Watton Society November 2019 Report

The Society’s November meeting was interesting and informative as we had a talk from Colin Hawgood from Norfolksharp. He demonstrated knife sharpening and explained the techniques involved in the various ways from a very expensive machine to a file and wet stone. He also gave advice on garden tools both sharpening of Secateurs, Loppers, Shears ,Hoes and spades along with the aftercare of these items. The evening was rounded off with a very active question and answer session.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 18^th December Our Christmas meeting we have Bryan Thurlow with Musical Memories. This meeting will be accompanied with Mulled Wine and Minced Pies

Meetings are held in The Christian Community Centre at 7.45PM Visitors welcome £6.00 for members & £8.00 for non members

Watton Society’s October meeting began with the AGM.  The meeting was well attended by members with the President, the Mayor, in the chair.  All Officers and Committee were re-elected for another year..Thanks were given to the committee for the entertaining year, After the business, the evening was followed by the speaker, Gina Dormer, Chief Executive, Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind, soon to become Vision Norfolk.  Beginning with a bit about the history (it was started in 1805) and how it has progressed to the modern day.  Thomas Tawell House provides residential care, while Hamond Court is for independent living with warden cover. Organising outings and visits and entertainment is all part of the service.  Basic tools and equipment to make life easier are also available and were on show.  A very interesting talk and very well presented.  Vision Norfolk is a charity for all people with impaired vision.  Our next meeting is our last one of 2019, our Christmas event on Wednesday 18th December at 7.45pm at the Watton

Christian Community Centre when we will be entertained by Bryan Thurlow who is talking about “Music Hall Memories”.  Mulled wine and mince pies will be on the menu. 

£6 Members and £8 for non members. Looking forward to seeing everyone then.

Watton Society Sep 19 Meeting report

Watton Society’s re-start after the summer break was a talk by Roger Jones of Norfolk Wildlife Trust.  He began with a brief history of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.  Then how to connect nature reserves together so in case of emergency animals would have escape routes.  ‘RNR’ – most people will not know what this stands for.  ‘Roadside Nature Reserves’.  Because we have lost 98% of our meadows, roadside nature reserves have become vitally important for the preservation of wild plants.  They are marked by a post on the verge with a sign on which a number and arrow pointing in the direction of the reserve.  These still need managing to some degree, so volunteers are essential in maintaining the verges and recording species.  A very informative evening.  Our next meeting is at 7.45pm on Wednesday 20th November at the Watton Christian Community Centre when the speaker will be Colin Hawgood – talking about the history and anecdotes on being a saw sharpener.

July outing report

Watton Society’s July Outing was to the Thursford Collection.  A large group of members were met by the catering manager who showed us to reserved tables for a very enjoyable lunch.  We then gathered for a back stage tour where Mr. John Cushing himself met us and began explaining how it all started.  His father collected steam engines when they were becoming redundant, diesel  taking over from steam  Then became the problem, how to care for the engines, money was needed, so began the christmas shows.  Seeing all the costumes, how they are cared for, the vast number of people involved was amazing.  A truly memorable visit, well worthwhile, highly recommendable.  Our next meeting is back at the Watton Christian Community Centre on Wednesday 18th September at 7.45pm when our speaker will be Roger Jones from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust speaking about “Roadside Nature Reserves”.  Looking forward to seeing everyone on that date, everyone welcome

June Meeting 2019

Watton Society had its first summer outing to Dale Farm at Dereham.  The inclement weather reduced the numbers of members somewhat, but didn’t mar the visit.  A very enjoyable walk around this magnificent garden well worth a visit when it is open for the NGS.  The afternoon was finished with tea and delicious cakes followed by purchasing numerous plants.  No meeting in August, but our next meeting is on Wednesday 18th September at 7.45pm at the Watton Christian Community Centre, when the speaker will be Roger Jones from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust speaking about “Roadside Nature Reserves”

Watton Society  –  May meeting report

Watton Society had another fascinating evening hearing about the Art Deco Period, presented by Genista Davidson. The people who were concerned with it, where the ideas came from, the influences and how it was effected by nature.  The style did not end, but went on to make people think, even today.  Very interesting.  

April Report

Watton Society’s meeting was a presentation by Shaun Jeffery on “The Burston Strike School”. When the school governors took a dislike to the teacher and his wife the headmistress, the parents and children started having classes on the village green which lead to a school, independent of the normal education system, being formed. – The Burston Strike School – this went on from 1914 to 1939 making it the longest strike in history.   A most informative and fascinating evening. 

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 15th May at 7.45pm at the Watton Christian Community Centre. 

The subject will be “Art Deco – An Iconic Era” and the speaker is Genista Davidson. This will be our last meeting at the hall for a while, until September, as we will be going out on visits during the summer months.

Our summer season now starts on Wednesday 19th June, when we have an afternoon visit to Dale Farm Gardens in Dereham. Members wishing to go, please complete your outings form if you haven’t done so already.  See you there.

Watton Society – March Report

“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez. Hear ye, Hear ye, Hear ye” Brenda Willison, town crier, told us the story of town criers, when and how they started, and the use of bells, whistles and horns to attract peoples’ attention.  Then, of course there are the competitions, both national and international of which she has won numerous times.  It was a very entertaining and “noisy” evening no need for a microphone. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 17th April at 7.45pm at the Watton Christian Community Centre. 

The subject will be “Burston Strike School” and the speaker is Shaun Jeffery . 

Report of February’s meeting

Watton Society’s speaker in February was born in 1802.  A social theorist and Whig, writer, the first female sociologist.  Although profoundly deaf from birth, she wrote books enough to earn a good living at a time when women were treated as second class citizens.  She travelled to America giving lectures on freedom for women.  A very interesting and enlightening evening presented by Georgette Vale.  Nothing less than fascinating. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 17th April, at 7.45pm at the Watton Christian Community Centre. when the speaker will be Shaun Jeffrey who will talk about “The Burston Strike School.” The longest school strike in English History.