By N.M. Cornwell

Question - who celebrated his 150^th birthday last year and connects Sean Connery, Harry Enfield, celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, Benny hill and Level 42 frontman Mark King?

The answer is the great British milkman (all of the celebrities worked as ‘Ernies’ before finding fame and fortune.

The technology driven 21^st Century is light years removed from the world of the 1850’s when dairies first started to offer home delivery. Previously customers would turn up at t...
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By a Wayfarer

5 “Water, water, - everywhere?”

“February fill the dyke, Be it black or be it white; But if it be white, It's the better to like.” So runs an old country rhyme which, like most of these old sayings, was based on observation of how things always were. However, as our climate changes around us, old patterns are being turned upside down.

As I write these notes just after Christmas, we are just getting over a short spell of snow and everything around is very wet. But mos...
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By Dick Melton

In the late fifties the late Rocky Thompson, a travelling showman who was based in Hunstanton, was at an Easter fair on Wanstead Flats in London. Rocky travelled with a Helter Skelter (Slip) and a sweet trailer. A young man, John Thorpe who was in his twenties came along looking for work and Rocky gave him the job of looking after the Slip. When the fair left Wanstead, Rocky asked him if he’d like to come back to Hunstanton to work on the Slip for the summer season and this ...
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By Joanna Fort

So it did bring the snow, also the cold and frost. For the first time in years we are experiencing a ‘proper winter’.  Many of you will remember those long gone winters when we struggled through snow and cold, mainly without the vast numbers of 4x4 vehicles and supposed modern apparatus!  Oh well we used to manage or is that just hopeful memories!!

January is named after the Roman god Janus, as many of you will know. He had two faces, one looking forward and one looking...
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NOT ANOTHER ESTATE AGENT

I can only assume that Mr Shaw did not take the time to read the write up in the Lynn News, The Hunstanton Newsletter or even our shop window as I am sure he would have realised quickly we are not ‘another estate agent’. We have been quite clear in all our marketing that we are a Letting Agent, dedicating 100% of our time to residential Lettings & Management. In fact the only Agent of its type in the town.

I am very keen to stress to people that we are not...
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By Joe Parker, agricultural ‘expert’

90% of the UK population lives in towns or cities. This is one of the highest proportions in the Northern hemisphere, out-stripping our European neighbours and dwarfing the percentage in China and India. This massive concentration of the population in urban areas brings with it a logistical problem for food distribution.

Coupled with this British farmers and growers produce only 58% of the food we eat, down dramatically from 75% in 1994. This is part...
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FRIDAY 21st MAY

Want to do something different? Want to raise money where you live or work? Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity? Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 21^st May 2010 whilst raising awareness of spinal cord injury and supporting SIA’s information and support services.

You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre.

SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, rec...
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TO THOSE WHO DON’T HEAR SO WELL

Do you find that you miss the beginnings of sentences and the ends of words?

Are your family and friends having to repeat themselves before you understand what has been said?

You may already have a hearing aid but LIPREADING CLASSES can help you follow conversations better. As well as learning the shapes of sounds you will learn other techniques to help you follow conversations more easily.

In Hunstanton, at the new warm and cosy Methodist Church Rooms...
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By Edward Alexander

Laughter echos around their stoney silence,

children running and playing upon unspoilt sand.

These cliffs of red and white have stood for eons,

watching and guarding this frontier of Norfolk.

Their contours are caressed by the summer breeze

and battered by the howling winter storm.

These quiet sentinels of rock and stone stand attentive,

always watching as history passes by.

Birds find homes in these crumbling, natural lodgings,

building their nests on ridg...
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By Edward Wheatley

Fry the egg from the battery hen

Who's lived all her life in a tiny pen.

Who'll never see the sky again

And die upside down in terrible pain.

Grill the bacon from the pig

Who's never enjoyed a good old dig

in a muddy field: nor grown too big

To be slaughtered on an electric rig.

Pour the milk from the limping cow.

She's giving 50 gallons now.

She'll milk as long as her feet allow.

She keeps on going – God knows how.

Yet still I go on eating meat ...
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By Edward Wheatley

When I'm feeding the ducks on the chilly church green,

Does God peep out from behind the rood screen

And say to himself …. “Oh deary, oh dear.

I've made a bit of a cock-up, I fear.

So many mouths to feed. So little food.

And I'm supposed to be the God who is good.”

“I hope people don't think that they have been had

And are mistakenly praising a God who is bad.

Though humans can't blame me for the wrong that they do

As they have free will. It's got t...
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By Sandra Hohol, Publicity Officer

Before my report for the last month or so, we have some sad news. One of our Chaperones and committee members, Tash Goodman, sadly passed away very suddenly, but peacefully just before Christmas. She had battled bravely through cancer a few years ago and then just picked up a simple infection in November which she unfortunately could not fight. She was only thirty years old. She had a wicked sense of humour (which her daughter has inherited!), and held a br...
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By Edwin Salter

Do you enjoy a thoughtful discussion? It could be over an afternoon cup of tea or in a small evening meeting where comments are listened to. Even serious topics can be tackled in a hopeful and cheerful spirit.

Past themes for the local humanist group have included education, freedom, climate – big issues but we can begin to understand them better. If you are interested in such matters, then Lynn Humanists might suit you. It’s not necessary to have humanist beliefs to at...
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Swaffham Museum will re-open at 10.00am on Saturday February 13^th with new displays including our 2010 special exhibition - “Collectors and Collecting” – celebrating famous and not so famous Swaffham area collectors and their passion for all manner of items from fossils to butterflies, sea shells to orange wrappers, typewriters to farm implements, wild flowers to coins, medals, badges and glass to name but a few. A cornucopia of artefacts with something for everyone.

Listen to Monique S...
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From now until the 1^st of April 2010 we are offering unbeatable deals to our new and current clients for our exceptional laser treatments. If you are currently receiving treatment or indeed have done so in the past 18 months with SLC and are considering a new laser treatment, such as Thread Veins or Skin Rejuvenation, you should take advantage of this HALF PRICE offer!

We have witnessed amazing results over the past year in the removal and reduction of both facial and leg thread veins. This t...
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...St. Edmund’s School (1860 – 1890)

By John Smith

Yet another connection with St. Edmund - this school occupied the premises in St. Edmund’s Terrace, the now reopened Marine Bar. This building was used as an hotel when it was first built, then it became a school, a Dominican Convent, then the Buckingham Palace Hotel and now is the Marine Bar.

Little is known about the school, and probably the only photographs of the school are owned by Nancy Fuller, who had ancestors at the scho...
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There are some things which seem to be perpetual topics of conversation in Hunstanton. Items of ‘small talk’ that capture interest and imagination. How many times do you hear people discussing the offshore wind farm? Whether the turbines are turning or how many turbines are visible at a given time.

The view over The Wash seems to vary with changing weather. Lincolnshire is always there but it is our perception that changes depending on what we can see. The distance of our vision is govern...
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I think I’m right in saying that on Pope Benedict’s schedule during his visit to Britain in 2010 will be the matter of the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Generally, such an event wouldn’t draw my attention as a non-conformist non-conformist! However knowing a little bit about the Cardinal I’m aware that he wrote one of my favourite hymns, and apparently one of Queen Victoria’s too. It is said that as she great monarch lay dying at Osborne House in January 1901, members o

(Church of Our Lady and St Edmund, Sandringham Road, with St Cecilia’s, Dersingham)

The icy weather meant that our Christmas midnight services were not quite as full as in previous years, but all those who were able to attend were in good voice and pleased to take part in so joyful a celebration. On Boxing Day, the feast of St Stephen, our altar servers renewed their Guild promises at a special Mass in the church at Hunstanton. This was followed by a party for those present – a suitabl...
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By Jim Welham

In the 18^th century only the rich visited the seaside, often on their doctor’s advice, but by the middle of the 19^th century, the railways allowed mass working-class tourism. This caused a large-scale expansion of existing seaside villages and created new resorts such as Hunstanton. Another Victorian invention was the pier, which often formed the centrepiece of the resort. The raised walkway allowed easy access over the sea or up to it if the tide was out. Piers had little sur...
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By Leanne Thomas

Hawk and Owl Trust

 Saturday 6^th February. 5.30pm. Evening Owl Prowl followed by fish and chip supper. £8 including food. Places are limited and must be booked in advance 01328 856788. This event is weather dependent.

Wednesday 10^th February. 7-9.30pm. Painting class with wildlife artist Steve Cale. Learn hints and tips on painting landscapes and wildlife, regular fortnightly class, new joiners welcome. £10 per evening. Contact 01328 856788.

Sunday 14^th February. 4pm. S...
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Dick Melton

 Well now, we’ve had some rough old weather over Christmas!  John and Sparky took me up to the Club on a sledge.  Unfortunately, it was stolen by an old chap dressed in a white coat and he had a white beard.  I’ve not seen the sledge since.  Therefore, I was not able to get down to the beach for the Annual Christmas Day Swim.  This is only the second time I have missed being a spectator at this event during the last forty years. 

The ice and snow on the roads and pavem...
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JAMES FREDERICK JACKSON (1894-1966)

THE STORY OF A BEACH CHAIR ASSISTANT

By J R Smith

 Amongst my collection of Hunstanton ephemera I have a small booklet published in 1911, entitled “The Rocks of Hunstanton And Its Neighbourhood” by J. F. Jackson (Victoria Avenue) – Price 8d.. Not only is the booklet still the most complete work on the geology of our famous cliffs, the story of how the booklet came to be published is a fascinating one.

 James Jackson was born at Mold, Flintshire i...
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By Peter Mills

 The New Year has now set in and it’s time to look forward to the rest of 2010. 2009 was very successful for Hunstanton Lions as you will have gathered over the year. December is always our busiest month with our “Grotto” and “Craft Fair” as well as our new “Turkey & Tinsel” lunches which we reported on in the last issue. The “Grotto” was by far the best we have ever constructed. This was agreed by all the children and parents who visited. For the first...
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By Alison Thorne, Community Librarian

 Hunstanton Library reading group is looking for some new members for 2010. We meet on the third Thursday of the month from 3.30 until 5pm, and usually have one book up for group discussion, plus we also talk about whatever people have been reading since we last met up. We choose our books as a group and aim to try new authors and reading experiences rather than revisit the classics. In the last year we've been discussing Scandinavian crime, an action-p...
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By Andrew Murray

 The January edition of the Newsletter with its amazing snow and firework cover picture dropped through my letter box on 5^th. January.  Mr Jim Welham’s article about ‘Canute the Second’ was very timely because that evening Mr. Peter Dawe braved the weather to talk to us about the threat of climate change and the feasibility of building a barrage across the Wash from Hunstanton to the Lincolnshire Coast.  The Environment Agency is predicting that sea levels will ris...
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By Kingsley Pearce

 I think it was towards the end of the war circa 1944, when one morning I was told that there was an unexploded bomb in the back garden of a house almost opposite to us on the other side of the Avenue.  Sure enough, when I looked out of the front bedroom window, outside number 8, there was a khaki coloured medium sized army lorry marked Bomb Disposal, but no signs of any activity.  However, I had also noticed that up against the front garden wall of the property, and a...
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By Nicki Bowman

 Well here we go another month has passed us yet again, where does all the time go! We've had the Christmas season, as I type this the snow is slowly disappearing into slush, which probably means we have more on the way (some of us can only hope!) or spring is going to rear its bright and beautiful head soon!

So its February the month of cupid shooting his arrow and spreading love all around, Chives will be having their romantic Valentine evening on Saturday 13th February, ...
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By Geoff Needham

 With no callouts to report, life at the station still goes on, training and maintenance of equipment has to be carried out.  On Sunday  4th January 2010  both craft launched to exercise with Skegness  Lifeboat, to what has become a tradition going back to when the station first opened, the crews swap Christmas trees, board one another’s craft  have a chat a mince pie and general exchange of talk of the years callouts, it is an opportunity to meet the faces that usual...
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By Debra Buckby 

 Before research studies confirmed it’s beneficial effects on physical and mental health, meditation was invariably practiced as part of a spiritual journey: a search for eternal truths, lasting happiness and peace of mind. Without involving any beliefs or value system   meditation promises answers to the age-old questions of spiritual travel, who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? However, now that word has spread about the astonishing positive effects of meditatio...
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Derek, Margaret, Judy and Samantha would like to reassure all our clients that Derek is certainly not retiring and assure you that you will still get excellent service with all the fringe!! benefits of cheek, good humour and happy atmosphere at all times, free air for your wheelchairs, tea coffee, friendly service with a smile!!!.   In fact as you may have seen from our adverts we are actively seeking a beautician on a self employed basis to join our team.  

 We would like to take this o...
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By Helen Smith

 Most of us today lead busy, stressful lifestyles leaving us little time to make healthy food and drink choices. With fast food and convenient snacks readily available, your body often misses out on necessary vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein.

              The simple truth is that a surprising number of people are not getting the balanced nutrition that their body needs.  What your body needs is good balanced nutrition, food with low calories and good sour...
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By Cllr Christine Earnshaw, Mayor of Hunstanton

 To start with the more social aspects of the Town Council’s work; Sainsbury’s continue to work hard for the Mayors Appeal, last month’s Newsletter showed the winner of the hamper, Christine Walford and the store is to be congratulated for raising £1035 (with some noble assistance from the Hunstanton Concert Band on a cold wintry morning).  Watch out for the Valentine Raffle on February 13^th when Sainsbury’s staff dress up as HIPPIES!...
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As some of you may be aware, Lesley’s Lingerie is now being managed by an all female staff. “We are very pleased and excited with the changes that have already been implemented” says Michele Young, Leslie’s new manager.

The store layout is less cluttered and more organised allowing our customers to comfortably browse at their leisure. We are also now offering a full fitting and measuring service to give that personalised attention that our customers require. We have exciting plans for t...
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By Caroline Odd and Angie Dryden

 Belated Happy New Year wishes to all our customers!  We are both delighted despite the awful weather to have made it through our first of many Christmas's in Hunstanton and would like to especially thank Carl at the Best Western Le Strange Arms Hotel, Vicky & Paul Searle at Heacham Manor, Sandra and Keith at Chives and the Broadland & Coastal Cruising Club for placing their Christmas Orders with us, corporate orders are very important to us and the...
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… BOYS AND CARS

By Norman C. Whye

 In these early years there were not all that many incomers who had bought holiday homes in Hunstanton, and the surrounding villages. Many people had been born, grew up, and resided in the homes that they lived in, and consequently most people were familiar with everyone else. As my father was the local wine merchant, his knowledge of the local people was vast, and I and my friends were allowed to remove ourselves from our homes, and carry out our pursuits ...
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Anita was born in Hunstanton and completed her hair dressing apprenticeship at a local salon, gaining her qualifications at The Norfolk College of Arts and Technology (now the College of West Anglia).

She competed in various hairstyling competitions throughout the UK and completed an exchange hairdressing programme in Germany. She eventually started her own business mobile hairdressing in the Hunstanton area.

More recently she worked part time at a Salon as well as her mobile work and eventua...
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By Dave Hawkins

Visitor officer, Titchwell Marsh RSPB

 Winter is a great time to do a spot of beachcombing along our beaches.

On muddy or sandy sections beach, you should easily be able to find several different species of birds including bar tailed godwits, grey plovers, sanderling, knot, turnstones, oystercatchers, and a plethora of gulls. Higher up the beach in the strand line you may well find snow buntings which flutter round like snowflakes in the breeze as they search for seeds and sm...
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By John Maiden

Newsletter readers might be interested in Cllr Daubney's response to a ten-part question, prompted by his decision to vary the terms of the Pier Lease in favour of a Council tenant - the one who may now pay just £1 per annum for a prime site on The Green for the next 858 years, without ever having to build or maintain a Pier!

              If this extract from the minutes of a borough council meeting held on 26th November 2009 is an example of what the boro...
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Last year I was lucky enough to be given a lemon tree for my birthday, and one of the features of citrus trees is that they carry flowers, developing, and ripe fruits all at the same time. So far we have harvested seven lemons, the next one is ripe and ready for our pancakes on Shrove Tuesday which this year falls on 16th February. Are your frying pans at the ready?

              I remember the pancake races that used to be held in the High Street; certainly into the 1990’s and ...
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