We think Ethel is Forncett's oldest resident. Ethel is well known for many reasons, some of them of course being that she is well-loved, charming, wise and has been involved with village life for decades. She is also mum to Andrew, with whom she lives opposite the school, and David and Jill. Jill lives just along the road.

Ethel on her 90th Birthday   Photo: Su Leavesley

Ethel was born in 1928 (she told me to 'do the maths!') So at 94 she has many memories which reach back to a world which was very different to what we know today. Ethel spent her young life, until her marriage, in Great Moulton, moving to Forncett in 1953. She was the eldest of 5 and grew up on a farm. Her father, she told me, was 'incredibly kind, but strict.' I thought that sounded a perfect combination. Ethel talked to me of a child's world of great freedom and hard work. If something was needed around the farm, then the family would bring ingenuity to bear on whatever materials were lying about and make it themselves. Dad was particularly practical, able to extend the home as the family increased. Families were larger then, 5 children was not thought of as unusual. The village school took pupils from 5 years until they were 14 and the building still stands in Moulton, although these days it is no longer a school.

There were always jobs to be done on the farm, and children would help as soon as they were able; but the countryside was idyllic - these were the days of flower meadows, even the road verges and banks had a profusion of sweet scented wild flowers. It was only necessary to cut the hay meadows just before harvest. There was very little traffic, most people cycled or caught the bus. Ethel's father did have a car however and would regularly take produce to Norwich, returning with fresh orders from shops and boarding houses. Harvest would have been one of the most important times in the farming calendar and would not have looked substantially different when Ethel was young to harvest hundreds of years ago. The world of farming used the power of horses, supremely important on the land. Also, many hands were needed for harvest, nobody would have been idle. Her father however was an early pioneer, as he had a tractor, and would help other local farmers.

When Ethel did get married, it was on the day of the Cup Final, 1953. Ethel's husband was a keen football fan, as was the Reverend Bridges, who announced that he would conduct the marriage on that day on condition there was a radio at the reception! I asked Ethel if her husband minded missing the match. "Well, she said, he was a devoted fan, but..........." She stopped and smiled. It was clear that he was more devoted to his young bride-to-be.

Later, Ethel worked in the Post Office. She would take telegrams and cycle regularly to Thorpe Abbott with the wages of American Airmen. I asked her about her memories of World War 2 and she said that it was possible on certain nights to see a line of German bombers on their way to Norwich following the river, or railway line. She said that there was a period of 3 nights when the sound and flashes of explosions in Norwich were particularly severe. Italian prisoners of war would be seconded to help on farms and Ethel recalled that her father insisted that their own Italian prisoner eat with the family; "for", he said, "I would like to think that if my son were a prisoner in a foreign land, that is how he would be treated."

Later, Ethel worked for many many years at Forncett School, as secretary, sometimes doubling as dinner lady and pitching in generally while bringing up her own family. She concluded her reminiscences, after a moment's reflection, by saying, "It has been a joyful life."

We now meet Ally Rae, one of the Friends of St Peter’s committee.

Photo: J Rae

 Hello Ally, how did you get involved in our campaign?

I’ve had a deep interest in history and conservation ever since I did a degree in Fine Art at Reading University in the ‘70s. We studied many things including painting, print making, sculpture and art history. For my final year project, I researched gothic sculpture which involved visiting churches and cathedrals around the country.

And did this interest continue after you graduated?

Yes! While I was still a student I volunteered as a conservator at Reading Museum. Conservation mixes art and science and it really appealed to me. Once I graduated, I got a job as a conservator at The British Museum focussing on organic artefacts such as wood and textiles. I specialised in feathers which play a really important part in every culture around the world.

How did you end up in Forncett?

I’d met my partner Doug and we decided we’d like to live further from London so in 2006 I took the plunge, went freelance and we moved to Forncett. I worked for a number of organisations including Norwich Castle Museum and the National Trust until I retired a couple of years ago. We now live in Ashwellthorpe, but still have strong links to Forncett and its wonderful community.

 What is your involvement in Friends of St Peter’s?

I’m deputy chair of the main committee and chair of the publicity sub-committee. Publicity is so important, because we need support for St Peter’s from near and far. There’s a lot of work to be done, but I feel really optimistic that we’re making progress. The more I learn about St Peter’s, the more fascinating it becomes and the more important it is to secure its future.

 Thank you Ally – your experience, passion and skills have helped us so much already!

Ally was Deputy Chair of the FoSP committee from October 2019- October 2023 and chaired the Publicity sub-committee until October 2023. She was Secretary to the Project Steering Group until October 2023 when changes in personal circumstances meant she needed to step back. She helps with aspects of campaign publicity including social media.

We meet Trevor Smith, a bell-ringer at St Peter’s

How did you get into bell-ringing? In 1977, when I was 13 a friend of my father’s asked if I wanted to have a go. I thought it might be fun, so I had a go! I learnt at Tasburgh and TharstonChurches and was so lucky that the person who taught me was Paul Cattermole. Paul was one of the leading experts in bells and bell ringing and learning from him was a real privilege.

So, you’ve been ringing for over 40 years? Not quite! In 1980 I decided I’d like to try amateur dramatics and joined the Tasburgh Players and I didn’t have time for both. For over 20 years I focussed on am-dram but when Tasburgh Players folded I was asked if I’d take up bell-ringing again. The funny thing is that it was just like getting on a bike again – the old magic was still there. One person asked who’d taught me and when I said Paul Cattermole he said ‘I thought so, I recognise the style!”.

Is there much to bell-ringing - isn’t it just pulling a rope? Oh, there is more to it than that! It requires teamwork, timing, subtleness, and sometimes stamina and strength! It’s further complicated by the fact that bells are different weights from a small treble to the big tenor. You have to be very careful when ringing a bell because you take it up 180° where you need to make it gently come to rest on a wooden stay and then down again and up 180° the other way – if not done carefully the stay could break. Then there’s the fact that different churches have different numbers and weights of bells.

 How many bells has St Peter’s got? St Peter’s has six bells, whereas others have fewer, like Forncett St Mary’s which has one, but St Peter Mancroft has 14. The tenor bell at St Peter’s weighs about ¾ tonne.

Do you miss bell-ringing now that Covid has restricted church ceremonies? Yes I think we all do. I did toll the bell for Prince Phillip’s death and funeral, but it would be really great to again ring bells at weddings at St Peter’s – then we can ‘fire’ the bells which is when all the bells ring at the same time as the bride and groom leave the church – it’s a magical moment!

Thank you Trevor – we can’t wait till you can get back to cheering us all up with the beautiful sound of the bells!

You can see Trevor ringing the toll for the Duke of Edinburgh at St Peter's

We now meet Greg Jordan, Graphic Designer for the Friends of St Peter's

What motivated you to become a graphic designer?

I’ve always been interested in both science and the arts and did an unusual combination of A-levels – maths, physics and art – which led to my BA degree in Scientific and Technical Graphics at Cornwall College and Plymouth Polytechnic back in the early 80s.

Greg Jordan. Photo: A Rae

 And you’ve been working in graphics ever since?

Yes. Following my first job at a firm of printers in London I worked for the BBC World Service at Bush House on The Strand. I didn’t stay long because I was ambitious and a job came up at Brent Council to run my own team of designers producing leaflets and a weekly newspaper. After 11 years there I decided to set up my own design business, Applejuice Design, in 1994. http://www.applejuicedesign.co.uk

Has the job changed much over the years?

Yes, the advent of computers has led to significant changes, not always for the better. The process of design has speeded up, but unless carefully managed, can lead to the production of too many design alternatives which can confuse clients. Part of me still yearns for the old days of pencils and pens!

And you swapped London for Norfolk.

Yes, we came here in 2000 because with a young family we wanted to bring them up outside London. Forncett appealed because we’d heard about the sense of community and the school had a great reputation. The children have all grown up now and moved away, but it was a great start for them.

How did you get involved with Friends of St Peters?

I was asked by Donna Humphreys who is on the Publicity Sub-Committee. Friends of St Peters was looking for a logo for its publicity material which is the type of work I’ve spent my career doing. I was delighted to be asked because I’ve got very fond memories of the church - it’s where I got married!

 How did you approach the brief?

I felt it was important for the logo to show the church. Having looked at images of the church it soon became apparent that any design should reflect its iconic shape, emphasise the round tower and be easily recognisable – I hope that’s what I’ve achieved.    

Thank you Greg – you’ve definitely achieved that - we love the design!

 Our new information panel, designed by Greg is now in St Peter’s to raise understanding of and support for the campaign with all visitors. Do pop in. 

Update: We are very sad to announce that Greg died suddenly in 2022. Our heartfelt sympathy go to his family and friends.