barninghamgroup.co.uk

© Clive Rammell

Signs of life in ?

PHEASANTSROOST

© Ian Summers

Editor: Ian Summers, 14 The Knoll, Hempstead, Holt NR25 6TJ 01263 710702 editor@barninghamgroup.co.uk

Sub-editor: Su Summers

Village Correspondents:Baconsthorpe: Ro Hardingham 577262Barningham: Sara Buxton 577207Hempstead: VacantMatlaske: Florence Hunt 577363Plumstead: Vacant

Add your own contentwww.isdata.co.uk/cgi-bin/post.pl

Copy date20th of the month preceding publication

Postal Subscriptions£10 per year – Corinne Youngs 577263

AdvertisingAnnual: Contact: Mrs D Spalton 711117One-off or special requirement: Payment by

the copy date. Contact: The editorFor Sale & Wants: £1 per 20 words (free if

proceeds to Newsletter) Contact: The editorVillage Web Site

barninghamgroup.co.ukBack numbers:

barninghamgroup.co.uk/newsletter

ChurchwardensBaconsthorpe: Tessa McCosh 577611Barningham: Amelia Courtauld 577250Hempstead: Ann Udale 713656

Su Summers 710702    Matlaske: Florence Hunt 577363

Thomas Courtauld 577250Plumstead: John Durdin 577234

Eleanor Faulkner 577868

Village Diary & Newsletter

Community Information and Services

Mobile Library Every fourth ThursdayVillage Old time New time LocationMatlaske 12:20 pm 12:30 pm Old Post OfficePlumstead 13:00 pm 13:15 pm Walnut FarmBaconsthorpe 14:25 pm 14:45 pm Council Bungalows

15:45 pm 16:10 pm Old Post Office16:05 pm Cut The Street

Hempstead 15:00 pm 15:20 pm Hare and Hounds15:20 pm 15:40 pm Telephone kiosk

See www.libraries.norfolk.gov.uk

Holt Library 9 Church Street, Holt NR25 6BB Tel: 712202

Mon–Wed, and Sat: 9:30 am to 1 pmFri: 9:30 am to 6 pm

Books can be dropped off out of hours in the letterbox labelled ‘bookdrop’ in the blue door.

Post Office Baconsthorpe Village HallTuesdays 12:30 pm to 4 pmFridays 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

For a full range of services offered at this branch and all other enquiries call 712139.

Norfolk Constabulary 101 for non-urgent calls Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team

e-mail: sntholt@norfolk.pnn.police.ukPolice Community Support Officers:

Baconsthorpe & Matlaske Keith ClarkeHempstead & Plumstead Stacey Barnetson

Police Direct about crime and policing issueshttp://tinyurl.com/cra3u4j

Dog Warden516085 (out of hours 513811) ep@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Norfolk Carers Helpline – 0808 808 9876 Mon–Fri 8 am to 8 pm. Free and confidential listening, support and information for family carers. www.norfolkcarershelpline.org.uk

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the newsletter. The newsletter apologises if contributed material is not published due to space constraints. All facts are

believed to be correct at time of publication. The editor reserves the right to amend material.

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Join us onFriday 1st Aug

at Ash Tree Farm, The Street, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LF

10:30 – noonBring & Buy – Good Coffee & Scones

Proceeds to the Newsletter

Royal Norfolk Show Awards

Long service awards were awarded by Prince Edward to Keith Maurice List for 51 years with Barningham Farms; and Jack Parfitt for 44 years with Harmer Farms (pictured above).

Charles Inglis won a prize for chicken eggs and his daughter’s guinea pig also won a prize.

Charles Inglis organised a contingent representing the Norfolk Churches Trust Sponsored Bicycle Ride (complete with banners) to take part in the Closing Ceremony in the grand ring – those present included Thomas and Amelia Courtauld, Charles and Airlie and children (not quite sure who was who) and yours truly.

All in all pretty thrilling. YG

Stop PressAs part of the process of producing the newsletter I post a proof on line. I am most grateful for all the tweaks that proof readers have asked for with this issue. It has been a truly collaborative process. Thanks. Ed

Garden & Home Helpers

All basic  help for you in your house or garden by husband and wife team from Matlaske.

We can do the whole job or simply help you to complete a task. Hourly or fixed-rate prices

from £10 per hour. References available.

07909 183190 07950 822802

Baconsthorpe Village HallIdeal for Parties and Receptions

Fully equipped Kitchen with Matching Crockery for 100 settingsNew Tables and Chairs

Large Main Hall or Committee Room

Charges: £8 per hour£25 deposit will be required to cover

damages or breakages

To book contactMrs Doris Hill 01263 577489

’Quote of the month

Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never find it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.

William Feather  

’

4Continued next month

24 Gladstone Place, Briston01263 860333

Family Butcher

Poulterer & Game DealerLicensed to sell Wines & Spirits

In-town Butchery at Larners of Holt01263 710000

Fresh Bread & Cakes from our own bakeryWeekly Deliveries in our refrigerated vans

T G L GROUNDWORKS

We also hold £5 million public liability and damage waiver; fully trained experienced operations.7 Stonefield Road, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LP

01263 577746 or 07769 914335 tgl-groundworks@gmx.co.uk

Any outside work undertaken from concreting, digger/dumper operations, fencing, patios, bases, footings, oversights, drainage, treatment plants, soakaways, connections, trenching, some BT, electric, gas and water, kerbs and driveways, landscaping, hedges and grass cutting and turfing. Big Green Waste Bag: We deliver a 1 ton bag; you fill it with garden waste, give us

a call; it’s picked up and exchanged if needed. Nettles/brambles/weeds/grass, hedge and tree cuttings. Why risk scratching and marking your car wasting time and fuel. Bags can be used for other things by arrangement only. £9 for 1; £16 for 2.

New home-based salon now open in Plumstead

Spray tanning just £12.50 throughout August Spray tanning in your own home from £20

Call Mel on 07795 164410For the latest offers please visit zazzibeauty.co.uk

www.facebook.com/zazzibeauty 12 Cherry Tree Road, Plumstead NR11 7LQ

Church Matters

Church Services27 Jul Trinity 6 10 am Matins Plumstead Church

Churchwardens 3 Aug Trinity 7 10 am Communion Matlaske Church

Priest: Rev Canon Peter Hartley 10 Aug Trinity 8 10 am Matins Baconsthorpe Church

Read by John Durdin 17 Aug Trinity 9 10 am Communion Barningham Winter Church

Priest: Revd Dr Bill Elliott 24 Aug Trinity 10 6:30 pm Evensong Hempstead Church

Priest: Rev Canon William Bestelink 31 Aug Trinity 11 10 am Communion Plumstead Church

Priest: Ven Michael Handley 7 Sep Trinity 12 10 am Matins Matlaske Church

Priest: Rev John Chandler

Rural IssuesI had a surprise 15 years ago when I was invited to be the Rural Officer for the Diocese of Norwich. The job was to know about rural issues and what is changing in the countryside so that the Church and others could better understand it.

I had always enjoyed the rural scenery but this gave me the opportunity to see what it is like for people actually living in rural areas of Norfolk. The term ‘environment’ has come to cover many things but the most obvious is a wish to protect and to enhance the qualities that many value. A decline of many facilities, such as the village shop, frequent buses and country pubs, has made life more difficult, especially for those without transport.

Another group is the farming community. Behind the outside, there are many problems, even in Norfolk. Apart from new challenges in farming practices, there are other problems facing farmers, such as the outbreak of Swine Fever in 1999 and then Foot and Mouth. Farming continues to change and most have had to diversify to survive. In retirement, I continue by being on a National Helpline for farmers; this year we have taken more calls than ever.

What I have learnt over the years is that rural issues are always more complex than one imagines. The same applies to most other issues in our Society. We always need to look beyond the obvious and seek all the factors involved.

Canon William Bestelink (who is taking the service on 24 August)

Interregnum NewsWe are arranging a meeting with the Bishop for all parishioners sometime in September.

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John Perry-Warnes

Your North Norfolk District Councillor

Please contact me if I can be of Service

concerning the following issues

Housing Council Tax

Waste Collection Planning Matters

Tel: 01263 715577perwar33@gmail.com

Join us onFriday 3rd Aug

at Ash Tree Farm, The Street, Baconsthorpe NR25 6LF

10:30 -- noonProceeds to the Newsletter

Thank you to the anonymous sponsor of this edition of the Newsletter

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FRIENDLY & RELIABLESHORT or LONG DISTANCE

Chapter and Verse An ode to the reintroduction of daylight to part of this year’s collection of books which have been stored below the stage at Hempstead Village Hall since last August.

Come all ye olde books now slumbering here –It’s time to awaken as Fête day draws near.It’s your chance, once again, to find yourselves new homes;To take your rightful place alongside more-illustrious tomes.A chance to spread the word of our sacred written English,So endangered of late by tongues far less distinguished.

Be ye factual or fiction; hard- or paper-back;On the learned bookshelf or in the humble magazine rack –Go sell yourselves; spread the word; broaden the outlook of us all;Seize your chance. New chapters awaitA fresh start from ‘our Tony’s’ bookstall. by our resident Ode Master

Come along and buy some at Hempstead Fête on August 10th at 2 pm.

Note: Your generous donations of fresh stocks will also be on sale – all at bargain prices!

Cookery Corner

With simple ingredients this dish is simply delicious! Serves four.

350g/12oz dried penne or other pasta115g/4oz thinly-sliced smoked salmon

2–3 fresh thyme sprigs30ml/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

150ml/¼ pint extra thick single (light) cream or soya cream

sea salt and ground black pepper • Cook the dried pasta in a large pan of

lightly-salted boiling water for 10 minutes until it is just tender (or as on packet).

• Cut the salmon into thin strips using a sharp kitchen scissors about 5 mm/¼ in wide.

• Strip leaves from the thyme sprigs and rinse them thoroughly in cold water.

• Drain the pasta and return to the pan.• Add the oil and heat gently; stir in the

cream with about one-quarter of the smoke salmon and thyme leaves.

• Season with pepper.• Heat gently for 3–4 minutes stirring all

the time.• Check the seasoning.• Divide the pasta among four warmed

bowls, top with the remaining salmon and thyme leaves and serve immediately.

• Delicious.

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Weekly EventsMondays * 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Line Dancing 711320Tuesdays † 10 am Hempstead Charcoal Drawing 711282Tuesdays † 10 am Baconsthorpe Diocesan Play Van 07918 027092Tuesdays * 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Indoor Bowls 711320

* Not on Bank Holidays    † Closed for Summer HolidayMonthly Events

1 Aug Fri @ 10:30 am Baconsthorpe Coffee & GossipAt Ash Tree Farm until noon. All Welcome for our summer outing to Baconsthorpe.

7 Aug Thu @ 12:30 pm Mobile Library Van See page 2 for times29 Aug Fri @ 10:30 am Hempstead Coffee & Gossip None in Sept

Special EventsJuly

26 Jul Sat @ 2:30 pm Matlaske FêteThe Matlaske Fête will be held under the trees inside the Matlaske entrance to Barningham Hall. A huge thank you to everyone who has offered to help. Please come and support us and have fun! There will be delicious teas served from Mrs Hook’s garden, a raffle, cake stall, bric-a-brac, tombola, books and plant stall as well as all the fun of traditional fête games all set to music provided by the wonderful organ. It would be lovely to see you there – Monies to go to St Peter’s, Matlaske and St Mary’s, Barningham Winter.

28 Jul Mon @ 9 am Baconsthorpe Churches Summer TrailThis summer from 28th July until 7th September the diocese have instigated ‘Summer Trail 2014’, i.e. church crawls. The participating churches are listed on line and each church has an individually-named stamp. Baconsthorpe is one of the participating churches. Others nearby are Aldborough, Briston, Corpusty, Edgefield, Holt, Itteringham, Little Barningham, Weybourne and Wickmere. To find out the full list of churches which have a stamp to collect and to download a colouring-in map visit www.dioceseofnorwich.org/summer

29 Jul Tue @ 4 pm Hempstead Police Surgery Bus shelter until 5 pm29 Jul Tue @ 5 pm Plumstead Police Surgery Bus shelter until 6 pm

August2 Aug Sat @ 2 pm Plumstead Mini Fête

Until 4:30 pm – Strawberry Teas – Stalls – Plants, Book stall (in Church), Cakes/Produce, Raffle – At Carpenters Cottage and the Church in aid of Church funds

What’s On

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‡

† Starts again on 8 October †

Date

Change

8 Aug Fri @ 10 am Hempstead Fête Set UpAll hands to the pump (well: tents, tables and chairs, actually). We need to take things from the Village Hall to the Playing Field ready for Sunday’s Fête. If you can be there then please be there. Lots of people needed to erect gazebos, etc.

10 Aug Sun @ 2 pm Hempstead FêteOn the Playing Field

13 Aug Wed @ 7 pm Hempstead Play Reading GroupWith the play reading starting at 7:30 in the Village Hall.

15 Aug Fri @ 7 pm Baconsthorpe Jumble Sale24 Aug Sun @ 2 pm Hempstead Police Surgery Bus shelter until 3 pm

Sun @ 3 pm Plumstead Police Surgery Bus shelter until 4 pm26 Aug Tue @ 3:40 pm Baconsthorpe Norman Lamb, MP Surgery

Outside the Old Post Office – Norman Lamb tours villages in his constituency each summer, holding an outdoor advice surgery at each location. It is not necessary to book an appointment in advance for the village tour. Anyone not able to make it to one of the village tour sessions can arrange an appointment with Mr Lamb via his office: 01692 403752 www.normanlamb.org.uk

September6–7 Sep 10 am–5 pm Hempstead Arts Exhibition

In its second year after last year’s resounding success, do come and view the work of a variety of artists in the Village Hall over the weekend. All items will be for sale. Refreshments (including soup and roll at lunch time). In aid of Hempstead Church. Any artists who would like to exhibit should contact Ann 713656, Su 710702 or Mike 711282 info@hempsteadarts.co.uk www.hempsteadarts.co.uk – closing date 5th August.

8 Sep Mon @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe PC MeetingIn Village Hall. All welcome.

13 Sep Sat @ 9 am Churches Cycle Ride 16 Sep Tue @ 2:30 pm Matlaske PCC Meeting26 Sep Fri @ 7:30 pm Matlaske Quiz

The quiz night has proved to be a very popular idea, so we have another quiz date for your diary at the Old Stables, Barningham Hall. Many thanks to Thomas and Amelia Courtauld for their continued support in letting us use this venue.

October2 Oct Thu @ 7 pm Hempstead Quiz Night

Choice of hot dishes (inc. vegetation) followed by Quiz – what could be better for an Autumn Evening? £6 each. Come on your own or as a team of up to five.

3 Oct Fri @ 7:30 pm Baconsthorpe Chandler Green Concert50s, 60s, 70s and 80s music and song. Tickets £5 per person to include refreshments, on sale now from John 711320.

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Baconsthorpe NewsEvents in Baconsthorpe

All of August  Churches Summer Trail1 Aug 10:30 am Coffee & Gossip15 Aug 7 pm Jumble Sale

More details on centre pagesAGMThe AGM was disappointing as no new people or village people attended to help the present committee with fund raising and general upkeep of your village hall. So the present committee will carry on to the best of their abilities for another year. You have a lovely modern hall with good space and facilities for anyone of all ages but with our small committee it’s impossible to say how much longer we can carry on. We will leave a lovely hall with enough money to run it for approximately 3 years without any fund raising being done. Please try to come along and support, but mainly use this lovely facility. Next meeting is on Thursday, 11 Sept at 7:30 pm. All welcome. J R Cooper

WelcomeWelcome to Heather and Karl, who have moved into 64 Castle Road. We wish them much happiness in their new home.

PC MembersAfter the recent AGM, members of the Parish Council are as follows:

Jonathan Cooper (Chair) 577527; Pam Youngs (Vice Chair) 577668;

Christopher Major 570229; Sophie Gibbs 577621; Emma Youngs 570252;Pat Chapman (Clerk) 733609.

CongratulationsTo Sarah and Oliver Husar on the birth of their identical twin daughters, who were born on 16th July. Lola, who weighed in at 5 lb 3 ozs and Keira not far behind at 5 lb 1 oz. Sisters for Amber. Identical twins... Must be a first for Baconsthorpe. Unless, of course, you know different?

Barningham NewsWelcome to Your New HomeTo Michael and Jo Cartwright and Runcie the Dog who have moved across the park to begin their retirement.

St Peter’s Patronal ServiceAfter much scurrying around (mostly clearing up the generous quantities of droppings left by the swallows nesting in the porch) and much to and fro of emails arranging details of the service itself, it finally took place without incident on the afternoon of July 29th. Attendance was slightly down on previous years at a total of forty-one persons but, after a morning of heavy showers, the sun shone and probably tempted many to opt for beach rather than church. The choir sang better than ever before. So much so that the congregation burst into spontaneous applause at one point! Much credit and many thanks are due to John Richley, who kindly volunteered not only to play the keyboard at the service itself, but also to rehearse the choir.

The service was conducted by the Rev Canon William Bestelink, to whom we are most grateful. Many thanks too to Amelia Courtauld who excelled herself with beautiful flower arrangements at the foot of the font and on the south windowsill; and to Sonia Palmer for charming posies at the foot of Dame Elisabeth Palgrave’s memorial and on the table. A very special thank you to Su Summers for coordinating arrangements with John Richley and Canon William Bestelink and proof-reading the Service Sheet, too. She did so much to contribute to the success of the day. CdeB

Barningham ConcertHuge thanks goes to John Perks who organised the ‘summer concert’ at St Mary’s church, Barningham Winter at the end of June. It was a wonderful evening with the Cantilena Choir who were joined by the soprano Jane-May Sysum and conducted by

Bed & Breakfast Ann & Richard Brooks welcome you into their quiet and comfortable home where guests have the use of the whole house and garden which has a tennis court and croquet lawn. Your hearty breakfast can be served anywhere from the beamed oak-furnished dining room to a shady spot in the garden.

Also Self-catering CottageChurch Farmhouse, Edgefield NR24 2AFTel: 01263 587208 Fax: 01263 587814

Rosemary Kimmins. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the evening by bringing the nibbles, raffle prizes and the wine. The evening raised over £1100 which will go to help support our little church, so many thanks to John and to all those that supported the event, which sadly was cut a little short by a thunderstorm which cut the power supply. A pair of glasses were found after the concert in the third row back on the left hand side of the church. They are in a blue Boots case. Please contact me on 577207 if they are yours. SB

Hempstead NewsEvents in Hempstead

29 Jul 4 pm Police Surgery8 Aug 10 am Fête Set Up

10 Aug 2 pm Fête13 Aug 7 pm Play Reading Group24 Aug 2 pm Police Surgery

More details on centre pagesWelcomeTo Michael Phillips and his two cats who have taken up residence in Church Cottage.

Get Well SoonBertie Harmer is out of hospital with a new hip joint. The operation appears to have gone well and he is walking about. Come back soon – your ramblings are missed.

Hempstead 200 Club£25 J Morter; £10 R Carver; £5 M Freegard, R Watters and D Nuttley.

Charity LunchThank you to everyone who supported the Charity Lunch in aid of the Norfolk Venda Education Project in South Africa. Michele and Ceri talked to us both in church and in the hall afterwards about their work with schools in the Limpopo area, amongst the Venda tribe. With the church service collection, the PCC donation, the lunch donations and reclaimed gift aid, we will be sending them £920. Thanks, too, to all who helped by donating food; and washing up!

Back numbers of newslettersbarninghamgroup.co.uk/newsletter

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Events at

Hempstead FêteContributions for the Books and Bric-a-brac stalls can be brought to the Village Hall between 10 am and noon from Monday–Friday, 4–8 August or at any other time by arrangement with Ian Summers 710702.

New this year: Badge Making – Bring your own designs – draw within the white circle below and cut out the larger grey circle. Or draw one on the day.

10Sunday

August

WILL’SProperty Maintenance

Inside and Out

General DIY Jobs, Tiling, Pressure

Washing, Mowing, Hedging, Strimming, Guttering, Paths, Patios, Fences, etc.

Work carefully undertaken01263 577581

Proud ParentsAmy Matthews was recently awarded a sports scholarship. She is also currently the East of England U14 High Jump Champion and holds the Gresham’s Prep School record for both high jump and 75m hurdles.

Pea GleaningWe all carry with us key memories from childhood that resonate more strongly than others and I can recall vividly a few from my youngest days:• Sitting in bed in the dark aged about four,

belting out the chorus line to the Eurovision winner Volare as the strains from the radio drifted upstairs from the kitchen below;

• Our cat Bonkers (he was) warming himself atop the paraffin heater in the aforementioned kitchen, slowly singeing;

• And eating peas straight from the pod in Dad’s veg patch with Colin Crane from next door – actually, what I remember most is the ensuing furore having been caught rather than eating them, but hey.

All of which leads me to the present – 30th June last to be precise – which dawned a perfect summer day. By mid-morning, word had come that local pea fields, having been harvested, were ready for gleaning.

Off we went like excited six-year olds (well, I was), cornfields gleaming in the sunshine and the countryside around, devoid of passing cars to delineate the lanes, seeming to stretch to the horizon. Like all good pickers we ate as we worked (!) but did, of course, bring some home. And what did we do with those peas that made it across the threshold? – made fresh pea soup perhaps? a pea risotto?

No! we scoffed them, of course and I would like to thank local farming folk for preserving this ancient rural tradition and adding it to the pleasures of black-berry picking (not long now) and foraging for holly and such-like to decorate the house at Christmas (yes, Hempstead Follies will be here before we know it, too: now where’s that grease-paint?) DC

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 Your Independent Memorial MasonMemorials in marble, stone and

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Brochures upon requestWorkshop: 01603 755524 Office: 01603 485691

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Lloyd DurhamIndependent Family

Funeral Directors

01263 713113 (24 hours)11a Avenue Rd, High Kelling NR25 6RD

Email: lloyddurham1933@aol.comFuneral Director:

Helen Wickes BSc, dipFD NAFD 13

Matlaske NewsEvent in Matlaske

26 Jul 2:30 pm FêteMore details on centre pages

ThanksMany thanks to those who suggested ideas for future village events. CW

CongratulationsCongratulations to Jonathan and Paula who were married in Hambledon, Hants on Saturday 19th July 2014.

100 Club£25 Tina Baynes; £10 Katy Kilsby; £5 Alan Dykes.

Plumstead NewsEvents in Plumstead

29 Jul 5 pm Police Surgery2 Aug 2 pm Mini Fête

24 Aug 3 pm Police SurgeryMore details on centre pages

Small Ads Would anyone like a single folding bed? Not A1 condition but usable. Donation to Newsletter funds. Yvette Gibson 712460.Static Caravan for sale: Willerby model level 35x12 1995 three-bedroom static caravan – has been used for self-build and now looking for new home. £750 – Buyer to collect. For more info contact Karen on 07769 112360.Experienced Carer available for Personal care; Companionship; Shopping; Laundry; Cooking; and Light housework. References available on request. 01263 715608/07811 385656.Hay for Sale 577459.

PuzzleAnswere to last month’s puzzle

27+64+125 = 216 or 33+43+53=63

NURSE CAREROver 25 years experience

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Krafty KnitterWool, knitting supplies

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Alby NR11 7QE07570 762658

thekraftyknitter.co.uk

The

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Champing at St Peter’sEnveloped in the noise and bustle of North London, I was delighted to receive an invitation to preview plans for champing at St Peter’s, North Barningham. You will all know of camping and even that ultimate luxury glamping, but the new thing is champing – the rare chance to camp in one of our lovely mediaeval churches. I jumped at the opportunity.

Days later, I found my way, not without difficulty, to St Peter’s, hidden in a forest of ancient trees deep in the remotest Norfolk countryside. My sat-nav gave little help and the black holes stopped my attempts to phone for guidance. At last, the shiny brown sign gave me hope. There, I was met by my hosts, deeply country folk of advanced years, who were thoughtfully cutting back the holly and nettles that might have blocked my entrance into the churchyard, as well as clearing the mountainous molehills.

We went into the church to escape the gale and rain. It must have been the loose tiles that gave the continuous background rattling as they danced in the wind. My hostess explained that they had planned the sleeping arrangements to avoid the worst of the drips in case of rain. ‘So why’, I asked, ‘have you bothered with the magnificent wind-up sunshade?’ ‘There is’ she said, ‘the odd bat and we thought people from London might be troubled by droppings.’

While showing me round the magnificent monuments to members of the Palgrave family, who ruled in Norfolk for hundreds of years, we arrived at Sir Austin and Dame Elizabeth. ‘We thought you would like to spend the night watched over by Dame Elizabeth. He wouldn’t be much help in an emergency, but she will see you right.’ I looked down and found a rather lumpy looking mattress and some rugs. ‘We wanted’, she explained, ‘to make your night

From Our Metro Correspondent

an authentic heritage experience, so we stuffed a bale of barley straw into two large sacks. In case it’s cold, I’m lending you a couple of South American ponchos. You see, when I was a girl and the men had to drive the cattle to market, the men rode and the cattle walked for up to a week and at night the men just wrapped themselves in their ponchos and used their saddles for pillows. If they managed, I’m sure you will.’

I asked where I could go for supper. I must have missed some of the directions because the pub I found hadn’t opened its doors for years, but all was well when I recalled some mention of football and got a splendid meal at West Beckham. On return to St Peter’s, after missing a few turns on the way, and glad I had remembered to bring a torch, I was welcomed by the glow of a hundred nightlights and the soothing sound of a welsh harp with bassoon accompaniment. At intervals, a ghostly figure read me local legends from the pulpit, like the tale of the smugglers’ tunnel from the church to the Hall, still stuffed with brandy casks to this day. As the nightlights gradually guttered and died, the reader and the players, dressed all in black, slipped away into the night and I into a dreamless sleep.

But not for long. It might have been the bats or some creature sharing the barley straw of my mattress or just the result of my generous supper, I woke to the need to search for the tent and the camping loo hidden discreetly among the blackthorns. By now, the beam from my torch was getting feeble, so I stumbled among the earthworks of the rabbits and the moles, but the storm had cleared and a wondrous show of stars was revealed – no light pollution from street lamps here! It was, however, a bit disturbing as I returned to my mattress to find that I could still navigate by the bright glow of Saturn through a gap in the tiles.

Bed and BreakfastBlacksmith’s Cottage

Baconsthorpe Emma Youngs

01263 570 252 or 07884 432 412tinyurl.com/ckwzo6p

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Just as I was getting back to sleep and thought I was mastering the nobbly bits in my mattress, the dawn chorus started in earnest. I could recognise the blackbirds, but what was this weird, ghostly barking? And what was the rhythmic hiss-splash-clap? The church does not, of course, have the luxury of curtains to keep out the early light, apart from a crimson velvet pair to hide the cracks in the plaster behind the altar table, so I had to get up and fill the time by playing imaginary scales on the non-working harmonium – it has patent mouse-proof pedals (and is labeled as such) but alas the mice must have climbed higher to nest in the bellows, so no sound.

I was thus engaged when the old couple appeared with a wonderful breakfast and Thermoses of coffee. They explained about the habits of muntjac and the mystery barking, as well as the thirsty sound of potato watering. They even invited me home for a hot shower and soothing cream for my bug bites.

My night in St Peter’s was indeed an unforgettable experience, under the stern gaze of Dame Elizabeth Palgrave, but I must admit that the hospitality package needs some redesign before launching it to a wider public. M

Please do not try to book a heritage night at St Peter’s until more-reliable details are available – Ed

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CAST IRON COOKERS

Service & RepairJon Cooper

Dales House, The Street, Baconsthorpe NR25 6AB

01263 577527 or 07767 494369

Car ValetingService

Fed up with queuing at the car wash?Let me come to the location of your

choice and clean your car. From a basic car wash to a full valet.

Example: Wash, hoover, dust and air freshener for just £12.00 (within a five-mile radius of Holt)

Phone Dave: 07825 544045 01263 711850 (evenings)

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A reliable, friendly, efficient service in the comfort of your own home

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26Saturday

July

2

SaturdayAugust

10Sunday

August

MatlaskeFête

2:30 pm

PlumsteadMini Fête

2 pm

HempsteadFête2 pm