Category Archives: News

Reflections from the Rectory – Apr’20

April is the month of Easter, celebrated this year on 12th April. It is a great time of hope and celebration for the church. 

Many events and celebrations have been planned and prepared, which now have to be put on hold  to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The situation has challenged us to find new ways of interacting with people, and of being the church in our area.

We are instructed not to hold public services but where possible to keep the churches open, and available for people who wish to pray and reflect there. Attempts are being made to make resources available and to keep in touch with church members by email.

There are several baptisms and a few weddings taking place in our village churches over the next few weeks and months, and this is also a sign of hope for the future. These ‘occasional offices’ may be carried out, provided we observe required distances between people and disinfect our hands and equipment carefully before and afterwards.

The positive aspect of this crisis has been the goodwill and care offered by people to their vulnerable relatives and neighbours. If you, or someone you know, is battling with shopping or other everyday tasks and still needs help, you are welcome to contact me on 01366 328921.

Let us encourage one another, as  Spring arrives, and colourful flowers blanket the ground. I am particularly enjoying the white and pink hawthorn blossoms (yes, I am learning the names of the local trees), and daffodils in bloom are guaranteed to lift one’s mood.

I would like to conclude with a prayer for those who are in isolation (circulated by the Church of England).

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to care for the sick and to assure the isolated of our love and your love for your Name’s sake. Amen.

Wishing you all good health, and the Joys of Spring.

Rev Linda Lubbe

Where love is there God is

Associate priest in the Mundford, Hilborough and Oxborough groups of churches.

Farming Help providing support for farmers affected by Covid-19

The Princes’ Countryside Fund Press Release

Farming Help providing support for farmers affected by Covid-19

The Farming Help Charities – Addington Fund, Farming Community Network (FCN), Forage Aid, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I), and RSABI, supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund – are working together to support the Farming Community during the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

We recognise that this could be an anxious time for many farmers and farming families and periods of poor health or self-isolation may result in temporary practical difficulties on farm.

This initiative is in conjunction with The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, The National Farmers’ Union, and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

Utilising our Farming Help helpline (operated by FCN) and respective organisations/volunteer networks, we can offer the following local support. Get in touch on 03000 111 999 if you:

·       Feel concerned or anxious and would like to talk to someone who understands farming, will listen to you and help you think through your options

·       Would like help to draft a contingency plan to ensure you and your farm are prepared, should you be unable to work for a time.

·       If you or people you rely on become ill or are self-isolating and you need to find help locally- we will endeavour to find support for you in your local area. We will source contact details of local organisations and groups who may be able to assist you in finding help to feed livestock, collect shopping or collect prescriptions if you are unable to do so. This directory will be revised and updated in the coming weeks and months.

Call 03000 111 999 or visit www.farminghelp.co.uk

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms

Stay at home if you have either:

  • a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

How to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus (social distancing)

Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.

It is particularly important for people who:

  • are 70 or over
  • have a long-term condition
  • are pregnant
  • have a weakened immune system

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • always wash your hands when you get home or into work
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
  • only travel on public transport if you need to
  • work from home, if you can
  • avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
  • avoid events with large groups of people
  • use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

  • you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
  • your condition gets worse
  • your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service

Please visit their website for more information

Health Services

Telephone – 111

Website – https://111.nhs.uk/

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus you are advised to use the 111 online checker – https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

The advice is that you should only contact 111 if you are worried about your health or you have had symptoms for more than seven days.

Medication – You can go online or phone your local chemist to discuss your prescriptions being delivered to your home.

Statutory Services

If you are suspicious or concerned about someone’s safety, ring Norfolk County Council’s Adult and Children’s Social Services on 0344 800 8020.

https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/protecting-someone-from-harm/help-an-adult-at-risk-of-harm/report-a-concern

Benefit & Money Advice 

Citizens Advice Brandon

Telephone – 01842 818202 – Website – https://suffolkwestcab.org.uk/

Universal Credit 

For advice on benefits and guidance for employers and businesses contact: Telephone – 0800 328 5644

Textphone – 0800 328 1344

Website – www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert

Website – https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Charities that can offer telephone and online support

The British Lung Foundation 

Telephone – 03000 030 555

Website – https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus

Silver Line – A helpline for Older People – open 24 hours a day to offer support for loneliness and isolation.

Telephone – 0800 4 70 80 90

Website – https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/

Mind – The Mental Health Charity

Telephone – 0300 123 3393 – open 9 – 6 Monday to Friday

Website – www.mind.org.uk

Age UK Norfolk – offers a range of services to older people in later life.

Telephone – 0300 500 1217

Website – www.ageuk.org.uk/norfolk

The Trussell Trust – provides emergency food and support to people in crisis.

Telephone – 01722 580 180

Website – https://www.trusselltrust.org/

Reflections from the Rectory – Mar’20

Spring is in the air. Snowdrops and other early flowering plants are sprouting. So much beauty around, after the barrenness of winter.

The cold weather is still with us, however, along with hazardous driving conditions when the roads are covered in ice in the early mornings.  A few weeks ago, I eventually had to give up trying to get to Cranwich Church for choir practice on a Saturday morning, as a whole section of road was cordoned off by police because there had been a bad road accident.

We have been through two serious storms – Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, accompanied by flooding, damage to property and dangerous road conditions. On one occasion, I saw a car in a ditch on its side, just outside Foulden.  

The church season of Lent began on the 24th February. Lent is a time of reflection, when we prepare ourselves for the great celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. It is a time of discipline when we take on an extra commitment, such as attending a Lent discussion group. Lent is a six week period, which originated in the early centuries of the church as a time when adult converts were prepared for baptism. They would be baptized at Easter, during an all-night vigil. Before this, they had undergone a special course of instruction and preparation which lasted six weeks and this is the background to the tradition of Lent.

During Lent, there will be special soup lunches at Mundford bowls club on Saturdays, from 12 noon and at the Rectory, Elm Place, Gooderstone on Wednesdays, from 4th March,  also from 12 noon. All are welcome to join these occasions of fellowship, sharing and discussion.

On the 21st March, the 75th anniversary of the Lancaster bomber crash in the forest will be commemorated at 1.00 pm. A service will be led at the site by Archdeacon Ian Bentley and representatives of the air force. This will be followed by a tea in the Mundford bowls club. Please join us as we remember this important event in local history.

Another special occasion is coming up at the end of the month – the Village Voices are celebrating five years of singing together, with a concert at Cranwich Church on Saturday, 28th March at 2.30pm All are, of course, most welcome.

Hoping for better weather, and generally better conditions in the coming months.

God bless.

Rev Linda Lubbe

Where love is there God is

Associate priest in the Mundford, Hilborough and Oxborough groups of churches.

Horticultural Cups

If anyone has any knowledge of what various trophies were awarded for then the Parish Council would like know in order that records can be kept relating to each trophy. The photo below was taken at the Village Hall Open Day and the list below is all the information we have at present.

BRECKHOLM TROPHY FOR BEST GARDEN

MUNDFORD HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

FOR HIGHEST POINTS IN VEGITABLE CLASS 1991-1995

MUNDFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

FLOWER SECTION AUTUMN SHOW 1991-1995

SUTTERBY CUP

1997-1991 (NO DETAILS)

MUNDFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

DAVID WILLIAMS CHALLENGE CUP 1972-1995 (NO DETAILS)

THE FLORENCE YOUNG CUP

MUNDFORD WI 1963-2011 (NO DETAILS)

MORTIBOY CUP

1976-1985 (NO DETAILS)

DON WATKINS CUP (NO DETAILS)

THE ALEC HUNT CUP

FOR HOME MADE WINE 1969-1987

MUNDFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

CHALLENGE CUP 1977-1995 (NO DETAILS)

UNNAMED TANKARD TYPE CUP

1949-1995 (NO DETAILS)

MILLS CUP

1948-1993 (NO DETAILS)

SMALL UN-NAMED CUP

1952-1981 (NO DETAILS)

Good Neighbour Scheme

Good Neighbour Schemes (GNSs) run in various towns and villages in Norfolk.  They are run by local people in their own communities.  These volunteers aim to help those who are vulnerable and most in need in their community, those who maybe don’t have local friends or family, by providing practical help with things such as lifts to appointments or to go shopping, simple DIY tasks, dog walking or just having a cuppa and a chat.

While lots of people do help their neighbours in an informal way, Good Neighbour Schemes are a way of setting up organised helping.  They enable volunteers to offer the type and level of helping that works for them, a method of managing requests and responding in a consistent, planned and safe way.

As part of this project, CAN are able to help support communities to set up Good Neighbour Schemes, providing step-by-step information, advice and support to get going – as well as some financial support to set up the scheme – and ongoing support as part of a GNS network in Norfolk.

Please read this leaflet which provides contact details if you wish to join.