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WELCOME

EDITOR’S LETTER

Celebrity wise, we have interviews with two legends – Barry Manilow and Barry Humphries. They are about as difference as you can imagine but both are working hard and really know how to entertain. And the lovely Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who has gained so many new fans since appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, is our cover girl and a great example of a busy working mum – she has three boys and a rock star husband! My treat of the month? Well, it had to be a trip to see From Here To Eternity. What a raunchy show! I’m not sure my mother would approve, but I loved all that dirty dancing! And finally, we were very sorry to say goodbye to one of our original columnists, John Myatt, who died just before Christmas. Tony Mallion pays tribute to John and we re-produce one of his fascinating columns, this time on speedway racing, a great Norfolk tradition. So, I hope you enjoy our offerings this month. Take time to just sit and read – we all need to just stop and relax more, I reckon.

SARAH HARDY

sarah@h2creativemedia.co.uk

WELCOME to our February edition. And gosh, doesn’t Christmas seem like a long time ago, already.

First up, we have some exciting news – we are expanding into Suffolk! There has been a Places&Faces® magazine in the county for some time but it has now stopped publishing so we plan to re-start it, putting our own very special stamp on it. It will be hard work but we can’t wait. And it means, of course, that I’ll be making even more trips into this lovely county. So, watch this space. We will keep you posted! But what of this issue, our ‘love’ edition? We have plenty of ideas on how to bring a little romance into your life – maybe a lovely restaurant to try, presents to buy, a recipe involving chocolate – who needs more?! And there’s even, for those who like to think ahead, a couple of gorgeous wedding venue reviews for you to consider, and some charming snowdrops walks to try – maybe the perfect spot for a proposal!

Until next month, enjoy yourself.

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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 venue prior to making bookings. All expressions and opinions demonstrated within the publication, are those of the Editor including contributors. Places&Faces® is a registered Trade Mark of H2Creative Media Limited.

CONTENTS

12 Grab your gladioli – Dame Edna is in the building. Catch up with the Aussie superstar

CELEBRITIES 10 Mr Music, Barry Manilow, arrives in our

region this spring. Joff Hopkins interviews him

Our regular monthly round up of the best events in our region this February

20 Dragons’ Den, board games and a fragrance

range – entrepreneur Rachel Lowe is one busy woman

FASHION & BEAUTY 26 Life’s a soap opera for Sarah Hardy as she

picks out some foaming favourites 27 It’s time to call it a night – ideas for Valentine’s

We pay tribute to our late columnist, John Myatt

WHAT’S ON 29 The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft marches on

with its usual diverse mix of shows and films

32 The Romans are back in Britain – check out a

new Norwich Castle Museum exhibition

HOMES & GARDENS 39 Our lust list has the distinct look of love about it this month 40 A seaside rectory in Suffolk is our property of the month 46 Where to see that most welcome of flowers – the delicate snowdrop

61 Love local food? Take advantage of our great reader offer

From Here to Eternity – the new Tim Rice musical is reviewed

FOOD & DRINK 50 Flipping good fun with Simon Wainwright from the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth 53 Wine writer Sam Matthews on fizz or the real thing for Valentine’s Day 54 Andy Newman visits a father and son company that produces a yellow wonder oil 56 Dine a deux at The Assembly House in Norwich 58 Discover a Great Yarmouth restaurant which is above the rest 63 Our French chef Franck Pontais offers us a pud that it sure to go down a bomb

TRAVEL 64 Mark Nicholls blisses out at an Arizona ranch 66 Sarah Hardy and family keep it local by holidaying at home

THIS MONTH’S

Editor’s Choice Editor Sarah Hardy picks out the best events this month… 1

Add a little romance to your home with hearts and flowers

BUSINESS

BEST FILM The Monuments Men looks like being a good un with George Clooney

78 Our business profile features Andrew

as both director and star. It tells the real life story of a bunch of

McPherson who is joining the Titchwell Manor team

art experts sent to Germany in the Second World War to rescue

MOTORING 94 Matt Kimberley is seriously impressed by the new Mazda3 98 Matt Joy reckons there’s more than just space to the new Citroen Grand Picasso 102 Matt Kimberley reviews the new CR-V, a perfect family car

REGULARS

masterpieces from Nazi thieves. It also stars Matt Damon and Hugh Bonneville and is set for release on February 14.

BEST ALBUM American singer songwriter Beck is back with a new album, Morning Phase on Capitol Records. It is his first one since 2008 but we’re sure you can expect the usual unusual. Indie, soul – it will all be there!

BEST GIG Taylor Swift isn’t even 25 years old but has sold millions of records worldwide and is so self confident. We love her music, too. She is in

24 Richard Barr on community spirit

residence at the O2 in London from February 1 to 11 with The Red

triumphing over disaster 105 Our seven High Society pages kick off with the annual EEEGR grand Christmas ball a must in the social calendar. 112 Caught on camera – this month Keiron Tovell captures a serene scene at Burnham Overy Staithe 114 Spend five minutes with stylist and vintage lover Tamsyn Morgans from Norwich

Tour. Find out more on www.theo2.co.uk.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition continues to delight at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London. The annual event always amazes, with the winning photo, Essence of Elephants by South African Greg Du Toit, very charming indeed. Visit www.nhm.ac.uk for more.

BEST WEST END Marti Webb is back for a limited season in Tell Me On A Sunday at the

COVER STORY 14 Busy working mum Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Duchess Theatre in London’s West End. Running from February 17 to March 1, it has Andrew Lloyd Webber music and lyrics by Don Black. Visit www.duchesstheatre.co.uk for more.

on Strictly, her family, new album and tour BEST TV Well, it’s got to be the Winter Olympics! Kicking off in Sochi in Russia on February 7, they last the best part of three weeks and include sports that you don’t usually watch – bobsleigh, curling, snow boarding and so on. The Beeb will provide its usual great coverage with Clare Balding as the main anchor.

BEST GIGGLE Punt and Dennis arrive at Norwich Theatre Royal on February 9 and promise plenty of smiles with their new satirical show, Ploughing On Regardless. Call 01603 630000 for more.

DON’T FORGET February 14. None of your grumpiness about it all! Remember the flowers and/or fizz and that winning smile!

1. Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on BBC; 2. The Monuments Men

He Writes The Songs Barry Manilow has clocked up sales of more than 80 million worldwide in a career spanning five decades. Joff Hopkins talks to him prior to his Ipswich concert JOFF HOPKINS, presenter on Norwich 99.9, The Beach and North Norfolk Radio

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Barry Manilow | CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

got to get somebody else to do it!’ When I told Bette Midler, who I ou’re over here for a handful of dates in 2014 was working for, that I had a record deal, she said: ‘Doing what?’ I – including a date at Ipswich Town Football said: ‘Singing!’ She said: ‘You don’t sing!’ Club in May. You’ve done all sorts of shows So that’s how I started off. I made my first album, which had over the years – big orchestral shows – smaller, Could It Be Magic on, and it sold four copies, and I thought that stripped-back shows – can you give me any would be it. insight into how the show is going Then I got the offer to make a second album, and then Clive Davis to work? came into the picture and Mandy happened, and my life exploded Here’s the thing: I’m trying to do every hit that I’ve been lucky into a billion pieces and it was never the same. enough to have, squeezing everything in as much as I can. Let’s talk about Copacabana as well – a bit of a tragic song This could be a long show! when you listen to the lyrics, despite the fact the music is so Yes, it could! I change the shows around every time I go out on the upbeat and overall, it’s really catchy. How did the song come road – I get bored so easily. One year, it was with loads of singers about? – and the next year, I went on the road with a huge, 75-musician There’s a murder at the end! Back in the 50s, there was a very orchestra. I figured that I couldn’t get bigger than 75 – so I went popular night stop in NYC called the Copacabana. If you look it the other way. I went back down to my smaller band, and by upon Wikipedia, you will find it was a hugely popular place for doing that, I can do any song I want – they know every song in my Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. It was a big, very famous nightclub, catalogue. If I tried changing things around when I had that big probably run by the Mafia, and we were staying at the Copacabana orchestra… the pandemonium! There’d be sheet music all over the Palace and Hotel where we had Copacabana towels, and ashtrays, room. So my band knows everything, it sounds great, it looks great, and matchbooks… and we were sitting on the Copacabana beach… it’s beautiful live – and frankly, what I’ve learned, is that no matter and Bruce asked: ‘Has there ever been a song called Copacabana?’ how many people I have on stage, the audience just care about I replied: ‘I don’t think so.’ He went back to New York, I went back me talking to them, and singing songs to them. Maybe with some to LA, and he asked what I wanted the song to be about. I said: other act, they’d care about the dancers and lights and smoke and ‘Make it one of those black and white movies where somebody stuff – with me, I really don’t think they care about that. So I took gets killed.’ He wrote me this lyric, and I think anybody could’ve a chance, I stripped it down, Manilow Stripped Down – and the written a song around this lyric – ‘her name was Lola, she was a shows have been going just fine. The audiences are having a great showgirl.’ It tells the story of three people and a murder in three time, and so am I. verses and a repeated chorus. You’ve had a long and successful career – when you were You’ve got a massive back-catalogue. Do you prefer writing growing up in New York City, was music just something that or performing? surrounded you at home? Always writing and always arranging. The art of arranging the No, there was a lot of garbage surrounding me. I grew up in the song is probably dying along with writing a good song. It’s all slums of Williamsburg, Brooklyn – with gangs, and not much about loops and grooves and we make records differently these music. But there was a lot of music in my family. My step-father, days. But in my day, or in the day of the songwriter, there was a for my 13th birthday, brought in a stack of albums that changed song that great songwriters would write – my life. I was raised by my grandparents and then these singers like Sinatra, everybody and my mother who knew I was musical, Barry Manilow plays Portman would sing the same song because they were but they didn’t know anything about music. Road, Ipswich on May 16. Tickets popular. The arranger needed to come in to They stuck an accordion in my hand and I are on sale now from £47.25, change the arrangement of the song for each played Jewish folk songs, and that was that. available at www.town102.com singer and make it different, otherwise they’d When Willie came in, he brought this stack be copying each other. That was the art of of albums with him that may as well have the arranger and that’s who I wanted to be. I had no desire to be a been a stack of gold, because I learned about Sinatra, and arranger performer or a singer – I was happy in the background. Nelson Riddle, and Broadway show-music, and classical music… it In a career that’s lasted so long, you must have seen the was like heaven opened to that little stereo. It opened up a world music industry change immeasurably. What’s been the biggest of music that I didn’t even know existed. That was the music that change for you? was surrounding me, in that little apartment in Brooklyn. That’s Songwriting has changed. Lyrics have taken a nosedive, melody what changed my life. has taken a nosedive, and it’s all about rhythm. It’s all about the Do you still have the albums? machinery in making these great records – don’t get me wrong, They’re now MP3s and CDs! Not even CDs any more but yes, I still they are great records – but the ‘art’ of writing a great lyric and treasure them. a great melody seems to be taking a back seat to the sound of the Mandy was the song that broke you through to the great record. mainstream and is still a firm favourite – but rumour has it What are you most proud of? you didn’t really want to record it – is that true? I’m most proud of the fact that I stayed grounded during the entire I never wanted to be a singer, forget about recording! I had no eyes hurricane of fame that hit me. I like to think I’m the same guy that to be a performer or a singer, at all! I am a musician; I thought if I started off as. My values are the same – I don’t collect a million I’m lucky, I’ll have a career being a musician. I started to write cars or spend money on silly things. That is admirable because my own songs and I thought it would be great if I could get them these young people that win The X Factor, they get hit by fame at out there, so I started to make demos of my own songs. I couldn’t that young age; I just say a prayer for them. It’s a big change and, afford demo singers so I sang my own songs. A record company hopefully, they won’t go the wrong way, hopefully they’ve got a heard them and me singing them, and since it was the year of the solid family and solid friends to keep them grounded and not go singer-songwriter, they offered me a record deal as the lead singer nuts! This fame thing can drive you a little crazy. of my own album. I thought: ‘What am I going to do with that? I’ve

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Hello, Possums! Housewife superstar Dame Edna Everage arrives in Norwich this month and John Bultitude, gladioli in hand, is almost overwhelmed!

12 placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

WHEN SHE MADE HER performing debut in 1955, Dame Edna Everage was billed as an ‘average Australian housewife.’ She may be married and live Down Under, but there is nothing average about her. Whether on stage, in the odd movie and most notably in her hugely successful TV shows, she has become a popular personality thanks to an enviable ability to poke fun in a charming way. And the housewife superstar, famous for greeting audiences with her catchphrase ‘Hello Possums’, is bringing her brand of comedy to the city as part of her farewell UK tour giving them a final chance to see her in action. She admits: ‘Touring is not a comfortable exercise but my gynecologist told me my adrenal gland was still strong at my last check-up. I can’t keep on touring though. I need to devote time to my charities with the Prostate Olympics coming, and I also support those with a deviated septum.’ This kind of glittering career and vital charity work are all a far cry from the housewife superstar’s more lowly beginnings. She began life as a creation of the popular Barry Humphries, 79 and still fizzing with energy. Dame Edna started out as a comedy character created by Barry for a revue back in 1955 when the Olympics

WHAT’S ON

Dame Edna Everage

BARRY HUMPHRIES’ FAREWELL TOUR, EAT, PRAY, LAUGH, arrives at Norwich Theatre Royal from February 4-8. Call 01603 630000 or visit www.norwichtheatreroyal.co.uk

were heading to Melbourne. Because civic officials were worried the city could look old-fashioned, lots of buildings were pulled down which created the problem of a lack of accommodation. So the call went out for housewives to give up a spare room for an athlete and Barry wrote a comedy routine around this, basing Edna on one of these housewives with the character describing her home in incredibly minute detail. Originally, the part was going to be played by an actress but Barry took on the role himself buying a dress, hat, twin set and pearls from a charity shop and the character was born. A year later, Barry decided to bring the character back with some subtle changes boasting a slightly deeper voice, classier outfits and a slightly spikier humour, and the rest is history. One of the keys to his success was to keep building on his audience. From starting off in theatres, Dame Edna then adapted the show for Australia’s larger clubs with their often tougher audiences and it is this reinvention that has helped to keep the character so fresh. Then came the huge TV spectaculars which saw Dame Edna attract some of the biggest stars in showbusiness to her sofa, to not just chat but also to find themselves ridiculed in a cheeky but charming way – a model which has proved ratings gold for the chat-show hosts of today. Even though she made very few programmes in comparison to other chat-show greats, there were many memorable moments and guests. Who else would be able to attract an eclectic mix like notorious madame Cynthia Payne, TV watchdog Mary Whitehouse, medical legend Christiaan Barnard and film icon Charlton Heston to their celebrity sofa? Many also remember her much-loved sidekick Madge the bridesmaid aka Emily Perry, who died five years ago at the grand old age of 100 and became hugely popular even though she never uttered a word while in character. But what was the appeal of Dame Edna and why has she remained so popular? Barry believes: ‘I say things other people wish they could say. I don’t pick on people, I empower them. What amuses me is that people have accepted Edna at her own estimation of herself. People want to go along with the joke but it’s more than a joke, it’s an idea — and it’s not exactly calculated because a lot of it I do unconsciously.’ Although there is no doubt a lot of interest in seeing

Dame Edna on stage, two more of Barry Humphries’ great characters will also be making an appearance during the show. The lecherous lothario and boorish belcher Sir Les also claimed to be a cultural attaché and first took to the stage when his alter ego was appearing in the notoriously tough clubs of South Sydney as Dame Edna, introducing the housewife superstar. And Les’s career has certainly moved on, as Barry explains. ‘He is now a celebrity chef and will open the show in Norwich with some beautiful girls. It’s a good curtain raiser. He’s followed by a surprise character – all I will say is it’s his brother, who is a very different person.’ Completing the trio of popular characters created by the Australian comedy legend will be Sandy Stone, who was created in the 50s and is actually Barry’s favourite character. He recalls: ‘I wanted to write a sketch about an old man who was a real bore. Sandy has been in every show I’ve ever done in Australia but not in the UK before now. I actually killed him off 20 years ago but people wanted him back, so he reappears as a ghost. ‘He is my favourite character because I do him sitting down and I’m clutching a hot water bottle. A great advantage because you can write odd words on it. If you see me looking down at it, you’ll know why.’ So a great opportunity to see three iconic characters on what is likely to be one of the final chances to enjoy them on stage. Expect Barry’s characteristic adult humour and lots of ribbing of the audience, and he is also determined to go out on a high. ‘I want to phase out the touring while I am still good at it but I am going to really miss it. Do you know, I do suffer greatly from nerves and get bad stage-fright but the stage is still my life.’ But will the audience in Norwich notice anything different when Dame Edna steps out on to the stage? The housewife superstar admits: ‘I have had a little work done because I am too young-looking so I went to Brazil and had some crow’s feet put in. I also asked for a little double chin.’ So, the years may have passed but the sense of humour is still as fresh as ever.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

S T R I C T LY S O P H I E SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR HAS GONE FROM WALTZING HER WAY INTO THE FINAL OF STRICTLY COME DANCING TO FEATHER STEPPING INTO THE ALBUM CHARTS WITH WANDERLUST. JOFF HOPKINS CATCHES UP WITH HER JOFF HOPKINS, presenter on Norwich 99.9, The Beach and North Norfolk Radio

14 placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

OPHIE, THE LAST TIME we spoke you’d just taken nine flights in nine days! I guess things have been a little more grounded lately because we’ve been watching you on Strictly Come Dancing which is one of those shows that really spans every generation, isn’t it?

Massively – my participation in Strictly had a more positive response across all the generations of my family than pretty much anything else I’ve ever done. My grandparents loved it, little kids were enjoying it; it’s been really sweet, and I love the fact people have such an affection for watching other people trying to dance. I totally get why Strictly is so popular, because I love that aspect as well. What were you most worried about before the series started?

Just whether I’d be able to do any of it, really! I’ve never had any dance lessons. It felt a little bit risky, and I think I underestimated how hard it is to get the technique of some of it. And I underestimated how much you care, you care so massively about things you never cared about before, like whether you do the right heel turn in a waltz, how to hold your shape in a pivot. These are things I didn’t even know about, so suddenly it’s all I think about! It’s kind-of bizarre! Do you think people expected you to be able to dance, given your performance background?

If they did, they didn’t really give me that impression, which I was relieved about. I thought that might have been a really hard place to start, given I thought there was a good chance I’d be >>

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

>> pretty rubbish. It didn’t feel like there was too much expectation. I think they’re quite clever on the show at getting such a lovely crosssection of people. You’re watching all of these people dancing, and it’s really diverse. Some people aren’t the best dancers, but you actually prefer watching them because of something else they’re giving you. And from Strictly Come Dancing to your new album, Wanderlust – a real change in direction. Gone are the infectious dance beats – instead, it sounds almost a bit ‘folky’. What made you change the formula?

It’s not really changing the formula because I think there are a few sensibilities I’ve applied to what I’ve done now as to what I did then. Certainly, some of these new songs are still up tempo and melodic, but I love making dance music – songs like Murder On The Dancefloor and Groovejet – I will always perform because I love them – but I think you’ve got to evolve a little bit. I just think within the genre of dance records there are some things that work wonderfully, and some things that don’t, and that goes for singing as well as songwriting. I wanted to do something a little less processed, where I could do some more storytelling, and songs like Young Blood that are more reflective and gentle. You don’t get to have those moments in dance, and you don’t want them when you’re listening to dance music, either. It was time to explore a bit more of the other stuff, because there’s more than one side to what I do. The album’s been described as having a heavy influence from eastern Europe – is this your own, personal welcome into the EU for people in Romania and Bulgaria?

Well, actually the Bulgarian Choir are featured in one of the songs! Cry To The Beat Of The Band was recorded at the Bulgarian Embassy – so it definitely has a well-intentioned eastern European lilt to it. I’ve travelled all round eastern Europe and I find it quite fascinating. I like the fairytale aspect, the gothic element, and the atmosphere that’s created there. We’ve got tales on this album of a woman that takes your photograph and it captures your soul, spooky dolls that come to life at night and you tell them your worries and they deal with them… it was fun to write those sort of songs! You don’t get to do that in dance songs at all, so I exploited it! It’s more than 10 years since Read My Lips came out – an album that sits on my shelf at home – so after so long of doing dance records, what was it like being back in the studio and coming up with these different sounds?

It was like a big present to myself! I made this album myself, I wrote the songs with a guy called Ed Harcourt who is ridiculously talented and a wonderful songwriter. It just felt good to be pushed, actually – and even though doing something like Strictly is, seemingly, on the surface, completely at the other end of the spectrum, I made the decision to do both things with the same part of my brain. I think it’s

so easy to get into your comfort zone and get complacent; I wanted to mix things up a bit and see what else happens if you remove all the barricades and just try something else! You’re married to Richard Jones from The Feeling – are you giving his band any ideas about a change in sound?

They’re pretty diverse, actually – they’ve got their signature sound, but they can be a little bit experimental sometimes. Certainly, I play loads of stuff to Richard, and he plays bass on my album. I think it’s unavoidable and I think any couple would do the same and bring their work home a little bit, and talk things through. It’s bound to cross-pollinate occasionally. I know family’s important to you – you’ve got the tattoo to prove it – and since we spoke last, you’ve added another to the brood, so there’s three young lads now… is it quite a juggling act with both you and Richard in and out of studios and being on the road?

It can be – but I like the chaos of family life. Both of my parents worked, so it’s what I grew up with too. It’s all we know! Luckily Richard comes back from tour and doesn’t need time to decompress – he can go straight back into family life, and I’m the same. Even if I get home bright and early from flying home from Moscow or something, we can scoop the kids off and get the day back and do something. When we’re with the children, that’s our priority and where we want to be. That’s the reward at the end of the work! The children were also completely disinterested in what I was doing with Strictly – which I think is quite good! My eldest, who’s nine – he liked to know what the judges had said, and the scores, and if I’d stayed in the competition… but he actually found the dances too boring to watch! I quite liked that – it was completely in perspective when I got in, so I couldn’t talk to him about it at all; he wanted to talk to me about what he wanted for Christmas or the LEGO thing he’d built and that sort of stuff. I think that’s what should be happening when you go home. It’s always a bit boring what your parents get up to, isn’t it? WANDERLUST is out now. Tickets are on sale for Sophie’s tour, which starts on April 7, including two dates at the Union Chapel in London. Visit www.sophieellisbextor.net

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

NATURE FESTIVAL

February 24th to March 1st 2014

ollowing the hugely successful Festival of Nature Writing in 2011 at Gresham’s School in Holt, this year, Gresham’s Auden Theatre will be the setting for an exciting programme of exhibitions and lectures together with a creative writing workshop focusing on the nature of Norfolk and its relationship between land and water. The Festival will feature contributions from conservationists, art historians, herbalists, biologists and nature writers providing a fascinating line-up of events centred round the surrounding landscape and nature of Norfolk. The Festival Lecture will be given by Mark Cocker, naturalist and environmental activist, who is revered as one of the nation’s foremost nature writers. He is author of nine books, including Crow Country which was shortlisted for a number of awards, including the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2008, and has just launched his latest book

Birds and People (with award winning wildlife photographer David Tipling). Other highlights include a week-long exhibition of the collaboration between radical landscape poet and academic Harriet Tarlo and artist, academic and Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds, Judith Tucker. Nationally renowned herbalist, Andrew Chevallier, who has written many books on herbal medicine and who helped pioneer the first BSc (Hons) course in Herbal Medicine at Middlesex University, will deliver a talk on the intrinsic links between the human body and the environment. For those looking to get hands-on there will be an opportunity to take part in a creative writing workshop on March 1st. The workshop will be run by Charles Rangeley-Wilson, conservationist and author, who has written and presented for the BBC including the critically acclaimed BBC4 film Fish! A Japanese Obsession

and who, in 2011, was voted Travel Writer of The Year by The Accidental Angler. Book early to avoid disappointment. The Festival of Nature will open on February 24th with a free event where visitors can enjoy a glass of wine whilst enjoying an exhibition by Judith Tucker and Harriet Tarlo in the Auden Theatre Foyer. A festival ticket costs £25 or tickets can be purchased for individual events through the Auden Theatre Box Office. For further details or to book a ticket visit www.greshams.com /~fon or telephone the box office at 01263 713444.

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SHE WHO DARES Former Dragons’ Den contestant Rachel Lowe MBE is the embodiment of the ethos: ‘never give up.’ Despite being declared bankrupt, she is back with a new business venture. Emma Outten hears more

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

RACHEL LOWE

few years ago, Rachel Lowe really did wake up and smell the roses. The former Dragons’ Den contestant had successfully launched the popular Destination board games only for her company to go into administration five years later. How could this have happened? Well, let’s just say her business problems were well highlighted in a BBC Panorama programme called Banks Behaving Badly! To put it mildly, the 36-year-old mother of two has been on a ‘bit of a rollercoaster’ over the past decade. Her story starts as a cab driver in Portsmouth paying her way through university as a mature student. Armed with her Destination idea, she went on to receive one of the harshest roastings the Dragons’ Den show has ever seen. And yet she remains stoic: ‘I don’t think Dragons’ Den did me any harm at all.’ The Destination games even included a Norwich edition (and did you know there’s now a Downton Abbey game?), and in 2009, she was awarded an MBE from the Queen for her services to business. And yet, at the same time, she felt as though she was about to lose everything: her business, her home and her health. ‘At that time I was really going through a dark period in my life.’ And that’s when a floral fragrance hit her senses. ‘I’d been to the estate agents, I was walking to the bus stop and passed a flower shop – the smell hit me. ‘It was the first time I really had a sense of something. That smell of the flower shop was lovely and lifted me.’ Rachel clearly still had some fire left in her belly, and, with the help of new business partner Simon Dolan, who came into her life around the time of the Panorama programme, she has gone on to launch a successful fashion and beauty line called She Who Dares. It includes two fragrances which are on sale in Jarrold’s newly refurbished Beauty Hall. ‘Dalliance’ and ‘Eminence’, which are exclusive to the store, aim to empower women and reflect the She Who Dares ethos of ‘never give up, nothing is impossible’. So what was the thinking behind the She Who Dares brand name? ‘It did start as a bit of a joke tagline when I used to tell my story of Dragons’ Den at after dinner speeches: my motto in business is ‘she who dares wins.’ She continues: ‘When you give a She Who Dares gift it’s not just a fragrance, it’s a statement: you are saying I believe in you.’ Which women in her life has she gifted the She Who Dares collection to? ‘One was obviously my mother,’ says Rachel, who is mother herself to daughters Hannah, 17 and Lauren, 12. Rachel’s mother had come to England from Malta as a teenager with limited English vocabulary, and yet had enrolled on a night school class and achieved a GSCE English qualification when her own children were teenagers. ‘That was just one of the things that my mum did which was really quite amazing,’ says Rachel. Her dream is to see women wearing the She Who Dares iconic rose pendant and to know that someone has recognised those women for all the things they do.

‘On the back of the boxes we have either ‘nothing is impossible’ or ‘dare to dream’ and that’s really important because when I created the She Who Dares brand it was very much inspired in its sentiment by how I felt when I was at Buckingham Palace being awarded my MBE.’ Succeeding in the fine fragrance market is no mean feat, but as Rachel reiterates: ‘Nothing is impossible!’ She recalls launching the Destination Norwich board game in Jarrold’s back in the day ( just as I remember interviewing her!). ‘I remember it being a stunning city and Jarrold’s is a stunning store.’ The Beauty Hall boasts fine fragrances from around the world and yet the She Who Dares range is thoroughly British. Rachel is keen to work with businesses in the UK as giving back to the British economy is something she is particularly passionate about. Hence her fragrance is made here in England, including the beautiful bespoke bottle. The fragrance ‘Eminence’ is a fresh floral scent opening with top notes of bergamont and pink peppercorn, whereas the fragrance ‘Dalliance’ is a deliciously feminine fragrance igniting the senses with a flirtatious mix of fruity and floral layers. It was also the first fragrance she developed, to evoke the smell that hit her when she walked past the flower shop. ‘I wear ‘Dalliance’ all the time – it’s my favourite one, as I have that association with it. When I smell it I always feel good and feel that everything is going to be OK.’ I don’t know about you but I, for one, hope that Rachel continues to come up smelling of roses.

She Who Dares fragrances ‘Eminence’ and ‘Dalliance’ are available at Jarrold’s (RRP £45 for 50ml)

To find out more about She Who Dares visit www.swdfashion.com.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Thanks For The Memories PLACES&FACES® FOUNDING EDITOR TONY MALLION PAYS TRIBUTE TO COLUMNIST AND FORMER BROADCASTER JOHN MYATT

HE PHONE CALL WAS UNEXPECTED but the voice familiar. Though we hadn’t spoken for some time it was the unmistakable warm tones of former broadcaster John Myatt telling me of the passing of another well known freelance colleague, photographer Ivan Gould. When John and I met up a few days later at Kessingland Church, it was not just the renewal of an old friendship but the beginning of a burst of creativity and a fitting final chapter to a remarkable career spanning more than six decades. January 2010 was the time we were setting up Places&Faces®. Little by little the shape, style and contributors were beginning to gel. In that windswept church yard John offered to write for this fledgling magazine. Thus began a rewarding golden late flowering for John who, though about to turn 80, had lost none of his drive, determination and elegant way with words. As a youngster growing up in his native Staffordshire it was his ambition to be a journalist; not only did he fulfil that by the bucket load but here he was, decades later, in full flight again not just recalling stories and characters of a multi-coloured career but increasingly willing to go out and report. With his deep love and knowledge of sport he tracked down former tennis ace turned pundit Christine Truman in deepest Suffolk for an affectionate piece; met the Canaries’ Darren Huckerby and had an entertaining encounter with an opposite number, the voice of football John Motson. Years of helping promote Yarmouth’s tourism stood him in good stead for interviews about the Merrivale Model Village and Ken Simms and his Thrigby Wildlife Park; he wrote with authority about the local entertainment industry families while his broadcasting background led him to meet fellow practitioners as well as taking a look behind the scenes at BBC Radio Norfolk’s Sunday morning Treasure Quest programme. Living only a few hundred yards away from Caister’s lifeboat station, he recalled its proud history with equal pride and also wittily described how, for a Look East piece, he had been turned upside down off Lowestoft in a self-righting lifeboat. In that same column he told us how he’d once been filming a piece with a eel catcher on the Broads and been forced to eat a sample of the slippery creature. He smiled for the cameras but was promptly sick once the shot was complete! John wrote both with humour and from the heart. We – and his two children Lucy and Peter – learned a lot more about him since over the years, like so many journalists, John had been more used to writing about other people than himself. Food, especially fish and chips, featured. Writing about the famed football manager Bobby Robson he told us how he was often denied his favourite supper because the Ipswich manager would keep the reporters waiting for comments long after the game. Despite that John had a strong relationship with the Suffolk team which led to him making an award winning TV documentary, Blue and White Army, about the 1978 cup run. John, as he told us in May 2011, joined the local Cheadle Times after persuading his family to fund him through

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

commercial college where: ‘Despite the distraction of being one of just five males in a school full of teenage girls, I had mastered enough shorthand and typing to persuade the proprietor/editor Archie Holmes that his paper had found a replacement who could get by on couple of weeks coaching by the departing reporter and a couple of good books on the trade.’ He was right and his skill, coupled with a love of sport, especially speedway (he almost became the press officer for one team in the North) led him to Sheffield, onwards to the Eastern Daily Press (marriage to his late wife Janet brought him to Norfolk) and to Anglia Television where he became head of news. Spotting a gap in the market he set up the Great Yarmouth Press Agency (up a very steep flight of stairs in Queen Street above Plummer’s dentist surgery, as he reminisced in another article) with photographer Bryan Colton. Not only a golden period for big stories but John was also in demand from BBC East, both for television and the local breakfast programme Roundabout which preceded local radio. He was on British Forces Radio and an increasing involvement with public relations meant promoting Yarmouth tourism and industry. He ‘retired’ at 70 or so but then got involved with Caister Parish Council and the complex negotiations for a larger Tesco and better community facilities. Oh, he also founded a village magazine. John simply never stopped. And it was my pleasure to work with him at times over the years. John helped to create the Great Yarmouth Advertiser and when I became its first editor we worked closely together – when he wasn’t being dragged away at short notice to cover far flung football matches for Look East! He was also a member of the board of Radio Broadland where I began broadcasting and later produced his two hour Sunday night programme which allowed him to share his love and knowledge of jazz and big bands. After moving to BBC Norfolk I persuaded him, even though he was approaching 70, to be the weekend news and sport presenter. No easy task but he coped with the early mornings and technical challenges. Once a broadcaster, always one. Then almost a decade on came the final and most joyous period of collaboration. What a privilege to work with him once more; to discuss ideas; source pictures and look forward to receiving copy which needed minimal attention and yet was such a pleasure to read. His debut in the first Places&Faces® in April 2010 recalled some of the great stars he’d known, among them Morecambe and Wise. It was priceless stuff and there was plenty more to come. Sadly no more. John Myatt died in the early hours of December 22, just days before his 83rd birthday on Christmas Day. His funeral was on January 17.

John Myatt | TRIBUTE PLACES&FACES® reproduces one of John Myatt's regular columns

SPEEDWAY STARS

JOHN MYATT RECALLS SOME STORIES FROM THE POPULAR AND FRIENDLY SPORT OF SPEEDWAY

UNNY THING, THIS being called Myatt’s Memories because so many memories – vivid enough in part – are incomplete. For instance, the handsome fellow on the end of the line up (pictured right) at the old Norwich Firs stadium. No I don’t mean the one in the fashionable duffel coat standing next to team manager Gordon Parkin – that’s me. I mean the speedway rider on the far end. The riders (from right to left) are Aussie Aub Lawson, next to him Ray Bales (always known as Billy) and then, in the glasses, the late Phil Clarke, one of the nicest chaps I ever knew. But who is the one on the end? Memory, you have failed me again! Doubtless someone will tell me, and it will turn out to be someone I knew, because speedway, much more than almost any other professional sport, is one where participants, press and public all have a sort of family feeling. I don’t know if it is still the same now, but when I was covering speedway in two spells, first for the local press and later, sporadically, for television, the riders were perceived as an amalgam of the chap-next-door and a real dare-devil taking risks the onlooker would never contemplate. For years now the money in football has come between players and spectators yet many people, despite a beer belly and a bald patch, secretly feel they could – with a bit of training – do what footballers do, and some even try it in a Sunday morning pub game. But it’s a rare spectator who would be persuaded to don helmet and leathers and take to the track. Solid wooden fences meant it was a sport which sometimes could even end in a fatality. Yet in those days the real enthusiasts were quite likely to have a rider pop round for tea or – as in my case – do a proper delivery job out of sheer friendship. Norwich lost its speedway track half a century ago, sold for a pitiful £75,000 and now covered in houses. Opposite it the Firs public house, where Gordon Parkins held the licence, has also gone. Nobody is writing a requiem for the sport – watch Sky in a month or two and you’ll see some great racing. King’s Lynn is now in the top tier, after what was hardly an earth-shattering season last time, but they are there. Peterborough still flourishes as does Mildenhall. I covered the first-ever meeting there for BBC TV and the delightful farming

JOHN REPORTING ON THE JOB,

FAR RIGHT

character who was the track owner came up and said, 'Would you and the cameraman leave your car boots unlocked for a few minutes ?' Since all the expensive camera gear was being employed out on the track and I had nothing of value, we did as asked. When we got back each boot carried a massive sack of potatoes – and very nice they were too! Mildenhall then was distinctly rustic and reminded me of distant memories of going to a country track at Rye House by my London-based cousins who also took me to Wembley to watch the great Jack Parker. I've even just come across a crumpled letter, dated January 1953, confirming my appointment as publicity manager for Stoke Speedway. Now I did watch them, but I never remember applying or being interviewed for the post of publicity manager – and I never did the job. However, back to Norwich where the Press box was next to the director’s box, and they were a chummy lot (football take note). Post-match hot meat pies and whisky were the order of the day and, invariably, a lift home in the luxurious Rolls (or was it Bentley?) of a certain Mr Maxwell (or was it Captain?) whom I recall was the County Council’s chief surveyor. What I won’t forget are the away trips with the incredible Ove Fundin, who seemed almost incapable of being beaten. He got 140 wins and 16 second places out of 159 rides in 1959. That was the year Phil Clarke retired after 13 great years in the sport. Aub Lawson went the year after when Fundin got 139 wins and 15 second places out of 158 starts. Olle Nygren joined the stars in 1962 and even last year was still a major figure in the sport, although now backstage. In among that list of luminaries was John Debbage. Not on a par as a rider, true, but the guy who got the most fun out of speedway. He was always laughing. As a newly wed, I had moved to Guildford, but my wife and I had things which needed transporting, most notably a ridiculously large radiogram, which would have made a better cocktail cabinet. How to get that and the rest from Norwich? Simple, John Debbage had a black oily van that carried his bikes. Of course he did the job – but he cleaned out the van first! placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Force of Nature This Month columnist Richard Barr recalls two natural disasters, on different sides of the world, which evoked tremendous community spirit

24 placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

RICHARD BARR

A Look At Life

OT MANY PEOPLE IN NORFOLK

had heard of Walcott before December. Knowledge of Walcott before then was probably in connection with the name of the footballer Theo Walcott. Indeed on one of the signs to Walcott someone had printed Theo before the name of the village. It was there for many years before it was taken down. Even fewer people will have heard of Marysville in Australia. The two towns are on the opposite sides of the world from each other. Both suffered appalling damage through the overwhelming forces of nature and both share wonderful community spirit. On February 7, 2009 the state of Victoria in southern Australia was on high alert for bush fires. There were high winds and the temperature was approaching 40°C. All local fire services were positioned ready to attack any fire that broke out. On December 5, 2013 the Environment Agency in this country issued severe flood warnings for the north Norfolk coast. Tides at least as high as those in 1953 were predicted. Throughout the day preparations were made to move emergency services into position so that, if necessary, rescues could be carried out. Walcott is a low-lying village next to Bacton on Sea. It has a sea wall and from time to time the waves do splash over onto the road. What happened on December 5 was far more than a little splash. We are used to seeing television reports of the devastation caused by natural disasters, aircraft accidents, smashes between cars and the effects of war. We inevitably become numb to the reality. The day after the flood I took a walk in daylight along the seafront of Walcott. What you do not see from the photographs in the media is the suffering of the people who live here, the overwhelming effect of having so many houses damaged by floodwater (approximately 60 per cent of all houses here were flooded). You also do not get any idea of the size of the problem. People's personal possessions were spread across the neighbouring fields, so that it looked as though there had been an air crash rather than a flood. The force of the sea was so great that it knocked holes in the walls of houses and lifted up and broke mobile homes as though they were toys. One young mother described what happened to her home: ‘The sea had claimed our outbuildings, ripped the back off our home, sucked out all of our worldly possessions and business equipment and then spat them out over a 10 acre field, killing sheep in its wake. The shock was incredible – enough to send me into full body shock two days later with three days of nausea and vomiting.’ Poignant pictures went up on Facebook of teddy bears that had been in the flood and were looking for their owners. Unless you visit, you do not smell the kerosene spilt from the many central heating oil tanks that were washed away, nor the sewage, which erupted from the drains underneath the streets. Even the manhole covers were washed away.

Yet even on that first day, I saw signs of a fight back. The Chair of the parish council (whose own home was also flooded) was co-ordinating operations from a caravan in front of a local restaurant (itself flooded and damaged). Local volunteers were pouring in – even the coastguards who had been on duty throughout the night of the floods were turning out individually to help, along with the local fire service. My village (Bacton) made its playing field pavilion available for storage of donated items. The North Norfolk District council moved mountains to get the homeless rehoused. Generous people from all over were offering furniture and appliances to help those affected. Three years and nine months earlier, Marysville suffered greater damage from a different force of nature. A bush fire had broken out many miles away. Initially it was thought that the town would not be affected but there was a change in wind direction and the fire started to move towards Marysville. It was so fierce that it completely overwhelmed the fire service. One team of firefighters had to jump into a river to save their own lives. Others had to retreat because the efforts that they were making to fight the fire had no effect but threatened to burn them to death. The fire developed a life of its own, moving faster than you could run and bringing with it a storm of burning embers, which set fire to everything in its path. A decision was made to evacuate the town. Sadly not everybody got away and 40 people died. Almost all the houses were destroyed and most of the businesses. Last November we visited Marysville and had lunch at the Marysville bakery (the only business which had survived the fire). We shared our food with friendly king parrots. As we looked around, the whole town looked fresh and new. The only sign of the disaster three years earlier was the exhibition at the tourist centre which contained graphic descriptions of the horror of what came to be called Black Saturday. As I write this, many of Walcott’s front gardens have rubbish skips full of family possessions which were ruined. Walls of houses have to be stripped back and replastered. Structures and furniture can be replaced, but the things that memories are made of have been destroyed for so many. Yet Marysville and Walcott have shown that they have an indomitable spirit. Marysville rose, literally, from the ashes. Its revival is movingly recorded on a village website: www. gomarysville.com where time lapse photos show impressive reconstruction efforts. The flood and the fires will never be forgotten but both these communities are demonstrating that whilst the forces of nature can knock them down, they have the determination to get up again. Both need support. Marysville needs to rebuild its tourist trade. Walcott is still raw from what happened in December. I have no doubt that it will be back to its old self in very short order.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

We use it every day but there is something rather special about a really posh soap. Sarah Hardy works up a lather deciding which one is for her! NEW PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Nutritive Lip Balm, Sisley, £42.50, John Lewis. Off ski-ing? Or do you just suffer from ultra dry and cracked lips at this time of year? Well, help is at hand from leading French cosmetics company, Sisley, who have a lovely new lip product out which aims to solve your problems.

TREAT OF THE MONTH

Make-Up Lesson, £35 The Spa At St Giles, St Giles House Hotel, St Giles Street, Norwich, tel 01603 275185, visit www.stgileshousehotel.com I sent my teenage daughter on this to learn the art of subtle make-up application – which can often be lacking with her peer group! It’s great for all ages to think about what and how they use make-up. I know I haven’t changed my ways for years and still rely on old favourites when far better goodies are now available! Staff use BareMinerals products which is a lovely make up brand, creating a fresh, healthy look. The spa, by the way, is delicious.

1. Roger and Gallet perfumed soaps, set of four, £19.50, Jarrold’s. 2. Nesti Dante Philosophia citrus peel, red basil and lime natural soap, £5, Jarrold’s 3.Floris luxury set of three, £23, John Lewis 4.Crabtree and Evelyn citron honey and coriander refreshing body bar, set of three, £18, Jarrold’s 5. Jo Malone red roses soap, £12, Jarrold’s 6. L’Occitane shea butter soap, £7.50, John Lewis

FASHION

VALENTINE’S 2.

Feel fabulous this Valentine’s in silk and satin, says Sarah Hardy as she looks at the gorgeous night time attire now on sale

Because THE Night

1. B by Ted Baker robe, £75, Debenhams 2. J By Jasper Conran slip, £19.50, Debenhams 3. Cheryl set, £30, Boux Avenue, Intu Chapelfield 4. Faye slip, £29.95, Joules 5. Somerset by Alice Temperley lace chemise, £70, John Lewis 6. Gossard Floral Rush chemise, £55, Jarrold’s 7. Rosie For Autograph silk chemise, £60, Marks and Spencer

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Cirque Berserk

FEBRUARY BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00

Mon 27 Jan – Sat 1 Feb ANYTHING GOES Amateur production of Cole Porter’s sparkling musical £5.50 - £21.50 Sun 2 Feb RAT PACK LIVE Swingsational tribute £5.50 - £23.50 Tues 4 – Sat 8 Feb BARRY HUMPHRIES’ FAREWELL TOUR Dame Edna’s final curtain £6.50 - £47.50 Sun 9 Feb PUNT & DENNIS Satirical stand-up £5.50 - £22.50 Mon 10 Feb CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Top 10 classic rock albums £5.50 - £22 Thur 13 – Sat 15 Feb CIRQUE BERSERK Daredevil circus spectacular £6.50 - £28 Mon 17 – Wed 19 Feb SIBERIAN STATE BALLET Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake £6.50 - £32.50 Fri 21 – Sat 22 Feb RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY World class contemporary dance £5.50 - £19.50 Mon 24 Feb RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC All the brilliant hits £5.50 - £22.50 Wed 26 Feb – Sat 1 March BARMY BRITAIN Horrible Histories come to life £5.50 - £16

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

WHAT’S ON

Marina Theatre

MARCHIN' AHEAD TO THE MARINA

THE TENORS, March 17

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF SIGHTS AND SOUNDS TO ENTERTAIN AT THE MARINA THEATRE IN MARCH, AS EMMA OUTTEN REPORTS

A TALE OF TWO CELLOS, March 2

NE OF THE FINEST musicians of his generation kicks off March at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft. Julian Lloyd Webber brings A Tale of Two Cellos to the theatre on March 2. Together with his wife, fellow cellist Jiaxin Lloyd Webber, plus pianist Pam Chowhan, they present a brand-new concert featuring world premiere performances of duets for two cellos with piano as well as featuring music from the great composers. Then the star of Sky LIVING’s Psychic Sally On The Road, Sally Morgan, returns with her 2014 nationwide tour on March 5. Often referred to as ‘Psychic to the stars’, Sally has built up an extensive client list having read for George Michael and Diana, Princess of Wales. The next show comes with a warning, as adult comedian in the shape of Roy Chubby Brown returns with his bluest show yet on March 6 – needless to say this is for over 18s only! As politically incorrect as ever ‘The World’s Most Outrageous Comedian’ is far too rude for TV. On March 7, we have a show called Dirty Dusting! Starring Crissy Rock (Benidorm), Leah Bell (Six of a Kind) and Pat Dunn (Hebburn), this is a must-see play about three elderly cleaning ladies who start up a telephone sex line! The Twist, on March 8, stars Chris Madin from BBC’s I Love My Country and West End sweetheart Suzi Madin, and features the best songs from the 50s and 60s. The Twist is now in its fourth successful year and wowing audiences everywhere it goes. Then, in keeping with that musical era, we have Halfway to Paradise: The Billy Fury Story, on March 14. Billy Fury was Britain’s own Elvis and 30 years after his untimely death, his own band – his original Tornados – remember him by re-playing live his timeless 29 hit records. You will be able to see Billy come alive on giant

screen, and Colin Gold as Fury is said to be just sensational. Then it’s the turn of The Tenors, on March 17. Since their inception as The Canadian Tenors only five years ago, The Tenors have performed over 500 shows on five continents and they come hot on the heels of their appearance at the Royal Variety Performance. On March 20, the Marina is transformed into the Magnificent Music Hall show. Stars from BBC TV’s The Good Old Days will delight and entertain and, with 2014 being a special centenary year, will feature a commemorative selection of the great songs which ‘kept the home fires burning’. Everybody’s favourite northern comedian, Jason Manford, brings his 'First World Problems' to the Marina on March 22. Jason has had a busy time since he was last on the road: after his opera singing turn saw him emerge the winner on Born To Shine (ITV1) Jason put his new found talent into practice joining Alfie Boe on tour! Dublin’s number one award winning music and dance show, The Irish House Party, is set to bring the house down on March 23. Starring All Ireland Champion musicians, this multitalented gathering delivers the best traditional night of musical entertainment the Emerald Isle has to offer. On March 24, 911 are back! The Illuminate… The Hits and More Tour will see the lads perform all their greatest hits including Bodyshakin’, The Journey, More Than A Woman, Don’t Make Me Wait plus some brand new songs including the new single, 2 Hearts 1 Love. Elkie Brooks performs some of her classic hits – blues and jazz – on March 27; 2012 saw the release of her autobiography Finding My Voice and a re-release of her highly acclaimed album Powerless. More music comes in the form of Adam Ant on March 28. The tour is titled XII B.D (12 dates before Dirk) where Adam performs some select songs from the seminal album Dirk Wears White Sox, as well as other favourites. The penultimate show in March is Jukebox & Bobbysox on March 29. A cast of 14 pay tribute to all the great artistes and bands of an extraordinary era, celebrating stars such as Dusty Springfield and The Beatles. Last but not least, British Comedy Award 2013 Nominee Jon Richardson brings his brand new Nidiot tour to the Marina on March 30. Away from his live stand up, Jon is best known as team captain on ‘8 Out Of 10 Cats’. SEE NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE of Places&Faces® for our celebrity interview with Joe McElderry, who will be coming to the Marina Theatre on March 15 with his Set Your Soul Alive Tour THE MARINA THEATRE, Lowestoft, call 01502 533200 or visit

www.marinatheatre.co.uk

Norwich Dragon Festival

what’s on THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY IS NOT JUST ABOUT VALENTINE’S DAY, AS YOU CAN SEE IN OUR MONTHLY ROUND-UP

Valentine’s Dinner What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than dining out in style? Impress your partner and become part of Blickling’s history with dinner in Lord Lothian’s study, on February 14 and 15. Romance and a delicious dinner-a-deux! Booking is essential so call 0844 249 1895.

30 placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Lamb Feeding Wroxham Barns’ popular lambfeeding sessions will be back again this year, running from the February halfterm, which begins on February 15, and continuing until June. The sessions will take place every day in the main barn on Junior Farm. Call 01603 783762 or visit www.wroxhambarns.co.uk.

Ballet The Russian State Ballet of Siberia comes to Norwich Theatre Royal from February 17 to 19 bringing to life some of the world’s most beautiful and popular ballets with exquisite traditional productions. The Sleeping Beauty takes place on February 17, The Nutcracker on February 18 and Swan Lake on February 19. Call 01603 630000 or visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk.

Wroxham Barns

Nostalgia A Salute to the 1940s at the Maddermarket Theatre, on February 4, is a fabulous variety show full of the artistes who kept nations entertained on both sides of the Atlantic. Now in its second year, it features tributes to some of the leading stars from the era, including George Formby. Visit www.maddermarket.co.uk.

Star Party Party with the stars at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden on February 22, with telescopes (bring your own), talks and teas all evening. The event is in partnership with Norwich Astronomical Society and Breckland Astronomical Society. Call 01603 270449 or visit www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.

Dragon Festival More than 70 fun-filled fiery events will be taking place around the city when the Norwich Dragon Festival returns from February 10 to 23. Events will include a Dragon Festival Family Friday at The Assembly House on February 21, and the Festival is organised by Norwich’s Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART). Visit www.heritagecity.org/dragonfestival

WHAT’S ON

Monthly Round-up

Newton Faulkner

Gig Double number one, multi-platinum selling, Brit nominated, acoustic guitar virtuoso Newton Faulkner comes to the The Nick Rayns LCR at the UEA on February 23. His debut album Hand Built By Robots featured the hit single Dream Catch Me and his latest album Studio Zoo was released last year. visit www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk.

Exhibition An exhibition of French Art Nouveau graces the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Sense and Sensuality: Art Nouveau 1890-1914, will exhibit masterpieces from the Victor and Gretha Arwas Collection from February 14 to December 14. Visit www.scva.ac.uk. Sense and Sensuality, Bouval’s Sommeil (Arvas Archives)

Exhibition An exhibition of paintings and drawings representing both an artistic journey of time spent observing the special spirit in Norwich Cathedral and the Close takes place from February 1 to 28. Living Stones, Richard Caston’s silent journey, refers not only to the historical past, but also to the vitality of the Cathedral today as a centre for worship, learning and hospitality. Visit www.cathedral.org.uk. Nature Festival Gresham’s School in Holt is featuring a Festival of Nature from February 24 to March 1. The Festival welcomes Mark Cocker, prize winning author, and radical landscape poet Harriet Tarlo, as well as artist Judith Tucker, who will contribute to a fascinating and interesting list of events centred round the surrounding landscape and nature of Norfolk. Visit www.greshams.com or call 01263 713444.

Choir Norfolk’s award winning Voice Project Choir invites everyone to a no obligation taster evening on February 18 at the Friends Meeting House in Norwich. Led by singer and conductor Sian Croose and composer and singer Jonathan Baker, everyone in the choir will go on to perform in this year’s Norfolk and Norwich Festival in May. Visit www.voiceproject.co.uk. Musical Theatre An intimate evening with Musical Theatre’s Leading Lady Ruthie Henshall can be enjoyed at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds on February 23. Ruthie and her band will take you on a personal musical journey through her extraordinary career: including songs from Chicago, Oliver!, Crazy for You and Les Misérables. Call 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.

Ruthie Henshall

Mike and the Mechanics (Paddy Balls)

Band Mike and the Mechanics come to King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on February 18. It’s the 25th anniversary of The Living Years and band members Mike Rutherford, Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar, will be joined by special guests Sadie and the Hotheads fronted by Downton Abbey’s Elizabeth McGovern. Visit www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk or call 01553 764864. The band also comes to Norwich Theatre Royal on February 16. Returns only.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

W H AT T H E ROMANS DID NORWICH CASTLE MUSEUM & ART GALLERY IS ABOUT TO HOST THE LARGEST EVER UK EXHIBITION OF ROMAN ARTEFACTS, ON LOAN FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM. EMMA OUTTEN SPEAKS TO A VERY EXCITED CHIEF CURATOR JOHN DAVIES

WHAT’S ON

Norwich Castle Museum CHIEF CURATOR’S PICKS Chief Curator John Davies picks out some star objects featured in the Roman Empire: Power and People exhibition for Places&Faces® 1. The Worthing Helmet: made from gilded bronze, in the Danube Valley, during the Third century AD, and discovered at Worthing, Norfolk, this decorative, ceremonial, parade helmet belongs to Norwich Castle. 2. Mummy portraits: Beautifully preserved painted colour portraits on wood of Roman people, from Roman Egypt and date Second to Third century AD. 3. Figure of the Egyptian god Horus: limestone statue of the Egyptian falcon god; the body is human, wearing military dress, combined with the head of a bird. 4. Papyri from Roman Egypt: Written documents on papyrus sheets, from ancient Egypt, from the Second to Third century AD. 5. Child’s sock: a striped child’s woollen sock, preserved in the dry Egyptian desert, with orange and green stripes, dated Third to Fourth century AD. 6. A wall painting from the Emperor Nero’s palace: a beautiful female portrait, with dark hair in ringlets, which originally decorated the Emperor’s own grand house in Rome, dated AD 54-68.

HERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT

the Romans that continues to fascinate and surprise us. It was one of the most powerful empires the world has ever seen, and now 160 stunning pieces from the Roman Empire will be gracing the exhibition space at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, thanks to a special partnership with the British Museum. The last time an exhibition of this magnitude came to the Museum was the landmark Buried Treasure exhibition of 2005/6, recalls Chief Curator John Davies, who has been in the role since 1999. The professional archaeologist is understandably excited about the forthcoming British Museum touring exhibition, called Roman Empire: Power and People. He says: ‘It’s a high profile exhibition, nationally, and physically it’s a big exhibition as well.’ Highlights of the exhibition will include a sculpture from the villas of the Emperors Tiberius and Hadrian, coins from the famous Hoxne treasure, beautiful jewellery and even near-perfectly preserved children’s clothing from Roman Egypt. The exhibition explores the wealth, power and organisation of the Empire, but also how the Romans viewed their provinces and other peoples. Religious, military and personal objects give an insight into the lives of people across the Empire, from northern Britain to Egypt and the Middle East. ‘The Roman Empire was beyond just Europe,’ says John. ‘It went into North Africa; and further east into Turkey.’ What makes this exhibition stand out is the fact it is not just objects from Britain. ‘So much of it comes from Roman Egypt, which is fantastic,’ says John. ‘It’s Roman but with a regional twist. ‘The excitement is that we are drawing on material from right the way around the Roman world,’ adds John. ‘We have pieces from the Danube valley, Hadrian’s Wall, Rome, and the Far East.’ These fascinating objects show how the influences of the many people and places that the Romans came into contact with were absorbed and adapted into the Empire. ‘Everyone wanted to become Roman,’ he says. ‘They were falling over each other to become Roman citizens!’

The exhibition, which will be in the gallery spaces of the Museum, has been four years in the making. ‘To get a big 3D exhibition like this, of very significant and internationally important pieces of archaeology, does take a lot of preparation and intricate working with partners to get this together.’ British Museum and Norwich Castle Museum staff spent much of January condition checking all of the objects. John explains: ‘To be able to get even closer to the objects, as they are coming out of packing cases and going into glass cases, is a wonderful opportunity to see this material up close and it will make us look at it afresh.’ The tour is organised through the British Museum’s UK Partnership Scheme. ‘We have been looking at ways in which we can work together with the British Museum in projects whereby we used their expertise and the core of their collection but combine them with things we can do well locally. ‘Although this show is going to be shown in different locations in Britain, it is redesigned for Norwich and so this leg of the tour is going to be unique to Norwich. ‘We will be giving, as much as we can, a flavour of local archaeology, both through some additional cases, showing some of our own material, but also through our events and activities programme.’ So, alongside the exhibition visitors will have the opportunity to see examples of Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service’s own Roman collections, including a rare collection of late Roman glass and pewter vessels and important collections from Romano-British temple sites in Norfolk. John has a special affection for Roman archaeology in East Anglia. ‘The strength of archaeology in East Anglia, and in particular Norfolk, is the relationship we have with the general public. ‘So many finds are made every day by the public – they literally bring them in and show us and an increasing proportion is finding their way into our own collection.’ The Roman Empire exhibition is a way of ‘rewarding the public for that interest.’ He sounds as though he cannot wait for it to open. ‘We want to draw the public in and get them to share the excitement.’

ROMAN EMPIRE: POWER & PEOPLE exhibition comes to Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, from February 1 to April 27 The tour is accompanied by the beautifully illustrated publication, Roman Empire: Power & People, by Dirk Blooms, Belinda Crerar and Susan Raikes, published by the British Museum Press in paperback at £10.99.

1. Roman ‘parade’ helmet Romano-British, AD 250-300 © Norwich Castle Museum 2. Mummy portrait of a woman, Roman period, AD 55-70 © The Trustees of The British Museum 3. Limestone figure of Horus, Roman Period, 30 BC ñ AD 641 © The Trustees of The British Museum

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

IT’S TIM RICE’S FIRST MUSICAL IN MORE THAN 10 YEARS. SARAH HARDY WATCHES FROM HERE TO ETERNITY WHERE WAR AND SEX COLLIDE WITH DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES

OST OF US KNOW FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, the rather raunchy 1953 movie starring legends such as Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Cliff, Frank Sinatra and Deborah Kerr. You remember that beach scene between Lancaster and Kerr that got the censors going at the time? A near naked man kissing a near naked woman, who wasn’t his wife, as the waves crashed about them! Got it!

WEST END REVIEW

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

From Here to Eternity runs at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, tel 020 7379 5399, visit www.shaftesbury-theatre.co.uk

Well, it was a book first, published in 1951, by James Jones, an American serviceman who lived through all the experiences featured in the piece. It is a gritty book, highlighting the US army’s treatment of its servicemen, how the vulnerable; the misfits, were dealt with – and, as such, isn’t always a comforting read. The musical doesn’t shy from highlighting these problems, either. The central character, Private Robert Prewitt, played by the very sweet-voiced Robert Lonsdale, doesn’t want to box; his friend, Private Angelo Maggio, played by the charismatic Ryan Sampson, is a gentle soul, while Sergeant Milt Warden, played by former Pop Idol Darius Campbell, doesn’t fit into a classic officer mould, being a working class boy. The musical, which opened last September, is the first West End venture for Tim Rice in 13 years and is filled with his quirky lyrics which you really have to hear a few times to fully appreciate. The music is by his old chum, Stuart Brayson, and marks his West End debut and what a debut! The score is lively, with numbers crossing all musical genres from the blues to rock and roll, country, Hawaiian and military! Unlike most musicals, you don’t know any of the numbers so you don’t have that wave of recognition as, say, Anything Goes or Singing In The Rain strikes up, but there are some beautiful songs, such as Run Along Joe and Sure and some more punchy hits like Thirty Year Man and More Than America. But what more of the plot? There are two love stories at the heart of this piece which is set in Hawaii in December 1941 just before the Pearl Harbor air raid. The GIs seem to spend all their time enjoying the local brothels where Private Prewitt falls for one of the working girls, Lorene, played by Siubhan Harrison. Meanwhile, Sergeant Warden decides his boss’s bored wife, Karen, played by Rebecca Thornhill, is the one for him. And yes, you’ve guessed it. Nothing ends prettily. The choreography, partly by Norwich’s Aaron Sillis, is harsh and powerful – lovers of Dirty Dancing will be in their element! The servicemen scenes, all glistening biceps, are especially dramatic. You get a real sense of their boredom, and their pent up aggression which bubbles over on regular occasions. The nightclub scenes are also not for the faint-hearted. The women, complete with stockings, suspenders and little else, are menacing, out to get all they can cash-wise from the GIs – and be ready for swearing and nudity! The climax is the bombing scene, when the Japanese attacked the US Pacific Fleet, stationed in Pearl Harbor, and 2000 Americans lost their lives. It led to the immediate entry of America into the Second World War. It is done well, with a real sense of panic and chaos – and the swift realisation that nothing will ever be the same again. Certainly the romances are over. So, this is a high voltage show, which is almost three hours long. I don’t know how the cast make it through to the end, let alone do it twice on matinee days! I enjoy these types of musicals which have more of a storyline, more of a message. It is clever and thoughtprovoking whilst still being enjoyable – and sexy! It is certainly no South Pacific. But what an achievement to stage.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Spread The Love Help Cupid along his way this month by adding some romantic touches to your home. From heart adorned china to the prettiest of floral prints, there are lots of decorative items to choose from. Parlane 1. Red hanging heart £5; 2. Glass heart £5; 3. Dipping bowl £6; 4. Votive £2; 5. Heart shaped metal dish £10

HEARTS & F LOWE R S Homeware writers Hayley Philpot and Jennifer Read pick out some heart warming ideas that will ensure the Valentine magic lingers on throughout the year

HAYLEY & JENNIFER are

gift and homewares buyers at Jarrold’s and The Granary

ALL ITEMS LISTED ARE AVAILABLE from Jarrold, 1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.jarrold.co.uk

INTERIORS

Hearts and Flowers

Emma Bridgewater Pink Hearts 6. Teapot from £49.95; mug from £13.95

Flower Power 7

These beautifully crafted artificial floral arrangements are a world away from the gaudy fake flowers your granny may have had! Designed and made in the UK by Paper Whites, many of the arrangements resemble handpicked garden flowers. Their range of floral designs are all accompanied by unique vases providing you with a finished piece that provides your home with a little bit of luxury but at an affordable price. Paper White 7. Hyacinth jar with jute tie £25; Hydrangea rope jar £39.50

Cath Kidston 8. Greenwich Rose bedding; pillowcase £14, single duvet cover £50, double duvet cover £65; 9. Antique Rose Bouquet towels: hand £16, bath £27

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

A GREAT START TO 2014

Celebrate the New Year with a year’s subscription to Places&Faces® for just £24! FEBRUARY 2014 | £2.95 WHERE SOLD

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LUST LIST

VALENTINE’S

7 3

There is no getting away from the fact that February is the most romantic month of the year. Emma Outten finds the look of love.

2 5

1. Orla Kiely Punched Love Heart Bag £358, Jarrold’s 2. Culinary Concepts Amore Heart Champagne Flutes on a Stand, set of two, £67.50, John Lewis 3. Hot Diamonds Chunky Silver Heart Bracelet, £80, John Lewis 4. Lavender Hearts, £7 each, www.therusticrose.co.uk 5. Love Rug, by the Plantation Rug Company, £500, www.naken.co.uk 6. LOVE Wall Light, £140, www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 7. Oak Heart Clock, £49.50, www.velvetbrown.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

A Five Star

Property

This month’s property is a former rectory in Kessingland currently run as a Five Star Gold Award Bed and Breakfast. Emma Outten ‘checks in’ and checks out the particulars

GU IDE PR ICE £79 5,0 00

he Old Rectory in Kessingland is officially a five star property. At least Enjoy England think so, as it has rated the stunning Georgian Grade II listed former rectory as a Five Star Gold Award Bed and Breakfast. The current owners, who have been at The Old Rectory for 10 years, have managed – in that time – to turn their home into a very successful B&B business. It now offers a wonderful opportunity for anyone looking either for an income or a spacious family home within beautiful grounds. It has a slightly unorthodox history as a rectory. Apparently, the house was originally built with private money, as the rector at that time didn’t like the existing rectory (fair enough!), so he had this property constructed instead and on his death it reverted to the church. Refurbished in the 70s, when the previous owners first moved in, it had coloured bathrooms and lots of tongue and groove pine that wasn’t in keeping with the property, even if it was in keeping with that particular decade. The current owners say: ‘We wanted to restore it to its former glory whilst giving it a relaxing, welcoming feel, so we’ve re-wired, re-plumbed and fitted new bathrooms as well as re-decorating throughout.’ Many glorious original features remain, from the exquisite entrance hall, with a beautiful banister curving round the stairs, to the imposing fireplaces and large sash windows.

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

THE OLD RECTORY, KESSINGLAND

The property is incredibly flexible, laid out with a one-bedroom ground floor annexe that could be used as owners’ accommodation if the house remained a bed and breakfast. Alternatively, it would make a lovely annexe for an elderly relative or older teenager, or it could even be incorporated into the house itself. The current owners believe it would be a wonderful place to raise a family, with space for children to run around outside, the beach on the doorstep and lots of lovely walks nearby. As a family home, The Old Rectory can still easily accommodate plenty of guests for parties or overnight visits. ‘We love entertaining and have had some fabulous parties here, including a 90th birthday,’ say the owners, who say they both come from large families and are used to having a houseful. They enjoy cooking and the kitchen has plenty of space for food preparation and for a large dining area. The formal dining room itself is an impressive room with a large bay window where the owners have created a seating area that’s a favourite spot to relax with a book. There’s an open fire here that is currently blocked up as it’s a warm room and the owners have never felt the need to use the fireplace, but it could easily be reinstated if required. The sitting room also boasts elegant proportions and the log burner adds a cosy touch in the winter months. In fact the thing that strikes you about the house is how well proportioned it is. As the owners rightly point out, everything looks so light and elegant.

FACTFILE 7 bedrooms (3 en suites)

½ family bathroom and shower room

½ breakfast kitchen with separate utility

½ self-contained 1 bedroom annexe

½ 2 acres

E S TAT E A G E N T S Fine & Country 01603 221888 www.fineandcountry.com

Outside, The Old Rectory sits within around two acres of grounds, with formal and informal areas. ‘We’ve never had a formal garden before and it’s been fun shaping this one.’ Other areas are lawned so there’s plenty of room for children to play football or cricket here and, as the gardens are completely private and enclosed, it is safe for both youngsters and dogs. There’s a rockery at the front made up of stone from old churches (very in keeping with its history) and guild halls, which is an unusual feature and has been a talking point with guests. French windows lead from the dining room and sitting rooms out into the garden which is lovely on sunny days when you can fling wide the doors and make the most of the good weather – it is nearly spring, after all! ‘We’ve done open gardens here before which has proved popular but the most enjoyable thing is the annual Easter egg hunt with our grandchildren.’ And beyond the borders there are idyllic surroundings. The Old Rectory is very well placed close to the beach on one side and the A12 on the other. Kessingland sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a lovely stretch of coastline taking you to Lowestoft to the north and Southwold further south. The last word should go to the B&B owners: ‘Our grandchildren love coming to stay because there’s so much to do here – even though you don’t really need to leave the garden to enjoy an adventure.’

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

42 Bells Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 6AN

•

VA L U E R S

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

SO LD

E STAT E AG E N T S

Marine Parade, Gorleston

£555,000

Sun Lane, Bradwell

£325,000

Mill View, Ormesby

£244,950

www.darbyandliffenea.co.uk · 01493 600411 · info@darbyandliffenea.co.uk

Your Move Oliver James 154 London Road North Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1HB Tel: 01502 534998

Your Move Oliver James 168-169 High Street Gorleston, Norfolk NR31 6RG Tel: 01493 600005

PROPERTY NEWS

RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

OLIVER HURREN YOUR MOVE OLIVER JAMES 01493 600005 | WWW.YOUR-MOVE.CO.UK

SHOULD YOU BUY TO RENT?

OLIVER HURREN, DIRECTOR OF YOUR MOVE OLIVER JAMES, LOOKS AT THE INCREASINGLY POPULAR CHOICE OF BUYING TO RENT

e seem to be moving closer to our European neighbours by becoming a nation of renters as home ownership follows a downward trend. Statistics show that more than 15 per cent of all UK homes are now in the private rented sector. Over the next eight years some government estimates expect a further 33 per cent rise in the residential rental market, taking the private rented property to a fifth of all UK homes by 2021. With property prices and mortgage lending predicted to rise, I expect to see the re-emergence of more investment minded landlords looking to capitalise on this trend. Prior to 2008 landlords hoped for an increase in capital growth as well as rental returns. This strategy is likely to be adopted again over the next three to five years or longer, thus ‘buy to lets’ are becoming more attractive and accessible. It may be worth considering this option alongside your existing savings and pension schemes. Rents in the UK currently equate to £48 billion and analysts predict the sector will be worth £70 billion by 2016.

Interestingly, a considerable number of my new clients who entered the rental sector in the last five years were ‘accidental landlords’ – property owners who couldn’t sell for one reason or another so decided to rent out their properties instead. With property prices increasing, some owners are returning to positive equity and even making modest gains. Those worried about interest rates possibly rising should seek advice to see if they should exit the market before they go up or hang on, potentially paying a higher mortgage in return for extra capital growth. For those new to ‘buy to let’ investments or looking to expand their current portfolio, make sure you get the right advice. Our in-house mortgage brokers are able to advise whether a property is financially viable or not. To all landlords, I would advise that a detailed inventory is carried out before the check in of a tenant so everything is completely transparent. With recent changes to the Housing Act and the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), the rules and regulations governing deposits have been tightened. Yes, this has helped to root out rogue landlords, but it has put honest landlords at risk too, giving tenants more power to challenge the retention of a deposit even if they are wrong. To protect your investment, ensure your report includes in-depth information on everything from walls and ceilings, to light fittings and heating, and are written in non-technical language with digital photographic evidence as standard. Before picking a letting agent, make sure they are a member of ARLA (The Association of Residential Lettings Agents) as we are. This is an independent body set up to ensure agents maintain high standards. But what happens if your tenant is made redundant, becomes ill, or gets into unexpected debt and stops paying their rent? We work with Aviva to provide a unique and cost effective rental insurance product called ‘Rent Indemnity and Legal Costs Insurance Policy’, a policy which will protect your rental income against tenants defaulting. It pays out if the tenant doesn’t and will cover your legal costs up to £15,000 in the event that proceedings are required to evict them. With demand exceeding supply, vacant properties are soon occupied. Mortgage lending is increasing and mortgage costs remain at record lows. These two factors appear set to deliver an attractive rental yield with the added bonus of capital growth. Is it any wonder that two in every three landlords plan to add to their portfolios in 2014? Maybe you should as well!

For advice on first time buying and climbing the property ladder contact Your Move Oliver James on 01493 600005 or 01502 534998.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

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ouse buyers are increasingly keen to buy homes which are eco-friendly and thus much cheaper to run. The average house costs £1200 a year to heat but this can be drastically reduced with high levels of insulation, triple glazing and using heats from objects and people inside the house. Think of wood burners, solar panels, even bio-mass boilers to help reduce your energy bills and protect the environment. The Energy Saving Trust, formed in 1992, is a social enterprise which provides vital information on how and where to get help – the funding that is available to make cost saving improvements. Check out www.energysavingtrust.org.uk for more information.

WALSINGHAM ABBEY

A Magic

Carpet

A carpet of snowdrops is a sure sign that winter is coming to an end and spring is on its way. Emma Outten speaks to Elizabeth Meath Baker from Walsingham Abbey, which has one of the best snowdrop displays in the country

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

he snowdrops at Walsingham Abbey are truly a sight to behold at this time of year – a magical carpet of white blooms. The Abbey grounds boast the perfect conditions for snowdrops to thrive: deciduous woodland with humus-rich soil that never quite dries out in summer and plenty of light in late winter and early spring. Visitors will find 18-acres of woodland filled with snowdrops – and aconites – to explore. The flowers can also be found along the banks of the River Stiffkey, which runs through the Abbey grounds. Walsingham Estate director Elizabeth Meath Baker, quite rightly believes that the display is one of the most extensive in the country. It may not have the hundreds of different varieties – at Walsingham most of the snowdrops are ‘common’ galanthus nivalis with clumps of the common double, galanthus nivalis ‘flore pleno’ – but, as Elizabeth says: ‘What we have is an amazing carpet – when they are in full flower it looks extraordinary.’ In fact, she would go as far to say, it looks like a ‘fall of snow.’ ‘When people come through and see the snowdrops they say

Snowdrops | GARDENS

‘wow’ because there are so many. I haven’t seen anywhere in the country, let alone the county, with the carpet we have.’ The snowdrops can usually be seen at Walsingham on the first weekend of February. Elizabeth says: ‘People start showing an interest during the last week of January. Everyone wants to see them at their peak – usually the middle two weeks of February.’ Although it all depends on the weather over winter, of course: ‘They can be really early, they can be really late.’ Last year the snowdrop season went well into March. The origin of snowdrops at Walsingham is obscure: they are, however, commonly found growing at abbeys and priories. Symbolic of new life and renewal, they come into flower around Candlemas, February 2. The little flowers glow white in the dark woods, and so are also sometimes known as Candlemas bells. The snowdrops at Walsingham are so popular that between 700 and 800 people can visit on any given day, although Elizabeth has this advice: ‘I would suggest people come first thing, at 10am, or late afternoon.’ Snowdrops may have been brought to the British Isles by the Romans, but were first documented in English gardens much later when they became fashionable in the 17th century. Although the ‘common’ snowdrop is also termed ‘native’, it originates, like many bulb species, in the Caucasus, southern Europe and Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Snowdrop enthusiasts, known as galanthophiles, are happy to kneel or even lie down in cold wet leaves to appreciate the minute variations in these exquisite little flowers! Alternatively you may just want to walk around Walsingham and enjoy them from a loftier height.

Walsingham Abbey Grounds open for snowdrops daily throughout February, from 10am-4pm. The 2014 season opens on February 1. Visit walsinghamabbey.com

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

BEE a nature explorer February 15th – 23rd

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*Limited availability - call our holiday booking line on 01263 576022 or visit our website at www.woodlandholidaypark.co.uk for more information and to book.

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Snowdrops | GARDENS

The

Best - of the -

Rest

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) in Norfolk has four gardens opening in February and early March where you can also see snowdrops: The Mowle, Ludham NR29 5NP is opening for the first time on February 9 and features a wide range of early spring flowering bulbs and unusual scented shrubs in addition to the traditional snowdrops. Horstead House, Horstead Norwich NR12 7AU has lovely woodland edge walks and banks covered in millions of snowdrops. The river Bure flows through the garden with an island of red stemmed dogwoods providing a brilliant backcloth to the sea of white! Open on February 22. Bagthorpe Hall, Bagthorpe PE31 6QY. Meandering woodland walks, all carpeted with snowdrops. Vegetables from the farm are used to make some delicious hot soup which is just the job for a winter’s day! Open on February 23.

RAVENINGHAM GARDENS Opens for the snowdrop season from February 9 to 23. See drifts of snowdrops in the main garden, Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm and Sunday 2pm to 4pm (dusk if earlier) – closed Saturdays. Proceeds go to Priscilla Bacon Lodge, a centre for specialist palliative care services in Norwich. Tea and homemade cakes served on Sundays. Raveningham Hall is the home of Sir Nicholas and Lady Bacon, and it was Sir Nicholas’ mother, Priscilla Bacon, who added snowdrops to the garden. Raveningham Gardens (NR14 6NS) Call 01508 548152 or visit www.raveningham.com.

HOVETON HOUSE Snowdrop and aconite walk with brunch. Enjoy a relaxing stroll in the beautiful gardens at Hoveton House on February 16, from 11am to 2pm. Price includes winter soup, barbecued hotdogs (veggie available), a glass of wine or soft drink. In aid of Autism Anglia and St John’s Church, Hoveton. Call 01692 630892. Hoveton House can be found off the A1062 Hoveton to Horning Road. (Note: this event is at Hoveton House not Hoveton Hall).

Chestnut Farm, West Beckham, Holt, NR25 6NX. Here is the opportunity to view more than 70 varieties of snowdrops close up through walks and borders. Many other early spring flowers will also be on show including hellebores and some wonderfully scented shrubs. This renowned garden has featured in many publications recently including the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden magazine. Open on February 27 and March 2. (From early February you can pick up a copy of the Norfolk NGS 2014 Guide at your local Tourist Information Centre, Garden Centre and Nursery or visit www.ngs.org.uk)

NATIONAL TRUST Oxburgh Hall. Snowdrop walks run every weekend from February 1 to March 9, and all week in February half term, 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm. Join them for a guided walk around the Hall’s woodlands to take in the stunning carpets of snowdrops, aconites, and other spring flowers. Please be aware that depending on the weather conditions there may be a few snowdrops or many, but there is always plenty to see! Walks will last a minimum of one hour. Call 01366 328258. Ickworth. Snowdrops can be enjoyed at Ickworth throughout February. Ickworth is just beautiful as winter nears its end and carpets of snowdrops appear. Try a walk on a clear frosty day and simple revel in the beauty around you. Call 01284 735270.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Picture by PAUL SHREEVE

SERVES 6

Baked To Pancake Perfection

INGREDIENTS

For the chicken and ham filling 1lb of cooked chicken breasts 1lb of cooked ham joint 2oz of butter 2oz of flour 1 pint of chicken stock 1 pint of double cream 8oz of grated Cheddar cheese

For the pancakes 4oz of plain flour 2 eggs 1 /2 pint of milk 1tbsp of vegetable oil

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Baked Chicken and Ham Pancake Method 1. First cut the cooked chicken and ham into 1cm square cubes making sure all fat is removed. 2. Make the chicken veloutĂŠ by melting the butter slowly in a thick bottomed pan. Once melted add the flour to make a roux (this will look like a sandy texture) then slowly add the hot chicken stock making sure you have no lumps. Once all added, season with salt and pepper, bring to the boil, add diced chicken and ham them remove from the heat. 3. To make the pancakes crack eggs into flour and slowly add milk to make a batter, making

sure no lumps are present. Mix in vegetable oil (this helps the mix not to stick when cooking). If needed, put through a sieve to remove any lumps. To cook the pancakes, pour 100ml of batter mix into a slightly oiled hot shallow pan, colour one side then flip over. 4. Once pancakes are cooked, place 6oz of filling into the centre of each one, tuck sides in and roll into parcels, place into individual dishes with grated cheese and double cream. 5. Bake in oven on 180oC for 10 minutes.

imperial hotel | RECIPE

Simon Wainwright, executive chef at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth, shows us the flip side of Pancake Day

WINE CHOICE

2011 L’ Hospitalet Pinot Noir, Languedoc, France Nick Mobbs, director and wine expert at the Imperial Hotel, says: BAKED CHICKEN AND HAM PANCAKES have been on the menu in the Cafe Cru Restaurant since we opened it in the summer of 1972. We took it off the menu once and had to put it back on a week later due to customer comments! It is a rich dish, with plenty of cream and cheese, so I think a wine with a little bit of structure is required. Thus, I have chosen a delightful wine from the South West of France. The Pinot Noir grape is the major grape type for red Burgundy and is very fussy about where it is planted. This wine comes from the foothills of the Pyrenees, in Languedoc, which has a similar climate to Burgundy, with a long ripening season and winters which are never too severe.

The winery is owned by Gerard Bertrand who is something of a phenomenon in the south of France. A local boy made good, he first hit the headlines as a professional rugby player for Stade Francais and the French national team. Whilst still playing, he inherited the family’s wine business and has gradually built it up, acquiring vineyards and estates across the Languedoc. The jewel in the crown is Chateau L’Hospitalet, which he bought in 2002. The grapes are hand harvested, cold macerated and then fermented for 10 days at around 20oC. The wine making and aging all takes place in stainless steel vats. The wine is juicy and medium-bodied. It is soft and fruity with ripe cherry, raspberry and spice flavours, and a smooth, silky finish.

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

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

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menus Lunch du Jour Menu – 2 Courses & Coffee £13.95 Seasonal daily changing dishes, 2 courses & coffee £13.95 or 3 courses & coffee £17.95 Lunch du Jour Monday to Saturday 12pm to 2pm service – *excluding special calendar dates and bank holidays Dinner du Jour Menu – 2 Courses £19.95 Seasonal daily changing dishes, 2 courses £19.95 or 3 courses £24.95 DInner du Jour Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm service – *excluding special calendar dates and bank holidays A La Carte Menu & Fixed Price £28 Menu Our A La Carte menu is offered at every service. A £28 fixed price 3 course menu is available for Friday & Saturday evening services only – Seasonal daily changing dishes Thursday Steak Night at The Ingham Swan £40 for Two 28 day dry aged Sirloin Steak with Garlic Baked Field Mushrooms with local Ingham Chips and includes a carefully selected bottle of Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc Sunday Lunch – 2 Courses £19.95 Featuring “Roast Fillet of Beef” as a main course Service from 12 to 3pm The Ingham Swan is one of only two restaurants in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand for value for money

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Book now for Valentine’s Day Our rooms are being renovated from 6th January to 20th February 2014 HOW TO FIND US: The Ingham Swan, Sea Palling Road, Ingham, NR12 9AB (Turn at Tesco Stalham on A149 and follow signs for Ingham).

Michelin Bib Gourmand 2013

The Ingham Swan

WINE REVIEW

Champagne

Lovely Bubbly As Valentine’s Day approaches, Sam Matthews compares the merits of Champagne to those of sparkling wine

hen I first started looking at wine lists,

Harry’s Bar in Venice. According to their website, it was: ‘Created sometime in the 30s by Guiseppe

the sparkling selection

Cipriani – he christened his white peach cocktail ‘the

rarely started under

Bellini’ (after Giovanni Bellini, the fifteenth century

£30 and often consisted

Venetian painter) in 1948.’

completely of bottles from across the North Sea in France, predominantly from the iconic

One part peach puree to three parts Prosecco, this special drink helped propel the bar to fame,

region of Champagne in the North-East of

with the glitterati and literati gathering there to

the country. Although most people

drink it, with customers including Noel Coward,

use ‘champagne’ as a generic way

Somerset Maugham, Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway, to name but

of describing sparkling wine, true

a few.

Champagne is only produced

These days Prosecco is widely

in this area, using the ‘Methode

available, with all the major

Champenoise’ with the wine

supermarkets stocking a variety of

fermented twice to create its

bottles and Jamie Oliver even getting

famous bubbles.

in on the act with his Jamie’s Italian

Nowadays, sparkling wines are a lot more accessible on wine lists, with an array of variety and price, and modern pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants often offer a selection of these by the glass. Today good quality Cavas, Proseccos, and New World fizzes sit proudly alongside Champagne on the lists and are no longer considered only for high days and holidays. I grew up thinking that fizzy

Prosecco (around the £10 mark). This dry Italian sparkling white wine takes its name from the village of Prosecco in Trieste in the north-eastern corner of the country, but these popular Giera grapes are now cultivated around the world, with places as far afield as Germany, Switzerland, America, Brazil, Argentina and Australia now producing Prosecco.

wine was only for special occasions and remember

Best drunk young, Prosecco has struck a chord with

the odd bottle sitting in my parents’ fridge waiting

young people and this trendy, light, sparkling wine can

for an excuse to be opened. The fact is that

be found by the glass in bars and pubs up and down the

that bottle of Cava probably only cost a couple

country. Prosecco tends to produce a drier style of wine

of pounds more than the Chilean Sauvignon sitting

than the average Cava, with mellow stone fruit flavours.

next to it! But it would not be opened until a birthday,

After the lean month of January, Valentine’s Day usually

anniversary or other worthy celebration occurred.

marks the start of people’s extravagance again when

On a recent trip to Spain, I was lucky enough

it comes to treating themselves or a loved one. But is

to enjoy a number of top quality Spanish fizzes

that bottle of Champagne worth the £20 or so more

alongside great food at some of the world’s top

than the Cava and the £15 more than the Prosecco? Of

restaurants – El Celler de Can Roca in Girona and Mugaritz and Arzak in San Sebastian. The sommeliers were very proud to show off the sparkling wine of the Catalonia region and rightly so, as the liquid was fantastic. While Champagne is a blend of Pinot Noir,

course Champagne comes as a complete package, with its associations with a luxurious lifestyle and the wonderful feeling when you drink it. And there are some great Champagnes to be found at reasonable prices. We stock the elegant Moutard Brut Grande Cuvee at The Assembly House

Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes, Cava is

and get through gallons with our Champagne

usually created from three indigenous Spanish

Afternoon Teas, as it’s a cracking liquid which

grape varieties – Macabeu, Parellada and

is well worth the money. That said, I believe it’s

Xarel-lo. These combine to make a dry, crisp,

easier to find consistency in Proseccos than

refreshing fizz, with hints of apples and pears on the palate. Another favourite which has dominated wine

Champagnes, so if you are unsure on your fizzes and don’t recognise the maker, why risk £30? I wouldn’t.

lists in the last few years is Prosecco; again, not as expensive as Champagne but a more than adequate substitute. Prosecco is perhaps best known for its use in the Bellini cocktail – a blend of fresh peach puree and the fizz – which was invented by the founder of the famous

Sam Matthews is Food and Beverage Manager at The Assembly House, Norwich (www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk) placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

The Future is Yellow This month, food writer Andy Newman discovers a Norfolk product which is catching the attention of top chefs everywhere, and one of these, Roger Hickman, creates a beautiful dish which makes the most of this oily delight PICTURES BY ANDY NEWMAN ASSOCIATES, NORWICH

IVEN THE ACRES OF PRINT DEDICATED TO OLIVE OILS, with estate-bottled oils selling for silly money, you would think that this is the only oil that is taken seriously in the culinary world. Imagine my surprise, then, when one of Norfolk’s top chefs Roger Hickman told me that he does not keep olive oil in his restaurant at all. Roger is one of an increasing number of chefs who have turned almost exclusively to rapeseed oil in their kitchens. This was a phenomenon worth examining, and I didn’t have to go very far to find out more. Just eight miles from Roger’s restaurant in Norwich city centre is one of the leading producers of this new liquid yellow gold. Yare Valley Oils in Surlingham has established a reputation amongst serious foodies for producing one of the UK’s best rapeseed oils – singled out by none other than Delia Smith as ‘oil that impressed’. The Mack family have been farming here for 100 years. Now in the hands of 63-year-old Tim Mack and his 25-year-old son Will, the 700 acre arable farm has grown around 100 acres of the distinctive yellow rapeseed plants for around 15 years. But when this crop was first planted, it was very much an industrial product, sold by the lorry load to have its oils extracted at high temperature using solvents, a process which removed

much of the vitamins and Omega oils, as well as the flavour. It was just four years ago when Tim realised he was missing a trick. Attending a farming conference, he found out that rapeseed was an ideal biofuel, with the cake left after the seeds are crushed perfect for use in a biomass boiler. An incidental biproduct of this process was cold-pressed oil – which Tim quickly realised was a much higher quality product which had culinary potential. ‘Unlike the industrial process which extracts about 45 per cent oil from the seeds, cold-pressing only gathers around 30 per cent,’ he says. ‘But this retains all of the beneficial properties of the oil which were being lost. We started to bottle and sell our oil on a very small scale basis, but we quickly realised we had a great product on our hands.’ Tim took on marketing man Glenn Sealey, with a brief to educate the market about the benefits of rapeseed oil over other popular oils. ‘It was a big challenge to convince people,’ says Tim. ‘We started doing tastings at farmers’ markets, in farm shops and at food shows, and people started to realise they liked the taste.’ It was about this time that top chefs also began getting to grips with the benefits of rapeseed oil. As well as the excellent, slightly nutty flavour, the oil has a very high burning point, making it ideal for roasting and frying as well as the more obvious salad dressing uses. In addition it has significant health benefits, with 10 times

NORFOLK PRODUCE

RAPESEED OIL

RECIPE

Roger Hickman’s Salmon fillet poached in rapeseed oil, with dill and rapeseed oil mayonnaise, and beetroot SERVES FOUR

the Omega 3 content of olive oil, as well as high levels of vitamin E. It is even lower in saturated fat than its Mediterranean rival. The Yare Valley team has continuously developed the product, building a small range of delicious rapeseed oil based dressings. The latest innovation is a delicious smoked oil, smoked on the farm using home-grown oak chippings. As we are chatting about this latest addition to the range in his cosy farmhouse kitchen, Tim jumps up and tears some bread from a loaf, pouring a generous helping of the smoked oil into a bowl. Even before I taste it, I am struck by the clean, smoky aroma, and I greedily dip piece after piece of bread into it to enjoy its flavour. Spurred on by my enthusiasm, Tim is eager to show the whole operation. First up is the roaring heart of the product: the biomass boiler and crusher, constantly producing both oil for bottling and environmentallyfriendly heat for the whole farm. Then to the bottling room, where an impressive investment has enabled the team to package the oils in everything from glass bottles to bag-in-box containers and huge catering-size containers. The 10,000 litres or so of rapeseed oil produced here uses a fraction of the rapeseed grown on the farm, so expansion will be easy as the product becomes more popular. As foodies learn to love artisan-produced, coldpressed rapeseed oil, demand is set to grow. With top chefs both locally and nationally promoting its use, for this Norfolk product, the future is bright, the future is yellow.

INGREDIENTS Four pieces of salmon fillet, approx 100g rapeseed oil, two red beetroot, two golden beetroot, a handful of dry breadcrumbs, creamed horseradish, a splash of cream, a bunch of dill, finely chopped (reserve some fronds for garnish), two egg yolks, a splash of white wine vinegar, 1tsp Dijon mustard, 25g wild rice

Put some rapeseed oil in a pan and bring it up to 80°C. Put the salmon fillets into the pan so that they are immersed in the oil, and poach for four to five minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. Remove the salmon from the pan and cool; reserve the oil. Finely grate one of the raw red beetroot, and spread out on a tray. Put the tray in an oven at 100°C and heat until totally dry. If your breadcrumbs are fresh, dry these in the oven at the same time. Now blitz the beetroot with a few breadcrumbs in a food processor to create a red powder. Roast the other red beetroot and one of the golden beetroot by wrapping them in foil and cooking in an oven at 180°C for 45 minutes. Peel and carefully dice both beets. Take the trimmings and blitz them in a food processor with a tiny splash of cream to create the beetroot puree. Take the other golden beetroot and finely slice it with a mandolin. Blanch half of the slices in boiling water for 90 seconds, and then refresh in iced water. Deep fry the other half in the oil you used for poaching the salmon, at 180°C until they are crisp. Now turn up the deep fat fryer until the oil reaches 200°C, and deep fry the wild rice until it puffs – this should take about three minutes. To make the dill mayonnaise, cover your chopped dill with 250ml of rapeseed oil in a pan. Bring to the boil and then remove from the heat. When cool, blitz in a food processor, and pass through a fine sieve, giving you clear dill oil. Whisk the egg yolks, vinegar and mustard in a bowl, and then slowly add the dill oil, whisking the whole time. When it starts to emulsify, you can add the oil slightly more quickly, but don’t rush it – the best mayonnaise requires patience. Once everything has cooled, it is time to assemble the dish. Brush the plate with the horseradish; sprinkle the beetroot powder on the salmon fillet. Now build up the late as shown in the picture. Garnish with the dill fronds and some tiny salad leaves, and sprinkle with a dressing made from the juice from your chopped beetroot and some rapeseed oil, mixed 50:50.

Roger Hickman is chef-proprietor at Roger Hickman's Restaurant in Upper St Giles, Norwich. More details at www.rogerhickmansrestaurant.com

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Romance IS IN THE AIR

Mark Nicholls discovers the dining delights on offer at one of Norwichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic buildings, the Assembly House

LOVE A PLACE WITH A SENSE OF HISTORY. For me, few buildings in Norwich fit that better than the Assembly House, a magnificent Grade-I listed Georgian building with a long and colourful past that saw Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt perform in 1840 and Madame Tussaud bring to life in 1926 with her regal and royal waxworks.

The real appeal is that today it still fulfils the role it was designed for back in 1754 by architect Sir Thomas Ivory. Used as a House of Assemblies, hosting a wealth of meetings, concerts, dances and other events, and welcoming all sorts of famous people. At its heart is a restaurant of character and culinary surprises

Assembly House | RESTAURANT REVIEW

INFORMATION The Assembly House, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RQ, tel: 01603 626402 or email at admin@assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk. The Valentine’s menu, starting with Kir Royale on arrival ahead of four courses, plus coffee, is £69.95 per couple. For more information on the Assembly House and menus, including the Valentine’s Menu, visit www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk

where diners can admire the high ceilings, historic portraits hanging from the walls and crystal chandeliers. What I like most about the Assembly House is that you can eat at any time throughout the day – taking breakfast between 10am and noon, enjoying the tempting lunch menu between mid-day and 2pm, or calling in for sandwiches and snacks or cakes and pastries at your convenience up until 5pm. That strong tradition at the Assembly House is epitomised in that great British institution of afternoon tea, which we made a note to pop back for in the not too distant future. We were there on a Saturday evening with parties of theatre-goers enjoying a meal before heading just along the street to the Theatre Royal. But, as we discover, you don’t have to be theatre-bound to enjoy the Assembly House pretheatre menu which at three courses plus a carafe of wine for £20 a head, is excellent value. Comfortably settled, and admiring the elegant décor of a venue that between 1805 and 1876 played host to a variety of dignitaries and events, including a Grand Ball held to celebrate Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar – with some of the original banner fixings still visible today on the restaurant’s balcony – we ponder over our choice. I finally settled on the cod and chorizo fishcakes and smoked paprika aioli while my dining partner savoured the chicken, pork and apricot terrine with fruit chutney. We had considered the Norfolk sausages and butter mash as the main course but – with the tantalising choice before us – opted instead for the pan roasted chicken breast, butter mash and bacon and baby onions and the grilled salmon fillet, creamed cabbage and new potato tartare. I have to concede the salmon – particularly the creamed cabbage – was delicious and a credit to head chef Richard ‘Harry’ Alderton who joined the team at the Assembly House last summer and has made a major impact with the variety and versatility of his menus. The vanilla pod crème brulee, delightfully accompanied by lemon shortbread, was my choice for desert and my partner opted for the dark chocolate tart with orange sorbet, though the allotment fruit crumble and custard was also a subject of discussion.

The Assembly House has a broad range of wines, Champagnes, beers and soft drinks to accompany the meal as well as coffees, teas and tisanes, though if you are looking for a winter warmer during a break from shopping on a cool February day, the house hot chocolate will prove a revelation. And with February, our thoughts turn perhaps to the first ‘special occasion’ of the year after the festive break with Valentine’s Day. With its sense of history and tradition, The Assembly House has an exquisite Valentine’s Menu on February 14 and 15, with the evening accompanied by music from harpist Xenia Horne on Friday and pianist Anthony Isaacs the following night. Food and Beverage manager Sam Matthews points to a great tradition of romance at the Assembly House. ‘With our good friend Xenia playing the harp for Valentine’s evening, it makes for such an elegant atmosphere in the restaurant,’ he tells me. ‘Our head chef has also put together a wonderful menu using all of our favourite local ingredients. And of course there will be plenty of Champagne flowing. ‘We strongly believe we have the most romantic restaurant in the county. The high ceilings, the Georgian architecture lit up by candlelight, and the elegant furniture all make for a romantic setting, coupled with the music, food and good wine.’ Any proposals, I ask? Apparently so, as Sam recalls: ‘We had one a couple of years ago, and thankfully she said yes. It was greeted by a warm round of applause, and a few tears from the bride-to-be.’ The Assembly House with its history and ambience is a setting fitting for any occasion. But with romance in the air, a table for two on Valentine’s Day is in my plans.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

COMFORT FOOD James Spicer is pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer at Below Decks, at The Comfort Hotel, Great Yarmouth

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

have to admit that when the editor of Places&Faces® invited me to write a review of this restaurant, I didn’t feel a tingle of anticipation, or have a vision of haute cuisine on the horizon. Without making the term sound derogatory, The Comfort Hotels group is at the budget end of the market. I have stayed at hotels of this type many times in the past and found them perfectly acceptable in that they are clean, comfortable and efficiently run. But the restaurants tend to offer food that is usually predictable – good value, mind – but fairly anodyne in its concept. I suppose the idea is to play it safe and appeal to as many people as possible. The Comfort Hotel in Yarmouth is set in one of the most elegant areas of the borough, in Albert Square, just off the seafront. This is hotel and boarding house country and, in more favourable economic times, the ‘no vacancies’ signs would reign from May to September. It has history, too, as Charles Dickens stayed for a time at the Royal Hotel, only a hundred yards or so away, and was impressed enough by Yarmouth to use it as an integral part of David Copperfield. The Comfort’s restaurant is (aptly, because it is in the basement) called Below Decks and my first impression was that, although it had little pretensions to luxury, it was obvious that an effort had been made with lighting and candles on the tables to make it cosy and welcoming.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Below Decks

The only disappointment of our Saturday evening was that The menu, too, shows imagination in its range of starters few others had decided to join us. This was a shame and can and mains, and not a prawn cocktail in sight. only be put down to the fact that not enough people know For starter, my wife had the slow roasted stuffed courgette, about this place. filled with fine diced ratatouille, tomato coulis and red chard It’s not as if the management are not making an effort. leaves, while I selected the oven baked flat bread in olive oil ‘Themed’ nights are a popular way to put bottoms on seats and balsamic vinegar, topped with black pudding mozzarella during the week, and Below Decks has not been slow to cheese and set off by a tangy tomato sauce on wild rocket realise this. leaves. Other choices included homemade butternut squash With Curry Mondays, Chilli Tuesdays, Steak and Ale and soup, chicken and pancetta salad and slow roasted stuffed a pint on Wednesdays, Beer and Burger night on Thursdays courgette (prices £4.50-£6.95). and Fish on a Friday, one cannot say that the variety is not The mains choice presented my wife with no problems, there! Prices range from £8.99 to £9.49, and all the offers selection-wise, and she chose the River Medley (pan-fried include a pint of beer or a glass of wine. salmon and cod fillet in a prawn and Champagne cream, with On Saturdays, steak-loving couples can partake of two vegetables). Because I love chorizo and it goes well with sirloins and a bottle of wine for £24.99; rather more modestly, chicken, the chorizo and chicken kebab was a no-brainer for the Sunday offering is chicken and me; tasty it was, too, coming with coleslaw tortilla wrap with chips. green pepper, red onion and cherry As I said earlier, the management tomato, served with pitta bread and I N F O R M AT I O N is doing its best here; we learned a hand-cut chip ‘tower’. Below Decks, The Comfort Hotel, that there are plans to create a Again, there was a range of Albert Square, Great Yarmouth, separate entrance so that customers prices, with the veggie option, the call 01493 855070. don’t have to walk through aubergine, tomato and mozzarella reception – as they do at present – stack kicking off at £9.95, and the which should give the restaurant Surf & Turf topping the bill at £19.95. more of its own identity. Tempted by the puddings list Oh, and one final (and important) thing. The restaurant we chose the raspberry mousse, served in a filo basket with staff are polite and service was prompt. Really, Below Decks Crème Anglaise (Mrs S) and the classic vanilla pod brulee is ticking all the right boxes, and it is worth a try. (me). Also on offer was a salted caramel brownie square, a mango and passion fruit bavarois and a warm plum, fig and pistachio frangipane tart. Puddings were £4.50-£4.75. The wine list was small, but sensibly priced, and we enjoyed a bottle of the South African Jackalberry Sauvignon Blanc (£15.95).

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

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Pan PanSeared SearedNorfolk Norfolk Pigeon PigeonBreast Breastwith with Merlot MerlotRisotto, Risotto, Beetroot, Beetroot,Walnuts Walnuts &&Horseradish Horseradish I NI G NR GE RD E IDEI N EN T ST S 450-500ml/16-18fl 450-500ml/16-18fl oz oz chicken chicken or or vegetable vegetable stock, stock, more more if needed if needed 85g 85g butter butter 1 medium 1 medium onion, onion, chopped chopped 200g 200g round round grain grain risotto risotto rice, rice, such such as as arborio arborio or or carnaroli carnaroli 500ml 500ml redred wine, wine, a a Merlot Merlot is ideal is ideal

50g 50g Grated Grated parmesan parmesan 4 pigeon 4 pigeon breasts breasts skinned skinned and and boned boned 250g 250g of of beetroot beetroot cooked cooked and and cubed cubed Teaspoon Teaspoon of of fresh fresh Horseradish Horseradish 50ml 50ml double double cream cream 8 pieces 8 pieces of of Pancetta Pancetta 20g 20g Roasted Roasted walnut walnut halves halves

MM ET EH TO HD OD 1. In 1. a Inpan a pan melt melt thethe butter, butter,

2 minutes 2 minutes each each side side then then

add add thethe chopped chopped onion. onion. Once Once

remove remove from from thethe heat. heat. Season Season

thethe onion onion softens, softens, add add thethe

thethe breasts breasts and and keep keep warm warm

rice rice and and stir.stir. Add Add thethe redred wine wine

forfor 2 minutes. 2 minutes.

and and reduce. reduce. Once Once reduced reduced add add thethe chicken chicken stock stock 100ml 100ml

3. Add 3. Add thethe cream cream and and thethe

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4. 4. To To serve serve spoon spoon thethe risotto risotto

parmesan parmesan and and thethe cooked cooked

into into a warm a warm bowl, bowl, cutcut thethe

beetroot beetroot cubes cubes and and another another

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small small knob knob of of butter butter and and stir.stir.

place place onon toptop of of thethe risotto. risotto.

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walnuts walnuts add add a few a few baby baby herbs herbs

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forfor garnish garnish and and a spoon a spoon of of

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The TheKings KingsArms, Arms,main mainroad, road,Fleggburgh, Fleggburgh,Great GreatYarmouth, Yarmouth,NR29 NR293AG 3AG /kingsarms.fleggburgh @KingsArms_Flegg @KingsArms_Flegg Tel Tel01493 01493368333 368333www.kingsarmsfleggburgh.com www.kingsarmsfleggburgh.com/kingsarms.fleggburgh

READER OFFER

Food Delivery

What is your usual work day like?

READER OFFER

Eat Local Like the sound of having fresh local food delivered direct to your door? Sarah Hardy finds out more about a Norfolk company that is offering Places&Faces® readers a special offer

TONESTHROW FOOD CO specialises in

delivering, to your door, a wide range of staple groceries including fresh fruit and veg, meat, bakery and dairy products, mostly sourced from trustworthy local suppliers in Norfolk and Suffolk, along with carefully selected items from farther afield – you can’t yet grow bananas in East Anglia! More and more people are becoming increasingly keen to buy local food, with a traceable history and to know how it has been produced, especially when they know the prices are comparable with those offered by the supermarkets and, of course, a home delivery service is really convenient as families juggle a busy lifestyle. Each order shows the food miles travelled and customers know where the products have come from, who the producer is; knowing that they are doing their best for the environment by sourcing locally produced food and drink. The company is part of the Elveden Estate near Thetford, and sells many products from the estate, as well as other award-winning businesses and local suppliers including Elveden Farms, Linzers Bakery, Swannington Farm to Fork, and Marybelle Dairy. They also stock carefully selected brands from further afield to give the customer as much choice as possible for their weekly shopping basket. These include Food Doctor, Yeo Valley, Eat Natural, Alpro, Dorset Cereals, Soreen and Whole Earth. Here managing director Richard Walters tells us how and why Stonesthrow Food Co came about:

I wake up at 5.30am and catch up on emails, get into the office at 8am and spend the morning ensuring that the previous day’s orders will be fulfilled. Afternoons are taken up with planning our social media posts and developing our product range. At 5pm I put down everything else and spend the next hour on the phone to customers – listening to their needs and discussing new products with them. I generally leave for home about 6.30pm. On two days each week I get behind the wheel to deliver to customers which goes as follows: • Daily vehicle checks about 8am • Pick up ambient and frozen goods from our warehouse in Thetford • Drive to McCarthys in Thorpe St Andrew to collect all th e fresh and chilled goods (many of which are delivered fresh in that morning from the suppliers) • My customer deliveries start around midday through till 2pm and after a quick bite to eat I’ll be delivering again for timeslots from 3pm – 5.30pm and 5.30pm to 7.30pm and I hope to get back to our base at Elveden around 8pm. What is the best thing about being involved with the company?

I love getting new customers. But what I really like is when a new customer makes a second purchase. Fortunately this happens a lot so I am pretty happy! We work so hard to maintain high levels of product quality and excellent customer service so getting those repeat orders is always a good measure of how effective we are. And what is your biggest challenge?

Supermarket competition.

What would you say to somebody else who’s dreaming of starting their own business?

It can be great fun, but also very challenging. Lots of people have business ideas but my own advice would probably be: • Research your market to establish if your idea has credibility – is anyone else doing it, if so where is your point of difference • Work hard at assessing the costs to establish it, not just the setting up costs but also the running costs • Be realistic on timescales to achieve things • Depending on your level of ambition and business idea you will very rarely be able to do everything on your own – you may need a group of people with different skills and experience to get a business established • Believe in yourself and be resolute; there will be a lot of advice on offer but know when to just follow your gut instinct

What inspired you to start Stonesthrow Food Co and what makes it so special?

When our children were born we wanted to improve the quality of the food we bought, and most importantly to understand where it originated from. Also, based on professional experience, I saw a gap in the market for e-commerce and home delivery to make local food purchasing simpler and cost effective for consumers.

Places&Faces® has teamed up with Stonesthrow Food Co to offer readers £15 (25 per cent off their first order, free delivery and a free local veg box worth £6.50. To take advantage of this offer, simply visit www.stonesthrowfood.co.uk, start shopping and checkout using the code PLACES.

Join us on

VALENTINE’S DAY

for a romantic candle-lit meal aboard the Albatros

BOOKING RECOMMENDED

ALBATROS CAFE RESTAURANT • LICENSED BAR • B&B LIVE MUSIC • PRIVATE & CORPORATE PARTIES

OPEN: 12 noon until late

ADDRESS: Quayside, Wells-next-Sea, NR23 1AT

TELEPHONE: 07979 087228

THE ALBATROS, WHICH IS MOORED at Wells-nextthe-Sea, is a 100-year-old Dutch clipper, built in Rotterdam. The beautiful vessel was built for Johannes Muller from Middelhanis, Holland, where she remained until being sold to a Danish owner, believed to be Captain Ramussen, who used her as a cargo ship to export grain from Scandanavia. In 1983 Ton Brouwer bought and fully restored her. The Albatros is a Dutchstyle café bar and restaurant serving sweet and savoury pancakes and other Dutch specialities. Have your meal alfresco on the main deck and enjoy the views of the harbour. Fully licensed bar, real ales, live music and bed & breakfast. Private and corporate parties welcome.

Proud to supply retail and trade We specialise in quality pork and eggs produced on site! • Home Produce • Gluten Free Sausages • Smoked Bacon & Hams

Eggs, Frozen Pork & Sausages available at all times

www.albatros.eu.com

Sunday 2nd Februa ry

Summer Dreaming! Our take on the

Dreamboats & Petticoats theme with West End performers Tickets £29.95 per person. Three course meal, entertainment & after party included. Party frocks recommended! Don’t miss out on a fantastic night of music! 7pm arrival.

Fri 14 Feb

Valentines Burlesque with Binksy’s Showgirls Three course meal & a glass of bubbly, show & after party Tickets £32.95. 7pm arrival.

Book your tickets on 01493 662179 | www.thecliffhotel.co.uk Cliff Hill, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, NR31 6DH

Call Val on

01508 480369 Orchard Farm Shop Holverston, Norwich NR14 7PH (on the A146 Loddon Road)

Email info@orchardfarmshop.com Web www.orchardfarmshop.com

RECIPE

pictures ANDREW FLORIDES, WWW.ANDREWFLORIDES.CO.UK words FRANCK PONTAIS, WWW.FRANCKPONTAIS.COM

FRANCK PONTAIS

Chocolate and vanilla ‘Bombe glacée’ GOING DOWN A BOMBE

THIS MONTH FRENCH CHEF FRANK PONTAIS OFFERS US THE ULTIMATE DESSERT FOR VALENTINE’S AND YES, IT DOES INVOLVE CHOCOLATE!

SE RV E S 4 METHOD Ingredients 220g of dark chocolate, 70 per cent 2 large eggs 60g of caster sugar 300ml of double cream 1tsp of vanilla essence 2tbsp of dark rum 30g of chopped hazelnut 80g of Madeira cake 1 pinch table salt

1. Melt the chocolate and 100ml of double

7. Fold together the egg yolk mixture with

cream in a Bain Marie.

the chocolate, cream and the rest of the

2. Slightly whip another 100ml of double

egg white.

cream with half of the caster sugar and

8. Pour into a round cake pan or loaf tin

vanilla essence. Put to one side.

lined with plastic wrap, alternating a layer

3. Separate the eggs and beat the egg yolks

of chocolate, vanilla, Madeira cake and

with the rest of the sugar until the mixture

hazelnuts, let chill in the freezer for four

whitens and thickens.

hours.

4. Whip the rest of the cream and keep to

9. Release the bomb from the mould 20

one side in a bowl.

minutes before eating by dipping the tin for

5. Cut some medium slices of Madeira cake

a few minutes in hot water.

and brush them with the rum using a pastry

10. Using a piping bag, pipe the surface of the

brush.

‘bomb’ with an Italian meringue and brown

6. Beat the egg whites with the pinch of salt

slightly with a torch or decorate by dusting

and use a third of the beaten eggs to fold in

with cocoa powder.

the vanilla cream.

Enjoy with a glass of Champagne!

Let our French chef 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. More information is available at www.franckpontais.com

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

DOWNTIME ON THE RANCH MARK NICHOLLS HEADS TO CANYON RANCH RESORT IN THE HEART OF AMERICA’S SPA STATE

Arizona has an enviable reputation as the top spa destination in the United States. Across its beautifully rugged landscape, there is a wide choice of spa and health destinations in a state that has a positively sunny outlook. Set against a backdrop of mountain ranges, criss-crossed with hiking and biking routes signposted by the landmark multi-armed saguaro cactus, the Canyon Ranch resort sits on the edge of the low-rise city of Tucson, a couple of hours drive west of Phoenix. I quickly found that the great appeal of Canyon Ranch was that it can be whatever you want it to be – extreme boot camp or pure chilled pampering. And the pace and style of your stay can change from day to day. The range of exercise regimes, classes, spa therapies, lectures and off-site activities is immense and I found that it paid to plan at least part of your stay in advance by scheduling in treatments and specific activities around the various classes you want to 64

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

participate in to help get the most out of your time at the resort. A typical day started with an early morning hike at 6.30am into the mountains and back in time for breakfast; a men’s ‘stretching’ class; aqua-fit with the women; and a ‘lunch-and-learn’ demonstration where you discover the finer points of a recipe and then savour it for the mid-day meal. We discovered the art of preparing the perfect pulled beef sandwich, where it seems the magic ingredient is ‘liquid smoke.’ Yes, it really does come in a bottle. The afternoon began with a game of ‘wallyball’ – based on volleyball and played on a racket ball court; players use the walls much as footballers playing five-a-side in the gym would do. An indoor cycling (spinning) class was followed by meditation, a quick change and dinner and an evening lecture on channelling energy. While that may seem an awful lot to get in to one day, with classes lasting 45 minutes or occasionally an hour, it is relatively straightforward to draw up a schedule that is manageable and enjoyable – striking a balance between energetic exercise, relaxation and therapy. But there are no targets to do as many sessions as you can while at Canyon Ranch. Some days, you just take the foot off the gas and simply enjoy the resort with massage or spa treatments and spend some of the ‘spa credits’ built into the cost of your resort stay. I went for shiatsu and watsu – where the massage takes place in a warm pool with your head and body supported by floats and one of the best, and most relaxing, treatments I’ve ever experienced. The approach to your stay at Canyon Ranch can be tailored to your lifestyle, gender, outlook or needs and the real beauty is that you draw up your own daily programme, though there are plenty of expert staff, on hand to help with your schedule. With female guests comprising about 70 per cent of those

TRAVEL

ARIZONA

Travel information Healing Holidays

enjoying the facilities at Canyon Ranch’s Tucson resort, yoga, pilates and dance-based exercise are popular for women as well as some of the more energetic cycling, hiking and climbing activities. Each activity class is marked with the required level of fitness and there are always introductory sessions. And the same applies for the mountain hikes and cycle rides, with several leaving each morning over a range of distances, pace and steepness. There is also a holistic approach to Canyon Ranch – it has a healing centre, there is spiritual guidance and a degree of rehabilitation as well as lectures that tap into changing lifestyles in terms of changing your environment to ensure you do not over eat, or using your body in a way that empowers you to remain healthy. A critical component of that is the food, with portions that are small and healthy and whether you dine in the informal café or a more formal restaurant, each menu item has the calorific content, and carbs, protein, fat and fibre to help guests make meaningful choices about what to eat. But it is more than simple indulgence: there is a wellness ethos that runs through the resort. You can eat as much as you want for breakfast or dinner, but the portions are restrained in size with ingredients selected for their health benefits. There are also other little subtleties, such as no salt cellar on the table – guests have to request the salt – a subliminal way of making them think about their daily salt intake. And no alcohol is served on site. The activities are so diverse, and fun too, that you can find yourself moving from belly dancing to a lecture on stress management and then to an outdoor session on how to make fire. This was one of the more fun activities with us each given various pieces of wood and a knife and shown how to carve the various blocks into specific shapes and then use a bow drill to create a burning ember. With a degree of physical effort, the required ember finally materialised, which I wrapped in jute and blew on a few times to see the creation of fire before my very eyes as the jute burst into flames Outdoor sports manager Randy Kinkade summed up the experience perfectly: ‘There is a big difference between lighting a fire and making fire, it is a beautiful, creative thing.’ Another rewarding session was a visit to nearby Bosque Ranch for a fascinating insight into equine psychology. In the depths of the Arizona desert, Canyon Ranch is an oasis of health, fitness and relaxation and because it is so focussed on the needs of the individual, you can’t help but come away feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and with a new lease of life.

www.healingholidays.co.uk or 0207 843 3597 can arrange a four-night stay at Canyon Ranch Tucson from £2925 per person based on two people sharing in a deluxe room and including economy class flights with British Airways, three healthy gourmet meals daily, private transfers and $650 in spa credits. In addition, there are more than 40 complimentary fitness classes each day, four pools, guided hikes, walks and biking excursions along with wellness presentations, workshops and cooking demonstrations.

GRAB YOUR BUCKET AND SPADE AND… STAY IN NORFOLK. SARAH HARDY ENJOYS A WEEK’S SUMMER FUN BESIDE THE SEASIDE IN HER HOME COUNTY

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside

HAT A SUMMER WE HAD LAST YEAR and who needed to go abroad for sunshine? My family decided to stay put in Norfolk, hiring a holiday home in quaint Mundesley, on the east coast, for a week in August. And what a week! Our holiday photos look like we’re in the Caribbean rather than next to the North Sea, with golden sands, sun tanned children and big blue skies! But while the weather did put the icing on the cake for our week of bucket and spade fun, holidays at home are highly enjoyable for many reasons. Basically, they are so easy. One minute you’re at home, checking you’ve done all the washing up and the next – well, okay, an hour later, and you are opening the door to your holiday home. No airports, no delays, no grumpy husbands. Basically no stress, which is the perfect start to any break! Our little cottage, Stone’s Throw, was in a great spot. As you might expect, it was a stone’s throw from the beach, via a park, which, if you’ve got children, you’ll know is priceless. Mine are old enough to disappear on their own so enjoyed heading to the playground around teatime or popping to the beach for an early morning swim. The cottage, a Victorian terrace, is surprisingly contemporary inside – with a wet room, trendy furniture, and lots of little design details for added interest. It also has a great little courtyard garden which is a real sun trap – and perfect for early evening barbecues.

TRAVEL

NORFOLK Mundesley is a charming place, almost stuck in a

Morston Hall’s Galton Blackiston as a backer, is the

time warp but not quite! It has a good selection of

place for supper. The food is yummy although the

shops, cafes, a golf club and an adventure mini golf

queues are mightily impressive, too!

course where many fierce competitions were staged. It

And you can’t miss the now iconic Seaside Special

is a very well kept place, with an abundance of flowers

Summer Show, the last word in variety entertainment,

and a proper community feel – certainly not a second-

with dancers, magicians, singers, comics and more.

home ghetto like some parts of the region.

It is a real family show, with all ages appreciating the

Its highlight must be its beach which is easily accessible from the town and is patrolled by lifeguards

intimate atmosphere and hard working cast. Also nearby is another of our coastal gems,

in the summer months. There are colourful beach huts,

Sheringham, with the Little Theatre now running its

clean sands and a great café which serves up some of

own summer rep which is great to see, and home

the best chips in the county!

to the Poppy Line. Here restored steam trains run

Our week passed quickly. We spent as much time as

between Sheringham and Holt so you can explore

possible on the beach, getting not bad at surfing and

two very different towns. I have to say the shopping is

very good at beach cricket! We also loved to watch all

better in Holt!

the hand gliders take off from the cliffs that line the beach and worked on our sand castle designs. And in case you’re wondering, we made numerous

The rather upmarket Gunton Arms gastropub is also close and is just the place for a great supper. The setting is very special as you try to spot the deer in

dips into the sea – me included which is probably the

the surrounding parkland and the food is sublime, with

first time in about 10 years! I hope it isn’t another 10

much cooked on both indoor and outdoor barbecues.

years before I make it back in as there is something

Do look out for the artwork on the walls as the place

very invigorating about swimming in the open sea.

is owned by a London art dealer so there’s always

So our days slipped by very easily. One of my favourite trips was a brisk walk to Cromer along the

something interesting to see. I grew up in the days of Buy British campaigns

cliffs. The cliff top café at Overstrand is just the place

in the 1970s and holidaying in your own country,

for a well deserved pit stop before descending into the

indeed county, is a fine continuation of this economy-

town, the pier calling you towards it.

boosting policy.

Cromer, of course, now has a 10-acre zoo where you can mingle with monkeys, otters, birds of prey and plenty of reptiles and The No 1 Fish and Chips – with

Sarah Hardy stayed at Stone’s Throw Cottage, Mundesley, which is one of many lovely cottages looked after by Norfolk Hideaways, situated in Burnham Deepdale.

Visit www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

• General Dentistry • Hygenist Available Special interests include:

Jamie O’Donnell

Jason Stokes

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Parts of this former Family Farmhouse date from the early 18th Century, giving it a unique atmosphere that comfortably blends traditional style with modern facilities. 20 en-suite rooms | Licensed for civil marriages | Large free car park A selection of traditional function rooms including the elegant marquee Pets welcome | WiFi t 01502 730322 e mail@parkhillhotel.co.uk

10-12 Cathedral Street, Norwich NR1 1LX

Tel: 01603 628963

www.parkhillhotel.co.uk

Parkhill Hotel, Oulton, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 5DQ

ADVERTISING FEATURE

weddings

W H AT ’ S T H E P L A N ? There is so much to think about when planning your wedding, you certainly can’t do it all at once. So we’ve put together the following plan to help you spread out the workload!

12 MONTHS BEFORE » Book wedding planner » Book venue for reception » Book venue for ceremony » Book registrar/priest » Decide on a budget » Consider buying wedding insurance » Decide on a theme/design

6 MONTHS BEFORE » Order invitations » Bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories » Groom’s attire and accessories » Buy wedding rings » Book honeymoon » Check passports etc are valid for honeymoon

11 MONTHS BEFORE » Order save the date cards

5 MONTHS BEFORE » Order groomsmen’s attire and accessories » Book hairdresser trial » Book make-up trial » Buy going away outfit, if relevant » S chedule rehearsal time and rehearsal dinner

10 MONTHS BEFORE » Compile invitation list » Book caterer » Send save the date cards 8 MONTHS BEFORE » Book florist » Book transport » Book cake maker » Book photographer » Book videographer » Book band/DJ » Book reception decorator (chair covers etc) » Book toastmaster 7 » » » »

MONTHS BEFORE Order bride’s dress and accessories Book musicians for ceremony Organise any ‘other’ entertainment R eserve any rental equipment (marquee, chairs etc)

4 MONTHS BEFORE » Organise favours » Send invitations » Book wedding night accommodation » Accommodation for guests » Gift registry » Give notice of marriage

2 » » » »

MONTHS BEFORE Finalise menu for wedding breakfast Order table centre pieces Arrange hen/stag parties Chase unanswered invitations

1 MONTH BEFORE » Arrange seating plan » O rder stationery for the day (table plan, place cards etc) » M ake arrangements for wedding dress cleaning » M ake arrangements for bouquet to be stored or dried 2 WEEKS BEFORE » Hold rehearsal dinner with wedding party » C onfirm number of guests with reception venue and caterer » W rite speeches (Groom, Best Man and Father of the Bride) AFTER THE WEDDING » Send thank you cards

3 MONTHS BEFORE » Buy gifts for bridal party, groomsmen etc. » D ecide on music for the ceremony and first dance » Decide on readings for the ceremony » Write wedding vows » O rder stationery for the day (guest book, order of service etc)

Fairytale Wedding A charming Norfolk Manor House could be the setting for your wedding, says Sarah Hardy, as she looks around stunning Ormesby Manor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; complete with tower!

or your wedding, you want somewhere with a bit of a wow factor, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you? Somewhere with masses of character, space and good old fashioned atmosphere. Well, Ormesby Manor, in the heart of the Broads, offers all this and more. It is, quite simply, a stunning spot. It is unusual in design for Broadland, looking like an Italianate villa with its own three-storey tower, plus just over 12 acres of grounds, complete with a moat, bridge and walled gardens.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

ORMESBY MANOR

Ormesby Manor is offering much more than just weddings. It is available for corporate events, filming, holiday letting and private parties.

It dates back to around 1800, is listed in Pevsner’s Buildings of England (a guide to the country’s most noteworthy buildings) and that’s before we mention a glorious conservatory and views to die for from the top of the tower. I’m thinking great photos – already! So, this building itself is impressive but what about the interior? Well, it doesn’t disappoint, either. Sure, original features abound, but it has been renovated and refreshed with real panache and is now a comfortable and stylish contemporary home. It is available for exclusive wedding hire, offering, as Norfolk-based event planner Emily Andrew says, a real home-from-home environment – although I have to say that my home is nothing like this one. Sadly! But the idea, says Emily, is to offer three-day exclusive hire of the property so that couples and their families can really enjoy themselves! ‘We are finding that families like to get together beforehand; to have more time together. By hiring Ormesby Manor, they can settle in the day before, have a lovely dinner in the evening, and then be ready for the big day. Nobody has to travel, they can all get ready together and it is very relaxed.’ The Grade II Listed building has two beautiful rooms for civil ceremonies and an alternative outdoor location for ceremonies in the glorious sunshine. Emily explains: ‘The drawing room is in the tower so has masses of appeal while the lounge is a bigger room – with a stunning fireplace, plasterwork ceiling and original shutters.’

Also downstairs is an enormous kitchen, designed by leading Norfolk kitchen specialist Bryan Turner. There is an attractive cooking range, numerous cupboards and work surfaces and plenty of space for a table. There is also access on to a lovely sunny terrace outside while another door leads to a snug little sitting room, where guests can chill out and choose entertainment on the plasma screen. Upstairs, over two floors, are eight bedrooms, all of very generous proportions and individually designed. Most are en suite or have easy access to a private bathroom. And don’t imagine that they are short on mod cons – the power showers looked very impressive. Some rooms are in the tower, although the highly romantic bridal suite, which is currently being refurbished in exquisite style, is in the main part of the house and has lovely views over the grounds. Guests can also take advantage of the turret room, a quirky spot on the top floor which is just the place for a drinks party and where you’ll find a steep ladder on to the roof where more daring brides and grooms might venture. It might be a better bet to send the photographer up there to get great shots of the wedding party below! Another great photo spot is the entrance hall, with its elegant staircase, period stone floor, and glazed dome, while the wine cellars, which ooze atmosphere with brick walls, low ceilings and subtle lighting, might be the place for an unusual cocktail reception. The grounds and gardens offer yet more food for thought. They boast many mature trees, including copper beech and oak, plus fruit trees, while the large pond and its bridge provide yet more photographic locations. There are several walled garden areas where you might like to have a marquee or maybe something like a yurt for more overnight accommodation while the main front lawns are the most obvious place for a large marquee. ‘There are so many possibilities,’ says Emily. ‘You can really let your imagination run riot as there is so much space, parties can use both the inside and the grounds of the manor which is quite unusual. Guests can really make themselves at home.’ Interestingly, there is private access to the parish church, St Michael’s, next door, offering couples the opportunity to enjoy a church ceremony followed by a lavish reception at the manor. Emily is full of ideas, and her enthusiasm is catching. ‘You can land a helicopter here, take a rowing boat on the water, have yurts in one of the walled gardens – whatever you want,’ she says, adding: ‘In short, Ormesby Manor is a blank canvas which can be used to present any dream or desire, whether traditional or themed.’ Bookings are now being taken for weddings at Ormesby Manor and you also have Emily, a very experienced wedding planner, to help you decide how to make the very best of this wonderful place. There is also a discreet housekeeping service provided, too, and plenty of car, carriage, and helicopter parking spaces.

For more information, visit www.ormesbymanor.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Make This Valentines Really Special Book Valentines Now On 07879 414333

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Brides Boutique 8-10 Lower Goat Lane, Norwich NR2 1EL 01603 625000 | www.purebrides.co.uk

One Special Day ~ Two Perfect Venues Weddings at Brasted’s

Set in the heart of the privately owned village of Framingham Pigot. We have the perfect venue and luxury accommodation for all weddings where first class personal attention is of paramount importance.

Weddings at Langley Abbey

With Brasted’s outstanding reputation in the delivery of event excellence, and the beautiful and historic setting of Langley Abbey, this truly is a magnificent wedding venue.

Dynamic Catering & Events

To find out more please call us on 01508 491112 or visit www.brasteds.co.uk

JE WE LLE RY TR ANSFOR M ATION SE RVI CE Do you have old, sentimental jewellery that isn’t being worn because it’s broken, missing a stone, doesn’t fit or suit your style but you can’t part with? We offer a bespoke jewellery service, where all our work is handmade by our expert goldsmith in-store, using our customers own gemstones. A perfect way to give your old pieces new life and style. We can even re-melt and use your own gold. Working in gold, platinum and palladium, we offer a completely free of charge design and quote service. www.sonkai.co.uk | 01603 625533 | Sonkai, 14-16 Dove Street, Norwich, NR2 1DE

dreams can come true GET THE WEDDING OF YOUR DREAMS AT A SUFFOLK COUNTRY HOTEL WHICH PROMISES A REAL PERSONAL TOUCH. RACHEL MOORE GIVES US A TOUR…

74 placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

very bride has her own special dream about how her wedding day should be.

The secret to a wonderful wedding is a day that reflects the essence of the bride and groom, their personalities, their styles and tastes. Making those dreams come true is central to the wedding experience offered by the team at Carlton Manor, a stunning Victorian manor house set in landscaped gardens close to the north Suffolk coast. Fresh from a £3m refurbishment that took 18 months to complete with meticulous attention to quality, style and finish, the boutique hotel is an elegant venue for couples creating their special day their own way. Carlton Manor, near Lowestoft, has set out to be unusual – to offer something different – living out the promise of ‘an extraordinary hotel’ moniker used in its marketing, according to general manager Jon Fisher, who has brought his flair and expertise in hospitality management from around the world. Bespoke weddings catering for every style, taste and budget range are its speciality. From the first meeting with the excited couples, wedding coordinator Philippa Doran will listen to their hopes and wishes for their day and make them happen. Be it a formal wedding with Master of Ceremonies and lavish dishes by the hotel’s award-winning chef or an informal celebration with a barbecue or buffet, every style is available for weddings, civil ceremonies and same-sex marriages which can take place from the end of next month. ‘Weddings are about the individuals and that is always uppermost in our planning. It is about them and what works for them, not us and we always remember that,’ says hotel manager Jon Fisher, who has had a long career in managing functions and hospitality from London’s Grosvenor Hotel to

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

I N F O R M AT I O N

Carlton Manor

CARLTON MANOR HOTEL, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk Contact the wedding team on 01502 560567 or email weddings@carltonmanorhotel.com

running Moor Hall Conference Centre for the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Berkshire. ‘It is all about what people want. It is about making sure that our wedding couples achieve their perfect day and us making sure they feel comfortable all the way through the process of achieving it. ‘There’s nothing similar in the area. We are a country hotel where couples can hold their ceremony and reception in the grounds. We call it ‘an extraordinary hotel’ and it is just that.’ Its sweeping driveway offers the perfect entrance for guests and its terrace is ideal for summer wedding guests to sip Prosecco before sharing a wedding breakfast from menus including tian of smoked chicken with avocado, crayfish and mango salsa followed by roast best end of lamb with a mint and parsley crust, braised puy lentils and a red wine jus. ‘There is such scope for the photography here, too, with our gardens and hotel frontage as a lovely backdrop.’ Couples can choose from smaller intimate ceremonies in the Carlton Room for around 60 guests, the Mauree Suite, which can seat up to 300, or its lawns that provide perfect location for marquee weddings. Jon has updated the wedding packages to include everything – venue hire, drinks, wedding breakfast and evening reception buffet. The hotel’s connections with suppliers mean everything can be sourced, from cars to chair covers and even table magicians. A choice of two bridal suites and 15 boutique-style bedrooms for guests to book at a discounted price completes the offer. Philippa’s service is personalised and warm. ‘I am here to reassure, take away stress and worry and cover every detail. ‘What we offer is a bit different. We have suggestions – suggested menus in our wedding brochure and other suggestions – but, for us, it is about making it really bespoke to the clients. For example, I have a client this year that wishes to have cocktails on

the tables instead of wine so they are having different cocktails and a Caribbean theme with a rainbow of chair cover sashes to match the theme. ‘Next year, I have a wedding where the gentleman is Scottish. He wants a Scottish element brought into the wedding so we are having Aberdeen Angus beef and a Scottish dessert with strawberries and all the men are having whisky as their arrival drink. ‘Not all wedding venues do what we do. We do try to make their day as special and as unique as they want it to be.’ Philippa clearly adores what she does. ‘It is a privilege to play such a personal part in their day. I have such good support here with the management and the team. It makes me very proud. ‘From the first meeting, when the couples are excited and full of ideas, to bringing together all their plans to the couple of weeks before when the bride is really nervous and I reassure her, to the day when it’s usually the groom who is more nervous, is a privilege.’ And she is used to unusual requests. ‘We do everything we can within reason and legislation. So far, I’ve only had to say no to a couple who wanted to get married on bucking broncos and another who wanted a pet owl to deliver the rings but, for the first couple, I suggested other ways to bring a Texan theme to the wedding.’ Before choosing any dishes or drinks, couples are invited to the hotel for a food and wine tasting. ‘If couples would like something not in the package, we can price it for them,’ she adds. One big shift in wedding trends has been to hold ceremonies outside the traditional weekend days to make their weddings more cost-effective. Jon explains: ‘Sunday through to Thursday weddings is an area we are keen to develop. ‘Our wedding packages on these days offer good value for money and are a growing trend for couples looking to marry outside weekends to make their budget go further.’

Flexible & Competitive

For Accommodation, Functions, Weddings, Parties, Evening Meals, Sunday Luncheons and Bar Snacks.

eon Lunch ble y a d Sun g Advisa in Book Table d’ote menu Three courses and coffee Large choice of Fish and Roasts served to your table Free parking available - ask at reception

Overlooking the sea across Great Yarmouth’s famous Golden Sands, the Burlington Palm Hotel is the perfect venue for weddings.

Convenient location • Meeting facilities for 2 to 120 Free Internet • Well-equipped Bedrooms Fish Restaurant • Brasserie bar areas Ample free parking T: 01502 560567 e: loumayes@carltonmanorhotel.com www.carltonmanorhotel.com Carlton Manor Hotel, Chapel Road, Carlton Colville, Suffolk, NR33 8BL

ELLOUGH PARK CORPORATE & TEAM BUILDING EVENTS Ellough Park near Beccles has a purpose built 1050m outdoor floodlit kart circuit and laser combat village. Offering conference room facilities, on-site catering and ample parking, it’s ideal for staff training, team building and product launches.

Benacre Road, Ellough, Near Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 7XD

North Drive, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1EG Catering for up to 100 guests and being one of the largest hotels Tel: 01493 844568 Email: enquiries@burlington-hotel.co.uk

in Great Yarmouth with 69 rooms.

T: 01493 844568 North Drive, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 1EG email: enquiries@burlington-hotel.co.uk

www.burlington-hotel.co.uk

Take on your colleagues at the only British Championship hosting circuit in East Anglia with its fast technical flowing corners designed by racing drivers. Choose the event to best suit your needs, from Grand Prix’s to team endurance races, using the UK’s biggest 390cc engines in corporate karts.

Tel: 01502 717718

Using state of the art technology from America, experience outdoor urban warfare with the latest laser weapons in a team game of wit, stealth and strategy. Kitted out in full combat suits with war paint, our purpose built urban village features smoke bombs, flash bangs and a variety of scenarios… the pressure is on to win!

www.elloughparkraceway.co.uk

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Hoveton hall estate

Your Own Country Estate Fancy waking up in a stunning period hall on a glorious country estate in deepest Norfolk? Well, now you can! Rachel Buxton tells us more

e all love to flick through glossy magazines, don’t we? Especially the property pages where all manner of wonderful homes leap off the pages at us, as we wish we lived in that cosy country cottage or stunning Georgian old rectory. Now, albeit for just a short while, you can enjoy the beauty and serenity of life on a Norfolk estate, one packed with history, atmosphere and very fun owners! These owners, Harry and Rachel Buxton, are opening up the beautiful Hoveton Hall Estate in Broadland for both self catering and B&B possibilities. The estate boasts more than 600 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland, arable and grazing agricultural land, with a fine Regency hall at its heart. The hall was built between 1809-1812, and its design is attributed to Humphry Repton and his son John Adey Repton. Humphry Repton, who is buried at nearby Aylsham, is considered the last great English landscape designer of the 18th century and often regarded as the successor to Capability Brown. The estate has been owned by the Buxton family since 1946, handed down through the generations, and in late 2013 was passed on to Harry and Rachel and their four children by Harry’s parents. Now they want to share their lovely home and the surrounding estate with others and so – what are you waiting for?!

Special Valentine’s offer Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast in the either the South-West Room or the Buxton Suite with Champagne on arrival, chocolates, flowers and afternoon tea in the Drawing Room. Priced at £400 per couple.

I N F O R M AT I O N For details visit: www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk call: 01603 784297

West Wing In the west wing of the house you will find the bright and sunny B&B accommodation with stunning views from the classically furnished rooms. You cannot help but be impressed by the ornate plasterwork and marble fireplaces, beautiful artwork and glazed bookcases summoning of hints of the generations that have lived in the hall past and present. The B&B rooms are comfortable, spacious and well-equipped with hot drinks trays with fresh milk, TV, Wi-Fi, crisp linen, pretty duvets and luxury towels. Rachel believes it is important to add those little ‘finishing touches’ such as luxury toiletries, delightful fresh flowers, a selection of magazines and cosy bathrobes. B&B guests approach the hall along the drive with spectacular views across the estate and enter through the main door of the house where they will be greeted by the owners, shown around the shared areas of the property and then escorted up to their room. Breakfast is served in the guests’ lounge/dining room and offers a wide choice from fresh fruit, porridge, eggs to a ‘full English’ with meat from local butcher, Massingham’s of Hoveton. Dinner options are available by prior arrangement, along with baby sitting options.

The South-West Room This is a wonderfully light and airy room with its tall dual-aspect windows looking out over the estate’s parkland with a wooden king size bed and large en-suite bathroom.

The Buxton Suite This has views over the tennis court and boasts an imposing wooden sleigh superking size bed and a huge bathroom with both bath and double shower enclosure. The second room can be used as a lounge with a sofa bed or, if required, will take two single beds for children, forming a self-contained family suite.

The East Wing This is a self-contained self-catering holiday cottage, available through Norfolk Country Cottages. It boasts large and sunny rooms, decorated and furnished in traditional style. The three spacious bedrooms can easily accommodate six people. But, by closing off two of the bedrooms, the East Wing is available at a reduced price for two people.

NEW CHALLENGES After more than 20 years at the Hoste in fashionable Burnham Market, Andrew McPherson has moved along the coast to Titchwell Manor. Sarah Hardy finds out his plans for the boutique hotel

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Andrew McPherson | BUSINESS PROFILE

ITCHWELL MANOR HOTEL HAS A gorgeous setting, looking over the salt marshes of north west Norfolk to the open seas beyond. It was a Victorian farmhouse – and retains many of its original features – and has been run as a very successful hotel by Margaret and Ian Snaith since 1988. Their son, Eric, is in charge in the kitchen and has developed a real following for his thoughtful and ambitious dishes which use Norfolk’s larder to great effect. There are currently 27 bedrooms, in both the main hotel building and scattered around the contemporary herb gardens. The interior of the red brick building is very stylish, with eye-catching wallpaper and funky furniture all selected by leading London designer Shaun Clarkston who has a very individual style. You might know his two Norfolk properties – Carrington House at Snettisham and Cliff Barns at Narborough, both of which are regularly featured in glossy magazines and are available as holiday homes albeit on a grand scale! But back at Titchwell and there are several different areas for guests to enjoy, including a trendy bar, called The Eating Rooms, where lighter meals, afternoon teas and so on are served, and the fine dining Conservatory, a bright and airy room which overlooks the hotel’s charming and well-stocked walled garden. Now the hotel has a new ambassador in the shape of Andrew McPherson, known to many as one of the three who were responsible for putting the Hoste on the county’s foodie scene – and thus putting Norfolk on the country’s gourmet map. Along with fellow director Emma Tagg and owner Paul Whittome, they grew the Hoste from a pub with simple ‘grub’ into a chic luxury hotel, beloved by both locals and celebrities such as Amanda Holden. Now Andrew, in his early 40s, has joined Titchwell Manor as general manager with a brief to maintain and develop the hotel’s reputation – and he couldn’t be happier. ‘It is a great place, I have always enjoyed coming here. I have known Eric for ages – he is a good friend and we have a lot in common. I have always been impressed by his dishes, he has masses of inspiration. I need to spend a week in the kitchen to see how he does it all!’ Andrew is helping to strengthen the hotel’s management team, working with hotel manager Leon Mace – known locally from his time at the Lifeboat in nearby Thornham. His main aim is to gain the hotel a much coveted Michelin Star. ‘I don’t see any reason why not. We have the ability and sometimes, knowing how to get a Michelin Star, knowing what the inspectors want, is a real help.’ He also wants to increase the number of people who simply pop in for a drink and maybe a bar snack. ‘Our Norfolk tapas is superb,’ he says, also pointing out little delights such as mussels, crispy ham hock with piccalilli and more mouth-watering treats. And he’s keen to develop the wedding side of the business, too. ‘Well, what a venue we have here! It is so stunning and the walled garden is perfect for pictures. And we can obviously offer any and every type of catering,’ says Andrew. He plans to further promote the many events the hotel has always staged such as its popular supper club, held every other month. ‘Well, Eric cooks, there are demonstrations from food producers or suppliers and it is very informal – and great fun. They have themes, we are doing one on venison, with someone from the Houghton

Estate talking about how the meat is prepared, and Eric produces four courses for people to enjoy.’ He continues: ‘Our eight-course tasting menu is still very popular and really gives Eric a chance to show what he can do.’ The hotel also offers activity breaks, say walking and bird watching trips, and its summer fete, a lovely old fashioned event with stalls, games and activities which takes place in the hotel’s grounds, is becoming a firm favourite on the county’s must-do social calendar. Andrew, who has an air of quiet confidence about him, was born in Scotland although his family emigrated to Australia when he was aged just two years old. ‘It was in the 1960s when people were offered tickets for just £10. We went to Melbourne but soon went on to Papua New Guinea. We had six years there and I had total freedom!’ He admits this gave him a good introduction to adventurous food and harboured his desire to cook for a living. ‘We moved back to Sydney and I trained as a chef. But then, like many, I decided to do a bit of travelling in my 20s and came back to Britain, to see my relatives in Scotland.’ He worked in restaurants and hotels in Scotland, then in London and was working in Woodbridge in Suffolk when Paul, who sadly died of cancer in 2010, walked into the restaurant. ‘Paul used to like to visit other hotels and restaurants, to see what everyone was up to,’ says Andrew. Paul, who had just bought the Hoste, was impressed and wanted Andrew on his team. But it took him six months to persuade him! ‘He said I could do what I like, change everything around and we did so much over the years. He was my boss, my mentor, my friend. I am very proud of what we achieved.’ Away from work, Andrew has a partner, Cat, who works as a mental health nurse in Norwich, and they have a young daughter called Charlotte who, as you might imagine, is a great and ambitious eater! The family live in a small north Norfolk village, with Andrew saying: ‘We have dogs and we like getting out and walking, we are so lucky to live in this area.’ TITCHWELL MANOR, Titchwell, near Brancaster, tel 01485 210221, visit www.titchwellmanor.com

Almary Green Investments Ltd

Advising clients throughout East Anglia Tel: 01603 706740

www.almarygreen.com

Paul Brice and Spencer McCormack

IF YOU FE E L GY M S A R E SIM P LY NOT FOR YOU, T HIN K AGA IN AS A G R E AT YA R M OU T H HE A LT H C LU B C ATE R S FOR A LL. WE T E LL YOU M OR E

WELL GYM IN GREAT YARMOUTH is remarkable as it not only offers a helping hand to those who are fit and well, but also to those in need of specialist support due to illness or poor health. It offers a comprehensive range of fitness, exercise and rehab facilities and its owners, Spencer McCormack

and Paul Brice, have a very impressive back catalogue of

AT BWELL BE FIT AND HEALTHY

knowledge and experience. In his teens Spencer won a variety of regional dance competitions and represented his county in numerous sports before taking up equestrianism, winning many show jumping and handy hunter competitions. He went on to qualify as an army physical training instructor, where he became the Senior PTI for the Household Cavalry Regiment based at Knightsbridge. He was responsible for the fitness and wellbeing of his whole regiment, and also set up a gym and rehabilitation centre where he worked with injured soldiers. Meanwhile, Paul was a talented multi event athlete, throwing the javelin and running for England schools. Paul had his first senior international aged 18 as a high hurdler and competed for Great Britain alongside the likes of Seb Coe, Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell. He took a degree in Sports Science at Surrey University, and started his first business, two holiday athletics coaching programmes in North London, while still a student.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

BWELL GYM

Paul started his health club career in 1991 working in

Andy has been working for BWell for eight years and also

some of London’s most prestigious clubs. He advised the

works with Paul on delivering pulmonary rehabilitation

likes of Diana, Princess of Wales and motor racing driver

programmes for the NHS locally.

Damon Hill, and eventually spent years working alongside

Spencer explains: ‘Paul and I got into the fitness

specialists in pilates, exercise rehabilitation, sports science

industry because we love to help people become fitter,

and nutrition. He began to focus his attention on exercise

healthier and happier. We now have fewer distractions

rehabilitation in 1993, starting up links with GPs and an

from the business side of the club and have set up a new

orthopaedic surgeon to develop one of the country’s first

membership scheme where people can directly tap into

exercise referral schemes.

our personal expertise. We are calling this our Platinum

After 15 years of deployment around the world, Spencer

membership, and this allows people to purchase bundles

left the Army in 2001, and worked as a sports therapist

of personalised sessions with Paul or myself. We will work

and GP Referral specialist. He moved to Great Yarmouth

exclusively with these clients over a three to six month

and within eight months of relocating he had opened two

period, setting realistic targets and guiding them each step

successful clinics, and met Paul who was in the process

of the way. We will be asking them to commit to exercise

of expanding the Exercise Referral Scheme for the Great

regularly to ensure we do everything we can help them to

Yarmouth and Waveney PCT.

reach their goals.’

In August 2004 Paul and Spencer opened their first BWell gym at the James Paget Hospital, becoming the first private company to set up a gym within a hospital in the UK. The pair worked hard to develop other gyms in innovative partnerships such as the Hemsby Community Gym, Harleston Community Gym, and in trial ventures of gyms based in a Lowestoft secondary school and in a GP surgery. BWell moved to its current Bessemer Way location on the Harfreys Industrial Estate in 2011, and since then Paul and Spencer have gradually expanded the club to encompass 10,000sq feet of facilities. Spencer says: ‘While we always liked the small and intimate feel of our old BWell clubs, we found that members now demand more variety. We have decided to focus on one gym and put our resources and energy into continually developing the

The club, which opens every day of the year, has many committed members. One is Sophie McKinna, the top ranked shot putter who is training for this year’s Commonwealth Games. Another is Lisa Borrett who has cerebral palsy and has been working with Paul and other staff at the gym for six years to make dramatic changes to her life. She explains: ‘Now I am much more independent, I can drink from cups and eat with a knife and fork, all easy tasks for someone without my condition. But two years ago these were impossible for me. It has been hard work, but if I can do it anyone can.’

range of facilities and services this club has to offer.’ The club now boasts an extensive array of cardiovascular equipment, weights machines and free weights, a bespoke circuit room, soft matted multi use areas, a dedicated power lifting area and a studio/functional training area. The club also has a hair salon, beauty therapy room and a clinic where there is a small team of sports therapists, a physiotherapist and a podiatrist. Paul and Spencer have handed over the day-to-day

TO FIND OUT MORE, call 01493 603430, visit www.bwellgyms.co.uk or email info@bwellgyms.co.uk.

running of the club to Operations Manager, Andy Harrison.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

business events with

added

bonus

THE NEW YEAR is well under way and it’s time to get down to business. Emma Outten heads to Sprowston Manor to hear all about how the Marriott Hotel and Country Club can meet all your business meeting and event needs

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

prowston Manor knows how to cater for a business event. Not so long ago, delegates for a big business conference took over the whole Marriott Hotel and Country Club near Norwich for three days, and 250 of them passed through the driving range during a well-earned break in business! Senior Events Manager Caroline Allen recalls: ‘We literally used every bit of space!’ And yet, on the flip side of that scale of event planning, the hotel can also cater for small business meetings involving just eight people. With 11 rooms available for business hire, from the massive Norfolk Suite marquee (offering a maximum meeting space of 480 square metres and seating up to 500 people in theatre style), down to small rooms available as interview space, there really is something for every off-site meeting or event. It’s all about having the space to be flexible, according to Caroline. And that comprises 932 square metres of total meeting space. The marquee is a particularly flexible venue. One evening it could be used for a corporate dinner – seating 180 in a cabaret layout – and the following day it could be transformed into a business exhibition space, even able to accommodate cars! ‘The marquee is great as an exhibition

ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

SPROWSTON MANOR BUSINESS EVENTS

space,’ says Caroline. The possibilities with that amount of space are almost endless. Then there’s the Suffolk Suite (seating 120 theatre style or 60 cabaret style). Caroline says: ‘These are our two conference rooms for larger conferencing.’ Going down in scale, the Somerleyton Room and Sandringham Room (which, Caroline points out, has air-conditioning) are perfect for board meetings for around 24 people. There are an additional three rooms which accommodate around 12 people for board meetings, and a further three rooms which are ideal for interview rooms. And that is not all: finally, there’s the Felbrigg Room, which acts as another ‘breakout’ meeting room which can be used for workshops, for example. All rooms let in lots of natural light, which is a bonus when it comes to staging business events. Day delegates can be on a standard eight-hour package, costing from £32 a head: that price will include room hire, unlimited tea and coffee, expert catering in the form of a delegate lunch, and ‘the famous Marriott breaks’, as Caroline describes them, in midmorning and mid-afternoon. There’s always a sweet, a savoury and a healthy option available in each break. But lunch is an important break in the business day, of course, and new innovations are afoot, including energising low-fat options. ‘We are working at the moment with our executive chef,’ says Caroline. And, of course, the price includes all the latest audiovisual requirements. There’s high-speed internet throughout the hotel, including WiFi in some areas. However, there are also enhanced packages available – and this is a relatively recent development. Caroline explains that they are

aiming to make business meetings at Sprowston Manor more of a team building event. ‘What we are promoting at the moment are three different types of enhanced breaks.’ For an extra £2.50 per delegate, business meetings – involving between eight and 30 delegates – can be broken up with the very welcome addition of a golf professional, a spa therapist or a personal trainer! In other words, delegates could enjoy a stress-busting 10 minutes on the putting green or driving range with a PGA professional either during the lunch break or afternoon break; or a mind and body energiser in the afternoon with an enthusiastic personal trainer; or a mid-afternoon shoulder massage from a spa therapist. Caroline believes this sets Sprowston Manor apart from the competition. We are always looking for new and innovative ideas.’ She adds: ‘Our enhancement packages go that extra mile, more than meeting the customers’ expectations.’ Throughout the day an events planner or ‘red coat’, as they are known, will be the point of contact, for example, if a break needs to be brought forward by five minutes. ‘The events team are brilliant on the day’, says Caroline. ‘You get a dedicated events planner who looks after you.’ Caroline explains that the ethos of the events team is promote work, rest and play during any business event. ‘It’s about getting the most out of your delegates.’ And the enhanced packages certainly work towards that goal, too. Sprowston Manor also welcomes residential delegates, and has hosted big conferences for big brands before now. ‘We always want to create that ‘wow’ factor,’ says Caroline. The beauty of the 24-hour package is that there are all the hotel and country club facilities for delegates to enjoy at the end of a hard day. ‘We have the leisure club and we have the golf course,’ says Caroline. Corporate dinners are also big business. Caroline is keen to point out that, at Sprowston Manor, ‘we are not just a hotel – we are also a venue for corporate dinners.’ So whether it is a conference or a big business banquet, Sprowston Manor has the marquee, and many other meeting rooms besides, to make them work perfectly.

TO FIND OUT MORE call the Events Team at Sprowston Manor on 01603 410871. Sprowston Manor, a Marriott Hotel and Country Club, is located on Wroxham Road, Norwich. Visit www.MarriottSprowstonManor.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

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

S329 Almary Green Faces and Places Monthly Ad ARTWORK.pdf

06/11/2013

12:38

Caring For

Your Finances • Choose the right investments • Plan ahead for retirement • Provide disaster protection for your family • Secure your inheritance for your loved ones • Save tax on savings and gifts • Fund care fees, if and when needed

Almary Green Investments Ltd, Greenfields House,10 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich NR7 0TA Tel: 01603 706740 Email: enquiries@almarygreen.com

www.carefeeplanningnorfolk.co.uk www.carefeeplanningsuffolk.co.uk

www.almarygreen.com

FINANCIAL PLANNING

investments

CARL LAMB ALMARY GREEN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISERS 01603 706740 | WWW.ALMARYGREEN.COM

Tax-efficiency is an important element in the decision

MAI NTAI N I N G I NVE STM E NT BAL AN CE

process: there are a number of investment vehicles that offer tax-efficient growth and income or that will attract high levels of income tax relief. These include ISAs – with which most people are familiar – plus others such as Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs). Pension investments are also tax-efficient, attracting tax relief on contributions up to the annual allowance, tax efficient growth whilst invested and the opportunity to take 25 per cent of the fund tax free when drawing benefits.

CARL LAMB LOOKS AT HOW TO BUILD AN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Anyone looking to mitigate their potential Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability might like to consider an IHT ISA. These involve investment in Alternative Investment Market (AIM) shares which attract Business Property Relief (BPR). Investment via an AIM fund will ensure that only shares that qualify for BPR are selected for the fund. Once you have held the

With the turbulence of financial markets over the past few years, it has become ever more important to ensure that your investments are robust enough to weather the storms. Investors remain torn between investment routes: banks and building societies may offer a relatively secure return, but their interest rates remain unattractive whereas equity investments bring a higher degree of risk but the potential of a greater return. So what is the investor to do? The key to maximising your investment growth is to ensure that you have a balanced portfolio that maximises your tax position and spreads your investment risk. There are others factors to take into account too, such as the accessibility of your investment if and when you need to capitalise it and the length of time you are prepared to lock your money away. The old adage of never putting all your eggs in one basket holds true today. Building an investment portfolio should be a careful and considered process in which the generic types of investments are selected first – something known in the industry as ‘asset allocation’. Once the basic framework has been agreed, then you can look at the specific shares and bonds that match your risk profile.

qualifying shares for two years, they will be considered outside your estate and therefore exempt from IHT. However, it is important to remember that AIM shares do carry a significant risk and we recommend that you take advice before embarking on this route. There are other good reasons why you might consider incorporating equity-based investments in your portfolio, including their potential for providing an income through dividends. Dividends from FTSE 100 companies are currently delivering a yield of around 3 per cent after credit for basic rate income tax. This generally outstrips any income that might be generated through bank or building society accounts. It is useful to remember that any gains that you make on the sale of shares will be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). However, you do have the opportunity to buy and sell shares in a tax-efficient manner by taking advantage of your annual CGT allowance. Timing your disposals is important if you have unused CGT allowance available. With the end of the tax year approaching in early April, now is the perfect time to review your investments and to check that you have made the most of the tax breaks available, so that you have time to make any new investments or to dispose of holdings. The key to any investment portfolio is to match the

For independent advice on your investment portfolio, contact Almary Green on 01603 706740 or email carl.lamb@almarygreen.com

investments to your attitude to risk, your capacity for loss and your personal preferences. As independent financial advisers, we advise on products from the whole of the market and can help you build the right portfolio for your own specific circumstances.

The value of investments and the income from them may vary and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS

An innovative and forward thinking firm of chartered accountants, who have been helping families preserve and grow their wealth for over 150 years. For a free consultation contact: Kevin Bunting | 01493 335100 | k.bunting@lovewell-blake.co.uk

www.lovewell-blake.co.uk

Your local legal experts For you • • • • •

Buying and selling your home Re-mortgages and transfers of equity Wills and powers of attorney Court of protection Family and children matters

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No hidden costs • Direct lawyer contact • Free first advice • Same day response

LEGAL

back-to-work scheme

JULIAN GIBBONS NORTON PESKETT SOLICITORS 01493 849200 | WWW.NORTONPESKETT.CO.UK

The claimant did in fact succeed on the first three points,

GOING BACK TO WORK

before both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Unfortunately for Miss Reilly, on the day of the Court of Appeal judgment in February of 2013, the Government, mindful of the criticism of the regulations which had been levied both at the original High Court hearing and in the appeal court, brought into force amending regulations, which addressed the criticisms as to lawfulness and which also were made retrospective, so as

THIS MONTH JULIAN GIBBONS EXAMINES THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTROVERSIAL BACK-TO-WORK SCHEME

to render lawful any similar cases to Miss Reilly’s. So, far from there being a rethink of Government policy, the Government acted swiftly to address the regulations and to make their declared policy watertight. This position was, of course, known well in advance of the Supreme Court hearing and one is given to wonder why, against this background, Miss Reilly made the comments that she did, comments which appear to have gone largely unchallenged by the press coverage, which concentrated

CAITLIN REILLY EMERGED FROM THE SUPREME COURT LAST OCTOBER, expressing herself pleased with the outcome of the case she had brought, with one other, against the Department of Work and Pensions over the Government’s Back-to-Work scheme. This is a sometimes controversial scheme to require those who are long term unemployed to work for a period where directed as a condition of receiving job seekers allowance. Her words are worth quoting at some length. She said that she hoped that the case would: ‘Serve to improve the current system and assist jobseekers who have been unfairly stripped of their benefits,’ and she added that: ‘I knew that there was something wrong when I was stopped from doing voluntary work in a local museum and instead forced to work for Poundland for free. I have been fortunate enough to find work in a supermarket but I know how difficult it can be. It must be time for the Government to rethink its strategy and actually do something constructive to help lift people out of unemployment and poverty.’ The case therefore had what would appear to be a significant political agenda, with talk of unfairness and rethinking of policy on the part of the Government. It was pursued on what the Supreme Court referred to as four distinct grounds, namely that the regulations under which the scheme operated were outside the scope of the enabling legislation, that certain notice provisions (notice to the claimants of what was required of them) had not been complied with, that there was no published policy relating to the scheme and lastly, and perhaps most controversially, that the requirement to work as a condition of receiving job seekers allowance was contrary to her human rights, specifically to Article 4 of the Convention, which covers forced labour and slavery.

on what they perceived to be Government embarrassment over the issue. In fact, Iain Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. There is no real reason why he should not, as Government changing the rules to avoid a difficult judgment against them is a path that governments of all political persuasions have taken in the past. The Supreme Court case was therefore of mainly academic interest. The most significant ruling for the public was on the Article 4 arguments. Here, the Supreme Court made it clear that the case really failed to get off the ground. Referring to the origin of Article 4, which was in a provision to prevent forced labour in various colonies of empire, the court went on to quote from four previous decisions of the European Commission and Court of Human Rights, all of which had dismissed similar claims. It considered that, for a breach to be shown, the requirement would have to be exploitative of the individual, ie unjust, oppressive or causing hardship. The regulations resulted in none of these things. Those who have no love of the Human Rights Act might well have cause to celebrate this judgment, confining as it does part of the application of the Convention on Human Rights to circumstances it was arguably designed to apply to, namely genuine cases of forced labour by oppressive regimes, as opposed to cases where the issue is one of political or philosophical disagreement. Miss Reilly brought the case because she resented being required to work as a condition of her benefits. Many would disagree with her on that alone. The outcome of her case has if anything reinforced that policy rather than weakened it. It is unfortunate that more of those reporting the case did not question a little more the assertions of victory made in the face of defeat.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

DENISE LITTLEWOOD DENISE LITTLEWOOD FINANCIAL ADVISER 01493 384255 | WWW.DENISELITTLEWOODFINANCIALADVISER.CO.UK

PENSION PLANNING PENSIONS REFORM IS HAVING A MAJOR IMPACT, SAYS DENISE LITTLEWOOD

ew rules designed to resolve the UK’s

many smaller employers. Automatic enrolment recognises

pensions saving crisis are having a major

that the solution lies in private provision and compels

impact on employers and employees alike

all employers to enrol eligible jobholders in a workplace

following the introduction of reforms in

pension scheme, unless they are already a member of a

October 2012.

qualifying scheme. Contributions will be collected and paid

With people generally living longer and facing the possibility of funding a retirement that could now

to the scheme by the employer through the payroll system. For automatic enrolment, employers will have to choose

last 20 years or more, the Government is getting employers

a pension scheme, perhaps an existing one or a scheme set

to automatically enrol their employees into a workplace

up with a pension provider. Information from the Pension

pension scheme to make it easier for people to start saving

Regulator (www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk) is now

for their retirement and not rely solely on the State Pension.

available to help companies make this decision.

This automatic enrolment will allow employees to decide

A fundamental principle is that the job holder must be

whether to stay in or opt out of the workplace pension

enrolled and will then be able to opt out. Employers will be

scheme. It began in October 2012, starting with the largest

banned from incentivising opt-outs.

employers, and employees will automatically join and

Pensions can seem a confusing subject, full of financial

pay into their employers’ pension schemes, (unless they

jargon and complicated rules, and the new reforms provide

specifically opt out), which could be an existing or a new

much food for thought. Certainly for employers, a proper

scheme to which the employer will also contribute. The

strategy is going to be essential and most large scheme

Government will contribute by way of tax relief on the

advisers consider that planning should already have started.

employee contributions. Smaller employers and newly

The project will require an accountable manager and team.

formed businesses will have until 2017/18 to comply.

Employers should be mindful, too, of the requirements and

It is all designed to reinvigorate pension saving in the UK,

restrictions of the Financial Services Act. They may invite

create a simpler system to help people make better informed

an adviser to present to staff, and there is no problem in

decisions about how much they need to save privately, and

giving staff information that includes no recommendation or

make it easier for them to plan for their retirement. Minister

advice. In addition, there is no problem recommending that

for Pensions Steve Webb has described the new reforms as

employees join a scheme to which the employer contributes.

‘the start of a much-needed seismic shift in pension saving in

It is vital that the employer informs the employee that advice

this country’ (Source: Department of Work & Pensions press

is available from a financial adviser, and the employer should

release February 1, 2012).

take no financial reward for establishing a scheme.

The reforms follow the failure of stakeholder pension

For employees, it is important to remember that your life

schemes, which floundered because they required no

in retirement is going to be very different from your working

contribution commitment from the employer and excluded

one, both personally and financially. Outgoings are likely to be lower, but you may want to spend more money on leisure activities. Retirement is like a holiday – but every one of your

To receive a complimentary guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning contact Denise Littlewood Financial Adviser on 01493 384255 or email denise.littlewood@sjpp.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

retirement years has to be paid for. That is why it is essential to seek professional advice and start planning for retirement now, whatever your age, to provide an income that is going to see you through potentially many more years than those enjoyed by previous generations.

tax | WEALTH MANAGEMENT

KEVIN BUNTING LOVEWELL BLAKE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 01493 335100 | WWW.LOVEWELL-BLAKE.CO.UK

The Taxman Cometh KEVIN BUNTING DISCUSSES PAYING TAX ON INVESTMENTS HELD IN TRUST Over recent years there has been an increase in the number of investment bonds being held in some kind of trust. This is often done because it offers more flexible Inheritance Tax advantages for the settlor. The income tax treatment for these types of investment is rather complicated and can generate unusual results and higher income tax liabilities. It is becoming more of an issue due to the increase of ‘gift and loan’ and ‘discounted gift’ trusts being used as the platform to hold these investments. A brief summary of each is below: Gift and loan trust

Often these types of arrangement are made using Interest In Possession trust. These types of trust result in a person having a right to future trust income but the capital is protected by the trustees. These arrangements start with the settlor making a small cash gift and then providing a much larger loan. These amounts are invested in an investment bond, the aim being to achieve investment growth outside of the settlor’s estate. Discounted gift trust

These can be quite tricky to understand when first encountered. In essence, a settlor reserves the right to receive certain capital repayments which means the Inheritance Tax value of the gift is reduced. They often involve large sums being gifted into flexible Interest In Possession trust, with the trustees then investing in a bond. The retained rights of the settlor would normally be less than 5 per cent per annum of the original investment in order to avoid chargeable event gains arising in the trust as amounts are paid back to the settlor from the investment. Chargeable events

All investment bonds are subject to tax when they mature or are surrendered. Switches within the fund are not taxed at the time of the switch which is why they are sometimes attractive to the investor. On maturity/surrender a chargeable event gain will often arise

which is essentially the profit made by the bond over the period it has been owned. The gain is subject to income tax. Who reports chargeable event gains, calculates the tax and pays it?

Before answering this question we must start with what happens if there is no trust. As you would expect, where an individual makes the investment and later sells it, the chargeable event would be reported on their tax return. If the individual pays tax at basic rate they are not liable to income tax on the chargeable event gain. If the individual pays tax at a higher rate (say 40 – 45 per cent) they are entitled to top slicing relief to reduce the personal tax liability. Where a bond is held in trust the answer is more complex. If the settlor is still alive when the bond is surrendered/matured the reporting of the gain is made on their personal tax return. They are also due to pay the tax but will not receive any sale proceeds because they belong to the trustees. Where the chargeable event can’t be reported on the settlor (say due to death) the trustees must declare the gain on the trust tax return in boxes 9.29 – 9.31. Note that, unlike the personal tax return, there is no box for entering the number of years for which the policy has been held. This is because no top slicing relief is available for trustees. The gain is then taxed at 45 per cent but a credit may be available to offset the liability. The trustees are liable to for paying the tax. Holding an investment bond in trust will therefore usually result in higher income tax charges on maturity/surrender. In some cases it could release a 45 per cent tax charge where the settlor may not have been liable to tax at all. Complications where settlor still alive

If the settlor is still alive when a trust bond matures, or is surrendered, the chargeable event is reported on their tax return. When the trustees make the decision to sell an investment bond they may not consult the settlor. This will cause problems because the settlor will not be expecting to pay tax on the trust disposal and may not have the funds to do so. The trustees should therefore consult the settlor before deciding to sell an investment bond to ensure the tax liability can be met. Can the trust tax position be overcome?

The simple answer is yes, but planning work will need to be conducted before the investment is sold. This may not be the case in all situations but most should be able to overcome the problems by taking advice before a bond is due to be surrendered.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

The Class of 2014

AUDI A3 CABRIO

NISSAN QASHQUAI

James Spicer looks to the new motoring year and offers some thoughts on what’s new in the market for 2014

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

houghts often turn to a new car as a new year dawns – and 2014 is not different in as much as the choice is set to widen considerably. So it may be worth waiting for a while to check out the new models – maybe even considering something completely different, like hybrid or electric power. There are some familiar names appearing in new guises – the Ford Mondeo, for example – and some manufacturers are venturing into new territory. But with what’s already on offer and what’s to come, there is bound to be something to take your fancy. The new Mondeo is due here in the autumn, and early reports suggest that it will be a lot more stylish and upmarket, with a flavour of the new Ford Mustang. It will have a range of new engines, including a 1.5-litre turbo petrol and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost. Diesel options will be 1.5 and 2.0-litre TDCis, with at least one emitting less than 100g/km of CO2. The car will also benefit from a range of equipment to afford control by voice of almost all major functions. Safety features will also be enhanced. The American version is also offered as a hybrid so it may be that this will also appear over here. Ford is also due to launch an estate version with the

JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE

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same range of engines, and entry level models will cost around £17,000. Renault is due to launch a new version of its Twingo later in the year, but it will bear little resemblance to the current model. It will only be a five-door, and have a rear-engined, rear wheel drive platform. It also promises outstanding economy, plus a punchy performance and, as it will be up against cars like the Vauxhall Adam and Fiat 500, will offer plenty of design features, colour choices and trim options. Prices are likely to kick off at around £9000. BMW is producing its first ever front wheel drive model with the 2 Series Active Tourer, which arrives in the summer. Powered by the new range of three cylinder 1.5 litre petrol and diesel engines, economy will be outstanding without lacking in performance. Technology found elsewhere in the BMW line-up will be found in the Tourer, including a range of safety systems like lane departure warning and a head-up display. Price-wise it should cost around £20,000 at entry level. Also due here in the summer is the latest member of the Fiat 500 family, the 500X, a small crossover to rival cars like the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur. The new car will take many of the 500 hatch’s features and put them in a more muscular SUV-style body. But despite this it will continue to be front wheel drive only.

Engine choices will mirror those used in the 500L, so expect Fiat’s two-cylinder TwinAir petrol, plus a fourcylinder 1.3 diesel. Entry-level cars should be priced to start from around £14,000. Nissan’s Qashquai has proved to be a very popular addition to the SUV market, and a mark II version is due here in 2014. The new version has flowing lines and more aggressive looks, and will benefit from the latest technology, including 360-degree cameras, autobraking and parking assistance. Increased refinement should give the Qashqai a more grown-up feel with ride and handling designed to suit bumpy UK roads. Prices: Starting at £17,595 for the entry-level Visia, and rising to £27,854 for the 4WD 1.6 dCi in top-spec Tekna trim. While the old car came as a seven-seater, the new one is strictly for five. A new X-Trail arrives in July for those seeking seven seats. Also on the way are the new Audi Q7 (due October), Jaguar F-Type Coupe (due spring), e-SEAT Leon Cupra (March), Audi A3 Cabriolet (April) and perhaps most interesting of all, the VW e-Golf (spring). This should convince any doubters about electric cars as giants like VW don’t go lightly into this kind of territory. We’re talking a range of almost 120 miles on a single charge, and matching most petrol and diesel Golfs on acceleration. Prices will be around £26,000 after the £5000 grant.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

new peugeot 3o8

new peugeot 3o8 DRIVING SENSATIONS DRIVING SENSATIONS new peugeot 3o8 new peugeot 3o8 DRIVING SENSATIONS DRIVING SENSATIONS

NOW AVAILABLE TO TEST DRIVE AT SIDEGATE MOTORS FROM - £24045TO TEST DRIVE AT SIDEGATE NOW£13995 AVAILABLE NOW AVAILABLE TEST DRIVE AT SIDEGATE MOTORS FROM308£13995TO - £24045 NEW pEugEot FROM £13995 - £24045 The New Peugeot 308 has arrived at Sidegate Motors. NOW AVAILABLE TO TEST DRIVE AT SIDEGATE MOTORS It’s a car where every design choice has been made to bring your senses alive. Sight, sound and touch come together to deliver driving£13995 exhilaration that makes you feel closer, more connected to the road ahead. NEW pEugEot 308 FROM £24045 NEW pEugEot Contact us to arrange a test308 drive.

MOTORS

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The New Peugeot 308 has arrived at Sidegate Motors. It’saacar car where every design has been made tosenses bringalive. yourSight, senses alive. sound and touch come It’s where every design choicechoice has been made to bring your sound and Sight, touch come NEW pEugEot 308exhilaration together to deliver driving that makes youmore feel connected closer, more connected together to deliver driving exhilaration that makes you feel closer, to the road ahead.to the road ahead. The Newus Peugeot 308ahas at Sidegate Motors. Contact to arrange testarrived Contact us to arrange adrive. test drive. It’s a car where every design choice has been made to bring your senses alive. Sight, sound and touch come together to deliver driving exhilaration that makes you feel closer, more connected to the road ahead. Contact us to arrange a test drive.

SIDEgAtE MotoRS

Gapton Hall Road, GREAT YARMOUTH, NR31 0NL 01493 419702 www.sidegatemotors.co.uk

SIDEgAtE MotoRS

Gapton Hall Road, GREAT YARMOUTH, NR31(g/km) 0NLfor the 308 range are: Urban 35.7 – 67.3 (7.9 – 4.2), Extra Urban 61.4 – 85.6 (4.6 – 3.3), Combined 48.7 – 78.5 (5.8 – 3.6) and CO2 134 – 95. The official fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions

SIDEgAtE MotoRS 01493 419702 Gapton Hallwww.sidegatemotors.co.uk Road, GREAT YARMOUTH, NR31 0NL

MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. On the road prices quoted include delivery to dealership, number plates, 12 months’ Government Vehicle Excise Duty and £55 Government First Registration Fee.

Gapton Hall Road, GREAT YARMOUTH, NR31 0NL

01493 419702 www.sidegatemotors.co.uk

The official419702 fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 range are: Urban 35.7 – 67.3 (7.9 – 4.2), Extra Urban 61.4 – 85.6 (4.6 – 3.3), Combined 48.7 – 78.5 (5.8 – 3.6) and CO2 134 – 95. 01493 www.sidegatemotors.co.uk

Theofficial official consumption mpg (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) 30835.7 range are: 35.7Urban – 67.3 (7.9 – 4.2), 61.4 – 85.6 3.3),and Combined The fuelfuel consumption in mpg in (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 rangefor are:the Urban – 67.3 (7.9Urban – 4.2), Extra 61.4 – 85.6 (4.6Extra – 3.3), Urban Combined 48.7 – 78.5(4.6 (5.8 – – 3.6) CO2 134 – 48.7 95. – 78.5 (5.8 – 3.6)

MPG figures are are achieved under official test conditions, intended as a intended guide for comparative only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road conditions. On the road prices quoted include delivery to dealership, number plates, 12 months’ Government Vehicle Excise Dutyplates, and £55 12 Government RegistrationVehicle Fee. MPG figures achieved underEU official EU test conditions, as a guidepurposes for comparative purposes only, and may notdriving reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. On the road prices quoted include delivery to dealership, number months’First Government Excise Duty and £55 Gover

sidegate 47.indd 1

22/01/2014 16:52

BOTH VAT FREE

Splash from £7,999 Swift 4x4 from £11,516

Not only are these two stylish models fun to drive, both have low CO2 emissions and minimal running costs too. If you can’t bring yourself to get out of one, the least we can do is help you get out of the VAT.

Request a Test Drive today: suzuki.co.uk/mrking

M R King & Sons

Horn Hill, Lowestoft, Suﬀolk NR33 0PX 01502 525425 Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the Suzuki Splash range mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km): Urban 40.9-50.4 (6.9-5.6), Extra Urban 56.5-67.3 (5.0-4.2), Combined 49.6-60.1 (5.7-4.7), CO2 emissions 131-109 g/km and for the Suzuki Swift range mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km): Urban 41.5-60.1 (6.8-4.7), Extra Urban 57.6-83.0 (4.9-3.4), Combined 50.4-72.4 (5.6-3.9), CO2 emissions 128-101 g/km. The above fuel consumption figures are based on an EU test for comparative purposes only and may not reflect real driving results. *VAT free offer on Splash range: Splash 1.0 SZ2 available from £7,999, including customer saving of £1,600 to Splash 1.2 SZ4 A/T available at £10,645 including customer saving of £2,129 equivalent to VAT amount of previous on the road price of £9,599 (SZ2) and £12,774 (SZ4 A/T). VAT equivalent reduction is not available on vehicle options or accessories. *VAT free offer on Swift 4x4 range: Swift 1.2 SZ3 5dr 4x4 available from £11,516, including a customer saving of £2,303 to Swift 1.2 SZ4 5dr 4x4 available at £13,116 including customer saving of £2,623 which is equivalent to the VAT amount of the previous on the road price of £13,819 (SZ3 5dr 4x4) and £15,739 (SZ4 5dr 4x4). VAT equivalent reduction is not available on vehicle options or accessories. VAT Free offer excludes Swift Sport and Swift Sport SZ-R. For full Search/SuzukiCarsUK details contact your local participating Suzuki Dealer. Offer subject to availability for vehicles privately registered between 1st January 2014 to 31st March 2014 from participating Authorised Suzuki Dealers only. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. All prices and specifications correct at time of going to print. Swift specifications and prices refer to the 2013 facelift model. Model shown: Splash SZ4 (metallic paint available at £415). Model shown: Swift SZ4 5dr 4x4 (metallic paint available at £430).

Between £250 and £1950 Finance Deposit Allowance on your New '14' Registration Ford

KA STUDIO 1.2 8V PETROL (69PS) ENGINE £7,750

FIESTA STYLE 1.25 DURATEC 60 PS £10,495

B-MAX ZETEC 1.4 DURATEC 90PS £13,995

FOCUS EDGE 5 DOOR 1.6 PETROL (105PS) £14,995

• Accessory power socket (12v) • Body colour bumpers • Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) • ISOFIX • Rear seat head restraints • Stereo radio/CD player with MP3. Aux jack and 6 speakers

• Air conditioning • Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) • Body colour spoiler + front/rear bumpers • Central locking • Ford Easy Fuel™ system • MyKEY

• 15” 5-spoke alloy wheels • Adjustable load floor in luggage compartment for easy loading of cargo • Centre rear seat head restraint • DAB digital radio/CD with AUX connection • Front fog lights

• Air conditioning – Manual control • Body colour rear spoiler • Body-colour door handles • Body-colour electrically-operated door mirrors with turn indicators • Design Steel Wheels – 5 spoke • Remote central locking

Pertwee & Back Limited Gapton Hall Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 01493 664151

www.pertwee-and-back.co.uk

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) Ford Car range: urban 48.7 - 35.3 (5.8-8.0), extra urban 67.3 - 57.7 (4.2-4.9), combined 57.7 - 47.1 (4.9-6.0). Official CO2 emission 139.0-115.0g/km. Retail only. Metallic paint extra cost. Vehicles shown for illustration purposes only. This supersedes all previously advertised manufacturer’s promotions. Details correct at time of going to print. Subject to availability. Contact us for terms and conditions. Applies to new vehicles,contracted and registered by 31/03/2014. Where savings are shown, advertised prices are calculated by deducting the saving from the manufacturer’s recommended OTR price.

Beautiful curves. A stunning figure. The All-New Volvo V40 D2 R-Design from £299 per month with 3 years Servicing, Maintenance, Volvo Assistance and VAT included*

Book a test drive at M.R.King & Sons today Official fuel consumption for the All-New Volvo V40 R-Design in MPG (l/100km): Urban 25.0 (11.3) - 74.3 (3.8), Extra Urban 47.1 (6.0) - 91.1 (3.1), Combined 35.8 (7.9) - 83.1 (3.4). CO₂ Emissions 185 - 88g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. *Volvo Personal Contract Hire. Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Initial payment of £1,794, followed by 35 monthly rentals. Based on 8,000 miles per annum. Vehicles returned at contract end must be within contracted mileage and in good condition to avoid further charges. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. We may receive commission for the introduction. All scheduled servicing and maintenance included, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and warranty requirements. Subject to availability at participating dealers for vehicles registered between 16th September 2013 and 31st March 2014, or while stocks last. Not available with other promotions. Terms and conditions apply. Volvo Car Leasing.

www.volvocarshalesworth.co.uk

M.R.King & Sons 46 Quay St, Halesworth, IP19 8EY 01986 874464

COMING OF

AGE MAZDA'S NEW GOLF RIVAL MAKES SOME CLASS-BEATING FIRST IMPRESSIONS, SAYS MATT KIMBERLEY D E A L E R D E TA I L S Wrights Mazda – Beccles, Common Lane North, Beccles, NR34 9BL Call 01502 713885, Visit www.wrights-motors.co.uk Wrights Mazda – Norwich, 101 Cromer Road, Norwich, NR6 6XW Call 01603 427011, Visit www.wrights-motors.co.uk

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

Stretch your memory back a few years and think of the Mazda3. You’ll probably remember it as a good-looking, humble compact family hatchback that, for reasons you can’t quite put your finger on, you never considered a real match for the class leaders. Prepare to update that opinion. Mazda hasn’t simply released a new version of the car. It’s all-new, yes, but it’s a complete quantum leap forward from the old one and it can take on the very best of its rivals on an equal footing – and maybe even steal the crown. Let’s start with the styling, which is unlike anything except the 3’s Mazda siblings; the CX-5 and the latest 6. Its curvaceous and flowing lines are instantly recognisable and draw endless admiring glances from both sides of the street, unlike the latest dull, straight-line-sober designs from Germany. Then there’s this car’s engine. It’s the sole diesel option (for now); a 2.2-litre unit with 148bhp. That makes it up to 600cc larger than the most popular diesels on sale today, but it coughs out just 107g/km of CO2 – less than many 1.6s do. The saloon version (called the Fastback) is rated at just 104g/km. Downsizing isn’t the right way forward, says Mazda: this is what it calls ‘right-sizing’. The achievement is astonishing. The SkyActiv-D twinturbodiesel, despite its capacity, is so clean it passes Euro 6

MOTORING

Mazda3

emissions regulations without any need for additives. Even the likes of BMW and Mercedes haven’t managed that yet. But at the same time it’s still a good size engine with a lot of natural off-boost torque – something all 1.6-litre diesel engines lack. On the road it’s one of the best diesels I’ve ever used. It accelerates cleanly from anything above 1000rpm, it’s flexible enough to pull lower revs in higher gears so you don’t need to work the gearbox, it’s quiet and for a diesel it’s extremely smooth. The cleverly-harmonised turbochargers just get on with their work, reducing turbo lag and conjuring up a meaty lump of torque that eclipses more or less any of the Mazda’s rivals. The gearbox uses the same design as the one from the MX-5 roadster and it shows. It’s not the lightest but it feels pleasantly mechanical, if still a little remote for the sake of user-friendliness. Combine this brilliant drivetrain with surprising handling balance, a compliant chassis, stiff body and well set-up suspension and you have a car that’s definitely among the best in class to drive, whether it’s on the motorway or a mountain pass. It’s also comfortable. Having previously driven the petrol version across 1600 miles of truly abysmal Russian roads I can say that the ride is composed and settled; capable of absorbing almost anything that’s thrown its way. Even when the springs bottom out (which will almost never happen in Britain), the bump stops do a superb job of calmly maintaining balance and control.

The interior is solid. Everything feels extremely well screwed together and there’s a good spread of expensivefeeling materials. It’s a distinctly Japanese cabin and the detailing is, to my eyes, very smart. Mazda has made a point of including the MZD Connect infotainment system on mid-range trims and above. Connectivity is becoming more and more important, so the Mazda3 comes with two USB ports, a 3.5mm port, Bluetooth and an SD card slot, although the latter is occupied by the navigation system’s maps data. If there’s a niggle with this otherwise extremely wellrounded and accomplished new car, it’s the tiny front door pockets. Rounded and sized only for a bottle of your chosen fizzy soft drink, there’s really nowhere to put anything like notepads or documents. Rear legroom is ample, and shoulder room has been boosted for this new model. Although the C-pillars are broad, sitting in the back doesn’t feel claustrophobic at all. It’s refreshing to find a car so outrageously capable but as efficient as – or more so than – anything else of its type. The old Mazda3 was a good car so this has hardly come out of the blue, but the new model really is first-class.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Mazda3 SkyActiv-D Sport Nav, from £22,145 on the road. Engine: 2.2-litre twin-turbocharged diesel producing 148bhp and 280lb.ft. Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels. Performance: Top speed 130mph, 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds. Fuel economy: 68.9mpg. CO2 rating: 107g/km. Price Range: £16,695 – £23,345

PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

The New Dacia Range from £5,995*

TWO YEARS RUNNING

Dacia Sandero = from £5,995*

Dacia Logan MCV = from £6,995*

Dacia Sandero Stepway = from £8,395*

Dacia Duster = from £9,495*

Sandero shown is Lauréate 1.2 16V 75 from £7,995. Logan MCV shown is a Lauréate 1.2 16V 75 from £8,995. Duster shown is Lauréate dCi 110 4x2 from £13,495.

MITCHELLS OF LOWESTOFT 50–58 LONG ROAD, LOWESTOFT NR33 9DQ 0844 875 9626 WWW.MITCHELLSDACIA.CO.UK The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Dacia range are: Urban 27.2 (10.4)–65.7 (4.3); Extra Urban 40.3 (7)–80.7 (3.5); Combined 35.3 (8)–74.3 (3.8). The official CO2 emissions for the range are 185–99g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors. *Prices shown include delivery to dealer, number plates, 20% VAT, 12-month Government road fund licence and £55 first registration fee. Prices shown are Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Prices, which apply to new Dacia vehicles when ordered by 31 March 2014. Metallic paint available at an additional £495.

Competitive low rate finance on 2 year Ford Options With a £1,000 Deposit Allowance available on the entire FORD KUGA range

“It’s a winner” topgear.com topgear.com

4.2% APR

representative

Ludham Garage Ltd High Street, Ludham, Norfolk, NR29 5QQ 01692 678 215 Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Kuga range: urban 44.8-27.7 (6.3-10.2), extra urban 60.1-44.8 (4.7-6.3), combined 53.3-36.7 (5.3-7.7). Official C02 emissions 139-179g/km.

Retail only. Finance subject to status. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. Freepost Ford Credit. Subject to availability at a Ford Authorised Dealer for new vehicles contracted between 01/01/2014 – 31/03/2014 and registered between 01/01/2014 – 30/09/2014. Deposit Allowance available only when financed with Ford Credit. Ludham Garage Ltd only offers finance products from Ford Credit.

www.ludhamgarage.co.uk

Norfolk’s Premier Accident Repair Centre P R O U D LY W O R K I N G W I T H L O C A L M A N U FA C T U R E R S

16-20 Concorde Road Norwich | NR6 6BN 01603 410777 www.the-bodycentre.co.uk http://www.facebook /TheBodycentreLtd

Protect your investment, whether it be vehicle refinishing or major accident damage The place where you will find a team of dedicated professionals waiting to help you get back on the road in a replacement vehicle whether it’s a fault or non fault accident

BODY AND PAINT CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

YEARS INSURANCE* WARRANTY SERVICING CAR TAXƒ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

£159 107 ACCESS

£199 208 ACCESS

a month with JUST

ADD FUEL®

PEUGEOT 107 ACCESS & 208 ACCESS

Whether you go for the bold little Peugeot 107 Access with up to 65.7mpg, or the award-winning Peugeot 208 Access with rear LED lights, they both come with Just Add Fuel: the only package to include 3 years’ comprehensive insurance, servicing, car tax, roadside assistance and warranty. Hmm, decisions, decisions. For a test drive, give us a call.

M R KING & SONS Horn Hill, LOWESTOFT, NR33 0PX 01502 573955 www.mrking.co.uk

Official Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 107 Range are: Urban 52.31 – 55.38 (5.1 – 5.4), Extra Urban 70.62 – 74.33 (4 – 3.8), Combined 62.77 – 65.69 (4.5 – 4.3) and CO2 104-99 (g/km); for the 208 range are: Urban 32.8 – 78.5 (8.6 – 3.6), Extra Urban 54.3 – 88.3 (5.2 – 3.2), Combined 44.1 – 83.1 (6.4 – 3.4) and CO2 149 – 87 (g/km).

MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. #Terms and conditions apply, participating dealers only or visit www.peugeot. co.uk. †The first year Road Fund Licence (RFL) is included in the on the road price. The Dealer will provide customers with a cheque equivalent to twice the current RFL cost. The customer must apply for years 2 & 3 RFL. Just Add Fuel (JAF) is subject to status. *Minimum age 21, 25 or 30 on selected models, maximum age 75. Policyholder must have a minimum of 2 years NCD to use on the vehicle. All drivers must meet eligibility criteria including minimum 2 years’ full UK licence, driving convictions/claims limits. Excesses apply. 3 years motor insurance is provided and underwritten by U K Insurance Limited. A guarantee may be required. Written quotations available from Peugeot Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. JAF is incorporated into a Personal Lease contract. 107 Access 1.0 3dr initial payment £159, optional final payment £3016, 35 monthly rentals. 208 Access 1.0 VTi68 3dr initial payment £199, optional final payment £4382, 35 monthly rentals. If you choose to pay off the optional final rental, you can pay an annual rental equivalent to one of your monthly rentals but will not own the car. Ownership is possible with JAF Passport, ask your Dealer for details. Rentals quoted for a typical customer and will vary according to age, post code and annual mileage. Excess mileage charges may apply. Routine servicing included only. Excludes wear parts. This offer is not available in N I. Offer available on cars ordered and registered by 31st March 2014. Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

DUFF MORGAN Whiffler Road, Norwich, NR3 2AZ Tel: 01603 775477

FAM I LY FAVO U R ITE IT’S A SEVEN-SEAT MPV BUT DOES THE GRAND PICASSO OFFER MORE THAN JUST SPACE? MATT JOY REPORTS

IT’S THE MOMENT FEW OF US would relish. You love your children of course but transporting them, and occasionally their friends, means time to wave goodbye to your hot hatch; you need to buy an MPV. But far from being the dull boxes of the old days modern MPVs are a darned sight more interesting. Car manufacturers have realised that making an MPV desirable in its own right is a good thing and is actually achievable. Citroen’s C4 Picasso is the latest example. Presented here in seven-seat Grand Picasso form (with a fiveseat version also available) it gets off to a flying start by virtue of its looks. It’s a sleek and spacious form with some eye-catching details, notably the full-length silver roof rails that curve neatly to the rear of the car. At the front there are slim and elegant LED lights while at the rear there are even more interesting 3D-effect lights that wrap neatly into the tailgate. And why shouldn’t MPVs look attractive? The Grand Picasso’s

98 placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

49 Bergen Way, North Lynn Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn PE30 2JG Tel: 01553 770144 www.duffmorgan.citroen.co.uk

MOTORING

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso

Prices correct at the time of going to press

FAC TS AT A G L A NC E Model: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso BlueHDi 150 Exclusive Price: from £19,200 Engine: 2.0-litre diesel unit producing 150bhp and 273lb. ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 130mph, 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds Economy: 67.2mpg combined Emissions: 110g/km of CO2

kerb appeal draws you in, and once you’ve stepped inside there’s more good news. Citroen has worked hard to make the interior more than just the place you have to sit; it claims the largest glazed area in the class and once you’re sat inside it’s hard to doubt it. Much has also been made of the ‘lounge’ feel to the Grand Picasso’s cabin. Front occupants can have massage seats while the front passenger can have a motorised footrest to give them the fully-reclined airline style experience – although taller occupants will find a lack of foot room in this position. But there’s a strong sense of style in the cabin, with different textures and trims. Nice though the cloth seats are the leather option is not only more hardy but boosts the luxury feel. Citroen has also torn up the rule book for the driver, and rather than conventional instruments the Grand Picasso has a fully-digital display which is mounted centrally in the dashboard. Ergonomically speaking that’s the best place for them to be but it also adds to the feeling of space. The screens themselves are seven and 12 inches with the former operating as touchscreen to control many of the functions. That gives the dashboard a clean and uncluttered feel although you do need to spend a little bit of time to find your way around the menus. It’s easier to get lost in the cabin though. The Grand Picasso has 645-litres of boot space in its five-seat configuration, an increase of 69 litres over the outgoing model. That can be boosted to 790 litres if you slide the second row of seats forward. And should you feel the need to play van driver for the day, fold all the seats down and there’s 2181 litres of space to fill. All that is good news, but the Grand Picasso still needs to drive like a car rather than a minibus. Happily the driving experience is impressive. The Grand Picasso is based on Citroen’s new EMP2 platform, just like the regular-sized Picasso, and that means a stiff structure. As well as boosting safety it helps the ride and handling; the Grand Picasso feels more nimble and stable than its size and shape would suggest, and the ride quality is also impressive. The worst urban warts do make themselves known but won’t disturb your passengers. Noise levels are also very well managed, and with air vents dotted throughout the cabin everyone can stay comfortable. It’s clearly capable of being loaded up with people and luggage and travelling big distances with ease. You’ll get a long way on a tank of fuel too. The new BlueHDi 150 engine fitted here uses a new design of exhaust to reduce emissions and fuel consumption to impressively-low levels; 110g/km of CO2 when fitted with the manual gearbox. The automatic makes life even easier for the driver and only adds another 7g/km. There’s no shortage of options in the seven-seat MPV market, but right now the Grand Picasso manages to offer as much practicality and usability as its key rivals with a hefty dose of style and luxury to boot.

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

www.citroen.co.uk

NEW CITROËN GRAND C4 PICASSO ONLY £249 PER MONTH°

ANOTHER GREAT IDEA FROM DUFF MORGAN 01603 775477

WHIFFLER ROAD, NORWICH, NORFOLK, NR3 2AZ www.duffmorgan.citroen.co.uk

DUFF MORGAN KING’S LYNN 01553 770144

49 BERGEN WAY, KING’S LYNN, NORFOLK, PE30 2JG www.duffmorgankingslynn.citroen.co.uk

°Prices & offers apply to retail sales of qualifying Citroën models ordered & delivered 01/01-31/03/14 & include VAT, delivery to dealer & number plates, Government Registration Fee & 12 months’ graduated vehicle excise duty. Black/metallic/pearlescent paint optional at extra cost. From price shown: New Citroën Grand C4 Picasso e-HDi 115 Airdream 6-speed manual Exclusive. Elect 4 Personal Lease requires an advance rental of £7631 followed by 46 monthly rentals & an optional final rental of £7465. Excess mileage charges may apply if the agreed annual mileage is exceeded. Payment of the optional final rental extends the rental term (this does not transfer title of the vehicle) & requires an annual rental equivalent to one months’ rental. Finance subject to status. Written quotations available on request from Citroën Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1QA, UK. Over 18s only. A guarantee may be required. Offers, prices & specification correct at time of going to press from participating Dealers. Terms & conditions apply. Please ask us for details. Subject to stock availability. Finance offers apply to UK only.

Official Government fuel consumption figures (Range): Urban cycle, Extra urban, Combined (litres per 100km/mpg) & CO2 emissions (g/km); Highest:New Citroën Grand C4 Picasso VTi 120 manual VTR 8.5/33.2, 4.9/57.6, 6.3/44.8, 145. Lowest:New Citroën Grand C4 Picasso e-HDi 90 Airdream ETG6 VTR 4.2/67.3, 3.5/80.7, 3.8/74.3, 98. MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

LIFE DESIGNED NEW RENAULT CAPTUR DYNAMIQUE MEDIANAV TCe 90 Customisable colour collection options New compact crossover from Renault

From £179 per month WITH £1000 DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION** THE RENAULT 4+ PACKAGE, WORTH UP TO £1000, COMES AS STANDARD WITH RENAULT SELECTIONS AND LEASE FINANCE ON YOUR NEW RENAULT CAR

MITCHELLS GARAGE 50–58 LONG ROAD, LOWESTOFT NR33 9DQ TEL 0844 875 9626 WWW.MITCHELLSRENAULT.CO.UK

BOOK A TEST DRIVE

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Renault range are: Urban 27.2 (10.4)–78.5 (3.6); Extra Urban 45.6 (6.2)–94.2 (3); Combined 36.7 (7.7)–88.3 (3.2). The range’s official CO2 emissions are 178–83g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary with driving styles, road conditions and other factors. Terms and exclusions apply. New 4+ package applicable to new retail cars when ordered from 1 January 2014. Warranty 4 years/100,000 miles and routine servicing 4 years/48,000 miles (whichever comes first); servicing package available to Renault Selections and lease finance customers only, alternatively can be purchased for just £299 (price shown valid when purchased by 31 July 2014). Visit renault.co.uk/4plus for full details. Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. For finance, conditions apply. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply for finance. **£1000 deposit contribution is available to new Renault Finance customers when taking Renault Finance on a New Renault Clio, Captur or Mégane (excluding Clio Expression and Renaultsport and Mégane Expression+ and Renaultsport). Rental stated is for Renault Lease. If you choose Renault Lease then you will not own the car. When you have paid the final rental at the end of the contract, you can keep using the car and pay an annual rental equivalent to one monthly rental. Typical example: New Renault Captur Dynamique MediaNav TCe 90 Stop and Start, advance rental £1849 inc VAT (after £1000 deposit contribution) followed by 48 monthly rentals of £179 inc VAT, final rental £5855 inc VAT. A finance facility fee of £149 is payable with the advance rental. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other schemes or finance offers and are available on the specified new vehicle when ordered by 31 March 2014. Please check with your local dealer for details. Cars shown may have optional metallic paint, available at an additional £495 (or £595 for i.d. paint), plus £300 for painted roof on Captur.

FREELANDER 2 HLR SPECIAL EDITITON FREELANDER 2 HLR SPECIAL EDITITON

HLR Special Edition £27,500 plus an additional £1,000 deposit contribution Based on the limited numbers of Td4 GS manual the HLR Edition has as standard:

HLR Special Edition £27,500 plus an additional £1,000 deposit contribution

Privacy glass, Automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers Front fog lamps, Heated front windscreen, Metallic paint, Full size alloy wheel, Freelander design pack Based onspare the limited numbers of Td4 GS manual the HLR Edition has as standard: Privacy glass, and windscreen wipers Front fog lamps, Heated front windscreen, Metallic paint, Call or visit usAutomatic to find outheadlamps more. Full size spare alloy wheel, Freelander design pack

Hammond Land Rover Call or visit us to find out more.

Norwich Road, Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8HX

01986 834700Land hammondgroup.co.uk/landrover Hammond Rover

NorwichFuel Road, Halesworth Suffolk IP19 Official Consumption Figures for8HX the Freelander 2 range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 32.5 (8.7) – 39.8 (7.1) Extra Urban 48.7 (5.8) – 52.3 (5.4) Combined 40.4 (7.0) – 47.1 (6.0) CO2 Emissions 185 – 158 g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. A vehicle’s 01986 834700 hammondgroup.co.uk/landrover actual fuel consumption may differ from that achieved in such tests and these figures are for comparative purposes only. Representative 5.9% APR Land Rover Freedom is available on new Freelander

models, registered between 1st January and 30thfor March at Hammonds2only. Promotions are(l/100km): not available for used cars. Finance status.Urban Finance isonly customers Official Fuel Consumption Figures the2014 Freelander range in mpg Urban 32.5 (8.7)available – 39.8subject (7.1)toExtra 48.7available (5.8) –to52.3 (5.4)aged 18 and over. Indemnities may be required. Land Rover Financial Services is a trading style of Black Horse Limited, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH Vehicle shown with optional wheels. Combined 40.4 (7.0) – 47.1 (6.0) CO2 Emissions 185 – 158 g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. A vehicle’s actual fuel consumption may differ from that achieved in such tests and these figures are for comparative purposes only. Representative 5.9% APR Land Rover Freedom is available on new Freelander models, registered between 1st January and 30th March 2014 at Hammonds only. Promotions are not available for used cars. Finance available subject to status. Finance isonly available to customers aged 18 and over. Indemnities may be required. Land Rover Financial Services is a trading style of Black Horse Limited, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH Vehicle shown with optional wheels.

THE NEXT GENERATION THE FIRST AND SECOND GENERATION CR-Vs left some rather large boots to fill. Even the initial model, which didn’t have a diesel engine option, was loved by the people who bought it. These days the focus has shifted, and diesels are not just

T H E C R-V HAS GOT SOME MI G HTI LY I MPRESSIVE FO REB EA RS TO MATCH UP TO I F I T WA NTS TO SUCCEED, B U T I T HAS A DIES ELF U E L L ED AC E UP ITS S LEEVE. MATT KI MB ER LEY REPORTS

necessary; a lot of European buyers count on it. The high fuel economy and low carbon dioxide emissions make it a key selling feature for almost all classes of car. Inside this CR-V you’ll find a 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit that on the face of it looks rather puny next to the last generation car’s 2.2-litre lump, but it delivers a pleasant surprise in that it’s actually very flexible at low revs; something not common in 1.6-litre diesels. It feels, initially, like a much larger engine than it is. Combined with an ideal driving position and a firmly-sprung, positive clutch with a direct-feeling gear change action through an extremely well-positioned lever up on the centre console, the diesel CR-V offers encouraging first impressions. Well, those aren’t quite the first. That honour would go to the design, which makes a rather large car look not so portly at all. Parked in a row of mixed car brands and sizes, the CR-V doesn’t

102

MOTORING

CR-V

Honda care package of five years’ servicing as per manufacturer’s schedule, five years’ warranty and five

Prices correct at the time of going to press

years’ roadside assistance for £500.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE-T, Price: from £23,060 on the road Engine: 1.6-litre diesel unit developing 118bhp and 221lb.ft Transmission: 6-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels

look out of the ordinary thanks to clever proportions that hide some of its true size. Step into the cabin, though, and the

Performance: Top speed 113mph, 0-62mph 11.2 seconds

too far away, too low resolution and too dated in its graphics. It’s okay and it works fine, but

Economy: 62.8mpg

compared to the best units among the CR-V’s

Emissions: 119g/km

rivals it does leave something to be desired.

tune rapidly changes. The amount of

Back to the engine, which the more you use

space is pretty staggering, especially in head and shoulder

it just gets better and better. Like all diesels it clatters about its

room. You’re not likely to spend much time banging your elbow

business at traffic jam speeds, but once you’re up and moving it

on the door, either. Petite people might have a job reaching the

fades away into the background.

door with their elbow at all. With so much space to play with it’s no surprise that Honda

The gearing is interesting, and has been set up for generally lower-speed driving up to, say, 60mph. Fourth, fifth and sixth

has made quite a lot of it, with three large cup holders in the

could be a good bit taller to try to save fuel, but Honda’s

lower centre console backed up by a large central storage

engineers have wisely acknowledged the little i-DTEC’s limits

bin between the front seats, where you’ll also find the various

and not tried to demand too much from it. As it is, acceleration

media input ports. Two slanted bottle holders have been

is still perfectly adequate, while driven gently on a cruise the

shaped into the front doors, too, and the glove box could stow

car – a big thing, remember – can approach 60mpg.

a horse. Don’t worry about boot space, either. The load lip is quite

There’s a sense of confidence in the CR-V, partly instilled by its stability and composed ride, but also in its assured

high, as with all cars of this type, but there are acres of space

practicality. It’s the sort of car that in day-to-day family use

for bags and enough vertical room to stack’em high.

would be hard to fault.

Back in the cabin, absorbing some more of the finer details,

Owners of this car will probably be stunned when each time

there’s a mixed bag to be found. The main instrument cluster

or mileage milestone passes. It’s just so easy to get along with,

seems, at first, a bit messy, but very soon you appreciate

and for that reason it makes a great family car.

why it’s the way it is and it works very well. The large, central speedometer is very easy to read at a glance and the allanalogue gauges are equally clear. The display screen atop the dashboard struggles, though. In a car with a fabulous array of tech, from heated seats to dual-zone climate control, power-folding door mirrors and a reversing camera, the main display screen is just too small,

DEALER DETAILS LINGS HONDA LINGS WHARF, RIVERSIDE ROAD, LOWESTOFT, NR33 0TQ TEL: 01502 537444 VISIT: WWW.LINGS.COM

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

103

Celebrating sixteen years of positive performance Reputation Management Media Training Marketing PR

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HIGH SOCIETY

She Who Dares Fragrance Launch, Jarrolds, Norwich Dragons’ Den star Rachel Lowe launched her ‘She Who Dares’ fragrances ‘Eminence’ and ‘Dalliance’ in Jarrolds. With special guests, fashion and beauty bloggers and shoppers in force, the stand was packed with visitors eager to try the new scents. www.swdfashion.com Pictures by

JUNGLE PR

The SWD Promo Girls with Founder Rachel Lowe

Heather Maclean, Jemima Chatfield and Julie Dubbins

Karen James-Welton and Graham Welton

Michelle Kearney and Georgina Bishop

Cinnie Dunthorne and Deborah Dominic

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Win a Wedding Party, Brasted’s, Framingham Pigot Brasted's is 30 years old this year and to celebrate they are giving away 30 wonderful prizes in 2014. A Champagne and canapés party, attended by 150 guests, was held where Gina Pearce and Tom Allen were announced as winners of the main prize – their own wedding at Brasteds which is due to take place in April. Congratulations!

Al Clitheroe and Marie Mackenzie

Shaun Newrick, Ella Oxborrow, Julie Cox and Tony Cornwall

Amy Vass and Peter Filsell

Catherine Scott and Josh Halton-Farrow

Jonathan Harvey and Ella Grayston

Charlie Womack, Rachel Bannon, Gina Pearce (winner), Nick Mills and Michael Zouvani

Sarah Daynes and Daniel Sturman

Sarah L’amour and Nick Alexander

Sarah Waller and Rick Little

Kerrie Bayes and Ruth Barnard

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Launch of Steeles Law Sporting Predictions Quiz, Norwich Almost 50 teams have entered the first yearlong sporting predictions tournament held by Steeles Law. The launch party was held at the Mantra Club and Lounge in the city and the quiz aims to raise cash for the Community Sports Foundation.

Robert Hickford

John Ruddy, Laura Ruddy, Laura Downes and Gary Powers

Adam Blenkinsop, Tom Bailey and Denise Cushine

Vicki Blake, Phillipa Levy, Cheryl Belton and Paul Reed

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Great Yarmouth Lunch Club Brandon Lewis MP for Great Yarmouth and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was the guest speaker at the Great Yarmouth Lunch Club held at The Furzedown Hotel in Great Yarmouth. Over 70 local business owners and professionals attended the Christmas lunch which was hailed a great success. The club meets bi-monthly and the events are open to anyone who does business in the town. Mark Burrage and Samir Baker

Carl Clements, James Shipp and Greg Allan

Stephen Barron and Hilary Hale

David Marsh and Martin Marsh

Greg Allan and Lottie Fletcher

Steve Scott, Val Barker-Pearce, Roy Strowger and Sally Pearson

Chris Wilson and Rob Whitwood

Nathan Muskett and Micheal Muskett

Alison Ayers and Christine Melling

Brandon Lewis MP and James Shipp

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The East of England Energy Group, Grand Christmas Ball, Ocean Room, Gorleston This annual event, in the Ocean Room at Gorleston, is one of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best supported parties! Around 300 people enjoyed live music from Paul Phoenix, Elvis tribute act, a full casino and a delicious three-course meal. The theme was Viva Las Vegas and many people made a real effort with their outfits. More than ÂŁ2000 was raised for the Louise Hamilton Centre in Gorleston.

Sally Pearson, Julie Charles, Howard Bowles, Steve Scott

Richard Goffin, Jill Hardy, Ben Dack, Pat McNamara, Jamie Frater

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Emma-Jayne England, Lauren Ratcliffe, Charmaine Watker, Nic Bennett, Patricia Smith, Cheryl Watker, Martine Watker

Tom Gilbert, Charlotte Blaise Upcraft, Kate Keogh, Ruth Myerscough, James Owen

Steve Howlett, Alison Taylor, Lucy Read and Kevin May

Hayley Winter, Laura Bennison, Helen Rowe, Maxine Taylor

Martine Watker, Mitchell Gaze, Holly Harvey, Stuart Thornton, Cheryl Stockwell, Peter Stockwell

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Saks Christmas Party, Great Yarmouth Clients, staff and friends of Saks hair and beauty, Great Yarmouth, enjoyed canapés and bubbly at an evening of Christmas glamour held at the popular town centre salon. Saks business partners Lindsey Yusuff and Jane Cockrill hosted the event and a raffle was held which raised £328 for Willow’s Journey charity.

Lindsey and George Yusuff

Julie and Paul Cushing

Jane and Bernie Wymer

Amber Johnson

The Saks GY Creative Team

Sue Mayes, Jane Cockrill and Shirley Timewell

David and Christine Barnes

Gul Yusuff

Jean Calder and Jane Taylor

Leeanne Freeman (Willow’s Mother)

Charmaine Watker and Jenny Cockrill

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Opening of the Scarburgh Science Centre, Paston College, North Walsham More than 100 people attended the opening of the new ÂŁ1.5m Scarburgh Science Centre at Paston Sixth Form College in North Walsham. The building was officially opened by Dr Steve Rawsthorne from the John Innes Centre in Norwich. The centre has close links with the college and a group of post graduate students from the centre worked with Paston students on a range of science related research activities before the official opening. Andrew Morton and James Cleaver

Louise Briggs and Molly Whitworth

Peter Mayne and Kevin Grieve

Callum Hamilton-Emery, Creed Finnegan, Oliver Wells and Ian Simpson

Caroline Broker

Becky Spanner and Daisy Orme

Sally Webster and Greg Hayward

Gary Waterton, Rick Chapman, Paul Dawson and Kevin Nebarro

Roger McPhee and Kate Sadler-Barker

Helen Williams and Gemma Beasey

112

PHOTOGRAPHY

Norfolk Views

Caught On CAMERA Our new series continues to feature simply gorgeous shots of our region by some of our talented photographers. Here Keiron Tovell captures a serene Burnham Overy Staithe scene Keiron Tovell, visit www.keirontovell.com

placesandfaces.co.uk | february 2014

113

5 MINUTES WITH

Tamsyn Morgans Co-owner of The Rustic Rose hand painted vintage and antique furniture business and blogger of all things decorative, Tamsyn Morgans tells us why loves Great Yarmouth so much! Describe your job to us I’m a Jack of all trades! I blog about vintage home and decorative crafts, I co-own The Rustic Rose, an online business selling vintage painted furniture, and I also work as a stylist and producer for Norfolk Production. Where we were you born and what brought you to Norfolk? I’m a Kent girl. I nearly moved here when I got a place at the Art School to do a degree, but changed my mind and went somewhere else. I then moved to Norfolk in 2000 when I was young and in love, so I feel like I was always meant to be here; and of course my children are born and bred here! What’s your ideal day out in the area? In the summer I love to take the children to the coast for a day of running round the dunes and building sandcastles followed by fish and chips. We love Sea Palling, Eccles on Sea and Cromer. In Cromer we love the Rocket Cafe, and the Little Gems shop where they can buy ‘treasure’ with their pocket money! Which iconic Norfolk characters do you most admire and why? Elizabeth Fry and Edith Cavell: I admire any strong woman who stands up for what she believes in and fights to help others no matter what. What’s your favourite pub in Norfolk and what do you like to drink there? I love a good cocktail in The Ten Bells on St Benedicts, in the city, but I’m also pint of Adnams kind of girl, and The Rumsey Wells in Norwich is a great pub for that with a really good atmosphere. Where do you like to eat out in Norfolk and why? And what do you order? Food is one of my favourite subjects, so here we go! I recently had a fantastic meal at The Gunton Arms: I had beef. The decor in there is amazing, a mix of country manor house and kitsch artwork. If I’m doing really ‘posh’ then I also absolutely love Roger

Hickman’s, where I’ll try anything because it’s all delicious. Another favourite is the fabulously quirky Bicycle Shop on St Benedicts, and you can’t beat Pizza Express on St Benedicts for a meal with the kids – the food and service is faultless. What do you miss most when you leave the region? My friends, and knowing where everything is – there’s nothing like being in your home city, where you know it like the back of your hand. What are you reading at the moment? I’m very behind the times here I know as I’m not a great reader of books, but I’m reading Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, and it’s absolutely heart breaking. Would you prefer a day on the Broads or a day at Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach? Why? I’ll be honest, I absolutely love Great Yarmouth! The children adore it there, plus some of the best photographs I’ve ever taken were in Great Yarmouth, of the pastel coloured beach huts just down from the main strip, and the beautiful carousel on the end of the pier. I’d have loved to have seen it in its heyday, with all its beautiful architecture still intact. Opera, musical, drama or movie – which do you prefer to watch? And what was the last production/show you saw? I love the cinema but don’t go nearly often enough – the last non-Disney adult film I went to see was Les Misérables. And yes, I did sob uncontrollably at the end! Sum up Norfolk in three words Fun, friendly, cosy. Sum up yourself in three words Creative, happy, hoarder!

Visit www.therusticrose.co.uk. For Tamsyn’s blog, The Villa on Mount Pleasant, visit www.tamsynmorgans.blogspot.co.uk

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