Iceni Magazine Norfolk Issue 122

ICENI

Focus On: Careers

The Best Ways To.. Start A New Career

Are There Too Many... Pressures On The Young?

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

The Changing Job Market: New and Developing Roles

“Work takes on new meaning when you feel you are pointed in the right direction. Otherwise, it’s just a job, and life is too short for that.” - Tim Cook

Welcome to Issue 122 of Iceni Magazine!

This month’s focus is on Careers. Head over to Pages 30 and 31 where Susan Leigh questions if there is too much pressure placed on the young linked to their future careers. If you are wondering what a potential employer might be looking for, a list of 25 desirable traits can be found on Page 33. “That didn’t exist in my day!” is a commonly heard phrase with regard to job roles – they are developing every day and we look at five careers that either didn’t exist five years ago or have evolved dramatically (Pages 36 & 37).

Elsewhere in this issue, Pages 41 to 43 detail open garden opportunities for the month of June - we've added a few of the dates to our diaries already. Nova Silver share June’s birthstone, Pearl, and all the items they have to offer (Page 22). And finally, Charlie details her festival favourites when it comes to make-up (Pages 20 & 21).

With the weather hotting up, be sure to take good care of yourself.

Enjoy Issue 122 and we will see you soon for the official first month of summer!

www.icenimagazine.co.uk

Hundreds Celebrate Scout Troop Centenary

Hundreds of scouts, past and present, have celebrated the centenary of the 8th Norwich Sea Scouts - one of the largest scout troops in the UK.

Families joined the scouts and leaders for a weekend of activities on and around the River Wensum, including sailing, kayaking, archery and bushcraft.

Set up in 1923, the 8th Norwich has more than 300 young people, aged from seven to 18, supported by 100-plus adult leaders, young leaders and instructors.

As part of the 100-year celebrations, former troop members enjoyed an afternoon tea with the Lord Mayor, The Sheriff of Norwich and the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk.

The 8th Norwich Sea Scouts is recognised by the Royal Navy, and a Royal Yacht Association training centre for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing.

Group Scout Leader Tim Brook said of the celebration weekend: “The atmosphere was lovely with families mingling and enjoying the activities in perfect weather. The teamwork to get everything in place was superb.

“On Sunday, my favourite bit was looking at the old photographs with some of the former members and what followed was a torrent of stories of fondness for friends and recounts of various disasters and challenges that they faced as Cubs and Scouts.

“And that captured it for me - we are about giving our Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders the skills to go into the outdoors to have experiences that will build memories and friendships that they will continue with for life.”

For more information about the 8th Norwich Sea Scouts visit: https://8nss.org.uk

All images credit: Anna Jolly Creative

Alexa?

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.

I had a huge publishing deadline to meet and I have been glued to my MacBook frantically typing away.

I have had to cancel plans with people, apologise to my family as I have struggled to find time to see them, and there have been points where my head has felt like it was about to explode.

I am not complaining, just scene setting. I am so grateful that I get to do my dream job and it isn’t always difficult like this. I am more than prepared to knuckle down when I need to.

Being so busy though wasn’t a great time to be asked to cat sit.

Friends of mine decided on the Bank Holiday Monday that they were going to book a last minute holiday, leaving on the Wednesday, and despite knowing about my deadline, they told me they needed me to look after their cats.

Not ideal, but they had already booked by the point they told me and there was no one else on hand to feed the moggies. Not wanting to let them down, I reluctantly agreed.

Wednesday arrived and they dropped off the house key, announcing as they got back in the car, ‘Oh, by the way. One of them was puking as we walked out of the door.’

‘Nice,’ I smiled through gritted teeth as I waved them goodbye.

Later on that day, I headed over to the house to sort the cats, disappointed by what I found. There

was no kitchen roll to clear up the sick or to clean out the dishes and I soon discovered there was no poop scoop for the litter tray, no poo bags, and when I went to get the food there were barely enough sachets to last a week, plus only a couple of days’ worth of biscuits.

As I did my best to improvise - improvising being using the lovely posh washing up sponge to clean out the dishes - I asked Alexa to play my favourite band, Wolf Alice.

Now, if I wasn’t fully awake I soon was. These neighbours like loud music and the sound coming out of the speakers almost blew my head off.

After managing to get Alexa to stop, I had a rather naughty idea.

‘Alexa?’ I asked, working out when these friends would be back from holiday. Set an alarm to play supercalifragilisticexpialidocious next Thursday morning at 7am.

Being a considerate friend, I left the volume set to REALLY LOUD.

I also added lots of random things to their Alexa shopping list too.

And yes, I did add cat biscuits and kitchen roll.

Above: Keri Beevis

How Much Do You Regret?

How much do you regret in your life; the things you’ve said or done, or even not said or done?

People you wish you’d never met, experiences you wish you’d never had! It’s not uncommon for people to spend ages and perhaps even have sleepless nights, re-running scenarios of what they should or would have done if they could have their time over again.

It may be that a work, relationship, or social situation feels increasingly unhappy or uncomfortable. As stress levels increase, they can impact on every area of our lives. Our sleeping, concentration, sense of humour, patience and tolerance levels can all suffer if we’re feeling overloaded and overwhelmed.

Yet often, when we reflect on our ‘journey’, on whom we’ve become, it’s fair to say that many of us actually quite like ourselves, even including those difficult experiences. And that’s in spite of and often because of the tough times; those tough experiences that taught us a lot about ourselves, about resilience, patience, understanding, empathy.

Whilst it’s positive and constructive to learn from the past, spending too long there, beating ourselves up over unfortunate clumsinesses and omissions does no-one any good. And we may even become consumed with guilt over something that others have hardly noticed or have long since forgiven and forgotten.

Being cautious and playing it safe is fine during fraught, busy times. It helps us pace ourselves

and get through what we need to do, feel in control, and move from task to task. But, equally, being alert and aware of opportunities around us helps us stay positive and receptive. It’s good to make the most of every day.

Changing our mindset by deciding not to miss opportunities and say ‘yes’ to invitations we may typically have said ‘no’ to can benefit us by pushing us to think differently. In general, the worst that can happen will be a wasted hour or two, where we do something, go somewhere and have an experience we’d choose to never repeat. And even that can sometimes lead to a new door being opened or an important lesson being learned. Why not take a chance and be prepared to have a go!

If we feel that we’ve erred and done something wrong, sometimes a quick, sincere apology can be sufficient to address the matter and allow all concerned to feel acknowledged and able to move forward, with lessons learned and experiences gained from the situation. We may start to realise that we’ve work to do on ourselves, perhaps accept that we’re jealous, possessive or too demanding of others. We may even feel it’s appropriate to commit to therapy in order to heal and deal with our issues.

We may experience regret, sorrow, remorse at having behaved as we did, shame at having lost control, perhaps over something relatively minor. So, whilst an apology may be justified, it’s important that we own how we’ve behaved,

that we were wrong to react in such an extreme, excessive manner, even though it may well be that something needed to be said or done to precipitate a change.

It could be that the air did need to be cleared and for us to finally say what was on our mind. Things couldn’t continue as they were. But there may be regrets as to how that honesty came about, the upset that it caused.

Tolerating that situation, without addressing issues along the way can cause frustration and anger to eventually erupt into an unexpected or unwarranted tirade. ‘The straw that broke the camel’s back’ refers to that small extra thing that comes along and pushes our ability to cope into overwhelm.

How do we find the courage to implement changes, when we may be fearful, apprehensive about doing things differently, with all that that entails? Becoming tuned in to our moods, of when our behaviour, our reactions start to change can offer clues that we’re not coping and need to start remedying things.

Hopefully, over time, we learn to communicate more effectively and that can lead to a positive, constructive outcome, of ways to deal with things sooner rather than later and discover a respectful, adult approach. Remaining in a situation because we’re fearful of change or of what might be consequently said or done, are apprehensive about what lies ahead, doesn’t help anyone and can lead to us looking back in future years and saying regretfully, ‘if only’.

Reflect on how often you hear people in later life sharing their regrets, discussing what they wished they’d done, the disappointment they feel about those times when they’d said ‘no’ instead of ‘yes’ and how they wished they’d accepted opportunities and invitations, taken a chance, not tolerated a bad situation for so long.

In fact, often after a divorce or a redundancy it’s not unusual for people to eventually look back on that distressing experience and say it was one of the best things that happened to them. A nightmare at the time, but it forced them out of their comfort zone and into making changes they wouldn’t have otherwise entertained.

So, whilst we may not choose to go several rounds with a prize fighter, it’s important to appreciate how much those ‘rounds’ have contributed to our growth, life and ability to eventually say, ‘no regrets’!

Article By Susan Leigh

Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. For more articles, information or to make contact please visit: http://www.lifestyletherapy.net

Dine In Style: Stones Restaurant

The city of Derby is located on the banks of the River Derwent, which flows through Derbyshire.

Derbyshire has numerous towns and pretty villages, throughout its spread - North to South and East to West. The engineering and other achievements of Derby and Derbyshire are well documented and attract countless visitors, throughout each year. The ‘retail therapies’ offered are renowned, with both regular and bespoke items being in demand. Individual requirements have many devotees, who regularly search for that ‘certain

something’. The restaurants and eateries of Derbyshire provide most excellent dining experiences, to suit all tastes.

I found multi award-winning Stones restaurant in the popular county town of Matlock, Derbyshire. This restaurant is well-established and continues on, to the delights of locals (always a good sign) and endless visitors, to this beauty spot area. The restaurant’s table settings are pristine, with crisp white linen.

Following the complimentary Amuse Bouche, Bread and Flavoured Butter, I chose BEETROOT RISOTTO to commence. With the subtle flavours being very much appreciated, confidences, for the following courses, went without saying. For main, I opted for ROAST

RUMP CAP OF BEEF (Crispy dauphinoise potato, bolognaise stuffed onion, horseradish goats’ curd, sage). This dish arrived with impressive presentation and, with aromas for the nasal pleasures leading, enticingly, to the taste buds’ delights, certainly, ‘Compliments to Chef’ – no hesitation! Proprietor and Head Chef, Kevin Stone, with Jamie and the team deliver the quality, satisfaction and memories. Other main course choices included Lamb, Venison, plus Fish dishes and more. Desserts attracted my eye and I selected VANILLA PARFAIT. This made an excellent finish to the dining occasion, with a Cappuccino and complimentary Petit Fours.

Quality wines/drinks have delectations for everyone. Celebrations can be easily accommodated and gift vouchers are available - perhaps to surprise someone special? Thank you to Abi, for exemplary service throughout. Booking is very much advised, particularly for popular times. Please, visit the website for more details and information, including accommodations, located near to Stones restaurant. Perhaps a short break appeals? Highly recommended.

Stones Restaurant, 1c Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3LT.

Tel: 01629 56061

E-mail: info@stones-restaurant.co.uk

Web: www.stones-restaurant.co.uk

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been a decent car, but it’s spent most of its life in the shadows of the BMW 5 Series.

Mercedes has upped its game in recent years, though, with more dynamism in its designs, consigning to the history bin its reputation of making big saloons for older people.

It has also introduced some plug-in hybrid versions, including the one driven here, the E300e.

While traditional petrol and diesels are offered with some mild-hybrid tech, the E300e comes with a 2.0-litre petrol mated to an electric motor. It is good enough for 320PS and a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds. That is not bad for a big saloon car.

And the Mercedes-Benz does this while emitting a ridiculously low 35g/km of CO2, managing as much as 188mpg - figures the mild-hybrids can’t even dream of.

It will even do 34 miles of all-electric driving at motorway speeds, and a full charge takes 90 minutes from a 7.4kW home wall box.

The engine is smooth and quiet, only producing any noise when you rev hard. And, pulling off the line, the extra torque provided by the electric motor makes a noticeable difference to the pace.

While big saloons don’t make for the best handling cars, Mercedes has done an excellent job. But the excitement is to be found in the rival 5 Series, with Mercedes tuning the E-Class more for comfort over cornering prowess, despite the AMG Line moniker.

The plug-in E-Classes have even softer suspension, so there’s more lean in the bends. An equivalent 5 Series handles more keenly, but if you want to buy a driving experience, a sporty-trimmed C-Class or 3 Series may be a better fit.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of grip and the steering is precise, although feedback through the wheel could be better.

Around town, the ride can be a little bouncy, but it soon settles at anything over 40mph, making the E-Class a sublime motorway cruiser.

The interior is lovely, with very comfortable seats, helped by adjustable lumbar support.

The infotainment system is impressive, too, with a responsive screen and intuitive menu options. Voice control is included as well, making things even simpler.

The Merc’s digital instrument cluster provides all the information you could want to know, including the remaining battery levels.

There is a decent amount of space inside, especially in the front, and there’s a lot of storage room in the cabin.

The boot capacity is only 370 litres, reduced from 540 litres in the mild hybrids, as the E300e loses underfloor storage due to the batteries. Overall, the E-Class is comfy, full of equipment and offers excellent economy in plug-in hybrid form.

Fast Facts - Mercedes-Benz E-Class [E300e AMG Line] as tested:

▪ Max speed: 155 mph

▪ 0-62 mph: 5.8 secs

▪ Fuel economy: 188 mpg (WLTP)

▪ Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric motor

▪ Max. power (PS): 320

▪ CO2: 35 g/km

▪ Price: £57,225

By Tim Barnes-Clay. Follow on Instagram: @tbarnesclay

Why No Mow May?

Our main practical reason for #nomowmay was that hubs, who is keeper of the mower, badly hurt his knee in April, attempted a mow of the lawn (not huge in size) and gave up.

Having failed to catch the weather right for a last Autumn cut, so it was already on the long size. As I write this, it is almost knee high in places (I’m 5’7”).

Most adult insects hibernate and are woken by the rise in temperatures in the Spring. Before they’ve gone into hibernation they’ve built up their energy supplies to see them through the Winter, but will need to feed very soon after they wake up.

The trees and flowers that provide them with their early food are really important, as is the habitat where they have sheltered - in and around the plants in our gardens as well as the wider landscape. This is one of the reasons I do very little dead-heading in the garden in the Autumn.

Our lawns provide shelter for these insects, as well as many opportunities for their food. The dandelions are an amazing early source of nutrients for them and as annoying as they may seem to us, they can be incredibly beneficial to the soil. They’re high in micronutrients such as manganese, iron, zinc and boron, as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium which will enrich the soil and their tap roots are great at breaking up hard ground (ours is heavy clay so a definite win there).

So in place of a carefully mown lawn, with plentiful patches of bare soil and lots and lots of moss, I have many different grasses, dandelions and several other flowering weeds (which similarly improve the soil health) and… no moss! I’m sure it will return, but it’s been crowded out by all the other plants.

I’ve also noticed that the ants have been very busy in the absence of the lawn mower. Has anyone else taken part in #nomowmay?

Article By Jill Roberson @jillecoqueenliving on Facebook and Instagram

Festival Make-up Essentials

There are so many deciding factors which will greatly influence how you wear your make-up at a festival this year, such as the music genre, your personality, your style, your confidence and the weather.

The make-up style you choose should not only make you look beautiful, but it must also make you feel great.

It is important when choosing your make-up style that you consider its maintenance. You are going to want to let your hair down and the last thing that should be on your mind is your make-up.

I have looked to the celebs and designers to see what the best make-up trends are and have come up with five go-to products.

Festival Make-up Glitter

Lashings of glitter is a festival goer’s favourite. You are probably thinking, what type of glitter do I need to achieve the look I am going for?

I recommend visiting www.dustanddance. com, whether you are looking for glitter stars, diamonds, hearts, dots; they literally have it all. They also stock an incredible range of dazzling colours to suit many different looks.

Gems to Adorn the face

It wouldn’t be festival season without rhinestones. The easiest way to apply them is by using eyelash glue which can be found at most health and beauty retailers.

When applying the rhinestones make sure your skin is free from oil and grease. Tweezers are the best tool to use to help you achieve accurate placement. Head over to www.dustanddance. com - they sell a wide range of face and body jewels. If you find that rhinestones are way too fiddly then you will love the Virgo Face Jewels which are available to purchase at www.dustanddance.com. The all-in one headpiece is super easy to apply, just simply peel off and stick to your forehead.

always suggest liquid, gel or cream liners to help you achieve sharp, precise edges. I recommend using MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear

Fluidline Eyeliner. This waterproof, smudgeproof eyeliner will last around 16 hours and is available in six different colours. The other must have is a good brush. I recommend using the MAC Cosmetics 263 Small Angle Brush. Both of these products you can purchase at www.maccosmetics.co.uk.

There’s no limit to what you create using gel and liquid liners. Liquid liners especially are perfect for intricate, detailed designs that will allow you to show off your creative flare. Whether it’s dots, lines, shapes, a liquid liner in my opinion is the easiest product for the job. For bold, bright colours head over to www.barrym.com, where you will find their Hi Vis Neon liquid Eyeliner collection that comes in a choice of four eye popping colours.

Graphic Eyeliner

Something that’s really fun about festivals is experimenting with colour. Graphic eyeliners are a perfect way to add a splash of colour to your festival look. Graphic eyeliner may seem daunting but it’s very easy to pull off. The key to a classic wing is clean, sharp edges. I would

Hi, I am Charlie, a former make-up artist originally based in Norwich. I have always been passionate about art and channelling it through creative makeup. I trained at Norwich City College in Fashion and SFX makeup. My work has been published both nationally and internationally.

Want to see more? checkout my Instagram - @ThePoutyLip

June, The Month of the Pearl

As we now enter into the season of summer, we’re excitingly approaching the month of June!

The birthstone for this month is the all-stunning pearl. This means for anyone who has any special occasions or any June birthdays slowly creeping up, pearl jewellery can make the ideal gift. Here at Nova Silver, we love Pearl jewellery and we are here to tell you the reasons why you should too!

Pearl is a gorgeous stone. It has a smooth surface and has a natural lustrous appearance which gives pearl jewellery such an elegant look, making it a perfect gift for a special someone. Pearls are a time-honoured birthstone that has a feminine and romantic feel that adds charm and style to any outfit! Pearls traditionally take the colour of either white or black, but they can actually come in a variety of colours such as pink, green or even lilac!

A lot of people think pearls just come in the traditional round shape but they can actually come in a variety of different shapes from oval to teardrops like our beautiful teardrop pearl necklace on our website. This gives the choice of the stone to be worn either in a casual setting or even for a night out!

Whether you are getting a piece for yourself, a friend or for a loved one, there are many options for jewellery that you can choose. Earrings are ideal for a casual/everyday wear or if you wanted to go for a more traditional and classier look, you could also choose a necklace which shows off the pearls front right and centre in all their beauty which also makes a great focal point for an outfit.

Whatever you decide, pearls are a lovely way to celebrate your birth month and make for a beautiful and memorable birthday gift for someone special.

Best Of Norfolk - Through The Lens Of Our Readers

Thanks to the wonderful photographs shared by our followers on Facebook, have a look at these amazing June images of our stunning region.

Gav Jaynes - Just After Sunset At Snettisham Pier Ruins

Charlotte Watlow - Blue Tit

Charlotte Watlow - Whitethroat

Charlotte Watlow - Bluebells

Charlotte Watlow - Grey Wagtail Mum And Young

Charlotte Watlow - Herbie The Shire Showing Me How To Take Selfies

Charlotte Watlow - When Mum Wants A Model

Charlotte Watlow - Orange Tip

To be in with a chance of having your own photographs featured in the future, look out for our regular Facebook posts where you can add your images. Alternatively, send an email with your image and caption to: submissions@icenimagazine.co.uk

Helen Chapman - Billingford Mill, Nr Diss Charlotte Watlow

Charlotte Watlow - Peek A Boo Lamb

CHECK OUT OUR NEW RUNNING WEBSITE

RUNICENIRUN.COM

Focus On: Careers

Are There Too Many Pressures On The Young?

Are you one of those people who say, ‘I’d give anything to be young again?’

But, on reflection, would you really? Maybe knowing what you know now and going back in time could be an enticing option, but I’m guessing that a reasonable percentage of us would dread having to face the many pressures on the young these days.

School teachers are noting that even the ‘jocks’, the sporty, super-fit children, are experiencing a higher incidence of mental health related concerns; food issues, body dysmorphia, depression and suicidal tendencies are increasingly prevalent.

● Peer pressure, whether real or perceived is everywhere and from an early age. Wearing the ‘right’ brands, having the latest technology, fitting in with the relevant look, can make all the difference to being accepted by others or not. It’s often only as we get older that we aspire to be different, relish having a quirky or eccentric look, but often younger people don’t have the confidence or self-assurance to not care about fitting in as neatly as possible.

● Parental pressure can be self-imposed. There may be guilt about working hard enough and doing well after seeing the struggles that our parents went through, the sacrifices made in order for us to have the opportunities they missed. Some parents may have worked long hours, or battled alone as a single parent so that their children didn’t have to do without. Or there may be a ‘golden’ sibling and the pressure

to match their results is an unspoken reminder of what’s possible to achieve.

● There are those parents who live vicariously through their children, pushing them to live the life they never had, hot-housing their talents from a young age, dedicating themselves to ensuring their children achieved the success denied them.

Finding the balance between encouraging children to be active, motivated, make something of themselves, handle disappointments and failure rather than forcing them to do something they don’t want to do can be a challenge. Even hobbies are often areas where there’s added pressure, needing to excel at football, dancing rather than just having fun!

● Many young people have confusion about what they want to do with their lives, which career would suit them best and yet decisions influencing the rest of their lives have to be made at a very young age. Which subjects to study, which to drop, which interests to pursue, can all have significant implications in later years.

● Studying and passing exams occupy a lot of time, thought and energy for young people, considerably adding to the many pressures they face. University is a focus for many and whilst university can be seen as a rite of passage, it’s not the only option or even the best one for everyone. Studying something you may be uncertain about, may never use, whilst running up massive amounts of debt can add to the pressure already being experienced.

Taking a gap year to consider your thoughts and dreams can be a viable use of some time and teach important life skills along the way. Another option can be to ease the pressure by going to college to learn a skill or trade or joining an apprenticeship scheme. Undertaking education in a more ‘hands on’, less academic way can feel more relevant to everyday life. It can help identify your specific skill sets, those talents and areas you could develop in the future and is an effective way to introduce young people to a real work situation.

It may initially feel like failure if you’re not able to go to university, but not going may be a blessing in disguise. Often when one door closes another one opens. That new door may offer a route into a satisfying career, starting your own business, following a path you may have never previously considered.

● When things don’t work out as planned it can help to find someone to talk things through with. If you can’t or won’t talk to parents or family, find a mentor, teacher or even a peer

group where you feel comfortable at sharing your fears, concerns and emotions. Keep those channels of communication open and discuss your feelings openly and honestly. Listen, share and learn.

Talk things through with people who understand what it’s like to have once felt a failure, alone and lost. Remind yourself that many thousands of successful people didn’t attend university or even college, who were rejected countless times and yet went on to become award-winning writers, film directors, business people, superstars.

● You’re not defined by your exam results. Failure happens when you fall and refuse to get up again. I’m guessing that when you were first learning to walk you fell over multiple times, but those falls didn’t put you off persevering, and now you’re able to walk and even run. A successful life is about taking some knocks and treating them as lessons along the way, a guide towards a different direction, one that’s better suited to you and where you want to go.

Have a fallback position in reserve. Establish a Plan B so that all your eggs aren’t in the one basket. When you’ve other options, no matter how unlikely they seem, you’ll feel that you’ve reclaimed some power, a sense of still being in control. And it’s very liberating to feel in charge of your own choices, not following a pre-determined path. It can be both scary and exhilarating at the same time! Doing this, any pressure you feel comes from you!

Article By Susan Leigh

Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. For more articles, information or to make contact please visit: http://www.lifestyletherapy.net

25 Desirable Attributes

For Employers To Spot In Potential Employees

You’re looking for a job, but you aren’t sure what the employer is looking for.

Demonstrate a healthy number of the following and you are bound to catch their attention for all the good reasons.

1. Positive attitude and flexibility

2. Strong work ethic and reliability

3. Team player and collaboration skills

4. Strong communication skills

5. Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities

6. Resilience and adaptability

7. Self-motivation and initiative

8. Demonstrated ability to learn and improve

9. Time management and organisation abilities

10. Attention to detail and accuracy

11. Capacity to multitask and prioritise tasks

12. Leadership and decision-making skills

13. Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence

14. Customer service mindset and listening skills

15. Creative thinking and innovation

16. Cultural competence and sensibility

17. Tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty

18. Technological literacy and familiarity

19. Ability to manage stress and pressure

20. Financial savvy and budgeting knowledge

21. Continuous improvement and learning mindset

22. Confident, but not arrogant

23. Honesty and integrity

24. Respect for diversity and inclusion

25. Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and collaboration.

The Best Ways To Start A New Career

Starting a new career can be an exciting and challenging experience.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, changing careers, or re-entering the workforce after a hiatus, launching a new career can feel like a daunting task.

Here are some useful steps to help you launch a successful new career.

Find Your Passion

Before you begin your job search, take some time to reflect on your passion and interests. Ask yourself what kind of work would make you excited to wake up every morning. The Sunday night blues are no joke, so imagine getting rid of them altogether. Finding a job

that aligns with your passion can make an enormous difference to your mental well-being and level of job satisfaction. Make a list of the things that excite you and research careers that align with those things. Take some time to research the companies related to these areas and see what the roles they have available. Networking can also be a great way to learn about different career paths and opportunities.

Assess Your Skills

Once you know your career interests and passions, it is essential to assess your skills. Think about your transferable skills- what can you take from your previous experience and apply to a new field? You may find that you have many skills that apply to multiple industries, but if you lack some critical skills,

you should work on learning or honing them before applying for jobs.

Explore Different Opportunities

As you begin your job search, keep an open mind to different opportunities. Consider internships, freelance work, or part-time work in a new field. These opportunities can help you gain experience, build your skillset, and make great connections in new industries. Many companies may not be willing to take a risk on someone without experience, so taking on a contract or freelance project can show potential employers that you have relevant experience and are dedicated to learning and working hard.

Invest in Education and Training

Investing in education and training is a great way to gain new skills and knowledge, stay current on industry trends, and make yourself more competitive in a job search. Consider taking courses (there are some free and low cost ones available online if you search), enrolling on a certification programme or even going back to college to learn new skills. This investment often pays off in the long run as you’ll be able to acquire new skills that are in demand in specific industries.

Create a Strong CV and Cover Letter

Having a strong CV and cover letter is critical to landing a job interview. When applying to jobs in a new field, emphasise how your transferable skills could be valuable for the role you’re applying for. Highlight your relevant experiences and achievements. Make sure both your CV and cover letter are tailored to the job you’re applying for, and showcase how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.

Network and Build Connections

Networking and building connections are essential in any job search. Attend industry events, connect with people on LinkedIn, and reach out to people in your target companies or roles you’re interested in. Building relationships with people in your preferred industry and keeping in touch with them can pay dividends in the future if job opportunities arise. Always take advantage of opportunities to meet new people and build connections in your industry.

While starting a new career can be a daunting and worrying prospect, taking these steps will help you to find something just right for you and start you off on the right foot. Good luck!

The Changing Job Market: New and Developing Roles

The world is changing exponentially and along with that comes the evolution of career opportunities.

With newer technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data analytics, jobs that did not exist five to ten years ago are now becoming mainstream.

Here are five such careers that represent the future of work.

1. AI Ethicist: As AI becomes more pervasive, the need to ensure that these systems are acting equitably and in the best interest of humanity grows. This is why a career in AI ethics is on the rise. AI ethicists would work with a team of experts to create ethical guidelines for AI software and systems, thereby ensuring that the impact of AI is positive and responsible. AI ethicists would also monitor the performance of these systems and identify areas where improvements could be made from an ethical standpoint.

2. Augmented Reality Designer: Augmented Reality (AR) technology has come a long way since its inception, and it has the potential to revolutionise many industries, from healthcare to e-commerce. The role of an AR designer is to create applications, software, and other digital solutions that blend the virtual world with reality in a seamless way. These professionals would use software such as Unity and Unreal to create interactive 3D models and animations that overlay onto realworld settings. The potential applications of AR continue to expand, and the need for skilled designers will be in high demand.

3. Virtual Event Planner: With the rise of remote work, virtual events have become commonplace. However, planning and executing successful virtual events remain challenging, and that's why virtual event planners are emerging as an important profession. Virtual event planners use software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other such platforms to create engaging and memorable events that people can attend from anywhere in the world. They work closely with event managers to coordinate the logistics of the event, communicate with attendees and speakers and use data analytics to evaluate the success of the event.

4. Smart City Coordinator: Cities are evolving rapidly and so is the technology that powers them. As urban populations continue to grow, managing their needs and demands will require innovative solutions. Enter the Smart City Coordinator, a professional who would use advanced data analytics, IoT solutions, and other technologies to manage and oversee city operations. Smart City Coordinators would work with city officials to design and implement systems that improve quality of life for residents, reduce waste and increase energy efficiency, among other things.

5. Drone Manager: Drones have been around for years, but their potential is still being realised. From delivery drones to surveying drones, their potential is nearly endless. The role of a drone manager would be to oversee a fleet of drones and coordinate their activities. They would work in industries such as agriculture, logistics, and construction, among others. Drone managers would be responsible for ensuring that the drones are flying safely and in compliance with all regulations. They would also work with other members of the team to develop new uses for drones and identify areas where they can be integrated into existing processes.

Ten years ago, it is unlikely that you would have even thought about any of these roles. The world of work truly is changing rapidly and the number of roles that will no longer exist in ten years as well as the new ones that will be invented are astounding.

Carry on reading to find out Our Picks Of What’s On this month.

Joyful June Sees An Abundance Of Gardens Opening

Enjoy the summer scents and colours in the rich variety of gardens opening across the county for the National Garden Scheme this month.

17 gardens, big and small, will be opening their gates and these include a tour of a paeony field, a hospice garden, a special evening opening in the private garden of a well-known designer and a group of 5 in a coastal town.

Sunday 4th June:

The Old Rectory Syderstone, Creake Road, Syderstone, PE31 8SF

11-5 adm £5 chd free. Home-made teas. Designed garden with shrub rose parterre, herbaceous beds, pleached crab apples, shrubbery and orchard.

Oulton Hall, Oulton, Aylsham, NR11 6NU

1.30-5 adm £6 chd free. Refreshments. Dogs allowed. 6 acres with lake and woodland walks.

Chelsea designer’s own garden which includes herbaceous, Italian, watery and wild areas. Sunken and parterre gardens all flowing from one tempting vista to another.

Monday 5th June:

Hoveton Hall Gardens, Hoveton, Norwich NR12 8RJ

10.30-5 adm £9 chd £4.50. Refreshments. 15 acres gardens taking you through the seasons. Mature walled herbaceous and kitchen gardens. Informal woodlands and lakeside walks. Activity trail for our younger visitors

Wednesday 7th June, Thursday 8th June & Friday 9th June:

Erpingham House Farm, Erpingham, Aylsham, NR11 7QD

Evening open 6-8pm adm £15 chd free. Pre-booking essential. Wine. An interesting guided tour around floriferous fields of paeonies grown for cutting.

Credit: Simon Smith, Elsing Hall

Sunday 11th June:

Elsing Hall, Hall Road, Elsing, Nr Dereham, NR20 3DX

10-4 adm £8 chd free. Home-made teas. 10 acre garden and park with significant collection of old roses, walled garden, formal garden, Gingko avenue, & viewing mound.

High House Gardens, Blackmoor Row, Shipdham, IP25 7PU

12-5 adm £5 chd free. Home-made teas. 3 acre well-developed plantsman's garden with colourthemed herbaceous borders, an extensive range of perennials & shrubs, box-edged rose and shrub borders, large vegetable garden.

The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House, Hillington, Kings Lynn, PE31 6BH

9-5 adm £4 chd free. Light refreshments. Dogs allowed. Plants for sale. 2 acres planted in 2016 and created by volunteers to provide a peaceful space for residents, staff and visitors. Includes a variety of cottage garden plants, a wildlife pond and a vegetable patch.

Sunday 18th June

Bishop’s House, Bishopgate, Norwich NR3 1SB

1-4.30 adm £5 chd free. Home-made teas. 4 acre walled garden. Extensive lawns with specimen trees. Spectacular borders with many rare and unusual shrubs. Meadow labyrinth & organic kitchen garden. Plant sales

Manor House Farm, Wellingham, Fakenham, PE32 2TH

11-5 adm £6.50 chd free. Home-made teas. Dogs allowed. Much-loved, mature romantic country garden filled with variety and colour. Old fashioned roses, grasses, tree peonies

Wells-Next-The-Sea, NR23 1D

11-5 combined adm £6 chd free. Home-made teas in Old Rectory Garden. Dogs allowed. A popular & friendly seaside town where 5 gardens, 2 of which are new to the scheme, demonstrate a delightful variety of design, planting & style.

Credit: Simon Smith, The Old Rectory Syderstone

The White House, The Street, Ridlington, North Walsham, NR28 9NR

11-4 adm £5 chd free. Home-made teas. Dogs allowed. 1 acre with colour-themed herbaceous and mixed borders, gravel borders, roses, wildlife pond, kitchen garden and fruit garden.

Friday 23rd June

Silverstone Farm, North Elmham, Dereham, NR20 5EX

Evening opening 6-8 adm £6.50 Wine. Dogs allowed. Formal garden of 2 acres home of designer George Carter, divided into various rooms, a palette of evergreens & ornament.

Saturday 24th June

47 & 51 Norwich Road, Stoke Holy Cross, NR14 8AB

11-5 Combined adm £6 chd free. Home-made teas. The gardens provide a variety of colourful & mixed planting, perennials, roses and annuals. Greenhouse with exotics, a small meadow & informal pond.

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th June

Old Manor Farmhouse, The Hill, Swanton Abbott, NR10 5EA

9-4.30 adm £5 chd free. Home-made teas. Dogs allowed. The garden structure was laid down as sympathetic to the Dutch style of the house; with closed knot garden of box surrounded by pleached hornbeam. Herbaceous borders, clematis & rose walk to potager.

Sunday 25th June

Ferndale, 14 Poringland Road, Upper Stoke Holy Cross, NR14 8NL

11-5 adm £4 chd free. Light Refreshments. Seating areas, arches, flower borders, pond, vegetable plots & greenhouse all make up this 1/3 acre, which is packed with colour.

Highview House, Norwich Road, Roughton, NR11 8NA

12-4 adm £6 chd free. Home-made teas. 2 acre garden featuring a large range of herbaceous borders with over 120 Salvia varieties and a numerous perennials. Interesting garden structures.

Mary Ferneley, a regular visitor to open gardens, told us “June is the perfect month to visit gardens open for the National Garden Scheme; they are at their best and even if you are not a gardener you can enjoy swallows flying high above, borders brimming with colour and the scents of summer”.

Before visiting a garden, we advise checking website for any up-to-date information:

Credit: Simon Smith, Oulton Hall

Steve Harley Acoustic Band Comes To Kings Lynn

Corn Exchange on Thursday 29th June 2023!

Steve Harley has announced a set of Spring / Summer live dates with his acclaimed Acoustic Band [some already Sold Out].

Having recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Cockney Rebel, Steve is widely considered one of the most charismatic performers and he continues to play to sold-out venues across the UK and Europe. The Times wrote, in a profile marking this half century, that signature hit ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)’, “Remains one of the most beloved songs of the modern age”. For Steve, life on the road is more than just a job: it is almost his life’s blood.

The Acoustic Band for 2023 will find Steve supported by long-standing bandmate, violinist/guitarist Barry Wickens, with Oli Hayhurst on double bass, and Dave Delarre on lead guitar. Steve has been playing Live shows around the world for over 50 years and the thrill of another night in another place to another audience has not dimmed at all. “I still get a buzz when boarding the tour bus, like I did all those years ago. There’s still that magical feeling. It has not diminished at all.”

The acoustic sets will include songs taken from his last album ‘Uncovered’ [re-recordings of a couple of his own songs nine others he’s always wanted to perform] but of course a selection from the vast and eclectic Harley Songbook. ‘Mr Soft’, ‘Judy Teen’, ‘Sebastian’ and the legendary ‘Make Me Smile’ will all be reproduced in the unique acoustic style. Close-Up Culture stated of an Acoustic Band show: “It was an intimate night in the presence of a great musician. An individual whose passion for live performance

and perfection (it shows in his face) remains undiminished.”

Rod Stewart, who covered Steve’s song ‘A Friend For Life’, describes him as “One of the finest lyricists Britain has produced.”

MOJO said simply, “Harley creates rock songs that are proud, lyrical and full of yearning.” Steve has also been described as “A consummate performer at the top of his game,” and Record Collector said: “Harley’s eloquent, on-the-edge shows never fail to impress”.

Steve has previously received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Acoustic Music from the Acoustic Festival of Britain, and a prestigious Gold Badge of Merit from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

For further information on STEVE HARLEY, check out the following website / social media links:

Website: http://www.steveharley.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ steveharleyCR/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/steveharleyCR

Credit: Naomi Dryden-Smith

ICENI ANAGRAMS

Shakespeare once performed here

Once home to monks

You can find the King John cup here

Go here to visit the God of Corn and the God of Wine

Find King’s Lynn in miniature in this Grade II listed building