FORNCETT CONNECTIONS (FENS) MEEETING – 22 FEBRUARY 2020

Written by April Carlin and Ally Rae.

A meeting was arranged by the organisers of Forncett Connections, known as FENS, on Saturday, 22nd February at the Jolly Farmers, which hosts a popular weekly village Coffee Club. Representatives from various local organisations were asked to come along and give information on their activities to members of the public. The idea was to spread the word of the help available to everyone in the community from South Norfolk Council and also to inform newcomers to the area and any other interested parties about the various activities that are thriving in the village. Forncett is lucky to have so many clubs and groups which provide wonderful opportunities to make friends and join in with activities from gardening to line dancing, reading to bowls and WI. This is such an asset in a rural community where people can become isolated and lonely.

The Friends of St Peter’s Church, spearheading a campaign for the repair and refurbishment of our exceptional round towered church as a church and community hub, were represented by Gilly Barnes and April Carlin. They were armed with information about the importance of and needs of the church and membership application forms.  There was an excellent representation from the various organisations who intermingled and exchanged information with each other. Unfortunately very few new faces attended the meeting. Four or five other society members filled in Friends forms, so there was some success in adding to our numbers.  The object of the meeting, to inform newcomers about our vibrant village, probably needed different marketing to attract those not already actively involved in village life to come along. However, the friendliness of all the organisation representatives was wonderful.
April Carlin