Places&Faces® North & West Norfolk · 04 · July 2017

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JULY 2017

The magazine for North & West Norfolk

WHAT’S ON AT THE

HOLT FESTIVAL —

JIMMY TARBUCK

PATRON OF THE PAVILION —

GIOVANNI PERNICE

SEE THE STRICTLY STAR THIS SUMMER

WIN! —

A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE FROM AURUM IN NORWICH

STUNNING SWIMWEAR —

RESTAURANT REVIEWS:

NECTON WINDMILL and THE CRAWFISH INN

SIR TOM JONES STILL IN FINE VOICE!

CELEBRITIES / FOOD / TRAVEL / FASHION / HOMES & GARDENS / THEATRE 2

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RETREATS Laid-back luxury holiday cottages in Nor th Norfolk

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CONTENTS COVER STORY 38 Sir Tom Jones voices his opinion PERSONALITIES 30 Joe McElderry sings songs from the movies 34 Jimmy Tarbuck: proud to be patron of Gorleston Pavilion 36 Giovanni Pernice strikes a pose 82 Curtain up on Debbie Thompson

19 62

FASHION AND BEAUTY 48 Be beach ready!

51 Pearl power 53 Summer hair care 54 All about opthamology 57 Beachwear for boys WHAT’S ON 11 How to make your holiday home stand out from the crowd 12 What’s happening at the Holt Festival

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38

17 The best North Norfolk beaches

60 65

19 Summer fun for everyone!

26 Take a trip to 42nd Street TRAVEL 42 The stunning sights of San Diego HOMES AND GARDENS 75 Beautiful baths FOOD AND DRINK 60 Sensational crab starter from The Imperial Hotel

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62 Talking tomatoes with Richard Bainbridge 65 Making the most of strawberry season 66 Al fresco dining is a delicious idea 70 Terrific Thai food at The Crawfish Inn 72 What’s on the menu at The Necton Mill?

COMPETITION 25 Win! An amazing necklace from Aurum Jewellers BUSINESS 81 Planning for workplace pensions

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meet the team CAROLYN ATKINS EDITOR

E: carolyn@h2creativemedia.co.uk

DONNA TITCOMBE FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR

E: donna@h2creativemedia.co.uk

ANDREW HIRST HEAD OF CLIENT SERVICES / STUDIO

T: 01493 742250 M: 07557 050160 E: andrew@h2creativemedia.co.uk

ADVERTISING

DESIGN

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR:

SENIOR DESIGNER:

ASHLEY COOMER

SHAUN COOMER

E: ashley@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742093

E: shaun@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742066 M: 07584 162023

SENIOR DESIGNER & IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST:

JUSTIN NEALE

E: justin@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742093

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER:

DIANE GREEN

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GENERAL ENQURIES

ACCOUNT MANAGER:

ROB FOSBROOK

OFFICE MANAGER:

E: rob@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742136 M: 07780 430706

follow us on twitter

JANE GOODLEY

E: jane@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742088

@PlacesandFaces

CONTRIBUTORS: Richard Bainbridge, Richard Batson, John Bultitude, Benet Catty, Peter Clarke, Kayla Dunne, Andrew Florides, Simon Franklin, Samantha Fraser, Carl Lamb, Eliza Miller, Nick Mobbs, Mark Nicholls, Franck Pontais, Debbie Thompson, David Wakefield

COLIN HUGGINS

T: 01493 742091 M: 07775 858862 E: colin@h2creativemedia.co.uk

WELCOME

TO JULY’S PLACES&FACES® EAST ANGLIA has been a hub of activity on the music front

lately, attracting some huge stars.

If you were among the thousands who flocked to Carrow Road in Norwich to see Take That last month, you’ll know what a Wonderland they created there, with acrobats, circus performers, a flying carpet and even a rainstorm forming part of their fantastical performance.

Meanwhile, the audience at Let’s Rock Norwich, The Retro Festival, were also treated to a mesmerising medley of music, with Tony Hadley, Banarama, Chesney Hawkes and Co taking them back to the 1980s in an exciting open air concert in the city’s Earlham Park.

This month Suffolk is getting ready to host its biggest gig yet – Latitude at Henham Park – which will see 750 acts descend on 15 stages (read all about it on the What’s On pages).

And there’s more – our cover star this month is the legendary Tom Jones who will be belting out his hits at Holkham Hall on Sunday, July 23. Sir Tom has been to the region before, of course – to Blickling Hall and Newmarket Racecourse, for example – but this year’s event should be better than ever as he’s bringing his protégés, Into The Ark, with him as his support.

If you followed The Voice on TV, you’ll know that, just as Ed Sheeran did a lot of groundwork in the county before he hit the big time, Into The Ark are also tipped as the next big thing, so grab the chance to see them in East Anglia this summer before they start filling super-sized stadiums on their own!

Read on and you’ll see that there are all sorts of other music events on their way this summer too, from Sara Cox’s DJ set at Great Yarmouth Racecourse to over 50 bands, singers and performers who’ll be descending on Dereham for the town’s fifth Blues Festival.

Meanwhile, over in King’s Lynn plans are underway for two more exciting events – the 67th King’s Lynn Festival, which focuses on classical music, and the fantastic Festival Too, one of Europe’s biggest free musicals, headlined by KT Tunstall and Busted.

Have a great month!

Colin Huggins

12 ISSUES FOR £24

PS. Congratulations to Mrs J Salman from Norwich and Mark Stebbings from Saxmundham who are the lucky winners of VIP packages at Great Yarmouth Racecourse’s glamorous Ladies’ Night!

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

call Jane on 01493 742088 or visit our website at www.placesandfaces.co.uk/ magazine-subscribe

ONLINE: www.placesandfaces.co.uk

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PRINTERS: MICROPRESS

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Copyright on all content is with H2Creative Media Limited. Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times were correct at the time of print, and you are encouraged to contact the businesses and venues prior to making bookings. All expressions and opinions demonstrated within the publication, are those of the Publisher including contributors.

Places&Faces® is a registered Trade Mark of H2Creative Media Limited.

NEW AND NEARLY NEW DESIGNER CLOTHES & Accessories

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We’re so much more than just a holiday cottage agency....

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25 years of leading occupancy for owners • 400+ delighted owners • Cancellation protection scheme Fully-graded VisitEngland portfolio • 44% of owners with us for 5+ years and 74% for more than 2 years Feefo Gold Trusted Service Winners • Local, family company • No.1 on Google for key search terms Fully-managed, tailored service available • Sector leading marketing and insights • Open and honest

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BUSINESS

holiday lettings A WA R M W E LC O M E

Nothing is more appreciated after a long journey than a thoughtfullycurated welcome tray. Provide everything guests need to make a cup of tea or coffee when they arrive, and add some hand-made biscuits or a cake for accompaniment. A bottle of wine is a nice touch too, as is some local fayre and even the ingredients for a full English breakfast for your guests’ first morning in your cottage. We always provide fresh flowers too, and stand them on the windowsill to help with that first impression.

I N V E N TO RY

We supply all our homeowners with a detailed inventory of items guests should be provided with to ensure they have everything they could need during their stay. As well as cooking equipment, health and safety necessities and other elements that could be easily forgotten, we also suggest providing modern-day essentials including excellent Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth speaker. Generally speaking, if someone has something in their own homes, they should find it in their holiday cottage also.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Making the most of it Each month, experts from Norfolk Country Cottage and Norfolk Cottage Care – both part of The Original Cottage Company based in Reepham, will give advice on holiday letting in the county and how to maximise your investment. This month, Lucy Downing of Norfolk Country Cottages looks at what makes for the perfect holiday cottage…

A

FTER 25 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS, we pride ourselves

on being rather picky when it comes to the properties we select to join our portfolio of holiday cottages. We have to be certain that each and every property will deliver what it promises and will delight visitors and enhance their stay in Norfolk. We look for properties that will grade as a 4 or 5-star quality with VisitEngland, and, once recruited, we will send our professional photographer to capture images that will be used across all our marketing, together with a detailed description written by our expert team.

If you have a holiday cottage, or are thinking of investing in one, you may well be asking what we look for and how you can guarantee that your cottage will book well and meet customer demands. Here are our top tips…

Usually a holiday cottage will appeal to a particular target market – be it family-friendly, dog-friendly, walkers… the options are vast. If you wish to capture the attention of a particular audience, make sure you offer what they are looking for. Families will appreciate provisions such as a high chair, stairgate, cot, games, DVDs and an enclosed garden. Visitors bringing their dogs will love a dog bed, treats and suggestions of great walks and dog-friendly beaches, whereas walkers and cyclists will look for drying facilities and bike storage. It’s that simple.

B E I N F O R M AT I V E

Finally, as the local experts, we aim to share our knowledge of the area to ensure visitors can make the most of their time in Norfolk.

As an owner, you should do the same. Share information about your favourite walks, restaurants, stately homes and events; that personal insight makes the ordinary extraordinary and will help ensure your guests have a fabulous time.

A F I N A L WO R D

Don’t forget to provide a visitors’ book for your guests to complete at the end of their stay. If you’ve actioned all of the above, you’re sure to receive some wonderful comments which future visitors can read, and you can share with others. We certainly do, via our website and other marketing activities. After all, nothing tops a personal recommendation.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN INVESTING in holiday letting, perhaps weighing up a selection of potential properties or already own a holiday home, you can always ask for advice. With 25 years’ experience and a trusted reputation, the homeowner team at Norfolk Country Cottages are always more than happy to visit you and talk through the options. They give honest advice and realistic income forecasts – all for free and without obligation. You can call 01263 715779, email owners@norfolkcottages.co.uk or visit their website for more details – at: www.norfolkcottages.co.uk

CURB APPEAL

It’s important that your holiday property casts a positive impression from the word go. After all, first impressions are often lasting impressions. Make sure your exterior paintwork is pristine, frame your front door with planting and perhaps add a distinctive house sign. Ugly weeds, flaking joinery and wheelie bins are the last things people want to be greeted by.

S P I C K A N D S PA N

On entering your home, visitors want to be met with a clean and well-presented property. Vacuum those floors, scrub those bathrooms, sweep those cobwebs away and provide fresh, clean linen and fluffy, spotless towels. It’s the least you can do.

11

| JULY 2017

Fantastic line-up

T L O H IVAL

for the

T S E F

Expect music, chat, comedy, burlesque, cabaret and more at North Norfolk’s premier arts festival, says Simon Franklin

A

charming Georgian town in

North Norfolk may not seem an obvious location for an arts festival where household names rub shoulders with up-andcoming performers, but the Holt Festival is now in its ninth year. Throughout the summer months Holt is a magnet for tourists and during Festival week it also becomes home to musicians, poets, actors, dancers, artists and comedians as well as attracting extra cultural tourists into the area.

Household names and stimulating discussion are established features of this event. Original 70s’ leather-clad rocker Suzi Quatro has a catalogue of songs that have sold millions of records worldwide and earned her 101 weeks in the UK charts. Suzi has also enjoyed a long acting career that has included TV shows such as Happy Days, Minder, Absolutely Fabulous and Midsomer Murders as well as West End theatre runs, but she’s bringing her seven-piece band to Holt’s spectacular Theatre in the Woods to rock!

The ever-popular Jasper Carrott is one of the country’s favourite comedians and is bound to be a big draw at the same venue. His unique new show features a blend of music and comedy, combining a stand up set with an all-star band featuring Bev Bevan, founding member of ELO and The Move.

At the other end of the musical spectrum there’s a rare UK visit from Spanish opera stars Javier Agulló and Amparo Navarro. The singers will perform a history of opera with arias and duets from Monteverdi and Mozart to Verdi and Puccini with a common theme of jealousy.

Also watch out for million-selling, Brit Awardwinning former Gresham’s schoolboy Humphrey Berney on temporary leave from Blake, with a

special evening of song and virtuosic piano.

Author talks include former Observer literary and associate editor, Robert McCrum, IVF pioneer Lord Robert Winston and one of the UK’s most experienced and respected broadcasters, Sue MacGregor CBE, who will be in conversation with Alan Johnson MP to reflect on 50 years of broadcasting.

On the drama front a 1940s’ radio studio is the setting for The Gin Chronicles. For this five-star verbal and visual comic treat a cast of five present a vintage radio-style comedy that follows the adventures of two amateur detectives searching for a missing gin magnate.

One of the more unique aspects of the Festival is that alongside the big names it gives performers from the eastern region the opportunity to perform their shows – often after finding success on a national stage.

Poet, broadcaster, playwright and former UEA student Luke Wright is now one of Britain’s most popular poets. His multi award-winning play ‘What I Learned From Johnny Bevan’ took the Edinburgh Festival by storm and went on to tour the country. It sold out a three-week London run and he was invited to perform it at the Houses of Parliament! For the Holt Festival he will perform poems from his recently published book, The Toll, as the final date of another extensive UK tour. A wordsmith at the top of his game, Luke’s verse explores the flat-roofed pubs and halfbought couches of Brexit Britain, and the toll it takes on us all, with wit and compassion.

Rubber Ring, written and performed by Norfolk resident James McDermott, tells the story of sexually confused teenager Jimmy; a Morrissey obsessive stuck in Sheringham. When his idol is to perform in London, Jimmy flees to the city to find his hero and himself. Based on James’ own experiences of struggles with

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EVERY CLIMB COUNTS! In aid of the Holt Young Carers Groups

SATURDAY 29th JULY • 7am - 5pm With the help of locals and festival visitors, we are going to attempt to climb the height of Mount Everest using our entry stairs!

Come and join in! Fete stalls upstairs.

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th ANNIVERSARY

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WHAT’S ON

holt festival

2017

sexuality and regional identity, this laughout-loud, one-man play received rave reviews in Edinburgh and London.

There’s plenty for families and children of all ages too including a full day of free family street entertainment. The children’s festival includes storytelling, charming shows from both the Norwich Puppet Theatre and Rhubarb Theatre and interactive workshops and events from Foolhardy Circus Troupe, as well as an invitation from Sheringham Little Theatre to create A Musical In A Day! The visual art programme is spearheaded by two stunning loan exhibitions. The first features work by internationally-renowned, Norwichborn artist Edward Seago, best known for his landscapes and portraits, and the second focuses on original paintings and sculpture telling the story of painters Cedric Morris and Lett Haines, their houses The Pound and Benton End, and their informal art school on the Suffolk/Essex borders.

This year marks the end of artistic director Charles Pugh’s three-year tenancy. He commented: “I’m so proud of this programme, I think, perhaps the most diverse we’ve yet delivered. From the unabashed popularity of glam rocker Suzi Quatro and one of the country’s funniest comedians Jasper Carrott, to tales of warmongers, witch hunters, brain attacks and public money squanderers. We begin and end this year’s Festival with tributes to radio broadcasting - my favourite medium - and in between take in some of the finest music, theatre, comedy, cabaret/burlesque and literary events that Holt has seen. " The Holt Festival runs from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 30.

Full details and ticket bookings at: www.holtfestival.org

VISIT NORTH NORFOLK

award-winning beaches

beautiful

Beaches

"Which award-winning north Norfolk beach will you visit this summer?" asks Kayla Dunne from Visit North Norfolk

August 27. The beach is flat and sandy and you can enjoy watching the fishing boats catching the famous Cromer crabs.

England! There are now six Blue Flag beaches along the Close to the shore you will find the Cromer Shoals Chalk Bed, 45 miles of coastline, with East Runton and West Runton created when dinosaurs roamed. At 20 miles long, it is the beaches joining Cromer, Mundesley, Sea Palling and most extensive in the world and you can see it by swimming Sheringham in the top tier of English beaches. This means out and snorkelling. The Cromer crabs feed off the reef, which these north Norfolk beaches have the highest quality of gives the delicacy its rich and sweet flavour. Pristine sands, water, facilities, environmental education and management, luscious green cliffs and dainty Victorian buildings make with superb levels of cleanliness and safety. So, which will Cromer a very enchanting place to visit. you visit this summer?

In between Sheringham and Cromer are West and Heading west along the coast, you will find East Runton Blue Flag beaches. The beach at West Brancaster. The beach is stunning, with miles of Runton is part of the Deep History Coast. This is golden sand, and is great for dog walking. These a sand and shingle beach, with rock pools when miles of flat sands are also ideal for kite surfing (in the tide goes out. The cliffs offer an impressive designated areas). When the tide is out you can see backdrop to the beach and are where the West an old shipwreck, the remains of SS Vina which For information Runton mammoth was discovered - the largest and was used by the RAF for target practice before the about what’s on, where to stay, what oldest mammoth skeleton ever found. The beach is Normandy landing. to do and to watch an ideal spot for beachcombing for fossils.

Or head to nature-rich beach Holkham, part of films about the For a quieter, family-friendly day out, traditional one of the largest National Nature Reserves in the area, see www.visit Mundesley has a large, flat Blue Flag beach backed country and home to many rare species of flora northnorfolk.com by cliffs and a row of pretty, colourful beach huts. and fauna. The stunning white sands, backed by Visit North Norfolk The resort is quiet and a good choice for beach days dunes and pinewoods, have been the setting for is the official visitor guide for the area. away from the hustle and bustle. many films. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural #niptonorthnorfolk One of the most eastern beaches on the north Beauty, the vast beach is ideal for family days out Norfolk coast is the Blue Flag beach, Sea Palling. and walking. At high tides, behind the shoreline, This is a wide, sandy beach with a series of shallow bays lies a basin which fills to form a spectacular, shallow lagoon. formed by man-made, offshore reefs which calm the waters, Just along from Holkham you'll find award-winning, making it safe for small children. dog-friendly Wells-next-the-Sea, also part of the coastal Whatever beach day you’re looking for, north Norfolk has nature reserve. Wells Beach was recently presented with a something for everyone, at any time of the year, and with so Seaside Award, which means visitors can enjoy a clean, safe, many award-winning beaches to enjoy, you’ll wish you could attractive and well-managed coastal stretch. Walk through stay for longer! the pretty, shady pinewoods and you'll be greeted with a lovely sandy beach, past the row of colourful beach huts.

You can walk to Holkham beach via the two-mile pine walk, part of the Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way. At low tide, children will love splashing around in The Run, where you can walk a mile or so out to its end. Head back when the hooter signals the incoming tide.

A little further east along the coast is Sheringham, a Blue Flag beach set in a traditional seaside resort, and well-known for its fine seaside setting and cliffs surrounded by picturesque, wooded areas to the north with views over the sea. When the tide is out, the sands and rock pools of this pebbly beach are revealed, perfect for exploring.

Just along the coast from Sheringham is another Blue Flag beach, Cromer. The town’s Victorian pier is great for crabbing and is home to the World Pier Crabbing Championships on IT'S OFFICIAL - NORTH NORFOLK has the best beaches in

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Experience wind power from the top of a modern windmill Make the 300 step journey to the top of the first windmill in the world open for the public to climb, take a look at the electric transport of the future, and enjoy Fairtrade coffee and tasty plant based food at our café.

Plus, we’ve got some fantastic activities for children throughout the summer holidays, as well as our open mic nights on the first Friday of every month.

Give us a call on 01760 726 100 for more details.

www.greenbritaincentre.co.uk | info@greenbritaincentre.co.uk The Green Britain Centre, Turbine Way, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7HT

WHAT’S ON

june

j u ' n O ly s t A WH IN

activities and events - there’s somethin summer with these fabulous of t g for everyo igh he the of st mo the ke Ma ne!

LOOKING FORWARD TO LATITUDE The long and lazy summer days are here so it must be time for Latitude! Now in its 12th year, the Latitude Festival, held from Thursday, July 13 to Sunday, July 16, looms larger than ever, with an incredible 750 acts across 15 stages, including the BBC Music Introducing Stage, The SpeakEasy, Music and Film, Solas and many more. Held in the generous grounds of Suffolk’s Henham Park, music stars set to shimmer include Brit Award

winners The 1975, Fleet Foxes and Saturday night headliners Mumford & Sons. Add in everything from partying with Fatboy Slim to award-winning verse from poet and writer Luke Wright and you get the idea! There’ll be more literary and poetry events, debate, discussion, art, music and film – head to www.latitudefestival.com for more information and book your tickets at: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/latitude

DANCE ALONG WITH DJ SARA COX A star jockey of a different kind is riding into Great Yarmouth this summer with a stable full of classic dance tunes. Radio 2 and BBC TV presenter Sara Cox, a keen amateur horse rider as well as a professional DJ, is hosting a night of music at the seaside course’s Ladies’ Night on Wednesday, July 19. She will DJ after an evening of flat racing and play a set featuring dancedriven music ranging from the 80s up to today’s chart hits. Tickets and packages range from £16 to £34, with group discounts for 15 or more; more information available at www.greatyarmouth-racecourse.co.uk or by calling 01493 842527.

FREE FAMILY FUN intu Chapelfield is launching this year’s summer Kids’ Club activities with a Summer Party over the weekend of Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 which will see the popular Norwich shopping centre turned into a traditional village fete. Attractions will include a giant helter skelter (a big hit last summer), fairground games including hoopla and hook a duck, and a doughnut-eating challenge from Krispy Kreme. There’ll also be live music on Chapelfield Plain. There will also be a series of weekly workshops on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the school holidays which will explore different aspects of Norfolk’s landscape, culture or heritage, suitable for those aged from three to 12. Activities will run from 10am to 4pm and are free for Kids’ Club members; sign up at intu Chapelfield on the day, or online beforehand at www.intu.co.uk/ chapelfield/families/kids-club. Grown-ups are encouraged to check the website for more information and to book in advance.

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j u ly n O ' s HAt IN

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DEREHAM BLUES FESTIVAL The line-up for this year’s Dereham Blues Festival is looking good, with some of the best blues and roots acts on the books. Over 50 bands, trios, duos and solo performers will be performing over the festival dates – from Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9 – a record number for this event, which is now celebrating its fifth year. The acts will be performing at 15 different Dereham town centre venues throughout the Blues Festival, culminating on the Sunday with the traditional outdoor blues super-jam in the garden of the King’s Head pub.

Meanwhile, the opening concert will feature Andy Fairweather Low and his band The Low Riders, with top quality support from local favourites The Dove And Boweevil Band. The opening concert has been organised by the Friends of the Dereham Memorial Hall and tickets are selling fast! Find out who’s going to be playing where and when at: www.derehambluesfestival.org.uk

NEW PLAY PARK Children in Earsham, Near Bungay, Suffolk are set to get a new play park thanks to a £41,700 grant from funding body WREN. The money, awarded by WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund, will be used to buy play equipment at the Earsham Park off The Street, Earsham, Near Bungay, Suffolk. It is hoped that the Play Park will be ready to use by Wednesday, July 12 after seven years of fundraising.

POPULAR PROCESSION One of the highlights of the summer calendar, the hugely popular Lord Mayor’s Street Procession takes place in Norwich at 5pm on Saturday, July 8. Led by the Lord Mayor, it will weave its way through the city with a parade of fantastical creations, floats, dancers, acrobats and musicians.

Part of the Lord Mayor’s Celebration which runs from Friday, July 7 to Sunday, July 9; for full details, visit: www.norwich.gov.uk/events EXPLORE NEW HORIZONS An exhibition of new paintings inspired by the landscapes of South Norfolk and the North of Suffolk will take place at The Gallery Norfolk on St Giles Street, Norwich, from Saturday, July 8 to Saturday, July 22 (tel: 01603 761900; www.thegallerynorfolk.co.uk). Ruth Bunnewell: New Horizons shows the Norwich University of the Arts graduate’s atmospheric paintings of East Anglia which often consider the contrasts between wide open spaces and groups of trees.

Tipped by House and Garden magazine as a British landscape artist to watch, Ruth has become a firm favourite at The Gallery Norfolk with her quintessentially East Anglian oil paintings.

KALEIDOSCOPIC KING’S LYNN FESTIVAL Expect another exciting medley of music and arts during the 67th King’s Lynn Festival fortnight which will feature more than 30 events from Sunday, July 16 to Saturday, July 29. This summer’s wide-reaching programme features classical music, jazz, folk, film, speakers, walks and exhibitions. Highlights include the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Clare Teal with her Hollywood Orchestra, The Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, pianist Freddy Kempf, poet Roger McGough, the European Union Chamber Orchestra and a folk dance spectacular with The Demon Barbers. Find out more on 01553 767557 or at: www.kingslynnfestival.org.uk; Box Office at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange – call: 01553 764864.

july

WHAT’S ON OPEN-AIR SHAKESPEARE As You Like It, one of Shakespeare’s most enchanting and enthralling comedies, will be performed by the Lavenham Players from Wednesday, July 19 to Saturday, July 22 in the grounds of the Grade II-listed Lavenham Hall. The event is sponsored by The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group and Robins Row Limited, insurance brokers from Long Melford. Evening performances will take place at 7:15pm on Wednesday, July 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21, followed by both a matinee at 2:15pm and an evening performance at 7:15pm on Saturday, July 22. Spectators are welcome to bring along a picnic and seating or rugs. Tickets are £10; call:0333 666 3366 or visit: www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/167571

SUMMER SPECTACULAR Don’t miss the 2017 Hippodrome Circus and Water Spectacular this summer. There are no clowns or animals, just amazing family entertainment with shows every day at 2.30pm and 7.30pm from Wednesday, July 12 to Sunday, September 17 (Sundays 2.30pm and 6.30pm and Fridays 7.30pm only). For ticket prices and availability, call the Box Office on: O1493 844172 or look online at: www.hippodromecircus.co.uk

NELSON & NORFOLK Nelson & Norfolk – a major exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery – opens on Saturday, July 29 and runs through the summer holidays, closing on Sunday, October 1, 2017. The exhibition presents some of the most extraordinary and potent objects connected to Admiral Lord Nelson (1758 to 1805), from his boyhood in Norfolk to his death at the Battle of Trafalgar including a monumental early French Tricolour Ensign (flag) captured from French warship Le Généreux in 1800 – measuring the size of a tennis court – not see in public since 1905. Call: 01603 495897 or visit: www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk

FABULOUS FRIDAY MUSIC NIGHTS Friday nights are music nights at The Hoste in Burnham Market, with a three-course dinner and live entertainment for £55. On Friday, July 7, you can catch The Gravy Train – an intense and powerful jazz/funk combo from Cambridge – playing live music to listen and dance to from 7pm until late.

Call: 01328 738777 or visit: www.thehoste.com

GANGSTA GRANNY Laughs, excitement and fun are guaranteed as a hugely popular children’s story is set to entertain all ages at the Norwich Theatre Royal this summer. Birmingham Stage Company, who have brought Horrible Histories and some classic Roald Dahl books to life on the stage, are turning their attention to David Walliams’ best-selling novel Gangsta Granny which runs from Thursday, July 13 to Saturday, July 15.

Box Office: 01603 630000. www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

j u ly n O ' s HAt IN

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THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC! A host of household names is heading to Potters Resort in Hopton-on-Sea this summer. Get ready for some doo-wop with Britain’s number one vocal harmony group, The Overtones, on Sunday, July 9 when they bring their sweet soul music to the stage. Then Billy Ocean will be making waves on Sunday, July 16 when he performs such classics as: When the Going Gets Tough and Caribbean Queen. Or bring out your inner dancing queen at the Björn Again Family Summer Party Break on Friday, July 21 when you can spend the night dancing with live evening entertainment followed by a late night disco and many of Abba’s greatest hits. For ticket prices and details, visit: www.pottersholidays.com or call: 0333 3207 497 to book.

CICCHETTI & WINE Get ready for cicchetti and wine time at The Library Bar & Grill in Norwich on Wednesday, July 5 at 6pm - a relaxed, informal evening of cicchetti (small dishes) carefully matched with regional wines from the Veneto region as well as from central and southern Italy. Held in the bar area at The Library, the night will begin with an Aperol Spritz (the perfect Italian aperitif ) and will feature a selection of delicious cicchetti paired with half a dozen Italian wines, running until 7.30pm. £25 per person; for more information and to book, contact The Library Restaurant on 01603 616606 or visit: www.thelibraryrestaurant.co.uk

KIDS’ STUFF AT THE HOLKHAM COUNTRY FAIR North Norfolk’s Country Fair is offering fun for all the family with an action-packed lineup of child-friendly activities and attractions across the two-day event on July 22 and 23.

What’s more, children aged 14 years and under will be able to enjoy all the entertainment absolutely free! Originally set up by the 7th Earl of Leicester, Edward Coke, the Holkham Country Fair has always been an event to educate children about country life in a fun, cost-effective and memorable way. The muchloved event will be welcoming back some of its popular attractions as well as offering some brand news ones too, including a 60-metre long zip wire, birds of prey, exotic animal encounters, ferret racing and showing, an Old Tyme Fairground complete with Galloping Horses, a Helter Skelter, Chairs-o-Planes and a Ferris wheel. Plus younger visitors can march with the band around the Grand Ring in the Children’s March Past, with one lucky child chosen to be Drum Major and able to lead the march. For more details and prices, visit: www.holkhamcountryfair.co.uk HEAD TO HOLT! Holt Festival 2017 is ready to rock this Georgian town with a host of music, art, children’s activities, fringe events and outdoor entertainment. From comedy to cuisine, politics to pop, this wonderful celebration of the arts runs from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, July 30. Read the in-depth feature on this year’s festival elsewhere in this magazine, and call: 01603 598699 or www.holtfestival.org to book.

CURTAIN UP ON STAGE TWO When the final bell goes at the end of the summer term, the curtain goes up on a host of activities designed to bring out the inner creativity in young people. Whether it is devising new work, performing classic routines or learning the nuts-and-bolts of working on-stage and off, there will be something for all ages to enjoy during the programme at Norwich Theatre Royal’s learning and participation centre Stage Two. Find out more at: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

COME ALONG TO THE CROMER PIER SHOW! It’s celebration time this summer at the seaside where the famous Cromer Pier Show is commemorating its 40th year. The only endof-the-pier show in the world takes place at the Pavilion Theatre and features live variety acts at their best. Two different shows, Show 1 and Show 2, take place during the summer season, changing over every Thursday so that you can catch both shows in the same week, and then there’ll be a ‘Best Of’ show in September. Popular headline comedian Phil Butler, vocalist Emily Yarrow and Australian comedy juggler James Bustar have returned to Cromer this summer, along with plenty more.

Box Office: 01263 512496; www.cromerpier.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

july

GRAPES HILL GARDEN WORKSHOPS Enjoy some informative, fun gardening workshops this summer at Grapes Hill Community Garden in Norwich. From learning to grow your own food organically to meeting like-minded people interested in permaculture, there is sure to be something of interest to you or your family and friends and, thanks to Big Lottery Funding, some of the workshops are free. How about starting with the Beginners’ Gardening Course with our gardening expert Ellen Mary (four sessions from Thursday, July 13; £25 for the four-week course including refreshments and a light lunch)? Email: contact@grapeshillcommunitygarden.org to register your interest.

PLACE YOUR BIDS! Artwork by 50 of Norfolk’s premier artists has been donated to the Anteros Arts Foundation Black Tie Silent Auction which will be held from 6pm to 8pm at the gallery on Fye Bridge Street, Norwich, on Thursday, July 13. The charity auction will take place both in the gallery and online and is open for bids from July 11 to 21. Find out more on 01603 766129 or at: www.anterosfoundation.com

FREE CONCERTS AT FAIRHAVEN There’s a host of fabulous free performances at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in South Walsham this month. Six-piece band The Busketeers of Sheringham will be playing popular music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s including skiffle, country and folk, and will be giving a free concert in the tearoom picnic area from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, July 2. Then The Pantaloons Theatre Company returns at 7pm on Friday, July 7 with their open-air production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed in their own distinctive, quick-witted, anarchic style. In the afternoon on Sunday, July 9 the Norfolk Jazz Quartet will play swinging jazz standards and melodic music from the Great American Song Book, while other summer concerts include traditional brass band the Wrentham Band on Sunday, July 16; Great Yarmouth Brass on Sunday, July 23, and the Classic Dixieland Trio on Sunday, July 30, all from 2pm to 4pm. More on 01603 270449 and at: www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

FESTIVAL TOO One of Europe’s biggest free music festivals, Festival Too, returns to King’s Lynn this month for five nights of amazing family entertainment. The event will kick off on Saturday, July 1 with live music and fireworks, followed by the Sunday Jazz Event starring Dixie Mix on July 2. Then on Friday, July 7 British soul icons The Real Thing will be taking to the stage, followed by headliner KT Tunstall on Saturday, July 8. There’ll be performances by local bands too, along with music stars Space and Musical Youth on Friday, July 14 and the big finish, Busted, supported by new rock band Twin Wild, on Saturday, July 15. Find out all about it at: www.festivaltoo.co.uk

Celebrating 40 Years

Meet award winning designer Andrew Geoghegan and celebrate Aurum Jeweller's 40th Anniversary on Saturday 1st July.

Official launch of Cannelé Petit and the Satellite Diamond Vintage.

Bubbles, Canapes and Prize Draw.

AURUM JEWELLERS

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21 BEDFORD STREET • NORWICH AURUMDESIGN.CO.UK

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NR2 1AR

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TEL: 01603 620741

A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE

COMPETITION

aurum jewellers

WIN from

AURUM JEWELLERS

AURUM JEWELLERS IN NORWICH is currently celebrating its 40th year in business and so has teamed up with Places&Faces® to offer a wonderful competition prize.

The lucky winner of this month’s competition will receive a beautiful necklace (pictured) worth £395.

This attractive piece of jewellery is made up of semi-precious gemstones set into a silver necklace and comprises a series of cushioncut stones: Swiss blue topaz, amethyst and green quartz.

The stones are “spectacle” set and are cut on both sides, so whichever way the necklace lies, the full colour of each gemstone can be seen.

Located on Bedford Street in the heart of the Norwich Lanes, contemporary jewellery boutique Aurum is marking its 40th year of trading in Norwich with a birthday party for all customers on Saturday, July 1 as well as special offers and promotions throughout the month.

The business is run by husband and wife team Jon and Carol Maddocks and their daughters Charlie and Claire and since they began trading they have stuck with their original ethos of stocking unique, contemporary, high quality jewellery.

The company offers high-end designer ranges such as Marco Bicego, and wedding rings and bespoke design have also become an important part of the business.

Jon said: “We still strive to bring our customers something unusual, along with the passion and customer service that goes hand in hand

with being an independent retailer.”

Aurum is definitely a destination shop offering something a little different and its range of stunning, contemporary jewellery is well worth a look.

To enter this competition, please answer the following question:

Which anniversary is Aurum celebrating this month?

Send your answer and contact details by email to: competitions@ placesandfaces.co.uk or enter by post at: Places & Faces, H2Creative Media Ltd, Humberstone House, 47 Englands Lane, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 6BE. Please submit your entry by the end of July 2017 latest and good luck!

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.lhgtickets.com and www.livepromotions.co.uk. Tickets are also available in person from the Holkham Ticket Office between 10am and 5pm (tel: 01328 713111).

Aurum Jewellers is at 21 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AR. Contact: claire@aurumdesign.co.uk; Tel: 01603 620741 www.aurumdesign.co.uk

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 | JULY 2017

Word on If da zzling da nce numbers a re your t h i n g , t h e n 4 2 n d S t r e e t i s t h e pl a c e t o g o , s a y s We s t E n d c r it i c B e n e t C a t t y

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WEST END REVIEW

42nd street

the Street

ARABELLA NEVILLE-ROLFE (TARGET LIVE 2017)

FANS OF DANCE ARE SUPREMELY WELL SERVED by the London theatre scene this year. There have been two big openings in two huge theatres of two major dance-dominated musicals from Broadway.

An American in Paris (which I reviewed here in May) is the classiest show in London, a ballet every bit as much as a musical. 42nd Street, that most Broadway-ish of Broadway shows, is the most glamorous, with tap dancing aplenty and a cast of 50 (yes, 50).

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MONDAY 17 - SATURDAY 22 JULY Eves 7.30pm, Mats Wed & Sat 2.30pm Tickets: £8 - £27.50 Box Office: (01603) 63 00 00

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk THEATRE STREET, NORWICH NR2 1RL

WEST END REVIEW

ARABELLA NEVILLE-ROLFE (TARGET LIVE 2017)

42nd street

42nd Street has a long pedigree. Based on the 1933 Hollywood film and including standards such as: We’re in the Money and Lullaby of Broadway, the Tony-winning Broadway adaptation became an Olivier-winning success in London in the 80s at the same theatre as now. It was staged by director/choreographer Gower Champion and produced by the infamous producer David Merrick (“the abominable showman”) who made himself famous by announcing the unexpected death of Champion at the opening night curtain call.

Mark Bramble, the co-writer with Michael Stewart, has re-staged multiple productions of it since then (including a good if lower budget UK touring production a few years ago).

He once again delivers a slick and pacey staging, on Douglas W Schmidt’s sets and with Champion’s original choreography restaged and augmented by Randy Skinner.

The story could be written on the back of a postage stamp. A new show is trying out before moving to Broadway during the Great Depression. The director is a cad; the leading lady is a diva; the money comes from a silly old coot with a cowboy hat. You get the idea. The leading lady, Dorothy Brock (played by Sheena Easton), gets injured and a sweet young girl, Peggy Sawyer, is plucked from the chorus with the immortal line: “You’re going out there a youngster but you’ve gotta come back a star.” But will she be ready in time? Guess.

The show pleasingly spends the minimum possible time on its anorexic plot. It knows that we’re there for the next big number and does its best to bring it to us as quickly as humanly possible. Little wonder how many scenes involve a small number of (non-dancing) lead characters: they’re killing time while the rest of the cast does a costume change.

The script is a mix of wise-cracking schtick and Broadway corn.

It’s the kind of show where people say: “Wait a minute!” and a raised finger is accompanied by a triangle “ting”.

In truth, the principal cast do not acquit themselves as well as you’d expect in a production of this class. The accents are all over the

place (literally) and few of the characters are given more than one dimension, much less three. Sheena Easton has a terrific singing voice but she is no actress. Peggy Sawyer surpasses her fellow dancers; Clare Halse, playing her, does the same with her co-stars. She’s terrific and the one person you care about all evening.

Tom Lister as Julian Marsh (the director) gives an adequate performance – he was once Carl King in Emmerdale, if that explains it – but sings brilliantly. Some others, who I’ve seen do great work in other shows, are a little bit embarrassing in this one, although it would be unkind to mention Bruce Montague by name.

But then there are the numbers. A Busby Berkeley scene in which an overhead mirror shows dozens of ballerinas making shapes with their bodies is jaw-dropping. An army of 50 people tap dancing on a staircase is the kind of thing that makes anyone fall in love with show business. And We’re in the Money is as close to a Vegas number as you’ll find anywhere.

The glamour of the occasion is enhanced by Brian Kirk’s dazzling costumes, which reach apotheosis with a seemingly endless parade of ladies in ballgowns of subtly different shades. With less class it would be high camp; at this kind of expense it’s pure class.

Peter Mumford delivers a tremendous lighting design (including the best lit curtain call I’ve ever seen) and Gareth Owen, the doyen of contemporary sound designers, gives the show the best and clearest sound of any show I’ve heard in Drury Lane since Miss Saigon closed there 18 years ago.

If you’re not a fan of dance or you relish plots and characters then this classic American musical might not be the one for you. If you want to treat your eyes and ears and beam with pleasure, there are few better addresses in London this summer than 42nd Street.

42ND STREET, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF. Tel: 0844 995 5500. Visit www.42ndstreetmusical.co.uk

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| JULY 2017

A night at the movies Former X-Factor winner Joe McElderry is often on the small screen. Now he’s bringing his live tour to Norwich to promote his new album which celebrates songs from the world of film

J

OE MCELDERRY, the South Shields boy with the

big smile, was just 18 when he won the sixth series of X-Factor in 2009 and became a firm favourite with the British public.

Mentored by fellow Geordie Cheryl Cole, he beat off stiff rivalry in the form of Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon in perhaps one of the most memorable of the X-Factor finals, and his debut single from the show, The Climb, went straight to Number One in the UK singles chart and was nominated for the Best British Single BRIT award in 2010.

In the following years, Joe released four more top 20 albums – two of which reached the UK top three – from his 2010 debut album Wide Awake to his second and third, Classic and Classic Christmas, and then his fourth where he collaborated with Ludovico Einaudi and Marcella Detroit on Here’s What I Believe.

Joe then accrued yet more fans and showed his versatility and competitive streak by winning the second series of Popstar to Operastar and the inaugural series of The Jump which saw him transform into a competent ski jumper to once again take the winner’s laurels.

It’s all a long way from South Shields where he was raised by his mother, after his parents divorced when he was a child.

Now, as the platinum-selling recording artist gets ready to tour the country following the release of his fifth studio album, Saturday Night at the Movies, which arrives at Norwich Theatre Royal on August 6, he happily admits he’s still can’t quite believe where Lady Luck has taken him and says he has nothing but fond memories of The X-Factor.

He was 16 when he first applied to the show in 2007, but lost out in the Bootcamp stages, returning two years later to win.

“I wouldn’t have done all the things I’ve done since if it wasn’t for that show, and I had some amazing experiences,” he said. “I got to duet with George Michael, and we had a cup of tea and a chat. He was a legend and a lovely man and he’s very much missed. I’ll always cherish that experience.

“I think I’ve got to the point now where I’ve done things I never ever imagined I would do and have really surpassed my expectations of what I thought I’d be doing in my career, which is incredible.

“I always think: let’s just see what happens and let’s enjoy the ride of this crazy rollercoaster! You never, ever know what’s around the corner, so enjoy things while you can. It’s all about balance.”

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Enjoying things and giving it a go has led him to success in areas outside his comfort zone. On his participation in another reality show in 2011 – Popstar to Operastar – he said: “I used to think opera was too posh for me, but when I gave it a go I loved it. I recorded a classical crossover album and part of my repertoire now includes that.”

Even more daringly, he agreed to become the emergency replacement on The Jump in 2014 after another competitor was injured and again he won the show.

He’s also turned his hand to musical theatre and most recently has been on stage as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a role he loved. “The show is just a great time, a fun family-friendly show and a great night out for all ages.”

It’s given him the chance to get used to touring, ahead of taking his own show out on the road. “I’m used to touring now and being away from home, travelling around – that kind of hectic schedule,” Joe said. “When I’m not doing it, it actually feels stranger than when I am!”

Which brings him to his forthcoming tour and his new album – Saturday Night at the Movies. He said: “It’s all songs from the movies and musicals. I recorded it on my days off from Joseph. It’s got Daydream Believer and Saturday Night at the Movies on it – that kind of vibe.”

After a break of around three years pursuing other projects, he is thrilled to be releasing his own music again. “I’m really excited to get back to that side of things, because that’s where it all began for me. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The new album also features his hit single Gloria which was written by renowned songwriter and 10CC front man Graham Gouldman. The album will be released on July 14 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.

Joe is looking forward to singing it live for audiences around the UK. Like with everything he does, he wants the tour to be a winner. “I feel pressure with anything that I do in front of an audience because I always want it to be the best it can be and I always want people to leave having had a great time.”

Joe will be joined on stage by special guests, X-Factor’s Lloyd Daniels and Any Dream Will Do runners up Keith Jack and Ben James-Ellis, who have all also featured in Bill Kenwright’s Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Lloyd Daniels starred in the role on the Norwich Theatre Royal stage in 2014).

JOE MCELDERRY Saturday Night at the Movies LIVE, August 6, 2017, 7.30pm. Tickets £8-£29.50. Box Office: 01603 630000. Discounts for Friends.

For more info or to book online www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

joe mcelderry

“I always think: let’s just see what happens and let’s enjoy the ride of this crazy rollercoaster!

You never know what’s around the corner”

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    

   

  

le p o e p y z a r c t f a r c Calling all s t ic d d a l a r o l F and Here at W and M Smith - we carry everything you need - card making. flower arranging, weddings and with our professional and experienced staff we will be able to help with any query or problem you may have.

Craft and F lower Festival

August 12th & 13th, 10am-4pm Flower arranging demonstration and workshop (pre-booked only) Celebration of National Left Handers Day

Face Painting and Bouncy Castle, s Craft & Trade Stalls – Refreshment Competition for any craft display with the title “Suffolk”

Pightle Barn, Middlewood Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5EU

Tel: 01449 711014 Email: enquiries@wandmsmith.co.uk

www.wandmsmith.co.uk

CELEBRITY PROFILE

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jimmy tarbuck

THE PALLADIUM to THE PAVILION Comedy star Jimmy Tarbuck backs East Anglia’s seaside theatres

A

COMEDY LEGEND has given his backing to the future of seaside

theatres – including the historic Norfolk venue where he is patron.

Jimmy Tarbuck has given belly laughs to millions of showgoers and TV viewers for more than 50 years.

But he also put an extra smile on the face of Gorleston Pavilion recently when he agreed to be its patron.

The Liverpudlian laughter man, known affectionately as “Tarby”, has added his name and reputation to the Edwardian entertainment palace after trying out material for a major show at the London Palladium where he made his name.

He fell in love with the atmospheric Norfolk venue – and now regularly does special shows there to help raise funds for its on-going restoration programme.

Jimmy, now 77, spoke of his love of the Pavilion and how similar seaside venues need to be cherished.

He said: “Theatres like the Pavilion are a joy to perform because of the intimacy with the audience. It has an almost ‘dining club’ atmosphere to it.

“These theatres are old fashioned but there is nothing wrong with that.

They need to be wrapped in cotton wool and preserved – and the team at the Pavilion are doing a great job. I hope my association with them helps by attracting acts and audiences.”

Jimmy is appearing in Great Yarmouth this summer, when he will bring his one-man show, combining comedy with anecdotes from his star-studded career, to the Britannia Pier on Friday, August 18. It will be a mix of comedy, reminiscence and flashback pictures.

He has visited the popular seaside resort many times, including in the mid1960s as his career took off when he took over presenting Sunday Night at the London Palladium from one of his idols, Bruce Forsyth.

“I was at Great Yarmouth doing a summer season at the Wellington Pier in 1965 when I got a call up to compere Sunday Night at the London Palladium – which changed my life. I was just 24, working with the biggest stars of the time, in front of 20 million TV viewers. It was terrifying!”

It was ahead of a high-profile show at the Palladium in 2015 to mark 50 years in the entertainment business, jointly starring Des O’Connor, that he visited Gorleston Pavilion to try out new material.

The star’s support has been welcomed by the theatre, as well as by the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area which promotes the area and its attractions.

Gorleston Pavilion co-owner Kevin Lynch said: “Having Jimmy’s backing really helps raise our profile - and shows we are not just a little hiddenaway seaside theatre.

“He was looking for a venue where he could see the faces of the audience to gauge their reaction. His PR assistant, who lives in Norfolk, had been to our summer show and recommended the Pavilion.

“When he rang up out of the blue and said who he was I was speechless.

When Jimmy asked if there was anything he could do for us, we asked him to be patron.”

Tourism chiefs at the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area say live theatre shows are an important part of the borough’s offer to visitors and locals and they are thrilled with their star supporter.

Chairman Gareth Brown said: “Having a variety of vibrant theatres helps us attract holidaymakers and day visitors, and adds to the entertainment available to visitors and residents alike.

“The Great Yarmouth area has a strong track record of providing a variety of shows in venues steeped in history. We are proud that our local theatres maintain that tradition and that stars like Jimmy Tarbuck are among our supporters.”

For more information about theatres and other entertainment in the Great Yarmouth area visit www.great-yarmouth.co.uk

PAVILION FACT FILE

Gorleston Pavilion’s ornate Italian-style building harks back to its beginnings as an Edwardian concert hall – but it still buzzes today with a busy programme including a 26-week summer show season, family and adult pantos, plus tribute, am dram and community charity shows.

Summer show impresarios during its long history have included agent Joe Collins, the agent father of actress Joan and writer Jackie, who presented concert-style shows until 1962.

The atmospheric auditorium, which opened in 1901, seats 300 people at cabaret-style tables, while the foyer and bar are festooned with fascinating old showbiz posters, photos and props. Kevin Lynch and Stuart Malkovich have run the venue for the past 25 years. Its history and current programme can be seen at: www.gorlestonpavilion.co.uk

OTHER HISTORIC GREAT YARMOUTH THEATRES HIPPODROME – The purpose-built 1903 building has expanded its season in recent years to add spring pirates, spooky Hallowe’en and Christmas shows to its original summer circus show. The venue, famous for its flooded ring water show finale, puts a modern variety twist on a traditional circus mix. More at: www.hippodromecircus.co.uk

ST GEORGE’S THEATRE - A community arts venue based in a former 18th century church turned into an arts base by local enthusiasts in the 1970s. It stages a range of events, from tribute acts and stand-up comedy to live drama, live opera screenings, and ballet - and a modern café bar next door. More at: www.stgeorgestheatre.com BRITANNIA - The current theatre opened in 1958 on a pier site dating back 100 years earlier. It continues to attract big name stars during the height of the summer season, with this year’s line-up including Jasper Carrott, Jim Davidson, The Grumbleweeds, Jimmy Carr, Jimmy Tarbuck, Showaddywaddy and Joe Pasquale. More at: www.britannia-pier.co.uk 35

| JULY 2017

Dancing to his own tune

Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice is well-known from his performances on Strictly Come Dancing, but is now touring the country with a show of his own…

36

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

giovanni pernice TRICTLY COME DANCING professional

Giovanni Pernice has been joined by a line-up of dance superstars for his current tour, which began back in April and which will sweep into this region this July.

Italian dancer Giovanni has been joined by Luba Mushtuk, another dancer and choreographer from Strictly, and by three professional couples – Giulia Dotta and Kai Widdrington, Emily Barker and Chris Pritchard (AJ Pritchard’s brother) from Dancing with the Stars Ireland, and Dianne Buswell and Robert Rowinski, who appeared on the Burn the Floor world tour.

Dance-lovers are in for a treat, with Giovanni Pernice’s Tour – entitled Il Ballo è Vita (Dance Is Life) – directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s creative director, Jason Gilkison, and produced by Paul Irving (formerly marketing manager at St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth); it’s no surprise, then, that this show is said to be simply spectacular.

With dances including the Quickstep, Samba, Rhumba, Pasodoble, Charleston, Argentine Tango and, of course, Giovanni’s signature dance, the Jive, this high-energy show is simply not to be missed.

What’s more, it’s not just another “Evening with…” but rather Dance Is Life has a wonderful storyline in the second half of the show which is said to exude love, passion and lust! Set in a Sicilian Caffè/Bar, the show’s leading man, Giovanni, thinks he has found love, but discovers that not everything is as easy as it first appears… expect an elegant and beautiful tale, told through the medium of dance.

The lavish costumes for the show have been designed and created by Vicky Gill of DSI, the company that also designs and makes the costumes each year for the everpopular BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing, so no doubt they’ll be spectacular too.

Giovanni Pernice and his fellow dancers have strutted their stuff up and down the country since April, with the show set to appear at over 30 towns and cities over two months and they will be in Norfolk and Suffolk in July.

Before setting out on the road, model and professional dancer Giovanni Pernice answered some questions about the Il Ballo è Vita (Dance Is Life) tour: Tell us a little about your forthcoming Dance Is Life tour. Where did the inspiration come from for the show?

Il ballo è vita translates as “dance is life” and is a saying that I have always believed in. Dance is something I have wanted to do all my life, so this is where the inspiration for the show came from.

What can the audience expect from your UK tour?

The show is not just a dance and talk show, but a beautiful story, taking place in a Sicilian café with eight amazing, world-class dancers.

Congratulations on setting a Guinness World Record; how did you manage 55 jive kicks and flicks in 30 seconds?

I have been practising all my life. Jive is my favourite style, so I always like to practise more than the other dances and I am really pleased with the result.

Going back to your early days as a dancer, how did you get involved in dance? Did you always want to be a dancer/choreographer?

When I was young, I used to watch Come Dancing in Italy and I liked the connection between the males and females and the beauty of the movement and chemistry between the two dancers.

What would you have been if you hadn’t been a dancer?

Erm… I’m not sure I can think of anything different as from such a young age I wanted to be a dancer.

You’ve been on Strictly Come Dancing since 2015 – how did that come about?

I was always a fan of the show so I auditioned. It was great for them to pick me, it was a dream come true.

And what makes the show so special from a dancer’s perspective?

It’s just like a big family. Everyone is working towards the same goal and working for the same reason.

You reached the final in your first season; did that surprise you?

Yes. Being on the show is a dream come true and to reach the final was a bonus as well as a big shock.

What have been your three favourite Strictly moments from your two seasons on the programme and why?

The first dance I did in my first year… it was all new and exciting, yet scary to work on something new. Nothing can replace that feeling.

When I reached the final, as it was great to know that the public appreciated and loved the work I did with my celebrity partner.

The group numbers; I enjoy working with the professionals to create a dramatic and spectacular piece.

You’ve got a tattoo with ‘Nato Per Vincere’ meaning ‘Born To Win’ written on your arm. Will you win Strictly next year?

I will try my best. I’m very competitive, so I will always give it my all.

Are you going to miss head judge Len Goodman now that he’s retired from Strictly?

Yes, of course, we all love him.

Do you prefer Latin to Ballroom? And what is your favourite dance and why?

Latin is cheeky, fun and fast and works well with my personality. Jive (see above).

On Strictly you have to choreograph one dance for a celebrity each week. What are the main differences from choreographing a dance for Strictly and coming up with a full show of your own?

On Strictly, we start with the steps and then put technique and music. Whereas with my own tour, the focus is more on performing the dance and making it into a spectacular and theatrical piece.

Describe yourself in three words.

Cheeky, funny and, of course, beautiful!

So, to sum up, why should people buy tickets to see you in Dance Is Life?

The show is different to every other dance show; not only will the audience get to have an insight into what I am really like, but also it tells a wonderful story of love and life. I am dancing with the amazing Luba Mushtuk who is also a dancer on the show, plus we have three more professional couples from the world of dance.

IL BALLO E VITA (DANCE IS LIFE) will be at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday, July 12; at The Princess Theatre in Hunstanton on Saturday, July 22; and at The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft on Sunday, July 23.

For tickets – and the special ‘Meet & Greet’ post-show experience with a signed print and photo opportunities – contact The Apex on 01284 758000, www.theapex.co.uk; The Princess Theatre on 01485 532252, www.princesshunstanton.co.uk; and The Marina Theatre on 01502 533200, www.marinatheatre.co.uk.

37

| JULY 2017

T

OM JONES HAS BEEN a musical sensation since the 1960s. The Welsh rocker is responsible for worldwide smash hits such as The Green Green Grass of Home, Delilah, Sex Bomb and What’s New Pussycat?

In recent years, he has reinvented himself, working with other artists including Robbie Williams, The Stereophonics, Heather Small, Van Morrison and Florence Welch, to name but a few.

He’s also forged a successful TV career, appearing as a coach on The Voice UK, most recently in the sixth series alongside fellow coaches will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale. Sir Tom Jones’ dynamic duo, Into The Ark, reached the runners-up spot behind winner Mo Adeniran on the new-look ITV1 programme and Dane Lloyd and Taylor Jones, who come from Blackwood in The Valleys of South Wales, were invited to tour with Sir Tom this summer.

Having recently turned 77 and with 41 studio albums under his belt, Sir Tom shows no signs of wanting to hang up his microphone and he’s been on the road again since mid-May, performing at venues up and down the country, from the south coast to Scotland.

Here, the worldwide star – whose wife of 59 years, Linda, died last year – talks about his incredible longevity in the music business and how his sexy stage persona came about.

He also talks about his proudest achievements, golden memories, his love for his family, working with Team Tom on The Voice and more…

Your real name is Woodward; do you remember how you got the name Tom Jones?

My real name is Thomas John Woodward and when I signed my record deal with Decca records in 1964, I was going under the stage name Tommy Scott (even though I’m Welsh). But, they already had a Tommy Scott recording, so I said: ‘What shall we do? I don’t want to change my first name because I want to be always known as Tom or Tommy.’ At the time, the movie Tom Jones was very popular… and my agent said: ‘Why don’t you drop the Woodward and become Jones?’ Of course, my Mum was very happy because her maiden name was Jones.

Your first big hit was It’s Not Unusual in 1964?

Yes, it was written by Gordon Mills and it was supposed to be for Sandi Shaw, but when I did the demonstration for her and listened to it back, I said: ‘I want this song, and if I don’t get this song, I’m going back to Wales.’ That’s how adamant I was. Gordon said: ‘Oh no, don’t. I can write a million of those songs’, which, of course, he never did. It’s the song that changed my life.

You have been in the industry for over 60 years and so there can’t be many people that you haven’t met. Is there anyone that you would still like to meet?

I never met Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. I knew Sammy Davis Jr very well and, of course, I spent time with Elvis Presley. I met him in 1965 on the Ed Sullivan show in LA, and they said: ‘Elvis is here and he’d like to meet you.’ And I said: ‘I didn’t even think he knew I existed.’ He walked towards me singing my song ‘With These Hands’.

If the boys back home could have seen me! When I was singing in the clubs in Wales, I’d say: ‘I’ll meet Elvis one day’ and they would say: ‘Tom, of course, you will.’ He said to me: ‘How the hell do you sing like that?’ and, he had the three singles that I had released. Those days are mind-boggling for me. The best was when were both working in Vegas and after the shows we would go back to his place and we’d get his backing singers up and do gospel songs all night.

You developed a kind of sexual reputation and women started throwing their knickers at you. How did you cope with that?

I was always scared in case someone got a photo of me picking up a pair. I would just leave them on the floor. Going around on stage with my shirt open wasn’t intentional from the beginning – I was undoing my shirt because I was hot, but it seems to work for the fans.

38

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

sir tom jones

Living

legend Singing sensation Sir Tom Jones is touring the UK and Europe this summer and will arrive at Holkham Hall in North Norfolk on Sunday, July 23, supported by the dynamic duo he mentored on The Voice, Into The Ark – WORDS: SAMANTHA FRASER/CAROLYN ATKINS

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sir tom jones Do you miss Britain after living in the USA for so long?

I think I will spend my latter years here in the UK, but it’s still early days, so I am still trying to decide. I love coming back, as it’s where I am from, and whenever I’m back I’ll try and pop to Wales. My cousins used to come out to the States a lot to see me and see the shows.

Did you enjoy your role as a coach on ITV’s The Voice UK and will you be back for the next series?

Yes, very much so. I love helping people. In the last series, the coaches were encouraged to be friendly with each other, instead of been pitted against each other, which isn’t my style. We are talking about the next series at the moment. I’d love to do it again, but I’m going to ask for a pay rise!

The Voice must have been quite stressful. Have you ever had health issues in the past?

I’ve been very lucky health-wise. I did have TB when I was a kid, but otherwise I have been lucky.

“The one main thing for me as a performer is to always listen and take advice. And, you must stay true to yourself” After all these years, your voice still sounds fantastic – how do you do it?

First of all, God has been very kind to me, but I do look after my voice more than I did when I was younger. You have to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated and not smoke too many cigars.

Is there anyone in the music business you’d still like to collaborate with?

First of all, with a duet you have to have the right song. I would have loved to have sung with Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, they both had wonderful voices.

What advice would you give younger musicians pursuing a career?

Have a Plan B. These days it seems much harder for youngsters to sign a record deal than it was when I started. Nowadays, of course, the way music is listened to is different and it’s not something I’m in touch with. The one main thing for me as a performer is to always listen and take advice. And, you must stay true to yourself.

What was your first job before music?

I worked in a glove factory, I was an apprentice glove maker and then I wasn’t making enough money in that so I started selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door.

Anything, so I could make enough money during the day and be able to sing at night.

Would you ever consider getting married again?

No, because my wife Linda passed away last year and I’m still trying to get over that. I don’t think I ever will, so the last thing on my mind is marriage but never say never.

What do you think it is that keeps you grounded?

You have to be true to yourself and that’s the way I am. I couldn’t be any other way. I would say friends and family are very important and I was lucky enough to come from a close-knit Welsh family. Now I have a son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren of my own and that helps a lot.

Finally, what is the greatest achievement of your career so far?

To be knighted by the Queen [in 2006]; I never expected it because I never expect anything. I got the OBE first of all and I was thrilled with that and thought that would be as far as it would go. I never dreamt about it when I was younger. I just wanted to be a professional singer. Then when I was told I was been considered for a knighthood, I said: ‘Do I have to change my ways?’ I didn’t know if I would have to act differently. The Queen gave me my knighthood at Buckingham Palace and I kneeled before her – it was wonderful.

SIR TOM JONES will be performing at Holkham Hall in North Norfolk on Sunday, July 23, supported by Into The Ark. For more details and to book tickets, visit: www.lhgtickets.com and www.livepromotions.co.uk. Tickets are also available in person from the Holkham Ticket Office between 10am and 5pm (tel: 01328 713111).

41

| JULY 2017

42

TRAVEL

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The birthplace of California, San Diego was its first European settlement and it has been an ideal destination ever since. It embodies a true laid-back Californian culture and yet combines old-fashioned Mexican charm with a more contemporary edge that can be seen across its many distinct neighbourhoods. Each part of San Diego has its own unique identity just waiting to be explored. Our visit took in the coastal town of La Jolla as well as downtown San Diego.

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La Jolla really packs a punch when it comes to things to do for the active visitor including tide pool-hopping, surfing at Windansea Beach, biking or simply running along its magnificent coastline. We opted for sea-kayaking – a first for us. The good folk at bikeandkayaktours.com got us kitted out with life jackets and launched us into the ocean with our marine biologist tour guide. We traced the shoreline of San Diego’s most exclusive neighbourhoods on an exhilarating kayak tour of La Jolla’s seascapes. The cliff-clinging mansions left us open-mouthed but it was the sea caves and crystal-clear waters filled with sea lions, dolphins and schools of colourful fish that made the trip truly incredible. Best still, you can hire a Go Pro camera to capture it all.

MATTHEW HAMILTON/LISA FIELD/PETER LLOYD

T h e G r a n d e C o l o n i a l , L a Jo l l a thegrandecolonial.com – just a short stroll from la jolla’s pristine shores sits the Grande Colonial, a classic European-style hotel dating back to 1913.

The original wood-framed colonial apartments and hotel have been modernised into a luxurious, 93-room property which still manages to remain faithful to its past, maintaining the hotel’s historic feel and character. You’ll find elegant, pastel-coloured rooms blending vintagepatterned bedspreads with pops of orange and lime from the striped curtains and paintings. The white-tiled bathrooms are clean and modern and there are walk-in wardrobes plus iPhone docking stations next to the super comfortable beds. Throw open the large windows for some fresh sea air and a view to the Pacific.

Foodies will love dining at Whisknladle (whisknladle.com) with its “slow food” ethos and local, farm-fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed with an upscale feel to it. We loved the restaurant’s modern design with large open windows that open up on to the sidewalk making it the perfect spot for al fresco dining. There’s a daily-changing menu of starters including seasonal soups, salads, fresh fish, flatbreads and cutting boards whilst mains range from hand-cut squid ink pasta to hanger steak with all the trimmings. Don’t miss the cocktails – the London’s Burning mixes English Guard Gin, Jalapeño, avocado and lime – delicious!

45

TRAVEL

san diego

JOHN BAHU

as a coastal city, water plays a prominent role in San Diego. With its long and rich association with the US Navy and its oceanfront location there’s a lot to see along its shores and much of it is best explored by boat. There are great views from the popular San Diego harbour cruise but for our visit “maximum exposure” was the order of the day. There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as flying across the water in your very own speedboat with San Diego Speed Boat Adventures (speedboatadventures.com). We took the controls for a 13-mile tour of the harbour where we had once-in-a-lifetime views of Navy ships, aircraft carriers and the Coronado Bridge. We also saw the famous Star of India, the historic ships of the Maritime Museum, the cruise ship terminal, Seaport Village, the downtown skyline and all the wildlife that call the San Diego Harbour home. Our trusty tour guide was up front in his own boat leading the way and communicating with us via the radio, pointing out interesting sights and giving us the lowdown on the places we passed. It was an adrenaline rush, that’s for sure, and one of the highlights of our San Diego holiday.

The city is also home to one of the most fascinating naval museums, the USS Midway (midway.org). The Midway is a decommissioned WWII-era aircraft carrier that served nearly 50 years in the Pacific Fleet. Admission includes a self-guided audio tour to over 60 locations from the engine room to the control tower, narrated by Midway sailors who lived or worked in each.

No visit to San Diego is complete without visiting its world-famous zoo. Housed within the country’s largest urban cultural centre (Balboa Park), the San Diego Zoo spans 100 acres and is one of the only places in the world outside its native China where you can see a giant panda. Top tip: go early in the day when the zoo’s 4,000 animals are most active. However, San Diego Zoo is just the beginning. If you include the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, whale-watching excursions, La Jolla’s Seal Rock and, of course, SeaWorld®, it’s easy to see why animal-lovers flock here.

If you haven’t been to San Diego, you’re missing out on one of California’s best foodie experiences. The city used to be known solely for its fish tacos but now its inventive chefs are offering incredibly delicious dining experiences. Another beauty of visiting San Diego is the ability to take a day trip across the border to Mexico’s Tijuana, another city gaining a growing food reputation.

We headed to Puesto’s (eatpuesto.com) downtown eatery for dinner; a stunningly designed restaurant with a menu that’s anchored by their hugely popular tacos, but which offers so much more.

The lobster taco with black beans, crispy onions, avocado, crema de cilantro and jalapeño pico de gallo was to die for, as was the homemade guacamole.

H o t e l S o l a m a r, d o w n t o w n S a n D i e g o hotelsolamar.com – we stayed in the downtown San Diego artsy Gaslamp Quarter at Hotel Solamar by Kimpton. Effortlessly modern, complete with plush pillow-top beds, a restaurant (JSix) and a sleek rooftop pool which is surrounded by private cabanas and fire pits. As darkness fell this area becomes a lively night spot with incredible views over the city. The hotel’s super-friendly yet courteous staff ensured we had a memorable stay in the heart of the action.

every month is a good month to visit San Diego since there really is no such thing as an off-season. With ever-present sunshine, get there with a direct flight from London Heathrow to San Diego with British Airways. San Diego is spread out so hiring a car is wise.

Uber is also available or hop on a trolley. The Old Town Trolley Tour (trolleytours.com/san-diego) is a great way to get orientated, hopping on and off at city sights.

For help planning your trip as well as ideas and inspiration head to sandiego.org.

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53

| JULY 2017

EYES RIGHT The new ophthalmology service at The Global Clinic in Norwich offers a series of outpatient treatments for all manner of eye issues

For people who believe they may have an eye

condition, obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment in a timely way is of the highest importance.

Whether it is for a seemingly minor condition, or one that may need longer term treatment and potentially surgery, having the right advice at the right time from an expert ophthalmology service should be a priority.

Any delay could see the condition deteriorate and subsequently have an impact on the quality of an individual’s sight, whilst seeking an early diagnosis will not only result in prompt treatment but will also prove a reassuring step for the patient, knowing that any potential problem is being addressed.

Most eye conditions are relatively common and can be quickly diagnosed and treated.

Ophthalmologists have expertise in recognising cataracts and their extent, dry eye and blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), conditions of the retina, eyelid abnormalities or glaucoma, and then instigating an onward and targeted treatment regime.

In the UK, for example, AMD (age-related macular degeneration), is the leading cause of visual loss and affects around 600,000 people. It impacts on the macula, a small part of the retina at the back of the eye responsible for central vision, colour vision and fine detail, and is more common in people over 60 although it can be identified in younger patients.

Ophthalmologists are highly-trained at identifying, and responding to, such conditions and helping reduce the impact on a patient.

In the Norwich area, ophthalmology facilities are being expanded with the launch of a new private ophthalmology service through The Global Clinic at Colney Hall, on the

outskirts of the city on Watton Road and not far from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Under the broader group of the Global Diagnostics organisation, The Global Clinic is already offering a range of diagnostic services - including radiology scans – but is now extending its diagnostic portfolio in a new ophthalmology service, which brings together some of the area’s leading eye practitioners.

Clinic manager Max Jennings said: “This is an exciting development of our services at The Global Clinic.

“It sees us working with a group of ophthalmologists who already work collaboratively and are now moving their private practice to The Global Clinic.”

The new eye service is being offered with some of the ophthalmologists who currently operate as the Norwich Eye Consultants ophthalmology group, which has a reputation for delivering a comprehensive ophthalmology service that includes consultations, surgical treatment and laser treatment.

Responding to all aspects of the eye, including cornea, lens, retina and eyelid issues, this group of consultants has expertise that can cater for all common eye conditions as well as most rare conditions.

The team will include the following consultant ophthalmic surgeons: Chris Illingworth, whose specific interest and expertise lies in cataract, corneal and ocular surface disorders; Bridget Hemmant, who is known for her work with cataract and eyelid surgery; and Nuwan Niyadurupola, whose specialist interests are in the area of cataract, glaucoma and the latest medical and surgical treatments of the eye.

Also on the team is Shohista Saidkasimova, known for his focus on cataract and vitreoretinal surgery; and David Spokes who has specific interests in cataract, corneal and

sowerbys

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH ocular surface disorders, glaucoma medical management and macular degeneration. Professor David Broadway is also on the team, another expert Norwich eye consultant whose specialties include management of glaucoma and glaucomarelated research as well as cataract surgery.

Offering private consultations for a range of conditions and procedures, all the consultants are registered as eye specialists with the General Medical Council and are recognised by all of the major private health insurers. In addition, they are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, the organisation that sets and monitors care standards in the UK. Mr Jennings said: “This group is expanding the service it provides by transferring over to us and developing their practice here at The Global Clinic.

“The nature of the new ophthalmic surgery available from our site will be very much outpatient treatments, as well as conducting diagnostic testing including field testing.”

There will be no cataract procedures or any other eye surgery performed at the clinic but from initial diagnosis and outpatient assessments, the team of consultant ophthalmic surgeons will be well placed to refer patients to a relevant onward treatment pathway. The Global Clinic is part of the Global Diagnostics group and runs a number of health services around the country, with a variety of clinics, and other facilities such as going into GP practices to deliver bespoke services.

From the Norwich site, it currently has consulting rooms and diagnostic suites with radiology services available such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound, including offering ultrasound-guided injections, and also delivers a non-imaging suite of services, including providing orthopaedic assessment and a migraine clinic.

With the launch of the ophthalmology service as part of a natural extension of the facilities offered by The Global Clinic, an open event is being held for local GPs and optometrists on Friday, July 14.

“We are looking to reach out to local GPs and offer them the opportunity to view the service and facilities and meet the practitioners,” said Mr Jennings. “It is a case of letting them know that we now offer this service and that they have the opportunity to send their patients to us.”

A typical referral pathway, he added, would be that a patient would attend their GP surgery or optometrist with an eye problem and if the patient felt they wanted to be seen by a private practitioner on a timescale that was more convenient to them, the GP or optometrist could refer to The Global Clinic ophthalmology service for additional visual tests and assessment.

Patients can also self-refer to the ophthalmology service by making a booking direct with The Global Clinic.

“We are treating predominantly private patients who will fund their own treatment or have a private health insurance arrangement,” said Mr Jennings. “The advantage is that they will be seen when it is convenient for them rather than having to join a waiting list.”

For more on The Global Clinic, contact:

Global Diagnostics

Tel: 01603 812266.

Email: enquiries@globaldiagnostics.co.uk www.globaldiagnostics.co.uk

55

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E c A l pin the SuN

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NICK MOBBS, director and wine expert at The Imperial Hotel, says:

Wine Notes Domain Paquet Saint-Véran 2014 Grand Vin de Bourgogne

The crab ravioli, by its very nature, is very flavoursome and so I have chosen a wine made from the grape that, in my opinion, has the potential (depending upon where it is planted) to make the finest white wine in the world.

The wine is Saint-Véran which, as it proudly says on the label, is “Grand Vin de Bourgone” which literally translates into “Big wine of Burgundy” – the French may be arrogant with their descriptions but they do know how to make good wine!

Saint-Véran comes from the south of the region of Burgundy, not too far from Beaune. The grape used

for this wine is 100 per cent chardonnay and Domaine Paquet is set on a hill overlooking the little town of Fuissé. Jean-Paul Paquet, his wife Monique and their son Yannick make wines with tremendous character which benefit from sensitive barrel ageing, which accentuates rather than dominates the wines’ natural intensity of pure fruit. Jean-Paul’s St Véran is a wine that’s a wonderful golden colour, fruity on the palate and which has an excellent floral aroma which complements the flavours in the fish dish very well. The wine also has a refreshing balance of acidity and toasty notes to cleanse the palate ready for the next mouthful of that delicious crab!

• A team of brilliant chefs • Superb wine list • Laid-back atmosphere The perfect restaurant for dinner or Sunday lunch. At the Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Gt Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ. To book call 01493 842000

www.cafecru.co.uk

Sunday 12.30 - 2pm Monday - Saturday 6.30 - 10pm The Terrace is open daily. For opening times & menu go to imperialhotel.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

imperial hotel

PETER CLARKE, executive head chef of the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth

CRAB RAVIOLI with

bouillabaisse sauce, Norfolk samphire, tarragon-infused olive oil

METHOD: 1. Put the 00 zero flour into a robot coupe and start. Add the egg and olive oil and work until it comes together into breadcrumbs.

2. Turn out on to a cool surface and work together to one ball. Wrap in cling film and rest for as long as possible. 3. For the crab meat filling, take the crab meat into a bowl, add the crème fraîche, zest of lemon, chives and salt/pepper, mix thoroughly and taste for seasoning. Reserve in a fridge until needed. 4. For the bouillabaisse, cut the leek, onion, celery, courgette and red pepper into small dice and then sweat these in a medium-sized saucepan for 10 minutes without colour. 5. Add the tomato purée and cook for a further two minutes. 6. Add the tomato juice and fish stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes only. 7. Once cooked, purée in a food processer and push through a fine sieve. 8. For the tarragon oil, add the olive oil to a small pan and heat very gently. Chop the tarragon finely with no

stalk and add this to the olive oil. Reserve in a small bowl in the fridge.

9. To make the pasta, gently roll the pasta in a tablespoon of 00 zero flour. Take a pasta machine and roll the pasta through on its largest setting (normally number six).

Repeat this once and then roll it through the machine, one time on each setting, until setting two. 10. Lay the pasta on a floured surface and cut it into two (one is your ravioli top and one is your bottom). Put a tablespoon of the mixture into the middle of the pasta that will be the bottom of your ravioli and make sure that these are two centimetres apart. Then place your tops over the pasta and filling, crimp around the pasta with your thumb to make sure that no air is trapped inside and then cut out the pasta with a cutter to make the pasta round.

Makes four per portion as a starter (more if serving this as a main dish).

TO FINISH:

11. Boil the pasta in salted water for four to five minutes until cooked. 12. Boil the bouillabaisse

sauce. Blanch the samphire for one minute and drain. Place the bouillabaisse in a bowl and place the pasta into the bowl at three, six, nine and 12 o’clock.

Decorate with the blanched samphire and then place a tablespoon of tarragon oil on top. Serve and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PASTA

SERVES SIX

• 100g 00 zero flour • 1 egg • 1tbsp olive oil

FILLING FOR THE PASTA

• 100g crab meat, cooked • 2 tbsp crème fraîche • 1 tbsp chives • 2 lemons, zest only • Salt and pepper

FOR THE BOUILLABAISSE

• ½ leek • ½ onion • ½ courgette • ½ red pepper • Olive oil • ½ tsp tomato purée • 250ml tomato juice • ½ pint fish stock

FOR THE TARRAGON OLIVE OIL • 6 tbsps olive oil • 20g fresh tarragon

61

| JULY 2017

RED ALERT Summer is here and with it all sorts of lovely, seasonal produce.

Richard Bainbridge

extols the virtues of the tasty tomato

TOMATO TART SERVES SIX to EIGHT –

Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

Tomatoes are the perfect taste of summer. From the smell of the plants in the greenhouses to the beautiful array of colours, to me they are as British as strawberries and it’s a safe bet that grandparents across the country will be in their gardens this month nurturing these little beauties.

The sweet, sweet taste of the tomato is neither fruit nor vegetable, but eating tomatoes straight from the vine with my daughter is a truly magical experience.

However, this is a simple recipe to really showcase the English tomato; my secret breakfast pleasure is slow-roasted tomatoes on toast which, for this recipe, I’ve made into a tart. This attractive tomato tart is perfect for a light lunch starter or warmed up for a dinner party - serve it with a few fresh salad leaves or simply as it is.

Richard Bainbridge is the chef proprietor of Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com info@restaurantbenedicts.com or call 01603 926080.

FOOD & DRINK

richard bainbridge

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pack of puff pastry • 10 heritage tomatoes (various colours) • 3 sprigs of thyme • Sea salt • White pepper • Olive oil • Salad leaves

METHOD First, pre-heat your oven to 185°C. Next, line a baking tray with baking parchment, unroll the pastry on to the tray and then score it with a sharp knife in a crisscross pattern, leaving a 2cm border around the outside.

Place a large pan of water on the stove and bring this to the boil then drop in your tomatoes and blanch them for 20 seconds or until their skins start to peel, before putting them into ice cold water to cool.

Once cooled, peel the skin off the tomatoes and slice them about 1cm thick and then arrange them on the pastry within the border.

Sprinkle the sprigs of thyme on top, season well with salt and pepper, then brush the tart lightly with olive oil.

Place the tray in the oven and bake your tart for 20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.

Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool.

Once cooled, slice your tart and serve with some dressed leaves.

Allow to cool. Once cooled, cut the sponge to the size of your mould, line your mould with cling film and then place your sponge inside.

Then completely cover the sponge with a layer of raspberries.

63

The Oaksmere - A stunning new dining experience within a unique setting.

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After extensive investment The Oaksmere is fully open again with a brand new restaurant, lounge and private function rooms.

Enjoy deliciously different dining in a unique setting on the Norfolk and Suffolk border serving locally sourced, top quality ingredients, much from our own butcher’s and kitchen garden.

Set in the peaceful village of Ringstead, only a stones throw from the coast, The Gin Trap Inn is as idyllic as it sounds(we promise!) Serving homemade scrumptuous food everyday, what’s not to love!

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RECIPE

franck pontais

SummEr STrawbERRIEs

Photography by ANDREW FLORIDES, www.andrewflorides.co.uk

This delicious dessert by Franck Pontais is a tasty and refreshing dish for a hot summer’s day

SERVES SIX

ELDERFLOWERINFUSED STRAWBERRIES WITH LEMON SORBET

INGREDIENTS

• 750g fresh strawberries

• One bottle Bottle Green Elderflower Sparkling Pressé

• Two cinnamon sticks • Juice of one lemon

• 400g lemon sorbet

• 250ml balsamic vinegar

METHOD

1. Bring the elderflower pressé and the lemon juice to the boil, along with the cinnamon sticks.

Meanwhile, wash and cut the strawberries into quarters.

2. Once the mixture has started to boil, turn off the heat and let the liquid cool down for two minutes. 3. Next, plunge the

Let our French chef

Franck Pontais cook for your private dinner parties, and for those who really enjoy cooking, he also offers master classes, for all abilities, in your own home. www.franckpontais.com

freshly-cut strawberries into the liquor, cover with a lid and let them infuse until completely cool. 4. Keep the strawberries in their liquor in the fridge for at least 12 hours. 5. To make the balsamic syrup, simply reduce the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until it has a syrup consistency, then leave it to cool.

6. To serve, place the chilled strawberries in a bowl with a scoop of lemon sorbet and a drizzle of the balsamic vinegar.

65

Going al

fresco

FOOD & DRINK

dining al fresco Ma ke t he most of t he lovely s u m m e r w e a t h e r w it h a spot of delicious din ing in t h e g r e a t o ut d o o r s

W

ITH WARM DAYS and lovely, long,

light evenings, there are few greater pleasures than al fresco dining during the summer months.

Creating the ambience of the warm Mediterranean, sitting outdoors at tables beneath parasols and eating and drinking over a relaxed lunch or well into the evening makes it such a special time of year.

Whether we are at home stoking up the barbecue and cooking some tender meat or fresh fish over the charcoal, or packing up a picnic with tasty treats to eat in the park or on the beach, dining outdoors also has those other magical ingredients of fresh air and sunshine.

In addition, across Norfolk, our many excellent pubs and restaurants make the most of the warmer weather with tables and chairs awaiting those who wish to eat outside.

With terraces, hidden gardens and tables under parasols, pubs and restaurants also do their best to help us make the most of the warmer climate when eating out.

Chefs embrace this continental vibe to craft lighter, seasonal summer menus that reflect the warmth of July and August – and even September if we are lucky – with dishes specially designed for this time of year.

One of Norfolk’s best-known chefs, Daniel Smith, is a great advocate of al fresco dining during the warmer months of the year.

He is chef patron at The Ingham Swan, The Wildebeest at Stoke Holy Cross and Warwick St Social in Norwich, three pubs and restaurants in different parts of Norfolk, each with their own ambience and clientèle but with a single ethos of serving high quality food… whether indoors or outdoors.

Daniel explained: “We have al fresco dining areas available at all three of our sites: The Wildebeest has a frontage area which is very pleasant at this time of year, while the Ingham Swan has a terrace which is lovely too.

“And at the Warwick Street Social, we have a hidden garden which we like to think of as Norwich’s best kept dining secret, and it is ideal for eating outdoors.

“Everyone loves having the outdoor dining experience, especially if we have some lovely warm weather – it makes us feel as though we have a little bit of the Continent right here on our doorstep.”

The Ingham Swan, a restaurant with rooms, sits where the North Norfolk coast meets the Broads and offers fine dining served in a relaxed, low-beamed, 14th century coaching inn environment where the food is a tribute to modern British cuisine.

The Wildebeest, in the village of Stoke Holy Cross near Norwich, was originally a traditional pub. Daniel and his team adopt an enthusiastic approach to seasonality bringing together dishes using the freshest ingredients with locallyinspired and daily-changing “Du Jour” menus as well as Sunday lunch and a seven-course Tasting Menu.

Meanwhile, The Warwick St Social is more of an urban meeting place in Norwich’s Golden Triangle. Perfect for casual daytime dining and dinnertime get-togethers, it serves modern inventive dishes…. and has that special garden.

A key philosophy of all three venues is consistent high quality food, whether eaten indoors or out.

67

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“We like to think we offer the same quality of food and the same quality of dining experience with each,” added Daniel.

“Our food is always seasonal, making the best of the local, seasonal meats, seafood and produce, and we aim to demonstrate that with our menus.”

Recently, Daniel’s commitment to quality cuisine was underlined when he was announced as the winner of the prestigious national Restaurant Chef Award at the Craft of Guild Chefs’ annual awards.

The Restaurant Chef Award recognises outstanding contribution to quality and innovation, taking into account customer endorsements and other accolades earned as well as a successful year’s trading.

Across Norwich and Norfolk, there are numerous locations where you can enjoy outdoor dining.

From family-run establishments such as the Briton Arms on Elm Hill, which has an enclosed courtyard area, to many other venues to eat outdoors in historic Tombland, or in the Norwich Lanes district in the heart of the city where there are plenty of food choices in the varied bars and cafés and opportunities to eat al fresco.

The Ribs of Beef in the Cathedral Quarter of Norwich, for example, has a riverside terrace while The Library Restaurant has outdoor seating and views of The Guildhall.

You can pick up food from delis and bistros such as the lovely Logans sandwich shop on Swan Lane to take away and eat in some of the city’s parks and open spaces such as Chapelfield Gardens, the Castle’s gardens, the Plantation Garden or in Norwich Cathedral Close.

Outside of Norwich, the choice is huge: try The Bird in Hand at Wreningham, while the Loddon Swan also has a lovely courtyard garden with tables.

However, al fresco dining is not just about eating outdoors at the region’s pubs and restaurants.

As a nation, we’re getting pretty good at cooking and eating in our own back gardens with the barbecue becoming an integral part of the summer social scene – whether it is a spontaneous get-together or planned with invited guests.

There is an ever-growing range of barbecue recipes, different ways to marinate meats, and the freshest Norfolk or Suffolk salads to accompany the main dish, plus wines, cordials and a great range of East Anglian beers from the region’s microbreweries.

With eating outside becoming more and more popular these days, there is a wealth of furniture and accessories for outdoor living.

The range of barbecues and garden grills is extensive, as is the range of patio heaters for when the temperature drops a degree or two as the evening draws on. And with some people even installing outdoor kitchens, it’s possible to take al fresco cooking and eating on to a whole new level.

With furnishings designed for outside spaces, from tables and chairs to stylish parasols, the choice is seemingly endless.

So, whether we go for a DIY garden feast, or enjoy the ambience of eating al fresco at a pub or restaurant with friends, there’s no excuse for not marrying the warm summer evenings with fine food… and creating an outdoor meal to remember.

69

| JULY 2017

70

FOOD & DRINK

the crawfish inn

FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS David Wakefield ventures into rural Norfolk in search of good Thai food – and finds it at Thursford

It’s a considerable distance from rural Norfolk to

The easy way to find The Crawfish is not (as we did) go the rural route and head for the Thursford Collection; the Thai capital of Bangkok – but it’s a bridge that Siropas but instead to go along the main A148 Holt to King’s Lynn Rangphet doesn’t see as one too far. road, as the restaurant is situated at the junction with Siropas – known to all and sundry simply as OB – runs the Thursford Road.

Crawfish Thai Restaurant and Takeaway at Thursford, and Mandy greeted us warmly and offered a refreshing, aims to serve the kind of food you would expect to eat in a cool glass of a South African Sauvignon Blanc from The Bangkok restaurant.

Crawfish’s very reasonably-priced list.

I don’t claim to be an expert on Thai cuisine, but have The menu uses the traditional Thai names but with full always enjoyed the flavours and textures which are descriptions, which is a big help for those unfamiliar with altogether more delicate than the more familiar Indian or this type of food.

Bangladeshi food.

I am really partial to fishcakes done Thai-style, so But then Thai food is a comparative newcomer to the UK, chose the Tod Man (spicy Thai fish cake with kiffir lime with the first restaurant opening in London in 1967 (Indian leaves, served with cucumber salad, at £5.50); my wife food had been in the capital for over 200 years, and selection was the Goong Chup Pang Tod (king prawns and Chinese since the beginning of the 20th century). vegetables dipped in a light batter and deep There’s no doubt, however, that we Brits have fried until crisp with sweet chilli sauce, also taken to it in a big way – and the food at The THE CRAWFISH INN, at £5.50). Both were very enjoyable, and my Crawfish when my wife and I visited recently Holt Road, Thursford, wife’s prawns were big and particularly tasty. was truly excellent.

Norfolk NR21 0BJ We had little trouble choosing our mains. I But don’t take my word for it. One of the For more information: went for the Gai pad med ma-moung (pieces “regulars” at The Crawfish is Michelin-starred 01328 878313 of chicken fillet marinated in light soy sauce, chef Galton Blackiston, from nearly Morston stir fried with vegetables at £8.95) while Hall. my wife chose Gai Grungtep (Bangkok chicken - strips Although OB runs the kitchen, and his English wife Mandy of chicken fillet stir fried with vegetables in sweet chilli presides over front of house, the genial chef makes a point sauce, also at £8.95). of visiting all the tables and is obviously proud of what he Instead of the usual Jasmine rice we went for the has achieved. traditional Thai egg fried rice with tomatoes and coriander OB is no newcomer to Norfolk, having done a Hotel and (£3.50).

Catering course from West Norfolk College (NORCAT) Both our mains were truly excellent, being beautifully some time ago. He has never been far from a kitchen, as flavoured and with the crispy vegetables providing a nice his aunt used to run a big, high-end restaurant in the Thai contrast to the succulent chicken. capital. “This is why I have so much interest in cooking” The Crawfish menu is extensive and features lots of Thai he said, “having watched top chefs making sauce from specialities, including the famous Gang Pa Nuea (Jungle scratch and supervising meat and vegetable deliveries.”

Curry) at £9.50. This is an extremely hot village beef curry, This is how OB works at The Crawfish. It only opens in the cooked with baby corn, mushrooms, fine beans, fresh evenings (closed all day Monday) so he can prepare all the pepper corn and kaffir lime leaf. The menu adds that there food during the day. He uses local suppliers extensively, is “no mild option!” so take it on at your peril! having done so since he took over the restaurant.

Thai food may be a comparative newcomer to the UK, but OB is a chef by trade (his other ambition was to be a its popularity is rising. And some surveys suggest that it is professional boxer, but the kitchen won!) and he does most now the tops in Asian cuisine here. Having eaten at The of the cooking himself. While he would like an assistant, Crawfish I can well see why this is so. good Thai chefs, he explained, are not easy to come by, particularly when your restaurant is in a rural area.

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| JULY 2017

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FOOD & DRINK

necton windmill

MILLING AROUND

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Mark Nicholls visits the Windmill Inn at Necton for a fabulous family meal

s I cast my eye over the menu,

topped with a gentle flaky crust with a healthy helping of tender chicken within and served with cauliflower, the large shell mussels with lemon carrots and potatoes. and garlic butter instantly caught my Other options that caught our eye included the baked attention. ham steak with mustard and cheese; pan fried venison, I love shellfish, so it was a case of roasted pear and brandy butter sauce; and roast salmon, look no further for my starter. as well as a range of steaks including the 10oz sirloin at A few moments earlier, we had taken our seats in the £18.50. restaurant area of the Windmill Inn in Necton, just off There is a wine list, and a carafe of water on the the A47 near Swaffham. table, but we opted for beers and soft drinks, choosing While the mussels – which were phenomenal, Worth the Wait from Beeston Brewery and Grain succulent, perfectly-cooked and with the flavours Brewery’s Oak ale. With Greene King’s IPA a regular, oozing through - may not appeal to all, they were part the beers from local microbreweries alternate alongside of a varied menu, which changes on a weekly basis. ciders and lagers.

As a result, my fellow diners from the Nicholls family This family-run pub and restaurant is a also had no difficulty selecting a starter – supporter of local microbreweries and food home-made vegetable soup (£4.95), smoked THE WINDMILL INN, producers. mackerel pâté (£5.95), and herb-battered 15-17 Mill Street, Necton, David tells me: “We look to retain the chicken strips with a garlic mayonnaise Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 8EN atmosphere of a village pub whilst also (also £5.95).

For more information: serving good food in our restaurant, and The Windmill Inn has been run by David 01760 722057 we change the menus regularly to use local, and Mandy Whitehair for 11 years with eat@thenectonwindmill.co.uk seasonal produce wherever it is available. the underlying ethos of serving excellent www.thenectonwindmill.co.uk Our potatoes are grown locally and we get food whilst also retaining the ambience of our meat from a nearby butcher.” a village pub where locals can pop in for a Ah, desserts. Did we nearly forget? pint or a game of pool.

They are traditional pub puddings – expect fresh And it succeeds; the bar is friendly and welcoming, fruit salad, vanilla crème brûlée, sticky toffee pudding with a restaurant area that is marginally more formal, or chocolate brownies – all at £5.95 apiece but and with a menu that combines a healthy selection of delivering a suitably filling finale. There are also ice fish dishes with meat and vegetarian options. creams and a cheese board (£8.95).

As we chose our main courses, I did look closely at Serving food seven days a week, this popular pub the fish pie, but as that had been selected by one of my offers a lunchtime two-course menu for £13.50, with a fellow diners, I opted for the beef and sweet chilli hot wide range of starters, mains and desserts, and every iron skillet (£18.95). It is not a style of dish I’d normally Sunday there is a one-, two- or three-course menu, go for, but it proved an excellent choice. A little on the serving a traditional roast. spicy side – which I like – the tender beef was served The Windmill Inn at Necton certainly knows how to with mixed peppers and onions. serve up fine food, whilst also retaining a friendly village Occasionally, I glanced over at the mixed fish and pub atmosphere… perhaps we should move there?! seafood pie, baked with a cheesy mash (£14.50) and made a note to return and savour it on another day.

Brimming with prawns, salmon, cod and halibut, it was served with vegetables and new potatoes.

Daughter Sarah, who has become a regular dining companion of late, enjoyed the hefty gammon steak (£13.50) and chips. Dave – better known in the pub as “Scoob” – proudly told us that he has a specific local supplier for his potatoes simply for the flavours they deliver for his chips.

Local, seasonal produce underpins the majority of dishes on the menu and, while he spends several hours in the kitchen, Scoob likes to wander into the dining area and check that his customers are satisfied – which they very much seemed to be (we were).

Our quartet of dishes was completed by another pie, this time from the specials board which offers a few additional dishes and alternative or creative takes on the main menu dishes. The said chicken and leek pie (£13.50), I was assured by my wife, was delicious, 73

INTERIORS

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Bath time

Eliza Miller from Arcadia Home Interiors dreams of her ideal bathroom…

THERE ARE FEW GREATER PLEASURES than a long, hot bath – it is an

integral part of my nightly routine, my retreat at the end of the day, and I happily confess to having more than a couple of lovely bottles of bath oil dotted about the bathroom, a veritable apothecary of orange blossom! Most people spend the first and last part of their day in the bathroom, so it is an important room to get right. Working in a stunningly beautiful interiors showroom has so many benefits, the only downfall being it makes me a little disillusioned about the state of my bathroom at home!

So if, like me, you are considering restyling your bathroom, there are so many elements to consider that it can be quite daunting. Do I change all the fittings (bath, shower, taps, sink and loo), what about the existing colour scheme and should I stay with a traditional style or go for something more contemporary? Many people favour pure white bathrooms, but they can run the risk of looking rather clinical, although very easily jazzed up with a fun and stylish combination of wallpaper and colourful tiles, plants or funky towels and bath mats.

Bathrooms are often the smallest room in the house, so it's always crucial to include as much storage as possible – and then you can add to your ever-increasing collection of pots and potions (and bath oils!).

A good start when designing a bathroom is to write a list of wishes and needs and then the main practical considerations are plumbing drains, water lines and vent stacks. Bathroom plans usually have a one, two or three wall layout, the one wall layout being the most cost-effective with the sink, loo and shower lined up, but this is also the most limiting.

If my bathroom dreams came true, I would have a Duravit LUV bath tub. Designed around the concept of Nordic minimalism, the range follows geometric lines with a palate of matt lacquers and glazes in soft shades – the original vision being based on a bowl filled with water sitting on a table. The second part of my bathroom dream would be to have a Hurlingham Bath Company bateau bathtub in my sons’ bathroom; the only problem would be choosing which design… the freestanding tubs can be covered in leather, fabric, cow hide and even carpet. They can also be hand-stencilled with your own design – or you could be super shiny and have a tub gilded in gold, copper, pewter or bronze leaf! The appeal of metal is still strong in bathroom and

kitchen design, and works beautifully when contrasted with wood and either bright or neutral colours. If you prefer having a shower, then the Vertical ‘Wellness’ shower from Dornbracht will undoubtedly enhance your physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being. With a number of specialised water outlets and different flow modes, you’ll never want to leave the bathroom – one of the sensory water scenarios is called ‘Just Rain’ – as if caught in a tropical rain shower, the water cascades from above and envelopes your body in big, glistening drops of water (I could be converted…). If you are looking at traditional designs for your bathroom, then the epitome would be Thomas Crapper, a company set up in 1861 with the ethos that if you buy the right quality you only have to buy it once. My favourite designs are the ‘beer pull’ flush handle on the loo cistern (or ‘Las Vegas Fruit Machine’ handle as I describe it), and, again, it would be great fun to personalise the wording on your custom-made, cast iron cartouche – although you will be warned that ‘good taste’ and ‘length of wording’ must be adhered to. Meanwhile, the classic bath rack For more ideas and with optional book rack is just wonderful examples, see: www.arcadiahome (although my glasses steam up in the bath, interiors.co.uk so that’s no good for me sadly…). Whichever design you choose, it’s important to spend Instagram plenty of time deciding, as the right bath or @Arcadia_Home_ shower will make all the difference to your Interiors and @Gilmour_Green bathroom.

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As I have worked for two larger local firms I know what clients want and expect. My charges are significantly less than other solicitors in North Norfolk or Norwich and I provide 22 years of expertise and exceptional service.

I pride myself on being one of the only solicitors who offers a FREE FIRST APPOINTMENT so clients can come in and obtain some initial advice, discuss costs and make an informed decision. At a larger firm you just pay more.

When a client rings or walks through the door, they invariably get to speak to me as this personal and direct approach is very important. I ensure complete confidentiality is an absolute priority.

I advise new clients to “shop around” as I know that my charges are significantly less than other solicitors but I can offer the same expertise, if not better. I have and can act for clients across Norfolk and the country, with Skype, emails, etc enabling me to act for clients further afield. The reason that clients near and far instruct Silver & Ward is because of my expertise, exceptional service and competitive costs.

“I would say to any potential client with a legal issue or worry in 2017 to come and meet me face-to-face for a FREE FIRST APPOINTMENT, as you have nothing to lose but all to gain.

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

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“The three-year anniversary of your scheme is a good time to review both the performance of the scheme and the service provided by the pension company”

P L A N N I NG F OR WOR K P L AC E P E NSIONS THIS YEAR SEES TWO SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES FOR WORKPLACE PENSIONS. CARL LAMB PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON THE REQUIREMENTS AND ASKS IS IT TIME FOR RE-ENROLMENT? WORKPLACE PENSIONS HAVE BECOME a key part of employers’

statutory duties and the initial stages of the roll-out of auto enrolment are all but complete. All businesses that were in existence in October 2012 will now have passed their staging dates and have begun the auto enrolment process (or made a declaration if they had no workers to enrol). Only those businesses that were set up after October 2012 are yet to begin the process and they will be given staging dates, from the initial period in in April this year to February next year. Any businesses set up from October 2017 onwards must comply with the rules immediately.

The other milestone to be reached this year is that those businesses whose staging dates fell in the early days of the process are now about to hit their three-year anniversary, bringing with it another set of obligations. This will affect around 40,000 employers during 2017.

If you are an employer, at the three-year anniversary of your staging date you will be required to undertake three main tasks.

Firstly you must re-enrol any workers who opted out after they had been automatically enrolled into the workplace scheme.

Workers who chose to opt out three years ago must go back into the scheme but they do have the opportunity to opt out again, if they so wish. You must carry out an assessment of your workers to determine their eligibility and entitlements and reenrol any staff affected. In addition, you must write to any staff you are re-enrolling within six weeks of the re-enrolment date.

The second task for you to undertake is to check that your scheme remains compliant under the rules and that it is still fit for purpose. There have been changes to the rules since the first qualifying workplace pension schemes were set up, such as in respect of any commissions paid for advice you took in

setting up the scheme. You may find that the scheme you have in place is no longer delivering the outcomes that you looked to achieve when you first set it up – and that changes in the way advice is being delivered and charged to employers mean you may need to look for a new source of advice.

Another change since the early days of auto enrolment is that a limit has been put on the amount that the fund provider can charge to manage the scheme’s default investment fund(s).

This charge cap has been set at 0.75 per cent. Any schemes set up before this change in the rules may no longer be compliant if they involve a default investment fund that carries a higher charge.

Your third task at the three-year anniversary of your staging is to submit a re-declaration of compliance. This must be done within five months of the anniversary date.

The three-year anniversary of your scheme is also a good time to review both the performance of the scheme itself and the service provided by the pension company and advice firm involved. To an extent, those with early staging dates at the start of the roll-out of auto enrolment were guinea pigs for the different services being offered, and the workplace pension landscape has seen many shifts and adjustments in the past three years.

For example, there have been considerable advances in the technology behind auto enrolment since its early days with new “middleware” providers coming on to the scene. Financial advisers have also updated and amended their service offering to provide a higher level of support for businesses to take over tasks such as managing contributions and handling all the scheme administration.

At Almary Green, we can provide a range of support services to help you with both the re-enrolment and re-declaration processes and will carry out a review of how your workplace pension is run.

Carl Lamb

Almary Green Chartered Financial Planners www.almarygreen.com | 01603 706740

For independent financial advice, contact Almary Green on 01603 706740 or email enquiries@almarygreen.com. Please remember that the advice here is generic and we recommend that you get individual personalised advice.

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Photo: Richard Batson

What do you like about working in Sheringham?

The sense of community. I love the fact that every morning as I walk down the street towards the theatre, I am greeted by members of the town; it is such a friendly place to work.

Anything you dislike?

Missing out on what the town has to offer! Often I will be at my desk all day and, as I leave, I see all the people who have spent a day on the beach, or walking on the cliff tops, enjoying all that Sheringham has to offer.

Are you Norfolk born and bred?

I was born in Oswestry in Shropshire, but my father was a Norfolk boy and he brought us all back here when I was five. I lived in London for a while when I was an actor but as soon as I got married we decided to come back to Norfolk to give our children the sort of idyllic childhood I enjoyed.

5 minutes with…

Debbie Thompson How long have you worked at Sheringham Little Theatre?

I have been at Sheringham Little Theatre for 15 years and during that time my role has expanded. Currently I am the theatre director which is the best job in the world as it means I get to choose all the wonderful shows that come here and also produce the professional repertory season, pantomime and youth productions.

And some of your family members also work at the theatre?

Yes, it really is a family affair. I am very lucky that my husband, Simon, is a wonderful director (we actually met at Sheringham when we both acted in the summer repertory), so he directs during the summer and has just directed a recent youth production of Oliver! Both our children, Katie and Sam, were in it, as they were in the original production we did eight years ago. Katie, now 19, and Sam, now 17, have grown up at The Little Theatre and both perform and volunteer regularly. Last summer Katie cooked the pre-show suppers, Sam was the waiter and Simon served behind the bar. It is great that we can all work together and means I get to see them!

How many people work at the theatre?

We have a tremendous team and most of them have been there for a long time. In total there are 12 of us, four full-time. Then, of course, we have our army of 60-plus volunteers, who do a fantastic job and help keep the theatre in action.

What’s coming up over the summer?

We are just about to embark on our 57th summer repertory season and it is very exciting. We have the traditional array of plays which audiences crave, such as a physiological thriller, a hysterical farce and a classic Ayckbourn, but this year we also have a world premiere performance of an intriguing new play called The Revival which mixes all the genres, combining a ghost story with a tense thriller and comedy – definitely not to be missed!

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What would you do with a day off in East Anglia?

A long family walk on one of our beautiful beaches with our dogs.

Marvin, the black Labrador who insists we throw a frisbee the whole time and Dylan, the Golden Retriever who swims out into the sea.

Do you have any hobbies?

Gardening, but I’m hopeless! My mother is a professional gardener and I am ashamed that I know so little but she comes over and advises me very patiently.

In this age of screens, why is it important to visit the theatre?

Nothing can beat live theatre. You are sharing a unique experience with an audience. It is happening right in front of you and the audience is part of that performance.

Will there be any special summer activities?

This summer is going to be extremely busy. We have two children’s shows, The Town That Lost its Tales, a story involving young members of our drama groups that will play at The Little Theatre and also go on tour to Mannington Hall in August. We also have King Neptune and the Norfolk Noise, devised and performed by Neil Paris, who was our Captain Hook last year, and three young local performers. Over the summer young people will also be rehearsing for their September production of Little Shop of Horrors and this is being entirely produced by the youth team.

Has the theatre had any famous visitors?

The Little Theatre is loved by celebrities as they recognise the value of small community venues as starting blocks and training grounds for young performers and theatre professionals. The late, great Sir John Hurt was a huge supporter of the work we do with young people and he also spoke to our repertory actors, explaining to them how the repertory system had offered strong foundations for his distinguished acting career.

If you could see any show again, what would it be?

Dames at Sea. This is an amazing musical and it was one of the first shows I produced for the repertory season. Desmond Barrit directed the show and the star was Jess Robinson, who has just been in the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent. The story is charming, the songs are fabulous and it perfectly suits an intimate venue. I would love to bring it back!

What are your plans for the future?

We are desperate to build a room on the flat roof at the side of the building; this would give us the extra space we need for our activities with young people, corporate hospitality and an overspill area for the busy café. We are keen to refurbish the seating and offer more leg room in the auditorium. It truly is a little theatre and we are aiming to make it a little bit bigger!

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Plan. **Payable **Payable with with optional optional final final payment. payment. Cost Cost of of optional optional metallic metallic paint paint included included in in the the finance finance example example + + at at £645. £645. 9.6p 9.6p per per mile mile excess excess mileage mileage charge charge apply apply (incl. (incl. VAT).

VAT). 18s 18s and and over. over. Subject Subject to to availability. availability. Finance Finance subject subject to to status. status. Terms Terms and and conditions conditions apply. apply. Offer Offer available available when when ordered ordered by by 30th 30th June June 2017 2017 from from participating participating Centres.

Centres. Offers Offers are are not not available available in in conjunction conjunction with with any any other other offer offer and and may may be be varied varied or or withdrawn withdrawn at at any any time. time. Accurate Accurate at at time time of of publication publication [June [June 2017].

2017]. Freepost Freepost Audi Audi Financial Financial Services.

Services. We We can can introduce introduce you you to to a a limited limited number number of of lenders lenders to to assist assist with with your your purchase, purchase, who who may may pay pay us us for for introducing introducing you you to to them. them.