eeCELEBRATING OVER 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS MOT Testing Class 4 & 7 SPECIALISING IN * Now offering Hofmann 4-wheel alignment AUDI GROUP * Tyres and batteries from stock VEHICLES * Large motorhomes catered for = * Most makes of vehicles serviced @ = i CHRIS SPRAGG, LEZIATE DROVE GARAGE LTD Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm, Saturday 9am-12pm Tel: 01553 630999 Lezia t x 10D drovegarageltd.co.uk cea) eee eye ca Sr Pea eee kn) Ever * Competitive pricing to suit all tastes Or nC ee ea) tars moving furniture, uplift & disposal of * Overwhelming choice of carpet, Vinyl, previous fiooring and door trimming Karndean, safety flooring, LVT's, Real Wood * Domestic or Commercial inate samples brought directly to you work carried out x looring.co.uk Tener ee nee Soe Seats eee ce SES rE Registored No: 8956560. Vat No: 171416230 2 | Village LinkTHE VILLAGE LINK GRIMSTON, POTT ROW, ROYDON & CONGHAM Cree Ravana auncentonteent Hello Everyone, This month's cover picture is of one of the many abandoned and unwanted kittens that were cared for by our local RSPCA branch, who ask please have your cat neutered to avoid this. If you would like to have your pet on the cover please submit your pictures for consideration. Best wishes Your Editor The Deadline for submissions for the June issue is 17th May EDITOR: Chrissy Shale grimstonvillagelink@outlook.com KL-617817 ADVERTISING: Roger Haywood, — haywood301@btinternet.com KL-630301 Contributions by e-mail should be sent as plain textor if on paper should be delivered to 9,Leziate Drove, Pott Row PE32 1B Distribution: George Wood (Congham), Mary Roper (Grimston), Kath Evison (Roydon), Roger Haywood (Pott Row) WEB SITE: Steve Williamson —_ editor@ggmbenefice.uk KL- 630203 OUR PASTORAL TEAM Revd Jane Holmes Team Rector 01553 636227 jmh200@btinternet.com Rev'd Judith Pollard Team Vicar 01485 601251 wotzpoliard@aol.com Rev'd Sue Martin Hospice Chaplain 01553 636303 suemartin2gayton@hotmail.com Joy Smith Reader 01485 600769 joysmith56@tiscall.co.uk Nell Steele Reader 01553 840814 nellsteele@btinternet.com For Pastoral Care please contact either Revd. Jane or Revd. Judith as above. ST. BOTOLPH'S CHURCH, GRIMSTON Wardens: Mrs Jan. Willson, 50 Chapel Road, Pott Row 601666 ST. ANDREWS CHURCH, CONGHAM Wardens: Mrs Helen Lilley, Heath House, Hillington 600153, Mrs Hilary Scase, Little Congham House, Congham 600650 ALL SAINTS CHURCH, ROYDON Wardens: Mr Colin Grimes, 74, Station Road, Roydon 600059 Mr Ivan Hudson, 72, Station Road, Roydon 600471 CHURCH ORGANISATIONS WAHM Club: Mrs Joy Smith, 16, Gayton Road, Grimston 600769 Child Protection Officer: Mrs Shirley Hone, 8, Lynn Road, Grimston 600750 Bell Ringers: Mr Michael Harding, 4, Stebbings Close Pott Row Grimston 600041 POTT ROW METHODIST CHURCH Minister: Rev. Catherine Dixon, 9, Peckover Way, South Wootton ——-01553-676918 Church Mr Stephen Watts, 32 Chapel Road 600593 Village Website: www.grimston.org.uk Village Link | 3TO ALL PARISHIONERS So now we're in the merry month of May, sitting comfortably at the crossroads of Spring and Summer. This month many historical influences are strongly felt. “Cast not a clout until May is out” is an old warning not to shed winter clothing too early in the year. The wind at North and East was never good for man nor beast, so never think to cast a clout until the month of May be out Lets hope the weather improves so that 'clouts' (clothing, rags, patches) can be cast with impunity! The Anglo-Saxons called this month thrimilce because then cows could be milked three times a day, The present name, from the Latin Malus, probably refers to Maia the goddess of growth & increase. May is a month of blossom. Virgil says that Roman youths used to go out into the fields and spend May Day dancing and singing in honour of Flora — another goddess, this time of fruits and flowers. The English have long celebrated May Day with games and sports — particularly archery and Morris dancing; and the setting up of the maypole on the village green for dancing around with long ribbons. There was also a competition for the prettiest girl, the May Queen. May used to be a popular girls' name and is still occasionally used. May Day was also (in times mercifully gone by) the festival for London chimney sweepers. It also has a deep political connotations for the Labour movement, being International Labour Day. “Here we go gathering nuts in May’ from the children's nursery song is probably a corruption of “knots of May” referring to the old custom of gathering posies (knots) of flowers or hawthorn twigs on May Day. May blossom is another name for hawthorn, There are no nuts to be gathered in May! In the Church calendar, May is the month of Ascension day and Whit Sunday — also called Pentecost, of Whitsun weddings, work outings and public holidays: of the coming of the Holy Spirit to inspire and invigorate the life and worship of the Church. It is a welcome time of renewal and new growth. We would do well to tap into this resurgent Maytime blossoming and growth — we really need it in our lives, our communities, our churches. If a few people do a lot all of the time it's really hard work for them; but if many people regularly do a little it can be far less burdensome — fun even! Finally, Mayday is an internationally accepted radio signal word for distress/danger used by aircraft or ships. It comes from the French for ‘help me’ (m'aider). In these troubled times globally perhaps we should pray fervently that this May, mayday will not be needed... With my love and prayers, Reverend Judith 4 | Village LinkAmanda's Home Help Domestic - Cleaning - Ironing Based in Grimston Established 2004 01485 609147 07799 821896 amanda@amandashomehelp.co.uk www .amandashomehelp.co.uk ANDREW W WRIGHT LTD Landscape and Gardening Services SEASONED FIREWOOD Tel. 01485 570159 Mobile 07791 539280 CHRIS CASELEY DOMESTIC OIL FIRED BOILER ENGINEER COMMISSION, SERVICE, REPAIR Central Heating Systems Power Flushed WORK GUARANTEED COMPETITIVE PRICES TEL: 01553-828148 MOBILE 079313 55595 New Build + Extensions « Renovation Household, Industrial or Commercial “Undertaking building projects throughout West Norfolk” ‘Ailwork guaranteed and carried outto 8 high standard by qualified Trades People FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION ‘QUOTATION Tel: 01553 827374| yo" Family meg Esiablshed Fay Business for over 100 Years Pott Row, PF32 1BY Purveyors of Qualty fresh meats, Pork Sausages, Burgers, Pork Cheese, Home Cooked Pies, Pasties and Cakes (all made to our own family recipes) COLIN THE CARPENTER All types of doors Supplied & fitted All types of roofs All carpentry work Phone Colin on 01553 630678 Mobile Unisex Hairdresser Call Linda on 07876121216 The Cottage, 5 Shoperdsgate Road, Organic and Free Range Poutry or 07931873290 rey Ae ena Telephone Daytime 600222 1 Ashwicken Road Enai ai Evening 600127 Pott Row Linda's | C.P. WILSON) (aes f: PANTER & DECORATOR Se Miracurls ‘Ted THTERIOR-EFTEREGR PHURTIN 4, BSCORATING « PAPERHANSINE ARTEITIA® + ABROLUIB 6. TILING « FREE ESTINATES *No Time *Need Help? Don't Worry be Happy :) Ey, MOB: 07732733562 Village Link | 5Support for computers running Microsoft GARAGE DOOR SERVICES Windows + Advice Repairs, Automation & installation Troubleshooting of All Types of Garage Doors Disaster Recovery ~ Networks Training Same/Next day service on all : 20 yrs commercial experience calls before 2pm Michael de Whalley BA 01553 621551 + 07827 668376 Tel: 01485 600394 Email: m_de_whalley Email: gbgaragedoorservicest?oulloak.com @hotmail.com wwnw.facebook.com/GBgaragedoorservices CARPET. CLEANING OVEN CLEANING Sofa, Chair & Curtain Cleaning * Window Cleaning Gutter & Facia Cleaning * Conservatory Cleaning SS Patio Clea The area's most regular, quality reliable service Call Mike at Clean Tech 01485 609223 (7am to 10pm daily) 24 hour's notice required for any cancellation Cash, card, bank and cheque payments. j Yoga j Andrew Page -Architect Plans drawn for Local Authority Classes Planning & Building Regulations applications Full architectural services Pott Row & Flitcham House extensions to large commercial projects New builds - Extensions - Alterations Listed buildings & Conversions Deb Barlow Yoga Competitive & fast efficient service Tel: 07944955962 For no commitment initial consultation contact Andrew Page Email: M; 07891 653458 E: andrew@ap-architect.uk debbarlowyoga@gmail.com Qualified architect since 1982 www.debbarlowyoga.com 1:1 on request 6 | Village LinkA View from Lanky Hill Well, Easter came and thankfully went in an appalling four days of weather. There was little chance to enjoy the first Bank Holiday weekend of the year. No gardening was possible due to flooded ground and anybody going out for the day was confronted by queues of traffic, all of them unsure about how to amuse themselves in such awful weather. We stayed here, and | thought back to my childhood days with the family. Easter Monday was the annual family outing to Fakenham Races. Joined by an elderly uncle and aunt from Birmingham, we arrived early at the racecourse. This enabled us to park adjacent to the actual racetrack, a good vantage point for watching the racing With plenty of time to spare, we would walk the dogs around the nearby fields and hedges. If Easter was late, spotting birds nesting was a favourite pastime. My prized find was the nest of a long tailed tit, an intricate dome of moss, lichens and spiders' webs — quite wonderful Hungry after our rural ramble, a picnic lunch was made ready on our return. This could vary according to the weather. | remember hot soup and sausage rolls, served inside the car whilst snow showers blew outside. Conversely, | recall shirt sleeve order sat on blankets outside, eating ham sandwiches and ice cream. That's how it is at Fakenham in April. This time, the course management had the last laugh. The ground being too heavy after well over an inch of rain, they cancelled the whole event! One annual Spring event was not late this year. After a most unusually mild and pleasant day on Saturday 7" April, several house martins returned on the next day. Quick reference to old diaries confirmed this to be their earliest for some years. Alas, this was short lived as on the Monday we had a mini return of the “Beast from the East’. A week of misty, sunless days, accompanied by single figure temperatures and they disappeared. Where to, | know not. However, with the children back to school on the 16” April, the weather naturally improved, and our little friends returned, hopefully now for the duration of the summer. Happy nesting to them all, they certainly deserve a bit of luck. I can also report that the early spuds are all planted, the lawns cut for the first time, and by the time | write to you next month, | shall be another year older. (Hint! Hint!) Mike Chamberlain GREENFINGERS' PLANT & CAKE SALE Saturday, May 26", 10.00 a.m. until 12.00 noon in The Village Hall, Pott Row Stock up on seedlings, plants and cake! Refreshments available. Ww Free entry All welcome. Proceeds for club funds Village Link | 7GRIMSTON MEDICAL CENTRE 01485 600341 TRAVEL VACCINES We can provide vaccination against diseases such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis and Rabies. Our practice nurses have access to Travax™ and Nathnac Travel Health Pro, travel websites for health professionals that provide the latest information about vaccination requirements and malaria prophylaxis. If you are planning to travel abroad, make an appointment to see the practice nurse about eight weeks before departure so that you can discuss your travel vaccination needs and receive all the necessary immunisations in good time. 8 | Village LinkYOUR LOCAL OIL HEATING SPECIALISTS FOR ALL YOUR OIL HEATING NEEDS, CALL BYWATER BOILER SERVICES Tel 01485 601461 SERVICING, REPAIRS & INSTALLATIONS RELIABLE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE GUARANTEED CARLTON’S SOLID FUEL APPROVED COAL MERCHANT GREAT MASSINGHAM SMOKELESS & OPEN FIRE FUELS QUALITY FUELS AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE ON 500 KG OR MORE FOR AN ORDER OR QUOTE TEL: 01485-520637 ot 07780-776576 HE | HREE HORSESHOES Local country pub in the heart of the village of Roydon. Serving real ales and traditional pub food. We will be opening 7 days a week from Monday 7th May Mon-Fri Food: 12-3pm & 5.30-9pm, Drinks 12-11pm Saturday Food: 12-9pm. Drinks 12-11pm Sunday Food: 12-8pm, Drinks 12-10.30pm Bank holiday Monday 28th May - BBQ starts at 4pm with Bandioke playing live from 5pm - 8pm wayne.saint@thethreehorseshoespub.co.uk Tel: 01485 600666 Village Link | 9SHEDS ; Cay FENCING West Norfolk Electrical RIAL ND HEDGE TRIMMING ip lla Phone Eric on 01553-630208 Mobile 07867- 860820 Free Estimates Ballroom & Latin DOMESTIC i i G.W.LAKE American Dancing SnD CUEE APPLIANCE Pott Row Village Hall wide ore REPAIRS Every Wednesday oftesse A Washing Machines Children’s Classes 6-6.45pm £3 || groketees Tumble Dryers ‘Adult Improvers 7-8pm £5 Fuels. Cookers Adult Beginners 8-9pm £5 Collections 25kg bags Fridges and Freezers t Yard HILL FARM, DK APPLIANCES For details POT as caoste NY | | Shop 01553 768557 Sorte sotass Mobile 07775 858255 C. P. COOPER Mole Control and PLUMBING & Pest Services Ltd HEATING Alan V. Barlow Tel. 01553 674 508 3 The Grove, Mobile: 07971 772 732 Pott Row : Mobile 07789 758741 for all your plumbing . Home 01485 600178 and heating needs 10 | Village LinkHOLLY MEADOWS YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB @ £ y IS LOOKING FOR NEW PLAYERS!! Our first Wednesday session was fantastic in the warm Spring sunshine and we'd like more young children to come and join us! If your child is currently in school year 1 or reception class (aged 4, 5 or 6), our pay and play sessions (£3 each time) take place every Wednesday, 5-6pm, on the field at Holly Meadows School, Vong Lane, Pott Row PE32 1BW, so come along and find out what we're about. All children are welcome, even if they only want to have a run around for an hour on Wednesdays and don't really want to play for a team! Our coaches are FA qualified and we treat all our players equally during both training and matches, irrespective of their current ability levels and we actively follow and promote the FA Respect Codes. If you'd like to find out more, email us at hollymeadowsyfc@gmail.com, check out our page at https://www.facebook.com/HMYFC/, or call one of us on the below numbers We hope you can join us! Phil Hurr - Chairman Nigel Billing - Secretary and Welfare Officer 07881 905067 07771 840894 Owls "OWLS" had a good start to our year of lunches with a visit to "The Hare Arms" at Stow Bardolph. The food and service were both good...and well worth the visit. The next visit was to "The Rose and Crown" Harpley, also good food...delicious calamari rings, and fried fish. Some sad news...we are very sorry that one of our early members Mary Macneil- Watson has passed on. She enjoyed many a lunch with us and although frail in body she was sharp of mind and appetite. God Bless. We have 2 more lunch dates planned. The first is May 23 at The Ffolkes Arms Hillington, and the second is "The Kings Arms "Shouldham on June 20. Both times are 12 midday. If you are interested in coming along, please contact me, Judith Gough, on 01485 609217 or better still, email on goughpj@btinternet.com. Transport can be provided.” Village Link | 11Holly Meadows School Summer has finally arrived at Holly Meadows. It is wonderful to see so many of our children learning in the great outdoors, enjoying the sunshine. Our whole school theme for the term is ‘Water’ and our Early Years and Key Stage One rooms have been transformed to take the children ‘Under the Sea’. Staff are busy planning exciting learning activities and thinking about trips and visitors to book in. There are so many possibilities for us to learn about water here in Norfolk! Year 4 and 5 are looking forward to the second part of their ‘Rivers Day’ project with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Norfolk Rivers Trust, where they will study the local river site near to Well Hall Lane in Gayton; learning about wildlife, river restoration, issues around water quality and security. We have just received the list of pupils joining us in reception in September and look forward to getting to know each of them very soon, starting with a new intake meeting here on the 16" May. If you have recently moved into the area and have children due to start school this year or next year, do contact us so that you can come and look around. A community governor recently stood down from their position here at Holly Meadows. If you are interested in supporting the school by joining the governing body, please contact us on 01485 600241 to arrange an appointment. Don't forget to put Meadowfest 2018 on your diary for this year. This community event, organised by our PTA, will take place at the school on Saturday 16" June 12- 5pm. Jennie Wildsmith-Garton Headteacher Holly Meadows School Grimston and District WI The speaker at our March meeting was Chris Tansley from Coastal Vets. He was very interesting, talking to us about various diseases and mishaps our pets may have, showing us x-rays and answering questions from several pet owners. Our competition was an animal picture and was won by Rose Poole for a comical picture of cats, second was Jenny Brice for a beautiful portrait of her dog and third was Pat Bridges for a photo of her cat. Our May meeting is resolutions, puddings and savouries on May 21", when we can all look forward to sampling a range of homemade treats. 12 | Village Link