NORDELPH COMMUNITY WEBSITE: AUGUST 2011
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We start this update with a 'mystery object'. This box appeared by the side of Well Creek just west of Salters Lode lock earlier in the year. We do know what it is, because the lock keeper let us in on the secret, but we thought you might enjoy puzzling over it -- just as far as the foot of the page, where we'll reveal all! And just in case your immediate instinct is that it must have something to do with either electricity supply or telecommunications -- it's neither of those!
Nordelph's recent experience of the Norfolk Fire Service has tended towards their attendance at village Fun Days and their series of fire safety bulletins that we republish on this website. On the morning of June 26th they came for a more serious purpose: an electrical fault (it is believed) caused a fire in an outbuilding behind the Chequers. With the consent of Rod Burman, who had only left the premises less than an hour before the fire broke out, we have a picture report of the blaze and its aftermath.
The map above is part of an extremely rich resource -- the interactive map of all the footpaths, bridleways and rights of way across the county of Norfolk. You'll find it at: www.countrysideaccessmap.norfolk.gov.uk or you can click on the map above. It figures in this website update because we've used it in our report of The Saga of Footpath #7.
We have two images here that are connected only in that they delight us -- sadly, neither of them is especially relevant to Nordelph but we just couldn't resist sharing them with you.
On the left, a delightfully modified street sign; as the distinctive typeface indicates, this is a Transport for London warning to bus drivers. On the right something that has taken our family by storm ever since we caught a reference to it on a Radio 4 food programme. This is vanilla ice-cream served with a topping of -- wait for it -- balsamic vinegar! You need to mix the vinegar thoroughly with the ice cream, and you should be sparing at least until you've identified your own taste level, but the taste is sublime!
We've had a couple of readers' requests this month. Janet Hales writes:
My husband is Colin Hales and he recalls the searchlight at Nordelph or Salters Lode in the war. His parents were Eric and Madge. I too was born in Nordelph my grandparents were William and Elizabeth George of Thorpe Terrace Silt Road.
D does anyone have any info or pictures of the searchlight?
We would be more than pleased to publish any information or pictures that anyone has; we'll pass anything on to Janet. Contact us on info@nordelph.org.
And Jen Stoyle from Ramsbury, Wiltshire writes:
I am researching my family history and wondered if there are any families related to the Samuel Pepper who lived at 4 High Street, Nordelph? He was my great-grandfather. He is buried in the cemetery and died in 1929.
Any help welcomed!
We'd just like to note that the cemetery has an elegant (if rather ineffective) pair of ceremonial gates! It was tempting to pair the photograph with the one we took of the Union Flag flying -- upside down -- outside the Village Hall, but we decided to be kind!
And finally, the answer to the 'mystery object' poser. Recently, otter traces have been found in the neighbourhood of Salters Lode lock. As far as we know, no otters have been sighted yet, but the Middle Level Commissioners are enthusiastic. What they've done is to create a artificial otter 'holt' below this box, accessed from below the water line. It's fitted with video recording capabilities, which can be accessed from this box. There are reports that the camera is getting obscured by growing weed, but that's another story.
You can read about the sightings on the MLC website: www.middlelevel.gov.uk/conservation.aspx and for your entertainment there are video clips from a similar set up, available on You Tube;look in at: www.youtube.com/user/CarsonCliff?feature=mhum
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