KL Magazine September 2015 by KL Magazine

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 60 SEPTEMBER 2015 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

COVER IMAGE

meet the team... Baconsthorpe Castle by Ian Ward

MANAGING DIRECTOR Laura Murray MANAGING EDITOR Eric Secker DESIGN TEAM Amy Phillips Lisa Tonroe

PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Ward

SALES AND PROMOTION Daniel Thomas CONTRIBUTORS Emma Barnard Alex Dallas Michael Middleton

contact

18 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn PE30 1JW 01553 601201 info@klmagazine.co.uk 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.

t’s something of an idyllic scene – a young man discovering the beauty of the Norfolk countryside and enjoying his favourite pastime. But for the young man pictured above, painting isn’t simply a hobby. He’s Kieron Williamson, the 13-year-old Norfolk artist who’s enjoyed widespread and international acclaim since his remarkable debut at the age of six. You can read more about his incredible story (and talent) on page 108 of this month’s magazine. Indeed, you’ll find more young people doing remarkable things throughout the magazine this month. Both academies in King’s Lynn have reached milestones this year, and both are truly inspiring examples of how to enthuse future generations that can excel in their chosen fields and play a full role in their communites. We’re talking to Executive Principal Craig Morrison on page 34 about the work of both the King’s Lynn Academy and King Edward VII Academy. We’re also catching up with Elizabeth Laffeaty-Sharpe, whose passion for giving young minds the best start in life was so great that she established her own school – Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery. One of the most appealing features of life in Norfolk is in the way it manages to successfully combine a dedication to preserving its history with a forward-thinking attitude and positive commitment to the future. It can be seen everywhere on the following pages – from the incredible restoration of the gatehouse at Pentney Abbey to the mix of modern art and traditional skills at Holkham Forge, and in the modern-day use of magnificent buildings such as Ely Cathedral and Bank House in King’s Lynn. We hope you enjoy reading the magazine as much as we enjoyed putting it together! KL MAGAZINE

KLmagazine September 2015

Contents

SEPTEMBER 2015

20 48 KLmagazine September 2015

108

6-13 WHAT’S ON This month’s diary of forthcoming events

70-72 KIM MORRISON We talk to Norfolk’s champion triathlete

14-16 A RESTORATION MASTERCLASS The transformation of Pentney Abbey

75 CHE BALLARD Thinking your way to success in sport

20-22 DIGGING INTO LOCAL HISTORY How SHARP is shedding new light on our past

78 THE BIG INTERVIEW With Bank House’s Jeannette Goodrich

28-30 LOCAL HERO OR EVIL DICTATOR? The contradictions of Oliver Cromwell

80-88 FOOD & DRINK Reviews, recipes and recommendations

34-36 KING’S LYNN’S ACADEMIES Preparing students for the future...

90-92 EXPLORER: FAKENHAM A look at the forward-thinking market town

40-42 A PASSION FOR EDUCATION We talk to Elizabeth Laﬀeaty Sharpe

94-96 ALDISS: PART OF THE COMMUNITY Inside Norfolk’s largest home furnishings store

45 YOU AND YOUR PETS With local vet Alex Dallas

98-100 LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ANGELS... The on-screen presence of Ely Cathedral

48-50 FORGING AHEAD... Art meets tradition at Holkham Forge

102-104 NORFOLK’S NEW SPEILBERG? Meeting local ﬁlm director Andy Turner

54 THEN & NOW The changing face of West Norfolk

106 SAMARITANS The local work of the life-changing service

56-58 MY DEAR BESSIE... A remarkable wartime love story

108-110 KIERON WILLIAMSON We talk to Norfolk’s incredible child artist

60-69 FASHION The latest looks from the local boutiques

114 MIDDLETON When it’s raining cats and frogs...

The all-new Audi RS 3 Sportback. Born restless. When a car’s this restless, it’s hard to hold it back. It’s thanks to an ultra-responsive 2.5-litre engine. quattro® all-wheel-drive that keeps you moving when terrain gets tough. And optional magnetic ride that adapts to ever-changing roads. See it unleashed at audi.co.uk/rs3 or call in to book a test drive.*

Kings Lynn Audi Hamburg Way, Kings Lynn PE30 2ND 0844 776 0541 kingslynn.audi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the all-new Audi RS 3 Sportback in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 24.8 (11.4) – 25.2 (11.2), Extra Urban 43.5 (6.5) – 44.8 (6.3), Combined 34.0 (8.3) – 34.9 (8.1). CO2 emissions: 194 – 189g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Image used for illustrative purposes only, includes optional extras. Optional wheels may affect emissions and fuel consumption figures. *Test drive terms and conditions apply. Please speak to your local Audi Centre to find out more

KLmagazine September 2015

September

172 YEARS AGO: On September 11th 1843 the Earl of Leicester laid the foundation stone of the new quay at Wells-Next-the-Sea

Saturday 19th September until Saturday October 3rd

Jump by Sharon Wright (detail) – the favourite of last year’s WNAA Summer Exhibition

WNAA: 14th SUMMER EXHIBITION St. Nicholas Chapel, St Anne’s Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1NH (Open from 10am-5pm, including Sundays) The West Norfolk Artists Association proudly returns to its ‘home’ venue of St. Nicholas Chapel in King’s Lynn for the Association’s ever-popular Summer Exhibition, which is taking place for the 14th time in 2015. The amazing restoration of St. Nicholas Chapel – an astonishing building of national importance – has resulted in one of the best exhibition and community spaces in King’s Lynn, and the WNAA is honoured to be presenting the ﬁrst exhibition in the beautiful new space. Admire the work of the talented members, which includes paintings, sculptures, textiles and installations, and then vote for your favourite – you could win a prize! For more information, contact WNAA Chairman John Walker on 01485 520590 or e-mail: westnorfolkartists@gmail.com

Tuesday 15th

COLOUR ME BEAUTIFUL EVENING Everything Outdoor, The Reading Room, Holkham Village, Norfolk NR23 1RG (7:30pm) Have you ever wondered why some colours look better on you than others? Would you like to know which colours would ﬂatter your colouring? Why not come along to the Colour You Beautiful Evening at Everything Outdoor and ﬁnd out! You will get a chance to understand which colours will bring out the best in you. Tickets are £20.00 and include a goodie bag worth £15.00 and £5.00 from every ticket donated to charity. Tickets are limited and are available from the Sandringham and Holkham shop. For more information call 01328 712120. KLmagazine September 2015

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th THE NEW 2016 WESSEX CONTEMPORARY LODGE LAUNCH! Searles Leisure Resort, Hunstanton PE36 5BB (10am-4pm) If a holiday home is something you’ve been considering then the Luxury Lodge Open Weekend at Searles is the perfect chance to ﬁnd out more. Searles will be proudly showcasing their brand new 2016 model Wessex Contemporary Lodge. The lodge provides a wonderful spacious environment with everything needed for the perfect holiday, who could ask for more? If a new lodge on our Country Park is not what you are looking for then we have something to suit all budgets throughout the resort with pre-owned lodges from only £69,995, there really is something to suit everybody! For more information or to arrange to view the resort before the open weekend- email holidayhomes@searles.co.uk, call 01485 536026 or visit our websites: www.searles.co.uk/ www.searlesnorfolklodges.co.uk.

Tuesday 15th KING'S LYNN & WEST NORFOLK: BEATING CANCER SOONER Red Barn, South Runcton PE33 0EX (6:30pm) Can you help beat cancer sooner? Join Cancer Research UK on Tuesday 15th September at the Red Barn and hear about the latest developments in their research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer, how they plan to get from 2 in 4 surviving cancer to 3 in 4 by 2030, and how you can help them. Search for “King's Lynn & West Norfolk: Beating Cancer Sooner” on Facebook and click “I’m Going” or contact Tom Bamford on 07918617055/tom.bamford@cancer.org.uk to book your place. Refreshments will be provided and parking is available on site.

SEPTEMBER BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00

Mon 14 - Sat 19 Sept BEFORE THE PARTY Tom Conti and Gwen Taylor star in stylish 1940s family drama £7 - £24

Mon 21 - Sat 26 Sept REBECCA Spellbinding new production of du Maurier's classic £8 - £25

Sun 20 Sept TREE FU TOM CBeebies star in magical adventure £7 - £14

Mon 28 Sept MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE Fun and experiments - explosions guaranteed! £7 - £14.50

Hetty Feather

Tues 29 Sept - Sat 3 Oct HETTY FEATHER Jacqueline Wilson’s plucky heroine in Victorian family adventure £7 - £20.50

Book online:T Hwww.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk E AT R E ST R E E T, N O RW I C H N R 2 1 R L Your Local Downham Market Auction Rooms We hold regular auction sales of antiques, household furniture effects and collectables on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Advertised on www.the-saleroom.com D! SOL

£300

D! SOL

Cancer Research UK invites you to join us on Tuesday 15th September

at 6:30pm

AT THE RED BARN, SOUTH RUNCTON Hear about the latest developments in our research into the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer and discover how you can help us

Auction Dates £495

Paintings)

2nd & 16th September (2nd inc Modern British October 18th September - Sporting Sale | 7th & 21st Hilgay at 24th October - Farm Machinery etc

BARRY L HAWKINS Auctioneers

BEAT CANCER SOONER Search for “King's Lynn & West Norfolk: Beating Cancer Sooner” on Facebook and click “I’m Going” or to book your place contact Tom Bamford on 07918617055 / tom.bamford@cancer.org.uk Refreshments are provided and parking is available on site.

Contact Julia or Barry for more information.

15 Lynn Road, Downham Market Tel: 01366 387180 Web: www.barryhawkins.co.uk 10

KLmagazine September 2015

September

Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th SANDRINGHAM GAME & COUNTRY FAIR Sandringham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE35 6EN (10am-6pm) Sandringham Game and Country Fair is one of our area’s biggest shows and a fantastic day out for the whole family! There are areas devoted to falconry, ﬁshing, wildfowling, archery and many other country sports and pursuits, together with lots of activities for families (and their dogs!). It’s a true celebration of country living! Tickets are £12 for adults, £11 for seniors and £4 for children. For advance tickets and more information visit the website: www.livingheritagecountryshows.com.

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th ART, PHOTOGRAPHY & CRAFT EXHIBITION AND SALE Barton Bendish Village Hall & St. Andrew’s Church PE33 9GF (Saturday 10am- 5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm) Barton Bendish is delighted to host its 7th Annual: Art, Photography & Craft Exhibition and Sale. Come and enjoy the Village Hall and Historic St. Andrew's Church as they are transformed into a wonderful art gallery, showcasing a diverse array of talented local and well known artists and photographers. All art exhibited is available for purchase with proceeds to beneﬁt the local church. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. Please contact Lynda on 01366 347849 or 01366 347563 for further details.

Coming soon...

Saturday 10th October

Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th October KING'S LYNN FILM FESTIVAL Various venues around King's Lynn A feast of film offering something for everyone, including a gala launch recreating a trip to the cinema 100 years ago, screenings of world cinema classics, the popular animated film Ratatouille and a young persons film-making workshop. Screening locations include the Town Hall, St George’s Guildhall and Greyfriars art space. For full details of the programme and where to purchase tickets, please go to www.klfilmfestival.uk.

KLmagazine September 2015

KING’S LYNN SINFONIA PRESENTS ORGAN CONCERTOS King’s Lynn Minster, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn PE30 5EB (7:30pm) In celebration of the completion of the work undertaken on the organ at King’s Lynn Minster, King’s Lynn Sinfonia will be presenting a concert of three organ concertos - Vivaldi, Handel and Poulenc together with the Albinoni Adagio. Adrian Richards will be the soloist with Michael Hankinson conducting. The Minster organ is one of the most written about organs and it is without doubt a landmark in the development of organ building in this country. The original organ was installed by John Snetzler, and has recently been restored and enlarged with the addition of a new 32’ reed and a tuba amongst other stops. Tickets for the concert are £5 and are available at the door and children under 16 go free of charge. For more information contact Michael on 07572 513512. 11

Dreamboats & Miniskirts The spectacular sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats is coming to King’s Lynn Corn Exchange for one week only this October!

his autumn, DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS comes to the Corn Exchange to showcase the greatest hit songs of the 60s! It is the sequel to DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS, which became a musical phenomenon having played to more than two million people across the UK, including a sold out run at the Corn Exchange in the spring of 2014. It’s 1963 and the Petticoats gang are growing up and facing new challenges. Bobby and Laura’s first single, Dreamboats and Petticoats, went to the top of the charts, but they haven’t been able to repeat that success with any further records. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! And Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy in their professional lives… but are they really? The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom, Norman to “get off the drains” and find that hit parade voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a

really top pop act? All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats. Dreamboats and Miniskirts is written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweet heart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesman, Shine on Harvey Moon, Save the Last Dance For Me and of course, Dreamboats and Petticoats, and is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music. Featuring hit after hit from Twist & Shout to Handy Man to Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many more, Dreamboats and Miniskirts is happiness guaranteed. Monday 12th – Saturday 17th October Nightly 7.30pm. Matinees 2.30pm Wednesday & Saturday.

NEW SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER BROCHURE OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from the Corn Exchange or browse a copy on our website. Tickets for all shows are available from the Box Office by calling 01553 764864 or book online kingslynncornexchange.co.uk @klcornexchange Alive Corn Exchange @klcornexchange

KLmagazine September 2015

Making a splash at Alive Oasis! A

live Leisure made some great new changes at Alive Oasis in Hunstanton ready for the summer, including a brand new entrance accessed directly off the promenade. This was supported with new signage around the building, making it clearer where to go and what’s on offer inside. This entrance made life easier for customers and particularly for holiday makers who could access the centre from the seafront. After the success of the new arrangement and positive feedback from customers, the plan is to roll it out from Easter next year.

Alive Oasis has a 25 metre pool with the only aqua slide in West Norfolk, there is also a toddler pool and whirlpool spa to relax in. You can get fit in the fully equipped gym, with fitness classes running daily, plus there is a squash court, bowls green, outdoor roller skating (including roller disco) and the Fun Castle indoor adventure play area. The Alive Bites Café at the Oasis overlooks the glorious golden sands of the main bathing beach, you can also sit inside and view the swimming or roller skating, making it the perfect place to relax.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS Last few weeks! Alive Fitness is encouraging you to know your blood pressure numbers and will help you take action to reach or maintain a healthy blood pressure. Join Alive Fitness before the 20th September and you will receive: Health Checks* • Blood pressure • Waist line • Lung function Personal Training Sessions • One to get you started • A second to keep you on track Month’s free Membership** In association with Blood Pressure UK’s ‘Know Your Numbers!’ week 14th – 20th September *Available at all centres. More comprehensive Health Check appointments can be made at Lynnsport. **When signing up to a 12 month Lifestyle Membership.

AVAILABLE AT: Lynnsport 01553 818001 Downham Leisure 01366 386868 Oasis 01485 534227 St James Pool 01553 764888

www.aliveleisure.co.uk Peter Lemon (Chairman of Alive Leisure), Dave Cleland (Oasis Manager) and Simon McKenna (Chief Executive of Alive Leisure) outside the new Alive Oasis summer entrance.

KLmagazine September 2015

September

ABOVE: Cllr Elizabeth Nockolds, Cllr Colin Manning (both left) Lady Mayoress Julie Manning (right) Cllr Chris Crofts (back right) with David Bretton (far right) the car owner of the Model T Ford 1915 (centre)

Sunday 13th

CLASSIC DAY OUT IN KING’S LYNN Tuesday Market place, 10am - 4pm King’s Lynn Classic Car Day makes a welcome return to the Tuesday Market Place this September with over 200 vehicles, many of which are over eighty years old and will fill the historic market square. Among the highlights expected this year is David Bretten’s 1915 Model Ford T Roadster, which one lucky visitor to the show will have the chance to take a ride around the town in. To be in with a chance of making this special journey people will need to purchase a raffle ticket from the event information point on the day. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Mayor’s Charity – The Bridge for Heroes, which supports Service Personnel, Veterans and their families. “The Model T captures a sense of a bygone era and whether you’re a motoring enthusiast or not, you cannot fail to be struck by its beauty and history,” says Cllr Colin Manning, Borough Mayor, “We’re really grateful to David for offering this special trip and I am sure there will be many people who’d love to ride in this spectacular car and to help raise money for such a worthwhile cause.” Built in 1915, the Model T which will be used for the special trip has been carefully restored by owner and classic car enthusiast, David Bretten. And the colour? Well it’s black of course! In fact, being built in 1915, the car was one of the first true examples of Henry Ford’s famous saying that ‘any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black’, as prior to this date the

cars had also been produced in red and green. The Model T Roadster will be on show alongside over 200 other classic cars which between them represent a wide crosssection of motoring history. Many of the cars are over eighty years old and have fascinating stories attached to them. Tales of wrecks recovered from barns painstakingly restored to their former glory abound and pay testament to the passion and dedication of the owners. Perhaps one of the most remarkable stories is that of David Walker who undertook a 44-year mission to track down, purchase and restore a 1933 Riley Monaco once owned by a dear relative. The pristine 1968 Daimler V8 250, which took the Les Daubney Best in Show award at last year’s event, is also set to return and there will be a host of vehicles that will evoke memories of the era in which they were produced including the Ford Zephyr, whose classic shape recalls memories of the 1950s and 60s. Organisers are also looking forward to welcoming one of the last remaining examples of an early Ford Anglia (1949), the construction of which, with its fabric roof and wooden ﬂoor is indicative of post-war car production when steel was in short supply, and two 1930 AJS 9s – motorcycle manufacturers AJS’s only foray into the car market. And it is not just motoring history that visitors will be able to explore on the day, as King’s Lynn Classic Car Day coincides with Heritage Open Day. Celebrating local history and architecture, the event which is

organised by King’s Lynn Civic Society, gives people the chance to explore some of King’s Lynn’s most fascinating buildings and gardens, many of which are not usually open to the public, and includes rare access to the air raid shelter beneath the Tuesday Market Place. The air raid shelter will be open from 10am until 4pm, with tours being led by representatives from The Bridge for Heroes. The classic car day, access to the air raid shelters and all Heritage Open day activities are free of charge. Only people who have pre-booked to show their cars at King’s Lynn Classic Car Day can be accommodated. A few places remain and booking is available at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/classiccarday.

King’s Lynn Classic Car Day This is only one of the free public events organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk to support the town centre economy. To ﬁnd out about other events organised by the council, please visit www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/events. Heritage Open Day For the full programme please visit www.visitwestnorfolk.com

KLmagazine September 2015

Great cars, great news! Duff Morgan gets all set to celebrate the arrival of SEAT at the King’s Lynn dealership later this month... t’s an exciting time at Duff Morgan, as East Anglia’s premier Citroën dealer prepares to welcome SEAT to King’s Lynn, expanding the company’s service to local motorists and underlining its continued commitment to quality. Part of the German Volkswagen Group which also includes Audi and Lamborghini, the current SEAT range includes something for all tastes – from the super-chic Mii to the outstanding family-friendly Alhambra – and includes the hugelypopular Ibiza (pictured), widely described as the best supermini for every day and for every one. “Duff Morgan has been a family-run

KLmagazine September 2015

business for over 100 years, and we’ve never stopped growing and expanding and maintaining our excellent standards of customer service,” says Sales Manager Martin Seal. “The arrival of SEAT isn’t just great news for us – it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for our customers!” The Duff Morgan showroom in King’s Lynn is currently in the final stages of renovation and expansion, and a tempting selection from the current SEAT range will be available to view from September 14th. Be among the first to experience it by contacting Duff Morgan now to arrange a test drive!

information

Duﬀ Morgan 49 Bergen Way, North Lynn Industrial Estate King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 2JG Tel: 01553 770144 Web: www.duﬀmorgan.com

Local Life

ABOVE: Restoring the gatehouse at Pentney Abbey to its former glory was a literally monumental task, as can be seen from the image (opposite left) which shows the remains of the south facing wall at the beginning of the project.

A labour of love and a restoration masterclass Winner of three awards at this year’s Mayors Design Awards, the incredible restoration of the gatehouse at Pentney Abbey is a showcase of local craftsmanship, ingenuity and true dedication.

estoration projects come in all shapes and sizes, but very few present such a fearsome challenge, such a host of complex structural problems and such a historical debt as that presented to Howard Barber and Dita Lee at Pentney Abbey. At this year’s Mayors Design Awards organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, the couple received no less than three awards – the Craftsmanship Award, the Listed Building Scheme Award and the event’s overall Gold Award – even though thoughts of restoration, heritage and traditional skills were far from their minds when they ﬁrst moved to the site. “We were busily and happily creating our family home, which had been our

original intention in moving here,” says Howard. “But there was always this building in the background, nibbling away at our subconscious. It was impossible to ignore, and it got to the stage when we began seriously thinking whether we should consider restoring it.” The building in question was the gatehouse of the medieval monastery of Pentney Priory (it’s only been called an ‘abbey’ in modern times). It was the last building erected at the Priory (around 1380-1425) and one of the largest ones left standing following the Dissolution of the Monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII – but ‘standing’ is a very relative term. Although used as a dwelling until the 18th century, the gatehouse had rapidly

deteriorated since and had quickly become a ruin. The vault had collapsed into the main passageway, and successive collapses of the west wall had further weakened the structure. The roof had vanished, and an enormous pile of rubbish and detritus had accumulated at ground level over the years (“in some places the rubbish was the only thing holding the building together,” says Dita.) Fireplaces had disappeared, windows had been blocked up, ﬂues had collapsed, and a mature tree was now growing and eating its way through the building’s fabric. It had been on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register for many years, but it was clear time was running out. In fact, it only had about ﬁve years left before being lost forever. KLmagazine September 2015

KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: SUPPLIED / PENTNEY ABBEY

“It had been left open to the elements for around 200 years,” says Howard, “and our initial archaeological and architectural investigations weren’t very reassuring for its future. It was eroding from all sides and was in a terribly fragile, worryingly perilous state.” The couple realised the work involved was far beyond their current capabilites and that they’d need some expert help, and although their initial enquiries resulted in less than enthusiastic responses from all concerned, things started to look brighter at the end of 2011 when English Heritage suggested forming a partnership to undertake the restoration. Before anything could be done to save the gatehouse, however, the sheer scale of the task at hand had to be determined. In a Herculean effort, some 300 tons of rubbish had to be dug out from the base of the building under the watchful eyes of an archaeological team. Together with a full laser survey, it revealed just how fragile the building was – it also revealed that addressing a 1988 attempt to prevent the building’s collapse would present a whole new set of challenges. “The input of English Heritage can’t be underestimated,” says Howard. “It was the first time they’d worked in this way with a private owner. Overcoming that hurdle – of using public money on a private property – was a major breakthrough, and one of the greatest joys of the whole project has been the opening of those possibilities for saving buildings in the future.” Once a specially-designed roof had been installed to protect the interior from the elements (for the first time in several centuries) the building took six months to dry out, and work finally started in 2013. It took three months to erect the scaffolding (it was actually the biggest single cost of the entire restoration) and though it involved no

less than seven lifts to the top of the gatehouse none of it touched the fabric of the building. It was a level of care and attention – and local expertise – that was to characterise the entire project. “We had enquiries from experts all over the country,” says Dita, “but from the start we wanted to use local craftsmen wherever and whenever we could. We found there was a huge wealth of talented craftspeople in West Norfolk, and they weren’t just carpenters, builders and bricklayers – they were real enthusiasts. They took genuine pride in their work and they really understood the historical responsibilities they were taking on.” Every inch and every stone of the gatehouse was examined in detail to build a picture of the required stonework – which meant stones could be cut oﬀ site (by hand, naturally) and later ﬁtted into place like a giant jigsaw. “It was amazing how everyone’s skills

worked together,” says Dita. “Although nothing was left of the arches over the fireplaces, the archaeologists were able to recreate the design from only three of four remaining stones so we could restore the fireplaces in an authentic, historically accurate way.” Slowly, the results of several centuries of neglect were being peeled back and repaired. Walls that were now only a single stone thick were strengthened (one alone took enough bricks for a new 4-bedroom house), detailed carved stonework was fitted seamlessly beside 900-year-old originals, and the roof timbers (sourced locally from the Stody Estate in North Norfolk) were lifted by pulley and manpower and fitted with wooden pegs and traditional tools – despite some of them weighing up to 600 kilos apiece. “For me, one of the most interesting parts of the restoration was the rebuilding of the gatehouse’s central

PICTURES: SUPPLIED / PENTNEY ABBEY

Local Life

ABOVE: The central compartment of the gatehouse is now a quite beautiful space, and a stark contrast to its condition before the start of the restoration project (right), where the walls had almost totally eroded.

vault,” says Howard. “No stone vault had built from scratch in England since the 1920s, so it was fascinating to watch it taking shape. In a very real sense we were watching history being made.” Even when Howard and Dita were forced to acknowledge the 21st century, they never lost sight of their responsibility to conservation. “The gatehouse now features an incredible steel staircase that was manufactured by Able Engineering in King’s Lynn using the very latest technology,” says Dita. “We need it to reach the higher levels of the building, but although it’s a very modern addition, we’ve painted it to match the walls and it was so perfectly designed that it sits within a few millimeters of the building’s fabric and doesn’t actually touch it at any point.” The work was completed in February 2014, and after the scaffolding was removed (a task that itself took two months) Howard and Dita were finally able to stand back and see what they’d achieved – a lovingly restored gatehouse fronted by a stunning masterpiece of a wooden door crafted by TJE Joinery of King’s Lynn. “It’s an incredible sight,” says Dita. “It’s been a real privilege to be able to do it, and it’s been truly satisfying to have used so many local people and local businesses. It’s a marvellous example of what can be achieved by people working together and sharing a common belief.” The couple are the first to admit they couldn’t have saved the gatehouse by themselves, and owe a huge debt to a wide range of people – including Councillor Vivienne Spikings, Chair of the Planning Committe, Will Fletcher

and Jon Ette of English Heritage, Ruth Brennan Architects, David Gurney of Norfolk County Council, and Pamela Lynn, Conservation Oﬃcer at the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk – and they feel the building is a credit to everyone’s work and support. Indeed, for Howard, the entire project has been something of a revelation. “It’s not just about the building,” he says. “Above all, it’s a human story. If you don’t know where your past is, you can’t know where your future lies. Our ancestors built this gatehouse with plumblines and bowls of water, and you can’t fail to be impressed by what they achieved. But you can only do that if you have a real connection to the building. If we lose our buildings, we’ll lose that. I think saving that connection for the future has been our single greatest achievement.”

“The ﬁnished Gatehouse is a masterclass in craftsmanship and an exemplar of how this sort of restoration work should be done. From the stonemasons to the carpenters and everyone else who worked on the site, everything has been carried out to an excellent standard. Howard and Dita should be justly proud of not just what they have achieved, but how it has been done...” JANE FORDER Technical Support Oﬃcer, Conservation Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk

For more information on the restoration of the gatehouse at Pentney Abbey, please see the website at www.pentneyabbey.com

THE MAYOR’S DESIGN AWARDS Organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, the Mayor’s Design Awards highlight the central role good building design and workmanship plays in making our local communities attractive places in which to live and work, helping attract more visitors and business to the area. Entries for next year’s Awards will open later this month for projects completed between January 2014 and December 2015, and application forms will soon be available from the Borough Council.

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

An exciting new chapter in handmade furniture... W

hen Caroline and Bill Hammill wanted to create a true family room for their home in Witchford, they wanted something more special than a simple row of bookcases. “We wanted a room with a real ‘wow’ factor,” says Bill. “We wanted a room for all the family to relax in, to read and to play games and to listen to music.” “Above all, we didn’t want it to look like a kitchen,” says Caroline. “Some of the people we approached just didn’t seem to get it. They tended to overcomplicate things and didn’t understand how we wanted to use the room.” During a weekend celebrating Bill’s birthday, the couple visited King’s Lynn and came across Bespoke Pine n Oak’s town centre store and furniture workshop in Tower Street. “We saw some intriguing magazine racks in the window and decided to pop in,” says Bill. “It was only then that we realised they actually designed and built

the furniture themselves.” The combination of Kevin Berry’s long experience in the timber trade and the remarkable craftsmanship of his fellow director Carl Ingram were exactly what the Hammills were looking for. “We like to say we can make anything for anyone to go anywhere,” says Kevin. “Any shape, any size – we’re really only ever limited by people’s imaginations!” Carl visited the Hammills at home and prepared a number of room designs. “He really had some great ideas,” says Caroline. “He thought of having a central bookcase stand out from the rest of the library to give it some depth, and suggested fitting a skirting board to match the existing one that ran around the rest of the room. It was that level of attention to detail that we wanted – someone who completely understood how important the room was to us.” After building the units to the highest standards and with traditional cabinetmaking and carpentry skills, Carl and his team returned to the Hammills and fitted

the system within a few hours. “They were so impressive,” says Bill. “They obviously took a great deal of pride in their work, and it was clear the finished result meant just as much to Bespoke Pine n Oak as it did to us.” Today, the family room is faithful to the Hammills’ original vision – Bill listens to his records, Caroline reads her favourite books, and together they play games with their grandchildren when they visit. “Most people say it looks as though it’s always been here, and that’s exactly what we had in mind,” says Caroline. “I think this is the room that I always wanted – but I didn’t realise that until I saw it!” For unique handmade furniture that’s carefully and individually crafted to meet the needs of you and your home, contact Kevin and Carl at Bespoke Pine n Oak today. If you can draw it, they can make it.

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Bespoke Pine n Oak: if you can draw it – we can make it! KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: IAN WARD

Local Life

ABOVE: SHARP is a truly democratic archaeological project – attracting university students from around the world in addition to volunteers from the local community and Sedgeford itself

Digging deeper into the roots of Norfolk life... It’s one of the largest independent archaeological projects in Britain and has been uncovering the secrets of our past for the last 19 years. Emma Barnard talks to SHARP’s Alice Wolﬀ

orfolk is an archaeolgist’s dream. Home to the earliest evidence of human footprints outside of Africa (dating to at least 800,000 years ago) the county has passed through every stage of our history, leaving traces that show where we’ve come from – and where we may be going. One place that’s probably more familiar with its roots than anywhere else in Norfolk is Sedgeford, just to the southeast of Hunstanton. For the last 19 years, the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP) has been unearthing the area’s history and development in a very literal sense. “SHARP is primarily an archaeological investigation into the history of human settlement and land use in the parish of KLmagazine September 2015

Sedgeford,” says Alice Wolﬀ, SHARP’s publicity manager. “People come here either to volunteer as excavators or to take our courses on excavation techniques, human remains, pottery, archaeometallurgy and the archaeology of World War I.” It all started back in 1995 when Dr. Neil Faulkner (who was hoping to establish his own archaeological excavation) met Professor Bernard Campbell and his family on holiday in the area – and learned that the Campbell estate already had a history of partial archaeological investigations. “They stayed in contact and the following year, SHARP began excavation on Boneyard Field, the Anglo-Saxon cemetery,” says Alice. Since then, the project has excavated everything from Iron Age coin hoards to a World War I aerodrome.

The project runs annually from July to mid-August over a six-week period, and it’s a time when Sedgeford is a particularly busy place. “Members get involved in all sorts of diﬀerent ways,” says Alice. “For example, we’ll have many A-Level students on site who are doing our course on Basic Excavation and Recording Techniques, trying out archaeology before deciding on a subject to study at university.” In addition to attracting archaeology students looking for digging experience for their degree courses, SHARP also appeals to people who have retired or are thinking about a career change – and those looking to enhance their interest in archaeology and local history with some hands-on activity. “People ﬁnd out about our project through the Council for British 21

Local Life

ABOVE: The Anglo Saxon ovens are SHARP’s most important discoveries, says the project’s publicity manager Alice Wolﬀ (above right). This fragment of oven lining shows clear hand marks – possibly those of a child

discovery to date has been the AngloSaxon ovens,” says Alice. “They’re unique finds in Britain, both because of their remarkable state of preservation and because no one’s ever seen any structures quite like them.” The first oven was uncovered in 2013, a second followed in 2014 and even more structures were uncovered this season. “This season has really been quite busy,” says Alice. “We’ve had two main trenches running on the Campbell’s estate continuing our investigation into the Middle Anglo-Saxon settlement. One focused on the actual settlement and has uncovered the remains of a building in addition to many pits and ditches, while the other has been focused on investigating the ovens and Anglo-Saxon plough soil that was preserved with them.” The 2015 season clearly unearthed some interesting finds, such as nails, knife blades and pins, but one thing stood out more than the rest for the SHARP team. “Our most fascinating find this season [pictured left] has been a flute made from a sheep bone,” says Alice. “It’s a truly unique find at Sedgeford, as in our twenty seasons of excavation this is our

very first flute!” So what does the future hold for SHARP and its volunteers? “We’ll be continuing our investigations into the Anglo-Saxon settlement and ovens for the foreseeable future, as well as expanding our excavations at a medieval manor site and mill site,” says Alice. “We’ll also be re-opening our Roman villa excavation from several years ago.” In addition, SHARP is also hoping to offer new courses on environmental archaeology, medieval archaeology, advanced studies in human remains, artefact studies and ‘A Day in the Life of the Anglo-Saxons’. If you’re interested in helping SHARP shed new light on our origins and play your part in uncovering the country’s history, you can contact the project at www.sharp.org.uk – and learn more about the team’s current and past excavations.

PICTURES: IAN WARD

Archaeology website, word of mouth, flyers, attending our open day or simply googling ‘archaeology in Norfolk’!” says Alice. “At heart, we’re a democratic community archaeology project. We believe anyone can ‘do’ archaeology, and we welcome anyone interested to come and dig – no degree or previous experience required!” The local community are also very involved in SHARP. “Many local people from Sedgeford participate in the project either by volunteering or by taking courses,” says Alice. “A real strength of the project is that it attracts people from around the world – from America, from Australia, from Brazil – but also has such a great deal of support from the people who live here.” SHARP has made some fantastic discoveries in its time and published its first monograph on the first 11 years’ worth of excavations last year, which discusses evidence and interpretations from the cemetery excavations. It’s also published a book on the Sedgeford Hoard, a collection of 20 gold Iron Age coins found in a cow bone and a further 19 coins found in the surrounding area. “I think our most important

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

Enjoy the beauty of granite – and save up to 400% Treating your home to quality granite has never been so aﬀordable... ranite is one of hardest natural substances in the world (in fact, only diamond is harder), and it’s been prized for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used it for statues, early Indians built entire temples from it, and for the Victorians it was a major status symbol. Today, the use of granite in the home has probably never been so popular – or so desirable – and there are several reasons why. In addition to its natural beauty, granite is extremely hardwearing, heatproof and very easy to clean. And every single piece is uniquely coloured and patterned, allowing you to express your individual taste and style in a quite beautiful way. The result is an almost endless choice of fabulous kitchen worktops, incredible ﬂoor and bathroom tiles, and

KLmagazine September 2015

stunning fire surrounds and hearths – but until recently those luxurious looks have carried an equally upscale price tag. Now, however, a Norfolk-based company isn’t just making granite affordable – it’s confident of being able to save you up to 400% on the prices you’d expect to pay on the high street! Norfolk Granites have been sourcing and supplying a comprehensive range of high-quality granite to the building trade, and are now making that quality available direct to the public. Whatever you’re looking for, Norfolk Granites can supply high quality pieces for any purpose and for any room – from the initial design through to the expert cutting, polishing and finishing. But the price is what really makes it stand out from the crowd. For example, five metres of granite worktop from Norfolk Granites can cost as little as £500, a huge difference on the

usual retail price. And if you need any help with the installation, the professional and experienced team will give you all the help and advice you need. If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities, contact Norfolk Granites for a free no-obligation quote and discover just how aﬀordable the beauty of granite can be.

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aken for granted most of the time, our floors get an awful lot of wear and tear over time. On average, we take around 6,000 steps every single day, and there’s no way to avoid their inevitable impact on your home – even with the very hardest of flooring. They may look fantastic, but the trouble with slate, limestone and natural stone floors is that by the time it becomes clear that a good clean is in order, it’s because layer upon layer of stains, bacteria and soil deposits have built up into a mess that’s very difficult to clean by yourself. “You can’t just drag a mop over it!” says XtraClean’s Martin King. “The more deposits build up, the more ineffective traditional cleaning methods and chemicals become. With our revolutionary floor cleaning system, we can restore even heavilysoiled stone floors, tiles and grout to ‘as-new’

KLmagazine September 2015

brilliance – and all in a single visit too!” Martin founded XtraClean in 1993, and the Swaffham-based company offers a professional and friendly service that covers the whole county with a team of highly skilled, highly trained and highly knowledgeable technicians dedicated to keeping your floors looking their very best. After an initial survey of your floors and the testing of a sample area, Martin and his team will get to work – and they’ll even move the furniture for you! Starting by breaking down ingrained dirt and loosening surface soiling, XtraClean’s turbo cleaning capture system then thoroughly pressure cleans the floor, capturing waste in the process. The results are spectacular, and the system avoids the need for invasive procedures such as grinding and resurfacing. “Once the floor has been restored to its former glory,” says Martin, “we professionally seal the surface to protect it and

help it retain its good looks for longer. We can also re-polish and buff highly-honed stone floors if required.” But it’s not just the floors inside your home that can enjoy the XtraClean touch – Martin and his team also have a wealth of experience in cleaning everything from outdoor terraces to paths and patios. “We use the most advanced technology we can find and the most professional products on the market,” says Martin. “The results really do speak for themselves, and our customers are left with floors that don’t just look great – they provide you with a safe and healthy environment too.” For an extra reliable, an extra professional and an extra friendly service, Xtraclean is the obvious answer – contact Martin and his local-based team today and give your floors the look they deserve!

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KLmagazine September 2015

History

ABOVE: Oliver Cromwell’s house in Ely – apart from Hampton Court this is the only surviving residence of one of the most controversial ﬁgures in English history

Ruthless dictator or champion of freedom? A look at the life of Oliver Cromwell – and how a farmer and minor landowner from a small market town in Cambridgeshire became one of the most devisive figures in English history...

n April 29th 1599, the infant son of Robert Cromwell and Elizabeth Steward was christened in the church of St John the Baptist in Huntingdon. Some years later, someone scrawled “England’s plague for five years” against the entry in the register – a judgement which was itself defaced with heavy black ink by someone else at a later date. Such widely differing views are typical when it comes to Oliver Cromwell, who rose from relative obscurity as a local MP to become one of the most controversial figures in British history. He’s been seen as both an evil dictator and one of England’s greatest KLmagazine September 2015

sons. He’s been judged both a fanatical puritan who enforced the abolition of Christmas, and a devoted protector of religious freedoms. For some, he was a ruthless revolutionary who toppled (and killed) a king, while for others he was a pioneering spirit in the development of parliamentary democracy. These opposing views of Cromwell even followed him into death. In 1661, three years after his state funeral at Westminster Abbey (and following the restoration of the monarchy), Cromwell’s body was disinterred and publicly beheaded, his head passing through a number of private hands until ﬁnally coming to rest in the grounds of a Cambridge college in 1960.

Nothing in Cromwell’s origins suggested such a life or legacy. His parents belonged to the lower ranks of the gentry (his mother came from a respectable Norfolk family) and he grew up to be a farmer and minor landowner until turning strongly to Puritanism in his 30s. Cromwell developed a real sense of mission, seeing himself ﬁghting for the cause of the Protestants in England and ridding the church of its Catholic inﬂuences. In 1628, Cromwell was elected to the House of Commons (he was the poorest MP there at the time of his election), where he become known for his outspoken views on the monarchy and the church. When the 29

History

ABOVE: Oliver Cromwell’s house in Ely includes this recreation of Cromwell at work in his study. At right is a detail from Charles Landseer’s painting of the victorious Cromwell (reading a letter found in the cabinet of the defeated Charles I) following the Battle of Naseby in 1645

rising tensions between Parliament and King Charles I led to the outbreak of the English Civil War in August 1642, Cromwell raised an army in his home county, and after a series of victories over the King’s forces was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. It was Cromwell’s success as a soldier in the English Civil War that really lifted him to power. Despite having no previous training as a soldier, he rose (as a cavalry officer) up through the ranks of the Parliamentarian Army to become one of its leading commanders. He also supported lower-class men being promoted to commands if they were ‘godly’ and capable – something which hardly endeared him to the generals around him. Cromwell was particulary good at tactics and strategy. He was key in Parliament’s victory at Marston Moor in 1644 and the Battle of Naseby in 1645, and appeared to have an amazing talent for making his men believe in themselves. His conviction they had God on their side led to their tremendous successes as a fighting force, and Cromwell emerged from the Civil War a bona fide hero. As the leader of Parliament’s armies (which he consolidated into a single force known as the New Model Army), his influence over the military made him a powerful political figure, and after the execution of Charles I in January 1649 (Cromwell played a leading role in bringing the king to trial), he assumed

the prestigious position of First Chairman of the new Council of State. Cromwell’s life as a statesman, and the ﬁrst ever non-Royal ruler of England, seems extraordinary when one thinks of his humble beginnings. During his time as Lord Protector, England enjoyed a greater amount of personal religious freedom than it had for years before (or after), laws were made more humane and judges more honest. However, he also clamped down on drinking, gambling and playing games on a Sunday, which made him unpopular with many ordinary people. Cromwell could be ruthless in battle and his brutal actions in crushing opposition in Ireland were to cause great bitterness between the Irish and English. Yet there have been very few men able to hold such great power as Cromwell had, without abusing it – and even fewer would have turned down the chance to become King of England! Although Cromwell made such a huge impact on the country and his home region of East Anglia, it’s surprising that apart from Hampton Court, the only surviving former residence of his today is on St. Mary’s Street in Ely. Originally built in the 13th century, the house was home to Cromwell and his family for 10 years from 1636 and was bought in 1988 by the local council, which refurbished it to show how it may have looked during Cromwell’s lifetime.

Also home to Ely’s Tourist Information Centre, the house allows visitors to step into Cromwell’s life and times, from the atmospheric parlour to the allegedly haunted bedroom and the kitchen in which Cromwell’s wife Elizabeth must have spent much of her time – she was an accomplished cook and even produced a book (The Court and Kitchen of Elizabeth Cromwell) that contains traditional local recipes such as Eel Pie. The house also includes a magnicifent portrait of Cromwell and exhibitions and ﬁlms on his life (and death) and the background to the English Civil War. Since his death in 1658, Cromwell’s motives and actions have been the subject of much debate. But whatever you feel about the man and his actions, for good or bad, his importance in one of the most troubled times of British history isn’t in doubt.

OLIVER CROMWELL’S HOUSE 29 St Mary’s Street, Ely CB7 4HF Open: the house is open all year round except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Until October 31st, the house is open from 10am–5pm daily. Admission: £4.90 adults, £3.40 children (under 6’s free), concessions available. Cost includes free audioguides. Details: call 01353 662062 or e-mail tic@eastcambs.gov.uk

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

Ensuring your will fulfils all your wishes How Fraser Dawbarns can help ensure your will remains true to your intentions

oncerned clients have been turning to Fraser Dawbarns in the wake of a recent decision of the Court of Appeal but solicitor Janet Norris, who specialises in contentious probate, says there’s no need to panic. The case concerned the estate of the late Mrs Jackson, who died in 2004, and her estranged daughter of 26 years, Heather. Mrs Jackson had decided to divide her entire estate (valued at £486,000) between three charities to which she had no connection. “Heather knew that her mother intended not to leave her anything in her will,” says Janet, “but subsequently brought a claim under the Inheritance, or Provision for Family and Dependants Act 1975 for reasonable financial provision.” Heather was initially awarded £50,000, but the matter then went through several appeals, culminating in the Court of Appeal decision in July this year in which Heather was awarded the sum required to purchase her property and a further £20,000 in cash to provide her with a small additional income. The decision has left many wondering whether it removes the right to choose who receives your property when you die, but the short answer is no. “These sorts of cases are fact-sensitive,” says Janet, “and in this case Mrs Jackson had left her estate to charities she had no

KLmagazine September 2015

previous connection with.” Whilst the decision serves as a reminder of the court’s powers under the Act, and shows the importance that the Court places on the needs of family over and above non-related beneficiaries, this case doesn’t mean that every claim made by an adult child is bound to succeed. Cases in which you need to be careful when excluding an adult child from your will is in circumstances when you have more than one child and you exclude just one, or if you leave your estate to a charity, as with the case of Mrs Jackson. Many clients have recently come to Janet with worries that a similar scenario could happen to them, but there’s no need to be concerned if you arrange your will through Fraser Dawbarns. Having your will drafted by a solicitor ensures the evidence surrounding the drafting and execution of the will is very detailed and contains information such as solicitor’s attendance notes. There are further measures you can

take to ensure your estate is handled in the way you intended. You can, for instance, insert a statement in the will giving reasons why the adult child hasn’t been provided for. You can also consider making a provision for the adult child under a discretionary trust with a letter of wishes setting out criteria for distribution. This may be an option when the reason for excluding the adult child from the will is that they're not good with money, are likely to become bankrupt or have married someone unsuitable. Finally, you have the opportunity of taking the advice of a member (or associate member) of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists to reduce the risk of a claim being made by the adult child. If you have concerns regarding your will or find yourself in similar circumstances and are looking for some high quality advice, then look no further than Janet and the expert team at Fraser Dawbarns.

FRASER DAWBARNS LLP 21 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JW Tel: 01553 666600 Fax: 01553 767221 DX: 57800 KINGS LYNN Web: www.fraserdawbarns.com E-mail: info@fraserdawbarns.com

Education

ABOVE: Students at King’s Lynn Academy are thoroughly grounded in the key skills they’ll need in the world of enterprise and business, but that goes hand-in-hand with a solid academic foundation, according to Executive Principal Craig Morrison (below)

Lessons for the future of local business... KL magazine talks to Executive Principal Craig Morrison about how King’s Lynn’s two academies are preparing students for their future lives as successful members of their communities

his month sees the arrival in King’s Lynn of two new Heads of School for the town’s two academies. Both highly-experienced heads of successful schools, Barney Rimmer will be joining King’s Lynn Academy, while Lloyd Brown will be taking the helm at King Edward VII Academy – and both will be taking forward the vision and groundbreaking work of Craig Morrison, who’ll remain as the two academies’ Executive Principal. “It’s a particularly exciting time for everyone at both academies,” says Craig, “especially as both of them have reached signiﬁcant points in their development this year.” Indeed, although its origins stretch

back some 500 years, King Edward VII Academy is only completing its ﬁrst year as an academy this month, but already has good cause for celebrating. “We’ve enjoyed record results in Classics this year, and six students will be continuing those studies at University,” says Craig. “It’s a perfect example of how our enrichment programme, which saw those students visit places such as Rome, Athens and Hadrian’s Wall, helps strengthen their academic achievements.” The foundation of the King Edward VII Academy’s focus on leadership and success can be found in its long and proud sporting tradition, a tradition reﬂected in the Academy’s PE department being recently voted Sports

KLmagazine September 2015

Department of the Year at the Norfolk Sports Awards. “Many of our inter-house competitions go back at least to the start of the 20th century,” says Craig, “and students find that trying to break records that have stood for decades hugely motivating and highly challenging.” This atmosphere of healthy competition continues to bear fruit throughout the Academy – with its football teams reaching national finals and its sports teachers providing positive mentoring in other subjects. “Our superb reputation for sports is a marker of the emphasis we place on developing well-rounded young adults,” says Craig. “It also serves as a symbol of our wider aims – the pursuit of excellence in all things, pride in our academy, togetherness in all we do, and high standards of fair play and outstanding behaviour.” With such a distinguished sporting heritage to build on, it’s hardly surprising that the concept of leadership plays an important role in the life of King Edward VII Academy, and 6th form students are now being actively encouraged to take a leadership qualification or extended project qualification that emphasises those qualities. “It’s hugely important to encourage young people to take a lead,” says Craig, “but it’s equally vital to ensure they understand that not everyone can be a great leader – people can be great followers as well.” Although seen through a slightly different lens, the idea of leadership is central to the work of King's Lynn Academy, which was founded in 2010 and its fifth anniversary marks a very significant point for both the Academy’s students and its teachers. “This year, for the very first time, students will be leaving us having passed all the way through the Academy,” says Craig. “They’ll have had a very different learning experience during their time here, and wherever their chosen path now takes them, they’ll have been uniquely prepared for it.” That experience is distinguished by a strong emphasis on enterprise, an approach designed to ensure all students are well qualified, well trained, and well prepared for the world of business – not only in an academic sense, but also in their personal attitudes, in their appearance, and in the originality of their thinking. “Unlike most schools, and unusually for this area, every student studies

KLmagazine September 2015

ABOVE: Students at King Edward VII Academy are encouraged to make the most of a world of opportunity – a world characterised by a long and proud sporting tradition.

enterprise,” says Craig. “And it’s not just a case of attending classes in ‘business studies’ – it’s our ambition that all young people not only leave us ready to succeed but fully understand what employers will expect from and have the mindset needed to play an active role in the growth and development of business in West Norfolk.” At the centre of that ambition are the six enterprise skills that pervade life at the Academy – teamwork, risk taking, problem solving, passion, determination and creativity. They’re referred to in assemblies, their symbols appear everywhere from workbooks to the buildings themselves, and the Academy closely tracks how well students engage with them. “These aren’t just crucial skills for business,” says Craig. “They’re also essential attributes for wider learning, and I don’t think anyone would dispute their value in life outside school.” Indeed, this enterprising dimension is so important that King’s Lynn Academy has a dedicated coordinator on site in Laura McNeill, who’s wholly responsible for its implementation. Highly experienced in working with the worlds of business and education, Laura oversees a huge programme of activities that reinforces the six enterprise skills and works as a liaison between the Academy and local businesses – identifying the local needs of the workplace and how the Academy

can best fulﬁll them. “The media is always very keen to claim that all employers want are higher standers of literacy and numeracy,” says Craig, “but the truth is actually a lot more complex than that. To succeed and to grow, companies need employees capable of sustaining interest in complex tasks, who can work in a team, who can be creative and who know how to solve problems.” While these skills aren’t necessarily subject-based, they are developed in students through a continuous

Education

programme of popular activities – from engaging challenges to reward-based activities and a regular series of business-focussed events. The Academy’s ‘Inspire and Inform’ days take the concept of traditional ‘careers days’ to a new level by introducing students to new ideas, new paths, and new careers through the use of inspirational speakers. Students at King’s Lynn Academy

have recently heard from people as diverse as former professional footballer Luther Blissett and Edgar Cahn, the distinguished legal professor who was once Robert F. Kennedy’s speechwriter. A group of Year 9 girls are currently being mentored by Olympic Swimmer Joanne Jackson, and the inspiring story of one of the top scientists working on the largest single machine in the world (the Large Hadron Collider) was even more inspiring as the scientist in question is actually an ex-student of the Academy. “It’s about looking further afield and expanding boundaries,” says Craig. “It’s not only about meeting the needs of local employers but opening up the international opportunities open to our students. That’s why our four houses are named after visionary seafarers – to underline the value and rewards of setting your sights beyond the horizon.” The Academy’s Enterprise Society encourages students to formulate their own ideas for business and helps them in getting them off the ground, its ‘Lunch and Learn’ and ‘Day in the Life of...’ initiatives offer students the opportunity to learn about the local

world of business on a face-to-face basis, and it’s also formed a partnership (funded by the Prince’s Trust) with Business in the Community, which has teamed the Academy with Pinguin Foods in King’s Lynn. “It’s been particularly rewarding to work with a local company that’s been – like ourselves – on a very remarkable journey,” says Craig. “Some of our students are now working closely with Pinguin on their GCSEs in Land Studies, and that’s a perfect example of how our emphasis on building enterprise skills feeds back into the achievement of better grades.” Indeed, Craig is the first to point out that the Academy’s efforts in instilling skill sets for business and enterprise run in perfect tandem with solid academic foundations. “Whatever the needs of the wider community, meeting them can’t be done without a strong moral compass,” he says. ”At heart, we want all our students to leave us with a wellgrounded education, with a sense of integrity, of self-confidence and of selflessness. Concepts such as enterprise, leadership and sporting success aren’t counter to those attributes. In fact, they’re all the better for them.”

KING’S LYNN ACADEMY Queen Mary Road, King’s Lynn Norfolk PE30 4QG Tel: 01553 774671 Web: www.kingslynnacademy.co.uk

KING EDWARD VII ACADEMY Gaywood Road, King’s Lynn Norfolk PE30 2QB Tel: 01553 773606 Web: www.kesacademy.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2015

“At CWA I always felt valued as a student and that the tutors really cared about my progress....” Emma Pursglove on how the College of West Anglia helped on her journey to becoming a teacher

orking as a pre-school manager, Emma Pursglove had always held the ambition of becoming a teacher in her own right, and thanks to the College of West Anglia she’s now well on her way to realising her goal. Emma’s now working as a primary school teacher and studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Education at the University of East Anglia in Norwich following her successful completion of a foundation degree and BA (Hons) Early Childhood

Professional Studies at CWA. “I initially chose CWA because it was close to where I live and the course was directly relevant to my pre-school work,” says Emma. “I’m really glad that I made the choice now as the tutors at CWA are so passionate about what they’re doing and so friendly.” As she works towards gaining her QTS (Qualiﬁed Teacher Status), Emma has nothing but praise for CWA and the help she received there. “It’s such a supportive atmosphere,” she says. “At CWA I always felt valued as a student and that the tutors really cared about my progress.” Needless to say, Emma would heartily

recommend the experience. “If anyone was thinking of attending CWA and asked me for advice, I’d reply in one word – enrol!” she says. “Higher education is hard work, but at CWA you’re always helped and supported in what you’re trying to achieve.” The College of West Anglia oﬀers a huge range of courses in a wide range of exciting subject areas, and they’re available in ﬂexible options to cater for individual needs and circumstances. l For more details and information about the opportunities available at CWA, and how to take the next step, please visit www.cwa.ac.uk/here

EMMA PURSgLOVE

Reaching her teaching dream with a degree at CWA Worked as a pre-school manager

Came to college to change her career

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*Association of Colleges study, November 2010 **Department for Business Innovation & Skills report, August 2013

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

Tax Tips

New product launches: the six steps to success! W

hether you’re launching a new product from an existing business or your product is your new business, it’s all too easy to get it wrong and fall at the ﬁrst hurdle. According to some studies, as many as 65% of products launched by established companies fail, so it’s vital to prepare properly when introducing something brand new to the marketplace. Here are six tips for giving your brilliant idea the very best chance of success…

1. SET YOUR GOALS It may seem obvious, but it’s a common trap to launch a new product in a fairly haphazard way, without thinking clearly about what you’re actually trying to achieve. Consider what will constitute success for your product launch and set your goals accordingly. It’s well worth taking into account such things as product awareness, leads, aﬃliations or partnerships with any third parties who’ll market your product, and (of course!) sales. 2. HAVE CLEAR TARGETS Very few products have universal appeal. Ask yourself ‘who will buy this?’ and ‘how

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much will they be willing to pay for it?’ Outline the profile of your ideal customer or your most likely customer, and make sure all your pricing, marketing and advertising efforts are geared specifically towards them.

3. DEFINE YOUR USP Once you’ve identiﬁed your target customer, ensure you can justify why they should choose your product over a rival that already exists. What problem are you solving that your customers currently face? What need do they have that’s currently unmet? Crystallise the unique selling point (USP) of your product by answering these questions, and make that the central message in your marketing. 4. KEEP IT SIMPLE Confused customers don’t part with their money. Although you may understand the product and its beneﬁts perfectly, you must ensure the same is true for the uninitiated. A great idea is to try your marketing messages on a layperson who knows nothing about the product you’ve been developing. Can they easily grasp what your product is for – and why they should invest in it?

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KLmagazine September 2015

Since April 6th 2015 some married couples and civil partners have been eligible for a new Transferable Tax Allowance, enabling spouses to transfer a ﬁxed amount of their personal allowance to their spouse. The option to transfer is available to couples where neither pays tax at the higher or additional rate. If eligible, one partner can then transfer 10% of their personal tax allowance to the other partner (£1,060 for the 2015/16 tax year). In cases of couples where one person does not use all their personal allowance, the beneﬁt will be up to £212 (20% of £1,060).

5. BE READY Although perfectionism is to be avoided if it prevents anything getting done (at some point you do need to hit the ‘go!’ button) you must equally make sure your product is fully tested and ready to roll before you launch. 6. PREPARE FOR SUCCESS Don’t spend so much time worrying about failure and working to get your launch right that you neglect to put systems in place to cope in the event you have a runaway hit on your hands. Many businesses have run into logistical, staffing and cash flow difficulties simply because they suddenly find they’ve had a deluge of orders they can’t realistically meet. Believe in your success!

Our free mobile Tax App provides a reminder of key tax rates, a range of useful tax calculators, and several tax functions. It’s available on both iOS and Android – simply search ‘Smart Tax’

Education

ABOVE: Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery was judged ‘outstanding in all areas’ by an Ofsted report last November, which said the school’s “range of learning activities engages and motivates pupils to learn exceptionally well.”

Giving young minds the very best start in life Emma Barnard talks to Elizabeth Laﬀeaty-Sharpe, the inspirational founder of Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery about her work and her love of education...

lizabeth Laffeaty-Sharpe first started teaching in a Church of England primary school in Central London, but it was at an American school during the 10 years she spent teaching in the Canary Islands that she first came across the Montessori Method of teaching. Returning to the UK in 1981, she enrolled on a Montessori Teaching course, familiarising herself with the approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori that aims to allow children to grow naturally, retain their individuality, and develop their own unique personality.

In 1983, Elizabeth moved to Norfolk, and after an unsuccessful search for a Nursery School for her three-year-old son, decided to open her own. The Downham Montessori School opened in 1984 in the Old National School building in Howdale Road – and in 1988, in response to parental requests, Elizabeth opened a small Primary School in an adjoining building. The demand for places at the school grew and in 1991 Elizabeth purchased the Old Rectory at Stow Bardolph. The school was soon full, and in 2005 she opened a new, purpose-built school in the Old Rectory grounds. Seven years ago, Elizabeth opened an additional

nursery in Downham Market, which already has a waiting list. Indeed, the school and nursery have become so popular that during the summer, an extension has been built so it can oﬀer more places. Emma Barnard: Why did you decide to establish your own school? ElizaBEth laffEaty-SharpE: I must admit that I was always bored when I attended primary school myself! Later, when I began to teach, I could see that many of the children weren’t stimulated and their school day was repetitive. When I taught abroad, I saw many

KLmagazine September 2015

ABOVE: Elizabeth Laﬀeaty-Sharpe founded Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery just over 30 years ago, and is seen here with the school’s very ﬁrst pupils in 1984

diﬀerent styles of teaching with a less restrictive curriculum, and the children were very motivated and actually eager to come to school. When I opened my school, I used a mixture of Montessori methodology, learning through doing, and the best of the practices I’d seen in other schools abroad. I didn’t want to see children simply sitting and listening or ﬁlling in worksheets. EB: how do you implement your ideas on teaching?

El-S: In our school, the children aren’t taught by one class teacher – they’re taught by subject specialists. The children are taught each subject by a teacher who has a wealth of knowledge in their chosen field and their enthusiasm inspires the children to learn, as each lesson is different and exciting. The other very important difference is that each child is treated as an individual. Their ability is assessed, and their work, across all subjects, is set at a level suitable for them. Many of our Year 6s are already studying and

working at Level 6 (KS3, High School Level). Similarly, we have pupils with special needs who are working on remedial programmes. If the work set is too easy or too hard, children will become disengaged and bored, and this leads to bad behaviour. EB: how do you see the school developing in the future? El-S: Many parents have asked if we would consider opening a High School. We have the Primary School and Nursery at Stow Bardolph, plus the new Nursery in Downham Market. I don’t really want to expand any further as to do so would change the character of the school, and I wouldn’t be able to oversee a larger school properly. EB: What’s the most rewarding part of your job? El-S: The most rewarding part of my job is when a child is transferred to our school with a problem and is unable to cope in mainstream education. To work closely with them and watch them ﬂourish and overcome their diﬃculties is so rewarding. The proudest times are when our Year 6s leave well-prepared and ready for the challenges of Senior School. Many of them gain academic, sport and art scholarships to the school of their choice. It’s very sad to see them go after nine years at this school, but rewarding to see them go on to achieve so much.

KLmagazine September 2015

Education

ABOVE: Pupils at Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery participating in this year’s summer show Songs from the War Years

EB: What are your views on education in general? El-S: Teaching is a vocation. You have to really like children and enjoy being with them as they can be very challenging. I think that when teachers are training, they should spend more time in the classroom, with advancedskills teachers in outstanding schools. I learned more by observing experienced teachers in diﬀerent countries, using a variety of methods than I ever did at college. We need high standards of teaching, and for teachers to be given more freedom to make their lessons creative, diﬀerent and inspiring for their pupils. There have been too many changes over the years, and the burden of paperwork is ridiculous. A teacher can

write endless lesson plans, but if they can’t control the class and inspire them, they’re of no real use. Good teachers need to be left alone and given the opportunity to get on with their job. EB: how do you like to spend any spare time you have? El-S: As you can imagine, with three schools I don’t get much spare time, but I do enjoy gardening, cooking and entertaining my friends and family.

people are very friendly, we have easy access to the rest of the country, and the countryside and coast are beautiful. It’s a very inspiring place to be. for more information and details on downham preparatory School and montessori nursery, you can contact the school by calling 01366 388066, visiting the website at www.downhamprep.co.uk or by sending an e-mail to oﬃce@downhamprep.co.uk

EB: What do you like the most about norfolk? El-S: I lived in London, Spain and the Canary Islands before coming to Norfolk and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I love Norfolk. The

KLmagazine September 2015

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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...

SMALL BITES

All day and all night! ne of the toughest parts of our veterinary lives is the provision of 24 hour 365 days a year care to our patients. Conversely this can be some of the most exciting and rewarding casework we see, where we really make a difference. But it is hard; after an already long, challenging day one of our vets takes over the emergency phone duty, and will receive calls and messages throughout the night and weekends. Years ago, when I first started in King’s Lynn, the phones were diverted to our own homes by answering machine message, and it was our wives who acted as out of hours receptionists, diverting us from farm calls to the surgery to meet an urgent casualty. All too often in the middle of the night it was a farmer calling, him wide awake struggling with a calving cow, the vet wakening from a deep slumber to rapid alertness as we would speed off to the case. Nowadays of course we are exclusively equipped and dedicated to

small animal patients and their emergencies. If a client has an emergency or is seeking advice they call our usual number and this is answered by a trained telephone service who pass the key details to our vet by text on our emergency mobile phone line. How we longed for mobile phones back in the old days! Our vet will receive this text and as we do our own practice emergency service they may well recognise the case or the client from our days work. The vet then calls the client and we can advise or arrange to meet to provide the care needed. We have all the necessary and latest equipment to provide emergency care for all kinds of accidents and emergencies. If blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound or simply hospitalisation with intravenous ﬂuids are required we are ready for anything. More importantly our veterinary nurses also share an out of hour’s duty rota so we have that fabulous resource, a highly trained nurse, to also call on to oﬀer

o celebrate our Dental Health Month this September, we’re running a competition for you and your pets – we want to see all your smiley faces! We hope that posing for the camera with your pets will encourage you to think about their smile as well as your own! Next time you’re cuddled up with your furry friends, grab your phone or camera and take a ‘pelﬁe’ (a selﬁe of you and your pet!) and send us your favourite image for the chance to win a prize for you and your pet. It couldn’t be easier to enter, either – simply e-mail your image to info@lrvc.co.uk or upload it to our Facebook page. The only rule is the picture has to feature both you and your pet, so don’t be shy!

the best possible care. Whatever the government or newspapers tell us, money is still tight and we are all on a budget. Therefore we make people aware of any likely charges up front and are happy to give detailed estimates once we know what we need to do to avoid any nasty surprises for owners at what is already a stressful time with a sick pet. We also help with payment plans processing insurance and recently have signed up with an easy credit facility to help owners help their pets with the unexpected day or night. So always remember, day or night we are here for you when you need us most.

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KLmagazine September 2015

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Discover the friendly face of car servicing! t K Brown Auto Repairs in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton, having your car serviced is a little different to what you may be used to – or expecting. When Keith and Tamsin Brown launched the business back in the 1990s, they wanted to offer a family-friendly, relaxing approach to car servicing, one where the customers would only be surprised by the level of technical expertise and the standards of customer care – and not by the bill at the end of the day. “People naturally have a close relationship with their cars,” says Tamsin. “The last thing they want is to drop the keys off in the morning and then worry about it all day. One of our biggest priorities is always keeping our customers fully informed – all the time their car is with us.” It means that whatever you drive and whatever you need, K Brown offers both you and your car a comprehensive range of professional services – from the simplest of repairs and replacement parts to major rebuilds, complete engine

KLmagazine September 2015

overhauls and MOTs. “When we ﬁrst meet you and your car we’ll discuss your service history, we’ll look at the manufacturer’s guidelines and we’ll perform a detailed vehicle inspection,” says Tamsin. “Then we’ll let you know what needs immediate attention and what jobs can be safely addressed at a later stage. We’ll let you know how much it will cost and how long it’s going to take. It’s all about making recommendations that suit both your car and your budget.” And if you do decide to postpone some of the nonurgent work for a few thousands miles or so, Keith and his expert team of fullytrained mechanics will happily check it again and reassess your car’s needs in the near future – entirely for free. “We don’t expect our customers to be mechanics,” says Tamsin, “but we do try to educate them. We’re always honest and transparent when it comes to the work we’ll be doing and how much it’s going to cost, and in the unlikely event something does crop up we hadn’t

planned for, our customers are always the first to know about it!” No wonder Tamsin and Keith’s customers (many of who have been going to K Brown for almost 25 years now and through several car changes) say the experience is like a breath of fresh air. This is car servicing with a difference – with first-class technical standards, a true commitment to personal care, and realistic and reasonable costs you can trust. Don’t all cars (and their drivers!) deserve the K Brown treatment?

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K Brown Auto Repairs Simon Scotland Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4JF tel: 01553 763763 web: www.kbrownautoskingslynn.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2015

Local Life

ABOVE: A modern twist on the blacksmith’s art, courtesy of Holkham Forge, the collective founded by blacksmith/artists Roger Foyster and Helen and James Spedding (opposite, left to right)

The trio forging a future with a traditional craft It’s one of the oldest crafts known to mankind, but on the edge of the Holkham Estate a talented group is taking the traditional art of the blacksmith to a whole new level, as Emma Barnard discovers

n the grounds of the Holkham Estate, the heritage of Norfolk village blacksmiths is being maintained, but with a beautifully modern twist. The trio of James Spedding, Helen Spedding and Roger Foyster are artist blacksmiths at Holkham Forge and they create anything from pieces of sculpture and commissions for the home to the more traditional restorations of historic items. Holkham Forge doesn’t turn away from tradition, but rather builds on it to keep the craft modern and relevant. All three of the talented artists have their

KLmagazine September 2015

own backgrounds and areas of expertise – Helen studied Fine Art and Sculpture at Falmouth University, Roger set up on his own as a blacksmith 20 years ago after studying graphic design in Norwich, and James started (by his own admission) ‘by accident’ when he created his own forge with a barbeque, charcoal and foot pumps and started making things for friends and family. The former farrier David Capes taught all three of them to be artist sculptors, and in his later years also taught many more people. The forge at Holkham was established in 2009, although

Roger had his own forge in Honing for ten years. “Helen and I had set up in Burnham Deepdale and we’ve now been blacksmiths together for a decade,” says James. “Since we’ve been together we’ve developed our own, new visual language.” Roger started to join Helen and James at Deepdale two days a week and as they got busier Roger relocated from the Broads with his wife in order for the artists to found the collective at Holkham. “Helen is really creative, and she’s an

Local Life artist in all mediums,” says James. “She’s a painter and illustrator, she works with textiles, but her specialism at the moment is plasma cutting. It’s usually done by a machine, but Helen uses her hands, which is really difficult to control. Basically, she draws with something that’s four times hotter than the sun!” Helen’s pieces of work are always reflective of the seasons, so at the moment she’s focusing on seed heads, but earlier in the season she was creating beautiful hand-forged spring flowers. Helen exhibits at shops and galleries all over the county, and a gift shop in Wells has recently purchased one of her whole collections. “All the work she does is readily identifiable as hers,” says James. “There’s nothing else quite like it.” Helen also takes her work to numerous craft fairs and Christmas markets and is increasingly being commissioned to make things like wedding gifts and ornate lamps. Holkham Forge uses more modern techniques than some other blacksmiths and their work is very much about the way it looks. “At heart, we make pretty things with metal!” says James. “At the very start, blacksmiths were the cutting edge of technology; it really is amazing how blacksmithing has moved on.” That’s not to say they shy away from tradition though, as Holkham Forge still does restoration work and uses a range of traditional methods in doing so. They also make new things in an older style because it suits the property and they’re happy to make anything people want. “We do like to be broad in our range of offerings,” says James. “We like to be as comprehensive in our metalwork skills and offer as much as possible.” Another string to their bow is that they are trying to raise the profile of blacksmithing on platforms such as social media and taking their work out to show people what things they can do. “There’s still this 19th century perception in place about blacksmithing,” says James, “and people think all we do is horseshoes! But we marry new technologies with old technologies and there’s a lot more to it than that.” The kind of work artist blacksmiths make can literally be anything. “It’s a broad spectrum and only limited by the blacksmith’s creativity

and the customer’s imagination,” says James. Not only does Holkham Forge produce gorgeous pieces of work but James, Helen and Roger also teach others how to do what they do, working with schools and other community groups. As previously mentioned, their work is very much based on the seasons and the environment in which they live, and what could be more inspirational than the landscape at Holkham? James and Helen live around fifty yards away from the forge in Longland. “It’s close to the beach, and vast amounts of field and woodland are right on our doorstep,” says James. “It’s beautiful and quiet and we really love the isolation. I couldn’t imagine working in a busy industrial unit.” The forge they work in was originally built for its current purpose many years ago and there are pictures scattered around the walls of blacksmiths working in the same spots as they do, only fifty or sixty years ago.

Holkham Forge is constantly looking to use new methods and the art is always developing, taking traditions and moving them forwards. “The beauty of this job is that you never know what’s next!” says James. “We put a lot into our work and people respond by asking us to do more – you can’t ask for more than that as a creative person!” For more details on Holkham Forge and details of the collective’s blacksmithing experience days, see www.holkhamforge.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2015

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Caring for your environment KLmagazine September 2015

BEFORE

AFTER

Improve: with the very best building company in Norfolk! The professional and local service that can give you the home you’ve always wanted... f you’ve ever wished your lounge could be more welcoming, felt your kitchen’s design was hampering your culinary skills or thought your rental property could attract more tenants with a few simple changes, you’ll be happy to hear that KL Developments has all the experience and skills needed to help you make the most of your space. The good news is that it doesn’t mean you have to move house or undergo months of building work either. With a proven track record on working on residential properties throughout Norfolk, KL Developments is a localbased company dedicated to improving and maximising your current living space – whether it’s one room or your entire home – through a comprehensive range of specialised design and building services. Transforming the layout of a room can be as simple as moving a door or re-working a single wall, and it can be

KLmagazine September 2015

as complex as you want to make it – from major extensions to turning an unused garage into a dining room or a basement into a cinema. The possibilities are endless! Even if your plans are still in the very early stages, KL Developments can turn them into a fully-workable design that’s as well suited to your budget as it is to your needs. As part of a total and professional approach to project management, KL Developments handles all aspects of the work: meeting building regulations, obtaining planning permissions, sourcing structural and architectural services and ensuring the work is completed to exceptionally high standards – in fact, all you have to do is start enjoying your new space! Whatever your plans and whatever your dreams for your home, contact KL Developments to discuss your project in detail and discover just how easy it is to have the home you always wanted.

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AFTER

information

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History

West Norfolk: Then and Now

1911

2015

A NEW LOOK AT THE HIGH STREET... The High Street in King’s Lynn has been the town’s centre for hundreds of years, and the picture above was sent to us by Dale Truman, who was born in the town but now lives in Leicester. “I’m not sure if the date of 1911 is correct,” he says, “but it always reminds me of my years in King’s Lynn and what

a lovely town it is.” Perhaps some of our eagle-eyed readers can help date the photograph more accurately. If you can, please let us know. You can also enjoy thousands more images of Norfolk’s unique history on the website at www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk or by visiting the Norfolk Heritage Centre at

the Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich (or your local studies library). We’ll be taking another look back in time at the local area next month. IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Enjoy thousands of images of Norfolk’s unique history at www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk 54

KLmagazine September 2015

BEFORE “Their ‘can do’ attitude and reliability are shining examples of good service and something that’s sadly becoming rarer these days...” ROGER HACK, Docking

ECOnomy Windows: out with the old, in with the new! hen Roger and Joy Hack of Docking decided it was time to replace their old conservatory, they didn’t have to think twice about choosing ECOnomy Windows – especially as the decision was based on their own recommendation! “We’d had almost all our windows replaced by ECOnomy Windows previously,” explains Roger, “The workmanship was superb and the value was excellent, and we had no hesitation in recommending them to a friend who was looking for a conservatory.” Roger and Joy had never been happy with their own conservatory, which was almost 20 years old, leaked in the winter and was far too hot to be of much use to them in the summer. “Our friend is very meticulous and demanding,” says Joy, “so when we heard how pleased they were with their new

conservatory, we simply had to take a look at it!” Duly impressed once again, the Hacks decided it was finally time to replace their old conservatory, and have never looked back. “ECOnomy Windows were brilliant,” says Roger. “The lady receptionist was very friendly and efficient, the salesman understood exactly what we were looking for, the surveyor was totally professional, and the fitters were amazing, always keeping our home exceedingly clean and tidy.” The couple were also impressed by the time the project took – only three days after ECOnomy Windows arrived to remove the old conservatory, Roger and Joy were enjoying their new one! “I can’t praise ECOnomy Windows

enough,” says Roger. “From start to ﬁnish, nothing was too much trouble. They did exactly what we wanted them to, exactly when they said they would.” For the Hacks, their new conservatory has more than lived up to their expectations and they only wish they’d done it sooner. “Thanks to ECOnomy Windows, we can use it all year round now,” says Joy. “It’s given us more room for when the grandchildren stay and more space for us to enjoy – and even the cat likes it!” With no deposit required and nothing to pay until the day of installation, ECOnomy Windows oﬀers total peace of mind – in addition to superb quality products, exceptional standards of customer service, and results that are truly beautiful.

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KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: CANONGATE/SIMON GARFIELD/PETER BARKER/KL MAGAZINE

Local Life

ABOVE: Peter Barker with his parents Chris and Bessie in 1988 (centre). He describes hearing their wartime love letters read by Benedict Cumberbatch (bottom left) and Louise Brealey (bottom right) as a “very emotional experience”

An amazing wartime love story: told in letters Revealed to the couple’s sons in 2007, the love letters of Bessie Moore and Chris Barker tell a remarkable tale of romance that is now enchanting readers and listeners around the world...

hortly before his death in 2007 aged 92, Chris Barker told his sons Bernard and Peter about a box of letters in the loft of the family home. He explained they’d been exchanged between himself and their mother Bessie many years before and that he’d rather they didn’t read them until after he passed away. “When it came to opening the box, we were astonished,” says Chris’ son Peter, speaking at his home in Snettisham. “It contained around 500 letters that chronicled in amazing detail the long-distance, fast-burning romance my parents managed to carry out across a war-torn continent during

KLmagazine September 2015

the Second World War.” It was a story that didn’t just transﬁx the couple’s sons. The letters of Chris Barker and Bessie Moore and the love story told through them have enchanted audiences at literary festivals around the country, enthralled listeners of BBC Radio 4, and engrossed readers of a book published earlier this year. But thoughts of being asked for his autograph at book launches and hearing his father’s letters read by Benedict Cumberbatch were far from Peter’s mind when he ﬁrst read them with his brother. “The letters were quite fragile, so we decided to have them transcribed,” he says. “Mainly, it was to protect them

and make them easier to read, but it was a task that took transcriber Katy Edge the best part of two years to complete. By the time she was ﬁnished she was quite besotted by the story!” It was a reaction shared by friends of Peter and his brother when they were given the transcribed letters – now bound in two volumes and running to some 500,000 words – to read. “So many people were impressed by the quality of the writing in the letters and stunned by the story they contained,” says Peter. “We realised we had to seriously consider making them available to a wider audience.” The brothers decided to donate the letters to the Mass Observation Archive

PICTURES: CANONGATE/SIMON GARFIELD/PETER BARKER

Local Life

ABOVE: A letter Bessie Moore sent Chris in February 1945 (left), who was ﬁnally reunited with his family shortly thereafter (top centre). Pictured bottom right is a Barker family outing in the mid 1950s: Peter and his brother Bernard only learned of the existence of their parents’ love letters in the early 2000s.

at the University of Sussex, and fate duly stepped in. Only a matter of days after the letters were deposited in the Archive, the journalist, non-fiction author and Mass Observation Trustee Simon Garfield visited the facility. Planning to write a book on the history and the lost art of letter writing, Garfield was looking for suitable source material, and was both fascinated and deeply moved by the wartime love story. When Garfield’s book To the Letter was published in 2013, the entertaining journey through the history of correspondence was interspered with letters between Chris Barker and Bessie Moore, and their publication was so successful it led to a series of readings (and a BBC Radio 4 play) featuring Benedict Cumberbatch reading Chris’ letters and Louise Brealey reading Bessie’s. So great was the interest, in fact, that Garfield’s publishers then decided to produce a book entirely dedicated to the letters, and My Dear Bessie was published earlier this year – on February 14th, appropriately enough. “The reaction to mum and dad’s letters has been extraordinary,” says Peter. “Hearing them read by famous actors and actresses is really quite unforgettable. Hearing the story of how my parents fell in love through their own words is a very emotional experience.” Back in the autumn of 1943, Chris

Barker found himself serving with the British Army in a signals unit on the Libyan coast. “Dad wasn’t a hero by any means,” says Peter. “He was providing logistical support well behind the lines, so he had plenty of time to write letters to his friends and aquaintances back home!” One of those was Bessie Moore, and the two had previously exchanged letters discussing their views on socialism and trade unions (“a great start to a romance!” says Peter) but their wartime experiences saw their friendship blossom into true love. “They fell in love through their letters very quickly and very passionately,” says Peter. “They really were soulmates, and they helped each other through their very diﬀerent experiences of the war – even though they were separated by thousands of miles.” The couple’s letters chart both the growing romance between the two and their fears for what the future held for them as the war drew to a close – especially with Bessie in England under the daily threat of German rockets, and Peter being captured by the Greek People’s Liberation Army and being held as a POW for over two months. “It’s incredible to

follow their adventures and anxieties during those years,” says Peter. “It’s truly gripping stuff to read – and I often find myself wondering whether there’s going to be a happy ending, even though I know there is!” It’s even more remarkbale that given that the heart of the story is their parents’ passionate love story, Peter and his brother resisted the temptation to subject the letters to some judicious editing. “The letters naturally contain some very intimate details and some decidedly firey passages,” says Peter. “They couldn’t have been published in the 1960s. But as a historian myself I've come across the unfortunate results of well-meant editing and destruction many times. My parents’ letters are valuable social documents and wonderful literary creations in their own right, and I think they deserve to be in the public domain.” As a look at how two relatively ordinary people found enduring love during a time of constant fears, worries and anxieties, the story of Peter’s parents is extraordinary tale – told in an extraordinary way. My Dear Bessie: A Love Story in Letters, edited and introduced by Simon Garfield is published by Canongate Books (£8.99)

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

For her... riginally founded 120 years ago, Goddards is now recognised as one of the finest independent menswear and womenswear businesses in the whole country, and there’s never been a better time to discover the company’s approach to high quality fashions than with the arrival of the Autumn/Winter collections for 2015. “It’s always a very exciting time for us – and for our customers,” says Goddards’ Manager Gary Tillott. “Although greys seem to be very popular this year, there are some really brilliant colours coming through for this year’s Autumn/Winter season – rich berries, mustards and aubergines – and plenty of prints too, especially in the details.” Goddards continues to attract worldfamous brands to the store, and women will be pleased to see Great Plains (recent winners of the Womenswear Brand of the Year Award) joining the range that also includes Oui, Barbour, White Stuff, Gant and Dubarry. Men are also spoilt for choice at Goddards, with the latest from Boss Orange and Polo Ralph Lauren sitting alongside collections by Ted Baker, Gant, Lyle & Scott and Barbour. “Many of these brands are exclusive to the area,” says Gary, “and it’s a sign of our commitment to high quality style and dedication to first-class customer service that we’ve been awarded them.” For quality fashions as individual as you are, Goddards have everything you need to complete your new season wardrobe – in a comfortable air-conditioned setting with a large free car park, and a free alterations service on all stock. For him, for her, for always. Goddards.

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KLmagazine September 2015

fashion Fashion

Nothing makes the end of the summer more bearable than the arrival of the Autumn/Winter collections, and this year is no exception. The weather may be getting cold and gloomy, but the best of our local boutiques are packed with bright new ideas and fabulous styles...

Dress by Bianca ELIZABETH DARBY | Fakenham 01328 855312 KLmagazine September 2015

Luxe Jogger in Moroccan Tile print (ÂŁ109) and button shirt in Midnight Wings (ÂŁ95) by Primrose Park ANNA | Burnham Market 01328 730325 KLmagazine September 2015

Fashion

Jacket by Just White CINDYS | Sutton Bridge 01406 350961 64

KLmagazine September 2015

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Fashion

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KLmagazine September 2015

Stunning new arrivals for Autumn

CHARITY FASHION SHOW DATES Saturday 3rd October at Congham Hall

Thursday 22nd October at King’s Lynn Golf Club Tickets are available from us at:

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KLmagazine September 2015

all terrain and utility terrain vehicles Heath Farm, Great Massingham PE32 2HJ www.lingscountrygoods.co.uk www.mortonatv.com | Tel: 01485 520828

Mia duﬄe coat by Jack Murphy (£169.99) EVERYTHING OUTDOOR Holkham - 01328 712120 | Sandringham - 01485 298082 68

KLmagazine September 2015

this month featuring the dubarry willow jacket in café - £399 dubarry longford boot in black & brown - £335

TEL: 01366 388151 Brighton Mill, Stow Bridge, King’s Lynn, PE34 3PD WEB: www.bearts.co.uk

Everything Outdoor

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tiful Evening on Why not come along to our Colour Me Beau s - book now! 15th September and find out? Limited place 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 KLmagazine September 2015

KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: KIM MORRISON / SUPPLIED

Local Life

ABOVE: Kim Morrison training in Switzerland earlier this year – and (opposite) competing in the London Triathlon in August 2014

Kim Morrison and her inspirational journey... She had complex heart surgery at the age of three, but that hasn’t stopped Norfolk’s Kim Morrison becoming a champion triathlete. Emma Barnard talks to her about her successful career

rom Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London to becoming a European Age Group Triathlon Champion, Kim Morrison from Gunthorpe has made quite the journey. Born with two holes in her heart, Kim underwent complex heart surgery at the age of three, but was never going to let that stand in her way of leading an adventurous life. “My childhood had a really positive impact on my family and I growing up,” she says. “My brother and I always loved the excitement of the great outdoors, from scuba diving and mountain skiing

KLmagazine September 2015

to water skiing oﬀ the Norfolk coast.” Kim was introduced to the world of triathlon when she attended Gresham’s in Holt and became the school’s Senior Ironman Champion. “I was 16 at the time, and I swam, biked and ran myself into the school’s record books,” she says. But it wasn’t until much later, and thanks to the inspiration of another female triathlete from Norfolk, that Kim took the step into Ironman distance triathlon. “It was during a family holiday when London was hosting the Olympics,” she remembers, “and my mum was reading

Chrissie Wellington’s book A Life Without Limits.” Inspiring as the story was, Kim’s mum wasn’t about to pass it on. “Her exact words were that she wouldn’t let me read the book as she knew that if I did I’d want to do an Ironman,” says Kim. “That was all the encouragement I needed.” Sure enough, Kim was lining up for the London Olympic Distance Triathlon only ﬁve months later. “I ﬁnished in the top 25 females in a time of two hours and 29 minutes,” she says. “That was for a 1500m swim in Victoria Dock, a 40km cycle from

PICTURES: KIM MORRISON / SUPPLIED

Local Life

ABOVE: Kim becomes European Age Group Triathlon Champion in 2014, and (right) competing at Ironman70.3 in Norway in July this year

London Excel to Big Ben and back, and then a 10km run back along the dock!” Chrissie Wellington remains a real source of inspiration for Kim. “I really have my mum to thank for buying Chrissie’s book,” she says. “Whilst working in London I took every opportunity possible to meet her and go to her inspiring talks. She once told me to “go get your palace...” and I’m certainly following her guidance!” Kim has had a fabulously successful time of it in 2014 and 2015, with the first milestone being reached at the European Triathlon Championships last year. “Summer 2014 was a magical time where it was evident that hard work and dedication has its rewards,” says Kim. Together with her family and coach Perry Agass, Kim travelled to Kitzbuhel in Austria, which was hosting the European Triathlon Championships for both Elite and Age Group Triathletes. Kim raced in the 25-29 age group with ambitions of bringing home a medal. “I exited the swim in third position, took the lead on the first loop of two on the bike and then held the Gold medal position to the finish line, becoming European AG Triathlon Champion 2014,” explains Kim. Following this she raced on the British Elite Circuit in 2014 and later teamed up with Intelligent Triathlon Training, a coaching company based in Loughborough.

“It was evident from my laboratory results that physiologically I’d excel at the longer distances in triathlon,” says Kim. 2015 has also been a busy year for Kim as she’s raced the Ironman70.3 in France, finishing as the tenth female overall and the first British female. She followed that by competing in the Ironman70.3 in Norway where she was the eighth placed female – and more recently took the course record at TriAnglia’s Norwich Triathlon, where she won the event. Training for events such as these is a different kettle of fish and Kim knows this more than anyone. “The Ironman70.3 distance comprises a 1900m swim, a 90km bike ride and a half a marathon run which is 21.1km,” she explains. “I train 25 to 30 hours per week when we’re in the ‘Base’ phase of training, which will be a mid-season training block.” This means, for example, Kim will have five or six weeks away from racing for winter training abroad somewhere like Spain. “The ‘Build’ phase is when I’m due to race in 2-3 weeks with 20 hours of training per week,” says Kim. “But my absolute favourite is race week itself. It’s a careful calculation of tapering, but keeping muscles active – which can include up to 12 hours training leading into race weekend.” Born and bred in Norfolk, Kim loves to train around Gunthorpe where she lives.

“I cycle the coast road for my longer rides as the scenery is spectacular,” she says, “and the strong winds from the North Sea always keeps the challenge on!” For swimming, Kim has always used Wensum Pools since she was a baby, which is the family business in South Raynham. But it’s not all train and no play for Kim. “My husband, family and I love food!” she laughs. “We particularly love our local Thai in Thursford where we spend one night a week indulging in delicious food and reminiscing over a glass of wine or two.” Kimberley is excited to announce that British Triathlon have granted her professional status, as of this month, to represent GBR on the International Triathlon circuit. “My ambitions have always been to become a Champion,” she says. “I’m out to achieve my top spot of the podium at the World Championships, and that’s where my sights are ﬁrmly set at the moment.”

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

Health

“The person who can control his state of mind can control his world...” – TIGER WOODS

Raising your game Local hypnotherapist Che Ballard explains how hypnosis can help your sports performance – and how its techniques can benefit your life both on and off the field

port is a serious business. Despite being viewed by many as simply an enjoyable leisure activity with a competitive edge or as a way of keeping ﬁt, to many of us, increasing the quality of our performance or perfecting our technique can sometimes result in literal blood, sweat and/or tears. Taking football as an example, one only has to look at the often obscene amounts of money players are bought and sold for and how quickly World Cup fever takes hold to realise just how much of a hold sport can have on people. In recent years, Hypnosis for sports performance has become increasingly popular. Golfer Tiger Woods is arguably the most high-proﬁle proponent to date, but it’s been used successfully to enhance performance in everything from tennis to polevaulting, and was instrumental in helping Steve (‘the Celtic Warrior’) Collins defeat Chris Eubank and gain a world boxing title in 1995 (right). And its use is growing. Ok, you may not be

planning to compete in the next US Open or anticipate going up against a Super Middle Weight world champion (at least not yet, anyway!) but hypnotherapy can be just as helpful for those wishing to lower their golf handicap or improve their footwork. Working with the subconscious can help increase strength, stamina and motivation, or it can simply help ease nerves before a big game. There are so many diﬀerent ways hypnosis can be used within the ﬁeld of sports that entire books have been written on the subject. The practice of ‘anchoring’ teaches you how to tap into certain mental states at will, allowing you to instantly get ‘in the zone’, while ‘visualisation’ enables you to mentally practice and perfect techniques without the physical need to do so. It can also help you create a state of focussed attention on demand, leaving you to concentrate on the task at hand and ignore any distractions. One of the most important things you can do to help improve your performance is to work on your goals – and I’m not talking about football practice!

Your goals need to be specific, attainable and they definitely need to be realistic – it may be nice to dream about becoming Wimbledon champion, but if you can’t serve without hitting the net it’s probably not a realistic goal at present. Ultimately, you’ll gain more benefit from breaking your goal into a series of smaller goals or objectives; ideally starting with improving your serve! Of course, most of the techniques used in sports hypnosis can be used to increase your performance in other areas – being more motivated, with increased concentration, being more relaxed under pressure and being able to learn new skills more quickly and easily. Whether you’re in an office or at home, that all sounds very good to me. Please feel free to drop me a line if you’d like more information on how hypnosis can help you achieve your goals, or if you’ve successfully used hypnosis to enhance your performance in the past! See you again next month.

Ché

Ché Ballard www.trance-ﬁx.co.uk

If you can’t wait for next month, you can contact Che at change@trance-fix.co.uk KLmagazine September 2015

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Perfect for the body, and great for the mind... It’s the most popular martial art in the world, but karate’s real appeal lies in its power in promoting health and fitness and in building self confidence, as Jim Whitmore of KL Karate explains

n a culture that often seems awash in violence – in everything from music and video games to television shows and toys – the idea of enrolling your child in martial arts training classes may not seem a particularly sensible one. But you may be surprised to learn that martial arts’ training is actually very beneficial to children – and their parents. Like so many other things, the ‘popular culture’ view is very different from the reality, and martial arts isn’t quite the brutal, vicious pastime it seems. In fact, it can be a life changing experience, offering benefits to both the mind and the body.

Karate is a safe martial art that has been practiced for many years, comprising a range of controlled movements that increase ﬂexibility and reduce the chance of future injuries. The art strongly improves self belief and self conﬁdence, which manifests itself in a strong core of self discipline – a valuable asset for anyone, not least for junior students. Jim Whitmore (right) is the Chief Instructor at KL Karate, which runs classes for all age groups and all levels at the superb Lynnsport facility in King’s Lynn. A 6th Degree Black Belt, Jim’s been training and grading karate students in the area for over 20 years

KLmagazine September 2015

Students learn the power of persistence and come to realise that whatever they set their sights on, they can achieve. And that’s a very valuable skill for life. JIM WHITMORE KL Karate and he’s made it something of a family affair – his wife Heather and their children Mark and Nicola also train at the club. Jim’s an instructor in the most widely practiced style of karate, Shotokan. “The art really has quite interesting origins,” he says. “It really developed on the island of Okinawa at the start of the 20th century after the Japanese government prohibited the use of weapons there. The people had no other choice but to learn some form of self-defence empty-handed, and that’s exactly what the word ‘karate’ means.” The father of modern karate was Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), who combined a mixture of Okinawan styles into one total discipline and introduced the art to mainland Japan after being invited to present a demonstration at the first National Athletic Exhibition, held in Tokyo in 1922. The demonstration turned out to be a great success, due in no small part to Funakoshi’s inspiring personality, and his method became known as Shotokan (literally ‘pine waves hall’) after the first training school he built just outside Tokyo in 1936 and from which karate rapidly spread around the world. “Funakoshi was a remarkable man, and he was tireless in promoting the beneficial effects of practising karate,” says Jim. “He said the ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of the participant – and that’s always been the most important part of my role as an instructor.” KL Karate currently RIGHT: The Japanese letters for Shotokan – it was the name of the first official dojo (training school) built by Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of the karate style, in 1936 – it was destroyed in 1945 as a result of an allied bombing raid during World War II.

KLmagazine September 2015

ABOVE: A class of young students getting to grips with the fundamentals of karate. “If people are interested in learning more about karate and how it can help them, we’ll give them everything they need,” says Jim Whitmore of KL Karate Club.

provides training and instruction for students from all walks of life and of all ages from 5 to 75. Classes are held in groups (so they’re ideal to attend with a friend or partner) and there’s no need to invest in any special equipment or clothing before you attend your first session. “If people are interested in learning more about karate and how it can help them, we’ll give the everything they need,” says Jim. “Even the uniform and the belt (or the Gi and Obi as we call them!) are given to students for free when they join the club.” For anyone looking for a effective and enjoyable way of keeping fit and healthy karate offers a lifetime of rewards, but that’s only half the story. “It’s a wonderful way to find focus and stillness and to connect your mind and body,” says Jim. “Throughout my career one of the most rewarding aspects has been seeing my students grow in self

confidence and self respect and learning how to resolve conflicts in all areas of their lives.” Lynnsport is a safe area to train, has a fantastic cafe for parents or companions who do not want to train to be able to get a coffee and have a chat with one another, taking part in the local karate world’s friendly social life. In the month of October, Jim is offering people a fantastic opportunity of discovering the benefits of karate, with a free lesson offer for all new students – after which they can join the club on a pay-per-class or direct debit basis. To book your place or to find out more (inlcuding class days and times), please call the Club on 01553 886936. “I always look forward to meeting new students, as I know what a great experience they have ahead of them,” says Jim. “Students learn the power of persistence and they come to realise that whatever they set their sights on, they can achieve. And that’s a very valuable skill for life.”

information

KL Karate Club Tel: 01553 886936 web: www.klkarate.co.uk

The Big Interview

KL MAGAZINE: Could you tell us a little about your background? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: I’m a bit of a mongrel – my father was American, my mother English and I was actually born in Canada! We lived in Canada and then Peru, and then moved to London when I was ten. Until 20 years ago I was a London girl, living and working in the City. Then my husband, Anthony, spotted the irresistibly enchanting Rose & Crown in Snettisham, and by such things you ﬁnd your life is changed! With no experience of catering other than a love of eating out and good food, we bought the pub and moved to Norfolk, which we’d only visited once before with our two small boys. And then eight years ago we did it all again! Seduced by both the building and the town itself, we bought Bank House in King’s Lynn. KL MAGAZINE: What do you think you’ve brought to the history of Bank House? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: I hope we’ve reawoken a sleeping beauty and brought back to life one of the most stunning buildings in King’s Lynn. We’ve tried to put Bank House back into the centre of the community, to make it possible for more people to enjoy it, and to give it back an important role in the daily life of King’s Lynn. I hope we’ve made it something for the whole town to be proud of. KL MAGAZINE: What’s your favourite part of the building itself?

Jeannette Goodrich Owner – Bank House, King’s Lynn 78

JEANNETTE GOODRICH: I think it has to be the Counting House. Originally the banking hall, this is where merchants of King’s Lynn would gather to transact business after inspecting their cargoes on the quayside. At that time, the bar of today was the bank manager’s office and there’s a long groove in the floor in the main room that marks where the bank clerks had their desks, where customers shuffled their feet as they eagerly waited to cash their cheques. The Counting House has a real feel of history. It was buzzy then and is now humming as a hugely popular eating, drinking and meeting place.

KLmagazine September 2015

KL MAGAZINE: What does your role entail on a daily basis? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: Ensuring that every detail of Bank House is right – from the décor and the housekeeping, from the food we serve, the music we play, the drinks we oﬀer, the ambience... everything! I also handle all the PR and marketing. Our guiding principle is that Bank House should be somewhere we’d like to go ourselves and where we’d be happy to take our friends. I’m happy to say that it is – and that we do! KL MAGAZINE: What does the future hold for Bank House?

such a vibrant and popular restaurant and bar from what was essentially a standing start. KL MAGAZINE: What have you learned from your work? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: To make lists and to work through them methodically. And to always keep the lists, as it’s very reassuring to see that you do get through the jobs! I’ve also learned the importance of keeping a clear head and not panicking! KL MAGAZINE: What do you like best about Norfolk? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: Everything – but especially the beaches and the people.

JEANNETTE GOODRICH: We believe that both Bank House and King’s Lynn have huge untapped potential, and we’ll continue to work to make Bank House a really special destination hotel and welcoming place to eat and drink – within what should be a very special destination town.

KL MAGAZINE: In your free time, how do you like to relax?

KL MAGAZINE: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

KL MAGAZINE: Who’s your biggest inspiration?

JEANNETTE GOODRICH: Dropping by Bank House on a busy evening and hearing all the laughter and chat, seeing people out clearly enjoying themselves. I love it. It’s a wonderful feeling.

JEANNETTE GOODRICH: Without a doubt, my husband and my two sons. They’re always smiling... well, almost always!

KL MAGAZINE: What do you consider to have been your greatest achievement? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: Creating

KLmagazine September 2015

that’s always stayed with me. It’s so true. KL MAGAZINE: What was the last book you read? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: The Eustace Diamonds, which was written by Anthony Trollope in 1871. I love Trollope – he’s always witty, and the books are beautifully written, with great characters, a bit of romance and plenty of thrills. It’s real escapism! KL MAGAZINE: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise people... JEANNETTE GOODRICH: I’m made to play the ‘bad cop’ to Anthony’s ‘good’ one, so I’m actually a much nicer person than most of the Bank House staﬀ probably think!

JEANNETTE GOODRICH: Eating, reading and kayaking.

KL MAGAZINE: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? JEANNETTE GOODRICH: One of my father’s favourite sayings was that ‘there’s no such thing as can’t’ and

BANK HOUSE Bank House, King’s Staithe Square, King’s Lynn PE30 1RD Tel: 01553 660492 Web: www.thebankhouse.co.uk Email: info@thebankhouse.co.uk

Food & Drink

Foof othde h t n o M

The superfood fish... n addition to being one of the angler’s favourites, trout is also one of the healthiest fish you can include in your diet – according to the British Nutrition Foundation, trout contain one of the lowest amounts of dioxins (a type of environmental contaminant) of all oily fishes. “Trout has a very distinctive and mouthwatering taste and it’s well worth seeing out,” says Deanna Williamson of Donaldsons in King’s Lynn, whose supplies of fresh trout are sourced from Lowestoft. “It’s really quick and easy to cook too. It can be poached, grilled or baked and it’s delicious with herbs such as dill, tarragon or fennel and a sprinkling of lemon juice.” It’s worth noting that trout has a marked earthy flavour (especially when caught in the wild), so it pairs particularly well with strong citrus and acidic flavours such as lemon juice, capers, garden herbs and butter. But it’s in the health stakes that trout really excels. The pink-fleshed freshwater fish is called an oily fish due to the beneficial omega 3 fats, EPA and

DHA it contains, and the benefits of oily fish in reducing the risk of many diseases including heart disease and Alzheimer’s are well understood. However, trout is in a class of its own. Just 100g of trout will provide over 1000mg of EPA and DHA, essential fats for brain function and development, hormone health, fertility, skin, hair and nail health and energy. The omega 3 fats also have anti-inflammatory effects so are useful in disorders such as arthritis. In addition, trout is a good source of minerals including selenium (needed for thyroid and immune functions, fertility, and removal of heavy metals) and iron, which is required for energy production and hair and nail health to name just a few of its functions. And if that wasn’t enough, trout is also a very good source of vitamin B12, a vitamin that’s poorly absorbed from supplements and helps everything from muscle development and bone health, to digestion and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. If you’d like to try this wonderful fish for

yourself, here’s an easy recipe for panfried trout with bacon, almonds and beetroot. Heat a teaspoon of the olive oil with 25g of butter in a large non-stick frying pan, add two trout fillets (for two people) skin-side down, and fry for 1015 minutes until the skin is crisp and the flesh has cooked through – then turn them over for a minute. Remove from the pan and keep warm. Add another teaspoon of oil to the pan and tip in about 150g of bacon lardons and 100g of croutons. Fry for about 10 minutes until crisp. Toast a handful of flaked almonds in a dry pan over a medium heat, and mix three tablespoons of olive oil with one tablespoon of red wine vinegar for the dressing. Now simply toss the dressing, lardons, croutons and almonds together in a large bowl with 80g of watercress and 200g of beetroot (cut into chunks). Sit a trout fillet on each plate and serve with the salad on the side. Super fish, super food! Enjoy!

KLmagazine September 2015

CHRISTMAS! IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO BOOK FOR

Saturday Evening À la carte Sample Dishes

Our seafood is the finest ingredient for a tasty fish pie this Autumn Local oysters & fresh cockles Lobsters & crabs Tuna & swordfish Jumbo raw prawns Fresh & smoked fish Free range eggs & local honey

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Extensive delicatesse counter with top n quality local cheeses .

DONALDSONS A fresh taste of the sea

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

Starters Home Cured & Smoked Gressingham Duck Breast with Beetroot, Lambs Leaf, Hazelnut and Green Apple. Taste of the Ocean. Smoked Salmon Parfait with Potted Brown Shrimp, Crayfish Tails, Pickled Cucumber, Caper Berries and Lemon Mayo.

Mains Pan Roasted Local Venison Steak with Textures of Beetroot, Tender Stem Broccoli, Fondant Potato and Rosemary Jus. Grilled Supreme of Salmon with Sweet Potato Puree, Brancaster Marsh Samphire and Brown Shrimp Butter. Visit or contact us to see our full menu.

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BERNEY ARMS www.theberneyarms.co.uk Church Road, Barton Bendish PE33 9GF | Tel: 01366 347995

The Oak Bar at BEST WESTERN Le Strange Arms Hotel, Old Hunstanton

A beautiful 16th Century coaching inn set in the heart of Norfolk’s rural Castle Acre, a village rich in historical beauty

• 4 Star rated inn by AA and 5 star rated food

• Fabulous accommodation including delicious breakfasts • Family friendly pub with a wonderful beer garden • Folk music nights - last Sunday of every month, quiz nights every other Monday & much more! Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with events

Tel 01485 534411 Golf Course Road, Old Hunstanton, PE36 6JJ

KLmagazine September 2015

To book a table or a room please calL 01760 755398 • www.ostrichcastleacre.com Stocks Green, Castle Acre, King’s Lynn PE32 2AE

Food & Drink

e p i c e R f th e o h t n o M Sausage rolls with roasted vegetables METHOD

Preparation: 30 min Cooking: 50 min Makes: 10 INGREDIENTS 450g butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 5mm dice 225g shallots, finely sliced 1 tsp smoked paprika 2 tsp caraway seeds 1 tbsp rapeseed oil Salt and freshly ground pepper 225g carrots, grated 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tbsp sage, chopped 900g rare-breed or good quality pork sausagemeat 250g all-butter puff pastry 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp sesame seeds 1 tsp poppy seeds

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4.

Wrap one side of the pastry around the sausage and press it in place with your hands; fold the other side over and seal.

2 Place the butternut squash and sliced shallots in a deep roasting pan with the paprika, caraway and oil. Season well and roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes, turning with a slice halfway through cooking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool while preparing the meat mix.

6 Turn the sausage over and shape with your hands to make it even. Cut into 10 sausage rolls. Make several slashes with a knife across each roll to allow steam to escape while cooking and for the pastry to cook crisply. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the sesame and poppy seeds.

3 Turn the oven up to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. In a large bowl mix the carrots, garlic and sage with the sausagemeat. Add the roasted butternut squash and shallots and mix well with your hands until the ingredients are well combined.

7 Place on a large baking sheet. Bake the sausage rolls in the hot oven for 30 minutes until crisp and golden. Best eaten when still warm. This recipe is also available from ‘Norfolk’s Own Cookbook’ raising money for Marie Curie and celebrating Norfolk's fabulous food community.

4 Roll out the pastry to a long rectangle approximately 80x20cm. Shape the sausagemeat mix into an 80cm long sausage. 5 Place the sausage in the middle of the pastry and egg wash the long sides.

Recipe by Maggie Cooper, Manager at CoCoes café deli & Rob Simonds, owner of Scotts Field Pork Ash Close, Swaffham PE37 7NH | 01760 725605 | www.strattonshotel.co.uk 82

KLmagazine September 2015

Ha ave you tried afternoon tea at the

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KLmagazine September 2015

www.thecoachpub.com | 01485 540391 77 Manor Road, Dersingham, King’s Lynn PE31 6LN

Food & Drink

RestaurantReview

KL magazine discovers a magical world of tastes and teas at the Folly Tearoom in Holt

xactly 150 years ago, Lewis Carrol published a story about a girl called Alice who was transported to a magical, whimsical world full of enchantment, where she was surrounded by tempting and irresistible treats that were clearly labelled ‘eat me’ and ‘drink me.’ Happily, you don’t need to fall down any rabbit holes these days to enjoy a similarly magical experience. In the centre of Holt, down the charming alley of Hoppers Yard, you’ll ﬁnd the Folly Tearoom – a tranquil and beautiful environment that’s a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Due in part to school holiday commitments and a friend’s unexpected dash to the Midlands, I actually found myself visiting the Folly Tearoom by myself – which was, as it turned out, something of a revelation. Although it’s the perfect setting for friendly get-togethers, mid-shopping lunches and hen parties, the Folly Tearoom is so welcoming and friendly that you’re never really alone. The waitresses spared no eﬀort in ensuring I was being well looked after, and were happy to talk about their love of tea and their latest teapot-related discoveries. You see, this isn’t just a tearoom that serves the same generic brew we’re all familiar with – and frankly tired of. The

Folly Tearoom has so many teas, infusions and blends they warrant their own menu, and the current list of ‘Curiosi-teas’ numbers around 40 to choose from. They come from around the world and range from the intriguing-sounding Rhubarb Ginger White to the delightfully-named Golden Monkey King. Indeed, there was so much to choose from I realised I needed some help, and was very kindly given the opportunity to try a trio of teas based on my personal taste preferences and my waitress’ expert knowledge. The Masala Chai was wonderfully sweet and spicy, the Banoffee tea was rich and flavourful, but my undisputed favourite was the cup of Jasmine Dragon Pearls – it was probably the purest, cleanest, smoothest and tastiest tea I’ve ever enjoyed. Discovering this world of new flavours is hungry work, of course, so I ordered myself an afternoon tea – which I was pleasantly surprised to learn was available for one person. I was even more pleased when it arrived – and I was presented with a quite beautiful multi-tiered arrangement of delights. There was a large meringue filled with fresh cream and blackberry jam, a lemon and basil cheesecake (served in a cup!), a

delicious banoffee cupcake, a superb Victoria sandwich, a coffee cake and a delightful chocolate bombe. These were accompanied by two amazing scones (one cheese and one fruit) that were perfectly crisp on the outside and wonderfully fluffy on the inside. And last (but by no means least) was a selection of finger sandwiches, whose outstandingly fresh breads (brown, white and granary) were only equalled by their lovely fillings – local roast ham with chutney, cucumber, and smoked salmon with cream cheese. There’s a moment in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when the Mad Hatter wishes it could be teatime all the time, and I couldn’t help agreeing with him as I thoroughly indulged myself. It was a fabulous adventure, and the perfect finishing touch was provided by the Folly Tearoom’s owner Judith West, who very graciously took some time out from blending and tasting all the teas herself and lending an expert hand in the kitchen to ask me if I’d enjoyed my afternoon tea and what I’d liked the most. For a delightful lunch with a truly magical touch, the Folly Tearoom is a sheer delight – and because many of those wonderful teas can be purchased in packs for you to take away, it’s a delight you can even enjoy at home.

FOOD

SERVICE

VALUE

FOLLY TEAROOM Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt Norfolk NR25 6LN Telephone: 01263 713569 Web: www.follytearoom.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2015

The pub with no bar – great ales straight from the cask! Quality food at superb value! Sunday lunches are available: Sirloin roast beef, leg of lamb or pork with crackling, homemade Yorkshire puddings, seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and gravy.

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Walsingham Road, Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, PE31 8HN Tel: 01328 738241 www.nelsonslocal.co.uk

A true taste of authentic Italy in the heart of the Countryside A la ca rte menu Great tasting traditional Italian food, served in comfortable, cosy surroundings

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strattons hotel with self catering, restaurant and café deli

boutique luxurious classic contemporary heart of norfolk award winning restaurant afternoon tea cocoes café deli self catering Luxury without sacrifice to the environment ash close swaffham norfolk pe37 7nh 01760 723845 enquiries@strattonshotel.com www.strattonshotel.com

From 12:00 until 2:30 Join us for a traditional Sunday Roast

O p en ing Time s Wednesday - Saturday, 12.00 - 2.00 and then 6.30 - 9.30 La Cap a n na Rest au ra nt, S cho ol Ro a d Te rri ngton St John, Wisb e ch, Camb s Tel: 01945 880099 Web: www.lacapanna.biz

KLmagazine September 2015

Food & Drink

Tathstees of Month COLMAN’S Norwich Jeremiah Colman established his mustard and flour business in 1814 just four miles south of Norwich in Stoke Holy Cross. It’s now a globally recognised brand and has put Norfolk on the map – in their mustard range they make traditional English Mustard, Mild Mustard, Hot Dog Mustard, Mustard Powder and Wholegrain Mustard. www.colmans.co.uk NORFOLK HEATWAVE Northrepps Established in 2010, Norfolk Heatwave makes hot chilli pepper produce inspired by the traditional Trinidad and Tobago style using Norfolk produce. They use no artificial ingredients, thickeners or sulphate preservatives. One sauce that packs a real punch is their Hot Pepper Sauce “Caribbean Mustard” – it’s advised to be used to liven up meals, as a hot dip for snacks or as a meat marinade! www.norfolkheatwave.com NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK SPECIALITY FOODS Bungay Inspired by the traditions of South Asia, Norfolk and Suffolk Speciality Foods make Chutneys, Harissa and Horseradish, Mustards and Salad Dressings using locally sourced ingredients. In their range of Mustards they have Honey Porter, Garlic and Herb, Honey and Lavender, Horseradish and a more traditional Lionheart Mustard. www.nssfoods.co.uk

Local tastes that really do cut the mustard! Norfolk has a long and famous mustard history that goes back over 200 years, but these days it’s not just Colman’s that produces deliciously-tempting and tastebud-tingling mustards, as we found out on a recent taste test... 86

JUBBERWACKY Sustead Ali Williams lives in the heart of North Norfolk and makes a range of homemade preserves using locally sourced ingredients where possible and also works with a range of other local producers. On the mustard menu there is Wholegrain Mustard with Nelsons Revenge, Spiced Mustard, Norfolk Honey and Cinnamon Mustard and the interestingly named Bandersnatch Mustard. www.jubberwacky.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2015

The new look

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Guar antee your self a brilli ant, stres s-free Chri stma s in our cosy villag e pub! We offer Christmas party menus, with a great choice of traditional festive favourites. We also serve Christmas Day lunch and a Boxing Day buffet - a great way to entertain the family without doing the washing up! Book early to avoid disappointment! Find us on Facebook!

01553 811326 | www.theangelpub.webs.com | 41 School Road, Watlington, King’s Lynn, PE33 0HA KLmagazine September 2015

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Tel: 01553 772221 KLmagazine September 2015

mplete The coolution local s chanical e to all mes – from c i serv o ﬁnish! start t

The one-stop solution to energy-eﬃcient homes A

s if new building projects didn’t already have enough to contend with, the field of domestic heating and energy efficiency has become increasingly complex and governed by ever more detailed legislation. Which is why the professional ‘one stop shop’ approach offered by 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd is so attractive. “It can be a real headache for builders, especially self-builders who are usually relatively new to the issues involved,” says Steve Simpson of 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd. “The good news is that all we need are the building plans and we can design a whole energy- and cost-efficient system from concept to completion.” What’s more, the experience and expertise of the team at 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd will ensure the project is fully compliant with current building

regulations – especially parts L and F. “It can be a very technical field,” Steve explains. “Part F deals with ventilation and air quality requirements, while Part L covers the insulation values of buildings, together with the heating efficiencies of boilers, hot water storage and lighting. It’s a specialist area, but that’s what our products and services are here for!” 4 Way Refrigeration offers a range of high quality heating solutions, including air source heat pumps, which absorb heat from the outside air and then use it to heat radiators, underfloor heating systems and hot water. Unlike gas and oil boilers, the system delivers heat at lower temperatures over much longer periods – and the heat is constantly being renewed naturally. As a registered BPEC installer, 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd also offers the brilliant

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KLmagazine September 2015

Fakenham 90

KLmagazine September 2015

Explorer

The forward-looking face of Fakenham... Most towns in Norfolk can boast a rich history, but few have such a positive, active and enterprising outlook on the future as Fakenham, as Emma Barnard discovers. Pictures by Ian Ward.

n addition to its thriving business scene and irrepressible community spirit, Fakenham is a market town with some rather unique claims to fame. It’s home to one of the most popular and bestsupported racecourses in the country (with a racing pedigree stretching back over a century) and it boasts one of the nation’s most unusual museums – housed in the only surviving town gasworks in England and Wales. It’s the base for Britain’s largest manufacturer of chocolate and confectionery, and is the home of Aldiss, Norfolk’s largest home furnishing store and one of the county’s longest-running family KLmagazine September 2015

businesses. Although it’s been a market town since 1250, much of Fakenham’s early growth – and its emergence as the dominant centre in the area – was rather fortuitous, being energised by the dissolution of the neighbouring abbey of Hempton by Henry VIII. The town still takes great pride in its Thursday market, which has now been joined by a Farmer’s Market on the fourth Saturday of every month, oﬀering a wide range of fresh local produce, organic food and drink and an extensive range of homemade treats. A recent facelift of the town centre included new paving, clearer and more

informative street signs and a pleasant seating area in the market square which features a wonderful floor of inlaid printing blocks, commemorating Fakenham’s historic association with the printing trade – although more than ten small printing firms still operate in and around the town. Boasting no less than eight pubs, full of pretty brick- and flint-faced buildings, dotted with intriguing alleyways and side streets, it’s hardly surprising that when Country Life ran a ‘quality of life’ survey, Fakenham was voted the seventh best place to live in the whole country. The town’s quality of life is something 91

Explorer

Richard Crook is more than familiar with. “We moved to Fakenham as our two sons started growing up as the town offered them a lot more to do and a lot more freedom,” says Richard, who’s Chairperson of the volunteer-run Active Fakenham initiative. “It’s a great place to live, and has so much potential. It’s big enough to support its surrounding infrastructure, but it’s small enough to remain a friendly community.” Founded a couple of years ago with the help of a one-off grant from the Fakenham Town Council Market Tolls Fund, Active Fakenham has truly energised the town. “It’s been a huge success and it’s going from strength to strength,” says Richard. “The work of Active Fakenham supports local clubs, organisations and businesses in organising and promoting activities centred on the health and well-being of the town’s residents and visitors.” One of the group’s most popular events is Fakenham’s “Shopkeepers’ Olympics” during which the town’s traders and customers are divided into four streets which compete over a dozen challenges set by various local clubs and businesses. “This year we had a horticultural challenge, a tug of war, table tennis, rugby skills, boules, fun military circuits, a fitness challenge, netball and lots

more!” says Richard. “It’s great seeing so many people getting involved, and to see how enthusiastic and committed they are in taking Fakenham forward.” This sense of a town-wide renaissance is also reflected in its connections to the wider world. Affectionately known as the ‘Gateway to the North Norfolk coast’ all that remains of Fakenham’s two historic railway stations is a development of sheltered housing and around 20 feet of platform – but that’s about to change. The Mid-Norfolk Railway is hoping to return trains to the town in the near future, linking it to East Dereham, Wymondham and Norwich, while the Norfolk Orbital Railway is currently planning to link the town to the coast at Sheringham. That sense of looking to the future is nowhere more apparent than in the very centre of the town, which witnessed a major fire at one of its most iconic buildings in May 2014. “It really did strike at the heart of the town,” says Richard, “but the response of the local community – by residents and business people alike – has been quite remarkable and shows what makes Fakenham so special. It’s only been a year since the fire, but it’s already being seen as a great opportunity to enrich what the town offers – to the people who live here, to the people who work here, and the people who visit us.”

KLmagazine September 2015

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Local Life

ABOVE: Aldiss has changed enormously over the last 123 years, but the store is still true to the founding principles of William Aldiss (below)

Part of the community for over a century... Today, it’s the largest home furnishings store in the county, but despite all the growth and expansion Aldiss has never lost its local ﬂavour. KL magazine talks to Managing Director Paul Cliﬀord.

ack in 1892, an enterprising young man from Swaﬀham named William James Aldiss used money he’d borrowed from his mother to open a small haberdashery shop in the centre of Fakenham, founding his business on the traditional values (learned from his shopkeeping parents) of variety, choice and value. Ensuring he was always on the door to greet them, William made a point of building real relationships with his customers, knowing them by name, asking after their children, and often accepting goods such as hay in exchange for his wares.

Adding homewares and fashions, William saw his store grow rapidly in all directions to the point where it filled three floors of three adjoining houses – and in 1931 (taking his inspiration from London’s best department stores) constructed a beautiful Art Deco facade across the front of the buildings, a facade that proudly proclaimed the store ‘the people’s draper.’ “That wasn’t just a catchy phrase,” says Managing Director Paul Clifford, who joined Aldiss a decade ago. “Just a few years later, the Great Depression arrived, and William actually wrote off many of his customers’ debts to help them through it. All he asked was that

KLmagazine September 2015

when things got better they remembered him and his store! It shows just how much a part of the community Aldiss was, and that local focus is still central to us today.” Aldiss has come a very long way since the turn of the 20th century, but despite having seen two world wars, some 30 prime ministers, six monarchs, and a series of global economic highs and lows, the store that bears William’s name is still true to his founding principles – and it’s still a family run business, headed by William’s grandson Tim Aldiss, the group’s current Chairman. It’s also continued to grow. Today, Aldiss is the largest home furnishings store in Norfolk. At its current location in the town’s old printworks, the Fakenham store now comprises 57,000 square feet, has a sister store of the same size in Norwich that was opened in 2003, oﬀers over 40,000 product lines, employs around 170 local people, and serves something in the region of half a million customers a year. “Aldiss has grown enormously over the last 120 years,” says Paul, “but it’s still very personal, friendly and welcoming. There aren’t many stores like this in the country any more – it really is a lovely business.” Undoubtedly, a large part of Aldiss’ enduring appeal lies in the fact that the store has never lost sight of its local origins or traditions, an independent outlook that’s central to Paul and Merchandising Director Steve O’Donoghue. “National stores will generally buy what’s likely to suit everyone and anyone,” says Paul, “but a community store has to reﬂect its community.

KLmagazine September 2015

“Aldiss has grown enormously over the last 120 years but it’s still very personal, friendly and welcoming. There aren’t many stores like this in the country any more – it really is a lovely business.” PAUL CLIFFORD Managing Director, Aldiss

Local Life

That's why we’ve always sourced products speciﬁcally for our local customers and their homes, which are unique to Norfolk. It’s not about age or social background – it’s about the area we live in.” It’s an approach reﬂected in the store’s practice of displaying furniture, furnishings and accessories in complete room sets, which are carefully designed to be realistic in size and even feature visual guides to true ceiling heights. “It’s a way of providing inspiration and of indicating how our products will look in a genuine home environment,” says Paul. “People invest a lot in their homes and it’s always been important to us that we help give them as much information and advice as possible.” Of course, all the attention to tradition doesn’t mean Aldiss has failed to move with the times. The store’s online presence has encouraged the introduction of a national delivery service, but it hasn’t seen people preferring to stay at home. “The retail world is always changing and Aldiss has always been very successful in changing with it,” says Paul. “The internet had widened our appeal and allowed us to spread, but I think it says a lot about the Aldiss experience that though lots of people are now ‘shopping’ online they’re still actually visiting the store to buy in

person.” Part of that appeal is no doubt the store’s Shapes restaurant, which offers everything from breakfasts and snacks to main meals and afternoon teas, and holds a five-star hygiene award from Norfolk County Council. But it’s also the fact that every single department is staffed by people who are genuine specialists in their own field. “That’s been important since William first opened his store,” says Paul. “It makes such a difference when you can speak to someone who understands what they’re selling and has a real passion for it.” Indeed, Aldiss has been such an integral part of the community for so long, that even the staff follow the family tradition. “We have members of staff who’ve been with us for over forty years,” says Paul, “and it’s not uncommon to find people working alongside relatives. Recently, we had three generations of the same family working here – although not all in the same department!” Having recently overseen a programme that’s included the refitting of every department, improved and expanded displays and a new £250,000 roof for the Fakenham store, Paul is looking forward to the next phase in Aldiss’ history, which he knows will be

guided by what he feels has always been the store’s greatest asset – its local customers. “We’ve always been fortunate in having incredibly loyal customers,” he says. “They’re the ﬁrst to let us know what we're doing right – and if we ever make any moves in the wrong direction! For 120 years, any changes Aldiss has made have been brought about by the customers and for the customers – and that will always be the case.”

ALDISS Fakenham Oxborough Lane, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 8AF Tel: 0845 130 3388 www.aldiss.com Norwich Hall Road Retail Park, Norwich Norfolk NR4 6DH Tel: 0845 230 3388 www.aldiss.com

KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: SUPPLIED / ELY CATHEDRAL

Local Life

ABOVE: Ely Cathedral providing a stunning backdrop to a scene in the 2007 ﬁlm Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and (opposite) during ﬁlming of The King’s Speech in 2010

Lights, cameras and action at Ely Cathedral... One of the wonders of the medieval world, Ely Cathedral has been a centre of worship for over 1,000 years and is now an increasingly popular film location, as Emma Barnard discovers

t’s spent most of its life – for over 1,000 years – as a place of worship for the surrounding area, but over the past ten years Ely Cathedral has become a popular and well-established location for filming and musical recordings. Not only has the Cathedral provided a stunning backdrop to a variety of television programmes, but a number of major (and Oscar-winning) Hollywood pictures have been filmed at this beautiful venue. Although its television appearances have included The One Show, Countryfile and Saturday Kitchen, Ely Cathedral’s big-screen presence has

KLmagazine September 2015

attracted most of the attention – in addition to elaborate set designs and between 150-400 cast and crew members on site at any given time. It’s a unique function for the iconic building, which is known locally as ‘the Ship of the Fens’ due to its prominent position above the surrounding ﬂat landscape, but it’s a use that never gets in the way of the building’s heritage or its purpose. “Obviously the Cathedral is a very precious place, so there are very strict guidelines regarding the fabric of the building,” says Lesley Ann Thompson, the Cathedral’s Director of Communications and Commerce.

“We’re fortunate to have our own conservationist on site who will go through the plans with the production company’s art department in great detail before any ﬁlming begins.” In addition to protecting the building itself, the Cathedral never loses sight of its status as a Christian place of worship, and the one unbreakable rule is that Hollywood never gets in the way of services. “In general, ﬁlm crews are very respectful of the building and what it stands for,” says Lesley Ann, “and we’ve never had an issue!” Lesley Ann kindly took us through the Cathedral’s screen credits over the last

Local Life

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) Starring Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen and Geoffrey Rush and winning an Oscar for Best Costume Design, Elizabeth was Ely Cathedral’s bigscreen debut, and saw a film crew that often numbered over 400 on site for over six weeks. “We were real film novices,” says Lesley Ann, “but were lucky enough to be working with one of the most experienced location managers in Nick Daubeny, the only location manager to win a BAFTA. He gave us a great deal of support and advice.” Ely Cathedral had actually been recommended to Daubeny by Sue Quinn, the supervising location manager for the Harry Potter films, who’d visited the location previously. The Cathedral’s famous Lady Chapel was transformed into Elizabeth’s court for a fabulous banqueting scene, and the nave was used for the Queen’s confrontation with the Spanish Ambassador and her reaction to the news that Mary Queen of Scots had been executed. The Other Man (2008) Adapted from a short story by the German lawyer and writer Bernard Schlink, the film tells the story of competitors for a woman’s love, and Ely Cathedral was used as a location because the girl in the original story actually worked in the Cathedral bookshop. Despite the setting and the cast (including Liam Neeson and Antonio Banderas), the film was a commerical failure, making only $970,157 against a production cost of $15 million.

PICTURES: SUPPLIED / ELY CATHEDRAL

decade – which range from historical dramas to Shakespearean tragedies and science ﬁction. “The Cathedral is an amazing building, and when stripped down with the furniture removed, it presents itself in its original form as a fantastic blank canvas that many studios would ﬁnd hard to recreate,” says Lesley Ann. “Its beauty, size, depth and atmosphere has enchanted many a director, cast and crew.”

ABOVE: Colin Firth (second left) during the filming of The King’s Speech at Ely Cathedral, a production that won numerous awards and received widespread critical acclaim. Below is a scene from Jupiter Ascending, featuring Ely Cathedral as you’ve never seen it before – and are never likely to, thanks to the efforts of the film’s special effects team.

The Kings Speech (2010) Ely Cathedral became Westminster Abbey for this film, which was shot during a particularly cold and snowy December by a small production crew who reportedly had no idea of the impending success of the film. It went on to win seven BAFTAs and four of the 12 Oscars for which it was nominated. The Cathedral remained open for the four days of filming, and the scenes shot there featured the film’s stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Derek Jacobi. Jupiter Ascending (2015) Ely Cathedral may seem an unlikely setting for a space opera about an ordinary cleaning woman and an interplanetary warrior, but the film and its stars attracted a great deal of attention from the paparazzi, who descended on Ely in force. Many of the extras were seen in coffee shops in and around the town in costume, causing much intrigue as the film itself! The Cathedral, often acknowledged as one of the medieval wonders of the world, looked magnificent in the film and was featured in many other scenes thanks to the use of special effects and green screening.

Macbeth (2015) The most recent film shot at Ely is due to be released next month. Stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard were in Ely last year for filming of this eagerly-anticipated adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy, which took place in the nave and transepts – with the Lady Chapel sumptuously decorated for the play’s famous banqueting scene. Lesley Ann is keen to point out that film making is only a small part of life at Ely Cathedral. “We must be one of the busiest cathedrals in the country,” she says, “but everything we do helps support the Cathedral and keeps it open as both a place of worship and important resource for the local community. Being used in a such variety of ways encourages people through those great west doors who may not normally come. Next on the agenda is our Pet Service followed by Harvest weekend, and then the Christmas Gift and Food Fair in November which attracts over 10,000 visitors every year!” For details, see www.elycathedral.org

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) Based on the novel by Philippa Gregory, and starring Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, the ﬁlm charts the relationship between Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary over the pursuit of Henry VIII. Filming took place at the Cathedral for only three days, during which it was transformed to depict the interior of Henry VIII’s Whitehall court. The main scene shot at the Cathedral was the coronation of Anne Boleyn. 100

KLmagazine September 2015

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Local Arts

KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: ANDY TURNER / MD KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Local Arts

ABOVE: Andy Turner (right) isn’t just directing The Guardian – he’s also playing one of the three main characters as the recently-deceased Grimley. But he only has himself to blame as the concept for the ﬁlm was his own and he’s also responsible for the production’s casting!

Made in Norfolk: Andy Turner’s directing debut What’s next after you’ve been a policeman, web designer, private investigator and extra in a Muppets movie? Become a film director, obviously. Emma Barnard meets up with Andy Turner

he lovely locations of King’s Lynn, Heacham and Hunstanton haven’t just been providing beautiful backdrops to the summer this year – they’ve also played a part in the latest production by a talented group of local ﬁlmmakers. Now in the editing stages, ‘The Guardian’ is the work of Aturn Films, the company founded by Andy Turner, who’s lived in Norfolk for the last decade – but took the long route to the director’s chair. “I was a Police Oﬃcer for around 12 years and for the past nine years I’ve been involved in website design,” he

KLmagazine September 2015

says. “I’ve also worked as a private investigator! Getting involved in films and television just came about one day – I just wanted to do something different!” Andy admits that his son probably influenced his change of direction, however. “He’s studying for a degree in Film and Television and is a huge film fan, so that probably helped steer my interest towards film making,” he says. Andy’s been pursuing his big-screen ambitions for three years now, and initially started out as an extra in television and films. “In the last year or so I’ve had the odd

role on TV including a small part on a BBC2 documentary about Churchill,” says Andy. “I’ve also been an extra in some major ﬁlms such as Muppets Most Wanted and Monuments Men. One of the best ways of learning the craft of acting is to get involved in student ﬁlms.” And he should know. Having recently completed a degree in Computer Science at the College of West Anglia in King’s Lynn, Andy’s shortly to embark on a Masters in Film and Television at Anglia Ruskin University, and his initial appearances in front of the camera, and work with students in Norfolk led to the formation of the group of

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PICTURES: ANDY TURNER / MD KNIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Local Arts

ABOVE: Andy Turner (far left) prepares for a day’s shooting on the Walks in King’s Lynn – the ﬁrst time The Guardian project featured extras!

filmmakers he works with today. “I first met the group involved in The Guardian on another local film project called The Last Day which is due to continue filming later this year,” says Andy. Indeed, most of the actors and crew on The Last Day are now involved in The Guardian – and both projects have the same main screenwriter in Ritchie Johnston, a talented new writer from Leeds – though he fittingly enough originates from Norfolk. After dipping his toe in a variety of acting roles, Andy decided to take the step into directing, and he’ll be on both sides of the camera with The Guardian – in addition to having created the story itself. “Basically, it’s a drama/comedy about the afterlife,” says Andy, “and it’s told by initially focussing on three main characters.” The characters are the ‘Master Guardian’ Arturo; Eric, who’s very much alive but going through what Andy describes as “a rough time”; and the recently-deceased Grimley, who’s about to become Eric’s guardian. The decidedly strange idea came to Andy almost two years ago. “We all have weird dreams, and the idea is that we all have a Guardian that communicates with us through our dreams,” he explains. “Based on that thought, I wanted something that could be filmed in a modern setting using a variety of locations, but that still had a fun and unique side to it.” The pilot episode of The Guardian has been co-written with Ritchie Johnston, and they’ve been working 104

together on the idea since the beginning of this year. “It’s not a quick process!” says Andy. “We’ve had to pull all the actors together, assemble the crew, and find work for all the other people keen on helping in whatever way they can! We finally started filming in June this year.” Andy hopes that editing will be complete by the end of year, after which the pilot of The Guardian – at around 25 minutes – will be ready for screening. Norfolk plays a large part in the film, and you can expect to see King’s Lynn and Brancaster, Heacham, Hunstanton, Shipdham and Holme-Next-The-Sea – but Andy does have a couple of favourites. “The best places to film were Brancaster beach and the Walks in King’s Lynn,” he says. “At Brancaster we pitched up one evening around 6.30pm to film the beach scene and the weather was perfect. We used a quadcopter and go-pro to film from

really high up across the sea – the beach was isolated and clear of people so it could have been anywhere in the world.” “In the Walks in King’s Lynn we were able to make great use of the avenue effect with the tree lines – it was actually the first time we used extras on the shoot!” He’s not the first film director to use Norfolk as a location, of course, and Andy won’t be the last to sing its praises. “It offers so many fantastic and varied locations,” he says, “and the scenery is just superb.” Andy and the team at Aturn Films are positive about the future of The Guardian project. “We’re all very keen to produce the best finished article we possibly can, and we’re confident the pilot will be well received,” says Andy. “We’ve already some fantastic ideas for how the characters and the story can be developed for further episodes, so watch this space!”

KLmagazine September 2015

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ABOVE: Keith King has been the Branch Director of King’s Lynn Samaritans for the last two years: “what we do is very, very special,” he says, “but we’re not extraordinary in ourselves”

What it means to be a King’s Lynn Samaritan... For over 60 years Samaritans has been helping people turn their lives around. KL magazine talks to Branch Director Keith King about the service – and what it means to be a volunteer

t was 1953, and having offered counselling to his parishioners throughout his career, the London vicar Chad Varah (right) had long harboured what he once referred to as a ‘crazy scheme’ – the idea of being there at all times for people in difficult circumstances, people who only needed someone to talk to. Noticing the words ‘fire,’ ‘ambulance’ and ‘police’ on his telephone, Chad felt there was a vital word missing for people in an emergency – ‘help.’ Working from the crypt of his church and using its own telephone number (MAN9000), Chad started his service, stating that its primary aim was “to befriend the suicidal and despairing.”

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He received his ﬁrst call on 2nd November 1953, and the following month a report in the Daily Mirror described Chad and his small team of

volunteers “Telephone Good Samaritans” – and though the new organisation wasn’t by any means a religious one, the name stuck. Today, there are 201 Samaritans branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland, and more than 21,000 volunteers answer a call, e-mail or text every six seconds of every day – indeed, Samaritans oﬀered the ﬁrst 24hour helpline in the world. The King’s Lynn branch of the Samaritans was founded by volunteer and Secretary of the Marriage Guidance Council Marian Davies in October 1968. In addition to providing a local service, it was intended as a way of helping volunteers who were having to travel to Norwich every week, and

KLmagazine September 2015

people in the 21st century,” says Keith. “We’ve been very successful in what we’ve achieved so far, but being ‘good enough’ isn’t really good enough. We’re not trying to be the best branch in the country, we’re simply working to provide the best local service we can and ensure we’re here when people need us. That’s why Samaritans was founded, and that’s why we are here.”

A MOVE FOR... THE BETTER

King’s Lynn Samaritans have been at their present home on the town’s Queen Street for almost 50 years. At first, part of the building had been used by dog handlers and their dogs, and at times people had to be interviewed on the stairs. It took a lot of time and effort to make the premises suitable for the comfort of volunteers and the confidentiality of personal callers, and it has served the branch very well over the years, but it’s now time to move. King’s Lynn Samaritans is currently looking for new premises in King’s Lynn for easier access for the disabled, additional duty space, secure parking and modern training facilities. If any reader has or knows of suitable premises (at least 3,000 sq ft) in the town available for purchase, King’s Lynn Samaritans would love to hear from you.

information 26 Queen Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1HT Telephone: 01553 761616 Web: www.samaritans.org National Line: 08457 909090* * Calls will cost 2p per minute plus your local telephone company’s access charge.

KLmagazine September 2015

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King’s Lynn Samaritans/Charity Number 268748

Marian and her first group of eight effort into attracting more volunteers. recruits found a home in some of the Because without them we simply Marriage Guidance Council’s unused couldn’t provide the service we do.” rooms at 22 Queen Street, King’s Lynn. The recruitment and training process They moved a few doors down the for new volunteers may be quite long street a few years later, and it’s from and intensive, but those that do there you’ll still find King’s Lynn volunteer find that becoming a Samaritans today, together with Branch Samaritan is a life-changing experience Director Keith King. that’s uniquely rewarding. “We're really very fortunate to have a “Being a Samaritan is a very Samaritans branch in King’s Lynn,” says privileged position,” says Keith, “We’re Keith, who became Branch Director contacted every six seconds by people two years ago. “Two hundred branches wishing to explore their options, to around the country may sound like a better understand their problems, or lot, but when you consider how large who simply need to talk to someone. an area that is and how many people What we do is very, very special but need and use the service, it’s not really we’re not extraordinary in ourselves. a huge amount at all.” Samaritans come from all age groups Keith first came to King’s Lynn and all backgrounds.” Samaritans as a listening volunteer in Throughout their existence, the branch’s 40th anniversary year, a Samaritans have been widely year which also saw it awarded the understood as only being there to help prestigious Queen’s Award for those at risk of suicide, but that’s never Voluntary Service. been the case. True to its founder’s “That was a great honour for the vision of ‘befriending the despairing’ branch,” says Keith. “It’s only awarded Samaritans are there to talk to at any to groups where time, in any way, and “There are in this world, in off the record – volunteers are judged to have whether your every country, people regularly devoted difficulties concern who seem to be ‘ordinary’ finances, phobias, their time to providing an mental health issues, but who turn out to be outstanding level bereavement, workextraordinary. They give of help to other related issues or their total attention. people, and it was personal matters. a great tribute to “The sooner They completely forget the work of people talk to us the themselves. They listen everyone at the better, though that branch.” always has to be and listen and listen, When Keith their choice” says without interrupting. became Branch Keith. “We’re not They have no message. Director, the counsellors, we branch had 48 don’t judge, and we They do not preach. volunteer listeners, don’t give answers. They have nothing to sell. We’re here to help and though it We call them Samaritans...” people work currently has around twice that through their Dr Chad Varah, CH CBE number, he’s the problems by talking Founder, Samaritans first to emphasise in a totally safe, the importance of increasing those totally confidential environment.” numbers. As King’s Lynn Samaritans enters an “The most important part of the exciting new phase in its history, Keith is Samaritans service has always been clear on what the future holds for the that at the exact moment someone branch. calls, there’s someone here to listen,” “We’re embracing new technology he says. “That’s why we put so much and meeting the changing needs of

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KLmagazine September 2015

PICTURES: KIERON WILLIAMSON.COM / ALBAN DONOHOE

Local Art

ABOVE: Since his astonishing debut in 2009 (when he was only 6 years old) Kieron Williamson’s work has been in demand from buyers around the world and has attracted considerable critical acclaim

Portrait of the artist as a (very) young man... Few artists enjoy as much success, international acclaim and media attention than Norfolk’s Kieron Williamson – who has only just turned 13. Emma Barnard meets a truly remarkable local artist

rom being a five-year-old boy picking up a sketchbook on a family holiday in Cornwall to becoming a world-renowned artist at the age of six, the story of Norfolk’s Kieron Williamson (who’s now 13) is a really quite remarkable one. In August of 2009, when he was only six, 19 of Kieron’s paintings made their first public appearance and the world stood to attention – three months later, his first exhibition sold out in just 14 minutes. At his third exhibition in 2010 (Kieron was then seven years old), people camped outside for three days to be first in the queue.

KLmagazine September 2015

His parents Michelle and Keith now work for him (they’re directors of his company), and both Kieron and his sister Billie Jo are home schooled by their mother – while his former art dealer father buys and sells art for the company. “I think Mum and Dad are ok with continuing to support me,” says Kieron. “But I don’t think any of us could’ve predicted where we’d be six years after my ﬁrst window display of work!” His mother echoes the sentiments. “Kieron never fails to astonish us with his love for art and his sheer hard graft and determination,” says Michelle. “He loves his natural surroundings and he

makes it very easy to support him. We feel blessed and privileged – even though we’re a bit bemused by the fact that Kieron is our employer!” Kieron’s work is heavily inspired by the landscape of the countryside and nature that surround him. “Norfolk is a great place,” he says, “I’m really lucky to have fields, barns, cattle and horses close by.” He takes a camera with him wherever he goes to capture images for future reference. “I recently got a fallow deer looking just above a cornfield in the warm sunny light and also a family of foxes playing in a field,” he recalls. “You have 109

PICTURES: KIERON WILLIAMSON.COM / ALBAN DONOHOE

Local Art

ABOVE: Kieron Williamson with his mentors and tutors pictured in Boscastle earlier this year: (from left to right) Bert Wright, David Curtis and Trevor Chamberlain. When Bert Wright sold his ﬁrst painting in 1946 he was only 16 – but he was still 10 years older than Kieron was on his astonishing debut in 2009. Pictured right is Kieron’s current favourite work – his painting of Newlyn, Cornwall.

to be out there to see these things, and getting up at 4 or 5 in the morning is usual for Dad and me! It’s the best time of day for the light.” Currently, Kieron’s favourite piece of work doesn’t feature his home county. It’s his recent painting of Newlyn, the town and fishing port in southwest Cornwall (above). “I’m trying to include people and figures in my work a bit more,” he says. “I particularly like this year’s portraits of Cornish fishermen.” Although Kieron’s passion for art, undisputed talent and incredible success means he hasn’t had what most would consider a conventional childhood, it’s all very normal for him. “I love being at home and being able to choose what I do with my time,” he says. “It’s great doing home schooling, beacause we can go off on tangents. I’ve spent a lot of time doing poetry and writing my gothic novel, and I get to do a lot more art research than I’d be allowed to do at school.” Despite being educated at home and devoting much of his time to paint and canvas, Kieron still manages to find time to have fun with his friends. “I miss playing football at lunchtime, but I do meet up at the park in the afternoons to play, so I 110

still get the best of both worlds,” he says. “I also love cycling, swimming and reading – and playing racing games on my iPad.” But there’s no doubt painting is Kieron’s true love and he never gets tired of trying new things. “Working at different times with oils, pastels and watercolours means I don’t often get bored of painting,” he says. “There’s still so much to learn, so much to do and so much to explore.” Michelle and Keith are extremely keen to ensure Kieron has a normal and free childhood. “A different set of parents may have said ‘yes’ to the numerous offers to exhibit in London and around the world from Israel to Australia and Hong Kong,” says Michelle. “We may be Kieron’s ‘limiting factor’ by keeping him grounded, but as a family we need to be able to cope with this phenomenon every minute of the day.” Kieron has many inspirations and his mentors and tutors are the people he’s painted with in Cornwall and Staithes. “Working with David Curtis, Trevor Chamberlain and Bert Wright has been brilliant,” says Kieron, “and hopefully I’ll have more opportunities to paint alongside great artists such as them in the future.” Earlier this year Kieron shared gallery space with the work of the popular Norfolk artist

Jack Cox, who died in 2007. “I grew up with his paintings on our walls, so it was great to be able to celebrate his work in that way” says Kieron. “I admire so many artists, and it would be fantastic if I could one day be considered as great as them!” As for this year, it’s been another extremely busy one. “It’s been a bit of a crazy one so far!” he laughs. “I painted ‘Luda’, which is a 5-foot tall ﬁbreglass GoGoDragon (pictured) which has been on view at The Forum in Norwich as part of the Wild in Art and Break charity art trail.” He’s also been the proud Ambassador for ‘It’s Our World Campaign 2015’ alongside the likes of Stephen Fry and has also been supporting charities including the RNLI and Wells Shannon Lifeboat Appeal – and he’s even found time to raise money for Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. As Kieron prepares to enter his teens, life seems to be getting more exciting and it’s only natural to wonder what his ambitions are for the future. “I’d love to have my own piece of grazing land and a herd of cattle in the future,” he says. “But that’s another learning curve Mum and Dad need to be ready for! When I was a toddler, my favourite colour was black so we’ll just have to wait and see what these teenage years will bring!” To keep up to date with Kieron and his work, see www.kieronwilliamson.com KLmagazine September 2015

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KLmagazine September 2015

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family-run business for over 40 years, Stebbings has become one of the most respected and successful car supermarkets in the UK, thanks to its uncompromising core values of fair dealing and a commitment to oﬀering a ﬁrst class customer experience. The 5½ acre site in King’s Lynn (which was recently improved and expanded everywhere from the showroom to the workshop) has around 500 vehicles to choose from at any one time, but there’s a lot more to all these cars than meets the eye. “Most people will know of Stebbings,” says Operations Director Richard Brown, “but few of them will realise just how much of a journey the cars make before they reach the showroom. Lower prices don’t have to mean lower quality, and I think that’s always been what makes Stebbings stand out.” Indeed, the road to high quality starts before the cars even arrive in King’s Lynn. Every single one is carefully selected and hand-picked by both Richard and Stebbings’ owner Anthony Skerry, who scour the country looking for used cars KLmagazine September 2015

that are fit for the company’s showroom. “There are thousands of used cars out there every day of the week,” says Richard, “but only a few will ever meet our standards. It’s a case of picking the ones that are right. They have to be the best we can find and they have to represent value for our customers.” But the handful of cars that do come up to Stebbings’ exacting standards don’t just move into the showroom ready for their new owners. On arrival, they undergo a complete mechanical inspection and grading check before being thoroughly and intensively steam washed to clear away any ingrained dirt. It’s now ready for any necessary cosmetic work – any marks on the wheels will see the car heading off the alloy wheel centre, while superficial scratches or small imperfections are treated in Stebbings’ superbly well-equipped bodyshop. Finally it’s time for a full, detailed valet (including a 3-stage body buff for the perfect finish) but that’s still not the end of the story. Moved to an on-site photographic studio, the car will undergo a final valet and inspection and only after successfully passing that will it be ready to be

photographed for the Stebbings website and to take its place on the sales floor. “Depending on the condition of the car when it arrives,” says Richard, “the entire process can take anything from four hours to two days. It’s very meticulous and it’s quite labour-intensive, but it’s well worth it, and when you see the quality of the cars we have available here I think you can really see the difference.” Visit Stebbings today for the very best in used car excellence – and see that difference for yourself!

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The Last Word

WildWestNorfolk Michael Middleton’s

scar Wilde called our national obsession with the weather the “last refuge of the unimaginative” but the bohemian Irishman should have met the two ladies I met recently in Swaffham, who were particularly creative in their assessment of the summer of 2015. One thought the summer had been so hot she feared her cat was going to melt. I’m not entirely sure what she meant, but there was no doubting her friend’s contrary view. Together with a few choice Anglo-Saxonisms, she said the summer had been a literal washout. It had rained so hard at the weekend, she said, she thought her chair legs were about to fall off. Having not spent an awful of of time investigating the linguistic versatility of the people of Swaffham, I can’t shed much light on the origins of these peculiar sayings, but it does underline our seemingly neverending preoccupation with all matters meteorological. It also had me wondering about the extremes of Norfolk’s weather. The highest temperature ever in the county was recorded in Hillington – a feline-watering 36.2o (97o in real money) on 9th August 1911. I do believe things were a few degrees hotter in the Middleton household in 1994 when Mrs. Middleton entrusted me with the Christmas shopping, but I didn’t have a thermometer with me at the time. I was too busy cowering in a corner. 1911 was also Norfolk’s sunniest year, with over 2,000 hours of sun between January and December, but the county’s sunniest month wasn’t so long ago. If you’d had the pleasure of 114

spending July 1976 in Cromer, you would have enjoyed no less than 318 hours of sunshine – which is more or less all the time. Actually, Cromer also holds the county record for wind (no funny comments, please) and in the same year too; a fearsome 108mph on 3rd January. I bet that blew the cobwebs away. All the way to Thetford, I fancy. Of course, as chair legs in Swaﬀham seem to be aware, it also rains a fair bit in Norfolk. A year after the people of Hillington were sweltering on Norfolk’s hottest-ever day, things were back to normal with the county’s wettest-ever year. Nearly 41 inches of rain fell in Norwich over the 12 months, and in Brundall on 26th August, almost a foot of rain fell in a few hours. And if you’ve started closing the windows at night and got the water bottles out of the cupboard, just be thankful it’s not 1963, when Norfolk enjoyed (a poor choice of words perhaps) its snowiest ever year. In Santon Downham it snowed for no less than 64 days, and on 23rd January the town recorded the county’s lowest ever temperature; an eye-watering -18.9o. Oh, and never go to Norwich in a hailstorm. A massive one in 1843 was so instense it left the city 5 inches deep in hailstones and led (believe it or not) to the formation of the General Hailstorm Society, an insurance company that later merged with Norwich Union. Hopefully, hailstone cover was still available 40 years later when, during a particularly heavy storm in July 1883, a hailstone about the size of a man’s head destroyed the Society of Artisan’s observatory on top of the city’s Black Tower.

A few years after that, the ladies of Swaffham were no doubt reaching for their phrase books as it managed to rain throughout the summer, snow at harvest time, and was so warm in December that primroses bloomed and the people in Swainsthrope gathered strawberries on Christmas morning. That may have been odd, but nothing compared to what happened in Great Yarmouth on 6th August 15 years ago. At 11am, the heavens opened and a storm of sprats duly rained down on the town, a decidedly fishy event that happily wasn’t followed by plague, locusts, frogs, or the deaths of the town’s first-borns. “At first I thought I might have something wrong with my eyes because the whole of my back yard seemed to be covered in little silver fish,” said one understandably bemused resident. “I got my neighbours to have a look because I knew nobody would believe me. One of them had their garden shed covered in fish. It was quite extraordinary. I’d never seen anything like it before in my life.” I imagine not. At least it made a change from all those cats and dogs. And collapsing chair legs.

KLmagazine September 2015

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