KL Magazine January 2014 by KL Magazine

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 40 JANUARY 2014 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

A GREAT BRITISH INSTITUTION We are immensely proud of our heritage, our deep-rooted passion for Norfolk and its residents, and the principles by which we have become the county’s finest home furnishing store. We have always championed Great British furniture brands which represent our own values and which epitomise traditional British craftsmanship, quality and design. So why not come along and enjoy the very best ranges, galleries and displays, and be inspired to change your home and lifestyle.

we won’t be beaten for quality, choice and value for money, that’s guaranteed Oxborough Lane Fakenham NR21 8AF T: 0845 130 3388

Visit us online at:

Hall Road Norwich NR4 6DH T: 0845 230 3388

www.aldiss.com

Everything Your Home Desires

COVER IMAGE

King’s Lynn by Ian Ward

editorial 01553 601201

editor@klmagazine.co.uk

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

advertising 01553 601201 sales@klmagazine.co.uk

Laura Murray Grant Murray Nicky Secker-Bligh Vicky Corielle

contact

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

appy New Year to you all – all our readers, all our advertisers, and everyone who’s helped us make this month’s issue of KL magazine. We hope the new year is good for you, good for your families, and good for your business. Welcome to 2014, which the United Nations has designated the International Year of Family Farming and Crystallography. For those of us not concerned with studying the arrangement of atoms in solids or growing potatoes with our brothers and sisters, we’ll be looking forward to the Winter Olympics (next month), the football World Cup (in June) and (allegedly) the completion of the world’s tallest building – the aptly-named but dubiously-ambitious Sky City skyscraper in China. This year also sees the 100th anniversary of the First World War, and commemorative events will be taking place throughout the country to remember the ‘war to end all wars’ which was, of course, anything but. It’s an appropriate time to look at the work of the Royal British Legion, a charity that’s on everyone's minds annually on November 11th, but actually does a huge amount of vital work for all the 364 other days of the year. See page 84 for more details. January is always a great time to make plans – and whether you’re thinking about your next holiday (see page 8) or considering taking up the sport of target shooting (page 60), you’ll ﬁnd plenty of food for thought in this month’s magazine. Enjoy! KL MAGAZINE

KLmagazine January 2014

Contents 7-13

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

8-10

LOCAL GATEWAY TO THE WORLD... Fly from Norwich International Airport

GILBERT & SULLIVAN’S SORCEROR A new production of this classic opera

THE BIG INTERVIEW With Ben Cowell of the National Trust

VIEW FROM THE TOP Ian Ward takes to the top of St Margarets

THEN & NOW The changing face of the local area

JANUARY 2014

30-32 BIRDS OF A FEATHER A look the members of the gull family 35

PETS Help and advice with local vet Alex Dallas

36-40 FASHION The latest looks from the local boutiques 46-48 NORFOLK CORDIAL John MacFarlane’s taste of local success

51-58 FOOD AND DRINK Recipes, reviews and recommendations 60-62 LIFE ON THE RANGE... With St Michael’s Riﬂe and Pistol Club 65-74 LESSONS FOR THE FUTURE Independent and further education 78-80 EXPLORER This month, we’re oﬀ to Fakenham 84-86 CHARITY The work of the Royal British Legion 89

MY KL The page made by KL magazine readers

CROSS CURRENTS Canon Chris Ivory’s look at local life

KLmagazine January 2014

60 5

Cinderella

JAN UARY JANUARY BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00 Tues 17 Dec – Sun 19 Jan CINDERELLA Sheila Ferguson (The Three Degrees), Matt Milburn (Emmerdale), Richard Gauntlett, Christopher Ryan (Ab Fab, The Young Ones) star in spectacular traditional family pantomime £5.50 - £20.50

Tues 7 Jan BEYOND THE BARRICADE A celebration of songs from great musicals £5.50 – £20.50 Mon 13 Jan RUSSELL KANE Quirky stand-up. 16+ £5.50 - £17.50

Mon 20 – Sat 25 Jan THE PERFECT MURDER Les Dennis, Claire Goose star in stage premiere of Peter James’ best-selling crime thriller £6.50 - £25

Mon 27 Jan – Sat 1 Feb ANYTHING GOES Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society with amateur production of Cole Porter’s classic 1930s musical £5.50 - £21.50

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk T H E ATRE STREET, NO RWIC H NR2 1RL

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KLmagazine January 2014

30 YEARS AGO: On the 24th January 1984 the very ﬁrst Apple Macintosh computer went on sale – with 128K RAM (yes, that’s 128K) of memory.

January Tuesday 14th GIVING BACK CAMPAIGN: SELF DEFENCE FOR WOMEN Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn (7pm-9pm) If you’ve been the victim of violence, here’s your opportunity to say ‘no’ thanks to SWC Security. The course is free to all attendees, but numbers are limited to 150 people per course. To book your place, contact SWC Security on 01553 777176 or see www.swcsecurity.co.uk for more details.

Don’t forget Burns Night: Saturday 25th

Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd SCHOLARSHIP AWARD DAYS Sacred Heart School, Swaﬀham It’s a proud day for students (and their parents) as a number of Academic, Sports, Arts and Music scholarships are awarded to pupils in Years 6 and 7. If you’d like to access independent education for your child but are worried about the cost, why not enter them for one of the school’s Scholarship Awards? For more information, call 01760 721330 and speak to the oﬃce team who’ll answer all your questions or visit the website at www.sacredheartschool.co.uk.

Wednesday 8th LORE King’s Lynn Arts Centre (Guildhall) (7.30pm) Lore (certificate 15) is a remarkable and thought-provoking Australian-German war film, written by Robin Mukherjee, co-written (and directed) by Cate Shortland, and funded by the UK Film Council. In Germany during the immediate aftermath of World War II, five destitute siblings led by Lore (played by Saskia Rosendahl) must travel almost a thousand kilometers to their grandmother’s home after their high-level Nazi parents disappear in the face of certain arrest by Allied Forces. Along the way, they encounter a variety of other Germans (some helpful, some antagonistic) before eventually meeting up with Thomas, a young Jewish concentration camp survivor, who joins their group and becomes their de facto protector. The film has been a considerable critical success, receiving four awards (including Best Picture) at the Stockholm International Film Festival, and was the Australian entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards. Tickets (£6.50) are available from the Box Office on 01553 764864 or on the door at the Arts Centre from 7pm on the night. For more details, see www.kingslynnarts.co.uk.

KLmagazine January 2014

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“Essentially English” The Victoria Inn, Park Road, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1RG Email victoria@holkham.co.uk Telephone 01328 711008

www.holkham.co.uk/victoria

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We hold regular auction sales of antiques, household furniture effects and collectables on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Auction dates for your diary: 15th January 5th & 19th February 5th & 19th March 2nd & 16th April 7th & 21st May 4th & 18th June 24th May - Hilgay for farm machinery

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KLmagazine January 2014

January

Saturday 25th TRAVEL FAIR Norwich International Airport (10am-3pm) Norwich Aiport’s annual Travel Fair is held in the airport terminal building (parking for visitors is free in the short stay car park) and oﬀers local holidaymakers the perfect opportunity to meet and talk to around 30 tour operators oﬀering a wide range of holidays. In addition to a free prize draw (with a fantastic prize), there’s also 5% discount and free holiday parking for all holidays from Norwich booked on the day. For more details, call Norwich International Airport on 01603 428700.

Saturday 18th BOOGIE NIGHTS Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn (7.30pm) An all-hits concert reunion starring Chic La Freak, Heatwave & Phil Fearon’s Galaxy. Chic La Freak are an amazing recreation of Nile Rogers’ influential band Chic, Galaxy’s original lead singer Phil Fearon performs the band’s hits with the same enthusiasm as when they were first released, and Heatwave are a legendary band spanning many decades – and still feature original lead singer Keith Wilder! For more details and to book tickets, call the Box Office on 01553 764864.

Tuesday 28th VALUATION DAY Holt’s Auctioneers, Church Farm Barns, Wolferton Holt’s popular (and free) valuation days are informal and informative, and oﬀer visitors the opportunity to have items valued for the sake of interest, together with insurance and probate requirements (a charge may be made for the last two services). The days are hosted by two experienced members of Holt’s Auctioneers, who are able to tell you more details of the item you’ve brought along, and are always keen to hear of family or related provenance – it can have a considerable impact on the value. Holt’s will then suggest a realistic catalogue estimate and reserve (if you’re of a mind to sell) together with a likely hammer price. To aid the smooth running of the Valuation Days, Holt’s does prefer to run on an appointment system. This ensures people have a degree of privacy and aren’t kept waiting before meeting one of the team. For more details or to arrange an appointment, please call Holt’s Auctioneers on 01485 542822 or visit the website at www.holtsauctioneers.com

Sunday 12th GARDEN BIRD WALK Oxburgh Hall, nr Swaﬀham PE33 9PS (10.30am-12.30pm) Take a walk with some expert guides and learn about the many species of birds found in the gardens and woodland of Oxburgh – and ﬁnd out how to identify birds in your own garden. You may even be inspired to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch this month. Places are only £5 per person, or £13 for a family (please note that places are limited) and include a 20% tearoom voucher. Bring warm clothes and binoculars. To book, please contact Oxburgh Hall on 01366 328258 and more information, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall

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Local Life

ABOVE: The wonders of Verona and the beauty of Sicily (left) are just two of the exciting destinations available from Norwich Airport in 2014

Norwich Airport: the world on your doorstep The start of the new year is always a great time to start thinking about getting away from it all and enjoying some sea, sand and sights. Here are just a few ideas for 2014 from Norwich Airport...

orwich International Airport officially opened 81 years ago and has been operating from its current site for the last 47 years. The airport started offering holiday charter flights in 1971, and since then more and more people have discovered just how convenient flying from a true local airport can be – in 2012-13, Norwich International carried 423,396 passengers around the world. It comes as a surprise to learn that 650 destinations are only one stop away from Norwich, and that thanks to the close proximity of Amsterdam (only a

KLmagazine January 2014

45-minute flight) you can travel on to virtually anywhere in the world – and only need to check your bags in once. Flying from Norwich is a much less stressful way to reach your destination. In fact, with just a one-hour check-in and a short flight to Amsterdam or Manchester, you could be boarding a connecting flight in less time than it takes to drive to a London airport – and that’s without factoring in travelling between car parks and terminals and three-hour check-ins. And although no one looks forward to coming home from holiday, returning to Norwich International with

Dubrovnik

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Tunisia

Local Life

only a short trip home in front of you can make a world of difference. Norwich International has some fabulous destinations available in 2014, and the hardest part is probably deciding just where to go! For sun, you can choose from the jaw-dropping beauty of TENERIFE with its fantastic banana plantations, whitewashed villages and shuttered colonial buildings and the sundrenched wonders of MAJORCA, which offers an astonishing variety of things to see and do and has always been a hugely popular destination from Norwich. North Africa is only a flight away from Norwich in the form of TUNISIA, which appeals to all members of the family – from history enthusiasts to devotees of spas and designer labels. Closer to home, VERONA is one of Italy’s most attractive cities (no wonder it’s the setting for Romeo and Juliet), packed with rose pink buildings, bustling squares and elegant shops – and whether you’re looking for a seaside holiday, something small and friendly or a chic city break, the Croatian city of DUBROVNIK has got it all, from medieval houses and ancient palaces to sleek hotels and fantastic restaurants. An amazingly diverse island overflowing with treasures, SICILY is full of contrasts, landscapes, beaches and ancient heritage, while TURKEY is a never-ending wonder, straddling two continents and successfully bringing together a wealth of natural beauty and different cultures. Of course, there’s no need to limit yourself to these (or any other of) Norwich Airport’s one-flight destinations. Whether you’re looking to relax on a Caribbean cruise, discover the mystical charms of the Far East, take in the grandeur of Dubai, hit the bright lights of Las Vegas or explore the great outdoors of Canada, you’ll find Norwich International is your gateway to the whole world. It’s easy, it’s convenient, it’s friendly and it’s stress-free – and that’s what holidays are all about. > For more details of the flights featured here and other 2014 destinations from Norwich International Airport, please contact your local travel agent. > The new Fly Norwich brochure for 2014 will be available from January 25th – for your copy, send an e-mail to marketing@norwichairport.co.uk or visit www.norwichairport.co.uk to discover more about the pleasures of flying from Norwich. KLmagazine January 2014

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What’s On

The air will be charged with amatory numbers... Celebrating 60 years of performances, the West Norfolk Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society returns to the King’s Lynn Arts Centre this month with an exciting production of The Sorceror.

he West Norfolk Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society is one of the few remaining groups in Norfolk who still (and exclusively) perform the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, and is currently enjoying the 60th year of staging the pair’s work. To celebrate, the Society is returning to the Arts Centre in King’s Lynn (its home for many years) at the end of the month to perform The Sorceror. The production

is directed by Andrew Nicklin, who’s gained many top awards for his productions, and is a regular contributor to the Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival. The production’s Musical Director is Derek Oldﬁeld, who’s lived in King’s Lynn for many years and has been extremely supportive of the local music scene. Before coming to Norfolk, Derek worked with many international orchestras (including the Halle

Orchestra), and his favourite memory is of playing for Maria Callas, the world renowned opera singer. The Sorcerer itself is a two-act comic opera that was the British duo’s third operatic collaboration. The plot is actually based on a Christmas story called An Elixir of Love, which Gilbert wrote for The Graphic magazine in 1876. It concerns a young man called Alexis, who’s obsessed with the idea of love levelling all ranks and social

KLmagazine January 2014

distinctions. By way of promoting his beliefs, he invites the proprietor of JW Wells & Co. (Family Sorcerers) to brew a love potion. This causes everyone in the village to fall in love with the first person they see and results in the pairing of some hysterically funny mismatched couples. The opera first opened on 17th November 1877 at the Opera Comique in London, where it eventually ran for 178 performances. It was considered a considerable success by the standards of that time (Reynolds’ Newspaper proclaimed it “one of the best entertainments of the kind that has yet been placed on the stage”) and encouraged Gilbert & Sullivan to write their next opera, which became the famous HMS Pinafore. The Sorcerer was revised for an 1884 revival, and that’s the version usually performed today. It was the first Savoy opera for which the author and composer had almost total control over the production and cast selection. Several of the original actors went on to create principal roles in most of the later Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and it was their first opera to use all the major character types and typical range of songs that would appear in their later

KLmagazine January 2014

work, such as comic duets, a patter song, a contrapuntal double chorus, a tenor and soprano love duet and a soprano showpiece. The success of The Sorcerer was overshadowed by the extraordinary popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan’s later collaborations, and it remains one of the team’s less popular ones. The satire in the piece concerns Victorian-era class distinctions and operatic conventions with which modern audiences are less familiar, but the West Norfolk Gilbert & Sullivan Operatic Society is hoping to change that situation. The cast includes Laurence Panter as Alexis, John Torr as John Wellington Wells (of J. W. Wells & Co fame), Anil Chakrabarty as Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, Andy Masterson as the Vicar of Ploverleigh, Julie Bjerregaard as Lady Sangazure, and Sharon Cutworth as Aline, her daughter (who’s also betrothed to Alexis). The society’s performance of The Sorceror can be seen at the King’s Lynn Arts Centre in the town’s King Street on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January (at 7.30pm), and Saturday 1st February (at 2.30pm and 7.30pm). True to the society’s history of

supporting local causes, each performance will beneﬁt a diﬀerent charity – Age UK Norfolk, Tapping House Hospice, Headway (Norfolk and Waveney) and MacMillan Cancer Relief. Tickets can be ordered online at www.kingslynnarts.co.uk, by telephone on 01553 764864 or by calling into the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange.

ABOVE: The cover of the programme for The Sorceror’s original production in 1877

The Big Interview

Ben Cowell Regional Director (East of England) The National Trust KL MAGAZINE: Could you give us a brief overview of the National Trust’s East of England region? BEN COWELL: Our region comprises six counties – Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire – which in my view contain some of the most special landscapes in the country. The National Trust looks after some really unique places in the East, ranging from fine houses and gardens like Oxburgh in Norfolk or Peckover in Wisbech, to beautiful stretches of coastline as on the North Norfolk coast, to wonderful open countryside, fen, heath and forest. KL MAGAZINE: What does your role as Regional Director entail? BEN COWELL: As Regional Director, I’m responsible for everything the Trust does, whether on or off our properties. Our teams of staff and volunteers, who work so hard to keep our places open and looking great, all have stretching targets to meet each year. I’m judged on whether we deliver those targets – which I’m pleased to say we generally do! I’m also the public face of the National Trust in the region, responsible for ensuring that we’re communicating clearly what we are all about. KL MAGAZINE: What are the biggest issues facing the National Trust today? BEN COWELL: Like many organisations involved in the tourism business, we’re constantly on the lookout for new ways in which we can delight visitors, many of whom are National Trust members. The tourism market is highly competitive, so we know we can never stand still! We’re also a charity with a particular mission – to ensure the most special parts of our landscape are looked after for the long term. At the

moment it feels like there are enormous pressures on the countryside, whether from the needs of new housing, or new energy and transport infrastructure. Making sure those needs are accommodated in ways that are in keeping with the grain of the landscape is therefore a particular challenge at the present time.

KL MAGAZINE: What do you like best about North Norfolk? BEN COWELL: I love spending time on the coast. When we were ﬁrst married, my wife and I spent four days walking the North Norfolk coastal path – it’s a holiday I still remember vividly (and not just because I was carrying the tent!)

KL MAGAZINE: What’s the most rewarding part of your job? BEN COWELL: Without question it’s the feeling I get whenever I visit our places and experience the wonderful atmosphere that great teams of staﬀ and volunteers can create for our visitors. I love hearing feedback from visitors about how much they enjoy spending time with us, and how they’ve been inspired by the places we look after.

KL MAGAZINE: In your free time, how do you like to relax? BEN COWELL: Spending time with my family is the most important thing to me, but my personal indulgence would be to read or watch ﬁlms – I seem to have less and less time for either these days!

KL MAGAZINE: What’s been your greatest achievement as Regional Director? BEN COWELL: It’s early days yet, as I’m only a year into the job! In any case, the credit for our achievements sits entirely with my hardworking colleagues. Last year we scored some of the highest visitor satisfaction ratings across the whole of the National Trust – a record to be really proud of. KL MAGAZINE: What have you learned from your work? BEN COWELL: The one thing that stands out for me is the importance of relationships. The Trust wouldn’t be able to operate without the goodwill of thousands of volunteers, nor without the commitment of our teams at properties. Having good, solid, trusting relationships at all levels therefore is the key to making an organisation like ours work.

KL MAGAZINE: Who’s your biggest inspiration? BEN COWELL: I’m fascinated by the story of our founders – Octavia Hill (born in Wisbech), Sir Robert Hunter (who was Chairman of the National Trust when we acquired Blakeney Point in 1912) and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. Their example continues to inspire me today. KL MAGAZINE: What’s the best piece of advice you've ever been given? BEN COWELL: Don’t just do something, stand there! KL MAGAZINE: What was the last book you read? BEN COWELL: The Norfolk Mystery by Ian Sansom – a rollicking good detective story set on the North Norfolk coast between the wars. KL MAGAZINE: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise people... BEN COWELL: My middle name is Josef!

KLmagazine January 2014

Individually designed and crafted garden buildings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; exquisitely hand made by local carpenters Creake Road, Burnham Market, Norfolk PE31 8EA Tel: 01328 823413 | Mobile: 07775 897937

See our website for the full range

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Local Life

ABOVE: The vicarage outside the magnificent front of King’s Lynn Minster – the two towers took almost a hundred years to construct

St. Margarets and the view from the top... Armed only with a camera and a head for heights, Ian Ward discovers an unusual view of the town from King’s Lynn Minster

he view from the top of King’s Lynn Minster isn’t just an unusual way of looking at the town – it’s a pretty unique one as well, as St Margarets is far bigger than any of the medieval churches in Norwich. In East Anglia, it’s actually second in size only to St Nicholas in Great Yarmouth, which itself is the largest medieval parish church in England. The two massive towers of King’s Lynn Minster were begun at the west end of the church around the middle of the 12th century, and they took almost a hundred years to complete. KLmagazine January 2014

While the southwest tower is pretty much original (the style changes from Norman to Early English as it climbs) its troublesome northwest twin was either never finished or was taken down and replaced, because what we see today is largely the work of the 15th century. The story of the church itself dates back to 1101, when it was founded as a Benedictine Priory by Herbert de Losinga, the first Bishop of Norwich. For the next 400 years it was the monks’ home as well as the Parish Church for the town. The commanding views from the top of St Margarets and its awe-inspiring 19

Local Life

exterior are all very well, but visitors shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to view the two largest memorial brasses in England (you’ll find them in the southeast aisle). Although experts are divided over whether they’re of Flemish or German manufacture, there’s no dispute over their subjects. In one, Adam de Walsoken, who died in 1349 and owned a great number of properties in the town, is shown with his wife Margaret – and there’s a famous early depiction of a postmill below their feet. The other brass features the merchant Robert Braunche (died in 1364) with his first and second wives, Letitia and Margaret. The important Peacock Feast scene below their feet is thought to be a reference to entertainment provided by Braunche when he was mayor to Edward III. St Margaret’s Church was made King’s Lynn Minster by the Bishop of Norwich in December 2011 in recognition that it provides a ministry far wider than that of a normal Parish Church. It’s the civic church for West Norfolk and frequently holds services and events for the western part of the Diocese of Norwich. The historic and architectural significance of the building were also factors in the decision to make it a Minster – and the remarkable views from its heights speak volumes for its presence in the town.

KLmagazine January 2014

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There’s a table in there somewhere!

Enjoy more space all year round thanks to ECOnomy Windows!

s you’ve probably just discovered, finding extra room for all your guests, friends and extended family members over Christmas and New Year can be a real struggle – as if you didn’t already have enough to be worrying about! It may well be time to take a different view of the problem for 2014 – and thanks to ECOnomy Windows, you could well save yourself some money in the process. How? By creating a stunning new dining and leisure area with a range of fantastic bespoke design solutions. You see, a conservatory isn’t just for Christmas, although you’ll be amazed what a difference it can make to the festivities when December comes

around again. In the spring, all that extra space makes a wonderful leisure and play area, while in summer it becomes a relaxing and comfortable garden room, transforming the way you use (and enjoy) your home. With energy bills going up, it’s time to stop money (literally) going out of the window, and with house prices up by almost 8% nationally in 2013 there’s probably never been a better time to concentrate on improving your home, rather than moving out of it. The numbers really do add up. Take a look at your latest energy bills and imagine saving some 40% of those bills: with the quality and technologicallyadvanced products from ECOnomy Windows that’s more than possible.

Over the next few years that’s a considerable saving that can be used to offset the costs of your home improvement. Indeed, you could easily find yourself saving more money than you could from money sitting idly in your bank account! And as you can see from the images here, the results speak for themselves. With over 25 years experience in creating beautiful conservatory and window solutions, ECOnomy Windows offers a reliable, professional local service – and some of the most innovative products on the market. Yes, you can still have a traditional conservatory (rest assured that ECOnomy Windows offer the best in the business) but today there are many

Don’t move, improve: and save money at the same time!

NEW CONSERVATORY SHOW SITE AND E DISTRIBUTION CENTR

KLmagazine August 2013

more exciting options to choose from. Livin Rooms, for example, offer you the best of both worlds, combining all the light and airy space of a traditional conservatory with the walls and ceiling of an extension. It’s a concept that’s truly multi-functional, creating either a wonderful space for relaxing or a busy family room. The real beauty of the Livin Room is that it creates a whole new dynamic to the space, allowing you to maintain light by strategically positioning windows all round or having brick piers to give a greater sense of solidity. The use of ECOnomy Windows’ roofing technology, the increased styling and furnishing options and the improved thermal efficiency of ECOnomy Windows’ Livin Room combine to add a whole new dimension to the idea of extending your home. Meanwhile, loggia and orangeries are becoming ever more popular additions to the home, letting you relax throughout the summer and enjoy a feeling of comfort and warmth over the winter months. ECOnomy Windows’ market-leading roof offers a striking perimeter ceiling all the way round the interior. Add some downlighters or audio speakers and you’ve got a truly individual touch. Although white remains the most popular choice of finish, ECOnomy Windows offer traditional woodgrain effects in a wide range of colours from Golden oak to Chartwell green (you can also specify a different colour for the inside, so your conservatory will look great from every angle!) As for the window range, it comes as no surprise to learn that ECOnomy Windows offers a wide range of options to suit your needs and the function of your new project – Low E Planitherm glass (as standard), self-cleaning glass, and solar control glass, to maintain a comfortable atmosphere in the room. In fact, you can even have your windows triple-glazed – it’s a recentlyavailable option that has multiple benefits – and that includes saving money! An amazing new look for your home, lower energy bills, more space for your guests and more room to enjoy once they’ve gone – and the reliability of a professional local company. Thanks to ECOnomy Windows, 2014 is already looking better for you and your home!

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

Beds

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KLmagazine January 2014

History

West Norfolk: Then and Now

2014

PICTURE: NP00000556

1914

A CENTURY IN SWAFFHAM The world has changed enormously in the hundred years since the start of the First World War, but it’s good to see that Swaﬀham has retained much of its charm – despite the impact of traﬃc. As an aside, local boy Howard Carter, who would discover Tutankhamen’s KLmagazine January 2014

tomb in eight years’ time, had to stop work in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings at this time because of the war. For more photographs of how things used to be in King’s Lynn and the surrounding area, contact Picture Norfolk – at the Norfolk Heritage Centre, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, The Forum,

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

Think you can’t aﬀord a new car? It’s time to think again! An amazing start to 2014 – thanks to King’s Lynn Volkswagen

ou’ve just got over the expense of Christmas, the cost of fuel (along with everything else) is continuing to rise, and January’s bills will soon start arriving through your door. At first, you might think it’s not a particularly great time to be thinking about buying a new car. But if you’re looking for some good news to start 2014, you’ll be pleased (and pretty surprised) to learn that thanks to King's Lynn Volkswagen, buying a new car actually makes sound economic sense. It can, in fact, even save you money! “People understandably find it hard to accept at first,” says Sales Manager Graham Mitchell, “but when we go through the figures with them, they see it’s absolutely true. They’re usually pretty amazed.” By comparing factors such as fuel costs and consumption, road fund licence, wear and tear, insurance plus MOT and service charges, King’s Lynn Volkswagen can demonstrate that whatever you currently drive, the cost of changing your car can make real financial sense. The numbers certainly add up – and that’s without taking into account the incredible quality of the current Volkswagen range. The perfect blend of contemporary 26

design and the very latest technology ensures that every Volkswagen – including the Up!, Polo, Beetle, Golf, Scirocco and Tiguan – offers the very best standards of comfort, safety, motoring economy and sheer driving pleasure. In the case of the Golf, you simply have to ask yourself the question. What would you rather be driving – your current vehicle or the 2013 World Car of the Year? “The real beauty of Volkswagen is that customers can grow with the brand,” says Business Manager Jonny Hudson. “There’s such a fantastic range of models and prices at the moment that whatever people need or want from their car, there’s a Volkswagen that’s perfect for them – and that will be the case when those needs change in the future.” With an expert team on help to talk you through all the options, and excellent levels of customer service throughout, King’s Lynn Volkswagen can help take your motoring to a new level – and give your finances a brighter look too. “We’re absolutely convinced that we can make a new car affordable to all drivers,” says Graham. “Everyone’s trying to save money, and though we can’t fix rising prices, we’re certain we can help people make the most of

them – and even save some money!” Whatever you drive and however it’s ﬁnanced, book an appointment by calling Graham or Jonny on 01553 368012 – make sure you quote KL magazine when you book, and in the unlikely event you’re not convinced, King’s Lynn Volkswagen will valet your car for free. What better way could there be to start 2014?

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

KLmagazine January 2014

Everyone who gets a home insurance quote gets a chance to win the country cottage holiday worth up to ÂŁ1,000.

Cost-eﬀective solutions for your home

We had an oil boiler system for over 40 years, so changing to air source heating was a big step for us – but I liked the fact it was the ‘greener’ choice. It’s been really efficient from day one, we’re especially pleased with the effect it’s had on our fuel bills – it’s probably saving us around £1000 a year!

Mr Clarke, Wimblington

I recently began the electrical and heating work for a group of six properties, and had no hesitation in choosing 4 Way Refrigeration to undertake all the heating work. Their great products, first-class service and commitment to providing cost-effective solutions make them the obvious choice. Mr Pearson Terrington St Clements

4 Way Refrigeration makes all the diﬀerence Thanks to 4 Way Refrigeration, customers all over the county are enjoying eco-friendly heating systems, improved eﬃciency and dramatically-reduced costs – here’s what they have to say...

here’s probably never been a time when the cost of heating your home has been talked about (and worried about) so much. And though you might think spiralling fuel bills are just an unpleasant fact of life these days, you’d be wrong. There is an answer – and it’s a solution that’s better for the environment as well as your pocket. As more and more people are discovering, Daikin Altherma air source heat pumps from 4 Way Refrigeration

are the perfect way to take total control of your domestic heating system – and to start making signiﬁcant reductions on your current fuel bills. “People don’t think there’s any realistic way to escape the rising cost of heating their homes,” says Steve Simpson of 4 Way Refrigeration. “But we’ve proved time and time again that putting the right products in the right place doesn’t just save money – it results in a more eﬃcient, more comfortable, and more enjoyable home.”

4 Way Refrigeration’s reputation as one of the leading names in the industry has been built on a team of highly-skilled engineers able to design, install, service and maintain all kinds of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Providing a reliable and eﬃcient service from start to ﬁnish, 4 Way Refrigeration are the local name to trust, catering for both domestic and commercial needs. The domestic heating and hot water system manufactured by industryleading Daikin Altherma works using air

KLmagazine January 2014

– but don’t just take our word for it!

source heat pump (ASHP) technology. The heat pump simply extracts heat from the outside air (heat particles exist in even the ‘coldest’ air), condenses it, and then compresses it to a higher temperature – which can heat water efficiently for the home’s heating and hot water systems. For every 1kw of energy taken in by the system, around 4kw is produced – which essentially means you only pay for a quarter of what you actually use! But it isn’t just cost considerations that are changing the way we heat our homes. As people become more ecoconscious and understand the need to lessen our impact on the environment, they’re discovering one of the greatest and easiest ways to achieve this is by changing to renewable energy. There are no direct emissions from the machine (so it’s also suitable for homes with no access to external walls, such as apartment blocks) and overall the CO2 produced is drastically reduced. Unlike boilers that run on potentially hazardous fuels such as oil and gas, air source heating is also completely safe. Highly reliable, the system is often referred to as a ‘fit-and-go’ system since little maintenance is needed once it’s been installed. Thanks to the expertise of 4 Way Refrigeration, installation is quick and hassle-free with the system usually installed in a day (in properties with existing heating and hot water systems). Dramatically reduced costs, an environmentally friendly system and improved efficiency – and the system can reduce domestic fuel bills even further when used in conjunction with photovoltaic panels from 4 Way Electrical! What more reasons could there be to contact 4 Way Refrigeration today and find out how air source heating can benefit you and your home?

KLmagazine January 2014

I wanted to use renewab le energy in my new bu ild property, and considere d lots of options before de ciding on air source heating fro m 4 Way Refrigeratio n. Combined with underfl oor heating, the system ’s been fantastic. It’s very effici ent, provides a constant temperature without ha ving to set timers and it’s much cheaper than oil. In fact, I was so impressed with the service that I’m using 4 Way Refrigeration on my latest new build project! Mr L Lucas, Ashwicken

y our area, renewable energ in s ga no ’s ere th e nc Si e and the course to take. The servic seemed like the obvious anding geration is truly outst staff from 4 Way Refri ds. ded them to several frien en m om rec dy rea al e I’v and been very ce heating system has Best of all, our air sour know it’s le-free) to run and we economical (and troub d bills. money on fuel costs an saved us quite a lot of lington Mr Redhead, Wimb

Details 4 WAY REFRIGERATION LTD Unit 25, Bergen Way, North Lynn Industrial Estate,King’s Lynn PE30 2JG TEL: 01553 767878 E-MAIL: sales@4wayref.co.uk WEB: www.4wayref.co.uk

KLmagazine January 2014

Local Life

ABOVE: A Lesser Black-Backed Gull in full ﬂight and (left) a family of Kittiwakes

There’s more to the gull family than seagulls... The common gull isn’t common at all, and there are more members of this bird family than you might have thought. Here’s a quick guide to gulls, together with Ian Ward’s amazing photos

eagulls have come in for a lot of bad press lately, but they can hardly be blamed for developing an insatiable love for discarded fast food and for scavenging around in piles of rubbish. Fortunately, (partly due to our lengthy coastline) we’ve got a reasonably healthy relationship with our gulls in Norfolk, although many people still tend to lump them all together in one group. It’s a pity, because gulls are a diverse family of birds, many of whom live inland for at least part of the year (some

KLmagazine January 2014

are strictly marine). Most gulls are grey, black and white when fully mature, but are extensively marked with various shades of brown during their younger years. Generally, gulls have long, slim wings and can ﬂy exceptionally well, but they also have remarkably strong legs, which give them good mobility on the ground. They swim buoyantly and often resort to water to roost at night. Here’s a quick guide to telling the various members of the gull family apart – to help you avoid calling everything a seagull in the future!

> BLACK-HEADED GULL It’s not really black-headed (for much of the year, it’s got a white head) and it’s definitely not a ‘seagull’ – you’ll find it almost anywhere inland. They’re sociable, quarrelsome, noisy birds, usually seen in small groups or flocks, and often gather into larger parties where there’s plenty of food about. > COMMON GULL It looks like a small, gentler version of the herring gull (see over), with greenish legs and a yellow bill – and despite its name, it’s not common at all

Local Life

ABOVE: A young herring gull with its distinctive juvenile markings

in some inland areas, though it’s abundant on the coast. The common gull is now seen more often in towns and on housing estates in winter. > HERRING GULL Herring gulls are the large, noisy gulls found throughout the year around the coasts and inland around rubbish tips, fields, large reservoirs and lakes, especially during winter. The adults have light grey backs, white underparts and black wing tips with white ‘mirrors’. They’ve suffered some decline over the past 25 years and over half the UK breeding population is confined to less than ten sites. > YELLOW-LEGGED GULL The yellow-legged gull has only recently been recognised as a species in its own right, having previously been considered to be a race of herring gull. As you might imagine, the legs are bright yellow, and the bill is yellow with a large red spot. In non-breeding plumage, the head is less streaked and whiter than herring gulls. > GLAUCOUS GULL A large pale gull with white wing tips, the Glaucous is bigger and bulkier than a herring gull, with a fiercer expression, larger beak and squarer head than the smaller (but virtually identical) Iceland gull. > GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL A very large, thick-set bird with a powerful beak. The adults are blacker than the smaller lesser black-backed gull. It has a heavy flight and can look quite hunched when perched. It will fight off other gulls and chase them to snatch food.

> ICELAND GULL These medium-size gulls have a rounded head and smallish beak, giving them a dove-like expression. They are sometimes referred to as a ‘whitewinged’ gull and are winter visitors to the UK, with small numbers of birds, usually seen singly. > KITTIWAKE This gentle looking, medium-sized gull has a small yellow bill and a dark eye. It has a grey back and is white underneath – in ﬂight the black wingtips show no white, unlike other gulls, and look as if they’ve been dipped in ink. The population is declining in some areas, perhaps due to a shortage of sand eels. After breeding, the birds move out into the Atlantic where they spend the winter. > LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Slightly smaller than a herring gull, the lesser black-backed gull is conﬁned entirely to Europe. There is serious concern about the decline of this gull – the UK is home to 40% of the European population and more than half of these are found at less than ten sites. > LITTLE GULL A small, dainty gull you can identify by the adults’ black heads in summer, or the young birds’ black wing markings, which forms a 'W' pattern. > MEDITERRANEAN GULL Distinguished by its large, slightly drooped beak, which is bright red when adult, this was a very rare bird in the UK until the 1950s. It is now widespread in winter and breeding in ever increasing numbers.

Seagulls are very clever – they learn, remember and even pass on behaviours, such as stamping their feet to imitate rainfall and trick earthworms to come to the surface. Seagulls are attentive and caring parents. The male and female pair for life and they take turns incubating the eggs, and feeding and protecting the chicks. Gulls have a complex and highly developed repertoire for communication which includes a wide range of vocalisations and body movements. Seagulls can drink both fresh and salt water. Most animals are unable to do this, but seagulls have a special pair of glands above their eyes which is specifically designed to flush the salt from their systems through openings in the bill. There is a great deal of diversity between diﬀerent gull species – the smallest being the Little Gull (at 120g and 29cm) and the largest being the Great Black-beaked Gull (at 1.75kg and 75cm). Young gulls form nursery flocks, where they play and learn vital skills for adulthood. Nursery flocks are watched over by a few adult males and these flocks will remain together until the birds are old enough to breed. In Native American symbolism, the seagull represents a carefree attitude, versatility, and freedom. Many seagulls have learned to conserve energy by hovering over bridges in order to absorb rising heat from paved roadways. Seagulls are fondly remembered in Utah for helping Mormon settlers deal with a plague of crickets. The seagull is now the state bird of Utah and a monument in Salt Lake City commemorates the event, known as the ‘Miracle of the Gulls’.

KLmagazine January 2014

YEARS

Great fitted furniture made locally for you

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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...

Chips for everyone! Micro-chipping will be compulsory by April 2016, so there’s no point putting oﬀ what could be an essential (possibly only) way of recovering a lost pet. To encourage uptake of this wonderful technological tool, and to thank KL magazine for the support it has given us – and the readers who have followed our articles – we have a special New Year oﬀer. During January, bring your copy of this magazine with you to the practice, and instead of the usual £19.95 you can have your cat or dog micro-chipped for just £10. Bring as many pets as you like!

New friends for 2014 s a Scotsman (despite what my surname would suggest!) New Year for me is a time of celebration, gratitude for the year gone by, and anticipation and plans for the year to come. Mind you, I’ve lived in west Norfolk for longer than I did in Scotland! Hogmanay isn’t simply about a night of drinking and feasting, although that can be a lot of fun. It’s about being with family and friends, and launching into the future together. I’m sure most people feel the same as me – our pets are also part of our family and are clearly our friends and we share our celebrations with them. For me, family is important. My wife, my children, our friends, and of course our pets – three dogs and four cats! But I also have an extended family that consists of my staﬀ at the practice. We

spend so many days together, working very closely, sharing so many events and supporting each other. We all share a common goal – to keep our patients ‘ﬁt for life’. And beyond these people, a further extended friendship and community exists. That’s our loyal client base, some of whom have been with me from my very ﬁrst days at London Road and it also includes all the new people and pets I’ll meet and help every day over the coming year. We always welcome new clients and it’s always nice to see old friends too. Our aim is always to be helpful and friendly and to keep your pets healthy and comfortable throughout the year. Wishing you – all of you – a very happy 2014 from all at the London Road Vets and the Hollies Downham Market.

Your pets Thanks to WENDY BONTOFT of South Wootton for sending this timely picture of her bulldog Wogan – apparently he always shows his teeth for the camera! Don’t forget to keep sending me pictures of your pets to Animal Matters at KL magazine, 18 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1JW or you can e-mail them to editor@klmagazine.co.uk

LONDON ROAD 25 London Road, King’s Lynn t: 01553 773168 e: info@lrvc.co.uk HOLLIES Paradise Road, Downham Market t: 01366 386655 e: hollies@holliesvetclinic.co.uk KLmagazine January 2014

Fashion

fashion

Black and white may not sound the most dynamic colour combination in the world, but as our local boutiques demonstrate, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing what you can do with them. Welcome to the monochrome set...

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Fashion

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KLmagazine January 2014

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KLmagazine January 2014

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KLmagazine January 2014

01366 385917 THEBEAUTYPROFILE.CO.UK 41

The gym that’s for little heros and heroines too With a successful boxing pedigree behind it, Heros in King’s Lynn has just celebrated its very first birthday – but there’s a lot more to the gym than boxing, as women and children are discovering...

eros Gym, which recently celebrated its ﬁrst birthday (it opened its doors in November 2012), is the brainchild of Ben Tansley and Melvyn Payne – and a very promising child it is too. Until recently, you’d have found the pair, both of whom were born and brought up in King’s Lynn, at the town’s Ferry Street Boxing Club. When the club ran its course and outgrew its facilities, Ben and Melvyn decided to team up and establish their own gym to take local boxing to another level.

“King’s Lynn didn’t have a dedicated weights gym as such,” says Ben, “so we decided to create our own. In a field dominated by large organisations, we’ve had a really successful first year. In terms of boxing, we’ve probably got the best facilities in the country – and that’s been reflected in the success of some of our younger members.” But Heros isn’t all about boxing and weights. The gym also offers a wide range of facilities and activities for women and children, and it’s a growing feature of the gym’s daily life. “I think it’s because we’re so friendly and take a genuinely personal, local

approach,” says Melvyn. “In addition to being surprised about the sheer size of the gym and the facilities we’ve got here, people find they’re not intimidated at all – they’re actually welcomed and encouraged.” For women, Heros offers a wide range of cardio equipment and circuit/weight training opportunities, plus a hugely successful programme of Boot Camps. “The women’s Boot Camps are designed to improve levels of general fitness and health,” Melvyn explains, “and involve a varied menu of cross training, boxing pad work and

KLmagazine January 2014

exercise – but to tell you more would give the secret away. The Boot Camps aren’t structured, so the groups never know what to expect next – and that’s always a lot of fun!” The Boot Camps (which are organised on a pay-per-session basis and are free to gym members) are held on Wednesday and Friday evenings and alternate Saturday mornings. For early risers, there’s even a special Boot Camp on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 6.15am and 7.15am – and exclusive group sessions are available by arrangement. Apart from attending Boot Camp, women at Heros can also enjoy pilates classes (for only £5 per session) to improve muscle tone, posture and balance – or relax on one of the gym’s sunbeds. Heros is also an inspirational location for children, offering boxing classes for youngsters as young as 5 years old – although the emphasis is firmly on health and fun. “For children, the boxing side is minimal to be honest,” Melvyn explains. “It’s really about having fun and being active for the health benefits. Starting at a young age teaches children good habits early on – habits such as teamwork, discipline, and selfconfidence. And as you might imagine, the classes are specially designed to appeal to people who have a limited attention span!” Heros also offers Mixed Martial Arts classes for children, and though you may not have heard of MMA before now, it’s actually the fastest-growing sport in the country. “One of the greatest rewards of running the gym is seeing the children develop their skills and improve their abilities,” says Melvyn. “We put a lot of effort into steering them in the right direction – and that’s why we tend to stay friends with both them and their families.” Whether you’re interested in improving your general fitness and well-being, would like your children to participate in a safe, healthy and rewarding activity, or you’re an aspiring boxer looking for first-class facilities, Heros gym should be your first port of call. “Membership starts from only £25 a month,” says Ben, “and I’d really recommend people just come along to say hello and see our facilities for themselves. Take part in one of the Boot Camps and you’ll soon be hooked. It’s great fun, everyone’s friendly – and it’s good for your health as well!” What better way to start 2014?

KLmagazine January 2014

HEROS GYM Denney Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn PE30 4HG Tel: 01553 761474 web: www.herosgym.com

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East Barn, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6AG Tel: 01553 631094 E-mail: info@castlerisingdentist.co.uk Web: www.castlerisingdentist.co.uk

If you’re looking for a New Year resolution to keep, look no further! How D. A. Seaman can help you make healthy eyesight a priority for you and your family in 2014

ith the last remnants of Christmas being tidied away for another year, January is the time when we make New Year resolutions – and aim to stick to them! Our plans can range from joining the gym or local slimming club to pledging to volunteer in the community or help out a neighbour. All very respectable goals, of course, but more often than not something as very simple as getting our eyes tested is overlooked (if you’ll pardon the pun!) Remarkably, very little value is put on eyesight, with many of us taking our vision and the health of our eyes for granted. Indeed, it’s only when things go wrong or start to deteriorate that we consider an eye examination necessary. At D.A. Seaman Optometrists we’ve invested in a number of ways to detect very early signs of serious eye conditions that can affect any of us at any time. These conditions include Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Retinal Detachment to name but a few. Using the latest technology we hope to catch these conditions before they cause any damage or loss of vision. Our Optomap system can take a very wide-angled picture of the back of the eye, covering up to 200 degrees. This allows the optician to check a much larger area of the retina than conventional methods allow. The Optical Coherence Tomographer, (OCT), can take a cross-sectional image of the different nerve fibre layers at the back of the eye. Variations to the thicknesses of these layers can show early signs of Macula Degeneration or Glaucoma. Early detection of ocular conditions is paramount. If found early enough, the correct treatment can be given – and hopefully prevent any further deterioration. Make having an eye examination the one New Year resolution you do keep in 2014 and visit D. A. Seaman Optometrists – for a warm welcome and a professional approach to keeping your eyes healthy.

D. A. SEAMAN OPTOMETRISTS 18 Plowright Place, Swaﬀham Norfolk PE37 7LQ Tel: 01760 751050 | Web: www.daseaman.org.uk KLmagazine January 2014

Health

I wanted to be around to see my boys grow up, and I wanted them to have a dad they could be proud of... – WAYNE ROBINSON

Wayne’s amazing journey with help from LighterLife... Wayne Robinson transformed his life – and his relationship with his children

ayne Robinson (37) is dad to William (14), Harry (11) and Finley (aka Spiderman) (5). “I used to avoid going to open days or parents’ evenings at school,” he says, “for fear the boys would be bullied and teased over my size.” When Wayne, a regional manager for a hearing specialist, reached 30st 13lb, he decided enough was enough. “I wanted to be around to see my boys grow up and I wanted them to have a dad they could be proud of,” he says. Though Wayne says he was never the biggest kid in school, when he started working in an oﬃce “the weight just started to creep on gradually over the years,” he says. His mum, to whom he was very close, passed away at the age of 45. “Losing someone so special had a huge impact on my life,” says Wayne, “and I guess in some ways I turned to food for comfort.” One of Wayne’s colleagues had successfully tried LighterLife and she encouraged him to give it a shot. LighterLife oﬀers weekly single-sex groups and Wayne immediately felt more comfortable with this.

KLmagazine January 2014

“At other slimming clubs I’d tried I was always the only guy,” he says. “Or it would be two guys and about 25 women – so I always felt a bit embarrassed.” Wayne loves the sessions because, he says, “they really help you deal with the real underlying issue of why you’re overeating in the first place. It really helped me identify factors and people in my life that were affecting the choices and decisions I made.” While using the Foodpacks as part of the programme is certainly a way to get the weight off quickly, the key to long-term successful weight management is the engagement in the group sessions. “I know now that when I have a bad day,” says Wayne, “before I reach for the fridge I

stop and think about the decision I’m about to make.” Instead of the dreaded voice telling him that one more snack won’t make a diﬀerence, Wayne says that now, “It’s like having my counsellor on my shoulder 24/7 – it really does work for me.” Since joining LighterLife, in addition to losing nearly 18 stone, Wayne’s transformed his relationship with his children. “Hopefully this is showing the boys a much healthier path to follow which will ensure they don’t ever end up in my situation,” he says. “Dad now goes on all the roller coasters at the theme park, he goes swimming when on holiday – and he’ll even take his top oﬀ by the pool now!”

DEBORAH McGLYNN-HALE LighterLife Counsellor Ground Floor, Bishop’s Lynn House 18 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn PE30 1JW Tel: 07919 550554 E-mail: deborah.mcglynnhale@lighterlifecounsellor.com Web: www.lighterlife.com

KLmagazine January 2014

Local Life

ABOVE: The current range of Norfolk Cordial’s locally-produced and widely-acclaimed drinks

A fresh taste of Norfolk In 2010, John MacFarlane embarked on a journey that’s seen his Norfolk-based business become the producer of some of the finest locally-produced cordials and drinks in the UK...

s if Norfolk wasn’t blessed enough already with great naturally-produced foodstuffs, it’s also packed with dedicated and enterprising people making ‘a taste of Norfolk’ recognised and respected around the country – and even further afield. A case in point is Norfolk Cordial, John MacFarlane’s business based at Matlaske, near Holt – which sources top quality, fresh fruit from a number of local farms to make some of the finest handmade fruit cordials and drinks in the UK. As with all the best ideas, Norfolk Cordial was born from personal experience. “My girlfriend doesn’t drink alcohol,”

KLmagazine January 2014

says John, “and whenever we went out we’d find there was a very limited choice of drinks for her to choose from. And what choice there was tended to be lacking in the quality and taste departments. There was obviously a gap in the market, so I decided to give it a go and make my own.” That was back in 2010, and John’s the first to admit he entered the business as a total novice. “Before I started on my first project, which became the Wild Elderflower cordial,” John explains, “I didn’t even know what a wild elderflower looked like! My girlfriend got a book and showed me one, gave me a recipe for making cordial and then she went off sailing for five weeks!” John’s initial attempts resulted in

3,000 bottles of Wild Elderﬂower cordial, which were used to launch Norfolk Cordial at the Houghton Horse Trials in 2011. Described as having the

Local Life “powerful and intense flavour of fresh elderflower with strong citrus undertones,” the cordial was an instant success, and John reinvested the proceeds from those first bottles (all of which sold) to build the brand. Today, Norfolk Cordial offers a range of five cordials (Wild Elderflower, Raspberry, Redcurrant & Grapefruit, Strawberry & Lime, Rhubarb, Orange & Ginger), three still drinks (Apple with Raspberry, Apple with Wild Elderflower and Apple with Rhubarb and Ginger), and a charming boxed set of all five cordials in 50ml miniature bottles so

you can sample the delights of each. The company’s success is such that it’s even currently stocked in Fortnum and Mason – in fact, the famous store in London’s Piccadilly doesn’t stock any other British cordials. “We sent them some samples and never heard from them until they approached us at a trade show,” says John. “They loved the quality and the ethos of the company, and said it was perfect for the store. That was a great accolade.” Norfolk Cordial is even available in Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons restaurant and hotel in Oxford, which has two Michelin stars. “I am surprised at how well it’s gone,” says John, “and I’m obviously really pleased my initial ideas have been proved right. Plenty of people in Norfolk are aware of us already, and more people are discovering us by the day, so I think the next step is to build Norfolk Cordials into a nationally-recognised brand.” In fact, John’s already well on the way to achieving that goal, with his cordials available as far away as Scotland and Wales – and even Kuwait. And that’s all without the help of BBC’s Dragon's Den, which

LUXURY WITHOUT SACRIFICE TO THE ENVIRONMENT

featured Norfolk Cordial last year. “It was a great experience for us,” says John, “and even though our appearance on the show didn’t result in an investment from the dragons, it did us a lot of good and we did beneﬁt from the exposure.” Undoubtedly, the secret of John’s success has been in basing Norfolk Cordial on three key factors – quality, sustainability, and provenance. “We’re the only cordial-producing company in the country using fresh fruit,” says John. “All our ﬂavours begin with genuine English fruit. We use about one kilo of fruit for one litre of liquid, and by doing that you use less of the cordial per volume of water as opposed to a mass-produced product.” Norfolk Cordial is also the only UK producer of soft drinks currently approved by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, a standing largely due to the company’s business philosophy. “We’re not trying to be the biggest,” says John, “we’re trying to be the best – and I think we’re getting there.” For more information on Norfolk Cordial and details of local stockists, visit the website at www.norfolkcordial.com, telephone 01263 570251 or send an e-mail to John MacFarlane at hello@norfolkcordial.com

stratt strattons hotel with Self catering, Restaurant Re & Café deli

The Restaurant from om 6.30pm Open every evening fr Sunday Lunch fr from om 12 to 2.30pm Functions, celebrations, gr group oup gatherings and business ss meetings. Lunch by arrangement Mon to Sat. CoCoes café deli Open Monday to Satur Saturday, day y, fully licensed. Foodie night on the first W Wednesday ednesday of every month. Cof Coffee, fee, cakes, teas, snacks, acks, lunches, take away and local pr produce. oduce. Telephone T elephone 01760 723845 Ash Close, Swaf Swaffham fham enquiries enquiries@strattonshotel.com @strattonshotel.com www.strattonshotel.com www.strattonshotel.com

... d baby to start ed asstte oa i , rro pie £7.50 Pigeon d walnuts ed le kl ck i p pi s, d in a ed b et be ok co b a ra orrtt romer c Cro boozy po le with b n sttyylle Britanny amell wiith ch bé & s m mushroo ust £7.95 cr e ... ns lpin Aai anm 24 hr slow w cooked Sc co ottt’ Field belly t’s ’s s po p k, bubb le & squeak, cauli rk flo ow we er r ch ee se s , sa s ge & ap pp ple e, Elv El eden ca arrro rots, cider musta rd d gravy £18 ts, Squash & radicchio risotto, warm Alpin e cream dres sing, roasted sq..ua sh & radi s with to finish. hio doughnutcc Cinnamon £ £7 cream cr i ec ice a ut butter ffffeee pean c ffe co th wi t ta fffa tar e jafffa collatte Choc j fa syrup £7 jaf d an m am ea cr cre ce ice rrell , sorre d almonds ed diie cand

Quote ‘KLMAG’ to receive receive a fr free ree ee bottle of house wine with your meal. £8 One bottle per table & booking, excludes es NYE, V Valentines, alentines, Easter & Mothers Day, Day, minimum of 2 courses must be taken by all table & booking. Usual terms & conditions apply. apply.

KLmagazine January 2014

we wish all our customers past, pr esent t& future a ver ry happy new year. We will be closing for janu uar ary to renew our look and refill our spirit - to work our magic to provide you with ne w treasures and trea ats in 2014.

Thanks to you all.

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Brancaster mussels Dressed crabs and lobsters Game season ending soon -stock your freezer! Local shellfish Fresh and smoked fish Brancaster oysters Hand-carved ham on the bone Free range eggs

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Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 772241 '''

OPEN: Tues/Wed 7am-4pm, Thurs/Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-3pm

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This outstanding 18th Century coaching inn stands at the head of the village green and prides itself on being the hub of the village.

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

Delicious seasonal food is freshly prepared from locally sourced farmers and fishermen. A carefully chosen wine list, a fine selection of real ales and charming bedroom suites make this an ideal location for an overnight stay or longer break.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing drink, celebration venue or weekend away, The Crown Inn is a perfect destination. Call us today to make a restaurant or hotel booking.

Please mention KL Magazine to get 10% off! Telephone: (01485) 512194 www.villagedelithornham.com Email: villagedelithornham@gmail.com

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

KLmagazine January 2014

Making the fantastic aﬀordable... For quality and value, Town & Country achieves the perfect balance

f you can remember the Vauxhall Chevette, Fawlty Towers, and Britain’s coal miners accepting a 35% pay rise from the government, you might also remember the launch of Country Kitchens in King’s Lynn. The company was formed with the idea of bringing high quality products within the reach of everyone, finely balancing the very best in design and craftsmanship with real value for money. Almost 40 years later, the company’s name has changed along with the times, but it still holds true to that original vision. Today, Town & Country offers a complete one-stop shop for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms – sourcing the finest manufacturers and designers across Britain and Europe and ensuring they’re within a very affordable and attractive price bracket. Available on a supply-only or fully-fitted basis (the choice is yours), you’ll find English and German kitchens from Mereway, Prentice and Schuller; bedrooms by Nolte; and amazing bathroom suites and luxurious shower

KLmagazine January 2014

enclosures from famous names such as Aqata, Aqualisa, Ambiance Bain, Crosswater and Imperial – to name just a few. Town & Country also offers a range of quality appliances from suppliers such as Siemens and Fisher Paykel. They don’t just look great – the prices are equal to any you’ll find online. And for the perfect finishing touch, the vast selection of floor and wall tiles will suit any interior style. “We’ve never been interested in supplying offthe-shelf, takeway solutions,” says Town & Country’s Bob Edgley. “These are such important places in the family home they deserve the very best – both in terms of looks and functionality. We’re here to achieve that – while keeping it affordable.” What’s more, Town & Country are currently offering free fitting on all bedrooms ordered in December and January. There’s no better way to start the New Year. For great looks, great rooms and true value for money, it has to be Town & Country.

Nelson House, Bergen Way, King’s Lynn PE30 2JG Open: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm | Saturdays 10am-4pm Telephone: 01553 766578 Website: www.towncountrykitchens.com E-mail: info@towncountrykitchens.com 51

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KLmagazine January 2014

PICTURE: BALLOO HOUSE

Food & Drink

The beauty of Venison enison is the name given to any species of deer sold as meat in the UK, and we have the Normans to thank for the name, deriving as it does from the Latin ‘venor’ (to hunt or pursue). The Normans, you’ll recall, were responsible for establishing the Royal Forests after the Conquest. Many people tend to avoid venison (for various reasons), which is a pity as it’s low in fat, full of flavour and widely available. Deer can be classified as wild deer, park deer (reared in herds that roam parklands) or farmed deer (where rearing can vary from free-range to intensive). The most common varieties of deer in the UK are red, fallow and roe. Farmed venison is available all year round and offers an amazing flavour and tenderness, while wild venison is more seasonal – and the quality is affected by the age of the animal and whether it’s been matured.

CHOOSING... Red deer is the most common source KLmagazine January 2014

of venison (fallow and roe deer give smaller cuts), and for each person, you should allow 225g-375g meat on the bone or 175g for each person boneless. PREPARING... With almost all venison, you’ll find that cuts are sold ready for cooking – which will make your life easier! COOKING... It’s not true that cooking venison is difficult – it’s just that as the meat is so lean it needs to be treated with care. You should serve roasts and steaks rare or pink, as overcooked venison is dry and tough. Cooking times depend on thickness rather than weight – for instance, to pan fry (or grill) venison steaks you should sear them quickly in hot oil or butter and then cook for one minute on each side. For a perfectly cooked and juicy roast, it’s best to undercook the venison and let it rest in a warm place to finish cooking. Sear the joint in hot oil, and then roast at 220o (200o in a fan oven)

for ten minutes per 500g. Use a meat thermometer and remove the joint when it’s at 35-50o (rare) or 50-55o (medium), letting it then rest until the temperature has risen to either 60o or 65o respectively. It may sound like a science lesson, but you’ll really appreciate the results. GOOD FOR YOU... Venison is very rich in iron and has less fat than other red meats. Venison mince is particularly lean and makes a great replacement for beef in sauces and for children’s meals. It’s also great for burgers and sausages – but check that it doesn’t contain added pork or beef fat. IDEAS... Venison isn’t just good for steaks and roasts. You can stir fry or saute stroganoﬀ strips, pot roast venison shanks (as you would lamb), use diced shoulder in stews, and use the liver (which is very tender and sweet) for a beautiful pate or terrine. 53

Food & Drink

Rechiepe of t Month

Beef and Venison Casserole INGREDIENTS 2lb Diced Beef 2lb Diced Venison Loin 1 Chopped Onion 1 Cinnamon Stick 1 tbsp Tomato Purée 2 tbsp Plain Flour ½ pt Red Wine ¼ pt Port ¼ pt Orange Juice Salt and Pepper 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil 2 Pts Beef Stock

Recipe by The Hare Arms Stow Bardolph, King’s Lynn PE34 3HT 01366 382229 www.theharearms.co.uk

METHOD 1 Fry the onion and beef together using the vegetable oil until the beef is browned, and then add the flour, salt and pepper until the beef is well coated. 2 Add the red wine, port, orange juice and beef stock and bring to a simmer. 3 Now add the tomato purée and cinnamon stick and cook for 30 minutes. 4 Add the diced venison and continue to cook on a low heat for one hour until the meat is tender. Add more liquid if required. KLmagazine January 2014

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Are you looking for a venue that can be tailored to suit your individual requirements? Abacus Marquees provides both high quality frame marquees and traditional pole marquees, and have a wide range of furniture and accessories â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including black Starcloth linings and Moroccan linings. If this sounds like your ideal solution for your prestigious event, then Abacus Marquees with their excellent service and competitive prices, can make it happen to help you create the perfect occasion.

Transform your garden into a fabulous venue Call today on 01328 701331 | www.abacusmarquees.co.uk Chalk Farm, Druids Lane, Litcham, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2YA

KLmagazine January 2014

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Food & Drink

RestaurantReview

KL magazine visits the Ancient Mariner in Hunstanton

his month’s review was an interesting choice for me as I’ve never eaten in a Best Western restaurant before and didn’t really know what to expect. We paid a visit to the Ancient Mariner in the early winter, just as the days were starting to shorten. The restaurant has been aptly named ‘the Sunset Room’ – and anyone paying a visit around the same time in the early evening as we did will soon see why. There’s a glorious view of the Wash and Hunstanton coastline from the picturesque windows at the rear of the

cheese sauce with new potatoes and fresh vegetables. Both were good-sized portions and we were very impressed with the service and standard of presentation. Our meals were cooked to perfection without having to wait too long between courses. Getting the meal to flow well is quite an art and it makes your dining experience just that little bit more special. The sweets looked really good, eventually I chose key lime pie and pouring cream, while my partner spotted someone eating the chocolate truffle (also served with pouring cream) and decided it was a must try. She decided it was the right choice – describing the taste as smooth, not too sweet with just enough chocolate flavour to make you want more. My lime cake had a really zesty flavour and was the perfect end to a lovely meal. So back to my opening comment of not knowing what to expect, I certainly do now. Good, efficient and friendly service, a smartly dressed waitress and lovely honest food, do go and try it for yourselves, you won’t be disappointed.

restaurant – and they’ve built a raised veranda overlooking the extensive beer garden. From here you can sit and sip a glass of wine and take in the view of some of the most stunning sunsets our Norfolk shores have to oﬀer, before retiring to the restaurant for your meal. The Ancient Mariner really tries to cater for all tastes with a good specials menu and an extensive house menu, which would suit the most discerning of diners – and also a very well thought out menu for the younger ones. We chose our meals from the evening’s specials menu. For starters I had chicken and liver pate served with wholemeal toast and crisp lettuce and tomatoes. My partner chose the prawn and shrimp cocktail with buttered brown bread and a crisp, fresh salad. The pate was very smooth to taste with a lovely hint of garlic. The prawns and shrimps looked particularly attractive on the plate and I’m told FOOD SERVICE VALUE they tasted very fresh indeed. For my main course I opted for the sliced duck basted in Cointreau served on a bed of THE ANICENT MARINER INN creamed mash potato and a Golf Course Road, Hunstanton PE36 6JJ selection of fresh vegetables, Tel: 01485 534411 while my partner selected Web: www.traditionalinns.co.uk/the-ancientthe oven-baked loin of cod mariner-inn/ served in a tomato and

8 10 10 10

KLmagazine January 2014

LunchReview I

f you’re looking for a lunch with a bit of a difference, the restaurant at the College of West Anglia in King’s Lynn could be just what you’re looking for. It’s a training restaurant, and all the ‘staff’ – from the front-of-house to the chefs – are students at various levels of their Diploma in Hospitality. That means they’re exceptionally helpful, attentive and courteous – any elements of less-polished service (though there weren’t any on our visit) can easily be overlooked in view of their enthusiasm. The restaurant is located in the College’s Vancouver Building, and sits within a striking octagonal atrium with a glazed roof – it’s very light and airy, and despite the high ceiling, it feels very comfortable. There’s seating for around 40 people, and one of our favourite parts was the large TV screen that features a live feed from the kitchens – so you can watch the chefs preparing your food. From the wide choice on offer, we enjoyed the 4oz rump steak burger with french fries and salad, and the aubergine and butter bean casserole with parmentier potatoes. We had no starters or desserts (though the vanilla panacotta was mighty tempting) but did have a beer and wine to accompany our meals. The food was excellent, the highlights being the salad accompanying the burger (which was really well presented) and the dish of roasted vegetables, which were fabulous. For a lunch with a difference (where else could you have a main course for £3.50?) we can thoroughly

KLmagazine January 2014

recommend the College’s restaurant – and it’s a very good feeling to have enjoyed a lunch that’s been of real beneﬁt to someone other than ourselves! You will need to call for opening times and to book, but this month is a great time to sample one of the restaurant’s popular themed evenings – with an Italian Night on the 9th, and two Burns Night specials on the 21st and 23rd.

COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA RESTAURANT Vancouver Building, the College of West Anglia, Tennyson Avenue, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 2QW Telephone: 01553 815333

Food & Drink

Marmalade If there’s one thing better than hot buttered toast for breakfast, it’s some locally-produced marmalade to spread on it! Here’s just a few of our favourites. LUXURY ORANGE MARMALADE WITH WHISKY Channels Norfolk Preserves are based in Great Yarmouth, and use no artificial colour or chemical preservatives in their large range of 46 products. This full-bodied marmalade won a richly-deserved Bronze Medal at the Great Taste Awards. SEVILLE & CRANBERRY MARMALADE From Great Dunham’s Essence Foods (which launched in 2005) comes this award-winning and deliciously-different marmalade with bitter seville oranges and whole (and wonderfully juicy) red cranberries. RHUBARB & ORANGE FRUIT MARMALADE Ashill-based Orchard Fruits like to be creative and make some very unique fruit blends. This delicious combination of stringy rhubarb, zesty oranges and lemons, plus tangy Bramley apples is a real fruit feast for your toast! TANGERINE MARMALADE Norfolk Garden Preserves is a Norwich-based company producing top quality preserves using locally-grown fruit and all 52 products are free from additives, artificial flavours and colourants. This delicate marmalade is packed with flavour.

KLmagazine January 2014

A TRADITIONAL PUB WITH TRADITIONAL FOOD

Great deals on great food! THE ANGEL CARVERY Thursdays 12noon–2pm & Sundays 12noon–3pm Booking advisable STEAK NIGHT Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays PIE NIGHT Monday nights only £7 and includes a drink Outside catering for weddings, business functions, etc Function room available Large car park Childrens play area Food served 7 days a week (excluding Monday lunch)

WHAT’S ON Poker Nights Every Wednesday at 8pm

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

CATERING FOR ALL TA ST

ES With top quality ingredien ts and a home cooking style, we have the perfect menu for you. NEW RESTAURANT ME NU CHILDREN'S MENU SPECIALS MENU VEGETARIAN MENU WINE MENU

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

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

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KLmagazine January 2014

Local Life

ABOVE: Members of the King’s Lynn St. Michael’s Riﬂe and Pistol Club (from left to right) Ray Fisher, Paul Foster (Club Secretary), Roger Hack (Club Chairman) and Ken Few – and just a small sample of the Club’s many trophies

Life on the range has never been friendlier... The St Michael’s Riﬂe and Pistol Club in King’s Lynn celebrated its centenary last year, and continues to oﬀer new members a friendly introduction to the age-old sport of target shooting

n one form or another, shooting as a sport has been around for hundreds of years. When the modern Olympics began in 1896, it only consisted of nine events and one of them was Men’s Shooting – and Greece won most of the gold medals. Seven years after that, in 1903, a group of local men formed the St. Michael’s Riﬂe Club in King’s Lynn but it wasn’t entirely sporting prowess the founders were concerned with. Following the

KLmagazine January 2014

poor marksmanship demonstrated by the British Army during the Boer Wars of 1880-1881 and 1899-1902, the government of the day had launched a drive to encourage civilian marksmanship – resulting in shooting clubs springing up all over the country. Despite having to relocate several times over the years (from drill halls in King’s Lynn to an outdoor range at Wolferton) St. Michael’s continued to build a tradition of sporting success and dedicated members, until the abolition of the

ABOVE: The original founders of the Club – they were clearly successful sportsmen from the start

Local Life Territorial Army’s structure in 1967 forced them to look for new headquarters. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of members (which included several interest-free loans) and a grant from the Department of the Environment, the Club spent £2,200 (that’s well over £30,000 in today’s money) on constructing a new clubroom and target range just outside King’s Lynn. Remarkably, the Club’s new headquarters was built by the members themselves, a group of enthusiastic doctors, bank clerks, teachers and jewellers – but no builders! It was quite a task (which included fixing a 3-ton steel bullet stop into concrete foundations), but in just two and a half years, they managed to construct a fabulous base for the Club. When it was opened by the Club President Viscount Althorp (the father of Princess Diana) in 1971, it was the best indoor shooting range in the county by a long shot (to coin a phrase). The dedication and team spirit of the Club is still very evident today, as it celebrates 111 years of competitive target shooting. With around 250 members of all ages from all parts of the community (and country), St. Michael’s competes (very successfully) in a range of disciplines - including .22LR prone rifle, .22LR lightweight sporting rifle, air pistol, black powder pistol and rifle, and pistol-calibre lever action rifle. It’s a sport that has a very broadbased appeal, as Club Chairman Roger Hack explains. “Because of its very nature, target shooting is a sport that can accomodate a huge amount of people,” he says, “many of whom might be excluded from other sports because of age or physical disabilities. The sport demands a great deal of thought and self-discipline, and one of its greatest appeals is that it teaches you to be patient. In building your experience, you do learn and you do get better. It’s very true that the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.” What may come as a surprise to many is that it’s a remarkably safe sport. “As you might imagine, we’re governed by all sorts of legal requirements,” says Roger, “and safety is always our number one priority. All our range officers are trained to Ministry of Defence standards, and all new members undergo a thorough probationary period with one-on-one training to ensure they put the health and safety of themselves and others before all other concerns.” It’s also a very addictive sport. The

PICTURES: Club Chairman Roger Hack explains the basics (top) before inviting KL magazine’s Eric Secker onto the range (above). His debut card (above left) was – according to Roger – “really quite excellent”. At left can be seen the commendable result of the ceremonial shot ﬁred by Viscount Althorp (the father of Princess Diana) to mark the oﬃcial opening of the Club’s range at West Bilney on 5th July, 1971.

first time you view your target some 20-yards in front of you you’ll wonder how you could ever hope to come anywhere close to it (hold a 5p piece in your fingers and you’ll see what we mean), but thanks to the expert guidance and advice of the range officers and instructors you’ll find it’s more than possible. St. Michael’s is an amazingly friendly club, and all members are warmly welcoming and genuinely willing to help you discover the pleasures of this time-honoured (and very honourable) sport.

To discover more about the King’s Lynn St. Michael’s Riﬂe and Pistol Club and how you can become a member, please visit the website at www.kingslynnstmichaels.org or telephone the Club on 01553 841351.

KLmagazine January 2014

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KLmagazine January 2014

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PICTURE: Beeston Hall School, Norfolk

11 PAGE SPECIAL FEATURE

A special look at independent local schools and further education By virtue of being independent, each school is able to be flexible and oﬀer something unique to their pupils. is is why, amidst economic chaos, political pressure and intense media scrutiny, our independent schools are among the best in the world and more parents than ever would choose for their children to be educated in them. ey should be immensely proud of the work they do and the children they help to raise... – BARNABY LENON Chairman, Independent Schools Council KLmagazine January 2014

Independent Schools

Beeston Hall: building a foundation for life... Located on the edge of the north Norfolk coast, Beeston Hall School oﬀers its pupils the best of all possible worlds. KL magazine meets Headmaster Robin Gainher to learn more.

eeston Hall School was ﬁrst established in 1948 in a lovely Regency house on the north Norfolk coast. As an independent boarding and day preparatory school for children aged 7-13, the school is a charitable trust, administered by a board of governors. Situated only half a mile from the sea in 30 acres of beautiful countryside, the school ﬁelds adjoin the National Trust estates of Felbrigg and Sheringham and provide a rare, idyllic environment in which children thrive. “Having such fantastic surroundings and excellent facilities are enormously

beneﬁcial,” says Robin Gainher, who became the school’s Headmaster in 2009, “but having inspirational teachers is vital. We’re lucky enough to have employed some truly outstanding teachers here at Beeston, and they’re central to the school’s success.” Indeed, in just a few years, Robin has seen the school’s achievement of A/B grades rise from around 55% to a very respectable 76%, testament to his vision of placing the individual learning needs of every pupil at the core of everything the school does. Beeston’s children move on far and wide to some of the best public schools

in the country, wherever their personalities and talents are best suited. This is usually achieved through the Common Entrance Examination at 13 – although the school’s most able pupils gain entry through scholarships (whether academic, sporting or artistic), a route in which Beeston Hall has enjoyed considerable success in recent years. “Something we’re very proud of is the number – and quality – of the schools our leavers go on to,” says Robin. “This year leavers will go to about 13 diﬀerent senior schools, and they include Eaton, Harrow, Arundel,

KLmagazine January 2014

“At Beeston we instil in our children an enduring passion for learning, equipping them with the confidence, independent spirit and skills necessary for the outside world...” ROBIN GAINHER Headmaster Uppingham, Gresham’s and Norwich School.” Academically, Beeston Hall is exceptionally well served, with a wide range of dedicated teaching rooms (staffed by specialist teachers) including science labs, ICT suites, design technology facilities, an arts centre and a 13-room music school. But the learning isn’t all based in the classroom. “Our school day runs from 8.20am to 6.15pm,” says Robin, “but our children spend more time being taught outside the classroom than inside it. That’s where they develop essential skills for their future development and life experience.” Beeston Hall’s excellent sports facilities include 25 acres of playing fields, a full-size Astro pitch, tennis courts (all-weather and grass), a shooting range, a multi-purpose sports hall and a heated outdoor pool. The boarding accommodation is child-friendly and very thoughtfully designed, creating a delightful homefrom-home environment for its boarders. And while there’s no compulsory boarding at the school it’s telling that many children do choose to board at Beeston Hall before they leave – regardless of whether they’re planning to board at senior school. As for the pupils themselves, Beeston Hall pupils have a fully-deserved reputation for being happy, purposeful and sociable – and for high academic standards. “At its best, education is all about instilling confidence,” says Robin, ”and we’re very proud of our polite, wellmannered and enthusiastic pupils. Whatever a child’s natural potential, we’re here to bring that out and help them make the most of it. By the time they leave Beeston Hall, they’re well prepared for their next steps in education and they’re well set on the right road for their future life.” A close-knit community of people dedicated to the happiness and welfare of its pupils, Beeston Hall School is a very special place. It really is.

KLmagazine January 2014

i Beeston Hall School information

West Runton, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9NQ Tel: 01263 837324 | Fax: 01263 837324 Web: www.beestonhall.co.uk

KLmagazine January 2014

Independent Schools

Helping children make the best start in life... At Downham Market Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery, the emphasis is on making learning as exciting and inspirational as possible – and the successful results speak for themselves

ownham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery is an independent day school for children aged from 3 months to 11 years and is located in a truly lovely (and safe) environment surrounded by history and nature and pleasantly untroubled by through traﬃc. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Downham Montessori Nursery (for children aged 2-5) was founded by owner and Principal Elizabeth LaﬀeatySharpe in 1984. Four years later, due to parental requests, she opened a primary school in an adjoining

building – which soon outgrew the demand for places, a situation that resulted in the purchase of the Old Rectory in Stow Bardolph just over 20 years ago. The new purpose-built school (cleverly designed to sit harmoniously alongside the original buildings) opened in 2005, and oﬀers state-of-the-art IT facilities, a large school hall and gym, library and subject-speciﬁc classrooms. In 2009 – the same year the school received an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report – a new nursery was opened in Downham Market for children continuing their education at local

primary schools (the Stow Bardolph nursery being reserved for children who will be staying at the school). “Since we ﬁrst opened, we’ve never stood still,” says Elizabeth. “We’re always developing and improving our facilities and continually looking for ways to enhance the learning experiences of our children.” That dedication has seen the school gaining the Investors in People Award (twice), while the nursery has been been awarded (again, twice) the prestigious Norfolk Quality Assurance Scheme for Early Years Provision. The question on most people’s lips

KLmagazine January 2014

‘“Downham Preparatory school and Montessori Nursery provides outstanding education and care for its pupils. Pupils flourish, are happy to be at the school and are motivated to learn...” ELIZABETH LAFFEATY-SHARPE Principal

when visiting the school, however, is where the ‘Montessori’ comes from – and in the answer can be found part of the school’s enduring success. Although you may not have heard of her, the Italian Maria Montessori (18701952) was one of the most influential pioneers of early childhood education in the country – her ideas are recognised around the world (she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions) and have made a significant impact on mainstream education. Her legacy is a method of education centred around the idea of freedom for children within a carefully-planned and structured environment. Montessori advocated that all children learn intrinsically and absorb knowledge without effort – when provided with the right kind of activities at the right time in their development. A visit to Downham Preparatory easily demonstrates how effective those ideas are in practice – and how much the children benefit from them. “Our inspirational teachers are really enthusiastic and exciting in themselves,” says Elizabeth, “so the children’s days are always interesting and each day brings something different. If children aren’t happy and enjoying their school life then they

KLmagazine January 2014

simply won’t learn.” The school’s commitment to learning through experience and enriching the classroom is enhanced by the dedicated Friends of the School – who organise many diﬀerent events throughout the year and support the development of the school (and its children) in a number of ways. “Of course we’re a school ﬁrst and foremost,” says Elizabeth, “but we maintain a much closer link with our children and their families than usual. Getting to know them makes us much more sensitive to each child’s individual needs and enables us to help them make the most of their early education.” And that’s a truly great start for children setting out on life’s great adventure.

information

Downham Preparatory School & Montessori Nursery The Old Rectory, Stow Bardolph King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE34 3HT Tel: 01366 388066 | Fax: 01366 385833 Web: www.dpsmn.norfolk.sch.uk

Further Education

Taking the next step... Whether it’s academic or vocational-based learning, there are plenty of Further Education opportunities available in the area – and here are just a few of the options open to local students

recent study by the British Council highlighted the status of further education in the UK, which involves high levels of personal contact and support from tutors and plenty of scope for independent learning. There’s also a huge range of courses to choose from – including academic courses that help prepare students for higher education at a university by developing analytical skills and critical thinking, and career-based vocational and professional courses that give students the skills, training and qualiﬁcations they need to enter and succeed in a chosen career. In Norfolk, students are fortunate enough to have the choice of some truly outstanding colleges in which to pursue their studies, and here’s a brief look at some of the options.

THE COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA In partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the College of West Anglia offers an increasing range of higher education courses including degrees, foundation degrees and HNDs. The courses are ideal for people who want to gain higher qualifications but want the flexibility of studying closer to home. The College also offers the chance to study part-time so studies can be fitted around work and family commitments. All three CWA campuses have dedicated Higher Education student lounges, allowing HE students the opportunity to relax and study in a peaceful environment. At King’s Lynn, the redeveloped top floor of the campus tower block hosts a bespoke HE student lounge with a breathtaking view of the King’s Lynn

skyline. On the Isle campus, the HE lounge is located next to the Learning Resource Centre, and is a dedicated space for quiet study, while at Cambridge the recently-refurbished and redecorated HE student lounge features a plush sofa area, study tables, a dedicated computer room and kitchen facilities. EASTON & OTLEY COLLEGE Validated by the UEA, Easton & Otley College oﬀers Foundation Degrees in Animal Science and Welfare, Agricultural Management, Equine Management, Ecology and Conservation Management, Sports Coaching and Engineering. The Colleges also oﬀer new BSc Honours Degrees in Agriculture, Animal Science and Welfare (Top-Up), Equitation and Coaching and Sports Coaching (Top-

KLmagazine January 2014

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ABOVE: The superb facilities at Wymondham College oﬀer students a unique and rewarding learning experience

Up). Easton and Otley College offers regular taster events and open mornings to encourage prospective students to try some practical workshop taster sessions, meet and talk with tutors and current students, and take advantage of the impartial information, advice and guidance sessions (which are free). At Easton & Otley College, every student is assigned a personal tutor, and there are experts in transport, money, health and welfare, childcare provision, housing, job hunting, UCAS applications and course information – all thoroughly dedicated professionals committed to helping each and every student succeed and get the most out of their College experience. FAKENHAM COLLEGE Fakenham Academy Norfolk is a community school serving a large rural area in the heart of Norfolk with 700 students in school and 250 in College. Based at Highfield House (a listed Georgian building with commanding views across splendid grounds to the town), the College is justifiably proud of its academic achievements, with a 100% A Level pass rate in 2013 (73% at grades A*-C), while 67% of students achieved five or more A*-C grades at GCSE. At Fakenham there’s a firm belief that students succeed best when they’re willing to assume responsibility for their own learning, although they do work closely with dedicated tutors and

personal mentors to achieve their potential. Students are also given the opportunity to learn in ways which suit their individual strengths and to participate in an extensive programme of enrichment activities. It’s characteristic of the College that it’s full of enthusiastic and lively students working in partnership with dedicated and committed staff. WYMONDHAM COLLEGE There are many reasons why Wymondham College is a great place to learn. The 6th Form at Wymondham College provides everything students need to take them on to the next stage of their life whilst giving them the opportunity to make a real difference to the College community. Many Wymondham College students choose to remain on-site after completing their GCSEs, but an equal number join the Sixth Form and experience boarding life for the first time. A broad and diverse community adds an international flavour and a real sense of the wider community – which in turn creates a richness of experience and contributes greatly to the sense of preparation for life. With over 200 boarders across the two year groups, life can be immense fun at Wymondham College, and friendships made will be ones that last a lifetime. It’s not all play though – success and the hard work needed to achieve it are highly respected and students are supported by a strong

academic and pastoral team to help them develop into conﬁdent and enthusiastic young adults. For more details and information on any of the above colleges and to enquire about the courses they currently oﬀer, please contact them using the details below.

information

COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA Tennyson Avenue, King’s Lynn PE30 2QW Tel: 01553 761144 Web: www.cwa.ac.uk EASTON & OTLEY COLLEGE Easton, Norwich NR9 5DX Tel: 01603 731200 Web: www.eastonotley.ac.uk FAKENHAM COLLEGE Wells Road, Fakenham NR21 9HP Tel: 01328 857012 Web: www.fakenhamcollege.org.uk WYMONDHAM COLLEGE Wymondham NR18 9SZ Tel: 01953 609000 Web: www.wymondhamcollege.org

KLmagazine January 2014

PICTURES: Wymondham College boarders Emma Symington and Sam Bray at work (left), rest (above) and play (below) at the College

Enjoying the boarding life at Wymondham... Boarding at Wymondham College is good for school and social life

f you’ve ever wondered what life was like for the boarders at Wymondham College, just ask Principal Melvyn Roﬀe. He recently asked students for feedback, and two words were mentioned more than any other – ‘friendly’ and ‘fun.’ A unique state-funded boarding school set in over 80 acres of the Norfolk countryside, Wymondham College has some 650 boarders among its 1,300 students and is the largest of the 38 state boarding schools and academies in England. However, thanks to the ﬁve main school houses (each of which is home to around 90 full or weekly boarders), it doesn’t feel like a big school – and that’s a feeling endorsed by the boarders themselves. Emma Symington (Year 9) and Sam

Bray (Year 7) both board at the College, and there’s no doubt that boarding has added an extra dimension to their academic (and social) lives. “You can get much more out of the school, and the older students look out for you and make sure you’re alright,” says Sam. “Boarding is better for your school work too – you can even sign up for more work if you like!” Emma fully agrees. “As a boarder you’re a lot more independent, which really helps with your confidence,” she says. “You’re given responsibilities and it’s just like being part of a massive family.” Boarders lives are enhanced by frequent Big Weekenders (trips outside the College) and the Wymondham Life programme of sporting and social activities, but boarding also has an

NEXT OPEN DAY: March 22nd, 2014 (9-11am) KLmagazine January 2014

eﬀect on their school life. “It’s really good to be able to sit down and work without any distractions,” says Emma, “and teachers are always on hand for help if you need it.” Boarding also seems to beneﬁt the students when they do return home. “Although it’s lovely being surrounded by my friends all the time,” says Emma, “I do think boarding helps me make the most of the time I have with my family.” For more details of boarding at Wymondham College, please contact the College using the details below.

details

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

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KLmagazine January 2014

A new way of dealing with family breakup Collaborative Law is a non-court based solution to helping couples deal with relationship breakdown...

f your relationship is breaking down, you’ll probably have several fears. Among them will be a loss of control over your future and the impact of the breakdown on your relationship with your children. You could be concerned that involving Family Lawyers will only make the situation worse, and may well be worried about possible decisions made by judges who don’t understand your family and apply principles you don’t agree with. If these are among your main concerns, you’ll be interested to learn there’s now an alternative to the traditional route which addresses these issues. Collaborative Law is about helping separating couples reach their own agreements, and the process is clientled – you set the agenda and you apply the values that are important to you. More and more lawyers have become increasingly concerned at the eﬀect the current system has on separating couples. Traditionally, the English legal system is adversarial. This means two

KLmagazine January 2014

opposing sides fighting to obtain the outcome they desire, and a judge applying legal principles and making a decision – which frequently neither party likes. In their desire to win, the parties often resort to huge criticisms of the other, and in the family context this can often lead to relationships that are so damaged parties are no longer able to communicate. Sometimes the bitterness goes so deep it affects the parties for the rest of their lives. In Collaborative Law, there are no parties or judges and couples can set their own agendas based on what they believe is important. There is no correspondence between Solicitors, which can increase arguments between couples who are trying to agree matters amicably. Collaborative Law operates through a number of round-the-table meetings with the couple and the lawyers. The lawyers aren’t there to impose their views on the couple but to use the wealth of their combined experience to help the couple find their own solution.

With the lawyers’ help the couple are able to make informed decisions about the family’s future. Not only do couples ﬁnd this process considerably less stressful than the traditional route, they are able to continue communicating (and therefore co-parenting), leading to improved relationships between children and parents following divorce. In places where Collaborative Law has become popular, fewer and fewer clients are using the traditional route and this is having an enormously positive eﬀect on the children of separated couples. In a society with an increasing divorce rate and with so much pressure on children and young adults to achieve, this must be the best way forward. For more details on Collaborative Law and how it can help you, please contact Fraser Dawbarns using the details below.

REBECCA WOODLEY Solicitor and Collaborative Lawyer Fraser Dawbarns LLP

FRASER DAWBARNS 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

Fakenham 78

KLmagazine January 2014

Explorer

A short history of a place on a fair river... Not so long ago, Country Life voted Fakenham the 7th best place to live in the UK. With its friendly atmosphere and proud market town sensibilities, it’s easy to see why so many people love it.

arly evidence for the settlement of Fakenham isn’t great, but the town’s sheltered position on the Wensum would probably have attracted those ﬁrst settlers. Flint tools and weapons have been found on Fakenham Heath (suggesting some settlement in Neolithic times) and from Roman times there’s a little evidence of people living on Beacon Hill over the river from the town’s current location. The name itself comes from the Saxon period, and likely means either ‘fair place’ or ‘place on the fair river’ – several artefacts from the period have been discovered within the boundaries of the town.

KLmagazine January 2014

Interestingly enough, by the time King William’s Domesday Book was compiled in 1086, Fakenham had only 150 residents – and Hempton (on the opposite side of the river) was the larger community. The rivalry between the two was probably due to the latter having an abbey that played host to pilgrims on their way to Walsingham, who obviously weren’t then spending their money in Fakenham. Fakenham had to wait for Henry VIII to abolish the abbey before becoming the dominant centre. Stones in the corner of Fakenham’s impressive parish

church indicate there was such a building at the time of the Domesday Book, although most of the current building dates from the 14th century – with the tower being added around a hundred years later.

Explorer The main town of Fakenham grew up around what are now Tunn Street and Swan Street. The oldest complete house in the town is at the junction of the two streets and dates from the 17th century. Between this area and Oak Street you’ll find the Market Place (the market itself was granted in 1250). As with many of our market towns, the marketplace and church were close together – and the small buildings around the church may well be built on the plots on which market stalls once stood, the stalls gradually becoming more permanent structures over time. The original pattern of the town may well have been affected by the fires of 1660, 1718 and 1738 – and this may be the explanation for the ‘islands’ of buildings we see today. Historically, Fakenham’s principal industries were agricultural. Even as far back as the Domesday Book, Fakenham had three mills powered by the river. The market place itself was the centre of commerce for the district. Wind power operated in the 18th and 19th centuries, and then came gas and electricity, the gas works being built in 1846 just across the road from the water mill. Today, Fakenham’s amazing (and unique) gas museum recalls this source of energy, which once lit the whole town. Through the 19th and 20th centuries, Fakenham developed another major industry – the printing of books. Thomas Miller built up a substantial business from 1862, which grew from a local operation to a concern supplying titles to several major London publishers. In spite of a major fire in 1914, the business of Miller, Son & Co continued to flourish, and became part of other publishing business concerns. Fakenham today is a town which has been busy rebuilding itself after suffering several set-backs with the closure of local industries, in particular the major printing operation. It has also been supported by being in an area receiving special support from European funds. Light industry and retail developments spread outside the town, and the main traffic flows have been moved away from the friendly town centre. Fortunately, many of the smaller buildings in the town centre can still be seen, and whilst there (naturally enough) some anachronisms, there’s plenty to be appreciated. The arch through to the church, the narrow line of shops, the cottages and yards behind the main buildings on the other side of the market place, the almhouses, all help tell the story of Fakenham in times gone by.

KLmagazine January 2014

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KLmagazine January 2014

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KLmagazine January 2014

PICTURES: ROYAL BRITISH LEGION/BRITISH ARMY

Charity

ABOVE: A resident with a member of staﬀ at one of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Homes – providing welfare and care all year round

There’s a lot more to the Legion than one day Formed 93 years ago, the Royal British Legion is generally known as the driving force behind November’s Poppy Appeal – but the charity is undertaking valuable work every other day of the year

here can’t be many people unaware of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal and its vitally important role in November’s Remembrance Day commemorations – but the work of the charity isn’t just conﬁned to one day (or even one month) a year. In fact, the Royal British Legion spends nearly £2 million every week of the year on health and welfare, providing life-long care and support to serving members (and their families) of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, together with reservists and veterans of all ages.

KLmagazine January 2014

The latter are an especially important group, as there’s a tendency to think of the Royal British Legion as primarily working on behalf of an older generation. In truth, over half the people helped by the charity are below retirement age – and nearly 25% are under 44 years old. That’s a lot of people. Over 9 million are currently eligible to call on the Legion, and the charity currently estimates they manage to help the 500,000 of them most in need. The Royal British Legion was formed on 15th May 1921, bringing together four national groups of ex-servicemen that were established after the First

World War. The main purpose of the Legion was straightforward – to care for those who’d suffered as a result of armed service in the war, whether through their own service or through that of a husband, father or son. The suffering took many forms; from the effects of war wounds on a man’s ability to earn a living and support his family to a war widow’s struggle to give her children an education. The terrible situation of these postwar generations so moved a certain Lance Bombadier called Tom Lister that he decided if the Government was unable (or unwilling) to do anything to improve the lives of ex-servicemen,

The varied work of the Royal British Legion is remarkable – last year, for example, 589 people received employment grants totalling £748,990 through its Civvy Street programme, its ‘Be the Boss’ scheme provided nearly 96 business set-up loans, and charity continues to provide around 410 residential spaces in six care homes. The Royal British Legion also works alongside other organisations to maximise their eﬀectiveness. For example, the charity works with Help for Heroes on the Defence Recovery Capability programme, its Prisoner in Reach scheme is run in partnership with SSAFA Forces Help, and it works closely with Combat Stress to deliver the Armed Forces Health Partnership programme. The Legion also administers funds on behalf of specialist service organisations and provides grants to other service charities. Sadly, it seems there’ll always be a need for the Royal British Legion – but it’s good to know that need is so wonderfully catered for by so many dedicated people.

PICTURE: ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

he’d do something himself – a decision that eventually led to the formation of the Royal British Legion. When the Legion’s leaders looked around them in 1921, they not only saw a gigantic task in front of them – they also recognised the opportunity to prevent further suffering by reminding the nation of the human cost of war, and to work actively for peace. By the time of the Legion’s formation in 1921, the tradition of an annual twominute silence in memory of the dead had been established, and the first ever Poppy Appeal was held that year – with the first Poppy Day on 11th November, 1921. The charity was granted ‘Royal’ status in 1971, and extended its membership to serving members of the armed forces in 1981. Today, anyone can become a member of the Royal British Legion – the charity welcomes men and women of all ages, whether they’ve served in the Armed Forces or not, and currently has some 2,500 branches around the UK and overseas (there are over 60 branches in Norfolk).

PICTURE: PETER J NICHOLLS

PICTURE: ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Charity

TOP: Every year, 30 million poppies are made by volunteers at the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey CENTRE AND ABOVE: A guest at Somerset House and a group of children at Bennet House – two of the Legion's Break Centres, which cater for serving and ex-Service personnel, their partners, dependents and carers

KLmagazine January 2014

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KLmagazine January 2014

My KL

The page made by KL magazine readers

Paul Page and his superhome in Norfolk: proof that saving your energy works! Dear KL Magazine My home is classed as a UK Super Home, and I thought I should share my experience of how that came to be with fellow KL readers.

came to the decision that I’d use my savings to have this piece of technology. I had a 4kW Photovoltaic solar array installed with a voltage optimizer which regulates the voltage to my appliances. That cost me £13,500. I had this system installed by an MCS installer and the equipment was MCS accredited, meaning I was eligible for the feed-in tariﬀ, a fee I receive at 0.413p for every kW. Prices are index-linked and run for 25 years. It would take me a little over seven years to recoup my cost of the solar installation, and after that I will proﬁt approximately £32,000 over the next 17 years – not a bad return I’d say! Nor have I been left in the dark when there are power cuts!

How it all started… At the beginning of 2010 my oil central heating system broke down and couldn’t be repaired, so I did some research on diﬀerent heating systems and (with the advice and help of a local plumber) I decided to have a wood burning stove with a back boiler which would heat my radiators and my hot water in the winter months and thermal solar to heat my water in the summer months – this cost £7,886. This outlay now saves me £1,200 per year in oil bills which means it will have paid for itself in 6½ years. All the fuel I use is waste timber from the skip (what a way to recycle!) and this fuel is also neutral CO2. I then decided to have my cavity walls insulated and have the loft insulated with 270mm of rock wool. Having this done reduces my heat loss, which means my boiler doesn’t have to work so hard – so I use less fuel. All my water pipes are super insulated with a minimum of 50mm of insulation – this again, stops heat loss, and my home sits at a comfortable 20oc to 21oc. I’ve also diverted all the rainwater, down pipes from my roof into two 1,000ltr tanks above ground and a 5,000ltr tank underground. This water is used to wash the cars and water the garden/vegetable garden. I also have water reduction devices in my home and they reduce my consumption, which further reduces my bills. I then changed all the light to low energy/LEDbulbs which will reduce my electricity bill. I never leave anything on standby – I have power down devices set up on my TV and computer.

The extreme step… In February 2013, I decided to have another 3.5kW PV solar array installed on the other half of my roof which cost £6,000. The feed-in tariff had dropped down to 0.14p per kW and the export tariff is 0.045p – these tariffs are also index linked for 20 years. This 2nd installation will take just under ten years to recoup, and after that I’m looking at an additional £6,000 profit for the next ten years. I’ve also had technology installed that recognises when energy is being exported, which is then rerouted into my hot water system via immersion heaters – which heats or primes my central heating system for free. The cost of this was £450, and it’s called an Apollo Gem. If you heat your hot water via immersion heaters and you have PV solar it could save you up to £30 per month. It makes my PV solar arrays work more efficiently for me. I also have a silent 1.5kW wind turbine in working progress. I aim to have the energy stored into a battery system and use the energy in the evening when the PV solar has stop running.

The next step… Near the end of 2010 I became familiar with Photovoltaic Solar. I did my research and

You can probably tell I have a real bug on how to save energy and yes, the initial costs are expensive – but the long-term beneﬁts

KLmagazine January 2014

(environmental, ﬁnancial, satisfaction) make it all worth it. There’s been so much on the news lately about energy bills increasing, energy running out so and so forth, but the solutions to all these problems are out there and I am proof it can be done. I don’t have to worry about the news as I took the step to change. I wanted to share with you all how easy it is and I’m always contactable if anyone wants to talk about it further. PAUL PAGE E-mail: paulgpage1@gmail.com Websites: www.superhomes.org.uk/124 www.eastangliarenewables.yolasite.com

ABOVE: Imagine this dropping through your letterbox – it’s not a bill, it’s a statement showing just how much Paul Page receives from supplying electricity to the grid!

The Last Word

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

hoever said there were three wise men? The Bible certainly doesn’t. St Matthew’s Gospel – which is the only one to tell their story – just says “wise men”, so there might have been two or twenty. And why do we think they turned up while Jesus was still a newborn baby? It seems Jesus was getting on for two years old when they appeared. And where does the idea they were kings come from? St Matthew’s word is “magoi” which is related to our word “magician” but probably he had astrologers in mind. Certainly they must have been stargazers, because seeing a new star inspired them to set oﬀ on their journey. Their day is 6th January – after the 12 days of Christmas, so all those Christmas cards featuring them will be cleared away before they arrive! I wouldn’t go to the stake over the authenticity of the story of these wise men. Most of what we know about Jesus is well corroborated, both by the diﬀerent writers whose works were collected together in the Bible and by non-biblical writings, both Jewish and Roman. Such a dramatic event as the arrival of these exotic gentlemen in Jerusalem (and even more the slaughter of young boys that followed it) would surely have attracted wider comment, but there’s nothing to back up St Matthew’s account. So perhaps it’s more helpful to interpret what St Matthew tells us about Jesus by this story, rather than try to sort out the historical facts. The three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh could just be three precious gifts that anyone would be pleased to

receive, though perhaps not a toddler! The Victorian carol We Three Kings of Orient Are offers some suggestions. It messes up the story in the first line by mentioning “three kings”, but the second verse goes on to mention gold to crown a king. There are only two kings in the biblical reports of the birth of Jesus – Jesus himself and Herod. The wise men celebrated that Jesus was born to be a king, whereas Herod was terrified by the idea. As a child (and probably for much of my adult life) I couldn’t understand the line in the next verse of that carol “incense owns a deity nigh.” What’s a ‘deity nigh’ and how could incense ‘own’ it? I now realise it can be deciphered as ‘incense shows that God is near.’ Incense was used from the earliest days of Jewish worship (and in other religions) and is still used in many churches today, as a sign of the presence God. Myrrh is for preparing the dead for burial – Jesus’ death on the cross was perceived by the wise from the beginning. So St Matthew has set out his stall in the prologue to his Gospel to show what to look out for when he moves on to the more familiar and widely attested events of Jesus’ adult life. Moving from St Matthew’s wise men to a wise man of our own time is perhaps

an uncomfortable leap, but Nelson Mandela is so much in my mind even now, and perhaps there are some ways that his story and that of the Wise Men illuminate one another. In both there is a long and arduous journey towards a vision that demanded complete commitment. Mandela knew what he wanted to live for, and was prepared to die for. The common humanity, the freedom and equality of all people, was a vision beyond himself. His life wasn’t focussed on himself – he was a prophet of a greater good to which his life was dedicated because he understood that his liberation required the liberation of those who counted him an enemy. The Biblical story of the Wise Men is about showing where to look to ﬁnd the truth – and maybe Nelson Mandela’s story can do the same.

KLmagazine January 2014