Mum’s Old Coat

The lining droops. The hem is on the huh. The buttons don't match and they never did do up right. But she loved this coat. Her gardening coat. Her nipping to the shops coat. Her walking off a mood coat.

Plunge pockets stuffed with memories. Ends and odds that meant so much: pencil from Cromer Pier; lucky shamrock brooch; poor Boru's collar. ‘My king amongst dogs’, she called him.

Mum's old coat. Not new when she got it, but “fit for a queen,” she said.

And it was.

It doesn't fit me yet. But I'm hoping to grow into it.

Lyn Fountain — Adult Writers Category

*Ahem* I am the queen of golden sands and emerald skies, my seas lap diamond encrusted waves bearing gifts of gemstone wheels along my shores. I reside not only in England but in memories and hearts; I belong to the hearts of those who grew up here, my landscape with which they hold dear. I live in the memories of tourists who flock to experience a piece of my charm. My wealth consists not of gold or silver but of fruits and fields and broads and crabs. I am Norfolk. I believe that I'm a county fit for a queen.

Tallulah Goodwin (aged 13) — Teen Writers Category

Running Away

I’m Princess Melanie. Since I was little, I was told I was special. I do not know if it is because of my name or my appearance. Melanie means ‘that black girl’. It matches my skin; caramel soft, like dark chocolate with sprinkles of coconut, hazel eyes, and a sharp jawline. The problem with me is that I never wanted to be part of royalty, too many rules. I want to be free, to live my life like a normal human being, even though I would never be. I had made a decision and no one can change my mind.

Gabriela Matavele (aged 12) — Young Writers Category

Freedom of the Borough

On 26 July 1954, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was granted the freedom of the then Borough of King’s Lynn. Pictured is the page in the Freeman Register marking the event (picture credit: Stories of Lynn).

There’s a free Stories of Lynn app which you can download from the Apple App Store or Google Play, which is a guide to King’s Lynn and its history.

There are walking tours of King’s Lynn alongside tours of the Stories of Lynn exhibition, Gaol House and Town Hall, with interactive features.

800 years are reflected in the Stories of Lynn collection:

“A timeline of objects immerses you into the history of Lynn. An exciting game teaches you about the Hanseatic League, a group of powerful trading towns and cities around the Baltic and North seas. Hanse merchants traded in Lynn, and their imprint on the town is visible to this day.

“Lynn’s most celebrated characters, such as Frances (Fanny) Burney and Margery Kempe come to life on the walls, to share their stories with you.

Read an account of what it’s like to participate in the Norfolk Guides 1940s camp here.

Picture: the campers in 2018 (Norfolk ARC)

Breckland’s Market Towns

On July 25 it was announced by Breckland Council that the installation of 23 Union flags along Watton High Street had been completed. The flags have been erected as part of the Market Towns Initiative project funded by the Council.

The initiative supports “all five Breckland market towns with bespoke projects to meet their individual needs” says Cllr Paul Claussen, Executive Member for Economic Development and Growth.

Watton Breckland Council ward Members Cllr Bowes and Cllr Kiddell said, “Watton High Street is bouncing back from the pandemic, and we hope with funded projects like this it will encourage even more people to visit their local high street and support local businesses.”

The five Breckland market towns are of course Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford and Watton. The Council’s project has evolved since its conception, with more recent news here and a summary of achievement to August 2021 in the EDP here.

Caister and Hemsby

The Mayor of Great Yarmouth awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal to both Caister and Hemsby Lifeboats last Friday and Saturday (July 22 and 23).

The Lifeboats have been honoured by the Queen in recognition of their role in keeping the Norfolk coast safe for the general public.

Caister Lifeboat has posted on Facebook: “Well done to everyone who keeps the lifeboat available and ready to save lives especially the well trained crew..a fitting tribute to some very brave guys..”

Picture Credit: Caister Lifeboat

St Benet’s Abbey

The Broads Beat information service, which is part of the Norfolk Constabulary, is worth a follow on Twitter for the latest policing news from the Broads.

Last Sunday (July 24) they escorted the Bishop of Norwich to St Benet’s Abbey for the annual open air service conducted by the Prior.

King Henry VIII gave the Abbot of St Benet’s the position of Bishop of Norwich in return for land owned by Norwich Cathedral and, although now a ruin, the Abbey was never formally dissolved. To this day, the Bishop of Norwich is also the Abbot of St Benet's.

A wherry first transported the Bishop of Norwich to St Benet’s Abbey for the open-air service in 1976 and the practice has continued regularly ever since. A selection of different wherries has been used over that time. Bishop Graham became the Patron of Wherry Yacht Charter, which runs five of the eight surviving wherries, in 2020.

Source and picture credit: Network Norwich

Walsingham Abbey: Shirehall Museum

The Shirehall Museum will reopen from today (30 July) during the usual opening hours at Walsingham Abbey to 6 November: Mondays and Wednesdays 11am-3.30pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays to Sundays 11am-4pm.

Museum entry is included with Abbey Grounds admission.

The Shirehall houses Walsingham’s completely original Georgian courtroom.

Also on display is an overview history of Walsingham pilgrimage and its revival; plus a snapshot of local village history, together with items from the Norfolk Constabulary’s collections relating to 18th and 19th century policing, law and order.

There is a narrow staircase to the public gallery, for those who may find this difficult to access; but there is plenty to see on the ground floor.

Picture credit: Walsingham Abbey

Picture Credit: The Accidental Ringer

St Peter Mancroft Teaching Centre

Visitors to the Church of St Peter Mancroft in Norwich on a Friday lunchtime and venture up the stairs will often find bellringers practicing in the teaching centre.

The Mancroft Ringing Discovery Centre (MRDC) drew our attention to a post describing bellringing practice last Friday (July 22) in a prolific blog written by one of their members called “The Accidental Ringer”, and subtitled “Thoughts from a novice ringer”.

The post, published on Tuesday (July 26) was called “Inclusivity” and in it, the author says:

“No-one cares what car you arrived in and whether you have the ‘right kit’; whether you have a maths degree from Cambridge or left school at 14 to dig holes in the road. What matters is the quality of your striking, your stamina and focus, and your ability to learn and then follow a particular pattern. If you have the confidence and expertise to conduct then you will be admired, but if you always strike accurately and are generous in your support for learners, then you will also be admired.”

There’s a lesson in that.

“A Lovely Peal”

Manager at the MRDC and Secretary of the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers, Nikki Thomas, also shared her infectious enthusiasm for the art after a successful Spliced Surprise Minor on Friday (July 29).

She enthused on her lively Twitter account (another one worth a follow): “We did it!! Might be a little bit late. A lovely peal today at Shotesham… and we are really pleased. I was safely ringing the treble so could keep out of trouble!!”

In Support of The Norfolk Hospice

The annual Charity Golf Day in aid of The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House took place last Friday (July 22) at Middleton Hall Golf Club.

An amazing £5,147 was raised to support the Hospice and its work. The winning team, staff at Stephenson Smart, actually donated their prize money back, such was their dedication to taking part as more important than winning.

Volunteers Jean, Sue, Val and Paul (some of them pictured above) offered invaluable help, without which it would not have been possible to hold the event.

The Norfolk Hospice provides free care, comfort and compassion to residents in West Norfolk nearing the end of their lives, and provides support for their families and friends.

Gin Time

It is also the first anniversary of the collaboration between the Hospice and award-winning King’s Lynn distillery and gin school What a Hoot.

Their Norfolk Hospice Dry Gin is a signature product described as “a citrus forward gin, with a delicate Norfolk inspired floral finish of sea samphire and lavender”. £5 from the sale of every bottle will go directly to the Norfolk Hospice, so really it’s a win-win!