Author Archive for John – Page 3
Shelter Box Boat Trips
Paul Weatherill gave us a very interesting talk and presentation on his recent trip. This was arranged at very short notice as Hazel Gillingham had to cancel her talk on Mary Seacole due to ill health.
Paul’s first trip was a three-day trip on the Norfolk Broads. Paul built the boat around a green plastic crate called a SHELTERBOX. These boxes hold tents, cooking equipment, clothing etc to support people around the world that have lost everything due to local disasters.
His recent trip was from Stratford to Tewkesbury covering 43 miles and negotiating 16 locks in 3 days.
Paul brought along a Shelter box and its contents for all to see. His talk was illustrated by photos of the trip taken by his support team.
The Watton Society was pleased to give to the Shelter Box charity over £120.00 from the evening’s takings on the door, raffle money and a collecting box for members to add donations
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The Society held its AGM on Wednesday 20th October. This was a two-year AGM as we had not met in person since February 2019.
We had a reasonable attendance with the Town Mayor (who is also our President) in attendance.
The chairman gave his report on the past two years along with the treasurer’s report. The Mayor then took the chair for the election of officers and the committee. The following were elected: – Chairman John Kerr, Secretary Roy Challand, Treasurer Judy Kerr, Committee member Margaret Cater. Other members offered to help with activities but could not commit to full committee memberships as were away a lot during the year.
Three committee members have had to stand down due to health problems and close family issues.
The Mayor thanked the Society for its support to the town and informed the Society that there should sufficient funds in her fund to pay for the refurbishment of the Society’s notice board in Chaston Place.
The meeting then closed and after refreshments took part in a fun quiz.
After touring Watton in April to find gardens that can be seen from the road showing a good display of colour, the Watton Society sent a list of twenty eight gardens to the Mayor of Watton, Pat Warwick. Considering the weather we have had this Spring we felt this was a good number. The Mayor, after carefully looking at all the gardens, selected a winner and three highly commended. Our photo shows the winner, Peter Saunders of 10 Hamilton Close, receiving the salver and winning certificate from the Mayor and John Kerr, Chairman of the Watton Society. The Mayor described their garden as ‘stunning’ and the photo shows that this description is very true.
Peter loves gardening and helps some nearby people who have difficulty maintaining their gardens.
Highly commended gardens were 14 Nelson Court, 10 Mary Shanks Close and 24 Bloodhound Road. What was especially pleasing this year was the delight expressed by the winners and highly commended garden owners. The competition is held in either Spring, Summer or Autumn each year to enable gardens that are especially colourful in these seasons to be considered. A highly commended certificate was also awarded by the Society to the Town Council for the lovely displays of floral colour in the High Street.
At our zoom meeting in May, 34 members joined together to be addressed by Queen Victoria – who seemed to show some resemblance to Georgette Vale.
Her Majesty graciously talked to us about her life, her likes and dislikes – including the men in her life – and made several interesting references to the events taking place in Watton during her long reign. Although she is famed for not being amused, once or twice there was a glimmer of a smile! We thanked her most humbly for spending time with us.
On the evening of Wednesday, 17th March thirty seven members of the Watton Society joined together for a very interesting and well presented talk on the Mid Norfolk Railway by Paddy Anstey. We all enjoyed this presentation and our chats with each other and Paddy. Prior to the meeting Paddy had given a lot of help to the committee and he hosted the meeting, as it was our first attempt at hosting. We still have things to learn but are gradually getting there. The talk covered the history of railways in Norfolk, the present day and hopes and plans for the future. For those of you who may not know, the Mid Norfolk Railway runs from Dereham to Wymondham and holds several special events during the year which will be on their website.
The Watton Society
Watton In Bloom
A few weeks ago the committee of the Watton Society once again toured the town looking at front gardens showing a good display of colour. A list of nearly forty gardens was sent to the Mayor of Watton, Pat Warwick, who is also President of the Watton Society. The Major made several visits to the gardens before making her decision on a winner, a highly commended and seven commended gardens, who all received certificates. It was not an easy decision.
A highly commended certificate was also awarded by the Society to the Town Council for the excellent display of floral colour in the High Street
Our photograph shows the winner, Mr. R. Mikulik of Nelson Court, receiving the winning salver and certificate from Watton Mayor Pat Warwick and Watton Society Chairman John Kerr.
The Watton Society February Meeting
On the 19th February David Spain came to talk to us about his career in photography. This ranged from film, fashion, travel, National Trust, politicians, pop stars, royalty and much more. David enthralled us with his always discrete but absolutely delightful accounts of his life in photography. He brought many photos for us to see and answered numerous questions. Thank you David for a wonderful evening.
The next meeting of the Watton Society will be on Wednesday, 18th March When Malcolm Trayhorn will tell us of his carer over 32 years in the police mainly with the Metropolitan Police.
Visitors welcome – £3.50.
The Watton Society Picture Competition for Children
The topic for 2019 was…
What I Want To Be When I Grow Up
We had sixty four entries from schools and Brownie Groups. The children had a wide variety of aspirations for their future occupations – many wanted a job involving animals, including dinosaurs. Others wanted to be teachers, firefighters, work for NASA, be archaeologists, actors, pilots, singers and dancers, and many more. Well done to all the children who did a picture for the competition and good luck with your future careers. Our picture shows some of the Brownies of the 2nd Watton (RAF) Brownie group receiving their prizes.