May 2015

70th Anniversary
of VE Day
A themed afternoon
Recreating the Street Party with 1940s
music, song, wartime food and
memorabilia,
traditional games & vintage cars.
Friday 8th May 2015

. 1.00 pm3.30 pm

Bowthorpe Community Garden, Tolye Rd. NR5

A Commemorative Local Community
Celebration
Free Admission 1940s dress optional.

Eve
is W ryone
elc
om
e

Back to the Land

On Friday 8 May 2015 between 1pm & 3pm we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of
VE Day in Bowthorpe Community Garden. 8 May 1945 was a public holiday marking the
end of the 2nd World War in Europe.
The Dig for Victory campaign was a small but important part of the war at the home
front as we were no longer able to import enough food for our needs. The shortfall had
to be met by increasing the amount of home grown cereals, fruit and vegetables.
Flower beds in public gardens, tennis courts and bomb sites were all ploughed up to be
used by civilians to grow their own in order to supplement their food rations and feed
the nation. The amount of land used for food production increased by 80%. Children,
prisoners of war and scouts were amongst those involved but the single most important
group in keeping farm production going was the Womens Land Army which had over
80,000 members. Young women received a few weeks training, were issued with a
manual and uniform and then sent off on their own to live and work in a strange place,
far away from home for 25 shillings a week. They made an immense contribution to
the war effort but until recently have received very little commemoration. For more
information about the lives and experiences of the British Land Girls see http://
www.womenslandarmy.co.uk/
2015 has also been declared United Nations International Year of Soils to raise our
awareness about how current agricultural practices can be extremely damaging to soil,
leading to erosion and exhaustion of valuable nutrients. The UN estimates that a third of
the worlds topsoil has already been degraded, and that if things dont improve we may
only have 60 years of healthy usable soil left!
And 3 to 9 May 2015 is International Composting Week. We are all dependent on the
soil for our food, and composting your rubbish is one easy way you can help maintain
its fertility and keep us fed! Perhaps a legacy of the war, that we may be in danger of
forgetting, is that it taught people to eat healthily and not waste
food. Children at the end of the 2nd World War were bigger, more
resistant to disease and better nourished than their predecessors.
So, as Monty Don said in the Daily Mail in 2010 now is your
chance, tap into the spirit of 1940 and Dig, if not for Victory, then for
health, happiness and a secure and sustainable supply of the
freshest veg and fruit available.

Jill Wragg

in
Rem
e
t
Da

der

NOTICE

BOARD

Celebrating 30
years in the
community
are holding
an afternoon
of celebration
at Chapel
Break Village
Hall on Saturday 9th May
from 2pm till 4.30pm. If
you have had any
connection with the preschool in whatever capacity
then please come along and
help us celebrate while
saying hello.

Christian Aid week May

10th 16th 2015.
Bowthorpe Church will have a
house to house collection in a
number of streets in Bowthorpe.
Also we are collecting outside of
Roys on Friday and Saturday
(15th & 16th May). We are
grateful to Roys for their
support. If you are able to help
with either of these, please
contact me. **
This years Christian Aid week is
confronting one of the great
injustices of our times:
discrimination against women.
Thanks to you all for your
support,
Christine McGrath contact
telephone no.01603 740488 **
Christian Aid organiser for
Bowthorpe Church.

The West Norwich Lions

Are there any ladies or
gents out there who would like to
help to raise money for
charity? You would be more than
welcome to come to one of our
meetings, just to find out what we
get up to.
As well as raising money
we are quite sociable too, so if
you have a little time to spare,
come along to the Brook Hotel
at Bowthorpe on a 2nd or 4th
Wednesday of the month at
7.30 pm and sit in at one of our
meetings. If not, give me a call
and I will put you in the picture. I
am Derek Goodswen (secretary)
and my number is
01603 743709 or E-mail me
on goodswend@yahoo.co.uk

The Grow Organisation is delighted to announce the

launch of our Back to Basics programme - a 12 week
Lifestyle Change programme starting Tuesday 5th May
2015.
Back to Basics incorporates indoor and outdoor sessions to include
creating wildlife havens, growing vegetables, cooking healthy food on a
budget, smart shopping and basic finance skills. Specialist tutors on site
offer additional life coaching and NLP sessions to improve selfconfidence, help address personal issues and overcome barriers to
progress. In addition forum theatre, interview specific training, CV
workshops, mock interviews and professional work experience are offered
to motivate and inspire within a relaxing and stress free environment.

Sessions run from 9.30 am until 3pm

Full use of all weather complex

2 acres of outdoor space

The programme is aimed at anyone over the age of 16 with a particular
emphasis on ESA clients. Participants are required to commit to
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Tuesday May 5 th until Wednesday 22nd
July. Individuals in receipt of benefit can change their sign on day/ time individuals must speak with their advisor/ work coach. Travel costs can be
claimed - individuals to speak with their advisor/ work coach.
For more information or to enrol contact Duncan Cowling on 01603
740107 or email: hub@thegroworganisation.org
The Grow Organisation assisting people to live independent lives.

Drama Classes
At the Hub,
Bowthorpe.

Develop confidence,
communication skills &
imagination. Work on
scripts. Perform and
have fun! Age 5+
info@slowtheatrecompa
ny.co.uk
0789 617 9833

1st Costessey Guides

are holding a

quiz

DO YOU MAKE
CANDLES?

night on 30 may

Could you make use of

200 lb pure beeswax
+ 2 large spools of
wick?
For a modest
donation.

Contact Rebecca

If interested
Tel. Irene 01603
742450
without delay.

th

Cordy for details.

Tel : 01603 450645
Mob : 07990 518373

Bowthorpe Police Station Norfolk Constabulary

Wendene Norwich NR5 9HA
non emergency Tel: 101
lesteraj1@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
Rogue Traders are people who pretend to be builders needing to do 'urgent'
repairs or sales people offering bargain products. They often pressurise
householders to pay in advance for materials or do poor work at highly inflated
prices.
They will often cold call on vulnerable households and deliberately overcharge for
unsatisfactory goods and services. This can include charging for unnecessary work,
damaging property deliberately in order to obtain money, leaving work unfinished and
intimidating householders.
Victims of this practice are often vulnerable or elderly and in the most serious cases,
offenders will return to the same victim again and again until their savings are
exhausted.
Our recommended advice on tackling doorstep rogue traders includes:
Close and lock your back door before answering the front door.
Use a spy hole, chain or window to have a look at the caller before answering the
door. If you do not recognise them speak through the closed and locked door.
Display a No Cold Calling sticker on your door - these are free and available from
your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.
Never buy goods and services from people calling at your door.
If the caller is selling something or offering work on your house or garden tell them
that you are not interested and ask them to leave.
If they do not leave tell them you will call the police.
Always ask for proof of identity. Take it from the person (through the letterbox) and
read it carefully.
Phone the company or organisation the caller claims to be from (use the number in
the phone book) to confirm their identity.
If you have any doubt keep them out.
If you do need to employ a tradesman, please remember these useful tips:
Avoid any cold callers that may turn up or ring unexpectedly or unannounced offering
to carry out repairs.
When seeking a reliable trader, talk to family, friends and neighbours to get
recommendations, or look for a Trust mark-registered firm. Details of accredited
traders in your area are available from Norfolk Trusted Trader. Report any
unscrupulous traders either to police or Trading Standards.
Ask traders to provide you with written contact details, and consider getting written
quotes (not estimates) from at least three traders. Ask about insurance backed
guarantees.
Consumer law allows you a seven day cooling off period so you can change your
mind about any service offered by someone who arrives uninvited or by appointment.
Keep back part of the cost until the repair job has been satisfactorily completed. This
will provide an incentive for the trader to complete the job or put right any problems.
Should you require any additional information please feel free to contact the
Bowthorpe Safer Neighbourhood Team on the Police non-emergency number 101 or
by email on lesteraj1@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
PC 1403 Tony Lester

Clover Hill Community Association

Annual General Meeting
Thursday 21st May 2015
7.30pm
There will be a notice in the foyer 14 days beforehand
for nominations for new members to the committee.
All welcome
JOB VACANCIES
Are you warm, friendly and approachable? Do you have a passion to deliver
great customer service?
Do you want to make a difference?
Forget what you think you know about care. We have a different approach.
We are looking for ordinary people who arent aware they have the potential to
change the lives of others.
Your personality means more to us than skills and experience as our friendly
and easy to follow training takes care of the rest.
Opportunities exist for weekends, day times and evenings from 10 to 35 hours
per week
Own transport is essential

Call Hannah on 01603 480980 or visit

www.homeinstead.co.uk/norwich

Main Service 10 : 30 am Sundays

Sunday Evening Service Usually 6 : 30 pm Check on website.
Wednesday 10 am Service of Holy Communion and Healing

In March I wrote about how salvation means being brought into `a spacious
environment. Our student Minister, Bruno Boldrini, wrote last month about
the Easter story, about the God who comes to bring us salvation in Jesus
Christ, through his death and resurrection. This month, with the General
Election upon us, I want to think about the implications of salvation.
Often people think of salvation as a personal issue, and it is. But salvation
also has implications for the world around us. In this month where we will
have a General Election and where we will have Christian Aid week (10-16
May), I wonder whether there is a connection between the two. You see
politics, whether local or national, is about people; it is about taking
decisions for the good of society, not just the few. It is also about taking
decisions that make a difference to people in other parts of the world.
For example, if we continually draw medical staff from across the world to
work in the NHS, it may be good for our health service but have we
considered the affect it has on those countries and their labour force? Our
politicians cannot take decisions only in our own interest, only for our
benefit. How we live affects peoples lives
elsewhere in the world.
So, however you vote, do think about what that
might mean for others as well as yourself.
Salvation is not just a personal matter; God cares
about all the world he has made!
Until next month,

Revd Mark Elvin

For Roman Catholic services please contact Rev. Bill Dimelow Tel. 743476
or Fr. David Ward, The Presbytery, Townhouse Rd, Costessey Tel. 742812

Rest In Peace
Hilda West on 15th
March aged 82.
Mary Garnham
on 28th March.
Both of Twin Oaks

Thanks giving
19th April
Thanksgiving Service
for
Rachel Molloy
(aged 2)
Com

Poem : Ascension
And if I go,
while youre still here
Know that I live on, vibrating to a different
measure behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar
together again
both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And, when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart
I will be there.
In honour of Ray Sodeau
C1987, Colleen Corah Hitchcock

BOWTHORPE HERITAGE GROUP

COMMUNITY GARDEN
Volunteer sessions alternate Sunday afternoons
nd
hel
p!
any time from 2pm May 3rd, 17th, 31st

ea

10

11

12

13

14

15

Dementia Awareness Survey

We have had about 80 responses
and we will bringing it to an end in
the next couple of weeks.
At present the overwhelming
response has been positive and
we are at a stage where we are
contacting people interested in
taking part in a series of activities
that are intergenerational and
dementia friendly.
We want to bring young
people and older
people together, have
fun and break down
isolation and stigma. If
people are interested
then they can contact
me (Danny) at
info@slowtheatrecomp
any.co.uk
ACORN FELLOWSHIP FOR THE
OVER 50s

Alternate Mondays
2.30 Bowthorpe
Church
May 11th Christian
Aid
May 25th Public
Holiday
16

J.W.

N.D.
17

On the first day of Spring some twenty of us wandered the woods at

dawn listening to the bird-song. In all we identified thirty different
species. I did not know that so many birds live right next-door to us.
We spent quite a while watching nuthatches walking up (and down!)
the branches high in the canopy. Tree creepers also walk up the
branches but the nuthatches go down as well. We didnt find any
tree creepers.
But we did find wrens, lots of them. In fact the humble small drab wren is Britains
most populous bird, so its no surprise that we found them pretty much everywhere.
Not that we saw any you understand. Not only is it small and drab,
it hides most of the time in the undergrowth. I suppose thats why it
got its scientific name Troglodytes troglodytes. A troglodyte is
someone who lives in a cave. I do see them sometimes: their tiny
size and tail held vertically means they are easy to identify. But we
didnt see them that dawn: we heard them. They have very loud
voices for such small birds and in the early morning they made a very loud noise.
In general Im very much in favour of loud noises not being made early in the
morning, but this was an exception. One bush suddenly erupts in song. The song
tends to have a trill in the middle or at the end. Its the wrens way of saying, this is
my bush! If he can say it loud enough maybe he can claim some bigger and better
bushes as well. But the neighbours will also stake out their claim to territory by an
answering song from the undergrowth a few bushes away. One bird singing
provokes his neighbours to sing. And normally it will be a male: he wants to

18

Daffodils
Green stalks, green
leaves,
Daffodils herald in
Spring with their yellow
trumpet flowers swaying
in the breeze,
Flowers facing the sun,
what a wonderful time
of year my favourite!
Snowdrops of Winter
are now fading, after
the Daffodils the
Bluebells with bow and
bend as the gentle
Spring winds waft
through the woods.
There are birds building
nests, frogs and toads
show off to the ladies how good a territory he has.
Together they make a chime of wrens.I find myself
listening out for the wrens. The songs of blackbirds
and robins I could anyway recognise. Its perhaps
better to try learning one new trick for now: I dont
think I stand much chance with the nuthatches. But
the wrens are all around in the undergrowth: one
has only to stop and listen. It is easy
to find internet sites that have
recording of wrens singing:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/
House_Wren/sounds is one of
them. And there is plenty of time:
the wrens will be singing right
through the mating season, March
to July.
Noel Debbage

19

laying spawn, newts

making their way back
to their ponds and the
Daffodils still sway in
the breeze,
Yes, Spring is
here, my
favourite time
of the year.
Lois Wiltshire

NOTICES FROM NEIGHBOURS

NORWICH ELECTRONIC
ORGAN & KEYBOARD CLUB

We meet on the last Tuesday

of the month at Drayton Village
Hall, 7.30pm start. Entrance is
6.00 at the door.
th

.Tuesday 26 May

Nicholas Martin
Nicholas has played
at our club many
times during the 40+
years we have been
in existence so we
are expecting a good mixture
of theatre organ, jazz organ,
modern and not so modern
styles, all interspersed with his
usual cheerful banter.
Do come and join us for an
evening of good musical
entertainment with like-minded,
friendly people, you will be very
welcome.
Martin Drake Chairman

Events at Costessey
Library

Breckland Bookworms meet on

the last Tues of the month at 5.30
New members welcome
NNAB will be here on 2nd June
2.30 - 4.30
Coming in July The Summer
Reading Challenge. Lots of FREE
activities for children. Pop in and
see us for more details.
Don't forget it is FREE to join and
you don't have to be quiet
anymore!

20

21

ASHWELL COURT
Today and for several days now the weather has been glorious with
sunshine and blue skies and what a difference it makes. It seems to put a
spring in our steps and smiles on our faces. Lets hope this is a preview of
what our summer will be like.
Activities at Ashwell Court continue to be many and varied. At Easter we
had our usual Easter Raffle and the prizes were, amongst other things, an
amazing collection of Easter Eggs in all shapes and sizes. This was
followed by the judging of our first Easter Bonnet competition, won by Joyce
with a beautiful floral creation. Well done Joyce.
We had great entertainment with Gary Only accompanied of course by a
lovely buffet, and another enjoyable visit from the Dennis Light Orchestra.
Our Entertainments Team works very hard on the buffets which are served
at all our entertainments, and also at producing a full and varied programme
of entertainment throughout the year. We are now looking forward to
another visit by Pat James and also a line dancing demonstration by the
South Park Stompers.
Combined with our regular activities life is certainly very varied at Ashwell
Court.
We extend a very warm welcome to our newest resident, Janet Booth, who
has moved in this month. We hope she is settling in well and
that she will be very happy at Ashwell Court.
Time is running away and I must submit this piece, so best
wishes to you all from Ashwell Court.
Bye for now.

Margaret

22

Hello Everyone

Leyham Court

Activities wise, its been a fairly quiet month here at Leyham Court, but Im
sure well have more to talk about next month once our activity calendar
gets under way.
With the election now at fever levels I think its a good
time to chill out and visit The Old Record Shop online
and retrieve some of those musical memories of
yesteryear!
At The Old Record Shop you can search any chosen
date using the drop down calendar to find out what the
number one hit was at any time since mid November
1952, perhaps your birthday, wedding day, or just a happy day! Although
you cant play or listen to any music online as The Old Record Shop is not
like a traditional high street or internet record shop as they don't keep any
stock of old recordings.
Their main function is to locate original bygone musical recordings using
their many contacts within the music world, they say they will search and
supply your chosen song in its original format which maybe a 78, CD, 10
inch or even music sheets depending
on release date and then frame it with
your own chosen personalised words
or message. So while they do charge
for supplying and framing, if they can
obtain it. They say that as music
enthusiasts they love the thrill of the
hunt! and get almost as much pleasure
from finding music for other people as
they do for themselves.
But if you dont want to buy, remember
the site is always free to look up those
memorable songs for your friends and
relatives who may well sigh a note of
happiness at just the memory of that
special song of long ago.
Just enter the following address into
your browser:
http://www.old-record-shop.co.uk/
NumberOneRecord.html
Happy Days! John
23

24

Costessey and Bowthorpe

District Rangers, Guides,
Brownies and Rainbows.
The observant of you will have
noticed that Girlguiding in our
District has extended to a Ranger
unit. This is for older girls who
have finished Guides and want to
move up to become Rangers;
maybe, with luck they will stay on
and become the next generation
of Leaders in Costessey and
Bowthorpe District.
There has been an interesting
range of activities that our girls
and Leaders have been involved
in lately.
If I start with the
youngest girls, the Rainbows,
activities from learning about
Australia, as part of the Round
the World topic to crafts such as
Elsas bird pudding on the
Frozen theme have been
enjoyed. Heart-shaped cookies
and shakers have been made by
another group. Some Brownies
have been busy making cheats fudge (recipe is available), and decorating an egg as
a penguin to look after at home in the Easter Holiday as well as watching some of a
David Attenborough film. Other more sporty Brownies were put through their paces
kicking, punching and blocking after a demonstration on Karate. It is good to see that
modern girls are learning how to defend themselves.
Costessey Guides have been working on the Super heroes scheme. Our Guides
and Rangers are joining with Old Catton girls to go to Disneyland Paris and are
frantically fund raising to cover some of the expenses. If you saw the posters I hope
you went to the tea party at John Innes Centre or maybe the disco. There will be a
quiz night at Namco Bowling at Bowthorpe on 30 May (*see p.3) Posters will be up
nearer the time and the girls are bag-packing at Roys Supermarket, Bowthorpe on
30 and 31 May. They will be very grateful for any donations.
All our units: Costessey on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday; Queens Hills on
Monday; Easton on Tues and Friday and Bowthorpe on Fridays are growing in
number and the girls are enjoying the various activities and challenges on offer. We
have wonderful leaders to thank for this.
Could you help keep Girlguiding in our District by volunteering to help with one of our
many units who are looking for help to continue running their weekly meetings and
would be keen for new ideas. If you are able to help or would like more information
please contact Julie Mears on 01603 749717 or Sue Rivett 01603 747733 or Sheila
Hinton 01603 741989.

25

26

Funky Families

Community

Group based at clover hill

village hall humble yard
bowthorpe Norwich.
Thursday 28th may 10am-1
Pirate and princess
play date at clover hill.

Fancy dress comp, games and

prizes. Treasure hunt, arts
crafts and messy play
2.50 per person
27

28

News from Clover Hill VA Infant and Nursery

School

The children in Key Stage 1 are

on a Space Mission! They have
been writing countdown poems

Some of our
budding year 2 artists are
busy planning and
creating their wonderful
designs for our baby
GoGo Dragon! The
Dragons will hit the
streets of Norwich on 21st
June.

10 blasting rockets,
9 informing satellite,
8 soaring space shuttles,
7 round moons,
6 shooting comets,
5 blazing suns,
4 sucking vacuums,
3 twinkling stars,
2 smashing asteroids,
1 enormous galaxy!

Come and join us at tea

and chat.
Every Thursday in term
time
8.30am-10.00am

By Aaron, Year 1

Talking Forest Schools

As part of our focus on the development of language and
communication skills in the Early Years, our Nursery pupils are
being offered an exciting new opportunity. Children and their
parents have begun taking part in outdoor learning activities with
a focus on developing language, interaction, confidence and an
enjoyment of the great outdoors! These sessions are run by our
early language teacher and Forest Schools leader.
29

News from St Michaels VA Junior

Assistant Caretaker

Teachers in the Making!

St Michaels are looking for

an Assistant Caretaker to
work for 9.5 hours per week.
For

further

please

information,

contact

Kingston

at

Tracey

the

school

office: (01603) 745812.

Building Works
You may have

noticed

that
n

our
e

entrance

Children in Y6 have been volunteering

to tutor Y3 children in reading and
maths. They are fantastic role
models, promoting positive learning
attitudes and really supporting them to
improve. Y6 children benefit from this
responsibility too and everyone really
enjoys there time
together. Who knows
how many will go on
to become the future
teachers of tomorrow!

A word from Eco-Council

Children at St Michaels are being
encouraged to walk or cycle to
school. It is an

is almost finished and is

lo o ki ng

especially

fa b ulo us ly

idea

contempory. Work has

also

begun

into

at

moment

the

good

weather

as

the
the
has

expansion of the school

started to warm up. Why not try

kitchen to help cater

and ditch the car for short

for our ever growing

school.
Sarah Claflin - Assistant

journeys? Dont forget not only

is it good for your health and
wellbeing, it is also good for the
environment too!
30

CHILDRENS PAGE
Well its Ozs page again. First of all Oz apologises to all his
readers for the typo in last months page, mea culpa.
Fortunately, the error didnt affect the wordsearch in any way.
This month, hopefully without mistakes, the wordsearch is
concerned with spring plants. See how you get on with the
puzzle.

ACACIA

ANEMONE

ASTER

CORNFLOWER

DELPHINIUM

FREESIA

GINGER

GLADIOLUS

LILAC

MARIGOLD ROSE

SUNFLOWER

Well that's all for this month. Oz hopes you were able to
complete the puzzle. As Oz prepares this wordsearch it is
a beautiful sunny warm day. Hope we get more of these
and that you can enjoy the good weather. Stay safe until
next time.
Bye Oz

31

COPY FOR JUNE ISSUE TO BE IN BY 15th MAY

Please deliver to
2a Saint Michaels Cottages, Bowthorpe Hall Rd, Bowthorpe, NR5 9AA

or email: bowthorpenews@yahoo.co.uk
Editor: Sally Simpson Tel. 01603 745698
Typing: Mary Cubitt
Childrens page: Oz ozziecatus@gmail.com

Printer: Pride Press Ltd.

Treasurer: Barrie Slater

Advertising: keith.wright@laptoprepairsnorwich.co.uk t: 01603 748531

Distribution:
M.Bolton, C.Newman, L.Butt, M.Cubitt, M.Roberts, B.Osbourne, Joy Stewart

Website: www.bowthorpenews.co.uk.
June issue published on May 29th.

July/August double issue on July 3rd

Chapel Break Social Club

Taking the dog for a walk with the kids? Or looking for a fun night out?
Come join us at chapel break social club (side entrance to the village hall)
We are open Friday, Saturday and Sundays and each bank holiday.
What's on :
Friday 1st may Samia Malik - singer
Saturday 23rd - karaoke
Saturday 30th - Quiz night
Visit us on Facebook and give us a like for latest news and events.
Just search : chapel break social club

Bowthorpe Feast 2015

Summer is not far from now and Society Alive would like to remind you of its
annual event the Bowthorpe Feast scheduled as shown below. As usual, it would
be a day of great fun for all the family.
Venue: Clover Hill Village Hall

Date: 20/6/2015

Time: 11am 4pm

Featuring
*Face painting for all * Bouncy castle
*Salsa dance for all lead by Norwich base Jose Ferrera
*Body massage by Norwich MIND *Lots of good food from around the world
*Stalls
*And many more.
Be on the lookout for poster and more details but importantly,
put this date in your diary as it would be a day of great fun for all the family. If
you wish to know more, contact Godwin on 07832972166

32