‘Carbrooke Celebration’ - A weekend event to celebrate Carbrooke life, past, present and future; making use of and enjoying our wonderful facilities.
Carbrooke Heritage Group was formed 5 years ago, and we put
on a successful Heritage Exhibition. Now 5 years on, the group has been
involved in a number of activities, and attracted more members, as past
residents of Carbrooke have also provided their memories, it was felt it would
be a good time to put on another Exhibition.
The church, as the oldest, and most visible building in the
Parish, with fascinating and far reaching historical links (and which has just
had its 5 yearly inspection), is in great need of repair and restoration,
(estimated costs well in excess of £250,000). We are in the process of applying
for an HLF grant to help with restoration and making the church more accessible
for the community.
In the last few years, sadly the village has not held a
Village Fete, we felt a Heritage Exhibition and Fund raising event
in the church, could be opened up for the other village organisations to use
the opportunity to fund raise for themselves too. It has proved a successful and
enjoyable event helped by lovely weather, with estimated funds raised between
the village organisations of £2000.
We had a steady stream of visitors to the Heritage Exhibition,
featuring the history of Carbrooke with an accent on how Faith has influenced
us, from earliest times, and are delighted that a number of things have resulted
from the event; firstly we re-discovered the ancient Carbrooke armour
(originally believed to belong to the Knights Hospitallers), it has not been
seen for many years and it was feared that it had been lost. An expert has
since suggested that it may in fact be armour from a standing army (most
villages were expected to provide soldiers if the need arose, and the village
constable had to provide the local men with armour (a fascinating story for us
to follow up).
Another thing to come out of the event, is that a visitor
has offered to have the ‘King David’ painting in the church, (1747),
professionally cleaned & restored if it is within his budget.
The weekend began with the unveiling of our new churchyard
information board, on Friday 30th June at 7pm. The father of one of
our newer members, (Adrian Talbot), is an artist who lives in France, on
hearing that we were looking to create information boards in the village, he
offered to do the art work, he hand painted a beautiful design of the church
and its interesting features. Imprint Signmakers laminated and installed it,
& it is now situated by the church gate. Adrian has also offered to create
a further board showing the history of the whole village.
Following this there was a presentation in the church
entitled ‘A Brief History of Carbrooke’ detailing the history of Carbrooke from
earliest times, an Agricultural village with important links to the Knights
Hospitallers, (now, St John Ambulance) who founded their Norfolk base in
Carbrooke. There are many facets to Carbrooke History – such as; - American
Servicemen links to the school during WW2, Father George Chambers the renowned
‘Red Vicar of Carbrooke’.
The school and Playgroup held their Summer Fete on Friday
afternoon with stalls, BBQ & bouncy castle. On Saturday the Heritage
Display and Teddy Trail continued in the church with refreshments, and
demonstration by a Flint Knapper in the church yard. The Village Hall hosted
craft stalls, Ploughman’s lunches, a Burger van and Bar. Plants & stalls
and military vehicles were on the Village Green. The Heritage Display continued
on Sunday, and the weekend closed at 4pm with a ‘Songs of Praise’ Service,
featuring a return of several ex pupils to sing the school song ‘The Carbrooke
Oak’ written in 1996 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the
school.
We would like to thank everybody who helped in any way,
donated items, offered information or attended.
Our next event will be a presentation by Tom Thurston on
22nd September at 7pm in the Village Hall.
‘Agriculture, Today and Yesterday, Its effects
on Carbrooke’.
No charge but donations go to Millenium Green /
Bar open & Raffle.
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