"The culmination of three to four years research and a year in the planning ..." These crucial words were spoken after the highpoint of Jackie Scully's [now Lanaway] successful completion of her work for the Forncett History Group's major Great War Project. What greater climax could there have been: a Service of Dedication of the Forncett Book of Remembrance by the Bishop of Norwich in the ancient parish church of St Peter on Remembrance Sunday.

In the last year work has been particularly intense for Jackie and myself, checking texts and planning the layout and overall design, and the assistance of two other members, Susie Rohde and Graham Prior. Our printer, Mike Dawson at Swallowtail Print, was also understanding and helpful. Various technical issues had to be resolved and numerous drafts before the final version was delivered. We feel the final product has done justice to the men we honour now one hundred years on.

Last month's Flyer contained a number of photographs which illustrated the traditional nature of this now established and popular event in the summer calendar. Quite rightly no longer billed as mini-fete it continues to attract growing numbers of Forncett folk and people from neighbouring villages. I would like to thank Barry Bradford, John and Margaret Webster, the rest of the organising team and supporting cast of volunteers and stall holders that make this event happen. My own short stint on the bric-a-brac stall was really enjoyable as customers searched for bargains.

It is the wide range of stalls, games, cream teas and BBQ that make this fete a real family event. Where else could you search for hidden treasure in Forncett, enjoy a freshly cooked hot dog, buy local produce, pick up a bargain and meet friends and neighbours in a single afternoon. This year we also had several great old British motorbikes on display, including a restoration project for sale.

After a short break in proceedings to pack away the stalls for another year the BBQ was fired up again and the bar opened in readiness for the evening proceedings. It was great to see a large crowd including many families return to see local band 'Play' take to the stage. Whilst Barry's old trailer doesn't quite match the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury the band kept everyone entertained with their wide ranging repertoire. By the end of the evening many people had taken to their feet to dance to the music.

The fête and concert really brings the village together. I understand it succeeded in raising much needed funds for the project to install a kitchenette and toilet in St Edmund's church. Once completed this will provide a more user-friendly venue for further community gatherings.

Around 100 visitors came to Forncett Steam Museum on Saturday 18th October, for the 3rd Forncett Craft Fair, this year not able to take place in St. Mary's church due to on-going restoration work. Stalls included wrought iron work, wood turning, garden decorations,, hand made cushions, toys ,cards, watercolours, and stained glass items. There were tempting home-made cakes on offer for refreshments, also warming soup and a roll. Museum owners Rowan and Jane Francis kept a jolly atmosphere by starting up the pianola situated on the ground floor of the museum, and many visitors were fascinated by the engines, although on this occasion they were not running. Plant doctor Robert Maidstone had several enquiries about pruning fruit trees, how to plant hedging, and garden pests. 

Thanks to everyone who helped organise and run the event, and to Rowan and Jane for the use of the museum.

Over the summer, the very popular 'Footpath 29' which runs from Tabernacle Lane by the side of the Sewage Works, has become very overgrown, to the point of being more or less impassable. 

Over the weekend of 5th to 7th September, when John had access to a brushcutter, a team of volunteers set about clearing the brambles, nettles and other undergrowth with the amazing results shown in the photos below:

Click picture for slideshow: Photos by Brian Frith  

Thanks to everyone who took part (10 in all on Sunday morning!) and particular thanks to John for his work with the brushcutter.

Forncett Great War Project and the start of the Timeline was launched on Saturday 2nd August in Forncett St Peter's Church. There was an excellent number of people and a number of interesting things to see - the time line itself, a scrapbook from the First World War and a copy of the Times for the 4th August 1914, among other interesting items. 

(click pic for slideshow)

The Timeline will be in real time and building over a four year period, so initially it will feature the lead up to and the causes of WW1. Gradually information will be fed into this, such as the recruitment of volunteers from the village, snippets of village life at the time, and what was happening in the bigger picture in Norfolk, the country and on the battlefield. Eventually you will be able to track what happened to some of these men, who came home and those who died.

June 28th 1914 was the date of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austro-Hungary and his wife in Sarajevo. Was this the cause of WW1 and why did Britain become involved? Who were the first Forncett boys to volunteer? These are some of the answers you will find. We hope that at the end of the Project we will have a record of how WW1 affected the lives of those who lived in Forncett. It is, therefore, important that we receive any information that people may have. Already a number of people have been in touch from around Norfolk who have family members from Forncett who served in the Great War.

The 2014 Forncett Village Fete
Saturday June 28th 2014
at Forncett Village Hall and Jubilee Green

UPDATE 16th July

Following the Fete Committee 'Review' meeting on 15th July, we can announce that the net total raised was £2,210.02, giving each of the School, Little Tractors Playgroup and Village Hall £736.67.

Thanks again to all who contributed to such a brilliant outcome.

UPDATE Monday 30th June

Despite a very poor weather forecast, hundreds of people enjoyed over two hours of near perfect 'Fete' weather on Saturday afternoon taking advantage of all the attractions on offer to suit young and old.  For a full report with masses of colour photos of the activities and visitors see these special pages from the July 2014 Forncett Flyer or get the full version of 'The Flyer' here Forncett Flyer July 2014. (Flyer links courtesy Su Leavesley and the Flyer editorial team)

Click picture for slideshow: Photos by Brian Frith  

It was unfortunate that activities were cut short just before the scheduled finish time by a torrential downpour, but we had better weather than predicted for much of the time and hope that everyone enjoyed themselves. We anticipate that the event will have raised an amount comparable with last year's total, to be shared equally between Forncett Primary School, Little Tractors Playgroup and the Village Hall. 

Thanks to everyone who helped in any way: planning, setting up, assisting at stalls and activities on the day, clearing away, donating prizes, providing car parking, scaffolding, bunting, netting etc, ... and, of course, to villagers, friends and relatives who turned out in force to make it all worthwhile and such a great day for the community of Forncett. 

On Saturday 10th May the Dolce Choir entertained us at the Steam Museum, an event organised in aid of Forncett St. Mary Church.

The choir, 15 strong, was directed by Philip Aldred who also acted as compere and kept the concert lively with a string of jokes.

With an interval for drinks and eats, the choir performed a varied repertoire including California Dreaming, The Rose, Fields of Barley, You raise me up, and songs from Miss Saigon and Les Miserable.

Highlights of the evening were the Titanic episode (see pics!), Highland Cathedral sung by a Caledonian native, and the audience's rendition of a first world war combo (Pack up your troubles from one side and It's a long way to Tipperaray from the other side) and the 'One old man' fugue! and Anna Cottrell's African story.

All in all, a most enjoyable evening. Thank you Dolce Choir for performing, May and Graham Prior for organising and Jane and Rowan Francis for housing it during St. Mary's refurbishment.

Following a successful grant award to St. Mary's from English Heritage/Heritage Lottery last year, architect Nicholas Warns has completed the development stage of surveys, quotes and plans, and the restoration work is scheduled to take place this year between April and September. This will include replacing the Nave and Office windows, flint repairs, cleaning the interior wooden roof, and new drains and gutters. Events will be difficult to organise while the work is being carried out, but we are hoping that the following will take place:

Tuesday 25th March, 7p.m. - Service for the Festival of the Annunciation

Saturday 16th August 7.30p.m. - Popular jazz band DixieMix are back for another foot tapping performance. Sure to be a sell out!

Saturday 18th October - Craft Fair, 11am -3p.m.

Forncett History Group is producing a book of commemoration for the men from Forncett who lost their lives in both World Wars, and a timeline depicting major events in WW1 will be displayed in St. Mary's Church - renovation permitting - or St Peter's.

For enquiries about any events, or church opening times, please contact Graham and May Prior 01508 481856 or