Announcements

Village Hall's 40th Anniversary on 27th February 2009

Thurton & Ashby Village Hall was openend in February 1969. We would like to know the names of the people in the photograph so we can contact them or their relatives. We are also looking for family or descendants of Mr William C Berrill who was invited to officially perform the opening ceremony in 1969 and who was instrumental in spear-heading the huge community effort to raise the funds for the playing field and village hall project. We hope that someone has other photos of the opening or of the cine film that was taken on the opening day. Photos of the events held at the Village Hall during the early years after its opening are also being sought. If you have photos, press cuttings or posters or know anyone who can help trace the mementos of that day in 1969 please email or get in touch on 480211.

The Greenest Village in Norfolk

WE HAVE DONE IT! Yes we are the greenest village in the county of Norfolk. On the 15th August Energy Saving Trust presented Thurton with the plaque for the first prize. Many thanks to all who attended the one day event, way back in February. Your enthusiasm was a major factor in putting Thurton at the top. WELL DONE US!

Thurton & Ashby St Mary Residents Association (TARA)

The inaugural meeting of this new association was held on Tuesday 26th August 2008. The main purpose of TARA is to discuss and resolve any issues that we, as residents, may experience. A provisional committee was formed; when details have been finalised they will be published, hopefully in the next issue. The next meeting will take place at 14, Park Close, on Tuesday 7th October at 7.30pm. Please come along and meet us to see what this friendly bunch can do for each other.

Playing Field &Village Hall

The Ashby and Thurton Playing Field & Village Hall is a Registered Charity No. 303890 and is managed by a committee of trustees on behalf of the residents of Thurton and Ashby. It is financially self-supporting and relies on income from letting, fund-raising and the generosity of residents and users time and effort.

The Village Hall Management Committee would like to thank all those who use, support and maintain the Village Hall and Playing Field facilities. Your past, present and continuing support is very much appreciated and valued. Thank You.

Litter Pick

Thurton's 5th Litter pick was held on Sunday 14th September at 11am.

This litter pick was in association with the National 'Big Tidy Up' Campaign. All who attended were given lovely luminous green Big Tidy Up Vests and bags, and the children were given badges and stickers. Once again it was a success with all sorts of things being collected as well as litter!! As usual we all met up in the Village Hall afterwards and had a cup of tea, a cake and a chat.

Great to see Thurton's residents taking a pride in their village!!

New Village Sign for Thurton

The glorious Spring Bank Holiday Monday weather ensured a good crowd of local residents and well-wishers attended the unveiling and dedication of Thurton's new village sign. The new sign, cast by Thurton Foundries Ltd, replaces the original wooden sign that stood on the same roadside spot for forty years.

The new sign was commissioned by Thurton Parish Council when the Thurton, Ashby & District Women's Institute indicated that their original sign was in a bad state of repair and probably needed replacing. During the mid 1970s the WI had fund-raised for the provision of the village sign and commissioned Mr Harry Carter of Swaffham to carve the sign with a design based on the stained glass windows of St Ethelbert's Church in Thurton. The glass in the windows of St Ethelbert's is reputed to have originated in Rouen Cathedral and was rescued and installed by local benefactor Lady Beauchamp of Langley Hall. Mr Carter was a first class craftsman and a well respected carver of village signs. He was a teacher at Gresham School at Holt.

The original sign was unveiled by WI President Mrs Eileen Leathers on July 15th 1976. The sign stood for forty years and had been maintained and refurbished by the WI. Several WI members who were present at the original sign's dedication were pleased to be present at the unveiling and dedication of the new sign.

On Bank Holiday Monday at 11am Thurton Parish Council Chairman Peter Martin welcomed residents and special guests and invited County Councillor, Mr Adrian Gunson to perform the unveiling ceremony. The Rev Dr Peter Knight led prayers of dedication and gave the blessing. The crowd cheered heartily as the sign was unveiled.

The new double-sided village sign looks stunning and owes much to the expertise of talented local artist Linda Alden. Mrs Maureen Capps commissioned Linda to paint the sign. Thurton Parish Council contributed towards the provision and erection of the sign but much of the cost of the moulding and casting was generously donated by Ian and Emma Capps of Thurton Foundries Ltd, so many thanks to them. The brick plinth was built by retired local builder John Rudd in memory of his dear wife Heather - so many thanks to John too.

Thurton, at long last, has its new village sign - to all residents and visitors and to all who pass by it - we extend our very best wishes.

The George & Dragon

A new era for the The George and Dragon Pub with a new menu, new events and theme nights.

Village Directory and Welcome Pack

We are planning to compile a Village Directory and Pack. If you are a tradesman, retailer, artist, run a business or offer a service and would like to be included in the listings, email us.

In Memoriam: Keith Wells

It is with great shock and sadness that we learn of the sudden death of Keith Wells. He was 61. Keith was a former Thurton Parish Councillor and Vice-Chair of the Village Hall Management Committee. He also organised Village Hall bookings and took daily responsibility for access to the Hall. He was a keen fisherman and a great fan of country and western music and with Pat, his wife, an active member of the village Short Mat Bowling Club.

Keith always had the best interests of the Village Hall at heart and was instrumental in recent fund-raising events. As well as being a great organiser, Keith took pride in even the smallest of jobs, from coordinating the redecoration of the hall to replacing light bulbs.

Keith was a likeable man, modest and yet larger-than-life, and will be sadly missed by all of us who use the Village Hall and Playing Field. Thurton has lost a great village stalwart, and we send our sympathies to Pat Wells and all the family.