living on the North Norfolk Coast
The Strand Club’s June Meeting
Members met once again in the Barn at the White Horse,Overstrand. It was a joyful afternoon as Chris greeted five more new members and six extra guests. It was noted that since our AGM held in March that themembership had doubled and we have together achieved a lively, engaging social environment to be enjoyed each month.
Our chairlady then introduced Stephanie and Simon, the husband and wife team representing the RNLI Happisburgh Lifeboat Station who had come along to present a potted history of the RNLI station which had been saving lives at sea since 1810. Local fishermen then organised the launches using local farm horses to pull a rowed vessel into the surf. It was 50 years later that the RNLI eventually established an official site at Happisburgh. Simon explained that the Station now uses fully inflatable D-craft vessels thus spanning a legacy of 160 years of marine history rescuing lives at sea from Happisburgh Shores. Using visual aids and much humour Steven gave an interesting account of the activities of the present station and looked forward to welcoming us next month as their guests for a guided tour of their venue and to be followed by a home baked cream tea.
The Club’s chosen charity this year is Break; a local charity which supports young and vulnerable adults. Members will be hosting a “cake, coffee and craft” event at Overstrand Pavilion, Wednesday August 12th 10am-1pm. We look forward to welcoming you. Please come along and join us and help us raise funds for this worthwhile local charity.
Contacts: Chris Wood— thegables8@gmail .com...01263 579433
Jean Fermor—jean.fermor@ btinternet.com...01263 578248
The Strand Club’s May Meeting
The Barn, White Horse PH. Overstrand was buzzing with 20 members and their guests preparing to welcome back Pete Goodrum author and broadcaster of “ all things Norfolk”. There is a wealth of history associated with the county of Norfolk and Pete began to uncover for us some of historical figures and archaeological treasures connected to the county.
He began with Henry Blogg the most decorated lifeboat man in the RNLI’s history, who had served 53 years on Cromer’s lifeboats and Horatio Nelson, Britain’s greatest naval hero and a Norfolk man who learnt his initial sailing skills on the Norfolk Broads. He described the lunar like landscape of Grimes Graves, 91 acres that encompass Neolithic flint mines dugout in 2500 BC and the Norwich Castle built in Norman times by William the Conqueror. He continued to describe the National Trust property on Blickling Estate where the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn returns on her anniversary of her execution in a phantom coach every year.
Pete’s enthusiastic presentation was a delight, full of humour and substance. He completed his talk by adding “The Strand Club” in the millionaires village of Overstrand in Poppyland to his list of “Norfolk Gems”!
Business then continued and stall holders were selected for the Club’s August Charity event which will be in aid of the local charity ”Break.”
Next month the club has invited a representative from Happisburgh lifeboat station to talk about their history that began in 1866 and their volunteers who continue to save lives at sea.
Please come along and join us. Venue at The Barn, White Horse PH. Overstrand, June 10th @ 2pm.
Visitors pay a £3.00 entrance fee and includes refreshments. There is always a monthly raffle.
Contacts: Chris Wood—thegables8@gmail.com tel.01263 579433
JeanFermor—jean.fermor@btinternet.com tel.01263 5782488
The Strand Club’s AGM & March Meeting
Our chairlady opened the meeting held at the White Horse, Overstrand greeting us and many visitors. Chris began her 25/26 chairlady’s report again thanking her committee colleagues for their continued support, enthusiasm and expertise. Her report identified some of the highlights of 2025 notably the very successful August Charity event at Northrepps Village Hall when £600.00 was raised for the West Runton Animal Sanctuary.
The Club this year will be raising funds for the local charity Break which supports vulnerable young adults, many of whom have recently left care at age eighteen still requiring guidance and advice into adulthood.
Pauline’s treasurer’s report confirmed a healthy bank balance but she added a severe note of caution as bank charges continued to spiral upwards! It was therefore necessary for both officers to stress the need for regular attendances to the Club’s meetings to maintain funds. Sadly last year attendance was often very sparse. It was therefore a joy to welcome five new members and note seven visitors present at the AGM meeting this month.
This year’s programme, now completed, would again have Mark Stuckey presenting his experiences with the BBC “Repair Shop” and a guided visit to Happisburgh Lifeboat Station in the summer.
Tea and coffee was then served and the popular NNUKES prepared the floor whilst the raffle was drawn. The musicians began to strum their instruments playing the popular songs of the 60s and beyond and encouraging members to sing along. Their rhythmic tunes lifted our spirits and revived many happy memories. Their spirited playing of the fondly remembered duo Morecambe and Wise show’s closing song/lyric,”Bring me Sunshine”, was a very joyful ending to a successful fun and socially active afternoon.
Please join us at our next open meeting in the Barn, White Horse PH, Overstrand, May13th 2026 commencing at 2 pm when Pete Goodrum is returning (Norfolk broadcaster and author) to present “50 Gems of Norfolk”.
We always have a raffle and there is a £3.00 entry fee for visitors which includes refreshments.
Contacts: Chris Wood— thegables8@gmail.com / tel.01263 579433
Jean Fermor—jean.fermor@btinternet.com / tel.01263 578248