mid-December 2003/January 2004

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News from Alby, Aldborough, Calthorpe, Erpingham, Ingworth, Thwaite & Thurgarton

CHURCH SERVICES

Holy Communion unless marked. M = matins. E = evensong.

WEEKDAY SERVICES

The Rector will gladly bring Holy Communion to anyone who is housebound if asked.

Fr Brian Faulkner, The Rectory, School Road, Erpingham 01263 768073
email: brian-faulkner@lineone.net

THE RECTOR

What could be more vulnerable than a child?
That is what is at the heart of Christmas - the vulnerability of the God who in Christ is born among us, where true power is not some dictator God who manipulates in order to control but the costly love of one who risks everything, the Christ who wills not to impose, but in love to serve.
This Christmas, as we sing the carols so many of us enjoy, do we have room for that God to grow in us all? Fr Brian

Church Carol Services this year:

Alby Friday 19 December, 6.30pm
Aldborough Sunday 21 December, 11.00am
Erpingham Wednesday 24 December, 4.00pm
Ingworth Sunday 21 December, 6.30pm
Thwaite Christmas Day, 10.30am
At Prince Andrew's Chapel, Aldborough Sunday 21 December, 10.45am

As always, children, visitors, everybody will be most welcome at any of these services.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Funerals
At St Mary's Aldborough 28th October Walter Linkhorn
At St Mary's Erpingham 18th November George Glister
21st November Olive Sizeland
26th November Jacqueline Elliot
At St Faith's Crematorium 4th November Nancy Good
26th November Bill Fry

TRAILBLAZERS (for 4 - 10s)
Sunday 11th January at 11.00 in the Church Room on Aldborough Green
CPAK (10 - 14s Group)
A reminder of the away-weekend at Horsford at the end of February. Don't forget to tell Eleanor soon (768073) if you want to go.

A view from the pew
There have recently been some delightful examples of children taking part in church worship.
On that very wet Saturday when we were all on a high with what had happened in Australia, children who had been baptised in recent years were invited to bring their parents and families to Calthorpe Church for a celebration of their baptism. Singing, dancing, storytelling, colouring, bubbleblowing, and of course food, as well as an opportunity for mums and dads and grans to chat and get to know each other.
Then on Advent Sunday, at the Group Service which also happened to be at Calthorpe Church, the CPAKs used their mobile phones to prove that they had got the message of Christ's coming, and a group of younger children sang and danced their version of it. Imaginative and enjoyable.
(If you've forgotten what CPAK stands for - Christian People Are Kool.)

The next GROUP SERVICE will be for Candlemas
Sunday 1st February, 10.00, at Aldborough Church
(A Communion Service combined with a Christingle)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The week of 18th - 25th January is dedicated each year, internationally, for this cause

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
In the New Year the first meeting will be on Tuesday 27 January, at 2.30 in Aldborough Church Room when there will be an opportunity to decide what we want to do in 2004.
This group is open to membership from all parishes, from any denomination or none.

ERPINGHAM with CALTHORPE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
On Wednesday 28th January at 7.30 in the Village Hall a valuer from Keys will bring the Keys Road Show to Erpingham. Each member is invited to bring 2 or 3 items for valuation.

ERPINGHAM with CALTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th January, 7.30, in the Village Hall.
All are welcome to attend.

ERPINGHAM VILLAGE HALL 200 CLUB
Recent results:
£10 £5
13-10-03 16 C.Hoolhouse 109 M.Washington
20-10-03 179 Mr.& Mrs.King 80 N.Dennis
27-10-03 191 B.Clayton 181 J.N.Payne
3-11-03 175 Albert Sharpe 67 E.Faulkner
10-11-03 2 J.Devine 137 S.Portas
17-11-03 21 D.J.Nichols 48 T.Mollard
24-11-03 185 B.Clayton 77 J.Postle
1-12-03 86 B. & D. Foord 69 K.Matthews

ERPINGHAM SCHOOL
Congratulations on winning a £5000 prize in a competition run by the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Union. The school intends to use it towards providing an all-weather surface for tennis, netball and football - a good start to their fundraising campaign.

ALDBOROUGH PLAYERS
PANTOMIME
Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
5th, 6th, 7th February
Prices: Children £2 (all performances)
Adults £2 (Thursday); £4.00 (Friday & Saturday)
Tickets on sale from early January - watch for notices

ALDBOROUGH GARDEN CLUB
There will be no meeting in December.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 15th January at 7.30pm in the Church Room.
After the business of the meeting is over there will be a social evening including a light supper. All are welcome.

ALDBOROUGH & THURGARTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Meeting on Wednesday 21st January at 2.30 in the Church Room.
Speaker: Peter Davison from Aldborough Post Office will talk about the new
arrangements for payment of pensions.

ALDBOROUGH VILLAGE HISTORY SOCIETY
The Magic Lantern show was a fascinating evening, mostly of slides of local places, people and events, and there was a great deal of interest in the actual ancient machine (which is now adapted for use with electricity).
There will be another 'play' evening next year, on Friday 27th February, when Keith Skipper will be the guest speaker after a dinner in the Community Centre. More details next month when tickets will be available.
In the meanwhile work is going ahead on the early history of Aldborough School, and of the development of education in this area of North Norfolk. A reunion of former scholars is being planned for Saturday 16 October 2004.
(Please tell anybody who has moved away from the village - put a note in your Christmas cards!)
The new Norfolk Record Office is now open and welcoming, with splendid modern facilities, and an even better fire security system. There is even some County Hall car parking reserved!

ALDBOROUGH TWINNING ASSOCIATION
The AGM was held on Thursday 18th November. As no new members for the committee came forward, it was reluctantly agreed that the activities of the association should be suspended for the time being. Adrian Scargill (chair) thanked all those who had been involved over the last 12 years and for all that has been achieved, and those present showed their appreciation of all he has done for twinning in general and particularly in involving children and promoting family friendships; these friendships will of course continue.

An AGM will be held in one year's time to review the situation. In the meantime the Parish Council will write to neighbouring villages to see if they are interested in joining our twinning association. If anyone wishes to find out more about Aldborough Twinning Association please contact Jane Maguire (761578) or Sue Mumford (768699).

ALDBOROUGH PARISH COUNCIL
1. The Parish Council intends to organise carol singing around the Christmas tree on the Green on Monday 22 December at 6.30 pm. All welcome. Any monies raised to go to Church Room funds.
2. The allotment project is ongoing and making good progress. Anyone interested please contact Heather Tamplin.
3. Twinning Association - the Council expressed concern over the news that the activities of the Association have been suspended for the time being. Letters have been sent on behalf of the council to nearby parishes to see if other villages would be interested in joining.
4. Parish Council noted that the NDDC have an amnesty on abandoned or unused cars at present and will remove them free of charge. Interested parties should contact 01263 516168
5. Next meeting on Wednesday , 7 January at 7.30 in the Community Centre. All welcome.

ALDBOROUGH SCHOOL's Christmas play will be as usual in the last week of term.
The Community performance, when we are all invited (whether we have children in the school or not), will be on Monday 15th December at 1.30. (The Editor has been told it will be 'Aladdin - sort of'!)

FRIENDS of ALDBOROUGH SCHOOL
The Annual School Bonfire/Fireworks was a very successful evening. The weather was perfect, the mulled wine was flowing and the bonfire and fireworks display spectacular. After expenses we raised a fantastic £1,000.00!
Bingo Night at Aldborough School - Friday 23 January 2004 at 7pm - £2 per adult and £1 per child - refreshments available

INGWORTH NEWS
1) A big thank you to all who helped to make our Ingworth Village get-together such an enjoyable day. Thanks to those who contributed in any way. £250 was raised for 'Children in Need'.
2) Have you seen Molly? She is a very friendly, very tiny, silver and ginger tabby with a silver collar and an operation scar on her tummy. She belongs to Catherine Atkins from Ingworth, who is offering a reward of £50 for any information leading to her homecoming. Phone733735.
3) Ingworth resident Matt Boreham is proposing to make a 4th attempt to row singlehandedly across the Atlantic, in order to raise awareness of the needs of the National Blood Service.
He aims to row for 18 hours in every 24, for 60 days and nights in a 16ft purpose built boat.
The Ocean Rowing Society race starts on 20 January from the Canary Islands to Barbados.
To offer sponsorship or to find out more email Matt at rowingmatt@aol.com, or phone the National Blood Service helpline on 0845 77 11 711.

THWAITE COMMON
Management
Two very active members of the committee are leaving us : John Sizer has left to join the National Trust, and Helen Baczkouska from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust is shortly due to take maternity leave. However NOT before a management plan has been drawn up and approved! This plan is being put into action which could allow grazing for next year. (Queries should now be addressed to Graham Bull N.N.D.C.)
Walkers
Winter has now descended, and the common looks bleak and beautiful, crispy underfoot, and edged in white frost.
But the abundant growth which has appeared since removal of the fencing gives it a desolate feel, like a ruined castle. Ruined castles of course have their appeal, but the happy busy presence of grazing animals is obviously lacking, and with them the flowers, paths, and clearings. So it is wonderful to hear that plans to graze are finally under way .
Thwaite Common Riding School - a fond goodbye
Mandy Crook has been a wonderful riding instructor, and the school an endless source of pleasure for so many over the past 20 years. The common too has benefited immeasurably from those countless mouths! Mandy and Freddy are moving to France along with their horses, dogs, and enterprise. Many of us will miss them, and I know you'll want to join me in sending them many many thanks and every good wish for the future.
A.M.

ALBY NEWS
The people of Alby and surounding villages have donated to charity the grand total of £874.38 - an outstanding amount for such a tiny community.
At the Harvest Festival Auction at Alby Horseshoes in October, a total of £581 was raised: £260 was given to Alby Church and £321 presented to the local cancer charity, the Big C.
In November the Appeal director of Big C, Mr Brian Butcher, received the donation plus further money raised by an 'Auction of Jokes' told by Pat Nearney and Sheilah Olley, which
raised a further £67 on the night, plus £45 from the raffle and £121 collected by Ann Jones who was sponsored to write poems over the previous four weeks, one of which was read by Sheilah in Norfolk accent.
Together with the coins from the Big C collecting box which is always on the bar, the amazing total of £614.38 was given towards the Big C's current appeal to build a family cancer information and support centre at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.
Margaret and Richard Rushmer would like to thank their suppliers and the people of Alby and surrounding villages who supported the events and gave so generously of their time and money.
(Editor's note: Margaret sent me a copy of a very appreciative letter from Brian Butcher with the comment 'Raising money by sponsored poetry is really inventive and I enjoyed the poems, especially the bits I was told not to read!' The Big C appeal needs to raise £700,000 for this innovative support centre - £182,000 already raised, so we are invited to help with the next £518,000.)
More from Alby - another appreciative letter
Monica and Ann want to say how much they enjoyed Alby's Harvest Supper at John and Valerie Alston's at the end of October - thanks to all who helped to make this a lovely evening. They add, "We have been worshipping at Alby Church for the past year and the warm welcome we received from all the members of the congregation has made us feel very much part of the church family."

POST-CHRISTMAS EXERCISE?
Join members of St Margaret's Thorpe Market on Saturday 27th December for an opportunity to ramble around Gunton Park, viewing the sawmill and the Adam church. Depart church car park at 10.00am, return for hot soup at 1.00pm.
Pre-booking essential - 01263 833252.

CELEBRATING FURSEY
Fursey?? What?? No - who. St Fursey was the first named known Christian missionary working in our area. We are invited to join the celebration of his Feast Day at St Matthew's, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, on Saturday 17th January at 3.00. Dr Michelle Brown,will give an illustrated lecture on 'Spirituality, Society and the Lindisfarne Gospels' - she has just written a book on these beautifully decorated Gospels and is reported to have infectious enthusiasm. For more information ring 01603 402797.

Erpingham and the V & A
Currently at the V & A Museum there is a magnificent exhibition of Gothic Art, and there in a display case of early 15th century English church art is the Erpingham chasuble, a truly beautiful example of a style of embroidery known throughout Europe as 'opus anglicanum', English work, famed particularly for the skill in representing faces in fine silk thread. The museum's label refers to Sir Thomas Erpingham and suggests that this chasuble might have been made for a private chaplain or a church Sir Thomas was connected with. It is usually in a rather dark and difficult to see display panel in the Museum, so it is good to see it given due prominence.
[A chasuble is worn by a priest when celebrating Holy Communion. The word comes from the Latin for a house, casa, so the chasuble is a little tent; it was originally conical, like a tent with the top clipped off for the head to go through. Chasubles are still often the bases for skilled embroidery. Aldborough has a particularly fine 19th century one which is used during Lent and Advent.]
PALS
The local NHS helps patients to resolve their concerns. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service is there to provide confidential and impartial advice and support, to help sort out problems, and to give information on NHS services in general.
Visit www.heron.nhs.uk. for local PALS contact details or ring 01603 307340

ON THE BUSES
Everyone over the age of 60 can now get half-price travel on local buses with one of NNDC's free bus-passes - men don't have to wait till they are 65. Travel after 9.30am on weekdays, all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays on any scheduled bus service starting or ending in Norfolk. Application forms from NNDC on 01263 516072 or 516294, or www.northnorfolk.org.

NEWS from the VILLAGES
Until a few years ago, there was a representative in each village who would collect information and pass it on for 'In Touch'. It is such a pity when organisers of an event don't take advantage of totally free advertising which goes into 730 homes; this could affect the level of fundraising achieved. 'In Touch' is also the means of passing on public information at a local level, from District council, Parish council, or other organisations.
If anyone would like to perform the useful office of 'press-rep' for their village please contact the Editor - address below.

THANKS for donations recently received from readers in Alby, Aldborough and Calthorpe.
Thanks to all the advertisers, and to all those reliable people who push copies through letterboxes every month.

THE NEXT ISSUE Copy please by Sunday 14th January. .
Editor: Ruth Bayes, Chesterfield House, The Green, Aldborough, Norwich NR11 7AA. 01263 768063. bayesaldborough@supanet.com
Happy Christmas, happy new year to everyone!