Surlingham

Surlingham St Mary services are on:
13th March at 11am – Holy Communion
27th March at 10am – Mothering Sunday, with cakes 🍰 🎂 🧁

Please note that the next ‘Men’s Mardle’ will now be a week later than usual on Wednesday 9th March between 12.00 and 14.00. I hope that many of you will still be able to join us.

In order to keep everyone safe if you are joining us, please would you take a Lateral Flow Test beforehand, unless exempted. Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Information received from David Fairbourn

On the first Wednesday of each month (usually), men of all ages from our villages have the opportunity to meet together for a chat (Mardle) at The Ferry House by the river in Surlingham. Sonia always sets a group of tables aside for us and provides a warm welcome, with good food and drink to meet all tastes and requirements. There is no fixed agenda or topic, so we get all sorts of discussions*#@?!!

So chaps, if you have time to spare, then why not come and join us.

We have spaces if you would like to join Tiny Acorns woodland toddler group at Wheatfen!

The available spaces are on a Thursday and Friday afternoon 1pm-3pm. Our morning sessions (10am-12pm) are currently fully booked but you can join the waiting list if you wish.

Each session cost £10 for the whole family or £5 if you receive universal credit. This is payable termly in advance. You are welcome to bring as many of your family members as will fit in one car. If you can walk or cycle, even better!

What to expect: Activities include painting, clay, mud kitchen, rope climbing, swinging, sharing a story, den building, and activities inspired or provided by the weather and changing seasons. We play with whatever nature has to offer! Equally, if you like exploring undisturbed, the tranquil environment and relaxed atmosphere lend themselves perfectly to quiet wandering. We gather for refreshments mid session and sing a song together at leaving time. You can see what a typical session looks like on our Instagram feed.

Tiny Acorns participants automatically get a place at Seedlings Saturday Forest School group when they start school.

If you would like to join, please call Rose Hoare on 07956 704195, email info@wheatfenforestschool.co.uk, or send us a message through the Wheatfen Forest School facebook page.

What is the Platinum Jubilee Grant?

South Norfolk Council has established a new grant to support Parish councils across the district to organise a celebratory event during the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend of 2^nd to 5^th June 2022.

What will the Platinum Jubilee Grant support?

The grant will be available to help towards the costs that may occur when organising Platinum Jubilee events for the community. Parish councils are eligible to apply for the grant and must demonstrate the funds are to support the provision of an event for residents. Successful applicants will be required to provide a short summary of the event with photographs after it has taken place for promotional purposes. Parish Councils will be able to apply for a £200 grant to cover costs.

If the Parish Council is not holding an event themselves, they can still apply for funding which can passed onto a local group or organisation who are organising an event on the Platinum Jubilee Weekend. This should be stated on the application form and the group/organisation may still be asked to provide receipts and event analysis.

Who is eligible to apply for the Platinum Jubilee grant?

All Parish Councils in South Norfolk are eligible to apply for the Platinum Jubilee grant. The grants will be awarded on receipt of a completed application form and only one grant per council.

How do I apply for the Platinum Jubilee grant?

If you are organising an event in Surlingham for the community over the Jubilee weekend and want to apply for a grant, contact the Parish Council via ‘Contact us’ on this website or contact the Clerk on 538921 and explain what you are planning. The Parish Council will apply for the grant on your behalf.

Applications to the Parish Council by 31 March 2022. Please note that payments will be made in April 2022.

Bookings are now open for The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun, a programme of free activities that will run over the Easter holidays for 5–16-year-olds across Norfolk.

The scheme is provided as part of the government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme and is being delivered by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Active Norfolk.

After the success of the Christmas programme HAF is returning from 4 April though till 19 April with free activities for children eligible for means-tested free school meals. There’ll be a fantastic range of activities taking place including outdoor adventure sports, dance and drama and circus skills across the county. With so many activities on offer, children will have an excellent range of ventures to take part in and may even discover a new passion.

The sessions offer children the chance to learn and develop new skills, alongside receiving a free nutritious lunch each day. Booking is on a first-come-first-served basis, with limited spaces for many activities, so families should book soon to avoid disappointment.

Parents will be sent promotional codes from their children’s school which they’ll need to use online to book their children onto an activity. Families are encouraged to explore the wide range of activities available and book as soon as possible.

Bookings open on Monday 21 February, details of the activities available and further information on how to book can be found here Big Norfolk Holiday Fun – Active Norfolk.

Posted on behalf of Councillor Vic Thomson

We have a parcel addressed to our house but addressed to Vic Rad. Does anybody know the name? If so please contact 01508 538121.

Information received from Bob Branscombe

I would like to thank the village and beyond for the support that my business, Surlingham Garage, has received over the last 29 years.

When I look back, at the age of 21, I must have been crazy(!) standing in a Bank Manager’s office asking for a loan to buy a closed, run down village garage – what was I thinking?

My luck though must have been in, as he lent me the money. Peter Rob (NatWest Bank) – his name I will remember forever.

Over the years, the garage has performed amazingly due to the hard work and effort of the fantastic staff I have been lucky to have had working for me and I hope I have been a decent person to work for.

At the end of this week, I will be handing over ownership of Surlingham Garage to Neil Evans before leaving the UK mid March for an exciting new chapter of adventure.

Neil first came to my workshop on work experience as a 15 year old from Hobart High School.  He seemed ideal, so I offered him an apprenticeship if he wanted it when he left school, which thankfully he took me up on.

18 years on, Neil knows modern cars extremely well, probably better than me now, and is going to take on the business with experience, excitement and enthusiasm.

He’s got a fantastic team around him with Stephen (workshop) and Donna and Carol (office). 

All contact details will be staying the same so, if you have a car problem, he will be very pleased to look after you.

Wishing you all the best

Kevin Priest

Information received from Surlingham Garage