Celebrating life in Great Yarmouth and the surrounding areas
Style
Winter Wear The essential items for your winter wardrobe
Interview
Brian Conley
â„– 06 FREE NOVEMBER 2015
pays a visit to Potters Travel
Amsterdam
without the hedonism (yes, really!)
Jack Whitehall is a seriously funny guy Scotch eggs
The ultimate savoury snack done right
What’s On
Your monthly guide to the best events
A good grilling Foodie heaven comes to Gorleston
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Contents
11 ‘15
Celebrating life in Great Yarmouth and the surrounding areas
Style
Winter Wear The essential items for your winter wardrobe
Interview
Brian Conley
№ 06 FREE NOVEMBER 2015
pays a visit to Potters Travel
Amsterdam
without the hedonism (yes, really!)
Jack Whitehall is a seriously funny guy Scotch eggs
The ultimate savoury snack done right
What’s On
Your monthly guide to the best events
A good grilling Foodie heaven comes to Gorleston
Cover
Jack Whitehall
Editorial
Colin Huggins
Editor colin@h2creativemedia.co.uk 01493 742091 · 07775 858862
Design
Scott Nicholson Studio Manager
Ashley Coomer Senior Designer
Aaron Davies-Jones Designer
Account Managers Shaun Coomer
shaun@h2creativemedia.co.uk 01493 742066 · 07584 162023
Diane Green
diane@h2creativemedia.co.uk 01493 742251
Phil Nicholls
phil@h2creativemedia.co.uk 01493 742136 · 07780 430706
Paula Hodds
paula@h2creativemedia.co.uk 01493 742090 · 07765 886189
Andrew Hirst
andrew@h2creativemedia.co.uk 01493 742250 · 07557 050160
Contributors
Carolyn Atkins, Dave Nash, Donna Titcombe, Heidi Bridges, Joe Mackintosh, Mark Nicholls, Sarah Hardy, Wendy MaddisonWard
Publisher
06 Jack Whitehall gives us an education in Bad Education
H2Creative Media, Beacon Innovation Centre, Beacon Park, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 7RA 01493 446639 www.h2creativemedia.co.uk
Printed by
Micropress, Foundation Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH
Terms & Conditions
All content copyright H2Creative Media Limited. Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times correct at the time of print. You are encouraged to contact the businesses and venue prior to making bookings. All opinions within the publication are those of the editor including contributors.
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Contents
11 ‘15
22 “The city is a captivating place – it is certainly something a bit different”
10
12
34
Interviews
10 Brian Conley does what he does best at Potters Resort
Food
12 We tuck in to foodie heaven at Gorleston’s latest venue 17 Make the
ultimate savoury snack – Scotch eggs
Style
19 Bohemian is back 21 Everything
17
for a gentleman’s winter wardrobe
Travel
22 Behind the neon lights and smoke
trails, Amsterdam is a bustling city of culture and history
Culture
29 Things to see and do this month 30 Caister Weekenders are still going strong 32 Joe Mackintosh: playing with fire 34 ‘My Great Yarmouth’ by BBC radio’s David Clayton
Finance
37 Introducing our new legal column
VIP Events
40 Snap! It’s an Out There and outer
space special this month in our everpopular VIP Events pages
Interview
Jack trades of all
British comedian Jack Whitehall talks taking Bad Education to the big screen, working alongside a swan and speeding half-naked down a zip wire WORDS: HEIDI BRIDGES
06
H
How exciting was it to take Bad Education to the big screen?
Jack Whitehall: Very exciting. I mean the TV series came to an end, as did the channel it was on, so there were really very few options. We were very excited about the idea of doing a film, but it’s quite daunting because I think if you make a film of a TV series you’ve got to make sure that it’s worthy of being in the cinema and it feels like a film. So we’ve really had to supersize it and we did it on a modest British film budget but we pushed that budget to breaking point and it’s quite a bold and big film.
Your character, Alfie Wickers, is labelled the worst teacher in the British education system and he takes his class on a school trip to Cornwall. And if you think things go wrong for him in the series, then surely this takes it to another level?
JW: We really ramp it up; I love playing Alfie Wickers because he’s such a fool. He’s such a complete idiot and we had a lot of fun in the series humiliating him and putting him into these terrible, terrible situations. After this film, he has absolutely no dignity whatsoever, he’s really put through the mill. It’s quite weird because I write it as well, all these stunts and horrible things where I get hurt or abused, and then you start filming them and people look at you quite weird and you can’t complain because everyone knows you wrote it; you must have known at some point in six months’ time that you were going to have to film it as well.
So you wrote that moment when you’re on a zip slide with your trousers and pants around your ankles, going into the Eden Project with everything hanging out. How did you feel when you were flying along on the zip wire?
JW: I wasn’t thinking, well, this will get me the BAFTA. That’s definitely not what was going through my mind, but, again, that was totally my fault. We went down to the Eden Project in Cornwall and we saw it and it’s in the most amazing venue and location; we saw the longest zip wire in Europe, very high up and very long, and we thought it would be quite funny if one of the children debagged Alfie and pushed him
Interview
down it. So we wrote that into the film, on a whim, and actually had to do it. So it was a very odd day’s filming. We hadn’t paid to close down the whole of the Eden Project either.
So there were people there?
JW: There were people there, so I kept whizzing past. On one of the runs the wind changed as well, so I was left trapped, stuck, on the middle of the zip wire dangling with my, well, everything, out.
And there’s another scene in the film that has been making headlines where you get attacked by a swan which pecks your privates? JW: Yes!
The film has the same cast as the TV series, so Harry Enfield plays your dad in it which is genius – he’s so good!
JW: He is so good and he’s so funny as well. He’s an amazing improviser. A lot of scriptwriters get quite antsy with improvisation and they just want you to do the script, but with Harry you’ve just got to let him off his leash and let him do his thing. It’ll only make you look better in the end because he comes up with such funny stuff and it says ‘written by Jack Whitehall’ at the end.
And what does your real life dad think of Harry Enfield?
JW: They know each other and Harry does a very good impression of my dad, although he’s slightly different from Michael in the film. He quite enjoys the fact that he’s playing my dad.
Your dad didn’t want a part then?
JW: He had a part and he was cut; he came all the way down to Cornwall to play a priest and then he got cut!
So how did that go down?
JW: He doesn’t know! I need to break the news to him. He’s going to be absolutely livid. I thought I’d wait until he goes to the cinema and then he can see for himself, bring him back down to earth.
You have a unique relationship, with your dad being an old school talent agent and you writing a book together followed by Backchat. It’s interesting how you ended up working together, isn’t it?
JW: It’s amazing and it’s so weird that he’s now on TV and people recognise him. This thing
07
Interview
08
Interview happened the other day that I tweeted about; he was in a restaurant having dinner with my mum and someone sent over a couple of tequilas because they had recognised him and he got very annoyed. I tweeted about it and said to the person that sent my dad some tequilas ‘well done’. But that has now encouraged more people to do it. So whenever he is out, even if he’s with his friends having a business dinner, he gets trays of Jager bombs and stuff like that. And he got so annoyed. He was, like: ‘Call up the internet, have them erase what you wrote, I’m not having it any more!’
Are you going to do another series of Backchat?
JW: I think we’re doing another end of year show. But if anyone does happen to see my father, can you please send over some more drinks!
You are 27, very successful and have the most gorgeous girlfriend. You must be pretty happy with the way that life has turned out? JW: Well, I was just thinking about Michael Bublé and my girlfriend. I had a thing where I got invited to go and see Michael Bublé at the O2 and there was a meet and greet before. Gemma [Chan] was so late getting ready that we got to the O2 and we missed the meet and greet with Michael Bublé and then we watched the concert together and I was so upset, annoyed, angry. I love Michael Bublé and she’s not that into Bublé, so she wasn’t that desperate to get ready to get there and then the concert started. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Bublé live – it’s an amazing experience – but it’s very much aimed at couples. It’s very much a date night concert and you see all these couples there, big tattooed men that are clearly just taking their wives there so that they can go to every football match that following season, doing their good deed for their girlfriend. But it’s a huge love-in. Every song is a love-in and it’s all about the couples being close and connected in that moment in the O2 arena with Michael Bublé serenading
them. And I genuinely cannot think of a time when I have been more annoyed and upset with my girlfriend – we had to sit through this entire concert and there was absolutely no chemistry at that point whatsoever because she had robbed me of my moment with Michael Bublé; it was a terrible, terrible experience!
Meanwhile A League Of Their Own looks like so much fun to do? JW: I love it. It’s like recording eight stag dos when we film it, so we love it and we all get on very well – me, James [Corden], Freddie [Flintoff] and... I always forget his name, he’s so forgettable. The man, Louise Redknapp’s husband. The old man, the old football man with the grey hair, that’s the guy. He doesn’t actually have grey hair – he dyes it! We’re doing a road trip, going to LA, me, Freddie and the guy, and we’re driving (well, I’m not driving because I can’t drive), but we’re driving down to see James Corden in LA and we’re doing some challenges along the way.
For Sky?
"I love playing Alfie Wickers because he’s such a fool. After this film, he has absolutely no dignity whatsoever"
JW: Yes, for Sky. So we’re doing all these mad things in America and then it ends up with us in LA with James and I think Jamie [Redknapp] will probably get some surgery done whilst he’s out there because there’s a lot of good plastic surgeons. He obviously has a lot of plastic surgery – if you watch Sky Sports in HD you can see it. Look out for it, his face doesn’t move!
Finally, let’s talk about your friend Harry Styles – what do you think he’s going to do after One Direction?
JW: I don’t know, maybe become an actor. He could be a very good actor, he has very good screen presence. I should have written him a part in The Bad Education Movie.
Why don’t you write him a part in your next film?
JW: Yes, he should have had a part. Maybe I’ll send him The Bad Education Movie, the first one, and he can decide whether he wants to be in number two.
09
Interview
The
e f i l
of
Brian
Brian Conley insists there are “ndo hard feelings” aheaat of his appearance Potters Resort LS WORDS: MARK NICHOL
10
Interview
Brian Conley is a forgiving sort of chap.
At the very outset of his stage and TV career, he applied for a role as a budding singer and comedian for the Potters Resort entertainments team. “They turned me down,” he recalls, speaking ahead of a return visit to the Hopton leisure centre. “From there, I went to Pontins, became a bluecoat at Barton Hall in Devon and, after being spotted by a talent agent, went on to do all the TV work. “But there are no hard feelings. Potters is a wonderful venue, I’ve played it many times and I’m looking forward to being back.” Brian Conley, one of the nation’s best-loved comedians, singers and stage performers, has performed at Potters on several occasions over the years and brings his highly entertaining and hilarious show back to the resort on October 11. But his links to the Norfolk coast, and Potters, go way back beyond that to his childhood… and even then, he was the showman. “My parents use to take me there when I was a kid and I remember one year we entered the talent competition and dad won the adult contest and I won the child’s section,” he tells me. “I must have been about seven. Dad had a wonderful, strong, operatic voice and I also won for my singing, though not opera. I always say I was born to sing and everything else I learned. “We used to go to Potters regularly, it was quite different then and the accommodation was almost like Nissen huts – not at all like it is now. We went every year for three or four years with dad’s friends in the 60s. I do remember it vividly, we had a great time, but I also remember how far away it was, it seemed like it was on a different planet and took such a long time to drive up to Potters from London in our little car.” There is also the story of when Brian was there as a toddler and how his parents thought they’d lost him. Young Brian had wandered off and his mum and dad were frantically looking for him. He was discovered among the big band on stage. “I was pretending to go to the toilet behind the trombonist,” he says, “possibly my first attempt at being the showman!” His arrival in Norfolk follows a year spent touring the UK as Phineas Taylor Barnum in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Barnum,
including appearing at the Theatre Royal in Norwich in March. It is the latest in an array of West End theatre roles that have seen him play Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl, Al Jolson in Jolson (for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Caractacus Pott in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man and Fagin in Oliver! His longest-running role, one he’s made is own, has been portraying Buttons in the pantomime Cinderella at many venues across the UK. This year, that takes him to Southend alongside Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph. Brian’s stage show at Potters in October will include songs from those shows in what he describes as a “potpourri of entertainment”, along with his inevitable comic quips and the hilarious characters he has created over the years. As a hugely popular comedian, television presenter, singer and actor, Brian Conley became the highest-paid male television personality in the UK. His career took off in 1992 when LWT offered him the opportunity to star in his own comedy programme with The Brian Conley Show. Along the way he’s created characters such as Dangerous Brian – where he performs stunts varying from the dangerous to the ludicrous – and Nick Frisbee and Larry the Loafer, whom he’d treat harshly, often beating him with a club. As the audience reacts, he famously points out – in what became his catchphrase – “it’s a puppet!” He played Doug “Dynamo” Digby opposite Amanda Holden, Nigel Planer and Noddy Holder in The Grimleys, and appeared in numerous Royal Variety Performances, though he is also remembered for his ill-fated stint on I’m a Celebrity. Brian has been back on the small screen recently, hosting an afternoon show called The TV that Made Me where he interviews several well-known celebrities about their most memorable television moments, people such as Sandi Toksvig, Eamonn Holmes, Linford Christie and Pam Ayres. “It was so interesting talking to them; they really opened up and were quite emotional about their memories,” he says. “I was a big TV fan growing up, anything from Cilla Black on a Sunday to Dr Who, Captain Scarlet and Andy Pandy to Colditz. I liked the TV in the 70s: Morecambe & Wise, Python and Dad’s Army.” Before heading off for panto, Brian, now 54, plans to take time off to spend with his daughters Lucy, 13, and Amy, 18, and wife AnneMarie, as well as taking time to visit Norfolk. And then in a final moment of reflection, he observes: “You never know what might have happened if I’d got the job at Potters when I was 17. I may still have been working there full time!”
11
Food
N
o prizes for guessing what kind of food is on offer at Gorleston’s new Porterhouse Bar & Grill. The Porterhouse – a larger version of the T-Bone steak, sometimes known as the ‘King of the T-Bones’ – is the pinnacle of the menu and sits among half a dozen other steak choices; sirloin, rib-eye, fillet, tomahawk and gammon. The chef’s favourite is part fillet and part sirloin and is served on a rectangular slate dish which looks great; appealing and tasty, the steak is grilled to your liking and accompanied by roasted vine tomatoes and a wire basket of fries. This is a clever menu which has clearly taken some thought. Besides the many tempting steaks, there is a wide range of burgers as well as good old fish and chips, avocado and chicken salad, and whole tail scampi. There are also two types of chilli – a five-way chilli made with beef and a chilli made with Tuscan beans. What’s more, everyone’s welcome. This restaurant is aimed at all ages and it’s refreshing to see this stated on the menu, which has a separate ‘Little People’s’ section and which says: “Kids? Love them – in fact we used to be them, went to school with hundreds of them! Pretty much all our menu can be served plainer and in smaller portions and with ketchup for the younger!” This fab new venue is owned by the town’s Cliff Hotel and opened towards the end of the school summer holidays, and it’s been doing a roaring trade ever since. Set in a trendy new development on Lower Marine Parade, directly opposite Gorleston’s famous wide, sandy beach, the Porterhouse is an industrial-looking place, with bare wooden tables, teale-coloured chairs and walls, exposed brickwork and a long, modern bar. With a bright, fluorescent chiller in the corner and a neon sign advertising the roof top space, it looks like a cross between an American diner and a microbrewery.
You can see through the large, wooden hatch to the kitchen where the chefs are busy working, while the waiting staff, dressed in jeans and black, Heineken-sponsored tops and aprons, are also a hard-working, happy bunch. Shaun, who served us, was friendly and attentive and clearly loves working in the hospitality industry; his kind of enthusiasm is great to see. He told us that trade has been excellent, particularly at the weekends, when the place is routinely fully booked, so make sure you call ahead if you’re planning give the Porterhouse a try. When we were there, on a Tuesday night at the end of September, the place was bustling with all sorts of diners, from a lone businessman with a laptop to groups of friends seated at the round tables in the middle of the room. We sat by one of the large windows and, with another group of four right behind us, it was a bit of a squeeze, but generally there’s lots of space – the main room is big and there’s another smaller room next door, again with great views, which looks ideal for works nights out and parties. And the piece de resistance – still to come – will no doubt be the roof top area, which was still under construction when we visited, and which will be open until 10pm at night; no doubt proving a real bonus to the venue in the summer. But back to the food. Knowing that we had substantial mains to come, we chose the bread and dips between us – hot and tasty strips of pitta bread served with houmous, taramasalata and tsatsiki.
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Open
Mon-Sat
10am-5.30pm
closes at 5pm Mondays & 1pm on Saturdays
Specialists in: Kitchens | Bedrooms | Sinks | Taps | Appliances | Bathrooms | Worktops | Splashbacks | Accessories | Lighting
www.davidminister.co.uk
Memorial Green, Ormesby St Margaret, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR29 3JX davidminister34@gmail.com | 01493 732777
john@thekitchenshopgy.co.uk | www.thekitchenshopgy.co.uk Unit 8, Owen Road, Harfreys Ind Est, Gt Yarmouth, NR31 0NA
Showroom Open: Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm
Tel: 01493 923113
Saturday 9.30am-Midday
Appointments always available
Food
Reviews on Tripadvisor and social media have been mixed, but it seemed to us that any teething problems have been addressed, because our food was great, the staff keen and the Other appetisers were bread and olives and garlic bread general ambience very welcoming. and we could also have gone for salt and vinegar squid, There’s easy WiFi access, so diners can leave their slow-baked ribs, bruschetta bites, crispy chicken fillets, comments there and then, should they wish to, and comment Porterhouse-loaded skins, hot ‘n’ kickin’ chicken (chicken cards are also given out with the bills. wings served with piri piri dressing) and However, the new Porterhouse Bar & Grill is Porterhouse prawns. a success and it’s dancing to its own tune, with I chose chilli for my main course and, nothing else like it nearby. unsurprisingly, my husband, Miles, went for This modern, fresh place has given Gorleston a The Porterhouse the Porterhouse steak. He was very impressed, lift and, on Friday and Saturday nights, DJ Tony Bar & Grill choosing to have it cooked medium rare and with Chtyla takes to the decks for the ‘Porterhouse his wooden-handled steak knife simply falling Nights’ – music and dancing until the early hours. 14-17 Lower Marine Parade, Gorlestonthrough the dish. The drinks menu features an extensive list on-Sea, Norfolk, The menu has been devised by executive chef of cocktails and shots, and there are all kinds of NR31 6BT David Tumber and his team and everything craft beers as well as wine, spirits, whisky and soft – 01493 600889 has been thought through. Just like the new drinks plus, very helpfully, a product list detailing – venue itself, the food is attractive, modern and everything that’s in stock behind the bar. www.porterhouse. impressive, and we couldn’t fault it. My chilli was The desserts on offer when we visited were restaurant hot and tasty, served with red kidney beans, red toffee apple pie, cookie dough cheesecake and onion, cheese and sour cream, with a basket of Black Forest fudge gateau, so not for the faintnachos on the side. hearted, and there were also brownies as well as vanilla, The portions were generous and there are all the chocolate or strawberry ice cream. accompaniments you could wish for, with a wooden box full This popular place is open daily and also serves breakfast of condiments and sauces on each table. from 9am to 11am (either a Full English or a selection of What’s more, you can add to your dishes in all kinds of bagels), while for those wanting a quick lunchtime bite there ways, with Bearnaise, peppercorn and blue cheese sauces are also hot dogs, sandwiches and hot baguettes. available to accompany the steaks, along with a host of side We left feeling very full and very impressed, and a return orders, such as battered onion rings and home-made slaw. visit is definitely on the cards.
15
CELEBRATE A MERRY MOMENTS CHRISTMAS! 3 course with coffee & mince pies
£18.95
Starters Chef 's rustic chunky winter warmer vegetable soup with mini warm baked loaf Delicious Smoked fish pot, with smoked salmon, smoked mackerel, smoked haddock, topped with grilled cheese crust. Homemade chicken liver, mulled cider pate, with apple cinnamon chutney and warm bread A traditional festive favourite, classic Altantic prawn Florentine
Main Course COME IN FOR
COFFEE•FRESHLY MADE CAKE•99 ICE CREAM TEA•PICK ‘N’ MIX•£500 JACKPOTS
Succulent roast Norfolk turkey served with all traditional trimmings (Bootiful) Chunky fillet of cod, baked in a lemon herb crust, served with fresh dill cream Trender breast of chicken filled with mature stilton, finished in creamy leek sauce Vegetarian/ribbons of vegetables and goats cheese, flavoured with basil wrapped in a light filo pastry Christmas parcel All main courses served with seasonal vegetables and baby new potatoes or chips
Quality Fresh Fish all year ro und
since 2004
Homemade Festive Desserts Moments family Christmas pudding – nan's secret recipe made by mum with brandy sauce or cream Cira’s indulgent sweet berry meringue roulard with thick fruit cream Dairy whipped ice cream or Fruit sorbet Cheese platter/Mature Stilton, cheddar, and soft brie crackers and apple chutney
House coffee & mince pie Available Tuesday-Friday lunchtime, 12 til 2.30 and evenings from 6pm. Full restaurant menu always available.
Function Menu
Available for 30 or more, £16.50. Ask for details.
Local cod, skate, herring, mussels, hot smoked salmon, lobsters, shrimps, prawns, scallops, crabs & much more!* *Availability dependant on the season
Tel (01493) 731305 | Hemsby Road, Scratby, Gt Yarmouth NR29 3PQ
Beach Road, Scratby, Great Yarmouth, NR29 3NW
01493 732126 | www.momentsscratby.com
Food
Ingredients (makes six)
1 ham hock 125g sausage meat 1 carrot 1 onion 1 leek 2 sticks of celery 1 tbls wholegrain mustard 6 soft boiled eggs 4 beaten eggs 500g bread crumbs Dusting of flour Pinch of salt & pepper
The eggs fact r Dave Nash shows you The easy way to make a cracking treat
Our customers have been raving about our Scotch eggs! These little beauties beat the shop bought variety hands down any day of the week – they’re simple, delicious and should get everyone in your household as excited as my customers. There is a small challenge that comes with it though: can you cook the meat but still have a runny yolk in the centre? Try it and see!
1. Blanch the ham hock to remove the salt by covering with cold water in a pan, bringing it to the boil before letting it simmer for 1 minute. Refresh the meat under cold running water for another minute. Place it in a fresh pan of cold water with the roughly chopped onion, carrot, leek and celery. Simmer until falling off the bone.
Dave Nash is
the Head Chef at Andover House, 2830 Camperdown, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 3JB To book and reserve, call 01493 843490 or visit www.andover house.co.uk
2. Remove from the pan, discard the vegetables and shred the meat before allowing it to cool down. Softly boil the eggs for 5½ minutes then shell. 3. Take the shredded ham hock, mustard, sausage meat, seasoning and mix together. Divide the mix into 6 balls. Place them between 2 pieces of cling film and roll out into 2 ml thick circles.
Remove from the cling film, pop an egg in the middle of each and fold the meat around the egg so it sits snug inside. Place in the fridge to chill for about 30 mins. 4. Remove from the fridge and dust in flour, roll in the beaten egg then breadcrumbs. Fry at 160 degrees for 6 minutes. Done!
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NEW & USED HOT TUBS
stuck for ideas of what to get the person who has everything for xmas?
hot tub hire gift vouchers
CHRISTMAS HIRE OFFERS WOW PARTY GUESTS HIRE A HOT TUB FOR THE WEEK OR WEEKEND PERFECT WAY TO RELAX THIS CHRISTMAS
VIEW BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Norfolk Spa & Leisure, Norwich, Norfolk Phone: 07850 885526 / 07779 800900 info@norfolkspaandleisure.co.uk • sales@norfolkspaandleisure.co.uk www.norfolkspaandleisure.co.uk
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Style
4
1. Rana plum velvet coat, £170; Nomads organic circle scarf, £22.50 www.palmerstores.com
5
BOHO CHIC is popping up everywhere this season. Inspired by the fashion of the 1960s and 1970s, this laid back style looks good on just about everyone. Here are some must-have items that our fashion editor Donna Titcombe recommends for your Bohemian winter wardrobe.
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2. Blue Jeans, £15, Marks and Spencer www.marksand spencer.com – 3. Suede ankle boot, £60, Next www.next.co.uk – 4. Fringe necklace, £24.99, New Look www.newlook.co.uk – 5. Suede tassel shoulder bag, £60, Wallis www.wallis.co.uk – 6. Floral gypsy top, £14, George at Asda www.asda.com
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Laser Hair Removal
unwanted hair will be a thing of the past
tel 01493 718102 The High Street, Acle, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 3DY www.highgradehouse.co.uk
available with a Harley Street trained professional
For a beautiful way to indulge yourself‌
Come as Yourself Leave as an Elf! SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 11AM TO 3PM WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER
Meet Santa for FREE and join the Market Gates Elf Service. See website for more details
Christmas Launch
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!
Friday 20 November Lights Switch On at 7pm
market gates shopping centre
BE ACH CL I N IC
Beach House, Beach Rd, Gorleston NR31 6DQ Telephone: 01493 603102 / 07810 272640
www.beachclinic.co.uk
discover more at...
FACEBOOK.COM/SHOPMARKETGATES WWW.MARKETGATES-SHOPPING.CO.UK
Style
2
1 VIP man
FOR MEN wanting that cutting edge look this winter our fashion editor Donna Titcombe has selected some practical yet stylish essentials for your winter wardrobe. Head to the high street for these top fashion buys.
1. Ledbury blazer, £180; Foxley v neck jumper, £55, Classic stripe shirt, £55, Crew Clothing at Palmers www.palmer stores.com
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2. Brown wingtip brogues, £38, River Island www.riverisland.com – 3. Grey jeans, £28, Next www.next.co.uk – 4. Grey check overcoat, £95, BHS www.bhs.co.uk – 5. Tommy Hilfiger cardigan, £49.99, TK Maxx www.tkmaxx.com – 6. Coloured pop scarf, £5, Matalan www.matalan.co.uk
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Travel
Going Dutch
We explore Amsterdam, the city that has more to it than you might at first think
23
Travel
Amsterdam still has a bit of a reputation for being a place where you go to be a bit naughty.
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T
Getting there
KLM has daily flights from Norwich Airport to Amsterdam Schipol, from just £118 return. www.klm.com
City Card
An I amsterdam City Card offers travellers unlimited use of GVB public transport in Amsterdam (bus, tram and metro), one free canal cruise, free entrance to 38 of Amsterdam’s top museums and attractions and discounted entry to the Rijksmuseum. www.iamsterdam.com
DAN ROCHA
he Red Light District offers just about everything you could dream of – and a bit more – while so-called soft drugs are legal and many ‘brown’ cafes offer you afternoon tea with a difference. But to dismiss Amsterdam as just a place for a hardcore stag weekend is doing it an injustice. There is much to see in this laid back capital and the most obvious thing is a bike – there are blinking thousands of them. Apparently there is some statistic that there are 881,000 bikes in the city – and just 802,000 people! It’s fun to hire one and go nipping about but be warned, most Amsterdammers practise extreme cycling – do check before you cross a road as they fly out of nowhere! Overall, the city is a captivating place – it is certainly something a bit different. Built on a series of islands, you are never far from water,
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Clockwise from left: canals are one of the city’s trademarks; thousands of colourful bicycles decorate the streets; Saint Nicholas Church (Sint Nicolaaskerk); the tall buildings are instantly recognisable whether it is the Amstel river or the series of canals which were dug out in the 17th century. Countless bridges span the islands while the tall, thin properties that line the banks are fabulous. The local authorities are keen to keep a mixture of different uses so there are warehouses next to hotels, then a few houses, a restaurant and so on – a real hotch potch which keeps a vibrant atmosphere. And, of course, from the water itself – and yes, you simply have to take a canal trip – you get to peer into these splendid residences, eyeing up the fabulous interior design skills of the owners. A ‘must see’ is the revamped Rijksmuseum where you get a real sense of the days when Holland was a super power. Do you remember your history? The Dutch Golden Age? It was in the 17th century when they massed lands, possessions and more. The museum is packed with 8000 treasures (objects and paintings), including Rembrandts, Van Goghs and Vermeers, but there is also the bizarre – we spotted a chess set that once belonged to Hitler. The real gem is Rembrandt’s Night Watch, a revolutionary piece from 1642 which was the first picture to give a sense of movement – basically Rembrandt was one real clever chap. It is one of those enormous museums, very heavy on your poor tootsies (mine were in agony) so do just try to pick out a few areas and not tackle all the floors unless you are very dedicated.
Travel
Clockwise from top left: the Red Light Bar; a city tram; Rijksmuseum – The Museum of the Netherlands; the home of Anne Frank; Rembrandt’s Night Watch painting What else is there to do? Well, there are shops aplenty and boy are the fashions stylish in that understated way; there are masses of museums from a handbag one to another devoted to sex (sorry, couldn’t resist mentioning that one), and the achingly moving Anne Frank house where you see at first hand where 13-year-old Anne, a Jew, hid for two years from the Germans during the Second World War. I’d also recommend the flower market for obvious reasons and the Van Gogh Museum, also newly reopened after a facelift. And, for something completely different, there is the full-on Heineken Experience where you learn about the history and development of the famous beer – and much more besides. It is great fun, just how modern exhibitions should be with lots of hands on activities and have a go experiences, including sampling a much needed ice cold beer – or two! If you like the Guinness tour in Dublin, you’ll love this. Cheers! There are countless places to eat – we tried a typically modern bistro at lunchtime called the Brasserie Harkema which was very contemporary in look. Sure the menu reflected a modern city with all the usual burgers, pastas and salads but there were a few Dutch specialities including meat balls and delicious local chesses. Don’t miss the various breads available as they are a real treat. Rye, granary, sunflower seed – you name it, they do it! Getting around is easy. The city’s trams are almost as iconic as their waterways, but, as ever in a metropolis, one of the best ways of ‘soaking it all up’ is to simply stroll, pausing for a coffee or beer as required. It feels a young city, with an informal and tolerant air. Just make sure you don’t wander into the Red Light area as the ladies sitting in windows, in underwear certainly not from Marks and Spencer, are rather intimidating!
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Culture
Songs for Victory Follow @CoastalVIP on Twitter for more great events
What’s On Your guide to the best events taking place in and around the town SPECTRE
Throughout November – Daniel Craig makes his fourth appearance as Bond in the longawaited follow-up to 2012’s Skyfall. Directed once more by Sam Mendes and featuring Christoph Waltz as the bad guy, the film will undoubtedly be one of the biggest of the year. www.hollywoodcinemas.net
Sunday 8th November – An authentic musical stage show at St George’s Theatre celebrating the glorious songs of the 1930s and 40s made famous by some of Britain’s national treasures such as Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, George Formby and many more. www.stgeorgestheatre.com
The Wizard of Oz
From Thursday 19th November – Dusmagrik Young Peoples Theatre Company to return to the Gorleston Pavillion theatre to present the very popular Wizard of Oz. www.gorlestonpavilion.com
Great Yarmouth Christmas lights
Friday 20th November – Head to town from 6pm for an evening of entertainment on Great Yarmouth’s Market Place to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas lights
Winter beer & cider festival 27th-29th November
After the success of the annual beer & cider festival in May, this popular event returns to St. George’s Theatre for a special winter offering, with over 50 real ales, craft beers, ciders and perrys. www.stgeorgestheatre.com
Lots of Blocks: Minecraft & Lego activity session
Christmas Fayre
Friday 20th-22nd November – Enjoy the 2015 Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre: a weekend of festive activities and entertainment on Great Yarmouth Market Place, including a real ice rink which will be open from until 2nd January
14th November – Head to Great Yarmouth Community Library between 11am and 2pm for a special activity session themed around Minecraft and Lego. Put your thinking cap on and work out how to build a real world Minecraft structure out of blocks. A Lego session will be running for children aged 8 and over. Call 01493 842279
Gorleston High Street Christmas Lights
Sunday 22nd November – Great fun for all the family with rides, stalls and a spectacular fireworks display… and with Santa in attendance too!
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Culture
One of the world’s largest and most popular soul music events has been taking place in Great Yarmouth for over 36 years. Brian Rix explains how the soul train keeps rolling‌ WORDS: SHAUN COOMER
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CULTURES OF SOUL
Culture
are the UK’s longest running soul music events, with the very first one taking place in 1979 in Neptune’s Palace at Ladbrokes Caister Holiday Centre – and originally called The National Soul Weekender – heralding the beginning of what was to become an ongoing music phenomenon, now named after the original location. A twice-a-year sojourn for soul music lovers from around the UK, every weekender is a sell out and with many regulars coming back year after year and having done so for the last 36 years. Top DJ Steve Kite recalls the very first event back in 1979: “As a 17 year old soul boy with wedge haircut, piped jeans, webbing belt, striped t-shirt, white socks and boat shoes, I attended my very first Caister. As my friends and I entered Neptune’s Palace, there were ‘tribes’ from all over London and the home counties, and they weren’t just dancing! Inside the main room, the ‘tribes’ were busy trying to see who could make the biggest human pyramid. Some people were randomly diving off balconies into the crowd, but no one ever seemed to get hurt. DJs would spray water from the stage, in a vain attempt to rehydrate the steaming crowd and I had the time of my life. I felt like I belonged there, part of a massive family. I had been bitten by the Caister Family bug, and I couldn’t wait to come back.” The man who has been at the helm since 1993 is Brian Rix who with his team is responsible for making sure the thousands who decamp to the weekenders’ new home at Vauxhall Holiday Centre have a well organised and truly memorable time. Catching up with Brian as he prepared for this September’s weekender, he told me about his involvement in the events over the last twenty-two years.
“If you have a job you enjoy then you never work a day in your life, and that’s how it is for me,” he explains. “The Caister team is united in its love of the music and it’s our job to ensure everything runs smoothly, safely and to make sure everyone has a great time at every weekender. “We have a very close-knit team and our DJs – The New Soul Mafia – include some of the biggest names in UK soul music such as Chris Hill, Tom Holland, Tony Matthews and Pete Collins, each playing a finely tuned mix of old and new, all with a real and genuine love of the music. The audiences really love them for it. We also have special guest stars at every weekender. This year it’s world famous
Above: Brian Rix at the 2015 Intergalactic party Bottom: A selection of posters for weekenders through the years DJ Joey Negro and legendary singer Gwen Dicke, the voice of Rose Royce with hits like Car Wash and Wishing on a Star. It’s what Caister is all about: good music, good times and good friends, a real family spirit.” After a slight fragmentation in the early eighties – with some DJs going off and doing their own thing and with other shadow weekender events taking place elsewhere – the Caister Weekender enjoyed a rebirth in the mid 90s with many of the DJs, soul boys and soul girls realising that for them, this was the true weekender event and thus launching the golden age that has been growing in numbers and popularity for the past twenty years and shows no sign of slowing down. “Caister continues to grow year by year with many people booking the
next weekender before they leave, it’s phenomenal,” explains Rix. “The organistation and planning goes on year round to make sure everything runs smoothly and seamlessly over the three days. The reception staff, security and everyone behind the scenes work tirelessly to create a really memorable and fun experience and it’s one of the reasons why so many come back time and time again.” As well as many of the original and early tribes still coming along, there are a whole range of new tribes too. Many of the big tunes from back in the day are still played, as well as the very latest releases. There are now four rooms of music featuring specialist sets, such as Philly, northern soul, reggae, house, Motown, brit-funk, Latin, jazz and so much more. The atmosphere is always light, fun and happy; visitors call themselves “the family” and it’s easy to see why. Individuals and groups greet each other like long lost friends, as they have done for years, turning Vauxhall into a soul camp, most holiday homes displaying banners and tribal flags, most resonating to one form of soul music or another, all to the sounds of partying – seemingly round the clock. Looking at the packed dance floors and bars it is clear that the weekenders cater to a wide variety of music lovers, with more younger people coming along each year. DJs cover the whole soul spectrum, from traditional hardcore to modern soul and RNB. Some of the people I spoke to had been coming since the very first days back in Caister, and for some it was their first time. All spoke of the great atmosphere, the friendliness throughout the event and of course the music which they love, and everyone mentioned the great party atmosphere. Saturday night is always the fancy dress theme night and this year’s saw weekenders dressed in all manner of intergalactic outfits (page 41), all incredibly creative and inventive and with great effort taken, which just goes to show how much enjoyment those attending get from the events. So what makes Caister so special? “Caister is all encompassing. Yes, it is about the music but it is also about the atmosphere, meeting your mates, having a great time, dresssing up, having a few drinks, sharing a few laughs, forgetting about the outside world and all your other worries for a few days,” enthuses Rix. “There is only one Caister and there will only ever be one Caister.”
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Culture
№ 05
An old flame Joe Mackintosh, Chief Executive of Seachange Arts discusses bringing fire to the festivities… Clockwise from left: Companies like Generic Vapeur use fire in their shows to spectacular effect; France’s Transe Express provided a fiery finale to this year’s saturday night at the Out There Festival; Chris Day’s fire sculptures at Out There
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Culture
F
ire. What is your first reaction to this one word? Does your mind tune in to primal urges and feelings of safety and security passed down from generation for millions of years? Or do you feel local voluntary group hasn’t given up doing them because of more like notifying authorities or requesting a risk insurance and bureaucracy squeezing the will out of them. assessment? At this time of year as we start lighting Fire done well for cultural intent is a truly wonderful fires in the hearths of our homes, generating smoke signals thing. It has a strange power to change atmosphere and bring with autumnal bonfires in our gardens and get ready for a people together in a shared experience truly playing on all 5 good fireworks night blaze-up, I am personally reminded senses. The beauty of the light both in itself and in the light it that fire is a cultural thing. And something we have got casts on the people and world around us. The sound – roaring increasingly confused about in recent years. crackling, popping, pinging, sizzling. The heat on our faces, However, this is not the start of a straight forward ‘health the smell in our noses and if lucky the taste in our mouths of and safety has gone mad/in a free society such as this, we real fire cooked deliciousness. should all have the right to accidentally burn our eyebrows A few artistic companies specialise in fire (and by this I off if we want/you’re not a real dad until you have lost the mean really imaginative approaches, not just a bit of pyro or hearing in one ear as the rocket you’ve just lit with an old some barefooted hippy fire juggling at Glastonbury). Among box of swan vestas fails to blast its way free of the soil you the real masters are a French company called Carabosse and jammed it in’ – type rant. No, even though my own personal earlier this year I saw the transformation of a town as they modus operandi with domestic fire stuff is perhaps a bit presented a city-wide series of fire installations to mark the more relaxed than others, I am sensible enough to realise 30th anniversary of Aurillac Street Arts Festival (the biggest that a bit of caution and rational thinking is a good thing. in the world). The effect was stunning. Shortly after sunset Not least because as someone working in the cultural field you could hear collective ‘ahh’ in one breath by the 40,000 in seaside towns, I am only too aware of the rich cultural people on the streets as all the city’s electric street lights were assets we have lost to fire. Many is the theatre that has been switched off simultaneously throwing us all into a flame-lit lost worldwide over the years to fires (especially in the era wonderland of gas, wax and charcoal fuelled installations. A of gaslights) and our historic piers have also fared badly. calm and an excitement engulfed the entire town. Even the Some of you may remember the spectacular dreadlocked crusty new age traveller types with yet tragic loss of Brighton’s West Pier in 2003. their dogs who traditionally take over swathes Did you also know that GY’s own Britannia Pier of Aurillac festival were melded into this new was destroyed no less than 4 times prior to its sense of magical shared space and time. Shops current incarnation? opened spontaneously – never have I seen so Fire is indeed a destructive force and now many people in a piano shop at one time, let (for us lucky ones in the first world) that our alone at night – people played and the shop lights are electric, our heating contained and owner told me he sold 4 pianos that night button controlled, our cooking clean and alone (more than he had done in the previous instant – real live fire perhaps plays more of a 5 months). Not a single problematic incident role in our lives as custom or decoration than all night across 2 miles of fire installations in it does a daily necessity. So that’s less beautiful packed streets. Joe Mackintosh piers and theatres burning down, which is a is Chief Executive of It’s a special force – so appreciate that as you SeaChange Arts and good thing for culture , but something has been experience it this season. And in future years Artistic Director of the lost as for most of us a ‘fire event’ means only an don’t be too surprised to see some fiery magic Out There Festival. Visit annual trip to Guy Fawkes night, that’s if your www.seachangearts.org springing up across GY…
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Culture to Thorpe. My formative school and teenage years were spent in and around Great Yarmouth. I went to Wroughton School, then to Great Yarmouth Grammar School for which I needed to catch two buses a day – this is when I forged a fascination with buses. I now live between Yarmouth and Norwich. When I’d moved to Norwich I started DJ-ing and eventually landed the resident spot at the Ocean Room in Gorleston in 1976. I DJ-ed there until the mid-eighties for which I made daily trips – I know the Acle Straight extremely well! I’ve always been in and around Yarmouth and its holiday camps. I was heavily involved in the entertainment business as aside from DJ-ing I had also become an agent.
What’s the best thing about it? The
proximity to the sea, the buzz of the seafronts during the summer season, and then the bit we all enjoy as locals: when we have the place to ourselves in the winter. I had a summer job selling rock and ice cream on Gorleston seafront back in the sixties and loved the excitement of opening up the shop on a sunny day and seeing the visitors grow in numbers throughout the day.
David Clayton The veteran of BBC radio tells us what he loves outside of broadcasting
1
Describe your job
2
Editor, BBC Radio Norfolk. I present Treasure Quest on Sunday mornings at 9am and often travel to other parts of the BBC to work with some of our on-air talent.
What would you do if you didn’t do this? Find something which earns
a modest amount of money in the Yorkshire Dales so I could spend more time there, but I’d still listen to the radio, talk about radio and try and get into radio – it’s in my blood!
How long have you lived in the area? I moved to Gorleston from 1. Dentdale 2. Pigs Might Fly; 3. Apollo 13; 4. Rowan Atkinson
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North Yorkshire in 1963 because my father relocated for work. I remained in Gorleston until 1970 before moving
What’s one thing on your bucket list? To drive an old Great Yarmouth
Corporation Transport Blue Bus. I have models of Yarmouth buses, books about buses, rolls of tickets and even an old ticket machine.
Any secret skills? I can tune a twelve string guitar by ear!
3
Culture How do you relax? Probably by
lounging around watching television far too much. I love walking in my favourite Yorkshire Dale when I’m up there. And writing – a late discovery in my life. I really enjoy putting words down on paper, having been someone who just speaks words into a microphone so they essentially disappear after you’ve said them.
Most famous person you’ve met?
If you’re counting Royalty – Prince Charles at a Sandringham Reception. We had a chat about radio; I got the sense he didn’t listen to Treasure Quest but preferred Radio 3! In the broadcasting world you do have the privilege of bumping into many famous people, but my personal favourite was Murray Walker. I went to his house to interview him a good few years ago now and had an hour of his time. He’s a broadcaster’s broadcaster and the voice of motor racing to many generations. I would love to meet Gene Kranz, the mission controller of many an Apollo mission.
Where would you time travel to and why? I’d go back to Great Yarmouth in the late sixties to re-run my teenage years and apply what I know to what I didn’t back then.
What music do you like listening to? Status Quo – mostly their early years with the original line-up. I first saw them at the Tower Ballroom in Yarmouth in August 1970 when they were still appearing as a five piece. They were on for two consecutive
nights and had just turned into a heavy denim-clad boogie band. I was blown away on the first night so went back for the second! I can’t believe they’re still going and sounding so good. I’ve since met Rossi and Parfitt and been backstage at one of their concerts, so I could realistically die happy now. I recently found a complete gig guide for the band since they started but that Yarmouth gig wasn’t listed. I trawled through the pages of the local papers in the library and found an advert for it; just to be sure I’d got it right. That gig is now listed. If not Quo I can relax to the Oscar Peterson Trio and James Taylor – that’s two separate acts by the way, although a collaboration would be innovative, to say the least!
used to stay with my mum when he came to Norwich to appear in cabaret shows. Jim was always busy rushing around, and before mobile phones the agency I worked in was getting messages for him to ring his TV producer. He kept forgetting to return the call or putting it off. In the end I dialled the number and handed the phone to him. It turned out to be the offer to do Bullseye! I remember we discussed it and he was unsure. I think I said ‘go on – do it!’ He may have done anyway but I like to think I forced his hand.
What’s your favourite TV show?
years in broadcasting last December. I started doing Hospital Radio before BBC Radio Norfolk came along in 1980. I’m not sure where the time has gone, but I now really enjoy passing on the skills of broadcasting to others and plan to do more of that by running training courses and doing one-toone workshops with presenters. It can be a lonely place in front of the microphone but having had the privilege of a long career presenting in the best broadcasting organisation in the world, I can empathise and hopefully pass on a few tricks of the trade to others.
Strictly, simply for the very high BBC production values. But I’m hooked into Salvage Hunters and Wheeler Dealers on the Quest channel and even watch the repeats over and over again – I must get a life! Also, as far as I’m concerned, you can never watch too many Fawlty Towers repeats! My 11 year old grandson Tom and I seem to know all the dialogue. I’m super impressed that he can reel off the scenes word-perfect. We’re huge fans. The brilliant sitcom has straddled a couple of generations.
Last book you bought/read?
Pigs Might Fly by Neil Hanson. It’s about his time running the highest pub in England, Tan Hill, which I know very well.
What’s your all-time favourite film? Apollo 13 because I lived through the dramatic Apollo missions and was glued to the telly as a lad. I stayed up all night to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon and then did a shift at Fine Fare on Gorleston High Street stacking shelves wideeyed and slightly delirious with excitement at what I’d seen (along with the rest of the world). The later Apollo 13 film captures it all for me and again I will watch it whenever it’s on, time after time.
Who would play you in the film of your life? Rowan Atkinson. He could
make it much funnier, although it’s had many comedy moments anyway.
What’s next for you? I notched up 40
Sum up yourself in three words Grateful radio presenter
Sum up Great Yarmouth in three words My school days
4
Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t know? I think I may have been the person who persuaded Jim Bowen to do Bullseye. He
35
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Legal
Words of advice
Wendy Maddison-Ward says it’s worth looking around to find the right solicitor
Maddison and Morgan The Street, Acle, Norfolk, NR13 3DY 01493 778899 www.maddisonandmorgan.co.uk
O
ther than conveyancing and the drafting of wills, most visits to a law firm are driven by need rather than choice. However, most people will find themselves having to go to a lawyer at some point in their lives and, unlike some professions such as hairdressers, vets, doctors and mechanics, most people don’t have a regular solicitor. In fact, when you need one is in many ways the worst time to have to try and find one. Generally, most people will look to what they know: a local firm, someone they have used in the past or who has been recommended by a friend. Then if they still can’t find the right firm, they’ll look to the internet, local media or phone books. The best option is to go with someone whom you know and trust, and who has done a good job for you in the past, or someone who has been recommended to you by someone you trust. Remember, however, that not all law firms undertake all types of work. Increasingly, high street firms may choose to specialise in a limited number of areas, for example in family law and inheritance, or in wills and probate: areas that go together well. Or they may have one specialist area such as criminal work that is essentially a stand-alone skill set. It does not follow, therefore, that a great conveyancer will also be the best person to help you if you need assistance relating to a divorce. Also, when choosing your lawyer, always make sure from the start that you are aware of the cost implications in instructing them. Most reputable firms will offer a free half hour’s initial advice or, for example, the first hour free if you go on to instruct the firm. When booking a free appointment, ask the person taking the booking to confirm that the person you are going to see is the person who would actually be working on your case. Also ask them to confirm what the cost would be to you if the meeting runs over the free half an hour. Then when attending the meeting, be prepared with your specific questions. Take these with you, along with any documents and paperwork that you may need to refer to. The initial meeting is your opportunity to seek advice about the problem that you are facing; it is also an opportunity to see if you feel that you could work with the individual who would be acting on your behalf. After
all, if you don’t feel comfortable with your solicitor, they may not be the right person to act for you. Some legal matters are resolved quickly, while others may take some time and these may involve having to discuss aspects of your life that ordinarily you would rather not talk about. This can be hard enough, without having to discuss your private life or business affairs with someone that you don’t particularly like, or who doesn’t emphasise with your situation. It is better to get frank advice early on so that you know where you stand, so make sure that your solicitor will actually advise you of your options, as it is best to know the strengths and weaknesses of your case as soon as possible. Remember that, whilst a solicitor should advise, you can choose whether you act on that advice or not, but if you instruct a solicitor to do something they will be bound by your instructions. That said, they may advise against doing something and, on occasion, ask you to sign a waiver to protect them from a future indemnity claim – they are, after all, lawyers. Moreover, before you enter into an agreement to instruct a solicitor, make sure that you are aware of their terms of business, especially the hours of business and payment terms. For example, if you are working and need a solicitor on a Saturday or out of hours, will you be able to contact one? Also ask what their payment terms are – do they charge for credit cards, for example? How often will you be billed? Will you be billed once their work is completed or would you be expected to pay money on account as you go along? The contract between a solicitor and a client is like any other: you can ask for the terms to be altered if you do not agree or, for example, if you want to change a payment term from 14 days to 28 days. It is better to explain your financial position and agree how you can pay before you have an outstanding bill to deal with. Most business people are reasonable and would rather know if you have a problem and can’t pay rather than having to chase you for money. Also, you do not have to pay money on account for fees, although most solicitors will want you to lodge money with them before they do any work for you. However, if you do not think that is reasonable, tell them, ask them to vary their terms or simply take your business elsewhere.
"Most reputable firms will offer a free half hour’s initial advice"
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To the rescue! Debra Cook of the RSPCA’s East Norfolk Branch tells us about another busy month in animal rescue
Sonny & Cher FIRST UP IS Sonny and Cher, they are mother and son. Cher (bottom) is a three year old crossbreed and Sonny (top) is a 14 month old handsome brindle and white male. They are looking for a home together as they have been together all the time. They are both friendly dogs and medium sized. They don’t mind other dogs and walk well on the lead, Sonny just needs someone to continue his training.
Pets
Esther & Boycie We also have many adult cats and kittens patiently waiting. Esther (top) is an older kitten at around five months of age and just stunning. There is also Boycie (bottom) who is nine weeks old plus his siblings Trigger and Marlene, plus many more. Raquel has been reserved.
WE HAVE LOTS OF LOVELY animals looking for homes. Please call our adoption line on 07867 972870. All our animals are neutered, vaccinated, micro chipped, vet checked, flea and wormed plus six weeks free insurance if you register on adoption. Please visit www.rspcaeastnorfolk.co.uk if you require more information, or to see some of the other animals available for adoption.
RSPCA East Norfolk Branch
Charity number: 206296
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VIP Events
Caister Soul Weekender, Vauxhall Holiday Centre THOUSANDS OF SOUL FANS from across the UK descended on Vauxhall Holiday Centre for the Caister Soul Weekender which took place over three days and nights. With four rooms covering all aspects of soul music, the weekenders were well catered for and all sessions saw the DJs playing to packed dancefloors.
in association with Grosvenor Casino Great Yarmouth
VIP Events
in association with Grosvenor Casino Great Yarmouth
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS of any Caister Soul Weekender is the Saturday night fancy dress party in the main room, which this year saw an Out of this World/Intergalactic theme featuring an impressive array of amazing costumes covering all manner of alien, TV sci-fi characters and bug-eyed monsters.
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pi l ate s Beginners/Intermediate
Classes
H OP TO N | LO U ND | BE LTO N | SCRATBY | O RMES BY AC L E | S OU TH WALSHAM | PO RING LA N D | BRU N DA LL
Relief f rom,
Back Pai n Mobi l i z es your Joi nts I mproved Pos ture
Flex ibility & Strength
Show style
Dance classes
Starts on
SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2015 12.15PM till 13.00PM
Gi ft Vou ch ers Ava ilab l e - Per fect fo r C hr i stmas To book or more information
Pavilion Theatre, Gorleston IN THE ‘Watermelon Studio’
CONTACT KATIE TO BOOK A PLACE OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
please call hayley on: 07767864568 email: hayley@hayleyallenpilates.co.uk
0757 7 3 61 78 2
TEAM BERNA Dance Fitness BERNA AKINAL
LICENSED INSTRUCTOR 07990 637515
Tap, Ballet, Street & Zumba www.charlottewoodacademyofdance.com Find us on Facebook/Charlotte-Wood-Academy-of-Dance
07940008679
CLASSES
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
6pm till 7pm 7:45pm till 8.30pm 10.30am -11.30am 6pm till 7pm
£3.50 £3.00 £3.00 £2.50
Bring a Friend along and get that class for FREE Classes held at Kingfisher dance Studio 31 Riverside Road, Gorleston, NR31 6PU
BERNA.AKINAL@NTLWORLD.COM | WWW.BERNAAKINAL.ZUMBA.COM � WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FITSTEPS.ZUMBA.TEAM.BERNA.DANCE
VIP Events
in association with Grosvenor Casino Great Yarmouth
Behind the scenes of Out There Festival, Great Yarmouth GREAT YARMOUTH was bathed in late summer sun for this year’s eighth edition of the Out There Festival. The Seachange Arts team, volunteers and participating artists had a busy weekend making sure the festival was one of the most memorable to date.
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Offering a Unique Setting on the Edge of the Stunning Ormesby Broad
Christmas at the boathouse
.
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The Boathouse, Ormesby Broad, Eels Foot Road, Ormesby St. Michael, Norfolk NR29 3LP. Tel: 01493 730342 Email: info@theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk