KL Magazine September 2020 by KL Magazine

ISSN 2044â&#x20AC;&#x201C;7965

ISSUE 118 SEPTEMBER 2020 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

HOME to the best brands in Norfolk

PARKER KNOLL DEVONSHIRE

At Aldiss, we have the largest choice of quality home furnishings in Norfolk with over 40,000 products to furnish your home from floor to ceiling, including the latest designs, styles from leading UK and international brands. Come along and take a look for yourself and enjoy the massive savings right across the store.

ALEXANDER & JAMES BLAKE

G PLAN SEATTLE

ERCOL TERAMO

ERCOL CONSENZA

DAYLESFORD DINING COLLECTION

ERCOL ROMANA

Fakenham

Norwich

Online

Oxborough Lane, Fakenham, NR21 8AF

Hall Road Retail Park, Norwich, NR4 6DH

www.aldiss.com Shop Online 24/7

01328 862381

01603 272100

Unless otherwise stated, footstools, headboards and accessories are extra. All major credit cards accepted. All offers subject to availability. E&OE. Due to limitations in the printing process, actual colours may vary from those shown. Prices correct at time of going to print. Intervening prices may have applied. See in-store ticketing for details. Details correct at time of going to print.

welcome

hen we interviewed Executive Head Teacher of the West Norfolk Academies Trust this month (see page 28 for more details), Andrew Johnson made a point of saying that it was time to stop focusing on what we can’t do - and start looking at what we can do. And we couldn’t agree more. For starters, we can enjoy the natural wonders of Dersginham Bog, we can stroll through a slice of local history at the Guannock Gate in King’s Lynn, and we can experience the work of one of the most famous artists in the world today - in one of the country’s grandest settings. And you’ll find all of them featured in this months’s magazine.

COVER IMAGE

We can also celebrate the outstanding work of local people, from the groundbreaking discoveries of Victorian botanist John Lindley to the contemporary artwork of Neil Bousfield - and let’s not forget the efforts of our unsung heroes, whether they’re volunteering for charities such as West Norfolk Befriending or dedicating themselves to the public sector at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. And while we’re on the subject of people, don’t miss this month’s quiz on page 24 - which concentrates on some of the county’s more famous names (past and present) and proves there’s a lot more to Norfolk celebrities than Horatio Nelson! Along with everbody else KL magazine is currently embarking on a new journey, and it’s one full of exciting ideas and

developments. Friends of KL magazine already know what we have planned for the next few months, but you can get a flavour of what’s happening on page 10. If you haven’t yet registered to be one of our friends (this community of loyal readers is approaching the 2,000 mark) I’d recommend you take the opportunity to do so now. You’ll be the first to hear our latest news, you’ll have a real influence on the magazine itself, and you can be sure of being among the first to pick up your copy of the latest issue!

Eric Secker EDITOR KL magazine

Blakeney Harbour by Ian Ward

KLmagazine September 2020

contents

6 10 14 20

KLmagazine September 2020

THE ART OF THE AMAZING Anish Kapoor at Houghton Hall FRIENDS OF KL MAGAZINE Keep in touch with your magazine A WALK THROUGH HISTORY The history of the Guannock Gate A CHURCH OF MANY WONDERS Exploring St John’s at Oxborough

24 28 34

THE KL MAGAZINE QUIZ Famous people and fascinating facts

40 46 51

A TRUE WILDERNESS Exploring the beauty of Dersginham Bog

LESSONS FOR THE FUTURE... With the West Norfolk Academies Trust SAVING LIVES AND GIVING HOPE The QE Hospital in King’s Lynn

GREEN-FINGERED GENIUS The life and work of John Lindley YOU AND YOUR PETS With London Road Veterinary Centre

SEPTEMBER 2020

52 58 66 78 88 94 100 106 110 114

SEPTEMBER IN THE GARDEN Expert advice with Wendy Warner FASHION Time for the new season’s collections BORN IN LEEDS, MADE IN SNETTY Focus on a local fashion brand FOOD & DRINK Making the most of our local food SAILING THE WASH... Opening up our local waterways WINDOW ON THE WORLD A history in stained glass (PARA)NORMAL FOR NORFOLK Some of our oddest local legends A FRIEND IN NEED... The work of West Norfolk Befriending NEIL BOUSFIELD A profile of the local artist MICHAEL MIDDLETON On the true value of the garden shed

ABOVE: Some of the highlights of the Anish Kapoor exhibition at Houghton Hall include Sky Mirror and Eight Eight (top), and a series of works completed between 2018-19 (above) that offer a thought-provoking contrast to their setting. All works courtesy the artist and Lisson Gallery ÂŠ Anish Kapoor. All rights reserved DACS, 2020. Photos by Pete Huggins.

KLmagazine September 2020

Where abstract art meets local heritage... The juxtaposition of contemporary art with one of Britain’s finest stately homes makes a suitably grand impression - and the work of Anish Kapoor is perfectly suited to the beauty of Houghton Hall

nish Kapoor is one of the most influential sculptors of his generation. The British artist won the Turner Prize in 1991, was the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, and was featured in the ‘cultural icons’ section of the newly designed British passport in 2015. He created the famous ‘rollercoaster’ permanent sculpture in London’s

KLmagazine September 2020

Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympics, designed the statuette for the 2018 Brit Awards, and the country’s biggest-ever outdoor exhibition of his work is now taking place across the grounds and in historic interiors of Houghton Hall. Originally planned to open in March, the groundbreaking exhibition had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now revised government guidelines and a number of measures including pre-booked tickets have

enabled visitors to experience the incredible works of art safely at Houghton Hall. The exhibition features 24 sculptures as well as a selection of drawings and smaller works representative of Kapoor’s pioneering body of work that’s been created over the past 40 years. Presented together the works challenge the classical architecture of the house and the idyllic beauty of the grounds, whilst being in continuous dialogue and

ABOVE: The grandeur of Houghton Hall offers a magnificent setting for the work of celebrated artist Anish Kapoor (below). Works courtesy the artist and Lisson Gallery © Anish Kapoor. All rights reserved DACS, 2020 Photos by Pete Huggins

engagement with Houghton’s history. Kapoor is well known for creating ambitious public sculptures that are adventurous in terms of both form and engineering - and employ very different scales and materials. The exhibition has been curated by Mario Codognato, who’s been the chief curator of the museum of contemporary art (MADRE) in Naples since its foundation in 2005 and has been the director of the Anish Kapoor Foundation since 2016. It features some of Kapoor’s major works in mirror and stone, including the famous Sky Mirror (2018) – a 5-metre diameter mirror of stainless steel that reflects and transforms the space around it, turning the world upside down. It’s a work that’s perfect to sit under Norfolk’s enormous open skies. In addition to a series of carved 8

marble sculptures created in 2001-03 displayed across the grounds, a number of important works are also being shown inside Houghton Hall, including a series of dramatic sandstone sculptures in the gallery spaces. “Anish Kapoor is a magician, and his elegant and reflective pieces throw back the world in many mysterious ways,” says Lord Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton. “We’re proud to have the opportunity to present an important group of Anish Kapoor’s work at Houghton, and are delighted to be able to welcome visitors once again.” Houghton Hall was originally built by Sir Robert Walpole, Great Britain’s first Prime Minister in around 1722. Designed by prominent Georgian architects Colen Campbell and James Gibbs, it’s one of the country’s finest examples of Palladian architecture. Houghton and its estate passed to the Cholmondeley family at the end of the 18th Century and remains a

family home. The house and awardwinning gardens have been open to the public since 1976. The exhibition is presented by the Houghton Arts Foundation (HAF) which is continuing to build a collection of outstanding contemporary art in the grounds of Houghton Hall, including a number of site-specific commissions. With links to colleges and public institutions across the region, the aim of the HAF is for Houghton to become a focus for those who wish to see the great art of our time in a historic setting. The current exhibition follows a tradition of landmark shows that have showcased the work of such important as James Turrell (2015), Richard Long (2017), Damien Hirst (2018) and Henry Moore (2019). It’s long been celebrated as a work of sublime architecture and a historically important building, but Houghton Hall is also now gaining an international reputation for supporting and promoting some of the most significant artists in the world. The Anish Kapoor exhibition at Houghton Hall runs until 1st November. For the latest details regarding opening times and the availability of pre-booked tickets, please see www.houghtonhall.com

KLmagazine September 2020

KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • TILES • BEDROOMS • PLUMBING SUPPLIES

OUR SHOWROOM

is exclusively yours

Putting our customers first for over 30 years If you’re looking for a new kitchen, bathroom or home office you’ll feel at home at the Quay Centre, with a vast showroom set on two floors. Our unique set-up means you can relax and browse over 40 displays - and we’ve introduced several social distancing measure to ensure you stay safe. We’re also offering virtual appointments if you’d like a contact-free tour of our showroom. For more details, and to book your showroom consultation please visit our website, see our Facebook page or give us a call using the details below.

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

Support your magazine and become our friend! After 10 years KL magazine is now looking to the future with new ideas, new publications, new products - and a brand new website...

rom the very first issue, KL magazine has brought you fascinating features, incredible photography and has showcased the very best that Norfolk has to offer - and we’ve delivered that to you entirely for free. As you might imagine, that was quite a challenge at the best of times - but the last few months have impacted us like many others and has seen some disruption to your monthly magazine. Moving forward we’re launching exciting new products further showcasing our phenomenal local photography, including an exclusive 2021 calendar, a set of Christmas cards featuring Norfolk at its festive best, and the chance to order and frame your 10

favourite photographs from the last 10 years of KL magazine - plus more highly sought-after special editions. As much as we’d love to, we’re unable to produce all this for free and there will inevitably be some cost attached to these products. But we think you’ll agree it’s a price worth paying - because every time you purchase one of them you’ll be supporting the future of KL magazine and ensuring that editions of the regular magazine remain free to our thousands of readers. We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Dining Out in Norfolk special edition which will be published on October 1st and like the hugelypopular earlier editions will be featuring

the very best restaurants, pubs, cafes and tearooms in the area - together with exclusive recipes and top tips from the area’s most talented chefs, and a look at some our best local producers and suppliers. From Michelin-star chefs to traditional village pubs and quirky little gems, it’s a comprehensive and muchtrusted guide to the wonderful food offering the area has to offer - and it focuses on an industry that’s been hit particularly hard over the last few months. We all need to support it. Available for only £4.95, this very special edition won’t be available from our usual distribution points, so to make sure of getting your copy you can either order from our new website KLmagazine September 2020

2020 never appear in print (though several at www.klmagazine.co.uk or visit our of our friends said it definitely should team at our offices on the Tuesday be featured in the magazine!), a special Market Place in King’s Lynn - as always behind-the-scenes video to meet we’ll be very happy to see you! the KL magazine team, and a special And due to (very) popular demand competition to win a £1,000 day bed we’ll soon be publishing a calendar from Setchey-based Norfolk Leisure. for 2021 featuring a suitably stunning Congratulations to Anna Denny and appropriate photograph for each (below), who lives near Downham month of the year - in addition to a set Market and now has an even more of special Christmas cards featuring luxurious way of reading KL magazine. Norfolk in the snow. Of course, the support of our friends It’s a great way to bring KL magazine has been crucial in helping produce into your home, and sharing the your free magazine - and we’d love beauty of Norfolk with your friends and more of you to join our growing relatives - wherever they live! community of loyal readers. In fact, our amazing photography From the very first issue this has is one of the magazine’s greatest always been your magazine, and strengths - and we constantly receive Friends of KL magazine is your requests for prints of particularly striking photos. You’ll be pleased to learn that we’ve also now launched an online photo gallery - from which you can order prints of your favourite photographs in a range of sizes ready to frame. As you can imagine, these f are very exciting times at KL Friends o e in z magazine - although to all the KL maga Friends of KL magazine this is rather old news. Because they heard it first. Our community of loyal readers is now approaching the 2,000 mark, and having a direct line of communication with them has been invaluable. They’ve been the first people to learn all about our new ideas - in fact they’ve had direct input into these exciting developments. They’re also the first people to learn of when the latest issue of KL magazine is available and where they can be assured of picking up their copy. Over the last few weeks they’ve been treated to exclusive content that will

opportunity to have a real say in its development, its content and its future. To become a Friend of KL magazine, please go to www.klmagazine.co.uk and complete the online form - we’re looking forward to welcoming you to the community!

WINNER

KLmagazine September 2020

N O W SC RE EN IN G

WELCOME BACK! We’re so pleased to welcome you back to the Light cinema, please visit our website to see our full calendar of showings and to keep up to date with our latest news. COVID-19 To make sure we’re Covid-Secure we’ve introduced a range of measures to ensure the safety of our guests and teams. Please visit our website or get in touch to find out more. The Light cinema is officially open as of 21st August, subject to government guidelines.

An action epic revolving around international espionage, time travel and evolution. Directed by Christopher Nolan, starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson

Please pre-book your tickets by calling our Box Office on 01945 640000 or visit our website www.wisbech.lightcinemas.co.uk Light Cinema, Cromwell Road, Wisbech PE14 0RG

KLmagazine September 2020

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

Keep your home safe, keep your motorhome safer... Even though lockdown is easing, we’re preferring to enjoy ‘stay’cations rather than foreign holidays - but it still pays to be fully protected

ow lockdown is easing you can enjoy the rest of summer 2020 with a great British staycation in your motorhome or campervan. But just as you wouldn’t want to leave your home unprotected, you should ensure your motorhome has the right protection in place too. That’s where King’s Lynn’s specialist insurance provider Adrian Flux comes in so handy. Adrian Flux provides insurance for all makes and models of motor caravan, motorhome and campervans, including special deals for VW campers and modern motorhomes, even top-spec American fifth wheeler RVs. When you set out on your motorhome holiday you will want to take one or two extras along to make the most of your summer home from home. Gas bottles, generators and awnings are covered as standard on motorhome policies and different levels of cover are available for other items across the different schemes.

You can get extra cover with an add on for personal possessions and sports equipment. Gadget cover is also available for ipads and other technology. And if your motorhome trip is a once a year adventure, you may be able to save money by taking a limited mileage deal - that could pay for ice cream and treats during your entire trip away! It’s also worth bearing in mind, once we get the green light for crossChannel holidays, all policies include a free green card for European travel, with some schemes allowing trips of up to 365 days at a time. You may also qualify for a discount of up to 15% if you belong to a recognised forum or owners club. Whether you bought your motorhome as a practical way to take a holiday or simply to have fun weekends in, Adrian Flux understands the key features that camper owners need from a motor home insurance policy.

THAT’S WHY COVER CAN INCLUDE: • Agreed value cover - many insurers will only pay out the “market value” of a motorhome in the event of a total loss - absolutely gutting if you’ve spent thousands keeping it in mint condition. • Specialist schemes - covering American and high-end European models such as Burstner, Winnebago, Lord Munsterland, Roma, Adria, Hobby and Hymer. If you have a specialist model, please give us a call. • Modified/converted cover - Adrian Flux can provide like-for-like cover for all your modifications. Converted and self-converted vans minibuses and coaches can be covered too. The best deals with motorhome and campervan insurance experts Adrian Flux are only available over the phone and cannot be found on price comparison sites. Call 01553 400399 for a quote.

TEL: 01553 400399 | EMAIL: contact-us@adrianflux.co.uk WEB: www.adrianflux.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

EDQ 13

Walking through a gateway to the past... Today it’s an ornamental feature in one of the area’s most important public spaces, but there was a time when the Guannock Gate in King’s Lynn protected the town from an army of almost 20,000 soldiers

he 17-hectacres of parkland known as The Walks may be one of the least appreciated features of the heritage of King’s Lynn. Although its origins can be traced all the way back to 1686, The Walks is largely a creation of the 19th century - a time when it became popular to create green open spaces on the edges of towns to help people escape from the inevitable dirt, grime, smells and noise resulting from the enormous impact of industrialisation. Today, The Walks in King’s Lynn is one of the only examples of these carefully-planned public spaces left in the entire country. The leafy avenues, generously planted with horse chestnut, lime and plane trees between 1843 and 1906 form the basic framework of the landscape - and to date no other public space has been found which contains avenues spanning the date range of those in King’s Lynn. In 1998 The Walks was designated a Grade II listed landscape by English Heritage, and nine years later a £4.3 million restoration project returned it to its former glory - and brought it up to date with modern amenities such as toilets, a refreshments kiosk and a multi-use games area. One of the most famous features of The Walks is the 15th century Red Mount Chapel, a totally unique structure whose importance is reflected in its status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I listed building - but that’s not the parkland’s only historic attraction. A short 360ft walk from the Red

Mount Chapel will take you to the point where the Red Mount Walk and Broad Walk footpaths meet, and here you’ll find the remains of the North Guannock Gate. Strengthened and romanticised in the 1800s, it was constructed from brick, carstone and ashlar in the 13th century and the three arrow slit niches to the crenellated walls on either side of it give a clue to its original purpose. For this picturesque feature of The Walks in King’s Lynn is one of the very last remaining parts of the town’s defences. Its name has nothing to do with the excrement of seabirds - the word ‘guannock’ (also frequently written as ‘guanock’ and ‘gannock’) was an old local word meaning ‘beacon’ and which invariably referred to a raised bank - for example, the mound on which the Red Mount Chapel sits was once known as Guanock Hill. Although only the main gates and short sections of wall were made of stone (the remainder largely comprised earth banks and ditches) the defences of King’s Lynn stretched for the best part of three miles - all the way from north of the Fisher Fleet to Whitefriars, taking in the Guannock Gate and imposing South Gate on the way. And they were actually called into action during the 17th century during the English Civil War, when the Royalist town and port was blockaded by Parliamentarian soldiers in the summer of 1643. One of the country’s most important ports and with a road running

straight down to London, King’s Lynn was of great strategic importance - and when its governor Hamon LeStrange declared the town’s support for the king, King’s Lynn was soon surrounded by Oliver Cromwell, the Earl of Manchester and 18,000 soldiers. Lack of supplies caused the now beseiged King’s Lynn to surrender after only three weeks, but the town’s defences were never breached indeed, the victorious Parliamentarians later improved them and made King’s Lynn the strongest fortress in the region. With the ending of hostilities, the superfluous defences of King’s Lynn began to decay over the years, and most of them were removed or flattened in the 19th century to make way for increasing traffic, growing urban development, and the construction of the town’s railway line. In 1803 even the Guannock Gate was demolished, although it was saved and re-erected 13 years later as an ornamental feature of The Walks. Thousands of people pass through the Guannock Gate every year - on their way to and from work, with their dogs, on their daily run, or as part of a leisurely walk - but few stop to consider the part it played in the history of King’s Lynn.

KLmagazine September 2020

DURING LOCKDOWN HAS YOUR MOT

Beat the MOT rush!

Many things were put on hold during lockdown, and one of them was MOTs. Incredibly, almost 60% of drivers whose MOT was due between March and July 31st (when the government’s extension ended) didn’t have their cars tested, and the DVSA now expects demand for MOTs to at least double over the next three months!

We’re ready to test your car now and get you safely back on the road Book your MOT with us today

King’s Lynn: 01553 763763 Hunstanton: 01485 533786 Our garages are operating to COVID-19 safety guidelines to help keep customers and staff safe

Auto Repairs

www.kbrownautoskingslynn.co.uk

King’s Lynn: Unit B Simon Scotland Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate PE30 4JF Hunstanton: 12 King’s Lynn Road, Hunstanton PE36 5HP

LED LIGHTING • LIGHT FITTINGS • ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

WE ARE NOW OPEN!

Please call us on 01328 855028 to find out our current opening times

THE LIGHTING SPECIALISTS A family-run business with over 60 years experience in the supply of light bulbs and lighting to homes and businesses. Get in touch or visit our store to find out more...

est 1958

OLIVER LAMPS

Visit our website: www.oliverlamps.com For quick delivery on hundreds of quality lights and fixtures A 26/28 Oak Street, Fakenham NR21 9DY E sales@oliverlamps.com

Simply beautiful floors that you’ll love for a lifetime...

Image reproduced by permission of

KLmagazine September 2020

Ben Allen Managing Director

Michael Crisp Director

Local, independent & expert financial advice All you need to know about making the most of your money with your chartered independent financial advisers Allen Tomas & Co IDENTIFY YOUR PLANNING AREAS Our financial solutions relate to most areas of our lives, and it’s important to prioritise them. We specialise in savings and investments, pensions, mortgages, inheritance tax, care fees planning and financial protection. Are your current financial requirements being met? WHY IS PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT ADVICE SO IMPORTANT? Being independent enables us to consider and recommend from the whole of the market in order to meet your specific needs and objectives. There are many ways of solving financial requirements and each area inevitably affects the other - that’s why we like to take a ‘holistic’ approach to financial planning, making your life easier and saving you time, stress and money. The costs of many financial products are never particularly clear,

and hidden charges are notoriously difficult to spot - and the benefits of avoiding mistakes can be huge. A professional independent adviser will also be aware of the regulations covering financial planning - which are there to protect you and your money. WHEN DO YOU NEED INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL OR MORTGAGE ADVICE? To be perfectly honest, it’s probably more accurate to ask if there’s any time you DON’T need professional and independent advice. You might be inheriting money or planning to pass money on to family or friends. You may be planning for owners or staff within the business or going through a divorce. You could be approaching retirement, selling a business, looking to purchase, re-mortgage or build a property. Or you may be experiencing a combination of these.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU MEET YOUR ADVISER... Your initial meeting is at our expense and without any obligation on your part. We’ll gather all necessary financial information, determine your objectives then after engagement research and identify the most suitable options for your next adviser meeting. WHAT IS THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS? Please visit our website and complete the contact form or call us and make an appointment with one of our Independent Advisers - which can be arranged at your convenience on a face-to-face basis, by video call, or by telephone.

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 September 2020

The unique wonders of Oxboroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church... Almost destroyed during a storm 170 years ago, the greatest treasures in the church of St John the Evangelist at Oxborough were saved - and continue to be enjoyed by visitors from all over the world

ABOVE: The church of St John at Oxborough was never rebuilt after the catastrophic storm of 1948, but it still contains some truly amazing and historically-important treasures

ost people visit the charming village of Oxborough (a few miles southeast of Swaffham) to see the magnificence that is Oxburgh Hall - one of the most romantic of all National Trust properties, with the country’s most outstanding 15th century gatehouse and a series of astonishing needlework hangings created by Mary, Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick. And on their way out of the village most people casually drive past the half-ruined church of St John the Evangelist without giving it a second glance - despite the fact it contains historic treasures just as fascinating and just as important as those on display at Oxburgh Hall.

And the reason for their apparent lack of interest is undoubtedly because a large part of the church is missing. In 1831, the Topographical Dictionary of England described St John’s as “a spacious structure of flint and stone in the later English style, with a square embattled tower surmounted by a lofty spire” - a spire that (at 150ft) was one of the tallest in Norfolk. But all of that would change some 17 years later. Struck by lightning at least twice since it was built, the entire tower and “lofty spire” of Oxborough’s church were so weak that a ferocious April gale in 1948 brought the whole thing crashing down and most of the church was destroyed, never to be rebuilt. All that remains today is the area around the altar and the north aisle which is open to the side - although it means the church has a decidedly romantic atmosphere. It’s almost like a peaceful, private garden set in and overlooked by religious ruins. By some miracle, the catastrophe of 1948 spared the church’s greatest wonder - the Bedingfeld Chapel, which had been added to the church some 450 years previously and contains some of the finest tombs in Britain. Around 15 years after Oxburgh Hall had been completed as his family home (despite the moat and the fortifications, it was always intended to be a family home) Edmund Bedingfeld died - and one of his last requests was that he be buried in a new family chapel at St John’s. His wife Margaret left plenty of money for its construction in her own will, and her tomb was the first to be completed. And it’s arguably the more

impressive of the two. The Bedingfelds’ magnificent tombs are made from terracotta, and are widely accepted as the best examples in the country - no other church contains such an extensive (or elaborate) use of the material. Margaret’s tomb is so actually grand that it includes an archway allowing people to access the east end of the chapel. The craftsmanship is exquisite and the detail is incredible - and if you look closely enough you can even still see the fingerprints of the Italian sculptor who worked the clay more than four centuries ago. That’s not the end to St John’s wonders, however. Don’t miss the 6-foot brass ‘Peter’s Pence’ lectern topped by an eagle - over 500 years old, it’s an extremely rare example that still features slots in which parishoners could place their annual ‘Peter’s Pence’ tax. There are some beautiful fragments of 15th-century stained glass in the east window, and before you leave it’s worth looking behind the pulpit for the memorial to Charles Perkin - who was rector of Oxborough and completed the second half of Francis Blomefield’s masterful History of Norfolk after the latter’s death in 1752. It may not have the visual appeal or the architectural beauty of the nearby hall, but the remains of Oxborough’s church and its unique contents have a special magic all of their own. For more images of Oxborough’s fascinating church, please visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

Y c w o

Enjoy your conservatory all year round

Is your conservatory too HOT in summer and too COLD in winter? Your local professional in Conservatory Roof Replacement can help. Specialists in erection of new conservatories with over 30 years experience...

Are you looking for a quick, easy and cost-effective solution? HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF A LEKA ROOF... Your new conservatory roof will look fantastic on the INSIDE too!

• 40 YEAR WARRANTY provided by Leka Systems • Helps to regulate temperature throughout the year • No aluminium to cause cold bridging (or to condensate or sweat) • Quick installation by craftsmen with years experience

We can provide an in-expensive solid roof solution for ANY DESIGN ROOF

• 10 years insurance backed guarantee from Homepro • Reduces noise by at least 90% • Velux Windows to retain internal light • Building regs covered by JHAI BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Contact DAVID MAYNARD to ﬁnd out more - the only registered installer in the area! 01553 602088 | sales@lynnframe.co.uk | www.lynnframe.co.uk

IMAGE: WWW.QUEENONLINE.COM

How well do you know Norfolk’s famous people? Norfolk has been the birthplace of extraordinary people in virtually all walks of life from politics and war to arts and sports - and this fun quiz will help test your knowledge of them... 1 Henry Blofeld was born in Hoveton in 1939 and his voice is famous around the world. Why? a. He’s an opera singer b. He’s a cricket commentator c. He’s a newsreader d. He’s a celebrity chef 2 Cromer’s Henry Blogg is still the RNLI’s most decorated lifeboatman, but which of the following did he NOT receive? a. The George Cross b. The RNLI Gold Medal c. The British Empire Medal d. The Victoria Cross 3 Which famous Formula One driver and winner of the 1990 Le Mans 24 Hour race was born in Pott Row (near Grimston) in 1959?

a. Lewis Hamilton b. Ayrton Senna c. Niki Lauda d. Martin Brundle 4 Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman was born in Norwich in 1974. Which of these queens has she NOT portrayed on screen? a. Queen Marie Antoinette b. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother c. Queen Elizabeth II d. Queen Anne 5 Singer/songwriter Cathy Dennis was born in Norwich in 1969 and eight of her songs have reached No.1 in the UK. Which of the following did she NOT write? a. Can’t Get You Out of My Head (Kylie) b. Toxic (Britney Spears) c. Ray of Light (Madonna)

d. I Kissed a Girl (Katy Perry) 6 Sir James Dyson was born in Cromer in 1947, but which of the following did he NOT invent? a. The Dual Cyclone vacuum cleaner b. The ContraRotator washing machine c. The Predator mousetrap d. The Airblade hand dryer 7 William Darby (better known as Pablo Fanque) was born in Norwich in 1810 and became Britain’s first nonwhite owner of what? a. A restaurant b. A circus c. A shoe shop d. A football club 8 Sir Matthew Clive Pinsent CBE was born in Holt and won ten World Championships and four consecutive KLmagazine September 2020

9 George Vancouver was born in King’s Lynn in 1757 - which is of the following is NOT named after him? a. Vancouver, BC (Canada) b. Mount Vancouver, New Zealand c. Vancouver, WA (USA) d. Vancouviere, France 10 Which member of the rock group Queen was born at the West Norfolk & Lynn Hospital in King’s Lynn in 1949? a. Brian May (guitar) b. Freddie Mercury (vocals) c. Roger Taylor (drums) d. John Deacon (bass) 11 Born in Great Yarmouth in 1820, Anna Sewell’s only book was the first English novel to be written from a non-human perspective - so what ‘tells’ the story? a. A dog b. A horse c. A cat d. A spider 12 Norwich-born author Philip Pullman has been described as one of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945. Which of these is NOT part of his famous His Dark Materials trilogy? a. The Fellowship of the Ring b. Northern Lights c. The Subtle Knife d. The Amber Spyglass 13 Robert Walpole became Britain’s first Prime Minister and build Houghton Hall - but where was he born? a. Houghton b. King’s Lynn c. Great Massingham d. Holt

14 In 1964 a statue of political activist and revolutionary Thomas Paine was unveiled in Thetford, where he was born in 1737. What is the statue holding in its right hand? a. A sword b. A map of Thetford c. A quill pen d. An apple

IMAGE: WWW.QUEENONLINE.COM

Olympic gold medals in which sport? a. Rowing b. Fencing c. Diving d. Table Tennis

15 Hannah Spearritt was born in Great Yarmouth in 1981 and was a member of which pop group? a. The Spice Girls b. The Pussycat Dolls c. Bananarama d. S Club 7 16 Which of these European kings was born at Appleton House on the Sandringham estate in 1903? a. Napoleon III of France b. Olav V of Norway c. Christian X of Iceland d. Peter II of Yugoslavia 17 Born in North Elmham in 1908, Sir John Mills starred in more than 120 films during a 70-year career. Which of this did he NOT appear in? a. Ryan’s Daughter (1970) b. Ice Cold in Alex (1958) c. The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (1966) d. Great Expectations (1946) 18 Horatio Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe in 1758. Which of these battles did he NOT take part in? a. Battle of the Little Bighorn b. Battle of Trafalgar c. Battle of the Nile d. Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 19 Born in Norwich in 1977, Danny Mills went to Korea and Japan in 2002 to represent his country playing which sport? a. Hockey b. Tennis c. Darts d. Football 20 The writer Henry Rider Haggard was born at Bradenham in 1856, but which of these books did he NOT write? a. She b. Treasure Island c. King Solomon’s Mines d. Ayesha: The Return of She

d. When she married Prince Charles (1981) 22 Social reformer Elizabeth Fry was born in Norwich in 1780 and was a frequent visitor to her family at Bank House in King’s Lynn. From 2001-16 she appeared on the reverse of which English banknote? a. £1 b. £5 c. £20 d. £50 23 Which Hingham-born weaver emigrated to America in 1637, where his 4th great-grandson became one of the country’s most famous Presidents? a. William Washington b. Charles Nixon c. Samuel Lincoln d. Edward Trump ANSWERS All Friends of KL magazine will be receiving the answers in the next few weeks, so if you haven’t joined yet please register on our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk for free or call our team on 01553 601201

21 Born on the Sandringham estate in 1961, when did Diana Spencer become the Princess of Wales? a. When she finished school (1977) b. When Prince William was born (1982) c. When Prince Harry was born (1984)

KLmagazine September 2020

F IRE PLA CE S | STOVES | G R ANITE WOR KTOP S

CUSTOM-CUT GRANITE & QUARTZ Cut out the middleman and go direct to the source

STOVES & FIREPLACES Solid Fuel, Multi-Fuel, Gas and Electric Stoves

Visit the LARGEST fireplace & stove showroom in King’s Lynn Call or visit us in store to find out more information Austin Fields, King’s Lynn, PE30 1PH | Tel: 01553 772564 Web: www.krfireplaces.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

Daikin integrated boiler & hot water cylinder

Air Source Heating: why choose the 4 Way Group?

The energy and cost-saving benefits of the latest air source heating systems and the professional expertise of the 4 Way Group

n July’s budget, the UK Government unveiled a £3 billion energy efficiency plan for homes and public buildings, listing air source heating systems as one of the measures to make our buildings greener. It’s the heating system of the future, and for architects, property developers and self builders the 4 Way Group in King’s Lynn is your obvious choice for a number of reasons. EXPERIENCE: The 4 Way Group is a totally independent company which has been serving the air source heat pump market for over 10 years and specialises in the design and installation of bespoke heating systems for a huge range of customers across East Anglia. SERVICE: Both residential and commercial customers need a 24/7 service every day of the year, and the 4 Way Group’s engineering service team offers a truly dedicated service through

a wealth of knowledge and experience, technical expertise and product training. QUALITY: The 4 Way Group’s designers use only the highest quality Daikin equipment which are among the highest-performing currently available. They’re fully stocked in the UK as well, allowing the 4 Way Group to offer a quick turnaround from order to installation. STANDARDS: The 4 Way Group is at the forefront of the industry, ensuring every single project is certified to current F-Gas regulations. This gives all customers total peace of mind that the equipment is installed to the very highest possible standards. REPUTATION: 90% of the 4 Way Group’s business either comes from repeat orders from local builders or through “word of mouth”

recommendations from satisfied “self build” customers. SUPERIOR DESIGN: All the 4 Way Group’s systems are carefully designed to provide reliable and efficient operation using Daikin’s latest energyreducing technologies and easy-to-use end user controls. Each system is designed individually ensuring the property or premises experiences no shortfall in capacity during extremely cold weather. This should always be taken into consideration when projects are out for competitive tender. PEACE OF MIND: The 4 Way Group offers a true ‘conception to completion’ service and will be with you every step of the way. The 4 Way Group’s contract manager oversees the entire works, giving you a single point of contact throughout the installation and beyond. Contact us now for more details and a free quotation using the details below.

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

KLmagazine September 2020

- Andrew Johnson, Executive Headteacher West Norfolk Academies Trust

“

We’ve retained each school’s identity and ethos - which is important to the staff, the students, and their parents...

A bright new look for a brave new world As the West Norfolk Academies Trust welcomes students back for a new school year, Smithdon High School in Hunstanton is the perfect example of the trust’s forward thinking and optimistic outlook...

t’s like a breath of fresh air. While the rest of the country (if not the world) tends towards the pessimistic, the West Norfolk Academies Trust (WNAT) is refreshingly optimistic and is remaining true to its core values. Now approaching its 10th anniversary, this collective of four local high schools, five primary schools, a junior and infant school continues to go above and beyond in providing a truly excellent education for the young people of West Norfolk. “The trust has always been about supporting local schools and challenging them to raise the bar,” says Executive Headteacher Andrew Johnson. “Through economies of scale KLmagazine September 2020

and shared resources we’ve achieved some truly incredible results to date - and we’ve managed to retain each school’s unique identity and ethos which is really important to the staff, the students, and their parents.” It’s music to any parent’s ears, which is particularly appropriate as the WNAT strengthens its musical pedigree with the appointment of Rob Galliard as Trust Director of Primary Music. “We have a huge amount of musical talent here and the trust has employed new teachers for brass, strings, flute and clarinet,” he says. “The events of this year will probably prevent us having a Christmas concert, but we’ve been building a virtual orchestra and our performances will be shown via

John Hirst

Headteacher, Smithdon High School

YouTube - there are some real stars of the future here, and this will be a great time to catch them in their early years.” The forward-thinking ethos of the WNAT is never more evident than at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton. You’d have thought a school boasting world-famous architectural design would be tempted to rest on its laurels. “We already had a 21st century curriculum, and we’ve spent the summer bringing our facilities into the 21st century as well,” says John Hirst, who’s just completed his first year as Headteacher at Smithdon. “This has always been a fantastic school and I think it’s now one of the most exciting in the area. It has so much to offer students and we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved.” It’s hard to disagree with the Headteacher. Long established staff are being supported with new expertise and teaching talent and the school had been transformed. Significant refurbishment over the summer has seen Smithdon given a fresh new look, with a new floor in the sports hall, a new look for the hard play areas, and a complete makeover for the classrooms. Take the building formerly known rather impersonally as ‘Block C’ for example. It now has a distinct personality and all of its seven classrooms have been completely reimagined from top to bottom. There’s a new art gallery space, the food technology suite has been updated, and there are new pastoral and administrative offices. The project also uncovered a few surprises, particularly in the form of a photographic archive charting Smithdon’s rich history since it was constructed back in the late 1950s. “It was a wonderful reminder that schools are also places where lifetime

friendships and memories develop,” says John Hirst. “Smithdon has a very rich pedigree and that’s something we’ll be building on as we move into the future.” The school’s most recent OFSTED inspection made a note of “rapid improvements” and that was certainly something that struck North West Norfolk MP James Wild on his recent visit. “It was a real pleasure to visit Smithdon High School and see how much progress is being made here in an effort to help pupils reach their full potential,” he said. “Education is the key to opportunity, and the school’s ethos is all about giving young people more chances to learn and develop and to be successful - whether that’s academically or through a rich programme of extra-curricular activities.” Since parents were made legally responsible for the education of their children almost 150 years ago, our entire school system has undergone enormous changes - and it’s likely that 2020 will become another benchmark in the development of our education system. But while some people are focusing on the negative impact on the last school year, all twelve schools across the West Norfolk Academies Trust are The current refurbishment at Smithdon looking to the future. High School in Hunstanton is transforming one of the “For the last few months country’s true achitectural gems - and one of Norfolk’s all we’ve been hearing most forward-thinking schools about and reading

ABOVE: North West Norfolk MP James Wild, who praised the ethos of Smithdon High School on a recent visit

about is what we can’t do,” says Andrew Johnson. “As far as the trust is concerned, we’re more interested in what we can do - and over the last few years we’ve consistently shown that we can do a an awful lot.” As Smithdon High School welcomes a new generation of students and opens the doors on a new year, it’s full of enthusiasm and optimism. “The most important function of a school is to create better life chances and futures for its students,” says Headteacher John Hirst. “Parents naturally expect good results as standard, but at Smithdon - and across the trust as whole - we offer students a fully-rounded and deeply-enriching experience.”

Tel: 01553 773393 Web: www.westnorfolkacademiestrust.co.uk E-mail: office@westnorfolkacademiestrust.co.uk West Norfolk Academies Trust, Queensway, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4AW 30

KLmagazine September 2020

Windows Doors Conservatories Orangeries Roofline Guttering Fascias Flat roofing Garage doors Carports Porches Double, triple and secondary glazing

Call 01553 763164 for a free quotation Hereford Way, Hardwick Narrows, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4JD

www.westnorfolkglass.co.uk *Image used is for illustrative purposes only. Terms and conditions apply.

KLmagazine September 2020

Derma Vida COSMETIC & LASER CLINIC ANTI-AGEING

LASER

Wrinkle relaxing injections, JuvédermTM Filler Injections, Microdermabrasions

Hair Reduction, Acne, Thread Veins, Pigmentation, Age Spots, Fungal Nail & Verruca Treatment

& MORE Skin Tag Removal, Chemical Peels, Excessive Sweating Treatment

Wrinkle relaxing injections & filler treatments Carried out by Dr Deol

With 14 years of qualified experience in the GP setting of Dermatology, Derma Dr Leena Deol is passionate about helping her patients look and feel better.

Book a consultation at our Doctor-run clinic on 01553 696886

Gayton Road Health & Surgical Centre, King’s Lynn | info@dermavida.co.uk | www.dermavida.co.uk

CA 5 5 LL en cy 3 ca 7 70 llo ut se 6

erg

Wasps, bees & hornets nest treatments

PEST PROBLEMS?

rvi

ail

Leading pest control services in the UK targeting:

Maintaining kitchen hygiene standards

Moles • Mice & Rats • Fleas • Birds Bed Bugs • Bees & Wasps • Flies

COVID-19 cleaning e & disinfection servic Ridding gardens of pesky moles

Clearing farms of pests

Licensed & insured Safeguard customers & staff Out-of-hours service Highly trained technicians

MOLE CONTROL & PEST SERVICES

22 Hamburg Way, North Lynn Ind Est. King’s Lynn PE30 2ND www.moleandpestcontrol.com 32

KLmagazine September 2020

Breaking up is hard to do but is about to get easier... As the ‘no fault’ divorce becomes law, Hayes + Storr looks at a future where couples can divorce without having to assign blame

fter decades of campaigning by lawyers and family justice professionals the ‘no fault divorce’ is finally becoming law. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill ended its parliamentary journey in the middle of June and will soon come into force. It comes at a time when law firms such as our own have received significantly increased levels of divorce enquiries due to the pressures of the coronavirus lockdown, with the impact on some families becoming too much to bear. This important change in the law ends the requirement to find ‘fault’ in order to be granted a divorce, is being welcomed across the legal community. “At last couples will be able to divorce quickly without having to find fault with one another,” says Rob Colwell, Head of Family Services at Hayes + Storr. “The requirement for couples to apportion blame is so firmly established that it can permeate every aspect of a separation - with children inevitably

being drawn into the blame game. It’s hard to believe that fault-based divorce law has endured since the mid-19th century.” Under the new law, couples will no longer be required to find a ‘guilty party’ to end their marriage. Instead, a spouse or a couple can apply for a divorce by making a statement of irretrievable breakdown. A new minimum timeframe of six months from the initial application stage to the granting of a divorce will also be created, giving couples time to reflect and possibly change their minds. If reconciliation isn’t possible there’ll be enough time to agree practical arrangements, including how best to look after children. “Looking to the future, this new law should mean we’ll see an end to a lot of unnecessary conflict,” says Rob, “and a more civilised 21st century approach to separation.” Rob is a member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers committed to non-confrontational

divorce. Resolution has campaigned for over 30 years to end the requirement for couples to assign fault in order to be granted a divorce. At present, couples seeking a divorce in England and Wales must either spend a minimum of two years separated or one must blame the other for the marriage breakdown due to adultery or another form of unreasonable behaviour. Now the bill has received Royal Assent it has become an Act of Parliament which is likely to take effect within the next 12 months once changes to systems and procedures have been implemented. If you’d like to talk to our family law specialists, please contact Hayes + Storr using the details below and we’ll do everything we can to help you and your family.

ROB COLWELL Head of Family Services

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 September 2020

“

I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and the local community, who’ve given us so much support over the past few months they should all be rightly proud of themselves.

“

Steve Bar nett

- Professor Steve Barnett, Trust Chairman

Caroline Shaw Chief Executive

ABOVE: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn boasts first class facilities and the very latest technology - and is now looking to the future as it plans to create a brand new state-of-the-art Maternity Bereavement Suite

A brighter future for the new normal... As the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn begins to see the light of the tunnel caused by coronavirus, it reflects on the last few months and launches a new appeal for a new Maternity Bereavement Suite

t the start of July, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a special visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn to thank staff for their care and compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic - and to celebrate both the 72nd birthday of the NHS and the 40th birthday of the hospital itself. During their visit Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge spoke to Clinical Nurse Educator Sam Jude, who successfully battled coronavirus at the height of the pandemic, and Operating Department Practitioner Suzie Vaughan, who spent nine weeks away from her children - and whose emotional KLmagazine September 2020

video reunion with her two daughters became a social media phenomenon attracting more than 2.5 million views. During the first few months of the pandemic, staff across the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust (QEH) cared for more than 450 patients with COVID-19 and it’s a tribute to their work that 291 people who tested positive for the virus have since been discharged from QEH. From frontline Doctors and Nurses to support teams and administration staff, the whole QEH community worked tirelessly to provide safe care for patients at the hospital. It meant dividing the site into zones

to separate COVID patients from non-COVID patients, creating an additional Emergency Department, and introducing new ways of working and innovative technology - all in the name of keeping patients and staff as safe as possible. “The past few months have been incredibly challenging for everyone at QEH and for the wider NHS as we’ve responded to this global pandemic,” says Trust Chairman Professor Steve Barnett. “I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and the local community, who’ve given us so much support over the past few months - they should all be rightly proud of themselves. We 35

ABOVE: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn has around 500 beds, 28 wards, a workforce of almost 3,000 and serves a population of around 331,000 people in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. In addition to its seven main operating theatres (including two fully integrated endoscopic theatres) and a dedicated West Norfolk Breast Unit, the hospital is now looking to expand further with a new appeal

have an incredibly special relationship with the people of West Norfolk, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the way they’ve helped us through an unprecedented time.” As the Trust gradually returns to a new form of normality, it’s already looking to the future. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn was recently donated cutting-edge ultraviolet-C (UV-C) decontamination technology from King’s Lynn-based decontamination experts Inivos. Designed to decontaminate healthcare settings of pathogenic microorganisms including C.difficile, Staphylococcus aureus and the SARSCoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) 36

the Ultra-V™ system can safely decontaminate a space of potentiallydangerous microorganisms in less than an hour. “We are so grateful to Inivos for donating this incredible piece of kit to the QEH,” says Chief Nurse, Dr April Brown. “Working with this innovative equipment will support our domestic services teams to deep clean patient areas quicker, which will allow us to care for more patients.” Underlining the point that ‘care’ is at the heart of everything the Trust does, the QEH also recently launched the Maternity Bereavement Suite Appeal, aiming to create a facility for families who sadly lose their babies either during or shortly after birth. The campaign is incredibly important to the hospital and the wider community, ensuring families and loved ones are given a less clinical environment to say goodbye to their baby in. The project would mean a

redevelopment of an area currently attached to the Waterlily Birthing Unit in the hospital’s maternity space. Bereaved parents are currently cared for in a space where women can be heard labouring and celebrating the birth of their new-born. The new suite will be soundproofed and have a separate entrance from the main corridor, ensuring that families do not have to walk through the main maternity unit to access the space. The appeal aims to raise £185,000 to make the suite a reality - and you can donate by scanning the QR code opposite using your smartphone. You can keep up to date with the lastest news from the hospital and access a huge amount of helpful information at www.qehkl.nhs.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

Clive Dodds FCA Chairman of Directors

Business support in these challenging times... Clive Dodds FCA, Chairman of Directors at Stephenson Smart reflects on the impact of COVID-19 and looks at the financial support still available

he last six months have been an unprecedented time. Coronavirus has changed how we behave as individuals and businesses, and some of those changes may be for the long-term. At Stephenson Smart we’ve been busier than ever supporting our clients and helping them access the financial help available to them. In full lockdown, this happened remotely through telephone, e-mail and online meetings. However, as things ease it’s nice to meet with clients again - albeit at the appropriate distance and following guidelines! Significant financial support has been put in place to support individuals and businesses through the pandemic, and some of the schemes are still in place and open for application:

CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION SCHEME This has been the most allencompassing, varying and challenging of the schemes the government put in place. The act of paying the wages of over nine million people helped bolster the economy and prevent

mass unemployment at the start of the pandemic. The scheme is now winding down and ends on 31st October. However, to further try and save jobs, there’ll be a bonus one-off payment of £1,000 to UK employers for every furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021. Payments will be made in February 2021.

VAT At the start of the pandemic, businesses were able to defer VAT payments and this scheme has now closed. However, to support the struggling hospitality industry, VAT has been reduced from 20% to 5% on the supply of food and non-alcoholic drinks, accommodation and attractions until 12th January 2021. Some businesses are passing this saving onto their customers, but some are using it to help bolster their balance sheets.

year. Eligible properties are shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, cinemas, live music venues, sports clubs, gyms, spas, hotels, guest houses and selfcatering accommodation. All eligible businesses should by now have had the discount applied - so if you think your business is entitled to the relief but you haven’t had it, you need to contact your billing authority now. There’s much more information about all these schemes and other financial support on our website (see below) and we’re doing everything we can to help our clients (and other businesses in our communities) navigate this very challenging time. Keep safe and keep well,

- Clive Dodds

BUSINESS RATES Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors don’t have to pay business rates for the 2020-21 tax

KING’S LYNN 01553 774104 FAKENHAM 01328 863318 WISBECH 01945 463383 MARCH 01354 653026 DOWNHAM MARKET 01366 384121 GREAT YARMOUTH 01493 382500 www.stephenson-smart.com

KLmagazine September 2020

D E: CQ 37

SERVICING THE COMMU NITY FOR OVER

MOT TESTING STATION

A FRIENDLY FAMILY-RUN GARAGE FOR ALL MAKES & MODELS Servicing • Repairs • MOTs • Quality Used Cars • BMW Specialists • Petrol & Diesel Sales

Nursery Lane, North Wootton, King’s Lynn PE30 3QB | 01553 673000 | www.roythorneandson.co.uk | sales@roythorneandson.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

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

Redundancy and outplacement support As we return to the “new normal” many businesses are facing reduced demand for their goods and services and as the government’s furlough scheme ends, some employers will need to make tough decisions...

oronavirus and threat of redundancy ACAS have recently updated their guidance on managing staff redundancies, however redundancy legislation and regulations remain complex. Employers must follow the correct procedure. Firms that misunderstand the law or don’t adhere to the correct procedure may be liable for claims of unfair dismissal. Employment Tribunal awards are potentially costly, always time consuming, and outcomes can be damaging to a firm’s reputation. The compensatory award for

unfair dismissal is currently capped at £88,519. Two key components often missed by businesses and some advisors are: 1. The requirement to consult staff 2. The development of a robust redundancy selection criteria to ensure fair redundancy selection. Human Capital Department have been working with businesses locally to make sure they get this process right Mitigating Employment Tribunal Claims & Minimising Reputational Damage. Human Capital Department also offer “Outplacement” services to firms – to support to people facing redundancy including; careers advice, help with rewriting CVs, job search, and coaching

on interview technique. Anyone facing redundancy will tell you that the process can be extremely stressful, although the flip side of the coin is that it can also be an opportunity to make a positive change. Redundancy has been described as “A lifeline from the universe to go and do something you actually like.” Lynn based HR consultancy Human Capital Department work with companies and employees across the region ensuring that firms adhere to the law and follow best practice when making redundancies including helping employees find alternative work through outplacement advice. For a confidential discussion get in touch today.

t: 01553 401781 / 0800 246 5614 w: humancapitaldept.com • e: info@humancapitaldept.com KLmagazine September 2020

The enduring beauty of Dersingham Bog... There are very few areas of true wilderness left in west Norfolk, but at Dersingham you can find three very different habitats, a host of rare plants and animals, and a tribute to a famous country and western star

t sounds like a question from a quiz show - what links one of the most famous country and western artists of all time with one of the few remaining areas of wilderness in west Norfolk? The answer lies with the wooden bench that offers fantastic views over Dersingham Bog and is dedicated to John Denver. It was installed in 2006 by the Friends of John Denver, and

although thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no record of the singer/songwriter ever having visited west Norfolk on one of his many UK tours he was certainly interested in environmental issues and sustainable living. Part of the Sandringham estate, Dersingham Bog covers almost 400 acres and its importance can be gauged by its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Grade II

National Nature Reserve, a Geological Conservation Review site and a Nature Conservation Review site. For good measure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also part of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sitting on a massive 150 millionyear-old rock formation known as the Dersingham Formation, which has been important in understanding the geology of the region, Dersingham Bog actually

ABOVE: At times mysterious and at times stunningly beautiful, Dersingham Bog is one of the very last areas of true wilderness in west Norfolk

comprises three distinct habitats - mire, heath and woodland. It’s from the mire that Dersingham Bog gets in unflattering name. A type of wetland that can be fen, bog, marsh or swamp depending on its location, and the one at Dersingham receives most of its water from the sky - which makes the acidic, invariably waterlogged and generally nutrient-poor environment a bog. Despite the unattractive appellation, Dersingham Bog offers plenty of excellent walks, some genuinely stunning views, and is home to many rare plants. Here you’ll find the carnivorous sundew plant and the pretty bog asphodel - the eating of which was traditionally thought to give sheep brittle bones. It’s also home to a number of rare insects - keep your eye out for the Black Darter (never longer than 30mm it’s Britain’s smallest native dragonfly) and the Light Knot Grass moth - and if you visit in the evening there’s even a good chance of seeing glow-worms. To one side you’ll find a steep slope, which marks the original line of the coastline - it’s here that Dersingham Bog’s dry heath and woodland are located. Again, these lovely habitats are home to a wide range of wildlife. If you’re quiet you’ll often spot deer (roe, fallow and muntjack) and birdwatchers can be treated to long-eared owls, sparrowhawks and nightjars - which are the least seen birds in the whole country according to a recent survey. And as you sit on the ‘John Denver’

bench and take in the glorious landscape in front of you it’s hard not to recall the words of the singer’s most famous song Country Roads, which was released in 1971: Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, Growing like a breeze, Country roads, take me home, To the place I belong... All of Dersingham Bog is open access and there are many well-marked routes to help visitors explore this beautiful natural wilderness. There are two free car parks at Wolferton and Scissors Cross - both of which can be found on the road to Wolferton off the A149. For more beautiful images of Dersingham Bog, please visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

HERITAGE T R E E S PE C I A L I S TS LT D tree sur gery • forestry

TRUSTED LOCAL TREE SURGEONS Call for a free no obligation quote on:

01553 617008 www.heritagetreespecialists.co.uk

tree surgery • precision dismantling conifer reduction • stump grinding woodland maintenance

Quality plants at wholesale prices EVERYONE WELCOME! Open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF...

• Shrubs – 2 litre pots upwards • Herbaceous and Perennials • Climbers • Larger Specimen Stock from 10 litre pots upwards • Fruit Trees • Great range of Topiary • Trees from Light Standards to Semi-Mature • Sundries including Compost, Bark and Pots

We are ideal for Garden Designers, Landscapers, Local Authorities, Architects, Nurseries and the General Public

FIND US AT: School Road, West Walton, Wisbech PE14 7DS | Tel: 01945 664520 | www.rachaelsplantoutlet.co.uk KLmagazine September 2020

Firewood supplied & stumps removed

e East Coast Tree Car A Local, competitive service & Specialist in all types of tree work Some trees are felled & cleared FREE of charge subject to survey

All work fully insured & guaranteed

Call DEREK for more info 01553

771422 / 07769688635

DMG T mber Makers of fine quality timber products, for your home, garden or new build FENCING & GATES

SHEDS &

TIMBER BUILDINGS

DECKING

STRUCTURAL TIMBER

• Family-run timber suppliers • Catering to both the general public and the building trade • Excellent quality materials • Expert advice given on installation considerations • Timber buildings are made to your specifications by experienced craftsmen TEL: 01553 692634 | FIND US: A47 Pullover Road, King’s Lynn PE34 3LS WEBSITE: www.dmgtimber.co.uk | EMAIL: sales@dmgtimber.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

Keep connected: SIMple when you know how... Rural Broadband offers an easy and effective way to keep you and your business connected - wherever you live

orfolk has long been regarded as a black hole as far as the internet’s concerned, with sluggish speeds and annoying buffering plaguing rural households across the county – especially along the north Norfolk coast. The current coronavirus pandemic has brought that into sharp relief, with families relying on technology to keep in touch and local businesses needing reliable connections more than ever. “We’re not just talking

Richard Dix

about being able to download films on Netflix anymore,” says Richard Dix of Heacham-based Rural Broadband. “At the moment, the most important thing is to keep people in rural areas connected - and we’ve got the technology and the technical expertise to do that. Perfectly safely!” Rural Broadband is currently offering unlimited data SIM cards, installing them in easy-to-use routers and sending them out to customers (with full instructions) as a temporary fix until Richard can visit to complete the physical installation. “People are finding that the main networks can’t help at the moment because their helplines are all cut off and many are working on web-based chat sessions,” says Richard. “We’re a small local company, but we’ve got

Thanks to Richard and his team we went from 0.5 download and 0.1 upload speeds to speeds regularly over 20mb (download) and uploads over 17mb. Downloads often reach over 40mb which is amazing for a location in the countryside! - SEAN CLARKE Savage and Whitten plenty of stock and we can respond to enquiries very very quickly.” Whether you’re working from home or keeping the family together remotely, contact Rural Broadband today for an effective and trouble-free solution. And above all, stay safe!

Unit 1, Marea Farm, School Rd, Heacham PE31 7DH Tel: 01485 572253 / 07786 887750 www.ruralbroadband.co.uk KLmagazine September 2020

ABOVE: The famous Palm House and parterre at Kew Gardens in London - had it not been for the efforts of Norfolk-born botanist John Lindley (opposite) this view would be dominated by housing developments

The Norfolk man who helped save Kew Gardens In 1830, the first flower shows were held in England, organised by the Norfolk-born botanist John Lindley - who wrote one of the best-ever books on horticulture and also saved a national natural treasure...

ew Gardens is one of the country’s top tourist attractions, and the 330 acre site (with its 40 listed buildings) houses over 27,000 different living plants, almost nine million preserved specimens and a library containing almost a million books. It’s the largest and most diverse botanical collection in the world, but had it not been for the efforts of a man from Norfolk the gardens may have been dug up and built over in the name of urban development. And saving Kew Gardens was only one of his many achievements. John Lindley was born in 1799 just

KLmagazine September 2020

outside Norwich, where his father ran a commercial nursery and cultivated fruit trees. The young boy helped in the gardens and collected wild flowers he found growing in the Norfolk countryside, but his schooldays suggested he was destined for greater things. Despite being blind in his left eye, John had an astonishing gift for artistic detail (he’d been taught to draw by a French refugee) and at the famous Norwich School he excelled at Latin and Greek - while his father taught him the basics of horticulture. Ideally he wanted to go on to university, or failing that to buy a

commission in the army - but his father’s business was never profitable and the family could afford neither. Aged 16, John Lindley became a sales representative for a London-based seed merchant. It was around this time that his talents were noticed by the botanist William Hooker (who’d also been born in Norwich) and he was introduced in turn to Sir Joseph Banks, who’d taken part in Captain Cook’s first great voyage and would be President of the Royal Society for over 41 years. Working from Banks’ house in London, Lindley drew, described and named new varieties of plants with

such accuracy and insight that he was made a Fellow of the Linnaean Society at the age of 21. His Botanical History of Roses (1820) distinguished 76 different species, identified 13 new ones, and included 19 paintings he produced himself. When Banks died a few months later, Lindley was asked by the Horticultural Society of London (today’s Royal Horticultural Society) to draw roses and put him in charge of supervising the collection of plants for its new gardens at Chiswick. Before long, eminent botanists were eagerly seeking his help with their projects - John Loudon’s masterful (and massive) Encyclopedia of Plants covered some 15,000 flowering plants and ferns, and Lindley did most of the work. The man from Norfolk was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Munich, and received academic honours from France, the USA and Switzerland. He took a part-time job as Professor of Botany at the newly-established London University, and when he found the current textbooks unsatisfactory for his students he wrote his own for them. It was hardly surprising that when the future of the gardens at Kew was being debated, the authorities turned to John Lindley. Since the death of George III in 1820 and the loss of royal patronage, the gardens had been in decline. Together with Joseph Paxton (who designed

the Crystal Palace and cultivated the banana we know and love today) Lindley gave the government a stark choice. “Kew Gardens should either be at once taken for public purposes, gradually made worthy of the country, and converted into a powerful means of promoting national science,” he wrote, “or it should be abandoned.” When the government proposed to take the easier route, pulling down all the greenhouses and giving away all the plants, Lindley told Prime Minister William Lamb the matter was going to be raised in Parliament. There was a public outcry, and when the young Queen Victoria added her support the government backed down and Kew Gardens became public property. Lindley’s public image as a man of principle and conviction (he also successfully campaigned against the taxation of glass windows) led to the government asking him to investigate the mysterious disease that was causing potatoes to rot and caused the Great Irish Famine - and the report he helped write eventually led to the repeal of the Corn Laws. But Lindley’s greatest love was for orchids. Acknowledged as the leading authority of his time, he described and named almost 150 new species before his death (aged 66) in 1865. The legacy of this botanist from Norfolk is enormous. The Royal Horticultural Society bought his 1,300 volume library which now forms part of the world’s largest collection of horticultural literature. The RHS Lindley Medal is awarded annually to exhibits with exceptional educational value. And over the last 140 years more than 200 plant species have been named after him using epithets such as ‘lindleyi’, ‘lindleyanum’ and ‘lindleyoides’. There may not be a statue of John Lindley in Norfolk, and his name may not feature on a list of the county’s most famous sons, but botanists and gardeners around the world owe this man from Norwich an enormous debt. KLmagazine September 2020

BROWNS TREE MANAGEMENT LTD

PROVIDING EXPERT & AFFORDABLE TREE CARE ACROSS NORFOLK • Independently owned • Qualified and experienced staff • 5,000,000 liability insurance

www.bigbrowntree.com / bigbrowntree@gmail.com

KLmagazine September 2020

SUPPLIERS OF FEED, TOOLS, BEDDING & SUPPLEMENTS

For cats, dogs, birds, farm animals, horses, fish, small pets & poultry Call us for our DELIVERY SERVICE Direct to your door, stable, farm or paddock

01328 851351

GJL ANIMAL FEEDS LTD

OPENING TIMES

Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm Saturdays 8:30am- 12:30pm

GJL ANIMAL FEEDS LTD, CLIPBUSH BUSINESS PARK, FAKENHAM NR21 8SX www.gjlanimalfeeds.co.uk • info@gjlanimalfeeds.co.uk • FOLLOW US FOR OUR LATEST OFFERS

KLmagazine September 2020

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

Sarah Colegrave

Smallbites

Treat your pets to a safe summer

e’re sure you’ll be aware that a few weeks ago a sixyear-old female Siamese cat in the south of England became the first animal in the UK to catch coronavirus, and although the news caused considerable concern among pet owners across the country the word “caught” is vital. Don’t worry - there’s absolutely no evidence that cats or any other pets can transmit the virus to their owners. In fact, the opposite is true - the cat in question (which has happily recovered) caught COVID-19 from its owners. By now we’re all used to following a very careful hygiene regime, and if you have any respiratory signs or any of the main symptoms of coronavirus you need to wash your hands thoroughly and carefully before (and after) handling your cat. Avoid the temptation to kiss it, don’t let the cat sleep near you, and be very careful when preparing his or her food. Happily this is an extremely rare event, and to date all infected animals (including some tigers in the Bronx Zoo in New York!) have shown only mild

clinical signs and have recovered within a few days. A more pressing and rather surprising problem at the moment (especially given the recent hot temperatures) are grass seeds - which may be tiny but can cause numerous problems over the summer, particularly for dogs. Dogs have a tendency to run about through long grass, and these sharp little seeds can detach from the grass stem itself and attach to the dog’s coat. They’re most commonly seen in the more hairy dog breeds and those with ‘feathers’ such as Springer Spaniels which offer a very convenient home for the seeds. The grass seeds may actually become lodged in the dogs’ ears, which causes a sudden onset of extreme irritation and head shaking. Occasionally the seeds will become lodged under the eyelids, which also causes intense discomfort. The tapered shape and barbed nature of the grass ‘awn’ means they can travel through the dog’s coat and their sharp ends can penetrate the skin. Under the skin they’ll cause irritation and infection and the dog will often lick

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

KLmagazine September 2020

More and more people are signing up to our Pet Health Club, which provides essential routine care and helps you become a responsible pet owner. It doesn’t just mean you can save money on the cost of treatments and services to keep your pets healthy and happy. It also allows you to budget and spread the cost of pet care across the year by paying with Direct Debit. It’s good news for your pets and good news for you - with the chance to save up to £190 a year on routine healthcare. at this area. Occasionally the grass seed can travel within the body to more distant areas - they can even travel to the chest area, and when they travel around the body, they can be extremely difficult to find. Scary as it might sound, grass seeds can ultimately prove fatal to a dog. It’s a very good idea to check your dog’s coat after a walk - especially the feet, where most of the grass seeds get picked up. You can easily remove any grass awns as they’re not difficult to spot. We’d also recommend clipping the dog’s hair short on the feet and between the toes to reduce the chances of him or her picking up any grass seeds on their summer adventures. If you notice your dog licking or chewing at a sore place, or think they may have a seed in their eye or ear, please contact us. Treatment will make the world of difference to your dogs.

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

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

In the plant world, size isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t everything... As we start choosing bulbs for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spring colour, Wendy Warner recommends moving away from the traditional and discovering the wonders of dwarf varieties

hen asked to name a spring-flowering bulb, most people would probably list daffodil, tulip or hyacinth. They may be the most noticeable, but look closer to the ground and you’ll find some fascinating miniature gems. Less likely to get overlooked are snowdrops as they flower so early and are often planted en masse, but their bedfellows of winter aconites can often get missed amongst piles of fallen leaves. Plant them under deciduous trees or shrubs and the winter sun will catch their yellow flowers in January and into February. Dwarf irises, mainly the reticulata varieties, will start to flower in February. From the palest blue to deep purple they have delicate markings on their petals, looking as if they’ve been handpainted. They can be planted in groups in a well-drained spot at the front of the border or on a rockery - or they can make a statement on their own in terracotta pots on the patio where you’ll be able to appreciate their scent. My personal favourite is Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ with its pale blue flowers and deep blue veining with speckles over a creamy-yellow blotch. Anemone blanda will flower in March and will practically hug the ground in sun or partial shade. Most commonly their daisy-like flowers are blue, although white and pink varieties are also available, and on sunny days their yellow centres will attract the first bees of the season. The next three species can be grouped together as ‘little blue flower bulbs’ and are often confused. The earliest flowering in late February/early March is the scilla with many tiny bright blue nodding bell-shaped flowers on each short stem. Perfectly hardy, they’ll bulk up well and often self-seed to give a spectacular blue carpet. Chionodoxa, commonly known as ‘glory of the snow’ can be naturalised in grass and have blue star-shaped flowers with a white centre. Puschkinia have silvery blue star-shaped flowers with a darker vein along the middle of each petal. They can be grown in rockeries or beneath trees or shrubs. The most common blue variety of Muscari or grape hyacinth (no relation to normal hyacinths, by the way) can become quite troublesome if allowed - I’ve seen them self-seed and break through tarmac at the side of a driveway! But if kept under control, they’ll make KLmagazine September 2020

a lovely show and there are some amazing two-tone blue varieties and a relatively new scented, pure white called Muscari ‘Siberian Tiger’. In shade, try growing dog’s tooth violets, Erythroniums, with their delicate, nodding, star-shaped flowers with recurved petals above attractive leaves. Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ has yellow flowers, ‘White Beauty’ is creamywhite and ‘dens-canis’ has rosy-mauve flowers above leaves mottled with attractive brown spots. Species crocus have smaller flowers than the large flowering Dutch crocus and they’ll generally flower slightly earlier. Their flowers open out to attract early bees and many of them have interesting colour variations such as the lilac Crocus sieberi ‘Tricolor’ with its white and yellow centre or ‘Blue Pearl’ with pale blue outer petals opening white. There are also plainer white, cream, yellow and purple varieties. They’re very adaptable and can be planted in most sunny spots in the garden, even naturalising in grass. Some of my favourite tulips are a group known as species tulips. They have smaller bulbs and smaller 54

flowers, and many don’t even have the traditional tulip-shape as they open out widely. They like a sunny, well-drained position at the front of a border, on a rockery or in alpine sinks or pots, and reliably flower year after year. Tulipa humilis ‘Little Beauty’ is only 10cm tall and is bright, deep pink with a dark purple-blue centre; the slightly taller ‘Tarda’ is slightly taller at 15cm and has numerous fragrant star-shaped yellow and cream flowers - and ‘Red Hunter’ will give a lovely bright show if planted in groups. Not quite so small, but often overlooked, are the smaller varieties of fritillary. The ‘snake’s head’ fritillary, so called because its purple bell-shaped flowers have a snakeskin pattern on the petals, can be used in wildflower meadows but will grow just as well in borders or rockeries. The shorter Fritillaria michailovskyi has burgundy bell flowers with a gold band at the bottom and requires very well-drained soil and as it needs a dry summer dormancy. If you have space in an unheated greenhouse, many of these little bulbs can be grown in low terracotta pots

topped with alpine grit. You then have the advantage of seeing them more easily at eye level (and smell them if they’re scented) and the delicate flowers won’t be damaged by any inclement weather. When selecting your bulbs this autumn, don’t just look at the traditional varieties and try a few of these little treasures! They’ll surprise you when you look out in the spring and see little specks of colour and then you can venture out to examine their beauty closer up.

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. Friends of KL magazine can download or receive a full year’s gardening calendar written by Wendy - see page 10 for details of how you can join our ever-growing community of loyal readers.

KLmagazine September 2020

COME & VISIT OUR

NEWLY REFURBISHED COFFEE SHOP! Now with social distancing & extra outside seating Pop in for breakfast, lunch or even just for a coffee and a slice of homemade cake. Open daily.

A great choice of loose & pre-packed spring flowering bulbs Tulips, Daffodils, Snowdrops, Crocus, Alliums, Hyacinths & more!

Autumn lawn care & tools for tidying up the garden PLUS! Wild bird food & feeders Dog treats, toys & accessories Gift & homeware department Autumn & winter clothing

Garden Centre & Coffee Shop 49 Hunstanton Road, Dersingham, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn PE31 6NA Tel: 01485 541514 | Web: thaxters.co.uk | Open daily

Our Christma s departme nt will be opening soon!

NEW

CORDLESS RANGE

FOR THE GARDENER WHO JUST KEEPS ON GOING

LAWN-BOY

DOWNHAM MARKET Railway Road PE38 9EB Tel: 01366 382041/383323 nick.brett@lawn-boy.co.uk

HOME DELIVERIES

No delivery charge within 10 miles

By Appointment To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Manufacturers Of Animal Feeds H. & C. Beart Ltd., Stowbridge

Minimum £50 spend

MANUFACTURERS OF QUALITY ANIMAL & PET FOODS SINCE 1932 Full range of all top brands of feeds bedding & requisites for trade & retail Daily deliveries throughout East Anglia Collections under Covid-19 regulations OPENING TIMES

Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm, Saturday 8am-4pm TEL: 01366 388151 | WEB: www.bearts.co.uk | Brighton Mill, Stow Bridge, King’s Lynn PE34 3PD

KLmagazine September 2020

Quote : KL0 to get 9

DURING

50% O your fi treatm rst ent

We use some of the most adavanced equipment on the market today to bring your lawn back to its very best!

AFTER

Your lawn needs us! It’s been a tough year in all senses of the word, but the CGM Group can help your lawn look its best with an autumn renovation...

t’s an important part of our living spaces, and it’s likely your lawn has never seen so much activity as it has over the last few months. As a natural living environment, it’s as much in need of some TLC as the rest of your home - and Lawn Control from the CGM Group can breathe new life into the tiredest of lawns. It’s an incredible makeover that includes: SCARIFICATION Scarifying your lawn mechanically removes the build up of moss, dead organic matter and horizontally-growing grass roots. It allows your lawn to breathe and it encourages new growth, which will lead to a stronger lawn. This is the perfect time to do it because it will minimise any damage to the grass. AERATION Over time the soil under your lawn can become compacted,

which restricts the passage of oxygen, nutrients and moisture to the root zone of the plants. A professional turf aerator creates fissures to enable air, moisture and nutrients to reach the places where they’re most needed, stimulating young root growth and promoting a healthy soil environment. OVER-SEEDING Adding an organicbased top dressing can give your soil a much-needed boost, and adding younger plants to the lawn works wonders in helping it regenerate. Summer is always hard on our lawns. We use them more often, we use them for longer, and they usually have to cope with too much sun and not enough rain. Even if it looks healthy, there’s a lot more to a lawn than what you can see on the surface. At the CGM group in Downham Market, late summer

• Fertiliser Treatments • Scarification • Overseeding • Weed & Moss control • Aeration • Pest Control KLmagazine September 2020

and early autumn is the best time to manage a lawn with ‘cultural’ methods rather than chemical treatments such as fertilisers and herbicides. We may be sorry to see the end of the summer, but it’s a great time for our lawns - the weather, the temperature and the humidity are all perfect for a lawn in need of recovery. Using professional industry-leading machinery and carried out by specialist teams with many years’ worth of turf management experience, Lawn Control by the CGM Group can bring your lawn back to its very best - and it will look even better next year! For a free quotation and 50% off your first treatment (remember to quote KL09) please contact our fine turf specialist Chris Fisher using the details below.

Reed House, Karoo Close, Bexwell Business Park Downham Market PE38 9GA 0800 160 1199 www.cgmltd.co.uk info@cgmltd.co.uk

As we start moving towards the autumn, we’re also taking a few steps away from bright colours and bold prints - but that doesn’t mean you have to make any compromises in the style department. This season’s collections emphasise clean lines, comfortable designs and subtle colours. And there’s never been a better time to look your best...

Animal skin print dress by St Tropez Dress

ALLEZ CHIC Castle Rising

New season Dubarry coming soon

THE HAYLOFT at BEARTS Stowbridge

KLmagazine September 2020

Outfit by Bianca

SHEILA TILLER Long Sutton

KLmagazine September 2020

Cindy’s of Sutton Bridge

AUTUMN / WINTER HAS ARRIVED Get your wardrobe ready for the new season

Sizes 10 -26 | Open 9am - 5pm Closed Wednesdays & Sundays If you would prefer a private appointment please telephone 01406 350961 Watch our weekly fashion videos by visiting www.cindysfashions.co.uk and follow us on Facebook @cindysfashionssuttonbridge

108 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge PE12 9SA

AIGLE ARIAT BARBOUR BUFF CATERPILLAR

The Hayloft

at bearts of Stow Bridge

Everything for the great outdoors

JOULES LE CHAMEAU MOUNTAIN HORSE MUCK BOOTS

CHATHAM

RIDGELINE

DUBARRY

SEALSKINZ

GRUBS

STETSON

HOGGS

TOGGI

HUNTER HOUSE OF CHEVIOT

JACK MURPHY

PLUS! SHOOTING - GUN CARTRIDGES CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES GAMEBORE • HULL

WOOFWEAR TILLEY

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 September 2020

Outfit by Marble

CINDYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Sutton Bridge

KLmagazine September 2020

Sheila Tiller EXCLUSIVE LADIES FASHION & SHOES EST. 1978

Stunning New Season pieces arriving daily from a range of continental brands NEW OPENING HOURS 9am-4pm Mon to Fri, Sat 9am-3pm, closed all day Wednesdays

Private appointments available on request

FASHIONS • HANDBAGS SHOES • LINGERIE 13 Market Place, Long Sutton Tel: 01406 363 433 www.sheilatiller.co.uk

Chic and affordable fashion for all ages

Autumn ahead Switch up your wardrobe for the season ahead at Allez Chic with new labels Saint Tropez and FOIL

OPEN TUE 10am-4.3 -SAT 0pm OR SHOP APPOINTM BY from 3pm ENT Wed – ca Tue & ll to book OR SHOP ONLINE

t: 01553 631915 The Old School, Castle Rising, King’s Lynn PE31 6AG

www.allezchic.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

WE ARE NOW OPEN & WELCOMING BACK OUR PATIENTS In line with Covid-19 guidelines we are now open safely, please call us on 01553 762405 for more details.

Need Dentures?

“

Then visit the ONLY expert denture clinic in your area.

You don’t have to change your dentist - just visit the expert to look after your dentures

”

• Highly qualified & registered denture professionals with over 30 years experience • We make all dentures in-house in our laboratory in King’s Lynn • Visit us directly to receive the best personal service & the best fitting dentures • Free initial consultations

NEW FULL DENTURES

NEW PARTIAL DENTURES

CHROME & FLEXIBLE DENTURES

DENTURE REPAIRS

RELINING & ADDITIONS

Find us at: 31 London Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5PY | Website: www.schoolhousedentureclinic.co.uk

E L

Our Optomap retinal exams

are Covid-19 safe!

COME

B A C K ! We are seeing patients SAFELY and ations. have resumed routine sight examin ation Call us now to book your eye examin ds. nee e car eye or to discuss your

Tel: 01760 722661 www.daseaman.org.uk ‘D.A Seaman Optometrists’ 44 Market Place, Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7QH

Optomap technology allows us to have an excellent view of the Retina without having to be in close contact.

• The safest way to check the health of your eyes at a safe distance • Images up to 82% of your Retina Cleaned and disinfected after • every use

D.A. Seaman Optometrists KLmagazine September 2020

Before & After

Sutha Bausbacher celebrating with her children at Sutha Aesthetics’ (socially distanced) 1st birthday party

A year of success - and a future of beautiful skin Over the last 12 months Sutha Aesthetics has been helping people discover the best version of themselves - and the results are stunning!

t the start of last month Sutha Bausbacher celebrated her first year in business - a year which has seen her bring a totally new approach to beauty treatments into the centre of King’s Lynn. And it’s been a remarkable 12-month journey for a remarkable woman who relied on the support of friends to open Sutha Aesthetics - and hasn’t looked back since. “I don’t measure success in terms of big cars, private jets, and how much money you have in your bank account,” says Sutha. “For me, success is based on how happy you are. I’m more interested in building relationships with clients. Seeing what a difference my treatments can make to their lives and

to their overall wellbeing is such a reward - and that’s the most important thing to me.” Of course, it also helps when you’re continually receiving glowing reviews from customers and tributes from fellow professionals. With over 25 years’ clinical experience at both a local and national level, Sutha is fully up to date with the very latest developments in the world of cosmetic treatments - and is keen to challenge the perception that it’s all about injections and fillers. Take one of her most recent treatments, which is a world-leading remedy for hair loss that’s just as effective for men as it is for women. Comprising a six-week course of treatment that’s easily applied at home, the AQ Advanced Complex + formula encourages regrowth, rejuvenates damaged hair follicles, and promotes healthy hair growth cycles.

Sutha Aesthetics KLmagazine September 2020

For people concerned about hair loss and poor hair quality, it’s almost magical. And until the end of October the cost of the treatment at Sutha Aesthetics is only half of what you can expect to pay anywhere else. “It’s a really amazing treatment and the results have to be seen to be believed,” says Sutha. “It’s especially good for men because it’s very discreet - it can be applied at home, my clinic is in the centre of town, and we even have our own free parking.” To discover the best version of yourself and learn about the latest advances in beauty treatments, please contact Sutha today using the details below. A massive well done for everything that you’re doing for your clients. You make me feel like a diamond after every treatment. You’re always looking after the wellbeing of me and my skin and you’re one in a million...

St Ann’s House, St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1LT Telephone: 07506 133091 • E-mail: admin@suthaaesthetics.co.uk Website: www.suthaaesthetics.co.uk

Be a nice human

“

From my work as a solicitor I’ve learned so much about how important it is to promote kindness... - Ruth Johnson

ABOVE: Ruth Johnson (wearing one of her own t-shirts) has managed to combine a successful career as a criminal lawyer with the development of an inspirational clothing brand

Born in Leeds, raised in Norfolk, made in Snetty... Combining modern style with inspirational messages, Ruth Johnson’s Made in Snetty brand has featured in the national press - and is a long way from her professional life as a specialist in criminal law

icture a woman who’s built a successful career in criminal law, picture another who’s established up her own clothing brand that’s being enjoyed all over the world, and finally picture a woman who wants to inspire and help people when they’re at their most vulnerable. Now imagine all of them combined into one person - and say hello to Ruth Johnson, who followed her parents from Leeds to the family’s favourite holiday destination of Norfolk when they decided to make a permanent move south. Her future looked to be in the arts, but while her mother (a nurse by profession) was studying for a parttime law degree, Ruth took time out

KLmagazine September 2020

of her own undergraduate studies in the Performing Arts and French to look through her mother’s legal texts. “I was really intrigued by the law and found it fascinating,” she says. “What really appealed to me was that it offered the opportunity to help people who found themselves totally lost in an totally unfamiliar environment.” Ruth took a post-graduate law degree and qualified as a solicitor in 2006 - and now works in the King’s Lynn branch of Metcalfe Copeman & Pettefar (MCP) in what may well be the oldest office building in the country, and is the only multi-disciplinary practice in the area with a dedicated criminal law department. Her creative side never left her, however, and about six years ago

(“family finances were a little tight,” says Ruth) a friend suggested she considered making personalised gifts. Ruth started by making ‘keepsake frames’ with messages spelled out in vintage Scrabble tiles sourced from charity shops and antique fairs. “We were living in Snettisham at the time and I was struggling to think of a name for this ‘business’ when my husband suggested Made in Snettisham,” she says. “It was perfect but it was also a bit of a mouthful, so it became Made in Snetty - and lots of people now just refer to it as Snetty!” Although popular, Ruth’s personalised frames were very time consuming, so she taught herself design software and started producing prints for nursery decor and children’s bedrooms. 67

ABOVE: Made in Snetty has built a reputation for finely-made clothing, striking designs and a passion for inspirational messages

“I thought I was busy when I was doing the frames, but as soon as I started doing the clothing it took off massively,” she says. “I’ve even had people on the Tube in London phone me up and say they were sitting opposite someone wearing one of my sweaters and wanting to know where they could get one!” Following appearances in magazines such as Tatler, GQ and Glamour, Ruth embarked on a number of collaborations with local businesses such as local bakers Mumma Crumbs and Lincolnshire’s Wolf & Wildflower, who produce bohemian children’s clothing. “I’ve also started working with Scottish artist Sarah Coey, whose rainbow-based work is full of happiness and joy, and that’s been fantastic,” she says. “Our work is now being sent to Canada and the USA and even as far as Australia.” Ruth recently started working with Rebecca Fisher (pictured left), who lives in Burnham Market and is better known as The Coastal Mummy - the multi-award winning parenting and lifestyle blogger who won the print category at the MENCAP Journalism Awards in 2017 and was recently judged one of Norfolk’s 100 most inspirational women. “Rebecca was very keen on letting people know that women shouldn’t be defined simply as ‘mothers’ Rebecca Fisher (better known as and helping them see up The Coastal Mummy) has teamed beyond that,” says Ruth. on ecti coll with Made in Snetty for a new “I know from experience that motherhood is an

When she produced a series of humorous designs for Christmas 2017 (including “Dear Santa - I can explain...” and “Dear Santa - define good...”) Ruth’s friends said they were perfectly suited to clothing. “I could have bought my own heatpress, my own cutting machine and my own embroidery machine - but that would have been very expensive and very labour intensive,” she says. “A friend was kind enough to introduce me to Double G Clothing in King’s Lynn who offered exactly what I was looking for - and they were based less than half a mile from my home!” Her close working relationship with Double G Clothing has enabled Ruth to continue her legal career and take Made in Snetty to heights she never dreamed of.

incredibly important and wonderful experience, but as women we’re much more than that.” But Ruth’s work is never uncompromisingly didactic. The slogan ‘not just a mummy’ embroidered just under the neckline of her t-shirts and sweaters is subtle enough to be stylish but powerful enough to make a statement - and its popularity has resonated with many people. There’s a definite theme here, and it’s one of motivation, empowerment and inspiration. “From my work as a solicitor I’ve learned so much about the importance of mental health and how important it is to promote kindness,” Ruth says. “It’s a huge issue today and I think we’re only just beginning to realise that. Every time someone orders something from me or gives me some nice feedback it means the world to me - and there are far too many people out there who simply need a few kind words.” Made in Snetty donates profits from several collections to the mental health charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind, and proceeds from Ruth’s recent Stay at Home Club design were given to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in King’s Lynn. And although she’s keen to keep Made in Snetty apart from her professional life, even MCP was ‘Snettyfied’ when Ruth gave the company’s logo a rainbow makeover for their participation in the 2019 King’s Lynn Pride celebrations. “I love the law, I love Made in Snetty, and I love the fact they don’t interfere with each other,” she says. “It’s a bit of a juggling act at times, but thanks to my family I’ve got the perfect balance - and I’m really looking forward to the future!” For more information and details of the latest Made in Snetty collections, please visit Ruth’s website and online shop www.madeinsnetty.bigcartel.com or e-mail madeinsnetty@gmail.com

KLmagazine September 2020

The Wish

Norfolk House, High St, Fincham, Norfolk PE33 9EL

Transform your hair with our range of innovative products from Monat

• 100% plant-based & cruelty-free • Fuller, shinier, more manageable & faster growing hair • Monat’s Rejuveniqe® blend can re-stimulate hair growth If you’re interested in having these products delivered to your door please contact us on the details below...

9 COVID-1wing

llo We are fo relevant all of the ent governm s in our guideline ous ci clean, spa n lo sa fe sa &

Tel: 01366 347999 • Email: chris@thewishsalon.co.uk

Put your future in our hands

0 1 5 5 3 7 7 8 1 0 0

Also at Wis ech, The ord, Peter orough, El and sleham

KLmagazine September 2020

By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Purveyor of Dress Fabrics and Haberdashery P.F.Day & Son Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn

The Fent Shop

Welcome back! Thank you to all of our customers who have visited so far. 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, you can order over the phone and there is a small selection of goods to buy on our website.

Dress Fabrics

Curtain Fabrics

Craft Fabrics

Net Curtains

Knitting Wool

Haberdashery

41 Broad Street, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP | T: 01553 768613 | W: www.thefentshopkingslynn.co.uk 70

KLmagazine September 2020

“Free Your Body Therapy takes a totally natural approach and it’s amazingly effective...” - Claire Steele, Grimston

“It’s made a huge difference to my life...” Discover how Terry Connolly and a revolutionary new form of therapy can help free you from a life of chronic aches and pains

t Free Your Body Therapy in the centre of King’s Lynn, Terry Connolly continues to use amazing new treatment techniques to free people from a life of aches and pains; people like Claire Steele from Grimston for example - who started experiencing chronic pain in her neck, back and knees halfway through a 30-year career as a hair stylist. Claire was already well aware of Free Your Body Therapy, having walked past the studios on her way to work. “I’ve always been very keen on holistic therapies,” she says, “and around the same time I was unable to visit my osteopath any longer, several friends and family members started telling me how good Terry was.” Terry Connolly is one of the very few people in the entire world currently offering P-DTR (Proprioceptive Deep Tendon Reflex) as a form of treatment. Moreover, 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. For Claire, the effects were every bit as good (and as rapid) as she’d been told. “I had a regular monthly appointment with my osteopath, who combined their treatment with acupuncture,” she says, “but I only need to see Terry every couple of months - although he says I could easily stretch that to every three months. It’s made a huge difference to my life.” There’s no great secret and no hidden magic to Terry’s treatment – he simply looks at the body and the causes of chronic pain in a completely different way. “I see examples of Claire’s problem pretty much every day,” he says. “I see it with various tradesmen, dentists, tree surgeons and sportspeople - and even people who work in offices. Our bodies simply

aren’t designed to hold the same position for hours on end day after day. People tend to think that ‘pain’ is caused by an illness or injury - but a exercise regime” If you’re interested in freeing yourself from a life of chronic aches and pain, contact Terry today and book an appointment with Free Your Body Therapy. Like Claire, you’ll find the results hard to believe. “I’ve always believed that drugs and medicines simply mask problems instead of treating them,” she says. “What I love about Free Your Body Therapy is that it takes a totally natural approach and it’s amazingly effective.”

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

KLmagazine September 2020

Terry Connolly 71

KLmagazine September 2020

Discover Local – how you can support King’s Lynn As we return to some form of normality it’s never been more important to support our local businesses and independent stores. Discover Local has plenty of ideas for how to enjoy the centre of King’s Lynn...

eptember is often a month for starting anew, forever linked to the return to school after the summer break - and this year ‘back to school’ carries even more significance. September seems like a much better month to kick start a new habit or learn a new hobby - after all, the weather is generally good and the days are still light and long. So this September we’re asking you to consider a new habit. It’s one we think you’ll enjoy and it’s one which is easy to do. It’s simple - all you have to do is start (or do more) shopping locally to support businesses in the centre of King’s Lynn. KLmagazine September 2020

We’ve come up with a whole host of reasons why it’s a good idea - and a few ideas for how you can support town centre businesses without actually buying anything! REASONS TO DISCOVER LOCAL 1. SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY – For every £1 spent in an independent business, over half goes back into the local economy, which supports other businesses and their families. 2. A KNOWLEDGEABLE, FRIENDLY SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST – Many local businesses are experts in their

field and have been trading for several years, building up a good reputation. 3. SAFE – Businesses in the centre of King’s Lynn have invested significant time and resources in reorganising their premises, undertaking risk assessments and buying PPE so they’re COVID safe and can offer you a safe and reassuring environment in which to shop. 4. FEEL PART OF A COMMUNITY – Not only will you be greeted warmly by the businesses you visit, you’re guaranteed to bump into at least one friend as you walk down the High Street! 73

• Tell your friends and family – share your experiences on social media. • Leave feedback on the businesses’ own social media feed – it will make their day! • Look out for town centre businesses that offer Click & Collect and delivery services – many of them now do. • Pay it forward – buy a gift voucher for a friend or family member, and encourage them to discover everything King’s Lynn has to offer. We hope you enjoy your next visit to King’s Lynn, and if you’d like to keep up to date with what’s happening in the town, learn a bit more about some of our local businesses, be the first to get special offers and more, please sign up to the Discover Local mailing list at discoverlocal.discoverkingslynn.com/ 5. CHOICE – How often have you needed something, thought you had to look further afield, and then realised there are at least two shops or businesses that sell the product you’re looking for on your doorstep? There’s always so much more to King’s Lynn than meets the eye, and there are many new businesses opening that are worth looking out for. 6. EXPERIENCE AND ATMOSPHERE – King’s Lynn boasts more Grade I listed buildings than York, and away from the historic quarter you can spot Art Deco gems and quirky touches side by side with more modern and conventional units. Not only that - when it comes to food and drink, you can take your coffee and cake outside in one of the town’s beautiful marketplaces or along its equally attractive quayside.

Discover Local is a campaign led by Discover King’s Lynn, the Business Improvement District (BID) for King’s Lynn. Our role is to promote the town and all it has to offer, and to support our business members. To find out more about what we do you can find us at: @DiscKingsLynn @discoverkingslynn @discoverkingslynn

7. BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – Walk, take the bus, or travel a short distance in your car from home. Your environmental footprint will be significantly less than travelling further afield - or even shopping online. HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT KING’S LYNN TOWN CENTRE Okay, so we’ve persuaded you to come into town and visit - but what to do you do next? Shop, eat or drink is the most obvious answer, but there’s more you can do when you return home, happy with your purchases. • Leave a review on Trip Advisor or Google – positive reviews can be priceless to a local business.

KLmagazine September 2020

£9.99

to Ava or ila de bl rn e ow

Now’s the time to get your copy of the exclusive KL magazine

2021 calendar & pack of 12 Christmas cards

featuring some of our very best local photography To purchase yours please visit www.klmagazine.co.uk or collect in person from our team at our offices on the Tuesday Market Place in King’s Lynn

£6.99

Become a Friend of KL magazine Visit our website to join our ever growing community of readers for exclusive benefits, up-to-date news, and the opportunity to never miss a copy.

Prepayment Funeral Plans A local funeral plan A local price A local independent service Flexible payment options When the time comes, just one phone call to us is all that’s needed to activate your funeral plan. Everything will then be taken care of and carried out in accordance with your wishes.

Your funeral taken care of by us, your caring local independent family funeral director. Please contact us for a free non-obligatory brochure. All our plans comply with the requirements of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

www.tfs.co.uk

Austin Street King’s Lynn 01553 771399

Lynn Road Swaffham 01760 721305

KING’S LYNN MOBILITY CENTRE LTD

INVACARE LEO With an extensive 23 mile range, it can go further than any other scooter in its class, and can do so in style!

For all your mobility needs!

NEW UK Ambassador®

Riser recliner with supporting seating positioning system and deep waterfall cushions.

Cavendish i3

Foldable and lightweight, yet robust. Perfect for travel and public transport. Folds in a matter of seconds!

4 & 8 Mph Scooters • Riser Recliner Chairs • Electric & Manual Wheelchairs Adjustable Beds • Stair Lifts • Walking Aids • Ramps • Bathroom & Toilet Aids Friendly & Experienced Staff

Test Drives Available

Aftercare Service

Call us today

01553 768751

Free Customer Parking

Showroom: 30-38 Blackfriars Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1NN Website: www.kingslynnmobilitycentre-norfolk.co.uk

KLmagazine September 2020

Fully fitted, totally safe, designed to perfection... The easiest (and safest) way to have your new bathroom expertly designed and professionally installed is to contact bathco today

ver the last few months people have been spending more time than usual looking at their home and thinking of ways to improve it, which partly explains why bathco are so busy at the moment. “We’ve always gone the extra mile when it comes to customer service, and that’s never been more important,” says general manager Stuart Marsden. “Despite the events of the last few months our products have never looked better, our installation teams have never been more careful - and our service has never been more professional.” The company’s three showrooms in in King’s Lynn, Dereham and Thetford have now re-opened, and although social distancing rules are in place for everyone’s benefit, it’s a real pleasure to

be able to see some of the most stylish and finely-crafted bathrooms currently available. And you won’t be faced with an indefinite wait before you enjoy them. “Our advanced 3D software requires precise measurements, which means we really need to visit your home,” says Stuart. “There’s no need to worry, however - we’ve recently introduced a number of policies to make sure that you and your family are as safe as possible and your home looks as amazing as it could be!” With many families understandably concerned about personal budgets, Stuart and his team can talk you through the various payment options and will give you an immediate decision on any finance plans. It’s good to know that your new bathroom will be overseen every step

of the way by a specially-appointed project manager, but it’s even better to know that the installation team will do everything they can to keep you and your family safe. “Close and regular communication with our customers has always been at the heart of everything bathco does,” says Stuart, “and that means you can have the bathroom you’ve always dreamed of specially designed, expertly built, and professionally fitted at a time that suits you.” With the workmanship guaranteed for a year and product warranties lasting as long as a lifetime, there’s never been a better time to treat your bathroom to the bathco experience.

Tel: 0330 1239 334 | Web: www.bathcoeu.com | E-mail: enquiries@bathcoeu.com KING’S LYNN: Hardwick Industrial Estate PE30 4HG | DEREHAM: 35 Yaxham Road NR19 1HD | THETFORD: Unit 1, Station Lane IP24 1ND

KLmagazine September 2020

ABOVE: Continuing a centuries-old fishing tradition in King’s Lynn, Donaldson’s offers the very best tastes the sea has to offer, including a lot more besides - and you can always be sure of a friendly welcome from Deanna (opposite, centre) and her team, which includes Sarah Marsh (left) and long-serving Karen Brooks (right)

A wonderful new way to enjoy the catch of the day Donaldson’s has been one of the area’s favourite fishmongers for over 100 years, and has never been more popular, especially since the launch of its ready-made recipe boxes that do all the hard work for you!

ishing has always been an integral part of life in King’s Lynn, the quaysides seeing everything from whales, lobsters and crabs to cockles, mussels, whelks and brown shrimp. The fishing community of the town’s North End made a significant contribution to the area’s economic and social life for the best part of 900 years, and at the start of the 19th century it was said you could cross the harbour of King’s Lynn by walking across the decks of the fishing fleet. Steven John was born into this tradition, and was carrying bags of shrimp as soon as he learned to walk.

KLmagazine September 2020

“I remember my father having an old Brooke Bond tea van,” he says, “and we used it to take the shrimps to King’s Lynn rail station and put them on the train to Billingsgate Market.” Today Steven’s still part of the town’s fishing heritage. In addition to managing Lynn Shellfish (probably the largest whelk processor in the country) he also runs Donaldson’s fishmongers with his wife Deanna - itself a fixture of the town’s fresh food offering for well over a century. When illness forced James Donaldson to give up the business that had been in his family for three generations, Steven and Deanna

took over the shop on Norfolk Street in King’s Lynn - until the increased pedestrianisation of the town centre saw them move to Hextable Road, taking over Albert Ball’s fishmongers. “People like to have their fish as fresh as possible and want to simply draw up to the door, pick up their fish or seafood and drive off again,” says Steven. “That’s always been a deciding factor in our location.” Indeed, when the area was redeveloped around 15 years ago Donaldson’s moved again - this time to a former garage on Austin Fields, just a stone’s throw from the old fishing community of King’s Lynn. 79

ABOVE: Over the last few decades Steven John and his wife Deanna have built Donaldson’s into one of the most popular fishmongers in Norfolk, and it’s now offering a fresh food takeaway service with the help of Sarah Marsh (below)

Even a devastating fire on Christmas Eve four years ago hasn’t prevented Donaldson’s becoming the region’s best-loved fishmongers, selling a huge (and incredibly varied) range of fresh fish and seafood in addition to game (when it’s in season) and one of the best selections of local artisan cheeses you’ll find anywhere. And if anything, the sudden appearance of a global pandemic this year has introduced a whole new audience to this delicious catch of the day. “When supermarkets had to close their fish and delicatessen counters in the spring more people started searching out independent fishmongers, and I don’t think we’ve been this busy in over 30 years,” says Steven. “I may be biased, but the taste of truly fresh fish is a million times better than anything you’ll find in a supermarket - and it’s great to see so many people supporting local retailers.” Undoubtedly one of the reasons more people are visiting Donaldson’s is the recent opening of a new counter

offering everything from freshly-made fish pies to incredible smoked haddock Scotch eggs - and which sees Sarah Marsh return to the business. Although if truth be told, she’s never really left. “I started working for Doanldson’s as a Saturday girl when I was about 13,” she says. “I took some time out to be a nanny for Steven and Deanna’s children, and then spent a few years working in local schools - but now I’m back here full time. To be honest, I feel like part

of the family!” Every day Sarah is cooking quiches, fishcakes and hot sandwiches - and preparing fish for people who love the taste but would rather avoid the associated smells. “Since we opened in the middle of June the reaction has been amazing,” says Sarah. “We have people phoning up in the morning ordering treats for business meetings, and we regularly have people who’ve walked over a mile to pick up a special lunch!” And people slightly intimidated by the thought of cooking fresh fish will be pleased to learn that Donaldson’s are now offering ready-made recipe boxes - with the fish already professionally prepared, all the ingredients measured out, and a laminated recipe card to help you cook the dish in question. “What puts a lot of people off trying new fish recipes is that they have to buy a bottle of this and a whole packet of that when they only need a couple of teaspoons,” says Sarah. “We’re taking all the time and trouble away from them - and introducing people to the wonders of fresh fish. And how easy it

is to cook!” Despite all the changes of location there’s a reason why Donaldon’s is still the area’s most popular fishmongers after 100 years. They couldn’t be friendlier, they couldn’t be more helpful, they couldn’t offer more choice - and they certainly couldn’t offer fresher fish. “A lot of that is down to our incredible staff,” says Deanna. “They work so hard and they’ve always got a smile for our customers. Steven and I really appreciate everything they’ve done for us - and what they’ve done for Donaldson’s.” Donaldson’s, Austin Fields, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1PH Telephone: 01553 772241 Donaldson’s is closed on Sunday and Monday, but is open from 7am until 4pm Tuesday to Friday and until 2pm on Saturday.

KLmagazine September 2020

Welcome to the The Heron In the last two months we have been overwhelmed by the support from locals and new customers. We’ve had so many lovely reviews and are very excited to announce that we are a TripAdvisor ‘Traveller’s Choice Winner’ for 2020. Thank you to everyone who has visited us and left reviews. Enjoy a cocktail from our large new cocktail menu our outdoor terrace overlooking the river is the perfect spot!

We are in the to p 10% of restaura nts worldwide!

New!

Tracey & Stuart x

• NEWLY REFURBISHED PUB SET BETWEEN TWO RIVERS • TRADITIONAL HOME-COOKED FOOD • GIN SHELF • AFTERNOON TEAS • B& B • TOURING CARAVAN PARK

01366 384040 | www.theheronstowbridge.com | The Heron Stowbridge, The Causeway, Stowbridge PE34 3PP

ORIENTAL PALACE

CHINESE RESTAURANT Peking Szechuan & Cantonese Cuisine

Choose as many dishes as you want from the à la carte menu and they’ll be freshly cooked to order - all for one set price!

TAKE AWAY & DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE 204 Main Road, West Winch, King’s Lynn, PE33 0NP Tel: 01553 842255 | www.orientalpalacewestwinch.co.uk or Facebook page for up-to-date news

KLmagazine September 2020

BBQ glazed pork Serves: 2 INGREDIENTS

with braised pineapple skewers, fragrant cous cous & roti breads 1 2 6 First soak two skewers in water to prevent them from burning.

For the skewers Good bbq sauce (or make your own) 1 pork fillet 2 peppers 2 onions For the braised pineapple Pineapple 1 inch fresh ginger 3 star anise 300ml pineapple juice 300ml water For the cous cous 100g cous cous 250ml chicken stock 1 courgette handful coriander seasoning 1 red chilli leftover pineapple pieces For the roti bread 225g self raising flour 1 tsp salt 2 tsp onion seeds 140ml water 50g melted butter with 2 garlic cloves crushed

In a pan bring the pineapple juice and water to a boil. Roughly chop the ginger, add it to the pan with the star anise. Cut the pineapple top and bottom, remove the core and skin, and cut into quarters. Simmer (covered) in liquid for approx 10mins, remove and allow to cool. Cut into 1 inch pieces. Keep any little pieces and add to the cous cous.

Cut and marinade the pork into 1 inch pieces, and also cut the peppers and onions into similar 1 inch pieces.

Cover and let stand 7 minutes. Fluff up with a fork, add the leftover pineapple and coriander and check the seasoning. You can also add the leftover pepper pieces as well! Mix all the roti ingredients together to form a dough, allow to rest for 30 minutes, roll out on a floured surface to approximately 3-5mm thick, lightly brush a pan with oil and pan fry on high heat until the bread stars to blister and bubble. Turn over and repeat, and brush each side with garlic butter.

Serve as pictured above and enjoy!

Build the skewers with pork, pineapple, peppers, onion and repeat until filled. Cook either on a bbq or grill until the pork is cooked. Brush every time you turn with bbq sauce and once again before serving.

Chop the red chilli into fine slices and the courgette into half-inch pieces, soak the cous cous in hot chicken stock and add the vegetables

Recipe by David Plumb, Head Chef at The Heron The Causeway, Stowbridge PE34 3PP 01366 384040 www.theheronstowbridge.com KLmagazine September 2020

We’ve made our restaurant a safe place to sit in by following government guidelines

Crawfish Inn Au t h e n t ic T h a i Re s tau ra n t Keep up to date with us by liking us on Facebook

• Finest ingredients from Thailand

• Local cask ales to a popular range of draughts beers & extensive wine list • Takeaway service available

Tel: 01328 878313 Holt Road, Thursford, Norfolk NR21 0BJ www.crawfishinn.com Open: Tue to Sun from 6pm (open on all Bank Holidays)

Come & taste our new menu of -CRAFTED COCKTAILS D N A H

The perfect atmosphere to spend time with family and friends Keep up to date with us on our social media: thedukesheadhotel dukesheadhotelkingslynn Massey & Co, The Dukes Head Hotel, 5-6 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn PE30 1JS T: 01553 774996 E: reception@dukesheadhotel.com W: www.dukesheadhotel.com 84

KLmagazine September 2020

A magical destination in the centre of Holt... From uniquely-blended teas and delicious cakes to ethical clothing and sustainable jewellery, Hopper’s Yard in Holt is a sheer delight

hen Judith West first saw Hopper’s Yard in Holt ten years ago it wasn’t just a case of love at first sight - it was a lot more than that. The charming complex of barns, buildings and former stables may have needed a lot of love and attention, but it had a distinctly magical atmosphere. “Even though it was completely overgrown and a little bit derelict, it was a very peaceful and dreamlike place,” says Judith, who owns the location and has been the driving force behind its transformation over the last decade. “Holt is packed with lovely spots, but I’ve always thought this is one of the loveliest - and I don’t think it’s ever been such a delightful place to visit.” In addition to the famous Folly Tearoom (long been established as one of Norfolk’s most enchanting tearooms) the adjacent Tea Caddy has been revamped, and plans are already afoot in the restyled space to offer tea tasting and bespoke blending sessions. Only a few steps away you’ll find Follyology -

which opened back in November and continues that natural and sustainable ethos with exquisite artwork and giftware by Diana Wilson, ethical jewellery from Materia Rica, a collection of FairTrade clothing and distinctive homeware pieces from charitable companies such as The Art House. It’s all a little bit quirky, it’s all a little bit different, and it’s all very individual. Hopper’s Yard is also home to Folly & Roses (an on-site craft studio that produces a unique range of candles, wall art and fragrances) and the Tess Ainley Gallery - which showcases the work of a very original contemporary artist. You’ll also find the Sugared Rose Cake Company, where Alyson Bash creates stunning hand-painted cakes (yes, they taste even better than they look!) and sugar flowers - and is always on hand to offer advice and help on icing and cake decoration. Hopper’s Yard is a wonderful place to visit for the day, but you can extend your stay even further. At the top of the yard is Old Paul Pry, a beautiful (and beautifully restored) Grade II listed

Hopper’s Yard KLmagazine September 2020

former alehouse that dates from 1715 and is now a four-bedroom holiday let with an eclectic interior that can sleep up to eight guests. And thanks to the adjacent pop-up shop (available on a daily, weekly or monthly basis) there’s always something new to discover in this magical corner of Norfolk. Hopper’s Yard has a distinctly community and definite bohemian feel about it,” says Judith. “Everyone involved has a real enthusiasm for what they do and a real passion for something a little quirky and we all want to share that with you. We’re really looking forward to saying hello or welcoming you back!”

Bull Street, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6LN 85

Seared salmon with chilli and lime leaf broth INGREDIENTS ½ pint fish stock 1 red chilli 2 lemongrass 4 lime leaves Juice of 1 lime ½ tsp Thai fish sauce 4 slices salmon (1½cm thick) 4 tiger prawns 150g egg noodles 100g blanched green beans 6 cherry tomatoes 1 tsp chopped coriander

Finely slice the chilli and lemongrass, add to the stock with the lime leaves and cook for 20 minutes on a medium heat.

2 3

Stir in the lime juice and Thai fish sauce and taste.

4 5

Sear the salmon sides in a hot pan for 1½ minutes on each side.

To serve, place the broth, noodles and vegetables in a bowl, top with two slices of seared salmon and garnish with tempura tiger prawns. Enjoy!

Strain to remove the lime leaves and lemongrass then add the blanched noodles, green beans, quartered cherry tomatoes and coriander to the broth.

Recipe by Nikki Merchant, Head Chef at The Crown Hotel The Buttlands, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1EX 01328 710209 www.crownatwells.co.uk 86

KLmagazine September 2020

Left to right: Suzy Carroll, Martine Frusher, Damian Roach (Branch Director) & David Rolfe

Twice the size and twice the choice... As MKM in King’s Lynn opens its new kitchen and bathroom showroom, customers are looking forward to a new world of quality

t’s been an extraordinary year for everyone, but for MKM in King’s Lynn it’s also been an incredibly successful one - with the branch receiving a complete makeover, doubling in size, enjoying completely redesigned offices, welcoming new staff, and opening a brand new kitchen and bathroom showroom - together with a dedicated flooring and doors display centre.

KLmagazine September 2020

“We’ve grown constantly since we opened some 11 years ago and 2020 has actually been a very good year for us,” says Branch Director Damian Roach. “With people spending so much time in their properties and being unable to go on holiday, they’ve been working on updating their homes. Our landscaping products were hugely popular throughout March and April, and people are now beginning to turn their attention to their kitchens and bathrooms.” Opening at the end of last month, the new MKM showroom features kitchens from a number of leading British manufacturers. On the bathroom side, the new showroom includes the latest design from Roca (who won this year’s Red Dot Design Award for Product Design) and Ideal Standard,

who’ve been bringing innovative ideas to bathrooms for over 100 years - and that’s all in addition to MKM’s ownbrand Instinct collection. “We’ve recently taken on new staff and now have three dedicated kitchen and bathroom specialists to help you choose the ideal products to suit your budget and your lifestyle,” says Damian. “This on-site design expertise can ensure that your new room is perfectly integrated into your existing home in terms of style, finish and colour.” As part of a nationwide group with over 70 branches across the country, MKM King’s Lynn is a local business run by local people. It’s always had everything your home is looking for and now it’s got even more!

Opening up our most beautiful waterways... The Borough Council of Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn & West Norfolk explains how the Sail the Wash project will be making one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most outstanding coastal wetlands more accessible and more enjoyable

he Wash is England’s biggest bay, and is set to become a destination for UK and international maritime visitors thanks to Coastal Communities funding for a project led by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk. Not only is The Wash a designated European Marine Site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it’s also part of the Greater Wash Special Protection Area - and it provides a unique experience for leisure boating.

From Gibraltar Point in the west to Morston, Blakeney and Cley in the east, this last wilderness is one of the most outstanding coastal wetlands in Britain - if not in the whole of Europe. It features beautiful land and seascapes, saltmarshes, mudflats - yet offers plenty of open water with a wide choice of destinations. In 2019, the Sail the Wash project received £679,000 of Coastal Communities funding to enhance existing facilities and create more opportunities for leisure craft wanting

to explore this previously hard-tonavigate and hard-to-access area. Once the whole project is complete, The Wash and its surrounding waterways will be opened up for increased tourism from the boating fraternity. It’s an initiative that will bring a significant economic benefit to nearby coastal and riverside towns and villages. The Sail the Wash project is a true community project - led by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, and in partnership

with Fenland District Council and Lincolnshire County Council. This autumn, work to extend the visitor pontoons in the Hanseatic port of King’s Lynn will be completed as part of this multi-agency programme of improvements around The Wash area. The extension will increase the number of leisure boats that can be moored in the location, and throughout the work a Marine Mammal Observer will ensure that no harm or disruption is caused to the marine life in this environmentally significant area. Modern mooring facilities are also being provided in other key locations linking the east and west sides of The Wash. On the north Norfolk coast, Wells-next-the-Sea continues to provide ‘all afloat’ visitor moorings and in The Wash rivers there are several options - the extension of moorings at the visitor pontoons in King’s Lynn on the River Great Ouse and two facilities on the River Nene. Sutton Bridge (just three miles from the river mouth) boasts the Cross Keys Marina, where additional swing moorings will be provided - and further upstream in the heart of Georgian Wisbech lies the Wisbech Yacht Harbour and Crab Marsh Boatyard. In the southwest corner, the River Welland leads to Fosdyke Yacht Haven, its boatyard and boatlift, and in Boston on the Witham a visitor pontoon on the tidal side of the sea lock allows for short stays. Since securing the funding for Sail the Wash, project officers have been working behind the scenes developing the navigational infrastructure to improve access to this yet-to-be-fullyexplored area. A relaunched Sail the Wash website will feature up-to-date navigational and anchorage surveys which will make it easier and safer for leisure boats to travel between port destinations, and online bookings will be available, along with tide information and links to the main tourism businesses and attractions in the local areas. A membership scheme is also being developed for tourism attractions, hospitality businesses and other 90

related businesses in the vicinity of The Wash to enable their businesses to be promoted on the website and included in other promotional activities. Information on how businesses can get involved will be published in the near future on the Sail the Wash website and through direct mail to businesses. The website will be supported by a marketing campaign and promotional materials to establish the Sail the Wash brand and attract additional visitors from the UK and abroad to this beautiful and unique part of the country.

IT’S BACK (AND FORTH)! The return of the King’s Lynn Ferry

The popular King’s Lynn Ferry (which has provided a river crossing between West Lynn and the main part of King’s Lynn since 1285) returns this month after a sixmonth absence. Richard Stannard and his business partner Ben Ellis have purchased the business and will be trading as West Lynn Ferry Ltd. The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk will be providing financial assistance through a service level agreement (as it did to the previous owners) to

To keep up to date with progress on the project, please visit the website at www.sailthewash.com

help ensure the continuation of the vital transport facility. Richard has been busy getting the boats ready for the relaunch of the business, and you may well have seen them in the water during August. From this month, they’ll be providing a service from 7am to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday and are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new. The ferry will be operating in accordance with current government guidance on Covid-19 and face coverings will be required throughout the journey in line with the advice for all public transport.

KLmagazine September 2020

DINING OUT in Norfolk A comprehensive guide to the very best restaurants Norfolk has to offer, together with exclusive recipes and top tips from our most talented chefs

202

Available 1st October for £4.95 Pre-order your copy online now at www.klmagazine.co.uk This very special edition won’t be available from our usual distribution points. Please order online or collect from our team at our offices on the Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn

Become a Friend of KL magazine Visit our website to join our ever growing community of readers for exclusive benefits, up-to-date news, and the opportunity to never miss a copy.

C es ar t G pe ab uy ts lis P ov he lay er d S fo 30 up rd ye rem ar e s ag o

FOR ALL YOUR

FLOORING NEEDS Your local family owned & run flooring specialist

Carpets - 1000’s of samples to choose from Rugs - Traditional Persian & Chinese/Indian rugs Solid Oak, Vinyls, Laminate & Natural Flooring

Visit our showroom: Foresters Hall, 49 Manor Road, Dersingham, King’s Lynn PE31 6LH Open: Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm Sat: 10am-2pm Call: 01485 542384 Web: www.supreme-carpets.com

Thank you for all your support and patience, we’re now fully open for business and are ready to take care of our customers needs, old & new.

01553 829240 www.fenlandwindows.co.uk

71 Sutton Road, Walpole Cross Keys, King’s Lynn PE34 4HD 92

KLmagazine September 2020

An energy-efficient light at the end of the tunnel Rather like COVID-19 climate change isn’t going away any time soon, but The Solar Shed has the answer to our future energy needs...

he sudden arrival of COVID19 has certainly taught us a few lessons, and it’s affected us all at both a personal and professional level. Shielding an elderly family member meant the Solar Shed was closed to all visitors from early March until late July, so we had to adapt and change the way we managed and processed enquiries. Now things are getting back to some form of normality with a few precautionary measures in place, we’ve enjoyed many post-lockdown visits from clients who looking to solar power their lives, and the reasons they give for going green remain the same with one added reason for all of them. Only when forced to stay at home for three months did they realise how just much energy they were using - the average £60 a month went up to £90 despite it being a warm spring!

University students at home with the PS4 on 16 hours a day and all those extra showers and baths added up to increased energy costs. More washing, more cooking, more television time - it all added to the household bill. But people with solar and battery technology realised just what a wise investment it had been. We’ve been using the sun’s energy in one way or another for as long as we’ve been walking on two legs. In fact, the solution to many of the world’s problems rises without fail every morning - we just need to make the most of it. All we need to do in order to reach a cleaner and greener world is to use proven products with long warranties that deliver some of the highest energy-efficient performances in the business. This is a more affordable future - one in which the average home’s energy bills can decrease by as much as £750 a year. And those savings rise every time energy prices increase.

It’s hard to explain just how extraordinary solar power is - it’s the most abundant energy source on the planet (and will be for next four billion years), it’s far cheaper than our decreasing supply of fossil fuels, and it’s incredibly cost-effective - the price of a solar panel has fallen by 99% in the last 30 years. Solar energy is one of the cleanest, most sustainable, and most renewable resources in the world - and there’s no danger of the sun increasing its prices any time soon. If you’ll excuse the pun, I think it’s time to make every day a sun day - you’ll save money, you’ll futureproof yourself, your home and your family, you’ll improve your green credentials, and you’ll never look back. Please call me on Freephone 0808 126 1289 to book an appointment and I’ll talk you through your residential or commercial renewable energy project. It’s time we all started looking at a brighter future and I’m looking forward to telling you all about it!

TEL: 0808 126 1289 / 07737 457208 www.solar-power.co.uk | info@thesolarshed.co.uk KLmagazine September 2020

ABOVE: The church of St Mary Magdalene in the village of Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen (opposite) contains an extraordinary collection of stained glass, wich is now being celebrated in a fascinating new book

A window onto the world of the early Church... A new book is shining a new light on one of the most important series of stained glass paintings in the country - a treasure trove of history in the church of Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen

part from remarking on its unrelenting flatness, few people give much thought to the land west of the River Great Ouse - even though it contains some of the finest churches in the country. Indeed, when Simon Jenkins wrote England’s Thousand Best Churches in 1999 he included no less than ten of them - remarkable when you consider that’s more than the total for the whole of Northumberland. One of these marshland churches is the impressive St Mary Magdalene in the village of Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen, which was largely built on the back of the area’s thriving wool trade in the 15th century. The interior is fairly typical of village churches of the time, but it does contain a fascinating and unique treasure - which a new book is hoping to help preserve for the future. KLmagazine September 2020

The six upper windows of the north aisle are divided into 10 sections and feature the largest collection of 15th century stained glass figures in the country. Comprising 39 male saints, three angels and three female saints, many of them are the only examples of their kind in Norfolk and some may be the only such paintings in England. David King is an Honorary Research Fellow at the UEA and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and he’s an acknowledged expert on stained glass - three generations of his family ran the Norwich-based restoration specialists G King & Sons for many years. He’s also more than familiar with the windows of St Mary Magdalene, having written an academic study of the glass for the British Archaeological Association in 2008. “The windows probably date from 1420-1440 and as far as I’m aware

there’s nothing quite like them in the whole country,” he says. “The glass was made by a number of different 15th century painters who were probably based in King’s Lynn. That’s unusual in itself, because virtually all the stained glass for Norfolk churches at that time came from Norwich.” Equally unusual is the subject matter. Rather than the familiar apostles and saints we’re all familiar with, the individuals featured here are relatively obscure bishops, archbishops and popes. It makes the windows even more important - and underlines the need to protect them. “The glass was last conserved by cathedral glazier Samuel Caldwell Jr about 100 years ago, but weather and pollution have really taken their toll since then,” says David. “The exterior of the glass is corroding, the leading needs attention, and darkening is 95

ABOVE: The interior of St Mary Magdalen looks much like any other traditional village church but the saints featured in its stained glass windows (left) may well be unique

noticeable on some of the figures. If these saints are going to look down on the congregation for another 100 years, urgent action is necessary.” Which is where Ian Stuart and Ed Fisher came in. “I moved to the village about 15 years ago and I’ve always been interested in church architecture and history,” says Ian. “As a regular churchgoer I’d look at these remarkable windows every time I was there - and when an appeal was launched to help fund a restoration project for them I wanted to do everything I could to help.” Faced with so many unfamiliar individuals from the very early days of the Church, Ian came up with a brilliant idea; a saint-by-saint guide to the windows, with a colour photograph of the glass in question faced by as much biographical information as possible together with a handy diagrammatic plan on each page to enable people to locate the saint’s exact position. He enlisted the help of good friend and keen photographer Ed Fisher, who spent hours standing on a tall stepladder getting as detailed images as possible of all 38 of the identifiable saints. “Ed’s photographs are really amazing and are a brilliant record of the windows as they are today,” says Ian. “I never imagined we’d be able to reach that level of quality and they’ve really helped bring the book alive.” Neither Ian or Ed could imagine the interest their 88-page book would generate. The first print run sold out within a week (with proceeds going to the church repair fund) and they’ve now taken delivery of the second edition. In addition to bringing these incredible windows into focus (literally) the books also contains a wealth of fascinating historical detail about the 96

people they feature. There’s Saint Victor, who was the first pope to be born in Africa; Saint Swithun, whose countless miracles began when he repaired a basket of broken eggs; and St Hugh, who became an abbot at the age of 25, was an official adviser to no less than nine popes, and eventually ruled over 200 monasteries. You’ll meet Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great and who claimed to have discovered the True Cross (a piece of which eventually made its way to Bromholm Priory near Cromer in 1113) - and St Giles, who lived a life of solitude in a forest in France for many years with only a deer for company, and was injured when an arrow from one of the king’s hunters missed the deer and hit Giles instead. He’s now patron saint of the physically disabled. And you’ll be introduced to Saint Isidore, who was made patron saint of the internet in 1997 thanks to his 20-book work Etymolgiae, which was planned to contain absolutely everything that was known at the time it was published around 636 - and would be the world’s equivalent of Wikipedia for the next 1,000 years. Opening a window into the lives of a host of Christianity’s founding figures, Ian and Ed’s wonderful book is a joy to read - especially on site in the church itself. And the fact it’s helping preserve this unique record in glass makes it even more valuable. The Saints of Magdalene Church by Ian Stuart and Ed Fisher is available for a £10 donation to the church’s restoration fund. To order yours, please contact Ian on 01553 813730 or e-mail ianrachel4@aol.com

KLmagazine September 2020

EasternFRAMES

UK LTD

NOW IN HUNSTANTON

W I N D O W S, DOORS & C ON S E RV ATORIE S

“

This stunning riverside development in west Norfolk is a perfect example of how Eastern Frames approaches every glazing project with contemporary design, traditional craftsmanship and truly exceptional standards...

”

Our expertise makes the most of your grandest design Experts in uPVC and Aluminium glazing installations Exceptional quality and visually exquisite windows, doors & conservatories

HUNSTANTON 12 King’s Lynn Road, Hunstanton PE36 5HP | T: 01485 522050 WISBECH Unit 3 Grass Gate Lane, Lynn Road, PE14 7AN | T: 01945 586816 W: www.easternframes.com | E: info@easternframes.com

A luxury kitchen to match your luxury home

1963-2020

Celebrating 57 years of our family business

Because a kitchen is the heart of your home, it deserves just as much thought as the rest of your house. Visit Bexwell Kitchens for a kitchen individually designed around your needs • A family friendly company • Neff specialists for 47 years • Full measuring and CAD design service • All kitchens supplied rigid • 23 displays • Full installation service available

Bexwell Kitchens

Bexwell Aerodrome, Downham Market PE38 9LT Tel: 01366 382064 Open: Mon-Sat 9-5 Sun 2-4 Email: bexwellkitchens@aol.com

www.bexwellkitchens.co.uk

touch Get in r your fo s with u home FREE tion a consult

floors designed for life

Create your own

Stairway to heaven... Re-vamp your stairs with our range of stunning carpets. With everything from stripes and patterns to stylish runners, why not make an impact in what could be a boring part of your home! Give us a call or visit us in store to find out more about our collections.

COVERING WEST NORFOLK FOR OVER 47 YEARS 36 Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1AH | Tel: 01553 775203 Email: info@metriccarpets.co.uk | Web: www.metriccarpets.co.uk 98

KLmagazine September 2020

YOUR SAFETY

MATTERS!

At Xtraclean w use profession e always anti-bacterial al cleaning and finishing ag to keep you, yo ents and your hom ur family as possible! e as safe

When it’s time for a clean, it’s time for Xtraclean... With a totally safe approach and a first-class service Xtraclean can treat your stone and tiled floors to a genuinely ‘good as new’ look

ou won’t need reminding that we’ve spent a lot more time at home than usual over the last few months, and all that extra activity and foot traffic has inevitably take its toll on our floors. Hard floors, ceramic tiles and natural stone have a natural tendency to attract dust and debris at the best of times, and it has an annoying and unsightly tendency to work its way into the floors’ contours and grout lines. That’s when you’ll need to call on the amazing cleaning services of Martin King and his Swaffham-based team at Xtraclean. The good news is that following the latest safety guidelines, Martin can bring your floors back to their very 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 skilled, trained and experienced technicians offer a reliable, fully-insured and friendly service (they’ll even move your furniture for you!) and following an initial survey and test of your floor they’ll get to work – breaking down ingrained dirt and loosening 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 – means you have with no mess and no fuss.” Xtraclean doesn’t use harmful chemicals or procedures such as grinding and resurfacing (which can

actually damage the floor) - but does use professional anti-bacterial cleaning agents for to keep you and your family safe. The results are truly spectacular. “These aren’t the easiest surfaces in the world to clean,” says Martin, “but our powerful system and professionalgrade products can bring even heavily-soiled floors back to their very best!” Xtraclean can even help you ‘lock in’ those good looks specialist sealing products and keep them for even longer. “You’ll have to see the results to believe them,” says Martin. “Just ask our customers – they can hardly believe it’s the same floor!” For totally clean floors and a totally safe approach, contact Xtraclean using the details below for extra-professional cleaning and customer service that really is 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 September 2020

The strange tales that are (para)normal for Norfolk Often claimed to be the most haunted county in England, Norfolk has a rich heritage of folklore, myths and legends which continues to this day - and includes mermaids, witches and mysterious animals...

orfolk covers just over 3,000 square miles, and it’s difficult to walk more than a few hundred yards in any direction without coming across a weird local legend, a strange piece of village folklore or a weird urban myth. Some of them are nationally (even internationally) famous. The supernatural dog Black Shuck provided the inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles; the 1936 image of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall is the 100

most famous ‘ghost’ photograph ever taken; and the restless spirit of Anne Boleyn regularly haunts Blickling Hall and the church at Salle - although it should be pointed out she’s also regularly seen at the Tower of London, Marwell Hall in Hampshire and Hever Castle in Kent. It’s not surprising that virtually all of Norfolk’s many ruined churches have some mystery attached to them, none more so than the totally overgrown ruins of St Mary’s at East Somerton. Located between Martham Broad and

the pretty village of Winterton-on-Sea and virtually hidden away in a rarelyvisited area of woodland, all that stands today are the tower and the walls of the nave - in the middle of which stands a large oak tree. Given such an atmospheric setting, the idea of a squirrel burying an acorn there some years ago seems rather mundane - which has given rise to the story of the Witch of East Somerton. It seems that at some point in time a witch with a wooden leg was captured and buried alive on the spot by a group KLmagazine September 2020

It’s not surprising that virtually all of Norfolk’s churches have some mystery attached to them... of villagers, and the church was then built around her remains to contain her evil spirit - the oak tree then sprouting from her wooden leg. Perhaps the most amazing thing about this legend is that it managed to take hold despite the tree being considerably younger than the 600year old church. A church doesn’t have to be in ruins to have its own legend. The grand church of All Saints in Upper Sheringham was built in the 13th century and has some fascinating features such as the 14th century font and extremely well preserved rood screen. The carved bench ends of the pews are also remarkable, including a baby tightly wrapped in a shroud, a monkey, and a cat eating a mouse. The one closest to the north door has always received the most attention however, and is central to the legend of The Sheringham Mermaid. During the first 200 years of the church (the pews were carved in the 15th century) it seems that a mermaid heard the singing of the parishioners in the church on the hill and was so entranced she decided to investigate further. The singing must have been pretty vigorous since the church is just over a mile from the sea, but despite having the tail of a fish rather than legs the mermaid managed to drag herself to the doors of All Saints - which were promptly shut in her face because of a ‘no mermaids allowed’ rule. Undaunted, the mermaid waited for an opportune moment before sneaking inside and sitting on the nearest pew to the door - and her visit was immortalised in wood at the place where she sat. The story of The Sheringham Mermaid does have a certain charm KLmagazine September 2020

ABOVE: The impressive church of All Saints in Upper Sheringham, which is home to a number of historical treasures - and (according to legend) the Sheringham Mermaid (top)

101

ABOVE: Thetford Forest is the largest lowland pine forest in Britain and its sparsely-populated 19,000 hectares have given rise to all sorts of legends concerning mysterious animals and ghostly apparitions

to it, but it’s not entirely original and images of mermaids are actually quite common in medieval church art In fact the story bears more than a striking resemblance to the story of the Mermaid of Zennor - a small village 15 miles from Land’s End on the northern coast of Cornwall. According to William Bottrell’s 1873 book Traditions and Hearthside Stories

102

of West Cornwall, the mermaid came to the church at Zennor every Sunday to hear the choir sing, but after she ran (or swam) away with the son of the churchwarden she was never seen again - although her image was carved into the church bench on which she had sat. It’s unlikely that mermaids ever existed, but stories about mysterious creatures in south Norfolk continue to this day. The stretch of the A1075 that runs between Thetford and East Wretham is generally unremarkable, but it’s surrounded by natural beauty - from Thetford’s vast forests to NWT East Wretham Heath, which is Breckland’s oldest nature reserve. It’s an environment that’s home to many rare species of birds and animals although none more elusive than the one spotted by an anonymous motorist on a night in 1986. According to contemporary news reports, the witness drove past a large animal with long hair and a shaggy grey coat in the middle of the road. Turning his car around, the motorist

managed to see the creature again standing on its hind legs and rising to a height of around 8ft. The story was added to the catalogue of similar sightings in the area, which include The Thetford Forest Park Bear (1979), The Elveden Creature (2009), and the rather unimaginatively-named Thetford Walking Figure in the Dark (2017) - none of which would appear to be the huge Phantom Rabbit of Thetford Warren Lodge, which is invariably described as white. In fact, less than ten years ago a couple of camping friends may have also stumbled across the mysterious animal after spending the night in Thetford Forest. “It was first thing in the morning and we saw something looking back at us across a small clearing,” said one of the men. “It stood about 7ft tall and all I can describe it as is ‘not of this world’ - I get the creeps when I’m camping out at night remembering it.” It’s worth noting however (especially if you’re planning on visiting the area) that to date no hair, fur, claw, teeth, tracks or photographs of any unknown animals in and around Thetford have ever seen the light of day. Of course, this short account has only managed to scratch the surface of Norfolk’s long tradition of folklore and myth. We haven’t even mentioned The Screaming Cockler of Stiffkey, for example, but that’s another story. And a tall one at that.

KLmagazine September 2020

Core Technology Projects’ demonstration cinema room in their expanding showroom

Can’t go to the cinema? Bring it to your home! There’s no better time to discover how Core Technology Projects can bring the movies to your home with your very own bespoke cinema

or many people it’s been a long time since we enjoyed the best the silver screen has to offer. Cinemas closed almost six months ago and are only now starting to reopen - with social distancing, full PPE for staff, staggered film times and compulsory face masks for the audience. It’s a very different story for people who’ve already discovered Core Technology Projects and brought the magic of the movies into their own homes - with full 4K UHD resolution, crystal-clear screens up to 13ft wide, full Dolby ATMOS surround sound, completely automated and

easy-to-use controls, and luxurious bespoke seating. “For obvious reasons people have spent more time at home than usual this year, and that’s really brought the importance of tehcnology home to them,” says managing director Jim Garrett. “That’s probably why we’ve just enjoyed our best ever month - because people have started working in virtual offices, staff have been training remotely, students have been learning online, and people have been bringing the total cinema experience into their own homes.” In fact, Core Technology Projects are currently quadrupling the size of their King’s Lynn showroom, creating what will soon be the best home automation experience in the area.

“This has always been an impressive showroom but it’s soon going to be a lot more than that,” says Jim. “It will offer people the opportunity to get hands-on with the very latest technology - from security and CCTV to gaming and entertainment. The products we now have available are truly incredible - and people are always amazed when they see just what’s possible today.” If you want to take your viewing pleasure to the next level or discover how the latest technology can benefit your home, visit the Core Technology Projects showroom in King’s Lynn today or contact Jim and his team using the details below and discover how easy it is to enjoy all the thrills of the cinema in the comfort of your own home.

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 September 2020

103

Call us for a quote

01553 772689

High Security Self Storage in King’s Lynn • 24 hour monitored CCTV, intruder and fire alarms • Secure access by individual PIN entry system • Access 7 days a week, 7am-8pm • Large variety of rooms sizes available • No minimum stay • No notice needed to vacate • Book or reserve for free • Forklift service available

Now offering a mobile storage collection service

104

We sell boxes and bubble wrap

East Coast Business Park West Lynn, King’s Lynn PE34 3LW

www.eastcoastselfstorage.co.uk KLmagazine September 2020

Unique craftsmanship that lasts for a lifetime...

Individually designed and expertly crafted, Rudd Joinery brings a stunning look to renovation and new-build projects in Norfolk

f you ever wanted proof of Rudd Joinery’s exqusite design and expert craftsmanship, you need look no further than Thornham where the company’s work on a major renovation project in the village is still standing the test of time. In fact, ten years on, it’s only just now receiving its first external redecoration which will look after them for a good number of years to come. “This was quite an extensive job and involved the creation of a huge feature window, three bi-fold doors, a new front door and no less than nine replacement windows - all of which we designed, manufactured, glazed and factory painted,” says Jamie Rudd, who heads up the familyrun business. “It was a great opportunity

KLmagazine September 2020

to demonstrate our skills at tailoring products on a totally bespoke basis to suit individual customers’ requirements.” For over 20 years Rudd Joinery has been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries in modern joinery techniques, with a superior range of products that blend the beauty of the past with the very latest performance technology - and that’s confirmed by the property’s owner. “This was a very prestigious project and everything had to be finished to the very highest standards as possible,” they say. “Rudd Joinery has an excellent reputation, their quote was really competitive, and their workmanship was simply faultless.” From the company’s workshop just outside Fakenham, Jamie and his team

at Rudd Joinery produces carefullycrafted joinery from responsibly sourced and FSC-certified timber which means you can treat your home to a totally unique and individual look with the reassurance that you’re also being kind to the planet. “Timber requires minimal maintenance, it’s a natural insulator, and it’s more attractive and longerlasting than plastic,” says Jamie. “And don’t forget that uPVC windows create twice as much carbon as timber versions - and aluminium windows create almost four times as much!” For a totally new look at windows, doors, and conservatories, contact Jamie and the team at Rudd Joinery to talk through your ideas and say hello to a new world of quality.

105

“

Many of these people only need a chat over a cup of tea every couple of weeks. It doesn’t sound much, but it’s hugely important... - Project Coordinator Amanda Tickner

ABOVE: For almost 20 years, West Norfolk Befriending has been providing companionship for some of the most vulnerable members of the community thanks to a team of friendly volunteers

Befrienders in deed for friends in need...

Living alone doesn’t just affect your social life - it can have a dramatic impact on your health. For the last 20 years West Norfolk Befriending has been helping some of the most vulnerable people in the area

o a certain extent we’ve all experienced some form of isolation over the last few months, which has given us an idea of what it must be like to be totally apart from family and friends for an extended period of time - a situation that was already more than familiar to an increasing number of people in west Norfolk on a daily basis. Recent research by The Health Foundation highlighted an issue that’s far too often ignored but is increasing at an alarming rate. More than 2.2 million people in the UK aged 75 and over currently live alone (that’s almost 30% more than 20 years ago) and it has KLmagazine September 2020

serious health implications. “Loneliness, living alone and poor social connections are as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” says Laura Alcock-Ferguson, Executive Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness. “It’s no surprise that older people living alone visit their GP more often and are more likely to end up in A&E - in fact, some of these people visit the doctor simply to have someone to talk to.” According to the latest statistics one in three older people in the UK lives alone, which can be as harmful as obesity and can significantly increase the likelihood of depression and heart

disease. So it’s hardly surprising that West Norfolk Befriending is receiving around five referrals a day given the area’s population of older residents - people who are simply in need of a link to the outside world. The charity was founded by psychotherapist Carmel Austin almost 20 years ago, and has been in the care of chief executive Pippa May for the last decade. Totally funded through grants and donations, West Norfolk Befriending has always been faced with a fearsome challenge - enhancing people’s quality of life, maintaining their independence, reducing their isolation, 107

improving their mental and physical wellbeing, and helping them reintegrate with community life. The idea is disarmingly simple. “Essentially, we match trained volunteer ‘befrienders’ with isolated people to improve their quality of life,” says project coordinator Amanda Tickner. “Many of these people only need a chat over a cup of tea every couple of weeks. It doesn’t sound much, but it’s hugely important - we know from the feedback we’ve received and our follow-up visits that having someone to talk to can make the world of difference to someone’s life.” Almost exactly a year ago, West Norfolk Befriending embarked on a two-year project (thanks in part to a grant by the National Lottery Community Fund) to extend their services into local care homes, and is currently working with Downham Grange in Downham Market, Burman House in Terrington St John, Goodwins Hall in King’s Lynn and Fridhem Rest Home in Heacham - although the service is somewhat different than what was originally envisaged. “Our befriending services were always on a face-to-face basis, but

that’s obviously changed over the last few months,” says Amanda. “For the time being we’ve moved into telephone-based befriending, but even that can be enormously important - few of us realise just what a difference a chat on the phone can make.” The impact of COVID-19 may have put a temporary halt to ABOVE: West Norfolk Befriending works with several local care homes the charity being including Burman House in Terrington St John - and has also enlisted able to visit people the help of local schools in creating a range of greeting cards (below) at home, but it also highlighted an incredible local level we’re also working with LILY community spirit. (Living in Later Years) with the Borough “I can’t believe how many people Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, have helped us over the last few and we’ve even had the support of months,” says Amanda. “Much of our national companies such as Power work is about building good rapport Networks UK - who’ve supported our and long-lasting relationships to short-term telephone befriending achieve positive outcomes - and we’ve service.” been stunned by the generosity of Loneliness is rapidly becoming a people willing to lend a helping hand.” pandemic in itself. The ALONE charity Anne Sayell from the Facebook(which supports older people at home) based group Angels of King’s Lynn received 26,174 calls between March produced over 300 ear protectors for and July - 55% of callers were aged staff in care homes, local photographer Paul Macro donated his latest collection over 70 and almost 80% of them were living alone. of postcards, and the Norfolk branch It’s a stark reminder of an issue that’s of Linking Lives enlisted the help of far too often overlooked - but one that two local schools (St Martins CofE at takes very little time and effort to help. Shouldham and All Saints Academy at Stoke Ferry) in producing an inspirational range of greeting cards. West Norfolk Befriending is also working with an increasing number of local partners. “In addition to the award-winning intergenerational charity Friend in Deed we’ve got a great relationship with West Norfolk Carers,” says Amanda. “On a

If you have a few hours a week to spare and would like to make a real difference to someone’s life, please visit the West Norfolk Befriending website at www.wnbefriending.org.uk to start on your volunteering journey. You don’t need any experience and the charity will provide any necessary training. West Norfolk Befriending is always grateful for extra funding, so if you can help in any way the charity would love to hear from you.

108

KLmagazine September 2020

Happiness at home with personalised live-in care Taking care to a new level, Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk is helping people remain independent and happy in their own home...

esearch shows that 71% of people would rather grow old in their own homes, which is partly why Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk has recently extended its services to include live-in care. Already the UK’s leading provider of care in the home, Home Instead Senior Care can help you stay connected to your family, friends and local community in a cost-effective way that has your best interests at heart. And your family can be reassured that all your needs are being taken care of while you continue to live in familiar surroundings - together with your most treasured possessions and memories. “Our live-in care arrangements are

totally flexible and are built around the individual needs of our clients,” says Tom McEwan of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk. “It’s a totally personal approach. You decide how many hours practical assistance you need, and one of our CAREgivers will be carefully chosen to be your live-in companion, helping you carry out the tasks you need assistance with - and being both a friendly face and a regular source of company.” It’s the perfect solution for people with long-term conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, and it’s invaluable for people who’ve been recently bereaved - a situation which can have huge consequences for anyone suddenly finding themselves having to cope alone. Family has always been at the very

heart of Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk (it was founded after personal experience of poor levels of care) and Tom has ensured the company’s ethos of individual, personal and customerfocused attention is shared by everyone in the office and all its CAREGivers. “Unlike many care providers, we keep in touch with our clients on a regular basis to make sure they’re satisfied with the service we’re providing and asking if we can help in any other way,” he says. “It’s an incredible testament to our staff and CAREgivers that 100% of our clients have told us they’d recommend Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk to a friend.” If you’d like more information and details on live-in care or any other of the many homecare services Home Instead Senior Care in Norfolk can offer, please contact your nearest office using the details below.

HOLT KING’S LYNN DEREHAM 01263 650983 01553 387967 01362 357974 www.homeinstead.co.uk/westnorfolk KLmagazine September 2020

109

ABOVE: No Prayers Nor Bells Anthem For Doomed Youth by local artist Neil Bousfield - a poignant work produced for a special edition of the poems of Wilfred Owen on the 100th anniversary of his death

The making of art with a sense of place... Plenty of artists take the coastline of north Norfolk for inspiration, but rather than simple landscapes local printmaker and wood engraver Neil Bousfield takes a deeper, more environmental-based approach KL magazine: Did you always want to be an artist? Neil Bousfield: I always enjoyed ‘making’ and ‘doing’ things and the physicality of materials at school, so it seemed a good idea to carry on my education at art school. I never felt comfortable with words because I’m dyslexic so visual communication was more natural. I studied drawing, painting, life drawing, textiles, jewellery and 3D design at Cleveland College of Art and Design and that instilled a love of making in me. 110

KL magazine: Why specialise in printmaking and wood engraving? Neil Bousfield: I’d graduated with a BA Honours in Animation from West Surrey College of Art and Design and was making a lot of collage, drawing and painting - which grew into sculptures, furniture and a lot of woodturning. I turned my attention to woodcuts and linocuts because I liked the crossover between the physicality of ‘making’ and the fact I could tell stories. After I completed an MSc in Graphical Computing Technologies and

worked in the games industry as a 3D artist, I decided to do an MA in MultiDisciplinary Printmaking - inspired largely by the graphic novels of Frans Masereel and Lynd Ward. KL magazine: What brought you to Norfolk? Neil Bousfield: When I left the games industry I began to teach sociallyexcluded teenagers printmaking and ‘green’ woodwork (which was quite a challenge) before teaching fine art at Hereford College of Art. It was my work

KLmagazine September 2020

as a teacher that brought me to Norfolk - and I still teach illustration three days a week at the Norwich University of the Arts. KL magazine: Much of your work seems to be influenced by environmental changes to the coast is that important to you? Neil Bousfield: I’m interested in how landscape and locations become important to us - how places we’ve never lived in before become our homes and how we create attachments and become rooted to a place. The stretch of coast between Happisburgh and Winterton-on-Sea holds many stories which inform a sense of ‘place’ but perhaps more importantly speak of humanity’s relationship between the land and the sea. When considering sea-level rise, this quiet stretch of coast holds stories of global significance. KL magazine: What’s a typical day in the studio for you like? Neil Bousfield: Relief engraving is a solitary process (it verges on the meditative!) so if I’m engraving I’ll simply be at my workbench getting on with it . The actual printing is a lot more dynamic - I’m the very proud owner of a Vandercook SP15 flatbed letterpress machine which is a joy to use - and it’s a lot more exciting than it sounds! KL magazine: The books you’ve produced have been very limited editions - there were only 10 copies of downsized, for example. is that an

I work on engravings which explore particular places, allowing me to explore my ideas

artistic or technical decision? Neil Bousfield: It’s largely to do with the practical limitations of making handmade books. Each page is printed from the block, and takes a significant amount of time. I’ve worked with printers such as Patrick Randle at the Whittington Press on projects, and these books are truly beautiful. Massproduced books are quite different from the printmaking processes. KL magazine: In 2018 you illustrated a selection of Wilfred Owen’s poems for The Folio Society to mark the 100th

Waves Against the Sea by Paul Nash (1889-1946)

KLmagazine September 2020

111

ABOVE: The work of local artist Neil Bousfield (below) is a graphic interpretation of his environmental concerns about the north Norfolk coast on which he lives.

commemoration of his death. How did you become involved with that project? Neil Bousfield: The Folio Society contacted me, and after consideration I accepted the commission. It’s usually the deadline that causes a problem, but in this case I had over a year to make the engravings- which was a realistic timeframe. It was a really exciting project to work on; the book itself is lovely and my work is very well reproduced. KL magazine: Who would you consider to be your major artistic influences? Neil Bousfield: Paul Nash really stands out - because of the wood engravings he made, the fact he was instrumental in the history of the Society of Wood Engravers (of which I’m an elected member) and the sheer quality of his work - which addresses the idea of a “spirit of place”. KL magazine: Is there a particular work of your own that you’re particularly proud of - or is important to you? Neil Bousfield: Technically and aesthetically I was really pleased with the work I was asked to make in response to Gilbert White’s book and the natural history of Selborne by Simon Martin, the Director of Pallant

112

House Gallery. I think Gilbert White would weep on seeing the impact we’ve had upon the wildlife and environment. KL magazine: If you could have any work of art in your home, what would it be? Neil Bousfield: There are many different answers for many different reasons, but I think it would probably have to be Wall Against the Sea (1922) by Paul Nash (see previous page). It makes me think about where I live, the ideas and the stories I want to make work about, the wall I live behind, the wall I walk every day with my dogs, and the wall that protects the flatlands of Norfolk from the rising seas. KL magazine: What are you working on at the moment? Neil Bousfield: I generally work on a series of engravings which explore particular places, which allows me to explore my ideas. I’m currently working on engravings focusing on Halvergate Marshes, the Norfolk Broads and their relationship with the sea. I’m also continuing a long-term project to develop narratives which impact on the local coastline, particularly the seawall, the North Sea and the seabed - which are all long-term concerns in my work.

KL magazine: Where can we see more of your work? Neil Bousfield: My work is held in public collections and by galleries such as the Bircham Gallery in Holt, the North House Gallery in Manningtree and online at St Jude’s. You can also visit my website at www.neilbousfield.com - and you can always follow me on Instagram @neilbousfield

KLmagazine September 2020

Stunning KL magazine photographic prints Now available! Bring the beauty of Norfolk into your own home They say a picture is worth 1,000 words so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll keep this short. Visit our website at www.klmagazine.co.uk and you can order prints of some of the very best photographs featured in the magazine in a range of different sizes and printed on high-quality photographic paper ready for you to frame. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better way of showing your love for our county - and your support for the magazine!

To browse our online gallery and order your favourite images, please visit www.klmagazine.co.uk

Michael Middleton’s

WildWestNorfolk

like to think that nothing would really surprise me any more, but I must admit to being somewhat nonplussed recently when I bumped into a fellow villager who lives opposite the local church. Maintaining a suitably safe distance between us, we had a perfectly pleasant catch-up on the usual aspects of village life - who wasn’t using their recycling bin properly, whose garden was letting the side down, and whose children seemed to have suddenly become possessed by the devil. Barry (it’s not his real name, but I promised to keep him anonymous) then told me about his new fridge, although the whole point of the story was what happened to the old fridge. Having spent the time he was confined to his house giving the kitchen a much-needed makeover, Barry bought a new fridge and put his old one on the road at the end of his drive. It’s worth pointing out that ‘old’ is a relative term - and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the unwanted appliance. It didn’t have a scratch on it, the interior was spotless, and the whole thing was only marred by a decidedly odd fridge magnet from Torquay. Barry carefully taped a handwritten sign to the front of the fridge, reading “Perfect working order. Free to a good home. If you want it, please take it!” And there it sat for five days. Barry couldn’t understand it, but thought that maybe passersby were a bit suspicious of the sign. After all, who would give away a totally perfect fridge - especially one with a fridge magnet that came all the way from Devon?

114

He duly removed the sign and wrote another one. “Fridge for sale. £25 or nearest offer,” it read - and within 17 hours the fridge had been stolen. Barry was really annoyed about the disappearance of his old fridge (despite the fact he’d been trying to give it away for the best part of a week) - especially when his wife asked where her favourite fridge magnet was. By this point I suspected I was in danger of being dragged into a west Norfolk episode of Midsomer Murders, so I made my way home - but I couldn’t get the story of Barry’s fridge out of my head. I must confess that I actually like free stuff, and I’ve often picked things up from the ends of my neighbours’ driveways - although Mrs Middleton’s delicate sensibilities mean that my discoveries (which currently include a perfectly good ‘mother and child’ floor lamp, a pristine white metal shelving unit and a multi-volume history of the Second World War) inevitably end up in the shed. But there are times when ‘free’ doesn’t do exactly what it says on the tin. A few months ago I received some vouchers for three completely free packs of sweets - and was so excited that I actually drove into town to the nearest supermarket that accepted them. Sadly (and typically) they’d run out of the good sweets and all that was left were some sugar mice, some mint humbugs and some flying saucers - strange sherbert-filled cardboard concoctions that vaguely resembled the shape of UFOs from the 1950s. Regardless, I took a pack of each one

(after all, they were free!) and made my way to the tills. Before I got there, however, I spotted several things I knew were on our weekly groceries list - tea bags, cat food, tomato purée, potatoes, more cat food, washing up liquid, cat treats, single cream, vegetable stock cubes, even more cat food and unsalted peanuts. I eventually got home an hour later than I should have done with a load of sweets I didn’t like and a bag full of shopping that would have been much cheaper from our village store across the road. This notion of what’s ‘free’ and what has ‘value’ stayed with me for the rest of the day as I spent a few hours in shed-based solitary confinement caused by my retail extravagances apparently I should never be paying more than £2 for cat treats. As I was aimlessly staring at the floor of the shed I noticed that two decades’ worth of splashes, drips, spills and drops of variously-coloured paints had made quite an interesting pattern. It was, in fact, remarkably similar to the painting Number 17A which was ‘produced’ by Jackson Pollock in 1948. If it was free (which the floor of my shed is, if anyone’s interested) I think Number 17A would suffer the same fate as Barry’s fridge. Mrs Middleton certainly wouldn’t let it within half a mile of any wall in the house. However, I wonder how many people would change their minds when they learned the painting was sold five years ago for upwards of £170 million. The paint-splattered floor of my shed is looking more attractive by the minute. KLmagazine September 2020

WANT

YOUR CAR

Fill in your details

Get a valuation

Money in the bank

Use our simple form below to get a valuation

Competitive quote for your vehicle

Money transferred directly to your bank

500 CARS 1 LOCATION www.stebbings.co.uk www.stebbings.co.uk Hamlin Way, Hardwick Narrows Kings Lynn PE30 4NG 01553 661661

LET US HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY...

TOP BRAND FLOORING & PREMIUM CARPETS n n n

Whatever the room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we have the right flooring for you With 1000s of samples to choose from and an experienced, knowledgeable team to help advise

FREE estimating and planning service Highly trained professional fitters Hundreds of rugs in stock

WE WILL MEASURE UP FOR YOU...

WE CAN HELP YOU TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME...

Fakenham

Norwich

Oxborough Lane, Fakenham NR21 8AF 01328 862391

Hall Road Retail Park, Norwich NR4 6DH 01603 272100 360

aldiss.com

FINALLY WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE FITTING