A Decade of History
In 2009 Liahona Youth Activity Centre celebrates its 10th anniversary. A bit of historical background provides the context for the development of the camp. Prior to the farm being purchased by the Church, the previous owners excavated one of the fields which had always been too wet to farm successfully, to create a lake. During the excavation, underground springs were unearthed requiring several large pumps working full time to try to keep ahead of the flow. That failing, earth dams were pushed up to contain the water until the excavation was completed. All the hillocks and the island in the lake are created from this excavated soil. These hillocks were subsequently planted with many trees. The farm operated a successful commercial trout fishing enterprise at the lake until Pike devastated the trout population.
In 1999, Norwich Stake began clearing land around the lake, and in 2000 the main field was cleared for tent platforms. Foot and Mouth disease prevented use of the camp in 2001. In 2002, the van der Puts were assigned as missionaries to the camp, among their other duties. Rowland Elvidge, Area Seventy, gained permission from Feltwell Council for the youth camp. At first, permission was provisional, but later, 42 days of camping were approved without hesitation. The local Fire Brigade stipulated maximum camp occupation at 120 persons because of limited road access in case of need to evacuate.
Elder Elvidge organized service projects with several Stakes. Water was piped in, a generator and two toilets were supplied. Later Clive Jolliffe brought in a toilet unit, tiled and converted by Elder van der Put. When the septic tank was installed it floated out of the ground. The hole was dug again, and this time the tank was immediately filled with water to hold it in place. Many of the activities were designed and built by an unidentified Navy Seal who doubtlessly patterned his work after military training exercises.
Fields were flattened with a garden roller which came too close to the edge of the lake at one point, with the driver holding his child on his lap. He threw the child to safety while the equipment carried him into the lake unhurt.
To begin with there were 17 tents, but by 2008 only a few were still usable, and they all needed repair.The tent platforms are of treated timber with a plywood deck, later covered by rubberized material which expands when hot. The platforms are made in sections to allow for expansion and contraction. The van der Puts also built the decks by the kitchen and toilets.
After their mission Elder van der Put was hired by the host farm and spent another 3 years in close contact with the camp. The Evans welded frames to support the tent walls, and put up both covered pavilions. They also built the kitchen in the East Pavilion. Thetford Ward volunteers added brick surrounds and stained the First Aid hut.
In 2008, Rodney Larson replaced Clive Jolliffe who was called as President of the New Zealand Mission. He asked the Pembertons to look into extending the days camp could be used. In the past, camp was limited to 28 consecutive days and could only serve Youth camps in that amount of time. Research discovered that the West Norfolk Borough at Kings Lynn allowed 42 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive camping days. As a result the camp has been opened year round to all Church organisations.
In 2009 Camp Liahona got its internet site at www.campliahona.co.uk. A Norwich Stake service involving about 45 members cleared a lot of brush, downed some dangerous trees, cut piles of firewood, and built a small fire ring and picnic table for small group camping. The results were very pleasing with the camp taking on a new "park" appearance in many places.
Acknowledgements
The following people have contributed their recollections of the history of Liahona Youth Activity Centre:
Ray Dowe, a retired farm worker, still lives on the road to camp and continues to contribute his time and extensive knowledge to the Camp. He has spent many years both as an employee and as a volunteer in mowing, repairing and building the camp.
Rolf and Thia van der Put who were assigned as the first missionaries to the camp.
Sister Charlet Pemberton, author and compiler, takes responsibility for any omissions and errors.
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