Wereham News - March

WEREHAM NEIGHBOUR WATCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY 15TH MARCH 2016 AT 7.30PM IN WEREHAM VILLAGE HALL. At the last meeting in September it was agreed to have just one meeting a year and that would be the A.G.M. Should the need arise a short meeting could be called. We still need a Secretary, anyone interested in taking this on please contact either Tom Golden on 500052 or Rosemary on 501023

Wereham Messy Church Messy Easter Thursday 10th March 2016 4pm -5.45pm Starts in the church followed by activities and food for all in the Village Hall The next Wereham Messy church is on Thursday 10th March. Don't miss it. We are looking forward to seeing you there. For further information please ask Debbie or Ian Rye telephone 502083 or call in at The Old Chapel by the pond or just come on the night and see for yourself. All Welcome

WEREHAM MEMORIES

I felt I must put this in properly, as Sue Smith put that the Late John Ketts wrote that he was very good at a Norfolk dialect! As Sue put, John Kett had some association with Wereham. John was born here and lived with his parents in the house ‘Cromer Lodge’ His Mum and Dad were very popular in the village. Mrs Ketts was one of the founder members of the Women's Institute, which my late Mother introduced me to when I was married in 1953 and I enjoyed it very much.

With regards to Billy the seal, I have his photograph. He went in Gothic Cottage and sat on the hearth. My youngest daughter now lives there. Billy went over to the ‘Pub’ and had a pint of beer. Unfortunately he got an infection on his tummy as the road was tarred in those days (1931) and he died.

As for Annie Locke, she used to sit on the pit railings for a mardle (Norfolk dialect for a chat or gossip).

My Late husband Derek Roberts, a friend of John Ketts, left to be a school headmaster at Cawston, Norwich.

There is lots of history in this lovely village. My eldest daughter, Jeanette, wrote The History of Wereham and I have still got it. It has been read by many residents. She wrote it in 1969 for her CSE at what is now called Downham Academy. My late husband was very much a ‘village man’ and liked ‘social history’, and he helped Jeanette with many photos for her folder. If anybody would like to read it they are very welcome.

I will be 85 years old in August (if I survive)! I have lovely memories of Wereham as I delivered milk for the late Mrs J.Newell, then later I was Post Lady for 25 years, which I enjoyed. Post now comes later in the day, mine was early mornings. Everything not the same and never will be, unfortunately.

Barbara Roberts

Do you have any memories or photographs of old Wereham? If you would like to share them please let me know Viv Scott. Tel: 01366 500346. Email: Vivienne.scott@googlemail.com

Wereham & Wretton Scout Group – Beavers are Back!

Our Beaver colony is now up and running with latest adult recruit, Nicky Dickens, as Beaver Leader. There are still spaces available for boys and girls (age 6 to 8) to join the new section. Beavers meet on Monday evenings at our Scout HQ, Grange Farm, Crimplesham (just off the A134), between 5.30pm and 6.30pm. Do get in touch if your son or daughter would like to join or find out more by phoning Nicky on 07799 074679, or Paul (Group Scout Leader) on 01366 501224. Alternatively email wereham.wretton.scouts@gmail.com

We are still seeking an Assistant Beaver Leader to help Nicky in this exciting new venture – if you are interested please contact Paul on the number above.

Wereham & Wretton Scout Group – Fish & Chip Supper – Do Join Us

The Scout Group will be holding a fundraising Fish & Chip Supper in West Dereham Village Hall on Friday 18th March. This is open to all – families especially welcome, and there is no need to have a connection with Scouting. There will be some entertainment (still at the planning stage), and a raffle. The star prize will be a child’s bike, with smaller prizes also available.

If you cannot attend the event, but would like to participate in the main draw for the bike prize, please contact Pam (details below).

Doors will open just before 6.30 pm and we hope to be serving food between 7.00/7.30pm, so it is not too late for our younger guests. Licensed bar available.

The meal price is £8. Portions are generous; one could be shared between 2 (or maybe even 3) children, depending on ages and appetite. Meals must be ordered and paid for in advance (by afternoon of Thursday 17th at the latest) as our requirements need to be confirmed with the chippy 24 hours before the event.

We hope you will support this venture – a chance to share a meal in good company and raise money for a local cause. Monies will directly benefit children (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts – aged between 6 and 14) in our group, as well as supporting our HQ maintenance projects.

Orders should be placed with Pam Walker, 01366 501426 or 07970 793018. Alternatively, order and pay at the White Hart Bar in West Dereham Village Hall on a Tuesday or Friday evening, or Sunday between noon and 4pm. Monies for meals ordered by phone should be popped through Pam’s door (Fiddler’s Roof, The Row, West Dereham – in named envelopes please) or at the Village Hall bar at the times above (again in named envelopes).

We look forward to seeing you on the 18th.

Paul Smith, Group Scout Leader

Mobile Library Route 126

The number of mobile library stops in the village has been reduced to one afternoon visit only (Queens Close, 16.20 to 16.35). The morning stop at the pond was under-utilised and has been withdrawn - a reminder that services need to be used to remain viable. The Library visits fortnightly on a Monday, although there will be just one visit in March (14th) due to the Easter Bank Holiday.

Do take a look at what the service can offer – there’s something for all ages, books, audiobooks and DVDs. Joining is free (proof of ID required).

February Update from Wereham Village Hall Committee

January and February were frustrating as high winds meant closure of the hall on a number of occasions which impacted on some of our regular users (we really do need that new building!!). Even so, a bit of rescheduling meant that our regular events were still able to go ahead and the Pop-up café even worked the bad weather to their advantage with some impromptu Shrove Tuesday pancakes!

Our next big fundraising event is the Easter family prize bingo on Wednesday 23rd March. Everyone is welcome – there are prizes for all ages to be won! For further details please contact Doreen on 01366 500218 or Angela on 01366 500115 and, as always, we are always very grateful for contributions of prizes and refreshments.

If you would like to get involved with the Friends of Wereham Village Hall Group, we are always looking for new volunteers and now really is the time that we need as much help as possible - this year is going to be very busy - we have a huge job on as we push to increase our fundraising in support of the new hall. There are jobs for everyone so contact Doreen on 01366 500218. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for new events to raise funds or feels a sudden urge to run a marathon/sit in a bath of custard/skydive etc. etc. for some well-earned sponsorship towards the new hall, please do let us know!

Update from the New Build Project Team

Work continues apace as our Stage 3 lottery application deadline moves ever closer.

January saw two public consultations. Project consultations in early January were attended by approximately 50 people and provided us with some useful feedback to use in the final design of the new hall. These were followed by an architect led consultation on 18th January where the final plans were unveiled and discussed. Again the evening was well attended and it was lovely to receive such positive feedback. For anyone who has not seen the final plans, they are available on our website and Facebook page.

As the plot of the current village hall is not big enough to accommodate the new, larger hall, Heygates Mills, who own the playing field, have agreed to sell a parcel of it to the Wereham Village Hall. It is likely that we will then need to sell the land the current hall sits on as a building plot as even with a successful lottery bid, we will still have a significant shortfall in funds that we will need to find before the build can begin.

As such, we have now submitted two planning applications to the Borough Council. The first is for the new hall on the new plot and the second is for a pair of semi-detached houses to be built on the site of the current hall.

And finally, we would all like to say a really big thank you to Helen who has had to stand down from the Project Team due to other commitments. Her work over the past few years has played a big part in getting us to where we are today and we are all very grateful to her and will really miss the knowledge and exerience she brought to the team.

Victoria, John E, John M & Rachel.

Wereham Village Hall Bonus Ball Club

The lucky winners of £60 each in February were Darren Edwards and John Voutt – congratulations to you both! Whilst there are no numbers available at present, if you are interested in joining, please contact me on 07795006811 and I will add you to the waiting list. Many thanks, Helen Richardson, Secretary.

Events list

Bingo - Wereham Village Hall "Cash Prize" Bingo every Wednesday, doors open 6.45 eyes down 7.30pm. Teas/coffees available with complimentary biscuits. For enquiries contact Doreen on 01366 500218.

Pop up Café – first Tuesday of the month, 10.30-12. Next dates Tuesday 1st March and Tuesday 5th April. Join us for a slice of homemade cake. a hot drink, a natter and a read of the daily papers – all for just £1. Cake donations/queries to Doreen on 01366 500218.

Indoor/Outdoor Car Boot – last Sunday of the month, 9am-1pm (café opens at 8am). Next dates Sunday 28th February and Sunday 27th March. Café serving bacon butties, hot dogs and hot drinks. £5 pitch or, if you have earned time credits, there are two pitchess/tables available at a cost of 4 time credits each. To book call Colin on 07961130251/01366 502281.

Easter Family Prize Bingo – Wednesday 23rd March, eyes down 7.30pm. Donations of prizes gratefully received; please contact Doreen (01366 500218), or Angela (01366 500115). For all the pictures and feedback from our events, log onto www.facebook.com/werehamvillagehall. By clicking on the ‘Like’ option, you will be kept up to date on events, pictures and the progress towards a new village hall.

If you have any queries with regards to the plans for funding a new village hall, or anything we’re doing, please contact Victoria Gray, Chair, Wereham Village Hall Committee Home: 501277 Mobile: 07725513583 Email: darren.gray@tesco.net or via www.facebook.com/werehamvillagehall

WEREHAM PARISH COUNCIL

The last ordinary meeting of Wereham Parish Council was on 12th January and an extraordinary meeting was held on 9th February. The minutes from both are available from the clerk or on www.werehamparishcouncil.co.uk. The next ordinary meeting will be held on Tuesday 8th March, 7pm at Wereham Village Hall. The agenda will be published on Thursday 3rd March. Any agenda items must always be with the clerk by the end of the month previous to each meeting.