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THE lack of a proper pole from which to fly a Union flag at half mast after the Queen died has prompted a call for one to be installed at the village hall as a memorial to her.

But because of the economic crisis the parish council is considering crowdfunding to pay for it.

Chairman Mark Bobby said at the October 26 meeting: “This is something that was highlighted during the period of mourning when the flagpole outside the village hall was slightly disappointing.”

Cllr John Smithson explained the pole was actually a rusty water pipe about 8ft tall that had to be extended with a broomstick and when the flag was flown at half mast it caused problems for people walking on the path outside the hall.

But it had led to the idea that a  new flagpole could be put up.

“Given Her Majesty’s reign of 70 years it would be nice to have a memorial.”

Inquiries had been made and the cost for the flagpole itself would be about £150 while installation would be £500.

“Given the current cost of living crisis it’s felt we can’t justify spending £700 at the moment,” he said.

But if something was going to be done to commemorate the Queen it was something it needed to be done quickly. “So we wondered about a pledge scheme to give people the chance to contribute towards it.”

He stressed people wouldn’t be asked to pay money up front, just to pledge an amount so if it went ahead the funding would be there.

THE first grey seal pup of the year was born a couple of weeks before the season at Horsey had officially started.

Seals have been gathering at their favourite pupping spot in recent weeks and part of the beach there is now under a voluntary closure with roped paths and viewing areas set up for the public.

ON October 26, some of the Winterton jeeps drove into Great Yarmouth market place to help with the start of the 2022 Poppy Appeal.    

This involved the Mayor of Yarmouth Graham Plant, representatives of the Royal British Legion, veterans of the armed forces and other dignitaries.

Local kids had fun climbing into the jeeps and many generous donations were received, to start off the appeal.

A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of the annual Salvation Army collection in Winterton.

Upset was caused after comments on a social media post advertising this year’s collection date suggested people should give to Martham Foodbank if they wanted their donations to go to local people.

Organiser Dawn Clegg confirmed: “It is going ahead. People have been asking so it seems they will still support it.”

Donors have supported the collection for more than 25 years with food, toys and Christmas treats for those in desperate need.

In his comments under the October 5 Facebook post Rev Dr Steven Sivyer said it was no longer true that Winterton people were helped by the Salvation Army’s foodbank because new boundaries had been agreed.

He wrote: “It is only right that if people want to give to others in their own village, that they are aware of which foodbank feeds them. It is also not fair to other villages who then have to give more to feed Winterton because the donations from Winterton are sent elsewhere.”

Dawn said: “The areas have only changed in recent months and it’s not something we have heard about. It’s never been raised before.

“My personal view is that I think we are all entitled to give to who we want to give to, but I fully understand where he is coming from.”

She explained the Salvation Army provided more than a foodbank.

The organisation works with rough sleepers and homeless people, offers debt advice, support for jobseekers and help for victims of domestic abuse.

Earlier this year it opened a community supermarket in Yarmouth, where parts of the borough have been listed among the most deprived areas in England.

Rev Sivyer told the newsletter: “It is important people are aware of where to go for help.”

“If people want to do a collection for the Salvation Army that’s great. The more that we do to help each other the better.

"I’m not trying to stop that," he said. "I’m just trying to stop the misinformation.”

He explained the foodbank, which has been renamed to reflect the fact it covers the area around the Flegg villages, was part of a larger network of organisations and people who went to it were signposted to other agencies for support. And because of the large and rural nature of the patch, supplies were delivered to people’s homes.

The Salvation Army collection is in two sessions on November 17, from 2pm to 4pm and 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the village hall. The list of suitable donations includes tinned and jar foods, pasta, cup soups, breakfast cereals, sweets and chocolate, household cleaning and laundry goods, toiletries, pet food, baby food, dried baby milk, nappies and new toys.

New adult and children’s clothing, sleeping bags and bedding are also welcome as well as clean second hand clothes in good condition that can be sold in the charity shop. Visit salvationarmy.org.uk/great-yarmouth for more.

Anyone wanting to give to the Flegg area foodbank can leave donations of tinned foods, toiletries and household cleaning goods at the back of the church when it is open through the year or visit: marthamchurches.org.uk for information.

WINTERTON won a surprise triple in the Great Yarmouth in Bloom awards, taking a gold for best village and two silver gilt certificates.

A delighted village In Bloom chairman Claire Thompson said: “We were told our certificates were in the post, but we didn’t know until they arrived what we’d won.”

Dealing with weeks of drought conditions presented a challenge and the team worked on several projects over the year. “But we managed to tick everything on our list,” she said.

That included painting the bus shelter, creating five new shingle beds with sustainable plants,

sanding down and repainting all the benches, staining planters and putting in fruit trees.

A wildlife hedge was installed on the village hall green and wildflower seed bombs were used around the village to give butterflies and bees a little help.

A Queen Elizabeth rose was planted on the green for the Diamond Jubilee and seven more were planted in the walled garden as a memorial to commemorate the seven decades of her reign.

Last year, as the country emerged from the Covid lockdowns, the

group installed raised, disabled-friendly planters.

As well the coveted gold, the village won silver gilts in the wildlife/ conservation and allotments categories.

John Smithson, the parish councillor responsible for the allotments said the award was a huge boost.  “I think the addition of a water supply must have made a difference,” he said, paying special tribute to the volunteers who put in the physical work to install it.

“We’re very fortunate to have these allotments and it’s great that they are affordable.”

He added that his own plot, which has been used to grow flowers, is to become a haven for birds and will be maintained by Winterton birdwatchers.

In Bloom is not applying for tourism board funding because no major projects are planned, but it is looking for sponsors to help with the cost of buying plants for next year’s displays.

Anyone interested can email: chair@wintertononseainbloom.co.uk for information.

A FLOCK of twitchers descended on Winterton when a rare Blue Rock Thrush was spotted – the first recorded in Norfolk.

The immature bird, first spotted by Sean Offord on October 20, didn’t stay long.

It stopped for a short break at the Hermanus and there was a later sighting when it dropped by the church.

Rev Dr Steven Sivyer

The early arrival, photographed by Sandy Cowley, was born on October 24.

Pups weigh an average 12 to 14 kg at birth and by the time they are weaned, having been fed milk that is 50 to 60 per cent fat, they can be 45kg. Their distinctive white fur gradually changes to a waterproof adult coat at that stage and they can finally go into the water and learn to fish.

Birders’ cars packed the holiday complex car park and they could be seen walking around the centre of the village peering into trees and gardens in a bid to catch a glimpse of the visitor.

Blue Rock Thrushes, the national bird of Malta, are widespread in southern Europe but much more rare in the UK. They normally nest in cavities in rocks and buildings close to the sea.

The thrush isn't the only Norfolk "first" Sean's recorded in Winterton. In 2008 he saw a rare Black Lark. The sighting of the native Russian bird made national headline news.

A SMART new Union flag flew from the tower of the parish church today as people gathered for a short but moving act of remembrance at the war memorial below.

Names of villagers lost in two world wars were read out, wreaths were laid and the Last Post was sounded by Marine Cadet Henry Brooker.

Members of the jeep group turned out with their vehicles before heading to a Remembrance Sunday parade in Yarmouth.

The flag was bought for the church by Di Jones and her sons Colin, Keith, David and Simon in memory of their dad Blue and brother Roger.

The lack of a suitable Union flag for the church was highlighted by the death of the Queen. After chatting with the church wardens Di decided she wanted to get one.

She explained: “I can see it out of my bedroom window and it reminds me of my family.”

TABLES almost groaned under the weight of donations when the village held its annual Salvation Army collection.

Food, toys, Christmas treats, clothes and lovingly crafted blankets were handed over at the village hall on November 17 – and it’s thought the total could be around a third higher than last year.

For the first time the collection was split into two sessions in the afternoon and evening and the tables were largely full by 3pm. Several people came in with cash donations and Lidl at Caister donated a case of food. A delighted organiser Dawn Clegg said there had been a huge turnout.

Corps Sgt Maj Pat Kane was moved by the amount given by Winterton. She said: “I think people are more aware of the need at the moment.”

The organisation had close to 500 children in the Yarmouth area to provide toys for, from babies to 16-year-olds.

Her colleague Rosemary Sutherland said every little donation was important. “It helps us to help others.”

Dawn Clegg, this year’s organiser of the Salvation Army collection and Rosemary Sutherland, from the Salvation Army, with some of the many donations brought to the village hall on November 17.

TODAY'S annual Chitterrunners' meal was a fish and chip lunch at the Church Room. It was attended by more than 30 people, but this year may be the last if new helpers can't be found.

Organiser for 11 years, Sandra Laws, (pictured centre front), is standing down. Sandra paid tribute to Adrian and Lynne Collins, from Winterton Fish Bar, for helping to make this year's meal a success.

Anyone interested in helping to keep the event going should contact Honorary President Jane Roberts, née Hodds, via Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/jane.roberts.90410

PEOPLE struggling with the rising cost of food and rocketing utility bills are being urged not to wait until they’re in dire straits before seeking help.

Rev Steven Sivyer, who has taken charge of the Winterton parish, told councillors six people in Winterton had been helped by the food bank in Martham, but no one was asking for help at the moment.

“I don’t believe there is no one in Winterton that is having to decide whether to heat or eat,” he said.

He explained he started the food bank in the pandemic after being told at a school harvest festival that not all families who needed help could get to the foodbank in Yarmouth where all the groceries people had donated were headed.

But pride meant people tended to leave it until almost too late before they sought assistance. “I would urge people to come to us before then. He said the food bank worked with other organisations to help deal with underlying problems as well as providing food.

And he urged friends and neighbours to play their part by spreading the word. “If you see someone who you think is beginning to struggle don’t wait until it’s desperate and they’ve got nothing in the house whatsoever.”

The food bank, which has recently been renamed to make it clear it covers the Flegg area, is based in Martham. It has a collection point at the back of the church, available when the church is open. There are also points at the Co-op in Kings Way, Hemsby and the Co-op on the Green in Martham. It accepts tinned food and non-perishable foods, toiletries, soups, household cleaning items and sweets.

Visit: marthamchurches.org.uk/foodbank/ for more details.