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Model Trains Galore at Central Hall
Last year's "NRS Show" (Norfolk Railway Society) at Wymondham's Central Hall was such a success that the Norfolk Railway Society is to repeat the event on Saturday March 7th.
Around 12 layouts will be on display, in a variety of gauges and scales, to intrigue both the beginner and the experienced modeller. N scale (2mm to 1ft) railways are designed to fit in the smallest spaces, and ‘Loch Finnan’, built to this scale, has a Scottish theme. Several layouts constructed to the ever-popular 00 scale (4mm to 1 ft) will include a rarely-seen model of Acle station and one which depicts the Great Central line in the British Railways era. Larger again, in 0 scale (7mm to 1ft), is a model representing a London Transport steam depot. There will even be an elaborate layout crafted from Lego.
"Full-size" railways won't be left out, with displays from several of our local heritage lines such as the Mid-Norfolk and North Norfolk. Sales stands will feature a wide range of railway books, both new and secondhand, and an artist who specialises in railway subjects.
The show will be open from 10:30 am to 4:30pm. Admission is £4, with reductions for children and families. Refreshments will be available.
Wymondham photographer included in British Wildlife Photography Awards
Gavin Bickerton-Jones, local photographer and regular magazine contributor, has been recognised by the British Wildlife Photography Awards, who will feature his beautiful photo of a Wymondham fox in their upcoming 2026 annual. These BWPA volumes are a yearly hardback published to celebrate the best of Britain’s wildlife photography.
Gavin told the magazine:
‘I had some fantastic news from the administrator of the British Wildlife Photography Awards, saying that my fox image was a finalist and will feature in the prestigious awards book for 2026. To get in the book, you have to be in the top 2% after judging, of over 10,000 images entered, and of those 2%, the various category-winning images will be announced in February, so fingers crossed for some more news, possibly!
‘I got the image of the Fox in a little copse wood in Attleborough, which I had been scoping out for a while with a trail camera. Everything came together for this photo. I used to go in the evening and put the trail camera out, and leave a morsel of cat food to help it through the breeding season. But unbeknownst to me, she must have got used to me coming everyday, and as I was setting up the camera this particular evening, the fox poked her head out of the den and came out while I was there.
‘I froze to the spot and just watched her walk around me in amazement, and the next night I went prepared with my proper camera and sat in a bunch of nettles and waited to see if she came out again. Sure enough, after about an hour, out she came as the sun was going down, and she seemed to stop for a second and pose in the beautiful light, and I got the shot.
‘Over the course of a couple of months, I kept going to see her. Unfortunately, she got a nasty injury to her nose and face. I mixed some medication into food for her to help.
‘Eventually, she moved on, but she looked like she was healing up, so hopefully she survived.
‘It’s such a privilege when a wild animal allows you in their space for a while.’
The book will be released in March and is available for pre-order here.
Local Pre-School Celebrates Fourth Outstanding Ofsted and 30 Years of Dedicated Leadership
Morley Under Fives Pre-School is celebrating a very special milestone after being rated Outstanding by Ofsted for the fourth consecutive time, alongside marking 30 years of dedicated leadership from its Manager, Claire Stebbings.
The latest Outstanding judgement follows an inspection on 26 September 2025, adding to previous Outstanding ratings achieved in 2011, 2016 and 2019. Achieving Outstanding across four inspections over more than a decade is a rare accomplishment and reflects the setting’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional early years education.
With records dating back to 1977, Morley Under Fives Pre-School has been at the heart of the local community for generations of families. Over the years, the setting has evolved and adapted, moving from the village sports hall on Golf Links Road, to the local primary school in 2001, and later to its current mobile provision around 2011.
Claire Stebbings began her role as Supervisor in September 1995 and has been a constant, guiding presence throughout much of the Pre-School’s history. Her 30 years of leadership have helped shape the warm, nurturing environment for which Morley Under Fives is known.
Morley Under Fives Pre-School is a rural, community-run setting that benefits from access to woodland areas, enabling regular Forest Play sessions. The team is passionately dedicated to helping children grow into lifelong learners through thought-provoking play, ensuring every child feels valued, confident and supported.
Claire said:
“I am incredibly proud of our team, our families and our wider community. To be recognised as Outstanding four times by Ofsted is a real honour and reflects the care, dedication and passion shown by everyone involved, past and present.”
The Pre-School continues to be a much-loved local provision, supporting children at the very start of their learning journey and laying strong foundations for the future.
Toads are in decline, says Wymondham Toadwatch
Georgette Vale calls for volunteers
The common toad is in decline in the UK.
Every year, they return to their ancestral ponds to spawn, but they need our help to cross the roads.
The season is usually mid-February and March, but it depends on the weather.
Volunteers work in pairs and typically do an evening about once a week, wearing Hi Viz.
We particularly need help at Carleton Forehoe (the bridge), Wramplingham Road and Youngmans Road.
If you would like to help your local toads, Georgette would love to hear from you. Just email wymondham@toadwatch.org, or visit the Toadwatch website for more information.
LPA Rejections Are Rising and Costly Errors Are Catching Families Out
Recent data highlights a significant increase in rejected Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) applications across England and Wales, with thousands of families facing unnecessary delays and wasted costs as a result.
Analysis of figures from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) shows that LPA registration rejections rose by almost 200% between 2021 and 2024. In 2024 alone, over 133,000 applications were returned, with applicants collectively losing an estimated £5 million in application fees. For many, this comes on top of the stress of having to correct errors and restart the process from scratch.
LPAs are vital legal documents that allow you to nominate trusted individuals, known as attorneys, to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so yourself. In England and Wales, there are two distinct types:
1. Property and Financial Affairs LPA: enabling your attorneys to manage your finances, such as paying bills, dealing with bank accounts, or selling property. You can choose for this LPA to take effect as soon as it is registered, even while you still have capacity.
2. Health and Welfare LPA: This covers decisions about your care, medical treatment and day-to-day living arrangements but is only effective if you lose mental capacity.
Despite more people recognising the importance of putting LPAs in place, a growing number of applications are being rejected, often due to surprisingly minor mistakes.
Why are so many LPA applications rejected?
Most rejections arise from technical issues rather than complex legal problems. Common causes include:
- Handwriting that is unclear or difficult to read
- Incorrect or inconsistent dates and names
- Forms being signed or witnessed in the wrong order
- Information being entered in the incorrect section
- The OPG determining that parts of the form do not meet their strict formal requirements
Even small errors can invalidate the application. When this happens, applicants are usually required to submit a fresh application and pay the fee again. With the LPA registration fee increasing from £82 to £92 in November 2025, mistakes are becoming increasingly expensive.
Why using a solicitor can make all the difference
Although it is possible to complete LPA forms without legal assistance, the sharp rise in rejected applications shows just how easy it is to fall short of the OPG’s requirements. Instructing a lawyer can significantly reduce that risk.
Minimising the chance of rejection
Lawyers are experienced in preparing LPAs correctly and understand the precise formalities involved. This includes ensuring signatures are completed in the correct order, dates are accurate, and the document is internally consistent — all common problem areas for DIY applications.
Advice tailored to your circumstances
A lawyer will take the time to understand your situation and help you:
- Decide which type (or types) of LPA you need
- Choose suitable attorneys and replacement attorneys
- Draft clear, effective instructions and preferences
This ensures your LPAs reflect your wishes properly and avoids unintended restrictions or ambiguity that could cause problems later.
Safeguards and professional oversight
Legal professionals are also trained to identify concerns such as undue influence or pressure when attorneys are being appointed. This added layer of protection helps ensure the document is made freely, lawfully and in your best interests.
Reassurance for you and your family
Perhaps most importantly, using a solicitor provides peace of mind. Knowing that your LPAs have been prepared correctly and submitted properly reduces the risk of delays, disputes or complications at a time when your loved ones need clarity and certainty.
Plan now to protect the future
Putting an LPA in place is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Whether you are planning for later life, managing substantial assets, or simply want reassurance about future health and welfare decisions, an LPA ensures the right people can step in when needed.
However, as recent figures demonstrate, the process is not always as straightforward as it appears. Simple errors can undo careful planning, leading to unnecessary costs and emotional strain.
Professional advice can be the difference between a smooth registration and a rejected application that leaves your family in legal limbo. Getting it right the first time is an investment in certainty, protection and peace of mind.
If you would like to discuss anything in this article, or are looking to create an LPA, please contact our friendly and efficient Wills, Tax and Probate team on 01953 606351 or email info@spiresolicitors.co.uk.
What’s in a Photo? Wymondham Players’ New Home
Sixty years ago this February, the popular Wymondham Players were busy rehearsing their first production, "Aunt Edwina", at the then-new Central Hall in Back Lane.
The Hall officially opened two months earlier on 1st December 1965 by Viscount Mackintosh of Halifax, replacing the Women's Institute Hall on Norwich Road, which had served the town as a social centre since 1927, with the Players staging 21 plays there since 1955 before its demolition in 1966. Previous to that and starting with "Young Wives' Tale" in 1953, they had performed five times at the old Vicarage Room, on the site of which now stands the Abbey Hall. A partnership between the Chamber of Trade and the Players had raised sufficient funds of £23,000 (in today's money £393k) for the Central Hall to be built. Bookings for the Hall came in thick and fast with the likes of dancing and keep-fit sessions, to bingo and, of course, the Players' performances.
So it was that "Aunt Edwina", a comedy, was presented in March 1966 - and the performers revelled in the unaccustomed space available on the Central Hall stage. John Fitches made a fine job of the title role in which a gentleman called Edward takes some tablets meant for horses, and they cause him to change sex. The family overcome the problem by changing Edward into Aunt Edwina - with hilarious results! The producer was Players' legend Denise Muir, who took on that job for ten years from 1963 to 1972 following the retirement of founding producer Robert Bagshaw, another Players' "great". And, of course, Denise had also trodden the boards in many productions, starting with the Players' first ever presentation, "Young Wives' Tale", in the Vicarage Room in November 1953.
Wymondham Players got off to a great start in their new home and have been providing first-class entertainment there for sixty years.
Photos of the Month: February 2026
The Wymondham Photographic Society has once again been busy - and they are on better form than ever before.
Their November competition saw some strong contributions. Gavin Bickerton-Jones told the magazine: ‘In Tier 1, out of an entry of 23, four images scored 10, with Anthony Cooves’s image 'Osea Beach Huts Spring Tide' coming out on top.
‘In Tier 2, out of an entry of 34, four images scored 10, and Dom Byrne's image ‘A lived experience' was voted top.’
Gavin also told us about the club’s informal December competition. The theme? Leaves! Dom Byrne - the same photographer behind ‘A Lived Experience’ - was the judge:
‘In Tier 1,’ Gavin told us, ‘Alan Steadman’s image, entitled ‘Leaves’, was voted best. Dominic commented on the effort and thought that had gone into creating the image.
‘In Tier 2, Lydia Taylor’s image ‘Accents and Textures’ was voted top, Dominic liking the placement of the various leaves and mushrooms which created a great colour pallete and texture to the image.’
Short Story: Tough Love.
‘Mum, why is Granny so nasty to me?’
Kate looked at her daughter, detecting tears beginning to form. The super long eyelashes just held them back. She gave her a hug.
‘Jo, she’s not really nasty …’
‘She is, Mum. She’s awful. It’s her birthday, but she won’t accept the present I gave her. She didn’t even unwrap it. She just said, “Take it away. I don’t have birthdays”. I don’t get it. She’s weird – especially today. Everybody likes birthdays – don’t they?’
How do I explain to a 16-year-old what it must be like to be 60 and recently divorced? thought Kate. ‘Granny’s not very happy living on her own,’ she said discreetly.
‘Well it’s sad. I know Grandad’s left her. I’ll miss him, but I think it’s a bit much him going off to London with his secretary. Don’t think I’ll ever understand grown-ups.’
‘You will one day.’
‘You can have this.’ Jo thrust the still-wrapped present at her mother. ‘It’s Clarins. Julie at the salon said I could have it half price when I finished work on Saturday.’
Reluctantly Kate took the gift, glad that her daughter was making a success of her Saturday job. ‘Thanks, love. Don’t worry about Granny. Haven’t you got homework to do?’
Kate busied herself in the kitchen, glancing occasionally across the farmyard to the converted barn where John’s mother now lived. It had been a holiday let till Meg had moved in.
‘What are you going to do about Meg?’ she asked before John was hardly through the back door. It wasn’t a new question, and John had no new answers. His mother’s arrival was overshadowing his usually peaceful existence at the farm.
‘I don’t know. Don’t keep asking me. I don’t know.’ He could see from his wife’s face that today had not been a good day. At least he’d been able to escape to the other side of the farm and busy himself planting hedges and clearing ditches.
‘It’s her 60th birthday, and she’s in a foul mood, and she was really rotten to Jo just now.’ It wasn’t what he wanted to hear.
‘So…’
‘So…she’s 60. Over the hill, she thinks. Ditched by your father after 40 years of marriage. Not much to be cheerful about today, I’d say.’
‘There was a letter for her this morning. I met the postman. It looked official. I guess it was from her solicitor – the decree absolute must be due.’
‘No wonder she’s in a mood. You’d better go and see her.’
John sighed. ‘I’ll go after dinner.’
‘Well?’
‘Well, to cut a long story short – I said, “Mother you may be 60, but you’re fit and healthy, you’re not hard up, stop feeling sorry for yourself, pull yourself together,”’ (Kate winced), ‘“you can start looking after yourself, drive into town, go to Waitrose, get out more”. Oh, and I told her I expect some rent from her next month.’
‘Blimey!’
‘Tough love! But I did say we would still welcome her for Sunday lunch as usual.
‘How did she take all that then?’
‘A few tears – but she promised she would try.’
The next morning Kate saw Meg’s car drive off and later saw her return with supermarket bags. Tough love must be working, she thought. She also saw a horse box draw up and watched as John helped a woman unload four small donkeys and put them in the field opposite. John introduced the woman when he brought her into the kitchen.
‘Kate, this is Sandra. She’s renting the field for her donkeys.’
‘I take them into care homes to visit the residents – sort of therapy I suppose. It certainly cheers them up – and the donkeys love being made a fuss of.’
Every morning, Kate saw Meg walk across to the donkeys’ field to take them carrots. She would stay for a long time, stroking them and talking to them.
Sandra could see how fond Meg was of ‘her boys’.
‘I’m taking ‘the boys’ to Merrydown Care Home this afternoon – why don’t you come with me Meg?’ A broad smile lit up Meg’s face.
Meg thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon at the care home. She met people there who had far more problems than she had. Everyone loved seeing the donkeys for the short visit. Over lunch the next day, she told the family all about it. Even Jo could see that Granny was much happier.
‘Tough love works!’ whispered John to Kate.
Started 2026 with grief? Rosedale can help
As a family, this year has brought us many changes. Among other things, our eldest son has now flown the nest, and the younger, having finished schooling, is now moving on to the next phase in his life.
Whilst it is a cause for celebration to watch your children grow in independence and begin to live their own lives, as a mum, it can also be tinged with sadness. Major life changes are seldom straightforward and are often accompanied by many conflicting emotions. ‘Midlife’ (I’m giving away my age now!) can feel like a crossroads as you realise that a significant part
of your life is over, and a different, uncertain chapter is beginning.
Life is full of change, sometimes exciting and self-instigated. Other changes, such as bereavement, can be shocking, unwelcome and out of our control.
Perhaps 2025 has brought you a major life change – house move, retirement, changing job, moving house or a bereavement?
As we know, bereavement is a unique experience and different for everyone. Perhaps the relationship we shared with the person who has died was difficult. We grieve for what the relationship might have been. We may have regrets or unresolved issues that can lead to prolonged grief.
Marriages and relationships within families are not always filled with love and harmony - this is reality.
For those whose loved one has died from dementia or a similar condition, they may have already started the grief process when they ‘lost‘ the person they knew, the first time. This can feel like a double bereavement.
If the death involved long, painful suffering, some people can feel relief when it is finally over and their loved one is released. This can be accompanied by feelings of guilt.
We begin to feel less alone when we meet with others who are bereaved and talk through the issues that many people face.
If you had a bereavement last year (or at any time in the past) and would like to talk to others in a similar position, call 01379 640 810 to reserve a free place on our next bereavement group. Rosedale’s Bereavement Support Groups are safe, confidential and local to Norfolk and Suffolk.
More information about support following a bereavement can also be found at Rosedale's website: rosedalefuneralhome.co.uk.
Royal College of Music soloist to front Symphony Orchestra’s next concert
The orchestra were delighted to welcome a full house to Wymondham Abbey Church back in November to celebrate their first concert with their new musical director, Theo Vinden. The support offered by the local community for the orchestra and for Theo’s first event was fantastic, and they can’t wait to share this new chapter in their development with you over the coming season (and new year).
The Spring Concert will feature new challenges in the shape of Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony - lots of practice has already been taking place in the players’ homes over Christmas, and the first rehearsal on 13th January was an exciting harbinger of things to come. To accompany the Rachmaninov, the orchestra will also feature English Dances Set 1 by Malcolm Arnold, and Concertino for Flute by Cécile Chaminade.
They are excited to present soloist Leila Hooton, who will perform the Concertino for Flute. Leila is a freelance flautist, piccolo player, and teacher, currently residing in London, where she serves as the President of the Royal College of Music’s Student Union. Leila performs with The Heart of England Philharmonic, Music in Felixstowe, The Sinfonia Stellaris, the function band Good Vibes and the ceilidh band The Sassenachs. She is currently the Pastoral and Operations Assistant for Guildhall Young Artists Norwich, and Assistant to the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra. She graduated from the College with a Masters in Performance in July 2024 where she learnt under Gitte Marcusson, Emer McDonough and Diomedes Demetriades. During her studies, Leila was kindly supported by the Fishmonger’s Company Beckwith Scholarship, Help Musicians UK and the Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust. She is delighted to be part of Talent Unlimited.
Leila has wide performance experience having played at the Barbican with the Britten Sinfonia Academy and recorded for the Peaky Blinders Soundtrack in England, performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the EU Parliament in Belgium with Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, the Royal Conservatory of the Hague in Holland, the Summer Academy Voksenaasen in Norway, the Mozarthaus in Vienna as a finalist in the 3rd Vienna International Music Competition and toured Serbia (playing for Birmingham School of Acting) and Germany with Triorca.
Save the date to see Leila and Wymondham Symphony Orchestra on 21 March 2026 at 7pm in Wymondham Abbey Church for their Spring Concert!
Tickets are available online or at the Wymondham Abbey shop. There will also be some availability on the door, but we encourage you to purchase tickets in advance to beat the queues. Prices are £15, Friends of the WSO £13 and under 18s are free.
Want to get involved?
We’re a friendly group playing fantastic symphony repertoire with regular rehearsals at Central Hall in the heart of Wymondham. If you’re interested in joining the orchestra we’d love to hear from you. In particular, we’re on the lookout for viola (grade 7 or above), double bass, trombones, and percussion players. More details about the orchestra and how to join can be found on our website.
Heritage Museum Reopens for New Season
Save the Date: Monday 9th March
Our volunteers were not only celebrating Christmas at their annual meal, but a successful season for Wymondham Heritage Museum. Preliminary visitor numbers were up compared to the 2024 season.
Special events featured in the museum’s calendar last year, and these helped to increase footfall. The Halloween week in October contributed to this with the pumpkin trail and children’s crafts giving a boost to the end-of-season numbers.
Christmas events proved popular. The “Dickensian Christmas” weekend with a visit from Father Christmas launched the festive season, and the decorations were called into service again when The Bridewell opened its doors to join in the town’s “A very Wymondham Christmas”.
The tearoom also had a successful season with an increase in sales. Not only do visitors to the museum enjoy a homemade snack, but so do an increasing number of “walk-ins”, local folk just dropping in for refreshments. The volunteer cake-makers have been busy with slices of sponge being the best-selling item. It is hoped to do some refurbishment in the Tearoom in the coming months. And let’s hope for some warm and sunny weather so visitors can relax in the peace of the courtyard garden.
Wymondham Heritage Museum offers the whole package of Wymondham’s history of emerging as one of Norfolk’s leading towns. So, were you among the visitors in 2025? If so, do come again. There’s bound to be things you didn’t spot the first time round. Or perhaps you missed out and plan a visit this year.
Whichever, here’s a date for your diaries. The museum will open for the new season on Monday 9th March, and close on Sunday 8th November.
More information, including opening times, is available on our website. Here you can also find out how to join the happy band of volunteers and contribute to preserving Wymondham’s rich heritage.
Local community spirit shone in 2025, says Greening Wymondham
Wymondham should pat itself on the back. Its community spirit is stunning – as evidenced by all the different volunteers who turned up to help Greening Wymondham plant trees at Rothbury Park.
We had people from other Greening Wymondham projects like the Orchard, Friarscroft and Ketts Park. But on came volunteers from Wymondham in Bloom – showing they could move from planting flowers and shrubs to large trees with remarkable ease!
Then there were some people from the Wymondham allotments, using the energy they would normally expend on their own beds to help out. May you be rewarded with new allotments soon!
There were local people too, prepared to give the hours to make sure all 31 trees went in. Poignantly, some wanted to plant a tree in memory of a local resident they’d cared for who had enjoyed the park.
Thanks, of course, to the council, whose officers had made sure the right trees arrived early on that foggy, cold morning, and to Mark Webster of The Conservation Volunteers, who helped dig.
Over the next few months, root barriers will go in to protect the paths, we'll hedge along the playground and a few spots elsewhere, and borders will be mapped out and dug.
On April 11th, there’ll be a Mega Planting all day at Rothbury, putting in flowers and shrubs. Please add it to your diary and let us know you’re coming by emailing greening.wymondham@gmail.com!
Just when we were celebrating the milk of human kindness came the blow for Kett’s Park Woods – someone stole power tools from Norwich Fringe, who led the work at the wood. There seems to have been a spate over Christmas and the New Year with mutterings of professional gangs. It has meant a month lost at the wood – now back on track – and devastating for the small firms and individuals who’ve also been hit.
On a happier note, eight volunteers from Friarscroft Wood have had a small reward for all their efforts over the last three years: a hedge-laying course, courtesy of South Norfolk District Council! Given the amount of hedging we’ve been putting in in Wymondham, it’s an investment!
Our camera trap in these woods shows a big uptick in the number of people and dogs wandering through this winter. However, our fears that the increase in people might deter wildlife haven’t been realised: the same camera trap shows muntjac and foxes still using the same paths – just at very different times!
Some trees are being lost to a combination of wet ground and high winds, but we have a serious replanting programme going on. It’s wonderful to put in a tree whip, knowing it could benefit generations of Wymondhamites.
And old customs were duly followed at Browick Road Community Orchard as they wassailed the fruit trees, complete with ribbons and wassail drink and food. It was duly held on the old Twelfth Night and brings health to the orchard. We’ll be checking the blossom come April!
Finally, congratulations to everyone who turned up to litter pick last month – what is it with people dropping litter right next to a litter bin? Or a particular Wymondham favourite, which is stuffing bottles and cans in hedges!
The January Pick was all good practice for the Great Big Wymondham Spring Clean on March 21st – run in conjunction with South Norfolk council’s Big Litter Pick and Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean. We expect the whole of Norfolk to be sparkling and Wymondham looking beautiful …..
As ever, you can find us on Facebook and Instagram and at https://www.greeningwymondham.org. If you want to visit our projects to find out more, sign up for our emails on the website, and we’ll let you know the next dates as they come up.
Bowls Club Meets Police Dog Unit
Priory Garden Bowls Club in Back Lane is always happy to oblige helping the local and wider community. In November, they had a visit from the Norfolk Constabulary Police Dog Unit.
Three dogs came along with two police officers and, as part of their training, they searched the clubhouse and the shingle walkway for SIM cards, mobile phones, USB sticks and car key fobs. The items were planted by a different officer so that the dogs did not know where the items had been placed. The training session lasted about 3 hours.
The bowls season is closed for the winter but will be re-opening in April. Our Open Day will be on 18th April from 11am-4pm - all welcome to come and try out bowls with our friendly club. In the meantime, if you would like any further information, please don't hesitate to contact the secretary at admin@priorygardenbowlsclub.co.uk.
Music Events Group reveals their 2026 lineup
The Wymondham Music Events Group would like to thank everyone who attended the Showaddywaddy Elite evening in December. It was great to hear all those remembered songs, and it was also good to see a busy Dance Floor!
Our next event will be The Paul McCartney Project on Sunday 26 April 2026, a tribute to the music of Paul McCartney Featuring songs from his time with The Beatles, Wings and solo career on Sunday 26 April 2026.
This will be followed by The Coldplay Tribute on Sunday 14 June 2026, covering Coldplay’s extensive back catalogue, which will have you heading down memory lane and then dancing to your favourites.
Come along and have a great night of entertainment while helping raise funds for 3 local charities, and you might even win a prize in the raffle! Bar available. We look forward to seeing you there!
All events are held at Wymondham Central Hall. Tickets are available online, at Reeves Stationery Shop on Market Street, or by phone to Norman and Helen on 01953 600563.
Cringleford and Hethersett Flower Club share their 2026 events
Cringleford and Hethersett Flower Club wishes readers a very happy 2026. Our friendly club welcomes everyone, visitors and members, to our evenings of floral magic. No need to be artistic or even especially creative to enjoy our occasional workshops and NAFAS demonstrations (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies). If you love flowers, give us a look!
Our open meeting in November 2025 brought us a fabulous demo by NAFAS Area Demonstrator Lee Berrill, whose stunning festive displays transformed the village hall into a Christmas wonderland.
The evening was well supported, and everybody enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies on arrival, plus a little shopping at our Christmas craft stall and tombola. Thank you to everybody who turned out on a damp evening and to those who had to navigate the roadworks en route. And a big thank you to Lee – who did a wonderful job and had a long drive home afterwards!
Janey Dye will be coming to us on Monday 23rd of February 2026, and there is a Flower Club AGM with supper and a speaker on Monday 23rd March, so watch this space!
Our friendly club meets at Hethersett Village Hall NR9 3JJ on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:30pm, unless stated otherwise. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments. Annual subscription is £35, payable in April. Visitors are welcome anytime for £5.
To get involved, contact Lynn Rawlings at 07307 886902, at leopardlynn@hotmail.com, or on Facebook at ‘Cringleford & Hethersett Flower Club’.
The Lowe Down: The Joys of Being 'Not Ugly'
Over the Christmas holidays, I visited one of my uni friends in London, and while I was there, she said this:
‘I don’t have that many male friends because usually I find them too attractive.’
…
She later made up for it when she said, ‘don’t worry, Freddy, you’re not ugly!’
‘Not ugly.’ I aim that high.
So it appears my New Year’s Resolution is to dress better. But this comment did give my sister, family, and other friends the best laugh they’ve had in ages. Every cloud.
Shortly after this, Anna, Tom and I (stars of previous Lowe Downs) were watching the most recent season of The Traitors, and Anna suggested that I should dress more like Stephen. Stephen was the biggest star of the show alongside his co-winner, Rachel, and had become renowned for his highly flamboyant outfits. I suggest looking them up if you haven’t watched the show. They are glorious.
So, Wymondham Magazine readers, next time you see someone strolling through Market Place not quite pulling off a rainbow-coloured jumpsuit, feel free to ask for an autograph.
On a serious note, by the time this is published, we will be over a month into the New Year. I hope you are all doing well and have got to the end with your mental wellbeing intact. Having one’s attractiveness inadvertently insulted is far from the very worst thing people go through in January, so I count myself lucky.
January can, for some people, be a time for self-improvement. This is not a universally popular idea. Miranda Hart wrote in her book I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You that she doesn’t agree with New Year’s Resolutions, because she thinks we should all realise that we are Fine As We Are Now.
Sometimes I wonder if that’s a tad unfair. It’s never a bad time to reflect and see how you could be doing better. Plus, resolutions can be fun, when done well. But there is something to Miranda’s thought when self-improvement is taken way too far. You especially see this in so-called ‘experts’ on success and life-achievements.
For instance, I have recently been reading the work of one particular author in this area. He’s written several books on strategy, success, and how to scheme your way to the top. He is, depending on who you ask, a brilliant truth-teller simply describing the world as it is, or a Machiavellian little schemer whose advice shouldn’t be touched with a bargepole.
I’m a fan of this guy, but with several caveats. I used to be in his thrall. I would read every page of his books like they were dripping with wisdom. I would latch onto every YouTube Short with him in it that came onto my timeline, desperate to listen to his next best axiom about how to do well in life.
It was only several weeks in that I realised his advice, while good, is riddled with contradiction.
I mean seriously – if you were to internalise every single piece of advice he gives and hold them all in your head at all times and apply them in every situation, you’d be so paralysed with overwhelm and indecision that you wouldn’t achieve anything at all.
In the same volume, he advises you both to always be the centre of attention, and to always say less than necessary because silent people who blend into the crowd are more powerful. (How you could follow these two completely incompatible pieces of advice at the same time is anyone’s guess.)
He advises you that bruising people’s egos is a cardinal sin; you must always cater to what others want to hear. This will make them favour you in the longer term. At the same time, being too nice is a terrible mistake. You’ve got to be tough and give pain now and then. It shows that you have dimension! (How do you be tough and ‘give pain’ without bruising people’s egos?)
I think I finally saw the light when I saw a YouTube clip of him saying how important it was not to sweat the small stuff, that we’ve got to let go of our petty day-to-day squabbles, bury the hatchet with our enemies, and focus on longer-term goals. This was all good and grand, until I remembered that this was the same man who wrote an entire book on ‘crushing’ your enemies (I kid you not) and the importance of demoralising your opponents in life.
Of course, I exaggerate for effect. This man is largely sound and erudite, and a lot of his writing is genuinely brilliant. But you get my point. Were you to follow absolutely every piece of advice and attempt to live your life by all of them, you’d be so crippled with doubt that you’d be plagued with even more anxiety.
So, the message of this New Year’s Lowe Down is: you’re probably doing fine as you are. Keep living life to the full.
And if someone ever tells you you’re ‘not ugly’, it probably just came out wrong. I’m sure you’re lovely.
Meet River - Wymondham’s enthusiastic young volunteer
I’m River. I’m eleven and have been living in Wymondham for four years.
I have participated in a variety of local activities, including Greening Wymondham, Knit and Natter, Book Club, Wild Tribe Norfolk, Wellbeing Fairs, Forest school, Crochet Group, The Abbey Choir, Beavers, Brownies, Great Big Green Week, and others. I love volunteering and helping local groups and projects. I am very passionate about animals and nature, and love being outside.
Every 3 months in Wymondham, there is a very special event going on, and it’s FREE! Wymondham’s wonderful Clothes and Toy Swap is held at Ayton House Meeting Rooms near the Factory Shop, and I’m delighted to be part of the organising team.
Ayton House kindly lets us use a room for the Swap for no cost at all, keeping it free for everybody. Donations of clothes, books, toys and games are always very appreciated.
Thanks to Ayton House, donations and a wonderful volunteer team, we can keep these swaps running, and we hope to do many more! More information can be found on the Facebook page ‘Wymondham Clothes/Shoe Swap’.
New Year's Day 10K sees record turnout of 689 runners
Nearly 700 runners from across the region kick-started their New Year by taking part in Wymondham Athletic Club’s annual New Year’s Day 10K. A record turnout of 689 competitors marked the event’s 43rd year, making it the largest in its history.
First place honours went to Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC athletes Aaron McGrady and Hannah Somani, who claimed victory in the men’s and women’s races respectively. McGrady crossed the line in 33:51, while Somani secured the women’s title with a time of 38:56.
In the men’s race, McGrady was followed by Chris Kelly of Vegan Runners UK in 34:13, with Patrick Thomas of CoNAC taking third place in 35:41. The women’s top three was completed by Rose Nicholson of Waveney Valley AC in 39:43 and Alice Frost in 43:00.
The junior men’s race was won by Tobias Neale of North Norfolk Harriers Athletics Club, who also finished an impressive 10th overall with a time of 36:31. Local runner Hermione Bates claimed victory in the junior women’s race.
The event was supported by nearly 100 volunteers from Wymondham Athletic Club, who assisted with marshalling, race numbers, course setup and the distribution of medals, water and refreshments at the finish line. A strong turnout of spectators also lined the course to cheer runners on in the chilly conditions.
A hot drink and cake sale at Race HQ in Central Hall raised approximately £420 for the club’s chosen charity of the year, Star Throwers Cancer Support.
Race Director James Heaney praised both the runners and volunteers, particularly given the cold start and concerns over icy conditions. “Our marshals were amazing, cheering everyone on in tough and chilly conditions,” he said. “The positive feedback from runners is testament to the incredible job they did. Their energy and spirit really helped everyone celebrate the New Year in style.”
Thanks were also extended to local artist Amelia Bowman for allowing use of her image of Wymondham Abbey, which inspired the design of the finisher’s medal. After a short rest, Wymondham AC organisers will now turn their attention to the club’s 20-mile race in late March, a key event for runners preparing for spring marathons.
Sports Bar celebrates an incredible £10,250 of charity fundraising
‘After sending our final amounts for 2025,’ wrote the Sports Bar team on Facebook, ‘we are delighted to say this concludes another incredible year of charity fundraising.
‘Thanks to your generosity and support, an amazing £10,250 has been raised throughout the year!
‘We are proud to have supported the following charities and causes in 2025: Dallas Family, GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital), N&N Charity (Mulbarton Ward), The Sick Children’s Trust, South Norfolk Youth Basketball Ball, Dylan Pritchard’s GoFundMe, The Royal British Legion, Cancer Research, MIND, SENSE Centre Dereham, WADL (Wymondham Attleborough Charity Darts League), and Phoenix League Charity Darts League.
‘We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who contributed or got involved in any way — we are truly grateful.
‘A special thank you to Leigh Smith for her continued support and contribution to our charity fundraising efforts.
‘Thank you also to Clive Rennie for helping organise our annual charity football match, which raised an incredible £700 this year.
‘We are extremely thankful to all the businesses who donated raffle prizes and supported our fundraisers, and most importantly to our darts players, customers, and staff without you, none of this would be possible.
‘Now, onto 2026!
‘Keep an eye out for this year’s charity fundraisers, and we hope even more of you can join us in continuing to support these amazing local charities.’
You can follow Wymondham Sports Bar on Facebook to catch up with all their latest updates.
Tuesday 3rd February
Wymondham Photographic Society
7:30pm-9:30pm, 
Dell Bowls Club
Studio night with a professional model.
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Wednesday 4th February
Art Society Demo by Graham Webber 7pm, Catholic Church Hall
Graham is a professional artist from Essex, working in oils. In 2024, Graham gave us his Summer Landscape masterclass,
tackling a wide range of greens! Returning in 2025, he gave a masterly demonstration of a marine scene. We are fortunate to
have him back in 2026, showing us how to tackle a snow scene.
wymondhamart.org
Tuesday 10th February
Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Open Projected Image competition, round 3.
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Thursday 12th February
Talk: Birding on the Greek Island of Lesbos 7:30pm-9:30pm, Town Green Centre
Join WyNG for an Illustrated talk by Chris Stone. Admission £3, NWT Members £2. No need to book. Wymondham@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
facebook.com/WymondhamNatureGroup
Monday 16th February
Garden Club Talk: Snowdrops 7:15pm, Town Green Centre
Guy Barker, professional gardener & popular speaker with the club returns to talk about Snowdrops. Guy is an avid fan & collector of Snowdrops, if you also like them this is a chance to see many varieties up close in all their fine detail. Bring paper & pen to make notes – Guy will know where to source your favourites. Refreshments served before the meeting to allow members to catch up, plus pose & answer gardening questions. Members Free, Guests £4. wymondhamgardenclub@gmail.com
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077254060337
Tuesday 17th February
Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Talk about otter photography with Josh Jaggard
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Tuesday 24th February
Photographic Society 7:30pm-9:30pm, Dells Bowls Club
Monochrome evening of prints and PDI to be judged by club members.
wymondham-ps.org.uk
Wednesday 4th March
Art Society Demo with James Power 7pm, Catholic Church Hall
Jim is an accomplished equestrian artist and an active member of the Society of Equestrian Artists. In
the past, he has given us his marvellous demonstration ‘The Horse’ and a lovely Suffolk landscape. For 2026 he will be dealing with the intricacies of laying out a landscape and demonstrating the importance of tone to a successful painting.
wymondhamart.org
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