Full August reports from Thetford Inner Wheel, Thetford u3a, Probus Club of Thetford, Thetford Society, Thetford Parkinson’s Group, and West Norfolk Aviation Society.
THETFORD INNER WHEEL
We had a wonderful time at the races at Ascot (in reality, a member’s house!) where we enjoyed a superb buffet meal plus a glass or two of wine. Some members and guests were incredibly lucky when betting on the winners.
Our July meeting was held at our President Janey Mackay’s home, where Justine Staines introduced us to six different teas, explaining their ingredients, origins and how to brew them. Who knew teas could be so different?
We take a break in August but look forward to meeting again in September, with an interesting programme of speakers lined up.
Marian de Bass
www.innerwheel.co.uk
THETFORD u3a
Our talk in June was by Nicole Wade, who provided us with an enthralling and up-to-date report on the Brecks’ Fen Edge & Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme (BFER). This is a landscape partnership supported by more than 60 local, regional and national groups, and funded by the National Lottery. It was established to conserve and celebrate the unique heritage of the Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks.
The area spans 393 square miles and has characteristics that are fundamentally different from both the Fens and the Broads, being naturally low in nutrients. It also features rare chalk streams, which are part of one of the scheme’s conservation sub-projects. As a result, rarer wildlife such as nightjars and crested newts have returned. Restoration work has included re-winding rivers that were previously straightened and canalised during the Second World War, and reconstituting Ice Age-era pingo ponds.
There are many opportunities for local people to get involved — visit brecks.org to find out more.
Our July speaker was Ed Pope, who gave a talk about the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve located in north Norfolk.
This month’s talk will be on The Norfolk Blood Bikes — a vital service providing blood supplies to hospitals.
All talks start at 2pm and take place at the Carnegie Rooms, Cage Lane, Thetford, IP24 2EA on the fourth Thursday of each month.
As always, Thetford U3A is open to new members. To find out more, please contact the Membership Secretaries at
membership@thetfordu3a.org
Graham Quincey
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PROBUS CLUB OF THETFORD
How to Become a Roman Empress was the title of the talk given by Ralph Jackman to the Probus Club of Thetford in July.
Ralph has a deep interest in the history of the Roman Empire and has published books on the subject. The main character throughout his talk was a rather remarkable lady: Agrippina the Younger, born in Germany (where her father was helping to administer part of the expanding Roman Empire) in either AD 14 or 15.
Once back in Rome, Agrippina was married at the age of 13 — 12 being the legal minimum — to a first cousin once removed. Not much is known about their relationship, but her husband was not considered a pleasant character. His comment on the birth of their son in AD 37 perhaps illustrates the point: “I don’t think anything produced by Agrippina and me could possibly be good for the state or the people.” That son would eventually become Emperor Nero.
At the time, families and factions within Rome were constantly vying for influence and power. In AD 39, Agrippina, her sister and a cousin were found guilty of a failed murder plot. She was exiled, and went from a position of wealth and influence to having all her possessions sold off.
In AD 41, her uncle Claudius became emperor and cancelled her exile. Her first husband died shortly after, and Agrippina set about finding another powerful match — using some very dubious tactics. She succeeded, but her new husband, Crispus, died soon afterwards, leaving his estate to Nero. Agrippina was now a wealthy and powerful figure in her own right.
So powerful, in fact, that Claudius decided to marry her — despite their relationship being considered incestuous and immoral. By AD 53, Claudius began to regret his decision, but died the following year, in AD 54 — allegedly poisoned by Agrippina using mushrooms, though this is still debated.
With Claudius gone, Nero became emperor, and Agrippina, as his mother, had significant influence over the affairs of state. But over time, Nero became increasingly frustrated with her interference, particularly in his romantic affairs. He tried three times to poison her. When that failed, he had a specially designed collapsing boat built to kill her — but Agrippina survived and swam ashore.
Eventually, Nero lost patience and sent soldiers to her home. She was killed in AD 59, after what could only be described as an eventful life.
Next month’s talk is by a forensic scientist. If you’re curious, why not come along? The Probus Club holds monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 10.30am, at the Church on the Way, Churchill Road, Thetford, IP24 2JW. Visitors are always welcome.
We also hold a monthly lunch at local venues. Details: https://probusclub.net/thetford
Doug Stephen
THETFORD SOCIETY
Tales from the River was the subject of Imogen Radford’s talk at the July Thetford Society meeting. Imogen spoke about Thetford’s rivers and the memories collected as part of the Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers project. Many of those present were able to share their own recollections — especially of the old swimming baths in the river.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 5th August at 7.30pm in Thetford Guildhall, when Mrs Pat Pearson will be sharing her memories of Swaffham.
THETFORD PARKINSONS GROUP
August 12th is our summer garden party. After months of talks and exercise classes, it’s time to have fun! There will be games to play and food for lunch. All those with Parkinson’s and their family are welcome. 11am at the Methodist Church in Thetford.
We will have another visit from the Parkinson’s nurse. Same time and place.
WEST NORFOLK AVIATION SOCIETY
Master raconteur, Trevor Hewitt, with delightful enunciation and polished north Norfolk accent, delivered a masterpiece to WNAS, with enthusiasm and passion. It’s not surprising when one realises the circumstances in which Trevor’s story began: In 1944 a B24 Liberator, the Belle of Boston, took off from RAF Horsham St. Faith and, shortly after its ascent, crashed into a wood close to Ralph Hewitt’s farm at Frettenham.
Ralph and other villagers rushed to the scene and managed to rescue 4 out of the 10 crew members. Trevor, who was only a twinkle in father Ralph’s eyes at the time, has since identified eye witness accounts of the bravery of some of the rescuers. Trevor, the originator of the New Farm Aviation Heritage Group, has made it his mission to establish contact with the families of the fallen and those of the survivors. As a result of which, the American families have rewarded him with their hospitality.
During a ‘dig’, a gold bracelet was discovered bearing the name of an airman’s wife. This was generously donated by the American family to Trevor’s cause but, on a subsequent visit to America, Trevor, in an equally generous gesture, took the treasure back to the family where he thought it rightfully belonged and, it was gratefully accepted.
There was another gesture of magnanimity by one of the survivors: when presented with a ‘purple heart’ he returned it because, he felt, the award was making a mockery of bravery when all he had lost was one little finger.
Trevor’s digging career did not finish in Frettenham; armed with excavation licences he has since unearthed 179 sites. After the war it seems, there was a political ‘initiative’ introduced which deemed it cheaper, or more expedient, to bury war surplus rather than recycle it; one such site was at RAF Watton. Formally, and ironically, it held German ownership. This burial site revealed an unusual collection of artefacts: apart from Mosquito undercarriage and Merlin engine parts there were also pristine RAF monogrammed mugs, tea service sets and ladies wooden toilet seats.
As a tribute to posterity and remembrance Trevor’s museum is free to savour and in another act of good will he has also supplied our society with a list of possible future speakers — thank you Trevor. More from him on Facebook @newfarm aviation.
More from us at www.westnorfolkaviationsociety.org.uk
Thanks also go to our Bowls club stalwarts, Val and Len, whose generosity provides us with free refreshments.
Nigel Tooth – reporter
