Fakenham May Fayre back at church, which is flying Ukraine flag, on May 27
There may just be a hint of breathlessness about what follows as we prepare to dash off to Wales in the hope of some sun and sea and swimming.
The car has been serviced, packing priorities sorted and hopes that the familiar route across the middle of England will deliver us safely on the other side.
For a welcome change I will retire to the back seat, happy to pass on driving duties to middle son and my wife. This might have been a bit concerning in the past but not any more.
The pleasure I formerly felt from being in control at the wheel has been replaced by a reluctance to join the miles of vehicles thrumming their way along busy roads.
Surely they have grown busier than ever over recent years. If that’s a certain sign of ageing then so be it. I shall age quietly on the back seat with my paper and a book to read.
Meantime there’s good news that our once-popular May Fayre will be returning to St. Peter’s Gardens this May 27.
The stretch of greenery is a lovely setting for such an event, raising funds for the parish church and bringing together so many people from the town.
There will be craft stalls, children’s activities, tombola and raffle along with church stalls selling cakes, plants, new books below cost, jigsaws and collectibles. A treasure hunt is also promised. Refreshments will be available inside the church, where the stalls will migrate given wet weather.
Should you wish to run a stall – cost £10 – or have any other enquiries, please get in touch with church warden Roger Burbidge on 01328 851848. The Fayre will run from 3 to 7pm.
As part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee, there will be a Civic Service in church on Sunday, June 5 at 10am. Representatives from many local organisations will be present along with civic leaders in the town.
Everyone is welcome. I have just heard that the official induction service for our new rector, the Rev Tracy Jessop, will be on Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm.
This is later than we had hoped as she will be unable to take up her role until after the service. The sight of a Ukrainian flag flying in the breeze atop our parish church tower this past week (since May 9) has been very heartening despite the awful daily bulletins from that devastated land.
It’s not been a good time for some of our local football teams with relegation staring them in the face for weeks.
Norwich always looked a certainty to go down so I had rather given up on them in the hope that Lynn might just survive with a few positive results.
It was not to be which means the National League North will now require a different travel programme for away matches come the new season.
My home town of Woking also diced with the drop but did enough to top 50 points in a disappointing campaign.
The team I have supported since I was a tiny 11-year-old, meanwhile, have one final mountain to climb at Wembley if they are to be promoted from Division 1 to the Championship. Sunderland’s record in previous play-offs gives small comfort as they have lost all three.
But I remain confident –why not? – that they can overcome Wycombe Wanders and thus look forward to playing at least one fixture at Carrow Road next season.
Wensum
