New Time for Monthly Meeting

All monthly meetings from January 2024 onwards will be on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2pm, at Poringland Community Centre.

Latest News

Next event December 13th - . .

Monday, 24 June 2024

 

Poringland WI
Newsletter June 2024






On our May walk we visited the Goat Shed farm shop and were tempted by the vast selection of local produce. The cafe menu is mainly snacks and delicious looking cakes, not a proper lunch (unless burgers is your thing), but maybe we can visit one day for afternoon tea

Some events to look forward to:

10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco.  Next sessions: Friday 14 & 28 June @10am. 

Next Walk: Tuesday 18 June. Meet at 11am car park by Ditchingham Village Hall.  Lunch at the Fleece Inn – St Mary’s street opposite the church Bungay. Please let Lesley know if you will join us for the walk and/or lunch.

Singalong session on Thursday 27 June & 18 July at 10.30am, @ Pam Lack’s.  Hillcrest, Bungay road, lift available – ask Lesley

Darts – Playing friendly against Thurton at the George on 1st July and next meet at the Oak on Tuesday at 2pm 25 June.

The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 26th June 2-3.30pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich Road.  Just turn up for a chat and a cuppa.

Scrabble session Thursday 4 July at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm.

Please confirm attendance with Liz on 558132.

Craft Afternoon Monday 8 July (Second Monday) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  If you would like to join us to help make small items to sell in aid of funds, please contact Joan 493036

Gym Sessions.  Would anyone like to join us at the Gym Group (next to Asda on Hall road).  Speak to Pat or Lesley, who currently have an hour long session each Wednesday morning at 10am.  It’s very friendly, with all ages, shapes and sizes so no need to be shy!

If you’re new and fancy any of these, talk to Lesley or the named member and we will arrange for someone to accompany you or give you a lift.

 

Federation Events

LADIES THAT LUNCH on first Friday, enjoy a 2 course lunch for £12.  Single applicants only as spaces are limited.  See board for menus.

Watercolour Workshop.  Friday 19 July at Evelyn Suffield House 10am to 3.30pm.  £30 includes materials.  Coffee from 9.30, bring a packed lunch, tea and cake provided.

Back by popular demand:  Gliding Days are here again!  At Tibenham Airfield on Friday 30 August picnic lunch included.  Winch launch £65 or Aero Tow (goes up to 2000ft) £140.  Open to family and friends.

Relief printing Workshop Tuesday 9 or Saturday 20 July am or pm either day.  £15 for session coffee provided.

Puddings, Plonk & Pop with the Squeegees, Wed 31 July Coronation Hall, Mundesley 7 – 9.30pm £20

Craft Day at Norfolk County Cricket Club Friday 13 Sept 10- 3.30  £25 includes materials and ploughman’s lunch plus dessert.

Cambridge Botanic Gardens Wednesday 25 Sept £35.  Includes talk and 90 min tour of gardens.  Pick up at Thickthorn.

Tubing, Coffee and Cake.  Norfolk Snowsports Club Trowse.  Thursday 10 October 10 – 12pm.  £25, observers £5  Includes refreshments in the club’s Alpine Bar.  Experience the thrill of whizzing down the slope, no experience necessary!

SEE BOARD FOR DETAILS.  Application forms for all these available from Lesley or in your magazine.

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Our House (or Office or HQ), Evelyn Suffield House, 45 All Saints Green.

For new members, our house is open Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 3.30pm and you are welcome to visit, to browse the items for sale in the front office, to use the ‘facilities’ or just have a rest from shopping, and make yourself a cuppa.

I can arrange a guided tour for anyone interested in learning about what goes on there.

If you are attending a workshop at the House, you can use the car park, situated to the rear of the building and accessed from Surrey Street (alleyway next to what was the Surrey Tavern).  You can also park when shopping or attending appointments, but you must phone the office (01603 624580) to check that there is no event taking place as the car park is quite small.

 

MINUTES OF PORINGLAND W I MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY

 9TH MAY 2024 AT 2.00PM.

In the Chair:   Mrs Joan Fountain, President

APOLOGIES:  from  Veronica Horsfall, Carol Hurren, Pam Cooper, Mary Stancer, Ann Webster, Myrtle Bailey, Sue Cranmer, Liz Bussey, Janet Gudgin, Marietta Menzies.

NEWS OF MEMBERS:   The President informed members that Mary Stancer was very ill at present and a ‘Get Well’ card is available for members wishing to sign.  As it was also Mary’s birthday, the card together with her birthday posy will be delivered to her.   Joan Porter had been ill and we were glad to see her back at the meeting.

 

BIRTHDAY POSIES:    presented to Christine Wise; Jean Gowing; Susie Hinsley; Yvonne Payne Bacon and taken for Liz Bussey.     The President then said that as Mary Stancer normally makes the posies we now needed a ‘temporary’ person to take over this task.   Sue France kindly offered to do this.

 

MINUTES:   of April meeting in the news letter and, if approved, will be signed.

Matters Arising:

A]      Birthday Lunch:  This was confirmed to be Wednesday 15th May at ‘The Old Feathers’ to arrive about 12 noon for sit-down at 12.30pm.

MAGAZINE AND  EVENTS:   The magazine had been distributed.  Forthcoming events, local and Federation were in the newsletter, plus invitations from other WIs..

JUNE MEETING:  The speaker is Charles Lewis who will talk on ‘Emma and Nelson’.   VOT Marietta Menzies. Competition is ‘A Rose from your Garden’.  Tea Ladies – Sue France and Susie Hinsley.

AOB names were requested for next week’s walk/lunch and the scrabble day.

The President then welcomed Sue Sursham who spoke, with pictures, of her cruise to the South Atlantic and Antarctica. This was most enjoyable and ‘opened our eyes’ to the fact that the weather in that part of the world is not all snow; wind; and very cold!   There were very many pictures of penguins and other wild animals on shore and in the sea.    Sue was thanked by Judith Finn.  After which Joan Porter told us of her hair-raising experience when going to the same destination.

 

Our refreshments today included two cakes made by the President and Secretary to celebrate Poringland WIs 104 birthday.   

Competition was won by Joan Porter with her Antarctic picture.  Raffle drawn and Meeting closed 3.55pm.

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Poringland Summer Fair

on Mulberry Green, behind the Community Centre

Saturday 15 June 12 noon – 6pm.

Food and drink, stalls, activities for the kiddies.

Dance Displays and music by the Lee Vasey Band.

The May Walk at Honingham

The weather was kind – cloudy but dry and just the right temperature.  We set off from the Buck Inn at 11.15am.  3 strode out boldly, and 3 ambled.

The Amblers took their time and checked out the gardens and the wildlife on the way.  They did a gentle 2 mile and then had a rest outside the pub.

 

Meanwhile the Striders hastened ahead to get in as many miles as we could!  Walked up through woods behind the ‘Earth School’, picking elderflowers for ‘Fizz’.

We crossed the Mattishall road, taking quiet lanes to the Goat shed and saw the goats in their playground.                           This pair were quiet and cosy.

We then took a wrong turn onto a lane that I had not tried and which turned out to be not the lane I thought it was!  So we walked a mile further than we should have done, all good exercise. We made it back to the pub just in time for lunch with the Amblers and 3 non walking members who joined us for an enjoyable chatty hour or so.

NB to self – always check every path before the walk!

 




National AGM

Joan and I enjoyed the trip this year, on the way we stopped to shop at Braintree, and drove along Embankment to see the sights.  It is always a thrill to sing to the mighty organ and 5,000 enthusiastic WI members in the Albert Hall. 

The Resolution for Dental Health Matters was passed with a majority of 95%.

 

Our first speaker at the meeting was Nazir Afzal, a Solicitor who prosecuted high profile cases relating to domestic violence, sexual abuse and honour based killings, This set the tone as the other speakers were Mel B, who had an abusive husband, and Tim Watson who played Rob Titchener in the Archers, whose storyline was about the coercive control of his partner.  Violence against women is one of our ongoing campaigns but it made for a rather intense session.

 

Apart from that, we enjoyed meeting and chatting to other members from Norfolk and around the country, picnicking in Hyde Park and visiting the lovely gardens at Hyde Hall on the way home.

There are pictures of our visit on the Norfolk WI facebook page.

 

This week is Loneliness Awareness Week.

So why not practice some Random Acts of Connection? 

Chat in the queue/ on the bus/ smile at a neighbour/ reach out to a friend.

Celebrate the friendship we enjoy in the WI.

Saturday, 11 May 2024

Poringland WI Newsletter May 2024

Happy 104th Birthday




Don’t forget our Birthday Lunch on Wednesday May 15th



Other events to look forward to:


10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco.  Next sessions: Friday 10th & 24th May @10am.


Next Walk. Tuesday 21 May. Meet at 11am at The Honingham Buck.  Lunch will be at 1pm at the Buck.  If parking is a problem, try behind the Village Hall opposite.  Please let me know if you will join us for the walk and/or lunch.


Singalong session. Thursday 16 May at 10.30am, @ Pam Lack’s.  Hillcrest, Bungay road, lift available. No vocal ability necessary!


Darts. meet at the Oak on Tuesdays at 2pm. Next date 28 May.


The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 29th May 2-3.30pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich Road.  Just turn up for a chat and a cuppa.


Scrabble session. Thursday 30 May at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm.  Please confirm attendance with Liz on 558132.


Craft Afternoon. Monday 13 May (Second Monday) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  If you would like to join us to help make small items to sell in aid of funds, please contact Joan 493036


Gym Sessions.  Would anyone like to join us at the Gym Group (next to Asda on Hall road)? Speak to Pat or Lesley, who currently have an hour long session each Wednesday morning at 10am.  It’s very friendly, with all ages, shapes and sizes so no need to be shy!

If you’re new and fancy any of these, talk to Lesley or one of the named members and we will arrange  for someone to accompany your or give you a lift.




Happy Birthdays for May to Christine, Liz, Jean G, Susie & Yvonne


Federation Events

LADIES THAT LUNCH on first Friday, enjoy a 2 course lunch for £12.  Single applicants only as spaces are limited.  See board for menus.


National AGM 5 June 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall.


Auditions Day at Norwich Cricket club, Horstead, Monday 17 June 10.30 – 4pm.  5 Speakers plus lunch of Quiche followed by Fresh fruit salad. £20.

Hampton Court Palace Visit.  Friday 21 June £65 includes a 2 hour private tour of house and free access to the Palace gardens.


Watercolour Workshop.  Friday 19 July at Evelyn Suffield House 10am to 3.30pm.  £30 includes materials.  Coffee from 9.30, bring a packed lunch, tea and cake provided.


Design a Card for any occasion.  See board for entry details.  Winning entry to be reproduced and sold for Federation funds.


Back by popular demand: Gliding Days are here again!  At Tibenham Airfield on Friday 10 May and Friday 30 August picnic lunch included.  Winch launch £65 or Aero Tow (goes up to 2000ft) £140.  Open to family and friends.


RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. Friday 14 June 9.45pm – 1pm.  £5 for Guided walk. Entry to reserve £4.50 or free for RSPB members.


Relief printing Workshop Tuesday 9 or Saturday 20 July am or pm either day.  £15 for session coffee provided.


Puddings, Plonk & Pop with the Squeegees, Wed 31 July Coronation Hall, Mundesley 7 – 9.30pm £20.


There will be an event celebrating World Poetry Day on 3rd October.  In preparation, there is a poetry competition.  Are you a wordsmith?  You are invited to write a poem of not more than 24 lines on the theme ‘I had a Dream’.  I am trying but it is difficult not to think of Martin Luther King’s speech!


SEE BOARD FOR DETAILS.  Application forms for all these available from Lesley or in your magazine.


A Reminder that our House (or Office or HQ), Evelyn Suffield House, 45 All Saints Green will be closed on the 2 Bank Holidays in May. For new members, the house is open Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 3.30pm and you are welcome to visit, to browse the items for sale in the front office, or to use the ‘facilities’ or just have a rest from shopping, and make yourself a cuppa.



Invitations

Rockland St Mary and District WI would like to invite your members to a talk by Wally Webb entitled ‘40 years broadcasting with Radio Norfolk ‘on Tuesday 11th June at 7.30pm.  We meet in the Margaret Mack Village Hall Rockland StMary NR14 7EU.  Entrance £4 .
Hempnall WI Invite you to our 5th June meeting To hear Wally Webb’s talk ‘40 years at BBC Radio Norfolk’.  Venue The Mill, Mill Lane, Hempnall, NR15 2LP.  Starting at 7.30pm.  Entrance £3 including light refreshments.


Thurton Ashby & District WI invite you to their Summer Extravaganza on Thursday 6 June at 7.pm.  Fine City Chorus will be there to sing for us and there will be Strawberries and Pimms and a Raffle.  Entrance £5 at Ashby & Thurton Village Hall Ashby Road Thurton.


MINUTES OF PORINGLAND W I MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY

11TH APRIL 2024 AT 2PM
In the Chair:  Mrs Joan Fountain, President.


The meeting began with the singing of Jerusalem after which the President welcomed visitors: Jenny Baker, Gemma Manson-Bahr, Anita Banks and baby Ruth, and new members Myrtle Baker and Yvonne Payne-Bacon.


NEWS OF MEMBERS:   The President stated that Joan Porter was very ill and a ‘Get Well’ card was signed by those members present to be sent to her.


MINUTES: of the March meeting were read out and, with a small adjustment, were approved and signed.


Matters Arising:
A] Birthday Lunch:   Hilary reminded members to let her have completed menus and the lunch money, at the latest, at the May meeting.


B] Federation Annual Meeting:   Lesley pointed out the Report of this meeting in the Norfolk WI Magazine.


C] Resolution:   Lesley explained to members the result of the voting for National AGM Resolution.  As we had voted in favour of the chosen one – ‘dental Health matters’, we did not need to vote again.


MAY BIRTHDAY MEETING:   The speaker is Sue Sursham and her subject is ‘Antarctica’. Competition is now ‘A Holiday Photo of a Place’.  VOT Judith. Tea hostesses are Jeanette, Pat & Gil.


The President then welcomed Hazel Gillingham who was dressed as, and ‘became’ Millicent Fawcett, the quiet suffragette. She explained that Millicent belonged to the National Union of Suffragettes which was not part of the more militant group led by Emily Pankhurst, but still campaigned for women to have voting rights.   

Minutes continued:

Hazel went on to say that Millicent knew many Liberal MPs who were sympathetic to, and agreed to, women having a good education and to have the suffrage;  in fact, New Zealand was the first to give women the suffrage.  The NUS were more passive and believed to get their aims by negotiation.    Eventually, women did get the vote, but it was after WWI where women’s contribution was realised. Millicent now has a statue in Parliament Square in recognition for her work.  Sue was thanked by Pam Cooper.


AOB  Several members took a bulb catalogue.  Liz reminded members of the Saturday singing groups evening entertainment next weekend.


Competition, words of wisdom to your younger self, was won by Lesley.  Raffle was drawn and Meeting closed at 3.45pm.



Hopefully the weather has now improved and you are getting out into the garden ready for summer.  Have you heard of Companion Planting?  This is to help plants, usually your veg, to grow better, either by deterring bugs and nasties or encouraging the pollinators.  I have often planted French marigolds with my tomatoes, but apparently Calendula are also good with Courgettes.

Other companions are Thyme with Roses, Borage with Strawberries (encourages the bees) and Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthum) with your Beans.  Why not give some of these a go and let us know how you get on.

WI LIFE MAGAZINE. I have heard rumours that some members do not wish to receive the National Magazine, WI Life.  If this is true of you, can you please let me know and I will get your copy redirected to the Office, as they always like to have some spare copies to hand out to enquirers who are interested in joining the WI.


Report on the Poringland WI meeting from May 1924.

On Thursday the members of Poringland Women’s Institute entertained the members of the Framingham Institute in the Parish Hall.  The president gave a hearty welcome to the visitors and read letters apologising for absence from Mrs Birkbeck, Mrs Moxey and Mrs Preedy.  Miss Freer gave an excellent demonstration upon papier maché, which was listened to with much interest.  The successful exhibitors at the recent exhibition were congratulated upon their success, and the summer outing was discussed.  Tea was served by the Tea committee to about 75 members, after which 5 of the Poringland members gave a play, “The Early Primrose Sale” arranged by the secretary, which caused much amusement.  2 new members were enrolled.


Wednesday, 24 April 2024

Poringland WI Newsletter April 2024

 

Time to celebrate again with our Birthday Lunch on May 15th. Be sure to give Hilary your menu choice and payment asap. The meal will be subsidised. So the cost to you is £15 for 2 courses or £20 for 3 courses.

Events to look forward to


10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco.

Next sessions: Friday 12th and 26th April @10am. 

Next Walk.

Tuesday 16 April. Meet at 11am at St Mary’s church Shotesham (church off the Saxlingham road, by the ruined St Margaret’s church, not the one by the War memorial).  Lunch will be at 1pm at the Rural Kitchen, High Green Brooke. please let me know if you would like to join us for the walk and/or lunch.

Singalong session.

Thursday 18 April at 10.30am, @ Pam Lack’s.  Hillcrest, Bungay road, lift available. No vocal ability necessary!

Darts.

Meet at the Oak on Tuesdays at 2pm. Next date 23rd April.

Tea/coffee pm

Wednesday 24th April 2-3.30pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich Road.  Just turn up for a chat and a cuppa.

Scrabble session.

Thursday 30 May at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm. Please confirm attendance with Liz on 558132.

Craft Afternoon.

Monday 13 May (Second Monday) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  If you would like to join us to help make small items to sell in aid of funds, please contact Joan 493036

Gym Sessions.

Would anyone like to join us at the Gym Group (next to Asda on Hall road).  Speak to Pat or Lesley, who currently have an hour long session each Wednesday morning at 10am.  It’s very friendly, with all ages, shapes and sizes so no need to be shy!


Happy Birthday for April to Joan Fountain


Subs

Subs are now due, £48.  Cheques to Hilary please



Federation Events


LADIES THAT LUNCH on first Friday, enjoy a 2 course lunch for £12.  Single applicants only as spaces are limited.  See board for menus.

Edible Hanging Basket Workshop. New Buckenham Village Hall Tuesday

30 April 12 – 4.30pm.  Lunch of ‘Build your own ploughman’s’! Dessert Apple crumble & Custard.  Cost £30 includes hanging basket kit - compost & plants.

Lunch with Giggly Pigs! Mon 20 May 12 – 4pm – a Bad Essex girl turned good, from prison to the pig farm.  Norfolk Cricket Club Horsford £30 includes lunch of pasta bake – see flyer.

Murder Mystery Evening with Ploughman’s supper Wed 15 May 6.30 – 9pm at North Wootton V Hall.  £18pp.  Individual or group applications.

National AGM 5 June 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall

Auditions Day at Norwich Cricket club, Horstead, Monday 17 June 10.30 – 4pm.  5 Speakers plus lunch of Quiche followed by Fresh fruit salad. £20.

Hampton Court Palace Visit.  Friday 21 June £65 includes a 2 hour private tour of house and free access to the Palace gardens

Watercolour Workshop.  Friday 19 July at Evelyn Suffield House 10am to 3.30pm.  £30 includes materials.  Coffee from 9.30, bring a packed lunch, tea and cake provided.

Design a Card for any occasion.  See board for entry details.  Winning entry to be reproduced and sold for Federation funds.

Back by popular demand:  Gliding Days are here again!  At Tibenham Airfield on Friday 10 May and Friday 30 August picnic lunch included.  Winch launch £65 or Aero Tow (goes up to 2000ft) £140.  Open to family and friends.

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Friday 14 June 9.45pm – 1pm.  £5 for Guided walk. Entry to reserve £4.50 or free for RSPB members.

Relief printing Workshop Tuesday 9 or Saturday 20 July am or pm either day.  £15 for session coffee provided.

Puddings, Plonk & Pop with the Squeegees, Wed 31 July Coronation Hall, Mundesley 7 – 9.30pm £20

SEE BOARD FOR DETAILS.  Application forms for all these available from Lesley or in your magazine.

 

2 Competitions to enter


Creative Writing Competition 2024.  A piece of writing with the title ‘Behind the Curtain(s)’.  See details on the flyer if you are interested.

Rose Bowl Competition 2024.  ‘Have you got the Midas Touch?’  The Federation will provide you with a virtual £20.  What imaginative or unusual ways would you fundraise to increase your £20 and benefit the members.

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Invitation


Ditchingham WI invite you to their meeting on Wed 8 May @ 2pm to hear Jayne Hogger with Memoirs of a Bluebell Girl.  £5 inc Cheese & Wine.

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At the Federation Annual Meeting in March, we had a talk by Stephen Maunder of the Norfolk Trading Standards about scams and keeping yourself safe on line.

This one is a phishing scam that was reported back in November and mainly aimed at businesses, but may appear, if you have a WI Facebook page or, indeed, it may appear on your personal Facebook page. 

Below are the messages, (but with the hyperlinks removed so you can't click them by accident!)  If you see one, the advice is: PLEASE DON'T REACT TO THEM OR CLICK THE LINKS IN THE ORIGINAL MESSAGES.

 If you need any help or advice, contact us via the Federation Facebook or the Digital Team (winorfolkdigitalhelp@gmail.com).

 This is what the Scam Message may look like.......

Guest 4311
Important Notification:
Your Facebook page is scheduled for permanent deletion due to a post that has infringed upon our trademark rights. We have reached this decision after a thorough review and in accordance with our intellectual property protection policies.
If you believe this to be a misunderstanding, we kindly request you to file a complaint seeking the reinstatement of your page prior to its removal from Facebook.
Request for Review: {{****}
We understand that this situation may impact your ongoing business operations. However, please be informed that if we do not receive a complaint from you, our decision will be final.
Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated. Should you have any inquiries or apprehensions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Sincerely,
Facebook Support Team

This and other scams are proliferating, so do be careful if you are not sure of any emails it is safest to delete them.  Its not just on line, your bank will never ask for passwords or other information on the phone or send a recorded message about money going out of your account.  Also don’t forget to be careful of opening your door to a stranger.  Lock any other doors and put the chain on if you must answer.  But it is your property and your choice whether to answer or not.  So you are within your rights to ignore them!

I know we have said all this before, but it is better to be safe, and don’t forget scams and dodgy workmen are THIEVES out to get your hard-earned cash.

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Oh to be in England now that April’s here,

And whoever wakes in England

Sees, some morning, unaware,

That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf

Round the elm tree bole are in tiny leaf

While the chaffinch sings on the Orchard bough

In England – Now!

                                   Robert Browning


Don’t forget St George’s Day Tuesday 23 April.  Hang out the England flag, sing ‘Jerusalem’ or ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ if you want.  If the Scots, Irish and Welsh can be proud of their flag, why can’t we?  It’s not just for football fans!



Monday, 18 March 2024

Poringland WI Newsletter March 2024

 Poringland WI Newsletter MARCH 2024

This is a few of our intrepid walking group completing the last section of the City Walls in Norwich ‘Over the Water’.  This long section of wall with the remains of a tower, is at the junction of Barrack street and Bull Close road, and is the site of the Pockthorpe gate.  Located not far from the church of St James Pockthorpe (now the puppet theatre). 

 Continued on back page. 

Our events to look forward to:

10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco. Next sessions: Friday 22 March @10am.  

Next Walk:  Tuesday 19 March.  Meet at 11am in the gravelled layby at Topcroft Church, NR35 2BH.  Lunch will be at 1pm at the Dove Inn.  

Directions for those without satnav: from Wootton take the Hempnall road (B1527) after about 3½ miles turn left onto ‘Oxnead road’ this is the second turning on the left after ‘short new road’ and will take you straight to Church road, Topcroft.  

please let me know if you would like to join us for the walk and/or lunch.

Singalong session on Thursday 21 March at 10.30am, @ Pam Lack’s.  Hillcrest, Bungay road, lift available. No vocal ability necessary!

Darts – meet at the Oak on Tuesdays at 2pm. Next date 26th March.

The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 27 March 2-3pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich Road.  Just turn up for a chat and a cuppa.

Scrabble session Friday 5th April at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm. 

 Please confirm attendance with Liz on 558132.

Craft Afternoon Monday 8 April (Second Monday) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  Please contact Joan if you would like to join us – 493036

Gym Sessions.  Would anyone like to join us at the Gym Group (next to Asda on Hall road).  Speak to Pat or Lesley, who currently have an hour long session each Wednesday morning at 10am.  It’s very friendly, with all ages, shapes and sizes so no need to be shy!

Happy Birthday for March to Sue France

Federation Events

LADIES THAT LUNCH on first Friday, enjoy a 2 course lunch for £12.  Single applicants only as spaces are limited.  See board for menus. 

Preloved Handbag sale Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 April at Evelyn Suffield House 10.30 – 3.30pm.  Donations of no longer loved/second hand handbags can be dropped off at the office or handed to Lesley.

Resolutions information meeting Mon 15 April in the office 10.30 – 12.30

WI Advisors quiz night Friday 26 April at Bawdeswell Village Hall. Prompt 7pm start. Teams of up to 6, family and friends welcome.  £10 Per person, includes a ploughman’s supper.

Edible Hanging Basket Workshop. New Buckenham Village Hall Tuesday 30 April 12 – 4.30pm.  Lunch of ‘Build your own ploughman’s’! Dessert Apple crumble & Custard.  Cost £30 includes hanging basket kit - compost & plants.

Lunch with Giggly Pigs! Mon 20 May 12 – 4pm – a Bad Essex girl turned good, from prison to the pig farm.  Norfolk Cricket Club Horsford £30 includes lunch of pasta bake – see flyer.

Murder Mystery Evening with Ploughman’s supper Wed 15 May 6.30 – 9pm at North Wootton V Hall.  £18pp.  Individual or group applications.

National AGM 5 June 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall

Auditions Day at Norwich Cricket club, Horstead, Monday 17 June 10.30 – 4pm.  5 Speakers plus lunch of Quiche followed by Fresh fruit salad. £20.

Hampton Court Palace Visit.  Friday 21 June £65 includes a 2 hour private tour of house and free access to the Palace gardens

Watercolour Workshop.  Friday 19 July at Evelyn Suffield House 10am to 3.30pm.  £30 includes materials.  Coffee from 9.30, bring a packed lunch, tea and cake provided.

Design a Card for any occasion.  See board for entry details.  Winning entry to be reproduced and sold for Federation funds.

Back by popular demand:  Gliding Days are here again!  At Tibenham Airfield on Friday 10 May and Friday 30 August picnic lunch included.  Winch launch £65 or Aero Tow (goes up to 2000ft) £140.  Open to family and friends.

SEE BOARD FOR DETAILS.  Application forms for all these available from Lesley or in your magazine.

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Invitations

Ditchingham WI invite you to a silent auction on Wednesday 20 March 2pm £2 including light refreshments.  Also Wed 8 May to hear Jayne Hogger and Memoirs of a Bluebell Girl.

Denton WI would like to invite you to a meeting Tuesday 2nd April 7.30pm at Denton Village Hall.   Speaker is Richard Powell OBE. He was previously Regional Director for the RSPB and National Trust. Talk about setting up a reserve from scratch and his role at the RSPB.  £4pp. including refreshments.

Thurton Ashby and District WI would like to invite you to an Open Evening on April 4th 2024 at 7.30 pm at Thurton and Ashby Village Hall.  Speaker Mel Sambells who is the publisher of Mardle Books.  Followed by tea and coffee with refreshments plus a raffle and trading stall.

The Boudicca’s Way Group invite you to a meeting at St Andrew’s church Scole on Thursday 18 April 7.30pm to hear Charley Haylock on the History of Surnames. <><><><><><><>

Did you identify the origin of the quote from last month?

‘All that glitters is not gold’

The Bible, not in so many words but many warnings are given against the lure of material things.

‘All that Glisters is not gold, often have you heard that told?’

Are the first lines of a poem which appears in the Merchant of Venice.  When Portia’s suitors have to find a picture of her hidden in one of 3 caskets (Gold, Silver and Lead) to see if she will marry them.  That poem is in the gold casket, but her picture is in the lead one.

‘All that is gold does not glitter’

Is the first line of a poem in the Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring and is left by Gandolf for Frodo.  It foretells the return of the king (Aragorn) and sets him on his quest with the ring.

This is the full poem:

All that is gold does not glitter, Not all who wander are lost

The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost

From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring

Renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless again shall be King.


Completing our City wall walks.


We began our third walk at the Adam & Eve pub and crossed the river by the new pedestrian bridge.  There is a newly exposed section of wall between the river and Barrack street which was previously within Jarrold’s factory site but now has been cleaned up with a pleasant walk beside it.  From the site of the Pockthorpe gate on Barrack street, Bull Close and Magpie roads follow the line of the wall, with several sections visible.  

The only occasion when the walls were called upon to provide a defensive barrier for the city was during Ketts rebellion and Magdalen gate was one site where gallows were erected for the execution of hundreds of men who had taken part in the uprising.  Justice was brutal in those days!

This part of the wall ends back at the river behind the ‘Old Dun Cow’ Pub in Oak street (now a house), which is built over the wall.  We completed the walk, returning along the river and Colegate, visiting St George’s Church on the way.  Unfortunately, the Adam and Eve do not take bookings so we adjourned to the White Horse pub in Trowse for lunch.


This was the first and most impressive section of wall we investigated when we started our trio of City wall walks.

It is located at the top of Carrow hill and goes all the way down to King street and the river. Why not take a look yourself.  But be warned there are a lot of steps!

That tower was at one time used to house plague victims.

Compare this with the other picture – wouldn’t it have been impressive if we still had the complete wall around Norwich?


See April’s Norfolk Magazine for full report of our city wall walks.