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Well folks, we are coming up to the end of yet
another year and doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun! Once again the merry
band of volunteers are out at all hours strategically placing those fancy lights which
cheer us up during the dismal winter weather, they did an excellent job last year and
I’m sure that this year’s lights will turn Sheringham into a glowing winter
wonderland in spite of the ‘Bah, humbug’ attitude of some of the traders. |
I hear that requests to close ‘the street’ so
that last minute shoppers could shoe-horn themselves through the amassed throngs of the
great unwashed without fear of being mutilated by our boy racers was met with the usual
complaints about not being able to park directly outside. With all the publicity about
obesity, surely to park in the car park and take a leisurely stroll down the street
without having to worry about being ‘winged’ by a wing mirror, would attract
people and encourage fitness. Why bother stocking up for Christmas anyway, the shops will
be open again Boxing Day, just how much can one family eat in a day. In my case far too
much which results in me laying in my armchair, giving the appearance of being 18 months
pregnant and making rude noises in my lager.
Time for a little reflection of the events over the last year.
In the spring we had the visit from the imp-like road painters, they managed to fashion on
the road, outside the Lobster pub, a fabulous hand daubed roundabout. Lo and behold our
very own representative has collected the petition for a similar roundabout to be built at
the top of Beeston Road. Also proposed are two safe crossing places, one each side,
allegedly these are to be assisted crossings if indeed the Wish Fairy ever agrees. So at
long last those Shannocks trapped every summer on that side of town may actually be able
to escape without running the gamut of driving through the town centre, dodging
pedestrians as they go and those that live on ‘the other side’ will be able to
cross this thoroughfare without fear for their lives. In my opinion 99% of people in
Sheringham should have to attend road safety school. Most, not all, seem to have the
mental attitude that it won’t happen to them! Parents use their buggies to test the
water – if I push my buggy into the road and it doesn’t get hit, then it is safe
to cross! Roundabout! What roundabout? If you really want to do some road watching, try
sitting in the bus shelter on Station Approach, it’s great entertainment for all
those who are waiting (and waiting, and waiting) for the bus. The manoeuvres that have to
be used by motorists to negotiate this short stretch of road have to be seen to be
believed and you always get the one who will not move!
Sheringham’s footie boys, like Norwich City reached the top of their league table
this year and achieved a promotion to higher and better things. Their new season is now
well underway and I hope that they are faring better than NCFC. I have to admit that I
don't know, as the only sport I play is Tiddly Winks.The Carnival this year was also very
successful, with the added bonus of the ‘Alternative Carnival Queen’ disco, that
was a real hoot, with some of the town’s young males adorning themselves with
bling-bling, donning elegant gowns and dancing round their handbags. The scary thing was
that some of them were actually more beautiful than some of the buxom wenches who parade
down our streets on Friday and Saturday nights. Once again the merry band of volunteers
laid on excellent entertainment for us and of course no one moaned or complained and the
whole town said thank you to those who worked from January without pay! Don’t you
just wish!
Isn’t it good to see the new owners of The Robin Hood tarting up the frontage of this
lovely old pub, at least the Christmas trees have been removed in time for new ones to be
put up. Me thinks, sometimes to change old for new is for the better, it will be great to
have this place up and running again instead of what has for the past few months looked
like a squatters paradise.
Well, I’ve come to the last missive of this year, Seasons Greetings to you all. I
would like to say Merry Christmas but for fear of being hanged like Santa in Birmingham I
won’t! As the very great comedian Dave Allen used to say, may Your God go with You.
Vic |
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Bob Sadler returned from Hitler's war to find
his old job in the Co-Op Street barber's shop awaiting him. His boss Frank Felmingham, a
casualty of the First World War, had kept the shop going by selling tobacco and cigarettes
and the odd brown envelope or two after his disability prevented him continuing as a
hairdresser. Bob had been in the navy during the war, mostly east of Suez on HMS Monitor,
which was a ship with two huge guns intended for bombardment of land fortifications. This
service gave him a great fund of stones with which to entertain his customers. It was
worth the price of a haircut to listen to his oft-repeated tales, hear the local gossip
and Bob's views on current affairs. Never wishing to get on the wrong side of customers
with his own opinions he would always prefix his thoughts with, "don't get me wrong
matey." In later life Bob enjoyed a game of golf, no doubt encouraged by the
fact that his son, Adrian, had taken up the game as a professional. Bob and I had a
regular date at 1.45 on a Sunday afternoon in the winter playing a full round and holing
out at every hole before it got dark. Bob gave me a lot of pleasure both in his
business and leisure life. He is a Shannock I will always remember.
Spike. alanfor2000@yahoo.com |
| Readers Letter response to caddie |
I was very interested to read
'Spikes' experiences caddying in the late 40s. I caddied in the early 1940s when 10 years
old, and the usual rate was 1/- (5p) per round. I never forgot being awarded 2/6 (12 1/2p)
for the round and I thought the skies had opened.
The golf bags were like canvas tubes and the 5 or 6 clubs all had their names, like
driver, brassie, spoon, mashie and niblick. Now I have double the clubs, all
numbered a bag I can hardly lift and an electric trolley.
Martin Olley. Links Road |
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