Tricentenary Celebrations – 2008
Robert Marsham was born 300 years ago and this is what his village did in 2008 to celebrate the life of their most famous inhabitant.
We had a wonderful action packed year – village events interspersed with scientific debates and, due to the topicality of global warming, amazing local TV and national press coverage in the Times, the Daily Telegraph and even the Spectator.
On his birthday January 27th we started the year with a church service addressed by Bishop Tony Foottit, the diocese environmental representative. The large congregation included many members of the Marsham family. After the service the bishop hitched up his skirts and led a walk through the woods to visit the great 102 ft. tall cedar planted by Robert Marsham in 1736. It is a stupendous tree, trained to grow straight up like a huge cathedral pillar, rather than branching as it would naturally.
Then on April 19th Julie Reinger the BBC weather girl cut the green ribbon to officially open the beautiful Robert Marsham exhibition created for us by Norwich PR firm ETT Marcons, followed by a short talk by Dr Tim Sparks to launch the book he and Dr John Lines have written on Robert Marsham. The exhibition has proved so popular that it is now on permanent display in the church attracting visitors from all over the world.
The North Norfolk Naturalists Society held a sell out all day seminar in the church on June 7th, with experts speaking on a variety of subjects relevant to Robert Marsham’s work. The Linnean Society also held a meeting in London to commemorate Robert Marsham’s contribution to recording long term data.
On June 22 Jane Burroughes gave a delicious Country Garden Lunch for 60 in her lovely garden which raised a large sum for the church – she makes particularly good meringues!
Our final event was the August bank holiday Festival of Trees. Visitors were greeted at the church entrance by a wonderful old clinker built wooden dinghy (half full of water due to the previous night’s downpour). In the church different villagers had created imaginative displays illustrating the uses to which man puts trees, their fruits and wood. A young family had created an arbour round the pulpit with a tree house and birdlife above and a teddy bears picnic below. Our herbalist had an array of tree extracted potions for the cure of aches and pains. There was wonderful woodcraft and a tempting display of eatables made from tree fruits amongst other interesting exhibits.
What now?
Firstly the year’s events and increased number of visitors have raised some much needed cash for the church restoration fund, so we can get on with mending the porch roof, under which Robert Marsham walked every Sunday. ( This repair was finished in 2010) But perhaps, more importantly, the village (rather straggly with 450 inhabitants) feels it has been put on the national map and realise they have a unique heritage of which they can be very proud. The 10 yellow AA signs funnelling the traffic our way were a brilliant investment, and drew attention to the village as well as guiding the lost. We are keeping the exhibition on display indefinitely, and although the 1000 book print of RM’s life has mainly gone there are a few copies left obtainable for £5 inc pp from Mrs Waddingham, Church Farm, Stratton Strawless NR105LN. cheques to Stratton Strawless PCC.
Current Events in Stratton Strawless
Our Robert Marsham Exhibition is staying on display in St. Margarets Church, Stratton Strawless, NR10 5LN. Visitors to the Church and the Exhibition are most welcome, as the Church is open every day from approx. 9.00 am till dusk.
Evensong
We hold a traditional Candlelit Evensong at 6.00 pm on the fourth Sunday in each month. We normally light our huge candelabra which makes the Church very special in candle light.
Christmas Carol Service
A traditional Christmas Carol Service was held on Sunday 12th December, at 4.00 pm. A very popular family service – an opportunity for all to sing their favourite carols.
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve
A Christmas communion service, starting at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve. Candle-lit as usual, a memorable way to start our Christmas celebrations.
2011 – Bluebell Days in Stratton Strawless
Our beautiful Bluebell Woods at Brook House, Hainford Road, Stratton Strawless, NR10 5LL, will once again be open to the Public on the following dates:-
Saturday 30th April/Sunday 1st May, 2011: 2 pm – 5 pm
Monday 2nd May 2011: 11 am – 5 pm
Saturday 7th/Sunday 8th May 2011: 2 pm – 5 pm
Admission: £2.50, Children Free, Dogs on leads welcome.
Home-made teas and produce available. Stalls for Plants, Bric-a-Brac, Home-made Produce, and a local art exhibition. All proceeds towards the upkeep of St. Margarets Church.
Do come for a stroll through the woods and enjoy a friendly atmosphere for some tea and home-made cakes. You could combine this with a visit to St. Margarets Church for the Robert Marsham Exhibition – just a short walk down the road.
For further information on any of the above events, contact Jennie Dunlop-Coates (Treasurer) on 01603 754419, or Toz Waddingham on 01603 279235