Places&Faces® North & West Norfolk · 05 · August 2017 by Countrywide Publications

FREE The magazine for North

PICK UP & READ!

AUGUST 2017

& West Norfolk

WIN! —

FOR 4 R E N N I D AT DELIA'S

30 PAGES OF AT THE SUNDOWN FESTIVAL

WHAT'S ON

—

SIR MICHAEL

PARKINSON

THE KING OF THE CHAT SHOW

CELEBRITIES / FOOD / TRAVEL / FASHION / HOMES & GARDENS / THEATRE ISSUE № 05

www.placesandfaces.co.uk

5 2

–

6 7 6

Say hello to the Honda range Say hello to Nil Advance Payment

We’re always trying to ﬁnd new ways to build safer, smarter cars. Say hello the Honda range And now youto can drive one home from Nil Advance Payment with Honda Motability.

Say hello to Nil Advance Payment

We’re always trying to ﬁnd new ways to build safer, smarter cars. FROM And now you can drive one home from Nil Advance Payment with Honda Motability.

NIL

The Jazz

Advance Payment

1.3 EX

Small on the outside. Big on the inside. With Magic Seats The 1.3 EX youJazz can rearrange to suit you. Small on the outside.

FROM

NIL Advance Payment

Big on the inside. With Magic Seats you can rearrange to suit you.

FROM £299

Advance FROM Payment

£299 Advance Payment

The Civic

129 PS VTEC SE Turbo

Our sportiest yet. Turbo charged power to match The Civic 129 PSlines. VTEC SE Turbo the sleek, sculptural Ourclass-leading sportiest yet. space. Turbo Inside, charged power to match the sleek, sculptural lines. Inside, class-leading space.

FROM £1,499 Advance

FROM Payment

£1,499 Advance Payment

The HR-V

1.6 i-DTEC S Manual

Clever styling leaves plenty of room. Rugged The HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC S Manual looks are aerodynamic Clever styling for better fuel leaves efﬁciency plenty of room. Rugged and easier handling. looks are aerodynamic for better fuel efﬁciency and easier handling.

FROM £299 Advance

Payment FROM £299 Advance Payment

The CR-V

2.0 S 2WD

Better. Stronger. Now goes2.0even The CR-V S 2WDfurther. With high driving position Better. Stronger. and impressive boot space. Now goes even further. With high driving position and impressive boot space.

CROWN GARAGE HONDA KING’S LYNN

Honda House, Scania Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LP CROWN GARAGE HONDA KING’S LYNN Call 01553 762984 or Search Crown Garage Honda King’s Lynn Honda House, Scania Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LP

Fuel consumption figures for the Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 28.0 – 72.4 (10.1 – 3.9), Extra Urban 43.5 – 83.1 (6.5 – 3.4), Combined 36.7 – 78.5 (7.7 – 3.6). CO2 emissions 179 – 94g Call 01553 762984 or Search Crown Garage Honda King’s Lynn km. Fuel consumption figures sourced from official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experience. Models Shown: Jazz FuelEX consumption figuresOrchid for the Pearl, HondaCivic range129PS in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle – 72.4 (10.1 – 3.9), Extra Urban 43.5 Steel, – 83.1 (6.5 3.4), 2.0 Combined – 78.5 (7.7 – 3.6). CO2 emissions 179 – 94g/ 3 i-VTEC Manual in White VTEC SE in Lunar Silver,28.0 HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC S Manual in Modern and –CR-V i-VTEC36.7 S Manual 2WD in Twilight Blue Metallic. Terms and km. Fuel consumption figuresoffer sourced EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided may not reflect real-life driving experience. Shown: Jazz Conditions: Nil Advance Payment on from Jazz official 1.3 i-VTEC EX Manual, £299 Advance Payment offer for on comparison Civic 129PSpurposes VTEC SEand Manual, £1,499 Advance Payment offer on Models HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC S Manua 1.3 i-VTEC EX Manual in White Orchid Pearl, Civic 129PS VTEC SE in Lunar Silver, HR-V 1.6 i-DTEC S Manual in Modern Steel, and CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC S Manual 2WD in Twilight Blue Metallic. Terms and and £299 Advance Payment on CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC S Manual 2WD.. All offers are correct at the time of going to print however Honda (UK) reserves the right to change this offer at any time. Models Nil Written Advancedetails Payment offer onon Jazz 1.3 i-VTEC Manual, £299 Advance Paymentof offer Civic Rate 129PSMobility VTEC SE Manual, £1,499 Advance Payment offer on HR-Vor 1.6War i-DTEC S ManualMobility ubject Conditions: to availability. available request. The EX scheme is available to recipients the on Higher Component of the Disability Living Allowance Pensioners and £299 Advance CR-V 2.0be i-VTEC S Manual 2WD.. All of offers are correct at the time going to print however the right this Operations offer at any Limited time. Models Supplement. To qualify forPayment this offeron you must in receipt of a minimum 12 months allowance. Validoffor applications betweenHonda 1 July(UK) to 30reserves September 2017to tochange Motability (Registered subject to availability. Written details available on request. The scheme is available to recipients of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Promoter is Honda Motor Europe Limited trading as Honda (UK) at Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL Supplement. To qualify for this offer you must be in receipt of a minimum of 12 months allowance. Valid for applications between 1 July to 30 September 2017 to Motability Operations Limited (Registered Company No. 1373876), City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Promoter is Honda Motor Europe Limited trading as Honda (UK) at Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL.

RETREATS Laid-back luxury holiday cottages in Nor th Norfolk

L U X U RY P R O P E RT I E S

A M A Z I N G P L AC E S

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

We combine a luxury boutique hotel experience with the freedom and privacy of a self-catering cottage. With an impressive portfolio of over 85 handpicked luxury properties and post Summer short break dates released, now is the time to book your North Norfolk getaway.

Exper ience the lifestyle

LIFESTYLE STORE

L U X U R Y H O M E WA R E S

UNIQUE GIFTS

Recreate the Barefoot laidback luxury style within your own home. With many unique pieces and gifts for all occasions. MUDDY AWARD WINNERS FOR BEST GIFT SHOP Barefoot Retreats, High Street, Thornham, Norfolk, PE36 6LX 17 Ulph Place, Overy Road, Burnham Market, PE31 8HQ 01485 512245 • www.barefootretreats.co.uk

Barefoot Living, Church House, Overy Road, Bur nham Market, Kings Lynn, PE31 8HH 01328 738 100 • www.barefoot-living.co.uk

AylshamShow the

Blickling Park • Monday 28th August 2017

Food and farming area

Sheep dog and spaniel displays

Fun fair

Red Devil’s parachute display

Advance tickets only £12

Children 16 and under FREE • Car Parking FREE Discounted tickets available from: • Aylsham: Coxford’s Butchers & Just Regional • Banningham: The Banningham Crown • Cromer: JB Postle • Catton: Yeomans Electrical • Cawston: Woodrow Garage • Drayton: Drayton Stores • Edgefield: Edgefield Nursery • Fakenham: Papworth Butchers • Holt: Budgens • North Walsham: Papworth Butchers & Sainsburys • Norwich: Archant (EDP) & Ben Burgess • Sheringham: Papworth Butchers • Sprowston: White House Farm PYO & Rosie’s Cards & Gifts • Stalham: Tesco • Swaffham: Papworth Butchers • Thorpe: Thorpe Travel

www.theaylshamshow.co.uk

For more information or to buy online visit Gates open from 8am at Blickling Estate Tickets £15 cash only on gate

Battle of Britain Flypast

Beer tasting

Animals

Adrenaline Tour Quad Bikes

Plus lots more!

The locally grown day out!

GROSVENOR CASINO GREAT YARMOUTH

Restaurant/TV Sports Live Entertainment ... and the best gaming in Great Yarmouth! Friday 18th August - 8pm - £15 including BBQ One amazing artist, two unbelievable shows!

“GAGA v WINEHOUSE”

Sounds of The

60’s 70’s 80’s

The East Coasts Favourite Mod Band

Tuesday 22nd August - 8.30pm til late Non Members Welcome Over 18’s only

O P P O S I T E W E L L I N G TO N P I E R AT M A R I N E PA R A D E , G R E AT YA R M O U T H , N O R F O L K , N R 3 0 3 J G 01493 850444 W W W. G RO S V E N O RC A S I N O S . C O M

keepitfun.rank.com Over 18s only. Photo ID is required. www.gambleaware.co.uk

M E E T

T H E

T E A M

COLIN HUGGINS MANAGING DIRECTOR

T: 01493 742091 M: 07775 858862 E: colin@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: shaun@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742066 M: 07584 162023 SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER:

DIANE GREEN

E: diane@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742251 ACCOUNT MANAGER:

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

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

SENIOR DESIGNER & IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST:

JUSTIN NEALE

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

GENERAL ENQUIRIES OFFICE MANAGER:

JANE GOODLEY

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

@PlacesandFaces

CONTRIBUTORS:

Richard Bainbridge, Jack Baines, John Bultitude, Benet Catty, Chuff Media, Peter Clarke, Melanie Cook, Judy Feston, Andrew Florides, Simon Franklin, Samantha Fraser, Julian Gibbons, Pete Goodram, Carl Lamb, Ellen Mary, Eliza Miller, Nick Mobbs, Mark Nicholls, Hayley Philpot, Franck Pontais, Jennifer Read, James Spicer, Samantha Thompson, David Wakefield

12 ISSUES FOR £24 GENERAL ENQUIRIES

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

PUBLISHED BY:

W ELCOME

TO AUGUST’S PLACES&FACES® BEHIND THE SCENES we have been working hard to bring

you an even bigger and better magazine with even more to read and enjoy. Our celebrity interviews include Rory Charles Graham better known as Rag’n’Bone Man. Rory broke through in late 2016 with his debut single Human. He went on to win the 2017 BRITs Critics Choice Award and finish second in the BBC Sound of 2017. In February 2017 the release of his debut album Human took the Official Charts by storm becoming the decades fastest- selling album so far by a British male soloist even outselling the albums of Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran. We also caught up with Kerry Ellis and Matt Cardle ahead of their two night performance at The Apex Theatre in Bury St Edmunds. Kerry is recognised as the leading lady of West End and Broadway musicals, with a number of starring roles in London, New York and around the world. Meanwhile, Matt has become a multiplatinum recording artist having completed five sold-out tours since winning The X Factor’s highest rating series in 2010, watched by over 19 million and Mark Nicholls speaks to Joe Pasquale as his latest one-man show Devil In Disguise heads to Great Yarmouth’s Britannia Pier. Our celebrity interviews don’t stop there John Bultitude spoke to Sir Michael Parkinson arguably the man who put the British chat show front and centre of the entertainment world. We hope you like our new music column where every month we will be looking at some of the lesser known facts of rock and pop. We kick off this month highlighting TEN things you might not know about the late Chuck Berry who sadly passed away in April this year. This issue is packed with interesting articles for you to enjoy including a comprehensive What’s On round up, theatre reviews, as well as our regular columns which we know from your feedback you enjoy. These include fashion, beauty, new car reviews, interior design, recipes and restaurant reviews to name but a few. So take some time out and relax with a well earned cup of tea or glass of wine and enjoy our latest edition of Places&Faces® magazine.

Colin Huggins PS. Congratulations to Simon Haines, Kathy Pointer and Jean Hollick who won tickets in our July issue to see Tom Jones at Holkham Hall.

www.placesandfaces.co.uk

www.h2creativemedia.co.uk

TERMS & CONDITIONS Humberstone House, 47 Englands Lane, Gorleston, Norfolk NR31 6BE T 01493 742088

PRINTERS: MICROPRESS Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH

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.

PROBABLY THE LARGEST RANGE OF NEW AND USED MOWERS ON DISPLAY IN NORTH NORFOLK

NEW ATCO RIDE ON MOWERS FROM ONLY

Â£1349.00 inc VAT SELLING MOWERS IN NORFOLK FOR OVER 100 YEARS! Free demonstrations at your home with no obligation. RING US ON:

01263 588787 or 07747786092

Bodham NR256QJ ANYTIME SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9.00am to 9.00pm

Helhoughton Road, Hempton, Fakenham NR21 7DY Tel: 01328 864743 or 855321 Email: sales@norfolkreclaim.co.uk www.norfolkreclaim.co.uk

CONTENTS

48 36

19 68

COVER STORY 42 The Rag’n’Bone Man comes to town

COMPETITION 31 Win! Dinner at Delia’s

PERSONALITIES 28 10 things you might not know about: Chuck Berry 40 Michael Parkinson comes to Norwich 46 Joe Pasquale’s Devil in Disguise 82 Five minutes with Tom Blofeld

WHAT’S ON 17 Kayla Dunne: Visit North Norfolk 19 What’s on in August 26 The Out There Festival 32 West End Review: Wind in the Willows 34 The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company 36 Dreamboats and Petticoats 38 Matt Cardle & Kerry Ellis at the Apex

FASHION, BEAUTY & HEALTH 52 Global Diagnostics: State-of-the-art scanning 54 Ladies Fashion: Ruffle mania 57 Beauty in the sky 59 Men’s warm weather essentials TRAVEL 48 Travel Time – our monthly round up!

HOMES AND GARDENS 13 Fine Furnishings: Arcadia Home Interiors

FOOD AND DRINK 61 Franck Pontais: Cracking Courgettes 62 A League of their own: Delia’s Restaurant & Bar 65 Richard Bainbridge: Marvellous Meringue 68 Fine food, relaxation and indulgence at Congham Hall BUSINESS 11 Holiday home tips from Norfolk Country Cottages 77 Financial advice from Carl Lamb MOTORING 79 Taking the Skoda Citigo out for a spin SOCIAL SCENE 80 Caught on camera

butterscotch remained butterscotch lime cream as lime creams are Digbys became Haralds service remains the star

FABRICS TRIMMINGS CURTAINS BLINDS CUSHIONS THROWS WALLPAPER PAINT LAMPS LAMPSHADES CARDS GIFTS

6 Garden Street, Cromer 516802

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

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

Please contact us if you have a special holiday property you’d like us to share

01263 715779 owners@norfolkcottages.co.uk norfolkcottages.co.uk

BUSINESS

holiday lettings

Investing in holiday letting L i z G o l d b y o f No r f o l k C o u n t r y C o t t a g e s , t h e c o u n t y ’s t r u l y l o c a l a n d l e a d i n g h o l i d a y c o t t a g e a g e n c y, l o o k s at the different types of customers your holiday cottage could attract…

e have been established for 25 years now, and in that time much has changed. This is no different when it comes to the types of visitors Norfolk attracts. We find an increasing number of our homeowners prepare and style their properties to suit a particular target market, which in turn helps to increase bookings and income. Let’s dig a little deeper and find out more about who you could target your property towards…

PET OWNERS

By far, the biggest growing sector and most popular searchterm online is for pet friendly holiday cottages. Most often, the companion is a dog, however we have had requests for cats and even the odd parrot! When you consider Norfolk’s raft of footpaths, dog-friendly beaches and pubs, it’s not that surprising. With more than half our portfolio accepting pets, and many of those properties going that one step further and offering dog treats, beds and more, fully-embracing dogs is something we support. FAMILIES

Our county has a 93-mile coastline boasting six blue flag beaches, award-winning attractions and a buzzing events calendar. It’s also one of the driest and sunniest places in the UK. All-in-all, this combination makes it the perfect place for family holidays. It’s also far quicker to get to from the midlands and London than other popular coastal counties, such as Cornwall. We therefore recommend that any property sleeping four or more should supply a highchair, cot and stairgate. A fully-enclosed garden is also something parents look for, as well as games, books and DVDs. Making your property toddler friendly can also help to secure bookings with families who have pre-school children. HEALTH AND WELLBEING

In years to come, this decade may well be referred to as the health and wellbeing years. More and more people are focused on nutrition and moving their bodies – with the number of us taking up exercise such as walking, running, swimming, yoga and the gym significantly increased. So, if your holiday property is on a footpath, cycleway,

surrounded by scenic countryside, next to a beach, has its own gym, hot tub, pool, drying facilities, or, even, juicer, make sure you promote it. Holidaymakers pack their trainers, running gear and wet suits, and will want to use them! How else will they burn off those delicious lunches and suppers! THE DISCERNING

It is a visual world we live in now. With the explosion of Pinterest style boards and Instagram users, our interest in interior design has reached new heights. As the quality and finish of our own homes increases, so too does our expectations of the holiday cottages we book. We take professional photographs of every property within our portfolio, as well as offering dolls house tours and aerial films. These are what truly sell a property, but the images can only be as good as the interiors and gardens they photograph. So, if you have a holiday home, ensure it is decorated and kitted out to the best you can afford. Luxury additions such as roll-top baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, tennis courts and private moorings are popular and will make your property stand out. THE ROMANTICS

We are finding that self-catering short breaks are a trendy alternative to hotels. More than ever before, we are welcoming couples wishing to celebrate their anniversaries, birthdays and even honeymoons in a cottage in Norfolk. Being less restrictive than a hotel experience, visitors can truly relax in private and enjoy important bonding time. Generally, it is also a more affordable option, allowing visitors to indulge in other experiences such as dining out, boat trips and more. So, as the owner of a holiday cottage sleeping two, think about the welcome tray you offer, your toiletries and stocking up on firewood come winter. BIG GATHERINGS

It’s harder than ever to get close friends and family together. This might explain the growing interest in people (especially grandparents) wishing to book big properties for multigenerational holidays. Friends are also booking big properties for re-unions or simply some time together. If you have a larger property, we recommend zip and link beds to ensure your property is flexible for different party configurations. Big dining tables, enough comfy seating and en-suite bathrooms are also necessities if you wish to attract these types of bookings. Games rooms are also popular for groups with children and teenagers. ACCESS FOR ALL

Our whole portfolio is VisitEngland graded, and one of the awards owners can gain is ‘Access for all’. Whether a customer has a wheelchair, limited mobility or are just recovering from hip or knee surgery, knowing a property is suitable for them is essential. We also highlight properties that are all on one level. If you are in the midst of refurbishing a property, give a thought to this and perhaps install suitable showers, ramps, and ground-level bedroom and bathroom, and a threshold-free ground-floor. It will certainly make your property more appealing to a wider audience. Overall, give thought to the holidaymakers you wish to attract and make your property as appealing and suitable for them as possible. It will pay dividends in the long-term.

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 of 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 – norfolkcottages.co.uk

INTERIORS

arcadia home interiors

Fine Furnishings

rad Pitt is alleged to have once said, “I'm drawn to furniture design as complete architecture on a minor scale” and I think that makes perfect sense. For those of us who could not begin to contemplate designing a house, and as someone lucky enough to work with many brilliant architects, I regularly see examples of what an extraordinary expertise this is. Furniture, however, is a wonderful form of compact design – and ideally one that works in harmony with your home and makes your life more comfortable. Home should always be your sanctuary – and at the end of a hard day at work you should be rewarded by the embrace of a comfy armchair or sofa. Some of my prized possessions at home are pieces of furniture that have been passed down through the generations – there are two chairs that take pride of place in my drawing room. One is a beautiful of Bergere chair with mahogany arms and legs and woven panels on the back and sides that belonged to my grandfather; the other is a nursing chair that belonged to my great grandmother – in Victorian times the nursing chair was a low seated partially upholstered chair for mothers who were breastfeeding. The low seat and absence of arm rests allowed the mother, who would have been wearing a stiff corset, to interact with other small children without bending over.

See more ideas and examples at www.arcadiahomeinteriors.co.uk Instagram @Arcadia_Home_Interiors and @Gilmour_Green

This has been recently reupholstered in a lovely thick woven linen by Ian Mankin (in a rather impractical off white colour – which looks wonderful against the dark grey walls but I have to balance a small wicker basket on the seat so the dogs don’t jump on it!). The rest of the furniture in the drawing room is quite contemporary, but these two pieces have so much history and so many tales to tell, that they bring an element of life to the room. That’s not to say that there isn’t something wonderful about having a bespoke piece of modern furniture made – to fit in a particular spot, or to an exact design you have created – a truly unique piece that can then also be a talking point for future generations. A good joinery firm will be able to sketch something to scale for you from an initial meeting, guide you through the choice of which material would work best and then craft your piece of furniture by hand – this gorgeous elm coffee table is a great example by highly esteemed Norfolk firm, Hawthorn Bespoke Joinery. My other favourite pieces of furniture are desks and dressing tables. As lovely as it would be to have both an office and a dressing room in your home, this is not always feasible!

However these can easily be incorporated into other rooms of the house – my son has a fabulous desk in his bedroom – I’m not sure how much homework takes place on it, but it certainly sees many hours of drawing and sketching and is adorned with endless pots of coloured pens, pencils and paraphernalia. It would look equally stylish in the corner of our open plan dining room or in the corner of the drawing room, which doubles up as ‘work’ space. Mirrored dressing tables seem to be all the rage at the moment, although I can’t help thinking about having to polish it regularly and the fear of inadvertently catching a glimpse of an unflattering double chin, from a peculiar angle, when opening a drawer…! But I do find the idea of sitting at a dressing table wonderfully glamorous and grown up. A stylish and practical console table can, of course, double up as either a desk or a dressing table, so as always – there are no rules in furnishing or decorating your home – one of the side tables next to my sofa is an upturned old apple crate for example. My final admission is one of the singularly most stupid things I have ever done – with two teenage boys and three dogs – in our last house I ordered sofas with non-removable covers. I have no idea what I was thinking – in fact I clearly wasn’t thinking at all and spent the next two years feverishly stretching practical cotton throws every inch of said sofas for fear of grubbiness – AND they weren’t even comfortable.. Big mistake!

‚ Eliza M i l l e r ’s favourite pieces

THE ROAD TO

FREEDOM

Motorhome hire has become increasingly popular over the past few years and Capricorn Campers meets that demand with an extensive fleet of fabulous vehicles

JAMES AND KELLY BEALES first experienced

the campervan lifestyle whilst travelling around New Zealand and they found it so appealing that it proved the inspiration for a major career change. Three years ago they launched Capricorn Campers, hiring affordable and stylish campervans and motorhomes from their base in Norfolk to those seeking an adventure of their own. In those three years they have built up an extensive fleet of vehicles ranging from the brand new VWT6 camper with the classic pop-up roof through to luxurious, six-berth motorhomes. James Beales, director of Capricorn Campers, said: “We underwent extensive research before deciding on which vehicles to include within our fleet as we wanted to be able to meet all of our customers’ needs.” They certainly have a varied clientèle; from friends and families wanting to explore and enjoy the great outdoors to production and film companies using the vehicles as backdrops for their shots. “There have been a few hires which we’ll never forget,” explains Kelly. “Once we had a cameraman staked out in one for weeks waiting for a rare mammal to give birth but it was never caught on camera, and last summer we had a lovely family who went to the Lake District and their children told us that they preferred their campervan holiday

to the previous summer when they went to Disney World. Now you can’t get better feedback than that,” she laughs. “One of our most popular destinations is Scotland and our customers love the fact that they start their holiday from home, set their own pace and visit and see whatever they choose. We are also seeing more people coming from around the UK and, indeed, abroad to pick one up to holiday in Norfolk, which is fantastic for us and for the county as a tourist destination. “We take great pride in the quality of our vehicles and as such all of our campervans and motorhomes are less than two years old to ensure the latest safety features and equipment. They are all professionally built by market-leading companies to ensure the highest quality and reliability.” This season sees the addition of a brand new layout which Kelly believes will become a firm favourite, particularly with families, due to its innovative design which

Where would you like to explore in 2017?

incorporates a large front lounge with an over-cab double bed and a pair of full-size bunks on the rear nearside. “We actively encourage and always take on board customer feedback and we know customers like a comfortable seating area and that they don’t always like making the beds up every day. Our new Galaxy Bunk has a big tick in both of these boxes,” explains Kelly. Ultimately, a campervan hire holiday is glamping on wheels and you’re free to do as you please. Stay in one spot, tour a region, savour the open road, stop for a brew or simply park up at a campsite of your choice. This type of holiday really does give you ultimate flexibility and the freedom to explore.

from

£49

per day

Autumn Price Drop! Norfolk based Campervan and Motorhome hire

Book online or call us today to talk about your next adventure

01692 538948

info@capricorncampers.com

www.capricorncampers.com

Galaxy Range 4-6

Planet Range 2-4

Star Range 2-4

For more details or to discuss your next adventure contact CAPRICORN CAMPERS on 01692 538948 where a warm welcome awaits. www.capricorncampers.com

VISIT NORTH NORFOLK

kayla dunne

sUMmeR in nOrth NorFOlK Norfolk is the combined sunniest/driest county in the country so summer is a wonderful time to spend in north Norfolk, says Kayla Dunne from Visit North Norfolk

ith the arrival of the school holidays, there is plenty of choice to keep the family entertained in north Norfolk. Choose from fabulous attractions, short walking trails to enjoy, beautiful beaches to spend the day and there’s history and heritage waiting to be discovered with stately homes and museums, great for keeping all ages entertained. The 45 miles of north Norfolk coast has award winning and Blue Flag beaches, many within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, great for building sandcastles, swimming, walking and playing games. Take your pick from the dramatic white sands at Wells-next-the-Sea and Holkham, the tidal marshes at Scolt Head and Blakeney, traditional seaside resorts at Sheringham, Cromer, Mundesley and the colourful cliffs at Hunstanton. With the unique Broads National Park on the doorstep, it’s a great time to enjoy these magical waterways. Hire a boat for a day and take in the spectacular scenery and wildlife. When you’re ready to eat or stretch your land legs, moor up and stop off for some local produce at the many pubs, restaurants and cafes. You can also explore the nature reserves or hire a bike and cycle along the quiet paths. The Norfolk Broads and the many beaches, makes north Norfolk perfect for watersports. Try canoeing and paddleboarding on the Broads, have a go at surfing on the gentle waves at Cromer,

or enjoy kite surfing on the shores of Hunstanton, Heacham and Brancaster. There’s plenty of places to hire equipment and have lessons or for the more experienced, take advantage of the relatively quiet waters and mild climate. Summer of course is the time for north Norfolk festivals and carnivals. Head to Hunstanton Kite Festival on 20 August, with fantastic colourful kite displays, a classic car rally, stalls and activities for children and the famous World Pier Crabbing Championships are on 27 August in Cromer. Between 15 – 26 August, South Creake is holding its North Norfolk Music Festival, bringing an eclectic mix of music, talks and films. For fun, family friendly days out, north Norfolk has some of the best visitor attractions in the country. Swing through trees, walk jungle bridges and fly through the air on zip wires, at award-winning BeWILDerwood in the Broads. Pensthorpe Natural Park in Fakenham, a multiple awardwinning attraction lets you experience 700 acres of wildlife, gardens, adventure and indoor play and at Amazona Zoo, you can discover South American tropical animals in Cromer! Or for an adrenalin filled day out, head to Hilltop Outdoor Centre for high ropes, zip wires, climbing walls and the famous AIR JUMP! For those who like to stay closer to the ground, there are plenty of walking routes to enjoy. Short and circular trails such as the Bittern Line Walks, are ideal for those who are looking for a gentle pace. For inquisitive minds, north Norfolk’s history is unique and intriguing. The wealth

of landowners has left a legacy of stately homes, halls and gardens to explore. Head to Holkham Hall to see one of the finest Palladian houses along with Houghton Hall & Gardens, the home of Britain’s first Prime Minister. The National Trust’s Blickling Hall, Anne Boleyn’s birthplace and Felbrigg Hall are fascinating to visit and of course there’s the Royal family’s Sandringham, which is a must see. Ideal for rainy days, there is a wide range of museums. At the Cromer Musuem, you can step inside a 19th century Victorian fisherman’s cottage or relive the courageous history of life-saving at sea in Cromer at the free to enter RNLI Henry Blogg Museum. The Thursford Collection is open in the summer where you can see mechanical organs, Wurlitzer shows and old-fashioned fairground carousels in action. To go back even further in time, explore the Deep History Coast, north Norfolk’s version of the Jurassic Coast! Discoveries along the coast line include the largest woolly mammoth skeleton, Neolithic flint axes and the oldest-known human footprints outside the Rift Valley in Africa! Beachcombing for fossils on West Runton beach is a fascinating way to spend the day. There are so many great days out and events enjoy in the summer in north Norfolk, whatever the weather and budget, and it’s a great time of year to explore the beautiful coast and countryside.

FOR INFORMATION, see visitnorthnorfolk.com. Visit North Norfolk is the official visitor guide for the area #niptonorthnorfolk

ST. GEORGE’S PARK & arounD GREAT YARMOUTH: MOSTLY FREE!

SAT 16 - SUN 17 SEPTEMBER A FREE FUN-FILLED WEEKEND OF OUTDOOR SPECTACLE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITY & WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE

street arts

circus

music

comedy

outtherefestival.com

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

acrobatics

A U ' n O Gust s t A H W IN

lous activities and eve mmer with these fabu nts - there’s su is th OT H 's at wh something Make the most of for everyon e!

GREAT BRITISH PROMS Great British Proms Blickling Hall Saturday 12th August the event, previously known as the Last Night of the Blickling Proms, returns in 2017 as The Great British Proms. The programme, which contains a veritable British feast of music from across the home nations, is being planned for what has become an annual favourite in the Norfolk calendar for 1000s of concert-goers. The National Symphony Orchestra will be performing iconic music from all corners of the UK; it will begin with the National Anthem. Following on from this there will be representation of some truly rousing English, Irish,

Welsh & Scottish classics guaranteed to stir the audience. The second half will see the National Symphony Orchestra, whose international reputation for excellence puts them in the top 4 orchestras in the UK, return to the stage to perform all the Proms favourites including “Rule Britannia”, “Land of Hope & Glory” & British anthem “Jerusalem”. Car-parking is free. The evening ends with fireworks over the lake. – Saturday 12th August gates open 5pm, concert starts 7.30pm, Blickling Hall

FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL The Sandringham Food and Drink Festival returns for its 3rd year. This year a host of celebrity chefs will be demonstrating throughout the day, including Tom Kerridge (Saturday) - Michelin starred chef Galton Blackiston (Saturday) - 14 year Michelin star holder and ‘East Anglia’s favourite chef’ Jean Christophe Novelli (Sunday) a 5 out of 5, AA Rosette and multi Michelin Star award winning chef who has also been dubbed “The Nation’s Favourite French Chef”. Sabrina Gahyour will also be there on the Sunday; Sabrina is a self-taught cook and food writer who hosts ‘Sabrina’s Kitchen’ in various venues across London, renowned for Persian and Middle Eastern flavourful dishes. – Saturday 5th to Sunday 8th August, Sandringham

FESTIVAL American soul shouter Geno Washington performing with his the Ram Jam Band will be headlining Big Gig 2017. Signed to Piccadilly by early 1966, the group just broke into the Top 40 with “Water.” Though it was their highestcharting single, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band hit the charts three times in the next year with “Hi-Hi Hazel,” a cover of “Que Sera Sera,” and “Michael.” The band’s first two LPs,

Hand Clappin’ Foot Stompin’ FunkyButt...Live! and Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin’ Daddies! were much better documents of the band at work, and both hit the British Top Ten. – Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August, Halesworth Big Gig in Halesworth Town Park 19

A U G u s t n O ' s WHAt IN

FIREWORK DISPLAY Every Wednesday evening in August the skies over Great Yarmouth will be illuminated with a fantastic summer firework spectacular. The evening starts off with fun and music entertainment from 8pm followed by the firework display starting at 10pm. The best viewing areas are anywhere along the seafront Esplanade, between the Britannia Pier and the Wellington Pier. Enjoy the free live music at the Sea Life Centre Gardens from 8pm, before watching the fireworks. A fabulous free weekly event not to be missed!

Every Wednesday in August Great Yarmouth Seafront 8pm – 1030pm

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MUSICAL The UK’s premier Rock & Roll production That’ll Be The Day returns with another brand new show! Highly acclaimed for its stunning live entertainment value, That’ll Be The Day is an outstanding celebration for all true fans of the golden era of popular music. This latest production features a fantastic new-lineup of smash hits spanning the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s, plus more side-splitting comic sketches, all performed live on-stage! Prepare for an unforgettable night of nostalgia, laughs and ROCK ‘N’ ROLL! – Kings Lynn Corn Exchange, Friday 1st September 7-30pm COMEDY The Nimmo Twins return to The Playhouse in Norwich with their sell out, award winning show The Country Members. She Goo, Billy Boy, The Council and Kraftwork return to be recorded for posterity on a shiny disc thing that captures voices and souls in the Devils’ work. Book early to avoid disappointment. – Wednesday 23rd August to Monday 28th August 7-30pm, The Playhouse, Norwich 20

ACCOUSTIC HITS 10cc’s Graham Gouldman: Heart Full of Songs – Acoustic hits from the 10cc singersongwriter. I’m Not In Love, Dreadlock Holiday, The Things We Do for Love – Graham Gouldman’s decade of 10cc hits provide the soundtrack to so many teenage memories. But his career also includes hits from The Yardbirds (For Your Love, Heart Full of Soul), The Hollies (Look Through Any Window, Bus Stop) and many others. Graham loves playing these hits with his three-piece acoustic band. Featuring all these classics along with Bridge To Your Heart (from Graham’s time in Wax with the late Andrew Gold) the evening includes more of his work for film soundtracks and material from the latest solo album Love And Work. A special celebration of one of our great songwriters. – Snape Maltings, Wednesday 16 August 7-30pm

WHAT’S ON

august NEWMARKET NIGHTS Jess Glynne will be returning with her spectacular outdoor summer show to Newmarket Racecourse in August. Her number-one charting debut album, ‘I Cry When I Laugh‘, has now turned triple platinum in the UK, making it the highest selling debut album of the past year. She also became the second British female solo artist after Cheryl to have five numberone singles in the UK. With no signs of slowing down, 2017 is set to be a further massive year for Jess, with her second album on the way! – Saturday 26th August Show 5:30pm Newmarket Summer Nights, Newmarket Racecourse

AN EVENING WITH For one night only, celebrate the glittering career of one of Liverpool and England’s finest footballers John Barnes. This is a unique chance to get up close and personal with one of the brightest talents this country has ever produced. – Thursday 17th August 7-30pm, Waterfront, Norwich

MUSIC Two of the most powerful and awardwinning voices of this century appear in concert together for the very first time. Kerry Ellis and Matt Cardle will take to the stage for an epic evening performing at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds. – Wednesday 23rd – Thursday 24th August 2017, The Apex, Bury St Edmunds 7-30pm

MUSIC With appearances on the Dame Shirley Bassey’s Tribute Show, Graham Norton, Strictly and The One Show, British harmony trio Blake present a brand new tour, featuring the finest songs from stage and screen. Projections and lighting bring the cinematic magic to life... Linked together with the boys’ famous improvised banter, the show features music from Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, Leonard Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many more. This is the ultimate celebration of movies and musicals, all sung in thrilling vocal harmony. – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Thursday 14th September 7.30pm

THEATRE OPEN DAY Each year the Theatre Royal throws open its doors for a day to let you explore every bit of this busy working theatre. You can go backstage, see the stars’ dressing rooms, have a go at lighting, sound, ‘flying’, stage management and much more. There are tours, talks, displays and performances taking place throughout the day. As well as the main theatre, you can also have a look round Stage Two, our education and training centre, and find out more about all the classes and activities taking place there. The Open Day is suitable for all ages, and especially good fun for families. Admission is FREE for everyone. – The Norwich Theatre Royal Open Day is on Saturday 26th August – Come along and have a look behind the scenes – FREE OUTDOOR THEATRE Billionaire Boy at Holkham Hall – enjoy outdoor theatre at its best in Holkham Walled Garden this summer. Mr Spud has lost all his money. Not much….just a few billion pounds. Heartbreak Productions, Mr Spud and his son, Joe, would like to invite you to a garage sale (they used to own 500 garages) where they will be selling their final belongings to raise some money to buy food. The Formula 1 racing car has already been taken by the bailiffs, but there might be something interesting left. Bring your picnics, blankets and fold up chairs and come to the helicopter pad outside at Bumfresh Towers to hear the story of how Mr Spud made his billions, lost it all and how Joe became the richest boy in the world. Recommended for ages 7 and above. – Wednesday 16th August, Holkham Hall

Tuesday 29 Aug - Saturday 2 Sept Eves 7.30pm, Mats Wed, Thur & Sat 2.30pm TICKETS: £8 - £28.50 Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL

A U G u s t n O ' s WHAt IN

MUSIC Jane McDonald is one of the nation’s most loved entertainers and is back by popular demand continuing to tour with her best show to date. “Making Memories” is a fantastic production packed full of phenomenal songs and arrangements featuring Jane’s exceptional musicians and singers. Jane will be performing “Memory” after receiving five-star reviews for her performance as Grizabella in Cats the musical. With amazing new medleys, old fan favourites and some exciting additions you’re guaranteed to be on your feet time after time. – 27th August 7-30pm, Marina Theatre, Lowestoft

STRICTLY COME JOKING Barry Cryer and Colin Sell – the Ant and Dec of the Sanatogen set reunite to bring you a new show, devised by them after the visitors left. Cryer, still a “sprightly Veteran” (Undertakers Gazette) and Sell a “Legendary Virtuoso” (Pensioners Weekly) combine to entertain you with songs, jokes and the amazing realisation that they are still here. Join them before they come apart! – Strictly Come Joking – Playhouse Norwich, Friday 1st September 7-30pm

WHAT’S ON

august

FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL Growing in stature every year, East Anglia’s fast-rising FolkEast is back for the sixth time this August, proving why it is nothing like other music festivals. The three day festival will return to the glorious 300-acre Suffolk estate of 16th century Glemham Hall, the home of Major Philip Hope – Cobbold, from 18th to 20th august. This year’s festival will be packing a punch with a plethora of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winners and nominees including folk legend Jon Boden and Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys. Winner of the Horizon (Best Emerging Act) award at the 2016 Folk Awards, East Anglian-born Sam Kelly will bring his Lost Boys band and unmistakable voice to the main stage on Saturday night, building on their success last year. With a third headliner still to be announced, the line-up will also include acclaimed singer guitarist Michael Chapman, esteemed veteran duo Martin Carthy & John Kirkpatrick and another outstanding duo from the younger generation, Will Pound and Eddy Jay, who made waves with their debut album Ignite last year. Lau, three times winners of Best Group at the Folk Awards, have also been announced. The acclaimed trio comprises Martin Green, Aidan O’Rourke and Kris Drever, whose song If Wishes Were Horses is nominated for Best Original Track at the 2017 Folk Awards. Another duo making their first appearance at FolkEast will be Dorset’s Ninebarrow (Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere), their songwriting skills and perfect harmonies having won them a nomination for the 2017 Folk Awards Horizon Award (Best New Act). Nominated in the same category is former Folk Singer of the Year Nancy Kerr, for her song Fragile Water ; Nancy will be heading to FolkEast in the star-studded trio of Simpson, Cutting and Kerr. Keeping the Irish flag flying will be the stand out Damien O’Kane Band. Coleraineborn Damien’s exciting modern spin on traditional Irish folk music saw his latest album Areas of High Traffic nominated for Best Album at the 2016 Folk Awards – Friday 18th, Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th August 2017, Folk East, Glemham Hall Grounds, Suffolk

A DAY AT THE RACES The very popular family fun day is back and bigger and better than ever with loads of fun activities for children of all ages to enjoy. This fun filled day out is guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained Great Yarmouth racecourse offers a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of facilities, including the modern grandstand, a children’s playground and expansive family lawns. Children under 18 years old, enjoy free admission to all fixtures. – August bank holiday family fun day at Great Yarmouth Racecourse Sunday 27th August 2017 – Gates open at 11-30am with the first race at 2.00pm 23

- Mannington Gardens Table D’Hote Menu 3 courses £17.00 | 2 courses £14.50

Twelfth Night

Lord and Lady Walpole invite you to enjoy walks, trails, gardens and many special events. Gardens open end May – 31st August Sundays 12-5, Wednesday Thursday and Friday 11-5 Greedy Goose Tearooms on garden open days Adults £6.00; concessions £5.00; accompanied children under 16 free. Season Tickets: £30.00 for families | £18.00 for single Walks and the car park are available every day 9am until dusk. Car park £2.00 (free for garden visitors). Events 13th August Fairy Tales and Fables

· Accommodation · Weddings · Parties · · Evening Meals · Sunday Luncheons · Bar Snacks ·

LARGE FREE CAR PARK

18th August Open Air Theatre ‘Twelfth Night’

North Drive, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EG

01493 844568

Mannington Hall, Mannington, Norfolk NR11 7BB Tel 01263 584175 | email admin@walpoleestate.co.uk www.manningtongardens.co.uk

www.burlington-hotel.co.uk For Accommodation, Functions, Weddings, Parties, Evening Meals, Sunday Luncheons and Bar Snacks.

eon Lunch ble y a d Sun g Advisa in Book Table d’ote menu

Three courses and coffee Large choice of Fish and Roasts served to your table Free parking available - ask at reception

North Drive, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1EG Tel: 01493 844568 Email: enquiries@burlington-hotel.co.uk

APEX GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE IN ANY DENOMINATION IN PERSON: FROM THE APEX BOX OFFICE TEL: 01284 758000 ONLINE: WWW.THEAPEX.CO.UK/GIFT-VOUCHERS The Apex, 1 Charter Square Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FD

A U G u s t n O ' s t HA IN

CLASSIC IBIZA #BlicklingdoesIbiza is returning to Blickling Hall on Friday 11th August – so don’t miss out !! Classic Ibiza will ensure that one of Norfolk’s best-known beauty spots will rival the White Island for party anthems when DJ Goldierocks and the Urban Soul Orchestra (USO) bring some of the biggest dance tracks from the last 20 years to life. The music will start with a chilled set and, as the sun goes down, the vocalists and USO’s dynamic musicians will ramp things up as the evening breaks into festive-club mode with accompanying lasers. The inaugural event in 2016 was declared a smash hit by organisers and thousands of revellers from across the region have clamoured for its return. So book early if you don’t want to miss the fun! – Friday 11th August Gates will open at 6pm, Blickling Hall

TRIBUTE ACT This toe-tapping show brings together the beloved glamour and personality of Dolly, along with Kenny’s charisma and energy with hit after hit including: Jolene, Ruby, 9 to 5 Lucille, Here You Come Again, The Gambler, I Will Always Love You, plus the smash hit Islands in the Stream. – Norwich Theatre Royal, Sunday 10th September, 7.30pm

CIRCUS AND WATER SPECTACULAR The Hippodrome’s Brand New Circus and Water Summer blockbuster with amazing International Circus Artists, Dancers, Show Swimmers, Acrobats plus comedians Jack Jay and Johnny Mac and mind blowing feats from the amazing Globe Motor Bike Riders and the thrilling Wheel of Death. The mind blowing Finale Water Spectacular is one of only three in the world and the only place in Europe that stages such a show with Swimmers, Aerialists and special effects when the ring turns into a giant pool – an unforgettable experience. – Hippodrome Circus Great Yarmouth. Runs until 17th September

DRAMA The National Theatre’s internationally acclaimed production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime returns to The Norwich Theatre Royal in August. Winner of 7 Olivier Awards and 5 Tony Awards® including ‘Best Play’, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to thrilling life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning director Marianne Elliott. – Tuesday 29th August – Saturday 2nd September, Theatre Royal, Norwich 25

| JULY 2017

Mirth, mayHem & magic

… S T e e r t s e H T e v pa Golden sands, top tourist attraction, unspoilt

countryside. From the beach to the Norfolk Broads, Great Yarmouth is one of the UK’s leading tourist destinations, rich and varied is its offering for visitors. But over recent years, the town has been establishing itself as a mecca of another kind. Great Yarmouth is fast becoming the UK’s capital of street arts and circus. Home to one of the last built circus buildings in the country, the Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth’s emergence as a contemporary circus and street arts capital has largely been forged by SeaChange Arts, a charity based in the town at The Drill House. Over the last decade they have brought hundreds of the world’s best artists to Great Yarmouth and entertained around half a million people with their annual Out There Festival. Out There takes place each September, and this year marks the tenth anniversary of what has

WHAT’S ON

out there festival become one of the country’s largest and most successful outdoor arts festivals. This year, around one hundred artists and performers from the UK, Spain, France and beyond will bring breath-taking spectacle, comedy and craziness to the streets of Great Yarmouth. “The premise of Out There is simple,” says Joe Mackintosh, the Artistic Director of the festival. “We want to bring everyone together in celebration and serve them up something wonderfully weird, outstanding and amazing. Our overriding ambition is for festival audiences to leave, mouth agape, astounded at what they’ve seen.” Over its ten year life-span, Out There has certainly done that. The amazing international shows they have programmed include a surreal mix from a towering 60 foot high iron man, made from shipping containers to superheroes cellophaned to lampposts; tiny motorised mini-buses ferrying people around the park to shopping trolley ballets. The festival has become a firm family favourite, with people regularly booking their weekend breaks to coincide with the festival. “It’s almost all free, so that’s a big draw for families,” explains Mr Mackintosh. “We’re conscious that times are hard and a family day out can be expensive, so we’ve fought hard to keep it free. We have lots of hands-on workshops, a relaxed festival bar where kids are welcome and this year, we introduce a kid’s zone, jam packed full of silly antics for the little ones.”

The festival regularly attracts around 50,000 visitors from all corners of the UK and 2017’s festival features much more of the same mayhem including Compania Vavel Circus - a Spanish all-female circus troupe complete with bicycle stunts and comedy polar bears; Rear View – a custom built mobile auditorium aboard a double decker bus; cheeky end-of-the-pier humour in Bingo Lingo and a wonderful roaming tumbledown cottage… on chicken legs, from Dizzy O’Dare. This year’s Out There Festival takes place in and around St. George’s Park, Great Yarmouth from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 September.

Out There by Numbers:

Years of ‘out there’ performance

500,000 70 3 9

people entertained over that time …hours of free performance at 2017’s festival

UK premiers lined-up for this year

Newly commissioned shows coming to Great Yarmouth

Performing Polar Bear (not real!)

10 | AUGUST 2017

gs n i h T you M ight not Know AbOut:

CHUCK BERRY

PETE GOODRUM’S monthly look at some of the lesser known facts of rock and pop…

TEN THINGS

chuck berry

ohn Lennon once said “If you had to give Rock 'n' Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry”. That’s how important Mr Berry is in the history of popular music. His guitar licks and wonderful lyrics defined rock ’n’ roll, painting perfect images of the American teenager. He passed away this year at the age of 90, and leaves a vast legacy. A complex man who led a colourful life – some would say he originated the ‘rock ’n’ roll lifestyle’ – there are some things about him that perhaps you’re not familiar with. I give you – ten things you quite possibly didn’t know about Chuck Berry.

FOR ALL HIS PERFORMING LIFE HE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GIBSON GUITAR.

Musicians and fans saw it as the ultimate rock’n’roll combination. A creative alliance. Chuck didn’t. He saw the guitars simply as a tool of his trade. He bought a new one most years and claimed it as just that; a tool for his work. It meant he could claim it as a deductible allowance on his tax returns.

2 3 4

HIS FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE WAS IN 1941.

Although he’s thought of as essentially a 1950s and 1960s star he was actually on stage in the 1940s. He was though still a student at Sumner High School for that first ever gig in 1941. 1947 – HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY CHUCK!

It would have been an especially good day for him. October 18 1947 – his 21st birthday – was the day he was released from The Reformatory for Young Men near Jefferson City, Missouri. He’d served three years. For armed robbery. HE WAS A TRAINED BEAUTICIAN!

It’s true. Rock and Roller Chuck Berry had several jobs before becoming a full time musician. He worked in car factories, and as the janitor in the building he lived in with his wife. He’d married ‘Toddy’ Suggs in 1948. He went on to train as a beautician, and hairdresser, at the Poro College of Cosmetology.

APART FROM MONEY ONE OF CHUCK’S BIG PASSIONS WAS FOOD.

Favourites included beef, seafood, peaches, home fries, candied yams, chili, grape soda, orange juice, Snickers bars and Dutch apple pie. But – whenever he performed live for a series of gigs in one place Berry always picked a venue near an Indian restaurant. Famously, for his Nottingham concerts in the 1990s he chose the city’s Royal Concert Hall. Why there? Because the stage door faced the front door of the Mogul – E – Azam restaurant.

INFLUENCE IS ONE THING, BUT COPYING IS SOMETHING ELSE.

It’s lucrative! It wasn’t the only legal and copyright issue in his career but when The Beach Boys admitted that their song ‘Surfin’ USA’ was just a bit too close to the melody of Berry’s ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’ they had to give Chuck a co-writing credit to escape legal action. He was happy. The Beach Boys record was a hit – and Chuck earned serious money from it.

ALL THAT JAZZ…

Not thought of as a jazz musician, nonetheless Chuck Berry played the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958. The event is captured forever in the classic film ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Day’. On a bill that included Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington and Thelonius Monk, Chuck Berry stole the show. There’s a moment – watch it online or dvd – when, immaculately dressed and impressively cool, he got into his stride in ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’. Even the jazz men are noticeably impressed, and indeed join in. It’s stunning. How important is that movie and that moment? It inspired a young Keith Richards to be a musician!

FOR ALL THE YEARS HE TOURED, CHUCK HAD CERTAIN STRICT RULES.

Flying to the city in which he was appearing he would check his guitar in as hand luggage. It was stipulated in his contract that, on his arrival, there would be a hire car for him at the airport. He would pick it up, and drive himself to the gig. He would play with ‘pick up bands’ comprised of local musicians he’d usually never met. He didn’t engage in small talk with the band, and often made life difficult for them by changing key mid song. It’s said that before the applause had ceased he was in the hire car on his way back to the airport! And on the subject of payment. Chuck always got paid in cash. Before he played. It was non negotiable and on more than one occasion caused problems at airports when it was discovered that his luggage included a briefcase full of thousands of dollars in used notes.

THE EAST ANGLIAN CONNECTION.

Chuck Berry appeared in East Anglia more than once, including a gig at Ipswich. A stand out moment though is his performing at the legendary West Runton Pavilion on May 31st 1980. All of the stories about the day seem to sit in contrast with Mr Berry’s reputation for being a bit ‘difficult’. He turned up early, with his daughter, and raised no complaint because his dressing room wasn’t ready. After a glass, or two, of wine he strolled down to the beach where he and his daughter sat happily throwing stones into the sea. A man was fishing and Chuck wandered over to ask if he’d caught anything. A lifelong Chuck Berry fan the angler couldn’t believe it when he looked up to see his idol – the one and only Chuck Berry! – standing beside him on a Norfolk beach!

APRIL 9TH 2017. The day they buried Chuck

Berry in his home town of St Louis. Thousands filed past the open casket in which he lay. In the coffin with him was the tool of his trade – a red Gibson guitar.

WI N

COMPET ITION

DINNER FOR 4

with a glass of Prosec co on arrival and a bottle of house win e with the meal from the seasonal three co urse menu, RRP £198 .00. Also included in the prize is a signed copy of Delia’s cookbook of your ch oice* RRP £50.00

D E L I A' S

R E S TAU R A N T & B AR

DELIA'S RESTAURANT AND BAR has teamed up with Places&Faces® to offer a wonderful competition prize. The lucky winner of this month’s competition will receive Dinner for 4 with a glass of Prosecco on arrival and a bottle of house wine with the meal from the seasonal three course menu, RRP £198.00. Also included in the prize is a signed copy of Delia’s cookbook of your choice* RRP £50.00. Delia has two main passions in life: food and football. She has supported Norwich City Football Club since the 1970s. Delia, clad in her favourite green and yellow scarf, goes to most home and away matches. She has a real sense of fun and loves sitting with the fans – enthusiastically joining in with some of the less boisterous songs! Delia’s innovation and talent as a cookery writer, author and television personality, brought her huge success and she joined the Norwich City FC board of directors in 1996. For Delia, the club is at the heart of the community and people are at the heart of everything she does.

To enter this competition, please answer the following question:

What year did Delia Smith join the Norwich City FC board of directors? 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 August 2017 latest and good luck! Delia's Restaurant and Bar is at Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 1JE and is available to book 24 hours a day, please call: 01603 218705 | www.deliascanarycatering.co.uk The prize must be taken before 31 October 2017 and there is no cash alternative. Places & Faces® and Delia's Restaurant and Bar's terms and conditions apply. Please see the websites for details. *Subject to availability.

| AUGUST 2017

W weSt ENd reVIE

N W BLO a W A Y?

Benet Catty gives an honest assessment of the We s t E n d p r o d u c t i o n o f T h e Wi n d i n t h e Wi l l o w s

o much of what makes musicals work is alchemy. The right collaborators, the right motives, the right theatre, the right time. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why so many shows with great strengths are undone by their more dominant weaknesses. So the brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Webberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s score for Love Never Dies was concealed by problems with the book. The familiarity

WHAT’S ON

the wind in the willows

of the story behind The Girls was undercut by the sense of money-for-old-rope. The Wind in the Willows, now playing at London’s most famous theatre The Palladium, is an example of a show being less than the sum of its parts. It’s a pleasant evening out, has some great Stiles and Drewe songs and some nice visuals. Those who take their children for a treat will find it a merry evening out. But it’s not special. It’s “ok”, perhaps “okplus” and the theatre and the source demand something a good deal better than that. Kenneth Grahame’s timeless 1908 novel is an evergreen classic and has been much adapted, although oddly (perhaps tellingly) not as a musical. It is a magical story of various characterful animals trying to manage the irrepressible Mr Toad and

overcome the scarier creatures of the Wild Wood in which the bespectacled, slipper-wearing Badger resides. It’s a funny, whimsical tale about friendship, innocence and responsibility. Julian Fellowes’ script offers none of these qualities. It is incredibly low on gags, gives no flavour of the animal world, and provides not one dash of quirk or splash of eccentricity. This leaves the cast with precious little to do to animate their characters so all talk falls flat. Fellowes did lovely work on adapting Mary Poppins with Stiles and Drewe, and his collaboration with them on Half a Sixpence (which closes in September) is one of London’s most joyous evenings out. But with the execrable School of Rock and now Willows, he proves completely incapable of writing

for characters outside his own well-trodden niche – i.e. upper middle-class snobs. Dropping in a pair of gay dads (which he does here and in Rock – he’s clearly going through a phase) is not the shortcut to relevancy that he thinks it is. The songs are much better news. As expected from Stiles and Drewe, they are all tuneful, catchy, charming and resolutely English. Their trouble, though, is that they are almost all establishing songs that stop the action rather than advance it. So there’s a song about the loveliness of the river, one about Toad liking his car, one (probably the best) about being a hedgehog, one about friendship. If it was a revue of songs inspired by the original story they would be ideal. But for a stage musical – a form for which the point is to tell a story through song – they feel like bolt-ons. In Toad terms, they are the leather seats of the vehicle, not its motor. Rachel Kavanaugh directs (as she did with Sixpence) and the show moves fluidly enough on Peter McKintosh’s sets but without any real inspiration. Those of us who saw what Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner were able to achieve with their adaptation of The Wind in the Willows at the National Theatre 25 years ago on Mark Thompson’s awe-inspiringly imaginative designs find ourselves leaving the Palladium with enhanced admiration for what real creativity can make of this story, sadly lacking here. The cast, largely, do no better than the material allows them to do, although Craig Mather and Simon Lipkin give it all they’ve got as Mole and Rat respectively and there’s fun support from Neil McDermott as the villainous Chief Weasel. Rufus Hound provides all possible “poop poop” as Mr Toad but the material is not funny enough to engage his comedian’s skills, nor well written enough to act. Gary Wilmot’s Badger is a charisma-free zone (anyone who saw him in Copacabana 20 years ago will be unsurprised) but he sings his big anthem “A Friend is Still A Friend” well enough to distract from his stage absence. The thirteen-strong orchestra brilliantly handles the many shifts of style that Stiles’ score represents. The Wind in the Willows is a pleasant evening out, and offers enough visual scale and melodic charm to be a worthwhile family trip (if they’ve already seen Matilda anyway). And kids go free (one free under-16 with every adult) which has to be a factor to take into account when making summer theatre choices. But the source material and the talent available could have created something much more worthwhile. Despite the catchy pop songs about Mr Toad and his motorcar, this star vehicle spends too much time in the middle of the road.

WIND IN THE WILLOWS is currently running at The London Palladium. For more information visit www.windinthewillowsthemusical.seetickets.com

| AUGUST 2017

GIlBERT& sULlIvAN The comic operatic works of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan enjoy broad appeal internationally and around the UK, and Norfolk audiences are no exception

o a return to Norwich Theatre Royal by The National Gilbert & Sullivan Company this September, with characters such as the ‘very model of a modern MajorGeneral’ in the Pirates of Penzance and Yum-Yum from The Mikado, is guaranteed to raise some smiles and laughter. While trends and tastes may change, the mix of wonderful language, satirical themes and great songs proves popular with all generations. Gently poking fun at the traditions of grand opera, the company is presenting The Mikado on Thursday, September 14, 7.30pm; Pirates of Penzance on Friday, September 15, 7.30pm; and HMS Pinafore on Saturday, September 16, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. They last performed on the city stage last September, and will once again perform with live music from the National Gilbert & Sullivan Orchestra, as well as fielding a host of talented actors, including Norfolk’s own panto funny man Richard Gauntlett who will be leaving his dame’s frocks in the wardrobe as he swaps pantomime for light opera. The Mikado is a hilarious story with big, colourful characters and well-known songs. It is set in the Japanese village of Titipu, where flirting becomes an offence and fun is poked at the layers of officialdom who police the community. Nanki-Poo, son of the Mikado of Japan, has fled his father's imperial court to escape marriage with an elderly lady. Disguised as a traveling musician, he meets and falls in love with Yum-Yum, the young ward of a tailor in the town, but YumYum is already betrothed to her guardian.

WHAT’S ON

gilbert & sullivan

In Pirates of Penzance, the audience is treated to swashbuckling pirates, a dotty General, his unwed daughter and a bumbling British bobby, who combine for a laugh-out-loud treat; while HMS Pinafore, one of the most popular of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic creations, is a nautical romp with well-known songs such as I am the Monarch of the Sea, I’m Called Little Buttercup and He is an Englishman. The National Gilbert & Sullivan Company’s visit to Norwich is part of the company’s 2017 tour. It is the latest chapter of a story which began with the setting up of a Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton in 1994 to ensure the name and genre of their work survived following the closure of The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company who won worldwide acclaim for staging their work. It began as an amateur festival which saw enthusiasts and lovers of G & S work alongside D’Oyly Carte legends like John Reed, Gillian Knight and Kenneth Sandford. Over the next four years, the festival evolved and The National Gilbert and Sullivan Company was set up and two decades later is still going strong. Neil Smith, one of the producers, said: “We brand our Gilbert and Sullivan as fun, friendly and for all the family. That is what you are going to get when you come and see our shows. There is a lot of humour in them. It is respectful to the piece, the costumes are generally very traditional and we want to keep hold of that because it is part of our heritage. It is something we should be justifiably proud of. “Our directors put their little touch on it and we have Richard Gauntlett, who your audiences will know very well, who also puts his own stamp on the parts he plays for us. That just gives things a bit of freshness as well. People who come to see one of our shows will leave the theatre with a great big smile on their face having enjoyed some traditional British theatre.” Gilbert and Sullivan’s work undoubtedly has a very devoted following, but Neil is also keen to attract more young people to

experience the operas both on-stage and off. “We encourage a wide age-range not just from an audience point of view but from a cast point of view. We work very closely with many of the musical colleges up and down the country. “We are offering the opportunity for youngsters to come into the company and try out Gilbert and Sullivan for the first time alongside people like Richard.” Already well-known for writing, directing and starring in Norwich Theatre Royal pantomimes, Neil said people can enjoy Richard in a very different style of role. “He is really top drawer. There are certain people who have a twinkle in the eye and know how to engage with an audience. I often stand in the wings and watch what he does and wish I could do the same thing. “He is very energetic and he is loved in Norwich. From our point of view, he is great as he is absolutely committed to our opera company, wants it to succeed and wants to help us. You can guarantee he will be delivering 110 per cent every night.” In addition to the five performances over three days, members of the cast are also presenting a Dementia-Friendly Concert, on Friday, July 15 at 2pm, when the orchestra and soloists will sing a selection of well-known G&S favourites, plus popular music hall ditties to sing along to, especially for dementia sufferers and their carers. The £17 ticket price includes tea and cake after the concert.

THE NATIONAL GILBERT & SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY, THE MIKADO, Thursday September 14, 7.30pm; Pirates of Penzance, Friday September 15, 7.30pm; HMS Pinafore, Saturday September 16, 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets £8-£35. Captioned and Dementia-friendly concert, Friday September 15, 2pm. Tickets £17. Discounts for Friends. Over 60s & Groups. Box Office: 01603 630000. For more info or to book online visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

| AUGUST 2017

’S 0 6 f O T As

A I G l a t S No

It is the generation where teenagers truly embraced music and fashion, and being a songwriter was the ultimate job to aspire to. The Sixties will be celebrated in spectacular style this summer when Dreamboats and Petticoats returns to Norwich Theatre Royal as one of the stars, Alistair Higgins, told John Bultitude

t is high-energy, packed with great songs and has a great love story at its heart so it's not hard to understand why Alistair Higgins loves being part of Dreamboats and Petticoats. The ultra-enthusiastic performer admits he is loving the chance to star in the hit show which is wowing audiences all over the country and is set to visit Norwich Theatre Royal for what is sure to be a smash-hit summer run from August 7-12. Alistair explained: “I play Bobby who is 17 and fancies himself as a bit of a Roy Orbison wannabee. All he wants to do in life is play the guitar really. He flaunts his talent at the local youth club which is where he spends a lot of his time and he is also trying to write the perfect song.” But that is not his only passion. Both he and his friend Norman are keen to win the affection of the gorgeous Sue, and he also meets the very shy Laura who is an incredible pianist, so the stage is set for love, excitement and rock ‘n’ roll. Alistair admits he does have to play a character who is 10 years younger than him although they do share some traits and

it is also interesting to have someone else playing his character Bobby in later life. Jimmy Johnston plays the older Bobby and he has a strong performing pedigree which includes two Best Actor Olivier Awards for Oklahoma at the National Theatre and Pirates of Penzance at Regent’s Park Open Air Festival. That is in addition to major West End roles and also singing as a regular lead on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night. Alistair admits he is in awe of him. “He has done just about everything in musical theatre and is an incredible performer. In terms of the character, we have also tried to match our mannerisms a bit,” he said. As well as a strong cast, the music in the show is also a key part of its success. As well as Roy Orbison, big hits from the likes of Billy Fury, Eddie Cochran and The Shadows are featured, and includes the likes of Let’s Dance, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Runaround Sue, C’Mon Everybody and Let’s Twist Again. Alistair thinks the decade inspired many and the musical influences of that era are still felt today. He said: “I think the

WHAT’S ON

Photos: PAMELA RAITH PHOTOGRAPHY

dreamboats and petticoats

Sixties were an important time for music. People were going out and dancing and music was playing a huge part in their lives for the first time. “There was just this big explosion of interest in music and I think there were also these first elements of rebellion among young people. As for the songs I love from that era? I love Roy Orbison, and Runaround Sue is a favourite too.” As well as those iconic songs, the show is penned by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran who are the hugely successful writing partnership behind the likes of Birds Of A Feather and Shine On Harvey Moon, and Alistair says their dialogue is fantastic. He said: “The writing of Marks and Gran is a joy. The humour in it is absolutely fantastic. There is a great vein of comedy running through the show which you will enjoy. The story is fantastic and there are some great gags in it.” As for Alistair, this is the latest show in a career which has seen him take on a wide range of roles. His passion for performance was nurtured on the Channel Island of Guernsey where he grew up.

“There was a local amateur dramatic society there who were doing Tommy and I ended up getting the lead. In fact, it was on in Sheffield when I was performing in Dreamboats, which certainly brought back some memories,” he said. After qualifying at the Mountview Academy of Dramatic Arts, he has since appeared in a wide range of productions with one of his favourite roles starring in Shadowlands, which followed the love affair between CS Lewis and the American poet Joy Davidman. Alistair recalled: “It was certainly the polar opposite of this show. I was playing an Oxford don so someone very different to me. “Practically, it was also hard in the summer when you were performing with eight layers of clothing on. To do a play like that was really nice and there was also a real difference in ages between the cast which was really great.” Right now though, he is focusing on the future with Dreamboats and is loving the wide age range of audience-members who are coming to see the show. Alistair said: “The music is obviously popular with people who remember it from that time. Many of those songs are also ageless and they remain popular. They just don’t go away. “There are people who come along to see the show for a second time and there are younger people in as well who love the music and the show. There is a real mix in the audience and I think that is why it has stood the test of time.” Dreamboats and Petticoats will also mark his Theatre Royal debut. Alistair said: “It will be my first time in Norwich. I am very much looking forward to it.” So get ready for a summer of love for his character, a feast of Sixties nostalgia and a show guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS, Norwich Theatre Royal, Monday 7-Saturday 12 August at 7.30pm, and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets £8-£29. Discounts for Friends, Corporate Club, Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups. To book, visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000

| AUGUST 2017

T s e B TWO of the

This summer will see two of the most powerful and award-winning voices of this century appear in concert together for the very first time...

Kerry Ellis and Matt Cardle will take to the stage at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds for an epic evening of entertainment over two nights. Kerry is recognised as the leading lady of West End and Broadway musicals, with a number of starring roles in London, New York and around the world. Meanwhile, Matt has become a multi-platinum recording artist having completed five sold-out tours since winning The X Factor’s highest rating series in 2010, watched by over 19 million. This is very much a homecoming show for the dynamic duo. Kerry was born and raised in Suffolk, while Matt was born in Southampton, raised in Essex and his family now reside in Suffolk. Matt and Kerry met during a run of Broadway In Concert shows in 2016, including a sold-out performance at The London Palladium, where plans for this special show began. Kerry last performed at The Apex to a sell-out crowd in October 2015 while Matt performed to a capacity crowd in July 2016. We caught up with the couple ahead of what promises to be an epic two nights at The Apex. Is this the first time you have worked together?

KERRY: We have done a concert together previously but we didn't actually get to sing a duet so this will be the first time we actually get to sing together which I'm really excited about.

MATT: I had the pleasure of meeting Kerry at the London Palladium for a special evening last year. We’ve sung on the same stage before but never together, so that’s exciting. Kerry invited me to see her mind-blowing performance in the show Murder Ballad and we got talking after that. She just oozes talent and I’m honoured to be working with her. What can we expect from the show? Will it be a mixture of genres as you both come from very different musical backgrounds? KERRY: I think the show will be a real mixed bag Matt and I will obviously bring our own flavours to the show but also I'm sure there will be a be a few new surprises in there, duets that people haven't heard before and just a lot of fun. MATT: We’re still planning it but it’s going to be a journey for the audience and us. We’ve both had very varied paths that we’ve followed that are connected by our love for music. It’s an exciting show to be doing for me because I’m normally up there on my own. I’ll certainly be performing songs I’m known for, as well as some new stuff, covers and of course duetting with Kerry. It’s going to be so much fun. Is there any connection to Suffolk for either of you?

KERRY: This concert came about because we are both from Suffolk originally. It's what we have in common and the reason for doing the shows at The Apex. We wanted to do something in our home county. MATT: Kerry’s a local girl and I grew up in Colchester, even though I was born in Southampton. Both Kerry and

WHAT'S ON

matt cardle & kerry ellis I have done shows at The Apex before. The atmosphere and the sound inside that place are mind-blowing so we thought it would be great to do something together and something special in Bury. You both have very successful careers. What else have you both been up to this year?

KERRY: I've been on tour with a musical called Wonderland written by Frank Wildhorn who is a musical genius. I've also released a new album with Brian May call ‘Golden Days’ which has been great fun. I have been busy with my solo concerts and performances, I’m also about to start a new project called ‘Heaven on Earth’ which is an Arena tour that's opening in December. MATT: I haven’t seen much more than four walls of a recording studio this year! I’m releasing new music this summer from what will be my forth album. I’ve taken my time over this one and I’m so happy with the results. I’ve done a few live performances here and there to test out some of the new material too. I’ve found in the past that you can record an album and then tour it and wish afterwards that you’d done some of the songs differently. So this time around I’ve wanted to test the waters and perform the demos live first before making some changes and releasing the album. Back to front really but I’ve found it very helpful. What artists did you grow up listening to? Who inspired you? Who are your musical influences?

KERRY: I had a real mixed bag of influences growing up. It was anything from Meatloaf and Queen to the Beatles and Status Quo. Streisand, Liza Minelli, Elaine Paige and Michael Ball. I think this is why I think the way I do today. I love all kinds of music and can appreciate all different styles. MATT: I would listen to a lot of Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Elton John and Michael Jackson as a young kid. I used to go out and play touch rugby by ten or eleven and I was listening to Rage Against The Machine and Pearl Jam by that stage! I’m lucky that my music tastes are so varied. Kerry you are a mother. How do you juggle motherhood with a successful musical theatre career?

KERRY: I don’t! I am still trying to figure it all out but I love that I get to have a career that I love doing as well as being a mum - both best jobs in the world. Matt. You dipped your toe in the world of Musical playing the lead in Memphis in the West End. What was that like for you? Would you embark on another Theatre project? MATT: My memories of Memphis only bring a smile to my face. I had the most incredible time doing that show. Beverley Knight was off the scale with her vocal talent so to share a stage, in London’s West End, with her every night is something I will never, ever forget. She had so much faith and belief in me from the word go when I was doubting my own ability and wondering if I’d made the right decision. I accepted the role based on a few scenes, not a two-hour show that if I wasn’t on stage I was doing the quickest quickchange in the wings! I’d love to do another theatre project, definitely. I’ve had a few auditions but the right part hasn’t come my way. When it does I’ll grab it with both hands and dive straight in. Memphis was a magical time for me.

You have both played Arena’s. Do you prefer performing on that scale as opposed to a more intimate venue? Which do you prefer? KERRY: Both have the challenges and excitement. I like the variety and the fact that I get to do both.

MATT: The ‘Intimate & Live Tour’ I did last year – including a show in Bury – is the most fun I’ve ever had on tour. I love both the smaller theatres and the big arenas for different

reasons but you adjust the show you’re doing accordingly. If you weren’t a performer what other career do you think you may have persued? KERRY: I don't think I could do anything else. I'm very fortunate to have a career I love as well as a wonderful family. However I do love working with animals so possibly something to do with that but honestly performing is what I do.

MATT: I grew up wanting to be a marine biologist! I loved the sea, partially sharks. I also wanted to be a professional skateboarder but I couldn’t commit to it as I was in and out of bands. Then, eventually, I found myself on The X Factor and I’ve been very lucky not to have had to think about a career change since. What is the most embarrassing that has happened to you on stage? KERRY: There have been so many things, I've been in theatre a long time so I don't have time to tell you about them all. I have fallen over many times on stage, dealt with pieces of set not arriving, costume dramas, losing wigs, I could go on and on. MATT: I fell down some stairs in the Manchester Arena on tour once. Not my finest hour especially when I heard 14,000 people gasp! Musical collaborations. Other than working with each other obviously, who would you love to collaborate with? KERRY: There were lots of people I haven't done many female collaborations so perhaps someone like Céline Dion would be incredible. Also maybe someone closer to home. I do love Beverly Knight who Matt has also worked with. I think she is fantastic.

MATT: I’ve had the incredible fortune of collaborating with Melanie C and I’m happy to class her as a friend. I’m a huge fan of Hannah Reid from London Grammar, it would be awesome to work with her in any capacity. What was the first album that you bought? KERRY: I think it was that long ago it was a cassette and it was one of them now albums, I also had the cast recording of Les Misérable very early on that I would sing along to. MATT: Music For The Jilted Generation by The Prodigy. I remember it like it was yesterday. I bought it on CD at an airport in Denmark and couldn’t wait to get on the plane and listen to it on my discman! What projects have you got coming up in the future?

KERRY: I'm about to open in an Arena tour of the new show called ‘Heaven on Earth’ which is very exciting. There is also a little more music in the pipeline which I am very excited about. Plus lots more concerts of course. MATT: Finishing off my album will take the next few months to complete. I’ve been out of the music scene for a while in terms of releasing music so I’m looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I’ve also got some summer festivals with The Trevor Horn Band across the UK. I did some shows with them last year. Their catalogue is beyond incredible and it’s a pleasure to be part of such a legendary band, if only for an hour or so.

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds Matt Cardle and Kerry Ellis will be performing for two nights on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th August

Tickets: Band A: £40, Band B: £32.50, Band C: £27.50 (No Senior Concs) 39

| AUGUST 2017

AN EVENING WITH

Sir Michael Parkinson

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

michael parkinson He is arguably the man who put the British chat show front and centre of the entertainment world. Sir Michael Parkinson’s prime-time chats with some of the world’s biggest names became must-see TV. Ahead of him visiting Norfolk to share his memories, John Bultitude looks at the career of the man who is arguably still ‘The King Of Celebrity Conversation.’

elson Mandela, Marlon Brando and Muhammed Ali. Just three of the people who have been tempted to join Sir Michael Parkinson on his hit chat show over the years. And some of these defining moments in TV and headline-creating interviews are set to be revisited when Parky heads to Norwich Theatre Royal for an evening of reminiscence this autumn. In conversation with his son Mike and with the chance to re-watch extracts of great moments from the Parkinson interview archive, the audience will experience Sir Michael’s journey from his humble beginnings in a Yorkshire mining town through to becoming one of the big names of Saturday night TV. Viewers loved his instinctive ability to draw out the personality behind his guests leading to revelations and new anecdotes about some of the globe’s household names. Sometimes funny, sometimes controversial and sometimes emotional, many of his interviews were literally talking points, and Sir Michael is set to remember many of those great moments as well as reveal more about himself, and his relationships with friends, family and colleagues on September 24. But whatever you do, don’t call him a national treasure. As he once said: “I don’t know about being a national treasure. Frankly, I’m terrified of the implication and anyway, it is a cliché.” But maybe iconic interviewer is a better description particularly when you look at some of his guests like James Cagney, Ingrid Bergman, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson, David Bowie, Fred Astaire, Bette Davis and Orson Welles who were memorably told to throw away his notes and just chat. The big-budget chat shows of 2017 do still attract the big names but are matched by a team of savvy well-connected bookers who work with UK publicists to secure the interviews. Back in the heyday of Parkinson, Michael would often roll his sleeves up himself and once phoned Peter Sellers when he backed out of an appearance at the last minute. He recalled: “We talked for hours and eventually he agreed to come on as that crazy Gestapo soldier in The Producers. He spent the first 10 minutes of the interview completely in character. He was an extraordinary and brilliant man but tricky and a challenge.”

So the big question is how did he end up in the high-profile position he is in? He left school at 16 with a couple of O-Levels and bucked the family trend of going into mining to pursue a career in journalism. One of his other great passions was cricket, playing in the Yorkshire League with the likes of Geoffrey Boycott and Dickie Bird, and at the age of 19 became the youngest captain in the army during the Suez crisis. But it is his passion for the written word which fueled his career working as a reporter for the South Yorkshire Times and the Manchester Guardian before finding a job on Fleet Street itself with the Daily Express in 1960. The TV breakthrough came in 1963 when he was asked to interview Sir Laurence Olivier for a Granada programme called Cinema admitting he was very nervous although the acclaimed actor made it very easy for him with lots of expansive anecdotes. Producers liked his style and his own show called Parkinson was commissioned initially for just eight weeks through the summer in 1971 which was a tough challenge when it came to attracting viewers with the outdoor distractions of the warmer months of the year. But the series continued to run for 11 years with Michael believing the secret of his success was down to two factors. First is thorough research to make sure he had a strong understanding of his guest and also to always remember the mantra that the guest is more important than the interviewer. For six years, he was then absent from the small screen before the BBC recommissioned Parkinson in 1998 and Michael walked down the stairs to launch the new run in typical laidback style with the words “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted.” Now it is time for Parky himself to take centre stage with his new show which will be a fresh experience for him being the interviewee rather than interviewer. Despite a long career and lots of memories, he does still have two people he would still like to tempt on the chatshow sofa – Donald Trump and The Queen. So watch this space. Something for the Parkinson guest-bookers to pursue for a couple of TV specials perhaps? In the meantime, Parky can let his reputation do the talking as a Norwich audience can share the story of the man who helped the UK win (and maintain) the title of the country where the chat-show, with an emphasis on chat, is still King.

AN EVENING WITH SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON, Sunday 24 September at 7.30pm. Norwich Theatre Royal Tickets £8-£28.50. Discounts for Friends. To book, call the box office on 01603 630000 or log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

| AUGUST 2017

Rory Charles Graham better known as Rag’n’Bone Man broke through in late 2016 with his debut single Human. He went on to win the 2017 BRITs Critics Choice Award and finish second in the BBC Sound of 2017. In February 2017 the release of his debut album Human took the Official Charts by storm becoming the decades fastest- selling album so far by a British male soloist even outselling the albums of Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran.

Rag n Bone Man is heading to

Norwich in September to perform at the Sundown Festival and we caught up with the talented Blues singer ahead of his Norwich performance In person, Graham is the dictionary definition of a gentle giant. His appearance suggests one serious dude. He’s a big man, bearded and with tattoos, but instead of Hate and Love, he has the words Soul and Funk inked across his knuckles. “I could’ve had Drum and Bass,” he jokes, in his warm, softly spoken manner, “or maybe Jungle across both hands”. Growing up in Uckfield, 20 miles inland from Brighton, music was always the main focus of Graham’s parental home. His father played guitar, his mum sang (both recreationally), and there would otherwise always be records playing. “My dad was super into blues, and also rock crossover stuff like JJ Cale,” he recalls. “There was also lots of reggae, like Peter Tosh, which eventually got me into the soundclash stuff and jungle”.

At the age of 15, he MC’d with a drum ‘n’ bass crew, using the handle Rag ‘N’ Bonez, inspired by watching re-runs of ’70s Brit sitcom, ‘Steptoe and Son’. With little else to do in their backwater hometown, the crew jumped the airwaves via their own pirate radio station, but Graham soon realised he’d have to move to Brighton if he was going to get anywhere with music. After testing out his rap skills at hip hop open-mic nights there and bingeing on UK home grown Hip Hop artists like Roots Manuva, he started shuttling up to London to a night at Brixton’s Jamm venue called Slipjam B. There, he hooked up with a couple of performers, Gizmo and DJ Direct, and they formed a crew called The Rum Committee. Over the ensuing few years, they’d support old-skool hip hop luminaries Pharoahe Monch and KRS-One at Brighton’s Concorde 2, and release their own album through Bandcamp, through which Rory learnt the rudiments of recording. At 19, his dad had coaxed him up to the

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

rag'n'bone man

BOOK NOW

R E T IN W & AUTUMN breaks from 0 0 . 0 7 2 ÂŁ as little as What could be better than staying in one of our luxury lodges, cabins or caravans where you can enjoy the freedom of getting away from it all and spend precious time with the family. At Woodland Holiday Park you can enjoy pure relaxation, have lots of fun and create many happy memories.

NEW

CARAVANS FOR 2017 Luxurious Scandinavian lodges and log cabins all with private hot tubs as well as luxury two and three bedroom caravans

Trimingham, Norfolk NR11 8QJ

www.woodlandholidaypark.co.uk 01263 579208

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

rag'n'bone man

mic at a blues jam in a local pub. “Afterwards,” he recalls, “this old geezer came up to me and said, ‘Dude, your voice is insane, you should sing some more’. That feeling of actually getting a reaction had a big effect – ‘Oh, I like this – this is good!’” At the beginning, there was a rather divergent progression between his ruffian rhyming in Rum Committee, and his ‘proper’ singing, which was informed more by his dad’s old blues records. “I’d found my voice through that style of music,” he reasons, “so instantly when I started trying to write my own music, it all sounded very like Muddy Waters, because that’s the stuff I’d grown up with”. He smiles, and ads: “Blues is infectious. No-one’s ever listened to blues, and gone, ‘Nah, don’t like that’, know what I mean? Nobody’s ever listened to BB King and gone, ‘That’s shit’. They haven’t – and if you did, you’re a mug!” Graham duly self-released an EP called ‘Blues Town’. “My voice didn’t sound that great, and it was pretty badly recorded,” he admits, “but it surprisingly got a lot of love”. Doors started opening: he landed acoustic gigs, including one supporting Joan Armatrading at Brighton Dome. In 2011, he got together with UK Hip Hop label High Focus releasing a couple more EP’s where his bluesy stylings were underpinned by the label’s trademark jazzy beats. He’d do gigs solo, with just a DJ backing him, but when he started working with producer Mark Crew Rory’s song-orientated fusion of blues and hip hop really developed. At the time Crew was working on Bastille’s debut album Bad Blood, Rory had been working as a carer for Asperger’s sufferers, but could now afford to do music full-time, on the basis of just a rough demo Crew landed Graham a publishing deal with Warner Chappell. At Crew’s studio bunker in Battersea, they slowly pieced together another EP, 2014’s ‘Wolves’, whose towering ambition was best flagged by the fact that it eventually contained nine tracks – an album, in all but name. Crew’s robust beats echoed Graham’s predilection for jazzy hip hop giants Gang Starr, and guests included rapper Vince Staples, Stig Of The Dump, and Kate Tempest, whom Graham had befriended pre-Mercury award. Within the hip hop-y sound format, the song was paramount, giving Rory free rein to explore song structures, usually with an explosive chorus showcasing his mighty tonsils. “There’s a lot of pain in the lyrics,” he reveals, “but it’s not always necessarily mine. It’s interesting to me, what’s going on in people’s lives. One night I was getting drunk with a mate, and

we were having a proper deep and meaningful conversation, and he told me that his missus had made it so he wasn’t allowed to see his daughter anymore. I was like, ‘I can’t not write a song about this. So the next day I wrote ‘No Mother’. I find myself doing that a lot – something clicks in my head, like, ‘Right, that deserves something to be said about it!’” Graham’s many talents – versatile songwriter, powerhouse singer, conduit for and conveyor of myriad human emotions – led Columbia Records to sign him on the strength of ‘Wolves’. For the ensuing ‘Disfigured’ EP (2015), he and Crew went for a more stripped-back sound, inspired by the spaciousness Rory heard in Al Green’s music, clearing the way for That Voice, without interfering clutter. “I remember thinking, ‘I can just do what I want now, so if I just do something that sounds good, I’m not gonna worry about what genre it is. That’s why there’s one track on there that sounds like Bon Iver, one that’s proper hardcore blues-rock, and one that’s more a hip hop/soul kind of sound. There’s nothing on there that sounds exactly the same as anything else.” Lead track ‘Bitter End’, a tear-jerking realisation of a relationship’s demise, was staunchly supported then playlisted on BBC Radio 1 Xtra, and made it onto Radio One’s ‘In New Music We Trust’ playlist. On the back of the EP, Graham put together a Rag‘n’Bone Man live band, featuring a drummer, bassist, guitarist, keyboard player and backing singer. They toured the UK with hand-picked guests under the banner ‘Rag ‘N’ Bone Man Presents’, selling out shows up and down the country. They made quite a splash across Europe’s festival circuit, too, including Glastonbury, Eurosonic and Loveboxx, bringing fields and tents to a standstill, winning new disciples wherever they went. After a decade and a half of experimenting and learning, focusing and fine-tuning, Rag‘n’Bone Man is primed to become a household name. Rory has spent the winter hatching his debut full-length album, partly with Mark Crew in Battersea, but also with other fresh producers. These include Two Inch Punch, aka Ben Ash, who has worked in a co-songwriter/ producer capacity for Sam Smith, Jesse Ware and Damon Albarn’s Africa Express; and Jonny Coffer, another producercum-tunesmith whose CV ranges from Naughty Boy’s ‘La La La’ to tracks off the recent Beyoncé album. During the painstaking process of assembling his allimportant debut LP, Graham’s untetherable need to perform became so out of control, he took to turning up at open-mic nights, to ‘unleash the beast’ that is his tumultuous singing equipment. Now, finally, the album’s lead single proper is ready for release: as an expression of mortal vulnerability, set to a stark chain-gang rhythm, it is almost impossible not to be moved, stopped dead in your tracks, by ‘Human’. Here is a song which fully encapsulates Graham’s peculiar contradictions: his strength and his gentleness, his staggering vocal mastery yet intuitive soulfulness, his wisdom beyond his tender years. In a post-millennial culture where emerging talents are schooled from an increasingly young age, breeding a certain uniformity of phrasing and technique, Rag‘n’Bone Man arrives as an impulsive antidote, connecting with people on a more direct nigh on spiritual level. Still an obsessive consumer of music, Rory’s Everyman qualities reverberate in every note he sings. As well as Soul and Funk, Rory has Star written all over him – an exceptionally warm and engaging guy with an astonishing natural gift. The world’s going to love getting to know him! The 7th annual Sundown Festival takes place over three days from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd September at the Norfolk Showground in Costessey with some of the Hottest live performers in the country playing and performing over the three days. For the full line up of performers visit www.sundownfestival.co.uk 45

| AUGUST 2017

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

joe pasquale

Squeaky

Joe Time

Mark Nicholls speaks to JOE PASQUALE as his latest one-man show heads to Great Yarmouth

His squeaky voice is unmistakable.

With his natural high pitch defining his unique brand of comedy, Joe Pasquale is also an entertainer who never seems to shy away from a challenge – whether that is attempting to become King of the Jungle, dance on ice, confront fear and danger, or find himself alone and isolated in the wild. Perhaps there is something in the title of his latest one-man show, Devil in Disguise, which he brings to Great Yarmouth on August 27 that may explain this inner courage, cheekily sprinkled with mischief. Certainly, standing alone on stage before a large audience holds no fear for Joe, though he has come a long way since his first steps in showbiz as a holiday camp entertainer, that included a stint as entertainments manager at Warners holiday village at Corton near Lowestoft not so many years ago. But as he tells me, he’s delighted to be back in a region that he knows well. “I started my career at Warners and I loved it in that part of the world and know the east coast very well. It’s like home from home for me” says Essex-born Joe, “though I like anywhere near the sea.” He explains the Devil in Disguise show will basically be him “mucking about for a couple of hours” with no support act. “There’ll be mindreading, a bit of painting, audience participation, a few songs and some magic, but it is something for all the family” he adds. “I love the fact that you never know what’s going to happen next – because I don’t know what I’m going to do, either! I also love the enthusiasm of the fans.” Carrying the warning that the show “may contain immature themes,” it follows last year’s One Man and His Bog Tour and previous live shows such include as Live and Squeaky, Twin Squeaks, The Crazy World Of Joe Pasquale and Bubble And Squeak. Excited at the prospect of taking his latest show out on the road, he says: “Stand-up is what I’ve done for 30 years and I enjoy it, and that is how it has to be. I am the first person that has to enjoy it because if I am not going to enjoy it, then how I can expect someone else to?” Crowned “King of the Jungle” in the fourth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! In 2004 and seemingly having no fear of any of the bushtucker trials, he took part in Dancing on Ice, with skating partner Vicky Ogden in 2013 and returned the following year with Robin Johnstone. After leaving school he worked at Smithfield meat market, on a building site and as a welder at the Ford factory in Dagenham before turning his hand to the entertainment world with his big break coming on New Faces in 1987. Asked what his proudest moment is, he doesn’t refer back to his reality TV successes, or some of the more serious parts his has taken on. “If I am honest, what I am proudest of after 30 years in the business is that I am still doing it,” says Joe, now 55. “I was taught by my agent at the start of my career that being a success in the business is earning a living at it, and I’m still doing that.” Over that time, however, he has demonstrated his versatility,

taking on roles in plays such as Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, performing in the Mel Brooks West End musical The Producers as Leo Bloom on a UK tour in 2007 and playing the role of King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot. “I have done quite a few straight plays and musicals, I will do anything, that is the nature of the business,” he explains. “I have got a very short attention span and I like to be pushed, I like to test myself. “What is the point of saying I don’t want to go and do that, I will be dead one day and so I would rather take a risk because nobody learns anything from sitting on your backside. “Getting out of your comfort zone is a necessary thing, not just for me, but for everybody. When people push their boundaries they grow a lot more. We are not born scared of anything we learn everything we are scared of from our peers, from parents, brothers and sisters and friends, so you have to break that mould.” This is an integral facet of Joe’s outlook, facing up to fears and confronting and conquering them. Scared of flying, he acquired his pilot’s licence; scared of skating, he joined the cast of Dancing on Ice; scared of exercise, he ran the London Marathon. “Anything that I feel fear for I am going to do it,” adds Joe, who is also three quarters of the way through an Open University course studying for an Earth Sciences degree. It was reading a book called ‘Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers that “changed my whole concept of where my boundaries are. “Do I want to be 86 and thinking of all the things I could have done, but didn’t? I’d rather die at 60 and take every opportunity put in front of me,” he adds. More recently, saw him in the South American jungle with the survivalist documentary, Alone in the Wild, and training with ex-SAS soldier Chris Ryan. A regular performer in pantomime over the last few years – frequently playing Smee in Peter Pan and Muddles in Sleeping Beauty – he is in Aladdin in Bristol with Gok Wan at the end of the year and playing Wishy Washy. There is also a book of short horror stories, out later this year too, called Dead Knobs and Doom Sticks. But it is his love of comedy stand-up that is his first love. “I love silliness,” he concedes. “Unfortunately, most adults grow up and forget the kids they once were. Most of us lose touch with the person who made us interesting in the first place. All the pressures of adult life take over, and we start adhering to the things society tells us to do. I’m appealing to that childish person we all once were. I try to stick to silliness!” So, it sounds like we can expect plenty of that as Joe Pasquale brings his own devilish sense of humour to Great Yarmouth. Joe Pasquale’s Devil in Disguise is at the Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth, on August 27 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £20 (£10 children), for more information call 01493 842914 or visit www.britannia-pier.co.uk 47

Travel time

ADAARAN CLUB RANNALHI is

featured among the best hotels in the Maldives and sits exclusively at the tip of the South Male atoll within the exotic collection of islands known as the Maldives. Its unique location offers access to pristine beaches, excellent scuba diving opportunities and a relaxed environment with easy access to the capital city of Male. With seamlessly blending and breath taking coastal landscapes, the luxurious rooms & water bungalows provide the perfect getaway. Bask in the magnificent sunshine and relax spending lazy days on the soft sandy beaches or diving into the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean. WWW.ADAARAN.COM

THE FIVE STAR HOTEL Inter Continental

Amstel inAmsterdam is every bit as luxurious and elegant as it was when it first opened in 1867. The wonderfully spacious hotel rooms offer a unique blend of contemporary comfort and historic details. The hotel's legendary and well-earned reputation, spanning almost 150 years, is the result of its unique, personal service, homely atmosphere and beautiful setting. The ambience, in all of the 55 executive rooms and 24 suites, of which one is a Royal Suite, breathes grace and elegance reminiscent of a grand European estate. Restaurant La Rive, awarded a Michelin star, is marked by a long tradition of culinary delights and features a FrenchMediterranean cuisine and extensive wine list. The Amstel Bar & Brasserie and terrace offers al fresco dining in an intimate, informal ambiance. An excellent Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed in the Amstel Lounge which is located in the conservatory. All of the restaurants have stunning views over the Amstel River.

inspired hotel, combining the highest quality facilities in a truly unique environment. Located at the heart of Liverpool's 'Beatles Quarter' offering luxurious accommodation and exclusive event space with a twist. Housed in the magnificent Grade II listed Central Buildings, dating back to 1884, the beautifully restored hotel is steeped in history. The hotel was recently named “Best Hotel in the UK” in the Travel Republic Hotel Awards 2017.

WWW.AMSTERDAM.INTERCONTINENTAL.COM

WWW. HARDDAYSNIGHTHOTEL.COM

A 'FAB FOUR' STAR Liverpool hotel. Hard Days Night Hotel is the world’s only Beatles

Destination of the month THE ISLAND OF TENERIFE is

one of the most popular all year round holiday destinations and for a holiday to remember you may want to consider the Hotel Botanico and Spa which offers all the services and comforts you could possibly want to enjoy, a wonderful relaxed atmosphere. The hotel features stunning views, immaculate landscaped gardens and serves some of the best Mediterranean and international cuisine on the island. With its classic style and oriental touches and its innovative wellness and beauty treatments, unbeatable facilities and exquisitely personalised service, the hotels spa is considered to be one of the best in Europe. Discover the magic of Tenerife and enjoy an unforgettable stay at the elegant 5-star Hotel Botanico and Spa located in Puerto de la Cruz in northern Tenerife. WWW.HOTELBOTANICO.COM

DROMOLAND CASTLE

is, quite simply, one of Ireland's finest castle hotels. Dromoland offers guests the experience of living like a king, surrounded by luxury, beauty and exceptional service. Dromoland Castle is one of the few estates tracing its history to native Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. Today, blending old-world elegance with modern-day comforts, the castle serves as one of the most desired destinations in Europe, and you can stay here too.. With its glittering antique chandeliers, grand staircases, elegant hallways and beautifully furnished rooms Dromoland Castle is without question one of the most romantic retreats in Ireland. The Earl of Thomond’s Restaurant offers you a heavenly dining experience you’ll remember forever and the cocktails served in Dromoland’s Library Bar are sublime. Dromoland Castle is ideally located close to Shannon International airport and within easy reach of the wonderful Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and all the delights that County Clare and County Limerick have to offer WWW.DROMOLAND.IE

Come and see us at the Green Build Event - Felbrigg Hall on 9th and 10th September

• All-in-one solar solution without complex installation • Efficient power generation: Up to 40% more yield compared to a roof top system of same size • thanks to smart tracking • Ideal when your roof is not an option • Top quality from Austria and excellent service from Green Home Energy Solutions • Available with or without power storage, or with charging station for your e-car

01603 713816

Grove Barn, 19A The Green, Upton, Norwich, NR13 6BA

www.greenhomeenergysolutions.co.uk

introduces

SIMPLY SET-UP, CONNECT AND PRODUCE CLEAN ELEC TRICITY

NEXT LEVEL SOLAR

| AUGUST 2017

COMMUNITY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SPECIALISTS The Global Clinic, Norwich offers state-of-the-art scanning facilities FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Global Clinic, Norwich, call 01603 812266, email enquiries@globaldiagnostics.co.uk, www.globaldiagnostics.co.uk

ith Norfolk being such a rural county, patients can often face journeys of several miles to a main hospital to undergo routine scans or assessments. For older people, or those without their own transport, this can be challenging, particularly when coupled with the potential anxiety of having a test in a major hospital. But in some parts of the county, scans are being conducted in GP surgeries and close to where patients live in an innovative outreach service delivered by the Global Clinic, Norwich. Based at Colney Hall, just west of Norwich and not far from the main Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) site, the Global Clinic is a private independent healthcare provider that is partnering with the NHS to deliver routine scans to patients living in rural parts of Norfolk.â&#x20AC;? It also offers an extensive MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasound scanning service from its main site, as well as conducting plain film x-rays and other consultations with leading healthcare professionals. The Global Clinic was founded in 2006, as a partnership between a group of local clinicians which included consultant surgeons, physicians, radiologists and other specialists.

ADVERTORIAL

global diagnostics

One of the founders, Dr Tom Marshall, who is the present medical director of the Global Clinic and a clinical radiologist at NNUH said “We started the Global Clinic with a philosophy to utilise and harness state-of-the-art scanning to provide diagnostic facilities to patients in their community and closer to where they lived.” In addition, a further aim was to deliver improved pathways for patients to be able to access further relevant clinical care more quickly. It is a move that is continuing to ease the burden on NHS facilities and help cut patient waiting times. Instead of having to wait a long time to see a specialist and then go for further diagnostic imaging in a hospital environment, the Global Clinic allows direct access via a GP referral to the diagnostic imaging service often in a patient’s local GP practice. Surgeries where Global Clinic healthcare personnel currently conduct scans and point-of-care testing are: the Chet Valley Surgery in Loddon, Sheringham Medical Centre, Hoveton and Wroxham Surgery, Fakenham Medical Centre and Acle Medical Centre. Global Clinic manager Max Jennings said: “If you live in the Acle area, for example, and need an ultrasound scan you do not have to come all the way to Norwich to see a clinician. The GP can refer you to have the scan conducted by a clinician closer to where you live with the portable service we offer. The same applies for patients who live in outlying villages elsewhere, or some of the relatively remote parts of North Norfolk. We do this work on behalf of the NHS, which helps patients be seen and diagnosed more quickly.

“At present between 85% and 90% of the work carried out by the Global Clinic Norwich is with NHS patients meaning we are helping to reduce the pressure on waiting times faced by our local hospitals. The rest is with private medical insurance patients or those who wish to self-fund.” Often, a patient needing an ultrasound scan would previously have had to travel to NNUH for the diagnostic test. “We have a very good relationship with local GPs and are continually looking to improve that relationship and find out what GPs need from us so that we can provide that care for their patients,” he added. In addition to the core scanning services and outreach, there are seven consulting rooms at the Colney site that are available to a range of specialists in areas such as: orthopaedics, gastroenterology, dermatology, skin cancer and plastic surgery, psychology and psychiatry, hand therapy, and podiatry. With the scanning service, there are, of course, cases with MRI and ultrasound where patients will still need to be seen at NNUH and be supported by the facilities that a large hospital offers. But as Dr Marshall explained, conducting scans outside of the main hospital setting closer to a patient’s home can also have other benefits in addition to the convenience. “For patients who may not like a hospital environment – for a variety of reasons – it has a range of benefits. We find the Global Clinic setting is aesthetically reassuring for patients, for example,” he added. “Also, it means that by offering this service we can help alleviate pressure on local hospitals while making these tests quick and accessible for the patient. This is particularly useful for elderly patients, possibly with early dementia, so they do not have to travel or have the anxiety of having to come to a busy hospital environment.” The MRI and ultrasound imaging initiative is coupled with a state-of-the-art IT platform which allows clinicians to access images remotely and, via a laptop, be able offer a 24/7 reporting service for patients. It also facilitates a second opinion. “If we have a particularly complex case,” explained Dr Marshall, “it allows us to share the information and obtain a consensus opinion with specialists around the country or even around the world.” Most of the scans are musculoskeletal, such as for back and joint problems but brains scans are also carried out, while ultrasound is used for abdomen and pelvis scans too. The clinic can see about 300 patients a week for scans, which significantly speeds up referrals and eases pressure on the NHS. And with ultrasound scanners now being so small and portable, it is even easier for Global Clinic personnel to visit GP surgeries and see patients. The ultrasound facility is a “one-stop shop” for patients in that it not only identifies a problem area but can also be used to deliver remedial therapies such as ultrasound-guided steroid injects into joints such as the shoulder – all conducted during the same clinical visit. The Global Clinic scanning services truly puts the patient first… offering diagnostics closer to home, with shorter waiting times and helping deliver quicker treatment.

02.

01.

RUFFLE nia

Ruffle fashion is still the most popular fashion trend this season, there really is something to flatter everyone, Donna Titcombe selects this range of gorgeous feminine pieces to add a romantic look to your summer wardrobe

01.

Glamorous Light Stone Wash Denim Jacket With Ruffle Trim £54

02.

Adrianna Papell Tangerine Multi Floral Print Wrap Dress With Long Ruffle £140

03.

BADA Ruffled-Edge Gradient Silk Scarf £23

04.

Karen Fox Circle Ruffle Link Earrings £82

05.

Ralph Lauren Ruffled Silk A-Line Skirt £249

04.

05.

06.

Free People Cascades Strappy Cami With Ruffle Detail £50

07.

Alexandre Birman Barbara Ruffled Suede Sandals £470

08.

10.

09.

11.

Zimmermann Mercer Floating ruffled floral-print silk-chiffon playsuit £580 Jimmy Choo Isabella Clutch £750

Ted Baker Ruffle V-neck cotton-blend skater dress £149 Monsoon Penny Ruffle Top £45

07.

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

08.

14.

Ted Baker Verbo Ruffle Waistline Cotton-blend Trousers £130

13.

Faith Silver Ruffle Heeled Sandals £49

LADIES FASHION

12.

10. 11.

09.

12.

13.

14.

Miss Selfridge Grey Ruffle Shift Dress £42

available with a Harley Street trained professional

For a beautiful way to indulge yourself… Beach Clinic is the place for Botox injections, lip ﬁllers, facial light peels, liquid face lifts, thread vein and skin tag removal. Laser Lipo fat reducing treatment also available - guaranteed to drop a dress size!

BE ACH CL I N IC

Beach House, Beach Rd, Gorleston NR31 6DQ Telephone: 01493 603102 / 07810 272640

SELF YOUR TREAT £10 OFF WITH FIRST YOUR URE T SIGNA ITH AN W L IA C FA KIN IATE S ASSOC PIST A R E TH pply. ’s A

T’s & C

www.beachclinic.co.uk

We believe your shape not size is important and with a unique ‘rescue range’ of clothing we can support women’s choices to look their best. This includes our range from Freddy, currently taking the celebrities by storm with the Unique WRUP technology, with silicon hold and stitching offering incredible lift and shape, whilst also being extremely comfortable.

www.styleshow.co.uk E: enquiries@styleshow.co.uk • T: 07487 796 853 • 115 City Road, Norwich, NR1 2HL • FREE PARKING RIGHT OUTSIDE

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

BEAUTY

BEAUTY IN THE

Sky

Flying can wreak havoc on your skin, Donna Titcombe selects this lovely range of beauty products to help you feel refreshed and look gorgeous when you step off the plane

01.

04.

02.

05.

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm 7g £7.25 Estée Lauder Double Wear Long-Wear Makeup Remover Wipes. £20 for 45 wipes

03. 01. 02.

03.

04.

05.

REN Keep Young And Beautiful™ Instant Brightening Beauty Shot Eye Lift 15ml £30

06.

Neal's Yard Organic Defence Hand Spray, 50ml £6.50 La Mer The Mist 100ml £60

06.

swell Ultimate Volume Dry Shampoo 14.5g £20

07.

Clarins Hydra Essentiel BiPhase Serum 30ml £44

07. 57

sizzle this summer!

n o rw i c h at t l e b o r o u g h dereham h a l e sw o rt h harleston wat t o n w r ox h a m wymondham cecilamey.co.uk

classic & designer sunnies at cecil amey

C ECI L A MEY

Looking Good!

MEN'S FASHION

01.

Tommy Hilfiger Polo shirt £55

02.

Hugo Boss Schino Regular Fit Chino Shorts £69

WARM

WEATHER ls

Essentia

03.

Polo Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Stripe Short Sleeve Pima Polo £60

Whether you are off on holiday or just lounging at the weekend look good and feel comfortable with these summer essentials selected by Donna Titcombe

02. 04.

Tom Ford Sunglasses Tf 462 Chris £147

05.

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

Ted Baker Reva Reversible Belt £45

03.

06.

Gant Polo shirt with half length sleeves and piqué £119

07.

Timberland Classic Boat Shoes £105

04. 05. 06.

07.

We invite you to dine from our 7 course menu

Michelin award winning Restaurant with Rooms.

‘A TASTE OF NORFOLK’

LUNCH DU JOUR

This is our dedication to Norfolk’s ﬁnest seasonal produce, inspired by ingredients from Our Farm.

2 Courses £16.50, 3 Courses £22.50

DINNER DU JOUR

£45pp

2 Courses £22.50, 3 Courses £28.00

01508 492497

www.thewildebeest.co.uk

info@thewildebeest.co.uk

01692 581099

LUNCH DU JOUR 2 Courses £12, 3 Courses £16

warwickstsocial.co.uk

www.theinghamswan.co.uk

info@theinghamswan.co.uk

DINNER DU JOUR 2 Courses £20, 3 Courses £24

01603 627687

info@warwickstsocial.

RECIPE

franck pontais

COU RG E T T E S

WITH GLAZED S HAL L OT S & C HA NTER EL L E MUS HROOM 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

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

This delicious starter by Franck Pontais is a tasty alternative for a summer feast

SERVES FOUR

INGREDIENTS • Courgettes

3 medium

• Red onions

1 piece

• Fresh flat parsley

¼ of a bunch

• Small round shallots • Chanterelle mushroom

100g

250g

• Fresh garlic

1 clove

• Red wine

200ml

• Icing sugar

to dust

• Frozen board beans • Caster sugar

• Balsamic vinegar • Unsalted butter • Olive oil

• Salt

• White ground pepper

60g

40 g 1 tsp

30g

a drizzle

METHOD

1. Cut each courgette into four equal segments, scoop out the flesh. 2. Peel the small shallots and slice each one into two, then peel and slice the red onions. 3. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and place a bamboo steamer/basket on top of the pan, place the courgettes, shallots and red onions into the basket and cook covered for 4 minutes. Once cooked, take out the vegetables and reserve until use. 4. Chop finely the flat parsley and the clove of garlic. 5. Melt the butter with the olive oil in a frying pan, once hot, add the chanterelle mushrooms, cook for 1 minute and stir in the parsley and garlic, season to taste.

6. Dust the steamed shallots with icing sugar and sear them side down in a non-stick pan until caramelized and fully glazed. 7. Fill each segment of steamed courgettes with the chanterelle mushrooms, glazed shallots and red onions. 8. Drizzle with the red wine sauce; add a few leaves of your favourite cress and serve.

METHOD for the red wine and balsamic syrup sauce

Pour the red wine in a small saucepan and add the balsamic vinegar and sugar, whisk a little and bring to boil, reduce by half and cool down.

| AUGUST 2017

A league of their own Andrew Hirst heads to Delia's restaurant and bar at Carrow Road to sample their summer menu on a warm Saturday evening It had been a while since I visited Norwich City FC

in any capacity, work or pleasure. The last time being the Norwich City v Huddersfield Town match last December which included a delightful pre-match meal in the Boardroom. Saturday night my wife, Lorraine, and I headed to Norwich for a date with Delia's restaurant and bar's summer menu. The traffic heading in to the city on this warm evening was surprisingly light and we parked with ease next to the football ground. The entrance to the restaurant is quiet and understated, with two short flights of stairs taking you to the maitre d's desk. First impressions were good. A welcoming bar area with comfortable seating, a low bubble of guests conversations and a glow of ambient music in the background. We opted to sit on the high stools at the aluminium topped bar so we could better survey the restaurant. The decor was a white and cream delight, with an almost minimalistic slant, was enriched

with the intelligent attention to the lighting. Bright enough to be usable, but soft enough to be comfortable, Goldilocks would certainly have said it was “just right”. We ordered a glass of Chardonnay each, which was shortly followed with ‘Nibbles’; homemade sweet potato crisps and a small bowl of olives, sweet peppers, silver skin onions and garlic in a spicy paprika oil which was a triumph. Such a simple surprise but executed so well, so much so our conversation turned to how we could replicate the oil at home. Whilst at the bar we overheard several conversations from other restaurant patrons, one of which harpooned my attention. One lady diner was telling her friends that “this was her favourite restaurant outside of London“. A bold statement, which I would scrutinise at the end of the evening. We ventured through to the restaurant, which is spaced well, to explore the menu. The menu is viewable online, with the current and next months

FOOD REVIEW

delia's restaurant and bar

available should you wish to gain an advantage over your fellow diners before you arrive. With five starters and five main courses to choose from I felt there was just enough to tickle the tastebuds of most diners. My selection didn't take long with an intriguing dish to start and an old favourite for my main. My wife carefully chose alternate dishes, this way she always has the option to sample my plate should she spy anything of interest. I opted for the hot and sour pickled prawns, which were lightly cooked and combined with thinly sliced peppers, red onions and capers then covered in a hot and sour vinaigrette made with lime juice and a daring kick of chilli. Lorraine went with the courgette soufflé. It was fantastically light and included a combination of three cheeses; mature cheddar, gruyere and a vegetarian style parmesan. The soufflé was served with a beautifully buttery foaming hollandaise sauce. We both sampled each other's dishes, which is our custom, and I would have had starter envy had it not been for the exceptional prawn dish, which I may bore people with the account of in the weeks to come. The main courses arrived and were well presented. My choice of the char-grilled matured entrecôte steak came with chunky cut chips and a sublime pot of aioli four of my favourite things; steak, potato, garlic and mayonnaise. The steak was cooked exactly to my liking, a char-grilled finish on the outside and beautifully rare on the inside. Lorraine battled with her choice for main course, finally settling on the pan-fried fillet of grey mullet with Swiss chard and a beurre blanc. This time my head was almost turned by the fish... almost. We had the customary exchange of each other's dishes. Lorraine took a fancy to my chips. The exchange rate seems to have dipped slightly in today's fluctuating market, as seventy percent

of my overall stash of chips only seemed to return three new potatoes from my wife's plate. After both plates were cleared, which is always a good sign, we moved on to the dessert menu. To be honest I almost couldn't manage one but my wife talked me in to it, the story had a different protagonist by the morning. I sided with the vanilla cream terrine with raspberries and a blackcurrant coulis, boasting intense flavours against the backdrop of the cream terrine. Lorraine was already excited by the look of English summer pudding served with chilled pouring Jersey cream when it was served to the next table. Both desserts were enjoyed, however on this course the battle lines were drawn across the crisp white table cloth as we both championed our own plates, mine of course was far superior. The evening came to an end with my black coffee and Lorraine's espresso martini... and why not! The waiting staff were well schooled and should be commended for their skill and professionalism. Head Chef Nigel Ramsbottom did Delia proud with the exceptional dishes we ate - quality ingredients combined with imaginative recipes. If the players of Norwich City FC could replicate this level of skill on the pitch next season they would certainly be a shoo-in for promotion. Looking back over the evening the stand out dish for me was the hot and sour prawns, very different to my normal menu choice and will certainly live long in the memory. As to the over heard comments in the bar at the beginning of the evening from the unknown lady diner? Is this now my favourite restaurant outside of London? Well it is certainly up there in the running... I guess the only way to find out for sure is to go back again, which I will certainly be doing in the not too distant future! 63

OPEN MONDAYSATURDAY 9-5PM SUNDAY 10.30-5PM BANK HOLIDAYS 9-5PM

FULLY BESPOKE HANDMADE KITCHENS, BEDROOMS, OFFICES, BATHROOMS & FREE STANDING FURNITURE

Suppliers and installers of granite, quartz and solid timber worktops FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION

Earsham Hall, Earsham, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 2AN · Tel 01986 893420 · Mobile 07876 395197 info@earshamhallkitchensandinteriors.co.uk · www.earshamhallkitchensandinteriors.co.uk

RECIPE

richard bainbridge

ME R I NG U E

Richard Bainbridge makes little clouds of joy!! Meringues to me are little clouds of joy, from being a child seeing them piled high in Bakeries and Delicatessens, my eyes always being bigger than my belly when my Mum would eventually give in and let me have one. To me a meringue should have that perfectly thin crunch on the outside and a delicate chewy centre, now being a Professional Chef the magic of a meringue has not wavered. The more I learn the more versatile the humble meringue becomes, from classics such as an Eaton Mess or Pavlova to spreading out thinly making beautiful tuilles for dessert garnishes. So with all the delicious late summer berries I can only but urge you to make the perfect accompaniment to extend that taste of Summer.

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

INGREDIENTS • 4 Egg Whites

• 115g Caster Sugar • 115g Icing Sugar

EQUIPMENT

• Kenwood/Kitchen Aid Mixer • Piping Bag

• Nozzle of your choice

• Baking Tray lined with Parchment Paper • Cooling Rack

METHOD

1. Pre-heat oven to 110˚C. 2. Whisk the egg whites using either a Kenwood or Kitchen Aid on the medium setting until the eggs become frothy. 3. Slowly start adding the caster sugar and continue to whisk for another 5 minutes until you have added all the sugar and the mixture has started to form stiff peaks. 4. Add the icing sugar slowly and continue whisking to ensure it has all been incorporated, the mixture should be shiny and resemble

stiff little mountain peaks. 5. At this point transfer the mixture into a piping bag with the nozzle already in the pointed end, begin piping the meringues onto the lined baking tray at a table spoon size or if you would prefer use two large kitchen spoons to make iceberg shaped meringues of the same size on the tray. 6. Cook in the oven for 2-4 hours. 7. Once ready they should feel crisp on the top and soft in the middle (WHAT COLOUR?)

remove your meringues from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack to avoid a soggy bottom!

TO SERVE

There are too many serving suggestions to mention so I am leaving it completely up to your imagination! The main thing is to eat and enjoy these little bites of happiness!

T: 01362 637483 or 07525 260550 E: W: or www.magicalcamping.co.uk @magicalcamping Magical-Camping

“All the feeds for all their needs” GJL Animal Feeds supply an extensive range of horse feeds, stocking all the major brands plus our own range of economically priced mixes and cubes. Collect for free or we can deliver everything

Monday - Friday 8.30pm to 5.00pm Saturday - 8.30pm to 12.30pm

01328 851 351

Clipbush Business Park, Hawthorn Way, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 8SX

gjlanimalfeeds.co.uk

WE SERVE MOUTHWATERING CRAB AND DELICIOUS LOBSTER ALL DAY WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED OUR EXCITING,

NEW SUMMER BISTRO MENU

THERE’S LOTS OF GREAT NEW DISHES TO SAMPLE

The Cliftonville Hotel, Seafront, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9AS 01263 512543 • www.cliftonvillehotel.co.uk

| AUGUST 2017

Go west!

Accommodation-wise, there are 26 individually-styled bedrooms, 15 in the main building and 11 garden rooms with their own terraces, all of which are a contemporary mix of classic style and a modern, fresh approach, many with brand new bathrooms and some even with their own free-standing baths. All rooms are named after flowers from the Mat t T yler enjoys f i ne food , rela xat ion hotel’s garden and all are finished to a very high spec, with each room a nd i ndu lgence at Cong ha m Ha ll having a Nespresso coffee machine, fresh milk, bottled spring water and home-made biscuits; crisp, Egyptian cotton bedlinen; and cosy dressing gowns and slippers. Our room for the night was The Honeysuckle, a bright, spacious room decorated in cool, contemporary white and grey tones. It has ongham Hall is a stunning Georgian manor house set in a vast bed, large screen TV, retro filament big bulb lamps and a truly 30 acres of pastoral countryside in North-West Norfolk. immaculate, white bathroom with a selection of toiletries from the For us that meant a journey of over one-and-a-half hotel spa’s own range. We were particularly impressed with the hours, but as we hadn’t been there for some time and room’s overall finish, from the colonial-style window shutters and had heard good things about it recently, we decided to modern splash of colour blind in the bathroom to the amazing view travel there to see just how much has changed. across the open parkland. As well as the growing reputation of the Built in 1780 and converted into a hotel 200 years later, Congham restaurant, the Hall also boasts a 12 metre indoor swimming pool Hall is situated in Grimston, a short drive from the Queen’s estate complete with fountains, spectacular floor-to-ceiling picture windows in Sandringham, and just a stone’s skim away from the wide, open and an outdoor hot tub with views over the immaculately kept park. beaches of the North Norfolk coast. And what a truly magnificent These are all part of the very popular state-of-the-art Secret Garden country house hotel it is. Spa which also includes a thermal suite, sauna, bio-sauna and steam Checking in was through the porticoed entrance hall which room, two quirky ”experience showers” and even a poolside foot spa. provides a welcoming first impression with Persian rugs covering There is also a wide range of treatments which guests can book during the flag-stoned floors, carriage lamps giving a soft, warm glow, comfy their stay. Much use is made of seasonal herbs and fresh, cut flowers sofas arranged around an open log fire, an abundance of fresh flowers, from the hotel’s gardens in the spa’s own treatments and, thanks to and even a row of complimentary wellies for guests to borrow for a partnership with specialist brand Elemental Herbology, they have those long country walks! Just one of the many little touches to ensure developed products, rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants and proteins, guests have a comfortable and very relaxing stay. which are formulated to counteract the effects of age, Congham Hall is owned by Nicholas Dickinson who lifestyle and the environment, all of which are available to has had an extensive career in the high-end hospitality CONGHAM HALL buy so you can continue the pampering at home. industry, including time at luxury establishments Chewton HOTEL & SPA, For the more energetic guest there is croquet on the Glen and Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons. Grimston, King’s Lynn, lawns, putting in the orchard, and a variety of mapped He also helped co-develop the Luxury Family Hotels group Norfolk, PE32 1AH walks around the local area and coastline, while for the and Alias Hotels, so he is very experienced in running Tel: 01485 600250 truly energetic there’s even a 14ft trampoline for guests to luxury establishments, clearly evident from the attention to www.congham hallhotel.co.uk bounce to their hearts’ content should the mood take them! detail and high standards all around Congham Hall.

C 68

FOOD & DRINK

congham hall

Having booked for dinner and after freshening up we prised ourselves away from the comfort of our room and headed to the stylish, cool bar area for aperitifs (including some scrummy, handcut vegetable crisps) to look through the menu before being taken to our table. The restaurant was surprisingly busy for a Sunday evening, clearly testimony to its popularity, so if you plan on dining here I would highly recommend booking ahead. Overall the room is bright and airy with a cool and contemporary feel and it overlooks the garden, with floor-to-ceiling doors leading on to a terrace where guest can dine al fresco when the weather permits. Dressed with white table cloths and napery, it’s decorated in subdued, heritage colours with the soft glow of oil lamps and wall lights creating an elegant ambience without being too formal. Executive chef, Norfolk-born James O’Connor, previously worked at The Hoste in Burnham Market and his past career has included spells at the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison group in Cambridge. At Congham Hall he has produced a concise, 2 AA rosette menu which makes maximum use of local and seasonal produce, much of it sourced using vegetables from the hotel’s own kitchen garden. Much use is also made of the abundance of top quality suppliers from the west Norfolk area. The local produce includes rare-breed pork from the Fruit Pig Company, venison from the Holkham estate and Cromer crab, oysters and shellfish fresh from Brancaster. This helps to ensure that the accent remains firmly on flavour, taste and simplicity. The hotel has the laudable aim of sourcing 80 per cent of its ingredients from within a 20-mile radius, with the proviso that it must be the very best available, thus ensuring standards are maintained while at the same time supporting local producers. We liked the sound of most of the starters, particularly the baby beetroot, goat’s curd and pickled shallot, and the smoked salmon in citrus butter, but I opted for smoked haddock risotto with poached hen’s egg (£8), which was rich in flavour, light and beautifully presented. This proved the ideal opener for my main course of grilled haunch of Norfolk venison with pumpkin purée and Savoy cabbage which was served with a brittle shard of smoked bacon, cooked to perfection and robust in flavour, with the blackcurrant jus adding zing to the gamey, full-bodied richness of the meat (and at £24 also good value). My partner decided on shrimp cocktail and champ (creamed potato and spring onion) followed by pan-fried cod fillet served with shrimps in brown butter, capers and lemon (£18.50) which was beautifully presented, with melt-in-the-mouth white flakes of cod. To accompany our main courses we chose a superb Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the hotel’s comprehensive wine cellar; crisp, bright and ideally suited to our overall dinner choices. We side-stepped the more traditional desserts of warm sticky toffee pudding, rhubarb and custard cinnamon doughnuts and the selection of mini puddings to share. Instead, we opted to complete our meal with a board of four British farmhouse cheeses served with celery, oatcakes and chutney, a superb selection which cleverly mixed the textures and flavours, providing a delightful finish to a superb meal. Dinner over, nightcaps were taken in the laid-back sitting room before heading to our room for one of the best night’s sleeps in ages. Suitably rested and refreshed we headed down to the restaurant for breakfast and, whilst the ambience of the room at dinnertime was warm and cosy, by day the mood is fresh, bright and relaxed. As you would imagine at a hotel of this calibre, breakfast is extensive, with everything from the more usual cereals, yoghurts, granolas, fresh fruit, muffins and pastries to my partner’s choice of poached egg-topped cod (she really does like her fish dishes) while I chose the bespoke Full English, a wholesome, top quality breakfast which was easy on the eye and tasted superb. There is also an impressive choice of speciality teas as well as crusty bread toast and marmalades which set us up nicely for our return journey back along the A47. But before we go, I must mention the hotel’s high level of customer care and thank the entire staff who, throughout our stay, gave the kind of service we really appreciate – friendly, attentive, knowledgeable and helpful without being intrusive. From the warm welcome and tour of the hotel’s facilities with the receptionist when we arrived, to the fact that when we left we found that our car windscreen had been washed, it’s clear that the staff are a real asset to the hotel and so it’s 10 out of 10 for that important aspect alone. Many places claim to be a North Norfolk gem but in my view this is certainly true of Congham Hall, so if you’re thinking of a weekend break to kick back and get away from it all in sumptuous surroundings then this fine country house hotel really is the place to do it. 69

Panoramic views

and

Waterside dining

Rustic country flavours & classic favourites with a twist

Food served from 12pm · Bar open from 10am*

Our garden area is a real hot spot for

summer drinking & dining; good weather, good vibes, good company. Perfect! www.moss-co.com/the-commodore

15 Commodore Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 3NE · 01502 508231 *seasonal times apply

Good food, drink

and

vibes

Food served from 12pm · Bar open from 10am* A Landmark pub with amazing views of beautiful Pakefield beach. A large menu is available to suit anybody for any occasion.

Don't miss our bands on a Sunday afternoon www.moss-co.com/the-jolly-sailors

Pakefield Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0JS · 01502 531418 *seasonal times apply

Mon-Sat Lunch 12-2.30pm Mon-Sat Eve 6-9pm Sunday 12-5pm

Supporting great local businesses, providing locally sourced, fresh seasonal produce.

Come down for a drink or a bite to eat and join the Maid family! www.moss-co.com/the-village-maid-lound

71 The Street, Lound, Suffolk, NR32 5LP *seasonal times apply

Dog Friendly Pub

Mon-Sat Lunch 12-2.30pm Mon-Sat Eve 6-9pm Sunday 12-5pm

Delicious steaks & gorgeous pub classics, alongside a changing specials board full of treats. Our cosy snug area & beer garden make the perfect pit stop on your walk. www.moss-co.com/the-bell-inn

82 The Street, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, NR33 8JR · 01502 582873 *seasonal times apply

KITCHEN COLLECTION The Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection is now available to view at:

Appointed Stockist for the Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection Unit 2, Old Station Yard, Norwich Road, Cromer, NR27 0HF

01263 512 372 www.designlinescromer.com

De Fr liv ee er y*

A JHD Production

Curtains Galore

Now showing at our showroom..

Our family, serving your family since 1820 * Free delivery within a 25 mile radius

• Made to Measure Curtains • Interior Design Consultations • Blinds - Roman/Venetian/Vertical • Poles/Tracks/Pelmets • Re Upholstery • New Upholstery • Re Cushioning Service • Foam Stockist & Supplies •Home/Commercial/Caravan/Boat

FREE no obligation quote Fitting service offered by qualified fitters BESPOKE DRAPERY & UPHOLSTERERS

Unit 1 Tilia Court, Rackheath NR13 6SX

01603 722385

www.jhdinteriors.co.uk Norman & Son, 13/14 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1LY

Tel 01493 842971 www.normansfurniture.co.uk

We are delighted to offer our personal, professional and prompt service… … for all your property transactions, wills, family and other legal matters.

www.hkbwiltshires.co.uk

21 Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1HN 01493 855 676 13 Surrey Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1LJ 01502 582 338

For more information please call us or email us on info@hkbw.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

cabins unlimited

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT! There are all kinds of garden buildings available at Cabins Unlimited, so that you can find the perfect space to suit your work and leisure needs

home and a log cabin or summer house would make the perfect office because not only can it be made as warm and secure as you need it is getting smaller. Suddenly your dining room is a study to be but it is separate from your usual living space, meaning you get room or that extra room downstairs is now the kids’ den peace and quiet when you need it and can shut the door on work at and you no longer have space for yourself in your own the end of a busy day. home. You’re settled in your street and don’t want to A log cabin is also the perfect place to start your own business, move house, so what do you do? How do you escape the sound of whether you’re a beautician, a writer or a budding seamstress; if you the kids arguing or their music blaring and the endless mountains have a talent or a qualification that you want to use to its full potential of washing without buying a bigger house? You could consider an then that is perfectly possible with a garden building. All of your extension but not only are they costly, they also require planning equipment can be kept safely in one place, out of the way. permission. So whether it is luxury you’re after or practicality, a garden building Why not opt for a garden building instead? You can build a room could be the answer to your problems. No planning permission is specifically designed to fit your needs for a fraction of the cost of an required in most places for buildings under two-and-a-half metres extension and it can be insulated should you wish to use it all year tall which means that there’s no stressful form filling and waiting round. Not only that but you can build it away from your busy house, for approval. You can opt for a base that is not only eco-friendly but deep in the sanctuary of your garden. Imagine being able to close the removable, should you decide to move house later door on the noise and relax in your own space of your CABINS UNLIMITED down the line and wish to take your cabin with you. own creation. Aldiss Park, Norwich Road, Imagine - no more arguing over the remote control It can be as luxurious or as practical as you want it Dereham, NR20 3PX or struggling to relax or find peace and quiet. Start to be. You could wire up electrics should you wish to – planning your perfect log cabin garden room now! turn it into a TV or cinema room or, if you’re fed up of Tel: 01362 470075 At Cabins Unlimited we pride ourselves on having hearing televisions playing, you could fit a chiller for Email: info@cabinsunlimited.co.uk experienced staff who are dedicated to finding the your favourite bottles of wine or beer to enjoy with www.cabinsunlimited.co.uk Facebook: Cabins Unlimited right garden building for our customers’ requirements. your favourite music or book. Your log cabin could There are over 500 models of log cabins, sheds and be where you watch the football with friends at the summer houses to choose from on our website and our Dereham weekend or where you catch up with the girls on a week night. show site is open seven days a week and has over 25 models on display. Should you feel you deserve something more luxurious, why not At Cabins Unlimited, we offer a nationwide installation service with build a hot tub room? You could create the ultimate space to relax in hard-working, reliable fitters and can perform a free site survey should after a stressful day or to enjoy with friends and a log cabin hot tub you be unsure on what would work for your garden. We also offer room can easily be used all year round. In fact, there is no greater additional services including removal of any old garden buildings, base feeling than relaxing in a soothing warming hot tub when there is installation, landscaping and fences to name just a few. frost in the air. Additionally, we also carry a fantastic range of hot tubs which The benefits of a garden building are endless, should you find would complement your log cabin and we offer a cash-back yourself struggling for space. More people than ever now work from programme for referrals from existing customers. S YOUR FAMILY GETS BIGGER it can feel as though your house

We are recruiting for experienced live-in carers nationwide · You can earn between £1100 and £1400 per fortnight · You will have at least one year’s proven care experience · Make your choice today to come and join our register

C O N TAC T S U S A N O N :

susanc@ablecommunitycare.com or call 01603 764567

STUNNING STONE FLOORS With over 20 years’ experience and the most advanced cleaning system in the UK, XtraClean can give your floors a new lease of life

LTHOUGH AT FIRST GLANCE they make look beautiful,

keeping slate, limestone and natural stone floors in tip-top condition requires a professional touch and an expert eye, especially if those floors are a few years old. Fortunately, carpet, upholstery and hard floor cleaning specialists XtraClean are available to help, using state-ofthe-art advanced equipment; safe, professional products; and efficient, effective and powerful cleaning solutions. XtraClean has been providing a prompt, reliable and professional service throughout East Anglia since 1993, as owner Martin King explains: “In many ways, stone floors are their own worst enemy, and over time traditional cleaning methods and chemicals become largely ineffective. Thankfully, our revolutionary floor cleaning system can bring even heavily-soiled stone floors, tiles and even the grout between them back to life – all in a single visit too!” XtraClean offers a friendly, professional and fully-insured service using a team of highly skilled, trained and knowledgeable technicians who are dedicated to keeping your floors looking their very best. The Swaffhambased company caters for both residential and commercial customers and is happy to provide a free quotation before the work commences. Following an initial survey and testing of a sample area, Martin and his team will get to work on your floors (whether interior or exterior) and they’ll even move your furniture for you! Breaking down ingrained dirt and loosening surface soiling, XtraClean’s ultra-modern turbo cleaning capture system then thoroughly pressure-cleans the floor, capturing waste in the process. The results are stunning and this state-of-the-art system negates the need for invasive procedures such as grinding and resurfacing. Martin explains: “We use the most advanced technology currently available and the most professional products on the market. The results really do speak for themselves, and our customers are left with floors that don’t just look amazing – they’re safer and healthier too.” “Once the floor has been cleaned, we professionally seal it for added protection and to help retain its good looks for longer”, adds Martin. “We can even re-polish and buff highly-honed stone floors if required!” Martin and his team also have a wealth of experience in cleaning everything from outdoor terraces to paths and patios – meaning all your floors can have a fresh new look for the summer. So why not clean your home the XtraClean way and give your floors the look they deserve – contact Martin and his locally-based team today!

Unit 3, Jack Boddy Way, Swaffham, PE37 7HJ

01760 337762

Tel Email sales@xtraclean.co.uk

www.xtraclean.co.uk

Alan Cook Independent Financial Adviser

Don’t compromise, go composite • A front door speaks volumes about a property • 25 different designs to choose from • Thirteen door colours • Multiple glass designs • Thermal Efficient • Secured by design

UPVC Windows, Doors, Fascia, Conservatories, Soffits, Guttering

Contact our office now for your initial portfolio review at our cost, we can meet at our Aylsham office or in your home.

Portfolio Reviews Investments & Savings Protection & Insurance Retirement Planning Long Term Care Planning Inheritance Tax Planning 01263 732309, 6 Penfold Street, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6ET 07900 816927, alan.cook@2plan.com | www.alancook.2plan.com

North Norfolk Plastics Ltd Unit 1A Middlebrook Way, Cromer, NR27 9JR For your free no obligation quotation

01263 512911

Tax planning advice is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 2plan wealth management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is entered on the Financial Services register (www.fca.org.uk) under reference 461598.

NORTHNORFOLKPLASTICS@GMAIL.COM North Norfolk Plastics Ltd

H A N DL I NG I N V E ST M E N T R ISK YOU INVEST YOUR SAVINGS IN THE HOPE THAT THEY WILL GROW OVER TIME, BUT THERE ARE INHERENT RISKS INVOLVED IN ANY INVESTMENT STRATEGY. CARL LAMB LOOKS AT HOW WE ENSURE THAT CLIENTS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE BALANCE OF RISK AND REWARD ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO.

THERE ARE TWO BASIC TYPES of savings and investments, as far as risk is concerned. Cash savings include accounts with banks, building societies and credit unions as well as certain savings bond products such as those from NS&I. With savings deposits, your returns take the form of interest on the money you have deposited. Importantly, you will not normally get back less than the capital you originally put in, even if interest rates change. Provided your money is held in an institution that is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme’s deposit guarantee and you have no more than £85,000 saved with any single institution then, even if the institution fails, your deposit will be secure. The FSCS scheme covers most banks, building societies and credit unions, but if you are unsure if your savings are covered, you can do a check on the FSCS website at https://protected. fscs.org.uk/. Investments include a range of solutions such as equity, bonds, property, gilts and derivatives. Equity investments are held in stocks and shares: you buy shares in a company at a certain price, for example, and investment gains occur when they are subsequently sold at a higher price. Holding shares can also bring the investor dividend income, depending on the performance of the company involved. The thing to remember is that investments generally carry an element of risk and you could potentially get back less than you put in or – in the very worst scenario – lose it altogether. However, different types of investment and holdings in

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

almary green

“There are forms of investment management to suit most investors’ pockets.” different companies and funds carry different levels of risk. A financial adviser can ensure that you understand the level of risk involved with any investment strategy you adopt and that it is suitable for your risk profile. Assessing your risk profile is a hugely important part of the work we do. It involves exploring your experience and knowledge of financial matters and assessing two important aspects of your relationship with risk. Firstly, we will look at your attitude to risk. This involves assessing how you react emotionally to the prospect of losses in varying degrees, how relaxed you are about small dips in values and at what point you find potential losses unacceptable. This is about how you think and how you feel. Secondly, we will look at your capacity for loss. This is a much more scientific measurement: it’s about the amount of money you are actually going to need at specific points in your life and the stage at which a loss is not affordable. Once we have these two assessments, we can reconcile the findings and come up with a risk score that is tailored specifically to you. We then take the risk score and match suitable investments to it, so that your portfolio is never exposed to more risk than is appropriate for you. Your portfolio will usually contain a mix of investment types of varying risk levels but the overall profile of your portfolio will match your risk profile. In addition, we may recommend that you adopt investment management – where a specialist Investment Manager adjusts your portfolio in line with market conditions – to help mitigate the risks. There are forms of investment management to suit most investors’ pockets. The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The tax treatment of investments depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change.

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.

The C-Class Cabriolet. Freedom as standard.

Total driving enjoyment with no compromise on comfort. The all-new C-Class Cabriolet offers impressive traction and dynamism, courtesy of the optional permanent allwheel drive 4MATIC system. Enhanced with automatic wind deflector AIRCAP and the neck-level heating system AIRSCARF as standard, you’re sure to enjoy year-round open-air driving like never before.

Representative example C 200 Sport manual including optional metallic paint 36 monthly payments of*(Term of agreement) On-the-road price Customer deposit Retailer deposit contribution Optional final payment† Total amount of credit Total amount payable††

Ready for an unforgettable open-air experience? Book a test drive today.

Option to purchase fee† Representative APR Fixed interest rate

£419 £37,630 £4,999 £4,378.76 £16,400 £28,252.24 £40,871.76 £10 4.9% 4.76%

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the new C-Class Cabriolet range: urban 23.5(12.0)–54.3(5.2), extra urban 39.2(7.2)–72.4(3.9), combined 31.7(8.9)–62.8 (4.5). CO2 emissions 208-116 g/ km. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. Whilst this offer is only available through Mercedes-Benz Finance, we do arrange finance behalf of other finance companies as well. Model featured is a Mercedes-Benz C 200 Sport at £37,630 on-the-road (on-the-road price includes VAT, delivery, 12 months’ Road Fund Licence, number plates, first registration fee and fuel). Specification imagery may show optional features. Content relating to finance is promoted by Mercedes-Benz Finance. Your Retailer may offer finance on behalf of other companies. *Finance offer based on a C 200 Sport on a Mercedes-Benz Agility Agreement, on 10,000 miles per annum. Vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges apply. †Payable if you exercise the option to purchase the car. ††Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and Retailer deposit contribution. Orders/credit approvals on selected C- Class Cabriolet, between 1 July and 30 September 2017, registered by 31 December 2017. Guarantees may be required. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Credit provided subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Finance, MK15 8BA. Prices, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions correct at time of production.

The best or nothing.

Mercedes-Benz of Norwich Barker Street, Norwich, NR2 4TN 01603 751000 www.mercedes-benzofnorwich.co.uk

MOTORING

skoda citigo facts at a glance

Skoda Citigo 1.0 60PS S

Price: £8,495; Top speed: 101mph; Acceleration (0 to 62) 14.4 seconds; Economy: Urban, 51.4 mpg; extra urban, 74.3 mpg; combined, 64.2 mpg; Emissions: 101 g/km

dealer details Robinsons Skoda

1 Wingate Way, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4UY Tel: 01603 959600 www.robinsons motorgroup.co.uk/skoda

M E T R OP OL I TA N M O T OR I N G The new-look Skoda Citigo is p e r f e c t f o r n av i g a t i n g c i t y s t r e e t s , a s D av i d Wa k e f i e l d d i s c o v e r s

koda has given its little Citigo city car a fresh look for 2017, including a newly designed bonnet, radiator grille, bumpers and fog lights. The revised car was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year. Powered by two three-cylinder petrol engines of 60 and 75PS, the car’s space has been increased in accordance with its length, which has grown by 34cm. The width of the five-door version remains at 1,645mm and the height at 1,478mm. Thanks to its generous 2,420mm wheel base, Škoda engineers were able to create an interior which also offers sufficient space for the rear passengers – proving that even a city car can have a spacious interior. The 251 litre boot capacity, which increases to 951 litres when the rear seats are folded down, ranks amongst the best in its sector. The Citigo is perfect for the urban lifestyle, with its compact yet spacious body, its fuel economy and its nimble driving style. It is available in S, SE, SE L and Monte Carlo trim levels and UK customers can also opt for the stylish Colour Edition. The front of the Citigo has been fundamentally revised, with a new bonnet, grille, bumpers and fog lights to create a fresh, young look. The tinted tail lights are now also available for the SE trim line. A colour package with roof and wing mirrors offset in white or black is available for the Colour Edition. The front headlights are fitted with LED daytime running lights and the fog lights come with an optional cornering function, which lights up the area the vehicle is turning into on junctions with poor visibility. To this end, the cornering function automatically switches on the left or right fog light when turning at speeds of up to 25mph. New 15-inch alloy wheels in silver and anthracite for the SE L trim level and the Kiwi Green body colour, which is a new addition to the programme, complete the options for creating an individual exterior design. One of the many active safety features ensuring a high level of safety is the automatic braking function City Safe Drive. The optional

emergency brake helps to prevent collisions in urban traffic, and is automatically activated at speeds between three and 19mph. A laser sensor, which is integrated in the windscreen, scans a 10-metre area in front of the vehicle. In the event of an impending collision – if the driver does not react – the braking system is primed and the hydraulic Brake Assist function becomes more sensitive. If necessary, the system initiates a full application of the brakes to bring the car to a standstill or – if the driver is not braking hard enough – supports the driver by providing full braking force. The Citigo’s interior wows with a clean and clearly-arranged design and layout of the instruments as well as with a two-colour dashboard in the higher trim levels. The instrument cluster with speed indicator, rev counter and fuel gauge comes in a new design and is available in two different versions. The seats with integrated headrests provide good lateral support, while the radio and mobile phone can be operated on the optional multifunction leather steering wheel without the driver having to remove their hands. A high-resolution Maxi-DOT display as well as light and rain sensors are also optional. The new-generation Blues and Swing radio models offer many connectivity options – ranging from an aux-in socket to an SD card slot and a USB socket. A colour display, six speakers and a Bluetooth connection are added to the Swing variant. Storage compartments in the centre console and glove compartment, bottle holders (up to 1 litre) and cup holders are as practical as the multimedia cradle in the centre console. Meanwhile, nets in the boot and practical storage nets on the front seats offer a variety of options to keep various small items safe. The numerous ‘Simply Clever’ features include an umbrella under the passenger seat, a variety of storage compartments, cup and smartphone holders, a bag hook on the glove compartment and practical boot nets. Two modern three-cylinder petrol engines are available for the Citigo. The front, transverse-mounted engines with a 1.0-litre capacity drive the front wheels. Despite their small capacity, the engines distinguish themselves through high torque with low noise levels. The entry-level engine is the 1.0 MPI with 60 PS and 95 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm. From a standing start, it accelerates to 62mph in 14.4 seconds, reaches a top speed of 100mph and averages 68.9mpg on the combined cycle. With the 75 PS 1.0 MPI, maximum torque of 95 Nm is available at 3,000 rpm. The additional power is due to the modified engine control of the three-cylinder model. It accelerates to 62mph in 13.5 seconds, reaches a top speed of 107mph and averages 68.9mpg on the combined cycle. All values apply to the variant with five-speed manual gearbox, with start-stop system and brake energy recovery. 79

SUBSCRIBE 12 ISSUES FOR £24

NEVER MISS A COPY OF PLACES&FACES®, subscribe now, 12 issues for only £24 posted to your home, visit www.placesandfaces.co.uk/magazine-subscribe

JARROLD LADIES’ RACE DAY

FAKENHAM RACECOURSE Even the sun had got his hat on for the first-ever Jarrold Ladies’ Day at Fakenham Racecourse on Sunday, June 4, with the event proving that East Anglia can pull out all the stops when it comes to Race Day style. From pretty florals to pops of bright colour, women, men and even little ones dressed up to the nines for the very first Jarrold Ladies’ Day which included three Best Dressed prizes, for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Couple and Best Hat.

Photos by SARAHDARREN.COM and ANTONY KELLY

page sponsored by

HIGH SOCIETY

apprenticeships awards 11

1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

Oliver Ebbage, Anna and Adam Bales Fran Shimi, Jacqui Dobson, Kirsty Williams and Chloe Tills Sue and Andy Moore Linda Wiles and Brenna Wells Cheri Hannent and Hayley Buckle Michelle Barron and Emma Anderson Rachel Crowe, Holly Hudson, Alex Playford and Ashley Everett Lucy, Teresa, Steven and Amber Waterfield Brenda Gostling, Michele Savage, Claudia Lowe and Charlotte Savage Karina Duffin, Imogen Clarke and Jade Chestney

11: Best Couple: Carl and Jackie Smith 12: Best Hat: Caroline Royall (right) pictured with Caroline Jarrold 13: Best Dressed Lady: Lorna Deller 14: Charlotte Groom, Ella Vargeson, Cassy Blackmur and Maria Somerton 15: Jane Clipston, Laura and Fern Briggs, Louise Adams, Samantha Ward and Natasha Adams 16: Hannah Margereson and Dr Khangura 17: Charlie Warren and Helen Steele 18: James Cowem and Hannah Burson

| AUGUST 2017

TOM BLOFELD Founder, Bewilderwood

swamps, reeds and moorhen. I could not imagine living anywhere else. Is there anything you dislike?

Yes, carrots.

Where do you eat and drink?

ow did the concept of Bewilderwood come about?

I had played in the woods as a child and at first wanted to write children’s books about the marshes and all the funny things that went on there. Then it suddenly occurred to me that it would be even cooler to BUILD the book. Which we did. Interestingly, neither the book nor the park came first. Instead we developed both at the same time so that fun things we built were written into the book and fun things I wrote we then built. I am told that this is considered a risky business model! What have been the highlights?

Every day a child smiles from what we have created. There is no greater highlight than that. But, the creation of the Sky Maze with its half a kilometre of walk way and its truly imaginative twists and turns seem to me to be the best thing we have done so far. However, the next project for Norfolk plans to be open next year and is going to be even better than that but is currently a secret! How often do you work at Bewilderwood?

I have never done a day’s work at BeWILDerwood. This is the first job I have ever had that doesn’t seem like work. What do you like about living in Norfolk?

There is only one landscape worth looking at in the universe and it contains marshes, 82

I am very fond of the Recruiting Sargent at Coltishall, The Gunton Arms and The Ship in Brancaster. What do you miss when you are away from Norfolk?

My cats especially. Also, the marshes and there is always a fear that the garden is producing its finest flowers at just the moment that we aren’t there. Tell us about your children’s books?

I have written five and also a poetry book and am in progress on the sixth in the series. Writing them is the moment when BeWILDerwood truly becomes real for me and Mildred, Swampy and their chums, for a brief period, are just as alive as my own children. This is what is wonderful about writing. What is not so wonderful is editing. Do you have any other hobbies?

I am a very keen cook sneaking ever further East in my cooking techniques. I am also married to an international film critic and spend far too much time watching slow art house films with no plot. That I still enjoy this means I must really love film. What happens at Bewilderwood if the weather is poor?

One of the great qualities of building in a heavily forested area is that the leaves provide a natural umbrella for anything but the heaviest downpour. As long as it doesn’t rain all day there’s craft making tents, theatre and other fun things to do.

Most people have come to experience a real wild landscape and part of that is braving the elements and having a giggle anyway. And who doesn’t love jumping up and down in muddy puddles (thank you Peppa for that!) However if it really sluices it down though, then it might be best to come back another day. What are your plans for Bewilderwood?

We really haven’t finished finding new and wonderful things for the Boggles and Twiggles to play on and I don’t imagine we will stop improving the park for a long time. We also have the wonderful opportunity of creating another entirely new world of BeWILDerwood at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. Designs are nearing completion as I speak. Have you had any amusing incidents at the Park?

Some of my cookery demonstrations, involving mud and magic as they do, are slightly inclined to go wrong. I have wound up covered in gloop and bits of insect due to the odd over enthusiastic gesture. What are you working on right now?

What with Cholmondeley and the new book, I have quite enough on my plate just now. But I have just designed Mildred’s Magnificent Musical Camp-Out summer event with Emma (our Head of Magic and Mischief ) and some of the ideas for that, like getting the children to build their own tents out of wool and sticks seem as interesting and fun as anything we’ve done. Can you sum up Bewilderwood in five words?

The best park anywhere, ever.

Can you sum yourself up in five words?

No, no, no, no, no.

Established 2000

Beauchamp and Hawkes Kitchens by design 5, Norwich Road, North Walsham, Norfolk , NR28 9JP www.pipedreams.org.uk | info@pipedreams.org.uk

01692 503050

'Visit us and be Consulted, Not Insulted' Free Parking At Rear of Showroom

• 18” alloy wheels • Satellite Navigation

Audi Q3 S line Edition 1.4 TFSI from £309 per month*

• Audi Parking System Plus • LED headlights

Solutions Personal Contract Plan* representative example from Audi Financial Services based on 10,000 miles per annum for the Audi Q3 S line Edition 1.4 TFSI manual.

Duration 47 monthly payments of Customer deposit Deposit contribution^

4 years £309.00 £4,496.32 £1,350.00

Recommended On-The-Road price

£30,400.00

Amount of credit

£24,553.68

Optional final payment

£13,675.25

Total amount payable by customer

£32,704.57

Option to purchase fee** Rate of Interest Representative APR

£10.00 4.84% fixed 4.9% APR

Book a test drive Norwich Audi Meridian Way Norwich NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.robinsonsaudi.co.uk Oﬃcial fuel consumption figures for the Audi Q3 S line Edition 1.4 TFSI manual in mpg (l/100km): Urban 42.2 (6.7), Extra urban 55.4 (5.1), Combined 49.6 (5.7). CO2 emissions: 131g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions (Directive 93/116/EEC). This allows

a direct comparison between diﬀerent manufacturer models but may not represent the actual fuel consumption achieved in ‘real world’ driving conditions. Optional wheels may aﬀect emissions and fuel consumption figures. Image shown for illustration purposes only. More information is available on the Audi website at www.audi.co.uk and at www.dft.gov.uk/vca

*At the end of the agreement there are three options: I) own the vehicle: pay the optional final payment; ii) return the vehicle: subject to fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. ^Available for vehicles purchased on Solutions Personal Contract Plan between 1st July and 30th September 2017, and registered by 31st December 2017. Retail sales only. Participating dealers only. No acceptance fee required. Cost of optional metallic paint included in the finance example at £550. **Payable with optional final payment. Subject to agreed annual mileage. +7.2p per mile excess mileage charges apply (incl. VAT). Further charges may be payable if vehicle is returned. Indemnities may be required. Subject to status. Oﬀer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Available to over 18s in the UK only. All cars must be set to a time and distance service regime. Additional work, including wear and tear, is not included. Accurate at time of publication July 2017. Audi Finance, Freepost Audi Finance.