RECYCLE PC reports on the festival

ReCycle PC had a very successful day at the Chet Community Festival on September the 10th.

Do you want to come again next year?  If so please email us

chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk and we will reserve your stall again.  

If you haven't had a stall or entertained at the festival yet then please let us know as soon as possible so that we can fit you in... we had a lot of last minute requests this year which was wonderful but I know next year we will be over subscribed and don't want you to miss out.

Many thanks to all of you who came and enjoyed yourselves and we look forward to seeing you again next September.http://www.recycle-pc.co.uk/chet_festival.html

BECCLES AND BUNGAY JOURNAL REPORT TODAY by BEN OLIVE from THE LODDON EYE

Taken from The Loddon Eye 

Loddon at centre of Chet Community Festival buzz…

Chet Community Festival, Loddon
Saturday 10th September

On Saturday the Fire Station Meadow in Loddon, tucked behind the High Street and beside the Church, was filled with local businesses, groups, musicians and entertainers as the Chet Community Festival celebrated the diverse range of activities within the Chet Valley area. The event, which began at midday with a parade through the centre of Loddon, was a resounding success and was well attended until it finished at 7pm.

There was entertainment throughout the day with live music from local bands and arena displays from Kuk Sool Won, local dance schools Funky Feet and Centre Stage, and Norfolk Fencing Club. A wide variety of stalls covered everything the Chet Valley has to offer, from local craft sellers and charities to hand bell ringing and the Loddon Community Cinema.

Various games and activities kept both children and adults entertained but the most popular seemed to be the charity ‘stocks’, providing the opportunity to soak members of the community with a wet sponge. One of those in the stocks was local landlord Simon Peck who continued to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease Association, in conjunction with his support of Chris O’Flaherty who takes part in the Bupa Great North Run this year.

Organisers were very pleased with how successful the festival was and committee member Caroline Bown was keen to thank all those involved: “We were delighted at how yesterday’s festival went. The stall holders and entertainers were all wonderful and everybody who made the effort to come along and support it created a superb atmosphere in a beautiful setting. The Parade was really fun at the opening of the festival, everybody turned up looking gorgeous in all their uniforms. The food and drinks were delicious and the friendliness of all the people there made me really proud to live in this community. A special mention must be made to all the extras who have helped to make the day happen, some of them worked behind the scenes, some doing lots of manual work, some designing pictures and banners and producing them, the local businesses for providing financial support, donations and even a free bus service.”

**************************

If you have a local story for Ben Olive, please contact him through the Loddon Eye, either on the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LoddonEye or theloddoneye@hotmail.co.uk and follow Ben's Twitter as well, @LoddonEye.

Photographs

Thanks so much to all of you who took any part in helping to make yesterday's event so successful.

We were delighted that the wind held off and that the rain was only light and sporadic leaving most of the afternoon a lovely summery sunny day.

Loddoneye.com have written a report and also attached some lovely photos of a few of the activities going on there. 

If you have any more pictures that you would be happy to send to us by email, please do

Many thanks

Caroline
chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk

Plan for 2011 Chet Community Festival

FREE TRANSPORT NEXT SATURDAY!

If you are parking in Loddon or Chedgrave or live there and don't fancy walking to and from the festival why not take advantage of our FREE bus service?

FILM ON THURSDAY

Far From The Madding Crowd
This Thursday
7.30 start
St John's Lecture Hall
George Lane
Loddon

We look forward to seeing you there.

LODDON COMMUNITY CINEMA

THIS THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2011 LODDON COMMUNITY CINEMA 

are showing Oranges and Sunshine

Tickets are on sale at Loddon Garden and Seed Centre

The cinema want to acquire a professional screen later this autumn. To help raise funds for this they will be having a stall at the Chet Community Festival taking place on the 10th September.  It will be called "The Interval" and they hope to run a prize film quiz, sell DVD's and popcorn. If anyone has any DVD's that they have watched and would consider donating them for this fundraising effort please bring them along to the screening on Thursday night or take them along to the Parish Council Office (Tues and Thurs am).

The Festival starts on 

Thursday 8th September 

with

Far From The Madding Crowd

7.30pm

GREEN ON THE GREEN

We are delighted to welcome Steve Houghton from RECYCLE-PC who to date have refurbished over 3,500 laptops and computers and they are donated free of charge to the elderly, disabled, charities, community groups and people on low income.


They will run a raffle for a reconditioned computer on the day with the proceeds going towards recycle-pc funding to help with their costs.

Our Email Address

More Information on the Mini Monsters Show

Wildlife, learning and laughter for all ages!

On Friday 9th September, we will be inviting some weird and wonderful animals to Loddon Mill to entertain you. Expect to see strange and unusual spiders, snakes and furry animals as part of the Mini Monsters roadshow!  You will learn something about the creatures in this entertaining show and despite being sealed in safe viewable boxes, some might even come out and play!

Both shows will be presented by Kate Jackson .a.k.a. ‘the bug lady’, an experienced zoologist and educator, with bags of enthusiasm, knowledge and a daft sense of humour. Kate, BSc Honors in Psychology and Zoology was education officer for two zoos, worked with the BBC Natural History Department, is well travelled and has appeared on local radio, TV and even BBC’s ‘Question Time’ programme!

It will be a fascinating show, which forms part of the Chet Community Festival Weekend.

There will be two shows at 6:00pm and again at 7:00 pm and this is ideal for families and children from age 6.

Tickets are: £2:00 per child  and £1:00 per adult. There is a bar for childrens refreshments with drinks, crisps, sweets etc. and teas and coffees and cake.

TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS: 01508 521800

Or collect in person from: Caroline at Rosy Lee’s Tea Rooms, Bridge Street, Loddon

** Please note, that children can only attend with an accompanying adult who is responsible for them (to avoid the risk of being eaten, of course!) **

‘You captured the children’s attention more than I have ever seen before and educated both them and the adults in the most entertaining way.  If only all education were as effective we’d have a nation of geniuses (or is that genii?)’…A Suffolk parent

Parents please note for peace of mind: The animals that Kate will be bringing were captive bred in the UK or rehomed as unwanted pets. They were chosen for their good temperaments and tolerance for handling.  Some animals are only used for display and discussion, such as the tarantulas and scorpion. Kate is CRB checked and has completed DfES, child protection and first aid courses.  Some children can be given the opportunity to handle the animal if they choose to.  No person is ever forced to hold any animal that he/she is not comfortable with.

CHET COMMUNITY FESTIVAL MINI MONSTERS SHOW

Stalls and Parade

Welcome to August!  A new month and not long now till the big day.
Stall holders are getting ready with new bookings from Loddon Grasshoppers with a ball skills challenge, SSAFA raising awareness for the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force who have been protecting our country over the last centuries, Loddon Cubs doing a human fruit machine and The Loddon Eye with an opportunity to meet our local journalist Ben Olive who has been keeping the news up to date in Loddon and Chedgrave.
The Parade is also coming along with the preparation nicely and more and more groups are asking to take part.  If your group would like to parade, even if it isn't running a stall or performing, then please email us as soon as possible to chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk
Have a wonderful day

NORWICH ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

Next Sunday 17th July 2011

In the Seething Observatory, the Norwich Astronomical Society are having a Solar Day.

Solar telescopes for viewing the sun in a variety of safe ways will be setup throughout the day. A Talk by Dave Balcombe will run at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00. Come and go anytime between 10 and 4, entrance is £3 Adults £1 Children £5 Family. If the weather is bad other activities will be available included live views from NASA's Solar telescopes. Refreshments will be available.

Parades, Hand Bell Ringers and Dancers!

Hello!

We have just heard that Philip Mitchell will be bringing his Hand Bell Ringers (which meet in Broome Village Hall) to the festival and I'm really looking forward to seeing their demonstration and hopefully will get a chance to have a go afterwards too.

Aleysha Staines has also just let me know that she will be bringing her dance school to the festival too. There is a link to her website Centre Stage Academy of Dance and they meet in Gillingham Village Hall.  They will also be performing on the day so we won't be short of good entertainment.

Our mini parade is coming together nicely, and if you want to join in at the opening of the festival at midday, please contact us by email, chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk

Any comments, suggestions and thoughts are always welcome as this is Your Festival and we want you to enjoy yourselves.

Have a lovely day!

OUR FIRST FRINGE EVENT!

On Friday 24th June at Loddon Infant and Nursery School there will be a special evening of entertainment with a licensed bar.
Tickets are on sale from Loddon Garden and Seed for only £3.50 each or if you are 16 or under only ONE POUND!
I highly recommend you buy tickets in advance to avoid missing out on what promises to be a super evening.

Progress progress progress

It's been a while since I last updated this blog, but lots has been happening since the last news.
The schools are preparing to have their lessons in Salt Dough with Julie our specialist in arts and crafts and they will be creating a harvest display which will be on show at the festival.
A mini parade through the High Street will start the festival off and we have a local bag piper (is that how you call a person who plays the bagpipes?) to lead them. It could look like the pied piper if the procession is mainly children (minus the rats of course).
Stalls are still being booked and we have a great line up of entertainment for you too.
Please contact us on chetcommunityfestival@yahoo.co.uk if you want to be involved in any way however small. We would love to include you if you are local or work here in this area.  Don't forget to get baking practise in ready for the scrummiest cake competition, and please write some poetry to add to this blog too.
Thanks and I promise not to take so long between comments again.

Daffodil Day, Sculpture Trails and Air Displays

Yesterday I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Langley School's annual Daffodil Day.  The music, entertainment and variety of stalls was impressive and I especially enjoyed watching the game of Quidditch with pupils "flying" around on broomsticks over the Quidditch pitch.

I met 3 members of the WWII Seething Airbase and we talked about the Seething Charity Air Day happening there the day after our Festival on the Sunday 11th September, where some very interesting planes will be on show and some flying in the skies above.

As Seething is only 3 miles away from Loddon, if you are planning a break to visit the area, I recommend you come that weekend as all your entertainment will be laid on over 2 days.

If any more  news on the Air Day comes my way I will put it on here but also check the link for it too.

Coming up before the Festival very soon is the 2011 Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail in May. I have met Rebecca who tells me there will be 3 mystery plays  performed on each Saturday afternoon over the 3 week event.  It is celebrating the creation and building of a mediaeval church as part of Bergh Apton's church dates back to those times and this year's title is "The Journey".

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.