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

Gavin Bickerton-Jones came and gave us a very informative talk entitled “Norfolk Wildlife Through the Lens” He showed us images he had taken of many birds and animals that live in the area, from owls to hares, foxes, badgers. He showed us many images some of which had taken him hours of wating for and some by his own admission by luck. He finished his presentation with some interesting facts like how to tell a male from a female kingfisher and images of kingfishers feeding their young.

Watton Society March Meeting

Uncle Sam’s Roots in Eastern England

Roger Pugh who gave us a talk on the creation of the military tank at Elveden, returned to tell us about the links between the many people living in this region who had been involved in the creation of what we now call “The United States of America”

Watton Society November Meeting

Our November meeting was our annual film night with Phil Slater.

He brought along a selection including: – The Sea Breaks Through – about the 1938 flooding of East Anglia and the work to prevent the tide breaking through again. Some film of work to free a train snowbound on the North Pennines at Bleath Gill in 1955, a 1947 Scout and Guide International Folk Dance Festival in London with Princesses Elizabeth & Margaret along with Lady Baden-Powell, a show of Horses of Austria performing at the Spanish Riding School, then a film about London’s last Tram, by British Transport film,  a film of the 1959 Watton Carnival and the unveiling of the Town sign and finishing with Three songs by George Formby.

WATTON SOCIETY

DECEMBER MEETING 2022

Our Christmas meeting was held on Wednesday 21^st December with our usual mulled wine and mince pies, this year we were again entertained by Annette Jude and Susie Turner.

 Susie with her lovely singing voice gave us a varied evening of enjoyable songs, including some carols, with Annette accompanying her on the piano.

2022 AGM

In October we held our AGM, The Mayor Sue Hebborn who is also the society’s president was in attendance. Reports of the last AGM were read and approved, the chairman gave a report on the year’s activities and thanked the committee and our members who had given support to activities during the year, including the removal, refitting and reglazing of the Town Notice board in Chaston Place, which was funded from last year’s mayor’s fund.

The treasurer gave a report of the year’s financial activities and gave thanks to Mr D. Smith for auditing them, these were approved.

The mayor then took the chair for the election of officers, all existing members were re-elected to the same offices along with the additional member of the committee Pam Challand.  Wendy Collins offered to assist with the Society’s publicity.   David and Ruth Stapleton agreed to assist with the production of posters.

The mayor then gave some information on the additional duties the mayor finds they have when elected i.e. President of the Society.

A short talk followed and leaflets were handed out to Watton residents about the group looking into “Flood Defences” in Watton.

After some refreshments a fun quiz was held and prizes given to the first three teams with the highest team taking first choice.

                          September 2022 meeting

Norma Howell came and gave us a very interesting talk on Medical Detection Dogs and how they work.

The dogs are trained to use their amazing sense of smell to detect illnesses in people who could be unaware of the illness.  Norma also told us how the dogs are rewarded when they discover an illness.

In July the Society had a visit to Peter Beales Roses following a talk by them in January.

We were given a demonstration of how to graft roses by Simon White, while we enjoyed tea and cake in the garden, this was followed by a guided walk around the gardens, ending up with time to browse the extensive display of plants for sale. A very enjoyable afternoon.