Current Newsletter NORTON NEWSLETTER  -  FEBRUARY  2012  ISSUE 340 VILLAGE WEBSITE:  www.nortonsubhamdon.org.uk  The Newsletter is available on the above website amongst other news and events in the village.  EDITOR’S SAYING OF THE MONTH:  If your dog is fat you aren’t getting enough exercise!  NORTON SCHOOL PTA BAG2SCHOOL COLLECTION - Tuesday, 7th February - 9.00am.  Over the past four years we have raised £1,600 through the Bag2School collection and we have used the money on a variety of items and experiences for the pupils.  Many thanks to all parents, friends and villagers who have donated.  We have a collection organised for Tuesday, 7th  February at 9.00am.  Bags are available from the Village Stores - thanks again to Mike and his staff - and collection of filled bags is possible if you are unable to drop them off at the top of the school steps on the date.  Bag2School collects good quality second hand adults’ and children’s clothing, sheets, blankets, curtains, soft toys, shoes, belts and handbags.  All items collected are for re-use.  Please note we cannot accept dirty or wet clothing, single shoes, off cuts of material, mats, carpets, pillows, duvets, or bric-a-brac.  Please contact Rachel Reid 881621 by Monday, 6th February if you would like bags to be collected.  For any further information on the scheme please look at www.bag2school.com NORTON MOVIE NITES at The Lord Nelson.  Make Valentine’s Day special on Tuesday, 14th February with an evening’s viewing of The Guard (cert.15, 196 mins), a hilarious clash of blarney and hard-nosed policing when a cop in rural Ireland has to bust a dangerous drugs ring.  Starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle, this comedy thriller fully deserves its enthusiastic reviews.  There will also be a screening of one of the entries in last year’s Hamstone Film Festival.  Tickets at £5. are on sale at the Spar shop from the end of January.  Tickets will only be available on the door if not previously sold via the shop.  For your comfort, please bring a cushion as not all seats are upholstered. Please phone John Bailey on 881227 with any queries. NORTON VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE’S A.G.M. will be held on Wednesday, February 15th at 7.30pm in the Hall.  Come and see how your Hall is being run.  Everyone welcome.              Jennie Harris  -  881718 SUNSET CAFÉ STOMPERS  -  17th February - Martock Parish Church, Church Street, Martock, Somerset TA12 6JL - 7.30pm.  £8. on the door.  £7. in advance from 01935 822706.  www.martockonline.co.uk/events.  This 325 seat venue’s 73rd  concert: Mike Denham, pianist/leader of New Orleans band, their 3rd and his 8th visit, playing toe-tapping band numbers and ragtime or boogie piano solos. SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERT: Out of the East.  Somerset Chamber Choir will be performing some inspiring choral works from Russia and the Baltic Countries, interspersed with piano pieces played by dazzling pianist Anita d’Attellis, at its concert on Sunday, 19th February in King’s College Chapel, Taunton at 3.00pm.   Including movements from Rachmaninov’s Vespers and  a cappella works by many other composers, plus well known piano works by Chopin.  Tickets £11, £15, £18 from Taunton TIC: 01823 336344 or book online at www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk NORTON LADIES’ GROUP.  For our January meeting we all met at The Lord Nelson and enjoyed a delicious Christmas meal.  It was lovely to see so many of our members attend.  For our next meeting on the 21st February, Michael Bolton will give us a talk on The Three “F”s - Photography, Family History and Fun.  We look forward to seeing you in the Reading Room at 7.30pm Karen Eastley - 881043 STOKE GARDENING CLUB.   The next meeting of the Stoke Gardening Club will be the Annual General Meeting on  Wednesday, 22nd February and the talk will be on Perennials for Early Season by Teresa Moss.            Sue Winwood - 823671 COFFEE MORNING.  The next Coffee Morning in aid of St Mary’s Church is on Wednesday, 29th February at 10.45am.  For venue and further details contact   Shelagh Wickstead - 881385 NORTON PANTOMIME SOCIETY  -  LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.  Our Pantomime will be held on Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd, and Saturday 3rd March in Norton Village Hall.  All performances start at 7.30pm (with doors opening at 7.00pm).  Tickets are on sale ONLY from Norton Village Store and cost £6.00 for adults, £3.00 for children and £15.00 for a family ticket covering 2 adults and up to 3 children.  As always, all direction, production, scriptwriting, music and costumes are our own work and all the cast are local - an achievement we are very proud of!  Don’t miss out on all the ‘fun of the Show’ - tickets do tend to sell very quickly! Jennie Harris will be looking for some help with the refreshments on the three nights - she makes up rotas - so if you can spare some time to help she would be so grateful.  Contact Jennie on 881718.  Thank you. A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY.  Saturday, 10th March  -  Jumble Sale in Norton Village Hall in aid of the Norton Athletic Football Club.  (More details next month  -  watch this space.)                 Jennie Harris for Norton Athletic Football Club. NORTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY.  The next talk will be given by Neil Eddiford on ‘Archery in History’ and will be held on Wednesday, 14th March in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.  Further events and talks are as follows: Saturday, 26th May  -  Study day on Elizabeth I   Wednesday, 18th July  -  Talk by Tony Brook on Elizabeth I Wednesday, 19th September  -  Rev. Peter Thomas ‘The Making of the Book of Common Prayer’.  Third talk in the James Pulman Lecture series* Wednesday, 14th November  -  AGM.  *  All talks start at 7.30pm and take place in the Village Hall except the lecture on 19th September which will be in the church.   Janet Hutton, Secretary  -  881566 ‘SOUNDS INTERESTING’.  For the Friends of Norton Church, Grace and Kenneth Dives, with Chris Denman, will present a light-hearted miscellany of words and music to which you are most warmly invited.  All proceeds will go to the Friends of Norton Church  funds.  The programme will be based in part on ‘Second Breath’, Grace’s new book of poems, copies of which will be on sale.  Sounds interesting?  Advance ticket sales will be available from the Spar Shop - our thanks to them.  Date  -  Sunday, April 29th at 3.00pm in Norton Village Hall (please note change of venue from earlier notices). KATHAKALI THEATRE.  Chiselborough Village Hall, Norton sub Hamdon and West Chinnock Primary Schools and the Cat Head invite you to join us when South India comes to South Somerset.  A week of Keralan theatre, art, drama, make-up, cooking (and eating ), history and memories for adults and children - 1st - 5th May 2012. Kathakali Theatre + Workshops + Talks + Performance + Food.  Made possible through the support of the Big Lottery Fund, with the help of South Somerset District Council.  For details contact: info@hamdoneducation.co.uk CHILDRENS’S HOSPICE SOUTH WEST.  We start off this year with some great news..... we have just opened our third Children’s Hospice, this time in Cornwall.  If a child from this area needed a Hospice these are the three that they could use.  Some people say to us that they only support a Hospice near to us, but sadly we cannot have a Hospice in every town.  However, we are lucky to have three for the South West.  We need to raise £9 million a year to run these three Hospices.  Our Lunch and Pantomime at Cricket St. Thomas on December 4th was a huge success; we raised a staggering £2,327.70.  Thank you to everyone who supported us; it was nice to see some new faces from Norton and Chiselborough.  We have two Lunches booked for this year, the first is on Sunday, June 3rd and then our Christmas Lunch and Pantomime on Sunday, 9th December. (Pop it in your diary).  We run a Dance each month at the Millennium Hall, Seavington with live music from all over the country.  Everyone is very welcome. £6.00 on the door.  No bar but BYO drinks and nibbles.  Free tea and coffee.  Come along and try it as it is always good fun and you will be helping the Hospice.  If anyone has any items they do not want, we would love to take them off your hands and use them for draw prizes.  More details about Dances etc. from Carol on 01935 881510.   Carol and Del. CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE AND MOWING TEAM.  Many visitors to the village have commented favourably on the appearance of the village churchyard.  Villagers and visitors with relatives remembered in the churchyard are especially appreciative.  This is due to the efforts of the mowing team - the Merry Mowers - which is composed of men and one lady from the village.  They take it in turns to cut the grass and maintain the churchyard.  Like any organisation we are constantly seeking new members.  We try to keep to 20 cutters which means the rota for cutting comes round once a month and takes about an hour or an hour and a half.  Due to illness and other factors, we are down to 18 members and we desperately need at least two more volunteers.  We have upgraded the machines this year thanks to grants from the Parish Council, the Flower Show, the Movie Nites, the Friends of Norton Church and especially Screwfix who were very generous in their help.  Occasional help is provided by Muscle Man Matt Orchard of Down2Earth.  Thanks, Matt, for your help freely given.  If you feel you can offer an hour or so a month to keep our village churchyard in tip top condition, please get in touch with me as the Rota for 2012 will be prepared soon.           John Ashton 01935 881963. CAROL SINGING RESULT.  Thank you to everyone who sang, played instruments, donated mulled cider and mince pies and, of course, money.  We raised £210 and that has been shared between Friends of Norton Church and Hope and Homes for Children.                                                                                                                                                             Cilla Caswell CHILDRENS’ HOSPICE SOUTH WEST CHRISTMAS CARDS.  A very big Thank You to everyone involved in this Christmas activity.  I have been able to gift aid £60 to Children’s Hospice South West.  If you used the service then please tell your friends and we’ll do it again in December.  We’re always keen to have more deliverers so if you would like to join in then call Dru on 822703 or Ian on 881391. FRIENDS OF NORTON CHURCH  -  WINE CLUB.  The December draws took place at The Lord Nelson on the 16th.  The first draw for the members had 6 prizes of 12 bottles of excellent wine with the first prize of 4 bottles won by Linda Weir with further prizes of 3 bottles to John Hull, 2 bottles to David Robins and 1 bottle to each of Lindsay Higgins, Rob Vaux and Lynn Orchard.  In the 2nd draw for ‘on the nighters’ in the pub Melanie White, Amy and Penny Best each received a bottle.  The January draw took place at The Lord Nelson on the 13th.  In the first draw for the members the 1st prize of 4 bottles was won by Richard More with further prizes of 3 bottles to Rob Vaux, 2 bottles to Linda Weir and 1 bottle to each of Mary Edmond, Eric Edmond and David Palliser.  In the 2nd draw for ‘on the nighters’ in the pub, John Bailey, Dave Morton, Andy Holm and Roger Webb each received a bottle.  Shares are still available at £1. per month.  Call 881096 for a form. FEBRUARY CHURCH SERVICES. SUNDAY   5th 11.15am Education Sunday (at Norton School) SUNDAY 12th   9.30am Family Communion SUNDAY 19th   6.30pm Praise Evening SUNDAY 26th   8.00am Holy Communion HONEY POT is up and running again after a winter break.  There is room on the shelves for new books, so all who have offered books, now is the time to trot along with them!  Honey Pot will be open every Saturday in February from 10.00am – 12.00 noon at the Rectory, Chiselborough.  Come along and join the fun - and inspect the toilet - twinned with one in the Congo!       The Rectory ‘African Hut’ has become ‘semi-de-thatched’ owing to thieving jackdaws!  Can anyone help us to fix it? Offers/ideas to Peter and Anne please.                                                                                                                                          Anne 881202     FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT will be celebrated at the end of the month (Feb. 27th to March 11th) with an emphasis on Tea from  India.  A special tea party is planned.  Cooks are invited to come along and prepare a ‘Strictly Come British Bake-off Tea’ on Saturday, March 10th.  All ages welcome - you can work in teams of two if you like.  Tea will then be served to all who wish to come along.  Money raised will go to projects in India.  More information from Anne 881202. TIDDLERS will again be meeting in St. Mary’s Church, West Chinnock from 1.30pm - 2.30pm followed at 3.00pm - 4.00pm  by Chatty Church which is open to all.  See posters or ring Sarah 881927  or Anne 881202.  WHAT IS LENT?  Originating, in the fourth century, the season of Lent spans 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending with Holy Week (which includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday).  Originally Lent was the time of preparation for those who were to be baptised and was also the time when those who had been separated from the Church for any reason would prepare to rejoin the community. It was felt that fasting (which originally probably meant giving up sex and certain foods, including meat) would enable a greater focus on these preparations.  Today, some people choose to mark Lent by ‘giving up’ (alcohol, coffee, sweets, chocolate - one of our sons tried giving up sarcasm during Lent!), but it can also be marked by ‘taking up’ time for prayer, service and study and other disciplines (one of my practices in the past few years is to send a reply each day to a different letter or note received at Christmas). The 40 days is connected with the time Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptations that could have led him to abandon his mission and calling.  There will be a Lent Series of studies - dates below and details in Church.  There will also be copies of ‘Count Your Blessings’ from Christian Aid, helping us to focus on the needs of others, in church.  During Lent our Sunday evening services will be Compline: a short, reflective and traditional service (originally used at the end of each day in the Monastery). SPECIAL SERVICES IN FEBRUARY. Education Sunday  -  February 5th.  As in recent years we are holding a special service in Norton School on February 5th for Education Sunday.  The service will be at 11.15am and all are welcome, especially those involved in education as pupils, parents, teachers or governors.  Our two village schools both started in the early 19th century as Sunday Schools and developed into Day Schools later on.  Today they continue to serve not only the communities of the four villages within our benefice, but draw a number of children from outside.  Ash Wednesday Service.  February 22nd, including the imposition of ashes, will take place at Chiselborough Church at 7.00pm. This marks the beginning of Lent. Lent Study Group.  This will meet at the Rectory at 8.00pm on Ash Wednesday and Wednesdays, March 7th, 21st and 28th. Confirmation:  A Confirmation service gives you the opportunity to say that the promises made on your behalf when you were baptised, probably as an infant, are now true for you.  It is a chance to make a public declaration of your faith.  Confirmation also means that you become a full member of the church and will be able to take communion in any Christian church.  If you are interested in being confirmed, please contact Peter.  There will be a local Confirmation Service on May 31st this year in Martock. Weddings 2012.  I already have bookings for 13 weddings for 2012 (one more than I took in 2011).  I have also had two cancelled and one postponed.  If you are interested in getting married in one of the churches in the benefice during this year then I would be very pleased to hear from you. It is likely that there will be a period at Norton after Easter when, because of the work on the windows, we will not be able to have bells, and an even longer period when the organ will not be available.  However, until we are able to finalise contracts we will not be able to be precise about the lengths of time.  If you are planning a wedding can I ask that you approach me before confirming a date and time for a reception?  Thank you.   Peter Thomas 881202 2012 IS THE YEAR of the London Olympics, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and Norton Village Feast!  The first two events are being organised, but unfortunately, the Village Feast isn’t.  As most people know, the feast is one of the last of Norton traditions.  It is held bi-annually in September and run by local people or organisations.  It is an evening of food and fun.  The main tradition is that the puddings must be home-made apple pies (which are usually lovingly made and donated).  The rest of the meal can be as simple or as complicated as you like as the feast is always held in the Village Hall on behalf of the Hall Management Committee.  I am asking for interested people or organisations to think about hosting the feast this year.  It is not a fund raiser as such, but it usually makes a profit which would go to the organisers.  If you, or your group might be interested, or would like more information, please contact either Jennie Harris 881718 or Liz Maunder 881152.  Please don’t let tradition die! THE TRIANGLE TRUST held its AGM on Tuesday, January 17th at Hamdon Medical Centre.  Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we didn’t get much support.  We are a very small group of dedicated people who help to raise money for the Doctors and Nurses to buy equipment for the benefit of all patients of the Centre.  We really need some help and ideas to carry on our work, as well as some committee members.  We urgently need a Secretary (not an onerous job as we only meet three or four times a year) and our only fund raiser is the Christmas Bazaar.  So if you feel you would like to join us or want more information about the Trust contact me, Jennie Harris (Treasurer) on 01935 881718.   We need you ................please.  AKAMBA AID FUND.  The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2011.  As many of you know the Challenge had many problems this year, not the least caused by the Big Give website crashing due to the unprecedented number of donors wishing to support their chosen charity.  However, in spite of this, a great many of you were able to donate to AAF during the challenge week and for this we are extremely grateful, because in five days you have raised the magnificent total of ...........£18,419.60.  This truly is a wonderful addition to our appeal to raise £55,000 for our Twiki-Wiki Project to bring Water for Life, a Local Health Clinic, and two schools to educate the children of two villages in a very remote part of rural Kenya.  An AAF team will be leaving on February 29th to make preparations for the work to be started.  On behalf of the AAF Trustees, and over 3,000 poor Akamba beneficiaries in Kenya, thank you to everyone who helped produce this wonderful result.     Denis Cannon (AAF Trustee) 881519 NORTON SUB HAMDON PARISH COUNCIL.  Planning:  Planning has now been approved for the two storey extension and side porch at 18 Barn Orchard, New Road.  The Parish Council has had no planning applications for consideration during the month of December. Footpaths:  Ken Dives is doing a fantastic job of monitoring the footpaths for Norton and Little Norton.  He recently had a meeting with the Footpath Officer for this area.  You will now see more way markers which will make it easier for all to keep to the footpaths.  Also a couple of stiles have been earmarked for improvement.  These have been marked as high priority, so hopefully will be altered soon.  If you see a problem with a footpath whilst out walking, then please report it to Ken on 881046. Community Land Trust - IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY.  In the last Parish Newsletter I mentioned that the Parish Council has been in discussion regarding the forming of a Community Land Trust in the village.  The long-term benefits of a CLT would enable the community to have a greater protection of the village and to make sure that Norton has a future.  The Parish Council will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, 21st February in the Village Hall starting at 6.30pm.  We will have representatives there from Somerset, Devon and Dorset Community Land Trust Project, South Somerset District Council and, of course, Norton sub Hamdon Parish Council.  If you want Norton to have a future, please come along and find out what can be achieved. The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Monday, 13th February at 7.30pm in the Reading Room.  We look forward to seeing some members of the general public, who are more than welcome to attend.              Louise Brooks  -  881882 ITEMS FOR THE NEWSLETTER should be in the box on the Spar Shop P.O. counter, or sent by e-mail to: nortonnews@hotmail.com by 4.00pm on the 19th of each month. Newcomers to our village.  If you know of anyone who has moved in to Norton, please ring one of the editors on the phone numbers below with their details so that we can welcome them to our village. The Newsletter is produced monthly by the Newsletter Committee and is distributed free to every house in the village by volunteers who give their services free of charge. The Editor is Mrs. Janet Hutton (881566) and Assistant Editor, Mrs. Diana Robins (881668) Email:  nortonnews@hotmail.com NB.  All emails are replied to as soon as possible  -  please check if no acknowledgment is received by the deadline date DISCLAIMER.  This edition of the Newsletter contains information which has been supplied directly to the Editors of the Norton Newsletter.  None of the information published within expresses the views of either the Editors or Members of the Norton sub Hamdon Newsletter Committee and should not be relied upon.