Issue 184 January 2017
GREAT PLACES GREAT PEOPLE GREAT MOTORS GREAT LIVING
DISS & ATTLEBOROUGH
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Patterson DESIGN RIBA CHARTERED ARCHITECTS
PattersonDESIGN is an RIBA Chartered Architectural Practice based in Norfolk with local, regional and national coverage. Our clients are our first and foremost concern. We believe that each project, regardless of its size, should be designed maintaining our high level of service and skill. We have specialised staff and resources to ensure that every project receives the right level of expertise throughout the project.
Tel: 01953 456 722 Suva House Queens Square, Queen’s Square, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2AE, UK
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Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Which? have now added themselves to the thousands of customers who recognise that, in Cloudy2Clear you are dealing with a business that you can really trust. Cloudy2Clear who recently celebrated their 10th Birthday, replace misty glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window.
Norwich manager Lee Rixon believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering a trustworthy and credible service at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has steamed up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type
of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. Stephen continues ‘We also GUARANTEE that an average quotation will take no longer than 20 mins, with little or no disruption to your home’. ‘These things seem simple but not enough companies do it and it’s great that someone like Which? has
endorsed our philosophy. Locally Cloudy2Clear service Wymondham and Dereham and surrounding areas. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Lee a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
02 | Diss & Attleborough
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BRECKLAND HOMECLEAN DOMESTIC CLEANING SERVICE We provide the following services: Regular Weekly or Fortnightly Cleans Home Shopping • Preparation of Light Meals Laundry Service • Gardening
Telephone: 01953 458447 www.brecklandhomeclean.co.uk Email: quality@brecklandhomeclean.co.uk Find us at: Queens House, Queens Square Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AE
Issue 184
Your community magazine Dispatch Magazine would like to thank all those who have contributed to this issue.
Editor
Jonathan Horswell @JonathanHorswel
Administration Luke Keable
for Permanent & Temporary Recruitment
Sales
Arron Self
Quality People continue to provide a recruitment service for the towns of Attleborough, Dereham, Diss, Thetford, Watton & Wymondham plus the surrounding areas throughout Breckland & South Norfolk.
www.quality-people.co.uk Telephone: 0195 3 4 5 3 6 4 4 Email: results@quality-people.co.uk Find us at: Queens House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AE
DispatchMag @Dispatch_Mag Tel 01953 456789 Web www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk Address Queens House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AE.
© Dispatch Magazine Disclaimer: No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate, but the Publisher can not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Whilst reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements the Publisher will not accept any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, immediately investigate any written complaints. The Publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
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Diss & Attleborough | 03
DISS
JACKAMANS SOLICITORS
That was the Year that Was s well as widely-repor ted political changes, 2016 has seen several cases affecting financial settlements for couples whose relationships are breaking down. What follows is a brief roundup.
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In one case an ex civil par tner realised when her ex par tner’s estate was probated, several years after their split, that financial disclosure to the cour t had been “materially incomplete”. The estate was “frozen” and the financial settlement in the civil par tnership proceedings were re-opened. In another case, not long after a consent order sor ting out finances in divorce proceedings, the husband realised from newspaper ar ticles that his wife had materially under valued her company. He successfully applied to set the order aside and re-open the financial settlement. Although conduct has to be outrageous and unconscionable to affect a financial settlement, there was a sting in the tail on
costs because of “litigation conduct”. The wife denied wrongdoing, co-operating with disclosure only at the eleventh hour. The judge ordered her to pay the husband’s costs on an indemnity basis. However he had leaked confidential information to the press when the wife eventually disclosed. The judge reduced her costs liability by 50%. Although the statute does not put a time limit after decree absolute for applying, indications from recent cases are that the longer it’s left, the less the applicant may be judged to need financial provision. You won’t get a bean either if your financial application is made after re-marriage. If you’re simply living together, remember there is no such thing as a common law spouse or civil par tner. The financially weaker member of the couple may be entitled to nothing whatever their needs, the lifestyle and contributions. In one case a woman was held to an agreement made verbally during a discussion on a
Our expert tea is here to help
park bench many years before because she didn’t deny the agreement when her par tner’s solicitors wrote to her outlining it, and he performed hisClaims par t. • Accident • Family • Clinical Negligence
• Commercial The learning points are to make full • Debt Recovery disclosure and act promptly. • Dispute Resolution • Employment
• Landlord and Tenan • Powers of Attorney
• Property • Wills, Trusts & Prob
By Ruth Jenkins
Ipswich 01473 255591 Disscontact 01379 643555 For fur ther information please Felixstowe 01394 279636 Harleston 01379 854455 Ruth Jenkins at claire.kean@jackamans. www.jackamans.co.uk co.uk or call 01379 643555.
This ar ticle provides only a general summar y and is not intended to be comprehensive. Special legal advice should be taken in any individual situation.
Our expert team of lawyers is here to help • Accident Claims • Clinical Negligence • Commercial
• Family • Landlord and Tenant • Powers of Attorney
• Debt Recovery • Dispute Resolution • Employment
• Property • Wills, Trusts & Probate
Ipswich 01473 255591 Diss 01379 643555
Felixstowe 01394 279636 Harleston 01379 854455 www.jackamans.co.uk
04 | Diss & Attleborough
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DISS
DISS MUSEUM
By Basil Abbott
n the 1980s, when international tension was high, local emergency plans were in place in case of nuclear war.
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Doug Bar tlett was Post Controller for the Diss area, with other citizens as Community Controllers of the five zones into which the town was divided. At various times the team included: Harold Rackham, Jean Ray, Henr y Denny, Patrick Taylor, Richard Pither, Stan Kitchen and others. The control room was in the basement of the Post Office. The Community Controller’s Guide to Sur vival stated: “Fiction writers, the illinformed and the ill-intentioned, have led many people to believe that there is no protection against nuclear attack. In fact, a great deal can be done to protect ourselves against the effects of nuclear weapons and so reduce the number of both human and animal casualties in both the shor t and long term.” www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
A 150 kiloton bomb would cause total destruction within about 1,500 yards, irreparable damage up to a mile, severe to moderate damage up to about three miles and light damage beyond that. “The best protection against heat flash, light flash and blast is a purpose-built shelter. However, anyone caught outside a shelter should take cover immediately behind anything at all suitable, eg. a wall, a tree, a house, in a ditch or even a dip in the ground.” You had to get planning permission for your own shelter. A Community Controller had to acquire a detailed knowledge of the community, identify a suitable control post and prepare a contingency plan for fire-fighting, life-saving, first-aid, shelter and all the hideous outcomes of war. Training included an emergency feeding exercise for practice in setting up trench cookers, supervised by the WRVS. The area newsletter for South Norfolk Civil Protection said that the first Emergency
Planning Officer was Noah. He built the Ark as his shelter, brought in food and medical supplies for survival, and filled it with families and animals. They survived, while those who ridiculed his effor ts perished. After the flood he set about restructuring and rehabilitation. “He had that which a first class EPO should have foresight and the will to plan ahead, in spite of hostility from some of the people.” Whether you regard all this as the blackest of comedies, featuring Doug’s Army, or the well-meaning actions of those who were required to do something in the event of war, it is a glimpse into an almost unknown aspect of local history. Find out more about Diss Museum by visiting our website: www.dissmuseum.co.uk IMAGE: A display in Diss Museum in 2007 showing Civil Defence measures in the event of nuclear war.
Diss & Attleborough | 05
DISS
EAST ANGLIAN CHILDRENS HOSPICE
Make a New Years’ Resolution to suppor t your local children’s hospice ast Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is calling upon the people of Norfolk to make an extra special New Years’ resolution for 2016 - to suppor t local life-threatened children and young people.
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EACH provides care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and suppor ts their families across East Anglia. For both families accessing care, and those who have been bereaved, EACH is a lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time. There are many ways in which you can make New Years’ resolutions which not only benefit you as an individual, but these local families. Getting healthy is always top of the list, and there’s plenty of ways to do it and raise vital funds. 06 | Diss & Attleborough
You could get sponsored to go on a diet, give up smoking or drinking alcohol and donate the money you save to the charity. As well as abstaining, you could get active by taking par t in a challenge to improve your fitness, register for a 10km run near to you and raise money for your effor ts. If you fancy a tougher challenge here are some suggestions visit our website for lots more: •Team EACH Skydive at Beccles Airfield, 7th May •Ride London-Surrey 100 2017 – 6th August •Normandy Cycle Ride 2017 – 20th September If you fancy something a little less active then why not have a collection pot at home and collect your loose change in aid of EACH or have a clear out and hold a car boot sale .
Not all resolutions need to have a fundr aising element however – you could pledge to donate your time as a volunteer, lear n a new skill or help r aise awareness of the cause . If these options are all too much – make a simple resolution to make a donation to EACH: •Visit our website and click on donate – www.each.org.uk •Send a cheque to - East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Suite 5, The Old Dair y, Elm Farm Business Park, Norwich Common, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0SW For more information on EACH, their ser vices and how you can suppor t the charity please visit www.each.org.uk. www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
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Diss & Attleborough | 07
DISS
SOUND SLEEP
10 Great Reasons why we hold the key to a better nights sleep.. ward Winning Local Family Business – we offer customers value for money products with a personal ser vice, which often cannot be found in the bigger high street stores and the national companies. Voted runner up Bed Retailer of the Year 2016-2017 at the National Bed Federation Awards 2016.
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Mattress Specialists – with over 50 years experience in mattress manufacturing and retail, we have exper t knowledge on all aspects of mattress technology. All mattress specialists at Sound Sleep have first hand experience in mattress manufacturing so we are best placed to advise just what products will ensure you have a better nights sleep. Over 100 Beds on Display – with a huge choice of beds and mattresses on display in store, we are able to help you make an informed decision on which mattresses meet your sleeping needs. No High Pressure Sales – we want our customers to feel comfor table when buying their new bed, so we are on hand to assist and provide advice without any pressure to buy. 0% Interest Free Credit – buying a bed is one of the most impor tant purchases you will make in the next eight years. A comfor table and suppor tive mattress is the key to a better nights sleep, which helps you look after your body and live longer. So to help make that new bed more affordable, we offer interest free credit on orders over £400. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to status. Fast Free Deliver y – all of our deliveries are made by our own deliver y team to ensure you receive a ser vice level of 100% and no less. Free Parking – Ample free parking right outside the showroom doors. We are also wheelchair accessible. Stockists of leading Brands – we are the only Silentnight Sleep Centre and official stockist for Rest Assured in Norfolk & Suffolk, plus we stock the fantastic new range of beds from Myers which are made right here in East Anglia. Other brands available in store are Sealy, Salus, Breasley, Norfolk Feather, Fine Bedding Company, Dunlopillo Pillows amongst others to provide a wide variety of beds and bedding. We are ver y proud to be one of the first local bed stores to stock the brand new Hilar y Devey Collection and the new Slumberland Sleep Solutions 08 | Diss & Attleborough
“ No High Pressure Sales – we want our customers to feel comfor table when buying their new bed, so we are on hand to assist and provide advice without any pressure to buy” Collection. This range of beds feature unique patented products which feel like no others. More information on these sumptuous beds can be found on our website www. soundsleepbeds.co.uk Stock – we hold a wide variety of mattresses, divans and bedsteads available to take away or for fast free local delivery. National Bed Federation Approved – all beds and mattresses stocked by Sound Sleep are all approved members of the NBF so you can sleep safe knowing that your mattress is safe, clean and is exactly what it says it is. December 27th sees the launch of our biggest ever sale, we have a huge variety of brand new and exclusive beds and mattresses including the brand new Myers Comfort and Myers Natural Collections and the truly sumptuous and luxurious new beds from Slumberland, which just have to be tried to be believed.
We have free drawer offers across Slumberland, Myers and Sealy Beds. In our brand new Silentnight Sleep Centre you will find up to £200 off Silentnight Beds and mattresses. Plus when buying one of the new Slumberland beds or mattresses we will upgrade you from a double to a king size free of charge, so you can sleep like a king when you buy from Sound Sleep Beds. We are open ever y day from Tuesday 27th December 10am until 4pm including New Years Eve and New Year s Day, so don’t delay – come to Sound Sleep where dreams can come tr ue. www.sleepcouncil.org.uk www.soundsleepbeds.co.uk
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SALE
DISS
starts Tuesday 27th December 2016 at 10am
4
up to
FREE DRAWERS On any bed from the Horatio Myer Natural Collection by Myers
KING
£200
for the price of a DOUBLE
OFF MARKED PRICES
When buying any Slumberland mattress or divan bed
on Silentnight Divan Beds and mattresses See instore for more details
Sound Sleep LTD
We hold the secret to a better night’s sleep
www.soundsleepbeds.co.uk 0% Interest Free Credit - Credit & Debit Cards Accepted Free Local Delivery - Old Bed Disposal Service Mile Road - Winfarthing - Near Diss - IP22 2EZ For mattress advice or information call us on 01953 861177 find us on the main B1077 between Diss & Attleborough between Diss & Attleborough Look out for the bright yellow signs
Showroom Opening Hours
Open every day 27th December - 2nd January 10:00 - 4:00 Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 10:00 - 4:00 Sunday 10:00 - 1:00
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AWARD WINNING Diss & Attleborough | 09 Sound Sleep Dream Team
ATTLEBOROUGH
ALMARY GREEN
Looking Back and Looking Forward s we start off in a brand new year, Phil Beck looks at some of the significant changes of the past twelve months and reflects on the challenges of the year ahead.
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The year 2016 was certainly an interesting one, with the focal point for concerns about our future financial wellbeing fixed on that landmark vote in the summer that sees us on a journey that will – probably – see us leave the EU. Markets certainly reacted badly to the news of the vote in the immediate aftermath but actually saw a significant recovery within a period of weeks. However, there are undoubtedly some uncertain times ahead as we negotiate our exit and our new terms of business with our European neighbours. However, 2016 wasn’t just about Brexit. There have been some other important changes too. The year opened with the change to the Deposit Guarantee – ie the amount that is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in respect
10 | Diss & Attleborough
of what individuals hold in any one bank or financial institution. This dropped from £85,000 to £75,000 per person in January. The new tax year in April 2016 brought us two new allowances: the personal savings allowance grants basic rate taxpayers tax-free savings interest of up to £1,000. Higher rate taxpayers get an allowance of £500 but additional rate taxpayers get no allowance. There is a new dividend allowance too, which replaces the old system of dividend tax credits. Under the new allowance, the first £5,000 of dividend income is free of tax, whichever tax band you fall into. Pension flexibility has been around for over a year now and take-up of the new freedoms has been varied. It looks like most pension savers are resisting the temptation to blow their savings on expensive yachts or other luxuries but the freedoms have given new options to those who have specific needs or circumstances. Advice is always critical before accessing the cash that you have spent your working life accumulating to allow you to enjoy your retirement.
Plans for a secondar y annuities mar ket – ie the oppor tunity for those who have already purchased an annuity to sell it for a cash sum – have been shelved. This is following concerns that annuity holders would get ver y poor value for money in what looked like being a ver y limited market. We’ve cer tainly been telling clients with existing annuities that in most cases the return would be unlikely to make this route suitable for them. As we star t 2017, there are concerns that our UK economy will continue to be troubled throughout the year and investment values are likely to both rise and fall. However, it is useful to make the point that investments in stocks and shares should be considered as long term investment strategies over a minimum period of five to ten years. What is often most damaging to people’s financial plans is a knee-jerk reaction to bad news. It is almost always better to keep calm – and talk to your financial adviser.
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The New Year is a good time to look at all your financial arrangements and to make sure that what you have in place is still suitable for you and to take any action indicated before the end of the current tax year on 5 April. Changes to rules and tax treatment will affect the suitability of the financial measures in your strategy, so it is impor tant to review your plans regularly to keep things on track. The value of an investment and the income from it could go down as well as up. The return at the end of the investment period is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you originally invested. The tax treatment of investments depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change. For independent financial advice, contact Phil on 01603 706740 or email phil.beck@almar ygreen.com. Please remember that the advice here is generic and we recommend that you get individual personalised advice.
By Phil Beck
Award Winning Landscaping and Design
Paving and Pathways Ponds and Water Features Lawn Laying Walls and Brickwork Timber and Decking Driveways, Fencing and Screening Garden Design by Georgina Read
T: 01953 852139 E: info@lifestylelandscaping.co.uk W: www.lifestylelandscaping.co.uk
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Diss & Attleborough | 11
ATTLEBOROUGH
PRIORY INSURANCE
A Look At Home Insurance our most valuable asset is likely to be your home. Have you ever considered what would happen in the event of a serious fire, flood or theft ?
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With access to over 200 Insurance Schemes, our fully trained staff will search our panel of carefully selected Insurers to ascer tain the correct levels of cover and protection required for your individual circumstances. We can provide cover for just Buildings or Buildings and Contents combined. In addition to standard cover, we can arrange to include Accidental Damage, together with Personal Possessions cover for items away from the home. If your proper ty is of non standard construction, or you work from home, we can cater for these difficult and sometimes expensive policies, with our exper t knowledge and understanding of your individual circumstances.
With over 35 years experience in providing Home Insurance at all levels, we would welcome your enquiry and would be pleased to provide quotations or advice.
For more information or quotation, please contact Miss Lucy Moy on 01953 602866 or e-mail lucy@prioryinsurance.co.uk.
Call Us Today (01379) 651 541 (01953) 887 246
Free ns tatio Quo
IMPROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY LANDSCAPE AND GARDEN DESIGN Water Features • Planting • Patios • Brickweave • Driveways Tree Surgery • Garden Design • Fencing • Ponds & Lakes
www.noblepaving.co.uk Email: info@noblepaving.co.uk Address: 17b Stanley Road, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4BN
12 | Diss & Attleborough
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ATTLEBOROUGH
New East of England Co-op Funeral Service for Attleborough ocal families have been putting their tr ust in the East of England Co-op Funeral Ser vices for over 90 years, and now more people can access their excellent levels of ser vice, care and reassurance when it’s needed most, with a new branch in the hear t of Attleborough.
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W ith a we lc o min g r ec e p t i o n a re a a n d a C h a p e l o f R e s t, th e n ew br an c h o n A t t l e b oro u g h H i g h S t re e t i s a pr ivate an d pea c ef u l s pac e fo r f a m i l i e s t o t a ke t i m e t o re f le c t an d spe n d time w ith t h e i r l ove d on e s .
I t’s the little th ings th a t co un t Sally and he r c o lle ague s at the Eas t o f England C o-op Fune r al Se r vic e s b e lie ve e ve r yo ne s ho uld b e re mem ber ed in a way that is as ind ivid ual as the y we re , and they k now it’s the little things that make a fune r al s p e c ial. They fo c us o n the ir c lie nts ’ ne e d s and wis he s ; d is c re e tly a nd s e ns itive ly. Ever y client is treated as an individual by professional, kind people , all of whom live and have mostly grown up in the East of England. They are proud to be par t of the East of England Co-op and offer a local ser vice to local families. Whe n a love d o ne p as s e s away, all ar r ange me nts a r e take n c are o f s o familie s c an c o nc e ntr ate o n s ay ing go o d bye . Fro m the way the flowe r s are ar r ange d t o t he ro ute take n to the s e r vic e and the d re s s c o d e o f t he gue s ts , c o lle ague s p ay atte ntio n to p e r s o nal to uches. Lo c al re s id e nts are e nc o ur age d to c all in fo r a c ha t and s e e the we lc o ming p re mis e s fir s t hand . T he A ttle b o ro ugh b r anc h is o p e n Mo nd ay to Fr id ay, fr om 9.00am to 5.00p m, with a 24 ho ur c are line availa ble . I f yo u wo uld like to ar r ange a me e ting with Sally, you ca n re ac h he r d ire c tly o n 01953 411221.
Above : Sally B lu n del l , F u n e r a l A r r a n g e r fo r t h e n ew E ast of E n glan d Co -o p F u n e r a l S e r v i ce s , At t l e b oro ugh.
Sally Bl u n de ll, w h o m a n a g e s t h e b r a n ch , w a s b o r n and r aised in N o r fo lk an d i s ve r y p ro u d t o b e s e r v i n g t he local co mmu n ity in A t t l e b o rou g h . As well as ex pe r t adv i ce on f u n e r a l a r r a n g e m e n t s , Sally b r in gs h er per s o n a l , co n s i d e r a t e a p p roa ch t o he r role as Fu n er al A r r an g e r a n d ca n p rov i d e g u i d a n ce o n monu m en tal mas o n r y, b e re ave m e n t s u p p or t a n d p r e paid f un er al plan s fo r t h o s e l o ok i n g t o p l a n a h e a d fo r peace of m in d. About t h e E a s t o f E n g l a n d C o - op Fun e r a l Se r v ices The ver y fir st East of England Co-op funer al br anch opened back in 1925 and there are now around 50 br anches across the region. As a local, independent business they only oper ate in the Easter n region and are owned directly by their member s. B ecau se th ey ar e th e l oca l C o - o p, t h e y wor k h a rd to su pp or t th e c o mmu n i t y by h e l p i n g l oca l g ro u p s a n d in itiatives as we ll as p a r t n e r i n g w i t h g oo d ca u s e s and ch ar itie s s u c h as lo c al h o s p i ce s . www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
All the girls wore yellow, her favourite colour It’s the little things that make a funeral special
Here for you every hour of every day High Street, Attleborough
01953 411221
for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals
Diss & Attleborough | 13
GENERAL
THE WITCHES A Hell of a Musical! At Norwich Theatre Royal January 2017
he Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society returns to Norwich Theatre Royal from January 31 to February 4, 2017, with the fabulously wicked musical comedy The Witches of Eastwick.
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The NNOS last trod the Theatre Royal boards in January this year with Sunset Boulevard, a story which exposes the dark side of fame, and now they are returning to the ‘dark side’ once again with a tale of a devil-ishly attractive man and three beautiful women who are caught in his magical web. The Witches of Eastwick began life as a John Updike novel published in 1984. Its success quickly led to a movie version released in 1987 starring Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher as the three witches, alongside Jack Nicholson as the devilish 14 | Diss & Attleborough
Darryl Van Horne. Sold using the tagline ‘Three beautiful women; one lucky devil’, the film was a big hit and was nominated for several Oscars. Courtesy of musical impresario Cameron Mackintosh, The Witches of Eastwick the musical opened in July 2000 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Ian McShane (of Lovejoy fame) taking the leading role of Darryl Van Horne. With songs such as Make Him Mine, The Glory of Me, Loose Ends and Something, it has since flown further afield to charm audiences internationally and at home, including a UK Tour in 2008-2009 which opened at Norwich Theatre Royal and starred Marti Pellow in the lead role. The action takes place in the late 1950s in a quintessentially sleepy and uptight
New England town called Eastwick, with suburban streets, bored women, inadequate men and unhappy marriages hidden behind closed doors. So when the devilish Mr Darryl Van Horne arrives in town the excitement and intrigue begins. Seducing each of the women in turn, he teaches them how to expand their powers though a new unor thodox lifestyle which scandalizes the town.
The Norfolk & Norwich Operatic Society production will see Darryl played by Terry Boast, and in the roles of the (not so wicked but naughty) witches are Andrea Ferguson as Sukie, Kathryn White as Jane and Claire Chandler as Alex. Terry Boast is a Norwich admin assistant by day but in his spare time has worked with Mixed Voice, Limelight Studios, Spooky Kid Productions and Knightshift Dance Company. He has most recently been seen by Norwich audiences in West Side Story at The Playhouse in August (2016) and the highlight of his www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
GENERAL
OF EASTWICK theatrical pursuits to-date has been meeting Hollywood film director Ron Howard after working on his feature film RUSH.
Andrea Ferguson is well-known to NNOS audiences. She joined the society in 1993 and has been in everything from Barnum, Carousel and 42nd Street, to Hello Dolly, Sweeney Todd and Anything Goes. A menswear personal stylist for John Lewis, Norwich, where she has worked for 25 years, she was selected as a teenager to perform at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane as a solo dancer with Alvin Stardust. Kathr yn White first came to Norwich to study English Literature at the UEA and has lived here for nearly ten years. An office and project manager for a local creative design consultancy, she has been involved with Threshold Theatre Company and The Witches of Eastwick will be only her second performance with NNOS, having appeared in their 2014 production Anything Goes. www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
With rousing songs and lots of visual effects, including the witches taking flight, the show promises a magical evening for audiences.
Claire Chandler hails from near Cromer and attended Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead and then RADA in London. She is a director of her family’s business, Ivy Farm Holiday Park at Overstrand, and has performed in many productions with the Cromer & Sheringham Operatic Society, including playing Nancy in Oliver. She is looking forward to her very first show with the NNOS. With rousing songs and lots of visual effects, including the witches taking flight, the show promises a magical evening for audiences. It contains scenes of an adult nature and therefore is recommended for age 14+.
The show runs from Tuesday, January 31, to Saturday, February 4, at 7.30pm nightly with 2.30pm matinees on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets cost from £7 to £21.50 from the box office on 01603 630000 or online at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Diss & Attleborough | 15
WIN TICKETS TO THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK! We have teamed up with Norwich Theatre Royal and the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society to offer readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to see The Witches of Eastwick at the theatre on Thursday, February 2nd, at 7.30pm. To Enter this competition send your name, address and daytime telephone number to Dispatch Magazine, Queens House, Queen’s Square, Attleborough NR17 2AE, United Kingdom The tickets are for the stated performance only and cannot be exchanged for seats for another performance or show, or for a cash alternative.
The Witches Of Eastwick Competition Name
Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms
Address Postcode Email Telephone
GENERAL
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Back on the Norwich Theatre Royal stage this Festive Season is South Norfolk’s Ben Langley who is looking forward to playing Silly Billy Trottalot in Jack and the Beanstalk. nd he is thrilled to be taking par t in the festive spectacular as it means another Norfolk Christmas for him.
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“Surely, I am the luckiest panto comic in the countr y,” he said, as he makes it a hat-trick of pantomime appearances in his home city. He is set to reprise his popular comedy par tnership with Richard Gauntlett which delights audience-members of all ages. “To be able to be back at such a wonderful, beautiful theatre again is just fantastic. I have grown to love ever ybody there and not just those on stage. From the box office to the restaurant to the crew, there is just such a lovely vibe,” said Ben. “Ever yone is just naturally positive and approachable and they have this magic about them that you can only really attribute to Dr Theatre. They are all so suppor tive of each other, and there is a smile and a hello down ever y corridor.” And the location helps too. Being based at Burston near Diss, it means he does not have to spend too long away from his home and family. Ben explained: “Being able to commute to pantomime is a big deal for me instead of renting digs somewhere. To be able to be at home with my family ever y night is so impor tant to me.”
As well as the fantastic people and the show itself, Ben also likes the way the show is a ver y traditional pantomime but with a twist which this year will see Jack and the Beanstalk set in the Wild West. “I do think we have to move with the times. You need to produce a
Wayne Sleep who will join Ben, Richard and the star cast in the production which runs from December 13 to Januar y 15. And Ben said one of the big delights of the panto season is the fantastic suppor t from Theatre Royal audiences. “When
“ To be able to be back at such a wonderful, beautiful theatre again is just fantastic. I have grown to love everybody there and not just those on stage.” traditional pantomime but you do need to nod to the contemporar y too. We have an impor tant job in pantomime. For many children it is their first visit to the theatre and we need to be careful of that. Bringing it to the Wild West just fits panto comfor tably and it just feels right.”
you go out to a full house, it is amazing. Richard’s writing decisions on the panto really do work and they are both congratulated and celebrated by those watching. The theatre is also perfect for comedy with that great intimacy.”
Heading the cast this year is dancer, West End performer, choreographer and TV favourite
As well as the theatre team, he is also excited to resume his on-stage par tnership with Richard Gauntlett who has been a par t of the theatre’s panto family on and off stage for 16 years. Ben said: “I knew Richard for a number of years before we worked together. He is a fantastic performer and the audiences in Norwich obviously adore him and love that he is here ever y year. He is not just par t of the furniture, he is par t of the bricks and mor tar. He is a great performer with a great instinct and he writes well. Being a comic performer himself, people might worr y that there is not much for the comic to do with the Dame writing the show but ever y year, he has been so lovely and giving and we give each other equal space to shine.” www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
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GENERAL “ I like taking the audience on a journey. Maybe they are a bit worried about the show at the beginning or maybe just don’t like you but it is great when they are all up clapping at the end” A ver y busy actor and performer, Ben honed his performance ability on the Covent Garden cobblestones for 18 years in parallel to his panto co-star Richard. He has wor ked extensively as an actor and performer in ever ything from Zeffirelli’s Pagliacci at the Royal Opera House opposite Placido Domingo, to the hit BBC4 comedy The Detectorists which starred Mackenzie Crook. And, in the 12 months since his last Theatre Royal panto appearance, he has been taking his show all over the UK and into Europe. Over the spring and summer, he did a 60 date tour of his stand-up show at holiday resor ts all over the countr y. “It was a fantastic experience and a wonderful journey for me. I had never wor ked as extensively as that before. You become a performer who can cope with ever y situation and ever y show is different,” he said. “I like taking the audience on a journey. Maybe they are a bit worried about the show at the beginning or maybe just don’t like you but it is great when they are all up clapping at the end.” And Ben is also poised for small-screen stardom if a new CBeebies TV show gets the green light. An old friend of his was commissioned to put together a show for the channel which is all about faith and values. He explained: “It is mainly animation but ever y so often you get this idiot called Ben Langley who tells a stor y in each programme which is about a cer tain value. I have already filmed the pilot in Manchester and I am now hoping that I am a par t of it if it gets commissioned.”
Despite all that and his busy career, he loves the oppor tunity to spend time in Norfolk with his family. He said: “It is just great. My in-laws live not far from me in Talcolneston, and we also have family in Hockering and Ringland. It is a lovely par t of the world and living in the countr y is great. I am a ver y lucky man.” So it seems as though Christmas for Ben Langley will be a mixture of cowboys and contentment. Oh yes it will. Jack And The Beanstalk, Tuesday 13 December 2016-Sunday 15 Januar y 2017. Tickets £7-£23.50. Under-threes free. Discounts for Friends, Over-60s, Under18s and Groups. Signed performances on Saturday 7 Jan at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Audio-described performances on Wednesday 4 Jan at 1pm and Saturday 7 Jan at 2.30pm. Captioned performance on Sunday 8 Jan at 1pm and 5pm. Relaxed performance on Friday 13 Jan at 5.30pm which is bookable in person or by phone on 01603 630000 To book, log onto www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.
As well as performing, Ben is also in demand as a writer. He has followed up the success of his Ha Ha shows which poke fun at character s from histor y and favourite books with some wor k writing pantomimes for a new company called Reamba and has also penned Aladdin for the Ar tshouse Theatre in StratfordUpon-Avon. 18 | Diss & Attleborough
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GENERAL
WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
Come and be par t of our success est Suffolk College is in the top five % of colleges in the country for its achievement rates in Level 3 Vocational Diplomas – the equivalent of three A levels when it comes to University entry – making it the best in the Eastern Region.
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Figures for the last academic year show that from 1,573 students an impressive 92 % achieved their Level 3 Diploma, when the national achievement rate is only 82%. That puts the Bury St Edmunds College in the top five % out of all Further Education Colleges. Last year almost half of these students progressed to University, with the other half moving into jobs or Apprenticeships. The College is also in the top five % for 16-18 year-olds who took English and Maths Functional Skills qualifications. The achievement levels of more than 1,000 students were 79% compared to the national rate of just 67%. Lindsey Johnson Vice Principal Curriculum and Quality commented; “We have a brilliant body of hard working and achieving students and
excellent, dedicated staff who are committed to raising the standards of teaching and learning for young people.” Our figures have been improving every year and show that vocational education provides the opportunity for young people to progress to higher level education. Our ambition is to continually work hard to improve standards so that all our students will reach their full potential. Being in the top five % of all Colleges shows that we are on the right track and demonstrates the high standards of teaching and support that our students receive from our staff.” Last year our students went on to top level universities like York, Bristol, UEA, Essex, Sussex, Newcastle and Kent. Many have chosen to study their degree with us at the University of Suffolk at West Suffolk College. Joseph Rolph from Mundford in Norfolk is on a BTEC Engineering Level 3 Extended Diploma and he’s been awarded a prestigious Arkwright Trust Scholarship aimed at future leaders in the industry. Conservatoire EAST students at West
Suffolk College go on to great things. Every year the exclusive Musical Theatre Academy in London offers just 20 places, this year three of them were our Musical Theatre students. The prestigious Ravensbourne University holds early interviews just for our Media students and accepts large numbers.There’s a huge variety of courses available at our Bury St Edmunds campus for students who are 16+.They include Business, Bricklaying, Computing, Construction, Graphic Design, Fashion, Performing Arts, Engineering, Media Production, Sport, Music, Science and many others. Our students study a single subject rather than three or four. If you want to earn money and learn at the same time why not go for an apprenticeship. Many employers are actively seeking school leavers to begin training. West Suffolk College will be opening its doors on Tuesday 24 January from 5.30pm to 7.30pm and Saturday 4 February 9.30am to 12.30pm to give prospective students a chance to ask questions of tutors and students and gather information about what courses they would like to take.
T U O D N WE S TA “It prepares you for what’s out there.” Stevie Squirrel, Vehicle Maintenance
www.westsuffolk.ac.uk Tel 01284 716333 info@wsc.ac.uk @westsuffolk /westsuffolk www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
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ELDERLY
HEARING CARE
Treating hearing loss can help keep your New Year’s Resolutions By Karen Finch, audiologist and Managing Director of The Hearing Care Centre
very New Year brings with it a sense of renewal. For many, this renewal may include New Year’s resolutions pledging that the next year will prove better than the last. The challenge is not making these resolutions, but making sure they do not melt away with the snow as winter turns to spring.
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Some common resolutions might include reducing stress levels, staying in touch more regularly with family and friends, and being more socially involved. For those who struggle with hearing loss, keeping these and other perennial resolutions may prove challenging. Here are a few examples of how treating your hearing loss in the New Year can help you achieve your resolutions and improve your life. Reducing stress Staying stress free in the New Year may seem like an insurmountable task, but
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we can all do a few things to make sure stress doesn’t dominate our lives. Hearingrelated stress can present itself in everyday situations with the potential to significantly increase your overall stress level. If you have become nervous to speak up when clarifying what was said in a conversation, or avoid loud places for fear of being cut from the conversation, it may be time to address your hearing issues. Finding a solution could help you reduce some of your daily stress. Staying in touch with family and friends Staying connected with family and friends is difficult whether loved ones are spread across the country or live just around the corner. If keeping in touch with the important people in your life tops your list of resolutions, addressing your hearing concerns may be a step in the right direction. Being able to communicate with family and friends without worrying about what was said by a loved one over the phone, on Skype, or
face-to-face is of the utmost importance. Not only does it put your mind at ease, it makes conversations with loved ones that much easier. Branching out Hearing loss may hinder you from branching out and meeting new people. If you are nervous to extend your social circle because of your hearing loss, addressing the issue in the New Year could be the push you need to make new friends and experience new adventures in the coming year. Have you always wanted to volunteer with an organisation or join a club but have been too self-conscious about your hearing loss? Don’t let apprehension and worry keep you from meeting new people and enjoying all the sights and sounds that the world has to offer. Starting a new hobby Star ting a new hobby, whether by yourself or in a group setting, can be
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(B.V.S) both challenging and enter taining. If you would like to learn how to play a new instrument and want to better hear the notes, or if you are taking a class at your local college and want to be able to contribute to the discussion without feeling nervous, having the confidence to address your hearing issues can lead to new talents and friends. Taking action If any of the above scenarios resonate with you, your hearing loss could be a barrier to accomplishing your resolutions. It may be time to add another resolution to the list: book a hearing assessment. Seeking help, advice and ultimately treating your hearing loss will benefit not only your physical health but your mental and social health as well. Placing priority on your hearing health will not only help you to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, but will give you a renewed confidence in your hearing and social life. Invest in your hearing. Invest in yourself. Karen Finch is the Managing Director and lead audiologist at The Hearing Care Centre in Ipswich. The multi-award winning, family-run company has 22 centres across Suffolk and Norfolk. To find out more information Freephone 0800 096 2637 or visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk
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ELDERLY
SOUTH NORFOLK MOBILITY CENTRE
Happy New Year With A Brand New Website ichael and Diana from South Norfolk Mobility Centre , wish ever y one a ver y happy New Year! Let’s hope that winter will make a hasty exit as we head through Januar y.
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