Hello again folks.  And yes, it seams as if we all survived the threatened end of the world scenario.  That being the date 6/6/06 deadline.  Although, saying that mine came to a metaphorical end when Sir Percy came first in the Derby so to speak.   Oh well bang went my 50p each way!  And with it the other half's birthday dinner at Crofters!  This only meant one thing, and that is I'll have to choose my World cup Winner very carefully.  I expect though, by the time this article is printed that ball game shenanigans will be well and truly over.  I can of course only dream what I'm going to do with my winnings - or not as the case may be.  Anyway I trust you're all as fine as a game of croquet during office hours?  And about as picky as our new litter picker man down on the beach.  Very good he is too.  I was pleased to see also that the powers that be have taken it upon themselves to provide lavvy facilities by the café at the East End.  It does so save that long walk to the steps at the far end when you've finished your cup of rosy lee.  So that's that, we have loos, we have a lovely litter picked beach and now we know what's going to become of our boys in blue station.  Or at least, what's going to replace it.  And that is, or are, the new constabulary's information points of which one is situated outside Sheringham Plus.  Of course the other places to look out for are the obvious ones - rural and town post offices and council information centres (whatever they are).   That all seems fine on the face of it, but what happens, as when, like the cop-shops, they start the ever-expanding erosion of the post-offices?  According to the last issue "they/we" have 13 information points - that's for the county!   I think - a rather ominous and conspicuous number to say the least.  Oh well it will be interesting to me, as when I try to apply for a gun licence and/or possibly enquire about some lost property from a hole in the wall, what helpful use this electronic kiosk will be.  What will be really useful though is that it will be able to tell at the touch of a button how many people have been mugged in my street, who's done a runner from their local open prison and whether or not I've got too many points on my licence.   But have no fear it is a statutory duty for community support officers (that's very brave non-paid, slightly deluded, publicly spirited members of the public) to pop into these places twice a week to pick up vital information and to gather crime busting intelligence!  It's not exactly MI5 but hey if it gets the job done, who am I to judge.  It is just another little ray of sunshine.  Along with this mini heat wave we are experiencing as I write this.  I see that the Sheringham Players put on their summer production, and with true flare managed to entertain their groupies again.   I say this as on the night that I went I noticed the "regulars" taking their favourite seats down near the front.  All the better to see and hear you understand.  I mustn't say too much but most making the most of the first night concessions!  If you get my drift.  I just wonder if this year's summer season will be equally as popular?  With no travelling rep. company this year it remains to be seen if the management are up to this massive, gruelling undertaking.  As I hope are this year's Carnival queen and attendants.  Who by all accounts accepted only half a cheque each for winning that competition?  Of course I can't help wondering why they only get half now and half when they've finished their duties.  Are the "duties really that bad that the organisers felt that the only way to entice these three lovely young things to complete their enrolments was to dangle a carrot or in this case half a cheque.  "I got me a thinkin".  What might have happened in past years that this year they did not want a repeat of?  I mean why should anyone want to resign early from being carnival queen?  Illness perhaps, bereavement or moving house or job?  Quite likely.  Or was it just the fact that they all have to wear a frilly bridesmaid dress their 7 year old niece wouldn't be seen dead in, for every public engagement?  Or possibly the fact that for the year they would have to be on a permanent diet to ensure that they didn't grow out of it.  Come to think of it some of the public dignitary engagements they have been invited to and expected to attend in the past must have seemed to some former Miss Sheringham Carnival royalty, somewhat dull.  So it's not really surprising one would feel to keep the new blood's attentions, bribery should and would be the order of the day.  Blimey the more I think about it I think they might have trebled the prize money along with a years supply of excellently prepared sarnies and toffee cream tarts from Beryl at the Lunch box to make it all seem worth while!  Never mind keep up the good work Keep flying the flag.   Hasn't it been great to see the Flags of St. George adorning almost every moving object and emblazoned and adorned on almost every item of clothing imaginable.  I never knew St. George had so many!  This flag of St. George, the British National Flag.  Shame most of them were made in China really!  And they say patriotism is dead.  I tell you; to me April the 23rd can't come soon enough.  In fact me thinks it should be a national bank holiday.  Even if, in certain quarters do suggest that the man himself might well have been a Welshman!  It's all the same to me.   Rather like my haire - it all went under the bridge a long time ago!  Well I seem to be nearing the end of the permitted size of entry again so it just leaves me space to remind you to get out the double sided sticky tape, cotton reels and sqeezy washing up bottles and get those floats made for this year's carnival parade.  We've no worries about parking as extra space has been lent courtesy of the Splash peeps.  All they need is a nice day plenty of folks and plenty to look at so come on everyone.  I'll be there keeping a look out and no doubt commentary.  So until next time have a great July and see you at carnival.  Take care now Vic.

WHO HAD THE FIRST CONCENTRATION CAMP

Kelling Probus Club speaker was Peter Cook and he had us intrigued by the talk title 'Norwich and The Boer War'.  We know the war lasted from 1899 to 1902 and Peter in examining the memorial in Prince of Wales Road in Norwich was aware that nearly 300 people from Norfolk lost their lives including two able seamen namely J W Haylett and A Siggins.  Why were two naval lives lost?

It transpired that the Boers commenced the war using a very powerful Long Tom smokeless gun to which the British troops had no gun powerful enough to respond with.  Powerful naval guns were removed from H.M.S. Terrible and wheels were somehow affixed and the gun worked.  This is why the two naval ratings came ashore to assist from H.M.S. Tartar.   We learnt that 13 members of the Churchill family were involved in this war including a young Winston who was a reporter, wounded, captured and escaped.

We also learnt about the siege of Ladysmith, 60 armoured trains with 50,000 men of the railway division and enteric fever, which accounted for many deaths including the two naval men from Norfolk.  Many captured Boers were put into British Prisoner of War camps.  The reason for the war was not surprisingly, about the ownership of gold and diamond mining.

John Headland thanked Peter for a most interesting talk and although he personally had played the bagpipes at the Royal Tournament he was pleased to meet Peter who had taken part in the famous but gruelling Field Gun Competition.

If you would like to join our friendly Probus Club (for the retired) then give John Jennings a ring on 01263 740716 for details
Philip Hutchinson