Inside this issue:

I spoke to an old resident here who tells me that the opium poppy used to be grown in great quantities at 'Poppylot' on the Southery/Feltwell road. My ordanace survey map indicates that Poppylot is still the name of a farm somewhere near Feltwell, and I believe also a road.
Other crops grown in this area appear to have included hemp and tobacco!
Hope this is interesting.

Martin
Denver

was required.
I will take this opportunity to do a little advertising. The bowlers do not make a lot of noise and they hide on the farthest corner of the recreation ground behind a thick hedge. A newcomer to the village could well feel disinclined even to stray nearby! Nothing could be further from the truth. The club relies on its members and new members are essential for its survival. So if you fancy some gentle exercise in pleasant surroundings why not give it a go? But Beware! You may become so hooked you live to see the full centenary.
Michael mentioned a few people and added that it would not be possible to name them all. I agree with that, but as his successor as chairman and one who has kept an eye on the club since my own retirement from it, I think there are two members who deserve special recognition, namely Cecil Gould and Basil Eyles. I am almost certain that they have both served on the committee in one capacity or another, be it as President, Chairman, Secretary or Grounds man, continuously for the whole twenty five years. Without their skill, dedication and commitment there would be no Northwold Bowls Club.

Phil Dittner

[Of course, both Cecil and Basil have said that they didn't want to be named - worried about upsetting anyone who might not have been mentioned. What modesty given their achievements. Ed.]

Dear Mr Whiting,
 
Whilst doing some research on opium consumption in the fens I was interested to come across 'Tales of a Doctor' from your May 2002 village magazine. [www.northwold.net]

From The Beeches, Northwold,  20^th August 2003.

The Editor,
Northwold Village Life.

Thank you Michael for getting the club started and for reminding us of the Bowls Club's quarter centenary. I think the club was, with characteristic modesty, prepared to overlook the event. I feel that as one of the Village success stories it deserves further mention.
There is no doubt that everyone shown in that photograph taken before our inaugural match contributed to the prosperity of the club. I could point to those who spent long hours working on the green or who picked teams, made sure they all turned up on the night and that transport was there to take us to far flung corners of the county. Then there were those who helped with catering, represented us at Sports and Social Club committee meetings or who organised raffles, 100 clubs, Sunday drives etc; and those who in the depths of winter drove to the other side of Norwich to represent the club at County level.
I also know that the Bowls Club has never been awash with money - it probably has one of the lowest subscription rates in the county - and there were many years when the financial future looked bleak. But always means were found to improve the green and the general facilities. The Sports and Social Club showed great consideration in this respect over the years, and their relationship and help with the individual sports sections cannot be overstated, but mainly the Bowls Clubs' members provided what