May 2021 1Photo Competition Results Inside
2 Pigeon Post‘For Starston People’ Copyright 2021 PIGEON POSTThe Production TeamCo-ordinating Editor: Sue Moore: 6 Allthorpe Rd, Harleston IP20 9AP Tel: 452432 Email: pigeonpost19@gmail.com suemoore0717@gmail.comEditors: Chris Doughty: Email: chrismartindoughty@gmail.com Auriel Gibson: Email: aurielgibson@wh5.co.ukTreasurer: Mandy Carter: Brick Kiln Farm, Cross Roads Tel: 854600 Email: mcarter@carrotech.comAdvertising Manager: Liz Stacey: The Old Coach House, Starston Tel: 853427 Email: elizabethstacey99@hotmail.comWebsite: Email: info@starstonvillage.co.ukDistribution Brian Greathead: Cart Lodge Barn, Church HillOrganiser: Tel: 852352 Email: bgreathead99@gmail.comDistributors include: Brenda & David Beech, Sarah Beech, Sonja Burnett, Mandy Carter, Patricia Lombe-Taylor, Alison Miners, Rosemary & Norman Steer, and others. ISSUE EDITOR Sue MooreWhilst the editorial team do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed by contributors,they believe that the magazine is available for local people to air their views. Letters to the Editormust be signed. The Editor reserves the right to alter or amend any copy received.Items for inclusion in the next issue MUST reach the Co-ordinating Editor by the 12th of thepreceding month, (usually earlier in December). Space in the magazine will be allocated on a firstcome, first served basis. Photos and pictures are welcome and will be used wherever possible. Please send copy by e-mail to: pigeonpost19@gmail.com Advertising For advertising rates please contact Liz Stacey: Tel: 01379 853427 Email: elizabethstacey99@hotmail.com or Sue Moore: Tel: 01379 452432 Email: pigeonpost19@gmail.com Distribution Pigeon Post is delivered free to every home in Starston. It can also be sent by email in PDF format. To request a PDF version please contact the Co-ordinating Editor. If you know of any new residents in the village please tell Norman Steer (854245) or Sue Moore (452432) so that we can welcome them in Pigeon Post.
May 2021 3Normal service may be resumed….Hopefully from the next issue we will resume the Village Diary andthe Around and About page, the first is self explanatory, the latter ismainly for announcing events in the local area, but not necessarily inthe village.It only works if you tell us what’s happening!!Anything for inclusion should be sent to:pigeonpost19@gmail.comby 12 noon on 12th, sooner if at all possible please.If you do not do emails the Co-ordinating Editor’s contact details areon page 2. To Book the Jubilee Hall - Contact the Bookings Manager:Robert Wood: 01379 852535 or Email: starstonrobert@gmail.com Deputy: Joy Brooks: 01379 854755 or joybrooks2007@yahoo.co.uk Let us know of anything happening in the village Personal adverts and events are free so long as they are not for personal profit Like us on Facebook http://facebook.com/starstonvillagenorfolk Starston Village Website: http://starstonvillage.co.uk/ Jubilee Hall Wi-Fi Hot Spot: Network: Jubilee Hall Password: Starston Final Copy Date for the June edition: 12.00 Noon - Wednesday 12th May
4 Pigeon Post ADVERTISE HERE 01379 853427 elizabethstacey99@hotmail.com
May 2021 5 For Your InformationThe next Parish Council Meeting is to be held via Zoom on Wednesday May 5th at7.30pm. If you would like to join the meeting please contact the Parish Clerk for details.Don’t forget to vote. There is an election on Thursday 6th May 2021 to elect a Policeand Crime Commissioner for Norfolk and Councillors for Norfolk County Council.Starston residents should vote at the Jubilee Hall between 7am and 10pm. Please beadvised to take along your own pen or pencil and to follow the guidance from thestaff at the polling station.The Harleston and District Dementia Friendly Café remains closed but if you wouldlike more information about getting involved, or attending our Group later in the yearplease do contact Pat. Patricia.simmonds@mail.com or 01379 676 557We have some new businesses supporting us with their advertisem*nts, please take alook through the adverts and see what’s changed.The Teddy Bears’ Picnic will return this summer– see page 21.Peregrinations– a performance celebrating 10 years of the peregrines at NorwichCathedral 2pm Saturday 29th May venue Norwich Cathedral. Part of the Norfolk andNorwich Festival 2021 Further details at nnfestival.org.uk/whats-on-peregrinations.This is a ‘pay what you want’ event.The Jubilee Hall will be available for booking from 1st June– see below. Progress at the Jubilee HallThe new carpet was laid by Michael Wells in early April. All 12 curtains have been drycleaned but 11 of them had torn or damaged lining. However, Christina Greathead,Verona McWhinney and Auriel Gibson have between them relined all those curtains,using material supplied by Verona. Our thanks to them for this very significantcontribution to the Hall.In view of the relaxation of the lockdown regulations from mid-May, the Trustees ofthe Jubilee Hall have decided that the Hall will re-open from Tuesday 1st June. We willnot impose any limitations on numbers, though obviously we will still maintain thehygiene standards we have put in place and anyone using the Hall will need to sign thenew hirers agreement form (copies from Robert Wood).
6 Pigeon PostAPIARYADVERT
May 2021 7 Editor’s NotesI am writing this in the days following the death of The Prince Philip, Duke ofEdinburgh who had reached the grand age of 99. He certainly had an eventful and busylife and so many have benefitted from the Duke of Edinburgh Award which will surelybe one of his most important legacies. Some young people do incredible things inachieving their awards. Did you? Please tell us about it.Some of the most interesting stories are the ones we don’t hear until our loved onespass away. I recently attended the funeral of an elderly second cousin, only to discoverthat she had been an ardent Liverpool FC fan and thought nothing of travelling fromKessingland to Liverpool to matches well into her 80s- that was a surprise! (She was aBoyzone fan too.) So whatever your story is we’d love to hear it, drop us a line. Sue Christian Aid Week 10-16 May 2021This year, Christian Aid is focusing on Climate Change and the problems it is creatingfor many countries around the world. Kenya in particular has been highlighted wherethere exists a cycle of climate chaos. From severe drought to flooding, extremeweather robs the people of what they most need to survive – a Reliable Source ofWater.In the past, rain was plentiful and generally fell at the right times. It provided amplenutritious food to eat. Now communities live with drought and hunger for manymonths of the year. When the rains do come, they can be too heavy and lead toflooding. This has been an issue across Kenya in the last year, damaging crops. Inrecent years, earth dams have been built to retain torrential rains. These dams haveproved very successful in helping maintain a more reliable and constant supply ofwater in the villages.Christian Aid’s fund-raising will enable more dams to be built giving a constant sourceof water to help improve livelihoods. More fresh water will help with crops, livestockand family use, especially needed during the Covid pandemic to encouragehand-washing to protect against the virus.As last year, door to door collections in Starston will not take place due to coronavirusBUT your gifts, prayers and actions are greatly appreciated to help with Christian Aidprojects. If you would like to support Christian Aid, donations can be made throughtheir website: www.christianaid.org.ukI sincerely hope that, once virus restrictions are fully lifted and socialising is safe again,fund-raising events in Starston can return. Perhaps even the annual Coffee Morningand Christmas Card sale at Starston Grange!Thank you so much for your support.Sue Grimble
8 Pigeon Post Parish Council News New Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer for Starston Parish CouncilI would like to introduce myself to you, my name is Jane Marsden and I have now takenover the role of Parish Clerk for Starston Parish.I have lived in the village now for nearly 5 years and am very much looking forward toserving the community of Starston in my new role.My previous experience as a Parish Councillor of Starstongave me a good insight into the tasks involved with the roleof a Parish Clerk and I am looking forward to this newchallenge and working closely with the Starston ParishCouncil. My background has previously been based withinadministration, so I hope to be able to serve you all well andlook forward to your support.Kind regards,Jane MarsdenEmail: starstonparishcouncil@yahoo.co.ukTelephone: 07796 528697 Starston Parish Councillors presented retiring Clerk Clare Crane with a leaving gift. Clare has been the Clerk for the past four years plus. She is taking up a new post as the Town Clerk for Harleston. Clare would like to extend her thanks to the Councillors for her gift.We’re A Winner!Every year South Norfolk reward the Starston Parish Council for taking part in the BigLitter Pick with £20. They also put us into a prize draw and this year we have beenlucky enough to win £200. So thank you to everyone who takes part in picking up litter,both over the weekends that we organize and throughout the year, as I know lots ofpeople do. Lucy Cave, Litter Pick Co-ordinator, Starston Parish Council
May 2021 9 Notes From A Starston GardenI will survive, I will survive ….. sang Gloria Gaynor in that triumphant anthem tohuman resilience and defiance. I have thought of that song this spring every time Ilooked out of the garden room at the arching branches of my Forsythia.It grows in what I call the rock run, one of the few features of the garden which I keptwhen I moved in fourteen years ago. It cascades from a narrow path down to the patiooutside the garden room. The rock run is also home to a clump of elephant grass whichgrows between and behind and around the boulders. In summer the grass is a rustlingscreen of green stems and foliage. In autumn the stems turn red or gold. In winter theyglow in the slanting winter sun. In early spring I cut down the stems, now really canes,and chop them into short lengths which I will burn the following winter. And so theseasons turn.The Forsythia, sprouting in the middle of the Miscanthus, seemed to my eye to be outof place, an interloper. I couldn’t dig it out so each year I cut it hard back. Each year itsurvived.A couple of years ago I must have forgotten to cut it back because last year the stems ithad thrown up had some flowers on them. Some impulse made me leave them, givethem permission to survive. And this year ……..For all my attempts at artful designs, artistic use of colour and careful planting I havebeen well and truly trumped by that Forsythia, true survivor that it is. Gloria Gaynormerges into another classic, this time from Elton John …… I’m still standing after allthis time. Dee the Gardener
10 Pigeon Post Rector’s LetterAll new parents have the great privilege of choosing their babies names. The decisionthough can be extremely hard although sometimes it has already been made due tofamily tradition. The new child though does not have any option in what is decided andsometimes when they grow up, they do not like their names. That is my Mother’sexperience as she has never liked her middle name which is May and has always avoidedadmitting that she was called that!As we approach May, I always remember my Mum’s dislike of her name, but the actualmonth is one which to me always expresses the joy of early summer with lovely newblossoming flowers and great weather. In the past too there was often dancing around theMay pole with traditional songs such as ‘Now is the month of Maying’ being sung andthe prospect too of new couples falling in love. All joyful and happy days!There is much to learn about the celebrations of the past that happened during May. Onenative Old English name for the fifth month of the year was ‘þrimilce’. It literally meant“three milkings,” apparently because it was touted that the cows were so productive inancient England that they could be milked three times per day. I will let you decidewhether you think this is believable or not!I hope that you will have an enjoyable and pleasant time during May and haveopportunities too to socialise more freely with friends and family. Please do not hesitateto contact me if you would like a chat.With my good wishes to you all.SarahReverend Sarah Walsh, Rector of Dickleburgh and ThePulhamsComment-It is a fact that an abundance of fresh luxuriant grass and warmer weather in May wouldencourage an increase in the production of milk in cows, especially after a long wintershut in a barn on dry winter feed. Ed. It is understood that church services will resume in May. Please see page 26 for full details as per the Benefice website at time of going to print. As always, to confirm Starston services nearer the time you are welcome to contact John Formston, Churchwarden, 01379 853042 jformston07@talktalk.netMay 13th is Ascension Day….something I remember from when I was at school…after going to church ( it seemed quite a long walk) we were sent home for the rest ofthe day. It was so exciting to get an extra day off school! Ed.
May 2021 11 Starston Youth Club Annual Report 20202020 was the fifth anniversary of Starston Youth Club. Due to the CV-19 pandemic,SYC suspended its programme from June 2020.As at April 2020, there are 37 primary school age or under children, and 24 teenagers in31 Starston households.2020 Events held wereJanuary Stone painting with acrylic paint (12 children)February Village litter pick & treasure hunt (11 children)March Starston Slime Sunday (10 children)April Easter Egg Hunt at home or Easter Eggs and personalised Easter cards delivered to all Starston families (31 households)May Starston walk & nature exploration – information on footpaths and permissive paths in Starston parish provided to all 31 Starston familiesDecember Christmas Advent Calendars delivered to 61 children in the parish and Cards made by Starston children delivered to all 154 Starston households.The SYC WhatsApp group continues to be active, and the SYC page on the villagewebsite provides both diary information and background information on SYC.We are again grateful to Starston PCC for providing public liability insurance cover andsafeguarding arrangements via the Diocese of Norwich.Risk assessments are undertaken for all events and are regularly reviewed.The 2020 organising team was Sam Bow, Janet Broadhurst, Lucy Cave, Ann Leitch andBrian Penfold.Lucy Cave took over the SYC co-ordinating role from Ann Leitch autumn 2020Thanks are extended to the Jubilee Hall trustees, who covered the cost of the hall hirefor the 3 SYC events held in person during 2020. The organising team is also verygrateful to the many villagers who provide support on an anonymous basis for thebenefit of Starston children. In 2020 this has included donations of craft materials,refreshments, and the Christmas Advent calendars. We received a grant of £100 fromthe Waveney Valley Lodge of Master Masons, which was most helpful. Thesecombined contributions have enabled all events to be free, ensuring that every child inthe parish is able to participate.No fundraising events were held in 2020 due to the pandemic – SYC made a loss of£50, which was covered by funds brought forward from 2019. The club remainsfinancially viable, with a small carry over fund into 2021.Once CV-19 restrictions are lifted and the Jubilee Hall is available the organising teamwill consider what events it will bring forward from 2020 into 2021.Sam Bow, Janet Broadhurst, Lucy Cave, Ann Leitch,Brian Penfold2020 SYC Organising Team
12 Pigeon PostThe following article first appeared in the Pigeon Post in May 1991 and gives someinsight into a former way of life, which even then seemed to be in the distant past. JanetNewby lived in Starston and delivered the Pigeon Post from the very first edition untilshe moved to Harleston.Thoughts of My Father’s Work-daysAfter watching a tractor and plough at work, I could not help but remember the good olddays of the horse and plough, and the gulls which would follow, being the ploughman’sonly companion. It was a scene my father knew well: he was a horseman all his life.Before beginning to plough a field, it would be marked out and staked in line (DeadStraight). Then there would be the muck spreading- no chemicals in those days. Withhis two horses harnessed to the plough, off he would go. Here and there a ‘cupee’ (foroff) or ‘wish’ (for the other way). In those days, a plough cost about £5 and of course afarm worker’s wages were only a few shillings a week.SowingOnce the ploughing was finished, he would walk the field again, this time the horseswould be dragging the chain harrows to get the soil ready for sowing. In Dad’s earlydays, sowing the seed would be done by hand, scattering it as he walked up and downthe field. Apart from scaring the birds away, it was left to nature’s sun and showers afterthat.Before the corn was ready to harvest, there was the crop of hay to get in. This was animportant crop as it was good winter food for the animals. Once the stacks werecompleted, my father turned his hand to thatching them to keep out the wet.When the corn was ready to harvest, out came the horses to pull the binder which cut thecorn and tied it in bundles. It dropped the corn in ‘stooks’ where they dried and ripenedin the sun. The corn was then loaded on the wagon and brought back to the farmyard toawait the threshing machine. After this we would all go out into the field to collect thespare ears of corn left behind by the binder. These ‘gleanings’ were used to feed thechickens. What a hard life, after seeing today’s machines!Janet Newby.
May 2021 13 Winter Photo CompetitionThank you to everyone who took part in the on-line Photo Competition. This was ajoint venture between the Jubilee Hall and the Pigeon Post and was organised by theWebmaster.The subject was WINTER and the photos needed to have been taken by a Starstonresident between 1st January and 20th March 2021 within the parish or one adjoining it.We are very grateful that Lisa North of Lisa North Photography in Harleston agreed tojudge the competition for us. We received 42 senior entries from 18 Starston residentsand 4 junior entries from 2 younger photographers. Prizes for the winners have beendonated anonymously.Senior Results1st place STARSTON VILLAGE HALL by KELLY HINESJudges comments: Love the crop on this! Sharp and well exposed.2nd place COTTAGES IN THE MIST by JANICE BROOKSJudges comments: Love the feel of this – less foreground would enhance the image.3rd place WINTER GARDEN VISITOR by HELEN KNOWLESJudges comments: Nice sharp image. Needs to be brighter to show off the coloursmore.Junior Results1st place THE PURPLE ONE by GEORGE THOMPSONJudges comments: Lovely photograph. Great colour and in focus.2nd place STARSTON CHURCH by ISLA HINESJudges comments: Lovely image- just a little bit dark. The snow looks a bit grey.The judge was pleased with the standard of photography overall and has made a briefcomment on every photo. These will be sent individually to everyone who entered thecompetition. We are also pleased to say that Lisa will, in a future issue, be giving ussome tips on how to take a really good photo.The photo gallery remains on the village website (http://starstonvillage.co.uk/starston/starston-village-photo-competition-2021-the-gallery/) and we will be publishing someof the entries from time to time in the Pigeon Post.Obviously an on-line competition excludes some participants, but this was the onlyoption during lockdown. If you would like to see the future return of the Village Votetype of competition, which we have held in the past in the Jubilee Hall, and would beprepared to help with running such an event, please get in touch.The winning photographs are shown overleaf.
14 Pigeon Post Senior Winners1st STARSTONVILLAGE HALLby KELLY HINES2nd COTTAGESIN THE MISTby JANICEBROOKS 3rd WINTER GARDEN VISITOR by HELEN KNOWLES
May 2021 15 Junior Winners 1st THE PURPLE ONE by GEORGE THOMPSON 2nd STARSTON CHURCH by ISLA HINES
16 Pigeon Post SYC Easter Treasure HuntQuestions, answers and results of the Treasure Hunt which wasannounced in last month’s Pigeon Post.How well do you know the village Glebe? How many flower baskets are on the wall of the Jubilee Hall? 5 Haw far can the bees fly? 3 miles How many bird boxes are on the Glebe? 8 How many bolts are in the gate that leads across the brook? 7 How many teeth does the crocodile have? 16 How many beehives on the Glebe? 4 What does it say on the gate at the far end of the Glebe? Private How many trees are in the orchard on the Glebe? 27 What year is on the curved bench? 2012 Who opened the Starston Jubilee Orchard? Richard Lombe Taylor and Harry Colman In case of a tie break participants were asked to send an Easter picture made of things collected while out doing the treasure hunt. And the best Easter picture was this amazing rabbit by George Thompson. Jubilee Hall Book SaleThe on-line Book Sale in aid of the Jubilee Hall is proving very successful. At the timeof writing (early April) we have made £401. As mostbooks costs 50p, £1.00 or £2.00 this is an amazingresult. New books are arriving all the time so keeplooking – and keep buying.
May 2021 17 Stewkey Blews and MaukinsDo you know your Norfolk?It’s amazing what you can learn from the radio. If you’re not a native and you want tolearn a little more about your adopted county, I can recommend Treasure Quest, BBCRadio Norfolk, 10am on Sundays. Julie and Sophie head off (virtually, duringlockdown) to solve clues set by The Questmaster and find their way to all sorts ofinteresting places around the county and you learn some fascinating facts on the way.Recently Norfolk dialect was on the agenda as Julie negotiated her way to the junction ofBishy Barney Bee Way and Dodderman Way. Not far away she found Pollywiggle Waytoo.For those of you that wonder what on earth I’m talking about:A bishy barney bee is a ladybird, a dodderman is a snail (said to be named for a tinkercalled Dodds who travelled the county by foot with his wares for sale on his back) and apollywiggle is a tadpole.Of course, there are many more.An erriwiggle is an earwig, a pishamire an ant. That lovely lanky bird of the Broads, theheron, is a harnser.And Stewkey blews and maukins?Well, Stewkey is dialect for Stiffkey, a village on the north Norfolk coast, and blews arethe co*ckles that are found in that location.And a maukin? well Worzel Gummidge is one of those.For more on Norfolk dialect: www.norfolkdialect.comSM I Had Forgotten That….. Continuing our look back at 1991, the year that Pigeon Post was first published: April 8th The Football Association announce a new ‘super league’ of 18 clubs to replace the Football League First Division April 23rd The government confirms the Community Charge (Poll Tax) would be replaced by the Council Tax in 1993 May 15th Manchester United beat FC Barcelona 2-1 to win the European Cup Winners Cup May 18th Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space when she joined the Soyuz TM-12 mission June 6th Neil Kinnock condemned the government over the 17% interest rates for small businesses June 28th The final breakthrough is achieved in the Channel Tunnel construction Interest rates at 17% Goodness!
18 Pigeon Post County Council ReportTwo new recycling centres to open in Norfolk this year. Construction of the newNorwich South recycling centre on part of the Harford Park and Ride site on thesouthern edge of the city. This new recycling centre will replace the current site atKetteringham, between Hethersett and Wymondham, later in 2021. There will be low-level bins, which means people will not have to climb steps to recycle their waste. Aone-way traffic system will smooth traffic flow, reduce queues and make the site saferfor visitors, plus the planned reuse shop will be eight times the size of the one atKetteringham. The new Norwich North recycling centre is being built close to theNorwich Northern Distributor road, this will replace the outdated site in the city and willopen in the autumn. There are plans for a new recycling centre to replace the one atMorningthorpe, this is likely to be built near to the new Long Stratton bypass oncecompleted.Plans for the Long Stratton bypass are to be submitted this May and construction shouldstart in 2023 with a completion date of late 2024. Included in the plans are 1875 houses,12.5 hectares of employment land, plus a primary school and community facilities,including sports pitches, and improved walking and cycling routes.A new cross border grant scheme has been launched by Norfolk County Council andSuffolk County Council, this is set to provide welcome support to businessescontributing to the rural economy. The DRIVE scheme (Delivering Rural Investment,Vital Employment) is a two year project designed to encourage and support soundbusiness investment decisions. The project has received £3million of funding from theEngland European Regional Development Fund. Expert mentors will be on hand to helpbusinesses to develop strong project and business plans. To help put those in action,businesses then will be able to apply for grants of between £5k and £30k.For more information visit www.driveforbusiness.co.uk or call 01603 222643.As we come out of lockdown it’s good to see the shops open for business along with thelibraries, gyms, hairdressers, self catering accommodation, plus all of our pubs and cafesserving food and drink again. All of our Libraries will have opened from the 19 th ofApril and each one will have a range of safety measures in place including a one-waysystem to allow for social distancing and hand sanitiser available to use on the way inand out of the library. Customers will also be asked to wear face coverings unless theyare exempt. Items borrowed from the library will continue to be renewed automaticallyuntil further notice and users will be able to return items via the drop boxes and selfservice kiosks at each library and returned items will be quarantined for up to 72 hours.On Thursday May the 6th there are elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner forNorfolk, plus the County Council elections for all 84 divisions across the county.Best WishesMartin
20 Pigeon Post Glebe Meadow Bees– Spring 2021The three Glebe Meadow hives were prepared for the winter in Autumn 2020 withactive queens and plenty of food to see them through. Little did they, or we, know thattwo hives would be almost destroyed by the severe Christmas floods. Three feet of fastflowing water was sufficient to lift their heavy bases and wash the hives away as far asthe apiary surrounds. Fortunately they remained strapped to their heavy bases and,aided by polystyrene insulation under the roof, floated just sufficiently to create a littlespace above water level. The hives were reset upright and provided with clean and drybrood frames and a fresh food supply – the best of TLC. They were treated againstvarroa mites twice and their sugar food was topped up regularly. New bases weredesigned and installed (see photos) for the hives to give the bees a better chance in thenext flood.The first chance to examine the bees was on a warm spring day in late March and Idreaded to think what I might find. There were thousands of drowned bees and manyruined frames, but to my great surprise, the queens were still alive. They had been fedand kept warm by surviving worker bees – what resilience they had all shown! So hopeis prevailing over despair. It will be hard work to rebuild the colonies after such adisastrous start, and their ‘just being alive’ is a bonus. In 2020 we had a record honeyyear and maintaining this will be more than challenging in 2021.The third hive, which had remained upright on more flood-resistant supports, seems tohave come through without too much of a problem, even though the water level wouldhave been washing at their front door. A further colony will be added in April tostrengthen the apiary to help provide Starston with the honey that people love. Likewith all of us, we hope that the bees have a less stress-full year ahead!If you have any questions or would like to give bee-keeping a try, please give me a call. Peter 01379 852819 Richard and Oscar working on the new hive bases, under Eric’s watchful eye.
May 2021 21 Glebe Meadow NewsHave You Ever Wondered……..What’s That Bird!?Following the unusual sighting of a Treecreeper on the GlebeMeadow recently, a list, with pictures, has been prepared of thebirds that can be seen on or above the Glebe Meadow (and else-where of course). The list can be downloaded and printed from thevillage website http://starstonvillage.co.uk/starston/glebe-meadow/Let us know what you spot! Photo by Rosemary Steer Starston Beck De-SiltingThe Glebe Meadow stretch of Starston Beck should have had its first de-silting for 10years by the time you read this. The silt is spread on the banks of the meadow and willinitially look a mess! But as it dries out, vegetation will return and there will be littlesign of it by next year.This essential maintenance is carried out by a contractor for the Internal DrainageBoard, which is responsible for keeping water-courses clear and able to fulfil theirimportant function of land drainage. While such maintenance is normally on a 5 yearcycle, this part was last cleaned out in 2011. A weir slows the flow of the stream,encourages silt deposition and increases the likelihood of overflowing in floodconditions. Jubilee Hall Trustees have agreed that, while there is no good time to dothis maintenance, this is now urgent and should be done without delay.The Beck rises near Tivetshall and flows into the Waveney atHomersfield. The contractors, Barry Day and Sons, have an excellent record havingmaintained the Beck for the last 37 years. They are committed to working sensitivelyto maintain habitats where possible. We will fence off the mucky banks on the mownsection of Glebe Meadow, to deter children and dogs from this area. We will all haveto be patient while the meadow recovers.We thank you for your understanding. Peter Grimble Starston Jubilee Hall Trustees Teddy Bears’ PicnicThe teddies are back. They, and their human friends of all ages, are invited to a TeddyBears’ Picnic on the Glebe Meadow on the afternoon of Sunday 13th June.We’re still setting things up but we have some story tellers and an ice cream van lined up and are hoping to have a bouncy castle. There will be more information in the June edition of Pigeon Post and on the village web site just as soon as we have the details confirmed. The event runs from 2.00 until 5.00 pm. Entrance and all activities are free. Please come along for a family day out.
22 Pigeon Post Stuart’s Sweet and Sour PorkThe recipe came from Will, a Dutchman who worked on the gas pipeline going throughhere in the 70s. The quantities are a bit fluid to your taste. He got it from the Philippineswhen working there..This is one of those recipes that you can adjust to your own taste.Garlic—fry in oil don’t burn and remove.Onion— fry gentle without burning.Pork cut in squares, or pork steaks kept whole if you prefer. Cook to seal, put to one side.Then to the pan add:Ginger, powdered or fresh, I normally put in a good size table spoon it gives it a little heat.Paprika, teaspoon full, it also gives it colour.Sugar and lemon roughly the same amount of each approximately 3 tablespoons.Salt to taste.Tin of tomatoes and/or paste. Chopped tomatoes or plum tomatoes, whatever’s yourpreference.Water as required.If you wish you can use a chicken stock cube.We sometimes put in a few veg, carrots /pepper / pineapple (the latter are a little sweet sokeep an eye on the sugar)A little cornflour helps to thicken and prevents the liquid from spitting. Without it you endup with a very light sauce.Once all the ingredients are incorporated return the meat to the pan (very tender meat can bereturned a little later).Start with a fairly high heat to reduce the sauce, gradually reducing heat as it thickens, thiswill take some time and you need to stay with the pan and keep stirring so that it doesn’tburn. The longer you cook it the more the flavours will strengthen.Cook until the meat is tender and until the sauce is reduced and thickened.Normally we have it with plain basmati rice, slightly undercooked, but again you shouldhave whatever you prefer.Ingredients substitutes:Bresse Gauloise ChickenFillets of porkOrganic honey from KashmirOrganic cane sugar from HondurasFresh squeezed lemon from ItalyCherry tomatoes fresh and peeledHimalayan saltThis is the basic idea for the meal, but your taste is the most important thing. Remember,with the ginger, sugar and lemon, you should put in less if you are worried, you can alwaystop up later. It may not be the right way to do things, but you can sprinkle a little more in.You can change the ingredients to suit your taste;I must say for me it’s never the same taste twice.
May 2021 23Book Sale continues athttp://starstonvillage.co.uk
24 Pigeon Post Quick QuizA Quiz for May. Complete the following:1. There is a ………….in the town.2. None but the …………...deserve the fair.3. Look not upon the ………….when it is red.4. Jack Spratt could eat no ……..5. Tomorrow to fresh ……….and pastures new.6. ‘Tis better to have ……..and lost, than never ……...at all.7. Has anybody here seen …………8. For ………...shall cover a multitude of sins.9. Let’s all go down the ………….10. When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then a …………………April Answers:1. Prince Andrew 2. Eight 3. George II, 1743 4. Six, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Mary II, Anne,Victoria, Elizabeth II 5. Truman 6. Johnson 7. 14, Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, Doug-las-Hume, Heath, Wilson, Callaghan, Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, May,Johnson 8. 14, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan,Bush, Clinton, Bush Jnr, Obama, Trump, Biden 9. William I 10. Edward I (1272-1307) Answers to the April Crossword ACROSS DOWN1. Blue 24. Gypsum 2. Lilac4. Daphne 25. Says 3. Elderly8. Gladioli 4. Drop9. Snow 5. Primrose10. Acers 6. Noses11. Grassed 7. Dog end13. Crayon 12. Anemones15. Shoddy 14. Rocket17. Academy 16. Orchids19. Scant 18. Dolly22. Bell 20. Nasty23. Narcissi 21. Cram
May 2021 25 May Crossword by Webbe 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 CLUES ACROSS CLUES DOWN1. A description of events (7) 1. Astonish (5)5. Detain (5) 2. Musical discs (3)8. To get the rhyme wrong (9) 3. Vases (4)9. To drink carefully (3) 4. A ball game (6)10. To go out (4) 5. Not animal, vegetable or mineral (8)12. To make smallish (8) 6. Evidence (9)14. Debilitated (6) 7. Occurs (7)15. Well known(6) 11. The act of puffing up (9)17. While (8) 13. Pigs have them (8)18. The windows to the soul (4) 14. Units of meter with two syllables,21. Maori tribe (3) where the first syllable is unstressed22. Life (9) and the second is stressed (7)24. …….. Of time (5) 16. Electronic communication (6)25. Not frivolous (7) 19. Appears (5) 20. Mix (4) 23. From the Greek for new & recent (3)
26 Pigeon Post Benefice Services in May– to be confirmed 16th 2nd 9th 23rd 30th Sunday after Easter 5 Easter 6 Pentecost Trinity Ascension Dickle- 9.30am 6pm 9.30am 9.30am Morning Choral burgh HC Worship Evensong HC 10am 8am Benefice 9.30am 9.30am Communion Pulham HC HC HC 9.30am Market 6.30pm 10.45am 6.30pm SW Venue tbc Worship in Celebration Celebration Memorial Hall Please see website 9.30am 8am 9.30amPulham HC Matins 9.30am BCPSt Mary (or Evensong HC Matins tbc) 10am-4pm 10am-4pm 10am –4pm 11am Rushall Church open HC Church open Church open for prayer for prayer for prayerStarston 11am 11am 11am 11am BCP BCP BCP Great and HC Matins HC SmallThelveton 11am 11am 11am Church open 11am BCP SW for private HC Matins prayer Key To ServicesHC: Holy Communion PC: Parish CommunionBCP: Book of Common Prayer SW: Sunday WorshipCC: Café Church Starston PCC Secretary: Ruth Cawcutt. Tel: 01379 852087 Email: rcawcutt1@btinternet.com Web Site for all information on the Benefice: http:www.thebenefice.org.uk/
May 2021 27 Starston Parish CouncilAnn Leitch Chair N’hood Plan a_leitch@live.co.uk 01379423387VacancyJanet Broadhurst Footpaths Emergency Plan janetbroadhurst@aol.com 01379853480Lucy Cave Litter Pick Co-ordinator lucycave123@gmail.com 07786321025Stuart Griffin Welcome Co-ordinator stuart.griffin@live.co.ukFay Fitch Member fayfitch@btinternet.comPhilip Astor Tree Warden philipastor@mac.com Jane Marsden Clerk to the Council and RFO 07796528697 To contact Starston Parish Council: starstonparishcouncil@yahoo.co.uk Starston Village Web Site: www.starstonvillage.co.uk Local CouncillorsMartin Wilby County 01379 741504 martin.wilby@norfolk.gov.ukClayton Hudson District 01379 676259 chudson@s-norfolk.gov.uk Community ServicesLocal Buses - from Starston to Harleston and For informationStarston to Long Stratton and Norwich Ring: 0871 200 2233 12p a minute plus access chargeBorder Hoppa - dial-a-ride service Ring: 01379 854800Police - (non-emergency) Ring: 101Safer Neighbourhood Team Email: sntharleston@norfolk.pnn.police.ukReport Power Cuts Ring 105NHS Emergency & Urgent Care Services Ring: 111(Including Emergency out of hours chemist) when it’s less urgent than 999Refuse Collection and Queries Ring: 01508 533830Harleston Information Plus Ring: 01379 851917 hip@harleston-norfolk.org.uk
28 Pigeon Post Denny Holloway Bricklayer Brick Work, General Building, Hard Landscaping etc 01379 853471 or 07939 144446 Printed by Town and Country Printers, Diss 01379 651107 www.tcprinters.co.uk/
