CHURCH SERVICE CANCELLATIONS

Regrettably, more of our Carol Services have had to be cancelled, some due to concerns over the risks of covid transmission, and others because those involved in the services have themselves tested positive for the virus.

Cancelled this week:

  • Carol Singing around Litcham Village this evening
  • Litcham Family Carols and Nativity (Tuesday)
  • Gressenhall Christingle (Friday)
  • Wellingham Carol Service (Friday)
  • Gressenhall Christmas Day

Other services previously advertised will go ahead, although last-minute cancellations may be necessary. I will endeavour to keep you informed.

On a happier note, an announcement was made in the benefice churches yesterday having received this email from the bishop:

‘We are delighted to announce that the Lord Chancellor has nominated the Revd Miriam Fife to the Bishop of Norwich as the next Team Rector of the Launditch & Upper Nar Team Ministry. The Bishop has accepted the nomination and Miriam will be instituted and inducted to the benefice on a date to be arranged in the new year’.

Lovely to have this news before Christmas!
With every blessing
Miriam Fife

SNOWDROP WALKS

Weather permitting, the annual snowdrop walks(in aid of charities) will take place on Sunday 6th February and Sunday 13th February from 11am to 4pm..  Adults £6, Children FREE.  Dogs on leads are welcome.  Not suitable for disabled.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Refreshments available this year, due to difficulties of complying with Covid 19 Regulations.

Neil Foster

Fancy ringing in the changes this new year?

After an 18 month enforced silence we were pleased to be able to restart bell ringing in Litcham Church last August, just in time for the joyful occasion that was Nellie and Matt’s wedding. Since then we have reinstated our practice nights every other Monday and aim to ring at least once a month for services and special occasions such as Weddings and Christenings. Unfortunately there aren’t always enough trained bell ringers to go round and we would welcome anyone who wants to come along and find out what it’s all about.
Ringing bells “by rope and wheel” is almost exclusively confined to the British Isles, and has existed in the same form since the early 1600’s. It has taken place in Litcham since around 1670, when Matthew Halcott paid for the present church tower to be built. The main skill is learning rope control and physical strength is only a minor factor, so bellringing is a hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Interested in joining us? Then please contact Tim Angell on 01328 700045 to find out more.

Litcham Common Conservation Group

We are very grateful to Litcham Parish Council for a grant of £400 towards the group’s running expenses.  This is very welcome at a time of uncertainty about the future funding of our work on the common.  Thank you, on behalf of all the volunteers.

Our next monthly conservation task will take place on Saturday 11th December meeting at 10am in Litcham Common car park.  As usual, new volunteers will be very welcome.  Contact Tim Angell on 01328 700045 for more information.

FRIENDS OF LITCHAM SCHOOL  

CLOTHES RECYCLING BANK 

Friends of Litcham School has partnered with RAG BAG Textile Recycling to help recycle textiles and clothing that may have ended up going to landfill whilst also raising funds for our school.We now have a permanent clothing collection bank sited in the entrance to  Litcham School, Secondary Phase on Church Street, opposite the Village Shop & Post Office.     

This is accessible 24/7 to the community and by collecting the items below we can divert some of the clothing away from landfill, help the environment and provide good quality clothing to some of the poorest developing nations in the world.

Bags of good quality, clean and dried clothing, paired shoes, handbags, wallets, ties, belts, hats etc.  can be deposited in the bank.  

The funds raised will be divided equally between the Primary and Secondary school Phases.  

Barnsdale Crafts & Preserves

Barnsdale, Beeston Road, Great Dunham PE32 2LU
Open Fridays & Saturdays 10am – 2pm
or call Pam on 07765 886142 for an appointment
Homemade Preserves, Cakes, Scones, Biscuits
Handcrafted Homeware & Gifts
Plus seasonal Home-grown Fruit and Vegetables and Garden Plants

LITCHAM COMMON NEWS

Ponies

Those of you who regularly use the common will have noticed that one of our grey Dartmoor ponies is no longer there.  Back in July’s magazine we reported that George had been losing weight and had received dental treatment from the vet.  We were hopeful that this would solve the problem, as blood tests had not shown up any underlying issues, but unfortunately George’s condition continued to deteriorate markedly and following advice from the vet we took the difficult decision to have him put down, so as not to prolong his suffering.  We are grateful to those people who took the trouble to phone us due to their concerns about George’s welfare.

Conservation group

The next conservation task will take place Saturday 13th November, meeting at 10am in Litcham Common car park.  We will be cutting and burning scrub that is encroaching onto the open heathland areas.  New volunteers will be welcome.  Please contact Tim Angell on 01328 700045 for more information.