Meeting reports and what’s on’s for Thetford’s clubs and groups this November.
Thetford Flower Club
Thetford Flower Club welcomed Janet Dye to its October meeting at the Church on the Way in Churchill Road.
Her demonstration, Recycle and Re-use, gave members and visitors plenty of ideas for recycling pots and containers. The afternoon was followed by refreshments and conversation.
The club’s next meeting will be held at 2pm on Tuesday 10th November, when Rachael Barencova will present Floral Concert.
Thetford Flower Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month for demonstrations, workshops and visits. New members and visitors are welcome.
For more information, call Lynda on 01842 762919.
Lynda Moore
Probus Club of Thetford
Thetford Probus Club’s October talk was given by Patricia Alker, who explored the events leading up to the Battle of Waterloo and its aftermath.
Many senior Allied officers were attending the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball in Brussels when news arrived of Napoleon’s advance towards the city. Wellington’s initial reaction was to order preparations – but without spoiling a good party.
Patricia explained that the Allied and French forces were relatively evenly matched, meaning the outcome would be determined by the tactics employed and the capabilities of the individual formations.
She described in detail the actions that unfolded throughout the day. The battle remained finely balanced, while Wellington’s clever use of the terrain reduced the effectiveness of several French attacks.
What might have become a stalemate was changed by the arrival of Prussian forces under Field Marshal Blücher late in the day, attacking the French right flank.
Their arrival caused confusion among the French commanders, with some orders ignored and others misinterpreted. Patricia also discussed evidence of excessive caution on the part of Marshal Ney.
When asked why Wellington had won, Patricia said she believed the decisive factor was the mistakes made by the French.
Napoleon was subsequently exiled and spent the remainder of his life on St Helena.
Thousands of soldiers died during the battle, yet remarkably few human remains have since been discovered. Patricia discussed the theory that bodies were later excavated and the bones ground into bonemeal for use as fertiliser. Although archaeological research suggests this is a credible explanation, it has not been conclusively proven.
Thetford Probus Club holds its monthly meetings at 10.30am on the first Tuesday of each month at the Church on the Way, Churchill Road, Thetford, IP24 2JW.
Visitors are always welcome, and the club also holds a monthly lunch at local venues.Details can be found at probusclub.net/thetford.
Doug Stephen
Thetford Inner Wheel
Following dinner, Thetford Inner Wheel President Annalee Clarke introduced her husband Paul, of AAC Technical Services Ltd in Thetford, as the evening’s speaker.
Paul gave an informative illustrated talk about his work, including the refurbishment of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead.
The project was particularly time-critical because performances had been booked immediately after the agreed completion date. Work also had to stop for a week while a Proms performance was recorded, as the construction noise would have disrupted the music.
The venue’s floor was completely renewed, while its sound and lighting systems were upgraded. Work was also carried out on the risers used by the orchestra and choir.
An air-conditioning system was installed after musicians had previously found the venue extremely warm.
Paul has also worked in several West End theatres on many well-known productions.
Members were fascinated to discover how the different technical elements come together behind the scenes to create the best possible experience for audiences.
A short business meeting followed, and the evening’s raffle was won by Vice-President Justine Staines.
Anyone interested in learning more about Thetford Inner Wheel can visit innerwheel.co.uk.
Marian de Bass
Thetford u3a
At September’s monthly meeting, U3A Thetford members were introduced to local author Christopher Bush by fellow local historian Chris Garrod.
Born Charlie Christmas Bush in Great Hockham in 1885, he attended Thetford Grammar School and became an internationally bestselling author during the 1920s and 1930s.
Writing as Christopher Bush, he created detective Ludovic Travers and was a contemporary of Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie. He also wrote novels inspired by local life and his childhood in Breckland under the pseudonym Michael Home.
Chris Garrod explored the intricacies of what appeared to be a very complex man. His talk examined apparent fabrications surrounding Bush’s background and military rank, as well as his three marriages, for which Chris said no evidence of divorce had been found.
Thetford Library holds copies of several of Bush’s books.
At U3A Thetford’s next monthly meeting on Thursday 26th November, Dr Rob Knee will speak about Thomas Paine, while Jo Pearson DL will provide an insight into his role as High Sheriff of Norfolk.
U3A Thetford’s regular monthly meetings take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, except December, at the Church on the Way, Churchill Road, Thetford, IP24 2JZ.
Doors open at 1.30pm for a 2pm start. New members are always welcome. For details, email membership@thetfordu3a.org.
David Thompson
Thetford Parkinson’s Group
Thetford Parkinson’s Cafe will welcome Patricia at the piano for a singing session at Thetford Methodist Church at 11am on Tuesday 10th November.
Singing offers an enjoyable way to exercise the vocal cords, which can be particularly valuable for people with Parkinson’s, especially those who find it increasingly difficult to speak loudly.
People with Parkinson’s, their partners and carers are all welcome. For more information please contact Rachel at rwaid2@gmail.com
Rachel Woods
West Norfolk Aviation Society (WNAS)
West Norfolk Aviation Society welcomed back Keith Thomas to speak about his time as a helicopter pilot with the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force.
Keith was seconded from the RAF and described what it was like to operate in the intense desert heat. It was the only tour during which he served unaccompanied, meaning his wife and children remained in the UK.
However, his wife was able to visit regularly, while Keith’s service pattern consisted of six months on duty followed by one month’s leave in the UK, with all travel provided.
He also explained the financial benefits of the secondment. His additional earnings were tax-free, accommodation was provided and his only major expense was food in the mess.
Keith discussed daily life in Oman and some of the differences between the country and other Middle Eastern states, including attitudes towards alcohol, meat consumption and women.
He also spoke about the effect of Ramadan on flying operations. As local personnel did not eat or drink during daylight hours, Omani aircrew would be stood down by midday because of fatigue.
This was essential for safety, Keith explained, because aviation does not tolerate mistakes.
The helicopter operations were fascinating, although, in Keith’s words, there is “an awful lot of nothing” in the desert.
One particularly memorable assignment involved a flypast over a stadium during a state occasion. The Sultan of Oman’s Air Force crossed the stadium precisely on time, only to discover that everybody was still outside because the keys had been lost and organisers could not open the building.
Once everyone had finally been allowed inside, the aircrew were asked to perform the flypast again – and duly repeated the exercise.
WNAS Chairman Chris will lead the society’s next meeting with an illustrated talk entitled An Armourer’s Lot. Those who have attended one of his previous talks can expect another entertaining evening.
The meeting will take place at Mundford Bowls Club at 7.15pm on Tuesday 3rd November. Visitors are welcome, with admission for non-members costing £2 per person, including a light buffet.
For further details, visit westnorfolkaviationsociety.com.
Mark Burch
