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Thorpe Market
A small village in North Norfolk
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Proposed Film Club

The PCC have now reconsidered this project and decided it is not an appropriate activity for St. Margaret's Church.


Cantamus Community Choir

As you are all aware, changes in the organisation of the choir have been evolving since earlier this year.  .The decision that the choir base would have to be moved, seemed the moment to put the choir on a sustainable footing for the future. 

New Musical Director. We can tell you that we have been most fortunate in appointing David Ballard to this position. David has graduated in music from UEA and is teaching in North Walsham. He acquired his choral experience having spent the greater part of his musical life with North Walsham church choir. He is also a very accomplished organist. He comes to us with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Alan will also continue with us as accompanist, his many years of experience of choral singing will be willingly shared with David and we shall have a great team leading Cantamus.


"Visions of England”


Cantamus Community Choir, directed by David Ballard, will be celebrating
the 2012 Diamond Jubilee in musical style. A concert incorporating a
wide-ranging programme of English music, with a rousing finale, will be
performed at a local venue in May. This is an opportunity for vocalists
of all abilities to be part of the current popular revival of choral
singing. A warm invitation to anyone who may be tempted to give it a try
to come along to North Walsham Methodist Church on Thursday January 19th
at 7.30pm. Enquiries 01263 833252.
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David has devised a very wide-ranging programme for a concert to mark the
Diamond Jubilee. Dates and venue for this concert are not yet confirmed
but it is likely to take place in the first half of May. The pieces range
from Byrd to the Beatles and the title of the programme is “Visions of
England”. There really is something for everyone!


One change that effects everyone is the decision to put the termly
subscription up to £15 and make the drinks free. This is really a
practical solution to handling small change. We shall collect subs. the
first 2 weeks of term.

Wanted!  If anyone wants to be involved with a choir but does not actually wish to sing, support in the form of helping with refreshments on rehearsal nights, or selling tickets and stewarding duties at concerts,  is much needed.  We do not meet in the summer, so if winter t.v schedules are boring come and join our friendly group and enjoy "live" music.
 




The Re-roofing Project
The church was closed in August 2009 in order that major work to the roof and interior could take place.  Broken slates had allowed water to  damage the decorated ceiling with potential health and safety issues looming action needed to be taken.
In 2007/8 a two-stage project to investigate and repair was instigated by English Heritage.
 The project has cost in excess of £160,000.00, with funding being provided by English Heritage, The Joyce Mayes Trust, Norfolk Churches Trust, Historic Churches Trust, Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Mercers, Allchurches Trust Ltd., and PCC fund-raising events and individual donations.
The church now has new slates, improved churchyard drainage, repaired ceiling and total re-decoration.
The main contractor for the project was Pikestaff Traditional Roofing and Ruth Blackman of Birdsall, Swash and Blackman was the architect. 

Easter 2010 saw the long-awaited re-opening of St. Margaret's Church.   On Good Friday Cantamus Community Choir  performed Stainers "Crucifixion".  Easter Day was celebrated with our first service "back home" led by Rev. Janet Stewart.  In the course of the afternoon more than 150 visitors viewed the newly decorated and re-roofed church, enjoyed music by Village Folk Band and sampled our home-made cakes and tea.  The Village Library facility has returned with an enormous supply of good quality books.


Upkeep of Churchyard
The churchyard is maintained by volunteers. Since 1998 it has received many awards and accolades for its conservation work.

The Hazel Grove area is now used as a Green Burial area for the interment of ashes. (See "Woodland burials").
We encourage visits by conservation-minded people. May and June are particularly colourful months, especially in the Hazel Grove.

In 2010 the PCC took the decision to no longer maintain the conservation areas under the direction of Norfolk Wildlife Trust but instead to opt for a more manicured appearance.

Recycling
We now have 2 bottle banks as well as the paper skips on the church car park. The paper skips already earned  £1300+ in 2007/08 towards the church's £7000 running costs - so please bring all your bottles and paper to Thorpe Market!

Book Recycling - Our Village Library
The back pews are now occupied by a large shelf. The books thereon have been donated and may be borrowed, read,  and returned, or taken for "keeps" in return for a small donation in the wall box. There are modern novels, classics, biographies and special interest books. We hope that it may provide a resource for avid readers between village visits by the county library van. Bags of unwanted books to refresh the selection may be left at the back of the church.


Village memories
The intention is to create an archive of historical village photographs and memories. We have posted Anthony Beck's diary of life in the village during WW2 on this site. We always welcome any archive material and photos may be e mailed to us.  We receive queries from around the world and are always delighted to respond if able.




This website has been designed to provide a source for visitors, residents or indeed anyone seeking information about the village of Thorpe Market.