about fram
Issue Thirteen Look no further than aboutfram, the local magazine that packs a Suffolk punch!
THE WHITE HORSE RENDHAM FREEHOUSE
A traditional village pub www.whitehorserendham.co.uk 01728 663497
MEET
& rt e Rob ura La
resh potatoes f ir e h t e v lo e W d crisps from e k o o c d n a h d an ssex. their farm in E my Lots of yum e labl ai av rs ou av fl es or st r in ou
or Boil, steam ever at h w , h as m you fancy!
Pop to the co-op
contents who’s about out & about about style about you
4 A Suffolk boy
36 Symmetry in motion
Why singer Mat Bayfield is feeling positive about the future
Potter Lars Gregersen spins the wheel at his studio in Fressingfield
6 Out and about
42 The joys of spring
A round up of local events
Watch as your garden explodes into a riot of colour this season
12 Mixing it up Geraldine Clarke proves ‘anything goes’ in her fashion blog
14 Top to toe Beauty routines that will leave everyone looking wonderful
18 Perfectly orientated How a couple transformed an old Suffolk farmhouse using their Eastern charms
24 Get the look Bright florals, colourful layers and pretty ways to accessorise
28 about town We bring you the latest news about town
30 Weaving her way
48 A decent crust We pull up a chair and share a pastry with Joanna Brennan of Pump Street Bakery
54 about taste Savoury sensations to whet your appetite
56 Hainanese chicken A fragrant and vibrant dish to share with family and friends
59 Competition time We have ten copies of the beautiful book Un-Earthed to give away
62 Tides, toast and tea We take a leisurely stroll along the River Deben at Woodbridge
about interiors
about town about the land
about design about gardens
about food about taste round & about
We bundle up some willow stems with basketmaker Jo Hammond 1
just the three of us... about us
As our gardens awake and pretty pastels and fabulous florals return to our wardrobes, we take a deep breath and welcome Spring with open arms in this, our latest issue of aboutfram. Editorial Kathy Churchill Sales Sarah Clarke
aboutmedia info@aboutmedia.co.uk 01728 666352 www.aboutmedia.co.uk
Design Ferrar Design kerry@ferrar.co.uk
07884 433385 www.ferrar.co.uk
a bit about them...
! ies N I W cop
Geraldine Clarke A history teacher with a passion for fashion. about style pg 12
Dominic Whiten Coastal Creative Photography is a small, friendly business based near the Suffolk coast. about design pg 36, about the land pg 30 and emporium pages www.coastalcreativephotography.co.uk
M: 07748 765582
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Rufus Owen Rufus Owen is an experienced property and interiors photographer based in Suffolk. about interiors pg 18 rufus@rufusowen.com M: 07891 937167
n l of te eautifu e n O eb of th book ed th Ear 59 n U e Pag
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who’s about
A Suffolk boy Since being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2012, singer Mat Bayfield’s motto has been ‘Life is no rehearsal’. I meet up with him to find out why he is so keen to take centre stage. I’ve known Mat for several years and can hear him warmly greeting the staff in the café long before he appears around the corner in his familiar donkey jacket, all smiles and twinkling blue eyes. He is a familiar face in Framlingham; he was born above the family TV shop in Well Close Square, was a pupil at Thomas Mills, played football for Fram Town for over thirty years and more recently is recognised as being one half of popular folk band ‘The Broadside Boys’. “Back then football was my life. We had some great times and I still bump into members of the old team around town, although ‘old’ is probably the best way to describe us now!” laughs Mat. 4
After leaving school Mat joined the family business, Bayfield Electrical, where he worked alongside his father and brother, fitting TV aerials. He explains that it wasn’t until his mid-twenties that he began to develop his love of singing and formed a few bands with dubious sounding names such as ‘Gravel Rash’ and ‘Dfunkt’. A few years later he joined the 70s Rock band ‘The Glamtastics’, and many of you might well have strutted your stuff alongside Mat dressed as their lead singer, the notorious Duncan Disorderly. Throughout this time, he was also collaborating musically with life-long friend Eric Sedge and in 2011 they formed ‘The Broadside Boys’.
who’s about
With bookings for the band coming in and their reputation starting to gather some momentum, Mat and Eric could sense that they were on the cusp of something big. So it came as a huge shock when in December 2012, after an MIR scan for what Mat thought was a slipped disc, the Doctors broke the news that he had a rare inoperable brain tumour.“In that instant my whole world turned upside down. It was a very testing time as the treatment made me feel so ill and tired. My family were brilliant but in the end it was Eric who dragged me off the sofa and forced me to start writing songs again.” It was just the therapy Mat needed, and as his body adjusted to the radiotherapy and drugs, he found that beneath his laid-back exterior he was made of sterner stuff. With this newfound inner strength, Mat has thrown himself into his music and
the band are now established on the Folk scene and are currently on a national tour with Richard Digance. Even with this busy schedule, Mat still finds time to support others whose lives have been effected by cancer, and in January he and his partner Kelly organised a month of daily walks to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity. With a target of £1000 and the hope that a few people would join in, they have been overwhelmed with generosity; walking with crowds of up to 540 and raising an amazing £19,000 to date! As we part with a hug, I can’t help but feel inspired by Mat’s incredibly positive attitude and am slightly humbled to have been given a front row seat with this rather extraordinary Suffolk boy. Contact Mat at matbayfield@gmail.com or donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matswalkandtalk For tour dates visit www.thebroadsideboys.com 5
out & about
March until 28th Oct Queer Talk Exhibition to mark 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality at the home shared by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. Red House, Aldeburgh 15th The history of the hall at Brandeston A FramSoc event at Framlingham College Prep School 7.30pm
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April 18th Murder Mystery Evening A suspense filled evening The Long Shop Museum. Leiston 23rd-29th Suffolk through my eyes A photographic exhibition by Rufus Owen, revealing the dramatic simplicity of the landscape. The Aldeburgh Gallery www.rufusowen.com
24th-29th May Masters of Invention A new exhibition exploring the evolution of graffiti. The Lettering Arts Trust, Snape Maltings
1st Spring Steam Up Engines in steam, dancing and hog roast at the Long Shop Museum, Leiston
8th-9th Framlingham County Show Great day out for all the family. Framlingham College 10am to 5pm
1st-2nd Open Boat Weekend The Allen Gardiner, Orwell Lady and Sailing Barge Victor lower their gang planks and welcome you aboard. Ipswich Waterfront 11am to 6pm
12th-15th A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Award-winning play by Peter Nichols is FADS’s latest thought-provoking play. Framlingham College 7.30pm
1st-7th May The Arca Project An exhibition inspired by the work of W.G. Sebald, presented by PayneShurvell just outside Debenham
14th-16th Easter Weekend at Snape Maltings Concerts, demonstrations, Farmer’s Market, Crafts and Easter Egg Hunt
www.payneshurvell.com
www.snapemaltings.co.uk
out & about
May 21st-23rd The Ink Festival A weekend of new, short stage productions, radio plays and films by East Anglian writers. The Cut, Halesworth
May-14th Sept Vintage Afternoon Tea An afternoon treat every Tues, Weds, Thurs & Sun at Helmingham Hall Gardens. 3-5pm
28th Spring Plant Fair An exciting day out for experienced and novice gardeners alike. Helmingham Hall Gardens. 10am to 5pm
10th Harbour Lights Ceilidh Dance Come for a fling at Wilby Village Hall. Call 07591 499912 to book. 7pm
22nd-21st May The Alde Valley Spring Festival A Celebration of the English Oak, Woodland & local Wildlife at White House Farm, Great Glemham
6th The Broadside Boys This folk duo will be playing at Wingfield Barns
31st-1st Jun The Suffolk Show A brilliant day out for all the family. Trinity Park
16th Sir Robert Hitcham’s Primary School Fete Stalls, games, bbq 3.30-6.30pm
28th The Foxglove Trio A trip of extremely talented musicians performing traditional songs with beautiful harmonies. Everyman Folk Club. Riverside, Stratford St Andrew
www.thebroadsideboys.com
7th Grand Spring Fair Woottens Nursery 10am to 4pm 13th Suffolk Walking Festival The festival kicks off with a nighttime stroll at Sutton Hoo. 8pm suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk
June 3rd-4th Suffolk Open Studios. Every weekend in June various artists across the county open their studio for visitors www.suffolkopenstudios.org
3rd-5th Middleton Open Garden A floral festival
9th-25th Aldeburgh Festival of Music and Arts The globe’s leading musicians meet at the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall 18th Truly Vintage Wedding Fair Glemham Hall 10am-4pm
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about style
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Add some zing this Spring
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Embrace the return of Spring with vibrant greens, pretty florals and colourful layers 1. Rose gold plimsols Remonte at Castle Shoes £65
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2. Blue gemstone necklace The Jewellery Studio £110 3. Perfect purses Impulse £24 4. Stylish floral skirt Luisa Cerano at Darcy B £199 10
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about style 7
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5. Long sleeve layers Impulse £14
10. Flowery gardening gloves Inspirations £4.50
6. Pretty woven basket Ruby Tyger £29
11. Swirly T-shirt Darcy B £79
7. Fairfax and Favor Regina Boots Out & About £295 8. Lightweight jackets, cool T-shirts and dapper footwear Urban Vintage
12. Lovely springtime dress Impulse £39 13. Colourful cotton scarf Ruby Tyger £27
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Stockists page 64
9. Harkila Norja cardigan Trulock & Harris £139.99
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Handbags & gladrags about style
The sun is just a tad warmer; the mornings are a tiny bit lighter; the birds are singing (sometimes) and this sum of parts must equal springtime, which is absolutely fabulous! Whilst buried under winter wool I find it nearly impossible to think that it will ever be warm enough to walk out the house without at least wearing 3 layers (see issue 7) plus spares, and that doesn’t even include hat and gloves. In terms of SS 2017, it is so much about being individual in what you wear it is virtually a free for all and anything goes. However, there has to be a ‘top of the charts’ and this season the number one spot is occupied by ‘contrast’. This is certainly not a new theme but yet again it works. Lace is made tough with wide leather belts and heavy clogs; ruffles hardened with pin straight trousers; flowery skirts made cool with brogues, and my favourite – velvet with denim – surely a match made in a naughty heaven. Underwear is again outerwear with bras over T-shirts and corsets over blouses; I may try the latter – I will let you know, if you do not see me first. So, what to do with all the options? Well, I will pair my various items of clothing, decide if there is anything else I need to create the contrasting ‘wow’ factor and then stride confidently into my springtime.
Geraldine Clarke
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WE SUPPLY A LARGE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY OUTDOOR APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR, AS WELLS AS A FULL RANGE OF BRANDED HUNTING, FISHING AND SHOOTING EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES. Opening Hours Mon 8:30am - 5:30pm Tues Closed Wed-Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm Thurs 8:30 - 5:30pm Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm Sat 8:30 - 5:00pm T 01394 385567 3 Wilford Bridge Road, Melton, IP12 1RB www.stuartoutdoors.com
Stocking premium country brands
Find us at: P Tuckwell Ltd, Shop Street, Worlingworth, Suffolk, IP13 7HU or P Tuckwell Ltd, Ardleigh Hall, Dedham Rd, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7LG Opening times: Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 2pm Sunday closed Off road parking available Email: info@outandaboutclothing.co.uk Tel: 01728 628 325 Out and about at tuckwells www.outandaboutclothing.co.uk
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about you
Top to toe Bedtime treats A good bedtime routine is good for the soul and the skin. Start with Vichy Purete Thermale Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover (£10), especially designed for sensitive skin, then cleanse with their Normaderm 3-in-1 Cleanser (£10.43) which leaves your skin feeling cleansed and soothed. If you a lady of a certain age, finish with Vichy’s Neovadiol Compensating Complex (£29), which has been designed with you in mind. This rich night cream leaves the skin feeling plumped, skin tone looking even and skin contours looking more defined. Sweet dreams! Available from Framlingham Pharmacy
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Something for the weekend Male grooming is well and truly on the fixtures list this season. As well as Bridge Street Barbers, you can now get a ‘short back and sides’, a wet shave or just a beard trim at Carley Hill Hair. Using their wonderful pureperformance men’s range from aveda you are guaranteed to feel a million dollars and look and smell amazing. Now that’s premier league.
Scrub & polish Beauty Therapist and Make-up Artist Victoria Bradfield offers the complete beauty package, but this spring she has a special offer that will leave your feeling revitalised from top to toe. Throughout April you can book a Body Polish
with a Paint & Tidy for just £29 (normally £42.50). After a full body exfoliation and moisturise, you are treated to a Jessica Nails Paint and Tidy on your toes. To book call 07775 662725 or visit www.victoriabradfield.co.uk
Help for horticultural hands Cleanse, relax and revive after a hard day’s toil in the garden with the RHS Natural Gardeners’ Therapy luxury toiletries, inspired by the natural aromas of the garden. Products include a gentle Exfoliating Hand Wash (£10), a rich Moisturising Hand & Nail Cream (£9) and Moisturising Hand Soap (£6) – the perfect gift for your green-fingered friends. Available from Framlingham Pharmacy
VICTORIA BRADFIELD BEAUTY THERAPIST AND MAKE-UP ARTIST
Book a Crystal Clear Microdermabrasion facial – loved by Kate Moss, Madonna and many more celebrities - before 30th April 2017 and enjoy yours for just £35 (normally £45)
Facials • Massage • Make-up • Waxing Spray Tanning • Reflexology • Lash Extensions Microdermabrasion • Manicures & Pedicures
Prescription designer sunspecs from £118 complete
Suffolk's Leading Mobile Beauty Therapist and Make-up Artist Enjoy high-end beauty treatments in the comfort of your own home
M 07775 662725 www.victoriabradfield.co.uk
‘Keep Young and Beautiful’ this Spring with luxury REN treatments and skincare E XCLUSIVE TO WOODBRIDGE
A modern, boutique day spa.
24 CH U RCH S T, WOODBRIDGE www.bathshebaspa.co.uk 01394 388813
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Antiques and 21st century decorations and ancient artefacts for the caravan or palace
GIFTS TEXTILES FASHION HOMEWARE
Garden furniture • Lighting Paintings • Cosmic ephemera • Textiles 21 High Street, Debenham, Suffolk IP14 6QL Open daily 10.30 - 5.00pm Sun 11.00 - 4.00pm 01728 861689 / 07960 038280 danielleswan@mac.com facebook.com/swanhouseandgarden
01728 621 212 The Old Works, Crown & Anchor Lane, Framlingham, IP13 9BL www.fireplaceframlingham.co.uk 16
21 Market Hill, Framlingham 01728 768052
Personal style since 1928
See our spring collections in-store and online now
9am–6pm, Tuesday to Saturday | 20–28 Norwich Road, Ipswich | Free customer parking
coes.co.uk
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about interiors
Perfectly orientated
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about interiors
Trust Farm and its derelict farm buildings have been transformed into a characterful and spacious home – with more than just a hint of the Orient – by illustrator and artist Lorette Roberts and her husband Bill. They bought the Grade II Listed farmhouse over ten years ago, after discovering it online whilst searching for their ‘dream ruin’. They were living in Hong Kong at the time, where Bill, a civil engineer, had been heavily involved in the development of the airport for fifteen years and Lorette had made a successful career out of writing, illustrating and publishing tourist guides for Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Vietnam. It was a lifestyle they both enjoyed but in 2006, with the draw of their children and grandchildren growing ever stronger and Bill nearing retirement, they decided it was time to head back west and set up home on a new island.
Trust Farm had everything they were looking for: a wonderful old farmhouse in need of renovation, a quiet rural location and a range of farmyard buildings that offered such great potential, especially to Bill’s expert eye. Located on the outskirts of Dennington, it was also familiar territory as Lorette’s parents had once lived at Saxtead Green and the couple had happy memories of wandering around Framlingham on market day and exploring the Suffolk coastline. “It’s just as well we liked it,” says Bill, a grin just breaking at the corners of his mouth, “As, after pulling up stumps in Hong Kong, we had nowhere else to go and just three days after we landed, we moved in.” 19
about interiors
Dating back to the late 16th Century, the house is full of character, with exposed beams, big inglenook fireplaces and lovely worn floor bricks in the kitchen. Although it was liveable, much of the structure had never been touched and so Bill and Lorette immediately set-to making it sound. At the same time, they also began to slowly map out ideas for the outbuildings, pouring over drawings in the evenings and fine tuning their designs. “I had always dreamt of having my own studio: a space where I could have several projects on the go at the same time and be able to leave all my materials out rather than having to clear them away every night.” After ten years Lorette’s dream eventually became a reality and after grabbing a coffee we head through the kitchen to explore the exciting new living space they have created. 20
In a gorgeously sunny dining room, with French windows out to a sheltered terrace and views across the lawn towards the duck pond, Bill explains that this was once a small walled garden. By cleverly enclosing the space they have seamlessly integrated it into the main accommodation; just leaving one wall of exposed brickwork as a nod to its former use. Moving through to the outbuildings Bill shows me the sales catalogue where they were labelled as cow byre, stables, piggery and wood store. The couple converted the first shed into a bright and spacious office; the old doorway where the cattle would have pushed past being replaced with a floor to ceiling glass panel that allows the sun to stream in. Various Chinese artefacts adorn the window sills and a cluster of red pendant lamps, typical
about interiors
of those you find in the markets of Hong Kong, hang from the timbered rafters as a daily reminder of their years spent abroad. The old stables have been converted into useful storage rooms, but right at the back I catch a glimpse of one of the old wooden mangers that would have once have been filled with sweet-smelling hay. You then come to the ‘secret room’. Unmarked on the original deeds, this extra space was a surprising discovery when they first moved in, but has now been turned into a delightful guest bedroom. The old farrowing shed has been transformed into a luxurious bathroom, with a huge walk-in wet room and a roll-top bath, perched on intricate wooden carvings brought back from China, and then you come to the fabulous open plan space that is Lorette’s studio.
Well worth the wait, the walls are lined with examples of her wonderfully eclectic work, and huge picture windows flood the whole room with natural light. A central table is scattered with paints, pastels, mixing palettes, jam jars stuffed with brushes and an angle-poise lamp shines a light on Lorette’s latest illustration. It is a stunning space, a place to escape to and lose yourself in your art, and as you sit and quietly contemplate your next brush stroke, allow yourself to imagine the whispered sounds of lowing cattle, the stamp of a pony’s hoof or the soft grunt of piglets drifting on the air. Trust Farm will be part of Suffolk Open Studios this June. www.loretteroberts.com
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Our goal is to help you sell, buy, let or rent in 2017 We get a kick out of being proud supporters of Framlingham Town Football Club
www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk t: 01728 724200
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We offer a wide range of woodburners and fire surrounds varying from traditional to contemporary designs - suitable for all styles. Visit us in our showroom for free friendly advice or to discuss your installation requirements.
The perfect tiles for all the family Supplying Suolk with beautiful, exclusive tiles since 1998
Full range of fireside accessories available
www.martinmelville.com
martin@martinmelville.com
Unit 6, Bridge Business Park, Top Street, Martlesham, Woodbridge IP12 4RB F:01394 384196 M:07860 241417 MON - FRI 8am - 4pm SAT 9am -12pm
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INSPIRING IDEAS FOR L ADIES, MEN, CHILDREN & HOME 75 High Street, Wickham Market, Woodbridge IP13 0RA Tel: 01728 747577 Email: shop@inspirationsshop.co.uk www.inspirationsshop.co.uk 23
about interiors 1
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Get the look 1. Vintage Observer books Marlesford Mill £7.50 each 2. Piano stool Dix-Sept Antiques £175
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3. Funky batter bowls The Cook Shop £13.95 each 4. Lab lamp Dix-Sept Antiques £110 5. Colourful cushion Inspirations £14.50
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. Pretty antique 6 crockery Marlesford Mill £12 set of 6
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7. Boho Peruvian rugs Olivie From £140
about interiors
8. Hand-thrown pottery Soendergaard Design From £12 9. Assorted antiques Swan House & Garden Debenham
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10. Leather music satchel Marlesford Mill £15
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11. Watering can fairy lights Ruby Tyger £15
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Free Appraisal • Free Photography Free Floorplan • No upfront costs Pop in and see us and meet Nicky Davidson, our new admin member of staff.
3 Church Street, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9BG Tel: 01728 724111 Email: info@crossramfram.co.uk
www.crossram.co.uk Who cares as much as you...We do 9 Market Hill, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9AN 01728 724566
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History in the making at Framlingham Castle The first part of a two-phase visitor improvement project is underway at Framlingham Castle. English Heritage is making improvements to the Poorhouse at the site, adding in a new 40-seat café and re-introducing an original mezzanine floor to house a new exhibition. With a 6.6 metre slide already in place and providing a more unusual approach to getting down from the castle’s wall walk until May this year, a proposed second phase would see an accessible terrace area added to the wall walk, making the route atop the curtain wall 360 degrees and enabling disabled visitors and families with buggies to access the new balcony area.
about town
The latest spin at Sax Velo Daughter of Jon and Caroline Bray – owners of Sax Velo – Amelia Bray is working towards her Cyteck 2 Qualification through ATG in Buckinghamshire. She has become only the fifth female in the country to go through the process, is the youngest ever to do so and the only participant to work in a family run bike shop!
A worthy conversion Conrad Consulting has moved into their newly converted Framlingham office; Fruer House. The stunning old chapel has become home to the company which has outgrown their office Conrad House at the top of Fore Street. The Framlingham based company, headed up by local man Graham Ventham, is a consultancy specialising solely in technical recruitment in the UK with offices nationwide. 28
From 5 years…. Ruby Tyger celebrates its 5th birthday this March! Local girls Susie and Sarah have been at the heart of this fabulous retail business since taking on the shop back in March 2011, doubling it in size since. Why not pop in and wish them a happy birthday…
about about interiors town
Taking on new angles at Easton Farm Park Eastern Angles’ re-imagining of the Edinburgh Fringe hit, ‘The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart’ is coming to Easton Farm Park.
To 50! One of the earliest conversions of a former industrial building for arts use, Snape Maltings Concert Hall was opened in 1967. Aldeburgh Festival 2017 will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of music’s arrival at Snape, marked at a time when significant further development of the site is being planned. This year, alongside events in concert halls and churches, the Festival invites audiences to join an intimate, theatrical drinks party at a country house in La Voix Humaine, relax in a rowing boat at Music on the Meare, and experience a symphony in a surprising urban setting in Multi-Story Orchestra. For full programme information, visit www.snapemaltings.co.uk
This darkly comic tale features riotous rhyming verse and beguiling folk songs. The show will tour to venues across East Anglia this Spring pitching-up in a barn at Easton Farm Park on Thursday 25th May. Director Hal Chambers said; “Having directed Eastern Angles’ production of Ragnarok, I will once again be creating a few visual surprises. I want people to grab themselves a drink, pull up a seat and enjoy an unforgettable experience.” Part folk-gig, part folk tale and part barn-storming comedy, Prudencia Hart will thrill and haunt in equal measure. Box Office: 01473 211498 www.easternangles.co.uk
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about the land
Weaving her way 30
about the land
Basketmaker Jo Hammond has been weaving a living from the coloured stems of willows for over twenty years. On a chilly February afternoon, we help her harvest some bundles at an osier bed in Otley. Jo has been cutting willows at this site for around ten years. They are a special basketry willow that are very quick growing and cutting them right back every year encourages the production of lovely straight stems that can be used to weave sculptures and baskets. Basketry is an ancient skill and these willows have been selected over thousands of years for their speed of growth, length, suppleness and intensity of colour. Varieties have wonderful names such as Black Maul, Flanders Red and Dicky Meadows, and as we walk up towards the small plantation, we can clearly see the gorgeous mix of russet and ochre stems, all standing to attention in anticipation of our visit.
The land is owned by Willowmead Alpaca Farm but Jo is responsible for the management of the willow beds, clearing back the invading brambles and bindweed throughout the year and then harvesting the stems. The best time to do this is after the leaves have dropped in late autumn through until the silvery buds begin to appear in February. The tools of the trade are simple, just a large pair of long-handled loppers and an old bicycle inner tube that Jo cleverly wraps around the stems to hold them in place whilst cutting them as close to the base as she can. And, as I stand in the chill February air watching Jo in action, it would seem that a thick pair of gloves and 31
about the land
a woolly hat are also to be recommended, preferably made from the thick fleece of one of the alpacas that has wandered down to take a closer look! Jo lays the cut stems down, ensuring that they are all pointing in the same direction, and then ties them together in bundles or bolts. She explains that these will then need grading and sorting according to length and flexibility, with the best stems showing minimal branching and ideally a consistent width from top to bottom. This fresh or ‘green’ willow is wonderfully supple and Jo prefers to use this for her sculptures. “The bark is brilliantly vibrant and because the rods are so flexible you can achieve gorgeous sweeping curves and lovely expressive lines.” One of the largest projects Jo tackled was the sculpture of a horse commissioned by Moat Farm 32
Flowers – where Jo runs workshops – for their stand at Hampton Court. “It took about two weeks to make but I loved working on such a large scale as it allowed so much more freedom than the close weave of my baskets.” The sculpture has since been donated to St Elizabeth Hospice and can be seen, still proudly gazing into the distance, in their Day Care Centre. For basketry and willow craft the stems need to be matured otherwise they can shrink and cause gaps, so the green willow is stacked outside for several months allowing it to dry gradually. During this time the stems will naturally darken in colour and become much stiffer. Jo explains that before these dry willow stems or ‘rods’ can be used they must be soaked in water to regain their suppleness. For the natural brown willow that Jo harvests, the rods need to be soaked
about the land
for up to a week, depending on their length, and then drained and left to mellow overnight. They are then ready to be bent to Jo’s will; creating a beautiful basket, a stout log basket or perhaps a decorative planter for the garden. Jo has a degree in Fine Art but it wasn’t until she was given a book on basketry that she began to experiment with this ancient art form. Initially she fashioned baskets from whatever she could forage from the woods and hedgerows close to her home: twigs and twines, creepers and wild plants. Inspired, she enroled in a basketmaking course and now, twenty years on, Jo is an established basketmaker and tutor, and has worked with a variety of local organisations such as the Field Studies Council, Suffolk College, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the
Woodland Trust. Jo also runs workshops, where you can learn the techniques of traditional basketry or try your hand at creating a willow sculpture of your own. I’ve always quite fancied the idea of having a sculpture of an elephant in the garden – perhaps it’s time to start weaving! For more details of Jo’s courses please visit www.johammond.net
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Baby Chicks
Decorative Stone
Party Accessories Crackers
Feathers
Ribbons Birds
Metal Planters
Spray Paints
Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm Sunday By prior appointment only
E amy@thurstonsfarm.com T 01728 663761 www.thurstonsfarm.com
Specialists in Hardy Perennials Bearded Irises – Auricula – Pelargoniums Advice, Design & Mail Order & Collection Services. Courses & Events Nursery open the first weekend of every month Grand Spring Fair on Sunday 7th May
www.woottensplants.com 01502 478258
from our farm in Dennington, arranged for your wedding, event and home
Growing & Floristry workshops
FRANCES BOSCAWEN 01728 638768 07799 621403 WWW.MOATFARMFLOWERS.COM 35
about design
Symmetry in motion
36
about design
Danish potter Lars Gregersen feels very at home under the wide open skies of Suffolk, and in his studio, coated in a fine dusting of porcelain powder, I discover that he can throw over a hundred identical pieces a day. Lars’ pottery studio is located in the pretty village of Fressingfield in what used to be the old village store, and where rows of tinned fruit would once have been lined up next to the teabags, you now find the shelves laden with his distinctive range of porcelain tableware. Stepping inside, chalky pink mugs, turquoise jugs, azure blue teapots and a creamy white dinner service all vie for attention and on the counter Lars is carefully wrapping a stack of striking orange expresso mugs; all identical and all hand thrown with the skilful expertise that Lars has taken years to master.
Lars learnt his skill back in his homeland of Denmark. At the age of fourteen he took a Saturday job in a local pottery, where after showing signs of promise he graduated from floor sweeper to being allowed to handle the clay and help with the kilns and some of the brushwork. This spark of interest stayed with him, and three years later he was apprenticed to a master ceramicist and worked as a production thrower in the Brangstrup Stoneware pottery studio for four years; perfecting his craft and developing the ability to throw the same shape over and over again. In 1993 Lars moved to London, 37
about design
initially working as the production manager for a ceramics company who made table tops, but then in 1995 he set up his own pottery, Soendergaard Design, and began to produce the beautifully simple designs that he is known for today. The understated elegance of Lars’ work soon caught the eye of leading names such as Heals, Toast, The Conran Shop, Liberty, David Mellor and Nicole Farhi. “It was an exciting time,” admits Lars, “I had clients all around the world and was throwing 100-180 pieces a day. I quickly outgrew my mother-in-law’s spare bedroom and moved to an old petrol station in North London where I used the MOT bay as my pottery studio.” However a few years later, with rental prices rising and a general feeling that they were ready for a change of scene,
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Lars and his wife felt themselves drawn to the windswept coastline and expansive horizons of East Anglia – a landscape that had a reassuring familiarity to Lars – and in 2000 they moved to Fressingfield. Now, seventeen years on, Lars may have slowed his pace to fit in with his surroundings but his pottery is still highly desired and he continues to supply designer stores across London, Paris and Tokyo, as well as designing for private clients, wedding lists and his own online sales. We wander through to his workshop at the back of the shop where wooden planks are stacked with row upon row of petrol blue mugs and striped bowls, and in a corner shelves of chalky white plates wait to be glazed. All around the studio there are pots of natural pigments that he
about design
mixes to create his fabulous range of colours, as well as an assortment of plastic dustbins, tubs and containers, and everything is covered in a fine coating of white dust. The porcelain clay he uses is delivered in tubes from Stoke-on-Trent and as we chat, Lars unwraps one and starts to work the clay, kneading it like a lump of dough until it is soft and malleable in his hands. He then rolls it out and quickly divides it into sections that he weighs to make sure each one has an equal chance of making his exacting standards. He takes a seat behind the wheel, wets the clay and suddenly it starts to take shape. His thumbs press into the centre and his fingers guide the clay up, gently determining the shape and height of the desired piece. One last check with a
ruler and he carefully slides it across to one of the planks before starting the next one. “I do enjoy the repetitiousness of the work and find the rhythmic nature very calming.” It is quite magical to watch and Lars’ efficiency with the wheel and confidence with the clay make it look so easy. I feel the urge to throw a pot of my own but decide, on reflection, that maybe this is best left to the expert and settle instead on treating myself to one of his gorgeous pink mugs. www.soendergaarddesign.co.uk
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Free collection & delivery for customers in Easton, Kettleburgh, Brandeston & Earl Soham, small charge elsewhere
Contact Karen Bloomfield on 01728 860330 • karen@bootsnblades.co.uk TW@bootsnblades facebook.com/bootsnbladesdebenham
Charnwood Milling Co Ltd
GARDEN MACHINERY SALES, SERVICE & REPAIR
Feeds for all animals From alpacas to zebras! Saxtead Rd, Framlingham IP13 9PT T 01728 622300 E feeds@charnwood-milling.co.uk www.charnwoodmilling.co.uk
ED406 Fram Gen Mach V3.qxp_Layout 1 6RP 03/03/2017 10:20 Page 1 Unit 6a,150x102 Meadow Works Business Park, Debenham, Suffolk IP14
LET’S GET GARDENING WITH ERNEST DOE POWER
There’s so much more in your newly refurbished store... We’re online too at: ernestdoeshop.com
Broadwater Road, Framlingham IP13 9LL | Tel: 01728 723963 40
Life | Land | Business
Whatever life brings we’re always there for you Our friendly, local solicitors are on hand to advise you on a host of legal matters, including buying and selling property, family breakdown, making a will or developing your business.
Call 01473 611211 barkergotelee.co.uk
41 Barrack Sq, Martlesham, Ipswich IP5 3RF Free parking
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Help prevent unwanted litters, nasty diseases and medical conditions (some of which can be fatal) –
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Opening Hours Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 7.00pm Saturday: 8.30am - 2.00pm
Castle Veterinary Group is a trading name of CVS (UK) Limited; a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 03777473. Registered office: CVS House, Owen Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4ER.
For more information or to book an appointment call 01728 723480 41
about gardens
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Pick a pot or two
about gardens
There’s nothing like the taste of freshly picked herbs from your own garden to really set off a dish or to add some incredible flavour. Here are some of the best herbs to grow in pots. Basil The Queen B of any herb garden, its lustrous, sweet-and-spicy leaves are the perfect accompaniment to anything tomatoey. It loves the warmth and prefers to grow in well-drained soil.
Rosemary This ever-green herb can be picked all year round. With an intense and fragrant aroma, it loves to be paired with lamb or game, but is equally delicious added to your spuds before roasting.
Mint Great with buttery new potatoes, lovely as a refreshing cuppa and just perfect in a cheeky mojito; this versatile herb is easy to grow and can cope in a shady spot.
Chives Brilliant snipped up in salads or sprinkled over soups, plus the bees love their pretty purples flowers in the spring. It likes damp soil so water freely.
Sage Sturdy, hardy, prolific and droughttolerant; this intensely flavoured herb does well in pots and is wonderful with meat dishes and for home-made stuffing.
Parsley Vibrant and delicious this useful herb also has healing properties; it loves to be cut back with vigour.
Thyme A hardy perennial, it thrives in a well-drained light soil and enjoys a sunny, sheltered position. Place near seating areas as it is highly aromatic.
And the golden rules for success: keep them watered, make sure they can drain freely, give each plant enough space to breathe, feed with liquid seaweed and pick regularly during the growing season. Enjoy! 43
about gardens
The joys of spring March has arrived. It feels like a prize for enduring the long winter months. There are the traditional signs of spring: daffodils, primroses, birds singing and the odd blossom blooming, but this is not necessarily enough, but then you go outside, sniff the air and you recognise it for what it is. Spring is here and will not go away for some time. But there is also a sense of urgency; a need to get on. Now is the time to get your act together and start doing it. A good indicator that seeds can be sown is when the weeds start to push their way through. Another way of testing the time to sow is to take up a handful of soil, if it feels clammy then seeds will not germinate. If it is crumbly and warm, then it is ideal and the cycle can start all over again.
Tales from the potting shed 44
March Check borders for weeds and dig up If dry, spread fertiliser around plants and rake in
Throughout April and May, you can stand outside and almost see plants rising upwards in their quest to seek the sun and flower. April is the busiest month. The work the sower does in April produces a trug full of salad in summer and fruit and vegetables to give home cooked feasts full flavour. May arrives and no other time of the year combines such intensity of colour and freshness of light. At the beginning of the month mid to late flowering tulips give explosions of colour surrounded by luminous green. Time to take a layer of clothing off. June is here. The British countryside and gardens are now at their very best and must be savoured to the very last drop. Gloria Bell
April Complete all pruning of roses Feed with rose fertiliser and hoe in Water newly planted roses
May Sow hardy annuals in prepared beds Remove dead blooms from daffodils and let the foliage dry off naturally
June Prune deciduous spring flowering shrubs by cutting back flowering stems
07980 151 109 01728 663 888
LANDSCAPE & GARDEN DESIGN Ed Hopkins is Suffolk’s leading landscape and garden design company, building gardens of exceptional quality and providing an unrivalled service. Please get in touch to discuss your project. EDHOPKINS.COM 45
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Design | Manage | Create 1 Quayside, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1FA www.samueldavidconstruction.co.uk 01394 780045 47
about food
A decent crust
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about food
Father and daughter team, Chris and Joanna Brennan are the driving force behind the fabulous Pump Street Bakery. At their cafĂŠ in Orford, I break bread with Joanna to find out what their recipe for success is. I arrive at the bakery a little early for my meeting with Joanna and, even though there is only an hour left before closing, the queue at the counter is still two deep. I tuck myself away on a window seat that looks out over the square and watch as the shelves empty of their last remaining loaves and paper bags filled with sausage rolls, seeded bagels and sugary Eccles cakes disappear out the door. At a beautiful communal table that stretches the length of the cafĂŠ, couples, friends and families are enjoying the home-cooked menu that includes such delights as a bacon sandwich with prune sauce, maple rosemary sausage and egg brioche bun and skillet eggs on
sourdough toast with avocado. Staff, smartly dressed in their black t-shirts and brown aprons. are upbeat and attentive and before long, I have succumbed to a freshly-made smoothie that looks and tastes sublime. Joanna soon joins me, her shift in the kitchen complete, and we chat about the success of Pump Street Bakery and their bean to bar chocolate that is winning such international acclaim. Joanna explains that it all started after her father retired and decided to take up baking bread. A great man for research, Chris took it upon himself to learn how to bake the perfect sourdough 49
about food
loaf and was soon up to his elbows in flour, baking batches of loaves out of a makeshift bakery in his garage. This quest for quality soon paid off and Chris’s bread quickly rose to the top of the most-wanted list at the Orford Farmers’ market; his stall regularly selling out within the hour. So, in 2009, when a derelict shop right on the Market Square became available, it seemed too good to be true. Joanna was working as a speech therapist in London at the time, but she had always shared her father’s passion for great food and was excited about the prospect of working together and opening the bakery and café. Having been unoccupied for nearly twenty years, the shop was in a dreadful state but in November 2010, after months of restoration, Pump Street Bakery
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served its first customers and as I sit by the wood-burner, surrounded by a hub-bub of voices and the contented chink of coffee cups, it’s clear to me that all their hard work was worth it. Joanna is responsible for running the shop and café and although they now have a highly-trained team she is still very involved; deciding the new seasonal menus, covering shifts as required and ensuring that the quality of the food served is up to her high exacting standards. Everything is cooked to order and although the dishes are mainly designed to showcase their fabulous bread, Joanna has also introduced some lighter choices such as fresh salads and homemade soups, and the buttermilk pancakes are a special tribute to her years spent growing up in Canada.
about food
The bakery is now located in an old dairy just outside the village and every loaf is still made by hand using only the finest ingredients with no preservatives or additives. They also bake all the wonderful pastries for the cafĂŠ, and trays of croissants, pains au chocolat, doughnuts and other tempting treats are dropped off in time for the morning rush. Chris is still very much involved with the bread-making but over the past few years he has turned his attention to chocolate and Pump Street is now one of only a few UK producers who is making chocolate directly from cocoa beans. Chris buys these beans directly from small farmers in Ecuador, Madagascar, Grenada, Honduras and Jamaica. Not only does this mean that he can guarantee the quality of the beans but also that the growers are offered a much higher price
than if they sold to the larger companies. Making chocolate is a complex process, but if you have ever tasted Pump Street Chocolate you will know that it is one that Chris has definitely mastered. The single origin bars all have their own wonderfully subtle variations of flavour and they are gaining recognition around the world. With the cafÊ gradually emptying I say goodbye to Joanna, who nips back to the kitchen to make sure everything is in order ahead of another busy day, and just as I turn back to the counter I see the last of the carrot cake leaving with another satisfied customer. I’ll just have to come back tomorrow! www.pumpstreetbakery.com
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The Dennington
Queen
A 16th Century pub serving great food and drink
Freshly cooked food using local produce Weekday lunch special – 2 courses for £10 Great children’s menu Beautiful garden with duck pond and children’s play area Dog friendly Catering for parties of up to 50 people
Dennington Queen Tel 01728 638241
TheDenningtonQueen www.thedenningtonqueen.co.uk
E XCELLENT A LES
T: 01728 723455
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AND
G OOD F OOD
www.thestationframlingham.com
THE BELL AT CRETINGHAM The Bell is a traditional country pub, with oak beams, log burning stoves and a warm welcome guaranteed. Serving Real Ales and a wide selection of wines to accompany a traditional Ploughmans, sandwiches, seasonal fare or one of our delicious Sunday Roasts, where better to get together as a family this Mothering Sunday and over the Easter break. Larger family groups welcome. Dogs welcome in the bar areas. OPEN MON - SAT 11.30am-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm SUN 12noon-4pm & 7pm-10.30pm Telephone 01728 685419 The Street, Cretingham IP13 7BJ. WWW.CRETINGHAMBELL.COM
www.woodfarmbarns.com
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about taste
Savoury sensations to whet your appetite... Ringing the changes
Saucy numbers
Eat out, eat well!
The fabulous Bell at Sax now has a sister establishment, the very lovely Southwold restaurant, The Sail Loft and to entice you over, how about a little tempter? Visit for lunch Tues to Fri, and enjoy mussels followed by sirloin steak frites for just £10 per person. Booking recommended!
From the humble British breakfast to your Friday fish supper or good old Sunday roast, Salubrious Sauce has a dollop of something delicious for every occasion. With three fabulous sauces now to choose from – Breakfast Sauce, The Sunday Lunch Sauce, The Chip Shop Curry Sauce and a fourth launching this spring – these sauces add something special to every meal. If you fancy trying before you buy, why not pop into The Common Room in town, the Dog and Duck in Wickham Market or the Marlesford Café.
At the end of January, the Farm Cafe at Marlesford received a level 5 food hygiene rating and an “eat out, eat well” silver award from SCDC. The eat out, eat well award is a new scheme which helps restaurants, cafes, and pubs make it easier for all to make healthy food choices when eating out. The team at The Farm Cafe is rightly proud to have been given the award and is working to develop future menus with the eat out, eat well healthy options principles in mind.
www.sailloftsouthwold.uk
www.salubrioussauceco.co.uk 54
www.farmcafe.co.uk
bavette www.bavette.co.uk
private dining www.bavette.co.uk framlingham private dining framlingham
Come dine with me! Richard Whitaker is a familiar face around town. But whilst you may know him for his skills in the kitchen at the former 5-star Round House B & B, he was also an early-days participant of ‘Come Dine With Me’ on Channel 4. Richard has spent the last six months making and selling hundreds of jars of tasty pickles, jams and marmalades in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice but is now set on another food adventure – Bavette. Bavette will offer an intimate, convivial private dining experience in the heart of Framlingham. If you would like to hold a get-together for friends but hate the prep, cooking, and of course, the washing up, Richard will do it for you in a lovely setting. Register your interest early and he will update you with progress ahead of the opening night. www.bavette.co.uk
about taste
Bring something to the table…
New on the block in Debenham
The Big Picnic at White House Farm, Great Glemham – part of the Alde Valley Spring Festival – is a firm favourite in our calendar, and this year, the date is set for Sat 20th May. Celebrate spring at the farm’s record breaking 200m long oak picnic table and enjoy the beautiful setting with field games, farm and nature walks. 11.30am for 12.30pm start. Families and children welcome – no dogs. BYO picnic – £5 entry charge for adults; £3 for children under 16.
Butchers Shaun Palfrey and Deaglan Hall – partners at Palfrey and Hall Butchers – are opening up shop in The Old Post Office on the high street in Debenham. With 25 years of local butchery experience between them, you can be sure that they know their meat. Specialists in artisan cutting, smoking and curing, the shop, which is set to open this spring, will sell a carefully sourced, broad range of fresh meat and poultry along with artisan products.
enquiries@ aldevalleyspringfestival.co.uk
www.palfreyandhall.co.uk
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about taste
With all the fresh and varied flavours of South-East Asia, this vibrant dish from Vernon Blackmore of The Table is one to share with all the family. Hainanese chicken (serves 4-6) Ingredients 1 whole free-range chicken 2tbsp sesame oil 100g root ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 5 spring onions, roots trimmed off, roughly chopped into 4cm pieces 1 garlic bulb, cut in half widthways 1 chilli, cut in half lengthways 2 star anise For the rice 325g basmati or long grain rice 25g root ginger, finely chopped 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1tsp sesame oil 75g butter 1tsp salt
Method Rinse the chicken under cold water then pat dry, rub the sesame oil over the outside and season inside and out with salt. Stuff the chicken with half the ginger and spring onion, place in a large pan and cover with cold water. Add the remaining ginger and spring onion along with the garlic, chilli and star anise to the pan. Place the pan onto a high heat and bring up to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for approximately 40 minutes, regularly skimming off any impurities which collect on the surface. Take off the heat and leave the chicken steeped in the broth for a further 10 minutes. Now prepare the rice. Vigorously wash the rice with cold water for 20-30 secs and drain, repeat twice more. Add the ginger, garlic, sesame oil, butter and salt to the rice and quickly mix together. Add a few ladles of the poaching broth, until the liquid is approximately 2½ cm above the rice line. Place a lid on top of the pan and cook on a low to medium heat. Once the rice starts to get a good steam going (approx 5 mins) reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for a further 15 minutes. Take off the heat and leave for another 15 minutes with the lid on. Carefully take the chicken out of the broth and plunge into an ice bath for around 10 minutes, turning occasionally. This slows down the cooking and helps to keep the chicken succulent. Place the broth back onto a gentle heat and test the seasoning. Remove the chicken from the ice bath and gently pat dry. Carve the chicken as preferred and place on top of some sliced cucumber on a serving plate. Garnish with sliced spring onion and coriander. Ladle the broth into individual soup bowls and serve up the rice either on individual plates or a big bowl in the middle, along with the chicken and some dipping sauces such as soy and chilli. Enjoy.
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BKB_About Fram_0217 _Layout 1 16/02/2017 14:19 Page 1
Peter Harrison’s Saturday Suppers 2017 Saturday Suppers comprise of four delicious canapes and Prosecco followed by a three-course, seasonal set menu which can be adapted for dietary requirements.
Brick Kiln Barn Suppers 2017
Book by emailing debbie@brickkilnbarn.com or call Debbie on 07730 313277
25th March 3rd June 9th September 18th November
22nd April 15th July 14th October 9th December
£45.00 per person Bring your own wine. House wine is available to buy.
www.brickkilnbarn.com
From kitchen to table, everything created with our own fair hands
‘Convivial and welcoming atmosphere, good choice of beer and wine, thoughƞully created menu – the perfect place for a light lunch or a three course meal.’ Lunch served 12 Ɵl 2pm Dinner served 6.30 Ɵl 9pm
Sibton White Horse Inn, Halesworth Road, Sibton, Suffolk, IP17 2JJ 01728 660337
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Want something a bit different for your next adventure? Whether it is something just for your family and friends, a group of colleagues, a wedding party or a more classic trip but with your own driver and guide, then we can build a bespoke itinerary to suit you. With over 25 years in the travel industry with our Imaginative Traveller brand and 13 years of creating bespoke trips we have the knowledge and contacts to assist in making the perfect trip for you.
For further information or for a quote please contact our team on...
TAILORMADE@IMTRAV.NET 01728 862 219 Or make an appointment & pop in for a chat...
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NEED A NEW MORTGAGE DEAL... ...but no time to search? Our advice could save you time and money
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With access to exclusive rates not available directly from High Street Lenders, our expert Whole of Market advisers have the knowledge and expertise to bring a new mortgage rate to your door.
mark.noe@thamesideassociates.co.uk A fee is normally charged for our services to cover processing costs & our advice, this would be agreed with your adviser when he has assessed the case. The fee could be up to 1.5% of the mortgage amount & is typically ÂŁ225. 58
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. There may be an early repayment charge payable if you remortgage.
10 c Un opies to g -Eart of ive hed aw ay! We have 10 copies of Un-Earthed to give away; a beautiful book that is a celebration of life and food in Suffolk.
Competition!
UN-EARTHED UN-EARTHED There is aThere part ofis Suffolk a part ofbordering Suffolk bordering the Norththe SeaNorth famedSeaforfamed its natural for itsbeauty naturalandbeauty awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring landscape.landscape. A meandering, A meandering, varied seashore varied seashore links woodland, links woodland, arable land, arable heaths, land,marshes, heaths, marshes, rivers andrivers and estuaries.estuaries. AdmirersAdmirers praise thepraise big skies, the big unspoilt skies,open unspoilt spaces openandspaces enviable and tranquillity, enviable tranquillity, the habitatthe habitat of innumerable of innumerable wild birdswild andbirds animals. and Itanimals. is this rich It island, this rich its fertile land, itsnature fertileandnature uniqueandbeauty uniquewhich beauty which gives risegives to anrise abundance to an abundance of foodstuffs of foodstuffs and a wealth and aofwealth artisticofcreativity. artistic creativity. The earthThe shares earthitsshares its bounty andbounty givesand Suffolk givesa Suffolk valued place a valued in the place well-being in the well-being of the country. of the country.
Un-Earthed is a fruitful collaboration of cooks and chefs, artisans and artists, farmers and fishermen, all united by the vast skies and bountiful coastline of Suffolk. A visual feast, exquisitely photographed by Keiko Oikawa (www.keikooikawa.com), it showcases these advocates of rural tradition; exploring their stories, their unshakeable enthusiasm and discovering some of their lovingly created dishes. It is a book that encourages you to rekindle the age-old ritual of breaking bread, one that has bonded family and friends together with an understanding of place, provenance, taste and texture for centuries. This inspirational book, curated by Jess Brown and evocatively written by Frances Hopewell-Smith and Tessa Allingham, champions simple pleasures, open horizons, family and friends. Normally available to buy via the online shop at the Aldeburgh Food & Drink website, we are delighted to have 10 copies to give away. (www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk)
For your chance of winning this fabulous prize, please answer the following question correctly: Q. Who curated Un-Earthed? Send your answers to prize@aboutfram.com quoting 'Un-Earthed' in the subject header. The competition closes at 23:59 hours on 30th June 2017 Terms and conditions aboutfram will automatically add your email address to its own database for marketing purposes. Your email address will not be shared with any other companies apart from Un-Earthed. Please indicate in your email if you do not wish to be contacted by either aboutfram or Un-Earthed and we will delete your email address from our records.
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The Railway Inn - come and see! Dog and family friendly traditional pub, serving local real ales and home cooked food. Sunday Roast 2 courses for £10 • Seasonal Specials Dedicated room for Sky Sports, BT Sports, Darts and Pool T: 01728 724760
THE WHITE HORSE RENDHAM FREEHOUSE
A traditional village pub serving food, Suffolk ales, wines and cyders. For live music, events and special evenings check our website www.whitehorserendham.co.uk on the B1119 between Framlingham and Saxmundham Telephone 01728 663497
www.railwayframlingham.co.uk
Fram DIY Fram DIY & Building Supplies Ltd Everything for DIY & Trade Open 6 days per week Free Delivery
Tel 01728 723505 | Fax 01728 724022 Station Rd, Framlingham IP13 9EA
Paella& Tapas The
Company
Shop, Eat, Drink, Meet, Relax A beautifully restored Suffolk barn is the place to get your local milk, bread, eggs, meat and essentials and relax in our café.
Mon – Fri: 8.00am – 4.00pm
Sat: 9.00am – 4.00pm
• Wheelchair access, baby-changing and disabled toilet • Cyclists and Walkers welcome
2 miles off the A12 on the B1119 between Framlingham and Saxmundham Juniper Barn, Rendham, Saxmundham Suffolk IP17 2AZ www.juniperbarnsuffolk.co.uk www.juniperbarnbandb.co.uk 01728 663773
ALAN ROSS REMOVALS & STORAGE Full & part packing services available. Experienced in moving pianos & fine antiques. Packaging materials supplied.
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“Fabulous food wherever you are” Telephone : 01728 746599 / 07961 025352 E-mail: ruth@paellatapas.co.uk www. paellatapas.co.uk
Do you know who you are? Want help finding your ancestors and building your family tree?
“Don’t risk doing it yourself...let us take the strain!”
Projects can start from scratch or from where you are stuck
01728 668900 / sales@alanrossremovals.co.uk www.alanrossremovals.co.uk Units 1 & 2, Station Works, Main Rd, Darsham
East Anglian Genealogist – Free consultation and quotation on request Phone Simon Last on 07740 600128 Email: charnwoodresearch@virginmedia.com Web: www.charnwood-genealogy.com : www.facebook.com/charnwoodgenealogy
Saxon Fencing & Landscaping Hi h Q High Quality lit A Agricultural, i l Equestrian and Domestic Fencing. Decking and Landscaping Services throughout East Anglia.
Contact us for a free estimate, advice, or to discuss your individual requirements Tom Bridges | Framlingham, Suffolk | T 07527 351 744 | E saxonfencing@outlook.com
Landscape construction and tree surgery with quality, comprehensive services in both trades. Check out my testimonials and trust your next project with Paragon Landscapes and Tree Services. Tel: 01728 685 042 M: 077 670 727 13 www.paragonservices.co.uk
Trulock & Harris A wide range of quality clothing, boots and accessories by AIGLE, BARBOUR, CHRYSALIS, HOGGS, LE CHAMEAU, MUSTO, SEELAND & others
WELL-STOCKED GUN ROOM, CARTRIDGES, ACCESSORIES AND MORE.
ORE TRADING ESTATE • FRAMLINGHAM • SUFFOLK IP13 9LL
Tel: 01728 724 776 www.trulockandharris.com
Peter Hall Flooring A Name you can Trust
Established 1959 and providing a first-class fitting service to clients in East Suffolk Come and visit us for a wide range of carpets, vinyls & more to suit every taste & budget
34 High St, Wickham Market, IP13 0QS www.peterhallflooring.com | 01728 746416
SWANN’S NURSERY Now Open The Wild Blackberry Cafe & Pixie Jo’s Emporium
BIRDS OF PREY from 1st April
Bike Sales Repairs & Servicing Forme and Moda cycles in store
For all your Gardening Needs Shrubs, Trees, Conifers, Hedging & Fruit Trees
Open 7 days a week
Lake shoes • Giro Helmets • Tifosi eyewear • Cateye lights Onguard Locks • Prolight Wheels • Schwalbe & Continental tyres
Tel: 01394 460127 www.swannsnursery.co.uk Follow us on Facebook
Market Place, Saxmundham IP17 1AG T 07484 805507 www.saxvelo.co.uk
Swann's Nursery, Eyke Road (A1152), Bromeswell, Woodbridge IP12 2PN
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round & about
Tides, toast and tea By chance, the walk for this issue is an all-girl affair and so, without the company of the size 11 walking boots and carefully placed dot on the map to mark the nearest pub, we decide instead to opt for a more leisurely stroll down by the river. The fact that it is in Woodbridge and offers a free, no obligation to buy side trip to the shops does, of course, have nothing to do with it! We park down by the cinema and take the footbridge over the railway line by the station, turning right along the path that follows the River Deben as it makes its way back out to sea. As we walk we can hear the clanking masts of yachts harbouring safely in the boat yard until the fair-weather sailors decide it is safe to return to the water, and above there is the persistent 62
mewing of seagulls. Ahead, a family are having fun feeding a pair of swans who have slid their way across the mud to see what is on offer, and just past the Deben Yacht Club a slipway entices us down to the water’s edge where we cast gangly shadows across the turning tide. We spot a cafÊ off to the right, its deck already starting to fill with those in need of a mid-morning coffee, and although tempted, know we really should venture more than a few 100 yards - even without the boys. We stoically carry on, and the path now runs along the top of the bank with the estuary to one side and salt marshes to the other. It is obviously a popular highway for dog walkers, couples and young mums with their strollers and
round & about
today the early spring sunshine has put a smile on everyone’s face. It feels reassuringly friendly, and there are plenty of benches where you can stop and pass the time of day with inquisitive spaniels and nosey labradors, and as the girls stop to fuss a dachshund puppy enjoying his first walk, we are happy to listen as his proud owner tells us all about his adventures.
gateway a herd of cattle sleepily warm themselves in the sun, and in the straw we spot a cock pheasant nestling down amongst them, very happy to join in with this afternoon nap. We cross back over the railway line and wander across the playing field and past the tennis courts to a small road where we once again cross the tracks and then settle down on a table outside the Tea Hut Café.
The river is at low tide, the water snaking its way through the expanse of glistening mudflats and we can just make out the silhouette of some busy wading birds probing for crustaceans. The path now enters a wooded area, and although you can carry on to Martlesham Creek, we turn right - drawn by the promise of that coffee – and take the footpath that skirts along the back of the grazing marshes. By the
Soon we are enjoying not just coffee, but also mugs of tea, hot chocolate and plates of melted cheese toasties. This has turned out to be a lovely afternoon, with lots of chatting, some gentle exercise to put a glow in our cheeks and just enough time left on the parking ticket to nip to the shops.
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Stockists
about you
about interiors
about style
Carley Hill Hair 29 Market Hill Framlingham. IP13 9AN T: 01728 621068 www.carleyhill.co.uk Framlingham Pharmacy 32 Market Hill Framlingham. IP13 9AY T: 01728 723477 www.cooperspharmacy framlingham.co.uk Victoria Bradfield T: 07775 662725 www.victoriabradfield.co.uk
Dix-Sept Antiques 17 Station Road Framlingham. IP13 9EA T: 01728 621505 www.dixsept.co.uk Inspirations 75 High St Wickham Market. IP13 0RA T: 01728 747577 Marlesford Antiques Main Road (A12) Marlesford. IP13 0AG T: 01728 748076 www.marlesfordmill.co.uk Olivie Market Hill Framlingham www.oliviestudio.co.uk Ruby Tyger No 1 The Mews Market Hill Framlingham. IP13 9AN T: 01728 724470 www.rubytyger.co.uk Soendergaard Design Fressingfield House Church Street Fressingfield. IP21 5AW T: 01379 586 200 www.soendergaarddesign.co.uk Swan House and Garden 2 Chancery Lane Debenham. IP14 6RN T: 07960 038280 www.swanhouseandgarden.co.uk
Castle Shoes 5a Albert Place Framlingham. IP13 9DX Tel: 01728 723470 Darcy B Hill House 13 Market Hill Framlingham. IP13 9AN T: 01728 720052 www.darcy-b.com Impulse Fashion Market Hill Framlingham. IP13 9AN T: 01728 724969 Inspirations 75 High St Wickham Market. IP13 0RA T: 01728 747577 Out And About Clothing Ardleigh Worlingworth Dunmow T: 01206 230283 www.outandaboutclothing.co.uk Ruby Tyger No 1 The Mews Market Hill Framlingham. IP13 9AN T: 01728 724470 www.rubytyger.co.uk The Jewellery Studio 2 Market Hill Framlingham IP13 9AN T: 01728 723353 sarahcolejewellery.co.uk Trulock & Harris Ore Trading Estate Woodbridge Road Framlingham. IP13 9LL T: 01728 724776 www.trulockandharris.com Urban Vintage 4b Market Hill Framlingham Tel: 01728 727481 www.urban-vintage.com
Photography credits Dominic Whiten Coastal Creative Photography www.coastalcreative photography.co.uk Rufus Owen www.rufusowen.com
The Cook Shop 3 Well Close Framlingham. IP13 9DT T: 01728 723757 www.krcookshop.com
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