Places&Faces® North & West Norfolk · 07 · October 2017 by Countrywide Publications

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OCTOBER 2017

North & West Norfolk

WIN! —

A LUXURY HAM ER WORTHP£ 200 FROM JAR ROLD

OVER 20 PAGES OF WHAT’S ON —

GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS

CAROLINE FLACK

CELEBRITIES / FOOD / TRAVEL / FASHION / HOMES & GARDENS / THEATRE ISSUE № 07

www.placesandfaces.co.uk 2

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6 7 6

THE WORLD’S BEST-SELLING SUV THE WORLD’S WORLD’S THE BEST-SELLING SUV SUV BEST-SELLING

There’s a reason the CR-V is the world’s most popular SUV. With its stylish new exterior, advanced safety features and flexible space solutions – the CR-V is as well suited to a family There’s a reason the CR-V is the world’s most popular SUV. There’s reasonnew the exterior, CR-V is the world’ssafety most popular With its itsastylish stylish advanced featuresSUV. and With new exterior, advanced safety features and With its stylish new exterior, advanced safety features and flexible space space solutions solutions –– the the CR-V CR-V is is as as well well suited suited to to a a family family flexible flexible space solutions – the CR-V is as well suited to a family day out out in in the the country, country, as as it it is is a a trip trip to to the the local local supermarket. supermarket. day day out in the country, as it is a trip to the local supermarket.

reason the CR-V world’s most popular SUV. dayThere’s out in athe country, as it is is the a trip to the local supermarket.

Representative Example

OTR

Deposit

Deposit %

Deposit Contribution

Amount of credit

Representative Example CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus15YM Navi 2WD Manual Plus15YM Navi 2WD ManualSE CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC Plus Navi 2WD Manual

(Duration 37 months)

Deposit Amount Deposit % Deposit Amount Contribution of credit Deposit % £3,000.00 28% £20,154.62 Contribution of credit Deposit Amount OTR Deposit Deposit % Contribution of credit £27,880.00 £4,725.38 28% £3,000.00 £20,154.62 £27,880.00 £4,725.38 28% £3,000.00 £20,154.62

Representative Example OTR Deposit CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTECExample SE Representative OTR £4,725.38 Deposit £27,880.00 Plus Navi 2WD Manual

£27,880.00 £4,725.38

28%

£3,000.00

£20,154.62

36 Monthly Payments of

36 Monthly 36 Monthly Payments of

Payments of £319.00 (Duration 37 months) 36 Monthly (Duration 37 months)

Final Payment Final Final

Payment £11,505.14 Payment

(Duration 37 months)

£319.00 £319.00

Final Payment £11,505.14 £11,505.14

£319.00

£11,505.14

Payments of

Final Payment Inc. Option Fee

Total Amount Payable

APR Representative

Option to Purchase Fee

Annual Contracted Mileage

Option Fee £11,515.14 £11,515.14

Annual Total APR Option to Annual Total Contracted Amount Option to APR Representative Purchase Fee Contracted Amount £30,724.52 5.9% Purchase £10.00 10,000 Mileage Payable Annual Total Representative Fee APR Option to Mileage Payable Contracted Amount Representative Purchase Fee Mileage Payable £30,724.52 5.9% £10.00 10,000 £30,724.52 5.9% £10.00 10,000

£11,515.14

£30,724.52

Final Payment Inc. FinalOption Payment FeeInc. £11,515.14 Option FeeInc. Final Payment

5.9%

£10.00

10,000

Excess Mileage Charge

Interest Rate pa Fixed

Excess Interest Excess Interest Mileage Rate Mileage Rate Charge Fixed5.77% Excess 6p pa Interest Charge pa Fixed Mileage Rate Charge pa Fixed 6p 5.77% 6p 5.77% 6p

5.77%

CROWN GARAGE HONDA KING’S LYNN

Honda House, Scania Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30LYNN 4LP CROWN GARAGE HONDA KING’S GARAGE HONDA KING’S LYNN Call CROWN 01553 762984 or Search Crown Garage Honda King’s Honda House, Scania Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LP Lynn CROWN GARAGE HONDA KING’S LYNN

Honda House, Scania Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LP Call 01553 762984 or Search Crown Garage Honda King’s Honda House, Scania Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4LP Lynn

Call 01553 762984 or Search Crown Garage Honda King’s Lynn Fuel consumption figures for the CR-VCrown 15YMGarage 1.6 i-DTEC Plus Navi 2WD Manual mpg (l/100km): Urban 31.7mpg (8.9L/100km), Extra Call 01553 762984 or Search HondaSE King’s Lynn Fuel consumption figures forCombined the CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus Navi 2WD Manual mpg (l/100km): Urban 31.7mpg (8.9L/100km), Extra Urban 45.6mpg (6.2L/100km), 39.2mpg (7.2L/100km). CO22WD emissions: 168g/km. FuelUrban consumption figures sourced Fuel consumption figures for the CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus Navi Manual mpg (l/100km): 31.7mpg (8.9L/100km), Extrafrom Urban 45.6mpg (6.2L/100km), Combined 39.2mpg (7.2L/100km). CO22WD emissions: 168g/km. Fuelnot consumption figures sourced from official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may reflect real-life driving experience Fuel consumption figures for the CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus Navi Manual mpg (l/100km): Urban 31.7mpg (8.9L/100km), Extra Urban 45.6mpg (6.2L/100km), Combined 39.2mpg (7.2L/100km). CO emissions: 168g/km. Fuel consumption figures sourced from

official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experience. Urban (6.2L/100km), Combined 39.2mpg (7.2L/100km). CO emissions: 168g/km. Fuel figures sourced from official45.6mpg EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may notconsumption reflect real-life driving experience. official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experience.

2 Model Shown: CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus Navi 2WD Manual in Polished Metal Metallic at £27,880 On The Road (OTR). Terms 2 and Conditions: New retail CR-V ordered from 01 August to 30 September and registered by 30 September 201 ubject Model to model and colour availability. Offers at participating dealersMetal and are at the Notand to be used alongNew withretail anyCR-V otherordered offers currently available. deposit contribution: £3,000 Honda Shown: CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SEapplicable Plus Navi 2WD Manual in Polished Metallic at promoter’s £27,880 On absolute The Roaddiscretion. (OTR). Terms Conditions: from 01 August to 30Honda September and registered by 30 September 2017.depos ontribution onShown: new CR-V models through Honda 5.9% APR representative Honda Aspirations (PCP): Maximum 30%. You do not01 have to pay Final Payment if you return car at deposit the end of th Model CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plusapplicable Navi 2WDAspirations. Manual in Polished Metal Metallic £27,880 On The Road (OTR). Terms Conditions: retail CR-V ordered from August to 30the September and registered by 30the September 2017. Subject to model and colourpurchased availability. Offers at participating dealers and are atatthe promoter’s absolute discretion. Notand to be usedcustomer alongNew withdeposit any other offers currently available. Honda deposit contribution: £3,000 Honda Subject to model and colour availability. Offers applicable at participating dealers and are at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Not to be used along with any other offers currently available. Honda deposit contribution: £3,000 Honda deposit greement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced in accordance with the Honda service book and the maximum annual mileage has not been exceeded. Excess mileage charge include contribution on new CR-V models purchased through Honda Aspirations. 5.9% APR representative Honda Aspirations (PCP): Maximum customer deposit 30%. You do not have to pay the Final Payment if you return the car at the end of the Model Shown: CR-V 15YM 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus Navi 2WD Manual in Polished Metal Metallic at £27,880 On The Road (OTR). Terms and Conditions: New retail CR-V ordered from 01 August to 30 September and registered by 30 September 2017. on Indemnities new CR-V models purchased Honda Aspirations. 5.9% APR representative Honda Aspirations (PCP): Maximum customer deposit 30%. Youannual do notmileage have to has paynot the Final Payment if Excess you return the car atHonda the end of theLimite AT at contribution current may be required inapplicable certain circumstances. is and only available to persons aged discretion. 18 orwith over, subject status. Allwith figures correct at time ofavailable. publication but may be subject to change. Crown Garage agreement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in goodFinance condition serviced inabsolute accordance the Honda service book and the are maximum been exceeded. mileage charge includes Subject torate. model and colour availability. Offersthrough at participating dealers and arehas at been the promoter’s Not to beto used along any other offers currently Honda deposit contribution: £3,000 deposit agreement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced in accordance with the Honda service book and the maximum annual mileage has not been exceeded. Excess mileage charge includes VAT at current rate. Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Crown Garage Limited re credit brokers, not lenders. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe Plc. Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL. Honda Financial Services is a trading name of Honda Finance Europe Plc. Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1H contribution on new CR-V models purchased through Honda Aspirations. 5.9% APR representative Honda Aspirations (PCP): Maximum customer deposit 30%. You do not have to pay the Final Payment if you return the car at the end of the VAT at current rate. Indemnities may be required inby certain circumstances. Finance is only available toregulated persons aged 18Financial orwith over, subject toservice status. All figures correct atannual time ofmileage publication but may be to change. Crown GarageRG12 Limited are registered credit brokers, not lenders. Credit provided Honda Finance Europe Plc.isCain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL. Honda Financial Services aare trading name of Honda Finance Europe Plc.subject Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire 1HL company at Companies House No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe plc authorised and by the Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register number agreement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced in accordance the Honda book andisthe maximum has312541. not been exceeded. Excess mileage charge includes are credit brokers, lenders.may Credit provided Honda Finance Europe Plc.plc Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire Financial Services is aare trading name of Honda Finance Europe Plc.subject Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire 1HL a company registered at Companies House No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe authorised and by RG12 the Conduct Services Register number 312541. VAT at current rate. not Indemnities be required inbycertain circumstances. Finance isisonly available to regulated persons aged 18Financial or1HL. over,Honda subject toAuthority, status. AllFinancial figures correct at time of publication but may be to change. Crown GarageRG12 Limited a company registerednot at Companies Houseprovided No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Register number 312541.Europe Plc. Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL are credit brokers, lenders. Credit by Honda Finance Europe Plc.plc Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL. Honda Financial Services is a Services trading name of Honda Finance a company registered at Companies House No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register number 312541.

HANDMADE

IN NORFOLK

Contact us now for a brochure or visit our showroom at: Station Business Park, Horning Road West, Hoveton, Norwich, Norfolk NR12 8QJ, England. T: 01603 781771 E: info@ebsfurniture.co.uk

See more of our beautiful interiors at: www.batesfurniture.co.uk

RET RE AT S Laid-back luxury holiday cottages

Laid-back luxury holiday retreats AT BAREFOOT RETREATS we are passionate

about marketing luxury holiday properties that are individual and unique. From cottage hideaways, beautiful boltholes, coastal gems to rural retreats, their unique features will define our portfolio.

AS OUR GUESTS you will have the keys to some of the

most beautiful and individual private homes in Norfolk, providing a distinct laid-back luxury holiday experience ensuring you feel at home from the moment you arrive, until you leave. With an indepth knowledge of our hand-picked portfolio, we will ensure we match you with the right property. You’ll have access to our exclusive concierge service, ideal if you’re organising a special celebration or want to experience something different on your holiday. And once you’ve booked your holiday, you’ll receive a Barefoot guide ensuring you have all the information you could need to enjoy your precious time away.

AS A HOME OWNER we will maximise the earning potential of your home by managing all the marketing, PR and guest liaison for you. Unlike other agencies, we are more than a booking agent and as a team we will take all of the hassle away from letting out your holiday home by providing a fully managed service. Sharing your holiday home should be as easy and enjoyable as the holidays our guests will enjoy there and we will make it our job to look after your home as if it were our own. We can also assist in finding and creating your unique holiday home and we offer an interior design styling and staging service to increase the appeal of your property. If required, we can source furnishings to create the perfect place for you and your guests to enjoy.

L U X U RY P RO P E RT I E S

AMAZING P L AC E S

WHY BAREFOOT? Our guests don’t pay a booking fee

and our home owners don’t pay anything to join us. Surprisingly our commission fee is the same or less than our local and national competitors. We cover the cost of professional photography for home owners and provide a welcome hamper for all our guests and all our houses have Barefoot branded bathrobes, slippers and beautiful linens. If you’re looking for a wonderful holiday experience or are considering marketing your home and are seeking a fresh and innovative approach, please visit our website or pop into our office and join us for a cup of coffee or glass of fizz.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

We’d love to meet you!

High Street, Thornham, Norfolk, PE36 6LX17 • Ulph Place, Overy Road, Burnham Market, PE31 8HQ 01485 512245 • enquiries@barefootretreats.co.uk • www.barefootretreats.co.uk

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

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WELCOME M E E T T H E T E A M COLIN HUGGINS MANAGING DIRECTOR

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

DONNA TITCOMBE FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR

E: donna@h2creativemedia.co.uk

ANDREW HIRST HEAD OF CLIENT SERVICES / STUDIO

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

ADVERTISING

DESIGN

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

SENIOR DESIGNER

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

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

DIANE GREEN

JUSTIN NEALE

ASHLEY COOMER

SHAUN COOMER

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

SENIOR DESIGNER & IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

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

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

ROB FOSBROOK

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

SPECIAL PROJECTS CO-ORDINATOR

OFFICE MANAGER

E: john.cliff@h2creativemedia.co.uk T: 01493 742869

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

ACCOUNT MANAGER

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

JOHN CLIFF

JANE GOODLEY

CONTRIBUTORS

Richard Batson, Pete Goodrum, Richard Bainbridge, Nick Mobbs, John Bultitude, Judy Foster, Benet Catty, Melanie Cook, Kayla Dunne, Andrew Florides, Franck Pontais, Carl Lamb, Julian Gibbons, Owen Darby, Mark Nicholls, Hayley Philpott, Jennifer Dwyer, David Wakefield, Peter Clarke, Simon Franklin, Samantha Fraser, Eliza Miller, Samatha Thompson, Clare Miller, Bev Kay, TMS Media, Paul Dickson, James Rampton, Andrew Hirst, Rob Fosbrook

12 ISSUES FOR £24

Call Jane on 01493 742088 or visit placesandfaces.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

TO OCTOBER’S PLACES&FACES® FIRSTLY, I MUST START WITH A THANK YOU; it has been

so lovely for the team here to have received so many comments from you on how you have enjoyed reading our New Look Places&Faces® magazine. We are thrilled that you are enjoying reading our celebrity interviews which over the past few issues have featured a number of legends from the world of music. In the early sixties, Gerry and the Pacemakers In our October issue we caught up with Gerry Marsden the legendary front man who in the early sixties with Gerry and The Pacemakers worked the same Liverpool/ Hamburg circuit as the Beatles and many other groups before being signed in 1962 by manager Brian Epstein, as his second group after the Beatles. One of the great performers of the eighties, Alexander O’Neal speaks exclusively to Mark Nicholls ahead of his show in Hunstanton. Alexander is renowned for some of the iconic soul classics of the 1980s. Fake and Criticize were massive UK dance floor and chart hits for Alexander O’Neal, with the 1987 Hearsay album going on to become one of the legendary releases of that decade. Yet fame, as with many top artists, came at a price for the US singer; failed marriages, a fall-out with his mentor Prince and a 30-year battle with drug addiction. Continuing on the music front our “Ten things you might not know about” features Elkie Brooks whose career has so far spanned over five decades. Elkie brought up in Prestwich made her first public appearance at just 13, and was singing professionally by the age of just 15 and for those fans of Folk music Judy Foster chats to Kate Rusby ahead of her Norwich performance. With a career spanning 25 years in music, Kate is already a firm favourite with Norwich audiences having played the Theatre Royal on five previous occasions. You can’t beat some glorious Gershwin and the composer has no greater fan than Tom Chambers who is fulfilling a teenage dream by starring in Crazy For You which is coming to Norwich in late October. For those of you who like to stay at home and cook there are also some lovely seasonal recipes in this issue but for those of you who like to eat out we have also reviewed two wonderful restaurants for you to consider for your next night out. We are also delighted our new look travel section has gone down so well, this month we feature the award winning Leopard Hills located in the western sector of the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve bordering the world famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. Add to this our regular fashion, beauty, travel, gardening, interiors and our regular columnists and there is plenty to keep you busy as the nights start pulling in and Autumn fast approaches.

PS. Congratulations to last month’s competition winner, Susan Hockey, who won a meal for four at Delia’s Restaurant & Bar

Follow us on Twitter @PlacesandFaces www.placesandfaces.co.uk | www.h2creativemedia.co.uk 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.

We have one to suit all of your needs! Full installation & Base Laying Service Available

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CONTENTS

44 34

65 COVER STORY

34 Caroline Flack - Back in Norwich in Crazy For You

PERSONALITIES

29 Miles Jupp in Norwich 32 10 things you might not know about: Elkie Brooks 36 Tom Chambers in Crazy For You 38 Alexander O’Neal ahead of his Hunstanton show 40 Ray Mears was Born to Go Wild in Bury 42 Talking to sixties legend Gerry Marsden 44 Singer-songwriter Kate Rusby comes to Norwich 47 Storage Hunter Sean Kelly at The Apex, Bury

86 Five minutes with: Gareth Brown

FASHION, BEAUTY & HEALTH

13 Spire Hospital: IBS 52 Global Diagnostics: Steve Duffy 56 Women’s fashion: dress for desk and dinner 59 Bags of Style: Radley London 61 Natural beauty products 63 Men’s fashion: Golf Style

TRAVEL

48 Our monthly Travel Time round-up 51 Staycations

48 COMPETITION

13 WIN! A luxury Jarrold hamper worth £200

WHAT’S ON

15 Kayla Dunne: Visit North Norfolk 16 What’s on at Vancouver Quarter, Kings Lynn 19 What’s on in October 25 Festival of Architecture 26 The spectacular Slava’s Snow Show 30 West End: The Follies

FOOD AND DRINK

65 Richard Bainbridge: Pot-roasted pheasant 69 Franck Pontais: Asian-

style spicy crab rolls 70 Restaurant review: Wells Crab House 72 Restaurant review: Cliftonville Hotel, Cromer

HOMES AND GARDENS

77 Arcadia Home Interiors: open plan

BUSINESS

81 Norfolk Country Cottages 83 Financial advice from Carl Lamb

November offer 25% off Lasting Powers of Attorneys If you lose the ability to manage your own affairs, a partner or family member cannot automatically deal with things on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables people you choose to have legal authority to make certain decisions for you, if you become unable to make them yourself. As we continue with our campaign to raise awareness about the legal and financial implications of dementia and the importance of having the correct legal documents in place, we are offering a 25% discount on Lasting Powers of Attorneys throughout November. In addition to this discount, Clapham & Collinge Solicitors will also make a ÂŁ40.00 donation per Lasting Power of Attorney appointment to support 4 Norfolk based charities. Our chosen charities are Sheringham Little Theatre, The Benjamin Foundation, Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind and North Walsham Dementia Support Group.

3 Augusta Street Sheringham NR26 8LA

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We are delighted to be the authorised Clearview stockist and showroom for North Norfolk and surrounding counties

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INTERIORS

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EXAMPLE OF A HAMPER FROM JARROLD. CONTENTS MAY VARY.

COMPETITION

WIN! A LUXURY JARROLD HAMPER FROM THE NEW-LOOK DELI WORTH £200

laces and Faces has teamed up with independent department store Jarrold to offer you the chance to win a hamper full of treats from the new-look Deli. To celebrate the launch of the new-look deli and wine bar in the basement at Jarrold, you can win a food hamper full of items worth £200 from the new food hall by entering this month’s competition. The expansion of the deli is part of a two-tiered extensive branding and refurbishment programme, which will see the deli more than doubling in size and the addition of a wine bar.

To enter this fabulous competition just answer this question:

How much has Jarrold’s deli expanded? Send your answer, name, address and daytime contact number to competitions@placesandfaces.co.uk or enter by post at: Places & Faces, H2Creative Media Ltd, Humberstone House, 47 Englands Lane, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 6BE. Please submit your entry by the end of October 2017 latest and good luck!

Extra Hands Providers of Home Care in Norfolk

Norfolk Care Awards 2017 Winners We are a local award winning family run independent Home Care company, providing carers across Norfolk trained to the highest standards including Dementia Care. We offer a wide range of services within the home setting which are tailored to suit individual needs from personal care to shopping and companionship. Our services can be arranged on either a short term or long term basis, we offer flexibility when organising care packages and can assure our customers that we will meet their requirements every step of the way. If you or anyone you know may be interested in our services please do not hesitate to contact us on the numbers below or visit our website to find out more.

Supporting people in their own homes for over 25 years

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

VISIT NORTH NORFOLK

ith the countryside changing colour, hedgerows full of fruit and migrating birds filling the skies, it is a wonderful time of year to wrap up and explore the north Norfolk countryside. Take advantage of this quieter time of year and enjoy a bracing walk along one of the many beaches and when you’re ready to warm up, stop off for a bite to eat at a pub or restaurant, with a cosy fire and warm welcome. There’s no better time to put on the walking boots and stride out through the north Norfolk countryside with beautiful autumnal colours and crisp leaves underfoot. Head to the parks and forests of north Norfolk to enjoy the total beauty of this season. The National Trust’s Sheringham Park has mature woodlands with spectacular viewing points over the surrounding countryside and coastline with excellent pathways. Head to the peaceful woodland of Holt Country Park and be surrounded by Scots pine and native broad-leaved trees, one of the best green spaces in the country. Foxley Wood is Norfolk’s largest ancient woodland and in the autumn, you can immerse yourself in the sheer silence of the woods. Bacton Wood, also known as Witton Wood, has ancient Sessile Oaks among more than 30 different species of tree including pines, Douglas fir and larch, all set in 280 acres. For a bracing walk, head to the coast and it’s likely it’ll just be you, the shoreline, the sea and sky. Take a walk along crunchy shingle at Blakeney Point, in the dunes at Sea Palling or stride out along the wide expanses of Wells, Holkham or Brancaster. Autumn is the time when thousands of birds migrate south from the Arctic. Marvel at the V-shaped squadrons of pinkfooted geese from Iceland and Greenland along the north coast at Titchwell and Cley and wonder at the waders in The Wash at Snettisham. There are large numbers of geese and ducks returning for the winter and thousands of thrushes and finches migrate, returning from their summer breeding grounds.

the

LeAvEs aRe WN BRO Autumn is a stunning time to explore north Norfolk, with beautiful scenery, wonderful wildlife and cosy places to stop off for a bite to eat, says Kayla Dunne from Visit North Norfolk

Robins, starlings and goldcrests arrive for winter and you may be lucky enough to have a sighting of wrynecks. Looking inland, head to The Broads National Park, which is home to more than a quarter of the rarest wildlife in the UK. At this time of year, you may catch a glimpse of an otter as well as the distinctive markings of the Bearded Tit, which lives in the wetlands. In October, you can still see butterflies before they hibernate for the winter. There is a better chance of a sighting by visiting one of the coastal reserves, such as NWT Holme Dunes, where you may be fortunate to see the mottled grey and brown graylings, and small coppers sitting prominently on flower heads. Head to Holkham Hall, to see a deer rut during the Autumn season. This is when stags use their antlers to fight rival males to attract females. For a better look, go on a Deer Safari at Holkham Park aboard a tractor trailer tour where you can see the amazing deer herd up close in their habitat, and learn all about their lives at the Park. All that fresh air is bound to create an appetite! There are so many lovely eateries such as pubs, restaurants and cafes to choose from with locally sourced, seasonal food, often with a warm fire and even warmer welcome. This is the time of year to try local apples, broccoli, blackberries and mussels, to name a few. To celebrate the area’s vibrant restaurant scene, Norfolk Restaurant Week takes place from 30 October to 10 November. The week is Norfolk’s largest dining event, showcasing fine food, and the people who produce it. It is a great opportunity to try out new restaurants, or revisit existing favourites, where dishes are offered at an incredibly tempting price. So why not Nip to North Norfolk this Autumn and experience the very best the coast and countryside has to offer.

For things to do during half term and Halloween, check the What’s On pages at visitnorthnorfolk.com

| OCTOBER 2017

WHAT’S ON

n O s ’ t HA W vanCouver quaRter n N y L s ’ G Kin

David Blackmore gives a round up of events and attractions at Vancouver Quarter and King ’s Lynn over the coming months.

The nights are rapidly drawing

in and winter is almost here but if you think King’s Lynn is putting up its feet in front of a roaring fire after a summer packed with festivals and events galore, you’d be mistaken. In fact, there are plenty of reasons to visit King’s Lynn during October and November with a series of familyfocused events to encourage people into the town centre and support local businesses – and enjoy themselves at the same time. There are free workshops and Saturday Clubs as well as a townwide Halloween Spooktacular and a Christmas Lights Switch On event that is guaranteed fun for all the family. Kicking off October’s fun is Vancouver Quarter’s popular Saturday Club that makes a welcome return on October 7 and will see the shopping centre celebrate all things autumnal. The Fall into Autumn workshop will give children the opportunity to make autumn-themed mobiles. This free drop-in session will run from 10am to 3pm opposite Wilko, next to Costa on New Conduit Street. Vancouver Quarter will then host two very special workshops during the half term week. There’s a Natural History workshop on Monday 23 October that will see children create something special from the natural world. This will be followed by a Mask Making workshop on Friday 27 October that’ll be perfect for children getting ready for Halloween. Both workshops

will run in the shopping centre from 10am to 3pm. The biggest event in October will come in the form of the hugely popular Halloween Spooktacular on Tuesday 31 October. This annual event, which attracts thousands to the heart of King’s Lynn, sees the Vancouver Quarter and Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk team up to celebrate Halloween with a special trail around the town centre. There’ll be street entertainers performing on High Street, Norfolk Street, Broad Street and New Conduit Street and some retailers will be handing out sweets to children. Parents are also being encouraged to sign up to the Vancouver Quarter mailing list to discover more about an exclusive Little Monsters’ Ball being held in conjunction to this event. Turning to November and the night sky over King’s Lynn will come to life on Friday 3 November with Fawkes in the Walks. The park will be packed with stalls and rides from 6pm with the bonfire being lit at 6.30pm. Kings’ Lynn’s fabulous free firework display will start at 8pm. Hot on the heels of this firework extravaganza will be another Vancouver Quarter Saturday Club on November 4 that will see children making lanterns from 10am to 3pm. Next up will be the Christmas Lights Switch On that promises to be an afternoon of festive fun on Sunday 26 November.

There will be street entertainers, a glitter bar and face-painters, music and family-focused activities from 12 noon, plus the chance for children to have a quick chat with Father Christmas as he officially launches his Christmas grotto. Father Christmas will then visit King’s Lynn every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday right up to Christmas – albeit he will leave Lynn a bit earlier on Christmas Eve to get back to the North Pole to finalise everything and check on those cheeky elves! The grotto is free for children to attend but donations will be welcomed. Any money collected will be distributed to local charities in the New Year. Father Christmas’ grotto will be situated within Vancouver Quarter and bookings will be open from November 1. Parents can reserve spaces for their children via Vancouver Quarter’s website but are encouraged to move fast as these appointments are snapped up quickly. Late Night Shopping also launches on November 30. It’ll see stores around the town centre remain open until 8pm for the four Thursdays leading up to Christmas. With so much to see and do in October and November, there’ll never be a better time to visit King’s Lynn and shop local.

Discover more about these events at vancouverquarter.com

Bang in the heart of Wells-next-the-Sea. Open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 5pm. A refreshingly fun and friendly place to meet, eat, drink and stay! BANG IN WELLS 2 STAITHE STREET WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA NORFOLK, NR23 1AF TEL: 01328 712149 info@banginwells.co.uk www.banginwells.co.uk

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THE ALBATROS IS A TRADITIONAL Dutch cargo ship from 1899. Instead of sailing the high seas she is now permanently moored alongside The Quay in Wells and used as a Dutch style cafe, bar, restaurant, music venue and B&B, offering one of the most entertaining ways to spend a couple of hours (or a couple of nights) on the North Norfolk coast. The restaurant serves an extensive choice of sweet and savoury Dutch pancakes and other Dutch specialities for lunch and dinner. Guests can sit below deck in the cosy bar area or outside on the main deck with fantastic views over harbour and marshes. It’s a great place to experience something a bit different!

www.albatroswells.co.uk

O c ' n O tober s t A H W IN

TAP FACTORY 2017 UK TOUR Tap Factory is an international hit show for all the family, featuring urban tap dance, percussion, comedy and acrobatics. Tap Factory is so much more than a tap show - full of high energy dance, explosive percussion and unbelievable thriils, all wrapped up in a fun-filled evening. The stunning live music and choreography is created from the most ordinary of objects by a highly talented, internationally renowned cast of awardwinning tap dancers. Don’t miss it! – Norwich Theatre Royal Thu 26 & Fri 27 October - 7:30pm Fri 27 October - 2:30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

LIVE BAND The Urban Voodoo Machine have become one of the greatest live acts in the country – terrifyingly bizarre, hysterically funny; a riot for the eyes and sensation for the ears: a sing-a-long, drink-a-long, clap-along affair. The UVM came to Paul-Ronney Angel in 2002 as a fully-formed idea. He’d lead a band who’d play ‘Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop’n’Stroll’. They’d dress in black and red. There would be a LOT of them. And their music would sound like a great night out in a dangerous part of town. From the get-go, The UVM fused junkyard

blues and stinging rockabilly with mariachi horns, fiddles, sinister cabaret and punk rock tangos. “I wanted to play rock’n’roll music with a different instrumentation,” says Angel, “taking inspiration from everything from delta blues, latin and gypsy music without losing the spirit and attitude of punk.” Since then they’ve played Glastonbury, Download, Latitude, Bestival, Hard Rock Calling and toured with The Pogues and New York Dolls. – The Open, Norwich Friday 3 November - 7:30pm www.opennorwich.org.uk

COMEDY JOEL DOMMETT : LIVE 2017 One of the UK’s most energetic and exciting comedians returns to the road with his solo show, Joel Dommett: LIVE. Catch the star of 2016’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here and Sky1’s Bring The Noise as he delivers his high octane comedy to venues up and down the country. Joel came onto the comedy scene in 2007 and has never looked back. After receiving great critical acclaim for his Edinburgh Fringe shows, he has gone on to appear in numerous television shows including; Impractical Jokers (BBC3), Reality Bites (ITV2), Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC), Drunk History (Comedy Central), and has performed in acting roles for Popatron (BBC2) and Skins (E4). – Kings Lynn Corn Exchange Monday 23 October - 8pm www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk 19

O c t o b e r n O ' s WHAt IN

COMEDY Join the blisteringly-funny, multi-award winning comedian Russell Kane (BBC’s Live At The Apollo, BBC3’s Stupid man, Smart Phone, and BBC3’s Live at The Electric) as he presents an evening of sterling stand-up alongside some very special friends. Best known as the host of three series of BBC3‘s Live At The Electric, regular appearances on BBC1’s Live At Apollo, BBC3’s Unzipped, ITV2’s Celebrity Juice and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Now! Most recently, Russell travelled the world with you-tube stars filming the new survival programme, Stupid Man, Smart Phone, which is available on BBC iPlayer. Russell was nominated four times for prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards before winning Best Show in 2010. He then went on to make history as the first comedian to win both the Edinburgh Award and Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Barry Award in one year. His second DVD Russell Kane Live was recorded in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre and released by Universal Pictures in 2015. Famed for his critically acclaimed tours Russell has been performing sell-out shows across the globe and is now bringing his brand of comedy to you! – St Georges Theatre Thursday 12 October 7:30pm www.stgeorgestheatre.com

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND An Evening with Charlie Landsborough Charlie has played all over the world and is one of the biggest selling artists in Irish music history. His reputation continues to grow and he has won numerous country music awards including Best Male Vocalist at the British Country Music Association Awards three years in a row. Most of his 25 albums reached the No. 1 spot and he is well on his way to selling 2 million songs, resulting in a British Country Music Hall of Fame induction. His work has been covered by Jack Jones, Pat Boone and Foster and Allen, to name just a few. – Marina Theatre Lowestoft Thursday 2 November 7:30pm www.marinatheatre.co.uk

MUSIC A dazzling 6-piece fusion of saucy 20s swing and stomping electro beats, The ESC is the hottest live electro-swing act in the UK. Fronted by a sassy female double-act and featuring electric double bass, vintage samples and gypsy-jazz guitar, The Electric Swing Circus’s explosive sound reverberates back through time, drawing influences from 1920s swing and jazz. Ladies and gentlemen, get your dancing shoes on and hold onto your hats, the circus is coming to town! – Saturday 11 November - 8pm The Corn Hall, Diss www.thecornhall.co.uk

OPERA Mon 16 Oct Part 1: The Death of Pompey Tues 17 Oct Part 2: Cleopatra’s Needle One of the greatest heroic operas ever written, Handel’s Giulio Cesare is a thrilling story of passion and revenge in the midst of bitter power struggles over the succession to Egypt’s throne. It’s 49 B.C. and Julius Caesar is at war with Pompey. Fearing defeat Pompey seeks help from the Pharaoh, Ptolemy, who instead betrays him to gain Caesar’s favour. Meanwhile, Cleopatra is plotting to oust her brother and become the sole ruler of Egypt… Don’t miss this exhilaratingly epic drama, featuring ETO’s partner baroque orchestra The Old Street Band and a first-rate cast including Christopher Ainslie in the title role, and Laura Mitchell as Cleopatra. – Norwich Theatre Royal Mon 16 and Tue 17 October 7:30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

COMEDY Phil McIntyre Entertainments presents - JASON BYRNE: THE MAN WITH THREE BRAINS. ‘The Man With Three Brains’ is a brand new show from the highly acclaimed and extremely funny comedian, Jason Byrne. Jason has three brains which kick into action when he hits the stage. His left brain scans the audience and room, looking for improv moments. His right brain collates stand-up material and stunts, poised to dish out the funnies at speed. His centre brain is Jason’s coach, pushing him to the limit. The fastest thinking comic around will not only trip himself up, but probably you too. – Norwich Playhouse Friday 13 October - 7:30pm (Age 14+) ww.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

MUSICAL High energy, high kicking and gloriously glamorous, the acclaimed Watermill Theatre production of Crazy for You is the ultimate feel-good musical starring Tom Chambers (Top Hat and Strictly Come Dancing), Caroline Flack (Strictly Come Dancing, Love Island, The X Factor) and Charlotte Wakefield (Sound Of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) featuring a fabulous score from the Gershwin brothers’ songbook. Mistaken identities, heartbreak, happiness and a wealth of memorable tunes, including I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Embraceable You all feature in this exhilarating celebration of the great Broadway musicals. – Norwich Theatre Royal Tue 31 October to Sat 4 November www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk MUSIC LEGEND Alexander O’Neal is undoubtedly a music legend. Reputedly the best pure singer to come from the ‘80s soul/RnB era’ releasing a ‘string of memorable hits’ that are STILL broadcast as ‘radio requests’ and played at literally thousands of events around the world including: ‘Fake’ – ‘Criticize’ - ‘If You Were Here Tonight’ - ‘Saturday love’ - ‘Never Knew Love Like This’ - ‘Sunshine’ - ‘Secret Lovers’ + many more. His album ‘Hearsay’ sold nearly a million copies in the UK alone, and to this day he still holds the record as the only performer to ‘sell out’ for SIX consecutive nights at Londons Wembley Arena. This soul man STILL has an undying passion to perform... and his ‘live shows’ reflect that. Come and join the party with Alexander and his fantastic 9 piece band, for an evening you will never forget! – Princes Theatre Hunstanton Saturday 14 October 7:30pm www.princesshunstanton.co.uk

NORWICH JAZZ CLUB The Freddie Gavita Quartet - 2017 is the year in which Freddie releases and promotes his debut album Transient, whose production was funded with proceeds from a successful Kickstarter campaign launched in December 2016. We’re delighted that as part of his UK tour he’ll be playing the jazz club in his birth city so that we’ll have a chance to hear his exciting new compositions live, and where he’ll be joined by his long-standing friends and colleagues Tom Cawley, Calum Gourlay and James Maddren. Freddie will of course be plugging the new album on this evening’s gig! – Maddermarket Theatre Norwich Tuesday 17 October 7:30pm www.maddermarket.co.uk

ROCK MUSIC Coming out of Scotland in the late 60s as part of the initial British hard rock invasion, Nazareth combined the cementmixer vocals of singer and front man Dan McCafferty with the power chord-driven music which remains their forte today. Three decades is nothing when you are talking about genuine rock and roll for the ages. – The Waterfront Norwich Saturday 14 October - 6pm www.thewaterfront.ticketabc.com 21

O c t o b e r n O ' s t HA IN

NATIONAL THEATRE Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs to be free… Hedda and Tesman have just returned from their honeymoon and the relationship is already in trouble. Trapped but determined, Hedda tries to control those around her, only to see her own world unravel. This acclaimed new production of Ibsen’s masterpiece Hedda Gabler comes to Norwich Theatre Royal following a sold out run at the National Theatre. Adapted by Olivier Award-winning playwright Patrick Marber (Closer, Three Days in the Country) and directed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winner Ivo van Hove (A View from the Bridge), who made his National Theatre debut with this bold and modern new production. Lizzy Watts plays the title role of the free-spirited Hedda Gabler, one of the greatest dramatic parts in theatre and regarded as the female Hamlet. Recommended Age 12yrs+ – Norwich Theatre Royal Tue 7 to Sat 11 November Fri 20 October - 1:30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

JASON DONOVAN AND HIS AMAZING MIDLIFE CRISIS Jason is delighted to announce that he will be hitting the road once again in the autumn, only this time, it’s a tour with a twist! He is headed to new locations across the country and these intimate gigs will be a unique opportunity to see him like you’ve never seen him before. At age 49 ½, and with a wealth of tantalising tales under his belt, this autobiographical show will take Jason’s looming 50th birthday

LIVE MUSIC Nathan Carter – The Wanna Dance Tour 2017. Following on from a 2016 that saw him beat both Beyoncé and Drake to a Number 1 Album in his native Ireland, Country-Pop crossover star Nathan Carter has announced a huge run of UK tour dates for 2017. As one of Ireland’s biggest live music acts, Nathan is developing into a household name, with tracks from “Stayin’ Up All Night” becoming hits, such as “Wagon Wheel” and “I Wanna Dance”. – Marina Theatre Lowestoft Saturday 21 October 7:30pm www.marinatheatre.co.uk

THEATRE SHOW Medea returns from history. This time, she’s telling her side of the story… The stage is set for a gig – a microphone, a bank of speakers and smoke hanging in the air. A figure in an extraordinary gown emerges from the shadows. This is Medea – returned from history to tell us her version of events. This startling, contemporary reimagining of the ancient Greek legend of passion and revenge casts Medea as the ultimate outsider, a stranger in a foreign land, filled with rage. Her monologue transports us from ancient Greece to modern Europe and back again in a provocative, blood-soaked collage of performance, opera and sexual confession. Contains adult content, strong language, and possible nudity. 16+ – Norwich Arts Centre Wednesday 18 October - 8pm www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

as its starting point, and will zigzag back and forth through his life. Hear some new stories (and possibly one or two you’ve heard before!) plus some of the songs you know and love for a night like no other. – The Apex Theatre Bury St Edmunds Monday 9 October - 7:30pm www.theapex.co.uk

LIVE MUSIC Gary Numan and Jayce Lewis Bottom of Form 1980s electronic and industrial music pioneer Gary Numan has announced a brand-new tour for Autumn 2017 in support of the release of new album ‘Savage’. Numan’s last album, ‘Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)’, saw him return to the UK Top 20 Albums Chart and Billboard 200 for the first time in over 30 years. The Savage tour will be Numan’s first live dates since celebrating his cult classic albums ‘Replicas’, ‘The Pleasure Principle’ and ‘Telekon’ last year. – UEA Norwich Tuesday 17 October www.uealcr.ticketabc.com RAMBERT GHOST DANCES Christopher Bruce’s masterpiece, Ghost Dances , is one of the most popular works in Rambert’s history. Full of drama and passion, and with live music throughout from the Rambert Orchestra, it’s a memorable programme of world-class dance. – Norwich Theatre Royal Thursday 19 October and Friday 20 October 7:30pm Friday 20 October 1:30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

COMEDY Griff Rhys Jones.....Where Was I? One of the country’s most versatile comedians and broadcasters. Griff’s career has seen him presenting, acting and writing, but it was comedy that first made him a national icon. Griff Rhys Jones found his way into the country’s hearts and funny bones with Mel Smith, appearing in films together, on stage together, and in their hit show Smith & Jones on television together for nearly twenty years. Aside from comedy, Griff’s career has seen him presenting, acting and writing. Join Griff Rhys Jones for 90 minutes of Comedy Exploration. – Theatre Royal bury St Edmunds Sunday 22 October - 7:30pm www.theatreroyal.org

WHAT’S ON

CLASSICAL CONCERT Clustered at the very top of the piano-playing profession are a handful of players everyone agrees are supreme. Mitsuko Uchida is one of them. She has a limpid perfection of touch and phrasing, and a way of creating a unique sound-world for each composer. No living pianist throws a more thoughtprovoking light upon Schubert’s music – or approaches it with more love. These three sonatas of 1817–25, chosen by Uchida to span the high peak of Schubert’s all-too-short creative maturity, offer infinite riches of tragedy, melody and humour. – Snape Maltings Sunday 22 October - 5pm www.snapemaltings.co.uk RICHARD DIGANCE 2017 marks 50 years of performing by Richard Digance. With a BAFTA Nomination as TV Entertainer Of The Year and Gold Award recipient from The British Academy of Composers, he turned his back on show biz for his first love of music and live performance. 4,000 live shows, 62 British tours, 14 books, 3 stage plays, 32 albums and nearly 4 million YouTube visits says it all. After 50 years he’s still doing what he loves. – SheringHam Little Theatre Thursday 9 November - 7:30pm www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com

FOLK MUSIC An intimate evening of stories, songs, and silver tinged laughter. It’s hard to find a bad word to say about our Kate. She’s as pretty as a picture, sings like an angel and has an earthy Yorkshire humour that would not be out of place on the stand up circuit.. Kate Rusby, Mercury Prize winner. Folk Singer of the Year, Best Live Act, Best Album and Best Original Song winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Inveterate Yorkshire Tea drinker. Freeman of Barnsley. Darling of British Folk. “One of the most affecting voices in British folk” Q Magazine – Norwich Theatre Royal Tuesday 24 October 7:30pm www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

LEGENDS OF FOOTBALL All the West Ham United FA Cup winning goal scorers will be in one room together for a unique event taking place at the Britannia Pier Great Yarmouth on October 27th at 8pm Ex England and Hammers legend Sir Trevor Brooking,cup final double scorer Alan Taylor,1964 cup final match winner Ronnie Boyce who also played alongside Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters plus special guest Alvin Martin will take to the stage for an evening of memories,recollections and stories from the cup finals they played in as well as talking about their careers at WHU from the 60s through to the 90s making this event a must for all Hammers fans. – Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth Friday 27 October - 8pm www.britannia-pier.co.uk ALBION QUARTET A shared belief in the visceral, communicative power of the string quartet has brought together four outstanding performers of their generation to form the Albion Quartet. Following years of close collaboration, these players are delighted to further their reputation for creative and imaginative performances in this exciting new venture. – The Apex Theatre Bury St Edmunds Tuesday 17 October - 7:30pm www.theapex.co.uk

SEARLES SPECIAL BREAKS 2017-18_Layout 1 11/09/2017 14:59 Page 1

Autumn 2017 - Spring 2018

Turkey and Tınsel

Legends Music Weekend

Solid Gold Weekend

Turkey and Tinsel

Monday 13th – Friday 17th November 2017 (4 night half board family break)

Friday 17th – Monday 20th November 2017 (2 or 3 night break, 18+ Only)

Friday 1st – Monday 4th December 2017 (3 night half board break, Adults Only)

Our Legends Music Weekend this year is focussed specifically to a 70’s and 80’s theme, bringing you some fantastic live tributes to some of the music legends of these two great eras. Prepare to Party!

Monday 13th to Friday 17th November 2017 4 night half board family break

Solid Gold Weekends presents, 3 Want to experience the Christmas days and nights of live music with: spirit with friends and family who Showaddy Waddy · Marmalade you may not see over the festive Merseybeats · Marshall King period? Why not come along Retro Revival and so much more... and enjoy all the festivities, in experience the Christmas spirit with friends Want to and family November... in Norfolk!

who you may not see over notfrom come Prices fromthe festive period? Why Prices £149 per person Prices from £169 per person person in November.....in Norfolk! along and enjoy all£134 theper festivities,

Darts Classic Weekend

Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th February 2018 (2 night break, 18+ Only) Starring Bobby George, Wayne Mardle, Peter Manley, Steve Brown, Sky Walk-on girls, Charlotte Wood & Daniella Allfree, Plus top comedian Ricky Grover and MC.

Prices from £84 per person

Prices from £169 per person

Legends Music Weekend

Christmas Party Nights At Yarmouth Stadium

December at the Raceview Restaurant Date

Looking for a fantastic Chrismas Party venue?

Sat 2nd Mon 4th Wed 6th Fri 8th Sat 9th 2 or 3 night break, 18+ Only

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Monyear 11th Our Legends Music Weekend this Wed is focussed specifically to a 70's and13th 80's theme, bringing you someFri 15th 16th fantastic live tributes to some ofSatthe music legends of these two great Mon 18th eras. Prepare to Party! Wed 20th

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After the fun of the racing, the track lights dim, guests can enjoy an evening Friday in our Raceview 17th - Monday are invited Restaurant or Executive Lounges and 20th November 2017 to stay and party with our DJ until 1am.

Racing Dining Disco

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Fri 22nd Sat 23rd

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To Book Call : 01485 534211 Book Now! Searles Leisure Resort South Beach, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36Enjoy 5BB www.searles.co.uk creating happiness all ages the festivities in our Partyfor Lounges! 01493 720343 “Christmas Executive Package” Yarmouth Road, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk NR30 5TE 01493 720343 www.yarmouthstadium.co.uk

Monday & Wednesday - £28.00pp

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WHAT’S ON

feStivaLOfaRchITECtUre

The fifth biennial celebration of architecture in Norwich and Norfolk, organised by the Norfolk Association of Architects (NAA) returns to the city in October

– For the full programme of events, locations and times see fann17.org.uk

he main NAA Architects’ Exhibition at The Forum runs from Tuesday, October 3 to Friday, October 13 where you will be able to meet local architects and view the varied projects and designs from architectural companies of all sizes and see at first-hand the quality of design talent that exists in our county. The exhibition will also include work by students at the School of Architecture, Norwich University of the Arts and the finalists of the FANN17 photography competition. There will be a Pecha Kucha evening at Cinema City (October 15, 8pm for 8.20pm), with quick-fire presentations. City of Norwich tourist guide, Paul Dickson will be leading tours in the city centre looking at the legacy of the great Victorian and Edwardian architects Edward Boardman and George Skipper (October 7 and 14, at 11am). Local architect, Jason Bill, is taking a tour of UEA on Sunday, October 22 (11am) focusing on the work of Denys Lasdun, Norman Foster and Rick Mather. Find out what Passivhaus is all about from Chris Parsons of Parsons and Whittley Architects, who delivered the first rural affordable Passivhaus scheme in the UK at Wimbish in Essex. His talk is on Thursday, October 5 (6.30pm) at Boardman House (Norwich University of the Arts) Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

is hosting an Architecture Day on Saturday, October 21 along with Hat-itecture (October 23-27) – children’s half term activities. Architecture on Film shows classic films at Cinema City, in which architecture shapes dystopian landscapes: Blade Runner 2049 (October 9), Akira (October 19) and Metropolis (October 26) – all screenings begin at 8.15pm. And rounding off FANN17, the Norwich Lecture, at UEA Enterprise Centre (November 2 at 7pm), will be given by Peter St John from Caruso St John Architects winners of the 2016 Stirling Prize for their Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall for Damien Hirst.

Jerene Irwin, President NAA said: “The NAA is very excited about FANN17. The festival has grown over the years with a variety of activities on offer. It aims to deliver a wide range of events that stimulate the public interest in architecture in Norfolk, by those that are passionate about it. It also gives local architects and artists the opportunity to engage with their widest possible audience. The Festival is very much aimed at the general public and is intended as fun as well as informative. It is a celebration of architecture in the county and the work of local architects.”

| OCTOBER 2017

lEt sNOW

It i s a f e a s t o f f u n g u a ra n t e e d t o b r i n g o u t yo u r i n n e r c h i l d . S l ava ’s S n ow Show stimulates all the senses and has proved to be a huge hit worldwide. A s i t p re p a re s t o re t u r n t o No r w i c h T h e a t re Ro ya l t h i s a u t u m n , Jo h n Bultitude finds out more about this extraordinary production.

ry and put down exactly what you will see during the course of Slava’s Snow Show in words and you will struggle. It is a mix of comedy, clowning and spectacle showcased in a series of short set-pieces building towards a stunning finale which sees every member of the audience up on their feet within a winter wonderland. The show may be hard to describe but there is no doubt it is a massive international success. And the verdict of both the critics and audience-members who have seen it is that it has heart. It is the brain-child of Slava Polunin who grew up in a small town in the middle of Russia to a family that had no links to the worlds of the arts or show-business. He recalled: “As a child I watched the Charlie Chaplin movie The Kid and it impressed me to a great extent. I

WHAT’S ON

immediately made a cane for myself and started to copy Chaplin’s walk which set my classmates and friends laughing. “Probably the idea of my future occupation unwittingly started to form itself around that time. I believe that I was born a clown but the conscious desire to be one appeared much later.” Slava started off his performing career exploring the world of pantomime and presenting the festive shows on stage and even on TV which led him to create his own clown character. He recalled: “He allowed me to talk with the audience not only about funny things but also about the sad, the kind and the tender. Besides, I believe that clowning is a much broader notion than just a circus genre or a form of entertainment. “Clowning is a certain point of view on the world and an ability to see things in a way that differs from what people usually see. It is a great pleasure to live and create things in

this dimension. Once you start, you cannot stop.” The Snow Show itself was first conceived in the Nineties and saw him pull together lots of routines and set-pieces as well as plenty of memories of his childhood. With the difficulty of describing it after having seen it, how does Slava himself explain the show to people? He said: “I think that, in the first place, one should expect a journey into childhood. You go into your own childhood sparkling with your dreams and then into mine which is covered with a snowy blanket and filled with anticipations and dreams. It is a trip into a world of bright colours, true feelings and important small details that one only notices when little. “In any case, each person will see their own story and their own world in the show. That is very important to me. “The most magical aspect of the show is the intimate communication with the public

which is non-verbal and strengthens those elusive fibres of contact which often appear between an artist and a spectator. This very subtle interaction is what creates the magic of theatre.” And it is often the reactions of people who have seen the production which say it all with adults just as enchanted as the younger members of the audience. Slava explained: “Children are already a happy crowd of people. They have not yet touched the troubles of life and the entire world is open and boundless. Imagination and joy fills them if they are not in a challenged social situation. “Adults, however, often make themselves very rigid, complicate things, and start digging deep into the convolutions of life as soon as they grow up even a little bit and yet, if one stays connected to their inner child, everything becomes much easier and jollier. This is what we try to do.” And it is this feeling coupled with the lack of any spoken word which has helped make the production a true global hit. Slava also believes his admiration of the world and the fact everyone can relate to his ideas have helped make the production a success although different countries bring different reactions. He explained: “For instance, its absurd side is popular in the UK. The passionate side is more prominent in Spain, its soul is appreciated in Russia, and its poetic side is clearer in France. “Brits will often sit quietly throughout the show but then stand and applaud for 30 minutes afterwards. Italians will jump up on to the stage if they see something that touches them. “We carefully study the country or city that we are going to and listen to the audience throughout the first couple of performances to grasp the main emotion in the theatre and catch the thin gentle strings connecting people in the audience to people on stage.” So there is no doubt something very special is in store for Norwich audiences this autumn from November 21-25. Despite the success of Slava’s Snow Show, its creator remains busy with his new book published this year and more projects are planned. “I have now stopped separating my life from my art so everything that happens to me is equally valuable and it is full of different things. I am creating large street events in various cities across the planet and my book is written. In general, I don’t have much time to get bored.” So take a step away from the stresses and strains of day-to-day life this autumn and step into childhood where innocence, fun and wonder become your priority for a couple of hours.

SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW, Tuesday 21 NovemberSaturday 25 November at 7.30pm, and Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets £8-£31.50. Discounts for Over-60s, Under18s, Schools and Groups. To book, log onto theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000

Thursday 26 - Friday 27 October Eves 7.30pm, Mat Fri 2.30pm TICKETS: £8 - £25.50 Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL

WHAT’S ON

iles has appeared in a wide range of TV programmes from Balamory to REV and numerous films including The Monuments Men starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett; The Look of Love, Made in Dagenham, Johnny English, Reborn and Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. He has recently toured to sold-out venues around the country and has appeared on Michael McIntyres Comedy Roadshow and has made multiple appearances on Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Miles is the current host of Radio 4’s News Quiz and is currently filming the latest series of The Durrells. He will soon be seen in the new adaptation of Howards End on the BBC, in the new series of The Crown for Netflix and alongside Dan Stevens in the film The Man Who Invented Christmas. The Lord’s Taverners is one of the UK’s leading youth sports and disability charities. This year the charity will donate over £3.5 million to help give young people, particularly those with special needs, an opportunity to take part in recreation. In 2016 we supported several Paralympic Medalists and are very proud to have provided double Silver Medalist, Wimbledon doubles wheelchair tennis champion and Paris open singles Champion Alfie Hewett with his first sports wheelchair. Since setting up locally The Taverners have supported 6 local Special Needs

Schools. We have provided Specially adapted £50,000 minibus's for Chapel Road School in Attleborough, Parkside School in Norwich, Fred Nicholson School at Dereham and Hall School Old Catton, a £25,000 sensory centre at The Clare School in Norwich in partnership with BT, an outdoor table tennis table at Harford Manor School, an outdoor sensory area at Parkside School and sensory equipment at John Grant School Caister. Sports wheelchairs have been provided for 14 local schoolchildren who play competitive wheelchair basketball. As mentioned earlier we also gave Alfie Hewett from Cantley his first sports wheelchair and it has changed his life. Initially he used it for archery but quickly developed to wheelchair basket ball and wheelchair tennis. At age 15 he became world junior wheelchair tennis champion and is now 19 and competing at World class level with men. Alfie often speaks of the impact The Taverners have made to his life at our events. Join the Norfolk Lord’s Taverners on Friday 20th October 2017 for a night at Brasted’s, Framingham Pigot with English Comedian and Actor, Miles Jupp. Tickets are priced at £55 and include drinks reception with canapes on arrival, four course dinner followed by tea and coffee and after dinner entertainment by Miles Jupp. Dress code is Dinner Jackets and the evening kicks off at 1845 with drinks and canapés.

haviNG LAUGH English Comedian and Actor M i l e s Ju p p i s c o m i n g t o No r w i c h – For more information email The Lord Taverners at LordstavernersNOR@lordstaverners.org or visit lordstaverners.org

Photography by JOHAN PERSSON

| OCTOBER 2017

WEST END

Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical is staged for the first time at the National Theatre and broadcast live to cinemas, Benet Catty takes a look...

he National Theatre is going through a phase of major stars headlining prestige shows. Their recent revival of Angels in America starring Nathan Lane, Andrew Garfield and Russell Tovey recently announced a Broadway transfer. Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston leads a stage adaptation of the classic 1976 film Network, which also caused a box office stampede. And at Christmas John Tiffany directs the NT’s first collaboration with Disney, Pinocchio. But none will be as glamorous as this first major revival of Stephen Sondheim’s 1971 musical Follies. Featuring a cast of 37 lead by the multi award-winning A-team of Phillip Quast, Janie Dee, Imelda Staunton and Tracie Bennett, plus an orchestra of 21 and a vast revolving set, Follies finally gets the London staging it deserves after three decades being seen only in concert. In the hands of director Dominic Cooke - here directing his first musical - Sondheim’s problem musical seems much less of a problem than it is often perceived to be. Follies is a show without a story so much as a premise. It’s New York in 1971 and a crumbling theatre in which the great showman Weismann (Read Ziegfeld) used to stage glamorous follies (revues) between the wars is to be replaced by an office block. Some of the performers who once graced its stage return for a first and last reunion in the shell of the old place. The theatre, once a palace of dreams, is now a temple of

memories: a monument to what was but never will be again. The two central couples - Buddy and Sally, and Ben and Phyllis, are having similar problems. They’re no longer young but the ghosts of their former selves haunt the place, and they are now able to remember the hopes they’d long-forgotten, not least that each of them wonders if they married the wrong person. Director Dominic Cooke’s big idea is to have the younger selves of the reuniting stars - not just the central four but all of them - shadowed by their younger selves. Literally and metaphorically their younger lives weave in and out of the their present-day agonies, haunting not just themselves but each other. Each of them variously interacts with the person they loved then, who is not the same person they love now. The women recreate a dance they knew decades before and, in one of the show’s greatest moments, dance in a chorus line with their younger selves. James Goldman’s book, like the follies it explores, has a tendency towards pith in its fragmentary conversations but, as performed on Bunny Christie’s constantly revolving set, there’s an easy fluidity to it. It has a wise cracking New York swagger laid over the top of its elegiac tone. The wonder of Sondheim’s score lies in its mix of book numbers - songs in which the character sings their thoughts as they might otherwise express them in speech - which follow the rhythms of

speech, and show songs written in the styles of the times without pastiching them. The classic Broadway Baby (the end of which was met with the guttural roar of a football crowd) is an archetypal Broadway show tune; Losing My Mind is a torch song that could have been written by Howard Arlen. I’m Still Here echoes Kander and Ebb. For all the showbiz that Follies celebrates and desecrates, it’s a mature musical about maturity - looking back and wondering, as one song says, about “the road we didn’t take”, regretting life not being as we hoped it would be when we were too young to know what it could be. And you don’t need to be old or artsy to connect with that. The scene in which Quast and Staunton explore what they nearly had, including the gorgeous ballad “Too Many Mornings”, is as moving a scene as I’ve seen in any musical in a long time. Some shows one should see because they will not be revived again for another 25 years. Others one should see because they will never be staged better. Follies is both. It’s a real ‘one of a kind’ musical - not Sondheim’s most accessible, successful or famous. But, as demonstrated sensationally by Dominic Cooke and his cast, it’s still here. FOLLIES will be broadcast to cinemas by NT Live on Thursday 16th November. Find a venue: www.ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/venues FOLLIES runs in the Olivier Theatre at the National until 3 January.

| OCTOBER 2017

gs n i h T you Might n

ot Know AbOut:

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

TEN THINGS

Her career has spanned over five decades - so far and seen her work in pop, rock, jazz and blues. Brought up in Prestwich she made her first public appearance at just 13, and was singing professionally by 15. She was ‘discovered’ by Don Arden who, if he wasn’t noteworthy for managing Gene Vincent as well as The Small Faces, and for certain ‘unorthodox’ methods, would still have a place in show biz history for, among other things, being Sharon Osbourne’s dad. Elkie’s first single, a cover version of Etta James’ ‘Something’s Got A Hold On Me’, was released in 1964. Today she’s as popular - and cool - as ever. Pour yourself a glass of Lilac Wine and read on... Here are ten things you possibly might not know about Elkie Brooks.

IT MUST HAVE BEEN IN THE GENES.

Elkie’s real name is Elaine Bookbinder. Her brother Anthony Bookbinder changed his name too. He became Tony Mansfield and was the drummer for Billy J Kramer with The Dakotas on their 60s hits. Note that ‘with’. It was never an ‘and’ like most lead singer and group names. (Think ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers…). Manchester band The Dakotas were teamed up with Liverpool singer Billy J Kramer (John Lennon told him to add the J, for effect) and both group and vocalist had egos that demanded equal billing.

IT WASN’T THE EASIEST OF STARTS.

The 1960s saw Elkie working the cabaret circuit. Even though she supported The Beatles on their London Christmas show she was, as she’s often admitted in interviews, not happy during this period. Frankly, she endured it and, with her morale at its lowest, thought about giving it all up. Humphrey Lyttleton giving her a gig with his jazz band helped her find her confidence. They would remain friends for the rest of his life.

A LOCAL CONNECTION.

In the 1970s Elkie Brooks was married to Pete Gage. He’d formed The Ram Jam Band back in 1964 and, when he recruited Geno Washington as its lead singer, the outfit became favourites of the mod scene, with a huge and loyal following in East Anglia. At one point Elkie asked Gage if The Ram Jam Band could be her backing band. It didn’t happen. But...

NEXT, THE ROCK CHICK!

It was through Pete Gage that Ms Brooks joined, firstly, the short lived fusion band Dada, and then went on to share vocals with Robert Palmer in Vinegar Joe. Now she was rocking. This was the era that defined her as the bluesy singer with a stunning stage presence. The band split in 1974 and both she and, the sadly late, Palmer started solo careers.

THEN CAME THAT ALBUM COVER.

1975 saw the release of her first solo album - ‘Rich Man’s Woman’. She drew not a little criticism, and quite a lot of attention, for the photo on the sleeve. Except for a strategically placed feather boa - she was naked.

6 7 8

SUNSHINE AFTER THE RAIN.

She was happy again! On March 1st 1978 she wed for the second time, to her sound engineer, Trevor Jordan. When they’d first met he’d been doing the sound engineer job for another singer. Diana Ross! HER CAREER HAS NOT BEEN ALL PLAIN SAILING.

In 1998 her accountant delivered the news that he’d not been keeping up with her tax payments. To clear her debts she sold her house and moved with her family into a mobile home. A COUPLE OF TV MISTAKES!

On the way back up she appeared, in 2003, on ITV’s reality show ‘Reborn in the USA’. Also taking part were Michelle Gayle and Tony Hadley. He went on to win it. For Elkie it was not the happiest of experiences. ”I thought it’d be far better than it was” was her reaction. And then, in 2016, on ‘This Morning’, Elkie was shown the video of Miley Cyrus singing Lilac Wine’. She was less than flattering about the younger singer’s version of one of her famous hits. Her comments drew criticism. Decades, and differences in style, may separate the singers but in one way they are markedly similar. For the young Miley it was her ‘Wrecking Ball’ video; for Elkie it was that 1975 album cover, but both ladies had gained some notoriety - for being naked!

FOOL IF YOU THINK IT’S OVER. ‘Elkie Brooks: The Very Best Of’ was released in April 2017. New song ‘Forgive and Forget’ was BBC Radio 2’s Record Of the Week. By September 2017 she was playing the London Palladium marking not only 40 years since she’d last performed there but also 40 years since the release of her massively successful single ‘Pearl’s A Singer’.

RECORD BREAKING RECORD SALES.

Elkie Brooks recording career has been stellar. She had more albums reach the top 75 of the UK album charts than any other British female artist. Only Kate Bush would, eventually, equal her.

| OCTOBER 2017

CrAZY FOR YOu It is going to be a happy homecoming for Caroline Flack as she heads back to her native Norfolk this autumn. She is swapping Love Island for Norwich Theatre Royal to star i n t h e h i t m u s i c a l C r a z y Fo r Yo u , a s s h e t e l l s M a t t h e w A m e r.

aroline Flack knows all about troubled romances after her 8-week stint presenting Love Island, the most watched and talked about show of the summer. The source of many a heated watercooler conversation, the show is all about relationships going wrong, or right. So it is fitting that she makes her theatrical debut playing Irene, a woman whose love life is also bumpy, in the hit musical Crazy For You. “She’s strong. She knows what she wants. But there’s a vulnerability,” Flack tells me as we chat during rehearsals. “She gets hurt the whole way through, but she’s brilliantly defiant. She stays strong and doesn’t give up. She’s naughty as well. There’s definitely bits of Irene that are quite like me.” The show, which comes to Norwich Theatre Royal on Oct 31-Nov 4, is a joyful, romantic musical comedy packed with fantastic Gershwin songs. It’s the story of Bobby, a banker who longs to be a stage star. When he’s forced to foreclose on a failing theatre, he falls for the owner’s daughter who would want nothing to do with him if she knew who he was. Irene is the woman he leaves behind.

“It is feel-good and fun,” says Flack. “It’s a show the whole family can enjoy, but it’s got a very cool vibe to it too. It’s one of those shows where you will have a smile on your face the whole way through. I know, because I’ve seen the rehearsals. I think audiences will be blown away by the talent of the cast.” That cast, which includes Strictly Come Dancing winner Tom Chambers and West End star Charlotte Wakefield, are indeed supremely talented. While the ‘triple threat’ performer – singer, dancer, actor – is considered the holy grail of musical theatre, Crazy For You cast-members are quadruple threats. They also play their own instruments. “I’ve never been so in awe of a cast before,” Flack gushes. The production is a reunion of sorts for Flack and Chambers. Both won the BBC’s flagship Saturday evening dance competition and starred together when show’s live version toured the country. When Flack talks about the Casualty and Holby City star, who built his stage reputation leading the casts of Top Hat and White Christmas, she does so in terms that make him feel like a big brother. He looked after her and supported her when she was nervous. He is, in fact, the ideal person to have

around as you make your professional theatre debut. It was her time on Strictly back in 2014, and the live tour, that reignited her ambition to perform on stage. It was an ambition she had held since childhood. When, as a teenager growing up in Norfolk, she discovered that performing could be a career, she set her heart on it and studied for three years at Bodywork Company in Cambridge. “It’s the only real qualification I have,” she laughs. Her ambition to perform on stage morphed into a presenting career when she started being offered jobs. From copresenting Channel 4’s celebrity sports show The Games in 2005, she moved to Gladiators, Saturday morning kids show TMI, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now! and The Xtra Factor. They’re projects she clearly loved, but that eagerness to get back to the theatre was always lurking. Quite simply, she says, “I love the stage.” “It wasn’t just a case of wanting to be on stage, it was wanting to be on stage but doing the right thing,” she explains. So why was this Watermill Theatre production of Crazy For You the show that brought her back to the theatre? The answer is that playing Irene gives her the opportunity to get to grips with

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

a character rather than worrying about leading an entire show singlehandedly. It’s the chance to relearn her craft and refresh her memory of theatrical performance. And, in a show packed with glorious songs like I Got Rhythm and They Can’t Take That Away From Me, she has a fantastic solo number. “As soon as I heard Naughty Baby,” she enthuses, “I thought ‘Yes, this is great.’” Choreographer Nathan M Wright has created a new routine specifically for Flack. It’s still being finalised as we chat, so she can’t give too much away, but she does say it “plays to her strengths,” and uses a piano and rope. “It’s saucy and suggestive, but not too naughty,” she laughs. Handily, for an actor about to set off on a tour around the country, she’s a fan of the nomadic life. “I’m a traveller at heart,” she grins. “There is so much more to the UK than London and I don’t get to see it enough, so I’m massively excited. There’s some really amazing venues around the UK, and to play them will be hugely exciting.” Push her a little harder on where she’s most excited about visiting, though, and the ‘born traveller’ outlook fades, just a touch. “Norwich,” she says. “It’s my

home town.” It’s not that she’s looking for home comforts, but that performing for an audience filled with family and friends will be a special occasion. “We’re planning some fun dinners afterwards,” she laughs. She’s also looking forward to the show’s northern dates. “I think there’s something in me that should have been northern,” she giggles. “It’s very friendly up in the north. With the Strictly Come Dancing tour, the more northern you got, the more excitable the crowds were.” I wonder whether, having worked on both Strictly and X Factor, Flack has sought dance or vocal advice from any of those shows’ experts. “All my experts are standing in front of me in this production,” she replies. “I only have to ask them.” She needs no extra advice on dealing with pre-show anxiety either. While she may not have performed in a musical before, competing in Strictly, both on TV and on tour, tested her courage. She’s an old hand at live TV too. The nerves never kick in until just before you start, she explains. “An hour before, they suddenly hit.” They come with a “good sickie feeling,” she says. “I have a little mantra I say to myself. It’s never changed. I say

that in my head and then I get on with it.” With Strictly, her success revolved around just two people. When she’s presenting, it’s often just Flack “on a sofa, chatting to someone. “With Crazy For You you’ve got 30 people all working together.” And she is relishing the team ethos that comes with being part of a musical production. The cast are even talking about getting her involved in the music side of the show. “Everyone says’ that they’re going to teach me something by the end of the tour. I am aiming for the drums.” So don’t be surprised if, by a later tour date, you see Flack with drumstick in hand, proving herself not just a bona fide musical theatre star, but a quadruple threat too.

CRAZY FOR YOU: Tuesday Oct 31 - Saturday November 4 at 7.30pm, and Wed, Thurs and Sat matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets £8-£42.50. Discounts for Friends, Corporate Club, Over-60s, Under-18s, and Groups. Captioned performances on Thurs 2 Nov at 2.30pm. Audio-described and signed performance on Sat 4 Nov at 2.30pm. To book, log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000

| OCTOBER 2017

You can’t beat some glorious Gershwin and the composer has no greater fan than Tom Chambers who is fulfilling a teenage dream by starring in Crazy For You. He tells John Bultitude he fuelled his desire to make it in showbusiness and he cannot wait to tour around the UK with it.

cRAZY days CRAZY FOR YOU, Tuesday 31 Oct-Saturday 4 Nov at 7.30pm, and Wed, Thurs and Sat matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £8-£42.50. Discounts for Friends, Corporate Club, Over60s, Under-18s and Groups. Captioned performance on Thurs 2 Nov at 2.30pm. Audiodescribed and signed performance on Sat 4 Nov at 2.30pm. To book, log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000

y the time the curtain came down on a production of Crazy For You in the early Nineties, a 15-year-old Tom Chambers knew his heart lay in performing. “It was the very first live musical I ever saw on stage and it just filled me with so much entertainment and wonder. It was amazing to see what they did with the theatre space and how the story was told. It was the only bit of theatre which truly inspired me,” he recalled. And in a career which has featured a number of crazy twists of fate as well as some fantastic roles, Tom is relishing the chance to recapture that teenage dream and this time play the lead role in the production which is touring the UK. He plays Bobby, a banker sent to close down a failing theatre who falls for the daughter of the building’s proprietor. Determined to win her heart, he adopts the guise of a Hungarian impresario in order to save the theatre and win her heart. And so, the stage is set for an all-singing, all-dancing story set to a Gershwin soundtrack which includes the likes of They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Bidin’ My Time and, of course, I’ve Got Rhythm. Tom admits he has always had a bit of a performing instinct from rattling his feet on the kitchen floor at home from a very young age, and then enjoying watching black-andwhite films starring the likes of Gene Kelly, but it was a school play that saw him tread the boards for the first time. He laughed: “I was playing football during a school break and the English teacher, who was directing the play, said no one had auditioned for it so there was a compulsory three o’clock audition. I ended up getting the title role in Dracula Spectacular. I loved that relationship recognition between the audience and me. It was fantastic making them respond.” Drama school followed which included a stint understudying Keith Chegwin in the pantomime Cinderella at Basingstoke (“It is one of my claims to fame”), and his first job after leaving was a Spanish TV ad for Kit Kat. Tom said: “I thought this is great. I am going to get non-stop work,” but things did not quite

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

work out like that. He had to turn down a role in The Bill because they needed an HGV driver although Tom has now got his Class 1 lorry-driving licence in common with Chris Eubank. And when he turned down a role in the arena tour of Bob The Builder, his agent fired him leaving him in a quandary about what to do next. He enjoyed some success with the movie Fakers which was privately financed and enjoyed a limited cinema release but the work was drying up. So, he took one final shot at success by aiming to get onto the Royal Variety Performance in the days before Britain’s Got Talent and YouTube. He said: “I wrote a Dear John letter suggesting I do a Fred Astaire routine on a drum kit and I thought that might appeal with me tap dancing and kicking drums at the same time. They said get it ready and I spent 9 and a half months doing just that. A few weeks beforehand, they then got in touch and said we now have everyone we need. We don’t want you. which was a blow. “So I got in touch with my old school and asked if I could perform it on their stage in the holidays and I got it filmed in black and white. I had 1000 DVD’s made of it sending 400 to America and sent 600 out in this country to theatre owners, directors and TV producers asking if they were doing anything connected to Fred Astaire and, if so, could I have a chat?” Only two people came back. One was a theatre producer organising a one-night Fred and Ginger tribute, while Tom said the other was an audition for BBC medical drama Holby City. “The producers just thought it was so unusual. They were looking for someone to play an American doctor for two episodes. As Fred Astaire was American, they thought I was too and

wanted to get me in. I went to the audition and they said ‘where have you been all these years?” From there he won the part of Sam Strachan in the hit sister show to Casualty staying in the role for three years as the fiercely driven doctor who also had a bit of a roving eye. And it was his role on there that led him into Strictly Come Dancing where he partnered Camilla Dallerup winning the coveted glitterball. Looking back on his time on the Saturday night TV hit, he admits a lot of it is a blur. Tom explained: “People ask if I can do a quick step or a samba. I have to explain that I had a 5-day intense work out on each of those routines. It is such a quick short-term memory injection and that is it. “It was a bit like doing a marathon. You do step by step doing a couple of miles at a time and you look back and you don’t know how you did it. It is the same with Strictly. Your body naturally gets used to physical exertion and a daily work out but it is the brain that suffers most because of trepidation, fear and anxiety. You are just learning so much. You just go in front of the cameras and the audience and give it your all. I look back now. If I watch anything online of one of our dances, I am looking at it as if I am watching someone else. At the time, you are performing, your brain is just in flight mode.” From there, after a run in White Christmas opposite Aled Jones, he won the part of Jerry Travers in West End and touring hit Top Hat which helped make him a must-see stage performer. He says the show was a steep learning curve for him particularly in the early days. During those first weeks, he became ill and realised his diet needed a complete overhaul in order to cope with the demands of a rigorous role in such an energetic production with so many dance routines and songs to learn and then perform. But the hard work was worth it and the show became a huge success, with Tom paying tribute to the producers who took a risk on it. He said: “They are very brave people because they put their houses and mortgages on the line. There is no guaranteed formula that an audience will want to see something and what it’s ‘enjoy by’ date is. “We hoped that Irving Berlin, Fred Astaire and the content would work and there was little competition out there because it provided an era of the classic Hollywood era of entertainment that wasn’t being filled at that time.” Since then, Tom has become a soughtafter theatre performer although he has reprised the role of Sam Strachan for

Casualty prior to this Crazy For You tour. He said: “I loved coming back to the show. When I played the part originally, I knew if I wasn’t careful, I would want to stay for ever as it was a great part with great people. I needed to branch out and fulfil other ambitions and do a lead role in a musical. Sam is a bit of a rogue as a character and he is fun to play. It has been brilliant. It is like stepping back into your favourite pair of shoes.” And now it is Crazy For You which is set to take up the rest of his year. It is also a bit of a character reprise for him as he played the part for the Watermill Theatre, which is co-producing this tour, and he cannot wait to share it with UK audiences. He said: “Taking on Crazy For You was a no brainer for me. It is absolutely my favourite all time musical. I always loved the song and dance happy entertainer shows like Singin in The Rain, Me and My Girl, and Crazy For You. “I think Crazy For You has the absolutely perfect balance of humour, story and singing. There are so many musicals that are heavy on just one element but this show has the perfect combination of everything. It is a bit like the show dance on Strictly with everything slotting into place in the right order.” Tom does not want to give too much away about what is in store but it will see him share the stage with Norfolk’s own Caroline Flack fresh from her stint hosting Love Island and a host of talented actor-musicians so it will be very different to previous productions. “I don’t want to spoil it for people who may or may not have caught it at Newbury but the audience really took to it. All the traits are there that the other productions had but you also have the cast playing the instruments live on stage as well as singing and dancing.” Tom also cannot wait to share the show with audiences across the UK. “The best thing about touring is being able to bring something to you rather than you having to make the epic journey to London. Producers eventually want their material there because it is the theatrical capital of the world and is so loved and respected, but as a provider and giver to the public, it is really important to be able to make sure people can see these shows in their own areas.” “And touring is great. You get to see places that you would not normally go. I always love being anywhere near water or being near the sea. I will enjoy the more coastal theatres or those that are close to those areas.” And as a big fan of the music of Gershwin, Tom is in performing heaven. “After seeing Crazy For You as a teenager, I went and bought the original score. I used to have a singing lesson one a week at school and it would be my favourite lesson of the week. I could sing things like I’ve Got Rhythm and Shall We Dance and They Can’t Take That Away from Me. When I was at drama school, they used to say ‘will you stop singing Gershwin?’ I love Cole Porter as well but Gershwin has that sex appeal and more style, more jazz and a bit more pizazz.” So this is very definitely a dream role for him. In the words of his musical idol, Nice Work If You Can Get It. 37

| OCTOBER 2017

the

GReAtEsT 38

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

One of the great performers of the eighties, Alexander O’Neal speaks to Mark Nicholls ahead of his show in Hunstanton

e is renowned for some of the iconic soul classics of the 1980s. Fake and Criticize were massive UK dancefloor and chart hits for Alexander O’Neal, with the 1987 Hearsay album going on to become one of the legendary releases of that decade. Yet fame, as with many top artists, came at a price for the US singer; failed marriages, a fall-out with his mentor Prince and a 30-year battle with drug addiction. However, these are issues O’Neal rarely shies away from, instead confronting them head-on, discussing them in the frankest terms, and vowing to move on. They are addressed in his new autobiography – All True, Man – but it is his music that is proving the most powerful weapon as he battles his demons. There has been a re-recording of the Hearsay album, with a further studio album in the pipeline and live dates across the UK, including a performance at the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton. Ahead of the show, which sees O’Neal again returning to the eastern region, he tells me how he loves performing before British audiences. “The British fans have always been so wonderful to me and I get lots of love back from them; they have grown up with me, which is great,” he said. “The audiences are in such a wide age band, and I think some of the younger ones are there because they are inquisitive about the music their parents made them listen to over the years.” The show will feature his greatest hits, with a particular focus on the Hearsay album, which he has just finished re-recording 30 years on from the original release. “When I look around, I have not seen anyone from any genre do that before and re-record an album in this way,” says O’Neal. “It is quite different for us and I am enjoying working on it and looking forward to sharing Hearsay 30 with the audience. “We have changed the tracks around a little, though on the whole everything is going to be the same but with a bit of a twist. What I am really thankful for is to be able to record the album and the songs in the same key that I did 30 years ago!” It is part of a busy touring and recording schedule for the 63-yearold singer. As well as showcasing Hearsay 30, he is recording his first studio album in 15 years to be entitled Resurrected and that will be released in 2018 with further dates scheduled for next Spring. An accomplished R&B and soul singer, his other hits have included If You Were Here Tonight, The Lovers, (What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me, and All True Man, the title track of the album and the title of his autobiography. The book may have surprised, even shocked, some of his fans in the way it addresses the key issues in his life. “I must say, the book is not for the faint-hearted,” he adds. The story reflects his upbringing in the Deep South of America and the racial hatred he saw every day. His father was killed when he was young and he saw neighbours attacked by white supremacists before he eventually escaped the poverty and hatred of Mississippi and made Minneapolis his home. “I think that I have always felt there was a story to my career, and I just wanted to write it down,” he continued. “I have been fanciful about doing a book for quite some time and found that I had the opportunity at last to get the thing down. One thing I learned about doing a book is that you cannot be reckless, you have to be responsible, it requires a certain amount of integrity and you have to be responsible to the people involved and their families.

ALEXANDER O’NEAL appears at The Princess Theatre, Hunstanton, on October 14. Tickets are £41, for details call 01485 532252 or visit www.princesshunstanton.co.uk

“The book speaks about my religious upbringing and dealing with hatred as a child where there was this semi-apartheid situation. It also looks at my three different marriages and some of the things people maybe do not know about me. It also looks at my relationship with Prince and the stuff we went through.” O’Neal was originally signed by Prince to the Warner Bros. label in 1981 but a disagreement saw the two artists fall out with one another. However, he was devastated when Prince died in April 2016. “Prince and I had our differences,” he admits, “but we came through that and I have to say that I was devastated when I learned about his death. I was listening on the radio that morning and I heard there had been a death at Paisley Park. At that stage there were no names, so we didn’t really know who it was. But I was mortified when I learned it was Prince who had died. “Prince was the godfather of the music scene, but you know, I sometimes feel that he wanted to go….and whoever thought Alexander O’Neal would outlive Prince.” All True, Man also deals with his addiction to cocaine, a subject he willingly talks openly about. “You are always rebuilding when you are an addicted person,” he tells me. “Every day you look around and think this is a good day for going forward, but when you are addicted you are always going to be addicted. “I have been a long-term drug user, perhaps for 30 years and it is something you have to deal with in your life. You are always hopeful that you will get better. I have friends and relatives who did, but I also have friends who did not. I am respectful of the fact that someone wants to help me and I still have good days and I still have bad days but you have to fight each and every day. Now, I try to fight every day, to fight to be the best person and the kindest person that I can be.” For Alexander O’Neal, it is his fans that keep him going forward and the performer admits he is discovering a new motivation with his ongoing British performances; perhaps something that he quite literally sees as a Resurrection. 39

| OCTOBER 2017

James Rampton caught up with the Bushcraft expert Ray Mears ahead of his Norfolk and Suffolk tour dates.

n botR O Be

WilD!

ou are a busy man – you are embarking on a British tour this autumn with a new show entitled, “Born to Go Wild – The Joy of Going to Wild Places and you have a new ITV series this autumn – Australian Wilderness with Ray Mears” What do you enjoy so much about live performance?

What’s fun about touring is meeting the television viewer face-to-face. That’s very important. A live show is real – it’s unmediated. I also get some great questions. The youngest people ask me the best questions. They’re very demanding. A 16-year-old once asked me, “What is Nature?” That was pretty difficult! What else appeals to you about doing live shows?

I love communicating my ideas. I have been teaching for 35 years, so I do know my subject. You get a very immediate connection with a live audience. That’s my favourite aspect of it. This is going to be an upbeat show, isn’t it?

Absolutely. On my last tour, I talked about a wartime secret agent who died in a concentration camp. Although I got lots of amazing letters from people who said they gained great strength from it, it was quite downbeat. This show is not like that. We are 40

determined to make this more light-hearted. It’s going to be a really fun show. What subjects will you be covering in “Born to Go Wild”?

In the first half, I’m going to demonstrate a few things. For instance, I’m going to talk about fire. I’m going to underline how important it is. Making fire is a skill unique to human beings – remember the monkeys in The Jungle Book singing about wanting to learn how to make “man’s red fire”? We are the only creatures who can create it. It’s the thing that separates us from other creatures. What subjects will you be majoring on in the second half of “Born to Go Wild”?

I’ll be talking about my recent trip to Australia where I was filming my new ITV series Australian Wilderness with Ray Mears. One of the most fascinating places I visited was Walpole Forest in the south-west corner of the country. It’s a remarkable place. The fourth largest forest on the planet, it is full of huge tingle trees. Surveyors looking at the forest for exploitation have said that we must conserve it. I was profoundly moved by that. It showed great, unexpected wisdom. What other Australian experiences will you be discussing in the show?

I swam with whale sharks, which are the largest fish in the ocean. That was amazing.

When you look a dog in the eye, you can understand it. But when you look a fish in the eye, it’s different. It’s the size of a bus, but you can’t communicate with it. You expect to gain understanding from it, but you can’t. That sort of communication only happens in the mammalian sphere. That was really intriguing. Did you also encounter crocodiles in Australia?

Yes, I saw a lot of them. What are they like? They’re big and will eat you if they get the chance! So I spent my whole time there not giving them that chance! At one point, we had to wander through crocodile-infested waters. My aboriginal guide said that if we were attacked, she would throw herself into the crocodile’s mouth to save me. That was very moving. Have your team come face-to-face with crocodiles before?

Yes. While making a previous series, three of my crew had a very close encounter with a crocodile. We were on a billabong that was drying up quickly. There were a lot of very big crocodiles around. Suddenly, the crew members in another boat spotted a buffalo which they wanted to film. So they ran to one side of a tree and didn’t see that on the other side of it a 3½m crocodile was lurking. If they had gone to the wrong side, they would have been bitten. As you can imagine, I went white!

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW How did you break into TV?

I was in the right place at the right time. The BBC programme Tracks asked me to demonstrate what I do, and that was a good way in. I soon realised that you can either present or you can’t. I don’t use a script but when we are filming, I’ll have really done my homework. Your TV shows are renowned for their authenticity. Is that very important to you?

Yes. It’s vital that people understand that the TV I do is real. I think some people are mistrustful of TV at the moment. Luckily compliance is in place now and everything is a lot more transparent. I used to have arguments with producers where words were used such as, “We do it for real, or we don’t do it at all!” I don’t have those arguments anymore. Can you give us an example of something you have learnt from your travels?

I’m a massive believer in the Commonwealth. I’ve come to realise how magical it is. I understand why people seek independence, but I think it’s a massive error. In the Commonwealth, we speak a common tongue, we make fun of each other, and we would give each other the shirts off our backs. We genuinely want to do good and not harm others. We are somehow embarrassed about the Commonwealth, but we shouldn’t be. It’s truly the most remarkable force for good in the world, and it doesn’t get celebrated enough.

And what have your travels taught you about Britain?

Why are crocodiles so dangerous?

Because you can’t see them strike. They’re so quick. They can attack you from the side. They only have to grab one finger and they’ve got you. Big crocodiles are not frightened of us. They look at us as a mere food source. No one has survived being bitten by a 4 metre crocodile. Did you also see some incredible birds in Australia?

Absolutely. The bird life in Australia is staggering – it’s as good as Africa. The birds are also the source of some great aboriginal stories. For example, they say that the black cockatoo got its markings because the white cockatoo threw it into a fire and scorched its tail. But as a punishment, the white cockatoo was given a really bad call! What other animals did you enjoy observing in Australia?

It was great fun looking for wild red kangaroos. They’re very difficult to get close to as they normally run away. But we managed it by hiding under a camouflage net at a watering hole. We spotted a red kangaroo drinking just 10 metres away.

You pioneered the popularity of Bushcraft in this country. Why do you think it is so crucial?

Nobody was doing it before me. My company, Woodlore, is now the oldest in

the world doing Bushcraft – it will have been going 35 years next year. People can understand Bushcraft. It’s all in the details. There is no shortcut. The long road is the best road to knowledge, but the journey is interesting in its own right. We live in a world where everyone takes the escalator rather than the stairs. The stairs are tiring, but they make you stronger. Where would you recommend practising Bushcraft?

In Australia. I’d encourage you to camp out and sleep under the stars. The first night you’d be terrified of snakes and scorpions. But then you would lie back, look at the stars and forget about everything else. All you need is a swag, a tarpaulin, a metal bucket for water and a canvas bucket for showering. The joy of camping is its simplicity. That’s its essence, and it’s a very liberating experience. When did your fascination with the natural world begin?

I had an interest in it from a very young age. I wanted to know everything about Nature. I became very interested in tracking animals and wanted to stay out late doing that. I didn’t have any equipment, so had to learn survival techniques. The North Downs, where I lived, is a spectacular place for plant life, so I learnt all about that. You soon start down the road where every question teaches you something special.

Hollywood always rewrites history to make us the bad guys, but we’re not. We have done amazing things that the rest of the world has benefited from, but we don’t crow about it. Understatement is very important to the British. I try to bring that to my TV work. As a presenter, I try to be the quiet man. I mistrust braggarts. Can one ever know everything about Nature?

Absolutely not. You never stop learning. You’re forever looking for the horizon of knowledge to cross, but that horizon never gets any closer. It’s good to keep learning. I never stop learning from Nature. How can our lives be enriched by Nature?

It can enlighten us all. Everyone jumps on the bandwagon and says that we have lost touch with Nature. But certain people are still very much in touch with it. In the past few years, I’ve made many documentaries with conservationists and rangers. They have very low incomes. But they all have the key to happiness: they are in touch with Nature. They have gone beyond the mundane and the everyday. That is a very profound gift.

RAY MEARS will be ‘Born To Be Wild’ at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on Monday 6th November (theapex.co.uk or 01284 758000) and Kings Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday 10th November (kingslynncornexchange.co.uk or 01553 764864)

| OCTOBER 2017

LeGEND lIveRpOol 42

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

We c a u g h t u p w i t h G e r r y Marsden ahead of his performance in Norwich to find out more about this legend from the sixties.

n the early sixties, Gerry and the Pacemakers worked the same Liverpool/Hamburg circuit as the Beatles and many other groups before being signed in 1962 by manager Brian Epstein, as his second group after the Beatles. The following year, under the direction of producer George Martin, they burst on the scene with three consecutive No.1 hits –“How Do You Do It”, “I Like It” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – proving themselves serious competitors to the Beatles. Over the next few years, most of the Pacemakers subsequent hits were actually written by Gerry Marsden, including “”It’s All Right”, “I’m the One”, “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’” and “Ferry Cross the Mersey”(also the name of a film in which they starred). The group disbanded in 1966 but was reformed by Gerry in 1974. They continue to tour in the UK and worldwide – “I love being on stage performing for people all over the globe”, says Gerry – and audiences continue to flock to their concerts. “Gerry Cross The Mersey” is a journey down memory lane with Gerry performing all the great songs from his repertoire interspersed with stories and anecdotes from his days on the road. Gerry loves performing this show as it affords him the opportunity to really connect with his audience. Is it true that the group was originally called Gerry Marsden and the Mars Bars?

It is true.... The mars from Marsden and Bars from bars of music... My dad wrote to the company to get permission to use the name and they refused so we changed to the pacemakers after I was watching athletics on tv and the commentator mentioned the “pacemaker” in the race.

Who were your musical idols when you started out? And who do you admire today?

My idols were the likes of Lonnie Donegan and then of course the American rock n rollers obviously Elvis but also Ray Charles, Fats Dominoe & Little Richard to name a few. It’s not any current group but I think “The Eagles” were fantastic. Here at Places&Faces® Magazine we have a regular ’10 Things You Didn’t Know About’ column, featuring musicians and singers. Can you tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know?

I don’t like flying !! But I have to...

What’s your proudest achievement in your career to date?

That is another tricky question so again I will have to say 2 things, I am proud to have been the 1st ever artist to have had 3 number one’s with my 1st 3 singles and also proud of receiving my M.B.E. We’ve asked other artists about this recently. What are your feelings about the resurgence of love for vinyl?

I think it’s a good thing, not that I buy many albums these days, What do you like to do to relax when a gig is over?

I love to sit and relax with a glass of wine and sometimes some friends and just chill. Relive the 1960s with five of the biggest chart acts of the decade, Following on from last year’s sell out tour, Sixties Gold returns with an even stronger line up which includes Gerry & The Pacemakers on their farewell tour, The Searchers, Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Steve Ellis (Love Affair) and Vanity Fare that between them scored over 50 UK Top 30 hits. This will be Gerry and The Pacemakers’ farewell tour, so don’t miss the chance to experience this record breaking Merseybeat band. They were the second Liverpool group to chart, after The Beatles, but the first to reach No. 1 and the first act ever to top the chart with their first three singles.

A Rodgers and Hammerstein show tune from 1945 must have seemed less than a ‘rock ’n’ roll choice’ in 1963. So, what made you choose ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ as your third single?

One wet afternoon between shows I went to the cinema between shows and carousel was playing, I watched the film and heard the song and I enjoy ballads so I went back to the band told them ... Changed the beat and that was it.

You’re a fine writer yourself – what’s your favourite out of the songs you’ve written?

It’s very hard to choose between “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin” Is there one song that’s been a hit for someone else that makes you say ‘I really wish I’d had that one?’

It has to be “Please Please Me” by my mates The Beatles

In your opinion, just what was it that made Liverpool in the early 1960s such a crucible of talent?

With Liverpool being a sea port there were lots of clubs and lots of records being brought back from the U.S. So bands formed all over the place playing all sorts of venues and people wanted to hear them. Did it come as a surprise to hear, in 1983, that fellow Liverpudlians Frankie Goes to Hollywood had recorded ‘Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey?’

Yes it did to be honest, my daughter Yvette had been to a disco and they played it and she came home and told me... I do have to say it was a great version of the song. It’s 2017 and you’re touring. What do you notice as the main differences between touring now and back in the 60s?

To be honest it’s the amount of traffic on the roads... We have to allow a lot more time these days.

SIXTIES GOLD TOUR is coming to the Norwich Theatre Royal on Sunday 15th October www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

| OCTOBER 2017

qUieT Soul 44

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Ju d y Fo s t e r c h a t s t o Kate Rusby ahead of her No r w i c h p e r f o r m a n c e

oulful singer-songwriter Kate Rusby will be bringing her acoustic folk magic to Norwich Theatre Royal on October 24th with an evening of stories, songs and laughter. With a career spanning 25 years in music, Kate is already a firm favourite with Norwich audiences having played the Theatre Royal on five previous occasions between 2005 and 2012. Her 2017 concert will celebrate her two and a half decades of delighting fans with her mix of traditional folk songs combined with new original material. Joining her on stage for this special evening will be the British folk musicians who form her band – Damien O’Kane on guitar, electric tenor guitar and banjo; Duncan Lyall on double bass and moog; Nick Cooke on diatonic accordion; and Steve Byrnes on bouzouki and guitar. The programme will include tracks from her 14th studio album, Life in a Paper Boat, alongside carefully selected much loved classics from her extensive back catalogue. A Mercury Prize nominee and a four times winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (Folk Singer of the Year, Best Live Act, Best Album and Best Original Song), in 2014 Kate received the prestigious British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors’ Gold Badge Award in honour of her ‘unique contribution to music’. Her love of singing started early with sing-alongs in the back of the car with her siblings as they accompanied their parents to folk gigs around the country with their ceilidh band. She went on to perform as a solo artist, as a duo with friend Kathryn Roberts, plus stints as singer with Equation and the all-female Celtic folksters, The Poozies. She says: “My parents passed on so many songs and continue to do so. They are always humming and singing things I’ve never heard before and from time to time I also remember lines from songs they used to sing. I always pop round and ask them about it and then sneakily pinch the song! “What appeals to me about the old songs are the stories and the simple way they were written. Some are painfully sad and it is those that draw me in the most.” The crossover between the traditional and the new has brought her accolades such as from Q M agazine which said ‘Folk Music doesn’t get any cooler than Kate Rusby’. It has also brought her the opportunity to branch out into other areas such as appearing on ‘Later With Jools Holland’ or, in 2006, recording the Top Ten duet ‘All Over Again’ with Ronan Keating, and other collaborations with artists beyond the folk scene such as Eddi Reader, Blur’s Graham Coxon, Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble and Ella Edmondson. She has also enjoyed forays into film music (‘Heartlands’) and television soundtracks (the BBC’s animation of ‘Jack Frost’ and recording Ray Davies’ ‘The Village Green Preservation Society’ as the theme tune for the series, ‘Jam and Jerusalem’). She says: “I play the music I want to play, work with incredibly talented musicians and make a living from doing something I love.” And she is relishing the chance to once again bring her talent before a local audience: “I’m looking forward so much to returning to beautiful Norwich. I haven’t been in a while and I always adore the gigs we do there! Can’t wait!”

KATE RUSBY, Tuesday, October 24th 7.30pm. Tickets: £8-£25. Box office 01603 630000. Discounts for Friends. For more info or to book online visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

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

iT’s WAr! S e a n K e l l y ’s n o n - s t o p – a n d u t t e r l y magnetic – approach to his job as the auctioneer on the TV programme Storage Hunters, which features highly entertaining auctions for mystery items, has won him legions o f f a n s o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e At l a n t i c . Ja m e s R a m p t o n c a u g h t u p w i t h S e a n K e l l y a t h i s B e v e r l y H i l l s h o m e.

iewers have been drawn in by his wonderfully anarchic, spirited and downright funny method of auctioneering - a style that has been described as “Like someone has attached electrodes to a woodpecker!” Sean’s madcap life includes gaining top secret military clearance and completing a combat tour in Iraq, tackling shoplifters as an undercover store detective in Italy and headlining at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the past three years. But now, thanks to Storage Hunters, he is now the most famous – and the most mesmerising – auctioneer in the world. Chatting from his home in Beverly Hills, Sean explains that, “The cool thing about being an auctioneer is that there is no rule book. You can make bid calling how you want.” Sean recollects that, “Before we did Storage Hunters, Tarrell, Cameron and I performed stand up together for many years. I had my own comedy club in San Diego. We did seven shows a week every week for eight years. So we are a very well practised triple act now. That’s why we’ve got such good chemistry on stage because we were friends for years before we did any TV.” Comedy, however, was not paying the bills. “We were not making a ton of money doing stand-up,” Sean continues. “So we had to do other things. I was managing a newspaper when a friend said to me, ‘You should come and be the auctioneer at my sale’. "So I started doing auctions. One day, all of a sudden a fight broke out at one of my auctions. I immediately thought, ‘This would be a great TV show. It’s WWF meets The Antiques Roadshow!’” He adds that, “It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of an auction. I once sold a puppy for $17,000. People start to lose their mind and forget how much money they’re spending at an auction. They want to outbid each other. “They cross over into pure emotion and begin bidding too much. I think I’m good at stoking people up because I’ve done stand-up, I know how to work with audiences.” Sean proceeds to give us an example of the bidding fever that afflicts customers at auction. “When we were last on tour in the UK, my wife would go to Poundland and get little canvases, so I could draw stick figures of the bidders. It was the worst item ever, but in Burton on Trent, I sold one for £450!” Storage Hunters has proved an immense hit - the format is currently airing in 130 countries. “I’ve now made 80 episodes in the US and 56 in the UK. I’ve met lots of fans at conventions, and they all love it. They adore the atmosphere of the show. It’s really struck a chord.”

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW But why has Storage Hunters become particularly successful on this side of the Atlantic? “I’ve figured out that Brits love gambling and they also love fights. Wrestling is very popular in the UK. So, viewers are attracted by the mixture of gambling, arguments, pushing and shoving and the mystery of ‘Did they make a profit? What’s under the tarpaulin?’” Sean clearly thrives on the buzz of playing to a live audience. “It’s such a rush for me. It’s a dream come true. As a kid, I was absolutely thrilled the first time I ever saw Robin Williams do stand up. It seemed so magical. Comedians are true illusionists because they give you the impression that they are thinking up crazy stuff off the top of their heads, and we buy into that.” Sean Kelly and the Stars of Storage Hunters will close with a charity auction for Help for Heroes. Sean, who created Storage Heroes in 2011, recalls that he road-tested the idea of the charity auction on a small tour of this country in October 2015. “I asked the audience to bring in cheeky items, and a lot of them brought in joke items. "One guy brought in a jersey and jeans. He stuffed them with newspaper and placed a photocopied face of me on top of them. It was the creepiest thing, but a woman still bought it for £300 and put it on her couch at home!” Sounds like a top night! Finally, what does Sean hope that audiences will take away from his shows? “First of all, I hope we get to make a difference and raise a lot of money for Help for Heroes. I served in Iraq and have a strong connection with wounded veterans. “I also hope we leave them wanting more, so that we can do it again down the road! Above all, if people don’t know what to expect from our shows, I’d like them to come out at the end and say, ‘Wow, that was really fun!’” Sean Kelly and the Stars of Storage Hunters are at The Apex on 18 October, he will be joined on stage by his two co-stars, Tarrell “T-Money” Wright and Cameron “Green Mile” Rowe, marvellously effervescent comedians renowned for their antics and outrageous bidding styles.

TICKETS FOR SEAN KELLY and the Stars of Storage Hunters at The Apex, Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday 18th October can be found at www.theapex.co.uk or by ringing 01284 758000

â&#x20AC;&#x201A;|â&#x20AC;&#x201A;OCTOBER 2017

Travel

LEOPARD HILLS GAME RESERVE Award-winning Leopard Hills is located in the western sector of the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, bordering the world famous Kruger National Park. The Lodges are set perfectly on a rocky outcrop, offering magnificent views over the bush and an active waterhole on the plains below. The Reserve comprises over 10,000 hectares of incredibly diverse ecosystems making Leopard Hills the ideal destination to view plentiful game in its natural habitat. Here the Big Five, (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard), are abound and viewing them at close proximity is a speciality. This five-star luxury lodge features eight exquisite renovated and redecorated glass-fronted, air-conditioned suites, each with private plunge pool and superb views over the African bush. Sensational gameviewing and a wide variety of activities, along with outstanding fine dining create the safari experience of a lifetime. www.seasonsinafrica.com 48

TRAVEL

Destination

IMANTA RESORTS PUNTA DE MITA MEXICO Imanta Resorts is a place where environmental responsibility connects with sophistication, in an unmatched luxury hotel in Punta de Mita, with a privileged location in a private forest reserve, in one of the top destinations in Mexico. It is the ideal place for demanding travellers who look for a refuge

that combines privacy, absolute serenity, and being in touch with nature. Imanta Resorts offers an eco-vacation experience with impeccable service, fine dining, elegant suites, and an impressive architecture that pays tribute to the majestic beauty of the Riviera Nayarit and is just 27 miles from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Blessed with warm, sunny weather year round, Imanta Resorts and Imanta Signature Lots is ideal for exploring the incredible wealth of biodiversity and stunning scenery that makes Punta Mita one of the premier luxury travel destinations in the world. www.imantaresorts.com

THE XARA PALACE RELAIS & CHATEAUX The Xara Palace Hotel is a unique 17th-century palace hidden away in the medieval fortified city of Mdina, the old capital of Malta. Perched on centuries-old bastions, surrounded by stunning baroque architecture, The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux, with its luxurious accommodation and award-winning haute cuisine, is truly a haven in which to pause and be pampered. Meticulously and sensitively restored to reflect its former noble standing, the exclusive 5-Star boutique hotel boasts seventeen luxury rooms and suites enjoying stunning views, all individually and tastefully designed with antique furniture and paintings, luxurious Parisian fabrics and king size beds. www.xarapalace.com

CLIVEDEN HOUSE BERKSHIRE Cliveden House is one of Berkshire’s sparkling gems, nestled within 376 acres of National Trust parkland which you are free to explore. This unique location in some of England’s most exquisite countryside lends itself to an array of things to see and do, both in the Estate and beyond. Its 48 bedrooms range from spectacular suites to deluxe doubles and include four with their own hot tubs. There’s even the three bedroom Spring Cottage, which is perfect for families. As for the food, it’s a choice of gourmet dishes in the amazing André Garrett Restaurant or informal ones in the charming former stables, now the Astor Grill, both courtesy of talented chef André Garrett. The former home of several Dukes, a Prince of Wales and Nancy Astor, is one of Britain’s grandest hotels and has been transformed into something very special. www.clivedenhouse.co.uk

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

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TRAVEL

Staycation

CAMERON HOUSE LOCH LOMOND A stunning five star Scottish Baronial Mansion on the banks of Loch Lomond. Featuring 136 luxury bedrooms including 26 suites from traditional four poster Whisky Suites to contemporary suites with your private balcony and stunning views overlooking Loch Lomond. The Resort has six unique dining

PARADISE HOUSE BATH Paradise House’s gardens are stunning and quintessentially English, a perfect place to relax, unwind and soak in the atmosphere. The interiors offer a delightful mix of old and new. The beautiful Drawing Room changes with the seasons, light and airy on warm summer days, in winter the open fire creates a cosy retreat. The 11 bedrooms are all individually designed, bright colourful fabrics create a fresh modern feel in traditional surroundings, award winning beds with crisp bed linen, modern bathrooms with power showers and luxurious Molton Brown products all add to the ultimate guest experience. Rooms come with Flat screen TV, DVD player and free WiFi. Paradise House is equipped with every facility needed for today’s modern traveller. With breathtaking views across the City to the famous Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey, Paradise House will afford you many wonderful memories of Bath, not least the illuminated spire of the Abbey at night, a spectacular sight. www.paradise-house.co.uk

experiences ensuring guests have a choice of restaurants to match the occasion. For a more formal dining experience the Michelin star restaurant, Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond is a must. In addition the resort has an 18-hole Championship golf course, a luxury resort spa with rooftop infinity pool and

BLACKBERRY COTTAGE Blackberry Cottage is ideally situated on the picturesque North Norfolk coast, on the cusp of some of the finest coastline views in the country. A private drive takes you to the well equipped 5 bedroom flint cottage, which provides spacious and luxurious accommodation ideal for a large family or group of friends. Blackberry Cottage has been thoughtfully modernised to a very high standard and the interior fittings add a touch of luxury to the property. With its 5 tastefully decorated bedrooms the cottage can comfortably sleep up to 10 people. Downstairs the property has two comfortable lounges, a very well equipped kitchen and a beautiful dining room with seating for 10 people. For added comfort it also has full oil central heating. The cottage also benefits from its own private garden complete with a patio area and barbecue, and is situated within Norfolk’s tranquil countryside, just one mile from the sea, and three miles from sandy beaches. www.blackberrycottagenorthnorfolk.co.uk

a range of outdoor pursuits. So whether you wish to enjoy a cruise on the luxury cruiser “Celtic Warrior”. a flight in a seaplane or simply chill out with your new favourite 20 year old single malt in the whisky bar, you will experience legendary Scottish hospitality at its finest and very warmest. www.cameronhouse.co.uk

THE SWAN HOTEL LAVENHAM Enter through the heavy oak beamed archway into one of the finest hotels in Suffolk. Step into the stylish lounges where elegant sofas and armchairs lie invitingly in cosy nooks or next to the vast open fireplaces. Nestled within the beautiful medieval village of Lavenham, this stunning 15th century luxury hotel is steeped in history but perfectly combines a deep sense of heritage and occasion with contemporary sophistication in its bedrooms and suites, first-class restaurant and indulgent spa. www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk

| OCTOBER 2017

PROFILE: STEV E DU FF Y, CONSU LTA NT M USCU LOSK ELETA L SONOGR A PH ER Places&Faces explores the career path of Steve Duffy, MSc BSc(R), consultant musculoskeletal sonographer at the Global Clinic Norwich and the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital to understand more about sonographers, ultrasound medical imaging and the journey a schoolboy from Dundee took to become one of just eight consultant musculoskeletal sonographers in the country.

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sonographer is a medical professional who performs diagnostic medical procedures using ultrasound, which is when high-frequency sound waves produce a dynamic view of internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs. The ultrasound images are captured in real-time, illustrating movement of the body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels. This helps to detect abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system and involves inspecting carefully for any joint swelling and abnormal posture, as well as assessing the joints for normal movement. Unlike X-ray imaging, there is no ionizing radiation exposure associated with ultrasound imaging. Steve Duffy’s sonography career began after a fortuitous visit to his local Royal Air Force Career Office, where Steve signed up and then trained as a radiographer in the air force. He served in the RAF for almost 17 years as a sonographer with postings in Germany, Kosovo, Cyprus and throughout the UK. Whilst in the RAF and after gaining his radiographer qualification, he undertook a Masters’ Degree in ultrasound at Cranfield

University. He then moved to Lincoln County Hospital as their superintendent sonographer managing and overseeing the provision of high quality sonographer-led diagnostic ultrasound reporting across three hospital sites. When at Lincoln County Hospital, Steve started to specialise in musculoskeletal sonography and therapeutic work, performing muscular injections of Botox under general anaesthetic in cerebral palsy children to facilitate effective physiotherapy. After Lincoln, he worked as a locum musculoskeletal sonographer at NNUH before moving to Australia where he believed he would stay but the NNUH kept in touch with him and two years later he returned to Norfolk and joined NNUH as a consultant musculoskeletal sonographer. Steve is adamant he has a great job and works with a talented team. He is one of those very lucky people who looks forward to work when he gets up in the morning. Steve admits he has an unusual job as he performs diagnostic sonography as well as intervention or therapeutic work. Traditionally this work was performed by radiologists only but as Steve has various post-graduate qualifications and

has eminent radiologists (Tom Marshall, Richard Goodwin, Professor Andoni Toms and John Cahir) supporting his training and development, he is accredited to perform musculoskeletal injections, for example ultrasound guided steroid injections to ease pain and reduce swelling. This is a procedure where an injection of steroid and local anaesthetic is given into the problem area under ultrasound guidance. These injections are often given into painful joints but can also be helpful in other body tissues to treat conditions such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel or plantar fasciitis. When Steve is not busy performing and reporting on musculoskeletal examinations at both NNUH and the Global Clinic in Norwich, he is a keen cyclist. In 2010 he completed the 3,200-mile race across the United States of America in just 6 days, 23 hours and 5 minutes. He is also studying French to increase his enjoyment of holidays there.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Global Clinic Norwich call 01603 812266, email enquiries@ globaldiagnostics.co.uk or visit the website at www.globaldiagnostics.co.uk

Fabulous clothes for the discerning lady.

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

www.annettecollins.co.uk

w w w.

b r a d l e y h a t c h. c o m

bradley

hatch jewellers

radley Hatch Jewellers first opened its doors to the public in May 1994 when Bradley established his shop in Wroxham, offering a variety of high quality new and vintage jewellery, watches, clocks and giftware. From an early age Bradley was drawn to jewellery and watches. As a young man he accompanied his father, a dealer in antique furniture, to various auctions and sales across the country gaining a love of jewellery and other associated items. Bradley worked for some time in local jewellery shops learning and studying the trade. This sparked his ambition to set up a business of his own. The opportunity he had been hoping and working for arrived when he was able to acquire his shop 23 years ago. Hard work, attention to customer care and satisfaction, and the maintaining of a wide range of high quality products have together enabled Bradley to build an excellent reputation both locally and farther afield.

Bradley Hatch Jewellers is now a sound business built on the sale of stunning and unusual jewellery. Bradley regularly travels far and wide to visit trade fairs on the lookout for those special and ‘different’ items. As a result, the shop displays an excellent range of products; for example, our range of Christening, anniversary and birthday gifts for him and for her includes figurines, silverware, pewterware, picture frames, leather goods and other luxury gifts. The shop itself has been designed to enable customers to spend time browsing and hopefully choosing one of our beautiful products for themselves or a loved one. Alongside vintage pieces, you will find modern jewellery, watches and gifts made and designed by some of your favourite brands, adding new collections all the time. We stock a fine selection of engagement and wedding rings, and also provide a bespoke wedding ring service where a selected design can be made specifically for the bride and

groom. Wedding jewellery, such as pearl earrings and necklaces, are also available in our shop. For those that have already tied the knot, how about a beautiful eternity ring? We also offer a repairs service for jewellery, watches and clocks, with many repairs being carefully carried out on site. For unusual repairs that need to be conducted by a trained specialist, we will advise you and be able to arrange this for you. We are also able to provide a valuations service for insurance and probate. Bradley Hatch Jewellers is situated adjacent to Roy’s Garden Centre in Wroxham. Car parking is freely available so, with this on your doorstep, why pay to travel and park elsewhere? We’d love for you to come and visit us, whether you’re looking for a beautifully cut diamond, an antique pocket watch, or that extra special gift to melt the heart of a loved one, you will be spoilt for choice at Bradley Hatch Jewellers of Wroxham.

e. ic rv se nd a y it l a u q to d te it m Com Tunstead Road, Wroxham, Norwich, NR12 8QG www.bradleyhatch.com

01603 782233

sales@bradleyhatch.com

ALL

DAYS

Work IN A

01. 02.

Donna Titcombe shows you how to Jazz up your office outfit with one or two simple additions so you can move from desk to dinner in style

03.

04. 01.

Huxley Single Breasted Blazer Reiss £230

02.

Huxley Trousers Reiss £125

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Ralph Lauren Striped CapSleeve Dress £155

04.

Links of London Timeless Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet £425

05.

Adema Pumps Vince Camuto £89

05.

06.

07. 08.

LADIES FASHION

09.

10. 11.

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

12.

13. 14.

06.

Madeleine Waterfall Top £79.95, Bracelet £69.95

07.

Radley London Primrose Hill Medium Multi Compartment Multiway Bag £209

08.

Ralph Lauren Celia Nappa Pumps £335

09.

Hobbs Sian Jacket £159

10.

Karen Millen Leopard Print Jersey Blouse £85

15.

11.

Karen Millen High Waisted Pencil Skirt £125

12. 16.

Madeleine Blouson Top Pure Silk £129.95, Blazer £179.95, Trousers £119.95, Heels £149.95

13.

Dune Graciano Bow Loafers £75

14.

Dune Bouncy Suede Clutch £55

15.

Kurt Geiger Hermione Black High Heel Sandals £129

16.

Jersey Pearl Dewdrop Pearl Earrings £65

I SEE PERFECT VISION

through Nikon spectacle lenses

COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE

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Donna Titcombe selects this stunning range of leather handbags from the London based luxury brand Radley. Fall in love with these distinctive yet classic styles to see you through all occasions.

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

01.

02.

07. 03.

06. 04.

05.

01.

03.

05.

02.

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Radley London Bonnington Square Large Zip-Top Multiway Tan Mix £219 Radley London Coleman Street Medium Zip-Top Multiway (Rose Gold) £169

Radley London Kennington Medium Domed Multiway (Ink Blue) £179 Radley London Lavender Gardens Stud Large Flapover Multiway (Gray) £189

Radley London Lavender Gardens Small Flapover Multiway £169 Radley London Lavender Gardens Large Flapover Multiway (Ink Blue) £199

07.

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Tel: 07557 303114

Gorleston High Street Gorleston On Sea Norfolk

Retro clothing for him or her from the 40S 50S and 60S

LOUISE THOMAS-MINNS

available with a Harley Street trained professional

For a beautiful way to indulge yourself…

How to deal with & prevent blackheads by Celebrity Skin therapist Louise Thomas-Minns

This wonderful ingredient will whizz through the oil in the pore & help to rid you of the problem.

If only I had a pound for the amount of times I’m asked about getting rid of blackheads!

To extract or not to extract? Always in the hands of a professional since we can prepare the skin suitably & gently! work the plug of oil from the pore giving you a truly deep pore cleanse.

I should start by saying that everyone! will have blackheads at some point in their life since we all naturally secrete oil from our pores. You should also know that those blockages on your nose? They aren’t blackheads but sebaceous filaments that are meant to be there! They will refill & you can never completely get rid of them.

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!

When this oil is allowed to build up it then oxidises with exposure to daily O2 & turns black. So my first tip is to use a Salicylic based exfoliant which you can find in the form of a toner, pad, lotion or mask.

BE ACH CL I N IC

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

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If you do attempt extraction at home always make sure your skin & hands are clean & ideally perform after a warm shower or bath when the steam would have opened the pores. Prevention comes in the guise of regular, gentle exfoliation & also the use of anti oxidants in your skincare since this will also prevent that oxidisation process & ‘blackening’ of the plug of oil. Louise Thomas-Minns CIBTAC BABTAC CIDESCO Cert Ed company director

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

NATURAL Nourish and nurture your skin and hair with these fabulous natural beauty products selected by Donna Titcombe

01.

Natura Siberica Beluga Caviar Collagen Wrinkle Filler 40ml £15.10

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Ekia Organic Baume Regard (All-In-One Eye Contour Care 15ml) £34.29

01.

y t u Bea 02.

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Organic Shop Citrus Fresh Organic Orange and Grapefruit Shower Foamy Oil 280ml £10.39

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Saaf Pure Organic Skin care Eraser Body Oil 100ml £24.99

05.

Naturtint Anti-Ageing CC Hair Cream 200ml £7.99

04. 05. 61

UP YOUR e

Gam

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Ensure you are ready for the course to play the perfect game in this functional and stylish golf attire selected by Donna Titcombe

01.

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Under Armour Men’s Jordan Spieth UA Tour Cap £25

03.

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

Boss Regular-fit sweater in a stretch cotton blend £169

04.

03.

Galvin Green Wesley Golf Belt £64.95

04.

Ted Baker Squares Geo Print bomber jacket £239

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Nike Modern 5-Pocket Men’s Golf Pants £55

06.

Adidas Golf Powerband BOA Boost Shoes £119.99

06.

MUSSELS IN SEASON Call us to book for an exclusive menu showcasing one of North Norfolk's finest ingredients

We offer a fabulous a la carte menu with a superb variety of fresh fish plus an excellent lunchtime menu and superb coffee & cakes.

2 courses £20 | 3 courses £25

You just need to visit us to experience great food!

Available Wednesday to Friday and Sunday for lunch and dinner Available October and November

Xmas Party Night 15th December 3 course meal & live band playing 60s/70s music 7.00 till midnight £35.00 booking essential

Booking advisable Stunning quayside location

Main Road, Filby, Gt Yarmouth, NR29 3AA

Our full Autumn menu also available 01328 807034 www.seasoninwells.co.uk

01493 368142

www.filbybridgerestaurant.com

Af ter n oo n Tea at Palm Court Hotel & Burlington Function Suites

u Tea or coffee u Smoked salmon & cream cheese sandwiches u Honey smoked ham sandwiches u Egg & cress sandwiches u Selection of Petit fours u Scones with jam & clotted cream u Shortbread biscuits p

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£1er0.00

Add a glass of bubbly (Prosecco)

£14.00 per person

North Drive, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EG

01493 844568

www.burlington-hotel.co.uk

person

FRE EP AR KIN G

RECIPE

Richard Bainbridge

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

INGREDIENTS

• 1 oven-ready pheasant

• 5 00g jar of sauerkraut • 7 50ml bottle of cider

POT-ROASTED PHEASANT WITH

SAUERKRAUT & CIDER SERVES SIX

This is a great and simple dish that really shows off the fab flavour of pheasant, which is a great bird to serve at this time of year! In my house, having a pheasant dish on the table really signifies the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn which, I have to say, is my favourite season of all. But, as you may know, pheasant is not known for being the moistest of birds in the world, so this recipe is aimed at retaining the moisture while the sweet cider and saltiness of the sauerkraut make this a real winner. Plus, it’s also a one-pot wonder! So you can make this and then enjoy a glass of wine while everyone thinks you are busy in the kitchen getting dinner ready – that’s a winwin in my book!

• 1 0 new potatoes, washed and cut into quarters

• 3 large carrots, washed and unpeeled, cut into wedges

• F ew sprigs of thyme

METHOD

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C. 2. Open and strain the sauerkraut, then place this in the bottom of a heavy-based roasting pot. 3. Season the pheasant all over with salt and pepper and then place this on top of the sauerkraut. 4. Arrange all of the other vegetables around the pheasant. 5. Pour the cider over the pheasant and then add the thyme and bay leaf. 6. Cover with the lid or, if you are like every other kitchen in the country and you have lost the lid, cover the pot with some tin foil!

•8 small turnips, washed, peeled and trimmed

•8 small onions, peeled and sliced in half

•2 Cox apples, cores removed and cut into quarters

• 1 bay leaf

• S alt and pepper

7. Place the pot on top of the stove on a high heat and bring it to the boil. 8. Once boiling, place the pot in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pheasant is just a little under-cooked. 9. At this point, remove the pot from the oven and allow the dish to cool and rest for 10 to 20 minutes before serving. Nb. I like to serve this dish in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. Great things to serve with this seasonal main course include roasted sprouts and bread sauce. Photography by KATJA BAINBRIDGE

NORFOLK RESTAURANT WEEK

YELLOWS BAR & GRILL

Yellows Bar & Grill serves the freshest, fine quality ingredients, sourced locally where possible and prepared by our team of chefs to Delia’s exacting standards. So, if you love tasty, homemade food, then you will love Yellows. A: Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1JE T: 01603 218209 W: deliascanarycatering.co.uk/yellows

THE RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT

The Riverside Restaurant is located in a beautifully restored 15th Century warehouse in King Street, behind St Georges Guildhall, Kings Lynn. It overlooks the River Great Ouse, with its own terrace and garden. A traditional English restaurant providing excellent freshly prepared, locally produced food at reasonable prices.

THORNHAM DELI

NORFOLK RIDDLE

A: High Street, Thornham, Norfolk, PE36 6LX T: 01485 512194 W: thornhamdeli.co.uk

A: 2 Wells Road, Walsingham, NR22 6DJ T: 01328 821903 W: www.norfolkriddle.co.uk

WELLS CRAB HOUSE

THE GOLDEN FLEECE

Thornham Deli is a proud supporter of all things Norfolk so, for us, Norfolk Restaurant Week is the perfect match – enabling us to show our creative use of local, seasonal produce to provide a great eating experience for both loyal friends and new customers. Whatever your fancy, we have a menu to make your tastebuds tingle.

Scott and Kelly have enjoyed creating years of experience in the hospitality industry across Suffolk and Norfolk and are now ‘living the dream’ of running their own restaurant. Their aim is to create an amazing dining experience centred around beautifully prepared local and seasonal seafood dishes.

Our dishes range from the finest locally sourced game from the local game keeper, mussels from local beds , steaks , warm sandwiches over lunchtimes and traditional roast lunches available on Sundays, with main courses starting at £12.50. We pride ourself on serving the finest quality local ingredients cooked with passion and flair.

Positioned opposite the quay The Golden Fleece offers relaxed dining with wonderful views of wells harbour and beyond. A: The Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AH T: 01328 710650 (please quote Norfolk Restaurant Week) W: goldenfleecewells.co.uk @WellsFleece GoldenFleeceWells

A: 27 King Street, Kings Lynn, PE30 1ET T: 01553 773134 W: theriversiderestaurantkings lynn.co.uk E: isbill.riverside@btconnect.com

A: Wells Crab House, 38 Freeman Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1BA T: 01328 710456 W: wellscrabhouse.co.uk

LANGHAM BLUE BELL

THE GLOBE INN

BACK TO THE GARDEN

A: The Globe Inn, The Buttlands, Wells-next-theSea, Norfolk, NR23 1EU T: 01328 710206 W: theglobeatwells.co.uk @TheGlobeWells

A: Fakenham Road, Letheringsett, Holt, NR25 7JJ T: 01263 715996 W: back-to-the-garden.co.uk

The Blue Bell takes great pride in serving you the finest local produce that North Norfolk has to offer. Wherever possible the produce used in the kitchens is locally sourced often from local farm land to create interesting menus and a fantastic dining experience. A: Langham Blue Bell, 22 Holt Rd, Langham, Holt, NR25 7BX T: 01328 830630 W: langhambluebell.co.uk

The Globe’s team of chefs work closely with local fishermen and butchers and take real delight in producing locally sourced, constantly fresh and delicious meals. The beef cattle fattened on salt marshes and the creels of lobster and baskets of crab brought straight up from the quay have a special unbeatable flavour.

Using whatever organic vegetables they can from the shop, sourced from as close as they can find, cooking the organic chicken, beef and lamb from their farm, and organic eggs from less than ten miles away, they favour the freshest and closest produce that they can obtain. And though they cannot always guarantee that it is all organic, they try.

Book by 30th October 2017

Enjoy a free bottle of wine for every four people in your party when you book one of our Christmas packages. Book now at grosvenorcasinoschristmas.com or speak to a team member.

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

Senior Citizen Special

MONDAY-FRIDAY IN THE RESTAURANT ONLY £6.95

Eat in or take away – you're sure to love our menus!

WE ARE A FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS PROUDLY SERVING TASTY FISH & CHIPS MADE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY SINCE THE 1960S WWW.FISHERSOFHUNSTANTON.COM

01485 532487

2-4 GREEVEGATE, HUNSTANTON, PE36 6BJ

Organic Turkey, Beef, Lamb and Chicken and many vegetables direct from our farm Local rare breed Pork A wide range of local cheeses Gift items including bespoke hampers Fully licensed Restaurant

The perfect place to celebrate

Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 17.30 Sunday 9.30 - 16.00 dining July & August : Wed - Sat 19.00 - 21.00 dining all year : Fri - Sat 19.00 - 21.00

Fakenham Road, Letheringsett, NR25 7JJ www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk 01263 715996

Private functions and parties Fully licensed bar Christmas parties Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve brunch New Year’s Eve Party

Tuesday - Saturday 9.009.00 - 17.30 Tuesday - Saturday - 17.30 Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 17.30 www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk Sunday 9.309.30 - 16.00 Sunday 16.00 01263 715996 Sunday 9.30 - 16.00 dining July &July August : Wed - Sat- 19.00 - 21.00 FAKENHAM ROAD, LETHERINGSETT, dining & August : Wed Sat 19.00 - 21.00 dining July & August : Wed - Sat 19.00 - 21.00 NORFOLK, dining all year : Fri -7JJ - 21.00 dining allNR25 year : Sat Fri - 19.00 Sat 19.00 - 21.00 dining all year : Fri - Sat 19.00 - 21.00 backtothegardennorfolk @back_togarden Fakenham Road, Letheringsett, NR25 7JJ Fakenham Road, Letheringsett, NR25 7JJ Fakenham Road, Letheringsett, NR25 7JJ @backtothe_garden www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk

www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk 01263 715996 01263 715996

www.back-to-the-garden.co.uk 01263 715996

FOOD & DRINK

RECIPE (4 PORTIONS)

INGREDIENTS FOR THE ROLLS Fresh crab meat and claws (300g); Mango (½ each); Papaya (¼ each); Pomegranate (½ each); Red chili (1 small one); Shiso green leaf or lettuce leaves (8 leaves); Spring onions (2 piece); Fresh ginger (20g, grated); Table salt (1 pinch) INGREDIENTS FOR THE DRESSING Sesame oil (2 tbsp); Black vinegar (1 tsp); Soya sauces (1 tsp); Chili sauces (1 tsp); Lime juice from ½ lime

Let our French chef

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

METHOD 1. Peel the fruits and cut out fine strips of papaya, mango and spring onions. 2. Deseed the pomegranate. 3. Deseed the red chili and cut also into fine strips/julienne. 4. Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl with a Wisk. 5. Lay down on the work top (cling film on top first) some leaves of Shiso green or Lettuce. 6. Arrange the cooked crabmeat, strips of fruits and spring onions in the middle of each leaf. 7. Add some grated ginger and chili, a pinch of salt, and pour half a teaspoon of dressing in each parcel. 8. Pour the rest of the dressing in a little bowl. 9. Close and roll each leaf and serve with some pomegranate seeds and dressing

A TA S T E o f A SI A

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW FLORIDES, WWW.ANDREWFLORIDES.CO.UK

French chef Franck Pontais’ Asian-style spicy crab rolls

| OCTOBER 2017

A HOME FOR

FISH LOVERS Andrew Hirst heads to North Norfolk’s hot spot for fish lovers -

The Wells Crab House

t’s been years since I last visited Wells-next-the-Sea. I remember the fishing boats and the beautiful walks. I remember the crabbing, and being not so good at it. I guess in our busy day to day worlds Wells had fallen off my map and disappeared from my radar. This is why I was excited to go back to this wonderful seaside town on the North Norfolk Coast. My wife, Lorraine, and I had booked dinner for six o’clock so we decided to get there early afternoon for a mooch about the town itself and maybe even a walk along Beach Road. We arrived in good time and after a character building walk we had both worked up a good appetite, fortunately we were both not

too damp from the excitable British weather. The Wells Crab House is very inviting with it’s vibrant blue exterior, yet inside is a calm and tranquil setting with soft music floating in the background. When we arrived just before six o’clock the tables were just starting to fill up with seven covers already seated around the restaurant. We were greeted by Kelly, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband Scott, and were extended a fabulously warm welcome. We were seated in a cosy corner table overlooking the entire restaurant which was a great vantage point to survey the restaurant as a whole.

We received our menus and our thoughts turned to drinks. My wife has only just discovered gin, and all of the new and exciting options available in the more discerning establishments. Kelly has a fantastic knowledge of gin, with the Gin Menu boasting over twenty different choices and a great selection of botanicals to complement and dress the glass. Lorraine made her selection and so I did not feel left out, as I was driving, I received the same minus the gin. Lorraine ventured to the specials board and as a true technophile she photographed it on her iPhone and immediately returned to the table so we could peruse an electronic version. Oh how the world has changed with the invention of the camera phone! I chose quickly and strayed from the main menu, which lets be honest I had done my research online with, and selected straight from the specials. I sipped on my refreshing fake gin whilst Lorraine caught up. For appetisers, I let the decision of these rest with my wife, we ordered bread, oil and balsamic, and chilli and lime dressed crayfish tails. These arrived in good time. Bread and oil is always a winner, and the denseness of the sourdough and focaccia was great to soak up the olive oil and balsamic vinegar mix. The

RESTAURANT REVIEW

crayfish tails were a definite winner, I loved these, so much so that I traded my last piece of focaccia to finish the bowl. By now the restaurant was starting to fill up proper and it was good to watch the front of house staff work as a well organised team under Kelly’s tutelage. Our starters arrived and Lorraine’s crab and chilli bon-bons looked fantastic, I sampled a little before trying my own and pondered if I had made a mistake with my order. I had taken a risk from what I would normally choose and had gone with the potted curried baby octopus with melba toast and pickles. It was worth the risk! I really enjoyed it, just the right level of curry’ness and the pickles cut through to balance everything out, a great dish. Lorraine selected a glass of white from the well stocked bar area to go with her main of hake and kimichi tacos with black rice, Asian-slaw and guacamole. It was a lovely looking dish, so different from some of the other restaurants we have visited recently, the black rice looked very dramatic. Lorraine loved it, the fish was cooked to perfection as you would expect. I was a little jealous of my wife’s main course for a second until I saw my own which was an exciting looking plate of monkfish and pancetta with roast heritage tomatoes, goats cheese bon-bons and matchstick chips. Once again the fish was cooked beautifully and the dish as a whole was bursting with flavour, especially when combined with the sweetness of the tomato

and the salty pancetta. Lorraine’s main course was fantastic and Kelly explained that it had been very popular and we can understand why, but the stand-out dish was my monkfish, the best fish dish I have had in quite some time. We chatted with Kelly briefly, whilst contemplating the dessert dilemma, and asked about the ethos of the restaurant. Its clear from the dishes we had sampled that only the finest ingredients are used, and they are sourced locally. We could practically see the building where the Norfolk Whin Hill cider is bottled. Kelly explained that the menus are reviewed each month being sensitive to what dishes were popular and the seasonality of the ingredients. There is an abundance of creativity in the kitchen with the kitchen team having four ex-head chefs and this certainly shines through in the food, elevating simple ingredients to truly delightful dishes. The mixture of new and returning customers is a good sign of how successful the entire restaurant team are, a true gem on the North Norfolk coast. The venue is available to hire as well as a celebration menu for any occasion, Kelly mentioned that a pre-wedding lunch had been booked recently. Whilst the decision on the dessert was still pending a little drama unfolded a couple of tables along. A small silver stand was positioned in the centre of the table and I couldn’t help

but wonder why. It didn’t take long for me to discover why when a huge platter was delivered and positioned on top. Wow!! What a show stopper, it was crammed with a selection of fantastic looking seafood. It was ‘The Big One’ and consisted of half a buttered lobster, dressed crab, kiln smoked salmon, crevettes, cockles, crayfish tails, roll mop herrings, smoked prawns, smoked trout and salmon peered lollipops. What a feast and although I was feeling rather full my mouth couldn’t help but water. We decided that we could not manage a dessert each so we opted to share a chestnut and frangipane tart with chantilly, spiced berry coulis and pecan brittle. I may have been a passenger on this decision however it was an inspired choice. The spiced berry coulis was a fantastic treat and will certainly live long in the memory. It was, all in all, a fantastic evening and a great ending to, a long overdue, visit to Wells-next-the-Sea. The Wells Crab House has certainly put this idyllic seaside town back on the map for me and I recommend a visit. Along with the restaurant Kelly and Scott also run the Armeria, Bed & Breakfast Accommodation, I will be certainly coming back to sample ‘The Big One’ and maybe even stay over to enjoy a gin and tonic or three. WELLS CRAB HOUSE, 38 Freeman Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1BA 01328 710456 www.wellscrabhouse.co.uk

| OCTOBER 2017

D i n i n g b y t he C o a s t Ro b Fo s b r o o k p i c k s a f i n e s u m m e r ’s e v e n i n g f o r d i n n e r a t Boltons Bistro in the Cliftonville Hotel

RESTAURANT REVIEW

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing that my wife and I enjoy more on a late summer evening than to spend time by the coast watching the world go by. Well actually there is, we just love to dine out and about in Norfolk. So why not combine the two by taking a trip to the Cromer to enjoy dinner at Boltons Bistro at the Cliftonville Hotel. The Cliftonville Hotel occupies a premier position on the North Norfolk coast. It sits directly opposite the beach at Cromers west cliff and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a magnificentl Edwardian building which this year had some refurbishment to the exterior of the hotel . There are beautiful stained glass windows and many original Edwardian features (the hotel dates back to 1894) including a stunning staircase in the main lobby. As we walked into the reception area it felt almost as if we had been transported into an Agatha Christie novel. I half expected to bump into Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot at any moment. We were welcomed by hotel manager Richard Howard who directed us to the

bar area where we sat and read through the menus. I have to admit that I almost always check out the menu online beforehand whenever we go out to eat. Tonight was no exception, and I already had a fairly good idea of what I was going to order. The menu has an emphasis on seafood and fish, although there are traditional favourites as well including lamb shanks, steaks and salads. My partner Maria loves cheese and so it was no surprise that she choose the char grilled halloumi cheese, cheery tomato and pepper skewers to start. I was caught in two minds, the duck liver and brandy parfait or the slow roasted ham hock and duck breast terrine which was one of the specials on offer tonight. Hmm, parfait or terrine? Terrine or parfait? In the end the terrine won. From the main courses I choose a grilled local lobster and crab (I was in Cromer after all so it would have been rude not to!) whilst Maria choose some halibut from the specials menu. We then sat back and enjoyed our drinks

and enjoyed a wonderful view of the coast and sea and setting sun. It was idyllic. After a short while we were taken through to Boltons Bistro and shown to our table. We ordered a bottle of water and waited for our food to arrive. Richard explained that the Bolton name came from a previous owner of the hotel and it seems that the name has stuck. On the walls are paintings and photographs of Cromer including one large photograph of the pier which seemed to take up most of one wall. My wife was quite taken by the oil painting next to our table showing the beach and sea. It seemed to sum up Cromer perfectly. My terrine was a proper man sized block of meaty, gamey, loveliness. It was served with some halved cherry tomatoes and salad. Balsamic dressing was drizzled over the top and the sweet vinegary flavour contrasted perfectly with the terrine. Marias starter was served on two skewers, each with three cubes of perfectly charred halloumi sandwiched between peppers and tomatoes. On the side was a basil oil dressing to dip into. My wife was very happy with her choice and enjoyed the squeak on the teeth that you get with good halloumi. My main course arrived and was a real indulgence. The lobster and crab were grilled with a topping of thermidor sauce made from brandy, cream and shallots. Both were served in their shells. They were accompanied by a big bowl of salad and some hand cut chips on the side. The smile on my face said it all. This was a plate of food I knew I would enjoy. The lobster had a subtle sweet flavour which resonated with the creamy sauce. The crab was a mixture of delicate white meat and earthy brown meat. The other main was poached halibut with a pineapple and mint salsa which was also served with a bowl of salad and had new potaotes on the side. The halibut had a wonderful firm, meaty texture and worked very well with the zesty salsa. So far, so good and when we were asked if we would like a dessert there was no hesitation. Yes please, obviously! I choose a warm, homemade dark chocolate brownie served with creme anglaise which was as rich, creamy and indulgent as my main course. Maria choose a summer fruit cheesecake which was served with a choice of two different fruit coulis on the side. All in all it was a perfect meal. We had fantastic food in a wonderful location with some stunning views. Richard and his team were attentive and helpful and ensured that everything went smoothly. There are also two other dining options at The Cliftonville; The Westcliff a la carte restaurant and The Buttery. The Westcliff overlooks the sea and is perfect for those special occasions and romantic rendevous. The Buttery is a bar and coffee shop and is the ideal place for an Afternoon Tea.

THE CLIFTONVILLE HOTEL, Seafront, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9AS | Tel: 01263 512543 reservations@cliftonvillehotel.co.uk

Mackenzie Hotels once again hosts our speciality 1, 2 & 3 night breaks incorporating the

THURSFORD

Christmas Spectacular

Book early to avoid missing out....

This year we are once again offering in November and December our preChristmas dinner, bed and breakfast 1, 2 + 3 night breaks which include return coach travel and a ticket for the famous Christmas show at Thursford—all seats are Deluxe within the first 11 rows. New for 2017 - 1 night stay with Matinee show - arrive at the Hotel from 11am for a light bite before departing at 12.30pm. Enjoy the Thursford Show returning to the Hotel at approx 5.30pm for mulled wine and mince pies, then relax in your room before savouring a 3 course festive dinner. You will be staying at one of Norfolk’s finest Hotels, with outstanding accommodation, award winning restaurants, afternoon teas, log fires and so much more....

BREAK

DATES

Break 29

2017 AVAILABLE DATES BREAK TYPE

HOTEL

COST

PERFORMANCE DAY/TIME

17th November

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Friday 17th November 7pm

Break 4

22nd November

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Wednesday 22nd November 2pm

Break 5

23rd November

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Thursday 23rd November 2pm

Break 25

26th November

1 night DBB + ticket

SMH

£165 pp

Sunday 26th November 7pm

Break 8

27th November

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Monday 27th November 2pm

Break 9

29th November

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 PP

Wednesday 29th November 2pm

Break 10

30th November

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 PP

Thursday 30th November 2pm

Break 28

13th December

1 night DBB + ticket

SMH

£165 PP

Wednesday 13th December 7pm

Break 27

17th December

1 night DBB + ticket

SMH

£165 pp

Sunday 17th December 7pm

Break 18

19th December

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Tuesday 19th December 7pm

Break 19

20th December

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Wednesday 20th December 7pm

Break 29

23rd December

1 night DBB + ticket

DALES

£175 pp

Saturday 23rd December 7pm

Visit www.mackenziehotels.com for up to date availability

AFTER

BEFORE

Over 30 years of restoration experience. WOOD, STONE, PAMMENTS & POLISHED CONCRETE Your ﬂoors will be safe in the hands of a family run business with a positive, friendly attitude to the restoration of all types of residential ﬂooring.

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Many Hands Make Light Work Under the stewardship of Kristy Chapman, a revamped Kett Property Services is expanding fast in Norfolk. Nothing is too much trouble for a professional team that provide a wide range of services to home owners across the county. Initially focused on supporting the holiday let market, Kett Property Services now looks after a wide variety of residential properties.

Q Please tell us more about Kett Property Services.

A: Kett Property Services was started to help absentee landlords prepare their holiday cottages for new guests and provide a general security and maintenance service for second home owners. Over the years the range of services has increased and the business now offers a comprehensive ‘Management Service’.

Q How do you differ from other property services?

A: While we pride ourselves on our experience and our local knowledge the most important differentiator is our attention to detail. No stone is left unturned in trying to ensure that properties are kept in the best condition and always presented beautifully to new occupiers. We are happy to provide a service to any Norfolk home owner, whether they rent their property or not. Many of our customers come from Kett Country Cottages but our doors are open to anyone. We pride ourselves on being very flexible and recognise that even with a simple cleaning task there is no ‘one size fits all’. We have an extensive list of trusted local partners including cleaners, launderers, gardeners, building contractors, handymen and all sorts of service engineers.

Q What range of services do you offer?

A: We pretty much can help with anything that will make owning your property that little bit easier. We can advise on everything from how best to furnish / equip your home, to getting the windows cleaned, the fuses changed and the hedges cut. We can arrange welcome packs for holiday cottages, pest control for your outbuildings and key holding / security checks when a property is unoccupied; and we pride ourselves on using smart technology to help deliver very efficient turn-around times.

Q There’s a new strategy for you in 2017, could you explain the main aims of this?

A: Norfolk has so much to offer its residents and its visitors - we just want to give everyone a chance to enjoy their time here without any of the hassle that owning a home can entail. We would like to build our business beyond its weekend holiday let turn-around origins and so we have invested in new people and new equipment; we have even smartened up our branding. We hope to show existing and potential customers that we really care and we have the resources to provide the service that people need.

Contact Kett Property Services on 01328 856853 or kps@kettcountrycottages.co.uk. places for faces.indd 1

19/09/2017 17:12:41

INTERIORS

OPEN PLAN… OR BROKEN PLAN?

pen-plan living has been one of the biggest trends in home design for many years now, the idea being that knocking down walls or designing houses with limited separate rooms and having one large living space creates a sense of light, space and fluidity that increases the sociability of your home; but it’s not a concept that everyone embraces. I live in an open plan house where the kitchen, living room and dining room are open to each other, and this has been a welcome change from my previous house, where I never knew which room my children were in – or what they were getting up to! I also used to feel rather sorry for myself tucked away in the kitchen preparing supper when everyone else was chatting and drinking in the living room. Luckily I am a very tidy person by nature, so as soon as there is a pile of ironing or homework cluttering up my kitchen island or dining table, these get whisked away out of sight and ceremoniously thrown into a bedroom where I can then shut the door! Open-plan layouts can reduce privacy, but also create an environment where the family can sit, relax, play, cook and chat together. So what is the compromise? Broken-plan living means keeping the things you love about open-plan design whilst introducing an element of quiet space for a more specific use. The overall area can be divided cleverly and still make the most of the welcome sense of space and light, but also creates a place to escape to when it all gets too much! Introducing different levels is another clever way of breaking up the space, and creating different ceiling heights which can add to the design style of your home, as well as introducing subtle zones for particular functions – a study or ‘snug’ for example, somewhere to sit and read the papers or concentrate on exam revision. Here at Arcadia Home Interiors we have a number of innovative ideas for broken living with a range of brilliantly designed

kitchen arrangements by German manufacturer, SieMatic, which are freestanding and can be moved to different areas – or indeed to your next home if you move house. Mid-width ‘shelving’ walls break up an area well and can be adorned with framed photographs, plants, your favourite ceramics, glasses, jugs and vases for example, adding decorative interest, textures and colours. A bespoke fireplace or wood burner in the middle of a large room is an inventive way of creating a cosy ambience. This design by Stuv is a remote controlled, double sided gas fire that creates a wonderfully atmospheric, transparent feature between two spaces; or this magnificent floor to ceiling Focus wood burner makes an eye-catching and heart-warming focal point. So to reiterate, broken living employs structural elements such as half walls, assorted floor levels, glass walls, mezzanines or dividing shelves to delineate and formalise areas for different uses. The only thing I don’t like about my open plan kitchen is that I have to be more crafty when it comes to pretending I have cooked things that I have in fact purchased from the local delicatessen. I hasten to add that I never actively lie about having cooked something when I haven’t, but I have been known to go to great lengths to hide all incriminating packaging, decant the delicious beef goulash into my own dishes and then scatter a bit of flour around the place to give the kitchen an air of culinary expertise rather than ‘heating up’ expertise… When complimented with “This is delicious!” I simply reply ‘Thank you!” (not lying). “Did it take you long to cook?” I simply reply “No” (true). It’s when I get asked for the recipe or what that particular herb is that gives the dish that certain piquancy that I begin to squirm! Like every aspect of interior design, there are no rules and there is no right or wrong. Your home is your sanctuary and should always be a comforting place to be, so don’t ever feel pressured to follow a certain style. In the same way as wearing clothes that feel good and not worrying about what the magazines say is ‘the latest fashion’ just be true to yourself and surround yourself with things that make you happy. Simply really.

See more ideas and examples at www.arcadiahome interiors.co.uk Instagram @Arcadia_ Home_Interiors and @Gilmour_Green

Telephone 01603 720005 gardenroomdesigns.co.uk

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

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01263 512 372 www.designlinescromer.com

Alan Cook Independent Financial Adviser “All the feeds for all their needs” GJL Animal Feeds supply an extensive range of horse feeds, stocking all the major brands plus our own range of economically priced mixes and cubes. Collect for free or we can deliver everything Contact our office now for your initial portfolio review at our cost, we can meet at our Aylsham office or in your home.

Portfolio Reviews Investments & Savings Protection & Insurance Retirement Planning Long Term Care Planning Inheritance Tax Planning 01263 732309, 6 Penfold Street, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6ET 07900 816927, alan.cook@2plan.com | www.alancook.2plan.com Tax planning advice is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 2plan wealth management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is entered on the Financial Services register (www.fca.org.uk) under reference 461598.

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

01328 851 351

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

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

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

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

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

HOLIDAY LETTINGS

Investing in holiday letting… E a c h m o n t h , e x p e r t s f r o m No r f o l k C o u n t r y C o t t a g e a n d No r f o l k C o t t a g e C a r e – b o t h p a r t o f T h e Original Cottage Company based in Reepham, will give advice on holiday letting in the county and how t o m a k e t h e m o s t o f y o u r i n v e s t m e n t . T h i s m o n t h , C h e l s e a K i n g o f No r f o l k C o t t a g e C a r e , t h e c o u n t y ’s t r u l y l o c a l a n d e x p e r i e n c e d h o l i d a y c o t t a g e m a n a g e m e n t c o m p a n y, l o o k s a t w h y a d e e p c l e a n a n d t h o r o u g h c h e c k o f y o u r h o l i d a y p r o p e r t y i s a s i m p o r t a n t i n Au t u m n a s i n S p r i n g …

deep spring clean is still a housekeeping ritual for many, even given all of the mod cons of contemporary living such as powerful vacuums and easy clean upholstery. Taking care of a holiday cottage is no different, and given the high volume of people a popular property can welcome, maintenance and cleaning is even more important. You may ask why I am highlighting this topic given that autumn is well and truly here? Well, after the onslaught of the summer season and the heavy traffic our portfolio undergoes, it’s time to give each holiday home a little TLC and prepare them for winter. RUB A DUB DUB

Quite often owners will ask for their carpets and upholstery to be checked and cleaned if necessary, which is imperative when you think that visitors are likely to spend more time inside to settle down by the fire in the evening after long winter walks. Spiders also find warm homes attractive as the outside temperature drops, so thorough elevated cleaning inside, and around external doorways and windows, is a must! Low sunlight also shows-up the slightest smear on glazing, so window cleaning should be a top priority too. STROKES OF GENIUS

It doesn’t matter how careful holidaymakers are, general wear and tear is to be expected, especially when it comes to paintwork. We ask all of our property managers to check paintwork regularly, and Autumn is an ideal time to touch-up hallways, staircases, bathrooms and kitchens after the summer rush. Windows also need to be checked to ensure all woodwork is prepared for winter, and gutters need to be cleared and repaired where necessary.

WARM AS TOAST

Most of us, by now, will have switched the heating on and stocked the wood pile. It’s important that visitors have the peace of mind that their holiday cottage will be warm and cosy. That’s why we insist on gas and oil-level checks, order in any required fuel and ensure dry logs are available for cottages with woodburners or open fires. We can also arrange all legal health and safety checks on properties to ensure they are safe as well as cosy for all holidaymakers. GREEN FINGERED

First impressions count, and usually this will involve the garden. Norfolk is a beautiful county blessed with lots of lush greenery and trees, but that means what can seem like mountains of leaves come autumn. As well as a final mowing of lawns, our team can also trim planting, neaten flowerbeds and rake up all of the leaves! This results in tidy and welcoming gardens, perfect for a spot of evening stargazing should visitors wish. All in all, when booking a winter’s short break, a clean, warm and welcoming holiday cottage is what all of us wish for. Our job is to ensure each one of our portfolio meats and exceeds expectations.

IF YOU HAVE a holiday property and are interested in some level of property management, why not contact Norfolk Cottage Care. Founded with 25 years’ experience of holiday letting, they know how to truly look after and present holiday cottages to ensure owners have peace of mind and visitors enjoy an unrivalled stay. With a little black book of trusted cleaners and tradespeople, together with linen hire, Norfolk Cottage Care can provide you with a bespoke service to suit your requirements. To find out more call 01328 888091, email info@norfolkcottagecare.co.uk or visit their website for more details – norfolkcottagecare.co.uk

We are delighted to offer our personal, professional and prompt serviceâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;Ś for all your property transactions, wills, family and other legal matters.

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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

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

“Each type of savings and investment solution carries its own level of risk – and the portfolio should be reviewed with its new owner in mind”

PA S SI NG I S A S T O S P OUS E S OR C I V I L PA RT N E R S W H E N YOU DI E PASSING ISA SAVINGS TO YOUR SPOUSE WHEN YOU DIE CAN BE TAX-EFFICIENT, BUT IT MUST BE DONE PROPERLY. CARL LAMB LOOKS AT HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE.

MOST PEOPLE ARE AWARE of the tax benefits of saving in ISAs:

they provide tax-efficient growth while in the ISA wrapper and there’s no tax when you take your money out. With the ISA limit for the 2017/18 tax year set at £20,000 per person, they provide a really useful element in your savings and investments portfolio. However, it is less widely known that you can now pass ISA savings on to your spouse or civil partner without losing their tax protection. Before April 2015, inherited ISAs would automatically lose the tax efficient wrapper they benefited from during your lifetime. This meant that if your spouse/partner wanted to reinvest their inheritance in ISAs, they would be limited by their individual ISA limit for the year and could potentially pay tax in the future on any interest or gains made on any savings left outside the ISA wrapper. That has now changed with the introduction of the “Annual Permitted Subscription” (APS). Under APS rules, anyone whose spouse or civil partner died on or after 3 December 2014 is eligible for a one-off additional ISA allowance (on top of their normal annual ISA allowance), equivalent to the value of the deceased person’s ISAs at the time of death. So, if you die and have ISA savings, your spouse will gain a separate APS allowance for each ISA provider with whom you hold accounts. If you hold multiple ISAs with the same provider, the value of these will be combined to give the total APS allowance with that provider. Your surviving partner can then choose to either use their APS allowance with the existing provider, or transfer the APS allowance to another ISA provider.

It must be stressed, however, that the APS allowance is only available for spouses/civil partners. It can’t be claimed by your partner if you’re co-habiting or by other heirs, even if you are divorced or widowed. As the APS is independent of the cash/investments held within your ISA on death, the allowance applies regardless of what’s in your will, which means that even if the money is left for someone else to inherit, your spouse/civil partner is still entitled to an increased ISA allowance equivalent to the value of your ISA assets on the day of death – although they would of course be required to use their own money to fund it in this instance. The allowance can be claimed from the date of death. Any cash ISA subscriptions must be made within 3 years, or if the administration of the estate takes longer, within 180 days of its completion. For stocks and shares ISAs, these can be transferred ‘in-specie’ directly into the surviving spouse’s ISA, and will need to be completed within 180 days following the completion of the administration of the estate. If you do pass ISA savings on to your spouse or civil partner, it may be of benefit for him or her to get some advice about the accounts or investments that make up the ISA portfolio. Each type of savings account and investment solution carries its own level of risk and it is important that the portfolio is reviewed with its new owner in mind: what may have been suitable for you when you were both alive might not be appropriate for your widow or widower after your death.

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.

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| OCTOBER 2017 believe there’s anywhere else that can offer what we have in such close proximity. Are “staycation” holidays still booming during post-Brexit uncertainty and world unrest?

Data would certainly indicate that to be the case, but it’s an ever-evolving picture. The economy grows and shrinks with regularity, currency markets fluctuate, world events both far afield and here at home regularly dominate the news and global weather seems to become more unpredictable by the day. So, in an uncertain world, people gravitate to what they know and brands they can trust. The Greater Yarmouth area has a long and proud history of welcoming people to visit and will continue to do so.

What are the things and places in Norfolk that you enjoy doing or visiting as a resident?

I love being involved with the community where we live and spending time doing the simple things with the family. We recently bought a camper so have donned our festival clothes and had some fun visiting some great local events as well as exploring the beaches and beauty spots nearby. Food and drink is also always high on the agenda, so visiting some of our fantastic local restaurants and watering holes is always in the diary. Autumn is my favourite season, so bright sunny days with cool, crisp mornings in the countryside really make the days come alive.

GARETH BROWN

Chairman, Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area

Tell us about your “day job” as general manager of Haven Holiday Park at Caister.

Well one thing is for certain; no two days are alike. With upwards of 300 team members and over 3000 guests on park at our busiest, it’s really like running a small town. I’ve experienced everything imaginable, from births and deaths to marriages and everything in between. I really should have started taking notes for a book in my 20’s! How did you get into tourism as a career?

What do you enjoy most about the job?

I’ve probably hinted at this already but the variety the job offers is great. Before 86

Are you pleased with the impact the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area is having on the local economy?

Absolutely. The levy raised by the business improvement area provides us with a fund that really makes a difference. The customer experience is at the forefront on everything nowadays and there are many competitors entering the market place looking to attract customers. Whether it be glamping, festivals or escape rooms we have to work harder than ever before to ensure holiday guests and visitors have a reason to come to the Greater Yarmouth area. Tell us the best things about the Greater Yarmouth area – for tourists and locals alike.

I can answer that one really easily, as it’s the same reason that despite having worked in numerous locations, we chose this part of the world to settle and raise a family. The miles of golden sand, the bright lights and excitement, the town’s rich cultural heritage. The stunning Broads National Park, with its fantastic wildlife and scenery along with a great city that is easily accessible. I don’t

Where are your favourite places to eat and drink?

I couldn’t possibly divulge that kind of information as everyone would then find out about my hidden gems and I might not get a table! I love good food with a local flavour, produced in line with the season, similarly for a drink. I love a proper local pub and if it has its own micro brewery then that’s even better! When you are not working at the park or with the tourism team, how do you like to spend your time off?

With the family as much as possible, either enjoying a fun day at the beach with a picnic, jumping in the waves or out and about in the countryside for a walk with the dog, getting plenty of fresh air and taking in the fantastic scenery that Norfolk has to offer. Outside of that it’s mainly taxi duty having three young children! Tell us about your family.

I’m married to a fantastic lady who’s just about to get her degree in psychology (now I’m in trouble!). We have 2 boys who can have boundless energy one minute and sit in a darkened room pressing gaming controllers for hours the next, and a 5-yearold daughter for whom life is so simple and lights up my day every time I see her! Sum up Great Yarmouth in five words.

Fun, historical, resilient, evolving, home. Sum up yourself in five words.

Lucky to live right here!

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It was my father, a chartered accountant who first moved into the sector, working for a small caravan business based in Cornwall owned by Billy and Bobby Butlin. So I guess I grew up in and around it, and all of the interesting characters connected to the industry. I’ve certainly met a few in my time in Norfolk!

choosing to settle in Norfolk, I worked in some lovely locations, such as Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight. I’ve made some good friends along the way and even managed to convince a lovely lady to become my wife on my travels! The seasonality of the business keeps it interesting with lots of changes to manage as you traverse from pre-opening, through Easter, leading up to peak season and bringing the year to a close.

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Book a test drive Norwich Audi Meridian Way Norwich NR7 0TA 01603 709200 www.norwich.audi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the new Audi A3 Sportback and Audi A3 Saloon range in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 30.7 (9.2) – 65.7 (4.3), Extra Urban 47.9 (5.9) – 80.7 (3.5), Combined 39.8 (7.1) – 74.3 (3.8). CO2 emissions: 163 – 99g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are obtained under standardised EU test conditions (Directive 93/116/

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