Hethersett a norfolk village on the web

Hethersett Players are well into rehearsal for their next production - the Marvin Hamlisch/Neil Simon musical They're Playing Our Song which will take place in Hethersett Village Hall on May 18th and 19th. To read about it click here.

"Gentleman" Fred Dies

Fred Tuck, who was a leading Methodist in Hethersett for many years, has died at the age of 96. A special service to celebrate his life was held at the Methodist Church. For details of this click here.

Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid week takes place this year from Sunday 13th May to Saturday 19th May when a door to door collection will be held throughout the village. Christian Aid continues to support and campaign on behalf of some of the world's poorest communities. This year homeowners are being encouraged to write to the Prime Minister with regard to taking action on climate change. Christian Aid, which is celebrating its Golden Jubilee, is also encouraging people of all ages to plant trees in support of its overseas work on climate change project.

Gabby's Success Story

Gabby Vautier's satirical musical A Karaoke Wedding (see story further down this page) has received rave reviews during its three week run at a Southwark Theatre. To read details of how the musical came about and also a review click here.

New Personal Ads

We have extended the advertising area of our site to include personal as well as business ads. If you require a service or are looking to sell or buy property in the village why not advertise on our site. It is free and the personal ads section can be accessed by clicking here. We reserve the right to refuse to print any adverts not suitable for the site.

Footballers Move in on Title

Hethersett Athletic could be just 90 minutes away from winning the Norwich Sunday League Premier Division title. They have a vital top of the table clash against rivals Marlborough on Sunday 29th April. A win would give the club the title for the first time in its history. A draw would leave them needing two points from their last two fixtures. Defeat would mean they have to beat both Acle and Delaneys in their remaining league matches. The match takes place at Easton College with a 10.30 a.m kick off time. The club's under-11 girls team have won the Norfolk Women's and Girls League Under-11 section. For details of this visit Hethersett Athletic's official web site by clicking here.

County Honours for Women Footballers

Four members of Hethersett Athletic's ladies team have been selected to play for Norfolk in the match against Hunts FA at Fakenham on 19th April. It brings to six the total number of players from the club who have played for Norfolk this season. The six are photographed opposite and are. Back row (left to right) - Logan Shepherd, Nicola Bray, Jemma Smythe and Jodie Allard. Front - Hazel Shepherd and Nicola Stolworthy. In addition men's first team player James Rice has also played for Norfolk Under-18s during the season.

Bethany Aims for the Stars

A Hethersett teenage swimmer is ranked number two in her age range nationally for the 200 metres butterfly. Bethany Coggins has been recording some impressive results at national events. For the full story see the relevant section of the Wymondham and Attleborough Mercury by clicking here.

Hawks First Win of the Season

Hethersett Hawks/ Swinton and Co cycle speedway got their first South-East points of the campaign with a 98-81 win at Ipswich. Philip Adams and Adam Bennett put the visitors ahead with a 7-3 win in heat four, a score Dale Bennett and Simon Wilcox repeated two races later. Good teamwork ensured the Hawks did not lose a race until a 3-7 reverse in heat 16 and a 7-3 win for Dave Martin and Jazz Abbott in the final race rounded off a good win. For all the Hawks results as they happen click here.

Letter of Welcome

Newcomers to Hethersett will be receiving a “welcome letter” from the parish council. The A4 sheet issues new homeowners with essential contact numbers and also details of where more information about the village can be found. It also lists publications available within the village. It highlights a number of coming events including the Hethersett in Bloom Competitions for which the judging will take place on 16^th June and the village gardens open day on Sunday 1^st July. The letter also advertises the clubs and societies event in the village hall on 29^th September when village newcomers will be able to learn about various clubs and societies, what they do and when they meet. “We are hoping the welcome to newcomers letter will help people to find out more about the village, who’s who, what’s going on and where people can meet up with its residents,” said parish council chairman George Beckford.

Film Firsts

Hethersett Library will be celebrating the contribution films have made to our culture with a special display during May. Libraries throughout Norfolk will be selecting themes ranging from classics to comedy and sci-fi to golden oldies. At Hethersett the chosen theme will be family films and entertainment. It is also hoped that Hethersett Library will have free internet taster sessions on film related subjects and members of the public borrowing a film during the month will be entered into a draw to win a portable DVD player.

Cricket Season Opens

Hethersett and Tas Valley Cricket Club opened their season with a number of friendlies. To read reports and results throughout the season click here.

Youth at the Fore in South Norfolk Elections

Youth will be to the fore when elections are held to South Norfolk District Council in May. One of the candidates for the village of Newton Flotman is 19-year-old Hethersett teenager Jenni Clutten who will be representing the Liberal Democrats in a contest against Tory candidate Claire Turner, who herself is only 23 years of age. Jenni attended Hethersett High School and lives with her parents in the village. She is currently on a Gap year having just returned from teaching in Tanzania: "I became interested in politics about three years ago. I believe that you shouldn't expect people to do something for you unless you're happy to do it yourself. I don't grumble about things, I try to change them. people might look at me and think I'm inexperienced, but I've been to more council meetings than 95% of people. I know how local government works and I take it very seriously," she said. For more news on the elections click here.

Meanwhile candidates for the district council elections for Hethersett are (with sitting candidates in bold type) - D. Bills (Conservative), T. Clennell (Labour), L. Dale (Conservative), J. Sutton (Liberal Democrats), F. Watkins (Liberal Democrats).

Concert for Uganda

Talented people from Hethersett and the surrounding area will be coming together on 21^st April for a special concert to help raise funds for Julianna Ball’s proposed trip to help under-privileged children in Uganda. Julianna, who is 17 and lives in The Crescent, Hethersett, has been fund-raising for the trip which will see her work on social projects with children for 12 months. During this time she will also teach music and crafts. She is hoping to do this under the banner of the Project Trust, an educational registered charity which was founded in 1967 and which has already sent 4,000 young volunteers aged between 17 and 19 to projects in 24 countries. Julianna’s latest fund-raiser will be a Spring Variety Show in Hethersett Village Hall when those taking part will include Hethersett Players, Sue Tuckwood, Daniel Younger and his band Cherub and Samantha Jessop. There will be a finger buffet and auction and tickets are £7.50 at the door or £6.50 in advance from 01603 812732. The entertainment starts at 7.45 p.m.

Related Articles: Julianna's Project: What's On Listings

Fund-raiser for Wulugu Project

Local variety group The Upper Octave will be performing Songs From the Shows at Hethersett old Hall School on 21^st April at 7.30 p.m in aid of the Wulugu Project. The project was founded by Lynne Symonds and the headquarters are located at her home in Little Melton. It supports basic education in Northern Ghana and has been in existence for 12 years. The project provides schools with books, desks and roofs and has been responsible for building nine new schools in rural areas. In addition the project has built three vocational training schools for girls to learn skills to supplement the incomes of their families. It also provides small grants to help women set up their own businesses to give them the chance to keep their daughters at school. Tickets for the concert are priced at £10 which includes refreshments and are available from Mary Williams on 014993 750391, Jane Scott on 01603 453750 or Leona Levine on 01603 611780.

Related Articles: What's On Listings

Hethersett Singer to Represent Country (special interview)

Top British soprano Elizabeth Watts, who originally comes from Hethersett, has been chosen to represent England in a world singing competition in Cardiff. Over 1,000 people applied for the 25 places available in the contest. Hethersett On the Web has spoken to Liz and you can read the interview by clicking here. There is also more on this story on the Eastern Daily Press Web Site and this can be accessed by clicking here. Liz will be giving a special concert at Hethersett Methodist Church in the autumn. More details as soon as they are available. LATEST UPDATE: Liz will be singing in the first round of the song prize on 10th June and for the song prize on 12th June. The main prize will be on BBC4 so put it in your diary!

Going For Gold

Hethersett will be going for gold this year in the Anglia in Bloom competition, having been awarded a silver medal last year. Parish Council chairman George Beckford joined Head Teacher Helen Lamb and children from Woodside First School to plant a tree in the school's grounds. For full story and photographs click here.

Gabby's Tale of a Karaoke Wedding

Gabby Vautier, who previously lived in the village and whose parents Basil and Bonnie still live here, had an original idea for a satirical musical based on a Karaoke Wedding. In April her brainchild was performed on stage in London. To read details of where, when and how it came about and also a review of the production click here.

Cancer Charity Event

Help Cancer Research UK turn Hope into Cure is the message as cancer survivors from across Norfolk prepare to lead an all night festival of hope and remembrance in a united effort to find cures for the disease. Anne Cathersides from Hethersett is chair of Cancer Research UK's Relay for Life and tells us all about the event. To read about this click here.

Clubs and Societies Day

The public will learn more about voluntary groups in Hethersett when the parish holds another clubs and societies day in September. The last such event was held three years ago and proved extremely popular. Due to space availability the event, which will be held in the Village Hall and run from 11 a.m to 4 p.m on Saturday 29^th September, will be restricted to 36 non profit making organisations from the village. Spaces will be booked on a first come first served basis and groups wishing to take part should contact parish clerk Ian Weetman on 01603 811490.

Quiz Raises Money for Dance Spectacular

Fifteen teams took part in a quiz at Hethersett Village Hall to raise funds for the Yvonne School of Dance. The general knowledge quiz was organised by Roger Morgan and Mike Anderson and was won by The Pringles. Proceeds from the quiz, a raffle and games held during the evening will go towards the dance school’s spectacular event at Norwich Theatre Royal in April 2008. The dance school teaches classical ballet, tap, modern theatre and acrobatics to all ages from three to adult and has been in existence since 1984. The Bi-annual dance spectacular showcases the school in a colourful extravaganza which also raises money for charity. The next show will be in April 2008. The dance school also held a special presentation event in Norwich. You can read about this by clicking here.

Reminisce Here

We are always looking for memories of the village and its people. So if you would like to be featured in a new section being built, please contact the editor by phone on 01603 811052 or by leaving an e-mail by clicking here. We are hoping to introduce a number of sections for memories and would be particularly interested in hearing from anybody with memories of the Methodist Church or its people for a project being organised by our sister site which can be viewed by clicking here. A new section of this site for reminiscences has been set-up and this can be viewed by clicking here.

Small Ads on-line

Want to advertise a small business on-line. Then have a look at our new small ads section by clicking here.

Coming Events

Want to know what's going on in the village. Then go to our What's On section which you can access by clicking here.

New Groups Added

Over the coming months we will be featuring more and more of the village groups and organisations. You can now read the monthly reports from Hethersett Horticultural Society by clicking here and the Women's Institute by clicking here. Don't worry if you missed any of the stories or information as we have set up a news archive which can be accessed by clicking on the appropriate link below.

We are in the process of setting up a new community section of Hethersett on the Web where various groups from the village will have their own presence. The first to be set-up will be Woodside First School. If you wish to have your group or organisation represented in this section just contact me via e-mail by clicking here. You can go to the community section by clicking here.

For archive news from 2006 and 2007 click here.

Parish Council Meeting Dates