Daredevil Wreningham resident Karen Nunn has jumped out of a plane over Beccles airfield at 13,000ft to raise money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices – a charity close to her heart.

Karen did the daring tandem skydive on Saturday April 18 to raise funds for the charity where she is a volunteer gardener at The Nook in Framingham Earl.

She said: “That anxious moment inching towards the open door of the plane quickly turned into something unforgettable – diving headfirst from 2.5 miles above the fields near Beccles.  What seemed terrifying, instantly became truly awe-inspiring and exhilarating.  

“Doing this as part of a fundraising event for EACH made it even more meaningful.  As a volunteer gardener there, I’ve seen the care and support they give to families during incredibly difficult times. 

“Every pound raised really does make a difference – and being able to contribute in this way made the whole experience so much more rewarding.

“Please donate and help me support children and young people with life threatening conditions and complex health needs. EACH have been supporting families across the region for over 30 years, and can only continue to do so with our help.

“Providing a range of services from day to day well-being and support, through to end of life care and bereavement counselling, EACH are there for families in the darkest of times, helping them make memories when time is short,” said Karen.

You can still support Karen on this link.

Pictured above is a brave Karen during the skydive. Picture courtesy of Parachuting UK.

Residents from all ends of Wreningham and beyond joined an organised 5km Trail Walk around Long’s Wood on Saturday April 18, to see many of the metal plaques installed over 20 years ago back in 2005. 

Thanks go to Rachael Long for sharing interesting facts and personal stories along the trail and to everyone who contributed to another fantastic community event.

Pictures of the walk are courtesy of David Kirk.

Around 20 enthusiastic volunteer litter pickers helped to tidy-up Wreningham, Top Row and Penny Green as part of the Big South Norfolk Litter Pick on Sunday March 29.

The volunteers spread out from the Village Hall to clean verges, paths, playing fields and other public locations across the Wreningham Parish Council area.

The effort was part of the annual Big South Norfolk Litter Pick, organised by South Norfolk Council, who lent equipment for the event.

Organiser, Keith Morris, said: “As always there was a real community spirit about the day with enthusiastic volunteers joining in to help tidy up our beautiful village despite a bit of rain.”

Afterwards, volunteers enjoyed cakes and a free drink courtesy of Wreningham Parish Council and the Witch & Wren Social Club.

If you would like to litter pick in Wreningham, equipment can be loaned at any time from members of Wreningham Parish Council.

Please contact Cllr Keith Morris at keith.morris@networknorwich.co.uk for details or ring 01508 488318.

Pictured above are some of the volunteer litter pickers having a free drink in Wreningham Witch & Wren Social Club after completing their work.

Excitement is mounting in Wreningham and Top Row as the charity Open Gardens event approaches this Sunday (June 16), being held for the first time in 20 years, and a free booklet and map are now available online. 

The open gardens, ranging from small cottage plots to larger landscaped gardens and woodlands, will be open to visitors on Sunday, June 16, Fathers’ Day, from 10am until 4pm.

The event will be raising funds for the historic All Saints Church in the village.

One of the organisers, Karen Nunn, said: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since the last Open Gardens event was held in the village.  There will be a broad range of gardens open to visitors from new gardens that are still in the early stages of development to mature gardens large and small.   There will be woodland walks, ponds galore, vegetable gardens and plenty of early summer flowering plants in their full glory.  So whether you are looking for some garden inspiration to take home or just to enjoy a lovely day out in the village there will be something here for you.

“Our Open Gardens event is being organised by a group of volunteers and, as well as raising funds for good causes in the village, we hope that it will also bring the community together in a celebration of summer.

“In addition to the Open Gardens we are planning a range of other attractions for visitors, including lots of dads we hope. These will includes games such as welly throwing, bug hunting and giant Jenga for children and their dads in each garden and a gnome hunt. There will also be art displays and sales from talented artists within the village and a plant sale at the church.

“For those who work up an appetite while wandering around we will have tea and cakes at the church, a South African barbecue in one garden and light lunches, cakes and a bar at the village hall.”

Entry is £5 per person with accompanied under 12s free of charge and includes a free printed programme.  Please note that this is a cash only event.

To download the free printed programme, click here.

To download the free printed map, click here.

Even if you use the online booklet and map, you will need to pay £5 per person to go around the gardens. Payment can be taken at any of the car parks for the event dotted around the village.

Pictured are many of the Wreningham and Top Row gardeners that will be opening their gardens to the public on June 16. Picture by Keith Morris.