Surlingham

The Parish Council is looking to update its Emergency Plan, which was lasted reviewed in 2021. Thank you to all of you who volunteered your services for the previous Emergency Plan.

The Emergency Plan is community based, which will ONLY be put in place in the event of exceptional circumstances; Surlingham is cut off form all normal services for a prolonged period or an extreme incident (severe weather).

Co-ordinators and volunteers would only be called upon until emergency services were able to attend.

Volunteers are needed with the following skills or knowledge:  

• Access Clearance – people skilled in the use of, and in possession of chain saws, tractors, and 4 wheel drive vehicles.
• Medical Aid – people with either a medical or basic first aid qualification or experience.
• Welfare – people to assist at the parish hall to provide refreshment, and support.

If you would be prepared to help (or continue to volunteer) to help in such a situation; please email: clerk@surlingham-pc.gov.uk with your name, telephone number, and details of the skills you can offer by 30th October 2025.

Thank you,

The following details Operation Radium, an initiative tackling courier fraud.

The highly anticipated Bacchus Harvest season has arrived, and we’re thrilled to open our vineyard gates once again for a very special Open Public Harvest Experience – running for just 5 exclusive days!

We’re excited to invite you to our special Open Public Harvest over 5 days!

📅 September Dates:
 Thursday 25th, Friday 26th, Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th&  Monday 29th September

Your harvest adventure includes:

• 9am prompt – Welcome briefing & tool distribution
• Morning – Join the team among the vines and help hand-pick our beautiful Bacchus grapes
• Mid-morning – Recharge with fresh tea/coffee and hearty Egg & Bacon rolls
• 5pm – Return to the winery for a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process
• Evening – Raise a glass of our 2024 wines, swap stories with fellow harvesters, and enjoy a celebratory feast – our heartfelt thank you for being part of the magic!

As the day winds down, savour our 2024 wines, share stories, and enjoy an evening feast, as a thank you, with fellow wine lovers. 

⚠️ Places are strictly limited and always in high demand – don’t miss out!

👉 To secure your spot, email info@winbirri.com with your preferred dates and group size.

Let’s make the 2025 vintage unforgettable – together in the vines, with laughter, wine, and memories to last a lifetime.

Here’s to a bountiful harvest! 🥂

Information provided by Winbirri Vineyard

Teles patisserie will be open from Saturday after their break. Usual opening hours Wed to Sunday 10-4.

info from Ana at Teles.

Coming up … the chance to find out more about the fascinating story of Wheatfen as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days programme from this Sunday 14th September until Thursday 18th September

Information received from Katie Thompson

Information received from Sally Neave

The Barn reopened on Sept 1st and has hosted the first quiet day of the season, with more quiet days and workshops for groups to follow. Here’s news of forthcoming events, beginning with tomorrow’s Art Cafe:

On Wednesday (10th) Art Cafe in the Barn opens its doors from 10.30am with news of an exciting community art project for Advent and Christmas, plus opportunities to draw, chat or make.

Online Art Cafe returns on Sept 17th with Menorcan Artists Past and present . Following July’s introduction to the island, we look at some of the artists who were born or made their home in Menorca.

Sept 21st is the Feast of St. Matthew, which we will mark with Still with Matthew, spending time with the portrait of Jesus that emerges through his writing and the stories he records. Still meets in The Barn from 4pm-5.30pm.

Looking ahead

Art Cafe on the Road October 8th

During the summer, Norwich Castle Museum fully re-opened with its refurbished Norman royal quarters and a stunning collection of medieval objects, including loan items from the British Museum. Also, Norwich Cathedral has engaged with the arts in a new way, following the closure of the Hostry exhibition space. Art in the Close showcases sculpture by Lynn Chadwick and John Maine. (Castle admission £17 or £15.30 advanced online; Cathedral Close admission free with optional booklet £2). Please let me know if you’d be interested to join us for one or both visits on Oct 8th.

https://www.norwichcastle.norfolk.gov.uk/article/30287/Whats-here-at-Norwich-Castle

Art Cafe future dates

In the Barn    Oct 15th & Nov 12th

Online            Nov 26th

Still dates

Still with Prayer     Oct 19th

Still before Advent Nov 23rd

With best wishes, Rev Nick

7th September marks the beginning of the Harvest Festival season, with the Harvest Thanksgiving at Carleton St. Peter, 11am. All long-life foods gratefully received, but the Norwich Foodbank are particularly hoping for items listed on their attached poster. Donations can be made at our harvest services or the Rectory until October 15th. After Carleton’s service you’re warmly invited to stay on for snacks and drinks, with all donations to church funds. At Claxton (9.30am) Communion will be celebrated.

Celtic Prayer resumes on Tuesday (9th) at 10am in Surlingham Church porch.

On Wednesday (10th) Art Cafe in the Barn opens its doors from 10.30am with news of an exciting community art project for Christmas. At 7.30pm we’re meeting there with friends from across the Group at 7.30pm for Connecting With, looking at how we can promote life events such as weddings, dedications and blessings aimed at younger parishioners. All interested parties welcome.

Saturday (13th) sees the Annual Norfolk Churches Cycle Ride. Please contact me if you are riding/walking for any of our benefice churches. I will be happy to sponsor you.

On the following Sunday (14th) we’re marking Holy Cross Day, a festival when we give thanks for all it means, with Communion services at Rockland (9.30am) and Surlingham.

With good wishes for the new season,

Information received from Rev Nick Garrard