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Hello there! Oh I’m in seasonal mood, and
firstly, may I send heartfelt greetings to all my fellow Shannocks, and to start with a Ho
Ho ho. Or more aptly perhaps, with a Jo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Which does slightly,
for me at any rate, have the upper sounding edge at this the festive season. |
| Yes folks many a Christmas I’ve spent jollying myself
over a mouth-watering collection of hot roasting stuffed nuts and eggnog, whilst icing the
finishing touches to my prized log! (Yule of course) Me thinks you’d agree
there’s nothing quite so good as a jolly red-faced beer-bellied Santa, exhibiting
handfuls of his hot glowing nuts to put a smile auntie Maud’s face on a cold
winter’s Christmas Eve. And of course that’s exactly where your troubles start
if you get my drift. Relations! Now what was it Jethro said? Ah yes, “ of course you
know the difference between in-laws and outlaws is that outlaws are wanted first
off”. And with that evidence my lord I rest my case. Yep we tend to slave away all
year skimping and saving more dosh than the home secretary can lavish on train tickets and
girlfriends. Just so we can blow the lot on a heart attack’s R us portfolio of
stuffed indulgent bloatism, to feed the very people we can’t stand the sight of.
It’s definitely an Englishism, and almost as traditional as panto, Shakespeare,
political sleaze and flatulence. Now on that note it has come to my attention that some
business people in town could label themselves with that very tittle, with the words
boring and old being the precursors. As, I’m afraid to say; not all greeted the idea
of a cheerful Christmas light bonanza around the town with the same amount of enthusiasm
as the rest of us. It’s a shame really. But there we are. However those who really
did see the light and went to town this year as usual were most, and I stress the word
most, of the residents of Lawson way. This year there is a sealed collection box for good
causes, of which the Air ambulance will be one beneficiary. The residents of this urban
re-enactment of the landing strip for the close encounters of the third kind. Have created
a winter wonderland worthy of Santa himself. But no prizes for the bah humbug brigade that
didn’t even put up so much as a red light in the window! Now talking of lights the
colour may not be red but green, especially if, the go ahead is given to some of the
proposals put to the regeneration scheme committee. Of which one would see Sheringham
getting back it’s level crossing. This is an interesting one this, in light of recent
tragedies involving trains and level crossings in the region. I know there’s a lot of
hooha about this already but let’s just think about the pros and cons for a tick. On
the one hand, every hour or so it would act like a pedestrian crossing for any slow,
elderly and or infirm folk wanting to cross the busy Station Road. In the summer this
could be a premium to any one who doesn’t already look before crossing into the path
of on coming traffic. And with this new crossing they could set their watches and step out
fully in the knowledge that they would be safe from cars bicycles and speeding scooters
coming down in their direction. On the other hand however this periodic stoppage of the
traffic, especially in the high season may well create tailbacks to Holt and beyond. So I
guess we’ll finally have something in common with Cromer then. Not only that, but
also one runs the risk of our lovely old period station becoming some thing just run of
the mill. It will no longer be the romantic, nostalgic museum starting point for your
journey. But will become very much a through station especially if they want to take the
line beyond Holt in to the big wide world of Briston and Kings Lynn and who knows even
Birmingham and Hull or God forbid, Butlins. Ok that might sound a bit over the top and I
know it would only be every hour or so and wouldn’t take long (Said the actress to
the bishop). But to some that’s still a bit too regular (Not unlike tax increases and
my Nan’s bowel movements bless her) for their liking. |
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For once I don’t know what to say. I think it might
be a shame to lose the working museum feeling the place has. Which is what, let’s
face it, Sheringham is all about. It, and I mean the station, is a draw for the town. One
could ask then how many more might stop off here if they could come in from further
afield? Who knows? All I know is the Robin Hood pub is well underway for reopening soon,
possibly in readiness for the influx. The panto featuring our weather girl is in full
swing. And the town’s lights, despite the odd grumble look great. So to all my fans
out there, here’s hoping for the icing on the cake – a touch of the white stuff
for Christmas day. I think it was 1970 when we last had a significant fall. So here’s
to you all. Thank you for all the support, letters, grumbles and thank yous over the last
two years. Where has the time gone? And here’s to the future. May you all have the
merriest of Christmas’ and the happiest of New Years. Have a good one Take care now.
Vic. |
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MATELLA IS CLOSING!! |
It’s the end of an era…
after some 35 years in business as a Craft /Gift shop, Matella is closing. I have run the
shop for 17of those years, having taken over the lease from Mary and Terry Cutler who
founded ‘Matella’. I have found that it has been more than a business and have
made many friends among the customers who have come into the shop- local and
holidaymakers. I and my staff would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You for our
many loyal and valued customers- thank you for your custom, thank you also for your
friendliness- it has been good to share chats and laughter (there has been plenty of
that!!) It has been quite a humbling experience as various people have said in different
ways how sad they are to see the shop closing but all good things come to an end-One of my
priorities was that although Matella would no longer trade, the shop in its place would be
an asset to the town. Mrs Jane Stubbs, who is taking on the lease, already runs Creativity
so will ‘ Create’ an excellent shop. We have a CLOSING DOWN/EVERYTHING
MUST GO SALE now so pop in and get more than a bargain! Everything is half price or less!!
Veronica Williamson. |
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