KL Magazine March/April 2021 by KL Magazine

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 121 MARCH & APRIL 2021 PRICELESS

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welcome

here else could you expect to find William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, one of the most beautiful windmills in Britain, one of its few remaining areas of ancient woodland, and a little-known local artist who captured long-lost scenes of his home town - all in the same place? Yes, welcome to this month’s issue of KL magazine - which also features everything from contemporary fabric screenprinters and iconic war memorials to gardening tips and a special quiz based on our wealth of stately homes. One of which is Houghton Hall, built for Robert Walpole in his home village. Exactly 300 years ago next month he became the first Prime Minister of Great

COVER IMAGE

Britain - and still holds the record as the longest-serving. His uninterrupted run of 20 years as Prime Minister is generally regarded as one of the major feats in British political history. If you needed reminding of Norfolk’s natural beauty, outstanding heritage and literary connections you’ll find plenty of evidence on the following pages. In 1945 the famous architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner started a mammoth (and literally monumental) undertaking to record all the notable buildings in the country under the title The Buildings of England and when he got to Norfolk in the early 1960s it was the largest county he’d visited to date. “People are proud of it,” he wrote, “they like it, and it’s a county in which one feels at home.”

I’m sure you couldn’t agree more. We’re already working on the next issue of the magazine, but in the meantime please remember to follow us on our social media channels - and if you haven’t already signed up to become a Friend of KL magazine you’ll find full details on our new website at www. klmagazine.co.uk. It’s the best way of keeping up-to-date with our latest news and information - and of receiving exclusive features, quizzes and advance notice of when and where you can obtain your copy of the magazine. In the meantime, stay safe - and enjoy your magazine.

Eric Secker EDITOR KL magazine

St Lawrence’s Church, Castle Rising by Ian Ward

KLmagazine March 2021

contents

6 12 18 24 28 32 40 44 46 50 KLmagazine March 2021

TURNING SAILS, TELLING TALES The windmill at Burnham Overy Staithe AN ILLUMINATING PROEJCT The lightshows of Jak Ropa FROM KNIGHTS TO KINGS A history of West Acre priory THE KL MAGAZINE QUIZ A stately test of your knowledge FIRST PRIME MINISTER The life of Robert Walpole THE ROUND TABLE Friendship and fellowship CATS PROTECTION Caring for our feline friends YOU AND YOUR PETS With London Road Veterinary Centre SPRING IN THE GARDEN Expert advice with Wendy Warner NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME An update on Norfolk’s Open Gardens

MARCH/APRIL 2021

56 64 68 80 88 96 102 108 114 122

REFFLEY WOOD Exploring a local ancient woodland WITTS DESIGN A talented mother and daughter team FASHION Springing into style NORMAL FOR NORFOLK Celebrating Norfolk’s food offering TELLING MORE THAN THE TIME The story of the clock at Gaywood SWAFFHAM Spotlight on a charming market town LYNN’S UNKNOWN ARTIST The life and work of CT Page ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE The Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust BOOK REVIEWS This month’s best reads MICHAEL MIDDLETON Stories of coincidence

The mill that inspired a children’s classic The tower windmill at Burnham Overy Staithe is one of the most iconic sights along the north Norfolk coast, and even appears in one of the 20th century’s best-loved children’s books

ven though she spent much of her life in King’s Lynn, few people are aware of the work of Joan G Robinson, who wrote and illustrated over 30 books for children of different ages before her death in 1988. Dear Teddy Robinson appeared in 1956, starting a six-book series based on a real teddy bear that belonged to Joan’s daughter Deborah (who also features in the stories), and the first book in the Mary-Mary series was published the following year. Her most famous book however, is

the delightful When Marnie Was There which was published in 1967 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal - the UK’s oldest and most prestigious book award for children’s writing. Telling the story of a young girl called Anna who comes to Norfolk to convalesce, it was based on the author’s own experiences of a family holiday in Burnham Overy Staithe - and the village plays a large part in the story. Its famous granary became the fictional ‘Marsh House’ and the beach, sandhills, meadows, and routes across the marsh are major settings of the

story - as is the village’s iconic windmill, which plays an important role in Anna’s adventures. In fact, when the famous Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli made an anime version of the story in 2015 (a film which won the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and received an Oscar nomination) the windmill was still clearly recognisable as the one at Burnham Overy Staithe, even though the story had been relocated to the island of Hokkaido. The windmill was originally built in 1816 for Edmund Savory, a local miller

who was then running a watermill on the River Burn known as Lower Mill. On his death ten years later the mill passed to his son John, who worked it until his death in 1863 - leaving it to his son, also named John. Six years after that a new law required all ‘trade’ horses to have a licence, and Savory was convicted twice in the space of three years (he received a fine of £5) for having one more horse than he held a licence for. In 1888 the windmill was put up for auction at the Norfolk Hotel in Norwich, together with a malting house, various granaries, a number of farm buildings and almost 50 acres of land, but no-one wanted it and the mill remained unsold. Two years later John Savory finally managed to sell the entire operation to Sidney Dewing, but the days of windmills were numbered - and the mill at Burnham Overy Staithe stopped working just after the First World War in 1919. By 1926 it had been stripped of all its machinery and was owned by Grantchester architect Hugh Hughes, who’d recently converted the windmill at Ringstead to residential use. A major restoration project was carried out by the Lincolnshire millwright firm Thompson’s and the mill was given to the National Trust in 1958. 8

Plans to restore it to working order were published in the late 1970s but the work never took place and it has become a striking and unusual holiday let with accommodation for up to 19 people. The ground floor comprises a dining room/lounge and a well-equipped kitchen, while the next two floors contain dormitories with eight bunkbeds - the lower floor also featuring an external balcony that wraps around the mill and offers amazing views over the surrounding landscape. The very top floor is a charming library/living room. At one time there were more than 100 windmills in Norfolk, and it was one of the few places in the country where you could see all three types - the post mill, the smock mill and the tower mill. Most of the smaller ones have now disappeared, and many of the remainder are derelict - which makes the mill at Burnham Overy Staithe quite exceptional. Not only is it a beautiful building in its own right - it’s also the most enchanting place in which to spend a few days. And who knows - you may even meet Marnie.

ABOVE: Turned into a popular animated film and one of the best-loved children’s books, Joan Robinson’s When Marnie Was There was largely inspired by the author’s love of north Norfolk - especially the windmill at Burnham Overy Staithe.

The fabulous images on the previous pages and below can be purchased as a ready-to-frame print (along with 50 other incredible local images) in a range of sizes from our online gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

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Creating communities and building for the future... For over a decade Grocott & Murfit have been designing and building a range of award-winning projects across Norfolk

rocott & Murfit is a building company like no other, offering clients a complete service from design to completion and beyond with stunning traditional methods and innovative eco-friendly technologies such as the award-winning Passivhaus build model. Over the last decade, awareness and demand for green buildings has grown exponentially, with developers and self-builders wanting to minimise their

impact on the planet whilst ensuring their home is as healthy and efficient as possible. Combining best industry practice, an exceptional team and a purpose-driven business creates truly outstanding results, something the Building Norfolk community support programme helps reinforce. Building Norfolk aims to protect the community ethos for future generations, and has already supported a number of individuals and groups across north Norfolk area for more than a year, including providing laptops for Fakenham Junior School recently to support online learning through lockdown. “Right from the beginning we wanted this to be a company that built sustainable communities and looked ahead to the future,” says Daniel Grocott, “and we believe our greatest strength lies in our unique approach

to partnership and our passion for the local area. Building Norfolk underpins our core values and is fundamental to our workplace culture, but the programme is also important for our clients, who want to live in vibrant and thriving communities in this beautiful corner of the county.” If you’ve got a grand new build design in mind or are planning on extending your current home, Grocott & Murfit will ensure your project is delivered on time and within budget - with clear communication and total transparency at every stage. Stunning kitchens and luxury bathrooms designed by Arcadia Home & Living, will add the finishing touches to your home, combining ultimate style and functionality to suit your lifestyle.

Heath Barn, Norwich Road, Fakenham NR21 8LZ | 01328 851420 info@grocottandmurfit.co.uk | www.grocottandmurfit.co.uk KLmagazine March 2021

Hunstanton Cliffs

Pentney Abbey Gatehouse 12

KLmagazine March 2021

Shining a light on Norfolk’s iconic locations Towards the end of last year, some of the most famous buildings and landmarks in the area were brought to life through a series of magical light shows - but there was a serious purpose behind the displays...

or over 15 years, Jak Ropa Professional has been providing AV solutions and professional disco services to events across Norfolk and beyond from their base at Terrington St Clement, but when corporate dinners, wedding parties and festivals were put on hold last year the team of talented professionals came up with a literally illuminating idea. “There are so many places we drive by every day without taking much notice, so we wanted to change the vision of them and see them in a completely KLmagazine March 2021

different way,” says Jak. “It was also a great way of supporting key workers and offering some real-time mystery entertainment to the people of west Norfolk.” At the end of last year Jak Ropa embarked on an ambitious project to present a series of pop-up light shows, giving some of the most iconic buildings and locations in Norfolk a magical, colourful makeover. Effectively, it was a real-life and stunningly beautiful Advent calendar, beginning with the famous Bank House in King’s Lynn - which has been

described as one of the finest houses in the town and was built in the early 18th Century for one of its richest merchants. That was followed by buildings such as Stradsett Hall, the windmill at Bircham and Pentney Abbey - together with local businesses such as Marriott’s Warehouse, the Duke’s Head Hotel, Fraser Dawbarns, and The Dabbling Duck in Great Massingham. “We didn’t just want to bring some enjoyment to the community via the safety of their screens and mobile devices,” says Jak. “It was also a way 13

Hunstanton Lighthouse for the NHS

of creating support for all the local businesses we featured - who had just been through a very tough year.” In fact, that was how the project started, with Jak using his mystery location light-ups to thank the NHS, key workers, and carers at a particularly difficult time - and images of his team’s work went viral. One of the most poignant illuminations was the final one that was projected onto Hunstanton’s distinctive cliffs. It turned into a tribute to Chris Bamfield, the former senior official of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk who lost his life while windsurfing off the Hunstanton coast in

November. A popular and dedicated man, Chris played a major role in the redevelopment of King’s Lynn particularly the new cinema at the Alive Corn Exchange, the transformation of the Town Hall complex to incorporate the Stories of Lynn museum, and the refurbishment of both the town’s market places. In addition to the light display, Jak and his team held a few minutes’

Bircham Windmill silence to pay their respects. “Since releasing the images the family have been in touch with us,” says Jak, “and they were completely overwhelmed by the surprise tribute we paid to Chris.” The success of the whole project

Stradsett Hall 14

KLmagazine March 2021

Thornham Coal Barn was supported by a wide range of local people and businesses, and Jak is keen to thank them all - especially the Le Strange estate, Discover King’s Lynn, Eric’s Fish & Chips at Thornham, KL magazine’s head photographer Ian Ward, Kelly Apps, and all the sites themselves. And that support has led to Jak’s next project. He’s currently working on a series of posters and a 2022 calendar featuring the light shows, and he’ll be donating all the profits to The Purfleet Trust. “I was invited to support an event with The Hungry Hog Roast Company at the Duke’s Head Hotel to help the homeless people in King’s Lynn,” says Jak. “It really opened my eyes to the issues they face - and how close we are to being in the same position. I want the posters and calendar to help all those in need through no fault of their own.” The products should be available by the early summer from all the locations featured in the light shows as well as Jak’s website. Jak’s also planning a further series of mystery light-ups for later this year - and it will be fascinating to discover which locations he decides to shine his light on.

Marriotts Warehouse

Hanse House

For more details and information about Jak and his work, please visit www.jakropa.co.uk

King’s Lynn Police Station KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

ONLINE PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

Expand your horizons and switch on the future With their newly-restyled showroom becoming a complete experience centre, Core Technology Projects are at technology’s leading edge

hether you want to explore the idea of turning a spare bedroom or unused garage into your very own luxurious cinema or want your property protected with the very latest in ‘smart’ home security, you’re going to need the experience and expertise of Core Technology Projects in King’s Lynn. And the good news is that thanks to a major expansion of the showroom (which is now almost three times the original size) you can now explore the possibilities virtually, as Managing Director Jim Garrett and his team of specialists can conduct online demonstrations via programs such as Google Meet and Zoom. “We were obviously closed to the public for much of last year but that gave us the perfect opportunity to expand, extend, and revitalise our

showroom and introduce some really exciting new products,” says Jim. “In fact, with people spending more time at home and working remotely, the demand for reliable and high-quality technology has never been greater - or more important.”

Core Technology Projects has a successful track record of high-tech installations stretching back over 10 years and covering all of Norfolk, including everything from automated security gates and smartphonemonitored CCTV to integrated audio systems and wraparound video game

stations. “We’ve seen a massive demand for our custom-designed cinema rooms over the last year,” says Jim. “There’s nothing like seeing your favourite films or television shows on the big screen, but it’s even better when you’re at home and have been able to choose the seating and the lighting that suits you - and you’re able to close the blinds, dim the lights and roll the credits remotely.” Whether you want to turn on your heating while you’re away from the house, enjoy built-in audio throughout your property without seeing any speakers, or you’d like to be treated to a big-screen experience in the comfort of your own home, contact Core Technology Projects today using the details below. The future’s here - all you need is Jim and his team to help you switch it on.

1 APS House, Oldmedow Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn PE30 4JJ Tel: 01553 776413 Web: www.coretechnologyprojects.co.uk E-mail: enquiries@coretechnologyprojects.co.uk KLmagazine March 2021

From knights to kings: the priory of West Acre A solitary gatehouse and a few walls close to the church of All Saints at West Acre are the only remnants of a fascinating history that stretches back over 900 years and includes conquest and reformation...

he evocative remains of the priory at West Acre in the middle of west Norfolk are almost as old as England itself. It was originally founded around 1087 by the French knight Ralph de Toni, who’d been rewarded for his participation in the Norman Conquest with a number of baronies in Hertfordshire and Norfolk, the latter of which involved him receiving no less than 22 different manors in the county. Built for monks of the Augustinian order, the priory was dedicated to St Mary and All Saints, and within three generations held property in

74 different parishes. By that time it was estimated its annual income was around £140, which may not sound a lot today but would have taken a skilled tradesman of the time some 38 years to earn. Despite a devastating fire in 1286 that destroyed the church and the adjacent convent buildings, the priory and its grounds were eventually larger than those at Castle Acre - and what remains today lays to the south of the village’s church. Some sections of flint wall can be seen from the churchyard, and most of the impressive 14th century gatehouse still stands to the west, and features the shield of Guy de

Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, who’d married into the Toni family. Only fragments of the large priory church remain, however. At its height the priory at West Acre was a hugely impressive and influential religious house. In fact by 1479 it had become so large that King Edward IV allowed it to host its very own annual fair on July 7th (the anniversary of the translation of the book of St Thomas the Martyr) but things were about to change. And they would change drastically. In August 1494 a certain Bishop Goldwell visited the priory, and he wasn’t particularly impressed by what

he found at West Acre. According to his report many of the monks were lazy, the students sent there to study weren’t paying their expenses, and the sub-prior wasn’t just insolent and rude - he was far more interested in rearing swans and farming a rabbit warren than anything else. The situation didn’t improve. Less than 20 years later Bishop Nicke recorded that the priory at West Acre had fallen into serious debt, had sold most of its sheep, was having to import nearly all of its grain, and didn’t even have a schoolmaster to teach the boys. Given the changing religious times the end was inevitable, and on 15th January 1538 the priory at West Acre became the first of the monastic ‘surrenders’ and it gradually fell into ruin - although this early dissolution eventually helped revive the fortunes of the village’s nearby church. By 1602 the church of All Saints at West Acre was described as being “wholly decaied and ruynated” but it was soon to find a benefactor in Sir Edward Barkham, who restored it in 1638 to celebrate his first election as Lord Mayor of London using stone from the redundant priory, totally re-facing the outer walls and employing dressed stone that frequently included precious old carvings. For instance, just inside the north porch of the church (to the west of the inner door) you can still see an ancient carved stone from the priory which probably depicts a seated Virgin Mary, although it’s now considerably worn. The clock on the north face of 20

the church tower is particularly interesting, as it replaces the numerals with the 12 letters spelling out the phrase ‘watch and pray’ - taken from the words Jesus spoke to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:41) the evening before he was crucified. It is however, a much later addition, having been installed at the start of the 20th century. The church isn’t just a remnant of the distant past, however. The interior of All Saints includes a surprisingly large number of memorials to the influential Hamond family (don’t miss the stunning east stained-glass window which features several family members) and many memorials dedicated to the many young men of the parish who died during the First World War. One of the most interesting memorials in the church is dedicated to Gillian Birkbeck, who died while

working as a missionary in Kobe, Japan - almost 6,000 miles from her home. Another fascinating part of the church is the royal arms of George III near the south door. When the United Kingdom was created in 1801 the fleurs-de-lys (representing the kingdom of France) was officially removed from the royal arms - but here it is, even though George III wouldn’t die for another 20 years. At face value, West Acre may not be the most significant village in the country (it’s home to a mere 200 people) but it may well be one of the most interesting, telling the tumultuous story of England from the Norman Conquest to the Reformation, and from the glory days of the British Empire to the world wars of the 20th century. If a story was ever told in stone, this is it. For more stunning local photography by our highly acclaimed photographer Ian Ward, visit our online gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk where you can purchase over 50 ready-to-frame prints in a range of sizes.

ABOVE: The church of All Saints at West Acre is one of the prettiest (and most interesting) in Norfolk, thanks to a major restoration in the 17th century that used stone from the nearby priory that had been surrendered 100 years previously.

KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

Finding lost beneficiaries when managing an estate Acting as an executor or administrator for a deceased person’s estate isn’t quite as simple as you might think, as Hayes + Storr explains...

ersonal representatives is the collective term for an executor or administrator of a deceased person’s estate. A personal representative is responsible for ensuring all rightful beneficiaries receive their share of an inheritance. This can be difficult if the beneficiaries are unknown or if there is no will (known as ‘intestacy’). It is not uncommon for personal representatives to face difficulty tracking down some beneficiaries of an estate, especially if the will was written a long time ago. LOST BENEFICIARIES To comply with their legal duties, personal representatives must take all reasonable steps to trace beneficiaries. This could include: • Making enquiries with other beneficiaries and family members • Conducting searches of death or other public records • Conducting online research • Placing adverts calling for the lost beneficiary to come forward • Instructing a tracing agent If reasonable steps have not been

taken, a personal representative can find themselves personally liable to a claim against the estate by a lost beneficiary who later comes forward. UNEXPECTED BENEFICIARIES An unexpected beneficiary is someone who turns up when the personal representative was previously unaware of their existence or entitlement. This is most likely to happen in an intestacy situation or if there is a gift in a will to a class of people, (eg “my children”). If the estate has already been distributed, this can cause significant problems for a personal representative. PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST UNEXPECTED BENEFICIARIES If you are acting as a personal representative, you can avoid becoming personally liable to beneficiaries of whom you are unaware, by taking certain steps to protect yourself, these can include: • Publishing official notices advertising the death of the deceased and calling for beneficiaries to come forward • Instructing a genealogist at the outset to carry out a full investigation

and prepare a full family tree • Obtaining missing beneficiary indemnity insurance There are important rules to adhere to when placing notices, including where they should be placed and specific wording, and allowing sufficient time for potential beneficiaries to respond. DISGRUNTLED DEPENDANTS You might find yourself faced with a disgruntled dependant or family member who has been excluded from the will or does not benefit under the intestacy rules. They may be entitled to bring a claim for a share of the estate. If you, as personal representative, have already distributed the estate, you could find yourself personally liable if certain steps and precautions were not taken. If you wish to instruct a solicitor to handle the administration of an estate on your behalf or would like further advice, call: 01553 778900 and ask to speak to someone in our private client department.

EMMA LANGLEY Solicitor

This article aims to supply general information, but it is not intended to constitute advice. Every effort is made to ensure that the law referred to is correct at the date of publication and to avoid any statement which may mislead. However no duty of care is assumed to any person and no liability is accepted for any omission or inaccuracy. Always seek our specific advice.

KLmagazine March 2021

How well do you know your local stately homes? Norfolk is home to an astonishing number of architecturally beautiful and historically important halls, and here’s your chance to test your knowledge of them and the people who live(d) there... 1 In which significant royal year was the house at Sandringham first opened to the public? a. 1066 b. 1977 c. 1901 d. 1953

4 Chiefly built with pink Derbyshire alabaster, what is the grand entrance of Holkham Hall known as? a. The Alabaster Hall b. The Granite Hall c. The Marble Hall d. The Sandstone Hall

7 At Oxburgh Hall you can see needlework hangings created by which queen? a. Mary Queen of Scots b. Victoria c. Anne d. Elizabeth I

2 Which of Henry VIII’s wives was born at Blickling Hall around 1501? a. Katherine Parr b. Jane Seymour c. Catherine Howard d. Anne Boleyn

5 The stable block at Houghton Hall houses a unique collection of over 20,000 what? a. Fossils b. Miniature portraits c. Stuffed animals d. Model soldiers

8 Which now-vanished stately home near Swaffham housed an important collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts? a. Mannington Hall b. Necton Hall c. Didlington Hall d. Middleton Hall

3 Carved into the stone across the facade of Felbrigg Hall are the words Gloria Deo In Excelsis. What does it mean in English? a. Glory to God in the highest b. God Save the King c. Normal for Norfolk d. Reach for the stars 24

6 Cromer Hall and a local legend helped inspire which famous book by Arthur Conan Doyle? a. Dracula b. The Hound of the Baskervilles c. The Creature from the Black Lagoon d. Alien 3

9 The most famous ghost photograph of all time features the Brown Lady descending the staircase of which Norfolk property? a. Holkham Hall b. Felbrigg Hall KLmagazine March 2021

c. Sandringham House d. Raynham Hall

c. Houghton Hall d. Bylaugh Hall

10 Which of these BBC programmes was NOT filmed at Lynford Hall near Thetford? a. ‘Allo ‘Allo b. Dad’s Army c. You Rang, M’Lord? d. Downton Abbey

15 Which hall on the north Norfolk coast was the setting for the BBC documentary series Normal for Norfolk? a. Wiveton Hall b. Oxburgh Hall c. Stradsett Hall d. Dunston Hall

11 Which famous landscape designer created the gardens and parkland around Sheringham Hall? a. Alan Titchmarsh b. Humphry Repton c. Charlie Dimmock d. Carol Klein 12 Which grand manor house built in 1640 is now an award-winning restaurant on the north Norfolk coast? a. Blakeney Hall b. Brancaster Hall c. Morston Hall d. Stiffkey Hall 13 Who is supposed to have hid from a bull behind an ancient oak tree in the grounds of Heydon Hall in the 17th century? a. Richard III b. Prince Albert c. Oliver Cromwell d. Winston Churchill 14 Which stately home near Dereham was completed in 1852 and was one of the first buildings ever to use steel girders? a. Sandringham House b. Holkham Hall

16 Who bought Sir Robert Walpole’s great picture collection from Houghton Hall in 1779? a. Queen Victoria b. The National Portrait Gallery c. The National Trust d. Catherine the Great 17 At which hall in Norfolk (which became a boarding school in 1946) did the late Diana Princess of Wales study when she was nine? a. Raynham Hall b. Blickling Hall c. Riddlesworth Hall d. Felbrigg Hall 18 Anmer Hall has been part of the Sandringham Estate since 1898, and it’s now the country residence of which royal couple? a. The Earl and Countess of Wessex b. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge c. The Lord and Lady of Norfolk d. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex 19 Now the UEA’s law school, Earlham Hall used to the home of which famous family of bankers? a. The Barclays

b. The Gurneys c. The Lloyds d. The Santanders 20 The founder of WikiLeaks stayed at Ellingham Hall near Bungay under house arrest for a year from 2010-11. What’s his name? a. Bill Gates b. Mark Zuckerberg c. Julian Assange d. Jeff Bezos 21 Melton Constable Hall was the primary shooting location for which famous 1971 film starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates? a. The Go-Between b. Brideshead Revisited c. The Thomas Crown Affair d. A Clockwork Orange ANSWERS The only way to receive the answers to this quiz is by joining Friends of KL magazine, so if you haven’t already registered (it’s free) please visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

Expertise & experience: and on call every day No matter the time of year, you don’t have to worry about your water or heating because Foreman & Son are available around the clock

eing without hot water or heating is difficult enough at the best of times, but it’s even worse when you’re living by yourself, it’s the depth of winter, you’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and the company that normally looks after your boiler gives you a surprisingly expensive quote to fix the problem. That’s the position Leonard Griggs of Dersingham found himself in, until his son recommended the Heacham-based and family-run Foreman & Son, who have over 10 years’ experience in everything from central heating systems and bathroom repairs to underfloor heating and disabled shower room adaptations. “The first thing that struck me was that Foreman & Son really wanted to look after their customers,” he says. “When my old boiler failed I couldn’t really get any help, and the quotes I was getting were really high. I called

01485 570578 32 High Street, Heacham PE31 7EP KLmagazine March 2021

Foreman & Son and their engineers arrived and finished the job within a couple of hours.” Foreman & Son is one of the few companies in Norfolk offering a comprehensive and reliable BoilerCare service - which includes unlimited callouts, all parts, an annual boiler service, no excess charges, and £500 off the cost of a new boiler if your current one is beyond repair. “We have a huge amount of technical expertise and professional qualifications, but the most important thing for us is delivering a truly personal service,” says Annaleigh Foreman, who oversees the BoilerCare service “Leonard is a great example of that. He was cold, he had no hot water, but our engineers were with him very quickly.” But the company’s BoilerCare service doesn’t end with the initial installation. Today’s thermostats are a lot more complex and technical than those of 30 years ago, so it’s hardly surprising

customers often have some teething issues with the controls and settings - and that’s when Foreman & Son’s commitment to customer care comes into its own. “When we install a new boiler, our engineers will always take time to explain how to use the controls,” says Annaleigh, “but if a customer does have a problem we’ll be with them as soon as possible. It can be a distressing time and it can cost a lot of money with emergency call-outs, but that’s the whole point of our BoilerCare service packages.” Indeed. When Leonard Griggs accidentally changed the programme settings and lost his heating and hot water again, Foreman & Son were there to help him within the hour. “They were absolutely brilliant and they were so helpful,” he says. “They were really polite and caring, and they even tidied up after themselves. I don’t think you could wish for a better service.” If you’d like more details of the care package you and your boiler deserve, contact Foreman & Son using the

www.foremanandsonltd.co.uk boilercare@foremanandsonltd.co.uk 27

ABOVE: The magnificent facade of Houghton Hall, built by Britain’s first Prime Minister Robert Walpole in the 1720s. Walpole with his dogs is pictured opposite in a portrait by the English painter John Wootton, who specialised in sporting subjects, battle scenes, and landscapes.

The huge achievements of Robert Walpole 300 years ago next month a man from west Norfolk became the country’s first and longest-serving Prime Minister, and would also give the area Houghton Hall, one of our most magnificent stately homes

t the age of 25, Robert Walpole became the Member of Parliament for Castle Rising, and the following year became MP for King’s Lynn - a position he’d hold for 40 years. It was the start of a remarkable political career that has never been matched by any British politician, and culminated in him becoming the country’s first Prime Minister exactly 300 years ago next month. Of the 55 Prime Ministers we’ve KLmagazine March 2021

had since then, none have served longer - Walpole would lead the country for just over 20 years. Robert Walpole was born in the small village of Houghton just outside King’s Lynn on 26th August 1676 to a wealthy, landowning family, and on leaving Cambridge University followed his father’s footsteps into politics. A rapid rise up the political ladder saw him become a member of the Admiralty Board in addition to becoming Secretary of War, and he was appointed

Treasurer of the Navy in 1709. When the Tories came to power in 1710, Walpole’s rise was temporarily put on hold (he belonged to the Whig party) and in 1712 he was accused of corruption and briefly imprisoned for the accusations. It took changes to the throne to bring Robert Walpole back into favour. The new king George I distrusted the Tories, which resulted in the Whigs coming back into parliamentary control, and in 1715 Walpole became both Lord of

the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. It seems Sir Robert was never far from controversy. In 1717 he resigned from the party after disagreements with his colleagues, but he didn’t stay away for long. Avoiding the huge financial scandal surrounding the collapse of the South Sea Company, he made a triumphant return to the House of Commons and was appointed first Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer once again – a position we now simply shorten to Prime Minister. Walpole knew the importance of keeping parliament on side as he pursued a policy of peace abroad, low taxation, and reduction of the national debt – policies that would still be political priorities 300 years later. Walpole’s enduring influence on the British political scene even extends to No.10 Downing Street, which was presented to Robert Walpole in 1735 as a gift by George II and has been the permanent home of the British Prime Minister ever since. All things come to pass however, and by 1739 Robert Walpole’s seemingly unassailable position of power became unstable, and eventually he found members of his own party turning on him. A trade dispute with Spain led to a war with the country, and his party’s poor showing at the general election in early 1741 eventually left Walpole no other option, and he resigned in February of that year. After resigning, Walpole continued to have a degree of influence over George II and was named Earl of Orford. A few years later on the 18th March 1745 Sir Robert Walpole passed away at the age of 69 – but he left behind far more than a unique political legacy. Walpole not only had great influence in parliament and with the Royal Family, but he also created one of Norfolk’s most iconic buildings – and one of

PICTURES: Above is one of the magnficient rooms at Houghton Hall, many of which are little changed from when the house was built. The terracotta copy of a 1726 marble bust at Houghton Hall (below) is now in the National Portrait Gallery and was probably the clay model for the finished work. At the bottom of the page is a view of the House of Commons featuring Robert Walpole and was drawn by John Pine.

the most beautiful houses in the country. At the place of his birth, and using inspiration from the designs by the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio, Robert Walpole built one of England’s very finest Palladian houses in the 1720s. Houghton Hall was designed to house Sir Robert’s prized collection of Old Master paintings, and the fabulous interiors and furnishings designed by William Kent are still intact. Walpole employed the architects James Gibbs and Colen Campbell to realise his dream of a house that would appropriately reflect his status, and each room was lavishly decorated using the most talented craftsmen of the period. No expense was spared (even the original village was moved) and Houghton Hall soon became a place for Walpole’s family to live and also for large-scale political entertaining. On the death of Robert Walpole’s only surviving son Horace in 1797 Houghton Hall passed to the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley and remains with the family today. Considering its

original function, it’s rather appropriate that the private home of David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley is also the magnificent setting for one of the country’s most important collections of modern art. As we approach the 300th anniversary of Robert Walpole becoming our first Prime Minister, it’s incredible to think that a man who would have such an lasting impact on our political system started from a small village on the outskirts of King’s Lynn.

KLmagazine March 2021

Friendship, fellowship and a community spirit This month marks the anniversary of the founding of the Round Table in Norfolk, and the Downham Market and District table is a perfect example of the organisation’s aims and charitable work...

lmost exactly 94 years ago a young Louis Marchesi gave his maiden speech to the Rotary Club in Norwich, and he decided to talk about something he was more familiar with than anyone else in the room - what it was like to be 27 years old. While he was speaking, he suddenly realised it would be a good idea to create a similar club that was

exclusively for young men. And when the Prince of Wales gave a speech shortly afterwards at the British Industries Fair in Birmingham, it gave Louis the inspiration for the name of his new club. “The young business and professional men of this country must get together round the table,” said the future king Edward VIII, “adopt methods that have proved so sound in the past, adapt

them to the changing needs of the time, and, wherever possible, improve them.” On March 14th 1927 Louis Marchesi called a meeting at a medieval merchant’s house in the centre of Norwich and formed the Round Table. Within the next 12 months interest was so high that the club had almost 100 members, and people all over the country were looking at establishing

KLmagazine March 2021

ABOVE: Members of the Downham Market and District Round Table embark on an adventure aboard the famous Baden Powell boat in King’s Lynn. The organisation was founded by Louis Marchesi (right) exactly 94 years ago this month.

“If it wasn’t for the Round Table I wouldn’t have had half the experiences I have over the last few years” their own Round Table clubs. The second (Round Table 2) opened in Portsmouth, and by the time the Second World War broke out in 1939 there were 125 clubs and almost 5,000 members. The first overseas group was formed in Copenhagen in 1936, and you can now find Round Table clubs around the world - from Africa and the USA to New Zealand and India. Closer to home, the Downham Market and District club is officially Round Table 542, but that doesn’t mean it was established recently - it’s KLmagazine March 2021

actually the sister club of King’s Lynn Round Table 54, so the Downham Market club is probably more accurately described as Round Table 54.2. “We work very closely together and we’re always challenging each other to raise more amounts of money for charity,” says Ryan Rix, who became chairman of the Downham Market club a few months after joining and is now (unusually) in his third year in the role. “We help them with their famous gin festival and they give us a hand with our firework display. It works really well.” And that sense of camaraderie is at the heart of the Round Table. Its central aims are to encourage high ethical standards in commercial life, promote fellowship amongst young 33

PICTURES: In addition to helping the local community with fundraising efforts, the Round Table is also about building friendships and fellowships. It may all be in a good cause, but it also means a lot of fun and unusual activities - from kayaking and go-karting to boxing and local barbecues.

professionals and businessmen, and to inspire everyone to make a positive impact in their local community. The Downham Market firework display is a perfect example of that ethos. Within a year of Ryan and his business partner Gary joining the club, they managed to win a national award for the fastest-growing Table in the country and more than doubled the attendance at the event. And it’s now even bigger. “When we moved the display to Stradsett Park around 6,000 people came to watch it and we raised almost twice as much money,” says Ryan. “It’s

well on its way to becoming the biggest volunteer-run firework display in the area.” It also features the club’s full-scale commercial catering operation - which involves up to 40 people running the kitchens. “It can be hard work at times, but I absolutely love it,” says Ryan. “If it wasn’t for the Round Table I wouldn’t have had half the experiences I have over the last few years. It’s so rewarding to feel you’re giving something back to the local area and helping other people.” And Downham Market Round Table has a refreshingly different approach to donations. Rather than supporting major ‘recognised’ charities, the club prefers to help those in need directly at a local level. “It makes more sense for us to give the money directly to the people and places where it’s needed the most,” says Ryan. “From cricket clubs and schools to Guides and Brownies we’re here to support and strengthen the local community. That’s probably the most rewarding part of being a member of the Round Table.”

Ryan expects to finally step down as Chairman in the next few months, but he’s already looking forward to taking part in a charitable 60-mile kayaking trip across Scotland and is hoping to be able to organise the firework display for this year. “The group we’ve got at the moment is fantastic and I certainly won’t be leaving them,” he says. “In fact once you’re in the Round Table you don’t leave - there are always plenty of ways to help out and carry on the good work.” To keep up to date with the work of Downham Market and District Round Table you can follow them on Facebook at DownhamRoundTable, and if you’re interested in joining your nearest club please visit www. roundtable.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

The end of an era and the start of a new chapter As its chairman of directors steps down after almost 50 years, Stephenson Smart is already looking to a future of expert help and advice

live Dodds, Managing Partner and Chairman of Directors at Stephenson Smart is stepping aside at the end of this month and taking retirement. The longest-serving member of the team at Stephenson Smart (having been with the firm for 47 years) Clive has seen the company expand into multiple locations with a combined workforce of 100 people. When Clive started, Stephenson Smart only had their main office in King’s Lynn and a small office in Hunstanton. Today, they have six offices altogether including Great Yarmouth, Wisbech, and Fakenham. “I’m really proud to have been part of the expansion of Stephenson Smart to the strong, successful organisation it is today,” says Clive. “I was a key part of the negotiations when we took over the offices in Great Yarmouth and Wisbech, and they’re now both being run by new partners.” Clive’s work has taken him to many countries from South Korea and Australia to the Bahamas, where he assisted with the sale of a Lincolnshire

stately home purchased by a company there. However, his first job at the firm was slightly more down to earth. “My first job was for CR Lake, an icecream van business, whose accounts I had to hand stitch together with a needle and thread,” says Clive. “Everything had to be done by long hand and it took forever. We had two sheets of double-sided paper stuck together. The client’s name was on the front, the inside would have the profit and loss account, and the back would be the balance sheet.” Clive will be succeeded by the second longest-serving partner at the firm, Michael Andrews. Michael has been at Stephenson Smart for 30 years and is responsible for the firm’s audit compliance and practice assurance matters - acting for a large and diverse portfolio of clients, specialising in audit, corporate structuring, and taxation. Clive Dodds won’t be heading off into retirement and leaving the firm completely behind, however. He’ll be staying on as a consultant to help

support new partner Dan Jastrzebski, and since he’s also director of a company based in Gibraltar, he’ll still have the opportunity to travel for work when the opportunity arises. “I feel very lucky to have had such a good career and working with some amazing clients,” he says. “Leaving Stephenson Smart will be a massive wrench. I’ll really miss getting in my car every day and driving into the centre of King’s Lynn. Having said that, I know the business I’m handing over to the other partners is very strong and will have a very successful future.” When it comes to your personal or professional finances, Stephenson Smart has everything you’re looking for - from payroll and probate to selfemployed tax returns and Making Tax Digital. We’ve been here to help for over 100 years, and we’re here to help you today.

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KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

Insuranceinsights Our regular look at insurance issues for you and your family with the experts at Adrian Flux...

Jaguar’s big cat still purring after 60 years In March 1961 Jaguar’s first iconic E-Type rolled off the production line and straight onto the catwalk to become an instant sensation 60 years later the E-Type is no less breathtaking.

ven master sports car builder Enzo Ferrari fell for the smooth lines, bulging power and dropdead good looks of the E-Type. He described it as the most beautiful car in the world. The E-Types became synonymous with the Swinging Sixties and were owned by celebrity A-listers including Steve McQueen, Brigitte Bardot, Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Tony Curtis, and Britt Ekland. But the price point was such, not that much more than £2,000 (about 50k in today’s money), that ownership was something to which many could aspire, and get excited about. At Adrian Flux we still get excited about the E-Type. We offer specialist insurance for classic and modern Jags so whether you drive an E-Type, a vintage SS, a sporty XK8 or even the latest Jaguar XF, we’ll have a policy to match your needs.

Jaguar drivers are often penalised by computer-generated insurance quotes because their cars are powerful. This results in higher premiums as a computer can’t take into account your past experience driving high performance cars. That’s the benefit of dealing with an insurance broker. Unlike computers, brokers can use common sense to save you money with a sensible quote. We are confident that if you invest in a car like a Jaguar, you are going to take special care of it. Jaguar insurance schemes can also feature: • Protected no claims bonus • Cover while driving other cars • 90 days European Green Card cover • Agreed value cover for classic and cherished Jags

Adrian Flux policies are great value but there are ways you can save even more: • Agree a Limited Mileage deal • Join an owners club for a discount of up to 15% • Invest in extra security • Tell us about your experience driving Jaguars, that can earn a discount too • We have special discounted insurance schemes created just for Jags If you’re lucky enough to own a beautiful E-Type or any other Jaguar, allow us to quote you on your insurance. We’re confident we can beat your best other offer. Call 01553 400399 today — our best deals are usually available over the phone — or visit the website www. adrianflux.co.uk/ to book a call-back at a time that suits you.

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KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

Keith, founder of K Brown Auto Repairs

Getting it right: first time, every time There’s no such thing as an easy option or a quick fix solution at K Brown Auto Repairs - just a professional service you can trust

ou’d be surprised how many people take their car to different garages every time they need some work done or wonder why a strange light has suddenly appeared on their dashboard - but it’s usually based on poor previous experiences or problems not being solved correctly in the first place. There’s a reason why people have been bringing their cars to K Brown Auto Repairs in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton for over 25 years, and it’s not just the friendly reception staff or the highly-trained technicians. “We have so many customers who

come to us with persistent issues that won’t go away despite them having tried two or three different garages,” says Tamsin Brown. “Cars are very intelligent and highly complex these days, and the easy option usually only fixes the symptoms of the problem not the cause. And in many cases the easy option is also the most expensive.” Her husband Keith (who founded K Brown Auto Repairs in the spring of 1995) takes a very different approach to car servicing and repairs - insisting that all diagnostics have to be proved before any work is carried out. It’s simple to replace an expensive part that appears to be faulty and it may even appear to solve the problem for a week or so. But K Brown Auto Repairs doesn’t work on assumptions, guesswork or possibilities - and never carries out

any work until the true cause of the problem is identified and proved and the customer has been fully informed. “I think that’s why we’ve built such a strong reputation for being totally trustworthy,” says Tamsin. “We’ll always trace issues back to their root cause, which may be as straightforward as replacing a single small wire.” From MOTs and regular services to fault finding and major repair work, your car is always safe in the hands of K Brown Auto Repairs. You’ll always be fully updated, you’ll always know how much any work will cost, and you’ll always be reassured that the problem will be completely fixed. Which is great news for you and your car.

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KLmagazine March 2021

Lindsay with Gary

Health check on Rodney

a i l o n g a M g n i m o Gro

ABOVE: The Cats Protection centre at Downham Market, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year - and which will on average re-home two abandoned or homeless cats every day of the year, thanks to the work of centre manager Lindsay Tempest (opposite) and her team.

Giving our local cats a new lease of life

Cats don’t really have nine lives, which is why it’s so important to make sure the one they do have is as safe and enjoyable as possible as Lindsay Tempest of Cats Protection Downham Market explains...

lmost 25% of homes in the UK owns at least one cat and they’re one of our bestloved pets, which makes it all the more surprising to find that during the 1920s they were seen as little more than pests and noone could care less about them. Not so suffragist Jessey Wade, who organised a meeting at Caxton Hall in London on 16th May 1927 and helped form the Cats Protection League, a charity dedicated to rescuing and rehoming stray, unwanted or homeless cats and educating people about cats and cat welfare. Today, Cats Protection (the name was shortened in 1998) has some

KLmagazine March 2021

37 centres and 230 branches across the UK and re-homes over 120 cats every single day of the year thanks to dedicated full-time staff and over 11,000 volunteers. The Cats Protection centre at Downham Market celebrates its 30th anniversary later this year, and centre manager Lindsay Tempest has been there for at least half that time, arriving in Norfolk after taking a college course in animal care, four years teaching students at the same college and a spell at the Cats Protection centre in Wrexham. “I’ve worked with animals my whole life and I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” she says. “It’s very

much a vocation rather than a job. We love having the cats here, but we have to remember that we’re just their guardians for a short while. They need to be in a loving home and enjoy the life they deserve - and that’s what we’re here for.” The centre at Downham Market has 60 pens with a separate admission area, maternity unit, re-homing space and isolation unit - and sees around 1,000 cats pass through its doors in a normal year, although Lindsay’s keen to point out it’s not a conveyor belt of homeless animals. “The care and attention and standards of welfare we give our cats is really very high,” she says. “It means the cats are

“In a normal year Cats Protection Downham Market successfully re-homes some 500 cats...” happier and better-behaved, and they stand a much better chance of finding a new home quickly.” Helped by a team of around 12 and almost 100 volunteers, Lindsay deals with cats whose owners have died or abandoned them, helps lost animals who can’t find their original home, and runs a vital trapping, neutering and return programme for feral cats. Considering a female cat and her offspring can produce around 370,000 kittens in only seven years it’s hardly surprising Lindsay and her team have their hands full. “There are so many cats out there who simply can’t be domesticated and are basically wild animals,” she says. “That doesn’t mean they don’t need some care, however. We’ll track them, neuter them and return them to their natural territory so they carry on doing everything cats like to do.” Lindsay also notes there’s a real difference between ‘lost’ and ‘stray’

cats. The former are cats that already have a home but have either relocated themselves by accident (they have a habit of falling asleep in vehicles) or have been let out of a new family home and its unfamiliar territory too early. Strays are genuinely homeless cats have been deliberately abandoned or their owner(s) have passed away. “A lost cat has a home somewhere and is looking for it, whereas a stray is in need of a new home,” says Lindsay. “It’s our job to look after them, feed them, care for them, and make sure they’re either returned to their ABOVE: Centre manager at Cats Protection Downham Market Lindsay Tempest (pictured here with ‘Magnolia’, has worked with home or found a animals all her life - for her it’s not a job, it’s a vocation. new one.” And re-homing deserve - that’s what we’re really here isn’t a simple case of people choosing for.” which cat they like the look of. Cats And if you wanted any more proof Protection operates a ‘homefinder’ just how much Lindsay and her team service which matches a cat to the care for these animals you only have to potential owners’ lifestyle, location, watch the staff sitting with the cats and children and existing pets. reading aloud to them. “It’s easy to think that cats have a “Admittedly the team tend to read mind of their own and couldn’t care their staff manuals to refresh their less where they live but that’s not training and update their knowledge, the case,” says Lindsay. “Not every but the cats don’t seem to mind,” says cat suits every circumstance and not Lindsay. “They just like having someone every home suits every cat, and that’s close by and know they’ve got some probably one of the most important form of human contact.” elements of our mission here.” Given current guidelines Cats It’s an approach that obviously works Protection is currently closed to on- in a normal year Cats Protection site visitors, but is still re-homing cats Downham Market successfully revia a Hands Free Homing service. homes some 500 cats, which is always For more details please visit a bittersweet moment for the team. www.cats.org.uk/downhammarket or “We adore our cats and we love call 01366 382311. If you’re interested having them here, and one of the in volunteering at the centre you can hardest things for us is to avoid register your interest (there’s a waiting becoming too attached to them,” she list) by e-mailing norfolk.volunteering@ says. “We want them to be healthy cats.org.uk and happy and go to a new home as soon as possible to enjoy the life they

You can also make financial donations through the website or over the phone - or even buy items from the centre’s Amazon wishlist, which includes valuable products such as bedding, toys, litter, brushes and nail clippers.

KLmagazine March 2021

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Lockdown will not last forever. We look forward to reopening our showroom to you all, but for now - stay home & stay safe. For enquiries please e-mail bexwellkitchens@aol.com or leave a message on 01366 382064 KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

Animalmatters Our monthly look at the issues concerning you and your pets with at London Road & Hollies Vets... Clinical Director

Sarah Colegrave

Smallbites

Welcoming a new pet to your home

ringing a pet home for the first time can be an exciting moment, but it takes preparation and patience to ensure a smooth transition. It will make your life easier and it will certainly make your new friend happier. Adjusting to a new environment can be overwhelming and can lead to anxiety - just think of the last time you moved home. But because cats and dogs don’t communicate like humans, they often express anxiety by ‘misbehaving’ - which is why it’s so important to spend several days bonding with your new pet and forming good habits. At the practice our highly-qualified Behaviour Counsellor Simonne Bell is very experienced in this field, and she’s always happy to give you all the necessary help, advice and support to successfully welcome your new pet to his/her new home. Without neutering there are many unwanted or abandoned cats and dogs waiting for new homes - and re-homing or adopting one of these animals can be hugely rewarding.

That’s why we’ve worked closely with Cats Protection in Downham Market and the RSPCA for many years to ensure these lovely animals find the loving and caring home they deserve. People are often reluctant to adopt a cat or dog because they assume they’ll come with some troublesome ‘baggage’ but you just need to follow some simple guidelines. We all know that cats have a mind of their own so you’ll need to be calm and patient with them. Most rescue cats will be disorientated by their new surroundings, so don’t worry if they don’t seem particularly friendly at first. All they need is some time and space to become familiar with their new home and their new family. Establishing a daily routine with regular meals and playtime is the perfect way to help your cat settle, and it’s a good idea to introduce them to your vet after a few weeks. The most important thing you can do is show some patience, kindness, consistency, and understanding. Cats have a natural tendency to venture outdoors and explore, but

LONDON ROAD Hospital Walk, King’s Lynn • 01553 773168 HOLLIES Paradise Road, Downham Market • 01366 386655

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Our Pet Health Club provides essential routine care and helps you become a responsible pet owner. You can save money on the cost of treatments and services and keep your pets healthy and happy - just ask any of our friendly staff for full details of how to join. you should avoid letting a rescue cat outside for about three weeks - until they’ve had a chance to familiarise themselves with their new territory and have worked out how to get back to it. Much the same applies to rescue dogs, although re-homing them comes with some added things to consider. For starters, it’s very important to do your research first to ensure you choose the right breed for your lifestyle. Adopting a dog is very different from bringing home a young puppy - you may have to deal with deep-rooted behavioural issues or ongoing health problems, but your rescue shelter or re-homing centre should give you plenty of useful advice. Older pets are generally less receptive to training, but that doesn’t mean you can’t teach an old dog new tricks - a regular walking and feeding schedule and reward-based techniques can work wonders. We’re always here to help you overcome any ‘settling in’ issues, and Simonne is particularly good at dealing with ‘troublesome’ pets and identifying their problems. So when you’re thinking of a new pet please consider adoption and give a homeless cat or dog a new lease of life.

info@londonroadvets.co.uk www.londonroadvets.co.uk

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Why your plants need your support It’s time to look forward to a world of colour and beauty in your garden, but your plants can’t do it all by themselves. Wendy Warner explains how easy it is to give your plants all the help they need...

s the weather warms and the first green shoots of your perennial plants break through the soil, you’ll be thinking ahead to how lovely those flowers will look in the months to come. However, it’s unlikely it will be utmost in your mind to create the infrastructure now that will support their stems and keep them at their best throughout the growing season. It’s never too early to start this process, and from my personal experience I usually only think about it when the worst has happened and my plants have been damaged by bad weather in late spring or early summer. You’re less likely to damage your plants before they gain too much growth, and another benefit of starting early is that your plants will naturally grow through the framework and hide it from view – after all, you want to see the plant and not the support! The plants most likely to need this type of staking or support are the taller cottage garden favourites such as delphiniums, hollyhocks, lupins, phlox, and campanulas - although others like paeonias and dahlias with large flower heads (which can become top-heavy) can also benefit. Some spring flowering bulbs including taller flowering tulips and alliums can easily be spoiled by bad weather. Plants need staking for various reasons. Some tall plants have brittle stems that can easily be damaged by strong winds, others can split and flop spoiling their flowers or can collapse onto neighbouring plants, and those with large flowers can be damaged by the weight of rain on them. In certain conditions, with early warmth or excessive feeding, plants can grow very quickly and produce soft growth which will require additional support. Different plants will require support in different ways, and there is an abundance of frames available. Tall single stems like sunflowers need something as simple as a bamboo cane, and although it may look unsightly initially it’s better to start with the ultimate height cane - otherwise you’ll end up with an abundance of canes around the plant as it grows and risk damaging the roots each time you insert another one in the ground. Bushy plants grow well through a ring with a mesh grid which is placed above the plant well before the new growth reaches it. You can then even out the KLmagazine March 2021

Different plants require support in different ways, and there is an abundance of frames available... shape by poking a few shoots through other holes if required. Plant rings come in a variety of diameters and heights and either have three fixed legs or can be attached onto a single upright. The advantage of the latter is that the ring can be moved up the pole as the plant gets taller or more than one ring can be added. Top-heavy plants work well with conical shaped supports which are narrower at the bottom and flare out towards the top, positioning the top band about 8”-12” below the height of the flowers so they’re not obscured. Single-stem rings are ideal for specimen alliums which have very little leaf growth. In addition to these, half moon, arcs or link-stakes can be used to remedy established plants that are already starting to flop by creating a barrier around them. Link stakes can 48

also be used to create a sort of fence to stop plants encroaching onto a path. As well as these ready-made frames which tend to come in either black or green metal, there are other ways of supporting your plants dependent on your style of gardening. For a natural rustic feel use old twiggy prunings of shrubs or trees (known as pea-sticks) again placing these into the ground as the plants emerge so they can grow through them. Or use willow poles and make a cat’s cradle of twine to create a mesh. Bamboo canes can be a relatively inexpensive way to create many different types of support with the addition of wire and twine, but as with pea sticks and willow, they’ll eventually rot. Green plastic-coated metal stakes are a very durable alternative - they’re easier to insert into heavy soil and easily camouflaged amongst the foliage of your plants. When staking your plants, choose a support to suit the vigour of the plant; you don’t want something too tall or something that’s too narrow and will squeeze the plant as it grows. Make sure all your supports are inserted well into the ground as they can become unstable in heavy winds or when the ground is very wet. Use a soft twine when tying in stems and make a figureof-eight shape to prevent rubbing against the pole. Also, try to avoid tying the plants too rigidly - they need to be able to move in the wind.

So as you see your plants starting to grow get those supports in place. And make a note to self – it’s so much easier to do this now than on a wet and windy morning in May when your plants are getting bashed about!

YOU AND YOUR GARDEN Wendy Warner is the Manager of Thaxters Garden Centre in Dersingham. See the website at www.thaxters.co.uk or telephone 01485 541514.

KLmagazine March 2021

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PLUS! Don’t forget your summer flowering bulbs, seeds, seed potatoes and everything to grow your own 49 Hunstanton Road, Dersingham, King’s Lynn PE31 6NA Tel: 01485 541514 | Web: thaxters.co.uk | Open daily KLmagazine March 2021

Garden Centre & Coffee Shop 49

t Given the curren rding uncertainty rega and social social distancing check the gatherings, please Scheme National Garden gs.org.uk for website at www.n formation the very latest in and details

PICTURES: The National Open Garden Scheme is a great opportunity to discover such beautiful local gems as The Old House (above), East Ruston Vicarage (opposite top) and Mannington Hall - and visiting them may actually be good for you.

How our local gardens can be good for you... As many of the most beautiful gardens in Norfolk open as part of the National Garden Scheme, there’s never been a better time to discover how our gardens can benefit your mental health and wellbeing

ack in September a new report from the National Garden Scheme highlighted the importance of gardens and outdoor spaces to our physical and mental health and wellbeing. It provided clear confirmation that the power of gardens to do good has never been more important. “Thanks to feedback we received from our Virtual Garden Visits last year we knew that gardens were playing a significant and important role in people’s lives,” says author and journalist George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme. “Our survey makes it abundantly clear that access to gardens KLmagazine March 2021

and green spaces can play a vital role in our ability to cope in times of crisis.” Indeed - 92% of respondents said that their gardens and outdoor spaces were “extremely important” to them during 2020 in terms of health and wellbeing and 100% of people in urban/suburban areas with balconies or window boxes said a key benefit of their small gardens was the reduction in stress levels, and it was encouraging to see 81% of people spending their time during lockdown growing and propagating seeds.

As we make our careful way through 2021 there’ll be over 70 gardens in Norfolk welcoming visitors through their gates over the coming months. It’s now a little late to see the best snowdrop displays, but the National Garden Scheme offers something for everyone - from spring blossom to the scents of summer and the blaze of autumn colours. And it’s all in a good cause. Since its inception in 1927 by the Queen’s Nursing Institute, the National Garden Scheme (NGS) has been raising funds for nursing and healthcare charities, and is now the biggest single donor to both Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie. The 51

“Access to gardens and green spaces can play a vital role in our ability to cope in times of crisis...” NGS also supports charities such as Mind, Parkinson’s UK, The Carers Trust, and Horatio’s Garden - which is a wonderful charity that creates beautiful gardens at spinal injury centres around the country. Last year was the very first time in the history of the NGS that gardens were unable to open - Norfolk alone lost 48 open days during the initial lockdown period. But despite the challenges of 2020, gardens re-opened in June following government guidelines and using a pre-booked ticket system, and many garden owners created a series of fascinating online virtual garden tours and plant sales. Together with a number of online lectures and a Great British Garden Party launched by NGS President Mary Berry DBE, the charity managed to donate almost £3 million to its beneficiaries from last year’s efforts. You can still visit over 180 gardens virtually ngs.org.uk/virtual-gardenvisits, and if you enjoy the films you can help Support our Nurses with a donation. If you’d like to visit a local garden in person over the next two months, some of the most beautiful gardens are listed below - but you can find details of all participating gardens at ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden - note that entry for children is free and all gardens are operating on a pre-booked ticket basis. For the latest information and details of participating gardens and opening times please visit ngs.org.uk If you’re unable to visit one of the gardens for any reason but would still like to make a donation to the supported charites, visit the National Garden Scheme’s new Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/ngs

EAST RUSTON OLD VICARAGE 13th March (12pm-5pm)

The garden at East Ruston Old Vicarage is unique in the huge range of plants that grow there, from desert cacti to prehistoric tree ferns. Established in 1973 by Alan Gray and Graham Robeson, the 32-acre gardens are now famous throughout the UK. Part of its huge success is because of its location close to the North Sea (where severe frost is a rarity) and because the shelter belts surrounding the garden further improve the microclimate. The garden is composed of many themed areas - some of them hugely busy and colourful, some of them quietly green and calming.

GAYTON HALL 28th March 1pm-5pm

Gayton Hall near King’s Lynn has been opening its garden for the NGS for over 40 years. The rambling semi-wild 20-acre water garden has over two miles of paths and contains lawns, lakes, streams, bridges and woodland. In early spring primulas and spring bulbs bring wonderful colour to this marvellous setting.

GARDENS OPENING IN APRIL MANOR FARM, COSTON Saturday 10th April (11-5pm) A delightful combination of formal gardens and sculptures

MANNINGTON ESTATE, MANNINGTON Sunday 11th April (11-5pm)

Heritage and modern rose gardens surrounding a medieval manor

THE OLD HOUSE, RANWORTH Sunday 11th April (11-4pm)

Attractive linked and walled gardens by Ranworth Broad

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KLmagazine March 2021

Your kind of garden. Our kind of service. As we head into spring and spend more time in our gardens, MKM in King’ Lynn has all the ideas you’re looking for

aving just celebrated its 25th anniversary, MKM is now widely regarded as one of the very best builders’ mechants in the whole country with over 70 branches across the country and a commitment to high-quality products, efficient and reliable deliveries, and complete dedication to customer support, help and advice. In King’s Lynn the MKM branch has recently doubled in size, opening a stunning new showroom of kitchens and bathrooms, completely refurbishing the offices

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and employing several new staff with a wealth of design expertise. As we move into spring and start enjoying our outdoor spaces, there’s never been a better time to discover MKM’s exciting landscaping display, which offers everything you need for your paths, paving, garden furniture and outdoor buildings - and plenty of ideas and inspiration. From artificial grass and decking to natural stone and decorative elements, it’s easily the best collection of landscaping products in the area. “One of the most exciting developments in recent years has

been the move away from concrete paving and into porcelain,” says branch director Damian Roach. “It’s extraordinarily strong, it’s resistant to stains and mildew, and it’s available in a range of finishes from polished marble effects to natural wood replicas. It’s the perfect solution for patios, terraces and garden paths.” With more than 30 block-paving options to choose from and over 20 decorative aggregates, MKM King’s Lynn can easily help you transform your garden into the exterior space you’ve always dreamed of. Combine that with a long-established and local business that’s run and staffed by an expert team of local people, and the great outdoors has never looked greater.

Enjoying the wonders of Reffley Wood Britain has lost around 50% of its ancient woodland since the 1930s, but a precious number remain, and just outside the centre of King’s Lynn you’ll find one of the most attractive and one of the most diverse

effley Wood is a very magical place. Just a few miles east of the centre of King’s Lynn, it covers almost 130 acres, has four different entrances, and is absolutely teeming with wildlife. At various times of the year you can see the comma butterfly, the willow warbler and chiffchaff (a lovely little bird that makes its temporary home in the wood), tree bumblebees and even adders - although if you are lucky enough to spot one you’re well advised to keep your distance. The wood itself can trace its roots back (if you’ll excuse the pun) to the 17th century, with the oldest parts dating back over 400 years. The mix of Douglas fir, Scots pine, and Corsican pine is a rather later addition (it was generally planted in the 1950s-60s) but some of the magnificent oak, ash, and birch trees are considerably older. Don’t pay too much attention to the treetops, however - because there are some true wonders to be found at ground level. Visit Reffley Wood now and you have a good chance of seeing the Early Purple Orchid, which is one of the first of these beautiful wild plants to arrive in early spring - and can grow up to 40cm tall. It also has a place in ancient history. According to the Greek physician Dioscorides, if a man planning on starting a family ate the orchid’s larger tuber a boy would be born - whereas if his wife ate the smaller one the child would be a girl. Although the flower is reasonably common, it’s becoming increasingly

threatened by the destruction of woodland and the loss of grassland habitats due to intensive farming - so if you are lucky enough to see one, please resist the temptation to eat it. This diverse mix of ancient and broad-leaved woodland, together with new plantations and new native woods was once owned by the Bishop of Norwich, but was transferred to Henry VIII during the Reformation, shortly after which it became a deer park and was bought by the Bagge family. It then spent some years as an enclosed pasture before finally returning to woodland. But the site’s heritage may well stretch back even further. Flakes of flint found in the area suggest the wood was once home to a community of ‘Beaker People’ in the late Stone Age, their name coming from the distinctive

The longterm plan for Reffley Wood is to stabilise and develop the ancient woodland...

PICTURES: Despite being so close to the centre of King’s Lynn, Reffley Wood is remarkable in its biodiversity - from flowers and trees to animals and insects - and some its oldest parts date back some 400 years.

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ABOVE: Reffley Wood is one of the few remaining ancient woodlands in the country, and is home to a wide range of plants (such as the cuckoo flower pictured right) and some charming but elusive wild deer (below).

drinking vessels usually found in their graves. In 1997 Reffley Wood was acquired by The Woodland Trust thanks to donations from local residents and grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The largest woodland conservation charity in the UK, the Trust has planted almost 50 million trees since 1972 and now maintains over 1,000 sites across

the country. Its long-term plan for Reffley Wood is to stabilise and develop the ancient woodland, plants and trees and to promote its natural regeneration - and to maintain full public access while minimising their impact. Playing an important role in the area’s biodiversity, there’s always something to see at Reffley Wood. At this time of year you’ll see the trees budding to life after the winter, and that will be followed by a chorus of birds enjoying the new growth. Next month is the best time to see (and smell) the wild garlic carpeting the woodland floor, and at the end of the summer don’t miss the wide range of leaf colours from the mix of trees. There are several paths winding their way through the wood, and the site is generally flat, making it the perfect location for a gentle walk in one of the most picturesque spots in Norfolk. The fact that it’s so

close to the centre of King’s Lynn makes it even more remarkable. And even more precious. For more details and information on Reffley Wood, please see the relevant page at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk For more stunning local photography by our highly acclaimed photographer Ian Ward, visit our online gallery at www.klmagazine.co.uk where you can purchase over 50 ready-to-frame prints in a range of sizes.

KLmagazine March 2021

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Having grown up in Norfolk I have a great love of the county, and from an architectural point of view it’s a wonderful canvas to work on. We’ve completed a wide range of different projects over the years, but our greatest passion is for designing and helping develop exciting and innovative new builds for people looking to create their dream home. When clients come to us with a grand design or a specific idea, it’s so rewarding for us to work with them and help bring that to life.

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KLmagazine March 2021

Even more reasons to buy Fujitsu from 4 Way If you’re looking for the very latest in domestic heating and air conditioning, look no further than the 4 Way Group in King’s Lynn

n addition to becoming the very first company in the UK to install Fujitsu’s new WaterStage™ airto-water (ATW) central heating system, the 4 Way Group has now qualified as an Elite Infinity Partner - meaning customers can enjoy a 7 year warranty in addition to some of the most environmentally-friendly and cost-effective heating and air conditioning solutions currently available. “For almost 20 years we’ve been leading the way in home heating technology,” says director Steve Simpson, “and this new accreditation underlines the quality of the service we offer to architects, self-builders, developers, and multi-property projects.”

The new systems aren’t just incredibly energy efficient (requiring only 1kW of electricity to generate 3-5kW of heat energy) they’re also very environmentally friendly - producing significantly less carbon dioxide than traditional heating systems, emitting fewer pollutants and costing much less to run. They’re also virtually silent. “The systems are available in 8kW and 16kW versions with a choice of water cylinder capacities,” says Steve. “Fujitsu’s WaterStage™ ATW is one of the very best ways of using ‘clean’ energy to deliver heating and hot water to every room of the house - reliably, comfortably and cost-effectively.” Easy and quick to install, Fujitsu’s WaterStage™ ATW systems are very discreet and visually unobtrusive,

and the components are built into a compact and well-designed outdoor and hydraulic indoor unit. “The real beauty of these systems is their simplicity,” says Steve. “There’s much less to go wrong, which makes maintenance a lot easier - and it’s far less complicated for the homeowner to operate. It’s pretty much a ‘fit and forget’ solution.” With a team of expert technicians, full product warranties, all the help and advice you need, and a 24-hour support service, the 4 Way Group are continuing to lead the way in fully sustainable technology. Before your next building project gets off the ground, contact Steve and his team today for a free estimate and discover the future of home heating.

t 01553 767878 w www.4waygroup.co.uk e sales@4waygroup.co.uk Recognised and accredited throughout the industry:

KLmagazine March 2021

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All the pictures here show a range of recently-completed projects in Norfolk by Rudd Joinery

Better for your home, and better for the planet More choice, better performance and strong green credentials - it’s no wonder people are turning to Rudd Joinery for home improvements

y the end of the year about three million people will have invested in ‘green’ home improvements - and the majority of those will involve new or replacement windows, doors, and conservatories. That’s good for the planet of course, but the even better news is that just outside Fakenham, Jamie Rudd and the team at Rudd Joinery are producing a superior and environmentally-friendly range of high quality handcrafted timber products. All expertly designed and produced at the company’s very own manufacturing facility. Whereas uPVC products are generally mass-produced, Rudd Joinery’s performance windows, doors, and conservatories are all completely bespoke - which means they can be custom-designed to suit your particular property, with a wide range of styles, colours, and

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ironmongery to make your home truly individual. “Timber frames are stronger than plastic and the sound performance is better as well, so they’re ideal for larger projects,” says Jamie. “They can even be dual-coloured, so you can have one colour facing outwards and another on the inside that’s matched to your home’s interior.” Timber is a perfectly natural and highly-efficient insulator, and Rudd Joinery’s innovative design elements easily outperform uPVC and aluminium frames - and they look significantly more stylish. “Responsibly-farmed timber is endorsed by Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund as the best choice for windows, doors, and conservatories,” says Jamie. “It’s a fully recyclable material and it’s better for the atmosphere too - uPVC creates around 200,000 tonnes of waste a year and contains almost 50% of the

15 most hazardous chemicals listed by European Standards.” As part of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), Rudd Joinery works to the very highest standards - combining the beauty of the past with technology of the present and exceptional craftsmanship skills to create outstanding high-performance products individually tailored to suit your home. For a totally new view of your windows, doors, and conservatories, call Jamie and his team today for a chat about your project and a free estimate.

ABOVE: Just a few examples of the stunning screenprinted fabrics produced by the mother-and-daughter team (opposite) of Michelle Witts (left) and Stephanie Witts (right) whose business is now taking off across the world.

A flair for design that’s all in the family The cutting-edge contemporary prints of Witts Design are certainly eye-catching, but what makes this studio rather unusual is that it’s owned and run by a creative mother and daughter team

ichelle Witts was always keen on helping her two daughters explore the worlds of science, art and history (her father was designing strikingly modern houses back in the 1950s) and while one would eventually become a fully-qualified commercial airline pilot, the other is now working with her mother in one of the most exciting textile design businesses in the country. “My mother was very artistic with us and always gave us creative projects during school holidays,” says Stephanie Witts, who’s the younger director of Witts Design. “I always had a paintbrush or a pencil in my hand, and wanted to KLmagazine March 2021

pursue a career in art - but when I got to university things started to get a bit unusual.” In her final year of studying textile design, Stephanie relocated universities and suddenly found herself in the same classroom as her mother - who’d rekindled her own passion for art in her 40s and was studying a similar subject. “As if it wasn’t unusual enough to be studying with a group of teenagers, it was even stranger to be in the same class as my daughter,” says Michelle Witts. “People said we should start a business together because it would be really good fun - and that’s really where Witts Design was born.” It was an inspired decision for the

mother and daughter team to join forces. A fashion designer attracted to Stephanie’s graduate show led to the pair designing and screenprinting fabrics that would feature in London Fashion Week. They founded Witts Design almost seven years ago (initially working from a shed at the bottom of the family’s garden) and their stunning designs are now available in almost 30 stores from Cornwall to Scotland and are growing an international reputation everywhere from the USA to New Zealand. They’ve completed commissions for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, and when the Rocky Bottoms restaurant in Cromer received a Witts Design tea towel as a 65

PICTURES: The international appeal of Witts Design is largely due to the fact that Michelle and Stephanie ensure everything is British made and produced as locally as possible - the perfect recipe for a successful export - made in Norfolk and loved around the world.

gift they asked Michelle and Stephanie to screenprint almost 100 seat covers. “I think much of our international appeal is because the British design ethos still appeals to so many people around the world,” says Michelle. “Although we do employ modern technology we’re essentially using traditional screenprinting skill that dates back many hundreds of years. Everything at Witts Design is British made - and we’re very proud to support local manufacturers whenever we can.” Although both mother and daughter are designers, Stephanie’s work commitments to running the actual business means that much of the creative work is left to her mother although the two have always been a particularly productive partnership. “We’re always meeting up to talk about new concepts, new ideas and new fabrics,” says Stephanie, “and we’ll explore whether it’s worth developing any further. I never imagined I’d end

up working with my mother, but it’s worked really well - and despite everything we’ve probably had our most successful year over the last 12 months.” In fact Witts Design has just launched its latest collection, which has a particularly appropriate coastal theme featuring birds, fish and sealife - and it’s typically colourful. Mother and daughter are also currently working on some new geometric floral designs and are hoping to restart their halfday screenprinting courses in the near future. Based on the Stody Estate in north Norfolk, the studio is the perfect example of how two people from two generations with two different skillsets and two different approaches to design can work together to produce a range of extraordinarily beautiful textiles and fabrics. The fact the couple are so closely related makes it even more remarkable - and despite the fact they’re mother and daughter the only real conflicts they tend to have are over certain shades of colour. “Eventually we’d love a larger studio that could feature our products, accommodate a manufacturing facility, and even have room

for a cafe,” says Stephanie. “We’d love to dominate the world with our designs and products, but we don’t follow trends and we’d rather develop our own ideas - and that seems to have worked very well so far.” If you’d like to visit the Witts Design online shop or see more examples of Michelle and Stephanie’s work, please visit www.wittsdesign.com or contact them using the details below. Witts Design Studio Thatched Studio, Breck Farm, Stody, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2EP 01263 502718 www.wittsdesign.com enquiries@wittsdesign.com

KLmagazine March 2021

Sew & Sew Bespoke curtains and blinds for all your soft furnishing needs Handmade curtains • Swags & tails Roller blinds/verticals and venetians • Wooden blinds Roman blinds • Cushions Home measuring & design service Extensive choice of fabrics and wallpapers Give us a call, email us or visit our friendly team in store to discuss your ideas with us!

122 High Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1DD • Tel: 01553 776411 / 07920 747157 Email: sandersontina@yahoo.com | Website: www.sewandsewkingslynn.co.uk

By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Purveyor of Dress Fabrics and Haberdashery P.F.Day & Son King’s Lynn

The Fent Shop

Thank you to all of our customers for their continued support. Our premises are COVID-19 safe, we have a one way system in place and social distancing practices in the shop. Card payment is preferred. Our new opening hours are: 9.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday. Please follow our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Dress Fabrics

Curtain Fabrics Knitting Wool

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41 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP | T: 01553 768613 | W: www.thefentshopkingslynn.co.uk KLmagazine March 2021

With the Spring 2021 collections now available there’s never been a better time to support our independent fashion boutiques. Especially as they’ve been so innovative over the last year through social media, online shops and even online fashion shows. There are some great styles out there at the moment, and some great offers too - such as Artichoke in Swaffham, who are offering 10% off all online orders until the end of lockdown. It’s time to look forward and look great at the same time.

Croatia jacket by Tinta

ARTICHOKE Swaffham

indy’s Follow C on Fashions tch to wa Facebook ce weekly their twi ideos fashion v

Outfit by Erfo

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KLmagazine March 2021

Ariat Ladies Coastal Waterproof Jacket Navy £150

THE HAYLOFT at BEARTS Stowbridge

KLmagazine March 2021

Cindy’s Cindy of Sutton Bridge

New Season Collections Now Available

Sizes 10-26

Follow us on Facebook to watch our twice weekly videos, and you can bring our fashion updates into your own home. Facebook: cindysfashionssuttonbridge www.cindysfashions.co.uk Keep up-to-date with our Facebook page for our latest news and opening times

108 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge PE12 9SA | Tel: 01406 350961

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visit our superstore with ample free parking TEL: 01366 388151 | WEB: www.bearts.co.uk | Brighton Mill, Stow Bridge, King’s Lynn PE34 3PD

KLmagazine March 2021

Coral colour cardigan by Marble

ALLEZ CHIC Castle Rising

KLmagazine March 2021

New ways to shop at Allez Chic Enjoy a virtual personal shopping experience with ladies’ clothing retailer Allez Chic

adies’ clothing boutique Allez Chic has added new ways to enjoy its fashions with the introduction of an online store to its website allezchic.co.uk and the opportunity to book a virtual personal shopping session with owner Cheryl Daubney via Zoom or FaceTime. The Castle Rising store, which stocks a wide range of quality clothing labels not found on the High Street including Marble, Micha, Pomodoro, and Saint Tropez, has increased the way its customers can shop in response to the pandemic. “We have always prided ourselves on our personal service,” says Cheryl, “and have previously resisted being an online retailer as we enjoy helping customers to discover the perfect outfits when they shop in-store.

However, during the early days of the first lockdown, we were surprised at how many clients reached out to ask if they could still shop with us. “We’ve adapted our website to include online sales, including an outlet with savings on seasonal items, posted video guides on social media channels, and are now enjoying spending time with clients with one-to-one virtual shopping sessions. As for many retailers, it’s been a challenging 12 months but we are excited by these new ways to interact with customers and to be able to continue to share our fabulous range of clothing and accessories with them, along with looking forward to welcoming them back in-store as soon as we are able to.”

To book a virtual shopping session with Cheryl, call 07951 930776. Shop at allezchic.co.uk and follow Allez Chic on Facebook and Instagram.

Chic and affordable fashion for all ages

STEP INTO SPRING Freshen up your wardrobe with new collections at Allez Chic. Shop online or book a virtual personal shopping session. Follow us on social media. t: 01553 631915 The Old School, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn PE31 6AG

www.allezchic.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

Naomi top by Tinta

ARTICHOKE Swaffham

KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

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Specialist skin treatments from the comfort of your home During lockdown we still want to help you achieve your skincare goals. Introducing AnteAgeMD skin care, a complete facial rejuvenation home kit including at home micro needling brought to you by Sutha Aesthetics. • Treats a variety of skin complaints from fine lines, wrinkles and acne • Maintain your skin glow during lockdown • Hyaluronic acid locks in hydration and reduces inflammation • Lasts up to 10 treatments • Hands on video chat support with 1-to-1 teaching and aftercare SPECIAL OFFER PRICE £150 If micro-needling is something you wouldn’t be interested in trying but want similar results why not try our Enzymatic Peels. We can offer these as a combination package or as separate treatments. Get in touch to find out more.

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KLmagazine March 2021

Your chance to join the orthodontic revolution With some of the most advanced dental treatments currently available, The Priestgate Clinic can help create your perfectly natural smile...

authorities and innovators in the field (the British Dental Journal described him as being “in the vanguard of the orthodontic revolution”) and he’s perfectly placed to bring your teeth literally back into line. The Priestgate Clinic replaces the traditional (and unpleasant) practice of squashy teeth moulds with advanced intra-oral camera scanning, and uses individuallytailored computer simulations rather than conventional systems such as Invisalign AFTER which rely on non-clinical technicians and generic algorithms for all cases. “We have the technology to produce personal and precise computer simulations of your tooth movements, and we use in-house 3D printing and aligner fabrication to deliver your

t’s a proven fact that smiling improves your health. Many studies have shown that when people smile endorphins are released, making people feel happy and less stressed. Essentially, the more you smile the happier and more relaxed you get - and there’s nothing better for your selfconfidence than a stunning smile. BEFORE The Priestgate Clinic in Peterborough is one of the very first dental centres in the UK to offer a fully personalised aligner service using the latest 3D computer and printing technologies. Combine that with award-winning specialist expertise, an obsession for fine detail and a passion for achieving excellent results, and you know your teeth are in good hands. The clinic’s specialist orthodontist Richard Cousley is one of the country’s leading

aligners within days,” says Richard. “We also offer individual long-term retention treatments, which feature bonded retainers that use discreet wires on the back surfaces of teeth, together with the more normal removable retainers - all available with our special cost-effective treatment plans.” If you’re thinking of investing in aligners or any other orthodontic treatment including jaw surgery and correction of complex clinical conditions, please contact The Priestgate Clinic today to see how we can truly enhance your journey - and your smile. Welcome to the future of dentistry.

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KLmagazine March 2021

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6 P r i e s t g a t e , P e t e r bo r o u g h , Ca m br i dg e s h i r e P E 1 1 W G w w .p r i e s t g a t e c li n i c .c o u. k • Email: reception@priestgateclinic.co.uk 77

Crawfish Inn Authentic Thai Restaurant

In lockdown we’re still open for

Takeaway Service Following government guidelines

~ We can take payment over the telephone ~ Restaurant quality food in a takeaway box

View our menu online at:

www.crawfishinn.com Tel: 01328 878313

Holt Road, Thursford, Norfolk NR21 0BJ Open: Tue to Sun from 6pm (open on all Bank Holidays)

Like us on Facebook

ORIENTAL PALACE

CHINESE RESTAURANT Peking Szechuan & Cantonese Cuisine

ENJOY OUR TAKE AWAY MENU DURING LOCKDOWN View our menu on our website and call 01553 842255 to order

Delivery service available within 5 miles | 5-10pm www.orientalpalacewestwinch.co.uk and visit our Facebook page for up-to-date news 204 Main Road, West Winch, King’s Lynn, PE33 0NP

KLmagazine March 2021

Astley Estate lamb cutlets with butternut squash, tenderstem broccoli & harissa hummus

INGREDIENTS (Serves 2) 4 lamb cutlets 1 butternut squash (approximately 500g) 2 tomatoes 6 tender stem broccoli 1 tsp harissa paste 400g chickpeas (240g drained weight) 1 tbsp tahini paste 1 lemon 2 garlic cloves 200ml olive oil 2 spring onions

METHOD HUMMUS 1 Blend chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini and harissa paste in food processor. 2 Once smooth, add 150ml olive oil and a pinch of salt to taste, and continue to blend until smooth and shiny - this may take five minutes. 3 When finished, scoop into a container and store in the fridge. MAIN COMPONENTS 4 Take the butternut squash and peel, take off the top and bottom, cut into 8 wedges, remove seeds after cutting, coat with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 20 minutes on 170°C. 5 Place the lamb cutlets on a plate or board, drizzle over a small amount of olive oil and add salt and pepper. Chargrill or pan fry for

Back to the Garden is one of almost 50 local restaurants featured in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk. You can purchase your personal copy by visiting www.klmagazine.co.uk KLmagazine March 2021

1 minute on each side, place on a tray in the oven at 170°C (3 minutes for medium), remove and rest for 2-3 minutes. 6 Remove the lower stalks of the broccoli and place in boiling water for 3 minutes and remove just before plating. 7 Cut the tomatoes in half, season and grill (or oven bake) until soft, and slice the spring onions diagonally for garnish. TO PLATE 8 Place the tomato and butternut squash on two large spoons of hummus, and rest the lamb on the side. Use the broccoli to fill any gaps, drizzle with the olive oil and spring onion and serve.

Recipe by Brian, Head Chef at Back to the Garden Letheringsett, Holt, NR25 7JJ 01263 715996 / 715540 www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk 79

Normal for Norfolk: the best food in the UK With a unique climate and a centuries-old heritage, Norfolk grows and produces some of the finest food in the whole country - including natural delicacies, superb game meat, and world-famous wines...

ABOVE: Sugar beet is one Norfolk’s most distinctive crops and is part of the county’s outstanding food offering which also includes saffron (below), the most expensive spice in the world.

onsidering that the oldest human footprints in the world outside Africa were found at Happisburgh, it’s hardly surprising that Norfolk has an extraordinarily rich food heritage. Today (nearly a million years later) almost 20% of the county’s workforce works in the agricultural, food and hospitality industries - promoting outstanding and locallyproduced fresh food. Former Prime Minister David Cameron, author and broadcaster Loyd Grossman, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Hollywood star Tom Hardy have all praised the county’s food offering - and Norfolk is also home to many chefs with national reputations. Delia Smith, Galton Blackiston, Richard Bainbridge, Charlie Hodson and Richard Hughes are household names across the country, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg of the hundreds of cooks and chefs championing Norfolk’s natural produce to the rest of the country. The oldest turkey breed in the UK was brought to Norfolk around 1500 by Spanish explorer Pedro Niño (the pilot of the Santa Maria when Columbus discovered America) and the deliciously rich Norfolk Black Turkey is now one of the most amazing things you can put on your table for Christmas dinner. Move forward a century and you’ll find the very first mention in the whole KLmagazine March 2021

country of a ‘dumpling’ - and this satisfying dough-based accompaniment still features regularly on many menus. Norfolk’s unique combination of light sandy soil and its dry climate means it’s always been able to produce some the best malting barley in Britain (if not the world) - which explains why the county’s locally-brewed beers taste so exceptional. There are at least 60 breweries in Norfolk and hundreds of fantastic pubs and restaurants in which to enjoy their amazing brews. There are also a growing number of vineyards in the county with a formidable reputation. In fact Winbirri Vineyards (based at Surlingham) produces some of the very best wines in the world according to industry experts. Norfolk’s wonderful environment explains the seeminglyendless fields of sugar beet in Norfolk’s

fields. Of the 18 sugar factories established in England only four remain - and two of those are in Norfolk. In fact, the one at Wissington near Downham Market is the largest sugar refinery in Europe. The county’s natural resources are so rich they can even produce the world’s most expensive spice. Just outside Burnham Market, Dr Sally Francis’ saffron conforms to the highest international grade for quality - and since 90% of the world supply comes from Iran it’s an obviously ethical choice. The wonderful rural environment also means that Norfolk produces some of the very best game meat in

ABOVE: Catherine Temple is a true Norfolk food hero, and her cheeses are highly praised all over the country - as are the famous Norfolk Black Turkeys (right) and our delicious artisan cheeses (below), all helping put Norfolk on England’s food map.

the UK. Local chefs really enjoy making the most of it, because it’s packed with flavour and comes from the most sustainable sources. Venison from both the Holkham estate and the rare herd of white fallow deer at Houghton Hall are exceptional, and Norfolk quail (ethically raised at Great Ryburgh just outside Fakenham) is in demand from prestigious restaurants across the country. The end of the year is the best time to sample the best of Norfolk’s game birds - starting with partridges, which come into season at the start of September and are at their prime in early October when they’re lovely and

moist, and ducks (including the unique Gressingham Duck) can be enjoyed from then until the end of January. Pheasants are best enjoyed in November (note that the hen birds are usually the more tender) and although rabbits and pigeons are plentiful throughout the year, hares are more of an acquired taste - and are at their tastiest from August to February. Nothing completes a meal better than a cheese board, and Norfolk boasts some incredible artisan cheesemakers whose award-winning dairies produce cheeses of the highest quality. Catherine Temple’s Binham Blue is probably the best known outside Norfolk, but it’s well worth discovering the fantastic cheeses of other local businesses such as Bircham Windmill, Willow Farm, Fielding Cottage, and Ferndale Farm. When the UK’s highest-circulation print newspaper Metro published nine reasons why Norfolk is the best place to live in the whole country a

few years ago, the second reason (big skies came first) was its incredible food offering. Although we may be biased, it’s hard to disagree. If you’re local to the county you’re extremely lucky - and if you’re a visitor you’re in for a real treat. This is just one of the features in the new edition of Dining Out in Norfolk - which also includes details of the county’s best restaurants and exclusive recipes by some of its most talented chefs. You can purchase your personal copy from our website at www. klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

HEA

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Magical Weddings at Heacham Manor Hotel THE MANOR Beautiful Grade II listed Elizabethan Manor. A unique Duo Ceremony approved wedding venue with all the magical ingredients including breathtaking gardens, secret features, bright conservatory for 100 people and award-winning catering.

A modern function venue with flexible space, catering for up to 150 people. Includes a private function bar and romantic walled garden. Exclusive use and accommodation for 130 people in 52 en-suite bedrooms.

Contact Sarah on 07834 248 848 for more information and to arrange a Covid-friendly viewing of our new venue. spegden@heacham-manor.co.uk HUNSTANTON ROAD, HEACHAM, NORFOLK PE31 7JX www.heacham-manor.co.uk

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C O S Y T E A RO OM S E T I N T H E H E A RT O F G R E AT M A S S I N G H A M

a place to enjoy breakfast, coffee & cake, lunch and afternoon teas Locally sourced ingredients | Hot food freshly cooked to order All cakes handmade on the premises | Takeaway available Open: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri & 10am-4pm on Sat and Sun (subject to variation during periods of lockdown) Book a table: 01485 520 272 Email: info@thecartshedtearoom.co.uk Web: www.thecartshedtearoom.co.uk Located behind Great Massingham Stores & Post Office: Church Lane, Great Massingham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE32 2HY

CURRENT OPENING TIMES: Tuesday-Friday 7am -4pm & Saturday 7am-2pm

Eat healthy this year with delicious local fish & shellfish EASTER ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN

Award-winning smoked haddock, hot roast salmon and smoked mackerel pâté Deli Counter with local cheeses and olives

HOMEMADE DINNERS

Something for a quick tea, check out our quiches, pies, sandwiches, Thai fish cakes, spring rolls and much much more! Seasonal vegetables and herbs now available to complete your fish dishes Don’t forget to spoil Mum on Mother’s Day

Sunday 14th March

DONALDSONS

A fresh taste of the sea

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 772241 84

KLmagazine March 2021

Classic Victoria sponge cake METHOD

INGREDIENTS 350g eggs (weighed in shells) Caster sugar Stork tub margarine Sponge flour 1 x 5ml vanilla essence FILLING 100g stork block margarine 200g icing sugar Few drops vanilla essence Strawberry jam (we use a locally sourced strawberry jam)

1 weigh eggs in their shells to 350g - then match the weight in caster sugar, stork margarine and sponge flour. 2 Beat margarine and sugar together until light and fluffy.

7 Once cooled, mix filling and assemble with jam and buttercream. 8 Dust with icing sugar. 9 Enjoy with cream and a cup of Joe’s tea from the Cartshed Tearoom!

3 Beat in eggs and flour. 4 Beat until mixture looks silky, add vanilla, dont over mix. 5 Spoon evenly into two 9 inch tins which have been greased and lined with baking paper in the bottom. 6 Cook at 165°C for 30 minutes or until cooked.

Recipe by The Cartshed Tearoom Church Lane, Great Massingham, King’s Lynn PE32 2HY 01485 520 272 | www.thecartshedtearoom.co.uk KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

Rebecca’s passion for high quality care...

disabled, and I combined supporting them with consulting for a number of different care providers on a selfemployed basis. My parents were very independent, so I know just how important it is to provide high quality care, practical support and to maintain that independence. That’s always been the ethos of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk as well, and that’s why I’m so excited about this new role.” Central to Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk is the idea of enabling people to remain in their own home, building lasting and consistent relationships between the caregiver and the client. “We have a very strong family feel at Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk, and a team that’s truly passionate about care,” says Rebecca. “You can teach people skills but you can’t teach them to be naturally caring. I’m really looking forward to building on the amazing work we’ve done so far and further developing our care services.” It’s a refreshing sense of optimism that’s echoed by director Tom McEwan. “We’ve been growing in all areas and we’ve taken on more clients and more caregivers,” he says, “but we’ve continued to offer a very personal level of care. Rebecca’s experience and her commitment to high standards makes her perfect for the role of General Manager.” If you’d like more information and details on the many homecare services Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk offers, please contact your nearest office using the details below.

As Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk continues to grow and expand, Rebecca Trezise steps into the new role of General Manager

ver the last 12 months demand for the services of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk has increased significantly, due in part to more people staying at home rather than moving into residential care - but also thanks to the company’s growing reputation for outstanding levels of high quality care and support.

www.homeinstead.co.uk/westnorfolk

KLmagazine March 2021

Stepping into the new role of General Manager is Rebecca Trezise, who first joined Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk in 2014 and returned three years ago to establish the Holt Office, which covers north Norfolk. Now her new role will also involve looking after west Norfolk, mid-Norfolk and the company’s Live In Care Service. “My approach to care comes from personal experience,” says Rebecca, who’s worked in the care profession for over 25 years. “Both my parents were DERSINGHAM 01553 387967

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ABOVE: The iconic clock at Gaywood in King’s Lynn is actually a war memorial, and is pictured here in its original position before it was moved across the road during the 1980s.

A local landmark telling the time of a lost past The famous clock at Gaywood in King’s Lynn isn’t just a quaint decorative element from the start of the 20th century - it’s a lasting memorial to the local people who gave their lives serving their country

housands of people walk and drive past the decorative clock at Gaywood in King’s Lynn every day, but few know of its fascinating history - or realise that it used to stand on the other side of the road. For the best part of 70 years the distinctive structure stood at the triple junction of the town’s Lynn Road, Wootton Road and Gayton Road, but it was relocated at the end of the 1980s during works to improve the local road system. The clock is Grade II listed, but the telling of time has never been

KLmagazine March 2021

its primary purpose. It was originally erected as a war memorial to honour the local people who’d lost their lives during World War One. It was designed by local architect J.L. Carnell (who would also design the town’s famous Majestic Cinema some seven years later) and was built by the equally-local business Medwell & Sons for £500. The clocks themselves cost a further £200. The memorial was unveiled on Sunday 6th March 1921 by Admiral Sir Reginald Custance, whose own family had strong links to Norfolk, particularly around Weston Longville. 89

“The memorial was designed by local architect J.L. Carnell, who also designed the famous Majestic Cinema in King’s Lynn...”

ABOVE: The Gaywood clock in its current position, which commemorates the local people who died during the two world wars - including Gladys Cobb (below and circled at right), who is the only person on the memorial to have been buried at home.

An extra plaque was added later to remember those who fought in World War Two, but it’s the original memorial that’s been more extensively researched. Virtually none of these Gaywood folk ever came home. Of the 27 names listed over half were buried in France, but others found their final resting places in such diverse countries as Italy, Iraq and Israel. Every one of them has a fascinating local story to tell. A single example is William Bunfield, who was born in King’s Lynn in 1878, attended All Saints South Lynn National School, living a

single life with his parents - and worked for the Great Eastern Railway at the King’s Lynn docks for 24 years before he enlisted in January 1917. When he embarked for the British Expeditionary Force in France on 17th February 1917 he was 38 years old, and he died in a military hospital in Rouen, France ten days later. One of the most interesting names on the original memorial and the only person on it to be buried in Norfolk is also the only woman listed. Gladys Cobb worked in Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps (attached to the Royal Engineers) and she died during the devastating flu epidemic at the end of the war on 12th February 1919. She was honoured with a full military funeral and is buried in Gayton Road cemetery. Her inscription is particularly poignant as it appears alongside her brother Harry. Her brother William served in the forces and survived the war, while her youngest brother Charlie was sent back from the front lines when he was found to be under age. This rather humble stone and terracotta brickwork memorial with its

wooden roof and four lamplit faces may not be the most iconic building in the area, but it’s certainly one of the most attractive - and its story is one of the most important.

KLmagazine March 2021

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West Norfolk: Then & Now

2021

CHANGES ON BOTH SIDES OF CHURCH STREET If it wasn’t for the remaining pillar of the gate into the rear of King’s Lynn Minster (you have to wonder what happened to its partner) the 1959 view

of Church Street in King’s Lynn would be hardly recognisable. The obvious centre of the image (Johnson’s) was eventually sold to the automotive and aerospace company Mann Egerton. The business had been founded in 1905 and produced airplanes for the national war effort during the First World War. One of our favourite details is the fact the Austin 7 in the foreground was

being driven by a learner - it would be lovely to hear where CAH 999 is now! If you have any memories of life in Church Street or would like to share your old photographs, please e-mail digital versions (the bigger file size the better) to us at info@klmagazine.co.uk. We’ll taking another step back down Memory Lane in our next issue.

You can share your old photos of the area with us on social media: @klmagazine 92

KLmagazine March 2021

Employmentissues Our bi-monthly look at employment issues that concern you, with local HR experts Peter Lawrence & Rod Lee of Human Capital Department.

HR Support for local businesses

As the vaccine is rolled-out and we move out of lock-down, businesses face tough economic challenges – good people management is more important than ever

his starts with HR ADMIN; by law, an employer must provide an employee with written terms of employment [Contract of Employment]. We can provide the most suitable template through our CIPD HR Inform subscription of model documents, policies, procedures and letters, and we can develop a suitable employee handbook. Our partner, Breathe-HR, provides an easy and low cost way to manage employee records through the cloud.

REDUNDANCY & OUTPLACEMENT: As the furlough scheme is curtailed, businesses may need to make staff redundant. It is easy to get this process wrong – for example the requirement for employee consultation including a robust selection criterion is sometimes missed – putting the employer at risk of Employment Tribunal claims. We can help employers get the process right, defend claims and guide employees faced with redundancy. KICKSTART TO RECOVERY: We provide guidance on the government’s

Kickstart scheme [and other initiatives] to help businesses get back on their feet. Our Kickstart partner is an ‘approved gateway’ and will help process your application to get a free trainee or trainees for up to six months, paid by the government. Our partner will provide necessary training and onplacement support for trainees helping them get their career back on track. Please contact us for a confidential discussion about any people management and development issue by using the details below. We’re here to help.

m 01553 401781 / 0800 246 5614 1 humancapitaldept.com k info@humancapitaldept.com KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

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t’s now the perfect time to free yourself from those aches and pains that have been holding you back for far too long. At Free Your Body Therapy in the centre of King’s Lynn, Terry Connolly and Jane Cole are using amazing new techniques to free people from a life of aches and pains. And don’t worry - because the increased precautions and safeguards introduced over the last year were more than familiar to Terry and Jane as Free Your Body Therapy has always had client safety at the top of its list of priorities. “We’ve always used alcohol gels and PPE, and we’ve always wiped down high-touch areas between client appointments,” says Jane. “We’re still going above and beyond to ensure the safety of ourselves and our clients, and if anything we’ve simply taken our precautions to another level.”

Free Your Body Therapy triages all customers before any appointment, delivering a safe, effective, and clientfocused pre-screening process. While Jane Cole specialises in sports injuries and acupuncture, Terry Connolly is one of the few people in the world currently offering P-DTR as a form of treatment. He combines that with ‘Anatomy in Motion’ gait therapy – a cutting-edge method of correcting postural problems that helps with the repair and rehabilitation of past injuries and the relief of pain. “We’ve forgotten that the body is designed to work as a complete system,” he says. “Your wellbeing ultimately depends on your bones, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue functioning smoothly together.” Whether treated for back, shoulder, knee or hip issues, all clients are simply amazed at the results and the speed at

which they’re achieved, but there are no real secrets here - it’s simply a case of looking at the body and the causes of pain in a completely different way. “As allied health professionals we’ve been able to remain open for essential and emergency appointments,” says Terry. “Nobody should have to live with constant aches and pain, and there’s no need to suffer - or to suffer in silence.” Contact Free Your Body Therapy today to book your session or check current appointment guidelines.

Old Dairy Units, Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 277520 www.freeyourbodytherapy.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

Jane & Terry 95

The perfect mix of the past and the present Norfolk has some of the most beautiful and historic towns in the whole country, but few of them can rival Swaffham - which has a unique historic heritage, a beautiful setting, and a very bright future...

few years ago the actor and writer Stephen Fry (who has lived close to the town for over 20 years) offered a glowing review of Swaffham, praising the way it had found the ideal balance between tradition and modernity. “There’s something about the place,” he wrote. “It’s a perfect market town, and it’s perfectly placed in the heart of Norfolk’s equally perfect Breckland.” It’s hard to disagree, because Swaffham really does have something for everyone. For starters, the town is a treasure trove of history. Its famous market place dates back to the 14th century, and the iconic (and Grade I listed) Butter Cross topped with a statue of the Roman goddess Ceres was built for the town by the Earl of Orford in 1783. The nearby church of St Peter and St Paul is one of the finest in Norfolk and is one of the few remaining churches to have carved wooden angels around the top of the walls. And the town’s village sign was created in 1929 by Harry Carter, the grammar school’s art and woodwork teacher - who would go on to make some 200 signs for local towns and villages before his death in 1983. And you can’t ignore the fact that Harry’s cousin Howard spent much of his childhood in Swaffham, where the young man became interested in ancient Egypt thanks to frequent trips with his father to the nowdemolished Didlington Hall. From there he would go on to become one of the most famous archaeologists of all time when he discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922 - a story celebrated in a special section of the exceptionally well-curated Swaffham Museum. 98

In 1912 a young man from Hertfordshire called William Johns was appointed as the town’s sanitary inspector, a rather inauspicious start to a prolific 46-year writing career that would see him produce some 160 books and create the immortal character of the pilot and adventurer Biggles. But Swaffham isn’t just a town resting on its historic laurels. It’s also home to a forward-thinking and wide-ranging selection of independent businesses. The extraordinary Strattons boutique hotel (which was recently judged the Best small Hotel in the UK at the International Hotel Awards) is only the tip of the iceberg. From innovative opticians like DA Seaman and creative interior designers such as Poppi Interiors, to independent clothing stores such as Artichoke and the bicycle shop Bike Electric, Swaffham is exactly what a town should be - with local people working together and supporting each other. Perhaps the legendary tale of the Pedlar of Swaffham is an appropriate way to close, especially as he’s depicted on the town’s sign. According to folklore, a certain John Chapman took his frequent dreams literally and left Swaffham for London in the hope of finding a fortune. Having stood

on London Bridge (fruitlessly) for several days, a local shopkeeper told him he’d often dreamed that if he went to a certain orchard in Swaffham and started digging he’d find buried treasure. John duly returned to his home town and inevitably found the treasure. There may be some element of truth in the story, but that’s not really the point. The most important thing about the legend of the Pedlar of Swaffham is that the real treasure is right on your doorstep. And Swaffham is surely one of the brightest jewels in Norfolk’s crown. The fabulous image on the previous pages can be purchased as a readyto-frame print (along with 50 other incredible local images) in a range of sizes from our online gallery at www. klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

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KLmagazine March 2021

YOUR SAFETY MATTERS!

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A spring clean and a fresh look for your floors With a totally safe and first-class service Xtraclean can treat your stone and tiled floors to a genuinely ‘good as new’ look

ver the last 12 months we’ve all spent much more time in the home than usual, and all that extra foot traffic has really taken its toll on our floors. But as spring approaches and we finally start to see some light at the end of the tunnel, it’s time to give your natural stone and ceramic tiled floors a fresh new look for the rest of the year. Which means it’s time to call on the professional cleaning services of Martin King and his Swaffham-based team at Xtraclean. Following the latest official guidelines on social distancing and using highquality anti-bacterial cleaning agents, Martin can bring your floors back to their best and give them an ‘as new’ look - usually in less than a day. “If your stone or tiled floors were fitted professionally they deserve an

equally expert approach to cleaning,” says Martin. “For over 25 years we’ve been restoring floors all over Norfolk using the most advanced and powerful cleaning system currently available in the UK.” Xtraclean’s highly experienced technicians offer a fully-insured and friendly service (they’ll even move your furniture for you) and following an initial test and survey they’ll get to work breaking down all the ingrained dirt and loosening the surface soiling. “Our state-of-the-art turbo ‘clean and capture’ system pressure cleans the floor using its own water supply,” says Martin, “and it even captures all the waste in the process – so you have no mess, no fuss, and no worries.” Xtraclean never uses harmful chemicals or procedures such as grinding and resurfacing (which can actually damage the floor) and the

results are truly spectacular. “Stone and tiled floors aren’t the easiest surfaces in the world to clean,” says Martin, “but our powerful system and professional-grade products can bring even the heaviest-soiled floors back to their very best.” Xtraclean can also help you preserve those good looks for longer with a range of specialist sealing products specially developed for stone floors. “To be honest you really have to see the results to believe them,” says Martin. “Just ask our customers – they’re always amazed at the finish, and they can hardly believe it’s the same floor.” To give your floors a bright new look and bring them back to life, contact Martin and his team at Xtraclean using the details below for extra-professional cleaning, extra-personal customer service, and sparkling results that really are second to none.

Unit 3, Jack Boddy Way, Swaffham PE37 7HJ Tel: 01760 337762 Web: www.xtraclean.co.uk E-mail: sales@xtraclean.co.uk KLmagazine March 2021

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Celebrating the life of Lynn’s artistic recorder The name Christopher Page may not be as familiar as Walter Dexter, but as Alison Gifford explains, few people have captured the old world and hidden corners of King’s Lynn so lovingly

hristopher Thomas Page is an unsung and unassuming recorder of King’s Lynn before the upheavals of redeveopment in the 1960s. In fact, to see the town through his clear fresh eyes as he wandered the streets with his sketchbook and paints, is to go back to a quieter, less hurried age of sunlit garden walls, the clip-clop of horse and cart and working people going about their small business. Probably no-one has depicted wellknown landmarks and long-lost corners better than C.T. Page. For although he may have lacked precision and perhaps even skill as a painter, the naïve charm of his prolific output tells the story of King’s Lynn in the early 20th century better than any set of photographs. No great drama marks his passage through life and he may well have slipped through the cracks of history, but he’s left a small but priceless legacy to his town. Very little is known about his young life, but records indicate he was born in Dersingham in 1867. His father was Robert Brereton Page, who listed his profession as a farmer in Sandringham on his parish marriage entry in 1866 and Christopher’s mother was the unusually-named Keziah Sooley Smith from Wisbech whose father was a local silversmith. Christopher’s sister Florence was born a year later, and when she was recorded in the Sandringham Parish Church baptism register their father was recording his profession (or lack of it) as ‘gentleman’. The common tragedy of young infants dying shortly after their birth took another of Christopher’s sisters in 1869, after which the family moved to King’s Lynn - a fact we know from the documented death of yet another infant sister, Ethel Emma, in 1873 who was buried in St John’s churchyard. By 1881 Christopher’s father had died, and he lived at 5 London Road in King’s Lynn with his mother and sister Florence. It doesn’t seem to have been a life of hardship however, because the family had a 17-year-old domestic servant living with them. A decade later the family had moved to Guanock Terrace in the town to a pleasant three-storey townhouse. Finances were obviously in order, as Christopher’s mother said she was “living on her own means” in the 1891 census and had a new domestic servant in the person of 15-year-old Pleasant Dolman. By this time Christopher had trained as a taxidermist, which may well account for his later employment at the KLmagazine March 2021

ABOVE: A view of Tower Street in King’s Lynn with the gates to the now-demolished Wesleyan Chapel and (below) a look towards the town’s St James Street from Church Street - which is now an NCP car park. These charming paintings that capture the town as it used to be were created by Christopher Page (opposite), featured here in a portrait by Charles Baxter Nurse (1866-1932).

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“Probably no one has depicted well-known landmarks and long-lost corners better than C.T. Page...”

ABOVE: Christopher Page’s painting of the garden and tower of Clifton House, which he bought in 1925.

Lynn Museum and Art Gallery in 1902. Taxidermy wasn’t simply the ability to mount animals or birds, but included the study of dried skins collected from around the world. In the early 20th century museum collections were filled with stuffed animals and birds, so taxidermy would have been a very useful skill to bring into the museum world. We don’t know what other abilities suited Christopher for this position, but it’s almost certain that a good classical education afforded him the knowledge needed to bring the cabinet of curiosities (which filled early museums) to life for the townspeople - whose knowledge

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of the wider world would have been based on rudimentary schooling and borrowed books and newspapers. Christopher Page must have organised the huge job of relocating the museum in 1904 from the Athenaeum, which was a building where the town’s former Post Office is now, to the old but newly-renovated Union Chapel adjacent to the bus station. He started to capture the byways of King’s Lynn in watercolour from about 1885, but the house in which his art really flourished was the famous Clifton House in Queen Street which he bought in 1925. There he brought up three children with his wife Ethel, helped by his mother and two female servants. To help with finances there were two young women teachers, who were living in the house as lodgers. Christopher Page retired from the King’s Lynn museum in 1931, but even then he never strayed far from home. Archives reveal he was on holiday with Ethel at 29 Seagate Road in Hunstanton in 1939, where they are recorded as museum curator (retired) and antique dealer respectively. He died in 1952 aged 85, while still living at his beloved Clifton House and is buried in King’s Lynn’s famous and historically-important Hardwick Road Cemetery. There are about 50 of his paintings in the collection of the Town Hall, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into a lost town. C.T. Page wasn’t moved by churches or grand civic buildings, and the classical symmetry of the Custom House didn’t catch his eye, but dappled roofs, old gates, and the charm of the view through the door of Clifton House are captured perfectly in his work. Here is old King’s Lynn, intimate and perhaps slightly ramshackle, but it was always his familiar home town, and he portrayed it lovingly. KLmagazine March 2021

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Marc Ward Financial Adviser

Rachael Smith Senior Mortgage Adviser

More talent, more advice, more financial expertise With a team of highly-qualified financial and mortgage advisers, Allen Tomas & Co can help you make the most of your money Working within a chartered firm isn’t for the faint-hearted, but our Senior Mortgage Adviser Rachael Smith and Financial Adviser Marc Ward (the most recent addition to our team) have brought great strength and longevity into the firm - which is always looking for the very best in client outcomes and to provide exceptional professionalism, which embodies the firm’s ethos. With years of experience in financial services Rachael’s worked for large banks, building societies, and leading estate agents. Her wealth of knowledge can help you negotiate on the selling and purchasing of your home, help to obtain the best deal and ensure you get the best advice. They’re also extremely well qualified. Marc holds the CII Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, and Rachael has recently achieved her CII Financial Protection qualification - and both are determined to stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving financial services landscape. Marc is

on track to achieve the prestigious titles of Chartered and Fellow next year, and Rachael is set to achieve her qualification in Advanced Mortgage Advice later this year. Rachael specialises in all types of property-related finance, but with her qualification in Financial Protection can help protect you and your family through life cover, critical illness, or income protection. Meanwhile, Marc understands every client is unique, so builds relationships with clients that are just as important as building a robust, suitable, and efficient plan for your financial future. Marc offers tailored and holistic advice to both individuals and their businesses, and has a particular penchant for pensions (personal and professional), tax planning, managed investments across wrappers, estate planning, group pensions, and group protection schemes. As independent mortgage and financial advisers, we have access to

a wide range of market providers for mortgages, pensions, investments and protection to secure the very best deal for you. Our appointment service is very straightforward and simple. We offer a free initial face-to-face, telephone or video meeting with our Fakenham or Dersingham office at a time that suits you. Please call Rachael on 07957 357212 or Marc on 07407 456191, or email info@allentomasfinancial.co.uk

6 St Nicholas Court, Church Lane, Dersingham PE31 6GZ • Tel: 01485 541998 2 Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY • Tel: 01328 854706 Website: www.allentomasfinancial.co.uk Email: info@allentomasfinancial.co.uk Allen Tomas & Co Financial Management Ltd is registered in England and Wales with number 8864562 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services Register number 630427 KLmagazine March 2021

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A fresh plan for Britain’s oldest working theatre... It’s a central part of the heritage of King’s Lynn, and has played a part in the town’s cultural life for almost 600 years. Thanks to a new trust with a big vision, there’s a very bright future for St George’s Guildhall

here are few buildings quite like St George’s Guildhall on King Street in King’s Lynn. It is in fact unique. Not only is it the largest guildhall of its kind in England, it forms the centre of a medieval and later-built complex of national importance. For starters it can boast a longer association with drama than any other theatre in the country, the first known production being a nativity play in 1442 - and the Guildhall’s connections to the town’s arts and culture have remained strong ever since. It’s becoming increasingly likely that it features the only existing stage in the world on which Shakespeare performed. It’s the birthplace and main venue for the King’s Lynn Festival, which was the brainchild of Lord and Lady Fermoy in the early 1950s. It was the home of the King’s Lynn Arts Centre until 2015, and even when it wasn’t being used as a theatre it still retained a dramatic link. For the first half of the 20th century it was the premises of G.M. Bridges and Son, who designed, painted and produced scenic backgrounds for bazaars, fairgrounds, theatres and exhibitions around the country - and won international recognition in the process. Now a new chapter is being written in this magnificent building’s story thanks to the Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust, which was created recently to ensure the whole site has a sustainable future. The Trust has big plans as well, aiming to create a mixed-use performance, arts and cultural centre - and provide King’s Lynn with a

KLmagazine March 2021

PICTURES: The Chandos portrait is the most famous of the very few that depict William Shakespeare, who’s said to have performed on the stage at St. George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn (opposite). At one time home to a producer of theatrical scenery (below left) a local Trust has plans endorsed by actor Stephen Fry (below) to transform it into a major cultural centre.

thriving economic, educational and community asset. Even the famous actor, comedian, and writer Stephen Fry (who was educated at the College of West Anglia in King’s Lynn and has a great love of Norfolk) is helping the Trust’s work. “I’ve kept a keen and supportive eye on developments at St George’s Guildhall over recent years,” he wrote recently. “Now we have a vision that’s a vital step towards ensuring we keep this incredible theatre working. I have many fond memories of the Guildhall and I hope to create many more in the future.” But it’s not just about films and plays and art exhibitions. The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk recently revealed that its economic impact assessment suggested a revitalised St George’s Guildhall would bring a financial boost of over £50 million annually into the local economy. All of which is promising news for Ivor Rowlands, Chairman of the Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust. “This building is a nationally-

important heritage site with almost 600 years of theatrical history and is at genuine risk of decay and disuse,” he says. “That’s why we established the Trust - to transform the Guildhall and provide a sustainable future for the benefit of the whole community.” With the help of leading theatre architects Foster Wilson, the Trust has developed a plan that includes a number of exciting ideas. In addition to restoring the complex and creating open areas

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the central key of our vision is to combine flexibility of use while paying respect to the unique heritage of the site.” The cost of delivering the Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust’s vision is expected to be around £6 million, a figure which will be raised through a combination of government grants, charitable donations, fundraising activities and other private funding sources. It’s a bold ambition, but it goes to the core of a plan that has the local community at its heart. For St George’s Guildhall to be sustainable in the long term, it needs to be much more than just a theatre,” says Ivor. “It needs to be a PICTURES: The exterior of the Guildhall of St George in King’s destination in its own Lynn as it looks today, and (below) a view of the interior looking right as a heritage towards the famous stage on which Shakespeare himself is attraction, arts centre, thought to have performed education provider, place to meet, and for performances and rehearsals, the venue to eat and drink – with an Trust is determined to develop the internationally-important theatre at its potential for workshops and education, core.” expand the food and drink offerings, In fact (and rather appropriately) introduce heritage interpretation, and Shakespeare himself couldn’t have put even offer retail and commercial hire it better. opportunities. In his pastoral comedy As You Like “It’s obviously going to be a major It the nobleman Jaques says that “all refurbishment to meet the modern the world’s a stage, and all the men standards of access, comfort and and women merely players” - and the facilities,” says Ivor Rowlands, “but

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“This building is a nationallyimportant heritage site with almost 600 years of theatrical history...” Trust’s ideas will only come to fruition if the community plays its part. That’s the only way to keep Britain’s oldest working theatre working. If you’d like to support the Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust on either a personal, professional or corporate level, please contact the trustees by visiting the website at shakespearesguildhalltrust.org.uk or by sending an e-mail to info@ shakespearesguildhalltrust.org.uk

KLmagazine March 2021

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or the team at bathco every successful home improvement project is a work of art, and every single job is given the same amount of attention from start to finish, from the initial concept to the final installation. That approach is evident from the very first stages of your new bathroom journey, which begins with a free 3D virtual design based on your room’s exact measurements and uses the latest modelling software and virtual reality tools to show you exactly how your new bathroom will look. To get the

perfect look you can change the style, change the colours and change the finishing touches - all without leaving the comfort of your own home. It’s a great way to explore the huge range of options available from bathco - from traditional freestanding baths to the amazing Hydrowall alternative to tiles. And with at least 20 different tap designs to choose from, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. “Our customers don’t just know precisely how their new bathroom will look before any work starts,” says general manager Stuart Marsden. “They also know how to budget carefully because we provide a detailed free quotation that covers all the costs of the project - and we can even help with our excellent range of finance options.” Even though it may not be possible for you to visit one of bathco’s three inspirational showrooms at King’s Lynn, Dereham, or Thetford in person, you

can always download the company’s complete 260-page brochure from the bathco website - and the entire design and sales team are available to help you plan your new bathroom. “It may sound unusual to have a new bathroom planned and designed remotely,” says Stuart, “but that’s the great advantage of our expert project managers. They’ll ensure everything runs smoothly for you - arranging for all parts to be delivered on time, liaising with the installation team and dealing with any operational issues. All you have to look forward to is your new bathroom.” For almost 20 years, bathco has been designing and installing high quality bathrooms - and every single one is a work of art. Discover yours today.

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KLmagazine March 2021

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TheBigRead Few things are better than a good book - especially if they’re this good! THE BEAUTY OF LIVING TWICE Sharon Stone

She was one of the most renowned actresses in the world until a massive stroke cost her her health, career, family, fortune and global fame. In this remarkably candid memoir Sharon Stone chronicles her efforts to rebuild her life. In an industry that doesn’t accept failure and in a world where too many voices are silenced, she found the power to return, the courage to speak up, and the will to make a difference in the lives of women and children around the globe. This isn’t just a self-help guide for the wounded or a book for survivors - it’s a celebration of a woman’s strength and resilience, a reckoning and a call to activism. It is proof that it’s never too late to raise your voice and speak out.

THE NIGHT HAWKS Elly Griffiths

It’s been described as the most loveable of current crime series, and it’s certainly one of the most popular - this is the 13th mystery featuring Dr Ruth Galloway and it’s probably the best yet. The Night Hawks is a group of metal detectorists who discover a body on a beach in north Norfolk - and from there things go from bad to worse, especially when an apparent murder-suicide at the isolated Black Dog Farm conjures up the local legend of Black Shuck. And when Ruth Galloway excavates the crime scene and finds the body of a giant dog things start to really get interesting. Elly Griffiths’s great achievement in this series is her local atmosphere, credible crimes, and lifelike characters. Perfect binge-reading.

KLARA AND THE SUN Kazuo Ishiguro

Born in Nagasaki in Japan, Ishiguro moved to England in 1960 when he was five and gained a Master of Arts in creative writing from the UEA in Norwich 20 years later. This is his first novel since he won the Nobel Prize for Literature and it asks the not-sosimple question of what does it mean to love? Its central character Klara is an ‘artificial friend’ who waits patiently in store for a customer to buy her but how much should she trust the promises of humans? This is a thrilling feat of word-building, a novel of exquisite tenderness and impeccable restraint, and is about to become an international literary event.

CHINA Edward Rutherfurd

Rutherfurd has become famous for sweeping epic books that tell the story of a particular place through a colourful cast of characters and are hugely ambitious in scale - the plotline of his debut novel Sarum managed to cover some 10,000 years of English history. Having taken the same approach to Russia, New York, London, and Paris he’s now turning his attention to China, starting in the 19th century with a proud and ancient empire forbidden to foreigners. From Hong Kong and Beijing to the Great Wall, and from the exotic wonders of the Summer Palace to squalid village huts, this is a thrillingly dramatic account of the Chinese people and how the West came to exploit the riches of their ancient land and culture. This is a typically gripping, constantly enjoyable, and endlessly fascinating read. 114

KLmagazine March 2021

THE DEVIL DRIVES Fawn Brodie

You couldn’t fail to write a brilliant biography of Richard Francis Burton, who was born 200 years ago this month. He was a quite extraordinary explorer, geographer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer, and diplomat. He could speak at least 30 languages, was the first European to visit Mecca (disguising himself as a Muslim pilgrim), translated the Kama Sutra into English, and discovered Lake Tanganyika. Even though Fawn Brodie’s book was published over 40 years ago it’s lost none of its excitement nor warmth. It’s still the most vivid portrait of one of the strangest and most exceptional of all Victorians - and a man who is still woefully unknown and unappreciated.

LONDON, BURNING Anthony Quinn

A nation divided against itself, a government trembling on the verge of collapse, a city fearful of what’s to come, and a people bitterly suspicious of one another... but this isn’t 2021. It’s actually the end of the 1970s, and a novel that tells the story of four strangers caught up in a perfect storm of strikes, bombings, and punk rock as a nation shifts irrevocably to the right. As the clock ticks down towards a general election, old alliances become increasingly shaky and the new broom of “me first” capitalist enterprise threatens to sweep all before it. Following an unpredictable path through a city overwhelmed by strikes and frightened by equally-frequent bomb warnings this is a funny and dark, violent but also moving novel about a world that’s very different from ours - but also strikingly similar.

SIX TUDOR QUEENS: KATHARINE PARR Alison Weir

Alsion Weir’s sweeping Tudor saga of the six wives of Henry VIII finally comes to an end with the compelling tale of Katharine Parr, who would become the most-married English queen (with four husbands) and was the first Englishwoman to publish under her own name in English. This is a fascinating account of religious suppression, unrequited love, and regal duty and a warm portrait of a clever and very strong woman who rose to the challenge of every turn her life took. You could always start at the beginning with the first book in the series about Katherine of Aragon (who was buried in Peterborough Cathedral) but this is a brilliant read in its own right.

TOKSVIG’S ALMANAC 2021 Sandi Toksvig

With her inimitable wit and humour, Sandi Toksvig guides you through 2021, sharing stories of fascinating women forgotten by history that functions as a springboard for your own discoveries. From revolutionary women to serial killers, pirate nuns to pioneering civil rights activists, doctors to dancing girls, artists to astronauts, these pages commemorate women from all around the world who were pushed to the margins of historical record. It’s like an amuse-bouche for the mind - including women such as Ines de Castro (crowned Queen Consort of Portugal six years after her death), Eleanor G. Holm (who was disqualified from the 1936 Berlin Olympics for drinking too much champagne), and Lady Murasaki, who was the author of the world’s first novel. Endlessly fascinating and entertaining.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP

For almost 40 years, Waterstones has been championing the joy of the written word, the pleasure of the printed book, and the value of the local bookshop. We’ve really enjoyed sharing some of our favourite reads with you this month, and we’ll have some more personal recommendations for you next time. We love books and we love nothing better than introducing the best ones to new readers. Please come see us at 137-138 Norfolk Street in King’s Lynn or follow us on Facebook (Waterstones King’s Lynn) or Instagram @WaterstonesKingsLynn

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ABOVE: The Custom House in King’s Lynn played a notable role in the 2019 film The Personal History of David Copperfield, but that’s not the only connection the area has to Charles Dickens (opposite), whose original handwritten manuscript of Great Expectations is now held at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum.

The local links of the world’s greatest writer When Charles Dickens gave a public reading in Norwich it wasn’t his first appearance in the county - which is immortalised in his most famous novel and still frequently appears in screen adaptations...

xactly 154 years ago this month on March 29th 1867, a certain writer called Charles Dickens took to the stage at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich. In front of a large audience he read the trial scene from The Pickwick Papers (which had been published some 30 years previously), and a little-known short story called Dr Marigold, the heart-wrenching tale of a cheap market trader who loses his daughter and wife and then decides to adopt a young deaf and dumb girl. It was a momentous occasion. By

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that time, Dickens was recognised around the world as a literary genius, having already written 14 classic novels and a large number of short stories, plays, and non-fiction books. At the time he was working on a new novel called The Mystery of Edwin Drood, although he’d never complete it - he died aged 58 less than three years after appearing in Norwich. The local appearance of the man who almost single-handedly invented our idea of Christmas and the novel as we know it today wasn’t his only link to the local area however.

Twenty years before that public reading Dickens had spent some time on the Norfolk coast, staying at The Royal Hotel on Waterloo Road in Great Yarmouth and The Feathers Inn in Gorleston - and although he stayed for little more than two days it made a big impression on him. Within a few years Norfolk would become the main setting for his semi-autobiographical novel David Copperfield - and an upturned boat on the beach which was being used as a house almost certainly provided the inspiration for Peggotty’s similarly-unusual home in the novel. KLmagazine March 2021

ABOVE: The Custom House in King’s Lynn as it appeared in Armando Iannucci’s re-imagining of David Copperfield in 2019. At left is a page from the original manuscript of Great Expectations, which has been at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum (below) since 1868.

The smell of the town obviously struck a chord with Dickens, who would include this passage in his new novel: “When we got into the street (which was strange enough to me) and smelt the fish and pitch, and oakum, and tar, and saw the sailors walking about, and the carts jangling up and down over the stones, I felt I had done so busy a place an injustice; and said as much to Peggotty, who heard my expressions of delight with great complacency, and told me it was well known (I suppose to those who had the good fortune to be born Bloaters) that Yarmouth was, upon the whole, the finest place in the universe.” As for David Copperfield himself, Dickens gave his birthplace as Blundeston, which lies just over the border in Suffolk a little north of Lowestoft. The book has been televised and filmed at least 14 times, and the most recent version was Armando Iannucci’s stylish 2019 reimagining starring Dev Patel, Peter Capaldi and Tilda Swinton and which transposed Great Yarmouth to King’s Lynn, featuring several of the town’s most iconic buildings including the Custom House, the Town Hall and the so-called ‘Exorcist’s House’ opposite St Nicholas Chapel. It wasn’t the first time King’s Lynn had played a role in a Dickens’ adaptation however - both Bank House and St Margaret’s House featured in the BBC’s 1994 production of Martin Chuzzlewit, as did Peckover House over in Wisbech. Talking of which, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum is home to the handwritten manuscript of Great Expectations, which is arguably Dickens’ masterpiece - displaying such an amazing use of plot, characterisation and style that it’s been adapted for stage and screen over 250 times. When the museum is open to the public (it’s one of the oldest purposeKLmagazine March 2021

built museums in the United Kingdom by the way) you can only see it on the first Saturday of every month, and although you’ll be hard pressed to decipher Dickens’ handwriting it’s a priceless treasure that offers a tantalising glimpse of a different ending for the novel. It came to the museum via Dickens’ friend and fellow fan of hypnotism the Rev Chauncy Townshend, who dedicated his collection of poetry The Three Gates to Dickens in 1859. By way of thanks, the great novelist dedicated the book he was currently working on to Townshend - and eventually gave the poet and clergyman the original manuscript of Great Expectations. And his crystal ball – although only the former would find its way to Wisbech. If you’re looking for any more local links in this literary story, consider this: when Townshend died at home in

February 1868 he was living at 21 Norfolk Street in London. And when the Dickens family had moved from Portsmouth to the capital 53 years previously (Charles was only three years old at the time) their first home was just a few doors down at 10 Norfolk Street. The story of Dickens’ links to the area is another chapter in Norfolk’s proud literary heritage, which can boast the first autobiography in English (thanks to Margery Kempe of King’s Lynn), the first book written by a woman (Julian of Norwich) and a library (the Millennium Library in Norwich) that was voted the most popular in the UK for seven years in a row.

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Limited edition prints for your home available now With over 50 amazing photographs to choose from, there’s no better way of bringing the area’s most breathtaking landscapes and iconic buildings into your home

ere’s your chance to showcase the many wonders of west and north Norfolk in your own home with this limited edition range of ready-to-frame prints featuring stunning images from our Head Photographer Ian Ward - one of the most acclaimed photographers in the county. You can choose from natural landscapes such as Roydon Common and beautiful villages such as Great Massingham. If you prefer the coast you can pick your favourite location including Hunstanton, Brancaster Staithe and Wells-next-the-Sea. And if you share our love for our unique historic buildings, the choice includes 118

Oxburgh Hall, Castle Rising and the Custom House in King’s Lynn. There’s over 50 different photographs to choose from but only 25 copies of each will ever be printed, so you’ll need to place your order soon. Available in four different sizes from A3 (29.7cm x 42cm) all the way up to A0 (84.1cm x 118.9cm), the photographs are printed on high quality paper, carefully-protected in a rigid cardboard tube, and feature a discreet KL magazine signature. It’s the ideal way to treat yourself, spoil your friends or surprise your loved ones with a unique local gift - and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the natural and man-made beauty of your home.

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For more information and ordering details, please visit www.klmagazine.co.uk/gallery/prints 120

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KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • TILES • BEDROOMS • PLUMBING SUPPLIES

Give your kitchen a new look this spring Are you looking to freshen up your home this year? At the Quay Centre we have a stunning range of kitchens and bathrooms to suit any budget or taste. We are happy to design from your measurements and carry out video link consultations. Our sales director is in the showroom to carry out virtual showroom tours if there is a specific product you wish to see. We also have a huge range of brochures which we’re more than happy to have posted to your home address. Call or visit our friendly team to find out more

THE QUAY CENTRE OFFERS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE... We project manage your new installation from start to finish, co-ordinating all trades needed so that it’s a stress-free process Address 28-31a North End, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1PE | Tel 01945 476797 Fax 01945 463495 | Web www.quaycentre.co.uk

Michael Middleton’s

WildWestNorfolk

was doing some early spring cleaning in the shed last week, and in addition to finding the usual collection of random pieces of wood, broken flowerpots, sections of plastic tubing, and empty paint cans I came across a pile of old comics. There were a few Whizzer & Chips, a couple of issues of Battle and 2000AD, a very strange comic called Cor!! and about half a dozen copies of The Beano - which is the longest-running British comic magazine of them all. In fact, exactly 70 years ago this month it published a new strip featuring a naughty child called Dennis and his pet Abyssinian wire-haired tripe hound called Gnasher. The comic’s editor George Moonie got the idea for Dennis the Menace after hearing a music hall song which had the line “I’m Dennis the Menace from Venice” in the chorus. It was a huge success - and the (mis)adventures of Dennis are still being published today. Strangely enough, on the very same day we met Dennis for the first time in The Beano issue 452 on March 12th 1951, newspaper readers on the other side of the Atlantic were also being treated to a new comic strip featuring a mischevious child - who was also called Dennis the Menace. The weird thing is that they had no relation to each other. The American character had been created by cartoonist Hank Ketcham and was named after his wife burst into his studio to complain that their son Dennis was “a real menace.” It’s not the oddest coincidence in publishing history however. William Thomas Stead was one of the

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pioneers of investigative journalism, but he also wrote pieces of short fiction for his newspapers. In March 1886 he published an article in which a ship leaves Liverpool for New York but sinks in the mid-Atlantic, resulting in a large loss of life due to an insufficient number of lifeboats. “This is exactly what might take place and will take place,” he added at the end, “if liners are sent to sea short of boats.” As he found to his fatal cost 26 years later when he was actually on board the Titanic when it sank in April 1912. And consider the short novel Futility, written by author (and self-proclaimed inventor of the periscope) Morgan Robertson in 1898. Some 14 years before The Titanic sank Morgan had published the story of the fictional SS Titan, an enormous passenger liner which doesn’t carry enough lifeboats because it’s thought to be unsinkable. On a journey across the Atlantic (in April no less) The Titan hits an iceberg and sinks, resulting in the loss of virtually everyone on board. One of my favourite publishing coincidences has to do with The Daily Telegraph’s crosswords during the Second World War. In 1942, the War Office and MI5 were concerned that ‘Dieppe’ had appeared in the crossword the day before the Allied attack on the French port. After an intensive enquiry, the authorities wrote it off as a complete fluke - but they’d change their minds a couple of years later. In the weeks leading up to D-Day in 1944, the crosswords in The Daily Telegraph contained a number of codewords for the planned invasion, including ‘Neptune’ and ‘Mulberry’; the

landing beaches ‘Gold’, ‘Sword’, ‘Utah,’ and ‘Omaha’; and finally ‘Overlord’ - the codeword for the entire operation. Needless to say the authorities were somewhat alarmed, and their enquiries led them to a school in Surrey whose 54-year-old headmaster Leonard Dawe actually compiled the crosswords for the newspaper. He was arrested and questioned over a number of days but the agents eventually decided it was total coincidence. However, what Dawe finally admitted in the late 1950s was that to save time he’d often give his pupils blank crossword grids and ask them to fill them with random words - so all he had to do was write the accompanying clues. There was a large camp of US and Canadian soldiers next to the school, and his pupils enjoyed chatting to them, and it’s thought the young boys had written down some of the strange words they’d overheard - and then put them in the crosswords. However, it seems highly unlikely that the soldiers the schoolboys were mixing with would be privy to the actual codenames, so the whole thing is still a bit of a mystery. Another coincidence is that just as I was contemplating some more crossword-related oddities I received some rather cross words myself. “How can it possibly take you an entire afternoon to tidy up a shed?” asked a rather irritated Mrs Middleton, consigning the comics to the compost bin. I must admit that I didn’t have anything in the way of a reasonable answer. Just as well I didn’t start going through the box of 45rpm singles. KLmagazine March 2021

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