living on the North Norfolk Coast
April 2024
Our new chairwoman, Chris Wood, gave a warm welcome to members whilst introducing the new committee and explaining member’s roles within the group. She then acknowledged and thanked the outgoing chairwoman, Jackie Hudson, for her many years loyalty and dedication to the Club with particular emphasis on her brilliant, virtual leadership during lockdown.
Dawn Smith, a member of the club gave an interesting and articulate talk of her previous life serving in the Merchant Navy. When still quite young she left her family home in Brighton and started work at a large London hotel. With a desire to travel and see the world and armed with her hotel experience she secured a job with the prestigious British P&O shipping company and served on their cruise ships.
Dawn spoke of her interaction with the first class passengers and the,”ten pound poms” closeted in tourist class (no up-grade available in those days!) immigrating and sailing out for a new life in the British Colonies. She spoke of her ship transferring sailors from a burning oil tanker in the middle of a vast ocean where air lifting the injured would not have been possible.
We all enjoyed her talk and concluded the afternoon with a raffle, a cuppa and biscuits.
Our next meeting will be at The White Horse. Wednesday, May 8th at 2pm.
The Club welcomes new members. Entrance fee only £3.00 including light refreshments.
Contact information:
Chris Wood: 01263 579433 or thegables8@gmail.com. (Chairwoman)
Jean Fermor: 01263 578248 or jean.fermor@btinternet.com (Secretary)
February 2024
After a great Christmas party held at Josie’s house, which rounded up a very pleasant year, followed by a disappointing January lunch we found ourselves back at the White Horse in February where we played host to Michael McMahon from St. Vincent de Paul Society. The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) is part of an international Christian voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need. Founded in Britain in 1844, they extend their hand in the care and personal service of individuals and families who need support. They help anyone experiencing poverty in England and Wales or overseas at any point before, during or after a crisis. The SVP is our chosen charity to support for this year.
On 13th March we have our AGM and then on 10th April one of our own ladies, Dawn, will be telling us about her time spent in the Royal Navy.
We are running quite low on numbers at the moment so we would love to be able to extend our usual warm welcome to anyone who would like to join our happy group.
Further details from
Jackie Hudson (Chairman) 01263 72086 Email: karatekween@hotmail.com
Josie Dennis (Vice-Chairman) 01263 579748 Email: je.dennis@icloud.com
November 2023
The long-awaited story of Tom Hickathrift was told by our chairman, Jackie Hudson. Tom was known as the Wisbech Giant as he was reported to be eight feet tall by the time he was ten. When he became a young man he was delivering barrels of beer to Wisbech for a local brewer, when he came across the path of the ogre of the smeeth, whom he slayed and ended up with the ogre’s gold and jewels. The story goes on to tell how Tom was knighted by the king befriended by a tinker and finally buried in the graveyard in Tilney all Saints church.
John Hurst, a local artist came along to the meeting to hear the story and has promised to come in the future to talk to us about his own life. We look forward to that. Next month will be our Christmas Party and in January we will be out for our annual New Year Lunch.
We will be back in the Barn at the White Horse at 2pm on 14th February when we will be joined by Michael McMahon who will be telling us about the work he does with the local charity, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, who do so much to help the homeless.
We have a warm welcome for visitors and new members. There will be a small charge on the door of £2 for members and £3 for visitors. Tea/coffee and biscuits available and plenty of time for a friendly chat.
Further details from
Jackie Hudson (Chairman) 01263 72086 Email: karatekween@hotmail.com
Josie Dennis (Vice-Chairman) 01263 579748 Email: je.dennis@icloud.com