NEWS & VIEWS BARSHAM WALSINGHAM HOUGHTON APRIL - MAY 2020 - A MAGAZINE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
NEWS &
VIEWS
BARSHAM • WALSINGHAM • HOUGHTON
APRIL – MAY 2020
A MAGAZINE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
For the love of local food
Look for the best of Norfolk
and find it at Walsingham Farms Shop
Find us at The Big Sausage Bash
Fun sausage festival returns to Aylsham
Butchers, chefs, live music, local producers
Sunday 10th May 10am-4pm
Find us on Norwich market
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
Hot pie, mash & more, mini farm shop & deli
Britain’s best outdoor market!
SUMMER TIME OPENING HOURS from 29 March
MONDAY-SATURDAY 9am-5.30pm
SUNDAY & MAY BANK HOLIDAYS 10am-4pm
Guild Street, Walsingham NR22 6BU 01328 821877
Norwich Market, Row F Stalls 124/125 01603 621966
Editor’s comments
Contents
Welcome to our April edition. Diary outline for April and May 3
We have a Chaucerian selection of tales for you featuring RAF North Creake Memorial Project update 5
travel of all types. Commonwealth War Graves Commission
launches #Remembered Here 6
On Friday 8 May there will be a special Bank Holiday to
Walsingham CE VA School enjoys challenges 7
commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
BBC’s Antiques Road Trip9
We are invited to enjoy a cinema afternoon with a pre-talk
Celebrating 50 years of being there 10
by The Control Tower’s Nigel Morter. Our parish boundary
includes the site of RAF North Creake from which pilots flew Spring cleaning, spring tides and being on Cloud
Nine 13
into a very uncertain outcome.Those service personnel will
be officially remembered in August when a new installation Fakenham-Olivet Twinning Club 14
on the B115-Edgar Road junction is unveiled. (Readers will St Seraphim’s gardening group 16
recall the biography of D-Day and VE-Day paratrooper Holy Week and Easter 2020 16
Philip Burkinshaw OBE in our October 2019 edition.) Open Gardens Event 2020 17
Christian Aid Week 17
This year also celebrates 50 years of the Little Sisters of 12–18 May 2020 17
Jesus being present in the village. Their gentle charism; to be Literary classics 19
there, to live alongside non-pilgrims has fostered trust and Yew uprooted at National Shrine 21
friendship. And we remember Sister Alma SSM’s vocation Sister Alma Mary 23
bringing her from Trinidad to live a joyful convent life.
Your church needs you now 25
Have a very happy Easter! Walsingham History Society 25
Walsingham Picture Palace April-May 26
Zoe Wenzel
Cover photo by Angela Adams. Fiona Harrison, costume artiste
We welcome contributions for our June–July 2020 and soprano at The Control Tower, www.fionaharrison.biz
Dec 2019 cover photo by 249209 J Carter, Pexels
issue by 30 April 2020. Please email News & Views
Oct 2019 cover photo by Tadeusz-Lakota-1 133795, Unsplash
secretary Lynette06@live.co.uk
Diary outline for April and May
APRIL Langham Dome MAY
PAP activity group for over 8s Thurs, Sun and bank holidays The Pilgrim Federation Schools
Village Hall, 10.30 -4pm Annual Founding Day Service
every Thurs 4.30 – 6pm, Friday 1 May, 10.00am
term time Walsingham CE VA School Hindringham Church followed by picnic
Easter school holidays lunch on Hindringham School field.
Easter Holiday Activity day Thurs 2 April – Fri 17 April inclusive All welcome!
Village hall,
Tues 7 April, 10 – 4pm Easter Sunday, 12 April Wighton Scarecrow Festival
Pages 16 & 17 for Holy Week, Sat 9 and Sun 10 May
Star Party Spring 2020 Triduum and Easter services
Kelling Heath Holiday Park, North Norfolk Open Studios 2020
NR25 7HW Sat 23 May –Sun 7 June
Mon 20 April – Mon 27 April
Summer half-term Activity day
Village Hall,
Fri 29 May, 10 – 4pm
*All events subject to Public Health England/NHS guidance
April – May 2020 3
RAF North Creake
Heritage Project update
August 2020 marks the completion of our memorial
project. We are delighted with the overwhelming
support from so many local people who have helped
with donations, attending events and providing us with
more information about the airfield. With your help
we raised over £40K. The main event, the Dedication
Day, is on Saturday 1 August 2020 at the memorial
site, 12 noon to 4pm. The ceremony will be from 12
noon–1pm followed by a celebratory street party with
food, music, bar, displays and stalls. Everyone welcome!
James Woodhouse, Scilla Landale, Elizabeth Meath Baker, Nigel Morter, Clovis Meath Baker and John Downing
(members of Walsingham Parish Council administering the funds) plant new oak trees on the memorial site, B1105
– Edgar Road junction. Photo by C. Nugent.
We began this project to commemorate those The memorial will be sited on Walsingham Estate land
who served here and par ticularly those who were next to the ‘dry road’ on the corner of the B1105 and
lost while the airfield was in operation. We have Edgar Road. It will have a large-scale Stirling airplane
become rather obsessed with the secret history of sculpture as the centrepiece. This has already been
the station since moving to The Control Tower in completed by Andy Knighton Sculptures and will be
2011. We found it remarkable so many people we erected shortly. A Roll of Honour detailing the 73 men
spoke to about the station had no idea that it was who died whilst serving at RAF North Creake has also
an airfield. been commissioned, along with information boards.
April – May 2020 5
This beautiful installation will ensure that in the future
Commonwealth War
no one will pass through Egmere without knowing that
Graves Commission this was an airfield.
launches
In February’s fundraising we held an extra special tour
#Remembered Here weekend. Over 30 guests were guided around the
The CWGC honours the 1.7 million men and women private areas of the former airfield sites. We cannot
of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and thank Walsingham and Holkham Estates enough for
Second World Wars. They are responsible for 306,000 their help planning the day, providing the transport and,
commemorations across more than 12,000 sites on most of all, their permission to access all corners of the
British soil, often just one or two war graves per location site.The tour goers were excited to see the old runways,
in churchyards, burials grounds and private cemeteries. accommodation sites, leisure area, inside the East Hangar
These graves are noted on entrance gates by an official and around the technical site. Everyone was fascinated
green plaque (a 2017 initiative) and an official headstone. as the old derelict buildings and bits of concrete were
With so many thousands of locations to account for they brought back to life with explanations and stories of
have requested the help of communities with war graves their former use. The Carpenter’s Arms in Wighton did a
to help photograph them and highlight local stories. splendid job warming us up and feeding all 35 of us in
an hour. This followed from on from a special event on
In a new social media campaign CWGC is asking for 11 November 2019. As part of the planning consent for
the UK public’s help to imply take a photo or series the memorial site new oak trees had to be planted to
of photos of a CWGC site near them and post replace the old ash trees. This was dutifully undertaken
them on Twitter, tagging in @CWGC and Instagram, by members of the Walsingham Parish Council.
tagging in @commonwealthwargraves with the
hashtag #RememberedHere. To find memorials, enter Our final fundraiser will take place on the 75th
your postcode on: www.cwgc.org/find/find-nearby- Anniversary of VE-Day, on 8 May 2020. The
cemeteries. For example the CWBC website tells Walsingham Picture Palace will show the vintage film
us there is one WW2 memorial in St Peter’s, Great Went the Day Well? This will be an introductory talk
Walsingham: by Nigel Morter on ‘British Cinema and the Second
World War: Propaganda & Society’. All proceeds will
• Samuel Ballance, Leading Aircraftman (age 29), go to the Time to Remember project.
served with 636996, 40 squadron Royal Air Force,
died 23 August 1941 Claire Nugent & Nigel Morter, The Control Tower
www.rafnorthcreake.co.uk
And four WW1 memorials in St Mary’s, Little
Walsingham:
• Lance Corporal William Charles KNOWLES, died
30 March 1919 (age 34), Devonshire Regiment
• Private Robert Thomas YAXLEY, died 6 August
1920 (age 36), Border Regiment
• Sapper Samuel SHARPE, died 05 May 1919 (age
39), Royal Engineers
• Private FJ SEAMAN, died 17 November 1919,
Hampshire Regiment
All eyes on the old cinema site; the projection house,
Lest we forget. in the outline of the Nissan Hut auditorium, in the RAF
ZW & GW North Creake airfield leisure area
6 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghton
Walsingham CE VA School enjoys challenges
Warrior class learning
to do CPR
Hedgehog class making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Photos by L. Smith
Wonderful, irresistible The infant Hedgehog children Excitement and joy at
homework creations exploring with messy play sharing work
It has been a busy time since the start of the new year is paid for by The Pilgrim Federation firework evening
at the school. The junior class, Warriors, continue to held every year at Hindringham School. The children
work with Hindringham junior children one afternoon from both classes enjoyed sharing their wonderful
a week, taking part in the Challenger Award where they homework from over the half-term with their families
learn all sorts of valuable life skills including giving First and friends. Their creative imaginations included all
Aid. The whole school enjoyed a hands-on morning sorts of ways to develop their learning, including baking
of learning with The Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Everyone and model making. Date for the diary: Sunday 28 June
had a great time at Blakeney Village Hall when all 2020, the school will once again be taking part in the
four schools from The Pilgrim Federation, Blakeney, village Open Gardens. This year we will be holding a
Hindringham, Kelling and Walsingham, got together to Garden Party in our Sensory Garden.
see the pantomime Jack and the Bean Stalk performed
by a professional theatre company. This annual event Miss Mary Dolan, Executive Head
April – May 2020 7
Robin Dunkley of Walsingham’s Holt Antiques with BBC expert Natasha Raskin-Sharp
BBC’s Antiques Road Trip
Natasha Raskin-Sharp and Raj Bisram raced around
North Norfolk in a vintage red Sunbeam Rapier
buying items at seven destinations in a bid to achieve
the biggest auction profit. Fakenham’s Chapel Antiques,
Dereham, Sheringham Museum, Reepham and Holt all
featured. In a scenic detour expert Raj learned more
about NWT’s (Norfolk Wildlife Trust) history and
conservation at Cley marshes with former warden
Bernard Bishop. Meanwhile Natasha visited Robin
Dunkley at Holt Antiques at the Old Mill, Walsingham. A Sunbeam Rapier, CC by SA 2.0 Wikimedia
She chose a Chinese cabinet stand over the Delft tiles. Commons. Top Photo courtesy of R. Dunkley.
Bought for £50, it sold for a profit at the Churchgate
Auctions in Leicester. Job done.The show was televised
on BBC One, Thursday 6 February, 4.30pm.
April – May 2020 9Little sisters Theresa (centre) Kasia (top) and Kathy (top right) with visiting sisters for a Bible session in 2019
needed quite a bit of repair. They also wanted to join
the two cottages into one. Walls were pierced and stair
cases interlaced. From the very beginning Mr Waller
from Great Walsingham offered his talents as a jack of
Celebrating 50 years of being all trades. He would become a great friend. The little
sisters’ plans could be fearless. Neighbour Jack Barber
there recalls returning from work one day to discover that the
The desire for the little sisters of Jesus to come to whole upstairs back wall had been knocked out and the
Walsingham dates back to 1955 when the foundress, roof simply held up by a plank of wood! A tiny Japanese
little sister Magdeleine came in her etoile filante, the sister would sit on a tripod cooking for the workers and
shooting star, a kind of camper van that allowed her to the sisters over a Primus stove. Since plans were that the
travel all over and start up the first communities. After sisters would support themselves through selling pottery,
establishing a community in London she thought of a kiln was installed one month after their arrival. It was
a novitiate near a Marian shrine. Walsingham seemed transported from London, but being so large couldn’t
ideal even though she’d been advised against it by fit through the door. The solution? The kiln was installed
those who considered it too poor and remote. ‘But in the back and a room built around it. ‘Sometimes they
that is the true national shrine of England’. could give you a heart attack’ commented Jack.
She had to wait until October 1969 before permission Another unforgettable moment was the day the sisters
was obtained from the bishop to begin a community decided to order some concrete to level the kitchen
in Walsingham. Immediately little sister Gladys sent her and chapel floor. It was a hot day in July when the
telegram that two cottages on Egmere Road were up full load of ready mixed concrete arrived (small loads
for sale. They had been the property of Miss Olivia didn’t exist).The concrete was going to set in the drive
Grace Jones (from the Isle of Wight) who had bought way if it didn’t get poured quickly. Neighbours were
them in 1948 from Mrs Esme Katharine Lysons who summoned with their wheelbarrows; some hosed
owned the whole row. The cottages had been rented it down while others stirred it. There was so much
out and by the time the little sisters obtained them they concrete that the kitchen floor ended up being 5 inches
10 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • Houghtonhigher than the sitting room. What was left over went
towards the rapid creation of a rockery along the
house. ‘There were a few choice words said about that
concrete’ Jack recalls adding that, ‘one day, whoever
tries to get it up is going to have a terrible job’. Later
on railways sleepers were brought in from Leeds to
create an exposed wooden beam ceiling in the chapel.
But then fears that tall priests might bang their heads in
the beams led to the wooden floor being laid straight
After the inaugural Mass, 10 June 1960, in
on top of the concrete.The first Mass celebrated in the
the front garden with Mr Waller (3rd left)
chapel was by Alan Clark, 10 June, 1960. and Mr Jack Barber (right)
The little sisters have been in the village for 50 years,
wanting to be a presence of friendship and prayer.
Inspired by Jesus’ home life in Nazareth, the accent
isn’t on doing things for people, but being with them.
Concretely (pun intended), this meant having an open
door policy. Many still remember little sister Theresa
who lived in Walsingham for 35 years before going to
Fieldview Rest Home, in Fakenham, in August 2019. It
has also meant sharing the working life of local people,
from the first who working hoeing in the sugar beet Arrival of the kiln
fields to those today who work in housekeeping. Little
Sister Magdeleine used to say that being with people
has far-reaching implications. ‘It means that you receive
from your contact with the people you live among, and
get rid of the illusion that you are always the ones with
something to give’. Yes, there is much for which to give
thanks after 50 years of being here.
We will celebrate on 10 June 2020, recalling some
of our history through pictures at the Pilgrim Bureau
(Friday Market) at 3pm, followed by tea, and Mass with
Bishop Alan Hopes at 5pm. Welcome to all!
Little sisters of Jesus Kathy, Kasia and Theresa
Little sister Magdeleine in her grey Chapel in construction at 8 Egmere Road with
Citroen HY in 1956 two small visitors
April – May 2020 11neaps when the sun and moon where at 90 degrees
Spring cleaning, spring tides
to each other and there wouldn’t be so much tide
and being on Cloud Nine movement either.
I received a phone call from a chap who at the time My first job was to service the engine while the crew
was restoring a house in France in preparation for his laid out all the sails that we were going to use then my
eventual move there.The house was in Gravelines which next job was to replace the stays’l (staysail) halliard and
is a small fishing Harbour about 20 miles east of Calais. attach it to the sail ready to go. So, everything complete,
His vessel was a custom built ketch of some 65ft in we bent all the sails on to their spars and being a Gaff
length and based in Brighton marina. Her name as it rigged vessel we laid out the tops’ls (topsail) ready to
turned out was Cloud Nine. However, on arrival at the hoist when the time came.
vessel my first impression was, OMG. Now normally at The following morning we left Newhaven at an hour
this point I would have turned round and walked away before low water and headed up channel on course
from it but there was something under all that, that for Dover and set all sail including tops’ls. The wind
impressed me, her lines, they showed a gracefulness was blowing force 3–4 occasionally 5 from the south
that I had not seen in a boat before. west and blowing fine over our starboard quarter. So
On closer inspection I found that most of all that we eased the sheets until all the sail were spread like
scruffiness was cosmetic. She didn’t leak, her engine wings either side of the ship to present as much sail to
was in good condition and just needed a good service, the wind as possible as she ploughed her merry way
her skin fittings, the fittings that have to go through the towards Dover.
hull like toilet intake and outlet, engine cooling intake, An hour later we rounded Beachy Head and headed
echo sounder and log transducers, were in pretty east by northeaster for Dover which meant that we
good condition. Her sails were in very good condition had to come onto port tack, this means the wind is
so was her running rigging except that one halliard blowing over the port side or quarter.
needed to be replaced. That’s the rope used to hoist
the sails. Each sail has its own halliard. Our reason for going to Dover first then crossing
over then sailing up the Northern coast of France to
Finally, there was the hull itself which desperately Gravelines is that it’s much easier and less risky to cross
needed to be scraped and antifouled but unfortunately the Straits there as you don’t spend so much time in
at the time Brighton didn’t have the facilities so the next the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and it is also easier
place that did was Newhaven. I phoned our client Chris to comply with the IRPCS rules and regulations for
Davidson and got permission to go ahead with everything crossing i.e. your engine must be running and in gear in
so I made a quick phone call to the Harbourmaster at readiness for immediate use, you must cross on a course
Newhaven and provided we could get from Brighton that is 90% to the flow of traffic and must not include
to Newhaven by an hour before high water we could allowances for tide etc. Oh it goes on but necessary
get on the grid straight away. We left immediately and when one considers the amount of traffic that a small
arrived at Newhaven at an hour and a half before high boat has to contend with. IRPCS stands for International
water springs and went straight on to the grid. Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.
As the tide went down we followed scraping and However, we eventually arrived at Dover and went to
cleaning down both sides until the tide left her high and our pre-arranged berth for the night with the intention
dry. The tide went down a further 8ft to full low water of crossing in full daylight in the morning and the tide
so by the time the tide had got back to the keel we would be flooding up channel in an hour so it was a
were halfway up both sides with the antifouling, finishing case of getting ourselves to the right position on the
off an hour before high water springs on the next tide. edge of the TSS and make our way across. However,
The tides were spring tides meaning that the sun and when we were about halfway the wind got up to force
moon were bang opposite each other as opposed to 6–7 so the sea was getting very choppy. We reduced sail
April – May 2020 13by taking of the tops’ls and jib and sailed on with stays’l,
Fakenham–Olivet Twinning
main and mizzen set. She was more comfortable now.
Club
After a passage that was getting rougher all the time
Fakenham has been twinned with Olivet since 1982 when
and wind having now got up to force 7–8 we arrived
the marketplace was packed for the first arrival of our French
off Gravelines entrance.The harbour master told us he guests. Even though nationally twinning is less popular these
will be out there to guide us in by the time we actually days with cheaper holidays abroad, we still have a small but
get to the entrance. active club who either host or visit every two years. In between
trips, we meet regularly to either raise funds for the next visit
Well, we got there but no harbour master, we waited
or to just to enjoy the friendship of our fellow “Twinners” this
and waited but still no harbourmaster so there was side of the Channel.
only one thing for it. Make a run for it. So I turned the
This June, most of us will travel by coach to Olivet, a lovely
boat onto a beam reach on the starboard tack (wind
suburb of Orleans, 1.5 hours south of Paris. The journey will
over the starboard side) and went for it. She was sailing take about 12 hours and we leave early on Thursday 18 June
full and by straight for the Harbour entrance. The time returning on Monday 22 June. Whilst in Olivet we will stay with
was 1205hrs according to the ships clock. Two and a our French hosts who will wine, dine and entertain us admirably
half hours to high water. as usual. Although these hosts begin as strangers, the welcome
is always wonderful and very special friendships soon develop.
There were numerous things going through my mind at It has been lovely to witness this, especially that of two now
this point like, did I have enough water to enter? Is this elderly couples who were involved from the beginning in 1982.
tide, as strong as it is, going to have an adverse effect Seeing them laughing and enjoying the barn dance here in 2018,
and push her too far sideways? Oh well here goes, so even though they don’t speak each other’s language, was a real
in we went and making about 7–8 knots as we passed pleasure and reinforces our desire to keep the Twinning alive in
the entrance buoy, then the two pillars either side of the Fakenham.
entrance marking the start of the rock breakwater which This year we are pleased that Rob Alcott is organising a 600-
formed the outer half of the channel in to Gravelines. mile cycle ride with others from our local cycling club, East
Coast Riders, to arrive in Olivet on the same day. They will
Once inside the breakwaters the water became leave Fakenham on Saturday 13 June and cycle south via
calmer and quieter. The echo sounder was showing Harwich and the overnight ferry, aiming for 100 miles a day
1.2m under our keel which was more likely because and finding accommodation on route, then joining our French
she had a 22deg heel and there wouldn’t be much hosts for the weekend.
more than 0.5m if she stood upright. Anyway we had Before the June trip we had our AGM on Friday 20 March at
taken the risk as the tide was rising, so we started the The General Townsend Club in Cattle Market St, Fakenham.
engine and slowly took off one sail after the other. By A complementary light buffet and drinks was served after the
the time we got to the bend in the channel some one main proceedings. And on Wednesday 22 April we are holding
a Fish’n’Chip Quiz Night at Walsingham Village Hall, Wells Rd,
and a half miles later we were upright with 0.7m under
Walsingham NR22 6DL, 1830 for 1900. The £10 per person
our keelend all sails stowed or handed. As we rounded
admission includes Fish and Chip Supper. Bring your own drinks.
the bend the Harbourmaster was on his way out and The maximum number of per team is six.
looked very surprised to see us.
If you are interested in knowing more about Fakenham-Olivet
However he turned about and led us to our berth on Twinning Club or would like to join us this June, please get in
the visitors’ pontoon where our client was waiting. We touch asap. We are particularly keen to hear from a parent/
arrived and I did the handover and talked him through family (or grandparent) and child of around 12 years to visit
the list of do’s, don’ts and recommendations then we a similar family in Olivet. We expect the cost to be less than
£200 each, with a good reduction for children. For more
packed our gear in readiness for leaving. Chris then
information please contact Sally Rumbles (Committee Chair)
took us all to a local bar/restaurant for a meal and a on 01328 258316 or pandsrumbles@tiscali.co.uk Or Roger
few drinks. The end to an eventful yet enjoyable trip. Taylor (Twinning Club Secretary) on 01328 822293 or cral.
taylor@btinternet.com
Richard Elley,
RYA/MCA Yacht master Offshore Comm. Roger Taylor, secretary
14 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • HoughtonFr Kevin (left) leads the toast with Brewery manager Rob Howlett (2nd left)
Jules Knight (centre), Fr Andreas (3rd right) photo by V. McDougall
known as Pilgrim Hops. Fr Andreas added ‘Pubs along
Norfolk born and brewed
the pilgrimage routes to Walsingham will be able to
The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and offer Pilgrim’s Pale Ale to locals, walkers and pilgrims
Barsham Brewery have joined forces to create Pilgrim’s alike. Everybody needs refreshment on the journey
Pale Ale, to celebrate more than a thousand years and it’s something to look forward to – alongside the
of pilgrimage to Walsingham. Launched at a special spiritual side of pilgrimage, of course’.
gathering at Norton’s Café-Bar in February, the new
beer is a crisp and refreshing Pale Ale. The launch was Pilgrim’s Pale Ale is available in Norton’s Café-Bar, the
attended by BBC Radio Norfolk, the Eastern Daily Press Shrine Shop, and the Walsingham Farm Shop and joins
and Feast Norfolk magazine and the also happened to the six artisan beers already produced by the award-
coincide with the Anglican Shrine’s annual Priest and winning Barsham Brewery. Available as a bottled and
Deacon Retreat.The long queue of visiting clergy waiting keg-conditioned beer, the team at Barsham Brewery
to try the ale provided the perfect photo opportunity! is currently producing casks for local pubs and beer
festivals. The Catholic Shrine is also planning to stock
Jules Knight of Barsham Brewery said: ‘The idea came the beer soon.
about after Father Andreas from the Shrine asked if
it would be possible for his team to stop off at the Press & PR work experience
brewery on a team walk. As close neighbours we opportunity at the Shrine OLW
immediately agreed and everyone enjoyed a brewery The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is
tour, tea and cake, as well as a beer tasting of course! looking for a bright and enthusiastic student or recent
Fr Andreas discussed a collaboration between us and graduate to join its friendly communications team for a
a few weeks later, whilst visiting the shrine, we decided 3–4 week voluntary internship (hours to be mutually
to create a beer to celebrate the ancient and modern agreed), beginning as soon as possible. Responsibilities
Walsingham pilgrim and “Pilgrim’s Pale Ale” was born’. include press and media research, helping to build a
media database, and general administrative support.The
The Soames family have farmed the West Barsham
placement is ideal for someone who has an interest in
Estate for generations, making the most of the
press and PR who is looking to strengthen their C.V.
exceptional soil and sea air that Norfolk is famous
Good communication skills and attention to detail a must!
for to grow Maris Otter barley which is then malted
For further information contact Victoria McDougall,
on the farm. Pure water from the estate’s own bore
v.mcdougall@olw-shrine.org.uk / 01328 824214.
hole is then blended with the malt and crafted in their
state-of-the-art brewery, using a type of hops suitably Victoria McDougall, Shrine OLW Communication
April – May 2020 15Holy Week and Easter 2020
Anglican services
Benefice of Walsingham, Houghton and Barshams
St Seraphim’s The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
gardening group Catholic services
St Seraphim’s Gardening Group Catholic Parish of Walsingham, Wells, Blakeney, and Burnham Market
has been meeting on Wednesday Catholic National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady, Houghton-St-Giles
mornings from 10am to 1pm. The
5 Apr
kind help of some members of
Palm Sunday,
Walsingham W.I. has meant the
6 Apr
roses have had expert care in Holy Mon,
pruning. Another volunteer has
kept energy levels and spirits up
7 Apr
Holy Tues,
Please check church websites
with homemade cake, and the 8 Apr
for information.
sun has managed to come out Holy Wed,
most times. The Quiet Garden is a 9 Apr
community garden and has natural Maundy Thurs Churches remain open for
planting, to encourage the wildlife. 10 Apr
The railway workers had allotments
Good Friday prayer, but there will be no
11 Apr
here and also kept pigs at the top
Holy Saturday public services.
of the garden. Some of the fruit
12 Apr
trees would have been planted by Easter Sunday,
the railway workers and the rebuilt 13 Apr
lamp and oil shed, now houses Easter Mon
games and toys for children’s play.
Orthodox Services
If you have some time to spare and
The Holy Transfiguration, Scarborough Road, Gt Walsingham. TBC
would like to join us, please come!
Tools are provided. There is good Palm Sunday 12 April 10.30am Holy Liturgy
company and refreshments. We Holy Saturday 18 April 10pm Paschal Matins and Holy Liturgy
meet weather permitting! Holy Paschal 19 April 3pm Paschal Vespers, concluding approx. 1.30am
If you have any queries contact
Sylvia Batchelor on 01328 820610
or saint.seraphim@gmail.com
Sylvia Batchelor, warden
*All events subject to Public Health England/NHS guidance
16 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • HoughtonChristian Aid Week
12–18 May 2020
Christian Aid Week is an annual
event across the United Kingdom, a
door to door fundraising drive by
the Christian Aid charity. Thousands
of people take to the streets to post
red collection envelopes to houses
up and down the country.
Christian Aid is helping communities
in Kenya adapt to climate change.
Throughout 2020 Christian Aid is
asking for prayer for climate justice.
Christian Aid has more than 70
years’ experience of working in
partnership to support communities
to thrive. We tackle the root causes
of poverty so that women, men
and children the world over are
strengthened against future knocks.
Easter lambs Photo by G. Hazlegreaves, Pixabay
And if disasters happen, they get
people the help they want straight
Open Gardens Event 2020 away.
As a new decade is upon and planned events both national and local are Please lookout for fundraising to
now nearing completion, our thoughts turn naturally to our own annual happen for this very worthwhile
and much feted Open Garden Event. This year’s event will be held on cause whether it is by door to door
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, 10.30-4.30pm. To date, it has proved collections with red envelopes,
to be an enjoyable and interesting encounter with old friends, villagers, putting your odd change in one
pilgrims and visitors of all ages with much to learn and share. Last year of the collecting tubs which will
we enjoyed 21 magical gardens and this year we hope for even more. be around the village shops during
If you would like to join the current group of exhibitors and share your this week or some other means of
yet unseen oasis, please contact Mr David Simmons (01328820871) or raising vital fund for this cause.
bridewell5@btinternet.com) to join our mailing list. Letters detailing this
year’s event, application form and garden profile will be issued soon. We Lynette Sutton,
look forward to welcoming you. area organiser
Mr D R Simmons, Open Gardens Committee
April – May 2020 17We are hosting a
CHARITY
VALUATION DAY
by
Keys of Aylsham Wikimedia Commons
Do you ever wonder the value of some treasure or curio you own, Literary classics
something you inherited or bought a long time ago, or would like to
know more about it. This is your opportunity to discover the value or On World Book Day 2020, Walsingham School teaching
just get advice/ information. Bring it along to meet the experts.
staff dressed as the Queen of Hearts (Mrs Piggott),
East Barsham Village Hall, the White Rabbit (Mrs Bishop), Alice (Mrs Forbes) and
NR21 0LG
On Friday 5th June 2020 the Cheshire Cat (Miss Smith). There followed plenty
1.00pm to 5.00pm of jam tart baking. With 200 years since the birth of Sir
John Tenniel, the iconic Alice in Wonderland illustrator,
Enquiries to Keys of Aylsham 01263733195 here are some other literary treasures to unravel.
salerooms@keysauctions.co.uk or any Village Hall committee member.
Andrew Ross 07889958008 Grace Howlett 07867514055
1 RIPPED CAD IF LOVED
2 I FOOT A WISE CATTLE
3 AM FRAIL MAN
4 WEB DRAWN LOVER
5 DESTINY I BLESS INSANE
6 THEY DRAWN GIN I SHOULDER TODAY
7 DOLDRUM WINE OK
8 ZOOMS LAWN WAS SANDAL
Your Member of Parliament 9 JOKE NOBLE THUG
Jerome Mayhew MP 10 JIM TROD IN GLIB CLOAK
Will be holding surgeries for the residents of 11 I KINDEST TROLLEY OR PAIRS
Fakenham and the surrounding area during 2020
at
12 TUNE RAILS DARES
Fakenham Church (NR21 9BZ) 13 HUNT STREET CABLE RAY
on
14 TOILED FOR SHELF
Friday 14 February 10am–12noon
Friday 17 April 10am–12noon 15 STAGGER HAT BYTE
Friday 12 June 10am–12noon 16 TRAINERS UNWIND LOVED AS CLEANED
Friday 2 October 10am–12noon
Friday 20 November 10am–12noon 17 DRIVE READ BITE DISHES
For further details contact Kate Rushton on 18 STRANGE TECH DEER
01603 865763
19 TRUG HIGHEST WHINE
Promoted by Kate Rushton on behalf of Jerome Mayhew MP and 20 RUG RILL SLAVE VEST
printed by Broadland Conservative Association, all of The Old Smithy,
Church Farm, Attlebridge, Norwich NR9 5ST
Anagrandma
April – May 2020 19Walsingham Abbey & The Shirehall Museum
Georgian Courtroom • Walsingham 950 Time Line
Local Tourist Information • Walsingham Bridewell
Open daily 30th March to 1st November
11am-4pm
Adult £5.50, child 6-16 £2.50 Annual season tickets from £16
Common Place, Walsingham NR22 6BP 01328 820510
www.walsinghamabbey.comYew uprooted at National
Shrine
On the night of Saturday 8 February 2020, during
Storm Ciara, the centuries old yew tree at the Chapel
of Our Lady of Reconciliation at the Basilica and
National Shrine of Our Lady was uprooted from the
ground and very conveniently fell to earth on the
pathway between the Chapel and the road, missing
the corner of the chapel roof by millimetres.
This ancient tree has stood sentinel at the corner of
brocantes the Shrine’s parcel of land at Houghton St Giles, and
has witnessed all of the exciting events at the Slipper
antiques Chapel since Charlotte Boyd purchased the Chapel
and art gallery from the Lee Warner Family in the 1890’s. Perhaps
not old enough to have witnessed Henry VIII visiting
back where we started! the Slipper Chapel on his way from East Barsham Hall
open tuesday - saturday to worship at the original Shrine, but it was certainly
there when Cardinal Bourne declared the Slipper
10am – 4pm Chapel the National Shrine of Our Lady in 1934, and
01328 822233 witnessed the great ‘Pilgrimage of Prayer and Penance
for Peace’ in 1948 as the 14 crosses were erected in
the meadow where it had stood for 100s of years.
Tim MacDonald
April – May 2020 21It was here at the Priory that Sister told us that she was
Sister Alma Mary
heading for the Land of Zog. Dementia is a devastatingly
We first knew Sister Alma Mary when she was a cruel disease which she faced so bravely. There were
housemistress at the Kingsley St. Michael School at days when she was more lucid than others. Yet there
East Grinstead. I say we because Barbara my wife were days when she didn’t really know herself. As St.
was pleased to escape from the care of our four Paul wrote to the Colossians 3.3, ‘your life is hid with
very young children to help some evenings in Sister’s Christ in God’. Just as Jesus Himself knew dereliction
boarding house. Sister ran a very good house: it was in the Garden of Gethsemane so too Sister Alma. Yet
well ordered and there was always plenty for the girls even in these final months there were days when she
to do. She didn’t give them the chance to be bored. was able to wear again her Sister’s habit and her office
I reckon that she lived up to our founder, John Mason book was always to hand. Those who nursed her at
Neale’s expectation of his sisters. He wanted his Dorrington House respected her vocation and showed
Sisters to be happy and joyful. In one of his sermons her much love and care. Her Sisters here at Walsingham
to them he said, ‘God forbid that you should ever put were faithful and regular in their visits to her.
on a sort of behaviour or appearance that you think We shall miss her. Sister Alma was god-mother to our
Sisters ought to have. It is the most dear thing to me, youngest child. She often asked after him and in recent
when I can hear, as I did the other day, of a Sister that years kept saying ‘is he married yet?’ We had to admit
she was the life of the children’s party’. Yes. Sister Alma that such had not yet happened. She enjoyed meeting
was cheerful and purposeful and her House was a up with him on one of her visits to us at Bexhill.
reflection of that outlook. Sister Alma genuinely cared
for their well-being and even after they had left school Not only will Barbara and myself miss her but so will
she kept in touch with many. She was a true Religious the many who have known her loving friendship. ‘Living
keeping them in her prayers not only whilst they were is for loving’ is a good saying but as Christians we can
in her care but long afterwards. This is part of her life, add that ‘loving is eternal’. As we were reminded in our
an important part, ‘hid with Christ in God’. first reading; ‘the souls of the righteous are in the hand
of God … they are at peace’. We should not be down-
I am sure that Sister’s life was always a busy one. hearted for as St. John wrote ‘truly, truly, I say to you, he
‘Become a nun and see the world’. In the case of Sr who believes has eternal life’. So today we commend
Alma she certainly travelled around. For ten years she to the Lord our dear sister departed that she may rest
was the sister-in-charge of the Community’s branch in peace and rise in glory. Amen.
house in the Belgrave area of Leicester. I am told that
she was much sort after as a retreat conductor and Fr Paul Messenger, funeral mass homily in The Priory
valued for her spiritual guidance. of Our Lady, Walsingham on 8 January 2020.
Sister Mary Alma SSM, born in Trinidad 1929 – died 26
Sister loved Walsingham ministering to the many Nov 2019.
pilgrims and seems particularly to have valued the
liturgy of sprinkling at the Holy Well. So again she was
kept busy not only in the Shrine but also as Bursar
here in the Priory.
She never though forgot her roots in Trinidad. On one
of our visits to her in these latter years when she was
in a nursing home she asked Barbara whether we had
come from Port Elizabeth. We had to admit that we
had only travelled from Bexhill. She then recounted
how as a child on her way to school she loved to pick
a mango telling us that the best bit was sucking the
stone! Her Life Profession, 1960 and Golden Anniversary, 2010
April – May 2020 23single penny. It’s all left to the regulars, the faithful few
Your church needs you now
who keep the show on the road and the flag flying. It’s
The villages of England, like our own villages are defined expensive. A typical unpretentious medieval church in a
by their ancient parish churches. They are what makes village like our own, with 150 people will be fortunate
a settled community however small into a village.These if 10% regularly attend.The annual running costs will be
much loved buildings are, however increasingly at risk at least £8,500–£10,000 if not more. This means that
as upkeep costs spiral and huge sums are demanded the man or woman in the pew will have to give about
of a diminishing congregation. It was not always so. £50 a month, as well as a voluntary commitment to
Church rates, paid by every landowner and farmer, keeping expenses to the minimum. Fortunately, all over
kept the roof on and assisted in paying the parson, the country, people are just about managing to do it
but that system was abolished as far back as 1868 and not just for themselves and their faith but for all of us.
since then churchgoers have been expected to foot
the bills through voluntary contributions. Sadly, more and more villages are finding they can’t
manage any longer. Rural dioceses are threatening to
Now, with many fewer coming to church even for the abandon little used churches at the loss of our rich
major life events of births, marriages and deaths the architectural heritage and not least the community
wider community feel no ongoing responsibility to surrounding it. There is I believe a simple, non-
safeguard what is their most important and valuable contentious way to give struggling congregations a
historic building, even though these are not sectarian helping hand. Out of the £8,500 to £10,000 operational
buildings, created for the eclectic few. They are without costs, the huge sum of £1,500 is for insurance. Why
doubt the common inheritance of the nation and are congregations being asked to insure the nation’s
belong to each one of us, churchgoer or not. This is heritage? In France, Germany and Scandinavia a tax
even more true in England ... after all it was Henry VIII is levied by the state from all to maintain the nations’
who nationalised the Church! This was the essence heritage buildings. England should have a national
of the English Reformation and 500 years later these insurance fund that would be freely available to all
architectural jewels remain for the most part, intact listed churches and historic buildings thus safeguarding
but needing repair. Where civil war and invasion have our national assets: worshippers would then pay the
destroyed so much on the continent, here, there’s hardly clergy and keep things going, but the community would
a village that doesn’t boast a listed church; some tiny insure and be able to use their inheritance for village /
and restrained, others glorious, flamboyant and rich in community purposes.That would overall be much fairer.
memorial and history.
David Simmons, church warden, East Barsham
Many churches serve villages so small that, even if
100% of the inhabitants attended services, the upkeep
would still be a financial drain. It is the upkeep that’s the
killer-if the building were collapsing or threatened,all
Walsingham History
sorts of bodies would come to its aid and even the Society
community would work together to build a restoration On 2 April we are very pleased to
fund. Nowhere in the world do people work harder welcome back Matthew Champion who
and give more generously when their iconic building is will address us on the subject Hempton
threatened. The problem is the years between appeals, Priory. Members may well remember his amazing talk
the day-to-day maintenance that every householder on Norfolk Graffiti a few years back in April 2015. For
knows only all too well. Keeping the drains and gullies our final Spring talk we will host The History of the
clear, cutting the grass, mending broken windows, and Norfolk Wool Trade a talk by Joy Evitt. All talks will take
mending rotting wood work; all the things we have to place at 7.30pm in the Village Hall on Wells Road, Little
look to in our much less demanding homes. That’s the Walsingham.
real problem: the world passes by and admires, the visitor
goes in and explores, often leaving without donating a Tim MacDonald, Chairman
April – May 2020 25handling of classified information. Unable to stand by
Walsingham Picture Palace
and watch the world be rushed into an illegal war,
April–May Gun makes the gut-wrenching decision to defy her
government and leak the memo to the press.
Special event for VE Day Friday 8 May
The whole country will be commemorating the 75th VE–Day Commemoration bank holiday,
anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8 May, with this year’s Went the Day Well? (PG) Talk & film 4pm-7pm
early May bank holiday moved from Monday to Friday.
Here in Walsingham as part of the commemoration, In a 1942 classic, an English village is occupied by
the Picture Palace will be hosting a special talk and disguised German paratroopers as an advance post
film screening, to support the Time to Remember: RAF for a planned invasion. Churchill spoke of beaches,
North Creake Memorial Project. The memorial is landing grounds, fields, streets and hills. He omitted
nearing completion and will honour those who served the churchyard, manor house, pub and village green,
at RAF North Creake (see p. 5 and p. 6). where the enemy is engaged by the plucky locals
of Bramley End. This stirring, startlingly violent film
Tuesday 31 March is a masterwork of WWII propaganda, Inspired by a
Mrs Lowry & Son 12A 91 mins. Biopic/Drama. Graham Greene short story. A true hidden gem of
Director Adrian Noble, with Vanessa Redgrave, our national cinema.
Timothy Spall.
Doors open at 4pm.The programme begins at 4.15pm
A portrait of the artist L. S. Lowry (Timothy Spall) with a talk by Nigel Morter ‘British Cinema and the
and his strained relationship with his mother, Elizabeth Second World War: Propaganda & Society’ followed
(Vanessa Redgrave). Set in 1934 – five years before both by Q&As. Then refreshments,with the film screening
her passing and Lowry’s first taste of success – the film about 5.30pm to finish by 7pm.Tickets £7.50, under 25
chronicles Elizabeth’s ongoing attempts to discourage £5. Advance tickets will be available from the Shirehall
her son’s artistic ambitions. Bedridden and bitter about Museum or reserve via email, walsinghampp@gmail.
the life she’s had, Elizabeth takes her frustration out on com. Or on the door if space allows.
her son, who attends to her every need. But Lowry also
continues to paint, finding beauty in his surroundings Save the date: Tuesday 26 May, film tbc
and an escape from his overbearing mother.
Contact walsinghampp@gmail.com
Tuesday 28 April Walsingham Picture Palace Walsingham Parish Hall,
Official Secrets 15 112 mins. True-life political drama. 14 High Street, Walsingham NR22 6AA
Director Gavin Hood, with Matthew Goode, Keira Tickets for Tuesday screenings on the door: adult
Knightley, Ralph Fiennes. £4, under 25s £2
Tuesday programmes begin at 7.30pm
Based on world-shaking true events, Official Secrets tells Doors open 7pm for ticket sales and refreshments.
the gripping story of Katharine Gun (Keira Knightley), a
British intelligence specialist whose job involves routine Elizabeth Meath Baker, organiser
26 News & Views: Barsham • Walsingham • HoughtonHigh Quality Professional Service
Any type of electrical works … big or small
we can do it all! Free survey and quotation
Test & Certify to IEE17th Edition
Part P Registered
01328 830492 07884 436112
paul@pjelectricsltd.co.uk www.pjelectricsltd.co.ukYou can also read
