Happy New Year To You All! - Starston Village
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January 2021 1
Happy
New Year
To You All!
2 Pigeon Post
‘For Starston People’ Copyright 2021 PIGEON POST
The Production Team
Co-ordinating Editor: Sue Moore: 6 Allthorpe Rd, Harleston IP20 9AP
Tel: 452432 Email: pigeonpost19@gmail.com
suemoore0717@gmail.com
Editors: Chris Doughty: Email: chrismartindoughty@gmail.com
Auriel Gibson: Email: aurielgibson@wh5.co.uk
Treasurer: Mandy Carter: Brick Kiln Farm, Cross Roads
Tel: 854600 Email: mcarter@carrotech.com
Advertising Manager: Liz Stacey: The Old Coach House, Starston
Tel: 853427 Email: elizabethstacey99@hotmail.com
Website: Email: info@starstonvillage.co.uk
Distribution Brian Greathead: Cart Lodge Barn, Church Hill
Organiser: Tel: 852352 Email: bgreathead99@gmail.com
Distributors include: Brenda & David Beech, Sarah Beech, Sonja Burnett, Mandy
Carter, Patricia Lombe-Taylor, Alison Miners, Rosemary &
Norman Steer, and others.
ISSUE EDITOR Sue Moore
Whilst the editorial team do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed by contributors,
they believe that the magazine is available for local people to air their views. Letters to the Editor
must be signed. The Editor reserves the right to alter or amend any copy received.
Items for inclusion in the next issue MUST reach the Co-ordinating Editor by the 12th of the
preceding month, (usually earlier in December). Space in the magazine will be allocated on a first
come, first served basis. Photos and pictures are welcome and will be used wherever possible.
Please send copy by e-mail to: pigeonpost19@gmail.com
Advertising
For advertising rates please contact
Liz Stacey: Tel: 01379 853427 Email: elizabethstacey99@hotmail.com
or Sue Moore: Tel: 01379 852387 Email: pigeonpost19@gmail.com
Distribution
Pigeon Post is delivered free to every home in Starston.
It can also be sent by email in PDF format.
To request a PDF version please contact the Co-ordinating Editor.
If you know of any new residents in the village please tell Norman Steer (854245)
or Sue Moore (452432) so that we can welcome them in Pigeon Post.
January 2021 3
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
And a very special THANK YOU to all
the members of Starston Youth Club for
the Christmas cards which they
distributed throughout the village and
beyond.
To Book the Jubilee Hall - Contact the Bookings Manager:
Robert Wood: 01379 852535 or Email: starstonrobert@gmail.com
Deputy: Joy Brooks: 01379 854755 or joybrooks2007@yahoo.co.uk
Let us know of anything happening in the village
Personal adverts and events are free so long as they are not for personal profit
Like us on Facebook http://facebook.com/starstonvillagenorfolk
Starston Village Website: http://starstonvillage.co.uk/
Jubilee Hall Wi-Fi Hot Spot: Network: Jubilee Hall Password: Starston
Final Copy Date for the February edition:
12.00 Noon - Tuesday 12th January
4 Pigeon Post
ADVERTISE
HERE
VERY REASONABLE RATES
CONTACT LIZ FOR DETAILS
01379 853427
elizabethstacey99@hotmail.com
January 2021 5
For Your Information
Sorry! Last month’s crossword was missing a clue. If you want to complete it before
you turn to page 25 the clue for 14 down was ‘Rags and ——’.
Parish Council Meeting
A meeting will be held on Monday 18th January at 7.30pm via Zoom. Further details
on page 17.
Stamps for the RNIB
Just a little reminder that as the Christmas post falls on your mat, please save the
stamps. If you can, please leave approximately a quarter of an inch around the stamp.
They can be placed in the RNIB box in our front porch or the mail box at the end of our
drive. Thank you, have a happy and safe Christmas Starston.
Linda Savage
Poplars Farm, Cross Road.
No Bells!
As the rules stand at the moment ringers will not be able to ring St Margaret's bells
either at Christmas or New Year. We had hoped the government rules would allow
ringing over the festive season.
We are still short of ringers but good news, a ringer has moved into the village. Once
we can start practices the lady will join the ringing team.
The bells have not been used for months; lubrication will be needed. This involves
climbing inside the tower to access the bells. I wish we could recruit a younger person
to carry out this task as the climb is getting a problem for me.
Best wishes to all, have a Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year
Tower Captain
01379 853967
Harleston & District Dementia Friendly Community & Café
As we enter the New Year we still do not know when we can resume our Dementia
Cafes. It is looking very unlikely that it will be much before the spring. It is such a
long time since we have seen all our friends and helpers who come along to the café,
and we look forward to the day when we can all meet up again. The Dementia Café is
run to allow anyone with dementia and their carers to meet socially in a safe and
comfortable environment on a regular basis. If you would like more information about
getting involved, or attending our group next year, please do contact Pat.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year
Patricia.simmonds@mail.com or 0137 676 557
6 Pigeon Post
January 2021 7
Editor’s Notes
Well, here we are again! Another year gone. I think we all have reasons to be pleased
2020 is over, but let’s not dwell on the past. As I write this today the first recipient of
the new vaccine has just been given her dose, so there is hope.
Pigeon Post starts the new year with a new crossword compiler on the team which is
great, and to make matters even better a new quiz writer too. If anyone else would like
to make a contribution towards the Pigeon Post we would be most grateful, it doesn’t
have to be a regular commitment, and it doesn’t have to be often, but every little helps.
You can also tell us what you would like to see in YOUR magazine and we’ll do our
best to include it.
On the subject of helping, if anyone feels they can help the Tower Captain with the
bells please get in touch (see page 5). I also noticed recently on the village Facebook
page that Polytrade, who are renovating their buildings on Rushall Rd, were asking if
anyone had any old photos or information concerning the property. If you do please
contact them. 01379 854445
I’m very pleased to be able to tell you that there is to be another Book Sale. Of course,
it’s going to have to be a virtual book sale, but never the less it is very welcome.
Details are on page 13. Later in the year it is very much hoped that the Jubilee Hall
will be up and running again and plans are already being made to keep you entertained,
see page 9.
Let’s hope that we all have a Very Happy New Year!
Sue
Stella Rice
We are sorry to report that Stella Rice died on 3rd of November 2020 after a short fight
with cancer. She was only 62 years old. Stella, and her partner Simon Cook, lived in
Beck Hall Cottages in Starston for around 11 years before moving to Rushall in the
summer of 2018.
Stella had a BSc from Goldsmiths College, University of London and when younger
she was a professional ballet dancer, touring the world and living for a while in Japan.
She was the youngest of 4 children and is survived by her brother and two sisters. For
some years she served as a Norfolk County Councillor. She was also a great cat lover.
Stella and Simon were regular participants in many village activities including
occasional church services and many events in the Jubilee Hall. For a while they served
on the Jubilee Hall Management Committee. We send our condolences to Simon.
MJB
8 Pigeon Post
Notes From A Starston Garden
The festivities are over and the days are at their shortest. I still have quite a bit of
tidying up to do but the weather seldom tempts me outside in early January. My
solution is to snuggle down in front of the fire with a cup of tea, a pile of seed
catalogues and the iPad to write my shopping list. With seeds bought and plants
ordered I’ll be all set to go in 2021.
Seed potatoes. I grew Charlotte last year for the first time and found that its reputation
is completely justified. Sadly, the East Anglian Potato Day is not going to happen this
year, so I’ll be scouring the catalogues for a commercial supplier. I know it’s very
popular so I must get my order in asap.
Onions (sets). Last year I grew Centurion for the first time. They were quick maturing
and slow to bolt and, most importantly, had a good flavour, so I’ll go for them again.
Tomatoes. Last year during lockdown I bought some excellent plants of the plum
variety Roma from Three Willows Garden Centre in Bungay. I’ll be doing the same
again this year. They produced an excellent crop in the greenhouse and my freezer has
a satisfying stock of tomato sauce. I seldom have much success growing tomatoes from
seed but I’ll continue to persevere with Cavendish, a heritage outdoors variety, only
available from specialist suppliers.
Carrots. For me it has to be Early Nantes. It’s ideal for growing in containers and can
be sown under glass in late winter.
Brassicas. Cabbages (for winter use) - anything but January King which I find insipid.
For my Brussels Sprouts I’ll go for a later cropping variety. Last year I grew an early
cropper and came a cropper as they had finished producing before Christmas.
Parsnips. Gladiator all the way. Of course, I have half a packet left from last year (who
hasn’t?) but bitter experience taught me that it’s false economy to save parsnip seeds.
They really do have a very short packet life.
Some seeds do have a fairly long packet life if they’re kept cool and dry. In this
category are peas, beans and courgette seeds. I have plenty of these left from last year,
also lettuce, though I’ll look for some of the oak-leaved varieties that we were
recommended last month as being less likely to bolt in hot weather.
Cucumber. I like the mini greenhouse variety Passandra, though seeds are quite
expensive.
Begonias. I recently discovered that they do very well in the troughs on my drive. I’ll
order some plug plants to grow on – more cost effective than buying larger ones just
before planting out.
Of course, there’ll also be some impulse buys – there always are. I have a notion to
grow some more flowers from seed this year. Any suggestions?
FYI: I store my seeds in our cool, dry semi-basement in a hinged wooden box that my
father made when he was an engineering apprentice in the 1930s.
Dee the Gardener
January 2021 9
Jubilee Hall In 2021
2020 was not a good year for the Jubilee Hall (well, it wasn’t really much of a year for
anyone, was it?) Because of the first Lockdown the Hall was closed from mid-March to
the end of August. It then briefly re-opened for groups of not more than 10 people
before having to close again in November. Virtually none of our planned events and
activities were able to go ahead so the Hall – through no fault of its own – was not able
to fulfil it’s brief of providing a service to the local community.
At the time of writing (early December) Norfolk is in Covid Tier 2 which means the
Hall has to stay shut. We do not know what the new year will bring but the
Management Committee has decided to take a positive approach and we have planned a
series of events for 2021 which we hope to be able to achieve. Some of these events
were postponed from 2020, others were in the early planning stage. Full details of all
planned events are on the notice board at the Jubilee Hall and on the Starston Village
website. They include a variety of talks, a play reading, music events and (hopefully)
the resumption of our pub nights.
Only two events currently have a specific date for your diary:
Sunday 13th June: Teddy Bears’ Picnic on the Glebe Meadow.
th
Tuesday 7 September: Surviving 9/11: Janice Brooks’ talk about how she
survived the attack on the Twin Towers in New
York in 2001
The rest of the planned events do not yet have a fixed date but as soon as we know what
we can or can’t do we will start organising them.
Michael Bartlett
Chairman
Starston 100 Club
As we have been unable to hold events recently, where we would have held the draw, a
draw was made on the Glebe Meadow on Saturday 5 th December witnessed by Michael
Bartlett, Geoff Broadhurst and myself. The lucky winners are as follows:
1st Prize £60 Auriel Gibson
2nd Prize £50 Sheena Wateridge
3rd Prize £30 David Stone
4th Prize £25 Mike Fordham
5th Prize £20 Matthew & Justin Hunt
6th Prize £15 Mags Ryalls
Congratulations to all and best wishes to all our members for a Happy Christmas and a
lucky New Year.
John Formston
10 Pigeon Post
County Council Report
Norfolk's Covid Winter Support Scheme
Norfolk County Council, alongside local councils across Norfolk, is aiming to support
as many residents as possible this winter to access financial and other support if they
are facing hardship.
The scheme is particularly aimed at families and will provide support for those
suffering financial hardship over the winter months due to Covid-19. Support is
available with food and utility bills. Applications to the new support scheme can be
made online, via the existing Norfolk Assistance Scheme pages at www.norfolk.gov.uk/
NAS or applicants can call 0334 800 8020. Assistance in applying online will also be
available through Norfolk Libraries.
In addition to this scheme, we are working with food voucher company Edenred to
provide support for those eligible for free school meals, children in the early years who
receive pupil premium and all of the council's care leavers during the Christmas
holidays. We are encouraging eligible families to register and apply for free school
meals through their school, so that they begin to receive support in time for the school
holidays.
The Covid winter Support scheme can help with
Day to day living costs, including food and energy bills
Daily essentials such as toiletries, sanitary products and nappies
Food vouchers for the school holidays
As part of the wider package of support for families this winter, the council is also
extending the Norfolk Assistance Scheme, which already provides support for food,
fuel, clothes and other essential household items to Norfolk's residents experiencing
hardship.
More information is available online at www.norfolk.gov.uk/covidwintersupport or
www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS
For the second year running NCC has come first among its peers in a national highways
and transport survey. Over 3,300 people in Norfolk were asked for their views on
topics such as road safety, highway maintenance, congestion and public transport as
part of the National Highways and Transport (NHT) survey 2020. The results are
ranked against other participating councils from across the country to give a nationwide
picture of how Norfolk is performing. Out of the 29 county councils and larger
unitaries in the peer group, Norfolk secured the top spot for overall satisfaction and saw
the highest above average scores in both satisfaction with 'traffic levels and congestion'
and condition of highways. This achievement is testament to the hard work and
dedication of all the highway and transport team – particularly as the 'professionalism
of staff responding to enquiries' was one of the areas we were ranked in.
Best Wishes, Martin
NCC are planting more trees. See page 21January 2021 11
12 Pigeon Post
Letter From The Rector
January can be a time when things may feel like ‘The Winter Blues’ with the continued
dark evenings and no Christmas lights to help lighten things up. I sometimes venture
out into the darkness of the Rectory garden when I am feeling brave. On a clear night, I
must admit the beauty of the night sky is wonderful and I always feel a sense of awe
and wonder of looking at the stars and constellations of the universe. It reminds me too
of the celebration of Epiphany and the three Kings who followed the bright shining star
to see the newly born baby Jesus.
Apparently, Norfolk is the place to be able to see the wonders of the sky and if you get a
chance during January you may be able to make a trip to North Norfolk where there are
some of the darkest skies in the UK. It is therefore, an excellent place for stargazers
and there is a chance too on a clear night of spotting the Northern Lights. Some of the
best places to go are Cromer, Sheringham, Blakeney Point and Wells. You can find
more details about this by downloading the AuroraWatch UK app which will also help
you determine the best times to spot the colours in the sky.
The beauty of the world and universe is quite amazing and there is still much to see
even in the darkness of the winter months. I hope that January will be a good month for
you all, that you will find a sense of peace and hope through this rather dark month.
2020 has for many been a difficult year but there still has been many positive things that
have been learnt from it. Zooming for me for instance is now on my everyday list and it
has enabled me to contact many people right across the world.
As we begin the New Year of 2021, let us hope that ordinary life will begin to return.
May I wish you all a happy and very prosperous New Year and please do get in touch
with me if you would like a chat or have any queries about the Christian Faith.
All good wishes and God bless you and your loved ones.
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Walsh, Rector of Dickleburgh and the Pulhams
WATCH OUT COMMUNITY SPEED WATCH IS ABOUT
After lock down we are again permitted to operate our CSW duties.
Our aim is to provide a presence to
"SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN"------ "NOT CATCH SPEEDERS".
However, those who must drive over the limit will be
reported. Figures over the years prove that when we have
been out regularly, speed has reduced, but after two lock
downs it has increased to the level it was in the past.
Co-ordinator
01379853967January 2021 13
The Book Sale Is Back!
Jubilee Hall Virtual Book Sale
At the beginning of December Christina Davies came up with the idea of
holding a Virtual Book Sale in aid of the Jubilee Hall and Glebe Meadow.
As many of you know, Christina and her late husband Brian, were the
power behind the very successful book sales which were held for several
years in the Jubilee Hall. At a time when we cannot hold our normal
programme of events in the Hall, this virtual book sale is one way we can
continue to fulfil our brief to provide a service to the local community.
To browse the sale and, hopefully to buy something, go to the village
website: http://starstonvillage.co.uk/starston/ . In the right hand column
you will find a box headed “Virtual Book Sale” with a Book Sale logo.
Click on this and you’ll be taken to the list of books on offer together with
instructions on how to buy them. You can browse the whole list, or
choose a category to select a smaller group.
If you have any books of reasonable quality that you would like to donate
to the Hall then instructions on how to do that can also be found on that
website page.
Michael Bartlett
Chairman of Trustees14 Pigeon Post
Madder Market…...
Last month I left you with a couple of questions. What was a madder market (when it
wasn’t a theatre), and what was madder? Madder (rubia tinctorum) is a plant long
associated with the production of a red dye. (Articles from the tomb of Tutankhamun
were found to have been dyed with madder.) Madder was being bought and sold in
Norwich over a long period in its history and it had its part to play in the prosperity of
the city, which during the Elizabethan period was considered second only to London.
For about six centuries it was one of the big players in the textile industry, although
with the advent of the industrial revolution which fuelled the expansion of the industry
in the north west, here it went into decline.
Norwich was the destination of choice of refugees or ‘Strangers’ from the low
countries, the Dutch, Flemish and Walloons often fleeing here on account of religious
persecution at home. (What we now know as Belgium and the Netherlands was for a
period the Spanish Netherlands, under strict Catholic rule.) These strangers brought
with them useful skills, and their language. If you look at a map of the city there are
clues. Norwich doesn’t have many ‘squares’, it does have a fair number of ‘plains’.
Hop across the North Sea to Amsterdam or Antwerp and what do we find? ‘Pleins’.
Back to the Maddermarket Theatre. Study a map of Norwich and you will see that the
property behind the Theatre is Strangers
Hall, now preserved as a museum and
formerly a merchant’s house. And the
commodities that these wealthy foreign
merchants of Norwich traded were textiles
and the raw materials to produce them. The
skills that the refugees brought to the city
and to the surrounding area were all to do
with the textile industry, but particularly
weaving.
There was a plentiful supply of wool from
across the region, a good source for water
from the river Wensum (very close to the
Maddermarket quarter) and the skills of the
local spinners and weavers, all ready to be
enhanced by the incomers.
At this time both Norwich and Gt Yarmouth
were important ports, trading with others
the short hop across the North Sea and those
throughout Europe and the rest of the known world. So, whilst the finished textiles
were being exported some of the raw materials were being brought in, such as madder.
Some madder may have been grown locally, but it prefers a Mediterranean climate.January 2021 15
...A Brief History
Madder was used extensively in Norwich. The dye was extracted by heating the root
in a liquid that was collected from receptacles which had been strategically placed
outside public houses (I’ll let your imagination do the rest). The main dying area was
down by the river Wensum, just north of Madder Market (just beyond where the Duke
Street Car Park is now located). Once dyed, the fabric had to be rinsed, in the river,
and the dying vats were emptied there too, turning the river red. Pollution is certainly
not a new phenomenon. The dye produced varying shades of red. Norwich Red as it
became known was a deep russet shade, whilst a similar process produced Turkey
Red, a brighter shade used for military uniforms, but all shades from pinks to reds and
oranges could be produced, to some degree dependent on the type of cloth being dyed.
Woollen worsted fabrics in this particular shade, Norwich Red, were apparently much
sort after in the Elizabethan era, it must have seemed very bright and daring compared
to the natural shades that had preceded it. There are some that query whether the term
‘Norwich Red’ was coined much before the 19 th century, however this does seem a bit
strange, as by then the industry was in considerable decline.
Norwich weavers didn’t just deal with the bounty from the local sheep; they also
processed silk. Norwich shawls became famous, they were luxurious and colourful,
and they were made from wool and silk. Silk was used for the warp thread, wool for
the weft, but in the dying process these attained different shades and it wasn’t until the
18th century that a technique was developed to dye both textiles the same shade, thus
producing a uniformly coloured fabric.
Spinning and weaving began as a cottage industry in a rural setting, but it made
Norwich a wealthy city. Another place where weaving was prevalent was the village
of Worstead, north east of Norwich, the fine smooth yarn woven here became known
as Worsted, a term still used today to describe particular woollen yarns.
Following the industrial revolution and the beginning of the importation of cotton
into the large conurbations in the north west this local industry gradually declined
throughout the 19th century. At the same time the shoe industry within the city was
growing and names like Norvic and Startrite live on today, but that’s another story.
Norwich shawls can be viewed around the various museums of Norwich.
The Museum of Norwich at The Bridewell on Bridewell Alley specialises in the trades
and industries of the city and is well worth a visit.
Madder powder can be purchased nowadays, should you wish to have a go at dying
your own fabrics.
Sue Moore
This summer in response to the closure due to Covid 19 students from the
University of East Anglia chose to support the Maddermarket Theatre as part of the
national fundraiser “ Students Saving Our Theatres”. You can find more
information about this online https://maddermarket.co.uk/2020/06/17/students-
saving-our-theatres/16 Pigeon Post
Cookery Corner
Plum and Almond Tart
This is a recipe from the Dairy Book of Family Cookery and has become my signature
dish. It is very similar to Bakewell Tart.
It has been a fantastic year for plums this year and I suspect some readers may have
some homemade jam, which would be perfect for this recipe. Even if you don’t and
have to buy a jar, I have found this always to be a popular dessert.
For a Christmas dessert substitute the
plum jam for mincemeat.
Ingredients
125 g (4oz) shortcrust pastry
125 g (4oz) butter
125 g (4oz) caster sugar
1 egg, separated plus 1 egg yolk
25g (1oz) ground almonds
2.5 ml (half tsp) almond flavouring
125 g (4oz) sr flour
30 ml (2 tbsp) milk
30 ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice
90 ml (6 level tbsp) plum jam
25 g (1 oz) flaked almonds
Method
Butter and base-line a 21.5 cm (8.5 inch) sandwich tin. Roll out the pastry and
line the tin, prick well with a fork. Bake blind in the oven at 200 degrees
Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit) mark 6 for 10 - 15 minutes until just set.
Whisk the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the egg yolks
one by one, and stir in the ground almonds and flavouring.
Fold in the flour, lemon juice and milk. Whisk one egg white and gently mix
into the mixture.
Spread the jam over the pastry base. Spoon over the cake mixture, level and
sprinkle with almonds.
Bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) mark 4 until
golden brown and firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. Cool in the tin.
I dust with icing sugar when substituting the jam for mincemeat.
Serves 12
Debbie GriffinJanuary 2021 17
Starston Parish Council
Parish Clerk Update
Happy New Year to you all.
Quiet Lanes
Having been inspired by the article in the October 2020 Pigeon Post
regarding “Quiet Lanes”, the Parish Council contacted the Norfolk
County Council (NCC) Highways Engineer for clarity on the current position of Quiet
Lanes in Norfolk.
The national designation “Quiet Lane” for single track roads with less than 1,000
vehicles per day using them, is a positive way of providing the opportunity for people to
walk, cycle and horse ride in a safer environment, as motorists must use additional
caution when travelling on these country lanes.
If you are interested to know more, in 2003, the CRPE produced a helpful information
pack about Quiet Lanes, which is still available to download at
https://www.cpre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/quiet_lanes_1.pdf.
In October 2020 Suffolk announced £235,000 from its Suffolk 2020 Fund to encourage
town and parish councils to apply for potential quiet lanes in their area. Sadly, this
approach contrasts sharply with Norfolk, as feedback from NCC is that Quiet Lanes are
not being actively supported in Norfolk.
The NCC Highways Engineer advised that he was heavily involved in the delivery of the
first Quiet Lane project when he worked in North Norfolk almost 20 years ago, and to a
lesser degree when the scheme was rolled out in South Norfolk. The project did not
include legal orders to reduce the speed of traffic on Quiet Lanes, and there were no
physical changes to the structure of the roads, traffic calming etc. The project was
funded as a central government initiative, and without this financial support, our
understanding is that in the current financial climate NCC is unlikely to revive the Quiet
Lanes project.
2021 Parish Council Meeting Dates
Monday 18th January / Monday 1st March / Monday 17th May (including AGM and
possible ‘Welcome to Starston’ event before the meeting) / Monday 19 th July / Monday
20th September / Monday 15th November, all starting at 7.30pm initially via the video
conferencing platform ‘Zoom’.
If you would like to attend a meeting, please let me know and I will send you the Zoom
link. If you would like any matters raised in the public forum but do not wish to join
the meeting on Zoom, again, please contact me.
Clare Crane - RFO & Parish Clerk, Starston Parish Council18 Pigeon Post
January 2021 19
20 Pigeon Post
Plastics
Green bin (GB) v Black bin (BB)
As Covid-19 hopefully recedes in 2021, perhaps there will be renewed attention given
to some of the world’s pressing problems e.g. innovative ways of harnessing energy and
reduction in carbon foot prints. My mind turned to waste management. In particular I
wanted to know why it was only certain plastics can be recycled. I knew plastic water
bottles, milk bottles, shampoo containers etc went in the GB but why not plastic film?
Seven types of plastic are used but I won’t bore you with a list as some of them require
a good bit of tongue-tying to pronounce.
https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/types-plastic-food-packaging-safety-close-look/
Some are simple resins with rigid characteristics and easily recyclable -e.g. #1 and #2
are usually used to make bottles and high percentages of this group of products are
recycled. Others e.g.#3 and #4 are multi layered polymers used for bagging salads and
food protection coverings -i.e. ‘films’ and, although theoretically recyclable, are
actually extremely difficult and not economically viable. Carrier bags are in this group-
hence the very successful carrier bag campaign: 85% reduction in 5yrs.
If ‘wrong’ items get into the recycling bins, the sorting conveyor belt network may be
damaged. The whole load would then be packaged and either sent to landfill or
incinerated or exported, none of which is ideal and uneconomical. It may be better to
practise the maxim, “if in doubt, don’t” and put the item in the BB. The mind boggles;
“ …. golf bags, microwaves, flammable gas canisters, and furniture…..could cause
catastrophic damage” wrote one waste operator!
There are, however, ways in which plastic usage could be reduced: -
Don’t buy in the first place. (Oh, but I am so grateful that my watercress lasts so
much longer in a sealed bag with a gas inside it!). Mental note to self: visit
places where unpacked produce is sold. But that could mean using more fossil
fuel!
‘Front of Store Recycling’ stations can/could take discarded carrier bags.
The up and coming, Zero Waste Centres (hopefully not too far away!). One takes
one’s own container which is weighed before one fills it etc. (This system
operates very successfully in New Zealand).January 2021 21
It is absolutely essential that cartons are clean of food. Cardboard or paper that has
been contaminated by say, yogurt, cannot be used and the whole batch of items is swept
off the conveyor belt and discarded as above.
For South Norfolk, the bins into which various items of rubbish should be placed is
clearly laid out: https://www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/residents/rubbish.
And finally, GB used to send most of its waste to China. But, in 2017, China refused
entry under project ‘National Sword’. It was at that point we took it seriously and got
busy. Shortly afterwards in 2018, the first AI ‘helper’ was installed in a northern
business with the remarkable effect of not only increasing the proportion of recycled
waste but, simultaneously, job opportunities. We have a way to go though as we still
only recycle 44.7% of our total waste.
Auriel Gibson
MORE TREES FOR NORFOLK
1 million trees for Norfolk: County's ambitious planting project gets underway.
Thousands of trees and hedge plants will be going into the ground as the first planting
season in the five-year project gets underway. The goal is for Norfolk to achieve a net
gain of 1 million trees helping towards the county council's wider ambition to become
carbon neutral by 2030. This represents more than one tree per resident in the county.
(population of 908,000 in 2019) A key focus of the project will be to get right trees in
the right place as trees, woodlands and hedgerows in both urban and rural environments
can help improve wellbeing and support wildlife. A mix of species will be planted as
this will help Norfolk adapt to future climate change, pests and diseases. Once the trees
are in the ground aftercare will also be crucial,
so this project will be coordinated with all
aspects in mind.
More than 6,300 tree and hedge plants will be
going in the ground at Bacton, Thorpe Market,
and Rollesby on parts of the county council's
County Farms estate over the coming month.
This planting will include Elm trees resistant to
Dutch Elm disease. The hedging plants will be
planted in biodegradable spiral guards into jute
matting to reduce plastic and herbicide use.
Martin Wilby22 Pigeon Post
Do You Have Socks Appeal?
Socks appeal is one of those intangible things that you either have or you don’t. I
don’t. The expression “If a man says there are no socks in the drawer, it doesn’t
necessarily mean there are no socks in the drawer,” was probably written with me in
mind. It’s not just that I don’t see them, it’s that if I don’t see them immediately then I
convince myself they’re not there and it’s left to my partner in crime to look in the
same place as I’m looking, then pick them up with a deep sigh before handing them to
me.
My argument that they weren’t there a moment ago and that she must have sneakily
smuggled them when I wasn’t looking, cuts no ice at all.
Mind you, it’s not always my fault. Have you noticed that you can put an even number
of socks into a washing machine but it’s an odd number that comes out. This is one of
the curiosities of life that I have long since decided has no answer. I did once see a
cartoon which offered one explanation for missing socks which seems as good as any
to me.
There can sometimes be a logical
explanation. If you’ve ever washed
a duvet cover in the same wash as
socks then you will find all the
socks have disappeared into the
duvet cover and if you don’t notice
then some very strange lumps
appear when you put the cover back
on the duvet. This can also happen
with tee shirts though, naturally, to a
lesser degree.
Even if the right number of socks
emerge from the washing machine
then your problems aren’t
necessarily over. You still have to
pair them off. Now even I can tell
the difference between a black sock
and the white sock, but some socks fade faster than others and it can be a struggle to
find the right partner for a brown or beige sock. To be honest I’ve stopped trying. If
they’re in the same broad colour spectrum then they’re a pair as far as I’m concerned.
If anyone chooses to get down on their hands and knees, examine the colour of my
socks in detail and then criticise, well then, I’m not sure I want to know them anyway.
They’re my feet, my socks, my choice.
Socks appeal is over rated anyway.
MichaelJanuary 2021 23 This is the January edition I know, but you should have received it before Christmas– so one last Christmas Message: Father Christmas will be visiting Starston on 24th December from about 10am, if you see him, give him a wave!
24 Pigeon Post
Quick Quiz
World War II
1. Who was supreme allied commander in south east Asia 1943-46?
2. Who was in command of allied ground forces on D –Day?
3. Who was Air Chief Marshall 1937– March 1940?
4. Who was First Sea Lord until 1943?
5. Who said ‘War is mainly a catalogue of blunders’?
6. Who was American President when WWII ended?
7. What does ANZAC stand for?
8. In what year did Britain declare war on Japan?
9. Who was Prime Minister of Britain when war was declared against Germany?
10. What was Winston Churchill’s position at the declaration of war?
11. In what year did Hindenburg appoint Hitler Chancellor of Germany?
12. How old was the Queen at the declaration of war?
13. What was the codename of the D-Day landings?
14. What was Operation Overlord?
15. Where was the electronic programmable computer invented?
December Answers:
1. Beauty (Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, Novelist) 2. Bush (Song sung by Florrie Ford)
3. Human (Alexander Pope, poet) 4. Wrath (Proverbs 15:1)
5. Breast (William Congreve, playwright) 6. Sylvia (Two Gentlemen of Verona,
Shakespeare) 7. Fair (Iolanthe, Gilbert and Sullivan)8. Wise (Thomas Grey, poet)
9. Liars (Psalm 116:11) 10. Ill-favoured (As You Like It) Shakesspeare)
Answers to the December Crossword
ACROSS 22. Make merry 13. Merry men
1. Yule log 24.Sheen 14. Tatters
5. Wings 25. Dancers 16. Stoked
8. Christmas 19. Styes
9. Zar DOWN 20. Amen
10. Tips 1. Yacht 23. Roe
12. Bogberry 2. Lur
14. Turkey 3. Lost VERY SORRY……
15. One nod 4. Gammon
17. Tartrate 5. Wishbone Last month’s clue 14
18. Isis 6. Nazarenes down was left out……
21. End 7. Strayed It was: Rags and ——-
11. PartridgeJanuary 2021 25
January Crossword by Webbe
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8
9 10
11 12 13
14
15 16 17 18
19
20 21
CLUES DOWN CLUES ACROSS
1. Always wet (5) 1. Bienvenue (7)
2. Not an upper class person (5,5,3) 5. Slang for thrown (5)
3. Marty Feldman’s character in Young 8. Where you were sent if you were very
Frankenstein belongs to us (7) bad (5,2,6)
4. Giving stardom (Archaic) (6) 9. Renew sailing equipment (5)
5. Goes with a fork (5) 10. Roman goddess of defensive war (7)
6. Comprehension (13) 11. French for proof reading (6)
7. A Hobbit’s wizard (7) 12. Germanic name. Often spelt with a V
11. Muslim festival (7) (6)
13. Not cognisant (7) 15. French war plane (7)
14. A softness that goes with man (6) 17. Irritate (5)
16. White tailed sea eagles (5) 19. Making a practical explanation (13)
18. People who practice Yoga (5) 20. Game of cards. Similar to whist (5)
21. Comes out (7)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!26 Pigeon Post
Benefice Services in January
3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st
2nd Sunday The Baptism
Epiphany 2 Epiphany 3 Epiphany 4
of Christmas of Christ
Dickle- 9.30am 9.30am
9.30am
Matins Benefice Service
burgh HC
+Zoom
+Zoom
Pulham 9.30am 9.30am
9.30am Subject
HC
Market Morning
Service
Joint Service
Via Zoom to
change,
9.30am
9.30am so please
Pulham
St Mary
HC
HC
Via Zoom
contact
+Zoom your
local
Rushall 11am
HC
minister,
church
Starston
11am
11am warden
HC
HC or church
office for
Thelveton up to
11am 11am
MP HC date
details or
Key To Services
take a
look at
HC: Holy Communion PC: Parish Communion
the
BCP: Book of Common Prayer SW: Sunday Worship website
CC: Café Church MP: Morning Prayer nearer
Starston PCC Secretary: Ruth Cawcutt. the time.
Tel: 01379 852087 Email: rcawcutt1@btinternet.com
Web Site for all information on the Benefice: http:www.thebenefice.org.uk/January 2021 27
Starston Parish Council
Ann Leitch Chair N’hood Plan a_leitch@live.co.uk 01379423387
Richard Franklin Vice Chair Village Sign richard.franklin@hotmail.co.uk
Janet Broadhurst Footpaths Emergency Plan janetbroadhurst@aol.com 01379853480
Lucy Cave Member lucycave123@gmail.com 07786321025
Stuart Griffin Welcome Co-ordinator stuart.griffin@live.co.uk
Fay Fitch Member fayfitch@btinternet.com
Philip Astor Member Tree Warden philipastor@mac.com
Clare Crane Clerk to the Council and RFO 01379 608590
To contact Starston Parish Council: starstonparishcouncil@yahoo.co.uk
Starston Village Web Site: www.starstonvillage.co.uk
Local Councillors
Martin Wilby County 01379 741504 martin.wilby@norfolk.gov.uk
Clayton Hudson District 01379 676259 chudson@s-norfolk.gov.uk
Community Services
Local Buses - from Starston to Harleston and For information
Starston to Long Stratton and Norwich Ring: 0871 200 2233
12p a minute plus access charge
Border Hoppa - dial-a-ride service Ring: 01379 854800
Police - (non-emergency) Ring: 101
Safer Neighbourhood Team Email: sntharleston@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
Report Power Cuts Ring 105
NHS Emergency & Urgent Care Services Ring: 111
(Including Emergency out of hours chemist) when it’s less urgent than 999
Refuse Collection and Queries Ring: 01508 533830
Harleston Information Plus Ring: 01379 851917
hip@harleston-norfolk.org.uk28 Pigeon Post
Denny Holloway
Bricklayer
Brick Work, General Building,
Hard Landscaping etc
01379 853471 or 07939 144446
Printed by Town and Country Printers, Diss 01379 651107 www.tcprinters.co.uk/You can also read
