living on the North Norfolk Coast
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
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