At sheringham paper, norfolk uk

@ Sheringham Community Paper - Issue 97 - 13 February 2009

POPPY LINE SET FOR BIGGEST STEAM GALA EVER

Spectacular February event

What promises to be a truly spectacular steam gala will be held over two weekends as the Poppy Line commemorates the 50th anniversary of the closure of most of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway system.  The gala will take place from Friday February 27th to Sunday 1st March, and on the following weekend, March 7th and 8th. 28th February was the actual closure date fifty years ago, and title of the gala, That's Yer Lot!, is taken from the placard displayed on the last Leicester-bound train.

Thanks to sponsorship from Steam Railway, the enthusiasts' magazine, five visiting engines are scheduled to appear, together with three of the railway's regular performers. Passenger rolling stock will include the 1924 wooden-bodied Quad-Art train and the Railway's new RBR-equipped dining train The newly-commissioned Holt signal box will allow an intensive service to be worked on all five days.  Other highlights are tours of the former M&GN system with railway historian Adrian Vaughan in a 1959 luxury coach, ex-Eastern Counties buses recalling the two railway replacement routes introduced in 1959, and an open evening in Weybourne works on 28th February (visitors must bring their own orange hi-vis vests). Whitwell & Reepham station will be re-opening its doors 50 years to the day since closure.

All day hop-on, hop-off Rover tickets are £16 adult, £15 senior citizen and £10 child. A family ticket (2 adults + 2 children, or 3 adults + 1 child) is £45. Discount price 2-day and 3-day tickets are available for adults and senior citizens. There's £1 off all tickets booked before 20th February. The Adrian Vaughan tours of East and West parts of the old M&GN are £8 each.

Bookings can be made online at www.nnrailway.co.uk, by phone on 01263 820 800, or in person at Sheringham station. Call 01263 820 800 for lineside photo passes (checks will be made on lineside photographers).

Briston Organ Shows

The now famous Briston Organ Shows start again on Friday February 27th, when the very young and talented Angie Diggens will be appearing at the Copeman Centre, Briston.

Angie is not only an organist of the highest calibre, but she also has the most amazing voice; she also acts and dances - indeed, some time back she was a finalist on 'Stars In Their Eyes' on TV, appearing for the night as 'Sarah Brightman'!

As usual, all proceeds from the Raffle and refreshments will benefit the Centre. We would add that there is plenty of free parking right outside, and the entrance is wide and level
and ideal for our disabled guests.

Further shows are being planned throughout 2009, and for further details, or to book your tickets (which are already selling fast!) Telephone Carol on 01263 860844 now!

REINSTATEMENT OF SHERINGHAM LEVEL CROSSING DELAYED

Construction logistics and the calendar have conspired to delay the North Norfolk Railway's reinstatement of the Sheringham level crossing until next year.

Electricity suppliers EDF require 3 months notice for the crucial move of their power cables. This means that the work cannot begin until Easter at the earliest - and the Poppy Line doesn't want to greet Easter, May Day and Spring Bank Holiday visitors with the inconvenience of construction works in progress. Neither the Railway nor the highway authorities are comfortable with a road closure in the holiday season, so the work has to be postponed.

It is now anticipated that the power cables will be moved this autumn, allowing work to start on aligning the tracks and associated construction before the crossing is installed early in 2010.

NNR director Julian Birley said: "We have to accept that time has beaten us, but the project has certainly not stopped. We have fantastic support from all parties, and all the necessary approvals are in place."

The project is now estimated to cost £130,000. The money is being raised by special appeal, and around £50,000 has already been pledged in donations or loans. Cheques payable to North Norfolk Railway (level crossing appeal) should be sent to the appeal office at Sheringham Station, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8RA.

Weybourne Women's Institute

The Ship Inn Weybourne was the venue for twenty-three members and guests who enjoyed our New Year Lunch on Wednesday 7th January.

Thanks go to Terry and Miguel who provided a most convivial atmosphere.  The President donated a teddy bear dressed in Scottish plaid for a "Name the Bear" Competition, which was won by Sylvia Clemow by guessing correctly that his name was Bruce. Members brought their unusual Christmas Cards to display and raised lots of "Pennies for Friendship" for the ACWW Charity supported by the Norfolk WI Federation.

A few Committee members are looking forward to attending the North Norfolk District Council's pantomime to be held at the Little Theatre, Sheringham, on Saturday 17th January with proceeds going to Norfolk's Air Ambulance Fund.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 4th February at the Village Hall, when Nona Gray will be introducing us to the Margaret Morris "Move for Fun" Movement. Members will be invited to renew their annual subscriptions of £29 whilst non-members are welcome to attend up to three meetings free of charge.  The WI is the largest women's organisation in the UK and aims to offer women the best opportunity to influence local, national and world issues affecting the life of families and communities.