Norwich University lived up to its responsibilities as a part of the Norfolk and Norwich World Family by recently hosting the United Kingdom coordinator of the organization.
Margaret Ince, the U.K. coordinator of the Norwich World Family, visited campus on Oct. 7; she was hosted by David Orrick, professor of criminal justice and Norwich University’s representative in the Norwich Family.
Ince explained that the Norfolk and Norwich Family was started by Derek Bickford-Smith, from Norwich in England. That Norwich is pronounced with a silent ‘w.’ He found several people from different Norwiches and began to wonder how many and where are the other Norwich in the world.
Bickford-Smith has found 58 different Norwich communities in six countries.
Ince said, “Derek is almost completely deft now and has asked me to take over the family. At first I was hesitant and said I would only do the U.K., but after a while I began to take over responsibilities.”
She went on to say, “The goal that Derek had for their organization was to establish a friendship between the Norfolk and Norwich communities around the world.”
“The communities send invitations to one another to visit if the community is celebrating something in particular and the other communities will try to send representatives to be in attendance,” Ince said.
Orrick said, “The university will send invitations to the family to visit once the 2019 initiative is complete.”
“We are actively looking for younger members for our organization because most of our members are of a certain age and we would like to see this family continue to flourish,” Ince said. “Right now our organization only hosts traveling members but we would like to eventually be able to sponsor travel as well.”
Orrick said, “The organization will be work on making a Facebook page for those that could be interested.”
Ince said anyone interested in the Norwich Family can visit the website at www.gurney.co.uk or send emails to either Derek.Bickfordsmith2@ntlworld.comor margaretince@btinternet.com
Ince said she was able see New England in the fall. She said she missed the New England and Canadian fall when she visited last by two weeks and wanted to make sure she saw it. After her visit to our campus Ince headed to Norwich, Conn.
The next Norfolk and Norwich Family gathering is in Norfolk, Neb., in 2012.