Marsham

Village News

May 2015 33rd Edition

The deadline for the next edition is Monday 18th May 2015. Any articles, letters or adverts should be sent to

adrianscargill@talktalk.net or, if anything needs typing, to Linda and Eric at 3 Cranes Lane.

Queenie Deane celebrated her 100th birthday with a party in the village hall. What do you think life was like in 1915 when Queenie was born? See page 3.

Dont forget to let us have details of any up and coming events which we will include on this page.

Send to adrianscargill@talktalk.net or deliver to 12 Old Norwich Road.

Mobile library in Marsham

The Norfolk County Council mobile library van

will be in Marsham on Monday 11th May.

The stop-off points are

Le Neve Road - 15.30 to 15.45

Wathen Way - 15.50 to 16.05

Garage and Garden Sale

in Marsham

Saturday 30th May

10.00 until 4.00 p.m.

Maps of the venues (50p) will be

available from the village hall on the day.

Refreshments will also available in the hall

along with further table top stalls.

Funds for this event will be shared between

the village hall and the Defibrillator Group.

Marsham Belles will be holding rehearsals on the afternoons of 13th and 27th

May. Everyone welcome to listen to the bells,

have a cup of tea and a chat.

Letters to the Editor

The letters in this section are published unedited and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

editing committee. We see the Village Newsletter as a channel for people in the village to air their

views positive and negative.

The family of Queenie Deane want to

thank all the village folk who came to

help celebrate her 100th

birthday and all

the lovely cards and gifts which she very

much appreciated. Queenie was

overwhelmed that she knew so many

friends and didn't want the day to end.

Marsham has a wonderful community

spirit, we are grateful that she is part of

that, long may it last thank you one and all.

We thought you might be interested to find out what life was like when Queenie

was born in 1915.

*German zeppelins bombed the towns of Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn for the first time,

killing more than twenty people.

*Photographs were required in British passports for the first time.

*The FA Cup was won by Sheffield United F.C., who defeated Chelsea 3-0 in the final at Old

Trafford, Manchester.

*The last purely Liberal government ended when Prime Minister Herbert Asquith decided to

form an all-party coalition.

*The British Women's Institute was founded.

*British nurse Edith Cavell was executed by a German firing squad for helping Allied soldiers

escape from Belgium.

*Women were officially permitted to act as bus and tram conductors for the duration of the

War.

*King George V was king.

*Charlie Chaplin's film masterpiece, The Tramp, was released.

*The first demonstration of a 3D film was in 1915 at the Astor Theatre in New York City (now

theres a surprise!)

*A Farm Labourer's average weekly wage was about 1.70 : A top class footballer 4.50!

*Cottage prices rose to about 250 and houses up to about 500.

Is it time for a change? As you are aware, the General Election takes place on

May 7th, as does the District Council election, but were

you aware that the Marsham Parish Council election is

also on that day? If you wish for a more pro-active council, we the

undersigned ask that you vote for us. Colin Thomas, High street, Marsham

Shirley Marshall, High street, Marsham

Lesley Willcocks, Allison street, Marsham

Hazel Kingswood, Fengate, Marsham.

Thank you

What a sad reflection of the times we are living in, that someone has dug up and stolen several clumps of daffodils that were planted by the footpath to Aylsham on the spot where Pauline Gilmour and her dog were killed by a car, some years ago. I spoke to a policeman, on that day, who was trying to find out who she was, as it happened at 6.30 in the morning, and she had no identification on her. Luckily, I knew her by the description of her dog, as well as the coat she was wearing. How low can some people stoop! Hazel Kingswood

Independent Funeral Homes Ltd. We are a traditional family run funeral directors offering the highest

standards of personal service at competitive rates.

* Private Chapel of Rest * Pre-paid plans Available *

* Floral Tributes, Memorials and Catering Supplied *

* Home Visits at No Extra Charge *

We offer a wide and varied range of services and strive to ensure that we

fulfil and hopefully surpass your expectations whatever they may be.

Tel: 01263 735161 (24 Hours) The Old Bank, 2-4 Norwich Road,

Aylsham, NR11 6BN

www.ivanfisherfunerals.co.uk

G.C.BOND est. 1920 01263 732259

Butcher - Fishmonger

Best quality local meat - Crabs & fresh fish

Free delivery to Marsham - Tuesdays and Fridays

MARSHAM CHURCH SERVICES FOR OCTOBER 2013

6th October 10.45am Harvest Festival

13th October 10.45am Holy Communion

20th October 10.45am Family Service

27th October 10.45am Family Service

MARSHAM CHURCH SERVICES

FOR MAY 24th May 10.30am Holy Communion

31st May 10.30am Benefice Holy Communion

CHURCHYARD REGULATIONS

As made by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich.

These items are not allowed on graves, glass vases, plastic materials,

pictures, ornaments, laminated card and wooden crosses are allowed for

1 year only.

Nothing should be put between memorials. The only item allowed on

graves are natural stone vases for flowers. Should any of the above items be

on the grave you attend we would request they be removed. The full text of

churchyard regulations hang in the church porch if more needs to be known.

FLOODLIGHTS

16th February in remembrance of MURIEL COOPER

3rd March in remembrance of JANET GIBLETT.

NEWS FROM MARSHAM PARISH COUNCIL

The Environment Agency has re-

emphasised the importance of reporting

distress or nuisance caused by odour from

the site through the usual channels:-

Freephone: 0800 80 70 60 (anytime day

or night - and at any location)

ALLOTMENT VACANCIES

Marsham Parish Council has vacancies for anyone wishing to rent an allotment. If you are interested,

please contact Nicola, clerk to Marsham Parish Council on 07855 947797 or

marsham_pc@outlook.com.

Marsham WI

Our speaker at the April meeting was Mr Robert Easton who came to talk to us about Eastons

Holidays. The company was started in1953 by his father Alfred who also ran the Ratcatchers in

Cawston, he bought an old coach to take his regular customers on outings, no doubt many people in

Marsham will remember him. Robert gave us a slide presentation and talked about how the company

had developed since the 1950s and the start of Eastons Holidays in 1977. They were proud to be

contracted to provide executive coach transport at the London Olympic Games in 2012. Interesting to

hear how a local mans business has turned into such a huge international success.

Invitations for forthcoming events include a talk by a member of the Norfolk Beekeepers Association

at Cawston WI and an Arts Fair at Stody. And I look forward to the Group Meeting at Buxton Village

Hall with speaker cartoonist Mark Reynolds. As part of the WI Centenary celebrations the National

Federation will be hosting a special Garden Party in the presence of The Duchess of Cambridge at

Buckingham Palace in June when up to 8,000 members are expected to attend.

Our May meeting is on 27th

when we will vote on the 2015 Resolutions. Our speaker on 24th

June will

be Glyn Charnock talking about Care of Carpets for the National Trust If you are a woman

interested in becoming a member of the largest voluntary womens organisation in the UK in our

Centenary year please come along, new or returning members will be very welcome. Meetings are

usually held on the 4th

Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall at 7.30pm. Contact me on 01263

732606 or at dorothymccall2@aol.com if you would like any further information.

Dorothy McCall

SIMON EMMS

MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIRS

HIGH STREET

LITTLE LONDON

MARSHAM NR10 5QG

FOR ALL YOUR

M.O.T., REPAIRS, SERVICING,

AIR-CONDITIONING SERVICING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT,

VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS ETC.

01263 731555 Mobile 07780604279

Continuing the story of SIR GEORGE EDWARDS

In this last article about the life of Sir George Edwards during the years 1890 to his death in 1933; the following

landmarks standout when reading his autobiography.

By 1896 a succession of bad harvests and low price saw the collapse of the numerous, small unions. Labourers

left the land disillusioned by rumours circulated by the landowners that the unions were misspending their

money and at the same time the men were seeing no increase in wages or their conditions.

In 1902 George's health broke down for the first time and forced him to give up the heavy work of brickmaking.

In 1903 he became a speaker for the Liberal Party on a small salary, addressing meetings around the country.

The 1906 General Election saw the greatest defeat that the Tory Party had ever experienced. Victimization of the

workers became rife and many were evicted without notice from their home.

Appeals from workers all over the Eastern Counties resulted in the formation of the Eastern Counties Agricultural

and Small Holders Union at the Angel Hotel in North Walsham with George as the General Secretary. This led to

the first National Union.

During the first year he cycled 6000 miles over dirt roads, in all weathers on a heavy cycle with no gears and

numerous punctures. Thousands of members were enrolled and 46 branches formed. This led to his health

breaking down again and he was forced to take 3 weeks rest.

In the 1908 and 1910 County Council elections he stood and was returned as an Independent Labour Candidate.

He was appointed to the following committees: Public Health, Mental Hospitals, Small Holding, Old Age

Pensioners and Western Highways. This took up over two days of his time in addition to his post on the District

Council and Board of Guardians.

George writes 'It was however educational and interesting work, but I used to so arrange my Union work so that

I never neglected one of their meetings or preaching on the Primitive Methodist Circuit'.

In 1909 his dear wife's health began to fail both mentally and physically, causing him extra strain and worry. In

the same year his Union of 3,000 members became affiliated with the Trades Union Congress and George was

elected delegate to the Congress held in Ipswich where he gave a passionate speech on the iniquitous tied

cottage system, bringing it into the public arena for the first time. CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE.

An eight month strike of workers took place at Horsham St. Faith and Trunch against the advice of George who

was let down and later blamed

by his executive.The strike failed and nothing was gained in the effort

to reduce the 60 hour week with many of the workers losing their

employment and also being evicted.

His beloved wife died in 1912 and the strain of weeks caring for her

and the worry caused by the crisis that the Union was going through

caused George to have a serious nervous breakdown. However later that

year he had again recovered and he was elected to the Parliamentary

Committee of the Trades Union Congress, but after dealing with a huge

strike in Lancashire his health broke down yet again and he was forced

to resign and move into a house in Fakenham to be looked after by his

niece.

By 1914 he had made a recovery and was appointed a Justice of the Peace

for Norfolk. During the famous Burston School Strike near Diss he was

the only County Councillor standing up for the unjustly dismissed

teachers.

The story continues..

An eight month strike of workers took place at Horsham

St. Faith and Trunch against the advice of George who

was let down and later blamed by his executive. The

strike failed and nothing was gained in the effort to

reduce the 60 hour week with many of the workers

losing their employment and also being evicted.

His beloved wife died in 1912 and the strain of weeks

caring for her and the worry caused by the crisis that

the Union was going through caused George to have a

serious nervous breakdown. However later that year he

had again recovered and he was elected to the

Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress,

but after dealing with a huge strike in Lancashire his

health broke down yet again and he was forced to

resign and move into a house in Fakenham to be looked

after by his niece.

By 1914 he had made a recovery and was appointed a

Justice of the Peace for Norfolk. During the famous

Burston School Strike near Diss he was the only County

Councillor standing up for the unjustly dismissed

teachers.

At the outbreak of the 1914 war he spoke at many meetings exhorting women to work on the land. George sat on the

Norfolk Appeals Tribunal as the Labour Union representative 'a most unpleasant task and one I would never undertake

again'. The first Central Wages Board saw George appointed as one of the Government nominees.

In 1915 there was much unrest amongst the labourers whose pay and conditions had fallen way behind and

eventually through his efforts for the first time in 50 years and 54 hours working week was adopted with

half day Saturday working.

In 1918 he was adopted as a Labour candidate for South Norfolk losing by 11,755 votes to 6,596 votes to W.H.Cozens

Hardy but in the 1920 By-Election due to the death of his previous opponent he was elected with a Labour majority of

2118 votes becoming only the second bonafide agricultural representative to do so.

In 1921 he was invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party having a long conversation with King George V and the

Queen about his early life and working and housing conditions of the agricultural community.

He was knighted in 1930 for services to agricultural workers and died in 1933 aged 83yrs. His adopted son Noel

Edwards often asked George to update his 1922 autobiography but George felt unequal to the task, asking Noel to do

so at some future date, which he did in a book printed in 1997 and now out of print entitled 'Ploughman's Progress'.

George wrote that the 'reason for the success that crowned my labourers in later life is first due to my loving and

devoted wife, secondly the strong character built up by embracing Christian principle and my strong faith in Christ and

his life given to the cause of humanity making me true to my conscience'.

I will never again pass by 47 Fengate where George was born or George Edwards Close without remembering this

amazing man.

Will Ching (Our thanks to Linda and Eric for processing this instalment.)