living on the North Norfolk Coast
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
The Strand Club’s October Meeting
Come along and join us next month and learn all about the International Community Sheds. Rick Goldsmith from our Cromer Community shed has been invited to talk about the shared skills and tasks that are used to encourage social cohesion and help to combat loneliness within our community.
Meanwhile this month, we welcomed Sheila White and her two colleagues, members of the local Overstrand Yarn Art group. Their knitted and crochet multicoloured creations on display were inspiring and members marvelled at the groups creative ability. Sheila started the group during lock down and membership has gradually increased. She used “YouTube" often as her tutor. They proudly showed two year’s consecutive first prizes won at recent year’s Cromer Christmas Tree Festivals and were busy working on another decorative tree for their December’s 2025 entry. The group have been “Yarn Bombing” Overstrand sites in recent years and members recall the innovative knitted commemorative models a top the local red, pillar box in the village centre and the colourful festooned wrought iron gates on entering the pavilion as well as Remembrance Day poppies decorating the gates of St Martins Church.
At conclusion Anne gave a warm thank you and said she felt confident the
group had inspired our members to consider joining them soon.
Our next meeting is with Rick Goldsmith in the Barn,at White Horse PH.Overstrand
@ 2pm.Wednesday,12th November.
Entry fee £3:00 inclusive of tea/coffee and the opportunity to partake in the
monthly raffle.
Contact info:
Chris Wood- thegables8@gmail.com- 01263 579433
Jean Fermor- jean.fermor@btinternet.com- 01263 578248
