The years were rolled back at Hethersett Library on Saturday, July 23rd with an afternoon of wartime memories.

Over 50 people turned up to reminisce and recount stories and experiences of their lives between the years 1939 and 1945.

Service in the forces, evacuation, the bombing of Norwich and American GIs were just some of the topics covered as local people put their memories down on paper as part of a BBC Internet project.

Recorders from Radio Norfolk's action desk were on hand to jot down the memories to add them to the special WW2 People's War website at www.bbc.co.uk/ww2.

The site commemorates 60 years since the end of the war as Hethersett Librarian Rachel Harriss explained:

"The BBC is giving people the chance to pass on their stories to future generations. There are so many stories to tell about evacuation, wartime nursing, the home front, how families were kept safe, wartime romances and how everyone pulled together to put the country back together again at the end of the war," she said.

There were special displays of books, literature and music and refreshments were provided by Hethersett Women's Institute which is celebrating its 87th anniversary.

Colin Henson from Norfolk's Museums Service brought along wartime memorabilia to help jog memories. These included gas masks, helmets and many other items from Norwich's Regimental Museum.

"I am used to showing these items to primary school children who have no direct memories of the war. We can ensure that these memories live on for generations to come so that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can hear the same stories," he said.

Hethersett also has its own site for wartime memories which is available by clicking on the relevant link on the left of this page.

CRICKETING DELIGHT

Hethersett and Tas Valley Cricket Club made it a double when they won the Ken Ottaway 20-20 Knockout Trophy for the second successive year.

On a damp and dismal July evening at Great Melton, Hethersett batted first in the final against Eversheds and sped along at 10 runs an over before declaring on 159-4 after 16 overs with concern about the rain and deteriorating light.

This gave Eversheds the full 20 overs to reach their target and at the halfway stage they seemed well on course to cause an upset. Then some miserly and excellent bowling from skipper Matt Ellis and Steven Beck began to restrict the opposition and as the run rate piled up the wickets began to fall and Eversheds were all out for 131 giving Hethersett a 28 run victory.

The club are well on course for their second successive treble. The first team are odds on favourites to take Division Three of the Norfolk League and the A team are on course for promotion from Division Nine. For details of results and final tables for the season click here.

Five-a-side Success

Hethersett Athletic's Men's First Team held a very successful five-a-side tournament with 20 teams taking part.

About £500 was raised for team funds and the event was sponsored by Waitrose. Winners were Norman Wanderers. It is hoping to make the competition an annual event.

Police Mount Village operation

In response to a spate fo vandalism in the village, police officers from Norfolk Constabulary mounted a special Impact Day in the village on October 18th aimed at public re-assurance. 

High visibility foot patrols were made throughout the evening from 5pm and 11pm. Sgt Neil Fraser said: “We know that there have been some issues with anti-social behaviour. Incidents include criminal damage, under-age drinking and general rowdiness. Addressing this kind of behaviour is a top priority for us as we know that it affects quality of life for the local community.The aim of this impact day was for us to offer reassurance to residents and target this behaviour, the vast majority of which occurs in the early to late evening."

Leaflets were issued appealing to parents to keep an eye on where their children are, where they go out and what they are up to and to discuss with them the impact rowdy and nuisance behaviour can have on the community. 

Officers wwere out and about both on foot and in vehicles, along with parish council members for Hethersett. Anyone with information about damage or anti-social behaviour in Hethersett should contact officers at Wymondham Police Station on 0845 4564567.