In October we held our AGM, The Mayor Sue Hebborn who is also the society’s president was in attendance. Reports of the last AGM were read and approved, the chairman gave a report on the year’s activities and thanked the committee and our members who had given support to activities during the year, including the removal, refitting and reglazing of the Town Notice board in Chaston Place, which was funded from last year’s mayor’s fund.
The treasurer gave a report of the year’s financial activities and gave thanks to Mr D. Smith for auditing them, these were approved.
The mayor then took the chair for the election of officers, all existing members were re-elected to the same offices along with the additional member of the committee Pam Challand. Wendy Collins offered to assist with the Society’s publicity. David and Ruth Stapleton agreed to assist with the production of posters.
The mayor then gave some information on the additional duties the mayor finds they have when elected i.e. President of the Society.
A short talk followed and leaflets were handed out to Watton residents about the group looking into “Flood Defences” in Watton.
After some refreshments a fun quiz was held and prizes given to the first three teams with the highest team taking first choice.
WATTON SOCIETY PROGRAMME – NOVEMBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2023
All meetings at Watton Methodist Centre, 7.45 pm unless otherwise informed.
Wednesday, November 16th. 2022
FILM NIGHT WITH PHIL SLATER. This time we have chosen the following film clips, not necessarily in this order.
Three songs from George Formby 1936.
The Elephant will never forget, from a British Transport film, about London’s last tram week in July 1952.
The Proud Horses of Austria, 1963. A show by the Lipizzaner stallions of Vienna’s Spanish Riding School.
Watton Carnival, 1959
The Scout and Guide International Folk Dance Festival, 1947. Scouts and Guides from all over the world parade along the Mall before Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and Lady Baden-Powell. We then see the folk dance displays in Hyde Park.
Snowdrift at Bleath Gill. 1955. A steam train becomes snowbound on the North Pennines and has to be rescued.
The Sea Breaks Through 1938. About the costal flooding of East Anglia in February 1938.
There will be two parts approximately 35 minutes long with an interval.
Wednesday, December 21st. 2022
Annette Jude and Susie Turner, who have entertained us so delightfully in the past, will return for our Christmas meeting, with Susie’s lovely singing and Annette’s piano accompaniment. The cost for this meeting will be £8 for members and £10 for non-members. There will be Christmas refreshments.
Wednesday, January 18th. 2023
The Revd. Jacqui Horton, Superintendent to the Central Norfolk Methodist Circuit, will give her talk entitled ‘Churches and Conveniences’ about architect Augustus Scott, who was responsible for the design of Watton Methodist Church. The presentation will include pictures of Scott’s churches all over East Anglia, stories of the Scott family, including tragedy, scandal and church conflict, as well as some of Scott’s other work.
Wednesday, February 15th. 2023
Anne Mason, of Friends of Thetford Forest, will give a talk about the timber, wildlife, heritage and recreation associated with the forest.
Wednesday, March 15th. 2023
Roger Pugh (who told us about the tanks at Elveden) returns with ‘Uncle Sam’s Roots in Eastern England, on the links between East Anglia and the founding of the United States.
Wednesday, April 19th, 2023
Gavin Bickerton-Jones. Gavin will give his photography presentation entitled ‘Norfolk Wildlife Through the Lens’.
Wednesday, May 17th, 2023
Hazel Gillingham. Hazel will give her talk on Mary Seacole – The Other Nurse in the Crimea.
Wednesday, June 21st, 2023.
A VISIT TO ST MARY’S CHURCH, HOUGHTON ON THE HILL, BETWEEN WATTON AND SWAFFHAM.
PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING TIME IS 11.00 A.M.
A tour of this centuries old church and talk about its very interesting history, including the discovery of the wall paintings. DONATIONS MAY BE MADE ON THE DAY.
More information on this visit will be issued nearer the time, including directions.
July Meeting 2023
We are hoping to arrange a visit to Thetford Forest with Anne Mason, who is talking to us in February.
More information to follow.
AUGUST – NO MEETING.
Wednesday, 20th September 2023.
Mike Wabe will give us a talk that we have not had before, we are in the process of deciding which of his many talks and will give information on this nearer the time.
Wednesday, 18th October, 2023.
AGM and Quiz.
Wednesday, 15th November, 2023
Film Night.
Wednesday, 20th December, 2023.
Stuff and Folly with their Christmas Presentation.
Stuff and Folly, who presented their sketches and plays last June, now have a Christmas Presentation which they will bring to us. Who can forget their Famous Five sketch. More information to follow.
THE WATTON SOCIETY – WHAT IS IT, WHAT DOES IT DO, WHAT DOES IT COST?
The Watton Society is a club where people meet socially once a month and sometimes go on visits.
It meets on the third Wednesday of the month, except August, at 7.45 at the Methodist Centre. Sometimes we have speakers and sometimes we arrange something for ourselves, eg a fun quiz.
We do other things to support Watton, a Heritage Trail plaques and leaflet, a Watton in Bloom competition, a childrens poster competition.
Costs are small, subscriptions are £5 per annum, meeting costs are £2.50 for members
and £3.50 for non-members.
Occasionally, such as with the Christmas meeting, the cost on the door will be more.
You do not have to be a member to come to a meeting, just come along to anything that interests you.
Visitors welcome.
More information about us …
www.wattonsociety.org.uk
email – info@wattonsociety.org.uk
01953 882613