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Did you know Wymondham has peregrine falcons? And they're breeding.
Wymondham is home to peregrine falcons. These beautiful birds, known for their incredible speed, can be spotted on the roof of Wymondham Abbey – and now we even have peregrine chicks.
Our resident peregrine reporter is Gavin Bickerton-Jones, who contacted the magazine with his observations – and wonderful photographs! Here is the history of peregrines in Wymondham, told in his words:
‘I have been following the progress of the Wymondham Abbey peregrines for 10 years now, and there has usually only been a single bird there most of the time. Last year, a pair appeared at the site, and this year they successfully bred and raised 2 chicks in the box on the West tower, which was put up by the Hawk and Owl Trust 10 years ago.
‘I have been watching the youngsters grow over the last few weeks, and on the 3rd of July, they both fledged and made their first flight to other parts of the Abbey. The parents will still feed them for the next couple of months as they learn the skills to look after themselves, but then they will go away to find their own territory. Hopefully, the adult pair will stay around and produce again next year.
‘In the meantime, the trust is hopefully going to get the nest box camera up and running so, if they are successful again next year, they can be watched online. I’ve spent a lot of time down there over the years, and many locals who walk through the Abbey grounds are fascinated that we have these apex predators on our doorstep. They are a great way of bringing people closer to nature.’
Gavin is also the magazine’s resident correspondent for the Wymondham Photographic Society – you can see more of his and others’ incredible nature photography in our ‘Photos of the Month’ feature.
Bloom 2026 Winners Announced
This year's Wymondham in Bloom business floral display competition has once again transformed the town centre with an array of vibrant hanging baskets, imaginative floral arrangements and beautifully decorated shopfronts.
Throughout the summer, volunteers from Wymondham in Bloom have worked alongside local businesses to brighten the town, with this year's theme, "In Bloom, Inspired by Art," encouraging entrants to create displays celebrating Wymondham's rich artistic and creative heritage.
The competition attracted an excellent response from businesses across the town, with judges praising the high standard of entries, creativity and commitment shown by participants. From eye-catching floral installations to thoughtful artistic interpretations, the displays helped make Wymondham an even more welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike.
Wymondham in Bloom would like to thank all of the businesses that took part, as well as this year's Gold Sponsor, The White Hart Pub, and Wymondham Garden Centre for their valued support of the competition.
At an awards presentation at Kett’s Books on 15 July, all participants were thanked for their hard work. For this year’s Volunteer of the Year for Wymondham in Bloom, a joint award was presented to Sue Savage and Mary Primrose for their sustained dedication to improving the floral displays at the railway station.
Congratulations to this year's special category award business winners:
- Plant Care: Ex Services Club
- Creativity and Originality: Wymondham Recovery Services
- Longevity and Sustainability: Cavick House Farm
- Overall Impact: The White Hart Pub
- Hidden Gem: Windmill House Care Home
- Best Newcomer: Caley's Apothecary
- Most Improved: Cecil Amey Opticians
- Public Vote: Williams & Parfitt
The success of this year's competition is another testament to the pride local businesses take in the town and the enthusiasm of the volunteers who make Wymondham in Bloom possible. Their combined efforts continue to create a colourful and welcoming environment that can be enjoyed by everyone throughout the summer.
If you would like to get involved either as a business or plant-loving volunteer, please email wymbloom@gmail.com or phone Kim on 07941 514 766.
Young bakers make mouth-watering cakes at recent outstanding Junior Bake-Off
Another successful Junior Bake-Off took place on 12th July 2026 at North Wymondham Community Centre.
This year’s theme was the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland, with contestants challenged to create a decorated Very Unhappy Birthday Cake. They certainly rose to the occasion, impressing the judges with imaginative designs and cakes that, by all accounts, tasted second to none.
While judging was underway, family and friends enjoyed table-top games, bought crocheted soft toys from our young entrepreneur Isabella, tried out glitter tattoos and face painting, watched a performance by the Kelalou Academy of Irish dancing, and tried their hand at tombola with lovely prizes, which included a voucher donated by Mad Hatters Tea Shop in Wymondham. Popular homemade refreshments were on sale to enjoy while watching all the activities taking place.
Every Junior Baker shone on the day, creating marvellous Mad Hatter’s Tea Party cakes that showed real focus and impressive decorating skills. Three cheers for all the Junior Bakers who took part this year — well done!
New Pilot Aims to Help Wymondham Residents Turn the Tide on Type 2 Diabetes
A pioneering new pilot project is launching in Wymondham this autumn to help adults living with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes improve their health through evidence-based nutrition, supported exercise and peer support.
Funded by the South Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership, the Tide Turners Project brings together leading expertise in nutrition and exercise to give local people the tools and confidence to take control of their condition.
From Monday 3rd August, GPs across Wymondham can begin referring eligible adult patients to the programme through Active NoW, with the first cohort beginning in September.
Active NoW will coordinate referrals into the programme before connecting participants with the two delivery partners:
-The Lifestyle Club (TLC), which will deliver an 8-week online nutrition and lifestyle programme based on the pioneering work of Dr David Unwin. The specialist course has helped many people with type 2 diabetes achieve significant improvements in blood glucose control and has demonstrated exceptionally high rates of diabetes remission through sustainable dietary and lifestyle changes.
-Wymondham Leisure Centre, which will deliver a 12-week supported exercise programme, giving participants access to the centre's state-of-the-art EGYM equipment. The technology creates personalised exercise programmes and allows participants to easily monitor and celebrate their progress throughout the programme.
Alongside expert coaching, participants will also become part of a supportive group, encouraging friendships and peer support so that no one has to face their journey towards better health alone.
By combining specialist nutritional support with structured physical activity, the Tide Turners Project aims to help participants:
-Improve blood glucose control
-Reduce reliance on prescribed diabetes medication, where clinically appropriate
-Lose excess body fat
-Improve blood pressure
-Improve other health conditions associated with type 2 diabetes
-Develop a healthier relationship with food
-Increase confidence in managing their long-term health
-Enjoy a better overall quality of life
Councillor Kim Carsok, Chair of the South Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership, said: "Too often, a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes leaves people feeling that their condition will inevitably worsen over time. The evidence now tells a very different story. With the right support, many people can significantly improve their health and some can even achieve remission. As a Partnership, we wanted to invest in something that gives local residents the very best chance of making lasting changes. The Tide Turners Project combines the nationally recognised expertise of The Lifestyle Club with the excellent facilities and support available at Wymondham Leisure Centre, creating a programme that tackles both nutrition and physical activity together. This pilot is about more than reducing blood sugar levels. It's about helping people regain confidence, reduce their reliance on medication where clinically appropriate, improve their overall health and build supportive relationships with others on the same journey. We're proud to be funding this innovative project and look forward to seeing the positive impact it has on the lives of Wymondham residents."
Patients interested in joining the September cohort should speak to their GP. Referrals are now open for eligible adult patients registered with GP practices in Wymondham.
The Tide Turners Project represents a partnership between the South Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership, Active NoW, The Lifestyle Club and Wymondham Leisure Centre, combining specialist expertise, innovative technology and community support to help local residents turn the tide on type 2 diabetes.
Money-saving school uniform scheme returns to Leisure Centre
Families across South Norfolk and Broadland can save money on school uniforms this summer as the councils' popular School Uniform Swap Shops return from 21 July to 3 September – including at Wymondham Leisure Centre.
The initiative gives residents the chance to donate good-quality, pre-loved school uniform items and take what they need free of charge, helping families prepare for the new school year while reducing textile waste.
The scheme has already proved a huge success. Last year, more than 850 school uniform items were given a second life, helping families save an estimated £27,000 while keeping perfectly usable clothing out of the waste stream.
Councillor Graham Minshull, South Norfolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
"The School Uniform Swap Shops are a simple way to help families save money while reducing waste. Uniforms often have plenty of wear left in them, so passing them on benefits both local families and the environment."
Councillor Jan Davis, Broadland District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Excellence, added:
"The cost of school uniforms can quickly add up, particularly for larger families. This scheme provides practical support, while also showing the value of communities helping each other."
School Uniform Swaps will also be popping up at Family Fun Days throughout the summer. Follow the councils' social media channels for dates, locations and details.
The scheme is open to everyone, with no requirement to donate items before taking uniforms, ensuring support is available to families who need it most.
Residents are encouraged to drop off clean, good-quality school uniform items they no longer need and browse the available stock before the start of the autumn term.
By giving uniforms a second life, the initiative helps reduce waste, encourages reuse and ensures good-quality clothing continues to benefit local families rather than ending up in the bin.
For more information, visit the Council website.
Ashleigh Primary celebrate another successful art show
After months of hard work and preparation, the Ashleigh Primary School community came together on the weekend of the 4th and 5th July to present the Ashleigh Art Show 2026.
Every child exhibited a piece of artwork, and the show included collaborative class artwork, whole-school artwork celebrating our House system, and specially commissioned still life and observational paintings from our Ashleigh Art Stars.
The weekend was very well-attended by our children, families and friends, with refreshments served by our wonderful PTA 'The Friends of Ashleigh', and guided tours on offer from our upper Key Stage 2 pupils.
Another joyful and celebratory event to mark the end of another happy year at our amazing school. Thank you to local businesses Kett's Books and Orchard Toys for supporting our event with kind donations, and to the Chivers Trust and stART studio for helping us with professional display boards.
Music Festival at Steam Museum Just 15 Minutes from Wymondham
Forncett Industrial Steam Museum announces the return of Forncett Festival. From the 7th - 9th August, the museum will open its doors for three days of live music, films, participatory open mics, and workshops. Local and international acts will perform across the weekend at the industrial heritage site in the heart of the Tas Valley – which is just 15 minutes’ drive from Wymondham.
The micro-festival returns for its second year after the success of the inaugural gathering in 2025. Welcoming over 200 people and raising over £3,000, the event is a key pillar of Forncett Industrial Steam Museum’s arts events programme. The unique art and music festival was the genesis of Forncett Festival CIC, which has a mission to support emerging local artists whilst bringing art and culture from around the world to South Norfolk.
Dr Rowan Francis, who founded the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum in 1982, said that ‘hosting an arts and music festival has been a huge success and boon for the museum. The merging of music and steam power in the festival’s centrepiece performance was a unique moment for both the music fans and steam enthusiasts assembled. To see so many people marvelling at the steam engines, who would not have found their way to us otherwise, was very meaningful after more than 45 years running the museum.
‘It is important for the next generation to experience what we have built here, but also for them to play a part in shaping its future. So it has been astonishing and gratifying to see how the hard work of the festival organisers Nick and Taryn has brought new awareness and appreciation of the museum from local people and visitors from beyond the county.’
Miranda Ellis-Marchant, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Forncett Industrial Steam Museum said, ‘This is an exciting development for the museum to be working in partnership with Forncett Festival CIC. We're really excited to see diverse groups of people coming to the museum, discovering the collection, and enjoying the beauty of the Tas Valley, as well as supporting so much wonderful local and international talent. Last year's event was a huge success and we're looking forward to welcoming even more people this year.’
Artists will assemble from Norwich, London, and beyond with a line-up that includes Norwich natives Floral Image; Forncett local and rising star Eliza Delf performing with her band Eliza Delf and The Wilderness, acclaimed London outfit Goldheart Assembly delivering fan favourites alongside new material, and much more.
On Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, the micro-festival also features open mic sessions hosted by local legend Peter Turrell. Music-makers are invited to turn up, take their place on the main stage, and share their songs with the festival ahead of the day’s headliners. Turrell said, ‘It’s a great thing to get the audience involved - people feel like they’re part of the festival, not just spectators. Norfolk has a thriving grassroots creative scene and it's amazing to see the Forncett Festival embracing that as a festival the local community can really take part in.’
On Saturday, attendees will be treated to the unique experience of seeing and hearing the museum’s iconic steam engines working at night. Arguably the centrepiece moment of the festival, the Hopwas Beam Engine will be featured in the live headline performance from Norwich psychedelic band Floral Image. It’s become something of a tradition at the Forncett Festival for the main headliners to share the stage with the steam-powered machines in full motion.
The programme also includes a range of events, such as original animations accompanied by live classical guitar (‘An Animated Music Experience’), activities centred on the wildlife of the Tas Valley, screenings of short films by emerging filmmakers, and drop-in yoga sessions!
Attendance at the micro-festival is very limited - capped at only 150 people per day. Day tickets and weekend tickets are available to book on a pay-what-you-can basis.
All profits from Forncett Festival will be split between two causes close to the organisers' hearts: The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the UK's leading charity supporting people with Cystic Fibrosis and Forncett Festival CIC, formed by local artists Nick Francis and Taryn Everdeen to support emerging fellow artists whilst bringing art and culture from around the world to the Tas Valley.
Born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Nick Francis carved his path as a young musician whilst receiving ongoing treatment for the condition. His successful music career, which included touring Europe and America with his band Goldheart Assembly, was paralleled by advancements in medical science. A revolution in treatments for CF has dramatically extended the median life expectancy people with it, and this set the stage for Francis to live without limits. Francis said the CF Trust provided him ‘with support and motivation to get out there and live as best as I could while battling with chronic illness. The new treatment changed everything for me, but they haven’t found something that works for everyone with CF yet - that’s why it’s vital that we keep raising funds to further research and continue supporting people who are still dealing with the reality of life with Cystic Fibrosis. My condition and situation is much more stable now; finally I have the energy and the resources to give something back.’
High Sheriff pays visit to the Abbey on Mid Norfolk Railway tour
The Mid Norfolk Railway, one of the country’s leading tourist attractions, hosted a hugely successful visit this month from the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Mr Jo Pearson DL, and his consort, Mrs Mandy Pearson.
They met volunteers and trustees responsible for the railway’s smooth operation, from the maintenance teams and train crews to the ticket office and historic tearoom at Dereham.
As well as going behind the scenes at Dereham Station, Mr and Mrs Pearson rode in the cab of one of the railway's historic fleet of trains as they journeyed along the full length of the MNR to Wymondham Abbey.
They were also able to visit County School Station at North Elmham which it's hoped will eventually be fully linked to the rest of the railway again
MNR General Manager Samantha Taylor said, "We were thrilled to play host to one of Norfolk's most senior dignitaries and his consort. They really enjoyed their visit and meeting the staff trustees and volunteers who make the MNR work so well. I was proud of everyone who made the day such a success"
The High Sheriff was also presented with souvenirs to mark the visit, including a copy of the newly published book 'MNR: The Story of its Preservation' which is now on sale in the Dereham Station Shop.
New app gives your children targeted reading recommendations
And there's a Wymondham discount code.
Do you know what never got old in ten years of teaching English? Watching a child find a book they genuinely loved. Not the book an adult thought they should read. The book they couldn't wait to talk about, or get back to at the end of the day.
A child who loves reading can get through a book in a day or two, and the cost of keeping up adds up fast. Parents would come to me at parents' evenings and ask for recommendations, or where to go to make sure their little bookworm always had something to turn to next. And my recommendations soon ran thin.
That's what my husband James and I set out to fix with Little Reads. It's a digital library for children aged 5 to 11. There are over 3,000 books, every single one picked by me. More of a library than a teaching tool or game (on purpose). No adverts, no quizzes, no rewards to chase. Just the books, on a phone or tablet, wherever you happen to be.
I should admit I wasn't a natural bookworm myself. Growing up in Bungay, I was read to plenty (We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Tiger Who Came to Tea), but reading on my own didn't properly click until I was handed a stack of Judy Moody books. One right series and that was that. It's why I take the picking so seriously, and why choosing children's books for a living is the best job I've ever had.
When you sign up, you tell us your child's age and pick three genres they love, and the app suggests books to match. When they abandon dragons for detectives (which we all know happens), you just change the genres in the app.
With the summer holidays here, a few things ten years of classrooms taught me about children who love reading:
Choice is everything. The children who read most were always the ones who'd picked the book themselves, even when it looked too easy or too silly.
Rereading counts. At my last school I happily let children read the same Horrid Henry for months. Going back to an old favourite isn't lazy; it's what loving a book looks like.
Series keep the habit alive. One book ends, and the next is already waiting. (I speak from experience. After Judy Moody it was nothing but Jacqueline Wilson for years.)
A book travels well. Car journeys, aeroplanes, rainy caravan afternoons. A child with something to read is a happier traveller (as are the adults sitting next to them).
Little Reads is on iOS and Android, and a free account comes with over 100 free books, so you can see whether it suits your child before spending a penny. The full library is £7.99 a month after a 7-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime.
For Wymondham Magazine readers, the code WYMONDHAM30 gives you 30 days free instead of the usual 7. Just download the app and enter the code.
You can find out more here. And if you spot me in Bungay visiting family, I'll happily talk books for as long as you'll let me.
Air con and an even bigger café at Baptist Church's completed extension
And many more cool new features...
Wymondham Baptist Church is preparing to mark the final stages of its new extension, The Canopy, an important step in its ongoing commitment to serving God and the local community.
After months of planning, building work, and steady progress, the church looks forward to welcoming people into an upgraded and refreshed space designed to support worship, hospitality, community groups, and stronger local connections.
Roots Community Café is set to reopen on 9th September, allowing residents and visitors to experience the new extension for the first time and to enjoy the café’s well-known welcoming atmosphere.
Alongside The Canopy, improvement work has been carried out across the church site, including installing air conditioning and redecorating key areas. The final stage will focus on the church’s School Rooms.
The completion of The Canopy represents a significant milestone for Wymondham Baptist Church, strengthening its ability to provide a warm (and cool), practical, and accessible space for people of all ages in the local community.
The church fellowship gives thanks to God for His faithfulness and provision, and to the following organisations whose very generous support made this extension possible:
Greater Norwich Growth Board through the Infrastructure Investment Fund; South Norfolk Council Pride in Place; Wymondham Town Council; South Norfolk Community Action Fund; Benefact Trust; Garfield Weston; Congregational and General Charitable Trust; Paul Bassham Charitable Trust; Geoffrey Watling Charity, Leslie Mary Carter Charitable Trust and other Trust Funders.
We also thank our church fellowship for their giving, prayers, patience and fundraising, as well as the wider community for their kindness and generosity. May this new space strengthen fellowship, extend hospitality, and share the love of Jesus Christ with all who enter.
How to keep your child amused this summer
School’s out, and it’s holiday time. The question arises: what to do with the kids? Well, if this scenario is typical in your household, here is the solution!
“I’m bored.”
“You can’t be. What about all those toys, games and books you’ve got?”
“Fed up with them. Wanna have some fun.”
“Tell you what, let’s go to Wymondham Heritage Museum.”
“Sounds boring!”
“How do you know? Come on, give it a try. You might be surprised. I hear children get in free during the school holidays – and there’s free squash in the tearoom!”
“Oh alright then.”
[Later]
“Right, we’re here. Let’s do the children’s trail; find all the answers, and you can win a small prize. We’ll start in the dungeon, careful on the stone steps.”
“Wow! Did they really keep prisoners locked up like this?”
“Yes, and children were locked up with their mothers. Now, let’s go back upstairs and see what’s next. Look at this old door; it says it dates from 1810! What’s in here? Oh, that’s called a crank. Prisoners had to turn it to earn their supper. See if you can turn it. And earn your free squash. The Brushroom is next. Did you know Brushmaking was once the main industry in the town? Press that button and push the pedal, and you can work the machine that used to put the bristles in the brush head. Gosh, it’s noisy! Imagine working in a factory with that! Right what’s in this corridor?”
“Look, Mum, that’s all about Robert Kett. We’ve done him at school. He led a rebellion in 1549.”
“This must be the main gallery. Have a dig in the sandpit, see what artefacts you can find. And over there is the market stall. You can do a bit of shopping. Ha, look in the hardware shop window, I remember Nanny had a bed warmer like that.”
“Hey look at this Mum! There’s an exhibition all about Browick Road School where I go. Blimey, I didn’t know it was that old.”
“Ah, here’s the tearoom. You can have your free squash – and I expect you might like a slice of homemade cake. See what you can do on the craft table while I enjoy a cuppa and one of those scrumptious-looking scones with some jam.”
“Can I have some money to put down the wishing well?”
“Here you are. We’ll get a souvenir from the shop on the way out. Well, have you enjoyed your visit?”
“Oh yes, can we come again?”
“Not boring then?”
If you’re looking to amuse bored youngsters, bring them to Wymondham Heritage Museum. Don’t forget, they get free entry and free squash. More information at thewhm.org.uk.
Short Story: Escaping the grindstone.
Kelly put her arm fondly across Gladys’ shoulder. They’d been mates since last January, when Kelly was hired at Maple Lodge Poultry Processing Plant. Gladys was an old pro, having five years under her belt. She was a vacuum girl and held the record for most chicken guts sucked out in an hour. Gladys took Kelly ‘under her wing’ and gave Kelly the fast track into the hierarchy of the processing line. Thanks to her, Kelly only spent one week on the steam end, plucking stray quill feathers before being promoted to an eviscerating machine.
As they strolled along the high street this Saturday night, Kelly was drawn to a travel shop window. They gazed longingly at passionate pink sunsets, sapphire blue water and white beaches.
‘Can you imagine us on a beach in Majorca?’ Kelly reflected wistfully.
Gladys replied critically. ‘Why are you always wishing? You’re imagining yourself thinner, or that the supervisor is glancing at you. You’re always longing for what you don’t have. Get real! If you want something, make it happen.’
‘Sure Gladys, we’ll book it for January and with our £200-a-week job we’ll go to Jamaica. We could put a box of frozen chickens in the boot and sell them for three quid each to our family and neighbours. If we took a box a night, that’s twelve to a box and £3 a chicken x five days a week… Geeze Gladys, that’s £180 a week!’
‘There is no way you would get that past John!’ said Gladys.
Kelly lost faith immediately.
Gladys curled her lip at one corner and half-closed her left eye, giving Kelly the sarcastic expression that was her trademark.
‘Mark my words, Kelly, we’ll be going to the seaside this year, and it won’t be Great Yarmouth. Leave it to me.’
They stopped by the disco but felt conspicuous. The crowd was at least ten years younger, and the music was pounding. They left before the Ibiza anthem was even finished.
Kelly tried to console. ‘Never mind those tarts, and don’t let them bring you down Gladys.’
They caught the bus to the other side of town to the flat they shared. Kelly lay awake listening to Gladys’ snores. She thought about her frozen chicken smuggling plan … and could not quite see it happening. It was visions of hot sun and tepid water that sent her to dreamland.
ONE WEEK LATER
The emergency siren was deafening and the line supervisor came running. The queue of suspended chicken carcasses came to a swaying halt. Fifteen heads covered in white hats tilted to the right, straining to see what the hold-up was. Kelly glanced at her watch. Who was the ‘careless Cathy’ at five minutes till shift change? The mild curiosity became serious alarm when she saw Gladys being carried along on the stretcher!
Kelly ran after the safety team. ‘Gladys! Gladys what has happened?’
No response. Kelly followed them into the first aid room and peered in horror over the supervisor’s shoulder as he opened the bloody towel. Two of Gladys’ finger tips lay like mangled pieces of chicken guts.
‘Bloody hell!’ Kelly gasped.
TWO WEEKS LATER
The fragrance of hibiscus was intoxicating. Grasping the straw between thumb and forefinger, Gladys sipped the Pina Colada. Kelly lovingly smoothed tanning lotion on Gladys’ ample sun-burned thighs.
‘Are you in any pain Gladys?’
‘It is amazing what £20,000 can do to ease the soreness.’
‘Some people would wrap you in a white jacket and put you away if they knew that you did what you did deliberately’
‘Would you rather have been caught stealing boxes of frozen chicken in the boot of the car?’
‘I doubt that I could have done that.’
‘So, we wouldn’t be basking in the sun then, we would still be sweating our arses off at Maple Lodge sauna for old hens!’
‘Don’t you miss your fingers, Gladys?’
‘About as much as my hairnet and white coat.' Then she gave Kelly the rude gesture saved only for bouts of road rage on the M25.
‘My two critical digits are still in fine working form.’ She grinned at Kelly and took another sip of her Piña Colada.
Young people can gain skills and make a difference as a Young Commissioner
Are you a young person who wants to make a difference to the world? Want to develop skills, improve your CV, and make friends? Then you can become a Young Commissioner for SNYAB (South Norfolk Youth Advisory Board).
SNYAB defines a Young Commissioner quite simply as ‘a young person who makes things better for other young people’. They lead the Youth Advisory Board and give their perspectives on the issues that matter, including where best to spend money and the quality of public services. They also help run events and fund activities.
This will give you experience working with health representatives, police officers, teachers, youth workers, and councillors. It will be fantastic for your CV. Most importantly, you’ll feel really good about yourself.
Those interested can attend a trial session on August 7th. For more information, get in touch on 07778 896325 or email info@mtmyouthservices.org.uk.
Your Rights as a Working Parent
As a working parent, juggling childcare and work can be difficult, and you might be concerned about managing these commitments. In this article we look at your rights as a working parent and what you are entitled to receive without compromising your career.
From 6 April 2026:
- Paternity leave became a 'day one' right, allowing parent employees to give notice of leave from the first day of employment – currently parents must have worked for their employer for 26 weeks.
- Ordinary parental leave, or unpaid parental leave, also became a 'day one' right – currently parents must have worked for their employer for 1 year to be eligible.
- The restriction on taking paternity leave after shared parental leave was removed.
- Eligible fathers and partners are able to take up to 52 weeks of unpaid bereaved partner's paternity leave if the mother or primary adopter dies – they must take this leave within 52 weeks of the child's birth (including surrogacy), adoption placement, or entry to Great Britain for overseas adoptions.
Time off to look after your child
If you are an employee, you are allowed to take time off for emergencies, for example, if your child is unwell and cannot attend childcare (for example, if they have something contagious like chickenpox) and you have no childcare.
There is no prescribed amount of how much time off you can take to deal with an emergency situation; you are allowed a ‘reasonable’ amount of time, usually considered to be up to two days. However, if you need an extended amount of time off, more than a few hours or days, your employer may request you take the time as part of your holiday allowance or parental leave.
Will I get paid for being off?
Your employer is not obligated to pay you for this time off. It will be a consideration of your contractual entitlement rather than the obligation to pay you due to the statutory right. Therefore, you should check your contract of employment to see if you are entitled to be paid.
Parental leave
Until your child turns 18, you have a right to take parental leave. This time off is generally unpaid unless you have a contractual entitlement to be paid.
You can take unpaid parental leave to look after your child and their welfare, for example, caring for them when they are off sick from school, during school holidays, or when settling them into new childcare arrangements.
Each parent can take up to 18 weeks of leave for each child that can be taken up until their 18th birthday. You can take up to four weeks per year, and the time must be taken in blocks of at least a week at a time. Parents taking parental leave for a disabled child (who is entitled to Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment) can take it in blocks of a day.
It’s important to note that your parental leave applies to your child, not your job. So, if you begin a new job, any time you have taken in your old job will remain deducted from your total 18 weeks per child.
Flexible working
Since 6 April 2024, all employees have had the right to request flexible working from the first day of employment.
Flexible working may be particularly useful for working parents. It is a way of working that suits both the employee and employer and might include reducing hours, working from home, compressed hours, job sharing or adjusting start and finish times around childcare commitments.
Employees can make up to two statutory flexible working requests in a 12-month period, and employers must deal with requests in a reasonable manner. While employers can still refuse requests for one of the statutory business reasons, further reforms are expected to strengthen the requirements around consultation and the reasonableness of refusals.
If you would like to discuss any points in this article further, either as an employer or as an employee, please contact Spire Solicitors LLP on 01603 677077.
Photographic Society celebrates star contributors at award ceremony
Wymondham Photographic Society held an awards night this month to celebrate its star contributors.
Two particular stars emerged: Anthony Cooves (Tier 1) won both the cumulative print and projected image competitions and achieved Printed Image of the Year. Jez Wood did the same in Tier 2.
Then Fran Grimsdell won Tier 1’s Projected Image of the Year, and Craig Harriss won the Tier 2 version. Dom Byrne won the Landscape Picture of the Year, and Stephen Bould was voted Most Improved Photographer in Tier 1.
The Society are holding an exhibition in August to show off these photographers’ incredible work! It is at Central Hall on 15th-16th August – don’t miss it. You can also see many of these photographers’ work in previous articles in Wymondham Magazine – here’s an example if you missed it.
Dr Ian Bedford to give Garden Club talk on gardening with bugs
Monday 17th August, 7:10pm
The Garden Club are delighted to welcome back Dr Ian Bedford, a regular speaker at the club, for this month’s talk, ‘Gardening with Bugs – Good & Bad’.
Ian is a retired former chief entomologist (insect expert) with the John Innes Centre. Insects are his passion, so we look forward to an entertaining talk on the sorts of Bugs which are found in our gardens: the good, the bad – and probably the ugly and unusual as well!
The talk will take place on Monday 17th August at the Town Green Centre. Doors open from 7:10pm, and the talk will begin at 7:30. Entry is free for members and just £4 for guests.
This photo by this author is licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Wymondham Lions unveil 2026 CHRISTMAS schedule!
What a summer it has been so far. After a very successful winter with our Quiz'n'nochilli, 4 grottoes, a collection in Waitrose, and a wonderful Burns Supper and Ceilidh (with Rotary), we have given away over £8,000 so far. The recipients have varied from organisations such as the MND Association, the motorcyclists’ group 'Wishmakers', and many more. A great result from a small club – which I am pleased to report is getting bigger with the addition of 4 new members. We would still like some more!
Our programme for the rest of the year is coming together. We have just spent a very hot couple of days at the Royal Norfolk Show, where we gave away wristbands for children. Their parent writes a phone number on it so that, should the child become lost, they can be reunited ASAP. We also have an ongoing rota system for watering our planters. These can be seen outside the Heritage Museum. We have also just had a bucket collection at Tesco Harford Bridge (many thanks to them).
Coming up, we are awaiting confirmation of our attendance at the Wayland Show, Watton. We usually man a couple of gates for them. We will be there if required.
Our next major event will be our annual quiz. It will be a bit earlier this year – Friday September 18th. £6 per person, max of 6 per table, BYOB and food. It will be open for booking soon: please email sealoft7@gmail.com for more details.
Things really start to get busy towards the end of November. The present plan is to have a Town Christmas Lights Switch-On on Thursday 26th, 4-6pm. It is hoped that all of the town's food outlets will be open to provide their famed fayre. Various hurdles need to be jumped for this. We first need a team of volunteers to put the lights up, as well as a short road closure to be organised. The idea behind this is to make the town a cheerier place with the lights on as we approach December.
Then, for the following two days (November 27th and 28th), Lions will be at Waitrose with a bucket collection. Any money raised goes towards Christmas presents for the residents of the town's care homes. On the 28th and 29th, Santa will appear at two grottoes at the Heritage Museum, and then return on Sunday 6th December, when the roads are closed for Wynterfest.
This is a major event, and thanks are due to Money Properties for the grotto space, the Business Group for their support and the Town Council for support and assistance in road closures and many other things.
We don't let Santa escape after Wynterfest. We are in the care homes on the 9th, 10th and 11th, with help from the S Norfolk Community Choir, singing carols and Santa giving each resident a gift from the Lions.
And Santa still cannot escape – Saturday December 12th sees him at Wymondham Garden Centre's annual Christmas Grotto!
Then, draw breath, enjoy the festivities with our families before breaking out the tartan for the annual Burns Supper and Ceilidh in Central Hall on Friday 22nd January.
All in all, a packed programme to see in 2027! Anyone who would like to give us a hand will be made most welcome. Come along and see us at our meetings: upstairs in The Feathers at 7:30pm on the last Tuesday of each month (except December).
We also welcome anyone who fancies a sing-along at the Care Homes. Send me an email at wildejohn73@gmail.com, and I will pass on the details.
ABBA tribute band 'Kiss the Teacher' comes to Wymondham
Get ready for a Glamtastic Evening full of ABBA hits! Kiss The Teacher is an ABBA tribute group originally formed in 2000, performing both abroad and in the UK, and they are coming to Wymondham!
With their flawless voices, expert musicianship, and captivating choreography, Kiss the Teacher is one of the top ABBA tributes in the UK.
Dig out your dancing shoes and disco glitter, join us on the dance floor and relive this amazing music.
Bar is available too.
Enjoy a great evening of entertainment while supporting Wymondham Music Events Group in raising funds for 3 local charities: Wymondham Dementia Group, Star Throwers, and It's On The Ball (Testicular Cancer).
Doors open at 18:30hrs for a 19:30hrs start.
Tickets are £20 and available here or from Reeves Stationary Shop, Market Street, Wymondham or contact Norman & Helen on 01953 600563.
New Facebook group for supporters of new Wymondham allotments
Plans for a new allotment site in Wymondham have taken another significant step forward, with WAA finalising a comprehensive Planning Justification Statement. This will accompany the formal planning application, which the town council are expected to submit shortly.
What we have done in the statement is to demonstrate how the proposed allotment site aligns with key national and local planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework, the Greater Norwich Local Plan, the Wymondham Area Action Plan, and the South Norfolk Climate, Environment and Biodiversity Delivery Plan 2025–2028.
We've also launched a new community Facebook group, Wymondham Growers, to bring together residents, gardening enthusiasts, and supporters of our campaign to deliver allotment provision for the town.
The Facebook page showcases memories of the old allotments, what people have been up to without their allotments, and our hopes for the new allotments. We’ll be cherrypicking the best advice from other allotment sites – and anything we find amusing!
Above all, it’ll make the case for the local demand for allotments and how they will deliver long-term environmental, social, and health benefits for the wider Wymondham community.
As we all know, allotments provide far more than space to grow fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers. They promote healthier lifestyles, improve mental wellbeing, encourage sustainable living, enhance biodiversity and reduce food miles. As importantly, they create valuable opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, connect with each other, and strengthen community relationships.
A campaign spokesperson said:
"The proposed allotment site represents an investment in Wymondham's future. It will create a valuable community asset that will benefit residents for generations to come. Allotments offer much more than opportunities to grow food—they improve health and wellbeing, support biodiversity, encourage sustainable living, and bring communities together. We encourage everyone who shares this vision to join the Wymondham Growers Facebook group and help demonstrate the strong local support for this important project."
Residents, local businesses, schools, community organisations, and anyone with an interest in gardening, sustainability, biodiversity, or protecting green spaces are encouraged to join the Wymondham Growers Facebook group and become part of the campaign.
Diverse music repertoire to be performed at Abbey by Dutch/English choir
Norwich-Brielle Voices present a programme of works dating from the Renaissance to the Baroque era. This collaborative choral ensemble unites singers from highly regarded choirs in Norwich (UK) and Brielle (the Netherlands). The choir celebrates the intertwined religious and historical ties between the two regions.
These singers join us for the second time in Norfolk and are looking forward to performing in Wymondham Abbey on August 29th 2026 at 5pm.
The programme is called From Renaissance to Baroque and Beyond. It features works by J S Bach, Josquin, Byrd, Holst, Dering, Kuhnau, Tallis, Sweelinck, Scarlatti and Pearsall. The singing will be interspersed with two organ solos given by the choir's director and internationally acclaimed organ recitalist, Ashley Grote, who has been Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral since 2012. In recent years, Ashley has worked with the BBC singers, the Britten Sinfonia, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Norwich Baroque. He has conducted the Norwich Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra since 2024. In May of this year, he conducted the chorus and orchestra in an acclaimed performance of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast at the annual Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
Tickets are available from the Abbey office (£12 in advance, £14 on the door) or from the Wymondham Abbey website.
Love trees? Wymondham now has a tree-themed arts festival
Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August
North Wymondham Community Centre will use its annual Community Garage Sale on Bank Holiday Monday to launch “Artist Tree”, a new tree-themed arts project.
The hall will be open between 11am and 2pm for a display of tree-inspired paintings by local resident Nicola Durrant, alongside a selection of work by the Thursday Art Group.
A piece of collective artwork called Tree House, produced by children at Ashleigh School, will be on view, and there will be information about Greening Wymondham’s Tree Trail.
Christine Chapman of ChrisCreations will be selling her unique beaded Tree of Life designs, and John Beckett will present some of his tree poems from his recently published collection.
There will also be a performance of a short play called Comment Tree by local playwright Tony Vale, where an Oak Tree is in conversation with a Leylandii.
This Bank Holiday Monday is 31st of August – be sure to come along. Everyone is welcome.
Community Garage Sale to return on Bank Holiday Monday
North Wymondham Community Centre is again hosting a town-wide Community Garage Sale on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August 2026.
This is a great way to get neighbours chatting and working together, as well as getting stalls on the road for our local buyers.
There is no registration fee, but the Community Centre are always happy to receive a donation for the upkeep of the hall.
Text your name and address to 07851 370666 or email tony@valemail.uk if you would like to be added to the list of participants.
Harvest celebrations and Baby and Toddler activities reopened at Methodist Church
The Methodist Church is opening its doors for Harvest celebrations.
Join the community to celebrate Harvest on Sunday 13th September at 10:30am. Refreshments and plant stalls will be available. This will go on until 2pm at the Methodist Church - all are welcome.
The Church is also reopening its Baby and Toddler group, a fun activity hub for babies and children where they get to make new friends, play with toys, make toast and fruit, sing songs, and much more. These sessions take place every Term Time Monday from 9:30-11am.
The suggested donation is £1 per child per session.
Around Wymondham in 80 Dishes: Coffee with Flo - 20 Fairland Street
There's now a second Coffee with Flo venue!
When the temperature hits a certain point, hot coffee or tea doesn’t make sense. It’s officially the season where we swap our cosy mugs for ice-cold glasses and watch those beautiful espresso layers melt into the milk.
On this Friday morning in town, the temperature was in the high twenties. Alex and I, with our neighbour Ruth, were going to visit ‘Coffee with Flo’. We’ve been to the Leisure Centre’s Coffee with Flo, and now another shop has recently opened in town, at number 20 Fairland Street.
Here we found a variety of iced coffees, including Iced Matcha, Iced Latte, Iced Americano, and Iced Chia. Alternative milks like soya, coconut milk or oat milk are also available. Today, Alex chose an indulgent strawberry milkshake topped with whipped cream and a savoury bacon sandwich to satisfy his appetite. Ruth ordered her traditional cappuccino and shared her enormous and deliciously fresh cheese scone with me. I enjoyed a healthy protein shake.
All the products are baked fresh on site, and there was such a wide variety! Cookies, brownies, croissants, sandwich wraps, extra-large sausage rolls, muffins, sticky toffee cake – just a few.
Coffee with Flo has an Instagram page full of photos of their food, and they seem to update it daily with their current treats of the day. I hope you look them up and follow.
In front of the shop, there are two small tables and four chairs. Indoors are large comfortable green velvet sofas on each side of the room. The windowsills are extra wide, with lots of green plants and comfy cushions to sit on. We were happy to sit indoors out of the sun on this hot morning.
Another perk is their Paperless Loyalty card. If you have five stamps, you get a free cookie, and ten stamps get you a free hot drink. You can scan the QR code in the shop to download the app.
This morning, Darcy and Vladyslava were busy making hot and cold drinks for a steady flow (no pun intended) of customers. The radio was playing quietly, and we listened and swayed to Chris Stapleton singing ‘Tennessee Whiskey’.
From the melt-in-the-mouth croissants to their sausage rolls and golden cheese scones, everything is freshly prepared and baked right there at Coffee with Flo! The shop is open seven days a week and they open at 9am (10am on Sundays), so if you pop in for your coffee early, try a scone or croissant straight out of the oven.
I hope you stop by and check them out. You will find them unique from any of the other tea rooms/coffeeshops in town.
The Lowe Down: the Norfolk Libraries Pride feud is a pointless culture war
Social media has been in uproar about a decision by Norfolk County Council to remove Pride displays from the county’s libraries.
It all started when the council, now led by Reform UK, revealed that it had banned political messaging and displays – including Pride displays – from the county’s 47 libraries. The story got out, and as you can imagine, the reaction was swift. Critics of this decision included two well-known Wymondham names.
Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk (including Wymondham), put out a Facebook statement condemning the guidance as ‘shameful, divisive, and deeply damaging’. Then Wymondham councillor Suzanne Nuri-Nixon wrote the following as a comment on Goldsborough’s post:
‘Thin end of the wedge. Today LGBT+ communities. Next book banning? Book burning? Other minorities being targeted? Elected representatives are meant to serve all sections of the community not discriminate. Reform are not your friends and are not the answer.’
Goldsborough responded to this by saying, ‘if only I could give you a million likes for this!’
Certainly, if it were a choice between Reform UK or Ben Goldsborough, I would choose Goldsborough every time. At the time of writing, a Reform councillor is being investigated for a grossly offensive tweet about Nigerians, their policies are questionable (to put it mildly), and their leader is standing in a by-election against a talking bin. Goldsborough, on the other hand, is a dedicated MP whose compassion and decency I can personally vouch for, having met him twice. And I will admit that part of me does have reservations about the council’s decision. If you are looking for books on LGBT topics, especially if it’s topical (like during Pride Month), it seems legitimate to have a display dedicated to that topic in the same way you’d have a Christmas display or a History section. To clamp down on this does feel like an unnecessary restriction on curatorial freedom.
You could also argue that the decision is mean-spirited, if nothing else. I’ve been in bookshops with Pride flags flown outside, and it is always done with good intentions. People fly it to signal their support of gay people, so again, one understands why the decision feels harsh to some.
But this decision does not justify the alarmism. This is not the ‘thin end of the wedge’ towards book burning. At all. (Indeed, if people are worried about book burning, a memorable instance from recent years was when trans rights activists took to social media to burn copies of J.K. Rowling’s books. This always struck me as completely stupid because it suggests that queer activism is violent and intolerant, arguably doing far more damage to the cause than the removal of a flag.)
At the time of writing, no news report has said that the books themselves have been banned from libraries. Nor have gay people been banned – that would justify the online outcry (and it would be illegal). Gay people can still walk into libraries and read gay books and are legally and socially entitled to do so without justifying themselves. As it should be in any free country. This decision doesn’t change any of that.
Another commentator (outside Wymondham) said that removing Pride displays ‘sends a message that certain people aren’t welcome in public spaces’ – of course it doesn’t. I don’t need a flag to give me permission to enter a library, and nor do most of the gay people that I know. This well-intentioned outcry imposes a victimhood mentality on people: that no one can possibly enter public spaces unless a flag signalling their legal rights is flown outside. That is ludicrous. It underestimates people’s resilience. Believe me – nothing stops me entering a library if a book I want is inside.
Additionally, there are good-faith reasons for agreeing with the decision (remember: they did not exclusively ban Pride displays, but displays of any political nature). In an ideal world, Pride would be an apolitical symbol for gay acceptance, but unfortunately today that is not the case. For many people, Pride today has become a symbol of bullying, ostracism, and political ideas far more contestable than support for gay rights. See the Jo Phoenix tribunal, for instance, where a female academic (Dr Phoenix) was unlawfully harassed, discriminated against, called transphobic and compared to a ‘racist uncle’ for her gender-critical views. I have been in Pride-positive spaces where people talk about gender-critical perspectives as if they are Nazi-adjacent, when in reality they are perfectly lawful and often (ironically) espoused by gay people, including Phoenix who is herself a lesbian.
Bottom line: Pride these days is not apolitical. It has become political for its contestable ideas and reputation for toxic harassment of opposing opinions (there are countless similar cases). In this context, you could argue that a publicly funded and politically neutral library shouldn’t have a Pride flag displayed any more than it should have flags bearing ‘Vote Farage’ or ‘Vote Trump’.
My aim here is not to privilege either view – the point is, this is not a Stasi-like suppression of gay people. It is a dispute with plausible justifications on both sides, and one that in any case does not adversely affect anyone’s ability to participate in public life. The day Reform UK ban gay literature from these spaces, or the day they illegally prevent gay people from entering, that is the day I’ll be marching with Goldsborough.
Until then, I’ll be in the library.
Rugby Club in good heart after life-saving screening for young players
A Norfolk rugby club has screened the hearts of players and supporters as part of its commitment to look after the health of its members.
Wymondham Rugby Club subsidised the cost of the cardiac screening so that young people aged between 14 and 35 could have these tests for hidden heart problems.
“We’re a club now with more than 800 players across all the age groups. That’s a big responsibility to make sure we’re looking after their safety, so sessions like this are vital,” said club trustee David Clover.
The screening session was held with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young. CRY wants all young people to undergo heart screening and warns of the dangers of undiagnosed problems.
Dr Steven Cox, chief executive of CRY, said: “Every week 12 young people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
“In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important, particularly for those involved in regular physical activity.”
Nearly 50 people were screened at Wymondham Rugby Club’s ground at Barnard Fields with only a couple of minor health issues discovered. It’s the latest medical session laid on by the club, with prostate cancer blood tests and mental health first aid training offered and a menopause reset session planned for August.
“We pride ourselves on being a family club and it’s so important we look after everyone’s wellbeing,” said David.
To register interest for a cardiac screening near you, visit www.testmyheart.org.uk.
Bullseye! Wymondham Archers hit new heights at summer shoot
Wymondham Archers have smashed records and taken a massive haul of medals at their premier event of the year, the spectacular Summer Wymondham Archers Shoot.
The historic two-day tournament attracted top-tier archers from across the region, resulting in the highest attendance the club has ever seen. The atmosphere across the weekend was nothing short of brilliant, proving once again that archers make the shoot what it is.
A massive thank you must go out to the army of volunteers who gave up a few hours—or their entire weekend—to make the event a resounding success. We truly appreciate it; all your efforts made the shoot what it was, and the club simply couldn't have done it without you.
The local talent was out in full force, delivering a phenomenal haul of medals for Wymondham Archers.
On Saturday, the gold rush began with Robert Norburn, Terry Reeve, Evie Bullen, Layla Annison, Gillian Harris, Andrew Shepherd, and Karen Harvey all coming away with Gold, whilst Keith Macduff won a hard-fought Silver.
The momentum carried straight into Sunday, with Chris Norburn, Evie Bullen, Ellis Betts, Keith Macduff, Robert Norburn, and Karen Harvey all securing Gold. Jason Harvey won a brilliant Silver, and Georgina Bullen came away with a well-deserved Bronze. What a fantastic performance — well done to you all!
In the bigger picture for the club, which is proudly a registered charity (No. 1215145), the income made from the shoot not only covers the costs of running the event but also gives us profit. Every penny of this will be put directly towards the aims in our development plan, making the club better for everyone in terms of the facilities and support we can offer our members.
It also means we can run the shoot again next year. Keep an eye out for entries to open, but the date is officially locked in for 10/11th July 2027, so get it in the calendar!
If the thrill of the competitive spirit has inspired you, now is the perfect time to pick up a bow. Wymondham Archers are actively welcoming beginners to our thriving community.
You can log onto our website right now at wymondhamarchers.co.uk and sign up for a beginner’s course in archery. Discover the focus, discipline, and camaraderie of this fantastic sport—your journey to the target begins today!
Full results from the shoot are available on our website, and plenty of brilliant pictures of the action are on our Facebook page (with special thanks to Bridget and Karen for some great shots over the weekend).
See you on the range soon!
Saturday 1st August
Picnic for Great Big Green Week
12pm-3pm, 
Browick Road Community Orchard
A GBGW gathering with fun for all
greeningwymondham.org
Tuesday 4th August
Volunteer Workday 9:30am-12:30pm, Friarscroft Wood
Meet by Windmill Surgery. Refreshments at 11:00am. Bring yourself, a pair of gloves & sturdy boots.
greeningwymondham.org
Wednesday 5th August
Art Society Demo by John Shave 7pm, Catholic Church Hall
John is a professional artist and tutor and is a well-respected member of the Wymondham Art Society. For the Critique evening, members are invited to bring one of their paintings [finished or work in progress] and John will offer invaluable insights.
wymondhamart.org
Friday 14th August
Charity Music Show: ABBA Tribute 7:30pm, Wymondham Central Hall
Get ready for a Glamtastic Evening full of ABBA hits supporting 3 local charities! Kiss The Teacher is an ABBA tribute group originally formed in 2000, performing both abroad and in the UK and they are coming to Wymondham! Doors open at 18:30hrs for a 19:30hrs start.
Tickets are £20 and available online or at Reeves Stationery Shop on Market Street or contact Norman & Helen on 01953 600563.
ticketsource.co.uk/wymondham-music-events-group
Saturday 15th August
Community Orchard Volunteer Workday 10am-12pm, Browick Road Orchard
Refreshments and tools provided but bring your own gloves. Entrance opposite Gunton Road NR18 0QN or Ayton Road Car Park.
greeningwymondham.org
Monday 17th August
Garden Club Talk: Gardening with Bugs - Good & Bad 7:15pm, Town Green Centre
With Dr Ian Bedford, a regular speaker at the club. Ian is a retired former chief entomologist (Insect expert) with the John Innes centre. Insects are his passion, so we look forward to an entertaining talk on the sorts of Bugs which are found in our gardens, the good, the bad - & probably the ugly & unusual as well!
Doors open from 7.10pm, talk begins ~7.30pm. Members Free, Guests £4.
For further information contact wymondhamgardenclub@gmail.com
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077254060337
Tuesday 18th August
Volunteer Workday 9:30am-12:30pm, Friarscroft Wood
Meet by Windmill Surgery. Refreshments at 11:00am. Bring yourself, a pair of gloves & sturdy boots.
greeningwymondham.org
Friday 28th August
Beer Festival 4pm-10:30pm, Rugby Club
Join us on Friday 28th & Saturday 29th August as Wymondham Rugby Club hosts another huge Beer Festival packed with craft beers, ales, cider, gin bars, street food and live entertainment across the weekend. Tickets available online, under 18s free but must leave site by 9pm.
wymondhamrfc.com/club-events
Saturday 29th August
Community Orchard Volunteer Workday 10am-12pm, Browick Road Orchard
Refreshments and tools provided but bring your own gloves. Entrance opposite Gunton Road NR18 0QN or Ayton Road Car Park.
greeningwymondham.org
Norwich-Brielle Voices Performance 5pm, Wymondham Abbey
This international programme is called 'from Renaissance to Baroque and beyond' and features works by J S Bach, Josquin, Byrd, Holst, Dering, Kuhnau, Tallis, Sweelinck, Scarlatti and Pearsall. The singing will be interspersed with two organ solos given by the choir's director Ashley Grote who has been Master of
Music at Norwich Cathedral since 2012. Tickets are available from the Abbey office, online (£12 in advance, £14 on the door).
wymondhamabbey.org.uk/2026/05/08/briellevoices
Monday 31st August
Indoor Garage Sale 10am-3pm, Ogden Court Communal Lounge
Entrance via Orchard Way. Proceeds to North Wymondham Community Centre maintenance fund.
nwca.org.uk
Tuesday 1st September
Volunteer Workday 9:30am-12:30pm, Friarscroft Wood
Meet by Windmill Surgery. Refreshments at 11:00am. Bring yourself, a pair of gloves & sturdy boots.
greeningwymondham.org
Wymondham Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dell Bowls Club
Participants to share photos they've taken over summer break.
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Wednesday 2nd September
Art Society Demo with Denise Allen 7pm, Catholic Church Hall
Denise came to us in 2025 and demonstrated her ‘Deconstruction and Reconstruction’ technique in watercolour to a very large and enthralled audience. She loves to paint en plein air, and was once a wild card on Landscape Artist of the Year for Sky Arts. She is going to demonstrate in the little-used medium of Water Mixable Oils and perhaps make some converts.
wymondhamart.org
Tuesday 8th September
Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Post Processing-Quick Adjustments.How we work differently.
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Saturday 12th September
Community Orchard Volunteer Workday 10am-12pm, Browick Road Orchard
Refreshments and tools provided but bring your own gloves. Entrance opposite Gunton Road NR18 0QN or Ayton Road Car Park.
greeningwymondham.org
Addams Family Murder Mystery Dinner 6pm-10:30pm, Barnham Broom Hotel
They're creepy, and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're all together ooky….
Get ready to solve a spooky murder mystery with the Addams Family in this interactive event at Barnham Broom, full of twists and turns. Put on your detective hat and solve this thrilling murder mystery while enjoying delicious food and drinks.
barnhambroom-events.giftpro.co.uk/events/addams-family-murder-mystery
Tuesday 15th September
Volunteer Workday 9:30am-12:30pm, Friarscroft Wood
Meet by Windmill Surgery. Refreshments at 11:00am. Bring yourself, a pair of gloves & sturdy boots.
greeningwymondham.org
Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Open PDI Competition Round 1
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Tuesday 22nd September
Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Studio Night - bring your camera
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Thursday 24th September
Heritage Society Talk: Soggy Saints and Pink Wafers 7:30pm, Fairland Hall
Join Wymondham Heritage Society for a talk by Rebecca Pinner from the UEA. Free for members - visitors £2. New members can join at a meeting or online via the heritage museum website.
wymondhamheritagemuseum.co.uk/?p=programme
Tuesday 29th September
Wymondham Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Continuous improvement
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Sub-editor: Freddy Lowe. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Wymondham Magazine can accept no responsibility for any error or omission that may arise. The views and opinions expressed in Wymondham Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Wymondham Magazine. This magazine may not be sold or reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanical, without prior consent of the publishers and copyright holders, Wymondham Magazine is a brand of MYOB Digital LTD. Registered address: Black Hall Farm, Traice Road, Fundenhall, Wymondham, NR16 1HQ, VAT number: GB328358189 © Wymondham Magazine