A selection of news and other articles with 'no particular place to go'!
Himalayan Balsam - a special request from the 'Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative'
This article is taken from the recent Norfolk Association of Local Councils update, via Forncett Clerk Anne Rayner
In Norfolk there are several Invasive Non-Native Species which pose a threat to our unique ecosystems and wildlife. One of the main “culprits” is Himalayan Balsam. This plant, which is native to India was introduced to the UK in 1839. It spreads through exploding seed pods and as it grows to more than 3 metres tall, it shades out most native plants where it is growing. The plant usually grows along watercourses and as it dies back in the winter, this leaves bare soil which is then vulnerable to erosion, causing bankside instability and adding sediment to the water. This can have a knock on effect on aquatic plants and may prevent some fish from being able to breed successfully. Studies have also shown that bees prefer this plant and when it is growing in an area, native plants may not be pollinated as a result of bees ignoring them to favour the Himalayan balsam.
The plant can be identified from its pink to white flowers, tall stalks with red stemmed leaves and cocoon shaped seed pods.
At Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative we are trying to map the plants spread across the county, as once we know where it currently is, we are going to take action to stop it in its tracks with the aim of eventually eradicating it. This is the best time of year to spot the plant, when it is at its tallest and flowing. If you think you have seen it growing in your area, please take a photograph (if it is safe to do so) and send this along with the location to
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- Written by: Brian Frith
On Sunday May 7th 2023, an event was organised to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.
With the help of a grant from South Norfolk Council, a tree was bought and planted on 'Jubilee Green' at the Village Hall, followed by 'tea and cakes' in the Hall. About 60 people attended. Thanks to Tree Warden, Robert Hosea, for sourcing and preliminary planting of the tree, to Bev and Keith Humphreys for 'doing the honours' and 'Friends of St Peters' for supplying the majority of the cakes (including the celebration 'Coronation Cake' - and all others who helped in any way.
Photos taken by Phil Whiscombe (unless otherwise indicated) and reproduced here with his permission
If you have photos of other events and would like them added to the slideshow, please contact me at
Click the image below for the slideshow
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- Written by: Brian Frith
National Grid is planning to put elecricity pylons 50m high through Forncett as it links off-shore power generation to London.
You can stop them:
- Sign the petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/say-no-to-180km-of-essex-suffolk-norfolk-pylons-and-build-a-strategic-offshore-grid
- Check out the Action Groups:
- Essex Suffolk Norfolk Group website and Facebook group
- Forncett & South Norfolk Group -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Facebook Group
- Share, share, share!
- Put up banners or posters - get them here
- Make a noise on social media
- Write to your MP:
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- Written by: Martin Starkie, Ally Rae
A selection of images from HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Forncett - June 2022
Most photos taken by Phil Whiscombe and reproduced here with his permission
Apologies that it has taken so long to get the photos together and work out how put them into the 'slideshow' format!
Much has happened since early June - we were worried about rain (in fact many local celebrations scheduled for Sunday 5th June were called off). Little did we know how the summer would turn out with its record breaking high temperatures and drought conditions.
Queen Elizabeth II was able to play some part in her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, but sadly she died on 8th September, and was succeeded by her son King Charles III. Hopefuly this collection of images from Forncett will bring back happy memories of a joyful time of celebration of a long reign and a life devoted to service to our Country and the Commonwealth.
If you have photos of other events and would like them added to the slideshow, please contact me at
Click the image below for the slideshow: Photos, with thanks, by Phil Whiscombe, unless otherwise indicated
This seems to work best on a desktop / laptop
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- Written by: Brian Frith
On one of my morning walks with Nutmeg four or five weeks ago I came across a wounded kestrel at the bottom of the Sewage works footpath. It had a badly damaged right eye, it couldn’t fly and its only defence was digging its very sharp talons into my fingers.
I wasn’t sure how to deal with a wild bird in this state. After a couple of attempt to pick it up – including the bloody fingers – I tried putting my handkerchief over its eyes which calmed it enough for me to hold it. It didn’t really struggle for the whole way home but looked in a really bad way.
Via the Norfolk Wildlife Trust who recommended a lovely man who said he couldn’t do anything for the bird but put me in touch with a raptor rescue specialist called Jo. Jo runs the Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue and came over to look at my female kestrel that afternoon. She took one look at it and pronounced that there was nothing she could do. The poor bird apparently had something that sounded to my deaf ears like Trowse Trichosis. I later found out it is actually called Frounce Trichomoniasis – a horrible virus endemic in pigeons who are not affected by it. It is thought, after much research, that where pigeons drink they leave a trace of the virus and if a raptor drinks soon after the raptor can catch it. In raptors it leads to blindness, damaged hearing, weakness, digestive problems and death. Great disappointment.
However the lovely Jo said she would try. There might be a small chance that a course of anti-biotics might help alongside intensive care and careful feeding. She took the female kestrel away and I thought that would be the last I would see of her.
About two weeks Later Jo phoned to say that, against all expectations, our kestrel was responding to treatment and was getting stronger. This week (last week in October) Jo rang again with the amazing news that she (the kestrel that is) was ready for release. Today, 29th October Jo brought her here and we released her by the bridge where I found her. It is Jo’s policy to release the birds she rescues from the place where it was found – seems eminently sensible. After a bit of a struggle to get out of the box she flew off in a big arc and landed in a tree by the footpath. Apparently that was a good release. She looked strong and happy to be flying again. Pity it was raining but preferable to release in rain than keep too long in captivity.
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The big lesson to me was to have acted quickly. Another few hours may have triggered a less happy outcome. If you find yourself in similar circumstances please do act quickly.
Jo at Phoenix can be contacted on 07914 661385 and her website is www.phoenixbirdofpreyrescue.org.
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- Written by: Terry Hickman Smith (as published in the Forncett Flyer November 2020)
On Sunday we had a virtual Open Gardens in Forncett via our Facebook page as the real event couldn’t be held. We had no idea how it would be received or indeed if members would post their photos on the D and D Facebook page. It was a real success and we are going to share a selection of the photos from members of the group and from the allotments who were going to start off the event. Thank you everyone for agreeing to share your photos on the Forncett website which can be seen on the Virtual Open Gardens Page.
Margaret Hickman Smith.
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Forncett has an amazingly rich history that has been documented in detail over the years by the Forncett History Group and especially by its Chairman, John Webster. However much of this history is not widely known and in recent discussions the History Group decided that a dedicated web site would help to address this. Our new website is now live at www.forncetthistory.net and we hope that lots of people, both within the village and much further afield, will take the time to visit it. The site can be viewed on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or phones.
This is a project that is very much “in progress” so please revisit the site from time to time to see what’s new. We are also very keen to have input and feedback. If you find any errors, or if there are topics or stories that you think we could include please let us know. We are also always very interested in historical photos of Forncett – both of places and people. You can get in touch through the “Contact Us” section of the web site or by emailing me (
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- Written by: Mike Merrick – Secretary, Forncett History Group
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- Written by: Phil Whiscombe and Son