KL Magazine September 2013 by KL Magazine

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 2013 PRICELESS

magazine

NORTH & WEST NORFOLK’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

COVER IMAGE

Binham Priory by Ian Ward

editorial 01553 601201

editor@klmagazine.co.uk

Eric Secker Holly Milston Amy Phillips Ian Ward Alex Dallas Graham Murray Michael Middleton

advertising 01553 601201 sales@klmagazine.co.uk

Laura Murray Grant Murray Nicky Secker-Bligh Vicky Corielle

contact

18 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JW 01553 601201 www.klmagazine.co.uk KL magazine cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and KL magazine takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. If you’d like to order prints of any photograph featured in KL magazine, contact us at the address below. Please note this applies only to images taken by our own photographers.

inham Priory is one of those real undiscovered gems – it’s remarkable how few people are familiar with it, even though it’s a hugely impressive site and still the centre of much religious and cultural activity. It also has a fascinating past, some of which is covered in this month’s magazine (see page 90). In fact, the meeting of past and present is something of a theme this month, as not only does North Norfolk Railways’ popular 1940s Weekend return to the Poppy Line (page 8), but Norfolk Museums’ Tim Thorpe kindly gave us an exclusive look at an amazing discovery he recently made in the King’s Lynn museum stores (page 56). It’s a great time to be celebrating the natural world as well. Sculthorpe Moor is 10 years old, and you can read all about the valuable work of the Hawk and Owl Trust on page 26. Gamekeeper Nigel Davies gives us a unique insight into the varied (and ever-changing) role of the gamekeeper (page 14), and Vanessa Scott is looking forward to this month’s Brecks Food and Drink Festival (page 42) – which does an excellent job of promoting local food and producers. Oh, and who could forget - it’s back to school time! Many thanks to Philip John, Headmaster of Gresham’s, for taking the time to talk to us at this busy time. KL MAGAZINE

KLmagazine September 2013

Contents 7-13

WHAT’S ON This month’s diary of forthcoming events

8-10

BACK TO THE 1940s A vintage weekend on the railways

SEPTEMBER 2013

14-18 THE KEEPER OF THE GAME The role of today’s gamekeeper 20

THE BIG INTERVIEW With Headmaster of Gresham’s Philip John

THEN & NOW The changing face of King’s Lynn

26-28 SCULTHORPE MOOR CELEBRATES The work of the Hawk and Owl Trust 31

PETS Help and advice with local vet Alex Dallas

32-39 FASHION The latest looks from the local boutiques 42-44 THE BRECKS FOOD FESTIVAL 2013 Swaﬀham celebrates the best of Norfolk 49-54 FOOD AND DRINK Recipes, reviews and recommendations 56-58 SOLVING A MEDIEVAL MYSTERY Tim Thorpe makes a remarkable discovery

63-72 INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS Why they’re becoming more popular 76-78 THE RED MOUNT OF KING’S LYNN A look inside this iconic building 84-86 EXPLORER A gentle walk around the Burnhams 90-92 BINHAM PRIORY An amazing history, an amazing building 96-98 HELEN BREACH A proﬁle of the popular local artist 102

THRILLERS AND LITERARY CATS We talk to local author Gayle Curtis

106

CROSS CURRENTS Canon Chris Ivory’s look at local life

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YEARS

Vintage Fair is back

5-6th October 10-5pm

Wednesday 4th September at 10am - Antiques, collectables, household furniture & effects. We hold regular auction sales of antiques, household furniture and effects and collectables on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Also off site auctions of farm machinery. Wednesday 18th September at 10am - Antiques, collectables, household furniture & effects.

Stationary Engines Ŕ Model Steam Ŕ Vintage Cars pre 1962 Ŕ MG’s Military Vehicles Ŕ Romany Gypsy Camp Ŕ Vintage Amusements Local Real Ale tent Ŕ Hog Roast Ŕ Craft Stalls

1 mile from Fakenham, NR21 0LN T: 01328 851 465 www.pensthorpe.com 6

Contact Julia or Barry for more information. 15 Lynn Road, Downham Market Tel: 01366 387180 Web: www.barryhawkins.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

September

10 YEARS AGO: Johnny Cash, legendary country singer, songwriter and guitarist died on 12th September

Wednesday 4th CLASSICAL CONCERT St Faith’s Church, Gaywood (7pm) The Cello Company (featuring Glenis Malkin), The Norfolk Student Brass Quintet and local Soprano Emma Bradley come together to perform a range of pieces including Bach and Debussy. This is the start of an exciting series of recitals being supported by Anglia Concertante – a nonproﬁt music group which gives young talented musicians the chance to share the concert platform with professional players. Tickets are £6 or £5 for concessions and under 18’s and are available on the door.

Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th Thursday 19th CINDY’S AUTUMN FASHION SHOW The Curlew Centre, Sutton Bridge (starts 1.30pm) Join Cindy’s for a fashion show and afternoon tea, and enjoy an exciting preview of the best of the new season collections. Tickets £10 available from from Cindy’s of Sutton Bridge, which will be open before and after the show. For details, call 01406 350961

Wednesday 25th PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: LATE SUMMER LANDSCAPES Holkham Hall (10am) This one-day course with professional photographer Nigel Downer and Holkham’s Landscape Manager Phillip Oldham, guides you around the Holkham Estate to photograph the many aspects of the landscape from the traditional ‘chocolate box’ pictorial to the more abstract and intimate. Through practical demonstration you’ll be shown how design and composition play a vital role in forming that aesthetically pleasing picture. The course is suitable to both the beginner and the more experienced in photography. Tickets £40 include a buﬀet lunch and car parking. Please bring your own camera and wear suitable footwear for walking in parkland – and go prepared for all weathers! To book contact 01328 713111 or e-mail ticketoﬃce@holkham.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

WNAA SMALL WORKS EXHIBITION Shakespeare Barn Gallery, King’s Lynn Arts Centre (10am-5pm) This is the third year that this prestigious exhibition of small pictures by the West Norfolk Artists Association has been held in the Shakespeare Barn, kindly sponsored and selected by WNAA member Andrew Schumann. The subjects and mediums of these small works are many and varied, and the only criteria is size (no larger than 12” x 12”) displayed on a complementary coloured background. Members of the Association always look forward to this exhibition and to the challenge of producing interesting and colourful works in a small format. The majority of the artwork will be for sale. Artists will be ‘in residence’ each day to welcome visitors, and the Pop Up Café will be open in the Shakespeare Barn on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (10am-4pm) during the exhibition, serving drinks and light refreshments. Free admission, and nearby parking in the Tuesday Market Square. For more details and information, contact WNAA Chairman Kit Price Moss on 01485 529223 or visit the website at www.westnorfolkartists.org

Friday 20th to October 5th MARI FRENCH: BEYOND THE SURFACE Greyfriars Art Space, 43 St James Street, King’s Lynn Contemporary artist Mari French recently swapped the rugged landscape of the Isle of Skye for the quieter appeal of Norfolk’s salt marsh coast. Since moving to Norfolk, French has been faced with very different inspiration for her art, but the same issues are reflected in her work – the evocation of weather, light, the seasons and of time passing. Her complex but accessible paintings continue to engage the eye and the mind long after the first encounter. Now in Norfolk, she is a full-time artist. She exhibits widely, and her work is held in private collections throughout the UK, Europe and USA. This is her first exhibition in King’s Lynn. For more details, contact Mari on 01485 520116

SEPTEMBER

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Tues 10–Sat 14 Sept ROUGH JUSTICE Tom Conti stars in suspenseful courtroom drama £6.50 - £26

Tues 24–Sun 29 Sept HAIRSPRAY Feel-good musical comedy favourite £6.50 - £45

Mon 16–Tues 17 Sept HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY Radio Show Live! With original cast members and special guest £6.50 - £27

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk T H E AT R E ST R E E T, N O RW I C H N R 2 1 R L

FILMS COMING TO THE MAJESTIC THIS SEPTEMBER! Riddick White House Down Rush Insidious: Chapter 2 One Direction: This Is Us 3D BARGAIN MONDAY £3 A TICKET ALL DAY! £3 FOR STUDENTS AFTER 4PM! EVERY THURSDAY! Like us on Facebook to see updates about upcoming films and offers! Tower Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1EJ What’s On: 01553 772603 Office (during film times only): 01553 771918

www.majestic-cinema.co.uk 12

KLmagazine September 2013

September

Saturday 14th SPECIALIST PLANT DAY Pensthorpe (10am-5pm) Calling all keen gardeners! The Norfolk Nursery Network returns to Pensthorpe with a Specialist Plant Day, showcasing the plants and produce from the county’s ﬁnest independent nurseries. There’ll be a vast selection of plants on sale and horticultural experts will be on hand, along with Pensthorpe’s own Head Gardener Imogen Checketts, to answer questions. Entry to the Plant Day is just £2 (proceeds go to charity) plus there’s reduced entry to the Reserve. For details call 01328 851465 or visit www.pensthorpe.com

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th FEATHER FEST 2013 The Feathers, Dersingham One of the friendliest pubs in the area hosts a two-day family music festival, with several local bands, Pimms, a beer tent, BBQ and hog roast, craft stalls, face painting, and lots more. If you’d like a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, Sunday features jazz and R&B. Free admission. For more details, please contact The Feathers on 01485 540768

KLmagazine September 2013

Saturday 28th WINE TASTING EVENING Westacre Theatre (7pm-9pm) A different sort of performance at Westacre, as the awardwinning theatre presents an evening of fine wines in the company of Mike Eggleton, wine connoisseur and enthusiast. Enjoy six different red and white fine wines, learn how to tell them apart, and get a preview of Westacre’s autumn programme of great dramatic productions. Tickets £15 from the Box Office on 01760 755800 or for more details, visit www.westacretheatre.com

Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th HELENA ANDERSON: SOLO YET AGAIN! The Old Warehouse Gallery, King’s Lynn Arts Centre (10am-5pm) This is Helena’s third solo exhibition at The Old Warehouse, and celebrates the continuing success of the Arts Centre Trust. This year, Helena’s new pictures explore the work of the Rescue Services, both animal and human – from the Air Ambulance to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and from the RNLI to Hillside Horse Rescue. She will be ‘in residence’ every day with the coﬀee pot on and the biscuit tin open, and will be looking forward to welcoming friends old and new. Helena will have cards, prints and silks for sale in addition to the pictures, and she’ll be raﬄing one of her paintings to raise funds for the Arts Centre Trust. She might also ask you to ‘name that animal’ for Hillside! Don’t forget the other three Galleries at the Arts Centre are displaying exhibitions by local artists at the same time! Free admission, and nearby parking in the Tuesday Market Place. For more details and information, contact Helena on 01553 760879, e-mail Helena@andersonart.net or visit her website at www.andersonart.net

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th TUDOR COSTUME DAY Oxburgh Hall (11am-4pm) It’s a fantastic location anyway, but this weekend some of the volunteers at Oxburgh Hall will be in costume, giving you a chance to discover more about Tudor dress and life in the years 1485-1603. There’ll also be some fun activities. Normal admission. For further information please contact 01366 327242 or see nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburghhall

Saturday 21st LAUNCH OF THE AUDI A3 SALOON King’s Lynn Audi, Hamburg Way, King’s Lynn Audi’s highly-rated and much-anticipated A3 Saloon arrives in King’s Lynn for the ﬁrst customer deliveries. Demonstrations can be booked now ready for the big day. Make a date to see what all the fuss is about – you won’t be disappointed. For more details call King’s Lynn Audi on 01553 779500

Local Life

ABOVE: North Norfolk Railways’ 1940s Weekend oﬀers an authentic glimpse into a bygone world of fashions, music and food

Play your part with calmness and courage... A weekend of rations, authentic nostalgia, new friendships and wartime adventures thanks to North Norfolk Railways

he 1940s was a truly defining decade. The first half was dominated by the worldwide upheaval of the Second World War, while the second half saw events that would affect the rest of the century – from the start of the Cold War to the creation of the United Nations and the welfare state. New states such as India, Pakistan, Israel and Vietnam declared their independence, new technologies such as computers and nuclear power were in the early stages of development, and some of the best films ever made reached the cinema (including Citizen 8

Kane, Casablanca, Rebecca, The Maltese Falcon and Black Narcissus). It’s a decade that still has an enormous appeal – from the fashions and the music to the selflessness and strength of the Dunkirk spirit. But what was it really like on the home front 70 years ago? Later this month, you have the chance to find out, thanks to the 1940s Weekend on North Norfolk’s heritage Poppy Line (Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd), which offers visitors an authentic insight into an era that’s long gone but still very fondly remembered. Imagine it: stations along the line are all protected against attack. Dad’s Army KLmagazine September 2013

KLmagazine September 2013

Local Life veterans practice their drills, even though rifles are in such short supply that broom handles have to take their place. Despatch riders are out in force. Members of the armed forces in uniform are either going on leave or returning to duty. Civilians struggling with food rationing and shortages are tempted by fast-talking spivs (if you ever wondered where it came from, the name for these black market fiddlers was created by reversing VIPs). NAAFI caterers help feed body and soul – they’re not in a stew, even if their tea is. And overhead, a Spitfire roars defiance. The Poppy Line –which runs between Sheringham and Holt – becomes a living stage on which the fashions, the gallows humour and the indomitable spirits of the 1940s deliver on the Ministry of Information’s poster promises – Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory! Now over 10 years old, the 1940s Weekend is one of the UK’s foremost wartime re-enactments, and attracts specialist (and hugely talented) amateur ‘re-enactors’ from all over the country. They’re supported by a team of railway volunteers who are doing everything from sticking tape on the station windows (to minimise blast damage from flying glass) to preparing Spam fritters. This year, the weekend will also feature a parade through the streets of Sheringham on Saturday evening, and a ‘People’s Parade’ before the closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon. The latter is open to everyone – so it’s a great opportunity to arrive in period dress to add to the atmosphere. Oh, and if your wardrobe is a bit lacking in the 1940s department, the 1940s flea market at Holt station should come in very handy. “Over the last few years, our 1940s Weekend has increased hugely in both size and stature,” says Hugh Harkett, Managing Director of the North Norfolk Railway. “It’s now the Poppy Line’s biggest single event, and it attracts visitors from all over Britain. It’s also really encouraging to see so many local people and businesses getting involved in the spirit of the thing.” 1940s WEEKEND September 21st-22nd Daily fares include travel on as many trains as you like: £16.50 adult, £16 senior citizen, £10.50 children 5-15 and £43.50 family (2 adults/2 children, or 3 adults/1 child). Platform tickets at each station are £2 a head. You can book online at www.nnrailway.co.uk or call 01263 820800 – and receive a 10% discount if you book before September 14th.

KLmagazine September 2013

KEEP CALM AND

CARRY ON STEAMING See what life was like on the Home Front over 70 years ago

THE ‘40s WEEKEND ON THE POPPY LINE SAT/SUN SEPT 21/22

10 %OF F

ticke ts bo befor oked Sept e 14 www.nnrailway.co.uk or call 01263 820 800

* The £5 spending voucher is not available with family tickets for this weekend.

N.NorfolkRailway@Teady

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY Sheringham Station NR26 8RA Holt Station NR25 6AJ

North Norfolk Railway plc

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KLmagazine September 2013

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KLmagazine September 2013

PICTURE: RAY KIMBER ABOVE: The amazing sight of Golden Plover outside the Parrinder Hide at RSPB Titchwell Marsh – now the subject of a new DVD

Birdwatching at RSPB Titchwell Marsh A new film celebrates the 40th anniversary of Titchwell Marsh reserve and highlights its dynamic collection of wildlife...

SPB Titchwell Marsh is one of the country’s premier nature reserves and has welcomed millions of visitors since it was purchased in 1973. Now, a new ﬁlm helps celebrate Titchwell’s 40th anniversary as well as the dynamic collection of birds and wildlife that can be seen on the reserve throughout the year. Nature is having a tough time throughout the UK as the latest ‘State of Nature’ report clearly shows – 60% of the 3,148 UK species assessed have declined over the last 50 years, and a worrying 31% have declined strongly. We can all help by ‘doing our bit’ and supporting wildlife in our own gardens and the UK’s wildlife organisations generally. RSPB Titchwell Marsh is moving with the times, but more importantly, it continues to give nature a home for future generations to enjoy. The new DVD shows the whole birdwatching year at Titchwell –

KLmagazine September 2013

beginning in January and moving through spring, summer and autumn to the close of the year. A wide range of species are featured and include exciting birds like the Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit, 24 species of waders and 10 species of Warblers. An added bonus is the inclusion of various mammals, butterflies and dragonflies. The film covers a total of 116 species in 85 minutes and is highly recommended for avid birdwatchers, lovers of wildlife and nature, and people who just want to relax and enjoy what one of Norfolk’s top nature reserves has to offer. A brilliant feature is that the DVD comes with two soundtracks, so you can either listen to the detailed narration or simply enjoy the ambient sounds of nature. It’s the ideal gift for the wildlife enthusiast or nature lover and costs only £13.95. Call in to the RSPB shop at Titchwell to buy your copy or call 01485 210779 to order by mail.

TITCHWELL MARSH The reserve is open every day of the year. The visitor centre and shop are open daily 9.30am-5pm (4pm November-February). The cafe is open daily from 9.30am-4.30 pm (4pm November-February). All are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Entrance charges There is a facility charge of £4 per car for non RSPB members.

giving nature a home 101

Local Arts

Gayle Curtis KL magazine talks to local writer Gayle Curtis about lost children, psychological thrillers and literary cats... 102

KLmagazine September 2013

“My name is Rebecca Bandford, only it isn’t the name I was born with. I am a child killer. at is a reference to me that is true and unchanging. I don’t even know who I am. I know that I am a part of your society and I am a product of my circumstances and surroundings, but I am socially invisible, even though I am infamous. People become lost under their labels; wife, mother, father, sister... I am entrenched under mine.” – Shell House by Gayle Curtis KL Magazine: Unlike many ‘local’ writers, your Norfolk roots are quite deep aren’t they? Gayle Curtis: I was brought up in Downham Market, and most of my family originate from Norfolk. My mother descends from a large ﬁshing family in the North End and my father grew up in Denver. KL Magazine: Why did you start writing? Gayle Curtis: Reading has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and I was always scribbling little stories. I never took it seriously – it just seemed too out of reach. Then ﬁve years ago I got a contract with a literary agency and it all began to unfold. KL Magazine: What does your admittedly ‘vast’ menagerie actually contain? Gayle Curtis: Sadly, our vast menagerie has dwindled over the past 18 months. Many of the elderly have passed on – Miss Havisham (from Wilfred’s book) was 21! We now have three cats and four rabbits, a resident squirrel called Edith (who also appears in the book) and a hedgehog who tells me his name is Reginald. Devastatingly, we lost Wilfred last January. KL Magazine: How did the adventures of Wilfred actually begin? Gayle Curtis: Wilfred loved writing letters to people – some to my parents about his lack of invitations to their house for dinner, my mother-in-law because he felt she needed ‘teaching’ about the culinary arts, and a homesick friend who was staying in Australia. It gave me an idea for a book. He was terse, but loved for it... KL Magazine: Andy Scordellis (featured in February’s magazine) illustrated that book – Wilfred, Fanny and Floyd: Autobiographical Sketches of a Culinary Genius – how did that association come about?

KLmagazine September 2013

Gayle Curtis: My mother is a member of Downham Market Art Circle, as is Andy himself. When I was looking for someone who worked with pen and ink, she put us in touch. I loved the way he excellently captured Wilfred’s personality. He’s a brilliant artist. KL Magazine: Your most recent book Shell House has been described as mesmerising, shocking and brutally honest – where did the original idea come from? Gayle Curtis: I studied the case of Mary Bell for many years when I was younger, and a trip to the Shell Museum in Glandford with my eldest sister two years ago triggered the story. However, I have no idea how the two connected in my head! KL Magazine: Your debut novel Memory Scents features three women linked by their connection to a nightmare. What inspired that? Gayle Curtis: It was the tragic local story of April Fabb, another case I have studied in depth. I watched old footage of her mother being interviewed for a documentary when I was 16. The not knowing what happened to her daughter and the anguish that brought has stayed with me for years.

you do. Why focus on one negative when you have so many positives? Friends and family don’t see it like that, which makes me laugh and feel very protected! KL Magazine: What’s your favourite book? Gayle Curtis: There are many books that I love for various reasons, so I don’t have a single favourite. The best book I’ve read this year is To Catch a Butterfly by T. M. Payne. A fantastic read! KL Magazine: What’s your next book about? Gayle Curtis: I’m actually writing two at the moment! One is a thriller about a sociopath obsessed with symmetry and the disappearance of his mother. The second one is a psychological portrait of a woman who rejects her child because she believes he was swapped in the hospital when he was born. They have parallel similarities but one is creepy and the other just very sad. KL Magazine: When can we expect to read them? Gayle Curtis: Hopefully, some time next year – it depends if my literary agent likes either of them!

KL Magazine: You live in a lovely place, surrounded by animals with literary ambitions – so why do you think you’re attracted to the darker side of things in your writing? Gayle Curtis: I’ve always been fascinated with the psychological depths of a person, whoever they are and whatever they’ve done. Living in a beautiful place and being very lucky gives me the freedom to explore this subject without it aﬀecting me. KL Magazine: Do you read your reviews? Gayle Curtis: Yes – as do all my friends and family. Bad reviews go over my head; not everyone is going to like what

Gayle’s books – Shell House, Memory Scents, and Wilfred, Fanny & Floyd (Autobiographical Sketches of a Culinary Genius) – are all available from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions.

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Have KL magazine delivered to your door every month! KL magazine has always been enormously successful, and by popular demand we’re now introducing a subscription service – which means you won’t even have to leave your home, as your very own copy posted direct to your door! For £25, you can receive the next six issues of KL magazine, and £48 you can receive every issue for the next 12 months. Please note that we can only deliver to UK postal addresses. So, to make sure of your copy of KL magazine, please contact us on 01553 601201 – and thanks again for all your feedback!

To subscribe and for more details, please call 01553 601201 104

KLmagazine September 2013

My KL

The page made by KL magazine readers

Dear KL magazine... I read in the August issue of your excellent magazine about the ‘Then and Now’ Nelson Street mystery (above). Some of the details about Gregorys & Hampson are not correct, however, and I thought your readers might be interested in the following. The company’s original partnership was indeed dissolved, but the notice in the London Gazette entry of 8th December 1905 further reads: “...all debts due and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by said Frederick Gregory and Leonard Hampson who will continue the said business under the style or firm of Gregorys and Hampson. Dated 20th November, 1905.” It would appear from reading the Gazette entry in its entirety that the original dissolved partnership had three partners and the continuing partnership had just the two partners. Indeed, the firm was still trading until at least the very late 1960s as the transport company for whom I then worked (as Transport Manager) regularly hired tractor units from them when their own merchanting work was slack. The title of the firm then was Gregorys and Hampson Ltd and their Transport Manager was a gentleman by the name of Gordon Dawes. Their older, rigid vehicles used to enter the Nelson Street entrance to their premises very laboriously by shunting back and forth many times, and I have a feeling they subsequently de-camped to another address (possibly in Setchey) when the complaints of local residents increased and the legislation of the day permitted longer and larger vehicles – which couldn’t then gain access to the premises. DAVID MORGAN Grimston

KLmagazine September 2013

KL magazine recently joined Debenhams in celebrating the launch of their new Benefit counter, which brings a vibrant global brand to the High Street in King’s Lynn. Founded in 1976 by twins Jean and Jane Ford (they actually tossed a coin to decide whether to open a beauty boutique or a cafe) Benefit cosmetics are now sold at over 2,000 counters in over 30 countries around the world – it’s a fabulous range that includes the world’s No.1 bestselling mascara (left). Thanks to Debenhams in King’s Lynn, loyal fans will love the fact Benefit is now a lot closer to home, while new customers have a world of great cosmetics to look forward to. Book now for a one-to-one VIP Benefit experience at Debenhams where you can learn some top tips and try some of the bestselling products. KL magazine Editor Eric Secker opens the Benefit counter at Debenhams in King’s Lynn (above), while Sales Manager Nicky Secker-Bligh samples some of the brand’s amazing products with Benefit beauty consultant Nancy Reeve (below)

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Local Life

CrossCurren s with Canon Chris Ivory, King’s Lynn Minster

he response of visitors to the Minster is always interesting to observe. For many there’s a definite ‘wow’ when they step inside, often followed by a tinge of anxiety about the leaning arches and the drunken pillars. “Is it safe?” flashes across people’s minds. Not many run for the exit, and most trust that since St. Margarets has been as wonky as it is for hundreds of years, it’s not likely to collapse immediately. Those who explore carefully find the most interesting aspects of the building in the details – the splendours of the reredos and the organ case, or the intricacy of the mediaeval wood carving, or the great brasses. I’m always a bit worried that visitors will ask intelligent questions to which I have no idea of the answer, and it’s sometimes amusing (it’s sometimes concerning!) to overhear people talk complete nonsense with absolute authority about particular aspects of the Minster – but with such a long, complicated and often unclear history, nearly everything is up for debate. Most worrying for me is being asked about St Margaret of Antioch, our main Patron. It’s not only that nothing historical is known about her, it’s worse than that. Most scholars agree that she never existed – her story is probably an amalgamation of the stories of a number of different young women martyrs. If you find the existence of dragons a bit difficult to swallow (or the idea of being swallowed by one, like St Margaret) then the legend becomes even more problematic. Am I being disloyal to the King’s Lynn coat of arms

106

which features three dragons’ heads each with a cross sticking out of their mouth – the cross to which Margaret clung as she was swallowed by the beast? Shall I be banished from the Borough? Or will there be a campaign for a more credible, if more mundane, emblem? Perhaps, but if Margaret’s cross protruding from the dragon’s jaw is a visual reminder to hold ﬁrmly to our values despite all the pressures and the problems that threaten to consume us; if it is a reminder that we can trust in God despite all the overwhelming threats, then our ancient emblem can still have an honoured place. At the end of a busy day it’s always interesting to glance at the comments in the Visitors’ Book. The majority of them mention beauty and peacefulness, so perhaps I shouldn’t worry too much about historicity! It is the reality that the building itself conveys that is most inspiring. It’s a place where people have gathered (or gone alone) for over 9 centuries to be with God, to ﬁnd peace and solitude, to think and to pray. The struggles of the Minster’s history can be seen in its stones, in the crazy angles of the pillars and arches, the leaning walls, the remains of parts collapsed or demolished, and the makeshift nature of some of the rebuilding. But equally apparent is the careful newer work that enfolds and supports the

frailer parts, the new building raised on old secure foundations, the beautiful and amusing wood and the stone carvings. This building has seen times far harder than our own, and perhaps times more glorious too, and so the building can hold our deepest sorrows and our greatest joys. The crazy architecture of the Minster reflects the crazy architecture of our lives – its scars mirror our own wounds. But the enfolding support, and the hopeful rebuilding on secure foundations, can equally reflect our lives, and it’s all held together to make something very beautiful. Buildings are not eternal, but they are significant. Our frailty is not eternal, but it is part of who we are – the material that will be perfected, healed, forgiven, and made new.

KLmagazine September 2013

Local Life

ABOVE: Gamekeeper Nigel Davies in one of his release pens on the Stow Estate – every tree and every plant is a familiar face

It all comes naturally to the keeper of the game Nigel Davies has been a gamekeeper at the Stow Estate for 41 years. Here, he talks to KL magazine about his ever-changing role

igel Davies has been a gamekeeper for over 40 years, but he’ll be the ﬁrst person to admit he’s still learning. “I started at 15 and I knew it all by the time I was 18,” he says, “but now I’m 56 I’ve realised that when you’re dealing with nature, you never know everything.” As gamekeeper for the Stow Estate Trust, Nigel’s responsible for some 9½ square miles (around 4,500 acres), and

over the years he’s seen the job change enormously. At the start of the 20th century there were around 10,000 fulltime gamekeepers in the UK - today there’s around 3,000. “It’s more about simple economics than the way people feel about shooting,” Nigel explains. “The rising costs involved in organising shoots – and attending them – mean that fewer people are taking it up now. It’s a traditional country sport in every sense of the word, and though

KLmagazine September 2013

Local Life

ABOVE: Nigel explains the history and medicinal properties of ground ivy in the shadow of one of the estate’s 450 nest boxes (this one is for tawny owls).

sportsmanship, tradition and a respect for the game haven’t died out yet, we have to make determined efforts to keep them alive.” Indeed, caring for the welfare of game birds is where it all started. When the Normans weren’t building castles and churches all over England, they were introducing deer and rabbit – which the Britons soon found very much to their taste. To prevent the random killing of these animals, a new role was created – Keeper of the Game. Todays gamekeepers are still concerned about poachers, but their main work is to help pheasants, partridges, hares and deer thrive in the countryside. That means maintaining the woods, hedgerows and fields in which the game birds and animals live is crucial. Most game birds need good grassy cover in which to nest, plenty of food and protection from rats and crows which would otherwise attack and eat the chicks. Hares need open country and protection from foxes. This, in turn, has another effect. Because lots of other wild birds and animals benefit from these things too, gamekeeping helps to ensure a balanced environment with plentiful wildlife. Which is good news for rare and endangered species. It may come as a shock to learn that Britain’s gamekeepers look after far more countryside than all the National Parks and nature reserves in the country put together. “It’s a part of the job that many people simply don’t realise,” says Nigel. “On the estate we ring up to 2,000 wild birds for BTO research. We have rare butterflies and a type of fern that’s found nowhere else in Norfolk. In

KLmagazine September 2013

Our next sales will be held on: 19th September 2013 12th December 2013 at Princess Louise House Hammersmith Road, London W6 7DJ

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Local Life

“For a gamekeeper, a good pair of binoculars is just as important (if not more so) than a gun. I probably won’t change anyone’s mind if they’re anti-shooting, but I hope I can change the way they think about nature and how it works...”

ABOVE: Nigel Davies has kept a careful eye on the Stow Estate for 41 years – yet he says there’s something new to be learned every day

recent years we’ve put up about 450 nest boxes, and our Barn Owl project has been very successful. We ring more yellowhammers on the estate than the rest of Norfolk put together.” No one’s better placed to understand the ramifications of working with nature. “Having a healthy owl population isn’t just about having beautiful animals around,” he explains. “It means we have a natural and effective control on the rat population, so we don’t have to rely on chemical and man-made pest controls.” Of course, like most gamekeepers, Nigel also hand-rears pheasants and partridges for release into the countryside, supplementing the wild stocks. This time of year, the birds are carefully released, and though some will be shot over the winter, many will survive to strengthen numbers in the wild. “Many people don’t understand that aspect of gamekeeping,” Nigel explains. “I don’t raise birds to be shot – I raise birds to be missed. Essentially, shooting is all about sportsmanship and showing respect for the animal. If the only thing people are interested in is hitting something, then they’d be better off

taking up clay shooting.” Without gamekeepers, we wouldn’t have shoots – and without shoots the rural economy would suﬀer. A recent survey by the economic consultancy PACEC found that shooting supports 70,000 full-time jobs in the UK and boosts the economy by £1.6 billion a year. “In this country we seem to have a conﬂict between the enjoyment of shooting as a traditional country sport and the appreciation of wildlife,” says Nigel. “It’s as though you can’t do both

at the same time, but the truth is quite diﬀerent. You can’t do this job - at least you can’t do it properly - without a real love of nature.” As you walk around the estate with him, it’s clear that Nigel has an incredible understanding of the natural environment around him. Just after a magniﬁcent red deer bounds across a dyke into a wood, he bends down and picks a few leaves from the mass of grass, weeds and nettles around us. “See this? It’s gill – ground ivy to some people – and the Saxons used it to make ale before the arrival of hops. It’s also been used in cheese-making as a substitute for animal rennet. I’m fascinated by the folklore and history of plants as well.” If you’d like to improve your understanding of our natural surroundings and the work of the modern gamekeeper, you can visit www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk for details of Nigel’s regular talks, events and walking tours. “The most important thing I’ve learned in my 41 years as a gamekeeper,” he says, “is that you can try to ride over nature, but nature will always win in the end.”

KLmagazine September 2013

Everything Outdoor

Everything Outdoor - it’s more about a lifestyle than a range of clothing Autumn / Winter ranges from Dents, Alice Collins, Vedoneire and a new range of casual clothing from Raging Bull all in store now. Last few days of SALE - many items reduced. Open Daily.

The Reading Rooms, Holkham Village (Opposite Adnams) Norfolk NR23 1RG Tel: 01328 712120

www.everythingoutdoor.co.uk Sandringham Visitor Centre Sandringham Estate, Norfolk PE35 6EH Tel: 01485 298082

CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM COUNTRY Purveyors of fine country wares

Charity Clay Shoot in support of Scotty's Little Soldiers. Christopher William in association with Creake Abbey and Hayes and Storr Solicitors.

On Sunday 29th September 2013 at Creake Abbey a shoot will take place in the grounds between 10am and 3pm with a variety of disciplines including a 40 bird sporting, 2 man flush, pool shoot and a "have a go" stand for newcomers to the sport.

Creake Abbey, North Creake, Fakenham NR21 9LF Telephone: 01328 738983 Web: www.christopherwilliamcountry.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

The Big Interview

“Treating each pupil as an individual is at the heart of all that we do...” KL MAGAZINE: Could you give us a brief overview of where Gresham’s is today? PHILIP JOHN: Gresham’s is a vibrant, happy and successful independent, co-educational boarding and day school where I believe we bring out the best in each other. The school provides a high quality, fully rounded education where academic study is complemented by an exciting range of co-curricular sports, arts and music activities. KL: What does the future hold for Gresham’s? PJ: At Gresham’s we’re implementing an ambitious development plan that will continue a long-standing history of making innovative and progressive changes. The cornerstone of the development plan is the redesign of the Sixth Form, which will provide Gresham’s Sixth Formers with a distinctive academic experience and the full adoption of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme from 2015. KL: What’s the secret of Gresham’s success? PJ: Treating each pupil as an individual is at the heart of all that we do.

PHILIP JOHN Headmaster, Gresham’s 20

KL: What does your day-to-day role entail? PJ: In an ideal situation, I’d expect the day to be based around attending morning Chapel, dealing with correspondence, interviewing prospective pupils and their parents, visiting academic departments and observing lessons, supporting the pupils in their activities, and (of course!) attending meetings. KLmagazine September 2013

KL: What’s been your greatest achievement as Headmaster? PJ: That over 13 years, as the Headmaster of two leading HMC co-educational boarding schools, I have helped provide countless hundreds of young people with a safe, supportive and caring educational environment – and the opportunity to ultimately become successful in their lives. KL: What’s the most rewarding part of your job? PJ: Watching children of all abilities achieving the best they can in whatever they do and then moving on as wellrounded and well-balanced adults. KL: What have you learned from your work? PJ: That the greatest gifts we, as adults, can give young people today are life and leadership skills to prepare them for an ever more global and an increasingly less predictable future; combined with instilling a desire to learn and continue learning in order to be able to adapt to and overcome the challenges that will invariably lie ahead. KL: What do you like best about North Norfolk? PJ: Generally, it’s a wonderful place for young people to grow up – allowing them to enjoy the things that children ought to in their formative years; the countryside, the seaside and fresh air for example. KL: In your free time, how do you like to relax? PJ: Reading, listening to music (preferably with a glass of good claret!) and walking with my family and my dogs. KL: Who’s your biggest inspiration? PJ: The Headmaster who gave me my first job at Rugby School in the 1980s. His kind, liberal and innovative approach made me realise that being a Headmaster was the job for me. KL: What’s the best piece of advice you've ever been given? PJ: If in doubt, sleep on it. KL: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise people... PJ: I once entered the World Tin Bath Racing Championships – unfortunately, I sank at the first turn!

Gresham’s Cromer Road, Holt Norfolk NR25 6EA Tel: 01263 714500 Web: www.greshams.com KLmagazine September 2013

Conservatories and the four season solution... With over 25 years experience in creating beautiful conservatory and window solutions, ECOnomy Windows oﬀers some of the most innovative products currently available, and are continually introducing new products, new ideas, and new ways of making the most of your home. Things have changed. Today, it’s all about you and your lifestyle, and exploring all the possibilities a conservatory can oﬀer. Recently, ECOnomy Windows has opened people’s eyes to the exciting potential of Livin Rooms, tiled roof systems, loggia and orangeries. Now, ECOnomy Windows are introducing the veranda, which takes conservatories to a whole new level. It

NEW CONSERVATORY SHOW SITE AND E DISTRIBUTION CENTR

KLmagazine August 2013 18

really is the four season solution – making your conservatory ﬁt around your lifestyle, your home and your family and ensuring you get the most of it every week and every month of the year. It’s a brilliant idea – a stylish and contemporary glazed extension that utilises a striking roof ‘oversail’ to create a seamless link between home, conservatory and garden. Thanks to the expertise of ECOnomy Windows, it’s also an idea that can be executed in a number of diﬀerent

ways – on single or duo-pitch roofs, between two walls of varying lengths, or even on top of glazed side frames. In fact, whatever suits you and your home – and that extends to the many beautiful colour ﬁnishes, from Chartwell Green and Rosewood to Cream and Irish Oak. Trust Economy Windows to add a whole new dimension to your lifestyle – together with a reliable, professional and local service that’s second to none. Call now to discover more – or better still, visit their exquisite showroom!

CONSERVATORY SHOW PARK Elm High Road, Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE14 0DG Tel: 01945 588988 / 01553 777088 Web: www.economywindows.com E-mail: mail@economy-windows.co.uk 29 KLmagazine August 2013

History

West Norfolk: Then and Now

1935

2013 AN OLD VIEW OF CHAPEL STREET... This fabulous 15th century town house hasn’t changed much since George Plunkett took the photograph at the top on 12th August 1935, but its neighbours certainly have – just look at those lovely old advertising signs! Today’s Lattice House ﬁrst became a public house in 1714, and was (rather bizarrely)

ﬁned 40 shillings in 1899 for ‘permitting drunkenness.’ The sign above the door reads ‘W. Howlett’ – who were they? For more photographs of how things used to be in King’s Lynn and the surrounding area, contact Picture Norfolk – at the Norfolk Heritage Centre, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, The Forum,

Millennium Plain, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1AW. We’ll be bringing you another nostalgic look at West Norfolk next month. IN ASSOCIATION WITH

To view thousands of images of Norfolk’s history visit: www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk KLmagazine September 2013

There’s never been a better time to enjoy the very best of VW... t’s always an exciting time at King’s Lynn Volkswagen Centre, but there’s a definite buzz in the air at the moment. In addition to superb design, unrivalled build quality, fantastic specification and first-class service levels, there’s also a host of special offers helping make today’s Volkswagen range even more affordable. It’s something you wouldn’t expect from such a prestigious marque, but with up to £5,000 off new cars, there’s never been a better time to buy a Volkswagen. The highly-acclaimed Volkswagen Tiguan (pictured above) is now more comfortable than ever, and with £2,750 towards finance deposits, this perfect all rounder is the ideal choice for all driving conditions. Similarly, the Volkswagen Scirocco

(pictured below) is the most dynamic and technically advanced coupe Volkswagen has ever built, and with £4,612 off the purchase price, it’s now even more desirable. Even better news is that Volkswagen’s free insurance offer has now been extended to cover the classic Polo, the iconic Beetle (and its exciting cabriolet version) and the cleverly compact Up! As Volkswagen itself says, these cars will run and run, but the offers certainly won’t! Visit King’s Lynn Volkswagen Centre and see the complete range for yourself, or visit the website (right) for more details on just how good these offers are. Brilliant cars, and a brilliant opportunity.

details

KING’S LYNN VOLKSWAGEN CENTRE Bergen Way, North Lynn Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 2JG Tel: 01553 368012 Web: www.marriottmotorgroup.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

Insurance Matters WITH ADRIAN FLUX

etting the right insurance cover for your home isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always easy, with a large range of options to choose from and a variety of different limits for things like electronic equipment, pedal cycles and jewellery. Specialist home insurance broker Adrian Flux takes a look at 10 things to remember when shopping around for the best deal. 1. Assumptions: many quotation websites will make certain assumptions about your property to reduce the time taken to provide a quote, such as the type of construction and nature of your door and window locks. Before you take out a policy, make sure the assumptions made are correct, or you may not be covered in the event of a claim. 2. Underinsurance: Make sure you give an accurate assessment of the value of your contents to avoid falling foul of under-insurance. Go through your home room by room and estimate the cost of replacement of all contents. If you insure for ÂŁ20,000 but your contents are actually worth ÂŁ40,000, you may receive only a 50 per cent settlement, even for smaller claims. 3. Legal expenses cover will sometimes be included as standard or will

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sometimes be charged for as an optional extra. It covers you for a range of legal disputes, such as neighbour disputes, employment disputes, personal injury cover, consumer and taxation disputes. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require this cover, it may be better to select a policy that excludes it from the standard cover if it reduces the cost. 4. Home business: If you run a business from home, like an eBay or Etsy shop, you will need to declare this to your insurer, who may exclude business contents and equipment from your policy. Adrian Flux offers a home business insurance policy to cater for people who run small businesses from home. 5. Contents limits: Different insurers have differing limits for contents like money, pedal cycles, valuables and electronic equipment like TVs, computers and games consoles. You should make sure the limits are adequate for your needs, or see if you can increase them if you need higher amounts covered. 6. Lodgers: If you have a lodger, even if they are a friend, you will need to tell your insurer. You should also tell your mortgage provider or landlord. Your lodgerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possessions will not be covered under your home insurance, but they can

take out separate cover in their own name. 7. Collections: Some insurers are wary of providing cover for collections where their value is disproportionately high to the overall contents. These items will need to be declared, and Adrian Flux can usually SURYLGH VSHFLo HG FRYHU GHSHQGLQJ RQ security arrangements. 8. Pedal cycles: As well as checking standard limits to ensure your bike is fully covered at your home address, remember that your bike must be securely locked for theft cover to apply away from the home. 9. Smoke detectors: Check to see if your insurance requires working smoke GHWHFWRUV WR EH o WWHG ,I VR PDNH VXUH WKH\ DUH o WWHG DQG WHVW WKHP RQFH D ZHHN 10. Maintenance: If your home is in a poor state of repair, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a chance that insurers can refuse a claim if the damage can be attributed to poor maintenance. This is particularly relevant in winter, ZKHUH VWRUP GDPDJH FKLPQH\ o UHV RU burst pipes can all be mitigated against with routine maintenance.

For great deals on home insurance contact Adrian Flux on 01553 845 845.

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PICTURE: LIZ CUTTING | www.lizcuttingphotos.com

Local Life

KLmagazine September 2013

PICTURE: ANDREW PARKINSON ABOVE: On a misty morning, a Marsh Harrier makes a spectacular dive into one of the restored reed beds at Sculthorpe Moor

Great for people, even better for wildlife It’s a haven of wildlife and it’s important for our local birds of prey. A very happy birthday to local wildlife champions the Hawk and Owl Trust at Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve...

culthorpe Moor is a beautiful place set in the Wensum Valley just outside Fakenham and it’s the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life. Managed by the national wild bird of prey conservation charity the Hawk and Owl Trust, it’s a haven for a wide variety of wildlife from marsh harriers to glow worms, water voles to butterflies. By managing this important valley habitat for wild birds of prey, the Trust ensures the whole ecosystem the birds depend on benefits. “It’s one of the most effective ways

KLmagazine September 2013

you can help Britain’s birds of prey,” says the Trust’s President, wildlife presenter Chris Packham (probably best know for his appearances on Springwatch). The Hawk and Owl Trust was founded in 1969 to help save the Peregrine Falcon – which was in serious decline due to persecution and the eﬀects of pesticides such as DDT. Today, the Trust works for the conservation of all wild birds of prey and owls together with their habitats. This is done both in a series of nature reserves (such as Sculthorpe Moor) and

in partnership with others. Working with local communities and other organisations, farmers, foresters and landowners, the Trust researches, restores and manages nesting, roosting and feeding habitats and encourages a greater understanding of these very special creatures and helps secure their future. This year, Sculthorpe Moor celebrates its 10th birthday, having been oﬃcially opened by HRH The Princess Royal back in 2003. The reserve has come a long way since then, and to celebrate is designating 2013 a Year of

PICTURE: ANDY THOMPSON

Local Life

ABOVE: Tawny owl chicks making good use of the owl boxes at Sculthorpe Moor

PICTURE: DAVID GITTENS

There are 134 species of owl around the world, but only six are found in Britain and about 15 in Europe. The largest owl is the Eagle Owl, which stands up to 75cm high. It can have a 1.5m wingspan and weighs in at 2.7kg. The smallest is the Least Pygmy Owl, which is actually smaller than a sparrow.

ABOVE: Turf Moor Road – the beautiful route into Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve, which celebrates its 10th birthday in 2013

Biodiversity – with a packed calendar of events for all ages throughout the year. The reserve is actually having a twoday birthday party later this month. On September 21st-22nd, the reserve is inviting everyone to join a Birthday Bioblitz, which aims to find as many different animals and plants as possible on the reserve. You’ll have the chance to dip in the pond, wander through the woodland and root through the reed beds in the search for bugs and birds, mosses and mini-beasts, flowers and frogs. It promises to be a brilliant day out for both children and adults, and luckily there’ll be lots of experts on hand to help you identify your finds! With over a mile of curving boardwalk, the reserve has excellent access, and leads visitors gently through the various habitats – which is ideal for discovering what’s just round the next corner! It’s an experience everyone can enjoy, including wheelchair and mobility scooter users and those with young children in buggies. Feeders constantly attract birds close to the benches and hides along the way – where you can stop, rest and (if you’re lucky) enjoy watching an acrobatic stoat or an elusive water vole. You certainly don’t need to be a ‘twitcher’ with a high-quality pair of binoculars to fully appreciate the amazing wildlife at Sculthorpe Moor – it’s all around you. 28

No wonder it’s so popular with children– they can discover all sorts of interesting objects and have a go at games and quizzes. Sculthorpe Moor even has a classroom, which provides space for courses, activities and talks as well as oﬀering a base for visiting school groups. For more information on Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve and the programme of activities for this Year of Biodiversity, see the Trust’s website below. Although entry is free for members and children, there is a suggested minimum donation of £3.50 from adults visiting the reserve to help maintain the habitats for wildlife and the facilities for visitors. When you consider the importance of Sculthorpe Moor and the role it plays in helping our local wildlife, it’s a very small price to pay.

An owl’s eyes are so large (they’re bigger than human eyes) that there’s no room for them to move at all within its head. That’s why an owl can rotate its head through 360 degrees – and turn its head back and look vertically. An owl’s feathers don’t have stiﬀ edges like other birds, but are soft and downy – even its legs are covered in feathers. This allows them to ﬂy in virtual silence. Similarly, owls don’t oil their feathers as other birds do – if an owl gets wet, its feathers absorb water like a sponge, so they can't hunt in rain and have to shelter until the weather improves. Although owls can’t see in total darkness, some can see in light levels a hundredth of that in which humans see. Barn Owls can catch their prey in absolute darkness provided their quarry makes a sound. An owl kills its prey with its talons – not because they’re sharp (though they are) but by crushing. Not all owls hunt at night – the Short-Eared Owl hunts during the day and roosts at night. Nearly all owls sleep standing upright, but once again the Short-Eared Owl is an exception. It sleeps lying down.

DETAILS Sculthorpe Moor is open all year round Tuesday-Sunday except Christmas Day. Web: www.hawkandowl.org/sculthorpe Tel: 01328 856788 Twitter: @sculthorpemoor Facebook: SculthorpeMoorNatureReserve

Barn Owls give the impression that owls are slow and purposeful, but a ShortEared Owl can actually outﬂy a Peregrine Falcon. For its own survival, it sometimes has to. Four out of ﬁve barn owl pairs (80%) now have to nest in man-made nest boxes due to the loss of nesting habitat such as old trees and barns.

KLmagazine September 2013

QUALITY & SERVICE AT ITS BEST

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KLmagazine September 2013

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Pets

AnimalMatters Our monthly look at the issues concerning you and your pets with Alex Dallas of the London Road Veterinary Centre...

Free flea treatment! Yes it’s true – free product that really works to help you beat the fleas! With every three packs of treatment you’ll receive an additional free dose, and with every six packs you get two free doses! The great feature of this treatment is that it tackles two of the flea life stages instead of just one like other products. This means your home stays flea free and you can control infestation more quickly and effectively. Come and see us and we can give you specific individual advice for treatments for your cats or dogs – or both. We’ll help ensure your pets and home stay flea free, and we’ll save you some money in the process!

Walk on the safe side I

n the autumn of 2009, reports began of a strange disease affecting dogs that had been walked in the countryside, and more particularly in woodland areas. Locally, this was initially being seen affecting dogs who’d been taken to the woods around Sandringham, and then subsequently dogs walked around Shouldham and Thetford forests also appeared to contract the condition. Affected dogs appeared ill within a day or so of walking at these sites, becoming very ill very rapidly. They showed severe symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, shaking and unsteadiness, and in many cases a high temperature. Treatment has to be started as quickly as possible, and with fluid therapy and antibiotics and lots of nursing care, affected dogs can recover after a few days’ illness. Sadly however, there have been some deaths reported. The condition has now been named

Seasonal Canine Illness, as cases have only been seen in early autumn. I’m sorry to say that at the time of writing we’ve already seen our ﬁrst case of this year, but thankfully we had a successful outcome. What do you need to do? Well, ﬁrstly you need to be really watchful when walking your dog in woodland, observing what they’re eating and drinking, and what they’re walking through. Perhaps you should consider keeping them on their lead. Personally, I would advise washing their paws after the walk and before going back in the car. Watch your dog(s) closely for any signs of illness and phone for advice immediately if you suspect your pet is becoming unwell. Finally, try to have a look at the Animal Health Trust website for more information – you can also download a survey form to help them research this still little-understood condition.

Your pets Many thanks to D Lowe of Fairstead for sending this picture of Riley giving his approval of the new Coastal Path at Holme – he certainly looks happy about it! Don’t forget to keep sending me pictures of your pets to Animal Matters at KL magazine, 18 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JW or you can e-mail them to editor@klmagazine.co.uk

LONDON ROAD 25 London Road, King’s Lynn t: 01553 773168 e: info@lrvc.co.uk HOLLIES Paradise Road, Downham Market t: 01366 386655 e: hollies@holliesvetclinic.co.uk KLmagazine September 2013

Fashion

fashion

Strong autumnal shades, trendy knits and country classics... the area’s boutiques have everything you need to stride into autumn with conﬁdence

Taupe jumper dress by Marie Sixtine (£115) ANNA | Burnham Market 01328 730325 KLmagazine September 2013

Manhattan collection by Frank Walder CINDYS | Sutton Bridge 01406 350961 KLmagazine September 2013

Fashion

Jacket by Alice Collins (ÂŁ69.99) EVERYTHING OUTDOOR | Holkham 01328 712120 34

KLmagazine September 2013

lizabeth

arby

AUTUMN / WINTER 2013 COLLECTION

FAKENHAM

6 Dereham Road, Hempton, Fakenham NR21 7AB tel: 01328 855312 www.elizabethdarby.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

High Chic At Allez Chic Exclusive clothes you won't find on the high street.

A selection from Allez Chic can now be found on a regular basis at the Hanse House, South Quay.

FASHION SHOWS WITH AUTUMN / WINTER COLLECTIONS Tuesday 1st October Sparkling Afternoon Tea at 2pm at Le Strange Arms Hotel, Old Hunstanton. In aid of The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House. Tickets £15 Call today on: 01485 542891 Thursday 17th October King's Lynn Golf Club at 7pm in aid of KL Rotary Club charities. Tickets £15 including hot supper. Call Pip Rippengill today on: 01553 631544

Tel: 01553 630820 | Mobile: 07951930776 Website: www.allezchic.co.uk Email: cheryldaubney@allezchic.co.uk

Fashion

Pickwell Quilted Jacket by Schoﬀel (£199.95) LINGS COUNTRY GOODS | Great Massingham 01485 520828 36

KLmagazine September 2013

INDULGE IN THE UNIQUE THIS AUTUMN

Get the Norfolk look with our country couture collection... in-store now

www.uniquegiftsandinteriors.co.uk Tottenhill | Castle Rising | Norfolk Lavender, Heacham | Hunstanton

A sense of style at Cindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prestigious fashion brands, personal service and a range of styles to suit everyone at Cindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Sutton Bridge...

KLmagazine September 2013

here’s an exhibition at the V&A in London at the moment that shows how the 1980s were the catalyst for some of the most creative and forward-thinking fashion styling to date, fashions that influence the way we dress today. 1980 also saw Cindy Marritt open her eponymous store in Sutton Bridge, which has grown to become one of East Anglia’s premier fashion houses, drawing style seekers from all over the country. “I’ve always made sure Cindy’s offers prestigious brands and high quality styles,” she says. “Our customers know that there’s always something new to see, something unique, something with a real touch of the individual.” This is fashion you won’t find on the high street, and that’s why Cindy’s is so well loved by so many people. With bigname brands such as Betty Barclay, Frank Walder, John Charles, Faber, Just White, Doris Streich and Viccio, Cindy’s offers a fantastic choice of styles for all seasons – a choice that’s

KLmagazine September 2013

available in sizes from 10-26 and covers everything from casuals to special occasion wear, from classic daywear to mother of the bride outfits. As the summer draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to discover Cindy’s Autumn 2013 collections, which includes a range of furs by JayLey, the UK’s leading specialist supplier of capes, scarves and accessories. “Fur’s going to be really big this year,” says Cindy. “It’s a lovely look when combined with some contemporary colours and styling. People are already getting quite excited about it.” There’s no doubt that Cindy’s offers a very special shopping experience. There’s always lots of expert help and advice on hand, and the personal touch even extends to a full tailoring service. With plenty of free parking and a comfortable seating area to relax in, Cindy’s offers a true sense of style and a very warm welcome.

CINDY’S 108 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire PE12 9SA Tel: 01406 350961 Web: www.cindysfashions.co.uk

Also stocking guns, ammunition and shooting accessories Heath Farm, Great Massingham, King’s Lynn, PE32 2HD www.lingscountrygoods.co.uk | www.mortonatv.com telephone: 01485 520828

Morton ATV all terrain and utility terrain vehicles

Are you looking for a venue that can be tailored to suit your individual requirements? Abacus Marquees provides both high quality frame marquees and traditional pole marquees, and have a wide range of furniture and accessories – including black Starcloth linings and Moroccan linings. If this sounds like your ideal solution for your prestigious event, then Abacus Marquees with their excellent service and competitive prices, can make it happen to help you create the perfect occasion.

Transform your garden into a fabulous venue Call today on 01328 701331 | www.abacusmarquees.co.uk Chalk Farm, Druids Lane, Litcham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2YA

KLmagazine September 2013

It’s time to take a fresh look at Goddards... Goddards complete a 8-year programme of refurbishment in every department – just in time to welcome the autumn collections!

ith the introduction of new branding and a fresh contemporary look to the exterior, the refurbishment of Goddards is now complete – and every department offers more fashion choice than ever. There’s never been a better time to visit. On the second floor, Goddards hirewear department covers 2,000 square feet and offers a fantastic selection of mens and boys formal suits – together with specially-trained staff to ensure you get the very best advice. And since Goddards have their own stock, you can see exactly how good you’ll look on the big day. On the first floor you’ll find ladies fashions – along with fresh coffee, comfortable seating and air conditioning! It’s a lovely place in which to browse all the styles, occasionwear, accessories and jewellery – and Goddards even offers a personal shopping experience if you like some KLmagazine September 2013

expert help and advice. On the ground floor, the menswear department offers an impressive range of brands (many of them exclusive to Goddards) that has everything covered – from modern styles to classic looks. Goddards also offers a free alteration and personal tailoring service – so that whatever style you choose, you can always be sure of a perfect fit. And with brands such as Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Gant, Lyle & Scott, Barbour, Joules and White Stuff, you can be certain you’ll look great too. “Every year we’ve made sure that Goddards offers our customers something new,” says Manager Gary Tillott. “The completion of the exterior with our new branding, and the arrival of some very exciting autumn

collections makes this the perfect time to take a fresh look at Goddards.” And with a large car park, disabled access and lift, coﬀee-making facilities and restrooms, it’s sure to be a very comfortable experience as well!

GODDARDS Wellesley Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1BQ Menswear 01553 772382 Ladies Fashions 01553 777188 Formal Hire 01553 772382 www.goddardsonline.co.uk

Local Life

ABOVE: Swaffham enjoys a taste of Norfolk’s finest at the Brecks Food and Drink Festival. Opposite: Festival patron Vanessa Scott and Sister Francis Ridler of Swaffham’s Sacred Heart School

Celebrating the very best of Norfolk’s food This month, the Brecks Food and Drink Festival returns to Swaﬀham. KL magazine gets a taste of what’s on oﬀer for 2013 – and the important work of the Festival. Pictures by Nick Ford.

he ﬁfth largest county in England, Norfolk has always earned its living from the land and the sea. The rural location and miles of coastline combine to produce a delightfully varied abundance of fresh produce, and when you ally that to a growing microbrewery culture, you’ve got a real gourmet’s paradise. It’s something that’s really worth celebrating, which brings us very nicely to the Brecks Food & Drink Festival, which takes place in Swaﬀham for the third time later this month. Building on the outstanding (and award-winning) success of the previous two years, the Brecks Food & Drink Festival 2013 is set to be better than ever. Working in partnership with the Iceni Partnership and Business Forum, the

three-day Festival will feature a pop-up restaurant, a special farmers market complete with cookery theatre and hilarious Waiters’ Race, an evening with the RSPB learning about birds and farming, a yoga and food event, Festival shop windows, and a Harvest Festival in the church of St Peter and St Paul. Vanessa Scott of Swaffham’s awardwinning Stratton’s Hotel and Restaurant is a Festival Patron and a significant driving force behind the Brecks Food & Drink Festival. “It’s an amazing chance to shout out about our wonderful diverse food offering,” she says. “From the landscape that offers the opportunities to the finished products themselves; from the very passionate people involved in making or producing them to the happy consumers themselves, the Festival gives us a much-needed

KLmagazine September 2013

Local Life platform to show what an amazing larder the Brecks has – including the reared, the cultivated, and the enormous wild offerings we have, from wild fungi to game.” The Festival is a wonderful celebration of the amazing countryside of the Brecks together with local food and drink, and showcases everything from the humble potato to the delicate flavours of the macaron, from local cheeses to chilled ales and from game to garden produce. This year’s Festival will be opened by Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk (who’s a great advocate of local producers) at the Unthank Supper Club pop-up restaurant in Swaffham, where London restaurateurs Henry and John from Leon will be guests of honour. The Festival itself has really grown over the years, and includes the Elveden Big Onion event on Saturday 7th, a Healthy Choices Wayland event at Watton on Saturday 14th, and even a Brecks Food Festival Art & Sculpture Trail at the lovely Wyken Hall, Stanton courtesy of Lord Carlisle and his wife Carla, who are both keen supporters of local produce. It’s also a celebration with a serious side. Reducing food miles and packaging, maintaining local varieties and recognising the contribution food production makes to the countryside are important issues, and ones very close to Vanessa Scott’s heart. “There are very clear benefits of choosing local food and drink,” she says. “It’s often fresher and it’s usually tastier, having had longer to ripen. It also helps connect buyers with producers and seasonality – which is vital for the local economy.” By promoting the Brecks, the Festival also does a marvellous job in raising our awareness of one of the best wildlife hotspots in the UK, which has almost 13,000 different species – 2,100 of which are of national conservation concern. By involving everyone from schoolchildren and tourists to local residents, producers and restaurants, the Brecks Food and Drink Festival is a fabulous way of learning about this very special landscape – while having great fun socialising with plenty of good food and drink. And if that hasn’t whetted your appetite, shame on you!

ABOVE: Enjoying last year’s Festival are (left to right) Maggie Cooper of CoCoes cafe at Strattons Hotel together with Mary Kemp, Vanessa Scott and Lin Murray

ABOVE: The Festival is a great opportunity to show oﬀ local foods and the amazing talents of local producers – where else could you ﬁnd an apple pie made with 50 types of Norfolk Heritage apples?

THE BRECKS FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 2013 September 13th–15th A full programme of events is available from www.aroundswaﬀham.co.uk and www.thebrecks.org

KLmagazine September 2013

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KLmagazine September 2013

Worzals celebrates a real taste of quality Just when you thought Worzals couldn’t oﬀer any more reasons to visit their fabulous 14-acre site, they go and introduce an amazing dining experience. Welcome to Worzals Bar & Grill...

f you’ve already discovered Worzals, you’ll know that it’s a fantastic farm shop and garden centre with a delightful coffee shop. You’ll know that it’s a family-run business that prides itself on offering a wide choice of locally produced and sourced products. You’ll already be familiar with the friendly service and the terrific value – and you’ll have already recommended it to your friends and family. In which case, you’ll be pleased to learn that now there’s a great deal more to Worzals – with the recent opening of the Worzals Bar & Grill. It’s only been in operation for a few weeks, but it’s

already making a big name for itself. “We always believed Worzals would be a big success,” says Kevin Curson. “As soon as we realised how popular the coﬀee shop was with our customers, extending and expanding the whole experience just seemed like a natural progression.” To say Worzals is now bigger and better is something of an understatement – whether you’re relaxing with friends, dining out with the whole family, or celebrating a special occasion, Worzals Bar & Grill oﬀers truly great food in stunning surroundings. The lounge area has been specially

planned to offer a comfortable, relaxed location. Sit back on one of the deep, sumptuous sofas, or settle back in one of the armchairs around the fireplace while you peruse the menu and take your pick from the lavishly-appointed bar. At Worzals Bar & Grill, you don’t have to settle for anything less than the very best. The bar offers over a dozen different beers, lagers and ales; a comprehensive wine and champagne list; and more than 20 cocktails. One of the bar’s most outstanding features, however, is the choice of whiskies, bourbons and malts on offer. There’s almost 40 to choose from, including

KLmagazine September 2013

some old favourites and some very special blends for the true connoisseur, such as the triple-distilled 25-year Midleton Very Rare, of which only 50 casks are released every year. Now your appetite’s well and truly whetted, you can sample the delights of the spacious open restaurant, which concentrates on homemade cooking and exceptionally fresh produce. In addition to ﬁsh, pasta and risotto dishes and a host of traditional favourites, there’s also a selection of gourmet steak burgers (made in house using the best Aberdeen Angus beef and Worzals’ own secret ingredients). The steaks, however, really are worth shouting about. Sourced from the award-winning Charles Ashbridge of Thirsk, and matured in house for a minimum of 28 days, they’re seasoned and seared to perfection on Worzals’ charcoal grills – and the even better news is that all meat used in the restaurant is available from Worzals’ own butcher in the farm shop, so you can enjoy the great taste at home. Outside, the expansive patio oﬀers a safe and exciting play area for little ones during the day – and makes a lovely location for al fresco dining in the evenings (Worzals Bar & Grill is open until 1am, and food orders can be placed until 10pm). With enough space for 160 people in the restaurant, 30 in the lounge, and 50 outside on the patio, there’s plenty of room to make the most of your visit. “The initial response from people has been excellent,” says Kevin. “They have a right to demand the very best when they’re eating out, and all of us here at Worzals are working hard to deliver exactly that.” For a taste of high quality local food served with a smile in a fantastic setting, Worzals Bar & Grill is well worth a visit. Actually, make that several visits.

details

WORZALS Lynn Road, Walton Highway, Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE14 7DA Tel: 01945 585758 / 01945 582231 Web: www.worzals.com

KLmagazine September 2013

Award Winning Restaurant This award winning pub prides itself on the quality of ale, which always includes a selection of four Real Ales on tap. Food is freshly prepared from the freshest, natural ingredients and sourced locally from farmers, fishermen and traders. Accommodation consists of 6 beautifully designed en-suite bedrooms, ideal for an overnight stay or a long weekend break.

Locally sourced fish that’s ideal for a light, easy Summer dinner. Lobsters and Cromer Crabs Local frozen game Local shellfish Fresh and smoked fish Brancaster oysters Hard-carved ham on the bone Free range eggs

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing drink or a short break away, The Crown Inn at East Rudham has it all. Call us today to make a restaurant or hotel booking.

D 01485 528530 | www.crowninnnorfolk.co.uk The Crown Inn, The Green, East Rudham, Norfolk, PE31 8RD

Extensive delicatessen counter with top quality Norfolk cheeses and olives from home and abroad!

NALDS

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 772241 OPEN: Tues/Wed 7am-4pm, Thurs/Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-3pm

The Baguette Stop

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Open daily Extensive menu Children’s play area Lovely location Plenty of parking

Telephone: (01485) 512194 www.villagedelithornham.com Email: villagedelithornham@gmail.com

KLmagazine September 2013

Food & Drink

Sheer pearfection eople have been enjoying pears since the days they lived in caves, so it’s hardly surprising there are now thousands of varieties out there. You’ll find long, thin ones, bright red ones, and round, bulbous ones that are hardly pear-shaped at all. The main British-grown varieties are Doyenne du Comice (lovely and soft), Conference (slightly granular in texture) and Concorde, which is a buttery-textured mix of the two.

CHOOSING Pears are at their juiciest in the late summer and early autumn, and as they easily bruise when ripe you should buy them when they’re slightly underripe, (firm but not hard and leave them to ripen at home. Don’t prod and poke them - pears ripen from the inside, and when they’re ready they should give

KLmagazine September 2013

slightly at the base. Avoid ones that are too soft at the bottom. PREPARING If you’re using whole pears, keep the stems on and peel lengthways with a vegetable peeler for a smooth look. For halves, cut lengthways and scoop out the core with a teaspoon. After peeling or cutting, brush your pears with lemon juice to prevent browning.

pears for a minute. Then put them in a small roasting tin, spoon over the juice and roast at 180o for about 20 minutes. GOES BEST WITH Parma ham, pork, cheese (especially blue cheese), crisp salad leaves, chocolate, ginger, red wine. GOOD FOR YOU Pears are a great source of fibre.

COOKING It’s always best to cook with underripe pears as they keep their shape better. Pears are amazingly versatile, and can be roasted, grilled, pan-fried and poached (a great tip for poaching whole pears is to cut a thin slice from the bottom so they don’t topple over). My favourite way of cooking pears is to melt some butter, sugar and cider in a frying pan and then add some halved

Food & Drink

Lemon Posset & Raspberry Sorbet (serves 6) INGREDIENTS For the Lemon Posset 500mls double cream 140g caster sugar Juice of two large lemons

For the Sorbet base: 300g caster sugar 300mls water 4tsp liquid glucose Juice of half a lemon For the Raspberries: 400g raspberries 75g caster sugar 1tbsp water

METHOD 1 Start with the lemon posset â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bring the cream and sugar slowly to the boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat. 2 Add the lemon juice and whisk well. Pour into tall serving glasses or ramekins and chill for 3 hours prior to serving. 3 Now for the Sorbet base. Place the sugar, water, lemon juice and the liquid glucose into a pan over a low heat. Stir the mixture slowly to the boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. 4 Now place the raspberries, sugar and water into a pan over a low heat and allow the fruit to soften. 5 Pass the mixture through a fine sieve into the chilled sorbet base and churn in an icecream machine or sorbetiere and then freeze. 6 Scoop the sorbet onto the posset and garnish with a few fresh raspberries and a little mint.

Recipe by Nick Claxton-Webb Head Chef, Congham Hall Hotel Grimston, King's Lynn PE32 1AH 01485 600250 | www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

Finally I have a kitchen that’s worthy of my cooking – thanks to Town & Country...

Everyone’s favourite kitchen. Nelson House, Bergen Way, King’s Lynn PE30 2JG 01553 766578 | www.towncountrykitchens.com

K I TC H E N S B E D RO O M S & B AT H RO O M S KLmagazine December 2012

Food & Drink

RestaurantReview

On a late summer evening, KL magazine visits The Feathers in Dersingham...

he Feathers is found in the small village of Dersingham, and it’s only a mile from the Royal Sandringham Estate. Built in the local area’s telltale carrstone, the pub was formerly a coaching inn and was purchased by the Sandringham Estate in 1882 for Albert Edward – which accounts for its current name (after the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales). We arrived at The Feathers on a sunny Friday evening, and although we had booked a table for two in the dining room, plenty of people had decided to make the most of the sun and were enjoying the plenty of outdoor seating in the large gardens (one’s even got a play area to keep the little ones happy). You can also eat in either the Sandringham or Saddle bars, but the baroque dining room makes for a very pleasant dining experience, with its nice touches such as the lavish wallpaper and antique gramophone. Even though it was a busy evening, The Feathers was very well organised. Our table was reserved by name, and the staﬀ were extremely friendly and helpful throughout, managing to be both competent and happy. From the good choice of wine by the

glass and range of local ales, we ordered a lovely Merlot and pint of Adnams’ famous Broadside as we considered the menu. I chose the Fillet of Black Sea Bream with a chorizo, pea and spinach risotto, while my partner generous helpings of a very nice opted for the Whitby scampi and chips selection. For a very reasonably-priced in a basket with tartare sauce and meal in a very nice setting (it’s an ideal lemon. spot for weddings and private My partner was thoroughly happy functions), I think The Feathers would with the scampi and chips, be hard to beat. I was particularly taken which was described as doing by the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. exactly what it said on the tin (I It even has a choice of en-suite must admit that I tried some of rooms if you fancy an overnight stay or the chips and I thought they a weekend exploring the many were lovely). attractions of the area. I was rather more impressed Highly recommended. with my fish, which was packed with flavour and cooked to FOOD SERVICE VALUE perfection. The risotto it rested on was a triumph, being tasty enough and good enough for a main meal in itself. THE FEATHERS We followed that by 71 Manor Road, Dersingham PE31 6LN sharing a plate of Tel: 01485 540768 cheese and biscuits, Web: www.thefeathers-dersingham.co.uk which offered

9 8 10 10

KLmagazine September 2013

CaféReview The Folly Tearoom promises to be filled with vintage romance, and it’s difficult to argue otherwise. This lovely tearoom in Holt’s Hoppers Yard is beautifully decorated. Even if you don’t sit in the secluded and carefully-tended garden, the tearoom is delightfully light and airy. The staff were very polite and friendly, and happily shared their knowledge (and recommendations) of the extensive selection of specialist teas available. I chose to have the Chinese Yunnan green tea (smooth and sweet) while my friend tried the Masala Chai, a fabulous sweet and spicy black tea from India. From the tempting choice of light lunches, I enjoyed a very impressive Quiche Lorraine (which arrived with a lovely tangy chutney and salad) while my friend tucked into a cream tea of deliciously fresh scones and clotted cream, the vintage cake stand it was served on only adding to the overall charm of the place. Together with the vintage clothing of Turnaround and the home furnishings of Uniquely Eclectic, the Folly really fills Hoppers Yard with some character and charm. We really did enjoy our lunch, and I’ve no doubt we’ll be back in the near future. The good news is that if you haven’t got time for lunch, the Folly Tearoom is open until 6pm during the week, serving early evening bites – sounds like a perfect way to round off a day’s shopping to me! FOLLY TEAROOM Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt NR25 6LN Telephone: 01263 713569 Web: www.follytearoom.co.uk Open: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm | Sunday 10am-4pm

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THE BERNEY ARMS

A traditional village inn offering luxury accommodation, with real ales and good food using the very best local produce.

Please see our website to register for forthcoming events Church Road, Barton Bendish Norfolk PE33 9GF Tel: 01366 347995

www.theberneyarms.co.uk info@theberneyarms.co.uk KLmagazine September 2013

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Food and Drink

Local honey There’s a huge choice of honeys out there (anyone ever tried French chestnut honey?) but since bees don’t travel more than a few miles, there’s plenty of home-produced honey to enjoy. We think it tastes better – and it’s certainly better for our local producers. Here’s some of our favourites: NATIONAL TRUST HONEY Oxburgh Hall, Peckover House and Felbrigg Hall all sell honey from their very own hives. You don’t get much more local than that! www.nationaltrust.org.uk THE NORFOLK HONEY COMPANY Each jar of this lovely honey has its own batch number and can be identified down to the individual beehive that produced it! www.tnhc.drupalgardens.com NORFOLK BRECKLAND HONEY Locally sourced from Orchid Apiaries, the honey is (good season permitting!) dark with a strong aromatic taste. www.mustardshopnorwich.co.uk BROWSTON BEES IN NORFOLK The hives are based near Great Yarmouth, and the honey – available from Greenfields in Gorleston and the Mardle Cafe and Bakery in Lound is well worth seeking out. www.norfolkbee.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2013

A TRADITIONAL PUB WITH TRADITIONAL FOOD

Great deals on great food! THE ANGEL CARVERY Thursdays 12noon–2pm & Sundays 12noon–3pm Booking advisable STEAK NIGHT Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays PIE NIGHT Monday nights only £7 and includes a drink

WHAT’S ON Monthly Quiz Nights (every 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30pm) Poker Nights every Wednesday at 8pm

Outside catering for weddings, business functions, etc Function room available Large car park Childrens play area Food served 7 days a week (excluding Monday lunch)

CURRY NIGHT Thursday nights only £7 and includes a drink SENIOR CITIZENS 2-COURSE LUNCHES Tuesdays to Fridays: only £8.50 (note: Carvery on Thursdays) LUNCHTIME SPECIAL On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Soup, sandwich or a wrap only £6 and includes a drink

CATERING FOR ALL TASTES

With top quality ingredients and a home cooking style, we have the perfect menu for you.

NEW RESTAURANT MENU CHILDREN'S MENU SPECIALS MENU VEGETARIAN MENU WINE MENU

CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN Book early to avoid disappointment. Party nights, Christmas lunch, evening and lunchtime meals. For Boxing Day and New year's day lunchtime buffet is available.

Find us on Facebook 41 School Road, Watlington, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 0HA

tel: 01 55 3 8 1 1 3 2 6 | we b : w w w. t h ea n g el p u b. we b s. co m

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Since 1930 we have been proud to trade on the highest quality meats, striving to source local produce from small independent local farms giving you the fullest, richest flavours. Traditional hung meat and cut to your requirements. We also sell Congham Rosé and Congham Phoenix wine. Plus! Don’t forget our bakery, award-winning deli.

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KLmagazine September 2013

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KLmagazine September 2013

History

ABOVE: Thew’s Printing Oﬃce in 1874 in a painting by WF Austin (1833-1899) – built on the site of Walter Coney’s House

The solving of a local medieval mystery KL magazine meets Tim Thorpe, Collections Oﬃcer for King’s Lynn Museums, who’s recently identiﬁed a weatherbeaten timber in the museum stores as a long lost architectural jewel...

t’s an odd life, being a Collections Oﬃcer for a local museum. Just when you’re in the middle of some research for a Heritage Lottery Stage II bid, you suddenly solve a medieval mystery and ﬁnd part of one of King’s Lynn’S architectural treasures that had been thought lost for the last 200 years. Tim Thorpe of King’s Lynn Museums is a frequent visitor to the museum stores over the last 18 years, and has passed a curious piece of timber countless times. Measuring just over 5ft long, it’s damaged, dull and weather-worn, but the remains of the intricate relief carving are still clear and it’s obviously of great antiquity. Collected in the days before museums held proper records of

KLmagazine September 2013

provenance, no one knows how or why or when it arrived at the museum. “I’ve passed it every time I’ve been to the museum stores,” says Tim, “and I’ve always wondered what it is and where it originally came from.” Recently researching some of the museum collections for a planned revamp of King’s Lynn Town Hall, Tim picked up a copy of William Taylor’s 1844 book The Antiquities of Lynn. “I came across a page of engravings showing details of parts of Walter Coney’s House,” says Tim (see picture right), “and my eye was drawn to an illustration at the top of the page. Suddenly, I realised it looked a lot like the strange piece of timber I’d been passing for years. I just grabbed my camera and made for the stores!”

History

LEFT: A comparison between William Taylor’s 1844 illustration (above) and the timber as it looks today

supported by angels, and on either side is a demi-angel holding a shield charged with St. George’s cross”. This description is clearly identical to the carving in the Lynn Museum stores. Much of Church Street was demolished in 1960 and Tim believes it’s likely the carving was then saved from destruction and passed to the museum, its original link with Walter Coney’s House by then being long forgotten. Thanks to Tim’s work, there’s now a provenance for this remarkable survivor of medieval architectural and an understanding of its signiﬁcance for Lynn’s heritage. The timber has now ﬁnally been accessioned into the Lynn Museum collections and will be cleaned, conserved and displayed for everyone to enjoy, possibly as part of the forthcoming King’s Lynn Town Hall HLF bid. Tim is currently looking into the possibility of carrying out dendrochronological or radiocarbon dating on the timber to provide an exact date of the wood and a more accurate guide to the age of Walter Coney’s House.

ABOVE: An illustration of Walter Coney’s House by JA Repton, published in Gentleman’s Magazine in March 1843 clearly shows the original position of the carved timber.

With a little detective work and some additional research, Tim had managed to identify a precious remnant of one of King’s Lynn’s true medieval wonders. Walter Coney’s House must have been one of the most visually impressive buildings of medieval Lynn, and was built around 1450. It stood where the Saturday Market Place meets the end of the High Street, and was the home of Walter Coney (died 1479), parliamentary representative, four-time mayor of the town, and alderman of the Trinity Guild. Judging from illustrations, Coney’s House was a beautiful medieval threestorey overhanging timber frame building decorated with ornate wooden carvings and ﬁgurines. Edward IV is said to have been entertained in the building while Coney was mayor in 1474. Sadly, the house was taken down in 1816, and the current brick building was the home of Thew’s Printing Oﬃce for most of the 19th century until the

1920s. Today, it’s a newsagents. The mystery remains – if Walter Coney’s House was demolished in 1816, how did the carving end up in the museum stores? “Parts of the house were apparently saved from total destruction when the building was taken down,” explains Tim, “and some carvings given to local people. William Taylor wrote his book almost 30 years after the house was demolished, and he clearly describes our timber as being fixed to the front of a house in Church Street.” The carving was also described in the March 1843 issue of Gentleman’s Magazine, which said “[it] still exists affixed to the front of a warehouse in Church Street, [featuring] the arms of the town, with a remarkable difference in chief, apparently intended to represent the holy wafer or host. The dragon’s heads of the arms of Lynn, are derived, it may be remarked, from the customary symbol of St Margaret, the patroness of the town. This shield is

The original illustrations of Walter Coney’s House by Edward Edwards, and the view of Thew’s Printing Works by W.F. Austin are on display in the Lynn Museum in the current King’s Lynn on the Map exhibition, which runs until the end of the year.

LYNN MUSEUM Market Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1NL Open: Tue-Sat (10am to 5pm) Tel: 01553 775001

KLmagazine September 2013

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KLmagazine September 2013

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KLmagazine September 2013

Private Education

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS Lessons for the future A special 11-page look at private education

Private Education

Independent schools: a question of choice Choosing to send your child to an independent school is a hugely important decision that will aﬀect the rest of their life. Becky Playford looks at a few of the questions you should be asking...

electing the right school for your four-year-old child is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions parents and often grandparents ever have to make – and one that comes round more quickly than you could have ever imagined at birth. As a new academic year gets underway the majority of children across all age ranges are educated in state schools. However, interest in the independent sector is growing with now more than 500,000 children enrolled in independent schools across

the country – and it’s easy to see why. The ethos of the independent sector is to recognise the individuality of every child and to foster traditional values, courtesy and respect. Good independent schools value the ‘uniqueness’ of every child and tend to acknowledge that all children are good at something. In most independent schools, class sizes don’t exceed 16, meaning children’s individual needs are catered for. Children with special educational needs perform better as many independent schools cater for these

children exceptionally well in smaller classes. Discipline is a cornerstone of all independent education, and head teachers and staff work hard to maintain this. A hard-pressed teacher with a mixedability class of 30 children may not have the energy to focus on a middle group, and a parent with an under-confident child who is ‘coasting’ may decide it’s worth pulling out all the stops financially for the extra attention that a private school can provide. Selecting the right school for your unique and special person is a

KLmagazine September 2013

Giving your child the best start in life... Glebe House School & Nursery - an Independent School in Hunstanton for children from 6 months to 13 years. A recent report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate quotes,

D AY N E X T O PE N D AY - SAT U R 5T H O C TO B E R , 10 A M

‘‘ The excellent friendly ethos which exists within the school community allows pupils to grow and flourish into self assured young people with a strong sense of who they are and what they believe in.” “ Pupils are successful in developing their knowledge, understanding and skills in their academic work and through the extracurricular activities on offer.’’ “All staff know individual children exceptionally well and are highly sensitive to pupils’ individual needs. They provide outstanding support in an approachable, friendly and professional manner.’’

Glebe House

School & Nursery 2 Cromer Road, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6HW | www.glebehouseschool.co.uk Contact our registrar Bridget Crofts on 01485 532809 (ext 4) | or email bmc@glebehouseschool.co.uk KLmagazine September 2013

Private Education

complicated business. Some questions to ask before your search starts are; > Is it to be a single sex school or coeducational? > Should you choose boarding or day school? If your child is to be a full boarder, do most of the other 'full' boarders go home at weekends, leaving the school in general an empty place? > How much contact can you have with your child if they board? Does the school have Exeats (more commonly known as weekend leave)? > How far away is the school? Is it feasible to make the journey each day or is school transport available. How much does that cost? > Consider the fees and any additional costs such as books and meals and extra-curricular activities. School websites should include information about these. > How big is the school? Would a smaller school suit your child better? Ofsted results, glossy brochures, the promise of dynamic resources and lavish open days can all paint a vivid picture of a school – but ultimately it’s the ‘feel’ and atmosphere of a school that strikes a chord and excites you. Beyond the open days which schools usually host once or twice a year, it’s best to visit schools during term time to see children and teachers in action.

Consider how the children behave in and out of class – do they greet you in a polite way? Are they focussed on activities that are engaging and purposeful? Do they look happy? You and your family may require wrap-around care so ask if there’s a breakfast club and after-school activities. Don’t hesitate to ask the children and teachers questions – however many. Teachers and children take pride in showcasing all aspects of their school and can provide you with on-the-spot information. Look to see how much children’s work is valued by its display on the walls. Are the facilities right for your child? Any good school will make your visit a relaxed and enjoyable experience in

order to attract your child to their school and ultimately their fee paying establishment. So, who qualifies for a bursary and how much financial support can be given? Private schools offer meanstested help, so the school’s bursar would be your first point of contact. Over 30% of children receive help with school fees, whether in the form of a scholarship, bursary or grant – and interest in some form of financial assistance is on the rise. You won’t be alone. The head teacher of an independent school once advised me that if I was going to do one good thing for my child, it would be to give them a private education. Of course, this comes at a price and school fees can vary widely depending on class sizes, facilities and location among other things. After doing your research, go back to basics. You know your child better than anyone and are in the best position to know which type of school will work best for them. Underpinning most people’s ideas of a good education are literacy and numeracy skills and knowing the difference between right and wrong. You need to match the qualities you consider right for education with those offered by the right school and remember you only get one little ‘Sebastian’ or ‘Tabitha’.

KLmagazine September 2013

Private Education

More parents than ever favour independents... A recent survey shows public confidence in the high standards of education offered by independent schools continues to be very strong – and that their confidence is growing

ore parents than ever would choose to educate their child at an independent school if they could aﬀord it, according to recent research. The Populus survey of 2,057 adults commissioned by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) found that nearly six out of ten (57%) of parents would send their child to an independent school if they could aﬀord to – only 25% wouldn’t. This is actually the highest favourable response in the

survey’s history – just over 10 years ago, 48% said they would send their child to an independent school and 42% said they wouldn’t. The research also highlighted better standards of education as the key reason parents would opt for the independent sector (51%). A large percentage of all adults (70%) agree that independent schools provide good university and employment prospects for pupils, as well as giving them opportunities to fulﬁl their potential.

The public strongly believes that independent schools have higher educational standards than state schools (59%), with only 6% believing they’re lower and 23% saying they’re about the same. The view that independent schools oﬀer a higher standard of education has been growing stronger over the past decade – it was 49% in 2002 – while by contrast, the proportion believing independent school standards to be lower has hardly changed, falling from 9% in 2002.

KLmagazine September 2013

Private Education

“This survey shows that the public increasingly recognise the exceptional quality of education provided by independent schools,” says Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, Deputy General Secretary and Head of Research for the Independent Schools Council. “The strength of these schools lies in their ability and commitment to offer a bespoke education to their pupils, giving them the very best start in life. That more parents than ever would like to send their children to an independent school is clearly reflected in the rise in pupil numbers in ISC schools this year. For the first time, this year’s survey presented questions on the public benefit work of independent schools. When asked about the different ways that schools can provide public benefit, the most popular options were bursaries and sporting partnerships. 59% of people agreed that offering bursaries is a good initiative, and 58% supported sharing sports facilities and holding joint sporting events. These findings correlate with the most common public benefit activities of independent schools in 2012 as identified in the ISC annual Census – 90% of ISC schools in England that are charities currently offer bursaries to lower income families (to a total value of £280 million), and 70% share their sporting facilities and events with state schools. As it did two years ago, the survey showed that 51% of the British public would support the use of government funds to enable children from lower

income families to attend independent schools – more than twice the proportion who would oppose such funding (21%). “This research shows that people recognise independent schools’ public beneﬁt work can take many forms,” says Lockhart. “We have a diverse mix of independent schools in this country and the ways in which they contribute to their local communities and support wider access to education are equally diverse. It’s encouraging to see ISC schools investing their skills and resources to provide opportunities in ways which people consider most valuable.” Opinions on other areas of public beneﬁt work which the public sees as being good ways for independent schools to engage in are:

70% of all adults agree that independent schools provide good university and employment prospects for pupils as well as giving them opportunities to fulfil their potential

> Helping prepare state school A-level pupils for entry to university (55% agreed) > Working with local schools to share lessons, knowledge and skills (53% agreed) > Working with schools in poorer parts of the world to help them and their pupils (42% agreed) > Sponsoring academies or free schools (41% agreed) > Seconding their teachers to work part time in state schools (34% agreed, and only 19% disagreed)

KLmagazine September 2013

Fresh perspectives and academic success... Wymondham College is a unique state day and boarding school that oﬀers an educational experience unlike any other. It’s not just about grades, as a new exhibition at the Forum proves

t Wymondham College, students come from a wide range of backgrounds in the UK and overseas and achieve outstanding academic success. But the College emphasises that education isn’t just about grades – it’s about sport and friendship, it’s about new opportunities and fun. It’s about life and creativity. That creativity is being celebrated later this month in Perspectives 2, the College’s annual art exhibition which takes place (for the second year running) at The Forum in Norwich. The exhibition brings together the very best of the amazing work produced by this year’s highly talented GCSE

KLmagazine September 2013

and A-Level candidates (many of whom have gone on to secure prestigious places on foundation and degree courses) and includes examples from the College’s Fine Art, Photography and Textiles courses. The work showcases the high standards of academic excellence and artistic enthusiasm of the students – standards reﬂected in the Wymondham College magazine’s recent award for Best Original Artwork and Photography at the national Shine Student Media Awards. Following a private viewing and opening on 16th September by Nichola Johnson (former director of the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts and former

chairman of the national University Museums Group), Perspectives 2 will run at The Forum in Norwich until September 20th (9am-5pm). Entry is free. It’s a great opportunity to discover more about life at Wymondham College – and enjoy a fresh persepctive on education. PICTURES: Students whose work is featured in Perspectives 2 include Hector Penrose and Louis Pigeon-Owen (top left), Josie Derks (top right) and Rosie Mayes, Amy Pragnell and Izzie Wells (below right)

details

WYMONDHAM COLLEGE Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 9SZ Tel: 01953 609000 Web: www.wymondhamcollege.org E-mail: enquiries@wymondhamcollege.org

Further Education

Taking the next step... There are plenty of Further Education opportunities available in the area – here are just a few of the options

> COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA In partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the College of West Anglia offers an increasing range of higher education courses including degrees, foundation degrees and HNDs. The courses are ideal for people who want to gain higher qualifications but want the flexibility of studying closer to home. The College also offers the chance to study part-time so studies can be fitted around work and family commitments. All three CWA campuses have dedicated Higher Education student lounges, allowing HE students the opportunity to relax and study in a peaceful environment: King’s Lynn: The redeveloped top floor of the campus tower block (see opposite) hosts a bespoke HE student lounge with a breathtaking view of the King’s Lynn skyline. Isle: The HE lounge at the Isle campus is located next to the Learning Resource Centre, and is a dedicated space for quiet study. Cambridge: The recently-refurbished and redecorated HE student lounge at the Cambridge campus features a plush sofa area, study tables, a dedicated computer room and kitchen facilities. What is a Foundation Degree? Foundation Degrees are programmes of vocational study designed by colleges and employers working together. They are designed to be both accessible and flexible. The main aim of a Foundation Degree is to encompass both formal academic study and learning at work. A Foundation Degree is the equivalent of the first two years of a full Honours

> WYMONDHAM COLLEGE There are many reasons why Wymondham College is a great place to learn. The Sixth Form at Wymondham College provides everything students need to take them on to the next stage of their life whilst giving them the opportunity to make a real difference to the College community. Many Wymondham College students choose to remain on-site after completing their GCSEs, but an equal number join the Sixth Form and experience boarding life for the first time. A broad and diverse community adds an international flavour and a real sense of the wider community – which in turn creates a richness of experience and contributes greatly to the sense of preparation for life. With over 200 boarders across the two year groups, life can be immense fun at Wymondham College, and friendships made will be ones that last a lifetime. It’s not all play though – success and the hard work needed to achieve it are highly respected and students are supported by a strong academic and pastoral team to help them develop into confident and enthusiastic young adults.

Degree and usually takes two years to complete, although it can take longer in certain circumstances. There is a credit system for undergraduate degrees in the UK – a full Honours Degree requires 360 credits and a Foundation Degree requires 240 credits. What is a BSc Honours Degree? It usually takes three or four years to complete full

> EASTON & OTLEY COLLEGE Validated by the UEA, Easton & Otley College offers Foundation Degrees in Animal Science and Welfare, Agricultural Management, Equine Management, Ecology and Conservation Management, Sports Coaching and Engineering. The Colleges also offer new BSc Honours Degrees in Agriculture, Animal Science and Welfare (Top-Up), Equitation and Coaching and Sports Coaching (TopUp). Easton and Otley College offers regular taster events and open mornings to encourage prospective students to try some practical workshop taster sessions, meet and talk with tutors and current students, and take advantage of the impartial information, advice and guidance sessions (which are free). At Easton & Otley College, every student is assigned a personal tutor, and there are experts in transport, money, health and welfare, childcare provision, housing, job hunting, UCAS applications and course information – all thoroughly dedicated professionals committed to helping each and every student succeed and get the most out of their College experience.

time. Bachelors degrees in some subjects can take longer (medical courses usually take five or six years). You can also study for a bachelors degree part time or through flexible learning. The qualification is designed to give you a thorough understanding of a subject. It helps you develop your analytical, intellectual and essay or dissertation writing skills. You'll also have much

more of a say about the direction your learning takes than you've had previously. Bachelors degrees are at level 6 on the Framework for Higher Education Qualiﬁcations. What is a Top-Up Degree? Top-up degrees are of one year’s duration, entering the ﬁnal year of a full-time undergraduate BSc Honours degree.

KLmagazine September 2013

A new era in education dawns at CWA... With the reopening of the largest educational building in the region (and one of the tallest buildings in West Norfolk), the College of West Anglia enters an exciting new phase in its history.

here’s more to the College of West Anglia this month than the start of a new term – it’s also the dawn of an exciting new phase in the life of the college as its iconic and newly-refurbished 9-storey tower block welcomes students and staff for the first time. Part of the work to improve facilities across all three of CWA’s campus sites that’s been in progress since 2009, the tower’s rejuvenation has taken two years and an investment of some £12.5 million – and the result is a quite stunning environment that’s been carefully designed to enhance every aspect of the college’s academic life. Inside the completely fresh exterior are restyled floor layouts, new heating, lighting and elevator systems, and a host of new learning and social

KLmagazine September 2013

facilities. These include dedicated areas for higher education students (the college offers a wide range of degree and HND courses in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University), a series of specially-designed science labs, and a spacious and fully-equipped suite of conference, meeting and seminar rooms. The ground floor features an amazing restaurant with break-out lounge areas and social spaces that gives the life of the college a bright and lively centre. Prospective students can discover the new-look facilities for themselves at the college’s next open day on Saturday 16th November (9.30am-1pm). It’s a great opportunity to help the College of West Anglia celebrate a new era that promises to be better for students, better for staff, and better for the future.

details

THE COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA Tennyson Avenue, King’s Lynn PE30 2QW Tel: 01553 761144 Web: www.cwa.ac.uk E-mail: enquiries@col-westanglia.ac.uk

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KLmagazine September 2013

Lessons in quality and performance...

chool dinners have changed enormously since they were made compulsory in 1944, and that doesn’t just mean they’re tastier. Today, in addition to teaching high standards of food production and hygiene, schools have a legal requirement to maintain those high standards in their own kitchens and canteens. It’s a highly regulated field that requires regular temperature and due diligence checks, together with scheduled service and maintenance contracts. It’s something the experience and expertise of 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd delivers on both a local and national scale. It’s not just a case of keeping children healthy and productive either – there’s an economic benefit too, as an efficient fridge is also cheaper to run. For any business involved in food production and preparation – from factories and restaurants to supermarkets and shops – 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd has the answer. As a KLmagazine September 2013

supplier and authorised service partner of Foster Refrigeration, the UK’s market leader for innovative and professional refrigeration solutions, 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd oﬀers single/double door fridges, cold rooms, undercounter prep stations, display chillers, water and bottle coolers and bespoke bar refrigeration. And all products have the very latest built-in energy eﬃciencies and low carbon footprints for maximum performance. If you’d like a closer look, 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd has recently launched an online store at www.fosterfridgeuk.com which features complete details of the product range and after-sales services. “Price and ingenious design is

nothing without reliability,” says Steve Simpson of 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd. “We ensure the products we supply cater for all customers’ individual needs. We listen to their requirements and we create the best solutions. All products are 100% tested before they’re installed to make sure they’re functional, safe and perform to perfection – day in, day out.” And with 0% ﬁnance and a 2-year parts and labour warranty available on all units (excluding cold stores) you can trust 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd to deliver more quality, eﬃciency and savings to your business!

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KLmagazine September 2013

PICTURE: D KIRKHAM

Local Life

ABOVE: The beautiful chapel at the top of the Red Mount in King’s Lynn is quite rightly considered a national treasure

Inside one of Norfolk’s most unique structures In its time, this unique building been an observatory, a weapons store and a stable, but the Red Mount in King’s Lynn was originally built as a chapel on the pilgrimgae route to Walsingham

PICTURE: IAN WARD

he Red Mount is understandably one of the most iconic buildings in King’s Lynn. Sitting on a small hillock believed to be the remains of an ancient castle, this curious octagonal building is one of the strangest gothic structures in Europe. There’s nothing else quite like it in the whole country, fully justifying its status as a Grade I listed Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Red Mount also has a name more beﬁtting its status – it’s actually called the Chapel of St Mary on the Mount.

KLmagazine September 2013

Built by Robert Curraunt for William Spynke (the Benedictine prior of Lynn) during the brief reign of Richard III (1483–85), the chapel may have been the second structure to stand on the site. The mound may have once been known as Guanock Hill, ‘guanock’ being an old local word meaning ‘beacon.’ Originally the chapel was used by pilgrims passing through the town on their way to the shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham, but following the dissolution of the monasteries, it’s been used in a number of ways – as a gunpowder and arms store (during the

English Civil War), as an observatory and – during a particularly disrespectful stage during the 19th century – a stable! Built from red brick, the chapel is octagonal in shape and extensively buttressed. It retains the octagonal shape inside and houses a beautiful chapel on the uppermost level built in the form of a cross and made from Ancaster stone. It’s believed the chapel was built to house a holy relic of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was an important stage on the pilgrimage route to the Shrine of

Local Life

PICTURES: D KIRKHAM

PICTURE: IAN WARD

Our Lady at Walsingham. Constructed some 20 years after the building itself, the chapel is stunning and has enormous charm compared to the rather sombre exterior. There’s some evidence that the cost of building the upper chapel was just over £14 – a colossal sum at the time, and an expenditure reflected in the elaborate fan-vaulted ceiling. Somewhat inevitably, the Red Mount has attracted a fair share of legends, one of the most enduring of which claims an underground tunnel links it with the gatehouse at Castle Rising Castle. No real evidence of this 4-mile tunnel has ever been found (a small ‘tunnel’ was found during modern-day excavations, but it simply led to a another entrance to the chapel). The legend of the tunnel has also given rise to a ghost story – after a fiddler named Curtis and his dog supposedly entered it to explore and were never see again. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Red Mount is the extensive graffiti covering the walls of the upper chapel, which dates back to the time of the Civil War. Most of it consists of initials and dates within a simple drawing of a pitched-roof building topped with a flag. To date, the oldest we’ve managed to see is one dated to 1641 (see picture at right). Having fallen victim to more recent defacements over the years, the chapel was the benefit of National Lottery funding as part of the King’s Lynn Walks refurbishment scheme in 2007. This saw the delightful building finally being carefully and beautifully restored for the public to enjoy. Why not pay the Red Mount a visit on Heritage Day to see for yourself – and see if you can find a piece of graffiti older than 1641! HERITAGE OPEN DAY 2013 Sunday 15th September (10am-4pm) Thanks to the King’s Lynn Civic Society (working with English Heritage and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk) this jam-packed programme of open buildings – some of which aren’t usually open to the public – is a fantastic opportunity to explore King’s Lynn’s historic buildings. Last year’s Heritage Open Day featured over 40 places of interest and was a real bumper day of history and heritage. The 2013 Heritage Open Day brochure can be downloaded from the website at www.kingslynncivicsociety.co.uk.

KLmagazine September 2013

THE PROFESSIONAL CHOICE D e s i g n e r C o n t e m p o r a r y Tr a d i t i o n a l The average person only buys The person onlylifetime, buys twoaverage kitchens in their so two kitchens in their lifetime, so settling for anything less than the settling for anything less than the very best simply isn’t an option. very best simply isn’t an option. $

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KLmagazine September 2013

How important is your smile? At Castle Rising Dentist we can offer a range of treatments from simple fillings to complex restoration of your whole mouth. Q Are you happy with your smile?

Q Would you like to improve the appearance of your teeth?

This Autumn, we are offering affordable prices on complex cosmetic, facial and dental treatment.

Both dentists at Castle Rising are very experienced in a range of cosmetic procedures.

Teeth whitening, now ONLY legally available from dental professionals. FACIAL AESTHETICS NG PROFESSIONAL OFFERI BOTOX AND FILLERS.

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ASSOCIATE DENTIST Miss Kinga Maciejewska Lek Stom Warsaw 2004 GDC 139876

10% off your first colour treatment!

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Serving the local community since 1996

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Treat yourself to that well deserved break. Offer ends 31st of October, quote KL magazine.

BEAUTY DAY BREAK Including an Elemis Aromapure Facial for an hour, a back and shoulder massage for half an hour, full use of the facilities including the jacuzzi, swimming pool and sauna all for just ÂŁ49.00

FREE Redken conditioning treatment with every cut and blow dry. Offer ends 31st October, quote KL magazine.

South Beach Road, Hunstanton Tel: 01485 536028 | Free Car Parking KLmagazine September 2013

Health Beauty with Amanda Moore, Norfolk Laser & Beauty Clinic

GREAT RESULTS: For benign pigmented lesions, laser treatment is a really eﬀective solution. Here you can see the hands of a customer who was absolutely thrilled (for obvious reaons) after a course of only three treatments!

BEFORE

AFTER

The secret of beautiful hands...

ave you looked at your hands recently? Are they making you look older than your age? Your hands are a sound giveaway to your age, and with the wonderful summer we’ve all enjoyed they can also be a constant reminder of all the sun cream we wish we’d applied! So would you like a non-surgical option that’s safe and uses no numbing agents? An option that’s effective, offers tremendous customer satisfaction and can be easily fitted into your busy day? Nearly everyone has one or more pigmented lesions, and most of them are caused by sun damage (others are caused naturally by ageing). Pigmented lesions are simply spots on the skin where there’s a higher concentration of melanin. Some are flat, others are slightly raised and in most cases they’re

merely a cosmetic concern. In some cases they can be an early sign of skin cancer, so if you are at all worried, a quick trip to your GP will soon identify any problems. For most benign pigmented lesions, there’s a non-surgical option using the AFT 540 VP handheld laser – by exposing the lesions to short pulses of visible light, the temperature in the melanin can be raised sharply enough to ‘shatter’ the cells containing the melanin. The body then breaks this down and replaces the cells with new ones generated by the surrounding area. That means it’s an ideal solution for any skin type. Here at the Norfolk Laser & Beauty Clinic, to help your hands look their very best we’re taking 25% oﬀ the cost of this procedure, meaning each treatment will be only £75 instead of £100. The oﬀer is only available during

Other treatments available at the Norfo lk Laser & Beauty Clinic include: > Reﬂexology > Massage > Facials > Manicures > Pedicures > Eyelash tinting > Eyebrow shaping

September, and please quote KL magazine to receive your discount. Of course, your hands and skin are as individual as you are, so please call me at the Norfolk Laser & Beauty Clinic for an initial consultation and a patch test (the cost of this is £20, but it’s redeemable against your ﬁrst appointment). I look forward to meeting you – and your hands!

a Amand

Burrell House, High Road, Islington, King’s Lynn PE34 3BL tel: 01553 886428 web: www.norfolklaserandbeautyclinic.co.uk e-mail: amanda@nlbclinic.co.uk KLmagazine September 2013

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You and your health

King’s Lynn hospital in Top 20 hip ops chart!

MI The Sandringham Hospital in King’s Lynn has been named as one of the top 20 best providers of hip replacements in a survey just released by the NHS Partners Network (NHSPN). The hospital came in at number 12 following analysis of the nationallyproduced Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS1), which covers all hospitals that carry out elective hip and knee replacement surgery for the NHS. The report analysed information provided by patients on their quality of life (health gain) after undergoing either hip or knee replacements. The debilitating pain of osteoarthritis, the main cause of joint pain, affects nearly 8.5 million people in the UK. The majority of these are over 50 years of age. The impact hip/knee surgery has on alleviating this pain and improving quality of life can be vast. A recent survey of people who had either knee, hip or back surgery to address pain, confirmed that surgery improved quality of life. “This data clearly shows that independent sector providers deliver some of the highest quality orthopaedic care for NHS patents,” said David Worskett, Chief Executive of the NHS Partners Network. “Hip and knee replacements are two of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures and they can significantly improve the quality of life of patients. It’s important that this data is

BMI The Sandringham Hospital has been named as one of the top 20 providers of hip replacements, according to a new survey

available so that patients and their GPs can make informed decisions about where to go for treatment.” At BMI The Sandringham Hospital, Executive Director Mark Dines-Allen said he was delighted with the news. He added that it showed you didn’t have to be biggest to be best. “This is a fantastic result for everyone at the hospital,” he said. “The ability to give people back their quality of life is hugely important. For many people, this surgery is a turning point, returning them to normal every day activities. The other great thing is that this information comes straight from the patients – if they’re happy with us then we’re certainly doing the right things. We’ve some brilliant orthopaedic consultants at the hospital but we tend to look at things like this as being the result of a real team effort.” Meanwhile a study2 of people who have undergone joint surgery finds most spent years trying alternative treatments without success when experts say operative treatment would have saved them years of pain and stress. Health experts are concerned that people with serious back, knee and hip conditions are using surgery as a last resort after years of pain, stress and even depression, despite the fact that simple surgical procedures performed early,

1 PROMS are a series of questions that patients undergoing certain procedures, including hip and knee replacements, are asked in order to gauge their views on their own health. All providers of NHS care collect this data which is co-ordinated by the Department of Health. The Health and Social Care Information Centre is responsible for scoring and publishing the data. 2 Quality of Life study undertaken by Opinion Matters for BMI Healthcare. The research for BMI Healthcare was carried out between: 08/03/2013 and 14/03/2013.

could save them from years of pain and complications. The findings come from a study which questioned people who have undergone knee, hip and back operations and found that on average, patients wait four years before opting to have surgery, trying more than seven alternative routes and treatments before seeing a surgical specialist. This is despite NHS guidance which suggests that pain lasting longer than 12 weeks should be investigated. This surgical procrastination means patients are enduring years of pain and risking problems worsening. Findings from the research have been brought together into a report released recently by BMI Healthcare to show the true impact joint pain and subsequent surgery has on an individual’s quality of life. The impact of joint surgery had a profound effect on many of the respondents – with more than 40% saying they regained their freedom post-surgery whilst a third felt more independent, and a fifth felt they could make long term plans again. More than one in ten was able to focus more at work. For more information and details on either the PROMS survey or Quality of Life study, please contact BMI The Sandringham Hospital using the contacts below.

Healthcare

For more information, please call BMI The Sandringham Hospital on 01553 769770 or visit us at www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/sandringham KLmagazine September 2013

Explorer

The Burnhams A gentle six-mile walk around six of Norfolk’s most beautiful villages...

he Burnhams often get a bad press, unfairly dismissed as Chelsea-on-Sea and oﬀering little for anyone other than weekend visitors. The truth, however, is that this is one of Norfolk’s most beautiful and vibrant areas. It’s packed with marvellously talented people, steeped in the history of Norfolk, and it’s natural beauty is as breathtaking as it is important. The villages that make up the Burnhams are located at the sea near the large natural inlet of Brancaster Bay and the Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve. They’ve been there since ancient times – some are mentioned in the Domesday Book, and a medieval verse speaks of “London, York and Coventry, and the Seven Burnhams by the Sea.” That’s right, seven. At one time, within a radius of only two miles, were the villages of Burnham Deepdale, Burnham Norton, Burnham Overy,

Burnham Sutton, Burnham Thorpe, Burnham Ulph and Burnham Westgate. Gradually, the three central villages of Sutton, Ulph and Westgate merged to form the larger village and civil parish of Burnham Market, which forms the principal centre for the Burnhams today. Although the most westerly of the villages (Burnham Deepdale) has more or less merged with the neighbouring village of Brancaster Staithe, both Burnham Norton and Burnham Thorpe still exist as very separate villages and civil parishes, much as they always have. Burnham Overy is still a single civil parish, but today a distinction is usually made between the two settlements of Burnham Overy Town (the small settlement adjacent to the church) and Burnham Overy Staithe (which is about a mile away and next to the creek-side harbour). And if you’ve ever wondered why all

Burnham Deepdale

Burnham Overy Staithe

Burnham Norton Burnham Overy Town Burnham Market Burnham Thorpe

KLmagazine September 2013

the villages are called Burnham, it’s simple – they’re all located either on the River Burn, or adjacent to its mouth. It’s a lovely place to explore – you certainly won’t be stuck for things to see and do, and the choice of places to eat and drink is outstanding – but by far the most enjoyable way to discover the Burnhams is on foot. Here’s a gentle six-mile walk to get you started: DISTANCE: Six miles MAP: OS map 132 (grid reference 830421) START From the church of St. Mary’s in Burnham Market, go into Station Road and follow it round a left bend. Soon, turn right into Angles Lane. 1 Follow this uphill until the lane ends abruptly at the edge of some fields. Now turn right and go straight over a field to the external corner of a hedge on the far side. 2 Follow a short left edge to a corner and through a gap into another field and walk straight over to another external corner. 3 Now follow a longer left edge into a corner where you’ll turn right with the edge for a few paces and then left through a gap into a corner of the next field. Follow the hedge on your left to a crossing farm track. 4 Turn right and the track will lead you to the B1155, where you turn right for Burnham Market. Continue for a full quarter mile to a junction and then turn left (for Burnham Deepdale) into

KLmagazine September 2013

Explorer Whiteway Road. 5 The road goes uphill for a half mile to a point where a small wood ends on your right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and you turn right into an unpaved lane. The lane leads you to a crossing road. Turn right and quickly left into another unpaved lane which you follow to a road by Burnham Norton church. 6 Turn right and after a short way (where overhead power lines cross the road) turn left into an enclosed path which leads to another road. To your left are the remains of a Carmelite Priory of the White Friars, but you turn right and follow the road to a junction by Sutton House. 7 Turn left and cross the River Burn (from which all the Burnhams get their name) and past the delightfullyrestored Burnham Mill, and then turn leftwards to a junction by the battered stone cross in Burnham Overy Town. 8 Take the road ahead for Burnham Overy Staithe, but as the road turns sharply right, fork left into a green track. 9 When you reach a metal gate, pass through it and follow the right edge of a meadow to another metal gate. 10 Pass through the metal gate and along a driveway to reach the main coast road on a corner. Go straight ahead with the River Burn on your left and immediately after the road turns sharply right you turn left over a stile into a meadow. Follow a right edge to cross a stile in the far corner and go up to the sea wall. 11 Turn left and when the sea wall turns sharply right, go straight ahead and down through a hunting gate into a green path. 12 Continue with the path when it bends right and leads to a stile. Cross over and go ahead for a few paces to a gravelled track, along which you turn left past some cottages to a metalled road on a corner. Now turn left and follow the road, passing a junction on your right and then a telephone kiosk to a junction with the A149. 13 Cross leftwards over the road into a farm track which you follow over a ďŹ eld to a hedge on the far side. Fork left and go uphill with the hedge on your right and out to a road. 14 Turn right and the road will lead you pleasantly back into Burnham Market.

KLmagazine September 2013

BURNHAM MARKET PINE e best quality furniture for style and value

Individually designed and crafted garden buildings – exquisitely hand made by local carpenters Creake Road, Burnham Market, Norfolk PE31 8EA Tel: 01328 823413 | Mobile: 07775 897937

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burnham grapevine gallery

a friendly and welcoming gallery in Burnham Market

ith a complete range of natural, painted, reclaimed and old pine furniture, Burnham Market Pine can make beautiful bespoke and occasional pieces for either inside or outside your home – at a size to suit your pocket. All items in stock can be bought oﬀ the floor or modified to your specification and taste – in a choice of waxed, hand-painted, OPENING HOURS spray-painted, lacquered or distressed Tues-urs 10:30am-5:30pm finishes. Fri-Sat 10am-5:30pm Visit our extensive collection in our Sun 12pm-5pm Also open Mondays large warehouse now and discover the during school holidays beauty of Burnham Market Pine!

BURNHAM MARKET PINE Station Garage, Creake Road Burnham Market PE31 8EA Tel: 01328 738009/07917 202529 E-mail: info@burnhammarketpine.co.uk Web: www.burnhammarketpine.co.uk

LONDON . NORFOLK . SUFFOLK . ESSEX . HERTFORDSHIRE

Burnham and Beyond watercolours by Gerard Stamp to September 14th Find us close to Burnham Market Stores - just a five minute stroll from The Green - with paintings, prints, ceramics and sculpture from Norfolk and further afield

Overy Road, Burnham Market, Norfolk PE31 8HH 01328 730125 • www.burnhamgrapevine.co.uk Open all year • including some Sundays

KLmagazine September 2013

1 Pound House, High Street Market Place, Burnham Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BW Market, Norfolk, PE31 8HE Tel. 01263 710665 Tel. 01328 730325 www. sho patanna. c o m

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WA RMING THE H E A RT O F YO U R H O ME

ARCADIA Stocking a wide range of wood burners, fuels and fireside accessories. Offering a complete service from the design through to the build, installation and commissioning.

KLmagazine September 2013

Designed by you, made by Pine & Things... For every room of the house, Pine & Things take your ideas and expertly craft them into beautiful and functional pieces of solid pine and oak furniture. It’s all part of the personal service.

here’s something quite nostalgic about the scent of freshly-sawn timber. It’s something which makes you want to try out your carpentry skills. But in case your carpentry and joinery skills aren’t up to scratch, Kevin and Carl of Bespoke Pine ‘n’ Oak Ltd on Tower Street, King’s Lynn (more commonly known as Pine &Things) will certainly build you a fine piece of furniture – no matter how big or small – to take pride of place in your home. Since taking on the wellestablished pine shop on Tower Street, Kevin and Carl have introduced new ranges and a complete commissioning

KLmagazine September 2013

service. It’s not uncommon for customers to walk into the shop and present their design or voice their vision – and no matter what the shape or style, those designs can become reality. Recent projects include fitted wardrobes, fully-fitted kitchens, libraries and studies – and range from the very simple to the very complicated, as pieces are made to fit around sockets, beams and even awkward corners. These highly-skilled craftsmen produce quality work with a precision and care which is evident in every carefully-crafted piece. Using only the finest quality solid pine and solid oak timbers, Kevin and Carl have over 25 years’ experience in

design and manufacturing. Together with a first-class service you can rely on, you just can’t go wrong. There’s plenty to see in the showroom too, with a wide and ever-changing product range available to suit all tastes and pockets. And when it comes to the allimportant finishing touch, a door-to-door local delivery service is on hand – and a countrywide delivery service is also available if required!

details

PINE & THINGS 28 Tower Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1EJ Open: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm Tel: 01553 766532 Web: www.bespokepinenoakltd.com

KLmagazine September 2013

Local Life

ABOVE: The imposing interior of Binham Priory still manages to deliver a genuine feeling of peace and tranquility

The colourful history of a magnificent ruin... The saying ‘if walls could talk’ has never been more fitting. Binham Priory has a fascinating history of almost 1,000 years

ust a few miles south of Stiﬀkey, in one of the most rural spots in Norfolk are some of the most complete and undoubtedly most impressive monastic ruins in the whole county. The beautiful nave of Binham Priory – with its splendid 13th century west front and vast bricked-up window – is now the parish church, and has a fascinating screen with medieval saints overpainted with Protestant texts. Managed by English Heritage, the site still has a real sense of grandeur about it, and the ruins have much to tell us, thanks to a very well documented history. Founded as a cell of St Albans Abbey

KLmagazine September 2013

in 1091 by Peter de Valoines (who’d been given the land by his uncle, William the Conqueror), Binham Priory was endowed in the reign of Henry I (around 1104) but the building wasn’t actually ﬁnished until the middle of the 13th century. The Abbot of St Albans was allowed to stay at Binham for eight days a year (unless invited to stay longer), the number of monks was to be no less than eight, and the heirs and successors of the founder were to remain the priory’s patrons and protectors. Sadly, with the notable exception of Richard de Parco (see next page), Binham didn’t have much luck with its priors, who over the years quarrelled with St Albans, sold the priory silver,

Local Life wasted money on lawsuits and even indulged in scandalous behaviour. However, Richard de Parco (prior from 1227 to 1244) was honourable and diligent, acquiring property from which he secured income. He covered the cloister with lead, rebuilt the larder, added a new stable, and built a stone wall from the gate to the chapel of St Thomas. His most important and ambitious work was to construct the west front, and after all his building activities there was still a balance of £20 when he left. Things were a little different in 1317 when William de Somerton became prior. He spent vast sums on the pursuit of alchemy, selling two chalices, six copes, three chasubles, seven gold rings, silk cloths, a haul of silver cups and spoons, and even the silver cup and crown in which the Host was suspended before the altar. Not suprisingly, Edward I ordered the arrest of the prior and his 13 monks, but de Somerton escaped to Rome – he was eventually reinstated before running off yet again in 1335 leaving debts of £600. William Dyxwell (who became prior in 1461) didn’t run off – he simply wandered about from place to place like a vagabond. He was deposed three years later but was then reappointed in 1465 for life. By the time Binham Priory was suppressed in 1539, it had only six monks and an annual income of only £140. The site and its possessions were then granted to Thomas Paston, who sold a considerable amount of ‘rubble and stone’ which was used to build a large house in the High Street at Wells. His grandson Edward Paston pulled down some of the monastic buildings intending to build himself a house on the site, but a workman was killed by a fall of masonry, a bad omen that saw the house built at Appleton instead. In 1715 the roof was ‘repaired’ by cutting off the rotten ends of the timbers and lowering the pitch of the roof, an initiative that partly obscured the round window (a new roof was eventually installed at the original pitch in 1903). There had been four bells in the central tower during the reign of Edward VI, but by 1741 the parishioners

were given permission to sell the last one (it was laying broken in the churchyard) in order to buy a communion plate. Binham Priory continued to suffer from well-meaning but questionable improvements over the years. Around 1809 the great west window was being bricked up and the rubble from the destruction of the north aisle was being used to raise the floor of the church some three feet in an attempt to cure damp (this actually made the floor level with the seats of the sedilia and obscured the bases of the pillars and the steps up to the font). In 1900 the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings reported that “it is impossible to approach or to enter the building without being impressed by its grandeur and at the same time depressed by the state into which it has lapsed.” An appeal for £2,300 was launched with an article in the Times ‘to prevent the church becoming an utter ruin’ –

an appeal that resulted in the new roof built at the original height and pitch. Further work was carried out at the start of the 1930s when the rubble from the north aisle was removed from the floor, and the floor happily restored to its original level (you can still see the marks on the walls). The benches and misericords were restored, the box pews were removed and some of the panels were used to make a vestry. In 1933 the area was purchased by the Archaeological Trust and given to the official guardianship of the old Office of Works, which was able to fund the clearance and consolidation of the exposed walls. Excavation took place every summer from 1934, and work finished just before war broke out in 1939. Excavation in those days was more a question of rubble clearance using unsupervised workmen than the careful and delicate work we would expect today, and whatever records may have been made at the time didn’t survive the war (or the sudden death in 1939 of the excavator Henry Neville, who had been the driving force behind the whole project). The only part of the excavation archive existing today are boxes of medieval pottery, bones and tiles in the stores of the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service. They’re still waiting to be examined. Finally, in 1987-90 a programme of further restoration was undertaken under the direction of Donald Insall OBE, funded by English Heritage, the Historic Churches Preservation Trust and the Norfolk Churches Trust. The round window – which is now thought to be the earliest of its kind in the country – was conserved and cleaned. Binham Priory is a wonderful location that’s known to far too few people. It’s breathtaking to look at, packed with history, and offers a fascinating glimpse into a long lost past. For more details of Binham Priory, including opening times, directions and background information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk and search in the Properties section of the website.

KLmagazine September 2013

Home And Garden Lifestyle Centre For Your Home: Sandstones, Limestones, Travertine, Slates, Porcelain and Mosaics. For Your Garden: Stone Water Features, Seating, Birdbaths, Sculpture, Landscaping and Accessories.

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Don’t forget about Beds of Paradise for beds & bedroom furniture...just around the corner! KLmagazine September 2013

Things you didn’t know about Bearts

now! special offers on selected clothing all through the hayloft! !

Brighton Mill, Stowbridge, King’s Lynn, PE34 3pd

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KLmagazine September 2013

STOVES | GRANITE WORKTOPS | FIREPLACES | KITCHENS HAVE ENINGS WE V E R E L O O . C OUR HOME FOR THOSE Y T A E H O T NEED WHAT YOU

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KR FIREPLACES

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KLmagazine September 2013

Local Arts

ABOVE: Helen Breach’s charcoal sketch of Andy Naylor, Artistic Director of Westacre Theatre

Helen’s sketching in the shadow of Degas... Local artist Helen Breach follows in the footsteps of the famous Frenchman by attending theatrical rehearsals – capturing the movement of ballet dancers and actors in her unique style

he historic village of Castle Acre has been my home for over 25 years. The ancient Priory is a constant source of inspiration and I’m very fortunate to have such a wonderful subject in close proximity to my studio. In fact, drawing buildings is one of my favourite pursuits, particularly churches with their bold stance against the skyline. However, buildings are static – with people, there’s always movement and change. That’s why I’m often to be found at ballet rehearsals at the Theatre Royal in Norwich trying to capture the rhythm and colour of the dancers (picture opposite).

KLmagazine September 2013

In a similar vein, I recently attended rehearsals at Westacre Theatre for Thomas Dylan’s play Under Milk Wood and drew the performers as they prepared for the performance (I also managed to capture the theatre’s Artistic Director!) Drawing actors as characters was a really interesting experience, and it resulted in a successful mixture of real and fantasy characters. Life drawing has always been a principal element in my artistic work. I actually attended a school of architecture, where drawing straight lines was the norm. Tackling the form of the human ﬁgure was a personal

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preference. To keep improving and developing my drawing skills I’ve recently been attending anatomy classes to understand parts of the skeleton that influence the surface forms. My creative practice also encompasses three-dimensional work. I love to experiment and learn by using new materials and subjects. Some of my sculptures have been selected for exhibitions or sculpture trails and have been created with mirrors, plaster, salt, sewn fabrics, acrylic, and even recycled car parts! My latest acrylic creation – a colourful family of Spoonbills – was featured in the recent Flight of the Spoonbill Exhibition at Cley Church. Working on a commission brings a whole different set of difficulties. Producing a piece that meets the criteria set out by someone else can be frustrating but ultimately satisfying. A recent commission was a large painting of dying hydrangeas – the client liked the way pink hydrangeas faded to mauve and wanted the decay reflected in the picture. Drawing portraits is a favourite genre of mine. Each face is like a montage of features, but although everyone has the same basic features, you are the only one that looks exactly the way you do. Capturing the essence of that montage, to convincingly convey the facial combinations with a glimpse into the personality beneath them is a fascinating challenge. My involvement with the West Norfolk Artists Association goes back almost to the very first days of its inception. The reason for the creation of the Association was to bring artists together, to overcome the isolation of working alone in a rural area. Besides bringing me in contact with a truly diverse range of artists, being a member of the WNAA has provided many opportunities for exhibiting, teaching and organizing community projects. Visitors are always welcome at my studio – you can contact me at www.helenbreach.com or visit the West Norfolk Artists Association website at www.westnorfolkartists.org

PICTURES: The versatility of Helen’s work can be seen in these works (from top left) of an oil on canvas of the Priory at Castle Acre, close to Helen’s studio; a pastel life drawing; her recent acrylic sculpture of a family of Spoonbills; and a detail of a Japanese print based on Helen’s attendance at rehearsals for Under Milk Wood at Westacre Theatre.

KLmagazine September 2013

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KLmagazine September 2013