank are all there to support you. Christmas opening hours: Christmas Eve - 9.30am - 1pm Christmas Day - Closed Reopening - Tuesday 3rd January 9.30am - 5.30pm We wish you all a very merry Christmas See you soon Gemma & Jodie

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Humbert As oi sed the larst munth, Christmus us jest arowund the corner. Halloween un Bonfire nite a behoind us un we’re go’ the festivities tu luk forwud tew. A corse, us yewsyewul the Missus a bin a buyun the fambilys christmus presunts threw the year. Well oi mean tu saye, she us roite in a dewun tha’ cus tha’ mean awl the expense dowunt cum ut wunse. “Humbert” she saye “wen oi see suffun wot sewt a member a the family oi buy ut, then oi cun tick tha’ orf moi list”.Oi ha’ a agree with hare, thas a duzzy gud idear. Oi dowunt know whether will hev a tarkey this year fu our christmus dinner, wot with awl this hare avian flew wos a gorn around. As far us um consarned um not worried a jot, cus oi know the Missus ull conjure up suffun. Us far us tha’ gow, um happy with a few sosidjus. Now, did yew nowtice tergether oi sed christmus dinner, not christmus lunch? Sum peepul a got tu cawlun ut lunch, well, lunch tu me us a bun or a biscut or tew, where as dinner us the main meal a the daye, un a loverly plearte full, well tha’ is ifn yew cum around ours fu dinner!! The Missus reckon as were a gettun owder we’re gotta keep exersizun un get fit. As she sed thee uther daye “Humbert, we hev tu keep our owd arms un legs un body a movun dew will seize up altergether, un tha’ on’t dew”. Shis riute tew, cus oi dew nowtice ifn oi set arowund moi owd legs dowunt work su well. Sew, with tha’ in moind we’re bin a gettun owet and abowet un gorn fu walks. Un our gotta admit thas lovely on a clear sunny daye, tha’ hully mearke us fare a lot better. We hev nowticed a rare lot uv red berries on the bushes, un a rum lot a ivy berries tew. We wunder ifn thas owd mother nachure a tellun us thas a gorn a be a ruff winter. Yu see, shis a providun food fu the burds un animals tu eart wen thars nuthun else availubul. But then, in sayun tha’ we hev remarked on this funominon in uther years un the winter a bin mild, sew oi really dowun know, toime ull tell. The wether a bin awl ouver the plearce this larst year anyway. As um a ritun, thas a rearnun stair rods, yud be sowked tu the skin in seconds ifn yar fewl inuff tu gow owtsoide. Ut least the ponds un rivers are a fillun up agin ar’er the drowt uf summer. Tha’ fare us thow muther nearchur us a balancun things owet, less hope so ennywaye. Fare thee well.

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Traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner

will be held on Saturday 26th November. This is a popular annual meal - a traditional menu. Very limited spaces - pre-book only. Proceeds for Air Ambulance. Phone 01379 853967 for details.

The charity dinner held on Saturday 22nd October

at 10 Wilderness Close raised £155 for the Air Ambulance. A reduced attendance but an enjoyable event.

CHRISTMAS APPEAL Christmas Hampers for Local Families in Need of Support due to Financial Crisis www.gofundme.com/f/christmashampers-for-local-families After last year’s successful fundraiser to provide hampers for local families, I have once again been approached by the local schools as there are even more families in need of support due to financial crisis. We are looking to pack a hamper for each family with a selection of the items below: • Boxes/tubs chocolates • Tins of biscuits • Selection boxes • Chutneys/jams/marmalade • Christmas crackers • Anything that is a nice Christmas treat, but no gender specific gifts please. The estimated cost of each box is £25; we currently have 40 families on our list! Please support this by donating a gift at The Swan and help bring a smile to so many. A big Thank You from Vicki Eke and Robin Twigge

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Harleston Flower Club December is a busy month for flower arrangers, Christmas is on its way, flower arrangements are needed in the Church and wreaths for our front doors and decorations for the home keep us occupied. Members got a head start on these preparations at our November meeting when led by Jenni they made a Christmas arrangement for indoors. Conditions were less than ideal as due to a power cut there were no lights, heating or refreshments, however members carried on despite this and produced some beautiful arrangements. Members then voted for their favourite arrangement. The winner was Eve Seaman who was presented with the Stella Wildey Trophy. This month’s photo shows her being presented with the trophy by the Chairman, and her winning arrangement. The Chairman and committee would like to wish all our members, both past and present, and friends a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Please remember that there will be no meeting in January. We look forward to seeing you all at our AGM in February.

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Be who you’ve always been... a social butterfly At Hartismere Place care home being a social butterfly doesn’t stop when you make the journey into care. Bring your life with you to a place you can call home. Award winning, person-centred care for over 40 years. If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one call 01379 398187.

Trusted to care. Hartismere Place care home Eye careuk.com/hartismere-place

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Harleston & District U3A

Sending Seasons Greetings to all the residents of Harleston. We would like to thank the team at The Harleston Grapevine for promoting our U3A

For information about your local U3A - please contact 01986 788149 or Website: u3asites.org.uk/harleston

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