North Norfolk Living Spring 2012

NORTH

HOME & GARDEN/FOOD & DRINK/PEOPLE & PLACES

NORFOLK LIVING COVERING THE COAST, BURNHAM MARKET, WELLS, HOLT & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

HEACHAM BOOT CAMP Kate Cleaver is put through her paces!

NEW KID ON THE NNL BLOCK Kirstin Crane goes in search of the best kids entertainment BE BRAVE AND TURN OUT THAT WARDROBE says image consultant Sarah Morgan FREE IN NORTH NORFOLK £1.50 where sold Spring 2012

www.northnorfolkliving.co.uk

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PLUS:

WHERE TO SHOP KIDS ACTIVITIES LOCAL PEOPLE WHERE TO EAT

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CAS-CWC NNL AD SPRING 2012_Layout 1 09/03/2012 14:01 Page 1

WINNER

• AIGLE • • DENTS • • HOUSE OF • CHEVIOT

CW

CHRISTOPHER W I LLIAM COUNTRY

• HUCKLECOTE • • LAKSEN • • LOAKE • • MAGEE • • TOGGI •

Christopher William Country is a small family run business offering quality mens and ladies shooting and country clothing, accessories and gifts.

SPRING SUMMER RANGE NOW AVAILABLE IN STORE AND ONLINE

• FORT AND STONE •

• MUSTO •

Best Farmers Market

Purveyors of fine country wares

Creake Abbey, North Creake, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 9LF

Tel: 01328 738983

www.christopherwilliamcountry.co.uk

Creake Abbey and all the courtyard shops welcome you this spring!

Highlights include our Easter Egg Hunt in the week running up to Easter (closed Monday 2nd April), the award-winning Farmers’ Market on the 1st Saturday of each month (9.30–1pm) and the annual Plant Lovers’ Day on Saturday 26th May (10am–4pm). The Creakey Café offers local cakes and light lunches, hot chocolate, coffee and tea in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Our courtyard shops include:

Vedi la Luce +

ter Eas Egg

Hunt

+

Creake Abbey North Creake, Norfolk NR21 9LF T: 07801 418907

SHOPS, STUDIOS & CAFÉ

check our website for special events throughout the year:

www.creakeabbey.co.uk

SPECIAL EVENTS 2 ARTISTS’ S TUDIOS + CAFÉ NNL SPRING 2012 ADS.indd 2

Burnham Market 155 B1

Coast road

A149

5 B115

BurnhamThorpe

55 B13

OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND 10am – 4pm

A149

North Creake

Fakenham 6 miles

FARMERS’ MARKET WALKS + ABBEY RUINS 15/3/12 11:07:49

NORTH NORFOLK HELLO

SPRING CONTENTS W W W . N O R T H N O R F O L K L I V I N G . C O . U K

I

t’s all quite simple really… I am so glad that I live, work and play in North Norfolk! I can shop till I drop, eat like a Queen, watch the latest blockbuster movie at my local community cinema, take in a show, a poetry reading, and an exhibition. I can even get to see an Olympic torch running by, and a killer whale out at sea!

I can go kite flying on some of the best beaches in Europe, have a facial, get fit at a boot camp and wildlife watch to my hearts content! I can learn how to bake bread, identify flowers, keep bees, sail a yacht and take stunning photographs.

My village still has a thriving local pub (the Jolly Farmers in North Creake!), a post office and a village hall that is rarely empty. I love living in a community.

So make the most of it people! Get out there and enjoy North Norfolk in 2012 – I hope you have all started planning your Diamond Jubilee celebrations…what better way to celebrate your communities than a great big party. Enjoy!!

Lin Murray

Editor

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Beachcombings: What’s on! What’s Good and Where to go!

Beachcombings: What’s on! What’s Good and Where to go!

Food: The Hoste Arms team celebrate Paul Whittome Health: Kate Cleaver starts her year with a visit to the boot camp Fashion: Sarah Morgan helps you ‘spring clean’ that wardrobe Drink: Eroica Mildmay enjoys a pint from North Norfolk’s newest brewery Art: Daniel Loose explains the local inspiration for artist H J Jackson Interiors: Amanda Loose gets excited about flamingoes and wallpaper!

Football: Frank Watson dreams of Norwich City in Europe Motoring: Brian Vertigan rather likes the new Audi 4!

Little Living: Kirstin Crane checks out great places for

kids Property: Amanda Loose shows you how to bag a property bargain Pets: Gill Carrick-Cowlin investigates patisserie for pooches People: Raymond Monbiot talks Chinese, fly fishing and children with Diana Brocklebank Scott Eating Out: Honor Welford of Thistlefield Foods puts The Duck Inn and the Wiveton Bell to the test

@NNorfolkLiving

Editor Lin Murray Email: lin@northnorfolkliving.co.uk Write to North Norfolk Living Magazine, PO Box 208, Stamford.

Lincs. PE9 9FY Advertising Manager Lin Murray 07881 657944 Email: lin@northnorfolkliving.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley Email: steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Assistant Designer Nik Ellis Email: nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 Email: nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY www.bestlocalliving.co.uk 01780 765571 Printed by Warner’s of Bourne

The faces behind this issue

Raymond Monbiot

Sarah Morgan

Amanda Loose

Eroica Mildmay

Subscribe to North Norfolk Living

Kate Cleaver

Gill Carrick Cowlin

Trish le Gal

Mary Kemp

Frank Watson

Stephen Clark

Front cover images: H J Jackson. On display at Bircham Gallery, Holt 21st March – 11th April www.birchamgallery.co.uk

If you would like to subscribe to North Norfolk Living Magazine (5 copies per year), please write to Local Living Ltd. PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY. Annual rate £15 (UK only) including postage. Please enclose cheque made payable to Local Living Ltd. Or you can subscribe via the website at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk NORTH NORFOLK Living SPRING 2012

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Find Fi nd u s ne next x to the entr en tran tr ance of Th an Thee Vi V ct c oria & Ho Holk lkha lk ham Es ham Esta tate tee Main Ma Main n Roaad Holk Ho llkkha ham m N rffolk NR23 1AD No D T. 013 328 713 1309 093 09 3 www.brrin ingging ngth theooutsidein.co.uk uk 10:30 0 – 4:0 :00 / Closed Tueesd sday ayss

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LOCAL NEWS

Beachcombin gs What’s on , What’s good and Where to go!

GONE CRABBING ‘SPRINGS’ INTO ACTION

Local company, Gone Crabbing, is set to celebrate the ‘Great British Seaside’ in style this season, with its latest collection of coastal inspired gifts and clothing. Brimming with colour and character, there are bright, new tea towels splashed with cheeky seagulls, iconic deckchairs and beach huts and great, new mugs sprinkled with cute starfish, jellyfish and Gone Crabbing’s trademark ‘Colin the Crab’.

Catch the sense of fun with the new T-shirt and hoody designs – from ‘You’re gonna need a bigger bucket’ for top-notch crabbers, through to the super cool ‘Pure Mussel’ designs for all those hard to please teenage boys! Gone Crabbing caters for its little crabbing fans too, with a new line of baby and toddler tees – whilst continuing to stock its unique Norfolk clothing designs in all sizes.

‘We’ve been beavering away this winter’ says Gone Crabbing’s founder, Susie Mason, ‘turning all our ideas into more exciting, new gifts for all the family. We’re also opening a second shop in Southwold this spring following the flagship store we opened last Easter in Burnham Deepdale. Alongside the invaluable support we receive from our stockists, the shops give us a chance to meet our customers, and to showcase our growing range of crabbing gifts and new beach toys.’

Check out www.gonecrabbing.co.uk for stockists and products, or call 01328 838357. Visit the Norfolk Shop at 7 Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale PE31 8FB 01485 211111

A VERY SPECIAL RESTAURANT GETS A VERY SPECIAL AWARD

A big ‘well done’ going out to The Market Bistro in Kings Lynn! Not only do they serve excellent, locally sourced food but they also do this in a sustainable way. Their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint have been officially Editor’s recognized by top tip: The Sustainable Mid week lunch is Restaurant a very relaxed affair – Association. perfect after a bout of The Market Bistro hectic shopping! becomes the first establishment in Kings Lynn to receive this nationally recognized award and one of only a handful in Norfolk.

Did you know…the lovely chefs at The Market Bistro even make their own butter with milk from a local dairy.

The Market Bistro 11, Saturday Market Place, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 5DQ 01553 771 483 www.marketbistro.co.uk www.thesra.com The Sustainable Restaurant Association

DEFINITELY ONE FOR YOUR DIARY!

If you are anywhere near the coast over the May Day Bank Holiday Pebbles Photography will be exhibiting Stephen Clark’s latest collection of photographs capturing the landscape, seascape and wildlife of North Norfolk.

Steve’s annual exhibition of his work will be held once again in Brancaster Staithe Village Hall from Friday 4th to Monday 7th May 2012. Doors open daily from 10am – 6pm.

Do have a look at their website below. It will give you a taste of the wonderful work that Steven produces!

For further information call 01485 210810 www.pebblesphotography.co.uk NORTH NORFOLK LIVING SPRING 2012

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North Norfolk A Painted Landscape An Artist’s Diary

Rachel Lockwood

Foreward by Virginia McKenna

Hardback £25 Available from good shops and the Pinkfoot Gallery IF YOU LOVE NORTH NORFOLK, YOU’LL LOVE THIS BOOK

A beautiful gallery unlike any other in Norfolk. Based on the stunning North Norfolk Coast, like all the shops in Cley, we are open every day.

&

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LOCAL NEWS

Beachcombin gs What’s on , What’s good and Where to go!

COMMUNITY CINEMA

New chefs Ben Pert and James Fitzpatrick

WIVETON HALL FARM CAFE

CINEMA IN THE CREAKES

Wiveton Hall Farm Cafe at Wiveton Hall near Blakeney re-opens on March 29th for the season and is one of my favourite summer ‘al fresco’ eating out spots, with a lovely tapas menu. Wiveton Hall Farm Café, very stylish and overlooking the marshes at Blakeney serves lovely fresh produce from the farm including pork, asparagus, corn, raspberries and strawberries. They have a farm shop with ‘pick your own’ fruit fields and local artists showing their work.

The new season sees two new chefs taking over the mantle previously held by the fabulous Ali Yetmen. Ben Pert and James Fitzpatrick will be delighting us with their fresh, innovative cooking this summer. The Cafe Tapas and Spanish Guitar evenings run on Thurs/Fri/Sat from May to September, these are great fun in such a perfect setting – bring a jumper or a rug! www.wivetonhall.co.uk Wiveton Hall, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7TE 01263 740525

MERMAID DIALYSIS UNIT OPENS ITS DOORS FOR FIRST LOCAL PATIENT Opened by local MP Norman Lamb in July 2011 the Mermaid Dialysis Centre at Wells Community Hospital was initially used for dialysis for people holidaying on the North Norfolk Coast but it was always the intention to provide local people with dialysis if they needed it and the first local patient, Vincent Shepherd of Cley, is the first to use the facility.

Commenting on the centre Mr. Shepherd said ‘It is a very nice, cheerful facility with friendly staff that really look after you well and I enjoyed my tea and snack.’

Wells Community Hospital Chief Executive Simon Gray added ‘It’s great to see our first local patient. This is a major development in our long term plans to provide more and more clinics and facilities for local people. Profits from our holiday dialysis service go towards the upkeep of the hospital.’

The hospital is also now seeking to raise thousands of pounds from charitable sources including a new charity lottery that will be launched next week with leaflets going out with many of the local magazines and newspapers in the area including North Norfolk Living, the EDP, North Norfolk News and Dereham and Fakenham and Wells Times.

If you do not receive a leaflet and would like to play the lottery you can download a membership form from the website www. wellshospital.org.uk or call them on 01328 711996 to receive one via the mail.

GOOD NEWS FOR NORFOLK CAKE LOVERS! Local husband and wife launch new contemporary cupcake company The popularity of cupcakes, particularly gourmet cupcakes, has soared in recent years and there is no denying that Velvet Bakehouse are an exciting part of this new baking culture.

Behind the flour and icing you can find husband and wife team Sean and Cassandra Day. Cassandra says “Our cupcakes are all about indulgence; about giving yourself (and others, if you’re in a generous mood!) a moment of utterly luxurious delight with deliciously fluffy sponge, and delectable frosting and sprinkles”.

Whether you want spectacular treats for a special occasion, or just need a bit of a lift in the middle of your day Velvet Bakehouse can assist! Along with the very best locally sourced ingredients, equal measures of passion and care go into their mixing bowls. They bake in small batches, to make sure that every bite is as scrumptious as the next.

You can choose from a mouth-watering selection, including the classic Virtuous Vanilla, Charismatic Chocolate or Seductive Red Velvet or how about a cake from their Norfolk range which include Lackadaisical Lavender which is made with Norfolk lavender or Sweet Miss Honey, using honey from local beekeepers in Gayton.

Sean says “we can produce cupcakes for a variety of special occasions, including birthdays, christenings, weddings and corporate events.”

Velvet Bakehouse 07712 629336 lovecake@velvetbakehouse.com or www. velvetbakehouse.com

Tuesday April 10th, ‘My Week with Marilyn’ The story of the extraordinary encounter between Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe in 1956 during the making of The Prince & The Showgirl. Great cast includes Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Williams, Judi Dench & Eddie Redmayne. Not to be missed!

Tuesday 24th April ‘The Iron Lady’ Starring Meryl Streep in her Oscar Winning role as Margaret Thatcher.

Tuesday 22nd May ‘The Artist ‘ Wonderful ‘silent’ movie with Jean Dujardin, and Berenice Bejo. Winner of 5 Oscars in 2012 For further information please see our Forthcoming Screenings page of our website www.northcreake.org.uk Tickets £ 5.00 which includes a complimentary drink are available by calling 01328 738959 or E-Mail phillips.npp@btinternet.com We look forward to welcoming you to our Cinema.

THE THORNHAM CINEMA CLUB

Wednesday April 18th ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ Wednesday May 23rd ‘Oranges and Sunshine’ Tickets are available at £5 each in advance by calling 07818 028 687 and include a complimentary drink. Bar opens at 7pm.

For more information go to www. thornhamvillage.co.uk and click on their cinema section.

WELLS CINEMA CLUB

www.wells-cinema.com [Brilliant website – Ed] 9th April: ‘My Week with Marilyn’ UK, USA 2011 cert 15 98 mins Dir: Simon Curtis Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Judi Dench, Zoe Wanamaker.

23rd April: ‘The Artist‘ France 2011 cert PG12 100 mins Dir: Michel Hazanavicius Cast: Jean Dujardin, Missi Pyle, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Berenice Bejo.

Made in 2011 but set in 1927, just before the advent of the talkies, this rich black and white silent film is a triumph. Silent but with an orchestral soundtrack.

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LOCAL FOOD HEROES

LUNCH AT THE HOSTE ARMS BURNHAM MARKET

Good food and great atmosphere!

All pictures by www.keirontovell.com

Gemma Arnold

The Whittome Bu rger The Hoste Arms

T

with fresh ingredients sourced from quality he famous Hoste Arms, at the heart of beautiful Burnham Market, is a seventeenth- local producers.

Born and bred in Norfolk, Aaron and Gemma century coaching inn and restaurant. Loved always seek to use the plethora of North by many, it is a fantastic example of what Norfolk suppliers, farmers and fishermen along a convivial inn should be. The Hoste is a the coast, who are committed to growing and wonderful success story and it continues to producing simply the best that our region focus on what put it on the map; providing has to offer. Their menus showcase such fantastic local seasonal food and service of the delights as Simon Letzer’s smoked salmon, highest standard with beautiful stylish rooms Chris Everitt’s mussels and Richard Loose’s and a relaxed ambiance. The hotel and its six fresh oysters direct from Brancaster restaurants attract locals, visitors marsh, local wild mushrooms and holiday-makers alike. To Aaron Smith and and wild garlic from Clive many it is the jewel in North Gemma Arnold Holder, delicious asparagus Norfolk’s crown and with and strawberries its celebrity clientele, it’s (when in season) a great place to people from Sharrington watch and soak up Strawberries, crab the atmosphere. from Weybourne and After the death meat from Howells of her husband in butchers and Perfick 2010, owner Jeanne Pork.

Whittome wanted to Aaron and Gemma do something special are regularly updating to commemorate the lunch and dinner Paul’s life in the form menus, either putting of a cookery book. a twist on a Hoste classic During their time together or experimenting with new they had travelled the world, flavours and ingredients and looking for ideas and new recipes are always keen to receive customer and while he was alive Paul could always feedback. With a main course lunch at The be found in the kitchen working up new dishes Hoste starting from £9.95 and lighter options with Head Chef, Aaron Smith and Senior Sous from just £5.50, The Hoste Arms offers a great Chef, Gemma Arnold. The Whittome Burger opportunity to sample all that North Norfolk was one of his own creations and one he was has to offer, so make sure you visit soon! • This immensely proud of. It remains on the menu recipe is contained in ‘A Hoste of Recipes’, today, as a lasting tribute to the man who the new cookery book sold to raise money undoubtedly put The Hoste Arms and Burnham for the Paul Whittome Memorial Fund. Priced Market on the map. at £12.50 it’s available from Reception on Food and wine has always been a large part 01328 738777, or call into The Hoste Arms, of The Hoste Arms DNA and Aaron and Gemma The Green, Burnham Market, PE31 8HD. with a dedicated team of experienced chefs are www.hostearms.co.uk continually developing new and inspired dishes

THE ‘WHITTOME’ BURGER - Serves 4 The Ingredients • 900g minced rump steak • 1 white onion finely diced • 3 cloves garlic crushed • Sprig of fresh mint

• 3tbsp tomato ketchup • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard Seasoning: • 4 slices of smoked bacon • 125g grated mature cheddar

Burger sauce • 1 small white onion finely chopped • 50g capers finely chopped • 2 gherkins finely chopped • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 4 tbsp tomato ketchup • 6 tbsp mayonnaise • Splash Worcestershire sauce • Splash Tabasco sauce

To serve • 4 foccacia buns • 2 tomatoes sliced • Mixed salad leaves • Home cut chips

• 1 red onion sliced • 2 gherkins cut in half • 4 x 4 inch bamboo skewers

The Method - Burgers Pre heat oven to 200 degrees centigrade Gently fry the onion and garlic and cool.

Once cooled add the mince along with the ketchup and Dijon mustard, finely shred the mint and add to the mix, season with salt and pepper. Divide the mix into four and mould into burgers. Seal both sides of the burger then place into a hot oven for 8-10 minutes, meanwhile cook the bacon. Once the burger is out of the oven top with the bacon and cheese and grill to melt the cheese. Place the burger in the bun, add garnish and sauce.

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GALLERY

HENS & HUNTERS – FROM A SELECTION WORTH SEEKING OUT IN HOLT!

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1. Lustrous metal sculpture of Cockerels and Hens look equally striking indoors or out. These life size pieces have been captured at Red Dot Gallery, available for release at £60.00 & £85.00.

2. Unique Chickens and Roosters are the hallmark of artist and potter Cynthia Lea.

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Sculptures in stoneware clays are frost and fox resistant! Individual pieces from around £350.00.

3. Watch out, Mr Fox is about! – this beautiful portrait captures the wily eyed ‘Heriff’ one of many signed and limited editions from Kate Wyatt – Hares, Hounds, Geese as well. Prints from around £60.00 to £200.00 4. A Jolly Owl and scruff of a terrier are ‘Night-Time Hunters’, one of the latest original prints created by Georgina Warne – an edition of just 34, each one is

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individually finished with watercolour wash. Red Dot will send you a complimentary catalogue of Georgina’s work, just ask!

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5. Quirky Ceramics – make a collection of these charming animal face egg cups, cats, dogs, hares seals and goats, even a golden eagle! Money boxes too – great gifts even if you don’t like eggs or saving money! From £10.00 - £30.00

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Advertisement Feature

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HEALTH

Re-booting your body

and your mind Kate Cleaver is put through her paces at the No1 Boot Camp in Heachem

‘P

ain in your muscles is a way of knowing that weakness is leaving your body.’ So said one of the ex-RAF trainers at ‘No1 Boot Camp’ before barking at us to ‘Give me 50’ (press-ups) - as 25 male and female campers battled to nail another shattering military style circuit at Boot Camp No 1.

Hard to believe that on Friday I did 1,000 reps, including 100 full press ups or that five days of hard core exercise, six and a half hours a day, mostly outdoor and in all weathers, could be described as fun. But I am writing this on Friday evening having smashed through one of the most exhausting, exhilarating and completely hilarious weeks of my life, and I didn’t even leave my home county.

It’s true that this innocent looking country house, tucked up a quiet lane in a North Norfolk seaside village, does attract TV stars. There were super glam girls from The Only Way is Essex during my stay and one of them taught us Bikram Yoga, but they were among an extraordinarily diverse and fascinating group.

I spent five days with people aged from 19 to 60, working as lawyers, media, in IT, The Public Sector or not at all. And this was a league of nations. The campers came from Malta, India, Norway, Germany, Bangladesh, Greece… and all over the UK. People were there for a combination of reasons - to lose weight, de-tox, build fitness, kick bad eating habits or come to terms with emotional cannon balls. A few large and determined people had been there either continuously or on and off for several weeks on successful longer-term weight loss plans.

There was a youngster filling in Gap Year time with body building, a 23 year old kick starting a fitness campaign before entering a 1,000 mile horse ride across Mongolia, a 58 year old building his strength and courage before relocating to New Zealand, a 47 year old Manchurian taking time out from running her huge publicly quoted recruitment company and an ex- London taxi driver married to a German who had flown in from Berlin… What a house party.

No1 Boot Camp was launched four years ago when the directors imported the model from the US. They knew they could do it better.” We

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chose Norfolk because it is beautiful and we knew some very helpful people here. Jez Batch, of www.dolphingraphics.biz, does all the boot camp photography while beauty treatments and serious professional sports massage is arranged through Hunstanton beautician, Paula. A simple but effective structure was put into place. In a completely positive ‘can do’ atmosphere, campers lose weight and build strength fast with the combination of demanding but balanced exercise and regular, small nutritious meals. People both share bedrooms and bathrooms or have an ensuite bathroom, depending on the tariff they have booked. The manager, Kate has a background in event management and is practiced at breaking up cliques, mopping up tears and encouraging everyone to achieve more than they had dreamed possible.

I went because I had seen a girlfriend looking fantastic after a week’s stay and thought it might be a laugh. There wasn’t too much laughing at 6.30am the first day in as our wake up call, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, blasted through the house at maximum volume.

Exercise based on military exercise makes personal training look like gym for softies. The

names are the same. Star jumps, crunches, squats, ‘burpees,’ press-ups and sit-ups all sound reassuringly familiar. But at Boot Camp with those ex army boys motivating you, you do lots and lots more and for much longer, over several days. Ex-RAF Uber-fit Stu and JP apply techniques learned in the army or marines.

The exercise is taken 100 percent outside.

So a typical day will include a run to the beach before breakfast, boxing in an open marquee before lunch, an eight mile walk through fields before a snack and ice baths to help clear the toxins and rid your body of lactic acid before supper. In-between the thrill of starting to feel great about yourself, it is the conversation and interaction between people which is charming, if at times slightly surreal. Evenings are spent in front of the TV in a scruffy sitting room with a roaring fire and people nipping out for fags.

It started to feel a bit like Norfolk’s answer to Big Brother, but I haven’t laughed so much for several decades.

Would I do it all again? Not this week baby, but yep, for sure some day!

• For prices and availability check the website at: www.no1bootcamp.com

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PROFILE

Butcher, baker and candlestick maker well the first two anyway…

Alexandra Howell: A. Howell – the initial may be the same as her more famous father Arthur the butcher but daughter and baker Alexandra is definitely her own woman!

H

owells Butchers was established in 1889. This well loved local institution has thousands of loyal customers as each generation has bought from a succession of chief butchers, all named Arthur.

That is until now. Because right now there are some exciting developments in the traditional business as the latest Howell comes through.

For one thing, she’s a 21-year-old girl called Alexandra, and for another, it is the new BAKERY business that she is focussing all her efforts on.

The Wells based bakery has been under the Howell roof since 2008 and the Staithe Street shop is at least as popular as the butchers.

Arthur said: “The bakery has been devised and is run by our daughter Alexandra. It reflects her determination to bring progression to our family’s traditional business.” Alexandra loves baking and spends lots of time in her own kitchen producing sugar cookies, cup cakes and ‘whoopies’.

“I am trying out all the modern things to find new offers for the shop,” she said , adding that

though she trained and can work as a butcher, the bakery is where her true passion lies.

Four bakers start work at 2am to provide bread for the local school, the Globe and Crown Hotels and the entire supply needed for Holkham Hall.

The product range includes sausage rolls and a wide range of breads, white, wholemeal and granary, Gi multiseeded, walnut bread, tiger bread, cheese ring, sundried tomato and parmesan cob, onion bread, pantique.

There are also lots of delicious cream cakes and meringues and Tea cakes, Danish pastries, hot cross buns at Easter, cakes and Yule logs at Christmas and wonderful fresh cream meringues all year round. The flour used for bread is untreated and has the necessary high gluten content. Cakes are made with self raising flour that is low in gluten.

• The shop is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm in the summer season and closes one hour earlier for the rest of the year at 61-63 Staithe Street, Wells Next The Sea 01328 713 060

Alexandra Photo: albanpix@gmail.com

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FASHION

Spring clea

your wardrob This season’s hot new look is ‘The Bag Lady’, writes Image Consultant Sarah Morgan.

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nd before you get in a tizz about Birkins or Bayswaters or any other It-Bag, I’m talking big, black and plastic.

Because, honestly, you have FAR TOO MANY clothes. You’ve been shopping for a third of a century, piling stuff in until you can’t shut the doors - and still you have ‘nothing to wear’!

It’s time to sever the tyranny of all that clobber, to sift through the unworn, the too small, the duff buys and the bobbly old crud you’ll never wear again and shove it all in a big black sack.

In short, it’s time for a jolly good Spring Clean.

This sounds easy, but I know how easily a girl’s resolve is swayed by that niggling thought: ‘I might wear it...’ Well, here’s the truth – if you haven’t worn it for a year, you probably never will.

It’s time to strong, to edit until you have one type of clothing – the sort you love, and simply can’t wait to wear. Because, nothing beats the joy of opening an orderly wardrobe and gazing at clothes that fit, flatter, co-ordinate and make you feel great.

Simple, huh...?

I once went to a client’s house to weed her wardrobe. Or should I say, wardrobes, all SEVEN of them. She had clothes ranging from three

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sizes too small to things her octogenarian mother-in-law had given her ‘to garden in’.

Most of the clothes were inexpensive, bought from high street shops and mainly in sales – nothing wrong with that. Except that my client admitted to neither liking nor wearing most of them because they looked ‘cheap’. She said she wanted better quality clothes but couldn’t bear to spend more than £30 on herself. (It’s at this

point I often wish I had studied psychology and not fashion).

When I totted up the sum of her clothes, all the twenty quid jumpers and ten pound teeshirts, it came to around £4000. Four grand on clothes she didn’t like because they looked cheap. She could have had one wardrobe full of beautiful clothes that she loved and wanted to wear.

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ean

obe

Does this sound familiar?

Right, so here’s what you do. On a piece of paper draw a circle. Then divide it up into how you wear your clothes, for example, half for work, a quarter for socialising, an eighth for special occasions and an eighth for carpet bowls.

Your wardrobe should reflect that pie chart – half work clothes, a quarter for socialising etc. Or do you have six worn-once wedding outfits and two pairs of work trousers you wear to death? And by the way, the only person requiring 15 gardening tee-shirts is Monty Don. Next, get everything out of your wardrobe and put it on the bed.

Now it gets harder. Only put back clothes you have worn in the past year. Even then, if it’s seen better days or you don’t like it, ditch it.

Now look at what’s left on the bed. Why haven’t you worn them?

Be viciously honest. If they’re too small and you’re never going to see size 10 again, stop torturing yourself and get rid of them. (If you’ve just joined Slimming World, great – but pack them away until you’ve hit target).

If they were a bad buy, admit it and let them go, no matter how much they cost. If they are unflattering or make you feel frumpy, ditto. If you don’t wear them because they don’t go with anything else in your wardrobe, examine what’s needed to complete the outfit.

If that outfit still has no place in your life, re-allocate the original item via Ebay, a dress agency, charity shop or Salvation Army dumpster. If you are keeping them for sentimental reasons, pack them away in tissue – they don’t need to be in your closet.

The fact is, you need very few clothes – you just need the right ones, in the right quantities, with the necessary accessories, footwear and undergarments. Having less choice is liberating and cuts out the hassle of deciding what to wear each day.

What you probably WANT is the thrill of treating yourself, which inevitably leads to impulse buys that never get worn. Better to save for three or four great head-to-toe outfits at the beginning of the season and wear them to death. And if you still need a treat, a finger of fudge, a manicure or a lipstick usually does it for me.

So as the new season fashions tempt and dazzle, hold steady. Spring clean your wardrobe. Spring clean your life.

And believe me, once that black sack’s firmly knotted, you won’t even recall what’s inside...

• Sarah Morgan is a qualified image consultant offering colour and style advice to the lovely ladies and gentlemen of Norfolk www.sarah-morgan.co.uk 07919 608692/01263 721207

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LOCAL PRODUCE

The Bear Beer Eroica Mildmay meets John Bates to talk about his Ole Slewfoot Brewery venture

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hilst it is always hard to make that big leap, it’s just that little bit harder in the recent business climate. So, it’s bottle tops off to John Bates of the Ole Slewfoot Brewery, a solo, independent business venture that he has launched after 25 years in steady and secure employment as gardener. But, sometimes throwing yourself at the mercy of fate will not wait a moment longer, and you just have to jump. John remembers that day well; it was the 8th of January 2009 and he has a beer named in honour of that Thursday.

John had home-brewed for years, but it was tasting a brand beer at a beer festival that propelled him into investing £25,000 of his own money into the necessary equipment. The simple fact is that the beer in question, which shall remain nameless, was so unconvincing that John thought he’d see if he could do better.

Within three years, he had an Award-Winning beer under his belt.

The first thing you notice is that the Ole Slewfoot Brewery has very distinctive branding.

The star player is ‘Ole Slewfoot’, a Grizzly Bear, who as Bluegrass song legend has it, helped himself to local farmers stock and produce and repeatedly got away scot-free. Let’s face it, not every bear is going to have a song written about him – or her, so just think of an Appalachian ‘Raffles’, but very furry! This brand identity is directly drawn from John’s American travels, notably in North Carolina.

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He also plays banjo in the Bluegrass style, which is essentially Appalachian folk music from the region spanning the eastern United States from New York state down to Alabama.

(Incidentally, back in the day, an incredible 90% of the Appalachian’s earliest European settlers originated from Anglo-Scottish border counties.)

Ole Slewfoot Brewery has some interesting sounding beers such as ‘Ole Slewfoot’s Premier Beer ‘Friend of the Devil’’(7.7%), ‘Red Wing Red Ale’ (5.1%), ‘Devil’s Dream ESB Ale’ (5%), ‘Fox on the Run Dark Bitter’(4.8%),‘Orange Blossom Special Ale’ (4.4%), ‘January 8th Pale Ale’ (4.2%),‘Citraville APA’ (3.9%) and ‘Cabarrus Gold’ (3.6%). ‘Ole Slewfoot’s Premier Beer ‘Friend of the Devil’’ (7.7%) is marketed as an alternative to wine and ‘Cabarrus Gold’ (3.6%) is named after Cabarrus County which was until relatively recently a ‘dry county’, essentially a completely alcohol-free county in North Carolina. This curious ‘dry’ business is a hangover (literally!) from the complex followon relationship between moonshine madness, the anarchic scramble of The Gold Rush years and the eventual US prohibition laws. Cabarrus County was also the home of The Reed Gold Mine which was the first ever gold mine in the United States. Hello, the cheekily-named ‘Cabarrus Gold’!

The next thing you notice is that the Ole Slewfoot Brewery promotes some very

distinctive flavours. One of the first things I was drawn to was a very sweet smelling hops, embodying a real fruitiness that I do not always associate with hops. It turns out that the smell is a hops variety called ‘Citra’ which comes from California and its unique character is very different to its British cousin.

John concentrates on traditional cask ale and the wizardry of the taste contained therein, which simply put, entails concocting alcoholic recipes. The beer I tried a sample of was ‘Citraville’ and I have to say, I liked it. My limited experience of beers has sometimes left me with a distinct sense of a Marmite back-taste, but this had that same genuinely fruity aroma that I had smelt in the hops sack. Flavour is key and some of John’s beer descriptions use words like ‘apple’, ‘peach’, ‘chocolate’ ‘blackberries’, ‘treacle’ and ‘honey’ . . .Sold? See Ole Slewfoot’s beers on sale locally in pubs, deli counters and farm shops. And, following an appearance at the Norwich Beer Festival for three years on the trot, just keep an eye on this year’s line up to see if it’ll be a fourth time for the bear come the 29th October 2012!

• For more details see www.oldslewfootbrewery.co.uk Contact John Bates at Ole Slewfoot Brewery, Unit 1B, Gaymers Way, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 OAN. Telephone 07909 636966.

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y er Jew ell ve r Sil & m e, Fa sh ion stu Co Rocks n’ Rubies at Norfolk Lavender, Caley Mill, Heacham, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 7JE Tel: 01485 579 352 for more information.

Opening hours: 9am-5pm, 7 days a week.

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ART ART: www.birchamgallery.co.uk

A wonderful, artistic study of a dwindling profession Daniel Loose, Art historian and member of one of the few remaining fishing families on the North Norfolk Coast takes an in-depth look at the social context of North Norfolk artist H J Jackson, in particular his studies of crab boats

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fascinating exhibition of prints by local artist H J Jackson is opening at the end of March at the Bircham Gallery in Holt.

Chris and Debbie Harrison, who skipper this benchmark gallery, have an enviable track record of showing some of the most competent local and more international names in the visual arts. Jackson is regarded as one of the top in his craft of lino-printmaking and this latest showing is set to illuminate Norfolk’s fishing industry and community, from its hey-day when the Scottish herring fleet invaded our local ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft to what it is today, a struggling industry in decline.

Coming from a fishing family I was particularly drawn to Jackson’s studies of traditional crab boats. As an art historian I was interested in how the images are created and what they have to ‘say’.

My brother Peter, one of the most popular and likeable of Brancaster’s fishermen, took up his ‘calling’ in the 19-foot crab boat Jean Robert. She was typical of the iconic craft that once lined the beaches at Cromer and Sheringham whilst Jackson was a student at the Norwich School of Art in the 1950s.

I only went out with Peter once to haul his gear in Brancaster Bay. Blistered hands, thoroughly wet and a bad back are the things I remember most. We caught a few boxes of crabs and some lobsters. Peter, like many fishermen, has now been forced to go for a bigger boat so that he can go further out to sea to find the crabs. He also needs to be able to work singlehanded as a lack of willing and able crew are what most cite as the main reason for the decline and the diversification that has taken place in the industry, along with dwindling stocks and tighter regulation.

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Chris Harrison writes: “Jackson likes his boats to look as if they have been to sea.

The multiple layers of ink result in a ‘treacly’ appearance which helps to give them the look of working vessels.” The result of this layering and treacle effect of the ink gives the effect of peeling paint, decaying boats revealing their story, and destiny. This palimpsest reads as the decline of this once thriving fishing industry, I would suggest, an industry that once had over 30 boats but now only one of these traditional crab boats is working off the beach.

Jackson’s medium, a labour intensive process that usually takes six full weeks to produce the first finished print, allows the artist to work into the content a level of exaggeration, emotion and narrative that is much harder to achieve in digital media.

Jackson is not unique in his subject matter.

Alfred Wallis, a retired fisherman turned artist was a radical inspiration to the St Ives Group of artists. Wallis painted the fishing boats that he knew in a naïve style on scraps of cardboard and old fish crates. Jackson, as Carolyn Stocker of Stocker s Gallery in Wells says: “the images have a feeling of strength and protectiveness. In a gloomy world the beauty displayed in his depictions of working boats is uplifting and reassuring.” It is the extraordinary texture and vibrant colour that lead the Stockers to add Jackson’s work to their private collection.

Jean Robert is now helmed by Edward Harding, with brothers Andy and Roger Keeling. She is enjoying her retirement, like

many of these craft, as a pleasure boat.

Moored at Burnham Overy Staithe she can be seen sailing through the creek to Brancaster Staithe with the occasional spot of recreational fishing. Last summer I watched as she ferried about 15 people out to Scolt Head Island from Brancaster Staithe to a themed pre-wedding party – a stark contrast to my trip with my brother Peter to haul crab pots!

What Jackson has achieved, since his first fishing boat print, is to create a fascinating archive and important sociological commentary on a once thriving industry that shaped this coastline, and has been revolutionised and paradoxically put into decline as a result. The families linked to the fishing are still around, but their lifestyle has changed and the character of these communities has almost gone, forever, existing now only as memory and anecdote.

I encourage you to spend time with this work so that you can unlock the subliminal narrative.

The colours are bold, the textures enticing, but that is just the framework for this story.

H J Jackson’s work can be viewed at the Bircham Gallery Exhibition that will run from 21st March to 11th April at 14 Market Place, Holt Norfolk NR25 6BW 01263 713 312 www.birchamgallery.co.uk His work is also on view at: Stockers Gallery, 52 Staithe Street, Wells Next the Sea Norfolk NR23 1AQ 01328 710 122 www.stockersgallery.co.uk Grapevine Gallery Overy Road Burnham Market, Norfolk PE31 8HH 01328 730 125 www.burnhamgrapevine.co.uk

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Interior Design | Project Management

We can supply everything from fabrics, paints and wallpapers, to fresh ideas and creativity. We find solutions tailored to your needs, working with artisans and craftsmen.

BurnhamInteriors Making Norfolk Your Home The Cockle, Ulph Place Burnham Market Norfolk, PE31 8HQ

Preserving a North Norfolk institution

burnhaminteriors.co.uk

Out of the Ordinar y PHOTO: Ed Harding

Wendy Pritchard, skipper of ‘Welcome Messenger’a traditional crab boat – is on a mission with boat builders David and George Hewitt, and others, to ‘Rescue Wooden Boats’!

With their headquarters in Burnham Norton, the aim of the charity is to conserve our maritime heritage.

The trust has begun restoration work on their flagship, the lifeboat and Dunkirk veteran, Lucy Lavers along with the whelk boat ‘Bessie’ with The Jean Robert other boats joining the at play! fleet too.

The trust is rapidly building up a vast archive of photographs and films of fishermen in conversation – some full of laughs – which is all on their website. This resource is also the basis for a new educational initiative currently being piloted in local schools.

Like all charities, Rescue Wooden Boats are looking for volunteer support, as well as funds, so dig deep. www.rescuewoodenboats.com 07920 760 238

01328 730989

Contemporary Coastal Country

Interior Accessories Find us at Wrought Iron Brass Bed Company, 6 Ravens Yard, Nethergate Street, Harpley, Nr Fakenham, Norfolk PE31 6TN Tel: 01485 521 823 www.ootonorfolk.co.uk

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HOME INTERIORS

Carrington House: The Den

designs on your wall Amanda Loose ‘fesses up’ to loving wallpaper!

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should probably confess. I love wallpaper, always have. And once I got past my toddler habit of stripping it, I began to appreciate it more on the walls, than well, off them. I think this love was particularly fuelled by the pink flamingo paper we had in our bathroom. I still think it one of the coolest things ever. As you can imagine, I am really quite delighted that wallpaper is, well, huge this season. It can be as bold or subtle as you like, and even better, it’s not just for walls anymore.

“Wallpaper has been making a very big comeback for the last few years,” says Jo Griffiths at Vintage Home and Garden in Thornham. “The range of wallpapers is so incredible and so far removed from woodchip and versions of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Feature walls made a big splash a few years ago, resulting in wallpaper becoming ‘acceptable’ again hence the resurgence of really great wallpaper designs. I think wallpaper is now an art form, some of the handprinted/ handpainted rolls are incredible.”

There are indeed some stunning papers out there - including I am happy to see, flamingos.

And St Jude’s in Norwich have just launched their first wallpaper, Harvest Hare by Mark Hearld, with more planned during the year,

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including designs by Angie Lewin.

“Wallpaper is a form of art and anything goes almost. There are a lot of bold patterns around, and the natural world is huge and very much of the moment, including birds, florals, and even pebbles and wood” says Nanci Gillett at Burnham Interiors.

“Plates, maps and London designs are also huge. Wallpaper is a statement, a reflection of your personality and taste, and you commit to a style. It can be bold or subtle, like the Kate Forman papers I stock which are perfect for a shabby chic look.”

But wallpaper isn’t just for walls anymore, or for public display, says Nanci. “Wallpaper is so versatile, and there is so much you can do with it yourself. You don’t have to use bold, fun papers in a room, you can use them elsewhere.

Using panels of it or framing pieces is a lovely unexpected way to add art and interest to a wall on a budget. I have got a chest of drawers in my sitting room with the drawers lined with a fantastically fun paper – it’s a lovely trick and not expensive. Harking back to upcycling and reusing, it’s a lovely personal touch, like using a piece of wallpaper under glass on a table top, papering the inside of a vintage wardrobe or the back of an open shelved cabinet.”

Wallpapering small spaces also works well, especially when using a bolder pattern, and can be a budget indulgence.

PiP Studio Feeling Papergood £60 St Judes Harvest Hare £60

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Redecoration: Amanda Loose checks out what’s hip and ‘trending’ in the world of interiors

Cole and Son Hummingbirds Wallpaper, £95 John Lewis

silver, lacquer and chrome, along with heavy, textured wallpapers and big, statement lighting says Jo Griffiths at Vintage Home and Garden in Thornham: “At my store this year the focus is still very much on comfort and texture, lots of luxurious velvets and linen, soft woollen throws, blankets and lots of jewelled colours and rich florals.

“Velvets and jewel colours are sumptuous.

You need very little of either to make a big impact to a room. Glass display domes are still very much en vogue for me, probably more than ever.”

Jo has been inspired this season by Vic Brotherson’s Vintage Flowers: Choosing, Arranging, Displaying (Kyle Books, £25): “Full of inspirational jewel toned flowers, it’s Perrenwell Chair an absolute delight. It is very much interiors John Lewis £1100 based, featuring a lot of accessories alongside the flowers, and the styling is incredible. It makes you think outside of the box.” t’s that time of year. Our kitchen tables Barbara Bennett, Home Design advisor at are awash with colour charts, interiors catalogues and samples, as thoughts, with the John Lewis, Norwich says: “Fabric designers new season, turn to a spot of redecoration. So have captured our imaginations with their fabulous bold use of pastel colours to give what’s hot and what’s not this spring? dreamy, impressionist, water washed floral “The most important buzz word for 2012 designs on cushions, furnishing fabrics and is ‘texture’,” says Jarrold interior designer, linens. Leaves and florals are also being used Lulu Ward: “Whether it’s embossed leathers in contemporary forms in in geometric patterns, rich citrus and berry colours, and crocodile prints or raised birds both exotic and familiar organics, the look for this year feature throughout newly is adding interest with layering launched fabric and wallpaper textures. collections. Cleverly redrawn “Other things making a and re-coloured 50s, 60s big impact this year include: and 70s retro is still bubbling eclecticism ramped up by away.” introducing industrial or very John Lewis have recently rustic accents and furniture launched The Design pieces to a modern or Collective, collaborating with traditional space; furnishings both established and emerging made from natural, reclaimed Vintage Flowers design talent from Sebastian and rustic wood; time worn Conran and Danish furniture furnishings, from factory designer, Ebbe Gehl to Timorous Beasties and artefacts to hand crafted wood and metal, Scottish artist Fiona Douglas at Bluebell Gray. either in their original finishes or sanded and “The interiors market has a massive washed in light stains; bright coloured accents amount of looks and different fashion ideas,” for neutral rooms.” says Morag Christy at Silverleaf Interiors in For a simple, budget revamp, Lulu suggests Holt. “The world is your oyster with fabric picking one or two trends or a paint job, with styles. They are amazing at the moment hot new wall colours for 2012 including all with colour and texture but it is very much shades of grey, citrus colours accented with dependant on what type of property you have teal or grey for a neutral. Or try yellow with grey. That 1970’s favourite, tangerine, has also as to what will work inside.”

As for me, well I am torn between a bit of made a come-back. good old Hollywood glamour and indulging “I guess my top tip for this year would my loves of maps and architecture with some be to mix the old or industrial with the new of the great fabrics and wallpapers out there. for a really eye catching interior,” says Lulu.

Maybe I’ll do the lot…

“Whether it is using an old table with modern chairs or simply changing the upholstery Silverleaf Interiors 01263 712193 of an antique chair, it will help to create a John Lewis Home Design, Norwich beautiful modern look to old furniture and 01603 677873 your room.”

Lulu Ward, Jarrold & Sons Ltd Luxe interiors are definitely one of the 01603 697275 trends at the moment, glamorous gold,

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Cole and Son Flamingos £64 John Lewis

Nanci’s top wallpapering tips: • Unless the paper is quite unobtrusive, you will probably need to redo the whole room. The wallpaper is the place to start.

Buy a length of it, hang it on the wall, move it around, put it against your furniture.

Wallpaper is an expensive commitment.

• Look at the scale of the design and the colour. Take into account your house’s limitations and what you have in it. It might look great on the roll but may not be right for your house.

• Look at the length of the pattern repeat.

• Unless you are very good at it don’t do it yourself. It’s a false economy. Get someone who can do it well.

Nanci is a stockist for Baker Lifestyle and Mulberry home papers. Burnham Interiors 01328 730 989 burnhaminteriors.co.uk Vintage Home and Garden 01485 525 714 www.stjudes.co.uk

• Carrington House is a Georgian Grade II listed boutique ‘home-tel’ in Snettisham, where owner and designer Shaun Clarkson has used wallpaper even on some of the ceilings to create a fantasy world of pattern. www.carringtonhouse.net

Reader’s offer Vintage Home and Garden Limited in Thornham 01485 525714 stocks the beautiful book Vintage Flowers by Vic Brotherson, available to readers at £20.

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FOOTBALL

Their continuing Premier League adventure prompts Frank Watson to ask

What next for Norwich City?

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bumped into an old friend at Carrow Road the other day who has been a season ticket holder for fifty years. His assertion that the last two seasons as a Norwich City supporter have been the most enjoyable of his life set me thinking.

After 26 games the club sits proudly in 8th position in the Premier League and, despite losing, recently outplayed the mighty Manchester United.

Without revisiting details of the miraculous turnaround engineered by Paul Lambert and his staff one wonders if, quite simply, in the 21st century English football world this is as good as it gets for the Norfolk club. Or is there more to come?

Given that football’s financial landscape has altered radically it is unlikely that Norwich can ever entertain hopes of repeating their third

MOTORING

NEW AUDI A4 SALOON

The battle for sales in the premium mid-sized family saloon market is intense, with the majority of customers choosing one of three German makes – Audi, BMW and Mercedes. By Brian Vertigen

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hese three makes accounted for 93 per cent of UK premium sales in the UK last year and the competition is getting hotter all the time.

Audi is first off the starting block with a new

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place finish of 1993 following a sustained and credible challenge for the Premier League title. It is, then, in no way a negative criticism of the club I love to ask just how far is it possible to go?

Frank Watson - loyal supporter!

What next when wonder now if it is once again time to dream. permanent top-flight status has Qualification for the Europa League depends been secured? Whisper it quietly upon a variety of factors but is currently far but the answer, I am sure, lies from an impossible prospect. Those who scoff across the North Sea. need only look at what has been achieved in the Following that 1993 success last two years.

The Canaries marched on As far as football goes, Norfolk is buzzing; Europe and perhaps the club’s most famous imagine the impact that a European adventure night came when the mighty Bayern Munich might produce! were defeated in their own Olympic stadium in If you follow The Canaries and, like me, you October of that year. Though that UEFA Cup are an optimist it might not be a bad idea just to run which eventually ended with defeat to Inter check that your passport is up to date!

Milan remains the club’s only such campaign I

Audi A4 saloon and Avant (estate) model and shortly BMW will introduce a new 3-Series.

Average fuel consumption overall is dropped by 11 per cent and torque has also been increased making some of the petrol engines very competitive with the diesel versions.

The most exciting engine, a new 1.8 litre petrol TFSI engine pushing out 170 PS was not available for test driving at the recent Audi launch, On paper it emits 21 per cent less CO2 than its predecessor attracting a Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) of £115 a year and running costs of around 43p per mile. The official combined mpg figure is around 49 but that of course is in

perfect conditions.

On my road test of the various vehicles the 2 litre diesel engines were definitely the most enjoyable to drive and are so competent they almost make the 3.0 litre versions redundant. They offer plenty of power ranging from 136PS to 177PS with a choice of six-speed manual or multitronic gearboxes. All the engines are exceptionally smooth and quiet.

The cabin is excellent and one of the car’s high points. It is elegant and sophisticated.

The dash sweeps round the driver.

There’s a new steering wheel to choose from, a new ignition key and the navigation system has been much improved with just four buttons instead of the confusing eight. The A4 boasts a 480 litre boot which can be boosted to almost 1,000 litres by folding down the rear seats.

Overall there is more room in the cabin than in the outgoing model, with plenty of room for five adults.

Only minus are the pedals which are still off-set to the right.

Overall the fresher look of the car will certainly attract new buyers and the A4 is significantly cheaper than the BMW 3-Series around a saving of £1,500.

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Stylish Living at ....

Bradfield’s

80-86 High Street, Heacham. PE31 7DB Telephone: 01485 570225

A Stones throw from the Lifeboat , this charming former coaching Inn with rooms, offers a delicious menu offering locally caught fish dishes , pizzas, pies and much more.

Situated in the Pretty coastal village of Thornham, minutes from the coastal path leading to stunning sandy beaches.

Enjoy a delicious meal in the traditional history soaked bar, conservatory or elegant, recently renovated restaurant. Try a pot of hot steaming mussels when is season or locally caught fish and chips! Sit in the garden sipping pimm’s in the summer, while the kids are happy on the play area... dogs and muddy boots welcome!

Family friendly, the childrens menu will tempt even the fussiest toddler , while the outside play area will keep them occupied while you relax!

Please see websites for opening times and special offers.

The Lifeboat Inn, Ship Lane, Thornham Norfolk, PE36 6LT, Tel: 01485 512236 www.lifeboatinnthornham.com

The Old Coach House, Thornham Norfolk, PE36 6LY Tel: 01485 512229 www.oldcoachhousethornham.com

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KIDS STUFF

LIVING

It’s time to shake off winter hibernation, throw on some wellies and get the kids out of the house and into the fresh Norfolk air. There’s so much to explore! Kirstin Crane goes in search of the best outdoor events and activities for kids this spring.

Family Willow Workshop Sculthorpe Moor, Sculthorpe

Few know the wonders of Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve, created by the Hawk and Owl Trust to protect and enhance the very special wetland habitat of the Wensum Valley.

The education and visitor centre is a great base for walks, talks, courses and activity sessions for people of all ages. Imaginative displays inside the centre introduce children to the special wildlife habitats, plants, birds and other animals of Sculthorpe Moor. Under 12’s can join their Kestrel Club which meets monthly for kids interested in birds of prey and other wildlife. Get creative this Easter with the Family Willow Sculpture Workshop where you can let your imagination go wild and create a fantastic willow sculpture for your garden.

15th April 2-4.30pm £15 per person including your sculpture to take home Booking essential, 01328 856788. For Kestrel Club visit www.hawklandowl.org

Creake Abbey Easter Egg Hunt Creake Abbey

Calling all egg hunters! In the run up to the Easter weekend why not pop down to the courtyard shops at Creake Abbey, North Creake for their annual Family Easter Egg Hunt.

Starting at the Creakey Cafe, grab a pencil and hunt sheet then head out into the courtyard and adjacent abbey ruins to find the hidden eggs, solve the word puzzle and win a prize! Prizes kindly sponsored

by The Chocolate Deli, Wells. All proceeds going to Burnham Market Primary School.

31st March - 6th April (closed Monday 2nd April) Drop in anytime between 10am-4pm £1.50 per hunt with prize included.

For more information visit www.creakeabbey.co.uk

Gruffalo Day Wells Pinewoods

A Mouse took a stroll through a deep dark wood....so why not do the same and find out about the wildlife in the popular Gruffalo stories. Kids can investigate snake’s log pile house, make a mask and explore the woods. Drop in anytime between 11am-3pm and join in the fun!

11th April, FREE Signposted from the entrance to the NNR (National Nature Reserve) at the northwest corner of Wells Beach Car Park, Beach Road, Wells.

For more info contact catherine.foreman@ naturalengland.org.uk

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Holkham Hunters Family Walk, Holkham NNR

North Norfolk is a birdwatchers paradise for all ages so wrap up warm and take the kids along to this family walk through Holkham pinewoods to the bird hide. Find out about the birds of prey that live there and make a marsh harrier and investigate owl poo!

4 April 11am. Meet North end of Lady Anne’s Drive car park, Holkham FREE but booking essential, only 20 places available Contact Catherine Foreman on 07825 377652 or catherine.foreman@naturalengland.org.uk

‘Rainy Day’ Option

Bugs and Butterflies Childrens Workshop, Holkham Hall If you are feeling inventive then join the team at Holkham for two workshops where children can make their own creepy crawlies, green bugs or dainty butterflies. There’s a special place waiting for children to be inspired by handicraft in their massive Victorian Greenhouses in the walled garden.

10th April, 10am-12noon or 2pm-4pm £15 per child per session includes a visit to the walled garden to see your creepy crawlies in their own home! Accompanying adults go free.

Booking essential, call 01328 713111 or email ticketoffice@holkham.co.uk

One for your diary – The Fairy Fair is back!

The Fairyland Trust Fairy Fair returns to Holt Hall this Jubilee Weekend 3 and 4 June with its unique combination of entertainment, nature and magic. Tickets are available via www.fairylandtrust.org (paying supporters are entitled to a free ticket). Tickets are priced at £7.50 per person, under 3’s free.

Kirstin Crane Bells and Whistles Kids, The Courtyard, Creake Abbey, North Creake NR21 9LF www.bellsandwhistleskids.co.uk Tel:01485 543173

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We offer a highly professional service, with a personal touch Call us to find out more about our tailored Conveyancing Services.

Or email lynnbowler@wardgethin.co.uk - King’s Lynn pennylees@wardgethin.co.uk - King’s Lynn gemmabunkall@wardgethin.co.uk - Swaffham King’s Lynn Office: 10-12 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk 01553 660033 Swaffham Office: 11 London Street, Swaffham, Norfolk 01760 721992

www.wardgethin.co.uk

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PROPERTY

BAG A PROPERTY BARGAIN There’s nothing average about North Norfolk, and that includes our property prices says Amanda Loose 15, Station Road, Snettisham Sowerbys

Queens Road, Fakenham £132,500, Belton Duffy

O

properties which are much cheaper than similar r does it? properties in Holt. We are currently selling a two According to bedroom terrace property in need of renovation the Land Registry’s for £85,000 in Melton Constable. A similar House Price Index for property in the centre of Holt could almost January, the average double that. house price in England and Wales is currently “First-time buyers wanting to purchase in £161,545 and just over £173,000 in the East Holt would need around £150,000 to purchase and in the Halifax’s National Average, February a typical first-time buyer property. By looking figures stand at £160,118. My mission is to ask at the nearby villages of Briston and Melton local agents where they reckon you can bag Constable, they could get a starter home for a comparative bargain for a comparatively much less.” average price.

“Burnham Market and the villages in “I do believe buyers have a preconceived idea immediate proximity are almost a world apart that properties are expensive in North Norfolk,” says Peter Sargeant of Brown & Co in Holt. “The in terms of property prices from the majority of North Norfolk. By searching a little further A148 from Cromer to King’s Lynn is often the afield it is possible to find some real gems at a boundary between paying more and paying realistic price,” says Kathy Britton of Brittons in less. There is definitely a margin, it can even be Hunstanton. over two or three miles. We have just sold a two Kathy suggests travelling along the coast bedroom modern terraced house in Fakenham from Hunstanton towards King’s Lynn, which was on the market for £109,950. The including Heacham, same thing would be Snettisham and £160,000 to £170,000 Dersingham: in Holt.”

“We are finding “First time buyers serious buyers are need to know which prepared to look areas to look in to find slightly further decent, affordable afield in order to properties,” says secure the best buy.

Henrietta Bruce of Heacham and the Belton Duffey in WHB Holt – property in surrounding villages Wells. “In the ‘Golden Kelling £145,000 have some beautiful triangle’, the best character cottages at location is Fakenham. reasonable prices, like Holly Cottage which we With a good infrastructure and road network, this market town has everything a young couple are selling in Heacham for £134,995.”

Henrietta offers this final advice: “The key or growing family needs at a fraction of the in this current market is to negotiate hard cost of Burnham Market, Holt or other hotspots especially if the property has no onward within 10 miles. chain. First time buyers should try to get their “For a guide price of £132,500 you can buy mortgage agreed in principle before making a three bed mid terrace period house there, offers on a property as this will give them within walking distance of the town centre or a greater bargaining power.” more modern three bed option for £135,000. A • Belton Duffey 01328 710 666 similar modern property in Wells was recently • Brittons 01485 532 233 marketed for £215,000.”

• Brown & Co 01263 713 143 Richard Ling of William H Brown in Holt says: • William H Brown 01263 713 343 “Places such as Melton Constable and Briston • Sowerbys 01485 533 666 to the south of Holt have a range of Victorian

24

Apartment 3 Caledonian House, Hunstanton, Sowerbys

Stephanie Connor from Solicitors Hayes and Storr highlights some pointers to help ensure that a bargain really is a bargain!

• If you plan to renovate or extend a property you should Stephanie Conner check to see if it is a listed building or in a conservation area, as this will affect what you are allowed to do. You might need to apply for planning permission or listed building consent. Your Solicitor or the local Council will be able to give you more information.

• When buying a flat it is important to check how many years are left on the lease.

Most mortgage lenders require a minimum of the mortgage term plus 25 years, and sometimes longer than that. Your seller may need to arrange for the lease to be extended if there are not enough years left.

• If you want to renovate a flat, there may be restrictions in the lease limiting what you can do with your property, such as preventing you from knocking down any internal walls. Your Solicitor will be able to advise you on this.

“This article aims to supply general information, but it is not intended to constitute advice. Every effort is made to ensure that the law referred to is correct at the date of publication and to avoid any statement which may mislead. However no duty of care is assumed to any person and no liability is accepted for any omission or inaccuracy. Always seek our specific advice” • If you require advice on any legal matter telephone our Hunstanton office on 01485 524166.

NORTH NORFOLK Living SPRING 2012

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café & store

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PETS

Ollie’s Pet Pawtisserie Gill Carrick Cowlin meets a pastry chef who is using her skills to bake for four legged customers rather than two!

T

here’s nothing quite as satisfying as a treat now and then – or in my case, every day. Hey, life’s for living after all so who cares about a few extra calories along the way?

So I imagine it’s really not that different if you’ve got four, rather than two, feet: treats are lovely, end of story. Claire Carter thinks so; her expanding band of customers seems to prove the point and Ollie’s wagging tail seals the deal.

This is one lucky Labrador. Now four and a half years’ old with a glossy coat and a clean bill of health from the local vet, who’s rather impressed by Ollie’s healthy diet and lifestyle, he’s like the dog that got the cream - in a mixed metaphor sort of way.

Claire set up ‘Ollie’s Pet Paw-tisserie with her lovely lab and his four-legged friends in mind. There are a lot of dog owners in north Norfolk who want to make their hounds happy, and Claire is more than willing to help them achieve a sort of doggy nirvana.

She believes that dogs deserve lovely treats that tickle the taste buds yet are free of nasty additives, preservatives, salt, sugar, fat or anything toxic or harmful to man’s best friend. Her treats, made from the best local ingredients from the area, including the Holkham and Sandringham estates, are tested on humans and of course Ollie’s palate is the most discerning of all.

Says Claire: ‘He’s helped me with a lot of research. If he didn’t like something he’d spit it out, but then of course dogs, like humans, are keen on certain food and not others and different breeds like different treats.

Ollie’s favourite is cheddar cheese pup cakes. King Spaniels don’t like our chicken or stuffing pawstries, but are keen on our sausage and mash ones.’

Claire makes her treats at home in Stanhoe and as she hasn’t got a shop front she sells online as well as at GJL Animal Feeds in Fakenham;

26

the Farmers’ Market at the Creake Abbey and at various shows where her stand is set up to look like a patisserie. The idea is to appeal to owners as much as the dogs, so they’ll buy the treats in the first place. But as we cope with domestic pets mimicking their owners in the obesity stakes, perhaps treats should be outlawed (or should that be out-pawed?) altogether?

No says Claire. ‘The treats are not supposed to be a substitute for a normal daily diet. They’re just treats. Ollie has to work for his; he doesn’t just get a whole load every day.’

So what got Claire started? ‘I’d been a pastry chef for 23 years in hotels and about a year ago, I decided to do something from home so I could get my worklife balance right and spend more time with Ollie. He isn’t a typical Labrador and would walk away from a bowl of food but now he eats well and I wanted to make treats for him to enjoy. And then friends started showing an interest, so I thought I’d create pet treats to sell. So what started as a hobby has turned into a business.’ So pup (instead of cup) cakes were born along with bark-well tarts; various ‘pawstries’ - you get the drift. Claire also produces special ranges for dogs with allergies, or intolerance to lactose.

Clearly living and working in north Norfolk suits both human and hound. Says Claire: ‘There are so many dogs here and owners love to get nice treats for their dogs and they appreciate a goodquality product which is great for me. And Ollie is so happy here. He loves his walks by the sea at Brancaster Beach and as he’s very sociable, with a huge personality, he gets lots of attention wherever he goes. I’d never be without him. He’s a huge source of inspiration to me.

• Further information: Ollie’s Pet Paw-tisserie. www.ollies-pawtisserie.co.uk. Tel: 01485 518183

NORTH NORFOLK Living spring 2012

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PROFILE

Raymond Monbiot meets Diana Brocklebank-Scott With interests in the history of Creake Abbey, Mandarin Chinese, the biological workings of the brain and fly-fishing amongst other things, they had plenty to talk about!

D

iana was born in Constable country in Diana Suffolk where her family lived in a Grade 1 listed house that she would never inherit because she was not a boy. She was the oldest of 3 children. Their father worked in the discount market in the City and farmed in Suffolk. “ My mother is American from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is a very bright art historian and had a glittering career. My father’s mother Beatrice Brocklebank was a fearsome academic and librarian at the Bodleian Library. Despite the achievements of the family I came late to developing my own strengths. I was a happy rural child and schooling at Felixstowe College was not academic enough to switch on my full capacity.”

During her gap year Diana taught English in rural China and learned spoken Mandarin.

It awoke in her an educational need, offering experience to other people sending their children to China in the years to come. “ I went on to Edinburgh University to read Biological Sciences with honours in Psychology. This offered The lovely Courtyard welcome new challenges. I at Creake Abbey chose to study the brain and in particular autism, Parkinson’s disease & stroke. I was awarded a First on this 4 year course and found time to study History of Art and forensic medicine as extras. It was a marvellous environment.”

She was selected for a PhD specialising in autism and blindness but this would have gets organised to pursue meant a solitary life in a lab and them. Creake Abbey was Diana is a people person. on a considerably larger “ So I joined the Royal Academy of Arts in the fund raising department scale than our starting budget. It is steeped in history, has 240 acres and teems with wild life becoming Head of Corporate Sponsorship. I benefiting from its status in the Government’s secured the largest ever cash sponsorship of Higher Level Stewardship Environmental £500,000 from Ernst & Young and the same Scheme. amount to leverage the Monet Exhibition. After “ It was an enormous effort to afford Creake eight years I moved on and met my husband Abbey and Anthony continues to work with to be, Anthony Scott, who proposed to me private clients of Charles Stanley in London during a car rally in northern China. He was during the week. I am developing my love for living in Hong Kong where I joined him working education and am working on a programme for a charity. We returned to England after the for local schools. Our monthly Farmers’ handover. It was time to make some money for Market grows in success bringing local food ourselves and our future family. I worked for to everyone concerned about food safety. It boutique hedge funds. But I was 35 and we had is great fun and we have the support of the no children. We were both working 50 hours a redoubtable Mary Kemp of the EDP magazine week and I resolved to move to the country. and other champions of our work. We have “ We knew and loved Norfolk - Anthony’s converted a number of barns for the markets kin are the Bagge family of Stradsett - and and cookery workshops. There are permanent we found Creake Abbey in 2003 featured in shops and a cafe. Attendance is growing. We Country Life when it was still for sale. This is had 1000+ people at the Christmas Farmers’ unusual as properties appearing in Country Market and 1500 at the Plant Lovers’ Day which Life have usually been sold by the time one

raises funds for local charity, Wells Community Hospital. Our focus is to build on our Farmers’ Market success – people love local produce – and unite it to more shops, Abbey walks and an interesting, intellectual artistic hub, teaching and engaging people.

“There is a long history of markets on the site. The first licence was granted to the Augustinian Abbey in 1308 and three fairs were authorised each year. The Augustinians believed in health and welfare for the community. The Abbey fell into disrepair when its monks were ravaged by plague and the Abbot was the last to die. It was all over by the early 1500s.”

Diana and Anthony have three children, Arthur 7, Freddie 5 and Aurelia 3. They know enough Mandarin Chinese to wow the staff in Chinese restaurants. Diana reads voraciously and paints (less well than Anthony) in water colours. She is enthusiastic about Chinese Imperial porcelain and loves to cook soufflés.

Smoked haddock is her favourite. They fish for salmon in Scotland and Ireland where Diana landed a 16lb’er last autumn.

NORTH NORFOLK Living SPRING 2012

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secret ... t p e k t s e b s Norfolk’ yet? t i d n u o f u have yo

Vintage Home & Garden Drove Orchards, Thornham Norfolk. PE36 6LS Tel: 01485 525714 www.coastandcountryhome.co.uk

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pets emporium Extensive selection of animal foods including James Wellbeloved, Burns and Royal Canin plus new brands Meowingheads and Barkingheads Treats, toys and a wide range of accessories to meet all your pet needs A fully equipped Grooming Parlour ID Chipping for all pets Dry Cleaning service – Monday & Thursday

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delicatessen • boutique • grooming parlour 28

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NNL DIRECTORY SPRING.indd 46

15/3/12 10:46:04

EATING OUT

Food photography by: www.ickootu.co.uk

DOUBLE DELIGHT

Honor Welford of Thistlefield Foods visits The Duck Inn at Stanhoe and sister pub The Wiveton Bell at Wiveton for North Norfolk Living and finds delicious food and gentle lighting.

S

taying with friends in Wood Norton, we decided to go for a meal at the award winning Wiveton Bell; which lived up to its reputation!

Running a special offer menu Monday to Thursday, along side the fantastic array of starters, mains and desserts on the menu, there is a ‘Wine and Dine’ offer. Either at lunch or dinner you can enjoy a main course and either a glass of wine or a pint of beer for only £9.99.

We all plumped for the wine and dine menu for the night, which was Thai Green Chicken curry. It turned out a great choice; plenty of chicken, full of flavour and not too spicy. It was served with boiled rice and a sweet chilli sauce, all washed down with a pint of well kept and delicious Yetman’s beer. After seeing the dessert menu, who would be able to resist: Summer Berry Eaton Mess, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Vanilla Cheesecake, Rich Chocolate Torte…. they all hit the spot, full of flavour and tasting lovely.

The pub was very welcoming, candle lit and Wiverton Bell soft lighting. The service was friendly and efficient, attentive, but not over bearing. We were looked after by Rosa and Lewie, who did a great job and are a credit to the Bell. We look forward to revisiting again soon.

After an enjoyable night at the Bell, the following night we decided to try the sister pub, ‘The Duck Inn’. The Duck is situated in the lovely village of Stanhoe, just a couple of miles away from the popular village of Burnham Market with its eclectic mix of individual shops and just inland from the picturesque north Norfolk coast. Recently refurbished it had a lovely warm feel to it, in a more traditional style with pine tables and wood burners blazing away.

30

The same as The Wiveton Bell, The Duck is also offering the wine and dine menu, along- side the normal lunch and dinner menus. Today we decided to have a starter as well as a main and dessert. A good choice was available: Fresh soup, Cley Smoked Prawns, Grilled Goats Cheese, Game Terrine and Smoked Mackerel Pate.

We chose the Cley Smoked Prawns. They were great, served with tasty granary bread and a dressed salad; I could have sat and eaten them all night! But there were still two more courses to come.

The ‘Wine and Dine’ choice was Graves’s Sausages and Mash, served with kale and carrots or Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Pie. Both were really good traditional fayre which didn’t disappoint, really tasty and full of flavour, washed down with Elgood’s Cambridge bitter. The sweets were similar to that on offer at The Bell, so again we weren’t disappointed. With the standard of the food and the friendly service afforded to us

by Dan, it won’t be long before The Duck will be winning awards of its own.

Both pubs offer a good choice of fayre on their menus, at a reasonable price, using meat and produce from many local producers. They both offer a warm and friendly service from the experienced team. All in all, both are well worth a visit, whether you are after a light lunch or evening meal.

Bon appetite!

The Wiveton Bell, Blakeney Road, Wiveton, Holt 01263 740101 www.wivetonbell.com The Duck Inn, Burnham Road, Stanhoe 01485 518330 www.duckinn.co.uk

NORTH NORFOLK Living SPRING 2012

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HUNTERS INTERIORS Summer 2012 is on its way Enjoy your Home Relax We will take care of everything from designing your home to filling your fridge (and everything in between) ~ Established 1999 ~ Visit our showroom in Stamford or we are happy to visit you

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Burnham Road, Stanhoe 01485518330 www.duckinn.co.uk

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15/3/12 10:49:00

At Storm Fine Arts, we pride ourselves in being able to help you find what you are looking for, whether it is fine or decorative, traditional or contemporary. We have a huge collection of work available and we can also source pieces to suit your requirements.

We can help you establish or expand a collection of work, directing you to the most suitable artists to not only satisfy your tastes but also maintain a good investment value.

Our Easter Exhibition marks our two year anniversary in Burnham Market and we would love to see you in our newly decorated gallery space to enjoy our collection of fine and decorative art, furniture and taxidermy.

Storm Fine Arts Market Place Burnham Market Norfolk PE31 8HD 01328 730 675 info@stormfinearts.com www.stormfinearts.com Images : Top Left - Al Gray Top Right - Ben Allen Background - Graham Dunn

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