News and Events

Temporary Opening Times

Monday to Saturday- 6am to 6pm

Sunday- 8am to 4.30pm

Local asparagus & mushrooms now also available Plus lots more – see below.

Ice cream, fruit and veg, bread, eggs, milk and treats.

We are now taking orders for free home delivery Saturday 18thApril Covering PORINGLAND, BEDINGHAM, WOODTON, BROOKE, YELVERTON, BERG APTON, CHEDGRAVE, LODDON, HALES.

Make a list of what you would like and email your order to southnorfolkices@gmail.com or text or ring to 07967108986

We need your items you need to order plus full name and address and telephone number for payment, we will confirm your order and ring back for payment, complete contactless service.

Please see website for more information https://jims-south-norfolk-ices.ueniweb.com/#bob

A viewpoint from local resident Kevin Gotts.

“It’s a strange ol’ time,” a local farmer remarked.  The world has been shaken, and certainly seems upside down and outside our control.

Many millions are working under extreme pressure and making a massive difference, while we help contribute by keeping a very low profile.

Our senses, especially in rural areas, have become more sensitive and appreciative of the stillness, smells, birds singing, bees foraging, our neighbours and we are surrounded by a full burst of wonderful Spring growth.

The undercurrent of locals running errands, helping with urgent supplies and collections is uplifting, showing that we are fundamentally a caring, sharing, strong community.  Thank you.

And if you have time today why not text, phone or email a neighbour, friend or absent relative and wish them well.

We shall get beyond this season of testing and uncertainty.

A major faith proclaims today that “He (Jesus) is Risen”, a depiction of resurrection from darkness to light.

I believe that Hope will win through.

Pictured is St Mary’s, Yelverton, with a canopy of radiant daffodils.

This week the weather has become very spring like and I have heard many lawnmowers hard at work and seen signs that many of us are starting to tackle jobs in the garden.One of our residents, Cara, has produced some gardening tips for April. A useful read!

Talking about the spring weather, life at the village pond is moving on. There are currently several ducks nesting and to let them hatch their eggs successfully, please ensure that your dogs do not enter the water.The pond is a lovely place to walk past and visit which many of you clearly agree with, but please do not stay too long so allowing others to stop and enjoy and respect social distancing.

The emergency team are still here to help please call your area volunteer or Sue or myself.

I wish everyone a Happy Easter don’t over – indulge in the chocolate!
Please pass on information to anyone who does not have internet access.

Louise 01508 492599

Sue 01508 491185

April is a lovely Spring month and many of us will be busy in our gardens preparing for the Summer months ahead. It is also a transitional month, bringing unpredictable weather, so it is often the case of getting out to do something whenever the weather permits.

Mowing

If the grass is dry and frost-free we can now mow our lawns and tidy up the edges by re-cutting them with a half-moon or spade to give a neat edge to the flowerbeds or patio areas. Lawns will also benefit from a dose of lawnfeed at this time.

Clearing up

There may still be some leaves lurking under shrubs so these can be raked out and flowerbeds tidied up, cutting back any perennials which may still have the old growth from last summer.

Sowing Vegetable seeds

If you are planning to grow some vegetables, now is the time to sow tomatoes, runner beans, green peppers and courgettes which will then be planted on when there is no danger of  frost. 

Planting pots 

This is the best time for creating new container displays. If you have the space, pot plug plants into larger pots as this will be cheaper than buying bigger pot plants later on. Plant up summer baskets and store undercover for positioning in late May. We can also sow half-hardy bedding plants in seed trays in the greenhouse or indoors by a sunny window. 

Maintain water buts and water features

If you have a pond or water feature, now is the time to give it a little post-winter maintenance. Clear out ponds: lift put any planting baskets and fish (keep in buckets of old pond water), bail out the water, remove sludge and refill with collected rainwater is possible (if you use tap water, let it stand for a week before putting any fish back in). 

Check that your water butts are collecting water effectively, that the downpipes are clear and that the taps are working (they sometimes become blocked with old leaves). 

Protect from frost and wind

April can still bring frosty nights, so be ready to protect tender flowers and vegetables from late frosts. Young, upright-growing plants will need some form of support so stake tall plants to prevent them being damaged.

Indoor plants

Don’t forget the house plants, either. Water and feed more often now that they are actively growing.

Local nurseries and garden centres are offering an order and delivery service. Please go to their websites for details.

Written by Cara

Budgens in Poringland are now offering an email and collect service from Monday 6th April.

This service will be available 6 days a week. Orders can be placed Monday – Friday 10.00-13.00. Collections will be Tuesday – Saturday 14.00 – 17.00

To place an order see steps below

Step 1

Email your shopping list, name and telephone number to shopping@oflynnsgroup.com

Step 2

You will receive a call the next day when your shopping is ready and take card payment over the phone. You will then be given a collection time.

Step 3

Park outside the store at your given time and the shopping will be put in the boot of your car.

Please see below notice from medical practices

Along with other Practices within our locality Old Mill & Millgates Medical Practice will be open for our patients on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

We will staff our Surgery in Poringland with our dedicated Clinical and Support teams and will endeavour to ensure the needs of our patients are met.

As in recent weeks patient consultations will initially be conducted by telephone and triaged accordingly. If you require support please ring the Surgery between 08:00 and 17:45. Please note that the Surgery doors will be closed between 13:00 and 14:00 in order that staff may take a break.

Our dispensaries will be open on both days for patients to order and collect medication.

Unfortunately we have had to reduce our dispensary opening times at Millgates Hempnall and these will be 15:00 to 18:00 on both days.

During the past three weeks we have lost six clinical and four support staff because they have had to self-isolate. Despite this they have contributed to the team effort by carrying out consultations and other work at home. We are delighted to say things have improved and we are just a few staff down at the moment.

We recognise that the current ways we operate are challenging and different but we are following National Guidance. It is testament to your patience, support and understanding that we are currently managing demand and we would like to offer our sincere thanks to all our patients.

Groundhog Home Hardware have announced that due to suppliers being closed they can no longer obtain stock and will be closed for the foreseeable. Groundhog Hardware will reopen as soon as they are able and thank customers for their support.

Framlimgham Earl Post Office

Notice from manager Anna Engledow

It is with regret that i have to inform everyone the i have to close Framlingham Earl Post Office for the next 2 weeks. As some of you are aware being the manager there i was running things single handed. Unfortunately I have now fallen ill with the virus symptoms and now have to isolate for the next 14 days and hope my symptoms don’t get any worse. Sorry for the inconvenience to you all.

Brooke Post Office

Opening times as follows;

Post Office Outreach is open

Stoke Village Hall

Poringland Octagon next to Church