DECEMBER 2015 About Thetford magazine

01842 754161

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Your Local Independent Community Magazine

Circulation 12,000 copies

Issue 121 December 2015

merry christmas to all our readers

RW

www.rudlings-wakelam.co.uk

Bury St Edmunds - 01284 755771 | Brandon - 01842 810300 | Thetford - 01842 754151

RudlingsWakelamSolicitors

...advice for life

Christmas Card.indd 1 11/11/2015 17:29

Welcome to Decembers About Thetford

As I type, theres a brief flurry of snow outside - its

most definitely turned colder of late! Whilst however the

weather may be distinctly chilly, theres plenty to see and

do this month to warm our hearts and souls.

Tickets for the Thetford Players panto are now on sale,

(oh yes they are!), see page 4. This time of year is always

particularly busy for our local churches see pages 34 &

35 for details of services coming up, including carols. Id

also like to highlight a Christmas themed quiz night that

Im organising to support the Charles Burrell Centre, see

details on page 17. Theres also some timely shopping

advice on page 33 from the local CAB as well.

Could I urge all residents to participate in the Norfolk

County Council consultation on potential budget cuts?

These could have significant impact in Thetford. Visit the

website for more information: https://norfolk.citizenspace.

com/consultation/re-imaginingnorfolkbudget

May I take this opportunity to wish all our readers,

advertisers and delivery staff a very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes, Terry Jermy (Editor)

E-mail address for all articles, adverts etc: aboutthetfordmagazine@googlemail.comContact us: 07742157967 Address: 21 Crecy Mews, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2ZB

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Publisher; In And About Thetford Ltd, C/o 21 Crecy Mews, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2ZBWhilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained within this magazine, the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by its contributors, in any advertisements or for any loss arising from non-publication of any advertisement. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission of the publishers is strictly forbidden. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher

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APPLIANCEREPAIRS

WASHING MACHINES ELECTRIC COOKERSTUMBLE DRYERS FRIDGES D/WASHERSHotpoint, Hoover, Zanussi, Bosch, AEG, Siemans,Creda, Servis, Indesit, Whirlpool, Electra, Beko.

Same day / next day repairs15 Mile radius of Thetford All repairs guaranteed

NO CALL-OUT CHARGEThetford: 07760 615 846

speak to Gwyneth or Jim directTRY THE ESTABLISHED FAST & FRIENDLY SERVICE

Project3:Layout 1 18/10/2014 11:35 Page 1

Inside this month...Page 5 - Update from Thetford U3APage 6 - Christmas Whats OnPage 8 - 9 - Leaping HarePage 15 - Past and PresentPage 10 - 13 - Local group updatePage 16 - Community CornerPage 18 - Local group focus - FOTSPage 19 - Garden & Allotment ClubPage 26 & 27 - Ladies PagesPage 29 - Grammar School newsPage 30 & 31 - Ancient House MuseumPage 34 - 35 - Church ServicesPage 37 - Business Matters columnPage 39 - Fly-tipping report

Front cover photo by James Hamilton

Thetford U3A contributes to health and wellbeing

Thetford U3A now has nearly 350 members but Chair of the Trustees, Lynn Ready says, Weve only just scratched the surface. There are many more retired people in and around Thetford who would benefit from membership, but they just dont know about us yet. Im hoping we can reach out to them, because there is no doubt membership can be life-enhancing and contributes to health and wellbeing.

With over fifty active interest groups, ThetfordU3A is the largest voluntary organisation of its type in the region. Those interest groups cover a whole range of subjects, as well as sports and just plain getting together and having fun. As one member recently said, I aim to play racquet sports at least until Im 90 and he regularlyplays tennis and badminton. Just belonging to one or two of the groups can help to keep mind and body active so keeping fit longer and having a better quality of life. Another member said, When I joined Thetford U3A, I thought it might be a bit stuffy and formal, but not a bit of it, its more like play-group for grown ups. Ive made more friends in the few months since I joined than in all the time since I retired over 10 years ago!. Recently Thetford U3A got together with the Royal Voluntary Service and helped to organise a successful Health and Wellbeing Fayre, held at the local Carnegie Room.

If you or someone you know might be interested in the U3A, please contact us through our website at www.thetfordu3a.org, or just come along to one of our regular monthly meetings at the Carnegie Room (opposite the Library). The next meeting open to the public is on Thursday 28th January at 2pm.

www.winnersbingo.co.ukOpen EVERY AFTERNOON and EVENING

Morning sessions Tuesday and Thursday

BIG CASH PRIZES every day SLOT MACHINE LOUNGE SUPER LINK and NATIONAL GAMES HOT and COLD MEALS at the BUFFET LICENSED BAR FULLY AIR CONDITIONED JOIN FREE and PLAY on arrival at the club

Guildhall Street ThetfordTel: 01842 752279

Pictures: Thetford U3A Groups top right - Wine tasters visit Wyken Vineyard. Top right, one below, a

meeting of the Quiz group, and bottom left, the Art Group pay homage to Girl with a pearl earring.

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The Christmas Story

with the children of Thetford Voices

Conductor: Chris Parsons Piano: Pip Jepson

Wednesday 16th December The Guildhall, Thetford 7.30 pm

Tickets: 7, concessions 6 from Leaping Hare, Thetford 01842 751975

www.thetfordsingers.org.uk Thetford Singers is a registered charity (No 269142) and a member of Making Music

NEW - Thetford Library Local History GroupA chance to find out about the librarys local history

collections. Will meet on the third Friday of each month at Thetford Library, 10.30am 12 noon.

next meeting: Friday 18th DecemberCommunity History Group Volunteers required Thetford

for the above new group which started in October 2015.

NEW Chatterbooks Book Club!Fun activities based around reading for children aged

8-11 years. Meets monthly at Thetford Library on Fridays 4pm-5pm. Next meeting 29th January

For more information and to book a place please contact Kathryn on 01842 752048 or email:

thetford.lib@norfolk.gov.uk

Mondays for pre-school children at Thetford Library!Baby Bounce & Rhyme Time now alternates fortnightly on Mondays during term time with Books and Buggies

Meet Up.

Baby Bounce & Rhyme TimeSongs & Rhymes for babies and toddlers and their

parents/carers, 10.30am 11.00am at Thetford Library Monday 14th December

No need to book for these fun, free sessions!

Books and Buggies Meet UpA chance to meet with friends and share books

together. Meets fortnightly, 10.00am -11.30am onMonday 7th December. You are welcome to stay for the

whole session or drop-in.

Story Time Activities with Sure Start at Thetford Library

On Wednesdays, 10.00am 11.00am during term time. These fun sessions with Sure Start in the library are free and are held in the library during term time. No need to book, just turn up on the day! For further

information please contact Sure Start on 01842 766438

Thetford Audio Book Club with NNABAre you visually impaired? Come and enjoy audio books

with people who understand.Friday December 11th,10.30 am -12.00 noon.

To find out more please call Mark or Elaine:01603 629558 or email: marksmith@nnab.co.uk

Thetford Reading GroupThe December meeting is on Friday 11th December

starting at 2.30pm.

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December 2015

The Book ClubThe Book Club meets monthly on a Friday evening.

The December meeting will take place on Friday 11th December, 5.45pm 6.45pm.

NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME TO BOTH GROUPS

For more information on all our groups, events or volunteering opportunities please contact Kathryn/

David on 01842 752048 or email: thetford.lib@norfolk.gov.uk

Christmas Opening HoursThurs 24th December 8.30am -5.00pm

Fri 25th December CLOSEDSat 26th December CLOSEDSun 27th December CLOSEDMon 28th December CLOSED

Tues 29th December 8.30am 5.30pmWed 30th December 8.30am 1.00pmThurs 31st December 8.30am 5.00pm

Fri 1st January CLOSEDSat 2nd January 9.00am 1.00pm

Fri 4th Dec Ghost WalkFri 4th Dec Zumba Xmas Celebration PartySat 5th Dec Wildlife Recorders at BTOSun 6th Dec Breckland Brass Carol ServiceWed 9th Dec Norfolk Terrier QuizThurs 10thSun 13th Dec Methodist FestivalEvents & Christmas Tree FestivalFri 11th Dec Fish 'n' Chip QuizSat 12th Dec BeatleManiaSun 13th Dec CBC Christmas QuizWed 16th Dec Thet Singers Christmas StoryThurs 17th Dec Knit & KnatterFri 18th Dec Mayors Candlelit ServiceTues 22nd Dec Thetford Voices ChristmasHoliday WorkshopSun 10th Jan 2016 Loki Winter SprinterFri 15th Jan Ghost WalkSat 15th,16th,22nd,23rd Jan Peter Pan PantoFri 29th Jan T.A.R.A. AwardsFri 29thSat 30th Jan WellMade Th