Posted by Stella Gooch
To get an overview of what is happening in this area click here. If you have information about other local events relevant to the Jubilee that should be included please email: stella@hunstanton-on-line.co.uk.
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Diamond Jubilee Events
Friday, May 11th, 2012New 5 Star B&B for Heacham
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012Posted by Stella Gooch
Platinum Rm in Heacham House B&B
Heacham House is a new B&B which has recently been awarded 5 Stars and a Breakfast Award by VisitEngland under their Quality in Tourism scheme. The B&B is owned by husband and wife team Rob and Rebecca Bradley who moved in last June.
“We wanted to start a new venture where we are in charge of our lives and leisure time, rather than our employers. We took the opportunity, which many people don’t get, whilst we are still young enough to enjoy it” said Rebecca. The couple bought Heacham House at the end of 2010, before finally achieving their dream and moving up to Norfolk from South London in June 2011. They have spent their first six months in Norfolk getting the house ready and exploring the area they have chosen to make their home. “We really love it here, and I have to pinch myself when I look at the stunning scenery to make sure it is true and we are really living in this beautiful part of the country” said Rebecca.
Getting the B&B up to scratch has taken some time. Rebecca was, in the past, an adult education tutor who taught soft furnishings, so she has been busy with a needle and thread making all the window dressings, cushions and co-ordinating soft furnishings.
Rebecca says: “We were thrilled to be awarded our 5 stars, which makes us one of only two B&Bs with this grading in the whole of West Norfolk. Although it’s been hard work, it has also been very rewarding getting everything ready. I’ve really enjoyed sourcing local produce and we will be serving free range rare breed sausages, bacon and black pudding by the Fruit Pig Company for breakfast. Home made marmalade, preserves and bread also make breakfast special.”
If you’d like further information about Heacham House take a look at their web site www.heachamhouse.com, or email info@heachamhouse.com or ring 01485 579529 and speak to Rebecca or Rob.
Surgeries in Heacham and Snettisham
Friday, April 13th, 2012Posted by Mike Press, Chairman of Heacham PPG
Heacham Group Practice – Patients’ Participation Group (PPG)- What Is It?
The group exists for the benefit of patients as a way for patient views to be discussed and considered by the Practice.
As Chairman I liaise with the Practice Manager helping the Practice to deliver an excellent service. Patients make comments and suggestions to me which I discuss with the Practice. It is important patients firstly take any concerns up with the Practice, at the time the problem occurs. Most are resolved to the satisfaction of the patient. Sometimes some are not and that is where I may be able to help. In some cases I have to use the contacts at the QEH or NHS Norfolk.
Services available through the Practice are being expanded and include Warfarin checks, D.Dimer-for possible DVT, the personal blood pressure checking machine in reception areas, private travel vaccinations, non-prescription medicines, private Osteopath, NHS hearing aid batteries. There is a visiting service for Diabetic patients and Retinal Screening checks. For brittle bones a local DEXA screening service is available, obviating the need for travel to Norwich or Peterborough. The NHS changes we have heard about for the last year or so are gradually coming into place, with more services to be offered through local Practices.
You can register at reception for internet secure access to the Practice online system to reorder medication, view future and past appointments. It is planned to have online appointments in the near future.
During 2011 the PPG held a number of meetings with specialist speakers that included, a QEH Foundation Trust Governor detailing the Forward Plans, What are Summary Care Health Records, Hearing Support Services.
At these meetings there is always a doctor and the practice manager present to answer comments and concerns. The question of appointments is one frequently raised and every patient telephoning will have a medical opinion that day from either the Day Duty Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. Advice will range from taking some personal action to having an urgent trip to the surgery or may need the Community Health services.
However, the number of missed appointments (when the patient does not advise the Practice) continues.
From January to December 2011- missed were: A total of 1325 appointments!
451 appointments for doctors.
568 for nurses.
306 for Health Care Assistants.
The Practice has TENS and blood pressure machines available for short term loan. Provided by the Amenity Fund, the Trustees ask that these are returned promptly for other patients. The fund, charity #1090530, is managed by six Trustees who have used it to provide other items including intelligent ECG machines, defibrillators, bladder scanners and liquid nitrogen gas for the cryo clinic.
The teleinfo screens and web site were also funded. The PPG has a page and link to it via the web. The trustees welcome any suggestions as to how the fund (within the Trust Deed) might be used.
We are all aware of the cost to the NHS-in excess of £110 billion pa or £300 million per day. This is why national efforts are being made to be more effective in the supply of treatments and services. One way we can all help is ensuring only needed items are reordered on repeat prescriptions. The amount of prescription items returned to pharmacies is staggering and they have to be destroyed!
The PPG dates for 2012 are March 19, July 23 and October 22.
We meet in the classroom, Heacham surgery, at 730pm Announcements are made in the village magazines and posters in the surgeries. All patients are welcome.
Indian Spice now in Heacham
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Rob Topliss
Meet the Spice Garden team
No 14 High Street has gone through a few changes of ownership since the days of Rushmore’s Restaurant. Now a long overdue breath of fresh air is here in our choice of local restaurant cuisine. “Spice Garden” is Heacham’s very own Indian restaurant and will no doubt save many of us the journey to Kings Lynn in search of our favourite Vindaloo or Tikka Masala. You can even get your favourite Indian Take Away delivered to your home free of charge within a 5 mile radius of the restaurant!
Welcome to Heacham's very own exotic taste of India
The evening before the “Spice Garden” opened to the public, a pre-opening event was held with friends, family and supporters invited to help mark the occasion. Heacham-On-Line and Heacham Newsletter were included amongst the gathering of family, friends and supporters. We were all treated to a starter of Onion Baji and Tandoori Chicken followed by Chicken Tikka Masala and a tasty lamb dish with Bombay Potato and, of course, the compulsory Naan bread and rice.
One of the guests proposed a toast in honour of our hosts and their future success. All in all a very enjoyable first night for “Spice Garden” and the restaurant opens to welcome the general public from 29 March 2012.
“Spice Garden” is co-founded by Mohammed, Wendy and Raj who, in the past, have been owner/operators of “Spice Cottage” in Shropshire for many years which is now sold. More recently, Heacham’s newest food operators, have achieved 10 years – and counting – at Wells Tandoori in Freeman Street, Wells-Next-the-Sea and three years at “Spice Heaven” Indian Takeaway in Fakenham. Wendy and Raj are also known in Hunstanton having worked at the Northgate Indian Restaurant where they met.
Best wishes and thanks to all
Onion Baji Starter
World Record Ratified
Friday, March 23rd, 2012Posted by Steve Davies
The record breaking is well in swing
On 18 December 2011 over 280 people attended the Carol Service in St Mary’s Church, Heacham – part of the world record attempt organised by Premier Radio to break the record for the “Largest Group of Carol singers in Multiple Locations”.
On 20 March 2012 news was received that Guinness have ratified the record. If you were there you are now part of a World Record: 18,100 singers at 196 locations in the UK and abroad. Give yourselves a round of applause!
Pocahontas Players have another night at the theatre
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012Posted by Stella Gooch
Following the wonderful Night at the Theatre show put on by Pocahontas Players in June 2011, our very own local theatre group are planning to give us another treat in May. The wonderful success of Lion King during last summer’s show has inspired the troupe to put on “Another Night at the Theatre”. Many of the theatregoers who saw that show will be delighted – and I count myself among them – to hear that a different story line from Lion King is part of the line up and the well loved “Mary Poppins” will also feature.
The show will once again be supported by Hunstanton Community Choir and will be performed on Friday, 25 May 2012 (curtain up 7.30pm) and Saturday, 26 May 2012 (curtain up 2.30pm and 7.30pm). Tickets: £7 each (£2 discount for under 8s). Ticket enquiries: 01485 570402 or 571267
I have already reserved my tickets, have you?
Barn Dance raises funds for Twinning Association
Monday, March 19th, 2012Posted by Michael Williamson, Heacham and Critueil-la-Magedeleine Twinning Association
Members of the Heacham and Criteuil-la-Magdeleine Twinning Association enjoying the fun at their annual Barn Dance on Saturday 17th March.
Eighty members and guests attended the annual Barn Dance organised by the Heacham and Critueil-la-Magedeleine Twinning Association on Saturday 17th March in the hall of the Heacham Junior School by kind courtesy of the Head Mistress Mrs Nicola Darley. Everyone present agreed that it was a very enjoyable evening and went home exhausted either due to participating in the various dances or just watching the efforts of those who ventured on to the floor.
An excellent and varied buffet was provided by members of the association. The evening was deemed to be a great success not only as a social event but also financially raising over £600 towards the funds of the association which will be depleted this summer when over forty French visitors from our twinned village of Criteuil-la-Magdeleine arrive in July.
The committee would like to thank everyone who helped with the organisation of the event including all those who contributed food for the buffet and prizes for the raffle and especially all who bought tickets or made donations. The association was formed with the aim of fostering good relationships between the peoples of our two communities by encouraging exchange visits between them. During the year we organise various social events, not only to raise funds but primarily to enjoy ourselves.
New members of all ages are always welcome. If you are interested in learning more about the association why not come along to one of our committee meetings or social events. For more information or to apply for membership please contact our membership secretary on 01485 579465 or email twinclub@hotmail.co.uk.
Concert at St Mary’s Church 28 March: ‘Crucifixion’ (Sir John Stainer)
Monday, March 19th, 2012Posted by Lois Carrick
A performance will be given by a choir of between 80 and 100 people drawn mainly from the Parishes that make up Heacham and Rising Deanery.
Date : Wednesday March 28th 2012 at 7pm
Venue: St Mary’s Parish Church, Church Lane, Heacham PE31 7HH
Conductor: Max Dolby (St Edmund’s, Hunstanton)
Organist: Adrian Flower (St Mary’s, Heacham)
Soloists: George Braun – Bass John Benet – Tenor
On the North Norfolk coast are numerous churches – about a score in our Deanery, we also have a long, long history of Christian belief, now practised in a full range of churchmanship from Anglo-Catholic to Evangelical and all stages in between.
What we have not done for many a year is to unite in expressing our common, essential reliance on Christ’s crucifixion. The late Desmond Greef MBE (organist at St Mary, Old Hunstanton) did so much in years gone by to unite churches in our area through music. We would like to celebrate his legacy through the performance we are planning.
So, come on, we need your help, and you may have your heart and your faith touched in ways you thought you had lost. ‘The Crucifixion’ will be sung in St. Mary’s Church, Heacham at 7pm on Wednesday 28th March.
The concert is free but a collection will be taken for The Bishop’s Lent Project.
Heacham in Bloom working hard for Heacham
Friday, March 16th, 2012Posted by Susan Richardson, Chairman of Heacham In Bloom
heachaminbloom@btinternet.com
Heacham in Bloom: Best Blooming Caravan Trophy
March has been very busy, the majority of our bedding plants have been ordered. The first weeding of the year has taken place and a huge step towards the creation of a butterfly garden at Heacham Infants and Nursery School. A very big thank you to all those who came along to the School on 10 March especially to Nick Cawthorne without whom we would have struggled to get the work done in a day.
Lots of things are happening in April. This month we launch our two local initiatives. The first of which is The Best Blooming Caravan and Caravan Park Competition 2012. We have circulated posters and entry forms to each caravan park in the village, but forms are also available on the Parish Council website www.heachamparishcouncil.co.uk.
For the winning Caravan Park, there will be the stunning trophy and for the winning caravan owners, a meal for two courtesy of the Fox and Hounds Public House. The second is the Heacham Pride of Place Campaign where we hope to encourage you to take a fresh look at where you live, work or play and put into practise ideas which could improve it. Heacham Newsletter have again sponsored this Campaign and the first areas or groups to register will be given a £10.00 voucher to spend at Moulam and Horn on plants. Ideas can be as simple as troughs or planting round your street name sign. Heacham in Bloom is about our community and taking pride in making it lovely or should I say lovelier. Last year, Sunnyside who signed up for Pride of Place were shortlisted by the judges for best community project.
We have organised our usual Spring Coffee morning on 14 April in the Church Hall, so you can come and talk to us about our 2012 Pride of Place campaign, Best Blooming Caravan park competition or how you can help us in the run up to Judging. Last, but not least we hope you are enjoying the crocuses, daffodils and primulas.
Our next meeting is 16 April at 7.00pm – Parish Council Office.
Easter Fun Day in aid of West Norfolk MIND
Friday, March 16th, 2012Posted by Zena Penty
Come along and enjoy an Easter Fun Day on Monday 2nd April (10.30am till 2pm).
There will be a raffle, tombola, cake stall and books and lots more so come along to Piece of Mind in Poplar Avenue in Heacham to join in the fun.