Poringland WI

Our June meeting proved to be a great success when Isabel Brett gave a talk and demonstration of the Samba, an old Brazilian style of dance with many variations.

She was accompanied by 8 musician's and 2 dancers Miranda Capunter and April Salmon.wearing very colourful traditional dance dresses and it was a very spectacular event.

This summer marks the 12th anniversary of the founding of Norwich Samba who can be seen playing an infectious mix of Brazilian rhythms and modern British beats at events across East Anglia and beyond, It also has its own dancers who have original routines to match the intricate patterns of the rhythms. The band and dancers rehearse once a week on Tuesday 7pm - throughout the year at the John Innes Centre (Recreation Centre), Norwich. Look for us as the Olympic Torch comes to Norwich  4^th July & The Lord Mayors Procession 7^th July.

Any one 15yrs+ can join in please take a look at our Website: www.norwichsamba.org or Email:info@norwichsamba.org 
A date to put in your diaries is our Garden Party on Wednesday 15th August at 2.00pm entrance fee £2:00. This year it will be in the garden of  Pam Lack  Hillcreast,  Bungay Road, Poringland. Pam has a lovely garden and there will be the usual bring and buy and raffle stalls plus, of course, tea. scones and lovely cakes to enjoy. As this year has been the Queens Jubilee we thought we would carry the colour theme into the garden party and we are hopeful that many members and friends will come dressed in red/white and blue.   All members and friends are welcome.

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month held at the Community Centre, behind Budgens. If there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492156.

Several of our members visited the Guildhall in April where Mr Nick Williams a past Sheriff of Norwich gave us a conducted tour.

Norwich Guildhall was the centre of city government from the early 15^th century until its replacement by City Hall in 1938.The exterior provides an excellent example of the flint work that the city is so famous for. The east end of the building was reconstructed in the 16^th century and is crafted from alternate squares of faced flint and ashlar stone, giving the building its chequered effect.

As well as various courts, a prison and a chapel the building contained facilities for accounting and tax collection, accommodation for civic officials (it remains the home of the Sheriff's parlour today) and storage space for records, money and civic regalia.  The Assembly Chamber (or Sheriff's Court) was designed for meetings of the full medieval Council. It now contains a virtually intact late Victorian courtroom. Also known as the 'Sword Room', the roof space was once the storage place of weapons.

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The Council Chamber (or Mayor's Court) is more elaborate. Oak panelling, a sixteen-bay roof with tie-beams, renaissance decorative woodwork and stunning stained glass were from the start designed to impress.  The undercroft, beneath the east end pre-dates the building, and is thought to be an original feature of the earlier toll-house on this site. It was used to accommodate more dangerous criminals.