Despite the gloomy weather and potential sombre subject matter, three visitors joined 30 members last week to hear a talk by Paul Fisher and Jason Davies of Ivan Fisher Funeral Directors. They explained how the business was established in 2005, originally based in Hethersett, later expanding with branches in Aylsham and Hingham.

In the intervening years, society’s attitude towards funerals has changed, with a significant decline in church services. Currently, around 75% of their business is cremations and 25% burials. The cost of an average funeral is now around £4,500.

“Direct” cremations, where no service is involved, are on the increase and account for around 20% of all cremations. There are differing opinions to this approach, prompting Paul to advise that before making any final decision, it is imperative to discuss one’s wishes with family to avoid any unforeseen upsetting reactions.

During an interactive Q&A session, several interesting facts came to light. Following cremations any “metal” pieces, such as replacement joints, etc., remain. Several crematoria recycle these and donate proceeds to charity; for example, St Faiths Crematorium gives to The Clare School, Norwich.

It is also a misapprehension that all donated organs will be utilised. Sadly, only around 40% are used for transplants or research; much depends on the age and cause of death of the donor. Where organs are given a “new life”, the funeral director makes discreet arrangements with the recipient entity, after which the funeral can then take place.

This was a thought-provoking meeting. All agreed there is a reluctance to discuss “death” in any great detail. But doing so openly with loved ones can avoid further distress at an already emotional time.

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7.30 pm in St Michael’s, Reepham. The next speaker on Thursday 19 March will be Francis Holmes, who will give a talk on “The Story of the Norwich Boot and Shoe Trade”.

Dee Taylor

Image: Pixabay

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Following an informative speaker programme last year, with such diverse talks on scams (and how to avoid them), the Six Wives of Henry VIII and a look behind the scenes at Peter Beale’s rose stand at the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower shows, not to mention a tutorial on how to apply “drag” make-up, the 2026 Reepham WI schedule kicked off with a visit by Jo Daffin from Phoenix Birds of Prey Rescue.

Jo shared how Phoenix Rescue was set up in 2013 for the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured birds of prey. After appropriate care, administered by their team of falconers, birds are released back into the wild.

Species that have benefited from the charity’s work include kestrels, hen harriers, sparrowhawks and buzzards as well as tawny owls and barn owls. As an example Jo brought along several birds they have rescued, including a long-eared owl and a spectacled owl.

The talk was followed by a brief explanation of each of the resolutions put forward by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, on which members were then asked to vote. These were:

• call for more accessible public toilet facilities;
• action on women’s homelessness;
• Nearer to Nature (green health);
• Love your Vulva (prevention of vulva cancer);
• Every Child Needs a Friend (befriending children in the care system).

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7.30 pm in St Michael’s, Reepham. The next talk, on Thursday 19 February, will be “Stories and Insights” by Ivan Fisher Funeral Directors.

Pictured above: Jo Daffin of Phoenix Birds of Prey Rescue. Photo: Jane Wheeler

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Having nurtured his passion for ceramics and glass, David was approached to curate a specialist auction. Thereafter he expanded his knowledge and interest in other objets d’art and sundry items coming through the sale rooms.

He explained that the business, founded by Geoffrey Key in 1953, started out by trading livestock, mainly poultry. In the 1960s the business expanded to include a weekly “furniture” sale, over time introducing art, jewellery, antiques and other niche auctions.

The impact of Covid has increased online sales significantly, with bidders from all over the world. Some bizarre items have gone under the hammer: a lock of Nelson’s hair, a pair of Churchill’s false teeth, a piece of royal wedding cake and Princess Diana’s bicycle to name just a few.

David explained how trends come and go. Certain genres of art, ornaments and furniture are now not so sought after, whereas gold and silver, as well as Chinese ceramics, are currently in high demand.

His advice is to buy what you will enjoy and never be tempted to bid more than you can afford. If selling, being able to provide provenance can greatly enhance the value of an item.

When our June speaker, Brian Chattern, first started working in “weights and measures”, the most serious offences were diluting milk and alcohol with water. He explained that these days scams are significantly more serious, targeting personal bank accounts, last year costing those affected £11 billion.

Various insidious ways are used to obtain details such as names, addresses, bank account numbers, debit/credit card details and passwords. The most common ruses are impersonating a family member or friend in urgent need of funds, your bank and HMRC. Calls from “Amazon” and texts from bogus courier companies have also featured. Romantic “liaisons” and selling services and products that do not exist, such as holidays and concert tickets, are also rife.

Brian encouraged all to be extremely wary and carry out checks before divulging any information, for instance making a call to the business’s official number, if possible from a different phone. Never ever share passwords.

Useful numbers if you think you have been scammed are:

• Report scam texts: 7726
• Forward scam emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk
• Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
• Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
• Financial Conduct Authority: 0800 111 6768

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7.30 pm in St Michael’s, Reepham. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 17 July, when a representative from Broadland District Council will give guidance on recycling.

Dee Taylor

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The founder, John Jarrold, opened a grocers and drapers business in Woodbridge in 1770. He kept copious notes, most pertinently rules on how to be a good tradesman that are still relevant today.

John Jarrold passed away in 1775 after which his wife, Elizabeth, ran the business until their son, John Jarrold II, was old enough to take over. This he did in 1794, expanding the business into farming and printing.

He purchased Grove Farm in Suffolk in the early 1800s, where he installed a printing press, while moving the retail business to 13 Cockley Lane (now London Street), Norwich, in 1823. With his four sons, John James, Samuel, William and Thomas, involved in the business, the focus was on selling books, publishing and printing.

Jarrolds moved to its present site on London Street in 1840, with a gradual expansion over adjacent buildings in the years since. Interestingly, at one time the caretaker lived above the store, with a rose garden and fish pond on the roof.

The family has continued to expand, with sons taking control of various interests, including publication of Norfolk News, the forerunner of Archant, the former publisher of Eastern Daily Press. Another notable publication in 1878 was Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, an all-time children’s favourite.

On Samuel’s retirement, he handed over the business to his sons, William and Herbert, who further developed it into a substantial retail concern, with branches in Cromer, Sheringham and Lowestoft; Cambridge was to follow later.

The printing operation was enhanced by the Victorians, who favoured “Poppyland” as a holiday destination, with the requirement for guide books and postcards.

At the height of its success, this arm of the business, latterly based at St James Mill, Norwich, employed 1,500 people. The printing and publishing divisions were sold in 2005, although the site continues as the company’s headquarters.

As well as remaining one of the few independent department stores in the UK, Jarrolds has more recently ventured into property development and business services, with members of the family, now daughters as well as sons, still heavily involved in its management.

In 1965 the John Jarrold Trust was established, donating millions to various charities throughout Norfolk.

Reepham WI meetings are held at St Michael’s, Reepham, at 7.30 pm on the third Thursday of the month.

Dee Taylor

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At Helen’s first book signing in October 2022 her cousin gifted her a leather journal, with the inscriptions “Cromer” and “J.M.S.” on the cover. This book, dated 1883/4, contained sketches of daily life on Cromer beach. Given Helen’s earlier “detective” work, her quest for further information about the artist was ignited.

By coincidence, another copy of the sketch book came up for auction which Helen later procured. This edition was annotated by a previous owner with clues as to the surname of the artist and also of the folk featured in the sketches.

By painstaking research, Helen determined the paintings were done by Juliet Seebohm, the granddaughter of a German immigrant, of Quaker stock. Juliet, her parents and siblings spent summer holidays with their cousins, the Barclays – members of the “Cromer Set”. In those days, Cromer was a genteel “fishing port” frequented by wealthy families such as the aforementioned Barclays and the Gurneys, Hoares among others.

During the summer of 1883, when Juliet was in her 20s, she spent time capturing, through her exquisite drawings, the activities of working folk and visitors alike.

Helen’s book, Fishermen, Bathers and Beach Folk, contains comprehensive historic detail. The most fascinating anecdotes were about “Old Billy”, a well-known local crab fisherman who, despite having “clubfoot” and not being able to swim, up to his 80s gave swimming lessons to youngsters, as well as goat and donkey rides on the beach.

Another standout was Lucy Miller, an entrepreneurial lady, who owned a number of bathing machines. Women, wearing cumbersome crinolines, were relieved on hot summer days to rent a bathing machine in which they changed into hired (wool!) bathing costumes, before the contraption was wheeled out into the sea for a refreshing dip.

Other fascinating characters touched on in the book are Professor Vinogradoff, an academic, the sailor Mayes Brothers and fisherman Gilbert “Leather” Rook, as well as giving an insight into Victorian life in what is still a popular seaside town.

Reepham WI’s next meeting will be held at St Michael’s, Reepham at 7.30 pm on Thursday 10 April – a week earlier than usual – with a talk by Peter Goodrum on 250 years of Jarrolds.

Dee Taylor

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Angela Bishop, who has previously presented to the Sunshine Memory Café, brought along an array of nostalgic mementoes, reminding many of those present of their carefree, teenage years.

I wonder how many of today’s teenagers have seen LPs, portable box record players, chrome-adorned Vespas or original Mini Coopers? – with the obligatory Union Jack roof, of course!

The import of American “pop” took over from the big bands of our parents’ generation, with British artists such as Dusty Springfield, Cliff Richard then the Beatles and Rolling Stones among others ruling the airwaves.

A number of women shared their encounters with their favourite “crush”, the hours spent listening to the offshore “pirate” Radio Caroline and on Saturdays bopping away to the latest hits in record-shop booths. Top of the Pops and Ready Steady Go were the programmes to watch for the latest dance craze.

Fashion took a huge leap from the frumpy attire of the post-war years to girls wearing daring mini skirts, hot pants, knee-high white boots and into the 70s with hippy, “boho” styles. Icons such as Twiggy, Mary Quant and latterly Barbara Hulanicki of Biba led the way.

Angela brought a selection of vintage dresses, probably similar to those taking pride of place in our wardrobes back in the day; these memories caused much hilarity.

This was also a decade of more freedom for women globally. Gloria Steinem in America and Germaine Greer in the UK were social and political activists, promoting feminism and equality – campaigns which still continue to this day in sectors such as the workplace and sports.

All and all, we all agreed it was great fun being part of the “Swinging Sixties”.

Reepham WI meets at 7.30 pm on the third Thursday of the month at St Michael’s, Reepham. On 20 March our speaker will be Phyllida Scrivens, giving a talk on the Great Thorpe Railway Disaster of 1874.

Dee Taylor

Photo: Helen Bailey

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James’s presentation included a number of seasonal images such as a variety of weird and wacky Christmas trees, made from all sorts of bizarre materials; for example, one in Wells made from 200 lobster pots which took two days to build.

There were other memorable tales, the most moving of which was of the Christmas truce held during the First World War, when English and German troops briefly ceased gunfire, played football, exchanged greetings and together sang Stille Nacht/Silent Night.

James gave further insight to other memorable Christmas traditions; for instance, White Christmas, originally recorded by Bing Crosby and covered by numerous other artists, has sold more than 100 million copies over the years; that the origins of Oh Holy Night are about slavery; and how Gilbert first met Sullivan and went on to have a successful partnership. He also cited the Longfellow poem I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day: poignant words but sadly too long to quote here.

James closed his presentation with bygone images of horse-drawn sleighs dashing through the snow – happy days indeed when children used to skate on frozen ponds and build snowmen without fear of any climate change disasters.

The first meeting of this year was the annual debate on which national WI campaign to support. Four topics were tabled: “Let’s talk about incontinence”; “Bystanders can be lifesavers (knowledge of CPR)”; “Join the repair revolution (upcycling clothes)”; and “Eliminate landfill of medication packaging”.

The 33 members in attendance voted on their preferred resolution. The one with the most votes will be put forward for consideration, alongside submissions from other WI groups nationwide, with the most popular being adopted by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes at its AGM later this year.

Thereafter members had time to socialise; some played board games and enjoyed refreshments before the meeting was brought to a close.

The next meeting of Reepham WI will be held on Thursday 20 February at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham. Following the AGM, guest speaker Angela Bishop will give members “A trip down memory lane”.

Dee Taylor

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After WI business was dealt with and refreshments served, Brenda Gostling hosted a creative and entertaining quiz, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

With Christmas fast approaching, members of the WI craft club have been busy in recent weeks creating festive wreaths, which are now on display in the Art Room at the Bircham Centre.

This year’s theme is “Nursery Rhymes” – we enjoyed making them and we hope you enjoy seeing them, while perhaps reminiscing about your own childhoods. These wreaths will be for sale, with proceeds going to support the Bircham Centre. Please see the Bircham Centre Charity Shop for further details.

Craft club members have also made decorations for the WI tree, part of the Christmas Tree Festival, to be held in St Mary’s Reepham from 4–8 December. Hope to see you there!

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham. December’s meeting will be held a week early on Thursday 12 December. This festive gathering will feature James Stebbings, with a presentation on “Sentiments of Christmas”.

Dee Taylor

Photo: Dee Taylor

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He introduced his talk by sharing that he has given talks in America on the cottage garden, where they have formed a romanticised vision of what a typical English cottage garden is, influenced by the watercolour paintings by the Victorian artist, Helen Allingham. Her “chocolate box” images often include a young maiden in a bonnet, outside a thatched cottage surrounded by pretty flowers, with no vegetables or compost heaps in sight.

The medieval cottage garden could not be further from this perception. The dwellings, home to some 90% of the population who were peasants, were small, often housing a family of up to 13 children, with livestock sharing the inside warmth during winter months.

The land surrounding the cottage was laid out with raised beds, planted solely with produce to sustain the family, such as onions, cabbages and leeks. Herbs were important, used for flavouring the basic one-pot meals, as well as for medicinal purposes.

It was not until around 1557 that Thomas Tusser wrote a book on good husbandry, and under the influence of Henry VIII gardens became more elaborate with fruit trees and flowers introduced for more decorative uses. Rare species were brought to the UK from countries such as China, Turkey and South America.

Potatoes were not introduced until 1830; shrubs did not make an appearance until 1870/80. This period was the high point of the English cottage garden, with productivity and utility, as well as beauty, of equal importance.

County Life magazine came into being around this same, igniting the creation of “show” gardens – with space gradually given over to lawns and ornaments there was little space for growing vegetables. But as times and diets changed gardeners once again yearned to grow their own produce, hence the creation of allotments, certainly a popular pastime in Reepham.

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham. The next meeting on Thursday 21 November will be the AGM, followed by an interactive quiz hosted by Brenda Gostling.

Dee Taylor

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There are three magistrates’ courts in Norfolk: Norwich, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth. Magistrates, some 12,000 in the UK, are volunteers aged between 18 and 75 and come from all walks of life; more than 50% are women. There are three magistrates at each sitting, with the benefit of additional counsel from a legal adviser.

Cases are heard in the criminal, civil, family and youth courts, such as anti-social behaviour, non-payment of council tax, domestic abuse and vulnerable children. The magistrates also deal with appeals against other bodies, such as contesting parking fines.

Around 95% of all criminal cases are dealt with in the magistrates’ courts. Defendants, if they plead guilty or are found guilty, usually receive a fine or a community service order – the court can also impose a maximum of 12 months imprisonment for a first offence.

However, it is the aim of the magistracy to encourage rehabilitation and reduce reoffending by avoiding prison sentences. More serious offences are referred to the Crown Court.

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham.

Dee Taylor

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