Places&Faces® Norwich & Coastal 85 April

APRIL 2017 / £3.50 WHERE SOLD

The magazine for Norfolk & North Suffolk

W IN !

A STALUXUR Y FO IOU PAR at R TWOS K

HOTFARM EL

WEST END REVIEW:

THE GIRLS ROAD TESTING THE NEW

VOLVO XC60

SLOPING OFF

SKIING IN THE THREE VALLEYS

ED Sheeran

SHAKIN’ STEVENS

DIVIDES AND RULES!

READY TO ROCK NORWICH

THE WHITE HART

IN HINGHAM

CONGHAM HALL NEAR KING’S LYNN

FIVE MINUTES WITH:

ISSUE No.85

www.placesandfaces.co.uk

5 2 2 0

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

–

4

DEB JORDAN FROM PENSTHORPE

2

EASTER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL

REVIEWED:

1

FABULOUS FUCHSIA

6 7 6

FASHION:

A NEW BEDROOM FOR 2017 NEW DESIGNS, NEW OFFERS

ONE OF THE FINEST RANGES OF BEDROOMS SUPPLIED AND FITTED IN THE AREA, HAND MADE IN NORFOLK

41 Longs Industrial Estate, Englands Lane, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, NR31 6NE www.norfolkmanufacturing.co.uk / norfolk.manufacturing@btconnect.com / 01493 441188

6 Orford Hill, Norwich, NR1 3QD T: 01603 615 836

S A HA RA L O N D O N . C O M

Discover.

Snape Maltings is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Suffolk Coast. Surrounded by one of Britain’s most spectacular expanses of reeds, water and vast skies. Come and visit us.

music

shops

nature

art

snapemaltings.co.uk discover-ad-spring Annie version.indd 8

24/01/2017 10:5

meet the team

CAROLYN ATKINS

E carolyn@h2creativemedia.co.uk

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:

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

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

SHAUN COOMER

ASHLEY COOMER

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER:

SENIOR DESIGNER & IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST:

DIANE GREEN

JUSTIN NEALE

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

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

ACCOUNT MANAGER:

OFFICE MANAGER:

ROB FOSBROOK

JANE GOODLEY

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

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

ACCOUNT MANAGER:

STUDIO ADMINISTRATOR:

GEMMA RICHARDS

CONER MURPHY

E: gemma@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742090 M: 07765 886189

E: coner@h2creativemedia.co.uk

@PlacesandFaces

follow us on twitter

CONTRIBUTORS:

Richard Bainbridge, Benet Catty, Melanie Cook, Helen Culling, Owen Darby, Andrew Florides, Judy Foster, Julian Gibbons, Deb Jordan, Carl Lamb, Ellen Mary, Eliza Miller, Nick Mobbs, Kate Morfoot, Mark Nicholls, Hayley Philpot, Franck Pontais, Jennifer Read, Marie Reynolds, Ken Summit, Matt Tyler, Simon Wainwright, David Wakefield

COVER PHOTO:

With thanks to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (www.each.org.uk)

12 ISSUES FOR £24

WELCOME WELCOME TO APRIL’S Places & Faces®.

This month’s magazine is all about music and dance.

We’re delighted to have an interview with local lad Ed Sheeran whose latest album, Divide ‘÷’, has been smashing chart records left, right and centre.

After taking a year out to reflect on life and to travel the world, the Suffolk singing sensation has had hit after hit.

Global success he may be, but Ed Sheeran’s heart lies firmly in Framlingham, and he has put down further roots in the area recently with the purchase of a star quality, six-bedroomed home.

His seismic hit, Castle On The Hill, is devoted to Suffolk, too, focusing on his happy childhood days there and featuring friends and family in the lyrics and video.

And his ties to East Anglia don’t stop there. The images on these pages have been kindly provided by EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices), a local children’s charity supporting those with life-threatening conditions which is currently campaigning hard to raise millions for the Nook, a new, purpose-built children’s hospice in Quiddenham.

Despite his low profile last year, Ed Sheeran, who is an Ambassador for EACH, re-surfaced for an evening to give a powerful performance at London’s Natural History Museum, raising a whopping £300,000 for the charity (and rumour has it that he may be headlining another fundraising gig in the future). The star has also donated some of his clothes for auction and you can find out more about these, and the charity, at: www.each.org.uk.

Besides all this Divided attention, the spotlight is also on Shakin’ Stevens who’ll be rocking Norwich at the Norwich Theatre Royal at the beginning of May (tickets are bound to sell out, so book yours soon!). Turn to the celebrity pages to find out more about Shaky and what he’s been up to since the heady days of his 1980s heyday.

Also at the Norwich Theatre Royal is Northern Ballet’s Casanova; with sumptuous sets and a script by prolific local writer Ian Kelly it's another must-see event.

And, as you’ll see, there are five What’s On pages in this month’s issue, covering events in Norfolk and Suffolk, so it seems that there’s plenty to sing and dance about this April!

Carolyn Atkins PS. Congratulations to Mrs G Knight from Bury St Edmunds who is the lucky winner of dinner, bed and breakfast for two at Sprowston Manor – well done!

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

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

ONLINE: www.placesandfaces.co.uk

|

www.h2creativemedia.co.uk

PUBLISHED BY:

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

PRINTERS: MICROPRESS

Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6DH

TERMS & CONDITIONS

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

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

Take part in the GREAT YARMOUTH

FREE!

Treasure Trail this Easter

A week of Family Days Out to be won!

10am to 4pm daily in the TOWN CENTRE from Saturday 1st April to Monday 17th April Easter Treasure trail entry forms can be downloaded at www.gytcp.co.uk or collected from any shop on the TreasureTrial including Sainsbury’s on St. Nicholas Road where participants will also be provided with a voucher for up to 3-hours FREE PARKING in Sainsbury’s Car Park

Completed forms must be handed in at one of the shops included on the Treasure Trail to be entered into the prize draw.

The winner will be informed by 24th April 2017

The first correct entry drawn from all the entries submitted will receive Family Entry passes (or vouchers for) to each of the following Great Yarmouth Attractions.

The winner will have until the end of September 2017 to use their vouchers.

Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership www.gytcp.co.uk

CONTENTS COVER STORY 40

Sheer magic: Ed Sheeran on fame and fortune

PERSONALITIES Ready to rock: Shakin’ Stevens heads to Norwich 114 Winging it: meet Deb Jordan from Pensthorpe 38

FASHION AND BEAUTY

61

20 38

46 49 51 53 55 57 99

Fabulous fuchsia Under the umbrella Faking it Making the most of make-up Springtime sweaters It’s raining, men!

Time for a tummy tuck?

WHAT’S ON 15 16 19 24

Hidden treasures: the city’s amazing art collections Beautiful ballet: Casanova comes to the Norwich Theatre Royal Exciting events around East Anglia Go see The Girls!

TRAVEL

24

33 90

74 40

Skiing in The Three Valleys Beautiful Bath

HOMES AND GARDENS 80 83 85 86 89 94

Eggciting Easter looks Get creative with colour JHD Interiors’ new showroom Buying in Blakeney Make the most of the lettings market Gardening: spring into action!

FOOD AND DRINK 59 61 62 64 68 74

Create Brazil’s favourite cocktail A fabulous fish dish from Franck Pontais Hart of the community Richard Bainbridge makes a decadent dessert Pay a visit to Congham Hall Sensational sea bass

COMPETITION

83

29

33

Win a fabulous stay for two at Park Farm in Hethersett

BUSINESS 101 Investing in equities 103 Counting the cost of today’s court cases

MOTORING 104 Unveiling the new Volvo XC60

SOCIAL DIARY 108 Have you been caught on camera?

11

ir

BUM

ir

Fa

y& To d d l e r

Fa

Fa

BUM

BUM

Bab

y

BEY

ND O

P&

Bab

y& To d d l e r

ND O

Bab

ir

HI BI TI ON EX EW N

BEY ND O

P&

N Bab orfol y & k’s L Tod arg d E es B & P lerYFa t ir

& To d d l e r

The Norfolk Showground Arena 30th April 2017 | 10am – 4pm Over 100 Exhibitors | Activities | Talks | Demonstrations Free Taster Sessions

Paul Nash The Rye Marshes 1932, oil on canvas Ferens Art Gallery: Hull Museums

a beautiful and full account of this much-loved painter

Mail on Sunday

8 April – 20 August 2017

Free Parking | Refreshments Available Entry £5, Under 16’s Free

Supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ Buy tickets now online at scva.ac.uk or phone 01603 593199 The exhibition is organised by Tate Britain in association with the Sainsbury Centre and the Laing Art Gallery

bumpandbeyond.co.uk mark@mjr-events.co.uk | 07531 120817 |

Media Partner

Conference

One of the most exciting and versatile event venues in the region Located in the centre of Norwich with boutique style conference rooms www.opennorwich.org.uk | twitter @OPENNorwich | 01603 763111 Custom Conference Advert for Places & Faces.indd 1

28/01/2016 17:13

see all the big names at cecil amey this spring

N O RWI CH AT T L E B O R O U G H DEREHAM HALESWORTH HARLESTON WAT T O N wroxham WYMONDHAM c e c i la m e y . c o . u k

C ECI L A MEY

Looking Good!

Established for 39 years

EASTER OPENING HOURS Closed Good Friday Re-open Tuesday 18th April

01502 574266

7 Golden Court, Bridge Road, Oulton Broad WWW.HAIRBYLAURENCE.CO.UK

Wedding, Prom, Ball & Evening Wear The Old Maids Head, 110 High Street, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9AU T: 01692 584743 | W: www.fairytalegowns.co.uk | M: 07765 246748

VISITNORWICH

norfolk museums service

Secrets unwrapped Two exciting new exhibitions from the collections of Norfolk Museums Service launch this year, explains Melanie Cook of VisitNorwich

W

hen I first discovered the collections of Norfolk Museums Service it was an amazing moment.

I was bewildered by their existence – it felt that those in the know had kept them a closelyguarded secret. But then I found that they are not a secret after all and that out of a million items in the collections in Norwich, the Museums Service works tirelessly to bring these artworks into new exhibitions and special monthly talks within our Norfolk museums, where they can be featured for a broader, wider audience to appreciate.

There are six collections in Norwich: Archaeology; Costume & Textile; Decorative Art; Fine Art; Natural History; and the Royal Norfolk Regimental Collection plus other museum collections across Norfolk totalling some three million items – incredible! And a fantastic website from the Museums Service allows us to see nearly 200,000 of them, as digital records from across the curatorial departments have been created online. Take a look at norfolkmuseumscollections.org – it’s a fascinating site. Some records have images, some don’t, but you can make a general search of items catalogued with images if this appeals to you more. Spend time having a good look around – the records also include wonderful descriptions and historical references too. For example, I came across a Quaker outfit worn by Elizabeth Fry – the picture was very interesting but the sidebar description brought it to life with the additional information about her. It’s a site you will want to come back to time and again, I assure you.

Norfolk Museums Service Costume & Textile collection is cited as being one of the top three collections in the country, with the first based at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. But the other collections include equally incredible items: cabinets of birds, over 1,000 shoes, beautiful 18th century glass, thousands of watercolours, soldiers’ diaries, and archaeological finds from around the county.

Archaeology items span 250,000 years and include 15,000 coins from the Iron Age to the present day, Bronze Age tools and Anglo Saxon pottery. The Costume & Textile collection includes the

best collection of Norwich shawls in the country, formal wear through the centuries including fine wedding dresses and exquisite embroidered samplers. Decorative Art includes Victorian and Art Nouveau jewellery, Norwich silver and the largest collection of English ceramic teapots in the world! The Fine Art (works on paper) collection includes Rembrandt etchings, 20,000 prints and drawings and works by all the artists of the Norwich School. Natural History includes the Fountaine-Neimy collection of 22,000 butterflies, 9,000 British birds and 250,000 insects, and finally the Royal Norfolk Regimental Collection includes personal items from the everyday lives of Norfolk’s soldiers and their families through 300 years of war and peace, including diaries, letters and poems, military kit and information on military campaigns around the world.

Opening on July 29 and running to October 8 is the much anticipated Nelson and Norfolk exhibition featuring exhibits from the Costume & Textile Collection. This major exhibition will gather together some of the most extraordinary objects connected to Admiral Lord Nelson, reflecting his naval victories, his relationships and above all his affection for Norfolk. Among the important objects on display will be the black velvet drape from Nelson’s funeral car, a uniform worn by a Greenwich Volunteer who guarded Nelson’s coffin during his two days lying in state, and extensive Nelson funeral memorabilia. Alongside these important artefacts from the Norfolk Museums Service collections – which have not been displayed together before – will be significant loans from other museums.

The second exhibition featuring items from the Fine Art collection will be Rembrandt: Lightening the Darkness which opens in the autumn (October 21, 2017 to January 7, 2018). Featuring the nationally important collection of Rembrandt etchings held by the Norfolk Museums Service, this exhibition will showcase Rembrandt’s explorations of light and darkness, through selected loans from the National Gallery, the Royal Collection, the British Museum and the National Galleries of Scotland, together with the Castle’s extraordinary collection of 93 etchings by the great artist.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on museums, history, events and places to visit, go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk and www.cityofstories.co.uk

15

| APRIL 2017

Legendary Writer Ian Kelly helps unmask the many sides of Casanova in a sumptuous new production by Northern Ballet.

Judy Foster reports

16

lover

WHAT’S ON

casanova

The name C a s a nova conjures up a world of decadence and intrigue, of passion a n d m a s q u e r a d e i n Ve n i c e , the party capital of 18th

century Europe.

now the truth behind the legend is all set to be unmasked on stage in a stunning, new, modern-day dance production which arrives in Norwich this month.

And the creation of this sumptuous, full-length ballet by one of the UK’s most popular touring dance companies first sprang into life locally in the town of Eye on the Norfolk/Suffolk border from the pen of local writer Ian Kelly.

Northern Ballet’s Casanova, commissioned by the company’s artistic director David Nixon OBE, will be the first full-length ballet by one of its foremost dancers, and now an award-winning choreographer, Kenneth Tindall.

The show premièred in March in Leeds, where the company is based, and is now touring the country, pirouetting on to the Norwich Theatre Royal stage from April 4 to 8.

It was Kenneth who invited Eye-based actor, playwright and biographer Ian Kelly, who specialises in 18th century subjects, to collaborate with him in writing the scenario for the production – and the pair put pen to paper at Ian’s beautiful period home.

With film and television works behind him which include Downton Abbey, Merchant Ivory’s Howards End and the role of Hermione’s father in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ian describes himself as “an accidental biographer”.

His love of all things 18th century has led him to investigate and write the real-life stories of notable figures from the 1700s such as the arbiter of men’s fashion Beau Brummell, a one-legged actor called Samuel Foote (his book Mr Foote’s Other Leg was a winner of the Theatre Book of the Year 2013), and the first celebrity chef Antonin Carême in Cooking for Kings. He has also co-written a modern-day biography with fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.

But it was his Sunday Times Biography of the Year (2008-9) on Giacomo Casanova which has seen him branch out into the world of dance. And his collaboration with Kenneth is not the first time that Eye has been linked with the cream of the ballet world, for Sir Frederick Ashton, the founding choreographer of the Royal Ballet who died in 1988, had a home at Chandos Lodge in the town.

NORTHERN BALLET’S CASANOVA is at the Norwich Theatre Royal from Tuesday, April 4 to Saturday, April 8. Box Office: 01603 630000 and online at: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Ian said: “Kenny came to stay and we sat down every day in this 18th century study at my home and bashed though how we would retell the Casanova story but in dance. I think it is unique that in the 21st century there should be a new ballet coming out of Eye and it’s almost unique to have a modern biographer and non-fiction as a source of material for a new ballet.

“I feel immensely blessed that rather than asking to take the rights and do with it as they will, Kenny asked me to come on board as a co-scenario writer. That has been a fascinating journey for me as a dramatist and creative writer.”

Kenneth said: “To take subjects as vast as 18th century Venice and Casanova’s memoirs, you really need a resource of someone who knows that detail. When I began my research, Ian’s name kept coming up again and again. Not only has he written Casanova’s biography, he is also an actor, historian and playwright and has a wealth of experience in a similar world to my own. I thought this is the man for the job. He had also never worked in ballet before, so we have got his fresh perspective.”

Ian describes Casanova as: “one of the most exciting social historians of this era because he choose to write about everything”, from food and new sciences to religious mysticism, and while his true life story was rooted in the realities of 18th century life, it was also “the stuff of theatre”.

He was: “a fiercely proud intellectual and polymath, who tried all his life to be treated seriously as a philosophical writer and there was much more to the man than just his amorous exploits.”

Ian’s biography details how Casanova was born to an actress in the wings of a theatre, but went on to keep company with the famous men and women of his day, dabbling in high politics and mixing at all levels of society.

He wrote 42 books publishing on mathematics and history, and was also a trainee priest who was kicked out of the church, and a very accomplished violinist. He spoke many languages, started the first State Lottery in France, had a penchant for gambling and women, and is even reputed to have helped Mozart write the libretto for Don Giovanni. His exploits led him into a whirlwind of scandal and excess and saw him imprisoned and exiled, all of which he wrote about in his memoirs.

“He takes you through almost every capital of Europe in the 18th century and everybody from the flower girls to Catherine the Great,” Ian said.

An experienced team has been brought together to help bring the production of Casanova to reality and give it a modern edge.

Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall for the RSC, Frozen) was recruited to spearhead the set and costume design, while Los Angeles-based modern classical, film and TV composer Kerry Muzzey has composed a completely new score.

Ian hopes the ballet will, in some way, restore a balance to Casanova’s reputation. “He is a disreputable individual in some regards. But he is much more than the legendary lover. He was a great man of the theatre, a great man of dance, and in treating him seriously within a classical aesthetic form, I think that would please him to some great extent.”

After being so fully immersed in the life of Casanova as the production is brought to the stage, Ian is now dipping back into more contemporary times with a return to acting in a film of Ian McEwan’s The Children Act, with Emma Thompson.

But equally, he is being drawn back to the 18th century and is currently writing a film about the première of Handel’s Messiah in Dublin in 1742 and is also involved with a film about Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns.

“So my life as an actor continues,” he said, “but I am IAN KELLY still happily in the 18th century mainly.”

17

TOM JONES

NEW S ROOM

L I VE

BE OUR GUEST!

SUNDAY 23 JULY

We’ll be celebrating the launch of our new luxurious rooms and our very own Gin Trap Gin on 7th April, come by between 5pm - 7pm to have a sneak peak, with live music and our 2nd anniversary celebrations to follow into the evening!

HOLKHAM HALL NORFOLK

TICKETMASTER.CO.UK TOMJONES.COM LHGTICKETS.COM LIVEPROMOTIONSCONCERTS.CO.UK AND

6 High St., Ringstead, Norfolk PE36 5JU enquiries@thegintrapinn.co.uk 01485 525264

D

O G

WELCO

IN ASSOCIATION WITH LIVE NATION

ME

S

PRESENTED BY

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

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

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

LARGE FREE CAR PARK North Drive, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EG

01493 844568 www.burlington-hotel.co.uk For Accommodation,

WHAT’S ON

april

What’s On

Paul NASH, Berkshire Downs, 1922, Oil on canvas, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Watt 1989

April is a busy month, with Easter activities all over East Anglia and plenty of concerts, shows, exhibitions, comedy and more

Paul Nash, Bomber in the Corn, 1940, Graphite and watercolour on paper, © Tate, London 2015

EGGSTRA EASTER TREAT Amazona Zoo in Cromer is offering an Easter day out where families can explore and learn about a varied selection of South American animals. Home to over 200 species, including birds of prey, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, monkeys and snakes, the attraction also has an indoor soft play area, a café and gift shop plus a free Crème Egg for every child on Easter Sunday, April 16. See more at: www.amazonazoo.co.uk GET CREATIVE! Norwich Theatre Royal’s new Stage Two building is set to host 11 days of workshops and performances for all ages this Easter encouraging people to get creative. Writing, performing, acrobatics, dance, circus skills, puppet workshops, animation and even stage fighting are all on the timetable from Monday, April 3 to Thursday, April 13. See: www.ynaf.org.uk

PAUL NASH The most significant exhibition of Paul Nash’s work for many years will be on show at the Sainsbury Centre of Visual Arts at the UEA in Norwich from Saturday, April 8 to Sunday, August 20. Among the most important British artists of the first half of the 20th century, Paul Nash (1889 to 1946) is renowned as an official war artist in both the First and Second World Wars. More at: www.scva.ac.uk

GAME FAIR The East Anglian Game & Country Fair has a new venue for 2017, taking place at the Euston Estate near Thetford from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, 23. With main arena events, stands and attractions, food displays and equestrian, dog and falconry events, and the historic Euston Hall as its backdrop, it’s well worth a visit.

See: www.ukgamefair.co.uk or call 01263 735828. Adult advance tickets £14 (£17 on the day), children £5 (£6 on the day) or advance family tickets of two adults and three children £38 (£46 on the day). Under-5s free.

19

| APRIL 2017

PARSONS KNOWS Plain-speaking truth teller Andy Parsons brings his latest show Peak Bullsh*t to the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday, April 28. This side-splitting evening is for those who are worried about a job, their family, health, education, climate change, war, or just worried about worrying! Andy Parsons has a solution: simply have a good laugh about it all! Show starts at 8pm, tickets £16.50. Call 01553 764864 or visit www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

CELEBRATING ITALIAN CINEMA The Italian cinema season at Aldeburgh Cinema continues with Ossessione (1943) which will be screened on Sunday, April 9 and Tuesday, 18 and again on Tuesday, May 2.

In Italian with English subtitles, it takes place at Aldeburgh Cinema on the High Street. See: www.aldeburghcinema.co.uk SOUL SENSATION There are two chances to see the smash-hit show, At Last – The Etta James Story, in the region this month. Telling the story of soul legend Etta James’ turbulent life, the show features some of her most popular songs including Tell Mama, Something’s Got A Hold On Me, Sugar On The Floor, At Last and more. See it at OPEN, Norwich on Sunday, April 9, Box Office: 01603 763111 or www.opennorwich.org.uk; and at Apex, Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday, April 12, Box Office: 01284 758000 or www.theapex.co.uk

SWASHBUCKLING SKULDUGGERY! On Saturday, April 1 watch out as Captain Hawskeye (Jack Jay), Pirate Johnny (Johnny Mac) and a band of swashbuckling pirates visit the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome as part of the brand new, all-action water show running from April 1 to April 23, with this family favourite featuring a 40ft galleon by 3D creations who made some of the set for Pirates of the Caribbean. Fancy dress encouraged! Show times and prices on: 01493 844172 and at: www.hippodromecircus.co.uk OPEN MIKE For those who love open mic events, a new book by Suffolk author Adrian Cory may just hit the spot. Entitled Open Mike, it is a farcical look at Suffolk’s amateur music scene centred around two overly-competitive village pubs and a doomed love triangle. The main character Mike Grimshaw, who runs the local grocery shop in the quiet Suffolk village of Peasenhall, somehow manages to stay sane by playing guitar at amateur Open Mic nights in his local pub. Available from Amazon.

BUMP & BEYOND Norfolk’s biggest baby and toddler fair is heading to the Showground. The Bump & Beyond Baby and Toddler Fair takes place on Sunday, April 30 from 10am to 4pm, featuring over 100 exhibitors, activities, talks, demonstrations and free taster sessions covering everything from pregnancy to preschool. Parking is free and the fair will also be raising money for EACH. See more at: www.mjr-events.co.uk.

20

WHAT’S ON

april

EGG HUNTING FUN Chocolate eggy prizes are up for grabs at the Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday, April 14, from 11am to 4pm. Also featuring face painting and Easter crafts for children.

Garden entry: £6.75 adults, £6.15 concessions, £3.85 children, under-5s free (£2 extra per child for the Easter Egg Trail with an egg for every child). No need to book. Call 01603 270449 or visit www.fairhavengarden.co.uk RAYNHAM RECITALS From April onwards, the magnificent, North Norfolk-based stately home, Raynham Hall, will be hosting another series of recitals, welcoming internationally-acclaimed musicians to play in the Grand Marble Hall.

What’s more, Raynham Hall will also be opening its doors to the public for the first time, allowing visitors to explore the history of this fascinating building. Located in the countryside near Fakenham, Raynham Hall has been the home of the Townshend family for nearly 400 years and during the open days, on Saturday, April 8 and Wednesday, July 12, guests will have the chance to take a tour around the house which includes the Marble Hall, the King’s Bedroom and the Belisarius Room, which still boasts original furniture used by King Charles II. More at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/raynham-recitals and at: www.raynhamrecitals.co.uk

ANIMAL MAGIC The story of the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 has become imprinted in people’s memories and in the hands of Michael Morpurgo (the former children’s laureate whose books include War Horse), it has been turned into a contemporary tale of human resilience and hope called Running Wild. This life-affirming tale is touring across the country as a spectacular stage show by the Children’s Touring Partnership, arriving at the Norwich Theatre Royal from Tuesday, April 25 to Saturday, April 29. Based on a true story, it follows a girl called Lilly who is taken on holiday to Indonesia by her mother after the death of her father. She is having a ride on the beach on the back of an elephant called Oona when the tsunami comes – and Oona charges to safety in the jungle with Lilly desperately clinging on. Miles from civilisation, at first there’s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures. But, as thoughts turn to her mother left behind on the beach, wild tigers prowl and hunger hits, and Lilly has to learn to survive the rainforest. Then the hunters come...

Featuring fantastic, life-sized puppets and supporting the Born Free Foundation, this promises to be a spectacular show. Box Office: 01603 630000 and at: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

SPRING ART The Spring Art Show 2017 runs at The Forum in Norwich from Wednesday, April 5 until Sunday, April 9, from 10am to 5pm.

The popular exhibition features a range of fine art demonstrating a huge diversity in subject, style and medium. Visit www. theforumnorwich.co.uk

EASTER PASSION PLAY An Easter Passion Play will take place from 1.30pm on Good Friday, April 14, in five outdoor locations, starting at Reedham Village School. This free community event is a re-enactment of the last days of Jesus’s earthly life. More at www.abychurches.co.uk and on Facebook at Reedham Passion Play.

CREEPY-CRAWLY CLASSIC The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show makes its way off the page and on to the stage at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, on Saturday, April 8. Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically-acclaimed production features a menagerie of 75 wonderful puppets in this adaptation of the Eric Carle stories. Shows at 2pm and 4pm, tickets £8.50 to £12.50. Box Office: 01284 769505, or visit www.theatreroyal.org 21

| APRIL 2017 CLASSIC CONLEY COMEDY The irrepressible, multi-talented Brian Conley brings his distinctive brand of comedy to the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday, April 9. Brian Conley – The Great Entertainer (In his price range) is an all-new show with Brian performing comedy, sketches and songs, alongside some of his best-known retrospective material from the screen and on stage. Show starts at 8pm, with tickets priced at £8.50 to £23.50.

Box Office: 01284 769505, or visit www.theatreroyal.org

A WHIMSICAL ADVENTURE MissAdventures Theatre Company will bring its flagship children’s production The Goblin King to the INK Festival at The Cut in Halesworth on Sunday, April 23. This fun performance for five to eight-year-olds features many colourful characters, as well as some East Anglian wildlife and some special local words and phrases. There’s a pre-show ‘Little Goblins’ Drama Workshop at 9am, with the performance proper at 10:20am.

Tickets £15 (workshop and performance) or £6 (performance only) with accompanying adults free. Email missadventurestheatre@ outlook.com or call director Camilla Falconbridge on 07870 574271.

CHARITY CONCERT A charity concert is being staged at St George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth, on Saturday April 8, raising money for the trust to help support the venue. The show features local singers and dancers including the Strictly Theatre Co, Claire Welham and Dance Pique plus many more and is hosted by panto star and general manager Gavin Dean. Tickets £10; Box Office: 01493 331484 or www.stgeorgestheatre.com.

22

WHAT A BABE… Lovable Babe is brought to life on stage in Babe The Sheep-Pig at Norwich Theatre Royal on April 16 and 17 in this adaptation of Dick King-Smith’s children’s novel, which inspired the Oscar-winning 1995 film. Babe The Sheep-Pig features stunning puppetry, an original score and a charming ‘baa-ber sheep’ quartet, with Babe and his fellow residents of Hogget’s Farm taking audiences on a heart-warming journey of friendship, adventure and bravery. Show times: 1pm and 4pm (April 16) and 11am and 2pm (April 17).

Tickets £7 to £16. Call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

LAND AND SKY Houghton Hall in West Norfolk is set to become the focus of the art world once again this summer with a major exhibition by the internationally-celebrated British sculptor Richard Long. Land and Sky: Richard Long at Houghton will take place from Sunday, April 30 to Thursday, October 26, when the grounds of the hall will feature specially commissioned new works by the renowned conceptual and land artist in the largest exhibition of his art since his retrospective show Heaven and Earth at Tate Britain in 2009. For opening times and prices, see: www.houghtonhall.com

WHAT’S ON

april

PIPER’S PAINTINGS AND PRINTS Thompson’s Gallery in High Street, Aldeburgh, presents the works of John Piper (1903 to 1992) from April 15 to May 15. Regarded as one of the leading Modern British artists of the 20th century, Piper was a renowned painter, printmaker, designer of stained-glass windows and theatre sets. More at: www.thompsonsgallery.com or on 01728 453743.

STATELY CAR BOOT SALE Bargain hunters will be able to get their hands on a treasure chest of rare antiques and historical artefacts as the county’s grand houses once again clear out their attics for the return of the Stately Car Boot Sale at Sennowe Park in Guist, North Norfolk. Fine antiques and forgotten bygones will be on offer from around 150 stately sellers and more than 5,000 people are expected to attend the event on Sunday, April 30, which is aiming to raise thousands of pounds for the Norfolk Churches Trust (the 2014 event raised a record £50,000). This year’s event runs from 10am until 3.30pm. Entry £5, under-16s free.

More at: www.norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk SOME LIKE IT HOT This spring the ballroom of The Assembly House in Norwich will once again become the Noverre Cinema, holding a public screening for the first time in over 20 years.

The Assembly House Trust has teamed up with Cinema City Education to revive one of Norwich’s long-lost cinemas for a special screening of Hollywood classic Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe. The event on Friday, April 21 also marks the opening of a new exhibition charting the history of The Assembly House. Exhibition from 6pm, archive films from 7pm, main feature 7.30pm.

Tickets £8. Call 01603 625145 or book online.

More at: www.assemblyhousetrust.org.uk

3X ANOTHER TIME The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the UEA, Norwich, has announced a major new addition to the parkland campus when internationally-acclaimed artist Antony Gormley unveils a series of three sculptures.

The high-profile installation, to be revealed on Saturday April 22, will enhance the campus for students, staff and visitors alike.

This project is part of an ambitious strategy to develop a renowned sculpture park at the UEA, administrated and curated by the Sainsbury Centre. The 3x ANOTHER TIME installation builds on an existing sculpture trail which includes works by Henry Moore, Ian Tyson, Liliane Lijn and John Hoskin in the grounds of the Sainsbury Centre and the university campus. The three life-sized, cast iron sculptures were selected from Gormley’s on-going series called Another Time (1999 to 2013) which has been presented in locations across the globe. The sculptures will be placed at different focal points and sightlines, including roof level, which are thoughtprovoking and offer both spectacle and surprise. More at: www.scva.ac.uk

DREADLOCK EASTER HOLIDAY SHOW Appearing at Norwich Theatre Royal on Sunday, April 9, the ever-popular 1970s band 10cc will perform their biggest hits.

Expect such classics as Rubber Bullets, I’m Not in Love, Dreadlock Holiday and Good Morning Judge from a band that has sold 15 million albums in the UK and had a string of chart successes. The show starts at 7.30pm, tickets £8 to £35. More at: www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or via the Box Office on 01603 630000.

AND FINALLY… There’s plenty going on at The Princess Theatre in Hunstanton this month, from cute children’s shows to terrific tribute acts.

April’s line-up begins with And Finally… Phil Collins, the market-leading Phil Collins and Genesis tribute show which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Faithfully recreating the classic hits from the Phil Collins and Genesis back catalogue, you can see this 11-piece band in action on Saturday, April 1 (tickets £20; concessions available).

Another not-to-be-missed performance is Back To Bacharach on Saturday, April 8 when three sensational singers and a 10-piece live band celebrate the magical music of Burt Bacharach, one of the most accomplished popular composers of the 20th century (tickets: £20; concessions available). Plus there’ll be screenings of Maggie’s Plan, Inferno, Café Society and 100 Streets by the Film Club, and Starman – The David Bowie Story – on Saturday, April 15 (tickets: £21; concessions available). For more information, see www.princesshunstanton.co.uk

Antony Gormley, Another Time IV, 2007 (Render) & ANOTHER TIME VIII, 2007 Photograph by Stephen White, London

Here come the girls!

Benet Catty reviews the latest Calendar Girls incarnation, currently playing at London’s Phoenix Theatre

24

WEST END REVIEW

the girls

F

irst there was the 2003 film. Then there was the 2008 stage play. Now the story of Calendar Girls gets a third incarnation as a musical. It can only be a matter of time before we see Calendar Girls On Ice.

With a script by Tim Firth and music by Gary Barlow of Take That, The Girls is a production that knows its target audience and grabs it with an appealing blend of charm, wit and clichĂŠ. Fans of subtlety, though, should see something else.

The true story of Calendar Girls is a wonderful and life-affirming one. In the Yorkshire village of Cracoe, Annie Baker's husband John had just died of cancer. In mourning his loss, she resolves to try and raise some money for leukaemia. She happens on the idea of herself and other members of the local chapter of the Women's Institute doing a nude calendar (nude, not naked - as is repeatedly clarified), albeit with any offending body parts concealed by the more typical WI fare of jams and flowers (hence the famous line "We're going to need considerably bigger buns"). Their plan is not to be salacious or even to gain publicity; as one of the women is quoted as saying: "Even if we don't sell any, at least we'll have tried to do something."

It's a story of finding purpose amidst tragedy and of losing inhibitions in the service of devotion. In all three iterations it's also about the mores of a Yorkshire village community. The Girls also

APRIL

BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00 Mon 27 Mar – Sat 1 Apr ABIGAIL’S PARTY Amanda Abbington (Sherlock, Mr Selfridge) stars in Mike Leigh’s painfully funny drama £8 - £28.50 Sun 2 April SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW The Merseybeats, Dave Berry, Wayne Fontana, Vanity Fare, Chris Montez £8 - £29

Casanova

Tues 4 – Sat 8 April CASANOVA Thrilling new dance production from award-winning Northern Ballet £8 - £37.50 Sun 9 April 10cc All the hits £8 - £35 Tues 11 – Sat 15 April SUNNY AFTERNOON Award-winning musical about The Kinks £8 - £42.50 Sun 16 – Mon 17 April BABE THE SHEEP-PIG Heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure and bravery. 5+ £7 - £16

Tues 18 – Sat 22 April THE WOMAN IN BLACK Spine-chilling ghost story £7 - £24.50 Sun 23 April OMID DJALILI Energetic and captivating stand-up £7 – £24

Mon 24 April BUDDY HOLLY & THE CRICKETERS Top tribute £7 - £19.50 Tues 25 – Sat 29 April RUNNING WILD Michael Morpurgo’s epic and spectacular story. 6+ £7 - £21

Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk T H E AT R E ST R E E T, N O RW I C H N R 2 1 R L

the girls

WEST END REVIEW

contributes three superfluous but amusing teenagers who have to come to terms with their relationships with their parents.

They're an engaging trio and amusingly played, but their cheesy purpose is to bring a love interest to a story lacking in youth or conflict.

Pop stars writing musicals can go one of two ways. Boy George's musical Taboo (about his own life) swung both ways: a cult hit in London, a big flop in New York. The Pet Shop Boys wrote a thrilling pop-synth score for Closer to Heaven but failed to find an audience. Elton John succeeded with Billy Elliot by writing a score not of pop songs but of period-inflected rock and working men's hymns which reflected the time and mood.

Gary Barlow places his score for The Girls resolutely in the easy listening bracket. Scarborough is a beautiful song and another, Brave, is a straightforward Take That anthem that sticks in the mind. But the score largely meanders in mid-tempo middle of the road, B-side material, not helped by cheapsounding orchestrations and unmotivated big finishes. Lighting designer Tim Lutkin's propensity to bathe people in vast beams of light as if they are on the X Factor doesn't help. Many people will like this kind of thing more than me, but it shouldn't be confused with high art.

Firth and Barlow are blessed with the cast they've assembled.

Michelle Dotrice - once upon a time Betty in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - is funny and truthful as the deadpan, disapproving matriarch, and gets another of Firth's staple lines: "No front bottoms." Claire Moore provides typically good value too, although a sequence in which she lays out lots of flowers reminds us how much better the National Theatre musical London Road was, in which she was required to do the exact same thing at the exact same point in the evening.

The class act of the night, though, is Joanna Riding in the leading role of Annie. She's been one of the great British musical theatre actresses for 25 years, even surviving Andrew Lloyd Webber's flop musical Stephen Ward in which, as here, she had the only good song.

Firth, who also directs, keeps the show moving fluidly on Robert Jones' set of moving bookshelves without giving the material itself the narrative motor or visual interest that another director might have demanded. He also includes a couple of big misfires: a ghastly and unmotivated dance number around a van which is very embarrassing, and an incongruous solo about drinking which should have been cut long ago. Jones also provides a closing visual touch to the evening which is the naffest moment currently appearing in any London show.

That The Girls is money for old rope cannot be denied, but when the story is so compelling and empowering it is hard to object to another opportunity to experience it even if it's been slightly fictionalised here. There's room for a crowd-pleasing middlebrow show like this in London. And one can safely assume it'll be in residence there for a while before touring and being produced by amateur companies for the rest of time.

For me, though, the show is a bit like the calendar that inspired it: worthwhile and inspiring but with less on show than you might expect.

PHOENIX THEATRE 110 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0JP Box Office: 0844 871 7629 www.phoenixtheatrelondon.co.uk

27

W IN

!

COMPETITION

park farm hotel

WIN! A HEAVENLY STAY FOR TWO AT PARK FARM HOTEL IN HETHERSETT

PARK FARM HOTEL in Hethersett is well-

known for its fabulous facilities, from its 53 beautiful guest bedrooms and elegant, award-winning restaurant to its luxurious swimming pool, gym and spa.

Set in 200 acres of attractive farmland between Norwich and Wymondham, this well-known, four-star hotel has been owned by the Gowing family for generations and the emphasis is firmly on friendly, professional service.

The hotel caters for all sorts of events, from fantastic corporate functions to wonderful weddings, and is also very popular for its recently-refurbished, AA rosette restaurant and bar.

The 53 bedrooms include a luxury apartment, with two more to follow this year.

Besides taking advantage of the tranquil, attractive location and fabulous food, guests can also relax in the Garden Room, a contemporary, glass-walled coffee lounge, which looks out over the lovely gardens.

Thanks to an array of function rooms, there

is plenty of space for events, whether private dinners, meetings or conferences, and thanks to the impressive, sweeping drive and plenty of free parking, guests can arrive at the hotel in style.

Places&FacesÂŽ has teamed up with the Park Farm Hotel in Hethersett to offer one lucky reader a luxurious, two-night stay for two.

This fabulous prize includes accommodation in a deluxe room, breakfast on both mornings, a delicious sparkling afternoon tea on the day of arrival and a sumptuous, three-course dinner in the restaurant on both evenings.

TO ENTER, SIMPLY ANSWER THIS QUESTION:

Which Norfolk family owns Park Farm Hotel?

Send your answer and contact details by email to: competitions@placesandfaces. co.uk or via Twitter to @PlacesandFaces hashtag #ParkFarmHotel.

Alternatively, send your answer by post to: Places & Faces, H2Creative Media Ltd, Humberstone House, 47 Englands Lane, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 6BE (closing date: end of April 2017). GOOD LUCK! TERMS & CONDITIONS This prize comprises a two-night luxury stay for two people at Park Farm Hotel on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, along with sparkling afternoon tea for two on arrival. The prize must be taken by the end of April 2018 and is subject to availability. Exclusion dates may also apply. Please note that entrants must be over 18 and there is no cash alternative.

For more information on PARK FARM HOTEL please call 01603 810264 email: enq@parkfarm-hotel.co.uk www.parkfarm-hotel.co.uk

29

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

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

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

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

BEAUTIFUL WOODLAND SETTING ON THE TRANQUIL NORTH NORFOLK COAST

R E M M U S

breaks from 0 0 .

0 7 2 £ s as little a

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

TRAVEL

the three valleys

Making the most of it Ski resorts are fun, fashionable and not just all about the slopes. Make the most of the Easter break, advises Kate Morfoot, by exploring The Three Valleys in France

33

TRAVEL

the three valleys

L

ONG GONE ARE THE DAYS that novice or even non-skiers are not well catered for in the mountains. Nowadays, there is far more to a skiing holiday than simply carving the powder.

Tour operator, Ski France (formerly Madame Vacances) and many ski resorts provide alternative fun solutions for those who don’t wish to ski, or ski their entire holiday.

Take, for example, staying at Château De Candie, a luxury, four-star, charming resort in Chambéry, France, where you and your family can reside for your pre-ski and après-ski holiday. This lovely place is located near to the cross-country skiing resort of La Féclaz.

At the Château de Candie there are 28 luxury rooms including family rooms, elegant suites and lavish bedrooms. All set within six hectares, it has a heated outdoor swimming pool, its own vineyard and ambitious plans for a multi-million investment into a decadent spa launching later this year. There’s a gourmet restaurant, L’Orangerie, set in the heart of the château and plenty of space to relax by the fire in the lounge. The hotel is managed by Frédéric Claude, who is the former manager of the well-known Waterside Inn in Bray.

Non-skiers can visit the nearby historic towns of Chambéry where you can enjoy guided walks, shopping and cafés, and the spa town of Aix-les-Bains where you can grandly follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria. Take the opportunity to visit Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France, or explore the town’s cycle lanes, take in the arts and culture and, of course, sample the local cheese and wine.

Aix-les-Bains has an abundance of excellent restaurants and cafés; however, the one that stands out for delicious food served with local Savoie wine is the new Restaurant le 59. The management are the last private owners of Château De Candie and are currently on track for Michelin Star status.

Ski resorts in The Three Valleys are fun and fashionable, so for those in the group who

don’t want to ski daily (if at all), my suggestion is to book a hotel that caters for everyone’s needs. Ask yourselves: is it near the heart of the town? Is it a “ski-in, ski-out” hotel or a bus ride from the slopes? Does it have a spa? Are the après-ski venues easy to access either with or without skis so everyone can meet up and so on.

Choose your resort wisely, taking into account what you want to enjoy most from your ski or ski-spa holiday.

I stayed at Hotel Le Mottaret at Méribel-Mottaret which is ideally located next to the slopes. It’s warm and welcoming and, importantly, the staff are fantastic, making everything as comfortable as they can.

Great food is provided in the buffet restaurant, there’s a good selection of drinks available at the bar and a wood-burner in the lounge with lots of sofas, keeping everywhere warm and cosy. Children can be kept entertained in the games room and there’s a pool table in the lounge.

The hotel is particularly appealing to those with youngsters and children under 18 who, it’s worth noting, can stay for nothing in the hotel over the Christmas period and who are given free ski hire from the ski shop next door.

The brand new bedrooms consist of a mix of modern and comfortable standard and superior rooms. There are twin rooms, large family rooms, plus a deluxe bedroom with two double bedrooms, one en-suite and a family bathroom with a balcony. All the bedrooms have lovely views over the mountains and there’s also an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Méribel-Mottaret is situated in the heart of the largest lift-linked ski area in the world, Les Trois Vallées, offering lift passes for just one valley (Meribel and Mottaret or Courchevel) or the extensive Three Valleys. The area provides slopes for beginners and experts alike and you can easily and quickly travel from one resort to the next, covering just a few pistes, even if you are a complete novice skier. Half the ski area is made up of blue and green runs. However in Méribel there are legendary pistes for the advanced, such as La Face, the Olympic downhill, situated next to the Roc de Fer – this black run makes no concessions and includes a very steep start.

The location is beautiful and it’s an ideal destination for those wishing to explore, with 600km of pistes and 160 lifts, while walkers will find over 40km of cross-country trails to enjoy. Fancy exploring areas of picturesque beauty that are unreachable on skis? Then try snowshoeing. Snow shoes are fitted over your walking boots, and walking with snowshoes and poles is a magical adventure. You set off into the sparkling, snowy woods and meandering trails into the mountains where breath-taking views can be found from high up in Méribel-Mottaret before you return to visit Lac de Tueda and the nature reserve where you will find birds of the forest.

35

TRAVEL

the three valleys

“Courchevel ski resort is sleek, stylish and fashionable, offering top-class hotels, restaurants, shops, partying and pampering”

Snowshoeing is a great thing to enjoy as part of group and can be booked by Ski ESF (www.esf-uk.co.uk).

There are plenty of activities for all the family including igloobuilding, snow-biking, bowling and hot air ballooning. When the lifts close, try the Snake Sledge where you can swoop down the slopes on a train of sledges steered by instructors.

However, if snow of any kind is not ticking any boxes, head to the Olympic Centre which hosts an Olympic ice rink, pool, fitness centre, spa with hot tubs, sauna and steam rooms all under one roof. It’s a great place to soothe your muscles after a hard day out on the slopes.

It’s easy to ski on the many blue runs over to Courchevel and Courchevel 1850 or you can catch a bus that runs regularly from Méribel into the town centre. Created in 1946, this resort celebrates its 70th birthday this season. Picture sunny blue skies, fantastic views of the mountains and powdery snow! If this tickles your snow socks, then book a ski lesson with Maison Sport (www.maisonsport.com), a novel online website that matches skiers and snowboarders with their ideal independent instructor based on requirements such as language spoken, skill level, experience and cost. Described as the “Ski-Uber”,

you can save 15 per cent on the normal cost of lessons by booking online. My instructor, Ewan, was Scottish and he has over 20 years’ ski-teaching experience. A two-hour lesson getting my turns right set me up for a confident 12km ski with friends from Méribel-Mottaret to Courchevel with the best hot chocolate stop at the Fire and Ice outdoor bar at the Portetta hotel, allowing us to bask in the sunshine wrapped up in fur blankets!

Courchevel ski resort is sleek, stylish and fashionable. It leaves no stone unturned, offering top-class hotels, restaurants, shops and opportunities for partying and pampering. One street alone houses Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton ( just perfect for window-shopping).

Courchevel also boasts seven Michelin-starred restaurants! Aside from these, there are over 100 restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets. A fun lunch restaurant and excellent venue for après-ski is the famous La Folie Douce where tasty cuisine and live entertainment can be found inside the warm, wooden building, and club music beats and live music outside in the snow, with quite a lot of people dancing on the tables!

Hotel accommodation also caters for top-end, medium and low budgets. The two-star Hotel Courchevel Olympic is a stone’s throw from the town centre of Courchevel 1850 and practically on the same avenue as the designer shops. You can live the high life, giving you a Rolls Royce lifestyle in the heart of the resort on a push bike income.

Ski France, unlike many other companies, offers flexible arrival dates and days at all of its resorts and is also flexible on the number of nights that you wish to stay; you choose when you want to go and for how long. To facilitate your journey the company also offers airport and train transfers at reasonable rates. The Hotel Courchevel Olympic provides a half-board WHERE TO STAY option with local restaurants and the superb Chateau de Candie, AquaMotion centre is nearby.

Chambéry AquaMotion is Courchevel’s aqua-fun 0203 475 4756; centre which opened around a year ago www.skifrance.co.uk and which has since received over 75,000 Hotel Le Mottaret at visitors. It is family-friendly and perfect for Méribel-Mottaret big kids too, those who like indoor water Ski France: 0203 chutes, slides, climbing and indoor surfing.

475 4756; www.

The centre has steamy outdoor pools and six skifrance.co.uk indoor pools as well as 19 cutting-edge steam rooms and saunas so you can enjoy the best Hotel Courchevel relaxing and energising rituals.

Olympic – There are no rules! The stunning Three Courchevel 1850 Valleys in France is waiting for you, however 0203 475 4756. www.skifrance.co.uk you choose to spend your time.

37

| APRIL 2017

Family man Mark Nicholls speaks to 80s’ icon Shakin’ Stevens ahead of his appearance in Norwich where he’ll be singing tracks from his autobiographical album, Echoes of Our Times

R

ENOWNED FOR SING-A-LONG classics

such as Green Door and This Ole House, he was one of the biggest artists of the 1980s.

Yet it has been four long years since Shakin’ Stevens last rocked the UK with a national tour.

But now, the iconic 80s’ singer is back on the road with 33 live shows right across the country, including a date at Norwich Theatre Royal on Sunday, May 7.

The tour showcases his latest album, Echoes of Our Times, which sees something of a different style and approach for Shaky.

Autobiographical, it is packed with songs telling the story of his background and grew from his realisation that he knew very little about his family.

Research subsequently revealed tales of poverty and strife in the Cornish copper mines, of bravery and loss in war, of preachers, suffering and secrets.

These stories became the inspiration for the songs on his 12th studio album which blends blues, Americana and classic rock, and marks Shaky out as a songwriter and storyteller.

“I was at a time of my life that I realised I did not really know anything about my family,” he said. “But I then found out I had ancestors in Cornwall who were copper miners. I also did research about my Dad and found that my uncle was also in the First and Second World War. We had Methodist preachers in the family and my grandmother was in the Salvation Army.

“These stories were very strong and so I decided to write about my family, but, like all families, there were secrets and lies too.”

This research led to the song Behind Those Secrets and Lies, which has a very dark and mysterious feel.

The album also offered the opportunity to use different instruments: Down in The Hole features harmonica, Dobro guitar and harmonium, while the title track retains the harmonica and adds banjo, flute and military snare, joining folk rock with delta blues. In contrast Last Man Alive features a mix of guitars, brass and piano.

“It is a very personal album and totally different to what I have done in the past,” he said. “Some of the tracks directly relate to stories and situations about my family past, while others are more of a social comment relating to the world that my ancestors, and we, live in.”

38

Audiences on the UK tour can expect to hear Echoes of Our Times in full but Shaky – real name Michael Barratt – also reassures his fans that the old favourites will be included too, along with album tracks and a few songs that he may not have performed before.

Some of the hits will also be delivered in a slightly different way and even played acoustically.

“When I did Green Door a while back we changed the arrangement from the original and used a double bass, mandolin, drums and piano,” he continued. “I sung it slightly differently and it went down well. People seem to kind of like it when a hit is being moved on, I think it is quite healthy really.

“But the hits will be there, the audience won’t be disappointed, and there are certain ones you can’t leave out. I think we are going to have a great night in Norwich.

“I have not been on tour for a while and this project has been taking up a lot of time but it will be great to go out there again and have that rapport with the audience as well.”

While the new album marks a significant change in style from his 80s’ hits, it has attracted attention from blues and country magazines.

“The reaction of fans has been good too, they have not been disappointed and I am very pleased with it,” adds Shaky, who also warns that the days of white boots and denim have long gone for him.

Born in Cardiff in 1948, Shaky began his recording and performing career in the late 1960s, although it was not until 1980 that his commercial success truly began.

Having been spotted as a performer with potential, he chose his now legendary stage name and fronted Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets – supporting The Rolling Stones at one stage in December 1969. Later he played the lead role in the West End musical Elvis! and in 1979 launched his solo career.

Before long the hits followed with his first Number One in 1981 with This Ole House. Other chart-toppers included Green Door, Oh Julie and Merry Christmas Everyone, while You Drive Me Crazy and A Love Worth Waiting For reached Number Two. His album Shaky also reached Number One. He later made an appearance at Glastonbury in 2008 but suffered a heart attack in 2010, though recovered to embark on a 30th anniversary tour in 2011.

A keen golfer, he now raises money via his passion for the sport for Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, where he was treated.

With the new record out and the live shows, Shaky – now 69 – is keen to maintain the momentum.

“We are going to keep it moving,” he said. “I have got a lot more to give yet and so I will definitely continue to record and tour as well.

“I have been doing it since I left school, I have spent nights on tour and sleeping in the van, and it is difficult to give up, it is in your blood. I get a lot of enjoyment out of performing and also of the creative side of it, and sharing that with people.”

That means more touring for Shaky with the next stop potentially in Scandinavia, and he’s already pulling together ideas for more songs and his next record.

SHAKIN’ STEVENS: ECHOES OF OUR TIMES is at Norwich Theatre Royal on Sunday, May 7, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 to £35. Call the Box Office on 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

shakin’ stevens

39

| APRIL 2017

40

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

divided attention

ed sheeran

Ed Sheeran is firmly back in the spotlight thanks to

his new album Divide ‘÷’, the follow-up to his multi-million selling albums Plus ‘+’ and Multiply ‘x’. Here he talks about his phenomenal success, his Suffolk roots and finding love with former school pal Cherry Seaborn

d Sheeran has been back in the

WORDS: KEN SUMMIT & CAROLYN ATKINS / PHOTOS: EACH

spotlight constantly since the launch of his third studio album Divide ‘÷’. Having enjoyed a year away from the limelight and social media, the 26-year-old, flame-haired singer from Framlingham is back with a vengeance, smashing sales and streaming records worldwide. He gave a storming performance at the BRIT Awards, will be headlining this year’s Glastonbury Festival and is currently on a worldwide tour which takes in Europe, America, South America and Canada as well as the UK. However, the Suffolk singing/song-writing sensation has professed a firm preference for his home town, putting down roots with a six-bedroomed home which includes a treehouse studio, pub, underground tunnels and even a pig-shaped statue of himself!

In January Ed Sheeran became the firstever artist to debut at Number One and Number Two with two of his new tracks, Shape Of You and Castle On The Hill, released on the same day. Castle On The Hill is dedicated to Framlingham Castle and to memories of his Suffolk childhood, his school days at Thomas Mill High School and the time he had growing up there and many of his childhood friends featured in the music video.

The unlikely, tattoo-covered star has had a meteoric rise to fame, going on to break UK chart records again in March, with Divide ‘÷’ becoming the fastest-selling album by a male artist in the UK ever and all of the album’s tracks appearing in the Top 20 at the same time.

Worth an estimated £50 million, he emerged from hiding last year to perform at a Gala Dinner in aid of EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) at London’s Natural History Museum which raised over £300,000. He is an Ambassador for EACH and has also donated many of his clothes for auction in aid of the local charity (more at: www.each. org.uk). He recently travelled to Liberia for Comic Relief and has also just played the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Friends with numerous other A-list celebrities such

as Justin Bieber, Eric Clapton, James Blunt and HRH Princess Beatrice, the ubiquitous Ed Sheeran has a habit of popping up where you least expect him – in his local pub, The Station in Framlingham, with Taylor Swift, for example, performing a surprise set at last year’s Latitude Festival, as a cameo in the hit film Bridget Jones’s Baby and as a forthcoming guest star in Game of Thrones Season 7.

Whatever he does and wherever he goes, the Framlingham favourite is clearly at the top of his game and one thing’s for sure – Ed Sheeran divides and rules!

So Ed, you’re back with your new album, Divide, which has a cool balance between the funny, the light-hearted and the serious?

ED SHEERAN: I think it is an improvement on the last two records.

Was that the aim?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, it was really important to make sure that it was a seminal record.

The last two records I’ve made have been very successful but they haven’t necessarily been... like, you know, when you look back at Bruce Springsteen’s career or Bob Dylan’s you can pinpoint the albums that just went nuts for them.

I don’t think I’ve had that yet. I’ve had the kind of build albums. I haven’t had Adele’s ‘21’ or Bob Dylan with ‘Blonde on Blonde’… or Springsteen with ‘Born in the USA. So that’s why I spent a lot of time with this record, making it perfect… I do think this is the album I’ll be known for, as opposed to the other two.

The other two didn’t go too badly!

ED SHEERAN: No, I know, but you know what? You’ll mention the other two and be like: The A Team for the first one and Thinking Out Loud for the next one, whereas this next one I’d like there to be five or six that you could just roll off like that.

There’s a different atmosphere to Divide?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, it is a record that has had a lot of time and effort put into it. Once I did all the songs, I listened to it and then…replaced and replaced until Eraser came out.

41

Telephone 01603 720005 gardenroomdesigns.co.uk

INCREASE THE SPACE AND ENJOYMENT OF YOUR HOME WITH OUR WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS

Garden Room

Before

After

Conservatory roof transformation

» GARDEN ROOMS » ORANGERIES » FREE STANDING GARDEN OFFICES » CONSERVATORY RE-ROOF AND INSULATION SYSTEMS

Orangery

Before

After

Conservatory re-roof in zinc

Transform your conservatory into a year round room with our Conservatory Roof Transformation insulation system, used with or without a replacement lightweight roof, choice of finishes available including zinc coated roof.

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

ed sheeran

Supermarket Flowers is such a beautiful song. Is it about your Mum?

ED SHEERAN: Well, it is from my Mum’s perspective – about her Mum. What does your Mum think about the song?

ED SHEERAN: Well, she didn’t hear it until the funeral so she cried quite a lot. And then she said it was a good memorial for her Mum. I think if I’d passed away I’d like to be remembered in a song… you are kind of immortalised in this work that makes people happy or sad.

Hopefully my grandkid will write a song about me - you never know.

You say in Eraser that money is the root of all evil and fame is hell and that these things can “destroy a man like me” I did work harder, but also I wasn’t complacent. When I finished the album, I left it for a month and then came back to it and then chose which songs weren’t classics and chopped them off and tried to write new ones. So it’s definitely had more thought.

Do you have an ear for a classic?

ED SHEERAN: There’s four or five people I play them to and if all five of them go ‘Yeah’ then it’s usually a good song. My Dad is always good.

Stewart, my manager, is always a good one. And my cousin Murray.

If those three are into something then it’s usually a good tune.

Your Dad seems to be a wise man?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, my Dad is number one in my life in terms of influence and advice.

Are you like him?

ED SHEERAN: I don’t have his temper, I have my Mum’s temperament. My brother has my Dad’s temper. My Dad and my brother have a very short fuse.

What’s the best advice your father has given you?

ED SHEERAN: Well, he said don’t talk about religion or politics. And it seems to be working. There is actually a song where I said: ‘My Daddy told me don’t get involved in politics or religion.’

So you didn’t play with the idea of doing a Brexit song?

ED SHEERAN: No. I have my own views that I feel strongly about. But I’m a 26-year-old boy that does not really spend that much time watching the news or reading newspapers.

Therefore my opinion is not as well-rounded and educated as it could be. But, of course, love being in Europe, it’s an amazing place.

Is it true that you postponed releasing the album due to the US election?

ED SHEERAN: It was just everyone’s attention was turned to one thing – if they agreed with it or they didn’t agree with it, they were more interested in watching that than they were in music at that time. So I just didn’t want to release to deaf ears, I guess. I think it’s better to do it now where people can actually focus on the songs.

ED SHEERAN: Yes, well, the things that can a ‘destroy a man like me’ wasn’t necessarily money - it was more alcohol and addiction...

But, yes, I do think that money is the root of all evil. I’ve never lost more friends in my life than I have done after finding money come to my life. You have all the friends in the world when you’re broke – it’s weird!

You make more money than you can spend…

ED SHEERAN: Yes, but it is like ‘earn a penny, spend a penny’ with me. As soon as it comes in, it goes out. I don’t have that much value on it. I have more value on my friends and family being OK. A lot of my money goes to charity, like there’s a children hospital near where I live.

Fame hasn’t touched you much though…

ED SHEERAN: It changed the people around me more than it changed me. And that, in turn, changes you because when the people around you change towards you, you get very paranoid and weird. Fame is a weird thing. Like I can’t walk outside my house without putting on a baseball cap, sunglasses and a hood. And even then you can’t really go anywhere. . That’s kind of why I moved back to my home town; everyone treats me normally there.

You talk about your mates in Castle On The Hill; do you hook up with old friends often?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, I see all of those friends twice, actually more than twice a year.. we go on holiday twice a year together and then they all live probably about an hour away from me in London. So most weekends they have a party at their house that I go to.

So you don’t do all the parties at your house?

ED SHEERAN: Their house is more of a party house.

I have cats that would get scared of a lot of people. I’ve had a party house but I’m growing up a little bit now.

My house is very relaxed and chilled but their house is 10 boys in one house, so it is just all my mates all in one house.

So their house is a party house and they are more than fine with that. The house in Framlingham was the party house but now I’ve got the kitchen re-done to make it homely, wooden floors, country kitchen, big Aga, so it’s no longer the party house now.

43

J OLLIDAYS ON

THE NORFOLK BROADS ENJOY A HOLIDAY ON ONE OF OUR CRUISERS, A DAY ON A PICNIC BOAT OR A STAY IN ONE OF OUR COTTAGES!

BOOK YOUR BROADS ADVENTURE TODAY herbertwoods.co.uk | 0800 144 4472

Follow us

Diagnostic Imaging For more information 01603 812266 Visit us at: www.globalclinicnorwich.co.uk Colney Hall, Watton Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TY

Make Global Diagnostics your preferred provider of Healthcare Services in East Anglia Global Diagnostics is a leading provider of Diagnostic Imaging Services and Treatments. With access to some of the most eminent local specialists, our Global Clinic in Norwich, situated in the beautiful woodland area of Colney Hall offers patients a wide range of healthcare services.

Our clinic is open to all patients with Private Medical Insurance or patients that wish to self-fund their own treatment. We offer immediate access to renowned specialists, diagnostics and treatments.

MRI · Ultrasound· X-Ray · CT

Outpatient Consultations with over 60 specialists Cardiology Dermatology Cosmetic treatments Pain relief Orthopaedic Rheumatology Urology Gastroenterology

Outpatient treatments Skin lesion removal Minor Orthopaedic treatments Shockwave therapy Global Back Pain Clinic

ed sheeran

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW Does she have a say in which ones go on the album?

Where do the cats live?

ED SHEERAN: The cats are in London with my girlfriend. Two - Calippo and Dorito, as in the crisp. It’s ginger as Dorito is, looks like a crisp…

I had a cat and then I went on tour and now that cat is now my manager’s cat. But now I actually have someone, my girlfriend, to live at home and look after the cats, it’s different.

You’ve said that your girlfriend [Cherry Seaborn, 24] is the first real love of your life?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, it’s the first time I’ve had time to put into anyone. I’d never been able to have a proper relationship. I’ve had a relationship with a messenger on my phone with someone who is 40,000 miles away or something. I spent every day of last year [2015] with her and almost every day since July the year before with her. Now, going to do promo runs, I just feel very secure, whereas before I didn’t really know if it was a relationship or not.

Is she going with you on tour?

ED SHEERAN: No, she actually has a really good job… And do you know what? It’s not difficult to get to Berlin on a weekend if I’m on tour, or even to get to New York, it’s only six hours. If you fly on a Friday night, you can have the whole of Saturday and then fly back on a Sunday. So it’s not out of the realms of possibility to see each other every weekend.

Is Shape Of You about how the two of you got together?

ED SHEERAN: Not really. Shape of You was meant for someone else when I was writing it. I guess subconsciously it might be but it’s not specifically. Perfect, Dive, Hearts Don’t Break Around Here and How Would You Feel... those would be the specific ones.

ED SHEERAN: No, not really. She hears the songs, but it’s very much like playing a song to my Mum – they’re going to say they like it whatever it is, because they are nice. Whereas my dad will be like: ‘This song is not very good.’ And upset me. But actually in the long run it is a good thing.

So your girlfriend is nicer to you than your Dad?

ED SHEERAN: Thankfully yes. You wouldn’t want it to be the other way round!

You took a whole year off but were you writing the songs while you were away?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, before the year off I had Castle on the Hill, Perfect, Happier and How Would You Feel. And then I took six months travelling and six months making the album and that’s when all the other songs came out… Shape of You, Eraser, Hearts Don’t Break Around Here and Galway Girl.

Where did you go when you went travelling?

ED SHEERAN: I went to Japan. Japan is very much like England for Americans. Like when Americans come to England they go to London and they go: ‘Oh London was amazing’ but that’s not England, that’s London. So people are like: ‘How was Japan?’ And I’d be like: ‘Tokyo is amazing’ and they’d be like: ‘Tokyo is here but you’ve got the whole...’ So I wanted to see from the north to then very south. So Hokkaido to Okinawa over two months and it was incredible.

Where else did you go?

ED SHEERAN: Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Ghana, Liberia, Italy, Iceland and finished up in America.

So you must feel really refreshed after that?

ED SHEERAN: Really refreshed.

In Shape Of You, you go on a date at an all-you-can-eat restaurant...

Do you exercise much?

In Perfect you say ‘I will not give you up this time’ – so were you together with your girlfriend before?

Finally, you said a while back that you wanted to have a family by the time you are 30 – are you already thinking about it?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, there’s a sit-com called Fresh Meat and it’s based on a student house at university and two of them go out on a date and they go to a Chinese ‘all you can eat’ and she brings a plastic bag and a rucksack and they get all you can eat and they are just filling up to have a meal for the week. I thought that was quite cool so I put that in a song.

ED SHEERAN: We were together very, very briefly yes. This was pre-Multiply… not that long ago. And then I didn’t see her for years. But we were friends at school as well.

Did you have a crush on her back then?

ED SHEERAN: Yes, well we kind of both had crushes on each other, but it’s a very innocent thing when you’re that age.

Did you always know that one day you would be together?

ED SHEERAN: No, not at all. It just happened. She was living in New York when I was living in New York as well.

Does Cherry hear the songs first?

ED SHEERAN: Yes.

ED SHEERAN: I do ten minutes running a day. I think it is better to do ten minutes a day every day than an hour once a week. You just do little and often and it kind of keeps the wolves at bay. I’ll never have a six-pack though!

ED SHEERAN: I think the wheels should be in motion by the time I’m 30. But it is not really up to me. It is kind of a twoway-street. It has to be up to the partner as well. But yes, we’ll see – the wheels should be in motion, though.

fabulous fuchsia

THIS SEASON IT'S PINK - particularly of the fuchsia variety. This vivid colour flooded the recent catwalk shows and whether you choose to wear it on its own or pair it with other colours, you won't go far wrong as long as you think pink, pink, pink!

01.

01.

Pretty Birdy Dress £44.95 Joe Browns

02.

02.

Signature Fuchsia Shawl £310 Fendi

03.

04.

07.

05.

05.

06.

03.

Fuchsia Chiffon Spot Short Dress, £90 Gina Bacconi

04.

Heart4heart Classy Pink Watch £150 Folli Follie

Fuchsia Sandals £100 Ted Baker

06.

Cry Flower Jacket Earrings £47 ADORE

07.

Jersey dress with short sleeves £165 LOOXENT

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

09.

08.

08.

11.

09.

12.

Bayshore Stripe Skirt £69 Coast Fuchsia Jumper £49 Madeleine

10.

Multi Colour A-Line Dress £145 Karen Millen

10.

Autograph Statement Sleeve Blouse £49.50 M&S Jet Set Large Top-Zip Saffiano Leather Tote £250 Michael Kors

13.

Manicure LED Gel Nail Polish, 9ml, Fuchsia Dreams £12.50 Red Carpet

11.

12.

13.

14.

14.

Steffi Suede Point Flat Shoes £90 L.K .Bennett

15.

15.

Mix It Up Strap Tassel Pack £115 Kate Spade

47

Fabulous clothes for the discerning lady.

Church Road, Hoveton, Wroxham, Norwich NR12 8UG | 01603 784248

www.annettecollins.co.uk

April

showers Everyone needs an umbrella for those unexpected showers at this time of year. Dance in the rain and stay dry with this stylish collection of head-turning brollies.

Selected by Donna Titcombe

01.

02.

04.

03.

01.

Vivienne Westwood Protest Long Umbrella £245

02.

Radley Vintage Dog Dot Telescopic Umbrella £23

03.

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

Suck UK Colour Change Umbrella £25

04.

LuLu Guinness By Fulton Birdcage 2 Umbrella £34

05.

J by Jasper Conran Designer Pink Striped Umbrella £15

06.

05.

Fulton Tiny 2 Saturated Flower £21

06.

49

Spring Clean your STYLE this Season!

Treat Mum or Yourself to a Fabulous Makeover with Colour & Shape Analysis Then Put it all into Practice with our lovely range of clothing & accessories to try and buy To book email enquiries@styleshow.co.uk or call 07487 796853 Mondays to Saturdays. or

Pop & Shop on Fridays & Saturdays 10am-4pm

10% OFF UNTIL END APRIL

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

faking it

BEAUTY

Looking for a fake tan to get a gorgeous golden glow even when the sun’s not shining?

Donna Titcombe has selected some of the best fake tans for face and body.

01.

02.

03.

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

04.

01.

Benefit Hoola Zero Tanlines £25

02.

Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning £19

03.

Fake Bake 60 Minutes Self-Tan Liquid £26.95

04.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Elixir £15.99

05.

BareMinerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Tanner £20

06.

Lancôme Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Face Gel 50ml £26

05.

06.

51

YOUR SKIN, MY CARE

shop.mariereynoldslondon.com

A GUIDE TO THE PRODUCTS H30 NIGHT REPAIR

An incredible combination of ingredients, a blend of potent herbs and antioxidants with super hydration while you sleep, offering nutritional support for healthy skin.

COLLAGEN SHOTS

Be gorgeous naturally with our high strength blend of skin firming active anti-ageing ingredients in this collagen drink. 10,000 mgs marine collagen (fresh water white fish), hyaluronic acid, acai berry super antioxidant, combined with vitamin B3, B5, C with zinc and copper.

ALIOL

Aliol is a vegan source of omega 3 from marine algae, a potent source of phospholipids and essential DHA fatty acids.

OSMOSIS IMMERSE

Use to calm and soothe very dry skin or to promote wound healing. Immerse contains powerful antioxidants from

raspberry oil, vitamin E, and calendula along with barrierrestoring natural lipids.

ELEVATE ATP & DNA REPAIR™

A caffeine free, revolutionary supplement that assists in reversing the signs of aging, boosts energy, increases fat loss and cellular repair.

KONJAC ANGEL CLOTH

The angel cloth is kinder than muslin or flannel which can be too harshh and over exfoliate the skin.

Our angel simply exfoliates and leaves the newly formed skin conditioned, fresh and undamaged, so no tightness or dry patches.

SKINCARE AND WELLNESS

modern make-up

BE BEAUTIFUL

Skincare and wellness expert Marie Reynolds shares some top tips from leading celebrity make-up artist Daniel Sandler

I

formula), Rose Glow (a pastel pink-peach shimmer liquid formula) and Soft Bronze (a delicate pink-peach hybrid with a twist of bronze in a crème formula), a collection of ultra-feminine, sheer and neutral shades. These clever products have been designed to enhance your radiance and are 100 per cent blend-able and water-resistant. Longlasting and super versatile, they help to achieve the illusion that you “glow from within”. Whether it’s a gentle contour, a wash of colour to your cheeks or simply adding a delicate sheen and gleam to your eyelids, these three shades will ensure that you always look effortless.

Daniel Sandler says: “My Watercolour™ blusher range can be applied to your cheeks using your fingertips or, if you are using the liquid blusher, with my Waterbrush™ for a more precise and controlled application. Apply a small amount of colour to your index finger OR brush and begin to blend on to your cheekbones and out towards your hairline. The colour can be built up gradually, so whether you are looking to achieve a healthy glow or a more intense pop of colour, this is the product for you.

Meanwhile, inspired by Daniel’s love of glamorous summer destinations come two new capsule colour collections for spring/ summer 2017: Coral Crush and Bronzed Goddess for eyes, cheeks and lips in a wearable selection of shades to suit all skin tones.

As for eyes, Daniel Sandler’s most coveted beauty launch of 2015, Intense Volume Pro Mascara, is still set to “revolution-eyes” the way you wear mascara.

The flexible and round Intense Volume Pro Mascara brush naturally lengthens and separates each and every lash and the creamy liquid itself is clump-proof, non-flaking, and has non-smudging capabilities, for stay-all-day lashes. Special coated iron oxides immediately cling to lashes, providing an intense, deep black whilst hydrolysed keratin proteins add the finishing touch to the formulation along with hydrolysed wheat proteins known for their moisturising and conditioning qualities. They therefore provide the ultimate in coverage and high-octane volume, creating subtle yet dramatic glamour and the most beautiful eyes.

Daniel Sandler says: "With over 25 years’ experience, I really understand the importance of transforming this make-up staple to offer women an innovative and affordable way to get the lashes they want. After all, mascara is a woman’s secret weapon as well as being the most widely used make-up product in the UK - and the creation of this product has been an absolute labour of love. For me Intense Volume Pro Mascara is the latest in a long line of mascara breakthroughs and I believe it is set to become a beauty classic."

For more Daniel Sandler’s development of Intense Volume skincare and wellness Pro Mascara stems from more than five years of careful tips, visit: www.marie research as well as multiple reviews from women based reynoldslondon.com around the globe and its formula is paraben- free!

have been in the beauty/wellness industry since God was a boy. I have been fortunate to travel most of the globe and I have met some amazing people including my good friend Daniel Sandler whom I have asked to provide some gems of wisdoms for you this month.

Daniel Sandler is one of the UK’s leading celebrity make-up artists, who spent over four years developing his multi award-winning, highly innovative and globallyacclaimed brand, creating a completely fool-proof range of creams, liquids, glosses, serums, stains and tools. His mission statement is to: “Be your most beautiful” and his range provides a woman with her “wardrobe of colour” with a multipurpose, hybrid product offering that ultimately simplifies make-up for all skin tones, with the addition of skincare benefits.

He created the perfect “all-in-one” mascara and the ultimate waterproof eyeliner crayon and his multi-tasking Watercolour™ range has a global cult following and is available in the prettiest hues that suit absolutely everyone. Moreover his Watercolours™ continue to be a beauty editor’s classic and are loved by professionals including Mary Greenwell, Lisa Eldridge and Pixiwoo. In 2015 his Watercolour™ Crème Rouge was awarded the “Best Blusher” at the prestigious Condé Nast Brides Beauty Awards.

“Lightly bronzed cheeks and sun-kissed skin are timeless and always in fashion. Natural bronzer and highlighter help with creating that coveted healthy sheen on the skin that suits absolutely everyone,” says Daniel Sandler.

You can achieve a beautiful, glowing, luminous skin with his latest Watercolours™ in Golden Glow (a chic, warm bronze, shimmer liquid

For more advice or tutorials check out Daniel Sandler’s YouTube channel or website at: www.danielsandler.com

53

MR. BARBERS NORWICH

Traditional male grooming for the modern gentleman has come to the ne city. Located on the culturally rich Lower Goat Lane, our team of Master Barbers work on a walk in or appointment basis.

For the month of April only quote 'mrplaces&faces' to receive 20% off your haircut 2a Lower Goat Lane Norwich NR23EL 01603 664329 norwich@mrbarbers.co.uk

MEN'S FASHION

01.

02.

springtime

sweaters Knitwear is not only a winter garment, it can also be great in spring or for those cooler summer evenings.

Donna Titcombe has selected a stylish range to add to your spring wardrobe.

01.

Pacific Plain V-Neck Jumper £80 Tommy Hilfiger

04.

02.

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

Knitted V-Neck Jumper, Beige £100 Armani Jeans

03.

05.

03.

Crew Neck Cable Knit Jumper £100 Gant

04.

Iden Extra Fine Long-Sleeve Merino Polo Jumper £149 Hugo Boss

05.

Cable Knit Crew Neck Jumper, Spanish Purple £115 Polo Ralph Lauren

06.

Sanford Cable Crew Jumper £40 Howick

07.

Foxley V-Neck Jumper £49 Crew

06.

07.

available with a Harley Street trained professional

NEW AND NEARLY NEW DESIGNER CLOTHES & Accessories

Selection includes JIMMY CHOO SHOES & HANDBAGS MULBERRY HANDBAGS CHANEL JACKETS GUCCI SUNGLASSES

TURNAROUND Unit 3, Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt, NR25 6LN Tel 01263 711 393

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

www.beachclinic.co.uk

Sheringham Cottages

NORTH NORFOLK COAST UNLOCK THE SECRET TO LOOKING GOOD IN EVERYTHING YOU WEAR Local family run business Six delightful 4 star / families welcome graded holiday properties sleeping from 2 to 15 in Sheringham Foresters, Augusta & Madge are all rated suitable for wheelchair users by Visit England, as well as being great for families Superb quiet location. Blue flag beach, shops, family pubs, theatre and 18-hole golf course all within 200 metres Free use of local leisure centre, inc. swim and gym, Sky TV, sports and movies, Wi-fi, gardens and off road parking

C O L O U R A N A LY S I S & D R E S S I N G W E L L

In just one stress-free, enjoyable session I can stop you feeling lost and confused about your wardrobe. You’ll leave with the confident, life-changing ability to know exactly which clothes make you look fabulous... just you, the person you are now.

Free pick up from Sheringham train & bus station

Trevor Claydon 01263 577560 www.sheringhamcottages.com

Colour Analyst & Personal Stylist

HOUSE OF COLOUR

T: 07805 876619 E: gill.bushnell@houseofcolour.co.uk

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

brave the

showers

Rainy days come all too often at this time of year so it is essential to have an umbrella at hand.

Donna Titcombe has selected some brilliant brollies to see you through the wettest weather.

01.

02.

04.

03.

01.

Hammond & Co. by Patrick Grant Designer Umbrella £30

02.

Fulton Bloomsbury 2 Umbrella - Contrast Spot £26

05.

03.

Susino Charcoal Grey Printed Walking Umbrella £19.99

06.

04.

Aquascutum Umbrella Club Check Walker £75

05.

Totes Mens Double Canopy Walker With Football Print Underside £25

06.

Barbour Tartan Telescopic Umbrella £32

THROWERS OF LUDHAM

… more an just a vilage store

Come and Join Us For...

Y A D N SU £9.95 H C N U L

PER PERSON

Stocked wi er 50 types of ch se, 9 varieties of olives and ham о e bоe.

Why not give Throwers deli a visit? Many other local goodies in store including Letheringsett Watermill flour, local milk, How Hill honey, Lakenham Creamery ice cream, Brays pork pies, paté and much, much more.

4 MEATS 8 VEGETABLES PIGS IN BLANKETS S THE WORKS! SERVED EVERY SUNDAY A AY FROM 12 noon.

Full menu also available

GREAT FOOD AND GOOD TIMES BY THE SEA

01692 678248

www.throwers.co.uk

Please book a table to avoid disappointment | tel: 01493 657001

Find us on the A1062 between Wroxham and Potter Heigham.

Coffee & Tea Store 2 Church Street Cromer NR2 79ER

Relax and Enjoy

with friends Leaf Teas, Ground Coffee, Cappuccino, Smoothies, Milkshakes, Iced Coffees, Iced Teas Homemade Cakes, Scones incl Gluten Free, Sandwiches, Pannini Sausage Rolls, Pork Pies, Soup, Stews, Salads, Wraps and More ....

8 till Late Everyday

Jay Jay's at The Beach Cafe

@JayJaysTheBeach

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

caipirinha

COOL CAIPIRINHA

This month’s clever concoction is Brazil’s favourite cocktail, the very refreshing Caipirinha. The ingredients are a little unusual but they’re all readily available so it’s worth tracking them down to create the authentic, South American taste.

– bar team mix one You can head to The Cliff Hotel in Gorleston and let their talented for you (this version was created by top mixologist Ruben Sobreira).

caIpirInHA 1. Add four slices of fresh lime to a cocktail glass. 2. Add in two teaspoons of Arucas sugar and muddle together (crush and mix). 3. Fill the glass with crushed ice. 4. Add two shots of Cachaça sugar cane spirit and stir to mix. 5. Garnish with a slice of lime and sip back and enjoy!

In association with The Cliff Hotel, Cliff Hill, Gorleston, NR31 6DH 01493 662179 | www.thecliffhotel.co.uk

59

FOOD & DRINK

This fantastic fish dish is plain sailing thanks to this trouble-free recipe by talented French chef

Franck Pontais

franck pontais

puSHING the boAt OuT SERVES FOUR

ROASTED TROUT with streaky bacon –

Photography by ANDREW FLORIDES www.andrewflorides.co.uk

METHOD 1. Ask your fishmonger to prepare the trout for you, so that it is skinless and boneless. 2. Roll some cling film on your kitchen surface and place the strips of streaky bacon on this, arranging the fillets of trout on top of each strip and adding another slice of bacon on top of the fish. 3. Roll the fish and bacon together gently and tie up each roll with a piece of kitchen string. 4. Cook the fish and bacon in the oven at 2000C for around eight to 10 minutes. 5. Meanwhile, wash and spilt the baby leeks into two and cook them in a hot frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil, seasoning well. 6. Proceed the same way with the spinach.

For the dressing In a mixer, blend together the flat parsley, garlic and the remaining olive oil with the lemon juice, then season and reserve.

To make up the plates 1. Make some bacon shard with the remaining bacon (this is simply streaky bacon slightly overcooked in the oven, then dried on a piece of kitchen roll). 2. Heat up the sundried tomato pesto and place a spoonful in the middle of each dish, add some spinach on top and place the trout in the centre. 3. Arrange the cooked baby leeks around the fish and then add a drizzle of parsley and garlic oil. 4. Add a few shards of bacon and serve immediately – voilà!

INGREDIENTS

• 8 fillets of trout • 20 fine strips of streaky bacon • 200g spinach • 4 baby leeks • ¼ bunch flat parsley • 1 clove garlic • 100g sun-dried tomato pesto • 100ml olive oil • Juice of half a lemon • Table salt • White ground pepper

chef Let our French for

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

More information is available at www.franckpontais.com

| APRIL 2017

H A RT A N D S O U L Mark Nicholls dines out at the White Hart Hotel in Hingham, which is the heart of the local community – THE WHITE HART, 3 Market Place, Hingham, Norwich, NR9 4AF Tel: 01953 850214 or visit www.whitehartnorfolk.co.uk

62

H

istory and character seep out from every nook of The White Hart with wooden floors, old beams and well-trodden rugs underpinning the welcoming ambience of this village hotel.

With the odd quirk, too (seek out the painted Union Jack or the antlered chandelier, for example), it has stood resolutely at the heart of Hingham for generations, with parts of the building dating from the 15th century.

Today, the hostelry is a cosy gastro-pub, combining a friendly bar with food of the highest quality.

Achieving this blend, as many have found, is not always easy: how often do you go into a gastro-pub and feel that you are encroaching on diners, or alternatively that you can’t get to the bar because of the tables?

Yet The White Hart Hotel exudes a comfortable balance; drinking and eating in the bars is a pleasure, whilst diners can also request tables in more formal areas, such the Old Court Room upstairs.

As we walked in, the familiar clunk and plop of bar billiards being played could be heard, whilst at the far end of the bar the glow of the wood burner drew our attention on a cool March evening.

We were invited to a discreet corner table, close to the fire, where the walls were lined with old prints and an eclectic array of books stood on shelves – Evelyn Waugh rubs shoulders with Wisden 1963 to 1982 with both set beside volumes of Parliamentary Debate.

Around us, diners and drinkers mingled with similar ease as we perused the à la carte menu and tasted canapés of salmon and crème fraïche, goat’s cheese and sweet red onion, and chorizo on ciabatta.

While the surroundings were enticing, what ultimately defines any place to eat is the lure of the menu, the taste of the food and the way it is cooked and served.

We called in on a Saturday evening, looking forward to a relaxing meal after spending a spring afternoon attempting to revive the garden after its winter neglect.

FOOD & DRINK

the white hart

It was overdue – both the attention to the garden and our visit to The White Hart Hotel.

With real ales that include Adnams, Woodforde’s and Morland on tap, an extensive wine list, and plenty of soft drinks, there was also the option to begin with a cocktail or aperitif: Winter Pimm’s, Aperol Spritz, a Cosmopolitan, Gin Fizz or Prosecco Royale?

I, instead, opted for a full-bodied glass house red.

Dining with my youngest daughter Sarah, she went for a starter of soup of the day – carrot and leek (£4.50) – while I was drawn to The White Hart smoked meat charcuterie board (£8.95), which was also available as a main course, and I loved the Mediterranean-style range of meats with olives and sun-dried tomatoes.

The main menu included a butcher’s choice and a catch of the day, plus sea bass, salmon Niçoise salad or venison but my eye wandered to the duo of lamb, and the lamb rack and polenta crusted lamb ball with wild garlic mash, minted jus and sautéed leeks (£21.95) was delicious.

Sarah opted for a pub classic and picked out the beef steak burger with rustic chips (£10.95). A feast in its own right, other classics included a pie of the day, sirloin steak or ham and eggs.

What I found appealing about the menu was that it was varied but not overcrowded – there were options for all palates and tastes.

Happy with my choice, I did, however, have a few moments’ deliberation as The White Hart Hotel also offers a tempting tapas menu with chilled and warm dishes such as peppered mackerel, sunblushed tomatoes or honey-glazed ribs, Stilton-stuffed fig wrapped in Serrano ham, or black pudding scotch duck egg with aioli.

Another day, perhaps?

The White Hart is owned and run by Katie and Matthew Pamplin, but the menus are the work of executive chef Ian Flatt, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the kitchens of some of the region’s finest dining establishments and works alongside sous chef Rob Cromack.

Using local produce, the menus change monthly – whilst retaining a few pub favourites – and combine creativity with flair and flavour.

In addition to the main and tapas menus, there is a children’s menu and Sunday breakfast menu, along with a stunning selection of desserts.

It is a menu which studiously matches puddings with liqueurs: the chef’s crème brûlee with home-made shortbread is paired with Limoncello and the jam roly poly with poached rhubarb and vanilla custard couples with sloe gin.

I opted for the Key lime tart with cinnamon spiced compote, almond crunch and blood orange sorbet. Not only was this a work of art in presentation, but a masterpiece in taste and flavour. The recommended match was Drambuie, and provided a fitting finale to a marvellous meal.

When it comes to dining out, I tend to regard the benchmark of a great place to eat as being whether we’d return with our friends.

Personally, I can’t wait to find an excuse to head back to Hingham and enjoy another meal at The White Hart Hotel – and with five boutique bedrooms opening imminently, we may just have to stay over.

63

| APRIL 2017

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

Richard Bainbridge

It’s all about chocolate at Easter-time, so this month Richard Bainbridge turns his hand to a decadent, dark chocolate dessert

PURE INDULGENCE

© KATJA BAINBRIDGE

FOOD & DRINK

richard bainbridge

DARK CHOCOLATE PRALINE TART (GLUTEN-FREE)

Going out for dinner is a real treat, a chance to

escape from our busy, everyday existence and to really enjoy what’s put in front of us, rather than simply gulping our food down and rushing to get on with the next task on our list.

Dinner in a restaurant is an opportunity to put real life on hold for a while, a chance to dress up and to enjoy the company of the person or people you’re with as well as a time to really focus on the food in front of you. Not surprisingly, it’s also a time to suspend a diet and to treat yourself to a dessert – something decadent, delicious and memorable. This rich, dark chocolate praline tart is a fabulous way to round off a meal and always goes down very well with our customers at Benedicts.

To be honest, this is a rather complicated recipe for a change, but follow it step by step and rest assured that your hard work will be rewarded.

· 110g salted butter at room temperature

· 75g caster sugar · 60g gluten-free flour · 1 medium egg · 16g cold water · 185g chestnut flour

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

CHESTNUT PASTRY

Place the butter and caster sugar into a bowl and mix well, add your flours and rub the mixture through your hands until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Add the table salt and mix well.

Forming a well in the middle of the flour, add your egg and half the water and then slowly bring the pastry together, adding the rest of the water if needed (the pastry should be wet to the touch).

Then wrap the pastry in cling film and rest it in the fridge for at least an hour before using. (Nb. this pastry freezes well).

· 2g table salt

PRALINE CARAMEL · 150g cream

· 60g glucose syrup · 95g caster sugar · 40g butter · 25g praline paste · 10g 40 per cent chocolate · Vanilla bean · 3g salt

PRALINE CHOCOLATE GANACHE · 100g 55 per cent chocolate · 125g double cream · 30g praline paste

Place the cream and glucose into a large pot on a high heat and bring them to a simmer.

Then remove the pan from the heat and set it on the side.

Place the sugar in a thick-bottomed pan on a medium heat and cook it until it is a deep brown caramel colour.

At this point, slowly add it to the warm cream mixture, being very careful as it will bubble up quite a lot.

Mix well and then place it back on a high heat and bring to 1180C then remove it from the heat and allow to cool to 600C. Once your caramel mixture has cooled, take a hand blender and slowly blend in the butter and praline paste, chocolate, vanilla and salt, continuing to whisk until they have completely emulsified together.

Pass the mixture through a sieve and pour it into your blindbaked tart cases, roughly a third of the way up, and then pop these into the fridge.

Place the cream into a large pot and bring it to the boil.

Once boiling, slowly pour over your chocolate, whisking continuously until all of the chocolate has melted, then fold in the praline paste.

Allow to cool slightly, then remove the tarts from the fridge and gently pour the mixture over the caramel-filled tart and fill to the top.

Pop the tarts back in the fridge or leave them on the side and allow them to set.

Once set, your tarts are ready to serve.

65

Speciality Night

Sunday Roast

£9.95

£10.95

Every Monday

Every Sunday

À La Carte

Every Tuesday - Saturday

Beautiful Poolside Restaurant Open 7 Days a Week 01692 404 900 Bacton Road, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0RA, Info@theolivetreenorfolk.com, www.theolivetreenorfolk.com

Jessica Nails

Decleor Massage

Paul Mitchell Hair Salon

Decleor Facials

Sauna

NORFOLK

SPA

HAIR & BEAUTY

Monday 9.00 - 19.00 Tuesday 9.00 – 18:00 Wednesday Closed Thursday 9.00 – 18:00 Friday 10.00 – 20.00 Saturday 9.00 –17.00 Sunday 10.00 - 17.00

01692 503175 Norfolk Park, Bacton Road, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0RA, www.NorfolkSpa.co.uk

re a l C & s e L MEET

ucing d o r p y l i m a rett f r a J e h t f o from e ions t n i a r w e ĂŠ n s e o g r o Tw ed and r , e it h w g in ham g n i l m a award-winn r F r d nea r a y e n i v r i e th ing with Bouquet brimm rus and elderflower, cit al fruit honeyed tropic

try something local

Pop to the Co-op

W E L L W O RT H T H E J O U R N EY Matt Tyler goes west in search of fine food, relaxation and indulgence as he heads to the majestic Congham Hall

68

C

ongham Hall is a stunning Georgian manor house set in 30 acres of pastoral countryside in North-West Norfolk. For us that meant a journey of over one-and-a-half hours, but as we hadn’t been there for some time and had heard good things about it recently, we decided to travel there to see just how much has changed.

Built in 1780 and converted into a hotel 200 years later, Congham Hall is situated in Grimston, a short drive from the Queen’s estate in Sandringham, and just a stone’s skim away from the wide, open beaches of the North Norfolk coast. And what a truly magnificent country house hotel it is.

I last visited many years ago to attend a corporate function and at the time, whilst comfortable, the feel was quite, well, “corporate”, but that`s all changed following considerable investment and an extensive overhaul. The entire premises have been upgraded, retaining much of the classic Georgian styling on the outside, but with a contemporary feel within.

Checking in was through the porticoed entrance hall which provides a welcoming first impression with Persian rugs covering the flagstoned floors, carriage lamps giving a soft, warm glow, comfy sofas arranged around an open log fire, an abundance of fresh flowers, and even a row of complimentary wellies for guests to borrow for those long country walks! Just one of the many little touches to ensure guests have a comfortable and very relaxing stay.

Congham Hall is owned by Nicholas Dickinson who has had an extensive career in the high-end hospitality industry, including time at luxury establishments Chewton Glen and Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons. He also helped co-develop the Luxury Family Hotels group and Alias Hotels, so he is very experienced in running luxury establishments, clearly evident from the attention to detail and high standards all around Congham Hall.

FOOD & DRINK

congham hall

“The 2 AA rosette menu makes maximum use of local and seasonal produce, much of it sourced using vegetables from the hotel’s own kitchen garden” 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 hotel’s garden and all are finished to a very high spec, with each room 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 a vast bed, large screen TV, retro filament big bulb lamps and a truly immaculate, white bathroom with a selection of toiletries from the hotel spa’s own range.

We were particularly impressed with the room’s overall finish, from the colonial-style window shutters and modern splash of colour blind in the bathroom to the amazing view across the open parkland. As well as the growing reputation of the restaurant, the Hall also boasts a 12 metre indoor swimming pool complete with fountains, spectacular floor-to-ceiling picture windows and an outdoor hot tub with views over the immaculately kept park. These are all part of the very popular state-of-the-art Secret Garden Spa which also includes a thermal suite, sauna, bio-sauna and steam room, two quirky ”experience showers” and even a poolside foot spa. There is also a wide range of treatments which guests can book during their stay. Much use is made of seasonal herbs and fresh, cut flowers from the hotel’s gardens in the spa’s own treatments and, thanks to a partnership with specialist brand Elemental Herbology, they have developed products, rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants and proteins, which are formulated to counteract the effects of age, lifestyle and the environment, all of which are available to buy so you can continue the pampering at home.

For the more energetic guest there is croquet on the lawns, putting in the orchard, and a variety of mapped walks around the local area and coastline, while for the truly energetic there’s even a 14ft trampoline for guests to bounce to their hearts’ content should the mood take them!

For those preferring a less strenuous break (that’ll be us then), there is an amply-stocked library full of books, games and DVDs, all the day’s newspapers and magazines, including, of course, Places&Faces®, and a comfortable sitting room complete with a log fire, fresh flowers and sofas in which to relax while enjoying them.

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.

69

Michelin award winning Restaurant with Rooms, daily changing Lunch & Dinner du Jour Menus inspired by ingredients from Our Farm.

Michelin award winning Restaurant with Rooms, Michelin award winning Restaurant with Rooms, daily Dinnerdu duJour JourMenus Menus dailychanging changingLunch Lunch & & Dinner inspired fromOur OurFarm.

Farm. inspiredby byingredients ingredients from DINNER DU JOUR 2 Courses £22.50, 3 Courses £28.00

LUNCH DU JOUR 2 Courses £16.50, 3 Courses £22.50

LUNCH JOUR LUNCH DU JOUR 2 2Courses Courses£22.50 £22.50 Courses£16.50, £16.50, 3 Courses DINNER DU DU JOUR DINNER JOUR Courses£22.50, £22.50, 3 3 Courses 2 2Courses Courses£28.00 £28.00

01692 581099

01692 581099

www.theinghamswan.co.uk

www.theinghamswan.co.uk

info@theinghamswan.co.uk

info@theinghamswan.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

congham hall

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, who’s a fish lover, decided on shrimp cocktail and champ (creamed potato and spring onion) for her starter followed by pan-fried cod fillet served with shrimps in brown butter, capers and lemon (£18.50) which, again, was beautifully presented, with the meaty, white flakes of cod being melt-in-the-mouth. She declared it delicious and the best cod dish she has ever eaten as well as extremely more-ish.

Presentation is clearly important to James and his team, with each dish tweaked and teased until it’s just so before being presented to the guest. 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.

As we are both cheese-lovers, 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 truly superb meal.

Dinner over, nightcaps were taken in the laid-back setting of the 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 the next morning and, whilst the ambience of the room at dinnertime was warm and cosy, by day the mood is fresh, bright and relaxed, with attractive parkland views from the windows.

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, with copious amounts of coffee, set us up nicely for our return journey back along the A47.

Following breakfast and one last swim in the pool, we rather reluctantly packed up, checked out and headed back to the real world of nine to five and life lived at a much faster pace than we had grown accustomed to at Congham Hall.

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.

This time of the year is an ideal time to visit with the gardens reawakening from their winter slumber, producing little patches of spring colour amongst the borders and giving those early feel good signs that spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner.

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.

CONGHAM HALL HOTEL & SPA, Grimston, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 1AH Tel: 01485 600250 | www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk

71

#SOCIALMONDAYS

#SOCIALWEDNESDAYS

Exclusively for Social Club members

#SOCIALTHURSDAYS

Exclusively for Social Club members

Exclusively for Social Club members

HALF PRICE FOOD

HALF PRICE LUNCHES

241 COCKTAILS

10 – 2.30 EVERY MONDAY

12 – 2.30 EVERY WEDNESDAY

5 – LATE EVERY THURSDAY

2 Warwick St, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 3LD warwickstsocial.co.uk | 01603 627687 | info@warwickstsocial.co.uk

We invite you to dine from our

‘ A TA S T E O F NORFOLK’ MENU This is our dedication to Norfolk’s finest seasonal produce, inspired by ingredients from Our Farm. £45pp

01508 492497

www.thewildebeest.co.uk

info@thewildebeest.co.uk

| APRIL 2017

GENTLY DOEs it This fish dish has a delicate flavour and needs just a few minutes to cook.

It makes a fabulous starter or main course and is ideal for a dinner party.

Simon Wainwright, executive head chef of The Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth explains how to make it

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

2012 Single Vineyard, Semillon, Fairfield Block, Clare Valley, Australia

Tim Adams founded his winery in 1987 with the purchase of this winery in the Clare Valley in South Australia and named it Tim Adams Wines. The first grapes were crushed on site the following year and his wines have since gone from strength to strength, with years of hard work, passion and curiosity resulting in a progressive family winery that is committed to creating elegant wines and which now has a worldwide reputation for fine wines.

The Semillon is a wonderful grape that we hardly ever drink unless it is in a blend. As a single variety it has wonderful flavours that really work well with the sea bass in this recipe as well as the flavours of the spice.

The wine is made by crushing the grapes and then the juice is left in contact with the skins for 12 hours to maximise the fruit flavour and extraction. The fermentation was in a mixture of stainless steel and French oak barrels.

This wine is aromatic with balance and a generous flavour typical of this variety grown in the Clare valley. Fermentation in the oak has added complexity to the grassy and stone fruit characters of the Semillon and so this is a wine which you can enjoy today but which can be cellared for a decade with confidence to age and evolve with grace.

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

www.cafecru.co.uk

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

FOOD & DRINK

imperial hotel

SIMON WAINWRIGHT, executive head chef of the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth

SPICED TEMPURA SEA BREAM with tomato chutney and cucumber relish METHOD Start by making the tomato chutney. To do this, simply put all the ingredients for the chutney into a saucepan and cook them on a low heat for an hour, stirring every five to 10 minutes.

Next make the cucumber relish – simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and then reserve on one side.

To make the tempura batter, put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix together well until you achieve a batter consistency. Once ready, dip the pieces of sea bream into the batter and then fry them lightly on both sides until crisp.

TO SERVE: Spoon some cucumber relish on to each plate and then place the pieces of fish on top.

Decorate with the tomato chutney, either on the side or around the edge of the dish and finish with a few fresh herbs.

INGREDIENTS

SERVES 4

• 4 x 6-8oz fillets of sea bream, skin-on, cut into thirds

SPICED TEMPURA BATTER

• 250g plain flour • ½ tsp turmeric • ½ tsp chilli powder • ½ tsp Garam Marsala • ½ tsp ground coriander • ½ tsp salt • 2 tbsp cornflour • 400ml sparkling cold water • 50ml lemonade

TOMATO CHUTNEY

• 6 tomatoes chopped into twelfths • 2 chillis, seeds removed and chopped • 3 cloves of garlic, chopped • 1 white onion, diced • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp salt

CUCUMBER RELISH

• 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped into 1cm cubes • 1 red onion, finely sliced • 1 tsp olive oil • 1 tbsp chopped coriander • ½ tsp salt • ¼ tsp cumin • ¼ tsp turmeric • 1 tsp caster sugar • 60ml white wine vinegar

75

SUPPLIERS OF THE

Finest Quality Locally-Sourced Food Since 1889

Flying the Flag for Norfolk Produce

ARTHUR HOWELL WWW.ARTHURHOWELL.COM

01328-710228 WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA

•

BURNHAM MARKET

Conservatories Ltd Windows & Doors

Durable, Stable, Sustainable.

For our brochure or further information contact Quayside Conservatories on

01502 714512

visit our website, or send us an email

www.quayside-conservatories.co.uk

enquiries@quayside-conservatories.co.uk

Quality existing Quayside installations

ame glian G ir, n A t s a Ea ntry F & Cou tford.

The pril 23rd A 22ndow, olk Sh f r o N Royal orwich, N ne 9th Ju t 28 h-2

Coopers

Bathrooms & Heating Ltd

Independant Family Run Business FREE tiles from our range with every full installation

W&M SMITH

Here at W&M Smith we supply a huge range of floristry products.... from flowers to balloons, crystals, ribbons & cards.

Catering for all your wedding extras & essentials!

Working Showers On Display • • • • • • • • • • •

Wet Room Display in Our Showroom

En-suites Shower Rooms Bathrooms to suit your needs Level Access Walk in Shower Rooms Boiler & Gas Central Heating Supply Only or Full Installation Tiling, Plastering, Electrics, Plumbing Small Building Work All Work Guaranteed Grant Work Undertaken Less Abled Wet Room Specialists

Unit 8, Elvin Way, Sweetbriar Industrial Estate, Norwich NR3 2BB Telephone: 01603 400134 | Email: coopersbandh@hotmail.co.uk www.coopersbathandheating.co.uk

Anglia Boiler Maintenance Ltd. Domestic and Commercial Gas and Oil Boiler Maintenance and Installation

70a High Street, Caister on Sea, Norfolk, NR30 5EH

01493 721373

www.anglia-boiler.co.uk

ss

Pightle Barn, Blacksmiths Lane, Middlewood Green, Stowmarket IP14 5EU

Open Monday & Thursday 10am - 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 10am - 5pm Also selected Saturdays and Sundays 10-4 (please call to check) Tel: 01449 711014 Fax: 01449 711815 Email: enquiries@wandmsmith.co.uk Website: www.wandmsmith.co.uk - online shop now open!

I N T R O D U C I N G

THE DESIGN EVENT NOW ON ACROSS T H E STOR E

Meet our new spring collection and explore 3 floors of the very best contemporary designed furniture and home accessories in Norfolk

SAITAMA IN LUXURIOUS GRADE A FABRICS CORNER CHAISE (FEATURED) WAS £2986 £2199 2 SEATER SOFA WAS £1713 £1279

S

F

L YOU RSE I L PO

SAVE up to

25%

Furniture Collections

BEDFORD STREET t h e g r a n a r y. c o . u k

|

|

Gifts & Home Accessories

N O RW I C H

+ 4 4 ( 0 )16 0 3 6 9 71 0 7

|

a Jarrold store

| APRIL 2017

Enchante, large hanging heart £4.50 Beautifully woven, this natural heart would look fabulous as a window hanging – a loving symbol visible from both inside and out Sophie Allport, doorstop £30 Made from durable fabric and with features trimmed in leather on the head and tail, this chicken will stand proudly, holding open any door in the house

Sophie Allport, standard mug £11 From the Cluck Cluck range, tea or coffee will taste great in these fun yet sophisticated mugs

Crack a smile!

Spring is well and truly here,

new growth is everywhere and sweet, little lambs are gambolling in the fields. It must be Easter and time to have fun, and not just outside the home… although an Easter Egg Hunt does take some beating!

Enchante, metal hen hanger £3.50 each, metal egg hanger £2.50 each These bright and breezy rustic hens are brightly painted and have charming dangly feet. The eggs are in an assortment of cool pastel shades and all would look gorgeous set on a natural twig tree of any size – why not raid the garden and make your own?

Enchante, Easter wreath, £20 Beautiful speckled eggs, plaited wicker and artificial moss combine to create this stunning artificial wreath to adorn a wall or door. Or use it as a spectacular table centre for the celebratory Easter meal

– Bring some of this light-hearted atmosphere into your kitchen and living space with the addition of a few seasonal accessories, say Happy Easter to friends and family and put a smile on their faces.

Parlane, Chickfeet egg cup £3.50 Now then, no fighting at the breakfast table over this amusing little item! So sweet and guaranteed to raise a smile

Wikholm rabbit, £6 This little cutie is Holly Rabbit and many more members of her family are available in all shapes and sizes

HAYLEY & JENNIFER are homeware buyers – Jarrolds, 1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.jarrold.co.uk The Granary, 5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk

INTERIORS

easter fun Keith Brymer Jones, 4 egg cup set £17.50 Now an iconic home brand, these are from the Word collection and are ideal for the family breakfast table

Scion, Spike breakfast plate £10.50, egg cups, set of 4 £17.50, mug £11.50, cereal bowl £11.50 Here is Spike trotting across this cheerful range of tableware that everyone will fall in love with

81

INTERIORS

arcadia home interiors complement the other paint colours being used in the room, as most “white” paints will have an undertone from another pigment colour – some with a note of blue, yellow, red, green or grey… If you hold a piece of printer paper to a colour swatch you will see the difference.

Off-white is a much warmer alternative and will still give you a fresh, clean look.

COLOURS

Isn’t it funny how certain colours are synonymous with feelings? How red is associated with love and passion (and danger) and green with envy and jealousy (and nature)? You can be a yellow-bellied coward and receive a white feather for your failings. Green is definitely popular at the moment, with a myriad of hues to choose from – jade, emerald, leafy green, teal, forest green, sage, apple green – any of these versatile colours can transform a room to make it vibrant, peaceful and sumptuous. Try teaming up with crisp white, lively yellows, soft grey and pale or hot pinks.

CONTRAST

One of the styles we love in the showroom is the contrast of colour with beautiful metals – bronze, nickel, copper and brass – that appear in many bathrooms and kitchens. A stunning, bateau-style, copper bathtub will look incredible in a dark grey bathroom, with off-white woodwork and ceilings to keep it looking fresh. Pure white kitchens have always been, and continue to be, hugely popular. When you combine the clean lines of the units with bright and colourful curtains or blinds it gives life and warmth to the room – then the kitchen walls are a blank canvas; bright white walls with an array of monochrome pictures and photographs would look striking – or coloured walls to bring the room together (framed children’s paintings will always make you smile!).

A QUESTION OF COLOUR The right choice of colour can really make or break a room, as Eliza Miller from Arcadia Home Interiors explains…

BE BRAVE

There are no rights or wrongs in choosing paint colours and it is easy to spend hours upon hours cogitating and having sleepless nights.

When decorating a large house many years ago a great friend said to me: “Come on, get the paint chart and let’s just choose!” and so we did. Fairly quickly and fairly painlessly – and all was well in the end. It helped that I had chosen my curtain fabrics first, so they were my focal point and the rooms took shape around those. Like the great scone debate – do we put cream on first or jam? Should you choose your paint colour first or your fabric? Answer: it is entirely up to you!

“Colour is the fruit of life,” said the 19th century French poet, Guillame Apollinaire, and who are we to argue?! This doesn’t mean to say, however, that we should be painting our homes with only colours from the fruit bowl, but that colour can be delicious and good for us – and that we should not be afraid of it.

CHOOSING A COLOUR

When planning to decorate, it is important to think about the overall look you are trying to achieve. Spend some time flicking through books and magazines and gather together images to create a mood board, so you have an idea of how you want the room to look and feel – attach any fabric samples that you love (possible curtains, blinds, cushion covers, bedding) and ideally a swatch of the floor covering you will be using. When choosing a paint colour, try buying some sample pots and either painting an A4 piece of white paper – or some wallpaper lining paper – and then you can walk around the house with these to gauge how the colours will look in each room. Don’t forget that the colours will look different depending on how much natural light there is in a room, what time of day it is and even what time of year. They will also look different depending on the artificial light and the types of bulbs used. A top tip to create light in a room is to use the lightest colour on the largest surface areas and then a darker colour on the skirting boards to make the walls appear lighter.

WHITES

It’s a bit like the colour of teeth I always think – some white is not really white at all! It is important to choose the right white paint to

For more ideas and examples, see: www.arcadiahome interiors.co.uk

ELEGANT SURROUNDINGS

These lovely products from JHD Interiors will elevate your home to the next level Voyage Vase - Voltumna Granite Height 49cm, Depth 18cm £69 rrp Voyage Throw - Helios Opal Backed with Como Pewter 120 x 200cm 60 per cent cotton, 40 per cent viscose £172 rrp Voyage Cushion - Helios Granite Backed in Como Platinum 35 x 60cm 60 per cent cotton, 40 per cent viscose £34 rrp

Tullio Two-Seater Sofa Width 186cm Depth 90cm Height 82cm From £985

JHD Interiors Ltd

Unit 1/2 Tilia Court, Wendover Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Norwich NR13 6SX • Tel: 01603 722385 • Email: jhdinteriors@gmail.com

www. jhdinteriors .co.uk

INTERIOR DESIGN

jhd interiors

LOOKING GOOD With over a decade of experience and a brand new showroom, JHD Interiors in Rackheath is the place to turn to for fine interior design

JHD Interiors is proud to be occupying attractive new premises, which officially opened to the public this spring.

Following 10 years in the unit next door – which now serves as a busy, two-storey workshop – this professional, local interior design company can now show off its products in style.

Known particularly for fabulous curtains, drapes, blinds and upholstery, the team at JHD Interiors can turn their hands to almost anything, from a simple restoration project, such as recovering a chair, to fitting out an entire house or business.

The new showroom in Rackheath, which celebrated its official launch on Friday, March 31, is the perfect place for customers to come and discuss their requirements and the staff at this familyrun concern pride themselves on offering friendly, approachable customer service and paying close attention to detail.

JHD Interiors was first established in 2000 by expert designer Julie Handforth-Doidge and has served a wealth of customers ever since.

Managing director Julie explains: “We can literally do everything from redesign to interior design” and this includes home and commercial redesign.

Julie, her husband Mick and their daughter Roxanne all work at the Rackheath-based business, along with three other key members of staff.

Curtains and poles are a big part of the company’s activity and there is a whole host of different designs from which to choose, while upholstery and re-upholstery are key factors, too.

Julie says: “Customer satisfaction is key, getting them to feel at ease and confident with the expert advice offered, with a back-up service that’s second-to-none.

“We also have one of the best ranges of fabrics in Norfolk, from £20 a metre to £250 a metre.”

Many of these fabulous fabrics are on display in the new showroom, with sample books and hangers demonstrating many more.

There are also all kinds of Roman blinds (including childfriendly and remote-controlled versions) and, of course, the very latest wallcoverings, curtain and upholstery fabrics from such well-known names as Sanderson, Black Edition, Romo, Harlequin, Voyage and many others.

The company also offers new, fully-upholstered furniture (which begins with good quality beechwood frames) as well as everything else needed to furnish a room.

As Julie says: “We hold a wide range of wallcoverings including the most exclusive Carl Robinson, Arte and Brian Yates designs.

“Proud of our portfolio so far, we have been instrumental in services to local hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, health spas and gyms, coupled with our main emphasis which is on beautiful

homes throughout East Anglia (the company has handled interior design for beautiful barns and holiday homes worth several hundred thousand pounds).

In fact, some of the requests that JHD Interiors has handled over the years have been rather unusual, including leather-clad bannisters for London’s Dorchester Hotel to leather-clad and red velvet-lined presentation boxes for well-known Norfolk chef Daniel Smith’s recent appearance on TV’s Great British Menu.

Word of JHD Interiors’ expertise has evidently spread and a steady increase in trade has prompted the company to invest in the lovely new showroom where customers can simply pop in, have a chat and take a look around (there’s no need to make an appointment).

Meanwhile, the team is also very happy to visit customers in their own homes.

JHD Interiors also offers an expert fitting service for products such as poles, curtain tracks, blinds and pelmets.

In fact, the company is also a one-stop shop for all kinds of interior design and, besides chairs, sofas, curtains and wallcoverings, it also stocks plenty of other attractive household items such as cushions, lamps, chaise longues and footstools.

Julie says: “We do a bespoke bedding range and also stock Kylie Minogue accessories.”

What’s more, the new showroom is divided into several different areas, so that customers can see how a bedroom, lounge and so on might look when made up.

The new showroom is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday and from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays (closed on Sundays and bank holidays) and you can be sure of a warm welcome from Julie, Mick, Roxanne and their team.

JHD Interiors Ltd

Unit 1/2, Tilia Court, Wendover Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Norwich NR13 6SX

Tel: 01603 722385 • Email: jhdinteriors@gmail.com www.jhdinteriors.co.uk

85

ASKING PRICE £740,000

Beautiful Blakeney This attractive brick and flint house is located right in the heart of this coveted coastal village and combines contemporary characteristics with charming period properties

86

T

HE OLD CUSTOMS HOUSE is located in the heart of

Blakeney, one of the most desirable locations on the North Norfolk coast. This Grade II-listed, semidetached property has brick and flint elevations under a pantiled roof and is situated gable end on to the High Street which leads down to the quayside.

Originally two cottages, the property has been tastefully renovated to an extremely high standard and boasts a delightful blend of period features and mod cons.

The centrally heated accommodation is beautifully decorated throughout and features a hand-built, fitted kitchen, finished in Farrow & Ball Ciara yellow with granite and wood worktops and a full range of integrated appliances. The dining room has two shuttered sash windows and a fireplace, and there is a generous and comfortable sitting room with a wood-burner, exposed beams and a delightful seating area. With an abundance of natural light, this lovely space has a “garden room” feel and so is an ideal spot for morning coffee, while a door leads directly on to a patio overlooking the rear garden.

The first floor can be accessed by two staircases, one of which leads to the principal bedroom and en-suite shower room, while a further door opens on to a split level landing leading to two further double bedrooms, a family bathroom and separate WC and the main staircase from the reception hall.

From the High Street a wrought iron gate leads to the attractive front garden which has a small brick and flint outbuilding. Further on a door leads through a walkway and log store and on to the impressive landscaped rear garden (approximately 65' x 60') which has two patio areas, for morning and afternoon sun. There is also a large gated driveway providing plenty of parking.

Inside, the attractive, oak floored reception hall has stairs leading to the first floor. The spacious dining room (15' 7" x 13' 10" (4.75m x 4.22m) also has oak flooring and features an attractive

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

watsons

ESTATE AGENTS On the market with Watsons Period & Prestige, 13 High St, Holt NR25 6BN 01263 711021 or holt@watsons-property.co.uk Viewing Strictly by appointment.

IN A NUTSHELL The Old Customs House at 147 to 149 High Street in Blakeney is a most impressive, Grade II-listed, brick and flint, semi-detached period house with a delightful rear garden and off-road gated parking. This attractive property comprises the following: Impressive sitting room with adjacent study Spacious dining room

Superb bespoke fitted kitchen/breakfast room

Principal bedroom with en-suite shower room Two further double bedrooms Family bathroom and separate WC Period features

65' x 60' rear garden

Gated driveway/parking

fireplace and pamment hearth, two double radiators, two shuttered sash windows and a picture rail.

The kitchen/breakfast room is 15' 11" x 14' 0" (4.85m x 4.27m) and comprises an inset 1.5 bowl enamel sink unit with mixer taps and cupboards underneath, an excellent range of base cupboards and drawer units and an integrated dishwasher, fridge, freezer, washing machine and four ring Bosch propane gas hob. There is a dresser unit with cupboards and drawers, an Iroko worktop, display cupboards and shelves, a decorative mantelpiece, exposed brickwork, a substantial timber beam and a ceramic tiled floor.

Plus a built-in oven with surrounding cupboards as well as another cupboard housing the oil-fired central heating boiler.

An oak floored hall has doors to the front garden and to the spacious sitting room (20' 0" x 10' 4" (6.1m x 3.15m)). This delightful room has an attractive decorative fireplace, a brick recess with a wood-burning stove on a pamment hearth, a leaded and glazed feature window, oak flooring, exposed brickwork and ceiling beams. There is a door to the garden as well as one to the

study (5' 5" x 4' 4" (1.65m x 1.32m)) which benefits from lovely views over the front and rear gardens. There is also an inner hall and a downstairs cloakroom.

The first floor split level landing (16' 9" x 4' 4" (5.11m x 1.32m)) provides access to the roof space. The principal bedroom (16' 0" x 14' 0" (4.88m x 4.27m)) is bright and airy with an attractive period fireplace, an en-suite shower room and a sizeable built-in cupboard/wardrobe, while a second staircase leads down to the ground floor. Off the main landing there’s a guest bedroom (14' 6" x 12' 5" (4.42m x 3.78m)) which has three windows - an original sash window to the front and two windows to the side. Bedroom three is 11' 3" x 7' 8" (3.43m x 2.34m) and there is a family bathroom (5' 5" x 5' 2" (1.65m x 1.57m)) and a separate WC. The Old Customs House is a stylish, comfortable and beautifully presented home finished to an extremely high standard in one of the most sought-after villages on the North Norfolk coast. An internal viewing is essential to fully appreciate this lovely home.

87

THE GUARDIAN WARM ROOF FOR YOUR NEW AND OLD CONSERVATORY ROOF Charcoal - Antique Red - Burnt Umber Moss Green - Ebony Call us for a quote today on:

01986 874241

The Guardian Warm Roof Conversion

Showsites: Blooms, Bressingham, DISS

system has been designed to provide a

Wyevale Garden Centre, WOODBRIDGE

high performance thermal and structural

Homebase, LOWESTOFT

solution with zero condensation risk over the life of the roof.

Head Office, Norwich Rd, HALESWORTH

For more information please visit our website

www.waveney-windows.co.uk Unit 6, Halesworth Business Park, Norwich Rd, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8QJ

ESTATE

AGENTS

GUIDE PRICE £310,000

•

VALUERS

•

PROPERTY

ST JOHNS ROAD, BELTON

GUIDE PRICE £350,000

THE WHITE HOUSE, GORLESTON

GUIDE PRICE £380,000

4 Bedroom spacious family home has character features throughout and occupies a generous plot with extensive lovely parkland style gardens.

Ample parking and a large detached garage / barn offering potential to convert to a self-contained annexe or further accommodation (subject to planning consents). Inc. gas central heating, uPVC double glazed windows. Entrance Porch, Lounge with inglenook style fireplace, second spacious Sitting Room / Family Room with open fire, Conservatory, 25 ft. Studio / third Reception Room, Kitchen / Dining Room, Utility, ground floor Shower Room / WC, 4 good size Bedrooms, Bathroom, separate WC.

GUIDE PRICE £330,000

CHAIN FREE

In central Gorleston, this most imposing and impressive charming residence which comes with a host of original features throughout. Recently undergoing extensive major improvements including a whole new roof to the house itself and the rear outbuilding. Suoerbly maintained unique family home enjoys the benefits of gas central heating, with a stunning fireplace in the drawing room and a wood burner in the smaller “snug” lounge. The property is complimented further with original ornate tiled flooring to the entrance hall and original wood flooring to most rooms. The rear garden is west facing, completely private. A tastefully presented orangery is situated to the front of the house to be enjoyed particularly for any fruit or vegetable growing in the warmer months. Vestibule, drawing, dining room, breakfast/study, Kitchen, 5 bedrooms of landing.

MA NAG EME N T MILL ROAD, BURGH CASTLE

Stunning barn conversion, completely renovated, with character features and contemporary fitting throughout. Situated in this sought after village, generous plot with beautiful landscape gardens.

38ft stunning Main room with high vaulted ceiling, Lounge Area, feature fireplace and cast iron multi-fuel burner open plan aspect leading onto a large Dining Area with feature galleried landing and twin staircases,to first floor and a further open plan aspect from the Dining Area leading onto the modern fitted Kitchen with large centre island. There is a contemporary downstairs Shower Room / WC and 3 first floor Bedrooms, the Master Bedroom offers En-Suite Bathroom.

Oil fired CH and UPVC.

BECCLES ROAD, FRITTON

Immaculate and spacious detached residence with pleasant rural views to rear towards Fritton Lake, sought after village location. The property offers flexible accommodation with 3 first floor double Bedrooms , 2 further potential Bedrooms to the ground floor, 1 with En-Suite. A generous plot and boasts uPVC double glazing, central heating, a 24ft modern style country Kitchen, ample parking and triple Garage. Entrance Porch, Lobby, Lounge, 17ft Second Sitting Room, Garden Room, 24ft Kitchen /Breakfast Room, Rear Porch /Utility, Third Sitting Room / Bedroom 5, Boiler Room, Bedroom 4/Study with access to Shower Room/WC, 3 first floor double Bedrooms, spacious Bathroom /Shower Room.

42 Bells Road, Gorleston on Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6AN www.darbyandliffenea.co.uk · 01493 600411 · info@darbyandliffenea.co.uk

PROPERTY

darby & liffen Other considerations

Think about the type of accommodation you are going to let and how you are going to let it out.

• How will it be advertised - for example, two bedrooms with a study, or three bedrooms?

• What are your circumstances - will you also be living there or living nearby or abroad?

• Will you let the whole property to one tenant or family or will you let individual rooms to a number of different tenants?

• Who is your target market - families, students, professionals?

• What will the costs include ie. Council Tax, utility bills These considerations will affect how you prepare and proceed with the let and the choices you make in managing it.

Who needs to know?

LETTING GO IT’S VITAL TO CONSIDER ALL ASPECTS OF THE RENTAL MARKET BEFORE LETTING OUT YOUR PROPERTY, ADVISES OWEN DARBY Preparing to let your property

Make sure you are prepared; there is a lot to do before you can think about getting your new tenants through the door.

First impressions count for everything, so it's imperative your home looks its best for potential tenants. Maintaining this condition for all viewings will give you the best chance of letting your home and achieving the best possible return. Preparations should include the following: The exterior • Present the front and back gardens in a neat and tidy

condition

• Repair cracks, holes or blemishes in the driveway or walls • Give the window frames and door a fresh coat of paint if they

need it

• Make sure the house number is clearly visible • Keep any rubbish and rubbish bins out of the way

The interior • Make sure you meet the safety standards for gas and furniture

(lettings guides can be found online)

• Declutter - create space by storing furniture, removing • • • • •

unnecessary objects, clearing out cupboards and wardrobes of any non-essential items Carry out repairs - fix leaks and fix cracks in the walls, replace broken or loose tiles, replace blown light bulbs, make sure everything works Clean thoroughly from top to bottom - carpets, floors and windows Deal with unpleasant odours, such as pet smells and cigarette smoke Re-decorate rooms if required - a lick of paint can transform their appearance Ensure the property is structurally sound and not suffering from subsidence or other conditions

Nb. If the property is to be occupied by more than one family or party, this constitutes a House in Multiple Occupation and further regulations would need to be adhered to; you will also need to register this with your local authority. Read more about these requirements on the Department of Communities and Local Government websites.

Although these points may seem like a lot of work, with time, energy and a little money, you’re likely to make a difference to how quickly you let your property and how much rent you can charge.

Before you can let your property, you need to consult a number of parties: • Your mortgage lender (they may ask that you let the property on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy basis) • Your insurance company - if you don't let them know that you’re letting your property, you may not be covered in the event of damage, fire or theft • Your freeholder (if you have one) - important if you wish to let a leasehold flat, for example Choosing a letting agent

Never underestimate the work involved in the successful letting of your property.

The vast majority of landlords prefer to hand over the responsibility for finding a tenant to a dedicated and qualified letting or estate agent. This avoids you having to deal directly with viewings and negotiating with potential tenants. There are considerable advantages to using a letting agent, who will: • Advertise your property efficiently to thousands of potential tenants (make sure you choose an agent that lists its properties on a major portal such as Rightmove) • Have knowledge of the local market, including the type of properties to rent in the area, the potential demand, the rental prices being achieved and the kind of tenants who might be interested • Manage and conduct viewings in order to try to secure tenants for your property, providing you with valuable feedback along the way • Negotiate with tenants on your behalf when discussing the rental price • Provide you with advice and guidance Managing agents

After you've found suitable tenants for your property, you have the option of either managing the let yourself or hiring the services of a managing agent to work on your behalf. Much will depend on your circumstances. If you are living abroad, for example, you may want to employ a managing agent to make sure your tenants and the property are sufficiently looked after while you're away.

The majority of letting agents also offer property management services.

A managing agent will: • Vet potential tenants by sourcing references from previous landlords, carry out credit checks and obtain bank details • Organise tenancy agreements and inventories • Manage the start and end of the tenancy, based on your instructions • Organise the collection of rent and arrange for any repairs • Inspect the property periodically on your behalf • Provide professional advice and guidance throughout.

Owen Darby

Darby and Liffen Estate Agents www.darbyandliffenea.co.uk | 01493 600411

89

| APRIL 2017

Pictures: The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel; view of Bath Abbey

THE BENEFITS OF BATH Kate Morfoot pays a visit to one of the UK’s most fascinating cities…

T

HE CITY OF BATH IN SOMERSET has long been known

for its curative medicinal springs. Romans basked in the waters to recover from their battles and kings and queens visited the city, known then as “Aquae Sulis”, to be cured of their ailments. Today Bath is a compact place that offers its visitors plenty of interesting experiences.

Whether you’re a lover of spas, architecture, museums, walking, shopping or local food and drink, Bath has it all.

The Roman Baths are the city’s most popular attraction. With steaming baths, hypocaust (underfloor heating) systems, and the remains of the temple to Sulis Minerva, this extraordinary Roman site is captivating. This is Britain’s only hot spring and the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water that rises at a rate of 1,170,000 litres each day at 46 degrees.

At the Romans Baths visit the Pump Room for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. Once at the heart of the Georgian social scene, today the Pump Room is still elegant and is open daily for delicious food and super service.

Now you can experience the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters of Britain’s only natural springs at Thermae Bath Spa. The thermal waters which fell over 10,000 years ago and then sank to a depth of 2kms are heated by high temperature rocks before rising back through

90

TRAVEL

Pictures: The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel; view of Bath Abbey

bath

spa enables guests to take the waters in luxury as they go on a journey called the “Bath House Circuit” that includes dipping in three natural thermal pools of varying temperatures and using traditional and infrared saunas and steam rooms. Guests are given small bags of Cornish salt to take on their spa journey which are infused with specificallymade Neals Yard aromatherapy salts to suit their mood.

For a city so small, Bath has more museums in one square mile than many cities twice its size. Cultural heritage is a hugely important asset and tourists flock here to take in the beauty of the Georgian buildings and the imposing Bath Abbey. Head to the No.1 Royal Crescent to see how the Georgian gentry and servants lived, visit the Herschel Museum of Astronomy where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus from his back garden, visit the majestic Bath Abbey and take the Tower Tour up the 212 steps to catch a bird’s eye view of the city or simply relax in the square nearby while watching the artists and musicians perform.

Shopping in Bath is a dream because it’s easy to get around on foot and the Milsom Area is the city’s top place for fashion stores and restaurants. This area is also home to Bath’s flagship store, Jolly’s, which was the UK first ever department store, opening in 1831.

Nearby is ‘Upper Town’ where you’ll find Brock Street and Margaret’s one of the three springs in the city centre; The King’s Spring, The Buildings known for their great cafés, jewellery and art. Also check out Cross Spring and the Hetling Spring. The Thermae Bath Spa is open to the Artisan Quarter for the famous Bath Aqua Glass and The Corridor everyone to relax and enjoy and you can indulge in the open-air roof Shopping Arcade which was built in 1819 and which is Britain’s finest top pool, by day and by night, float away in the Minerva Bath and enjoy example of an indoor covered arcade. some of the best steam rooms ever with aromatic essences including For foodies, Bath doesn’t disappoint with its gastropubs and fine eucalyptus, mint, lemongrass and ginger. A new Wellness Suite is dining restaurants. The Malborough Tavern features fine, locallycurrently being created, with major work being carried out until early sourced food from good quality, dry-aged steaks to beer-battered spring, after which this impressive place will include haddock and chips and its sister property, The Chequers saunas, a steam room, an ice room, and other exciting on Rivers Street, is also worth a try. Meanwhile, sample For more information experiences. the best burgers in town at the Burger and Lobster about Bath, see: www.visitbath.co.uk Spa treatments are also offered here so that you restaurant at Milsom Place. can indulge in a range of thermal treatments, water For fine dining, The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel Room rates for The massages, hot stone therapies, facials and beauty partners with Johann Lafer, the well-known, MichelinGainsborough Bath Spa treatments. The Oriental Massage is one of the starred chef who combines locally-sourced food with Hotel start from £285 Thermae Bath Spa’s signature treatments that combines Asian flavours, and head chef Daniel Moon launched his per night (pre-booking massaging with stretching using aromatherapy lavender outstanding, six-course tasting menu at this beautiful recommended for the oils. hotel last year.

Johann Lafer Restaurant).

The Cross Bath Spa is a Grade-I listed building and Located in the centre of the city, The Gainsborough Tel: 01225 358 888 or visit: home to the only place in the UK where visitors can Bath Spa Hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of www.thegainsborough bathspa.co.uk. see the naturally warm, mineral-rich spring water from the World and opened in September 2015. Formerly the Cross Spring come to the surface from a specially a hospital, alms house and educational facility, these The Thermae Bath Spa commissioned, open-air thermal bath within stunning attractive buildings are now a five-star hotel housing offers two-hour sessions Georgian surroundings. This beautiful space is also the luxurious Bath Spa Village, a gym, 99 bedrooms and which cannot be preavailable for hire for exclusive sessions or private the Johann Lafer restaurant and bar. Due to the nature booked. parties. of the building, no bedroom is the same. Huge Georgian Over the road is the deluxe Spa Village Bath within windows and high ceilings are the familiar features and, To book a spa treatment The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel on Beau Street, if you are lucky, you will overlook the city with views of at the New Royal Bath at where hordes of Roman coins were discovered when the the Bath Abbey and people enjoying themselves in the Thermae Spa call 0844 888 0844. hotel was refurbished a couple of years ago. This opulent open-air Thermae Spa pool.

91

De Fr liv ee er y*

Salhouse Garden Centre LOCAL DELIVERIES AVAILABLE

Be sure to visit us for all your Perennials, shrubs, climbers, roses, alpines, ornamental and fruit trees, summer bedding, Geraniums, Fuchias, Basket and Patio Plants.

e.co.uk www.salhousegardencentr

The shop has an excellent stock of all your garden accessories, tools, bird care, house plants. A superb range of gifts to suit all tastes, plus a good selection of cards.

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

Large Tearooms Enjoy a visit to our teashop boasting inside and outside seating.

We produce home made daily specials, cakes and pastries.

Salhouse Garden Centre, Honeycombe Road, Salhouse, Norwich, Norfolk NR13 6JP | Telephone 01603 722250

Norman & Son, 13/14 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1LY

Tel 01493 842971 www.normansfurniture.co.uk

WHEN YOU NEED A NEW OIL TANK

CALL TRS! • Latest oil tanks in stock • Professional installation • Existing oil transferred • Your old tank removed All with exceptional customer service from a local family business built on traditional caring values. Try us!

Most frequently rated

10/10

Quality, Service & Value 99% recommend us

Norfolk

FREE AND FRIENDLY ESTIMATES

Trusted Trader

Member

Norfolk

01362 687144

ASK ABOUT OUR OIL-FIRED BOILER SERVICING

Trusted Trader

Member

www.tankreplacementservices.co.uk

We are a friendly family run business specialising in plants, shrubs, trees, roses, conifers, perennial and seasonal plants with a huge selection of well established mature trees and shrubs for that professional finished look. We grow everything on the premises.

Of camelli

as

-

A wide range of varieties & colours

Our Cafe specialises in freshly prepared home cooked food. Yes we mean really homemade! Like Mother used to make!

Ormesby St Michael, Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 3LT 01493 732694 www.broadlandnurseries.co.uk

Now is a good time to be planting trees and shrubs

we have a huge variety in stock

The Aqua-Step Ceramics range offers a large tile which is strong, durable sophisticated flooring solution thats ideal for bathrooms and even suitable with selected underfloor heating systems

tment

Anti-slip trea

LG BATHROOM TELEVISION NOW ON SHOW

SHORELINE BATHROOMS LTD. MORTON PETO ROAD HARFREYS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE GREAT YARMOUTH NR31 0LT

01493 652073 SHORELINEBATHROOMS@BTCONNECT.COM

WWW.SHORELINEBATHROOMS.COM

With over 30 years experience in bathrooms, you can trust us to provide you with the best products, with the best all round service.

We design your bathroom with you in mind.

| APRIL 2017

provides no-jargon gardening advice and a garden design consultancy service at www.ellenmarygardening.co.uk

Spring has

sprung!

Gardens are now awash with colour with beautiful blossom on the trees and bright yellow daffodils coming into their own.

It’s time to get out there, advises gardening expert Ellen Mary

A

pril is the month of colourful springtime, with

gardens full of daffodils, cherry blossom and an air of excitement. It’s a busy time of year for sowing, mowing weeding and planting, full of anticipation of what’s to come. Don’t let the April showers or the possibility of late frosts dampen your spirits; get out in the garden and fully embrace the spring!

GARDEN & FLOWERS

Who wants to weed mid-summer? That’s the time to be sitting on the patio admiring your hard work. So, get on top of those weeds now! Use your hoe to disturb the weeds and stop them in their tracks. Or, if you can, hand-weeding, whilst much harder, is a great way to stop those pesky plants from sucking away all of the nutrients from the soil. You want all that goodness to be used by your proper plants.

94

If your beds are overcrowded, you can easily propagate more plants by dividing the ones you already have. Generally speaking, dividing them every two to three years can really help keep them in shape.

Try dividing Hostas, Agapanthus and Salvias by lifting, dividing, replenishing the soil and then replanting and watering in well. Always use the best-looking roots to re-plant and discard any dead or diseased material. It’s an easy way to fill your garden for free.

Why not try growing your own cut flowers? It’s extremely satisfying to grow flowers to pop in your own vases or to give to friends. Great cut flowers include Zinnias, Cosmos, Echinacea and Delphiniums. There are so many to choose from! Most can either be sown in pots and then transplanted outside later or sown directly in the soil when it’s a little warmer. So think about what you would like to see in your house and get growing it!

GARDENING

ellen mary

FRUIT & VEGETABLES

Whilst this may not be the time of year to be thinking about Hallowe’en and winter vegetables, in gardening you always need to be thinking ahead! Now is the perfect time to sow pumpkin seeds and, with so many varieties available, you can take your pick of sizes from gigantic competition ones to smaller squashes that you can grow in pots; you don’t need a big garden to grow your own to carve later in the year.

Growing your own herbs really couldn't be easier whatever space you have. It’s a great way to utilise windowsills, balconies and patios, turning them into interesting and productive spaces. Try all of the kitchen favourites such as parsley, mint and basil along with coriander, oregano and thyme to keep you in plentiful supply and your cooking tasty. Don’t forget to keep on harvesting your herbs to encourage new growth and water them when needed to keep them healthy.

Wherever you are planning on growing your own fruit and vegetables, be it an allotment, a kitchen garden or grow-bed, make sure you replenish the soil with lots of nutrients ready for the growing season ahead. Spread a good amount of organic matter such as well-rotted manure or garden compost and allow the soil beneath a few weeks to soak up all of the nutrients needed. Then dig in it!

WILDLIFE GARDENING

You may notice the odd queen bee buzzing around the garden after surviving the winter. She will be hungry and thirsty, so give her a helping hand by leaving a shallow dish full of stones and topped up with water so she can get a drink safely and, if you do spot any early dandelions, don’t be too quick to get rid of them because they are an essential early nectar source for our much loved and needed bees.

If you haven’t already trimmed your hedging, you will need to leave it now until the end of the summer. Nesting season is in full swing and as you hear the beautiful spring birdsong you may notice your garden birds busily collecting nesting materials. Leave your hedges so you don’t disturb birds building nests. Our gardens play an important role for wildlife and we can enjoy them all the more for it. Even with the odd unruly hedge!

At this time of year frogs will be starting to spawn, so leave the pond as it is for now, unless there are a lot of weeds which can be removed and left by the side so any creatures can crawl back into the water easily.

New plants can still be added if you place them in carefully with the frogspawn in mind.

WHAT’S ON

It’s National Gardening Week from April 10 to 16, so there’s no better place to be then working in your garden! But for inspiration take a walk around your local garden centres and visit an open garden for some ideas. Try the beautiful Mannington Gardens near Saxthorpe on April 9 between 12pm and 5pm for only £6 (children go free).

GARDENING PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

Zinnias are such pretty garden flowers, available in many different colours. A real beauty is Zinnia ‘Elegens’ which is fast-growing and which blooms all summer long. Grab some seeds from Norfolk Cottage Garden Seeds & Plants for only £1.95 www.norfolkcottagegarden.co.uk 95

Entertaining Kitchens Leaving Others Behind.

01603 731551 www.longwaterliving.com William Frost Way, Longwater Business Park, Costessey, Norwich NR5 0JS Monday - Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm

Saturday 8.00am - 2.00pm

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose” But if you’re not happy with your smile we may be able to help.

If you have crooked, rotated or crowded teeth and it has always bothered you, we can help. More and more adults are having their teeth straightened – AND, without the unsightly ‘train-track’ braces you remember from childhood.

Invisalign® allows you to straighten your teeth without the need for fixed brackets and wires. Removable Clear Braces (aligners) are used to straighten your teeth quickly and safely.

If you would like to find out more about the treatment please contact us on 01603 898002 or email us at admin.horsforddentalpractice@btconnect.com

Special Offer £500* discount on Invisalign clear braces with FREE teeth whitening and one free set of removable retainers.

94 Holt Road | Horsford | Norwich

01603 898002

www.horsforddentalpractice.co.uk admin.horsforddentalpractice@btconnect.com

For a limited time we also offer 0% finance for our Invisalign treatments. * for limited time only andand applies to full Invisalign. *for limited time only applies to full Invisalign Invisalign price before discount £3500.

*not everyone is eligible for this treatment

Taking special pride in a professional and friendly service

Contact 36 Surrey Street, Norwich, NR1 3NY

reception@rosscampbell.co.uk

Tel: 01603 660 758

www.rosscampbell.co.uk

Invisalign Braces | Cosmetic dentistry | General dentistry | Implant Dentistry

Men's grooming is BOOMING!

Beard or no beard! Either way, there’s a great grooming product that fits the bill, look no further than Jarrolds Men’s Grooming to discover the most extensive range in the city.

SWAGGER & JACKS, SHAVING SET IN IVORY

THE DANDY LIONS, FINEST BEARD OILS

CAPT. FAWCETT, RICKI HALL BOOZE & BACCY

HOUBIGANT, FOUGERE ROYALE

Shaving set in Ivory

30ml

eau de parfum

100ml eau de parfum

LONDON STREET, NORWICH 01603 660661 JARROLD.CO.UK Where a product is described as exclusive, in most cases that means exclusive in Norwich to Jarrold.

Accessing Accessing private private healthcare healthcare doesn’t doesn’t need need to to be be difficult difficult

To be treated at Spire Norwich Hospital you don’t need private medical insurance.

To be treated at Spire Norwich Hospital you don’t need private medical insurance.

We offer: We offer: • A fixed price with no • A fixed price with no hidden costs or hidden costs or unwelcome surprises unwelcome surprises • No waiting lists • No waiting lists • Expert consultants • Expert consultants and highly trained and highly trained clinical staff clinical staff • Private en-suite rooms • Private en-suite rooms • Free car parking • Free car parking

Typical self-pay medical Typical self-pay medical treatments you can pay for: treatments you can pay for: • knee, hip or shoulder surgery • knee, hip or shoulder surgery • varicose vein treatment • varicose vein treatment • hernia repair • hernia repair • back pain treatment • back pain treatment • CT, MRI and ultrasound scans • CT, MRI and ultrasound scans • cosmetic or weight loss surgery • cosmetic or weight loss surgery • cataract surgery • cataract surgery • private consultations • private consultations

Spire Norwich Hospital, Old Watton Road, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7TD Spire Norwich Hospital, Old Watton Road, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7TD

To book an appointment or find To book an appointment or find out more call out more call

01603 01603 294169 294169 email info@spirenorwich.com email info@spirenorwich.com visit www.spirenorwich.com visit www.spirenorwich.com

HEALTH

tummy tucks

a r o f e m ti y m m ck? u T Tu Helen Culling of Spire Norwich Hospital talks to consultant plastic surgeon Mr Jon Clibbon about tummy tucks

I

t still amazes me what we can do if we are

unhappy with our body; we can make parts smaller, bigger, tighter, straighter, flatter… all in the name of making us feel more confident about our appearance.

However one should never underestimate how serious any form of surgery is, whether it’s elective surgery or clinically necessary, the decision to go under the knife should always be a carefully considered one.

Mr Clibbon explains: “Tummy tucks, or ‘abdominoplastys’ as they are known clinically, are an effective way of giving the patient a flatter, slimmer, shapelier figure as the aim is to flatten the stomach by tightening the abdominal muscles.”

“This procedure is particularly effective for people who have lost weight, but have been left with excess, loose skin and folds of fat which they have been unable to shift through diet and exercise.”

Mr Clibbon continues: “Abdominoplastys are also effective and popular for women post-pregnancy who are often able to slim down to their pre-pregnancy weight with ease, but struggle to regain a flat tummy, as their skin and muscles have been stretched during pregnancy. They often complain of sagging skin or an ‘apron’ effect where they have an overhang of fat and skin. A tummy tuck may be suitable for these patients, but only once their family is complete.”

“The operation is performed under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep during the procedure. The patient will usually stay in hospital for one or two nights after their operation and will need to plan time off work so they can recover at home. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a complete abdominoplasty can take up to four hours, a partial abdominoplasty (mini-tuck) can be completed between one to two hours. The surgeon will be able to discuss the most suitable procedure at consultation.”

“During a tummy tuck, incisions are made across the lower abdomen and around the tummy button. Excess skin and fat may be removed and stretched or torn muscles pulled together and stitched in place. The remaining skin is then pulled down and a new hole is made for the tummy button.

“There will be a scar around the tummy button and along the top of the bikini line, although this can usually

be hidden by underwear. If the patient maintains a healthy weight, their skin shouldn’t stretch again and the new shape should last.”

“It is important to re-iterate the last point, as the procedure will only be effective if patients maintain a healthy weight. If a lot of weight is gained, the results over time will not be as effective and bulges of fat may appear around the abdomen. For women, it is important that they’ve completed their family before undergoing a tummy tuck, for obvious reason that the growing bump will simply defeat the object of the operation! Finally, a tummy tuck is not an aid to weight loss; patients should reach their target weight so they get the best results from an abdominoplasty.”

Abdominoplasty is a commonly performed and generally safe operation. However, all operations carry risks as well as benefits. Specific complications of abdominoplasty are uncommon but can include numbness over the lower part of the tummy which is usually temporary but may be permanent (similar to the risk to women having caesarean sections) as well as a risk of bleeding and scarring.

Mr Clibbon concludes: “Choosing the right surgeon and the right environment to have cosmetic surgery is vital.

Spire Norwich Hospital has extensive experience in this type of surgery and has very experienced plastic surgeons.

You’d be surprised how many people undergo surgery after having a quick chat with a salesperson in a clinic, but I couldn’t advise strongly enough against doing this! Being in a local hospital environment with a reputable surgeon means you’ll have access to excellent aftercare, and added peace of mind that you’ll be in expert hands”.

For further information, arrange an appointment with your family doctor or call 01603 255 614 to make a private appointment with Mr Jon Clibbon.

For further details regarding consultant plastic surgeon, Mr Jon Clibbon, please visit: www.spirenorwich.com and ‘click’ on his consultant profile.

All surgery carries an element of risk and the content of this page is provided for general information only. It should not be treated as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional.

99

• Signage • Digital print • Vehicle graphics • Design email: sales@sppdigital.co.uk, web: www.sppdigital.co.uk, telephone: 01493 440292

Imagination into Reality

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

almary green

“Investing in equities is something that forms part of a medium to long-term strategy for growth”

INVESTING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES WITH CHALLENGES BOTH AT HOME AND OVERSEAS, INVESTING IN EQUITIES CAN APPEAR RISKY. CARL LAMB LOOKS AT WHY IT’S STILL OK TO BE AN INVESTOR

THE YEAR 2017 IS CERTAINLY SET TO BE an interesting one with Brexit and changes in administration both in Europe and the US making some investors nervous and timid.

However, investing in equity-based funds does still make sense for investors who are looking for the potential for aboveinflation growth and who are prepared to accept at least a moderate degree of risk.

Risk is the critical factor when looking at equity investments.

When we advise clients on their investment portfolios, we always assess their attitude to risk to ensure that any investment elements are aligned to their risk profile. Every investment element has a risk rating and clients are matched to suitable investment assets. Any client who is completely risk averse will normally be steered to safer, cash-based investment routes.

Another key factor in recommending an investment portfolio is diversification. The old adage of not putting all your eggs into one basket is still true today. Unless there are specific circumstances that indicate a different approach, we normally recommend that clients avoid concentrated sources of risk by spreading their investment capital over a range of different assets.

Investing in equities is rarely something that we would recommend for clients looking for a quick return, but rather is something that forms part of a medium to long-term strategy for growth. However, that doesn’t mean that we believe that you should make your investment and then leave it alone to weather whatever the markets throw at it. Managing your investment portfolio is essential.

Investment Management is a highly specialised service that involves a careful watch on market trends and indicators and then adjusts your investment holdings accordingly. When you sign up to an Investment Management service, you give the manager the authority to make changes to your portfolio without having to consult you within agreed parameters such as your risk profile and any specific preferences you have expressed. Most financial advisers will provide a range of Investment Management services that vary in their reactivity.

The good news is that there are forms of Investment Management to suit every size of portfolio and every pocket with the use of standard or model portfolios. Fund managers provide a range of model and risk-graded portfolios made up of a variety of investment assets. The portfolios are aligned to different levels of risk which can be matched to the investor’s own risk profile; they are rebalanced as markets change, usually quarterly but more often if needed.

If you are looking for a fully proactive service, then full Discretionary Fund Management is available where your portfolio is specifically tailored to you and is monitored on a daily basis. However, this level of proactivity does come at a cost and is not always suitable for a small to medium-sized portfolio.

Investment Management can be provided by the advice firm themselves but is often outsourced to city specialists whose expertise is perfectly suited to keeping a close watch on what is happening with your investments. Their focus is your portfolio and they will make adjustments within the parameters agreed with you. Your financial adviser will be entirely focused on ensuring that your financial strategy is still delivering what’s needed as your life changes and will ensure that any investment management service you have adopted continues to meet your objectives.

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.

101

A local firm with a world of experience For you

For your business

• Buying and selling your home

• Civil matters

• Commercial property

• Re-mortgages and transfers of equity

• Notarial services

• Partnerships

• Wills and probate

• Care home fees

• Employment matters

• Court of Protection

• NHS continuing healthcare

• Planning and regulatory issues

• Family and children matters

• Trusts and deceased estates

• Licensing

• Criminal matters

• Company formations

• Personal injury claims

• Agricultural law

Lowestoft, 148 London Rd North T: 01502 533 000

Beccles Exchange Square T: 01502 718 700

Gorleston 66a Bells Road T: 01493 652 204

enquire@nortonpeskett.co.uk

Halesworth 52 Thoroughfare T: 01986 872 513

Great Yarmouth 141 King Street T: 01493 849 200

www.nortonpeskett.co.uk

No hidden costs

Same day response

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

LEGAL

norton peskett solicitors

“The drive to on-line courts, which as you would expect are lauded by the Government as providing better access to justice, are rightly seen as yet another cost-saving measure, one directly contrary to open justice”

CASHING IN LEGAL EXPERT JULIAN GIBBONS COUNTS THE COST OF TODAY’S COURT CASES THE ENGLISH HAVE A TENDENCY to regard their legal system as the best in the world. Certainly it is true that the English High Court is the venue of choice for many litigants from around the world. Many contracts have “choice of law” clauses which specify that the contract terms shall be interpreted in accordance with English law and that the English courts shall have jurisdiction in the case of any disputes. This results in huge invisible earnings for the United Kingdom and, of course, makes for a very successful legal profession, particularly amongst the large international law firms and the commercial bar.

Yet this mutual back-slapping has the danger of making us forget that a legal system is there for everyone, not just big international corporations. Whilst our system has given the gift of jury trials to the world and has created the very concept of fair trials in public, and equality of arms between prosecution and defence, there has unfortunately been a creeping process of making the justice system less fair and the courts less accessible.

One obvious indicator of this is the advent of higher and higher fees in the courts and tribunals. I have written before of how the introduction of fees for employment tribunals, coupled with an opaque and complicated system of fee remissions, has seen new tribunal cases fall by over 60 per cent. This means that, although unmeritorious cases are not being pursued, many with genuine claims are being discouraged by high fees payable at the very moment they have perhaps lost their employment.

The fee issue also has impact on those pursuing civil claims and it is ironic that a Government purporting to be a supporter of small businesses now loads them with more up-front costs when trying to pursue bad debts, so that, for example, a claim for a debt of £15,000 will now attract a fee of £750, or five per cent of the claim. This fee applies to claims up to £200,000, meaning that a claimant with catastrophic injuries from an accident may have to pay £10,000 just to issue a claim. This is just plain wrong.

Even the cost of dying has attracted the treasury’s attention.

Proposed probate fee increases will increase the fees for the grant of probate by up to 129 times the current level, to £20,000 on an estate of more than £2m, from the present £155. This is sheer profiteering.

The treatment of the courts system as a cash cow unfortunately extends to the criminal justice system. Recently, a US lawyer involved in the wrongful conviction of a man who spent 18 years in prison for crimes he did not commit, highlighted a number of areas of the English system which make it more difficult for miscarriages of justice to be exposed in the UK than in the US. Many of the defects he mentioned come from the ever-present desire of the Government to wring as much cash as possible from the system. To take one example, in the UK obtaining transcripts of trial recordings can cost quite literally thousands of pounds, and recordings are routinely destroyed after seven years. The majority of defendants without the means to pay have to rely on the legal aid system to provide funding. In the US, recordings are available free of charge and transcripts for a fairly nominal amount.

The drive to on-line courts, which as you would expect are lauded by the Government as providing better access to justice, are rightly seen as yet another cost-saving measure, one which runs directly contrary to open justice, that great feature of the English common law tradition. As hearings become, in effect, hidden from public scrutiny then the potential for miscarriages of justice multiply. Look no further than the recent case in the Court of Protection (the court which deals with issues of mental capacity), where a 71-year-old woman was jailed for contempt after a secret hearing; it took a trip to the Court of Appeal before reporting restrictions were lifted on the case.

A fair and accessible justice system does not rely on disingenuous platitudes from governments about increasing access to justice. People see these changes for what they are: the sacrifice of those most sacred of legal principles which underpin the very society we are in order to save a buck or two.

Julian Gibbons Norton Peskett Solicitors www.nortonpeskett.co.uk | 01493 849200

103

| APRIL 2017

fancy a

change?

David Wakefield takes a look at the brand new Volvo XC60 which is set to hit the UK this spring

104

volvo xc60 MOTORING

facts at a glance Volvo XC60 D4 Momentum AWD

Price: £37,205; Top speed: 127mph; Acceleration (0-62): 8.4 seconds; Economy: Urban, 48.7 mpg; extra urban, 58.9; combined 54.3; Emissions: 136 g/km

dealer details M.R. King & Sons

46 Quay Street, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8EY Tel: 01986 874464 www. volvocarshalesworth.co.uk

T

HE NEW VOLVO XC60 SUV,

launched during March at the Geneva Motor Show, will be one of the safest cars on the road, with three new advanced driver-assistance features aimed at keeping the driver out of trouble.

The new safety features are designed to provide the driver with automatic steering assistance or support – when required – to help avoid potential collisions.

Volvo has been working with collisionavoidance systems for many years and, in Sweden alone, has seen a decline of around 45 per cent in rear-end frontal crashes thanks to its Collision Warning with Autobrake system. The XC60 adds steering support and assistance systems as well.

City Safety has been updated in the XC60 to include steering support, which engages when automatic braking alone would not help avoid a potential collision. In such circumstances, the car will provide steering assistance to avoid the obstacle ahead. City Safety helps to avoid collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and large animals. Steering

support is active between 50 and 100 km/h.

Volvo Cars has also added a system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which helps drivers to avoid collisions with vehicles in an oncoming lane. The system works by alerting a driver who has unwittingly wandered out of a lane by providing automatic steering assistance, guiding them back in to their own lane and out of the path of any oncoming vehicle. This system is active between 60 and 140 km/h.

There is a further option with the Blind Spot Information System, which alerts drivers to the presence of vehicles in their blind spot.

The new car replaces Volvo’s highly successful original XC60, which in the nine years since its launch became the bestselling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe, with nearly a million units sold globally. The XC60 today represents around 30 per cent of Volvo’s total global sales.

“We have focused on building a car that can deliver pleasure to all of your senses – from a commanding view of the road ahead in a beautifully appointed and calm cabin,

to a safe, inspired and confident ride,” said Henrik Green, senior vice president product and quality at Volvo Car Group. “We’ve paid particular attention to making life easier for our customers by providing them with the creature comforts and services that take the hassle out of everyday life.”

The new car will be launched with the diesel D4 engine at 190 hp and the D5 with PowerPulse technology delivering 235 hp. There is also the petrol-powered T5 delivering 254 hp; but there are no plans at present to offer the T6 which, with both turbo and superchargers attached, delivers 320 hp and 400 Nm of torque, to the UK market, says Volvo.

Volvo’s driver infotainment and connected services offer, Sensus, and the Volvo On Call app both receive a graphical update with improved usability. As in the 90 series cars, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.

Volvo Cars’ new XC60 is set to go into production in mid-April at the Torslanda Plant in Sweden.

105

Probably the biggest selection of rugs in East Anglia… ideal rug – get in touch now!

Call in at our showrooms in Bedford Street, Norwich (behind Jarrolds Dept. Store) Bring with you an idea of the size of rug you are looking for or the size of your room Make a choice from our massive selection (over 600 pieces on display) Book a home visit appointment, then sit back and choose in the comfort of your own home!

Why not check out the recent sales section of our website to see a small selection of the people who have

We Specialise in Large Room Sized Rugs Here’s How We Can Help You Find Your Ideal Rug

JANUARY

SALE

Open: Mon - Sat, 9am - 5pm Now On!

4 Bedford Street, Norwich (Behind Jarrolds Dpt. Store)

Tel: 01603 633520

www.orientalrugsofnorwich.co.uk

• Visit Our City Centre Norwich Showrooms • Make your selection from the 600 rugs we have on display • Book a home visit appointment • Choose in the comfort of your own home See the ‘Home Visits’ page on our website for a selection of people who have benefitted from this free service.

Open: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm

4 Bedford Street, Norwich (Behind Jarrolds Dpt. Store)

Tel: 01603 633520

www.orientalrugsofnorwich.co.uk

www.sarahdarren.com

ADVERTORIAL

saint felix

TRULY SPECIAL

At Saint Felix School in Southwold the focus is on an all-round excellent education enabling every student to flourish.

SAINT FELIX, SOUTHWOLD, has been providing educational excellence for 120 years. A co-educational independent school for boarders and day pupils from the ages of two to 18, Saint Felix prides itself on equipping pupils with the skills necessary to become well-rounded individuals who fulfil their potential and are prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidlychanging world.

Offering an extensive curriculum and over 40 enrichment activities including the arts, drama, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, music, sport and visual arts, every Saint Felix child enjoys a complete education. More than that, Saint Felix provides an atmosphere that fosters excellent social skills, self-confidence and the qualities needed to become a successful adult.

Academic standards are high: 2015 saw a 100 per cent pass rate at A Level, and the school has won national awards for Mathematics and Photography. The school offers a bespoke Oxbridge preparation course for students with aspirations to study at top universities. Over 90 per cent of the 2016 Sixth Form leavers, continuing their studies at university, achieved the necessary grades for their first choice. The Prep Department has recently reintroduced Latin to the curriculum, acknowledging the benefits to overall literacy that can be gained from learning this valuable, albeit demanding, subject from an early age.

With an indoor swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, theatre, dance

studio, several sports pitches and an equestrian cross-country course, the school has an excellent reputation for the development of sporting talent.

Notably, Saint Felix’s swimming programme has placed it in the top three schools for swimming in the country and its equestrian team recently achieved third place in the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Boarding at Saint Felix caters for full, weekly and flexi-boarders between the ages of nine and 18 in three boarding houses. After the school day, these houses truly are ‘home’ to Saint Felix boarders; a warm, friendly environment where the younger pupils are guided and encouraged by their older house-mates, and where fun is guaranteed alongside a focused routine of Prep and extra-curricular commitments.

James Harrison, Headmaster, invites interested parents and their children to come and see for themselves during an Open Morning or at any other time by appointment. “Saint Felix is so much more than an exam factory. Our emphasis is very much on each child as an individual. The first-class facilities we have on-site help us to encourage and develop skills across the curriculum as well as through a huge variety of enrichment activities, all within a truly happy and caring atmosphere”.

SAINT FELIX SCHOOL Halesworth Rd, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6SD 01502 722175 / www.stfelix.co.uk

Co-educational day and boarding school for ages 2-18

Open Morning Saturday 6th May 2017 | 10am - 12 noon

An excellent, affordable education for the children of Suffolk and Norfolk.

01502 727048

registrar@stfelix.co.uk

stfelix.co.uk

@stfelixsch

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

1

2

NORWICH FASHION WEEK WARM-UP FOR DIPPLE & CONWAY’S VISION CARE PLAN CUSTOMERS At its annual warm-up party for Norwich Fashion Week, Dipple & Conway’s Vision Care Plan customers enjoyed a fabulous evening of fizz, fashion and glamour. There was a beauty theme to the evening, with makeovers from Jarrolds’ Charlotte Tilbury team and hair styling by The Cottage Hair & Beauty and guests tried on some of the latest spring/summer eyewear collections, including the newest frames from Cutler and Gross, who were on hand to offer expert style advice.

More at: www.dippleconway.co.uk

3

4

5

6

Photos by ANDI SAPEY

7

8

9

10

108

11

page sponsored by

HIGH SOCIETY

dipple & conway norwich fashion week

12

13

14

15

17

20

23

16

18

21

19

22

1. Damian Conway and Kassia Chatting 2. Greg Chapman opens the event (Dipple & Conway team in the background) 3. Michaela Chilvers and Kerry Wilkinson 4. Michaela Chilvers, Suzanne Nicholas, Donna Smith, Kerry Wilkinson and Justine Conway 5. Maciek Dudkiewicz, Donna Smith, Kerry Wilkinson and Hannah Layton 6. Becky Yallop, Hayley Holiday and Kelly Freeman 7. Brian and Sally Cox and David Hanton 8. Rachel and Alan Jackson and Antoaneta Ruja 9. John Chambers, Ben Conway and Jill Chambers 10. Damian Conway and Kerry Curl 11. Andrew and Janet Walmsley

12. Jane and Madeleine France 13. Donna Smith, Michaela Chilvers and Antoaneta Ruja 14. Emma Conway and Robert Conway 15. Sophie Burkett, Toby Palmer, Jenna and Ben Conway 16. Donna Smith and Suzanne Nicholas 17. Richard Mann and Val Broomhead 18. James Conway, Kerry Wilkinson and Hannah Layton 19. Jenna Conway, Olivia Bate and Courtney Soanes 20. Justine Conway, Karen James-Welton, Stephanie Renouf and Rachel Jackson 21. Kassia Chatting, Kate Cooper and Abi Gray 22. Robert Conway, Michaela Chilvers and Antoaneta Ruja 23. Sheridan Smith 109

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

1

2

3

AGE UK NORFOLK’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

4

CARROW ROAD

Age UK Norfolk held a glamorous fundraising ball in the Top of the Terrace and Norfolk Lounge at Norwich City Football Club on Saturday, February 25 to celebrate the charity’s 70th anniversary year. The event at Carrow Road was a great success with guests treated to entertainment from former Strictly stars James and Ola Jordan.

5

Photos by ROSS HAGAN AND MICHAEL FYSH

6

7

8

9

10

11

110

page sponsored by

HIGH SOCIETY

age uk norfolk

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

1. Ola and James Jordan 2. Benjamin Hunt and Karen Knight 3. Denise Harrison and David Rathbone 4. Diane Collins 5. Diane Squire and Sue Spooner 6. Emma and David Lloyd 7. Hazel and Graham Conner 8. Elaine Wilson and Natalie Shrubsall 9. Jackie and Kim Mayfield 10. Jill and Dr Timothy Apthorpe 11. Carolyn and Richard Rayner

12. Joanne Asbury and Kirsty Eyre 13. Ken and Karen Lodge 14. Michelle Davis, Julie Parker and Kay Vettese 15. Nicola Gibson and Michelle Jay 16. Peter and Janice Bradfield 17. Ray and Pat Dickinson 18. Rebecca Veale and Ian Burke 19. Rod and Margaret Tuck 20.Ruth and Simon Codling 21. Sue and Alan Mason

111

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

1

2

3

VALENTINE’S TURKEY BALL 2017

4

5

6

7

OCEAN ROOM, GORLESTON

This year’s Valentine’s Turkey Ball, organised by the Great Yarmouth & District Round Table, was held on Saturday, February 11 at the Ocean Room in Gorleston in aid of the Neonatal Unit at the James Paget University Hospital and the Louise Hamilton Centre. After a fabulous, four-course dinner, guests danced the night away to live music from Scratch The Cat, with the band kindly sponsored by Bateman Groundworks Ltd. Photos by SARAHDARREN.COM

8

9

10

11

12

13

112

page sponsored by

HIGH SOCIETY

valentine’s turkey ball

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

32

31

1.

The Great Yarmouth Round Table Turkey Ball Committee 2. Charlotte and James Shipp 3. Paul and Lisa Cottrell 4. Alex Brake, Michelle and Rachael Chandler, Victoria Westgate, Robert Chandler and Phillip Key 5. Mark and Karen Fiddy, Sharon and Michael Fleming, Sharon and Blair Ainslie 6. Emmie, Mia, Rosanne, Libby and Megan Bulloch 7. Debra and Will Hunt 8. Mark and Kelly Stocker, Victoria Viner and Paul Peterson 9. Charlotte Shipp, Rhia McCulloch, Rebecca Lawrence, Lisa Howard, Vick Smith and Nora Szanyi 10. Florence Hambrook, Leah Fleming, Lucy Robinson, Ellie Rowan and Chelsea Balfour 11. Vick and Matt Smith 12. Dan and Nora Szanyi 13. Rosa Shepherdson and Ben Hunt 14. Janis and Alan Baugh

15. Sam Allen, Carrie Secker, Anna Allen and Steve Secker 16. Malcom and Linda Lake, Maxine Taylor and Tony Whittaker 17. Rosie Skipp and Olivia Baugh 18. Victor and Yvonne Ling, Helen and Stephen King 19. Chris and Helen Hiseman 20.Sandra and Eddie Ablitt 21. Vickie Airpels and Sara Higgleton 22. Matt and Julie Bowles 23. David and Colleen Perry 24. Leah Fleming, Emmy Manning, Vicky Pert and Evea Wymer 25. Kirsty Firman and Helen Farrah 26. Tina and Alton Nutile 27. Sarah and Andy Foster 28. Wiola and Mark Collings 29. Roy and Zoe Cozens 30.Mark and Wiola Collings, Andy and Sarah Foster, Tina and Alton Nutile 31. Debbie and Ian Roberts 32. Lucy Abbot and Daniel Bycroft (Chair of Round Table) 113

| APRIL 2017

the way to Burnham take some beating. The beer is fantastic, local mussels are a great favourite with all the family, and the Coasthopper bus scoops you up with the dog and drops you wherever you want along the way.

Photography by S TEVE ADAMS

What do you miss when you’re away?

The dawn chorus at Pensthorpe!

5 minutes with…

Deb Jordan How long have you and your husband, Bill, owned Pensthorpe Natural Park in Fakenham?

We bought Pensthorpe in December 2002 and came to live in Norfolk as soon as we could sell our house in Bedfordshire and find schools for the children. It was pretty stressful packing up and moving everyone but sometimes fate and gut instinct lead you down a totally new path and you have to accept the rollercoaster ride that accompanies such a life-changing decision.

What have been the highlights?

Listening to Radio 2 and hearing the late Sir Terry Wogan telling millions of his regular morning listeners about our very own little ringed plover chicks nesting on the scrape when the Spring Watch team moved in to Pensthorpe and it suddenly became a household name.

How often do you work at Pensthorpe?

I am in every day. Bill still has business commitments in Bedfordshire midweek so Friday and Monday are pretty fullon here for meetings to keep everyone working off the same page. The division of roles is simpler than you would imagine, as I cover all things visual relating to the Hub: our courtyard area, which includes the café and shop, as well as our newlydeveloped offices, well-being facilities and hired spaces. Bill is more involved with the farm and wider reserve.

What do you like about living in Norfolk?

It’s brilliant being back closer to my family and having so many incredible reserves and areas of stunning coastline to explore.

Is there anything that you dislike?

No I don’t think so, which proves how lucky we are to live here!

Where do you like to eat and drink?

The coastal pubs from Hunstanton, through Thornham and all

Do you have any hobbies?

Fitness and health have always been very important. It isn’t amusing that at 60 your brain still thinks you’re 28. Brain says: “Feeling bouncy today, so why open the gate, just gate vault!”

Body forgets perfect moves and nearly lose teeth! So I make myself do a long run every Saturday morning, combined with a great deal of dog walking and Pilates every week, so I can try to keep the body and brain on the same page.

What is there to see and do at this time of year?

Pensthorpe is like a huge outdoor classroom. The aim has been to roll education, the love of nature, play, fitness, fun and family bonding in to one big, exciting day out. There are many trails around the reserve with things to do and find on the way. Try den building in the trees of the outdoor play area or splash along its winding stream. Meet our wardens in the Viewing Gallery to learn all about the various ducks and geese on our lakes and find out more about the breeding avocets and other visiting migratory species on our Wader Scrape.

Can visitors feed the birds at Pensthorpe?

Absolutely! Pensthorpe is a haven for birdlife, with 700 acres of the beautiful Wensum Valley to explore. There are purposebuilt hides with feeders to enjoy bird-watching and areas where diving ducks congregate under the bridge to keep children and adults enthralled with their cheeky antics.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The shop and café are open for non-reserve visitors all year round. There are plenty of hides for keen birders to shelter and enjoy the wildlife, and for young families wishing to get warm on the colder, less clement days you can pop in to our amazing and award-winning indoor play, Hootz House, for a slide and climb before wrapping up and letting off more steam back out on the reserve.

What are your plans for this year?

One of the biggest team achievements recently has been establishing a stunning new reed bed that is coming to fruition at the far end of the reserve. With funding help from a recent HLF grant application we are thrilled to be working on a new flagship hide which will overlook this fabulous piece of wetland habitat which will be big enough to hold a whole class of students. It is hugely exciting to be opening a new part of the 700-acre Pensthorpe Estate to our visitors for the first time in 10 years.

Have you had any amusing incidents at Pensthorpe?

There is a sunken courtyard at our house with three sets of steep steps where ducks and the like hide and nest, not realising their hatching off-spring will be far too small to mount the steps for some days. On occasions, I have to lay our two long carpet runners from the top to the bottom of the steps, to allow the tiny, day-old ducklings (and pheasant chicks) to beetle up the slope!

When that fails, we open all the doors and herd them right through the house to get them to safety and the lake!

Can you sum Pensthorpe up in five words?

Unique haven for all species.

Can you sum yourself up in five words?

Three words will cover it. Extremely aggravating perfectionist!

www.pensthorpe.com

114

GROSVENOR CASINO GREAT YARMOUTH

Restaurant/TV Sports Live Entertainment ... and the best gaming in Great Yarmouth!

A P R I L DAY Mon 27th March Thur 30th Fri 31st Sat 1st April Sun 2nd Mon 3rd Thur 6th Fri 7th Sat 8th Sun 9th Mon 10th Thur 13th Fri 14th Sat 15th Sun 16th Mon 17th Thur 20th Fri 21st Sat 22nd Sun 23rd Mon 24th Thur 27th Fri 28th Sat 29th Sun 30th

P O K E R

S C H E D U L E

TOURNAMENT £10 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £600 £25 + £6 NLH Double Chance / GTD £750 £50 + £6 NLH / 1 Re-Entry / GTD £1,500 £20 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £1,200 £50 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD £1,500 £10 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £600 £25 + £6 NLH Double Chance / GTD £750 £50 + £6 NLH / 1 Re-Entry / GTD £1,500 £20 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £1,200 £50 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD £1,500 £10 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £600 £25 + £6 NLH Double Chance / GTD £750 £50 + £6 NLH / 1 Re-Entry / GTD £1,500 £20 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £1,200 £50 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD £1,500 £10 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £600 £25 + £6 NLH Double Chance / GTD £750 £50 + £6 NLH / 1 Re-Entry / GTD £1,500 £20 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £1,200 £50 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD £1,500 £10 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £600 £25 + £6 NLH Double Chance / GTD £750 £50 + £6 NLH / 1 Re-Entry / GTD £1,500 £20 + £6 NLH Treble Chance / GTD @ £1,200 £100 + £10 Double Chance / GTD £2,500

TIME 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 17:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 17:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 17:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 17:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 20:15 14:15

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

Audi Vorsprung durch Technik

Solutions Personal Contract Plan* representative example from Audi Financial Services based on 10,000 miles per annum+ for the New Audi Q5 S line 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic 190 PS

The new Audi Q5.

Redesigned. Re-engineered. Revealed.

From £419 a month^ with quattro

Duration 35 monthly payments of Recommended on-the-road price Customer deposit Optional final payment Option to purchase fee**

36 months £419.00 £40,865.00 £7,582.68 £23,829.80 £10.00

Amount of credit

£33,282.32

Total amount payable by customer

£46,087.48

Rate of Interest Representative APR

6.2% fixed 6.3% APR

Book a test drive Norwich Audi Meridian Way Norwich NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.norwich.audi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the Q5 range, in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 32.8 (8.6) – 52.3 (5.4), Extra Urban 44.8 (6.3) – 58.9 (5.4), Combined 39.8 (7.1) – 56.5 (5.0), CO2 emissions 162 - 132g/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. Accurate at time of publication (March 2017). 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 January and 31st March 2017, and registered by 30th June 2017.

Retail sales only. Participating dealers only. No acceptance fee required. Cost of optional metallic paint included in the finance example at £645. **Payable with optional final payment.

Subject to agreed annual mileage. +9.6p 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.