Fakenham Parish Church: Community Blog

Recently someone who we know very well was discharged from hospital. It is an incredibly vulnerable time for both them and their relatives. It seems that despite the best intentions in the world, lines of communication about where to obtain  the medical supplies required  are somewhat fuzzy.

Having made enquiries at all the local chemists ( on behalf of our neighbours) we were unable to obtain one medical supply item needed. That is, we could have ordered it at one chemist but at an exorbitant price. Having made a search on the internet we have been able to source both this, and another item,( totally unavailable from local chemists) at a very reasonable price through a website which we had used when my own husband was discharged from hospital ..

I’m not quite sure how this problem  could be addressed. I just feel that there are people in need of help/advice at a time when they are extremely vulnerable and somehow or other they are  ’slipping through the net’ in terms of practical information. It would be helpful if there were some information about where to obtain things at the most affordable price in this time of escalating costs.

Any suggestions anyone? 

 It could be that Age Concern already address this problem but if they do, it is not widely known about.

Could it be possible to have a day a week when someone with a computer was available to make searches for people and try to source their requirements  or would that be ‘treading on the toes ‘of retailers?

Ann Robertson

Having attended a meeting of the Fakenham Air Training Corps (ATC) last night I came back overjoyed by a group of youngsters who are caring, positive about life and willing  to contribute to the community. Also, I had the joy as the Corps Chaplain of enrolling two  new members Tom and Jeff (his real name is Jefferson - sounds very posh) who took their  vows very seriously. The Corps spent time with tutors learning about the ATC, drilling in the very cold evening air, and then put up with me for 45 minutes for my ‘Padre’s Hour’.  The ATC does a wonderful job and I can guarantee that almost every cadet will soon be in further education and then into work. Did you know that the ATC is one of the UK’s largest youth organisations?

An email received from Gail Allcock a member of Church

Hi, Adrian, did you hear that the Fakenham children’s daycare centre had been a victim of arson yet again? Last Monday they had their outside shed destroyed by fire and many of the children’s outside toys have been ruined beyond repair. The last fire they had, local businesses were very kind and offered equipment and cash to help replace lost equipment but they don’t feel able to ask for help yet again. Two things, could we give them some publicity in the Beacon? they just want the vandals and arsonists to leave them alone. also would we be able to offer them a stall at one of the craft fairs again to help them raise money to replace toys etc. ? Gail

Of course we can help. We are planning to give the complete takings from the Thursday Church Market Stall and Coffee this week to the Centre. This shouldbe be over £300.  Adrian

Did you know that Fakenham’s Charity Shops, yes all of them, there are 7 that I can think of, are Staffed by really kind, helpful and happy people who freely give up their time to do this work. As I am not one of them I feel I can ‘blow the trumpet’ on their behalf without any bias.!

Not only do they all have lovely Staff, they also have amazing bargains of every type, sort and description.

Being of a certain age and size I cannot find any clothes I like in the shops which trade in new clothes, but I have found things which I really do like AND can afford, in this Goldmine which is at our disposal.

Now that we cook only for two, I have also found pyrex or other casserole dishes which are exactly right for us. Oh and I found a superb complete set of fascinating history books ( I think it was called Horrid History) aimed at young people which made a good present for a 7 year old grand child.

These shops are a treasure on our doorstep and they are all helping various charities.”

Regards

Ann

Totally agree. Rector

Last evening the Church was full of people for a concert by the West Norfolk Jubilee Youth Orchestra and Concert Band. It was great ! Young people enjoying music and willing to try some exciting pieces of music from every generation including Sting ! I have asked the Orchestra back next year. If you missed it, you missed a real treat. The Church received £100 donation from the event which we will be giving to Steven Newing House in Fakenham helping young people who are in difficulty and need some support.

A lady this week told me off through a member of  my staff for always asking people for money for the Church. Well actually as a Church we probably give away more than any Church in our Deanery and one of the highest in the Diocese. Last year over £30,000 was raised for charities other than the Church which included £21,000 from the 7th Christmas Tree Festival.

I hope that she is in a minority because we really do try to help and next Thursday we are donating all the proceeds from Thursday Market Day stalls and refreshments Fakenham Children’s Day Care Centre which has again been hit by vandalism even though we need £10,000 for urgent repairs to the Church.

May be I am a little touchy about this point. But we just try to help where we can and like HM  The Queen, often our generosity is not noticed because we want to give quietly.

Any advice would be helpful?

Adrian Bell

Cuts in funding to Creative Arts East and Eastern Angles Theatre company by the Arts Council will have a significant impact on live performances around here. For years now we have been able to enjoy top-class artists appearing in local village halls. Our family has grown up with the repertoire provided by Eastern Angles whose outstanding plays always have an emphasis on the landscape, literature or history of this region. Formerly the group was a regular visitor to our community centre but that link has currently lapsed. Now we catch them in Hindolveston or Blakeney or Holt but with a proposed halving of their grant it’s unlikely their outreach programme will be able to continue.

The same applies to Creative Arts East. With its support, villages like Kettlestone, Whissonsett and Wood Norton have been able to host quality musicians and theatre groups at very reasonable rates. The many we have attended have been packed out, the most recent being for a memorable rendition of Under Milk Wood at Whissonsett. All this will probably have to go if the Arts Council sticks to its guns. Whisper has it that the money saved will be diverted towards the 2012 Olympics. Regardless, this should not be allowed to happen. Encouragingly, a strong protest movement is already well under way and includes some very powerful names.Let’s hope they manage to make the authorities see sense.

Wayfarer

As you recover from the various surfeits of the Christmas period, spare a thought for those who may be less fortunate. Marching into 2008 I am reminded that many local residents struggle to make ends meet. On my meals on wheels round, a number of the elderly recipients of a main course and pudding provided by the cooks of Cranmer House at £3 a time rarely leave their own homes. I try to spend a little time with each of them, knowing I may be the only visitor for some while, but obviously there’s a schedule to meet. Maybe more of us could resolve to slow down a bit this year, spread a little more of ourselves with those who would appreciate some company and try not to dash around as if our every move was that important. In short, make 2008 a bit more of a magnanimous year

Back in May the builders moved in to start work on the new children’s centre at Fakenham Infant and Nursery school. You may recall it was the start of one of the wettest summers on record but despite the quagmire underfoot they somehow managed to stay on schedule. This important facility is now complete and in the coming weeks will begin providing a whole range of services for parents and their tiny tots. To distinguish it from other providers already established in the area, the name for the new project will be Fakenham Gateway Children’s Centre. Good luck to all those involved

Overheard at the Christmas Tree Festival from a teacher reprimanding a youngster for tampering with a tree: “Jamie, which part of the word no don’t you understand?”

 Wayfarer