Today I met an Artist and a Sailor!

When I woke up yesterday morning, I had no idea that two new people that I would meet would include an artist and a sailor.

I decided to take a trip to Beccles and was in the picture framing shop next to Laura Ashley and got chatting to a wonderful lady and her husband about which frame she should chose for a beautiful pastel picture of flowers that she had created.  We had a lot to talk about and I discovered that she belongs to Abel Arts Studio and Gallery in Raveningham, where many different "genres" of art are made.  Well, now I want to go to Raveningham and see her group too as I love drawing and when I'm on the phone or doing a Sudoku I start doodling and love how it seems to go its own way with no planning on my part.  They have daily pastel classes, weekly workshops, taster classes for beginners, 2 day workshops and pastel painting holidays too.

So I'm adding the website link for the Art group and really hope that they will be able to come to the Festival in September, as soon as I know, it will appear on here!

Later in another shop, I met a sailor called Joe, well I say sailor, actually he was a plumbing lecturer at Lowestoft College, but he was in Naval uniform and looked jolly smart along with a group of other Sailors and Royal Marines.  It turned out he was a leader for the Sea Cadets (sorry Joe - I want to give your official title but forgot to ask, so for this blog I'll give you Admiral as your post!)

We chatted for a long time too (my daughter was incredibly patient!) and I discovered a lot of information about the Sea Cadets which is run by the Royal Navy in Beccles every week.

Today they are having an open day from 10am to 2pm with a display for you to watch as a new section of Marine Cadets is opening tomorrow. It will be at Beccles Sea Cadets, Fen Lane which is opposite Travis Perkins, Beccles NR34 9BH. Displays will include, weapons drill, Sailing, Powerboating, Physical Training, Pulling and Camping Skills.
For more information on the Cadets, click on their website, which I'll add, so you can contact them too.
Beccles is outside the Chet Community but only just and any children (aged 10 - 18)  in our area who may want to join the Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets would find this is probably their nearest detachment.

Needless to say I have asked "Admiral" Joe if the Sea and Royal Marine Cadets would come to the Festival and hopefully this will be confirmed shortly, and I understand they even perform the Hornpipe with actions too so that would be worth watching!

If we can get the Air Cadets and Army Cadets and the Royal British Legion (who are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year) along too then it would be wonderful.

Poetry

Have you ever thought "one day I'd love to see my poetry in print?"  Have you wondered that if you had a bit of time that you would like to share it with others in the community?  Have you ever considered writing poetry but not yet had a go?

Well think and wonder no longer as we introduce the brand new Poets' Corner Page, ready and waiting for your creations.  We will gladly put them on here for others to read and enjoy, giving you a chance to show what you have been creating!

Don't worry if you are shy we won't publish your name on there if you prefer you can become the famous poet who was actually one of my favourites in early childhood, ANON.  I imagined he was a delightful elderly man with a long white beard and he had written an amazing amount of poetry over the years... well it would be great if ANON could return to the Chet Community and give us some entertainment on the blog - let's see what we come up with.

Remember this is a festival celebrating the diversity of our amazing community, you can be any age at all to enter your poems and we can't wait to hear from you.

Email us on chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk and tell us if you want your name published or not and whether we can mention which village you live in...

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Martial Arts display!

I've had a lovely chat with one of the leaders of Kuk Sool Won that run a thriving group in Loddon every week.

We are in the process planning our displays and I'm confident that they will be able to come and demonstrate some of the brilliant moves that their members can do.

The acts are starting to fill up so if you can or know someone based in this area who would be keen to do a demonstration of their skills, then please let us know.

Have a very happy weekend!

The Big Chill

As yesterday was a wonderful warm and spring like day, my thoughts turned to summer which in turn led to ice cream.  I browsed the Parravanis website and my mouth watered as the list of ice creams including Italian Marmalade appeared on my screen.  I have been to visit Parravanis a few years ago and seen and tasted ice cream as it was being made in Chedgrave and have to say it is second to none.

All the dairy ingredients are freshly brought in from a dairy farm in Bungay and the difference in taste to some of the more commercial ice creams is something you need to judge for yourself.
So it is with great pleasure that I announce Parravanis will be making "an appearance" at our festival and you will be able to savour the delights it has to offer.  Fantastic!

New News - The Sun Has Got His Hat On - hip hip hip hooray.

We've just heard from The Seething Observatory where the Norwich Astronomical Society meet!

They are coming to the Festival and will hopefully be bringing some telescopes with them for you to try out and fingers crossed if the sun is shining then you will get a chance to study it in complete safety. WOW!

So Far We Have....

We are really pleased to welcome The Norfolk Fencing Club who will be running a stall where you can have a go at fencing, and also doing a 30 minute display of their different skills.

Also the wonderful Funky Feet dance company, run by Vicky Codling, will perform in the afternoon.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team will be there and giving you the chance to get your bicycle security marked and the Police Car will also be there so you can have a look inside it and maybe even set off the flashing lights!!

Jenny's Nursery will be coming - hold this page for what they will be doing...

Musicians and Singers are starting to get booked and please don't wait till August to offer to perform as we'd hate it if you missed out.

A new group for the Chet Community LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) will be launching on that day so it will be an exciting time to come and see what it's all about and join if you want to.

Martin the Potter from Thurlton will be there and you can have a go at pottery - I can't wait!!

There will be face painting, ice cream, food of all sorts and a beer tent too.

It is starting to develop into a great day and we really are looking forward to seeing you there.

Finally other plans are in the pipeline to hold events over the villages in the evenings in the village halls to celebrate the local entertainment. Maybe you know someone who would like to try their skill on the stage...let us know

email us at chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk

Great ideas starting to develop!

As we move into early Spring the Committee and Sub Committee members are meeting regularly and getting down to booking, planning and building on last year's festival of arts that was a great success in September 2010.

This year we are very keen to really involve all the feeder schools for Hobart High School and will be offering a chance for their pupils to have a lesson in salt dough craft to prepare a display of all that Norfolk has to offer in the harvest.

We are also looking into a Green Area where Reuse, Reduce and Recycle can be highlighted and show ways of lessening the waste problems associated with modern day living...

click on this link to like the facebook page.

What is the Festival?

The Chet Community Festival is a celebration of all the diversity in the Chet community which roughly covers the catchment area for Hobart High School in Loddon. 


There will be entertainment laid on by local musicians, artists, dancers, martial arts and much more throughout the event and a variety of food and drink will be on offer as well.


Clubs will be showcasing their skills and I know that there will be an opportunity to try your hand out at some things already!

Welcome to the new blog!

Hello and welcome to the first blog on the Chet Community Festival which will be taking place on Saturday 10th September 2011 in Loddon Norfolk.