living on the North Norfolk Coast
The Strand Club’s January Meeting
Members of the Strand Club met in the Barn this month at the White Horse PH.Overstrand. East Anglia’s Break is the Club’s chosen Charity for 26/27 and with this in mind Peter Marron, Break’s Projects Manager, had been invited along to talk of the charity’s vision and explain the organisation’s mission purpose to us. Peter began by telling us that residential homes and disability homes are situated throughout East Anglia and mentors are supporting young people as they transition into adulthood and remain supportive as long as needed. Retail Break charity shops are in many of our local towns.Volunteers sort through donations and engage with customers which is such a rewarding experience.
Peter continued explaining that after a young adult leaves care at age eighteen Break then steps in and assists in finding life and career opportunities and empowering and enabling young people to overcome challenges well into their adulthood. Peter’s talk was inspirational and generated much interest and subsequent questions from our members when he concluded.
Anne warmly thanked him and asked him to join us for refreshments adding she hoped to see him again in August at our Break fund raising event.
The club had received a letter from West Runton Animal Sanctuary thanking us for the £600 we raised for the Sanctuary and another thank you letter from St. Martins Church in Overstrand for the club’s participation in their Christmas tree festival which raised £1148 for their charities.
The AGM meeting is next month, Wednesday, March 11th in the Barn, White Horse PH in Overstrand @ 2 pm. The NNYukes will be playing at the end of the Club’s business matters!
Non-members are very welcome. Entrance fee is £3.00 and includes refreshments,and there is always a quality monthly raffle.
Contacts:Chris Wood thegables8@gmail.com tel;01263 579433
Jean Fermor jean.fermor@btinternet,com tel; 01263 578248
The Strand Club’s December Meeting
Members of the Strand Club in Overstrand enjoyed a very festive afternoon on Wednesday this month celebrating at their annual Christmas tea party in the White Horse PH. Anne, with her strong soprano voice and Harry (at the key board) led the members in a cheerful Christmas Carol sing along, most members in good voice but a few not as tuneful ! The staff of the White Horse cheerfully served a well presented plate of savouries and mince pies and were warmly thanked for the service they had provided throughout the year. Secret Santa presents were much appreciated and demonstrated thoughtful selections by members when choosing their gift.
Our chairlady welcomed Dawn and her colleague who represented
Hillside Animal Sanctuary, the charity the club had chosen to support
during 2025 and she proudly presented a cheque for £600.00. Dawn
thanked our members efforts and hard work and gave a brief
description of the Sanctuary’s recent projects.
Overstrand’s St.Martins Church is repeating last years successful Tree Festival. Two members of the club volunteered to decorate our entry and asked for support for this local village event. The church doors will remain open for viewing until 23rd December.
Our next open meeting will take place on 11th February in the Barn at the White Horse PH, Overstrand, when a representative from the Norfolk charity Break will be explaining their mission statement and recent projects.
Non-members are very welcome.Entrance fee £3.00 including refreshments. A monthly raffle is also held.
Contacts: Chris Wood tel-01263 579433/thegables8@gmail.com
Jean Fermor. - 01263 578248/jean.fermor@btinternet.com
The Strand Club’s November Meeting
Members of the Strand Club at Overstrand met again in the Barn at the White Horse PH, Wednesday, 12th of this month. It was an enjoyable afternoon exchanging news and updating each other.
Rick Goldsmith from the Cromer Community Shed had been invited and he began an interesting talk explaining how the Sheds had evolved with their related history. Originally formed in Australia during the 1970/80s they have now become international. A central network established in 2007 now provides funding and are a registered charity.
The Cromer Community Shed started with six members during 2021 but now has thirty six members and they all meet at the Cromer Shed the second Saturday of each month. Rick explained how the Shed encourages social interaction and using the individual’s skills and sharing tasks promotes wellbeing and mental health and assists in preventing community isolation.
On completion Rick was warmly thanked and invited to join members with tea and biscuits. Meanwhile members were reminded to bring their “ Secret Santa” presents along to December’s Christmas party when our member Anne, (accompanied by Harry at the keyboard), would be leading us in a “sing-along” of Christmas carols. The White Horse will be providing the Christmas buffet.
Pauline, our club’s treasurer distributed the set menu provided by the Roman Camp Inn and asked members to select their menu choices for the Club’s annual, celebratory lunch next January 2026.
The next open meeting will be Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 in the Barn at the White Horse PH Overstrand when a representative from the Club’s 2026 chosen charity ”Break“ will be explaining their mission statement and purpose.
Non-members are very welcome. Entrance fee £3.00 and includes refreshments. A monthly raffle is also held.
Contact:Chris Wood thegables8@gmail.com tel- 01263 579433
Jean Fermor. jean.fermor@btinternet.com- tel-01263 578248