RECREATION
Social Clubs/Amateur Dramatics,Dance/Sports Clubs/Village Magazine/Footpaths and Allotments/Village Hall. Watlington has many organised leisure activities and clubs. If you know of any not on the list please contact us.
There are still some restrictions in force due to Covid 19
Watlington Luncheon Club
The Luncheon Club meets in the Sports & Social Club on the first Wednesday of the month (12.30pm for 1pm). Everyone is welcome, however most people are retired. We meet and enjoy a two course lunch in good company for a very modest cost.
Contact: Barbara Church 01553 810584
Watlington Gossip (Quarterly Village Magazine)
Published every 3 months and distributed free to every home in the village, the magazine attempts to inform and reflect the life of the parish by printing articles, letters and other items of interest sent in by individuals and local organisations.
Advertising pays for the printing and running costs.
Contact the Editorial Team 01553 812082
Email Editor click here
Adverts click here
Watlington Church Bellringers
Practice at the Church most Friday nights at 7pm. All visitors are most welcome. We would be particularly pleased to teach anybody the basic skills of bell control in a friendly, relaxed manner.
Contact: Ted Smith: 01553 813040
Watlington Knitters and Stitchers
Meet at 16 Warren Close, Watlington, PE33 0TA on 3rd Monday of the Month 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Phone Janet on 01553 810868 for info
Watlington Handbell Ringers
It is with regret that the Watlington Handbell Ringers has had to close.
For further information contact Val Dagnell on 01553 810201
Watlington Sports and Social Club.( see separate page)
A friendly private members club open Monday-Thursday 5pm-11pm, Friday 4pm- late.
Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-Close.
Watlington Football Club
The club has 2 teams in the North West Norfolk Football League, Div 1 & 4. Training is on the Recreation Ground on Wednesday nights from about 6pm during the season and August pre-season.
Contact : Sports & Social Club for up to date info.
Watlington Badminton Club
Watlington Badminton Club holds Club Nights in Watlington Village Hall every Wednesday,
Juniors 5-7pm in Autumn and Spring terms; Seniors from 7pm all year, except August.
All abilities welcome.
Membership is £15 per annum plus £2.00 for Club Nights, visitors £2.50 for Club Nights.
Contact: John Church 01553 810584
The School of Dance Watlington
Classes in ballet, tap, jazz and modern held at Watlington Village Hall for children from three years and adults. British Ballet Organisation registered teacher.
Contact: Emily Law, Tel 07708597114
Email click here
Watlington Wednesday Club
We are an adult age group who enjoy social activities. We meet at Watlington Village Hall on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 2.00pm. Our programmes include interesting speakers, entertainers, outings, games afternoons and exercise class on Thursdays.
You are welcome to come along to any meeting – 2.00pm in the Main Hall of the Village Hall.
Contact Barbara Church 01553 810584.
Watlington WI
Watlington Women’s Institute meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall – You only have to be 18 or over to join.
Guest speakers and demonstrations cover a wide range of topics at the meetings and we also arrange outings and crafty workshops.
Details below
WI Page
Watlington Short Mat Bowls
The Watlington Short Mat Bowls Club has recommenced its activities meeting at the Village Hall every Monday morning from 9am until 1230pm and every Friday afternoon from 1230pm until 5pm. The Club operates all year round and being played indoors is not affected by the weather. Suitable for any ability the sport provides an excellent form of mild exercise within a social group and should you be interested in learning the game or if an old hand, would like to come along, just turn up, you will be most welcome. All you need is a pair of flat soled shoes that haven’t been worn outdoors, carpet slippers will do. Along with refreshments we can provide some spare bowls for you to try as well.
Contact on 01553 813400
Watlington Village Hall
The Village Hall in Church Road, built in 1988, extended in 2000 and has recently had a major refurbishment and upgrade. It is an ideal venue for all types of events, large and small, including club meetings, public meetings, fundraising events, shows, parties and wedding receptions. There is the MAIN HALL with a stage, the JUBILEE HALL, and a MEETING ROOM, which are available for hire.
The Village Hall has full accessibility. There is a large modern car park, including disability parking. The hall hiring charges are very competitive for facilities of this standard in the local area.
Contact: Peter Dagnall (Booking Secretary) 0300 3110234 wvhbooking@gmail.com
Watlington Players
We perform 3 shows a year in the Village Hall, which has a well equipped stage and lighting. Our works are usually a musical, a play and a panto. Members of all ages experience and talents range across the board are all welcome — for on-stage, backstage, administration or indeed purely the social side.
We meet on Friday evenings at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Contact: Chairman Megan Abbot
Email chairman@watlingtonplayers.com
Secretary Debbie Bennett 07765 530858 / secretary@watlingtonplayers.com
Watlington Youth Players also meet Friday at the village hall. Age 7-11 6-7:30 pm, age 11-16 7:15-9 pm.
Website
Watlington Local History Group
The Watlington History Group has now officially disbanded. However, we hope to deposit as much information as we can in the Watlington Parish Council Office, located at the east end of the Village Hall. There should already be discs and folders with photos etc on the shelves there. Enquiries can still be addressed to:
Contact: Brenda Leedell 01553 810848
EMAIL click here
Open Spaces, Footpaths and Allotments
The Glebe Land, behind the village hall, has a football pitch and training area, the remaining area being an open space with a public footpath running from the Church Road entrance to both Downham Road and Mill Road. The site is leased by the Parish Council from the Ely Diocese.
The Millennium Green, opposite the Angel pub, is a wild flower haven and restful area. It is owned and managed by the Millennium Green Trust. See dedicated page for more information.
Contact: Kate Carpenter Tel: 01553 810381
The Meadows Green (formerly the John Davis Way Open Space) is a small open space between John Davis Way, Thomas Close and Paige Close and is owned by the Parish Council.
The Martingales Estate has two open spaces, the largest now called Martingales Green which is off the main access to Stone Close, next to the Stone Close Play Area and a smaller central site by Langridge Circle. Both now owned by the Parish Council
Footpaths
Fairfield Lane links Station Road, from the end of the Millennium Green, to the school at Rectory Lane. This footpath is a walk to school route and has recently been upgraded with a tarmac surface. There are two access points from the Martingales Estate.
Gypsy Lane just opposite the level crossing by the rail station, links with Bells Drove to make a quiet byway walk down to Runcton Holme and the Relief Channel.
The River Ouse & Relief Channel have footpaths along most of their lengths. There is a public car park by Magdalen Bridge, along Station Road.
There are several other short stretches of footpath that provide shortcut routes in the village – Chestnut Close to Downham Road; Hawthorn Close to Warren Close; Cecil Close to Station Road; Lacey Close to Station Road; Lacey Close to Nene Road; Britton Close to Stiffkey Close and a school footpath/cycleway route has been opened between John Davis Way and Rectory Lane/Fen Road.
If you regularly walk a particular footpath why not consider" adopting" one or more of these paths. Contact the parish clerk for more details or to report a problem.
It should be noted that there is no Common Land or Open Country in the Parish as defined by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The lane between the Church and Watlington Hall and Barnards Lane is private property.
Allotments
The Parish Council has two allotment sites. At Britton Close there are 5 plots and at the Paige Close site there are 21 plots.
Requests for allotment space should be addressed to the Parish Clerk who will be able to update on availability and/or waiting time. At the end of August 2021 there is a short waiting list.
Contact Parish Clerk on 01366 502165 Mobile 07941 105697
Parish Council Office 01553 810777 (answering machine)
Or email Parish Clerk watlingtonparish@hotmail.co.uk
Tree Preservation Orders
There are some of the tree preservation orders (TPO's) in Watlington:
2/TPO/00029 1971 Watlington House 33 Downham Road
2/TPO/00439 2004 47 Mill Road 2004
2/TPO/00174 1986 Land Adjoining Whinacres 75 Downham Road
2/TPO/00071 1979 Whinacres 75 Downham Road
2/TPO/00221 1988 O.S.6000 Station Road PE33 0JF
2/TPO/00246 1989 Lamonia Thieves Bridge Road
2/TPO/00741 1979 Rear Garden Of Haytor And Also Building Plot Downham Road And Rectory Lane
2/TPO/00742 1979 Avenue Cottage 58 Downham Road
2/TPO/00512 2013 The Old Rectory 53 Downham Road
A review is being made of all current TPO's and the possibility of applying to add several more specimen trees if considered necessary.
There are still some restrictions in force due to Covid 19
Watlington Luncheon Club
The Luncheon Club meets in the Sports & Social Club on the first Wednesday of the month (12.30pm for 1pm). Everyone is welcome, however most people are retired. We meet and enjoy a two course lunch in good company for a very modest cost.
Contact: Barbara Church 01553 810584
Watlington Gossip (Quarterly Village Magazine)
Published every 3 months and distributed free to every home in the village, the magazine attempts to inform and reflect the life of the parish by printing articles, letters and other items of interest sent in by individuals and local organisations.
Advertising pays for the printing and running costs.
Contact the Editorial Team 01553 812082
Email Editor click here
Adverts click here
Watlington Church Bellringers
Practice at the Church most Friday nights at 7pm. All visitors are most welcome. We would be particularly pleased to teach anybody the basic skills of bell control in a friendly, relaxed manner.
Contact: Ted Smith: 01553 813040
Watlington Knitters and Stitchers
Meet at 16 Warren Close, Watlington, PE33 0TA on 3rd Monday of the Month 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Phone Janet on 01553 810868 for info
Watlington Handbell Ringers
It is with regret that the Watlington Handbell Ringers has had to close.
For further information contact Val Dagnell on 01553 810201
Watlington Sports and Social Club.( see separate page)
A friendly private members club open Monday-Thursday 5pm-11pm, Friday 4pm- late.
Saturday 12pm-1am, Sunday 12pm-Close.
Watlington Football Club
The club has 2 teams in the North West Norfolk Football League, Div 1 & 4. Training is on the Recreation Ground on Wednesday nights from about 6pm during the season and August pre-season.
Contact : Sports & Social Club for up to date info.
Watlington Badminton Club
Watlington Badminton Club holds Club Nights in Watlington Village Hall every Wednesday,
Juniors 5-7pm in Autumn and Spring terms; Seniors from 7pm all year, except August.
All abilities welcome.
Membership is £15 per annum plus £2.00 for Club Nights, visitors £2.50 for Club Nights.
Contact: John Church 01553 810584
The School of Dance Watlington
Classes in ballet, tap, jazz and modern held at Watlington Village Hall for children from three years and adults. British Ballet Organisation registered teacher.
Contact: Emily Law, Tel 07708597114
Email click here
Watlington Wednesday Club
We are an adult age group who enjoy social activities. We meet at Watlington Village Hall on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 2.00pm. Our programmes include interesting speakers, entertainers, outings, games afternoons and exercise class on Thursdays.
You are welcome to come along to any meeting – 2.00pm in the Main Hall of the Village Hall.
Contact Barbara Church 01553 810584.
Watlington WI
Watlington Women’s Institute meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Village Hall – You only have to be 18 or over to join.
Guest speakers and demonstrations cover a wide range of topics at the meetings and we also arrange outings and crafty workshops.
Details below
WI Page
Watlington Short Mat Bowls
The Watlington Short Mat Bowls Club has recommenced its activities meeting at the Village Hall every Monday morning from 9am until 1230pm and every Friday afternoon from 1230pm until 5pm. The Club operates all year round and being played indoors is not affected by the weather. Suitable for any ability the sport provides an excellent form of mild exercise within a social group and should you be interested in learning the game or if an old hand, would like to come along, just turn up, you will be most welcome. All you need is a pair of flat soled shoes that haven’t been worn outdoors, carpet slippers will do. Along with refreshments we can provide some spare bowls for you to try as well.
Contact on 01553 813400
Watlington Village Hall
The Village Hall in Church Road, built in 1988, extended in 2000 and has recently had a major refurbishment and upgrade. It is an ideal venue for all types of events, large and small, including club meetings, public meetings, fundraising events, shows, parties and wedding receptions. There is the MAIN HALL with a stage, the JUBILEE HALL, and a MEETING ROOM, which are available for hire.
The Village Hall has full accessibility. There is a large modern car park, including disability parking. The hall hiring charges are very competitive for facilities of this standard in the local area.
Contact: Peter Dagnall (Booking Secretary) 0300 3110234 wvhbooking@gmail.com
Watlington Players
We perform 3 shows a year in the Village Hall, which has a well equipped stage and lighting. Our works are usually a musical, a play and a panto. Members of all ages experience and talents range across the board are all welcome — for on-stage, backstage, administration or indeed purely the social side.
We meet on Friday evenings at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Contact: Chairman Megan Abbot
Email chairman@watlingtonplayers.com
Secretary Debbie Bennett 07765 530858 / secretary@watlingtonplayers.com
Watlington Youth Players also meet Friday at the village hall. Age 7-11 6-7:30 pm, age 11-16 7:15-9 pm.
Website
Watlington Local History Group
The Watlington History Group has now officially disbanded. However, we hope to deposit as much information as we can in the Watlington Parish Council Office, located at the east end of the Village Hall. There should already be discs and folders with photos etc on the shelves there. Enquiries can still be addressed to:
Contact: Brenda Leedell 01553 810848
EMAIL click here
Open Spaces, Footpaths and Allotments
The Glebe Land, behind the village hall, has a football pitch and training area, the remaining area being an open space with a public footpath running from the Church Road entrance to both Downham Road and Mill Road. The site is leased by the Parish Council from the Ely Diocese.
The Millennium Green, opposite the Angel pub, is a wild flower haven and restful area. It is owned and managed by the Millennium Green Trust. See dedicated page for more information.
Contact: Kate Carpenter Tel: 01553 810381
The Meadows Green (formerly the John Davis Way Open Space) is a small open space between John Davis Way, Thomas Close and Paige Close and is owned by the Parish Council.
The Martingales Estate has two open spaces, the largest now called Martingales Green which is off the main access to Stone Close, next to the Stone Close Play Area and a smaller central site by Langridge Circle. Both now owned by the Parish Council
Footpaths
Fairfield Lane links Station Road, from the end of the Millennium Green, to the school at Rectory Lane. This footpath is a walk to school route and has recently been upgraded with a tarmac surface. There are two access points from the Martingales Estate.
Gypsy Lane just opposite the level crossing by the rail station, links with Bells Drove to make a quiet byway walk down to Runcton Holme and the Relief Channel.
The River Ouse & Relief Channel have footpaths along most of their lengths. There is a public car park by Magdalen Bridge, along Station Road.
There are several other short stretches of footpath that provide shortcut routes in the village – Chestnut Close to Downham Road; Hawthorn Close to Warren Close; Cecil Close to Station Road; Lacey Close to Station Road; Lacey Close to Nene Road; Britton Close to Stiffkey Close and a school footpath/cycleway route has been opened between John Davis Way and Rectory Lane/Fen Road.
If you regularly walk a particular footpath why not consider" adopting" one or more of these paths. Contact the parish clerk for more details or to report a problem.
It should be noted that there is no Common Land or Open Country in the Parish as defined by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The lane between the Church and Watlington Hall and Barnards Lane is private property.
Allotments
The Parish Council has two allotment sites. At Britton Close there are 5 plots and at the Paige Close site there are 21 plots.
Requests for allotment space should be addressed to the Parish Clerk who will be able to update on availability and/or waiting time. At the end of August 2021 there is a short waiting list.
Contact Parish Clerk on 01366 502165 Mobile 07941 105697
Parish Council Office 01553 810777 (answering machine)
Or email Parish Clerk watlingtonparish@hotmail.co.uk
Tree Preservation Orders
There are some of the tree preservation orders (TPO's) in Watlington:
2/TPO/00029 1971 Watlington House 33 Downham Road
2/TPO/00439 2004 47 Mill Road 2004
2/TPO/00174 1986 Land Adjoining Whinacres 75 Downham Road
2/TPO/00071 1979 Whinacres 75 Downham Road
2/TPO/00221 1988 O.S.6000 Station Road PE33 0JF
2/TPO/00246 1989 Lamonia Thieves Bridge Road
2/TPO/00741 1979 Rear Garden Of Haytor And Also Building Plot Downham Road And Rectory Lane
2/TPO/00742 1979 Avenue Cottage 58 Downham Road
2/TPO/00512 2013 The Old Rectory 53 Downham Road
A review is being made of all current TPO's and the possibility of applying to add several more specimen trees if considered necessary.