Places&Faces 153 - August 2023

August has arrived to bless the enchanting lands of Norfolk and Suffolk with its scorching embrace! As we bid adieu to July’s capricious weather (umbrellas doubled as sunshades, anyone?), we find ourselves teetering on the cusp of an unapologetic and relentlessly delightful summer month. As we embrace the pinnacle of the summers months with open arms you can bet your last scone that this region is about to sizzle with more than just fish and chips!

In August, Norfolk and Suffolk come alive like a charming cast of characters in a quirky summer romcom. The quaint villages bustle with life as tourists flock in, their enthusiasm rivaling that of kids at a candy shop. Beach towels morph into coveted real estate as sandcastles rise like fortresses, and seagulls conduct their noisy symphony above, providing the soundtrack to our coastal escapades.

Whether you’re an ardent foodie in pursuit of the perfect Cromer crab dish or a an adventurer looking for that perfect day out, Norfolk and Suffolk serve up a tantalising spread that will leave you drooling for more. So grab your sunhat and some SPF, for this August, we’re going to soak up the summer vibes... it’s time to sit back and unwind.

Andrew Hirst EDITOR

@PlacesandFaces

GlassRaisea

CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Hirst, Jade Soanes, Mel Cook, Polly Coleman, Chantel Heath, Tom Strowlger, Adam Gunton, Sarah Hardy, Francesca Armour-Chelu, Charlie Smith-Knight, Andy Newman, Rebecca Bishop, Iain McCarten

ADVERTISING SALES

Shaun Dawson

T: 01502 725 878

E: shaun.dawson@micropress.co.uk

Sinead Taylor

T: 01502 725865

E: sinead.taylor@micropress.co.uk

Síofra Driver T: 01502 725804

E: siofra.driver@micropress.co.uk

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Andrew Hirst

T: 01502 725860

E: andrew.hirst@micropress.co.uk

Jade Soanes

T: 01502 725840

E: jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

Mark Shreeve

T: 01502 725839

E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk

Polly Coleman

T: 01502 725800

E: polly.coleman@micropress.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Published by COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ 01502 725800

COMPETITION

Printed by MICROPRESS PRINTERS LTD Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ 01502 725800

Copyright on all content is with Countrywide Publications. Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times were correct at the time of print, and you are encouraged to contact the businesses and venues prior to making bookings. All expressions and opinions demonstrated within the publication, are those of the Publisher including contributors. Places&Faces® is a registered Trade Mark of Micropress Printers Ltd. COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS IS A TRADING NAME OF MICROPRESS PRINTERS LTD.

Ahsoka

23 August, Disney+

Warrior. Outcast. Rebel. Jedi. Roasrio Dawson plays Ahsoka Tano, probably the best lesser-known Star Wars character out there. Ahsoka, the Jedi apprentice of Anakin Skywalker (who became the evil Darth Vader), has appeared in some of the animated TV shows as well as The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Set following the Empire’s fall in Return of the Jedi, Ahsoka senses an emerging threat. Fearing a rise of Imperial loyalists under the rule of the ruthless Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), Ahsoka calls upon her friends from the animated series Rebels Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and lovable droid Chopper to take action before evil spreads across the galaxy once more. A highly anticipated series with two episodes dropping at first, with the following six coming weekly.

what's on the Telly

with Adam Gunton

Heartstopper Season Two

3 August, Netflix

Nick and Charlie’s blossoming relationship continues in the second season of this Netflix favourite. But the relationship isn’t without its complications. Nick found the courage to come out to his mother but coming out to their friends at school is another thing. They’ve got the challenge of figuring out how to tell their friends they’re dating and a school trip to Paris, the most romantic city on Earth, is going to be tough if they don’t feel they can be open about their relationship. There’ll be heartwrenching moments aplenty.

Only Murders in the Building Season Three

8 August, Disney+

Don't Miss

Probably one of the most charming series around, largely in part to the chemistry between the three fantastic leads of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selana Gomez. The true crime podcast hosts return for another murder mystery. Season two ended with a time jumpthe opening night of Oliver’s (Martin Short) new show where one of his performers (played by Paul Rudd) collapsed and died, leaving Charles (Steve Martin) as the prime suspect. Oliver, Charles and Mabel (Selena Gomez) will need dust off their mics as they podcast their way through this fresh mystery while we get flashbacks to the lead up of the murder. Paul Rudd isn’t the only big name joining the cast - Meryl Streep rounds off this impressive group.

World on Fire

BBC iPlayer

The World War Two drama is back. Four years after the first series! The new season takes place in 1941, where RAF pilots are being sent to destroy German bombers above Manchester. The theme of this series is that the war has well and truly arrived in Britain and it is a grim reality indeed. The show continues to tell the story of World War Two through the eyes of ordinary people portraying an ordeal which should never be forgotten.

Norfolk Heritage Open Days

8-17 September

Celebrate history and discover the unknown this September, for free!

Norfolk Heritage Open Days (HODs) offers everybody the opportunity to explore buildings and places they may not have ventured into before, learn more about our cultural heritage and discover hidden gems not normally open to the public.

Across the 10 days, Norfolk’s most loved venues and buildings will throw open their doors for everyone to explore, untold stories of our local heroes will be revealed, and the county’s unique history will be celebrated from city to coast. There’s a range of activities and venues sure to delight all ages and knowledge.

The theme for Heritage Open Days 2023 is ‘Creativity Unwrapped’, with organisers celebrating inspiration in all its forms, from photography to literature to garden design.

The online directory of Heritage Open Days events is now live. The Norfolk Heritage Open Days brochures will be available from late July, and booking for most of the Norfolk events opens on Monday 21 August. Many HODs events are drop-in and you can just turn up on the day, so there’s always plenty to enjoy. www.norfolkheritageopendays.co.uk

Summer Show

Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds

16 August, 10am-4pm

arc Shopping Centre invites you to join in and celebrate One Great Day – a funtastic day of events and entertainment for all the family to enjoy, including the family dog!

Following the success of last year’s Summer Show, they are bringing it back for 2023 –this time raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and arc’s charity of the year, Gatehouse, as part of the UK-wide One Great Day fundraising campaign.

Dog Show

Bring your pup along to arc’s Summer Show and enter them into the dog show! Entries into each category will cost £1 and the winners of each category will

Going out

receive an arc VIP bandana. Categories are: Best Dressed Pooch, Loveliest Lady, Most Fabulous Fella, Golden Oldie and Most Pawsome Pup. There’ll also be dogfriendly treats and accessories on sale throughout the day, as well as a cooling station so that dogs can feel comfortable and rest, even if it is a sunny day!

Family Fun

Throughout this fun-filled day, families can also expect face painting, fun games such as tin can tumble, musical performances, a 9-hole mini golf course and an extraspecial character meet and greet – a pup from Down Under!

www.arc-burystedmunds.com

SchooDoodle Family Craft Sessions

John Lewis, Norwich

10 August at 10am

24 August at 10am

Join in the special family craft sessions at John Lewis Norwich. Experience the magic of watching your children create something unique, special and personal, while seeing their confidence and sense of achievement come alive!

Recommended for ages 3 to 10 and costs £12 per child. Free parking included. You can book your places at: www.eventbrite.co.uk

Going out Out & About

National Garden Scheme

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

Sunday 3 September

33 Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 6TB

10-5 admission, £5 child free.

Home-made teas.

A surprising and large suburban garden with different areas which include a mix of exotic and tropical plants combined with unusual perennials. There is a quirky palmthatched Tiki hut, a treehouse draped in plants and a wildlife pond with rare plants.

Sunday 10 September

High House Gardens, Blackmoor Row, Shipdham IP25 7PU

12-5 admission, £5 child.

Home-made teas.

Opening for twenty years for the National Garden Scheme. A Well-developed plantsman’s garden in three acres with colour themed herbaceous borders, an extensive range of perennials and shrubs, box edged rose and shrub borders and a large vegetable garden.

Before visiting a garden visitors are advised to check the website www.ngs.org.uk for UpToDate info.

Swallowtail Fine Artists

St Catherine’s Church, Ludham, 26-28 August

Hosting their biggest exhibition to date on August Bank Holiday weekend, the Fine Art show will feature works by Lorraine Auton, Tony Colledge and Amanda SpringallRogers. It will also showcase paintings, lino prints, cards and jewellery by well-known Norfolk-based artists Tom Cringle, Kate Gabriel, Julie Hodgson, Ben Kendall, Ann Lamb, Ruth Mann, Bruce Rushin and Elaine Vincent. All work featured will be for sale. The exhibition will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 11am to 5pm on Sunday and 10am to 5pm on Monday; with a private viewing 6pm to 8pm on Friday 25 August. Refreshments available. FREE ENTRY. For further information, please contact Swallowtail Fine Artists via Facebook, or email at swallowtailfineartists@gmail.com

Hippodrome

THE SUMMER CIRCUS

& WATER SPECTACULAR

5 July-17 September

The show brings together a cast featuring stunt riding motorbike riders, stars from America’s got Talent, Cirque Du Soliel Jugglers, and acts never seen in the UK. These incredible international performers will join Hippodromes’ magnificent cast of Dancer Swimmers alongside hosts Jack Jay and Johnny Mac.

www.hippodromecircus.co.uk

Following the huge success of the Moments contemporary art exhibition in 2021, West Suffolk Council’s leisure and culture team have gone bigger and better for 2023. With well over 300 pieces of contemporary art being displayed across three galleries in West Suffolk, Urban Frame: Mutiny in Colour is one of the biggest and most ambitious contemporary art exhibitions taking place anywhere in the UK this year.

The exhibition is spread across three venues this summer (Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket and Haverhill Arts Centre).

Going out

Moyse’s Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds runs until 1 October

National Horse Racing Museum, Newmarket runs until 1 October

Haverhill Arts Centre, Haverhill runs until 12 September

www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/mutiny

All three exhibitions will host works from some of the world’s most renowned artists including Banksy, Blek le Rat, Grayson Perry, Anish Kapoor, Pure Evil, My Dog Sighs, David Shrigley, Kaws, the Connor Brothers, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sherlock, Swoon, Ben Eine, Bambi, Hush and Lamont White, to name a few.

Many of the works in the exhibition have never been exhibited before, including Sandcastle Girl, which was painted on a wall in Lowestoft during Banksy’s Spraycation to East Anglia in 2021. Sandcastle Girl will be exhibited at Moyse’s Hall Museum.

The exhibition tickets for all three locations are now on sale, with entry prices set with the cost-of-living crisis in mind. Tickets are just £7 per location for adults and £3 for children aged 12 – 18 and under 12’s go free.

The exhibitions at Moyse’s Hall Museum and the National Horse Racing Museum run all summer until 1st October. The Haverhill Arts Centre exhibition will run until 12th September. Tickets can be purchased online at www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/mutiny

Why not make it a mini-break, or even a weekender?

There’s so much to see and do in beautiful Bury St Edmunds, so why not slow down and make it a mini-break? For more information about where to eat, sleep and drink, please visit: www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk

Probably the biggest and most important contemporary art exhibition anywhere in the UK, this summer!

Banksy - Gangster Rat

STIK Door and Nosferatu ‘MOOfo’

My Dog Sighs - Oil Drum

Grayson Perry - Self Portrait

Banksy - Years Vinyl

Banksy - Sandcastle Girl

ART with EASTERN PROMISE

For their latest pop-up exhibition of contemporary art and crafted objects, curatorial duo-Contemporary and Country (C&C) have brought together a collection of one-off pieces by wellregarded creators based throughout East Anglia. East to East has new work by 35 professional artists and makers from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire that exemplify the simple lines and natural colours inspired by Japanese and Chinese art. It is being held in the Palladian splendour of Houghton Hall Stables, Norfolk. All the exhibits are for sale, prices start from £15 for an espresso cup, up to £7,000 for a landscape of the Essex coast. There is a unique work to suit most budgets and that would grace many different types

of interior.

Contributing artists and makers follow in the tradition of creating their work by hand, using techniques that require skill in the manual manipulation of their materials. This may sound like stating the obvious. It isn’t! The art and craft assembled by C&C is not made by anonymous studio elves, or a 3D printer. For ecological reasons they tend to feature artists and makers who use sustainable materials and who work for a domestic scale. They prioritise work that

Peter Wylie, Stephen

Victoria Fenn

depicts natural subject matter or follows a recognised production process, like basket making or glass blowing, but always in a contemporary way.

Their pop-ups are not held in intimidating, frigid gallery spaces, and although C&C have put on exhibitions in purpose-built galleries (as visitors to last summer’s River’s Edge exhibition at Aldeburgh’s BallroomArts will attest), the work on display is life-affirming and is not diminishing or alienating. Each pop-up exhibition is an opportunity for visitors to experience an architecturally unusual building, buy one of the exhibits and to take it home. What gallery or museum allows its visitors to do that?

The ‘East to East’ exhibition encompasses sculpture and handmade objects, as well as paintings on canvas, wooden panel, paper or fabric, ceramics – with an emphasis on expertise in Japanese and Chinese techniques like raku, porcelain, decorative glaze, and lacquer, folded and cut paper as well as woodblock prints. The show starts with spinnaker sail-like pieces by Suffolk sculptor Esmond Bingham and a single glazed linear structure by ceramic artist Annie Turner are shown alongside large canvases by Great Yarmouth-based painter Katarzyna Coleman. All three artists reference the features and architecture of the harbour areas near their studios.

Opposite are three large paintings of the Essex marshes around the river Stour. The open views are artfully described in pencil sketches and diptych canvases by landscape painter Simon Carter in split east/west views, across the fluid interplay between tidal pools and creek, as the land peters out into the estuary. One step further north Suffolk-based ceramicist Steven Will’s handmade

porcelain vessels are moulded by hand into classic shapes that exploit the creamy purity of their material. Artists like Amanda Edgcombe and Tassie Russell, both also working in rural Suffolk produce finely wrought graphic prints and paintings, that embrace the calligraphic process, as well as light and shade, texture, and surface incident.

Painter Peter Wylie has returned repeatedly to his hometown of Lowestoft for inspiration. In previous pop-up exhibitions C&C have shown his evocative coastal seascapes, looking east out across the North Sea and his series of prints that celebrated the east coast’s WWII coastal defences. For ‘East to East’ they have included a selection of recent prints and several intricately painted

canvases of modernist buildings. They are exemplar renderings of early twentieth century architecture by Lubetkin, and Bauhaus luminaries Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier who applied Japanese architectural qualities and plotted the course of building design. They championed lighter, more open interiors with a higher proportion of window to wall that heralded the innovative features of modern architecture that, for better or worse, endure to this day.

‘East to East’ accompanies a solo exhibition of sculpture and paintings by internationally acclaimed artist Sean Scully – ‘Smaller Than The Sky’ at Houghton Hall, Norfolk. For opening times and ticket prices to enter the Houghton estate visit houghtonhall.com

Visit contemporaryandcountry.com to discover more information about their plans and to see a whole range of artists and makers, with work for sale. For more details and to be among the first to hear about their forthcoming exhibition programme join their mailing list. There are a couple of group shows in King’s Lynn, September/October 2023 and Cambridge (February/March 2024) - in the pipeline.

east to east, installation, Tassie Russell, Karen Bek

Victoria Sebag

Steven Wills

Five minutes with Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is amongst Britain’s foremost writers of fantasy and graphic novels. He blends mythologies, folklore and urban legend within his diverse stories, including children’s classic Coraline and adult fiction Stardust and American Gods. National Theatre has adapted his award-winning book The Ocean at the End of the Lane which is coming to Norwich Theatre Royal between 5 – 9 Sep

We spoke to Neil Gaiman about the show, what inspired him to be a writer and how it felt to see his novel on stage for the first time.

The book is loosely based on your childhood. What was the starting point?

The book began with me wanting to try and explain to my wife where I grew up and what that world was like. She could take me to her childhood home because it’s still the same, but I couldn’t take her to where I grew up [in East Grinstead] because the place had long since been demolished; lots of lovely neat little housing estates covered the gardens and the fields and lanes. So, for me, it was kind of an effort to try and evoke a past and a sense of place. An interesting side of it for me was that I realised that I hadn’t heard, for a very long time, the Sussex accent of my childhood. Mrs Weller came in and cleaned once a week, and Mr Weller came in and did the gardens. They were probably in their 80s and had proper Sussex accents – almost like a West Country burr. I resolved to write a novel with that in too.

Make your own Story…

Do you find writing about family, especially fascinating?

I don’t think I’ve ever been able to avoid writing about family, even when I thought I was writing about something else. Whether it’s biological family or the family we make. In the novel, I created a semi-fictional family for myself, and in the play version, it was one step further away from my family, which I think looking back on is incredibly healthy! But the boy is definitely me.

The play received amazing reviews when it premiered. Without any spoilers, do you have any favourite moments?

There is something astounding about the moment when they enter the ocean. That completely fascinates me. And you’re going to see miracles made out of bits of rubbish and old plastic bags and nightmarish birds beyond your imagination. It still takes me by surprise every time I watch.

Is it true that you were so moved by the play when you saw it in rehearsals that you cried?

I saw the first full run-through. About ten minutes from the end, I had tears running down my face. I thought that this was terribly embarrassing, and I was discreetly trying to flick them away. You describe yourself as a storyteller. What inspired you to be a writer?

I’m not sure that all writers are frustrated performers, but for me, it was the joy in getting to be all of the characters. As a writer, you get to do that. Being a kid who loved books, I could think of nothing cooler than giving people the pleasure that I got.

For more information or to book head to norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000

Get involved and creative with Norwich Theatre’s newly announced take part activities and workshops for the autumn term. It includes a new series of Creative Matters: Climate Stories activities developed with Norfolk and Waveney Mind, a new choir, and a new series of Theatre Makers workshops.

The new term includes a Mind, Body, Earth programme developed in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney Mind. It is part of Norwich Theatre’s Creative Matters: Climate Stories, a year-long season that looks at the biggest issue of our time. The sessions seek to provide empathetic spaces where anxieties about our climate and the future can be safely expressed and explored. The series includes Forest Bathing (14 Sep) Touching Earth with Jenny Haycocks (5 Sep) and Slowing Down to Connect with Katy Dunne (19 Sep).

With Theatre Makers: Queer Scraps (4 – 8 Sep), you can curate an unabashed expression of queer culture and identity with a community of like-minded individuals. Bring a point of inspiration that speaks to your queer experience and devise a performance based on the group’s ‘scraps’ of inspiration. Theatre Makers: Drag, Performance & Activism (18 – 23 Sep), in partnership with Titania Trust and Joseph Ballard, is a week inresidency that will explore different elements of drag throughout history.

For more information or to book head to norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000

Norwich Theatre Royal Greatest Days

7 - 12 August

The sensational new production of Take That’s musical. The perfect girls night out with more than 15record-breaking songs from the band, alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter that will make your heart Shine.

The Bodyguard

28 August - 2 September

Based on the classic 90s romantic thriller that starred Whitney Houston, in which Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar, Rachel Marron. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

The Drifters Girl

19 - 23 September

Discover the remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters, who refused to give up on the group she loved.

Going out

Life of Pi

25 - 30 September

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction, Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope. After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a Bengal tiger and a sixteenyear-old boy and time is against them.

The Rocky Horror Show

11 - 16 September

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying! Everyone’s invited to join Brad and Janet for an adventure they’ll never forget, featuring timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show-stopping Time Warp.

Norwich Theatre Playhouse

Jerry Springer the Opera

5 - 10 September

A brand new production by Norwich based performance group Sound Ideas Theatre Company. Jerry Springer – The Opera tells the story of a day in the job of world famous talk-show host, Jerry Springer. Expect chaos and debauchery to ensue.

Oh What a Lovely War!

25 - 27 September

Satirical, funny and deeply moving, Oh What a Lovely War has a style all of its own, combining live music, dance, songs and sketches to create a picture of life for those on the front line and those behind it.

Norwich Theatre Stage Two

The Puddle at the End of the World

23 September

Weird weather! Extraordinary extinctions! Freaky flooding! Water we going to do?! Jamie and her Nanna’s home has disappeared under rising sea levels –join them on an exhilarating adventure to rebuild their lives and stop climate change in its tracks.

For more information or to book, visit www.norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000

Madison’s #1 for coffee & donuts

Now open 7 days a week.

Serving freshly made crepes, waffles, donuts, Batista coffees & Belgium Hot chocolates. Also Norfolk County ice cream, thickshakes & Bacon baguettes.

www.madisonshemsby.co.uk

Madisons, Beach Road, Hemsby NR29 4HS Facebook; Madison’s #1 for coffee & donuts

TEST YOUR SKILL on our beautifully themed 9 HOLE COURSE

£5 all classes parking available directly opposite DOWNLOAD OUR LOST WORLD SCORECARD APP before you play to record your score, see your ranking & collect points for free games. Search for ‘Lost World Adventure Golf’ in your App Store

Try your hand at our GOLD PANNING attraction while you’re here! £3 per person, includes a souvenir medal

Beach Road, Hemsby NR29 4HS lostworldgolf.co.uk | 01493 731500

Independent repair and service specialists for Land Rover Vehicles

We offer servicing, repairs, MOT’s, vehicle upgrades and stock a range of 4x4 tyres for vehicles dating back to 1948 right up to the present day. We are stockists of Allmakes, Bearmach, Britpart and genuine Land Rover parts, with over 17,000 stocklines.

We offer a daily delivery service across Norfolk and north Suffolk and aim to deliver within 24 hours of receiving your order.

A centenary to celebrate

other things

Thismonth offers us fantastic free events, outdoor cinema, the discovery of wildlife, and a host of on-the-water pursuits. There’s something for everyone this August.

Strangers’ Hall in Norwich (one of my most favourite museums) is celebrating its centenary. And with the celebrations comes new window displays, free entry dates - courtesy of Norwich Freemen’s Charity, and new displays.

So let’s start with free entry. If you’re in Norwich between 23rd and 25th August (10 am – 4pm) and Sunday 27th August (1 – 4.30pm) then I urge you to include Strangers’ Hall as part of your day. I’ll add at this point that if the weather is beautiful, then take a picnic to enjoy the Knot garden – you really shouldn’t miss the opportunity as the garden is such a hidden gem.

If you’ve not been to Strangers’ Hall, this museum is a tardis. From the curb it looks deceivingly small, but once you’ve walked through their large Tudor door you are in for a big and wonderful

early days of the museum. The building itself is one of Norwich’s most historic, dating from the 14th century. Though it’s believed to have been the location of a structure since the 13th century, with the undercroft dating from the 1320s when there was a house owned by Ralph de Middelton. The building has been home to many of Norwich’s leading residents, with additions to it in the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century, the reason most certainly for its unusual footprint.

surprise. Over split levels, each room is decorated from a different era. And because of the centenary there will be more than ever to see this summer.

The new window displays are designed by artist Hannah Broadway and showcase some of the people associated with the museum’s history, key objects and photos of displays from the

In the 1890’s, having for generations been home to mayor’s and wealthy businessmen, Strangers’ Hall stood derelict. And it was only because local solicitor Leonard Bolingbroke purchased the building that it was saved from demolition. Bolingbroke was an antiques collector and filled his home with beautiful things. In May 1900 he decided to open his home to the public as a folk museum which was one of the first of its kind in Britain. This led to him generously presenting the museum and its contents to the City of Norwich in 1922.

New displays will also be on show in this celebration year. This will be made up of interpretation panels in the period room settings using images of archive photos and documents from the early days of the museum with stories matched to each room.

In the parlour there’ll be a refurbished display case juxtaposing collections from 1922 with those especially chosen by local young people to reflect home life in 2023.

Elsewhere in the museum, recent stunning new acquisitions to the museum’s collection can be seen for the first-time including Mr & Mrs Taylor’s Dolls House, a Victorian Bazaar Doll and peg dolls in National costume, made by local English Plus group members.

Why not tag on a visit to one or more of the stages for Norwich Summer Sessions (Sunday 27th August, commences 12.40pm) ahead of your museum visit and with that, you have a pretty good day out – and all for free. Now in its 10th year, Norwich Summer Sessions brings Norwich to life with fantastic live music and street entertainment. Extend the invite to the whole family – this is a great multigenerational reason to get together.

The school holidays are in full swing and there is loads to do says Melanie Cook of www.VisitNorwich.co.uk

Extend the invite to the whole family – this is a great multi-generational reason to get together.

Lucy Grubb, Norwich Summer Sessions

Suntou Susso, Norwich Summer Sessions

Lady Paine’s room, Stranger’s Hall

It seems the natural world is key to enjoying the summer this year with both Chantry Place and Castle Quarter sending us off on free trails. At Chantry Place there’s a Summer Safari Trail (until 3 September). Follow the trail, and on completion claim your goody bag which includes a complimentary child’s ticket to Banham Zoo or Africa Alive Reserve with a full paying adult. And on Wednesday’s enjoy a full programme of arts and crafts activities as part of Wild Wednesdays (booking details on visitnorwich.co.uk).

Welcome to the Jungle (until 1 September) at Castle Quarter is another free, fun activity. Animals have taken shelter inside Castle Quarter, and they need some help in finding them! As well as being in with a chance to win a £50 voucher to spend at Castle Quarter there are lots of photo opportunities once you have found the animals.

Over at Roarr! Dinosaur Park, don’t miss their annual Dino’s In the Dark event (5 Aug, 6pm - 10pm, tickets from £9.95). As well as their usual offer including the Predator High Ropes there will be creepy crawlies, stalls, and lots of good food and drink. It will be a night with a difference and something to remember for a long time.

Pensthorpe brings us slightly less exotic animals than Dinosaurs and animals found on a safari, however they are no less interesting. And it’s still at night. This year they offered four dates for badger watching. Unfortunately, as I write this

they are sold out, however I wanted to mention so you can look out for next year. Keep an eye on their website. Pensthorpe does however have tickets to their Creatures of the Night events on 18 August (8pm–11pm) and 15 September (6:.45pm–9.45pm). On these evenings you head out with a bat detector looking for ten species. But there are others to spot too like owls, deer and hares as well as fish such as pike and minnow.

Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden in the Broads is a favourite of mine. And over the years they have added to their list of events and activities. Take a look at their website for wonderful for things such as Wildlife Canoe Trails (adults £25, children £15). New for this year is their Family Canoe Trail where you are taken out by Chris your instructor for 2 hours. The canoe fits 2 adults and 3 children and costs £70 which also includes garden entry. There are also Group Paddle Boarding sessions (4 people £100, 6 people £125). This is a onehour introduction to Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) and huge fun! SUP is now one of the most popular activities on the water in Norfolk. You can also join their wild swimming group with the purchase of a garden membership.

And keeping in the Broads. There’s a big party happening at BeWILDerwood for BeWILDermuddle! Taking place until 5 September, head to the storytelling stage to find out what’s going on. Though on

good authority I believe it has something to do with the ‘Grubbles’ making their annual visit!

MORE THIS MONTH:

1. Outdoor Cinema at Plantation Garden in Norwich. On 25, 26, 27 August (The Little Mermaid, Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws) plus September dates too! plantationgarden.co.uk

2. Everything Cakes and Craft Fair at The Forum sounds like an event for anyone with a sweet tooth! Taking place 6 August, 10am–4pm.

3. Wine Tour and Tasting at the beautiful Chet Valley Vineyard takes place Wednesday’s and Saturday’s. Tickets cost £30 per person 11am and 3pm. Bookings at chetvineyard.co.uk

Full details of everything mentioned here and loads more ideas can be found at www.visitnorwich.co.uk

Roaar Dinosaur Adventure

Pensthorpe

Roaar Dinosaur Adventure

Chet Valley Vineyard

Chet Valley Vineyard

Chantry Place Norwich

Sarah Hardy celebrates the region’s independent breweries & taprooms

B w i & Tapr ms GlassRaisea C s

Norfolk &

Suffolk

boast almost 100 breweries between them, ranging from microbreweries such as Panther Brewery at Reepham through to bigger concerns like Greene King at Bury St Edmunds.The region’s fertile growing ground for barley, which is made into malt, a key ingredient in beer, is a major factor, as are the mild winters and salty sea frets.

The two counties have hundreds of pubs between them, ranging from wonderfully historic offerings such as the 14th century Green Dragon in Wymondham, to the newly revamped Salhouse Lodge, just outside Norwich. There are beautiful riverside ones like Sculthorpe Mill, near Fakenham, remote ones best accessed by boat like the Geldeston Locks, near Beccles, ones by the sea like The Ship at Mundesley, and decent backstreet ones like the Rosebery in Norwich.

Taprooms, once the preserve of old men sipping their frothy pints and puffing on a ciggie, are enjoying a renaissance as more women and a younger crowd appreciate the craft that goes into creating the perfect pint. New World hops from countries such as America and New Zealand have allowed brewers to create

fresh, aromatic beers, often with fruity flavours, which have appealed to a wider, less traditional beer-drinking audience.

Add in live music, pop up streetfood vendors selling global dishes and a family friendly atmosphere and it’s no wonder we’re all flocking to them!

If you are looking for a pub that specialises in great beer, check out the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA, website www.camra. org.uk. It lists many including, for example, its Norwich pub of the year; the White Lion on Oak Street in the city.

Maufe, founder of Malt Co t B w y Wells, www.maltcoast.com

Bruin

Who are you and what do you do?

We are a small independent microbrewery based on an award winning malting barley farm just outside Wel0s next the Sea. We use this barley to brew beers with a focus on provenance - a genuine grain-to-glass story. When and how did you get started?

My brother Max and I were based in London but were looking to get back to the family farm and diversify the business. The farm was already supplying local breweries (and even some in California!) with its malt so it seemed the obvious next step to start brewing ourselves. So in 2017 we started the process and looked to get back to Norfolk.

Tell us about your products

We brew a core range of six beers from a Black IPA to low alcohol Farm Table Pale. The malt is the heart and soul of a beer so we try to ensure the malt shines through in all our beers.

C ! C ! Salud

K pai Skål

From Lacons Brewery: (Left) Hamish Cross, Head Brewer, (Middle) Steven Goode, Assistant Brewery Operations Manager and (Right) Chris Everett - Brewery Operations Manager.

Why do you think Norfolk has so many great craft breweries?

Norfolk is prime malting barley country and has a history of malting so it stands to reason, with a focus on and celebration of Norfolk ingredients, that the craft brewing sector is thriving here.

Where can we buy or sample your beers?

Our beers are available in many delis, restaurants and pubs along the coast. The Real Ale Shop based on the same farm, has our beers available in bottle, can and on draught. Some of the leading restaurants in London - such as Nobu also stock our beer.

Any future plans?

We want to continue doing what we’re doing in what is an increasingly challenging business environment given cost pressures. We hope to offer a more extensive tap room experience on the farm in the future with a food offering.

Amy Hancock, marketing manager of Lac s

B w y

Gt Yarmouth, www.lacons.co.uk

Who are you and what do you do?

We’re an independent, family-run brewery in Norfolk with a very unique heritage. We brew modern-day beers for modern-day people supplied in cask, keg, bottle and can.

When and how did you get started?

We were established in 1760 and reclaimed in 2013. In the 1960s, we were taken over by a London brewer who decided to shut the brewery down. In 2013, after a 45-year hiatus, we reclaimed our independence and began brewing again, using the original Lacons yeast strain.

Tell us about your products. Our multi-award winning core range consists of our flagship amber ale, Encore, alongside Legacy and Affinity. We also offer specialist, bottleconditioned Heritage beers, mini kegs and our brand new Lager, Lgr in cans. Why do you think Norfolk has so many great craft breweries?

We’re lucky in Norfolk to be surrounded by prime malting barley farmland. Local farmers tend to sell their grains to our main supplier Crisp Maltings so we know the grain we use is local.

Where can we buy or sample your beers?

Our award-winning bottled and canned beers can be purchased online. If you’re in East Anglia, you’ll find our cask and keg beers in many of the local pubs.

Any future plans?

We are currently working on our brewery expansion project. We acquired adjacent buildings at our site in Great Yarmouth to house more fermentation vessels and have invested in a new onsite kegging plant and canning line to keep up with demand.

Five b t tapr ms

St w g B w y

Church Road, Redgrave, Suffolk

www.starwingbrewery.com

There are nine beers on offer here, with a tap room, converted from an old redbrick sawmill, that opens on Fridays and Saturdays. There’s often live music, and events like October festivals too.

R w l B w g

The Arches, Bracondale, Trowse, Norwich www.redwellbrewing.com

There’s a large taproom and beer garden here (with a super trendy Airstream outdoor bar) where you can enjoy the gluten free, vegan beers. Tuck into the Redwell Vault Pizzeria offerings too, while Sundays sees a changing list of street food vendors on offer. Everyone from Norwich City football fans to cyclists rock here up.

Dur n B w g

Abbey Farm, West Acre, Norfolk

www.durationbeer.com

Set on a gorgeous farm in west Norfolk, their taproom, Tap Days, opens Fridays and Saturdays from March to October. Six beers are on tap, plus wines, fizz and soft drinks alongside cheese and charcuterie sharing boards. Various pop up street food vendors such as East Coast Pizza and Feast (California burritos) are booked in, too. It’s all very chilled, plus family and dog friendly. You might even stumble across a yoga class!

T B w y Tap

Lawson Road, Norwich

www.fatcattap.co.uk

This is part of the Fat Cat brewing empire and is a popular, lively place that serves ales from around the country. Add in live music and delicious loaded fries from Motherchip who have a residency here. There’s a running club and a cycling club to get involved with, too.

Amp s B w Co

Diss, Suffolk

www.ampersandbrew.co

This brewery, based in a converted barn on a family farm on the market town’s outskirts, boasts a huge taproom with viewing into the actual brewery so you can see what they are up to! It opens Wednesdays to Sundays with food vendor Burger Jam Food offering packed burgers as well as loaded fries, sides and desserts. Live music, and regular events keep it busy.

T da A s B w y

Seething Norfolk

www.tindallbrewery.com

Adnams

www.adnams.co.uk

Dan Gooderham, who grew up in a pub in Bungay, has worked for leading Suffolk brewery Adnams for almost 13 years and has been head brewer for two years. The company has been making beers in the seaside town since 1872, and now produces about 27 million pints a year. They have a core range of about 15 beers including well known favourites such as Southwold Bitter, Ghost Ship, and Broadside, and swap in around the same number of seasonal, limited edition and collaboration brews throughout the year. ‘We do see ourselves as custodians of our heritage ranges,’ says Dan. ‘And it is always a challenge to maintain a consistent brew.’

The brewery’s most popular beer is now Ghost Ship, a pale ale with citrus flavours, which Dan believes reflects changing tastes and drinking habits. He

W t se ?

Barsham Brewery

Just near Fakenham, they hold Street Food Fridays on the last Friday of the month where there’s live music, a selection of street food concessions and a party atmosphere!

Malt and Mardle

Check out this tiny micro-pub in Norwich’s Magdalen Street. It keeps a very good cellar and also offers local gins, wines and more. And snacks!

CAMRA Norwich Beer Festival

The annual CAMRA Norwich Beer Festival takes place in The Halls from October 23 to 29. Expect 300 different beers and 60 different ciders.

reveals that there are two new beers to look forward to this summer - a collaboration with DEYA, a microbrewery based in Cheltenham, to create an elderflower summer pale ale and also a new IPA called LazySIPA, designed for warm summer nights. ‘That’s the fun side of my job, looking at new ingredients and creating fresh new flavours,’ he says.

Dan sees a bright future for both pubs and locally produced beers, saying: ‘The establishment of the pub will always exist. It’s the ambiance, the community spirit and the chance for people to chat together.’

If he’s looking to ‘quality control’ his beers, you might find Dan in the Lord Nelson in Southwold or the Bell at Walberswick, and he particularly enjoys a pint of Ghost Ship 0.5, a low alcoholic version of the popular beer.

Fu ra g

David Holliday of Norfolk Brewhouse, who makes the Moon Gazer range of beers, is embarking on his second charity fundraising event for the Norwich-based charity, It’s on the Ball, in the autumn. From October 1-7, he will be pushing a 75kg barrel of beer around the county, and aims to complete a marathon each day for seven consecutive days. It will take him on a 186 mile loop of the county, and he plans a fundraising event at the end of each day. He is starting in Cromer and finishing at Deepdale Campsite. The charity raises awareness about testicular cancer and provides support to sufferers and their families. Find out more at www.moongazerale.co.uk

Micro- brewery and creators of high quality modern award winning beer with the finest and often unorthodox ingredients. On-site & online store. Local & nationwide Delivery. Cask, Kegs, Bottles, Mini kegs

The . Real Ale Craft Beer

TR l A Shop

Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk

www.therealaleshop.co.uk

Great selection of Norfolk Real Ale, including their very own Malt Coast Craft Beer, local wine and a lot more. Draft beer and wood fire pizzas available Friday to Sunday throughout August.

W ds

BuBungay, Suffolk

www.bullofthewoods.co.uk

Specialising in ‘exciting’ hand crafted ales and owned by brewing brothers Seamus and Rory Clifford on their family farm, nestled in the heart of the Waveney Valley near Bungay. Commited to experimenting with new ideas, whilst having several tried and tested favourites, namely the core beers; Rock Steady, Inca Gold and Twisted Wheel.

Photo: Anthony Cullen

Dan Gooderham, Adnams Head Brewer

NORWICH FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

Boston tin cocktail shaker, a juice squeezer, ice, cocktail jigger, fine strainer, lighter.

INGREDIENTS: serves 1

• 60ml London dry Gin

• 25ml Fresh Lemon juice

• 2.5tsp Raspberry preserves

• 1 Toasted marshmallow

• Ice

METHOD:

Chill your glass (preferably a nick and nora glass) with water and ice.

Add all ingredients to your shaker, add ice last up to ¾ of the way, shake for 7 to 10 seconds, leave to rest in the shaker. Whilst it is resting, skewer your marshmallow and gently toast using your lighter.

Empty your now chilled glass and fine strain the cocktail into the glass. Place your toasted marshmallow on to the top of the glass for decoration and enjoy!

Rooftop Gardens

Norwich’s

first and only rooftop restaurant and bar, with 360-degree panoramic views of famous landmarks, including the Cathedral, Castle and Carrow Road.

Sitting proudly on the top floor of The Union Building, Rose Lane, there is a beautiful contrast between the former Aviva building’s 1970s Brutalist architecture and our newly refurbished rooftop venue. During the day, the building is a thriving office for a variety of local businesses who come up for air amid the daily grind. Of an evening, the Rooftop Gardens transforms into a hub for all to unwind in style.

Pan seared duck breast

with New potatoes, garden peas and jus

INGREDIENTS: Serves 2

• 2 duck breasts

• 1 sprig of thyme

• 8 new potatoes

• 300g Norfolk peas (200g for puree)

• 10 red lion mustard micro cress (to garnish)

• 140ml of Jus

• 40ml white wine

• 2 Tbsp of butter

METHOD:

Bring the new potatoes up to boil in cold water until cooked, this usually takes between 10 to 20 minutes depending on the size of the new potatoes. Once cooked, drain off the water and leave to one side.

Get a non-stick pan, season with Malden salt, put the duck breasts into the cold pan and place over a high flame. Render out the fat until the skin is golden brown, then flip over onto the flesh side and sear for one minute. Add the cooked new potatoes to the pan, then baste the duck breasts and potatoes with your butter and add your thyme. Baste for 2-3 minutes and then leave to rest for 5 minutes.

Whilst resting, get your peas cooked off in a pan of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, measure out the 200g needed for the puree and place these straight into ice water (this helps them to keep their colour) then blitz them up with 40ml of white wine and seasoning to taste. Once blended, pass it through a sieve to get it smooth. Use your remaining peas for the dressing the dish. Slice the duck open down the middle, season the flesh, then plate the way you would like!

Operations Director Glenn Walker said “Rooftop Gardens has been operating for six years now and like many businesses, especially during the pandemic, we lost our identity slightly. We are one of the very fortunate restaurants lucky enough to still be trading in what is a very competitive industry, especially with all the other amazing independent restaurants and bars here in Norfolk. We are really proud and excited by all the improvements we have made recently”.

“Our new head chef, Lewis Howes and our Bar manager Karim El-Bahi, have worked really hard with their teams to bring together excellent food and drinks menus that we feel are the best we have ever had here at Rooftop. It’s looking like a busy summer here again and we are really excited for new and old faces to come along and see how much passion and hard work our team is putting in to offering a fantastic guest experience.”

www.rooftopgardens.co.uk

by Rebecca Bishop

I’m Rebecca Bishop – AKA The Next Loaf- the founder of Two Magpies Bakery and recently published author of the baking book ‘Two Magpies Bakery’. Each month my baking column will feature baking tips, recipes, book recommendations, ingredients, and equipment to help you bake more beautifully. This month I’m celebrating the arrival of the warm weather (finally!) with outdoor cooking and cooling treats. To get the latest information sign up for my newsletter www.thenextloaf.co.uk or follow me on Instagram @thenextloaf

This month I’m mainly using…

My Ooni woodfired pizza oven. With August’s warm evenings upon us I like to be outside as much as possible. I make my pizza dough the day before (it also freezes well so good when it’s too hot to be in the kitchen) then assemble my family’s favourite toppings. Once your pizza oven is seriously hot shape your dough, I do two at a time, laying each base on a bed of semolina whilst everyone chooses their favourite toppings. The semolina makes it easy to

swiftly scoop the dough onto your peel then into the oven to bake for 1-2 minutes – turning frequently to prevent scorching. I like to drizzle salsa verde over my pizza after baking for colour and freshness

Salsa V

Finely chop a generous handful of mint leaves and flat leaved parsley with a tablespoon of drained capers. Season and add 200ml of tasty olive oil. Stir to combine.

ALL THE GEAR

What I’ve been baking…

Have you ever baked with rye flour?

It’s got a bit of a bad rep for being tricky (and sticky) but it’s well worth mastering its idiosyncrasies for that deliciously tangy taste. I’ve been working on a couple of ideas using dark rye flour from Hodmedods, a wonderful Suffolk grain and pulse company www.hodmedods.co.uk

My favourite recipe so far is rye with raisins, toasted coriander seeds with a touch of barley malt for sweetness. Recipe coming soon!

What I’m reading

Have you come across

It’s worth investing in a couple of heavy-duty baking trays to ensure an even colour on your bakes - flimsy trays tend to buckle and twist in the oven. I also line my trays with a silicone mat when I’m baking cookies to help reduce the clean-up at the end. Signed copies of my book Two Magpies Bakery are available to buy from www.thenextloaf.co.uk

The Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit? Published by Bloomsbury back in 2010, its’s been my go-to book for years. The book is divided into flavour themes (meaty, cheesy, woodland and floral fruity) and is such a great source of inspiration. This modern classic is also a great bedside read and the birthday gift I always buy for fellow foodies.

Baking know-how

When you’re combining wet ingredients (such as the beaten egg white in this month’s recipe) with dry ingredients, just add a small amount to begin (no more than a quarter). At this stage you can use a fairly heavy hand to loosen the mix and remove any lumps, then gently fold in the remainder of the wet ingredients in small increments without losing the aeration.

C y Bakew l

Serve up a plateful of cookies and this hack version of cherry almond ice-cream then let family and friends go wild creating their own version of perfection.

INGREDIENTS:

Makes 6 sandwiches (or 12 cookies)

Amaretti cookies

• 250g round almonds

• 25g light brown sugar

• 125g caster sugar

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp almond extract

• 90g egg white (approx. 3 eggs)

• 50g icing sugar (to dust the cookies)

• 50g flaked almonds (raw)

Ice cream filling (optional)

• 200g fresh cherries

• 100g toasted flaked almonds

• 1 tub vanilla ice cream

Ice Cream Cookies

METHOD:

Preheat your oven to 175°C fan. Prepare your baking sheet with lining paper or a silicone mat.

Weigh the almonds, brown sugar, caster sugar, baking powder and almond extract into a large bowl. Mix to combine, rubbing the essence into the dry ingredients.

Using a stand mixer or electric beaters, whip the egg whites for 6-10 minutes until stiff peaks have formed. Fold the egg white gradually into the almond mix (see my ‘baking know-how’ above) then portion the mix into 40g balls. Place the balls of cookie dough into your baking sheet and gently press down to create a 5mm thin disc (aim to make all your cookies the same size so that you can ‘sandwich’ them together later).

Push some flaked almonds onto the top of each cookie and dust generously with icing sugar. Bake for 10-12 minutes until crisp and golden then allow to cool.

To make your sandwich filling allow a tub of good quality vanilla ice-cream (I love Suffolk meadow www.suffolkmeadow.co.uk) to soften slightly then combine with chopped fresh cherry and toasted flaked almonds. Re-freeze until spreadable then serve with the cookies (or assemble beforehand and store in your freezer).

BAKING CLASSES

Want to raise your baking game? From January 2024 ‘The Next Loaf’ will be hosting monthly baking classes for a maximum of 6 people in Wenhaston, Suffolk. Suitable for beginners or bakers looking for more consistency and challenge, we’ll be mixing, shaping and baking our way through an exciting range of classes. To keep up to date with all the latest news and class dates sign up for my newsletter www.thenextloaf.co.uk

WATERLOO FARM CLASSES

On the 22 and 23 August I’m excited to be offering sourdough bread baking courses to raise important funds in support of a new local environmental charity, Natural Habitat. They’ll be taking place at beautiful Waterloo Farm, just outside Halesworth, and will cover the fundamentals of sourdough bakingincluding wood-fired sourdough pizza for lunch! Email me to book your place. rebecca@thenextloaf.co.uk

UPCOMING EVENTS

22 & 23 Sourdough baking classes at Aug Waterloo Farm, Halesworth

2 Sept Baking demonstration and book signing at Holkham food festival 23/24 Baking demonstration and book Sept signing at Aldeburgh food and drink festival (day TBC)

FOLLOW ME

For recipe reels, baking inspiration and all the latest baking class dates and news sign up for my newsletter www.thenextloaf.co.uk or follow me @thenextloaf thenextloaf

FULLY BESPOKE HANDMADE KITCHENS, BEDROOMS, OFFICES, BATHROOMS & FREE STANDING FURNITURE

FULLY BESPOKE HANDMADE KITCHENS, BEDROOMS, OFFICES, BATHROOMS & FREE STANDING FURNITURE

FULLY BESPOKE HANDMADE KITCHENS, BEDROOMS, OFFICES, BATHROOMS & FREE STANDING FURNITURE

Suppliers and installers of granite, quartz and solid timber worktops

FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION

Suppliers and installers of granite, quartz and solid timber worktops FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION Also

Suppliers and installers of granite, quartz and solid timber worktops FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION Also

artscraftkitchen

Crom G K Crab

INGREDIENTS: Serves 4

The kedergee

• 200g high quality ready to eat crab meat (preferably Cromer crab sourced from your local fresh fish outlet, but if you can only source crab meat from the supermarket then that will do)

• 150g of Basmati rice

METHOD: Hard boil the eggs. Cool slightly, de-shell, cut in half and set aside.

Side Salad

• 1 little gem lettuce

• A bag of mixed salad leaves

• 1 x 226g jar of ART’s Seaside Salsa

• Fresh Parmesan

• 1 leek (chopped)

• 1 onion (chopped)

• 50g of petite pois

• 4 eggs

• 2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley (chopped)

• Salt & Pepper

Assemble the side salad by washing the leaves, arranging them on a large side dish. Dress the leaves with ART’s Seaside Salsa and garnish with shavings of fresh parmesan. Bring a pan of salted water up to boil and add the rice; cook gently for 20 minutes.

Place the peas in a pan of boiling water with some salt and cook for five minutes.

Chop the onion and leek. Put a large frying pan on a

medium heat with a knob of butter. Add the prepared onion and leek and let them soften.

Once all ingredients have cooked, rinse the rice with boiling water and drain and drain the peas. Add these to the frying pan and season with salt and pepper. Add the crab meat and combine well.

Serve the kedgeree on a large platter. Garnish with the chopped parsley and halved eggs. Enjoy with the fresh salad and extra drizzles of ART’s Seaside Salsa

Celebrating a classic Norfolk delicacy, by creating my unique version of this dish

Alice Rebecca Talbot owner of ART’s – Craft Kitchen

www.

Cronly-Dillon Inspiring women Stacy

Female beekeeper turns her back on corporate career to make a buzz in apiculture in Norfolk

A journeythat started out as a search for a more mindful lifestyle ended with Stacy Cronly-Dillon turning her back on the corporate ladder to become one of the UK’s most successful professional female beekeepers.

Five years ago, Stacy had a successful marketing career as a Brand Manager for an FMCG company in Essex. But the industry that had once offered glamourous photo shoots and invites to exciting events had started to take its toll on Stacy’s health. The stress that was slowly building was no longer being supressed with regular yoga sessions.

In search of calm, Stacy started beekeeping as a hobby and quickly became obsessed with the world of bees. As time progressed, so did her desire to spend more of her days with the bees, in nature, contributing to the environment around her, and caring for her own well-being.

What started as a slow-paced hobby, soon became Stacy’s passion and a side-line business, with Stacy setting up Sunnyfields Apiaries in Essex in 2018.

But craving a countryside lifestyle, and looking for more space for the bees and additional hives, Stacy and her partner Mark decided to up sticks and leave the hustle and bustle of Essex behind; moving themselves and their bee business to the Norfolk countryside in 2021.

Stacy says: “My life in Bungay now couldn’t be more different to how it was five years ago. Like many people, I was working long hours and didn’t realise just how much my stressful career was affecting

me. I was probably heading for burnout.

“It was only once I connected with the bees that I understood I needed a more sustainable, slow-paced existence for my own physical and mental health and that there was an alternative to the relentless corporate slog that I had been used to.

“And the more time I spent with the bees, the more I felt the drive to do my bit to protect them and to contribute to the reversal of their declining numbers for the future of the environment.”

Three years after her first interaction with the bees, Stacy had given up her successful career and relocated to Bungay on the Norfolk Suffolk border (close to the River Waveney) with her husband Mark.

It’s from here that Stacy has become a fulltime beekeeper, expanding the number of

hives to became guardian of 25 colonies of honeybees. Each of her hives houses up to 45,000 bees. She has also launched a series of award-winning courses and beekeeping experiences for those curious about nature, bees and honey.

But it’s not all about the lifestyle for Stacy. Stacy’s passion and goal is to spread the word about the vital role the 270 species of bees in the UK play in pollination and to demonstrate how everyone can support honeybees in their own little corner of the world.

Focusing on education, Stacy runs beekeeping experiences at Sunnyfields Apiary so that people can get a bees-eye view of the world. Aimed at total beginners and those thinking about setting up a hive at home, Stacy shares her knowledge and guides visitors through what the bees are doing and the work that each of them is carrying out.

Stacy explains; “During the two-hour experience, I remove frames from the hive, enabling people to see up close the repetitive patterns of hexagonal honeycomb and striped bees. Guests are mesmerised as they observe the bees communicating with one another through their gentle hum. My aim is to make the beekeeping experience special and unforgettable, I want visitors to learn about the important difference the bees make by getting up-close and personal with them.”

Sunnyfields’ beekeeping experiences are all about connecting with nature. From the moment you approach Sunnyfields Apiary, the roads narrow, houses become fewer, and shoulders start to relax. On arrival, guests park next to a 99-acre ancient woodland, and life instantly slows down.

For those dreaming of starting beekeeping as a hobby, Stacy runs introductory courses, giving an overview of the life of a bee, the beekeeper’s involvement in running the hive, and the next steps in getting started.

There is no doubt that a visit to Sunnyfields will have a positive impact for both individuals and business alike, leaving guests with an irresistible urge to return home, invest in wildlife habitats, plant pollinator friendly flowers and create watering stations where nature and bees can thrive.

And for Stacy? Well, needless to say, life couldn’t be further from the corporate world she left behind and she is more than buzzing about that.

For more information about Stacy CronlyDillon and Sunnyfields Apiary visit: www.sunnyfieldshoney.com

Interior Trends

Interior designer Laura Ruddy, owner of the stylish Norfolk Luxury Furniture, gives us advice to keep our homes on trend this year.

Norfolk Luxury Furniture is a new online company that specialises in supplying on-trend, desirable items of furniture and furnishings. The owner, Laura Ruddy set up the business after spending many hours searching the internet for quality, luxurious items at competitive prices.

@norfolkluxuryfurniture

www. norfolk luxury furniture .com

Quality outdoor cushions!

I recently bought these Estero cushions for our garden area. Eye-catching and really comfy! Romo do a great collection of outdoor cushions, making them mould and stain resistant too! www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

Fancy a coffee?

Coffee tables are not just functional for your room but whether wood, glass or metal, they can help make a room appear larger. Clear materials allow for more translucency, making the room feel more spacious too. Shop the Nico Coffee Table at www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

Games Room of Dreams

A customer of ours recently purchased this beautiful Colmar Chandelier and it looks stunning! Perfect Centrepiece and certainly oozes luxury in this games room. Have a look at the full Colmar Collection where they have matching wall lights and pendants!

Bar Stools

Choosing the perfect stool is not only about the aesthetic; it is so important to choose the correct height and quantity when purchasing new stools. Stools with larger seats and backs can fill a larger space nicely. For smaller spaces consider something of smaller proportion that is airy and visually lightweight with slim legs. If you plan to sit on your counter or bar stools for long periods, consider an upholstered stool that will add more cushion and comfort. This is the Denali stool by RV Astley available from www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

a L es

SOMETHING BESPOKE!

Take a look at Jem Lake’s bespoke furniture on their website. We’ve used this company for a few bespoke items in our home, from a wine cabinet to a games room bar and have produced work of the highest quality. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Jem and his team are second to none.

www.jemlakekitchens.com

by

Socialise

your way to summer, where you can enjoy the outdoors in all weathers with our rotating garden pod. The model pictured is designed to seat up to 8 people and can transition into a comfortable bed or lounger. The windows are UV coated and the stainless steel exterior reflects heat and offers shade. We have also teamed this up with some summer essentials including a fabulous pineapple cocktail shaker and tapas bowls to ensure that party vibe.

All items are available on www.johnlewis.com and instore, visit John Lewis, Norwich & Ipswich

All prices are correct at time of print.

1. Ornate garden rotating sphere 8-seater garden pod £10,799

2. John Lewis, pineapple cocktail shaker, silver, 600ml £28

3. John Lewis confetti-coloured glass carafe, 850ml, multi £18

4. Royal Doulton 1815 bright colours porcelain noodle bowls, set of 4, 21cm, assorted colours £70

5. The Ultimate Book of Cocktailsrecipe book by Dan Jones £18

6. John Lewis ANYDAY domino throw, blue £45

7. Pineapple stacking glass tumblers, set of 2, 220ml, teal/gold £16

Lucy Heavens and Danielle Day

Gardening with Tom Strowlger

ideal plant support will be as tall as the plant stem and allow you to tie it in almost to the tallest flower. Dahlia will certainly need support to keep their top heavy flowers up straight, we don’t want any of our tall flowering plants to be knocked over and damaged as that will bring our floral colour to a premature end.

The lawn grass can start to turn brown in hotter weather, this isn’t something to worry about as the grass will go dormant until the rains returns. However, if we want to keep the lawn healthy, green and lush then watering it a couple of evenings per week will help it maintain

Tom Strowlger @garden_with_tom

Thelast month of meteorological summer is upon us so we will hopefully be enjoying some restful downtime, with the summer holidays in full swing our gardens will have their busiest month of the year. We can hopefully spend time with our family, sitting back into our garden chairs surrounded by the bright floral colour. August is like no other gardening month before or after it, we must cherish this month as early Autumn is just around the corner and colours will change as the days start to shorten

August can be a hot month of the year so our plants will need to be sufficiently watered to ensure they thrive beyond this month. It would be nice to have as much floral colour for as long as possible. To be sure that plants get moisture into the roots we should water directly into the base of the plants and ideally in the evening when the risk of evaporation is reduced and they can sit in the moisture overnight. It is very important that someone waters your garden whilst you are away, so make arrangements before you head off on holiday.

The late summer days can still bring the occasional strong winds; this is refreshing for us but can be destructive to our cherished summer flowers. We need to ensure our taller plants and flowers are protected from wind damage by using plant supports. The

a healthier look and feel. The growth of grass slows in late summer so use a high cut setting on your lawnmower to encourage healthier grass.

The warm days will make it easier for weeds, pests and diseases to thrive, meaning our gardening jobs are never quite finished. We should still be looking out for Aphids, Lily Beetles, Vine Weevils and Slugs amongst our leaves and flowers. In the first instance gently remove the pest by hand and then seek the relevant organic treatment to reduce the risk of them damaging your plant further. We should try and keep our plants as healthy as possible as it will help them to flourish for a few more weeks and maybe beyond depending on the weather going into autumn time.

We must make sure we are outside as much as possible, enjoying the garden at times when we would otherwise be distracted by life’s routine. We should take a moment to reflect on the summer gardening season and think about what we want to see in our gardens this time next year, a quick photo of the garden can be a great help when planning for summer 2024. Lastly, congratulations fellow gardeners, you can now fully enjoy the summer floral fruits of your labour.

Please do follow me on Instagram @garden_with_tom for more seasonal gardening advice and tips.

August

TOP TIPS

Deadhead fading and spent flowers

Give your hedges a trim and tidy

Use recycled water as much as possible

Turn compost to speed up decomposition

Keep topping up the birdbath

To be sure that plants get moisture into the roots we should water directly into the base of the plants and ideally in the evening when the risk of evaporation is reduced

Inspiring women

Made by girls

How Norwich High School for Girls shapes future change makers

Norwich High School remains true to its founding principles – we offer girls excellence in education, experience and opportunity – and we have always been keen to embrace fun and allow girls to flourish.

In the twenty-first century it is difficult to imagine a society without education for girls. In 1873 a group of Norwich citizens, discussing the lack of girls’ education in the city, were faced with just such a society. Consequently they approached the Girls’ Public Day School Trust, asking them to found a School in Norwich; the result being Norwich High School for Girls which opened on Monday, February 22nd 1875 at Churchman House, St Giles. With Miss Benson as Headmistress, 61 girls were present on the first day.

In the 123 years since that day, and through our move to the Assembly House in 1876, and to our site on Newmarket Road from 1932, we have upheld both our founding principles, and our reputation as experts in educating girls.

Reputation remains the main reason given by prospective parents as to why they are considering Norwich High for their daughters. We have a unique girlsfirst environment, warm community spirit and focus on wellbeing support which lets students be uniquely themselves and supports them in following their own pathways. As an all-through school, we provide continuity, a comprehensive and shared approach to learning, mutual values, as well as consistently high expectations from every member of the strong community including parents and staff.

Our strongly inclusive culture is led by students who have a limitless outlook. There are no gender stereotypes to conform to; students are bold in their choices. Our inspirational staff support students to find

Inspirational Alumnae

Paris Thompson, Class of 2023

Paris is a deaf activist who has delivered many speeches advocating for deaf awareness. Campaigning for Great Ormond Street Hospital, she helped raise over £10 million for their Sight and Sound centre, which supports deaf and/or blind children. Paris is also an accomplished actress, poet and lyricist. She was elected as a Women of the World Young Leader 2022.

Claire Oxley, Class of 1993

their niche. Here, if you apply yourself well and contribute positively, there are no other moulds to fit. Our outward looking and networked girls contribute to and benefit from our wider community. We are committed to opening up our facilities, expertise and time, creating opportunities for collaboration beyond our own students.

The approach is working. In December, we were named The Sunday Times East Anglian Independent Secondary School Of The Year in the 2023 Parent Power League. The Sunday Times commended the school for jumping 141 places in the national ranking since 2019.

“I feel very proud to be the Head at Norwich High, and am inspired every day by all the members of our community. As we work towards our 150th anniversary in 2025, I am confident that the foundations we have built and work to reinforce will endure and continue to contribute positively to our school community, the Norwich community and beyond.” Said Alison Sefton, Head.

Artist Claire lives in Norwich and studied at the Norwich School of Art, and the Universities of Lancaster and Oxford. Her work is distinctive through its colour intensity and rhythmic mark making. Taking inspiration from surrounding landscapes, her starting point is often the passing seasons and wide, changing moods of her East Anglian home.

Ann Phillips, Class of 1973

Ann is a Consultant in the Charity and Social Enterprise team at Stone King LLP, advising charities and the individuals and institutions working with them. She has long been regarded as one of the UK’s foremost experts in charity law, with a career advising charities and philanthropists spanning over 40 years. In 2022 she was appointed to serve on the Board of the Charity Commission.

Tour our site

at 95 Newmarket Road: Eaton Grove, Stafford House and Lanchester House

We are situated in a 14 acres site on Newmarket Road. We are once again taking part in Heritage Open Days, and will be offering tours of the school, grounds and access to our archives dating back to 1875 on Saturday 9th and 16th September at 10am and 12pm.

To access booking information, scan the QR code. Booking opens on 21 August 2023.

Alison Sefton, Head

Seas the day!

As the sun-kissed days of summer are now here, perhaps it's time to update your wardrobe with some lovely new swimwear! Whether you're lounging by the pool or strolling along sandy shores, regardless of if its abroad or closer to home, here's a selection of some of my favourite new swimwear items that are sure to make a splash this season! From vibrant prints to flattering silhouettes, get ready to dive into summer with these beautiful must-have pieces!

by Polly Coleman

Yellow tortoise square angled sunglasses £55, Oliver Bonas at Chantry Place

Party Packages

Party packages start from £60 with a choice of themes and sensory play. Email littledotsinfo@gmail.com for more information or to book your little ones party.

Massage and Yoga Classes also available . Check out our Facebook for more information!

https://www.facebook.com/littledotsbaby

Summer Skin Protect & Glow

the summer, opt for sheer lip colours in watermelon, pink, peach, or coral shades, reflecting the season’s vibrancy and elegance. Keep in mind that permanent lip colours typically last between 9 to 12 months, gradually fading over time, allowing you to change your colour as desired.

Don’t forget the importance of using an SPF product daily, even on overcast days throughout the summer to avoid pigmentation. Embrace the changes your skin experiences during the summer months; s long as we protect ourselves and minimise sun exposure, it’s wonderful to let your natural skin tone shine through. The summer glow is something we don’t get to enjoy all year round, so enjoy it!

On a personal note, this summer holds tremendous excitement for me as I’m currently pregnant. I’m also looking forward to my trip to Sorrento in Italy for a babymoon. Living near the sea, I plan to spend plenty of time on the beach, enjoying early morning walks with my faithful companion, Dolly. I hope these tips and insights help you enjoy a fantastic summer filled with joy, confidence, and natural beauty.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer!

Polly Vincent

www.pollyvincent.co.uk

Summer is an incredibly busy time here at the clinic, as we welcome numerous clients who are preparing for big events and exciting holidays. The days of heavy foundations and thick makeup are long gone, as more and more of us are embracing a natural look during the summer season. It’s all about achieving a lighter, fresher, and dewy appearance. Think fresh glossy lips, full and naturallooking eyebrows, minimal makeup, and a beautifully hydrated and dewy complexion. Say goodbye to overpowering and over-contoured looks. This summer, we encourage you to strip it back and let your natural beauty shine through. If you have natural freckles, let them take centre stage, and allow your skin’s true tone to come through your makeup.

To achieve that natural look with added sun protection, Alumier SPF products are the perfect choice. Alumier, meaning “glow,” is a medical-grade skincare brand designed to make real changes in your skin and deliver noticeable results. They provide a light coverage that won’t make you feel weighed down or cakey. Instead, they allow your natural skin to radiate through, giving you a gorgeous, glowy finish. Plus, you get the added benefit of broadspectrum coverage. Loved by celebrities and bloggers alike, they suit every skin tone. We offer different levels of coverage to cater to individual preferences. If you prefer a heavier coverage, we do have an option for this, however, we recommend

reserving it for winter or for clients dealing with active acne or areas that require additional coverage. If you’re interested in purchasing any Alumier products, simply visit us for a skincare consultation at Enhance Cosmetic, a registered Alumier clinic, and we’ll arrange to have them conveniently delivered to your doorstep.

Another fantastic option for summer is permanent makeup. It offers the freedom to enjoy your holiday without worrying about makeup smudging in and out of the pool. Many individuals choose permanent makeup for weddings and vacations. Whether it’s perfectly shaped eyebrows, defined lips, or long-lasting eyeliner, permanent makeup saves time and ensures you look your best effortlessly. During

Alumier Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40

A sheer physical sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It uses a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide while moisturising with vitamin E.

Alumier Ultimate Boost Serum

A lightweight serum that boosts hydration and enhances the skin’s natural hydrolipid barrier with sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide.

ENHANCE COSMETIC CLINIC Instagram: @enhance_cosmetic_clinic www.pollyvincent.co.uk

Polly Vincent , Enhance Cosmetic Clinic owner & permanent makeup expert tells us how to look after our skin this summer.

Fitness The importance of exercise

We all know it and will all have been affected in some way. There is constant research on-going into treatments, and links being made between what we eat, drink, put on our skin and in our bodies and how these things may increase our chances of developing cancers.

We (hopefully)all know that regular exercise is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, with the benefits extending far beyond physical fitness. But you may not be aware of just how important it can be, not only in reducing the risks of cancers developing, but also in helping manage cancer treatment side effects, and supporting recovery. But how exactly does it help?

REDUCING THE RISK OF CANCERS DEVELOPING

Regular physical activity has been linked to a lower risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. It does this in a number of ways.

Weight management

This is crucial as excess body fat is associated with an increased risk of cancer development. Maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce the risk of 13 different types of cancer.

Regulating Hormones

Exercise can help regulate hormone levels, such as estrogen and insulin, which are implicated in the development of certain cancers such as breast cancer.

Boosting Immune Function

Exercise strengthens the immune system, making it more efficient in identifying and eliminating early cancer cells.

The C word.SUPPORT DURING CANCER TREATMENT

Many people are surprised to learn that exercise during treatment is an important recovery tool (where it feels appropriate for the patient). Exercise can be a valuable ally during cancer treatment, offering several benefits to individuals undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery including:

Managing Treatment Side-Effects

Physical activity has been shown to mitigate treatment-related side-effects, including fatigue, nausea, pain and depression.

Preserving Muscle Mass and Strength

Resistance training, whether body weight exercises or using weights,can help maintain muscle mass and strength which may help patients better tolerate treatment and recover more quickly.

Enhancing Mental Well-being

Exercise releases those feel-good hormones, endorphins, promoting a sense of well-being and reducing the anxiety and depression often associated with cancer treatment.

FACILITATING RECOVERY AND REDUCING THE RISK OF CANCER RECURRENCE

After undergoing cancer treatment, exercise can continue to play a really important role in supporting recovery and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

Improving and regaining Physical Function

Exercising regularly can enhance cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and overall physical function, helping survivors regain their pre-cancer levels of fitness and quality of life.

Reducing Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

It has anti-inflammatory effects and improves insulin sensitivity, both of which are associated with a decreased risk of cancer recurrence.

Enhancing Psychological Well-being

It’s a great mood booster! Exercise promotes a positive mindset, reduces stress, and improves sleep quality, which are essential for survivors’ emotional well-being.

Chantel Heath

INSTAGRAM

@ChantelHeathFitness

www.chantelfitness.co.uk

I'm a 41 year old mother of two and Personal Fitness coach. I work one to one, in person & online with clients aged 18-80. My specialisms include pre and postnatal training, cancer rehab, pilates, and GP exercise referrals. I run fitness classes online and in person in the Suffolk Coastal area. I am also a Mental Health First aider.

Exercise really is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer, offering numerous benefits throughout the cancer journey. If you are undergoing cancer treatment or have completed treatment, consult your healthcare team to see what support may be available. Many fitness professionals like myself will also have additional qualifications designed to help support cancer patients.

Remember, exercise doesn’t have to be in a fitness setting, getting out for a walk, doing the garden, and dancing in your kitchen all count! Even seemingly small amounts of exercise can really make a difference.

www.ipswichcancerinformation.co.uk

The John Le Vay Centre at Ipswich hospital is a cancer support and information service which provides numerous specialist exercise classes for anyone with a diagnosis of cancer, gym memberships and even sessions to help support their children.

www.big-c.co.uk

The big c offers similar cancer support services in the Norfolk area, check out their website for current details.

T S s 5

by Charlie Smith-Knight

Sm ls like Su

If, like me, you spent your adolescent Summers outside, you too may have attempted to brew ‘perfume’ by adding an assortment of flower petals to water. Thankfully we’re adults now and although designer fragrances are usually advertised with aesthetics akin to a fevered cheese dream, the perfume industry always means business and the Summer of 2023 is no different. According to experts, the big trends this season are for light, airy fragrances. Wistful scents that capture feel-good vibes and androgynous aromas lead the way. Lean into earthy notes for a richer, deeper scent like Lost Cherry by Tom Ford, which is a genderless fragrance with woody undertones overlaid with sweet cherry and almonds. Or sidestep into clean, fruity smells for a fragrance that will wear well all day. Star Magnolia by Jo Malone London, has top notes of lemon, ginger and shiso, giving an overall citrus bouquet that will delight your nasal palette on those bright, balmy days. It’s a great time of year to play with your signature scent and trusting the professionals is bound to be more effective than dandelion water.

Get bo d

Of course, we’re heading deep into barbeque territory and us plucky Brits are not fair-weather friends when it comes to an outdoor griddle. However, thanks to social media, the party platter is pushing its way forward like a preteen at a Prime sale. If you’re unaware of the trend, the concept is to invite your nearest and dearest to a gathering where everyone brings a

platter of themed food. Carrie’s got the cheeseboard, Miranda is bringing the fruit platter, Charlotte’s got crackers and carpaccio and Samantha’s brought a bottle of tequila and shot glasses because she is belligerent. It’s the ultimate picky bits dinner with added friends and a shared cost. Oh! and not a cremated sausage in sight. Bon Appetit.

Ey down

The literary runway produces some of its finest offerings in the summertime. Holiday readers are to publishers what pumpkins are to Halloween. So, drop those weekday responsibilities and pick up a paperback. Award winner Margaret Attwood has delivered another page turner, in the form of Old Babes in the Wood. Waterstones recommends this ‘spell-binding collection of short fiction’ and with 15 stories, ranging from an alien retelling human fairy tales to a married couple travelling together, it’s easy to believe there will be a tale to spark any imagination. An added bonus being that concise narratives are more conducive to keeping one eye on wayward wards on sandy stays away. Alternatively, Katherine May’s Enchantment is a work of non-fiction that will fortify your mental well-being and have you returning to real life refreshed. Even if you go nowhere but your own back garden.

Pump up volume

Three words. Open-air concert. Or is that two words? Either way, an open-air concert is less formal than a traditional gig but more accessible than a full-on festival, making it the perfect alternative to hear live music this summer. We occupy a particularly beautiful part of the country with sprawling estates and parkland that play host to all manner of musical artists. From Classic Ibiza at Blickling Estate to N-Dubz in Earlham Park and Robbie Williams and The Who playing at Sandringham, there is bound to be something to keep you singing until the sun goes down. Grab your picnic blanket, take a deckchair or sway around in the standing area; the choice is yours. Just don’t forget your poncho and a few cans of G&T. It’ll see you only burning the midnight oil, not a hole through your bank card.

A f h n f ls

In a very literal sense, the things we let touch our bodies have a huge impact on how we feel. Maybe even more so in the Summer when there are less layers and those fewer items are doing more of the heavy lifting. So, the style gods have divined some crucial pointers for us mere mortals, that will continue to be features of fashion at the height of Summer 2023. Fabric cut-outs continue their legacy of modernising long dresses and co-ordinatess. Key players include tank tops, bralettes and blazers with purple and red persisting as the colour palette of the season. Sheer fabrics and mesh add beachy feels whilst helping you stay cool on those humid afternoons. Sadly, it’s not all good news. For those of us who remember the early noughties, feel free to collectively groan at the news that ‘low rise’ is back. Although ideal for some, for others it brings PTSD type memories of trying to retain some dignity whilst also trying to sit down. They can’t all be winners but as always, the best thing you can wear this year is confidence. Preferably in shades of lilac.

We occupy a particularly beautiful part of the country with sprawling estates & parkland that play host to all manner of musical artists.