Brancaster Group Parish News
No 617
SEPTEMBER 2026
BRANCASTER, BRANCASTER STAITHE, BURNHAM DEEPDALE, TITCHWELL, CHOSELEY
THE RECTOR: Interregnum ASSISTANT PRIEST HUNSTANTON & SAXON SHORE BENEFICE: The Rev’d James Monro Tel 01485 518342 RETIRED CLERGY: The Rev'd Phil Unsworth Tel 01485 532436 The Rev’d Steve Wood Tel 07704 922 984
Dear Friends, This is the time of year that childhood memories of harvest on my grandfather’s farm in the 1960s come flooding back, as well as my mother’s stories about her childhood there in the 1920s. I remember her stories about the ho-gee boys who were in charge of the horses. When their cart was ready to move forward, they would shout this very Norfolk pronunciation of hold-ye to warn the men at the top of the load to hold on tight. North Creake school would never begin the new term until harvest was over, which could be as late as early October. Every child was needed, with the smallest raking up the dropped ears of corn; nothing could be wasted and health-and-safety rules had yet to be invented. My best farming memory is that of my grandfather telling me about the corncrakes that kept him awake at night as a boy in the 1890s. Mechanisation with binders sealed their fate, as they could get out of the way of men harvesting with scythes. Now the combines are large enough to destroy every small creature in their path that cannot run fast enough, and the grain plants themselves have been selectively modified more in the last few decades than in the previous ten thousand years since their domestication. In centuries-past, before climate change, 1st August was Lammas Day; the word Lammas coming from the Old English for Loaf-Mass. Then the first fruits, the first grains of the harvest were made into a loaf to be brought into church in thanksgiving to God for his abundance. Lammas has its origins in two Jewish feasts, and so is a Christian festival rather than having anything to do with neo-paganism. The Festival of First-fruits was held during Passover at the start of the barley harvest when a sheaf of grain was taken in thanksgiving before the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem. Then the Festival of Weeks was celebrated fifty days later to mark the end of the grain harvest. The people brought loaves of bread and the seven special foods of Israel - wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates to the Temple in grateful thanks to God. Lammas remained in the Church’s calendar but ceased to be observed at the Reformation, after which the harvest celebrations became secular community events. Our Harvest Festivals are a modern invention by Rev Robert Hawker, the first being held in his parish church at Morwenstow, Cornwall in 1843. You will find details of our Harvest Festivals in the list of services, but in the meantime, you may wish to consider these words from Psalm 65, used from ancient times both as a prayer in times of drought and in thanksgiving for the harvest, both appropriate in this year of little rain and an early harvest. The portals of the morning and evening You gladden. You remember the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You ready the grain, quench the thirst of the furrows, and smooth out its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
You crown Your bountiful year; Your ways overflow with ripeness. The meadows of the wilderness overflow, and with joy the hills are girded, the pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys with grain, so they shout for joy and sing.
With my prayers and best wishes for you all, James Monro (Assistant Priest, Hunstanton and Saxon Shore Benefice).
SEPTEMBER SERVICES IN THE HUNSTANTON & SAXON SHORE BENEFICE CW = Common Worship. BCP = Book of Common Prayer. HC = Holy Communion. MP = Service of Morning Prayer (no bread and wine). Family service = Shorter service with lighting of candles (no bread and wine). Sunday 6th September 9.00 am Ringstead 9.00 am Holme-next-the-Sea 10.30 am Titchwell 10.45 am Old Hunstanton 10.45 am Hunstanton 10.45 am Brancaster th Sunday 13 8.30 am Titchwell 9.00 am Thornham 9.00 am Ringstead 9.30 am Burnham Deepdale 10.45 am Old Hunstanton 10.45 am Hunstanton th Sunday 20 8.30 am Brancaster 9.00 am Holme-next-the-Sea 9.00 am Ringstead 10.15 am Burnham Deepdale 10.30 am Titchwell 10.45 am Old Hunstanton 10.45 am Hunstanton 6.00 pm Titchwell Thursday 24th 10.00 am Sunday 27th 8.30 am 9.00 am 9.00 am 9.30 am 10.45 am 10.45 am
Fourteenth Sunday of Trinity Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Harvest Holy Communion Fifteenth Sunday of Trinity Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Sixteenth Sunday of Trinity Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Harvest Harvest Harvest Holy Communion Songs of Praise, followed by Harvest nibbles and drinks
Ringstead
Midweek Holy Communion Seventeenth Sunday of Trinity Holy Communion Holy Communion Harvest Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion
Titchwell Thornham Ringstead Burnham Deepdale Old Hunstanton Hunstanton
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STILLNESS ON THE SAXON SHORE Fridays at 4 pm at Titchwell Church. MAKING SPACE CAFÉ, supported by Norfolk Community Foundation, at 10 am-12 noon: Wednesday each week, at St Edmund’s Church Hall, Hunstanton. An official ‘Warm Space’. A FEW HOUSEKEEPING REGULATIONS DURING THE INTERREGNUM Whilst we are without a rector our Rural Dean, Peter Cook, takes over that responsibility. Please contact Peter in the first instance for all enquiries with regard to weddings, funerals and baptisms. Peter’s phone number is 01485 517157. The Diocesan Registrar is responsible for all memorials in a churchyard - headstones and plaques. During a vacancy all requests for these must go through the Registrar. The person/stonemason making the request should contact the Registrar directly: see website www.norwichdiocesanregistry.co.uk. Church wardens and priests assisting during the interregnum cannot give permission for these. ST HENRY WALPOLE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BURNHAM MARKET Mass times: Sundays and Fridays 9.30 am. Holy Days of Obligation: see notice board in Church porch. Further information: catholicparishofwalsingham.org. 2
NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST BIKE RIDE, WALK & DRIVE - 12TH SEPT. 9 AM - 5 PM Could you make this a family outing by taking part in this event and raising funds for one of our local churches -Titchwell, Brancaster or Burnham Deepdale? You can take part in several ways: by riding your bike, walking or driving your car to as many churches as you can manage in the time allowed. Full details are available on the Norfolk Churches Trust website: norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk. Some leaflets and sponsor forms are available in Deepdale and Titchwell churches and hopefully Brancaster too, quite soon. NEWS FROM ST. MARY'S, BURNHAM DEEPDALE See page 2 for details of our Sunday services this month. We will celebrate with our Harvest Festival on Sunday 20th September at 10.15 am. Do come along and join us. Plant Stall at Deepdale Farmhouse gate – By the end of July it had raised £602.79 which is amazing considering the drought. Thank you to everyone who has supported it both with donating plants and buying them. It will continue through the summer so do call by to have a look or bring spare plants or produce. Books in the Porch – We still have lots of second-hand books for sale at £1 each in the church porch. At the end of July we had raised £292.49 - so thank you to all who have donated or purchased books. We can always do with more so do drop off any ‘good reads’ you no longer want. Please do not leave cookery, gardening books or hard back books as they just don’t sell. Thank you very much. Funds from both the Plant Stall and the Books go to our church building maintenance fund. BRANCASTER ST MARY'S The service in August was well attended with 17 people. September sees us start an extra service on the 3rd Sunday at 8.30 am when we will have a BCP communion. I look forward to seeing all the early birds before golf and sailing, and as many others that choose to come. Do remember that we shall have a Harvest Festival service on the first Sunday in October. Please come and try the church again. TITCHWELL ST MARY'S Services will follow the usual pattern for September. However on Sunday 20th September there will be a Harvest celebration at 10.30 am. The church will have been especially decorated. Please could there be some tins for the food bank and Purfleet Trust. Other donations would be gratefully received. At 6 pm there will be a Harvest themed Songs of Praise followed by Harvest nibbles and drinks. Donations will be appreciated. We still await an announcement about a new clergy person. You will be told as soon as we know. Three and a half years in interregnum is a long time, but we are all still surviving. POSH AFTERNOON TEA, HOLME Save the Date! - Saturday 24th October in Holme Village Hall. Get ready to reserve your table. More details in next month’s Parish News. BRANCASTER PARISH COUNCIL
We hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful summer and made the most of everything our beautiful villages have to offer – whether that has been enjoying the sunshine, welcoming family and friends, or simply surviving the summer traffic! The Parish Council would like to say a big thank you to all residents and visitors for their patience while part of the Brancaster Staithe Village Green was temporarily closed off. Hopefully, with a little help from the weather, the area will soon be looking greener and ready for everyone to enjoy again! Looking ahead, Parish Council elections will take place next year. If you have ever thought, “I could do that!” – or perhaps “Someone should do something about that!” – then maybe becoming a Parish Councillor could be for you! Being a Councillor is a great opportunity to get involved in the community, help shape the future and have a say in the decisions affecting our villages. No previous experience is required – just an interest in the villages and a willingness to get involved. So, if you think you might like to stand for election and become part of the Parish Council, watch this space! We will provide further information about the elections and how to put yourself forward nearer the time. Until then, we hope everyone enjoys the rest of the summer – and let's all keep our fingers crossed for a little rain overnight and sunshine during the day... just enough to keep everyone happy! The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 8th September at 6.30 pm at BVH. Minutes of recent meetings can be found on the Parish Council website: www.brancaster-pc.gov.uk. Any queries, please email: clerk@brancaster-pc.gov.uk
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NATIONAL COASTWATCH BRANCASTER Summer is always a busy time for Brancaster Coastwatch Station as thousands of visitors pack the beach and use the coastal waters. Recent events have included difficulties with kite surfers, whose usage is confined to a designated stretch of the beach and coastal waters. Some surfers have strayed into the waters used by bathers and paddleboarders, with the potential danger of collisions, as surfers travel downwind at very high speed. Coastwatch volunteers have had to speak to surfers to ensure they remain within their own area. The first beach day held in July was very successful; two others were held in August to meet the demand from families using the beach. Brancaster Coastwatch volunteers were also at the Hunstanton Family Fun Day and represented National Coastwatch at the RHS Sandringham Flower Show. The main fundraising event for the Coastwatch Station takes place at the Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival on Saturday/Sunday 12th/13th September; Coastwatch volunteers will be on hand serving hot drinks, cakes and savouries at Brancaster Staithe and Burnham Deepdale Village Hall. Do come along and join in the fun at this joyous annual festival! If you would like more information on National Coastwatch Brancaster please contact Richard Burrows, Deputy Station Manager, on 07535 612777. You can also find us on Facebook at #nationalcoastwatchbrancaster or on our website, www.nci.org.uk/Brancaster for our webcam and up-todate information on weather and tides. BEWARE! Predicted High Tides in September when Beach Road, Brancaster is liable to flooding and unsuitable for traffic. 1st – 3rd (am); 9th – 16th; 25th – 2nd Oct (am). Pedestrian access available via the bank. Full details on RWNGolf Club website (see page 12). Please take heed of the electronic flood warnings on the approach roads to the beach. TITCHWELL COMMUNITY TRUST The trustees would like to thank Lou Clinton together with event volunteers for organising the Titchwell Field Fayre in July which raised £1,282. Titchwell residents are encouraged to suggest ideas for initiatives, services, amenities or activities that would benefit the inhabitants of Titchwell collectively or individually. Suggestions can be made at the Village Meeting and will be passed to the Titchwell Community Trust for consideration. Anyone unable to attend the village meeting in person can forward their suggestions or make strictly confidential applications for support in the interest of social welfare by emailing chair@titchwellcommunitytrust.org or contacting the trustees Jason Chase, Johnny Symington or Jayne Smith directly. TITCHWELL VILLAGE MEETING Notice of Village Meeting to be held on Thursday 27th August, 7 pm at St Mary’s Church, Titchwell. TITCHWELL VILLAGE QUIZ IN AID OF TITCHWELL COMMUNITY TRUST Please join Quiz Master Johnny Symington at the Lower Green, Church Lane, Titchwell on Friday 28th August 6.30 pm for 7 pm start. £3 entry per person for teams up to 6 people. Soft drinks and nibbles will be provided and raffle tickets can be purchased on the evening. Booking is advisable by contacting Annette 07765 488 872 or arobinson1812@gmail.com. NEWS FROM BRANCASTER VILLAGE HALL (BVH) This month’s report has a different emphasis in that it concerns the future of BVH. The village hall was built in 1905 and has provided entertainment, amusement and community activities for more than a hundred and twenty years. It was closed in 2018 to allow a complete refurbishment and extension and reopened in 2019 with an attached shop and Post Office. Throughout its time it has operated as a not-forprofit charity, relying heavily on charitable donations and volunteers to manage the facilities and the various fundraising-events. BVH has been very successful in providing for its community but, along with other village halls, is facing pressures in the future. These include rising costs for staff and premises and a dwindling group of volunteers to look after BVH and organise events. To assist in these matters, the Trustees and Management Committee of BVH have appointed a manager (see page 9) to take responsibility for all aspects of management of the site. They are also developing a Friends of Brancaster Village Hall charity to invite contributions and to help with the building standing costs. A series of public meetings was held in August to discuss the new charity and assess support for the initiative and future events. Our regular groups continue throughout the summer: in particular, do come along to Porky’s Hot Rockin’ on Saturday 19th September. For further information about these and all our activities, along with the Friends of Brancaster Village Hall initiative, please contact us at bvhsetup@gmail.com.
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Pebbles Picture Framing Brancaster
Paintings - Photographs - Medals Textiles - and Canvas Stretching Contact Stephen Clark
01485 210810
info@pebblesframing.co.uk www.pebblesphotography.co.uk
Our Burnham Market based team specialises in marketing and holiday letting your home. Please call for advice.
Tel: 01328 730 880
www.sowerbysholidaycottages.co.uk
The Beauty Room dermalogica®
White Way Farm Sarah White Way Road Burnham Market 01328 738455 King’s Lynn 07545 562675 Norfolk PE31 8DJ www.thebeautyroomburnham.co.uk
Heligan House Flowers Flowers for all occasions – weddings, parties, funerals, anniversaries etc
Gary Bocking 07909 922645
email: bocking554@btinternet.com
JANE SEBBURN
JANE SEBBURN
Dip ITEC RSA Dip. ITEC. RSA Personal Training PilatesWalking Teacher Power Classical PersonalPilates Trainer Massage Therapist New classes at Valley Farm Gym InBrancaster person or on Zoom Staithe
07785 Tel: 01485 518437377469 or 07785 377469 www.janesebburn.com Strengthen • Stretch • Relax
Burnham Market Taxis
Serving North Norfolk Your local and long distance service 1-8 passengers carried. All airports covered
01328 730 580 www.burnhammarkettaxi.co.uk
N. W. S. John Crosthwaite
PC and Apple servicing, Virus prevention/removal, WiFi systems, Networking CCTV, Home Automation, Tuition & Sales
CARPENTRY, DECKING, CANOPIES, OUTDOOR STRUCTURES ETC. BESPOKE COMMISSIONS
5 Tapping Close, Common Road, Snettisham, King’s Lynn PE31 7FF dan@dnscomputerservices.co.uk
07768 273997
07554 018307
PREMCHECK
All building works undertaken: Conversions Restorations Extensions
New Buildings
THE HOME WATCH SERVICE GIVING YOU PEACE OF MIND
The Red House, Church Walk, Burnham Market, PE31 8DH
Tel: 01328 738786 Fax: 01328 730832
www.brianrix-builders.co.uk
G.ROBINS BUILDER AND DECORATOR For all your building & decorating needs. Competitive prices, free no obligation quotes. No Job Too Small...
07766 952332 garyrobins29@yahoo.co.uk
01485 525 646 MARCUS TOWNSHEND General gardening
Holiday Home Security Service Established in 1998 24hour emergency cover &
Grass cutting Hedge cutting etc. Competitive rates
weekly checks
over 50 years of local knowledge good working relationships with local police & other agencies Contact Caroline Felgate
8 Saxon Field Brancaster
01485 210513
07879 119432
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mobile: 07801 412979 (24 hours) email:- premcheck@hotmail.com
Please mention Brancaster Group Parish News when calling. A2601
Simon Leverett
Carpets & Blinds Supplied & Fitted
Choose at home from a comprehensive range of floorings and blinds. Designs from modern to traditional to suit all budgets.
Iain Sell Piano Tuner and Technician 07709 850045 iain@isellpianos.co.uk
01485 518 018 07760 462788
GW ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
07799 778 726 gwsparks1975@gmail.com PART P REGISTERED PAT TESTING
Mandy Glass Personal Travel Consultant
01485 765017
07760 338546
mandyglass.ptc@hays-travel.co.uk www.haystravel.co.uk/mandy-glass
UK cottages to world cruises
SMITH & WILLIAMSON CONSERVATORY SPECIALISTS windows • doors • fascia • guttering building work undertaken
01553 841175 07799 620883
01553 840767 07810 867244
maker@phillippakirby.co.uk www.phillippakirby.co.uk
Available to hire Village Hall
Please see website for details, availability and booking arrangements or email
bsbdvh.bookingagent@gmail.com
www.bsbdvh.org.uk
Locally based in Docking Contact Ellie 07778 220968 Search Facebook.com for Boujee Pooches
All Electrical Installations Emergency Call Outs
NORMAN RAYNORE
ELECTRICIAN
BRANCASTER GARAGE
City & Guilds Approved up to 18th Edition. Part ‘P’ Competent.
BRANCASTER
Tel: 01485 210 584 m: 07901 996 005 e: info@normanraynore.co.uk Please mention Brancaster Group Parish News when calling.
Main Road, Brancaster
Mark Childs
Open daily for service, repairs, spares, MOT & emergency call-outs
01485 211 001
MOTOR INDUSTRY CODE OF PRACTICE
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B2602
ADVERTISING CHARGES FOR OCTOBER ISSUE ONWARDS The cost remains at £25 for a single space for the year and £50 for a double space. There are 11 issues, October through to September 2027, with December/January being a combined copy. Invoices will be sent out in September either by email or post and we would appreciate prompt payment to ensure your advert is included. Unpaid adverts will not appear in the November issue. Adverts appear in the printed version, the PDF available by email or on Facebook and can be read online at www.issuu.com/brancastergroupparishnews. Thank you for your support. Alan Wright bg.pn@btinternet.com 01485 210394. DEEPDALE FARM Biofluorescent Night Walks Saturday 5th September, 8 pm and 10 pm. Fresh from his recent trips to study biofluorescence around the world, David from Reveal Nature is back with his popular night walks. On this extraordinary adventure, you’ll take UV torches into the dark with David as your expert guide. From fungi to insects and plants, you’ll encounter a diverse array of species that come alive with vibrant hues of green, blue, red, purple and orange. Willow Weaving Saturday 26th September. Both the morning (10 am - 1 pm) and afternoon (2 - 5 pm) sessions will create willow leaf baskets, focussing on the techniques required for weaving and basketry. Craft a beautiful basket, ideal for serving bread or fruit, or simply to display your skills in your home. Green Woodworking Spindle course, Saturdays 3rd and 31st October. Our original course introducing you to the properties of green wood, the tools and techniques. Bowl turning course, Saturdays 19th September and 10th October. No experience necessary, different techniques from our original spindle course. Conservation volunteering Join us fortnightly on Thursdays 9.30 am -12.30 pm for various conservation tasks around the farm. No commitment, come along for an active session while learning a little more about farming with nature. Full details and further dates of our activities can be found on our website www.deepdalefarm.co.uk or follow us on social media @deepdalefarm. THE WHITE HORSE Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival, Friday/Sunday 11th/ 13th September. The much-loved Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival returns this September, bringing together 24 shanty groups performing across six village venues throughout the weekend - The Jolly Sailors; The White Horse Marshside; The White Horse Bar; Deepdale Camping & Rooms Barn; St Mary's Church, Deepdale; Brancaster Staithe & Burnham Deepdale Village Hall; Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club. The festival proudly raises funds in support of RNLI Wells-next-the-Sea and NCI Brancaster. The full festival programme will be available online, so start planning your weekend of sea shanties, great atmosphere and community spirit. End of Summer BBQ Marshside Marquee. Friday 28th August - 12 noon ‘til 9 pm. Fran’s take on a Norfolk-inspired BBQ, showcasing the best local ingredients. Soak up the atmosphere with live music in a spectacular setting - dancing very much encouraged. No need to book. After a wonderful season, Marshside closes on Sunday 20th September. Thank you for your continuing support - we’ve loved sharing another fantastic summer with you. Rob, Fran, Rosie, Kinga & The White Horse Team THE JOLLY SAILORS is a Great British Pub Awards Finalist! Wish us luck for the Awards Ceremony on 23rd September! Brancaster Staithe Sea Shanty Festival See above (The White Horse) for details. Keep on Running Join Jolly Runners, who meet every Saturday at 9 am in The Jolly Sailors car park before heading out for a run along our beautiful Norfolk coastline. Fresh sea air, big blue skies and wonderful natural beauty, whether you prefer to run or walk, and whatever your pace or ability, everyone is welcome. Steve Ellsey at steveellsey50@outlook.com. Charity Quiz Night Tuesday 1st September, 8 pm. £100 ACI gift card plus other prizes. Proceeds to Big C Norfolk Charity. Simon, Nick, Mollie, Matt & The Jolly Sailors Team BRANCASTER CAMERA CLUB Our next meeting is on Tuesday 15th September at 7 pm in Brancaster Staithe & Burnham Deepdale Village Hall, when the topic for the evening will be ‘Curves, Bends and Shapes’. If you are staying in the area and would like to join us please come along. Visitors are always welcome. Entrance is £5 to include refreshments. Contact: Sue Till on 01485 210013 or Wendy Calow on 01553 674725.
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