Is it Natural Gas or Laughing Gas? Part 2 of Delwyn Snaith's saga!

                            We left Delwyn with high expectations as he had been assured that both sorts of window cutters were going to turn up.  Did it run smoothly from now on? Read on to find out.........

9 March:                  It's Sunday - the Big Day. They should be here any minute; well, perhaps any hour; well, perhaps any day now. You’ve guessed it, nobody turned up.

10 March 2014        Telephoned Shirley who said that she had tried to telephone on Saturday to let us know that they had the window cutting tool but could not get a window cutting person who wanted the overtime and was prepared to come out on a Sunday. My patience was now getting pretty thin, and we agreed that the job would be done on 20 March. This gave them ten days to get their act together. What do you think happened? 

19 March:                A lorry from Morrison’s, contractors to National Grid plc, arrives and drops off some road signs and safety barriers.  Things are looking up.

20 March:                08:30  Two men from Morrison’s arrive to install the gas pipe.

                                 Have we been here before?

                                 09:30  We had two men looking at a metal pipe in a big hole, one of them on the telephone. After half an hour the one not on the telephone came to the door to say they had not been able to contact the window cutter who was supposed to cut the window in the pipe.  They said that they would not leave until the job was finished.

                                 10:30  A third man arrived – the supervisor.  He assured me that we would have gas today.

                                 14:30  Another lorry arrives.  It's the window cutter and guess what? No, you’re wrong. He HAS got a window cutter and in fifteen minutes he's cut the window and gone.

You might ask where had he been all morning, and where was he going to in such a hurry.  Well, apparently, the story goes like this:

§  The Morrison’s scheduler had sent two men to dig a hole for me, but had not arranged for a window-cutter man.

§  The scheduler had sent the window-cutter man to another job in Suffolk, but had failed to send any diggers to that site.  

§  So, my two men stood around for half a day looking at the hole in the road, wondering where the window cutter had got to.

§  At that time, the window cutter was at another job, looking at a tarmaced road and wondering where the diggers had got to.

OK,  back to the best bit of the story. We now have a window in the black metal pipe, and we can see the yellow gas pipe and, hey presto, they make the connection and we now have gas.  But wait – the tale does not end there.

You might now be thinking that as we’ve got the gas, what else could go wrong? Don't forget that we’re dealing with Morrison/National Grid.

21 March:                A lorry arrives with two men who filled the hole with some hardcore and tamped it down with a jump-up-and-down oscillating tamping machine, commonly known as a “whacker”. Very efficient. They then left saying that the tarmac guys would be along tomorrow.

                                 “What's wrong with that?”, you ask.   

                                 Well, later the same day a lorry turned up. The driver had three bags of permanently soft tarmac, which he broke up into small pieces and put into the hole. He raked this with a shovel to get it as smooth as possible, as that was the only tool he had brought.  Now, I have just said that the only tool he had brought was a shovel (no whacker). So he whacked the tar down with his shovel and said that it would be all right, as the passing cars would do the rest.

Three weeks after this episode, the proper tarmac job was undertaken.

Oh,  I nearly forgot.

24 March:                British Gas telephoned to ask if they could postpone the installation of the meter until later in the week, and we agreed that “later in the week” would be the next day.

                                 I then received a second telephone call from British Gas saying that their engineer was unable to install the meter tomorrow.  I was asked if it would be convenient for their guy to come along and install it within the next forty minutes.  I said YES.  He duly arrived and in half an hour we had gas and a gas meter.

HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING LIKE IT?  AS THEY SAY, “YOU COULDN’T MAKE IT UP”.

All of the above took place just to get gas connected from the road onto the property.

I’m pleased to say that we had a happy ending to the above challenges.  We had booked a qualified gas fitter who was amenable to fitting in with the ever-changing dates.  He was recommended by “Josephine” at the “Blue Lion”!  and when came to give us the estimate he talked the technical talk and seemed to know what he was doing.

Did he know what he was doing? YES HE DID. What a fantastic installation. He was pedantic about where the pipes went and how the bends looked. He even cleaned out the inside of the existing central heading pipes with a big magnetic machine called a “Power Flush”.

I would recommend this guy to anyone. He now does our annual service.

We had to have him back when we had a leak from the central heating under the floor, for which we had to make a claim on the insurance.

That, however, is ANOTHER STORY!

Thank you to Del for his story which I'm sure we all find amusing but probably nearly drove Del to drink! 

Is it Natural Gas or Laughing Gas? - A tale of our times.

by Delwyn Snaith 

This is a true story of how we had gas supplied to our property in Needham in 2014. It is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Only some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Celia, being more money-cautious, looked at the price we were paying for our heating oil, together with the fact that when energy prices were discussed on the news, it was only gas and electricity that was covered; oil prices never got a mention.

I'll tell this story in the way of a diary, as it's easier.

We were told to ring a British Gas telephone number to arrange for the connection to the gas main in the road.

20 January:             We received a letter from the New Housing Connections Division of British Gas, together with information sheets for the site manager, telling us that we had to fit a U6 meter box to the property and that National Grid plc would come and excavate all trenches required for the project.

28 January:             While we were out, a surveyor called from National Grid plc (I’ll call him Alan) and looked at the job. He rang me at about 8.00 pm to say he had been to the property.   He recommended that we bought a meter box from a local builders’ merchant, which he said would be easy for me to install. I ordered this and it arrived a few days later.

I was a little apprehensive about fitting the meter box without a lintel so I rang "my friend" Alan at National Grid. He told me that these boxes were always fitted without a lintel as, at the worst, there would only be one unsupported brick. No problem. So with my trusty angle grinder, hammer and chisel, I cut a hole in the wall. The box fitted neatly into the hole. As instructed by Alan, I liberally coated the sides of the box with silicon filler/adhesive and pushed it into the hole. Whoopee, it fitted like a glove.

 Now for the next stage.

12 February:           I received a letter from British Gas to Mr” Delwin Smaigh”, whoever he is.   This letter advised that to get our gas account up and running, they needed our meter reading.

14 February:           I rang British Gas and explained that I hadn’t got a meter yet.  I was told that I couldn’t have a new meter until I had supplied the reading from the old meter. So I again told him that "I HAVE NOT GOT A METER". The operative told me that he could not proceed without a meter reading, so I asked to speak to his supervisor.  The supervisor advised that the meter reading would be 0000. So I politely enquired why, in that case, had they sent the letter. He said "Just ignore it". I then asked him why I needed an account with British Gas, as I intended to buy the gas from EDF. I was then told that I had to buy my first month's gas from British Gas, and then I could change suppliers. I thought this was odd so I rang  EDF who told me, yes, I had to go with British Gas as I had arranged through them for the gas pipe to be fitted by National Grid.  I then asked "Could I have done this through EDF", and was told, yes, it would have been possible if I had not already signed up with British Gas.

20 February:           I had a phone call from a gentleman who was from either National Grid or British Gas, I can’t recall which (by this time I was beginning to lose the plot) to tell me that the connection from the pipe in the road to the meter box would be done on 28 February. He then asked me what type of main was in the road. Thinking this was a stupid question, (I now know it's not a stupid question) I answered "A gas main". He then asked if it was high pressure, medium pressure or low pressure.  I asked "How do you expect me to know?" 

Right, everything was duly organised and the gas pipe was scheduled for installation on 28 February, the meter on 3 March and the heating engineer was booked for 10  March (Being a pessimist,  I allowed a week for problems - only a week? Silly boy.)

27 February:           A lorry from Morrison’s (not the supermarket, but contractors to National Grid plc) arrived and dropped off some road signs and safety barriers.

28 February:           Two men from Morrison’s arrived to install the gas pipe.

Now, you may ask what was wrong with that. The answer is nothing YET.

There was an argument between the two men.  The one with the plan said that the main was under the pavement, and the one with the metal detector said that it was under the road. So they agreed that they would  start with the pavement, as they had to dig through it anyway.  This they did - no main, so they dug into the road where they found the main.

You may ask, “ So what's wrong with that?”. I'll tell you. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about the “wrong” type of snow. Well, this was the “wrong” type of gas pipe. This was a metal pipe which had leaked in the past, so a plastic pipe had been inserted into the middle of it. The problem was that they needed a “window cutter” to cut into the metal pipe so that they could connect to the plastic. This tool was on another van. They had the wrong type of van.

In order to prevent confusion later on, I will explain here that there are two distinctly different window cutters.

1.     A window cutter is the tool used to cut into the metal pipe, thus making a window in the metal casing, through which you can see the yellow plastic pipe which carries the gas.

2.     A window cutter is the man/woman who uses the tool in order to cut into the metal pipe.

I hope that's all clear, because it wasn’t clear to National Grid/Morrison that you needed both.

The two men finished off the part of the pipe installation from the hole in the road to my newly-installed meter box and said a window cutter would come along with a window cutter and finish the job.

Now here's a bit of legal stuff. National Grid are obliged to seek permission from the relevant Council if they want to dig up a road. They are given a window (here we go, another window) of four working days to do the job and they MUST then reinstate the road within four days or be fined.

5 March:                  A lorry turned up with a load of hardcore and filled in the hole in the road. Great, but how about finishing the job?

                                 Later in the day, two lorries turned up - one with the tools and the other with the tarmac. The holes were filled in and rolled flat. Not a bad job, considering that the hole in the road was going to be dug up again when the window cutter arrived with the window cutter (Are you keeping up?).

When they started to put the tools away, I asked who would be filling the hole in the path on my property near to the garage.   I was told that this wasn’t their responsibility, as all they did was public roads. 

                                 Back on the phone to Shirley at Morrison’s. She checked with the scheduler and reported back that he was under the impression that both the holes on the property had been made good, but he promised it would be done A.S.A.P.

5 March:              A man from Morrison’s arrived to take away the barriers around the now beautifully tarmaced hole and started loading them onto a lorry. A second Morrison lorry then turned up, and I recognised the driver as being the man who had delivered the signs and barriers.

                                 Now, slow down, you've got it all wrong; it's worse than that.

                                 I went to talk to the delivery guy who said "Where's Holly Barn?  We have an installation there tomorrow". I pointed down the road and said "Can you see that black building, that's it".

                                 So, armed with this information I telephoned "my friend" Shirley.   I asked her if the crew who were attending Holly Barn tomorrow were aware that the main was in the road, not in the pavement, and that they needed a window-cutting tool and a window-cutting person. Shirley was delighted that I had been so public-spirited as to ring her and let her know, thereby helping their installation run smoothly.

                                 I said "Seeing that you are so grateful, how about when they have finished that installation with the window cutter and the window cutter, can they come 178 metres down the road and do mine?". "What a good idea.  I’ll see if that can be arranged”, she said.

                                 Ten minutes later Shirley rang back to say that the Council had given the go-ahead to dig up the road again.  The window cutter and window cutter would cut my pipe after they had finished at Holly Barn.  GRRREAT!

6 March:                  I had to go into Harleston on the afternoon.  As I drove out of the drive, I looked up the road to Holly Barn and could see some men were up there working. GRRREAT!

                                 When I got back home at five o'clock, I didn’t have a hole in the road and there was no- one working at Holly Barn. They had finished before three o'clock. Celia had checked.

7 March:                  I telephoned Shirley and asked what had happened.  She said that she wasn’t aware that the job had not been done. She checked up on this and returned my call. She advised that the scheduler had cancelled the call because the Council had not given the go-ahead (in actual fact, the Council had given permission). She asked me to leave it with her.

                                 Shirley rang back to ask if it would be all right under the circumstances to the job on SUNDAY. " I said “ Yes, please. You mean to say that you can get a window-cutter with a window-cutter?”. She said "YES".

To be continued..........

Harleston & Waveney Art Trail 2017

The Harleston & Waveney Art Trail (Open Studios) will take place over 3 weekends.

Studios will be open from 11am - 6pm 

24-25 June

1-2 July

8-9 July

Needham residents, Rose Martin (Skeetsmere House, Upper Burnt House Lane) , Gill Levin (Tithe Barn, Mill Lane) & ex-Needham resident, Vicky Townley (The Old King's Head, Brockdish) will be showing their art over these weekends. 

Details on www.hwat.org.uk

Rose Martin

Rose Martin

www.needhamlink.co.uk

needhamlink@gmail.com

Needham Village Link

May/June 2017

Your art work could

 feature here!

www.facebook.com/NeedhamLink

     

From the Editor

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Sylvia Miller after illness.  Sylvia served Needham for many years as a valued member of the Parish Council, a Trustee of the Townsland Trust and also a member of the Friends of St Peter’s Church where she was a regular worshippper. Our condolences go to Sylvia’s husband of over 60years, George, and their family.  On a personal note, George & Sylvia were among the first people we got to know when we came to Needham in 2004 and a nicer couple it would be hard to find. 

A funeral service will be held at St Peter’s church on Saturday 6 May at 12:00. 

I have noticed quite a lot of fly tipping at various locations in the village.  It is possible to report fly tipping on the South Norfolk website at 

www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/flytipping-and-littering or by emailing the details to envserv@S-NORFOLK.GOV.UK

Last year our family enjoyed a morning out at Shotford Hall Farm.  It is a really interesting and fun day for all ages. See the poster on the back cover.

Would you like to have a piece of your artwork on the cover of the Link?  If so, please email needhamlink@gmail.com

Because of family commitments, publication of this issue of the Link has been delayed.  I’m afraid this may happen on a frequent basis until a new Editor is found!  If you are interested in taking on the role either as a guest editor or on a permanent basis, please email needhamlink@gmail.com 

Helen

Local Services

• SM Fencing has been fencing for over 20 years.  SM Fencing offer agricultural, equine, ecological & domestic fencing services. Contact: Simon Mutimer on 01379 854292

• Darren French, Treemenders. Tree Surgery, tree consultancy, stump grinding and firewood treemenders@yahoo.co.uk  07905 750 070 

Needham Carpet Bowls Club

Our Annual Dinner & Presentation evening was held at the Red Lion, Needham.  It was an enjoyable evening with lovely food and good company.
Trophy Winners:
Ladies Singles:            Angela Taylor
Gents Singles :            Brian Carlile
Pairs               :            Harold Jefferson & Derek Chinery
Mary Howlett trophy:  John Kuzmic

The Winter league has now been completed and our club competition for 2017 is now in progress.

On 6 April ten members went to Rumburgh Bowls Club to compete in a return friendly match.  Our AGM at which a new committee was elected, was held on 22 March.

Committee members:
Chairperson:          Frances Button
Vice-Chairperson : Delwyn Snaith
Captain:                 John Kuzmic
Vice-Captain:         Harold Jefferson
Treasurer:               Jean Youell

We do not enter the Summer League but will be entering the Winter League and the Knockout Cup again.  We also play friendly matches against local clubs if possible.

Club evenings are held every Wednesday at Needham Village Hall starting at 7:30pm.  All equipment is supplied.  Do come along and have a go - you would be most welcome.

Nudger

Needham Coronation Village Hall

At the Annual Meeting of the Friends of Needham Village Hall a new committee was elected.
Chairperson:              Andrew Major
Vice-Chairperson:      Steve Neaves
Secretary:                   Angela Taylor
Treasurer:                   Helen Walker
Letting Secretary:       Jean Youell
Committee members: Glyn Jordan & Dennis Taylor

The committee still needs new members to ensure that the Village Hall remains a viable community asset.
If you would like to join us come to the next meeting on Monday 12 June at 7:30pm

Save the Day: The Annual Village BBQ will be held on Sunday 13 August

Everything Stops for Tea: An entertainment with words, poetry & music which reveals the history of our favourite beverage accompanied by a traditional English afternoon tea.
Tuesday 9 May at 3:00pm Tickets £8.00 including afternoon tea  from Harleston Information Centre or on the door.

Please support YOUR Village Hall!

Harleston & District Dementia Friendly Community

2nd Birthday Celebrations
We celebrate our 2nd birthday in May, which coincides with National Dementia Awareness Week. Therefore to celebrate, we will be holding a fundraising cake stall event outside the Swan Hotel, on Saturday 20th May. We would be extremely grateful for any donations of delicious homemade cakes! 

Harleston & District Dementia Café & Support Group

Don’t forget that our café & support group is open on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Swift Piano Bar at the Swan Hotel, Harleston, 2pm – 4pm with our next session on Thursday 18th May. 

For further information please contact patricia.simmonds@mail.com 01379 676557 or frances.bickley@harlestontowncouncil.co.uk 07462 229920

Harleston Cinema

Thursday 25th May 2017
Fences.    Drama (12A)   139 mins.

Fences is an American drama film based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play written by August Wilson and starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.  Denzel Washington directs.

This is a tale of a struggling family living in Pittsburgh in the 1950’s.  A working-class African-American father, embittered by his own missed opportunities creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son’s chance to meet a college football recruiter.  Brilliant acting!

Thursday 22nd June 2017
Sully (PG13)  96 mins

On 15 Jan 2009 Capt Chelsea “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) tries to make an emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River after US Airways Flight 1549 strikes a flock of geese.  Miraculously, all of the 155 passengers and crew survive the harrowing ordeal.  Sullenberger becomes a national hero in the eyes of the public and the media.  Despite the accolades, the famed pilot now faces an investigation that threatens to destroy his career and reputation. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks & Aaron Eckhart.

Thursday 27th July 2017
Beauty and the Beast.  (PG) 129 mins.

Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic.  Emma Watson has the perfect soulfulness to bring your dream of Belle to life.  The tale may be as old as time but it’s retold with freshness and flair.
All films are shown on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Masonic Room in Harleston.
Matinee: Doors open at 1.30pm, film starts at 2.00pm.
Evening: Doors open at 7.00pm, film starts at 7.30pm.
To book seats and for further information, please ring Harleston Information Plus on 01379 851917.

There will be no film in August.

St Peter's News

A new venture called Bumble Teas Church has been launched at St Peter’s Church. It will take place on the 1st Saturday of each month from 2pm - 4pm.  The next date is 6 May followed by 3 June.

The new group is for children of all ages.  If grandchildren are visiting grandparents in the village they too are welcome. Refreshments are available and there’s a chance for parents to get to know one another whilst the children can have time to play games, listen to stories and do crafts.  There is no charge for this afternoon so please come along and join in.

Gill Powell

A word from one of the Mums: “The theme for the last Bumble Teas church was Easter.  The children started by making an Easter garden and they really enjoyed getting stuck into the mud and planting.  Next was colouring in bunnies which once completed gave them entry to the Easter egg hunt in the church yard.  The churchyard was beautiful on a sunny day and it was a safe place for the children to explore and, apart from the sound of children’s giggles and shouts, was very peaceful. Once back inside the church they tucked into some yummy snacks and drinks before some free play.  The table football proved very popular.  We ended the session with the children joining in the story of Easter and each child was given a Palm Cross to take home.  The adults happily chatted and enjoyed getting to know each other over a coffee.  Good fun was had by all!”

Needham Parish Council

The Needham Annual Parish Council meeting will take place on Monday 15 May at 7:30pm in the Village Hall.
This is an opportunity to hear what your Parish Council has done over the last year and to meet your District & County Councillors.
Everybody is welcome.

Friends of St Peter's Church

The A.G.M will be held on on 12 May at  3pm  in the Village Hall. We hope some old and new Friends will come and support us. I think the Friends will NO longer be able to carry on if we don’t get help. Over the years we have raised money for a new roof, guttering and drainage,and replaced the curtains  and carpets,. A disabled ramp was the last thing to be done making it easier for wheelchairs.The annual fee is £5 to be a Friend.  We have a meeting 2-3 times a year. If you wish to contact someone please phone 01379 853033 and we will answer any questions you may have.

Pauline Spinlove

St Peter's Church

The AGM for St Peter’s Church was held on 16 March by kind permission of George Miller at his home.  At the meeting George resigned as treasurer.  St Peter’s Church would like to record their gratitude for all the hard work done by both George and his late wife Sylvia over very many years.

Gillian Powell has taken on the position of secretary and there is a temporary treasurer.  If anyone would be willing to take up the post of treasurer please contact the Reverend Nigel Tuffnell on 01379 308905

FOOD BANK
If you would like to donate to the Food Bank please leave items at the church.  Plastic bottle tops are also welcome as they are recycled for charities.

Gill Powell

Open Farm Sunday

May/June

The next publication date of the Needham Link will be delayed. Date to be announced.

www.needhamlink.co.uk

needhamlink@gmail.com

     Needham Village Link

    March/April 2017

www.facebook.com/NeedhamLink

@needham_link 

From the Editor

There seems to be much happening in Needham at the moment.  The Needham Action Group which has been set up to establish a play area in the Village held its first event so that the community could have a say in the design of the play area.  It was a very well attended and successful afternoon.  There is a report in this issue.

In addition, the Friends of Needham Village Hall have launched a new programme with a variety of interesting events planned for the next few months.  Again, there is more information in this issue.

I was very pleased to receive an email from Derek Buttle’s daughter with an update on his progress after his stroke.  I, for one, have missed seeing Derek walking his much loved dog, Jade, along the lane.  I’m sure you would all join me in sending our best wishes to him.

The Parish Council was hoping to publish a directory of people in Needham who provide a service but since the last issue, I have only had one recommendation. 

This is from: 

Darren French, Treemenders. 

Tree Surgery, tree consultancy, stump grinding and firewood

treemenders@yahoo.co.uk . 07905 750 070 

Derek Buttle

From Sue McCabe - Derek’s daughter)

As you are probably aware, Derek, a Needham resident since 1962 suffered a serious stroke at home in April 2016.

Derek has now been transferred to a nursing home in Norwich as he will never be able to live an independent, solo life again. His mental capacity has not been impaired but his mobility and swallow have been severely compromised and he is still very much in the 'grip' of post stroke fatigue.

He is settling in OK.  He has had one spell back in N&N since last writing with pneumonia but battles on.  We moved his exercise bike into his room and despite the fact that he can't walk as his balance is severely affected he manages somehow to drag/crawl from bed to the bike, cycle for 25 mins every other day (increasing the resistance each week, of course!), fall back off said bike and crawl back to chair/bed!

The nursing staff would not believe us when we told them that he was using the bike (“impossible - he can't manage and my staff would see…”) and then he was 'discovered' at 5am one morning by a surprised night worker.

His swallow is  severely compromised and although he was 'risk feeding' prior to his last admission into hospital, he has now been put on a strict nil by mouth regime and 100% peg fed.  Quite how long he will tolerate this again I don't know, but at the moment, three weeks into it, he remains surprisingly compliant.

All in all, he is in quite good spirits - I'm not  sure if he fully appreciates that he'll never be able to live independently again and none of us 'kids' want to burst his bubble.  The nursing home is very new and the accommodation and public areas are lovely.  Staff seem to be caring.

He often talks of Needham village life and the people and we reminisce right back to when I lived at home with my horses (1974) and beyond!

He wishes all who know him, and especially his fellow dog walkers, a very happy and healthy 2017 and God's Blessings.  He would love to hear or have visits from anyone from the village.  

His address is:
Ivy Court
Ivy Road
Norwich
NR5 8BF  
(very close to Norwich Community Hospital/UEA/Norfolk & Norwich Hospital)

OPEN GARDEN

DAFFODIL WALK

             DOWN TO THE BANKS OF THE RIVER WAVENEY

            THE OLD COACH HOUSE

               THE STREET BROCKDISH DISS NORFOLK IP214JY

                 SUNDAY 2ND APRIL 2017

                    10AM TO 4PM

            OVER 2 ACRES OF WOODLAND AND GARDEN 

       WITH DISPLAY OF DAFFODILS AND SPRING FLOWERS.

IN AID OF EAST ANGLIAN AIR AMBULANCE. PROSTATE CANCER. ALL HALLOWS. 

ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE. AND OTHER LOCAL CHARITIES.

REFRESHMENTS. TOMBOLA. RAFFLE. BACON ROLLS. CAKES. JAMS.

BRIC A BRAC. 

   ADULT £2.50        -   CHILDREN FREE     -       

SORRY NO DOGS

Needham Action Group. Community Design Event

Needham Action Group

Community Design Event

It was a beautifully bright and clear day that provided the backdrop to Needham Action Group’s Community Design Event at the Coronation Village Hall in early February. To match the weather there was a fine turnout as many residents dropped in to have their say on how they would like our community outdoor space to be. We had created a scale map of the proposed ground with a variety of miniature equipment and facilities to demonstrate the possibilities. Visitors were invited to participate in the design plans by marking with coloured pins on the map their own layout ideas. As well as being a fun and interactive way of finding out people’s views, this also inspired much discussion: not only about ideas specific to this project, but wider community ideas and aspirations for the future direction of community life here in Needham.

All in all it was a highly enjoyable afternoon with delicious cakes aplenty, buckets of tea and a thrilling game of bingo to boot!

Thank you to all those who supported the event by coming along – it was wonderful to meet you and hear your views. Thank you also to Ruby and Amber for running the community cafe so impeccably, Steve for the best bingo calling this side of the Waveney, Chloe for beautiful facepainting, Fern and the crew for fabulous circus skills, and of course Niki, Fairlie, Fariba and Genevieve for all of your hard work in creating this event and in the project as a whole.  

If you are interested in the project or would like to join Needham Action Group, please contact greenigloos@gmail.com. Everyone is welcome!

Needham Parish Council

Meeting 16 January 2017

I am pleased to report that Needham Parish Council again have a full complement of seven Parish Councillors.  At the January meeting Georgina Frost was welcomed onto the Parish Council to fill the remaining Casual Vacancy. 

It is the duty at the January meeting to set the precept for the coming year.  This is the sum of money received out of the Council Tax to finance the Parish Council.  Once again, the precept was left at the existing level.  

The next Parish Council meeting will be held at 7.30 on Monday 20th March in the annex at the Village Hall.  As usual the meeting will open with a Public Forum when residents are able to raise matters of concern to the village.

Andrew Major, Chairman

Needham Parish Councillors

Diane Clarke -    108 High Road.  852603
Georgina Frost -  Larch House, Brook Lane. georgina@frostfrank.demon.co.uk
Andrew Major-   (Chairman)   Mill Farm Cottage, Mill Lane. 852 958
                            andrewmajor@mac.com
Rose Martin-       Skeetsmere House, Upper Burnt House Lane
                           rosemartin1@gmail.com
Delwyn Snaith-  133 High Road. 851987  delwyn_snaith@hotmail.com
Celia Snaith-       133 High Road, 851987 celia_snaith@hotmail.com
Heidi Williams-  83 High Road. 855405   davidwilliams265@btinternet.com
Philip Freeman-  (Parish Clerk)  philip.c.freeman@btinternet.com

Harleston & District Dementia Café & Support Group

We are also pleased to announce that we will be launching our café and support group on Thursday 20th April 2017. This will take place on the third Thursday every month and will be held in the Swift Piano Bar, The Swan Hotel, Harleston from 2pm until 4pm.

In the meantime we are holding an informal meeting for the wonderful people who have volunteered to help at our café and support group. This will take place on Thursday March 9th 2017 at 7pm at Malthouse Court Estate Office. We are always looking for volunteers; if you feel that you could offer any help, please contact us.

For further information, please contact patricia.simmonds@mail.com  01379 676557 or frances.bickley@harlestontowncouncil.co.uk 07462 229920

Speeding

The perennial problem of speeding is being addressed by Beat Manager Andy Barkway who is putting together a speeding initiative.  In recent correspondence he said “I shall pay the area (Needham, High Road) some attention.”  Let’s hope that we see some police presence in the area and action taken against inconsiderate and dangerous drivers.

PC Barkway can be contacted at Diss Police Station (Tel 101 ext 2771)

Friends of St Peter's Church

St Peter's  Church in Needham is in good condition but some of the staff are in need of a rest. The current Treasurer has been at the task for over twenty years which means a new member is required.  So we are looking for   volunteers for a very interesting career.  

Please contact G Miller at 01379852059

Friends of Needham Village Hall

 NEW EVENTS PROGRAMME

In order to help safeguard the long term viability of their village hall, the Friends of Needham Village Hall are launching an entertainment programme at the venue this Spring for the enjoyment of residents.  The pilot programme consists of a talk on Dick Turpin by local history author and Needham resident, Stephen Poulter, an afternoon tea entertainment about the history of our national obsession with tea and a music evening featuring talented young classical guitarist, Peter Turrell.  

The Hall is currently home to quite a few groups and to regular private bookings. But we should like to attract more villagers to the hall and recruit additional volunteers to help with running and maintaining the Hall.  

Forthcoming Events

Saturday 1st April at 7.30pm Stephen Poulter will give a lively and entertaining presentation contrasting the myth which has grown up over the last 150 years about the ‘gentleman highwayman’, Dick Turpin, with the true story of one of history's most notorious robbers who was also a murderous thug. He also tells the tales of a number of other highway robbers around the country whose exploits were later attributed to Turpin. 

   Tickets - £5  including a free first drink from the bar

Tuesday 9th May at 3pm - Everything Stops For Tea – a light-hearted entertainment telling the story of our favourite beverage in words and music Tickets -  £8 including afternoon tea. 

Friday 9th June at 7.30pm - Classical guitarist Peter Turrell from Norwich will be playing a mixture of modern instrumental and classical pieces 

   Tickets - £7 including a free first drink from the bar. 

Tickets can be purchased from Harleston Information Plus, 8 Exchange Street, Harleston or by phone:  (01379) 851917

For further information: Stephen Poulter  (01379) 308932 stephenjp@talktalk.net

Quiz

David’s Bird Quiz was well supported selling 63 quizzes making £63.00.  We had 12 returns from which there were 2 winners with 49 correct out of 50 questions.
Janet Kefford and Mark Timms with Sarah Day.

Thank you Olive for checking the answers and also for giving the Prizes.
Last, but not least, thank you David Cunliff without whom it wouldn’t happen.

 Pauline

Needham Red Lion Coffee Mornings

Needham Red Lion Coffee Mornings

Thank you for your continued support.  Over 50 people attended the February Coffee morning.  It was good to welcome new faces as well as the regulars.

Thank you also to those who always give raffle prizes and to the faithfull cake makers.

After our last big push to raise nearly £3000 for All Hallows Hospice we have now decided to raise money to purchase toys for the Salvation Army for children in the UK who need help.  We will continue to support St Peter’s Church.

We look forward to seeing you at the next coffee morning which will be on the first Tuesday of March.

Coffee mornings are held in the Red Lion n the 1st Tuesday of every month from 10:00-12:00. Coffee & homemade cake - £2.00

Needham Coffee Morning Team

St Peter's Church

Church Services & Events

1   March -  St John’s Harleston (Ash Wednesday)
                   Ashing & Holy Communion
5   March  - Morning Prayer  11:00
12 March  - Morning Prayer  09:30
19 March  - Morning Prayer  11:00
26 March  - Mothers’ Day Holy Communion  09:30

 2  April    -  Morning Prayer  11:00
 9  April     - Morning Prayer  09:30
13 April     - St John’s Harleston (Maundy Thursday)
                    Holy Communion  6:30pm
14 April     - Good Friday, Devotional Half Hour 11:00
16 April     - Easter Holy Communion  09:30
23 April     - Morning Prayer  11:00
30 April     - Holy Communion  09:30
30 April     - St Mary’s Redenhall
                   Benefice Holy Communion  10:30

New group for children/carers  will be starting on 4 March at St Peter’s.  More details to follow in the next edition of the Needham Link and on our Facebook page

Rector:       Nigel Tuffnell
                  Tel: 01379 308905 Email: rector@7churches.org.uk
Office:       Lucy Elton-Cooke (Mon-Fri 09:00 - 13:00)
                  Tel: 01379 851148  Email: admin@7churches.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redenhall.scole
Twitter:      twitter.com7churches@RedScole
Website:    www.7churches.org.uk

March/April Issue

The March/April issue of the Needham Link will be here from 16:30 today (28 February).