This page was renamed to reflect a revised remit to allow, hopefully, a wider coverage of village events.

Starting on the 20^th October 2009, we have published a weekly "Filby News" bulletin on this page. Past bulletins are available on the Village Voice Echoes page.

There may be some duplication with activities regarding Filby in Bloom, it is always worth checking the Filby in Bloom pages for other coverage, but this page will be the main source of activities week to week.

Village Voice will reward regular visits as it is possible to include comments, reports and observations sent to the Webmaster using the email address shown below. This is also an opportunity for us to see and record your photographs covering Filby, its people, events and activities, both past and present, contributions are always welcome. It is intended that suitable material will, in time, become part of the Filby Collection to be housed in the proposed Community Centre.

From January 2010 we are publishing, month by month, the Victorian equivalent of Village Voice starting with January 1890. To see what our forebears considered worthy of record one hundred and twenty years ago. Why not go to the Voices from the Past page?

To publicise your Filby related event please email the webmaster@filbyvillage.org.uk. You can also use this email address to make contact with the event organizers or if you require further information on items below and your message will be passed on.

Filby News

24^th August 2010

August Bank Holiday

Programs and raffle books are available at the Post Office.
The fun starts Friday evening with a bingo in the marquee at 7.30pm.
On Saturday, at 7.30pm, we have an audience with Ashley George, a Psychic Medium.
On Sunday at 9am we have a car boot and table top sale, followed at 7.30pm with a 'Norfolk Night of Squit and Music', with the very funny Pat Nearney and Danny Platton.
On the Bank Holiday Monday the 56th Annual Grand Fete starts at 1.30pm, finally at 8pm we have the Grand Finale firework display and Karaoke. Gates open at 6pm with special guests the girl band Evony are live on stage, they have been on the X Factor.
There is a Beer Festival from Midday onwards on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and a local history photograph exhibition and a lot of the Filby Archive material on display in the Clubroom, each day from 10am onwards.
If you like to book a stall or help in any way contact Adrian on 01493 369250

Church news

No service at Filby this Sunday, but there is a joint Benefice Service celebrating the Holiday Club at Runham Church at 10.30am.
There is also Holy Communion at Mautby at 9am for those who prefer that. All are welcome to join Morning Prayer which is said at 9am at Filby Church on Saturday mornings.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning

Friday 24^th September 10am in the Clubroom. Proceeds to be divided between cancer support and the New Hall Fund. Anyone wishing to help contact Adrian on 01493 369250

Palliative Care East

A Dinner and Dance is being held on Friday 24^th September 7.00 for 7.30pm till Midnight, at Filby Bridge Restaurant, in aid of Palliative Care. Live music by Even Keel and a raffle will be held.
Tickets £20 contact Filby Bridge on 0149368142

Extend Exercise

The next Classes are on the 10^th and 17^th September in the Clubroom at 10.15am. Contact Pam Redwood on 01493 748830 for more details.

Anglia in Bloom

The Awards Ceremony this year is at Sudbury on the 15^th September, if anyone would like to go contact 01493 369250

Book Sale

This is on the 18^th / 19^th September in the Church Hall. Donations of books and offers of help to Sue Smith on 01493 369291. All proceeds to Filby Church.

Alfred Nichols

The death has occurred of Mr Alfred Nichols, aged 94, of Alysham, formerly of Filby. He was the youngest son of Fredrick and Ruth Nichols ( nee Gaze ) and was the last of his generation.
He had two Brothers, George and Fred, and three sisters Ruth, Margaret and Mabel.
Alf died at home peacefully in his sleep.
He leaves a widow, Margaret, and two children Ian and Anne.

Tea Rooms and Toilets

The Tea Rooms and toilets on the Playing Field have been given a make over thanks to the efforts of John Cox and some help from the Saturday gang.
This has been completed in time for the Fete and hopefully they will see us through until the new hall is built.

Parish Council

The Council always meets in the Clubroom on the Playing Field and all meetings are open to the press and public.
It was printed incorrectly in last weeks Mercury and should have read Filby Parochial Church Council.

Need More Information?

If you need further details on anything happening in Filby go to www.filbyvillage.org.uk/home.html and follow the links.

Filby & District Women's Institute News

Previous reports can be found at the Filby and District W. I. page.

23^rd August 2010

President Jan Howard welcomed members and 3 guests to the August meeting.

A reply was read out from Great Yarmouth MP, Brandon Lewis, regarding the WI Resolution for correct labelling of food.

Orders were taken for diaries and calendars.

We are taking part in knitting hats for 'Smoothie' bottles being run by Age Concern.
We are also knitting green squares to be made into a 15ft Christmas tree being organised by the 'Livability' Charity in Norwich for disabled young adults. The tree when finished will be on display in the Forum in Norwich between 19^th and 28^th November and then it will be moved to the Hostry in Norwich Cathedral.

An invitation from Hemsby to join them on 17^th November for a day in Cambridge was accepted by some members.

An outing on Queen of the Broads from Wroxham on 23^rd September is being arranged.

Birthday posy was given to Barbara Secker.

Raffle was won by Jan Howard.

The Speaker Peter Banham gave a very interesting talk about 'Old Sayings and their meanings'. Members were asked for their ideas before being told the meanings.

Molly Dorrington gave the vote of thanks.

9^th August 2010

Next meeting Thursday 19^th August at 2.00pm in the Club Room. Speaker will be Mr. Peter Banham 'Old Sayings and Origins'.

Orders will be taken for next year's Diaries and Calendars. National Diary £3.45,Norfolk Diary £2.60 and Calendars £3.50 each.

20^th July 2010

Filby & District members held their July meeting on a sunny afternoon in the lovely garden of member Margaret Riseborough's daughter. Wendy.

President Jan Howard welcomed members and guests. Home-made cakes and tea were enjoyed during the afternoon.

Names were taken for the Autumn Federation Meeting on 22^nd October in Acle. Orders for next year's diaries and calendars will be taken next month.

It is hoped to have a boat trip on the Broads from Wroxham in September. Further details will be given at the August meeting.

Birthday posy was given to Pam Pritchett.

Monies raised from the raffle,tombola, cards and cake stall organised by Margaret and Wendy were for Macmillan Nurses.

They were thanked by Janet Laxon.

20^th June 2010

President, Jan Howard, welcomed members, guests and Federation Secretary Cindy Brookes to a Summer Tea at Filby Bridge Restaurant on 17^th June.

An invitation to Hemsby WI's Strawberry Tea was accepted.

Plants have been set in our Flower Bed on the Pound and members were asked to put their names down on a rota to help with maintaining the plot.

Members were also asked if they had names of speakers who would be of interest when arranging next year's programme.

We had been pleased to help serve refreshments at Filby School's Sports Day.

Lottery Bonus Ball winner was Ella Slean.

Birthday buttonhole was given to Daphne Newton.

National Annual Meeting report was given by Cindy Brookes.
The resolution had been passed by 99.13%. Speakers at the meeting John Bercow, Tim Smit, Lee Durrell and Gwen Parry-Jones, the only female Power Station Director, had all been very interesting.
The meeting in Cardiff ended with entertainment by the Welsh male voice choir Only Men Aloud.

The raffle organised by Ella Slean at our meeting raised £60.00 for 'Nelson's Journey Smiles' Appeal.

Lyn Ridpath gave the vote of thanks.

7^th June 2010

Next meeting 2.00pm Filby Bridge Restaurant 17^th June for our Summer Tea. Please 'phone Valerie by 15^th June if you are unable to come.
Federation Secretary Cindy Brookes will be giving her report on the Annual Meeting in Cardiff.
The 'big' raffle will be for 'Nelson's Journey Smiles' Appeal.

23^rd May 2010

Vice President Stella Cotton welcomed members and 1 guest to this month's meeting in the Club Room.
Invitations were accepted to parties at Caister, Acle and Ormesby W.I.'s.
Caister have invited us to join their visit to Sandringham, Acle to join their visit to Pensthorpe and Hemsby to join their visit to the Newmarket Stud.
The Federation Garden Party in the Bishop of Norwich's garden had been enjoyed last week.

Our 'special' raffle at the June Summer Tea will be for 'Nelson's Journey Smiles' appeal.

Valerie Brock gave the delegate's report on the Federation Annual Meeting held recently.

Lottery Bonus Ball winner was Margaret Riseborough.

Birthday buttonholes were for Stella Cotton, Margaret Riseborough, May Wanlass and Monica Betts.

The resolution to be discussed at this year's Annual Meeting was explained by WI Adviser Gail Armstrong.
All members agreed with the resolution.

Vote of thanks to Gail was given by Daphne Newton.

Molly Dorrington won the 50p draw.

Valerie Brock - Secretary Filby WI
Phone 01493 720014

You May Have Missed in 2010

July Jumble

Our July Jumble Sale, held on Saturday 31^st July, raised £226 for Foxy Lodge, Wildlife and Rescue, Hemsby.
Thank you to everyone who helped in any way.
The next jumble sale is to be held on 18^th September, the charity is to be announced.
Clothes, bric-a-brac, books etc. can be collected, phone Sue 01493 369291 or Lesley 01493 369536.
You can get more information on Foxy Lodge by going to their website: www.foxylodge.yolasite.com.

Open Gardens Weekend

Our annual Open Gardens Weekend was held on the 18^th and 19^th July and initial results indicate that it was again successful despite occasional sudden showers on the Saturday and problems with printing the guides. A total of £1346.37 was taken which is to be shared between Filby in Bloom, Filby Church and the New Hall Fund.

Thirteen gardens were open to visitors, including the Community Orchard and Thrigby Mill, there were flower displays and pictures of Filby residents past and present on display at the church, teas were served in the Pavilion on the Playing Field and at several of the opened gardens. In the Clubroom the Filby Collection displayed a selection of photographs including 88 from those added to the collection during the past year.

Many thanks to all who helped and to our visitors.

Next year's Open Gardens Weekend will be on the 16^th and 17^th of July 2011.

Another Jumble Sale

The second Jumble Sale of the year on 5^th June raised £242 for Body Wellness, based at the James Paget, the programme is a series of ten sessions aiming to improve the post treatment recovery of Breast Cancer sufferers in the area. Many thanks to everyone who helped.

The next Jumble Sale at the Church Hall will be held on 31^st July, aid of a local charity to be announced.