This thought came to me as I settled down in Hethersett Village Hall to watch the latest village screen production Summerland. But the thought came via the accompanying film which was from the East Anglian Film Archives. It was a film about Zeppelin raids on Norfolk during the First World War.
Overall it was a very interesting documentary but there were moments of almost farce. Like the escaping Germans who, having crashed in their Zeppelin, decided to make their way to Colchester because one of them had been there once. They asked directions to Colchester and set off only to be met by the local Bobby who promptly arrested them all with the immortal words "You'll not get to Colchester me lads you are under arrest" (or something like that. Mental pictures of Dad's Army.
Then there was the woman who gave birth as bombs were dropped by the Zeppelin. A neighbour suggested she should call her daughter Zeppelina which she promptly did. I knew an Elvis Presley nut once who wanted to call his new born son Elvis. When he turned out to be a she he named her Elvisa.
Norfolk people in the past had a tendency to underplay dramatic situations as this footage showed with one guy stating that a Zeppelin raid had spoilt his tea! I suppose it's all part of the British stiff upper lip and Keep Calm and Carry On attitude.
I was much taken by the film Summerland - another wartime drama beautifully acted and poignant, although at times it strained belief somewhat.
They have announced the films for the next five months and as usual it's a mixture of things I want to see, films I'm not bothered about and one I definitely don't want to see. But in the interests of supporting this excellent initiative I will turn up on January 2nd to see the latest James Bond epic.
I like my films to have at least one foot in the real world and the possible. That's why I rarely watch fantasy films and Bond movies have always been a no no for me. I find them over the top and dull although most people will claim they are pure escapism. When it comes to films I want to be left with a sense of wonder and a feeling that they have made an impact. I don't want escapism. But then I went to see Downton Abbey and I loathe that drama. The wish to support village screen far outweighs the dislike of the film and they are good social occasions as well.
Today is my weekly walk to Wymondham and back and tonight Hethersett Parish Council's planning committee will discuss the proposed care village. I am assured that there is no way this can go ahead due to erosion of the strategic gap between ourselves and Wymondham and a number of other factors. I expect the parish council will oppose the plans bit the ultimate decision will be taken at district level, although previous plans for a similar scheme have been turned down on no fewer than three occasions.