Watton Society – December 2018 meeting report.
What a way to start Christmas!! A magical evening of music, performed by Chanters Jigge. The
choice of instruments was immense, Just some of them – accordion, keyboard, guitar, bagpipes,
saxophone, hurdy gurdy and many many more, Put together with mulled wine, mince pies, songs,
airs and jollies a fantastic evening was had by all. Absolute magic, an evening to be remembered
Watton Society November 2018 report
Watton Society’s ‘Film Night; presented by Philip Slater, was a night of mixed
entertainment, from nostalgia to comedy. A weekend with photographers from Thetford
filming their visit. A vicar and projectionist getting it wrong and how to do it properly,
(surprise, surprise). A cartoon of 101 dalmatians, Pongo finding a mate, and his master
finding a girlfriend, very funny. A day in the life of an English Electric Lightning test pilot.
Winston Churchill’s properties, inside and out, and the herring fleet in Yarmouth. Just some
of the evenings entertainment, plus popcorn at the interval. The Society;s next meeting is
on Wednesday 16th January when we are visiting the Watton Museum. at an earlier time of
7.30pm. In the meantime a very Happy Christmas and good health in 2019 to one and all,
and we look forward to seeing you all in January.
Watton Society Report of October AGM Meeting 2018
Watton Society held its AGM with John Kerr being elected as Chairman, The Committee from last
year, minus two retirements, was elected en bloc. The Mayor Tina Kiddell then spoke about the
duties and the time representing Watton in Norfolk, the importance of meeting other dignitaries and
talking to other councils about getting projects done. This was followed by Jan Fountain telling us
about the Neighbourhood plan, which is a legal document, stating what can and cannot be done, so
its very important for Watton. A questionnaire will be sent to all addresses, it is very important that
this is completed and returned it gives every person in Watton a voice. A very interesting and
informative evening. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 19th December at 7.45pm at the Watton
Christian Community Centre, when “Chanter’s Jigge” will entertain us at our Christmas Festivities.
with mulled wine and mince pies. £6. members and £8 non members. All Welcome. Seasons
Greeting to everyone.
Watton Society met after the summer break to a stupendous evening. It began with
an introduction to how cartoon characters are brought to life. This was interrupted by guest appearances from Norman Wisdom, Michael Crawford and Laurel and Hardy, all truly portrayed by Marko our speaker. In the second half of the evening he had
the audience all drawing characters of their own to take home. A most entertaining evening. The Society’s next meeting is on Wednesday 21st November at the Watton Christian Community Centre at 7.45pm. when we have our Film Night given by Philip Slater. Meet you all then at the ‘flicks’.
The Watton Society
Visit to Wymondham Abbey
As part of its summer programme of outings twenty three members of the Watton Society visited Wymondham Abbey for an evening guided tour on Wednesday, 18th July. Our guide was waiting for us at the Abbey door and when we were all assembled he told us about the fascinating history of the Abbey. This was followed by a walk around the inside when our guide pointed out interesting windows and sculptures, amongst many other things.
After very enjoyable refreshments we carried on our tour outside, looking at the layout of the grounds and the herb gardens. The old and new buildings have been beautifully blended together. How lucky we are to have this wonderful building so close to Watton.
Download report as PDFhttp://wattonsociety.org.uk./wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Watton-Society-Wymondham-Abbey-Visit-July-2018.pdf
The Knights Hospitallers – Who Were They?
On a fine June evening in the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Carbrooke, Helen Riley enlightened a good audience of Watton Society members on who the Knights Hospitallers were and their connections with Carbrooke Church. In a field near the Church can be seen the remains of the ‘Commandery’ where a group of the Knights were based, collecting alms for the care and shelter of pilgrims to Jerusalem, and doing good work in the community. The Hospitallers were formed in 1099 in Jerusalem as The Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and were based in various areas before they effectively ceased to exist in England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First. However the modern St. John Ambulance is their direct descendant and uses the same cross on their badge.
The Watton Society now has outside visits during the summer and will meet again in the Watton Christian Community Centre at 7.45 pm on Wednesday, September 19th for a talk by Mark Reynolds entitled My Life in Cartoons.
Watton Society ‘s evening entertainment was performed by Bryan Thurlow, acting the part of Billy Jackson of Bethnell Green, London. His story was about when he and his sister were evacuated during World War II. Where they were sent and what happened to them and on their return to London the events of the bombing and what happened to the family afterwards. A very entertaining evening, very well performed. Our next evening meeting is a visit to Wymondham Abbey on Wednesday 18th July.
Watton Society were all let into the secrets of the Cheapside Hoard of London. Anne Bridge gave us a very interesting evening telling us the story of how the hoard was found in the early 1900’s, what it contained and the many possible reasons of why it was there and what happened to it afterwards. The intriguing mix of government, aristocracy and underhand dealings were very graphically presented and extremely interesting. Our next meeting is a visit to Carbrooke Church with an earlier time of 7.00pm on Wednesday 20th June. where we will learn of the connection with the Knights Hospitallers. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Check our website. www.wattonsociety.org.uk for details of future events
Watton Society enjoyed an evening out, visiting gardens in Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Northampton and Essex. A vivid description was given by Simon White from Beales Roses. A total of 28 gardens, including one no-one had ever seen. Each garden was described in detail, explaining the speciality of plants grown and why, with very clear pictures being shown, a delight for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. An extremely well presented evening. The one no-one had been to was his own. Beautiful. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 16th May, at 7.45pm at the Watton Christian Community Centre, when the speaker will be Bryan Thurlow – “We’ll meet again.” an evacuee’s story. Looking forward to seeing members and visitors then.
Gardens Of East Anglia List
Hoveton Hall (Norfolk)
Bressingham Gardens (Norfolk)
Hindringham Hall (Norfolk)
Beth Chato Gardens (Essex)
Hyde Hall(Essex)
Chippenham Park (Newmarket)
Desert World (Barry Gaytons Garden)Norfolk
Plantation Garden Norwich
Exotic Garden (Will Giles)
Hellmingham Hall (Suffolk)
Haughley Park (Suffolk)
Abbey Gardens ( Bury St Edmunds)
Cambridge Bontanic Garden
The Manor (Hemmingford Grey) Cambridgeshire
East Ruston Old Vicarage (Norfolk)
Pensthorpe (Norfolk)
Sherringham Park (Norfolk)
Elton Hall ( Peterborough)
Peckover House (Wisbech)
Bradenham Hall (Norfolk)
Gooderstone Water Garden (Norfolk)
Anglesey Abbey (Cambridgeshire)
Stody Lodge ( North Norfolk
Cotton Manor (Northants)
Houghton Hall ( Norfolk)
Watton Brownies with their posters
At their February meeting Watton Society was visited by a group of excited brownies wanting to know the results of the annual poster competition organised by the Society. This time the theme was “Invictus Games”. Of course it had nothing to do with the prize money, they just wanted to know who was first, All entries were very good and extremely well done. The Society hope to see more entries next year, once again very well done all of you..