BRIDGHAM is a linear village which parallels the river Thet, the southern boundary to the Parish. The origins of the village are lost in Saxon folklore, but the settlement no doubt grew because it became a bridging point across the Thet. It is situated some seven miles from the expanded town of Thetford which lies to the southwest; whilst East Harling, two miles to the east, provides many of the services needed by this small community of about three hundred people. There remain none of the original shops and crafts which a hundred years ago would have been found within the village. During the last thirty years the Post Office, school and shop have all closed, yet in spite of these closures the village still maintains an attraction for both the locally born and people from other parts of the country. Part of the charm must lie in the different types of landscape which surround the village - heathland, forest and farmland - and partly in the fact that there is so much activity in the village for the people to enjoy - events and activities run by and for the people of Bridgham.

CHURCH - SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN

Whilst there is no record of a church at the time of the Domesday entries there was a priest. Documents suggests a church existed at a slightly earlier time in the days of Edward the Confessor. Most of the building dates from the fourteenth century but the door to the south is believed to be thirteenth century, while the northern porch is fifteenth century. It would appear that the tower collapsed sometime during the seventeenth or eighteenth century and a wooden replacement was constructed to house the bell. 

The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is in the Hundred of Guiltcross and comes under the authority of the Diocese of Norwich. Like many other rural churches today, Bridgham has to share a cleric with other parishes. Bridgham joins with East Harling, West Harling, Brettenham, Larling, Roudham, and Rushford to form one ministry. The present incumbent is the Reverend John Handley.

Services are held on alternate Sundays except for Holy days and special occasions; full details are given in "CONTACT", delivered monthly. Details are also maintained on the noticeboard at the Church gate.

PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council is the forum for administrative issues affecting the village. It normally meets once a month, providing a communication channel with local government, commenting on planning applications, and administering the various assets owned by or held in trust for the village. Details of the Council's business are posted on the noticeboard situated in the lay-by in the centre of the village.

The Parish Council comprises:

Mr Mark Dickenson, Common Cottage, West Harling. 'phone 718760

Mrs Jeanette Hines, 101 The Street. 'phone 717856

Mr Colin Stammers, Long Meadows, 58 The Street. 'phone 717475

Mr Mike Welton, Bifrost, 52 The Street. 'phone 717786

Mr Mark Rundle, St Piran's House The Street.     

The Clerk to the Parish Council is Mrs Helen Garner of 7 The Street, Bridgham, 'phone 718198

If you have any local matters you wish aired, please do not hesitate to contact one of the above - they will be very willing to listen and give you any help they can. You have the right to attend any Parish Council meeting as an observer, and may be invited to join the discussion. Once a year - usually in April - the village Annual General Meeting is held, where the business of the previous year is summarized and the plans for the following year are discussed.  All electors within the village have the right to attend this meeting and vote.

The District Councillors for the village are Karen Fisher and Roy Kemp

The County Councillor is John Baskerville of Waveney Farmhouse, Low Common, South Lopham, Diss. IP 22 2IR. ‘Phone 01379 88375.

The local M. P. is Chris Fraser who can be contacted via his office at Shirley House, 23 London Street, Swaffham. PE37 7DD. 'Phone 01760 336633 
email fraserc@parliament.uk

The Village Hall, located in the old Methodist Chapel, is run by a management committee whose members have been very active in raising money to develop and furnish the building.

The Hall is used for a variety of functions, from Parish Council meetings to private parties.  Betty Meek deals with bookings - 'phone 718638.

Breckland District Council provides wheely bins and refuse is collected on Thursday mornings.

A bottle bank and a waste paper bank are situated at the northern end of Chapel Lane.

The Mobile Library visits the village every three weeks on a Thursday, around 10 am. It stops near the playing field, and in the lay-by near the bus shelter

Milk is delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays by Turrells dairies.

Bus services: see timetables

Trains:    Some from the local Harling Road station, more frequent services from Thetford, Norwich, and Diss.

East Harling offers: pubs, Chinese restaurant with takeaway, Doctors' Surgery ('phone 717204), dentist, chemist, Post Office, and a variety of shops for everyday needs.

Thetford offers the full facilities of a small country town, including banks, solicitors, vets, garages, a wide range of shops, pubs, restaurants, sports centre with swimming pool, builders' merchants, industrial areas, and refuse disposal sites.

For cinemas, theatres, and the like, you have to travel further afield - to King's Lynn, Norwich or Bury St. Edmunds.

Younger pupils are taken by minibus to the Primary School in East Harling for primary education; and secondary pupils catch the school bus to the High School at Old Buckenham.

PLAYING FIELD

The village playing field offers the children of the village an area where they can play away from the dangers of road traffic.  Bridgham Football Club uses the main part of the playing field and has a unique history as far as village football teams are concerned because it has an unbroken history going back to the early part of the 20th century.  

The first Monday in the month is the occasion when several ladies in the village give their time and energies to prepare an excellent meal for the senior members of the village. This is not just an occasion for a splendid meal, but also a time for lively conversation and companionship. The fact that it is fully subscribed speaks volumes for its success.

25/06/2008 11:52

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