Meeting reports and what’s on’s for Thetford’s clubs and groups this April, including details of u3a’s Open Day!
Thetford u3a
If you fancy having a look at what we do, come along to our Open Day on Thursday 30th April from 11am to 2pm at The Carnegie, Cage Lane, Thetford, IP24 2EA.
You can meet group leaders and see the vast range of opportunities to learn, laugh and live. Anything from Ancestry to Woodwork, with lots of crafts, pastimes, sports and sociability in between. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome!
U3A Thetford’s regular monthly meetings take place on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Church on the Way, Churchill Road, Thetford, IP24 2JZ. Doors open half an hour before the start at 2pm.
February’s speaker was Gary Powell who gave us a captivating talk on a case from the Old Bailey in 1896, when Norwegian Adolf Beck was wrongly convicted on charges of fraud and robbery. After serving time as a model prisoner whilst protesting his innocence, he was granted time off for good behaviour, only to be convicted again on similar charges a couple of years later. Eventually exonerated, this case of mistaken identity led to the establishment of the Court of Appeal.
Our next meeting on Thursday 23rd April 2026 will be preceded by our AGM, after which Fran Young will tell us all about the Norfolk Archaeology Trust. Let’s hope you can dig it!
We’re always pleased to see new members. Contact membership@thetfordu3a.org for details.
David Thompson
Probus Club of Thetford
What a moving, interesting and ultimately inspirational talk we had from Beverly Beal on the subject of guide dogs for the blind.
Beverly outlined the rigorous selection and training of both the dog and the individual concerned. She was accompanied by her guide dog, Toby, whose behaviour throughout was a testament to his training and the bond between the two of them. The demand for guide dogs far outstrips the supply and indeed the current waiting time for a guide dog can be up to four years.
Beverly’s can-do attitude was very evident, as she is currently learning to play the piano and wants to take up fly fishing. Toby will be retiring this year but remaining with Beverly, who is hoping that her wait for a replacement will not be too long. The charity which supplies the dogs is one which deserves our support.
The club holds monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30am in the Church on the Way, Churchill Road, Thetford IP24 2JW. If you are interested, why not come along? You will be more than welcome.
The club also hosts a monthly lunch at local venues. More details can be found at:
https://probusclub.net/thetford
Doug Stephen
Thetford Inner Wheel
Inner Wheel held a business meeting at the Golf Club. President Janey Mackay presided and, after dinner, officers for the coming year were proposed.
Further items for recycling were collected and others sent for charities, for example stamps for RNIB, ring pulls for the Purple Community Fund in the Philippines and old and foreign coins for Mary’s Meals.
Names were taken to attend the District meeting, when clubs from all over our area attend, and also for our Birthday Lunch in April, when our club in Thetford will be 67 years old.
For further information about Inner Wheel please go to www.innerwheel.co.uk.
Marian de Bass
Club Correspondent
Open Garden at Wretham Lodge
The ten-acre gardens of the former Wretham Rectory, now Wretham Lodge, and the church of St Ethelbert will offer their usual warm welcome to visitors on Sunday 26th April, from 11am to 5pm.
It is the only time the gardens will be open this year, moved later than the usual Easter weekend so that spring flowers are in full bloom.
Admission to the gardens is £7 for adults, with children free, and dogs on short leads welcome. Proceeds go to NGS charities, with refreshments and homemade cakes served all day in the church.
Thetford Parkinson’s Group
Thetford Parkinson’s Group will welcome a representative from the Department for Work and Pensions to their meeting on Tuesday 14th April at 11am. The talk will cover claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other allowances available after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
This information can be particularly helpful for those who are no longer able to work because of the condition. Newcomers and their families are always welcome to attend the group’s informative and sociable meetings at the Methodist Church. For more information please contact Rachel at rwaid2@gmail.com
Rachel Woods
Thetford Flower Club
Thetford Flower Club held their first spring meeting on Tuesday 10th March at the Church on the Way.
Members and friends were present to see area demonstrator and friend of Thetford Flower Club, Barbara Collins, present “The Joys of Spring”. The demonstration was beautiful, with striking arrangements, and many of those present asked Barbara about the flowers and how they were used. The afternoon was enjoyed by all and followed by refreshments.
The April meeting will take place on Tuesday 14th April at the same venue, with a competition for members and visitors entitled A Spring Arrangement. The winner will be presented with the Peggy Bullard Trophy, which they will keep for a year.
Peggy Bullard was a much-loved member of the Committee, and the trophy is in memory of the work she did for Thetford Flower Club.
If anyone is interested in becoming a member, you can join for £38 per year or attend as a visitor for £8 per session, where you will learn flower arranging and make lots of new friends.
For further information contact Lynda on 01842 762919.
