News

The January Health Walk. They went out on the Saturday morning and fought against the weather, their feet grew six time whilst walking across a muddy field but they made it to a local hostelery. Then made their way home after a good days walk organised by Janet Hutton.

Let there be light, well more light, bulbs were changed in the church indoor lighting system and as a result the vicar could see his congregation. it would appear from a reply the Vicar is very pleased with the results......!

'Francis Webb - The Norton Poet. 1735 - 1815. Author Ken Dives

Norton sub Hamdon Local History Society is proud to announce the launch of a new booklet on the work of Francis Webb - the forgotten and unknown local poet.
The material, mostly from the private archives of the Blake family, tells the story of Webb's extraordinary life - from Baptist Minister to Political Secretary and poet.
His major poem - 'Somerset a Poem' was completed in 1811 whilst he was living in Norton sub Hamdon. It is about 45 pages long and ranges widely throughout the county.
The booklet (100 numbered copies) will be available for sale at the meeting.
Tea and coffee will be provided.
It is a free evening open to all - and a chance for you to be one of the first to hear the secrets of this remarkable man.

Wednesday 17th February 2010. 7.30 pm. Norton sub Hamdon Village Hall.

Some people worked on Christmas Eve, these bellringers with guests did just that....! At St Marys

There are a couple of interesting photos of the snow around the village on the Village Views page

Norton Pantomime Society presents

A LAD IN NORTONIA

a Pantomime conceived, written, acted and directed by the folk of Norton sub Hamdon. We are very proud that all aspects of production and performance are by local residents - (probably the least sane ones!).
Performances will be on Thursday 4th, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th March all starting at 7.30 p.m. (doors open 7.00 p.m.) in Norton sub Hamdon Village Hall.
Tickets, at £5.00 adult, £2.00 child and £12.00 family ticket, are available from Norton Village Store (from beginning of February) or by telephone to 01935 881152 01935 881152 and must be bought in advance.
Norton Pantomime Society's productions are always sell-outs - so make sure you get your tickets early. Tickets are not numbered and seats cannot be reserved.

News Release

Peter Callaghan has now produced a magazine called Portugal Life from his office in Great Street. It is all to do with his business in promoting Portugal and Golf in Portugal. He has also working with him Simon Robins who is the son of David Robins who is resident at Tudor Cottage. Along with a friend Mary Wilson who edits the magazine this must be a benefit to the village as no doubt the occasional mention will be made. Mary I am told used to work or works, for the Daily Telegraph. You don't even have to buy the first edition of the magazine as they produced a .pdf copy of it on their web site www.portugal-life.net Go there and have a read especially if you are thinking of a holiday or even buying a house abroad if not a game of golf. Below is a news release of the magazine.

It’s the only magazine dedicated to Portugal and people thinking about holidaying or visiting the country, buying or renting a property or playing golf there. It has style and verve and is packed with articles including interviews with David Baverstock, Australian wine-maker extraordinaire and technical director of the Esporão winery; Leon Haslam, a super bike racer, who has raced at the new Formula I racing track at Portimao and Helena Attlee, who has written a beautiful book - Gardens of Portugal.

There are also features on the beauty of Northern Portugal, how to furnish your second home and a look at two superb new developments, the equestrian resort of Quintas do Obidos and the delightful retirement village, Monte da Palhagueria. Then there’s legal and taxation advice, two pages of property for sale, information from the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and last, but by no way least, a comprehensive 49 page guide to all the (main?) golf courses in Portugal.

Just click on www.portugal-life.net to see the first issue, or even better – subscribe and each issue will be automatically delivered to your in-box. Next issue – February 3^rd.

For further information contact: Peter Callaghan, publishing director, 01935 881762 01935 881762 , enquiries@portugal-life.net

Another News Release

HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND SUPPORTS NORTON sub HAMDON

FOOTPATH AND BOUNDARY STONE PROJECT.

A two pronged plan by villagers of Norton sub Hamdon to rediscover, record and display some important aspects of its heritage has won a £7,100 grant from the

Heritage Lottery Fund.

The beautiful village which lies beneath Ham Hill, has long been a centre for walkers and ramblers. The first part of the project is to produce a parish map showing the

heritage of paths, fields and landmarks for the benefit of villagers, tourists and visitors. The map will be displayed on two 4ft x 2ft boards, one positioned at the combined

entrance lane to the village school and village hall and the other at The Lord Nelson pub. It is intended the maps will also include old field names, old street names and an

explanation of footpath numbering together with photographs of points of interest and a brief history of the village including its mention in the Doomsday Book.

The project's second ingredient is to replace the parish boundary stones shown on old maps but lost over the years, at the edges of quarrying sites on Ham Hill, and to install

additional stones where footpaths cross the parish boundary. There will be eight stones carved in local hamstone inspired by designs created by

pupils from Norton's Primary School. The winning children's designs were chosen by villagers at a competition at this year's village fete. Stones will show a 'time line'

going from Pre-historic, Iron-age, Roman, Medieval to Victorian periods and others will depict local wild life. A 'Time Capsule' recording their present day life will be

under the stone nearest the school .

Muriel Parkinson, who leads the project, is delighted with the Heritage Lottery Fund grant. "We have been planning for two years getting cooperation from land owners,

the pub, local government, the quarry owner (who is donating the hamstone), the school, designers, the sculptor and others supporting the project." she says. "Now we

have Lottery support, its full steam ahead".

Nerys Watts, the Heritage Lottery Fund's Head of Region for the South West said, "We are delighted to support the people ofNorton sub Hamdon with their ambitious

project to mark and record the development of the village from its earliest beginnings to the present day. The wide variety of the work to be carried out within the project is

mirrored by the range of people, and especially young people, who are involved, ensuring that the whole community, and visitors as well as local people, will have the

opportunity to learn about the fascinating heritage of this area of South Somerset."

For further information, please contact:

Muriel or David Parkinson - Tel 01935 881879 email-davidp36@btinternet.com

Apple Barn, Great Street, Norton sub Hamdon, Somerset TA14 6SG

Se below for further information Click here