(Click pic for more,
photos by Sarah Prior)

On 7th September 2015 Graham Prior and seven other members of the 'Friends of St Mary's' who have been heavily involved in voluntary work for he church, travelled to London for Historic England's Angels Award Ceremony. The church was shortlisted in the category 'best rescue or repair of an historic place of worship' along with three other churches.

The ceremony took place at the Palace Theatre, and the judges were Andrew Lloyd Webber, Emma Bridgewater, George Clarke, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall ( Dean of Westminster), Dr Bettany Hughes, and Historic England's Chief Executive Duncan Wilson.

The Friends group were delighted when Songs of Praise presenter Connie Fisher opened the envelope to reveal that they had won the award, which was presented to Graham and May Prior by Connie and Dr John Hall.

A reception at Kettner's Bar followed the ceremony, and was much enjoyed by everyone.

The weekend event of 4th and 5th July was a great success. Visitors were arriving as soon as it opened and did not drift away until after 4pm on both days, an hour after it was scheduled to finish! There was much interest shown in the transformation of St Mary’s church especially from older residents who had known and regularly attended services before closure. One family had particularly fond memories because their parents were married here; the last wedding before closure. May and Graham Prior were in the church to explain renovation work to visitors and were happy that the work was finished in time for their daughter’s wedding a few weeks earlier.

There is a new Colenso exhibition on show together with a bust of the man. John Colenso was a rector of St Mary’s in 1846 before becoming Bishop of Natal (now South Africa) in 1853. This exhibition was curated by John Webster and the bust is on permanent loan to the church.

A lot of interest was also shown in the amount of WW1 memorabilia exhibited on behalf of Forncett History Group’s Great War Project, and Graham was also on hand all weekend to talk to people about them, together with Mike and Bill, two friends, one from the Western Front Association and all enthusiasts. Members of the History Group were also there.

The Timeline has been extended to June 1915 and is now permanently on show here. Work is in progress to complete the year 1915. Also on show were the Book of Remembrance and a DVD of photographs of the men named on Forncett’s war memorials. The highlight of Sunday was Nigel Amies’ appearance as a WW1 infantryman complete with authentic uniform, genuine WW1 drum and various artefacts. As well as demonstrating the equipment such a soldier needed to survive, people were able to handle and even wear objects. Nigel showed he had a very good singing voice and was an excellent drummer and communicator.

Many thanks go to all who lent exhibits, helped with the organisation, and made tea and excellent cakes, all ensuring this was a very successful weekend. We estimate about 200 people attended over the two days.

 
Photos by Su Leavesley
Click on pic for slideshow

Well what a day!! Jubilee Green was full of all the most interesting stalls - from bees to teddy bears, plants to bric-a-brac, and fun and games for all including target football, crockery smash and bouncy castle. The young ones (of all ages) really enjoyed the "stocks"( throwing wet sponges at the folks in the stocks), which degenerated into throwing buckets of water at the target.

As always there was excellent food to enjoy at the BBQ, as well as Tea & Cake in the hall and Tas Well Bar if you wanted something stronger. Some lovely vintage motorcycles were on display, as well as "guess the age of the lawn mower". So competitions, food, games and fun; what more could you want from a Village Fete? and the weather gods were on our side too. We were also treated to some lovely musical performances from Forncett School, Little Tractors and Gissing ballet in the centre ring.

Thanks to everyone who has helped us in any way: in the planning (with representatives of the Village Hall, School and 'Little Tractors'), hosting meetings, loan and transport of equipment, expertise, setting up the site, supplying prizes for the raffle and games, 'manning' stalls during the Fete, and clearing away afterwards.  Also, of course, to everyone who came along to support us and make all our combined efforts so worthwhile on what was a perfect day in a perfect setting.

Lots more photos in the 'Fete Supplement' of the July Forncett Flyer: Download just the Fete section here.

The spirit of the past in our close-knit community was re-awakened as the pleasant notes of the New Buckenham Silver Band wafted across the locality from St Edmund’s on Midsummer’s Day. Directed by Sam the band’s members were cosily accommodated beneath a marquee and played a wide-ranging medley of musical pieces orchestrated for brass-band, including marches, songs from shows and special pieces, like the one for three trombones. We should like to thank those who make the much admired cakes and the little band of helpers especially eagle- eyed Gabi, and our thanks too to Peter (and Paul!) for mowing the meadow impeccably for the event.

Click pic for slideshow
Photos by Su Leavesley

The Defibrillator is now available for use, in the old phone box at the bottom of Mill Road (opposite St Peter's Church, near the School). On Monday 30th March we had a photoshoot and official ‘launch' supported by several of those who have supported and worked on the project over the last year. Photos by Su Leavesley.

One training / awareness session has already taken place and more could be arranged if there is sufficient demand: these would be free events open to anyone (12 yrs and over) who would like to familiarise themselves with the equipment and find out about basic CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation) first aid. Please contact Julia (details below) if you are interested.

In the meantime, if someone suffers chest pain

• Call for assistance by dialling 999.
• Do not leave the patient alone.
• If it’s appropriate to get the defibrillator (the 999 operator will advise) then a code will be given to open the yellow defibrillator cabinet and access the machine to take to the patient.
• The defibrillator will clearly 'talk through' what to do as you operate it.
• Don't delay: Every second counts!

For further information or to enquire about training / information sessions, please contact Julia Hill, Thurston Cottage, Tabernacle Lane, Forncett St Peter, NR16 1LE (next door to Su): phone 01953 789944 or 07751030261: email:  

After months of renovation work, you will all be pleased to hear that St. Mary’s will once again be open every day from the beginning of May! A christening is taking place on Sat 2nd May, and a wedding on 6th June, but other days will be open to visitors as usual.

Click pic to see more

We are planning an open weekend on 4th and 5th July, so you can come along and talk to us about the restoration work, see all the stunning new stonework and repairs, and the new windows. The lych gate will also be fully completed by then. This will coincide with Forncett History Group’s WW1 timeline being moved to St. Mary’s from St. Peter’s church. The timetable for the weekend will be as follows:  Saturday 4th July – 11am-3pm Refreshments, raffle, large 2nd hand bookstall, WW1 artefacts on show, including medals, binoculars, war diaries, etc.  Sunday 5th July – 11am -3pm Refreshments, bookstall, and a special visitor – a WW1 soldier, in uniform, with his gun and other items, in the person of Nigel Amies who specialises in re-enactments and will be in the church to talk to visitors, and answer any questions.  Donations for refreshments welcome.

More dates for your diary:
Sunday 13th September - Service at St. Mary’s, time to be confirmed. The Bishop of Norwich will be joining us for a service to celebrate the restoration work and installation of the bell in memory of Tony Baines and Harold Turner.
Saturday 26th September - popular jazz band DixieMix will be returning to perform in the church at 7.30pm. Sure to be a sell out, so book your tickets early !Friday 4th December – Carols by Candlelight. We will once again be joined by Dolce choir and their director Philip Aldred.

Any queries about the church opening times, or any of the events, please contact us on 01508 481856 or .

Harry Barker and Rod Evans have built a lych gate as an entrance to the churchyard at St Mary's Church at Forncett. They started this project in October last year and it is now all but complete.

The Bishop of Norwich has agreed to lift the restriction on marriages at St. Mary's, so weddings can now take place without the need for a special licence.

photos by Su Leavesley.
(click pic for slideshow)

Excited children at St. Peter's Primary in Forncett have brought envelopes of pocket money into school to help raise funds for the village defibrillator. A special assembly was held today during which the children listened to a talk given by Steve Hammond of the East Anglia Ambulance Service Trust about the heart. Steve brought along a defibrillator and showed the children how it is used on a training dummy. The children were very interested and asked many questions during the talk. Following the assembly, children representing the School Council arranged the collection of coins and notes onto a large heart shape. Finally the children sorted and counted the coins and a total of £150.00 was found to have been raised.

The defibrillator is being provided by the Community Heartbeat Trust and will be installed in the old telephone box opposite the school and church. The project has been led by a Forncett couple, Julia Hill and Keith Fromings, and has been quickly embraced by the local community and £2,000 has now been raised with help from the Parish Council. It is hoped that it will be up and running very shortly.