Posted 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.
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Easter Fun Day in aid of West Norfolk MIND
Friday, March 16th, 2012A Recovery Story from West Norfolk Mind
Friday, March 16th, 2012Posted by Zena Penty, West Norfolk MIND
Therapeutic Allotment Project
Mr F went to the Job Centre feeling depressed and anxious as he did most days. In addition he suffered from OCD. The Job Centre couldn’t offer him anything in the way of employment but pointed him the direction of a job employment worker at West Norfolk Mind who supported people at their new therapeutic allotment scheme. They needed gardeners and it’s something he had previously enjoyed so he decided to get involved.
Mr F said “At that time I was not getting out of bed some days, nor leaving the house and had lost all my confidence. After my first day on the allotment that night my arms and back ached but instead of spending the night feeling depressed with suicidal thoughts I realised I had something to look forward to. Although I was quiet when I was there I felt I had done something useful, helped some other people and felt healthier for the exercise and fresh air.”
Mr F was a service user for 4 or 5 months and progressed so well that he was asked if he would like to become a volunteer. He told me that this felt like such an achievement which enabled him to help other people who initially felt as he had a few months ago.
Several months later two paid positions arose at the allotments and a West Norfolk staff member asked if he would be interested in applying. Mr F said “Although I loved working at the allotment without that encouragement I would not have had the confidence to apply. Suffering from depression sometimes means it is hard to break the habit of thinking negatively about your abilities”.
Mr F was successful in securing the Therapeutic Allotment Worker post and 4 years later is very happy to help and support service users to the stage where they gain or regain their confidence, increase self esteem and encourage them to get as much out of life as possible.
Although there is no longer a job employment worker at West Norfolk Mind the allotment is a fantastic project and so may people benefit from it and not only from the produce! As with many charities the funding for projects is scarce and the allotment could be in jeopardy this year if we do not secure more funds. If anyone belongs to any philanthropic groups or works for a company who may like to support this project please contact Zena Penty, Volunteer Co-ordinator 07585279215.
Heacham Bowls Club Chalks Up its First Centenary
Tuesday, March 13th, 2012Posted by Colin Brooksbank
You can phone us on 01485 579553
Or you can Email: clubsec@heachambowls.com
Heacham Sports & Social Club - home of Heacham Bowls Club
2012 will be the centenary year of the Heacham Bowls Club. The immaculately groomed green, surrounded by carrstone buildings and trees is understandably concidered by many to be the emerald in Heacham’s crown. It is a truly picturesque scene to see and is a joy to play on. Mentioning Heacham to some people I met in Cyprus, they replied. “Oh, tha’ts where that lovely bowling green is isn’t it?”
Bowling is an ancient game played all over the world in various forms. Equipment for bowling has been found in Egyptian tombs dating from 5,200 B.C. and is known to have been played in Italy at the time of Julius Ceasar. ‘Bowles’ was played in Britain as early as the eleventh century A.D. Henry III passed a law forbidding it and it was banned by Edward III, Richard II and Edward IV because it distracted the men from their archery practice.
The use of biased bowls is said to have begun in 1552, when the Duke of Suffolk split one of his bowls asunder during a game. Rushing into his mansion he sawed the ball from the bottom of the stair bannister thereby creating a flat on the side. Continuing his game he found that his new bowl could curve around other bowls that blocked the way to the target.
These early bowls were likely to have been fashioned from oak with heavier lignum vitae coming into use much later. This was followed in the early 20th century by the German vulcanite bowls, then the composites such as Henselite.
If you look on bowls as old mens marbles, just watch the competitions on T.V. and you will see that the young guns rule in a similar manner to those in snooker. The great David Bryant was given an old set of bowls by his father Reg. before he was seven and went on to become one of the icons of international bowling. Tony Alcock of Leicester, encouraged by his parents, began as a child rising to international stardom.
Whatever your age, why not come along and join the club, or just enjoy the odd afternoon in the sunshine as a casual member. As our membership is growing, we formed a third team in 2011.
Membership costs just £30 this year with the season begining on Saturday April 14th at 1pm.
This being our one hundredth anniversary, we are hoping to arrange a full calendar of activities and weekend games. The groundsmen have been working hard on the green and it is looking fabulous already.
Appropriate footwear is a must, but young or not so young, residents or visitors, experienced or novice, you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Heacham in Bloom gets to work in 2012
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Posted by Susan Richardson,Chairman of Heacham In Bloom
heachaminbloom@btinternet.com
We all had a lovely break over the Xmas period, but with 6 months to the judging day, its back to business as usual.
Heacham In Bloom welcomes a new sponsor Darren Bailey, local electrician, who will sponsor the display in the raised bed at the Lavender Junction. The volunteers are gradually ticking off their list of hard landscaping tasks, much of the hard graft being done by Rob Topliss, Steve Percy and Rodney Clements.
It was also agreed that the colour scheme this year will take inspiration from the Olympic flame, so we will be using bright oranges, yellows and reds; a scheme that we have not used before.
A small working party has been set up to look at what might be done to “In Bloom” the High Street, following several requests from shop owners who want to support the project. We have also created a Heacham In Bloom facebook page; to keep you regularly updated with photos of our work, please free to “Like” us. Heacham In Bloom were given sight of the Parish Council’s plans for the creation of a Jubilee Garden in the Recreation Ground, an application for lottery funding is being made as we speak so our fingers are crossed that the Council is successful. Preparations are being made to launch our Best Blooming Caravan Competition in April, with our sponsors the Fox and Hounds Public House, so watch this space for more news.
Our next meeting is 20 February at 7.00pm – Parish Council Office.
Susan Richardson
St Mary’s, Heacham help break a world record
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Steve Davies and Lois Carrick
The record breaking is well in swing
St Mary’s Church in Heacham along with congregations in Great Yarmouth, Mulbarton and Swainsthorpe were among the 18,414 people across the UK who broke the world record for the largest number of people singing carols together across many different locations. The previous record of 15,000 singers was set in 2009 by the stars of Disney’s A Christmas Carol who joined to illuminate London, with Christmas lights and break the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever Christmas Carol sing-a-long.
Carollers get in the spirit
This record was smashed in a co-ordinated carol singing event at hundreds of venues across the UK on 18 December from 7pm and the event was organised by Premier Christian Radio and sponsored by BibleLands. Other locations included in this record breaking achievement included Scotland, Wales and even Geneva and the new world record holders sang carol classics Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, and Away in a Manger.
Musicians help keep the tune
Lois Carrick from St Mary’s Church in Heacham said: “We managed to attract an almost capacity congregation of about 300 people of all ages from the local community and the service was followed by very welcome mulled wine and mince pies.”
Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Radio, said today; “It’s inspiring to see so many people across the whole of the UK get on board for this record-breaking attempt. It’s been a lot of fun, and has brought people out to celebrate and really be a part of the spirit of Christmas. As far as we can tell with these initial figures, we’ve broken the record! We hope to get the rubber stamp from Guinness in the next few months.”
Mr Flowers leads
Heacham Church Choir sing out
The record attempt is part of the ‘Christmas Starts with Christ’ campaign, which exists to engage people with the true meaning of Christmas. It includes church poster, national newspaper and radio advertising.
Taking part in Norfolk were: Mulbarton Parish Church who gathered at the World’s End pub in the village; Heacham village carol service on Church Lane in West Norfolk; the Salvation Army Great Yarmouth Corps on Tolhouse Street and St Peter’s Church in Swainsthorpe in South Norfolk.
Heacham sings up
Heacham Beavers help swell the crowd
17/18 Dec last dates for Narnia Santa’s Grotto in Hunstanton
Friday, December 16th, 2011Posted by Stella Gooch
Photos by Gel Topliss
Aslan waiting to meet visitors to Narnia
Hunstanton Lion’s have put together a very different Santa’s Grotto this year and there is not much time left to visit. This weekend is the last opportunity for youngsters to meet the White Witch, Aslan and experience the wonder of Narnia whilst visiting Father Christmas. The grotto was opened by Hunstanton Mayoress, Carole Bower.
For more information see:
Visit santas grotto in Hunstanton Town Hall’s Narnia – last chance this weekend
Heacham in Bloom’s first AGM report
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011Posted by Susan Richardson, Chairman of Heacham In Bloom
Email: heachaminbloom@btinternet.com
Heacham in Bloom’s first AGM, held in November saw myself and Robbie Topliss reappointed as Chairman and Treasurer respectively and Geraldine Topliss taking over from Philippa Sewell, as Secretary. My report given at the meeting is as follows:
The expression from small acorns comes to mind……. In early 2009, I was persuaded by the Parish Clerk to Chair the first Heacham In Bloom Committee meeting. Two and half years on and Heacham In Bloom has grown much stronger and it is a real credit to the dedicated committee members and our supporters that we achieved an amazing Silver Gilt this year, with commendations in 3 special award categories.
We might not yet be a mighty oak, but we have shown that we can hold our own against other In Bloom groups who have been operating for many years. I would like to extend a big thank you to all those who have helped us over the past few years, many in the background some with money, some with plants, some with machinery, some with cakes …the list goes on. However, whenever support or whatever support is given, it is a real boost to us.
We have already been working hard on our 2012 entry and as always it is about consolidation; bringing on and caring for those projects started in 2009 and moving forward with new projects and expanding the Heacham In Bloom family. We plan to promote our Pride of Place campaign and sign up more residents or groups to make their place bloom. We also met some lovely holiday makers whilst judging our Best Blooming Caravan Competition and we make no secret of the fact that with 2,000 caravans in Heacham, we are looking to encourage some fierce competition between parks and caravans.
Heacham In Bloom bring a tropical feel to South Beach.
I take great pride in the fact that, the Judges enjoy coming to Heacham, they enjoy our sometimes novel approach to the In Bloom competition and that we continue to surprise them with how much we achieve with so little resources compared to other groups, part of our secret is our Heacham first approach, looking at what is right for Heacham not necessarily what will win us points in the competition.
I also announced that since our last meeting we have been given a cheque for £100 from the Heacham Gardeners’ Association as well as their notice board at the Dairy. Many of you may have noticed that we have been hard at work over the past month at South Beach, putting the funding from Talk Talk to good use with help from Nick Cawthorne and his mini digger.
Please come and support our Christmas Coffee Morning on (10am to 12 noon) Saturday 10 December in St Mary’s Church Hall, Heacham High Street. We would love to see you.
Our next meeting is on 19 December at 7.00pm at the Parish Council Office for anyone that would like to join our cause.
Santa visits Heacham’s St Mary’s Church Hall
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
Posted by Heacham Twinning Association
Heacham’s Twinning Association invites you to come and meet Santa at their Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 3rd December from 11am!!!
St Mary’s Church Hall in Heacham’s High Street will be alive with fun, games, bric-a-brac, books, preserves and scrumptious cakes.
Such an event would not be the same without the compulsory Raffle & Refreshments. Why not come along, support the event and have some fun in the run up to the Christmas season.
Info: 01485 572252
The next Committee meeting of the Twinning Association is to be held on Wednesday 16th November in the Parish Council offices, Pound Lane, Heacham starting at 7.00 p.m. all members welcome to attend.
Contacting your local police
Saturday, November 5th, 2011Posted by Stella Gooch
Norfolk Constabulary have announced a new way to contact your local police and other local police forces wherever you are in the country. The new approach to communicating with local police forces has been simplified to two numbers: 999 for emergencies and 101 for anything else.
Virgin Vie night 11 Nov to raise money for Sedgeford School
Friday, November 4th, 2011
Posted by Stella Gooch
Click to download Virgin Vie Night in aid of Sedgeford School – poster
A lively ladies night is planned by Friends of Sedgeford School to raise money for the School. Why not grab a few of your friends and come along. Advance tickets are just £5 and includes an entry in the Virgin Vie raffle, a glass of wine (or non-alcoholic drink), cheese & chocolate nibbles, make up demonstrations and good company.
You will also be able to browse through Virgin Vie product ranges and catalogues searching for Christmas ideas or perhaps a treat for yourself.
Advance Tickets are available by calling Stella Gooch 01485 576136 or 07788 645157 (remember its £6 on the door)