Forncett celebrates the Jubilee

And how we celebrated! It rained; it was cold; but if the Queen could stand it on that boat (sorry, barge) on the Thames, then who are we to grumble?

Preparations began rather late. There was no time to search for missing items - like the instructions on how to build the party tent. One hundred (at least) plastic and metal bits and pieces were tipped out onto the lawn, and the Best Brains in Forncett wandered around looking at them. Some of the tent poles were labelled 1a, some 2a; then again there were the 4s and the 3s. The Best Brains in Forncett began linking the poles together and tripping over each other until something suspiciously like a geodesic dome that had been sat on, rose from the ground.

The Best Brains in Forncett retired to a quiet corner to regroup and assess progress, (slightly less than nil) leaving the Second in Command Team (those who confessed never to have been Girl Guides) to dismantle the thing. One of the women went off in her car to recruit two further Best Brains and soon the shoving together of poles resumed. There was a key to it, if only people would stop shoving 1a’s into 2a’s while others were running round with 4’s declaring that they must be legs as they had feet on: anyone knows you build these things from the top down. The ‘crown piece’ was identified at last, and while the correct bits began to be identified and positioned, I ran around with a notebook and pen making notes with a view to re-creating instructions for next time and to avoid doing any real work. I was a girl-guide, but that’s another story mainly involving tying people up and setting fire to them). Eventually there arose from the grass a four-foot high party tent suitable for hobbits. A search went out for the poles designated 3 and 4 to generate lift, and ensure that anyone over 3 feet eleven inches tall would be able to gain access.

Meanwhile two clever-dicks had managed to erect the other party tent (probably sourced from the early learning centre) in the time it took us to tip the 100 (at least) bits out of the kit-bag. They were using their tent for support as they tried to disguise the fit of hysterics while we played cat’s cradle with the guy ropes around our feet.

Inside the Village Hall Sarah and Matt were risking getting the bends as they performed the balloonblowing- up-in-record-time ceremony while Jade stood on anything that didn’t wobble too much to pin them up. Sellotape might have been better, judging by the loud bangs. Observing our ‘it will be alright on the night’ philosophy we decamped and went our separate ways home.

Whether the celebration was a success is for you to decide; I think the photos say it all. And on that subject, there will be a book of photographs and memories and recollections produced in a few weeks’ time, with all the right names in (mostly) the right place, with the usual culprits identified. Some of the photos will be mine, but I want as many of you as possible to send me your pictures for possible inclusion in this book. One copy of it will be placed in the official village archives for future generations to see, and one copy is to be given as a raffle prize. Other copies will be available; the cost is likely to be £30 to £40 per copy, so start saving up! The copy offered in the raffle was won by Deborah Sutton of Forncett.

Don't worry if you think your photos are not good enough; even a ‘bad’ photo can be worthy of inclusion – and there’s always Photoshop! Email them to me at: or bring them round to me on a flash-stick, whatever you can manage. Su Leavesley, The Last Homely House, Tabernacle Lane, Forncett End, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 1LE. Phone 01953 789752

In (unexpectedly!) favourable weather on Monday afternoon, twenty enthusiastic and athletic teams, totalling about eighty people, including children and adults of all ages, tackled the treasure hunt devised by Bob McClenning and Brian Frith. Over a three mile route on the quiet roads around the Village Hall, twelve clues (written in beautiful rhyming verse, worthy of any ‘Rupert’ book!) led to cards that bore words which had to be re-arranged into a sentence to claim the prize.

There was fierce competition, especially over the final clue – to the extent that some teams made a (frequently wrong) guess at the answer in an effort to get ‘home’ in the shortest time! In the end the top two teams each completed the task successfully in just under an hour. It was a busy scene in and around the Village Hall as team members, sustained by the Tas Well Bar, teas, coffees, biscuits and chocolates from ‘The Lady in the Car’, waited anxiously for the self proclaimed time-keepers, judges and scrutineers (Bob and Brian) to announce the results.

Thanks to all who turned out to make the event such a success – and to all who helped in any way. Text and photos by Brian Frith Forncett Jubilee Treasure Hunt

The weather was very kind on Saturday morning, and sunshine brought out numbers of people for a brisk sale of home-made goodies. By noon most of the cakes had disappeared leaving just a few for afternoon visitors.

It was a great treat to have talented violinist Alex Preece playing ‘live’ music from the classical to popular and I understand plans may be afoot to ask Alex to play at a more formal event in the village on another occasion. Look out for this!

Over the four Jubilee days, the interior of St.Peter’s Church was awash with perfume and colour from the beautiful ‘Celebration’ flower arrangements created by a talented team. In addition was a display of highly original arrangements in small containers entered by children as part of a competition. Visitors to the Festival were invited to mark their favourite to establish the winner.

We are indebted to all those who made a huge contribution in giving their support to the festival. Thanks go to Those who spent time and effort creating the beautiful flower displays, having donated all the blooms used. The bakers of the delicious cakes, which needed little temptation to buy. Again all donated by goodwill. Those, who behind the scenes, worked hard to make St. Peter’s look its very best, from the churchyard to the interior. And for the loan and erection of the marquee. All the visitors to St. Peter’s church. 

We didn’t start applying for funding until the eleventh hour: Forncett Parish Council pulled out all the stops, and found some money for us – thanks very much Parish Council, your donation made all the difference. Also we would like to thank Norfolk County Council for their generous donation: Forncett Jubilee celebrations have been well supported by the Norfolk Year of Celebrations Fund. Also thanks are due for the support and encouragement of advertisers who contributed to the programme, and to Antony Land whose bakery supplied the fabulous giant cake, and Bev Spratt for opening the newly-named Jubilee Green. All the Jubilee committee members worked hard and fast to get these events in place: the list of names would take me to page 3 at least! With only a few hours to get this ready for publication, I am bound to forget somebody, and I can only apologise in advance for any omission.

Photographs by Su Leavesly - Clcik on the pics to enlarge them.